NCCU's Coard has a nose for winning

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Courtney Coard doesn't have to think hard to remember his first loss as a college football player.

It came in just his second game for N.C. Central, in the 2004 Aggie-Eagle Classic against North Carolina A&T at N.C. State's Carter-Finley Stadium. It was a heartbreaker for the Eagles, who saw the Aggies convert a controversial fumble in the final minute into Carlos Davalos' 50-yard field goal at the horn for a 16-15 win.

And while it was a tough loss for his teammates, Coard didn't quite know how to react.

"I had to sit down and think about how I was going to handle that one," Coard said. "I had never lost a football game before."

Coard was part of the 109-game winning streak by Charlotte Independence High, which finally ended earlier this season.

Of course, the senior captain and starting nose guard has done plenty of winning since heading to NCCU, as the Eagles are 32-6 with Coard in maroon and gray.

Saturday will be a special day for the NCCU football program, as the 3-1 Eagles visit 0-3 North Carolina A T for a 6:30 p.m. contest at Aggie Stadium. In the Eagles' first season as members of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), it will be their first game against another FCS team.

"We seniors have been telling the freshmen how big this game is," Coard said. "This is the one."

Coard never was recruited by the Aggies but said he doesn't hold any bitterness towards them. Most schools backed off the 6-0, 246-pounder because of either his size or his troubles with the SAT before then-NCCU assistant coach Robert Massey came offering a full scholarship to the National Honor Society member.

"I couldn't have gone to college without football," said Coard, who is scheduled to graduate in May with a degree in business management.

He got his revenge on the field, as well. Coard said that before the Winston-Salem State game his freshman year, the Rams' hulking offensive linemen started pointedly laughing at him, saying he didn't belong on the same field with them.

"He's a great leader, and he works extremely hard," NCCU first-year head coach Mose Rison said. "Some people might say he's too small, but you can't measure what's in a young man's heart. He has won a lot of football games, and he's having an outstanding year."

The Eagles won that game at home 35-33, one of the wins that got former coach Rod Broadway's program up to speed before he left for Grambling.

"Courtney is a tremendous person," Rison said. "I remember the first time I talked to him [when Rison was the team's offensive coordinator last year], he was telling me about a tragedy in his family, and we got to know each other pretty well right away. I can't say enough about what he means to this football team and to our defense.

That tragedy was the death of his father, Presley Coard, on May 26 of last year. Presley Coard's birthday was Nov. 11, which was the day of the CIAA championship game with Elizabeth City State. Brandon Gilbert hit a career-best 51-yard field goal at the buzzer to give the Eagles a 17-14 victory.

"I had a lot of tears that day," Coard said. "That kick looked like it might be going wide right, but then it was good. And after the game, my high school teammate and close friend Billy Wiggins, who was playing for Elizabeth City, came over and said 'You know your dad won that game for y'all.' "

Coard has been in on 156 career tackles including eight for losses, two sacks, five fumble recoveries and three interceptions. His biggest game probably was last season at Southern, when he had two interceptions from his interior line spot in a shocking 27-20 road win.

"I think we proved a lot that night," Coard said. "We beat an established I-AA team on the road."

NOTES -- The Eagles are ranked in three national Black College polls. NCCU is No. 7 in the Sheridan poll, No. 8 in the TSPNSports.com poll and No. 9 in the BoxToRow.com poll.

HBCUs play on different field than big conferences

By Matt LaWell, Rocky Mount Telegram

RALEIGH — Make no mistake, historically black colleges and universities are struggling to compete with larger schools on football fields and basketball courts throughout the country. They have been for nearly 30 years. And while coaches and athletics directors are acutely aware of the situation, no changes appear to be on the horizon.

Just last Saturday, for instance, Delaware State traveled to play at Kent State and lost, 38-7. South Carolina State lost on the road, too, 38-3 at South Carolina. Central (Ohio) State lost at Dayton, 40-0. And Norfolk (Va.) State lost at nationally-ranked Rutgers, 59-0.

And that is an average nonconference Saturday afternoon for many HBCUs.

