NCAT: Misery loves company

NCCU vs. NCAT game broadcast available on Internet streaming live video at 6:30 p.m. at: http://www.jarvistv.com/NCCU/.

By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News and Record

Misery loves company and the N.C. A&T Aggies have plenty when it comes to college football losing streaks.

When you have lost 19 consecutive football games, as the N.C. A&T Aggies have, it's easy to think you're alone in misery. Particularly when you know your streak is the longest of the 236 teams in the college game's top two divisions.

But NCAA football is a large beast that encompasses 629 schools, from the giants of Ohio State and Texas and -- it has been alleged -- Notre Dame all the way to Huntingdon College of Montgomery, Ala., at which 96 of the 371 men enrolled this year are on the football team.

So fear not. There are other depositories of distress -- even if they're in the relative anonymity of Divisions II and III. A&T is but one of a half-dozen teams with 18 or more consecutive losses entering this weekend's play. They're not even the most downtrodden of Aggies.

Collectively, the Sliding Six-Pack has lost 117 consecutive games by an average score of 42-10. Only eight of the games in question have been decided by fewer than 10 points; 25 have been by 50 or worse.

In ascending -- or is that descending? -- order, here are the teams most desperate to win this week.

18: HIRAM COLLEGE

Div. Streak PF PA Avg.

III 18 189 782 10-43

The Terriers of Hiram, Ohio, could have it worse. They haven't won since Oct. 1, 2005, and they managed only a touchdown in that one. Their 7-2 victory over Earlham came in the middle of a stretch in which they failed to score more than seven points in seven games. By the time they got the hang of the offense, it didn't matter. When they scored 38 vs. Kenyon, they gave up 41.

The Division III school of 900, situated 41 miles east of Cleveland, is renowned for its poetry review, which has been published since 1966. Perhaps the Terriers should avert their eyes from the most recent issue, which includes Shaun Hand's "The End of the World."

But then again, the schedule might be kind to them. Today's opponent, Manchester College of North Manchester, Ind., just broke its own 10-game losing streak with a victory over -- you got it -- Earlham.

Location: Hiram, Ohio

Famous alum: James A. Garfield, 20th president of the United States

Cool fact: Guarantees students that their tuition won't increase

19: N.C. A&T

Div. Streak PF PA Avg.

I-AA 19 213 744 11-39

The Aggies face N.C. Central (3-1) at 6:30 p.m. today, seeking to avoid becoming the fifth team in the 30-year history of I-AA football to drop 20 games in a row. For now, the list is confined to Prairie View A&M (80), Columbia (44), St. Francis of Pennsylvania (30) and Canisius (24). The Aggies' streak is tied for the longest in MEAC history with Delaware State's run of futility in 1997-99.

Coach Lee Fobbs, whose administration was preceded by considerable player attrition after George Small's dismissal in late 2005, has twice lost his starting quarterback to knee injuries, but he has not soured on his bunch. Understandably, Fobbs is tiring of questions about how he'll keep his players motivated as the defeats mount.

"Everybody asks me that every week," he said after Saturday's 59-14 loss to Hampton, the three-time MEAC champion. "These guys love playing football. (Victory) is going to come for us. We've got the right guys out there. They bust their tails every day in practice. You haven't seen these guys quit. They work their fannies off every day."

Location: Greensboro

Famous alum: Jesse Jackson, civil-rights leader

Cool fact: Four freshmen initiated sit-in movement, Feb. 1, 1960

19: OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE

Div. Streak PF PA Avg.

II 19 149 1009 8-53

Also known as the Aggies, Oklahoma Panhandle has struggled more than A&T's Aggies. Of their 19 straight defeats, six have come by 60 or more points. That includes an ignominious run in 2005 in which the Division II team lost to Nebraska-Omaha 71-0, Pittsburg State 70-0 and Texas State 75-7. The coach of that team, Ryan Held, saw more points scored against his players in those three games than in any of his four full seasons as a Nebraska linebacker.

Their closest brush with victory during this streak was a 28-24 loss to Bacone College of Muskogee, Okla., on Oct. 16, 2006. The Warriors, who entered the game 0-5, won while being outgained by 145 yards in total offense.

Maybe today's the day. The Aggies' foe, the Blue Jays of Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan., are 0-2.

Location: Goodwell, Okla.

Famous alum: Billy Bob Thornton, actor

Cool fact: Is closer to Juarez, Mexico, than it is to portions of its own state

20: BECKER COLLEGE

Div. Streak PF PA Avg.

II 20 301 845 15-42

A Division II school, Becker is winless in its football history, which began in 2005. The school began playing the sport for the same reason football is started on many campuses: It's considered a means of boosting male enrollment. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the school was straight out of a 1960s bubble-gum pop song -- two girls for every boy -- in 2005-06.

The campus is not without an athletics heritage, however. Just outside the Weller Academic Center, there's a marker commemorating the spot of the first perfect game in what is now called major league baseball. John Lee Richmond of the Worcester team known as the Worcesters, Ruby Legs or Brown Stockings, according to different accounts, beat Cleveland 1-0 on June 12, 1880.

Maybe the vibes haven't translated to the football team just yet, and that might be because Becker is actually made up of two campuses, one in Worcester, Mass., and another in Leicester, six miles away. The Hawks athletics department operates in Leicester; Richmond's feat occurred in Worcester.

They go to Newton, Mass., today to play Mount Ida (1-2).

Location: Leicester, Mass.

Famous alum: Colleen Barrett, president, Southwest Airlines

Cool fact: John Hancock signed the school's charter in 1784

20: LEWIS & CLARK

Div. Streak PF PA Avg.

III 20 178 742 9-37

Not even a brush with death can stop the Pioneers of Portland, Ore., from trying to break their streak.

After the fourth game of the 2005 season, a 55-24 setback to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps of Claremont, Calif., the Division III Pioneers had lost their past nine games by an average score of 53-12. Citing a lack of healthy linemen and the resulting threat to the safety of the remaining players, the season was halted.

Shortly thereafter, the school's president convened an 18-member study group to determine the program's feasibility on a campus of 2,641 students.

"As a whole, the inventory taken of Lewis & Clark students has shown a sincere desire for football on campus," the report said. "While LC may currently attract independently minded students, it appears as if the students themselves, while independent, still want and need opportunities to be brought back together on campus."

A competitive renaissance isn't necessarily imminent -- the Pioneers lost to the Sagehens of Pomona College 36-6 last week -- but the team does get a break this weekend before returning to action at the University of Chicago next week.

Location: Portland, Ore.

Famous alum: Monica Lewinsky, White House intern

Cool fact: Declines to participate in U.S. News college rankings system

21: ST. ANSELM

Div. Streak PF PA Avg.

II 21 196 846 9-40

Art has unintentionally imitated life at St. Anselm, a Division II school in Manchester, N.H. In November, the college will host a local youth play titled "Miss Nolan Has a Field Day." It's about an elementary school football team trying to break a 12-game losing streak.

As for the Hawks, they're coming off a 71-21 loss at the hands of Assumption, and they play today at Pace University of Pleasantville, N.Y. But they haven't lost the support of their community. The student activities board has a director of spirit, and home games remain popular.

"It's usually a good time," said Maura Leahy, a junior political science major from Wakefield, Mass. "Unfortunately, (the Hawks) usually lose a bit of steam in the third quarter. We'd like to have a winning football team, but we take what we have."

Location: Manchester, N.H.

Famous alum: Mark Sullivan, director, U.S. Secret Service

Cool fact: Host of presidential debates in 2008

The long road trip continues for WSSU Rams

By John Dell, Winston Salem Journal

Since starting its climb to the Football Championship Subdivision two years ago, Winston-Salem State has held its own against teams from the MEAC - with one exception.

S.C. State pummeled WSSU 35-6 at Bowman Gray Stadium last season. It was the most decisive loss to a MEAC team since the Rams left Division II.

WSSU will get a chance to redeem itself when it plays S.C. State at 6 p.m. today at Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg.

Coach Kermit Blount of the Rams says he doesn’t consider last year’s loss to S.C. State a blowout because the game was close at halftime. Two turnovers by the Rams in the second half opened the door for the Bulldogs.

The Rams, who won’t be eligible for the MEAC championship until 2010, are 2-1 overall this season and 2-0 against MEAC teams after last week’s 19-17 win against Morgan State.

“I’m not surprised about the performance,” Blount said of the win against Morgan State. “I knew we had a good group of young men, and it does feel good to be where we are record-wise, but at the same time, it is a very long season.”

