A&T's new 3-4 defense still a work in progress

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- There's irony at Aggie Stadium this homecoming weekend. Morgan State comes to town Saturday still running the aggressive 4-3 defensive scheme installed five years ago by then-coordinator Alonzo Lee.

"It's my same exact defense," Lee said. "Nothing has changed. Coach (Herbert) Parham was under me not only at Morgan, but at Hampton before that. He hasn't changed the defense we ran." But A&T has changed. Now in his second year as the Aggies head coach, Lee has reluctantly gone away from the scheme. Truth is, A&T can't run it. Not full-time, anyway.

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Trainor moves up FAMU depth chart»

If Austin Trainor plays his role with the same confidence and tenacity that he demonstrates during an interview, the former North Florida Christian quarterback should give some kind of effort.

Coach Joe Taylor announced earlier this week Trainor has been promoted on the Florida A&M depth chart to second-string quarterback behind Martin Ukpai. Maybe it's the innocence of being a redshirt freshman, but Trainor responded to the move from third-string as if he was handed the reins.

FAMU's Ojo making a positive impact at safety

As Florida A&M offense struggled last weekend to put points on the board, safety Oye Ojo felt a sense of responsibility as the game went on.

The former Florida High standout just wanted to do something — anything defensively — to get the Rattlers in a position to score. That didn't happen, of course. But as a result of his effort, Ojo ended the game with a career-best 12 tackles in the game, becoming the team's second leading tackler.

FAMU benefits from added depth »

Last season when South Carolina State University made a personnel switch to strengthen its lineup in the finals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tennis championships, Carl Goodman couldn't counter. His Florida A&M team didn't have the depth.

But with an eight-player roster, with the possible addition of another in January, Goodman is already seeing the advantage of having a deeper roster this season. The Rattlers didn't have a single overworked player two weeks ago when they captured the HBCU national championship in Atlanta.

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Howard, Morehouse may renew football rivalry

The college football rivalry between Howard and Morehouse, which began in 1923 but has been dormant for more than a decade, is close to being resurrected.

Officials from both of the historically black schools are nearing an agreement to play each other annually at RFK Stadium, beginning next year. Howard and Morehouse, an all-male school in Atlanta, played regularly in the 1980s and 1990s but last met in 1997, when the Bison handed the Maroon Tigers, then coached by former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, a 52-0 beating at Howard's Greene Stadium.

Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic: Coaches favor splitting SIAC ...

When the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced in September it would split the 10-team conference into East and West divisions, beginning next season, it did not leave coaches with much time to ponder the ramifications.

But Tuskegee coach Willie Slater and Morehouse coach Rich Freeman said Thursday they are mostly positive about the upcoming changes. They spoke during a press conference promoting Saturday's 75th annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic, to be played at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

Game preview: Tuskegee at Morehouse

When: 1 p.m. today
Where: A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus, Ga.
Records: Tuskegee (4-1, 3-1 in SIAC); Morehouse (5-0, 4-0)
On the Air: S Sirius Radio Network, channel 153, and XM Radio. You can also visit www.hsrn.com and click the “Listen Live” link on the HSRN homepage.

FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY

1. Games between Tuskegee and Morehouse are usually big events, and the hype will ratchet up a notch this weekend. Today's game is the 75th edition of the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic and the 100th overall meeting between the two programs. Tuskegee holds an overwhelming 65-27-7 advantage in the series and a 50-19-5 record since the game was dubbed "The Classic" in 1936.

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NCCU Eagles vs. Hampton Pirates

No.1 status gives Rams coach key motivation

Winston-Salem State basketball is generating buzz with its return to Division II and the CIAA. The Rams (12-17, 7-10 MEAC) are the choice of league coaches to finish first in the South Division after moving down from Division I. On the other hand, coach Bobby Collins noted, there's a season yet to play.

"It would be a trap if I didn't know it was a trap, but I know and understand being picked No. 1 makes the target a little bigger," Winston-Salem coach Bobby Collins said at the annual preseason luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center. "We're going to embrace it."

Kerry happy to have Rams back in CIAA

Commissioner Leon Kerry was all smiles yesterday at the CIAA media basketball roundup at the Charlotte Convention Center. This is the conference’s 99th year, and Kerry said that having Winston-Salem State and Lincoln (Pa.) back in the league is a big deal. Lincoln was one of the original conference members.

