The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).
America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and GCAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes..
In three short years in the NFL, former
Tennessee State University's DRC
has become a Pro Bowl
caliber cornerback.
Philadelphia, PA - According to reports on July 28, 2011, the Cardinals have traded Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Joe Banner was the guy doing the dirty work of negotiating the Kevin Kolb for Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie trade. However, there's no doubt that GM Howie Roseman was closely involved as well. He met the media for a bit yesterday to give his thoughts on the player the Eagles received in the deal.
"This is a Pro Bowl caliber cornerback and an exciting guy to have on our team." Roseman said, "He's got great ball skills, he's explosive, and he'll fit well with the kind of posture we're going with on defense."
He says that the Eagles have liked DRC ever since scouting him in college.
The Mississippi Valley State University Department of Athletics announced recently that the Delta Devils have added another game to its 2011 slate. The addition of Murray State will give the Delta Devils 11 contests for the upcoming season and six home games for the program.
“We worked hard to find another contest for 2011 and we contacted a number of programs. In the end, an agreement with Murray State worked out well for both schools,” said interim athletics director Donald Sims.
The Racers went 6-5 last season, opening the season losing their first three games before closing out the season winning their last three contests. A member of the Ohio Valley Conference, this will be the first meeting between the Racers and the Delta Devils.
September
3 Alabama State Itta Bena, Miss. Rice-Totten Stadium 5p
10 Murray State Itta Bena, Miss. Rice-Totten Stadium 4p
17 @ Alcorn State Alcorn State, Miss. Jack Spinks Stadium TBA
The scoreboard favored the Offense but Tennessee State University Coach Rod Reed praised the Defense in Saturday's Blue and White Spring Game. The scoring system used to award points to each unit gave the offense a 61-37 victory over the defense, but many of those points were scored late in the contest at Hale Stadium before an estimated crowd of 3,500.
"The No. 1 thing you've got to do in any defense is stop the run," Reed said. "Our offense hangs its hat on running the ball, so for us to come out and do a good job against the run really pleases me."
The defense stifled the running game well into the second quarter, holding it to minus-4 yards on 14 carries. By halftime the offense had only 20 yards on 19 carries, and the defense was leading 23-17. The two quarterbacks — senior starter Jeremy Perry and redshirt freshman Michael German — were not allowed to be hit, so the truest test was the running game against the defense.
The decision to change positions in football can be difficult. Tennessee State offensive coordinator Mike Jones made it easy for Jamal Ramsey, a transfer from Middle Tennessee State, who has moved from quarterback to wide receiver during spring practice.
"If he stays at quarterback he probably would never see the field," Jones said. "If he goes to wide receiver he's got a great opportunity to see the field. I asked him which one did he want to play? He said he wanted to play wide receiver and we're happy to have him at that position."
The Tigers need receivers more than quarterbacks as they look to improve their passing game after finishing seventh in the OVC last year (165.6 yards per game).
On a sunny and festive day that saw over 3,500 fans and the "Aristocrat of Bands" come to "The Hole" of Hale Stadium, the Tennessee State University "Blue" team (offense) prevailed 61-37 over the "White" team (defense) in the 2011 Spring game.
Utilizing a point system that rewarded the defense points for such things as interceptions, fumbles and third down stops, the defense took a 25-21 lead into the halftime. The defense gained fifteen points on three interceptions alone as they stymied the offensive attack.
In the second half, however, the offense came alive scoring thirty points on two touchdowns and a field goal along with gaining scoring points on several plays over twenty yards. Key among the 20-plus yard plays were long pass receptions by Brandon Brown (49 yds) and Travis James (30 yds).
Nashville, Tenn. - Football players from Tennessee State University and several area universities, looked to impress scouts from the NFL and Canadian Football League during the annual Pro Day event held on TSU's campus, Thursday, March 24.
A large crowd of spectators and supporters were on hand at the Gentry Center, and then Hale Stadium, as scouts took measurables of height, weight, vertical and broad jumps, along with strength and speed.
More than 20 players from the senior class of TSU's football team and players from Austin Peay State, Tennessee Tech, Western Kentucky and Tennessee Martin participated in the event.
Participants looked to impress the pro scouts and gain the title, "diamond in the rough", and receive an invitation to training camp and possible roster spot on a professional football team.
