TSU has lots of options at quarterback

Senior quarterback Antonio Heffner is ready to return to the starter role after ending last season wih a broken leg.

James Webster is scrambling for answers after watching his quarterbacks get clobbered every year he's been the coach at Tennessee State. In each of his three seasons with the Tigers, Webster's starting quarterbacks have been put out for the season because of injury.

That's why this year he's entering the season extra prepared, stockpiling six quarterbacks, including three — senior Antonio Heffner, sophomore Calvin McNairl and Missouri transfer Dominic Grooms — who he believes are all capable of being starters.

"My backup quarterbacks have started more games than my starting quarterbacks,'' Webster said. "And we're talking about the most important position on the field."

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SU set to hit practice fields

Southern University will start Camp Richardson XVI this afternoon. Ready? “Pete’s going to be ready,” junior quarterback Bryant Lee said of Southern’s football coach, Pete Richardson, now entering his 16th season with the Jaguars. And what about the players?

“We’ve been working hard in the offseason for this day,” said Lee, the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason offensive player of the year. “So we’re ready.” “We’ve been working hard in the offseason for this day,” said Lee, the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason offensive player of the year. “So we’re ready.”

SU went 8-3 last season and is picked to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s Western Division. That’s where the Jaguars finished last season. SU last won the SWAC in 2003 and last won the Western Division in ’04.

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Six questions SCSU football must answer in 2008

Call it the post-Centennial season for the South Carolina State football team.

Last year was a season-long celebration for the Bulldogs as they commemorated a 100-years of football. The only thing missing was a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship - a goal which has eluded the Bulldogs the past two seasons. As S.C. State embarks on the start of fall practice today, it is once again a preseason favorite looking to live up to lofty expectations. Despite returning 44 letter winners and the conference’s top offensive player in running back William Ford, the Bulldogs also find themselves looking to answer several questions entering the Aug. 30 season-opener at Central Florida:

IS THE “LONG” WAIT OVER?

From the moment quarterback Malcolm Long stepped on the S.C. State campus, high expectations have encircled him. His performance in spot duty against Howard when he threw two touchdowns and was 5-for-8 passing for 172 yards only increased the anticipation for the day when he would take the reins from quarterback Cleveland McCoy.

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Alabama State Hornets begin fall practice

With all of their paperwork in order and their belongings in dorm rooms, the Alabama State football players got down to real business Friday.

After a brief walk-thru session in the morning, the Hornets went through their first real practice later that day. "It was your typical first day," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "We were basically just looking to see who was in shape and watching some of the freshmen and junior college guys to see how they look. I was happy, overall."

Of course, critiquing is a bit tough for the coaches at this stage, with the players going through drills in only helmets and shorts. NCAA rules limit the amount of contact allowed and prevent teams from practicing in full pads until the fifth practice day. Until then, the Hornets, like all college teams, will work on conditioning and fundamental drills.

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AAMU Hudson has perfect start to preseason

A&M running back nets top score in team's conditioning test

Eric Hudson has a new name. Just call him Mr. Perfect. Hudson, a reserve running back at Alabama A&M, earned a perfect score in the Bulldogs' strength and conditioning test on Thursday. The 6-0, 190-pound redshirt junior finished with a team-high 50 points. He earned 10 points in each of the test's five parts - bench press, vertical jump, sit-ups, dips and running.

"I've taken care of business in the weight room, but I want to get on the field," said Hudson, who is stuck behind All-SWAC selection Ulysses Banks and redshirt sophomore Anthony Green. "That's my goal. I want to get on the field and help this team win some games." Hudson has struggled in his attempt to earn playing time.

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2008-09 NSU schedule kicks off with Bahamas trip

Michael Deloach, 6-0/175 guard, senior, Rocky Mount, N.C., Bonner Academy (Mark's Digital Photography).

