AAMU Soccer Bulldogs fill in holes, roll

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

The Alabama A&M men's soccer team got off to a rough start with losses in four of its first five games, but Salah Yousif's squad has picked up momentum over the last couple of weeks.

The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games and will host the A&M Invitational Saturday and Sunday at John Hunt Park.

A&M will take on Houston Baptist at 11 a.m. Saturday, and Air Force will play Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. On Sunday, Central Arkansas and Houston Baptist collide at noon followed by A&M and Air Force at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

"We're excited about the way we're playing right now," said Yousif, whose team has lost four games by one goal apiece. "Early on, we didn't have enough athletes because guys were either hampered by nagging injuries or hadn't been cleared.

"We're healthier now and we have a bench to work with and that's the difference right now."

Striker Kun Chamjock (Gallatin, Tenn.), defender Mustefa Ahmed (Uganda) and midfielder Eric Kamya (Hyattsville, Md.) were recently cleared to play and Yousif says they have helped immensely.

"Those three guys have made a huge difference," he said. "(Goalkeeper) Paul Musoke has also been terrific."

MfanaFuthi Bhembe and Mosito Ranko, who had surgery on both knees during the offseason, have also been terrific. Through eight games, they are tied for the team lead with eight points apiece.

Chargers have momentum: If pre-conference results are any indication, UAH men's soccer coach Carlos Petersen may be right about his team being a contender for the Gulf South Conference championship

UAH opened the season 1-4, including losses to No. 10 Lynn, No. 9 Rollins and No. 10 Nova Southeastern. Since then, however, the Chargers have reeled off three wins in a row, including a 2-1 victory over No. 25 Barry University.

With four wins, UAH has equaled its win total from last season. The Chargers will try to make it four in a row when Fisk University visits Sunday at 1 p.m. UAH opens GSC play Friday at Ouachita Baptist.

Lady Chargers face UNA: UAH will begin its quest for a berth in the GSC women's soccer tournament today when it visits North Alabama.

The Lady Chargers had their four-game winning streak snapped last weekend in a 5-0 loss to Georgia College, but Lincoln Ziyenge believes his team will bounce back today.

UAH, Ziyenge says, must be able to put two halves together to win in the GSC.

The Lady Chargers have outscored their opponents 12-5 in the first half, but have been outscored 11-6 in the second. UAH has scored 17 goals in five wins, but just one goal in three losses.

Missing Kanda: A&M women's soccer coach Frank Davies knew the Bulldogs would miss Belinda Kanda. He didn't know they'd miss her this much.

With Kanda, A&M led the nation in scoring last season. Without her, the Bulldogs have struggled.

A&M, 1-5-1 on the season, has scored just 10 goals this year and has been shut out four times. However, Kanda, who has been playing with Ghana's national team during the World Cup, could be back next week when the Bulldogs visit Austin Peay on Monday or play Texas Southern next Sunday.

Kanda led the nation in goals per game (1.25) and points per game (3.06) last season.

UAH in bind: Three games into GSC play, the UAH volleyball team finds itself needing a win to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Chargers are 6-15 overall and 0-3 in league play and play their three remaining conference games on the road.

UAH visits Valdosta State on Saturday, West Florida on Sunday and West Georgia on Tuesday.

The Chargers opened the season 3-2, but have lost 13 of their last 16 matches.

Bulldogs need turnaround: After more than two weeks off, A&M volleyball coach Nedra Brown is eager to get her young team back on the court.

Since beating Albany State in the season opener on Sept. 4, the Bulldogs have dropped four straight matches and three of those were in straight sets. Brown and the Bulldogs hope to turn their season around starting Tuesday when they visit Alabama State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

J-State's off week leads into 3-game murderers' row

Photo: JSU Head Coach Rick Comegy

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Carlos Simpson is certain Jackson State's football team has retrieved its confidence, thanks to a two-game winning streak that included Saturday's emphatic 50-16 victory over rival Mississippi Valley State.

And that's great, but the Tigers' receiver is also quick to point out that it's going to take a lot more than confidence to win the next three games on the schedule.

"This is where we make or break our season," Simpson said. "We've got to stay hungry. The monkey's off the back of the offense after we scored 50 points. But we've got a lot more ahead of us."

Jackson State (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is in the midst of its off week, practicing Tuesday, Wednesday and today before giving the players the weekend to rest.

What awaits when the team returns is a brutal three-week stretch that includes games against Alabama State, Southern and Grambling. The three opponents have a combined 10-1 record this season, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the SWAC.

The Tigers still have an unblemished mark in conference, too, after beating two struggling programs in Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley. But let's be honest: JSU was supposed to win those games.

"I'm pleased because I think our guys realize we haven't accomplished anything yet," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "Are we happy that we're playing better and winning? Sure. But these teams that are coming up will present a very stiff challenge."

And the first hurdle will be Alabama State (4-0, 3-0), a battle-tested team that's still undefeated after squeaking past Alcorn State 28-25 last week.

Under first-year coach Reggie Barlow, the Hornets have won three of their four games by less than a touchdown and faced fourth-quarter deficits every game.

The Hornets have one of the best rushing offenses in the SWAC, led by running back Jay Peck. The senior is averaging 123 rushing yards per game, a mark that's nearly 30 yards better than the nearest challenger.

"He's one of the SWAC's best," JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "We've got to hit him hard and hit him often - make sure he's earning every yard he gets and try to wear him down."

Jackson State was very good at punishing running backs last season, finishing tops in the conference in rush defense.

But so far this season, the Tigers have been a bit more forgiving up front.

MVSU freshman running back Ronald Brewer carved up the JSU defense for 148 yards on Saturday and seemed to get 6- or 7-yard gains whenever he wished. Hayes said part of that was because "Brewer's a darn good young running back."

But players admitted that the tackling up front hasn't been optimal. Right now, JSU ranks fifth in the SWAC in rushing defense.

"In the film room, we saw some of our mistakes in the way we were lining up and it won't happen again," JSU linebacker Marcus Jamison said. "We've got to be prepared because I'm sure Alabama State saw that film of MVSU running on us. So they'll probably try the same thing."

Other than the run defense, Comegy said he saw no glaring weaknesses to correct from the MVSU game. But after thinking about it for a minute, JSU's coach admitted that's part of what makes him worried.

After all, Comegy says it was complacency that led to Jackson State finishing with a 6-5 record last season after starting 5-1.

"Just because we played a pretty good game on Saturday (against MVSU) doesn't mean we can't get a whole lot better in every phase of the game," Comegy said. "We've got to make our players understand that they can't get comfortable. There can be no sliding backward or all our work has been lost. That's why we're working so hard this week."

JSU Palmer's frame belies his wallop

Photo: Paul Roberts gets trapped by JSU defenders #26 Malcolm Palmer (left) and Willie Williams.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Alabama State at Jackson State
When: Oct. 6, 3 p.m.
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

After four stellar games to begin his sophomore season, Jackson State safety Malcolm Palmer is being compared to the Tigers' unsung defensive player from last season - linebacker Ken Woodard, who finished third on the team in tackles.

"Both of them don't physically look that big when you see them without pads," JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "But when they get on the football field you can't live without them. Palmer's been better than I ever dreamed he would be - at least this quickly."

Palmer (6 feet, 185 pounds) was the SWAC's defensive player of the week with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked kick in Saturday's 50-16 win over Mississippi Valley State. As a freshman, Palmer rarely played before earning a starting spot last spring.