TSU wide receiver Joe Hills turned in the top performances in the broad jump (10'10") and the vertical jump (37 ½ "). WR/DB Marques Wilkins leaped 10' even in the broad jump. DB Marguez Hall awed the crowd with the second best vertical jump of 36 ½ inches. Hall stands 5' 8".
TSU running back Preston Brown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2010, recorded a time of 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash and lifted 225 lbs in the bench press 20 times.
Last year, TSU's DB Anthony Levine impressed scouts in the Pro Day event and was invited to the Green Bay Packers camp. Levine made the team and earned a Super Bowl ring this year after the Packers won the World Championship. Each of the players in this year's event hope their performance will lead to a professional football contract.
Videographer: TheNFLhistory; 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame class Announcement
DALLAS — Former Bears defensive end Richard Dent, a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist in seven of the last eight years, was voted in Saturday as part of the Class of 2011. “It’s very appreciated, and I’m very happy,” Dent said on NFL Network. “Long time coming.”
Dent was the MVP of Super Bowl XX, but he had to be patient to earn election, joining coach Mike Ditka (1988), running back Walter Payton (1993), linebacker Mike Singletary (1998) and defensive tackle Dan Hampton (2002). The Bears have a record 27 enshrinees in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Dent will be inducted Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio, along with running back Marshall Faulk, linebackers Chris Hanburger and Les Richter, contributor Ed Sabol, cornerback Deion Sanders, and tight end Shannon Sharpe.
Tennessee State has the home stadium that provides infinite possibilities.
Florida A&M has one of the Top-5 premier brands in all of the Football Championship Subdivision football.
Tennessee State was once the most feared football rivalry for the Rattlers.
FAMU has the world-renowned "Marching 100," which is worth the price of admission to any venue.
TSU has the Sophisticated Ladies and the Aristocrats of Bands.
Tennessee State Tigers embarrassed FAMU on national television in the Atlanta Football Classic in 2010, which later denied the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Co-Champion Rattlers an FCS playoff spot.
The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., has dropped TSU for the next two years, and is working out a contract with Stump Mitchell's Southern University Jaguars, for all the wrong reasons.
Tennessee State University has the Gentry Center which seats 10,500 for collegiate basketball.
FAMU has a new athletic director, Derek Horne, who's on a mission to help FAMU live up to its national legacy as a championship athletic program. Horne, from Southeastern Conference (SEC) University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) is accustomed to big games and large athletic budgets.
TSU athletic director Teresa Lawrence Phillips is in a pickle to replace longtime rival FAMU on its 2011 schedule and find a new revenue source for the $450,508.00 (2008 payout) loss from the Atlanta Football Classic.
What seems like a big problem, is an opportunity for greatness for TSU and FAMU.
Let me say that again...but more slowly, so that it sinks in...
What appears to be a huge problem is an opportunity for greatness and increased athletic income for Tennessee State University and Florida A&M University on a much larger stage.
The Rattlers/Tigers game must go on in 2012.
If a FAMU vs. Bethune-Cookman rivalry (Florida Classic) has earn the Rattlers and Wildcats $1.5 million dollars EACH annually, there is no reason that a "Tennessee Classic" cannot earn a greater payout for FAMU/TSU in the capital city of Tennessee, with a statistical population area estimated at 1.67 million people.
The 2010 Florida Classic had 61,712 fans in attendance. No reason that a "Tennessee Classic" can't exceed the Florida Classic numbers in a few years as this is a more serious football rivalry for TSU and FAMU. It's more marketable -- OVC Football vs. MEAC Football.
Florida A&M vs. Tennessee State should be all about the maximum money that can be made off of this game for both institutions, annually. With that being said, forget about home and home for this classic match up.
Let us suggest that the universities' administration book it for the next five years at Nashville's LP Field (or equal), the home stadium for the TSU Tigers and NFL Tennessee Titans. LP Field seats 68,800 in a state of art facility.
Using the same self-governing business model used for the Florida Classic, FAMU/TSU should set-up the same type of consortium for the proposed "Tennessee Classic" and hire an outside management company (like a Florida Citrus Sports) to manage the game affairs for a reasonable fixed fee.
There is absolutely no reason that this type of rivalry game cannot gross each school $1.5 million to $2 million annually, after expenses, when marketed properly, and when based on the structured business model of the Florida Classic. All the physical ingredients that makes the Florida Classic and Atlanta Classic successful are present in Nashville.
