AAMU's Rice's move has no degree of difficulty

Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times

Mississippi State grad, ex-Johnson star enjoys playing time at A&M

Every year, Carlton Rice considered coming home from Mississippi State. But every year, the former Johnson High School star changed his mind.

Finally, with his fitness management degree in hand, there was no reason for Rice to stay in Starkville and languish on special teams, as he had done the previous three seasons.

So after graduating last December with a year of eligibility remaining, Rice headed home to Alabama A&M.

He's only played one game for the Bulldogs, but he's already made an impact.

Last Saturday against Tennessee State, the senior inside linebacker showed off his skills. He finished with a game-high eight tackles and had an interception in the first quarter that turned the game around as A&M went on to a convincing 49-23 victory. Rice was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Game.

"I give all the glory to God," Rice said. "Being here is a blessing."

Rice considered A&M coming out of high school. He eventually committed to Chattanooga, but MSU entered the picture late in the recruiting process. Ron Cooper, who coached from 1998-2001 at A&M, signed him.

After redshirting as a freshman, Rice spent the majority of his career playing special teams. While he played in all 34 games during his stay, he was credited with 25 tackles - 15 of which came last season.

"I got in basically when the game was over," Rice said. "I was second string, but never got the coach's confidence.

"It was a real tough situation, but I never complained. I went out there every day and did my job and hoped to get a chance."

That went on throughout his career. Even so, Rice decided to stick it out.

"I got there and decided I wanted to get a degree from Mississippi State," he said.

All the while, Rice stayed in contact with A&M coach Anthony Jones. When Mississippi State was idle, Rice came to watch A&M play.

"When he wasn't here, I felt like he was a part of our program because he still had an interest," Jones said. "We felt we had a real good shot at him coming out of high school, but Mississippi State came in. It's tough for a kid to turn down an SEC team."

After Rice realized he was going to graduate early and have a year of eligibility left, his mind was made up.

"I pretty much knew what I wanted to do," he said. "I was coming back home."

Rice certainly looked comfortable Saturday night. Making his first career start and playing extensively for the first time in college, Rice looked like a natural.

"He played an exceptional game," Martin said. "He has great awareness and instincts. He's brought more to the table than I expected.

"It was like he had been here five years and he's only been here one game. We're excited."

So is Rice.

"Saturday night was all I envisioned and more," he said.

Defensive line changes: Two new starters will be along A&M's defensive line Saturday night when Clark Atlanta visits. Dominique Cummings will start at right defensive end and David Winston will start at right defensive tackle against the Panthers.

Jeremy Maddox started in place of Cummings against Tennessee State and was credited with five tackles, but he was also whistled for two big penalties early in the third quarter that helped set up a Tigers touchdown. Meanwhile, Renaldo Askew started in place of Winston, who had sustained a back injury more than a week before the opener. Winston was credited with one tackle, while Askew didn't record one.

Working hard: A&M practiced for two-plus hours Tuesday as it began preparations for its home opener against Clark Atlanta. Kickoff is 6:30 Saturday night at Louis Crews Stadium.

"It's the toughest day of the week," he said. "You're challenged mentally because you're introducing a new game plan. You're challenged physically because you've had a couple of days off and the bumps and bruises have set in."

TSU Williams rejoins first team after opening performance

By MIKE ORGAN, the Tennesseean

Running back Javarris Williams, who provided one of the few bright spots for Tennessee State's offense in last Saturday's loss to Alabama A&M, has earned back his starting assignment.

Williams will be with the first team when TSU plays Jackson State on Saturday in the Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

Williams, a junior who rushed for 1,233 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, had been bumped from the first team by sophomore Terrence Wright because Wright had performed so well in preseason camp.

But Wright struggled Saturday gaining only nine yards on seven carries in the 49-23 loss to A&M, while Williams ran for 123 yards on 20 carries.

"I'm real proud of Javarris, of the way he ran and the way he handled me," TSU Coach James Webster said. "When I say the way he handled me, I mean that when I told him he wasn't going to start because of some different things he never wavered. He gave us his best in practice, he always hustled, and he came out in the game and ran like the winner that he is."

Williams wasn't satisfied with his performance against Alabama A&M, even though it was the 10th time he has rushed for at least 100 yards in a game.

"I did okay, but we didn't win so I guess it wasn't good enough," Williams said. "I read my blocks good and followed my linemen. I ran hard and there was some poor tackling by Alabama A&M."

No injuries: Webster said the Tigers suffered some minor bumps and bruises but no injuries that would keep any players out of the Jackson State game.

Scouting: NFL scouts from the Chargers, 49ers and Patriots attended Tuesday's practice. They were interested in cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but also checked on defensive end Shaun Richardson and offensive tackle Cornelius Lewis, a transfer from Florida State.

Nice increase: TSU Athletics Director Teresa L. Phillips wasn't happy about the loss in the John Merritt Classic, but was pleased with the increase in attendance .

Saturday's attendance mark for the John Merritt Classic was 22,440, which was up 3,953 from last year.

Phillips also said she wished more fans had watched the game at LP Field instead of staying in the parking lot to tailgate.

"We're trying to figure out how to get some of those people into the stadium once the game starts, but anytime you're going in the right direction in terms of attendance it's a positive," Phillips said.

Southern, a more traditional rival for the Tigers, replaces A&M in next year's Classic.

'Wyatt-bone' ready for SCSU

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Sports Editor

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Last Saturday looked like vintage "Wyatt-bone" produced by the Bethune-Cookman’s offense.

With double-threat quarterback Jimmie Russell orchestrating the option attack as seamlessly as predecessors Allen Suber and Pa'tell Troutman and B-back Justin Brannon running effectively, the Wildcats rushed for 283 yards in a 31-17 victory over Jacksonville on Saturday.

Just don’t suggest to Bethune-Cookman head football coach Alvin Wyatt the performance marked a revival of his self-coined variation of the Wishbone and Ham-bone offense given how successfully the Wildcats’ passing game worked in last year’s 45-21 rout of Saturday’s 4 p.m. opponent South Carolina State.

"I don’t think it ever left us," said Wyatt about his offense on Tuesday . "We’ve averaged over 31 points a game last year and the year before that and the year before that and the year before that and the year before that and the year before that. So we’ve been putting up the points on the board.

"We kind of let down on our defense last year and I’ve made that perfectly clear with everybody. I was very satisfied with what we did offensively last year. We just had two injured quarterbacks and we had to do what we had to do. A guy with a hurt hand couldn’t get the ball from the center. We had a guy with a bad ankle that couldn’t pull away from the center. So, we knew the only way we could have success was try and throw the football.

