Tallahassee, Florida -- The little children who surrounded Florida A&M receiver Kevin Elliott in pursuit of autographs knew he had done something big in the game that they'd just watched at Bragg Stadium, although they might not understand the significance of the outcome.
Elliott just smiled and kept signing. The rest of his teammates were all smiles too Saturday night, as well they should after handing North Carolina A&T a 26-20 loss on Senior Day.
The victory gives FAMU a 6-3 overall record and put the Rattlers at 4-2 in the MEAC standings. The win, which eliminated the resurging Aggies from contention for the league title, puts FAMU in a four-way tie for second place.
They must win their two remaining game to have any chance of tying leader Norfolk State (8-2, 6-1) or at least finishing second in the standings.
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FAMU's Fleming efficient early in his tenure
Finding a quarterback to finish out the season for the Florida A&M football team has been a bit tricky during the past three years. Last year, Austin Trainor finished the last six games, replacing Martin Ukpai.
Trainor was replaced this season by freshman Damien Fleming after four starts. But there is one consistency that Taylor's quarterbacks can brag about going back to his first season in 2008. Three of them have had at least an 80-percent completion rate.
In 2008, Eddie Battle didn't miss a pass against South Carolina State in 11 attempts, and the following year Curtis Pulley hit 17-of-21 against Winston-Salem State for 80.9 percent. Fleming is the latest to do so, completing 34-of-40 passes for 85 percent against South Carolina State.
Of the three quarterbacks, Fleming reached the 80-percent mark the fastest. He did it in his fourth game as a freshman, while Battle was a junior and Pulley was a senior.
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Showing posts with label MEAC Football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MEAC Football. Show all posts
Sunday, November 6, 2011
NSU clinches 1st MEAC title with win over Savannah State
Spartans quarterback Chris Walley completed 20 of 25 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with receiver Derrick Demps five times for 106 yards.
Kicker Ryan Estep set a single-season record with his 16th field goal, while wide receiver Keith Johnson went 85 yards on a reverse, the longest run from scrimmage in NSU history.
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Norfolk rolls past Savannah State
The song remained the same for the struggling Savannah State Tigers as they faced off against the Norfolk State Spartans at Ted Wright stadium Saturday.
Three touchdowns in the first quarter by Norfolk State propelled the visitors to a dominating 45-3 win and a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.
“All week long, we thought we were the better football team, just with the records and personnel,” Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. “We had to make sure we played good, tough football on both sides of the ball. We knew they were going to play hard, which they did. We’re just happy to get the win.”
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Demps, Walley key Spartans to share of first MEAC title
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Chris Walley and Derrick Demps put the offense on track, put on shows for their family and put rings on the fingers of the Norfolk State Spartans.
Together, the Florida-born players led the Spartans to a 45-3 win at Savannah State, clinching a share of the Spartans' first MEAC title. It's the first football title of any kind for NSU since it won the CIAA in 1984. Norfolk State can win the championship outright, and the FCS playoff spot that comes with it, with a win at Morgan State next weekend.
"Obviously, it's nice to do it for the first time," head coach Pete Adrian said. "But we're not done yet. We know that."
Walley completed 20 of 25 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 72 yards and two more scores. Demps caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
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SAVANNAH, GA - Quarterback Chris Walley accounted for 343 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, and visiting Norfolk State clinched at least a share of its first-ever MEAC football title with a 45-3 win over Savannah State on Saturday evening at T.A. Wright Stadium.
The win is the Spartans’ eighth of the season and sixth in MEAC play, tying the 2007 team for the most of each in school history. NSU (8-2, 6-1) still must win at Morgan State next Saturday to clinch its first outright MEAC championship and earn the conference’s automatic berth in the FCS playoffs. NSU rolled up a season-high 559 yards of total offense while holding the Tigers (1-8, 1-5) to 45, the lowest by a Spartan opponent in the Pete Adrian era. Five of NSU’s seven scoring drives lasted 70 seconds or less.
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Saturday, November 5, 2011
College football preview: Howard vs. Hampton
Hampton, Virginia -- Another tough out: A week after losing its ninth straight game to South Carolina State, Howard will aim to end a 14-game drought against Hampton, which includes a 31-21 loss at Greene Stadium last season. Hampton has scored an average of 34 points in the teams’ past five meetings.
Pirates air it out: Led by quarterback David Legree, the Pirates lead the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in passing offense (255 yards per game). Legree, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior with a powerful arm, ranks third in the conference in passing, completing 141 of 229 attempts (61.5 percent) for 1,626 yards and 10 touchdowns. Howard, however, leads the MEAC in passing defense, yielding a scant 145.2 yards per game (fourth nationally).
