On homecoming, Howard Bison falls to Norfolk State, 10-9

The Bison are now 2-27 in MEAC games under Coach Carey Bailey, who is in his fourth season.

One word sums up Howard's season - injuries. The Bison are banged up at just about every position, but their wounds are most noticeable on offense. The ever-rotating cast of quarterbacks, running backs and offensive linemen may be the biggest reason why Howard has been offensively challenged this season.

The Bison went into Saturday's 10-9 homecoming loss to Norfolk State without all-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference wide receiver Willie Carter, who injured his ankle in last week's loss at North Carolina A&T. Running back Justin Duncan came back after missing four weeks because of a lower back and hip injury, but running back Charles Brice, who had led Howard in rushing the past four weeks, went out in the second quarter with a shoulder injury.

Howard Drops Hard-Fought Battle to Norfolk State

Washington, DC—October 30---The Howard University football team battled Norfolk State for four quarters, but it came down to a case of too many key injuries on offense for the Bison as the Spartans, prevailed 10-9 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game before an overflow homecoming crowd of 7,086 at Greene Stadium.

Howard (1-7 overall, 0-5 in the MEAC) came into the game with injuries to six starters, including all-MEAC performer, junior wide receiver Wille Carter. Carter, who injured an ankle in the loss to North Carolina A&T last week, is the team's top playmaker and his absence definitely had an impact on the game.

Attendance: 7,086

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Howard University Showtime Marching Band, Pre-game Performance 10/30/10

DSU Hornets say they're up for challenge against S.C. State Bulldogs

DOVER, DE -- A tough season will not become any easier today when Delaware State's football team hosts South Carolina State, the two-time reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions who are ranked 17th nationally in Division I-AA. DSU (1-6 overall, 1-4 MEAC) hosts the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-1) at Alumni Stadium at 1 this afternoon. The Hornets say they will not be intimidated.

"They're one of the best teams in the MEAC, so we've had to prepare hard this week for a very competitive match," said Andre Caroll, a redshirt senior defensive lineman for DSU.

The Hornets are hoping to follow the same blueprint as last season, when they won two out of their last three games to finish 4-7 despite struggling to a 1-5 start, which included a forfeit loss because of a scheduling conflict.

Hornets Gameday

South Carolina State (5-2, 3-1 MEAC) at Delaware State (1-6, 1-4)
1:00 p.m. today, Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE
Radio: WWTX-1290, WDOV-1410

Bulldogs on offense: QB Malcolm Long (6-3, 250, sr.) has completed 102 of 177 passes (57.6 percent) for 948 yards with a pair of touchdowns and six interceptions. RB Chris Massey (5-11, 220, sr.) has rushed for 639 yards on 124 carries and has scored six TDs. RB Asheton Jordan (6-0, 205, so.) has gained 396 yards on 61 carries with four TDs. WR Lennell Elmore (5-11, 170, r-so.) leads the team with 38 catches for 445 yards.

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Jackson State vs. Prairie View A&M

When: Today, 4 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Television: None
Radio: JSU Network (WHLA-95.5 FM, Jackson)
Records: Jackson State: 5-2, 3-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference; Prairie View A&M: 5-3, 4-2 SWAC
History: Last meeting: Prairie View 30, Jackson State 27, 2007
All-time series: Jackson State leads 34-14-2

What a way to begin a critical season-ending four-game stretch than welcoming the defending SWAC champions into Memorial Stadium for homecoming. Already strapped with two SWAC losses, the Panthers likely won't catch Grambling in the SWAC West. Their motivation? A possible at-large bid into the Football Championship Subdivision's expanded playoffs, and, maybe more importantly, ruining JSU's homecoming and hampering the Tigers' path to the SWAC Championship Game.

Injuries exact toll on Tigers' defense

These days, a simple glance around the Jackson State practice field reveals plenty about the team's crippled defense. Linebacker Milton Patterson's left forearm is covered in a dark cast, protecting the broken bones in his wrist.