With Russell hobbling, it was Jarrod Rucker who came off the bench to shred the Bulldogs’ secondary for 347 yards and five touchdowns. This happened after SCSU jumped out to a 14-0 advantage after capitalizing off two turnovers and containing the Wildcats’ ground game.

Should the same thing happen occur, Wyatt said Bethune-Cookman would resort to a similar strategy against an SCSU pass defense which had its difficulties defending Air Force’s mobile quarterback Shaun Carney.

"If we have to throw, we throw," he said. "If we have to run, we try to run the football. There’s no set thing. It’s whatever the defense gives us is how we’re going to react to the situation. So we ever come in saying we’re going to throw on these people or we’re going to run the football. Whatever the defense gives us, then that’s what we’re going to go from it."

Having a healthy Russell is important to the effectiveness of the "Wyatt-bone" attack. The reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week rushed for 114 yards and three touchdowns, matching his entire total from last season, and was 7 of 19 passing for 103 yards and no picks.

More important for Wyatt was how Russell’ play enabled first-time B-back starter Brannon to also rush for over 100 yards.

"When he’s healthy, he’s Suber and Pa'tell-like and he’s healthy right now and hopefully, that can continue through the course of the season," Wyatt said. "He had an outstanding choice as far as passing with no interceptions. Running the football, he had no fumbles. He rushed for over 115 yards, had three touchdowns and set up Justin Brannon, our first-time starter at the B-back position where he was able to get 100 yards also rushing. So we had two, 100-yard rushers and Jimmie was a huge part of that as well as that offensive line and the other guys who were on the field at that time."

Those "other guys" included senior wide receiver Paul Neufville, who was just cleared to play by the NCAA following a medical redshirt last season during which he had six catches for 92 yards against SCSU. Defensively, the Wildcats rebounded from a slow start to hold the Dolphins to 69 rushing yards and got a key interception return for a touchdown from defensive end Dennis King.

Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Bobbie Williams also had an interception, the 14th for his career, and Brendon Odom had a team-high 10 tackles.

"I just take my hats off to those kids simply because we played without five starters and a second guy who would have played a tremendous amount of football on Saturday and we had a lot of newcomers out there and I thought we did an outstanding job. Defensively, once we got on track, they hit us early with a pass that gave them the lead. But we came back and fought back and we shut them down and played well from then on."

Saturday’s matchup marks the renewal of a ‘"rivalry" between head coaches Wyatt and SCSU’s Oliver "Buddy" Pough. Since Pough made comments about how hard it is taking Wyatt seriously given his flashy flair for fashion back in 2002, the two have engaged in gamesmanship both on the field and during press conferences.

Most recently at the MEAC preseason luncheon, Wyatt once again played up the fact that SCSU is a public-supported school with more resources available at its disposal than private-school Bethune-Cookman.

"I enjoy Alvin," said Pough during Monday’s press conference. "He’s funny. I’m sure he’s got all kinds of reasons for all of the things that he does and most of them must work because he’s been very, very successful. What we need to do is maybe emulate some of his more desirable characteristics."

"They have a great football team," said Wyatt about SCSU. "They have great speed. They’re picked to finish number one in the conference. They had an outstanding game against Air Force. They always play tough football, of course, MEAC football is tough anyway. But it’s a rivalry-type atmosphere with these two teams. They really go at each other and it can set the tone for both teams for the season. We’re looking forward to them coming here to Daytona Beach and we know that we have to be at the top of our game. It’s going to be tough competition.and we’re just going to go out there and we’re going to compete and the best team in the end will come out to win the football game."

Off Topic: Going overboard on Appalachian State's upset win over Michigan

by Tresolini

"Greatest upset in college football history" and "David slaying Goliath" were two phrases being way too liberally tossed around Saturday night in the wake of Appalachian State's 34-32 upset over Michigan. Every time I heard or read one or the other, I cringed.

Don't get me wrong. It was a huge upset. A Division I-AA team had never beaten a ranked I-A team. But Appalachian State is hardly your typical I-AA team and, frankly, there are probably 25 Division I-A schools, at least, that would have shocked me more if they'd beaten Michigan. And I'm not just talking Temple and Buffalo. Appalachian State is probably better than a bunch of I-A schools, including a few of the lesser lights from BCS conferences.

The Mountaineers also happen to have a very experienced team -- they returned 13 of 21 offensive and defensive starters -- that knows how to win. They went 26-4 over the last two years, with three of those losses to I-A Kansas, LSU and North Carolina State. There are plenty of I-AA teams that, had they beaten Michigan, it might have been the greatest upset in college football history. Not this I-AA team. A colleague who covered App. State had told me last month he expected the Mountaineers had the guns to battle Michigan.

Michigan obviously isn't as good as it's cracked up to be and wasn't as ready as it should have been. Appalachian State was more than ready and, hence, the college football world was treated to (sorry Michigan fans) what was certainly a major upset but an even bigger spectacle. And give Appalachian State students extra credit for tearing down the goalposts on campus in celebration.
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by Anonymous Fan

It just goes to show you how narrow-minded the ESPN college football analysts are. Yes, it was a huge upset (on paper) but if you watched the game in black and white, no logos/team names and was asked which team is more likely to go to a BCS game, 10 out of 10 people would have pointed to Appalachian State. The ESPN guys don't care for a second about the FCS and are shocked when a FBS team loses to one of them. Mark May said, "I even doubt that a 1-AA team beat a bowl bound 1-A team in recent history." That made him look dumb on many fronts: University of Delaware over Navy is 'o3 and for others making such a hasty generalization without doing a second of research. Prior to the game he did a segment on the Big Ten scheduling "cupcakes," well Michigan can have it's cupcake and eat it too.
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by Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun

Coaches say teams in lower division win their share

Appalachian State struck a blow for the little guy and the repercussions stretched from Ann Arbor, Mich., to tiny Boone, N.C., and all points in the NCAA's former Division I-AA, now called the Football Championship Subdivision.

An upset over Michigan on Saturday shocked football's upper crust, and yesterday the Wolverines fell completely out of the Associated Press Top 25 poll after starting the season at No. 5. To those who have traveled in the I-AA circles, there was no shock. This was merely the latest endorsement of their game.

"That's the first time a ranked [Division I-A or Football Bowl Subdivision] lost so it gets everybody's attention," Navy coach Paul Johnson said, "But every year, somebody [in I-A] loses [to a team in I-AA]."

Johnson has worked both sidelines of the great divide. He won two national I-AA championships at Georgia Southern, where he nearly knocked off host Oregon State in 1999. He has spent the past five-plus years at top-division Navy, where he was upset by I-AA Delaware in 2003 when the Blue Hens won a national title.

The gap between the two divisions isn't as big as some believe, Johnson said.

