Winless Aggies find ways to make big plays

By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News and Record

DELAWARE STATE AT N.C. A&T
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aggie Stadium, Greensboro
Records: Delaware State 4-1 overall, 3-0 MEAC: N.C. A&T 0-6, 0-3
Tickets: General admission tickets on Fan Appreciation Day are $5 online at http://www.ncataggies.com or call 334-7749
Online: http://www.dsuhornets.com or http://www.ncataggies.com

GREENSBORO -- Kenneth Ray had a plan, and come Hades, high water or high degree of improbability, N.C. A&T's offensive coordinator was sticking to it. Having the ball on your own 4-yard line simply means there are 96 yards worth of opportunity out there, he reasoned.

The resulting touchdown pass to Michael Caldwell wasn't simply the longest play from scrimmage in the Aggies' 84 seasons of football. The attempt last Saturday at Morgan State also indicated a new willingness and ability to play big and bold. The Aggies (0-6) still have the longest losing streak in college football's second-highest division, a 22-game run of futility nearing its second anniversary. But as they prepare for Saturday's home game with Delaware State, they're at least capable of making it interesting.

"People aren't afraid to make a play now," said Caldwell, a Dudley High graduate. "You can look in a player's eyes, and you know he wants to be the person to make the play and not wait on somebody else. It's not selfish. You've got to have that little bit of 'I' in you to make a play for your team."

The Aggies, whose only run of longer than 30 yards in 2006 came with six minutes left in the season, have broken off five of 35 or more in 2007. Michael Ferguson, healthy after a series of injuries, is responsible for all of them.

"My offensive line and fullbacks are a dream," said Ferguson, the nation's ninth-leading rusher at 124.5 yards per game. "They're setting up big holes for me."

And the success, which included a 66-yard bolt at Morgan State, has helped create a mind-set. Ray, in his first season as offensive coordinator, approached Caldwell late in the third quarter and said the Aggies would go deep on their next possession. There would be no amendment. Recovering a fumble was, in fact, even more reason to let it fly because defenses are often distracted by the disappointment and surprised by the immediate need to return to the field.

From the 4, quarterback Shelton Morgan faked a handoff to Ferguson.

"They think they've got us backed up," coach Lee Fobbs said. "Great call. Momentum change. Why not?"

Well, a year ago, the line was so inexperienced that the fear of a sack and a safety, not the hope of a record-setting completion, was probably foremost on the Aggies' minds. The line now has three veterans, and though that's not a terrific number, it represents better continuity than the team has had in a while.

So Morgan had the time necessary to wait and hope Caldwell could get a step on a secondary that included Northeast Guilford graduate Dakota Bracey. The Bears entered the game ranked third nationally in total defense, a fact of no consequence in the moment.

"You never think that's possible, a 96-yard touchdown," Caldwell said. "You always dream about it, but so many things have to go right. I told (Fobbs) that was the best ball I've had thrown to me my whole life. I didn't have to break stride. When I saw it in the air, I knew it was my chance to make a play. I saw the ball in the air and went to get it. Nobody would catch me."

Scoring still isn't easy for the Aggies, but the offense is more reliable than the 2006 version, which was blanked three times and held to seven points on two other occasions. That team required long drives to have any chance; the current team can break one from time to time, and that's one viable difference. Ferguson's only lament is getting caught on his longest runs.

"Guess I have to work on my speed a little more," he joked.


North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine Band

NCCU Eagles coach faces North Greenville in first homecoming

By Mike Potter, The Herald-Sun

Saturday's opponent may not be a familiar one, but first-year N.C. Central coach Mose Rison knows how big a game it is to Eagle alumni and fans.

When NCCU's first schedule as a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) was being assembled, Division II North Greenville University was the best available opponent for a home game this late in the season. And since NCCU couldn't find an opponent -- and I mean any legitimate opponent at all -- for its traditional homecoming weekend around Nov. 3, the North Greenville contest became the homecoming game.

But first-time foe or not, a sellout is expected.

"At some of the other schools where I coached [none of them historically black colleges], homecoming was just homecoming," said Rison, who had over 20 years experience as an assistant coach before becoming the Eagles' offensive coordinator before the 2006 season.

"But I learned last year that homecoming is a big deal at an HBCU. The alums are back, and they expect to win the football game."

It will also be "Senior Day" for the Eagles, as 19 players will be suiting up for their final home game.

NCCU is currently 4-2, coming off an open date following a 34-27 loss to visiting Presbyterian on Sept. 29. North Greenville may be 1-5, but the last two losses have been to members of the FCS. And four days ago the Crusaders lost at Presbyterian by a wacky 66-52 score.

"We know they're a good football team despite that record," Rison said Tuesday during his weekly luncheon at The Chicken Hut. "Fifty-two points certainly gets your attention. They're a good Division II team, and there's no question if they were in the CIAA they could compete for the championship."

Senior quarterback Eric Moeller has completed 119 of 196 passes for 1,582 yards and 13 touchdowns with three interceptions for Mike Taylor's Crusaders. Junior Rashad Cummings has rushed for 686 yards and six touchdowns, while classmate Matt Moore has 495 rushing yards and six scores.

"Their quarterback is a tremendous football player," Rison said. "He definitely plays like a senior. We're going to have to pressure him. And both their running backs are solid."

Rison said the week off was a good thing for his team. No other Division I team, FCS or Football Bowl Subdivision, had played six straight weeks before September was over.

"We got a chance to get healed from some bumps and bruises," Rison said. "And we got a chance to get healed from whatever bug was going around. We would have been in a lot of trouble if we had had to play Saturday. [Quarterback] Stadford Brown was bedridden. But he came back [on Monday] and told me he's ready to go.

"We've been doing a good job all season of not turning the ball over, and that needs to continue. And now we know who is going to be playing in what positions on offense. Defensively, we've been going a great job all season. We had a little off-day against Presbyterian, but other than that we've played extremely well."

Rison is hoping that besides the homecoming festivities, the swan song for the seniors will being up lots of emotions.

"When I was a senior at Central Michigan, I was just in the locker room before the game bawling because I knew that was going to be my last home game," Rison said. "I could barely even go out for warmups."

Rison said he will probably redshirt "22 or 23" players this season, and that they're going to start some hard-hitting scrimmages this week.

"Every Thursday we're going to have the "Weenie Bowl," he said, not even sure of the origins of the term. "We learned a lot about [freshman quarterback] Keon Williams last week when Stadford couldn't be at practice. He was playing so well, we didn't really miss Stadford out there."

Fourteen of the seniors playing their final game are starters. They include offensive linemen Carlos Hardy, Mark Ellis, Azu Alaribe and tight end Christopher Edwards; defensive linemen Paul Johnson, Courtney Coard and Xavier Joe; linebackers Derrick and Eric Ray and D.J. Fretwell; defensive backs Tyrone Williams, Darren Brothers and Craig Amos; and punt returner Brandon Alston.

NOTES - NCCU is not eligible to be included in FCS national statistics, but the Eagles' plus-19 on turnovers and 12 interceptions would lead the nation. ... The Eagles are 50-17-2 in homecoming games, but have won just two of their last four. ... NCCU's final three games are on the road against Division I teams. The Eagles are at FCS member Savannah State on Oct. 20, then travel on Oct. 27 to Western Kentucky which is transitioning from the FCS to the FBS. The season finale is on Nov. 10 at FCS member Winston-Salem State.

Saturday to be a homecoming of sorts for UAPB Lions

Photo: Mo Forte, UAPB Head Football Coach

By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial

It’s always special for an Arkansas-Pine Bluff team full of Little Rock natives to return to War Memorial Stadium.

Historically the Golden Lions have enjoyed playing in the Capitol City, posting a 12-6 record in the Rock since 1971, including last season’s 33-28 win over Saturday’s opponent Grambling State, but lately the game has also served as a homecoming for many UAPB players. The Lions currently have 10 players from Little Rock on their roster and three more from North Little Rock.

Six of the players hail from Central High School with McClellan, Parkview and Mills High Schools also represented.

“It’s very important to these guys to have the chance to go back home,” UAPB head coach Mo Forte said. “There friends and family still get to see them play here only 30 minutes away but we have a lot of kids from a lot of the different schools up there and they’re very proud of being from Little Rock.