Cornerback Jeremy Keys wears a different shoe than everyone else because he's playing with a fractured foot. Defensive end Sam Washington spends some of his time watching from the sideline because of a sore lower back.



Boom warned about violations

JSU's marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South, was publicly reprimanded this week by the Southwestern Athletic Conference for playing during game action. The Boom could be suspended or fined for more offenses. Conference rules state that "once the offensive team breaks the huddle and approaches the line of scrimmage, the band shall cease playing."

This particular offense, the league said in a statement, occurred during JSU's game against Alabama A&M on Oct. 9, but the Boom has been told by the head referee to stop playing during several other games this season.

Panthers loaded with motivation for clash with Tigers

When Eric "Shorty" Greene thinks of Prairie View A&M, he can't help but remember his playing days at Jackson State. Back then, in the early 1990s, Prairie View was on what would be an 80-game losing streak. The program gave few or no football scholarships. And, frankly, didn't give programs like JSU much trouble.

"When they got off the bus," Greene said, "we knew we were going to whip them."

Nowadays, Prairie View is anything but the Southwestern Athletic Conference's dog. In fact, the school won the conference last season. It was the first SWAC championship for the program in 45 years.

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Chowan arrives as a spoiler

While the door remains cracked, Elizabeth City State feels like it was slammed in its face last week. The Vikings rolled up 507 yards of offense, yet managed just two touchdowns in a 20-12 loss at Bowie State to all but end their hopes of a trip to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship game.

It was ECSU’s second loss in a row, leaving the Vikings a game down in the loss column to both Virginia State and Bowie State with two games remaining.

Follow Chowan at Elizabeth City State on Saturday

ELIZABETH CITY, NC - Chowan University football fans can follow Saturday's game at Elizabeth City State University by logging onto GAME DAY CENTRAL on the Hawks' athletic website. Play-by-play man Gattis Hodges will be bringing the gridiron action to fans via live audio webcast. CU's women's basketball coach, Patrick Mashuda, will join him this week as the color commentator. Fans can also get live Twitter updates at www.twitter.com/cuhawks.

Currently the Hawks and Vikings are tied for third in the CIAA Northern Division at 3-2. Bowie State and Virginia State are tied at the top of the division. (Log onto www.theciaa.com for complete listing of standings)



Powell back at quarterback for ECSU

Elizabeth City State got some good new this week when starting quarterback Creven Powell was given medical clearance to play. The Vikings will need him and a little luck as they chase a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association championship, beginning with today’s game at Bowie State.

Elizabeth City State’s Air Viking I arrives

Elizabeth City State University’s aviation program was flying high Friday, as university and local officials celebrated the arrival of the program’s newest airplane.

ECSU linemen many miles from home

Homecoming means different things to different people, but for at least three Elizabeth City State football players, this weekend’s homecoming festivities will be spent about as far away from home as you can get.

Baron Coffin, Sanerivi Reupena and Kahawaiolaa Soon share a background that is a far cry from northeast North Carolina. All three are junior offensive linemen from California junior colleges, which is how they arrived in Elizabeth City. But their Polynesian heritage sets them apart. Coffin hails from American Samoa, Soon is from Hawaii and Reupena was born in California, but his parents are native Samoans.

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Morgan State opportunistic on both sides of ball

One thing that Morgan State football coach Donald Hill-Eley found out about his team last weekend was his players are a very opportunistic bunch.

The Bears had to rally in the fourth quarter to get a 10-point victory over struggling Delaware State to remain a contender in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship race. Sheldon Jacques returned a fumble 2 yards for the final touchdown, adding to an already tough performance by the MSU defense.

Morgan State at Florida A&M Matchup

When Morgan State has the ball... Florida A&M has feasted on teams like Morgan State who statistically are one of the worst offenses in Division I-AA. The Bears are averaging just 3.57 yards per play and 214.1 total yards per game, which is 116th out of 117 teams. The only other team worse than 100th in that category with a winning record is Florida A&M, whose total offense is 107th.

Morgan State may have a plodding offense, but it takes advantage of scoring opportunities when they arise. In Mid-Eastern Conference play Morgan State is averaging 28.3 points per game, primarily through running the football.