"I think at the very top of the elite I-A schools, there's a pretty good gap," he said. "I think maybe the top 10, 15 I-AA schools would probably be comparable to the midlevel I-A schools. That's playing once - not if they had to play every week because depth would come into play with the scholarship limit."

FBS schools (I-A) are allotted 85 scholarships. FCS schools (I-AA) get 63. The difference is clear to Towson coach Gordy Combs.

"It's the depth factor," he said. "There are only so many players out there that are difference-makers, and most of those go to I-A. The big thing in I-AA, you have to develop your players."

Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley described Appalachian State's win over Michigan in biblical terms ("It was David and Goliath"). He doesn't believe the gap between the two divisions is closing.

"You can take 100 teams from I-A and play 100 I-AA teams, and you'll still end up with a 15 percent win record [for the I-AAs]," he said. "Michigan would beat them nine out of 10 times."

Still, the lower division manages to pull its share of surprises every September. A week apart in 2004, New Hampshire upset Rutgers, 35-24, and Maine stung Mississippi State, 9-7. Until Saturday, probably the biggest upset was by The Citadel in 1992, when a victory over Arkansas cost Razorbacks coach Jack Crowe his job.

Appalachian State had flirted with this kind of upset before. In 1999, the Mountaineers hung with Auburn before losing, 22-15.

The Mountaineers' speed and spread offense were too much Saturday for Michigan. The spread has helped balance the playing field.

"It's almost like the triple-option," Hill-Eley said. "When that first came about, it was for schools that didn't get the most-talented kids. The spread not only helps schools get more talent, it takes their offense and puts speed behind it. Appalachian State had I-A caliber talent at the receiver and quarterback position."

That wasn't always the case.

"Before, when it was 3 yards and a cloud of dust, it was tough for the I-AAs to play [with the I-A's]," Combs said. "Now even the I-A's are playing the spread."

Johnson hedged when asked whether Appalachian State's upset was the greatest in college football history.

"I don't have any idea about that," he said. "[But] I'm sure there have been less-talented teams beat more-talented teams. I mean, Appalachian State is not a bad football team; they're a pretty talented team."

When he was at Georgia Southern, Johnson was able to get just two I-A schools to play his two-time I-AA champions. In 2000, Georgia Southern lost at Georgia, 29-7. In 1999, the Eagles had Oregon State on the ropes. A touchdown in the final two minutes got them within 48-41.

They got the ball back - with a backup quarterback - and were on the Oregon State 25 when a fourth-down pass ended the game. Johnson said there was a bias by Pacific-10 officials, and remembered a comment from Oregon State coach Dennis Erickson coming off the field.

"After the game, he said, 'We won't be playing anymore,' " Johnson recalled.

There was pride in Johnson's voice.

Former Illinois wide receiver Derrick McPhearson transfers to Hampton University

BY MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

The Pirates have signed five I-A transfers since spring

Hampton University added yet another FBS (I-A) transfer to the roster this week. The latest is Derrick McPhearson, a wide receiver who spent two seasons at Illinois.

McPhearson, 6-feet, 195 pounds, started several games in two seasons (2005-06) for the Illini. He caught 24 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown. He returned eight kicks for an average of 18.4 yards.

Pirates coach Joe Taylor said that McPhearson will begin practicing on Wednesday. McPhearson has two years of eligibility remaining.

"He runs a consistent 4.4 (second) 40, catches with his hands and is a real good route-runner," Taylor said. "He'll be a real contributor, but how quickly he contributes depends on where he is at physically and how quickly he picks up our system."

McPhearson is the fifth FBS player to transfer to Hampton since the spring. The others are cornerback Jackie Bates (Oregon), defensive tackle Kevin Burke (from West Virginia), safety Ben Greene (Tennessee) and cornerback Sam Pope (South Carolina). First team quarterback T.J. Mitchell (West Virginia) and starting tailback Kevin Beverly (Kent State) are also FBS transfers.

The Pirates open their season on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Howard in Washington, D.C.

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And now the rest of the story regarding this HU transfer...

On August 19, 2007, the Washington Post published the following story regarding former local star Derrick McPhearson from Hyattsville, Maryland, who is facing felony residential burglary and theft charges stemming from a March 11 arrest.

The Chicago Tribune reported on August 21, that McPhearson trial has been delayed until Oct.22, 2007, at the Champaign County Circuit Court, after a defense motion.

His attorney complained that a newspaper ("Washington Post")mentioned key evidence he'd never seen. A story in the Washington Post said the evidence against 21-year-old Derrick McPhearson is a videotape showing him and fellow player and defendant Jody Ellis carrying computers out of a fraternity house.

Head Coach Ron Zook, kicked both McPhearson and fellow receiver Jody Ellis off the Illinois team after their arrest with the stolen goods in Ellis car.

McPhearson's Trial Set to Begin

DeMatha All-Met Faces Burglary and Theft Charges in Illinois

By Josh Barr, Washington Post Staff Writer
August 19, 2007

Former All-Met football player Derrick McPhearson, a two-sport star at DeMatha who played football the past two seasons at the University of Illinois, will stand trial tomorrow in Champaign County (Ill.) Circuit Court after being charged with burglary and theft.

McPhearson, who turned down a plea bargain that would have allowed him to avoid prison time, is charged with three counts of felony burglary and two counts of theft under $300. If found guilty of burglary, McPhearson would face a minimum sentence of four years in prison. The theft charge is punishable by two to five years in prison.

McPhearson and former teammate Jody Ellis were arrested March 2. According to a Champaign police spokesman, McPhearson and Ellis were pulled over after Ellis drove away from a minor accident in his 1995 Honda Accord.

"Further investigation led to alleged stolen items being located in the vehicle," police investigations Sgt. Jim Rien said. "Further investigation led to actual victims of burglaries and charges were filed."

Champaign Chief of Police R.T. Finney told reporters that computers, electronic equipment, stolen wallets and identification cards were recovered from the vehicle. In all, 40 stolen items were found, Rien said.

"Both [McPhearson and Ellis] are responsible," Rien said. "We have video evidence that supports both are responsible and both are involved."

Illinois Coach Ron Zook immediately dismissed McPhearson and Ellis from the team following their arrest. An Illinois athletic department spokesman said the coach and his staff would not comment further until the case was resolved.

Court motions for McPhearson are set to be heard tomorrow before Judge Thomas Difanis, with jury selection in the afternoon followed by the start of what is expected to be a five-day trial.

The key evidence in the case is expected to be a videotape showing both players entering an unlocked door of a fraternity house and leaving with computer equipment, according to a source with detailed knowledge of the case who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation.

