TSU season receives kick-start

by MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

TENNESSEE STATE (2-1) AT SOUTHERN (3-0)
Where: A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.
Time: 6 p.m.
Radio: 560-AM
Last meeting: Southern 19, TSU 18 (1996)
Key matchup: TSU QB Antonio Heffner vs. Southern DE Vincent Lands. Heffner, a dual threat, has thrown for 638 yards and three touchdowns and run for 123 yards and a touchdown. Lands was the Southwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the week after making eight tackles, including three sacks, in Saturday's 12-2 win over Prairie View A&M.

Field goals key Tigers' two wins

Tennessee State has produced some outstanding football players at a number of different positions with one exception — kicker.

Of the 115 former Tigers who have gone on to the NFL, every position has been represented except kicker. That is what makes Eric Benson, a junior kicker, so peculiar.

Benson's boots have led TSU (2-1) to both of its wins this season and he could play a key role again tonight when the Tigers play at Southern (3-0) in Baton Rouge, La.

"Right now, I don't know that anybody in the country is kicking better than Benson,'' TSU Coach James Webster said. "I don't want to jinx the guy, but he's kicking real well. He's kicking kickoffs real well, he's kicking field goals and extra points real well."

In fact, Benson is a perfect 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts.

Game winners

Benson's 35-yarder in the rain with no time left lifted the Tigers to a 16-13 win over Jackson State on Sept. 8. And his career-long 43-yarder at Austin Peay on Saturday with nine seconds remaining, sent the game into overtime. Benson then kicked an extra point, giving TSU a 33-32 win.

He was named the Ohio Valley Conference specialist of the week, making him the first kicker from TSU to receive the honor since 1999.

Benson's performance so far has been what he assured Webster he was capable of after a mediocre season last year, when he was plagued by back problems.

"When he came to camp he came with confidence,'' Webster said. "He said, 'Coach, I'm ready this year.' He had a so-so year last year. His back was hurting him but he toughed it out."

Benson spent the summer at home in Rowlett, Texas, working more intensely on his kicking than ever before.

It helped him to handle the pressure that has come with the kicks he's attempted in TSU's two wins.

No longer a head case

"I've not always been reliable in those situations,'' Benson said. "Coaches here have always called me a head case, especially when I was younger. I think I've grown up and matured and haven't let things bother me as much."

Benson said Webster and special teams coach Canute Curtis teased him in the past about not being able to handle the stress that comes with being put in such a pivotal position. But they've had nothing but praise for him this year.

"They're backing off now and it feels good to know I have overcome that,'' Benson said.

Benson is one of just seven kickers in the Football Championship Subdivision — and the only one in the OVC — who has attempted at least four field goals and made every one.

"I know that from 45 yards and in I can hit, and if I had to, I can hit from 50 and in,'' he said.

It is comforting for TSU's offensive players to know that if a drive stalls in the opponent's territory that they still are likely to get three points.

"It's great knowing your hard work is going to pay off,'' quarterback Antonio Heffner said. "It makes you that much more determined to get the offense in field position so that Benson will have the opportunity to make a kick."

JSU safety Palmer blossoms in sophomore season

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

When Malcolm Palmer arrived on Jackson State's campus last year, the coaches didn't know exactly what to think.

At 6-foot-2, he was a little gangly and hadn't grown into his body. He wasn't really a safety and he wasn't really a linebacker, but the kid could play some football.

So they stuck the freshman on special teams, where he became an afterthought, recording two tackles while rarely seeing the field.

"Malcolm had some talent, but he was kind of awkward on the field," defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "We gave him a year to find his place, hoping he'd develop into the kind of talent we thought he could be."

Palmer, meanwhile, didn't sit back and wait for his chance. Instead, he spent a year in the weight room bulking up to a not-so-awkward 185 pounds.

"That was all just hard work," he said. "I basically lived in the weight room, trying to get big enough to play this game at the college level."

Palmer, from Autaugaville, Ala., earned a starting spot at safety this fall. With 13 tackles and a team-high two interceptions through two games, he has established himself as one of JSU's young stars on defense.

He's not a big talker, but coaches and teammates have come to appreciate Palmer's hard-hitting ways.

"Some people from the outside might be surprised Malcolm's this good, but I think most of the players knew about him," said senior safety LaBrose Hedgemon. "He was caught behind (former JSU star Vince Dancy) last season, but now it's his turn to be on the field and he's playing well."

Palmer has helped the defense become JSU's strength. Despite an 0-2 record, the Tigers are second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in pass defense (149.5 yards per game).

That's a big difference from a Tigers' secondary that was routinely torched last season - especially down the stretch when JSU lost four of its last five games.

Says Hayes: "Palmer's got the best instincts on the team. When there's a play being made, chances are you'll see his number (26) right in the mix."

During coach Rick Comegy's two years at Jackson State, much of the focus has been to quickly build a winning team through Division I-A and junior college transfers.

Out of the team's 22 starters, only seven began their college career at Jackson State.

But Palmer is one of a growing core of players - including linebacker Marcus Jamison (Noxubee County) and safety Kerry Hoskins (South Panola) - who are contributing to the defense after coming to Jackson State last season as freshmen.

"Malcolm's a young man that's really stepped up to the challenge," Comegy said. "It's always crucial to have a group of players that come in to the system as freshmen and work their way up."

Palmer and the rest of the secondary will likely face their toughest task of the season when JSU faces Texas Southern at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Texas Southern (0-2) is tops in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with 305 passing yards per game.

The Maroon Tigers' problem has been that quarterback Tino Edgecombe has thrown just one touchdown pass and four interceptions.

"We know they're going to come after us," Palmer said. "It's gonna be a fight and we'll be tested every down. But after playing well these first few games, this defense has got a lot of confidence."

Jackson State Unversity Sonic Boom of the South: Party Don't Stop

Final: South Carolina State 24, Bethune-Cookman 13

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.-- Cleveland McCoy passed for two touchdowns, propelling South Carolina State to a 24-13 win over Bethune-Cookman Saturday.

SCSU took the early lead (1-0) in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings, while Bethune-Cookman fell to 0-1 in the league and 1-1 overall.

McCoy threw an 11-yard strike to Spencer Miller early in the third quarter and a 49-yarder to Oliver Young in the fourth quarter. McCoy completed 10 of 18 passes for 88 yards and rushed seven times for 66 yards, as did teammate Travil Jamison.

The Bulldogs jumped to 10-0 midway through the first quarter. Stephen Grantham nailed a 35-yard field goal at 12:28 for the initial score.

Bethune-Cookman's Jimmie Russell pitched errantly toward Corey Council on an option play at the 26-yard line, with SCSU's LaQuinn Ellerbe grabbing the ball and racing 23 yards before being stopped at the 3-yard line.

Jamison then plunged across the goal line. Grantham's extra-point kick at 7:32 made it 10-0.

Bethune-Cookman's 83-yard, 17-play drive produced a 24-yard field goal by Lucas Esquivel at 4:24 of the second quarter.

Another Russell pitch, recovered by SCSU's Bailey Brinson at 31-yard line, led to McCoy's first TD toss and a 17-3 lead.

Council's 98-yard kickoff return and Esquivel's 27-yard field goal -- both in the third quarter -- cut the Bulldog advantage to 17-13.

Then came McCoy's second TD toss, which sealed the victory.


Team Stat Comparison

1st Downs 14 16
3rd down efficiency 2-12 4-13
4th down efficiency 0-0 1-3
Total Yards 359 247
Passing 88 130
Comp-Att 10-18 11-19
Yards per pass 4.9 6.8
Rushing 271 117
Rushing Attempts 40 43
Yards per rush 6.8 2.7
Penalties 11-155 8-70
Turnovers 1 2
Fumbles lost 1 2
Interceptions thrown 0 0
Possession 29:51 27:45

Individual Leaders
South Carolina State Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
McCoy 10/18 88 2 0
Bethune-Cookman Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
Souvera... 6/7 73 0 0
Russell 5/12 57 0 0

South Carolina State Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
McCoy 7 66 0 30
Jamison 6 66 1 57
Bethune-Cookman Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
Russell 17 57 0 20
Council 6 27 0 19

South Carolina State Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
Young 1 49 1 49
Dubose 2 13 0 9
Bethune-Cookman Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
Singlet... 3 46 0 29
Kirklan... 3 39 0 15


Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCSU BCC
FG 12:28 Stephen Grantham 35 yard field goal GOOD.
Drive info: 6 plays, 36 yds in 2:20 3 0
TD 7:32 Travil Jamison rush over left tackle for 3 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Stephen Grantham extra point GOOD.
Drive info: 1 plays, 3 yds in 0:11 10 0
SECOND QUARTER SCSU BCC
FG 4:17 Lucas Esquivel 24 yard field goal GOOD.
Drive info: 17 plays, 73 yds in 7:33 10 3
THIRD QUARTER SCSU BCC
TD 12:00 Cleveland McCoy slant pass complete to Spencer Miller for 11 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Stephen Grantham extra point GOOD.
Drive info: 4 plays, 32 yds in 2:14 17 3
TD 11:47 Stephen Grantham kickoff for 68 yards returned by Corey Council for 98 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
Drive info: 4 plays, 32 yds in 2:14 17 10
-- 11:47 Lucas Esquivel extra point GOOD.
Drive info: 1 plays, 98 yds in 0:00 17 10
FG 2:12 Lucas Esquivel 27 yard field goal GOOD.
Drive info: 7 plays, 40 yds in 3:01 17 13
FOURTH QUARTER SCSU BCC
TD 12:24 Cleveland McCoy middle pass complete to Oliver Young for 49 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Stephen Grantham extra point GOOD.
Drive info: 2 plays, 56 yds in 1:01 24 13

Final: Pittsburgh 34, Grambling State 10

Photo: Grambling State cornerback DeMichael Dizer (29) breaks up a pass in the end zone.

