B-CU's Odom finds his stride

You gotta love the guys that always claim they turned down a scholarship offer from Florida A&M University Rattlers to play at Bethune Cookman. These guys, like Brendan Odom only wish they were good enough to get signed by Coach Rubin Carter. At best, this guy would be an invited "walk-on" at FAMU, if invited at all. Hardheaded, suspension, doing stupid stuff--Odom is not FAMU student-athlete material. Not one mention of his academic interests, pursuits (if any) or his degree program at BCU. Thanks for not selecting FAMU, Odom.... (beepbeep)
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By SEAN KERNAN, Daytona Beach News Journal Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman sophomore linebacker Brendan Odom made a few mistakes his freshman year with the Wildcats.

His mother, Brenda Odom, and stepfather, Andrew Jones, made sure he didn't make another one when he wanted to transfer out of B-CU.

"My parents, I guess they like the way Coach (Alvin) Wyatt runs things, and they weren't going to let me transfer," Odom said with a big grin on Wednesday. "Momma wasn't going to let me go. Daddy wasn't going to let me go. So I stayed."

And for that, Odom has been rewarded. He's a sophomore starter capable of playing an outside or inside linebacker position. The 20-year-old's efforts have given the defense a real lift in the team's 2-1 start.

Odom, from the three-traffic-light town of Lake Butler, said he wasn't happy with the limited playing time he received as a freshman last year. He and teammate Julio Sanchez, who eventually left B-CU, had discussed transferring.

"Coach (Wyatt) wanted to redshirt us," Odom said. "I don't know how the subject came up, but we talked about transferring."

Odom describes some of his actions last year as "hard-headed."

"I played last year, but I was hard-headed," Odom said. "I got in trouble. I got suspended for two games for doing stupid things. I learned from it. I had the big head. I thought I was the deal. I got in trouble for not coming to practice, just stupid stuff that I should have known better not to do."

Wyatt thinks back to last season and wishes Odom had backed off his request to play.

"He crushed my heart last year because we really wanted to redshirt him, but he really wanted to play," Wyatt said. "It got to a point that he was contemplating transferring. He felt that he was just that good and he wanted to get on the field. We thought he was a year away. We wanted to have him around for five years. He played sparingly last year, which I thought was a wasted year for him."

But that's in the past. When Odom reported to camp this year he already was penciled in as a starting outside linebacker. However, a hand injury to senior captain Rodney Hughes forced Odom's move to the inside. Wyatt describes Odom's play as "nothing but great for us."

Odom is the third-leading tackler on the team with 22 tackles, three behind leader Bobbie Williams, a senior free safety. Odom shares the team lead of nine solo tackles with Williams, Josh Balloon and Antwane Cox.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Odom turned down offers from Rice and Florida A&M on signing day in 2006. And despite his thoughts about transferring last year, he now insists he's in the right place.

"I love being a Wildcat," Odom said. "I'm staying here. I want to help keep the young players from making the same mistakes I made as a freshman. I'm very happy here."

And for that, Odom can thank his parents.

That's something the B-CU coaches surely will do the next time they see Odom's mom and dad.

Tennessee State center likes chances with Lakers

Photo: #44, Former TSU's Larry Turner

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

Larry Turner didn't exactly bounce right from college basketball to the NBA.

There was plenty of unfinished business the 6-foot-11 Turner needed to tend to after graduating last spring from Tennessee State University.

Eventually he signed a two-year free agent contract with the Lakers. He arrived in Los Angeles just this week, and Wednesday went through his first workout, a one-on-one session with Lakers' forward-center Kwame Brown.

"I'm excited and looking forward to it,'' Turner said. "It's always been my dream to play in the NBA."

Hearing that Turner, who averaged 5.8 points and 6.1 rebounds for TSU, had signed with the Lakers came as a surprise for some. The 2005 transfer from Oklahoma was never a consistent contributor for the Tigers and didn't even stay in the starting lineup.

After leaving TSU, Turner relied on a local training facility, Velocity Sports Performance in Cool Springs.

When Turner showed up, he was 233 pounds and determined to get bigger and stronger, according to Mick Weber, Director of Sports Performance at the facility. Working two-hour sessions, five times a week, Turner increased his bench press from 300 to 335 pounds, and bulked up to 255 pounds. Turner worked feverishly to improve his game. He worked one-on-one with Pistons star Nazr Mohammed and the Celtics' Rajon Rondo, and played in the NBA Summer League.

Under the deal, Turner will have to play well in next month's camp to make the team, said his agent Holman Harley. He'll be guaranteed his yearly salary — which Harley refused to disclose — if he can stick until Jan. 10.

"I was able to run the floor pretty well in the summer league,'' Turner said. "I led the Lakers in blocked shots and they liked that."

"He's a big guy that runs the floor, plays hard, listens, blocks shots, rebounds the basketball," Lakers assistant coach and former player Kurt Rambis told Lakers.com. "He's big and strong and has a big body."
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From Lakers sources...

In August of last year, the Star ran a story on Turner, who had been sent by TSU to the Philippines for six weeks of training under Kirk Collier, the skills coach of San Miguel Beer and Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA. He is the first ever player signed by the Los Angeles Lakers that trained in the Philippines.

I’m very happy for Larry, he’s a really good person," Collier told The Star. "If he stays with the team beyond Jan. 10, then his contract will be binding."

Collier worked with Turner on his post moves and perimeter game, and believes the former Oklahoma player will be a good fit with the league’s superstars, like Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom.

"He has a long way to go, but he’s earned this opportunity," says Collier, who originally came to the Philippines to train the players of Red Bull. "What he has to do now is fit in, and not try to be a big scorer right away."

Hampton U stays undefeated despite wasting 17-0 lead

Photo: Hampton University WR Justin Brown, 6-2 Jr., Surfside Beach, S.C./Dover HS / Lakawanna JC

By PAUL WHITE, The Virginian-Pilot

HAMPTON - Hip-hop ruled at Hampton University on Thursday night, but for those who bothered to check it out, the Pirates and Morgan State put on one heck of a football show, too.

T.J. Mitchell hit Justin Brown with a 30-yard touchdown pass on third-and-15 in overtime as the 13th-ranked Pirates survived the Bears 24-17 before 5,360 in a nationally-televised MEAC showdown at Armstrong Stadium.

The three-time defending conference champion s improved to 3-0, all MEAC victories, and won their fifth straight over the Bears (1-3, 0-1).

The game played out as rap star Young Jeezy was jamming across the street at the Hampton Convocation Center. A large portion of the Hampton faithful apparently chose Jeezy; the Pirates and Bears played before huge swatches of empty seats at Armstrong.

The Pirates could have used the support. After bolting to a 17-0 second-quarter lead, the Pirates succumbed first to their own mistakes, then to the potent rushing tandem of quarterback Byron Selby and tailback Chad Simpson .

Selby came on in the second quarter and confounded Hampton’s defense by scampering out of the pocket. He finished with 95 rushing yards.

Simpson, the nation’s No. 3 rusher going in, ripped off 141 yards on 32 carries. His 6-yard scoring run late in the second quarter pulled the Bears to within 17-10. Then, with 5:16 left in the third quarter, Simpson ran in from 5 yards out to tie things at 17.

Photo: Mr. Consistency - MSU Chad Simpson, 33 carries, 142 yards, 2-TDs against Hampton University.

From there, only big plays by Pirates defenders kept the Bears from surging ahead. Hampton defensive back James Pope blocked a 33-yard field goal attempt with 12:12 left in the fourth quarter. And with 3:09 left, cornerback Jackie Bates outdueled Roderick Wolfe to come down with an interception at the Hampton 1-yard line.

In overtime, two Pirates running plays lost 5 yards. yards. But on third down, Mitchell hit Brown at about the 15-yard line, and the junior receiver zipped past Bears defensive back Darren McKahn and into the end zone.

The Bears tried to answer on their overtime possession, but Byron Selby’s fourth-down pass sailed over the head of Robert Surratt.

The game-winning TD pass was one of three scoring tosses on the night for Mitchell, who now has nine on the season.