The key witness against McPhearson is expected to be Ellis, who has been issued a subpoena to testify in the case. Prosecutors offered both players the chance to plead guilty to burglary and go to impact incarceration -- better known as boot camp -- in lieu of a prison sentence, but McPhearson rejected the deal, according to Ellis's attorney, Ed Piraino. With McPhearson set for trial, prosecutors withdrew the offer to Ellis, though Piraino hopes it will be extended again once McPhearson's case is resolved.

"That's not promised, but that's what I hope for, that they'll put an offer back on the table after" McPhearson's trial, Piraino said. The players are being tried separately.

Ellis "has been subpoenaed to testify and they want him to testify truthfully before they extend an offer. Otherwise he could get up there and lie.

"I asked Jody why [the alleged crimes occurred] and he just said because it was there," Piraino said. "Who knows why people do things to ruin their lives?"

Piraino said the terms of the plea agreement offered by prosecutors were rejected by McPhearson's father, Gerrick. Repeated attempts to reach Derrick McPhearson, his father and his lawyer, Robert Kirchner, were unsuccessful.

"His father would not have anything to do with [a plea] because he did not want his son to have a felony on his record," Piraino said, relating his discussions with McPhearson's first attorney, Mark Lipton, who recommended taking the deal, Piraino said. Lipton declined to comment. "So they fired Lipton and hired a new attorney. If you pay them, there is always someone out there who will tell you what you want to hear. Some people told my client he should [get a new attorney]. I told Jody the same thing and he listened to me.

"It's a horribly risky play. Bear in mind, what is he gambling? He is gambling probably the difference between boot camp and years in the department of corrections. If you [go to] boot camp, you're going to get four months. If you get four years [in prison], you probably have to serve 1 1/2 to two years. He is risking the difference. Boot camp is a dorm-style setup with kids your own age in barracks. The risk is huge."

Former FAMU basketball coach gets probation

TALLAHASSEE— Former Florida A&M University basketball coach Mike Gillespie pleaded no contest today to charges of stalking a former girlfriend, and was sentenced to a year of probation.

The court also ordered Gillespie, who is married, to permanently stay away from the victim in the case.

Gillespie was fired last month. Police had said they warned Gillespie in 2005 and again the night before he was arrested in May to stay away from the woman. He was arrested after driving by her workplace the morning after the latest warning.

Gillespie completed his sixth season at Florida A&M earlier this year, taking the team to its first 20-win season since 1988-89 and its second NCAA tournament berth in his tenure.

A formal search is currently underway by FAMU to hire a replacement head basketball coach. Mike Gillespie Jr., who served his father as an assistant basketball coach for the FAMU men's program was hired last week by Wichita State University, as an assistant coach for the women basketball program.

JSU starting QB spot back on the block

David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Two days after Jackson State's offensive debacle in a 27-15 loss to Delta State, Tigers coach Rick Comegy announced that the starting quarterback position was up for grabs between senior Jimmy Oliver and sophomore Tray Rutland.

"After looking at the film, Tray might have jumped ahead of Jimmy a little," Comegy said. "We'll go through the week and see how both of them look."

Oliver started against DSU, but was on the bench by the second quarter. Rutland, a Mississippi State transfer, didn't have any more success than Oliver, and the two ended up splitting time the rest of the evening.

Oliver finished 7-of-20 passing for 93 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Rutland was 4-of-14 passing for 58 yards and was picked off twice. JSU finished with just 122 yards of total offense.

JSU (0-1) plays Tennessee State (0-1) at 6 p.m. on Saturday in the Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

RUNNING BACKS COULD RETURN

Comegy said he expects running backs Erik Haw and Cody Hull to play on Saturday against Tennessee State.

Haw, a junior, missed the Delta State game because of a sprained ankle while Hull, a senior transfer from USM, was academically ineligible.

Without those two, JSU rushed for minus-29 yards on Saturday. Lavarius Giles led the Tigers with 16 rushing yards on eight carries.

TAPE EXCHANGE SPAT

Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said he was upset that other SWAC schools apparently gave game tape to Delta State to help the Statesmen study the Tigers.

"You would think the SWAC schools would try to stick together," Comegy said. "We need to get with (interim commissioner) Duer Sharp and try to get some kind of agreement."

Hyped up in the Mississippi Valley

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Totten excited about ’07 team

How confident is Mississippi Valley State after a 16-9 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday?

“I truly feel this will be the best team I’ve had since I’ve been here,” Valley coach Willie Totten said.

That’s saying something because Valley, which plays Southern at 4 p.m. Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago, was thought to be rebuilding this season after a talent-rich team underachieved last season.

More, Valley came out fourth of five teams in the Eastern Division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason poll in late July.

“Our guys understand the magnitude of going to Chicago,” Totten said. “They know what they have to do. It’s strictly business.”

Valley (1-0, 1-0 SWAC) has had back-to-back 6-5 seasons in the last two years — the first time since 1983-84 the Delta Devils posted consecutive winning years — but last year was a disappointment.

The Delta Devils were picked to finish second in the SWAC poll a year ago (and did so, but only in a four-team tie). After a 3-4 start, they reeled off three wins and nearly made the SWAC Championship Game but fell 25-20 at Alabama State in the season finale.

In particular, quarterback Aries Nelson, the preseason offensive player of the year, fizzled, not even making the all-conference team.

“Last year, we had a lot of talent,” Totten said. “But when you have a lot of talent, guys have a tendency to say they’ll do whatever it takes for them to get to the league (NFL).”

Totten said at least seven players “didn’t work within the team.”

In the offseason, Totten re-worked his staff and recruited junior college players to fill holes in the defense.

“Our guys now are finding a way to win,” Totten said. “That’s going to be the difference in this team. This team is now playing more together, as a team.”

Togetherness became the rallying point.
“That’s pretty much what we tried to teach in the preseason,” Totten said. “We had a lot of talent (last season). Those guys set the tone for the program. They laid the foundation. &hellip Our focus now is more as a team. These guys work as a unit.”

Last season, Valley opened with a 10-0 win over UAPB. Then Valley didn’t live up to expectations, while UAPB, not expected to do much, recovered from a 1-3 start to make the SWAC title game.

The roles were reversed Saturday. And UAPB, picked to repeat as the Western Division champ this season, lost to Valley for the third straight year.

Valley jammed UAPB workhorses Martell Mallett (23 yards on five carries) and Mickey Dean (19 yards on nine carries). They knocked Mallett out of the game with a hip injury and sacked Chris Wallace, last season’s SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, four times. Dean left in the third quarter with cramps.

Valley’s sophomore quarterback, Paul Roberts (15-for-27 for 153 yards and one TD), was steady but not spectacular.


“We’re talking about trying to surpass 6-5,” Totten said.
Last season, when SU and Valley met, both teams were 1-0 like this season and both were considered potential contenders to make the SWAC title game. Southern, which won 31-14 but then lost four of its next five games, was picked to win the Western Division.