PITTSBURGH-- LeSean McCoy ran for three touchdowns on his first four carries in the first quarter and Kevan Smith threw for 202 yards and a score in his first career start, helping Pittsburgh quickly open a 21-point lead during a 34-10 victory over Grambling State on Saturday.

Smith became the second Pitt quarterback to win his initial start in as many weeks, throwing a 50-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nate Byham in the second quarter and connecting with Oderick Turner on a 61-yard completion in the third quarter that led to a Conor Lee field goal.

Smith, a redshirt freshman, replaced Bill Stull, who was lost for at least a month with a torn ligament in his right thumb during a season-opening 27-3 victory over Eastern Michigan. Smith (15-of-22, 1 interception) had thrown only four passes in his career, all of them last week, before beating out freshman Pat Bostick in practice to make the start.

McCoy, one of Pitt's most promising running back recruits since Curtis Martin, ran for 107 yards on 19 carries and scored Pitt's first three touchdowns in his second college game.

McCoy, a freshman from Harrisburg, Pa., was one of the nation's most recruited running backs two years ago until breaking his right ankle and badly tearing a ligament in the fourth game of his high school senior season.

The extension rehabilitation required after that injury led McCoy to spend last season at a prep school before he signed with Pitt (2-0), after many schools that recruited him backed off because of the injury. He is off to a promising start at Pitt, with 175 yards in his first two games.

The last Pitt freshman to run for at least 100 yards was LaRod Stephens-Howling with 105 yards against Syracuse in 2005. Stephens-Howling was Pitt's starter last week and gained 67 yards but, with McCoy running so well, got the ball only three times against Grambling (1-1).

Grambling's speed was a worry to Pitt -- the Tigers were coming off a 31-10 victory over Alcorn State in coach Rod Broadway's debut -- but that didn't prove a factor. A blocked punt and an interception led to two of McCoy's touchdown runs and a 21-0 Pitt lead with 11 minutes gone.

The Tigers also hurt themselves with 108 yards of penalties. They also failed to score three times after moving the ball inside the Pitt 10 during the second half.

McCoy didn't have problems with Heinz Field's notoriously slippery grass or a steady rain that lasted until just before halftime. He ran for 25 yards on his first carry before gaining 17 yards on a swing pass from McCoy. McCoy later scored from the 5.

After Pitt's Brian Kaiser blocked Tim Manuel's punt, McCoy scored on Pitt's next play from the 7 with slightly less than six minutes left in the first quarter. McCoy scored again, on a 13-yard run, less than two minutes later after Eric Thatcher intercepted Brandon Landers' pass. Landers was 19-of-40 for 155 yards and three interceptions.


Photo: Grambling State quarterback Brandon Landers, left, tries to get away from Pittsburgh defensive lineman Greg Romeus.

Despite getting into the end zone whenever he got close in the first quarter, McCoy didn't get the ball on any of Pitt's three plays after a Mike Phillips interception at the Grambling 4 late in the second half. Pitt settled for Lee's 20-yard field goal.

Pittsburgh 34, Grambling St. 10
Team Stat Comparison
(Left-Pitt, Right-GSU)

1st Downs 17 14
Total Yards 239 321
Passing 155 202
Rushing 84 119
Penalties 14-108 10-91
3rd Down Conversions 0-0 0-0
4th Down Conversions 0-0 0-0
Turnovers 3 3
Possession 29:56 30:04

Individual Leaders
Grambling State Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
B. Landers 19/40 155 1 3
Pittsburgh Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
K. Smith 15/22 202 1 1

Grambling State Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
C. Walker 12 54 0 --
Pittsburgh Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
L. McCoy 19 107 3 --

Grambling State Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
C. Edwards 5 59 1 --
Pittsburgh Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
O. Turner 4 74 0 --

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER Score
TD 08:18 Lesean Mccoy 5 Yd Run (Conor Lee Kick) 7-0
TD 05:47 Lesean Mccoy 7 Yd Run (Conor Lee Kick) 14-0
TD 03:59 Lesean Mccoy 13 Yd Run (Conor Lee Kick) 21-0
TD 01:15 Clyde Edwards 29 Yd Pass From Brandon Landers (Tim Manuel Kick) 21-7
SECOND QUARTER Score
FG 06:41 Tim Manuel 35 Yd 21-10
TD 03:38 Nate Byham 50 Yd Pass From Kevan Smith (Conor Lee Kick) 28-10
FG 00:58 Conor Lee 20 Yd 31-10
THIRD QUARTER Score
FG 00:34 Conor Lee 27 Yd 34-10

Final: Hampton University 31, Howard University 24

WASHINGTON--T.J. Mitchell passed for 310 yards and three touchdowns to lead Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference three-time defending champion Hampton to a 31-24 victory over Howard in their season opener Saturday.

Mitchell completed 19 of 36 passes with no interceptions. Kevin Teel had four receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. Jeremy Gilchrist added 93 yards and a touchdown on eight catches for Hampton (1-0, 1-0).

Brian Johnson completed 21 of 37 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns for Howard (0-1, 0-1). He also ran for 79 yards on 14 carries. Jarahn Williams, who missed last season because of injury, had nine receptions for 101 yards in Howard coach Carey Bailey's debut.

With the score tied at 10, Hampton scored twice in a span of 3:22 early in the fourth quarter to take control.

Mitchell completed a screen pass to Van Morgan, who scampered 33 yards for a touchdown and a 17-10 lead with 11:36 remaining.

On the Pirates' next possession, Mitchell connected with Teel, who broke two tackles near midfield on a 78-yard touchdown reception for a 24-10 lead.

Karlos Whittaker, who rushed for 71 yards on 20 carries, scored on a 10-yard touchdown run that pulled Howard to 24-17 with 6:24 left.

Gilchrist's 21-yard touchdown reception from Mitchell gave the Pirates a 31-17 lead with 3:29 left.

Hampton 31, Howard 24
Team Stat Comparison

1st Downs 19 21
Total Yards 405 405
Passing 310 244
Rushing 95 161
Penalties 10-59 7-45
3rd Down Conversions 0-0 0-0
4th Down Conversions 0-0 0-0
Turnovers 1 0
Possession 26:27 33:33

Individual Leaders
Hampton Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
T. Mitchell 19/36 310 3 0
Howard Passing
C/ATT YDS TD INT
B. Johnson 21/37 244 2 0

Hampton Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
K. Beverly 11 39 1 --
Howard Rushing
CAR YDS TD LG
B. Johnson 14 79 0 --

Hampton Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
J. Gilchrist 8 93 1 --
Howard Receiving
REC YDS TD LG
J. Williams 9 101 1 --


Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER Score
TD 09:09 Kevin Beverly 7 Yd Run (Carlo Turavani Kick) 7-0
FG 01:18 John Mendoza 23 Yd 7-3
SECOND QUARTER Score
FG 05:13 Carlo Turavani 20 Yd 10-3
THIRD QUARTER Score
TD 00:09 Jarahn Williams 1 Yd Pass From Brian Johnson (John Mendoza Kick) 10-10
FOURTH QUARTER Score
TD 11:36 Van Morgan 38 Yd Pass From Tj Mitchell (Carlo Turavani Kick) 17-10
TD 08:14 Kevin Teel 78 Yd Pass From Tj Mitchell (Carlo Turavani Kick) 24-10
TD 06:24 Karlos Whittaker 10 Yd Run (John Mendoza Kick) 24-17
TD 03:29 Jeremy Gilchrist 19 Yd Pass From Tj Mitchell (Carlo Turavani Kick) 31-17
TD 01:45 Arlandus Hood 16 Yd Pass From Brian Johnson (John Mendoza Kick) 31-24

MEAC/SWAC week two updates

MEAC Scoreboard - Week 2- Sept. 8, 2007

Towson (2-0) 28 Final
@ Morgan State (1-1) 21
4:00 PM ET
Hughes Stadium , Baltimore , MD

Hampton (1-0) 31
@Howard (0-1) 24 Final
1:00 PM ET
Green Stadium, Washington, DC
Internet Live TV: http://www.broadcasturban.net/player/hubison/player.htm

NOTE: NEXT WEEK's FAMU vs. HOWARD GAME IN TALLAHASSEE WILL BE BROADCAST ON THE HOWARD INTERNET ADDRESS ABOVE (FREE TO VIEWERS).

