Rutgers taking Norfolk State very seriously

Photo: NSU celebrating win over VSU.

Scarlet Knights remember loss to I-AA New Hampshire

By KEITH SARGEANT, Courier News

PISCATAWAY -- If Greg Schiano is looking to warn his players not to letdown against Norfolk State this week, he won't use Appalachian State as proof that teams from the former Division I-AA ranks can upset major-league competition.

There's no need. The Rutgers University football coach has his own experience to draw back on, and it's right there in the memory banks of his veteran players as well.

"What was New Hampshire, three years ago?'' defensive tackle Eric Foster asked, not knowing exactly when the 35-24 setback to New Hampshire happened but remembering the details nonetheless.

"It's happened here before,'' the fifth-year senior added. "I was here for that. It was a tough loss. It didn't feel good at all, so I can imagine how those guys at Michigan feel.''

It's a feeling that Foster certainly doesn't want to experience again. That's why Rutgers' captain isn't shying away from reminding teammates of the New Hampshire defeat, even though it happened in the days when Rutgers wasn't far from Division I-AA caliber.

It's different now, of course, and Mike Teel believes one reason why is because the team's mind-set has changed.

"The biggest thing that's changed in this program is how we're competing against ourselves,'' Rutgers' quarterback said. "It doesn't matter if it's Norfolk State, if it's Louisville or if it's Maryland. We're playing our football team and we're trying to be the best that we can be.''

In Foster's mind, the Scarlet Knights are facing a Top 25 opponent this Saturday, one that hasn't lived up to its No.‚13 ranking despite decisively winning the past two weeks.

"It's Rutgers vs. Rutgers,'' he said. "We didn't play Buffalo, we didn't play Navy. We competed against ourselves. The ball is in our hands. We control our own fate. And we're not going to let overconfidence get in the way of Norfolk State because they're a I-AA team. We're competing against ourselves and we evaluate ourselves based on how we compete.''

Mistakes were evident in the form of a Big East-high 20 penalties through two games, several missed defensive assignments and a couple dropped passes for touchdowns, Schiano said.

"We haven't played to the level that we expect of ourselves,'' he offered. "So that's the challenge, but I don't think it's because we're playing a Division I-AA opponent. I think if we play our best, we can have the chance to beat any team in the country.

"The problem,'' he added, "is we haven't played our best, yet. Our task at hand is to play the best that we can be and see where that puts us.''

While he acknowleged a game plan exists for Norfolk State, one that includes tendencies of what the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe does well and what Rutgers will try to exploit, linebacker Brandon Renkart said it's how the Scarlet Knights compete that will determine their Homecoming success.

"It really doesn't matter what league a team is from because any team on any given day can win,'' Renkart said. "I mean, on paper everyone says, 'Yeah, they should blow them out,' but if you have an off day, anything can happen. We're really in competition with ourselves.''

Bethune's Carolina ties

Photo: Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial in Washington, D.C.
By T&D Staff

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- On the gridiron, South Carolina State and Bethune-Cookman have forged a strong football rivalry.

Yet the Daytona Beach college owes its existence to an extraordinary Palmetto State export determined to provide an education for African-Americans.

Her name was Mary McLeod Bethune.

Born to former slaves on July 10, 1875 near Maysville, S.C., Bethune was the 15th of 17 children, most of whom were born into slavery. Toward the end of Reconstruction, her parents acquired 5 acres of land and built a family home known as the "Homestead."

While Bethune spent much of her youth working in her father’s cotton fields, she also had a burning desire to read and write. Attending a one-room schoolhouse in Maysville, Bethune showed enough promise to be recommended for a scholarship to attend Scotia Seminary near Concord, N.C. After graduating in 1894, Bethune was awarded a scholarship to Dwight Moody’s Institute for Home and Foreign Missions in Chicago.

After being told there were "no openings for Negro Missionaries in Africa," Bethune returned to Maysville after one year to serve as an assistant at the Presbyterian Mission School. From there, Bethune requested and received an appointment at the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute in Augusta, Ga. where she gained experience in a predominately female setting with primary, grammar, elementary normal and industrial courses.

Sometime between 1897 and 1898, Bethune was transferred by the Presbyterian Board to Kendell Institute at Sumter. There she continued to teach and render social services. But most importantly, she met Albertus Bethune, a former schoolteacher turned haberdasher. They were married in early May 1898; on February 3, 1899, she gave birth to Albertus McLeod Bethune Jr., in Savannah, Ga.

While living in Savannah, Mrs. Bethune met the Rev. C.J. Uggans, a Presbyterian pastor from Palatka, Fla. He offered her the opportunity to start a school in that city. At Palatka, she started a community school and worked in the jails two and three times a week, and in the sawmills and among the young people in clubs. Bethune stayed in Palatka five years, until she was encouraged to go to Daytona by Reverend S.P. Pratt who informed her that the area was fertile ground for her missionary spirit.

Having received an education at Maysville Presbyterian Mission School, Scotia Institute, and Moody’s Bible Institute, having gained teaching experience at her primary school with her mentor Emma Wilson, and having arrived in Daytona Beach in 1904 and established the Daytona Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls, Bethune labored the next 20 years, dividing her time and energy between making the school a success and building for herself a national reputation.

Mary McLeod Bethune became a public leader in the second decade of the 20th century. She led a drive to register black voters in Daytona Beach, which earned her a visit from the local Ku Klux Klan. Moreover during this period, Bethune was elected president of the State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs. During four years in office, she organized scattered clubs of black women throughout the Southeast to combat school segregation and the lack of health facilities among black children. In 1924, Bethune became the eighth president of the prestigious National Association of Colored Women’s clubs (NACW). Among her accomplishments, during her first four years as president, was the acquisition of a national headquarters in the nation’s capital.

In 1923, the Daytona Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls became a co-ed high school as a result of a merger with Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Fla. A year later, the school became affiliated with the United Methodist Church, evolved into a junior college by 1931 and became known as Bethune-Cookman University.

In 1941, the Florida State Department of Education approved a 4-year baccalaureate program offering liberal arts and teacher education. Mrs. Bethune retired in 1942 at which time James A. Colston became president until 1946 when Mrs. Bethune resumed the presidency for a year.

Today, Bethune’s legacy lives on as more than 3,000 students attend Bethune-Cookman College and it is the 6th largest of the 39-member UNCF colleges. A sculpture was erected in Bethune’s honor in Lincoln Park, Washington, D.C. and her portrait proudly hangs inside the S.C. General Assembly.

Photo: Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial, Washington, DC (rear view)

100-years in the making: SCSU getting ready for USC

By THOMAS GRANT, T&D Senior Sports Writer

To South Carolina State supporters, Saturday’s game at 17th-ranked University of South Carolina is a matchup 100 years in the making.

Yet for all of the growing hullabaloo surrounding the historic in-state clash, one of the head coaches in the center of the action is trying to maintain perspective on what is essentially another non-conference game.

"I could, but I won’t," said SCSU head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough at Monday’s press conference when asked about discussing the significance of the first-ever meeting between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks. "We’re going to play a football game. The one thing that I can tell you is that I’m not going to make it like it’s World War III. It’s just like we’re going to play (North Carolina) A&T except we’re going to Columbia. We’re excited about going to play. But more than anything else, we want to go out and we want to show up well."

Although the Bulldogs should have sizable fan support at Williams-Brice Stadium, having sold its allotment of 4,300 tickets, Pough knows it will be a more hostile environment compared to what he experienced during his five seasons as Gamecocks’ running backs coach and SCSU’s three previous appearances in the Palmetto Capital City Classic.