Today’s game will be WSSU’s third in a stretch of six straight road games, but Blount says he doesn’t mind being away from home and that playing on the road gets his team’s attention.

“On the road we can control our team a little better,” he said. “It’s more regimented, and I think that’s a plus.”

S.C. State is 1-2 and coming off a 38-3 loss to No. 17 South Carolina. The other loss also was to a team in the Football Bowl Subdivision, 34-3 to Air Force in a season-opener. S.C. State’s win was a MEAC victory at Bethune-Cookman.

Coach Buddy Pough’s Bulldogs will be making their home debut.

“We have been from the Rocky Mountains down to the Atlantic Ocean already this season, and we get a chance to finally come back to Orangeburg to the friendly confines of Bulldog Stadium in front of our home fans,” said Pough, who is in his sixth season at S.C. State and has a 41-19 record.

After two games against FBS teams (formerly Division I-A), it might appear as if things would be easier for the Bulldogs today. Pough doesn’t see it that way.

“We would like to come back and play someone really easy, but you don’t see that with Winston-Salem State,” Pough said. “They are playing really well on defense and offense this year. Last year, they were more defensive with the ability to score a point or two, but this year, it’s going to be a different story and a tough football game for us.”

The Rams lost running back Brandon McRae to a broken wrist last week, and Jed Bines suffered a high-ankle sprain. Bines has missed practice all week and is listed as probable.

Rod Fluellen, who has moved back to tailback where he was a reserve last season, will start in place of Bines. There’s a chance freshman Nic Cooper could play, but Blount is hoping to redshirt him this season. As a precaution, however, Cooper will be in uniform for tonight’s game.

“It’s still a day-to-day thing with Jed,” Blount said Thursday. “We’ll have to wait and see (today) if Jed can go.”

Last week, WSSU’s defense allowed Morgan State’s Chad Simpson to rush for 221 yards on 41 carries. This week, the Rams will have to try to stop Will Ford, a sophomore who gained 117 yards on 17 carries against South Carolina.

Defensive coordinator Mike Ketchum says that stopping the run is always important.

“They had a heck of a running back at Morgan State, and now we’ll see another good one at South Carolina State,” Ketchum said. “So there’s no letup in this league.”

Quarterback Cleveland McCoy leads the S.C. State offense. He’s a fifth-year senior and three-year starter, and he has passed for more than 3,000 yards and rushed for more than 1,000 in his career.

Blount was an assistant at S.C. State for four seasons before coming to WSSU in 1993, and he knows that playing in Orangeburg isn’t easy.

“This is a different kind of group of players that we are going to play this weekend as they are very good and very physical, most definitely one of the best teams in the MEAC,” Blount said. “Certainly we will have to be on the top of our game to win.”

Blount called last week’s win a good measuring stick of how far his program has come. Another win against one of the top teams in the MEAC would be another step forward.

“The thing that we want to do is not so much about the wins and losses,” Blount said, “it’s more about being competitive and building a Division I football program.”

B-CU to see some familiar faces at NSU

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News Journal

The way Bobbie Williams remembers it, one day three Bethune-Cookman assistant football coaches were on campus, the next day they weren't.

It happened shortly after the 2004 season when B-CU defensive coordinator Pete Adrian was named head coach at Norfolk State and he took three other assistants -- Kirk Mastromatteo, Mark DeBastiani and Jeff Parker -- with him.

"One day they were here, the next day they were gone," said Williams, B-CU's All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference free safety. "They did what they had to do. We were fine without them."

When the Wildcats face the Spartans at Norfolk State today, Williams said it will be just another conference game. But the numbers say otherwise. Since Adrian has been at Norfolk, the two teams have played two dramatic nailbiters that were decided by a total of three points.

And Williams saved the victory for the 'Cats both times. In 2005, he pushed Brandon Books out of bounds as the Norfolk quarterback tried to run in a two-point conversion that would tie the score in the fourth overtime. Williams' stop gave B-CU a 63-61 marathon victory.

Last year, Williams intercepted Casey Hansen's pass with 1:45 left to clinch the Wildcats' 22-21 triumph. It was Williams' third pick of the day.

"It's just a coincidence that every time we've played them I've had one of my best games," Williams said.

Photo: BCU All-American Safety Bobbie Williams

B-CU quarterback Jimmie Russell has also had two straight outstanding games against the Spartans, but unlike Williams, he doesn't see Norfolk State as just "a regular opponent."

"This one has added incentive because of the circumstances involved," Russell said.

Two years ago, B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt refused to shake hands with Adrian after the game. The following offseason, the two head coaches, who had worked together for eight years, smoothed over their differences.

"These guys are my best friends," Wyatt said this week of his three former assistants. "We've been through a lot of wars together, and we understand each other."

That familiarity is one of the reasons the past two games have been so closely contested, the coaches say.

"Just as they know how we think, we know how they think," Adrian said.

"We kind of know what the other is going to do," Wyatt agreed.

In such a game, Wyatt said, the difference usually comes down to a turnover or a crucial special teams play.

But the focus is on offensive and defensive playmakers, such as Williams and Russell and Norfolk State quarterback Hansen and linebacker Maguell Davis. And while the coaching staffs know each other so well, when it comes to familiarity in personnel, the edge goes to the Spartans.

For example, when Adrian watches Russell on film, he sees the same quarterback he saw every day on the practice field three years ago.

"He's the kind of guy you might stop eight plays in a row, but on the ninth play he might be standing in the end zone," Adrian said. "The kid is a great competitor, and he's always been a great competitor."

Playing with a knee brace last week to protect a strained medial collateral ligament, Russell rushed for three touchdowns and accounted for 177 yards of total offense as the Wildcats trounced Savannah State 45-13.

Photo: BCU QB Jimmie Russell

This week the stakes are higher as the Wildcats try to halt a four-game MEAC losing streak that began last season, and the Spartans try to take a step forward after finishing 4-7 the past two years.

B-CU (2-1) at Norfolk State (1-1)

KICKOFF: 4 p.m.
RADIO: WELE (1380 AM)
va2WHERE: Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, Va.
KICKOFF: 4 p.m.
RADIO: 1380-AM
RECORDS: Bethune-Cookman 2-1, 0-1 MEAC; Norfolk St. 1-1, 0-0
SERIES: B-CU leads 12-5

PLAYMAKERS: B-CU -- QB Jimmie Russell, Sr., has six of the Wildcats' seven rushing touchdowns and has accumulated 508 yards of total offense; WR Joe Singleton, Jr., has six catches for 126 yards (21 ypc); FS Bobbie Williams, Sr., leads the 'Cats with 25 tackles and has one interception. LB/DE Josh Balloon, Sr., has five tackles for losses. Norfolk State -- QB Casey Hansen, Sr., has passed for 353 yards with two interceptions and no TDs; RB Daryl Jones, Sr., has rushed for 163 yards and two TDs; LB Maguell Davis, Sr., has two tackles for losses and an interception.

ETC: This is Norfolk State's first game against a Division I-AA team. The Spartans beat Division II Virginia State 33-7 in Week 1 and were overwhelmed by nationally-ranked Division I-A Rutgers 59-0 last week. B-CU has won nine straight over Norfolk, but the past two by just a combined three points.

DID YOU KNOW: This is the second time this season that B-CU is playing a MEAC opponent that had played against a Division I-A squad the previous week.The 'Cats met South Carolina State the week after the Bulldogs played at Air Force and are now playing Norfolk the week after the Spartans played at Rutgers.

BCU Marching Wildcats

Photo Gallery: FAMU smashes Howard Bison

FAMU Marching 100

QUICK SLANTS: Alabama A&M at Grambling State

Photo: GSU DB DeMichael Dizer #29 versus Pittsburgh Panthers

By Nick Deriso, The Monroe News Star

NOT FLASHY, BUT SOLID

First-year Grambling coach Rod Broadway’s style isn’t flashy. In fact, it’s sometimes almost boring.

A sample: “Don’t try to make plays that are not in your area,” Broadway told the team this week. “Take care of your responsibility.”

But that kind of solid, foundation-building approach is finding a home in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, despite the lingering reputation of flamboyant character/coaches like Marino Casem, Archie Cooley and Melvin Spears.

After all, it could be argued that both participants in the most recent SWAC title games (Alabama A&M’s Anthony Jones and Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Mo Forte) were proponents of this assignment-oriented approach — as are recent championship coaches like Charlie Coe and Pete Richardson.

DON’T MISS IT
When Grambling plays Alabama A&M this Saturday, it will be one of just three home games in 2007, the second consecutive season that’s happened.