This season, there are lower expectations for both, with SU picked third in the Western Division. That makes this game an interesting juncture for two rebuilding teams. SU beat Florida A&M 33-27 Saturday in Birmingham, Ala.

“It’s always good to start out on the right track early,” Totten said. “That was a big win for us and a big win for Southern. No doubt, beating a team like Florida A&M has to give Southern a lot of confidence.

“They were down last year, and that’s always going to be the case. (Southern’s) Pete Richardson is a very good football coach. I know (going 5-6) disturbed him a lot and they’ve worked hard to change that. I know there will be a lot of fireworks in Chicago.

SU’s Lee warms up to task

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern University sophomore Bryant Lee, entering his first season as a starter, said he might need that first hit to get him going, to knock out the butterflies.

Lee knew what he was talking about.

Lee and the Southern offense found their stride after halftime as the Jaguars overcame an eight-point deficit with a 33-27 victory over Florida A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Saturday in Legion Field.

Lee, Southern’s MVP in the game, was a respectable 13-for-19 for 132 yards and one TD in the first half — even after going 3-for-5 for minus-5 yards in the first quarter.

However, Lee and the offense were even better in the second half. Lee was 9-for-10 for 83 yards. He also ran for 28 yards and a touchdown as the offense rang up 21 unanswered points.

“I thought we had to do something to get the confidence built up,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “We did a lot of possession-type passes.”

Though Southern broke two big plays for touchdowns in the first half — Darren Coates’ 90-yard run on the first offensive play and Gerard Landry’s 46-yard touchdown in which he blasted through two defenders — the Jaguars didn’t sustain drives. Contributing to the first-game struggles, Southern had bad field position much of the first half.

SU started at its own 10-yard line (Coates’ TD), its 20 (losing 13 yards on a three-and-out), its 11 (losing 5 yards on a three-and-out), its 11 again (driving to the FAMU 29 before fumbling), its 37 (Landry’s TD) and its 23 (getting to the FAMU 38 before the first half ended).

In the third quarter, SU started at its 32 (going 68 yards in five plays for a TD), its 23 (three-and-out), the FAMU 24 (getting a TD three plays later) and its 26 (going 14 plays and 74 yards for a TD and a 33-20 lead).

“Coming out after halftime, getting that drive going and scoring, that built the confidence,” Richardson said.

There were no passes on the drive that got the Jaguars back in the game, taking over at their 32 to start the second half.

Lee and Coates broke for 22-yard carries on consecutive plays, then Lee ran for 4 yards and 6 yards to set up a first down at the FAMU 14, with Threat bursting through for a touchdown on the next play to get the Jaguars within 20-19 with 12:46 remaining in the quarter.

“We knew we could run the football coming out in the second half,” Richardson said. “Once we did that, it changed the complexion of the game.”

Work day
SU, normally off Monday because so many players have class conflicts with practice, worked Monday, with school off for Labor Day. That helps, because the Jaguars won’t practice Thursday. Instead, they’ll fly to Chicago that night.

Southern went a short seven periods with the 12-minute run Sunday before going 13 Monday capped by a 12-minute conditioning run.

“Just to loosen up and try to work some of the soreness out for some of the guys who played, basically,” Richardson said.

MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Saturday’s attendance of 30,106 was the best in the event’s three-year history. South Carolina State and Alabama State drew 18,452 in ’05, and Hampton and Grambling attracted 19,175 last season. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team has scored 27 points in all three events, with Hampton edging Grambling 27-26 in overtime in ’06 and S.C. State blasting Alabama State 27-14 in ’05.

Notes
Junior QB C.J. Byrd, out all preseason camp after a car accident late last month, is back at practice in full gear. Richardson has said Byrd likely won’t play this season. True freshman K Josh Duran suffered from cramps late in the game Saturday, allowing sophomore Willie Joseph to kick off for the first time. Three true freshmen DEs — Dexter James, Ted Jones (two tackles) and Steven Williams — played Saturday. Richardson said SU suffered no major injuries Saturday. Valley coach Willie Totten said the Delta Devils had no major injuries from Saturday as well.

Alabama A&M Notebook: Players of the week

Huntsville Times

Luke, Rice and Liceaplayers of the week

Quarterback Kelcy Luke, inside linebacker Carlton Rice and kicker Jeremy Licea were named players of the week against Tennessee State, Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said Monday.

Luke completed 18-of-29 passes for 261 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and also rushed for 37 yards and another touchdown. He was named the game's offensive MVP.

Rice had a game-high eight tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception. He was named the game's Defensive MVP.

Licea was 7-for-7 on extra points.

Banks, Green find success: Running backs Ulysses Banks and Anthony Green won't strike fear in opposing teams with their size, but they certainly will with their speed.

Both gave a good account of themselves Saturday night against Tennessee State.

Green, a redshirt freshman from San Antonio, rushed for 41 yards on 10 carries and scored two touchdowns. Banks rushed for 28 yards on seven carries, caught a 33-yard touchdown pass and had four kickoff returns for 62 yards.


"We knew both of those guys would play meaningful minutes," Jones said. "We want to get Banks three or four possessions and then get Green three or four possessions. They both had success.

"Neither one of them is a big back, and we're not going to ask them to carry the ball 20 to 30 times apiece. We've got to make sure we use them in such a way they'll be effective for us and I think (running backs) Coach (Errol) Jones did a great job of that."

Green's 1-yard run late in the first half gave A&M the lead for good at 14-7. Banks turned a screen pass into a 33-yard touchdown play that made it 21-13 midway through the third quarter. Green's 25-yard scamper midway through the fourth quarter iced the game and gave the Bulldogs a commanding 42-16 advantage.

Plenty to work on: Although A&M scored 49 points, Jones said after watching the film there are plenty of ways his team can improve heading into Saturday's home opener against Clark Atlanta.

The Bulldogs didn't cover kicks very well and were whistled for eight penalties for 76 yards.

"We made a lot of mistakes," Jones said. "We're nowhere near where we want to be. We made a lot of mistakes that we need to correct, so there's plenty of room for improvement."

-Reggie Benson

Loss to Clark haunts AAMU Bulldogs 11 years later

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Letdowns have plagued A&M when it's favored

It was an historic day in the annals of Alabama A&M football. Back on Sept. 14, 1996, the Bulldogs opened Louis Crews Stadium.

It was the first time an A&M football team had played on campus since the early 1970s.

Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference rival Clark Atlanta, which had never beaten A&M in 12 previous attempts, came to town. The Bulldogs were expected to make short work of the Panthers and send everybody home happy. Instead, the unthinkable happened.

Clark Atlanta won.