Norfolk State's men's basketball team has lined up a 2008-09 schedule that includes its typical long December road trip to help fill the athletic department's coffers with guarantee money. But fans willing to do a little traveling can catch the Spartans in-state to begin the season. NSU kicks off the slate with games at Longwood (Nov. 16) and William and Mary (Nov. 19).

The Spartans are also going to take advantage of the NCAA's allotment of an overseas trip once every four years and will travel to the Bahamas in a few weeks for a two-game set against club teams in the Nassau area. NCAA rules allow for 10 days of practice before such trips.

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2008-2009 Men's Basketball Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time/Result Details
11/16/2008 Longwood Farmville, Va. 7 p.m. Details
11/19/2008 William & Mary Williamsburg, Va. 7 p.m. Details
11/25/2008 Michigan Ann Arbor, Mich. 8 p.m. Details
11/30/2008 Air Force Colorado Springs, Colo. 4 p.m. Details
12/2/2008 Jacksonville State Norfolk, Va. 7 p.m. Details
12/6/2008 * North Carolina A&T Greensboro, N.C. TBA Details
12/17/2008 Wright State Cleveland, Ohio TBA Details

Basketball Travelers Tip-Off Tournament
12/20/2008 TBA Springfield, Mo. TBA Details
12/21/2008 TBA Springfield, Mo. TBA Details

Montana State Classic
12/28/2008 Texas-Pan American Bozeman, Mont. TBA Details
12/29/2008 Consolation/Championship Bozeman, Mont. TBA Details

1/10/2009 * Coppin State Baltimore, Md. TBA Details
1/12/2009 * Morgan State Baltimore, Md. 7:30 p.m. Details
1/17/2009 * Delaware State Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m. Details
1/19/2009 * Maryland Eastern Shore Norfolk, Va. 8 p.m. Details
1/24/2009 * South Carolina State Orangeburg, S.C. 4 p.m. Details
1/26/2009 Winston-Salem State Winston-Salem, N.C. 7:30 p.m. Details
1/31/2009 * Hampton Hampton, Va. 6 p.m. Details
2/2/2009 * Howard Washington, D.C. 8 p.m. Details
2/7/2009 * Bethune-Cookman Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m. Details
2/9/2009 * Florida A&M Norfolk, Va. 8 p.m. Details
2/14/2009 * Delaware State Dover, Del. 4 p.m. Details
2/16/2009 * Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, Md. 7:30 p.m. Details
2/21/2009 * South Carolina State Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m. Details
2/23/2009 Winston-Salem State Norfolk, Va. 8 p.m. Details
2/28/2009 * Hampton Norfolk, Va. 6 p.m. Details
3/2/2009 * Howard Norfolk, Va. 8 p.m. Details
3/5/2009 * North Carolina A&T Norfolk, Va. 8 p.m. Details

2009 MEAC Basketball Tournament
3/10/2009 TBA Winston-Salem, N.C. TBA Details
3/11/2009 TBA Winston-Salem, N.C. TBA Details
3/12/2009 TBA Winston-Salem, N.C. TBA Details
3/13/2009 TBA Winston-Salem, N.C. TBA Details
3/13/2009 TBA Winston-Salem, N.C. TBA Details
3/14/2009 TBA Winston-Salem, N.C. TBA Details

Where does Marcus Smith fit in for Jackson State Tigers?

Marcus Smith, Senior 6-1/200 DB Miami, FL , American Senior H.S.(courtesy JSU Athletics)

Marcus Smith could just about taste that sweet flavor called success. The Jackson State outside linebacker/safety put on a show in 2006 with 50 tackles (fourth on the team) and a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown against Grambling. He was penciled in as a starter on a 2007 defense that became one of the best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, on a team that went 8-4 and won the school's first SWAC championship since 1996.

Everything looked good until one snap during the 2007 spring workouts - the snap of Smith's ankle. Good-bye season."You think you're going to be the man, then you get hurt," Smith said. "This year I'm keeping myself pretty calm. This year I'm really pretty humble. "I don't want to take anything for granted because I did last year."