Videographer: UrbanSportsITG
More importantly, put the dang game out for bid for additional guaranteed money based on a projected economic impact of $30+ million dollars, based on a projected annual attendance of 52,000 fans or greater. Let Nashville, Jacksonville (Florida), Tampa (Florida), Memphis, and Knoxville all submit bids for the game to be played in their city and stadium for five years.
What we are suggesting is let Nashville and LP Field earn the rights to host the football game and other events by paying for those rights through the highest bid of cash to be paid to FAMU and TSU and/or reduced hotel rooms, stadium fees and the like for each university.
Let Versus, Fox Sports South and ESPN bid for TV rights to broadcast the game from Nashville, the 29th largest television market in the U.S. And offer others the regional and national Radio rights for fair market value. The two universities will remain the sole owners of the Tennessee Classic football game, basketball tournament and all of its ancillary events, like the Tennessee classic parade, battle of the bands, step shows, etc. and concerts.
FAMU and TSU products are more valuable than the $450,508.00 each paid by the 100 Black Men in Atlanta. If anyone knows this better, its athletic director Teresa Phillips, who earned a bachelor's degree in economics and business education from Vanderbilt University.
Videographer: hbcusportsonline - Excepts from FAMU 's half-time show at 2010 Florida Classic
It is long overdue that athletic directors Phillips and Derek Horne, recognizes the needs of their strong fan base and the financial needs of their respective athletic departments to maximize the earning power of this rivalry game.
Self-management and oversight of this game is the key to maximizing earnings for each university program.
Yes, it will take a little work from the respective athletic departments, but the gain for our student-athletes will be greater than the payouts from a FBS money game or a home game in Tallahassee (13,000 fans) with a strong Division II program, like a Fort Valley State.
The 100 Black Men did both institutions a major favor by giving TSU the boot.
It now forces TSU and FAMU to look beyond guaranteed losses (money games) with Football Bowl Championship/BCS programs; minimum pay days with third parties like the 100 Black Men; or so-called money games with the Division I basketball powerhouses--that buys guaranteed wins from barnstorming Division I programs like the MEAC, SWAC and OVC.
Our student-athletes deserves a fair opportunity to win every game scheduled and adequate financial support for academic excellency. Horne understands this from this playing days in SEC basketball and having worked in true Division I athletic administration at Ole Miss.
Phillips needs to avoid the "quick fix" solution used by most Division I HBCU athletic directors to raise cash quickly by scheduling FBC or Division II blowouts. Either way, the loyal fan base is severely short changed.
FAMU vs. Tennessee State rivalry must continue in 2012.
That's what makes our suggested Plan B so intriguing, and invites further study, discussion and consideration.
Schedule the rivalry game the last week of October or first Saturday in November 2012 and take advantage of hosting a season opening basketball tournament at the TSU Gentry Center. The tournament could operate under the same brand ("Tennessee Classic") and would invite six men and women programs, i.e., TSU, FAMU, Middle Tennessee State, Jackson State, Alabama A&M, and Southern. The goal is to earn an additional $600,000 for the two-day basketball events scheduled around the football game, on Friday and Sunday.
Again, thank you 100 Black Men of Atlanta for giving TSU the boot!
Without adversity, TSU/FAMU would continue to schedule the same unprofitable football games with the third party reaping all the benefits. Now, each institution is forced to go to a Plan B. Tigers and Rattlers fans must keep the pressure on their respective administrations for a university owned "Tennessee Classic" or some variation of what we are suggesting in this blog.
There will never be a new Bragg Memorial Stadium at FAMU with 45,000 seats, field turf and luxury suites if we continue along the financial pathway created by athletic directors who have long since been fired and forgotten for fund raising and financial management incompetency.
Please, no more scheduled Bowl Championship Series (BCS) blowouts for $450,000 (pay your own expenses) or less. No more home dates with Division II football opponents. No more 10-12 game basketball tours of the Midwest for only a check and a guaranteed loss for the Rattlers and Tigers men and women basketball programs.
No more painting over the rust in Bragg Memorial Stadium. As we all know, FAMU is long overdue for a major Stadium upgrade with luxury suites, field turf and 45,000 seats with backs. It all cost millions of dollars that FAMU has not earned under the past business models.
That's why the TSU/FAMU rivalry is so important and should be developed into a three day event in Nashville. I am reminded of how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., always spoke on the urgency of now. We all have a responsibility to support the continuation of this historic rivalry and NOW is the time to move forward to make this event a reality.
