NCCU-N.C. A&T will meet as I-AA foes for the first time

Today's game live on Internet streaming broadcast at 6:30 p.m. at: http://www.jarvistv.com/NCCU .


By MIKE POTTER, The HERALD-SUN

First-year N.C. Central head football coach Mose Rison said earlier this week he didn't want to be a part of history.

But he and his 3-1 Eagles can't help it.

When they put their three-game winning streak on the line tonight at 6:30 p.m. against historic arch-rival N.C. A&T (0-3) at Greensboro's Aggie Stadium, it will be the Eagles' first game as a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) against another team from the FCS.

That will be some good history the Eagles, and perhaps for both schools.

What Rison doesn't want to do is be part of breaking the Aggies' 19-game losing streak, currently the longest among FCS teams.

Although it wasn't likely to happen at any rate, he doesn't want the Eagles to be taking the Aggies lightly.

"They will be the best football team we have played this season," said Rison, whose team has played four NCAA Division II teams so far. "We just have to make sure our guys don't get caught up in the hype."

Aggies coach Lee Fobbs said his team desperately wants to end the losing streak, no matter what team turns out to be N.C. A&T's unfortunate victim.

"It's tough on the coaches, but it's tougher on the kids," Fobbs said. "I'm really proud of our guys. But they dropped their heads after they played so hard last week [in a 59-14 loss to Hampton].

"The staff and our kids have learned that the only way we can get this thing turned around is to get our chins up and get ready to practice hard every day. The important thing is that the kids love to play football."

Fobbs, who is looking for his first win with the program in his second season, said he knows all about how big tonight's game is for both schools.

"It's real important because it's the next game on our schedule," Fobbs said. "I know the rivalry dates back quite a few years. It's great for our area, and it's a game the fans really want to see. It's college football at its best. It's a big-time ball game in a lot of ways."

Indeed it is an ancient rivalry, going all the way back to a 13-13 tie at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in 1924. N.C. A&T leads the series 45-28-5.

Since 1945, the game has been contested every year except 1993 and last season. Both times, N.C. A&T administrators were trying to get away from playing a game against a Division II team.

The teams have split their last four meetings, all at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium. And three of them were worth double the price of admission. In 2002, the Eagles recovered from a 27-0 deficit after the first quarter to win 33-30 in overtime, the second largest comeback in Division II history. After the Aggies rolled 25-0 in 2003, they won 16-15 the next year on Carlos Davalos' 50-yard field goal. It was almost déjà vu in 2005, but the Aggies missed their last-second field-goal attempt and NCCU survived 23-22.

The Aggies' leading rusher is junior tailback and Northern High alumnus Michael Ferguson. Ferguson is averaging 114.3 yards per game, but is still looking for his first touchdown of the season.

N.C. A&T's junior right tackle Juan Williams is a Durham native who played at Garner High. Also on the Aggies' roster are Corey Hairston, a junior wide receiver out of Hillside; and sophomore defensive end Woodrow Scrivens and freshman linebacker Jamal Wardlaw from Riverside. The Eagles have no players from Greensboro.

NOTES -- The Aggies won 48-0 the last time the teams met in Greensboro back in 1991. NCCU's most recent win in Greensboro was a 38-19 romp in 1987, in the final game for legendary Eagles quarterback Earl "Air" Harvey. …NCCU has no new injuries after kicker Brandon Gilbert and running back Jeff Toliver were declared out for the season. …A&T's injury list includes running backs Demerick Chancellor (shoulder, out) and Reginald James (shoulder, out), strong safety Brandon Jackson (knee, out), defensive back Brandon Long (knee, questionable), quarterback Herb Miller (knee, questionable), cornerback Simeon Platt (ankle, questionable), linebacker Robert Russell (back, probable) and defensive lineman Tyre Glasper (elbow, probable).

KEYS TO THE GAME

Can the Eagles move the ball consistently?

That question may be answered early in the game. The Eagles have been sleepily effective ever since the final period of their season-opening loss to Albany State. Tim Shankle's triple-digit rushing total last week was a very good sign, and quarterback Stadford Brown has been able to handle going for the little play instead of the big one. Middle linebacker Andre Thornton and defensive back Marques Ruffin are A&T's big weapons.

Will NCCU's defense continue to dominate?

There aren't many teams in the country that would turn down Eagles cornerback Craig Amos, and Derrick Ray has been a big-play guy at linebacker. But the Aggies' players were recruited to play Division I-AA football while the Eagles' veteran standouts were recruited at the Division II level. N.C. A&T running back and Northern High alumnus Michael Ferguson is hungry for the end zone.

What about the intangibles of the rivalry?

"Throw out the records" and all the other clichés fit. This is one of the most bitter rivalries in college sports. For over a generation, a win over N.C. A&T could make the Eagles' season. But now the shoe is on the other foot with the Eagles up and the Aggies down. If the Eagles don't play well early, their rivals' 19-game losing streak could be in jeopardy.

The Pick

N.C. Central 26, N.C. A&T 14

NCCU Eagles Marching Band

B-CU to see some familiar faces at NSU

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News Journal

The way Bobbie Williams remembers it, one day three Bethune-Cookman assistant football coaches were on campus, the next day they weren't.

It happened shortly after the 2004 season when B-CU defensive coordinator Pete Adrian was named head coach at Norfolk State and he took three other assistants -- Kirk Mastromatteo, Mark DeBastiani and Jeff Parker -- with him.

"One day they were here, the next day they were gone," said Williams, B-CU's All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference free safety. "They did what they had to do. We were fine without them."

When the Wildcats face the Spartans at Norfolk State today, Williams said it will be just another conference game. But the numbers say otherwise. Since Adrian has been at Norfolk, the two teams have played two dramatic nailbiters that were decided by a total of three points.

And Williams saved the victory for the 'Cats both times. In 2005, he pushed Brandon Books out of bounds as the Norfolk quarterback tried to run in a two-point conversion that would tie the score in the fourth overtime. Williams' stop gave B-CU a 63-61 marathon victory.

Last year, Williams intercepted Casey Hansen's pass with 1:45 left to clinch the Wildcats' 22-21 triumph. It was Williams' third pick of the day.

"It's just a coincidence that every time we've played them I've had one of my best games," Williams said.

Photo: BCU All-American Safety Bobbie Williams

B-CU quarterback Jimmie Russell has also had two straight outstanding games against the Spartans, but unlike Williams, he doesn't see Norfolk State as just "a regular opponent."

"This one has added incentive because of the circumstances involved," Russell said.

Two years ago, B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt refused to shake hands with Adrian after the game. The following offseason, the two head coaches, who had worked together for eight years, smoothed over their differences.

"These guys are my best friends," Wyatt said this week of his three former assistants. "We've been through a lot of wars together, and we understand each other."

That familiarity is one of the reasons the past two games have been so closely contested, the coaches say.

"Just as they know how we think, we know how they think," Adrian said.

"We kind of know what the other is going to do," Wyatt agreed.

In such a game, Wyatt said, the difference usually comes down to a turnover or a crucial special teams play.