His first went to an unlikely target –- 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive tackle Marcus Dixon. Dixon, inserted on offense at tight end, leaped over 5-11 cornerback Chris Williams to corral the ball, then secured it while lying on his back in the end zone.

The Pirates went ahead 14-0 when Mitchell connected with former Landstown High teammate Jeremy Gilchrist on a 73-yard scoring play.

A 32-yard field goal by Carlo Turavani made it 17-0. From there, however, the Pirates closed the half with a Mitchell interception, a near-interception and a Dennis Mathis fumble. Meanwhile, after inserting Selby in place of ineffective starter Mario Melton, the Bears began clawing back.

Mitchell finished 14 of 34 passing for 253 yards. Gilchrist caught three passes for 107 yards.

ATTENDANCE: 5,360

Photo Gallery: The Real HU!

Miners to face FCS Texas Southern next

Photo: TSU played in a downpour at JSU last week.

By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times

After three weeks of butting heads against a pair of rivals and a major-conference big boy, the UTEP football team faces the other side of the looking glass this week against Texas Southern.
"It's a big deal, playing a Division 1 team," Tigers quarterback Tino Edgecomb said. "I consider myself a Division 1-type player, and this is a chance to play a school in a different division, to prove ourselves."

"It's a really great football atmosphere up there," said Texas Southern head coach Steve Wilson, whose team last played in El Paso in 2005. "Our kids get a chance to see (UTEP) on TV a lot, so this is exciting for us. This is a game our kids look forward to."

Texas Southern arrives in El Paso this weekend as a team, like the Miners, searching for an identity. They are traditionally a team that plays solid defense and struggles on offense, and tradition has held form this year.

The Tigers managed just 30 yards of offense last week in a downpour at Jackson State, dropping their season rushing average to 23.7 yards per game and their total offense to 250.0 yards per game.

The team has shown some competence moving the ball through the air, and they feel they are getting closer as they seek their first victory of the season.

"We've made progress," said Wilson, who is in his fourth year as head coach and second as offensive coordinator. "We've had mistakes in the red zone that have caused some problems.

"Our defense has played well all three games, the defense has been very consistent. Offensively it's more about getting in sync for things to be able to work."

"We're learning from our mistakes," Edgecomb added. "We're

getting close. ... I think the problems we've had have brought everyone closer together. We're sticking together and we're going to get better. This will make us better."

A team that likes to move the ball in the air seems to have a good matchup this week, as the Miners are coming off of back-to-back games where its pass defense was exposed in the second half. Then again, New Mexico State and Texas Tech will have other big games this year.

"We don't look at their defense as being down," Wilson said. "They've played against some pretty high-powered offenses. You can look at it and see what you want to see. Texas Tech can score on anyone in the country. Hal Mumme, I understand what his teams can do.

Photo: TSU defense scrambles for fumble.

"I think (UTEP's) defense is very formidable. We'll have to do well to have a chance."

"I think they look good," Edgecomb added.

Texas Southern, though, starts with a large defense, as it is holding opponents to just 292.3 yards per game. Wilson lauded the play of 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive end Derrick Gray, 6-foot-3 defensive end Mike Boyd and transfer defensive back Lamar Herron from Oregon State, who was the SWAC newcomer of the year last season.

Gray "is a long, rangy football player with cat-like reflexes," Wilson said.

Offensively, the Tigers feature a pair of dangerous receivers in Brian Haith and Daniel Davis.

"Obviously they haven't played up to their potential this year either," UTEP coach Mike Price said. "They're 0-3 right now but they're pretty much a senior group of guys. They're a huge team on offense and defense. They have a nose guard on defense who is 6-7, 350 pounds (Joe Malone), their tight end is 6-7 (Marcus Justice).

"They've got receivers who can run. Their running back is very good."

Wilson sees the same thing.

"The talent is there, we just haven't put it together," he said. "We feel like it could be any day. People write about what happens n the weekend, but we're out here every day working on getting better. Every game and every day we work on getting better.

"We know we have a tough foe this week. One reason we want to schedule these game is we look forward to playing teams like this."

They will get their chance Saturday.

Defense helped restore team confidence ASU Hornets defense fills seats

Photo: Brandon Averett

By Josh Moon, gannett.com

Alabama State cornerback Brandon Averett is a realist. He knows that in college football, especially on the I-AA level, no one shows up to watch good, hard-nosed defensive struggles.

"People want scoring," said Averett, a preseason all-conference selection in the SWAC. "It's like the saying goes, defense wins championships, but offense sells tickets."

Normally, Averett would be right.

But that's not the case at ASU.

Instead, the Hornets are putting fans in the Cramton Bowl seats almost exclusively with their defense. Attendance, after Saturday's game, promises to be the highest it's been in at least four years.

"It is a little weird that people are so into us playing defense," Averett admits. "I still think they want offense. I just believe they're happy that we're winning ball games, and they know we're a part of that."

Actually, the ASU defense is pretty much the reason for the wins.

In three games, despite being put in bad position after bad position by the offense, the ASU defense is still holding its own. It's ranked in the top four in every major defensive category, including a second-place ranking in total defense.

And to be fair to the ASU defensive players, their rankings are a little skewed thanks to the offense. Through three games, the Hornets have allowed opposing offenses just two touchdowns. And one of those came after an ASU fumble, which set up a 9-yard scoring drive.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, the defense is our backbone," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "The way those guys have played after the position we've put them in some instances is amazing. I told every-one before the season that if this is going to be a championship-caliber team, the defense is going to have to carry us there. It's that simple."

The defensive players were listening.

"Coach put it on our shoulders, on our backs, and we're carrying that load," ASU rover Rechard Johnson said. "We don't mind. It is a little frustrating sometimes. But this is a team sport, and you're only as good as the guy next to you. We're playing with a lot of confidence and the offense is still trying to work some things out. That's fine. We know those guys will get it going."

Why Johnson or any of the ASU defensive players would believe that isn't clear. The Hornets have had offensive problems since the day quarterback Tarvaris Jackson and running back Keldrick Williams walked off the Cramton Bowl playing field for the last time in 2005.

Last year, the offense was a disaster most of the season, as ASU ranked in the bottom three in almost every major offensive category. It managed just 18 points per game and just over 100 yards per game passing.

But while that put an incredible strain on the defense last year, it also helped it get better.

"We're kind of used to playing this role now," Averett said. "We sort of went through this last year and I think it helps a lot. We know our schemes and what's expected of us. That makes a big difference."

And while he knows the defense has been the difference between a 3-0 start and an 0-3 start, Averett isn't ready to concede that his group is putting butts in the seats.

"I'm sticking to the saying," he said, with a smile. "Maybe we can change. That would be cool. But I don't think so. People like scoring too much."

Eugene Harris takes over FAMU men basketball program

Photo: FAMU Men's Basketball Coach Eugene Harris

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Former Florida State player Eugene Harris was hired as the men's basketball coach at Florida A&M, today. University president James Ammons said Harris' contract would be a four-year deal, though the details were still being finalized.

The Tallahassee Democrat has reported this afternoon that Harris contract was approved this morning by teleconference by the FAMU Board of Trustees for a period of four years at a salary of $155,000 per year.

Harris succeeds Mike Gillespie, who is now serving a year's probation after a no contest plea to stalking a former girlfriend. Gillespie coached six seasons for the Rattlers and took the school to the NCAA tournament on two occasions. FAMU went 21-13 last season and made the NCAA tournament, losing to Niagara in the opening round game.

"My goal and my job is to take it to the next level," Harris said. "To win games in the NCAA tournament and go on to the Sweet 16."

Although he has spent most of his coaching career as an assistant in collegiate circles, Harris also coached high school basketball in Tallahassee and Alabama.

Harris played for coach Hugh Durham at Florida State and scored 956 career points. He was a three-year starter and co-captain of a team that won the Metro Conference in 1978.

"Once a Seminole now a Rattler," athletic director Nelson Townsend said as he introduced Harris. "These are no ordinary times and we didn't go looking for any ordinary coach."

