Finally, Winston Salem State Rams Receives National Ranking

After a four-year run in Football Championship Subdivision, Winston-Salem State (N.C.) is back in Division II and makes an appearance in the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2002. The Rams moved their record to 5-0 after a 31-14 victory over Fayetteville State (N.C.) and enter the poll at No. 23.

Grand Valley State (Mich.), Minnesota-Duluth, North Alabama, California (Pa.) and Abilene Christian (Texas) still hold down the Top 5 places. There will be three Top 25 matchups in this week’s games, including a pair of Top 10 games. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas) will travel south to face conference rival, No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville, while No. 7 Northwest Missouri State plays host to No. 8 Missouri Western State. In the final Top 25 matchup, No. 15 West Alabama will travel to No. 19 Delta State (Miss.) in a Thursday night showdown in the Gulf South Conference.

From the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference -- Albany State, Morehouse and Tuskegee are ranked at #14, #18 and #22.

2010 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll
September 27, 2010

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Last Week	Next Game
1.	Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (21)	4-0	644	1	D. Findlay (Ohio) 35-7	Oct. 2 at Tiffin (Ohio)
2.	Minnesota-Duluth (2)	4-0	620	2	D. Bemidji St. (Minn.), 44-21	Oct. 2 at Minnesota St.-Moorhead
3.	North Alabama (3)	4-0	604	3	D. Lambuth (Tenn.), 31-0	Oct. 2 vs. Arkansas Tech
4.	California (Pa.)	4-0	556	4	D. Clarion (Pa.), 24-9	Oct. 2 vs. Lock Haven (Pa.)
5.	Abilene Christian (Texas)	4-0	551	5	D. Tarleton St. (Texas), 65-3	Oct. 2 at No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville
6.	Texas A&M-Kingsville	4-0	520	6	D. Incarnate Word (Texas), 37-9	Oct. 2 vs. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas)
7.	Northwest Missouri St.	2-1	497	7	D. Truman St. (Mo.), 44-10	Oct. 2 vs. No. 8 Missouri Western St.
8.	Missouri Western St.	4-0	445	8	D. Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 42-25	Oct. 2 at No. 7 Northwest Missouri St.
9.	West Texas A&M	3-1	431	9	D. Angelo St. (Texas), 37-27	Oct. 2 at Northeastern St. (Okla.)
10.	Midwestern St. (Texas)	4-0	409	10	D. Central Oklahoma, 30-24	Oct. 2 vs. Incarnate Word (Texas)
11.	Hillsdale (Mich.)	3-1	359	12	D. Lake Erie (Ohio), 42-37	Oct. 2 vs. Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.)
12.	Edinboro (Pa.)	4-0	329	13	D. Gannon (Pa.), 13-0	Oct. 2 vs. Indiana (Pa.)
13.	Tusculum (Tenn.)	4-0	324	15	Idle	Oct. 2 at Mars Hill (N.C.)
14.	Albany St. (Ga.)	4-0	301	16	D. Savannah St. (Ga.), 28-14	Oct. 2 vs. Lane (Tenn.)
15.	West Alabama	3-1	260	17	D. West Georgia, 28-7	Sept. 30 at No. 19 Delta St. (Miss.)
16.	Central Missouri	4-1	236	21	D. Washburn (Kan.), 55-45	Oct. 2 at Truman St. (Mo.)
17.	Nebraska-Kearney	3-1	198	19	D. Western St. (Colo.), 13-6	Oct. 2 vs. Adams St. (Colo.)
18.	Morehouse (Ga.)	5-0	186	20	D. Lincoln (Mo.), 30-14	Oct. 9 vs. No. 22 Tuskegee (Ala.)
19.	Delta St. (Miss.)	3-1	165	23	D. Henderson St. (Ark.), 41-37	Sept. 30 vs. No. 15 West Alabama
20.	Augustana (S.D.)	4-0	134	24	D. Southwest Minnesota St., 53-21	Oct. 2 at Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)
21.	Central Washington	3-2	111	22	D. Simon Fraser (B.C.) 44-30	Oct. 2 at Humboldt St. (Calif.)
22.	Tuskegee (Ala.)	3-1	103	25	D. Texas Southern, 21-14	Oct. 2 vs. Miles (Ala.)
23.	Winston-Salem St. (N.C.)	5-0	87	NR	D. Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 31-14	Oct. 2 at Johnson C. Smith (N.C.)
24.	North Carolina-Pembroke	3-1	78	NR	D. No. 14 Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 30-7	Oct. 2 at Glenville St. (W.Va.)
25.	Minnesota St.-Mankato	3-1	75	11	Lost to Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), 28-26	Oct. 2 at Winona St. (Minn.)

