Monday, September 3, 2007
Tennessee State steamrolled by AAMU Bulldogs
Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands--"Cause I Love You"
TSU coach has confidence in quarterback despite loss
By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer , Tennessean
Tennessee State Coach James Webster acknowledged quarterback Antonio Heffner did not play well in Saturday's 49-23 loss to Alabama A&M and that his backup, freshman Calvin McNairl, was plenty impressive.
But Webster said he is not considering changing quarterbacks as the Tigers prepare for Saturday's game against Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis.
"It's obvious to everybody that Saturday was not one of Antonio's better games,'' Webster said. "There were some situations where he could have made some better throws. But he did make some plays. The guy gave his best, he tried, and that's all I can ever ask any of them to do.
"Heff's going to be OK, and we're going to be OK."
Heffner was unable to keep the offense in gear. His ability to run and throw kept A&M's defense off-balance at times, allowing TSU to sporadically make big plays.
But Heffner was responsible for four turnovers — three interceptions and a fumble — and A&M scored three touchdowns as a result. He completed 15-of-30 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. But he also was sacked once and had three passes broken up.
After Heffner's third interception, he was replaced by McNairl midway into the fourth quarter.
McNairl gets a chance
The freshman from Henry County, considered one of the state's top quarterback prospects, showed no jitters. He broke several tackles on a 19-yard TD run and gained 15 yards on a keeper later. He finished with 43 yards on just three carries.
But many of A&M's starters were out of the game, and he completed only 1-of-3 passes.
"I thought it was good game experience for (McNairl) to be able to come in,'' Webster said. "He moved the football team and put us in the end zone. He operated things well, particularly considering that he's a true freshman."
Tennessee State Coach James Webster acknowledged quarterback Antonio Heffner did not play well in Saturday's 49-23 loss to Alabama A&M and that his backup, freshman Calvin McNairl, was plenty impressive.
But Webster said he is not considering changing quarterbacks as the Tigers prepare for Saturday's game against Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis.
"It's obvious to everybody that Saturday was not one of Antonio's better games,'' Webster said. "There were some situations where he could have made some better throws. But he did make some plays. The guy gave his best, he tried, and that's all I can ever ask any of them to do.
"Heff's going to be OK, and we're going to be OK."
Heffner was unable to keep the offense in gear. His ability to run and throw kept A&M's defense off-balance at times, allowing TSU to sporadically make big plays.
But Heffner was responsible for four turnovers — three interceptions and a fumble — and A&M scored three touchdowns as a result. He completed 15-of-30 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. But he also was sacked once and had three passes broken up.
After Heffner's third interception, he was replaced by McNairl midway into the fourth quarter.
McNairl gets a chance
The freshman from Henry County, considered one of the state's top quarterback prospects, showed no jitters. He broke several tackles on a 19-yard TD run and gained 15 yards on a keeper later. He finished with 43 yards on just three carries.
But many of A&M's starters were out of the game, and he completed only 1-of-3 passes.
"I thought it was good game experience for (McNairl) to be able to come in,'' Webster said. "He moved the football team and put us in the end zone. He operated things well, particularly considering that he's a true freshman."
NCCU notches first win as Division I team
Jaymes Powell Jr., Staff Writer, The News Observer
Brown, defense lead NCCU to convincing victory over Fayetteville State
DURHAM - With style and dominance, N.C. Central presented the Triangle with its newest Division I football team Sunday. And the reviews were all good. "This just feels great. We're making progress," NCCU athletics director Williams Hayes said after the game as he prepared to congratulate the team following the Labor Day Classic. "This is a big day for this institution."
In beating Division II Fayetteville State 17-0, the Eagles got their first victory as a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) team. NCCU, formerly a member of the Division II CIAA and the league's champion the past two seasons, has submitted an application to join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Currently an independent, NCCU joined Appalachian State and North Carolina as the only Division I football teams from the state to win over the weekend.
N.C. Central got an early start in joining the D-I party, jumping to a 14-point lead with two second-quarter touchdown passes by quarterback Stadford Brown, who frustrated the Broncos with his poise, coverage reading and evasiveness.
Brown said it was a great feeling to be the starting quarterback in N.C. Central's first win as a Division I team, knowing he'll be remembered historically.
"No matter what level you're on, you still have to prepare," said Brown, who passed for 142 yards.
Tim Shankle led the Eagles in rushing, gaining 72 yards on 18 carries.
But it was NCCU's swift and larcenous defense that doomed FSU, nabbing three interceptions and forcing three fumbles, keeping the Broncos off balance and looking somewhat stunned.
"I loved the way we were running around and flying around on defense," NCCU's first-year coach Mose Rison said after watching the unit limit FSU to 92 rushing yards. "This gives us something to build on."
Perhaps the player who had the best game was Eagles cornerback Craig Amos, who had four tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
The Eagles' special teams were also spectacular, blocking two FSU field goals (both by Amos) and a punt.
NCCU senior kicker Brandon Gilbert kicked the game's final points in the late minutes to become N.C. Central's career scoring leader, which put a huge smile on Rison's face after the game.
There wasn't much smiling after last week's 16-10 loss at Albany State, NCCU's official D-I kickoff, but the home fans didn't have to stomach that one. Instead, Durham's first view of the upgraded Eagles was a great one.
As the game drew to a close, NCCU alum McDonald Vick, 52, of Durham, wondered if perhaps one day the Eagles could be on par with Appalachian State, the FCS team that shocked the football universe Saturday by beating Michigan.
"It would take a long time to build to that, but it's possible," Vick said. "But this just shows that the university is moving in the right direction."
Brown, defense lead NCCU to convincing victory over Fayetteville State
DURHAM - With style and dominance, N.C. Central presented the Triangle with its newest Division I football team Sunday. And the reviews were all good. "This just feels great. We're making progress," NCCU athletics director Williams Hayes said after the game as he prepared to congratulate the team following the Labor Day Classic. "This is a big day for this institution."
In beating Division II Fayetteville State 17-0, the Eagles got their first victory as a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) team. NCCU, formerly a member of the Division II CIAA and the league's champion the past two seasons, has submitted an application to join the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Currently an independent, NCCU joined Appalachian State and North Carolina as the only Division I football teams from the state to win over the weekend.
N.C. Central got an early start in joining the D-I party, jumping to a 14-point lead with two second-quarter touchdown passes by quarterback Stadford Brown, who frustrated the Broncos with his poise, coverage reading and evasiveness.
Brown said it was a great feeling to be the starting quarterback in N.C. Central's first win as a Division I team, knowing he'll be remembered historically.
"No matter what level you're on, you still have to prepare," said Brown, who passed for 142 yards.
Tim Shankle led the Eagles in rushing, gaining 72 yards on 18 carries.
But it was NCCU's swift and larcenous defense that doomed FSU, nabbing three interceptions and forcing three fumbles, keeping the Broncos off balance and looking somewhat stunned.
"I loved the way we were running around and flying around on defense," NCCU's first-year coach Mose Rison said after watching the unit limit FSU to 92 rushing yards. "This gives us something to build on."
Perhaps the player who had the best game was Eagles cornerback Craig Amos, who had four tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
The Eagles' special teams were also spectacular, blocking two FSU field goals (both by Amos) and a punt.
NCCU senior kicker Brandon Gilbert kicked the game's final points in the late minutes to become N.C. Central's career scoring leader, which put a huge smile on Rison's face after the game.
There wasn't much smiling after last week's 16-10 loss at Albany State, NCCU's official D-I kickoff, but the home fans didn't have to stomach that one. Instead, Durham's first view of the upgraded Eagles was a great one.
As the game drew to a close, NCCU alum McDonald Vick, 52, of Durham, wondered if perhaps one day the Eagles could be on par with Appalachian State, the FCS team that shocked the football universe Saturday by beating Michigan.
"It would take a long time to build to that, but it's possible," Vick said. "But this just shows that the university is moving in the right direction."
North Carolina Central University Marching Eagles Band
FAMU QB Chester to start if healthy
By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER
Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter said Sunday evening that quarterback Albert Chester II (pictured) will start Saturday against Delaware State if he is healthy enough to play.
Chester, a redshirt senior out of Jacksonville Episcopal High, started Saturday against Southern but was replaced by walk-on senior Leon Camel after FAMU went scoreless on its first three possessions. Chester had been bothered by pain in his right (throwing) arm before Saturday's game, but during the post-game press conference Carter didn't say that was a factor in the decision to change quarterbacks.
Carter said Sunday that Chester's health was a factor in his removal.
"He was a little bit sore," Carter said. "I wanted to make sure he didn't hurt it any more than it already was."
Camel came in and led the offense on three scoring drives in the first half to give FAMU a 20-12 lead.
Camel left the game because of cramps after throwing an interception with 8:58 remaining in the third quarter. Chester returned to the game for FAMU's next three possessions but was again replaced by Camel, who played one more series before another switch was made. Chester took over on the Rattlers' final possession, leading the team to a touchdown.
Chester completed 14 of 23 passes for a 150 yards, no touchdowns and an interception and also carried the ball five times for 27 yards.
Camel completed seven of 21 passes for 94 yards, one touchdown and one interception and carried the ball five times for 12 yards and a touchdown.
"If he (Chester) is healthy enough, he will start," Carter said. "This week we will look to see if he can throw the football to all the receivers' routes."
Saturday: Delaware State at FAMU, 6 p.m.
Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter said Sunday evening that quarterback Albert Chester II (pictured) will start Saturday against Delaware State if he is healthy enough to play.
Chester, a redshirt senior out of Jacksonville Episcopal High, started Saturday against Southern but was replaced by walk-on senior Leon Camel after FAMU went scoreless on its first three possessions. Chester had been bothered by pain in his right (throwing) arm before Saturday's game, but during the post-game press conference Carter didn't say that was a factor in the decision to change quarterbacks.
Carter said Sunday that Chester's health was a factor in his removal.
"He was a little bit sore," Carter said. "I wanted to make sure he didn't hurt it any more than it already was."
Camel came in and led the offense on three scoring drives in the first half to give FAMU a 20-12 lead.
Camel left the game because of cramps after throwing an interception with 8:58 remaining in the third quarter. Chester returned to the game for FAMU's next three possessions but was again replaced by Camel, who played one more series before another switch was made. Chester took over on the Rattlers' final possession, leading the team to a touchdown.
Chester completed 14 of 23 passes for a 150 yards, no touchdowns and an interception and also carried the ball five times for 27 yards.
Camel completed seven of 21 passes for 94 yards, one touchdown and one interception and carried the ball five times for 12 yards and a touchdown.
"If he (Chester) is healthy enough, he will start," Carter said. "This week we will look to see if he can throw the football to all the receivers' routes."
Saturday: Delaware State at FAMU, 6 p.m.
A Legend Reborn: FAMU Rattlers
Air Force takes down SCSU
By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - It was no “Rocky Mountain High” Saturday for South Carolina State at Air Force Academy.
Instead, the Bulldogs descended Falcon Stadium in low spirits after opening their 100th season of football getting swarmed by the Falcons 34-3.
The much-anticipated first-ever game against a Football Bowl Subdivision foe was the second-worst season-opening loss in school history for SCSU. The 31-point margin of defeat was also the most lopsided loss suffered under head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough.