But the focus is on offensive and defensive playmakers, such as Williams and Russell and Norfolk State quarterback Hansen and linebacker Maguell Davis. And while the coaching staffs know each other so well, when it comes to familiarity in personnel, the edge goes to the Spartans.

For example, when Adrian watches Russell on film, he sees the same quarterback he saw every day on the practice field three years ago.

"He's the kind of guy you might stop eight plays in a row, but on the ninth play he might be standing in the end zone," Adrian said. "The kid is a great competitor, and he's always been a great competitor."

Playing with a knee brace last week to protect a strained medial collateral ligament, Russell rushed for three touchdowns and accounted for 177 yards of total offense as the Wildcats trounced Savannah State 45-13.

Photo: BCU QB Jimmie Russell

This week the stakes are higher as the Wildcats try to halt a four-game MEAC losing streak that began last season, and the Spartans try to take a step forward after finishing 4-7 the past two years.

B-CU (2-1) at Norfolk State (1-1)

KICKOFF: 4 p.m.
RADIO: WELE (1380 AM)
va2WHERE: Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, Va.
KICKOFF: 4 p.m.
RADIO: 1380-AM
RECORDS: Bethune-Cookman 2-1, 0-1 MEAC; Norfolk St. 1-1, 0-0
SERIES: B-CU leads 12-5

PLAYMAKERS: B-CU -- QB Jimmie Russell, Sr., has six of the Wildcats' seven rushing touchdowns and has accumulated 508 yards of total offense; WR Joe Singleton, Jr., has six catches for 126 yards (21 ypc); FS Bobbie Williams, Sr., leads the 'Cats with 25 tackles and has one interception. LB/DE Josh Balloon, Sr., has five tackles for losses. Norfolk State -- QB Casey Hansen, Sr., has passed for 353 yards with two interceptions and no TDs; RB Daryl Jones, Sr., has rushed for 163 yards and two TDs; LB Maguell Davis, Sr., has two tackles for losses and an interception.

ETC: This is Norfolk State's first game against a Division I-AA team. The Spartans beat Division II Virginia State 33-7 in Week 1 and were overwhelmed by nationally-ranked Division I-A Rutgers 59-0 last week. B-CU has won nine straight over Norfolk, but the past two by just a combined three points.

DID YOU KNOW: This is the second time this season that B-CU is playing a MEAC opponent that had played against a Division I-A squad the previous week.The 'Cats met South Carolina State the week after the Bulldogs played at Air Force and are now playing Norfolk the week after the Spartans played at Rutgers.

BCU Marching Wildcats

Photo Gallery: FAMU smashes Howard Bison

FAMU Marching 100

Timing is a problem for UAPB Golden Lions

By Beck Cross and Nick Walker, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Scheduling a home-and home series against Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse Southern Illinois might have seemed like a good idea when the contract was finalized almost three years ago, but the matchup probably couldn’t come at a worse time for Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

UAPB, which dropped to 1-2 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a lastminute 12-10 loss last Saturday to Alabama State, won’t have the luxury of playing a nonconference cupcake when it travels to Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday to face the Salukis.

Southern Illinois (3-0 ), which defeated UAPB 48-16 last year at Golden Lion Stadium, is ranked No. 6 in the collegesportingnews. com coaches’ poll and seventh in The Sports Network Top 25 Football Championship Subdivision poll.

The Salukis, who are coming off a 44-10 victory at Southern Utah, are averaging 440 yards of offense and 46 points per game.

UAPB has struggled offensively with 197. 3 yards and 13. 3 points per game.

“We’re happy to have the opportunity to compete against the sixth-ranked team in the country,” UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “We’re the only team [in the SWAC ] that can say that this week.

“ When I look at the film I know they’re an outstanding football team, but I feel pretty good about this game.”

The nonconference schedule doesn’t get any easier next week. UAPB travels to Las Cruces, N. M., to take on New Mexico State, which is the higher subdivision of Division I.

Bright side

With a break here or there, Arkansas-Pine Bluff easily could be 3-0 rather than 1-2. In the season opener at Mississippi Valley State, the Golden Lions had first-andgoal opportunities twice in the second half but came away empty on both possessions in a 16-9 loss. Last week against Alabama State, the Golden Lions were flagged for defensive holding four plays before the Hornets scored on fourth-and-10 with 41 seconds to play to pull out a 12-10 victory. Defense doing part Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s defense is the primary reason why UAPB has had a chance to win all three of its games.

The Golden Lions lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring defense (10. 3 points per game ), rush defense (43. 0 yards per game ) and total defense (213. 0 yards per game ). Defensive end Ledarious Anthony has anchored the defense with 28 total tackles, including 8 tackles for losses and 1 a conference-leading 5 / 2 sacks. Anthony’s sack total is more than any Golden Lion had last year. “This will be their biggest test, but the way they’ve been playing, I feel really good about them,” UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “They just get better each week, and they started out pretty darn good.”

Moore still starter

Junior Johnathan Moore, who started at quarterback for Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week against Alabama State while Chris Wallace was recovering from the flu, will remain the starter against Southern Illinois. Moore completed 8 of 25 passes for 83 yards and was the team’s top rusher with 14 carries for 27 yards. “Chris has been back at practice and has played really well,” Coach Mo Forte said. “He seems to have a lot of energy, so it’s nice to have both quarterbacks.”

Extra points

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s special teams blocked two extra point attempts and a punt last week against Alabama State.... Southern Illinois has averaged 50. 3 points per game in its past four games in Carbondale, Ill.... The Salukis are ranked nationally in three categories. SIU is third in turnover margin (2. 67 ), fourth in scoring offense (45. 7 points per game ) and sixth in passing efficiency (172. 66 ).

Freshman Mitchell is center of attention at WSSU after his winning kick

Photo: Matt Mitchell made his first two field-goal attempts of his career.

By John Dell, Winston Salem Journal

Matt Mitchell finds all the attention a little overwhelming.

“I’ve never done a TV interview before,” he said yesterday during Winston-Salem State’s weekly press conference. “I really don’t know what to say.”

Mitchell, a freshman kicker from Belmont, prefers to let his right foot do the talking.

He made the first two field-goal attempts of his college career Saturday as WSSU beat Morgan State 19-17. His second field goal, a 24-yarder with 4/10ths of a second to play, won the game.

“Maybe I’ll get used it,” Mitchell, smiling, said of his sudden popularity.

Coach Kermit Blount of the Rams couldn’t help but poke fun at Mitchell’s first shot at a TV interview.

“You weren’t nervous were you Matt?” Blount said. “Well, get used to it, because you are going to have to do more of these.”

Mitchell has noticed fellow students paying him more attention.

“People I haven’t ever talked to before have come up to me and said ‘nice kick,’” Mitchell said.

From Shawn Thomas to Ashton Oakley to Matt Hind to Chad Oakley, the Rams have had successful kickers in recent seasons. But Chad Oakley graduated in the spring, forcing the Rams to break in a new kicker.

Blount and his staff set their sights on Mitchell, a 6-0, 190-pounder who also played some safety at South Point High School. He came in with WSSU’s latest class of recruits and so far has been the most valuable. As a high-school senior, he made 6 of 8 field-goal attempts, with his longest a 53-yarder.