Courtesy: AFCA

Adams leads Benedict to shutout of Stillman

COLUMBIA, S.C. Sophomore quarterback Michael Adams ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more on Saturday to lead Benedict College to a 35-0 victory over Stillman College in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game.

Adams gained 107 yards on 13 carries, with his longest gain going for a 61-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 193 yards and one interception. Stillman gained 100 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Chester Hightower led Stillman with 69 yards on 22 carries. His longest run went for 23 yards. The Benedict defense intercepted five passes and allowed 48 passing yards.




Benedict Picks Up Its First Win Of 2010

Backup quarterback Michael Adams helped Benedict jump out to a 21-0 lead as the Tigers cruised to a 35-0 win over Stillman Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

Adams got the start in place of Pat Riley who did not practice this week as a result of an undisclosed injury. Riley did dress out and was on the sidelines with his team which used a quick-striking offense and a tough defense to earn its first win of the season.

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NFL legend brings buzz to ECSU tourney

There was some buzz around the Elizabeth City State University Foundation Classic charity golf tournament at The Pines at Elizabeth City Friday. An NFL Hall-of-Famer was on the course.

Bruce Smith, who left pro football as the all-time sacks leader after a 19-year career with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, was playing in a foursome that included Foundation board chairman Rodney Hawkins, legendary ECSU basketball coach Bobby Vaughan and businessman Nick Clark.

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PHOTO GALLERY:

Bruce Smith plays ECSU Foundation Golf Classic, Sept. 24 The ...

Lewis TD Run Gives Miles Golden Bears 13-12 Win Over Kentucky State

FAIRFIELD, AL – The Golden Bears bounced back from a tough loss from a week ago, as the Miles College football team defeated the visiting Kentucky State University Thorobreds 13-12 in its second conference win of the season. Miles improves to 2-3; 2-2 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with the victory, while the Kentucky State drop to 2-3; 2-3 in the SIAC.

Miles got off to a sluggish start, falling behind 0-6 in the first half. The Golden Bears scored its first touchdown on Carlton Hill’s one yard run (PAT kick failed), bringing the score to 6-6, with 8:01 to play in the third quarter. The Thorobreds struck again on a 16 yard interception return to go up 6-12 (PAT kick failed) to end the third quarter. The Golden Bears tied the game up on Jordan Lewis 63 yard run (Patton Chambers kick good) at the 4:48 mark in the fourth quarter, making the score 13-12.

Bears rally past K-State

Kentucky State fell to Miles College 13-12 Saturday in Fairfield, Ala., dropping the Thorobreds’ record to 2-3 on the season. KSU led the game 6-0 at halftime, getting a 69-yard touchdown run from Shannon Frieson in the first quarter. Frieson gained 119 yards on 13 carries against the Golden Bears, leading all rushers in the contest.

Miles struck back to begin the third quarter, finishing a four-play, 42-yard drive with a 1-yard run from quarterback Carlton Hill, which tied the game 6-6. The Thorobreds responded with a defensive touchdown five minutes later. Grandson Brown picked off Hill at the Miles 16-yard line and returned it for a score. The two-point conversion failed, leaving KSU’s lead at 12-6.