“They take a lot of pride in playing on that field and in their city and this game takes a little extra meaning for them.”

The majority of UAPB’s Little Rock natives are major contributors. Michael Witherspoon (Central), Anton Williams (Central) and Tim Turner (Parkview) are the team’s starting linebackers. Freshman left tackle Jason Thomas (Mills) starts at left tackle. Stewart Franks (Central) starts at free safety and both running back Mickey Dean (Central) and safety Kevin Thornton (Central) hold quasi-starting roles.

“There’s no doubt that [Little Rock] is a place where we go for a lot of talent that makes up out football team,” Forte said. “This is a game that’s great for these guys but it’s also important as a showcase for our program because it puts what we have to offer on display in the city and helps us keep tapping into the pipeline of talent that comes out of there.”

Getting defensive

Forte knows a lot about what his offense will be up against Saturday — literally.

Two of Grambling’s key defensive players, junior tackle Melvin Matthews of Clinton, La. and senior linebacker Zaire Wilborn of Houston, Texas were recruited hard by Forte and his staff before eventually choosing Grambling.

Wilborn, nicknamed “Pit Bull,” by his teammates, was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week two weeks ago and was named preseason All-SWAC prior to the season.

“They’ve got some fine athletes over there but those two guys were ones we really wanted to get,” Forte said. “Matthews is really a load, a really good player up front. Wilborn we talked to as well and he’s very quick and athletic.”

As usual, UAPB’s biggest need against the Tigers’ defensive will be to establish its dormant running game, which showed flashes of effectiveness for the first time all season in its last game at New Mexico State.

“It was our ability to finish the play and be more physical than we have been,” Forte said. “Grambling’s defense is strong. It’s got some quickness but it’s stronger more than it is quick so we’re going to have to be physical at the point of attack.”

A good cause

As part of Literacy Week and in conjunction with Saturday’s Delta Classic for Literacy, 20 UAPB players will be reading to elementary school children in Little Rock on Friday morning.

That is just one of many events sponsored by the state’s Literacy Council as it tries to promote its cause through the remainder of the week and into gameday.

“This particular Classic game proves that it’s not all about athletics in the SWAC, it’s about caring for the individual,” Forte said. “This Literacy Classic is a great cause and they’ve done a great job getting the thing promoted because it shows people, especially young people, that you need to get an education and it’s really going to be a tough go for you if you don’t.

“These elementary school kids look up to our guys and when they go and read to them it helps stress how important reading and getting that education is.”

UAPB’s entire team will attend a Literacy Luncheon on Noon on Friday before checking into the team hotel. The Lions will practice at War Memorial Stadium for an hour Friday afternoon at 3 p.m.

NFL interested in two TSU players

Photo: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, #45, DB, 6' 2"/170 lbs.

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

The number of NFL scouts coming to see Tennessee State's top prospects continues to grow.

Eight NFL scouts, and one from the Canadian Football League, will attend the Tigers' game Thursday night at Tennessee Tech.

They will be there mainly to observe TSU's top two senior defensive players — cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and end Shaun Richardson.

A scout from the Minnesota Vikings attended TSU's practice Tuesday.

Rodgers-Cromartie and Richardson said they try to ignore the fact that representatives from NFL teams are monitoring them so closely, but it's not easy.

"It doesn't really affect me. My coaches just tell me to go out there and play the game like I'm taught and everything else will take care of itself,'' said Richardson, a 6-foot-3, 250- pounder who transferred to TSU from Joliet (St. Louis) Junior College last season.

Photo: Shaun Richardson, #13, DE, 6-3/250 lbs.

Richardson leads TSU in tackles for losses (7) and sacks (5).

He said he has recovered from a sprained knee and bruised shoulder, which hampered him the previous three games.

"I'm 100 percent and ready to go,'' Richardson said.

Rodgers-Cromartie said knowing the eyes of so many people who could steer his future are on him can be daunting.

"You realize they're watching everything you do and the way you play could have a lot to do with what happens (in the NFL draft),'' Rodgers-Cromartie said.

Rodgers-Cromartie has broken up a team-high five passes, blocked three kicks, and is averaging 22.3 yards on 17 kickoff returns.

Feeling good: Richardson isn't the only player the Tigers welcomed back to the lineup. Coach James Webster said his team, which had a bye last week, is healthier than it's been all season.

"We really needed the bye week,'' Webster said. "We've had a very tough schedule, played some very tough opponents. We needed some time just to rest up and heal up."

Basketball staff: Former Whites Creek High and Belmont basketball player Brian Collins has joined the TSU staff as a graduate assistant. Collins, who graduated from Belmont in 2006, is enrolled in graduate school at TSU.

TSU's sights set on OVC title run

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

Coaches pick Tigers to finish sixth

The middle of the pack is not where Cy Alexander expected Tennessee State's men's basketball team to be headed into his fifth season with the Tigers.

But that's where the coaches and sports information directors in the Ohio Valley Conference picked TSU at Wednesday's media day at LP Field.

Austin Peay was the overwhelming pick to win the conference, Eastern Kentucky was second, and Tennessee Tech third. TSU was picked sixth.

It's hard for Alexander to paint a brighter picture than what was predicted and he admitted the team's inability to reach the upper-echelon of the conference has created a sense of urgency.

"We had to take a step back last year and that was disappointing,'' Alexander said. "I felt the pain every time we lost. There is a sense of urgency because we want to turn the corner. We've been close, but we haven't really turned this program back into a winning and championship caliber program."

Over the past three years TSU regressed. The Tigers went 14-17 and finished sixth in the OVC in 2004-05; 13-15 and a seventh-place finish in 2005-06, and 12-20, finishing eighth in 2006-07.

Missing key players

Alexander said losing key players in each of the last two seasons has been the reason TSU has failed to gain ground.

In 2005-06, the Tigers lost 6-foot-1 guard Bruce Price to a knee injury and Eric King, a 6-7 senior, who abruptly quit the team. Then last year, Price re-injured his knee and Jerrell Houston, a 6-8 transfer from Mississippi State, became eligible only for the final five games.

"We've had two years in a row where two of our better players haven't been able to play,'' Alexander said.

"You go two years without arguably your two best players and there were a lot of close games over that span that you could argue, had those two guys each year been on the court, possibly the outcome of those games might have been different."

TSU lost five games last season by six points or fewer.

Price returns

With Price healthy again this year and Houston's eligibility problems resolved, at least Alexander's expectations, if not the rest of the league's coaches, are rising again.

"Bruce is a warrior and he also has the capabilities of being a very good leader because he plays hard all the time and practices hard,'' Alexander said.

"Jerrell wasn't able to do much for us last year because he had missed 20-something games and he was anxious and he really didn't know our system very well because he was on the scout team when he wasn't eligible. We expect a lot more out of him.''


OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE FORECAST
Predicted order of finish as voted by conference coaches and sports information directors, with first-place votes in parentheses. Teams selected by coaches and sports information directors:

OVC MEN
1. Austin Peay (19) 199
2. E. Kentucky (1) 166
3. Tennessee Tech (2) 160
4. Murray St. 149
5. SE Missouri 131
6. Tennessee St. 101
7. Samford 85
8. Eastern Illinois 75
9. Jacksonville St. 61
10. Morehead St. 50
11. Tennessee Martin 33

Preseason top players
G-Bruce Carter, Murray State
G-Anthony Fisher, Tennessee Tech
F-Brandon Foust, SE Missouri
G-Adam Leonard, E. Kentucky
G/F-Fernandez Lockett, Austin Peay
G-Romain Martin, E. Illinois
F-Amadi McKenzie, Tennessee Tech
C-Travis Peterson, Samford
F-Drake Reed, Austin Peay
G-Mike Rose, E. Kentucky
Preseason player of the year: Drake Reed, Austin Peay

OVC WOMEN
1. SE Missouri (19) 199
2. Samford (2) 161
3. Murray State 155
4. Eastern Illinois (1) 119
5. Tennessee Tech 118
6. UT Martin 114
7. Eastern Kentucky 105
8. Morehead State 100
9. Austin Peay 69
10. Tennessee State 48
11. Jacksonville State 22

Preseason top players
F_Rachel Galligan, E. Illinois
G_Jessica Huffman, E. Illinois
G_Crystal Jones, E. Kentucky
G_Amber Guffey, Murray St.
F_Alex Munday, Samford
F/C_Missy Whitney, SE Missouri
G_Ashley N. Hayes, Murray St.
G/F_Sonya Daugherty, SE Missouri
F/C_Phyllisha Mitchell, Tenn.-Martin
G/F_Obiageli Okafor, Tennessee St.
Preseason player of the year: Missy Whitney, SE Missouri

Experience may pay off for AAMU Bulldogs

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Returnees hope to put A&M back on winning path

Two years after winning the school's first Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball championship, Alabama A&M's program hit rock bottom.