"When we played Benedict, I thought we were the fan favorite," he said. "It was more for us than it was for them. Well, I think that’s turned now. I think the very best thing to happen to us is that it gets real loud in there and the only reason that would happen would be because the game is somewhat competitive."

Of more importance for Pough is instilling in his players a belief in victory against a Gamecocks’ squad brimming with confidence following the 16-12 victory over previously 11th-ranked Georgia.

"I’m going to try to convince my guys that we can compete," he said. "That’s what our main objective is in these kind of settings. You want to go out and actually compete favorably and hang in there. If that were to happen, then you go about the task of saying ‘Maybe we might be able to win’. I don’t think you can fool your players on the disparity of all the things that you think about when talking about whether you can lose or not.

"You’re talking about a Top 20 national power here and one of the best college football coaches (USC head coach Steve Spurrier) I’ve known in my lifetime. You’ve got a lot of things there that would make you think that this would be a huge mismatch. The trick for us is to get in there and find some things that we can do to them to stretch them out a little bit and give us a chance to hang in there. If we can do that, it would be a success for us."

Pough said the "ripple effect" from defending Football Championship Subdivision champion Appalachian State’s win over Michigan will have USC even more prepared for Saturday’s game. At the same time, Pough said it will be a challenge for SCSU matching up with USC, particularly against a Gamecocks’ defense which presents even more challenges than season-opening FCS opponent Air Force Academy.

"They’ve got a couple of guys on their defense especially that I don’t know if we can block," Pough said. "That’s the one factor that we didn’t necessarily have in the Air Force situation. I didn’t think there was much of a talent mismatch with us and Air Force. But now they are a couple of guys at South Carolina that we don’t match up with."

Defensive tackle Marque Hall and the Brinkley twins at linebacker, Casper and Jasper, especially stood out on tape to Pough as "special players" and he believes this is the best USC defensive team he’s seen in years. Offensively, quarterback Blake Mitchell could present problems to an SCSU secondary which had its difficulties against option teams like Air Force and Bethune-Cookman and will be without defensive leader BANDIT Marshall McFadden. The Lamar native is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a hyperextended elbow ligament on his right arm suffered in the first half of Saturday’s 24-13 win over Bethune-Cookman.

Even without McFadden, the Bulldogs managed to hold the Wildcats without an offensive touchdown and are currently ahead of the offense in terms of team progress after two games.

"I think we’re coming along defensively," he said. "I was really proud of our defense and how they played Saturday. We’re still struggling to find ourselves offensively. We’ve got to play a little bit better at quarterback. We’ve got to play a little bit better upfront."

Quarterback Cleveland McCoy may have to carry much of the burden on offense should Pough opt to rest injured running back Will Ford and Jonathan Woods to insure they are healthy for the resumption of MEAC play in October. Backup Malcolm Long is also expected to see action at the place where he led Gaffney to back-to-back Class 4-A Division I finals.

Pough expects the Gamecocks to assert themselves quickly with the goal of resting its starters for the Sept. 22 showdown at second-ranked LSU.

"Putting the game away and getting their first-line people out of there," said Pough about USC’s approach this Saturday. "That’s generally what they try to do - hurry up and get them put away. And then at that point, we go ahead and play the back-ups and the guys who don’t get to play as much."

SCSU will hold team practices in Orangeburg today and Wednesday starting at 2:50 p.m. and will have a walk through in Columbia on Friday.

Photo: (L to R) Buddy Pough, Cleve McCoy, Will Ford and Willie Jeffries.

NOT JUST A PAYDAY

"We are about the task of getting to be like the Furmans and Appalachians of this world who can go out and compete favorably with those guys week in and week out. Now, they can’t, believe it or not, actually week in and week out do that, but they can occasionally once or twice a year. If we would get to the point where we improve because of that, it would have a big effect on our overall situation where we would become a lot better Football Championship Subdivision team."

CENTRAL FLORIDA NEXT?

SCSU hopes to schedule an FBS team for 2009, thus assuring the school will have such an opponent on the schedule every year through 2011. The Bulldogs are set to play Georgia Tech in 2010 and have a rematch with USC in 2011.

"We think that’s the best case scenario for us," Pough said. "Once upon a time, HBCUs played in the Classics and they made fairly decent money during the Classics. But, this is the method that we like to use for bringing a little extra income into the program. And for us, we get an added advantage in the fact that we get a competition factor that gives us a chance to really see how we match up with these styles of teams. Eventually, we want to get to the point where we can compete favorably with them because if we do, that means we will be much, much better in our division."

For the first time, Pough acknowledged the Bulldogs will most likely open next season against another Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in Central Florida. This is the first of two meetings over the next four years between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks. The Bulldogs will earn $230,000 this Saturday and $250,000 in 2011, although Pough insists the guaranteed money is not the only reason why these type of games are beneficial for SCSU.

"The one thing that I think that we get out of the games of this sort ... people think we’re going to get a guarantee," Pough said. "People think it’s more about money for us. But it’s not about money for us. It’s more about the preparation and the actual competition with people who are bigger than us and what we hope will happen is that we emulate them in a way where we become better ourselves.

JSU Comegy: Show me the money

The JSU Game
What: Jackson State vs. Texas Southern
When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU

When making future football schedules, Jackson State coach Rick Comegy has made one thing crystal clear: Money matters.

Comegy said on Monday that he hopes to schedule a game against a Division I-A opponent as soon as possible to help bring in some extra cash. Often times, I-AA schools can earn several hundred thousand dollars for traveling to play a major conference school.

Last winter, the Tigers briefly talked with Southern Miss about setting up a season opener, but instead decided to host Delta State. USM hosted Tennessee-Martin in its opener.

"We've got our coaches looking every day to try to set up something (with a Division I-A team)," Comegy said. "... It takes money to build a football program."

Several Southwestern Athletic Conference schools are venturing to Division I-A schools this season. Grambling lost to Pittsburgh 31-10 last weekend while Alcorn State will travel to UAB on Saturday.

LOVING IMPROVEMENT

When cornerback Keith Camp came to Jackson State more than a year ago, he didn't envision that it would take nearly 13 full games before he got his first interception.

But on Saturday night, Camp finally broke through when he picked off a pass in the end zone during Jackson State's 16-13 loss to Tennessee State.

And now that he's finally broken through, Camp said he expects a bevy of interceptions to follow.

"The first one is always the most difficult," he said. "Now they should start coming my way."

INJURY REPORT

JSU offensive tackle Wilson Manigat (knee) could return earlier than expected after being injured in the season opener against Delta State. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior could play against Texas Southern even though he was originally thought to be out until late September... Marcel Frost's (leg) is questionable for Thursday's game.

- David Brandt

JSU Football: What's wrong with the Tigers' offense?

Photo: After missing JSU's first game, Erik Haw rushed for 82 yards in Saturday's loss to Tennessee State.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

It's high noon for Jackson State coach Rick Comegy, and the sharks are circling in the main dining room at Schimmel's - a downtown restaurant in Jackson.

The Monday afternoon ritual during football season consists of about 75 Jackson State fans. They buy an $11 ticket, eat some pasta covered in andouille sausage and shoot the breeze with friends.

But most importantly, they get the chance to step up to the microphone and ask Comegy a few questions about their beloved Tigers.

The lunch crowd is always a raucous, honest bunch, even when JSU has won a big game the previous weekend. So imagine their mood after a 16-13 loss to Tennessee State left the Tigers with an 0-2 record this season.

Nothing like an angry mob to go with your pasta.

