GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Van Morgan ran for a career-high 154 yards and scored twice to lead Hampton to a 59-14 victory over North Carolina A&T Saturday, the fourth-straight victory over the Aggies in the series.
Quarterback T.J. Mitchell passed for 210 yards and three touchdowns for the Pirates (2-0, 2-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). Jeremy Gilchrist caught six passes for 112 yards and a score.
N.C. A&T (0-3, 0-1 MEAC) lost its 19th straight game.
Hampton jumped out to a 17-0 lead, but the Aggies cut into the deficit on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Shelton Morgan to Trey Green late in the first half.
Kevin Teel 70-yard kickoff return for a score increased Hampton's lead to start the second half, but the Aggies converted a Pirate turnover into a 6-yard scoring pass from Morgan to Michael Christen with 11:48 left in the third quarter.
The Pirates answered with a four-play, 75-yard drive ending in Gilchrist's touchdown. Kendall Langford returned an interception 22 yards for another score and the Pirates capped the third quarter with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Mitchell to Teel.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Final: Florida A&M 30, Howard 17
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Albert Chester threw two touchdown passes and Philip Sylvester ran for 222 yards to lead Florida A&M to a 30-17 win over Howard on Saturday.
Sylvester gained 196 yards on nine carries in the first half, including a 94-yard touchdown run. Chester also scored a touchdown on a two-yard run.
Brian Johnson threw two touchdown passes to Jarahn Williams for Howard (0-2, 0-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).
Florida A&M (1-2, 1-1 MEAC) dominated the game after falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter.
The Rattlers finished with 481 offensive yards, while Howard had 221.
Chester's touchdown run tied the game 7-7 with 10 seconds left in the first quarter. Florida A&M took the lead for good in the second quarter when Chester scrambled and threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Demarius Folsom.
Sylvester's 94-yard touchdown came with 32 seconds left in the second quarter. He took a handoff up the middle, broke to the sideline and outran the Howard defenders.
Florida A&M scored its final touchdown in the third quarter when Chester threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Smith.
Wesley Taylor also kicked a 42-yard field goal for Florida A&M, which has beaten Howard three years in a row. John Mendoza kicked a 44-yarder for Howard.
Sylvester gained 196 yards on nine carries in the first half, including a 94-yard touchdown run. Chester also scored a touchdown on a two-yard run.
Brian Johnson threw two touchdown passes to Jarahn Williams for Howard (0-2, 0-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).
Florida A&M (1-2, 1-1 MEAC) dominated the game after falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter.
The Rattlers finished with 481 offensive yards, while Howard had 221.
Chester's touchdown run tied the game 7-7 with 10 seconds left in the first quarter. Florida A&M took the lead for good in the second quarter when Chester scrambled and threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Demarius Folsom.
Sylvester's 94-yard touchdown came with 32 seconds left in the second quarter. He took a handoff up the middle, broke to the sideline and outran the Howard defenders.
Florida A&M scored its final touchdown in the third quarter when Chester threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Smith.
Wesley Taylor also kicked a 42-yard field goal for Florida A&M, which has beaten Howard three years in a row. John Mendoza kicked a 44-yarder for Howard.
ATTENDANCE: 10,175
Final: Winston-Salem 19, Morgan St. 17
BALTIMORE -- Matt Mitchell nailed a game-winning 24-yard field goal with .4 seconds left to give Winston-Salem State a 19-17 victory over Morgan State on Saturday.
Brandon McCrae ran 3 yards for a touchdown for Winston-Salem (2-1) and the Rams took advantage of a pair of early turnovers for a 10-0 lead.
But Bears quarterback Mario Melton scored from 6 yards out for Morgan State (1-2) with 1:25 left in the second quarter to make the score 10-7 at the half.
Morgan State took the lead with 9:33 left in the third quarter when Chad Simpson dashed down the sideline for a 33-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a 14-10 lead. Simpson finished with 221 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries.
After Simpson fumbled, the Rams recovered at the Bears 2-yard line and one play later Roderi Fluellen ran into the end zone to make the score 16-14 with 9:56 left.
James Meade kicked a 43-yard field goal with 1:13 left to give Morgan State a 17-16 lead. Winston-Salem marched 49 yards to set up the winning kick.
ATTENDANCE: 8,953
Brandon McCrae ran 3 yards for a touchdown for Winston-Salem (2-1) and the Rams took advantage of a pair of early turnovers for a 10-0 lead.
But Bears quarterback Mario Melton scored from 6 yards out for Morgan State (1-2) with 1:25 left in the second quarter to make the score 10-7 at the half.
Morgan State took the lead with 9:33 left in the third quarter when Chad Simpson dashed down the sideline for a 33-yard touchdown that gave the Bears a 14-10 lead. Simpson finished with 221 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries.
After Simpson fumbled, the Rams recovered at the Bears 2-yard line and one play later Roderi Fluellen ran into the end zone to make the score 16-14 with 9:56 left.
James Meade kicked a 43-yard field goal with 1:13 left to give Morgan State a 17-16 lead. Winston-Salem marched 49 yards to set up the winning kick.
ATTENDANCE: 8,953
Final: Kent St. 38, Delaware St. 7
KENT, Ohio -- Eugene Jarvis rushed for 136 yards and scored two touchdowns and Julian Edelman passed for three scores to lead Kent State past Delaware State 38-7 on Saturday.
Jarvis, who carried 22 times, scored on a 4-yard run and also caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Edelman.
Edelman completed 18-of-33 passes for 267 yards with one interception. He also hit Shawn Bayes on a 42-yard scoring strike and tossed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Tukes.
Bayes added a 95-yard kickoff return for a score in the final minute for the Golden Flashes (2-1).
Bayes' return followed a 1-yard touchdown run by Vashon Winton for Delaware State (2-1).
Kent State led just 7-0 at the half but broke the game open with 14 points in the third quarter and the first 10 points of the fourth.
Delaware State mustered just nine first downs. Winton was 11-of-21 passing for 74 yards with one interception. The Hornets added only 117 yards rushing on 41 attempts. Winton was sacked three times for 19 yards in losses.
ATTENDANCE: 8,455
Jarvis, who carried 22 times, scored on a 4-yard run and also caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Edelman.
Edelman completed 18-of-33 passes for 267 yards with one interception. He also hit Shawn Bayes on a 42-yard scoring strike and tossed a 56-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Tukes.
Bayes added a 95-yard kickoff return for a score in the final minute for the Golden Flashes (2-1).
Bayes' return followed a 1-yard touchdown run by Vashon Winton for Delaware State (2-1).
Kent State led just 7-0 at the half but broke the game open with 14 points in the third quarter and the first 10 points of the fourth.
Delaware State mustered just nine first downs. Winton was 11-of-21 passing for 74 yards with one interception. The Hornets added only 117 yards rushing on 41 attempts. Winton was sacked three times for 19 yards in losses.
ATTENDANCE: 8,455
Rutgers Rolls Over Norfolk State 59-0
Rice runs for 3 TDs as Rutgers piles it on Norfolk State
PISCATAWAY, N.J.-- No. 13 Rutgers produced the biggest second quarter in the school history, and all it needed was 11 plays and 91 seconds to amass 277 yards and score 42 points.
Ray Rice ran for three touchdowns and Mike Teel threw for three more in the lightning-quick outburst that carried the Scarlet Knights to a 59-0 victory over Norfolk State on Saturday.
While the result wasn't surprising, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano raised some eyebrows just before the half by calling three timeouts in an attempt to get the ball back with the Scarlet Knights (3-0) ahead 45-0.
A roughing the kicker penalty allowed the Spartans (1-1) to keep the ball, but Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian seemed to stare at the Rutgers' bench when he went on the field to help punter Brian Jackson, who suffered an Achilles' tendon injury.
The two coaches shook hands after the game ended and spoke for about a minute, patting each other on the shoulders.
Schiano rested Teel, Rice and most of his skill players on offense in the second half.
The 59 points and the margin of victory were the biggest for Rutgers since a 59-0 win over Buffalo in 2000.
Teel started the biggest second quarter at the birthplace of college football (1869) with touchdown passes of 43 yards to Kenny Britt and 28 yards to Tiquan Underwood on consecutive plays from scrimmage for the Scarlet Knights.
Rice, who now has nine touchdowns this season, scored on runs of 22, 7 and 4 yards, before Teel ended the offensive fireworks with a 34-yard scoring pass to Britt.
The scoring drives covered 52, 28, 92, 46, 42 and 53 yards and lasted two, one, two, two, three and two plays. The total elapsed time for the six drives was one minute, 31 seconds, which is all the time Rutgers had the ball in the quarter.
Remarkably, the big quarter came after Norfolk State forced Rutgers to punt on its first two possessions and then settle for a 30-yard field goal by Jeremy Ito with 4:45 left in the first half for a 3-0 lead.
Defensive tackle Eric Foster intercepted a Casey Hansen pass late in the quarter and Rice ran nine yards to give Rutgers a second-and-inches at the Spartans 43 as the quarter ended.
Norfolk State, a championship subdivision team playing its first bowl subdivision opponent, had to feel good at that point.
The optimism didn't last long for the Spartans, who have yet to produce a winning season since joining then Division I-AA in 1997.
Teel and Britt connected on a deep post on the opening play of the second quarter for a touchdown. After Norfolk State came up short on a fake punt deep in its own territory, Teel found Underwood on a sideline fly pattern on the next play for a 17-0 lead.
Rutgers got the ball back at its own 8 after a punt, and Teel and Underwood hooked up on a 65-yard pass play to the Norfolk State 27 on first down. An illegal substitution penalty moved the ball five yards and Rice, who carried 12 times for 72 yards, scored on a great cutback run from the 22-yard line.
A short punt, a 32-yard pass from Teel to Underwood and a personal foul set up Rice's 7-yard TD run. A 23-yard pass to Underwood, who had four catches for 148 yards, and a pass interference paved the way for Rice's final score.
Teel, who was 8-of-15 for 269 yards, covered the 53 yards on his final drive with passes of 19 and 34 yards to Britt, who had four catches for 121 yards.
Backup quarterback Jabu Lovelace scored on a pair of 16-yard runs for Rutgers in the second half.
ATTENDANCE: 43,712
Bethune-Cookman 45, Savannah State 13
SAVANNAH, Ga.-- Jimmie Russell scored touchdowns on runs of 12, 2 and 10 yards to lead Bethune-Cookman to a 45-13 victory over Savannah State on Saturday.
Russell, who had 65 yards on 12 attempts, also completed 10 of 15 passes for 112 yards. His backup, McKinson Souverain, completed one of two passes, but it went to Paul Neufville for 39 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats (2-1) also got an 85-yard interception return from Corey Council and Brian Sumlar got the other score on a 1-yard run.
JaCorey Kilcrease supplied most of the offense for the Tigers (1-2), hitting on 14 of 26 passes for 112 yards, including a 39-yard scoring pass to A.J. Benson. Greg McCrary scored the other Savannah State touchdown on a 1-yard run.