The Bulldogs, fielding a team made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores, finished 10-20 and failed to reach the SWAC Tournament.

However, A&M coach Vann Pettaway says the experience gained from last year's disappointing season has provided the impetus his team needs to turn things around.

"I'm looking forward to this season," said Pettaway, who is beginning his 22nd campaign at A&M. "On paper, we're still a young team, but these guys have grown up. Hopefully, we can go out and redeem ourselves from last year."

If the Bulldogs are to redeem themselves, they will do so with Mickell Gladness and Trant Simpson leading the way.

Gladness, A&M's 6-foot-11, 205-pound senior center, is the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He led the nation in blocked shots, averaging more than six per game and also set the single-game record with 16 against Texas Southern.

While Gladness' prowess has been on the defensive end, Pettaway needs him to be more effective on the offensive end.

"He has to step up and be a threat for us," he said. "I'm looking for four more points and four more rebounds per game. That will make him a double-double guy and take some of the pressure off of our perimeter people."

Simpson, the league's Freshman of the Year, was A&M's top perimeter player a year ago. He averaged 13 points and six assists while shooting 81 percent from the foul line.

"Trant had a really good freshman year and he's only going to get better," Pettaway said. "We had to play him too many minutes and we've added some depth to that position and we hope that will make our team better."

Junior Norris Arnold, 6-8 and 225 pounds, will back up Gladness at center, while Jonathan Inman and Jonathan Belt, a pair of rugged sophomores, will split time at power forward. Inman is 6-5 and 215, while Belt is 6-6 and 235.

"Inman played real well down the stretch last year," Pettaway said. "We're counting on both of those guys to give us some scoring punch inside."

Kudus Ogbara, who was granted a medical redshirt last year after sustaining a knee injury, will play both forward spots, Pettaway said.

The Bulldogs have an ample amount of talent at small forward, shooting guard and point guard.

Sophomores LaNorris Smith and Andrew Williams will compete for the starting job at small forward.

Smith, 6-4 and 215, is regarded as the team's best athlete. Williams, also 6-4 and 215, isn't far behind.

"Smith has to pick it up," Pettaway said. "He has shown some signs in preseason practice that he may be ready to come around. He was a little heavy last year, but he's lighter and leaner this year.

"He has looked impressive in preseason workouts and he has that look in his eye. He's a very gifted athlete. He's got to have his motor running every game."

Sophomore Cornelius Hester returns at shooting guard, but will be challenged by redshirt freshman Desmond Jackson and junior Evan Hilton.

Hester averaged 10.4 points per game, but shot just 35 percent from the field, including 29 percent from 3-point range. Jackson has been solid in preseason workouts, Pettaway said, while Hilton hopefully will emerge after splitting time between shooting guard and point guard the last two seasons.

"Jackson can put the ball in the basket," Pettaway said. "We think we have created a very competitive situation by grouping those three guys together."

Simpson is the clear leader at point guard, but freshmen Jabari Deshields and Reggie Porter will also see playing time.

"We expect more from this cast of players," Pettaway said. "If Mickell can shoulder some of the offensive production in the paint and we can stay healthy, I like our chances."

Alabama A&M University Maroon and White Marching Band

Plenty of good happening at SU, in SWAC

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

In the wake of Southern’s first loss of this football season and Monday’s unprompted inflammatory remarks from Jackson State coach Rick Comegy, here’s a good time to talk about what’s good at Southern U.

Pete Richardson. There hasn’t been a week that’s gone by when, in evaluating the coaching matchups for a Saturday game, the edge hasn’t gone to Southern.

The man has been good, steady, honest, decent. He’s a winner. He’s a treasure, for Southern and for Baton Rouge. This is the final year of his contract, and he’s shown all season why he is who he is. Almost weekly, a Southwestern Athletic Conference coach says so, including Comegy on Monday.

He’s 62, in great health, and he’s as loyal as always.

“I want to be at Southern,” Richardson said Monday.

Southern’s offensive line. The Jaguars were doing amazing with six guys taking all the snaps. Saturday, center Demarcus Stewart went down with a calf injury and further complicated matters.

How are they doing what they’re doing? Heart, guts and good coaching from Damon Nivens.

Wide receiver Gerard Landry. The way the senior co-captain scored SU’s final touchdown in a 33-28 loss to Alabama A&M said it all Saturday. On a fourth-and-long, he had to fight to hold his position to even make a catch on the first down, then he had to get through two guys at the goal line. He’s been determined all season.

Defensive end Vince Lands. Top-notch scholar, athlete. All heart. Relentless.
Strong safety Glenn Bell. Inspirational leader. Fiery, yet eloquent. When he says he’d play defensive end if you asked him, believe it.

Quarterback Bryant Lee. A winner in high school and a winner in college. Still learning. The joy in college football is right here in Lee: It’s fun watching the sophomore grow up before our eyes.

Running back Darren Coates. Richardson called the senior, who battled academic issues that sidelined him for two years and then worked his way up the depth chart, the team’s MVP. The guy stuck with it to get where he is. That’s what it’s all about.

Free safety Jarmaul George. The other co-captain came back to Southern, gave this place another chance last season, and is doing everything he said he’d do. Here’s a guy who really grew up and matured. It’s fun to watch guys like Lee while they’re growing. It’s fun to watch guys like George when they’re all grown up.

Defensive tackles Dwayne Charles and Joseph Selders. Smart guys. Personable guys. Hard-working guys.

Linebacker Gary Chatman. Unfazed by missing two seasons of football. Getting better by the game.

Southern’s fans and the people around campus. Warm, friendly, passionate.
SWAC fans, coaches, players and bands. The SWAC is special, and the people make it so. Kids trying to grow up and better themselves. Coaches and teachers who help them do so. Great stuff, daily.

Certainly, there is more good.

Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox Marching Band

Prairie View coach blasts officials

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southwestern Athletic Conference Interim Commissioner Duer Sharp said Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III will likely face discipline from the conference after Frazier on Monday morning used the conference’s media teleconference to blast officiating.

“Either they’re cheating or they’re incompetent,” Frazier said of SWAC referees. “Either way you look at it, they have to go.”

When Sharp got on the teleconference later in the morning, Sharp said Frazier had crossed the line.

“It affects what we do, professionally, when we hear a coach say the referees don’t seem competent or are cheating,” Sharp said. “That was probably the most disappointing thing I heard. That’s just something we won’t tolerate here.”

Sharp said Monday afternoon he had talked with Frazier. Sharp said he was sending a letter to Prairie View, and Sharp said Prairie View could appeal any disciplinary action.

“It’s disappointing he used this forum to make those comments,” Sharp said. “It goes against the code of conduct.”

Prairie View won 17-7 at Alcorn State on Saturday.

In that game, Prairie View was called for nine penalties for 78 yards and Alcorn was flagged five times for 30 yards.

Frazier said calls were made in error against Prairie View throughout the game and that on Alcorn’s only score, Nate Hughes’ 70-yard punt return in the second quarter, Alcorn was guilty of clipping twice but not called for either one.

“The referees have to get coached up,” Frazier said. “They’re going to cost people jobs.”

Photo: Prairie View Head Football Coach Henry Frazier

Frazier, who said he also had issue with the statistics kept by Alcorn at the game, said he had forwarded the tape to the conference office and had informed SWAC interim coordinator of officials Harold Mitchell Sr. that he had problems with the way the game was called.


Sharp confirmed Frazier had taken those steps.
“I’ve had several apologies (from the conference office). It’s just the first time I’ve said something,” Frazier said of previous complaints during his four seasons at the school.

Sharp said he has not gotten complaints from Frazier this season until this weekend.

