Classic matchup in Ladd: Southern U. vs. Alabama State

Photo: Southern Head Coach Pete Richardson

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Press-Register

SWAC's unbeaten teams meet in Mobile

For Alabama State and Southern University, the time has come to put up or shut up.

All the pomp and circumstance surrounding today's game between the Southwestern Athletic Conference's final two unbeaten teams has ended. The Hornets (4-0) and Jaguars (4-0) will square off at 2:30 p.m. in the 34th annual Gulf Coast Classic at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised at 9 tonight by ESPNU.

"It'll be a good football game," Southern coach Pete Richardson said. "Hopefully, we can have a packed house to see two fine football teams play.

"This game is a conference game, and it's huge for both teams. We want to be in a position to control our own destiny, so we don't have to depend on anybody else."

Alabama State's Reggie Barlow, who's coaching in his first Gulf Coast Classic, said the game will be pivotal for both programs and he expects his team to be ready.

"The thing about our players and our team is it's hard to read them," Barlow said. "They don't get all off into a lot of stuff. It's hard to tell how excited they are. But I'm sure once we pull up to the stadium and they see all the cars and recreation vehicles, they'll get more excited."

Photo: ASU QB Chris Mitchell , 6-3/200 Jr., Mobile, Ala.

ASU will be led by quarterback Chris Mitchell, who prepped at LeFlore High School. He has rallied the Hornets (3-0 SWAC) in the fourth quarter in each of their wins.

"We talked with Chris early on in the week about coming home to play," Barlow said. "We don't want him to peak too fast and be so hyped and filled with emotions that things don't go well for him.

"I think overall he'll be fine. One of the reasons he's been so good for us is he's never too high and never too low. If he makes a mistake, he's always the same, and our kids feed off that."

For Mitchell, the chance to play at home is exciting, but he knows it's still just another game his team needs to win in its pursuit of a berth in the SWAC Championship Game.

"I look at every game the same and the significance of each game is the same -- we have to win," Mitchell said. "Southern's defense is very active. We've seen a lot of their film and they make big plays and force turnovers. We have to capitalize on our big plays and limit our mistakes."

Mitchell has completed 46-of-81 passes for 621 yards and five touchdowns and run for two scores. He'll be counting on Jay Peck to help balance the attack; Peck leads the SWAC in rushing with 492 yards on 98 carries and 2 touchdowns.

The Jaguars (2-0 SWAC) will be led by quarterback Bryant Lee, who's completed 83-of-126 passes for 870 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Stewart’s move paying off for SU

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern vs. Alabama State
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. today.
WHERE: Ladd-Pebbles Stadium (40,646), Mobile, Ala.
TV: ESPNU.
RADIO: KQXL-FM, 106.5.
RECORDS: Southern 4-0, 2-0 SWAC; Alabama State 4-0, 3-0.
LAST MEETING: Southern 38, Albama State 20, 2006.
SERIES: SU leads, 20-7.

Demarcus Stewart is back, front and center, for the Southern University offense.

Moving Stewart from right guard came not by choice, but by necessity, with sophomore Ramon Chinyoung ineligible. However, unlike other switches on SU’s offensive line, this one was the easiest transition.

Stewart is the only senior along the line. He started at center as the Jaguars began last season. And he backed Chinyoung last season, so he was always tasked with mastering the offense like a center has to do even if he didn’t make the snaps during games.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Stewart, who played both guard spots last season and had also done some long snapping at the end of the 2005 season. “Really, I’d rather guard, but I’ll play the center. Anything to help the team out.

“It’s basically the same thing. For me, I like to know every position on the line. I know every position. It was nothing but a quick adjustment with snaps and the timing of just firing off.”

Photo: #75 Demarcus Stewart

The move and the do-what-it-takes attitude, of course, matter plenty for the Jaguars, who are undefeated and have the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s best rushing game (184.0 yards per game) even with a thin, mix-and-match offensive line.

Southern (4-0, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) faces Alabama State (4-0, 3-0) at 2:30 p.m. today in the Gulf Coast Classic at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The game will be televised on ESPNU.

“Our offensive staff did a good job,” Richardson said. “We took a starting guard and put him at center. We took a couple of walk-ons and put them at guard. We took a tight end and put him at tackle. Any time you start changing individuals around on offense, it’s going to take time to develop.”

Going to a zone-blocking scheme, orchestrated by first-year offensive line coach Damon Nivens, helped tremendously. First-year running backs coach Elvis Joseph has made a tremendous impact with a balanced trio of rushers. And offensive coordinator Mark Orlando’s staying with quarterback Bryant Lee and game-planning his legs into the attack have also been vital.

Add in Stewart taking on the added load as also pivotal.

“He’s giving us everything he’s got,” Orlando said. “He’s a war daddy. He’s playing hard.”

Stewart playing this well this season wasn’t a sure thing. Of all the veterans who were returning, though, his conditioning was a big issue during summer camp.

Stewart had ballooned to 328 pounds and the voluntary summer workouts were miserable on him.

“We had a lot of long talks after spring ball,” Orlando said. “He was getting out of shape and it looked like he had lost the desire. I said, ‘Look, Stew, I need you to be a leader. You’re not the football player you were a year ago.’ I think that hit home. He worked pretty hard over the summer.”

Maybe in a foreshadowing to his play this season, Stewart toughed out all that running, even with strength and conditioning coaches all over him and teammates pushing him.

“This summer had to be the hardest summer out of all of them, and I’ve been here for three summers,” said Stewart, a former Plaquemine High School standout who originally signed with Nicholls State. “This had to be the hardest yet.

“Everybody came together as a unit. We had to work hard, hard, hard. Especially the offensive line and defensive line, we had to work the hardest out of everybody, because we had to do the same work as the receivers and cornerbacks were doing and we’re about 150 pounds more than them.”