ATTENDANCE: 5,063
Russell, who had 65 yards on 12 attempts, also completed 10 of 15 passes for 112 yards. His backup, McKinson Souverain, completed one of two passes, but it went to Paul Neufville for 39 yards and a touchdown.
The Wildcats (2-1) also got an 85-yard interception return from Corey Council and Brian Sumlar got the other score on a 1-yard run.
JaCorey Kilcrease supplied most of the offense for the Tigers (1-2), hitting on 14 of 26 passes for 112 yards, including a 39-yard scoring pass to A.J. Benson. Greg McCrary scored the other Savannah State touchdown on a 1-yard run.
ATTENDANCE: 5,063
MEAC/SWAC Scoreboard- Sept. 15, 2007
MEAC Scoreboard - Week 3, Sept. 13-15, 2007
Norfolk State (1-1) 0
@Rutgers (3-0) 59 Final
#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 (2-1) 7
@Kent State (1-1) 38 Final
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 (2-1) 45
@Savannah State (1-1) 13 Final
4:00 PM ET
Ted Wright Stadium, Savannah, GA
Winston Salem (2-1) 19
@ Morgan State (1-2) 17 Final
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 (2-0) 59
@North Carolina A&T (0-3) 14 FINAL
6:00 PM ET
Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, NC
TV: Tape Delay ESPNU (10 PM)
Howard U.(0-2) 17
@ Florida A&M (1-2) 30 FINAL
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
FAMU: Internet Live audio/visual -http://www.famu.edu/?a=famcast
South Carolina State (1-2) 3
@ South Carolina (3-0) 38 FINAL
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 (0-3) 0
@UAB (1-2) 22 FINAL
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 (3-0) 12
@Arkansas Pine Bluff (1-2) 10 FINAL
7:00 PM ET
Pumphery Stadium, Pine Bluff, AR
Prairie View A&M (2-1) 2
@Southern University (3-0) 12 FINAL
7:00 PM ET
Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
TV: Cox Sports TV
Radio: SU Sports Network
Mississippi Valley State (1-2) 14
@Alabama A&M (3-0) 45 FINAL
7:30 PM ET
Milton Frank Stadium, Normal, AL
Grambling State-Idle
Division I Independent - Scoreboard Week 2
Elizabeth City State 10
@North Carolina Central (3-1) 18 Final
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 (2-1) 45
@Savannah State (1-1) 13 Final
4:00 PM ET
Ted Wright Stadium, Savannah, GA
A&T's new QB is man with a plan
Photo: Shelton Morgan waited patiently to start for N.C. A&T. He also ran in the heat, studied film and took biology in summer school.By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News-Record
GREENSBORO -- The Wheel of Misfortune that has defined N.C. A&T's quarterback situation has stopped on Shelton Morgan, a guy who seemingly never stops. With defending MEAC champion Hampton coming to Aggie Stadium for a national TV game tonight, this would be no time to get tentative, and there doesn't seem to be much threat of that happening.
"It's exciting, because out of high school I had been waiting for this moment," said Morgan, a redshirt freshman from Elizabeth City. "It's finally here, and I'm ready for it."
When he replaced injured and perpetually star-crossed Herb Miller last week at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Morgan became the eighth man to play quarterback for A&T during its 18-game losing streak. Injuries, academics and position changes have accounted for the bulk of the turnover. The Aggies are just hoping for some stability.
As far as his routine is concerned, Morgan appears to embody the planning, permanence and professionalism that will give him a shot.
Having come from a high school where he threw an average of 25 times a game and set school passing records, Morgan waited patiently as a true freshman in 2006. He also decided to work ahead academically, which is why he attended both summer sessions this year and developed a daily schedule.
The morning was for film study, the afternoon for weightlifting and running in the heat of the day.
At 5:30 p.m. every Monday through Thursday, Morgan attended a biology class, which involved a bit more than you might imagine. Summer sessions cram a regular semester's worth of work into six weeks, and science classes come with lab work as well as classroom study. Nobody got out until 9:30, at which time it was often necessary to study.
Now A&T hopes the ability to adhere to such a plan carries over to the field.
"In August," Morgan said, "my mind-set was to be ready in case anything happened. Don't let the situation sneak up on you. The most challenging thing was taking it from paper to the field. Last week was actually slower than I expected, but I know the speed of the game this week is going to be a lot different."
That's a safe bet. Hampton, which has established itself as the class of the MEAC, offers up a defense that features Page High graduate Henti Baird, a hybrid linebacker and defensive back who had a sack and six other tackles in a season-opening victory over Howard two weeks ago.
The Aggies don't really expect their quarterback to win the game for them. They have a promising collection of running backs, and they mainly need to avoid turnovers and other breakdowns. Last week, they beat Prairie View A&M in total offense and first downs, but were outscored 22-7.
After replacing Miller, Morgan completed three of eight passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions.
The beauty of the incomplete pass or the never-tossed option pitch is often underappreciated. Asked to describe his best asset, Morgan said, "Make good decisions. If it's not there, throw it away."
Not to the opponent. Maybe not even in the general direction of an Aggie. Having played wide receiver -- he had two snaps at that position against Prairie View before Miller's injury -- Morgan said he understands the importance of accuracy.
"I realize the receiver's job is harder than what people might think," he said. "When you're put in a bad situation by a quarterback, you don't appreciate it much."
Coach Lee Fobbs presumably is tired of training a new guy all the time to run the offense, but he can't look back now. Morgan is the captain of this ship until further notice.
"He's a young kid who is talented and who will play hard," Fobbs said. "He'll take care of the ball. He's ready to play. He has shown that in practice with his leadership."
BCU Wildcats eager to get back on track
Photo: BCU QB Jimmy Russell
By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News-Journal
In a way, today's football game at Savannah State is bigger for Bethune-Cookman than last week's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference battle with South Carolina State.
With seven more conference games on tap, the Wildcats can get back into the league race. But a loss to the Tigers could provide a psychological setback that would be difficult to bounce back from.
In last week's 24-13 home loss to the Bulldogs, B-CU (1-1) came away with just two field goals from three drives that penetrated S.C. State's 10-yard line. The Wildcats also fumbled away two option pitches that led to Bulldog touchdowns.
"Turnovers really hurt us," B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said. "(And) I've never seen our team get down there so many times and not come away with at least one touchdown. We just stalled there. But if we linger on that game -- take South Carolina State to this game -- then we'll see the same result."
A B-CU loss to Savannah State would be an upset on the level of Michigan's loss to Appalachian State two weeks ago. Since moving up to Division I-AA in 2002, the Tigers are 1-40 against I-AA teams. The Wildcats have won seven straight against the Tigers by a combined score of 275-76.
This year, Savannah State opened with a 47-7 loss to MEAC member Morgan State before defeating Division II Johnson C. Smith 24-10 last week.
"There is no one on our schedule who can't beat us," Wyatt said. "I know (the Tigers are) fired up to play us."
Like last year, the S.C. State-B-CU game took a toll on both teams. Several Wildcats are questionable for today's game, including quarterback Jimmie Russell (knee) and offensive tackles De'Juan Guillory (thigh) and Reubin Mordecai (ankle).
If Russell can't play, junior transfer McKinson Souverain would take his place. As for the O-line, Wyatt said three defensive linemen (Wayne Byers, Mike London and Fred Brown) got prepped on offense this week in case they will be needed. Byers is likely to play both ways.
This was the second straight year that Russell, who wore a knee brace this week, was "beaten up" in the Bulldogs game, Wyatt said.
"That first play, (in which Bulldogs nose guard James Simmons was called for roughing the passer) kind of shook Jimmie up, and I don't think he was right after that lick, because Jimmie never really makes bad pitches like he did in that game."
But Russell said that was not the play in which he hurt his knee.
"I actually hurt it twice," he said. "The first time I was ripped down by my facemask and I fell on my knee. I said, 'Man, that's a sharp pain.' The next time I was hit, I started grabbing my knee, I thought I was done."
OF NOTE: Wyatt said highly touted freshman running back Brian Sumlar, who did not get in on any offensive plays last week, will "definitely" see action today. "He's going to be very productive in the scheme we have set aside for him," Wyatt said. "Being a freshman it has taken him a while to pick up our scheme. We've got something for him that will fit his talent."
B-CU at Savannah State
WHERE: Municipal Stadium, Savannah, Ga.
KICKOFF: 1 p.m.
RADIO: 1380-AM (WELE)
RECORDS: Bethne-Cookman 1-1, Savannah State 1-1
SERIES: B-CU leads 27-8-2. B-CU won 55-6 last year.
PLAYMAKERS: B-CU -- QB Jimmie Russell, Sr., has rushed for 171 yards (5.2 ypc) and 3 TDs and passed for 160; RB Justin Brannon, Sr., has rushed for 126 yards (6.0 ypc); FS Bobbie Williams, Sr., is second on the team in tackles (15) and has one interception. Savannah State -- QB Jacorey Kilcrease has passed for 158 yards with one TD and one interception; RB Antwan Edwards has rushed for 116 yards with one TD; SS Antwan Allen has 15 tackles, including three for losses, and an interception.
STORY LINE: Both teams like to run the ball. Savannah State rushed for 328 yards in its victory over Johnson C. Smith last week. B-CU will try to iron out its problems in the option offense. But if Russell can't play because of a knee injury, look for the Wildcats to pass more with McKinson Souverain (7-for-9, 85 yards) at QB. The game was moved to Municipal Stadium and pushed back to 1 p.m. because of upgrades to the Tigers' stadium press box.
DID YOU KNOW: The last time the Tigers beat a Division I-AA team was in 2004 when they outlasted Norfolk State, B-CU's opponent next week, 41-34 in double overtime.
MVSU Devils in details, not stats
By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times
A&M knows MVSU tougher than its numbers
On paper, tonight's Alabama A&M-Mississippi Valley State game appears to be a mismatch.
The Bulldogs (2-0) are averaging 45 points and 529 yards per game. The Delta Devils (1-1) are averaging 11 points and 172.5 yards per game.
But Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones knows numbers don't win football games and that MVSU has historically played tough against A&M.
"I expect this game to be no different than the other ones we've played against them," said Jones, who is 4-1 against MVSU. "We better be ready because they're going to come in here firing their best shot and if we're not ready to fire our best shot, we won't like the outcome."
Kickoff is at 6:30 at Louis Crews Stadium.
Despite its paltry numbers, MVSU owns a win over defending Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Delta Devils played another league foe last week and lost 23-6 to Southern.Tonight's game is the SWAC opener for A&M.
"They haven't had a great explosion offensively, but they've been in both games," Jones said. "Their offense is going to come around. I'm just hoping it doesn't come around (tonight)."
A&M's offense has already come around.
The Bulldogs were unstoppable in whipping Tennessee State 49-23 and Clark Atlanta 41-10. A&M had 450 yards against the Tigers and 608 against the Panthers. Quarterback Kelcy Luke threw for 301 yards with four touchdowns against Clark Atlanta, and running back Ulysses Banks rushed for a school-record 211 yards on 19 carries.
"We're going against the best team in our conference in the Eastern Division," said MVSU coach Willie Totten, whose team is giving up 16 points, but is allowing more than 360 yards per game. "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."