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Eliminating turnovers key to ASU Braves' success

LORMAN, MS — If the Alcorn State Braves are going to end a four-game losing streak, they are going to have to kick the bugaboo that has haunted them the entire season — turnovers. The Braves have turned the ball over a total of eight times in their last three games, all conference losses which dropped their record to 2-3 in the SWAC.

And Alcorn head coach Earnest Collins knows eliminating the mistakes will be a big key as his team hosts Southern University (2-5, 1-4 SWAC) at 2 p.m. Saturday. “We have got to cut down on our turnovers if we want to beat our old nemesis,” Collins said. “We’ve turned the ball over way too much.”

JSU, Alabama State, Alcorn all chasing East championship

What a messy East. The Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division is more jumbled than its counterpart in the Southeastern Conference. OK, maybe not quite that bad. But with about a month left in the season, three Eastern teams have a legitimate shot at winning the division and going to Birmingham for the conference title game.

The East became so muddled last week when Jackson State missed a chance to grab a two-game lead in the division. Couple that with Alcorn State's third straight conference loss last week and the East has turned into one unpredictable mess, where Alcorn (3-4, 2-3), Jackson State (5-2, 3-2) and, now, Alabama State (4-3, 3-3) have a legit shot to take the crown.



SU’s struggles, improvement no surprise to Alcorn’s Collins

Earnest Collins said he wasn’t surprised to see Southern struggle early on this season. But he also said the Jaguars are getting better each week in their first year under Stump Mitchell, and he’s not surprised at that, either.

“With Southern, you knew they were going to have to get it on track,” said Collins, who, as the second-year coach at Alcorn State, knows about every pothole and speed bump a new football program is sure to hit.

Canadians playing well for Alcorn State

True freshman Brandon Bridge has already earned a nickname fitting of a young passer full of talent and promise, a subtle reference to a former Alcorn State legend: Air Canada. Problem is, Bridge’s defensive countryman has yet to earn such a permanent moniker. Some folks call inside linebacker Herve’ Tonye-Tonye by his last name, while others prefer “The Canadian Barbarian.”

“They call him a bunch of different stuff, but he doesn’t have one nickname like Brandon,” said his older brother, Raymond, who is also his roommate.

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Already battling for recruits, ODU-HU set to battle on the field

Hampton University was first. But Old Dominion was shinier. Colby Goodwyn rushed for 1,869 yards and 29 touchdowns in a senior season at Phoebus High that culminated in the 2009 Group AAA Division 5 state title. The Pirates took notice early on, making Goodwyn his first scholarship offer during the season.

The Monarchs, in their second season of FCS play, came later, with a phone call during a celebratory post-championship dinner. Goodwyn excused the tardiness. “I was thinking, ‘I want to see what else might come open,’ ” he said. “The facilities are real nice (at ODU), and the teaching and all that stuff. Everything’s brand-new here. I like it a lot.”

Hampton, Old Dominion launch new rivalry Saturday

Just down the road at Hampton University's Armstrong Stadium on Saturday afternoon, they'll stage a football game that doubles as a socially competitive exercise. Or vice versa. Hampton U. and Old Dominion meet at 1 p.m. in a game with no tradition and little bearing on the big-picture aspirations of both programs, yet is widely anticipated in both camps.

In the football offices at Hampton U. and on Norfolk's Powhatan Avenue, they're calling this a big game. Not in the "Every game is a big game" or "It's a big game because it's the next game on our schedule" coaches' mantra that provokes reflexive eye-rolls among non-believers.

Hampton-Old Dominion: The preview, our prediction

HAMPTON (5-2, 4-1 MEAC) vs. OLD DOMINION (4-3)
WHEN: 1 p.m.
WHERE: Armstrong Stadium
TV/RADIO: 88.1 FM

THE BUZZ: The Pirates play host to ODU in the first game of a home-and-away series with the second-year Monarchs. Hampton's defense ranks 13th in the country, allowing opponents less than 290 yards per game, but its offense has scored just 14 points in its last two games. ODU averages 29.4 points, but gives up 23.9.