Good foot: The Pirates’ Taurean Durham, a two-time MEAC special teams player of the week, ranks second in the conference in kicking, connecting on 10 of his 15 attempts (tied for most). The junior is 5 for 7 from 20 to 29 yards and 5 for 6 from 30 to 39 yards.
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Pirates air it out: Led by quarterback David Legree, the Pirates lead the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in passing offense (255 yards per game). Legree, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior with a powerful arm, ranks third in the conference in passing, completing 141 of 229 attempts (61.5 percent) for 1,626 yards and 10 touchdowns. Howard, however, leads the MEAC in passing defense, yielding a scant 145.2 yards per game (fourth nationally).
Good foot: The Pirates’ Taurean Durham, a two-time MEAC special teams player of the week, ranks second in the conference in kicking, connecting on 10 of his 15 attempts (tied for most). The junior is 5 for 7 from 20 to 29 yards and 5 for 6 from 30 to 39 yards.
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Savannah State University Tigers looks for elusive second win
Savannah, Georgia -- Savannah State coach Steve Davenport remembered when times weren’t so good as a player. Davenport, a wide receiver with Georgia Tech, went into the sixth game of the 1988 season against undefeated and eighth-ranked South Carolina with a 1-4 record.Tech won only three games, but surprised Carolina 34-0 that day in the Yellow Jackets’ only Division I-A victory that season. He relayed that story to his Savannah State players during a recent team meeting.
“I have a picture in my office from the South Carolina game,” Davenport said. “I took that picture into our team meeting. We were struggling; we won only three games (two against I-AA teams). But we made a memory that day.”
Davenport wants his players to look the same way at highly regarded Norfolk State — a team that leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings and ranks seventh in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College football poll.
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B-CU hopes to continue strong running against Morgan State
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Nothing is more pleasing to an offensive lineman than creating big holes for running backs. Bethune-Cookman senior center Natiel Curry is one happy guy these days. Since gaining a total of just five yards rushing in a loss to North Carolina A&T on Oct. 8, the Wildcats have averaged 332 yards on the ground in their last three games.
"I don't know what was making us stumble at first, but we've caught our rhythm," Curry said. "It seems like we've gone from a spread, passing offense to running the ball down your throat. "Our running plays have been working for us. I just have to credit it to the rest of the O-line and the running backs for finding the holes and making it work."
B-CU (5-3 overall, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) will try to win its fourth straight today in its homecoming game against Morgan State (5-3, 4-1).
"Our guys are just playing hard, playing physical and executing the scheme. Because of that we're seeing good results," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "The A&T game woke us up and got our guys to understand that we're not going to be able to just line up and beat people."
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"I don't know what was making us stumble at first, but we've caught our rhythm," Curry said. "It seems like we've gone from a spread, passing offense to running the ball down your throat. "Our running plays have been working for us. I just have to credit it to the rest of the O-line and the running backs for finding the holes and making it work."
B-CU (5-3 overall, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) will try to win its fourth straight today in its homecoming game against Morgan State (5-3, 4-1).
"Our guys are just playing hard, playing physical and executing the scheme. Because of that we're seeing good results," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "The A&T game woke us up and got our guys to understand that we're not going to be able to just line up and beat people."
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Success by North Carolina A&T Aggies turning heads
Tallahassee, Florida -- When North Carolina A&T won three straight MEAC games to start conference play, it raised more than a few eyebrows — especially since one of the wins came over defending champion Bethune-Cookman.The Aggies have since lost two straight, but remain one of seven teams in the hunt for the conference title. That in itself could be considered a major achievement for a team that had just one victory last season.
First-year coach Rod Broadway stopped short of calling it a turnaround earlier this week, but said he's seen plenty of signs that N.C. A&T (4-4, 3-2) is on the right path. And it's happening with only 30 scholarship players.
"We got some kids who want to do well," Broadway said. "They want to be successful (and) we've got to teach them how to win and now how to finish."
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With win today, Spartans will earn share of MEAC title
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Terrence Pugh is at Norfolk State because of history. Now he has a chance to make some of his own. A linebacker from Indian River High in Chesapeake, Pugh was part of Norfolk State's 2008 recruiting class, the group that followed the best Division I season the Spartans have produced."With coach (Pete) Adrian and everything, the program was on the rise," Pugh said. "I know everyone in the area is like, 'Who wants to go to Norfolk State? It's right down the street.' I always thought it would be a chance to bring a MEAC championship to the hometown."
With a victory today against Savannah State, the Spartans will earn at least a share of the MEAC title, their first since joining the conference and making the jump to Division I in 1997.