Harris, a 1973 Scottsboro High graduate, has had college coaching stops at South Alabama, Clemson, Auburn and Alabama and was formally recently hired for the new staff for coach Rob Barnes at Georgia State. Coach Harris spent last basketball season as the head coach at Smiths Station High School near Auburn.

"I'm very excited. I think (the FAMU men's basketball players) are excited, too," FAMU Athletic Director Nelson Townsend told the The Tallahassee Democrat.

Luke owns 26-8 career record as starter for AAMU Bulldogs

The SWAC is loaded with great players like Jay Peck (Alabama State), Jarmaul George (Southern) and Zach East (Prairie View A&M) -- just to name a few.

• Morgan State at Hampton
7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday , TV: ESPNU

However, Alabama A&M's brilliant quarterback Kelcy Luke has been the most impressive of the bunch. Luke, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior, has completed 55 of 90 attempts for 838 yards and 10 touchdowns, with just one interception. "He's what I call a special player," said Anthony Jones, Bulldogs head coach. "He's always working to get better. He has grown and developed every year. I think everyone can truly see his youth and development over last year."

Luke has guided the Bulldogs to a 3-0 record which includes wins over Tennessee State, Clark-Atlanta and Mississippi Valley State. Alabama A&M, the defending SWAC champions, will visit Grambling State (1-1) at Eddie Robinson Stadium on Saturday (ESPNU, 7 p.m.). "[Grambling State first-year coach] Rod Broadway has them playing well in all phases of the game," Jones said. "We got our hands full going on the road where we haven't had any success before. So, we're going to have to be ready to play against a good football team."

Alabama A&M defeated Grambling State 30-27 in overtime last season in Huntsville. It helped that Luke was the quarterback. He's been the difference maker for the Bulldogs.

Luke was a terrific star at Central High School in Phenix City, Ala. He originally signed with Auburn. He redshirted his only season with the Tigers. In 2004, he transferred to Alabama A&M, which was a great move for him. At that time, Auburn had Jason Campbell, who is now the starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins. Ironically, Kelcy's older brother, Nic, also played for the Bulldogs. Nic transferred to Alabama A&M from the University of Alabama. They played together and helped the Bulldogs win the SWAC championship last year.

Nevertheless, Luke had an immediate impact on the program as the team's signal-caller. He has compiled a sensational 26-8 record as a starter. "Since Kelcy's been here, he's been a winner," Jones said. "His first year, he came in as a redshirt freshman and we ended up winning seven games under his leadership. He helped us as a freshman. Then, he was off and on injured during that time. The last two years he's helped us to win nine games a season."

In the past two years, Luke has taken Alabama A&M to back-to-back SWAC championship games. A year ago, the Bulldogs won the conference crown with a 9-3 record. Winning isn't the only thing that has brought him a lot of attention. He holds the school's career marks for passing yards (5,227), passing attempts (766), completions (432), TD passes (46) and total offense (6.520).

"His leadership and ability to understand the game along with making plays just elevates the play of everyone around him," Jones said. "He's a leader. He's very valuable to our football team. I'm blessed to have him."

HBCU notes

• Alabama State running back Jay Peck was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week. Peck had 35 carries for 146 yards. It was his second consecutive 100-yard game this season and the seventh of his career. Southern defensive end Vincent Lands was named SWAC Defensive Player of the Week. Land had eight tackles (five solo) to go along with 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Jaymar Johnson tallied 117 yards and a touchdown on two punt returns to help Jackson State defeat Texas Southern, 28-7. Johnson, Jackson State's senior wide receiver and return specialist, was named SWAC Specialist of the Week.

• Morgan State running back Chad Simpson rushed for a career-best 221 yards on 41 carries including a 33-yard TD as Morgan State fell in the final seconds to Winston-Salem State. Simpson was named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week. Tyrone McGriff led Florida A&M in tackles with 11, eight solo, in a 30-17 win over Howard. McGriff was named the MEAC Defensive Player of the Week.

• Florida A&M running back Phillip Sylvester was one of two players to post more than 200 yards rushing in the MEAC last week. Sylvester rushed for 222 yards on 21 carries. He earned MEAC Rookie of the Week honors.

• Morgan State offensive tackle Dakarai Grimsley played extremely well against Winston-Salem State. Grimsley graded out a 98 percent on his assignments and collected five pancake blocks as he helped the Bears to 366 total offensive yards against the Rams.

• Hampton place-kicker Carlo Turavani was 8-for-8 on extra-point attempts, and he had a 28-yard field goal as the Pirates defeated North Carolina A&T, 59-14.

-Donald Hunt is a columnist for The Philadelphia Tribune.

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Slowing down Edwards will be a big key

If Alabama A&M is going to have a chance to beat Grambling Saturday night, defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns says the Bulldogs have to slow down Tigers wide receiver Clyde Edwards.

Edwards, rated as the seventh-best receiver in the Football Championship Subdivision by The Sports Network, has had an outstanding career and is closing in on a number of records.

He needs 680 yards to surpass Scott Anderson (3,182) as the school's all-time leader in receiving yards. He needs seven touchdowns to surpass Anderson (35) as the Tigers' all-time leader in that category and needs 46 receptions to pass Tramon Douglas (193) in that category.

"It seems like Edwards has there seven years," Towns said, laughing. "We probably need to check his eligibility. (Former coach) Doug (Williams) probably held him out a year or two before they put him in the rotation.

"He's a heck of a receiver. He has made big catches for them over the years against us. The key for us to to get some pressure on (Brandon) Landers to mess up their timing and keep everything in front of us."

Edwards has 15 catches for 239 yards against the Bulldogs. His best performance was a nine-catch, 122-yard effort in the 2005 SWAC championship game when the Tigers won 45-6. He had five catches for 100 yards in A&M's 30-27 overtime victory last season.

Ironically, A&M is the only team in the SWAC that Edwards hasn't caught a touchdown pass against.

Second-half adjustments critical to A&M's success: One of the best things A&M has done during coach Anthony Jones' tenure is make adjustments at halftime and this season is no different. In fact, the Bulldogs have been even more impressive after intermission during their first three games.

While A&M is averaging 45 points per game, the Bulldogs have done significant damage in the second half. A&M has outscored its opponents 100-26 in the second half opposed to 45-21 in the first half. In wins over Tennessee State and Mississippi Valley State, the Bulldogs have erupted for 35 points in the second half in each game.

"Once we're able to make the adjustments and go over them with our kids ... our kids strive on adjustments," Jones said. "You can see them listening. They have a lot of confidence in the coaching staff and we have a lot of confidence in them."

Furthermore: When tailback Ulysses Banks rushed for 103 yards Saturday night against Mississippi Valley State, he became the first A&M running back to compile back-to-back 100-yard games since Nic Luke accomplished the feat in 2005. Banks became the first A&M back in the Division I era to top the 200-yard mark with 211 yards on 19 carries against Clark Atlanta. Luke had 117 yards against MVSU and 116 yards against Allen University. ... With two 100-yard receiving games this season, Thomas Harris became the first A&M wide receiver since Kenyon Hambrick in 2000 to have multiple 100-yard receiving games in a season. Hambrick finished the 2000 season with four games with 100-plus yards. ... Grambling QB Brandon Landers is 0-2 against A&M. A&M is one of three teams - Alabama State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff are the other two - that Landers hasn't beaten during his career.

Reggie Benson

Broadway gives Grambling rebuilding plan

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

New coach aware of past, but he's stressing patience

Rod Broadway knows all about Grambling. He knows about legendary coach Eddie Robinson, famed quarterback Doug Williams and all of the other great players who played for the Tigers.

But Broadway also knows winning takes time. Particularly after inheriting a team that went 3-8 last season and lost five of its last six games. That's why Broadway got the job in the first place.

"We're honored to be here and be a part of something Coach Robinson built and we're going to try to add to that," Broadway said. "One of the things that we are dealing with, going into this season, is going through this transitional period.