Mitchell said he had two offers, a half scholarship at Lenior-Rhyne and a full scholarship at WSSU. He decided on WSSU, but not just because of football.

“What made me want to come here was they have an animation program I liked, and I would be the starting kicker,” said Mitchell, who wants to get into cartoon animation after graduation.

Mitchell also kicks off, and he isn’t afraid to throw his body around. Offensive coordinator Nick Calcutta said that Mitchell’s big hit on an unsuspecting Morgan State player during a kickoff is one to remember.

“I saw this guy coming out of the corner of my eye, so I just braced myself and ended up hitting him pretty good, and he flew up in the air,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell didn’t celebrate after the hit. He simply walked back to the sideline.

“He’s just a quiet kid,” Calcutta said. “He loves playing the game and loves being here. He’s a great competitor, but those TV guys have their work cut out for them trying to get him to talk because it’s like pulling teeth with him.”

Calcutta said it’s an asset having a kicker who isn’t high-maintenance. “He’s able to block a lot of distractions out,” Calcutta said.

Mitchell has had to adjust to place-kicking without a tee, as he did in high school, and Blount has been easing ease him into the role. Mitchell didn’t attempt a field goal in WSSU’s first two games but was perfect on his extra-point attempts.

On Saturday, Mitchell’s first field goal was perfect from 38 yards. However, he had an extra-point attempt blocked in the fourth quarter after a missed assignment on the line.

On the winning field goal, holder Justin Sherrod handled a high snap, but got the ball down, and Mitchell made the kick easily.

As for the celebration, Mitchell jumped up twice. That was it.

“I was more nervous on the first kick because it was my first attempt and it was from 38,” Mitchell said.

One of the traditions that the Rams have is selecting one player to give a short speech to the team during pregame preparations. Running back Jed Bines said that Mitchell was selected before the game against Coastal Carolina but didn’t say much.

Now, standing in front of his teammates and getting them fired up should be easier.

“I can’t ever think of anything to say,” Mitchell said.

“I want it to be good, so the guys will be excited.”

NCCU's Coard has a nose for winning

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Courtney Coard doesn't have to think hard to remember his first loss as a college football player.

It came in just his second game for N.C. Central, in the 2004 Aggie-Eagle Classic against North Carolina A&T at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium. It was a heartbreaker for the Eagles, who saw the Aggies convert a controversial fumble in the final minute into Carlos Davalos' 50-yard field goal at the horn for a 16-15 win.

And while it was a tough loss for his teammates, Coard didn't quite know how to react.

"I had to sit down and think about how I was going to handle that one," Coard said. "I had never lost a football game before."

Coard was part of the 109-game winning streak by Charlotte Independence High, which finally ended earlier this season.

Of course, the senior captain and starting nose guard has done plenty of winning since heading to NCCU, as the Eagles are 32-6 with Coard in maroon and gray.

Saturday will be a special day for the NCCU football program, as the 3-1 Eagles visit 0-3 North Carolina A T for a 6:30 p.m. contest at Aggie Stadium. In the Eagles' first season as members of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), it will be their first game against another FCS team.

"We seniors have been telling the freshmen how big this game is," Coard said. "This is the one."

Coard never was recruited by the Aggies but said he doesn't hold any bitterness towards them. Most schools backed off the 6-0, 246-pounder because of either his size or his troubles with the SAT before then-NCCU assistant coach Robert Massey came offering a full scholarship to the National Honor Society member.

"I couldn't have gone to college without football," said Coard, who is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in business management.

He got his revenge on the field, as well. Coard said that before the Winston-Salem State game his freshman year, the Rams' hulking offensive linemen started pointedly laughing at him, saying he didn't belong on the same field with them.

"He's a great leader, and he works extremely hard," NCCU first-year head coach Mose Rison said. "Some people might say he's too small, but you can't measure what's in a young man's heart. He has won a lot of football games, and he's having an outstanding year."

The Eagles won that game at home 35-33, one of the wins that got former coach Rod Broadway's program up to speed before he left for Grambling.

"Courtney is a tremendous person," Rison said. "I remember the first time I talked to him [when Rison was the team's offensive coordinator last year], he was telling me about a tragedy in his family, and we got to know each other pretty well right away. I can't say enough about what he means to this football team and to our defense.

That tragedy was the death of his father, Presley Coard, on May 26 of last year. Presley Coard's birthday was Nov. 11, which was the day of the CIAA championship game with Elizabeth City State. Brandon Gilbert hit a career-best 51-yard field goal at the buzzer to give the Eagles a 17-14 victory.

"I had a lot of tears that day," Coard said. "That kick looked like it might be going wide right, but then it was good. And after the game, my high school teammate and close friend Billy Wiggins, who was playing for Elizabeth City, came over and said 'You know your dad won that game for y'all.' "

Coard has been in on 156 career tackles including eight for losses, two sacks, five fumble recoveries and three interceptions. His biggest game probably was last season at Southern, when he had two interceptions from his interior line spot in a shocking 27-20 road win.

"I think we proved a lot that night," Coard said. "We beat an established I-AA team on the road."

NOTES -- The Eagles are ranked in three national Black College polls. NCCU is No. 7 in the Sheridan poll, No. 8 in the TSPNSports.com poll and No. 9 in the BoxToRow.com poll.

HBCUs play on different field than big conferences

By Matt LaWell, Rocky Mount Telegram

RALEIGH — Make no mistake, historically black colleges and universities are struggling to compete with larger schools on football fields and basketball courts throughout the country. They have been for nearly 30 years. And while coaches and athletics directors are acutely aware of the situation, no changes appear to be on the horizon.

Just last Saturday, for instance, Delaware State traveled to play at Kent State and lost, 38-7. South Carolina State lost on the road, too, 38-3 at South Carolina. Central (Ohio) State lost at Dayton, 40-0. And Norfolk (Va.) State lost at nationally-ranked Rutgers, 59-0.

And that is an average nonconference Saturday afternoon for many HBCUs.

A generation or two ago, many HBCUs were able to field competitive teams, teams that could stand up regionally, if not nationally. The late Eddie Robinson shined, especially, during his 56 seasons at Grambling, where he churned out one professional player after another and won eight black college football national championships.

But the landscape shifted while Robinson was busy winning games. During the early 1970s, integrated football teams started to play in the South, which led to full integration in big-time college football, which led to fewer black athletes playing for HBCUs out of necessity.

Now, Shaw football coach Darrell Asberry said, "The big difference with the historically black colleges is that, most of the time, we'll get the kids they overlook." Asberry said HBCUs often lose the top recruits "in the trenches" along the offensive and defensive lines.

"It's hard," Asberry said, "to find those guys when you're competing with the larger universities."

Recruiting the top athletes is only one area in which those larger schools from BCS conferences, even from mid-major conferences, are able to gain an advantage over HBCUs. Finances play an equally important role. Among the 331 Division I schools, only Delaware State operated during the 2006 fiscal year with an athletics budget ranked even in the top 200, according to the NCAA. Eight of the other 19 Division I HBCUs were ranked 300 or lower.