Stewart is down to 292 pounds currently. Unlike other linemen in preseason camp, Stewart never struggled with the heat.

“It paid off,” Stewart said.

Now, with the conditioning, classroom and chemistry work all done, Stewart can get back to doing what he likes best about the game.

“I’ve been playing ball since I was 8, and I’ve always enjoyed hitting people,” Stewart said. “I like the physical contact of the sport, being able to fire off and be aggressive and misuse somebody.”

Like many on this offensive line, Stewart will have to stay healthy all season. Sophomore Daniel Stephens, a nonqaulifier who did not play last year, is his backup.

“Yeah, it’s rag-tag, but we pull together, we stick together,” Stewart said. “The people we have now are doing the job. We communicate, and that makes the job much more easier for us. The zone makes it easy, just fire off, stick a man and know where you have to go.

“A lot of people doubted us. A lot of people still do, but we stick together amongst ourselves,” Stewart said. “We work hard, and we’re going to pull it off.”

At this point last season, Southern was 2-2 en route to a 5-6 finish. Two years ago, the Jaguars were 1-1, with two canceled games because of hurricanes and finished 4-5. So, is there a temptation to get carried away with a 4-0 start?

“That’s a good thing, but we still have a goal, we still have to finish,” said Stewart, a secondary education major.

In that regard, he can tell his teammates all about how to finish strong. Stewart is doing just that for his senior season, no matter where he had to play, no matter how hard he had to work.

Tennessee State University must get handle on turnover problem

Photo: TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner has been the biggest turnover offender this season. He has thrown seven interceptions and fumbled twice.

By MIKE ORGAN, Tennessean

TSU (2-2) VS. FLORIDA A&M
Atlanta Football ClassicWhere: Georgia Dome, Atlanta.Time: 2 p.m.TV: SportSouth (not available on Comcast in Nashville).Radio: WNSR 560-AMLast meeting: FAMU 25, TSU 22 OT (2006)Key matchup: TSU WR Chris Johnson vs. FAMU DB Ernest Williams. Johnson is ranked ninth nationally, averaging 98 receiving yards per game. Williams has an interception and 12 tackles.

Otherwise solid offense averages four giveaways

TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner has been the biggest turnover offender this season. He has thrown seven interceptions and fumbled twice.

Tennessee State's football players are holding onto hopes of accomplishing their goals.

Or are they?

The Tigers didn't hold onto much of anything in the second half of last week's game at Southern.

Five second-half turnovers led to a 41-34 loss and evened TSU's record to 2-2, with another difficult challenge sure to come today from Florida A&M (1-2) in the Atlanta Football Classic.

The Rattlers, the last nonconference opponent on the schedule, handed the Tigers a heartbreaking 25-22 overtime loss last year.

Even with the bungles and botched plays, the most important goals — posting a winning record and winning the Ohio Valley Conference — are within reach for the Big Blue. That's provided the offense can get a grip.

"When it comes to cutting down on turnovers, I don't think you put it in your players' minds,'' TSU Coach James Webster said. "You work on turnovers. But I don't want them thinking, 'Don't turn it over, don't turn it over.' I want them feeling positive and good that, 'I'm not going to turn it over as a result of working on drills.'"

The staff put the offense through more drills this week aimed at protecting the football than during any of the previous weeks.

Overshadowing accomplishments

Take away the turnovers and TSU's offense has performed well. The Tigers are first in the OVC and 19th nationally in total offense, averaging 421.8 yards a game.

Those accomplishments, however, have been overshadowed by an average of nearly four turnovers per game.

With eight fumbles and seven interceptions TSU is ranked 113th out of 116 teams nationally in turnover margin (minus-2.25).

No player has been bugged by the bungles more than Antonio Heffner. The junior quarterback has been responsible for nine turnovers — seven interceptions and two fumbles.

"You're just out there playing and some things happen that are not under your control,'' said Heffner, who fumbled twice and threw two interceptions last week. "Sometimes you wonder, 'How did that happen?' The ball security drills we did this week should help.''

Despite the setbacks, Heffner said the Tigers are glad they still can accomplish what they hoped for this season. And a win today would send them back into OVC play (Oct. 11 at Tennessee Tech) with some needed momentum.

"This is a big game because it's a rivalry came,'' Heffner said. "Then we get a week off next week before we go back into the OVC. Our main goal is to win the OVC."

FAMU, TSU Tailbacks take spotlight

By DEREK REDD, Special to The Palm Beach Post

TALLAHASSEE — Today's Florida A&M-Tennessee State game in Atlanta matches two of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's and Ohio Valley Conference's top running backs, but FAMU freshman Phillip Sylvester isn't concerned with a one-on-one battle with Tigers running back Javarris Williams.

"Really, when I go into a game, I don't try to compare myself to anybody else or compete with him," Sylvester said.

"What he does has nothing to do with what I'm going to do or what I'm capable of doing."

Still, fans at the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic will have eyes on both runners.

Williams ran for 229 yards and a touchdown last season against FAMU (1-2), although his fumble allowed the Rattlers to kick the winning field goal in overtime.

"He's a very smart back." FAMU linebacker Dannel Shepard said of Williams. "He reads his linemen. He knows how to cut to his holes very fast and he's a hard runner."

Yet Shepard is confident in the FAMU defense."We have that mind-set and that courage and that camaraderie on our defense to the point that if one man steps up, everyone will step up," he said.

"You see one orange jersey and there will be 10 others coming around."

Sylvester wasn't on the field last season, but he is gaining ground. Two weeks ago, he ran for 222 yards in a 30-17 win against Howard.His 120.7 rushing yards per game is second-best in the MEAC and he's averaging 7.9 yards per carry.

