ESPN focuses on UD, DSU

By KRISTIAN POPE and KEVIN TRESOLINI, The News Journal

Failure to meet in football examined

The ESPN show "Outside the Lines" will feature an upcoming segment on the lack of a Delaware-Delaware State football rivalry.

Producers from the show were in Dover on Tuesday to tape interviews with representatives from DSU. They are scheduled to meet with University of Delaware officials in Newark today.

A telecast date has not been announced.

Delaware and Delaware State, two NCAA Division I-AA programs, have never met in a football game. But, as of now, both teams are in contention for a I-AA playoff berth and, under NCAA guidelines, the two could meet in a first-round game Nov. 24 at Delaware Stadium.

Hornets coach Al Lavan said Tuesday he was to be interviewed for the ESPN show with DSU athletic director Rick Costello and senior linebacker Russell Reeves. The network also is planning to tape footage of DSU's game Saturday against Morgan State at Alumni Stadium. Crews shot footage of Delaware's win over Northeastern last Saturday.

"It's good exposure for us," Lavan said. "It is what it is. They are just doing some followup to the recent stories."

The story received national attention when Delaware graduate and former Sports Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman wrote a column for ESPN.com that lambasted UD for not scheduling a game with DSU.

DSU (5-1, 4-0) shares the lead in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; the champion earns an automatic NCAA bid.

Delaware (6-1, 4-1) is second in the CAA's South Division, but in the running for an at-large bid. The overall conference winner earns the CAA's automatic bid.

The 16-team I-AA field will be announced Nov. 18.

The NCAA handbook reads as follows:

1. The teams awarded the top four seeds are placed in the appropriate positions in the bracket (Nos. 1 and 4 in the upper half, and Nos. 2 and 3 in the lower half), and will be paired with teams that are in closest geographic proximity;

2. The remaining teams will be paired according to geographic proximity and placed in the bracket according to geographic proximity of the four pairings previously placed in the bracket.

The four seeded teams are given a chance to host a game if they can meet the I-AA tournament's minimum financial guarantee requirements: $30,000 for the first round, $40,000 for quarterfinals and $50,000 for semifinals. After that, the NCAA's first three criteria for selecting a host site are "quality of facility," "revenue potential" and "attendance history and potential."

While 22,000-seat Delaware Stadium routinely is filled to capacity during the regular season, playoff crowds always are smaller, in part because students have to pay for tickets and most aren't on campus Thanksgiving weekend.

Delaware's State's 6,800-seat Alumni Stadium would not, therefore, be considered for a Hens-Hornets playoff game.

DSU Hornets see a shift in power

Photo: DSU Hornets Head Football Coach Al Lavan

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

Delaware State suddenly part of MEAC's new elite

DOVER -- In about a month, there could be a first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

None of the league's current top teams -- Delaware State (4-0 in conference play), Norfolk State (4-0) and Morgan State (3-1) -- has ever qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

The trio's midseason success indicates a power shift in the MEAC.

"I would think so," said Hampton coach Joe Taylor, whose team won the past three conference titles but is 3-2 in the MEAC this year. "It will be interesting to see how they match up against one another."

The MEAC is among eight conferences whose regular-season champion gets an automatic bid to the I-AA playoffs. DSU has never made the playoffs and has not won the league championship since sharing it with North Carolina A&T in 1991.

Hornets coach Al Lavan has seen extra attention placed on his team, which is 5-1 overall heading into Saturday's homecoming game against Morgan State. The game will televised live on CN8.

"I'm not unaware more people are aware of the program, and that's good," Lavan said. "The incentive for me is to keep being successful."

It only gets more interesting for the Hornets, who rose to No. 15 in The Sports Network's Top 25 poll this week.

Photo: Hampton University Pirates Head Football Coach Joe Taylor.

In the MEAC's preseason poll, coaches and sports information directors picked Delaware State, Morgan State and Norfolk State to place third, sixth and seventh, respectively. Norfolk State earned its first national ranking this week when it debuted at No. 25.

Hampton was able to squeak by Morgan State, 24-17 in overtime, on Sept. 20. Had the Bears won, they would be in a three-way tie for first place with DSU and Norfolk State.

Morgan State is at or near the top of virtually every statistical category in the conference, including total defense (No. 1) and total offense (No. 2).

"The MEAC has year-to-year been a competitive conference," Bears coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "The teams at the top now have gained the edge by last-play performances, field goals and things of that nature. It's a swing in the luck or whatever goes with it. The ones up front are the ones that have normally fallen short in the last seconds, and now they've found ways to win it in the last seconds."

While the Hornets figured Hampton (whom DSU beat 24-17 on Sept. 29) would serve as the biggest barrier to their first playoff spot, the success of Morgan State and Norfolk State has put a new emphasis on the games still to come. DSU plays host to Norfolk State on Nov. 10, the next-to-last game of the regular season.

"It's always good when you have new teams winning," Lavan said. "It's an example of the coaching. These coaches have their teams put together. I think it leads to a stronger and more competitive conference."

Hampton in 'Do or Die' situation

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer

HAMPTON, Va. - Playing a "do or die" game on Homecoming is something Hampton University has not faced during its three-year run as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion.

Having already lost as many conference games this season as they have the previous three seasons combined, this is where the Pirates (4-2, 3-2) find themselves entering Saturday's showdown with South Carolina State (3-3, 2-1). Another loss would all but end Hampton's chances of a fourth straight MEAC title and their shot at an at-large Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth.

"As a champion, your back is always against the wall because everybody is always coming after you," Pirates head coach Joe Taylor said.

Among the winningest active FCS head coaches, Taylor foresaw a challenging season ahead for his Pirates. With 17 new starters and seeing an increase in conference parity with programs like Delaware State, Morgan State and Bay rival Norfolk State, who defeated the Pirates 20-19 last Saturday, emerging as title contenders, Taylor is still pleased to see how his team has fared in losing two games by a total of eight points.

Nevertheless, Taylor sees his young squad progressing fast but is waiting for them to compete for all four quarters.

"I think we're still on the right track," he said. "Each week, after we gameplan, I look at the personnel we're going against, and when I see most of these teams who have 15-20 starters who are juniors and seniors. We're not going to go away. I still think we're doing the right kind of things. I'm proud of what we're doing and there's a lot of football left."

Hampton owns an 11-2 edge over SCSU in the series and Taylor's winning record against the Bulldogs (11-4-1) dates back to his days at Virginia Union. The Pirates have also never lost to SCSU at Armstrong Stadium, including a 14-10 victory in 2005 in which they rallied from a 10-0 deficit with two, second-quarter touchdowns.

Last year's 13-6 win by SCSU which snapped the Pirates 24-game regular-season and 17-game conference winning streaks, played out the same way in turning into a second half defensive struggle. In fact, the two teams have combined to score three second-half points in the last two meetings.

Photo: #20, Gerard Griffin, RB 5-11/R-freshman, Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte H.S.

With SCSU coming off a 611-yard, 49-point effort against Florida A&M, Taylor said the Pirates must figure out a way to slow its offense down with a relatively new cast.

"They do what they do," he said. "They're going to run the football. That's their m.o. Defensively, they're going to flock to the football. They have a very sound special teams."

Offensively, Taylor is concerned about quarterback Cleveland McCoy, who earned MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after amassing 314 yards against FAMU and the double threat he presents.

"You've got to keep our eyes on him," he said. "He'll run draw plays, then he'll fake the run and back up and throw it. He's probably one of the better quarterbacks in this conference. The bottom line is you can't go to sleep on him. You better know where he is at all times."