“We’re excited about Winston being back in the league,” Kerry said. “I’m looking for them to bring us the same things they did before they left, and that’s sell tickets and bring fans.” Kerry said he wasn’t surprised that the Rams were picked to win their division in men’s basketball.

Rams expected to win their division

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --The CIAA welcomed back Winston-Salem State in basketball yesterday, and coaches immediately put a big target on the Rams by picking them as favorites to win the Southern Division title.

Coach Bobby Collins, whose Rams spent four seasons playing a full MEAC schedule as the university tried to move to Division I, said he’s flattered that opposing coaches thought that much of his senior-dominated team, but he knows he won’t have an easy run.

WSSU focuses on higher goals

Winston-Salem State is the CIAA’s only unbeaten team, but it’ll take more to impress coach Connell Maynor.

The Rams, who are 6-0 in their return to Division II, have rumbled through the schedule, which includes wins at Division I rivals N.C. A&T State and N.C. Central. Those victories are good for bragging rights, but Maynor, who is in his first year as head coach, wants more.

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Washington Redskins Sign Stillman's Quinn Porter

The Washington Redskins have moved yet more players around as they announced the signing of running back Quinn Porter to the practice squad today. Porter was signed to replace running back Javarris James who has been signed to the Indianapolis Colts active squad.

Porter,6’0″, 205 lbs., was an undrafted free agent signed by the Green Bay Packers in April 2010. He was waived last month but in three preseason games with the Packers, rushed for 77 yards on 21 carries with a 3.7 average. Additionally he had a punt return for four yards, a kick off return for 22 yards and a reception for six yards.

The former Packer attended Stillman College where he played in 37 games. In 511 carries he gained 2,788 yards (a 5.5-yard-per-carry average) and 24 touchdowns. Porter caught 68 balls for 887 yards and 12 touchdowns and had a 32-yard-per-carry average on 19 kick-off returns.

Porter's path to Green Bay has had plenty of twists and turns

GREEN BAY — They come in a wide variety.

Go to training camps across the NFL and you'll find undrafted rookies battling against the odds for roster spots. There are those from big colleges and small ones. Some are underachievers dripping with talent, others overachievers full of desire.— And then there's Quinn Porter, who has about as interesting of a back story as any. "I just took another road, man," he said. "A longer road."

Inside Lambeau with Quinn Porter - Video Gallery

Come to Curly's Pub at the Lambeau Field Atrium for tapings of 'Inside Lambeau.' WFRV's Burke Griffin and 'voice of the Packers' Wayne Larrivee host. This week's guest: RB Quinn Porter.

Click Title to View Video Interview of Quinn Porter.

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Babers, Black lead Prairie View past Ark.-Pine Bluff

Linebacker Brenan Gordon recorded his first career interception return for a touchdown when his 79-yard runback sealed a 21-6 victory for Prairie View A&M over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday in Pine Bluff, Ark.

UAPB took advantage of an early Prairie View fumble and claimed a 3-0 lead as kicker Chris Ewald nailed a 45-yard field goal for the only score of the half.

SWAC: UAPB offense struggles in loss

Arkansas-Pine Bluff was handed a pair of second-half gifts Thursday night, but the Golden Lions couldn’t do anything with them. Trailing by one point, Prairie View A&M fumbled first on the Golden Lions’ 2 and later at its own 43.

But both of UAPB’s breaks ended with punts and what had been a dynamic UAPB offense was largely silent in a 21-6 loss to the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions at Golden Lion Stadium.

“They were basically giving us the football game,” UAPB quarterback Josh Boudreaux said. “Whenever teams turn the ball over like that, we’ve got to take advantage of it as an offense.”

Video Replay:

Prairie View A&M vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff

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Coach Buddy Pough Show: SCSU vs. FAMU

Title-minded Tigers, Bulldogs collide

A Michigan boy more used to snow flurries than sunburns, Casey Therriault had a lot to learn when he arrived in the Deep South just a few months ago. So, cut the Jackson State quarterback some slack if he didn't know the magnitude of the Alabama A&M-Jackson State game until a few days ago.

The important thing? He knows now. "Whoever wins goes to the SWAC championship," Therriault said Tuesday while walking off the practice field.