Jones said A&M won't likely be able to maintain its scoring pace as it enters conference play - even against an MVSU defense that gave up almost 500 yards against Southern.
"They've given up some plays, but stats are misleading," he said. "They shut down Arkansas-Pine Bluff and then they played a statistically bad game against Southern, but they were still in the game midway through the fourth quarter.
"They have a bend-but-don't-break mentality. We have to do our best to take advantage of whatever opportunities that present themselves."
A&M knows MVSU tougher than its numbers
On paper, tonight's Alabama A&M-Mississippi Valley State game appears to be a mismatch.
The Bulldogs (2-0) are averaging 45 points and 529 yards per game. The Delta Devils (1-1) are averaging 11 points and 172.5 yards per game.
But Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones knows numbers don't win football games and that MVSU has historically played tough against A&M.
"I expect this game to be no different than the other ones we've played against them," said Jones, who is 4-1 against MVSU. "We better be ready because they're going to come in here firing their best shot and if we're not ready to fire our best shot, we won't like the outcome."
Kickoff is at 6:30 at Louis Crews Stadium.
Despite its paltry numbers, MVSU owns a win over defending Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Delta Devils played another league foe last week and lost 23-6 to Southern.Tonight's game is the SWAC opener for A&M.
"They haven't had a great explosion offensively, but they've been in both games," Jones said. "Their offense is going to come around. I'm just hoping it doesn't come around (tonight)."
A&M's offense has already come around.
The Bulldogs were unstoppable in whipping Tennessee State 49-23 and Clark Atlanta 41-10. A&M had 450 yards against the Tigers and 608 against the Panthers. Quarterback Kelcy Luke threw for 301 yards with four touchdowns against Clark Atlanta, and running back Ulysses Banks rushed for a school-record 211 yards on 19 carries.
"We're going against the best team in our conference in the Eastern Division," said MVSU coach Willie Totten, whose team is giving up 16 points, but is allowing more than 360 yards per game. "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."
Jones said A&M won't likely be able to maintain its scoring pace as it enters conference play - even against an MVSU defense that gave up almost 500 yards against Southern.
"They've given up some plays, but stats are misleading," he said. "They shut down Arkansas-Pine Bluff and then they played a statistically bad game against Southern, but they were still in the game midway through the fourth quarter.
"They have a bend-but-don't-break mentality. We have to do our best to take advantage of whatever opportunities that present themselves."
SWAC previews - Today's Games 9/15/2007
Huntsville Times
Prairie View (2-0, 1-0 SWAC) at Southern (2-0, 1-0); Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, La., 6 p.m.
The Panthers are seeking to start 3-0 for the first time since 1964 when they won the SWAC and were crowned national black college champions. Prairie View started 2-0 last season before losing seven straight. The Panthers downed the Jaguars 26-23 last season for the first time since 1971. Despite giving up more than 380 yards per game, Prairie View has allowed only 21 points in two games.
Coach Pete Richardson's team has found a running game - the Jaguars are averaging a league-high 265.5 yards rushing - to go along with its solid passing game, engineered by new starting quarterback Bryant Lee, who is averaging 210 yards per game.
Prediction: Southern 28, Prairie View 14
Alabama State (2-0, 1-0) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1, 1-0); Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, Ark., 6 p.m.
The Hornets could be a team to be reckoned with if they can knock off the Golden Lions. Alabama State came from behind to beat Jacksonville State in its season opener and scored two late touchdowns last week to beat Texas Southern on the road. RBs Jay Peck and Rahmod Traylor have combined to average almost 200 yards per game and QB Chris Mitchell has given the Hornets a solid passing game, averaging 155 yards through the air.
UAPB, the defending West Division champ, has struggled. The Golden Lions are averaging just 15 points per game. QB Jonathan Moore will replace Chris Wallace in the starting lineup this week. Wallace, the preseason SWAC Player of the Year, has thrown for just 221 yards in two games. RB Martell Mallett, who led the league in rushing a year ago, has just 93 yards in two games. UAPB's offensive line, which includes four new starters, has allowed 14 sacks.
Prediction: Alabama State 17, UAPB 10
Alcorn State (0-2) at UAB (0-2); Legion Field, Birmingham, 6 p.m.
Alcorn State's three QBs - Chris Walker, Tony Hobson and Tim Buckley - have all struggled. The Braves are averaging 6.5 points per game and have allowed 27.5.
UAB will give Neil Callaway his first win as a head coach.
Alcorn State is slated to make $150,000 to $200,000.
Prediction: UAB 42, Alcorn State 7
Mississippi Valley State (1-1, 1-1) at Alabama A&M (2-0, 0-0); Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, 6:30 p.m.
Alabama A&M is off to a 2-0 start because of its high-flying offense. The Bulldogs are averaging 45 points and 529 yards in total offense. The defense has bent, but not broken.
MVSU has struggled offensively, averaging just 11 points and 172.5 yards per game. The Delta Devils' defense will likely keep them in the game, but the Bulldogs' offense has too many weapons.
Prediction: Alabama A&M 28, Mississippi Valley State 10
Last week's predictions: 6-0
Season: 7-6
Reggie Benson
Prairie View (2-0, 1-0 SWAC) at Southern (2-0, 1-0); Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, La., 6 p.m.
The Panthers are seeking to start 3-0 for the first time since 1964 when they won the SWAC and were crowned national black college champions. Prairie View started 2-0 last season before losing seven straight. The Panthers downed the Jaguars 26-23 last season for the first time since 1971. Despite giving up more than 380 yards per game, Prairie View has allowed only 21 points in two games.
Coach Pete Richardson's team has found a running game - the Jaguars are averaging a league-high 265.5 yards rushing - to go along with its solid passing game, engineered by new starting quarterback Bryant Lee, who is averaging 210 yards per game.
Prediction: Southern 28, Prairie View 14
Alabama State (2-0, 1-0) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1, 1-0); Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, Ark., 6 p.m.
The Hornets could be a team to be reckoned with if they can knock off the Golden Lions. Alabama State came from behind to beat Jacksonville State in its season opener and scored two late touchdowns last week to beat Texas Southern on the road. RBs Jay Peck and Rahmod Traylor have combined to average almost 200 yards per game and QB Chris Mitchell has given the Hornets a solid passing game, averaging 155 yards through the air.
UAPB, the defending West Division champ, has struggled. The Golden Lions are averaging just 15 points per game. QB Jonathan Moore will replace Chris Wallace in the starting lineup this week. Wallace, the preseason SWAC Player of the Year, has thrown for just 221 yards in two games. RB Martell Mallett, who led the league in rushing a year ago, has just 93 yards in two games. UAPB's offensive line, which includes four new starters, has allowed 14 sacks.
Prediction: Alabama State 17, UAPB 10
Alcorn State (0-2) at UAB (0-2); Legion Field, Birmingham, 6 p.m.
Alcorn State's three QBs - Chris Walker, Tony Hobson and Tim Buckley - have all struggled. The Braves are averaging 6.5 points per game and have allowed 27.5.
UAB will give Neil Callaway his first win as a head coach.
Alcorn State is slated to make $150,000 to $200,000.
Prediction: UAB 42, Alcorn State 7
Mississippi Valley State (1-1, 1-1) at Alabama A&M (2-0, 0-0); Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, 6:30 p.m.
Alabama A&M is off to a 2-0 start because of its high-flying offense. The Bulldogs are averaging 45 points and 529 yards in total offense. The defense has bent, but not broken.
MVSU has struggled offensively, averaging just 11 points and 172.5 yards per game. The Delta Devils' defense will likely keep them in the game, but the Bulldogs' offense has too many weapons.
Prediction: Alabama A&M 28, Mississippi Valley State 10
Last week's predictions: 6-0
Season: 7-6
Reggie Benson
SU Jaguars take advantage of Landry’s size and strength
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter
Prairie View at Southern
WHEN: 6 p.m. today.
WHERE: A.W. Mumford Stadium (25,500).
TV: Tape-delay (4 p.m. Sunday, CST).
RADIO: KQXL-FM, 106.5.
RECORDS: Southern 2-0 (1-0 SWAC), Prairie View 2-0 (1-0 SWAC).
LAST MEETING: Prairie View 26, Southern 23, OT.
SERIES: SU leads, 48-19-2.
What does it feel like to be 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds and simply run through players, just mashing defensive backs?
“Like I say, I’m in the weight room, so I’m not even feeling the licks happen,” Southern senior wide receiver Gerard Landry said.
Landry certainly knows.
Two weeks ago, on a 46-yard touchdown against Florida A&M, Landry ran through two sets of two guys. One guy got the treatment twice. That defensive back bounced off the initial hit and tried to chase Landry down and team with another defensive back before the end zone, only to have Landry crash through.
“It’s not normal,” quarterback Bryant Lee said. “I really didn’t see it until I got in the film room, and I was amazed by it. I didn’t think he did all that to score the touchdown.”
A week ago, Landry shoved away Mississippi Valley State’s Jean-Pierre Marshall, one of the better cornerbacks in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, en route to a 54-yard touchdown.
“It just happens in the heat of the moment,” Landry said. “When I catch the rock, I’m trying to make something happen. If somebody’s in my path, I just do what I can to shake them off. The running over part, it just happens.”
As SU (2-0, 1-0 SWAC) hosts Prairie View (2-0, 1-0) at 6 p.m. today in A.W. Mumford Stadium, Landry, with 1,604 yards and 13 TDs, is sixth on the program’s all-time receiving ledger (having passed former Philadelphia Eagles great Harold Carmichael at 1,601). He needs 370 yards to move past Calvin Magee (at 1,973), the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator at West Virginia and a former SU All-American, into second place behind Michael Hayes (3,056 yards and 30 TDs).
Landry has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games. He was a second-team All-SWAC selection last season (727 yards and five TDs on 55 catches).
“He’s a big athlete,” SU head coach Pete Richardson said. “A lot of defensive backs don’t want to see him coming. If they try to arm-tackle him, he’s going to go through that.”
Here’s where things get really bad for defensive backs.
Southern coaches emphasized downfield blocking from receivers as part of the improvements from the season opener to the second game.
So Landry, one of two team captains, took one guy into the bench area after a pass to Del Roberts. Another had to plea for mercy — “Man, lay off,” SU offensive coordinator Mark Orlando relayed.
“He responded to coaching,” Orlando said. “Gerard is a kid who wants to get to the next level. He knows scouts will be looking at tape to see if he’s loafing on the blocks.”
To provide positive reinforcement after SU totaled 293 rushing yards (the most in one game since September 2003), coaches wanted to reward the blocks. So SU baseball coach Roger Cador donated a bat for what will be the “Big Hit” award. Landry was to get the first one Friday night.
“I felt like I left something out there (against FAMU). I didn’t block as well as I could’ve blocked,” Landry said. “I remembered coach Orlando talking about a pancake award. So I started going out there trying to kill all the little DBs. Every time I went to the sideline (a week ago), I told coach to give me that pancake award.”
Here’s where things get even worse for defensive backs.
