Bridge leads Alcorn State over Alabama A&M 41-24

NORMAL, Ala. -- Brandon Bridge passed for four touchdowns and ran for another as Alcorn State scored 28 first-half points and defeated Alabama A&M 42-24 on Saturday. Three of Bridge's touchdown passes came in the first half, when the Braves (5-4, 4-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) built a 28-10 lead. He also scored on a 15-yard run in the second quarter.

Alabama A&M defense struggles

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M's defense, which has struggled over the last month or so, did so again Saturday against Alcorn State. The Braves, who entered the game averaging 30.5 points and almost 370 yards per game, scored on their first three possessions and four of their first five and compiled 302 yards in total offense in a 41-24 victory.

"We didn't execute on defense," defensive tackle Frank Kearse said. "We didn't come ready to play." Alcorn State quarterback Brandon Bridge, the leading candidate for Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors, was 9-of-14 for 175 yards and four touchdowns and also rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries, including a 15-yard touchdown jaunt.

MORE MISERY

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M, enduring its worst season in almost two decades, had seemingly come to life. The Bulldogs, who trailed Alcorn State by as many as 21 points at one time, had pulled to within 34-17 late in the third quarter and was driving toward yet another touchdown that could have made it a 10-point game. Unfortunately, like it has so many times this season, A&M self-destructed.

Grading the Bulldogs

OFFENSE: C: Alabama A&M running back Tony Green had a career-day with 156 yards and a couple of touchdowns, but the Bulldogs committed three turnovers, including two interceptions by quarterback Justin Jones, one of which was returned 65 yards for a touchdown that gave Alcorn State a commanding 41-17 lead late in the third quarter.

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ATTENDANCE: 4,181





Videographer: AAMUBAND

FAMU falls to South Carolina State

Almost every time that camera operators panned the Florida A&M sideline, head football coach Joe Taylor had one arm locked under his chest and the other under his chin.

It seemed like he was trying to find answers on how to ignite the Rattlers' anemic offense that struggled to get first downs and couldn't put a single point on the scoreboard. Not even a field goal to give a near-capacity crowd something to feel good about.

Quarterback Martin Ukpai wasn't getting it done and was benched after a half in favor of Eddie Battle. He couldn't get the offense moving either and as a result FAMU was beaten 19-0 for a loss that might just wreck its MEAC title hopes.

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Tailgate Cam - FAMU vs. S.C. State

Fan Cam - FAMU vs. S.C. State

Rattlers' defense looks crisp, even in defeat »

A dam can only hold water, or hold back the South Carolina State offense, for so long.

After watching the Florida A&M offense constantly cede field position, time of possession and turnovers to their opponent the Rattlers' defense was worn down by an extended drive by the visitors early in the fourth quarter.

Bulldogs Blank Rattlers 19-0

TALLAHASSE , Fla. - South Carolina State had a back to rush for the century mark as well a receiver to finish over the century mark as the Bulldogs extended their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win streak to 20 as they defeated the Florida A&M University, 19-0 here Saturday evening at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Blake Erickson scored the Bulldogs first nine points as he connected on a pair of 39-yard field goal, the first with 10:35 to in the first and the second with six seconds to in the first half, giving SCSU a 6-0 lead into the break.

SC State 19, Florida A&M 0 Final

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - It was a 'Blackout' Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium and not just in the stands. For the first time since 1934, the Bulldogs shut out Florida A&M on the scoreboard to post their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference-record 20th consecutive victory. It's also the eight straight win over the Rattlers, the Bulldogs' 11th straight road conference win and 26th consecutive win over a historically black college.

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Morgan State conquers its touchdown woes, Howard

Morgan State scored its first two touchdowns of the season off two turnovers in the first half to beat Howard, 20-3, on Saturday in the 40th annual New York Urban League Football Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. More than 34,160 attended the first college football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Morgan State had yet to score a touchdown of any kind in three games, including a 14-7 opening win over Bowie State, which it won with four field goals and a safety. But that streak ended with 10 minutes 52 seconds left in the second quarter when Donovan Dickerson hit Chuka Okakpu with a 16-yard touchdown pass, giving the Bears (2-2, 1-1 Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference) a 10-0 lead.

Reshaude Miller picked off Howard's Casey Council, returning it 89 yards for a touchdown to put Morgan State ahead by 17. The interception and score was Miller's first of his career.

Morgan State downs Howard University in annual charity Football ...

George Steinbrenner was probably smiling down over the New Meadowlands Stadium Saturday.

The scrumptious smells of tailgating - everything from burgers to jumbo shrimp - in the parking lot led to thousands packing the new stadium to see Morgan State blast Howard University, 20-3, in the 39th annual New York Urban League Football Classic.

The Football Classic was the brainchild of Steinbrenner and legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, who created the annual game as a charity for disadvantaged students.

The Football Classic debuted at Yankee Stadium in 1971 and was played there till 1986, before changing venues to Giants Stadium. As legend has it, sustained damage to Yankee Stadium's field one year prompted the change. But the move wasn't a bad thing for the Football Classic, as it added the popular tradition of tailgating to the annual event.

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