Tigers to face banged-up Dogs

Anthony Jones won't act like it's not an issue. It is. "When you get a chance to rest and get an extra week to prepare, it's an advantage," the Alabama A&M coach said.

The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-2 SWAC) travel to Jackson this weekend for a 4 p.m. meeting Saturday with Jackson State (3-1, 1-1). And they do so with - to use a cliche - the deck stacked against them.

Traditional powers A&M, JSU tangle

In the nutty, keep-you-on-your-toes Southwestern Athletic Conference, where this week’s contender is next week’s also-ran, no one yet knows how the Eastern Division race will play out.

Alabama State had the early lead, then dropped two straight games.

Jackson State's challenge is to stay on pace with Alcorn State

Jackson State’s hopes of reaching the SWAC championship game are on the line this weekend. The Tigers (3-1, 1-1) host Alabama A&M on Saturday in what’s considered an elimination game. The winner remains on pace with Alcorn State to win the East Division title and the loser faces an uphill climb.

Jackson State, coming off an open date, unexpectedly has one of Division I-AA’s top quarterbacks in Casey Therriault. The junior college transfer has produced three 300-yard passing games this season.

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NCCU Eagles ready for MEAC leader Hampton, after week off

DURHAM, N.C. -- After N.C. Central coach Mose Rison enjoyed a rare weekend without football, he and his team have turned their attention to the matchup with Hampton on Saturday. Hampton played Delaware State on Thursday night, but Rison, who was on the recruiting trail in Charlotte, said he watched the game on television.

That turned out to be a fortunate coincidence since the teams were not able to trade their latest films. "It was in a driving rainstorm," Rison said. "They ran the ball extremely well in the rain. Give Hampton credit for being resilient and not getting away from their game plan. "

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Beau Pré hosts Alcorn golf tournament

NATCHEZ, MS — Beau Pré Country Club has seen its fair share of golf tournaments over the years, but this week marked the first time it hosted a college tournament.

The Alcorn State River City Invitational took place at Beau Pré Monday and Tuesday, with six teams participating: Alcorn State, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, Alabama A&M, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Braves men finished fourth, shooting 805 as a team. Alabama A&M placed first with a score of 613, followed by Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 643 and Prairie View A&M with 673.

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Thompson, Morgan State earn acclaim in MEAC men's basketball poll

Coach Todd Bozeman looks forward to another MEAC championship in 2010-11 and NCAA berth.

Morgan State junior forward Kevin Thompson (Walbrook) was voted the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year and the Bears were ranked first in the preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Morgan sophomore swingman Dewayne Jackson also was voted to the All-MEAC preseason first team. The Bears received 20 of 22 first-place votes and 474 points; South Carolina State was second with 378. UMES was seventh with 242 and placed junior guard Hillary Haley on the second team. Coppin State received 84points, tied for last with Florida A&M.

The Secret World of HBCU Sports: 'More Than Just Games'

Proud and productive, I’m a child of an HBCU – a 2006 graduate from Morgan State University, but you won’t catch me in any letter jackets or riding with personalized school license plates—I’m much too discreet for that. However, whenever prompted to state my affiliation, I reel off my origin with no hesitation. My graduate friends from bigger schools (i.e. the University of Maryland-College Park, Penn State and UCLA) never seem to understand my loyalty to the HBCU circle.

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WSSU rivals point to scholarships

Coach Connell Maynor: “That’s what losers do, they complain,” Maynor said. “They make excuses, and we don’t make excuses — we take what we have and we keep going.”

Winston-Salem State has made quite an impact in its first football season back in the CIAA — compiling records of 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the league. Some opposing coaches say that some of that success can be tied to scholarship numbers.

Last season, in what was supposed to be the final year of transition to Division I, WSSU had 51 scholarship players and was on target to reach the Football Championship Subdivision limit of 63 this season. But school officials decided to change course, stopping the move and keeping WSSU in Division II.

Rams Break Into Top 20 In AFCA Poll; Debut In D2Football.com Poll

Winston-Salem, NC - The Winston-Salem State Rams (6-0, 4-0 CIAA) continued their move up the NCAA Division II polls as the team moved into 17th-place in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll and make their debut in the D2Football.com top 25 in the 22nd slot.

After earning their first top 25 ranking since 2002 last week, the Rams followed up their effort with a 49-3 win at Johnson C. Smith. The effort boosted the Rams into the top 20 of the AFCA poll as the team earned a 17th-place ranking.