Over the past 25 seasons at Robinson Stadium, GSU has held as few as three home games on 10 other occasions.

But it’s not the shortest home slate ever.

Under former coach Doug Williams in 2001, the Tigers played just two games in Grambling — going 2-0 over Alabama A&M and Texas Southern.

GSU then played four home contests in 2002-05.

Still, playing so few times in front of the locals puts additional pressure on the team to perform well, something first-year Grambling coach Rod Broadway is well aware of.

“I’ve heard so much about the atmosphere here,” Broadway said. “I’m excited for our fans and our football team. Hopefully, we can go out and represent the university and the athletic department well.”

Grambling has posted undefeated home records nine times (1983, ’89, ’91, ’93-94, 2000-02, and ’05) since “The Rob” opened in September 1983. Its only winless campaign at the stadium was in 2004.

ENEMY LINES: A&M
Alabama A&M, coming off its first-ever SWAC championship in 2006, returns 13 starters — including dual-threat quarterback Kelcy Luke.

That led preseason league voters to predict a return to the title match, which has also featured A&M in 2000, ’02 and ’05. Each previous time, however, the Bulldogs fell to this week’s foe, Grambling.

“We’ve got some demons to face,” said A&M coach Anthony Jones. “We’ve got to get ourselves ready to face a good football team on the road. (First-year Grambling coach Rod) Broadway has them playing well in all three phases of the game.”

Always a defensive-minded squad, A&M has emerged as a scoring threat in 2006 — averaging a league-leading 45 points a game so far in wins over Tennessee State, Clark-Atlanta and Mississippi Valley.

That’s helped the Bulldogs open a season at 3-0 for the first time since 1966, according to the SWAC.

“They’re the conference champions, and have played in a number of championship games,” Broadway said. “You don’t play in that many conference championship games without doing a good job. It’s going to be a great challenge.”

Freshman Ulysses Banks has run for 314 yards in the past two games alone, while the underappreciated Luke — still largely unknown, despite leading A&M to consecutive nine-win seasons — is throwing for 293 yards a game.

“He’s a leader, and he’s proven to be a winner,” Jones said of Luke. “I’m blessed to have him on our team.”

Grambling holds a 12-4 lead in a series that dates back to 1941. A&M recorded a shutout in that first meeting; Grambling held the Bulldogs scoreless the last time this league game was held at Robinson Stadium, in 2005. There were 44 years between the second and third games of this series, held in 1945 and then ’89. A&M has been an annual opponent since it joined the SWAC in 1998.

“We’re excited to play the conference champions,” Broadway said. “You can never underestimate the heart of a champion. That means they will not give up, and they’ll be there until the last whistle. That’s where we have to get our guys.”

SWAC ATTACK
VIEW FROM SOUTHERN
Once again, Southern had its troubles with Prairie View — though the Jaguars were able to avoid the overtime upset that defined their 2006 season.

The defense overcame a series of offensive mishaps, including as many as six dropped passes, to win 12-2.
“I don’t know if it’s what they did or what we did to ourselves,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said.

Photo: Texas Southern vs. JSU was played in monsoon.

OFF THE SNIDE
Jackson State has finally gotten its first win of the season, besting Texas Southern 28-7 in a rain-soaked contest.

JSU finished 2006 on a 1-4 slide, then opened this year 0-2.

“We needed a win bad,” said coach Rick Comegy. “We haven’t had one in a while. Hopefully that will lead us back to the hopes and dreams we had for the season.”

WSSU Rams' tailback depth to be tested

Photo: Winston-Salem State's Jed Bines (1) suffered a high-ankle sprain against Morgan State.

By John Dell, Winston Salem Journal

McRae out for season with broken wrist; Bines questionable for Saturday

With the exception of minor bumps and bruises, Winston-Salem State’s football players stayed healthy through their first two games of the season.

That all changed in Saturday’s 19-17 win over Morgan State, and the Rams played the second half without their two top running backs, Brandon McRae and Jed Bines.

McRae, the team’s leading rusher last season with 623 yards, suffered a broken wrist and is out for the rest of the season.

Bines suffered a high-ankle sprain in the first quarter and did not return. He is questionable for Saturday’s game at South Carolina State.

Coach Kermit Blount said that adjusting to the injuries this week will be a primary focus heading into Saturday’s game.

“We’ll know by (today) or Thursday if Jed can get back on the field,” Blount said. Bines missed practice Monday and yesterday and is wearing a protective boot on his left ankle.

Bines said he hasn’t missed a game because of an injury since his senior year at Parkland in 2002, and plans to play Saturday. He did miss all of last season because he was academically ineligible.

“It’s getting better by the day, and I’ve been doing a lot of treatments with our trainer (Darrell Turner),” Bines said of his ankle. “I think the way it stands now is, I’ll try to run on it a little bit on Thursday to see how it responds.”

Blount sounded optimistic that Bines, who needs just 18 yards to reach 3,000 for his career, could return this week.

“It’s going to be hard to keep him out because he’s such a competitor, and I know he wants to play,” Blount said.

With Bines and McRae sharing time, the tailback position was one of the Rams’ strongest assets. That’s no longer the case.

Rod Fluellen, who was a reserve tailback last season but was moved to slotback this season, will likely be the starter on Saturday even if Bines can play.

Fluellen moved to tailback in the second half against Morgan State but had just 10 carries for 20 yards.

Blount said that freshman Nic Copper, one of the Rams’ top signings who was expected to redshirt this season, will travel to Orangeburg on Saturday. Copper, 6-0 and 220 pounds, starred for Clinton High School where he ran for more than 2,000 yards as a junior. Cooper hasn’t played this season but has excelled on the scout team during practice.

“It’s kind of up in the air to see how things play out this week in practice,” Blount said.

Blount said that the rest of his team is healthy.

“This is going to be probably a more physical game than the Morgan State game,” Blount said, “so we’ll need to be a full strength.”

VIDEO:

Freshman Mitchell is center of attention at WSSU after his winning kick

Photo: Matt Mitchell made his first two field-goal attempts of his career.

By John Dell, Winston Salem Journal

Matt Mitchell finds all the attention a little overwhelming.

“I’ve never done a TV interview before,” he said yesterday during Winston-Salem State’s weekly press conference. “I really don’t know what to say.”

Mitchell, a freshman kicker from Belmont, prefers to let his right foot do the talking.

He made the first two field-goal attempts of his college career Saturday as WSSU beat Morgan State 19-17. His second field goal, a 24-yarder with 4/10ths of a second to play, won the game.

“Maybe I’ll get used it,” Mitchell, smiling, said of his sudden popularity.

Coach Kermit Blount of the Rams couldn’t help but poke fun at Mitchell’s first shot at a TV interview.

“You weren’t nervous were you Matt?” Blount said. “Well, get used to it, because you are going to have to do more of these.”

Mitchell has noticed fellow students paying him more attention.

“People I haven’t ever talked to before have come up to me and said ‘nice kick,’” Mitchell said.

From Shawn Thomas to Ashton Oakley to Matt Hind to Chad Oakley, the Rams have had successful kickers in recent seasons. But Chad Oakley graduated in the spring, forcing the Rams to break in a new kicker.

Blount and his staff set their sights on Mitchell, a 6-0, 190-pounder who also played some safety at South Point High School. He came in with WSSU’s latest class of recruits and so far has been the most valuable. As a high-school senior, he made 6 of 8 field-goal attempts, with his longest a 53-yarder.

Mitchell said he had two offers, a half scholarship at Lenior-Rhyne and a full scholarship at WSSU. He decided on WSSU, but not just because of football.

“What made me want to come here was they have an animation program I liked, and I would be the starting kicker,” said Mitchell, who wants to get into cartoon animation after graduation.

Mitchell also kicks off, and he isn’t afraid to throw his body around. Offensive coordinator Nick Calcutta said that Mitchell’s big hit on an unsuspecting Morgan State player during a kickoff is one to remember.

“I saw this guy coming out of the corner of my eye, so I just braced myself and ended up hitting him pretty good, and he flew up in the air,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell didn’t celebrate after the hit. He simply walked back to the sideline.

“He’s just a quiet kid,” Calcutta said. “He loves playing the game and loves being here. He’s a great competitor, but those TV guys have their work cut out for them trying to get him to talk because it’s like pulling teeth with him.”

Calcutta said it’s an asset having a kicker who isn’t high-maintenance. “He’s able to block a lot of distractions out,” Calcutta said.