"It's new to them ... it's new to us. We're still trying to get a feel for them (and) they're still trying to get a feel for us. The only ure for that is time."

Unfortunately for Broadway, Grambling fans want to win now.

"Any time you come into a new situation, you have to change the culture and the attitude of the players," he said. "If we can do that, we'll have a chance to have a pretty good team. I think our guys are buying into what we are trying to do. Hopefully, we can win enough games to stay around here a long time."

Beating Alabama A&M, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, Saturday night will certainly help Broadway's cause.

The Tigers host the Bulldogs at Robinson Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 and the game will be televised on a tape-delayed basis at 9 on ESPNU.

"This will be a great challenge for us," Broadway said. "We're looking forward to playing this game."

Grambling opened the season with a 31-10 win over Alcorn State.

The Tigers fell 34-10 at Pittsburgh two weeks ago in a game that was much closer than the score indicated. Grambling was victimized by three turnovers and a couple of special teams miscues led to Pittsburgh scores.

"We played well in the second half," said Broadway, whose team held Pittsburgh to three points in the final 30 minutes. "We were in the red zone five times and came away with three points.

"We played for 60 minutes. They didn't quit. Learning to play through adversity is a big thing."

The Tigers' effort against the Panthers, even in defeat, impressed Broadway.

"I like this team," he said. "I like the direction we're going. We have enough talent to be a good football team, but we've got a lot of work to do here. We're just trying to do what gives us the best chance to win football games."

Broadway says he has studied how A&M coach Anthony Jones has made the Bulldogs' program into one of the league's best. He's using Saturday's game as a measuring stick.

"That's not by accident," Broadway said when asked about A&M's success. "They've had a good program year in and year out. I'm envious of what they've done. Hopefully, we can do as well as they've done."

ASU's Mitchell makes most of opportunity

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Press-Register

Quarterback and LeFlore graduate has led Hornets to 3-0 start

During Alabama State's summer workout sessions, Chris Mitchell knew he'd have to be patient to get his shot.

The LeFlore graduate didn't have to wait long.

Mitchell took over at quarterback in the second quarter of the season opener against Jacksonville State. The result has been the team's first 3-0 start since the 2004 season when the Hornets claimed the SWAC Championship.

"My dream was to be the starter, but, prior to the season, I knew because of my lack of play during the summer that I'd have to wait my turn," Mitchell said. "There was also a case of learning the offensive plays and signals. But I knew once I eventually got in the game I'd be ready to play."

Mitchell, who has completed 37 of 51 passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, transferred from East Mississippi Community College where he started his freshman and sophomore seasons.

He led the Hornets to their third consecutive fourth-quarter comeback win this season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week.

"Chris' laid-back style contributes to our ability to be successful in the fourth quarter and in close games," first-year coach Reggie Barlow said. "Nothing seems to rattle him which concerned me at first, but now I understand that's just his style."

Mitchell admits his style of leadership may have given coaches some misconceptions about his ability to lead the team.

"I'm just a really calm guy most of the time and when game time comes I know what I'm there for and what I need to do," Mitchell said. "I guess that could be confusing to coaches because they couldn't get a clear picture of me as a player. During summer drills, the lack of repetitions bothered me a little but now everyone has shown they have confidence in me."

Mitchell is looking forward to Gulf Coast Classic in Mobile on Sept. 29 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium but knows he can't look past Saturday night's showdown with Alcorn State at the Cramton Bowl.

"We're definitely not looking past Alcorn," he said. "They're a good team, and we expect a hard-fought game. But I'm really looking forward to coming home to Mobile and facing Southern University in this year's Gulf Coast Classic.

"That's going to be very exciting. I'm counting down the days. It's always a blessing to be able to come back home to play in front of family, friends and your old high school coaches."

Lack of consistency pains Mississippi Valley coach

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State (1-2, 1-0 SWAC) at Mississippi Valley (1-2, 1-2)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

ITTA BENA — After watching three weeks of dropped passes and bad reads, Willie Totten's voice is beginning to turn hoarse.

The Mississippi Valley State football coach has dealt with the offensive problems the best he knows how. Sometimes he yells and gets in players' faces. Sometimes he pleads. Sometimes he says nothing and lets his assistants take a crack at motivation.

But with the Delta Devils stuck in a two-game losing slump and archrival Jackson State waiting for them on Saturday, Totten has come to this conclusion: Nothing he says can make the players execute on game day.

"I've said all there is to say on the subject. All of the coaches have. When we start making plays, we'll start winning games again," Totten said. "Instead of watching someone else make the plays, our guys have to want to make that play themselves. It's something that has to come from within."

MVSU (1-2 overall, 1-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is a much different team than a year ago, when it fielded a veteran nucleus including senior quarterback Aries Nelson, linebacker Tyler Knight and wide receiver Tyrone Timmons that led the Delta Devils to consecutive 6-5 seasons.

This year, Totten looks on the field and sees a bunch of young faces. And when one of the freshmen or sophomores is screwing up, the only people to replace them are usually more freshmen and sophomores.

That's part of the reason the MVSU offense has scored just 12 points per game and had less than 200 total yards per game through the season's first three weeks.

"Every time we get something going, we do something to shoot ourselves in the foot," Totten said. "Sometimes it's penalties. Sometimes a missed block. We're missing that continuity."

But with that considerable frustration has also been a dose of encouragement because of several promising young players.

One of them is quarterback Paul Roberts (6-foot-2, 196 pounds), a sophomore from St. John in Gulfport who played sparingly as a true freshman. So far this season, he's thrown for 367 yards, three touchdowns and most importantly - no interceptions.

"I may be young, but if I'm on the field I'm expected to get the job done," Roberts said.

Roberts' favorite target has been tight end Abner Brown, a junior college transfer from Daytona Beach, Fla., who's caught 12 passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.

Running back Ronald Brewer, a redshirt freshman from Germantown, Tenn., also turned heads last week when he racked up 146 rushing yards on just 21 carries against Alabama A&M last week.

A compact 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, Brewer - at least for now - has won the starting spot from junior Johey Hargrett, who led the Delta Devils with 698 rushing yards last season.

"It's kind of hard to keep Brewer off the field when he's running for those big gains," Totten said. "I think that's the first time since I've been here that we've ever had a guy rush for 100 yards against A&M."

Brewer's breakout performance was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing 45-14 loss to Alabama A&M, the defending SWAC champion. The Delta Devils trailed just 10-7 at halftime before falling apart in the second half.

"We weren't tired - we just stopped executing," Totten said. "We turned the ball over a few times and showed our youth. Some of our guys are learning what's expected at the college level."

And now, many on this young MVSU team are learning about the intense buzz created in the Delta when JSU comes to town.

Even Totten admits that if Valley wins this game, many fans will consider the entire season a success even if the team never wins another game.

It's been 12 years since MVSU took a victory from Jackson State.

NCCU's hoops schedule has the Eagles bouncing all over the country -- and vs. Duke on Nov. 9

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Nov. 9 is going to be a big night for the N.C. Central athletics program.

The Eagles are in their first season in NCAA Division I, and so far they have had pretty good results against a primarily Division II football schedule and a handful of high-profile opponents in other fall sports.

But on Nov. 9, the Eagles really join the club of Division I programs as a couple of local rivalries will begin in earnest. The Eagles men's basketball team will play its first official game with Duke at 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium, while women's team goes against North Carolina at 8:30 p.m. at Carmichael Auditorium.

Those games were among the highlights of Wednesday's official release of the Eagles' first basketball schedules as Division I members. The men's schedule will be among the toughest in the country, while the women's schedule certainly is the strongest the Eagles have ever played.

Both season-opening games had been announced previously. But the totality of the schedules -- particularly on the men's side where they will be raking in big money on road trips, which include 15 of their first 16 games -- shows what life is going to be like for the Eagles as big-time expansion teams.

