Bethune-Cookman Reaps Bay Area Talent, Hopes To Use It To Defeat FAMU

If Florida A&M alumni around the Bay area are still wondering what happened on Signing Day, yes that was your rival Bethune-Cookman coming around here and signing four players to your zero.  Going forward, this 2011 class for the respective rival HBCU schools could be a perfect test study for comparing Bay area prep prospects to those from north Florida. Has the Bay area been overlooked as one of the best training grounds in all of the country?

While both schools plucked some talent from south Florida high schools, FAMU concentrated it’s signings to the northern part of the state and Alabama and Georgia. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins landed one of the top FCS 2011 signing classes by recruiting all over but was heavy with players on the state road 60 corridor.

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Citrus Bowl's new field of dreams needs a do-over

The stadium is home to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Florida Classic (Bethune-Cookman University vs. Florida A&M University).

First the "mud bowl" made Orlando and its aging Citrus Bowl a national laughingstock, forcing the city to spend nearly $1 million for artificial turf. Now it turns out the AstroTurf that replaced real grass at the stadium last summer isn't level, so it has to be ripped up and redone.

Fixing the field is potentially a costly job, but taxpayers won't be on the hook. City officials say it's up to the synthetic turf's manufacturer to pick up the tab.


Videographer: ESPN; 2010 Florida Classic, Florida A&M vs. Bethune Cookman

Orlando officials switched to AstroTurf to avoid a repeat of the December 2009 Champs Sports Bowl, which made Orlando the butt of jokes in front of a national television audience. The field's fresh sod wasn't given time to grow in, and heavy rains caused players to slip and slide on loose chunks of turf.

The city spent $975,338 to cover the field with AstroTurf GameDay 3D60X artificial turf, which workers finished installing in August.

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FAMU Rattlers have no doubts about competitiveness

While coaches around the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference think Saturday's Florida Classic is too close to call, there isn't a man associated with the Florida A&M football team that believes it can't end Bethune-Cookman's unbeaten streak.

Coach Joe Taylor especially took exception to his team is being label as potential spoilers. "We are in to win and I don't see it (as) being a spoiler," Taylor said during his weekly press conference. "The bottom line is whoever wins, wins the championship. I'm sure because of their record (10-0) we would probably be considered underdogs but that's for the media."

Freshmen confident going into Classic

Freshman tight end Michael Ethridge always gets a little hyper on the eve of a football game just because of the anxiety to get on the field. But this Friday night he might have be even more difficult for him to sleep.

The following day, Ethridge's Florida A&M team will face off with Bethune-Cookman University in the Florida Classic. It isn't just another game and with all that will be at stake Ethridge knows sleep won't come easy on the day before his first appearance in the Classic.

B-CU football could help Florida Classic produce sellout crowd

There is a bigger reward on the line than “bragging rights” for the 31st annual Florida Classic Saturday. Bethune Cookman, ranked No. 7 among Division I-AA by the Sports Network, needs a win against Florida A&M to get an automatic bid to the Football Championship Series. Should the team lose, and South Carolina State lose Saturday, then Florida A&M would earn the automatic bid to the playoffs.

With so much on the line, a stellar season, an intense rivalry and, of course, solid halftime entertainment, the Florida Classic could be looking at its first sellout crowd since 2006.

So far, over 50,000 tickets have been sold and Florida Citrus Sports executives say the sales are on pace to have 59,418 sold by Saturday, not including the walk-ups. A sellout crowd for this year’s game is 65,438 fans.

Former 'Dawg hopes to end career with title

Former Marianna Bulldogs star running back Philip Sylvester will have a chance Saturday to make a special ending for a special career, when his FAMU Rattlers take on Bethune-Cookman in the annual Florida Classic in Orlando. Sylvester, who starred for the Bulldogs from 2004 to 2006, has carried over his success to the college level, and will have a chance to reach a pair of significant milestones Saturday.

The 5-foot, 10-inch, 185-pound running back is 178 yards away from the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career, and is 148 yards from passing the 3,000-yard mark for his Rattlers career.