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FAMU track teams improve under Moore

Wayne Angel told a group of reporters Tuesday that the sky is the limit for his track team, then made it clear that the potential that his Florida A&M men's track team is showing isn't because of some magic he worked in the short time that he's been at the helm.

He gave a lot of credit to women's coach Darlene Moore. Up until Angel was hired a little more than a month ago, Moore ran both the men's and women's teams simultaneously.

FAMU losses spur sense of urgency for turnaround »

There was a beam in Martin Ukpai's eyes and his mannerism exuded optimism when he heard about coach Joe Taylor's suspicion that the players on South Carolina State's football team might have had a meeting of the minds before coming to Tallahassee last weekend.

Whether or not Taylor's hunch was right, the Florida A&M quarterback believes there might be something to getting the offensive unit together. He figures it might just help them find the answer for producing points.

FAMU backups work for some playing time »

Linebacker Justin Davis would like to get a scholarship one day as a member of the Florida A&M football team. But for now, he has to prove he's deserving.

Davis, a redshirt freshman out of Florida High, is making a pretty good case as a walk-on. During Saturday's game against South Carolina State, he was on the field not only making plays on special teams, but trying to generate energy among his teammates — just like he has done in every other game.

FAMU looks to snap losing streak »

After watching the film of Saturday's shutout loss to South Carolina State, coach Joe Taylor has decided that he's going back to basics with the Florida A&M football team in hopes of ending its two-game losing streak.

"We're going to play smash-mouth football," Taylor said Sunday. "That's what got me to where I am."

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Legendary William "Billy" Joe resigns as Miles College's head football coach

The *69-year old William "Billy" Joe ends his 36 season head coaching career with a record of 245-127-4 combined from Cheyney University (PA), Central State University (Ohio), Florida A&M University and Miles College. Joe is a graduate of Villanova University and won a Super Bowl with the New York Jets in 1968.

FAIRFIELD, Alabama, - Miles College Head football Coach William “Billy” Joe met with College administrators earlier this afternoon to tender his resignation immediately as Head Coach due to health issues. Assistant Offensive-line Coach, Patrick Peasant, will assume duties as interim Coach while a national search ensues.

Billy Joe stated, “It’s been a great and glorious three year ride. But health concerns are becoming too much of a challenge for me to continue in my current capacity.” Joe further states, “I’m still going to be around though to support the College and become the schools number one fan.” Miles President, Dr. George T. French, Jr., said of Joe, “Coach Billy Joe has been a tremendous service to our Athletic Program and to the Institution overall. His presence will be missed.”

2008 marked the first season the Golden Bears played under Billy Joe and his 32nd year serving as a head coach. Joe leaves Miles as the second all-time winning Coach in HBCU history with over 240 wins, trailing only Grambling’s legendary Eddie Robinson. Billy Joe began his coaching career in 1971 as an assistant coach and later serving as the assistant running back coach for the Philadelphia Eagle’s before moving on to an illustrious career in Black College Football.

Joe was enshrined in 2007 into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame, Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame and the MEAC Hall of Fame. Joe is also an active member of the American Football Coaches’ Association.

Miles College Press Release 10/4/10

* Coach Joe birth date is 10/14/1940; he was born in Aynor (Horry County) South Carolina--Population 640 based on July 2008 Census.

2010 Circle City Classic: Tennessee State University vs. North Carolina A&T State University

The State of the MEAC

The State of the MEAC

It's time for a little honesty.

Raise your hand if there was an urge to chuckle after watching the closing part of the MEAC commercial aired during Saturday's tape-delayed showing of the South Carolina State-Florida A&M football game. You know, the part where Commissioner Dennis Thomas says "athletic excellence" about the MEAC?

When it comes to football, the only "excellent" part being exhibited is the 20-game conference-winning streak by the Bulldogs and Bethune-Cookman's dominating 4-0 start. Aside from those two developments, there's truly not much for Thomas...

MEAC Roundup -- Oct. 2

Well, we have our favorite. South Carolina State was awfully impressive dispatching Florida A&M on the road 19-0. The Bulldogs did settle for four field goal attempts after moving the ball, but given the way they dominated, that’s being a little bit picky. Norfolk State’s likely happy about the result – SC State would have been a beast of a game if they’d had the loss to focus them – but the abilities the Bulldogs displayed are worrisome enough. A tall task awaits the Spartans this week. Also, Bethune is still looking awfully good and Hampton stays unbeaten.

