MSU Bears Outlast Howard 38-35 at NY Urban League Classic

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey  -- The Bears and Bison put on quite a show at the 42^nd Annual Urban League Classic, but it was a Chris Moller field goal late in the fourth quarter that helped give Morgan State a 38-35 victory over Howard on Saturday.
 
Moller's 38-yarder sealed Lee Hull's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win and improved the Bears record to 2-2 overall. It also marked the most points scored against Howard since a 38-20 win against the Bison on Oct. 19, 2002.
 
Morgan State ran 10 plays and marched 65-yards during the opening possession of the game. MSU quarterback Robert Council hooked-up with Thomas Martin for a 34-yard pass play that helped setup a 1-yard touchdown run by Herb Walker Jr. Moller's extra point gave the Bears the early 7-0 lead with 12:18 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Council was back it orchestrating the Bears next scoring drive. The Camden, S.C. product had a sensation play in which he rolled left and then cutback across the grain for a 44-yard run. Four plays later Council scored on a 2-yard keeper to put the Bears up 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
 
Morgan was off to a great start with16 plays and two touchdowns in the early going.
 
Council finished the day by completing 13 of 22 passes for 168 yards, including a pair of touchdown tosses. He also had 14 carries for 90 yards on his way to being named the Classic's Most Valuable Player.
 
The Bison's offense got into gear toward the end of the first quarter.
 
Howard (1-3, 0-1) quarterback Greg McGhee connected with Matt Colvin for a 55-yard toss behind the Bears' secondary to put the Bison within striking distance. Three plays later McGhee play-faked and walked into the endzone for a 3-yard touchdown. John Fleck's point after cut the lead to 14-7.
 
McGhee engineered a 14-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with his 1-yd TD to help tie the ballgame at 14-14 with 4:56 remaining in the half.
 
McGhee, the 2013 MEAC Player of the Year, did just about everything for the Bison. He threw for 229 yards (16-35) and finished with 74 rushing yards and three TDs.
 
The Bears got a spark from their defense during Howard's first possession of the third quarter when senior linebacker Cody Acker picked off McGhee to help give the Morgan the ball deep in Bison territory.
 
It only took the Bears six plays and just under 2 minutes to find paydirt when Walker scored on a 4-yard for a 21-7 lead.
 
Walker, who entered today's contest ranked No. 5 in the FCS in rushing yards per game (153.3 ypg) finished with a game-high 141 yards on 32 carries.
 
The Bears pushed the lead on its next possession when Martin was on the receiving end of a 17-yard TD pass by Council in the back of the endzone. The score capped an 11-play, 88-yard drive and seemed to really put Morgan in the drivers seat with a 28-14 lead with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter. 
 
The Bison responded with another long, time-consuming drive, this time William Parker scored on a 1-yard run. Orlando Johnson raced the ensuing kickoff 82-yards to help give the Bears excellent field position. Three plays later Council completed a screen pass to Walker for a 17-yard TD to extend to a 35-21 lead to end the quarter.
 
However, Howard was far from finished and scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
 
McGhee scored on a playaction bootleg and ran in from 4-yards out to help trim the lead to 35-28. And William Parker sidestepped a tackle for a 10-yard touchdown run to complete a 12-play, 73-yard drive to tie the game at 35 with 2:27 left to go.
 
Johnson recorded another big play for the Bears special teams unit when he posted a 35-yard return on the ensuing kickoff to help set up the game-winning field goal by Moller.
 
Notes:
• The Bears had a 100-yard rusher for the fourth game in a row
• Herb Walker Jr. finished with his third straight 100-yard game
• Orlando Johnson recorded the longest kick return of the season
• Herb Walker rushed for his third straight 100-yard game
• Christopher Robinson led the Bears with 8 tackles and two sacks
• Cody Acker added 8 tackles and an interception
• Thomas Martin led the Bears with four receptions for 75 yards and a TD
• The teams combined for 854 yards of offense; Morgan had 435, while Howard finished with 419.
• The 38 points was the most by the Bears since scoring 44 points against Savannah State on Oct. 8, 2011.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern rolls to 34-24 win over Prairie View in SWAC opener

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Southern had to adapt to a variety of changes that it couldn’t control during its nonconference schedule.

Then, when the Jaguars opened Southwestern Athletic Conference play Saturday night, they chose to make several changes that paid big dividends in a 34-24 victory against Prairie View at Blackshear Field.

After using Austin Howard to relieve Deonte Shorts in a quarterback platoon in the first three games, Southern started Howard and played him the whole way. The true freshman from West St. John responded by throwing for one touchdown and running for another.