"It's usually loud," said JSU fan Derrick Cannon said with a grin. "But I don't think it's ever been this crazy."

One by one, they step to the microphone. Some want to know why Tray Rutland - and not Jimmy Oliver - started at quarterback. Others wonder what offensive coordinator James Woody was thinking when he called a pass on 3rd-and-goal at the 5-yard line. Then there's the group that thinks running back Lavarius Giles isn't being used enough.

But when it comes down to it, all are asking a variation of the same two questions.

What in the world is wrong with this team?

And.....

What are you going to do to fix it ?

The first question is pretty easy to answer: the offense. More specifically, the passing game.

Jackson State is averaging just 14 points per game in its two losses and has scored only two offensive touchdowns this season.

Of utmost concern are the quarterbacks. Tray Rutland and Jimmy Oliver have combined to complete just 19 of 58 passes (32.7 percent) for 299 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

Neither has established himself as the starting quarterback and the competition continues for its third straight regular-season week.

Comegy says it will be the last.

"What I do know is we need to get this thing settled," Comegy said. "We want one guy who's the starter and then somebody that can back him up if something happens."

At Monday's luncheon, Comegy admitted that Oliver's tendency to miss film sessions was hurting his chance to start, despite the fact that he threw for 1,906 yards last season and was first in the SWAC in total offense.

As for Rutland, his inconsistent play has done little to inspire confidence. But the sophomore has the studious demeanor Comegy craves.

"It's my decision who the quarterback will be," Comegy said. "Then we'll stick to that decision."

While the quarterbacks have been shaky, the receivers haven't been a whole lot better.

Rodney Gray, one of the Tigers' premier transfers from Southern Miss, dropped three passes against Tennessee State. And JSU offensive coordinator James Woody said Gray is far from the only culprit.

"It's surprising because we thought the quarterbacks and receivers were going to be the deepest, most experienced part of this team," Woody said. "I don't know if complacency set in or what. But it won't happen again."

Then there's the second question: What can Jackson State do to fix this before the season gets our of hand?

Senior receiver Chris Johnson says there's no miracle cure, only better execution and concentration.

"I think we've all figured out that great talent and experience doesn't mean anything if you can't execute," Johnson said. "We're just trying to narrow our focus. We know we're better than this."

Comegy said the biggest focus of this week's practice would be red zone work. The Tigers were just 1-for-3 in scoring opportunities once they got inside Tennessee State's 20-yard line.

Last season, Jackson State was one of the SWAC's best in the red zone, scoring on 30 out of 38 opportunities (78.9 percent).

"Every play, we see ourselves getting better," Rutland said. "Now we've got to make the big play when we're down by the end zone. We're building more and more confidence and those big plays will come."

Cornerback Keith Camp doesn't have first-hand knowledge of the offensive woes. But the senior says a return to winning ways might just be a matter of attitude.

"At this point, we need to start treating every player on every opposing team like they're an All-American," Camp said. "We're 0-2 right now, so I'm not sure why we'd take anything for granted."

By the time the 45-minute question and answer session is over at Schimmel's, the JSU crowd has calmed down - at least a little.

A weary Comegy has answered all the questions, though the exchange was testy at times.

It's obvious the program needs a win in a hurry. The Tigers have lost six of seven games dating back to last season.

And thanks to a short week, the next chance is just two days away. JSU hosts Texas Southern at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in a game nationally televised on ESPNU.

Before he leaves Schimmel's to resume work on his game plan, Comegy takes a long look at the crowd and then offers this:

"For the first time on Saturday, I saw these guys really fight for Jackson State and a cause bigger than themselves," Comegy said. "We're at the crucial point of gelling. Don't give up on these kids right now."

SU line, backs getting job done early this season

Photo: Darren Coates - 25 carries, 199 yards, 2 TDs rushing

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

PVAMU at Southern
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: A.W. Mumford Stadium
TV: tape-delay (4 p.m. Sun., CST)
RADIO: KQXL-FM, 106.5

The biggest decisions impacting the Southern running game this season were made in the offseason.

Tops of those was a decision to go to a zone-blocking scheme. The simplicity of that has risen in importance as the offensive line lost five, and perhaps, six members to grades, since the spring.

The other two biggies were adding two first-year coaches in offensive line coach Damon Nivens and running backs coach Elvis Joseph, two former Jaguars who had played professionally. The two have brought a jolt of enthusiasm and professionalism that has been crucial to the two youngest offensive units.

The results have come together impressively so far for Southern (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference), which hosts Prairie View (2-0, 1-0) in a Western Division showdown at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

A year ago, through two games, SU ran for 58 yards. To date, the Jaguars have 531.

A year ago, Darren Coates and Brian Threat combined for 188 yards and one touchdown all season and Kendrick Smith, sitting out as a transfer, wasn’t even on the team. To date, the trio has put up 380 yards and three TDs on the ground, with Smith catching two passes for TDs as well.

“I know we’re on the right track,” SU offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. “I think the kids have bought into it, and they’re having fun with it.”

Such a strong running game seemed perhaps out of reach after an offseason of attrition. SU lost its most veteran running back, Larry Nichols, to academics as well as the offensive linemen.

“It’s really surprised me we’d be this far along at this time,” Southern head coach Pete Richardson said.

But before the attrition ever happened, SU made decisions that are starting to pay off.

“Coming out of last year, we knew we had to run,” Orlando said. “No. 1, we made a decision to run. No. 2, we made a decision to keep our blocking scheme as simple as we possibly could.”

That simplicity — “If you come in an area, I block you. That’s it,” Orlando said — is key.

Though Southern is playing with a tight end at left tackle, a left tackle at left guard, a right guard at center and a tackle at right guard, the scheme works.

























Photo: Kendrick Smith - 9 carries, 61 yards, 2 TDs receiving

“We made it simple where they can play faster,” Orlando said. “They understand their assignments and they can come off the ball more aggressively.”

Richardson said the offensive line, which road-graded Mississippi Valley State for 293 yards, was the MVP of a 23-6 win Saturday in Chicago. The week before, Valley had corralled the SWAC’s two marquee rushers, Martell Mallett and Mickey Dean of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

That was SU’s best one-game total since 345 rushing yards on Prairie View on Sept. 6, 2003.

“The players are starting to believe in it,” Richardson said. “It’s not to blow anybody out; it’s to get out and keep contact and let the back do the work.”

Taking advantage is an upgrade in talent at running back to go along with the threat of a veteran receiving group.

“The skill we have is as good, if not better, as any skill we’ve had since I’ve been at Southern,” Orlando said. “And the kids up front have done a very good job.”

And Joseph has brought out the best in Coates, Threat and Smith.

“Coates runs hard. He can run inside or outside,” Richardson said. “Threat is a big, powerful type guy. He can run in between the numbers. Then you change the speed of the game when you put Kendrick in there.”

Coates broke a 90-yard TD run on the offense’s first play this season. Threat snapped off a 62-yarder Saturday. Smith is home-run hitter waiting.

“We have the ability to keep fresh legs in the game,” Richardson said. “We’ve got three running backs we feel comfortable with. The fourth option is the quarterback.”

Photo: Brian Threat - 15 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD rushing

Sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee, the top returning rusher with 302 yards and five TDs last season, has run for 88 yards and one TD this season.

“The quarterback has to make yards with his legs in the run game,” Orlando said. “When you see us with two backs and a quarterback, that’s a three running back set.

“When your quarterback has to run the ball, the defense has an extra guy they have to account for. A lot of times, we get an extra blocker at the point of attack.”

The fifth option is the end around or the reverse, and cat-quick junior Del Roberts (four carries for 37 yards) also keeps defenses honest.