NCCU men's coach Henry Dickerson's club (13-15 last season), which has only seven home games, visits three members of the ACC with trips to Wake Forest on Nov. 19 and N.C. State on Jan. 9. A game at two-time defending NCAA champion Florida on Nov. 14 is on the schedule as part of the Blue Ribbon Challenge that gave the Eagles trips to Rutgers (Nov. 12) and North Dakota State (Nov. 17) as well as the Eagles' home opener against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 21.

Another huge opponent looms on Dec. 22 when the Eagles visit Nebraska, two days after visiting Creighton in their journey to the Cornhusker State. The Eagles will also travel to the Iowa Realty Tournament at Drake Nov. 30-Dec. 1, taking on the host Bulldogs in the first round with Duquesne and Cal State-Northridge in the field.

"This is going to be a big challenge, especially for a young team," Dickerson said. "We're going to be playing some of the best teams in the country, and our guys will know they have to play hard every night. It's going to be about learning to trust each other, and to keep getting better whether we win or lose."

Nine in-state opponents dot the men's schedule. Along with the ACC members the Eagles will travel to Davidson on Nov. 24, Western Carolina on Dec. 5, UNC Wilmington on Dec. 16, East Carolina on Jan. 5, then host Chowan on Feb. 16 and Lenoir-Rhyne on Feb. 20.

ECU, which defeated the Eagles 68-47 in Greenville, is the only holdover from last year's regular-season schedule. NCCU lost its exhibition games at Duke (92-63) and Wake Forest (68-60) last season.

NCCU will host the RTP Hilton Classic on Dec. 29-30 at McLendon-McDougald Gym, taking on Houston Baptist and Concord with former CIAA rival Elizabeth City State the other team in the doubleheaders. The Classic opponents along with Chowan and Lenoir-Rhyne are the only non-Division I foes on the schedule.

As an independent, Dickerson's club will have home-and-home series with just two teams, Coppin State (home on Jan. 16 and away on Jan. 30) and Utah Valley State (away on Jan. 22 and at home on Feb. 19). Except for those two games and the trip to Colgate on Feb. 23 (the Red Raiders will return the visit during the 2008-09 season), the Eagles will collect checks from the other road games. The total will be between $400,000 and $450,000, Dickerson said.

Without the pressure --or ability -- to raise tens of thousands of dollars from road games, the NCCU women's schedule does not have the same recurring David and Goliath theme as the men's. The biggest ongoing challenge for women's coach Joli Robinson and her squad (26-6 last season) is the fact it will have just six home games.

The Eagles will play at cross-town rival Duke for the first time under Robinson on Jan. 3. But after the Tar Heels and Blue Devils the next biggest name on the schedule is Duquesne, where NCCU will visit on Jan. 7.

"This is going to be a good experience for us," said Robinson, who is 177-135 as the Eagles' head coach. "When you're at the Division I level, you're going to play some very tough teams. Playing at Duke and Carolina gives our student-athletes some great opportunities, and this is about them.

"We're also going to be traveling and seeing some places they've never seen before. Sometimes we're not going to know what to expect."

The regular-season women's slate features 11 in-state opponents, including the Lady Eagle Classic against Elizabeth City State on Dec. 7 and Fayetteville State on Dec. 8. NCCU will travel to Elon on Nov. 12, Appalachian State on Nov. 16, take on Lenoir-Rhyne on Nov. 23 and host Catawba Nov. 24 in the Comfort Suites Classic in Salisbury, visit High Point on Jan. 5, return the visit to Fayetteville State on Feb. 4 and host Livingstone on Feb. 16.

The Eagles will play 13 regular-season games against Historically Black colleges. Foremost among those games is the Eagles' Nov. 20 visit to Coppin State, as the two teams shared the Black College national title last year. Norfolk State will visit on Jan. 9, the Eagles' only home game against a Division I team.

Robinson's team will also play a pair of exhibition games, hosting former CIAA rival Virginia State on Nov. 3 and traveling to Wake Forest on Nov. 7.

FAMU Rattlers show some bite in the classroom

Photo: #28, Jason Beach

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Long before loading up to leave Cincinnati for FAMU four years ago, linebacker Dannel Shepard heard constant reminders about the distractions that could beset a freshman football player with star potential.

"Coming down here," Shepard said, "one thing everybody told me is, 'You're going to Florida; you're going to see the girls and you're going to have the parties.'

"My whole thing was I have to prove everybody wrong. I can't be one of the ones that come far away from home and fall off because I have a lot riding on my shoulders."

Shepard, a senior majoring in business administration, is one of four football players who have consistently stayed on the honor roll at FAMU. They've debunked everything they've heard about how easy it is to be taken off course academically, maintaining a 3.0 or better grade-point average.

Two of the others are defensive players: redshirt sophomore linebacker Michael McMillan and redshirt junior defensive back Jason Beach. Redshirt sophomore offensive right tackle Kenneth Lanier is a regular on the honor roll.

Photo: #76 Michael McMillan

They're also performing above average on the football field, with Shepard atop the chart of defensive leaders. In three games he has 28 tackles, five for loss and two quarterback sacks.

McMillan has recorded 11 tackles and Beach 9.

With no game on their schedule this weekend and a lighter week of practice than usual week, the Rattlers can enjoy a little leisure. But the classroom routine remains the same for the players.

"During free time, I know a lot of people have got video games or go clubbing (but) you've got to pick certain days," said McMillan, a pharmacy major who was named to the MEAC All-Academic team this past spring. "I play with my boys and I have fun, but at the same time I've got to study when I get free time.

"I look at it like this: My parents sent me here to get an education and, of course, play football. I'm just trying to balance both of them and keep my grades up while I'm on the field. I just want to be something in life."

While the four student-athletes might be exceptional in their commitment to academics, every player on the team puts in his share of overtime to prepare for classes. There is study hall, tutoring and whatever else it takes for the players to maintain academic standards, said coach Rubin Carter.

Photo: #27, Dannel Shepard

His biggest challenge, Carter said, is with freshmen. They usually come in with big dreams of using college football to get to the next level, sometimes forgetting the balance between the playing field and the classroom.

Most freshmen make the adjustment quickly, though, he said.

"You try to keep things in perspective and also to prioritize - college is first," Carter said. "Academics are first (and) everything else is an addition to what they get here.

"We surround them with a network of people to help them by conveying the message of doing things they need to do."

And then some. Staying above average in the classroom takes more than study hall, said Shepard, recalling the nights he stayed up into the wee hours.

"I just told myself to get focused on my books when I'm tired and sleepy and really don't want to. I just force myself to do better," he said. "I treat it like a football game, start on it as soon as I get the information. I keep going over and as it (the exam) gets closer, I pile it all together and try to get the most I can."

SU tries to get ground attack on track

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

One week after Southern ran for 293 yards against Mississippi Valley State, the Jaguars came down to earth, with 67 yards on 31 carries in a 12-2 win over Prairie View.

The rushing total against Valley was the best total since September 2003 and reinforced the 238 rushing yards from the season opener.

Though the rushing total against PV was still better than five anemic totals last season, it was the worst since Mark Orlando became the team’s offensive coordinator for the final three games of last season.

“We have to get our running game started back,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “We cannot afford to just sporadically try to throw the football. Our throwing game has evolved around us running the football.”

Southern (3-0) hosts Tennessee State (2-1) of the Ohio Valley Conference at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The Jaguars are 5-1 since making the move to Orlando after a 26-10 loss at Alcorn State in which SU ran for 53 yards on 34 carries.

Saturday’s output, however, was the worst rushing game since SU made the staff move and, concurrent with that, emphasized the ground game.

In the first eight games of last season, Southern had running game clunkers of 1, 57, 63 (against Prairie View), 95, 61 and 53 yards. Since then, SU has run for, in order, 236, 152, 131, 238 and 293 before PV (2-1) corralled the Jaguars to the 67 yards Saturday.

There’s a realization Prairie View, in its third season under defensive coordinator Heishma Northern and with linebacker Zach East, is pretty stout defensively.

“Prairie View really came to play,” junior running back Kendrick Smith said.

However, there’s also a concern Northern might have laid down a plan for stopping the Jaguars.

“Prairie View did an outstanding job,” Richardson said. “People will take a look at that.”