South Carolina State (1-1) 24
@ Bethune Cookman (1-1) 13 Final
4:00 PM ET
Municipal Stadium , Daytona Beach , FL

Delaware State (2-0) 20
@ Florida A&M (0-2) 7 Final
6:00 PM ET
Bragg Memorial Stadium , Tallahassee , FL

Norfolk State (1-0) -Idle

North Carolina A&T (0-2) 7 Final
@ Prairie View A&M (2-0) 22
Angel City Classic
5:30 PM ET
Los Angeles Coliseum , Los Angeles , CA

Winston Salem (1-1) 21
@ Coastal Carolina (1-1) 28 Final
7:00 PM ET
Brooks Stadium , Conway , SC


SWAC Scoreboard - Week 2

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1) 21
@ Alcorn State (0-2) 3 Final
Sept 6th
ESPNU live

Southern University (1-0) 23
@Mississippi Valley 3 Final
Chicago Football Classic
5:00 PM ET
Soldier Field , Chicago , IL

Grambling State (1-0) 10 Final
@ Pittsburgh (1-0) 34
12:00 PM ET
Heinz Field , Pittsburgh , PA
ESPN 360

North Carolina A&T (0-2) 7
@ Prairie View A&M (2-0) 22 Final
Angel City Classic
5:30 PM ET
Los Angeles Coliseum , Los Angeles , CA

Jackson State (0-2) 13
@ Tennessee State (1-1) 16 Final
Southern Heritage Classic
7:00 PM ET
Liberty Bowl , Memphis , TN
TV: FNS

Clark Atlanta 10
@ Alabama A&M (2-0, 0-0 home) 41 Final
7:30 p.m.

Alabama State (2-0) 21
@ Texas Southern (0-2) 10 Final
8:00 PM ET

Division I Independent - Scoreboard Week 2

St. Augustine 0
@North Carolina Central (1-1) 6 Final
6:00 PM ET

Johnson C. Smith 10
@ Savannah State (1-1) 24 Final

Alabama State at Texas Southern

Alabama State at Texas Southern

When/where: 7 p.m. Saturday; Alexander Durley Stadium.

Records: Alabama State 1-0; Texas Southern 0-1.

TV/radio: None; 90.9 FM.

Series record: Alabama State leads 11-9-2.

Last meeting: Texas Southern won 10-9 on Sept. 9, 2006.

What's at stake: Texas Southern can't afford to fall into an 0-2 hole in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, especially with road trips to Jackson State and Alabama A&M in the next three weeks.

Alabama State update: New head coach Reggie Barlow won his debut (24-19 over Jacksonville State), mainly on the arm of QB Chris Mitchell, who came off the bench to complete 10 of 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

Hornets to watch: RB Jay Peck is productive as a runner and receiver. DT Clyde Holloway came off the bench and had three tackles for losses, including a pair of sacks and a forced fumble against Jacksonville State.

Texas Southern update: The Tigers had 463 yards of offense but fell to Prairie View 34-14 due in part to five turnovers and failing to score on four chances inside the red zone.

Tigers to watch: QB Tino Edgecombe set a school record with 31 completions against Prairie View. SS Lamar Herron had a team-high 10 tackles.

Southern QB Lee shines on game day

Photo: Bryant Lee completed 22 of 29 passes, 215 yards and one TD in last week's 33-27 win over Florida A&M University.

By Joseph Schiefelbein, Advocate sportswriter

Players would rather be considered a “gamer,” than a “practicer.”

And being a “gamer” is where Southern sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee falls.

“He’s a nonchalant individual,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “He’s not going to say a lot. The thing about him, you watch him practice and you swear he can’t play.

“But you put him out there and all of a sudden the lights go on. That’s all you’re looking for.”

Lee was 22-for-29 for 215 yards and a touchdown and ran for 50 yards and another TD Saturday while being named Southern’s MVP in the Jaguars’ 33-27 victory over Florida A&M in Birmingham, Ala.

Southern (1-0) opens Southwestern Athletic Conference play against Mississippi Valley State (1-0, 1-0 SWAC) at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Chicago Football Classic at Legion Field in Chicago.

“People said, ‘Were you surprised?’,” Richardson said. “Well, he got the MVP in the Bayou Classic and came right back and got it in the other game. I expect him to get it this game, too.”

Lee is getting comfortable with his reputation. Just don’t make too much of the easy-going manner.

“I care,” said Lee, who used to come after practice to throw when he was deep on the depth chart and didn’t get many practice reps last season. “I’m laid-back in a way. But once game time is on, I’m ready. I’ve always been that way.

“I get excited. It’s just me being me, really. I’m a jokester, but I get on (players), too.”

Teammates enjoy Lee’s demeanor. As it is, senior left tackle Trent Thomas said fifth-year senior quarterback J.C. Lewis, third on the depth chart, is even more easy-going.

“I like Bryant Lee,” senior running back Darren Coates said. “To me, he’s a great kid. He clowns a lot. We have fun. That’s what the game is about, having fun.

“He’s a great competitor. He loves the game. He’s going to give it all he’s got, every play. He’s cool. He knows when to fire it up and when to relax.”

Richardson said being a fiery leader will come.

“You have to learn that part,” Richardson said. “Once you get the experience, you earn that. Eventually, that will come.

“He did a good job of commanding the football team and orchestrating our offense. As long as he does that and stays away from the street committee, he’ll be alright.”


Sleepy Jaguars

Richardson said he had worries about his young team prior to Saturday’s 33-27 win over Florida A&M.

“I was concerned because, really, we had a tired football team,” Richardson said. “We got up on Saturday morning and you can say, ‘Go to bed,’ but when you have an experienced football team, a lot of them didn’t get a lot of sleep that night. Especially the inexperienced. They’re excited about it, and they’re not going to go to sleep.

“What helped us a great deal was opening up and scoring that touchdown (Coates’ 90-yard run on the first play).”


How’s Valley’s QB?

Saturday’s game will match two sophomore starting quarterbacks, and neither played in last season’s meeting.

Richardson got his first look at Valley’s Paul Roberts, who was 15-for-27 for 153 yards and one touchdown (but was sacked four times), on film of Valley’s 16-9 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

“I think he’s a good quarterback,” Richardson said. “He throws the ball well. As far as progressions, he’s patient.”

“They have a great offense,” SU strong safety Glenn Bell said. “They have a young quarterback who really surprised me, who stepped up. They have a great running back, a great offensive line. It’s going to be a nice challenge.”

SU relies on WR depth

Starters Gerard Landry, Del Roberts and Juamorris Stewart had 12 of Southern’s 22 catches Saturday. But Clevan White, backing Roberts at “Y,” had three catches for 23 yards and RaShon Jacobs, behind Landry at “X,” had two catches for 34 yards.

“It kind of came to fruition, where you saw where the depth was needed and it helped out,” SU wide receivers coach Eric Dooley said. “Those guys who worked on the second team worked as hard as those guys on the first team, and they stepped up when they needed to.”

BCU Neufville runs again

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- As a former walk-on, Paul Neufville never took his college football career for granted, but one year ago the Bethune-Cookman receiver learned first hand about the fine line that could separate success and misfortune.

Neufville was having the game of his life against South Carolina State. He caught five passes for 102 yards -- including a 34-yard touchdown -- in the first half alone. He added a 10-yard sideline catch on the Wildcats' first drive of the second half. Then later in the drive, he ran a 5-yard out route, and his right leg gave out on him.

A month later, the senior was on the operating table, undergoing reconstructive knee surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Neufville's season was over, but he didn't give up on his career. Even though his five years were up, he applied for a medical redshirt year and began working harder than he ever had in his life.

"I started rehabbing the day after surgery," he said. "I worked hard all summer."


By late spring he was making cuts again. He participated in preseason drills not knowing if the NCAA would clear him to play.

"I played less than 30 percent of the season (last year), so my chances were good," Neufville said. "But I had it in the back of my mind, 'What if I don't get the year back?' So I just practiced hard and prepared for the worst. That kept motivating me."

On Aug. 31, the day before B-CU's season-opener against Jacksonville, Neufville received his clearance. He caught four passes for 37 yards against JU. And now the sixth-year senior says his knee feels fine, and he is ready to complete what he started one year ago against S.C. State.

The Wildcats will host the Bulldogs in a conference game Saturday at 4 p.m. at Municipal Stadium.

"This receiving corps is better than any receiving corps we've had in my four years here," Neufville said. "And our running game is better with (running backs) Justin Brannon and our new freshman (Brian Sumlar). I don't know how they're going to stop us this year."