Pugh, an All-Tidewater first-team player after helping Indian River to an Eastern Region title game, chose Norfolk State over scholarship offers from Liberty, Virginia Military Institute and, most impressively, Youngstown State, a program with a far prouder tradition than Norfolk State.
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Monday, October 31, 2011
Hampton pulls away from SSU, 22-5
Savannah, Georgia -- An ugly game looked pretty to Savannah State for 30 minutes. But the Tigers couldn’t generate offense in the second half, and a strong defensive effort was wasted during a 22-5 loss to Hampton on SSU’s homecoming at T.A. Wright Stadium on Saturday.
Savannah State dropped its fourth game in a row and fell to 1-7 overall, 1-4 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
Hampton, which played without MEAC passing leader quarterback David Legree, has won two straight while improving to 5-3, 3-2 in conference play.
“Any loss, whether you play well or not, it’s a not a great feeling,” said SSU linebacker Nate Clay, who had a game-high 16 tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss that resulted in a safety.
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SSU NOTEBOOK: Tigers defense plays well despite loss to Hampton
Savannah, Georgia -- Savannah State’s defense played its best game of the season Saturday against Hampton University. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.
The visiting Pirates scored 19 points during the final 16 minutes and 35 seconds and defeated the Tigers, 22-5, before SSU’s announced homecoming crowd of 10,375 at T.A. Wright Stadium.
After an opening 56-yard drive that resulted in a field goal, SSU held Hampton scoreless and to just 141 yards for the next 38 minutes.
The Pirates played without MEAC-leading passer David Legree, but a week ago beat North Carolina Central when Travis Champion came off the bench and led the team to two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.
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Click here to view photos from the game.
Savannah State dropped its fourth game in a row and fell to 1-7 overall, 1-4 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
Hampton, which played without MEAC passing leader quarterback David Legree, has won two straight while improving to 5-3, 3-2 in conference play.
“Any loss, whether you play well or not, it’s a not a great feeling,” said SSU linebacker Nate Clay, who had a game-high 16 tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss that resulted in a safety.
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SSU NOTEBOOK: Tigers defense plays well despite loss to Hampton
Savannah, Georgia -- Savannah State’s defense played its best game of the season Saturday against Hampton University. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.
The visiting Pirates scored 19 points during the final 16 minutes and 35 seconds and defeated the Tigers, 22-5, before SSU’s announced homecoming crowd of 10,375 at T.A. Wright Stadium.
After an opening 56-yard drive that resulted in a field goal, SSU held Hampton scoreless and to just 141 yards for the next 38 minutes.
The Pirates played without MEAC-leading passer David Legree, but a week ago beat North Carolina Central when Travis Champion came off the bench and led the team to two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.
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Click here to view photos from the game.
B-CU Wildcats win 3rd straight, 34-6 over NCCU Eagles
DURHAM, North Carolina -- It's not unusual for a team to get a lopsided victory in a homecoming game. What is unusual is when it's the visiting team that puts the big numbers on the scoreboard.
Bethune-Cookman did just that Saturday, drilling a struggling North Carolina Central team 34-6 to spoil the Eagles' homecoming at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. It was the first time in six years that North Carolina Central lost its homecoming game.
B-CU (5-3, 3-2 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) scored the first 34 points of the game. Running back Anthony Jordan had two touchdown runs, running back Rodney Scott and quarterback Jackie Wilson each had one rushing TD and receiver Patrick Harris caught a scoring pass for the Wildcats.
"Our guys operated the scheme that they were coached to do and were successful at it," said B-CU coach Brian Jenkins, who saw the Wildcats amass 525 yards of offense. "The main thing is we were careful with the football, and that was a positive factor in the game, and that's why we were effective offensively."
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WILDCATS CAPTURE CONVINCING WIN AT NCCU HOMECOMING GAME
DURHAM, N.C. – Bethune-Cookman University sophomore quarterback Jackie Wilson passed for 183 yards and ran for another 113 yards to spark the Wildcats to 525 total yards and a 34-6 victory over North Carolina Central University inside a packed O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium celebrating NCCU’s homecoming.
Wilson completed 12-of-15 passes for 183 yards and an 11-yard touchdown strike to Patrick Harris in the third quarter. His team-high 113 ground yards came on just nine carries, including a 3-yard touchdown scamper right before halftime.
B-CU sophomore running back Isidore Jackson also surpassed the century mark with 108 rushing yards, while Anthony Jordan found the end zone twice and Rodney Scott had 57 rushing yards and a score. As a team, the Wildcats rushed for 333 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
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Bethune-Cookman did just that Saturday, drilling a struggling North Carolina Central team 34-6 to spoil the Eagles' homecoming at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. It was the first time in six years that North Carolina Central lost its homecoming game.