SCSU was overwhelmed by the Falcons’ defense which held it to just 160 total yards, limiting the ground game to 70 yards. The blitzing scheme employed by new head coach Troy Calhoun kept constant pressure on quarterback Cleveland McCoy, sacking him five times and holding him to 10 of 22 passing for 84 yards.
The Bulldogs’ defense was equally inefficient in failing to prevent the Air Force offense from scoring on five of six opportunities in the "Red Zone". Numerous missed tackles, blown coverage assignments and personal foul penalties made for a productive day for the Falcons’ offense which finished with 450 total yards, half coming from quarterback Shaun Carney.
“It worries me a little bit that we weren’t effective more offensively,” Pough said. “I thought that we played pretty medium, pretty poorly on both sides of the ball and the fact that we pretty much knew what they were going to do even though we didn’t have anything, the stuff that we practiced was the stuff that they did. So, we’ve got no excuses except for the fact that those guys just kind of came out and outplayed us and made plays in circumstances when our kids didn’t make plays. We’re not quite there yet, but we’ve got a lot of work to do and we’ll see what happens once he get more experience.”
SCSU drove the football just past midfield on its first possession, but was forced to punt after a the first of four first-quarter sacks taken by McCoy and an incompletion.
While McCoy went 0 of 3 passing on his first series, Carney was the complete opposite in leading the Falcons downfield for the game’s first score. His three completions accounted for 50 of the 79 yards on the scoring drive which ended with a 1-yard run by Kip McCarthy, who rushed for 129 yards and a score.
Air Force threatened again to score on its next series, reaching the SCSU 21. On third down and with 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Carney was picked off by strong safety Markee Hamlin who returned the football to the 35-yard line.
As the second quarter ended, the Falcons’ blitzing defense sacked McCoy twice for -20 yards. SCSU was forced to punt again, but this time Aaron Haire hit a career-high 61 yarder which backed up the Falcons at the 30-yard line.
Air Force proceeded to drive the football 70 yards on 11 plays, with Carney connecting with tight end Travis Dekker for a 10-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with 10:03 remaining in the second quarter.
Carney finished 11 of 18 passing for 176 yards and rushed for 50 yards.
The offense’s woes continued as McCoy’s third-down pass on SCSU’s next series was tipped by linebacker Drew Fowler and landed in the hands of cornerback Carson Bird who was tackled at the SCSU 33. Air Force capitalized 74 seconds later when Ryan Harrison booted a 48-yard field goal through the uprights.
Bird collected another turnover at SCSU’s expense 20 seconds later. After a 45-yard kickoff return by Travance Jackson, McCoy completed a short pass to Terrance Smith. As Smith tried to advance the football, it was knocked loose by linebacker Austin Randle and recovered by Bird at the 24-yard line.
Once again, the Falcons embarked on another long scoring drive. This time, it took 12 plays, 76 yards and four minutes and 50 seconds to reach the end zone on a 4-yard touchdown run by Chad Hall.
As time expired in the first half, SCSU finally got on the scoreboard on Stephen Grantham’s 51-yard field goal. It was a career-best for Grantham and a yard shy of the school record held by Cedric Oglesby.
For the half, Air Force outgained SCSU 255-114 with the Bulldogs accounting for just 39 yards on the ground. While Ford and Woods combined for 65 rushing yards, McCoy lost 26 yards on five carries.
“We thought we got beaten up some inside and that surprised me a little bit,” he said. “We didn’t feel like that we got quite as good an effort upfront on the offensive line as we thought we should have. Nygel Pearson broke his hand a week or so ago and we moved James Lee from guard to tackle and we moved a couple of guys around. But that shouldn’t have had that big of an influence on how poorly we played.”
Air Force kept up the pressure in the second half. A 50-yard carry by McCarthy set up a one-yard touchdown run by Savier Stephens that pushed the lead up to 31-3.
After a 22-yard field goal by Harrison made it 34-3 with 14:02 remaining, SCSU freshman Malcolm Long was inserted into the game. Like McCoy, the former South Carolina "Mr. Football” had a hard time against the Falcons’ blitzes as he was sacked once and completed just 1 of 5 for six yards in his lone appearance.
“Defensively, I was pleased with our effort,” Calhoun said. “Overall, credit has to go to our players and assistant coaches, the whole group.”
SCSU will now look to shake off Saturday’s performance as they head to Daytona Beach, Fla. for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener against Bethune-Cookman.
“The most important thing for us now is to get ready for Bethune-Cookman next week,” he said. “We’ve got to get ready for those guys in a way where we’ve got to totally put this behind us. We’ve got to get back tonight and get them tomorrow morning and we’ve got to make sure that we clean up some of these things.
The best thing to happen to us was that we got beaten up pretty badly. But let’s face it. You can see that there’s something there that you can possibly get to come together for you. So I think we’ll be all right. Wofford came out here three years ago, got beat 49-0, and had the best year they’ve had in years. We’ve got beaten. We need to just go back and keep our heads up and do everything to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes next week.”
GAME NOTES: The worst season-opening loss suffered by SCSU took place in 1988 in a 38-0 setback to eventual national champion Furman. Ironically, Air Force Academy offensive line coach Clay Hendrix was beginning his first season as a position coach for the Paladins…As part of the Air Force tradition, the cadets storm the endzone after each score to do pushups for every point. The cadets who end up completing 93 pushups on the day…SCSU dropped to 3-3 in openers under head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough and 44-31-2 in school history…The loss snapped the Bulldogs’ three-game winning streak and the Falcons’ four-game losing streak…Air Force improved to 12-0 against Football Championship Subdivision opponents.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - It was no “Rocky Mountain High” Saturday for South Carolina State at Air Force Academy.
Instead, the Bulldogs descended Falcon Stadium in low spirits after opening their 100th season of football getting swarmed by the Falcons 34-3.
The much-anticipated first-ever game against a Football Bowl Subdivision foe was the second-worst season-opening loss in school history for SCSU. The 31-point margin of defeat was also the most lopsided loss suffered under head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough.
SCSU was overwhelmed by the Falcons’ defense which held it to just 160 total yards, limiting the ground game to 70 yards. The blitzing scheme employed by new head coach Troy Calhoun kept constant pressure on quarterback Cleveland McCoy, sacking him five times and holding him to 10 of 22 passing for 84 yards.
The Bulldogs’ defense was equally inefficient in failing to prevent the Air Force offense from scoring on five of six opportunities in the "Red Zone". Numerous missed tackles, blown coverage assignments and personal foul penalties made for a productive day for the Falcons’ offense which finished with 450 total yards, half coming from quarterback Shaun Carney.
“It worries me a little bit that we weren’t effective more offensively,” Pough said. “I thought that we played pretty medium, pretty poorly on both sides of the ball and the fact that we pretty much knew what they were going to do even though we didn’t have anything, the stuff that we practiced was the stuff that they did. So, we’ve got no excuses except for the fact that those guys just kind of came out and outplayed us and made plays in circumstances when our kids didn’t make plays. We’re not quite there yet, but we’ve got a lot of work to do and we’ll see what happens once he get more experience.”
SCSU drove the football just past midfield on its first possession, but was forced to punt after a the first of four first-quarter sacks taken by McCoy and an incompletion.
While McCoy went 0 of 3 passing on his first series, Carney was the complete opposite in leading the Falcons downfield for the game’s first score. His three completions accounted for 50 of the 79 yards on the scoring drive which ended with a 1-yard run by Kip McCarthy, who rushed for 129 yards and a score.
Air Force threatened again to score on its next series, reaching the SCSU 21. On third down and with 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Carney was picked off by strong safety Markee Hamlin who returned the football to the 35-yard line.
As the second quarter ended, the Falcons’ blitzing defense sacked McCoy twice for -20 yards. SCSU was forced to punt again, but this time Aaron Haire hit a career-high 61 yarder which backed up the Falcons at the 30-yard line.
Air Force proceeded to drive the football 70 yards on 11 plays, with Carney connecting with tight end Travis Dekker for a 10-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with 10:03 remaining in the second quarter.Carney finished 11 of 18 passing for 176 yards and rushed for 50 yards.
The offense’s woes continued as McCoy’s third-down pass on SCSU’s next series was tipped by linebacker Drew Fowler and landed in the hands of cornerback Carson Bird who was tackled at the SCSU 33. Air Force capitalized 74 seconds later when Ryan Harrison booted a 48-yard field goal through the uprights.
Bird collected another turnover at SCSU’s expense 20 seconds later. After a 45-yard kickoff return by Travance Jackson, McCoy completed a short pass to Terrance Smith. As Smith tried to advance the football, it was knocked loose by linebacker Austin Randle and recovered by Bird at the 24-yard line.
Once again, the Falcons embarked on another long scoring drive. This time, it took 12 plays, 76 yards and four minutes and 50 seconds to reach the end zone on a 4-yard touchdown run by Chad Hall.
As time expired in the first half, SCSU finally got on the scoreboard on Stephen Grantham’s 51-yard field goal. It was a career-best for Grantham and a yard shy of the school record held by Cedric Oglesby.
For the half, Air Force outgained SCSU 255-114 with the Bulldogs accounting for just 39 yards on the ground. While Ford and Woods combined for 65 rushing yards, McCoy lost 26 yards on five carries.
“We thought we got beaten up some inside and that surprised me a little bit,” he said. “We didn’t feel like that we got quite as good an effort upfront on the offensive line as we thought we should have. Nygel Pearson broke his hand a week or so ago and we moved James Lee from guard to tackle and we moved a couple of guys around. But that shouldn’t have had that big of an influence on how poorly we played.”
Air Force kept up the pressure in the second half. A 50-yard carry by McCarthy set up a one-yard touchdown run by Savier Stephens that pushed the lead up to 31-3.
After a 22-yard field goal by Harrison made it 34-3 with 14:02 remaining, SCSU freshman Malcolm Long was inserted into the game. Like McCoy, the former South Carolina "Mr. Football” had a hard time against the Falcons’ blitzes as he was sacked once and completed just 1 of 5 for six yards in his lone appearance.
“Defensively, I was pleased with our effort,” Calhoun said. “Overall, credit has to go to our players and assistant coaches, the whole group.”
SCSU will now look to shake off Saturday’s performance as they head to Daytona Beach, Fla. for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener against Bethune-Cookman.
“The most important thing for us now is to get ready for Bethune-Cookman next week,” he said. “We’ve got to get ready for those guys in a way where we’ve got to totally put this behind us. We’ve got to get back tonight and get them tomorrow morning and we’ve got to make sure that we clean up some of these things.
The best thing to happen to us was that we got beaten up pretty badly. But let’s face it. You can see that there’s something there that you can possibly get to come together for you. So I think we’ll be all right. Wofford came out here three years ago, got beat 49-0, and had the best year they’ve had in years. We’ve got beaten. We need to just go back and keep our heads up and do everything to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes next week.”
