ASU president wants return to ‘Soul Bowl; Appoints committee to study withdrawing from Capital City Classic

LORMAN, MS — In response to recent media reports concerning Alcorn State University’s future involvement with the Capital City Classic, Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, 18th president of Alcorn, announced the following in a campus staff meeting:

“Recently, at our alumni’s annual mid-winter conference, in Chicago, I was approached by a number of alums with strong concerns about the past and future of the Capital City Classic. Many expressed a strong interest in the idea of returning the annual football contest between Alcorn State and Jackson State back to each school’s respective football stadiums in the game that was fondly known as the ‘Soul Bowl’. I am strongly considering and am in favor of this option.”

According to Alcorn’s Chief of Staff Marcus Ward, “For 15 years, from 1993 to 2008, Alcorn State University and Jackson State University have participated in a spirited, football rivalry that was full of rich and colorful tradition and attracted crowds of 50-60,000 fans on an annual basis. The Capital City Classic is not simply a game – it has been a major economic event for the City of Jackson and the state of Mississippi. For the past three years, members of the Alcorn community have consistently expressed discontent with the Capital City Classic to us.”

President Brown stated, “The truth of the matter is that the Capital City Classic has not been the same over the last three years. The game has lost attendance; alumni and sponsors are losing interest; and quite frankly, the University has lost revenue. While there are other ancillary factors that are attributable to its decline, I have a fiduciary responsibility, as president, to steward our resources in the best interests of Mississippi’s taxpayers.”

Dr. Brown continued, “In an effort to address concerns, I am directing my Chief of Staff Marcus Ward to commission a blue ribbon committee to perform a comprehensive review of the history and future of the the Capital City Classic. The Committee will analyze the Classic thoroughly including the game and auxiliary events and will also develop and present a plan for a “Return to the Soul Bowl”. This Committee will report its findings to me within 90 days and I will then communicate Alcorn’s final position going forward.”

President Brown concluded by stating, “Let me say also, we appreciate and value our powerful partnership with our sister school Jackson State University. This matter, in no way, reflects upon our strong and unique history and relationship that goes beyond football. We look forward to working closely with President Meyers and her able staff to advance higher education and intercollegiate athletics in Mississippi and the nation.”

By ASU University Relations

Capital City Classic situation disturbs JSU's Gorden

In 1994, W.C. Gorden, then Jackson State's athletic director, helped start the Capital City Classic as a way to gain media attention and generate more revenue for the participants, Alcorn State and JSU.

So, when he opened his newspaper Saturday and saw this headline, "No more Capital City Classic?" the winningest football coach in JSU history shook his head. "I was very disappointed to hear that," he said Saturday afternoon from his home.

'Soul Bowl' might return

Emanuel Barnes had the perfect spot, seated several hundred feet above the football field, nestled behind the microphone in the Alcorn State University press box.

The school's long-time public address announcer watched a sophomore quarterback named Steve McNair find receiver Marcus Hinton for a game-winning touchdown that gave Alcorn a 42-35 victory over despised rival Jackson State University. Newly opened Jack Spinks Stadium exploded in celebration.

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Delaware State Hornets football: There's a new boss in town at spring practice

DOVER, DE -- It has only taken a week and a half for new Delaware State University football coach  Kermit Blount to raise the energy level among the Hornets players with new assistant coaches, a revamped playbook and an optimistic eye on the future.

For Blount, this has been a spring football camp full of learning players' names, evaluating talent and bringing in fresh ideas. The Hornets' two-week camp will culminate with the annual Red/White scrimmage at Alumni Stadium on Saturday night at 6.

"I'll tell you what, I'm really, really pleased with how the kids are responding to what we're asking them to do on the field as well as off the field," said Blount, who coached at Winston-Salem State for 16 seasons before accepting the DSU post. The players are obviously responding to the new energy.

HORNETS ADJUST TO CHANGE THIS SPRING

Dover, Del. -- The Delaware State University football team has passed the halfway point of its first spring camp under new head coach Kermit Blount. The two-week camp has been highlighted by the installation of new offensive and defensive systems.