Hayes said Palmer is proof that you can't judge a football player by physical appearance.

"We have a saying that some guys look like Tarzan, but play like Jane," Hayes said grinning. "But Malcolm's the other way around."

STILL HANDY

Defensive end Idrees Abdur-Rashied has seen his role reduced over the first four weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand.

The senior has just six tackles this season and has trouble wrapping up opposing players because of the club he has to wear on his hand for protection. In Abdur-Rashied's place, Sam Washington and Marcus Benard have had increased playing time.

"There's no question it makes things tougher," Abdur-Rashied said. "But there's no use complaining. I'm just trying to contribute as much as I can."

Abdur-Rashied said he hoped to be rid of the club in about two weeks.

A FAMILIAR FOE

Jackson State offensive line coach Bruce Johnson is quite familiar with Alabama State, the Tigers' next opponent on Oct. 6

Johnson was an assistant for Alabama State from 2002-05, a run that included a SWAC championship in 2004.

Johnson said he counts ASU offensive coordinator Maurice Harris as his best friend in the coaching business.

"He's a very talented coach," Johnson said. "It'll be tough to beat him and it's always fun because we know each other so well."

Conditioning factor in Alabama State comebacks

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Alabama State is 4-0 because the Hornets have made fourth-quarter comebacks in all four of their games.

The ability to come back is no accident. Alabama State prepares to be the better team in the fourth quarter.

To get ready, the Hornets run “gassers” (sprints) before, during and practices, not just after practices.

“We pride ourselves on being a well-conditioned team,” first-year Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. “We’re just trying to be creative so these guys can actually see what it feels like to have to compete in a game, feel like you’ve spent everything and all of a sudden you need a big drive or a big stop and being able to reach down and grab some more energy. We practice like that.”

Alabama State has outscored opponents 46-23 in the fourth quarter. And the Hornets (4-0, 3-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference), who play Southern (4-0, 2-0) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Mobile, Ala., have totaled just 39 points in the other three quarters combined.

“Every team has its character, so I guess this is ours,” Barlow said. “We must like it close, but we are finding a way to win so its alright with me.”


In the season opener, Jay Peck’s 15-yard run with 3:27 to play capped a 10-play, 81-yard drive to give ASU a 24-19 win over Jacksonville State. The Hornets, down 16-6 with five minutes left in the third quatrer, dove 81 and 94 yards in the fourth quarter to twice overcome deficits.

After trailing 10-7 to Texas Southern with 13:26 left, Peck’s 3-yard run with 2:40 to play put ASU up 14-10 and the Hornets scored on two short drives (24 yards after a 17-yard punt, and 22 yards, taking over on downs) in the final three minutes to win 21-10.

Down 10-6 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 9:10 in the fourth quarter, Chris Mitchell completed a 10-yard pass to Fred Ragsdale with 41 seconds to play for a 12-10 victory.

And down 18-14 to Alcorn State entering the fourth quarter, a 41-yard Joel Riggins punt return to the Alcorn 37-yard line set up Mitchell’s 23-yard touchdown run two plays later (9:30 left) and a fumble recovery at the Alcorn 11 on the ensuing kickoff set up Mitchell’s 1-yard TD (8:02 left) in a 28-25 victory.
“I really can’t say how proud I am of these guys. No matter what they never quit fighting,” Barlow said after Saturday’s 28-25 win over Alcorn State. “I am so proud of our team, how hard we play as a team.”

Southern coach Pete Richardson said watching game film showed him how hard and how long Alabama State was playing for its new coach.

“What I’ve seen is the players are playing with a lot of effort for 60 minutes,” Richardson said.

Landry says he’ll be fine

Southern senior wide receiver Gerard Landry on Wednesday did not wear a sling on his left arm and said he’d be fine to play Saturday.

“I’m feeling pretty good. The range of motion is getting back there,” said Landry, who has scored a touchdown in all four games this season and six of Southern’s last seven games overall. “Saturday, I’ll be ready to go.”

Landry, who said he’s getting rehab twice a day, said he injured the shoulder diving for the football in the end zone after fellow wide receiver Del Roberts score to put Southern ahead for good with 10:16 remaining in Saturday’s 41-34 win over Tennessee State. Landry said he was unsure if Roberts had scored or the ball was live.

Landry has 14 catches for 199 yards this season.

Coates for MVP

Richardson on Wednesday lauded senior running back Darren Coates, who leads the team in rushing with 341 yards and four touchdowns (along with 62 yards and another TD through the air.)

Said Richardson, “If there’s an MVP on our football team at this time, it has to be him.”

Coates has played with turf toe since the second game of the season.

“Game by game, I’m just building up confidence in myself, knowing I can do it,” Coates, who ran for 119 yards and one touchdown last season.

In comparison, through four games last season, SU’s top rusher was Coates, but he had only 61 yards. Meanwhile, Kendall Addison, who went on to lead SU with 650 yards and seven TDs, had 60 yards and one TD.

“I get stronger (as the game goes on),” Coates said. “That comes from the conditioning we had this summer, fighting the heat. All that’s doing is helping us, helping us fight for 60 minutes.”

Malveaux injury significant

Richardson said junior linebacker Johnathan Malveaux, already scratched for this week with a high right ankle sprain, may be out several weeks.

Malveaux, with 33 tackles, is Southern’s top tackler. Junior Donald Steele (four tackles) will start in Malveaux’s place, with sophomore D.J. Bolton (five tackles) as Steele’s primary backup.

“(Malveaux) won’t play. He’s in a cast,” Richardson said. “I don’t think he’s going to be back within a couple of weeks.”

Coach’s honors

Richardson named quarterback Bryant Lee (23-for-33 for career highs of 305 yards and four TDs), drop linebacker Gary Chapman (11 tackles, one forced fumble, one sack) and cornerback Joe Manning (four tackles, his first interception at SU) as his offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week for the win over TSU.

Earlier in the week, Lee was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week and Chapman the SWAC Newcomer of the Week.

Engram helps Alabama State in special teams

Photo: Alabama State quarterback Alex Engram won the SWAC weekly special teams award for his punting duties against Alcorn State last weekend.


By A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser

Alex Engram was in the middle of a postgame meal when Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow signaled for him to come over.

Engram hurriedly went to Barlow and found out he was going to use more than his arms on the football within the next week.

You can use your leg, too.

Just like that, ASU's backup quarterback learned he was about to try punting, though he had no experience and -- at that moment -- no desire to do so.

"When he told me, I really didn't know what to think," Engram said. "I always like to throw it. I've never liked to kick it."

A week later, Engram's enthusiasm now includes kicking. He averaged more than 42 yards per kick in ASU's win over Alcorn State last weekend, had two late 50-yard punts that helped hold off the Braves and has won the Southwestern Athletic Conference's weekly special teams award.

Engram showed he has some leg, too.

"Alex can do it all," running back Jay Peck said. "I'm telling you, he'll run it, throw it, he'll kick it now, catch it. It's good to have somebody like that.
You can put him anywhere and expect positive things out of him.

"Who knows what he'll do next week?"

ASU (4-0, 3-0 SWAC) faces Southern (4-0, 2-0) on Saturday afternoon at Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium and Engram's duties give the Hornets options in apparently obvious punting situations.

"Now, teams know I can be a threat to kick it," Engram said. "They'll be more focused on the punt return. Now, we might try to sneak a little something in there."

Engram's first punt caught many of his teammates unprepared.