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B-CU's biggest Classics

Lloyd "Tank" Johnson has never missed a Florida Classic. Each game in recent years has required more and more planning and resolve for the former Bethune-Cookman athletics director and defensive coordinator, who has been undergoing dialysis treatments for several years.

But this year's game, perhaps the most important for B-CU in the long history of its rivalry with Florida A&M, is not to be missed.

"I can't do no climbing, but I make it to the elevator and fight through the crowd," said Johnson, 77, who created the neutral-site Classic with the late FAMU athletics director Hansel Tookes in 1978. "I can't see myself not going, walking into that ballpark, seeing 70,000 people having a good time, watching those two bands."


Videographer: MaryJaneProductions

Small details carry Bethune-Cookman to big results heading into Florida Classic

On a collision course
Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M enter the Florida Classic on Saturday with a combined 17-3 record, the seventh time the teams have had three or fewer losses at the time they played since 1967. The Rattlers have won all of those games. Results of the previous six:

Year - Combined record - Outcome
2000 - 17-3 - FAMU 31, B-CU 28
1998 - 17-2 - FAMU 50, B-CU 14
1978 - 15-3-2 - FAMU 27, B-CU 17
1977 - 16-3 - FAMU 14, B-CU 7
1975 - 16-2 - FAMU 17, B-CU 7
1967 - 11-2 - FAMU 30, B-CU 6

Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Citrus Bowl, Orlando.
TV: ESPN Classic.
Internet Video: ESPN3.com
Records: B-CU is 10-0, 7-0 in the MEAC; FAMU is 7-3, 6-1.

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Videographer: ramband09 (B-CU -- Florida Classic Half-Time 2009)

Undefeated Bethune-Cookman, behind QB Matt Johnson, ready to take on Florida A&M

The improvement that Bethune-Cookman quarterback Matt Johnson has made in just one season is remarkable. The Fort Lauderdale native completed 53.8 percent of his passes for 823 yards as a junior in 2009, throwing just one touchdown pass and seven interceptions.

This year, Johnson has completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 1,844 yards, 13 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also has 670 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. He is without question the top quarterback in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, a player who can beat teams with his arm or his legs.

"When we came in, we felt like this young man had the qualities if we could hone the skills the right way," first-year Bethune coach Brian Jenkins said.

Ex-Colonial receiver Kevin Elliott out to spoil B-CU's run

Kevin Elliott and the rest of the Florida A&M Rattlers have been rooting for their arch rival recently. With every game the Rattlers have won in their current five-game winning streak, they have been hoping to see Bethune-Cookman University continue its own winning streak en route to this weekend's big showdown in the Florida Classic at the Citrus Bowl.

And so Elliott and the Rattlers have gotten their wish. The stage is set. Undefeated, 10-0 Bethune-Cookman will take on the equally hot Florida A&M Rattlers (7-3) in one of the most important games this series has seen. "We want to make history," said Elliott, a 2006 graduate of Orlando Colonial High.

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

Orlando's Citrus Bowl in sad state of disrepair

Seedy venue gives the city a black eye; home to Florida A&M University vs. Bethune-Cookman University annual "Florida Classic" that holds all-time Citrus Bowl football game record for attendance at 73,358 (2003).

Since 1997, a total of 689,592 fans have watched the Florida Classic in the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, an average of 68,708 per year. The game is televised nationally by ESPNU as a part of a multi-year contract with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). For the last two games, the game has been televised by ESPN Classic.

This is the best bowl trip in America. Best attractions. Best weather. Best hotels. One of the best payouts. Some of the best TV ratings. And then you show up at the stadium for the actual game.

"This place is a dump," says Tim Butera, a Michigan State fan from Washington, D.C., who was in town to watch Georgia's 24-12 victory over the Spartans Thursday. It's old and nasty," says Greg Stillwell, a Georgia fan from Palm City who was attending Thursday's game with his wife, Jennifer.