The Bulldogs couldn't stop the 'Cats' passing game last year. Jarod Rucker passed for 367 yards and five touchdowns, including two each to junior Stephon Walker and senior Eric Weems, as B-CU won 45-21.

"Rucker and I worked all summer (in 2006) on the passing game," Neufville said. "And before the game, Coach (Alvin) Wyatt told us we were going to air it out, so get ready. They were playing us man. I think they didn't respect the receivers and we exposed that to them."

But no matter what the Bulldogs tried, they couldn't stop the Wildcats' passing game. B-CU had trouble duplicating that success the rest of the season, however.

"When we lost Paul and Jonathan Summers (for two games), that's when everybody just chopped us man-to-man, knowing that we didn't have the experienced receivers to get off the ball," Wyatt said. "(Neufville) is a super athlete. He's an exciting football player, a kid that just needs the opportunity to get out there and finish up without any injuries. He has the speed. He has the size. I think he's a next-level type of player."

Neufville earned his degree in business management and is going for his Masters. He said his coursework in transformative leadership is helping him develop as a leader on the team. But the example he set of not giving in to adversity is more important than any words he could tell his teammates.

"Last year was tough," he said. "But I didn't let it bother me, because I knew God didn't lead me this far to let me down. I'm real happy to be back with the team, and I'm really looking forward to this game."

Pitt's untested QBs bracing for Grambling's speed

Photo: Grambling's WR Clyde Edwards

By Paul Zeise, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A new quarterback will be at the helm of Pitt's offense tomorrow against Grambling at Heinz Field. Growing pains are likely along with stretches where the Panthers struggle to move the football.

There is one other thing that could cause the offense to sputter and it has nothing to do with Kevan Smith or Pat Bostick and everything to do with the speed of Grambling's defense.

The Tigers are fast, aggressive and will try to force the Panthers to play at a pace they likely aren't comfortable playing.

That's not good news for any offense, but particularly one searching for an identity and some consistency.

"They predicate everything on speed and making plays and putting pressure on an offense," coach Dave Wannstedt said of Grambling's 4-3 defense. "It forces your quarterback to make fast decisions and that's what we'll be facing."

The Panthers have tried to simulate the speed of the Tigers in practice, but it's never the same. Still, Wannstedt is confident the offense and the two young quarterbacks, will hold up under the pressure, especially with the changes made in the offensive line.

"We've tried to make it as difficult on them as possible," Wannstedt said. "I think it's important to not fool them. If you were coming in and facing a freshman quarterback, you're going to try to pressure them and give them some looks hoping to force them into some bad plays. I'm cautiously optimistic that these guys will get in there and perform better than any of us think."

While it might seem overly optimistic to expect a quarterback making his first start to play beyond expectations, Wannstedt isn't so sure.

In fact, he needs only to point to last week -- the Panthers 27-3 win against Eastern Michigan in the opener -- to find a precedent.

"Billy Stull did that, quite frankly. He stepped in there and performed at a better level than what I thought he was going to," Wannstedt said. "And Scott Mc-Killop did that. Every time, we've had somebody step up. That's kind of been a trademark for the team.

"I believe it will happen at quarterback."

Stull led the Panthers to a big lead and played admirably against Eastern Michigan, but he was injured in the third quarter of the game and will be out for at least a month, which is why coaches are scrambling to find a replacement.

Wannstedt said he will make a game-time decision, but the sentiment around the team seems to be that Smith will be the starter tomorrow. Both are expected to play.

NOTES -- For those who can't wait until tomorrow, the Grambling band will provide a sneak preview tonight at the Petersen Events center. The band, along with Pitt's, will perform in a "battle of the bands". ... Wannstedt said every player is healthy and ready to play except tight end John Pelusi, who is still day to day with a shoulder injury. ...The game is not televised, but it can be seen online at ESPN360.com.

Pitt won't overlook Grambling

By: Dale Grdnic, Beaver County Times Sports Correspondent

PITTSBURGH - Grambling State University won't be taken lightly by Pitt in their game Saturday.

You can thank Appalachian State for that. Ap State became the first team from the Division I Football Championship Subdivision - it's not called Division I-AA anymore - to beat a ranked team from the Football Bowl Subdivision (yep, I-A).

But Ap State doesn't get all the credit for Pitt's concerns.

The Panthers (1-0) can't afford to look past Grambling because they'll have a freshman as the starting quarterback. Either redshirt freshman Kevan Smith or true freshman Pat Bostick will replace injured junior Bill Stull (thumb surgery).

"They've both done a good job,'' Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said. "They really have. I think we've tried to make it as difficult on them as possible, but I think it's important not to try to fool them. But you want to try to pressure them and give them some different looks. If you're going to face a freshman, you want to try to force them into making some bad plays."

As for which one has the best chance to start, Wannstedt said that he will not name a starter until game time.

"But I'd like to see both of them play, to be quite honest with you,'' Wannstedt said. "Whether that will happen or not, who knows? But they've both prepared well, and we've pretty much split it down the middle from a rep standpoint in practice.

Wannstedt added that he was cautiously optimistic that either Smith or Bostick would perform up to their capability just because others on the Pitt team have done that this season.

Pitt's quarterback, Wannstedt said, will face a 4-4 defense that pressures an offense. Junior linebacker John Carter is Grambling's defensive leader, while senior tackles Jason Banks and Donald Williams also provide a push from up front.

When the Tigers run the ball they primarily use just one back, as Frank Warren ran for 143 yards on 30 carries and added four catches in last week's 31-10 win over Alcorn State. Grambling quarterback Brandon Landers completed 19 of 36 passes for 303 yards and four touchdowns - Reginald Jackson had six catches for 198 yards and two scores - in that game.

"Grambling's receivers are very fast and quick, and very athletic,'' senior cornerback Kennard Cox said. "In their division, they have a lot of good athletes and a great quarterback. I think they're a little better team than Eastern Michigan with better athletes, even for a Division I-AA team. (But) I respect everybody I play, and we won't look past them.''

Hampton University's Mitchell takes the reins

By MARTY O'BRIEN , Daily Press

Pirates' new starting QB gets first assignment at tough Howard in "the Real HU Classic."

HAMPTON-After almost four seasons with one starting quarterback, Hampton University fans quite naturally wonder if new guy Terry "T.J." Mitchell will pass the leadership test in Saturday's season-opener at Howard. The following anecdote might provide a clue.

Pirates coach Joe Taylor spent much of spring practice searching for his third offensive coordinator in two months. He even brought legendary former Florida A&M coach Billy Joe to town for an interview.

But Mitchell and his offensive teammates took a liking to receivers coach Corey Sullivan, who filled in as coordinator during the spring. Upon hearing that Billy Joe or someone else might replace Sullivan, Mitchell sprung into action.

"I grabbed a couple of guys from the other offensive segments and walked into Coach Taylor's office," said Mitchell, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound sophomore. "I told him I felt like Coach Sullivan was the best guy for the job. I said he was a hard worker and a competitive guy who would push us, but treat us like men.

"I said we didn't need to change our offense. Coach Taylor is like a father-figure, the kind of guy who will listen to what you're saying and take it into consideration."

Taylor stopped the job search immediately and handed the offense to Sullivan.

"The team belongs to the players," Taylor said. "Coaches are service stations: We're there to refuel and give guidance. We felt Coach Sullivan had been doing a fine job, but T.J. took control and made sure I knew the players felt he was their guy.

"He's got the mentality of a leader."

Hampton fans who made the trip to Birmingham, Ala. for the game against Grambling State last September knew that already. When fourth-year starter Princeton Shepherd cramped in the second half, Mitchell replaced him at quarterback and led the Pirates to a 27-26 overtime victory.

He struggled early, but led a comeback with touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime. Mitchell had never before taken a snap in college.

"When they told me I had to go into the game, I was so nervous I could hardly find my helmet," said Mitchell, who transferred to Hampton 13 months ago from West Virginia. "I hadn't even had any practice repetitions with the first team.

"After the first hit, the jitters went away. That game really helped my confidence level."

Mitchell started the homecoming game against Winston-Salem while Shepherd sat out with a minor injury. He completed 17-of-27 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown in the Pirates' 13-3 victory.

He assumed the starting role when Shepherd exhausted his eligibility after a 2006 season in which the Pirates went 10-2 and won a third consecutive MEAC title. By spring, a stronger Mitchell was displaying more zip on his passes and a running ability that HU quarterbacks had lacked in recent years.

But the team's offensive coaching carousel made him uncomfortable. Chris Beatty, who had coached Mitchell at Landstown High of Virginia Beach, became an assistant in February at Northern Illinois. Then next coordinator, Charles Bankins, took an assistant's position in April at Richmond.

Sullivan appreciates Mitchell's vote of support.

"I was surprised when I heard he did that," Sullivan said of Mitchell's summit with Taylor. "I felt confident I could do the job. But I believe that whatever you're trying to get done, if the kids have confidence in you it will get done.

