TODAY: 2010 Russell Athletic HBCU All-Star Bowl

The HBCU All-Star Bowl kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Georgia Dome. It is a radio only affair and you can listen in at: www.classicsportsradio.com, starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Visit: http://www.hbcubowl.com or click title.

Choctaw grad Cragin to play in HBCU Bowl

Josh Cragin isn’t approaching his appearance in the Historically Black College and University’s Bowl as the ultimate opportunity to get noticed by NFL scouts. For him, it’s just a perk. “It’s definitely an honor,” Cragin said. “They say it’s the best of the best in the HBCU, so it’s definitely a privilege.”

The Alcorn State University star and Choctawhatchee graduate is just thankful for the chance to play in today’s game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. It’s a showcase for the top 100 draft-eligible seniors — including 10 alternates — from all HBCU football conferences (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).

Lamar's McFadden, Lake City's Harrison to play in HBCU bowl

Seven South Carolina State players, including Pee Dee natives Marshall McFadden and Josh Harrison, will be playing in the HBCU Bowl on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

The HBCU Bowl teams are made up of the top senior football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The East team is made up of players from the MEAC and CIAA and coached by Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor, while the West team is made up of players from the SWAC and the SIAC and coached by Tuskegee coach Willie Slater.

McFadden, who played at Lamar, had 47 tackles, two sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown this season for the Bulldogs, who advanced to the FCS playoffs ...

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Tuskegee holds off Alabama State to win Turkey Day Classic, 17-10

Tuskegee ends its season 9-2 and raises Coach Willie Slater record to 51-7 in five seasons with the Golden Tigers.  Tuskegee defeated both West and East SWAC champions --Texas Southern (8-3) and Alabama State (7-4) this season.

MONTGOMERY, AL -- Tuskegee quarterback Joshua Harris' 60-yard pass to wide receiver Antoine Mitchell keyed a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that ultimately gave the Golden Tigers a 17-10 win Thursday over Alabama State in the Turkey Day Classic at Cramton Bowl.

Three plays after his completion to Mitchell, Harris hit tight end Stephen Clements on a 2-yard touchdown pass to give the Golden Tigers a 17-3 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Tuskegee tops Alabama State in Turkey Day Classic

Montgomery, AL - Tuskegee won the oldest football classic among the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, beating Alabama State for the second straight year, 17-10, in the Turkey Day Classic at the Cramton Bowl.

Joshua Harris threw for a touchdown and Nykeem Barton rushed for one to power Division II Tuskegee (9-2), which completed a sweep of the Football Championship Subdivision teams that will play in the SWAC Championship Game on Dec. 12, Alabama State (7-4) and Texas Southern (8-3). The Golden Tigers extended their series lead over Alabama State to 60-33-4, including 48-31-3 in the Turkey Day Classic.

TURKEY DAY CLASSIC: TUSKEGEE 17, ALABAMA STATE 10: Efficient Harris leads Golden Tigers over Hornets

All week, Alabama State coaches and defenders said the key to beating Tuskegee in the 87th annual Turkey Day Classic was forcing Tuskegee quarterback Joshua Harris to beat the Hornets with his arm.

Harris was up to the challenge. The senior completed 11 of 22 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown to lead the Golden Tigers to a 17-10 win over the Hornets at Cramton Bowl on Thanksgiving Day. "He's been inconsistent at times, but I'm talking about a kid with thick skin," said Tuskegee coach Willie Slater. "He receives it and tries to get better. He made some big plays for us today, really big plays."

Photo Gallery:
Turkey Day Classic Parade
Tuskegee defeats ASU

TURKEY DAY NOTEBOOK: Is ASU-Tuskegee rivalry in jeopardy?

Tuskegee won the Turkey Day Classic for the 59th time in the 97-game series with Alabama State and for the 10th time in the last 12 meetings, but there is some talk that the series between the two rivals may be coming to an end.

It's not the first time the two sides haven't seen eye to eye, but Alabama State's plan to move the game to its campus in two years may factor into the Tigers' thoughts of quitting the rivalry. "That's beyond me," Tuskegee coach Willie Slater said. "I wouldn't want to speculate."

Tuskegee, a Division II school, forgoes an opportunity to participate in the NCAA Division II playoffs by playing the Turkey Day Classic. Skipping the Thanksgiving Day game could put the Tigers in a position to participate in the playoffs and compete for a national championship.

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ATTENDANCE: 17,882

Alabama State looks for better Turkey Day Classic results vs. Tuskegee

Alabama State vs. Tuskegee, 3 p.m. CT, Television: ESPNU

Since 2005, Turkey Day Classic oppo­nents Alabama State and Tuskegee have entered the showdown with familiar fore casts beyond Thanksgiving. Tuskegee has traditionally been set to play in December's Pioneer Bowl -- the exception being 2008, when the Pioneer Bowl was canceled -- while Alabama State knew the annual game was its last of the season. At today's 3 p.m. kickoff in Montgomery, the roles are reserved.

Tuskegee (8-2) has lost its four-year hold on the Southern Intercollegiate Ath letic Conference title, while Alabama State (7-3) has secured a spot in the Dec. 11 Southwestern Athletic Conference cham pionship game in Birmingham. Despite the looming SWAC title showdown with Texas Southern, Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said he won't be holding back today.