Meanwhile, Nivens and Joseph, along with assistant Mark Frederick, have added a right touch of oomph and knowledge to invigorate their units.

“The kids really relate to them because they played here and they bring that enthusiasm out there,” Orlando said. “They’ve done a super job.”

2007 Southern Heritage Classic-- JSU vs. TSU photo show

Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band
Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Marching Bands

AAMU surging early on offense

Photo: AAMU vs TSU

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Alabama A&M has never had an overpowering offense during Anthony Jones' previous five seasons.

The Bulldogs' highest scoring average under Jones came in 2003 when they averaged 33.2 points per game, fourth-best in the SWAC. Their highest total offense average came in 2005 when they averaged 385 yards, fourth-best in the SWAC.

But A&M is plenty busy after two games this season. In posting blowout wins over Tennessee State and Clark Atlanta, the Bulldogs have been an offensive juggernaut, averaging 45 points and 529 yards per game. A&M is averaging 302 yards through the air and 227 yards on the ground.

"Right now, people are looking at us and saying they have to stop our running game and our passing game," Jones said. "That's a good position to be in."

Jones thought A&M would have a good offense this year, but he had no idea it would be this good this fast.

The Bulldogs had to replace three fifth-year seniors along the offensive line. They lost their top two tailbacks, their top two fullbacks and three of their top four receivers. Throw in the fact that three new assistant coaches were added to the offensive staff less than a month before preseason practice started and Jones anticipated early problems.

"I've been the kind of coach that has taken advantage of the talent that we have," Jones said. "This is a year where we're gifted with a lot of speed. I believe we've had more 20-yard plays in the first two games than we had almost all of last season."

Four of A&M's seven touchdowns against Tennessee State covered 25 yards or more. The Bulldogs had seven plays 22 yards or longer. Three of A&M's six touchdowns against Clark Atlanta covered 20 yards or more. The Bulldogs had eight plays 20 yards or longer.

"It's not surprising," quarterback Kelcy Luke said. "We knew what we were capable of the first couple of weeks of camp. Coach Jones is taking advantage of it."

Against Clark Atlanta, Luke completed 21-of-32 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns. Nine different players caught passes. Three different players caught touchdown passes. Tailback Ulysses Banks rushed for 211 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns.

Banks and Anthony Green have gotten the bulk of the carries at tailback. Thomas Harris, the top returning receiver, has been joined by newcomers Rashad Johnson and Nate Baxter. Veteran tight ends Charles Moody and John Smith, along with offensive tackles James Sanders and Darius Turner, have been leaders along with Luke, A&M's starting quarterback the last four years.

"The young guys are centered around an old veteran in Kelcy and then you have some feisty veterans in key positions," said Jones, referring to Moody, Smith, Sanders and Turner. "They've done a great job in helping us rebuild our offense."



Who's hot: Running back Ulysses Banks, in only his second career start, rushed for a school- record 211 yards on just 19 carries and scored two touchdowns in Alabama A&M's 41-10 drubbing of Clark Atlanta.

Who's not: Defensive back Stephan Tucker allowed a 61-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. It is the second week in a row Tucker has given up a pass catch of 60 yards or more.

Who's hurt: The Bulldogs sustained no significant injuries.

Who's next: Alabama A&M hosts Mississippi Valley State in its conference opener Saturday night at Louis Crews Stadium. Kickoff is 6:30.

Florida A&M University vs. Delaware State University game photo show

Grambling laments missed opportunities

Photo: GSU RB #23 Frank Warren missed pass vs. Pitt.

The Times - Shreveport

PITTSBURGH — Grambling State left Heinz Field with more than a 34-10 defeat at the hands of the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday.
They left knowing they had squandered some opportunities as well.

The Tigers (1-1) had a punt blocked and a pass intercepted to lead to two Pitt touchdowns and eventually a 21-0 lead with 11 minutes gone.

The Tigers also hurt themselves with 108 yards of penalties. They also failed to score three times after moving the ball inside the Pitt 10 during the second half.

"They (Pitt) played an excellent game and I take nothing away from it, but we helped them a great deal," GSU coach Rod Broadway said. "When you have three passes intercepted, a punt blocked and get the ball inside the 20-yard line four times without scoring, then you've got a problem.

"Pitt's a very talented team but I thought we missed an opportunity to close the gap a little bit. We need to do a better job of coaching."

Photo: GSU Tiger Band performs before 30,852 at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA .

Despite giving up 34 points, Grambling's defense allowed 321 yards offense to Pitt. The Panthers had 202 yards passing and 119 rushing.

"I thought our defense actually played pretty well," Broadway said. "We gave up 34 points and 280 yards (actually 321), but most of that came in the first half when Pitt had the ball on our side of the 50 a lot."

Offensively, though, the Tigers struggled against Pitt.

Grambling quarterback Brandon Landers was 19-of-40 passing for 155 yards. He threw one touchdown, but he was intercepted three times.

"We have to get better at converting in the red zone," Landers said. "That's one thing that coach really stressed to us after the game, and we know it's true.

"You have to convert those kinds of chances if you're going to be successful against a team like Pitt. We'll keep working on it. We have two more weeks before our next game to get it right."

SU Jaguars can’t overlook Prairie View this time

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

What Southern has to do this week, the Jaguars should already know.

Southern is 2-0, just like last year. Southern is facing Prairie View on Saturday, just like the Jaguars did at this point last year.

For them, what happened last year has to be remembered — and what happened last year can’t be allowed to happen again.

A year ago, their season dissolved in an amazing fourth-quarter collapse on a cauldron of a field in Houston. The result of blowing a two-touchdown lead late in the fourth quarter: PV won its first game against Southern since 1971 with a 26-23 overtime decision.

That loss began a stretch, for Southern, of five losses in six games.

What Southern (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) will face in a 6 p.m. season opener Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium is a Prairie View team (2-0, 1-0) that is better than last season’s edition and one which has the confidence, unlike previous Panthers teams, that Southern is no longer invincible.



This looms as a big early season Western Division showdown.

Southern beat Mississippi Valley State 23-6 Saturday in Chicago, while PV, with Val Ford returning two blocked punts for first-half touchdowns, beat Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference member North Carolina A&T 22-7 in Los Angeles.

Southern, after two straight losing seasons, is trying to live up to the program’s good name under Pete Richardson and A.W. Mumford. A win Saturday would continue the momentum and help erase memories of last season, with Prairie View players taunting Southern players relentlessly at game’s end.

Prairie View is still trying to scratch out respect as a conference contender, something the program, so down in the 1990s, hasn’t had for decades. A win Saturday would give them consecutive victories over Southern, something which last happened when the Panthers won three straight from 1962 through ’64. That would be a powerful statement.

There should be a tremendous sense of clarity and will from both sides.

This is going to be quite the home opener.

Make sure you’ve got tickets.

Photo: SU QB Bryant Lee vs. MVSU, runs for first down.

Do more of this

Southern has a nice trio at running back, with Darren Coates (25 carries, 197 yards, two touchdowns), Brian Threat (15 carries, 117 yards, one TD) and Kendrick Smith (nine carries, 61 yards — plus two receiving TDs Saturday). Coates, in the season opener, and Threat, Saturday, have already posted their first career 100-yard games.

Make that a four-man threat, with quarterback Bryant Lee (30 carries, 88 yards, one TD) included.

The Jaguars already have 531 rushing yards so far. At this point last season, they had 58. More, the 531 is almost half of what SU totaled in 11 games last season: 1,233.