"The first thing is the offensive line," he said. "They block really well. Even in high school, I didn't average 10 yards a carry in any one of my games."

Luke, AAMU Bulldogs hope to rebound from loss

MIKE PERRIN, Birmingham News staff writer

Kelcy Luke has never lost consecutive games at Alabama A&M. But then, nobody on the current squad has, since the Bulldogs haven't dropped two in a row since the first two games of 2002.

The A&M quarterback doesn't expect a letdown after last week's setback at Grambling State when Texas Southern comes to Louis Crews Stadium for the Bulldogs' homecoming on Saturday.

"We're not panicking," said Luke, headed into his final homecoming game at A&M. "We know we've got to flesh some things out. We know we didn't play well and we know we've got some things to work on."

Texas Southern is 0-4 headed into the 3 p.m. game, 0-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The 31-6 loss at Grambling was A&M's first after three straight victories and the Bulldogs are 1-1 in the league.

Although the Tigers are currently in the cellar, they have been a thorn in A&M's side recently. Texas Southern beat A&M 17-7 two years ago to break a 16-game losing streak and spoil homecoming. Only a late pass interception sealed a Bulldogs 19-14 victory last year.

Luke, who is leading the SWAC in passing and total offense this year, has had mixed success against Texas Southern. Two years ago he completed 12-of-28 for 129 yards and was sacked five times. Last season, he hit on 20-of-34 throws for 194 yards and a touchdown while being intercepted once and sacked four times.

"I don't know that we've had that much more success against Luke than anybody else," Southern coach Steve Wilson said. "We really respect this kid. He really understands their offense and knows how to run their system.

"I think he's the ultimate field general type. It starts and ends with him."

This season, Luke has thrown for 955 yards, completing 69-of-116 attempts with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, and he averages 253.2 yards a game.

Before his senior season started, Luke was already A&M's I-AA record-holder for completions and passing yards with those totals now at 446 and 5,344.

"I can't believe this is my last year," said Luke, who transferred from Auburn as a redshirt freshman. "It's been great ever since I got here and it seems like I just got here."

Luke has led the Bulldogs to the top of the SWAC stats this season as coach Anthony Jones' squad scores 35.2 points, passes for 249.2 yards a game and accounts for 426 yards per outing.

"Our line has really stepped up," the quarterback said. "We had to replace three starters (on the line) from last year, we've got young receivers and two new running backs.

"One thing this year is nobody can key on one person in our offense. We make sure we get a lot out of every one of them."

While the Bulldogs' goal of an undefeated season is lost, the defending SWAC champions made the title game the past two seasons after rebounding from losses in the league.

"Even though we lost, our main goal is still in our hands right now," Luke said. "We use that to pick everybody back up."

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times



Harper slated to start against Texas Southern

Defensive tackle Justin Harper, who was named Alabama A&M's co-defensive Player of the Week for his effort against Grambling last week, will start Saturday against Texas Southern, defensive line coach Ben Blacknall said Wednesday.

Harper, who lost his job to Whitney Garrett last spring and had surgery on his thumb during preseason practice and missed the season opener against Tennessee State, will start at left tackle in place of Renaldo Askew, Blacknall said. Garrett will make his fifth consecutive start at right tackle.

"He played better than any defensive tackle we had," Blacknall said of Harper's effort against the Tigers. "He deserves an opportunity to start."

The Bulldogs, who have annually been among the league's best against the run, are seventh in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in rushing defense, allowing 127 yards per game.

Harper, a 6-foot-2, 252-pound junior from Gulfport, Miss., was credited with nine tackles, including six solos, two tackles for loss and a sack while grading out 92 percent.

Early starter: Texas Southern coach Steve Wilson said if he had to do it over again he would have redshirted quarterback Tino Edgecombe.

A 6-2, 185-pound senior from Miami, Edgecombe was pressed into action as a freshman and Wilson said that has affected him throughout his career.

"Tino had to come through a situation where we had to play him as a freshman and we didn't have people to protect him and that hindered his growth," Wilson said. "He had some breakout games last season, but we haven't been able to get him in a rhythm this season.

"Part of it is our offensive line being unsettled. He made some plays last week (against UTEP) that proved he can be an outstanding quarterback."

Edgecombe is fourth in the league in passing yards per game, averaging 162.5 yards.

He has completed 64-of-112 passes (57.1 percent) for 650 yards, three touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Smith likes ball distribution: A&M tight end John Smith admits he would like to see a few more balls thrown his way, but he says he can't complain with the way quarterback Kelcy Luke is distributing the football.

Ten players have caught passes and six different players have caught touchdown passes.

Wide receiver Thomas Harris and tight end Charles Moody have 17 catches apiece. Smith has eight followed by wide receivers Rashad Johnson and Gerald Stockdale, who have six apiece.

"The distribution is pretty good," said Smith, who has eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. "We've got a lot of talent out there. No one person is above the team."

Reggie Benson

AAMU Soccer Bulldogs fill in holes, roll

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

The Alabama A&M men's soccer team got off to a rough start with losses in four of its first five games, but Salah Yousif's squad has picked up momentum over the last couple of weeks.

The Bulldogs have won two of their last three games and will host the A&M Invitational Saturday and Sunday at John Hunt Park.

A&M will take on Houston Baptist at 11 a.m. Saturday, and Air Force will play Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. On Sunday, Central Arkansas and Houston Baptist collide at noon followed by A&M and Air Force at 2 p.m. Admission is free.

"We're excited about the way we're playing right now," said Yousif, whose team has lost four games by one goal apiece. "Early on, we didn't have enough athletes because guys were either hampered by nagging injuries or hadn't been cleared.

"We're healthier now and we have a bench to work with and that's the difference right now."