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Wildcats blackout Aggies: Bethune-Cookman 67, N. Carolina A&T 17

B-CU game delayed by power outage

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- The game was billed this week as a "black-out."

Bethune-Cookman marketers had no idea how prophetic that label would be. As the Wildcats were setting up for a 2-point conversion with 3:37 left in the first quarter Thursday night, power went out at Municipal Stadium. Because of a blown transformer and lightning in the area, B-CU's nationally televised game with North Carolina A&T was delayed for one hour and 42 minutes with the Wildcats leading 19-0.

B-CU (8-0, 5-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) went on to defeat N.C. A&T 67-17 as the Wildcats racked up 621 yards of total offense.

NC A&T's primetime game goes awry

The bus left Greensboro early Tuesday morning for the long ride to Daytona Beach, Fla., where N.C. A&T would get its one shot at a nationally televised game this season. This wasn’t what the Aggies (1-8, 1-5 MEAC) had in mind.

Not a 50-point loss. And certainly not a game that started Thursday night and ended in the wee small hours of Friday morning. A&T’s primetime showcase game on ESPNU at undefeated Bethune-Cookman (8-0, 5-0) got off to a rough start. The host Wildcats scored on their first three possessions to take a 19-0 lead. Then the lights went out.



Power outage darkens B-CU spotlight

DAYTONA BEACH -- The spotlight on Bethune-Cookman University's football program went dark Thursday night when a distant piece of power equipment -- a lightning protector about a mile-and-a-half from Municipal Stadium -- sent the game into an hourlong blackout.

B-CU, playing in front of a national TV audience on ESPN's college-dedicated ESPNU channel, was leading 19-0 late in the first quarter when, at 8:16 p.m., the stadium went dark. Moments later, a thunderstorm moved over the stadium.

Mayhew Reaches 1000, Aggies Fall To Wildcats

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- Junior running back Mike Mayhew was the bright spot in what otherwise was a very dim night for the North Carolina A&T football team. His historic season continued on Thursday as he rushed for 211 yards on 31 carries. He is the first Aggie to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since Brandon Sweeney rushed for 205 yards on Oct. 8, 2005 against Morgan State at FedEx Field.

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Shaw holds keys to CIAA championship

Kienus Boulware doesn’t get too excited too often. As the coordinator of Winston-Salem State’s defense, he has used his steady hand and quiet nature to help make an already talented unit even better.

On Saturday, Boulware will face his old boss, Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw. Boulware spent the previous four seasons as Shaw’s defensive coordinator, and his players sense something different this week. “When you are playing a school you used to coach, there’s a different feeling,” defensive lineman Juan Corders of WSSU said. “Of course Coach Boulware wants us to be successful on Saturday.”



Stakes sky high for WSSU, Shaw

Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw is well aware of what his team will have at stake the next two Saturdays. First, his Bears will take on the 18th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams at 1 p.m. Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The next weekend, on Nov. 6, they will play No. 23 St. Augustine’s.

“When you get down to this point in the season, they are all big,” said Asberry, who is in his fifth season. With Shaw (6-2, 5-0 CIAA), WSSU (8-1, 5-1) and St. Aug’s (7-1, 5-0) all chasing the CIAA’s Southern Division title, there’s late-season drama, but Asberry said that’s not a bad thing.

Maynor: Playoffs begin now for Rams

Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State has done a good job keeping his players from worrying about whether one game is more important than another. He doesn’t have that luxury this week. The 18th-ranked Rams (8-1, 5-1 CIAA) will play the Shaw Bears (6-2, 5-0) in their regular-season finale Saturday. For WSSU, it might as well be a championship game.

“It doesn’t get any bigger,” Maynor said. “We have to win it.”

The game will help settle who wins the CIAA’s Southern Division title. A loss most likely would end the season for the Rams, eliminating them from the Southern Division race and a shot at the Division II playoffs.