Landry wasn’t even 100 percent for the first two games and rated himself as only 85 percent earlier in the week. Despite getting himself in tremendous condition (and cutting his weight from 240 pounds in the spring), he missed two weeks of preseason camp after having oral surgery. He had one full practice day, a Tuesday, before the season opener (because he has class and misses most Wednesday practices and the team traveled Thursday).
“It really hurt me,” Landry said of the time off. “I was just in my prime. I could feel myself getting better and better every day as camp was going. Now, I’m working my way back into shape and feeling more comfortable.”
Even so, Landry still leads SU with 10 catches for 139 yards and the two TDs this season.
“He’s coming out just as I expected him to play,” wide receivers coach Eric Dooley said. “He worked hard over the summer on strength and conditioning as well as speed and he’s just ready to take over.”
The comparisons to Hayes (1999-2002), the school’s top receiver, are there because they are so similar physically and similarly physical.
Hayes was a little leaner, a tad taller and slightly faster. And what he excelled at was in going up to win jumpballs on fade routes. Don’t sleep on Landry’s speed, though. He’s run away from defensive backs in the past and is faster now after improving his speed in the offseason.
Said Richardson, “Both of them could go and body up on a guy. If you throw it up there, they could jump and catch the football.”
Said Orlando, “Mike could out-physical, do some things against defensive backs similar to what Gerard does. Gerard is a more physical receiver. I don’t remember guys bouncing off Hayes like they do (so regularly) off Gerard.”
Maybe this is just perception, but the defensive backs Hayes jousted with seemed bigger. Maybe Landry just seems so tank-like.
“Everybody looks like they’re 5-9, 5-10,” Richardson said. “They’re scuffling with him. It’s going to be interesting to see how they’re going to continue to play him.”
Prairie View at Southern
WHEN: 6 p.m. today.
WHERE: A.W. Mumford Stadium (25,500).
TV: Tape-delay (4 p.m. Sunday, CST).
RADIO: KQXL-FM, 106.5.
RECORDS: Southern 2-0 (1-0 SWAC), Prairie View 2-0 (1-0 SWAC).
LAST MEETING: Prairie View 26, Southern 23, OT.
SERIES: SU leads, 48-19-2.
What does it feel like to be 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds and simply run through players, just mashing defensive backs?
“Like I say, I’m in the weight room, so I’m not even feeling the licks happen,” Southern senior wide receiver Gerard Landry said.
Landry certainly knows.
Two weeks ago, on a 46-yard touchdown against Florida A&M, Landry ran through two sets of two guys. One guy got the treatment twice. That defensive back bounced off the initial hit and tried to chase Landry down and team with another defensive back before the end zone, only to have Landry crash through.
“It’s not normal,” quarterback Bryant Lee said. “I really didn’t see it until I got in the film room, and I was amazed by it. I didn’t think he did all that to score the touchdown.”
A week ago, Landry shoved away Mississippi Valley State’s Jean-Pierre Marshall, one of the better cornerbacks in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, en route to a 54-yard touchdown.
“It just happens in the heat of the moment,” Landry said. “When I catch the rock, I’m trying to make something happen. If somebody’s in my path, I just do what I can to shake them off. The running over part, it just happens.”
As SU (2-0, 1-0 SWAC) hosts Prairie View (2-0, 1-0) at 6 p.m. today in A.W. Mumford Stadium, Landry, with 1,604 yards and 13 TDs, is sixth on the program’s all-time receiving ledger (having passed former Philadelphia Eagles great Harold Carmichael at 1,601). He needs 370 yards to move past Calvin Magee (at 1,973), the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator at West Virginia and a former SU All-American, into second place behind Michael Hayes (3,056 yards and 30 TDs).
Landry has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games. He was a second-team All-SWAC selection last season (727 yards and five TDs on 55 catches).
“He’s a big athlete,” SU head coach Pete Richardson said. “A lot of defensive backs don’t want to see him coming. If they try to arm-tackle him, he’s going to go through that.”
Here’s where things get really bad for defensive backs.
Southern coaches emphasized downfield blocking from receivers as part of the improvements from the season opener to the second game.
So Landry, one of two team captains, took one guy into the bench area after a pass to Del Roberts. Another had to plea for mercy — “Man, lay off,” SU offensive coordinator Mark Orlando relayed.
“He responded to coaching,” Orlando said. “Gerard is a kid who wants to get to the next level. He knows scouts will be looking at tape to see if he’s loafing on the blocks.”
To provide positive reinforcement after SU totaled 293 rushing yards (the most in one game since September 2003), coaches wanted to reward the blocks. So SU baseball coach Roger Cador donated a bat for what will be the “Big Hit” award. Landry was to get the first one Friday night.
“I felt like I left something out there (against FAMU). I didn’t block as well as I could’ve blocked,” Landry said. “I remembered coach Orlando talking about a pancake award. So I started going out there trying to kill all the little DBs. Every time I went to the sideline (a week ago), I told coach to give me that pancake award.”
Here’s where things get even worse for defensive backs.
Landry wasn’t even 100 percent for the first two games and rated himself as only 85 percent earlier in the week. Despite getting himself in tremendous condition (and cutting his weight from 240 pounds in the spring), he missed two weeks of preseason camp after having oral surgery. He had one full practice day, a Tuesday, before the season opener (because he has class and misses most Wednesday practices and the team traveled Thursday).
“It really hurt me,” Landry said of the time off. “I was just in my prime. I could feel myself getting better and better every day as camp was going. Now, I’m working my way back into shape and feeling more comfortable.”
Even so, Landry still leads SU with 10 catches for 139 yards and the two TDs this season.
“He’s coming out just as I expected him to play,” wide receivers coach Eric Dooley said. “He worked hard over the summer on strength and conditioning as well as speed and he’s just ready to take over.”
The comparisons to Hayes (1999-2002), the school’s top receiver, are there because they are so similar physically and similarly physical.
Hayes was a little leaner, a tad taller and slightly faster. And what he excelled at was in going up to win jumpballs on fade routes. Don’t sleep on Landry’s speed, though. He’s run away from defensive backs in the past and is faster now after improving his speed in the offseason.
Said Richardson, “Both of them could go and body up on a guy. If you throw it up there, they could jump and catch the football.”
Said Orlando, “Mike could out-physical, do some things against defensive backs similar to what Gerard does. Gerard is a more physical receiver. I don’t remember guys bouncing off Hayes like they do (so regularly) off Gerard.”
Maybe this is just perception, but the defensive backs Hayes jousted with seemed bigger. Maybe Landry just seems so tank-like.
“Everybody looks like they’re 5-9, 5-10,” Richardson said. “They’re scuffling with him. It’s going to be interesting to see how they’re going to continue to play him.”
Southern U--PVAMU Matchups
SU Video: http://media.swagit.com/s/wbrz/The_Advocate_Sports/09062007-10.high.flash8.html
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Southern LB Johnathan Malveaux
19 tackles, 1 pass breakup
Other than DT Joseph Selders, the junior is the most experienced defender among the Jaguars’ front seven. And like Selders, Malveaux is getting the job done. Malveaux leads SU with 19 tackles. His career has been held back by a series of minor injuries, but Malveaux seems to be at his healthiest and strongest these days. That’s a huge plus, because he’s always been a relentless, ferocious tackler and has plenty of speed.
PVU QB Chris Gibson
26-for-49, 248 yards, 2 INTs; 199 yards, 2 TDs on 24 carries
Gibson, a senior, is charged with both improving a horrendous passing game and shoring up the running game. Though suffering from a shoulder injury, Gibson came off the bench in the fourth quarter to help the Panthers to a stunning 26-23 overtime win over Southern. He scored on a 1-yard run and then marched PV to the tying and winning touchdowns.
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
Quarterbacks: SU
Running backs: SU
Offensive line: SU
Wide receivers: SU
Tight ends: SU
Defensive line: PVU
Linebackers: SU
Defensive backs: SU
Kickers: PVU
Kick returners: PVU
Intangibles: SU
Coaching: SU
PREDICTION
Southern has to prove to itself after the debacle that unfolded last season. SU’s offense — balanced and diversified — will get a test from a defense that was the best in the SWAC last season. PV’s offense begins and ends with QB Chris Gibson. The Panthers have also been getting contributions from special teams, a factor they didn’t have last year. Both teams, losers a year ago, bring a lot of confidence tonight.
Southern 34, Prairie View 9
-- Joseph Schiefelbein
SCSU vs. South Carolina
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (1-1, 1-0) at 17th-ranked UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA (2-0 1-0)
AT STAKE: It's the first-ever meeting between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks. Both schools have played football for over 100 years and look to build on conference road victories from the previous week.
LAST OUTING: SCSU def. Bethune-Cookman 24-13 on Sept. 8 in Daytona Beach, Fla,. USC def. Georgia 16-12 on Sept. 8 in Athens, Ga.
LAST YEAR'S RECORDS: SCSU (7-4, 6-2 in the MEAC); Bethune-Cookman (8-5, 3-5 in the SEC)
ALL-TIME RECORDS: SCSU (371-240-28); USC (517-517-44)
FIRST SEASONS OF FOOTBALL: SCSU (1907): USC (1892)
HEAD COACHES & CAREER RECORDS: SCSU's Oliver "Buddy" Pough (41-18 overall, 30-10) 6th season; USC's Steve Spurrier (159-50-2 overall; 17-10 with the Gamecocks) 18 seasons overall, 3rd at USC
DID YOU KNOW: Oliver "Buddy" Pough led Fairfield-Central to a Class 3-A title in 1996. Steve Spurrier led the University of Florida to a national championship in 2000 and has won 7 SEC championships and one ACC championship...SCSU has three former players (Deacon Jones, Marion Motley and Harry Carson) inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, more than all the Palmetto State's Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Division and Division II programs combined. USC has the Palmetto State's lone Heisman Trophy winner in running back George Rogers (1980) and head coach won the award in 1966 as a quarterback at Florida...USC currently has 18 former players in the NFL, while Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Chartric Darby is the lone SCSU representative...Pough spent five seasons as a running backs coach at USC under both Brad Scott and Lou Holtz before returning to SCSU in 2001...Spurrier is 16-4 against schools from South Carolina...The last time USC lost to a Football Championship Subdivision School was 1992 against The Citadel...This is the second game in school history for SCSU against a Football Bowl Subdivision team, having opened the season against Air Force...SCSU offensive lineman Raymond Harrison and USC linebacker Rodney Paulk were teammates at Richland Northeast, while USC twin linebackers Jasper and Casper Brinkley and free safety Brandon Isaac of Blackville-Hilda played with SCSU reserve wide receiver Phillip Morris at Georgia Military...Lineman Xavier Littleberry (Clemson) and James Lee are the only SCSU players with previous playing experience against USC...Under Pough, the Bulldogs are 37-5 when leading or tied at halftime and 4-13 when trailing. In MEAC play, the record is 28-1 when ahead, 1-9 when trailing...
SHERIDAN BROADCASTING NETWORK
BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 10
1. Hampton
2. Alabama A&M
3. Delaware State
4. Tuskegee
5. Southern
6. South Carolina State
-Times and Democrat
AT STAKE: It's the first-ever meeting between the Bulldogs and Gamecocks. Both schools have played football for over 100 years and look to build on conference road victories from the previous week.