Linebacker Michael Figgers was in on the secret, but let those standing nearby enjoy their naiveté for a few extra seconds. Their excitement over a potential fake was soon eclipsed by a punt's surprise.

"He had an excellent punt," Figgers said. "The ball went way farther than I thought. It kind of shocked me, for real. I had to look back for a second because it was a great punt."

Figgers first watched Engram punt in practice and his initial thoughts were that the Hornets were working on a fake that involved Engram. Like a rubbernecker driving past a car accident, Figgers kept watching to see the trickery unveiled, but soon was disappointed.

"The first two times they snapped it to him, he didn't do anything with it, so I still thought they were working on a fake," Figgers said. "The next two times, he kicked it. We kept going and he kept kicking. I thought, 'Is he the punter?'"

Engram uses a rugby-style kick where he takes a few steps to his right -- which can easily look like a fake at first -- before kicking.

The junior's initial goals against Alcorn were simple. No blocks.

"We didn't have any expectations," Engram said. "We just wanted to get the ball out of there. It's great that the numbers were good, but we didn't have any expectations."

Engram caught ASU coaches' attention when the Hornets were considering a quick kick out of the usual shotgun formation. Engram said he unleashed an unexpected rocket and, a few weeks later, was getting called over by Barlow.

A 42-yard average later, Engram's a sudden star.

"Did we get more than we thought we would?" ASU special teams coordinator Brian Williams said. "Yes, but it's another added weapon to our team."

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Harper slated to start against Texas Southern

Defensive tackle Justin Harper, who was named Alabama A&M's co-defensive Player of the Week for his effort against Grambling last week, will start Saturday against Texas Southern, defensive line coach Ben Blacknall said Wednesday.

Harper, who lost his job to Whitney Garrett last spring and had surgery on his thumb during preseason practice and missed the season opener against Tennessee State, will start at left tackle in place of Renaldo Askew, Blacknall said. Garrett will make his fifth consecutive start at right tackle.

"He played better than any defensive tackle we had," Blacknall said of Harper's effort against the Tigers. "He deserves an opportunity to start."

The Bulldogs, who have annually been among the league's best against the run, are seventh in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in rushing defense, allowing 127 yards per game.

Harper, a 6-foot-2, 252-pound junior from Gulfport, Miss., was credited with nine tackles, including six solos, two tackles for loss and a sack while grading out 92 percent.

Early starter: Texas Southern coach Steve Wilson said if he had to do it over again he would have redshirted quarterback Tino Edgecombe.

A 6-2, 185-pound senior from Miami, Edgecombe was pressed into action as a freshman and Wilson said that has affected him throughout his career.

"Tino had to come through a situation where we had to play him as a freshman and we didn't have people to protect him and that hindered his growth," Wilson said. "He had some breakout games last season, but we haven't been able to get him in a rhythm this season.

"Part of it is our offensive line being unsettled. He made some plays last week (against UTEP) that proved he can be an outstanding quarterback."

Edgecombe is fourth in the league in passing yards per game, averaging 162.5 yards.

He has completed 64-of-112 passes (57.1 percent) for 650 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Smith likes ball distribution: A&M tight end John Smith admits he would like to see a few more balls thrown his way, but he says he can't complain with the way quarterback Kelcy Luke is distributing the football.

Ten players have caught passes and six different players have caught touchdown passes.

Wide receiver Thomas Harris and tight end Charles Moody have 17 catches apiece. Smith has eight followed by wide receivers Rashad Johnson and Gerald Stockdale, who have six apiece.

"The distribution is pretty good," said Smith, who has eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. "We've got a lot of talent out there. No one person is above the team."

Reggie Benson

Texas Southern's drought deepens

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Texas Southern falters further with Wilson at helm

Steve Wilson was supposed to resurrect Texas Southern's moribund football program when he was hired four years ago. Instead, the Tigers have sunk even lower.

Texas Southern hasn't had a winning season since 2000 and the Tigers' last Southwestern Athletic Conference championship came way back in 1968. Wilson was supposed to change all that.

He did it at Howard University, where he led the Bison to a pair of black college national championships in the mid-1990s. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to duplicate that success in Houston and Texas Southern alumni and fans have begun to voice their displeasure. Some have even called for him to be fired.

Under Wilson, the Tigers went 0-11 in 2004, 1-10 in 2005, 3-8 in 2006 and are 0-4 so far this season. Combined, Wilson has compiled an underwhelming 4-33 record at Texas Southern.

"Our season is not over yet," Wilson said earlier this week during the league's weekly teleconference. "We can't control what has happened in the past. We can either sit and mope around or do something about it. We have six conference games left, including the meat of our division schedule in front of us.

"We feel good about our opportunities. We're not going to sit and worry about what has happened in the past. When you do that you stop playing to win. We're capable of playing good football. It's just a matter of getting it done."

This time two years ago, Texas Southern came here and played good football.

The Tigers, riding a 16-game losing streak, shocked Alabama A&M 17-7 on homecoming. The two teams will meet again on homecoming Saturday at Louis Crews Stadium. Kickoff is 3 p.m.


Texas Southern has played A&M extremely tough during Wilson's tenure.

The Bulldogs won 22-3 in 2004, lost in 2005 and escaped last season with a 19-14 victory on a late interception by Marcus Black.

"We match up well with them," Wilson said when asked why his team has been so competitive against A&M. "They're a physical football team and that's the way we like to play."

Texas Southern caught A&M coming off a 42-0 win over NAIA foe Allen University two years ago. The Bulldogs were feeling pretty good about themselves and perhaps overlooked the Tigers.

Wilson knows that won't be the case this time around, especially after Grambling whipped A&M 31-6 last weekend.

"We're going to catch them at their best," he said. "We know they're going to be hungry. They're a championship football team and they'll be ornery this weekend.

"It's their homecoming and the coaches will get their attention and have them ready to play."

But A&M coach Anthony Jones says Wilson will have his team ready to play as well.

"They're coming down here to do everything they can to upset us on homecoming," Jones said. "This is a team that if you're not alert in handling all your P's and Q's can be very scary.

"They're big and physical and they can run. They were in the game against Prairie View and Alabama State and played Jackson State tough before the weather became a factor. This is not a team to be joking with."

Southern LB Steele ready for the call

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

SU vs. Alabama State
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
TV: ESPNU.
RADIO: KQXL-FM, 106.5.

If the Southern defense’s loss of junior linebacker Johnathan Malveaux to a high ankle sprain for this week and a few others can be considered an emergency, the Jaguars are turning to the right man.

Junior Donald Steele has responded to his share of real-life emergencies as a volunteer fireman in his hometown of Selma, Ala., since he was a sophomore at Selma High.

“Whenever I go back home, I just pick up my radio and I’m on call,” Steele said.

Over spring break, he checks in when he goes home. Between the end of spring semester and summer school, he checks in when he goes home.

“It’s just something I do back at home, just trying to help out the community,” said Steele, who, since he turned 18, also learned how to dive to further enhance his capabilities.

Photo: Donald Steele, #46 LB
Taking up for Malveaux is important to Southern, but, of course, isn’t quite as vital as Steele helping put out fires or searching for drowning victims.

Southern (4-0, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) faces Alabama State (4-0, 3-0) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

“Donald has had a couple of years of experience,” defensive coordinator Terrence Graves said. “That always helps. He knows what to do.”

Okie lineacker, with Malveaux (the team’s top tackler with 33 stops and four pass breakups) and Steele, is one of the few spots on defense, in the front seven, where a veteran backs a veteran.