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A Rattler with deep roots: Bobby Lang hails from the glory days of Jake Gaither

A small rose garden at the entrance of Bobby Lang's home seems a fitting prelude to the tranquility inside. There are no wall-of-fame mementos of the many championships his teams won when Lang coached track and field at Florida A&M University.

Yet hours of conversation reveal the years of accomplishments Lang enjoyed in a coaching career that spanned more than four decades, including the years he spent as a multi-sport coach at FAMU High. Talk long enough with Lang, and he will touch on being the offensive line coach under four different FAMU coaches before becoming Rudy Hubbard's defensive line coach.

FAMU Rattler relishes homecoming as a chance to give back to her alma mater

I hail from the university that sits on the highest of Tallahassee's seven hills. Yes, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. It was my school of choice. To this day, I proudly say I'm so glad I'm from FAMU!

I'm sure you've seen in the Tallahassee Democrat that this week is homecoming. It was always a good time while I was a student — with all the parties and entertainment events going on. Now that I've graduated, homecoming has become more important to me, because it means the Rattlers are returning home. It's the time for me to see all my friends who I haven't seen in a year or longer. It'll be like a big family reunion.



Ukpai develops as FAMU leader on and off field

The first day of practice this week had been completed for more than 30 minutes and quarterback Martin Ukpai was still on the field with a handful of Florida A&M players from the offensive unit. When they were done tossing balls and making catches, they huddled in a close circle.

Ukpai had a lot to say, being very animated as he went through specifics of plays. His mannerism resembled the way he took charge of the offense in Saturday's game against Norfolk State.

FAMU homecoming activities kick into high gear

Florida A&M University’s 2010 homecoming has gone into full swing starting with events on Saturday. This year’s theme is: Lights, Camera, Action: The Reel Rattler Spirit. The schedule of events for homecoming is as follows:

Friday - Homecoming Convocation in Gaither Gymnasium from 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Keynote speaker is FAMU alumna Sonia Myles, director for Global Printed Packaging Purchases for Proctor and Gamble Company.

MSU, Florida A&M Will Battle to Stay in MEAC Title Contention on Saturday

2010 MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL
Game 8
Saturday, October 30 – 3 p.m. (ET)
Morgan State (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) at Florida A&M (4-3, 3-1 MEAC)
Florida A&M Homecoming
Tallahassee, Fla. – Bragg Memorial Stadium
Live Coverage)
Radio: WEAA Radio (88.9 FM) in Baltimore, Md. Rob Long (Play-by-Play).
Live Stream: www.morganstatebears.com
Rattlers TV: http://www.famu.edu/famcast/


Rattlers not new to playing crucial homecoming game

Running back Philip Sylvester can joke about it now, but when Florida A&M lost its 2008 homecoming game to Morgan State, it dealt the Rattlers' postseason hopes a huge blow.

The scenario is the same this year: FAMU has to beat the Bears on homecoming to keep its hopes alive for a shot at winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. But Sylvester, who will be one of the Rattlers' featured weapons, couldn't help being a little humorous earlier this week about the matchup.

FAMU Homecoming parade gets rolling on Saturday

FAMU's homecoming festivities are winding down with this weekend's activities, which include the annual high-stepping parade and the game against Morgan State, while FSU's homecoming is getting ready to crank up.

Today (Orange And Green Day)

Homecoming Convocation featuring FAMU alumna Sonia Myles at 10:10 a.m. in Gaither Gymnasium on Wahnish Way on FAMU campus. Call 599-3400.

Block party and concert featuring K. Michelle, Midget Mac, Trina, Webbie and Ice Bergat at 1 p.m. at FAMU Park on West Osceola Street, near the softball field on campus. Free.

Coach heads turf initiative

With the football season in motion, Florida A&M is standing 4-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, head coach Joe Taylor has put his prime initiative of revamping Bragg Memorial Stadium's football field on pause until the season is over. Artificial turf was initially aimed at being installed by the Oct. 2 game against South Carolina State, but lack of funds from the Got Turf campaign postponed those plans.