Other than hoping that the SCSU bus "does not show up," Taylor joked, the key to containing McCoy and the Bulldogs' running game will be winning the battle upfront. Even with the presence of Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Kendall Langford (39 tackles, two sacks) and Marcus Dixon (25 tackles, five sacks) on the defensive line, Hampton is allowing 168.8 yards per game on the ground against MEAC teams and faces an experienced SCSU offensive line with two All-MEAC first-team selections in right tackle James Lee and center Raymond "Duck" Harrison.

"When you look at the outcome of ballgames, it's really all about who controls the trenches," Taylor said. "If you look back at last year, it was such a close ball game. Both teams really played tough in the trenches. Defensively, we feel pretty good about the experience that we have this year. But I tell you, that whole offensive line, especially on the right side, and that center is probably one of the better centers if not in the conference, in this country on this level because he's a scrapper. He gets after you. So that's going to be very important. We're going to have our hands full with their o-line. Hopefully, we can make a few plays in there. That's going to be a key matchup."

When McCoy looks to the air, he will have to contend with University of South Carolina transfer cornerback Sam Pope. The former Gamecock is tied with SCSU's Markee Hamlin for the MEAC lead with four interceptions and Taylor said he has "tremendously" helped his young Pirate secondary.

"The reason he transferred was because (USC) wanted him to move inside and play safety and he felt like he's a true corner and I'm glad he had that belief because he's really made a difference for us," Taylor said. "When you lose all four starters in the secondary, certainly you're looking for some help, and he's come in and not only is he a good cover guy, he's very physical as well."

Offensively, the Pirates are ranked next to last in rushing, but counter with the MEAC's leading passer and total yards producer in quarterback T.J. Mitchell (1,542 yards, 11 Tds, 5 ints; 72 rushing yards.). His favorite targets are Jeremy Gilchrist (39 receptions for 648 yards and five Tds), Justin Brown (18 catches, 350 yards, two Tds) and Kevin Teel (18 catches, 275 yards, two Tds).

Prior to Taylor's teleconference, SCSU head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough discussed he's all but decided to redshirt BANDIT Marshall McFadden. He said the junior is still hobbled by an elbow injury suffered in Week Two against Bethune-Cookman, but it made more sense to sit him the rest of the way and have him available for a full season next year.

McFadden was a preseason MEAC first-team selection and had 12 tackles in two games.

QB play keeping Alcorn down

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

Photo: Alcorn has gotten some big plays from the likes of Oliver Bozeman, intercepting a pass against UAB, but its D has been left on the field too much.

The quarterback position continues to cause sleepless nights for Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas.

The Braves (0-5, 0-4 SWAC) rank last in the league in scoring offense (9.0 ppg) and first downs (13.2 per game) and No. 9 in third-down percentage (23.9).

"We're still having personnel letdowns," Thomas said. "Every time we get something going offensively, we fumble the ball, throw an interception, drop the ball, overthrow the receiver.

"We cannot keep our defense on the field and expect (it to play well)."

Senior Chris Walker has been battling a high ankle sprain, opening the door for junior Tony Hobson.

However, Hobson has been less than spectacular, completing 2 of 8 passes for 23 yards with two interceptions in a 17-7 loss to Prairie View A&M last week.

Walker did play, connecting on 9 of 19 attempts for 117 yards.

"We started Tony and he has not come out and performed like we thought," Thomas said. "Chris is a tenacious young man. I've never seen a guy who's been able to bounce back (from injuries like he has).

"We're hoping he'll be ready to go against Texas Southern."

The Tigers (0-5, 0-4) host the Braves at Alex Durley Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday.

MORE QB ISSUES

Mississippi Valley State may rotate quarterbacks during Saturday's home game against North Dakota State.

Sophomore Paul Roberts is likely out with a mild concussion, leaving junior Semaj Williams and sophomore Ryan Barciaga to split duties.

Williams has completed 13 of 29 passes for 101 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns in three games this season.

Barciaga is 0-for-2 with an interception in two appearances.

BAD CALLS?

Prairie View A&M has put together a tape detailing questionable calls against the Panthers for the SWAC office.

Coach Henry Frazier insists that the officiating has been consistently lopsided against his team throughout the season.

"It's one of two things: They're either cheating or incompetent," Frazier said. "I know I'm going to get in trouble. It's frustrating because it's on film.

"That loses you ballgames. That's the kind of thing that loses people their jobs."

Prairie View is tied with Jackson State for the most penalties in league with 53. Its 499 penalty yards are second behind JSU's 578.

"We've gotten flagged 64 times," Frazier said. "Referees have to get coached up, too."

TAKE-A-KID

Children between the ages of 5-12 will be admitted free with a ticket-bearing adult to Valley's game Saturday against North Dakota State. Kickoff in Itta Bena is 2 p.m.

Take-A-Kid-To-The-Game Day pregame tickets are available for $15 at the MVSU cashiers window and remote locations. Game day tickets will be available for $18.

Contact the MVSU department of athletics for more information at (662) 254-3011.

LAST WEEK'S STANDOUTS


Corey Clark (JSU) - six tackles, three sacks


Ben Boyd (Prairie View) - six carries, 124 yards, one touchdown


Zach East (Prairie View) - 11 tackles


Sam Irons (MVSU) - 11 tackles, pass breakup


Zach Gilarski (MVSU) - eight punts, 37.8 average


Ronald Brewer (MVSU) - 14 carries, 50 yards; four receptions, 28 yards


Tim Manuel (Grambling) - two field goals; four PATs; five punts, 40.4 average

UAPB vs. AAMU: Father, son on opposite sidelines

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

A&M tackle's father coaches for Ark.-Pine Bluff

Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff will get together Thursday night at Louis Crews Stadium in a rematch of last year's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

The game will also feature another rematch of smaller proportions.

A&M defensive tackle Justin Harper will be opposing his father, UAPB defensive line coach Gary Harper, when the two teams collide. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

Gary Harper took bragging rights last year during the regular season as UAPB turned back A&M 23-21, but Justin Harper got the last laugh as the Bulldogs won the SWAC championship with a 22-13 win last December.

"I was so mad I didn't want to talk to anybody," said Justin Harper, recalling the loss last season. "My family was there and my dad wanted to take pictures, but I didn't feel like taking pictures with him."

Six weeks later, Justin Harper couldn't stop smiling.

"When we won, I took a picture with him," he said. "I know, since he couldn't win (the SWAC championship), he was happy that I won it."

Win or lose, Gary Harper was just thrilled to see his son.

"It was a good experience," said Gary Harper, who has coached at Tuskegee, Morris Brown, Savannah State and UAPB. "It gave me an opportunity to watch Justin on film and play in person. It was great because I seldom get to an opportunity to see him play. He played well. I enjoyed that."

Gary Harper plans to enjoy himself Thursday night. This time, however, he hopes to be celebrating.

"Knowing that Justin is on the other side, I want him to do well, but I want us to win," he said.

Gary and Lori Harper, Justin's mother, got divorced when he was 6 years old. As a result, Justin and Gary Harper have lived apart for most of their lives.

Even so, Justin Harper heavily considered playing college football at Savannah State four years ago. His father was an assistant coach there at the time.

However, A&M, Alcorn State and Nichols State also recruited Harper. In the end, he chose A&M.

"I came up here and had a good time on my visit," said Harper, a 6-foot-2, 252-pound redshirt junior. "I saw the highlight tape and A&M's defense was one of the dominant defenses in the nation and they were winning. I wanted to be a part of that."

Unfortunately, Harper had to call his father and give him the news.

"Initially, he sounded kind of sad ... a little hurt," he said. "But, he was proud I was going to a good school."

