SCSU Raymond Harrison heads back to Williams-Brice

SCSU RB Will Ford vs. Air Force

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

COLUMBIA - As a sophomore linebacker at Richland Northeast High School, Rodney Paulk paid his dues on the scout team lining up against an established starting senior center in Raymond "Duck" Harrison.

For the most part, the more experienced Harrison got the better of the hungry, shorter Paulk. Yet while Harrison’s main scholarship offer came from South Carolina State, it was Paulk who ended up a year later at the University of South Carolina competing in the more high profile conference - the SEC.

When the Gamecocks play host to the Bulldogs Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, the 6-foot, 217-pound Paulk cannot wait for the first opportunity to show his former Cavalier teammate how much better he’s gotten.

"He used to really beat me down until I told him that it wasn’t happening this year because I grew up," Paulk said Tuesday. "He use to really beat me in high school, so I’m looking forward to this time and showing him that I’m a lot better than I was."

Harrison is just as anxious to show off the skills which made him a preseason All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference first-team selection and perennial starter for the Bulldogs since his freshman year.

"Right now, he’s (Paulk) playing in the SEC and I’m playing in the MEAC," he said. "So, he’s playing a little more big time football as far as bigger schools and more TV time and stuff. But it’s still football."

Although more a Clemson fan growing up in Columbia than USC, the 6-2, 275-pound Harrison was never seriously recruited by either the Tigers or the Gamecocks.

"Raymond’s a great player," said Paulk, who’s fourth on the team in tackles (12). "He was a great player in high school. That’s the only thing that got him was his size. That’s the one thing that got me too from getting offers out of high school. But, he’s a real good player. He could play Division I if the coaches would have looked at him."

According to Harrison, he’s not the only Bulldog itching to play well the second time around against a Football Bowl Subdivision foe.

"Just about everybody has something to prove," Harrison said. "We’ve got to play with a little chip on our shoulder because a lot of us were told we couldn’t play on the Division I-A level. So, we want to show that we can play a little bit."

Expect the Bulldogs to come out more confident and better prepared this Saturday having had the experience against Air Force Academy, according to Harrison. He said the initial shock of going into an FBS environment with bigger crowds and tougher, more conditioned players will not play a role against the Gamecocks.

Despite not allowing a single sack against Bethune-Cookman, Harrison said the offense did not play up to its capability.

"We feel like last week we left too many points out on the field," he said. "I feel we beat them way more than about 11 despite what the score says. So right now, we’re trying to get the early kinks out that teams have early in the season such as the false starts and stuff like that and a lot of penalties. We’re trying to get rid of all of that."

SCSU will not have at its disposal the possible element of surprise. With two-time defending FCS champion Appalachian State’s stunning win over Michigan, even Harrison acknowledges it’s wishful thinking to believe the Gamecocks will look pass the Bulldogs to concentrate on second-ranked LSU.

"As far as the players, they are not going to overlook a team much anymore," Harrison said. "They may overlook us because they’re coming off a big game against Georgia, beating Georgia, so they’re real high right now looking forward to LSU. So, I hope they do come out sleeping on us a little bit."

"We’re going out there to play the best we can," Paulk said. "I know people are talking about ‘you guys should have beat them by 50 or beat them by 40’ and we end up beating them by five. Just because they’re I-AA doesn’t mean they’re lower."

RETURN TO GLORY

SCSU freshman quarterback Malcolm Long expects to be greeted by a larger, though more hostile audience at Williams-Brice Stadium compared to his two previous visits.

Yet the raucous atmosphere will not prevent the former South Carolina "Mr. Football" from reminiscing of past championship glory experienced in the stadium where he and SCSU linebacker Julius Wilkerson played together on the first of Gaffney’s two consecutive Class 4-A Division I championships.

"It was just a great place to win back-to-back," Long said. "I know I’ll have flashbacks the moment I look at the field."

In 2005 against Summerville, Long rallied the Indians from a 26-7 halftime deficit to a come-from-behind 33-32 victory. The comeback was capped by an 11-play, 90-yard scoring drive orchestrated by Long in the final 2:12.

"That was a big moment in my life," Long remembered. "I just kept my poise out there and didn’t panic,"

Last year, Long was even more dominant in the state title game with three touchdown passes and two rushes for scores in a 45-0 victory over Irmo. He would go on to earn the prestigious "Mr. Football" Award and MVP honors at the North-South All-Star Game.

Like Harrison, SCSU was the only in-state school which made him a serious offer - a subject he declined to discuss. In fact, Long is more interested in helping the Bulldogs get the upset rather than proving a point if he enters the game.

"It’s a game of football and you’re trying to get a win and beat a good football team," Long said.

NSU Preston pleased to be getting an opportunity

By KEITH IDEC, HERALD NEWS

Markeece Preston braces himself for the trash talk each time Al-Ghaffaar Lane's name pops up on his cell phone.

He laughs it all off, of course, because Lane wouldn't be Lane if he wasn't talking smack. Preston's former Paterson Catholic teammate and close friend has especially enjoyed himself this week because Preston's Norfolk State Spartans are preparing to play Saturday at 13th-ranked Rutgers (3:30 p.m.; MSG Network), for which Lane likely will redshirt as a freshman. Sports books don't offer odds on games between I-A and I-AA teams, but NSU, a Division I-AA program that hasn't had a winning season since 1996, is considered a huge underdog, the easiest mark on Rutgers' 12-game schedule.

And Lane let Preston know about their teams' obviously different levels every day this week.

"He's saying how the All-Americans are going to tear me apart and stuff like that," Preston said. "I really don't listen to him. I just laugh at him."

All kidding aside, Preston probably will play with more purpose than usual Saturday, when the true freshman figures to see plenty of time as part of NSU's offensive line rotation.

The Paterson native wanted nothing more than to join Lane and fellow Paterson Catholic alum Chenry Lewis on Rutgers' roster, but coaches at the state university stopped recruiting him when they learned he stands 6-foot-2. Although the University of Cincinnati, another Big East school, offered him a scholarship in 2006, before the Bearcats' coaching staff completely changed, Preston's height was a concern for most other Division I-A coaching staffs, too. Rutgers' starting guards, Mike Fladell and Kevin Haslam, are listed at 6-8 and 6-7, respectively.

Preston, a versatile four-year starter and a two-time Associated Press All-State selection for the Cougars, ultimately chose between Norfolk State, St. Francis (Pa.) College and Wagner College, a perceived recruiting mystery that completely surprised Paterson Catholic coach Benjie Wimberly.

"Markeece is an unbelievable athlete," Wimberly said, "and he's unbelievably strong. It's just now, though, if you look at the major offensive linemen, these guys are all starting off, even centers, at 6-4, 6-5. Markeece is right around 6-2, so height was definitely an issue. (College coaches) were looking for sleeker, taller guys. Now you've got guys 6-6, 275 or 6-5, 280. Markeece kind of looked like the linemen of the past."

Nevertheless, Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian still believes Preston is one of his program's future standouts.

"He played quite a bit in our first ball game," Adrian said of NSU's season-opening blowout win against Division II Virginia State on Sept. 1. "He's a big kid, at (6-2) and 320 pounds, and has got great athletic ability. When you're a freshman, especially on the offensive line, there are a lot of things that happen to you, with all the different fronts and blitz pickups. It's more of a learning thing (for Preston). Physically, this young man can play. He'll only get better as he gets older, you know, as he matures as a man. So we think we've got a great player right there."

Preston is listed second on NSU's depth chart at left guard, behind 6-4, 280-pound Jamien Banks, a redshirt junior who started only two games in 2006. The Spartans' right guard, Jason Kressen, is a redshirt senior who was once their starting center, so Preston should at least enter training camp next season as a possible starter. He also played center during his freshman season at PC and is a capable long snapper, so those skills should help his cause as well.

No matter how much time Preston spends Saturday trying to prevent disruptions by Rutgers defensive tackles Eric Foster, an All-America candidate, and Pete Tverdov, he'll have plenty of support within the otherwise unfriendly confines of Rutgers Stadium. He expects nearly 20 family members to attend the game.

"I was really interested in going (to Rutgers) because my family always likes to come see me play," Preston said. "I wanted to be able to go there so they could come see every game. They were recruiting me, but then they found out I wasn't as tall as they thought. So they just stopped recruiting me. They didn't think I'd be able to play on their O-line.

"I thought it was the player that counts, not the height and stuff like that. But the coaches here at Norfolk State, they thought I had perfect height and that I'd be able to play here. I'm so happy that Norfolk State picked me up because I'm playing early and there's nothing better than that."

JSU, Look out for...

TINO EDGECOMBE

Quarterback, Texas Southern

Tino Edgecombe's seen some rough times as Texas Southern's quarterback.