"And a confident starting quarterback is huge."

Self-assurance will be particularly important at Howard's Green Stadium, the site this year for the showdown known as "the Real HU Classic." A standing room only crowd of about 10,000 is expected at the tiny facility, where the Pirates often struggle.

The Bison fans can be unkind to opposing quarterbacks, but Mitchell is unfazed.

"I know the crowd will be on our back, and it will be so condensed we'll be able to see people eating popcorn and hot dogs," he said. "But you block all that out on the snap of the ball.

"I've always played quarterback, so I've always had guys counting on me. I've always wanted to put guys on my back and win."

'Growing pains' plague Alcorn Braves in loss

By Matt Burrowes, The Natchez Democrat

LORMAN — Offensive woes and key defensive break-downs were the culprit in the Alcorn State University Braves 21-3 lost to University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.

“We played inconsistently tonight,” ASU head coach Johnny Thomas said. “The inconsistency was the result of our quarterback position.”

Thomas said Tony Hobson Jr. was the planned starter, after Chris Walker suffered a severe thigh bruise in the Grambling game last week. But Hobson injured his throwing hand in practice earlier this week.

Thomas went to plan C and started an inexperienced Tim Buckley, but soon replaced him with the injured Walker.

“We weren’t expecting Chris to play at all this week,” Thomas said. “After a visit to the hospital Wednesday and Chris not feeling much pain, we knew he would be able to take some reps, we didn’t know how much.”

Alcorn’s first scoring opportunity came on their second drive of the game. On a second down play from the 4-yard line, Walker hit Nate Hughes for a 52-yard gain. The Braves worked the ball down inside the red zone only to get stopped. Alexander Oelfke’s 41-yard field goal attempt sailed left.

The Braves wouldn’t get another scoring attempt in the first half.

UAPB capitalized on the excellent field position from their own 40 that resulted from a short ASU punt late in the second quarter.

It only took UAPB four plays to put the ball in the end zone from a 21-yard pass to Jason Heflin from quarterback Chris Wallace.

“The defense played well tonight,” Thomas said. “We just gave up some big plays at the wrong times.”

The second half didn’t fair much better for the Braves. Their best drive of the night came in the third quarter.

They sustained a 41-yard drive that stalled on the 2-yard line and the Braves were only able to get three points, from Oelfke.

“Every time we got in scoring position, we got bogged down,” Thomas said. “We are still having growing pains on the offensive line and it’s going to take time to get there.”

A UAPB touchdown pass from Johnathan Moore to Demetrice Beverly with 4:14 left in the third quarter took the wind out of the Braves for good.

“Our defense gave us the chances to score,” UAPB head coach Maurice Forte said. “We are still a long way from where we need to be but the win tonight was good for us.”

The Golden Lions wore the Braves down in the fourth quarter tacking on a final touchdown off a 5-yard run from Martell Mallett.

“Not being able to control the ball hurt us tonight,” Thomas said. “Our defense was on the field way too long. They wore us down.”

Thomas said he was disappointed in the way things were going so far this season.

“We need to be 50 percent and we aren’t there,” Thomas said. “I’m frustrated and disappointed. It’s my job to keep the players and coaches up. We have to come out next week and work on the things that are killing us.”

Alcorn travels to University of Alabama-Birmingham on Sept. 15. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

Grambling vs. University of Pittsburgh

Grambling State Sports Information

After an impressive season-opening win against Alcorn State last week in Mississippi, the Grambling State Tigers return to the drawing board for a huge test against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and BIG EAST member Pittsburgh.

Saturday’s game will mark the first time in nearly 40 years that Grambling State will return to the steel city. The Tigers will square off against the Panthers in Heinz Field, which is also the home of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.

LAST WEEK’S RESULT: GSU 31, ALCORN STATE 10, SEPT. 1, 2007

In a debut that couldn’t have been scripted any better, the Grambling State Tigers dominated all three facets of the game as the Tigers rolled past Alcorn State 31-10 in the debut of GSU head coach Rod Broadway on Saturday night in Jack Spinks Stadium on the campus of Alcorn State University.

After two possessions, GSU wasted no time on its third series of the first quarter as junior quarterback Brandon Landers hit a streaking Reginald Jackson for 44 yards to score the first touchdown in the Broadway era. In the second quarter, Landers connected with Clyde Edwards on a 4-yard score. The PAT by Tim Manuel was good and GSU upped its lead to 14-0. After a fumble recovery late in the half, GSU moved ahead 17-0 after a 22-yard field goal by Manuel with 24 seconds left in the half.

Ahead 17-0 entering the second half, the Tigers picked up where they left off of Jackson’s 69-yard touchdown pass for a 24-0 lead. ASU added a field goal with 5:41 left in the third quarter to find the scoreboard but the Tigers once again responded with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Landers to Edwards. ASU added a late touchdown in the final quarter but it was too little too late.

Offensively, GSU netted 479 yards (303 P, 176 R) of total offense while ASU finished with 255 (155 P, 100 R). Freshman Frank Warren rushed for 143 yards on 30 carries while Landers was 19-of-36 for 303 yards and four TDs. Jackson had a career-high 198 yards on six receptions and two touchdowns.

ABOUT THE TIGERS

Grambling State opened a lot of eyes last weekend after dismantling the Alcorn State Braves 31-10 before more than 16,000 spectators in Alcorn State, Miss. In addition, the Tigers also debuted new offensive and defensive schemes and had plenty of success on both sides of the ball en route to capturing their first season opener since 2005.

After one week of play, the offensive stars for Grambling State were senior wideout Reginald Jackson, freshman running back Frank Warren and quarterback Brandon Landers. Defensively, linebacker John Carter led the way with six tackles while defensive end John Scroggins and defensive back Brandon Logan posted four each.

Under the direction of first-year head coach Rod Broadway, the Tigers feature an abundance of youth on the roster in addition to 33 letterwinners and 13 starters.
Despite finishing 3-8 in 2006, the Tigers were picked to finish second in the SWAC West during the annual preseason poll in addition to four preseason All-SWAC selections.

ABOUT THE PANTHERS

Pittsburgh opened the 2007 season with a 27-3 victory over Eastern Michigan in non-conference action last Saturday at Heinz Field. Although the Panthers walked away with the win, they suffered a huge loss on the field as starting quarterback Bill Stull suffered a thumb injury that required surgery.

As a result, the Panthers will rely on a green quarterback but whomever assumes the position will have an experienced offensive lineup to work with as the Panthers return eight starters from the 2006 campaign. Defensively, six Panther starters are back from last season.
Under the guidance of former NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt, Pittsburgh was picked to finish sixth in the BIG EAST this season after finishing sixth with a 6-6 record in 2006.

BIG EAST Ties

Saturday’s contest marks GSU’s first-ever match-up against an opponent who’s a current member of the BIG EAST conference. However, it won’t mark the first time GSU has played a team with BIG EAST ties as they’ve battled current member Louisville and former member Temple in the past.

While a member of Conference USA in 2000, GSU traveled to the state of Kentucky to meet Louisville in Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The Cardinals won 52-0 against former head coach Doug Williams.

Grambling State holds a 1-1 record against former BIG EAST member Temple. GSU lost the inaugural match-up 31-30 in 1976 in Philadelphia before winning the rematch 35-32 in 1977 during the Mirage Bowl in Tokyo, Japan.

PLAYING UP

This marks the fourth time in five years that Grambling State will face an opponent from the Football Bowl Subdivision ranks. Last year, GSU played eventual Conference USA champion the University of Houston and fell 42-22. In 2005, GSU ventured to Seattle, Wash. and took on Washington State at Qwest Field en route to a 48-7 defeat. During the 2003 campaign, GSU opened the season on national television (ESPN2) against San Jose State in the Literacy Classic. The Tigers lost 29-0 on the road.

Pitt won’t be the only FBS program GSU will face in 2007 as they’ll battle in-state foe and Sun Belt Conference member Louisiana at Monroe on Nov. 10.

GSU vs. FBS OPPONENTS

While the world buzzed about fellow FCS member Appalachian State’s win over FBS power Michigan last weekend, GSU has also had success playing larger opponents in the past. GSU defeated Temple in 1977 and holds a 2-0 record versus Oregon State of the Pac-10 Conference.
However, Pittsburgh has done its part when it comes to FCS opponents. The Panthers sport a 6-0 all-time record against FCS teams and average 45.2 points in those six games along with two shutouts. Only Villanova in 1998 (48-41) and Furman (41-38 OT) in 2004 have come close to beating the Panthers.

RETURN TO THE STEEL CITY

Thirty-six years have elapsed since Grambling State played in the city of Pittsburgh. On Sept. 12, 1970, the Tigers battled Morgan State University in Three Rivers Stadium in the Renaissance Football Classic. GSU was successful as they won 38-12.