Better get used to it. Because of the slumping economy, it's looking more and more like this nasty, dumpy ol' Citrus Bowl will be the dingy, dog-eared face of Orlando sports for tourists who come here for holiday bowl games. Then again, we might not have to worry about it. If the stadium doesn't get renovated — and it's looking more and more like it won't — then the Capital One Bowl, the Champs Sports Bowl and other major college football games might not be here much longer anyway.

"A 63-year bowl tradition is at risk," warns Steve Hogan, executive director of Florida Citrus Sports, the non-profit group that organizes Orlando's college football games. Hogan tries to be the optimist and says a $250 million stadium renovation is "not a matter of if, but when." Maybe so, but it's hard to imagine that Hogan's "when" is going to be anytime soon. But more than 100,000 fans attended two bowl games here this week. And that doesn't count the annual Florida A&M-Bethune-Cookman game or future regular-season games involving Notre Dame and Florida State that are contingent on a new stadium being built.

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Vann does it all for FAMU

Rattlers junior LeRoy Vann runs another kickoff back for 84 yard TD against B-CU in the 29th Florida Classic.

ORLANDO, FL -- Fortunately for Florida A&M, LeRoy Vann isn't as erratic at the Dow Jones Industrial Average -- at least he wasn't Saturday in the Florida Classic. There were few lows and a lot of highs out of the Tampa junior, who was instrumental in the Rattlers' 58-35 victory over B-CU. Vann intercepted a pass, returned a kickoff for a touchdown, forced two fumbles, covered an onside kick and even had an 11-yard carry on offense on fourth-and-1.

"He's a real talent and a real competitor," FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. "Special teams, he does a great job there. He's an outstanding young man." The junior is known mostly for his returns on special teams, but he was so active Saturday one might have thought he never came off the field. "I like big plays. I'm a big-play special teams player. That's just in me," said Vann.

After a quiet first quarter, Vann got active on the sixth play of the second quarter when he intercepted a Matthew Johnson pass and returned it 16 yards to the B-CU 27.
Six plays later, Phillip Sylvester ran in a 7-yard score, staking the Rattlers to a 24-0 cushion.

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Attendance: 60,712 at Florida Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Florida

Florida Classic faces trouble

For a couple of days late last month, it looked like Bethune-Cookman's football team would be participating in two major events in Orlando next season. But the presidents of B-CU and Florida A&M quickly ended that speculation.

On Feb. 26, ESPN Regional Television announced its MEAC/SWAC Challenge game will move from Birmingham, Ala., to Orlando's Florida Citrus Bowl for at least next season. The game will be played Aug. 31, which is Sunday of the Labor Day weekend.

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This article title is totally incorrect--It should read: MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Trouble. The Florida Classic is going nowhere with a strong base of 68,000 -71,000 fans making it the largest game in history for the Florida Citrus Bowl facility.

Without the participation of FAMU and BCU, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge will be seeking a new home regardless of the sponsorship. This is a meaningless "made for cablevision" game. Folks have to remember the product IS the HBCU football teams, not the stadium, or the classic name, or whether the game will be televised.

Jackson State football means as much to Floridians as Delaware State football--they are not on the radar.

-beepbeep

B-CU, FAMU presidents want Florida Classic to stay

Photo: FAMU President Dr. James H. Ammons

The contract for the annual football game in Orlando runs out later this year, but the schools want to keep playing in Orlando.

The Florida Classic lost its primary sponsor, but Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman aren't leaving town.

That's the message both university presidents delivered Friday in the wake of news that the Disney decided not to extend a 10-year sponsorship.

"This Classic is more than a game. It is a family reunion that has evolved into the greatest competition between two historical universities in the state of Florida," FAMU President James H. Ammons and B-CU President Trudie Kibbe Reed said in a joint statement.

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MEAC/SWAC Rivalry Weekend, 11/17/07

Compiled by beepbeep

Florida Classic: Florida A&M University (3-7, 2-6 MEAC) vs. Bethune Cookman University (4-6, 2-6 MEAC) expects to attract 70,000 for this annual Orlando affair that will be televised on ESPN Classic at 3:00 p.m., today. FAMU leads the series 45-14-1 with Rattlers boss Rubin Carter holding a 2-0 mark over Alvin Wyatt Wildcats. The Rattlers will need to contain BCU running quarterback Jimmie Russell who has rushed for 762 yards/165 attempts and 12 TDs in the Wyattbone. Last week against Howard University, Russell could not be stopped and rushed 15 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Rattlers are giving up over 214 yards per game rushing and hasn't stopped anyone in two seasons, except BCU.