For many HBCUs, annual "classic" football games, including Elizabeth City State's anunal Down East Viking Football Classic, are the centerpiece on the sports calendar – and the make-or-break event for the entire athletics budget.

"It's a huge asset to our department," Southern athletics director Greg LaFleur told Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine late last year. "For Division I-AA schools like us, it is the biggest game you have. There's no other way you can generate that kind of revenue."

Facilites, too, play a key role, Asberry said. Because HBCUs operate with smaller athletics budgets, they are able to spend far less on stadiums and stadium renovations, scoreboards, locker rooms, weight rooms, even coaches' offices. And because they are able to spend less, they sparkle less in the eyes of recruits.

Years ago, none of that mattered to Asberry, who played and coached at Jackson State, and also coached at Albany State and N.C. Central before he moved last year to Shaw. He still talks about his playing career with a smile spread across his face. Though he didn't play for a larger school or a better-funded program, or in the more beautiful stadium, he said he doesn't regret any of his decisions.

"If I had to do it all over again, I would go back to Jackson State," Asberry said. "It taught me that when you don't have much, you have to work a little harder to get to where you want to be. That was a positive for me. And these kids understand you have to work a little bit harder to make it work.

"We don't complain about not having it, because nobody wants to hear you complain anyway."

Is race the reason Delaware won't play Delaware State?

Delaware State and University of Delaware are in the same classification--NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. It makes one wonder how UD could possibly debate the merits of the arguments put forth by writer Jeff Pearlman and the athletic department leadership at Delaware State University. This game is long overdue, especially in light of the fact that UD schedules division II lightweights that adds no value to their program.

A quick look at the social progress calendar shows that Steve Spurrier's undefeated Bowl Championship Subdivision SEC South Carolina Gamecocks played MEAC South Carolina State before a stadium record 73,095 fans. Mid-American Conference Division I-A Kent State played FCS Delaware State in game three of this season. Big South #22 ranked Coastal Carolina played AT Delaware State in their season opener. BCS #7 ranked Big East Conference Rutgers played MEAC/FCS Norfolk State before a sellout of 44,000 fans at Rutgers Stadium. So, what is University of Delaware problem(s)with DSU other than race?

Here is what Jeff Pearlman has to say about the matter...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jeff Pearlman

Dear Delaware football recruit:

On behalf of alumni across the nation, I would like to congratulate you on being recruited to play football at the University of Delaware. As you know, our Blue Hens are six-time national champions and perennially one of the top Division I-AA programs in the country. We have produced dozens of NFL players, ranging from Rich Gannon and Scott Brunner to Ivory Sully and Mike Adams. With our explosive passing attack, I am confident that a wide receiver like you could thrive here.

Delaware's a I-AA national power, but it won't even play its next-door neighbor. I also have been informed, however, that you are a student of character, decency and open-mindedness. That, more than anything, is why I am writing this letter: to urge you (and your fellow recruits) not to attend my beloved university.

That's right. Say no to the Blue Hens.

Allow me to be blunt. The University of Delaware's persistent refusal to face Delaware State University in football is cowardly, pig-headed, self-righteous and, worst of all, oozing with racism. As you might know, the two schools -- separated by a mere 50-minute drive from Newark to Dover -- are both ranked in the top 25 of Division I-AA polls. For more than 30 years now, Delaware State has tried to arrange a football game with Delaware, only to be rebuffed time after time. "Name the place and the day, and we'll be there," Rick Costello, Delaware State's athletic director, told me recently. "Delaware-Delaware State would be great for the state, for the students, for ticket sales and school spirit. It's a natural, isn't it?"

You would think so. But within the Delaware athletic department, a law has been established that the Blue Hens will never, ever, ever, ever, ever schedule the Hornets. "We're interested in exploring, but there's no flexibility," Edgar Johnson, the school's athletic director, once told me. "Anyhow, when you begin playing each other it becomes divisive."

I know. Mississippi-Mississippi State. Georgia-Georgia Tech. UCLA-USC. Washington-Washington State. Oregon-Oregon State. UNLV-Nevada. Texas-Texas A&M. Virginia-Virginia Tech. Florida-Florida State. Arizona-Arizona State. Duke-North Carolina. All in-state rivalries, all tearing apart the fabric of regional bliss.

"What a joke," Al Lavan, Delaware State's football coach, told me. "I've been a part of many state rivalries in my career, and they're better than bowl games. Anyone who thinks otherwise has no idea what he's talking about.

"No," says Lavan, "there has to be more to this than just that."

Indeed there is. Unlike the wealthy, white-as-snow University of Delaware (African-American enrollment: 6 percent), Delaware State is a small black college lacking in prestige, finances and facilities (its stadium holds 6,800 spectators; Delaware's holds 22,000). The school came to be in 1891 only because the men running the First State wished not to allow blacks into their grand university. Under the Morrill Act, a state either could open its public educational facilities to all peoples, or start a separate-but-equal school for blacks. Hence, Delaware State.

In the ensuing 116 years, Delaware has treated Delaware State not as academic/athletic brethren, but as a piece of gum affixed to the bottom of its loafer. Del. State is where the scary black people congregate, where "those" types of folk go to college. "You wanna know what I think?" Kevin Tresolini, the Wilmington News Journal's veteran college writer, told me. "I think there are some old rich white guys in the University of Delaware's upper power structure who are afraid this little black school might steal their thunder. They're afraid that if Delaware State beats them it'll raise their stature and lower the University of Delaware's. But I look at it two ways: (a) It's just football, and (b) as an institute of higher learning, aren't you supposed to do the righteous thing?"

Yes, you are. Instead of righteousness, though, the University of Delaware hides behind one lame excuse after another. In the spring of 1991, I wrote an article for The Review, Delaware's student newspaper, titled "Delaware vs. Delaware State: The Sports Rivalry That Never Was." Looking back at the yellowed clip, what leaps off the page is the staggering lameness of Johnson's reasoning. "If you glance at our football schedule," he said, "we're fully scheduled until the year 2000." Forget that college schedules are made to be broken, or that one of the teams Delaware plays annually is the mighty Golden Rams of Division II West Chester (a "traditional rival" the Hens recently stomped for a 14th straight time), or that Johnson arranged a game for last season with the University of Albany and an upcoming clash against South Dakota State, or that Delaware State would be willing to come to Newark in a second's notice.

Oh, yeah. There's also the ol' nobody-wants-to-see-it argument popularized on GoHens.net, a site for blinded Delaware football fans who forget that UD students (oh, them) surely would prefer a game with passion and heart and oomph to yet another battle with, uhg, West Chester "That's what we need to remember here," said Lavan. "At its core, college football is for the students. Not for the alumni, not for the boosters. What do the students want to experience?"

I'm certain you're curious what Johnson and Delaware coach K.C. Keeler have to say about all this. So am I. Unlike the men of Delaware State, however, nobody from Delaware had the guts or principle to express himself, despite my requests for interviews. I've been told that Keeler is open to playing Delaware State, but that his hands are tied. I've been told that Johnson is open to playing Delaware State, but that his hands are tied, too. I've been told that this whole thing has nothing to do with race or class or the fright of losing to an in-state school, and that I'm making a big whoop-to-do out of nothing. I've been told that the Keebler Elf resides in my left shoe, right next to Max Venable and Erin Moran; that Tupac is alive and well and skinning emus in Melbourne; that dogs fly and cats dance; and that Oprah is really a one-legged truck driver named Stu.