ALMOST LIKE HOME

While some teams get caught up in the hoopla of playing in an NFL Facility, it’s almost second nature to Grambling State as the Tigers are guaranteed of playing in at least one NFL venue per year.

Annually, GSU plays in the Louisiana Superdome in the State Farm Bayou Classic against rival Southern University on Thanksgiving weekend. In 2005, GSU played at Qwest Field in Seattle, Wash. against Washington State in addition to Reliant Stadium in Houston versus Southern.

HISTORY NOT WORTH REPEATING

Grambling State’s 3-8 finish in 2006 marked its worst record since the 1997 season when the Tigers finished the season 3-8.

Losing seasons are rare as Grambling State hasn’t loss more than six games in a season since identical 3-8 seasons in 1996 and 1997. GSU has only posted nine seasons since 1950 with a losing record.

BROADWAY IN SEPTEMBER

The month of September has been generous to head coach Rod Broadway as he’s 15-2 in the month.

Broadway posted back-to-back 3-1 September records in 2003 and 2004 before netting consecutive 4-0 campaigns in 2005 and 2006.

GATOR REUNION

Tiger head coach Rod Broadway and current Pitt receivers coach Aubrey Hill were on the same staff at the University of Florida from 1996-98.

Broadway served as the Gators’ defensive line coach while Hill was a graduate assistant. Together, they were apart of a staff headed by Steve Spurrier that helped Florida win the 1996 national championship.

In addition, both coaches also made stops in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Duke. Broadway was at Duke from 1981 to 1994 while Hill coached at Duke from 1999 to 2003.

CLYDE’S TIME TO GLIDE

Senior wide receiver Clyde Edwards is quietly closing in on several marks as he closes out his career at Grambling State.

The senior from Houston, Texas is tied for 11th among SWAC All-Time receiving leaders with an 11-touchdown performance last season and currently ranks 13th among the SWAC’s career receiving leaders with 2,412 yards. In addition, he has caught at least one pass in 27 consecutive games dating back to his freshman season and enters the 2007 season ranked as the 7th best receiver in the Football Championship Subdivision by The Sports Network.

An honor student in the classroom (3.9 GPA), here are the records Edwards is within reach of:

Needs 739 yards to surpass Scotty Anderson (3,182) as Grambling State’s all-time leader in receiving yards.

Needs 9 touchdowns to surpass Anderson (35) as the Tigers’ all-time leader for career receiving touchdowns.

Needs 51 receptions to become GSU’s all-time leader in receptions. Tramon Douglas leads with 193.

Grambling State University Tiger Marching Band

WSSU Rams face Coastal Carolina next

WSSU Sports Information

WINSTON-SALEM, NC -

Game Details...The Winston-Salem State University Rams (1-0) versus the Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers (0-1) at James C. Benton Field at Brooks Stadium (7,322) in Conway, South Carolina on September 8, 2007 at 7:00 pm.

The Event....The second game of the season for both teams. The Rams enter into the contest sporting a 1-0 record overall as they defeated the North Carolina A&T State University "Aggies" on September 1, 2007 by the score of 28-7 at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Chanticleers, a team who entered into the 2007 ranked in all four national polls, dropped a close 23-18 decision to the Hornets of Delaware State University on Saturday afternoon in Dover, Delaware. The Rams look to try to win back-to-back games to open the season for the first time since 2000 while the Chanticleers look to prevent posting a pair of losses to open the season for the first time in the program's history.

The Series...The series between the two teams is a new one as WSSU and Coastal Carolina have met only one other time prior to this Saturday's contest. The Chanticleers and Rams met last season in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at Bowman Gray Stadium where Coastal Carolina earned a 31-12 win over WSSU. The Chants own the 1-0 series advantage all-time and Saturday's contest will mark WSSU's first trip to Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC.

Series Reloaded...Last season's meeting between the two teams marked the first time in history that the two teams had ever met. The Rams enter into Saturday's contest with a 65-year record of 335-245-21 overall while Coastal Carolina, a program in its relative infancy, enters the contest with a four-year record of 34-11 overall. Despite the program's relative youth, the Chanticleers captured back-to-back-to-back Big South Conference football titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005.

Television Coverage...There is no national television coverage for this contest.


Radio Coverage...This weekend's contest will be available to listeners in the greater Winston-Salem, NC area live on WSNC, 90.5 FM with Maurice "Big Mo" Stanfield calling all the play-by-play action and Ted Fichialos providing the color commentary, as well as live nationally on the internet at www.WSSU.edu by clicking on the link: "Listen to WSNC." The Chanticleers will air the game on 93.9 FM "The Fan." Fans can also listen to the game on both Coastal Carolina (www.GOCCUSPORTS.com) and WSSU's (www.WSSURAMS.com) Athletic Websites. For the Chanticleers Layne Harris will provide the color commentary with Matt Hogue calling all the play-by-play as Joe Cashion covers the sidelines and mans the pre-game action.

Live Statistical Broadcast Online...A live statistical broadcast of the game, utilizing CSTV's "Gametracker" statistical software will be available on the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com. Fans may access the live stats by visiting the WSSU Football schedule page and clicking on the "Gametracker" link. As well, Coastal Carolina will broadcast live statistics via the CCU Athletic Website at www.GOCCUSPORTS.com.

Weather Forecast...Saturday's contest is set to be played in good weather as the forecast calls for high temperatures of 83 degrees with a low of 73 degrees and only a 10% chance of precipitation under partly cloudy skies. Humidity is slated to be 77% with winds out of the Northeast at 12 miles per hour with a UV index of seven (high). Sunrise will take place at 6:54 am Eastern and will set at 7:33 pm Eastern.

Setting The Scene...The match up between the Rams and Chanticleers is very important for both teams. The Rams are looking to avenge last season's loss to Coastal Carolina and WSSU is searching for a win over a seasoned NCAA-playoff participant. Coastal Carolina is looking to earn its first win of the season as they try to prevent from starting a season at 0-2 for the first time in the program's history. The Rams and Chants are both storied football programs that have captured multiple conference titles yet have met only one other time prior to Saturday's contest.

The Coaches...The Rams are coached by 15th-year man Kermit Blount. Blount has posted an impressive 82-64-3 record at WSSU and has led the Rams to two CIAA titles (1999 and 2000). He has posted an 0-1 record versus Coastal Carolina since taking over as head of the WSSU football program in 1993 but has never beaten David Bennett, the Chanticleer's head coach. The Chanticleers are led by David Bennett, a 1984 graduate of Presbyterian who has been at the helm of the Coastal Carolina football program since its inception four years ago. Bennett has led Coastal Carolina to a 34-12 overall record and three consecutive Big South Conference Championships. He is 1-0 versus WSSU and 1-0 versus current WSSU head coach Kermit Blount.

Next Up...The Rams bid a fond farewell to the friendly confines of Bowman Gray Stadium as they will embark on a six-game, seven-week road swing that will see them return to Winston-Salem, NC for a home contest on October 27, 2007 as they play host to the nationally-ranked Pirates of Hampton University. First up for the Rams will be another nationally-ranked team as WSSU heads out of conference to face the Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC. The two teams have met only one other time (2006) and CCU leads the all-time series 1-0. Following the game versus the Chanticleers, the Rams will head to Baltimore, Maryland to face a team that they have never lined up against in the Bears of Morgan State University.

2006 Results...The Rams are coming off of a 2006 season in which they made their first foray into competition at the Division I-Football Championship Subdivision level. WSSU posted an impressive 4-7 overall record and recorded wins over MEAC opponents NC A&T and Howard while narrowly losing to fellow MEAC members Hampton, Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M.

Rankings...Neither team is ranked in any of the four major Division I-FCS national football polls although Coastal Carolina is receiving votes. The Chanticleers started the season ranked in the Top-25 in three major polls but have since dropped out after falling in defeat to the Hornets of Delaware State University last weekend (31-28 in Dover, DE).

The Last Meeting...The last meeting between the two teams came during the 2006 season as the Rams fell in defeat to the nationally-ranked Chanticleers by the score of 31-12 in Winston-Salem, NC. CCU's Tyler Thigpen recorded four touchdown passes to three different receivers as the Chanticleers cruised to the win. The Rams struck first in the contest as Brandon McRae capped a six-play 80-yard touchdown drive with a 46-yard touchdown run yet the Rams could not hang on as Thigpen and All-American wide receiver Jerome Simpson gave Coastal Carolina a 1-0 lead in the all-time series.

A Win This Week Would...

...give the Rams their second win of the 2007 season and move Winston-Salem State to 2-0 overall.

...give WSSU head coach Kermit Blount his 83rd win at WSSU putting him two wins ahead of Thomas "Tank" Conrad in sole possession of second place on the WSSU all-time win list (behind only Bill Hayes with an all-time best 89 wins).

...earn the Rams their sixth win over a Division I opponent since making the move to Division I-FCS in 2006.