A generation or two ago, many HBCUs were able to field competitive teams, teams that could stand up regionally, if not nationally. The late Eddie Robinson shined, especially, during his 56 seasons at Grambling, where he churned out one professional player after another and won eight black college football national championships.

But the landscape shifted while Robinson was busy winning games. During the early 1970s, integrated football teams started to play in the South, which led to full integration in big-time college football, which led to fewer black athletes playing for HBCUs out of necessity.

Now, Shaw football coach Darrell Asberry said, "The big difference with the historically black colleges is that, most of the time, we'll get the kids they overlook." Asberry said HBCUs often lose the top recruits "in the trenches" along the offensive and defensive lines.

"It's hard," Asberry said, "to find those guys when you're competing with the larger universities."

Recruiting the top athletes is only one area in which those larger schools from BCS conferences, even from mid-major conferences, are able to gain an advantage over HBCUs. Finances play an equally important role. Among the 331 Division I schools, only Delaware State operated during the 2006 fiscal year with an athletics budget ranked even in the top 200, according to the NCAA. Eight of the other 19 Division I HBCUs were ranked 300 or lower.

For many HBCUs, annual "classic" football games, including Elizabeth City State's anunal Down East Viking Football Classic, are the centerpiece on the sports calendar – and the make-or-break event for the entire athletics budget.

"It's a huge asset to our department," Southern athletics director Greg LaFleur told Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine late last year. "For Division I-AA schools like us, it is the biggest game you have. There's no other way you can generate that kind of revenue."

Facilites, too, play a key role, Asberry said. Because HBCUs operate with smaller athletics budgets, they are able to spend far less on stadiums and stadium renovations, scoreboards, locker rooms, weight rooms, even coaches' offices. And because they are able to spend less, they sparkle less in the eyes of recruits.

Years ago, none of that mattered to Asberry, who played and coached at Jackson State, and also coached at Albany State and N.C. Central before he moved last year to Shaw. He still talks about his playing career with a smile spread across his face. Though he didn't play for a larger school or a better-funded program, or in the more beautiful stadium, he said he doesn't regret any of his decisions.

"If I had to do it all over again, I would go back to Jackson State," Asberry said. "It taught me that when you don't have much, you have to work a little harder to get to where you want to be. That was a positive for me. And these kids understand you have to work a little bit harder to make it work.

"We don't complain about not having it, because nobody wants to hear you complain anyway."

Is race the reason Delaware won't play Delaware State?

Delaware State and University of Delaware are in the same classification--NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. It makes one wonder how UD could possibly debate the merits of the arguments put forth by writer Jeff Pearlman and the athletic department leadership at Delaware State University. This game is long overdue, especially in light of the fact that UD schedules division II lightweights that adds no value to their program.

A quick look at the social progress calendar shows that Steve Spurrier's undefeated Bowl Championship Subdivision SEC South Carolina Gamecocks played MEAC South Carolina State before a stadium record 73,095 fans. Mid-American Conference Division I-A Kent State played FCS Delaware State in game three of this season. Big South #22 ranked Coastal Carolina played AT Delaware State in their season opener. BCS #7 ranked Big East Conference Rutgers played MEAC/FCS Norfolk State before a sellout of 44,000 fans at Rutgers Stadium. So, what is University of Delaware problem(s)with DSU other than race?

Here is what Jeff Pearlman has to say about the matter...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Jeff Pearlman

Dear Delaware football recruit:

On behalf of alumni across the nation, I would like to congratulate you on being recruited to play football at the University of Delaware. As you know, our Blue Hens are six-time national champions and perennially one of the top Division I-AA programs in the country. We have produced dozens of NFL players, ranging from Rich Gannon and Scott Brunner to Ivory Sully and Mike Adams. With our explosive passing attack, I am confident that a wide receiver like you could thrive here.

Delaware's a I-AA national power, but it won't even play its next-door neighbor. I also have been informed, however, that you are a student of character, decency and open-mindedness. That, more than anything, is why I am writing this letter: to urge you (and your fellow recruits) not to attend my beloved university.

That's right. Say no to the Blue Hens.