B-CU (5-3, 3-2 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) scored the first 34 points of the game. Running back Anthony Jordan had two touchdown runs, running back Rodney Scott and quarterback Jackie Wilson each had one rushing TD and receiver Patrick Harris caught a scoring pass for the Wildcats.
"Our guys operated the scheme that they were coached to do and were successful at it," said B-CU coach Brian Jenkins, who saw the Wildcats amass 525 yards of offense. "The main thing is we were careful with the football, and that was a positive factor in the game, and that's why we were effective offensively."
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WILDCATS CAPTURE CONVINCING WIN AT NCCU HOMECOMING GAME
DURHAM, N.C. – Bethune-Cookman University sophomore quarterback Jackie Wilson passed for 183 yards and ran for another 113 yards to spark the Wildcats to 525 total yards and a 34-6 victory over North Carolina Central University inside a packed O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium celebrating NCCU’s homecoming.
Wilson completed 12-of-15 passes for 183 yards and an 11-yard touchdown strike to Patrick Harris in the third quarter. His team-high 113 ground yards came on just nine carries, including a 3-yard touchdown scamper right before halftime.
B-CU sophomore running back Isidore Jackson also surpassed the century mark with 108 rushing yards, while Anthony Jordan found the end zone twice and Rodney Scott had 57 rushing yards and a score. As a team, the Wildcats rushed for 333 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Savannah State meets Hampton on homecoming Saturday
Savannah, Georgia -- There are still four games to go in the football season for the Savannah State Tigers. After losing six of the first seven, you might think first-year coach Steve Davenport would be looking at younger players.
But Davenport isn’t using the final part of the season as an audition for next year. Particularly today on the Tigers’ homecoming.
“We’re not at that point,” said Davenport, whose squad meets Hampton University at 2 p.m. at T.A Wright Stadium. “I don’t want to toss the seniors aside just for the sake of looking at young kids. We’re going to play the best players. The guys we have playing are the older guys and they’re the best players.
“Our mentality the whole time is we’re going to play the best players. If the results aren’t good enough, then we have to go out and get better players.”
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But Davenport isn’t using the final part of the season as an audition for next year. Particularly today on the Tigers’ homecoming.
“We’re not at that point,” said Davenport, whose squad meets Hampton University at 2 p.m. at T.A Wright Stadium. “I don’t want to toss the seniors aside just for the sake of looking at young kids. We’re going to play the best players. The guys we have playing are the older guys and they’re the best players.
“Our mentality the whole time is we’re going to play the best players. If the results aren’t good enough, then we have to go out and get better players.”
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Friday, October 28, 2011
Scouting report: Morgan State vs. Delaware State
Morgan State (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) vs. Delaware State (2-5, 0-4 MEAC)Time: 1 p.m.
Radio: 88.9 FM
Series: Morgan leads series 30-23
MSU Gamenotes
What's at stake: Morgan State, which is tied for first place in the MEAC, will face the struggling Hornets on the road as both teams are coming off bye weeks. Before the break, the Bears had won two straight, including a dominant 52-3 victory at North Carolina Central on Oct. 29. Meanwhile, the Hornets have plummeted in the standings. After winning its first two games of the season, Delaware State has lost five straight under first-year coach Kermit Blount. The Bears have not won at Delaware State since 2003, when they claimed a 53-36 victory.
Key matchup: Morgan State running back Travis Davidson rushed for a game-high 142 yards and three touchdowns in the Bears' rout of N.C. Central two weeks ago. The junior leads the team with 455 rushing yards this season and five touchdowns. Running backs have had no problem against the Hornets, who have allowed more than 200 rushing yards per game this season. The Delaware State defense has allowed a MEAC-worst 441 yards per game.
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FAMU football tops MEAC in nine categories
Tallahassee, Florida -- Getting to its bye week has been quite a rollercoaster ride for Florida A&M. But even as they sit in a third-place tie, the Rattlers have plenty to feel good about — at least through this weekend's MEAC games.
The Rattlers amazingly are leading the league in nine of 33 statistical categories. Topping the achievement is the team's 19 interceptions, which is the best in the national in all levels of college football.
FAMU also has the conference's best scoring offense, kicker off coverage, PAT success, third-down conversions, time of possession, red zone offense, red zone defense and sacks.
"I take my hat off to the coaches," head coach Joe Taylor said Thursday, as he read the list. "We have been adjusting as we go and that's why you see us playing better."
Safety Anthony Shutt agreed that the stats that the Rattlers are racking up is the result of the chemistry between players on both sides of the ball.