Both players shared time working with the first unit in preseason camp.

“It’s not that big of a switch for me,” said Steele, who has four tackles this season and 18 in his career. “I want to come out and do the same things Malveaux did: be productive, make tackles, move to the ball.

“Hopefully, Saturday, it’ll be just like Malveaux is there playing.”

Steele has come up big for Southern when the call has come in the past.

After Malveaux went down Saturday, Steele and strong safety Toyin Akinwale teamed to sack Tennessee State quarterback Antonio Heffner on a third-and-6 at the Southern 33-yard line in the fourth quarter. That forced a punt, with Southern scoring the go-ahead touchdown on the ensuing possession in Southern’s 41-34 win over Tennessee State.

Even as a freshman, on the first play after replacing D.J. Brooks, who came down with a leg cramp at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Steele recovered a fumble on a botched center exchange. That came at the SU 29 with 14:14 left, preserving a three-point lead in a 27-21 win.

As a volunteer fireman, Steele said he’s been called to housefires, drowning scenes and fires in the woods.

“It’s just something I do whenever I get a chance to go back home,” Steele said.

Steele isn’t necessarily looking for a future as a firefighter. He’s a criminal justice major who said he’d like to go to law school.

“It’s just something to learn, something to teach someone else some day,” Steele said of the firefighting.

In the end, the commendable work may only complement a man who has been defined by diverse talents.

Steele kicked a 22-yard field goal to win the homecoming game as a senior in high school. He was also a standout catcher on the baseball team and played forward on the basketball team.

Returning home to Alabama — though without checking in on the radio — is something Steele always relishes.

One of Steele’s best friends, Roderick West, is a junior for Alabama State who starts at rover on defense. West has seven tackles in three games.

Also from Selma High is Alabama State sophomore linebacker Adrian Hardy (seven tackles, one blocked kick). Junior wide receiver Robert Childers (one catch for 9 yards) also went to Selma High.

“I haven’t talked to (West) all this week,” Steele said Wednesday afternoon. “I probably won’t talk until game time. It’ll be fun.”

For Southern University, 'T' is for team, Thomas

Photo: Converted TE Trent Thomas facing FAMU as SU starting RT.

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

One day during preseason camp, Southern University offensive coordinator Mark Orlando called his guys up around him and told them about Trent Thomas.

By this time, everybody thought they knew all they needed about Trent. That he was a senior. That he was a top student. That he was a team player. That he has always been a likeable guy.

The thing is, though, early in camp, everybody found out how much of a team player Trent was.

Southern lost (or was in the process of losing) six offensive linemen to grades. To help offset that, there was this crazy idea: Move Thomas from tight end to left tackle, which is the most important position on the line other than center.

Thomas is 6-foot-2 and a shade above 245 pounds, where standard tackles are 6-6 and three bills. And then there was the little fact Thomas had never played tackle.

Trent’s parents didn’t like the move at all. He wasn’t crazy about it, either.

“It hurt him,” Orlando said. “The first week or so, I couldn’t get two words out of him.”

Photo: SU line coach Mark Orlando

The other players not getting their academics set wasn’t Trent’s fault. Why should Trent have to pay for the mistakes of others? Why should his burden become more?

Everything hinged on Trent, though. One left tackle would move to left guard. The right guard would move to center. Another tackle would move to right guard.

Know this about Trent: Trent came through. His quickness and athleticism — assets that flashed early in scrimmages, confirming the move could work — have carried him.

“It’s getting easier,” Trent said the other day of the transition.

Southern leads the Southwestern Athletic Conference in rushing and is second in total offense and scoring offense. The Jaguars are 4-0.

“He’s been a big help to us, converting within a short time,” said SU offensive line coach Damon Nivens, who was a black college All-American at left tackle for Southern and helped coach another one in Myniya Smith in 2003. “He’s become a big part of the offensive line for us, and I appreciate it very much with him sacrificing and being a team player.

“He has my utmost respect with that.”

What was true as Orlando called the troops up during camp is still true now.

“I told them, he’s put it all on the line to help us win,” Orlando said. “I told them, this is what we need right here. For us to win, it’s going to take the unselfish attitude Trent has shown.”

There are two things the attrition of 17 to 19 players did across the board for SU.

First, there was a tremendous sense of urgency for the offensive line as soon as camp began.

Second, as an entire team, the players who are left on this team are the players who most wanted to be here.

“The unselfishness he’s shown has drained into some of the other guys,” Orlando said. “He’s giving us everything he’s got to help us win.

“That kind of sacrifice can only make us better.”

Alabama State, Southern QBs getting it done when it counts

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

If a Southwestern Athletic Conference starting quarterback is described as “nonchalant,” Southern fans might assume the description was being hung on their new guy, Bryant Lee.

Alabama State fans, meanwhile, think of their new guy, Chris Mitchell.

Either fan base is right.
Neither quarterback wowed their coaches in practices, and both are laid-back. Then again, both are winners who don’t rattle easily and have already led several come-from-behind wins.

Both lead 4-0 teams into Saturday’s 2:30 p.m. Gulf Coast Classic clash at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

Mitchell, a transfer from East Mississippi Community College after playing for LeFlore High in Mobile, Ala., has led four fourth-quarter comebacks for Alabama State (4-0, 3-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference), which plays SU (4-0, 2-0) at 2:30 p.m. in Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

“This is us,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got a bad habit of playing so close, but this is what I love about this team. We play all the way until the end.

“(The fourth quarter is) when we have to buckle down. We know what we have to do.”

Mitchell is 46-for-81 (56.8 percent) for 621 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.

“He has that personality,” Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow said. “It’s kind of nonchalant. It doesn’t seem like a whole lot bothers him. He’s always the same: never too high, never too low. I guess that’s a good thing. It’s been working for him so far.”

While Mitchell came off the bench in the second quarter of the season opener, SU began the transition to sophomore Lee late last season.

Lee is 5-1 as a starter (6-1 if given the win for his comeback against Texas Southern). He has won his last five starts.

SU head coach Pete Richardson said pretty much the same thing about Lee. In fact, Richardson earlier this season delivered a description of Lee that sounded nearly word for word like Barrow’s summation of Mitchell: “He’s a nonchalant individual. 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 (Saturday) and all of a sudden the lights go on. That’s all you’re looking for.”

Lee is 83-for-126 (65.9 percent) for 870 yards, nine touchdowns and no interceptions.

Lee has led Southern to second-half comebacks over Texas Southern, Grambling, Florida A&M and Tennessee State.

“The kid is just calm, cool and collected,” SU offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. “When you play in the championship game in high school in the Superdome (leading Hahnville High over Evangel Christian Academy in 2003), he’s just a kid who’s a gamer on a Saturday night. You can’t ask for anything else.

“He doesn’t get rattled out there, doesn’t let anything get to him — coaches, players, fans. He plays his game, stays focused on what he’s doing.”

Both quarterbacks are still learning.
Mitchell, being a transfer, has had less time to learn than Lee, in his third season at SU. And Barlow even said Mitchell didn’t practice well in preseason camp. The staff even talked to him about showing a little more pep.

But when returning starter Alex Engram struggled in the opener, Mitchell came in and did fine.

“Real confident kid,” Barlow said. “He doesn’t get rattled by a whole lot. We just want him to continue to learn our system. We need him to learn and grow up even more.”