Another concern for Saturday is, SU will have to play the first half without senior wide receiver Gerard Landry, who has scored a touchdown in all three games and is the unit’s emotional leader. Landry was ejected midway through the fourth quarter and, by NCAA rules, must sit out the first half.

“You have to be concerned. &hellip It’s going to be a struggle getting to the second half, because he’s made some outstanding plays for us,” Richardson said.

Lee’s completion percentage Saturday was a strong 61.1 percent, but PV kept SU from turning short passes into long gains. Receiver Del Roberts, who turned dink passes into big plays the week before, was held to 38 yards on nine catches.

“It was bad for everybody,” said sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee, 4-1 as a starter. “We just didn’t execute the way we wanted to.”

Lee threw for 144 yards and a touchdown and ran for a season-low 21 yards (also a career low in games in which he’s played at least a half).

“He’s a young quarterback and he’s learning, but we were inconsistent, dropping some passes that cost him some big plays,” Richardson said. “Overall, we hung in there with a good football team.”

SU’s offense, meanwhile, has started slowly all season. The Jaguars had minus-6 yards on 10 plays, with three, three-and-outs, in the first quarter.

The Jaguars had to come up with big plays to score Saturday.

Lee hit Landry on a hot read for a 15-yard touchdown on a third-and-9 in the final minute of the first half.

And holder Nick Benjamin found tight end Evan Alexander for a 12-yard TD on a fake field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter.

“The play was inconsistent, offensively, for us,” Richardson said. “Missed assignments caused some problems for us. Of course, a lot of that was caused by Prairie View putting the pressure on us.”

Southern players lauded Tennessee State as having a physical defense and said getting back offensive rhythm will be a challenge.

“We didn’t perform like we were supposed but the defense stepped up,” Smith said. “We have to execute better than we did. In the game we had some mental busts.”

Southern University Lands makes grade on, off the field

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern junior defensive end Vince Lands is late to practice, really late, every Tuesday and Thursday.

Nobody minds much.

The players and coaches know what a special student Lands is. He majors in microbiology and minors in chemistry, with an A average, and earned Southwestern Athletic Conference All-Academic honors last year.

They also realize what a special player he is. After getting out of class around 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Lands goes to practice, which has already been going on for about two hours.

“Once he gets there, he’s all football player,” SU coach Pete Richardson said.

The SWAC honored Lands as its defensive player of the week, with eight tackles and 2 1/2 sacks in a 12-2 win over Prairie View on Saturday. Richardson gave Lands his personal coach’s award as well. A week earlier, against Florida A&M, he was named the defensive MVP of the Chicago Football Classic.

Putting in the work is the underpinning for everything:

“After film, late at night, I’ll just run around the neighborhood or something,” Lands said of Tuesdays and Thursdays. “I’ll study in the late hours of the night, up to two in the morning,” Lands said of the everyday routine.

At 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, Lands’ game is all about quickness, strength and, of course, plenty of smarts. Lands did a team-best 30 straight bench presses of 275 pounds. For perspective, during the NFL’s combine, the players do the same type of test, only at 225, and 30 would be outstanding even for that lesser weight.

After struggling early last season with cramping late in games, Lands knew conditioning would be a priority this season. So, even while on an internship, the work had to get done.

“His conditioning before we got started is really paying dividends for him,” Richardson said.

Lands didn’t get that strong by toting textbooks, but that’s not far off. His biochemistry and microbial physiology books are companions on road trips — right next to the playbook.

“Even on the road, I bring my books with me, try to catch up with my studies there,” said Lands, who plans on a career as a geriatric internal physician.

Lands spent May and June at an internship at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He took the Medical College Admission Test during preseason camp.

The overachieving started as a two-way player at Glen Oaks High, where Lands was on Class 4A Academic All-State team in 2003 and on The Advocate’s All-Metro team in ’02. Plus, he was on the track team as a runner. (He’s helped the SU track team, as a thrower.)

At the same time, he was in a medical magnet program and worked Fridays, after games, at a nursing home.

Relentlessness pays off.

“He’s going to be successful — I don’t care what he does — because he’s going to put the time in and he expects results from it,” Richardson said.

Keeping up with Lands on the field or off is nearly impossible for mortals.

Delaware State Lavan wants Jones healthy before return

Photo: #4 - Jones, Kareem, RB, 5-11/200, Jr., Lansingburg, NY (Lansingburg HS)

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

DOVER -- What's the deal with Kareem Jones?

After rushing for 171 yards in his Delaware State University football debut against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 1, Jones has carried the ball four times in two games.

Hornets coach Al Lavan said Jones injured his knee in the 23-18 win over Coastal Carolina. That led Lavan to limit Jones to four carries in a win over Florida A&M.

Then, last Saturday at Division I-A Kent State, Jones was dressed and looked healthy on the sidelines but did not see action.

And Jones was missed -- at least in the first half -- as his replacement, Chris Strother, rushed for 30 yards on 20 carries.

"I'm heading to practice right now," Jones said as he jogged to the field on Wednesday. "I was ready to play at Kent State. I'll play [the next game]."

Jones practiced with the first team on Wednesday, but it's still too early to know if he'll start at Hampton on Sept. 29.

The Pirates are the three-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions and are the odds-on favorite to win a fourth title.

The game should determine DSU's chances for its first championship since 1991 when it won a share of it with North Carolina A&T.

When asked how his knee felt, Jones said, "It's a little tight."

Lavan said Jones has not undergone any diagnostic scans or X-rays of his knee, nor has he worn a brace.

After beating FAMU 20-7 to improve to 2-0, Lavan admitted not using Jones in the game because he didn't want to risk a more significant injury.

This week, Lavan has been a little more aloof as to why he didn't play Jones against Kent State.

"Kareem is ready to go," Lavan said earlier this week. "It's just the normal bumps and bruises. We made a decision to go with a two-back set [in the 38-7 loss at Kent State]. I told him I would not play him. It's better in the long run for him to be totally healthy."

Even with his team trailing 7-0 at halftime, Lavan stuck with Strother and third option Lennox Norville while Jones walked around the sideline.

Jones, a transfer from Syracuse, gives the Hornets a different look offensively. A straight-ahead runner, Jones has also spent time on the kickoff return team and brought one back 74 yards.

"It was hard to watch the Kent game from the sidelines," Jones said. "I was really looking forward to showing them what I could do."

Jones left Syracuse over the summer due to a bloated Orange backfield. At the time, Jones' high school coach, Pete Porcelli, said the Jones was interested in landing at either Delaware State or Hampton.

Jones said Wednesday he never visited Hampton.

HU Juniors filling two huge holes impressively

Photo: Van Morgan, #27 RB, 6-0/218 Sr., New Smyrna Beach H.S., Florida

By MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

Thursday Night game
WHO: Morgan State (1-2, 0-0 MEAC) at Hampton (2-0, 2-0).
WHEN: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ESPNU.

Wakeem Goode and Van Morgan are trying to replace two of HU's greatest players.

Wakeem Goode and Van Morgan might have the toughest jobs on Hampton University's football team. How much fun can it be following in the footsteps of players considered the best in school history at their respective positions?

Goode stepped into the starting middle-linebacker spot vacated by Justin Durant. Durant, the three-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Defensive Player of the Year, started last weekend for the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars.

Morgan will start at tailback for the second consecutive game when the Pirates (2-0, 2-0 MEAC) host Morgan State (1-2, 0-0) tonight at 7:30.

He succeeds Alonzo Coleman, the MEAC's all-time leading rusher, now employed on the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad.

By the looks of it, neither appears to be intimidated by the challenge, or even worried about it because they took advantage of the time spent as back-ups to learn from the men they would be replacing.

Photo: Wakeem Goode, #49 LB, 5-11/227 Jr., Benedictine H.S., Cleveland, Ohio

Goode, a 5-foot-11, 227-pound junior, made a team-high 19 tackles the first two games. Morgan, a 6-0, 218-pound junior, started for the first time last Saturday and had 154 yards and two touchdowns in the Pirates' 59-14 win at North Carolina A&T.