"I'm really pleased with how well the guys have adapted to the changes we've made," said Blount, who was introduced as head coach of the Hornets on Feb. 4. "We've given them a lot to digest in a short time, but the energy level has remained high throughout camp. There's still a lot of work to do, but the transition has been relatively smooth so far."

The Hornets expect to return more than 40 letter winners, including 15 starters from their 2010 team, which won two of the last three games to post a 3-8 overall record and 2-6 mark in the MEAC. There are about 75 players participating in spring camp, including up to 12 newcomers.

"We (the coaching staff) have conducted camp as if everyone is fighting for starting jobs," Blount said. "Of course, guys will step up throughout the spring, but everything will be up for grabs come summer camp. I've been particularly pleased with our athleticism, while our biggest concern is developing depth on both sides of the ball, especially along the lines."

Delaware State will wrap up spring drills with the annual Red/White scrimmage on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.

The Hornets will kick off the 2011 season at Virginia Military Institute (VMI) on Sep. 3. The home opener is Sep. 10 against Shaw University.

By DSU Athletic Media Relations

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Doug Williams leaving UFL job to return as coach of Grambling State Tigers

Doug Williams is leaving his position as general manager of the UFL's Virginia Destroyers to become coach of Grambling for the second time.

Williams previously succeeded Eddie Robinson in 1998 and compiled a 53-17 record in six seasons with three Southwestern Athletic Conference championships.

Part of the lure of returning to the job is the opportunity to coach his son, D.J. Williams, who signed with the school earlier this month.

Doug Williams returns to Grambling

Doug Williams succeeded legendary coach Eddie Robinson at Grambling in 1997. After leaving for other football ventures, Williams, the Super Bowl winning quarterback, is returning home.
This time, he’ll coach his son with the Tigers. Williams told ProFootballTalk.com that he is leaving his post as general manager of the Virginia Destroyers in the UFL.

“I was looking forward to working with the Destroyers, but this is a great opportunity for me and it is very rare that a father gets to coach his son at the college football level,” Williams told ProFootballTalk.com. “I went to school there, I coached there, and now I have a great opportunity to coach there again.

Va. UFL team's general manager leaving for Grambling State

General Manager Doug Williams' presence was stable through the Virginia Destroyers’ birth pains, which have included defections of coaches and team presidents.

No longer. Williams, once a Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the Washington Redskins, is out the door of the struggling United Football League team, too.

Williams was hired today as head coach at Grambling State University in Louisiana, where he played and also served as head coach from 1998 to 2003. He will be formally re-introduced Wednesday.

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Former Redskins Vernon Dean terminated after drug charges

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (KTHV) -- News out of Pine Bluff  Thursday is linebackers coach Vernon Dean has been terminated.

Pine Bluff police pulled over UAPB linebacker coach Vernon Dean on January 11 around 11- p.m. for turning without a signal and an improper turn.

According to the police report, officers searched Dean's car and found what tested positive to be crack cocaine in the vehicle.



Dean arrived at Pine Bluff in 2010 after spending the 2009 season at Fort Valley State where he coached outside linebackers. The Houston, Texas native spent seven seasons in the NFL tallying 22 interceptions and winning two Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins.

Dean NFL career ended in 1988 with the Seattle Seahawks. Wellington Vernon Dean played college football at San Diego State University and was drafted in the second round of the 1982 NFL Draft.

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Alcorn State picks Melvin Spears as new football coach

Melvin Spears is returning to Alcorn State.

Spears, the former Alcorn receiver and Grambling State head coach, has been selected as the Braves new football coach, Spears’ family and friends confirmed to The Clarion-Ledger late Tuesday night. Spears and Alcorn administrators did not return multiple phone messages Tuesday.