Work more on this

Southern has to avoid the slow starts on offense. Granted, the first offensive play of the season was a 90-yard touchdown run. The point here, though, is getting into a rhythm as a unit. Once SU gets going, the Jaguars have been dynamite.

“We made a few adjustments. &hellip We have to figure out what defenses are doing,” said Richardson, who also mentioned the exuberance of youth as a possible factor in keeping SU from settling in.

Quick hits

Saturday’s reported attendance of 49,872, though the entire upper deck on the West side was empty and the stadium seats 61,500, was better than any total, even the Bayou Classic (47,136), that saw the Jaguars last season. The total was certainly better than the last time SU played Valley in Chicago, with 9,069 coming to see the Jaguars win 51-30 in the 1997 season opener. The public address announcers were often way out of line, talking about betting on the game while in progress and drinking Courvoisier after the game. Then, there were lines like, “He jumped on that boy like he caught him stealing out of his momma’s purse.”

Up next

Southern hosts Prairie View at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium. The home opener begins a stretch where SU plays five of its next six games at home. SU is at home for three games in October and will take that final Saturday off.

Little time to lick wounds for Jackson State Tigers

Photo: Daniel Brooks, 6-4/235 Sr. DE

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

The JSU Game
Who: Texas Southern (0-2, 0-2 SWAC) at Jackson State (0-2, 0-0)
When: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM and 105.9 FM, Jackson)

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, Jackson State defensive end Daniel Brooks can be funny and gregarious - almost a larger than life comic influence on the Tigers' locker room.

But in the rare moments when he's angry - when his eyes cloud over and his expression turns grim, he can also be downright intimidating.

And the half hour following JSU's 16-13 loss to Tennessee State on Saturday would certainly qualify as one of those extended moments.

But after a little time to cool down, Brooks' face softens and the senior sighs for a second before scratching his head, trying to find a bit of good news despite the Tigers' 0-2 start to the season.

He finally has to settle for this:

"What doesn't kill us will make us stronger," Brooks said. "You've got to go through rough times to enjoy the success. This is our rough time. But it won't last forever."

And Jackson State would probably prefer that the troubles end immediately, especially considering the Tigers have just three days to prepare for a Thursday night game at 6:30 p.m. against Texas Southern.

It is JSU's first Southwestern Athletic Conference game of the season and is also nationally televised on ESPNU.

Comegy's mantra during the preseason has been winning a SWAC championship. And if that's the case, the only thing lost so far is a little shine off the second-year coaching staff who could seemingly do no wrong in last season's 6-5 rejuvenation.

And even though it's undeniable that JSU has struggled through the first two games, there were a few more positives against Tennessee State than in the season-opening debacle against Delta State. Among them:

Kicker Eric Perri's school-record 50-yard field goal and earlier 44-yard field goal.

Running back Erik Haw, who returned from injury to rush for 82 yards on 17 carries. It was the junior's best game since midway through last season.

A defense that has consistently been stingy, allowing Tennessee State only 16 points on Saturday.

"I think we're playing good enough defense to win ballgames," Comegy said. "I'm just concerned with our offense. We need to be moving the ball better and generating a little more offense."

Texas Southern (0-2 overall, 0-2 SWAC) has also lost twice to open the season. The Maroon Tigers were blown out by Prairie View A&M 34-14 in their opener before falling 21-10 to Alabama State on Saturday.

Haw said the shorter week to prepare for Texas Southern could be a positive, forcing JSU to immediately focus on the upcoming game instead of dwelling on the Tennessee State loss.

"It's the ups and downs of football and you've got to deal with adversity," Haw said. "There's no time to sit and feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to get back to work."

Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band

Tennessee State coach says some fans gave up on Tigers

Photo: TSU Athletic Director Teresa Phillips

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

James Webster is most proud of his Tennessee State players for not giving up on themselves and hanging on to win Saturday's game against Jackson State.

The Tigers coach is perplexed, however, by those who did give up on his team before the game ever started.

Webster said he heard from fans that threw in the towel on the Tigers after their season-opening, 49-23 loss to Alabama A&M. It was the first thing he brought up after Saturday's 16-13 win at the Memphis Liberty Bowl.

"I think there were some people who gave up on us for the season after we lost by whatever we did to Alabama A&M,'' Webster said. "That is something I don't understand."

One person who didn't give up was TSU athletics director Teresa L. Phillips, one of the first to greet the Tigers Saturday night as they came out of the locker room after rallying to win.

"Our president (Melvin Johnson) didn't give up on us and our AD didn't give up on us,'' Webster said. "And that's all I worry about because they're my boss and they're leaders. They were very supportive of us and encouraged us, and that's what matters to me."

Mentally tough

Webster said his players proved their tenacity Saturday, not becoming frustrated despite scoring only two touchdowns, and hanging tough until the final play. That's when Eric Benson kicked a 35-yard field goal in the rain for TSU's only lead.

"There was no question about it, mental toughness was the main thing we improved on from the first game to the second,'' Webster said.

"If we would have had the same mental toughness in the Alabama A&M game that we had in this game, I think we would have won the Alabama A&M game. We showed it when we were behind the entire game (against JSU) but continued to play hard."

It won't get easier for TSU this week when the Tigers travel to Austin Peay, even though the Governors were picked to finish last in the OVC in their first year back in the league. They beat Indiana State Saturday 32-17 and are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2002.

Hall's status: Starting cornerback Marquez Hall, a transfer from Vanderbilt, suffered a high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter against JSU. He is day-to-day.

SCSU Pough ready to talk about USC

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

COLUMBIA — Let the talk begin.

For weeks, South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough deliberately avoided talking about the first-ever game against the University of South Carolina. The reason was simple as the Bulldogs had a very important ‘prior engagement’ a week earlier with Bethune-Cookman which demanded their full attention.

A loss to the Wildcats now only would have put SCSU behind the ‘eight ball’ for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season title, but created the nightmarish prospect of having to defeat a Football Bowl Subdivision team to avoid an 0-3 start.

With the 24-13 win over the Wildcats, the Bulldogs can head to Columbia this Saturday relaxed knowing their standing in the conference will remain unchanged regardless of the outcome with the Gamecocks.

The lifted burden was especially evident in a relieved Pough’s post-game comments when asked about returning to the university he spent five years as a running backs’ coach under Lou Holtz. While excited about coaching at Williams-Brice Stadium again, Pough’s much happier about going there off a conference win.

"This makes me feel 100 times better going in there not 0-2," he said.

Quarterback Cleveland McCoy, who was a freshman when the Bulldogs faced Benedict in the 2004 Palmetto Capital City Classic at Williams-Brice Stadium, also believes his team will play more loose because of Saturday’s win.

"If we lost this game, it would been...because Bethune-Cookman is a MEAC team," McCoy said. "That counts and going into Carolina with your head down, that’s not a good thing. They’re coming in there to embarrass us, so that’s the great thing we wanted to do (Saturday)."

McCoy also believes the experience with Air Force, plus taking inspiration from what fellow Football Championship Subdivision team Appalachian State did to Football Bowl Subdivision team Michigan, will aid the Bulldogs against USC.

"We want to go in there and win and by any means necessary," McCoy said. "We don’t want to say ‘Well, we’re going up there to lose because that defeats the purpose of playing football. We want to have a shot at winning. Appalachian State won, so there’s no telling what we can do."

The one Bulldog whose arguably most looking forward to facing USC is former Clemson defensive lineman Xavier Littleberry. As the only SCSU player who have played against the Gamecocks during his one season with the Tigers, he still carries a ‘grudge’ against his former school’s biggest rival.