BCU has two standout NFL prospects on defense in LB Ronnie McCullough and FS Bobbie Williams, who lead the defense with 137 and 75 tackles, respectively. Williams is a shutdown free safety that will play against FAMU's best receiver, senior Willie Hayward. It doesn't matter! The Rattlers always find a way to win this game even with a red shirt freshmen quarterback (Eddie Battle), 3rd string freshmen offensive linemen and a defense plagued with injuries. Rattlers senior kicker/punter Wesley Taylor will be the difference maker in this game of two teams that need to recruit better athletes.

Capital City Classic: Jackson State University (6-4, 6-2 SWAC) vs. Alcorn State University (2-7, 2-6) is the Tigers last chance to win the east division title to play in the December 15 SWAC championship game against Grambling State University. Alcorn is playing for pride. JSU blew it last week at Prairie View, who has an opportunity to help JSU by beating the AAMU Bulldogs who are tied for first with the Tigers. A win by JSU puts them in the championship game.

Expect ASU Coach Johnny Thomas (48-60,11 years) to join fired Texas Southern Coach Steve Wilson (4-38, 4 years) on the sidelines after this game. Not only is Thomas record below par, but when you attract only 1,000 fans for ASU home date with MVSU and 2500 against division champion AAMU, the ASU fans are making a strong financial statement to the administration. The Braves total attendance for five home dates was 30,430 or 6,086 average attendance for the season. This is not rocket science--a change must come.

The Braves defense is solid, but can the offense score enough to keep up with Jackson State? Expect JSU seniors to go out as winners in an exciting game!

Howard University Bison (4-6, 2-5 MEAC) at FCS #10 ranked Delaware State University Hornets (9-1, 8-0 MEAC).

This game should be a tune-up for the MEAC champion Hornets for next week FCS playoff game, hopefully against University of Delaware Hens. Howard coach Carey Bailey believes in playing smash mouth football and the Bison team that beat MEAC second place Norfolk State in Norfolk, may just show up in Dover. If so, DSU will get what it expects to see in the FCS playoffs, a ball control, grind in out offense with a few conservative shots in the air when the receivers are open.

The Bison got smacked last week by a BCU ground attack that did not complete a pass in five attempts but amassed 420 yards rushing/4 touchdowns. Delaware State was able to come back in the fourth quarter and score 18 points on Norfolk State to take the game into overtime, and win the MEAC championship. Expect a tough game for the Hornets in containing Bison senior quarterback Brian Johnson (172 of 293 passes, 2,053 yards, 20 TDs, 8 interceptions; 126 carries, 439 yards, 4 TDs)and senior WR JARAHN WILLIAMS (53 receptions, 652 yards,14 TDs).

On defense, the Bison are led by senior All-American DE Rudy Hardie (38 solos, 20 assists, 22.5 tackles for losses, 10.0 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles). Delaware State need to win this game to keep their momentum going, but expect Hornets Coach Al Lavan to protect his starters as this game is basically meaningless. The Hornets are looking ahead to their first ever NCAA championship playoff game against a team that refuses to play them in football, University of Delaware. Howard stopped DSU from sharing the MEAC crown last year with a 20-17 victory in Washington, D.C. QB Vashon Winton, NFL prospects WR Shahee McBride, RB Kareem Jones and DB Akeem Green brings a lot of talent to the field. DSU should prevail in this contest with an undefeated season in the MEAC.

Winton Salem State University Rams (6-4, 5-3 MEAC) at Norfolk State University Spartans (7-3, 6-2 MEAC).

Norfolk State would like to close out this season with a win over provisional FCS division upstart WSSU. Both the Spartans and Rams have been the surprise of the league this season beating traditional powers Hampton and FAMU. WSSU took SCSU and DSU to the wire before losing late in the fourth quarter. Both have gained respectability and winning records for their programs.