Spears’ selection ends a three-week long search to replace Earnest Collins, who left after two years to lead his alma mater, Northern Colorado

Hornets' OC Spears takes Alcorn State job

Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow is looking for another offensive coordinator. Melvin Spears, who helped the Hornets generate enough offense to win the SWAC East Division title this past season, accepted a job on Tuesday night to become the head football coach at Alcorn State.

An announcement will be made at a formal news conference today in Lorman, Miss.

"It's a major blow," Barlow admitted. "One of the reasons we brought coach Spears in was his experience. Me being a younger guy, I wanted as many guys with experience as possible. He can talk about the traditions with the players, he can talk about the conference with the players, he can talk about what teams are going to do. He's a really great recruiter as well.

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The State of the MEAC

The State of the MEAC

It's time for a little honesty.

Raise your hand if there was an urge to chuckle after watching the closing part of the MEAC commercial aired during Saturday's tape-delayed showing of the South Carolina State-Florida A&M football game. You know, the part where Commissioner Dennis Thomas says "athletic excellence" about the MEAC?

When it comes to football, the only "excellent" part being exhibited is the 20-game conference-winning streak by the Bulldogs and Bethune-Cookman's dominating 4-0 start. Aside from those two developments, there's truly not much for Thomas...

MEAC Roundup -- Oct. 2

Well, we have our favorite. South Carolina State was awfully impressive dispatching Florida A&M on the road 19-0. The Bulldogs did settle for four field goal attempts after moving the ball, but given the way they dominated, that’s being a little bit picky. Norfolk State’s likely happy about the result – SC State would have been a beast of a game if they’d had the loss to focus them – but the abilities the Bulldogs displayed are worrisome enough. A tall task awaits the Spartans this week. Also, Bethune is still looking awfully good and Hampton stays unbeaten.

Inside the FCS Huddle: Sharks are in the water

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Maybe you saw the shark in the pool on "CSI:" the other night. Nothing a couple extra pounds of chlorine might solve. Or a 3-3-5 defense.

If a team is still sitting outside The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25, it probably will not be making a deep run into the playoffs later this fall. In fact, it would struggle just to make the 20-team field, which consists of 10 automatic bids to conference champions and 10 at-large bids. But that doesn't mean some teams outside the rankings won't make an impact on the playoffs. Whether they get in or not.

In the major FCS conferences, there are some sharks lurking...

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Late Field Goal Dooms PV Panthers In 18-15 Loss To Alabama State

A 47-yard field goal by Andrew Lyons with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter lifted Alabama State to an 18-15 road victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday evening at Blackshear Field.

Leading 12-7 early in the fourth quarter and about to receive another offensive possession, the Panthers gave Alabama State new life after a muffed punt by Prairie View’s Brandon Bell led to an ASU fumble recovery at the PV 23. Four plays later, ASU moved ahead 15-12 on quarterback Devin Dominguez’s 7-yard pass to Nick Andrews at the 10-minute mark. Both teams traded possessions throughout the quarter with the Panther defense making a big stand by stopping the Hornets on 4th-and-1 with 4:29 remaining.

Prairie View took advantage of the stop and managed to tie the game at 15-all on Brady Faggard’s 42-yard field goal attempt with 1:55 left on the clock. Alabama State responded on its ensuing drive and drove 50 yards to set up Lyons’ game-winning field goal.

GAME STATISTICS

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Savannah State Officials Respond to Ex-Coach's Lawsuit

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), Dr. Claud Flythe, VP for Administration at SSU is leaving the school at the end of the month. Flythe is named in the Well's lawsuit and chaired the search committee that selected Robert Wells as the Tigers football coach.

The January firing of Savannah State University head football coach Robert Wells was one of “the most poorly handled situations,” one school administrator said. “This should have been addressed in January,” when Wells was given a “resign-or-be-fired” ultimatum from university officials after they called his coaching ethics into question two years after he was hired. Wells last month sued the school and several administrators, including the interim athletic director and administration vice president Claud Flythe. Wells, the first white football coach in the school’s history, said he coached the team to the most victories it has had in years and that he was fired because his fiancée is black.