“I’ve never heard from Coach Frazier. &hellip That surprises me,” Sharp said.

Frazier said, in his time at Prairie View, his staff had counted 64 calls against his team in which a flag flew in behind a breakaway play.

“We’re going to put a highlight tape together,” Frazier said.

Frazier said Prairie View (3-2) may be getting penalized excessively because the program’s long history of losing.

“A lot of times people can’t believe we’re a good football team,” Frazier said.

Prairie View has been penalized 53 times for 499 yards this season. Of 10 SWAC teams, only Jackson State, with 53 penalties for 578 yards, has had more yardage stepped off than PV.

“It’s been like that all season long,” Frazier said. “It’s getting frustrating, because it’s on film.”

Sharp said his office routinely reviews officiating and regularly gets input from coaches.

“If you do make bad calls on a consistent basis, you won’t work in this league,” Sharp said.

Jackson State coach Comegy reprimanded

Photo: JSU Head Coach Rick Comegy

Jackson State’s band, the Sonic Boom of the South, will not be at the game Saturday, according to Jackson State. The band has “temporarily halted performances until allegations of hazing have been investigated,” Jackson State said in a release.
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

The Southwestern Athletic Conference on Wednesday reprimanded Jackson State coach Rick Comegy for his comments Monday during the league’s weekly football teleconference.

A news release issued by the SWAC office said the reprimand does not include a suspension, but that “future incidents could result in a fine and/or suspension from athletic competition.”

Comegy, on Monday, termed the environment at Southern‘s A.W. Mumford Stadium as “hostile” and said many of his team’s fans “are not taking their families” to the football game.

Southern and Jackson State play here at 6 p.m. Saturday.

On Tuesday, Tony Clayton, a member of the Southern University Board of Supervisors, said he called SWAC interim Commissioner Duer Sharp and asked for Comegy’s comments to be investigated and action taken against Comegy, including a suspension.

“For this particular situation, SWAC policy has determined that a public reprimand is the appropriate course of action,” Sharp said in the statement.

Wednesday’s statement from the conference office said Comegy had “apologized for his comments to Southern University and the City of Baton Rouge.”

Jackson State on Tuesday issued a statement from President Ronald Mason Jr. regretting “any misunderstanding caused.”

Comegy, in his second year at Jackson State, has never coached a game in Mumford Stadium.

Monday, when asked to make a standard introductory statement discussing the upcoming game by the conference’s mediator, SWAC spokesperson William Bright Jr., Comegy talked about what he had been “hearing” about “a somewhat hostile” situation at Mumford Stadium and that Jackson State fans would not come to the game as families.

“I hear a lot of horror stories about going to Southern,” Comegy was quoted as saying in The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger. “They say it’s a real critical situation. I hear we’re not taking our families and kids and stuff like that.”

Comegy declined to give specific examples.

Because of computer difficulties (affecting all of the SWAC’s Web site), the audio from the teleconference has yet to be available on the Internet, Bright said.

Comegy and SU coach Pete Richardson spoke Tuesday.

“I had a chance to talk to him, and sometimes you make statements that come out,” Richardson said. “It’s a situation he made and he’s probably going to regret. I’ll just leave it at that.

“I think it’s going to be a great football game. I don’t want that to distract both sides coming down to see the game. Our administration has done a number of things to make our place safe, and we figure it is safe. Some incidents happened in the past that really weren’t associated with the game itself. I’m quite sure he’ll understand the tradition of the rivalry of this football game.”
Richardson said he was not overly upset by the comments.

“For an individual who hasn’t really been to our stadium to make a statement, you kind of get angry at times,” Richardson said. “But if I listened to everything people say, I’d be angry all the time.”

Meanwhile, Jackson State’s band, the Sonic Boom of the South, will not be at the game Saturday, according to Jackson State.

The band has “temporarily halted performances until allegations of hazing have been investigated,” Jackson State said in a release.

The Sonic Boom and Southern’s Human Jukebox have been known to play for more than an hour after games to the delight of fans.

Coach’s honors
Richardson named wide receiver Gerard Landry (10 catches for 98 yards and one TD), linebacker Corey Ray (seven tackles in his second game) and Anthony Wells (punt block, two tackles) as his offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week for the A&M game.

Who’s the new No. 28?
SU spokesman Kevin Manns presented James Verrett with a No. 28 game jersey, with Verrett’s name on the back before Wednesday’s news luncheon.

Verrett is in his final week of work for WAFB-TV, having been with Channel 9 for 15 years. Verrett is moving to Atlanta to work as the Atlanta Hawks courtside reporter for FSN South and SportSouth.

Basketball starts Friday
The SU men’s basketball team will have “Early Night Madness” — the team’s first practice of the season — at 7:01 p.m. Friday in Seymour Gym.

The event is staged by the school’s student government association. The team will be introduced, go through some drills and then scrimmage.

J-State coach calls Southern campus ‘hostile’

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Jackson State University coach Rick Comegy said many of his team’s fans would not be traveling to Southern for the game Saturday because he had heard the atmosphere in and around A.W. Mumford Stadium is “hostile.”

“A lot of people are not taking their families,” Comegy said.

SU (5-1, 3-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) hosts Jackson State (3-2, 3-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Comegy, in his second season at Jackson State, has never been to a game at Mumford Stadium.

“My understanding is, it’s always been a hostile situation when we get down there,” said Comegy, who declined to detail any specific incident.

Jackson State has played at Mumford Stadium just once this decade, in 2005. Three other games were at the Superdome in New Orleans.

“I’m quite sure there’s not going to be anything happening,” SU coach Pete Richardson said.

Gunfire marred two previous Jackson State games at Southern.

In the third quarter of the 1996 game, a Southern University police officer fired a shot into the air to break up a brawl outside the stadium between the stadium and the tennis courts. The game was halted in the third quarter, with players, coaches and officials hitting the ground.

During the third quarter of the 1990 game, a 20-year-old man was shot in the West stands after an altercation stemming from a dice game. That sent that side of the stadium into bedlam.

In each of the last two seasons, Southern has had a shooting incident outside the stadium.

In September last season, at a private parking lot across the street from Mumford Stadium, 59-year-old Freddie Jackson was shot and killed. Mississippi Valley State was the visiting team for the season opener.

And in 2005, at the homecoming game with Alabama A&M, shots were fired into a crowd of tailgaters south of the stadium. Bullets struck three, including a female Southern student.

The shooting was the result of two feuding groups crossing paths on campus, Southern University police said.

None of the instances involved one school’s fans acting out against the other school’s fans.

In the wake of last season’s shooting, Southern has taken steps to try to avoid any further problems.

The general area in which both shootings occurred, south of the stadium, has been closed to tailgaters, and blue tarps cover the fencing so that no loitering occurs. Also, game times this season have been moved to 7 p.m. from 6 p.m.

“They’re very welcome,” Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said of Jackson State fans. “We welcome all of our visiting teams.”

LaFleur said perhaps the only problem visiting fans could have is with parking.

“If you’re not familiar with Southern, it can be difficult, because all the parking near the stadium is reserved,” LaFleur said.

Also, there are limited roads into campus, making traffic flow difficult for big games. Saturday’s homecoming game with Alabama A&M was sold out, and cars were still flowing over the Harding Boulevard ramp as late as halftime. That game drew a sellout crowd of 24,600.

“We’re excited about having Jackson State come, because they have a huge following,” Richardson said.

The game has traditionally been one of the biggest draws in either black college football or Football Championship Subdivision football. Games at Jackson State’s Memorial Stadium traditionally draw 50,000 to 60,000.

“It shows the excitement and passion of SWAC football to the utmost,” Comegy said. “It shows what the SWAC can do. &hellip It should be setting up for an exciting game. I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’ll be great.”

Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band

FAMU Offense suffers setback

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Mental mistakes, poor execution cost FAMU against WSSU.

Starting left guard Anthony Collins said Saturday's performance against Winston-Salem State was the worst by Florida A&M's offense this season.

It's hard to argue with the redshirt sophomore, and not because he's 6-3 and weighs more than 350 pounds.

Any time your offense hand-delivers two touchdowns to the opposing team, it is not a good day.