"I just feel like once they’re my rival, they’re always my rival and that’s going to be a real big game for me," he said.

Kickoff for Saturday’s first-ever contest between USC and SCSU is 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the SCSU Ticket Office by calling (803) 536-8579 and Time Warner Cable will air the game on a pay-per-view basis.

Bulldog notes

The Bulldogs’ 279 rushing yards were 32 more than the combined total yards of Bethune-Cookman. Travil Jamison came off the bench to lead SCSU with 70 yards...With the win, SCSU improved to 37-5 under head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough when leading or tied at halftime. Last year’s 10-9 loss to Delaware State was the only time that has taken place in conference play...Pough evened his record to 3-3 against Bethune-Cookman, leaving Hampton as the only MEAC team he does not own a winning record against...Corey Council’s 98-yard kickoff touchdown return was just the latest by a Wildcat player against SCSU. In fact, four of the five longest kickoff returns in Bethune-Cookman history have come at the Bulldogs’ expense, including current head coach Alvin Wyatt, who had a 102-yard return against SCSU in 1972. Wyatt’s return is tied for second in school history with John Osbourne, who also had a 102-yard return in 1972 against SCSU and four shy of the school mark set by Vincent Nobles in 1966 against the Bulldogs...A week after averaging 40.9 yards a punt in the high altitude at Air Force, punter Aaron Haire of Orangeburg-Wilkinson did even better with five punts averaging 48 yards, including a 61-yarder...Saturday’s game lasted three hours and seven minutes...Pough will hold his weekly press conference at 9 a.m. today in the athletics building.

FAMU narrows search for men's basketball coach to final five

By Heath A. Smith, Tallahassee Democrat

The search for Florida A&M's next men's basketball coach has been narrowed to a list of five finalists.

University of Michigan assistant coach Jerry Dunn, Mississippi State assistant coach Robert Kirby, Georgia State assistant coach Eugene Harris, Chipola Junior College coach Greg Heiar and former Colorado assistant men's basketball coach Paul Graham are expected to be interviewed for the position in person or by phone this week, according to FAMU Athletic Director Nelson Townsend.

"No one has been contacted yet," Townsend said. "We have some very good candidates."

Townsend said he expects to meet the self-imposed Sept. 15 deadline to name a new coach. FAMU fired Mike Gillespie Sr., the university's coach for the past six years, last month.

"I feel confident that we'll be on time," Townsend said. "We have not set an interview schedule yet."

The seven-member search committee met for three hours Saturday after going through the resumes of more than 50 applicants last week, according to state Sen. Al Lawson, who is on the committee.

Lawson said each committee member chose a list of 10 applicants to be voted on by the committee Saturday.

Each applicant from that pool who received two votes from the committee moved on to the next round of votes until the list was paired down to five finalists.

Lawson said that in addition to picking the five finalists, the committee made a motion that he be a part of the interviewing process along with Townsend and FAMU President James Ammons.

MEAC/SWAC Scoreboard - Week 3 (Sept 13th-15th)

MEAC Scoreboard - Week 3, Sept. 13-15, 2007

Norfolk State (1-0)
@Rutgers (2-0) #15 AP Poll
3:30 PM ET
Rutgers Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
Internet & TV: ESPN 360, GamePlan Pay-Per-View
Radio: WOR, WCTC, WENJ, WRSU
TV: MSG in the New York/New Jersey; Cox Cable in New Orleans; Charter Cable in St. Louis and Time Warner-Wisconsin.
Radio: WNSB Hot 91.1 FM in the Hampton Roads area. WNSB’s audio stream is also available on the web by logging onto www.nsu.edu/athletics and following the ‘Listen Live’ link.

Delaware State (2-0)
@Kent State (1-1)
4:00 PM ET
Dix Stadium, Kent, OH
Internet Audio & Video: http://www.kentstatesports.com/liveEvents/liveEvents.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11400&KEY=
http://www.dsuhornets.com/

Bethune Cookman (1-1)
@Savannah State (1-1)
4:00 PM ET
Ted Wright Stadium, Savannah, GA

Winston Salem (1-1)
@ Morgan State (1-1)
4:00 PM ET
Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD
RADIO: Morgan State Radio Network WEAA - 88.9 FM:
Rob Long (play-by-play) & Kelvin Bridgers (color).
INTERNET: http://www.morganstatebears.com/
http://wssurams.cstv.com/
INTERNET COVERAGE: Live Audio and Live Stats

Hampton (1-0)
@North Carolina A&T (0-2)
6:00 PM ET
Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC
TV: Tape Delay ESPNU (10 PM)

Howard U.(0-1)
@ Florida A&M (0-2)
6:00 PM ET
Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Howard Internet Live TV: http://www.broadcasturban.net/player/hubison/player.htm
FAMU Internet Live TV: http://www.BlackCollegeSportsNetwork.net/FAMU/Men.html

South Carolina State (1-1)
@ South Carolina (2-0)
7:00 PM ET
Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
Internet & TV: ESPN 360 & ESPN GamePlan

SWAC Scoreboard - Week 3

Thursday, Sept 13th
Texas Southern (0-3) 7
@Jackson State (1-2) 28 Final
7:30 PM ET
Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, MS
TV: ESPNU live

Saturday, Sept 15th

Alcorn State (0-2)
@UAB (0-2)
7:00 PM ET
Legion Field, Birmingham, AL
Internet Audio & TV: Gameday Central: http://all-access.cstv.com/cstv/player/player.html?code=albr&sport=m-footbl&category=live&media=43266

Alabama State (2-0)
@Arkansas Pine Bluff (1-1)
7:00 PM ET
Pumphery Stadium, Pine Bluff, AR

Prairie View A&M (2-0)
@Southern University (2-0)
7:00 PM ET
Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
TV: Cox Sports TV
Radio: SU Sports Network

Mississippi Valley State (1-1)
@Alabama A&M (2-0)
7:30 PM ET
Milton Frank Stadium, Normal, AL

Grambling State-Idle

Division I Independent - Scoreboard Week 2

Elizabeth City State
@North Carolina Central (2-1)
2:00 PM ET
Giants Stadium – The Meadowlands – East Rutherford, N.J. (80,242 capacity)
The New York Urban League's 37th Annual Whitney Young Football Classic
Audio: http://web.nccu.edu/campus/athletics/audio.html

Bethune Cookman (1-1)
@Savannah State (1-1)
4:00 PM ET
Ted Wright Stadium, Savannah, GA

Guest Band: Mississippi Valley State University "Valley Band"

Battle of Bands: 2007 Chicago Football Classic- Southern U. vs. MVSU Valley Band

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band, Half-Time Show @ 2007 Chicago Football Classic


Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils, Half-Time Show @ 2007 Chicago Football Classic

Southern University Dolls Cupid Shuffle, Chicago Classic 2007

Hornets top Florida A&M University

Hornets top Florida A&M; Jones and McBride go down with injuries

Delaware State News

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Sure, there were plenty of highlights for Delaware State in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener Saturday night.

Wide receiver Shaheer McBride tied Albert Horsey for the school’s all-time receptions record. Quarterback Vashon Winton again proved that he can manage a game with his arm and legs. And kicker Peter Gaertner nailed two field goals, looking like he was back to his former All-MEAC form.

But DSU left Bragg Memorial Stadium after dispatching Florida A&M 20-7 with some key injuries that might cause concern.

Transfer running back Kareem Jones, who seemed like a mainstay in the Hornets opener last week, carried the ball only four times and left with an injury in the first quarter.


Later in the third, McBride, after catching five passes to tie the record, was sidelined with an injury.