The Panthers came away with an improbable 20-17 victory in triple overtime to spoil the occasion.

A&M defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns remembers it as if it happened yesterday.

"We lost containment on the quarterback and he stepped outside and threw it up and we didn't attack the ball in the secondary," Towns recalled. "It was third-and-long and they could have gotten a first down, but they threw a touchdown pass and we lost the game.

"It was tough because we had the game at that point. We had made a couple of big plays and then they threw the ball up and scored. You could hear a pin drop in the stadium after that."

Saturday night, almost 11 years after that monumental victory, Clark Atlanta will return to Louis Crews Stadium for A&M's home opener. Kickoff is at 6:30.

A&M is 1-0 after a 49-23 win over Tennessee State. Clark Atlanta is 0-1 after falling 23-13 to West Georgia.

It didn't take long for A&M coach Anthony Jones to address the 1996 defeat. After a number of upsets Saturday, Jones reminded his team of Clark Atlanta's big win.

"I told them the first opponent to walk in here was Clark Atlanta and the first opponent to walk out with a win was Clark Atlanta," Jones said Monday afternoon. "We're very much aware of that. My teams aren't perfect. We try to be, but every now and then you have a letdown, and we're hoping this won't be one of them."

Jones' teams have had letdowns in recent years.

In 2004, Arkansas-Pine Bluff beat A&M 24-10. In 2005, Texas Southern downed A&M 17-7 on homecoming. Last season, the Bulldogs lost to Prairie View 13-7 after clinching the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division title.

If those games aren't enough, Jones can use some examples from last weekend.

"We've got a lot of history to go by with Appalachian State and Michigan," Jones said. "I don't know if you call that a letdown, but it was a hell of a win for Appalachian State. As a result of that, all underdogs will think they have a chance and all favorites will try to guard against having a letdown.

"Everybody will be using that game in their pre-game speech. Appalachian State will be heard about through the country."

Just like Clark Atlanta was 11 years ago.

Game 2 to be tougher for B-CU

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News-Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- After Saturday's 31-17 victory over Jacksonville, Bethune-Cookman coach Alvin Wyatt was sort of like Jack Nicholson as the Joker in Batman.

He had a smile plastered on his face that he couldn't or didn't want to get rid of. But he also knew the celebration after the season-opening victory at Municipal Stadium couldn't last long. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opponent South Carolina State is due in town on Saturday, and it would soon be time to get back to work.

"We're going up against a stronger, faster, better, bigger opponent next week when we play South Carolina State," Wyatt said. "It won't be anything like this game."

For starters, more than pride will be on the line. With at least four MEAC teams capable of going 7-1 in the conference, the Wildcats can't afford a sluggish start.

"You never want to start off the MEAC at 0-1," said B-CU quarterback Jimmie Russell, who ran for three touchdowns and produced 217 yards of total offense in the win against the Dolphins.

S.C. State has lost just one or two conference games in each of the past four seasons, and the Bulldogs were the preseason choice to win the conference title this year in a vote of league coaches and sports information directors.

The Bulldogs know how hard it is to rebound from an early conference loss. B-CU rallied back from a 14-0 deficit to thump S.C. State 45-21 in Charleston, S.C., last season. The loss wound up keeping the Bulldogs out of first place in the conference, as Hampton claimed the MEAC's playoff spot for a third consecutive season.

"We're at a point where we need to make the playoffs," Bulldogs coach Buddy Pough said before the season.

Pough would like nothing more than to beat the Wildcats this year after suffering losses to Wyatt's team in three of the past five seasons. But the Bulldogs took a totally different approach than the 'Cats in preparing for the conference opener.

While B-CU played a non-scholarship Division I-AA team (now known as the Football Championship Subdivision) on Saturday, S.C. State traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo., to play a Division I-A team for the first time in its 100-year history.

Air Force sent the visitors home with a 34-3 drubbing. The Bulldogs were held to 160 yards of offense and were sacked six times. Their only highlights came in the kicking game. Stephen Grantham booted a 51-yard field goal, while punter Aaron Haire had a 40.9-yard average including a 61-yard punt. But even those positive numbers might have been skewed.

"Kicking at altitude is a lot better than kicking in South Carolina," Grantham said after the game.

Pough didn't see any positives at all. When the Bulldogs scheduled the game they had expected to see Fisher DeBerry's flex-bone offense, which is very similar to B-CU's Wyattbone. But Air Force has a new coach this year in Troy Calhoun, and a new offense. The Falcons did show some triple option but also lined up in a variety of other formations and passed more than previous Air Force teams. The Falcons rolled up 455 yards of offense.

"We played hard, but we played poorly on both sides of the ball," Pough said. "It was just ugly. We have a lot of work to do before we play Bethune-Cookman."

Pough says SCSU has to improve

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer

We probably played as poorly ... as anytime I’ve been here’; Heading into Bethune-Cookman game, Pough says SCSU has to improve

Monday’s federal holiday was just another work day for the South Carolina State football team.

Instead of taking it easy on Labor Day, SCSU head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough planned to have his staff working late into the night following last Saturday’s 34-3 loss at Air Force Academy. Just watching the game film detailing what Pough called the "real, real, real poor" play in the second-worst season-opening loss in school history was enough to justify shunning a day off.

"We probably played as poorly as a football team as anytime I’ve been here," said Pough at Monday’s weekly press conference. "(The players) tried to shake it off, but then that film part is the one that really brings it back to earth. After they got a chance to see the video and see how poorly we looked ... we look at teams all the time and see them playing, doing things that we don’t think are really good. You know, fundamentals are bad and that kind of stuff. And, for us to see some of those same kind of things on our own film, for that kind of film to be out there with our name on it is a little bit embarrassing. So, we are going to really work hard this week to work to clean up some on our deficiencies so that we don’t let that happen again."

Now the Bulldogs face a "make or break" Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener this Saturday at Bethune-Cookman. A loss puts SCSU back in the same hole it faced last season following the 45-21 trouncing in Charleston at the hands of the Wildcats and, with the University of South Carolina the following week, the real prospect of a first-ever 0-3 start under Pough.

"We’ve got to get it done this week and this is probably as important a week as we’ve had in a long time here," he said.

Many of the problem areas the Bulldogs hope to correct from last Saturday plagued them in last year’s loss to Bethune-Cookman. SCSU was unable to stop Air Force Academy on third down (the Falcons were 9-16 on third-down conversions) and the secondary was particularly vulnerable against the running and passing threat presented by quarterback Shaun Carney.