Howard was an efficient 8-of-15 for 108 yards as, after a series of losses at wide receiver, the Jaguars turned to a power running game. Lenard Tillery responded with 135 yards and a touchdown before limping off with cramps in the fourth quarter.

Throw in a boost that first-time starters ...

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Jackson State's turnovers prove costly in upset loss to Grambling

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Grambling State showed up.

And it made the most of its trip to Jackson.

After failing to board its bus for last year's game with Jackson State because of a player boycott, Grambling State arrived to Veterans Memorial Stadium in front of 18,522 spectators.

Now, it heads home with its first win of the season, defeating Jackson State 40-35.

After juggling three quarterbacks in the beginning of the season, Grambling State (1-3, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) settled with Stephen Johnson. And the redshirt freshman orchestrated a hurry-up offense, the very one JSU (2-2, 0-1 SWAC) has tried to execute all season.



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Shaw Scores 14 In The Fourth for 20-17 Win Over UNC Pembroke

DURHAM, North Carolina  --  Junior wide receiver Atravius James scored the winning two-point conversion with nearly five minutes left to play as the Shaw University football team won its first game of the season, 20-17, at home against UNC Pembroke on Saturday night in Durham County Stadium.

With the win Shaw is now 1-2 overall on the season.  UNC Pembroke drops to 1-2.

This was the second time that the Bears and Braves had met and the first win over UNC Pembroke.

Defensively, the Bears held UNC Pembroke to 258 total yards and sacked the Braves once in the win.  Junior Roland Green had nine tackles, eight unassisted, including a sack and three tackles for a loss. UNC Pembroke had just 95 yards on the ground.

The Braves scored 14 points off two Shaw turnover-on-downs in a ten minute span to take a 14-0 lead in the first half. 

It wasn't until the third quarter that the Bears were able to put points on the board. With a four-play, 83-yard scoring drive to bring the game to 17-6 with 49 seconds left in the quarter.  Senior quarterback Trey Folston rushed from two-yards out on a second-and-goal.

The Bears scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth, finally eliminating a deficit that had begun in the second quarter of the game. 

A long 16-play, 80-yard drive took 5:40 off the clock. A five-yard pass caught by Nick Jones scored the second touchdown of the game for the Bears.

A fumble by UNC Pembroke's Seth Owen was recovered by Shaw'sDominique Hannibal and set the Bears up for the win.

Eight plays and 50 yards later Folston scored a one-yard touchdown. Atravius James caught the two-point conversion, putting the Bears 20-17 above the Braves.

Green's eight solo tackles led the Bears.  Junior Raheem Bramwell added seven solo tackles while Chris Ellerbe added five tackles.

Folston finished the game 21-for-32 for 266 yards and two touchdowns. 

"We are getting better and that's a good thing," said head coach Robert Massey. "We've gotten better believe it or not we lost 30-6 first, came right back and lost 30-6 the following week. When watching the film we did improve. We were able to put it all together tonight and held on for a win."

Next week begins CIAA conference play, when the Bears host the Lincoln University Tigers in Durham County Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Box Score

COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tigers Slip by TTU Golden Eagles, 10-7

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- A dominant performance from the Tennessee State defense helped the Tigers to a, 10-7, win over Tennessee Tech on Saturday in front of 9,217 fans at Hale Stadium.

TSU (3-1, 1-0 OVC) held the Golden Eagles (1-2, 0-1 OVC) to just 150 yards of total offense and five of TTU’s 16 series were three-and-outs.

Quarterback Ronald Butler started in place of Mike German and finished the day 15-of-24 for 113 yards and an interception.

Most of Butler’s passes went Weldon Garlington’s way, and the senior had six receptions for 54 yards.

Vantavious Williams led the TSU defense with seven stops and Gabe Terry recorded two sacks.

TSU spotted TTU seven points early in the first quarter when Austin Tallant picked off Ronald Butler and raced 29 yards for an easy score.

The Tigers inched a little closer when Lane Clark booted a 26-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 in favor of the visitors with 2:23 to play in the opening period.

Two plays later, Ronnie Vinson picked off a Jared Davis’s throw at the 50-yard line and ran all the way in for the Tigers’ first touchdown.



Both sides were unable to put points on the board in the second quarter, and TSU went into the break up, 10-7.

Tennessee State held the ball for 21 minutes in the first half and the Tiger defense only allowed 42 yards of total offense.

TTU passers were 3-of-11 during the opening 30 minutes and the Golden Eagles averaged just 1.9 yards per play.

After another scoreless quarter, Bernell Brooks intercepted a deep pass to begin the fourth, but the Tigers were forced to punt once again.