Without Jones and McBride, though, DSU still escaped Tallahassee earning its third straight win over the Rattlers, who beat the Hornets 10 consecutive times from 1994-2003.

As DSU struggled to run the ball, the offense rested on Winton. The junior threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 17-for-26 passing.

With the game scoreless early in the second quarter, Winton found his favorite target — McBride — on a crossing route in the end zone. The score gave DSU a 7-0 lead with 10:00 remaining before halftime.

Moments later, Winton tossed his first interception of the season and FAMU (0-1, 0-2) capitalized to knot the score at 7 when quarterback Albert Chester II hit tight end Todd Jenkins in the end zone with 1:17 left.

Winton then performed the two-minute drill perfectly, marching the Hornets 57 yards to allow Gaertner to kick a 35-yard field goal, which gave DSU a 10-7 lead at the break.

In the third, and in McBride’s absence, Winton hit redshirt sophomore William Griggs for his first career touchdown. The score gave the Hornets a 17-7 lead with 12:29 left in the third. Gaertner later hit a 36-yard field goal in the fourth for the final margin.

So, even with the win, questions remain for DSU especially in the running game.

With Jones, who ran for 174 yards last week, out, Central Florida transfer Chris Strother became the featured back. He had only 35 yards on 11 attempts.

Southern University Jaguars explode again

Quick score sparks Southern to victory

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

CHICAGO — Southern quarterback Bryant Lee is missing out. Kind of.

For the second straight week, he didn’t get to see wide receiver Gerard Landry mash a defender en route to a long score.

That’s OK with Lee. He heard the crowd react, and he can always watch the film. And, best of all, the Jaguars are on a nice early roll to their season.

That play, good for a 54-yard touchdown down the right sideline, sparked Southern to a 23-6 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory over Mississippi Valley State in the Chicago Football Classic on Saturday at Soldier Field.

“It was an explosive play,” said Lee, named the game’s offensive MVP after throwing for 206 yards and three touchdowns and running for another 38 yards. “I really couldn’t see it. I had to listen to the crowd’s reaction.”

Starting with that play, Southern (2-0, 1-0 SWAC), which is undefeated after two games for the second straight season, scored on four of five possessions to pull away.

“The play was very important,” said Landry, who blasted through four Florida A&M defenders on a 46-yard TD catch in a 33-27 win the week before. Lee didn’t see that one, either. “It just gave us that momentum. Other guys started making plays, and we started clicking.”

Sophomore Brian Threat, who ran for 69 yards all last season, ran for 106 yards on 11 carries and Del Roberts had 74 yards on seven catches.

“The defense held up for us in the first half, and we had to execute on the offensive side,” said Lee, who won his third straight start, getting MVP honors in all three.

Meanwhile, Southern’s defense did some soul-searching in the locker room for the second straight week, and again responded.

This time, after Valley (1-1, 1-1) closed to within 14-6 Paul Roberts’ 20-yard touchdown pass with 6 seconds before halftime, SU held Valley to 9 yards and one first down in the second half.

“I thought that was going to give us a lot of energy, but we just didn’t have enough in the second half,” Valley coach Willie Totten said. “I felt pretty good right there at the end of the half. I felt we were in the ballgame and we had a chance, but we were too flat in the second half and made too many mistakes. We’ve got some work to do.”
Maybe the missed extra point, glancing off the right upright, was a portent of disaster.

Or maybe the touchdown, like the way Southern gave up two deep scores to Florida A&M in the second quarter the week before, simply sparked the Jaguars defense, like how the game played out a week earlier.

“We gave away a free touchdown, but they told us to step up, make sure they don’t score again, and that’s what we did,” said SU defensive end Vince Lands, the game’s defensive MVP. “We came out to prove a point, and that’s what we did.”

The first 21 minutes were a bore, with the teams combining for nine punts and Southern freshman Josh Duran missing his first career field-goal try, a 37-yard attempt glancing off the right upright.

Then, Southern scored on consecutive touches, converting a big play and staging a long drive, to take control by halftime.

First, Lee hooked up with Landry for the 54-yard TD, with Landry trucking over Valley cornerback Pierre Marshall along the way for a 7-0 lead with 8:18 until halftime. Then Lee directed a 10-play, 85-yard march, finding wide-open running back Kendrick Smith for a 12-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead with 2:17 until halftime.

Roberts, despite an erratic first half, nevertheless led the Delta Devils on a 70-yard touchdown drive in the final two minutes, connecting with Clarence Cotton on a 20-yard touchdown with 6 seconds before halftime. Jamie Whitworth hit the right upright with a PAT, leaving the score at 14-6.

Roberts was 4-for-4 for 43 yards, with his hookup to Cotton going for Valley’s longest play of the game, and ran for two first downs. Until then, he was 9-for-21 and once threw three incomplete passes with Valley taking over at the Southern 34-yard line late in the first quarter.

“We had a mental lapse,” Richardson said. “We work on that. (The defender) bit up, and the guy ran a beautiful route to the corner.”

The vice grip came in the second half.

SU punted on its first possession but then drove 51 yards for another Lee-to-Smith TD pass. And a 74-yard drive produced a 30-yard Duran field goal and a 23-6 lead a minute into the fourth quarter. The Jaguars then powered away, eating the clock with a dominating running game and holding Valley to no yards in the final quarter.

For the game, Valley had seven three-and-outs and punted 11 times.

“It was just pride,” Lands said. “(Defensive coordinator Terrence) Graves kept preaching to us, pride, Jaguar pride.”

So far, through two games, Southern has shown a defense and an offense that gets better as games progress. The Jaguars, off two straight losing seasons, want that to translate to the season picture as well.

“Just a little more (work), and we’ll be good,” Lee said.

Lagniappe
Southern’s charter flight left Baton Rouge at 6 p.m. Thursday but didn’t arrive until around 11 p.m. The team had to put down for a couple hours in St. Louis to wait out a rainstorm blasting Chicago. Neither team got on Soldier Field until before the game Saturday. Friday, Southern had a short walkthrough practice at Niles West High School, while Valley went through its walkthrough, without footballs, at its hotel, the Midway Marriott. SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp made his second straight Southern game. He caught the MEAC/SWAC Challenge a week earlier. Sharp also went to Thursday’s televised game, with Arkansas-Pine Bluff winning at Alcorn State. Valley coach Willie Totten asked Sharp before the game if a Howitzer, firing blanks, could be moved from his team’s sideline. No luck there, though.

Southern Jags roll before 49,872 at Soldier Field

BY CLYDE TRAVIS, Chicago Sun-Times

What began as a potential one-night stand has turned into a 10-year love affair between the city and the Chicago Football Classic.

The Classic annually has brought the atmosphere of black college football to Soldier Field. On Saturday, Southern University of Baton Rouge, La., and Mississippi Valley State, which were the original participants in the Classic, took the stage before a crowd of 49,872.

Southern won the first Classic 51-30 and the 10th as well with a 23-6 victory.

The Jaguars (2-0) took a 14-0 lead on a 54-yard touchdown pass from Bryant Lee to Gerard Landry with 8:18 left in the second quarter and on a 12-yard strike from Lee to Kendrick Smith six minutes later.

Mississippi Valley (1-1) drove 80 yards in nine plays and scored on a 20-yard pass from quarterback Paul Roberts to Clarence Cotton with six seconds left in the half.

Lee tossed his third touchdown pass, hitting Smith again from 20 yards out with 6:04 left in the third quarter. Josh Durant completed the scoring by nailing a 30-yard field goal with 14:09 left in the fourth quarter.

Lee, the game's offensive MVP, said he never was worried despite his team's slow start.