Allow me to be blunt. The University of Delaware's persistent refusal to face Delaware State University in football is cowardly, pig-headed, self-righteous and, worst of all, oozing with racism. As you might know, the two schools -- separated by a mere 50-minute drive from Newark to Dover -- are both ranked in the top 25 of Division I-AA polls. For more than 30 years now, Delaware State has tried to arrange a football game with Delaware, only to be rebuffed time after time. "Name the place and the day, and we'll be there," Rick Costello, Delaware State's athletic director, told me recently. "Delaware-Delaware State would be great for the state, for the students, for ticket sales and school spirit. It's a natural, isn't it?"

You would think so. But within the Delaware athletic department, a law has been established that the Blue Hens will never, ever, ever, ever, ever schedule the Hornets. "We're interested in exploring, but there's no flexibility," Edgar Johnson, the school's athletic director, once told me. "Anyhow, when you begin playing each other it becomes divisive."

I know. Mississippi-Mississippi State. Georgia-Georgia Tech. UCLA-USC. Washington-Washington State. Oregon-Oregon State. UNLV-Nevada. Texas-Texas A&M. Virginia-Virginia Tech. Florida-Florida State. Arizona-Arizona State. Duke-North Carolina. All in-state rivalries, all tearing apart the fabric of regional bliss.

"What a joke," Al Lavan, Delaware State's football coach, told me. "I've been a part of many state rivalries in my career, and they're better than bowl games. Anyone who thinks otherwise has no idea what he's talking about.

"No," says Lavan, "there has to be more to this than just that."

Indeed there is. Unlike the wealthy, white-as-snow University of Delaware (African-American enrollment: 6 percent), Delaware State is a small black college lacking in prestige, finances and facilities (its stadium holds 6,800 spectators; Delaware's holds 22,000). The school came to be in 1891 only because the men running the First State wished not to allow blacks into their grand university. Under the Morrill Act, a state either could open its public educational facilities to all peoples, or start a separate-but-equal school for blacks. Hence, Delaware State.

In the ensuing 116 years, Delaware has treated Delaware State not as academic/athletic brethren, but as a piece of gum affixed to the bottom of its loafer. Del. State is where the scary black people congregate, where "those" types of folk go to college. "You wanna know what I think?" Kevin Tresolini, the Wilmington News Journal's veteran college writer, told me. "I think there are some old rich white guys in the University of Delaware's upper power structure who are afraid this little black school might steal their thunder. They're afraid that if Delaware State beats them it'll raise their stature and lower the University of Delaware's. But I look at it two ways: (a) It's just football, and (b) as an institute of higher learning, aren't you supposed to do the righteous thing?"

Yes, you are. Instead of righteousness, though, the University of Delaware hides behind one lame excuse after another. In the spring of 1991, I wrote an article for The Review, Delaware's student newspaper, titled "Delaware vs. Delaware State: The Sports Rivalry That Never Was." Looking back at the yellowed clip, what leaps off the page is the staggering lameness of Johnson's reasoning. "If you glance at our football schedule," he said, "we're fully scheduled until the year 2000." Forget that college schedules are made to be broken, or that one of the teams Delaware plays annually is the mighty Golden Rams of Division II West Chester (a "traditional rival" the Hens recently stomped for a 14th straight time), or that Johnson arranged a game for last season with the University of Albany and an upcoming clash against South Dakota State, or that Delaware State would be willing to come to Newark in a second's notice.

Oh, yeah. There's also the ol' nobody-wants-to-see-it argument popularized on GoHens.net, a site for blinded Delaware football fans who forget that UD students (oh, them) surely would prefer a game with passion and heart and oomph to yet another battle with, uhg, West Chester "That's what we need to remember here," said Lavan. "At its core, college football is for the students. Not for the alumni, not for the boosters. What do the students want to experience?"

I'm certain you're curious what Johnson and Delaware coach K.C. Keeler have to say about all this. So am I. Unlike the men of Delaware State, however, nobody from Delaware had the guts or principle to express himself, despite my requests for interviews. I've been told that Keeler is open to playing Delaware State, but that his hands are tied. I've been told that Johnson is open to playing Delaware State, but that his hands are tied, too. I've been told that this whole thing has nothing to do with race or class or the fright of losing to an in-state school, and that I'm making a big whoop-to-do out of nothing. I've been told that the Keebler Elf resides in my left shoe, right next to Max Venable and Erin Moran; that Tupac is alive and well and skinning emus in Melbourne; that dogs fly and cats dance; and that Oprah is really a one-legged truck driver named Stu.