Tennessee Tech completed a 50-yard bomb with just six minutes left in the game, putting the Golden Eagles at the TSU 26-yard line. TTU only gained two yards from there, and John Arnold’s 42-yard game-tying field goal went wide left.

The Golden Eagles got one more chance with 1:57 left and the ball on their own 20-yard line, but they lost one yard in four plays and the Tigers took over.

Tennessee State will stay at home, but host Florida A&M next week at LP Field for homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

NOTES: Butler’s first-quarter toss that went for a TTU touchdown was the first interception returned for a score against TSU since last year’s Southern Heritage Classic on Sept. 14… Clark’s field goal in the opening quarter was the first made FG of his career… Vinson’s pick was the third of his career, and the seventh for TSU this season… Running back Telvin Hooks carried the ball for the final play of the first quarter, it was his first game action since tearing his ACL against Butler in the FCS Playoffs on Nov. 30… Brooks’s pick in the fourth was his second of the season and fourth of his career…The Tennessee State defense has forced at least one turnover in seven straight contests dating back to last year… The last time TSU won a game with 10 points or fewer was 1986, a 7-6 victory over Middle Tennessee State… The Tigers have not score an offensive touchdown in 66:46 of game time… The sides combined for 23 tackles for loss, 15 by Tennessee Tech…

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ex-Vanderbilt player accused of rape back on Alcorn State football team

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- A former Vanderbilt University football player accused of raping an unconscious female in a dorm room has resumed his college football career.

According to the team's roster, Jaborian “Tip” McKenzie suited up for Alcorn State University in Mississippi this past weekend.

McKenzie played for the team last year but was removed after only one game.

Click here for complete coverage on the Vanderbilt rape case.

It wasn't immediately clear why Alcorn State reversed their previous decision and allowed him to play.

When asked, the school sent the following statement to News 2 Wednesday: "Alcorn State University has decided that Jaborian McKenzie, a student since 2013, will compete as a student-athlete on the 2014 Braves football team."

He and former teammates Brandon Banks, Corey Batey and Brandon Vandenburg are each charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery for an alleged rape, which took place in ...

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WSSU downs Tuskegee 24-13

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --Winston-Salem State took care of business in the second half on its way to a 24-13 win over Tuskegee at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday night.

The Rams didn’t panic, stuck to their game plan, and eased out in front after a 10-10 tie at halftime. WSSU improved to 2-1.

“The coaches just came in at halftime and were calm and cool and just said let’s keep doing what we are doing,” said offensive lineman Michael Sabb. “There’s no panic in this team.”

Coach Kienus Boulware of the Rams said there was nothing special said at halftime.

“Coach (Steed) Lobotzke (the offensive coordinator) had a lot in his playbook that we didn’t get to use in the first half because we didn’t have the ball that much,” Boulware said. “He opened up the playbook a little more in the second half.”



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South Carolina State gets 'signature win' over No. 21 Furman, 17-7

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- There was an air of deju vu Saturday night at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Among the South Carolina State Athletic Hall of Fame inductees honored at halftime was former defensive back Jermaine Derricott. In 1997, the former Hunter-Kinard-Tyler player and coach and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year was part of an inspired defensive effort which helped the Bulldogs upend then-10th-ranked Furman 17-6.

Nearly 17 years later, history closely mirrored itself as S.C. State upended the 21st-ranked Paladins 17-7 before a home-opening crowd of 9,613.

“It means a bunch,” said S.C. State head football coach Buddy Pough, who also picked up his 99th career college win. “We hadn’t had a signature win like this in some time and to get a big win like this under the circumstances as poorly as we’ve played the last couple of weeks was big for us. So our kids are extremely excited and everybody here is excited. So it’s a big win for us.”

South Carolina State vs. Furman

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Week 4: HBCU ScoreCard

WATCH ALL VIDEOS IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

SATURDAY, September 20, 2014

OVC
Tennessee State 10, Tennessee Tech 7

MEAC
Temple  59, Delaware State 0  Watch Replay 
Buffalo 36, Norfolk State 7  Highlights  »Watch Replay 
Morgan State 38, Howard 35 at East Rutherford, NJ   Watch Replay 
Coastal Carolina 48, Florida A&M 3
Towson 31, North Carolina Central 20
South Carolina State 17, Furman 7
Hampton 34, Miles 30
North Carolina A&T 59, Chowan 0
Central Florida 41, Bethune-Cookman 7   Highlights  » Watch Replay 



SWAC
Alabama State 42, Arkansas Pine Bluff 7 (Thursday) Highlights  » Watch Replay 
Alcorn State 52, Mississippi Valley State 9
Southern 34,  Prairie View 24
Grambling State 40, Jackson State 35
Texas Southern 45, Alabama A&M 23