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The Rattlers amazingly are leading the league in nine of 33 statistical categories. Topping the achievement is the team's 19 interceptions, which is the best in the national in all levels of college football.
FAMU also has the conference's best scoring offense, kicker off coverage, PAT success, third-down conversions, time of possession, red zone offense, red zone defense and sacks.
"I take my hat off to the coaches," head coach Joe Taylor said Thursday, as he read the list. "We have been adjusting as we go and that's why you see us playing better."
Safety Anthony Shutt agreed that the stats that the Rattlers are racking up is the result of the chemistry between players on both sides of the ball.
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For seniors on NSU Spartans, it's do or die
NORFOLK, Virginia -- All Norfolk State had to do to win a championship in 2007 was win its final MEAC game. Despite needing to win their final three games this season, the Spartans feel even closer to their first MEAC title this time around.
The Spartans should be favored in all three and face championship expectations for the first time since the program moved to the FCS level in 1997. "This has to be it," senior linebacker Corwin Hammond said. "It has to be the year."
In 2007, the Spartans went on the road to play Delaware State in a winner-take-all conference game. The Spartans surprised Delaware State, then ranked No. 10 in the country, by taking a lead before blowing the game in the fourth quarter.
This time, North Carolina A&T is the toughest team on NSU's schedule, but the Spartans have home-field advantage. Afterward come road contests with MEAC creampuff Savannah State and Morgan State, which has a 3-1 MEAC record against suspect competition.
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The Spartans should be favored in all three and face championship expectations for the first time since the program moved to the FCS level in 1997. "This has to be it," senior linebacker Corwin Hammond said. "It has to be the year."
In 2007, the Spartans went on the road to play Delaware State in a winner-take-all conference game. The Spartans surprised Delaware State, then ranked No. 10 in the country, by taking a lead before blowing the game in the fourth quarter.
This time, North Carolina A&T is the toughest team on NSU's schedule, but the Spartans have home-field advantage. Afterward come road contests with MEAC creampuff Savannah State and Morgan State, which has a 3-1 MEAC record against suspect competition.
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Thursday, October 27, 2011
Highlights - NCCU VS. HAMPTON (Oct. 22, 2011)
Durham, North Carolina -- Check out the highlights of NCCU's 22nd Matchup against Hampton as the Eagles nearly ruined the Pirates homecoming weekend, dropping a tough 30-27 overtime decision on Saturday, Oct. 22. In the loss, Michael Johnson passed Brad McAdams(92-96) for 5th all-time in touchdown passes with 43 in his career.
NCCU takes on Bethune-Cookman for its homecoming contest this Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2:00 p.m. from O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
NCCU takes on Bethune-Cookman for its homecoming contest this Saturday, Oct. 29 at 2:00 p.m. from O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Howard sees win over S.C. State as step in return to prominence
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Gary Harrell remembers fondly the proud days of Howard University football.
Known as "The Flea," the 5-7 former wide receiver is the school's career leader in receptions (184) and a member of the 1993 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship Bison team led by quarterback Jay "Sky" Walker. Returning to his alma mater this past year as head coach, Harrell inherited a program far removed from those glory days and owners of the longest losing streak in conference play.
Even worse, Harrell saw a talented group that seemed more focused on individual goals and not sharing his same level of passion.
"The biggest problem here when I first got here was that the guys were separated," Harrell said during Tuesday's MEAC teleconference. "They didn't spend a whole lot of time with each other as far as the cafeteria and the dorm. They didn't spend enough time together, so we made sure we brought them together off the field and now you can see it on the field that they really trust each other. Now it's not (linebacker) Keith Pough making plays. He trusts his teammates that they're going to make the plays as well. So that was the biggest thing in changing the culture."
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Known as "The Flea," the 5-7 former wide receiver is the school's career leader in receptions (184) and a member of the 1993 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship Bison team led by quarterback Jay "Sky" Walker. Returning to his alma mater this past year as head coach, Harrell inherited a program far removed from those glory days and owners of the longest losing streak in conference play.
Even worse, Harrell saw a talented group that seemed more focused on individual goals and not sharing his same level of passion.
"The biggest problem here when I first got here was that the guys were separated," Harrell said during Tuesday's MEAC teleconference. "They didn't spend a whole lot of time with each other as far as the cafeteria and the dorm. They didn't spend enough time together, so we made sure we brought them together off the field and now you can see it on the field that they really trust each other. Now it's not (linebacker) Keith Pough making plays. He trusts his teammates that they're going to make the plays as well. So that was the biggest thing in changing the culture."