Lee was third on the depth chart — behind J.C. Lewis and C.J. Byrd — last season and he held off surging Warren Matthews for the No. 1 job in preseason camp.

“He’s really improving, feeling a little more comfortable in the system,” Orlando said. “He did some things well (Saturday) night that he hadn’t done in the previous three games.

“He’s focused in on what he’s got to do, 100 percent.”

Alcorn Braves still win-less on season; PVAMU next week

By The Natchez Democrat

MONTGOMERY — Alcorn State University inched close to a victory Saturday night, but this isn’t horseshoes.

It’s college football, and the Braves are still win-less on the season after their 28-25 loss to Alabama State University.

Alabama State (4-0) has made a name for themselves in the close games so far this season.

“Every team has its character, so I guess this is ours,” coach Reggie Barlow said. “We must like it close, but we are finding a way to win so its alright with me.”

Barlow praised Alcorn for a good showing and a comeback attempt.

“I was happy that we got off to a good start, but it shows Alcorn’s character that they were able to come back,” he said.

Alcorn fell to 0-4 with the loss. Braves coach Johnny Thomas called this week a pivotal one for his team. Alcorn State has lost to Alabama State the last three seasons.

The Braves lost to UAB last week 22-0, in a defensive struggle. Alcorn was to have played Morehouse in Las Vegas this Saturday, but that game fell through. Their next game is Oct 6th at home with Prairie View A&M Panthers.

Alcorn State University Sounds of Dyn-O-mite Marching Band and Golden Girls Dancers.

New Mexico State University to face UAPB

NMSU Press Release

New Mexico State Aggies (2-2, 0-0 WAC)
vs.
Arkansas Pine-Bluff (1-3, 1-2 SWAC)
September 29, 2007 • 6:00 p.m. MDT
First Ever Meeting • Aggie Memorial Stadium (Capacity 30,343)
Radio: Aggie Sports Network - KGRT 104 FM (Las Cruces); plus 12 other stations
Spanish Radio - KKVS 98.7 FM (Las Cruces) & KPZE 106.1;
Television: Aggie Vision

The Aggie football team wraps up their non-conference schedule this coming weekend as they welcome Arkansas-Pine Bluff to town. This is the second 1-AA school to visit Las Cruces this season but the first match up between the Aggies and Golden Lions.

The Golden Lions are coming off a tough loss to Southern Illinois. This week the Aggies will be wearing pink in support of the NMSU Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign that has raised over $140,000 to date for cancer research.

You can listen to all the action with the ‘Voice of the Aggies’ Jack Nixon on KGRT 104 FM, as well as listen to the game in Spanish with Martin Cortez on Vista 98.7 FM. The game will also be televised on Aggie Vision on Comcast channel 4 in Las Cruces tape delayed and live on El Paso (Ch. 24), Albuquerque (Ch. 53) and Gallup (Ch. 66).

In a unique opportunity, the New Mexico State Athletics Department has agreed to designate the football game on September 29th against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, as a breast cancer awareness initiative and fundraiser. Coach Mumme has brought together Four Honorary Chair-Women for this event, all with strong ties to New Mexico State University and all cancer survivors; Magellia Boston (wife of Athletics Director Dr. McKinley Boston), Laura Conniff (Chair of the NMSU Regents), June Mumme (wife of head football coach Hal Mumme) and Pat Sisbarro (wife of car dealer Lou Sisbarro).

The proceeds generated by this event will be used to fund breast cancer and women's cancer research project, conducted by UNM Cancer Center and the New Mexico State University Department of Chemistry and Biology. This initiative is being conducted in partnership with ‘Cowboys For Cancer Research’.

“The response has been wildly overwhelming,” Coach Mumme said. “It has put a kind and giving, female face on football. Breast cancer has touched many lives, including players, trainers and coaches. Fans and supporters are anxious to get involved in anyway possible.”

In less than 3 months, over $140,000 has been raised through this sporting event in sponsorship donations for this health initiative. An additional $50,000 worth of food, supplies, etc., have been donated, bringing the total to close to $200,000. This unique, but powerful relationship between a state university, a charitable organization and medical research has gained national attention from the NCAA, ESPN, and the WAC.

New Mexico State University along with the Aggie Athletics Department is encouraging the Las Cruces community to attend the game as a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to ‘Cowboys for Cancer Research’. Fans will be giving the opportunity to donate to the great cause at the game. Be a part of the largest ‘Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ fund raising event in history, as well as the biggest fund raising event in Las Cruces. For tickets call the Pan Am Ticket Office at (505) 646-1420 or go to www.ticketmaster.com.

Scouting the Golden Lions

The Golden Lions are 1-3 on the season and 1-2 on the road in 2007. Their lone win came against the ALCN-Braves on Sept. 6th. Last weekend the Golden Lions fell to Southern Illinois 58-3.

As a team the Golden Lions are averaging 222.8 yards of total offense a game and allowing 306.2 yards to their opponents. Arkansas-Pine Bluff has fumbled the ball 10 times in four games, but have not thrown an interception in 108 pass attempts.

Individually, Johnathan Moore and Chris Wallace have split time at quarterback this season, each throwing a touchdown pass while Moore has thrown for 320 yards, averaging 106.7 yards a game. Martell Mallett leads the running attack with 128 yards on the ground and one touchdown, while Jason Jones has caught 19 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown to lead the receiving corps. Defensively, Tim Turner leads the way with 42 tackles, a fumble recovery, a pass break-up and two tackles-for-a-loss.

Jackson finally catching on at Grambling State

Photo: Reginald Jackson leads GSU with 20 catches for 291 yards and three touchdowns.

By Nick Deriso, The News Star

GRAMBLING — Senior Grambling receiver Clyde Edwards, as his coaches like to say, is a marked man. That's meant an already-remarkable start for unheralded fellow senior Reginald Jackson.

Three games into this new season, Jackson is suddenly GSU's leading receiver for catches, total yards and yards per game.

"I'm finally getting a chance to showcase myself," Jackson said. "Clyde draws a whole lot of attention from defenses. The respect he gets, opens up things for me."

Always a standout in practice, Jackson has long labored in quiet obscurity behind record-smashing GSU products like Moses Harris and Henry Tolbert.

Jackson's career totals barely register: No catches as a freshman, seven as a sophomore (though three were for scores) and 12 as a junior. He'd caught just four touchdowns coming into 2007.

Even so, a new staff at GSU saw something in him that others perhaps hadn't.

"Reggie was good in the spring, he's been good since we've been here," said first-year coach Rod Broadway. "Everybody knows about Clyde; he's a marked man. So we had to find a couple more guys to get involved. We've got to spread it around."

Through it all, Jackson somehow remained focused and ready.

"You've got to stay humble, but you stay hungry at the same time," he said. "Other players had their chances. You've got to keep continuing to tell yourself that your chance will also come. When it was my time, I told myself that I would make the best of it."

He has.

In fact, "he might be stealing the show," as Edwards conceded.

Jackson scored the first touchdown of the Broadway era in Week 1, dashing 44 yards against Alcorn. Jackson then capped a six-play third-quarter drive with a stunning 69-yard TD in a blow out victory.

He added five catches a week later, though Grambling fell at upper-division Pittsburgh.

Then Jackson sparked an emotional win in last Saturday's game against reigning league champ Alabama A&M with a trick-play touchdown from 26 yards out.

"Everyday in practice, I kept saying we are going to score on this," Jackson said. "I was thinking 'six' the whole time."

It was.