Freshman running back Philip Sylvester's fumble on the 1-yard-line set up W-SS's first touchdown, and a bad snap from starting center Kwame Akkabela set up another touchdown drive for the Rams.

Photo: FAMU's Leon Camel (16) watches as a fumble by Philip Sylvester ends up in the hands of Winston-Salem State University's Jamaine Mack (22) in the first quarter of their game in the Circle City Classic at the FAMU 1 yard line.

“As an offense, I feel like we had our worst game as far as mental mistakes,” Collins said at FAMU's weekly press conference Tuesday. “Every play it was like something. We just have to come out stronger and play with more energy.

“We gave them two touchdowns last week. Without those fumbles that led to touchdowns, I think we win that game last week.”

Life is difficult enough just trying to work in a new starting quarterback in Leon Camel. FAMU coach Rubin Carter doesn't need his offense to make things any harder on itself than it already is.

“We shot ourselves in the foot,” Carter said. “We spot a team 14 points and you try and play catchup. We have to play for a full game and not just a half.

“We have to get out of this mode and format of playing two teams. We just need to play the opponent and not ourselves as well.”

The Rattlers did come back to tie the game in the second half - a quality Collins said the offense seems to demonstrate often when behind.

“We seem to always play better when we are behind,” Collins said. “It's like we feel a sense of urgency like we have to come back. We focus more.”

In the future, however, Camel would just prefer that the offense play like it was behind instead of actually having to play from behind.

“We gave them two turnovers inside the red zone, which gave them 14 points,” Camel said.” You take away those 14 points we win the game.

“They came out and played hard, but it is not like they beat us. We slightly beat ourselves. We just plan to build on what we did heading into South Carolina State.”

Hyped

Collins said one of the things he likes about his new starting quarterback is the energy he plays with in games.

Apparently Camel may have played with a little too much energy Saturday, which may have resulted in some of his errant passes.

Camel completed just 12 of 31 passes against W-SS.

“The first couple of series, I had a little jitters,” Camel said. “I wasn't nervous, it was just jitters. I threw the ball into the ground a couple times.”

Photo: FAMU wide receiver Willie Hayward (3) can't hold on to a third-down pass at the two-yard line as Winston-Salem State University's Marcus Coates (27) defends on the Rattlers' last drive in the fourth quarter of their Circle City Classic.

Familiarity

It probably shouldn't have been a surprise that Camel's main target Saturday was senior receiver Willie Hayward.

Camel completed seven of his 12 passes to Hayward Saturday for 117 of his 158 passing yards.

Camel said the two walked on to the team together and used to hook up with each other on the practice squad.

Camel delivers big hit

The guys in the white shirts are usually off-limits to defensive players at Florida A&M's practices. That doesn't mean the guys in the green shirts are off-limits to the guys in the white shirts, however.

Camel made the hit of practice, and perhaps the season, on freshman defensive tackle Bryan Peoples near the end of Wednesday's practice.

Camel, who stands 5-foot-6 and weighs 170 pounds, knocked the 6-foot-3, 255-pound Peoples off his feet on the play that drew cheers from the offense and shock from the defense.

“I just wanted to get a rise out of everybody,” Camel said. “Practice was lengthy today and everybody was ready to go. The hit just lifted up practice.

“It was a crack for me. Either I was supposed to lead the ball carrier up the field or crack the defensive end so I just did what coach asked me to do.”

Carter doesn't want his starting quarterback injuring himself, but he doesn't mind a seeing a good hit either.

“He did a good job,” Carter said about Camel's block. "Leon is a tough guy. He is dedicated to his position and showing leadership. That's football. Sometimes the quarterback gets hit. This time he got to do the hitting.”

Photo: FAMU wide receiver Adrian Smith (87) has a long pass bounce off of him as Winston-Salem State University's Alex Chandler (19) watches in the second quarter

Gotcha

Senior long snapper Doug Peeler will be the first to tell you that he has a lot of free time on his hands during practice.

Wednesday, Peeler used a little of his spare time to play a friendly prank on redshirt-freshman left tackle Christopher Sands.

Somehow, without Sands realizing it, Peeler spelled the word “Fat” on the back of Sands' jersey during practice.

Sands practiced unaware that he was a victim of the prank for about 30 minutes until one of the team trainers removed the tape. Peeler confessed to pulling the prank on his buddy after practice.

“It was fun and I would do it again,” Peeler said.

Last year receiver Javares Knight was a victim of a prank when he was led to believe that he was getting his scholarship taking away.

“It's football,” Carter said. “It brings a little levity, but at the same time we are serious about the game of football. I want the players to keep their spirits up.

“We're at the halfway point in the season and it's important that the players have the right attitude going into each and every game.”

MSU Bears host Homecoming against rival Howard U on Saturday

MSU Sports Information

MORGAN STATE “BEARS” (3-3, 2-1 MEAC)
HOWARD “BISON” (2-3, 0-2 MEAC)
GAME #7 – Morgan State Homecoming
Saturday, October 13, 2007 • 1:00 p.m.
Hughes Stadium (Capacity 10,000) • Baltimore, Md.
RADIO: Morgan State Radio Network WEAA - 88.9 FM: Rob Long (play-by-play) & Kelvin Bridgers (color).
INTERNET: www.MorganStateBears.com; www.howard-bison.com
INTERNET COVERAGE: Live Audio and Live Stats

Setting the Scene

• Morgan State held off North Carolina A&T in the end 22-17 at Hughes Stadium. The Bears were once again led by All-MEAC RB Chad Simpson who posted a game-best 181 yards on 33 carries, including a 46-yard touchdown dash late in the 4th quarter to help the Bears notch the victory. QBs Byron Selby and Mario Melton combined for 13-of-23 passes for 130 yards. MSU’s defensive unit held the Aggies to 138 rushing yards and was led by LB Jarrel Guyton who recorded a team-high 10 tackles. MSU will attempt to extend its winning streak to three against Howard when the teams hit the gridiron Saturday for the “Battle of the Beltway” matchup.

• Howard is coming off a 41-14 blowout victory against non-confernece foe Cheney University. The Bison put up 439 yards of total offense and held Cheney’s ground attack to 76 yards. Howard QB Brian Johnson led the Bison by accounting for three touchdowns (2 passing & 1 running), while RB Terry Perry finished with 18 carries for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, DB Randall Means collected a team-high 11 tackles (2 solo) and Endor Cooper finished with 8 tackles and a fumble recovery. With the win the Bison improved to 2-3 overall and will enter Saturday afternoon’s contest seeking their first conference win of the season (0-2 MEAC). Saturday’s contest will mark the 70th meeting between Morgan State and Howard.

• Carey Bailey is entering his first season as Head Football Coach at Howard. Bailey, a Morgantown, W.V. native, has 15 years of coaching experience and a proven track record, especially in recruiting and leading winning teams. His most recent position as the University of Minnesota’s defensive line coach, exemplifies his expertise as the Gophers led the nation in turnover margin (+1.33 per game). That figure represents the highest turnover margin of any Big Ten school since 1998 and the first for Minnesota since 1989.

• The Bison have one of the top quartebacks in the conference. Brian Johnson (Sr./6-0/190/Gardenia, Calif./LA Southwest CC) has completed 85-of-139 passes for 972 yards and 11 touchdowns and ranks 3rd in the MEAC in passing. Johnson connected on 12-of-19 passes and threw two touchdowns and an interception during Howard’s 41-14 blowout victory last Saturday against Cheney University ... he also ran for 68 yards and a touchdown and was sacked twice.

• SEE CHAD RUN … INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS - Chad Simpson entered the Towson game just needing 63 yards to reach 1,000 yards in his Morgan State career…he ended up rushing for 195 yards! The All-MEAC running back rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opener vs. Savannah State and has increased his career total to 1,774 yards following a game-high 181 yards versus North Carolina A&T ... he now sits 274 yards behind Lloyd McCleave (1975-78) who ranks #5 in the Bears rushing annals. Simpson has been selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week twice, most recently after gaining 181 yards on 33 carries against North Carolina A&T last Saturday.

N.C. A&T's plight a familiar one for Lavan

Photo: DSU Head Football Coach Al Lavan

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

Struggling Aggies remind DSU coach of early years with Hornets

DOVER -- Al Lavan saw the symptoms of a bad football team when he watched video last weekend.