GAME NOTES: The worst season-opening loss suffered by SCSU took place in 1988 in a 38-0 setback to eventual national champion Furman. Ironically, Air Force Academy offensive line coach Clay Hendrix was beginning his first season as a position coach for the Paladins…As part of the Air Force tradition, the cadets storm the endzone after each score to do pushups for every point. The cadets who end up completing 93 pushups on the day…SCSU dropped to 3-3 in openers under head coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough and 44-31-2 in school history…The loss snapped the Bulldogs’ three-game winning streak and the Falcons’ four-game losing streak…Air Force improved to 12-0 against Football Championship Subdivision opponents.
Battle of Bands: FAMU Marching vs. SU Human Jukebox (MEAC/SWAC Challenge 2007)
Florida A&M University Marching 100--MEAC/SWAC Challenge half-time show
Southern University Human Jukebox Band--MEAC/SWAC Challenge half-time show
Southern University Human Jukebox Band--MEAC/SWAC Challenge half-time show
Jackson State vs. Tennessee State preview
Last week: Delta State beat Jackson State 27-15.
Saturday: vs. Tennessee State (Liberty Bowl, Memphis), 6 p.m.
TV: FSN South
Radio: JSU network (WOAD-1300 AM, Jackson)
ON OFFENSE
Tennessee State returns quite a bit of talent from last season's 6-5 team, including running back Javarris Williams, who rushed for 1,233 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006. He was back at his old tricks in this year's season opener against Alabama A&M, rushing for 123 yards. Quarterback Antonio Heffner was up and down last season, throwing for 1,668 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He struggled on Saturday against Alabama A&M, getting intercepted three times in the 49-23 loss.
ON DEFENSE
The TSU defense struggled mightily in Saturday's loss, giving up 49 points and 450 total yards. The Tigers possess a lockdown cornerback in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who had six interceptions last season, but much of the defense is new with just five starters returning from 2006. The Tigers are especially looking for answers along the defensive line after losing all four starters. DE Shaun Richardson had six tackles and a sack in Saturday's opener and was an Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer team selection last year.
INTANGIBLES
Both Tennessee State and Jackson State got kicked around in their respective openers, so both will likely have a lot of emotion early. Last season's Southern Heritage Classic was won by TSU, which converted a two-point conversion in overtime to squeeze out the 31-30 win.
- David Brandt
Saturday: vs. Tennessee State (Liberty Bowl, Memphis), 6 p.m.
TV: FSN South
Radio: JSU network (WOAD-1300 AM, Jackson)
ON OFFENSE
Tennessee State returns quite a bit of talent from last season's 6-5 team, including running back Javarris Williams, who rushed for 1,233 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2006. He was back at his old tricks in this year's season opener against Alabama A&M, rushing for 123 yards. Quarterback Antonio Heffner was up and down last season, throwing for 1,668 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He struggled on Saturday against Alabama A&M, getting intercepted three times in the 49-23 loss.
ON DEFENSE
The TSU defense struggled mightily in Saturday's loss, giving up 49 points and 450 total yards. The Tigers possess a lockdown cornerback in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who had six interceptions last season, but much of the defense is new with just five starters returning from 2006. The Tigers are especially looking for answers along the defensive line after losing all four starters. DE Shaun Richardson had six tackles and a sack in Saturday's opener and was an Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer team selection last year.
INTANGIBLES
Both Tennessee State and Jackson State got kicked around in their respective openers, so both will likely have a lot of emotion early. Last season's Southern Heritage Classic was won by TSU, which converted a two-point conversion in overtime to squeeze out the 31-30 win.
- David Brandt
DSU football: Explosive and elusive; Hornet ‘O’ shines in opening win
By Chris Gasiewski, Delaware State News
DOVER — Kareem Jones rested on a bucket against the building that houses the Delaware State football team’s locker room Saturday night.
It was only minutes after DSU had dismissed No. 23 Coastal Carolina 23-18 at Alumni Stadium and the senior running back was becoming reacquainted with his father, Willie, as star wide receiver Shaheer McBride walked by.
“You’ve got a one-two punch going there,” Willie Jones said. “You’ll be great this year if you guys can keep playing like that.”
The elder Jones wasn’t kidding. His son transferred from Syracuse University late this summer and fit perfectly into DSU’s offensive scheme. Joining McBride, the preseason Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and quarterback Vashon Winton, Jones looked like the final piece to the Hornets’ attack.
Saturday night, Jones powered through Coastal to rush for 171 yards and a score on 24 carries. He also returned a kick 74 yards.
“Soon enough you have players that fit,” coach Al Lavan said with a raspy voice. “Vashon managed the game well. McBride did what he does. Then Kareem comes in and I didn’t expect that kind of endurance.”
Lavan was emphatically pleased with Jones, who quickly won the starting job in training camp despite missing spring practice. But did he prove himself?
“Prove myself? Nah,” Jones said. “I made a lot of mistakes. There were a couple of protection mishaps. But I’m going to go out there and make progress each week.”
Photo: RB Kareem Jones on 74 yard return
DOVER — Kareem Jones rested on a bucket against the building that houses the Delaware State football team’s locker room Saturday night.
It was only minutes after DSU had dismissed No. 23 Coastal Carolina 23-18 at Alumni Stadium and the senior running back was becoming reacquainted with his father, Willie, as star wide receiver Shaheer McBride walked by.
“You’ve got a one-two punch going there,” Willie Jones said. “You’ll be great this year if you guys can keep playing like that.”
The elder Jones wasn’t kidding. His son transferred from Syracuse University late this summer and fit perfectly into DSU’s offensive scheme. Joining McBride, the preseason Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, and quarterback Vashon Winton, Jones looked like the final piece to the Hornets’ attack.
Saturday night, Jones powered through Coastal to rush for 171 yards and a score on 24 carries. He also returned a kick 74 yards.
“Soon enough you have players that fit,” coach Al Lavan said with a raspy voice. “Vashon managed the game well. McBride did what he does. Then Kareem comes in and I didn’t expect that kind of endurance.”
Lavan was emphatically pleased with Jones, who quickly won the starting job in training camp despite missing spring practice. But did he prove himself?
“Prove myself? Nah,” Jones said. “I made a lot of mistakes. There were a couple of protection mishaps. But I’m going to go out there and make progress each week.”
Photo: RB Kareem Jones on 74 yard returnSo is McBride, if that’s possible. Saturday night, the Chester, Pa., native broke Albert Horsey’s school all-time receiving yards record after catching four passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. McBride has 2,501 career receiving yards.
He also had two touchdown receptions in the second half that proved to be the difference.
“That kid is a phenomenal athlete, a phenomenal football player,” Lavan said. “He’s the ultimate competitor. You see him out at practice diving everywhere without pads on.”
A confident DSU heads to Florida A&M Saturday for its MEAC opener and the beginning of a three-game road stretch.
Saturday night’s win was the Hornets’ first against a ranked opponent in the four-year Lavan era, since DSU beat conference rival Hampton in the final game of the 2004 season. It has DSU believing it will find its name in the Top 25 when the Sports Network announces this week’s rankings today.
“We should be ranked,” Jones said. “We have a lot of talent down there. We showed our talent to the nation.”
Showing that talent on a consistent basis is what DSU needs to compete for the MEAC title and its first playoff appearance in program history.
“There’s still more to come,” McBride said. “Hopefully we can build off of this win.”
SU Jaguars cautiously optimistic after win
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Southern got off to a great start to its 2007 football season Saturday.
Then again, the Jaguars did so last year as well.
One game is still just one game. There are 10 more to go.
“It’s not a statement game for us,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “We’ve just got to grow. We have a young football team. They have to develop the confidence, and the main thing we have to guard against is injuries.”
A strong surge in the first 18 minutes of the second half — 21 unanswered points and three big defensive plays (an interception setting up the go-ahead touchdown, a fourth-down stop deep in Southern territory and an interception in the SU end zone) — powered the Jaguars to a 33-27 victory over Florida A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Legion Field.
Southern started last season 2-0, including a 30-29 season-opening victory over Bethune-Cookman College, another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team. But the Jaguars collapsed from there, finishing 5-6.
The day that doomed SU most was its fourth-quarter collapse to Prairie View, what became a 26-23 overtime loss in the third game of the season.
Photo: Southern’s Frank Harry (66) dives after a loose ball over FAMU's Philip Sylvester on Saturday.
A year ago, Southern seemed to be a team with a strong future in preseason camp and then seemed to confirm that in those first two games. Then the season unraveled.
“We almost got decimated at quarterback. A lot of our defensive personnel were banged up going into the last part of the year,” Richardson said.
This season, Southern is thinner and younger on its offensive lines, but there is the knowledge of what happened last season. There’s a realization of how tenuous a season can be, of how Southern must avoid injuries.
“(The offensive line) held up well,” Richardson said. “We’re going to have to be able to stay injury-free. If we can do that, and learn from every game, that will be the keys.”
So, Saturday’s victory leaves Southern with cautious optimism.
Oh, and confidence. And confidence is big. Never underestimate confidence.
“We have a lot of good character on this team,” said SU senior free safety Jarmaul George, one of the team’s two captains and the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason defensive player of the year. “Like we say, we have to play with some type of swagger. That’s what a football team’s supposed to do, come together and play with some swagger. That leads to big things.”
Do more of this
In its final three games of last season, with Mark Orlando as the offensive coordinator, SU ran for 236, 152 and 131 yards.
That trend continued Saturday.
Southern ran for 238 yards on 43 carries, highlighted by Darren Coates going for career highs of 142 yards and two touchdowns in his first start, which was, in turn, highlighted, by his 90-yard TD burst on the offense’s first play.
“I think people thought we were just jiving around, but we’ve got to be able to run the football to take pressure off that young quarterback,” Richardson said. “We spread the field, but we have to be able to run the football.”
Do less of this
Southern’s punt returners were awfully sloppy in the first quarter, with Ronald Wade, in his first collegiate game, fumbling on a return and Chad Harris, a veteran, muffing a punt. FAMU fumbled the ball at the Southern 1 after Wade’s fumble, and scored on a 9-yard run one play after Harris’ bobble. Wade, to be fair, came back and recovered a fumble forced by Coates on a FAMU punt return.
Quick hits
SU quarterback Bryant Lee is 2-1 in three career starts (he would have earned a win in baseball parlance for his work off the bench against Texas Southern as well). He was 9-for-10 after halftime, directing a much-smoother offense, after going 13-for-19 in the first half (including 3-for-5 for minus-5 yards in the first quarter). FAMU’s MVP for the game was freshman running back Phillip Sylvester, with 101 yards and two TDs in his first college game. Southern held the ball for 9:35 of the third quarter.
Up next
Southern (1-0, 0-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) plays Mississippi Valley State (1-0, 1-0) in the Chicago Football Classic at 4 p.m. Saturday at Soldier Field. Valley beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the defending Western Division Champion and considered a contender to make a run for the SWAC title this season as well, 16-9 Saturday in Itta Bena, Miss. SU beat Valley 31-14 in A.W. Mumford Stadium a year ago in the second game last season.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Southern got off to a great start to its 2007 football season Saturday.
Then again, the Jaguars did so last year as well.
One game is still just one game. There are 10 more to go.
“It’s not a statement game for us,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “We’ve just got to grow. We have a young football team. They have to develop the confidence, and the main thing we have to guard against is injuries.”