LAST OUTING: SCSU def. Bethune-Cookman 24-13 on Sept. 8 in Daytona Beach, Fla,. USC def. Georgia 16-12 on Sept. 8 in Athens, Ga.
LAST YEAR'S RECORDS: SCSU (7-4, 6-2 in the MEAC); Bethune-Cookman (8-5, 3-5 in the SEC)
ALL-TIME RECORDS: SCSU (371-240-28); USC (517-517-44)
FIRST SEASONS OF FOOTBALL: SCSU (1907): USC (1892)
HEAD COACHES & CAREER RECORDS: SCSU's Oliver "Buddy" Pough (41-18 overall, 30-10) 6th season; USC's Steve Spurrier (159-50-2 overall; 17-10 with the Gamecocks) 18 seasons overall, 3rd at USC
DID YOU KNOW: Oliver "Buddy" Pough led Fairfield-Central to a Class 3-A title in 1996. Steve Spurrier led the University of Florida to a national championship in 2000 and has won 7 SEC championships and one ACC championship...SCSU has three former players (Deacon Jones, Marion Motley and Harry Carson) inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, more than all the Palmetto State's Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Division and Division II programs combined. USC has the Palmetto State's lone Heisman Trophy winner in running back George Rogers (1980) and head coach won the award in 1966 as a quarterback at Florida...USC currently has 18 former players in the NFL, while Seattle Seahawks nose tackle Chartric Darby is the lone SCSU representative...Pough spent five seasons as a running backs coach at USC under both Brad Scott and Lou Holtz before returning to SCSU in 2001...Spurrier is 16-4 against schools from South Carolina...The last time USC lost to a Football Championship Subdivision School was 1992 against The Citadel...This is the second game in school history for SCSU against a Football Bowl Subdivision team, having opened the season against Air Force...SCSU offensive lineman Raymond Harrison and USC linebacker Rodney Paulk were teammates at Richland Northeast, while USC twin linebackers Jasper and Casper Brinkley and free safety Brandon Isaac of Blackville-Hilda played with SCSU reserve wide receiver Phillip Morris at Georgia Military...Lineman Xavier Littleberry (Clemson) and James Lee are the only SCSU players with previous playing experience against USC...Under Pough, the Bulldogs are 37-5 when leading or tied at halftime and 4-13 when trailing. In MEAC play, the record is 28-1 when ahead, 1-9 when trailing...
SHERIDAN BROADCASTING NETWORK
BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL TOP 10
1. Hampton
2. Alabama A&M
3. Delaware State
4. Tuskegee
5. Southern
6. South Carolina State
-Times and Democrat
SCSU All-MEAC selection injured for game
By BRIAN LINDER, T&D Sports EditorMcFadden missing 'my chance'All-MEAC selection injured for game
against USC friends
Marshall McFadden strolled into Oliver C. Dawson with the rest of the first-team defense Tuesday afternoon, but unlike the rest of his South Carolina State Bulldog teammates, he wasn't padded up.
Instead, the preseason All-MEAC first-team selection wore a white Under Armour shirt and shorts. On his right arm, a tightly wrapped bandage secured the elbow that he hyperextended in the second quarter of his team's 24-13 win over Bethune-Cookman. He hasn't quit hurting since, not so much because of the injury but because he won't be able to step onto the field today when his team takes on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.
"It hurts me a lot," McFadden said. "I have a lot of friends that play for USC, guys like Mike Davis and Cory Boyd, and all those guys have been bragging for a while. All of us went to Clemson camp together, and this was our chance to meet up and play against each other. I'm real disappointed that I won't be able to do that with Markee (Hamlin) and LaQuinn (Ellerbe)."
McFadden is closest to Davis; he met him as a senior year in high school.
"We were at that Clemson camp together, and they treated him like a God," he said. "I was Marshall. But we became friends and kept in contact."
So what does Davis think about McFadden's injury?
"He called me up and told me I was scared," McFadden said. "He was just kidding, but it's disappointing knowing that he is going to be playing and I'm not."
The most disappointing part of it all, McFadden said, is missing out on the opportunity to play in front of the crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium.
"The atmosphere ... I've never played in an atmosphere where you have 80,000 people watching you," he said. "This was my chance."
Thursday -- the day before the Bulldogs were scheduled to leave Orangeburg for Columbia -- McFadden was out on the field again, without pads and looking on as his teammates ran through their final walk-through in Orangeburg.
"Coach (Buddy Pough) came up to me, and he was like, 'Marshall, I know you are hurt and upset.' And I told coach that I couldn't sleep at night. He just told me that I have to live through these guys like he does sometimes. That's the only thing that I can do is give these guys energy."
And so, McFadden has resigned himself to enjoying the moment. When the Bulldogs and Gamecocks kickoff tonight, he said he will be ready -- even if he isn't playing.
"I am going to be excited to be in front of the lights," he said. "I'm going to have a good time. I'm going to be out there just like I'm playing in the game anyway. I want those guys to feel comfortable, and if I am walking around with my head down they are going to be walking around with their heads down.
"We are trying to go down and shock the world," he said. "This is David vs. Goliath."
SCSU football sees wisdom in taking on Carolina
By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer
‘Ollie would be excited’ - 91-year-old queen of SCSU football
sees wisdom in taking on Carolina
Gracia Dawson thinks of herself as a “living historical marker” for South Carolina State University -- and with good reason.
The 91-year-old widow of Bulldog coaching legend Oliver Cromwell Dawson has meticulously maintained her husband’s memoirs, trophies and plaques at the Orangeburg residence they shared for 49 years. A self-professed “campus brat” who was born where now Bethea Hall stands, Dawson is also the oldest living Miss South Carolina State winner (1937) and has spent most of her life cheering on the Bulldogs’ football team.
“We’re celebrating 100 years of football, and I’ve almost celebrated that 100 with them,” she said.
Yet even Dawson could not envision this particular day coming when her alma mater would head to Williams-Brice Stadium to play 17th-ranked University of South Carolina. At 7:05 tonight, Dawson will be in attendance to witness the latest keepsake chapter in SCSU football history.
“Oh, he would be quite excited as I am,” Dawson said. “I’m very excited. We’re making history. As I say, I am a historical marker so ... I plan to be right there. And I’m hoping that we might win it and if we don’t, I hope that we play very well and do their best. That’s all we can demand of them.”
Such a game taking place was very much unthinkable during the early part of Dawson’s 41-year tenure in which he coached five sports, served as athletics director and initiated the school’s Health and Physical Education program. With segregation the law of the land in South Carolina, Dawson said even the thought of scheduling USC could have made her husband’s stay in Orangeburg a short one.
“In those days, no, that was unheard of,” she said. “No, No. You’re talking about the ‘30s now, 1935. That was a no, no. That wouldn’t have come about in that era. This is a new day.
“But in 1935, playing the University of South Carolina, I was afraid somebody might have run him out of Orangeburg for even thinking that, let alone try to do that.”
Through what she called the “lean years,” her late husband more than managed to make a thriving athletics environment at SCSU. Not only did Dawson coach football, basketball, track, tennis and golf, he helped bring several high-profile tournaments in those sports to Orangeburg for the town’s black youth.
“We were living on Goff Avenue at the time ... and we lived across the railroad tracks from Claflin,” Dawson said. “He would come home from the football field, grab a bite and go to the gym to start basketball practice.”
The Thomaston, Ga., native, who was also a boxing champion in Cleveland, Ohio, even taught Sunday school, which may have caught by surprise those student-athletes who sometimes were on the receiving end of his verbal admonishments.
“Somebody use to always say ‘Lord, we’ve never seen a person that cusses so much during the week and prays so good on Sunday,” she said. “But Ollie could get up and give an exemplary speech.”
Dawson’s efforts to help young people receive an education lasted right up until the night before his death on the morning of Feb 9, 1989, when he convinced then-head coach Willie Jeffries to give his nephew, Dyrek Dawson, a football scholarship.
“It was ironic that the last act he did before he died was to get a scholarship, something he had done for other people’s children over all those years, and he was getting help for one of his relatives,” Dawson said. “He never spoke another word after that, but he got that scholarship.”
Dawson did have one lasting message to impart to his nephew over the telephone following his final meeting with Jeffries.
“He told them ‘I had paved the way for you’,” he said. “‘But the truth is, I’m going to tell you. If you’re not interested in an education, don’t come down here because I don’t want no Dawson tramp athlete!’ People thought he was rough, but once you knew him, he had a heart of gold.”
Dawson’s legacy lives on in the form of the stadium that bears his name, through his widow who continues to financially support the university and the coaches who have followed in his footsteps and shown the same commitment to helping young people.
Gracia Dawson sees those similar traits in the Bulldogs’ current head coach who, ironically, shares the same first name as her late husband and was a former neighbor.
“I think he’d be proud of (Oliver) “Buddy” Pough,” Dawson said. “I think ‘Buddy’ Pough has done real well and is such a fine representative.”
Dawson is especially happy to see Pough schedule games against the Football Bowl Subdivision teams, as she believes they will help the Bulldogs in the long run.
“I’ve heard a lot of people complain, ‘Oh why in the world did they put schools like Air Force Academy and USC (on the schedule)?,’” she said. “But to me, that’s the only way you’re going to grow. I tell you one thing, I feel that playing Air Force helped us win our first conference game (last week against Bethune-Cookman). I mean that’s my thinking. And they’ll do better when you have better competition.
“But a lot of people are saying ‘Why in the world are they putting those schools on the schedule? They know they’re out of our league.’ What’s wrong with trying to reach up into another league or whatever. I’m glad to see them play them.”
While still very spry, Dawson now attends few road games, content to follow the action on the radio at home decked out in her SCSU paraphernalia. For this special occasion, however, Dawson plans to make the trip to Columbia with her late husband in spirit.
“I just hope that they play some ball,” she said.
‘Ollie would be excited’ - 91-year-old queen of SCSU football
sees wisdom in taking on Carolina
Gracia Dawson thinks of herself as a “living historical marker” for South Carolina State University -- and with good reason.
The 91-year-old widow of Bulldog coaching legend Oliver Cromwell Dawson has meticulously maintained her husband’s memoirs, trophies and plaques at the Orangeburg residence they shared for 49 years. A self-professed “campus brat” who was born where now Bethea Hall stands, Dawson is also the oldest living Miss South Carolina State winner (1937) and has spent most of her life cheering on the Bulldogs’ football team.
“We’re celebrating 100 years of football, and I’ve almost celebrated that 100 with them,” she said.
Yet even Dawson could not envision this particular day coming when her alma mater would head to Williams-Brice Stadium to play 17th-ranked University of South Carolina. At 7:05 tonight, Dawson will be in attendance to witness the latest keepsake chapter in SCSU football history.
“Oh, he would be quite excited as I am,” Dawson said. “I’m very excited. We’re making history. As I say, I am a historical marker so ... I plan to be right there. And I’m hoping that we might win it and if we don’t, I hope that we play very well and do their best. That’s all we can demand of them.”
Such a game taking place was very much unthinkable during the early part of Dawson’s 41-year tenure in which he coached five sports, served as athletics director and initiated the school’s Health and Physical Education program. With segregation the law of the land in South Carolina, Dawson said even the thought of scheduling USC could have made her husband’s stay in Orangeburg a short one.