"I thought it was more because of some of the uncertainty and some of things that had our defense playing a little bit soft," Pough said. "We had some people that didn’t understand some of the intricacies of staying with your guy. A lot of times, what happens is if your guy starts to block and you’ve got a man-to-man, you think it’s run and the next thing you know, you go ahead and see if you can try to help your team with the run. Before you know it, that guy a minute ago that you thought was blocking for a running play is now out in a pass pattern and now you’ve lost it. You can’t find him. We had that happen to us a couple of times.

"Those kind of things you need to actually replicate for your kids because if not, then some of that stuff may catch you and some of that kind of stuff did. That’s why some of our secondary stuff looked as poor as it did, especially on a couple of touchdown runs, a couple of long pass plays. Besides that, it was mostly kind of playing soft because of the uncertainty of it all."

Pough also took the blame for the offensive line’s lack of effectiveness. He admitted underestimating the unit’s ability to maintain continuity after shuffling around a couple of starters after tackle Nygel Pearson broke his hand and in its ability to protect quarterback Cleveland McCoy, who was sacked five times.

"That caught us off-guard a little bit, too," he said. "It was one of those situations where I thought we had a little bit of a false sense of security in that those guys were kind of experienced. The one thing I didn’t maybe take into account was the way we moved some of those guys around and we had some breakdowns there that can strictly be attributed to the fact that we ended up moving some guys back around in the last week of practice.

"We talked about moving them again, that kind of stuff. I think what I’d like to see happen is for us to maybe let those guys settle in a little bit more and see if we can get ourselves grounded in what we’re doing by letting them kind of jell together some. I’m hoping that will start to happen this week. We’re going to give more reps this week than we ordinarily would."

The one bright spot for SCSU was its overall special teams’ play. Taking advantage of the altitude, place-kicker Stephen Grantham booted a career-long 51-yard field goal and punter Aaron Haire of Orangeburg-Wilkinson averaged 40.9 yards a punt and booted a career-best 61-yard attempt. Meanwhile, the kick coverage team which led all Football Championship Subdivision programs last season picked up right where they left off, allowing 17.8 yards per kick.

Pough is hoping the offense and defense can bring the same level of consistency this week or else face another uphill battle for the conference title.

"I’m thinking that the old saying that you make your biggest improvement between your first and second game because it’s the first time you get the kind of real sense of urgency factor that you just can’t seem to produce or replicate in practice," Pough said. "You really work hard to get better next week, so I’m hoping that’s the case this week."

Bulldog notes

SCSU leads the all-time series with Bethune-Cookman 26-6-1, but has not won at Municipal Stadium/Larry Kelly field since 1997 - a 17-10 victory. The Bulldogs did defeat the Wildcats in their last visit to Florida back in 2005 by a 27-24 score in Jacksonville ,.. Bethune-Cookman’s Alvin Wyatt and Hampton University’s Joe Taylor are the only MEAC head coaches with winning records against Pough, each sporting a 3-2 mark ... Both defensive tackle Steve Jacobs and running back Jonathan Woods are expected to miss Saturday’s game with ankle sprains, according to Pough ...

Saturday’s 34-32 victory by defending FCS champion Appalachian State over fifth-ranked Football Bowl Subdivision Michigan provided little solace for Pough. "The fact that you know it can be done (a FCS defeating an FBS) is a little bit disappointing," he said. "You had some of the top (FCS) teams in the country ... who had some of the same kinds of difficulties that we did against (FBS) opponents. So, it’s not so unusual for what happened to us to happen. I think the more unusual thing is what happened with Appalachian (State). Although we’d all like to be there today. We are who we are." SCSU will get another shot at an FBS team on Sept. 15 when it visits the University of South Carolina.

Former FAMU QB cut by K.C. Chiefs; may be going back to CFL

Photo: Former B.C. Lions quarterback Casey Printers was cut by the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday but his agent says teams in the NFL and CFL have shown an interest in the 26-year-old.

It is clear that former Florida A&M University quarterback Casey Printers studied more than football under Coach Billy Joe. Herm Edward, head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs offered Printers the opportunity to re-sign on the Chiefs practice roster, but he declined and cleared waivers on Sunday. Returning to Kansas City would have earned Printers a yearly pay check of $200,000 on the practice roster.

Printers is a former CFL star with the British Columbia Lions. His best season came in 2004, when he was named the CFL's most outstanding player after throwing for 5,088 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading B.C. to the Grey Cup game. He has expressed no interest in wasting another year on the NFL sidelines and is expected to return to Canada as the highest paid player in the CFL, if not signed this week by an NFL team.

This decision by Printers is a no brain-er as the bigger bucks for his talents (for this season) are in the CFL, not the NFL. Mr. Printers and his agent have five of the eight CFL teams bidding for his services.

I can understand Printers disappointment with the NFL, especially in light of the fact he is a better quarterback than FAMU's Quinn Gray, that is now the back-up quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is not to say that Quinn does not deserve the opportunity he has earned in the NFL, but they both are very talented QBs and deserve to be on the active roster of an NFL team.

However, it is very difficult to change perception and the existing system of recycling no talent poster boys. For example, what is the Washington Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs thinking by keeping a 14 year over-the-hill veteran like QB Mark Brunell with a weak arm? Perfect opportunity to sign a Casey Printers.

Now the story developing from Canada....















Quarterback Casey Printers 6-2/222
Experience: 1 year NFL/3 years CFL
CFL Stats: 45 games/20 as starter for B.C. Lions
457 of 712 passes for 6,763 yards with 45 TDs, 16 Int.
122 rushes for 849 yards (7.0 avg.) with 11 touchdowns.

Five teams interested in Printers

By Perry Lefko, Sportsnet.ca

Five Canadian Football League teams -- the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions -- are interested in free-agent quarterback Casey Printers, Sportsnet.ca has learned.

And his agent will be trying to make Printers the highest-paid player in the CFL.

Printers was cut earlier in the week by the Kansas City Chiefs, who signed him to a three-year, US$1.05-million deal in January 2006. He spent the entire season on the practice squad, receiving $5,200 per game for all 16 games. He rejected an offer to join the Chiefs practice roster.

Since clearing NFL waivers, five of the eight CFL teams have contacted Printers and/or his Houston-based agent, Jason Medlock.

Medlock would not confirm which CFL teams have made inquiries, only that he's talked to five. But sources confirmed Toronto, Hamilton, Winnipeg, Calgary and B.C.

Of the five teams, only Hamilton, which is last in the CFL with a 1-8 record, has an immediate pressing need at quarterback. Both veteran Jason Maas and rookie Timmy Chang have struggled this season as starters.

Toronto has Michael Bishop as its starter and he guided the team to a 32-14 Labour Day win over Hamilton, ending a five-game losing streak. All of the losses came with Bishop on the sidelines with a broken wrist. The Argos are playing host to the Grey Cup and their offensive co-ordinator, Steve Buratto, had a great working relationship with Printers when he played for B.C. Printers played for the Lions from 2003-2005 and was voted the CFL's Most Outstanding Player with B.C. in 2004.