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Final narrative for Grambling’s Landers hasn’t been written

Brandon Landers’ time at Grambling, as impressive as it is statistically, will always be one of lost promise. But his narrative is far from finished.

Landers initially signed as a prep quarterback with Doug Williams, only to see his would-be mentor leave for an NFL job. Then he was pushed too early, and with too little instruction, into the starting position as a true freshman in 2004 when Bruce Eugene went down. Then pushed back into a redshirt, and largely ignored, a season later when Eugene returned. Then pushed around as a redshirt sophomore in 2006, having belatedly retaken the starting position without ever having been properly prepared for it.

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NSU Tickets Available for Kentucky, William & Mary Road Football Games

Norfolk State University head football Coach Pete Adrian (Mark's Digital Photography)

By Matt Michalec, SID

NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State University Department of Athletics has received a limited number of tickets to sell for the Spartans’ road football games at Kentucky (Sept. 6) and William & Mary (Sept. 20).

Kentucky Ticket Information
• Tickets are $35 each. A $3 processing fee will apply to all mail orders.
• The designated NSU sections are 113, 114, 115 and/or 116. If handicap seating is needed, please notify the NSU Ticket Center Representative when placing your order.
• Orders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, tickets will be sold until the allotment has been depleted. Full payment must be remitted when the order is placed.
• Sales will begin immediately. The last day to purchase tickets will be Friday, Aug. 22.
• Tickets can be mailed or picked up at the NSU Ticket Office.
• Begin Mail Date: Monday, Aug. 4.
• Will Call Deadline: Monday, Sept. 1.

William & Mary Ticket Information
• The tickets are $25 for sideline seats and $19 for end zone seats. A $3 processing fee will apply to all mail orders.
• If handicap seating is needed, please notify the NSU Ticket Center Representative when placing your order.
• Orders will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, tickets will be sold until the allotment has been depleted. Full payment must be remitted when the order is placed.
• Sales will begin immediately. The last day to purchase tickets will be Friday, Sept. 5.
• Tickets can be mailed or picked up at the NSU Ticket Office.
• Begin Mail Date: Friday, Aug.8.
• Will Call Deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 17.

The NSU Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (757) 823-9009.

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ASU's Barlow welcomes the largest Hornets' squad in four years

ASU Coach Reggie Barlow incoming class has 30 freshmen, transfers and walk-ons signed in.

As university workers methodically marked the practice field and got the necessary equipment in place, a steady stream of players marched in and out of the Alabama State football offices Thursday. The players, some of them accompanied by their parents or other family members, filed in one by one, filled out the required paperwork, gathered their boxes of supplies and set off to find their assigned dorm rooms.

It was reporting day for the Hornets. Head coach Reggie Barlow welcomed in 89 players -- the largest number in at least four years at ASU -- and, to his delight, had no surprise no-shows. "It's in the air," said junior wide receiver Ronald Davis. "As more guys come in and we all start getting ready, the excitement just sort of builds. You can feel it around here right now. Everybody knows it's about time to go."

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"More than ever": Pough excited as SCSU reports, prepares for practice

Oliver “Buddy” Pough won’t be having a fun-filled Friday. Instead, Pough will spend the day checking 85 to 90 South Carolina State football players in, running through a little orientation and then comes the paperwork. “It’s a necessary evil,” Pough said Thursday evening. “Our compliance people have to get them to sign all types of paperwork. Our equipment people have to do all types of stuff. There is plenty to do. We have a full day ahead of us.”

The bright side? Get Friday’s paperwork and Saturday’s early-morning physical tests out the way, and around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon the Bulldogs can hit the field for their first fall practice of the 2008 season. Excited?

SCSU Bulldogs vs. Norfolk State University Spartans in 2007 (Mark's Digital Photography)

“More than ever,” Pough said without pause. “This is a new team, new kinds of faces. We have people moving around different places ... experiments to see how they will work. Marshall (McFadden) is moving up, Terrence (Smith) is moving over (from wide receiver to defensive back), and our quarterbacks ... I want to see how they are going to react to being the guys.