Videographer: vbrot11 (Alabama State University Marching Hornets vs. SU , 2010)

Turkey Day Classic on ESPNU

Alabama State has beaten Tuskegee University only once in the past six Turkey Day Classics at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl — and that one win in 2008 was a controversial one when TU’s apparent winnng touchdown was ruled out of bounds, which photos showed was the wrong call.

Tuskegee has been the dominant team in recent years, having won 11 of the past 14 games after Alabama State reeled off 15 wins in 17 games from 1975 through 1995. The two teams didn’t play in 1991-92.

For the first time in years, Alabama State comes into the game on a roll with four straight victories to nail down a berth in the SWAC Championship Game December 11 as the conference’s East Division representative.

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87th Annual Turkey Day Classic & ASU Homecoming: Tuskegee Golden Tigers vs. Alabama State Hornets

TUSKEGEE (8-2) VS. ALABAMA STATE (7-3)

Kickoff: 3 p.m. Thursday

Facts and Figures - Site: Cramton Bowl (24,600) in Montgomery, Ala.; Records: Tuskegee, 8-2; Alabama State, 7-3. Television: ESPNU; Series record: Tuskegee leads, 59-33-4; Turkey Day Classic record: Tuskegee leads, 47-31-3; Conferences: Tuskegee, Division II SIAC; Alabama State, SWAC; Coaches: Tuskegee - Willie J. Slater (50-7 in five seasons); Alabama State - Reggie Barlow (19-22). Sheridan Poll Ranking: Tuskegee, 7; Alabama State, 10.

Golden Tigers to face Alabama State Hornets in 87th Annual Turkey Day Classic

Tuskegee, Ala. – The Tuskegee University Golden Tigers (8-2) will take on the Alabama State University Hornets (7-3) in the 87th Annual Turkey Day Classic on Thursday, Nov. 25 at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. This year's game will kick off at 3 p.m. CST.

The Golden Tigers and the Hornets have battled each other in what is considered the oldest football classic among Historically Black Colleges and Universities since 1924. Tuskegee leads the Turkey Day Classic series 47-31-3. The two teams have played each other 96 times since 1901, with Tuskegee leading the overall series 59-33-4. The 2009 game ended with the Golden Tigers winning 21-0.

ASU football coach Reggie Barlow a finalist for FCS coach of the year award

PHILADELPHIA -- Alabama State University head football coach Reggie Barlow has been named one of 20 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, which honors the Football Championship Series (FCS) national coach of the year.

Barlow has led the Hornets to a 7-3 overall record heading into the final regular season game of the season. He led ASU to a Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division Championship and a berth in the 2010 Farmers Insurance SWAC Football Championship Game on Dec. 11 in Birmingham.

HORNET HOMECOMING EVENTS

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FVSU Beats Tuskegee 26-0 for 5th Straight 'W'

Two SIAC heavyweights did battle in the Valley Saturday. Fort Valley State and Tuskegee rolled in at 5-1, tied for 2nd in the conference behind undefeated Albany State.

The Wildcats scored on their opening drive, thanks to a six-yard TD run from Tony Reid to make it 6-0. In the second quarter Aaron Courtney punched it in, followed by a failed two-point conversion to make it a 12-0 game. FVSU QB Eugene Smith connected with Demario Barber before halftime to make it 19-0.

Wildcats dominate Golden Tigers in SIAC showdown

FORT VALLEY, GA – Back in August, there was talk about the old Fort Valley State “blue death” defense. That was talk. The live 2010 version showed up against Tuskegee. When FVSU’s offense actually let Tuskegee have the ball, FVSU’s defense made it pay.

Tuskegee was held to only 92 yards in total offense and blanked for the first time since 2003 as the Wildcats were dominant on both sides of the ball in pounding the 16th-ranked Golden Tigers 26-0 on Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium. FVSU improved to 6-1 overall and 5-1 in SIAC play on senior night while Tuskegee fell to 5-2 and 4-2.

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Tuskegee, 5-1, at Fort Valley State today

For No. 16 Tuskegee (5-1, 4-1 SIAC), its brutal stretch of confer ence games concludes with Fort Valley State (5-1, 4-1). After a home throttling at the hands of conference- leading Albany State, the Golden Tigers have rebounded well with wins over FCS opponent Texas Southern and SIAC foes Miles and previously undefeated Morehouse.

The primary reason has been the play of Tuskegee's defense, which ranks seventh in Division II in total defense and first in passing yards allowed. Fort Valley State's defense, however, has been nearly as sturdy.

FVSU readies for key contest with Tuskegee

FORT VALLEY, GA — Donald Pittman looked like a man who needed a few administrative assistants, immediately. Two different phones rang, and his office was filled with boxes of blue T-shirts with his team’s midseason motto: Making Up For Last Year.

Fort Valley State’s head coach needed to order more small T-shirts, and it appeared they wouldn’t be delivered in time for Thursday night’s pep rally. And that wasn’t making him happy.