CIAA
Concord 37, Bowie State 34
Montclair State 27, Lincoln (Pa.) 14
Livingstone 60, Virginia University Lynchburg 12
West Georgia 49, Johnson C. Smith 0
Benedict 20, Elizabeth City State 19, Down East Vikings Football Classic
Stillman 37, Saint Augustine's 19
Virginia State 16, Kentucky State 13
North Carolina A&T 59, Chowan 0
Winston-Salem State 24, Tuskegee 13
Virginia Union 25,  Fayetteville State 13
Shaw 20, North Carolina-Pembroke 17



OTHER CONFERENCES
Edward Waters (Bye Week)
Clarion 27, Cheyney 6
West Liberty 38, West Virginia State 16
Houston Baptist 72, Texas College 6
Livingstone 60, Virginia University Lynchburg 12
Southeastern 59, Concordia-Selma 16
Lincoln (Mo.) 42, Quincy 13
Shaw 20, North Carolina - Pembroke 17
North Alabama 56, Langston 7

SIAC
Morehouse 43, Central State (OH) 9, Chicago Football Classic
Lane 18, Paine 16 OT
Hampton 31, Miles 24
Winston-Salem State 24, Tuskegee 13
Fort Valley State 19, Clark Atlanta 18

Delaware State player's mother accuses basketball coach of verbal abuse

DOVER, Delaware  --  Delaware State University women’s basketball coach Tamika Louis is not handling the position’s duties as an internal investigation into her behavior is investigated amid allegations regarding the program, a school spokesman said Friday.

Carlos Holmes would not term Ms. Louis’s status as suspended, and said “the head coaching duties have been taken over by an assistant coach.” Earlier this week, the school said assistant Yvette Harris is taking on head coach responsibilities as the internal investigation continues.

Holmes said a letter received by DSU President Dr. Harry L. Williams concerning complaints and allegations related to the women’s basketball program prompted an investigation. The probe is being conducted by the school’s human resources department, according to DSU.

No school employees were available for comment, Holmes said.

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Instant Replay: Temple 59, Delaware State 0

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  -- Temple came into Saturday’s game a heavy favorite over Delaware State and did not disappoint. The Owls (2-1) jumped all over the Hornets early and often on their way to a 59-0 rout at Lincoln Financial Field.

With their starters on the sidelines, the Cherry and White scored just 10 points in the second half, but it was more than enough to move them above .500 for the season.

The 59 total points are the second-most in school history for the modern era. They weren't really a surprise, considering the Owls entered as 39.5-point favorites. Temple's most points in the modern era came on Nov. 17, 2012, when the Owls throttled Army, 63-32, on the road. The all-time record for points was set in 1927 in a 110-0 win over Blue Ridge College, which was shut down in 1942.

Turning point
It did not take long for Temple to take control of the game. Delaware State’s first drive of the game stalled after six plays and 11 yards, springing the punt team into action.

The Owls sent the house to ... 

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Week 4, HBCU Football Schedule

WATCH ALL VIDEOS IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

All Games Times shown in Eastern Time Zone

SATURDAY, September 20, 2014

OVC
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State, 3 PM

MEAC
Delaware State at Temple. 1 PM  ESPN3
Norfolk State at Buffalo, 3:30PM ESPN3
Howard vs. Morgan State at East Rutherford, NJ,  NY Urban League Classic, 4 PM  ESPN3
Coastal Carolina at Florida A&M, 5 PM
North Carolina Central at Towson,  6 PM
Furman at South Carolina State, 6 PM
Miles at Hampton, 6 PM
Chowan at North Carolina A&T, 6 PM
Bethune-Cookman at Central Florida, 6 PM  ESPN3



SWAC
Alabama State 42, Arkansas Pine Bluff 7 (Thursday)
Alcorn State at Mississippi Valley State, 5 PM
Southern at Prairie View, 7 PM
Grambling State at Jackson State, 7 PM
Alabama A&M at Texas Southern 8 PM

CIAA
Bowie State at Concord, 12 Noon
Lincoln (Pa.) at Montclair State, 1 PM
Virginia University Lynchburg at Livingstone, 1 PM
Johnson C. Smith at West Georgia, 2 PM
Benedict vs. Elizabeth City State at Rocky Mount, NC,  Down East Vikings Football Classic, 4 PM
Saint Augustine's at Stillman, 4 PM
Virginia State at Kentucky State, 4 PM
Chowan at North Carolina A&T, 6 PM
Tuskegee at Winston-Salem State, 6 PM
Virginia Union at Fayetteville State, 6 PM
North Carolina-Pembroke at Shaw, 6:30 PM