When he was thrown into the lineup as a true freshman, the Maroon Tigers finished with an 0-11 record in 2004. Things have slightly improved since then, with TSU finishing 1-10 in 2005 and 3-8 last year.

But now that Edgecombe is a senior, Texas Southern coach Steve Wilson said he expects more wins to follow.

"We're very happy with the development of Tino," Wilson said. "... We've seen him battle back and learn and now he has some weapons around him."

Texas Southern has started the season with an 0-2 record, but the Maroon Tigers have a passing offense that averages more than 300 yards per game.

"Most of the things we do will start and finish with (Edgecombe)," Wilson said. "We've been a running team in the past, but now we think we can be a little more balanced."

Last season, Edgecombe was in the middle of a breakout season before injuries sidelined him for most of four games - all losses - in the middle of the season. Even with the missed time, he finished the year with 1,292 passing yards and nine touchdowns.


3 Keys for Jackson State

NO. 1

RUN THAT FOOTBALL

Texas Southern has the worst rushing defense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, giving up more than 213 yards on the ground per game. Jackson State can exploit that weakness with the combination of running backs Erik Haw and Lavarius Giles. The two combined for 156 rushing yards against Tennessee State.

NO. 2

GET PRESSURE ON THE QB

Texas Southern can throw the football, averaging more than 305 passing yards per game. But TSU quarterback Tino Edgecombe has been error-prone with one touchdown pass and four interceptions. A good push by JSU's defensive line could force Edgecombe into some bad decisions.

NO. 3

QUARTERBACK CONFIDENCE

So far this season, Jackson State has used both Jimmy Oliver and Tray Rutland at quarterback, but neither has had much success. Between bad throws by the two QBs and bad drops by the wide receivers, nothing has been in sync. A couple of good pass plays early could help the Tigers have a more balanced offense.

- David Brandt

'Seeing daylight' makes Jackson State's Haw think his time is near

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

There were three times last Saturday night when Jackson State running back Erik Haw took the handoff, made his cut and then saw a glorious sight.

Lots of green grass and plenty of room to run on it.

Haw had three runs of 10 yards or more during JSU's 16-13 loss to Tennessee State on Saturday. The junior finished with 82 yards rushing on 17 carries.

Sure, there's nothing eye-popping about those numbers, but considering how much the once highly touted transfer from Ohio State has struggled over the past year, he won't take those solid gains for granted.

"It felt good for me," Haw said. "Anytime you can see some daylight and your offensive line is working for you - there's no better feeling. You always know that the next run could be the big one."

And for the first time since midway through last season, he'll be one of the focal points of the Tigers' offense when Jackson State (0-2 overall, 0-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) hosts Texas Southern (0-2, 0-2) at 6:30 p.m. today at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.

"We feel good about Erik right now and he looks like he feels good about himself," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "When he's healthy and running the ball well, he's as good as anybody in the SWAC."

And that's exactly what the Tigers expected last season, when Haw was arguably the most highly touted of nine Division I-A transfers to grace the JSU roster.

But his first season at Jackson State was pockmarked with injuries and ineffectiveness. Haw rushed for just 371 yards and was basically non-existent in the second half of the season when the Tigers lost four of five games.

His status was put further in doubt when he missed much of spring practice with a broken bone in his foot.
























Photo: Jackson State running back Erik Haw, a former Ohio State Buckeye, runs for some of his 82 yards against Tennessee State on Saturday.

So when fall camp opened in August, Haw was far from a sure bet to retain the No. 1 running back position.

But slowly, the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has regained his strength and speed, and his 82 rushing yards on Saturday matched his career high set last season against Southern U.

"There's a certain amount of cohesiveness that goes with a running back and his offensive line," Haw said. "When the line gets comfortable with a running back, they realize different tendencies, like maybe I like to bounce it outside sometimes."

And with Haw completely healthy, he's teaming with senior speedster Lavarius Giles to provide an intriguing 1-2 backfield punch. The two combined for 156 rushing yards against Tennessee State.

"We've got something pretty good going back there," JSU quarterback Jimmy Oliver. "Both those guys are running the ball real hard."

Even though Haw had a breakthrough game last week, he was still kicking himself over "a few decisions that could have led to longer runs if I had read the hole properly."

Among them was a 4th-and-1 situation deep in Tennessee State territory where Haw fell just short of the first down.

"When I'm completely right, that won't happen," Haw said. "I'll bounce to the outside and get that first down. If I had, we might have won that game."

Oliver to start for JSU tonight

Senior Jimmy Oliver will be the starting quarterback when Jackson State hosts Texas Southern tonight at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Oliver and sophomore Tray Rutland have been battling for starting job, struggling while completing less than 33 percent of their passes.

JSU coach Rick Comegy said Oliver's track record from last season, when he threw for 1,906 and 14 touchdowns, was the deciding factor.

"We just feel that Jimmy's the man to lead us because he's done it before," Comegy said.

Oliver is 10-for-30 passing this season for 121 yards, one TD and one interception. Rutland is 9-for-28 for 112 yards, no TDs and two interceptions.

After Rutland played most of last Saturday's 16-13 loss to Tennessee State, Oliver skipped a film session on Sunday. But both Comegy and Oliver have said it was an isolated incident that won't happen again.

"That was just the devil right there," Oliver said. "But now I'm back right and ready to go. It's time to get this offense going and it's time to show coach that I'm a winner."

INJURY REPORT

Jackson State offensive tackle Terrael Williams will likely miss tonight's game with a strained back muscle. Williams, a 6-foot-8, 390-pound freshman, should return within a few weeks...Fullback Edward Lee (ankle) is schedule to make his debut after missing the first two games of the season.

- David Brandt

Peay-TSU rivalry didn't die despite gap

Photo: Austin Peay's Terrence Holt returns a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown against Bethel in the first quarter of the Governors' season opener. Holt, a freshman who was recruited by Austin Peay and TSU, said Saturday's game is 'a big deal.'

By JAMES D. HORNE, Gannett Tennessee

CLARKSVILLE — Terrence Holt may understand the renewed football rivalry between Austin Peay and Tennessee State better than anyone.

The current Austin Peay freshman, and former Maplewood standout, was recruited by both schools.

The Govs won that competition.

But won't be the last matchup between Austin Peay (2-0) and TSU (1-1).

The teams last met in 1996, a 38-14 TSU victory. The rivalry will be renewed Saturday at 6 p.m. in Governors Stadium.

The two schools met every year from 1988 to 1996 with TSU leading the series 6-3.

"We're right up the interstate from each other," said Holt, a wide receiver and kick returner, who took a kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball this season. "Being so close, we (team members from Austin Peay and Tennessee State) sometimes run into each other, and especially when I go home, so it's a big deal. A lot of friends are going to be playing against each other. We've both been practicing hard, so whomever has practiced the hardest will come out on top."

And the atmosphere surrounding the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both teams makes it seem like there hasn't been an 11-year break.

For the Govs, who left the OVC and dropped scholarship football after the 1996 season, it will be their first OVC game in 11 years. Austin Peay's last OVC contest was a 55-24 win over Tennessee Martin on Nov. 23, 1996.

Already a rivalry

"It's a great rivalry to start with because they (TSU) are only 40 miles away and there's a lot of Tennessee State fans in Clarksville, and a lot of people here who have ties to Tennessee State," Govs Coach Rick Christophel said. "Plus, we're going to recruit in Nashville, so that will help build the rivalry over the years. Hopefully, it will be something good, something big and something the fans will really enjoy."

Check that, the Govs and Tigers are rivals, if you ask TSU Coach James Webster.

"We don't think it (this game) has a chance to be a rivalry, it is a rivalry," he said. "It has all the makings of a rivalry, and that makes it a rivalry. They want to beat us and we want to beat them."

TSU has 10 Nashville natives, and Austin Peay has 15 players with Nashville ties.

"This is a big game," said sophomore free safety Tremayne Townsend, a Brentwood Academy graduate who has 10 tackles.

"With our being 2-0 and getting back into the OVC, that makes it a big game, too. A lot of people are coming up just to see what I can do."

The Sgt. York Trophy will go to the winner of the round-robin series between Peay, Tennessee Martin, TSU and Tennessee Tech.

S.C. State coach prepares team for Gamecocks

By JAMES T. HAMMOND, The State

No matter the score, game will be one for the history books

Robert Howard, South Carolina State University class of 1941, expects 15 relatives in the Williams-Brice Stadium stands on Saturday to see their beloved Bulldogs football team face the USC Gamecocks for the first time.

“That’s including cousins,” said the retired Orangeburg public-school administrator.