Norfolk has the third leading rusher in the conference in senior Daryl Jones who has 235 rushes for 1097 yards (4.7 yds. carry) and 14 touchdown. This 250 bus is almost impossible to stop. Quarterback Casey Hansen is the third leading passer in the conference averaging over 189 yards per game passing.

Lowcountry Classic: North Carolina A&T Aggies (0-10, 0-7 MEAC) at South Carolina State University (6-4, 5-2 MEAC). The Aggies will remain a virgin for a second consecutive season at 0-11. But, there is always--Next Year! SCSU Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough finishes with a disappointing 7-4 record in a year of high expectations of winning the MEAC, going to the FCS playoffs, playing Air Force and University of South Carolina competitively, all in the Bulldogs 100th year of college football. This talented class of Bulldogs will be remembered most for the seasons of under achievement. No titles, no playoff bids--just high fan expectations.

Bulldog senior quarterback Cleveland McCoy should closeout his SCSU career as the #1career leader in touchdowns and total yards. McCoy is three behind Michael Hicks' 52 in touchdowns and total yardage, he's 76 yards behind Marvin Marshall's 5,996 yards.
Not bad for a guy that wasn't recruited by the Division I schools as a quarterback.

Coach Pough is 6-0 life-time against North Carolina A&T. We lost patience with Aggies Coach Fobbs some time ago when the losing streak hit 12, but it has grown to an embarrassing 27 consecutive losses. Fobbs is a head coaching virgin at 0-21 overall, 0-15 MEAC in his 2nd season. Hopefully, someone will take our suggestion and schedule a Division II cupcake for next season opener to end the streak. The Aggie-nation deserves a winner, and Fobbs ain't delivered!

Aggie Pride however, is alive as North Carolina A&T is ranked #12 in NCAA home attendance (5 home games) in the entire FCS class, with a 14,245 average for the season. Norfolk State #6 (19,045) and Southern University #7 (18,913) are the only HBCUs ranked higher than the Aggies in home attendance. Outstanding for a school that hasn't tasted victory since 2005. Go Aggies!!!

Southern Illinois Salukis #5 ranked FCS(9-1, 5-1 Gateway) at Hampton University Pirates (6-4, 5-4 MEAC).

This was supposed to be Hampton Coach Joe Taylor signature game to catapult the Pirates into the FCS playoffs this season, but they got derailed by DSU, NSU, SCSU and WSSU for their highest number of conference losses in the past three years. The Salukis only loss came at the hands of Gateway conference champion and #1 ranked FCS Northern Iowa (10-0, 6-0) but SI will be in the FCS playoffs next weekend. This will be a good measuring stick for Hampton to see where they need to improve in the off-season to become FSC top echelon ranked and playoff successful. Great opportunity for Hampton to pull off a major upset.


University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions (3-7, 3-5) at Texas Southern Tigers (0-9, 0-8 SWAC)

The Tigers fired coach Steve Wilson last week after a 4-38 record in four years. Defensive coordinator DeChon Burns was named interim coach. Wilson also served this season as his own offensive coordinator. Former Washington Redskins LB Monte Coleman was elevated to defensive coordinator for TSU.

Wison had loss 11 consecutive games before his firing.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Mo Forte is 20-22 in four years and went 8-4 in 2006, winning the West Division title and losing 22-13 to Alabama A&M in the SWAC championship game. The Pine Bluff Commercial is reporting that barring a change of heart by UAPB Chancellor Lawrence Davis or Athletic Director Skip Perkins, Forte final year of his contract ($120,000) will be bought out. Forte is expected to be fired on Monday.

Expect the Golden Lions to make this the third win in a row for Forte against a TSU team with no running game. Regardless, who is sitting in the head coaching position, the Texas Southern athletic programs are in a shambles due to the poor administrative leadership.