During his first year as coach, the team won five games -- equal to the total amount of victories during the five previous seasons. It was the school’s best season in 11 years, the lawsuit said. In Wells' second season, the Tigers were 2-8. In speaking with the AJC, Flythe called Wells a “pathological liar” and is adamant that race had nothing to do with his dismissal. “It’s ludicrous that someone would make those accusations,” a heated Flythe told the AJC. Wells was given a one-year contract extension in December 2009. The university confirmed other news reports that 13 of the players were ineligible to participate in spring practice and that 20 players had either quit or were dismissed from the team.

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2010 Bowie State Bulldogs Football Recruits and Schedule

2010 Bowie State University Football Recruits

Austin Hochman, Annapolis HS, Annapolis, MD (OL, 6-4, 265) � Team Captain, 1st Team All-Anne Arundel County, Honorable Mention MD/ESPN Rise Big School All-State Football team, NCU Baltimore/Washington Combine Co-MVP Offensive Lineman and Two Star on Rivals.

Rodney Johnson, North County HS, Glen Burnie, MD (OL, 6-5, 290) � 1st Team All-County, 2nd Team All -State, Honorable Mention, All-County, 1st Team All-Metro, BTC Super 22 and BTC All Star Team.

Anthony Kees, Woodlawn HS, Baltimore, MD (LB, 6-2, 210) Baltimore All-County Honorable Mention, Team Captain, 11 game starter (89 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery).

Trevon Bennett, Riverdale Baptist HS, Upper Marlboro, MD (QB, 6-2. 200) 3-year starter, threw for over 1,000 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per carry.

Brandon Miller, Forestville Military Academy, Forestville, MD (LB, 6-1, 215).

Sean Garland, Westlake HS, Waldorf, MD (DL, 6-3, 245) PG/ SMAC All Star game participant

Leroy Williams, Surrattsville HS, Clinton, MD (DL/OL, 6-4, 320)

Delante White, Crossland HS, Temple Hills, MD (DB, 6-0, 180) 4-year varsity player, Team Captain junior and senior seasons, PG Gazette 1st Team DB, All-State Honorable Mention, Attended the All-American Camp for ASA Prep Star in Santa Ana, California

David Brockenberry, Potomac HS, Temple Hills, MD (TE, 6-4, 220) All-Met and All County Tight End

Greg Koepping, South River, Crofton, MD (K/P, 6-0, 160) 4-year HS K/P, averaged 38 yards per punt and over 80% in FG/XPA.

Dominique Johnson, Riverdale Baptist, Upper Marlboro, MD (LB, 6-2, 220)

Keith Brown, Suitland HS, Forestville, MD (RB, 5-11 190) Jr year All-League DB, All PG County DB Honorable Mention, All Met DB Honorable Mention and All Gazette Honorable Mention, senior season All-League RB, All PG County RB Honorable Mention, All Met RB Honorable Mention. Rushed for over 700 yards, accounted for 200 receiving yards and scored 12 TD�s during senior season. Also participated in the PG/SMAC All-Star game.



2010 Bowie State University Bulldogs Football Schedule

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
8/28/2010 Seton Hill University Greensburg, PA 3 p.m.
9/4/2010 Morgan State University Baltimore, MD 6 p.m.
9/11/2010 Fayetteville State University Fayeteville, NC 6 p.m.
9/18/2010 Livingstone College Salisbury, NC 6 p.m.
9/25/2010 Virginia Union University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
10/2/2010 Virginia State University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
Western Virginia Education Classic (William Fleming H.S.)
10/9/2010 Saint Paul's College Roanoke, VA 1 p.m. Details
10/16/2010 Lincoln University of Pennsylvania (HOMECOMING) Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
10/23/2010 Elizabeth City State University Bowie, MD 1 p.m.
11/6/2010 Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC 12 noon

CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP
11/13/2010 TBD Durham, NC TBA

READ MORE AT: http://www.bsubulldogs.com

Tampa Jefferson QB Quentin Williams has big arm, wins games, yet has just 4 offers

Quentin Williams, an upcoming senior, was the 3A Florida state high school player of the year in 2009, recording 35 touchdown passes and 3,495 passing yards, completed 64 percent of his passes and had just 10 interceptions in 304 pass attempts in an 11-2 season. Williams says he WANTS TO ATTEND an HBCU. "I'm 6-foot even. It is what it is," said Williams, who is not at all interested in playing anything other than QB at the next level."