Inside the FCS Huddle: Sharks are in the water

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Maybe you saw the shark in the pool on "CSI:" the other night. Nothing a couple extra pounds of chlorine might solve. Or a 3-3-5 defense.

If a team is still sitting outside The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25, it probably will not be making a deep run into the playoffs later this fall. In fact, it would struggle just to make the 20-team field, which consists of 10 automatic bids to conference champions and 10 at-large bids. But that doesn't mean some teams outside the rankings won't make an impact on the playoffs. Whether they get in or not.

In the major FCS conferences, there are some sharks lurking...

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Howard's Brice Has Career Day in Win over Lincoln

Charles Brice rushed for a career-high 161 yards and three touchdowns to lead Howard University to a 28-14 win over Lincoln University on Oct. 2. The win snapped an 11-game losing skid for Howard.

After both teams failed to score in the first quarter, Howard (1-4) took advantage of good field position and drove 50 yards in seven plays, with Brice sprinting 34 yards for the score at the 11:52 mark of the second quarter. Howard never looked back after that.

Brice, a 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pound red-shirt sophomore from Columbia, S.C., was making his first start after coming off a career-best 96 yards on 13 carries in a loss to Morgan State on September 25.

Howard Bison beat Lincoln for first win

Charles Brice ran for three second-quarter touchdowns, and Howard defeated Lincoln (Pa.), 28-14, on Saturday at Greene Stadium.

Brice, who finished with 161 yards on 31 carries, had scores of 34 and 12 yards before putting the Bison up 21-0 on a one-yard run with 20 seconds remaining until halftime.

The Division II Lions (1-4) answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Ivan Mitchell to Anthony Wilson at the end of the half.

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Clark Atlanta Finds Enough Offense to Stop Stillman

It took almost the rest of the game, but Clark Atlanta found its offense as Ronald Thompson capped a 93-yard drive with a one-yard dive as the Panthers defeated Stillman 19-14 in CAU's home opener Saturday. The score was an exciting end to CAU's homecoming, but the excitement, unfortunately, did not end there for the fans.

Despite the touchdown, the Panthers (3-2, 3-1 SIAC) had to wait with baited breath as Stillman recovered a poor squib kick on the ensuing kick-off at Clark Atlanta's 38 yard line.

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Chowan Hawks Hang on for First Season Win over Virginia Union

MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Chowan University football team picked up their first win of season this afternoon after beating Virginia Union University 35-34 in CIAA gridiron action. Playing in their first-ever televised event, Chowan held on to the one point win despite a late surge by the Panthers.

Chowan's Robert Holland hauled in 11 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns to help propel his team to victory. The Hawks improve their overall record to 1-4 and their CIAA record to 1-1. The Panthers fall to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the league after today.

Chowan collected 345 yards of total offense in the game with 234 yards coming through the air. Chowan's Steven Carroll came in for relief of starter Cameron Stover to throw for 183 yards on 19 completions. Carroll also threw three of today's four touchdowns. Stover, still nursing a shoulder injury, left the game in the second quarter but completed six passes for 51 yards and hooked up with Holland to put Chowan on the board in the first quarter.

Virginia Union University - Epic VUU Comeback Falls Just Short

A furious Virginia Union University comeback in the waning seconds of a regionally televised football game fell just short as Chowan University escaped with a 35-34 win over the Panthers in Murfreesboro, N.C., on October 2.

Trailing 35-21 with less than three minutes left to play, backup quarterback Cheston Hickman, playing in place of the injured Aris McGlone-English, led a seven-play 60-yard drive to pull the Panthers to within 35-28. Hickman capped the drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Andre Winston with 1:22 left to play. Union then recovered the ensuing onside kick at their own 36-yard line.

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S.C. State Marching 101 vs. FAMU Marching 100

Shreveport Classic: Prairie View A&M Panthers vs. Southern Jaguars

Prairie View A&M University Department of Athletics has entered into a two-year agreement with the City of Shreveport and State Fair of Louisiana to bring to the city one football game each during the 2010 and 2011 seasons at Independence Stadium.