Mitchell has had to adjust to place-kicking without a tee, as he did in high school, and Blount has been easing ease him into the role. Mitchell didn’t attempt a field goal in WSSU’s first two games but was perfect on his extra-point attempts.

On Saturday, Mitchell’s first field goal was perfect from 38 yards. However, he had an extra-point attempt blocked in the fourth quarter after a missed assignment on the line.

On the winning field goal, holder Justin Sherrod handled a high snap, but got the ball down, and Mitchell made the kick easily.

As for the celebration, Mitchell jumped up twice. That was it.

“I was more nervous on the first kick because it was my first attempt and it was from 38,” Mitchell said.

One of the traditions that the Rams have is selecting one player to give a short speech to the team during pregame preparations. Running back Jed Bines said that Mitchell was selected before the game against Coastal Carolina but didn’t say much.

Now, standing in front of his teammates and getting them fired up should be easier.

“I can’t ever think of anything to say,” Mitchell said.

“I want it to be good, so the guys will be excited.”

NCCU's Coard has a nose for winning

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Courtney Coard doesn't have to think hard to remember his first loss as a college football player.

It came in just his second game for N.C. Central, in the 2004 Aggie-Eagle Classic against North Carolina A&T at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium. It was a heartbreaker for the Eagles, who saw the Aggies convert a controversial fumble in the final minute into Carlos Davalos' 50-yard field goal at the horn for a 16-15 win.

And while it was a tough loss for his teammates, Coard didn't quite know how to react.

"I had to sit down and think about how I was going to handle that one," Coard said. "I had never lost a football game before."

Coard was part of the 109-game winning streak by Charlotte Independence High, which finally ended earlier this season.

Of course, the senior captain and starting nose guard has done plenty of winning since heading to NCCU, as the Eagles are 32-6 with Coard in maroon and gray.

Saturday will be a special day for the NCCU football program, as the 3-1 Eagles visit 0-3 North Carolina A T for a 6:30 p.m. contest at Aggie Stadium. In the Eagles' first season as members of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), it will be their first game against another FCS team.

"We seniors have been telling the freshmen how big this game is," Coard said. "This is the one."

Coard never was recruited by the Aggies but said he doesn't hold any bitterness towards them. Most schools backed off the 6-0, 246-pounder because of either his size or his troubles with the SAT before then-NCCU assistant coach Robert Massey came offering a full scholarship to the National Honor Society member.

"I couldn't have gone to college without football," said Coard, who is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in business management.

He got his revenge on the field, as well. Coard said that before the Winston-Salem State game his freshman year, the Rams' hulking offensive linemen started pointedly laughing at him, saying he didn't belong on the same field with them.

"He's a great leader, and he works extremely hard," NCCU first-year head coach Mose Rison said. "Some people might say he's too small, but you can't measure what's in a young man's heart. He has won a lot of football games, and he's having an outstanding year."

The Eagles won that game at home 35-33, one of the wins that got former coach Rod Broadway's program up to speed before he left for Grambling.

"Courtney is a tremendous person," Rison said. "I remember the first time I talked to him [when Rison was the team's offensive coordinator last year], he was telling me about a tragedy in his family, and we got to know each other pretty well right away. I can't say enough about what he means to this football team and to our defense.

That tragedy was the death of his father, Presley Coard, on May 26 of last year. Presley Coard's birthday was Nov. 11, which was the day of the CIAA championship game with Elizabeth City State. Brandon Gilbert hit a career-best 51-yard field goal at the buzzer to give the Eagles a 17-14 victory.

"I had a lot of tears that day," Coard said. "That kick looked like it might be going wide right, but then it was good. And after the game, my high school teammate and close friend Billy Wiggins, who was playing for Elizabeth City, came over and said 'You know your dad won that game for y'all.' "

Coard has been in on 156 career tackles including eight for losses, two sacks, five fumble recoveries and three interceptions. His biggest game probably was last season at Southern, when he had two interceptions from his interior line spot in a shocking 27-20 road win.

"I think we proved a lot that night," Coard said. "We beat an established I-AA team on the road."

NOTES -- The Eagles are ranked in three national Black College polls. NCCU is No. 7 in the Sheridan poll, No. 8 in the TSPNSports.com poll and No. 9 in the BoxToRow.com poll.

HBCUs play on different field than big conferences

By Matt LaWell, Rocky Mount Telegram

RALEIGH — Make no mistake, historically black colleges and universities are struggling to compete with larger schools on football fields and basketball courts throughout the country. They have been for nearly 30 years. And while coaches and athletics directors are acutely aware of the situation, no changes appear to be on the horizon.

Just last Saturday, for instance, Delaware State traveled to play at Kent State and lost, 38-7. South Carolina State lost on the road, too, 38-3 at South Carolina. Central (Ohio) State lost at Dayton, 40-0. And Norfolk (Va.) State lost at nationally-ranked Rutgers, 59-0.

And that is an average nonconference Saturday afternoon for many HBCUs.

A generation or two ago, many HBCUs were able to field competitive teams, teams that could stand up regionally, if not nationally. The late Eddie Robinson shined, especially, during his 56 seasons at Grambling, where he churned out one professional player after another and won eight black college football national championships.

But the landscape shifted while Robinson was busy winning games. During the early 1970s, integrated football teams started to play in the South, which led to full integration in big-time college football, which led to fewer black athletes playing for HBCUs out of necessity.

Now, Shaw football coach Darrell Asberry said, "The big difference with the historically black colleges is that, most of the time, we'll get the kids they overlook." Asberry said HBCUs often lose the top recruits "in the trenches" along the offensive and defensive lines.

"It's hard," Asberry said, "to find those guys when you're competing with the larger universities."

Recruiting the top athletes is only one area in which those larger schools from BCS conferences, even from mid-major conferences, are able to gain an advantage over HBCUs. Finances play an equally important role. Among the 331 Division I schools, only Delaware State operated during the 2006 fiscal year with an athletics budget ranked even in the top 200, according to the NCAA. Eight of the other 19 Division I HBCUs were ranked 300 or lower.

For many HBCUs, annual "classic" football games, including Elizabeth City State's anunal Down East Viking Football Classic, are the centerpiece on the sports calendar – and the make-or-break event for the entire athletics budget.

"It's a huge asset to our department," Southern athletics director Greg LaFleur told Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine late last year. "For Division I-AA schools like us, it is the biggest game you have. There's no other way you can generate that kind of revenue."

Facilites, too, play a key role, Asberry said. Because HBCUs operate with smaller athletics budgets, they are able to spend far less on stadiums and stadium renovations, scoreboards, locker rooms, weight rooms, even coaches' offices. And because they are able to spend less, they sparkle less in the eyes of recruits.

Years ago, none of that mattered to Asberry, who played and coached at Jackson State, and also coached at Albany State and N.C. Central before he moved last year to Shaw. He still talks about his playing career with a smile spread across his face. Though he didn't play for a larger school or a better-funded program, or in the more beautiful stadium, he said he doesn't regret any of his decisions.

"If I had to do it all over again, I would go back to Jackson State," Asberry said. "It taught me that when you don't have much, you have to work a little harder to get to where you want to be. That was a positive for me. And these kids understand you have to work a little bit harder to make it work.

"We don't complain about not having it, because nobody wants to hear you complain anyway."

Is race the reason Delaware won't play Delaware State?

Delaware State and University of Delaware are in the same classification--NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. It makes one wonder how UD could possibly debate the merits of the arguments put forth by writer Jeff Pearlman and the athletic department leadership at Delaware State University. This game is long overdue, especially in light of the fact that UD schedules division II lightweights that adds no value to their program.

A quick look at the social progress calendar shows that Steve Spurrier's undefeated Bowl Championship Subdivision SEC South Carolina Gamecocks played MEAC South Carolina State before a stadium record 73,095 fans. Mid-American Conference Division I-A Kent State played FCS Delaware State in game three of this season. Big South #22 ranked Coastal Carolina played AT Delaware State in their season opener. BCS #7 ranked Big East Conference Rutgers played MEAC/FCS Norfolk State before a sellout of 44,000 fans at Rutgers Stadium. So, what is University of Delaware problem(s)with DSU other than race?

Here is what Jeff Pearlman has to say about the matter...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jeff Pearlman

Dear Delaware football recruit:

On behalf of alumni across the nation, I would like to congratulate you on being recruited to play football at the University of Delaware. As you know, our Blue Hens are six-time national champions and perennially one of the top Division I-AA programs in the country. We have produced dozens of NFL players, ranging from Rich Gannon and Scott Brunner to Ivory Sully and Mike Adams. With our explosive passing attack, I am confident that a wide receiver like you could thrive here.