With the basketball coaching position having an interim head coach (after a national search), the former president Priscilla Slade firing and public court battle for misspending university funds and the Texas governor firing the TSU BOT, it may take years for TSU to recover. Football and basketball are not their top agenda item.

Expect the Golden Lions Forte to win this one for pride.

FCS #23 ranked Alabama A&M University Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 SWAC) at Prairie View A&M University Panthers (6-3, 5-3 SWAC).

The Bulldogs have two scenerios riding on today's game with PVAMU. First, AAMU must win.

Secondly, if AAMU wins and Alcorn State upsets Jackson State in the Capital City Classic, the Bulldogs will win the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title and the Bulldogs last game will be next month against Grambling in the championship game. If A&M wins and Jackson State beats Alcorn State, the Bulldogs hope their 9-2 record will be good enough for an at-large berth in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Prairie View is riding high after knocking out Jackson State last weekend to secure their first winning record in 31 years. The Panthers are playing well and don't expect them to scratch and crawl their way to the second place in the West behind Grambling University with a win, a half game in front of Southern University. Players and coaches read the press clippings, and that spread in USA Today this week was impressive on Prairie View success this season under Coach Henry Frazier III. The rebuilding job is just about completed and this will be a statement game for Frazier and the Panthers--not in our house!

Alabama A&M Kelsey Luke may be the difference maker for the Bulldogs. Luke holds virtually every Division I passing record in school history, including yards (6,538), completions (547), attempts (984), touchdowns (55). Luke also holds career marks for total offense (8,009) and touchdowns responsible for (73). If the Bulldogs win, it will be their third straight season with 9 win season under Coach Anthony Jones and Luke will have a 32-10 record for this career. This one will be a battle!


Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils (2-8, 2-7 SWAC) at Savannah State University Tigers ( 1-8).

Mississippi Valley State coach Willie Totten is 24-41 in six seasons. The Delta Devils are not a good team, but neither in SSU in any stretch of the imagination. Watching a good high school playoff game may be more entertaining than seeing the Delta Devils and the Tigers. But watching the Delta Devils Marching Band perform is worth the price of the football ticket.


University of Tennessee - Martin ( 3-7, 3-4 OVC) at Tennessee State University ( 5-5, 4-2)

TSU Tigers have an opportunity to end the season with a winning record and 3rd place in the Ohio Valley Conference. UTM defense is suspect giving up over 30 points an outing which should give the Tigers opportunity to score on the ground and in the air. TSU should be motivated to earn a winning season.

FAMU SPORTS PIONEER HANSEL TOOKES DIES WEDNESDAY

More on the passing of Coach Tookes and the arrangements for his funeral can be seen at these links:

http://thefamurattlers.cstv.com/genrel/111507aac.html

http://thefamurattlers.cstv.com/genrel/111407aac.html

As FAMUans, we all have our favorite coach and Coach Tookes was at the top of my list. I learned the basic fundamentals of golf from him which has been a part of my life after leaving FAMU. I will always love this man for what he gave to me as a student and a young Rattler.

As we move forward in life, let us not forget how Coach Tookes touched all our lives with kindness and generosity to our beloved Alma Mater and community. He will always live in the heart, mind and spirit of Rattlers forever. Thank you friend, counsel, mentor, coach, professor, father, great administrator and visionary for creating the Florida Classic for 70,000+ to enjoy annually.

What a Mighty Rattler you were and thank you Lord for giving Hansel E. Tookes to all of us! Your presence will be missed but not forgotten.

FAMU QB Battle shines in debut

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida A&M's present may not look too bright after Saturday's 49-14 loss at South Carolina State, but a glimpse at a brighter future may have appeared in Orangeburg, S.C.

Redshirt-freshman quarterback Eddie Battle saw his first action as a Rattler on Saturday, playing the entire fourth quarter. He led the offense on three drives, generating a touchdown on the second drive.

“Eddie got a chance to go in, execute the offense and show his leadership at the quarterback position,” FAMU coach Rubin Carter said. “I was really pleased with his performance.

“He was one of the bright spots on a dismal day for us as a football team.”

Battle was one of three quarterbacks signed to FAMU's 2006 class, joining Eugene Smith and Robert Love. Smith did not qualify.