A strong surge in the first 18 minutes of the second half — 21 unanswered points and three big defensive plays (an interception setting up the go-ahead touchdown, a fourth-down stop deep in Southern territory and an interception in the SU end zone) — powered the Jaguars to a 33-27 victory over Florida A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Legion Field.
Southern started last season 2-0, including a 30-29 season-opening victory over Bethune-Cookman College, another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team. But the Jaguars collapsed from there, finishing 5-6.
The day that doomed SU most was its fourth-quarter collapse to Prairie View, what became a 26-23 overtime loss in the third game of the season.
Photo: Southern’s Frank Harry (66) dives after a loose ball over FAMU's Philip Sylvester on Saturday. A year ago, Southern seemed to be a team with a strong future in preseason camp and then seemed to confirm that in those first two games. Then the season unraveled.
“We almost got decimated at quarterback. A lot of our defensive personnel were banged up going into the last part of the year,” Richardson said.
This season, Southern is thinner and younger on its offensive lines, but there is the knowledge of what happened last season. There’s a realization of how tenuous a season can be, of how Southern must avoid injuries.
“(The offensive line) held up well,” Richardson said. “We’re going to have to be able to stay injury-free. If we can do that, and learn from every game, that will be the keys.”
So, Saturday’s victory leaves Southern with cautious optimism.
Oh, and confidence. And confidence is big. Never underestimate confidence.
“We have a lot of good character on this team,” said SU senior free safety Jarmaul George, one of the team’s two captains and the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason defensive player of the year. “Like we say, we have to play with some type of swagger. That’s what a football team’s supposed to do, come together and play with some swagger. That leads to big things.”
Do more of this
In its final three games of last season, with Mark Orlando as the offensive coordinator, SU ran for 236, 152 and 131 yards.
That trend continued Saturday.
Southern ran for 238 yards on 43 carries, highlighted by Darren Coates going for career highs of 142 yards and two touchdowns in his first start, which was, in turn, highlighted, by his 90-yard TD burst on the offense’s first play.
“I think people thought we were just jiving around, but we’ve got to be able to run the football to take pressure off that young quarterback,” Richardson said. “We spread the field, but we have to be able to run the football.”
Do less of this
Southern’s punt returners were awfully sloppy in the first quarter, with Ronald Wade, in his first collegiate game, fumbling on a return and Chad Harris, a veteran, muffing a punt. FAMU fumbled the ball at the Southern 1 after Wade’s fumble, and scored on a 9-yard run one play after Harris’ bobble. Wade, to be fair, came back and recovered a fumble forced by Coates on a FAMU punt return.
Quick hits
SU quarterback Bryant Lee is 2-1 in three career starts (he would have earned a win in baseball parlance for his work off the bench against Texas Southern as well). He was 9-for-10 after halftime, directing a much-smoother offense, after going 13-for-19 in the first half (including 3-for-5 for minus-5 yards in the first quarter). FAMU’s MVP for the game was freshman running back Phillip Sylvester, with 101 yards and two TDs in his first college game. Southern held the ball for 9:35 of the third quarter.
Up next
Southern (1-0, 0-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) plays Mississippi Valley State (1-0, 1-0) in the Chicago Football Classic at 4 p.m. Saturday at Soldier Field. Valley beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the defending Western Division Champion and considered a contender to make a run for the SWAC title this season as well, 16-9 Saturday in Itta Bena, Miss. SU beat Valley 31-14 in A.W. Mumford Stadium a year ago in the second game last season.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
DSU gets respect it's been dreaming of with victory
Kevin Noonan, The News Journal
DOVER -- It was a win-win situation for the Delaware State Hornets -- they won a game and also won some respect.
The Hornets sent a message to the college football world when they upset No. 23 Coastal Carolina 23-18 on Saturday night at Alumni Stadium.
It was a big victory, maybe the biggest of Al Lavan's tenure as coach, because the Hornets dream big dreams. Delaware State wants a new and improved stadium and it wants to make the jump to NCAA Division I-A, the highest level of college football. Most people snicker when they hear that, because the unranked Hornets aren't even big fish in the I-AA pond, yet they want to go diving into the I-A ocean.
Lavan has made DSU one of the top teams in its conference, but it's a conference that doesn't get much respect because it hasn't earned it -- the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has lost eight straight I-AA playoff games by an average score of 38-19.
So, the only way for the Hornets to get the respect they crave is to beat a respected opponent outside the MEAC -- an opponent like Coastal Carolina, which has won the Big South Conference the past three years and has consistently been ranked in the Division I-AA Top 25.
And the Hornets finally did it -- they beat a pedigreed nonconference opponent for the first time under Lavan.
"A game like this gives kids a vision of what they can do," Lavan said. "It's one thing to be confident you can beat a team, but you have to win the game to solidify that thought in your own mind."
The Hornets hadn't fared well when they stepped outside the MEAC in recent years -- they lost 51-0 to Massachusetts and 49-0 to Southern Illinois in 2004, Lavan's first season, and 24-6 to Coastal Carolina in 2005.
Overall, in its first three years under Lavan, Delaware State was 16-7 in the MEAC, but just 3-7 against nonconference foes. And even their three victories were less than impressive -- they beat two Division II schools (Millersville in 2005 and Concord in 2006) and a I-AA team with a losing record (St. Francis in 2006).
And when the Hornets did step up in class, they got knocked back down, losing to James Madison 65-7 in 2005 and Northwestern State 23-3 in 2006. In eight nonconference games against I-AA teams over the past three years, Delaware State was outscored by an average of 34-19 per game.
That's why this victory was so important to a team that dreams big dreams.
In fact, the Hornets should have won going away, but they made more mental mistakes in this game than some teams make in a season, including dropped touchdown passes and dropped interceptions, as well as some dumb penalties and costly fumbles.
But that makes the victory over Coastal Carolina even more impressive -- Delaware State didn't come close to playing its best game and still beat a nationally ranked team.
"We've come a long way since I've been here," senior guard Jeremy Breath said. "And we still have a long way to go. But now we know we can get there, and that's what a game like this can do for you.
"It makes you believe that anything is possible."
DOVER -- It was a win-win situation for the Delaware State Hornets -- they won a game and also won some respect.
The Hornets sent a message to the college football world when they upset No. 23 Coastal Carolina 23-18 on Saturday night at Alumni Stadium.
It was a big victory, maybe the biggest of Al Lavan's tenure as coach, because the Hornets dream big dreams. Delaware State wants a new and improved stadium and it wants to make the jump to NCAA Division I-A, the highest level of college football. Most people snicker when they hear that, because the unranked Hornets aren't even big fish in the I-AA pond, yet they want to go diving into the I-A ocean.
Lavan has made DSU one of the top teams in its conference, but it's a conference that doesn't get much respect because it hasn't earned it -- the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has lost eight straight I-AA playoff games by an average score of 38-19.
So, the only way for the Hornets to get the respect they crave is to beat a respected opponent outside the MEAC -- an opponent like Coastal Carolina, which has won the Big South Conference the past three years and has consistently been ranked in the Division I-AA Top 25.
And the Hornets finally did it -- they beat a pedigreed nonconference opponent for the first time under Lavan.
"A game like this gives kids a vision of what they can do," Lavan said. "It's one thing to be confident you can beat a team, but you have to win the game to solidify that thought in your own mind."
The Hornets hadn't fared well when they stepped outside the MEAC in recent years -- they lost 51-0 to Massachusetts and 49-0 to Southern Illinois in 2004, Lavan's first season, and 24-6 to Coastal Carolina in 2005.
Overall, in its first three years under Lavan, Delaware State was 16-7 in the MEAC, but just 3-7 against nonconference foes. And even their three victories were less than impressive -- they beat two Division II schools (Millersville in 2005 and Concord in 2006) and a I-AA team with a losing record (St. Francis in 2006).
And when the Hornets did step up in class, they got knocked back down, losing to James Madison 65-7 in 2005 and Northwestern State 23-3 in 2006. In eight nonconference games against I-AA teams over the past three years, Delaware State was outscored by an average of 34-19 per game.
That's why this victory was so important to a team that dreams big dreams.
In fact, the Hornets should have won going away, but they made more mental mistakes in this game than some teams make in a season, including dropped touchdown passes and dropped interceptions, as well as some dumb penalties and costly fumbles.
But that makes the victory over Coastal Carolina even more impressive -- Delaware State didn't come close to playing its best game and still beat a nationally ranked team.
"We've come a long way since I've been here," senior guard Jeremy Breath said. "And we still have a long way to go. But now we know we can get there, and that's what a game like this can do for you.
"It makes you believe that anything is possible."
An encouraging loss for North Carolina A&T
By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News-Record
The end is near.
N.C. A&T fans may have been muttering that for a while, having seen their team drop 17 straight games now. But on Saturday, that concept took on another -- slightly more hopeful -- meaning.
While falling to Winston-Salem State 28-7, the Aggies at least suggested the longest active losing streak at the second-highest level of college football might be drawing to a conclusion one of these weeks.
"I'm pleased but not happy," coach Lee Fobbs said. "We could have played better in the first half. We've just to come out of the chutes better."
A year after being thoroughly outclassed by the Rams 41-14, the Aggies were merely beaten this time. For the first time in 23 months, they made an opponent worry about the outcome into the fourth quarter, and they got on the bus thinking about one game-changing moment rather than an avalanche.
It came early in the fourth as A&T faced second and goal from the Ram 9 while trailing 21-7. Quarterback Herb Miller rolled out of trouble, neared the sideline, declined what would have been a short running gain and tossed one across his body for Curtis Walls in the end zone.
"I ran around and saw Walls sitting on the spot," Miller said. "I tried to get to him, which I shouldn't have done."
The pass was thrown behind the Aggies' best receiver, who managed to get a hand on it and juggle it for an agonizing second. The ball seemed to disappear in a confluence of red and white jerseys before winding up in the hands of the Rams' Thaddeus Griffin, who was flat on his back.
Two witnesses said the ball hit the ground first, which suggests the play would have been vigorously reviewed by video if this had been a Division I-A game.
The Aggies had no avenues of appeal, but Walls didn't seek them.
"Anything I touch, I'm supposed to pull it in," he said. "I'm supposed to be the dependable receiver for this team."
A chance to close the gap was gone, and when the Rams followed the play with an 80-yard touchdown drive, the outcome was effectively sealed.
Nobody's going to admit a three-touchdown defeat is satisfactory, but A&T displayed more defensive speed than at any time in 2006.
The Rams found the holes to the tune of 303 rushing yards, but A&T reorganized after a skittish start and pursued the ball reasonably well.
Football statistics are notoriously specious anyway, and Saturday was a study in deception.
"I liked the aggression," sophomore defensive end Andre Thornton said. "We had 11 hats to the ball. If they got a first down, we didn't lollygag down the field. We all ran down the field."
Fobbs does have options in the running game, as Michael Ferguson got 16 carries, junior-college transfer David "Speedy" Robinson had 10 and former Clemson Tiger Demerick Chancellor was called upon three times.
A&T lacks bulk among its wide receivers and may need to get creative in order to run effectively to the sideline.
Fifth-year seniors Jed Bines and Monte Purvis give the Rams a seasoned and swift backfield pair for a team that ran for 180 yards a game a year ago.