Delaware State's football coach said he saw games lost despite players trying their best. He saw an athletic group that lacked talent to compete week after week in an evenly matched conference like the MEAC.

Lavan said he can't help being reminded of his Hornets in 2004, his first season at DSU, whenever he sees video of his next opponent, North Carolina A&T.

The winless Aggies, who host DSU on Saturday at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, N.C., have lost all 17 games under second-year coach Lee Fobbs.

Lavan took over in 2004, one season after the Hornets finished 1-10. He said there are a lot of similarities in the Hornets of old and the Aggies of today.

"Our first year, we needed better players, but what we really needed was confidence," Lavan said. "That's what coach Fobbs needs. And it's the hardest thing to get."

Lavan started the 2004 season 0-4 but finished 4-7. His first victory was against nationally ranked Hampton, similar to the scenario that Fobbs faces against the No. 17 Hornets.

"Really, wins and losses don't indicate anything," Lavan said. "That year, we had to keep showing our players how they were getting better. It's not always strictly a matter of effort."

Fobbs, who played at Grambling under Eddie Robinson, was hired from Texas A&M after the 2005 season where he served as running backs coach.

Despite his pedigree, Fobbs has been subject to heavy scrutiny at A&T, a university with loud and demanding alumni.

Fobbs said, despite the lack of wins, he is sticking to his long-term plan of recruiting high school athletes and playing them now. He said his overall assessment of the program and its needs has gone unchanged.

"If you believe in something, you have to keep teaching it," Fobbs said. "If you don't, then you really didn't believe in it in the first place."

The Aggies' 0-11 season in 2006, and subsequent calls for his removal, even prompted Fobbs to add a unique supplement to his 2007 team media guide.

Under the words, "Stay positive," Fobbs wrote a message to fans and alumni, asking them to forget the winless season and for added patience in the upcoming year.

"I believe we're taking the right route with regard to our building progress," Fobbs said Tuesday. "We have the right attitude and that's important. It's taking longer than we thought, but we're still happy to be out there."

But it hasn't gotten any easier. Besides the team's 0-6 record, the Aggies have lost by hefty margins, such as a combined score of 109-34 in two losses against Hampton and Norfolk State. Fobbs' team ranks last in total defense (372.2), turnover margin (minus-5), rushing defense (208.8) and is next-to-last in total offense (282).

It's not all bad. Junior running back Michael Ferguson is ninth in the nation in rushing with 124.5 yards per game. Within the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Ferguson is behind only Chad Simpson of Morgan State, the country's fifth-ranked rusher.

Lavan, as he is reminded of his own struggles in his debut season, has tried to share the potential pitfall this game presents. The Hornets are 3-0 to start the league season for the first time since 1993 and are tied for their highest-ever national ranking.

"What you have to do is play them like they're the best in the conference," DSU sophomore defensive lineman Tyron Hurst said. "Everyone from here is the top team. If you look at it like that, you won't be upset."

DSU at N.C. A&T, 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Pough says SCSU will "hold the course"

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

There was no panic in South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough’s voice during his weekly press conference.

Following Saturday’s double-overtime loss to Norfolk State, he did not announce any wholesale changes in light of the Bulldogs finding themselves in the same predicament as last year in facing a "win or go home" scenario in each of their remaining six games.

Instead, Pough took a cue from President George Bush by stating he plans to "hold the course" as he believes the program, despite its current place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings, is still going in a championship direction.

"I believe in what we’re doing," he said. "I just think we’ve got to get better at it."

"The one good thing I can tell you is that is we’ve just started to really get a good solid group of guys in here I think can carry us for a while," he continued. "I know the very last thing we want to here is wait until next year. But I can tell you that this time we will at least be a solid team for years to come.

"We’re not building a team for today. We’re building a team for the times and I think this team will be good for some time."

Photo: SCSU Head Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough.

To that end, SCSU (2-3, 1-1) held an impromptu practice session Sunday, much of it spent correcting 19 missed assignments committed by the offense during the 20-13 setback. Many of those miscues committed in the "Red Zone" were related to the various changes made on the offensive line with newer, younger starters and a lack of execution, something Pough took full responsibility for during his weekly press conference.


"Norfolk beat us," he said. "I could put it on all kinds of stuff. We didn’t play well, but I didn’t think we played all that poorly. We made some mistakes, but we had a chance to win the football game every kind of way there was but didn’t quite get it done. So, it’s on me and that’s what I do here. The only thing I can tell you is that we’ll work to get better next week and see what happens."

Entering Saturday’s home game against equally-struggling Florida A&M (2-3, 1-2) ranked last in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring offense (12.6 points per game) and pass efficiency (82.6 rating) and next to last in passing offense (116 yards per game). Along with injuries which will keep out for a second straight week running back Travil Jamison (groin) and wide receiver Terrance Smith (knee), SCSU was unable to stretch a Spartan defense which often crowded the line of scrimmage with 6-8 players.

Pough said the Bulldogs have to show more consistency throwing the football and he hopes to still use freshman Malcolm Long (who was 1 of 2 passing for 39 yards and an interception) in spot duty alongside Cleveland McCoy.

"We’ve got to get him the experience of being in a football game so that we don’t get into next season with a totally new game who hasn’t taken any reps at all," Pough said. "So it’s important that we get him a few series a game - one in the first half and one in the second half. If things are going good, then we’ll probably play him either a third series. If things really go good, then we’d like to play him for a quarter. But, we haven’t got to that point yet. Most of the situations have been where we’ve been kind of behind the eight ball and haven’t been able to free-wheel as much as we’d like. But the first opportunity we get to play him a good length of time, we will."

The offense is not the only area where execution has been a problem for SCSU. Place-kicker Stephen Grantham has missed 9-15 field goals this season and had his fourth blocked kick of the season during overtime.

Despite the numbers, Pough downplayed the Florence native’s difficulties and was confident he could turn things around.

"He’s struggling from time to time, but that’s part of it," Pough said. "Kids miss field goals. You heard of Bobby Bowden? You heard of Wide Right? You know it happens. The best thing I can tell you is that these kids don’t try to miss them. They do the very best they can to make them. It’s tough sometimes under the microscope when that things all on you. But, we’ll be alright. We’ll get better."
Pough also defended his secondary and their coverage on the halfback option throw from Daryl Jones to Jamar Johnson in the second-overtime which proved to be the game-winner.

"The play in overtime was a play that could possibly hurt a young, overaggressive guy," he said. "The guy that got hurt in that situation had three great plays in that game. He had balls knocked down. He was in one-on-one coverage a lot and they’ve got some pretty good receivers. We were in zone at that time and they fooled him and our free safety couldn’t get over to help.

"It happens. You want to do good and sometimes people turn the fact that you want to do good so bad that you’ll be a little bit overaggressive against you and that happens."

Getting those areas up to par with a Bulldog defense which has allowed an average of 13.3 points per game in non-Football Bowl Subdivision games is important if SCSU is to make a second-half run.

"One of the things you do in a situation such as this is you focus on the next task at hand," Pough said. "You create the situation of being able to continue to fight for a conference championship and we think we can. I think as long we’ve got breath left in our body, as long as our guys are the kind of people that they are, we’re going to always give a solid effort, a full effort, to achieve what’s best at that particular task that we’re approaching at that time. It’s not very hard with the type of kids that we have to motivate them.

"Let me tell you something. The one thing I can tell you is that we played as hard as we could play on Saturday. Now we might not have done some things right, He may have made some mistakes and that kind of stuff. But I guarantee you, you won’t hear anybody say that those kids didn’t give a good effort. That’s all you can ask for and they’ll do it again this week."

BULLDOG NOTES: A decision is pending on whether to redshirt BANDIT Marshall McFadden, out since the first half of the Bethune-Cookman team. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs hope to slowly bring back offensive tackle Nygel Pearson, who’s missed over a month with a broken hand and will most likely wear a cast...Saturday’s game against Florida A&M is "Youth Day" with youngsters will be charged at a special rate. It’s also being aired nationally on tape delay by ESPNU (Channel 160 on Digital Time Warner Cable) starting at 10 p.m. SCSU is a perfect 12-0 in games aired nationally on cable and 6-0 when aired by either ESPN2 or ESPNU, which has aired five of the Bulldogs’ contest since its inception in 2005.