Striker Kun Chamjock (Gallatin, Tenn.), defender Mustefa Ahmed (Uganda) and midfielder Eric Kamya (Hyattsville, Md.) were recently cleared to play and Yousif says they have helped immensely.

"Those three guys have made a huge difference," he said. "(Goalkeeper) Paul Musoke has also been terrific."

MfanaFuthi Bhembe and Mosito Ranko, who had surgery on both knees during the offseason, have also been terrific. Through eight games, they are tied for the team lead with eight points apiece.

Chargers have momentum: If pre-conference results are any indication, UAH men's soccer coach Carlos Petersen may be right about his team being a contender for the Gulf South Conference championship

UAH opened the season 1-4, including losses to No. 10 Lynn, No. 9 Rollins and No. 10 Nova Southeastern. Since then, however, the Chargers have reeled off three wins in a row, including a 2-1 victory over No. 25 Barry University.

With four wins, UAH has equaled its win total from last season. The Chargers will try to make it four in a row when Fisk University visits Sunday at 1 p.m. UAH opens GSC play Friday at Ouachita Baptist.

Lady Chargers face UNA: UAH will begin its quest for a berth in the GSC women's soccer tournament today when it visits North Alabama.

The Lady Chargers had their four-game winning streak snapped last weekend in a 5-0 loss to Georgia College, but Lincoln Ziyenge believes his team will bounce back today.

UAH, Ziyenge says, must be able to put two halves together to win in the GSC.

The Lady Chargers have outscored their opponents 12-5 in the first half, but have been outscored 11-6 in the second. UAH has scored 17 goals in five wins, but just one goal in three losses.

Missing Kanda: A&M women's soccer coach Frank Davies knew the Bulldogs would miss Belinda Kanda. He didn't know they'd miss her this much.

With Kanda, A&M led the nation in scoring last season. Without her, the Bulldogs have struggled.

A&M, 1-5-1 on the season, has scored just 10 goals this year and has been shut out four times. However, Kanda, who has been playing with Ghana's national team during the World Cup, could be back next week when the Bulldogs visit Austin Peay on Monday or play Texas Southern next Sunday.

Kanda led the nation in goals per game (1.25) and points per game (3.06) last season.

UAH in bind: Three games into GSC play, the UAH volleyball team finds itself needing a win to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Chargers are 6-15 overall and 0-3 in league play and play their three remaining conference games on the road.

UAH visits Valdosta State on Saturday, West Florida on Sunday and West Georgia on Tuesday.

The Chargers opened the season 3-2, but have lost 13 of their last 16 matches.

Bulldogs need turnaround: After more than two weeks off, A&M volleyball coach Nedra Brown is eager to get her young team back on the court.

Since beating Albany State in the season opener on Sept. 4, the Bulldogs have dropped four straight matches and three of those were in straight sets. Brown and the Bulldogs hope to turn their season around starting Tuesday when they visit Alabama State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

FAMU vs. TSU--2007 Atlanta Football Classic Battle of the Bands

Tennessee State gladly puts weight on Benson's foot

Photo: #80 SU Gerard Landry and #45 TSU Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are both All-Americans and faced each other last week in SU vs. TSU game.

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Tennessee State University receiver Chris Johnson is making a name for himself in the Ohio Valley Conference. Defensive back Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie also is getting noticed for his penchant for blocking kicks.

Then, there is kicker Eric Benson, who might turn out to be the man who makes the biggest difference against Florida A&M on Saturday. He is the reason that the Tigers are coming into Saturday's Atlanta Classic with a 2-2 record.

Field goals by Benson gave TSU back-to-back wins over Jackson State and Austin Peay.

"Right now I feel very confident that if it comes down to a kick at the end that we're going to win," said TSU coach James Webster. "He's won two ballgames for us (and) I think he's got confidence in what he's doing. I've got a lot of confidence in him."

Considering the outcome of the last two games, which FAMU won, accuracy in the kicking game could be pivotal. FAMU took last year's game on Wesley Taylor's leg.

Taylor secured an overtime win for FAMU with a 34-yard field goal last year. A year earlier Taylor's punt to TSU's 1-yard line in the closing minutes put FAMU in position to hold off the Tigers 12-7.

Taylor, who has been in a funk lately, said the magnitude of the game is enough for him to begin a turnaround.

"I like the pressure," said Taylor, who hit his first field goal in three attempts two weeks ago against Howard. "I've been blessed to be able to go out there and win the game for my teammates. A lot of people say they can't take the pressure.

"As a field-goal kicker, that pressure kick is the one you live for. Everybody in the world is depending on you."

Taylor said he used FAMU's bye week to refocus and brush up his technique.

"The past few games, I've been putting too much pressure on myself," he said. "Coach (Rubin) Carter told me I'm a senior and I should go out there and have fun. He was right. I'm going to stop thinking about it and have a good time."

While Webster expressed confidence in Benson, Carter was just as optimistic that Taylor will get the job done if the game is going to be decided by a field goal.

"What we have to do is to make sure we surround (Taylor) with a supporting cast," Carter said. "Wesley has shown competitiveness in his ability to win big games for us."

FAMU's Hayward eager to show his skills

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

FAMU receiver misses last two games with knee injury.

Willie Hayward wasn't a part of the lineup of players for FAMU's weekly meeting with the media on Tuesday, but maybe he should have been.

So much was being asked of his teammates about the wide receiver's expected return to the Rattlers' offense this weekend.

While offensive and defensive players had plenty to say about how Hayward's absence has affected the offense, no one ever has more to say than Hayward. He doesn't just talk the talk, however. He walks the walk as well, bringing an extra dimension to the Rattlers' firepower.

He sat out FAMU's last two games with a damaged MCL in his left knee, which he injured during FAMU's season-opener against Southern.