Delaware's a I-AA national power, but it won't even play its next-door neighbor. I also have been informed, however, that you are a student of character, decency and open-mindedness. That, more than anything, is why I am writing this letter: to urge you (and your fellow recruits) not to attend my beloved university.

That's right. Say no to the Blue Hens.

Allow me to be blunt. The University of Delaware's persistent refusal to face Delaware State University in football is cowardly, pig-headed, self-righteous and, worst of all, oozing with racism. As you might know, the two schools -- separated by a mere 50-minute drive from Newark to Dover -- are both ranked in the top 25 of Division I-AA polls. For more than 30 years now, Delaware State has tried to arrange a football game with Delaware, only to be rebuffed time after time. "Name the place and the day, and we'll be there," Rick Costello, Delaware State's athletic director, told me recently. "Delaware-Delaware State would be great for the state, for the students, for ticket sales and school spirit. It's a natural, isn't it?"

You would think so. But within the Delaware athletic department, a law has been established that the Blue Hens will never, ever, ever, ever, ever schedule the Hornets. "We're interested in exploring, but there's no flexibility," Edgar Johnson, the school's athletic director, once told me. "Anyhow, when you begin playing each other it becomes divisive."

I know. Mississippi-Mississippi State. Georgia-Georgia Tech. UCLA-USC. Washington-Washington State. Oregon-Oregon State. UNLV-Nevada. Texas-Texas A&M. Virginia-Virginia Tech. Florida-Florida State. Arizona-Arizona State. Duke-North Carolina. All in-state rivalries, all tearing apart the fabric of regional bliss.

"What a joke," Al Lavan, Delaware State's football coach, told me. "I've been a part of many state rivalries in my career, and they're better than bowl games. Anyone who thinks otherwise has no idea what he's talking about.

"No," says Lavan, "there has to be more to this than just that."

Indeed there is. Unlike the wealthy, white-as-snow University of Delaware (African-American enrollment: 6 percent), Delaware State is a small black college lacking in prestige, finances and facilities (its stadium holds 6,800 spectators; Delaware's holds 22,000). The school came to be in 1891 only because the men running the First State wished not to allow blacks into their grand university. Under the Morrill Act, a state either could open its public educational facilities to all peoples, or start a separate-but-equal school for blacks. Hence, Delaware State.

In the ensuing 116 years, Delaware has treated Delaware State not as academic/athletic brethren, but as a piece of gum affixed to the bottom of its loafer. Del. State is where the scary black people congregate, where "those" types of folk go to college. "You wanna know what I think?" Kevin Tresolini, the Wilmington News Journal's veteran college writer, told me. "I think there are some old rich white guys in the University of Delaware's upper power structure who are afraid this little black school might steal their thunder. They're afraid that if Delaware State beats them it'll raise their stature and lower the University of Delaware's. But I look at it two ways: (a) It's just football, and (b) as an institute of higher learning, aren't you supposed to do the righteous thing?"

Yes, you are. Instead of righteousness, though, the University of Delaware hides behind one lame excuse after another. In the spring of 1991, I wrote an article for The Review, Delaware's student newspaper, titled "Delaware vs. Delaware State: The Sports Rivalry That Never Was." Looking back at the yellowed clip, what leaps off the page is the staggering lameness of Johnson's reasoning. "If you glance at our football schedule," he said, "we're fully scheduled until the year 2000." Forget that college schedules are made to be broken, or that one of the teams Delaware plays annually is the mighty Golden Rams of Division II West Chester (a "traditional rival" the Hens recently stomped for a 14th straight time), or that Johnson arranged a game for last season with the University of Albany and an upcoming clash against South Dakota State, or that Delaware State would be willing to come to Newark in a second's notice.

Oh, yeah. There's also the ol' nobody-wants-to-see-it argument popularized on GoHens.net, a site for blinded Delaware football fans who forget that UD students (oh, them) surely would prefer a game with passion and heart and oomph to yet another battle with, uhg, West Chester "That's what we need to remember here," said Lavan. "At its core, college football is for the students. Not for the alumni, not for the boosters. What do the students want to experience?"

I'm certain you're curious what Johnson and Delaware coach K.C. Keeler have to say about all this. So am I. Unlike the men of Delaware State, however, nobody from Delaware had the guts or principle to express himself, despite my requests for interviews. I've been told that Keeler is open to playing Delaware State, but that his hands are tied. I've been told that Johnson is open to playing Delaware State, but that his hands are tied, too. I've been told that this whole thing has nothing to do with race or class or the fright of losing to an in-state school, and that I'm making a big whoop-to-do out of nothing. I've been told that the Keebler Elf resides in my left shoe, right next to Max Venable and Erin Moran; that Tupac is alive and well and skinning emus in Melbourne; that dogs fly and cats dance; and that Oprah is really a one-legged truck driver named Stu.

In the end, it doesn't matter what we're told. What matters is who we are. What we stand for. What's right and what's wrong, and which side we opt to represent. Are we willing to speak out for what we believe, or do we say nothing and go along with the same ol', same ol'?

Best of luck in your college career. Wherever you wind up I'm certain you'll make an excellent choice.

Sincerely,


Jeff Pearlman
University of Delaware Class of 1994


Jeff Pearlman is a former Sports Illustrated senior writer and the author of "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero," now available in paperback.

SU, TSU unfamiliar opponents

Photo: Southern free safety Jarmaul George is on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.














By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

An interesting part about Saturday’s game between Southern and Tennessee State could be in the programs not having played each other since 1996.

In football terms, that means these teams and coaching staffs have not seen one another.

Take note as well, that both SU (3-0) of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Tennessee State (2-1) of the Ohio Valley Conference, who meet at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium, have been at their best in the second half, usually when teams make adjustments.

“Most teams you play, you have folders on, but when you don’t play them in so long you might as well throw that stuff away,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “In the conference, you can pull out the tendencies and they’re not going to change that much, if the same guy is calling offense and defense. They may put a wrinkle in here and there, but they won’t change.

“But this is weird because you never get a chance to see them that much. It’s hard to get tendencies on them. You have to spend a lot of time watching film.”

Game tempo will be something to watch.

Southern has scored just six points in the first quarter of its first three games, with that coming on a 90-yard touchdown run on the first play of the season. SU’s best quarter is the second, with 26 points, and the Jaguars have 36 points after halftime.

Tennessee State has 23 first-half points, and just one second-quarter touchdown, this season. The Tigers are best in the fourth quarter, with 27 points, and have 49 of their 72 points (68.1 percent) after halftime (including overtime).

Tennessee State won its last two games by coming back in the fourth quarter.

“That’s a tribute to the coaching staff,” Richardson said. “They have them playing hard for 60 minutes. &hellip Things aren’t going to work out well at times, but you find a way to win. They believe in what they’re doing. &hellip The longer the game goes on, the more physical they are and they turn games around.”

Southern hasn’t allowed a score in the third quarter and just nine points (one TD) in the second half so far.

On Rodgers-Cromartie
There’s a lot of interest in seeing Tennessee State senior cornerback Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie, who, like Southern free safety Jarmaul George, is on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List. That honor goes to the Football Championship Subdivision’s top defensive player.

“He’s an outstanding football player,” Richardson said. “He’s instinctive, very physical and he also has outstanding speed because he’s a track guy.”

More than just a defensive standout, Rodgers-Cromartie has blocked a field goal and a PAT late to help the Tigers win games.

Both sides of the ball are curious.

Said SU wide receiver Gerard Landry, who is suspended for the first half, “I’m very excited about it. I want to try to go against the best.”

Said George, “This is one of the games I circle, because they have a DB that is up for the same award that I am.”

Talking turnovers
Tennessee State lost four of its six fumbles and had two passes intercepted in a 33-32 overtime win over Austin-Peay. The Tigers, who have lost five fumbles and have been intercepted five times this season, are 108th of 116 FCS teams in turnover margin (minus-2.0).

Said Richardson, “We’re working on stripping the ball out. &hellip I’m quite sure they’re working on ball security, too, to keep that ball off the ground. We have to get it out. That’s the name of the game: turnovers.”

TSU has four takeaways (three fumble recoveries, one interception).

Said TSU coach James Webster, “We cannot continue to commit turnovers and win football games. We must positively get our turnover margin back on the positive side.”

Kick it
Tennessee State junior kicker Eric Benson is 4-for-4 on FGs, with a game-winner and one to send a game into overtime at the end of regulation, and 6-for-8 on PATs, with a game-winner in overtime.