...earn the Rams their seventh win as an NCAA Division I-FCS program.

...drop the Chanticleers to 0-2 this season and move them to 0-2 for the first time in school history.

...pull current WSSU head coach Kermit Blount's overall record versus Coastal Carolina to 1-1 overall.

...give the Rams their first victory in the State of South Carolina since a 2000 victory over South Carolina State (39-28)

On The Plus Side Again...Dating back to the Rams' first game in recorded history (which came in 1941), WSSU had posted an overall record of 31-31-4 in season openers until last weekend's season-opening victory moved WSSU to 32-31-4 in "first games" of the season. The win was important to the Rams because as of late history had not been kind to the Rams as they had dropped five consecutive season-openers dating back to the 2001 season before last Saturday's win over the Aggies.

Sibling Rivalry...WSSU freshman quarterback Tienne Jefferson (Washington, D.C./Fork Union Military Academy) is no stranger to the competition that he will face this season in the MEAC as his brother Theo is a safety for the Delaware State University Hornets.

Ram Family...WSSU freshman linebacker Colby Morris (Elizabeth City, NC/Northeastern) won't be homesick during his freshman season with the Rams as he brought a little piece of home with him. In fact Colby brought a big piece of home with him as he brought his brother Corey to WSSU. The 6'10", 255-pound Corey Morris will play basketball for the Rams this season and is one of WSSU's most highly recruited players.

The Ties That Bind...WSSU and Coastal Carolina are no strangers to one another, despite playing for only the second time in history on Saturday as Keith James, the Chanticleer's running backs coach and academic advisor is both a graduate of, and former coach at, Winston-Salem State University. James is a 1989 graduate of WSSU and helped to lead the Rams to the 1988 CIAA Championship game where he was named the game's MVP. Not only was he a player at WSSU but James was also a coach as he spent six years on the Rams' football staff under Kermit Blount before moving on to Coastal Carolina.

In, But Not Completely...Though the Rams are considered a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference they are unable to compete for a championship until the 2009 season (per NCAA mandates). The Rams will play a full slate of MEAC games but will be ineligible for a conference title, ineligible for postseason awards and will not be listed in the MEAC statistics at seasons' end.

Getting There...The Rams will officially open the brand new, state-of-the-art WSSU Athletic Fieldhouse on Friday, November 2, 2007, one day prior to WSSU's Homecoming game versus Delaware State. The new 12,000 square foot building, which is projected to cost 5.1 million dollars will house many of the WSSU Athletic Department's Administrative Offices, the Football staff and the Sports Medicine and Strength and Conditioning Offices.

Back For The Last Time...WSSU fifth-year senior running back Jed Bines (Winston-Salem, NC/Parkland) has rejoined the team for his final year of eligibility in 2007 after sitting out 2006 to focus on academics. Bines is a welcome addition to the Rams' backfield as he recorded 964 yards on 166 carries in 2005 and led the team with nine touchdowns. Bines sits fourth in all-time rushing yards at WSSU with 2,800 yards on 332 carries. He also ranks sixth in rushing touchdowns with 28.

Climbing The Record Books...Fifth-year senior running back Jed Bines moved up two places on the Rams' all-time rushing yardage chart last weekend as he moved from sixth place (2,675 yards on 316 carries) to fourth place (2,800 yards on 332 carries) with a 125-yard performance against North Carolina A&T. Bines vaulted past Marvin Morrison and Broderick Graves following his 100-p;us yard output versus the Aggies.

100-Yard Games In Bunches...Running back Jed Bines recorded the 16th 100-yard rushing game of his career last Saturday when he tallied 125 yards rushing against the Aggies. Bines had five 100-yard games in 2005, six 100-yard games in 2004 and four 100-yard games in 2003. Jed sat out last season to focus on academics.

Homecooking...The Rams like to recruit local talent. Winston-Salem State University has 59 players on the roster from the State of North Carolina as more than half of the team is playing in the state in which they reside. WSSU has 10 players from South Carolina, four from the District of Columbia, four from Virginia, two from Georgia, and one each from the states of Florida and Pennsylvania.

Injury Update...Players who are listed as OUT for Saturday's game are: Montez Ham, a 5'11", 180-pound wide receiver who is out with a right ankle injury; Edward Jordan, a 6'0", 330-pound offensive lineman who is out with a right knee injury; Jared Mitchell, a 6'3", 185-pound free safety who is out with a left knee injury; and Murrell Streeter, Jr., a 5'10", 220-pound linebacker who is still recovering from having his appendix out. Players who are listed as QUESTIONABLE are: Corei Plummer, a 5'11", 262-pound offensive lineman who is questionable with a right knee injury. Players who are PROBABLE for Saturday's game are: Julian Gray, a 6'4", 275-pound offensive lineman who is probable with a left knee injury.

Understanding The Injury Chart...The Rams use the National Football League's injury chart model which separates injuries into four categories: (1) "Out" which indicates that a player will not play in the upcoming game and will not be dressed for the contest. (2) "Doubtful" which indicates that a player will have only a 25% chance of playing. (3) "Questionable" which indicates that a player will have a 50% chance of playing, and (4) "Probable" which indicates that the player has a 75% chance of playing.

2007 Circle City Classic...The Rams have accepted an invitation to participate in the 2007 Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana the weekend of October 5-6, 2007. The Rams will face the Rattlers of Florida A&M University in the RCA Dome in Indianapolis as WSSU looks to avenge last season's loss to FAMU, a contest in which the Rattlers rallied from a late fourth-quarter deficit to sneak out a 35-21 win.

Coastal's Offense Comes In Bunches...Whether this year's Coastal Carolina team is similar to last year's offensive juggernaut remains to be seen, however, the Chanticleers racked up 411 points last season while giving up less than 300 (297). The Chants averaged 34.2 points per game last season en route to another NCAA Division I-FCS playoff appearance.

Able To Break For The Long One...Headed into the Coastal Carolina game the Rams have broken out for five big plays (which the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations defines as plays 20 yards or longer in length). WSSU has four rushing plays of 20 yards or longer and one interception return for 20 yards or longer.

Touchdowns Come Fast...The Rams have four offensive touchdowns this season and have amassed a total scoring drive time of 10:59 (659 seconds) over those four scoring drives. WSSU is averaging only 3:14 per scoring drive with the longest touchdown drive of the season taking 4:30 (a 92-yard, eight-play drive against North Carolina A&T) and the shortest TD drive taking only 1:38 (an 80-yard, five-lay scoring drive versus North Carolina A&T).

Haven't Broken For The Home Run Ball...The Rams have yet to record a big play (20 yards or more) via air this season. However, the Rams have recorded scoring catches of 19 and 16 yards and had a 70 yard pass reception by Michael Scarbrough nullified by a holding penalty.

Hanging On To It More...The Rams are averaging 4.76 play per drive this season and have scored three of their four touchdowns on drives of six plays or more. Despite the low number of plays that it has taken for WSSU to find the endzone, the Rams are still averaging almost half a play more than their opponents (4.53 plays per drive).

Hasn't Happened Yet, But Almost...Since the Rams' transition to NCAA Division I-FCS, WSSU has not had a game in which they have recorded two 100-yard rushers in the same contest. That streak of 12 games was almost snapped last weekend versus the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University when Jed Bines recorded 125 net yards rushing and Brandon McRae tallied 85 net yards rushing.

Not Bad For A Defensive Back...The Rams' punter, junior defensive back Jamaine Mack, is turning in quite a punting average as he fills in as the Rams punter. Mack has recorded seven punts for 250 yards for an average of 35.7 yards per punt.

Doubling-Up Opponents...Thus far this season the Rams have doubled-up their opponents in terms of rushing yardage. WSSU has tallied 286 yards rushing while yielding only 143 yards of ground yardage to their opponents.

Next Opponent On Top...The Rams' next opponent, the Morgan State University Bears, currently sit atop of the MEAC standings with a 1-0 record and 47 points scored with seven points allowed.

WSSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

What are your general thoughts on the team coming off last week's win and heading into Saturday's game at Coastal Carolina?

Well I think coming off of last week's game, the spirits are good, the work habits haven't changed. We're not going to let them change as coaches. One of the things that we told the football team after the game was that we have to play two times better going to Coastal Carolina than we did last week at Bowman Gray. I think that our kids have bought into our commitment to be the best that we can possibly be when we play and we're looking forward to the challenge this weekend.

What do you know about the Chanticleers other than that they beat you at home last season?

That's a pretty good football team in Conway right now. [Coastal Carolina ] Coach [David] Bennett and I had a conversation the other day and of course he's saying that he's struggling a little bit with his loss to Delaware State. But I know what that's all about. This is going to be a good football team. They're going to be well coached. They're not going to turn the ball over and we're going to have to compete for four quarters to get a win.

An encouraging loss for North Carolina A&T

By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News-Record

The end is near.