A&M offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl, who handles the Bulldogs' offensive line, and Gary Harper coached together at Morris Brown. Harper turned Pearl on to his son.

"Coach Pearl was fired up about Justin and he fell in love with Huntsville," Gary Harper said. "It was disappointing at first, but he needed to be happy where he went. He wanted to win a championship and he did that. A&M has been good for him and he's been good for A&M."

Despite being separated, father and son are close.

"I spent Christmas break, spring breaks and summers with him growing up," Justin said. "We haven't been living together, but we are close. We talk once or twice a week. We talk about football, school and other things."

In fact, they talked some Tuesday.

"He didn't want to talk too much," Gary Harper said. "Hopefully, I'll get to see him and get a chance to talk to him before the game."

Justin Harper has come on the last few weeks.

He broke his left thumb during preseason practice and had to undergo surgery. Initially, he was told he would miss the first four games of the season, but he only missed the season opener against Tennessee State. He moved into the starting lineup against Texas Southern and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.

"I have a lot of admiration for that kid," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "He could have stayed out a few more weeks, but he wanted to play. He worked with our trainers to get back and since he's been back he's been our best defensive lineman."

Justin Harper has put a little extra into Thursday night's game. He wants to show out in front of his father.

"I want to have the bragging rights again," he said. "I've been watching a little more film and paying attention a little more to the scouting report ... the small details so I can get better."

Gary Harper couldn't be more proud.

"I'm excited about seeing him," he said. "I haven't seen him since Christmas with me being in Arkansas and him being in school all the time. It's tough, but it's a good thing. He's grown up and he'll be graduating soon.

"As a parent, I'm really proud of him for coming back so soon (from injury). He's just a chip off the old block. He has good work habits and doesn't want to sit out and be lazy. He's got a few more goals he wants to conquer and I'm sure he'll reach them."

Alabama A&M notebook

Photo: UAPB Head Football Coach Mo Forte

Huntsville Times

Golden Lions have no controversy at QB

Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Mo Forte said the Golden Lions are not entrenched in a quarterback controversy.

Starter Chris Wallace, the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, started the first two games before Jonathan Moore moved into the starting lineup. According to UAPB officials, Wallace didn't play against Alabama State and New Mexico State because of exhaustion, but saw action against Southern Illinois and Grambling.

In fact, Wallace threw what could have been a potential game-winning 63-yard touchdown pass to Jason Jones Saturday night against Grambling, but the play was nullified by a penalty.

Wallace replaced Moore, who bruised his throwing hand on a helmet, in the fourth quarter.

Moore was 16-of-32 for 276 yards, one touchdown and one interception before leaving the game. Wallace was 9-of-13 for 93 yards and a touchdown.

"It's never a controversy," Forte said when asked about the quarterbacks. "We don't deal with that up here. We go with the person that will give us the best opportunity to win."

Forte said Moore's status remains uncertain for Thursday's game at Alabama A&M.

"I'm not sure," he said. "It's up in the air right now. It depends on how he progresses over the next couple of days. Hopefully, he's going to be ready to play."

If Moore is unable to go, Forte says Wallace will be ready.

"Chris is as fine a person as you'll ever find and he's always ready to take the reigns," Forte said.

Richardson's career is over at A&M: Inside linebacker Jimmy Richardson has elected not to rejoin the team, A&M coach Anthony Jones confirmed Tuesday.

Richardson, a 6-foot-1, 232-pound senior from Orrville, left the team on Sept. 30 and never returned. He didn't practice the following week and didn't accompany the team to Baton Rouge, La., for an important game against Southern on Oct. 5.

Richardson met with Jones and his staff on Oct. 8 and hasn't been heard from since.

He was slated to start at inside linebacker before losing his job during training camp to Mississippi State transfer Carlton Rice. Richardson left the team for that reason, sources say.

"Jimmy Richardson has decided to pursue other endeavors," Jones said. "We wish him well."

Affordable tickets: Tickets for Thursday night's game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff are available at a reduced rate.

Any school in the Huntsville area is eligible to sell tickets to their students for $1. School officials have to pick up the tickets and distribute them on consignment at their respective schools.

Local church groups of 25 adults or more can purchase tickets in group quantity for $10 apiece. All student tickets (ages 6-18) are half price for the game at $3. These tickets are available at any time. General admission tickets that do not fall under one of these specials are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the game. For more information, contact the A&M ticket office at 372-4059. The offer ends today at 5 p.m.

Reggie Benson

Case of deja vu confronts JSU Tigers

Rick Comegy received a reminder that he could have gone without Tuesday morning.

The second-year Jackson State coach was asked about being in familiar territory going into Saturday's noon kickoff against Grambling State (5-1, 5-0 SWAC).

JSU (4-2, 4-0) was undefeated in the SWAC after a win over Southern University last year. Up next was Grambling State. A 36-7 loss was the first of three straight before dropping four of five to end the season.

Comegy was asked how he planned to stop history from repeating itself.

"I don't plan to think about it," Comegy said. "I also plan to just play football.

"We grew as a football team. That's the major difference. No matter what happens ... if we stumble, I don't think we'll spiral."

40 YEARS AT MEMORIAL

A face-off between the last two teams undefeated in conference play draws plenty of interest.

The game being broadcast nationally on ESPN Classic adds a little more flavor.

Tack that onto the fact that Jackson State will celebrate 40 years of football at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium by hosting Grambling State, and the atmosphere grows to red-line type proportions.

Jackson State College first kicked off a football game inside Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21, 1967 - a homecoming game against Grambling State.

Roderick Paige coached Jackson State to a 20-14 victory.

Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson led Grambling College. JSU will honor Robinson during Saturday's game.

INJURY REPORT

Starting center Lorenzo Breland suffered a stinger in the victory over Southern. Comegy said he should be fine to play Saturday.

Photo: Transfer RB, #3 Erik Haw, 6-1/215, Columbus, OH/Ohio State gain yards against Southern University in last week game.

-Kareen Copeland

JSU Perri gives boot to concerns about consistency

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State vs. Grambling State
When: Saturday, noon
TV: ESPN Classic

The Jackson State football staff nearly went recruiting for another kicker after last season.

Eric Perri was good as a freshman, connecting on 6 of 8 field goals. He had a strong leg, tying a school record that had stood since 1975 with a 45-yarer against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Miami native had the nerves, burying a 22-yarder to beat Southern University 31-28 in double overtime.

But he was erratic.

"We didn't know how good he would be," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "He was kind of inconsistent that first year. We thought we might have to go out and find another guy because we didn't know if he would last."

The Tigers are no longer looking for another kicker.

Perri is one field goal from tying Eric Dozier (1983) and Adam Harris (1996) for the single-season school record (12). The sophomore is likely to cruise past that mark when Grambling State comes to town Saturday for a noon kickoff. He has gone 3-for-3 in three consecutive games and is 11-for-13 on the season, ranking No. 1 in the SWAC amongst kickers with eight or more attempts.

Perri leads the league in points (50), field goals made (11) and attempts (13). He is on track to shatter the JSU career record (29) set by Brian Reynolds.

"I never did imagine that," said James Hartfield, JSU's kicking coach. "I saw him on film and knew he was a good kicker. But I never imagined him doing what he's doing now."

Perri's progression from Year No. 1 to Year No. 2 has mostly taken place between the ears.

There was a lot repetition and technique work, but the mental hurdle was the largest.

"I've gotten him to just calm down," Hartfield said. "He gets upset in practice if he misses a field goal or misses an extra point.