Prairie View's first contest in Shreveport will take place on October 23rd, 2010 versus Southern University and A&M College (Baton Rouge). The gridiron matchup will be a reunion of sorts as both teams met in Independence Stadium during the 2003 campaign.

Backfield powers TSU in Classic win

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Even though Preston Brown is one of the top running backs in the Football Championship Subdivision, he's always concerned each week about losing his starting spot. Dante' Thomas showed why.

With Brown slowed in practice by a groin injury, Thomas took over the starting spot Saturday, rushing for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee State's 37-7 victory over North Carolina A&T in the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium. Brown might not have been himself, but he was still pretty good. The second-leading rusher in the FCS added 145 yards, nine shy of his average.

Aggies coming home with 0-5 mark

INDIANAPOLIS -- The N.C. A&T football team ran out of luck at the Circle City Classic. The Aggies, who brought a 3-0 record at the event into Saturday's showdown against Tennessee State, couldn't draw from past success, dropping a 37-7 decision to the Tigers at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Aggies, with previous victories over Southern (1994) and Tennessee State (1997 and 2005), were the only undefeated team in Classic history with at least three appearances. The game, which was established to showcase Historically Black Colleges and Universities, has been played each year since 1984.

"Coach (Alonzo) Lee told us we were 3-0 coming in, so we tried to keep the legacy alive," said Aggies junior running back Mike Mayhew, who finished ...

Slide Show: Tennessee State 37, North Carolina A&T 7 in the Circle City Classic

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Prairie View beats Mississippi Valley State 34-13

GREENVILLE, MS - Quarterback K.J. Black threw a pair of touchdown passes to Shaun Stephens in a 1:30 span of the third quarter Saturday to help Prairie View (2-3, 2-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) subdue Mississippi Valley State in the Delta Devils' home away from home at Greenville High.

Adrian Martin pulled the Delta Devils (0-5, 0-4) within 14 points in the fourth quarter, catching TD passes of 19 and 52 yards from Oliver Hughes. Prairie View's Donald Babers rushed for 151 yards and two TDs on 26 carries. Black completed 22 of 37 passes for 230 yards.

TD connection hooks up twice in 90-second span

GREENVILLE, Miss. — Shaun Stephens caught two touchdown passes from K.J. Black in a 1-minute, 30-second span of the third quarter to lift Prairie View A&M over Mississippi Valley State 34-13 on Saturday.

Stephens’ first touchdown — a 25-yarder — gave the Panthers (2-3, 2-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) a 17-0 lead. Two plays later, Jarvis Wilson recovered a fumble at the Delta Devils’ 15, and Black then found Stephens for a 15-yard score.

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Jomarcus Savage has happy homecoming with Grambling victory over A&M

HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- When Jomarcus Savage decided to transfer from Auburn, he briefly considered Alabama A&M. "My parents were in my ear," he admitted. Naturally so, since his father Joe Savage played for A&M and since Jomarcus played at Johnson High. Alas, Alabama A&M was "too close to home," Jomarcus said.

Grambling State was apparently the right fit. On Saturday afternoon, as A&M held homecoming, so did Savage. For the first time since he was a 9-year-old linebacker in Pop Warner football, he was back at Louis Crews Stadium, this time for Grambling's 25-22 win over A&M.

Football team and the excitement around it proves to be heartbeat of Alabama A&M

HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- The prettiest girl. The most spectacular day. The greatest food. Every day should be homecoming. They just need to turn out differently than this one.

In a luxury box above Louis Crews Stadium, Alabama A&M president Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. was following the frantic final seconds. "If we can just get close enough to kick a field goal," he was saying as the Bulldogs gained a late first down, then stopped the clock.

Peering over rows of his guests in theater seats, Hugine watched Deaunte Mason throw his 31st pass of the game. If ... If ...

Batiste's return sparks GSU comeback

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Alabama A&M, with a chance to prove it is one of the elite teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference on Saturday, failed to deliver. The Bulldogs, who have struggled against Grambling since joining the conference, had the Tigers on the ropes, but could not land the punch to knock them out.

Frank Warren ran roughshod through A&M's vaunted defense, and the Tigers also got an 87-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that proved to be the difference as Grambling hung on for a 25-22 victory before an announced crowd of 12,328 on homecoming at Louis Crews Stadium.

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