OTHER CONFERENCES
Edward Waters (Bye Week)
Clarion at Cheyney, 1 PM
West Virginia State at West Liberty, 1 PM
Houston Baptist at Texas College, 1 PM
Virginia University Lynchburg at Livingstone, 1 PM
Southeastern at Concordia-Selma, 1 PM
Quincy at Lincoln (Mo.), 3 PM
North Carolina - Pembroke at Shaw, 6:30 PM
Langston at North Alabama, 7 PM

SIAC
Central State (OH) vs. Morehouse at Chicago, IL, Chicago Football Classic, 4 PM
Lane at Paine, 4 PM
Miles at Hampton, 6 PM
Tuskegee at Winston-Salem State, 6 PM
Clark Atlanta at Fort Valley State, 6 PM

Battle of the Bands: Alabama - Birmingham Blazers vs. Alabama A&M Marching Maroon & White Band 9/13/14

Alabama A&M cornerback Dexter Reese balances football with fatherhood

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama A&M cornerback Dexter Reese tackles all kinds of things every day. Opposing receivers. Homework. Customers. And diapers.

Yes, diapers. The redshirt freshman, Reese is the proud father of a son, Ayden, who turns 3 in November. Proud and challenged. "Let me tell you," he says, "it's difficult."

On a typical day, Reese, an accounting major, wakes early for practice or weight lifting, goes to class, then picks up Ayden from daycare for some father-son time. On Sunday through Tuesday, Reese works at Wendy's from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Ayden's mother, Dekaria Zachery, and Reese's brother, Courtland Gates, help with watching the youngster.

The trials of being a young dad are worth it to Reese. Ayden is his No. 1 motivation when he steps on the field.

"He's always on my mind when I go out there," Reese says. "There's something in my mind that makes me want to make him proud of me when he gets older. So he can say, 'My dad was actually good when he played.'"

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Previewing Morgan State's football game against Howard

HOWARD (1-2) VS. MORGAN STATE (1-2)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Site: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

Audio: 88.9 FM, Sirius/XM Channel 136

Video/TV: ESPN3/ESPNU (10 p.m.)

Series: Morgan State leads, 40-26-1

What's at stake: The Bears finally broke into the win column and are hoping to parlay last week's 28-3 victory over Bowie State into further success as they head into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference portion of their schedule. Their league opener pits them against the Bison, who have won the previous two meetings. But the Bears have been successful playing in the New York Urban League Classic. They're 3-1 at the event and defeated Howard in the Meadowlands in 2010 and 2011. Morgan State is also seeking its seventh win in its past eight MEAC openers.

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Former Myrtle Beach standout, Kentucky signee makes most of second chance at Florida A&M

MYRTLE BEACH, South Carolina  --  Timothy Jones is just grateful for the second chance.

Jones was brimming with excitement in early 2012. The former Myrtle Beach offensive tackle had just signed with Kentucky, which belongs to the SEC.

A months earlier in November 2011, the Seahawks had reached the quarterfinals of the Class AAA playoffs, a solid followup to the team’s 2010 state championship.

When Jones departed for Kentucky in August 2012, his future looked bright. Then everything came crashing down with his arrest on a weapons charge in January 2013.

Now that the case has been dismissed, Jones’ is focus is back where he wants it to be – on football.

“You learn from every mistake and everything that’s happened,” Jones said Friday. “You just have to know that it happened in the past and become a better person from it.”

Jones was listed as an offensive tackle in the Kentucky 2012 media guide, but never saw any playing time.

The former Seahawk standout credited Florida A&M defensive backs coach Corey Fuller, a Florida State alumnus and NFL veteran, with convincing him to transfer to the Rattlers.

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Game Notes: NCCU Football at Towson

Complete Game Notes as PDF       VIDEO: Press Conference with Coach Jerry Mack  

   
THE GAME    
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" at Towson University "Tigers"

THE KICKOFF    
Saturday, September 20, 2014 – Kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

THE SITE    
Johnny Unitas Stadium (11,198 capacity/Field Turf) - Towson, Md.