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
DSU gets fresh start after bye; Team hopes for homecoming win, end to 5-game losing streak
Dover, Delaware -- Delaware State's football team is coming back from a much-needed week off. Now a weekend's worth of homecoming festivities await the Hornets as they look for reason to celebrate on the field.
Delaware State (2-5 overall, 0-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) hosts Morgan State (4-3, 3-1) in its homecoming game on Saturday at 1 at Alumni Stadium.
"I'm hoping we got a lot of stuff corrected and hopefully we can get off to a fast start for a change," DSU quarterback Nick Elko said. "That's what we're looking to do against Morgan State. Our main goal for this week is to try and get our seniors a win for homecoming. We want to send them out the right way."
First-year DSU head coach Kermit Blount said the bye week gave his players a chance to step away from a program mired in a five-game losing streak.
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Delaware State (2-5 overall, 0-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) hosts Morgan State (4-3, 3-1) in its homecoming game on Saturday at 1 at Alumni Stadium.
"I'm hoping we got a lot of stuff corrected and hopefully we can get off to a fast start for a change," DSU quarterback Nick Elko said. "That's what we're looking to do against Morgan State. Our main goal for this week is to try and get our seniors a win for homecoming. We want to send them out the right way."
First-year DSU head coach Kermit Blount said the bye week gave his players a chance to step away from a program mired in a five-game losing streak.
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S.C. State's Pough taking ‘caged animal' to Howard
Orangeburg, South Carolina -- With Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title hopes on life support and mounting injuries at key positions, South Carolina State resembles the proverbial "wounded animal" entering Saturday's game at Howard University.This is exactly the position head football coach Buddy Pough seems comfortable with in facing a second straight opponent looking to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.
"It's a better football team than (Florida A&M) was last week, I guarantee you, and we go there to play this week," Pough said. "So we've got our hands full. It'll be a tough task and it's a great scenario for us," Pough said. "We get to be a little bit the caged animal a little bit. We get to try to get our backs from against the wall. So we get a chance to really get a look to see just what's inside some of our guys. We've got to go up there and win. We feel like this is a must-win for us and we'll see what happens from there."
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
FAMU Rattlers rally in fourth quarter to beat SCSU Bulldogs
Orangeburg, South Carolina -- As the Florida A&M football team began to gather for its postgame huddle with coach Joe Taylor, he did a right about-turn. Taylor led the way as the team rushed to the side where its band was playing. They had earned the right to celebrate Saturday afternoon at Oliver Dawson Stadium by defeating South Carolina State, 27-24.
A defensive stance unlike any that the Rattlers have shown all season limited the Bulldogs to 178 yards of rushing and just another 121 passing. FAMU capped off a fourth-quarter comeback with two rushing touchdown by LaVante Page and shut the door for good with a fake punt during the closing minutes.
South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough said he was considering possible plays for his Bulldogs team when FAMU struck with the fake.
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FAMU executes when it matters
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Florida A&M made its running plays count when it mattered most Saturday afternoon, although it managed fewer than 150 yards on the ground against South Carolina State.
The Rattlers ran the ball a total of 13 times during a fourth-quarter comeback in front of 17,153 in attendance. Both times FAMU got in the red zone, LaVante Page was the one who punched it in to secure a 27-24 victory. The win ended an eight-game losing streak for FAMU against SCSU, and also snapped a two-game home winning streak for the Bulldogs.
"It was just execution and the line blocking," said Page. "We executed."
SCSU came into the game with the third-best rushing attack in the MEAC. But while it won the battle on the ground (178 yards to 142 for FAMU), the Bulldogs didn't get the production that usually comes out of their backfield.
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Is the MEAC catching up to the Bulldogs?
Orangeburg, S.C. - Buddy Pough paused for a moment. With a small band of reporters in front of him, he gathered what he had just been told - Howard knocked off North Carolina A&T, the MEAC's only undefeated team - silently.
A win would have kept the Bulldogs in the battle for the conference heading down the stretch.
For the past three seasons, Pough's team has at least shared the MEAC title. But, as he heard the news, Pough was the head coach of a team that had freshly squandered a 24-13 third-quarter lead, surrendering two Florida A&M touchdowns in the fourth quarter to slide back into the peripheral of the conference-title race.
Finally, Pough spoke.
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MEAC standings grow more cluttered
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — No one saw this coming — Norfolk State leading the standings with a month left in the season. North Carolina A&T going undefeated in conference play through its first three games didn't even seem like a possibility.
That's what has transpired, though, and at a point when there should be some kind of clear-cut indication which team will win the MEAC title, things just keep getting cloudier. That's in part to Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-1) stunning NSU (6-2, 4-1) on Thursday night, which allowed the Aggies to take a 3-0 conference record into their game against Howard on Saturday.