Winston-Salem State, still in a transition phase toward full second-tier membership, will play a full MEAC schedule but not be eligible for the league title. There's enough on the Ram sideline to suggest this would be an intriguing team under normal membership circumstances.
A&T gets another crack at stopping the streak when it plays Prairie View A&M, which lost an untouchable 80 straight games from 1989-98, in Los Angeles next week.
And the Aggies keep thinking they'll be OK.
"Every day. Every day," Walls said. "And if I don't think that, then I need to be off this team."
N. C. A&T 0 0 7 0 -- 7
Winston-Salem State 7 7 7 7 --28
WiSa--Purvis 1 run (M.Mitchell kick)
WiSa--Bayne 19 pass from Purvis (M.Mitchell kick)
WiSa--McRae 30 run (M.Mitchell kick)
NCAT--Walls 21 pass from Miller (Houston kick)
WiSa--Thomas 16 pass from Purvis (M.Mitchell kick)
A--22,000.
NCAT WiSa
First downs 11 20
Rushes-yards 38-143 47-286
Passing 73 96
Comp-Att-Int 10-21-3 9-15-0
Return Yards 33 51
Punts-Avg. 7-36.0 7-35.7
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 2-1
Penalties-Yards 6-56 6-66
Time of Possession 28:54 31:06
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--N.C A&T, Ferguson 16-64, Robinson 10-33, Miller 7-28, Chancellor 3-17, McNair 2-1. Winston-Salem, Bines 16-125, McRae 15-85, Purvis 15-63, Harris 1-13.
PASSING--N. Carolina A&T, Miller 10-21-3-73. Winston-Salem, Purvis 9-15-0-96.
RECEIVING--N. Carolina A&T, Walls 3-31, Robinson 2-(minus 5), C.Dawson 1-21, Caldwell 1-15, Lowrance 1-14, Ferguson 1-4, Chancellor 1-(minus 7). Winston-Salem, Bayne 3-23, Thomas 1-16, Reaves 1-15, Scarborough 1-15, Hubbard 1-12, Kinzer 1-10, Fluellen 1-5.
S.C. State struggles against dominant Air Force defense
BY JOHN DEVLIN, Special to The Post and Courier
Air Force 34, S.C. State 3
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — South Carolina State finally got its chance to take on a major college football opponent Saturday in the shadow of Pikes Peak against Air Force at Falcon Stadium.
Buddy Pough's Bulldogs didn't exactly distinguish themselves in a 34-3 loss against a team that was unveiling a new offense installed by first-year coach Troy Calhoun and coming off its worst season (4-8) in 26 years.
"We played hard, but we played poorly on both sides of the ball," said Pough. "I have no way to dress it up and make it sound pretty — it was just ugly. We have a lot of work to do before we play Bethune-Cookman (next week)."
A tepid performance by S.C. State's veteran offensive unit was most disappointing. The Bulldogs managed a paltry 160 yards and just 2.6 yards per play, and failed to reach the red zone.
"I thought after the first few series that we were going to be OK, but (Air Force) made an adjustment or two and put some pressure on us and we sort of stumbled around the rest of the day," said Pough.
Quarterback Cleveland McCoy, a three-year starter and the key to the Bulldogs' offensive success, went 10 for 22 passing for 84 yards, and was sacked six times.
"(Cleve) wasn't good, let's just leave it at that," said Pough. "We got beaten up inside and that surprised me a little bit."
The Bulldogs weren't much better on defense, surrendering 455 yards and 27 first downs. Air Force, for one game at least, had the offensive balance Calhoun craves — 279 yards rushing, 176 passing.
"I was impressed by our energy and, by and large, our execution," said Calhoun.
The Falcons' headliners were quarterback Shaun Carney, a four-year starter, and new feature running back Kip McCarthy.
Carney completed 11 of 18 passes to seven different receivers and also ran for 50 yards on 13 carries, and orchestrated four touchdowns and a field goal on the Falcons first six possessions.
"Getting off to a good start with the new offense takes a little pressure off our backs," said Carney, who went over the 6,000-yard career total offense mark in his senior season opener.
McCarthy, a senior who came into the game with 144 yards rushing on 29 carries on his AFA resume, darted for 129 yards and one touchdown on 22 yards vs. the Bulldogs.
S.C. State's lone highlights came in the kicking game.
Florence native Stephen Grantham drilled a 51-yard field goal on the last play of the first half, and Aaron Haire averaged 40.9 yards on seven points, including a booming 61-yarder in the first quarter.
"Kicking at altitude is a lot better than kicking in South Carolina," said Grantham.
Grantham, who missed a 49-yarder late in the first quarter, just missed matching the school record distance of 52 yards set by Cedric Oglesby in 1998.
"I overcompensated for a little cross wind on that first one, but I hit (the 51-yarder) pretty good and knew it was good right away."
Air Force 34, S.C. State 3
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — South Carolina State finally got its chance to take on a major college football opponent Saturday in the shadow of Pikes Peak against Air Force at Falcon Stadium.
Buddy Pough's Bulldogs didn't exactly distinguish themselves in a 34-3 loss against a team that was unveiling a new offense installed by first-year coach Troy Calhoun and coming off its worst season (4-8) in 26 years.
"We played hard, but we played poorly on both sides of the ball," said Pough. "I have no way to dress it up and make it sound pretty — it was just ugly. We have a lot of work to do before we play Bethune-Cookman (next week)."
A tepid performance by S.C. State's veteran offensive unit was most disappointing. The Bulldogs managed a paltry 160 yards and just 2.6 yards per play, and failed to reach the red zone.
"I thought after the first few series that we were going to be OK, but (Air Force) made an adjustment or two and put some pressure on us and we sort of stumbled around the rest of the day," said Pough.
Quarterback Cleveland McCoy, a three-year starter and the key to the Bulldogs' offensive success, went 10 for 22 passing for 84 yards, and was sacked six times.
"(Cleve) wasn't good, let's just leave it at that," said Pough. "We got beaten up inside and that surprised me a little bit."
The Bulldogs weren't much better on defense, surrendering 455 yards and 27 first downs. Air Force, for one game at least, had the offensive balance Calhoun craves — 279 yards rushing, 176 passing."I was impressed by our energy and, by and large, our execution," said Calhoun.
The Falcons' headliners were quarterback Shaun Carney, a four-year starter, and new feature running back Kip McCarthy.
Carney completed 11 of 18 passes to seven different receivers and also ran for 50 yards on 13 carries, and orchestrated four touchdowns and a field goal on the Falcons first six possessions.
"Getting off to a good start with the new offense takes a little pressure off our backs," said Carney, who went over the 6,000-yard career total offense mark in his senior season opener.
McCarthy, a senior who came into the game with 144 yards rushing on 29 carries on his AFA resume, darted for 129 yards and one touchdown on 22 yards vs. the Bulldogs.
S.C. State's lone highlights came in the kicking game.
Florence native Stephen Grantham drilled a 51-yard field goal on the last play of the first half, and Aaron Haire averaged 40.9 yards on seven points, including a booming 61-yarder in the first quarter.
"Kicking at altitude is a lot better than kicking in South Carolina," said Grantham.
Grantham, who missed a 49-yarder late in the first quarter, just missed matching the school record distance of 52 yards set by Cedric Oglesby in 1998.
"I overcompensated for a little cross wind on that first one, but I hit (the 51-yarder) pretty good and knew it was good right away."
It's official: Jaguars cut Leftwich; FAMU's Quinn Gray #2 QB
Photo: Jacksonville Jaguar #2 Quarterback Quinn Gray
It was expected, but still a shocker: Byron Leftwich was cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
The seventh overall pick in the 2003 draft and the Jags' starting quarterback for nearly every game since then when he was healthy, Leftwich was released after losing the starting job to David Garrard.
Coach Jack Del Rio had said Friday, when he made the decision, that Leftwich would either be traded or released but that announcement in itself made it difficult to make a deal for him.
Leftwich, often troubled by injuries and lacking mobility, missed 10 games last season because of an ankle injury. He was 19-of-38 passing for 226 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games.
But he played with the starters while Garrard completed 36 of 47 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown, mostly against backups. Garrard has started 18 regular-season games in his career and had a passer rating of 80.5 in 10 starts last season with 10 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
"It's bittersweet news," Garrard said Friday when he heard that Leftwich would go. "I'm definitely shocked. I didn't see this happening. I'm beyond shocked. I really feel like this is a dream, but I know it's not and I know I'm ready."
---------
Dumb move by the Jacksonville Jaguars as they received zero in return for a first round starting quarterback. Garrard will take them to the bottom of the standings. Get ready Quinn Gray, as your number will be called often to bail the Jags out from under a three interception game orchestrated by Garrard. In one respect, this gives Leftwich a complete fresh start and provides Quinn Gray with an opportuntiy to move into the starter role, upon the collapse of Garrard. Make the MEAC and FAMU proud, Quinn Gray. Be ready!
ASU overcomes 10-point deficit to down Jacksonville State
By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Sports Reporter
Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow debuts with 24-19 victory
MONTGOMERY -- Alabama State rallied from a 10-point third-quarter deficit to pull off one of the biggest wins in the program's history Saturday night, knocking off state rival Jacksonville State 24-19 in Reggie Barlow's coaching debut.
Running back Jay Peck fought through cramps the entire game, but managed a 15-yard touchdown run with three minutes left for the win. Peck finished with 16 carries for 79 yards and the score.
Former LeFlore High quarterback Chris Mitchell proved to be the Hornets' best-kept secret. He came off the bench and completed 10 of 11 passes for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"Chris Mitchell has all the tools, he can run, he can throw and he's a smart guy," Barlow said. "Right now, Chris is doing an outstanding job. Our players are responding to him and he's our guy."
Jacksonville State got a pair of 36-yard field goals from Gavin Halford and the Gamecocks stretched the lead to 13-0 with 1:48 remaining in the half on T.J. Heath's 18-yard interception return for a touchdown off an errant Alex Engram pass.
Mitchell entered the game with a little over a minute remaining in the half tossed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Marcus McCall with seven seconds left to make it 13-6.
"I thought Alex was going to play the entire game," Mitchell said. "He's been working hard for this, but once I saw he was struggling, I started warming up. I just felt like I could get in and hopefully make something happen."
Halford kicked a 21-yard field goal with 5:22 to go in the third quarter to make it 16-6, and Barlow thought forcing JSU into field goals was big for the Hornets after the Gamecocks reached the red zone seven times.
"Our defense played well all last season and have been playing at a high level at camp," Barlow said. "If we have an opportunity to win a championship, it will be because of our defense. It's scary how fast and hard those guys play."
Down by 10 points, Mitchell connected with Antonion James from 61 yards out with 4:59 on the clock in the third to trim the deficit to 16-12.
Alabama State overtook Jacksonville State early in the fourth quarter on Rahmod Traylor's 66-yard run, but Jeremy Fetterhoff missed his third PAT kick.
Halford gave the Gamecocks a 19-18 lead on a 42-yard field goal with 6:34 left in the game.
Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow debuts with 24-19 victory
MONTGOMERY -- Alabama State rallied from a 10-point third-quarter deficit to pull off one of the biggest wins in the program's history Saturday night, knocking off state rival Jacksonville State 24-19 in Reggie Barlow's coaching debut.