THE RECORDS    
N.C. Central (1-2 overall, 0-0 MEAC); Towson (1-2 overall, 0-0 CAA)

MEDIA COVERAGE    
Audio: NCCU Sports Network mobile app (iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Kindle Fire HD); "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Broadcast starts at 5:45 p.m. (Kyle Serba, play-by-play).
Video: TowsonTigers.com (Free)

QUICK HITS    
•    After back-to-back home games, NCCU hits the road for a 315-mile trip to Towson, Md., for the Eagles' first appearance at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
•    Both NCCU and Towson have overall records of 1-2. However, NCCU is coming off of a tough 40-28 loss to Charlotte, while Towson returns home after a 21-7 win at Delaware State.
•    Following Saturday's win at Delaware State, Towson has now won four consecutive games against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Towson's last loss to a MEAC opponent was on Sept. 26, 2009, when the Tigers fell at Morgan State, 12-9.
•    In 2013, Towson advanced to the FCS national championship game and won a school-record 13 games.
•    NCCU senior defensive end Felix Small has forced a fumble in each of the first three games, which leads the MEAC and ranks second in the nation (FCS).
•    As a team, NCCU tops the MEAC and ranks fifth nationally (FCS) in punt returns, averaging 24.4 yards per punt return. NCCU also leads the MEAC and ranks sixth in the nation in third down conversion defense, allowing opponents to move the chains on third down only 24.3 percent of the time.
•    In three games, Towson has not committed a turnover.

THE SERIES    
This will be the second meeting between NCCU and Towson. In the first meeting on Sept. 21, 2013, Towson pulled away from NCCU in the second half for a 35-17 win in Durham, N.C.

THE LAST MEETING    
(Sept. 21, 2013) Towson University, the fourth-ranked team in NCAA Division I-FCS, scored on its first two possessions of the second half to pull away from a scrappy North Carolina Central University team for a 35-17 road win inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, Towson took a 14-10 lead into the locker room. That's when the rain made its way to Durham and the tide started to change. Towson needed just four plays to light the scoreboard in the third quarter when Terrance West raced 22 yards for a touchdown and a 21-10 Tigers' advantage. On Towson's next possession, the Tigers moved 86 yards on 10 plays for a 28-10 lead. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Reid completed a 40-yard bomb to senior receiver Thomas Dixon to pull to within 28-17. The Eagles maintained the momentum when, two plays later, linebacker Ty Brown stripped the ball from Leon Kinnard and safety Ryan Smith recovered for NCCU. Just when things were getting interesting, Reid threw and interception on third-and-10 to give the ball back to the Tigers. Two drives later, NCCU cornerback Michael Jones picked off his fourth pass of the season to give the Eagles another life. However, facing third down and one yard to go at NCCU's own 37-yard line, Reid threw back-to-back incomplete passes to return the pigskin to the Tigers. With the game in hand, Towson added another touchdown with 1:35 remaining to make the final score 35-17. Towson amassed 444 yards of total offense, including 252 yards through the air. West posted 139 ground yards and two touchdowns. NCCU received a career-high passing performance by Reid with 292 yards and two touchdowns, but the quarterback was sacked six times resulting in only two total rushing yards by the Eagles.
LAST WEEK    
(Charlotte 40, NCCU 28)  North Carolina Central University tied a school record with 28 fourth-quarter points, but a slow start allowed Charlotte to score 40 unanswered to open the contest, as the unbeaten 49ers avenged last season's loss to the Eagles with a 40-28 victory inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C. NCCU redshirt sophomore quarterback Malcolm Bell came off the bench with 11:36 left in the second quarter to throw for a career-high 337 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-36 passing with an interception. Bell spread the wealth to a host of receivers. Redshirt junior Adrian Wilkins caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Deyonta Wright also had seven receptions for 27 yards. Transfer receivers Quentin Atkinson and Jazz King had five catches each, while rookie tight end Jvon Simmons grabbed three passes for 42 yards and his first career touchdown. NCCU senior running back Andre Clarke ran for his fourth touchdown of the season to cap the Eagles' fourth-quarter scoring. The two teams combined for 863 yards of total offense, with NCCU (1-2) collecting 420 total yards and Charlotte (3-0) amassing 443 total yards, including 300 rushing yards. NCCU's defense was topped by redshirt junior cornerback Ryan Smith and senior safety C.J. Moore with nine tackles each. Senior defensive end Felix Small added seven stops and forced a fumble, his third of the season. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Jeremy Thompson contributed to the fourth-quarter scoring by returning an interception 26 yards to the end zone.

(Towson 21, Delaware State 7)  A pair of fourth quarter special teams touchdowns propelled the Towson University to a 21-7 win over Delaware State at rain-soaked Alumni Field on Saturday. Trailing 7-6 in the fourth quarter, sophomore Jordan Mynatt blocked a Delaware State punt that senior Fred Overstreet recovered in the end zone to give the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish. Later in the quarter, senior Derrick Joseph returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown to seal Towson's 21-7 win. Towson outgained Delaware State 221-71 on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Sophomore Darius Victor led the Tiger rushing charge with 131 yards on 24 carries, giving him two 100-yard rushing games in just three contests this season. The consistent downpour of rain throughout the game limited Towson's passing attack as junior quarterback Connor Frazier completed 10 of 22 passes for 83 yards. Frazier did run for 84 yards on 17 attempts and for the third straight game threw no interceptions. In fact, through three games the Tigers have yet to turn the ball over.