Tennessee State University Athletic Director Teresa Phillips has released the tentative 2011 football schedule without the Atlanta Classic against perennial opponent, Florida A&M University.
"The Atlanta Classic is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and they decided to bring in another opponent to face Florida A&M," said Phillips. “We are in active negotiations to schedule an FBS or prominent FCS team to replace that game this year.” She concluded saying, “We expect to complete our schedule by the end of the month.”
The Tigers and Rattlers have played each other for twenty-eight consecutive years with FAMU holding a 26-25-1 edge in the all-time series. TSU beat FAMU 29-18 last year in Atlanta in front of a crowd of 54,202.
Phillips added, "Considering our long-standing rivalry with Florida A&M, we are looking to negotiate future home-and-home games with the Rattlers to renew and sustain our series."
Tennessee State University Tentative 2011 Football Schedule Date Opponent Site Event Time Sep 3 Southern Nashville, TN John Merritt Classic TBA
Sep 10 Jackson State Memphis, TN Southern Heritage Classic TBA
Sep 17 TBA TBA TBA
Sep 24 TBA TBA TBA
Oct 1 Austin Peay State* Clarksville, TN TBA Oct 8 SE Missouri State* Nashville, TN TBA
Oct 15 Tennessee Tech * Cookeville, TN TBA
Oct 22 Eastern Kentucky * Richmond, KY TBA
Oct 29 O P E N
Nov 5 Eastern Illinois * Charleston, Il TBA Nov 12 Tennessee Martin * Nashville, TN Homecoming TBA Nov 19 Jacksonville State * Nashville, TN Senior Day TBA
* = Ohio Valley Conference Game
Home games in Bold
Florida A&M and Tennessee State University definitely won't meet in this year's Atlanta Football Classic, while Southern University is the apparent front-runner to replace the Tigers in the late-September game on the Rattlers' schedule.
While both FAMU and Southern athletic officials have been mum about negotiations for both teams to renew their long-time rivalry, several sources have said that the Rattlers and Tigers will meet this season for the first time since 2008.
Tennessee State's football players and coaches will move into a plush new locker room soon and have an indoor facility for practice, which is rare for most Football Championship Subdivision programs.
It might seem odd for a 3-8 team to be rewarded after its first season under Coach Rod Reed. But TSU Athletics Director Teresa Phillips points out the new amenities are not a reward, but a sign of support from an administration that expects improvement.
Phillips met recently with Reed to give her season-ending evaluation, as she does with all sports, and cut him some slack for the dismal record because he dealt with injuries to so many key players.
Tennessee State Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said the Tigers will not play in the Atlanta Football Classic next season for the first time since 1994, and she hopes to replace the September game with a Football Bowl Subdivision or a "prominent" Football Championship Subdivision opponent.
TSU, an FCS team, has played Florida A&M in the past nine Atlanta Football Classics at the Georgia Dome and was involved in 17 of the 19 games since 1989.
Phillips said she became aware several weeks ago that officials from the Atlanta Football Classic were negotiating with Southern University as an opponent for Florida A&M to replace TSU. She received official word last week that the Tigers would not be invited back.
TSU Tigers Will Not Play In Atlanta Classic in 2011
Tennessee State University Athletic Director Teresa Phillips has released the tentative 2011 football schedule without the Atlanta Classic against perennial opponent, Florida A&M University.
"The Atlanta Classic is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and they decided to bring in another opponent to face Florida A&M," said Phillips. “We are in active negotiations to schedule an FBS or prominent FCS team to replace that game this year.” She concluded saying, “We expect to complete our schedule by the end of the month.”
The Tigers and Rattlers have played each other for twenty-eight consecutive years with FAMU holding a 26-25-1 edge in the all-time series. TSU beat FAMU 29-18 last year in Atlanta in front of a crowd of 54,202.
Nashville, TN - Tennessee State Coach Rod Reed, who helped turned the Tigers defense into the best in the OVC in 2008, is prepared to take over the unit again. Kenny Ingram resigned this week as defensive coordinator after one season. Reed named himself the interim coordinator and said he may decide to handle the job on a permanent basis.
"I'm going to do it on the interim and that could change," said Reed, who replaced James Webster as the head coach this season. "Right now I am more inclined to do it." The Tigers (3-8) finished the season with a six-game losing streak and allowed an average of 26.7 points in that stretch.