However, Taylor is optimistic that the new field will be installed over the summer and in place for the 2011 football season. University Relations confirmed the amount needed is $750,000, and as of August 5, approximately $50,000 had been raised.

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Magic City Classic on SWAC TV

Birmingham, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference will carry live the 69th Magic City Classic from Legion Field on SWAC TV. The free telecast will begin Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (CT) with the kickoff between Alabama A&M and Alabama State set for 2:30.

The game will not be broadcast on television, so fans that are unable to make it to the stadium, can catch all the action on their computer at www.swac.org/allaccess.

SWAC Cross Country Championship Set for Sunday

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference kicks off the 2010 Fall Championships schedule on Sunday, October 31 with the Men's and Women's Cross Country Championship held at the Choctaw Running Trails in Clinton, Miss.

The women's 5K race will start at 9:00 a.m., followed by men's 8K competition at 10:15 am. A year ago, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff men and women won team titles at the conference's championship meet in Baton Rouge, La.

SWAC Cross Country Championship Central

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Howard University: "No other homecoming compares"

First, this is a sports blog, so we must not get our priorities twisted...

There is a big homecoming game this Saturday with Norfolk State University Spartans vs. your Howard University Bison at Greene Stadium. Game time is 1:00 p.m. Tickets are still available.

The Sports Information department at HU has been working overtime to keep everyone informed about the exciting sports activities planned for the remainder of the week. A great thank you to Ed Hill, Director and Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information for the timely release and links sent for VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 of THE BISON, the official newsletter of Howard Athletics.

Click Here to view "The Bison" Newsletter. Ticket information is included in this issue and for other events.

CLICK HERE to view the complete Howard Bison vs. Norfolk State Spartans game notes.

If you missed Midnight Madness at Howard University 2010, here are the highlights...hosted by Jae Murphy and music by DJ Chubb E. Swagg. Get your season tickets early...The Burr will be rocking with Men's Basketball Coach Kevin Nickelberry and Women's Coach Nikki Reid Geckeler high powered teams.

Now to the Real HU party stuff...

Tyrese Gibson to be grand marshal at Howard Homecoming Parade

Howard University usually unveils its celebrity homecoming officials (in recent years: Taraji Henson, Terrence Howard) with much fanfare. Sorry, no longer possible in the Twitter era: Before the school could announce him as this year's grand marshal, actor/singer Tyrese Gibson did via tweet Tuesday. Oh well! The "Transformers" star will head up Saturday's parade; other celebs expected around the Yard this weekend include rapper Rick Ross and alumni Tracie Thoms and Amiri Baraka.

Howard: "No other homecoming compares"

There are university homecoming celebrations -- and then there's homecoming at Howard University. It's an epic nine-day-long event that attracts more than 100,000 people each year, including a number of celebs.

"No other homecoming compares. Ours is the one that everyone tries to do; we are trendsetters," Homecoming Chair Brian Cox told the student newspaper, The Hilltop, as he explained this year's theme, "The Dynasty."
Going Out Guide: Howard University homecoming, Yardfest, DJ Chris Washington

Howard University's homecoming is about more than a football game. Would a mere college sporting event be immortalized in rhymes by Biggie and Ludacris, play host to live performances by Kanye West or P. Diddy and have thousands of non-alumni pouring into town to hit packed nightclub parties?

The Click Track 2010 Howard Homecoming Draft!

When confronted with a smorgasbord of live music, Click Track's Chris Richards and David Malitz see no other way of divvying up the spoils than with a draft. It worked well at FreeFest, so they're giving it another go with the Click Track 2010 Howard Homecoming Draft.



Coronation Celebrates a New Reign of Howard Students

Family members, friends and staff gathered in the Armour J. Blackburn Auditorium at 7 p.m. for the recognition of Mr. and Miss Howard University and the royal court winners Friday.

Senior theatre arts major, Jeffrey Rashad Pugh, and senior music education major, Adrian Pruett, were honored as the king and queen of Howard University. Both contestants were surprised by the coronation ceremony as neither had been allowed to go to practice with the other royal court winners or see the ballroom until the night of coronation.