"It was a mental thing. Last year we got a few of them blocked and he started looking up at the linemen instead of watching the ball and seeing where he was going. We've got him to trust his offensive linemen. If it gets blocked, it's not his fault; it's the linemen's fault."

Perri added, "I wanted it more. I've only got two years after this. I want to make (the most out of it). Be the best kicker I could."

The league's No. 1 kicker has added another dimension to offensive coordinator James Woody's weaponry.

The Jackson State offense ranks No. 3 in the conference in red zone offense, scoring on 22 of 27 trips (81.5 percent). Nine of those were field goals.

"It's a luxury situation," Woody said. "It does change the play-calling depending on the situation of the game. You would like to have that touchdown, but a lot of times you've got a great kicker and you really try to pound that clock and you can be conservative knowing you've got three solid points."

But there's a dangerous side to a life of luxury - complacency.

"It can make you relax and not push as hard on third down to get that crucial first down because you've got Eric in the corner," Comegy said. "We don't want to go there. But it's good to have a guy there who can really nail it when you need it."

Woody added, "I tell the quarterbacks, you don't want to try to force it ... and risk throwing an interception when you've got a kicker that can get you three points. (But) you don't want to get comfortable."

The situation makes no difference to Perri. He possesses a strong sense of self-motivation.

He has dedicated the season to his grandfather, William Perri, who died just before Perri returned for August football camp.

He just wants to win and fulfill a few personal goals along the way.

"Coming into the season I just wanted to do my job, basically try to improve on what I did last year," Perri said. "I wasn't really trying to break a record. I try to bail the guys out. Just in case they don't come out with seven, I come out with three.

"I want to be an All-American and have big dreams. If God puts me in the NFL that'd be great. That's what I'm working towards and hopefully get a championship ring here."

That and to keep Comegy from having to scour the nation for a kicker for another couple years.

Photo: Jackson State University J-Settes member is ready for a high kick.

With Lee sidelined, Matthews ready to take helm for Southern

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

There will be no safety net for Southern quarterback Warren Matthews on Saturday.

Last Saturday, Matthews knew all week he was going to start the Jackson State game. But he also knew the team’s No. 1 quarterback, Bryant Lee, had warmed up well and was ready to go on a sore right ankle that caused him to miss the major work days of game-week practice. With Lee’s ankle dramatically worse, Matthews will be on his own this Saturday.

“I feel comfortable with him,” offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. “We’re not going to shut anything down of what we’re doing. We’ll keep rolling with what we’ve been doing.

“He’s excited about it. He’s enthused. He’s got a great attitude. He works hard.”

Southern (5-2, 3-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) hosts Alcorn State (1-5, 1-4) at 3 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Matthews, who was redshirted and did not play last season after being out of football as a nonqualifier in 2005, is 6-for-12 for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Lee is 144-for-223 for 1,585 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

“I know the offense and everything,” Matthews said. “It’s just a matter of execution.

“We’re just going to try to get the timing down.”

Matthews likely will be without senior wide receiver Gerard Landry (409 yards, eight touchdowns) but should have Del Roberts (279 yards, one touchdown).

Landry went out in the third quarter with a high ankle sprain. Roberts (back) missed all of the Jackson State loss and most of the Alabama A&M loss.

Junior C.J. Byrd, who missed most of preseason camp after being in a car accident in late July, will back Matthews.

Byrd started four games last season. He was 32-for-52 for 389 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 155 yards and four TDs.

“C.J. is going to have to get ready, because I think there are some things he can do,” Orlando said.

Matthews is a physically imposing 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, with the strongest arm on the team. Byrd is 5-11, 170. Lee is 6-2, 195.

Photo: QB Warren Matthews, RS Soph., New Orleans, LA/Warren Easton H.S., 6-3/230.

“As far as knowing what we’re doing, he knows it, because, Lord, he’s had a ton of reps at it,” Orlando said. “I feel comfortable with the entire system with him.”

Last month, fifth-year senior J.C. Lewis, the No. 1 quarterback the previous two seasons, left the team after not seeing any action in the first two games.

Redshirt freshman Gary Hollimon is third on the depth chart.

Though the decision on who would be SU’s No. 1 quarterback was expected to be between Lee and Lewis, Matthews’ dramatic improvement in the spring changed all that.

Lee, SU’s starter at the end of last season, eventually outdueled Matthews in preseason camp. But the work Matthews, from Warren Easton High in New Orleans, put in during the spring and summer left an impression on coaches.

“Warren worked hard,” Orlando said. “It was a heckuva battle coming out of spring.

“He’s really improved a lot in the last year or so. He’s got a big-time arm.”

Though he had gotten the majority of practice reps the last two or three weeks to allow Lee more recuperative time, Matthews’ only collegiate action — until Saturday’s start — had been running the ball late in a season-opening win over Florida A&M.

With Matthews starting Saturday, Southern was three-and-out on its initial series. Matthews completed his first collegiate pass, a 5-yarder to Nick Benjamin, to set up a third-and-4. But the shotgun snap got botched, with Matthews falling on the ball for a 3-yard loss.

“I thought he was a little jittery early in the game but when he got settled down he did some good things,” Orlando said. “He was in a tough situation and I thought he did fine.”

Matthews didn’t return until after Lee went out midway through the third quarter.

Matthews directed a 10-play, 72-yard touchdown drive to get the Jaguars within 30-26 with 6:22 left in the game. He converted three third downs — a third-and-5, a third-and-10 and, on a 22-yard TD pass to Benjamin, a third-and-16.

“That’s why I practice,” Matthews said. “I knew going into the week I was going to start. I just had to do what I had to do to get prepared. I did all I could.”

The tradeoff for not having Lee to back him Saturday is Matthews now has some game experience.

“Now I have some experience dealing with the game speed,” Matthews said. “It’s much different. Since I have the experience, it’ll slow down for me once I get into my rhythm.

“After that first completion, it started to slow down.”

What Landry did best is what Matthews will have to do best: stay within the offense.

“Like I told Warren last week, you’ve got a lot of kids around you to help you win this ballgame,” Orlando said. “Don’t feel like you’ve got to go out there and win it yourself.”

“We’re not asking Matthews to win the game for us,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “We’re just asking him to manage our football team. The players have confidence in him — and we have confidence in him — to do that.”

Photo: Southern University Dancing Dolls performs during half-time.

Grambling's knack for the timely turnover keys its run

By Nick Deriso, Monroe News Star

GRAMBLING — Grambling State has built a 5-0 mark in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with an opportunistic defensive attack.
In fact, a league-best plus-eight turnover margin — which ties GSU with Alabama A&M — already includes 12 forced fumbles and 7 interceptions over the first six games.
Grambling had the same number of picks and just three more forced fumbles over the complete 11-game campaign in 2006.

There's a reason for the quick turnaround on takeaways, first-year GSU coach Rod Broadway says: Focus.
"We work on it every day," Broadway said. "We have a five-minute period each day where we work on takeaways — fumble recoveries, stripping the ball and interceptions. We work on all of those things."

In all, GSU would snatch four of five fumbles against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week, while picking off two passes that led to 84 return yards in the other direction.

The result: A 30-24 win which, coupled with Southern's loss against Jackson State, put Grambling (5-1 overall; 5-0 in the SWAC) up by two the league race for the Western Division crown.

Most impressive was one stretch early in the third quarter when the Tigers held a slim 17-10 lead against Pine Bluff. Grambling would reel off three consecutive momentum-changing turnovers: DeMichael Dizer and Keefe Hall recovered consecutive fumbles, then Kenneth Anio picked off a pass.

The defense kept UAPB on its heels, even while Grambling's offense sputtered.