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Kentucky State University added the auxiliary twirling group to the Marching Thorobreds in January 2009 thanks to the efforts of Sophia Marie Thompson. Sophia is from Piney Fork, Ohio.

KSU Marching Thorobreds performance at Morehouse College on 9/18/10.

VSU Trojans Rush To Third Win Over Chowan Hawks

Virginia State University's football team held on late in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-13 win against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC on Sept. 25. Justin Parker's 2nd made field-goal (19; 30), from a season long 30 yards out gave VSU a 20-6 lead with 3:23 remaining in the game. Coach Andrew Faison and the VSU Trojans won their first northern divisional conference game with a balance attack of 168 yards passing and 153 yards rushing improving to their best start at 3-1 since the 2002 season.

(3-1) Virginia State University's defense gave up a late touchdown with a minute left in the fourth, after only giving up only two Chowan field-goals the entire game. Chowan rushed for 66 total team yards due to the Trojans stingy and smart defensive group.

Led with 9 tackles from senior LaQuentin Milo (Florence, SC), senior James Pratt's (Alexandria, VA) and junior Clifton Haney's (Orlando, FL) 7 tackles the Hawks averaged 1.8 yards rushing on 36 carries. Chowan also received pressure when they attempted to pass as VSU recorded a season high 6 sacks. Red-shirt freshmen Timothy Durant (Hyattsville, MD) and senior Isiah Townsend (San Francisco, CA) both had 2 sacks each and three others each recorded one; senior Andre' Adams (Washington, DC), senior James Pratt (Alexandria, VA), and sophomore Thomas Sykes (Newport News, VA).

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Tuskegee Rebounds, Holds off Texas Southern

A week after being manhandled at home by Albany State, Tuskegee got back on track, outlasting FCS foe Texas Southern 21-14 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama Saturday.

Although Martin Gilbert rushed for 121 yards on 19 carries for TSU (1-3) against the 25th-ranked Golden Tigers (3-1), it was Nykeem Barton outdueling Arvell Nelson that was the heart of the game.

Barton smashed through the goal-line stands of TSU for all three Tuskegee touchdowns that combined for just four total yards. The third score, in the fourth quarter, proved to be the game-winner.

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Attendance: 5336

Musical Sounds from the 2010 Atlanta Football Classic

Television Versions

Morehouse Tigers improve to 5-0 in 30-14 win over Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers

Atlanta, GA - David Carter rushed for 211 yards and a touchdown and powered Morehouse to a 30-14 win over Lincoln University. At 5-0, the Maroon Tigers are enjoying the best season start since 1930.

After surrendering a 99-yard touchdown return on the opening kick, Morehouse settled down and limited the visiting Blue Tigers (1-3) to one touchdown the rest of the way.

The Maroon Tigers bounced back on their first possession with a seven-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off by a Carter one-yard touchdown run. Ian Mullen’s point-after attempt was blocked.

On the next Lincoln possession, defensive lineman Chigbo Anunoby, who played at Lincoln last year, forced a Blue Tiger fumble that led to a 33-yard Mullen field goal and game Morehouse a 9-7 advantage.

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Morehouse highlights against Kentucky State (last week)

Offense comes alive as A&M dominates Southern

HUNTSVILLE, AL - In lopsided losses to Tennessee State and Texas Southern, Alabama A&M's offense looked virtually inept. The Bulldogs were limited to 276 yards in a 27-14 loss to Tennessee State and were held to 197 yards in a 32-9 loss at Texas Southern a week ago. Thank goodness for Southern.

A&M's offense came to life against the Jaguars, finishing with 455 total yards as the Bulldogs whipped Southern 34-14 Saturday night in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference game in front of an announced crowd of 6,218 at Louis Crews Stadium.

After strong start, Jaguars falter

NORMAL, Ala. — On the glorious first play from scrimmage, the Gary Hollimon experiment worked. Virtually everything else did not.