Hayward comes with a swagger - his gift of gab, body language that's intended to intimidate defenses. And, yes, there are times when he'll celebrate with arms akimbo on his hips whenever he makes a catch.

Catch Hayward at the right time, and with his flamboyant style he'll drop a line or two in third person.

"I guess that's all part of Willie Hayward," he said, a long gold necklace dangling on his chest. "Maybe I can take it over the top, but I know to calm myself down.

"For the most part, I'm just playing with emotion and getting into the game. Being in the game and talking is something that comes naturally to me."

His talent seems natural, too. So much so that NFL scouts have been taking notice and more than a few of them might be in the Georgia Dome when Hayward makes his comeback. FAMU plays Tennessee State in the Atlanta Football Classic on Saturday.

No one is more elated than coach Rubin Carter, who has used a string of young receivers in the two games that Hayward missed.


"Now he's back to full speed and able to go out and be an integral part of what we do offensively that includes him," said Carter, adding that Hayward's antics aren't overbearing because sometimes the team needs it.

"That's the competitive nature of Willie," he said. "He is just that caliber of athlete. As long as it doesn't cause us any harm, we like the energy and fire he has."

During his recovery, Hayward spent time working on his upper-body strength. Most days in practice he was perched on the sidelines talking and observing. His first actual day of practice was Wednesday.

"I decided to go out there every day and watch from the outside, the coverages on defense," he said. "I always try to get better any way I can."

Hayward had three catches for 31 yards against Southern as his only contribution so far this season. His teammates, responding to the questions from the media, made it clear that Hayward is a must-have weapon.

"With (Hayward) coming back adds a whole new dimension to our offense," said senior running back Anthony Edwards, who has played sporadically due to arthritis in his foot. "From the Southern game we saw how much respect (defenses) have, putting two or three people on him. If they put two and three on him, that just opens up the run."

FAMU receiver Knight back to practice, plans to play Saturday

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida A&M receiver Javares Knight said Thursday that he expects to be able to play Saturday against Tennessee State.

Knight, a redshirt sophomore from FAMU High, seemed doubtful Wednesday that he would be able to go Saturday because of a protruding bone in his mouth that was causing him a lot of pain.

Knight did not practice Wednesday, but was able to practice Thursday. Knight said he is taking medication for the pain, which may require dental work.

Knight, who has six catches on the season for 102 yards and a touchdown, had his wisdom teeth pulled just two weeks ago.


Photo: #15, FAMU WR Jarvares Knight

Couch potato alert
Comcast Cable announced that Saturday's game would be aired live on Channel 16.

Fox Sports South, based in Atlanta, is also televising the game on its regional network which includes Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina and portions of North Carolina.

FSN Florida (Comcast Channel 29), affiliated with Fox Sports, will pick up the game in progress at 4 p.m., or at the conclusion of the Florida Marlins-New York Mets baseball game.

FAMU takes over the ATL
If you are looking for more than just a FAMU football fix this week, Atlanta is still the place to be as five other Rattler teams will be playing in a variety of events.

The golf team is participating in the Coca-Cola Hall of Fame Classic in Atlanta through Saturday.
The men's and women's cross country teams will be participating in a meet hosted by Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College on Saturday morning.

The men's and women's tennis are competing in the HBCU National Tennis Championships, which is featuring more than 20 collegiate programs. The Championships started Thursday and will run through Sunday.

Defensive line is bottom line for FAMU's defense

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

So far this season, Florida A&M's defense has shown marked improved from last year, particularly against the run.

Depth on the defensive line may be one of the key contributing factors to the defense's overall improved play.

"Our rotation is great," said FAMU football coach Rubin Carter. "We have about six to eight defensive linemen that actually play during a game. The gap is much more narrow than when I first arrived here. The idea in training camp is to develop two units."

Redshirt-sophomore defensive tackle Lymon Reed has been one of the reasons FAMU has more depth on the defensive line this season.

Reed saw spot duty last season and started the season behind redshirt-sophomore Demetris Lane. When Lane broke his finger in camp and then re-broke just before the start of season, Reed was pushed into a starting role.

Reed has responded with 15 total tackles this season 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss, which ties him for the team lead with linebacker Dannel Shepard.

"Lymon has really come on strong," Carter said. "He was a good player in high school and went to the Naval Academy first. He decided to come back closer to his family in the state of Florida.

"We've had the opportunity to work with him the past two years and he's shown that he's able to make a contribution to the defense."

Reed has made it hard for Carter to take him out the starting lineup, especially with his pass-rushing skills and ability to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.

"He has excellent quickness off the ball," Carter said. "He is an excellent pass rusher and uses his hands extremely well. He is getting better against the run.

"I love that (tackles for loss). You want to play on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage."

Reed said his play this season is just a product of hard offseason work.

"I worked hard over the summer," Reed said. "I kind of expected I would have success, I just knew I would have to take advantage of the opportunity when I got the chance."

FAMU good enough for victory

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

When it comes to conference play Florida A&M women's volleyball coach Tony Trifonov is not just looking for his team to win. With 91 consecutive MEAC victories heading into Wednesday's game against rival Bethune-Cookman, winning is not always good enough.

The Rattlers cruised to a 30-24, 30-14, 30-18 victory in their conference-opener, improving to 3-5 on the season. The game was aired on ESPNU in front of a crowd of almost 600 people at Gaither Gymnasium.

“We didn't play as well as I wanted them to play, but not many of my teams have played up to my expectations,” Trifonov said. “We played good enough to win. The kids were probably a little bit nervous about being on TV.”

The Rattlers just had too much offensive firepower for the Bethune-Cookman (2-6, 0-1). The duo of freshman Jovana Blazeski and senior Iva Lakic, both from Serbia, combined for 32 total kills.

Bethune-Cookman had 34 total kills. FAMU had 50 total kills and just 14 errors compared to 22 for Bethune-Cookman.