Anio also had a first-quarter takeaway last Saturday, though kicker Tim Manuel's subsequent 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

GSU quarterback Brandon Landers then gave the ball right back with his own interception between the Dizer and Hall fumble recoveries.

"We are plus-eight, but we are still turning ball over way too much," Broadway said. "We've had a chance to distance ourselves, scorewise, over the course of a couple of games, and we turned the ball over and let teams hang in there with us. That's the part that we've got to get corrected."

Up 14 points as the fourth period began, Landers saw another interception returned 50 yards to set up what would be UAPB's final score.

"That was a huge turnover," Broadway said. "They ran it back down to the 28-yard line and they were right back in the football game."

It was a scenario eerily similar to Grambling's late-game fade against Prairie View, another contest that saw takeaways lead to a razor-thin margin of victory. Landers had an untimely interception returned 24-yards for a touchdown to tie things up in the first possession of the fourth quarter at the State Fair Classic.

A penalty for an illegal shift saved Grambling last week, as a blocked kick had before in Dallas against Prairie View.

"Even though we are plus-eight," Broadway said, "we've got to protect the football a little bit better than we have been."

Yet another forced UAPB fumble, again by Dizer, led to Grambling's final touchdown — the deciding points of the game in Little Rock.

NEW ALL OVER AGAIN: Freshman Grambling running back Frank Warren has won his third player of the week honor from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Each time, he was named newcomer of the week.

Warren helped Grambling to a Saturday night win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 92 yards and two critical touchdowns on 17 carries. He ran for 14-yard, second-quarter TD to begin a rally after GSU fell behind 10-0 then completed the Tigers' scoring with an 18-yard blast on the way to a 30-24 victory.

Warren earned previous newcomer awards after victories over Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley. He is currently third in the SWAC with 528 yards, second with 110 attempts and fifth in the league for yards per game with 88.

Grambling teammate Tim Manuel was also named the SWAC's specialist of the week, after averaging 43 yards per punt, hitting a 45-yard field goal to pull GSU even with Pine Bluff and adding three extra points.

MOVING ON UP: With its fourth straight SWAC win, and fifth overall, Grambling moved from No. 25 to 23 in the Sports Network's poll of Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) teams.

GSU is the only SWAC team in the Top 25, though Alabama A&M appears at No. 28. Grambling's Saturday foe Jackson State follows at No. 37, with in-state rival Southern at No. 41.

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Despite record, Golden Lions concern Jones

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones admits Arkansas-Pine Bluff scares him. The Golden Lions should.

UAPB (1-5 overall, 1-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) has been in virtually every game aside from being blown out at nationally ranked Southern Illinois.

That includes a 20-17 loss at New Mexico State in a game where the Aggies kicked a field goal as time expired to escape with the victory.

"I know the potential that UAPB has," Jones said. "They have a good coaching staff. They were picked to win the West. They're putting their stuff together. They've been in all of their games except one. This is a team you can't overlook. They're going to be very, very tough."

The Golden Lions came within an eyelash of knocking off West Division-leading Grambling on Saturday in Little Rock before falling 30-24.

"Anytime you play Grambling down to the wire, it says something about your program and about your team," Jones said. They're playing everybody tough. I know this team is capable of beating us.

They proved that last year. They're a team that concerns me."

Contract still unsigned:Jones had hoped to sign his contract last week, but after reviewing it, he gave it back to athletic director Betty Austin with some revisions.

"I gave my thoughts to it and now I'm just waiting," said Jones, who gave the contract back to Austin on Thursday. "I'm hoping everything is going in a positive manner. I'm not really concerned with that now. I'm just waiting to hear back from there."

The school's board of trustees approved a package last summer that would pay Jones a total package of $155,000, which would make him the fourth-highest paid coach in the league.

Affordable tickets: Tickets for Thursday night's game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff are available at a reduced rate.

Any school in the Huntsville area is eligible to sell tickets to their students for $1.

School officials have to pick up the tickets and distribute them on consignment at their respective schools.

For more information, contact the A&M ticket office at 372-4059. The offer ends Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Local church groups of 25 adults or more can purchase tickets in group quantity for $10 apiece.

All student tickets (ages 6-18) are half price for the game at $3. These tickets are available at any time. General admission tickets that do not fall under one of these specials are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the game.

The A&M ticket office will be open this week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reggie Benson

Matthews to start at QB for SU

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern likely will be without sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee and senior wide receiver Gerard Landry when the Jaguars host Alcorn State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Lee and Landry both went down with ankle injuries in the third quarter of a 32-26 loss to Jackson State on Saturday.

SU coach Pete Richardson said both are “questionable.”

Lee re-aggravated a right ankle sprain that has bothered him since the second game of the season.

Lee had a brace around the injury last week and sophomore Warren Matthews got most of the first-team reps throughout the week, then started and played the first series against Jackson State in place of Lee.

Matthews, who did not return to the game until Lee went out, will make his second start and this time he’ll stay in the game.

Lee, who started late last season, edged Matthews, who never played last season, in a preseason duel.

Photo: QB Warren Matthews will make his second start for Southern.

“The only thing he’s lacking is experience,” Richardson said of Matthews. “And the only way to get that is to play.”

SU coaches want Lee (144-for-223 for 1,585 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions) to rest Saturday and then have the benefit of an open week. They’d prefer Lee not to risk further injury.

Junior C.J. Byrd, who started in the middle of last season, will be Matthews’ backup, Richardson said.

With fifth-year senior J.C. Lewis leaving the team last month, the team’s three healthy quarterbacks are Matthews, Byrd and redshirt freshman Gary Hollimon.

Matthews, who was 6-for-12 for 83 yards and one touchdown Saturday, likely won’t have the benefit of throwing to the team’s top playmaker.

Landry has a high left ankle sprain and, like Lee, needs rest.

Landry has a touchdown catch in all seven games and eight TDs overall, along with team highs of 34 catches and 409 yards.

“It’s just how much pain tolerance he’s going to be able to take,” Richardson said.

The injuries to Lee and Landry are just two concerning Southern.

True freshman linebacker Corey Ray (left shoulder) will need arthroscopic surgery that likely will end his season, Richardson said.

Ray had reconstructive surgery on the left shoulder in February after having surgery on the right one in late December.

“It depends on him. It’ll take awhile (to recover),” Richardson said.

Sophomore linebacker Allan Baugh (left knee) had an MRI on Monday. Baugh was on crutches Sunday when the Jaguars had a light practice. (SU did not practice Monday.)

Richardson said he expects junior linebacker Johnathan Malveaux to return Saturday after missing the previous three games with a high ankle sprain. Malveaux is the team’s most experienced linebacker and he was SU’s top tackler before the injury.

Malveaux dressed for the Jackson State game, and coaches considered playing him.

Richardson said he also expects junior wide receiver Del Roberts (back) and senior center Demarcus Stewart (calf) to return Saturday. Both missed the Jackson State game.

Roberts, with 30 catches for 279 yards and one touchdown and five rushes for 55 yards, plays a key role in the offense. With Roberts playing little in the loss to Alabama A&M and not at all in the JSU game, the SU offense lost a key component.

Also, Richardson said sophomore wide receiver Juamorris Stewart (concussion) to be fully recovered. Juamorris Stewart did not start, played sparingly and did not catch a pass for the first time this season.

Richardson said junior running back Kendrick Smith (foot), who has missed the last three games, is “questionable” to play Saturday. Smith is off crutches and out of his walking boot, but was still not walking smoothly.

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and the Dancing Dolls (10/13/2007) vs. JSU Tigers

Thomas expects loud fans at Southern

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas on Monday used the word “hostile” twice, first describing the crowd and then the environment at A.W. Mumford Stadium, while discussing Saturday’s game at Southern.