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CLICK HERE to view the complete Howard Bison vs. Norfolk State game notes.

TONIGHT: 7:30 p.m. B-CU and NCA&T ready for close-up with nation on ESPNU

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Followers of college football's second tier (formerly Division I-AA; formally the Football Championship Subdivision) have likely been wondering about what's behind Bethune-Cookman's turnaround this season.

They'll get their best chance yet to take a look for themselves tonight as B-CU, ranked 12th in the national FCS poll, plays North Carolina A&T at Daytona Beach's Municipal Stadium, and the game will be televised live on ESPN's college-dedicated channel, ESPNU.

"It's still football," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "You still have to play on a 100-yard field between the white lines. It hasn't disrupted us at all. We're getting prepared for the game and will be ready to play."

Hines was the missing ingredient

The North Carolina A&T football team earned its first win of the season on Oct. 23 with a 52-32 victory over Howard. The win ends a 10-game losing streak for the Aggies and is their first since defeating Howard 30-19 on Oct. 24, 2009. "More excited for them to see the hard work and all those things pay off because they have been working hard," said head coach Alonzo Lee. "They have been getting out there doing great things."

The star of the game for the Aggies was George Hines, the standout outfielder for the Aggies baseball team. He started for the second consecutive game on Saturday after making his debut in last weeks lost to Delaware State. Hines went 12-16 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns, crediting the coaching staff for his preparation and knowing where the Bison defense would be.

"Of Course George Hines with that addition...

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ASU-A&M prepare for Magic City Classic

Alabama State and Alabama A&M have significantly different goals for the rest of the season. ASU remains in the thick of contention for the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title, while A&M is trying to end a three-game losing streak and salvage a season gone sour. But for one week, both these teams have the same objective: win the Magic City Classic. In many ways, winning this game is one of the primary objectives for any season.

"This game goes a long way in determining whether you have a successful year," said A&M coach Anthony Jones. "You feel more pressure on this game than any other one. Nobody will accept any excuses for losing." The 69th playing of the Magic City Classic is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legion Field in Birmingham.

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Hampton Pirates Football Set To Take On Old Dominion

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, when they return to Armstrong Stadium to take on Old Dominion at 1 p.m.

The Pirates (5-2) had their five-game winning streak snapped with a 10-7 loss on the road to South Carolina State this past Saturday, while the second-year Monarchs (4-3), under the direction of head coach Bobby Wilder, have won three of their last four after a 34-20 Homecoming win over Georgia State.

Saturday’s game will be the first-ever meeting between Hampton and Old Dominion; the Monarchs are in just their second year of competition after going nearly 70 years without a football team. After a 9-2 debut in 2009, ODU now holds the mark for the most wins ever for an FCS program in its first season.

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GSU’s Warren and ASU’s Jennings Win HSRN.com National Player of the Week Honors

Hartly, DE – Grambling State’s Frank Warren and Albany State’s Stanley Jennings are the winners of week nine player of the week fan poll voting. Each week during the season, HSRN’s staff will select the top performances from all HBCU action and give the fans across the country a chance to vote for the Player of the Week.

HSRN developed the fan poll to get all HBCU alumni, students and fans involved with the national process and to also give everyone a chance to consistently keep up with the individual performances around the country. This web site and our broadcasts are designed to keep you abreast of all action around HBCU athletic competition.

Div. I-FCS
Frank Warren – Grambling State - RB – 5’9, 200 – SR/Pleasant Grove, AL
Warren finished the game with 209 yards on 27 carries, a 7.0 per carry average and touchdown runs for 85 and 39 yards. He led the Tigers to a 35-14 win over Mississippi Valley State



Div. II
Stanley Jennings – Albany State – QB – 6’2, 235 – JR/Marietta, GA
Jennings orchestrated ASU’s fourth quarter 13-12 come-from-behind win over Morehouse. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 202 yards, including the game winning five yard pass with 18 seconds on the clock. He also led the Golden Rams in rushing with 73 yards on 15 carries, including a 12 yard TD run. Jennings finished the game with 253 yards of total offense.