"They were in backup roles in the past, but they never had any problem (waiting)," Pirates coach Joe Taylor said. "You can see how good they are. Usually those kinds of kids want to play quickly and ask, 'Why am I not playing more?'

"They just waited their turns and kept on working and working. When they got their opportunities, they made the most of them."

While waiting, they filled in capably as part-time players. Morgan, for instance, became the ball-carrier in the second half of the 2006 opener against Grambling State because Coleman was sidelined by cramps.

He employed his power running style to gain 82 yards on 14 carries, helping the Pirates edge the Tigers 27-26. But he left the game late in the fourth quarter with a deep thigh bruise that limited his playing time the remainder of the season.

When he returned to action he dedicated himself to contributing on special teams and to learning everything he could from Coleman.

"What impressed me most about Alonzo was his attitude toward the game," Morgan said. "He played with an attitude I had never seen before. He approached everything with toughness and had confidence in everything he did.

"I picked up on the focus and fearlessness he carried into every game."

Goode adopted Durant as his role model and shadowed him to the film room regularly. When Durant missed the Norfolk State game last season with a sore back, Goode replaced him. He made six tackles, including three sacks, to earn defensive player of the game honors.

"I learned a lot from Justin," Goode said, "He reacted to things so quickly. Watching film with him he taught me about reacting to the ball before things happened."

Taylor sees a similarity between Goode and Durant because both possess non-stop motors.

"You look at Wakeem's body and you'd say he's too short or not the fastest," Taylor said. "But if you see him in the weight room, you'd understand why he moves so well. He's a tremendous worker.

"He always working some kind of move, a swim technique or a rip technique. That's what allows him to break free of blockers and stay on his feet."

Goode says that he feels no pressure to be another Durant, a sentiment Morgan echoes when asked about Coleman. Then again, both understand they'd better come close or someone on the roster will be ready to step in.

"Expectations are always going to be high because there are so many athletes in this program," Morgan said. "We've had Ardell (Daniels) and Alonzo (Coleman) and Kevin Beverly all do well.

"I feel like any running back in our program could do the same thing, because we know what the expectations are."

Mercer Volleyball Falls at FAMU

Photo: FAMU's Zaira Manzo, Sophomore, 5-10, S., Santa Maria of Fatima High School, Lima, Peru

The Mercer volleyball squad dropped a 3-1 decision to Florida A&M Wednesday evening at the Gaither Center.

After taking the first game of the match, 31-29, the Bears fell in the final three games, 30-19, 30-27 and 30-22.

Florida A&M improves to 2-5 on the season, while Mercer falls to 2-11.

The Bears fell behind early in the first game as the Lady Rattlers took the first four points of the set.

Mercer battled to get within two at the 10-8 mark when FAMU went on a 9-2 run to take a firm lead.

A kill by Julie Darty sparked a 5-1 run for the Bears, narrowing the Lady Rattler lead to four points.

FAMU answered with a 7-1 run to take their largest lead of the game, 25-16.

Drennan Dexheimer notched a kill as the Bears scored seven of the next nine points to put the game at 27-23.

Florida A&M head coach Tony Trifonov called a timeout to regroup his team and the Lady Rattlers came out of the break to score the next two points and put FAMU at game point, 29-23.

The Bears did not give up, reeling off the next eight points to take the come-back win, 31-29.

In the second game, Mercer took the first point on a kill by Julie Darty, but Florida A&M scored the next nine points to jump out to an early 9-1 lead.

The Bears battled back, getting within four points of the Lady Rattlers at the 13-9 mark but back-to-back kills and errors by Mercer once again put FAMU up by eight, 17-9.

Mercer fought to the end but was unable to catch up to the early deficit, falling 20-19 in the game.

Florida A&M took an 11-5 lead in the third game and held on to its lead to the 28-23 mark.

After a timeout called by Mercer head coach Noelle Hughes, the Bears scored four consecutive points to get within one of the Lady Rattlers, 28-27.

FAMU grabbed the final two points to take a 30-27 win in the set.

Mercer fell behind 14-7 in the final game of the match when freshman Erica Vrvilo notched four kills to lead the Bears on a 6-2 run and narrow the Lady Rattlers' lead to three points, 16-13.

The teams battled evenly to 20-17 when Florida A&M scored three straight points to widen its lead once again.

The Lady Rattlers maintained their lead, taking the game, 30-22.

"After being in such a huge deficit in the first game, we fought back to take a great win, but we didn’t control the game on our side for the remainder of the match and committed too many unforced errors, making it easy for FAMU to win," said Hughes.

The Lady Rattlers (2-5) were senior led by Iva Lakic with 27 kills, followed by freshman Jovana Blazeski with 16. Sophomore Zaira Manzo led the team in assists and digs with 52 and 10.

The Lady Rattlers are scheduled to face the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL on September 25 at 6:00 p.m. ET and Bethune Cookman University on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Gaither Gym in Tallahassee, FL.

-Contributed by Mercer Media Relations and FAMU Sports Information

TSU corner Hall expected back for Southern game

By MIKE ORGAN, the Tennessean

Tennessee State starting cornerback Marquez Hall, who missed last week's game at Austin Peay, returned to the practice field Tuesday and expects to play when the Tigers play at Southern at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Hall, a freshman transfer from Vanderbilt, suffered a high ankle sprain late in the game against Jackson State on Sept. 8.

"He says he's ready to go,'' said TSU Coach James Webster. "Southern throws the ball well and it would be a huge boost for us if he's able to play."

Webster said he thought about allowing Hall to play against Austin Peay but worried about causing further damage.

In two games, Hall recorded six tackles and came up with TSU's only interception of the season when he picked off a pass against Alabama A&M.

"It's an ankle injury and he's a skill kid and I just didn't want to take the chance of playing him (against Austin Peay),'' Webster said. "We really needed him, but his health was our number one concern."

Junior Kevin Bledsoe, a former Stratford star who made his first start, replaced Hall. Bledsoe played admirably, making three tackles and breaking up a pass, Webster said.

"I thought he played well,'' Webster said. "He had a penalty (pass interference) and it was a big penalty. It was a tough call. But other than that, I was real pleased with the way Bledsoe played."

Feeling better: Two key defensive players suffered from strep throat last week but were feeling better Monday. Starting free safety Anthony Levine didn't make the trip to Austin Peay, while starting tackle Lamar Divens played but was not in the starting lineup.

Both players practiced Monday and are expected to be with the first team Saturday against Southern.

"We need Divens. He's been sick and he's lost a lot of weight,'' Webster said. "That may be good if we can get him back in shape because he'll be lighter. He's coming back to see if he's going to be OK."

UAPB Moore slated to start against Southern Illinois University

By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial

Johnathan Moore will remain as Arkansas-Pine Bluff's starting quarterback for Saturday's game at Southern Illinois and it appears as though the job will belong to the former Dollarway star for the foreseeable future.
Moore, who replaced Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Chris Wallace under center in Saturday's 12-10 loss to Alabama State after Wallace had missed the previous week of practice with exhaustion, completed 8-of-25 passes for 83 yards and also ran for a score against the Hornets. His start this weekend will be the fourth of his three-year college career.

“Johnathan Moore is still our guy,” Forte said. “The thing he has to do is look at some more film and really study some film of himself and our opponents and just increase his knowledge of the position and what we need from him. We don't need him to go out there and win the game for us, he just needs to play within himself and manage the game and make good decisions.”

Wallace, who spent Saturday on the sidelines in street clothes, has returned to full practice this week and got a number of snaps with the first-team offense on Tuesday. The senior looks to have regained his strength and is slated to be Moore's backup.

“It is great to have Chris back out here,” Forte said. “Any time a member of our UAPB family is sick or hurt or has anything wrong you just pray for him and you want him back out here so it's good to see him back.”

Continued struggles up front

Forte continues to be frustrated by the ongoing struggles of his offensive line, which was unable to hold the line of scrimmage in either facet of the offense for the third straight contest Saturday.