Meanwhile, SU true freshman Josh Duran is 1-for-2 on FGs (good from 30, missing from 37) and 5-for-8 on PATs. SU has gone 0-for-2 on two-point conversion passes from quarterback Bryant Lee. The Jaguars were good on a fake field-goal Saturday against Prairie View, getting a 12-yard TD pass from holder Nick Benjamin to tight end Evan Alexander at the start of the fourth quarter. Had that gamble not worked, SU’s lead would have been 6-0.

“We have to work on (PATs/field-goals/conversions) because we cannot afford to lose points that are free points,” Richardson said. “Eventually, it’s going to come back to haunt you.”

Thoughts on Tenn. State
“If you look at their team play, they’re fundamentally sound,” Richardson said. “They’re aggressive on defense. They play with a lot of energy. A real physical type of football team. Offensively, they have an outstanding quarterback in (Antonio) Heffner. He can really throw the football and cause some problems, because he can also run with it.

“It’ll be tough for us to try to control them.”

Notes
Though Tennessee State is known as the “Big Blue,” Southern is asking its fans to wear blue to the game. Against Prairie View on Saturday, SU fans wore white. Tennessee State has won 14 black college national titles. SU averages 13.0 yards per punt, second to last among FCS teams. SU’s scoring defense of 11.7 ppg is eighth-best nationally, while its pass efficiency defense is ninth best.

Alcorn State faces pivotal game

By Compiled by David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Already 0-2 in SWAC, Braves would fall into a deep hole with a loss against Alabama State.

Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas doesn't mince words when he talks about the importance of Saturday's game at Alabama State.

"This will be the defining moment of our season," Thomas said. "If we win this game in Montgomery, we'll come back home with a chance to get into the race. But if we lose three conference games to start the season, it's going to be very hard to recover."

"(Alabama State) is simply making the big plays to win ballgames," Thomas said. "They're not blowing anyone out. They're just executing and doing what they have to do to win."

Alcorn State (0-3 overall, 0-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) has had all kinds of trouble on offense this season, scoring just 4.3 points per game. The latest loss was a 22-0 shutout against UAB, a Division I-A team in Conference USA.

Thomas said the team's problems have to do with a lack of execution and the team isn't panicking because of a few bad games.

"We've got a plan in place that can get the job done," Thomas said. "Now we just have to make the big play at the crucial juncture of drives."

The Braves received some bad news this week when they learned offensive tackle Todd Johnson (6 feet 2, 320 pounds) is out for the season after breaking his ankle against UAB. Thomas said Jammal Young (6-3, 325) will take Johnson's place on the line.

Alcorn quarterback Tony Hobson is still likely on the shelf with two bruised fingers on his throwing hand. Thomas said Hobson returned to practice, but senior Chris Walker had taken most of the snaps and would start against Alabama State.

"Chris has had some good moments for us," Thomas said. "Now we've got to have him make better decisions in the red zone."

The Braves will face an Alabama State (3-0, 2-0 SWAC) team that's had plenty of success under first-year coach Reggie Barlow.

The Hornets have the SWAC's leading rusher in Jay Peck, who's averaged more than 115 yards per game.

Catch This

Alabama A&M at Grambling

Grambling faces its toughest conference task under new coach Rod Broadway when it hosts Alabama A&M, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion. Led by senior quarterback Kelcy Luke, Alabama A&M is scoring 45 points per game and has won all of its games by at least three touchdowns. Grambling roughed up Alcorn State in its opening game before losing to Division I-A Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

Saturday, 6 p.m.

SOUTHERN U. STAR BENCHED

Southern U. wide receiver Gerard Landry was ejected for fighting in the fourth quarter during last week's 12-2 victory over Prairie View A&M and will have to sit out the first half of this Saturday's game against Tennessee State per NCAA rules.

Landry has caught 12 passes this season for a team-high 172 yards and three touchdowns.

Southern coach Pete Richardson said Landry shouldn't have let his emotions get away from him, especially "because he means so much to our football program."

After two straight losing seasons, Southern has started this year with a three-game winning streak.

The Jaguars have the second-best scoring offense in the SWAC. Quarterback Bryant Lee has thrown for 565 yards and five touchdowns while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. Running back Darren Coates has rushed for 226 yards and averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

EXTRA POINTS

After losing to Jackson State 28-7 last week in a driving rainstorm, life doesn't get any easier for Texas Southern. The Maroon Tigers (0-3 overall, 0-3 SWAC) take on UTEP, a Division I-A team in Conference USA. ...

Despite Alcorn State's dismal offense, senior Nate Hughes is leading the SWAC with 188.7 all-purpose yards per game. He has 245 yards receiving, 255 on kick returns and 67 on punt returns. ...

The SWAC's preseason defensive player of the year, Jarmaul George, has lived up to the hype. The safety's two interceptions trail only Jackson State's Malcolm Palmer and Domonique Johnson for the most in the conference. ...

SWAC STANDINGS

East Division

SWAC All

Alabama State 2-0 3-0

Alabama A&M 1-0 3-0

Jackson State 1-0 1-2

Mississippi Valley 1-2 1-2

Alcorn State 0-2 0-3

West Division

SWAC All

Southern U. 2-0 3-0

Grambling 1-0 1-1

Prairie View 1-1 2-1

Ark.-Pine Bluff 1-2 1-2

Tx. Southern 0-3 0-3

Last Week

Jackson State 28, Tx. Southern 7

Alabama St. 12, UAPB 10

Alabama A&M 45, MVSU 14

UAB 22, Alcorn State 0

Southern 12, Prairie View 2

Saturday

UAPB at S. Illinois, 1:30 p.m.

Jackson St. at MVSU, 4 p.m.

Alabama A&M at Grambling, 6 p.m.

Tennessee St. at Southern, 6 p.m.

Alcorn St. at Alabama St., 7 p.m.

Tx. Southern at UTEP, 7 p.m.

B-CU's Odom finds his stride

You gotta love the guys that always claim they turned down a scholarship offer from Florida A&M University Rattlers to play at Bethune Cookman. These guys, like Brendan Odom only wish they were good enough to get signed by Coach Rubin Carter. At best, this guy would be an invited "walk-on" at FAMU, if invited at all. Hardheaded, suspension, doing stupid stuff--Odom is not FAMU student-athlete material. Not one mention of his academic interests, pursuits (if any) or his degree program at BCU. Thanks for not selecting FAMU, Odom.... (beepbeep)
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By SEAN KERNAN, Daytona Beach News Journal Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman sophomore linebacker Brendan Odom made a few mistakes his freshman year with the Wildcats.

His mother, Brenda Odom, and stepfather, Andrew Jones, made sure he didn't make another one when he wanted to transfer out of B-CU.

"My parents, I guess they like the way Coach (Alvin) Wyatt runs things, and they weren't going to let me transfer," Odom said with a big grin on Wednesday. "Momma wasn't going to let me go. Daddy wasn't going to let me go. So I stayed."

And for that, Odom has been rewarded. He's a sophomore starter capable of playing an outside or inside linebacker position. The 20-year-old's efforts have given the defense a real lift in the team's 2-1 start.

Odom, from the three-traffic-light town of Lake Butler, said he wasn't happy with the limited playing time he received as a freshman last year. He and teammate Julio Sanchez, who eventually left B-CU, had discussed transferring.

"Coach (Wyatt) wanted to redshirt us," Odom said. "I don't know how the subject came up, but we talked about transferring."

Odom describes some of his actions last year as "hard-headed."

"I played last year, but I was hard-headed," Odom said. "I got in trouble. I got suspended for two games for doing stupid things. I learned from it. I had the big head. I thought I was the deal. I got in trouble for not coming to practice, just stupid stuff that I should have known better not to do."

Wyatt thinks back to last season and wishes Odom had backed off his request to play.

"He crushed my heart last year because we really wanted to redshirt him, but he really wanted to play," Wyatt said. "It got to a point that he was contemplating transferring. He felt that he was just that good and he wanted to get on the field. We thought he was a year away. We wanted to have him around for five years. He played sparingly last year, which I thought was a wasted year for him."

But that's in the past. When Odom reported to camp this year he already was penciled in as a starting outside linebacker. However, a hand injury to senior captain Rodney Hughes forced Odom's move to the inside. Wyatt describes Odom's play as "nothing but great for us."