In the end, it doesn't matter what we're told. What matters is who we are. What we stand for. What's right and what's wrong, and which side we opt to represent. Are we willing to speak out for what we believe, or do we say nothing and go along with the same ol', same ol'?

Best of luck in your college career. Wherever you wind up I'm certain you'll make an excellent choice.

Sincerely,


Jeff Pearlman
University of Delaware Class of 1994


Jeff Pearlman is a former Sports Illustrated senior writer and the author of "Love Me, Hate Me: Barry Bonds and the Making of an Antihero," now available in paperback.

SU, TSU unfamiliar opponents

Photo: Southern free safety Jarmaul George is on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.














By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

An interesting part about Saturday’s game between Southern and Tennessee State could be in the programs not having played each other since 1996.

In football terms, that means these teams and coaching staffs have not seen one another.

Take note as well, that both SU (3-0) of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Tennessee State (2-1) of the Ohio Valley Conference, who meet at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium, have been at their best in the second half, usually when teams make adjustments.

“Most teams you play, you have folders on, but when you don’t play them in so long you might as well throw that stuff away,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “In the conference, you can pull out the tendencies and they’re not going to change that much, if the same guy is calling offense and defense. They may put a wrinkle in here and there, but they won’t change.

“But this is weird because you never get a chance to see them that much. It’s hard to get tendencies on them. You have to spend a lot of time watching film.”

Game tempo will be something to watch.

Southern has scored just six points in the first quarter of its first three games, with that coming on a 90-yard touchdown run on the first play of the season. SU’s best quarter is the second, with 26 points, and the Jaguars have 36 points after halftime.

Tennessee State has 23 first-half points, and just one second-quarter touchdown, this season. The Tigers are best in the fourth quarter, with 27 points, and have 49 of their 72 points (68.1 percent) after halftime (including overtime).

Tennessee State won its last two games by coming back in the fourth quarter.

“That’s a tribute to the coaching staff,” Richardson said. “They have them playing hard for 60 minutes. &hellip Things aren’t going to work out well at times, but you find a way to win. They believe in what they’re doing. &hellip The longer the game goes on, the more physical they are and they turn games around.”

Southern hasn’t allowed a score in the third quarter and just nine points (one TD) in the second half so far.

On Rodgers-Cromartie
There’s a lot of interest in seeing Tennessee State senior cornerback Dominic Rodgers-Cromartie, who, like Southern free safety Jarmaul George, is on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List. That honor goes to the Football Championship Subdivision’s top defensive player.

“He’s an outstanding football player,” Richardson said. “He’s instinctive, very physical and he also has outstanding speed because he’s a track guy.”

More than just a defensive standout, Rodgers-Cromartie has blocked a field goal and a PAT late to help the Tigers win games.

Both sides of the ball are curious.

Said SU wide receiver Gerard Landry, who is suspended for the first half, “I’m very excited about it. I want to try to go against the best.”

Said George, “This is one of the games I circle, because they have a DB that is up for the same award that I am.”

Talking turnovers
Tennessee State lost four of its six fumbles and had two passes intercepted in a 33-32 overtime win over Austin-Peay. The Tigers, who have lost five fumbles and have been intercepted five times this season, are 108th of 116 FCS teams in turnover margin (minus-2.0).

Said Richardson, “We’re working on stripping the ball out. &hellip I’m quite sure they’re working on ball security, too, to keep that ball off the ground. We have to get it out. That’s the name of the game: turnovers.”

TSU has four takeaways (three fumble recoveries, one interception).

Said TSU coach James Webster, “We cannot continue to commit turnovers and win football games. We must positively get our turnover margin back on the positive side.”