“In those days, no, that was unheard of,” she said. “No, No. You’re talking about the ‘30s now, 1935. That was a no, no. That wouldn’t have come about in that era. This is a new day.
“But in 1935, playing the University of South Carolina, I was afraid somebody might have run him out of Orangeburg for even thinking that, let alone try to do that.”
Through what she called the “lean years,” her late husband more than managed to make a thriving athletics environment at SCSU. Not only did Dawson coach football, basketball, track, tennis and golf, he helped bring several high-profile tournaments in those sports to Orangeburg for the town’s black youth.
“We were living on Goff Avenue at the time ... and we lived across the railroad tracks from Claflin,” Dawson said. “He would come home from the football field, grab a bite and go to the gym to start basketball practice.”
The Thomaston, Ga., native, who was also a boxing champion in Cleveland, Ohio, even taught Sunday school, which may have caught by surprise those student-athletes who sometimes were on the receiving end of his verbal admonishments.
“Somebody use to always say ‘Lord, we’ve never seen a person that cusses so much during the week and prays so good on Sunday,” she said. “But Ollie could get up and give an exemplary speech.”
Dawson’s efforts to help young people receive an education lasted right up until the night before his death on the morning of Feb 9, 1989, when he convinced then-head coach Willie Jeffries to give his nephew, Dyrek Dawson, a football scholarship.
“It was ironic that the last act he did before he died was to get a scholarship, something he had done for other people’s children over all those years, and he was getting help for one of his relatives,” Dawson said. “He never spoke another word after that, but he got that scholarship.”
Dawson did have one lasting message to impart to his nephew over the telephone following his final meeting with Jeffries.
“He told them ‘I had paved the way for you’,” he said. “‘But the truth is, I’m going to tell you. If you’re not interested in an education, don’t come down here because I don’t want no Dawson tramp athlete!’ People thought he was rough, but once you knew him, he had a heart of gold.”
Dawson’s legacy lives on in the form of the stadium that bears his name, through his widow who continues to financially support the university and the coaches who have followed in his footsteps and shown the same commitment to helping young people.
Gracia Dawson sees those similar traits in the Bulldogs’ current head coach who, ironically, shares the same first name as her late husband and was a former neighbor.
“I think he’d be proud of (Oliver) “Buddy” Pough,” Dawson said. “I think ‘Buddy’ Pough has done real well and is such a fine representative.”
Dawson is especially happy to see Pough schedule games against the Football Bowl Subdivision teams, as she believes they will help the Bulldogs in the long run.
“I’ve heard a lot of people complain, ‘Oh why in the world did they put schools like Air Force Academy and USC (on the schedule)?,’” she said. “But to me, that’s the only way you’re going to grow. I tell you one thing, I feel that playing Air Force helped us win our first conference game (last week against Bethune-Cookman). I mean that’s my thinking. And they’ll do better when you have better competition.
“But a lot of people are saying ‘Why in the world are they putting those schools on the schedule? They know they’re out of our league.’ What’s wrong with trying to reach up into another league or whatever. I’m glad to see them play them.”
While still very spry, Dawson now attends few road games, content to follow the action on the radio at home decked out in her SCSU paraphernalia. For this special occasion, however, Dawson plans to make the trip to Columbia with her late husband in spirit.
“I just hope that they play some ball,” she said.
SCSU must believe anything can happen
By T&D Sports Writer Travis BolandWhen Appalachian State knocked off Michigan in the first week of the college football season, it gave other Football Championship Subdivision (Division I-AA) teams the thought that they could beat anybody. It also struck fear in the hearts of all Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) teams, hoping they weren't going to be the next major upset to be splashed all over SportsCenter.
Now, South Carolina State gets its chance to pull its own major upset over an FBS team, but it's going to take a monumental effort, seeing as you can't sneak up on anyone this season.
The Bulldogs will have to play the perfect game to get the win. Here are a few things they can do to make it happen:
1. South Carolina State will have to spread the USC defense.
The Gamecocks struggled in their first game of the season against Louisiana-Lafayette because of the Ragin' Cajuns' spread-option attack and no-huddle offense. UL-L rushed for 252 yards and was able to control the clock against the defense.
Cleve McCoy and the Bulldogs will have to use the spread attack to their advantage, McCoy is quick enough to be able to run the misdirection plays that can confuse the Gamecocks. Gettting USC to over-commit will be the key.
The offensive line will have to protect against a defensive line that gave Georgia fits last week. Cleve needs to be able to run but not spend all night running for his life.
2. Score early, score often.
Appalachian State was able to beat Michigan by scoring early. They took the lead and were able to hold off a comeback. If the Gamecocks score the first points,
it could be a long night for the Bulldogs. But if State is able to open the game with a touchdown drive, it could set the tone. SCSU is not going to win a defensive struggle the likes of Carolina's win over Georgia, so the Bulldogs will have to put the ball in the end zone as often as possible. The longer SCSU hangs around, the better the chances of pulling the upset.
3. Empty the playbook.
If the Bulldogs can hang tough, then expect to see some razzle-dazzle from Buddy Pough. Why hold on to trick plays if they can lead to a win. Don't hold anything back in this game. Anything you're going to use will be good practice for later in the season. Fake punts, reverses, flea-flickers, whatever ... just use them.
I'm not saying the Bulldogs will beat the Gamecocks, but like we've already seen this season, anything can happen.
UAB vs. Alcorn State University
STEVE IRVINE, The Birmingham NewsCallaway on familiar turf with new team
UAB head football coach Neil Callaway could take a stroll down memory lane today when he arrives at Legion Field.
His Legion Field memories began as a player at the University of Alabama and stretched over coaching stops at Alabama and Auburn. He acknowledged earlier this week that he has plenty of good and bad Legion Field memories but added that today is no time to dive into those memories.
In other words, for Callaway, it's all about business today when the Blazers (0-2) play host to Alcorn State (0-2) in a non-conference game scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m.
"It's our first home ball game, it's our home field, it's our house,"
Callaway said. "We need to represent ourselves well there. It's a lot of tradition there, which is great, but all I'm worried about right now is UAB."
Look at today's game on paper and it appears that Callaway has an excellent chance to get his first win as a head coach in his team's first home game. However, listen to Callaway's scouting report and Alcorn State doesn't sound like a team that has been outscored 52-13 by Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
"They are very multiple offensive and defensive schemes," Callaway said.
"It's going to create some problems for you with all the stuff that they do on both sides of the ball," Callaway said. "They have eight starters on both sides of the ball. I'm very impressed even though they have not won a ball game, I was very impressed on how they play on both sides of the ball and how well they are coached and how well they do the things they do."
Alcorn State hasn't necessarily looked like an experienced team thus far.
Part of that comes from an unsettled feeling at quarterback because of injuries. Senior Chris Walker started against Grambling before leaving with a thigh bruise. Junior Tony Hobson Jr. was the scheduled starter against Arkansas-Pine Bluff but he hurt his hand in practice last week. Sophomore Tim Buckley got the start at quarterback in the second game but was replaced quickly by Walker.
Put all that together and it's tough to find some offensive consistency.
UAB's difficulty in finding offensive consistency in the season-opening loss to Michigan State came largely because an offensive line that was breaking in three new starters and had little experienced depth. The offensive line played much better in the loss to Florida State last week.
Now the Blazers need to find more offensive playmakers to go with quarterback Sam Hunt and wide receiver Joseph Webb. Hunt has thrown for 440 yards and two touchdowns and his 31-yard run last week is the only double-digit rush the Blazers have thus far. Webb, who is still slated to play quarterback at some point, has a team-high 12 catches for 187 yards and the only two receiving touchdowns.
Running back Rashaud Slaughter is averaging just 3.3 yards per touch - rushing and receiving - and no other running back has more than four carries. Fullback/H-back David Sigler is averaging 15 yards per catch but has only four catches.
Norfolk State at Rutgers Today
by Philadelphia Inquirer
Norfolk State at Rutgers Today at 3:30 p.m., Rutgers Stadium
TV/Radio: MSG-ESPN Regional; WENJ-AM (1450), WOR-AM (710).
Records: Norfolk State, 1-0; Rutgers, 2-0.
The buzz: Norfolk State of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) is playing its first Division I-A opponent since starting football 10 years ago, and coach Pete Adrian raised some eyebrows by commenting that he would rather be playing Michigan than Rutgers. . . . As many eyes may be on the stands today as on the field. In last week's win over Navy, a handful of Rutgers fans booed and shouted vulgarities at the Mids, forcing athletic director Bob Mulcahy and president Richard McCormick to issue public apologies to the Naval Academy.
Last week: No. 13 Rutgers continued its balanced attack, rushing for 210 yards and passing for 266 in a 41-24 win over Navy. Tailback Ray Rice set the school's career rushing record. The Scarlet Knights committed 11 penalties for 100 yards.
Norfolk State at Rutgers Today at 3:30 p.m., Rutgers Stadium
TV/Radio: MSG-ESPN Regional; WENJ-AM (1450), WOR-AM (710).
Records: Norfolk State, 1-0; Rutgers, 2-0.
The buzz: Norfolk State of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) is playing its first Division I-A opponent since starting football 10 years ago, and coach Pete Adrian raised some eyebrows by commenting that he would rather be playing Michigan than Rutgers. . . . As many eyes may be on the stands today as on the field. In last week's win over Navy, a handful of Rutgers fans booed and shouted vulgarities at the Mids, forcing athletic director Bob Mulcahy and president Richard McCormick to issue public apologies to the Naval Academy.
Last week: No. 13 Rutgers continued its balanced attack, rushing for 210 yards and passing for 266 in a 41-24 win over Navy. Tailback Ray Rice set the school's career rushing record. The Scarlet Knights committed 11 penalties for 100 yards.
While Rutgers, No. 13 in the Associated Press poll, figures to dispatch Norfolk State today, ticket demand remains at an unprecedented level. Even a game against a Norfolk State team that plays in a level of football one division below Rutgers, will produce another sellout, of about 43,000.
This week a block of tickets, typically set aside for the visiting team to Rutgers Stadium, were returned by Norfolk State and were made available to members of the Rutgers Alumni.
The block of tickets sold out in less than half an hour, according to athletics department officials, who in prior years had tens of thousands of tickets available for some games.
"Gone are the old days of being able to pick up game-day tickets," said Brian Crockett, head of the Rutgers Foundation, which oversees the alumni programs.
"Everywhere I go in the state it's so much easier to bring Rutgers football into the conversation. When you mention Rutgers you get a new sparkle," said Crockett.
Next week: Rutgers has a bye before hosting Maryland.
After two-game suspension, DSU Rouse returns to lead defense
By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal
Senior apologizes, prepares to face I-A Kent State
DOVER -- It may have been a private affair, but Kelly Rouse made an important public gesture at the start of this week.
He stood up and apologized to his football team.
Rouse, a senior defensive lineman at Delaware State, said he let his teammates and coaches down while serving a two-game suspension for violating school policy. Rouse was told by the coaching staff to decline from publicly saying what he did to get pulled from the season's first two games. However, he said the issue wasn't academics.