MURRAY, Ky. — Rod Reed's first season as Tennessee State's football coach ended with something that has happened just twice in school history. The Tigers' 28-23 loss to Murray State on Saturday was their sixth straight, joining the 1962 and 1995 teams as the only ones to lose that many consecutive games in one season.
TSU (3-8, 0-7 OVC) led 14-7 at halftime and got 289 yards passing and three touchdowns from Jeremy Perry, who had missed the previous two games with an ankle sprain. But Murray State (6-5, 5-3) scored three touchdowns in the third quarter, and the Tigers couldn't catch up. Murray State earned its first winning season in five years.
Tennessee State Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said she will wait until the football season ends to evaluate first-year Coach Rod Reed.
If TSU (3-7, 0-6 OVC) loses to Murray State (5-5, 4-3) then it would match the most consecutive losses in one season by any Tiger team, joining the six losses in a row by the 1962 and 1995 squads. It would also be the first time since joining the OVC in 1988 that the Tigers failed to win a conference game. Even if they win, the Tigers will finish last in the OVC for the second time, joining the 1995 team.
After being shut out over the past six quarters, Tennessee State's offense could get a lift today with the expected return of starting quarterback Jeremy Perry. The junior was sidelined the past two games with a high ankle sprain. He was able to practice this week, took most of the snaps with the first unit, and said he would play through the lingering pain when the Tigers try to snap a five-game losing streak in their season finale at Murray State.
With Perry out, the offense collapsed in the second half against Eastern Illinois after senior Dominic Grooms helped the Tigers jump to a 28-7 halftime lead.
Tennessee State's offense started strong but stalled in the second half as the Tigers lost to Tennessee Tech 21-10 on Saturday night. It is the first time TSU (3-5, 0-4) has lost four consecutive conference games since joining the Ohio Valley Conference in 1988.
Not only did TSU's offense suddenly start to sputter in the second half, but it also failed to take advantage of the two opportunities it did have. Freshman kicker Jamin Godfrey missed field goals from 24 and 31 yards. "We have to score in the red zone and we're making too many field goal attempts, and missing two tonight didn't help our effort any," TSU Coach Rod Reed said. McNairl gives TSU an offensive boost
Not even Tennessee State's versatile Calvin McNairl enjoying a breakout game at wide receiver was enough to give the Tigers a win over Tennessee Tech Saturday night at LP Field. McNairl started eight games at quarterback last season, then moved to receiver in the spring. The junior from Henry County came into the game as TSU's third-leading receiver with 13 catches for 145 yards and no touchdowns. He finished the 21-10 loss as the leading receiver with nine catches for 131 yards, including an 84-yard TD.
NASHVILLE -- A year ago, it was Tennessee Tech's Tim Benford making the game-saving catch to give the Golden Eagles the win over Tennessee State and clinching the Sergeant York Trophy. On Saturday night, Benford caught two touchdown catches, his sixth and seventh in OVC play this season, leading the Golden Eagles to a 21-10 victory at LP Field. In other words, Benford likes playing Tennessee State.
Tennessee State first-year Coach Rod Reed said he recently adopted a policy for being tighter-lipped about his team's injuries, but he doesn't deny the Tigers are hurting as they try to snap their three-game OVC losing streak today. The Tigers (3-4, 0-3 OVC) hope to avoid their first 0-4 start since joining the league in 1988 when Tennessee Tech (3-4, 2-2) visits LP Field at 6 tonight. Lost for the year are:
COOKEVILLE -- As both Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State enter this week's contest, both sidelines could look like a battlefield hospital with many wounded players are lining up the sidelines. The two teams square off in a Sergeant York Trophy contest Saturday night at 6 p.m. from LP Field. The biggest blow this season has been the loss of running back Preston Brown, who was a major focal point of the Tigers' offense.
"Everybody knows about him," Reed said. "He was the nation's leading rusher.
READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.
ATTENDANCE: 6739
Please register TODAY at www.hondabattleofthebands.com and vote daily for your favorite band to go to Atlanta Jan. 29.
A new powerhouse has emerged in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. This is a good thing!
Bethune-Cookman has beaten South Carolina State, breaking the Bulldogs string of 21 consecutive conference wins. The Wildcats in their 14-0 shutout Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg also broke the Bulldogs 13 game home winning streak.
With the win, the Wildcats are tied with the Hampton Pirates for the conference lead with a 4-0 record. B-CU is scheduled to play the Pirates on November 6 in Hampton. The Bulldogs drop into a second place tie with Florida A&M with a 2-1 conference mark.