That ended after two overtimes with Howard (4-4, 3-2) winning its homecoming game 35-28 over the Aggies (4-3, 3-1). A few days before Florida A&M (5-3, 3-2) hooked up with South Carolina State (4-4, 3-2), Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough was trying to put the unexpected occurrences into perspective.
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A defensive stance unlike any that the Rattlers have shown all season limited the Bulldogs to 178 yards of rushing and just another 121 passing. FAMU capped off a fourth-quarter comeback with two rushing touchdown by LaVante Page and shut the door for good with a fake punt during the closing minutes.
South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough said he was considering possible plays for his Bulldogs team when FAMU struck with the fake.
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FAMU executes when it matters
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Florida A&M made its running plays count when it mattered most Saturday afternoon, although it managed fewer than 150 yards on the ground against South Carolina State.
The Rattlers ran the ball a total of 13 times during a fourth-quarter comeback in front of 17,153 in attendance. Both times FAMU got in the red zone, LaVante Page was the one who punched it in to secure a 27-24 victory. The win ended an eight-game losing streak for FAMU against SCSU, and also snapped a two-game home winning streak for the Bulldogs.
"It was just execution and the line blocking," said Page. "We executed."
SCSU came into the game with the third-best rushing attack in the MEAC. But while it won the battle on the ground (178 yards to 142 for FAMU), the Bulldogs didn't get the production that usually comes out of their backfield.
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Is the MEAC catching up to the Bulldogs?
Orangeburg, S.C. - Buddy Pough paused for a moment. With a small band of reporters in front of him, he gathered what he had just been told - Howard knocked off North Carolina A&T, the MEAC's only undefeated team - silently.
A win would have kept the Bulldogs in the battle for the conference heading down the stretch.
For the past three seasons, Pough's team has at least shared the MEAC title. But, as he heard the news, Pough was the head coach of a team that had freshly squandered a 24-13 third-quarter lead, surrendering two Florida A&M touchdowns in the fourth quarter to slide back into the peripheral of the conference-title race.
Finally, Pough spoke.
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MEAC standings grow more cluttered
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — No one saw this coming — Norfolk State leading the standings with a month left in the season. North Carolina A&T going undefeated in conference play through its first three games didn't even seem like a possibility.
That's what has transpired, though, and at a point when there should be some kind of clear-cut indication which team will win the MEAC title, things just keep getting cloudier. That's in part to Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-1) stunning NSU (6-2, 4-1) on Thursday night, which allowed the Aggies to take a 3-0 conference record into their game against Howard on Saturday.
That ended after two overtimes with Howard (4-4, 3-2) winning its homecoming game 35-28 over the Aggies (4-3, 3-1). A few days before Florida A&M (5-3, 3-2) hooked up with South Carolina State (4-4, 3-2), Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough was trying to put the unexpected occurrences into perspective.
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HU Pirates survive homecoming scare in win over NCCU Eagles
HAMPTON, Virginia - The Hampton University football team’s four seniors had one thing in mind coming into Saturday’s contest at Armstrong Stadium: Homecoming. The Pirates had not won a Homecoming game since defeating Winston-Salem State 13-3 in 2006, but seniors David Legree, Isaiah Thomas, Dyrri McCain and Micah Pellein wanted to leave their final year with a win on Homecoming – which the Pirates would accomplish, though it took longer than expected with a 30-27 overtime win over North Carolina Central.
Hampton started the game by driving the ball into NCCU territory on its first two drives, but the first ended in a turnover on downs and the second ended in a blocked field goal. The Eagles would get on the board first, when Oleg Parent kicked a 40-yard field goal with 20 second left in the first quarter. Hampton would answer the Eagles on a 6-yard run by running back Antwon Chisholm with 11:49 left in the second quarter to give the Pirates a 7-3 lead. Hampton would score once more in the second quarter off of a 23-yard field goal by Taurean Durham to put the Pirates up 10-3, but the Eagles would manage to go 60 yards in under 1:46 to tie the game up at 10-10 at halftime.
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HU pulls away in overtime, defeats N.C. Central 30-27
HAMPTON, Virginia — — On a day when Hampton continually struggled to get out of its own way, it was North Carolina Central that wound up making the biggest mistake. The Eagles celebrated too soon.
Up three in overtime, the Eagles pranced off the field in jubilation after defensive back Marc Lewis appeared to recover an Antwan Chisholm fumble. Ultimately, though, it was Hampton's Jamal Wilson with the ball at the bottom of the pile. Three plays later, Jeremiah Schwartz bulled into the end zone from a yard out to lift the Pirates past the Eagles 30-27 at Armstrong Stadium and seal Hampton's first homecoming victory since 2006.