A&M, which came into the game averaging 45 points a game, never scored again on the way to a 25-point loss to Grambling.

Jackson's backbreaking touchdown had a lot to do with that.

"At that point, once the other team gets hit with a play like that, it takes the swagger and the fight out of them," said Jackson, who then finished the scoring with a seven-yard TD.

Teammates say it was only a matter of time before Jackson's star rose.

"Coming into this year, we had to find another receiver, somebody to compliment Clyde," said redshirt junior quarterback Brandon Landers. "He brings that deceptive speed — people underestimate that — and he catches the ball well. He's taking advantage of his final year to shine."

Edwards, meanwhile, sits on the cusp of besting career marks across the Grambling receiving record book. He also sees Jackson as the wingman who can help pilot him there.

"I'm happy for him," Edwards said. "He's always practiced well, but hasn't always gotten the opportunity to perform on Saturdays. This year, he's finally in a situation where he can make some plays."

The 5-9, 170-pound Jackson, whose nickname is "Dee," was a celebrated Birmingham, Ala., recruit after being named all-city as a junior and senior. He considered at least four SWAC schools along with Alabama-Birmingham before becoming a member of one of former coach Doug Williams' last signing classes at GSU.

That followed a final prep season where Jackson scored on five receptions, three punt returns and a kickoff, helping his team to a 10-2 record at Parker High — a legendary Grambling recruiting stronghold that has produced Tolbert, Robert Taylor, Junious "Buck" Buchanan and his former high school coach Andre Robinson, who now oversees linebackers at GSU.

Could Jackson add his name to that list of Grambling greats? He's making a case so far this season.

A career spent waiting on the sidelines has put that goal into tight focus.

"You want to play every game like it's your last," Jackson said. "Every snap, every play, every quarter, I want to take that opportunity," Jackson said. "I want to fulfill every one of those dreams."

Peck, Alabama State University have plenty to prove

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Press-Register

Jay Peck isn't surprised at the perfect record the Alabama State football team is sporting.

Peck and the Hornets sit atop the SWAC Eastern Division at 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the league. On Saturday at 2:30 p.m., they'll face the other unbeaten SWAC team, Southern (4-0, 2-0), in the 34th annual Gulf Coast Classic at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPNU.

Peck leads the SWAC in rushing with 492 yards on 98 carries and two touchdowns.

Peck said the Hornets were in perfect position in the preseason, when they were picked to finish last in the division.

"It was motivation for us, but it really didn't matter as much as you might think," Peck said. "We knew what we had and what we could do if things fell right. Right now, we hope they keep picking us to lose every weekend."

ASU coach Reggie Barlow said Peck is the kind of player every coach wants to have on his team.

"Jay is a big part of our offense and he's played a big part in all our wins," Barlow said. "He's exactly what you would want when talking about being a true student-athlete. He has already graduated, he's a great football player and even better young man."

After struggling in the team's opener against Jacksonville State (79 yards on 16 carries), Peck has had three consecutive games over 100 yards.

"I don't know what's happened since the Jacksonville State game. I guess things are just clicking better now," he said. "Also, I guess we're supposed to get better with each game. You also have first-game jitters and stupid penalties. But as the season progresses, your execution is supposed to get better, or it should get better, and that's been the case for us."

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Totten looking for leaders at receiver.

Alabama A&M receivers coach Roger Totten has been pleased with the play of his young group, but admits he's looking for some of them to emerge as leaders.

The Bulldogs have used five different players at wide receiver, but there are no seniors among the bunch.

The group includes seldom-used juniors Gerald Stockdale and Paul Kellum, sophomore Thomas Harris and redshirt freshmen Nate Baxter and Rashad Johnson.

"I'm trying to find a leader," Totten said. "That's something we haven't found yet ... a guy that's going to step up. Leadership is very important when you have a lot of young players.

"Sometimes, guys have to be put in leadership roles when they don't want to be or they have to be put in roles because they're in a position to be a leader. We need some of those guys to step up."

Totten said the likely candidates include Stockdale, Harris, Baxter and Johnson.

"All four of those guys have the same personality," he said. "We need them to be more involved in what we're doing and be more vocal."

Jones excited about practice:

The Bulldogs practiced for more than two hours Tuesday as they began preparations for Saturday's homecoming game against Texas Southern. Kickoff is 3 p.m. at Louis Crews Stadium.

"We had a real good practice," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "Our guys were attentive. They had a desire to learn. We made some mistakes, but it wasn't because of a lack of effort ... it wasn't because guys weren't trying to understand. This was a good bounce back day for us."

Baxter status up in the air: Baxter, who sustained an ankle injury against Mississippi Valley State and didn't play in last week's 31-6 loss to Grambling, didn't practice Tuesday.

His status for Saturday's game against Texas Southern is up in the air.

Totten was unsure if Baxter would be available against the Tigers.

"I really don't know," Totten said. "He's still working on it ... trying to get it ready, but I really don't know."

Reggie Benson

Coates leads rejuvenated Southern running game

Photo: Darren Coates, SU RB



















By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Headlining Southern University’s muscled-up running game has been senior Darren Coates.

Coates had his best game as a Jaguar in a 41-34 win over Tennessee State on Saturday, running for 115 yards and a career-high two touchdowns and making three catches for 45 yards and his first career receiving score.

Coates, a two-way star at West Feliciana High School, was a nonqualifier as a freshman at SU and was academically ineligible another season. He ran for 119 yards and one touchdown and had seven catches for 56 yards last season.

“Of anybody who is playing well and is consistent for us this year, it’s him,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “He’s finally weathered (the eligibility issues) and developed into quite a fine football player.”

So far this season, he has 48 carries for 341 yards, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, and four touchdowns on the ground and seven catches for 62 yards and the TD through the air.

“Catching and running the ball, he did a great job,” SU offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. “I’m really excited.

“He’s a kid who has been in the program and to come to his last year and be productive like he is. And he’s a great kid, just works hard. For him to have the success he’s had early is a big plus. He’s really helping us.”

Factor in that Coates’ production comes as SU has balanced the running game with sophomore Brian Threat (22 carries for 110 yards — 5.0 yards per carry) and junior Kendrick Smith (135 yards on 24 carries — 5.6 per rush — and six catches for 48 yards and two touchdowns).

SU averages a SWAC-best 184.0 rushing yards per game.

“You’ve got three guys there who can tote that mail and make things happen,” Orlando said. “And the O-line is doing a good job up front of creating some running lanes for those guys, and they’re hitting them.”

Landry hurting
Southern senior wide receiver Gerard Landry had his left arm in a sling and got rehab for a shoulder injury Tuesday.

“I think he’s going to be all right,” Richardson said.

Landry, a second-team All-SWAC selection last season, has 14 catches for 199 yards and a team-high four touchdowns this season.

He has scored in all four games this season and six of SU’s last season. He also has a catch in 29 consecutive games.

He served a suspension in the first half of the Tennessee State game, with RaShon Jacobs starting in his place. Jacobs scored in the first quarter, and Landry caught a TD in the third quarter.

Passer to punter
What to do with a former starting quarterback? Alabama State’s Alex Engram, the team’s top quarterback last season and the starter of the season opener, is the punter. Pretty good move. Engram was named the SWAC co-specialist of the week after averaging 42.2 yards on six punts, with a long of 54 and two inside the 20-yard line, Saturday in a 28-25 win over Alcorn State.