The Bulldogs have little time to recover as Hampton is scheduled for Saturday at Dawson Stadium in an ESPNU nationally televised cable game. Both the Bulldogs and Rattlers will need some help from the other MEAC teams, if they expect to overtake the Wildcats for the championship.
The Wildcats (6-0/4-0 MEAC) will play at North Carolina Central in Durham next Saturday in a non-conference game. The Eagles (2-4) fell to the upstart Georgia State Panthers 20-17 in overtime at the Georgia Dome.
Who ARE Those Guys on the B-CU Coaching Staff?
For starters, 39 year old first year head coach Brian Jenkins has never served as a head football coach at any level -- not even Pop Warner, junior high or high school. Jenkins was a career Division I position coach, serving 15 years at a number of schools as either wide receivers, running back or special teams coach at: Rutgers (2009), Louisiana-Lafayette (2002-08), NFL Europe - Frankfort Galaxy (2001), Bowling Green (2000), Eastern Illinois (1995-1999) and Western Kentucky (1994).
Coach Jenkins played wide receiver and running back at the University of Cincinnati and earned an associate’s degree in Education and bachelor’s degree in social work in 1993.
Jenkins is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and played football at Dillard High School under a renowned high school football coach, the late Otis Gray. Jenkins played on the 1986 and 1989 Dillard High School State Championship teams with NFL running back Lorenzo White. For you football historians, Gray is the father of former Florida A&M University and Jacksonville Jaguars star quarterback Quinn Gray Sr., who also played for his father at Dillard High School.
Nothing in Jenkins vitae shed any light to his instant success with B-CU other than the assembly of a great coach staff with great teaching skills, and superb chemistry with the players.
Offensive Coordinator Mark Orlando's Speedway O scheme has the Wildcats ready to play every game while their opponents look totally confused and unprepared for the no-huddle offense. His scheme is very similar to the legendary "Gulf Coast Offense" ran by former FAMU Coach Billy Joe during the 1990's on his way to several FCS playoffs berths.
Orlando won the 1981 Division I-AA National Championship as FAMU's offensive coordinator during six seasons with the Rattlers; five SWAC Championships and three HBCU National Championships during his tenure at Southern University under former Jaguars head coach Pete Richardson.
The jury is still out on Coach Jenkins, but we can confirm he is a great recruiter of Florida talent, a tremendous leader and exceptional facilitator of proven coaching talent. That in itself is a major plus up for MEAC Football -- that now has a four- headed monster in the Wildcats, Pirates, Bulldogs and Rattlers, battling for the MEAC Football Championship and FCS playoff berth.
Surprise of the Week:Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault throwing a 28 yard TD with two seconds left in the game for a 49-45 Tiger victory over Southern. Therriault has passed for 2,087 yards and 20 touchdowns in six games. He has only 3 interceptions on the year and has rushed for 3 TDs.
Grambling State has hitched its wagon to senior running back Frank Warren who recorded his second 200 yard rushing game of the season. The Tigers' (5-1, 5-0 SWAC) earned a 38-28 win, as Warren rushed for 202 yards and 4 touchdowns on 29 carries, and caught a 9 yard pass for a 5th touchdown.
ASU true-freshman quarterback Brandon Bridge accounted for 445 yards of offense for the Alcorn State Braves. Bridge passed for 4 touchdowns and 404 yards but had 2 INT.
GSU's Warren is the second leading rusher in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Now, the rest of the story...
MEAC #23 Bethune Cookman 14, #9 South Carolina State 0 Florida A&M 31, Savannah State 0 Hampton 7, Norfolk State 6 Delaware State 31, North Carolina A&T 26 Georgia State 20, North Carolina Central 17 (O.T.)
SWAC Grambling State 38, Alcorn State 28 Prairie View A&M 45, Lincoln (Mo.) 12 Arkansas Pine Bluff 21, Alabama A&M 14 Jackson State 49, Southern 45
OVC Jacksonville State 24, Tennessee State 0
SIAC Fort Valley State 26, Tuskegee 0 Morehouse 38, Stillman 34 Miles 20, Lane 6 Albany State 27, Benedict 10 Clark Atlanta 19, Kentucky State 7
CIAA Bowie State 24, Lincoln (Pa.) 18 Chowan 31, Saint Paul's 20 Virginia Union 44, Johnson C. Smith 21 Shaw 34, Fayetteville State 27 Winston Salem State 58, Livingstone 0 Virginia State 15, Elizabeth City State 10 (Thursday)
Others Panhandle State 23, Texas College 14 West Chester 48, Cheyney 34 West Liberty State 48, West Virginia State 26
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Southeast Missouri State had plenty of chances to administer a knockout blow. The Redhawks failed to deliver despite dominating Tennessee State statistically — yet they lived to tell about it as their remarkable football season continued.