Odom is the third-leading tackler on the team with 22 tackles, three behind leader Bobbie Williams, a senior free safety. Odom shares the team lead of nine solo tackles with Williams, Josh Balloon and Antwane Cox.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Odom turned down offers from Rice and Florida A&M on signing day in 2006. And despite his thoughts about transferring last year, he now insists he's in the right place.

"I love being a Wildcat," Odom said. "I'm staying here. I want to help keep the young players from making the same mistakes I made as a freshman. I'm very happy here."

And for that, Odom can thank his parents.

That's something the B-CU coaches surely will do the next time they see Odom's mom and dad.

Hampton U stays undefeated despite wasting 17-0 lead

Photo: Hampton University WR Justin Brown, 6-2 Jr., Surfside Beach, S.C./Dover HS / Lakawanna JC

By PAUL WHITE, The Virginian-Pilot

HAMPTON - Hip-hop ruled at Hampton University on Thursday night, but for those who bothered to check it out, the Pirates and Morgan State put on one heck of a football show, too.

T.J. Mitchell hit Justin Brown with a 30-yard touchdown pass on third-and-15 in overtime as the 13th-ranked Pirates survived the Bears 24-17 before 5,360 in a nationally-televised MEAC showdown at Armstrong Stadium.

The three-time defending conference champion s improved to 3-0, all MEAC victories, and won their fifth straight over the Bears (1-3, 0-1).

The game played out as rap star Young Jeezy was jamming across the street at the Hampton Convocation Center. A large portion of the Hampton faithful apparently chose Jeezy; the Pirates and Bears played before huge swatches of empty seats at Armstrong.

The Pirates could have used the support. After bolting to a 17-0 second-quarter lead, the Pirates succumbed first to their own mistakes, then to the potent rushing tandem of quarterback Byron Selby and tailback Chad Simpson .

Selby came on in the second quarter and confounded Hampton’s defense by scampering out of the pocket. He finished with 95 rushing yards.

Simpson, the nation’s No. 3 rusher going in, ripped off 141 yards on 32 carries. His 6-yard scoring run late in the second quarter pulled the Bears to within 17-10. Then, with 5:16 left in the third quarter, Simpson ran in from 5 yards out to tie things at 17.

Photo: Mr. Consistency - MSU Chad Simpson, 33 carries, 142 yards, 2-TDs against Hampton University.

From there, only big plays by Pirates defenders kept the Bears from surging ahead. Hampton defensive back James Pope blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt with 12:12 left in the fourth quarter. And with 3:09 left, cornerback Jackie Bates outdueled Roderick Wolfe to come down with an interception at the Hampton 1-yard line.

In overtime, two Pirates running plays lost 5 yards. yards. But on third down, Mitchell hit Brown at about the 15-yard line, and the junior receiver zipped past Bears defensive back Darren McKahn and into the end zone.

The Bears tried to answer on their overtime possession, but Byron Selby’s fourth-down pass sailed over the head of Robert Surratt.

The game-winning TD pass was one of three scoring tosses on the night for Mitchell, who now has nine on the season.

His first went to an unlikely target –- 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive tackle Marcus Dixon. Dixon, inserted on offense at tight end, leaped over 5-11 cornerback Chris Williams to corral the ball, then secured it while lying on his back in the end zone.

The Pirates went ahead 14-0 when Mitchell connected with former Landstown High teammate Jeremy Gilchrist on a 73-yard scoring play.

A 32-yard field goal by Carlo Turavani made it 17-0. From there, however, the Pirates closed the half with a Mitchell interception, a near-interception and a Dennis Mathis fumble. Meanwhile, after inserting Selby in place of ineffective starter Mario Melton, the Bears began clawing back.

Mitchell finished 14 of 34 passing for 253 yards. Gilchrist caught three passes for 107 yards.

ATTENDANCE: 5,360

Photo Gallery: The Real HU!

Miners to face FCS Texas Southern next

Photo: TSU played in a downpour at JSU last week.

By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times

After three weeks of butting heads against a pair of rivals and a major-conference big boy, the UTEP football team faces the other side of the looking glass this week against Texas Southern.
"It's a big deal, playing a Division 1 team," Tigers quarterback Tino Edgecomb said. "I consider myself a Division 1-type player, and this is a chance to play a school in a different division, to prove ourselves."

"It's a really great football atmosphere up there," said Texas Southern head coach Steve Wilson, whose team last played in El Paso in 2005. "Our kids get a chance to see (UTEP) on TV a lot, so this is exciting for us. This is a game our kids look forward to."

Texas Southern arrives in El Paso this weekend as a team, like the Miners, searching for an identity. They are traditionally a team that plays solid defense and struggles on offense, and tradition has held form this year.

The Tigers managed just 30 yards of offense last week in a downpour at Jackson State, dropping their season rushing average to 23.7 yards per game and their total offense to 250.0 yards per game.

The team has shown some competence moving the ball through the air, and they feel they are getting closer as they seek their first victory of the season.

"We've made progress," said Wilson, who is in his fourth year as head coach and second as offensive coordinator. "We've had mistakes in the red zone that have caused some problems.

"Our defense has played well all three games, the defense has been very consistent. Offensively it's more about getting in sync for things to be able to work."

"We're learning from our mistakes," Edgecomb added. "We're

getting close. ... I think the problems we've had have brought everyone closer together. We're sticking together and we're going to get better. This will make us better."

A team that likes to move the ball in the air seems to have a good matchup this week, as the Miners are coming off of back-to-back games where its pass defense was exposed in the second half. Then again, New Mexico State and Texas Tech will have other big games this year.

"We don't look at their defense as being down," Wilson said. "They've played against some pretty high-powered offenses. You can look at it and see what you want to see. Texas Tech can score on anyone in the country. Hal Mumme, I understand what his teams can do.

Photo: TSU defense scrambles for fumble.

"I think (UTEP's) defense is very formidable. We'll have to do well to have a chance."

"I think they look good," Edgecomb added.

Texas Southern, though, starts with a large defense, as it is holding opponents to just 292.3 yards per game. Wilson lauded the play of 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive end Derrick Gray, 6-foot-3 defensive end Mike Boyd and transfer defensive back Lamar Herron from Oregon State, who was the SWAC newcomer of the year last season.

Gray "is a long, rangy football player with cat-like reflexes," Wilson said.

Offensively, the Tigers feature a pair of dangerous receivers in Brian Haith and Daniel Davis.

"Obviously they haven't played up to their potential this year either," UTEP coach Mike Price said. "They're 0-3 right now but they're pretty much a senior group of guys. They're a huge team on offense and defense. They have a nose guard on defense who is 6-7, 350 pounds (Joe Malone), their tight end is 6-7 (Marcus Justice).

"They've got receivers who can run. Their running back is very good."

Wilson sees the same thing.

"The talent is there, we just haven't put it together," he said. "We feel like it could be any day. People write about what happens n the weekend, but we're out here every day working on getting better. Every game and every day we work on getting better.

"We know we have a tough foe this week. One reason we want to schedule these game is we look forward to playing teams like this."

They will get their chance Saturday.

Broadway gives Grambling rebuilding plan

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

New coach aware of past, but he's stressing patience

Rod Broadway knows all about Grambling. He knows about legendary coach Eddie Robinson, famed quarterback Doug Williams and all of the other great players who played for the Tigers.

But Broadway also knows winning takes time. Particularly after inheriting a team that went 3-8 last season and lost five of its last six games. That's why Broadway got the job in the first place.

"We're honored to be here and be a part of something Coach Robinson built and we're going to try to add to that," Broadway said. "One of the things that we are dealing with, going into this season, is going through this transitional period.

"It's new to them ... it's new to us. We're still trying to get a feel for them (and) they're still trying to get a feel for us. The only ure for that is time."

Unfortunately for Broadway, Grambling fans want to win now.

"Any time you come into a new situation, you have to change the culture and the attitude of the players," he said. "If we can do that, we'll have a chance to have a pretty good team. I think our guys are buying into what we are trying to do. Hopefully, we can win enough games to stay around here a long time."

Beating Alabama A&M, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, Saturday night will certainly help Broadway's cause.

The Tigers host the Bulldogs at Robinson Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 and the game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis at 9 on ESPNU.

"This will be a great challenge for us," Broadway said. "We're looking forward to playing this game."

Grambling opened the season with a 31-10 win over Alcorn State.

The Tigers fell 34-10 at Pittsburgh two weeks ago in a game that was much closer than the score indicated. Grambling was victimized by three turnovers and a couple of special teams miscues led to Pittsburgh scores.

"We played well in the second half," said Broadway, whose team held Pittsburgh to three points in the final 30 minutes. "We were in the red zone five times and came away with three points.