He has scholarship offers for Towson State, Central Florida, Florida International and Purdue.

At the Orlando EA Sports Elite 11 QB Camp earlier this spring, Tampa Jefferson quarterback Quentin Williams was zipping balls all over the field, drilling them into the hands of would-be receivers, most of whom dropped the ball out of sheer shock at the velocity. He was drawing oohs and aahs and players and coaches were asking, "Who's that?" Indeed.

Fast forward to the April Steve Clarkson Dreammakers QB Challenge at the Citrus Bowl, and yet again he opened some eyes. During one drill, a receiver complained that the QBs weren't throwing the ball hard enough. Somebody hollered over at Williams, "Hey Q, did you hear that? They said you guys aren't throwing hard enough." Williams just grinned.

On his next rep, he effortlessly fired a 20-yard out at a receiver's chest. It was almost as if the receiver's hands were there for protection, not for catching. The ball sent the receiver back a few steps and more people were asking, "Who was that?" THAT is the 3A Florida state high school player of the year from last year. THAT is a player everyone should know by now, but it seems no one does. Williams put up gaudy stats and led the Dragons to the state semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Pensacola in 2009.



Tampa Jefferson High School 6-0/185 star quarterback Quentin Williams states, "I'm open right now and I would actually like to experience a black college," Williams said, but when asked if he was thinking MEAC or a similar level of university, he said, "Right now I really don't care what it is. I just want to go to school and get a good education."

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Gonzalez out as Savannah State football assistant

More bad news coming out of Savannah State University this afternoon, from reporter Noell Barnidge blog with the Savannah Morning News...Talk about dysfunctional, SSU has an exclusive on this when it comes to athletic administration and coach selections. Does the MEAC really want this headache added to the conference?

...Add inside linebackers coach to the list of vacancies Savannah State University is attempting to fill. Jose Gonzalez, an SSU football assistant coach for the past three years, is no longer on the staff, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Wednesday morning. "Coach Gonzalez is no longer on the football staff," Mashariki wrote in an e-mail, responding to an e-mail inquiry from the Savannah Morning News. "He is the full-time head softball coach." Gonzalez previously handled the head softball coaching position with his duties as a football assistant coach. Gonzalez came to SSU from Georgia Southern University, where he coached wide receivers in 2006.

Prior to working at GSU, Gonzalez worked at Metter High School coaching wide receivers and defensive backs from 2004-05. In addition to an inside linebackers coach, SSU is searching for an athletics director, football head coach, football offensive coordinator and conference.

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Hampton U. lures two prize Florida products

Glades Central starting quarterback Leron "L.J."Thomas is a Pirate early commitment.

Florida has long been recognized as a fertile recruiting ground, and Hampton University is now mining that prime territory as well. The Pirates have landed early commitments from two products of Glades Central High in Belle Grade, Fla., where first-year recruiting coordinator and running-backs coach Stephen Field once coached. Johnnie Dixon, a Rivals.com four-star defensive back/athlete, signed with Auburn out of Glades Central in 2007, but didn't qualify academically. He landed at traditional junior-college power Pearl River (Miss.) Community College, where he had 22 tackles, two sacks and four interceptions in 10 games in 2008.



Dixon said he kept in contact with Field, who sold him on an HU program that includes two other former Glades Central players in freshmen running back Antonio McCloude and fullback Vincent Harper. Dixon, 6-foot and 195 pounds, said he's a better player after two years at Pearl River, which finished 6-3 in 2009 and where he played cornerback and wide receiver.