“We committed a lot of unforced errors,” Trifonov said. “We'll work on that and get better. We need to be a little bit more aggressive offensively. We don't have that killer instinct. We're not hitting the ball as hard.”

FAMU, behind four kills from Lakic, won the first game 30-24 but never really pulled away from the Wildcats.

Photo: FAMU's Jovana Blazeski earns one of her 15 kills in the Rattlers' sweep over Bethune-Cookman.

FAMU won the second game in more convincing fashion 30-14. Blazeski, who is playing with a torn ACL in her left knee, dominated that game with eight kills and just one error. Blazeski isn't expected to have surgery to repair the ACL until December.

“Her mobility is not all there,” Trifonov said. “She is playing with a lot of guts.” As if playing with a blown knee wasn't tough enough, Blazeski also took ball to the face in the second game.

“Volleyball can be physical, especially when someone hits you in the head,” said Lakic, interpreting for Blazeski. “She got hit in the head, but she is powerful and can survive” Lakic topped the freshman in the third and final games with nine kills, leading FAMU to 30-18 win.

“I didn't think that I played very good in this game,” Lakic said. “I saw that I had 17 kills and that was good. Coach wants us to get our percentages better individually and as a team."

Rams Notebook: Rams having problems on offensive side of ball

COMPILED BY JOHN DELL, Winston Salem Journal

■ Even though Winston-Salem State gave up nearly 500 yards to S.C. State in last week’s 20-7 loss, the defense still found a way to force four turnovers.

The offense, on the other hand, continues to struggle.

“We understand that the offense is still pretty young, so we as a defense have stepped up and created turnovers and that’s what Coach (Mike) Ketchum wants us to do,” nose guard Keith Newton said. “We’re playing OK, but we still have to improve in a lot of areas.”

Newton said that it’s no time to start pointing fingers, despite the struggles of the offense.

“It’s a little frustrating, but we know they are going to come around and get it done,” Newton said.

■ Coach Kermit Blount of WSSU expressed an interest in the coaching job at Howard when it was open in 2001, and went to Washington, for an interview with school administrators.

Morgan State also had a vacancy at the time and also showed interest in Blount, who had just led WSSU to two CIAA titles in three seasons and thought that a Division I job was his next logical move.

As it turns out, he didn’t have to change schools to accomplish his goal - the Rams are now on their way to Division I. Blount didn’t want to comment about his earlier interest in Howard this week.

Blount is in his 15th season at WSSU and needs six victories to become the school’s all-time wins leader.

■ Carey Bailey, Howard’s first-year coach, said he hasn’t talked to his players about last year’s game against WSSU, a 12-0 Rams victory at Bowman Gray Stadium.

“Last year was a different team with different personnel,” said Bailey, whose team is 0-3. “This is a new team with new personnel, so they’re approaching it the way that I would expect them to approach it.”

■ The Circle City Classic, a game matching Winston-Salem State against Florida A&M in Indianapolis on Oct. 6, will be televised on the NFL Network, which is available on DirecTV (Ch. 212 in the Winston-Salem area) and the Dish Network (Ch. 154). Kickoff will be at 4 p.m. from the RCA Dome.

■ WSSU isn’t eligible for the MEAC championship this season but is 2-1 in games against MEAC teams. “I’m not surprised we are able to hang with these teams in the MEAC,” lineman Keith Newton said. “I know we have the kind of athletes that the other teams have, so it’s not surprising at all.” …. If center Michael Helton (sprained knee) can’t play Saturday at Howard, Javon Hubbard probably will start in his place. Hubbard, a fifth-year senior, has played several positions during his career (tight end and on both lines).

“He’s our utility player,” quarterback Jarrett Dunston said…. Three WSSU players are from Washington - running back Brandon McRae (out for the season with a broken wrist), Marcus Coates and Jeremy Reaves…. Howard has three players from Forsyth and Guilford counties - offensive linemen DiMarques Floyd (a starter) and Randall White (a backup) from Greensboro Page, and receiver Brandon Sherman from Parkland, who has played in two games and has one catch for 7 yards and one kickoff return for 20 yards.

J-State's off week leads into 3-game murderers' row

Photo: JSU Head Coach Rick Comegy

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Carlos Simpson is certain Jackson State's football team has retrieved its confidence, thanks to a two-game winning streak that included Saturday's emphatic 50-16 victory over rival Mississippi Valley State.

And that's great, but the Tigers' receiver is also quick to point out that it's going to take a lot more than confidence to win the next three games on the schedule.

"This is where we make or break our season," Simpson said. "We've got to stay hungry. The monkey's off the back of the offense after we scored 50 points. But we've got a lot more ahead of us."

Jackson State (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is in the midst of its off week, practicing Tuesday, Wednesday and today before giving the players the weekend to rest.

What awaits when the team returns is a brutal three-week stretch that includes games against Alabama State, Southern and Grambling. The three opponents have a combined 10-1 record this season, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the SWAC.

The Tigers still have an unblemished mark in conference, too, after beating two struggling programs in Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley. But let's be honest: JSU was supposed to win those games.

"I'm pleased because I think our guys realize we haven't accomplished anything yet," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "Are we happy that we're playing better and winning? Sure. But these teams that are coming up will present a very stiff challenge."

And the first hurdle will be Alabama State (4-0, 3-0), a battle-tested team that's still undefeated after squeaking past Alcorn State 28-25 last week.

Under first-year coach Reggie Barlow, the Hornets have won three of their four games by less than a touchdown and faced fourth-quarter deficits every game.

The Hornets have one of the best rushing offenses in the SWAC, led by running back Jay Peck. The senior is averaging 123 rushing yards per game, a mark that's nearly 30 yards better than the nearest challenger.