However, avoiding a duplicate of the firestorm that began with Jackson State coach Rick Comegy’s remarks on the same Southwestern Athletic Conference teleconference the week before, Thomas quickly explained he meant “hostile” in a positive manner.

“They’re going to be excited, loud and ready for the football game,” Thomas said.

A week earlier, Comegy talked about the upcoming game at Southern as being played in a “hostile situation.”

“I know a lot of people aren’t taking their families. They’re leaving their kids here,” Comegy said.

Those remarks eventually drew a Tuesday statement regretting any misunderstanding from the school’s president and a Wednesday reprimand from the SWAC.

Before a 32-26 victory over Southern in front of 24,600, including a large contingent of Jackson State fans, Saturday, Comegy did not come on the field during pregame warmups and, when he took to the sideline with his team, was flanked by law enforcement representatives.

The game was Comegy’s first at Mumford Stadium.

There were no apparent major incidents Saturday.

Alcorn’s run at SU

Alcorn has won its last three games at Mumford Stadium — 22-20 in 2002, 36-34 in ’03 and 38-16 in ’05.

Thomas said there is no common thread to the successful run.

“I don’t know what it is. I certainly can’t put my hand on it,” Thomas said.

The biggest victory of those three came in 2003, when Donald Carrie, with a Southern defender wrapped around his waist, threw a 24-yard touchdown strike to Charlie Spiller with 40 seconds left in the game. That was the only loss that season for SU, which won the SWAC and black college national titles with a 12-1 mark.

Close first win

In a game matching winless teams, Alcorn escaped from Texas Southern with a 22-20 victory Saturday after a 23-yard field-goal try from TSU’s D’Javan Conway went wide right as time expired. TSU, behind third-string quarterback Donnie Shorts, drove 72 yards with no time outs in the final 1:11 to set up the try.

“Our team now has some confidence,” Thomas said. “We still need to make tremendous improvement on offense, defense and special teams. We can’t play the way we did against Texas Southern against Southern.”

TSU outgained Alcorn 309-147.

Quick look at Southern

Of Southern, Thomas said, “Southern has a winning tradition, outstanding coaching staff and a quality football program. Going down on the Bluff is going to be a tremendous challenge.”

Quick look at Alcorn

Of Alcorn, SU coach Pete Richardson said, “Offensively, they have seven or eight starters who are seniors. (Nate) Hughes is one of the finest wide receivers in the whole conference. Defensively, they’re going to create a lot of pressure. They’re going to play man-to-man (in the secondary).”

Notes

After going 0-11 in 2000, Alcorn has had six straight winning seasons — going 7-4 in 2003 and ’04 and 6-5 in the other four seasons. SU true freshman P Josh Duran is 35th nationally in punting, at 40.5 yards per punt.

Streaking JSU Tigers eye penalty woes

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State vs. Grambling State
When: noon Saturday
TV: ESPN Classic

Life is sweet around the campus of Jackson State with the football team winning four straight games.

The Tigers (4-2, 4-0 SWAC) rank in the league's top four in total offense, total defense, scoring offense and scoring defense.

And a victory over Grambling State (5-1, 5-0) on Saturday would leave JSU as the lone undefeated team in conference play.

But two statistical categories loom over the team, waiting to wreak havoc at an inopportune time.

Jackson State is dead last in penalty yardage (105.2 ypg) and No. 6 in turnover margin (minus-1).

The Tigers pulled out a 32-26 victory over Southern last weekend, but were flagged nine times for 53 yards. The Jaguars were plus-3 in turnovers.

JSU was flagged eight times for 142 yards in a 32-20 win over Alabama State two weeks ago. The Hornets were plus-1 in turnovers.

Neither game would have been as close if not for JSU penalties and turnovers.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Jackson State receiver Chris Johnson was tabbed SWAC Offensive Player of the Week after five receptions for a career-high 160 yards and a touchdown.

Prairie View A&M defensive end Jon Johnson was the defensive representative after 10 tackles, one for loss, three quarterback hurries and a sack in a 17-6 win over Alabama State.

Grambling State freshman running back Frank Warren was named Newcomer of the Week after 92 rushing yards on 17 carries, including two touchdowns.

Grambling State's Tim Manuel was the top specialist of the weekend. The senior averaged 43.1 yards on seven punts, downing three inside the 20-yard line. Manuel also connected on a 45-yard field goal and three extra points.

Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band and the J-Settes (10/13/2007) leaving Southern's A.W. Mumford Stadium after VICTORY over Jaguars.

A welcome opportunity for JSU

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Once hoping to land at Tennessee, Johnson is thankful to be at A&M

Two years ago, Rashad Johnson was headed to the University of Tennessee. At least, that was the plan. However, those plans were derailed and he landed at Alabama A&M instead.

The Vols' loss has clearly been the Bulldogs' gain as Johnson has emerged into a key contributor at wide receiver in his first season.

A 5-foot-10, 185-pound freshman from Mobile, Johnson had an outstanding senior year at Murphy High School, catching 37 balls for more than 700 yards and 12 touchdowns. A number of schools recruited Johnson, but he wanted to play at Tennessee.

That dream ended when Johnson failed to make the required score on the ACT. Then Jones got in trouble with the law when one of his friends picked him up from work in a stolen car.

"We got pulled over," Johnson said. "I had no idea it was a stolen car."

With few options, Johnson's mother spoke with then-A&M offensive coordinator Stan Conner.

"Coach Conner told me if I came up here and got eligible, I could get a scholarship and play," Johnson said.

Johnson isn't on scholarship yet, but if he keeps playing the way he has through the Bulldogs' first six games, he'll certainly earn one.

Johnson has just only nine catches, but four have gone for touchdowns, which is second on the team. He is averaging 16.2 yards per catch, third-best on the squad.

That's not bad for a guy who wasn't invited to training camp until after it began.

"I guess they figured I really didn't want to play," said Johnson, who was named A&M's offensive player of the week after catching three passes for 40 yards, including a pair of touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 33-28 win over Southern more than a week ago. "I was determined to play. I sat out last year and I realized how much I loved football.

"I went out there with the mind-set I wanted to play and showed them what I could do."

Receivers coach Willie Totten noticed Johnson on his first day of practice.

"It was a Wednesday night," Totten said. "He was wearing No. 46 and we were doing 1-on-1s. He had great acceleration. He was aggressive. He's got a little different attitude than some of our other receivers. That caught my attention.

"I knew he could help us. He kept getting better and better and I told Coach (Anthony) Jones we needed to consider him. He was hungry. He was very attentive to what we were doing."

It didn't take Johnson long to make an impact.

He had just two catches for 14 yards in the season opener against Tennessee State, but had three catches for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the home opener against Clark Atlanta, including a 65-yarder.

Johnson managed just one catch over the next three games, but he came up big against Southern as A&M hung on for a big conference road win.

"Coach Totten told me to be patient and just keep running my routes," Johnson said. "I had to wait until my number was called and that's when I stepped up."

Johnson hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Kelcy Luke to stake the Bulldogs to an early 7-0 lead. Later, Johnson threw a key blocked that allowed wide receiver Gerald Stockdale to find Thomas Harris with a 55-yard touchdown pass. Then, early in the second quarter, Luke found Johnson with a 18-yard touchdown pass.

While Johnson was happy with the touchdown catches, he was more thrilled about throwing the block that led to Harris' touchdown.