Offensive coordinator and line coach Jonathan Cannon, a former UAPB offensive lineman himself, continues to work long and hard with the group but Forte says there is only so much a coach can do.

“There isn't one thing that we need to focus on or spend extra time on, they just need to keep working and keep getting better and they can't quit,” he said. “It's really just the whole thing that offensive lines work on throughout the season that they need to spend their time in practice doing because we just haven't been good enough.”

Tough loss

The Golden Lions are still stung by their last-second loss in Saturday's Arkansas Classic but the coaching staff has made sure to emphasize the need to move on.

Practice has been crisp to begin the week, especially on Tuesday when UAPB has its longest workout of the week, but the disappointment from the loss still lingers.

“It's been rough,” Forte said. “That's as tough a loss as any right here but these kids are resilient and they know we need to look ahead and never look back anymore.”

A tough test

Southern Illinois will be as tough an opponent as UAPB faces all season. The Salukis are currently ranked sixth in the Football Championship Subdivision after reaching the national semifinals a year ago.

It's a challenge UAPB is welcoming for the second straight year.

“Some teams don't get the chance to play a top ten team but we do and we're going to make the most of it,” Forte said. “They're an outstanding football team with so many talented athletes and they're going to be very tough but we're a good football team and we like challenges.

Last season UAPB hung with SIU for a little over a half and trailed 21-16 early in the third quarter before the Salukis ripped off five straight scores and 27 consecutive points to close the game.

“We were right there in a tough game and then they just broke it open,” Forte said. “It gives our kids confidence that they can compete with them if we play every play and we all know it would be great to go in there and pull an upset.”

Reynolds in running for TSU basketball coaching job

By BRANDON C. WILLIAMS, Houston Chronicle

The latest name to toss in his hat for the Texas Southern men's basketball coaching job is a familiar one to longtime Tigers fans.

Dr. Lacey Reynolds, who is currently an instructor at the school, was confirmed as the third man who applied for the position, joining former TSU basketball star and current Worthing boys basketball Kevin Granger and Paul Mills, coordinator of men's basketball operations at Baylor. Candidates are vying to replace Ronnie Courtney, who was fired in July after four seasons with the Tigers.

Reynolds served as an assistant coach at TSU from 1983-95, where he helped guide the Tigers to four Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season titles and three trips to the NCAA tournament. Among the players he helped bring to the school as chief recruiter was Granger, who starred for the team from 1993-97.

Reynolds was the head coach at Grambling from 1995-99 before returning to TSU as the women's basketball coach from 2000-03. A graduate of Delta State University, he began his collegiate coaching career at the age of 23 when he led Mississippi Industrial College to a 19-10 record during the 1975-76 season. He recently received his educational doctorate in curriculum and instructions.

Granger was the latest to have a formal interview, having met with school officials on Friday.

Whoever is named for the job will face the challenge of putting together a full roster before fall practice begins on Oct. 15. The Tigers have only six players on scholarship returning from a team that finished 14-17 last season.

NCCU prepares for rivalry game

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Mose Rison was a part of some huge rivalries during his long career as an assistant football coach.

During his three seasons at Navy from 1988-90, it was the classic season-ender with Army that could make a bad season good or put a sour note on an otherwise successful year.

Ditto for his six seasons at Stanford from 1995-2000, where a win or loss in "The Big Game" with rival California could do the same thing.

And maybe, just maybe those experiences have prepared N.C. Central's first-year head coach for what he's about to see this weekend.

"Rivalry renewed," said the headline on the Eagles' weekly media notes for their game against North Carolina A&T, their bitterest historic rival, on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Aggie Stadium.

Fittingly, it's NCCU's first football game as a member of the Football Championship Subdivision against another FCS team. The Eagles, who were members of NCAA Division II until this season, are 3-1 against an all-Division II schedule so far and riding a three-game winning streak. A&T is 0-3, has a 19-game losing streak that is the longest in the FCS and is coming off a 59-14 home loss to Hampton.

So does all that make NCCU a prohibitive favorite?

Not on this planet, Rison said Tuesday during his weekly news conference.

"A&T will be the best football team we've played all season," Rison said. "As soon as we finished our game Saturday [an 18-10 victory over Elizabeth City State at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.], I told our players 'Let's not get caught up in the hype.' We all know what this means to both universities."

Rison said beating the Aggies, coached by Lee Fobbs, won't be easy, but the formula is simple.

"I know I don't want to be part of history," Rison said. "We just have to go out and do what we have to do to get ready. We know what we have to do defensively -- we've got to create second- or third-and-long situations. Offensively, we need to avoid giving our defense short fields. And on special teams, we have to figure out a way to hit extra points."

Rison said he has plenty of respect for the Aggies' defense, even in the loss to Hampton.

"They played a very good football team," he said. "But their defense is getting better at running to the football. They tackle well, and they're physical."

The Aggies' sophomore middle linebacker Andre Thornton (6-3, 230) has been in on 25 tackles including 16 solos and four for losses, while junior back Marques Ruffin (6-2, 190) has 22 tackles including 12 solos and two for losses.

NCCU's strength also has been on defense.

"I tell them every week I hope we go on defense first so I can see what they can do," Rison said.

The Eagles' win in New Jersey was a coming-out party of sorts for redshirt freshman Tim Shankle, who picked up 116 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Rison said he liked the way sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown (10-of-23 for 103 yards and a TD) directed the offense and freshman Deshawn Spears (four catches for 28 yards) caught the ball against the Vikings.

NOTES -- A&T leads the series, which was interrupted last season, 45-28-5. ... The Aggies won the last meeting in Greensboro 48-0 in 1991, but three of the past four meetings have been classics at Raleigh's Carter-Finley Stadium. NCCU won 23-22 in 2005, lost 16-15 on Carlos Davalos' 50-yard field goal at the horn in 2004, and won 33-30 in overtime in 2002 after trailing 27-0 heading into the second quarter.

Texas Southern vs. UTEP Miners

UTEP (1-2, 0-0 C-USA) will host Texas Southern (0-3, 0-3 SWAC) of the Championship Subdivision on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. MST. The Miners will be home for four of their next five games. Following next week's conference opener at SMU, UTEP will take on Tulsa (Oct. 6), East Carolina (Oct. 13) and Houston (Oct. 27) in succession at the Sun Bowl. The Miners were dealt a 29-24 loss at I-10 rival New Mexico State last week.

Texas Southern remained winless with a 28-7 setback at Jackson State on Sept. 13. The Tigers have scored 31 points in their first three contests. UTEP is 14-5 in the Sun Bowl under head coach Mike Price. The Miners are 1-0 in the venue in 2007, a season-opening 10-6 triumph over New Mexico. Texas Southern is 0-1 on the road with the aforementioned loss to Jackson State.

The UTEP-Texas Southern Ledger

UTEP has won the two previous matchups between the schools, both in the Sun Bowl. The Miners beat the Tigers 52-6 in 2001 and 45-0 in 2005.

The Last Meeting

UTEP limited Texas Southern to 146 yards of offense in a 45-0 blanking of the Tigers on Nov. 12, 2005 in the Sun Bowl. UTEP won its ninth straight game in the Sun Bowl, extending a school-record streak in the process. Jordan Palmer completed 16 of 23 passes for 248 yards and four touchdowns, breaking Billy Stevens' career record for passing yardage. Palmer helped the Miners to a 28-0 halftime lead, connecting with Marcus Thomas, David Sutton, Chris Marrow and Joe West for scores. He extended the lead to 35-0 on a three-yard touchdown run of his own midway through the third period. A 26-yard field goal by Reagan Schneider and a two-yard run by El Paso native Jon Lane completed the scoring.

Texas Southern missed its best scoring opportunity with 31 seconds remaining in the first half, when Kyle Watson's 22-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Brent Wilson rushed 22 times for 90 yards for the Tigers. Thomas rushed for 112 yards on 18 carries for the Miners, and caught four passes totaling 69 yards. Johnnie Lee Higgins, Jr. chipped in with three receptions for 73 yards.