Southeast survived a big rally by the visiting Tigers to hold on for a 19-17 victory Saturday night. “It was a little more exciting than I would like,” said junior quarterback Matt Scheible after the Redhawks built a 19-3 halftime lead. “But these past two years I’ve been here we lose games like this.”
The Redhawks aren’t losing them any longer. They improved to 5-1 overall with the program’s first five-game winning streak since moving up to Division I-AA in 1991. Southeast also continued its best Ohio Valley Conference start since joining the league in 1991. The Redhawks are a first-place 4-0 in OVC play.
Football Hangs on for 19-17 Win Over Tennessee State
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Henry Harris and Matt Scheible each rushed for over 100 yards and scored a touchdown to lead No. 25 Southeast Missouri (5-1, 4-0) to a 19-17 win over Tennessee State (3-3, 0-2) Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd of 10,316 at Houck Stadium.
Harris averaged 6.5 yards per carry on 29 attempts en route to 188 yards. He became the first in Southeast history to rush for over 100 yards in five-straight games.
Meanwhile, Scheible gained 128 yards on 16 carries. He also completed 5-of-11 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown. It marked the second time this season where Scheible ran for over 100 yards in a game.
"Henry and Matt continue to make big plays for us," said Southeast head coach Tony Samuel. "We are playing with a lot of confidence right now. Things got tight at the end tonight, but we never gave up." Southeast put up 19 points in the second quarter and that was the difference in the game, as TSU shutout the Redhawks and rallied for 14 unanswered points in the second half.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Even though Preston Brown is one of the top running backs in the Football Championship Subdivision, he's always concerned each week about losing his starting spot. Dante' Thomas showed why.
With Brown slowed in practice by a groin injury, Thomas took over the starting spot Saturday, rushing for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee State's 37-7 victory over North Carolina A&T in the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brown might not have been himself, but he was still pretty good. The second-leading rusher in the FCS added 145 yards, nine shy of his average.
INDIANAPOLIS -- The N.C. A&T football team ran out of luck at the Circle City Classic. The Aggies, who brought a 3-0 record at the event into Saturday's showdown against Tennessee State, couldn't draw from past success, dropping a 37-7 decision to the Tigers at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Aggies, with previous victories over Southern (1994) and Tennessee State (1997 and 2005), were the only undefeated team in Classic history with at least three appearances. The game, which was established to showcase Historically Black Colleges and Universities, has been played each year since 1984.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - It's classic weekend again in Indy.
A pep rally is set to begin at White River State Park at 4 p.m. featuring marching bands from North Carolina A&T State and Tennessee State. Following the rally fans can head to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch the Circle City Classic High School game. Warren Central will take on Carmel High School at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a gospel explosion at the Madame Walker Theatre and a comedy jam at Old National Centre.
On Saturday, thousands of fans will make their way downtown to watch the electric Circle City Classic Parade.
Footballs will be flying and pads will be poppin' this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in front of thousands of screaming fans.
No, Peyton Manning will not be in town. The Indianapolis Colts play Sunday in Jacksonville. Instead, what is on the docket is the 27th annual Circle City Classic. “We're ready for a breakout,” North Carolina A&T coach Alonzo Lee said. “This should be an exciting game.” Lee's Aggies (0-4) will face Tennessee State (2-2) at 4 p.m. Saturday.
Indiana Black Expo officials are fighting to breathe new life into the Circle City Classic, but they have a steep hill to climb to assure the 27-year-old event maintains long-term financial viability in Indianapolis.
Coming off a year in which ticket revenue declined 19 percent, sponsorship revenue fell 12 percent and overall revenue dropped 15 percent, IBE officials hope a series of new attractions and events will stir up more interest in the annual football game and festival.
“Things are going quite well,” said IBE spokeswoman Elizabeth Hart. “Ticket sales are trending well; we think better than last year. We expect a big draw this year from followers of the out-of-town schools involved as well as local residents. We think we have some attractions that are really going to bring people to the event this year.”