In the end, it doesn't matter what we're told. What matters is who we are. What we stand for. What's right and what's wrong, and which side we opt to represent. Are we willing to speak out for what we believe, or do we say nothing and go along with the same ol', same ol'?

Best of luck in your college career. Wherever you wind up I'm certain you'll make an excellent choice.

Sincerely,


Jeff Pearlman
University of Delaware Class of 1994


Jeff Pearlman is a former Sports Illustrated senior writer and the author of "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero," now available in paperback.

Dropped passes transform Gray's JSU debut into nightmare

Photo: Johnson (left) tries to recover his fumble.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

JSU AT VALLEY
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Rice-Totten Stadium, Itta Bena
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

The football bounced from Rodney Gray's outstretched hands and splashed onto the rain-soaked turf. The groan from the crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium was audible.

It was the Jackson State receiver's fourth dropped pass in two games. And don't think for a minute that the home crowd wasn't counting.

So as Gray jogged off the field to a smattering of boos, fellow JSU receiver Chris Johnson couldn't help but feel sorry for his teammate.

"Man, that has to be the most lonely feeling in the world," Johnson said. "It's happened to me. It's happened to every receiver. You've just got to keep your head up. But that's a lot easier said than done."

And that's even true for a receiver like Gray, who's confidence has never been called into question.

A sophomore transfer from Southern Miss, Gray has a swagger that's reminiscent of NFL star receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. Last year, as a true freshman with the Golden Eagles, Gray caught 16 passes for 160 yards.

When he arrived on JSU's campus this fall, he was supposed to be the player who elevated the Tigers' already strong receiving corps to absolute dynamite.

But through three games, Gray's stat line reads like this: one catch, four yards, four dropped passes and one bruised ego.

When asked about his troubles, Gray doesn't even seem angry. Instead, he looks downright confused and struggles to explain his feelings.

"... I'm my own worst critic," Gray said. "And there's no doubt I haven't been playing well. It's so frustrating to suddenly have trouble doing something you've been doing for years. But it's a new week and a new opponent. A receiver has to have a short memory."

The good news is that at 6 feet 3, 188 pounds and with speed to burn, Gray has had no trouble getting open early in the season.

At least three of his dropped passes could have easily been turned into touchdowns had he simply secured the catch.

With that in mind, JSU receivers coach Jerry Mack says the team won't stop throwing to Gray because of a few bad games.

His game-breaking potential is too big of an asset to ignore.

"I'd almost compare Gray's trouble to a batting slump in baseball," Mack said. "He's just taking his eye off the ball. He's run some great routes and been incredibly wide open. Maybe he was almost too wide open."

"You just try to remind him that the world won't end because of a dropped pass," Johnson said. "He just has to keep his confidence and do his thing."

Photo: WR Chad Johnson

So in practice this week, Gray's been introduced to a refresher course in fundamentals.

He's getting dozens of repetitions each day and coaches say he looks great, but nothing will ease the irritation in Gray's mind until Saturday at 4 p.m. when Jackson State (1-2 overall, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) travels to Mississippi Valley State (1-2, 1-2).

"It's time to clear my mind and do what I know how to do," said Gray, who played in high school at South Panola. "We've got a whole lot to be excited about. I just have to contribute and do my part."

Gray wasn't the only Jackson State receiver struggling through the season's first two games. But in last Thursday's 28-7 victory over Texas Southern, both Jaymar Johnson and Kethonne McLaurin caught touchdown passes.

Now it's time to see if that success is contagious. Mack says he has no doubt it will be.

"There's going to be a game when Rodney breaks open for about nine catches, 200 yards and a couple touchdowns," Mack said smiling. "Then all will be right with Rodney's world. We're all looking forward to watching it."

Mattix finds home at A&M

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Unrecruited at winless Lee last year, freshman kicks well for Bulldogs

Literally, Grant Mattix had no place to go. Nobody wanted him, despite his kicking prowess, after the Lee High Generals failed to win a game last year.

"I didn't have that many options," said Mattix, who went to kicking camps at Auburn and North Alabama but drew little attention. "Nobody came to watch us play because we were so bad."

While the Generals may have been bad, Mattix was pretty good.

He became a starter for the Generals midway through his sophomore year and earned All-City and All-Region honors as a junior. While Mattix's senior year didn't go as planned, he was determined to play college football.

Fortunately for Mattix and Alabama A&M, Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones gave him an opportunity.

"My money situation wasn't the best, but I could afford to go A&M," said Mattix, a 5-foot-9, 139-pound freshman. "I wanted to play football so I came and talked to Coach Jones.

"I just wanted to play and this was close to home. I didn't care if I started or not. I just wanted to play."

Mattix has played. In fact, he's played in all three of A&M's games this season.

Mattix and Rashan Cylar split the kickoff duties in the Bulldogs' first two games against Tennessee State and Clark Atlanta. However, Mattix had the kickoff duties all to himself and was superb on Saturday night against Mississippi Valley in A&M's Southwestern Athletic Conference opener.

He was so good that he was named A&M's special teams player of the week after helping the Bulldogs hold Mississippi Valley State kick returner Clarence Cotton in check.

"That was a big thrill," Mattix said.

Cotton entered the game leading the league in kickoff returns (23.4) and was second in punt returns (14.4) and all-purpose yards (163). He managed only 58 yards on the night, including only 11 yards on three kickoff returns.

"They wanted me to squib kick down the sideline as deep as I could get it and the coverage teams did a great job," said Mattix, refusing to take much of the credit. "I just went out there and did what the coaches asked me to do."

Mattix will likely be called on again Saturday night when No. 23 A&M visits Grambling in an important SWAC battle. Kickoff is 6 and the game will televised on a delayed basis on ESPNU at 9.

The Tigers have two dangerous kickoff returners in Kiare Thompson and Kovarus Hills. Thompson is averaging 23.3 yards per return, while Hills is averaging 25.5 yards.

Mattix's rise in football was slow in coming.

He had been a soccer and baseball player before trying out for the football team. Initially, Mattix was a wide receiver but was quickly moved to kicker.

"We realized he had a pretty good leg," said Richard Wilson, who serves as Lee's kicking coach. "We were trying to find a kicker and he really fit the role and did a great job.

"He's got such a great work ethic and he has a terrific attitude. He's up early and stays late and wants to get better. The best thing about him is he's such a good kid."

Jones agreed.

"Grant stayed here this summer and worked extremely hard," he said. "He has not created any problems and has turned out to be a good football player."

Wilson is tickled to death.

"I am so proud of him," he said. "He had gone to UNA and down to Auburn and he realized he wasn't ready for that level. He needed an opportunity and Coach Jones gave him one and it has worked out."