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Blogger Notes: L.J. comes from a very talented Glades Central program...He is the fifth Raider to commit this season, joining DB Travis Bell (West Virginia), DB/WR Greg Dent (Miami), TE Clive Walford (Miami) and DB/RB Antwon Chisholm (Mississippi State). The 6-2, 175 star was the best quarterback in the region last season and has had several discussions with Florida International. Hampton is the only program so far, to offer him a scholarship during the early recruitment period.

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SPOTLIGHT: Bill would require Oregon universities to interview at least one minority football coach candidate

Oregon's bill would cover the six state universities with football teams: Oregon, Oregon State, Portland State, Eastern Oregon, Western Oregon and Southern Oregon.

The Oregon Legislature plans to introduce a bill this week that would require universities to interview at least one minority candidate before hiring a head football coach. If it passes, Oregon would become the first state with such a law. House Bill 3118 is patterned after the NFL's Rooney Rule, which helped transform the league's head coaching ranks after being implemented in 2003. Oregon's bill aims to diversify hiring in major college football, where seven of 120 head coaches are minorities.

Richard Lapchick, founder and director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics In Sport at University of Central Florida, said the bill could push the NCAA to drop its resistance to enacting a similar rule. "I think it's very significant and very welcome by people who have been fighting for this for a long time," Lapchick said. Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Portland, drafted the measure at the behest of constituent Sam Sachs, a former college football player and minority-rights activist.

"It seems to me it only makes sense," Greenlick said. "Because (the Rooney Rule) has had an effect and because I don't think minority coaches have been given a fair shake in Oregon, certainly in football." The bill contains an exception for a school "bound by contract to promote a member of the institution's current coaching staff." Call it the Oregon Out: In December, the Ducks promised their head coaching job to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly when Mike Bellotti becomes the school's athletic director.

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Hampton U. gears up for new transition

The Pirates move forward with Donovan Rose after the unexpected dismissal of Jerry Holmes.

Donovan Rose has known Jerry Holmes since 1986, when the two played against each other in the NFL. So when Rose learned that Holmes had been dismissed as Hampton University's football coach, and that he would be replacing him, he reached for the phone. "I wanted to call Jerry," said Rose, a defensive back with the Miami Dolphins when Holmes was a cornerback with the New York Jets. "It was in my heart. ... I said, 'You gonna be all right?' He said, 'Yeah. I'm good, I'm good.' Jerry, he's a realistic guy. He's fine. "I'm glad that I spoke to him. That took a load off, just being able to speak to him."

Rose, Hampton's secondary coach for 17 seasons before taking Holmes' defensive coordinator spot when Holmes became the Pirates' head coach last year, was introduced officially as Holmes' replacement Wednesday. Holmes, who went 6-5 in his one season, was fired Monday, after athletic director Lonza Hardy said his planned job interviews with NFL teams were hurting the program.

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Alcorn State fires assistant football coaches

Alcorn State University head football coach Earnest T. Jones, 2-10 record, first season has retained two lawyers.

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State University has fired seven of its nine assistant football coaches, and the head coach said the move was made without his knowledge. Alcorn State head coach Ernest T. Jones said he was watching television at his home on Thanksgiving Day when he saw a report on the news that his coaches had been fired. Jones said he was never notified the firings would occur. “I got a message from (Athletic Director Darren) Hamilton that said, ‘Happy Thanksgiving, I’m on vacation and we’ll chat Friday.’ We never chatted Friday,” Jones said.

Jones said he did not plan to fire anyone and has received no explanation from Hamilton or the university. Alcorn State Sports Information Director LaToya Shields confirmed Monday night that assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Earnest Collins Jr., offensive coordinator Dino Dawson, running backs coach Terrance Robinson, special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Zach Shay, secondary coach Jack Phillips, defensive line coach Keith Majors and strength and conditioning coach Lorenzo Guess would not have their contracts renewed. Only offensive line coach Adam Shorter and wide receivers coach Michael Armour were retained by the university, Sheilds said.