"He's one of the SWAC's best," JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "We've got to hit him hard and hit him often - make sure he's earning every yard he gets and try to wear him down."

Jackson State was very good at punishing running backs last season, finishing tops in the conference in rush defense.

But so far this season, the Tigers have been a bit more forgiving up front.

MVSU freshman running back Ronald Brewer carved up the JSU defense for 148 yards on Saturday and seemed to get 6- or 7-yard gains whenever he wished. Hayes said part of that was because "Brewer's a darn good young running back."

But players admitted that the tackling up front hasn't been optimal. Right now, JSU ranks fifth in the SWAC in rushing defense.

"In the film room, we saw some of our mistakes in the way we were lining up and it won't happen again," JSU linebacker Marcus Jamison said. "We've got to be prepared because I'm sure Alabama State saw that film of MVSU running on us. So they'll probably try the same thing."

Other than the run defense, Comegy said he saw no glaring weaknesses to correct from the MVSU game. But after thinking about it for a minute, JSU's coach admitted that's part of what makes him worried.

After all, Comegy says it was complacency that led to Jackson State finishing with a 6-5 record last season after starting 5-1.

"Just because we played a pretty good game on Saturday (against MVSU) doesn't mean we can't get a whole lot better in every phase of the game," Comegy said. "We've got to make our players understand that they can't get comfortable. There can be no sliding backward or all our work has been lost. That's why we're working so hard this week."

JSU Palmer's frame belies his wallop

Photo: Paul Roberts gets trapped by JSU defenders #26 Malcolm Palmer (left) and Willie Williams.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Alabama State at Jackson State
When: Oct. 6, 3 p.m.
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

After four stellar games to begin his sophomore season, Jackson State safety Malcolm Palmer is being compared to the Tigers' unsung defensive player from last season - linebacker Ken Woodard, who finished third on the team in tackles.

"Both of them don't physically look that big when you see them without pads," JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "But when they get on the football field you can't live without them. Palmer's been better than I ever dreamed he would be - at least this quickly."

Palmer (6 feet, 185 pounds) was the SWAC's defensive player of the week with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked kick in Saturday's 50-16 win over Mississippi Valley State. As a freshman, Palmer rarely played before earning a starting spot last spring.

Hayes said Palmer is proof that you can't judge a football player by physical appearance.

"We have a saying that some guys look like Tarzan, but play like Jane," Hayes said grinning. "But Malcolm's the other way around."

STILL HANDY

Defensive end Idrees Abdur-Rashied has seen his role reduced over the first four weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand.

The senior has just six tackles this season and has trouble wrapping up opposing players because of the club he has to wear on his hand for protection. In Abdur-Rashied's place, Sam Washington and Marcus Benard have had increased playing time.

"There's no question it makes things tougher," Abdur-Rashied said. "But there's no use complaining. I'm just trying to contribute as much as I can."

Abdur-Rashied said he hoped to be rid of the club in about two weeks.

A FAMILIAR FOE

Jackson State offensive line coach Bruce Johnson is quite familiar with Alabama State, the Tigers' next opponent on Oct. 6

Johnson was an assistant for Alabama State from 2002-05, a run that included a SWAC championship in 2004.

Johnson said he counts ASU offensive coordinator Maurice Harris as his best friend in the coaching business.

"He's a very talented coach," Johnson said. "It'll be tough to beat him and it's always fun because we know each other so well."

Twins Derrick and Eric Ray are leaving their mark on NCCU football

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Date: SEPT. 29, NCCU vs. PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, "Youth Day - Open House" DURHAM, NC, O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium 2:00 P.M.,
Watch--Internet TV: http://www.jarvistv.com/nccu/
Podcast: http://web.nccu.edu/campus/athletics/audio.html

Folks around the N.C. Central football program are starting to call linebackers Derrick and Eric Ray "The Bruise Brothers."

And that's not just blowing smoke.

The senior fraternal twins from Raleigh's Millbrook High, each of whom started his college football elsewhere before joining the Eagles, are a couple of the stalwarts of a defense that has been among the best in Black College football ever since they joined the program.

And they're coming off one of the biggest games of their careers. Derrick's 23-yard interception return gave the Eagles the lead for good, while Eric's pickoff at the goal line with 14 seconds left sealed the outcome in their 27-22 victory at North Carolina A&T on Saturday night.

The Eagles will be looking for more big plays Saturday at 2 p.m., when they host Presbyterian (1-3) at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. It's a battle between the only two football teams in their first season in the Football Championship Subdivision.

"We've been looking forward to this for a while," Derrick said. "Playing against [FCS] schools is good competition for us, and it shows us how good a team we are."

NCCU is 33-6 since Derrick joined the team in 2004 and 25-4 with Eric, who joined the Eagles a season later.

The A&T game marked the second time the brothers each have had an interception in a game for the Eagles. The other game was in the 2005 overtime win at Lenoir-Rhyne, including one that Derrick returned for a touchdown.

During their senior year in high school, each had a return for a TD in a game against Enloe.

"Any time we each get one in the same game, it's really special -- especially if we win the game," Eric said. "Words can't really explain how it feels."

Derrick (6-0, 215), who began his college career at South Carolina, plays the "Sam" linebacker spot. Eric (6-0, 235), who first played college football at Winston-Salem State, is at the "Mike" position. And both have been piling up the statistics for the Eagles (4-1).

Eric, who was born first by a few minutes, has been in on 25 tackles including six for losses, with the interceptions, a deflection and a forced fumble. Derrick has been in on 26 tackles including eight for losses, with two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two breakups.

"Those two guys have lots of energy and enthusiasm and are among our leaders," first-year NCCU coach Mose Rison said. "They both help make us a good football team. And every time we play a game, we know at least one of them is going to make a huge play for us."