On a rain-soaked field at Louis Crews Stadium on Saturday night, the Southern football team started strong for the first time this season, getting a 62-yard touchdown run from Hollimon, their tailback-turned-quarterback, in the Jaguars’ Southwestern Athletic Conference opener against Alabama A&M.

From that moment, the Bulldogs blitzed, ran, passed and thoroughly beat Southern 34-14 in a game that had to make fans wonder if they’re in for a long first season under new coach Stump Mitchell.

Alabama A&M grades

Offense: A: The Bulldogs, who looked a lot some of Alabama A&M's units in recent years, finished with a season-high 455 yards in total offense, 234 rushing and 221 passing.

Defense: A-minus: Defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns wasn't pleased with Southern quarterback Gary Hollimon's 62-yard touchdown run to start the game, but the Bulldogs dominated the Jaguars the rest of the way.

2010 State Fair Classic - PVAMU vs. GSU

Lil Jon opens the halftime show before the Marching Storm performs at the 6:30 mark on video.

Coastal Carolina dominates early in win over DSU

CONWAY, S.C. -- Coastal Carolina dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State on Saturday night.

Coastal Carolina (1-3) led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU (0-3) scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shut out for the first time since 2004, a span of 66 games.

The Hornets gained 97 yards in the fourth quarter to finish with 210 for the game. The Chanticleers racked up 339 total yards in the contest. Coastal Carolina scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions. The Hornets' second possession ended with a fumble that was recovered by the Chanticleers at the DSU 34. Coastal Carolina needed six plays to pad its lead.

Coastal Carolina tops Delaware State for its first victory of season

CONWAY, SC -- There will be no talk around the Coastal Carolina football program this week about early season struggles or missed opportunities. There will be no need to scavenge for positives or search for ways to explain a season careening off path. Not this week, at least. The Chanticleers played nothing like a team mired in a winless slump - and everything like a squad eager to prove it is better than it had showed through the first three weeks.

The Chants shook the demons of the last three weeks - thoroughly and impressively - and started the process of righting their season with a 34-14 win over visiting Delaware State before an announced crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium.

Hornets Dominated by Coastal Carolina

Conway, S.C. --- Coastal Carolina completely dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State before a sellout crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium this evening. The Chanticleers improved to 1-3 on the season, while the Hornets fell to 0-3.

Coastal Carolina led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shutout for the first time since 2004, a span off 66 games.

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Early TD aside, JSU defense shows up big time

They call this a scary start if you're a Jackson State fan. Mississippi Valley State quarterback Oliver Hughes hit receiver Paul Cox for a 57-yard touchdown on Valley's first play from scrimmage Saturday night. Cox out-leaped JSU defensive back Qua Cox and then ran into the end zone, stunning the partial crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Not to worry. The defense didn't allow another point in JSU's 43-7 win. A unit criticized heavily over the first three games - it allowed an average of 447 yards in those games - finally lived up to its Darkside billing.What changed - besides playing one of the worst offenses in the nation?

"I think we hit a little bit more in practice this week," coach Rick Comegy said. "We emphasized being more aggressive."

Tigers rip Devils

A good way to get over your first loss of the season? Why, play Mississippi Valley State, of course. A week after being physically pounded by Grambling, Jackson State whipped Valley 43-7 on Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, beating the Delta Devils for the 16th straight year and showing fans just how potent JSU's new Air Raid offense can be.

Quarterback Casey Therriault had 291 yards passing - by halftime - as JSU cruised to a 30-7 lead at the break.He finished with 374 yards and four touchdown passes in about three quarters of work. Therriault, who struggled under pressure in last week's 28-21 loss to Grambling, completed 33 of 50 attempts, picking apart Valley's secondary.

Photo Gallery: JSU - Valley

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Bowie State Breaks in New Turf with 28-27 Win over Virginia Union

Bowie, Md. - The Bowie State University (BSU) Bulldogs wasted no time breaking in their brand new home field Saturday as they edged Virginia Union University (VUU), 28-27, in their first home game since switching from grass to synthetic turf.