"We played for 60 minutes. They didn't quit. Learning to play through adversity is a big thing."

The Tigers' effort against the Panthers, even in defeat, impressed Broadway.

"I like this team," he said. "I like the direction we're going. We have enough talent to be a good football team, but we've got a lot of work to do here. We're just trying to do what gives us the best chance to win football games."

Broadway says he has studied how A&M coach Anthony Jones has made the Bulldogs' program into one of the league's best. He's using Saturday's game as a measuring stick.

"That's not by accident," Broadway said when asked about A&M's success. "They've had a good program year in and year out. I'm envious of what they've done. Hopefully, we can do as well as they've done."

ASU's Mitchell makes most of opportunity

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Press-Register

Quarterback and LeFlore graduate has led Hornets to 3-0 start

During Alabama State's summer workout sessions, Chris Mitchell knew he'd have to be patient to get his shot.

The LeFlore graduate didn't have to wait long.

Mitchell took over at quarterback in the second quarter of the season opener against Jacksonville State. The result has been the team's first 3-0 start since the 2004 season when the Hornets claimed the SWAC Championship.

"My dream was to be the starter, but, prior to the season, I knew because of my lack of play during the summer that I'd have to wait my turn," Mitchell said. "There was also a case of learning the offensive plays and signals. But I knew once I eventually got in the game I'd be ready to play."

Mitchell, who has completed 37 of 51 passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, transferred from East Mississippi Community College where he started his freshman and sophomore seasons.

He led the Hornets to their third consecutive fourth-quarter comeback win this season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week.

"Chris' laid-back style contributes to our ability to be successful in the fourth quarter and in close games," first-year coach Reggie Barlow said. "Nothing seems to rattle him which concerned me at first, but now I understand that's just his style."

Mitchell admits his style of leadership may have given coaches some misconceptions about his ability to lead the team.

"I'm just a really calm guy most of the time and when game time comes I know what I'm there for and what I need to do," Mitchell said. "I guess that could be confusing to coaches because they couldn't get a clear picture of me as a player. During summer drills, the lack of repetitions bothered me a little but now everyone has shown they have confidence in me."

Mitchell is looking forward to Gulf Coast Classic in Mobile on Sept. 29 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium but knows he can't look past Saturday night's showdown with Alcorn State at the Cramton Bowl.

"We're definitely not looking past Alcorn," he said. "They're a good team, and we expect a hard-fought game. But I'm really looking forward to coming home to Mobile and facing Southern University in this year's Gulf Coast Classic.

"That's going to be very exciting. I'm counting down the days. It's always a blessing to be able to come back home to play in front of family, friends and your old high school coaches."

Lack of consistency pains Mississippi Valley coach

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State (1-2, 1-0 SWAC) at Mississippi Valley (1-2, 1-2)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

ITTA BENA — After watching three weeks of dropped passes and bad reads, Willie Totten's voice is beginning to turn hoarse.

The Mississippi Valley State football coach has dealt with the offensive problems the best he knows how. Sometimes he yells and gets in players' faces. Sometimes he pleads. Sometimes he says nothing and lets his assistants take a crack at motivation.

But with the Delta Devils stuck in a two-game losing slump and archrival Jackson State waiting for them on Saturday, Totten has come to this conclusion: Nothing he says can make the players execute on game day.

"I've said all there is to say on the subject. All of the coaches have. When we start making plays, we'll start winning games again," Totten said. "Instead of watching someone else make the plays, our guys have to want to make that play themselves. It's something that has to come from within."

MVSU (1-2 overall, 1-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is a much different team than a year ago, when it fielded a veteran nucleus including senior quarterback Aries Nelson, linebacker Tyler Knight and wide receiver Tyrone Timmons that led the Delta Devils to consecutive 6-5 seasons.

This year, Totten looks on the field and sees a bunch of young faces. And when one of the freshmen or sophomores is screwing up, the only people to replace them are usually more freshmen and sophomores.

That's part of the reason the MVSU offense has scored just 12 points per game and had less than 200 total yards per game through the season's first three weeks.

"Every time we get something going, we do something to shoot ourselves in the foot," Totten said. "Sometimes it's penalties. Sometimes a missed block. We're missing that continuity."

But with that considerable frustration has also been a dose of encouragement because of several promising young players.

One of them is quarterback Paul Roberts (6-foot-2, 196 pounds), a sophomore from St. John in Gulfport who played sparingly as a true freshman. So far this season, he's thrown for 367 yards, three touchdowns and most importantly - no interceptions.

"I may be young, but if I'm on the field I'm expected to get the job done," Roberts said.

Roberts' favorite target has been tight end Abner Brown, a junior college transfer from Daytona Beach, Fla., who's caught 12 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.

Running back Ronald Brewer, a redshirt freshman from Germantown, Tenn., also turned heads last week when he racked up 146 rushing yards on just 21 carries against Alabama A&M last week.

A compact 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Brewer - at least for now - has won the starting spot from junior Johey Hargrett, who led the Delta Devils with 698 rushing yards last season.

"It's kind of hard to keep Brewer off the field when he's running for those big gains," Totten said. "I think that's the first time since I've been here that we've ever had a guy rush for 100 yards against A&M."

Brewer's breakout performance was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 45-14 loss to Alabama A&M, the defending SWAC champion. The Delta Devils trailed just 10-7 at halftime before falling apart in the second half.

"We weren't tired - we just stopped executing," Totten said. "We turned the ball over a few times and showed our youth. Some of our guys are learning what's expected at the college level."

And now, many on this young MVSU team are learning about the intense buzz created in the Delta when JSU comes to town.

Even Totten admits that if Valley wins this game, many fans will consider the entire season a success even if the team never wins another game.

It's been 12 years since MVSU took a victory from Jackson State.

FAMU Rattlers show some bite in the classroom

Photo: #28, Jason Beach

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Long before loading up to leave Cincinnati for FAMU four years ago, linebacker Dannel Shepard heard constant reminders about the distractions that could beset a freshman football player with star potential.

"Coming down here," Shepard said, "one thing everybody told me is, 'You're going to Florida; you're going to see the girls and you're going to have the parties.'

"My whole thing was I have to prove everybody wrong. I can't be one of the ones that come far away from home and fall off because I have a lot riding on my shoulders."

Shepard, a senior majoring in business administration, is one of four football players who have consistently stayed on the honor roll at FAMU. They've debunked everything they've heard about how easy it is to be taken off course academically, maintaining a 3.0 or better grade-point average.

Two of the others are defensive players: redshirt sophomore linebacker Michael McMillan and redshirt junior defensive back Jason Beach. Redshirt sophomore offensive right tackle Kenneth Lanier is a regular on the honor roll.

Photo: #76 Michael McMillan

They're also performing above average on the football field, with Shepard atop the chart of defensive leaders. In three games he has 28 tackles, five for loss and two quarterback sacks.

McMillan has recorded 11 tackles and Beach 9.

With no game on their schedule this weekend and a lighter week of practice than usual week, the Rattlers can enjoy a little leisure. But the classroom routine remains the same for the players.

"During free time, I know a lot of people have got video games or go clubbing (but) you've got to pick certain days," said McMillan, a pharmacy major who was named to the MEAC All-Academic team this past spring. "I play with my boys and I have fun, but at the same time I've got to study when I get free time.

"I look at it like this: My parents sent me here to get an education and, of course, play football. I'm just trying to balance both of them and keep my grades up while I'm on the field. I just want to be something in life."

While the four student-athletes might be exceptional in their commitment to academics, every player on the team puts in his share of overtime to prepare for classes. There is study hall, tutoring and whatever else it takes for the players to maintain academic standards, said coach Rubin Carter.

Photo: #27, Dannel Shepard

His biggest challenge, Carter said, is with freshmen. They usually come in with big dreams of using college football to get to the next level, sometimes forgetting the balance between the playing field and the classroom.

Most freshmen make the adjustment quickly, though, he said.

"You try to keep things in perspective and also to prioritize - college is first," Carter said. "Academics are first (and) everything else is an addition to what they get here.

"We surround them with a network of people to help them by conveying the message of doing things they need to do."

And then some. Staying above average in the classroom takes more than study hall, said Shepard, recalling the nights he stayed up into the wee hours.

"I just told myself to get focused on my books when I'm tired and sleepy and really don't want to. I just force myself to do better," he said. "I treat it like a football game, start on it as soon as I get the information. I keep going over and as it (the exam) gets closer, I pile it all together and try to get the most I can."