''Everything was perfect. It wasn't too hot, it wasn't too cold, we were playing at Soldier Field. It just took awhile for everyone to get on the same page,'' said Lee, a redshirt sophomore who completed 16 of 28 passes for 206 yards. ''The offensive line really was the key. They dug in and give me enough time.''

Southern rushed for 293 yards, 106 of them by Brian Threat.

The Jaguars' Vince Lands was named the game's defensive MVP

Two Chicago players played in the game: Harlan's Johey Hargrett of Mississippi Valley State and Homewood-Flossmoor product Sir-Edward Staten of Southern.

''It felt great to be home with family and friends and getting some of that home cooking,'' Hargrett said. ''This is a dream come true. Not many people get a chance to come back and play at Soldier Field.''

Field goal on final play knocks off careless JSU Tigers

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

MEMPHIS — The one-two punch of carelessness and miscommunication came at the absolute worst time for Jackson State on Saturday night.

And be-cause of that, JSU stood and watched helplessly as Tennessee State's Eric Benson kicked a 35-yard field goal as time expired to steal a 16-13 victory at the Southern Heritage Classic in front of an announced crowd of 50,987.

Photo: The Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Band performs at the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, TN

A sullen JSU coach Rick Comegy offered little in the way of an explanation of the team's Liberty Bowl troubles.

"We're all a little tired of excuses on this football team right now," Comegy said. "What we need instead are results."

The loss is the fifth in a row for JSU against Tennessee State, dating back to 2002. It's also JSU's sixth loss overall in seven games dating back to last season.

What was even more heart-wrenching about Saturday's final result was that the game was tied at 13 and appeared destined for overtime before two JSU (0-2) mistakes gave Tennessee State (1-1) new life.

First was the carelessness: Tennessee State was set to punt the ball away with 46 seconds remaining in the game before JSU was whistled for an illegal substitution to give TSU a new set of downs.

And on the very next play was the miscommunication: Tennessee State quarterback Antonio Heffner found Antonio Graham down the middle of the field on a wide-open 30-yard pass play, eventually setting up the game-winning field goal and a raucous TSU celebration.

"I'm not even sure what happened," said JSU linebacker Daniel Brooks of the 30-yard pass. "I was playing off adrenaline and trying to win the game. We'll have to look at the tape to see where we messed up because I truly have no idea."

Once again, Jackson State mixed and matched quarterbacks Tray Rutland and Jimmy Oliver with limited success. Rutland saw the majority of time and was 5-of-14 passing and 54 yards. He also rushed for 14 yards and a touchdown.

Oliver played briefly in the third quarter and finished 3-of-10 for 28 yards. He rushed for 25 yards.

Running back Erik Haw played in his first game of the season and rushed for 82 yards on 17 carries. JSU S was outgained 385-280 in total yards.

"We've got some problems offensively right now," Comegy said. "We've got to get this thing right soon, because (TSU) was beatable and we just didn't get it done."

Jackson State jumped to a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter partly thanks to a botched TSU punt attempt. With a short field, JSU drove 25 yards for the touchdown in five plays, capped by Rutland's 1-yard sneak.

Eric Perri stretched the Tigers' lead to 13-6 by midway through the third quarter with a pair of field goals.

The first was a 44-yarder that gave JSU a 10-6 lead going into halftime. The second was even more impressive, a 50-yard blast that set a school record and gave JSU a 13-6 advantage midway through the third quarter.

But that's about the time Jackson State's previously stingy defense started breaking down.

TSU's Terrence Wright scored his second touchdown of the game on an 11-yard pass from Antonio Heffner to tie the score at 13 with 8:03 left in the game.

The teams traded scoreless possessions throughout the rest of the fourth quarter until Benson nailed the field goal to win.

"This is our most important game all season," TSU coach James Webster said. "I know it's not a conference game, but we put a lot into it. That's why winning it is such a big thrill each year."

Heffner finished 18-of-31 passing for 232 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Jackson State Perri's record-setting night - a 50-yarder - spoiled.

Perri's record-setting night - a 50-yarder - spoiled by late block

In a lot of ways, Jackson State sophomore kicker Eric Perri had a career night.

He set the school record with a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter that gave JSU a 13-6 lead. In the first half, he knocked down a 44-yarder - the fourth longest in school history.

But what will stick in his head is the 22-yard attempt that was blocked by Tennessee State. It would have given JSU a three-point lead in the fourth quarter.

"(TSU) was already on top of me by the time I kicked the ball," Perri said. "I don't really know what else I could have done, but it still hurts to not be able to help the team late."

JSU coach Rick Comegy agreed that the blocked field goal had nothing to do with Perri.

"We had a breakdown in our line," Comegy said. "Eric did a nice job of keeping us in the game early."

With his two kicks on Saturday, Perri solidified his ability to kick long field goals. His 50-yarder easily cleared the uprights and suggested the sophomore's range is pushing 55 to 60 yards.

Perri kicked a 52-yard field goal in Jackson State's spring game last year, but this is his first 50-plus make in a real game.

"It certainly gives me a lot of confidence," Perri said. "I know coach (Comegy) feels I can make a difference."

Even with the record-setting performance, Perri's night ended sourly as he watched Tennessee State kicker Eric Benson hit the 35-yard, game-winning field goal in the rain.

"It's a really helpless feeling sitting there and knowing there's nothing you can do," Perri said. "But give credit to (Benson). He did what he's supposed to do."

-David Brandt

Defense shines in Alabama State University victory

HOUSTON -- Trailing 10-7 with less than four minutes remaining, Alabama State seemed destined to lose to Texas Southern and repeat a scenario that played itself out over and over again in 2006: A great defensive effort wasted by a struggling offense.

However, Jay Peck, Rahmod Traylor and a determined offensive line pounded out two late touchdowns in a 21-10 win Saturday night.

"It was ugly," said ASU head coach Reggie Barlow, "but we'll take it. We made so many turnovers (five) that I stopped counting. Our defense kept us close and we were finally able to break through."

Neither offense was able to muster a score in the first half, with the only points being a fumble recovered for a touchdown by ASU's Leland Jones.

TSU finally got on the scoreboard when Tino Edgecombe -- who'd been benched earlier in the game -- hit Daniel Davis for a 13-yard touchdown to even the score with 1:49 to go in the third quarter.

ASU was poised to take the lead on several possessions, but turned the ball over twice in the red zone.

"We simply can't afford to give away those kind of opportunities," Barlow said. "I really thought it would come back to bite us."

ASU fumbled on three consecutive trips inside the TSU 20, including a 4th and 1 at the 1-yard line, when quarterback Chris Mitchell was unable to handle the snap. Peck also had one of the fumbles, but redeemed himself when he slammed off the left side for a 3-yard touchdown with 2:40 to go in the game. ASU led 14-10.

The Tigers were unable to get a first down on their next possession, and after a penalty, a sack and three incomplete passes, ASU got the ball back with a chance to run out the clock.

On the first play of their final drive, Traylor plowed into the end zone from 22 yards out, clinching the win.

"When we had to, we were really able to run the ball," Barlow said. "The guys just kept fighting through their mistakes and found a way to win. It definitely wasn't pretty but we'll take it."

The Hornet defense held TSU to 257 total yards and 2-16 on 3rd downs. Peck finished with 150 yards on 23 carries. Traylor added 97 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

"We lean on our defense," Barlow said. "When we aren't able to move the ball, those guys continue to step up. We have to find a way to help them out on offense."

ASU (2-0, 1-0 SWAC) will travel to the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff for another conference match up next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.