Running back Jay Peck fought through cramps the entire game, but managed a 15-yard touchdown run with three minutes left for the win. Peck finished with 16 carries for 79 yards and the score.
Former LeFlore High quarterback Chris Mitchell proved to be the Hornets' best-kept secret. He came off the bench and completed 10 of 11 passes for 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
"Chris Mitchell has all the tools, he can run, he can throw and he's a smart guy," Barlow said. "Right now, Chris is doing an outstanding job. Our players are responding to him and he's our guy."
Jacksonville State got a pair of 36-yard field goals from Gavin Halford and the Gamecocks stretched the lead to 13-0 with 1:48 remaining in the half on T.J. Heath's 18-yard interception return for a touchdown off an errant Alex Engram pass.Mitchell entered the game with a little over a minute remaining in the half tossed a 32-yard touchdown pass to Marcus McCall with seven seconds left to make it 13-6.
"I thought Alex was going to play the entire game," Mitchell said. "He's been working hard for this, but once I saw he was struggling, I started warming up. I just felt like I could get in and hopefully make something happen."
Halford kicked a 21-yard field goal with 5:22 to go in the third quarter to make it 16-6, and Barlow thought forcing JSU into field goals was big for the Hornets after the Gamecocks reached the red zone seven times.
"Our defense played well all last season and have been playing at a high level at camp," Barlow said. "If we have an opportunity to win a championship, it will be because of our defense. It's scary how fast and hard those guys play."
Down by 10 points, Mitchell connected with Antonion James from 61 yards out with 4:59 on the clock in the third to trim the deficit to 16-12.
Alabama State overtook Jacksonville State early in the fourth quarter on Rahmod Traylor's 66-yard run, but Jeremy Fetterhoff missed his third PAT kick.
Halford gave the Gamecocks a 19-18 lead on a 42-yard field goal with 6:34 left in the game.
Alabama A&M humbles TSU
Photo: TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner (16) looks for a receiver during the Tennessee State University vs. Alabama A&M John Merritt Classic football game.By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer
Tigers suffer third consecutive defeat in Merritt Classic
Alabama A&M didn't wait so late in the game this year to spoil the John Merritt Classic for Tennessee State.
After winning the previous two festive season-openers with come-from-behind fourth-quarter rallies, the Bulldogs skipped the drama Saturday night on the way to a 49-23 victory.
An LP Field crowd of 23,440 watched the Bulldogs make it three straight over the Tigers. It was TSU's last chance to avenge two previous losses to A&M. Southern replaces Alabama A&M as TSU's foe in the 2008 John Merritt Classic.
The last time TSU gave up 49 points was in 2005 in a 49-0 loss to Eastern Kentucky.
Alabama A&M rallied in the last quarter in 2005 to beat TSU 27-14, and then in 2006 scored two fourth-quarter TDs to claim a 27-20 victory.
Saturday night's crowd was significantly larger than last year's (an increase of 3,953), many of whom were there hoping to see the Tigers manage to hold on until the very end.
But that chance was blown well before the game reached the fourth quarter. Alabama A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke saw to that. He completed 18-of-29 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns.
TSU Coach James Webster refused to lay blame for the loss solely on his defense, which gave up 450 yards of total offense.
"Give Alabama A&M credit," Webster said. "Luke is a winner. I love the guy. When they needed to have plays made, he made the plays."
While Luke played better as the game went on, TSU suffered mostly because the offense was unable to sustain drive. The Tigers converted on just 3-of-13 first downs.
Luke the leader
With his team clinging to a 14-13 lead midway through the third quarter, Luke completed a 33-yard touchdown strike to running back Ulysses Banks. Luke followed with a 34-yard TD to tight end John Smith, putting the Bulldogs up 28-13.
"We settled down and we got things going — we executed our game plan," Luke said. "I didn't expect us to score 49 points, but I knew we had some playmakers on our offense.''
TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner, meanwhile, could not keep the Tigers offense in gear. It was Heffner who set up Luke's TD pass to Smith. Heffner rolled left under heavy pressure from defensive tackle Frank Kearse and let the ball slip out of his hands as he went to throw it. Kearse recovered, and Luke's scoring pass to Smith came on the next play.
Heffner completed only 15-of-30 passes for 173 yards and had three intercepted.
"I'm not going to blame it all on Antonio," Webster said. "We didn't help him very much."
The Tigers threatened on the next drive, but that stalled at the A&M 12. They had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Eric Benson, which left A&M in front 28-16.
Luke then capped a 5-play, 50-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown run midway in the fourth quarter. Anthony Green then destroyed any hope of a TSU comeback when he ran 25 yards for a TD with 8:28 left to play, giving the Bulldogs a 42-16 lead.
TSU running back Javarris Williams, who did not start, eventually came in and rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries.
Alabama A&M and Tennessee State close to deal
Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times
Young Bulldogs start slow
NASHVILLE - With six new starters, Alabama A&M's offense struggled early.
The Bulldogs were penalized three times on their first possession and then went three-and-out on three of their next four possessions.
A&M's running game was nonexistent as the Bulldogs finished with only one yard rushing and had the ball for just under five minutes in the first quarter.
Moody makes a move early
Charles Moody, Alabama A&M's All-Southwestern Athletic Conference tight end, made his presence felt early Saturday night against Tennessee State.
A 6-foot, 249-pound senior from Daleville, Moody caught two passes for 35 yards and both resulted in first downs for the Bulldogs.
On a third-and-seven play from the A&M 15, quarterback Kelcy Luke found Moody on a drag route for a 17-yard gain to give the Bulldogs their first first down of the season. Three plays later, Luke found Moody for 18 more yards on a second-and-15 play to give A&M a first down at the TSU 42.
Ex-Johnson star steps up
Former Johnson High star Carlton Rice, who transferred to Alabama A&M from Mississippi State in January, came up with the Bulldogs' first big defensive play of the season.
With Tennessee State leading 7-0 and threatening to score again late in the first quarter, Rice recorded his first career interception.
On a third-and-seven play from A&M 19, TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner rolled to his left and tried to find wide receiver Chris Johnson. An A&M defender tipped the ball, then Johnson tipped it and it fell into the Rice's arms.
Rice had a game-high seven tackles at intermission to go along with his interception.
Stockdale hurls downfield
Alabama A&M wide receiver Gerald Stockdale hadn't thrown a pass since his days at Talladega Central High School. After Saturday's effort, perhaps A&M coach Anthony Jones might want to consider letting Stockdale throw a few more balls.
With A&M backed up deep in its own territory late in the first half, Jones called for a reverse pass. Luke pitched the ball to Stockdale. After evading a tackle, Stockdale heaved a pass downfield to wide receiver Thomas Harris for a 42-yard gain down to the Tennessee State 44.
On the next play, Luke found Harris for a 44-yard touchdown pass to help A&M tied the game at 7-7.
Bulldogs too relaxed early
Alabama A&M's kickoff coverage team relaxed on the opening kickoff and allowed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a big return.
Rashad Cylar's kickoff bounced near the back of the end zone, but Rodgers-Cromartie, one of the top defensive backs in the country, brought it out and picked up 35 yards on the return.
Tucker makes a pick
Defensive back Stephan Tucker gambled and lost to help set up Tennessee State's first touchdown midway through the first quarter.
On a second-and-nine play from the TSU 32, Tucker tried to intercept Heffner's pass, but instead of coming away with the football, it landed in the arms of Chris Johnson, who raced 66 yards down to the A&M 2. The Tigers scored two plays later to take the lead.
Tucker got his interception as time expired to end the first half.
Maddox earns two flags
Alabama A&M defensive end Jeremy Maddox was hit with two big penalties early in the third quarter that allowed Tennessee State to get back in the game.
With the Tigers facing a third-and-10 at the A&M 44, Maddox was called for roughing the passer against Heffner and was also called for a personal foul for shoving a TSU offensive lineman. A&M was penalized 31 yards down to the TSU 13 and the Tigers scored two plays later to pull to within 14-13.
First-time starters take field
Nine Alabama A&M players made their first career starts Saturday night against Tennessee State.
Offensively, sophomore Ulysses Banks started at tailback, sophomore Kevin McCants started at fullback, freshman Nate Baxter started at wide receiver, freshman Russell Jackson started at left guard, sophomore Xavier Manuel started at center and sophomore Charles Meade started at left guard.
Defensively, sophomore Renaldo Askew started at left tackle, junior Whitney Garrett started at right tackle and Rice started at inside linebacker.
A&M, TSU close to deal
Alabama A&M and Tennessee State officials are close to signing a two-year, home-and-home agreement, A&M athletics director Betty Austin said Saturday afternoon.
Austin said she and TSU athletics director Teresa Phillips have tentatively agreed on a two-year deal that would bring the Tigers to Louis Crews Stadium next year with the Bulldogs returning to LP Field in 2009.
"We've been talking about it for about six weeks," Austin said.
This is the third straight year that A&M and TSU have met in the John Merritt Classic. Southern will replace A&M in next year's game, but Austin was eager to have TSU on the schedule.
"I'm hoping it will be a long-term deal," she said. "Teresa asked me to wait until we got this game behind us, but I'm hoping we can finalize a deal in the next few weeks.
"It's a good game. Our fans enjoy it. The schools are in close proximity. The bottom line is we need to play each other."
Young Bulldogs start slow
NASHVILLE - With six new starters, Alabama A&M's offense struggled early.
The Bulldogs were penalized three times on their first possession and then went three-and-out on three of their next four possessions.
A&M's running game was nonexistent as the Bulldogs finished with only one yard rushing and had the ball for just under five minutes in the first quarter.
Moody makes a move early
Charles Moody, Alabama A&M's All-Southwestern Athletic Conference tight end, made his presence felt early Saturday night against Tennessee State.
A 6-foot, 249-pound senior from Daleville, Moody caught two passes for 35 yards and both resulted in first downs for the Bulldogs.
On a third-and-seven play from the A&M 15, quarterback Kelcy Luke found Moody on a drag route for a 17-yard gain to give the Bulldogs their first first down of the season. Three plays later, Luke found Moody for 18 more yards on a second-and-15 play to give A&M a first down at the TSU 42.
Ex-Johnson star steps up
Former Johnson High star Carlton Rice, who transferred to Alabama A&M from Mississippi State in January, came up with the Bulldogs' first big defensive play of the season.
With Tennessee State leading 7-0 and threatening to score again late in the first quarter, Rice recorded his first career interception.
On a third-and-seven play from A&M 19, TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner rolled to his left and tried to find wide receiver Chris Johnson. An A&M defender tipped the ball, then Johnson tipped it and it fell into the Rice's arms.
Rice had a game-high seven tackles at intermission to go along with his interception.
Stockdale hurls downfield
Alabama A&M wide receiver Gerald Stockdale hadn't thrown a pass since his days at Talladega Central High School. After Saturday's effort, perhaps A&M coach Anthony Jones might want to consider letting Stockdale throw a few more balls.
With A&M backed up deep in its own territory late in the first half, Jones called for a reverse pass. Luke pitched the ball to Stockdale. After evading a tackle, Stockdale heaved a pass downfield to wide receiver Thomas Harris for a 42-yard gain down to the Tennessee State 44.
