Defenses zero in on A&T's running game

GREENSBORO, N.C. — What's wrong with Mike Mayhew? Why has the tailback who was last season's MEAC rookie of the year struggled to gain yards in A&T's first two games?

Mayhew is fine. But the arithmetic is certainly against him right now. When the Aggies (0-2, 0-1 MEAC) lost starting quarterback Lewis Kindle with a knee injury in an August practice, it did more than simply set back A&T's passing game.

Mayhew, who averaged 4.2 yards per carry and rushed for six touchdowns last year, became the focal point of opposing defenses. In losses to Winston-Salem State and Norfolk State, the Aggies routinely faced defenses crowding the line of scrimmage with eight — sometimes nine — players.

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Pro Football HOF Mel Blount, Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams among Honorees for Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Reception

Pro Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount (Southern University) and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams (Grambling State University) lead a group of six honorees who will be recognized at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Legends Reception at the Ballroom of the Americas at Disney’s Contemporary Hotel, near Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. ET. Also to be saluted as Legends: Author Omar Tyree (Howard University), U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Zeita Merchant (Tougaloo College), Kellogg’s Senior Vice President of Global Nutrition/Corporate Affairs Celeste Clark (Southern University), and former NFL linebacker and seven-time Pro Bowl player Robert Brazile (Jackson State University).

The reception will honor individuals who graduated from a Historically Black College or University. Each honoree will receive an HBCU Trailblazer Award in recognition of the impact made in his or her respective career and community. ESPN sportscaster Jay Harris will co-host the festivities alongside motivational speaker Trey Godfrey.

The Legends Reception will precede the sixth annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney, which will feature a college football matchup between the SWAC’s Southern University and the MEAC’s Delaware State University. The game will kick off Sunday, Sept. 5, at noon at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando and will be televised nationally on ESPN and ESPN HD, as well as ESPN3.com.

“It’s fitting that the MEAC/SWAC Challenge acknowledges the legacy of those who paved the way for the future leaders who will graduate from historically black colleges and universities,” said Nikki Godfrey, executive director of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. “We are thrilled to host this ceremony, which will continue to grow and make our event even more special.”

Individual tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or via www.ticketmaster.com. Fans can also purchase travel packages through Anthony Travel’s website or by calling 1-888-632-6951. For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and for access to its Facebook page, please visit the official website: www.meacswacchallenge.com . Fans can also stay up to date on the event via Twitter: www.twitter.com/MEAC_SWAC .

About the MEAC/SWAC Challenge

Each year, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge is played at a neutral site within the footprint of one of the conferences. The week of the game includes ancillary events, highlighted by an annual high school career panel, the Halftime Battle of the Bands and the Legends Reception. The MEAC leads the series 4-1. Teams for future games are determined on an annual basis.

JSU: Drops have no place in Air Raid

Jackson State's new Air Raid offense is all about passing the football. That includes catching it. At least four passes were dropped during Saturday's scrimmage. There were 27 pass attempts. That's a drop every six to seven passes.

"They're better than that," coach Rick Comegy said. "I see them in practice. We've got a great receiver corps." Saturday, though, wasn't their best day. True freshman E.J. Drewery had two drops; one would have been a Casey Therriault-to-Drewery touchdown. WR Anthony Mayes also had a drop, and so did TE Josh Tiller.

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