Kick it
Tennessee State junior kicker Eric Benson is 4-for-4 on FGs, with a game-winner and one to send a game into overtime at the end of regulation, and 6-for-8 on PATs, with a game-winner in overtime.

Meanwhile, SU true freshman Josh Duran is 1-for-2 on FGs (good from 30, missing from 37) and 5-for-8 on PATs. SU has gone 0-for-2 on two-point conversion passes from quarterback Bryant Lee. The Jaguars were good on a fake field-goal Saturday against Prairie View, getting a 12-yard TD pass from holder Nick Benjamin to tight end Evan Alexander at the start of the fourth quarter. Had that gamble not worked, SU’s lead would have been 6-0.

“We have to work on (PATs/field-goals/conversions) because we cannot afford to lose points that are free points,” Richardson said. “Eventually, it’s going to come back to haunt you.”

Thoughts on Tenn. State
“If you look at their team play, they’re fundamentally sound,” Richardson said. “They’re aggressive on defense. They play with a lot of energy. A real physical type of football team. Offensively, they have an outstanding quarterback in (Antonio) Heffner. He can really throw the football and cause some problems, because he can also run with it.

“It’ll be tough for us to try to control them.”

Notes
Though Tennessee State is known as the “Big Blue,” Southern is asking its fans to wear blue to the game. Against Prairie View on Saturday, SU fans wore white. Tennessee State has won 14 black college national titles. SU averages 13.0 yards per punt, second to last among FCS teams. SU’s scoring defense of 11.7 ppg is eighth-best nationally, while its pass efficiency defense is ninth best.

Alcorn State faces pivotal game

By Compiled by David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Already 0-2 in SWAC, Braves would fall into a deep hole with a loss against Alabama State.

Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas doesn't mince words when he talks about the importance of Saturday's game at Alabama State.

"This will be the defining moment of our season," Thomas said. "If we win this game in Montgomery, we'll come back home with a chance to get into the race. But if we lose three conference games to start the season, it's going to be very hard to recover."

"(Alabama State) is simply making the big plays to win ballgames," Thomas said. "They're not blowing anyone out. They're just executing and doing what they have to do to win."

Alcorn State (0-3 overall, 0-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) has had all kinds of trouble on offense this season, scoring just 4.3 points per game. The latest loss was a 22-0 shutout against UAB, a Division I-A team in Conference USA.

Thomas said the team's problems have to do with a lack of execution and the team isn't panicking because of a few bad games.

"We've got a plan in place that can get the job done," Thomas said. "Now we just have to make the big play at the crucial juncture of drives."

The Braves received some bad news this week when they learned offensive tackle Todd Johnson (6 feet 2, 320 pounds) is out for the season after breaking his ankle against UAB. Thomas said Jammal Young (6-3, 325) will take Johnson's place on the line.

Alcorn quarterback Tony Hobson is still likely on the shelf with two bruised fingers on his throwing hand. Thomas said Hobson returned to practice, but senior Chris Walker had taken most of the snaps and would start against Alabama State.

"Chris has had some good moments for us," Thomas said. "Now we've got to have him make better decisions in the red zone."

The Braves will face an Alabama State (3-0, 2-0 SWAC) team that's had plenty of success under first-year coach Reggie Barlow.

The Hornets have the SWAC's leading rusher in Jay Peck, who's averaged more than 115 yards per game.

Catch This

Alabama A&M at Grambling

Grambling faces its toughest conference task under new coach Rod Broadway when it hosts Alabama A&M, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion. Led by senior quarterback Kelcy Luke, Alabama A&M is scoring 45 points per game and has won all of its games by at least three touchdowns. Grambling roughed up Alcorn State in its opening game before losing to Division I-A Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

Saturday, 6 p.m.

SOUTHERN U. STAR BENCHED

Southern U. wide receiver Gerard Landry was ejected for fighting in the fourth quarter during last week's 12-2 victory over Prairie View A&M and will have to sit out the first half of this Saturday's game against Tennessee State per NCAA rules.

Landry has caught 12 passes this season for a team-high 172 yards and three touchdowns.

Southern coach Pete Richardson said Landry shouldn't have let his emotions get away from him, especially "because he means so much to our football program."