For Howard, Saturday’s game will be an opportunity to showcase a small-school football program he considers to be above average and capable of a Saturday surprise against a much larger — and richer — team.

“We are capable of an Appalachian State-type surprise,” said the fervent S.C. State fan. “It gives us a chance to show the people of South Carolina what we are trying to do here in Orangeburg.”

None but the most die-hard Bulldog football fans are predicting an upset like Appalachian State University pulled on the No. 5-ranked University of Michigan Wolverines at the beginning of this season.

Nevertheless, S.C. State officials, alumni and fans are proud of this year of firsts, which has included Democratic candidates for president taking over the campus for several days in April for a debate that put the Orangeburg campus on the national map.

Saturday’s match — which many, including USC coach Steve Spurrier, believe is overdue — will be rich with symbolism for S.C. State fans.

The historically black college, founded in 1896 as a small teacher’s college for the children and grandchildren of former slaves, has evolved into a full-fledged state university that offers graduate-level education and conducts research.

For the second year, the college has been recognized among the Top 10 national universities ranked by Washington Monthly. The magazine bases its rankings upon an institution’s track record of service — as illustrated by the large number of black officers it has provided for the military — and upon its record of providing social and economic mobility for low-income South Carolinians.

The school has a student population of 4,500 and offers more than 50 fields of study on the undergraduate and graduate levels.

But it’s football that gets emotions running the highest for many in the S.C. State family.

Bernard Cook of Atlanta, class of 1995, tries to make it to at least four games a year.

“I’m an optimist. I’m hoping S.C. State can pull off a miracle,” Cook said. But he acknowledged the game involves “two different levels of football.”

“I know it’s going to be tough.”

Cook, who played football at S.C. State for one season in 1994, believes the match is “long overdue.”

“It’s the sort of friendly rivalry that could be developed. If we are not cheering for the Bulldogs, we’d be cheering for USC. It will be good interaction for the two colleges, from the social level right on up to the academic level.”

Playing a big-league Southeastern Conference football team will bring a new level of visibility for the Bulldogs, a team that has sent players to the NFL and three into the professional Hall of Fame, and some years has been a legend in small-college football.

Photo: SCSU Head Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough

Maurice Washington, class of 1985 and chairman of the S.C. State board of trustees, said the Gamecocks-Bulldogs matchup should have become an annual tradition years ago.

“This game has great value for the state of South Carolina,” Washington said. “It brings people together and gets them talking to each other. We’ve been playing football for 100 years and we’ve learned to do it pretty well.”The significance of the game can hardly be viewed as a confrontation between black and white institutions; those barriers fell long ago. USC had its first black football player, Jackie Brown, in 1970. Today, about 70 percent of USC’s football players are black.

But because USC grew into an SEC behemoth, while S.C. State remained in a sports category more akin to Furman or Wofford, the two schools followed different paths.

The opportunity to meet on the football field arose when the major schools added a game to their schedules. Rather than offer a day in the sun to another minor college out of state, USC officials decided to invite S.C. State.

“When I got here, somebody said, ‘You want to play South Carolina State?’ I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ ” said USC coach Steve Spurrier. “They’re an in-state (college); we need that fourth (nonconference) game for when the 12 games came open. I said, ‘Sure, let’s go play them.’ ”

“I really did not realize at the time that (the schools) had never played before,” Spurrier said. “I didn’t realize it was that big a deal. If I’d have been here 10, 12 years ago, I would have certainly wanted to schedule a game.”

S.C. State’s legendary coach Willie Jeffries said Saturday’s game is the talking point all over Orangeburg.

“It’s being talked about by blacks and whites,” Jeffries said. “Everyone wants to go to the game.”

USC tailback Cory Boyd, a fifth-year senior from Orange, N.J., said he wished the teams had played sooner.

“This sets the stage for years to come,” Boyd said. “They’re right here in Orangeburg. We’re looking forward to playing them. Coach always talks about doing things for the first time, and he’s making history with this game.”

Reach Hammond at (803) 771-8474. Joseph Person and Bob Gillespie contributed to this article.

GAMECOCKS VS. BULLDOGS

WHO: S.C. State (1-1) at USC (2-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Williams-Brice Stadium

TV: Pay-per-view, Time Warner Cable, (866) 892-7201; DirecTV, (800) 531-5000; Dish Network, 888) 284-7116

RADIO: WISW-AM 1320, WTCB-FM 106.7

TICKETS: Sold out

DAVID VS. GOLIATH?

ENROLLMENT

USC — 27,000

S.C. State — 4,500

ATHLETICS BUDGET

USC — $58 million

S.C. State — $9 million

FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS

USC — 85

S.C. State — 63

USC vs. S.C. State: A perfect (mis)match

Photo: SCSU Receivers Corps

By JAMES T. HAMMOND, The State

No matter the score, game will be one for the history books.

Robert Howard, South Carolina State University class of 1941, expects 15 relatives in the Williams-Brice Stadium stands on Saturday to see their beloved Bulldogs football team face the USC Gamecocks for the first time.

“That’s including cousins,” said the retired Orangeburg public-school administrator.

For Howard, Saturday’s game will be an opportunity to showcase a small-school football program he considers to be above average and capable of a Saturday surprise against a much larger — and richer — team.

“We are capable of an Appalachian State-type surprise,” said the fervent S.C. State fan. “It gives us a chance to show the people of South Carolina what we are trying to do here in Orangeburg.”

None but the most die-hard Bulldog football fans are predicting an upset like Appalachian State University pulled on the No. 5-ranked University of Michigan Wolverines at the beginning of this season.

Nevertheless, S.C. State officials, alumni and fans are proud of this year of firsts, which has included Democratic candidates for president taking over the campus for several days in April for a debate that put the Orangeburg campus on the national map.

Saturday’s match — which many, including USC coach Steve Spurrier, believe is overdue — will be rich with symbolism for S.C. State fans.

The historically black college, founded in 1896 as a small teacher’s college for the children and grandchildren of former slaves, has evolved into a full-fledged state university that offers graduate-level education and conducts research.

For the second year, the college has been recognized among the Top 10 national universities ranked by Washington Monthly. The magazine bases its rankings upon an institution’s track record of service — as illustrated by the large number of black officers it has provided for the military — and upon its record of providing social and economic mobility for low-income South Carolinians.

The school has a student population of 4,500 and offers more than 50 fields of study on the undergraduate and graduate levels.

But it’s football that gets emotions running the highest for many in the S.C. State family.

Bernard Cook of Atlanta, class of 1995, tries to make it to at least four games a year.

“I’m an optimist. I’m hoping S.C. State can pull off a miracle,” Cook said. But he acknowledged the game involves “two different levels of football.”

“I know it’s going to be tough.”

Cook, who played football at S.C. State for one season in 1994, believes the match is “long overdue.”

“It’s the sort of friendly rivalry that could be developed. If we are not cheering for the Bulldogs, we’d be cheering for USC. It will be good interaction for the two colleges, from the social level right on up to the academic level.”

Playing a big-league Southeastern Conference football team will bring a new level of visibility for the Bulldogs, a team that has sent players to the NFL and three into the professional Hall of Fame, and some years has been a legend in small-college football.

Maurice Washington, class of 1985 and chairman of the S.C. State board of trustees, said the Gamecocks-Bulldogs matchup should have become an annual tradition years ago.

“This game has great value for the state of South Carolina,” Washington said. “It brings people together and gets them talking to each other. We’ve been playing football for 100 years and we’ve learned to do it pretty well.”The significance of the game can hardly be viewed as a confrontation between black and white institutions; those barriers fell long ago. USC had its first black football player, Jackie Brown, in 1970. Today, about 70 percent of USC’s football players are black.

But because USC grew into an SEC behemoth, while S.C. State remained in a sports category more akin to Furman or Wofford, the two schools followed different paths.

The opportunity to meet on the football field arose when the major schools added a game to their schedules. Rather than offer a day in the sun to another minor college out of state, USC officials decided to invite S.C. State.

“When I got here, somebody said, ‘You want to play South Carolina State?’ I said, ‘Sure, why not?’ ” said USC coach Steve Spurrier. “They’re an in-state (college); we need that fourth (nonconference) game for when the 12 games came open. I said, ‘Sure, let’s go play them.’ ”

“I really did not realize at the time that (the schools) had never played before,” Spurrier said. “I didn’t realize it was that big a deal. If I’d have been here 10, 12 years ago, I would have certainly wanted to schedule a game.”

S.C. State’s legendary coach Willie Jeffries said Saturday’s game is the talking point all over Orangeburg.

“It’s being talked about by blacks and whites,” Jeffries said. “Everyone wants to go to the game.”

USC tailback Cory Boyd, a fifth-year senior from Orange, N.J., said he wished the teams had played sooner.