THE COACHES    
NCCU: Jerry Mack (Arkansas State, 2003) is in his first season as a college head coach. At age 33, he boasts 10 years of coaching experience, including stints with five NCAA Division I programs and two conference championship teams. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Mack has held positions as wide receivers coach at the University of South Alabama (2012-13) and the University of Memphis (2011), as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (2010), as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at the University of Central Arkansas (2008-09), as wide receivers and tight ends coach at Jackson State University (2006-07), and as an offensive graduate assistant at Delta State University (2004-05). Mack began his collegiate playing career at Jackson State before transferring after one season (1999) to Arkansas State University.  He lettered three years at Arkansas State (2001-03) before earning his bachelor's degree in management information systems in 2003. Mack completed his master's degree in physical education from Delta State in 2006.

Towson: Rob Ambrose (Towson, 1993), now in the sixth season as the head coach at his alma mater, led the Tigers to the FCS championship game and a school record 13 victories in 2013, along with back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association championships in 2011 and 2012. After the 2011 Tigers made their first appearance in the NCAA FCS playoffs, Ambrose was presented with the Eddie Robinson Award as the national FCS coach of the year. He has also served as an assistant coach at Connecticut and Towson, and spent the 2001 season as the head coach at Division III Catholic University.

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Temple not taking Delaware State lightly

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Temple (1-1) wasn't entertaining too much talk this past week about the possibility that it might overlook Delaware State (0-3) on Saturday.

Returning to action following their first of three bye weeks this season, Temple will host Football Championship Subdivision Delaware State at Lincoln Financial Field. And while some have attempted to paint this meeting between the Owls and the Middle Eastern Athletic Conference opponent as an easy win, Temple coach Matt Rhule is not buying into it.

"We understood it as coaches because many of us coached at FCS schools," Rhule, referring to his coaching staff, said. "But I don't think a lot of our kids understood it until they stood on the sideline last year and watched Fordham beat us. For the players to go through it last year, I think that has given them the sense of urgency to concentrate on this opponent."

The Owls are 90-85-11 all time vs. FBS schools. Their most recent game against an FBS school saw them yield 200 yards rushing and a 29-yard touchdown pass in the final four seconds in a crushing 30-29 loss to Army just over one year ago.



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Chants aren't expecting easy game against Florida A&M Rattlers

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Coach Joe Moglia didn't sit down one day and decide that he wanted his Coastal Carolina football team to play three of its non-conference games this season against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

But his schedule worked out that way and he couldn't be more pleased.

"What I like to do is play competitive FCS schools," Moglia said during his weekly teleconference. "The MEAC has a lot of schools that are around us and we should be playing more of them."

As it turned out, Coastal Carolina ended up with the MEAC's North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State and FAMU in consecutive games. Unofficially, the matchups are billed as the MEAC-Big South Challenge.



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Furman (2-1, 1-0) at South Carolina State (1-2)

TIME: 6 P.M.

VENUE: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg

AT STAKE: A year after meeting on the same Willie Jeffries Fields in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the Bulldogs and Paladins renew their rivalry as part of a two-year, home-at-home series. The two teams will meet against Oct. 3, 2015 in Greenville.

LAST YEAR’S RECORDS: South Carolina State (9-4); Furman (8-6)

FIRST SEASONS OF FOOTBALL: South Carolina State (1907); Furman (1889)

HEAD COACHES: Buddy Pough (98-45, 12th season at S.C. State); Bruce Fowler (19-20, 4th season at Furman)

SERIES HISTORY: Furman leads 11-4

FIRST MEETING: 1982

LAST MEETING: Won by Furman 30-20 on Nov. 30, 2013 (playoffs)

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Commentary: So far, Cyrus running like a Sunday kind of back

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --This is how good Malcolm Cyrus is playing.

The Alabama State senior tailback has rushed for more yards in his first four games this season as Cleveland Browns rookie Isaiah Crowell did in his first four games last season for the Hornets.

"I didn't know that," Cyrus said. "I haven't kept up with it like that. It's a blessing. I just go out there and work hard. It's a blessing."