On the next play, Luke found Harris for a 44-yard touchdown pass to help A&M tied the game at 7-7.
Bulldogs too relaxed early
Alabama A&M's kickoff coverage team relaxed on the opening kickoff and allowed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie a big return.
Rashad Cylar's kickoff bounced near the back of the end zone, but Rodgers-Cromartie, one of the top defensive backs in the country, brought it out and picked up 35 yards on the return.
Tucker makes a pick
Defensive back Stephan Tucker gambled and lost to help set up Tennessee State's first touchdown midway through the first quarter.
On a second-and-nine play from the TSU 32, Tucker tried to intercept Heffner's pass, but instead of coming away with the football, it landed in the arms of Chris Johnson, who raced 66 yards down to the A&M 2. The Tigers scored two plays later to take the lead.
Tucker got his interception as time expired to end the first half.
Maddox earns two flags
Alabama A&M defensive end Jeremy Maddox was hit with two big penalties early in the third quarter that allowed Tennessee State to get back in the game.
With the Tigers facing a third-and-10 at the A&M 44, Maddox was called for roughing the passer against Heffner and was also called for a personal foul for shoving a TSU offensive lineman. A&M was penalized 31 yards down to the TSU 13 and the Tigers scored two plays later to pull to within 14-13.
First-time starters take field
Nine Alabama A&M players made their first career starts Saturday night against Tennessee State.
Offensively, sophomore Ulysses Banks started at tailback, sophomore Kevin McCants started at fullback, freshman Nate Baxter started at wide receiver, freshman Russell Jackson started at left guard, sophomore Xavier Manuel started at center and sophomore Charles Meade started at left guard.
Defensively, sophomore Renaldo Askew started at left tackle, junior Whitney Garrett started at right tackle and Rice started at inside linebacker.
A&M, TSU close to deal
Alabama A&M and Tennessee State officials are close to signing a two-year, home-and-home agreement, A&M athletics director Betty Austin said Saturday afternoon.
Austin said she and TSU athletics director Teresa Phillips have tentatively agreed on a two-year deal that would bring the Tigers to Louis Crews Stadium next year with the Bulldogs returning to LP Field in 2009.
"We've been talking about it for about six weeks," Austin said.
This is the third straight year that A&M and TSU have met in the John Merritt Classic. Southern will replace A&M in next year's game, but Austin was eager to have TSU on the schedule.
"I'm hoping it will be a long-term deal," she said. "Teresa asked me to wait until we got this game behind us, but I'm hoping we can finalize a deal in the next few weeks.
"It's a good game. Our fans enjoy it. The schools are in close proximity. The bottom line is we need to play each other."
AA&M explodes after first quarter to bash Tennessee State
By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff
A&M explodes after first quarter to bash Tennessee State
NASHVILLE - Perhaps Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones should call his carpenter. After all, he's going to need a little more room in his trophy case after the way his team has beaten Tennessee State in recent years.
Quarterback Kelcy Luke completed 18-of-29 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another one and and the Bulldogs' defense was brilliant the last three quarters as A&M whipped the Tigers 49-23 in the ninth annual John Merritt Classic Saturday night at LP Field in the season opener for both teams.
An announced crowd of 23,440 looked as A&M beat TSU for the third straight year and the fifth time in the last six years.
"We've been blessed," said Jones, who ran his record to 5-1 against the Tigers. "We made a few mistakes early tonight, but our guys settled down, got used to the speed of the game and made plays.
"We had some great plays. Our kids executed and I'm proud of the way they played."
The win lifted A&M to 1-0 on the season. TSU is 0-1.
Six Bulldogs scored touchdowns and A&M finished with 450 yards in total offense.
Trailing 7-0 and deep in his own territory, Jones went into his bag of tricks to get the Bulldogs' offense untracked.
Wide receiver Gerald Stockdale, on a reverse pass, found wide receiver Thomas Harris for a 42-yard gain down to the TSU 44. One play later, Luke found Harris with a 44-yard touchdown pass and Jeremy Licea kicked the first of his seven extra points to make it 7-all.
"We worked on that play for about two weeks," said Stockdale, who played quarterback at Talladega County Central High School. "We needed to make a play to spark the team. I knew Thomas going to make the play."
The Bulldogs took a lead they would never relinquish with just less than five minutes left before halftime when redshirt freshman Anthony Green scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard run to cap a nine-play, 53-yard drive to make it 14-7.
After the Tigers pulled to within 14-13 early in the third quarter on Antonio Heffner's 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Johnson, the Bulldogs answered with back-to-back touchdowns within a two-minute span to break it open.
Luke found tailback Ulysses Banks on a beautifully executed screen pass for a 33-yard touchdown and followed that with a 34-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Smith with just more than seven minutes left in the third quarter to make it 28-13. Smith's touchdown was set up when freshman defensive tackle Frank Kearse recovered Heffner's fumble on the TSU 34.
The Bulldogs forced four turnovers and scored 21 points off of them.
"I saw the quarterback drop the ball and I tried to get it and take it to the house, but I stumbled on some grass," Kearse said. "I know I'm going to hear about that when we watch the film."
Eric Benson's 29-yard field goal pulled TSU within 28-16 late in the third quarter, but Luke scored on a 9-yard run and Anthony Green raced 25 yards for his second touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it 42-16 as A&M broke it open.
"We had some first-game jitters early, but after that we settled down, got things going and executed our game plan," Luke said. "I didn't expect to score as many points as we did, but I knew we had some playmakers on offense and we did what we had to do."
Jones praised Luke's leadership.
"He started off a little rough, but I pulled him to the side and told him had had to make the rest of the guys better," Jones said. "My hat's off to him. He stepped up his game and you saw the results."
Freshman fullback Generion McWhorter scored A&M's last touchdown on a 12-yard run as he dragged at least five people into the end zone with him with just less than four minutes remaining.
Jones was worried coming into the game about his team's youth and inexperience. After Saturday night's win, he felt pretty good about his young squad.
"I don't know how good we can be," he said. "We beat a good football team tonight. We've got a chance to be pretty good.
"I'm just happy for our kids."
A&M explodes after first quarter to bash Tennessee State
NASHVILLE - Perhaps Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones should call his carpenter. After all, he's going to need a little more room in his trophy case after the way his team has beaten Tennessee State in recent years.
Quarterback Kelcy Luke completed 18-of-29 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another one and and the Bulldogs' defense was brilliant the last three quarters as A&M whipped the Tigers 49-23 in the ninth annual John Merritt Classic Saturday night at LP Field in the season opener for both teams.
An announced crowd of 23,440 looked as A&M beat TSU for the third straight year and the fifth time in the last six years.
"We've been blessed," said Jones, who ran his record to 5-1 against the Tigers. "We made a few mistakes early tonight, but our guys settled down, got used to the speed of the game and made plays.
"We had some great plays. Our kids executed and I'm proud of the way they played."
The win lifted A&M to 1-0 on the season. TSU is 0-1.
Six Bulldogs scored touchdowns and A&M finished with 450 yards in total offense.Trailing 7-0 and deep in his own territory, Jones went into his bag of tricks to get the Bulldogs' offense untracked.
Wide receiver Gerald Stockdale, on a reverse pass, found wide receiver Thomas Harris for a 42-yard gain down to the TSU 44. One play later, Luke found Harris with a 44-yard touchdown pass and Jeremy Licea kicked the first of his seven extra points to make it 7-all.
"We worked on that play for about two weeks," said Stockdale, who played quarterback at Talladega County Central High School. "We needed to make a play to spark the team. I knew Thomas going to make the play."
The Bulldogs took a lead they would never relinquish with just less than five minutes left before halftime when redshirt freshman Anthony Green scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard run to cap a nine-play, 53-yard drive to make it 14-7.
After the Tigers pulled to within 14-13 early in the third quarter on Antonio Heffner's 12-yard touchdown pass to Chris Johnson, the Bulldogs answered with back-to-back touchdowns within a two-minute span to break it open.
Luke found tailback Ulysses Banks on a beautifully executed screen pass for a 33-yard touchdown and followed that with a 34-yard touchdown pass to tight end John Smith with just more than seven minutes left in the third quarter to make it 28-13. Smith's touchdown was set up when freshman defensive tackle Frank Kearse recovered Heffner's fumble on the TSU 34.
The Bulldogs forced four turnovers and scored 21 points off of them.
"I saw the quarterback drop the ball and I tried to get it and take it to the house, but I stumbled on some grass," Kearse said. "I know I'm going to hear about that when we watch the film."
Eric Benson's 29-yard field goal pulled TSU within 28-16 late in the third quarter, but Luke scored on a 9-yard run and Anthony Green raced 25 yards for his second touchdown in the fourth quarter to make it 42-16 as A&M broke it open.
"We had some first-game jitters early, but after that we settled down, got things going and executed our game plan," Luke said. "I didn't expect to score as many points as we did, but I knew we had some playmakers on offense and we did what we had to do."
Jones praised Luke's leadership.
"He started off a little rough, but I pulled him to the side and told him had had to make the rest of the guys better," Jones said. "My hat's off to him. He stepped up his game and you saw the results."
Freshman fullback Generion McWhorter scored A&M's last touchdown on a 12-yard run as he dragged at least five people into the end zone with him with just less than four minutes remaining.
Jones was worried coming into the game about his team's youth and inexperience. After Saturday night's win, he felt pretty good about his young squad.
"I don't know how good we can be," he said. "We beat a good football team tonight. We've got a chance to be pretty good.
"I'm just happy for our kids."
Luke leads Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Reggie Benson, Huntsville TimesSince Alabama A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke can't earn All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors, maybe Tennessee State coach James Webster can vote him on to the All-Ohio Valley Conference team. After all, Luke has guided the Bulldogs to three straight wins over the Tigers.
Tennessee State coach James Webster won't keep his job if he continues to play running back Terrence Wright ahead of Javarris Williams. Williams rushed for 123 yards on 20 carries, while Wright had nine yards on seven carries.
Alabama A&M may be better than anybody expected on offense. The Bulldogs scored 49 points, finished with 450 yards and nine different players caught passes Saturday night.
Former Johnson High star Carlton Rice sat on the bench for three years at Mississippi State, but it didn't take him long to make his presence felt at Alabama A&M. Rice was named the John Merritt Classic's Most Valuable Defensive Player with eight tackles, including six solos, one tackle for loss and one interception.
Alabama A&M won't need Jeremy Licea to kick any field goals this season if it continues to score like it did against Tennessee State. However, it was refreshing to see Licea make all seven of his extra points after struggling last season.
Tennessee State lost the game, but the Tigers' band, the Aristocrats, won the halftime show.
DSU's Hicks nabs victory, fiancee at JSU game
By Rusty Hampton, Clarion Ledger
Nekelah Howard looked a bit stunned Saturday night as she stood near the football field at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, hugging friends, posing for pictures and trying to answer a reporter's questions.
And it wasn't because her current school, Delta State, had just whipped up on her former school, Jackson State, 27-15, in football.
It was because she had just received a diamond ring from linebacker Lardester Hicks, moments after he had helped the Statesmen win and some two hours after he had proposed to her during the game via a message splashed across the stadium video screen.