B.C. has some issues at quarterback now with injuries to its top two quarterbacks, Dave Dickenson, who is sidelined indefinitely with concussion-like symptons, and Buck Pierce, who has a separated shoulder and is expected to be out another two weeks. The Lions are also battling with Saskatchewan for first in the West. The Roughriders lead by one point.

Both Winnipeg, with Kevin Glenn, and Calgary, with Henry Burris, have established starters, but sources tell Sportsnet.ca the two teams have made inquiries. The degree to which they will bid remains to be seen. There is the possibility they could sign Printers, then trade the other quarterback.















"You bring in a Casey Printers you bring in (people to the stands), you're bringing in hype, you bring in the best quarterback in the league," Medlock said. "You bring in the marquee player. That's what he was when he left and I believe he can be that for a few more years. So hopefully a CFL team can make a big enough push to commit him (to sign)."

Medlock expected to receive CFL offers by the end of the week, if not sooner, but also said the NFL is still on the radar and did not rule out Printers working out with some teams.

"Make no mistake about it, he'll probably sign with a (NFL club), but he has to weigh his options and still consider the CFL in order to ensure himself he's going to be playing football," Medlock said. "In the NFL there are a lot of politics and circumstances that he can't control. So if there are CFL offers, he's going to look at it really, really hard."

Medlock said he is expecting to make Printers the highest-paid player in the CFL. It's believed Edmonton's Ricky Ray is the top-paid player at about $460,000 a season.

"I'm hoping to make him the highest-paid player. Period," Medlock said. "Whatever that number is, I'm looking at him being the marquee player (in the CFL). He's young, exciting, he smiles, he has charisma and he's a heck of a football player. Canadian fans across the league enjoy players like that."

Medlock said the CFL's salary-cap of $4.05 million per team will impact on Printers receiving the kind of money that will make him the highest-paid player.

"We have to look (at the cap)," he said. "There are a lot of ways that you can do deals, but you've got to be creative. If it gets down to a number he likes from a club but it affects their cap, I'm savvy enough to make it work. If Casey decides that is what he wants to do, a deal can happen. I'm not worried about the cap. We can work around that. That's not an issue."

Alabama A&M notebook: TSU coach praises Luke

Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times

Tennessee State coach praises Luke

Tennessee State coach James Webster praised A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke after the Bulldogs whipped the Tigers 49-23 Saturday night.

Luke, who picked A&M over TSU after deciding to transfer from Auburn four years ago, is 3-1 against the Tigers in four career starts. Saturday night, Luke was brilliant, completing 18-of-29 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown.

"Luke is a winner," Webster said. "I love the guy. When they needed to have plays made, he made the plays."

Trick play pays off: With his team struggling to get untracked in the first quarter against Tennessee State, Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones went into his bag of tricks and came out with a play that practically turned the game around.

With the Bulldogs backed up deep in their own territory, Jones called for a reverse pass and wide receivers Gerald Stockdale and Thomas Harris made it work.

Stockdale, a former quarterback at Talladega Central High School, found Harris for 42 yards down to the TSU 44 and Kelcy Luke found Harris on the next play for the touchdown. A&M went 86 yards in 18 seconds to tie the game.

"That woke our kids up and I think they were a little unsure of themselves," Jones said. "It forced them to make some adjustments and then after halftime, we came back out with some things they hadn't seen and really played well."

A&M scored 35 points and had 250 yards in total offense in the second half.

Defense rebounds: A&M's defense gave up 171 yards in the first quarter against Tennessee State, but settled down and did a much better job over the last three quarters, defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns said.

The Bulldogs allowed just 211 yards the rest of the game and forced four turnovers, three of which led to A&M touchdowns.

"We had a lot of young kids playing for the first time and we didn't do a good job of coming off the ball and staying in our gaps in the first quarter," Towns said. "We talked about that and the kids responded well.

They made some mistakes, but they hustled all night and that was the key for us winning the game."

According to the tackle chart, 10 newcomers recorded stops for the Bulldogs.

Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White Band

Once a question, Alabama A&M offense provides answer

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Despite inexperience, 'Dogs attack rolls in debut

There were question marks about Alabama A&M's offense going into Saturday night's season opener against Tennessee State. The Bulldogs lost their two leading rushers and three of their top four receivers a year ago. They also had to replace three fifth-year seniors along the offensive line.

The good thing was quarterback Kelcy Luke was back. So were tight ends Charles Moody and John Smith, wide receivers Thomas Harris and Gerald Stockdale and tackles James Sanders and Darius Turner.

But the rest of the cast of characters on offense were practically newcomers. Running backs Uylsses Banks and Anthony Green had never carried the ball from scrimmage although Banks led the nation in kickoff returns last season. Offensive linemen Xavier Manuel, Russell Jackson and Charles Meade were making their first career starts. Wide receivers Nate Baxter and Rashad Johnson were redshirt freshmen.

"We didn't know how those guys would respond," A&M coach Anthony Jones said.

After getting through the first half, they responded just fine.

Leading 14-7 at intermission, the Bulldogs erupted for 35 points in the second half and went on to blast the Tigers 49-23 at Nashville's LP Field. The 49 points were the most A&M had scored since whipping Jackson State 52-6 during the 2005 season. In fact, the 49 points were only five shy of the total A&M had scored in the last two years combined against TSU.

"Our kids stepped up," Jones said Sunday after watching the Bulldogs compile 450 yards in total offense against the Tigers. "As many key weapons as we lost last year, for us to come back and keep this thing rolling is really scary."

A&M's offense is scary because it has speed.

Unlike in years past when the Bulldogs were a power running football team, this year's squad is a lot quicker and faster and it showed.

A&M had six plays that covered 22 yards or more. Free safety Al Donaldson also had a 45-yard interception return to help set up another touchdown.

"Our team speed is much improved," Jones said. "We've got two or three running backs that would be a pretty good relay team. We've got three receivers that run in the 4.5's and our tight end work hard blocking and can beat you in the passing game.

Luke, Jones said, made it all happen.

After going 8-of-16 for 111 yards and a touchdown in the first half, Luke was almost perfect in the third quarter and early in the fourth before leaving the game.

During that time, he was 10-of-13 for 150 yards and two scores. He also ran for a TD.

"I pulled Kelcy to the side and told him he had to make the rest of our guys better," Jones said. "I told him he had to put the ball in position where they wouldn't drop the ball and make them make plays. He took that and ran with it. "

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."

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."

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.

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.

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

Slide Show: Jackson State smashed by Div. II, Delta State

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