Then the conversation returned to Saturday night’s opponent, and Pittman’s attention immediately returned to football. “Seven long years,” he said. “It’s about time for that to change.”

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This is the funniest guy in Georgia.

Tuskegee defeats Morehouse

COLUMBUS, GA -- Nykeem Barton wanted to make his final Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic a lot like all the others in which he has played. The senior running back rushed for three touchdowns and No. 18 Tuskegee's defense squashed a second-half rally to hand No. 16 Morehouse its first loss of the season, 31-15 Saturday at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

It was the seventh straight win in the series for Tuskegee (5-1, 4-1 SIAC), which improved to 66-27-7 all-time against Morehouse (5-1, 4-1). Barton scored on a 2-yard run on the Golden Tigers’ first possession and his 7-yard run, and subsequent two-point conversion run, in the second quarter put Tuskegee ahead 21-2 at halftime.

Tuskegee Downs No. 16 Morehouse College 

The high-scoring offense failed to launch for the first time this season and Morehouse fell, 31-15, to the Tuskegee Golden Tigers, in the 75th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic.

 Morehouse's 15 points and 213 total yards were season lows, for the team that averaged 40 points and 366 yards per game. The Maroon Tigers dropped to 5-1; Tuskegee improved to 5-1.

Tuskegee jumped out to a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. An eight-yard touchdown pass, early in the second quarter, pushed the lead to 13-0. But the Morehouse defense blocked the point-after attempt and Darrius Williams returned the football for a two-point score.

A seven-yard touchdown run gave the Golden Tigers a 21-2 halftime lead. In the third quarter, the teams traded scores. Morehouse linebacker Charlie Wilson blocked a punt that Samuel Gilmore returned 36-yards for a touchdown. Tuskegee kicked a 22-yard field goal.

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Tuskegee Rebounds, Holds off Texas Southern

A week after being manhandled at home by Albany State, Tuskegee got back on track, outlasting FCS foe Texas Southern 21-14 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama Saturday.

Although Martin Gilbert rushed for 121 yards on 19 carries for TSU (1-3) against the 25th-ranked Golden Tigers (3-1), it was Nykeem Barton outdueling Arvell Nelson that was the heart of the game.

Barton smashed through the goal-line stands of TSU for all three Tuskegee touchdowns that combined for just four total yards. The third score, in the fourth quarter, proved to be the game-winner.

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Attendance: 5336

Blount's Harris leads Tuskegee into Mobile

Joshua Harris has always dreamed of owning something. He graduated in May from Tuskegee University with a 3.2 GPA and degrees in business administration and management science, and hopes to own a franchise one day. For now, the 6-1, 224-pound quarterback has owned opposing defenses as a starter for the Golden Tigers.

After replacing injured Jeremy Williams over the last four games last season, Harris has thrown for 1,543 yards, 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions as a starter.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., the Blount High graduate will return to familiar territory when Tuskegee (2-1) travels to Mobile to battle Texas Southern (1-2) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

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TUSKEGEE 34, BENEDICT 18: Just another solid start for the Golden Tigers

TUSKEGEE, AL -- As far as season openers go, Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater thought this one was pretty typical. It was exciting, it was hard-fought and it left a lot of room for improvement. later brushed off some stretches of sloppy play the Golden Tigers displayed in a 34-18 home win against Benedict College on Saturday.

"We played like it was the first game," Slater said. "We played with good effort. We committed a lot of penalties, but all those mistakes are coachable. We turned the ball over, but I don't think they were crucial turnovers because we were ahead."

Nykeem Barton made all of his 37 rushing yards count by scoring three touchdowns. Josh Harris was 14-of-23 passing for 247 yards with a touchdown. Benedict's Renando Rose led all rushers with 72 yards.

Tuskegee defeats Benedict

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TU Golden Tigers ready to begin run for fifth straight SIAC

With 15 starters returning from a 10-2 team that won its fourth straight Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) football title in 2010 by posting an 8-1 conference record, even Tuskegee University head coach Willie Slater is optimistic.

Normally one to downplay his team’s possibilities, Slater seems more comfortable in the favorite’s role where his fellow SIAC coaches has installed the Golden Tigers for the upcoming season. Slater has mellowed somewhat in agreeing Tuskegee should be pretty good this year with 57 lettermen on hand, including six of the front seven on defense, three wide receivers and a pair of quarterbacks who shared starting duties in 2009.

It all begins Saturday, September 4, when Benedict Tigers come to Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium on the TU campus for the Golden Tigers season opener. Kickoff is the traditional 1 p.m.

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Perennial small college power Tuskegee is loaded again

Tuskegee begins its 2010 season on the heels of unprecedented success. From 2000 to 2009, the Golden Tigers have won seven Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, including the past four in a row. They have recorded two undefeated seasons and won two black college national championships.

Tuskegee has beaten its biggest rival, Alabama State, six straight times and 10 of the past 11 in the annual Turkey Day Classic. The Golden Tigers have won 23 straight games at home, the last home loss coming in 2004. The bad news for Tuskegee chasers is that this domination is expected to continue. Coach Willie Slater's 2010 squad returns 57 letter winners and is picked by coaches to win the SIAC for a fifth straight time.



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