Howard, a junior from Mound Bayou, said she didn't know what to think when her name first appeared on the video screen.
"I thought I'd won a prize or something," she said.
But then this appeared: "Will you marry me?"
Moments later, Hicks made an interception that led to DSU's second touchdown.
Hicks, a sophomore from Chicago, led the Statesmen with nine total tackles, including three for losses.
He and his teammates were as prepared for the Tigers as Hicks was for his big moment.
He planned all summer. He contacted stadium officials and set it up, then had a trainer bring the ring from the locker room after the game.
"I wanted it to be big," he said.
Many teammates didn't know what was going on.
"I was shocked," said linebacker Michael Eubanks. "I was like, 'What? Where did that come from?' "
Hicks said he can separate his private life from his football life. "Right now, football's No. 1," he said. "I'm always focused and she understands that."
But after the game, football took a back seat.
"She said yes," Hicks said, smiling. "That's the most important part."
And it wasn't because her current school, Delta State, had just whipped up on her former school, Jackson State, 27-15, in football.
It was because she had just received a diamond ring from linebacker Lardester Hicks, moments after he had helped the Statesmen win and some two hours after he had proposed to her during the game via a message splashed across the stadium video screen.
Howard, a junior from Mound Bayou, said she didn't know what to think when her name first appeared on the video screen.
"I thought I'd won a prize or something," she said.
But then this appeared: "Will you marry me?"
Moments later, Hicks made an interception that led to DSU's second touchdown.Hicks, a sophomore from Chicago, led the Statesmen with nine total tackles, including three for losses.
He and his teammates were as prepared for the Tigers as Hicks was for his big moment.
He planned all summer. He contacted stadium officials and set it up, then had a trainer bring the ring from the locker room after the game.
"I wanted it to be big," he said.
Many teammates didn't know what was going on.
"I was shocked," said linebacker Michael Eubanks. "I was like, 'What? Where did that come from?' "
Hicks said he can separate his private life from his football life. "Right now, football's No. 1," he said. "I'm always focused and she understands that."
But after the game, football took a back seat.
"She said yes," Hicks said, smiling. "That's the most important part."
Minus Haw, JSU Tigers unable to produce ground game
By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger
Jackson State starting running back Erik Haw missed Saturday's game with an injured ankle after coaches made a game time decision that the junior couldn't play.
Haw, who scored four touchdowns in Jackson State's opener against Paul Quinn last season, watched from the sideline as JSU dropped a 27-15 decision to Delta State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"It hurt us not to have Erik out on the field and it was a really tough decision to make," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "But we decided we didn't want to risk him in a non-conference game."
Jackson State was already shorthanded at running back because senior Cody Hull had to miss the game because of questions about his academic standing.
That meant sophomore L.D. Briscoe and senior Lavarius Giles had to carry the majority of the workload. The result wasn't pretty.
Jackson State rushed for minus-22 yards and was consistently stuffed in the backfield. Without the threat of a decent running game, Delta State ran an all-out blitz for much of the game.
"Briscoe and Giles are both really good backs," Comegy said. "But they're outside runners and we've got to have the ability to run between the tackles. We just didn't have that tonight without guys like Cody Hull and Haw."
QB CHANGES?
Comegy said he wasn't sure what his quarterback situation would be for next week's game against Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic.
Senior Jimmy Oliver started the game but was on the bench by the second quarter. Sophomore Tray Rutland proved to be just as ineffective in relief and the two ended up trading series. Combined, they were 11-of-34 through the air for 151 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
"We'll have to go back, look at the tape and try to figure this out," Comegy said. "I know both had some bad reads, but they were also under a lot of pressure tonight from Delta State."
BETTER SECONDARY
After being dominated for much of last season, Jackson State's secondary looked much better against Delta State, holding the Statesmen to 67 yards through the air.
Junior cornerback Domonique Johnson, a transfer from Missouri, had an interception, as did sophomore Malcolm Palmer, who was also making his first career start.
Jackson State starting running back Erik Haw missed Saturday's game with an injured ankle after coaches made a game time decision that the junior couldn't play.
Haw, who scored four touchdowns in Jackson State's opener against Paul Quinn last season, watched from the sideline as JSU dropped a 27-15 decision to Delta State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"It hurt us not to have Erik out on the field and it was a really tough decision to make," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "But we decided we didn't want to risk him in a non-conference game."
Jackson State was already shorthanded at running back because senior Cody Hull had to miss the game because of questions about his academic standing.
That meant sophomore L.D. Briscoe and senior Lavarius Giles had to carry the majority of the workload. The result wasn't pretty.
Jackson State rushed for minus-22 yards and was consistently stuffed in the backfield. Without the threat of a decent running game, Delta State ran an all-out blitz for much of the game.
"Briscoe and Giles are both really good backs," Comegy said. "But they're outside runners and we've got to have the ability to run between the tackles. We just didn't have that tonight without guys like Cody Hull and Haw."
QB CHANGES?
Comegy said he wasn't sure what his quarterback situation would be for next week's game against Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic.
Senior Jimmy Oliver started the game but was on the bench by the second quarter. Sophomore Tray Rutland proved to be just as ineffective in relief and the two ended up trading series. Combined, they were 11-of-34 through the air for 151 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.
"We'll have to go back, look at the tape and try to figure this out," Comegy said. "I know both had some bad reads, but they were also under a lot of pressure tonight from Delta State."
BETTER SECONDARY
After being dominated for much of last season, Jackson State's secondary looked much better against Delta State, holding the Statesmen to 67 yards through the air.
Junior cornerback Domonique Johnson, a transfer from Missouri, had an interception, as did sophomore Malcolm Palmer, who was also making his first career start.
DSU's conquest not unexpected of JSU
Memo to Division I-AA athletic directors: Beware the Fighting Okra.
Scheduling Delta State might be hazardous to your football team's psyche.
New coach Rick Comegy helped revive the Jackson State program last year, but first-year DSU coach Ron Roberts and the Statesmen took the Tigers down a notch or three Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in the season opener for both teams.
The final score - 27-15 - doesn't begin to reflect the way the Statesmen dominated this game, nor should it shock you. The Statesmen lost star quarterback Scott Eyster from last year's team that reached the NCAA Division II national semifinals, but they returned 17 other starters.
"We believe we have a championship ballclub," said Roberts, who was the defensive coordinator on last year's DSU team that won 12 games.
PLENTY OF TALENT
Scheduling Delta State might be hazardous to your football team's psyche.
New coach Rick Comegy helped revive the Jackson State program last year, but first-year DSU coach Ron Roberts and the Statesmen took the Tigers down a notch or three Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in the season opener for both teams.
The final score - 27-15 - doesn't begin to reflect the way the Statesmen dominated this game, nor should it shock you. The Statesmen lost star quarterback Scott Eyster from last year's team that reached the NCAA Division II national semifinals, but they returned 17 other starters.
"We believe we have a championship ballclub," said Roberts, who was the defensive coordinator on last year's DSU team that won 12 games.
PLENTY OF TALENT
DSU has 27 fewer scholarships than JSU's 63, but the Statesmen have no shortage of athletes. (That was obvious Saturday when JSU was on offense and it looked like DSU had 15 guys on the field.)
And Delta State has done this before. Last year, the Statesmen won at I-AA Stephen F. Austin. A few years ago, they clobbered Mississippi Valley State 45-0 in the finale of a four-game series that saw DSU win three out of four.
Except for Lavarius Giles' 92-yard kickoff return and a late touchdown drive there was nothing for Tigers fans to be happy about.
OK, the Sonic Boom was good.
But the football team stunk, and nothing deflates a season-opening crowd faster than being totally outplayed at home.
Delta State was the better-prepared team on both sides of the ball. The Statesmen kept the Tigers off balance with their spread offense and they completely smothered them defensively.
It didn't matter if Jimmy Oliver or Tray Rutland was at quarterback. If you don't have time to throw - or a hint of a hole to run through - you're not going to get any yards.
JSU had a net minus-29 yards rushing. Oliver and Rutland were sacked a combined six times and flushed from the pocket at least a dozen other times.
TIGERS' PRIDE SUFFERS
What's it all mean?For JSU, that's difficult to tell.
Comegy and his assistants have some very bruised egos to massage before next Saturday's Southern Heritage Classic game against Tennessee State in Memphis.
DSU, ranked 12th in the national D-II coaches poll, showed that it is really good again.
Dedrick Wilson is not Scott Eyster, but he proved more than serviceable in his first start.
And defensively, the Statesmen are a blur.
"I really think we have a better defense than last year," said linebacker Lardester Hicks. "We have more talent and we're building. This game was a building block."
So did the Statesmen dominate the Tigers?
"That's too strong," said linebacker Michael Eubanks. "We played very well, but we're never satisfied."
"Every game we're looking for a goose egg," Hicks said.
"So to be honest with you," interjected Eubanks, "we're kind of upset. We're mad about this. We're mad as hell."
Eubanks, it should be noted, was smiling broadly as he spoke.
So was Roberts, the coach, when he said he'd like to play a game in Jackson every year.
Something tells me there won't be a rematch.
JSU Speedster Giles' 92-yard kick return shows major promise
Good news was a little hard to find on Saturday night as Jackson State limped away after a 27-15 loss to Delta State. But the emergence of Lavarius Giles on special teams could be the sign of good things to come.
Giles scored Jackson State's first touchdown of the season on a 92-yard kickoff return early in the fourth quarter, knifing through Delta State's would-be tacklers without being touched.
It was the first touchdown of his JSU career.
"That was really good to see out of Lavarius," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "He's got the kind of ability to make that happen a few more times this season. He really gave us a boost."
Giles' flat-out speed isn't a surprise to those have followed his track career. The senior won the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the Southwestern Athletic Conference outdoor meet in the spring.
Last season, Jackson State's coaching staff raved about Giles' potential. But they had trouble finding room for him on the football field, shuffling him between running back, wide receiver and return specialist.
He accounted for only 85 total yards last season, but surpassed that total in this season's first game.
And the former Ray Brooks and Mississippi Delta Community College star says there's more where that first touchdown came from.
"You know, I do think it gave me a lot of confidence to actually get out there and make a big play," Giles said. "Now we've just got to get everything right as a team and get some wins."
-David Brandt
Giles scored Jackson State's first touchdown of the season on a 92-yard kickoff return early in the fourth quarter, knifing through Delta State's would-be tacklers without being touched.
It was the first touchdown of his JSU career.
"That was really good to see out of Lavarius," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "He's got the kind of ability to make that happen a few more times this season. He really gave us a boost."
Giles' flat-out speed isn't a surprise to those have followed his track career. The senior won the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the Southwestern Athletic Conference outdoor meet in the spring.
Last season, Jackson State's coaching staff raved about Giles' potential. But they had trouble finding room for him on the football field, shuffling him between running back, wide receiver and return specialist.
He accounted for only 85 total yards last season, but surpassed that total in this season's first game.
And the former Ray Brooks and Mississippi Delta Community College star says there's more where that first touchdown came from.
"You know, I do think it gave me a lot of confidence to actually get out there and make a big play," Giles said. "Now we've just got to get everything right as a team and get some wins."
-David Brandt
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