After two straight losing seasons, Southern has started this year with a three-game winning streak.

The Jaguars have the second-best scoring offense in the SWAC. Quarterback Bryant Lee has thrown for 565 yards and five touchdowns while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. Running back Darren Coates has rushed for 226 yards and averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

EXTRA POINTS

After losing to Jackson State 28-7 last week in a driving rainstorm, life doesn't get any easier for Texas Southern. The Maroon Tigers (0-3 overall, 0-3 SWAC) take on UTEP, a Division I-A team in Conference USA. ...

Despite Alcorn State's dismal offense, senior Nate Hughes is leading the SWAC with 188.7 all-purpose yards per game. He has 245 yards receiving, 255 on kick returns and 67 on punt returns. ...

The SWAC's preseason defensive player of the year, Jarmaul George, has lived up to the hype. The safety's two interceptions trail only Jackson State's Malcolm Palmer and Domonique Johnson for the most in the conference. ...

SWAC STANDINGS

East Division

SWAC All

Alabama State 2-0 3-0

Alabama A&M 1-0 3-0

Jackson State 1-0 1-2

Mississippi Valley 1-2 1-2

Alcorn State 0-2 0-3

West Division

SWAC All

Southern U. 2-0 3-0

Grambling 1-0 1-1

Prairie View 1-1 2-1

Ark.-Pine Bluff 1-2 1-2

Tx. Southern 0-3 0-3

Last Week

Jackson State 28, Tx. Southern 7

Alabama St. 12, UAPB 10

Alabama A&M 45, MVSU 14

UAB 22, Alcorn State 0

Southern 12, Prairie View 2

Saturday

UAPB at S. Illinois, 1:30 p.m.

Jackson St. at MVSU, 4 p.m.

Alabama A&M at Grambling, 6 p.m.

Tennessee St. at Southern, 6 p.m.

Alcorn St. at Alabama St., 7 p.m.

Tx. Southern at UTEP, 7 p.m.

Dropped passes transform Gray's JSU debut into nightmare

Photo: Johnson (left) tries to recover his fumble.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

JSU AT VALLEY
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Rice-Totten Stadium, Itta Bena
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

The football bounced from Rodney Gray's outstretched hands and splashed onto the rain-soaked turf. The groan from the crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium was audible.

It was the Jackson State receiver's fourth dropped pass in two games. And don't think for a minute that the home crowd wasn't counting.

So as Gray jogged off the field to a smattering of boos, fellow JSU receiver Chris Johnson couldn't help but feel sorry for his teammate.

"Man, that has to be the most lonely feeling in the world," Johnson said. "It's happened to me. It's happened to every receiver. You've just got to keep your head up. But that's a lot easier said than done."

And that's even true for a receiver like Gray, who's confidence has never been called into question.

A sophomore transfer from Southern Miss, Gray has a swagger that's reminiscent of NFL star receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. Last year, as a true freshman with the Golden Eagles, Gray caught 16 passes for 160 yards.

When he arrived on JSU's campus this fall, he was supposed to be the player who elevated the Tigers' already strong receiving corps to absolute dynamite.

But through three games, Gray's stat line reads like this: one catch, four yards, four dropped passes and one bruised ego.

When asked about his troubles, Gray doesn't even seem angry. Instead, he looks downright confused and struggles to explain his feelings.

"... I'm my own worst critic," Gray said. "And there's no doubt I haven't been playing well. It's so frustrating to suddenly have trouble doing something you've been doing for years. But it's a new week and a new opponent. A receiver has to have a short memory."

The good news is that at 6 feet 3, 188 pounds and with speed to burn, Gray has had no trouble getting open early in the season.

At least three of his dropped passes could have easily been turned into touchdowns had he simply secured the catch.

With that in mind, JSU receivers coach Jerry Mack says the team won't stop throwing to Gray because of a few bad games.

His game-breaking potential is too big of an asset to ignore.

"I'd almost compare Gray's trouble to a batting slump in baseball," Mack said. "He's just taking his eye off the ball. He's run some great routes and been incredibly wide open. Maybe he was almost too wide open."