"For me, as a senior, not to be out there, I disappointed myself but mostly I disappointed my team and coaches and my family," Rouse said. "I wanted to make an apology to the alumni and students and my family. All I want to do now is make a tackle."
After missing DSU's victories over Coastal Carolina and Florida A&M, Rouse returned to practice this week heading into perhaps the program's biggest game of the season.
The Hornets will play against their first NCAA Division I-A opponent since 1987 when they visit Kent State of the Mid-American Conference today at 4 p.m.
Rouse is considered a leader for the Hornets defense.
"When I was on the sidelines for the first two games, I felt like I was killing my team," Rouse said. "You just get that feeling. When I saw these guys playing hard in the fourth quarter and I couldn't get in there, it felt like they were saying, 'You're killing us.' "
Rouse had been alerted before the season opener that he'd broken a new school rule. But he said he wasn't told that new athletic director Rick Costello had suspended him until a day before the Sept. 1 game.
"I don't know if they wanted to make an example of me," Rouse said. "When one guy does it, you have to do something. But they're more strict now."
If DSU has any chance to beat Kent State, coach Al Lavan, who was comfortable with suspending Rouse for two games, said it could happen only with Rouse, arguably his best defensive player, on the field.
Last season, Rouse, from Newark, N.J., made 47 tackles and 3.5 sacks in nine games.
The Golden Flashes (1-1) run a spread offense, but they have the 15th-best rushing offense in Division I-A, averaging 263 yards per game.
"We can't afford to lose his type of speed on the field," Lavan said. "But we have procedures and policies that have to be adhered to. That didn't happen with Kelly."
Rouse, who moved from linebacker to the defensive line in the spring under new defensive coordinator Ray Petty, will line up on the left side against Kent State. Rouse said he believes this game is his chance to prove himself as a player who can compete at the highest level of college football.
Though the Golden Flashes are a mid-major school, Rouse and his DSU teammates are viewing this as a rare opportunity for a I-AA program.
"They haven't seen me play at all," Rouse said. "They have no idea if I'm even coming. What I want to do is create an unfamiliar atmosphere around their quarterback [Julian Edelman]. I'm not the kind of player looking for stats, but I have some catching up to do."
Senior apologizes, prepares to face I-A Kent State
DOVER -- It may have been a private affair, but Kelly Rouse made an important public gesture at the start of this week.
He stood up and apologized to his football team.
Rouse, a senior defensive lineman at Delaware State, said he let his teammates and coaches down while serving a two-game suspension for violating school policy. Rouse was told by the coaching staff to decline from publicly saying what he did to get pulled from the season's first two games. However, he said the issue wasn't academics.
"For me, as a senior, not to be out there, I disappointed myself but mostly I disappointed my team and coaches and my family," Rouse said. "I wanted to make an apology to the alumni and students and my family. All I want to do now is make a tackle."
After missing DSU's victories over Coastal Carolina and Florida A&M, Rouse returned to practice this week heading into perhaps the program's biggest game of the season.
The Hornets will play against their first NCAA Division I-A opponent since 1987 when they visit Kent State of the Mid-American Conference today at 4 p.m.
Rouse is considered a leader for the Hornets defense.
"When I was on the sidelines for the first two games, I felt like I was killing my team," Rouse said. "You just get that feeling. When I saw these guys playing hard in the fourth quarter and I couldn't get in there, it felt like they were saying, 'You're killing us.' "
Rouse had been alerted before the season opener that he'd broken a new school rule. But he said he wasn't told that new athletic director Rick Costello had suspended him until a day before the Sept. 1 game.
"I don't know if they wanted to make an example of me," Rouse said. "When one guy does it, you have to do something. But they're more strict now."
If DSU has any chance to beat Kent State, coach Al Lavan, who was comfortable with suspending Rouse for two games, said it could happen only with Rouse, arguably his best defensive player, on the field.
Last season, Rouse, from Newark, N.J., made 47 tackles and 3.5 sacks in nine games.
The Golden Flashes (1-1) run a spread offense, but they have the 15th-best rushing offense in Division I-A, averaging 263 yards per game.
"We can't afford to lose his type of speed on the field," Lavan said. "But we have procedures and policies that have to be adhered to. That didn't happen with Kelly."
Rouse, who moved from linebacker to the defensive line in the spring under new defensive coordinator Ray Petty, will line up on the left side against Kent State. Rouse said he believes this game is his chance to prove himself as a player who can compete at the highest level of college football.
Though the Golden Flashes are a mid-major school, Rouse and his DSU teammates are viewing this as a rare opportunity for a I-AA program.
"They haven't seen me play at all," Rouse said. "They have no idea if I'm even coming. What I want to do is create an unfamiliar atmosphere around their quarterback [Julian Edelman]. I'm not the kind of player looking for stats, but I have some catching up to do."
Friday, September 14, 2007
Valley first SWAC foe for league defending champ Alabama A&M
ITTA BENA, Miss. -- Alabama A&M hosts Mississippi Valley State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference clash on Saturday and is hoping for a happier ending than last year.MVSU (1-1, 1-1 SWAC) won that game 23-20 on a 48-yard field goal with only seconds left.
"A&M is always good, but this year they're scoring a lot more points," MVSU head coach Willie Totten said.
A&M (2-0, 0-0) is averaging 529 yards of total offense compared to MVSU's 173.
A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke passed for 301 yards and four touchdowns against Clark Atlanta last week.
The Delta Devils lost 23-6 last Saturday to Southern and Totten wants his players to put that game behind them before the kickoff in Normal, Ala.
"We knew Southern would be a tough opponent, and we'll face an even tougher opponent in Alabama A&M," Totten said.
Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said the Bulldogs can't be satisfied being 2-0.
"I don't want our guys to think we're great because we're not," Jones said. "We've played two good football games, and now we're ready to get into conference play. We have to continue to get better. If we don't, everything we've done will be for naught."
In other games Saturday involving Mississippi's smaller colleges, Alcorn State goes to Alabama-Birmingham; Delta State hosts Henderson State; Mississippi College hosts Texas Lutheran; Belhaven hosts Texas College; and Millsaps plays Austin College in Sherman, Texas.
Alcorn (0-2, 0-2 SWAC) has scored just 13 points in losses to Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.Alcorn goes up against the Division I-A opponent in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday. UAB (0-2) has not won since a 35-29 win over Memphis last Oct. 7. This season, UAB has lost to Florida State and Michigan State.
"We're up beat and we know what we have to do," said Alcorn head coach Johnny Thomas. "Our main thing is that we've got to be more consistent on offense and improve. Our defense has to continue to be aggressive."
UAB head coach Neil Callaway said Alcorn has a cadre of veteran players and that experience is important to any team.
"They do a lot of multiple things on both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, we have to recognize what's going on. The same goes for offense because they bring a lot of types and forms blitzes and they will create problems if we're not sharp," Callaway said.
WSSU Notebook: Levine, Adams may get more playing time
COMPILED BY JOHN DELL , Winston Salem Journal
■ Winston-Salem State could have a change on its offensive line this week - the possible promotion of freshman Nazir Levine to the starting lineup.
Offensive coordinator Nick Calcutta said that Levine played well last week after entering the game against Coastal Carolina in the second half.
“More than likely we are going to start Nazir Levine at left guard,” Calcutta said. “We’re hoping we can get the same kind of production out of him this weekend.”
Calcutta said that Bo Adams probably will get more playing time as well. Adams, a redshirt sophomore, has had some nagging injuries this season.
“It’s been a difficult task finding the right five guys to be a unit, but we are slowly getting there,” Calcutta said.
■ Roderick Fluellen, a running back last season, has played primarily receiver this season, and he’s slowly adjusting to his new role.
“Right now I’m getting used to it,” he said. “When camp first started, it was different on how I ran routes and other things. I feel like I’m starting to learn it a lot better at this point.”
One reason that Fluellen was moved was the return of Jed Bines. Brandon McRae and Bines are the main ball-carriers.
“We need to execute better,” Fluellen said of the offense. “I felt like we played hard last week but we didn’t execute like we should have. This week we are more focused. We had a hard loss last week, and we didn’t like that feeling, so hopefully we’ll never have that feeling the rest of the year.”
■ WSSU will play Morgan State for the first time Saturday, with kickoff at 4 p.m. in Baltimore. But coaches Donald Hill-Eley of Morgan State and Kermit Blount of WSSU know each other well.
“Donald and I go back a long ways,” Blount said. “He was actually the offensive coordinator at Hampton for a while when we played against Hampton a few years ago. But this will be the first time we’ll get to do battle against each other as head coaches.”
Hill-Eley, a 1991 graduate of Virginia Union, was on some of the great Virginia Union teams of the late 1980s that battled WSSU every year in the CIAA.
“I know all about the Rams and their history,” Hill-Eley said.
Blount said that the teams have exchanged game films.
“He thinks that we have a pretty good football team, and we are thinking they have a pretty good football team as we look at them on film,” Blount said. “So it should be a good ballgame. The team that has the least turnovers will win the ballgame.”
■ Jed Bines, who is No. 4 on WSSU’s all-time rushing list, needs 77 yards to reach 3,000 for his career. He also is sixth in school history with 28 career touchdowns…. Punter Jermaine Mack is averaging 34.3 yards a punt. Mack, a junior defensive back, won the job in preseason camp…. Place-kicker Matt Mitchell, a freshman, has yet to attempt a field goal through two games but is 5 for 5 on point-after attempts…. WSSU’s offensive line did not allow a sack in the opener against N.C. A&T but gave up five sacks in Saturday’s loss to Coastal Carolina.
■ Winston-Salem State could have a change on its offensive line this week - the possible promotion of freshman Nazir Levine to the starting lineup.
Offensive coordinator Nick Calcutta said that Levine played well last week after entering the game against Coastal Carolina in the second half.
“More than likely we are going to start Nazir Levine at left guard,” Calcutta said. “We’re hoping we can get the same kind of production out of him this weekend.”
Calcutta said that Bo Adams probably will get more playing time as well. Adams, a redshirt sophomore, has had some nagging injuries this season.
“It’s been a difficult task finding the right five guys to be a unit, but we are slowly getting there,” Calcutta said.
■ Roderick Fluellen, a running back last season, has played primarily receiver this season, and he’s slowly adjusting to his new role.
“Right now I’m getting used to it,” he said. “When camp first started, it was different on how I ran routes and other things. I feel like I’m starting to learn it a lot better at this point.”
One reason that Fluellen was moved was the return of Jed Bines. Brandon McRae and Bines are the main ball-carriers.
“We need to execute better,” Fluellen said of the offense. “I felt like we played hard last week but we didn’t execute like we should have. This week we are more focused. We had a hard loss last week, and we didn’t like that feeling, so hopefully we’ll never have that feeling the rest of the year.”
■ WSSU will play Morgan State for the first time Saturday, with kickoff at 4 p.m. in Baltimore. But coaches Donald Hill-Eley of Morgan State and Kermit Blount of WSSU know each other well.