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A&M's class hurt by 10 ineligibles

At least 10 of Alabama A&M's incoming freshmen have been ruled academically ineligible and three more are still awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse concerning their status. A&M coach Anthony Jones said he knew there would be some academic casualties, but the numbers surprised him.

"We signed some kids that we knew would be on the borderline, but there were some others that we felt would make it but didn't," he said. "Hopefully, we can get them all here, get them acclimated to college and help them become successful student-athletes."

Those who failed to get eligible include running backs Trent Johnson and Kaderius Lacey, defensive linemen Regis Laister, Parker Marino and Tim Tillman, offensive linemen Clarence Lovell, Mike Patridge and Roberto Gonzales, wide receiver Rashad Daniels and fullback Devron Owensby. Jones wasn't sure how many would enroll at A&M this semester.

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Offer on table, but JSU hasn't signed it

Jackson State and the Department of Finance and Administration have yet to reach an agreement on the tenant-renter relationship for Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, DFA deputy executive director Rita Wray said Wednesday. The Tigers are scheduled to play their football home opener in the 67-year-old stadium on Sept. 6 against Stillman.

The DFA assumed control of the facility from a governor-appointed Stadium Commission July 1, per state legislation. "Nothing signed today .... but it's on the table," Wray said. "I received their stadium proposal that included (all of their concerns) and they were incorporated within that contract. I think it's going to be a win-win for both."

Jackson State president Ronald Mason has said the university would like control of game day operations and the opportunity to make more money off concessions, parking and advertising. Wray maintained that, "DFA will operate the stadium."

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Former Aggies J.J. Miller holding community fun day Aug. 2

How does a successful young professional basketball player give back to his community?

J.J. Miller, a professional basketball player from Chinquapin is giving back to Duplin County by hosting his free J.J. Miller’s Community Fun Day on Saturday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville.

J.J. Miller invites everyone out to enjoy a great day of amusement and fun. J.J. is hosting a fun day with rides, activities, games and more. The event is free to the public. Barbecue and chicken plates will be sold along with hot dogs and drinks. All proceeds will go to the Driven Perfect Foundation which goal is to enhance the lives of youth through education, mentoring, and recreational programs.

J.J. Miller, a former standout student athlete at East Duplin High School, finished his high school career as one of the top basketball players in the state, ranking 16th out of the top 100 players in North Carolina. Miller received a full athletic scholarship to play basketball at NC A&T State University where he majored in Elementary Education. He gained nationwide notoriety when he scored a record high 34 points on the Duke Blue Devils in 2000. Miller finished his collegiate career as a Historically Black Colleges & Universities All American and was ranked among the top 10 scoring guards in the country. J.J. turned professional in 2001. He has been playing throughout Europe for the past seven years and has been selected as a European All-Star four times.

J.J. Miller Basketball Highlights


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FAMU puts trust with West

The road to Florida A&M had so many twists and turns for Isaac West that another player might have gotten lost. West didn't play football for a year after winning a team MVP award his senior season at Lincoln High School. He wanted badly to follow in the footsteps of his cousin, Ron Dugans, and play at Florida State — until he was told a year of junior college would improve his chances of making it as a walk-on.

A year of waiting was enough, so West enrolled at FAMU last August and made the team as a walk-on. There he found himself in the shadow of senior Willie Hayward. He had to wait for prime time. It might finally be here for the speedy, lanky receiver. Hayward has graduated, and the Rattlers have a new coaching staff that sees talent in West that should make this his breakthrough season.

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Monte Purvis becomes assistant coach

Former QB returns to his alma mater

Former Winston-Salem State and Parkland quarterback Monte Purvis has always wanted to be a high school football coach. Even when he was performing in front of packed stadiums for the Rams he envisioned giving up calling plays in the huddle for a shot to call the shots on the sidelines. His former high school coach Dee Bell knew that, and told Purvis that if things didn’t work out on the field he would have a place on his staff.

