ALBANY STATE-MOREHOUSE: Just about as big as it gets

ALBANY, GA — There are a lot of storylines floating around Albany State’s football game against Morehouse in Atlanta today.

First, there’s the debate about which team is hungrier. Morehouse will be motivated after quarterback Stanley Jennings guaranteed the Rams wouldn’t lose the rest of the season, but ASU (7-0 overall, 6-0 in the SIAC) will be motivated to stay undefeated after its similar winning streak was snapped at this point last year.

Then there’s the ground game. Morehouse and David Carter are tops in the conference in rushing offense (210.9 yards a game), but Albany State has the best rushing defense (67.7 yards allowed per game). And finally, there’s the playoff atmosphere. It’s homecoming for the Tigers (6-1, 5-1), who are No. 19 in the AFCA Division II poll behind the Rams, who are No. 8.

State football capsules

Albany State at Morehouse
When, where: 2 p.m. today, Atlanta

Key matchup: Morehouse defensive tackle Derrin Nettles vs. Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings. Much has been said about both players. They are the best at what they do in the conference and how one gets after the other could determine the outcome of the game. Albany State is 6-0 in the SIAC; Morehouse is 5-1.

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CIAA: Nonconference Season Continues in Week 3

BY CIAA SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE

Hampton, VA – Last weekend produced mixed results for the CIAA as it enjoyed exhilarating victories as well as disappointing defeats. This weekend, ten CIAA schools will be in action and eight of them will be meeting nonconference opponents. The lone contest featuring CIAA teams, Bowie State – Fayetteville State, is a rematch of the 2009 Championship Game. However, several nonconference tilts will be important as the league continues to raise its football reputation.

GAME OF THE WEEK: WINSTON-SALEM STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL: The Rams have come out of the gate fast with an impressive 2-0 start. With victories over Virginia Union and its long-time rival, North Carolina A&T, WSSU has already earned one more win than it did in 2009 (1-10). Last weekend’s comeback win over the Aggies is one of the best wins the Rams have enjoyed in years. After last weekend’s handling of VUU, the mettle of WSSU was put to the test. The Rams came through with flying colors. Two quarterbacks were necessary to orchestrate the win over the Aggies. This strategy might be necessary to knock off North Carolina Central. RB Nic Cooper has also provided a consistent running threat. Defensively, the Rams are giving up only 13.5 points per contest and will need to play solid against an NCCU team that won 59-0 last weekend. The Eagles knocked off WSSU 18-10 last season and the Rams once again seek revenge against its one-time CIAA divisional rival (6:00 p.m. at Durham). Players to watch: (Winston-Salem State: LB Carl Fields; DB Alton Keaton; RB Nic Cooper).

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CIAA WEEK 3 SCHEDULE

WINSTON-SALEM STATE AT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL

MARS HILL AT ST. AUGUSTINE’S

BOWIE STATE AT FAYETTEVILLE STATE

SHAW AT ELON

WEST VIRGINIA STATE AT VIRGINIA STATE

WEST VIRGINIA TECH AT JOHNSON C. SMITH

UNC-PEMBROKE AT ST. PAUL’S

CATAWBA AT LIVINGSTONE

LINCOLN (PA) AT NEW HAVEN