Bulldogs junior Clifton Budd set two school passing records as Bowie State advanced to a 2-3 overall record, 2-0 Central Interscholastic Athletic Association (CIAA) wise. Budd completed 32 of 51 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. His 32 completions and 355 yards broke an 18-year-old BSU record set by Arthur Lee who held the mark at 24 completions and 324 passing yards.

The Bulldogs led, 15-13, at halftime, but struggled in the third quarter, allowing VUU to take a 27-15 lead late in the third quarter. But BSU managed a comeback with two touchdown strikes from Budd, an 18-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Reginald McIntyre and a 39-yard touchdown strike to senior Gregory Jackson.

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Week 4: Pretenders vs. Contenders

There were only two surprises this week--Tennessee State and Winston Salem State steamrolling their long time rivals, Florida A&M and Fayetteville State. The wins by Tuskegee and Albany State against higher classification Texas Southern and Savannah State were expected.

The Florida A&M Rattlers put on a nationally televised coaching clinic on how not to play college football against your arch rival. The Rattlers were unable to stop Tennessee State from steamrolling their offensive and defensive lines. TSU proved to be very good at holding and chop blocking, getting several calls by the officials and registering 16 flags for a -136 yards.

The Tigers registered 11 sacks and had an Atlanta Classic rushing record 233 yards by Tigers running back Preston Brown. TSU averaged 6.6 yards per carry, amassing 304 yard on 46 carries for the game.

The Rattlers gained 24 yards on 25 carries, and was limited to 175 yards passing for the game.

What happened to that stable of running backs that the Rattlers were bragging about in August? Three years--and Taylor's Rattlers still cannot stop a smash mouth running team.

TSU first year head coach Rod Reed game plan was simply--prove to us you can stop the run!

Well, the Rattlers clearly flunked the mid-term exam on defense and their starting quarterback, Martin Ukpai, fizzled under the constant pressure of the Tigers' blitzes.

Joe Taylor and his staff had no solutions for the TSU defense. No question, the Rattlers were outplayed on offense, defense and special teams and didn't look anything like a conference championship team.

It gets worst for the Rattlers next week with a home date with MEAC powerhouse, South Carolina State Bulldogs. Expect the Rattlers to receive another pounding, as they disappear totally from the FCS playoff conversation.

TSU played a great game against FAMU and gets the opportunity to do it again to the MEAC next Saturday with 0-4 North Carolina A&T at the Circle City Classic.

Winston Salem State has been the surprise of the season, with its 5-0 start for Coach Connell Maynor. Even with the plays called being intercepted by FSU coaching staff, the Broncos could not stop the efficient execution by the Rams. If the Rams keep rolling, this may become the greatest turnaround in NCAA history.

WSSU finished last season with an 1-10 record, as a provisional Division I member in the MEAC. The Rams are clearly leading the pack in the CIAA after dismantling last season's champions on the road.

Most of our fans and their employers didn't receive the White House press release trumpeting that the recession is over. We all need mo' money. This weekend games with the highest attendance in our conferences were as follows:

1. Atlanta Football Classic, 54,202, FAMU vs. Tennessee State, Atlanta, GA
2. State Fair Classic, 43,754, Grambling vs. PVAMU, Dallas, TX
3. Whitney Young Classic, 34,160, Howard vs. Morgan St., E. Rutherford, NJ
4. Gateway Classic, 22,781, UAPB vs. CAU, St. Louis, Mo.
5. Jackson State vs. Mississippi Valley, 18,020, Jackson, MS
6. North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T, 15,173, Durham, N.C.
7, Coastal Carolina vs. Delaware State, 9,218, Conway, S.C.

One last point.... The MEAC has not beaten any team of significance outside the conference this season. What's up with that?