Through four games, Cyrus has 612 yards and four touchdowns as the Hornets (3-1) took care of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 42-7 on Thursday night at ASU Stadium. The leading rusher on the Division I-AA level, Cyrus rushed for 188 yards and a career-high three touchdowns on 29 carries in the SWAC victory.

Last season, Crowell had 562 yards and five touchdowns through four games as Alabama State started 2-2. Crowell rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last season.

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ASU Football Shakes off Short Week to Defeat UAPB

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Malcolm Cyrus rushed for 188 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in leading Alabama State to a 42-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

"This was a great opportunity for our team to play on national television here in our stadium," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said.  "I thought the atmosphere was really good and our student body really came out and cheered us on and we were excited about that."
 
"It was a good effort offensively.  We talked about establishing the run and eventually try to take some shots and then run it some more.  We were really good in the running game tonight. We had a couple of big plays from Davis and Bell which was outstanding and our defense was combative and they took on the challenge of trying to contain Ben (Anderson), their really good quarterback, and for the most part I thought we did a good job."

Cyrus had a career-high 29 carries in rushing for the season-high yardage.  It was the third consecutive week Cyrus has rushed for more yardage than the week before and he did it all in three quarters as the backups played the entire fourth quarter on both offense and defense.  He now has rushed for 612 yards and four scores during the first four games.

It was a collective team win for us, 2-0 in the SWAC," Cyrus said.  "The offensive line blocked real, real good and I can't take all the credit.  We have a good defensive line so we go up against the best every day.  We came out with the "W" and that's all that matters."
 
The Hornets (3-1/2-0 SWAC) rushed for over 300 yards for the second consecutive game, finishing with 317.  A wide receiver happened to be the second leading rusher as Joshua Davis ran two reverses with the final one going 63 yards for a score.  He finished with 67 yards rushing.

 

Khalid Thomas had another big game in punt returns with 115 yards on eight returns.  It is the second consecutive game Thomas has finished with over 100 yards in return yardage.  He also rushed for 36 yards on nine carries.
 
Daniel Duhart missed on some of his deep throws, but he did manage to complete nine of his 17 pass attempts for 142 yards and a score.  His score came on a 68-yard pass play toDeMario Bell, who caught a slant pass and outraced the defenders for the long touchdown play.
 
With ASU coming out of the locker room with a 21-0 lead, ASU scored on its first possession of the second half when Cyrus ran in from 11 yards out.
 
Thomas added a six yard run later in the third quarter and Davis' scored on the reverse early in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 42-0.
 
UAPB (1-2/0-1 SWAC) avoided the shutout when quarterback Benjamin Anderson connected with Marvante King on a 79-yard pass play midway through the final quarter.
 
The Hornets finished with 461 total yards, averaging 5.9 yards per play as they were able to run 78 plays on offense.
 
ASU's defense held the Golden Lions to 303 yards of total offense, with 138 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter after the game had already been decided.
 
Kourtney Berry led the Hornets defense with 11 total stops and added two tackles for lost yardage and a sack.  ASU had four sacks on the day with Torrey Davis, Edward Mosleyand Darien Barrett all getting to the quarterback.  Ka'Ra Stewart added an interception on the goal line which he was able to return 56 yards to stop a late UAPB scoring threat.
 
UAPB's Anderson showed why he was the SWAC's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year finishing with a team-high 80 yards and hitting 13 of his 27 pass attempts for 183 yards and the score.
 
ASU built a 21-0 halftime lead on the running of Cyrus who finished the half with 103 yards and two scores.  His first score came on the Hornets opening drive of the game as Cyrus went over from 14 yards out on an third-and-seven play.
 
The 7-0 scored held up until the Hornets took over on their own 47 yard line and went the 53 yards in 10 plays.  Cyrus again ended the drive going in from two yards out to push the lead to 14-0.
 
Penalties and over thrown passes hurt the Hornets chances of adding to their lead until Duhart was able to hit Bell on the slant pattern the junior turned into a one-play, 68-yard catch and score for a 21-0 lead with only 49 seconds left in the half.
 
ASU's defense held the high-powered Golden Lions offense to 123 yards on 32 plays, while ASU finished the opening half with 269 yards on 46 plays.  UAPB's best chance to score came on their first possession of the second quarter when they drove to the ASU 14 yard line, but a 31-yard field goal from Tyler Strickland was blocked by Justin Mitchell to end the scoring threat.  It was the third consecutive game the Hornets had blocked a kick.
 
"This was a good victory for us," Barlow said.  "We have had a battle-tested week-after-week-after-week, and then we had a short week, but the guys did a good job of getting focused and now we actually get a couple of days we can give them and try to get some guys back."
 
ASU now has nine days off before hosting Texas Southern Saturday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m.



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