“I love him,” Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. “This is a guy who had the starting quarterback job, instead of pouting he found a way to help us. He taught himself how to punt in one week. He not only did a good job, but he took a lot of pressure off Jeremy (Fetterhoff) and you can see how it helped (Fetterhoff’s) kicking.”

Fetterhoff went 4-for-4 on PATs.

Making the move
Engram was 59-for-137 (43.1 percent) for 787 yards, seven interceptions and six touchdowns and ran 86 times for 399 yards and five TDs last season. He was 4-for-9 for 32 yards and two interceptions a year ago in a 38-20 loss to Southern.

In the season opener, Engram was 3-for-6 for 44 yards and an interception when he was pulled in favor of Chris Mitchell. Mitchell went 10-for-11 for 206 yards and two TDs in a come-from-behind 24-19 win over Jacksonville State.

“We went last year with Alex and were kind of inconsistent,” Barlow said. “I just felt like I didn’t want to start the season off with the same stuff we had been through last year. &hellip If you’re making mistakes and you’ve been in the program for a while, we might as well go with someone else who hasn’t been in the program. We just decided to go with Chris, and he’s been doing pretty well.”

Harry back to defense
SU junior Frank Harry moved back to defensive tackle in practice Sunday. Harry worked at that spot in the spring after transferring from South Florida and at the beginning of preseason camp before moving to guard on offense.

Richardson said Harry could go back to offense in an emergency but said “he’s too good of an athlete” to keep on the sideline. Outside of a few snaps on defense, Harry’s been used just on special teams in games.

Notes
Barlow is the older brother of former Southern basketball player Darrell Barlow, whose last year for the Jaguars was 1997-98. Of SU’s five wins last season, the Jaguars’ largest margin of victory came in the 38-20 win over Alabama State. SU remains the least-penalized team in the SWAC, with 20 penalties for 168 yards. SU sophomore CB/RS Ronald Wade will miss Saturday’s game as the third game in a three-game suspension for violating team rules.

Good effort can't save Lamar soccer against Grambling State

Photo: Lamar’s Beth Squires tries to maintain control of the ball as Grambling State’s Solange Robinson (18) and Natasha Nzeakor (14) defend at Cardinal Stadium in Beaumont on Sunday.

By PERRYN KEYS, The Enterprise

BEAUMONT - The effort was there. The production was better. The result?

Well, for the Lamar soccer team, the final score wasn't much different from its previous six games.

Sunday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium, playing the first official home game in the program's history, the Cardinals fired just as many shots as Grambling State. Lamar, however, did not have just as many goals. In that category, it wasn't even close.

The Tigers scored twice in the first half and poured it on after the intermission in a 6-0 victory that left the Cardinals winless after their first seven games.

"If I was their coach, I would tell them (to) just keep their heads up," Grambling coach Tamura Crawley said of Lamar.

"They have a lot of good players on their team. Just look to connect on more passes, things like that. And again, really keep their heads up."

As lopsided as the score was, it did offer at least some encouragement for the Cardinals.

Before Sunday's game, opponents had outshot Lamar by an average of 29.3 shots per game. In fact, the Cards had managed just eight shots on goal the entire season. Their opponents had 118.

Against Grambling (2-5), Lamar attacked more often and with more success, setting season highs with 19 shots and six shots on goal.

The difference: While the Tigers also took 19 shots, 12 of them were on goal. Six of those 12 found the back of the net.

"Honestly, I think we played some of the best soccer we've played in a long time," Lamar coach Matthew Dillon said. "Unfortunately, we let a couple of soft goals in, and that's always hard to come back from. ... To me, it's one of those games where if you played it 10 times, they'd win five and we'd win five. I think the teams were fairly even and equal, as far as ability (goes). They didn't go our way."

Now comes the hard part.

Despite the progress, the fact of the matter is that Lamar, a startup program in its first year, has been outscored 54-1 in seven games - and while Dillon has not seen his players mail it in yet, even he admitted the post office might not be very far off.

"You start to worry about it now," he said. "Seven games into the season and you're 0-7 - you want to make sure they're positive. You want to make sure they can believe they can win. We've come against some really good teams, and Grambling's a really good team ... (but) if we're 0-10 after 10 games, I think maybe their heads start to drop. At this point, they haven't yet."

Sunday's game is believed to be the first official Lamar sporting event in Cardinal Stadium since the university killed its football program in 1989.

It was also the first official home game for the soccer team, which played a pair of exhibitions last month before opening its regular season at three tournaments on the road.

Three hundred thirty-five fans showed up for the debut. They watched the home team fall behind in the 15th minute, when Grambling's Ashley Baker turned and fired off the first of her three goals on the afternoon.

Angelica Singh followed in the 23rd minute with a slow roller that LU goalkeeper Kelsie Binetti appeared ready to stop. But the ball trickled past Binetti, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Natasha Nzeakor scored on a penalty kick in the 51st minute, and Baker added her second goal on a nice centering pass from Obafemi Alao, who had three assists on the day.

Baker finished off her hat trick with a goal in the 67th minute. Alao added Grambling's sixth goal on a breakaway three minutes later.

Binetti had six saves in goal for Lamar. Stefani Turner and Beth Squires led the Cardinals with four shots off the bench.

"Actually, I thought they really played well," Crawley said of Lamar.

"From the scouting reports I got, I thought this would be a difficult game for us. We came out and took it to them, but I think even to the end, (Lamar) played with a lot of heart and a lot of character."

ASU Reggie Barlow praises SU coach Richardson

Photo: ASU Rookie Coach (4-0) faces SU (4-0) Pete Richardson in the Gulf Coast Classic this week. Game televised by ESPNU.

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern’s Pete Richardson is the dean of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, establishing a tradition on par with some of the league’s storied coaches.

His counterpart Saturday, first-year Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow, is off to a strong start, 4-0, just like Southern, and exceeding expectations, just like Southern.

“When you talk about the SWAC and talk about doing it the right way, he’s done it a long time,” said Barlow, a former Alabama State standout who coached quarterbacks at the school the last two seasons.

“I have a lot of respect for him and his program. I’m a young coach, and, wanting to have a program that’s solid, you look to a guy like coach Richardson.”

Southern (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) faces Alabama State (4-0, 3-0) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Gulf Coast Classic at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.

The game will be televised on ESPNU.

“The players are buying into his system,” Richardson said. “They’ve come from behind (four times) and that’s got to help their confidence out. It’s going to be a good game for us, going against them at this time and seeing what type of football team we have.”

Richardson is at 118-49 (70.7 percent) in 15 seasons at Southern and 160-63-1 (71.7 percent) in 20 seasons and 224 games overall.

“I’m a young coach, and wanting to have a program that’s solid, you look to a guy like coach Richardson,” Barlow said.

SU is 4-0 for the sixth time in 15 seasons under Richardson.

However, hanging over this season is the question of what the future will be for the Southern program.

Richardson is in the final season of his latest contract with the school, a three-year deal.

The first two seasons have produced the only losing marks of Richardson’s career.

The school has said they’ll evaluate Richardson after the season.

“How fast do we forget? It’s a shame people forget and don’t appreciate greatness. That’s what he’s done there at Southern,” Barlow said. “I’ve always had a lot of respect for him and the way he runs his program. He’s a great coach. It’s obvious he’s always been a good coach.

“The people there at Southern should be happy to have him.”

Malveaux likely out
Richardson said junior eagle linebacker Johnathan Malveaux, the team’s top tackler with 33 stops and four pass breakups, is likely out with a high ankle sprain that will be evaluated week to week.