N.C. A&T fans may have been muttering that for a while, having seen their team drop 17 straight games now. But on Saturday, that concept took on another -- slightly more hopeful -- meaning.

While falling to Winston-Salem State 28-7, the Aggies at least suggested the longest active losing streak at the second-highest level of college football might be drawing to a conclusion one of these weeks.

"I'm pleased but not happy," coach Lee Fobbs said. "We could have played better in the first half. We've just to come out of the chutes better."

A year after being thoroughly outclassed by the Rams 41-14, the Aggies were merely beaten this time. For the first time in 23 months, they made an opponent worry about the outcome into the fourth quarter, and they got on the bus thinking about one game-changing moment rather than an avalanche.

It came early in the fourth as A&T faced second and goal from the Ram 9 while trailing 21-7. Quarterback Herb Miller rolled out of trouble, neared the sideline, declined what would have been a short running gain and tossed one across his body for Curtis Walls in the end zone.

"I ran around and saw Walls sitting on the spot," Miller said. "I tried to get to him, which I shouldn't have done."

The pass was thrown behind the Aggies' best receiver, who managed to get a hand on it and juggle it for an agonizing second. The ball seemed to disappear in a confluence of red and white jerseys before winding up in the hands of the Rams' Thaddeus Griffin, who was flat on his back.

Two witnesses said the ball hit the ground first, which suggests the play would have been vigorously reviewed by video if this had been a Division I-A game.

The Aggies had no avenues of appeal, but Walls didn't seek them.

"Anything I touch, I'm supposed to pull it in," he said. "I'm supposed to be the dependable receiver for this team."

A chance to close the gap was gone, and when the Rams followed the play with an 80-yard touchdown drive, the outcome was effectively sealed.

Nobody's going to admit a three-touchdown defeat is satisfactory, but A&T displayed more defensive speed than at any time in 2006.

The Rams found the holes to the tune of 303 rushing yards, but A&T reorganized after a skittish start and pursued the ball reasonably well.

Football statistics are notoriously specious anyway, and Saturday was a study in deception.

"I liked the aggression," sophomore defensive end Andre Thornton said. "We had 11 hats to the ball. If they got a first down, we didn't lollygag down the field. We all ran down the field."


Fobbs does have options in the running game, as Michael Ferguson got 16 carries, junior-college transfer David "Speedy" Robinson had 10 and former Clemson Tiger Demerick Chancellor was called upon three times.

A&T lacks bulk among its wide receivers and may need to get creative in order to run effectively to the sideline.

Fifth-year seniors Jed Bines and Monte Purvis give the Rams a seasoned and swift backfield pair for a team that ran for 180 yards a game a year ago.

Winston-Salem State, still in a transition phase toward full second-tier membership, will play a full MEAC schedule but not be eligible for the league title. There's enough on the Ram sideline to suggest this would be an intriguing team under normal membership circumstances.

A&T gets another crack at stopping the streak when it plays Prairie View A&M, which lost an untouchable 80 straight games from 1989-98, in Los Angeles next week.

And the Aggies keep thinking they'll be OK.

"Every day. Every day," Walls said. "And if I don't think that, then I need to be off this team."

N. C. A&T 0 0 7 0 -- 7

Winston-Salem State 7 7 7 7 --28

WiSa--Purvis 1 run (M.Mitchell kick)

WiSa--Bayne 19 pass from Purvis (M.Mitchell kick)

WiSa--McRae 30 run (M.Mitchell kick)

NCAT--Walls 21 pass from Miller (Houston kick)

WiSa--Thomas 16 pass from Purvis (M.Mitchell kick)

A--22,000.

NCAT WiSa
First downs 11 20

Rushes-yards 38-143 47-286

Passing 73 96

Comp-Att-Int 10-21-3 9-15-0

Return Yards 33 51

Punts-Avg. 7-36.0 7-35.7

Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1

Penalties-Yards 6-56 6-66

Time of Possession 28:54 31:06

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--N.C A&T, Ferguson 16-64, Robinson 10-33, Miller 7-28, Chancellor 3-17, McNair 2-1. Winston-Salem, Bines 16-125, McRae 15-85, Purvis 15-63, Harris 1-13.

PASSING--N. Carolina A&T, Miller 10-21-3-73. Winston-Salem, Purvis 9-15-0-96.

RECEIVING--N. Carolina A&T, Walls 3-31, Robinson 2-(minus 5), C.Dawson 1-21, Caldwell 1-15, Lowrance 1-14, Ferguson 1-4, Chancellor 1-(minus 7). Winston-Salem, Bayne 3-23, Thomas 1-16, Reaves 1-15, Scarborough 1-15, Hubbard 1-12, Kinzer 1-10, Fluellen 1-5.

Morgan State Set for Thursday's Season-Opener

Photo: SSU Tigers

MSU Sports Information

Morgan State will kick-off the season against Savannah State on Thursday, August 30 at Hughes Stadium.

SAVANNAH STATE “TIGERS” (0-0) vs.
MORGAN STATE “BEARS” (0-0, 0-0 MEAC)

FULLWOOD CLASSIC/YOUTH DAY
Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007 • 7:00 p.m.
Hughes Stadium (Capacity 10,000) • Baltimore, Md.

RADIO: Morgan State Radio Network WEAA - 88.9 FM: Rob Long (play-by-play) & Kelvin Bridgers (color).

"The Game" Overview - Weekly Release in PDF Format:
http://www.morganstatebears.com/Pdfs/foot/2007/8/27/vsSavannah%20State1.pdf

INTERNET: http://www.morganstatebears.com/ and/or www.savstate.edu/athletics

Setting the Scene

• Morgan State begins its 2007 football campaign when they host theTigers of Savannah State on Thursday, August 30 at 7 o’clock. The Bears enter the 2007 season predicted to finish in 6th place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) as head coach Donald Hill-Eley enters his sixth year at Morgan State. MSU returns 21 starters (10 offense, 8 defense, 3 specialty) from last year’s team that posted a 5-6 overall mark and finished the year ranked 4th in the conference. Headlining the list of returner starters for the Bears include All-MEAC RB Chad Simpson, All-MEAC WR Roderick Wolfe, QB Mario Melton and OT Dakarai Grimsley. MSU closed out the 2006 season with a 41-16 loss against South Carolina State at Hughes Stadium to deny the Bears of a .500 overall record.

• Savannah State is coming off a 2-9 record from a year ago under head coach Theo Lemon. Thursday night’s contest will mark the 5th meeting between the school’s with the Bears holding a 4-0 advantage in the series.

Photo: Morgan State University Bears

• Donald Hill-Eley is 2-0 against Savannah State. In 2005 the Bears cruised to a 55-26 victory at the Proctor & Gamble Ohio Classic in Cleveland, Ohio. Not Ali Culpepper, and not even the great Leroy Kelly, who starred at Morgan State, then dazzled Browns fans in this city back in the 1960s, did what Jason Jackson did that Saturday. Jackson, a junior tailback from Oxon Hill, shredded the Savannah State defense for a school record 251 yards and four touchdowns Saturday to help Morgan to a 55-26 triumph, its first of the season. Doing most of his damage in the second half, Jackson exceeded Culpepper’s school mark of 229 yards set in 2001. Jackson scored on runs of 9, 90, 25 and 33 yards, exciting the crowd of 40,502 at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

• Theo Lemon enters his second season as head football coach for the Savannah State University Tigers. On April 10, 2006, athletic director Robert “Tony” O’Neal named Lemon the 20th head football coach at Savannah State University. Lemon completed his first season at the helm with a 2-9 record.

• WR Mark Williams will be one to watch as the Tigers get set to begin the 2007 campaign. Williams returns as the Tigers main target on offense and completed the 2006 season with 42 receptions for 522 yards and four touchdowns. Marc averaged just over 47 receiving yards per game.

MSU-SAVANNAH STATE SERIES
Overall, Morgan State leads the series, 4-0 since the series began in 2000. The closest game in the series came in the first meeting when the Bears won by a score of 12-6. Savannah State was shutout in the second game (26-0) and suffered a home loss (45-14) at Ted A. Wright Stadium. The Bears won the last contest at Cleveland Browns Stadium (55-26 in 2005) during the Proctor & Gamble Ohio Classic.

MSU - SSU TIES
Morgan State offensive line coach Chennis Berry graduated from Savannah State in 1996. Berry started as a tight end during his first two seasons with the Tigers before being moved to offensive tackle. He received All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference First-Team selection during his senior season in 1994. Berry earned his first coaching job in 1995 when he was named the Tigers’ offensive line coach.

MSU D NUMERO 1 AGAINST THE RUN
Morgan State’s defense ranked No. 1 in the MEAC against the run. In his fi rst season as the defensive coordinator for the Bears, Alonzo Lee had his Bears defense ranked #1 against the run (117.0/g), #5 in scoring defense (22.0/g) and #6 in total defense (303.6/g). The Bears defense returns eight starters along with quality depth and should be one of the premier defenses in the league.