“This sets the stage for years to come,” Boyd said. “They’re right here in Orangeburg. We’re looking forward to playing them. Coach always talks about doing things for the first time, and he’s making history with this game.”

Reach Hammond at (803) 771-8474. Joseph Person and Bob Gillespie contributed to this article.

GAMECOCKS VS. BULLDOGS

WHO: S.C. State (1-1) at USC (2-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Williams-Brice Stadium

TV: Pay-per-view, Time Warner Cable, (866) 892-7201; DirecTV, (800) 531-5000; Dish Network, 888) 284-7116

RADIO: WISW-AM 1320, WTCB-FM 106.7

TICKETS: Sold out

DAVID VS. GOLIATH?

ENROLLMENT

USC — 27,000

S.C. State — 4,500

ATHLETICS BUDGET

USC — $58 million

S.C. State — $9 million

FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS

USC — 85

S.C. State — 63

Alabama State runs over Jacksonville State

Alabama State University Marching Hornets Band

TSU to narrow hoops coaching search to three

By BRANDON C. WILLIAMS, Houston Chronicle

The search for Texas Southern University's next men's basketball coach will be narrowed to three by Friday as the school's board of regents will unveil the candidates to succeed Ronnie Courtney, who was fired in July.

Former TSU basketball standout Kevin Granger -- currently the head boys basketball at Worthing High School -- and Baylor University coordinator of men's basketball operations Paul Mills are two of the names confirmed.

Granger, who will have his second interview with the school on Thursday afternoon, has received considerable support from TSU alumni, including TSU national alumni president Chris Le Blanc. Le Blanc said that an assortment of alumni, boosters and current and former National Basketball Association players have given contingency checks to the school in the event if Granger gets the job.

The board will evaluate the candidates and will make a formal decision as early as Monday.

Saturday is SCSU Bulldogs’ payday

Photo: S.C. State offensive linemen, from left, Earl Wilson, Chris Nelson, Derrell Pringle, Travis Ashford and Casey Fortune leave the field during practice Tuesday.

In-state visitors look forward to profiting from their first-ever Gamecocks contest.

GAMECOCKS VS. BULLDOGS
WHO: S.C. State (1-1) at USC (2-0)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Williams-Brice Stadium
TV: Pay-per-view (Time Warner Cable, (866) 892-2701; DirecTV, (800) 531-5000; Dish Network, (800) 301-3744)
RADIO: WISW-AM 1320, WTCB-FM 106.7
TICKETS: Sold out

ORANGEBURG - ERIC HYMAN is a new favorite son of South Carolina State University athletics. The school might want to consider naming its proposed weight-room and locker-room renovations after the USC athletics director.

It was Hyman who conceived the idea of including S.C. State in a rotation of in-state schools that annually will play football against USC at Williams-Brice Stadium. Wofford, Furman and The Citadel are the others.

After expenses, S.C. State will add approximately $207,000 to its general athletic department budget for playing Saturday’s game, the first between the schools, which are located about 40 miles apart.

S.C. State cleared about $125,000 for its opening game this season at Air Force and expects to make about $250,000 from its second annual Low Country Classic game on Nov. 17 against North Carolina A&T in Charleston. That comes to $582,000 generated from three football games.

“That’s a nice little chunk of it right there,” S.C. State coach Buddy Pough says of his program’s $2 million budget.

Historically black colleges such as S.C. State have long played annual “classic” games at neutral sites as a way to generate revenue for their athletic programs. Grambling and Florida A&M once were the leaders in playing classic games, toting their teams and bands throughout the country.

Classic games began in the 1970s, and S.C. State was quick to jump on board, playing over the years in Charlotte, Atlanta, Columbia, Indianapolis and Birmingham, Ala.

Then, two years ago, the upper-division programs expanded their schedules to 12 games. Along with the expansion, upper-division schools were allowed to count one win per season against lower-division programs toward being bowl eligible (previously, they were able to count one win every third season).

That was sweet music to Football Championship Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-AA, schools.

“We still entertain classics, but certainly going this direction is beneficial as well,” S.C. State athletics director Charlene Johnson says.

She says S.C. State will continue to play one classic game a season and attempt to schedule one game each year against a Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly known as Division I-A, team. S.C. State opens the 2008 season at Central Florida and is close to a deal to play at Georgia Tech in 2010.

Not long after top-level programs were allowed to play a 12th game each season, USC’s Hyman began charting a strategy for scheduling. USC plays eight games each season against SEC opponents and one against Clemson. Hyman would like to play one other game against a “natural” rival, such as North Carolina, N.C. State or East Carolina.

That left two games, and Hyman did not like the idea of USC playing both against a no-name opponent from Florida or Louisiana, as it has done in the past. Instead, he proposed playing one game each season against an in-state school.

Hyman took the proposal to Steve Spurrier, and the USC coach liked the idea of keeping the guaranteed money to the visiting team in state. Spurrier was so enamored with the idea, he went on Pough’s TV show Sunday to help promote the game.

It helped also that the in-state games are less expensive for USC, which paid Louisiana-Lafayette $475,000 to play in Columbia two weeks ago. All the in-state schools are guaranteed $230,000 by USC, plus 300 complimentary tickets.

Because there is so much interest from S.C. State fans in Saturday’s game, USC modified the contract and granted S.C. State 600 complimentary tickets. After S.C. State quickly sold its allotment of 2,000 tickets, it was given 1,700 more, which also have been sold.

Most contracts for such games do not cover a team’s travel expenses. S.C. State spent approximately $100,000 of its $225,000 guarantee in travel expenses to Air Force. The Bulldogs will stay Friday night in a Columbia hotel and spend $23,000 of the $230,000 guarantee from USC.

Through most of S.C. State’s 100 years of football, segregation prevented it from playing USC. Then there was a time when S.C. State fans believed USC did not want to risk losing to the Bulldogs.

That might have been true during the early 1980s, when USC was going through difficult times and S.C. State was a small-college power. USC lost to Furman in 1982, the same season S.C. State defeated the Paladins in the first round of the Division I-AA playoffs. Two years earlier, S.C. State went 10-1 and sent eight players to the NFL.

Pough admits there exists a much greater disparity in talent today between his team and USC. He says Saturday’s game will give his team a chance to size itself up against a nationally ranked team in front of 70,000-plus fans.

“We’ll bring a little extra income into our family,” Pough says, “and for us, we get the added advantage of the competition factor. The positive for us is to have an opportunity to match up with a team of this sort. You’ve got the chance to play with arguably one of the top maybe 10 to 15 teams in the nation. I think it’s an honor and privilege to be out there with a team such as that.”

That honor and privilege will have worn off by Saturday evening, and by Monday, S.C. State’s athletics department bank account will be much fatter. Eventually, when S.C. State renovates its weight room and locker rooms and puts a new floor in the campus gymnasium, it will have Eric Hyman to thank.

Delaware State's McBride and Green paying big dividends

By Donald Hunt, columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune

Delaware State did not have to go very far to land wide receiver Shaheer McBride and defensive back Akeem Green.

Hornets coach Al Lavan and his staff had to travel only 75 miles up the road to Philadelphia to recruit McBride and Green, who have helped Delaware State to a 2-0 record.

"We've been able to get some good players from the Philadelphia area," Lavan said. "So often times in the city, and especially the inner city, going back to when I came from the inner city of Newark, [N.J.], a long time ago, many people don't go into those areas very strongly. But for us, it's where we can locate the young men who want to come to Delaware State. Akeem and Shaheer are from those areas like Philadelphia where they can help build our program."

HBCU football on ESPNU:

• Texas Southern at Jackson State, 7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday

McBride was a terrific player at Chester High School, which is located on the outskirts of Philadelphia. Chester is better known for its basketball prowess (it produced the Orlando Magic's Jameer Nelson). Nevertheless, McBride made his name on the gridiron and made an immediate impact at Delaware State.

He was named the MEAC Rookie of the Year in 2004, and he was an all-conference selection the past two seasons. In 2006, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound receiver caught 55 passes for 852 yards and 11 touchdowns. Two games into his senior season, he has nine receptions for 138 yards and three TDs.

"We have a few more skilled players around him that we didn't have the first couple seasons," Lavan said. "I think that should enable McBride to continue to do what he's been doing. But more importantly, it enables us to be a little bit more balanced in our offensive approach in the passing game, which should make him more dangerous."

McBride has received plenty of help from quarterback Vashon Winton (24-of-37, 263 yards, 4 TDs, 1 interception) and running back Kareem Jones (28 carries, 178 yards, 1 TD).