GSU's Warren rushing toward record books

GRAMBLING, LA — Grambling State running back Frank Warren is well on his way to shattering just about every meaningful rushing record in program history.

After Saturday's 209-yard, two-touchdown performance in GSU's 35-14 victory over Mississippi Valley State, Warren has 3,515 rushing yards for his career and 1,142 yards this season. He's already become Grambling's first 1,000-yard rushing since Brad Hill accomplished the feat in 2001, but even bigger accolades are on the horizon. Warren needs 260 more rushing yards to break...

Grambling's Warren earns SWAC honor

Grambling running back Frank Warren has been named the SWAC's Offensive Player of the Week. Warren carried 27 times for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground in Grambling’s 35-14 victory at Mississippi Valley State. He became Grambling’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2001, and he is the only player in FCS this season to have three 200-yard rushing games.

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Saturday's WSSU/Shaw game moved to Durham County Stadium

WSSU’s final regular-season game with Shaw on Saturday at 1 p.m. will be played at Durham County Stadium instead of Millbrook High School in Raleigh. The game originally was scheduled for Millbrook, where Shaw plays most of its home games because it does not have a stadium on campus. Durham County Stadium is also where the CIAA Championship Game will be played on Nov. 13. For information on tickets call the WSSU ticket office at 750-3220.

Bill Hayes, the Rams’ athletics director, spent a lot of time on the field during Saturday’s homecoming game against UNC Pembroke but he wasn’t coaching. Instead, he was recognizing the many donors, both alumni and corporate, who have ...

Winston-Salem State Needs Win And A Little Help

Winston-Salem, N.C.--The 8-1 Winston Salem State head into Saturday's showdown with CIAA Rival Shaw needing a win and a little help the following week to earn a spot in the Conference Championship game.

Shaw and Saint Augustine's sit atop the CIAA Southern Division Standings with 5-0 records with the Rams just behind at 5-1. Winston-Salem State needs to knock off Shaw, and have Shaw beat Saint Augustine's the following week to create a 3 way tie atop the Division.

Stakes sky high for WSSU, Shaw

Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw is well aware of what his team will have at stake the next two Saturdays. First, his Bears will take on the 18th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams at 1 p.m. Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The next weekend, on Nov. 6, they will play No. 23 St. Augustine’s.

“When you get down to this point in the season, they are all big,” said Asberry, who is in his fifth season. With Shaw (6-2, 5-0 CIAA), WSSU (8-1, 5-1) and St. Aug’s (7-1, 5-0) all chasing the CIAA’s Southern Division title, there’s late-season drama, but Asberry said that’s not a bad thing.

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ASU Rams get SIAC honors, move to No. 6 in poll

ALBANY, GA — It looks like Albany State’s 13-12 win against Morehouse on Saturday was pretty significant.

Not only did the Rams (8-0 overall, 7-0 in the SIAC) move up to No. 6 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, they kicked the Tigers out completely and earned some SIAC awards in the process.
Junior quarterback Stanley Jennings was named Newcomer of the Week, while junior offensive lineman Ricory Green received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.

Jennings orchestrated ASU’s come-from-behind victory as he completed 19 of 31 passes for 202 yards, including the game-winning five-yard pass with 18 seconds on the clock. The Marietta-native also scored on a 12-yard touchdown rush and led the Rams in rushing with 73 yards on 15 carries.




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VSU controls destiny for CIAA final berth

Virginia State will go into Saturday's game at archrival Virginia Union controlling its destiny for the Northern Division berth in the CIAA championship game, which will be played in Durham County (N.C.) Stadium for the third straight year Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.

"We look forward to our premier football event returning to Durham. Without question, the 2010 season is one of the most exciting in CIAA history," Commissioner Leon Kerry said. "We still have seven teams with a realistic chance of winning their division and a place in the championship game."

Still in the Northern Division hunt with the Trojans over the closing weeks of the regular season are Bowie State, Elizabeth City State and Chowan.

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