"When Stockdale came in motion, I knew his man was going to come with him," Johnson explained. "As soon as he got the ball, he faked like he was going to run the ball and his man came crashing down. I pushed him as far as I could to the sideline and Stockdale was able to throw it to Harris."

Johnson hopes to continue his strong play Thursday night when A&M hosts Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game. Kickoff is at 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

While Johnson is happy to be at A&M, Jones is equally excited to have him on the team. "He's been a great addition to our program," Jones said. "He just needed polishing. Coach Totten has done a great job of grooming him. "While he's been a great addition to our program, we've been a great addition to him and his development on and off the field."

Totten agreed.

"After the Clark Atlanta game, he came to me and said thank you," Totten said. "I didn't understand what he meant at the time. He said 'I appreciate you giving me a chance.' That still sticks with me today.

"He wants to prove to people that he's not the person people think he is. Those are the things that encourage me about Johnson. He's got a great attitude and he's trying to find his place in society. ... This football program is probably saving Johnson's life."

NSU notebook: Spartans stand 6th in FCS in home attendance

By VICKI L. FRIEDMAN , The Virginian-Pilot

Saturday's crowd of 27,756 was the largest at Price Stadium since the inaugural game was played there in 1997. Before Saturday's total, the crowd of 26,970 that watched the Spartans defeat Virginia State 33-7 in the Labor Day Classic on Sept. 1 was the second-largest.

Norfolk State is sixth nationally in Division I-AA with an average attendance of 19,920. Ahead of NSU: Montana, Delaware, Appalachian State, Youngstown State and Southern University. North Carolina A&T is the closest MEAC school at No. 11, averaging 12,803 fans.

Not so special

Daryl Jones described Saturday's victory against Hampton as "extra special," but one area where the Spartans weren't clicking was special teams. Particularly abysmal was NSU's coverage on punts and kickoffs, which almost cost the Spartans the game.

Among the blunders:

Maury grad James Butts recovered an onside kick that allowed Hampton to attempt a field goal in the final seconds.

Before that, Hampton scored its final touchdown after a 28-yard punt by Brian Jackson allowed the Pirates to start the drive at the NSU 41.

After Jones' second touchdown put the Spartans ahead 20-10 in the fourth quarter, Dennis McPhearson returned the following kickoff 48 yards to the NSU 20. That led to a Hampton field goal.

"Our special teams stunk," NSU coach Pete Adrian said. "Our kickoff coverage was horrendous. Our kickoff returns weren't very good. We made some crucial mistakes that could have cost us the ballgame.

"But the nice thing about our football team is nobody complains. They just say, 'Let's go to work.'"

One game at a time

Spartans fans might be riding high with dreams of a playoff bid after knocking off Hampton and preseason favorite South Carolina State, but Adrian and the NSU players refuse to entertain the notion.

"If you're focusing on something like playoffs, that's basically distracting you," senior linebacker Maguell Davis said. "I'd rather keep playing hard and we'll look back - and then I think we'll be pretty happy with the results."

Hampton University-S.C. State will be televised

BY MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Monday that Saturday's South Carolina State at Hampton University football game will be televised via tape delay on ESPNU.

Kickoff for the game is set for 2 p.m. The ESPNU telecast will begin at 8 p.m.

"We are very elated that ESPNU decided to add this game to our TV package," MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas said. "With this game on ESPNU, fans will be able to see two outstanding teams as they vie for the conference championship."

South Carolina State (3-3, 2-1 MEAC) was picked during the preseason to end the three-year run of Hampton (4-2, 2-2) as conference champion. The Pirates and Bulldogs shared the title in 2004, but the Pirates have earned the MEAC's automatic playoff berth three consecutive seasons.

Both are fighting to remain in the conference and playoff races after losing on consecutive weekends at Norfolk State. The Spartans beat S.C. State 20-13 in overtime on Oct. 6, then followed with a 20-19 win on Saturday over Hampton.

"We're not conceding anything," Hampton coach Joe Taylor said. "We feel if we go 9-2, with wins over Princeton (48-27 on Oct. 6) and Southern Illinois (the Pirates' opponent on Nov. 17), we still can get playoff consideration.

"Televising this game is great exposure. The biggest thing is that it gives

Rested WSSU Rams ready to move on

Photo: WSSU Head Football Coach Kermit Blount

By John Dell, JOURNAL REPORTER

WSSU, coming off open date, is headed to Bethune-Cookman

There have been times in recent years when a week off has come at the wrong time for Winston-Salem State. But last Saturday’s open date couldn’t have come at a better time, according to Coach Kermit Blount.

“We needed it, that’s for sure,” said Blount, whose Rams were back at practice yesterday in preparation for Saturday’s game at Bethune-Cookman. “It just gave everybody a chance to take a step back because we’ve been going at this pretty hard since August.”

The Rams (3-3) are coming off a 27-23 win over Florida A&M on Oct. 6 in Indianapolis. Blount was pleased with his team’s effort and with getting the victory, but he was a little worried about a hangover effect of such a big win.

“I hope they aren’t still celebrating because it’s time to get back to work,” Blount said before yesterday’s practice. “I think these guys realize that we have more work to do this season, and it starts this week in practice.”

Blount said that the Rams had just two short practices last week, and he gave them the weekend off, something that quarterback Monte Purvis took advantage of.

Purvis, who has been nursing a sore left shoulder, said he mostly watched football and stayed on the couch.

“This break came at a good time for us seniors because it lets us know that we only have five more games left in our careers,” Purvis said. “I think in four of these next five games we lost to them last year, so we want to make up for that.”

Even though Purvis didn’t have very good passing numbers against Florida A&M, his grasp of the offense and confidence level in the second half was evident.

Photo: QB Monte Purvis

The Rams had two key series against the Rattlers in which Purvis used his savvy and his feet to gain valuable yardage. They scored touchdowns on both drives.

Purvis has rushed for 299 yards on 101 carries this season, and while the average is just three yards a carry, his leadership has been invaluable. He didn’t have a turnover in the win over A&M, and in the previous game against Howard, an overtime loss, he passed for a career-best 261 yards.

“I’m real happy for Monte for a lot of reasons,” Blount said. “He’s a local kid, and it’s tough to play in your own backyard and play consistently because he probably knows more people in this town than anybody on our team. Everywhere he goes, he’s the subject of criticism with somebody saying something negative.”

Purvis, a three-year starter, hasn’t backed down from any of this season’s challenges.

“His maturity, that’s been the biggest part,” Blount said. “To see him mature and grow into a leader and do the things I knew he was capable of doing all along is great to see. It’s his last season, and I think he’s having fun. I’ve seen him go from being a quiet guy to being the jokester in the locker room.”

The Rams have been learning a new offense under coordinator Nick Calcutta, and Purvis has picked it up.

“Hopefully, this break doesn’t slow us down (but) just enhanced us a little more,” Blount said. “It gave those guys a chance to rest and hopefully the guys … got that rest they needed.”

Blount said that part of the reason for the Rams’ resurgence in the past two games has been the play of the line.

“It’s been a matter of them continuing to learn this new system,” Blount said. “That system we ran last year and the year before is totally different than what we are doing this year.

“I think the great part of it is I have some real great football coaches on staff, and they have put in the time and energy to get this done and it’s taken the pressure off me.”

Former WSSU Legends pitching in to raise money

By John Dell, JOURNAL REPORTER

In order to have a better future, Winston-Salem State is turning to its past for help.

Banking on the fame of the pro careers of Earl “The Pearl” Monroe and Timmy Newsome, Winston-Salem State is hoping to raise money for an endowed athletics scholarship.