Smith and Love were both redshirted last season and began competing for a place on the totem pole this past spring. It was generally thought that Love came out of the spring ahead of Battle.

But Love was suspended before the start of fall practices for three games. Love also had academic issues that he was unable to clear up once his suspension was over and he has yet to rejoin the team.

With Love's status uncertain, it is a strong possibility the 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback from Titusville's Astronaut High will enter the 2008 season as the Rattlers' starting quarterback. Saturday was the first major step toward that process.

Photo: #8, QB 6-2/215, Eddie Battle, Titusville FL/Astronaunt H.S., is ready to do battle with Norfolk State.

“I learned a lot,” Battle said. “I got my first collegiate snap in this game. The speed of the game, the connection with the receivers and the O-line - it was a lot to take in.

“The circumstance was terrible to come into, but everybody kept me positive. If I ever have to come in again, I feel I will be alright.”

Battle's first drive under center wasn't anything to write home about. A rush for a three-yard loss, a rush for a six-yard gain, an incomplete pass to Isaac West and it was over.

Battle's second drive, however, was something for him to write home about. It included his first complete pass - a 23-yarder to Derek Williams that was also his first completion for a first down.
Battle also completed his first touchdown pass to sophomore fullback Mykel Benson.

“I got to throw to one of my great friends,” Battle said. “I played against him a lot in high school. Mykel Benson is a great receiver and it was a terrific feeling.”

Battle finished the quarter completing 5 of 7 passes for 54 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

While his play was insignificant as far as the outcome of Saturday's game was concerned, it may have had a great impact on the future of FAMU's football program.

“It was like going from an infant to a grown man,” Battle said. “I took my first hit in the first series. It was the first time I received a signal from Leon and it actually meant something.”

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."

BCU Wyatt wants to tangle with Florida Gators

By SEAN KERNAN, Daytona Beach News Journal

It's time for Bethune-Cookman's football program to think big.

That's big as in playing one of the big boys of NCAA Division I-A football.

Imagine if today was the day before Bethune-Cookman took on the defending national champion Florida Gators in Gainesville. Wouldn't there be a buzz about town as kickoff drew near?

Instead, the Wildcats will be in Savannah, Ga., Saturday suiting up to play the No. 241-ranked Tigers. Those meowing Tigers would be dead last in the Sagarin ratings if not for No. 242-ranked La Salle.

Of course, if B-CU got to play an opponent such as the Gators, not even the most ardent Wildcat fan would expect B-CU to win let alone put up much of a fight. But just the fact the Wildcats would get a chance to be on the same field as the Gators would create some excitement. Even B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt gets goose bumps thinking about that.

"I'd love the opportunity to play the Gators. They gave it to FAMU (in 2003)," Wyatt said. "I just love Florida, period. That's my second love -- the University of Florida. They have a huge fan in me. Go Gators!"

Wyatt, who isn't as keen about playing say FSU or Miami, also believes B-CU's fans would like to see the 'Cats mix it up with the Gators.

"You know, I think our fans would love that," Wyatt says. "It wouldn't matter what the score was and I think our kids would try to make that leap to the next level to try to compete with them."

OTHERS DO IT

South Carolina State, the team that beat B-CU last week, opened the season with a road game at Air Force and Saturday travels to nearby Columbia, S.C., to take on Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks. This is the first year the Bulldogs have taken on a I-A opponent under Buddy Pough and the fifth-year head coach recently wondered aloud what took him so long.

MEAC members Norfolk State and Delaware State play at No. 13 Rutgers and Kent State, respectively, on Saturday. Former B-CU assistant coach Pete Adrian made it a priority to get a I-A opponent on the Spartans' slate when he first was hired. What he didn't expect was to be facing a nationally ranked team and Heisman candidate (Ray Rice). But that's the way the ball bounces.

So if a MEAC power like S.C. State, an up-and-coming Delaware State and a bottom-tier MEAC program like Norfolk State can find the right I-A match-ups, why can't B-CU?