-beepbeep



MEAC
Tennessee State 29, Florida A&M 18
Bethune Cookman 21, Norfolk State 7
South Carolina State, Bye
Coastal Carolina 34, Delaware State 14
North Carolina Central 27, North Carolina A&T 16
Albany State(Ga.) 28, Savannah State 14
Morgan State 20, Howard 3

SWAC
Alabama A&M 34, Southern 14
Jackson State 43, Mississippi Valley 7
Grambling State 34, Prairie View 17
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19
Alcorn State 41, Alabama State 21

CIAA
Saint Augustine's 53, Lincoln (Pa.) 21
Saint Paul's 27, Livingstone 6
Winston Salem State 31, Fayettville State 14
Virginia State 20, Chowan 13
Bowie State 28, Virginia Union 27
Shaw 31, Elizabeth City State 28

SIAC
Morehouse 30, Lincoln (Mo.) 14
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Albany State 28, Savannah State 14
Miles 13, Kentucky State 12
Benedict 35, Stillman 0
Arkansas Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19

Morgan State conquers its touchdown woes, Howard

Morgan State scored its first two touchdowns of the season off two turnovers in the first half to beat Howard, 20-3, on Saturday in the 40th annual New York Urban League Football Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. More than 34,160 attended the first college football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Morgan State had yet to score a touchdown of any kind in three games, including a 14-7 opening win over Bowie State, which it won with four field goals and a safety. But that streak ended with 10 minutes 52 seconds left in the second quarter when Donovan Dickerson hit Chuka Okakpu with a 16-yard touchdown pass, giving the Bears (2-2, 1-1 Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference) a 10-0 lead.

Reshaude Miller picked off Howard's Casey Council, returning it 89 yards for a touchdown to put Morgan State ahead by 17. The interception and score was Miller's first of his career.

Morgan State downs Howard University in annual charity Football ...

George Steinbrenner was probably smiling down over the New Meadowlands Stadium Saturday.

The scrumptious smells of tailgating - everything from burgers to jumbo shrimp - in the parking lot led to thousands packing the new stadium to see Morgan State blast Howard University, 20-3, in the 39th annual New York Urban League Football Classic.

The Football Classic was the brainchild of Steinbrenner and legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, who created the annual game as a charity for disadvantaged students.

The Football Classic debuted at Yankee Stadium in 1971 and was played there till 1986, before changing venues to Giants Stadium. As legend has it, sustained damage to Yankee Stadium's field one year prompted the change. But the move wasn't a bad thing for the Football Classic, as it added the popular tradition of tailgating to the annual event.

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NCCU Eagles return to MEAC with win over NC A&T Aggies

DURHAM, N.C. -- Based on the recent history of the series, N.C. Central's 27-16 win over North Carolina A&T might count as a blowout in favor of the Eagles. Thanks to seven turnovers by the Aggies, NCCU was able to wrap up its biggest win over its biggest rival since winning 15-2 in 1988.

The past five game went down to the wire, with each settled on the final possession. A year ago, the Aggies took a 23-17 win in double overtime to break a three-game winning streak by NCCU. Now the Eagles (2-2) can claim four wins in five years over N.C. A T (0-4). After the game, NCCU coach Mose Rison was doused by his players with a cooler full of water as they all celebrated in front of the student section and band.

The crowd of 15,173 at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium was the largest in school history, with more than 5,000 standing-room tickets being sold as festival admission at the track adjoining the stadium. The overflow crowd was on hand to watch the first game in Durham between the teams since 1992, which A T won 49-7.

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Winless SSU falls to D-II Albany State, 28-14

WAYCROSS, GA - Savannah State could not stop the multi-headed offense of Albany State, but the Tigers were able to slow it down on the neutral field of Memorial Stadium.

The NCAA Division II Golden Rams cruised to a 28-14 victory in the "Rumble in the Swamp" behind the running of LiRonnie Davis, Robert Welton and Kareem Hess, and the passing of Stan Jennings.