Championship quality: FAMU coach praises SCSU

Photo: FAMU Coach Rubin Carter

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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A reporter received a quick response from Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter to his question regarding the offensive woes of Saturday's opponent South Carolina State.

"Don't mean a thing," said Carter during Tuesday's teleconference. "A wounded animal fights back, man, and that's exactly what I see with that team right now. They've had some injuries, some nicks and also other types of situations going on with them. But they're going to come out and they're going to fight. They have a lot of pride too and that's the one thing and not just with South Carolina State, but one thing about our conference. It's competition week in and week out."

Not only does Carter still see a championship-quality squad in the Bulldogs, but also a mirror image of his Rattlers. Both teams enter Saturday's contest sporting similar records, having played the majority of their games on the road and seen their rosters riddled by injury.

Nevertheless, Carter expects to see the Bulldogs' team which has won the last four meetings in the series since Oliver "Buddy" Pough's arrival and not the one ranked last in the conference in passing efficiency and scoring offense.

"I don't why they have been struggling," he said. "I know in the preseason, the pick was South Carolina State being on top and I don't discount that at all. They are a good football team and I know they've had some situations with players being nicked and bruised and all those other things.

"On the defensive front, their defensive line is one of the best in the conference and the offensive center (Raymond 'Duck' Harrison), he's one of the best players. He's going to be a challenge for our defensive line, our interior guys, because he'll knock your head off. They've been competing at a high level. But for whatever the reason, injuries, transition with personnel, those things do occur and it's tough to replace good players."

FAMU has also struggled with developing team continuity with a new starting quarterback and several young starters on the defensive line. In the 27-23 loss to Winston-Salem State this past Saturday at the Circle City Classic at Indianapolis, Ind., the Rattlers hurt themselves with two first-half fumbles which were turned into touchdowns and gave up 296 rushing yards.

"It was a difficult game for us," Carter said. "We didn't start out real well. We shot ourselves in the foot early in the game and spotted Winston-Salem (State) two touchdowns with turnovers down in the 'Red Zone' area and those are the types of things you can't do versus any football team. But they're a good team. They came out and I thought they executed a lot better than we did and we have to be able to be better in that area."

This was also the first game FAMU played since the abrupt departure of starting quarterback Albert Chester II. The preseason All-MEAC first-team selection and four-year starter left the team just days following the team's 18-17 victory over Tennessee State in the 19th annual Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic - a game in which Chester was pulled in the first half for senior Leon Camel.


FAMU's starting QB Leon Camel hands off ball to Freshman RB Phillip Syvester.

Chester later told The Famuan in an Oct. 5 article that health issues, including a entrapped nerve, which caused numbness, tingling and weaknesses around the arm area, were the primary reasons for his decision. He and his father, former FAMU quarterback Albert Chester Sr., also alluded in the same article to "ongoing problems" with the coaching staff stemming from a lack of communication.

Carter acknowledged those issues during the teleconference, but insisted he has an open door policy with all of his players.

"Most of the players feel comfortable with coming in and sitting down and talking and discussing what's going on with them in situations and then others don't feel comfortable about doing it," he said. "It all depends on the personality of the young man. I would have liked to have seen it occur, come in and have a conversation prior to being in a situation where you're taken out of a game and having to be replaced by another player. That creates more conflict than anything else."

At the same time, Carter is confident the Rattlers will rally behind the 5-6, 170-pound Camel, who's 21 of 54 passing for 271 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

"We have to become a football team - that's what it's all about and every player understands that on our team," he said. "We've gone through adversity before as a program and this year is no different. But the team has to come together and understand this is what it's all about. One player doesn't make the entire squad. It takes the entire team. They have to rally around the offensive side of the ball and support Leon and his effort and everybody really understanding their role and performing at a high level."

Camel does have experience against SCSU, completing 5 of 6 passes for 39 yards in last year's 28-21 loss in Tallahassee. Carter also pointed out that even when Chester was the starter, Camel took most of the snaps during practice due as Chester was often absent or late due to the classroom commitments of his major pharmacy.

"I think it will help him a great deal," Carter said about Camel. "Number one, he's played against them before and he's gotten more action than that actually last year. He played in several games where he was productive and his mobility is one of his assets and that's what he's capable of doing very well which is escaping rushes and that type. We want to get him to settle in, to understand what we want from him. I think Leon is starting to get a thorough understanding of the offense and also the different people that's around him, particularly Willie Hayward (who had seven catches for 117 yards against Winston-Salem State), who's back with us.

"The young man has a tremendous amount of pride. He's an undersized player, but he has the heart of a lion."

Although linebacker Michael McMillan did earn MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying 12 solo tackles and two sacks against Winston-Salem State, Carter is very concerned about a run defense which has allowed 184 yards per game on the ground.

The last thing he wants to see is the Bulldogs' offense experience a revival of the "explosiveness" it's shown in the previous two meetings.

"We've been on the road for three weeks now...and now we're going into the 'Doghouse' down in Orangeburg where Coach (Oliver "Buddy") Pough always has his teams prepared. They've had some tough games that they've been playing in. I know they've been nicked and bruised similar to ourselves with some of our defensive people have injuries. But they'll come out there and fight. Coach Pough always does a great job in getting his team prepared for competition. So we know we'll have our work cut out for us, but we'll put together our best gameplan going in and keep our players up and help them to understand that we're midway through the season and we have to finish strong."

RATTLERS vs. BULLDOGS

WHO: Florida A&M (2-3, 1-2) at South Carolina State (2-3, 1-1)

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium

TV: ESPNU (Channel 160 on Digital Time Warner Cable; Channel 609 on DirecTV and Channel 148 on The Dish Network)

RADIO: WQKI 93.1 FM (Orangeburg)

45th Battle of the Bay: HU vs. NSU

by NSU Sports Information

NORFOLK, Va. – For the fourth time since 2001, State Farm will be the principal sponsor of the Battle of the Bay football game as the Norfolk State University Spartans (4-1 overall, 3-0 MEAC) host the Hampton University Pirates (4-1, 3-1) on Saturday, Oct. 13, at William “Dick” Price Stadium. Kickoff is 2 p.m. for what is considered one of Hampton Roads’ biggest entertainment and sports events.

The week's activities begin on Thursday, Oct. 11 when State Farm hosts a media luncheon featuring Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian, Hampton Head Coach Joe Taylor and players from both teams.

On Friday, State Farm and the Norfolk State University Athletics Foundation will co-host the "State Farm Battle of the Bay After Work Mixer” at Grand Affairs in Virginia Beach, Va. Alumni, university administrators, faculty, staff and supporters of both institutions are expected to attend the event and music will be provided by the Fuzz Band. The Norfolk, Va.- based band has opened for platinum-selling artists such as Outkast, Jill Scott, Morris Day and The Time and Alicia Keys. The Fuzz Band has also performed at fundraisers for dignitaries and entertainers, including Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, NBA star Allen Iverson and former NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.

As a result of State Farm's partnership with the NSU Athletics Department, State Farm will also participate in NSU's Parent Weekend set for Oct. 11-12. State Farm will donate 50 Million Pound Challenge kits to participants of the 2k run/walk on the NSU campus.

The football game on Saturday is the 45th meeting between the schools in what has been one of college football’s most intense and enduring rivalries. NSU leads the series 22-21-1, although the Spartans have not defeated the Pirates since 2001. In addition to the fierce, hard-hitting action between the teams, fans will also be treated to the pageantry and precision of the NSU Spartan Legion Marching Band, featuring the Hot Ice Dancers; and the Hampton Marching Force and the Ebony Fire Dance Team.

“The Battle of the Bay is a football classic between two long-time rivals and it has delighted fans for many years,” said Bill Whitney, vice president of State Farm Insurance. “State Farm Insurance is proud to sponsor the game, because it is more than a competition. The event highlights the educational and athletic excellence of Norfolk State and Hampton Universities.”

The end of the game will not mean the end of the day’s events. After the game, spectators will be invited on the Dick Price Stadium field to stage the largest Cupid Shuffle in Hampton Roads – and perhaps the world. A raffle will be held and registered participants will have a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1,000.