Green had to work a little harder to climb the ladder of success. He was not highly recruited coming out of Philly's Bok Vo-Tech High School. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior had to perform extremely well on special teams his first two seasons before moving into the starting lineup as a defensive back last year. Green has 16 total tackles (14 solo), 1½ tackles-for-loss and one interception in two games.

"Akeem Green has been a player who has made great strides in the last two years and especially the latter part of the 2006 season," Lavan said. "He made his mark as a special teams player. He's the guy we call upon to block punts. In fact, Akeem blocked three or four last year. He has made most of his improvement in the secondary. He has the ability to cover. We're delighted with his progress. He has received some recognition as a preseason all-conference pick."

McBride also garnered some preseason honors as the offensive player of the year. Like Green, McBride has lived up to all the preseason expectations.

"Shaheer and I are good friends," Green said. "We talk all the time. This is a big year for us. We want to do as well as we can. We would like to get to the playoffs. In order to do that, we're going to have to win some games on the road against some good teams like Hampton and South Carolina State."

Delaware State will visit Kent State in Ohio this Saturday. The Golden Flashes (1-1) are coming off a 56-20 loss Kentucky. McBride is looking forward to playing a major college program from the MAC.

"I've never played a Division I-A team before," McBride said. "This is going to be a good chance for Akeem and myself, as well as rest of the team, to play against a big school. This should be a good test for us."

HBCU notes

• Ulysses Banks ran for a school-record 211 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries as Alabama A&M won its home opener over Division II Clark Atlanta, 41-10.

• Alabama A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke finished with a career-high 301 yards passing in the Bulldogs' victory, just missing the school record of 302. Luke completed 21 of 32 passes for four TDs and no interceptions. He was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week.

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff defensive end LaDarius Anthony was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week. Anthony had 11 total tackles (three solo), along with four tackles-for-loss and 2½ sacks in a conference win over Alcorn State.

• Southern QB Bryant Lee continues to play well. Lee was 16-of-28 for 206 yards and three TDs in a win over Mississippi Valley State. The Jaguars are 2-0 this season.

• Hampton QB T.J. Mitchell was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. Mitchell connected on 19 of 36 passes for 310 yards and three TDs to help the Pirates get their first win.

• South Carolina State defensive back Markee Hamlin was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week. Hamlin led the Bulldogs with 11 tackles (four solo), with one for a loss of two yards in the victory over Bethune-Cookman.

• Bethune-Cookman's Corey Council was named the MEAC Special Teams Player of the Week. Council ran 98 yards for his first-ever kickoff-return touchdown against South Carolina State, tying him for second in the Wildcats' record book. He had three kickoff returns for 142 yards and one TD, as well as one punt return for 15 yards against the Bulldogs.

• Howard QB Brian Johnson compiled 323 total offensive yards and set career records in attempts (37), completions (21) and passing yards (244) in the Bison's home-opener loss to Hampton.

Pitts, Sweat to join Sports Hall of Fame

Daily Press

Richard "Pop" Pitts, a fixture in Peninsula District athletics for three decades and a standout basketball player at Norfolk State in the 1960s, is part of the 2007 induction class in the Hampton Roads African-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Pitts is joined by LaVerne Sweat, longtime track coach at Norfolk State and Hampton University, former Elizabeth City State basketball star Marvin Trotman, basketball and track standout Walter Green, and boxing instructor and trainer Earnest Green.

"It's probably the greatest honor that I've ever had," Pitts said. "For being out of college athletics for 40 years and to still be recognized as a good player is very satisfying."

Pitts, a Norfolk native, starred at Norfolk State in the mid-'60s. He earned All-CIAA regular season and tournament as a junior and senior. He averaged 22 points and 11 rebounds per game as a junior and 25.8 points and 12 rebounds per game as a senior.

Pitts coached and taught at Peninsula Catholic from 1970-75, helping implement many of the school's athletic programs. After a year away from education, he went to Menchville High, where he served as coach and administrator from 1976-2004.

He coached basketball for the Monarchs from 1976-89 and served as athletic director from 1990 until his retirement.

He is also well-known in track and field circles. His presence and booming voice made him an institution as a starter and event official for years at track meets.

"I know that they put six (inductees) in per year," Pitts said. "When you look at all the athletes that have come from this area, it can take years to get recognized. I wasn't a flashy player, and people tend to notice flashy players. I was more of a blue-collar worker. To get inducted in the 10th class is quite an honor, considering it could have taken a lot longer."

Sweat coached at both Hampton and Norfolk State. She was track coach at Norfolk State from 1988-2005 and retired as senior women's administrator in 2006. Her teams won numerous CIAA and later Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles.

She was an assistant coach with the U.S. Olympic track team in Sydney in 2000. She also was head coach of the U.S. team at the World University Games in Romania in 1981 and the Junior Pan Am Games in Canada in 1993.

The HRAASHF induction banquet will be held Nov. 3 at the Norfolk Sheraton Waterside. Tickets are $70 and can be reserved by calling Yvette Todd at 404-1775 or at the Hall's Web site: www.hraashf.org.

Moore to start for UAPB Golden Lions

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Musical Marching Machine of the Mid-South



By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial

Junior Johnathan Moore will start at quarterback for the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff on Saturday against Alabama State, Golden Lions head coach Mo Forte announced Tuesday.

Moore, a Pine Bluff native and former Dollarway High star, will take over for Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Chris Wallace after he replaced Wallace in the third quarter of Thursday’s 21-3 win at Alcorn State. Forte cited Moore’s performance against the Braves and his work in two days of practice this week, along with the fact that Wallace has yet to practice this week due to an unspecified illness, as his reasoning behind the decision.

Moore finished Thursday’s win 5-of-10 for 64 yards and a touchdown in just under two quarters of play. Wallace was 8-of-18 for 67 yards and a touchdown and is 22-of-45 for 221 yards this season after leading the SWAC in passing efficiency and finishing second in passing yards last season.

“I want to see [Moore] start a game,” Forte said. “I think his arm is stronger than Chris’ and he has all the qualities you like to have in a quarterback. He did a great job [at Alcorn] because I think we managed the game offensively better than we were before he came in and that type of execution is what we want to see from him in this game.

“I had a chance to talk with him [Tuesday] and I told him, ‘just go out and play football’. That’s all we want him to do.”

Moore’s last start came in the 2006 SWAC Championship, when he stepped in for a suspended Wallace for the first half of play and completed 3-of-8 passes for 62 yards, with the majority of that coming on a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jason Jones. UAPB went on to lose the game 22-13. He did see relief action in other four games last season and finished with 229 yards and three touchdowns.

His only other collegiate start was on Oct. 29, 2005, when he completed 6-of-8 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns in a 64-36 rout of Jackson State.

“I feel great about being able to start because I’ve been waiting a long time for it,” Moore said. “It’s a great feeling to know I’ll be starting in my home town in front of friends and family and all the fans and I’m just going to do my best to execute all my assignments and just keep everybody together and be a captain on the field.”

Forte did not say whether the shift in starting quarterbacks would be permanent but he did make it clear that there is no quarterback controversy surrounding his team.

“There isn’t one and there will never be a controversy,” he said. “I make the decision and that is that. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. I make decisions when I need to make them and outside of that, there is no controversy or anything else going on. The quarterback who I pick to start each game is the one who starts, it’s as simple as that.”

Wallace, who Forte described as being “a little under the weather”, has yet to practice this week and was unavailable for comment. The senior arrived at practice Monday despite being sick but was sent home by Forte for precautionary reasons.

“I have not really had a chance to speak with Chris about the situation just because I haven’t seen him,” Forte said. “There really isn’t a whole bunch to talk about. I’m just going to be up front with him and tell him that the decision is about the team and it’s not personal. Different people react differently to different situations and I don’t know him well enough to know how he’s going to react but I do know that he’s very mature and he’s a senior in college so I expect him to understand the situation.”

Moore, who has been Wallace’s roommate and one of his closest friends on the team, does not think the situation will negatively affect him or Wallace.

“It’s no controversy at all,” he said. “When he’s out there I root for him and I know when I’m out there he’ll root for me. It’s just a brother to brother thing.”

Go UAPB Golden Lions!! No one has better musicianship than you in the SWAC!!

Blount says WSSU needs better offense

By John Dell, Winston Salem Journal

Offensive linemen may be switched for Morgan State

Much has been made about Winston-Salem State’s change of philosophy on offense. There was supposed to be more emphasis on the passing game, but that aspect was missing in Saturday’s 28-21 loss to Coastal Carolina.

Coach Kermit Blount isn’t holding quarterback Monte Purvis responsible. Had it not been for Purvis’ ability to run - he had a career-high 165 yards on 19 carries and scored all three touchdowns - the Rams wouldn’t have been close.