B-CU's Odom finds his stride

You gotta love the guys that always claim they turned down a scholarship offer from Florida A&M University Rattlers to play at Bethune Cookman. These guys, like Brendan Odom only wish they were good enough to get signed by Coach Rubin Carter. At best, this guy would be an invited "walk-on" at FAMU, if invited at all. Hardheaded, suspension, doing stupid stuff--Odom is not FAMU student-athlete material. Not one mention of his academic interests, pursuits (if any) or his degree program at BCU. Thanks for not selecting FAMU, Odom.... (beepbeep)
------------
By SEAN KERNAN, Daytona Beach News Journal Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman sophomore linebacker Brendan Odom made a few mistakes his freshman year with the Wildcats.

His mother, Brenda Odom, and stepfather, Andrew Jones, made sure he didn't make another one when he wanted to transfer out of B-CU.

"My parents, I guess they like the way Coach (Alvin) Wyatt runs things, and they weren't going to let me transfer," Odom said with a big grin on Wednesday. "Momma wasn't going to let me go. Daddy wasn't going to let me go. So I stayed."

And for that, Odom has been rewarded. He's a sophomore starter capable of playing an outside or inside linebacker position. The 20-year-old's efforts have given the defense a real lift in the team's 2-1 start.

Odom, from the three-traffic-light town of Lake Butler, said he wasn't happy with the limited playing time he received as a freshman last year. He and teammate Julio Sanchez, who eventually left B-CU, had discussed transferring.

"Coach (Wyatt) wanted to redshirt us," Odom said. "I don't know how the subject came up, but we talked about transferring."

Odom describes some of his actions last year as "hard-headed."

"I played last year, but I was hard-headed," Odom said. "I got in trouble. I got suspended for two games for doing stupid things. I learned from it. I had the big head. I thought I was the deal. I got in trouble for not coming to practice, just stupid stuff that I should have known better not to do."

Wyatt thinks back to last season and wishes Odom had backed off his request to play.

"He crushed my heart last year because we really wanted to redshirt him, but he really wanted to play," Wyatt said. "It got to a point that he was contemplating transferring. He felt that he was just that good and he wanted to get on the field. We thought he was a year away. We wanted to have him around for five years. He played sparingly last year, which I thought was a wasted year for him."

But that's in the past. When Odom reported to camp this year he already was penciled in as a starting outside linebacker. However, a hand injury to senior captain Rodney Hughes forced Odom's move to the inside. Wyatt describes Odom's play as "nothing but great for us."

Odom is the third-leading tackler on the team with 22 tackles, three behind leader Bobbie Williams, a senior free safety. Odom shares the team lead of nine solo tackles with Williams, Josh Balloon and Antwane Cox.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Odom turned down offers from Rice and Florida A&M on signing day in 2006. And despite his thoughts about transferring last year, he now insists he's in the right place.

"I love being a Wildcat," Odom said. "I'm staying here. I want to help keep the young players from making the same mistakes I made as a freshman. I'm very happy here."

And for that, Odom can thank his parents.

That's something the B-CU coaches surely will do the next time they see Odom's mom and dad.

Photo Gallery: The Real HU!

Luke owns 26-8 career record as starter for AAMU Bulldogs

The SWAC is loaded with great players like Jay Peck (Alabama State), Jarmaul George (Southern) and Zach East (Prairie View A&M) -- just to name a few.

• Morgan State at Hampton
7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday , TV: ESPNU

However, Alabama A&M's brilliant quarterback Kelcy Luke has been the most impressive of the bunch. Luke, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior, has completed 55 of 90 attempts for 838 yards and 10 touchdowns, with just one interception. "He's what I call a special player," said Anthony Jones, Bulldogs head coach. "He's always working to get better. He has grown and developed every year. I think everyone can truly see his youth and development over last year."

Luke has guided the Bulldogs to a 3-0 record which includes wins over Tennessee State, Clark-Atlanta and Mississippi Valley State. Alabama A&M, the defending SWAC champions, will visit Grambling State (1-1) at Eddie Robinson Stadium on Saturday (ESPNU, 7 p.m.). "[Grambling State first-year coach] Rod Broadway has them playing well in all phases of the game," Jones said. "We got our hands full going on the road where we haven't had any success before. So, we're going to have to be ready to play against a good football team."

Alabama A&M defeated Grambling State 30-27 in overtime last season in Huntsville. It helped that Luke was the quarterback. He's been the difference maker for the Bulldogs.

Luke was a terrific star at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala. He originally signed with Auburn. He redshirted his only season with the Tigers. In 2004, he transferred to Alabama A&M, which was a great move for him. At that time, Auburn had Jason Campbell, who is now the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Ironically, Kelcy's older brother, Nic, also played for the Bulldogs. Nic transferred to Alabama A&M from the University of Alabama. They played together and helped the Bulldogs win the SWAC championship last year.

Nevertheless, Luke had an immediate impact on the program as the team's signal-caller. He has compiled a sensational 26-8 record as a starter. "Since Kelcy's been here, he's been a winner," Jones said. "His first year, he came in as a redshirt freshman and we ended up winning seven games under his leadership. He helped us as a freshman. Then, he was off and on injured during that time. The last two years he's helped us to win nine games a season."

In the past two years, Luke has taken Alabama A&M to back-to-back SWAC championship games. A year ago, the Bulldogs won the conference crown with a 9-3 record. Winning isn't the only thing that has brought him a lot of attention. He holds the school's career marks for passing yards (5,227), passing attempts (766), completions (432), TD passes (46) and total offense (6.520).

"His leadership and ability to understand the game along with making plays just elevates the play of everyone around him," Jones said. "He's a leader. He's very valuable to our football team. I'm blessed to have him."

HBCU notes

• Alabama State running back Jay Peck was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week. Peck had 35 carries for 146 yards. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game this season and the seventh of his career. Southern defensive end Vincent Lands was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Week. Land had eight tackles (five solo) to go along with 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Jaymar Johnson tallied 117 yards and a touchdown on two punt returns to help Jackson State defeat Texas Southern, 28-7. Johnson, Jackson State's senior wide receiver and return specialist, was named SWAC Specialist of the Week.

• Morgan State running back Chad Simpson rushed for a career-best 221 yards on 41 carries including a 33-yard TD as Morgan State fell in the final seconds to Winston-Salem State. Simpson was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. Tyrone McGriff led Florida A&M in tackles with 11, eight solo, in a 30-17 win over Howard. McGriff was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week.

• Florida A&M running back Phillip Sylvester was one of two players to post more than 200 yards rushing in the MEAC last week. Sylvester rushed for 222 yards on 21 carries. He earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors.

• Morgan State offensive tackle Dakarai Grimsley played extremely well against Winston-Salem State. Grimsley graded out a 98 percent on his assignments and collected five pancake blocks as he helped the Bears to 366 total offensive yards against the Rams.

• Hampton place-kicker Carlo Turavani was 8-for-8 on extra-point attempts, and he had a 28-yard field goal as the Pirates defeated North Carolina A&T, 59-14.

-Donald Hunt is a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune.

Broadway gives Grambling rebuilding plan

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

New coach aware of past, but he's stressing patience

Rod Broadway knows all about Grambling. He knows about legendary coach Eddie Robinson, famed quarterback Doug Williams and all of the other great players who played for the Tigers.