Albany State had not been held under 30 points in its first three games, nor had anyone scored more than 10 points against the Rams. SSU accomplished both.

ASU doubles up on Savannah State, 28-14, moves to 4-0

WAYCROSS, GA — During football practice last week, Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings said momentum can change anything in a game. If the “Rumble in the Swamp” was any indication, he’s right.

The Rams defeated Savannah State, 28-14, in Waycross on Saturday in the 60th meeting between the two teams, but they had to hold off freshman quarterback Antonio Bostic from rallying the Tigers in the fourth quarter.

“I was glad with the way we played (overall),” said head coach Mike White, whose team is now 4-0 on the season and 42-16-2 against Savannah State all-time. “(But) I thought we played a better first half. The second half, I was really disappointed.”

ASU-SAVANNAH STATE NOTEBOOK: ASU’s Savannah natives happy to beat their hometown Tigers

WAYCROSS, GA – Arkeen Riley may not be the most well-known Ram, but the defensive lineman definitely had the biggest cheering section in Waycross for Albany State’s game against Savannah State Saturday.

Two dozen friends and family members of the ASU sophomore made the drive from Savannah to see his team grab a big victory against the Tigers, and most of them brought t-shirts sporting his No. 95 on the back. “I’m going to (try to) be at every game,” Riley’s mother said.. “It’s exciting (to see him play). It’s a dream come true.”

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B-CU rides fast start to MEAC win; Jenkins OK after scare

DAYTONA BEACH -- This is not the way Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins would have liked to celebrate his first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory. Shortly after the Wildcats held off Norfolk State 21-7 in front of 5,371 fans at Municipal Stadium, a dehydrated Jenkins was wheeled away in a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

"He's fine," B-CU associate head coach Terry Sims said of Jenkins, who was feeling dizzy late in the game and was fitted with an IV in the locker room after the game before being transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach.

"Everything they did was for precautionary reasons," Sims said. "He was drinking (water), but once dehydration sets in, there's not much you can do. It's really hot down there on the sideline."

Coach gets wake-up call

DAYTONA BEACH -- It may not be an all-out red alert. Maybe not even a red flag. But when your head coach's post-game exit involves a stretcher and ambulance, you don't exactly whistle into the night while fully enjoying a 3-0 record and first conference victory.

"Of course, he's gonna be fine," Bethune-Cookman athletics director Lynn Thompson said Saturday night, about 30 minutes after his high-profile hire, head coach Brian Jenkins, was hauled away from Municipal Stadium.

NSU digs early hole in falling to Bethune-Cookman 21-7

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman was ready for the race track. Norfolk State belonged on a dirt track. Bethune-Cookman's quickness, both in its Speedway offense and blitzing defenders, left the Spartans stuck in place for nearly a half, more than enough time for the Wildcats to take control in a 21-7 home win.

"It was like we were playing in sand," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. "We looked slow. We were in slow motion the first half."

In the first quarter, Norfolk State surrendered two touchdowns, two sacks and a blocked punt while being outgained 167-37. Norfolk State (2-2, 1-1 MEAC) trailed 14-0 after a quarter and 21-0 just nine seconds into the second.

NSU notes: Branche suffers shoulder injury in first quarter

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - On its most important offensive play of the game, the player Norfolk State wanted to carry the ball was only capable of toting his helmet. Senior running back DeAngelo Branche, NSU's offensive MVP so far this season, suffered a shoulder injury and barely played in the second half.

When Norfolk State failed on a fourth-and-2 at the Bethune-Cookman 21 in the middle of the third quarter, Branche could only watch. "He hurt it in the first quarter," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. Adrian said Branche was having trouble lifting his arm. Branche remained close to the coaching staff throughout the second half but got the call to re-enter only once or twice, trotting on as a diversion.


NSU MARCHING SPARTAN LEGION @ I.C. NORCOM H.S. BAND DAY, SEPT 25, 2010