“We had a couple of guys up front who didn’t play well, especially in the first half,” Blount said of the offensive line. “Certainly those things are correctable, and that’s what we’ll need to shore up before this week’s game.”

Blount said he might move some linemen around for Saturday’s game at Morgan State. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m., and both teams are 1-1.

Purvis was just 2 of 10 passing for 11 yards against Coastal Carolina, and there were some dropped passes.

Blount said that on the Rams’ final drive, Rod Fluellen dropped a pass of about 40 yards from Purvis that could have made a big difference.

“If Rod doesn’t drop that one, we could have been in position to keep things going,” Blount said.

Nick Calcutta was hired as the offensive coordinator this season, and he brought in a plan to spread out the offense to include more passing. In the win over N.C. A&T two weeks ago, Purvis hit seven different receivers, but he couldn’t get things going against Coastal.

To be competitive against teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Rams will have to be more balanced. When they played in the CIAA, they often could win by pounding teams with a steady running game.

Blount said he doesn’t want to peg his team as either a running or a passing team.

“I think the game dictates what you can do best,” he said. “It depends on what the defense gives you. We have a good running game with (Brandon McRae), (Jed) Bines and Monte, but we also have guys that can catch the football.”

Against a talented Morgan State team, finding a balance will be crucial.

“When you look at our football team, we have to be balanced,” Blount said. “And like I’ve always said, it starts with the guys up front.”

Winston Salem State University Marching Rams

Photo Show: Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul

JSU big bruiser Owens moves to fullback

Photo: JSU RB L.D. Briscoe

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Seeking a bigger body to bust open some running room, Jackson State has moved Jamile Owens from defensive tackle to starting fullback.

Owens (6-foot-2, 275 pounds) switched before the Tennessee State game and was one of the biggest reasons why JSU had 198 rushing yards.

“He was running down the field and busting up some of those linebackers,” JSU coach Rick Comegy said. “I think it will be a really good move for him and it’s a great thing for our running backs.”
Owens has experience at fullback, playing the position in high school at Starkville and also at East Mississippi Community College.

Moving into Owens’ spot on the defensive line is junior Dennis Coit, a transfer from Lackawanna (Penn.) CC.

Coit (6-1, 320) has impressed in practice with his big body and tenacity.
“You don’t realize Coit’s such a big boy until you get up next to him,” Comegy said. “He’s really proven to us that he’s ready to help this defense.”

INJURY REPORT

Tight end Marcel Frost (leg) and offensive tackle Wilson Manigat (knee) will not dress for Thursday’s game against Texas Southern. ... Running back L.D. Briscoe will miss the game because of personal reasons.

SCOUTING TEXAS SOUTHERN

This short week is weird. Here's a quick look at some of the guys on Texas Southern that are pretty good.

QB Tino Edgecombe 6-2, 185: Despite the two losses, TSU has proven it can move the ball through the air. The Maroon Tigers have more than 600 passing yards through two games. The problem is, Edgecombe has thrown for one touchdown and four interceptions. With that in mind, it would seem that if JSU's line can put some pressure on Edgecombe, it could force him into some bad decisions...

WR Brian Haith 6-2, 190: Just a sophomore, he's been Edgecombe's favorite target with 15 receptions for 215 yards and a TD. From tape, JSU safety Malcolm Palmer said he expects Haith and Co. to be the fastest receivers the team has seen this season...

TSU's defense: This is something that could play right into Jackson State's hands. TSU has been the worst in the SWAC at stopping the run and right now JSU has healthy RBs Lavarius Giles and Erik Haw to unleash. TSU's defense has been much better against the pass (2nd in the SWAC). Of course, these numbers could be a bit inflated each way considering TSU has played two teams (Alabama St. and Prairie View) that make a living on running the football...

Anyway, the Maroon Tigers should be a pretty dangerous team. They've proven they can move the football, but have had too many turnovers to win. If they take care of the football against JSU, this could get interesting.

JSU safety Palmer blossoms in sophomore season

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

When Malcolm Palmer arrived on Jackson State's campus last year, the coaches didn't know exactly what to think.

At 6-foot-2, he was a little gangly and hadn't grown into his body. He wasn't really a safety and he wasn't really a linebacker, but the kid could play some football.

So they stuck the freshman on special teams, where he became an afterthought, recording two tackles while rarely seeing the field.

"Malcolm had some talent, but he was kind of awkward on the field," defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "We gave him a year to find his place, hoping he'd develop into the kind of talent we thought he could be."

Palmer, meanwhile, didn't sit back and wait for his chance. Instead, he spent a year in the weight room bulking up to a not-so-awkward 185 pounds.

"That was all just hard work," he said. "I basically lived in the weight room, trying to get big enough to play this game at the college level."

Palmer, from Autaugaville, Ala., earned a starting spot at safety this fall. With 13 tackles and a team-high two interceptions through two games, he has established himself as one of JSU's young stars on defense.

He's not a big talker, but coaches and teammates have come to appreciate Palmer's hard-hitting ways.

"Some people from the outside might be surprised Malcolm's this good, but I think most of the players knew about him," said senior safety LaBrose Hedgemon. "He was caught behind (former JSU star Vince Dancy) last season, but now it's his turn to be on the field and he's playing well."

Palmer has helped the defense become JSU's strength. Despite an 0-2 record, the Tigers are second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in pass defense (149.5 yards per game).

That's a big difference from a Tigers' secondary that was routinely torched last season - especially down the stretch when JSU lost four of its last five games.

Says Hayes: "Palmer's got the best instincts on the team. When there's a play being made, chances are you'll see his number (26) right in the mix."

During coach Rick Comegy's two years at Jackson State, much of the focus has been to quickly build a winning team through Division I-A and junior college transfers.

Out of the team's 22 starters, only seven began their college career at Jackson State.

But Palmer is one of a growing core of players - including linebacker Marcus Jamison (Noxubee County) and safety Kerry Hoskins (South Panola) - who are contributing to the defense after coming to Jackson State last season as freshmen.

"Malcolm's a young man that's really stepped up to the challenge," Comegy said. "It's always crucial to have a group of players that come in to the system as freshmen and work their way up."

Palmer and the rest of the secondary will likely face their toughest task of the season when JSU faces Texas Southern at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Texas Southern (0-2) is tops in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with 305 passing yards per game.

The Maroon Tigers' problem has been that quarterback Tino Edgecombe has thrown just one touchdown pass and four interceptions.

"We know they're going to come after us," Palmer said. "It's gonna be a fight and we'll be tested every down. But after playing well these first few games, this defense has got a lot of confidence."

Jackson State Unversity Sonic Boom of the South: Party Don't Stop

NCCU adjusts to life without its star kicker

Jaymes Powell Jr., The News & Observer

DURHAM - Unfortunately, N.C. Central's football plan has to change.
As NCCU coach Mose Rison prepares to lead the Eagles into Saturday's Urban League Football Classic at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., against Elizabeth City State, he'll have to do so without perhaps his best weapon -- his kicker.

NCCU senior kicker Brandon Gilbert, the school's all-time leading scorer with 234 points, was declared out for the season last week after a painful left quadriceps injury failed to subside.

That's an issue for Rison, because the former New York Jets receivers coach knew coming into the season that the Eagles' offense would be limited, and that NCCU would have to get by with great defense and stellar kicking.

"Instead of kicking a 30-yard field goal, now I'll take a shot on fourth-and-8 to get a first down," said Rison, after noting that NCCU's offense has been struggling.

The Eagles (2-1) have won their past two games, 17-0 and 6-0, respectively. Gilbert would have been a great help Saturday when the Eagles scored one touchdown, had two missed field goals by backup Taylor Gray and had to rely on a last-second defensive stand to win the game.

Gilbert is something of a living legend at NCCU. The kicker booted last-second field goals in both of the past two CIAA title games, giving the Eagles the championship.

Since the kicking game is often a struggle in black college football, Gilbert said he realizes his place in Eagles' history.

"I've had a great career so far. It's something that I never would have imagined. But that's how it ended up," said Gilbert, who was 2-for-3 this season and is hoping for a medical redshirt. "[But] this is a big deal to me, because I don't think I've missed a game since I've been playing football. It's new to me ... but it's gotten to where it's unbearable for me to play."

The Eagles, who have moved on to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), won the CIAA last year by beating the Vikings (0-2), so playing them again could be emotional, Rison said.

Returning to Giants Stadium with his own team in tow is a matter of pride for the coach. Longtime NFL coach Jimmy Raye, now the Jets' running backs coach, told Rison -- a first-time head coach -- to just relax because football is football.

"He said he was excited about us coming to town this weekend ... he said just continue coaching hard and do a good job. He's been a mentor of mine for a long time," Rison said.