“Norfolk State University Athletics is extremely pleased with the support we receive from State Farm," said Craig Cotton, associate athletics director for external operations. “State Farm's sponsorship of the Battle of the Bay and its involvement as a Team Spartan Corporate Partner indicate the company's commitment to supporting organizations and events that benefit and serve the community.”

MEAC voters pick Hampton University

DSU's Roy Bright (#45) named MEAC Pre-Season Player of the Year.

By MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

The men's team returns all five starters as coach Kevin Nickelberry heads into his second season.

Hampton University enters the 2007-08 men's basketball season as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference favorite. The Pirates were picked first in a poll of conference coaches and sports information directors released on Tuesday, with two-time defending regular season champion Delaware State second.

"I think, if anything, this is a rubber stamp of the progress we've made here," Pirates' coach Kevin Nickelberry said. "This shows that the program is heading in the direction I want it to go with respect to academics, recruiting and development of players.

"There's no way I thought this would happen after only one year. But the reality is, we still have to go out and win games."

Nickelberry guided the Pirates to a 15-16 record and third-place finish in his first season as the Pirates' coach. All five starters return from that team, including guard Rashad West, who won the MEAC scoring title last season with a 17.8 average.

West, a 6-foot-1 senior, was the lone Hampton player voted to the preseason all-conference team. Delaware State forward Roy Bright, who averaged 15.3 points last season, was selected the men's preseason Player of the Year.

Nickelberry said Tuesday that he signed point guard Jordan Brooks of C.H. Flowers High in Springdale, Md. just prior to the school year. Nickelberry said that Brooks might start at the point this season because signee Chris Tolson of Laurel High did not qualify academically.

Like Tolson, Brooks earned a spot on the Washington Post All-Met third team last season. Brooks averaged more than 20 points per game in leading Flowers to the Maryland 4-A South regional final. He also started at point guard on the D.C. Assault AAU team that featured Kansas State signee Mike Beasley, the top recruit nationally last year.

"Jordan is one of those little guys (5-foot-7) who makes it hard for people to get the ball up court and who knows how to get the ball to people," Nickelberry said. "We were lucky to be able to get him to replace Chris Tolson."

Kwame Morgan, a first team Washington Post All-Met selection, also will sit out this season because he did not qualify. He averaged 27.5 points last season for Maryland 3-A semifinalist Largo.

They are the first players to sit out for any reason during Nickelberry's tenure. All of Hampton's players and recruits were academically eligible both semesters last season.

MEAC coaches picked Hampton's women's team to finish fifth. Defending regular season champion Coppin State is the women's preseason favorite.

Below is the predicted order of finish for the MEAC.

MEN

1-Hampton, 2-Delaware State, 3-North Carolina A&T, 4-Morgan State, 5-Florida A&M, 6-Bethune-Cookman, 7-South Carolina State, 8-Coppin State, 9-Norfolk State, 10-Howard, 11-Maryland-Eastern Shore.

WOMEN

1-Coppin State, 2-Delaware State, 3-Morgan State, 4-North Carolina A&T, 5-Hampton, 6-Florida A&M, 7-Maryland-Eastern Shore, 8-Howard, 9-South Carolina State, 10-Norfolk State, 11-Bethune-Cookman.

Faith in himself: Hampton U Charles Robinson

By MARTY O'BRIEN , Daily Press

Junior linebacker (#58) Charles Robinson's prayers are being answered as he stars for Hampton University.

HAMPTON — Truman Capote had a point about answered prayers causing more pain than unanswered ones. Take Charles Robinson's game-changing interception return for a touchdown in Hampton University's win over Princeton on Saturday.

Robinson prayed for such a moment to atone for blowing a pass-coverage assignment a week earlier in the Pirates' loss to Delaware State.

But as he ran after intercepting the ball last Saturday, his biggest concern was making all 80 yards to the Princeton end zone.

"Eighty yards is a long way to run and I started cramping in my calves and my hamstrings," said Robinson, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound junior who starts at outside linebacker. "Before the game I had said, 'God if your glory can be shown on this field today, let it be shown.'

"My prayer was answered. I let it be shown that it was by kneeling in the end zone in prayer."

Robinson's score early in the third quarter opened the gates to a flood of HU points. The Pirates rallied from a 27-14 deficit to beat the Tigers 48-27.

But the toll on his legs resulted in something unusual, something you probably won't see in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown on Saturday between the Pirates (4-1, 3-1 MEAC) and Norfolk State (4-1, 3-0). Robinson had to sit out a few plays.

"We have packages where linebackers will play 30 or 40 downs a game, but Charles might play 70 plays because he wants to be in on every down," HU defensive coordinator Jerry Holmes said. "I like that about Charles.

"He is very disciplined, one of those guys you can trust out on the field. You can count on him to be in position all of the time."

Which made it all the more stunning when Robinson broke from the Delaware State tight end he was covering to chase the quarterback.

Robinson admits that he guessed Hornets quarterback Vashon Winton was scrambling to run the ball on a play in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 17.

Robinson was wrong and the Hornets scored what proved to be the winning touchdown in a 24-17 victory.

"(Winton) just dumped it over the top to (Jeff Postell) for a touchdown," Robinson said. "That left a bitter taste in my mouth the entire week."

In a team meeting several days later, he promised to play his assignments as close to perfectly as possible.

He was second on the team in tackles at Princeton with 11, but the interception was the most evidence that he was good to his word.

"Charles was right where he was supposed to be," Holmes said. "He rerouted his (receiver) then headed for the flat. The ball was tipped (by HU tackle Kevin Burke) and Charles was right where he was supposed to be.

"He picked off one in the same identical situation last year at Florida A&M and ran for a (45-yard) touchdown."

And just like in the Princeton game, he knelt in the end zone. Part of that reaction is that end zone celebrations are unusual for him.

He says that Coach Mike Smith taught him a lesson at Hampton High that Coach Joe Taylor reiterated at HU.

"They both have won so much that when you score or win a game, they tell you to act like you've been there before," said Robinson, a Daily Press All-Star while at Hampton High.

But Robinson would kneel regardless, because of his faith. He regularly attends Cornerstone Assembly of God in Hampton and says he hopes to serve in some capacity as a youth minister following graduation.

The occasional football setback is too small a matter to shake Robinson's faith. He believes that in sports and in life, redemption is a prayer away.

"I was talking to some of the players in my role as (the football team's) president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes," he said. "I told them that some people will ask 'Where was God?' after a tragedy or something traumatic.

"God will answer: 'Where were you? I've given you the power. All you have to do is open your mouth and pray to me and I'll be there for you.' "

The Robinson file
NAME: Charles Robinson.

SCHOOL: Hampton University.

POSITION: Outside linebacker.

NOTEWORTHY: The 6-foot-4, 212-pound junior is third on the Pirates this season with 29 tackles. ... Returned an interception 80 yards for a TD last week in HU's 48-27 win over Princeton. ... Returned an interception 45 yards for a TD last year in a 59-7 win at Florida A&M. ... Is president of the football team's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. ... Earned all-state and Peninsula District defensive player of the year honors while at Hampton High. ... Helped convince his first cousin, freshman tailback Dennis Mathis, to play for HU.

Lady Rattlers takes easy win over Norfolk State

Photo: Coach Tony Trifonov provides instructions to volleyball team at last week game.

by FAMU Sports Information

FAMU goes to 2-0 in MEAC in win over Norfolk State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida A&M Volleyball team picked up their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the season in a 3-0 romp of Norfolk State, Thursday evening at the Gaither Athletic Center in Tallahassee.

FAMU (4-5, 2-0 MEAC) made easy work of the Spartans winning game one, 30-12, and putting them away in games two and three winning 30-19.

Iva Lakic finished with a game high 13 kills, to lead the Lady Rattlers, while Jovana Blazeski added 10. Zaira Manzo led FAMU in assists with 34 and Blazeski finished with 14 digs.

NSU (4-12, 1-1 MEAC) was paced by Chantel Cherry with eight kills and 12 digs, followed by Heather Quinn with six. Solange Honore led the team in assist with 18.

The Lady Rattlers extended their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win streak to 93 matches.

The Lady Rattlers will travel to the Triad region this weekend, visiting Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday, Oct 6 taking North Carolina A&T and then will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. on Sunday, Oct 7 taking on Winston-Salem State.