“It starts with money,” said Newsome, a former Dallas Cowboys’ running back who spent nine seasons in the NFL. “When you move into the next level like they are doing, you need a lot more financial resources to be competitive. It doesn’t just start with basketball and football - you have women’s sports that need financing as well.”

A Celebration of Champions banquet will be held Nov. 2 on campus at 6 p.m. at the Anderson Center. It will celebrate the 40th anniversary of WSSU’s NCAA Division II basketball championship and the 30th anniversary of its 1977 and ’78 CIAA football titles.

The cost is $50 a ticket, and there are fewer than 200 tickets available.

Monroe was the star of the 1966-67 basketball team that went 31-1 and became the first historically-black college to win a national championship.

“We’re trying to raise a little bit of money so that maybe we can attract some of those athletes who might want to go elsewhere,” said Monroe, who lives in New York.

Monroe, who was named one of the top 50 NBA players of all-time, said that giving back to the university is something that the late Big House Gaines always stressed.

“Coach used to tell us all the time, even after we were long gone from school, that giving back is the right thing to do,” Monroe said. “So when you think about Winston-Salem State competing in Division I, you have to get those top-notch players. I think this is an opportunity to try and give back and to get those kinds of players that can help this school.”

The ’77 and ’78 football teams, which were coached by Bill Hayes, were two of the best teams in school and CIAA history. They went 11-1 each season and were led by Newsome and fellow running backs Randy Bolton and Arrington Jones.

The quarterback was Kermit Blount, who ran the Veer offense to near perfection. Blount, who is in his 15th season as the football coach of his alma mater, said that recognizing past teams is important.

“This is huge,” Blount said, “because what it does is show our younger generation that nobody ever forgets what you do if you have done it in a positive way. I think this will shine a light on this football team and teams to come because we are honoring these championships.”

Newsome and Jones, who is the head coach at Virginia Union and has his team 6-0 this season and ranked 20th in the nation in Division II, were both drafted by the NFL coming out of WSSU in the late 1970s. Newsome had a nine-year career with the Cowboys and played fullback, tailback and even some at tight end.

Newsome, the second-leading rusher in school history with 3,843 yards, said that raising money for the athletics program means much more than it used to.

“It’s vitally important that we have individual giving to supplement everything else, because if you don’t you are going to put a mediocre product on the field,” Newsome said. “And that’s just unacceptable for Winston-Salem State’s athletics.”

Newsome, who lives in Dallas and is a former member of the board of trustees at WSSU, is grateful that the school is starting to recognize its athletics past more and more.

“Reaching back and going into yesteryear and bringing back players from that period is vitally important,” Newsome said. “It helps your giving, and you can’t expect former athletes to give unless you bring them back and show them your vision of where the athletic program is going. It’s like we are key stakeholders in the program, and we like coming back and seeing a winner.”

Newsome and Blount were asked who was the best back in the potent lineup of the ’77 and ’78 teams. Both tried hard to stay humble.

“My ego tells me that I was,” Newsome said. “But in all honestly, I thought Arrington Jones was a better back. He had better skills and better feet. I think in time I developed into a good runner, but he came to Winston-Salem State with a great pedigree.”

Said Blount with a laugh: “No, it was me.

“Each of those guys did something tremendously well. Timmy was a lot faster than people gave him credit for, and Randy probably ran harder than all of them. Arrington just made you miss, so they all had what it took for us to be successful.”

Newsome said: “I think clearly it was the best backfield in CIAA history. And the only reason Kermit didn’t play in the NFL was his size.”

Those Rams dominated their competition. In 1977, they went 11-0 but bypassed the Division II playoffs to play in the Gold Bowl in Richmond, Va. where they lost to S.C. State 10-7. The next season they went 11-0 again, won their first playoff game (17-0 over California State Poly) and then lost to Delaware 41-0 in the second round.

Where no SCSU team has won before: Bulldogs prepare for trip to Hampton

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer

Improved play by his team or catching an opponent having a bad day on defense?

It's an answer South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough hopes is proven to be the former going into Saturday's showdown at Hampton University. After putting up a season high in points (49) and total yards (611) against Florida A&M, the Bulldogs (3-3, 2-1) will look to carry over its newfound momentum into another Homecoming matchup with the Pirates (4-2, 3-2).

"I think that we found at least a method to get our offense going," he said Monday. "What we done is we simply focused on things that (quarterback Cleve McCoy) seems to do well and go to work from there. It seems to be pretty good."

McCoy's performance against FAMU (14 of 19 passing for 178 yards, 136 rushing yards) earned him his third career Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week award. He was one of four Bulldog players who won conference honors along with defensive back Markee Hamlin, linebacker Julius Wilkerson and offensive lineman James Lee.

Getting McCoy comfortable, as well as being able to work on offensive execution with key players like tight end Octavius Darby who were unavailable for practice paid off in the Bulldogs' best offensive showing in 27 years.

With Fall Break taking place, the Bulldogs held an even rarer Monday afternoon practice. Going to a place where no SCSU team has never won and playing before a national audience for the second straight week, Pough said it's important for his team to remain sharp.

"That's a concern the fact that we hadn't won there before," he said. "We just got to go in and play at least at a level that's as good or better than what we played last week. It's Homecoming, it's a great crowd. I think the most important part of the whole thing is not necessarily where we're playing but how we play. If we play well, then we should be okay."

SCSU's last visit to Armstrong Stadium saw it take a 10-0 lead, only to surrender two second-quarter touchdown passes by Antwan Smith in losing 14-10. Last year's game won by the Bulldogs 13-6 as their defense once again held the Pirates scoreless in the second half.

Although Hampton's coming off a 20-19 loss to Bay rival Norfolk State, Pough believes the Pirates will be at their best on Saturday.

"We'll see the very best that they have," he said. "Anytime your backs are against the wall, they are going to give you their best shot. You can add to the fact that this will be their largest crowd of the year at their stadium, that gives them extra incentive to play very, very well. It will be as good a Hampton team that has played all this year. It will be similar to what happened when they played Princeton (a game they won 48-27) and some of the other people they've beaten up on."

A major battle is expected upfront where Lee will line up against preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Kendall Langford. Pough hinted how Lee fares against the Pirates' athletic defensive line could have some NFL draft ramifications.

"All of the pro scouts have been in here talking...and they told us that the true measure of James Lee will be once we play Hampton because Hampton's got two guys that are possible first-round guys. Langford for sure and (Marcus) Dixon possibly and when you see (Langford) on tape, he may be as active as any defensive lineman I've seen in a long time. He ran Cleve down last year. He ran Will Ford down last year. Those guys are extremely, extremely active as far as defensive line front personnel is concerned. They don't have (Justin) Durant, but the cupboard ain't bare."

A win not only places SCSU in the race for the MEAC title, but will also give Pough a .500 record against every MEAC team since his arrival in 2002. He's 2-3 against the Pirates, accounting for the Bulldogs only wins in the series.

Another motivation for the Bulldogs is extending their 13-0 record in nationally-televised games under Pough. ESPNU carried the SCSU/FAMU game on tape delay and will do the same this past weekend at Hampton.

"Anything that we can find out at this point that gives us more incentive to win this football game, we'll try and use," Pough said. "But, our overall perspective is to win each game now as we go and hopefully, the other situations would take care of themselves favorably for us as we attempt to continue to win."

BULLDOGS vs. PIRATES

WHO: South Carolina State (3-3, 2-1) at Hampton (4-2, 3-2)
WHEN: Saturday at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Va.
TV: ESPNU (tape delay at 10 p.m.) on Channel 160 on Digital Time Warner Cable, Channel 609 on DirectTV and Channel 148 on The Dish Network
RADIO: WQKI 102.9 FM