"Having an opportunity to play in that venue, the fact that I've coached in that stadium, that's a great atmosphere."

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Martin likely to sit out again this week

Alabama A&M will likely be without running back Max Martin for the third straight week and possibly longer, coach Anthony Jones said Tuesday afternoon.

Martin, who played at Bob Jones High School and transferred to A&M from Alabama inJanuary, has been unable to play this season pending some issues with the NCAA and it doesn't appear he will play anytime soon.

"I got a phone call today saying the NCAA needed more information," Jones said. "What? I don't know. That's all I know."

Jones had hoped Martin would be available for Saturday's Southwestern Athletic Conference opener against Mississippi Valley State. But it doesn't appear he will be.

"Is he eligible? No," Jones said. "Am I frustrated about it? Yes, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Jones said when A&M officials find out what information the NCAA wants, they will try to get it to them as quickly as possible.

"I'm waiting for the NCAA to get back to our people," he said. "Once that happens, we'll try to get it done and wait for the NCAA to give us its ruling."

Jones said he was given no time frame as to when the NCAA would rule on Martin's status.

Jones praises Pearl:Jones heaped heavy praise on offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl on Monday.

Pearl, who was given the job during the spring after Stanley Conner left to become the head coach at Benedict College, has A&M's offense playing as well as it ever has during Jones' tenure.

Through two games, the Bulldogs are averaging 45 points and 529 yards per game.

"Coach Pearl is doing an excellent job," Jones said. "He's my eyes upstairs. Our communication is excellent. He understands the game plan and he's making some great suggestions and ideas."

Totten praises A&M: Mississippi Valley State coach Willie Totten said Monday that his team will be in for a heck of a battle Saturday night when it takes on Alabama A&M at Louis Crews Stadium. Totten says the Bulldogs are doing things he's never seen them do before.

"We're going against the best team in our conference in the Eastern Division," Totten said. "They are doing a lot of exciting things offensively and they're always good on defense. This is the best I've seen A&M look this early.

"They have a lot of speed on defense and they're more balanced offensively. They're throwing the ball extremely well and they run the ball extremely well. We've got to be polished this week."

Reggie Benson

AAMU Bulldogs hope they're on solid footing

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

It's been a few years since the Alabama A&M men's soccer team was a national contender. Coach Salah Yousif, who has longed to get A&M's program back to national prominence like it was in the late 1970s and early 1980s, says this could be the year.

With a number of starters and key lettermen returning, Yousif says the Bulldogs could field one of their better teams in quite some time.

"This could be my best team in the last four or five years," said Yousif, whose team is 1-3 with all three losses by one goal, including a pair of 3-2 losses at fifth-ranked Santa Clara and San Francisco, respectively.

"We've got 11 starters back and they're all very talented players. The only thing slowing us down right now is injuries. Once we get healthy, we should be in good shape."

MfanaFuthi Bhembe and Mosito Ranko are A&M's top returning players.

Bhembe led the Bulldogs with 16 points, including a team-high seven goals. Ranko finished with 12 points, including five goals. Yousif also highlighted goalkeeper Paul Musoke and defenders David Kimbugwe and Mutumba Ssemagulu.

"Bhembe is one of our most outstanding players," Yousif said. "Paul is outstanding and David and Mutumba are very, very good.

"Mosito and Jabulani (Selumane) are coming back from knee surgery, but they're very important parts of our team. We're not in full force yet, but once we get there, we're going to be a force to be reckoned with."

The Bulldogs picked up their first victory of the season last weekend, beating Georgia Southern 3-0 in the Mercer Tournament, before falling 1-0 Sunday to the University of California-Riverside.

"I'm excited about this season," said Yousif, who has compiled a 217-96-19 record entering his 20th season at A&M, including Division II national championships in 1977 and 1979.

"We're looking forward to better things."

Southern QB Lewis quits team

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern fifth-year senior quarterback J.C. Lewis has left the team, head coach Pete Richardson confirmed Tuesday.

Lewis met with Richardson on Monday afternoon, two days after Lewis stayed on the bench for the second straight game. SU did not practice Monday, returning to the practice fields Tuesday without Lewis for the first time since he came to school in 2003.

“He decided it’s in his best interests that he doesn’t want to play anymore,” Richardson said.

Known for his cool demeanor, Lewis was Southern’s top starter the last two seasons and was one of two team captains last season.

However, Lewis missed two games after suffering from concussions and, after regaining his starting role Nov. 4 (after two appearances off the bench), he injured his shoulder making a block in the second quarter and never played in a game again.

After the shoulder injury, Bryant Lee came off the bench to lead a 34-17 win over Texas Southern and since has gone 3-1 as a starter, winning his last three starts, including two this season.

“He was one of the most courageous quarterbacks to ever play here,” SU offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said of the culmination of hits Lewis took. Lewis was also sacked 28 times in nine games in 2005.

Lewis’ departure brings an end to a career that was once so full of promise.

Lewis finishes as the school’s sixth-best all-time passer, with 3,667 yards (335-for-536, 62.5 percent, with 30 touchdowns to 16 interceptions). Early last season, he seemed poised to reach the top three by the end of his career.

He threw for 558 yards and seven touchdowns in the first two games last season, with the Jaguars starting 2-0. But Lewis suffered from big blows in the next two games, starting with Prairie View, and threw seven interceptions and two touchdowns in those two games, both losses.

Lewis graduated with a bachelor’s degree in May and returned to pursue graduate studies in mathematics this fall.

Class conflicts limited Lewis’ availability in the spring, and faced with choosing between Lee, Lewis and a fast-closing Warren Matthews, SU’s staff left the quarterback derby open. However, after Lewis did not attend any of the summer sessions or the voluntary conditioning, Richardson said in late July, on the eve of preseason camp, that Lee and Matthews would be the only contenders.

Lewis was a solid third choice, but his lack of mobility didn’t help, considering the team was moving to an offense based on the quarterback running.

“I thought he did an outstanding job for us, but it boils down to competition,” Richardson said. “He lost a lot of time in the spring and really wasn’t fit when he came back. It was just a matter of him making a decision for himself.”

Matthews, who saw his first collegiate action running in the season opener but has yet to throw a pass, is No. 2 behind Lee. SU also has redshirt freshman Gary Hollimon and junior C.J. Byrd, who returned to practice early this month after being out since a late July car accident.

“It hurts us from the aspect of depth,” Richardson said. “But our quarterbacks are gaining experience. The more they play, the better understanding of the system they get and the better they’ll be.”

Williams to have surgery
Sophomore Tremaine Williams, a special teams player and reserve cornerback, will have surgery on his right knee, Richardson said, and likely is out for the season.

Williams, who did not practice or play as a nonqualifier last season, had one tackle this season. He was injured covering a kickoff with 5:58 remaining in the third quarter of a 23-6 win over Mississippi Valley State in Chicago.

Richardson said the school would look into the possibility of obtaining a medical redshirt for this season for Williams.

Bridges doesn’t qualify
Southern true freshman guard Brian Bridges will be a nonqualifier this season, Richardson said. As such, Bridges will not be able to practice or play. He can become eligible as a sophomore but will have to earn a fourth season if he maintains satisfactory academic progress.

Bridges practiced with the team in the first few weeks of preseason camp as the NCAA Clearinghouse had yet to render a decision on his eligibility.

Including Bridges, four of SU’s five offensive linemen signees are not initially eligible. The only one to qualify is late signee Leslie Davis, a tackle.

Notes
Lee did not practice Tuesday to rest a sore ankle. He’s expected to practice today. Both SU and PV have three-game winning streaks dating to winning their season finales last season. Scouts from the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills attended practice Tuesday. Southern is seeking to become 3-0 for the first time since winning the first seven games of 2003, when the Jaguars went 12-1 and won SWAC and black college national titles.

Around the SWAC

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Grambling

In normal seasons, Grambling coach Rod Broadway would rather an off week later in the schedule. But given that this is his first year and his team is coming off a 34-10 loss at Pittsburgh, three weeks in is fine.

Broadway had previously lamented he didn’t know his team well enough after 15 days of spring practice and then preseason camp.

“We’ve learned a little bit,” Broadway said. “We have a base to build on now. This is definitely a good time to have it. We have to get better.”

Broadway said former starting QB Larry Kerlegan, who has yet to play this season, will play against defending SWAC champ Alabama A&M, on Sept. 22. Kerlegan could be at QB, WR or RB. Grambling held Pitt to 119 rushing yards on 35 carries.

Alabama A&M

A&M, which averaged 23.8 ppg last season and has been known for its defense, is averaging 45.0 ppg — seventh best nationally — despite replacing three offensive linemen, two tailbacks, two fullbacks and three of four receivers.