“He probably won’t be able to play for us. He’s pretty sore,” Richardson said.

Malveaux came down with the injury to his right ankle with 5:16 left in the third quarter, on a play in which cornerback Efe Osawemwenze recovered a fumble forced by Chapman.

Junior Donald Steele (four tackles) is Malveaux’s primary backup.

“He’s got experience, and he’ll have an opportunity to play,” Richardson said.
Chapman, Lee honored

The SWAC named sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee as its Offensive Player of the Week and sophomore drop linebacker Gary Chapman as its Newcomer of the Week.

Lee was 23-for-33 for career highs of 303 yards and four touchdowns and Chapman, a nonqualifier last season, had a career- and game-high 11 tackles, including his first sack, and forced a fumble in a 41-34 victory over Tennessee State on Saturday.

Lee is Southern’s first SWAC Offensive Player of the Week since quarterback J.C. Lewis, who left the team earlier this month, in the 2006 season opener.

Earlier this season, junior running back Kendrick Smith was a Newcomer of the Week.

Quick look at Southern
Barlow said, “Watching those guys on tape is scary. They have a lot of playmakers. They fly around to the ball and they’re having a lot of fun. It’s going to be a big challenge for us to try to contain them. &hellip We’re going to have to go and see if we can find someone to emulate all these fast guys so we can practice and get our guys up to par on the tempo these guys have.”

Quick look at Alabama St.
Richardson said, “Jay Peck is an outstanding running back and catches the ball extremely well. We’re going to have to stop him or at least slow him down.”

Century mark
SU has produced three 100-yard rushers (Darren Coates twice, Brian Threat once) in four games this season. Last season, SU had four 100-yard games, including Lee and running back Kendall Addison each topping 100 against Texas Southern. Addison had two other 100-yard games.

In total, SU has had at least one 100-yard individual effort in six of the last 10 games.

Notes
Scouts from the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans visited Monday. SU hadn’t trailed in the nine previous quarters (since the third quarter of the season opener) until falling behind Tennessee State 7-0 four minutes into Saturday’s game. SU overcame a 21-point second-quarter deficit to win 41-34. Alabama State punt returner Joel Ragins is seventh nationally, at 17.2 yards per return.

Pressure on Alabama A&M not new

Photo: AAMU expecting to get back to same form that brought defeat to TSU. This week, its Texas Southern University; not Tennessee State.

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Bulldogs say they'll bounce back - as they have in past

Alabama A&M fans upset about Saturday's 31-6 shellacking at the hands of Grambling, should take a deep breath and review the Bulldogs' history.

That wasn't the first time the Tigers whipped the Bulldogs, and it certainly won't be the last. But A&M has shown it is capable of bouncing back after losing to Grambling, and the Bulldogs vow they will do it again.

Grambling won 23-13 in 2002 to put the Bulldogs in an 0-2 hole, but A&M won eight of its next nine games to reach the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game.

The next year, Grambling won 45-14 to drop A&M to 1-2, but the Bulldogs won seven of their next nine games and finished 8-4. In 2005, Grambling won 44-0 but A&M rallied to win eight of its next nine games to reach the SWAC title game.

"We've been down this road before," said cornerback Stephan Tucker, a fifth-year senior. "We had some guys that probably didn't know how important that game was down there and we didn't match their intensity.

"We've got to go back to basics, practice our techniques and fundamentals and we'll bounce back. If we do what we've got to do, we can't be beat. We'll be all right this week. There's no doubt in my mind."

A&M, 3-1 overall and 1-1 in the SWAC, plays Texas Southern (0-4, 0-3) at 3 p.m. Saturday at Louis Crews Stadium.

Although the winless Tigers - who have been outscored 135-43 - appear to be an ideal opponent for the Bulldogs after the Grambling debacle, coach Anthony Jones has warned his team about taking Texas Southern for granted.

"This is not what the doctor ordered," Jones said Monday. "We've got to line up against a team that always plays us tough. They beat us two years ago on homecoming and last year it came down to the wire.

"This is going to be a very, very tough ballgame. I expect them to come here and play with great effort and great emotion."

Since A&M embarrassed Texas Southern 63-0 in 2003, each of the last three games has been more competitive.

The Bulldogs won 22-3 in 2004, lost 17-7 in 2005 and won 19-14 last season on strong safety Marcus Black's interception in the end zone.

"This is a team that if you're not alert in handling all your P's and Q's can be very scary," Jones said. "This is not a team to be joking with. They've made it tough on us. I expect it will be tough again this weekend."

It will be if the Bulldogs play like they did last week against Grambling. A&M played with very little emotion against the Tigers.

Tight end John Smith, a fifth-year senior, said that won't be the case against Texas Southern.

"Being a senior, it's up to us to get this team ready to play," Smith said. "We've got to be ready because Texas Southern always comes in here and plays us tough. We've got to let the younger players know this won't be a cakewalk because they're 0-4.

"We've got to come out and play with energy, enthusiasm and emotion, and I believe we'll do that."

Prairie View A&M releases women's basketball schedule

Prairie View A&M University Sports Information

Prairie View, Texas — The Prairie View A&M University women’s basketball team will play a 29-game schedule in 2007-08 as they look to defend their Southwestern Conference title and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament under the direction of third-year head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke. The Lady Panthers play 11 home games while traveling to take on teams from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Big 12, Conference USA (C-USA), PAC-10, and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

“This will be the most challenging schedule that I have faced on the Division I level playing against two SEC schools (Florida & Georgia), two Big 12 team (Texas A&M and Baylor) and two Conference USA schools (Rice and UTEP) in addition to playing in the Bahamas Tournament,” said Cooper-Dyke. “It’s always difficult to repeat the next season as champions because there is no surprise factor; instead we have a bull’s eye on our back. The quality of the schools that we’ll play and the conferences they come from will prepare us for inter-league play so there will be no easy games for us this season.”

Photo: PVAMU'S Gaati Werema, #20 Guard, 6-0 Soph., Orlando Christian Prep H.S., Orlando, Fla.

Prairie View A&M will be facing five of their 11 non-conference opponents for the first time in team history. The Lady Panthers open up the season in the Basketball Travelers Tip Off Tourney against St. Mary’s College of California (Nov. 9) Howard (Nov. 10), and Baylor (Nov. 11).The Lady Panthers then travel to College Station to take on sister school, Texas A&M for a first-time meeting with the Aggies (Nov. 15). Five days later, they travel to Gainesville to play the Gators of the University of Florida.

They will then head out to Freeport, Bahamas to play in the Junkanoo Jam before the Thanksgiving holiday and play against SEC member Georgia (Nov. 23) and either USC or Virginia Tech the following day.

The Lady Panthers open the month of December on the road in Thibodaux, Louisiana as they will square off against the Colonels of Nicholls State for a 2pm tilt (Dec. 8). Prairie View A&M will host one of two home games vs. Houston Baptist University on Dec. 13. For the second year in a row, the Lady Panthers travel to El Paso to compete against UTEP (Dec. 18) and take a pre-Christmas trip to Nacogdoches, TX to play Stephen F. Austin (Dec. 20). Finally the Lady Panthers round off the out of conference play and welcome the Lady Owls of Rice to the William Nicks Arena on Dec. 28.

PVAMU opens Southwestern Athletic Conference play with two home games beginning Saturday, Jan. 5 against Southern University. Prairie View A&M will return to the court 48 hours later to host Alcorn State.