"When I saw that play, the first thing I thought about was the Bethune game," Pirates coach Donovan Rose said, referring to Hampton's controversial loss Sept. 22 at Bethune-Cookman, when Isiah Thomas' apparent game-winning touchdown reception as time expired was overturned on video review. "I'm thinking, Oh, no, not again.
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Hampton started the game by driving the ball into NCCU territory on its first two drives, but the first ended in a turnover on downs and the second ended in a blocked field goal. The Eagles would get on the board first, when Oleg Parent kicked a 40-yard field goal with 20 second left in the first quarter. Hampton would answer the Eagles on a 6-yard run by running back Antwon Chisholm with 11:49 left in the second quarter to give the Pirates a 7-3 lead. Hampton would score once more in the second quarter off of a 23-yard field goal by Taurean Durham to put the Pirates up 10-3, but the Eagles would manage to go 60 yards in under 1:46 to tie the game up at 10-10 at halftime.
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HU pulls away in overtime, defeats N.C. Central 30-27
HAMPTON, Virginia — — On a day when Hampton continually struggled to get out of its own way, it was North Carolina Central that wound up making the biggest mistake. The Eagles celebrated too soon.
Up three in overtime, the Eagles pranced off the field in jubilation after defensive back Marc Lewis appeared to recover an Antwan Chisholm fumble. Ultimately, though, it was Hampton's Jamal Wilson with the ball at the bottom of the pile. Three plays later, Jeremiah Schwartz bulled into the end zone from a yard out to lift the Pirates past the Eagles 30-27 at Armstrong Stadium and seal Hampton's first homecoming victory since 2006.
"When I saw that play, the first thing I thought about was the Bethune game," Pirates coach Donovan Rose said, referring to Hampton's controversial loss Sept. 22 at Bethune-Cookman, when Isiah Thomas' apparent game-winning touchdown reception as time expired was overturned on video review. "I'm thinking, Oh, no, not again.
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Howard wins its homecoming game; A&T Aggies one yard short
Washington, D.C. -- Howard’s defense stopped North Carolina A&T quarterback Lewis Kindle a yard short of the end zone in overtime to give the Bison a 35-28 victory Saturday, only their second win in their last six homecoming games.
After the Bison (4-4, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) scored on Terrence Leffall’s three-yard run on the first possession of overtime, the Aggies (4-3, 3-1) picked up a couple of first downs to reach the Howard 3-yard line.
Two incompletions and a one-yard loss on a Mike Mayhew run left them with a fourth and four, and Kindle was stopped by defensive end Sackie Kerkulah after a three-yard gain.
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Aggies fall 1 yard short in overtime
WASHINGTON -- Lewis Kindle knelt on the 1-yard line Saturday afternoon, as a few Howard defenders and some fans danced in the end zone. Minutes earlier, the N.C. A&T quarterback had been stopped short on a fourth-and-goal run and Howard escaped with a 35-28 overtime win on homecoming.
"We had a pass play called and they had it covered pretty well," Kindle said. "I thought I could get in." He couldn't. And the Aggies (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) couldn't match Terrance Leffall's 3-yard TD run in overtime that won it for Howard (4-4, 3-2).
"A&T made a big play on third down," Bison coach Gary Harrell said, "and had four downs to get in."
But Howard's defense forced an incomplete pass on third down at the 3, and then Kindle was stopped 1 yard short on fourth down.
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After the Bison (4-4, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) scored on Terrence Leffall’s three-yard run on the first possession of overtime, the Aggies (4-3, 3-1) picked up a couple of first downs to reach the Howard 3-yard line.
Two incompletions and a one-yard loss on a Mike Mayhew run left them with a fourth and four, and Kindle was stopped by defensive end Sackie Kerkulah after a three-yard gain.
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Aggies fall 1 yard short in overtime
WASHINGTON -- Lewis Kindle knelt on the 1-yard line Saturday afternoon, as a few Howard defenders and some fans danced in the end zone. Minutes earlier, the N.C. A&T quarterback had been stopped short on a fourth-and-goal run and Howard escaped with a 35-28 overtime win on homecoming.
"We had a pass play called and they had it covered pretty well," Kindle said. "I thought I could get in." He couldn't. And the Aggies (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) couldn't match Terrance Leffall's 3-yard TD run in overtime that won it for Howard (4-4, 3-2).
"A&T made a big play on third down," Bison coach Gary Harrell said, "and had four downs to get in."
But Howard's defense forced an incomplete pass on third down at the 3, and then Kindle was stopped 1 yard short on fourth down.
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