Senior QB Kelcy Luke, the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week, threw for a career bests of 301 yards and four TDs in a 41-10 rout of Division II Clark Atlanta on Saturday. Plus, sophomore Ulysses Banks, the nation’s top kickoff returner last year, ran for a school-best 211 yards and two TDs.

“Kelcy is the anchor,” A&M coach Anthony Jones said. “We have some speed and we have some big-play capability.”

A&M wide receivers coach Roger Totten spent the last four seasons as an assistant with his brother Willie, the head coach at Mississippi Valley State. Willie Totten said, “I blame a lot of people for that,” but would not go further.

“To lose him was very, very crucial for us,” Willie Totten said. “But we have to move on.”

Willie Totten said he hasn’t spoken to his brother since Roger’s departure in June, but the silence wasn’t unusual. The two were competitors with Roger Totten at UAPB and Alcorn State.

“That’s normally how we operate. We never talk during football season,” Willie Totten said.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Senior quarterback Chris Wallace, last season’s SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, got pulled in the third quarter of a 21-3 win Thursday at Alcorn State.

Junior Johnathan Moore, who was 5-for-10 for 64 yards and a touchdown, relieved Wallace and went 8-for-18 for 67 yards and a TD.

UAPB coach Mo Forte said Monday he’d use practice to determine this week’s starter.

The offensive line, with three to four new starters, remains a concern. The unit gave up 10 sacks (six on Moore, four on Wallace) Thursday after allowing four the week before.

“Any time your offensive line is struggling, your entire offense is struggling, and certainly our quarterback was struggling,” Forte said. “We’re not able to establish our running game like we have in the past.”

So far, Martell Mallett has 93 yards and one TD on 25 carries and Mickey Dean 39 yards on 17 carries.

Alcorn State

Alcorn (0-2) has just 13 points so far. Last season, the Braves had 20 points in an 0-2 start but finished 6-5. Tony Hobson, the planned starter, didn’t play against UAPB after injuring two fingers in practice Tuesday. Sophomore Tim Buckley (2-for-2, 18 yards) started, but was pulled for veteran Chris Walker (12-for-24, 164 yards and two INTs), who had a thigh bruise.

Jackson State

Sophomore Eric Perri, whose overtime kick beat Southern last season, made a school-record 50-yard field goal (after hitting a 44-yarder earlier) in a 16-13 loss to Tennessee State.

SWAC officials

Harold Mitchell Sr. has been named the interim coordinator of football officials. Mitchell replaces Gil Marchman. Mitchell will coordinate the scheduling, training and supervision of all the conference’s football officials.

THE RATING GAME

1. Alabama A&M

Defending champ continues to impress with big-play offense

2. Southern

Surprising running game has grounded SU’s early success

3. Grambling

Tigers put in solid effort at Pittsburgh, now get week off

4. Alabama State

Two straight long trips: at TSU on Saturday, now at UAPB Thursday

5. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Ugly win at Alcorn; offensive line has to get better quickly

6. Prairie View

Making it happen in all phases: offense, defense, special teams

7. Jackson State

Comegy feels good entering SWAC play, but JSU 1-6 in last 7

8. Miss. Valley State

Defense may be good; but offense will hold back Valley

9. Texas Southern

Tigers have been in games, but still looking for first win

10. Alcorn State

Went 6-3 after 0-2 start last season, but injuries troubling

THE BIG GAME

Prairie View at Southern

6 p.m. Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium

Prairie View, which has been resuscitating its program, could make a statement with back-to-back wins over Southern for first time since three in a row from 1962-64. SU, which blew a two-TD, fourth-quarter lead in losing to PV for the first time since 1971, can’t afford to let the Panthers steal early-season momentum for the second straight season. Home opener for SU should be big draw after impressive 2-0 start.

Confident PVU comes to town undefeated

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

The last time Prairie View was 2-0 came in 2004 in its first two games under Henry Frazier III. That start, though, came to a crashing halt in the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, where Southern blasted the Panthers, 42-12.

“My first year, we were 2-0 and it didn’t matter,” said Frazier, who used that film, which he said showed the physical dominance of Southern, as teaching and motivational tools early on for his program. “Coach (Pete) Richardson and his staff don’t care about us being 2-0.”

Prairie View finds itself back at the same juncture, at 2-0 again, as the Panthers (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference visits Southern (2-0, 1-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Jaguars’ home opener.

Prairie View was last 3-0 in 1964, when the team went 9-0 and was the SWAC and black college national champion.

That’s also the last year PV had won consecutive games over Southern — winning three in a row from 1962-64.
“It’s the most experienced team he’s had,” Richardson said. “Individuals are buying into the system offensively and defensively. He’s got them excited and they’re playing hard. It’s a matter of them continuing to grow.”

Both teams want to find out how good they are and a showdown game like this will tell much.

Prairie View’s 2-0 start came against Texas Southern, which is 4-31 under Steve Wilson, and North Carolina A&T, which has now lost 18 consecutive games.

Southern, after going 2-0 and falling through a trap door of a 1-5 slide, isn’t taking any game for granted.

“It would be safe to say (PV is better), but we have a lot of football left to be played,” said Frazier, 13-21 at Prairie View.

“We do have better athletes. They’re in better shape. They understand the system a little better.”

Memories of Prairie View players gleefully taunting Jaguars after PV scored its first win over SU since 1971 serve as cautions for Southern.

“They understand what happened,” Richardson said. “There’s no personal vendetta. Our thing is to find a way to win. We know they’re improved.”

Prairie View didn’t follow up that stunner over SU, though.
The Panthers, 2-1 after that win, won just one more game.

Although PV had the best total defense and scoring defense in the SWAC, the Panthers’ weaknesses in special teams and the passing games hurt, leaving them with a 3-7 mark (after a promising 5-6 in 2005).

“Our guys showed we can play with the best in the conference,” said Frazier, whose team finished the season with a 13-7 win over eventual SWAC champion Alabama A&M.

Frazier said his staff harped on eight plays in the offseason, challenging players, “Are you working as hard as you can?”

Of PV’s seven losses, five were by a touchdown or less, including three games by three points and one by four.

The Panthers returned 55 lettermen and 16 starters for this season.

“They see we were right there,” Frazier said. “Now we have to finish what we started.

“We’ve laid out the plan as coaches. … We’ve got to ride it, see what happens. It’s going to be fun.”

Panthers honored

The Sports Network named Prairie View’s Val Ford as its Football Championship Subdivision national special teams player of the week for his returning of two blocked punts for touchdowns and making a tackle for a safety Saturday in a 22-7 win over North Carolina A&T. Previously, Ford was named the SWAC specialist of the week and Ford and Riante Jones, who blocked the two punts as well as a field-goal try, were College Sporting News’ national special teamers of the week.

The prediction: SCSU vs. SC

Hawgs Illustrated.com

South Carolina State (1-1) at South Carolina (2-0) 7:00 PM GamePlan

Why to Watch: While the world will gloss over this game as an easy blowout for South Carolina, it's a game of historic and symbolic significance, as it's the first time the two programs have ever faced each other. The historically black South Carolina State will get its first shot at the big boys just a few miles down the road. On the field, the Gamecocks get a breather after a 16-12 win at Georgia that made an SEC East statement. With a trip to LSU next week, and a chance to make some thunderous national noise, SCSU will be used to as a scrimmage to make everything is working well. The Bulldogs lost to Air Force 34-3 in the season opener before beating Bethune-Cookman 24-13.

Why South Carolina State Might Win: Talk about your letdowns, after beating Georgia and with LSU ahead, you'll have to forgive everyone around the USC program if the bags are already packed for Baton Rouge. Considering how much the offense struggled in the first two weeks, that could be a major mistake. Another big problem is a Gamecock run defense that's allowing 190 yards per game. The Bulldogs don't throw, but they can certainly run.

Why South Carolina Might Win: SCSU won't be able to throw for more than 100 yards on the Gamecock secondary, so as long as the front seven is actually trying, it should be able to tee off. How bad are things for the Bulldog passing game? The pass protection has been non-existent, which has caused the quarterbacks to scramble, which has added up to 178 passing yards combined in the first two weeks.

Who to Watch: If South Carolina has any dreams of beating LSU, it needs Blake Mitchell and the passing game to be able to open things up more than they were able to against Georgia. Mitchell was fine at controlling the tempo and making the short to midrange throws, but 20 of 31 for 174 yards isn't going to cut it next week. Even at the expense of appearances, USC has to throw and keep throwing just to get Mitchell, who was suspended for the season opener, more live reps.

What Will Happen: South Carolina will need about 20 minutes to wake up, and then it'll be over by halftime.

CFN Prediction: South Carolina 38 ... South Carolina State 0 ... Line: No Line