But Broadway also knows winning takes time. Particularly after inheriting a team that went 3-8 last season and lost five of its last six games. That's why Broadway got the job in the first place.

"We're honored to be here and be a part of something Coach Robinson built and we're going to try to add to that," Broadway said. "One of the things that we are dealing with, going into this season, is going through this transitional period.

"It's new to them ... it's new to us. We're still trying to get a feel for them (and) they're still trying to get a feel for us. The only ure for that is time."

Unfortunately for Broadway, Grambling fans want to win now.

"Any time you come into a new situation, you have to change the culture and the attitude of the players," he said. "If we can do that, we'll have a chance to have a pretty good team. I think our guys are buying into what we are trying to do. Hopefully, we can win enough games to stay around here a long time."

Beating Alabama A&M, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, Saturday night will certainly help Broadway's cause.

The Tigers host the Bulldogs at Robinson Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 and the game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis at 9 on ESPNU.

"This will be a great challenge for us," Broadway said. "We're looking forward to playing this game."

Grambling opened the season with a 31-10 win over Alcorn State.

The Tigers fell 34-10 at Pittsburgh two weeks ago in a game that was much closer than the score indicated. Grambling was victimized by three turnovers and a couple of special teams miscues led to Pittsburgh scores.

"We played well in the second half," said Broadway, whose team held Pittsburgh to three points in the final 30 minutes. "We were in the red zone five times and came away with three points.

"We played for 60 minutes. They didn't quit. Learning to play through adversity is a big thing."

The Tigers' effort against the Panthers, even in defeat, impressed Broadway.

"I like this team," he said. "I like the direction we're going. We have enough talent to be a good football team, but we've got a lot of work to do here. We're just trying to do what gives us the best chance to win football games."

Broadway says he has studied how A&M coach Anthony Jones has made the Bulldogs' program into one of the league's best. He's using Saturday's game as a measuring stick.

"That's not by accident," Broadway said when asked about A&M's success. "They've had a good program year in and year out. I'm envious of what they've done. Hopefully, we can do as well as they've done."

TSU corner Hall expected back for Southern game

By MIKE ORGAN, the Tennessean

Tennessee State starting cornerback Marquez Hall, who missed last week's game at Austin Peay, returned to the practice field Tuesday and expects to play when the Tigers play at Southern at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Hall, a freshman transfer from Vanderbilt, suffered a high ankle sprain late in the game against Jackson State on Sept. 8.

"He says he's ready to go,'' said TSU Coach James Webster. "Southern throws the ball well and it would be a huge boost for us if he's able to play."

Webster said he thought about allowing Hall to play against Austin Peay but worried about causing further damage.

In two games, Hall recorded six tackles and came up with TSU's only interception of the season when he picked off a pass against Alabama A&M.

"It's an ankle injury and he's a skill kid and I just didn't want to take the chance of playing him (against Austin Peay),'' Webster said. "We really needed him, but his health was our number one concern."

Junior Kevin Bledsoe, a former Stratford star who made his first start, replaced Hall. Bledsoe played admirably, making three tackles and breaking up a pass, Webster said.

"I thought he played well,'' Webster said. "He had a penalty (pass interference) and it was a big penalty. It was a tough call. But other than that, I was real pleased with the way Bledsoe played."

Feeling better: Two key defensive players suffered from strep throat last week but were feeling better Monday. Starting free safety Anthony Levine didn't make the trip to Austin Peay, while starting tackle Lamar Divens played but was not in the starting lineup.

Both players practiced Monday and are expected to be with the first team Saturday against Southern.

"We need Divens. He's been sick and he's lost a lot of weight,'' Webster said. "That may be good if we can get him back in shape because he'll be lighter. He's coming back to see if he's going to be OK."

Howard University vs. Eastern Michigan

Click Here to Listen to the Game via WEMU.

Click Here for Live Statistics.

The Eastern Michigan University football team returns home Saturday afternoon, Sept. 22, to host Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference foe Howard University. The highlight of the afternoon will be the appearance and performance of the renowned Howard "Showtime" Marching Band. "Showtime" is recognized nationally as one of the finest marching bands in the land and has a long and distinguished history of excellence and showmanship.

FIRST MEAC TEAM IN RYNEARSON: When EMU plays host to Howard University Saturday, it will mark the first appearance in Rynearson Stadium for a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) team. The MEAC is comprised of: Howard, Bethune-Cookman, Coppin State, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton, Maryland-Eastern Shore, Morgan State, Norfolk State, North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State.

ANOTHER TELEVISION APPEARANCE: Saturday’s EMU-Howard game is one of eight television appearances this season for EMU. The Sept. 8 Ball State game and the Howard contest are both Comcast Local TV productions as are the EMU-Western Michigan (Oct. 27) and Central Michigan (Nov. 16) games. The EMU-Northern Illinois game (Sept. 15) and the EMU at Ohio (Oct. 13) games are both slated for ESPN Regional action and the EMU-Northwestern (Oct. 19) and EMU-BGSU (Nov. 9) games are scheduled for ESPNU.

THE HEAD COACHES: EMU head coach Jeff Genyk (Bowling Green, ‘82) is in his fourth year as head coach after serving the previous 12 years working for Northwestern University. Howard head coach Carey Bailey (Tennessee, ’92) is in his first season.

GREEN EGGS AND COFFEE: EMU head football coach Jeff Genyk will be the featured guest on the Monday evening radio show, "Green Eggs and Coffee", from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. each Monday of the football season. The shows, with WTKA radio’s Jeff Radford and WEMU radio reporter Brian Nemerovski serving as co-hosts.

PROJECT PERFECT: EMU would like to recognize Saturday’s guests that are part of the Project Perfect program. The incentive program is designed to honor and recognize top students at local elementary and middle schools. Project Perfect rewards perfect grades, perfect attendance, and/or exemplary citizenship.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? The labels Division I-A and I-AA have been deleted from NCAA use and replaced by the terms "Football Bowl Subdivision" and "NCAA Football Championship Subdivision." The FBS is used to describe football programs like Eastern Michigan that compete to participate in the postseason bowl system that includes the 32 NCAA-licensed bowls that make up the Bowl Championship Series. The FCS is used for schools such as Howard that participate in the NCAA championship postseason structure.

COACH HAS A VOTE: EMU head football coach Jeff Genyk will be involved in weekly coaches’ polls for 2007. Genyk, the fourth-year head coach of the Eagles’ football squad, will be one of 60 head coaches that will vote in the weekly USA Today Coaches’ Poll that will pick the top 25 teams in the NCAA Bowl Championship Series each week of the season.

COLLEGIATE CLASH SET FOR OCT. 19: For the fourth year in a row the EMU football team will be taking one of its home games on the road, hosting a Big Ten team for the first time ever in the fourth annual Collegiate Clash at Ford Field in Detroit. EMU will be the host team for the non-conference battle against Northwestern University with game time set for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19. The Eagles hosted Central Michigan in the inaugural Collegiate Clash, Nov. 6, 2004, and Eastern won a thriller, 61-58, in four overtimes. In 2005 EMU hosted Western Michigan, Nov. 5, 2005, and lost a 44-36 shoot-out. Last year Navy recorded a 49-21 win, Nov. 5, 2006, in the game at Ford Field.

CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: EMU will have five captains for the 2007 season. The captains, as voted by the players, are: Ken Bohnet, Jason Jones, Darran Matthews, Andy Schmitt and Pierre Walker.

STATELY BREAKDOWN: The 2007 EMU football roster has 60 players from the state of Michigan, 16 from Ohio, eight from Florida, two each from Indiana and Virginia, and one apiece from Washington D.C., Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Illinois, New York and Georgia.

Jackson State TE Frost in doubt for season

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Jackson State tight end Marcel Frost said on Tuesday that if his left leg hasn't healed enough to play by the Tigers' Oct. 6 game against Alabama State, he'll likely seek a medical redshirt and come back next season.

Frost, a senior, broke his leg in the JSU spring game last March. He was cleared to practice three weeks ago, but his leg and ankle have been slow to recover.

As a junior, he caught 10 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown.

"Really, my leg is feeling pretty good," Frost said. "Now it's my ankle. After being in a cast for a month and a half, I lost a lot of strength down there. It's really frustrating to keep having problems."

In Frost's place, Jackson State has mainly used redshirt freshman Cedric Dixon. Dixon caught a touchdown pass in JSU's opening game against Delta State.

JSU coach Rick Comegy said even if Frost can't contribute on the field this year, he'll still be useful.

"Frost is a smart guy who's been around football for a lot of years," Comegy said. "Even if he can't play, we'll have him working with the coaches in some way."

INJURY REPORT

JSU receiver Kethonne McLaurin (shoulder) will likely miss two to three weeks after an injury in Thursday's game against Texas Southern. Before he was hurt, McLaurin had a touchdown catch against the Maroon Tigers...Offensive guard Michael Harness (knee) sat out practice, but said he expects to be ready for Saturday's game.

Morgan's Wolfe to play; QB spot up for grabs

By Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun

Morgan State's Roderick Wolfe will return from a one-game exile tomorrow night when the Bears open their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference season with a trip to Hampton (Va.) University.

Who will be throwing to the senior wide receiver is another matter.

Morgan coach Donald Hill-Eley said yesterday that he likely will alternate Mario Melton and Byron Selby at quarterback and that the hotter passer will play more.

Hill-Eley also said Wolfe will play after sitting out last week's 19-17 loss to Winston-Salem State. Wolfe was picked up Saturday morning on an active warrant for failing to appear in court in July on previous traffic violations.

After making a $350 bail payment, Wolfe was released Sunday, and he practiced with the team Monday.

Cornerback Darren McKahn, who was benched Saturday for missing team meetings, also will play tomorrow, Hill-Eley said.

Melton, a junior, has started the team's past 10 games going back to last season. He has completed just 45.5 percent of his passes with two interceptions this season. Selby, a senior who played at Dunbar, led the MEAC in passing in 2005.

Hill-Eley said Melton has struggled since throwing a critical interception against Towson.

"He's been very reluctant to deliver the ball since then," the coach said. "Up to that point, he was throwing the ball.

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Game holds no added incentive for Jones

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones interviewed for the Grambling job on two occasions last January.

Grambling officials eventually hired former North Carolina Central coach Rod Broadway to lead the school's football program.

But Jones doesn't plan to add anything extra to Saturday's game when the Bulldogs and Tigers meet at Robinson Stadium in a big Southwestern Athletic Conference game.

"This game is important to me because it's the next game," he said. "It's important to me because it's a conference game. I don't care if USC was in our conference. If that was the next game on our schedule, that would would be the next important game.

"I don't try to build ballgames up more than what they are. The game is big because it's our next game, it's a conference game and it's against a good football team."

Tough crowd: Alabama A&M has beaten every team in the SWAC on the road except Grambling.

The Tigers hold a 12-4 advantage in the all-time series against the Bulldogs, but the teams have split the last four meetings.

However, A&M's last three trips to play the Tigers in Louisiana haven't been fun.

Grambling won 30-7 in 2001, 45-14 in 2003 in Shreveport and 44-0 in 2005.

"It would be nice to get a win down there," senior defensive end Chris Traylor said. "My favorite wins are road wins. Hopefully, we can pull it off this time."

After watching Grambling's game against Pittsburgh, Jones said it won't be easy.

"They played Pittsburgh tough," he said. "They didn't lay down. They had opportunities to win the game. If they had had a little more success in the red zone, that game is a different ballgame.

"They had a punt blocked and three turnovers in the red zone. It wasn't like they went up there and got sandblasted. They went up there to win the ballgame and I admire that."

Grambling had the ball in the red zone four times, including three times inside Pittsburgh's 10-yard line, but came away with just three points.

The Tigers also were whistled for 14 penalties for 108 yards, were 6-of-17 on third down and allowed two touchdowns on special teams in the 34-10 loss.

Baxter likely out: Wide receiver Nate Baxter, who sprained his right ankle in the first quarter Saturday night against Mississippi Valley State and never returned, will likely miss the Grambling game, Jones said.

A redshirt freshman from Enterprise, Baxter has five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.

"It's too tender," Jones said of the ankle. "He's still not walking on it."

-Reggie Benson

Jesse Jackson stops by SCSU Bulldogs' practice

By BRIAN LINDER, T&D Sports Editor

The South Carolina State University football team got a bit of a surprise when Jesse Jackson stopped in on practice following his speech at Martin Luther King Auditorium Tuesday afternoon. According to Bulldogs head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough, whose team was preparing for Saturday’s 6 p.m. home game against Winston-Salem State, the meeting was set up by former SCSU player Dexter Clinkscales who now works with Jackson.

"We could not get up there (to hear Jackson speak) because it was during our practice time, so we asked him to come down here," Pough said. "It was great. He talked about staying in school, getting an education and presenting your diploma to your mom ... real good things that we try to preach all the time. He also talked about voting and voter registration, and that’s stuff I think is important too. So, anytime you can get a good solid message to these guys -- we are in the business of educating -- and anytime you do things that can help them later in life I think that is good."

While Pough was expecting Jackson, defensive lineman James Simmons was not.

"I was kind of surprised," he said. "It was a good experience. I’m from Greenville and Jesse Jackson is from Greenville. My granddaddy told me they grew up in the same neighborhood."

Freshman tight end Sean Lampkin was also impressed by Jackson.

"It was a great experience," he said. "It helped us out a lot. He said a nice little prayer and gave us some good motivational words. It think that is going to go a long way with our team."

Before boarding a bus and heading out of Orangeburg, Jackson spoke just outside of the team’s practice field about the message he tried to convey.

"First, it is a privilege to play football, and they must use this moment to be first-class athletes and first-class students," he said. "This matters if it turns into a diploma. I went to college on a football scholarship. Anybody that can master this game can also master reading, writing, counting and thinking. So, apply leadership skills here and become leaders on campus and beyond that, graduate, go on to grad school and make a big difference.

"If they do that, they can be champions everywhere they go."