"You just try to remind him that the world won't end because of a dropped pass," Johnson said. "He just has to keep his confidence and do his thing."

Photo: WR Chad Johnson

So in practice this week, Gray's been introduced to a refresher course in fundamentals.

He's getting dozens of repetitions each day and coaches say he looks great, but nothing will ease the irritation in Gray's mind until Saturday at 4 p.m. when Jackson State (1-2 overall, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) travels to Mississippi Valley State (1-2, 1-2).

"It's time to clear my mind and do what I know how to do," said Gray, who played in high school at South Panola. "We've got a whole lot to be excited about. I just have to contribute and do my part."

Gray wasn't the only Jackson State receiver struggling through the season's first two games. But in last Thursday's 28-7 victory over Texas Southern, both Jaymar Johnson and Kethonne McLaurin caught touchdown passes.

Now it's time to see if that success is contagious. Mack says he has no doubt it will be.

"There's going to be a game when Rodney breaks open for about nine catches, 200 yards and a couple touchdowns," Mack said smiling. "Then all will be right with Rodney's world. We're all looking forward to watching it."

Mattix finds home at A&M

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Unrecruited at winless Lee last year, freshman kicks well for Bulldogs

Literally, Grant Mattix had no place to go. Nobody wanted him, despite his kicking prowess, after the Lee High Generals failed to win a game last year.

"I didn't have that many options," said Mattix, who went to kicking camps at Auburn and North Alabama but drew little attention. "Nobody came to watch us play because we were so bad."

While the Generals may have been bad, Mattix was pretty good.

He became a starter for the Generals midway through his sophomore year and earned All-City and All-Region honors as a junior. While Mattix's senior year didn't go as planned, he was determined to play college football.

Fortunately for Mattix and Alabama A&M, Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones gave him an opportunity.

"My money situation wasn't the best, but I could afford to go A&M," said Mattix, a 5-foot-9, 139-pound freshman. "I wanted to play football so I came and talked to Coach Jones.

"I just wanted to play and this was close to home. I didn't care if I started or not. I just wanted to play."

Mattix has played. In fact, he's played in all three of A&M's games this season.

Mattix and Rashan Cylar split the kickoff duties in the Bulldogs' first two games against Tennessee State and Clark Atlanta. However, Mattix had the kickoff duties all to himself and was superb on Saturday night against Mississippi Valley in A&M's Southwestern Athletic Conference opener.

He was so good that he was named A&M's special teams player of the week after helping the Bulldogs hold Mississippi Valley State kick returner Clarence Cotton in check.

"That was a big thrill," Mattix said.

Cotton entered the game leading the league in kickoff returns (23.4) and was second in punt returns (14.4) and all-purpose yards (163). He managed only 58 yards on the night, including only 11 yards on three kickoff returns.

"They wanted me to squib kick down the sideline as deep as I could get it and the coverage teams did a great job," said Mattix, refusing to take much of the credit. "I just went out there and did what the coaches asked me to do."

Mattix will likely be called on again Saturday night when No. 23 A&M visits Grambling in an important SWAC battle. Kickoff is 6 and the game will televised on a delayed basis on ESPNU at 9.

The Tigers have two dangerous kickoff returners in Kiare Thompson and Kovarus Hills. Thompson is averaging 23.3 yards per return, while Hills is averaging 25.5 yards.

Mattix's rise in football was slow in coming.

He had been a soccer and baseball player before trying out for the football team. Initially, Mattix was a wide receiver but was quickly moved to kicker.

"We realized he had a pretty good leg," said Richard Wilson, who serves as Lee's kicking coach. "We were trying to find a kicker and he really fit the role and did a great job.

"He's got such a great work ethic and he has a terrific attitude. He's up early and stays late and wants to get better. The best thing about him is he's such a good kid."

Jones agreed.

"Grant stayed here this summer and worked extremely hard," he said. "He has not created any problems and has turned out to be a good football player."

Wilson is tickled to death.

"I am so proud of him," he said. "He had gone to UNA and down to Auburn and he realized he wasn't ready for that level. He needed an opportunity and Coach Jones gave him one and it has worked out."

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."
-----------------
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."