This year’s game, to be played Saturday in Lucas Oil Stadium, features North Carolina A&T State University against Tennessee State University. 13 WTHRCircle City Classic has new twist
Indianapolis - The Circle City Classic has a new twist this year. Two local high schools will kick off the classic weekend with a game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Carmel plays Warren Central Friday night at 7:30 pm. The Carmel Greyhounds are hoping to avenge a loss to the Warren Central Warriors during last year's state championship game.
"We've been around for 27 years. We really wanted to add a new aspect to the Circle City Classic - keep it fresh, and so we wanted to incorporate the high school students and high school athletes into the Circle City Classic weekend. We are hoping for a great success and great crowds this year so we can continue it for years to come," said Elizabeth Hart, Indiana Black Expo.
Tennessee State running back Preston Brown knew he had rushed for a lot of yards this season, but wasn't sure exactly how many. He also wasn't aware of where he ranked in the Football Championship Subdivision.
When told he had climbed to second nationally, averaging 153.8 yards, and that he has more rushing yards (615) than any other player, Brown was glad to hear it. Grambling's Frank Warren leads the FCS, averaging 162.7 yards.
The two coaches who will lead their football teams in today's Circle City Classic came up through the same career path.
Tennessee State's Rod Reed and North Carolina A&T's Alonzo Lee were assistant coaches and then coordinators at historically black colleges and universities before getting a chance at the top job. It's a key development, both say, to have the opportunity for that kind of advancement instead of seeing assistants from big-name schools swoop in and be named head coaches.
The only thing Tennessee State Coach Rod Reed enjoys watching as much as Preston Brown making long runs is the Tigers' defense stopping the run. "Being an old defensive coach that's what really makes me happy because when you stop the run, you stop a lot of the things most offenses are going to try to do," said Reed, who was elevated from defensive coordinator to head coach after James Webster resigned last season.
Brown's running, combined with TSU's ability to stop North Carolina A&T running back Mike Mayhew, will be a key for the Tigers (2-2) in today's Circle City Classic against the Aggies (0-4) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
It's yet to be seen if a high school football game will become a permanent part of the Circle City Classic weekend, but event officials said Friday night's showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium between Class 5A second-ranked and defending state champion Warren Central (5-1) and top-ranked Carmel (6-0) will provide a boost in exposure and enthusiasm to the festivities.
The Circle City Classic, a joint collaboration between Indiana Black Expo Inc. and the Indiana Sports Corp., has been played as a college game every year since 1984; this year's game pits North Carolina A&T against Tennessee State at 4 p.m. Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The bus ride home to Nashville was a whole lot more fun than the ride back to Tallahassee, as Tennessee State shocked Florida A&M 29-18 in the Atlanta Football Classic on Saturday.
While it was bit of a surprise that Tennessee State won, what was startling was just how dominant it was over a team that had a better record this season and an eight-game win streak in this series. Tennessee State’s Preston Brown ran for a career-high 233 yards, which was also an Atlanta Football Classic record.
Big-game tested and accustomed to winning at the Georgia Dome, the Rattlers were surprisingly lifeless from the start. They had no answers for Tennessee State’s relentless pressure, as the Tigers sacked FAMU quarterbacks an astonishing 11 times
ATLANTA — Thanks to 11 sacks and Preston Brown's 233 yards rushing, Tennessee State broke an eight-game Atlanta Football Classic losing streak to Florida A&M 29-18 on Saturday at the Georgia Dome. Brown set an Atlanta Football Classic rushing record and equaled the third-best effort in TSU history.
"This is huge," first-year TSU Coach Rod Reed said. "One of the benchmarks for this program was beating Florida A&M. We came here ready to play this. I'm so proud of these gentlemen." On the game's second play, a crowd of 54,202 saw Brown take a handoff and race 71 yards up the middle for a touchdown.
ATLANTA — So much for the win streak that Florida A&M had in the Atlanta Classic. The Rattlers played an uninspired first half and Tennessee State's running back Preston Brown was unstoppable all afternoon to carry the Tigers to a 29-18 victory in front of 54,202 at the Georgia Dome.
Not since losing to TSU by 20 points in 2001 has FAMU been beaten this badly by the Tigers. Ironically, that was the last time TSU beat FAMU. TSU exposed FAMU in every phase on an afternoon when the Rattlers were plain flat.