“It’s good to have my money man back,” said Bell. “He led Parkland to our first state championship in school history. Now he’s coming back to coach. That’s a big deal. He’s going to be a good one. I made a good hire. He will help us out a lot.”

Purvis added: Things are going pretty good so far. I like being out here with the players. They’re easy to get along with. Plus, they’re willing to work to get better. They understand that it takes a lot of work to win a state championship. And, they understand that I know how much work it takes. Hard work took my team to a state championship.”

(Photo courtesy Mark's Digital Photography)

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SU defense coping with personnel losses

Southern University head football coach Pete Richardson is starting his 16th season leading the Jaguars.

Southern’s defense will have to deal with several losses even before the season begins. Junior defensive tackle Dwayne Charles and junior cornerback/return specialist Ronald Wade are academically ineligible and won’t play this season, Southern coach Pete Richardson said.

Also, linebackers D.J. Bolton (eight tackles) and Corey Ray (11 tackles) may be out with medical issues, Richardson said. Plus, defensive tackle Calvin Cunningham, who had one tackle and would have been a redshirt freshman this season, has decided to transfer, Richardson said. Cunningham, from Winston-Salem, N.C., missed spring practice after shoulder surgery.

Richardson said the school was also checking to see if sophomore end Ted Jones, who had eight tackles last season, would be eligible.

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SU reports for preseason camp

Excerpt:

“Moving day means it’s time to go to work.” As far as the newcomers, SU had a strong showing. Southern had 18 of its 23 signees show up on campus Thursday. That’s one of the best percentages of incoming freshmen to show up on the first day in the 16-year tenure of Richardson. “You get excited about the first day, especially with the first-year individuals,” Richardson said. “They’ll be here ready to go. They’re excited to play college football.”

Five recruits will be non-qualifiers and, as such, will not be able to play or practice this school year: West Feliciana High defensive back/wide receiver Tim Berry, McDonogh 35 (New Orleans) High offensive tackle Kennon Bradford, Northside (Lafayette) High wide receiver Ryan Broussard, Kentwood defensive back/wide receiver Alfred Franklin and Madison (Houston) High offensive lineman Odell Pippins.

Richardson said ....

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Colonie's Newsome Picks Mississippi Valley State

MVSU new head basketball coach Sean Woods has first blue chip commitment from 6-2 guard, Tashan Newsome from Colonie Central H.S., Albany, New York.

Another former Section II basketball standout is will be playing Division I college ball next season, with Colonie's Tashan Newsome giving his verbal commitment to Mississippi Valley State University. The Delta Devils won the SWAC last season, advancing to the NCAA's where they lost to UCLA.

"They were very interested in me. They didn't want me to do anything else. They wanted me bad and when you show that kind of loyalty and interest in me, I'm going to show it back," Newsome said. Newsome, and his AAU coach Antwan Morrison said the list of schools interested in the 6-2 senior guard was extensive.

North Carolina Central, Villanova, Sacred Heart, VCU, Norfolk State, St. John's, Virginia Tech, George Mason were schools on that list.

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Quinn Gray working on intricacies of Peyton Manning's offense

Former MEAC star quarterback Quinn Gray (FAMU) is grasping the Colts complex offense.

TERRE HAUTE — Peyton Manning might not be on the field at Colts training camp in person, but his influence over the franchise has as much to do with mind and spirit as it does body. Just ask quarterback Quinn Gray.

After Manning had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his left knee, Gray was one of two quarterbacks the Colts signed (Jared Lorenzen was the other) last week to bolster depth at the position. Gray was with Jacksonville from 2002-07, with a brief stay in Houston this spring before he was released in June by the Texans. Since the Jaguars ran a run-oriented, ball control offense, it was a given that Gray would have an adjustment period when he came to the pass-oriented Colts. He wasn’t shy about just how challenging that adjustment has been.

“The offense has been a real [expletive], but it’s coming, I’m getting it, I’m staying with my book constantly because everything’s in and it’s a full go,” Gray said.

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