QUICK CASH

Teams take on I-A opponents for several reasons, but No. 1 is the money. The quick cash in many of these deals allows a profit of more than $200,000. And with B-CU still $2.5 million shy of pledges for its football training center, those big checks could speed up that process for something the football program badly needs to aid recruiting.

Reasons high on the list not to play I-A opponents are the possibility of injuries from playing against players who are bigger, stronger and faster, and the effects of a lopsided loss on the team's morale and the coach's record. The reality is players get hurt in practice and every program has its price. If the paycheck is big enough, most I-AA coaches and athletic directors will take one for the team.

So B-CU, enough with teams like Savannah State, Elizabeth City and Johnson C. Smith. Victories against such teams are hollow. They don't do anything for what should be B-CU's goals -- winning the MEAC and advancing in the playoffs formerly known as I-AA. (In 2000, the Wildcats went 9-2 but were left out of the playoffs because of a weak non-conference slate that included Savannah State, Johnson C. Smith and Morris Brown).

What the Wildcats need is an upgrade of competition in non-conference games -- play stronger I-AA opponents like Hampton does or take on a I-A school like three MEAC teams are doing Saturday.

BCU Neufville runs again

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- As a former walk-on, Paul Neufville never took his college football career for granted, but one year ago the Bethune-Cookman receiver learned first hand about the fine line that could separate success and misfortune.

Neufville was having the game of his life against South Carolina State. He caught five passes for 102 yards -- including a 34-yard touchdown -- in the first half alone. He added a 10-yard sideline catch on the Wildcats' first drive of the second half. Then later in the drive, he ran a 5-yard out route, and his right leg gave out on him.

A month later, the senior was on the operating table, undergoing reconstructive knee surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Neufville's season was over, but he didn't give up on his career. Even though his five years were up, he applied for a medical redshirt year and began working harder than he ever had in his life.

"I started rehabbing the day after surgery," he said. "I worked hard all summer."


By late spring he was making cuts again. He participated in preseason drills not knowing if the NCAA would clear him to play.

"I played less than 30 percent of the season (last year), so my chances were good," Neufville said. "But I had it in the back of my mind, 'What if I don't get the year back?' So I just practiced hard and prepared for the worst. That kept motivating me."

On Aug. 31, the day before B-CU's season-opener against Jacksonville, Neufville received his clearance. He caught four passes for 37 yards against JU. And now the sixth-year senior says his knee feels fine, and he is ready to complete what he started one year ago against S.C. State.

The Wildcats will host the Bulldogs in a conference game Saturday at 4 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.

"This receiving corps is better than any receiving corps we've had in my four years here," Neufville said. "And our running game is better with (running backs) Justin Brannon and our new freshman (Brian Sumlar). I don't know how they're going to stop us this year."

The Bulldogs couldn't stop the 'Cats' passing game last year. Jarod Rucker passed for 367 yards and five touchdowns, including two each to junior Stephon Walker and senior Eric Weems, as B-CU won 45-21.

"Rucker and I worked all summer (in 2006) on the passing game," Neufville said. "And before the game, Coach (Alvin) Wyatt told us we were going to air it out, so get ready. They were playing us man. I think they didn't respect the receivers and we exposed that to them."

But no matter what the Bulldogs tried, they couldn't stop the Wildcats' passing game. B-CU had trouble duplicating that success the rest of the season, however.

"When we lost Paul and Jonathan Summers (for two games), that's when everybody just chopped us man-to-man, knowing that we didn't have the experienced receivers to get off the ball," Wyatt said. "(Neufville) is a super athlete. He's an exciting football player, a kid that just needs the opportunity to get out there and finish up without any injuries. He has the speed. He has the size. I think he's a next-level type of player."

Neufville earned his degree in business management and is going for his Masters. He said his coursework in transformative leadership is helping him develop as a leader on the team. But the example he set of not giving in to adversity is more important than any words he could tell his teammates.

"Last year was tough," he said. "But I didn't let it bother me, because I knew God didn't lead me this far to let me down. I'm real happy to be back with the team, and I'm really looking forward to this game."