“Donald and I go back a long ways,” Blount said. “He was actually the offensive coordinator at Hampton for a while when we played against Hampton a few years ago. But this will be the first time we’ll get to do battle against each other as head coaches.”
Hill-Eley, a 1991 graduate of Virginia Union, was on some of the great Virginia Union teams of the late 1980s that battled WSSU every year in the CIAA.
“I know all about the Rams and their history,” Hill-Eley said.
Blount said that the teams have exchanged game films.
“He thinks that we have a pretty good football team, and we are thinking they have a pretty good football team as we look at them on film,” Blount said. “So it should be a good ballgame. The team that has the least turnovers will win the ballgame.”
■ Jed Bines, who is No. 4 on WSSU’s all-time rushing list, needs 77 yards to reach 3,000 for his career. He also is sixth in school history with 28 career touchdowns…. Punter Jermaine Mack is averaging 34.3 yards a punt. Mack, a junior defensive back, won the job in preseason camp…. Place-kicker Matt Mitchell, a freshman, has yet to attempt a field goal through two games but is 5 for 5 on point-after attempts…. WSSU’s offensive line did not allow a sack in the opener against N.C. A&T but gave up five sacks in Saturday’s loss to Coastal Carolina.
Football Championship Subdivision report
Beck Cross, Arkansas Democrat-GazetteUAPB Moore to start Junior quarterback Johnathan Moore, who came on in relief of senior starter Chris Wallace and threw two touchdown passes in last week’s 21-3 victory at Alcorn State, will start Saturday against Alabama State at Golden Lion Stadium. Wallace, the preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, has not practiced this week and likely will not play Saturday because of a bout with the flu. “He [Wallace ] has been sick all week and I didn’t let him practice this week and he’s not going to play this week,” UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “He’s had the flu and has been coughing... It’s exhaustion and his body is just run down.”
Saturday will mark Moore’s third career start. He started last year’s SWAC championship game against Alabama A&M and led the Golden Lions to a 7-6 halftime advantage before Wallace entered the game in the second half. UAPB lost 22-13.
“I feel good with Johnathan,” Forte said. “He’s been waiting for his opportunity and he has talent and skills. I’m looking forward to seeing him manage this football team.” Defense shines
UAPB’s offense has struggled in its first two games, but there’s no complaining about the defense’s play under coordinator Monte Coleman.
UAPB’s defense leads the SWAC, yielding only 190. 5 yards per game and also boasts the top run defense, which is giving up 23 yards per game.
Junior end Ledarious Anthony, who was named the SWAC’s defensive player of the week, has 19 total tackles and leads the conference with 1 3 / 2 sacks. Mental block ?
Alabama State remains the only team in the SWAC that UAPB has yet to beat in three seasons under Coach Mo Forte.
In fact, the Hornets have beaten the Golden Lions in four consecutive matchups and six out of the past seven, capped by last year’s 31-13 victory in Montgomery, Ala. It marked the most lopsided loss of the season for UAPB, which went on to win the West Division title.
Alabama State, which was picked in preseason to finish third in the East Division, could be the surprise team of the conference. The Hornets are 2-0 with victories against perennial power Jacksonville State (24-19 ) and at Texas Southern (21-10 ). UAPB to honor 10
UAPB will add 10 members to its sports hall of fame at its annual banquet tonight at the Junior League Building in Little Rock.
Those being inducted former football and basketball Coach Charles “Pop” Spearman, football standout Allie Freeman, former Little Rock Hall Coach Oliver Elders, former NFL player Caesar Belser, track standout Aaron Harris, All-SWAC basketball player Jesse Mason, Jr., former Little Rock Hall football Coach Roy Wade, women’s basketball players Helen Hughes-Smith and Susan Weaver-Vasser and 1996 Olympic trials participant Demetrica Hayes-Thomas.
UAPB Golden Lions AD sets goals high
BY BECK CROSS, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
PINE BLUFF — Louis “Skip” Perkins has been on the job for just over a month as Arkansas-Pine Bluff ’s athletic director, but there’s little doubt he has the program moving in the right direction.
Perkins, 35, who is one of the youngest athletic directors in NCAA Division I, is engaging and infectious when he talks about his goals for the UAPB athletic program.
Perkins took over for Craig Curry, whose three-year contract was not renewed in June by UAPB Chancellor Lawrence Davis.
“My immediate goals are fundraising and bringing all sports on campus,” said Perkins, who signed a three-year contract with UAPB. “But one of my major goals is to win a SWAC [Southwestern Athletic Conference ] championship. It’s been over 30 years since we’ve won a SWAC title in any sport and that’s going to change. We’ve been ninth and 10 th, respectively, in a lot of sports and that’s not good enough. We’re going to install a winning attitude here.”
Perkins’ first order of business was making the football schedule more fan accessible. He was aghast when he learned the defending West Division champion Golden Lions were playing only three games in Pine Bluff and one in Little Rock.
Lewis, who vowed the Golden Lions will play no fewer than five in-state games a year in his tenure, immediately went to work to put Central Arkansas and Arkansas-Monticello on next year’s schedule. UAPB has a two-year deal to play UCA at War Memorial Stadium and a three-year deal to play UAM at Golden Lion Stadium.
This year, UAPB plays its two nonconference opponents — Southern Illinois and New Mexico State — on the road.
“This was an easy fix for me,” Perkins said. “I know what a paid game is and what a classic is, and the games on this [2007 ] schedule wouldn’t be considered either of those two. Southern Illinois is a home-and-home agreement and by the time we pay all of the bills from going to New Mexico State, we’re coming home with nothing. We’re better off playing at home and we’ve added two in-state rivals that everybody’s going to love to be a part of.”
Perkins also fits the bill as a strong fundraiser. Before taking the UAPB job, he was an assistant athletic director at his alma mater, North Carolina Central, and spearheaded a drive that raised more than $ 1. 8 million in a fiscal year.
“The reason that’s so special is because we have so much competition,” Perkins said. “There’s Duke, there’s North Carolina, there’s North Carolina State and everybody is going after the same person [for fundraising ].
“ Some of it was not taking no for an answer but a lot of it was asking. We just didn’t ask before. It’s simple as that. Raising funds is my No. 1 priority at UAPB and we’re the only shop in town. Some progress has been made but I’m ready to take it to the next level.”
Perkins heard about the UAPB vacancy in July and was immediately interested.
“I heard that they were looking for someone who could raise some funds and someone who had energy,” Perkins said. “I thought I had what they needed so I immediately applied.”
Davis agreed after bringing Perkins in for an interview.
“We brought him down and let him meet the appropriate people and his background in fundraising, his contacts and his energy made him very attractive to us,” Davis said. “We have great anticipation and we’re very optimistic about our future under his leadership.”
Perkins also has the endorsement of head football Coach Mo Forte, who has done his part to bring excitement to the athletic program by leading the Golden Lions to their first SWAC West Division title in 2006.
“The time I’ve been around him he is enthusiastic and he has a lot of energy,” Forte said. “I think he’s going to be able to go out and raise money, which is what they brought him in here to do. He’s got a good personality and I think he’s going to do a good job.”
Perkins insisted the UAPB job isn’t a stepping stone.
“This community is wonderful and my wife and I can’t go anywhere without someone stopping us and telling us how glad they are we’re here and that we can do it,” Perkins said. “I don’t know how much higher I can go because I’m an athletic director in the SWAC conference. I’m embedded in this community and I’m here for the long run. I want to win a SWAC championship and then I want to compete for the all-SWAC trophy, and that’s going to take time. We’re going to have continuity.”
PINE BLUFF — Louis “Skip” Perkins has been on the job for just over a month as Arkansas-Pine Bluff ’s athletic director, but there’s little doubt he has the program moving in the right direction.
Perkins, 35, who is one of the youngest athletic directors in NCAA Division I, is engaging and infectious when he talks about his goals for the UAPB athletic program.
Perkins took over for Craig Curry, whose three-year contract was not renewed in June by UAPB Chancellor Lawrence Davis.
“My immediate goals are fundraising and bringing all sports on campus,” said Perkins, who signed a three-year contract with UAPB. “But one of my major goals is to win a SWAC [Southwestern Athletic Conference ] championship. It’s been over 30 years since we’ve won a SWAC title in any sport and that’s going to change. We’ve been ninth and 10 th, respectively, in a lot of sports and that’s not good enough. We’re going to install a winning attitude here.”
Perkins’ first order of business was making the football schedule more fan accessible. He was aghast when he learned the defending West Division champion Golden Lions were playing only three games in Pine Bluff and one in Little Rock.
Lewis, who vowed the Golden Lions will play no fewer than five in-state games a year in his tenure, immediately went to work to put Central Arkansas and Arkansas-Monticello on next year’s schedule. UAPB has a two-year deal to play UCA at War Memorial Stadium and a three-year deal to play UAM at Golden Lion Stadium.
This year, UAPB plays its two nonconference opponents — Southern Illinois and New Mexico State — on the road.
“This was an easy fix for me,” Perkins said. “I know what a paid game is and what a classic is, and the games on this [2007 ] schedule wouldn’t be considered either of those two. Southern Illinois is a home-and-home agreement and by the time we pay all of the bills from going to New Mexico State, we’re coming home with nothing. We’re better off playing at home and we’ve added two in-state rivals that everybody’s going to love to be a part of.”
Perkins also fits the bill as a strong fundraiser. Before taking the UAPB job, he was an assistant athletic director at his alma mater, North Carolina Central, and spearheaded a drive that raised more than $ 1. 8 million in a fiscal year.
“The reason that’s so special is because we have so much competition,” Perkins said. “There’s Duke, there’s North Carolina, there’s North Carolina State and everybody is going after the same person [for fundraising ].
“ Some of it was not taking no for an answer but a lot of it was asking. We just didn’t ask before. It’s simple as that. Raising funds is my No. 1 priority at UAPB and we’re the only shop in town. Some progress has been made but I’m ready to take it to the next level.”
Perkins heard about the UAPB vacancy in July and was immediately interested.
“I heard that they were looking for someone who could raise some funds and someone who had energy,” Perkins said. “I thought I had what they needed so I immediately applied.”
Davis agreed after bringing Perkins in for an interview.
“We brought him down and let him meet the appropriate people and his background in fundraising, his contacts and his energy made him very attractive to us,” Davis said. “We have great anticipation and we’re very optimistic about our future under his leadership.”
Perkins also has the endorsement of head football Coach Mo Forte, who has done his part to bring excitement to the athletic program by leading the Golden Lions to their first SWAC West Division title in 2006.
“The time I’ve been around him he is enthusiastic and he has a lot of energy,” Forte said. “I think he’s going to be able to go out and raise money, which is what they brought him in here to do. He’s got a good personality and I think he’s going to do a good job.”
Perkins insisted the UAPB job isn’t a stepping stone.
“This community is wonderful and my wife and I can’t go anywhere without someone stopping us and telling us how glad they are we’re here and that we can do it,” Perkins said. “I don’t know how much higher I can go because I’m an athletic director in the SWAC conference. I’m embedded in this community and I’m here for the long run. I want to win a SWAC championship and then I want to compete for the all-SWAC trophy, and that’s going to take time. We’re going to have continuity.”
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