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Savannah State piles up 457 yards of offense against Webber

LAKE WALES, FL - Webber International University closed the 2008 season with a 24-7 loss against Football Championship Subdivision's Savannah State University on Saturday at Legion Field. The Tigers gained 238 yards on the ground and had 457 total yards in the game. The Warriors, playing without top runner Taylor Atwood, ran for 96 yards. Rupert Webley carried the bulk of the load on the ground with 13 carries for 36 yards. Webley also caught two passes for 25 yards to lead the team in receiving yards.

Savannah State (5-6) got on the board first with a trick play. The Tigers ran a double-reverse that ended with receiver Deleon Hollinger throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Osborne. Savannah State struck again in the second quarter. After back-to-back holding penalties, the Tigers were forced into a third and 30 situation, but quarterback Kurvin Curry completed a 43-yard pass to Javares Taylor to put Savannah State ahead 14-0. Webber's best drive of the first half started at the 3-yard line. The Tigers punted and the officials ruled the ball went into the end zone for a touchback, but after a conference, they ruled the ball out at the 3.

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Attendance: 065 at Legion Field, Babson Park, FL (Not a mistake--65 fans!).

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NEXT GAME: SSU at North Carolina Central University Eagles

SSU conducts first football scrimmage

Hunter snags two interceptions

The sounds of sawing, hammering and drilling echoed throughout Savannah State's campus Saturday morning. It started at T.A. Wright Stadium, which is being renovated, and drifted to the practice field near Tiger Arena, where SSU's football team did some building of its own.

The offense worked on mastering the Tigers' new spread offense during the first scrimmage of fall practice. SSU's six quarterbacks took turns operating the no-huddle attack, which involves spreading the field vertically and horizontally to open up gaps for the running and passing games to exploit.

First-year head coach Robby Wells and offensive coordinator Alan Hall frequently had the Tigers use four wide receivers - three to one side of the field - and one running back. The quarterbacks often worked from the shotgun formation. "It's a multiple-set offense because we can go from two backs and two tight ends all the way to no backs and five wide receivers," Wells said.


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Savannah State changing attitudes

SAVANNAH, GA -- The Savannah State Tigers will begin a new era under coach Robby Wells.

As they get prepare the new season... the Tigers have signed a pair of new recruits. Wide receiver Alakan Thomas... A 6-3, 190-pounder from McDonough... and Jordan Monico from Hawaii... a fullback and linebacker who stands 6-feet and weighs in at 225-pounds.


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Texas Southern football game rescheduled with Texas State

San Marcos — Texas State University director of athletics Dr. Larry Teis has announced that the Bobcats have moved their football game against Texas Southern to Oct. 4 on Jim Wacker Field at Bobcat Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for September 13.

“Texas Southern had a problem with their schedule and we were able to accommodate them by moving the game,” Teis said. “As a result, we now have a two-year agreement and they also will play here in 2009.”

This season’s game marks the eighth game played between the two schools. Texas State owns a 7-0 record in the series that dates back to 1988. The last time the two schools met was on Nov. 9, 2006, when the Bobcats won a 41-21 decision in San Marcos.

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La Vergne's Gray commits to Tennessee State

La VERGNE, TN — All-State wide receiver Chris Gray has committed to play football next season at Tennessee State University. Gray caught 54 passes for 814 yards and nine touchdowns for the Wolverines last fall, which made him one of the most productive receivers in all of Middle Tennessee. He also was named All-Region 4-5A and first team All-Area by The Daily News Journal.

“I think there’s no doubt that he can play at that level,” La Vergne coach Will Hester said. “From my personal perspective, TSU got a steal. I feel he can play at that level and play at any level above that.”

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Gray is 6-0/189 and runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds. You may view the Rivals.com two star receiver highlight videos by clicking on this link:

http://purdue.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=61273