Derrick has been in on 155 career tackles, while Eric has 111 in an often injury-plagued career.

"Derrick is real emotional when he's on the field," Eric said. "He does a good job getting our team ready to play."

Derrick, whose pregame bus ritual includes hip-hop dance antics that reportedly put teammates in stitches, said of his brother: "He's fearless. I'm just glad he's on our side."

Derrick, who is majoring in accounting, said he had always been good at math and refused to listen when others warned him the major would be too hard. Eric is majoring in criminal justice.

"I always wanted to know how the criminal mind works," Eric said.

The sons of Otis and Sandra Ray said they expect their parents to be among about 15 family members at Saturday's game.

The contingent unfailingly includes older brother Brian, who played college football and has followed his brothers to road games including at Southern and Albany State.

"He's everywhere," Derrick and Eric said of Brian. "It's great to have that kind of support."

NOTES -- Saturday's game will be the Eagles' first against the Blue Hose. They will visit Presbyterian next season. … In Black College polls, the Eagles are No. 8 in TSPNSports.com and No. 10 in BoxtoRow

Perfect starts give Southern, Alabama State high hopes

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

SU vs. Alabama State
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
WHERE: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
TV: ESPNU.
RADIO: KQXL-FM, 106.5

Both Southern and Alabama State — teams that dueled in the 2003 and ’04 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship games — went 5-6 last season and entered this season with little in the way of outside expectations.

Both, however, are off to 4-0 starts this season, and hopes are starting to inflate.

The Gulf Coast Classic at 2:30 p.m. Saturday will give one team a chance to equal last season’s win total and keep precious momentum going. The game will be played on Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., and was picked up earlier in the season by ESPNU.

“It’ll be a good football game,” 15th-year Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “Hopefully, we can have a packed house to see two fine football teams play. This game is a conference game, and it’s huge for both teams. We want to be in a position to control our own destiny, so we don’t have to depend on anybody else.”

Despite being sapped by losing 18 players since the spring, Southern (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) nevertheless has gotten stronger as games progress, outscoring foes 58-16 after halftime. SU overwhelmed both Tennessee State and Florida A&M with second-half comebacks.

“We’ve won the close ones,” Richardson said. “That helps you out a great deal. It keeps your spirits alive. A large part of that becomes confidence in yourself.”

Alabama State (4-0, 3-0) switched quarterbacks, going to junior college transfer Chris Mitchell, and has won all four of its games in the fourth quarter. The Hornets have outscored the opposition 46-23 in the fourth quarter.

“I never had any predictions coming into the season, but you always want to win them all,” first-year Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. “This may not be the best way to win games, but I’ll take it.”

In the conference’s preseason poll, Southern was picked to finish third in the SWAC Western Division. That’s the Jaguars’ lowest projection since the SWAC went to divisional play in 1999.

“I’m kind of surprised,” Richardson said of his team’s 4-0 start. “I’m proud of this football team, the way they hung in regardless of the situation. They’re going to play hard for 60 minutes and they’re learning how to win.”

Richardson credited his assistants and his players for the Jaguars’ best start since 2003.

“To be in this position, we have to attribute that to the players themselves,” Richardson said.

Meanwhile, Alabama State was picked to finish last of five teams in the Eastern Division.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us,” Barlow said of Saturday’s game. “We’re going to come and give it our best shot. If we can pull it out, that will be huge for our kids, our community and our school.”

Powerful Peck
The player working the room at the SWAC Media Day in late July was Alabama State running back Jay Peck.

Peck had a reason to be confident and self-assured. After all, the former walk-on from Columbus, Ohio, — introduced to the school by an Alabama State alum who is a cousin —Peck had already graduated in marketing and had emerged from the shadows of Robert Randolph and Keldrick Williams to run for 1,139 yards and eight touchdowns, becoming a first-team All-SWAC selection in the process last season.

“He gets it,” Barlow said. “He understands what he’s here for. You know what you’re going to get out of him every day. He comes to work.”

Peck had six carries in 2005, but had 249 last season. He’s already rushed for a SWAC-best 492 yards and two TDs on 98 carries this season.

“We have to stop the run,” Richardson said. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to stop Peck. We’ll have to try to limit him.”

2007 Alabama State University Marching Hornets Band and Stingettes Dancers



Peck has the complete package after transforming from third-down back to workhorse back. ASU split him out Saturday, and Peck hauled in a key pass in a victory over Alcorn State. He has 10 catches for 116 yards this season.

“He’s always been talented,” Barlow said. “We knew he could run routes and catch the ball well. I’m not sure anybody knew he would be as good a runner as he’s turned out to be. He’s patient. He sets up his block well.

“We’re going to lean on him again to rush the ball and get us to where we need to be.”

Barlow credited offensive coordinator Maurice Harris with finding ways to get Peck involved all over the field — and the entire offense for allowing Peck to work, even though teams are keying on him.

“That’s a tribute to our O-line,” Barlow said. “Even though teams are preparing for him, those guys are still creating positive running lanes for him, and our receivers are doing a good job in perimeter blocking.”

The buzz on the Hornets’ defense
Alabama State is 14th nationally in scoring defense (16.0 points per game), 15th in total defense (286.0 yards per game) and is tied for 14th in tackles for loss (8.8 per game). The Hornets are second in the SWAC in scoring defense and rushing defense (101.0 ypg) and third in total defense.

Barlow called his defense “the backbone” of his team and its success.

“We’ll have to continue to rely on them,” Barlow said.

While Barlow, Alabama State’s quarterbacks coach, may be new to the role of head coach, much of the staff has remained intact. That includes Tony Pierce, in his fifth season as the Hornets defensive coordinator. Pierce was named the American Football Coaches Association’s I-AA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2004.

“Defensively, they’re real aggressive,” Richardson said. “They like to do a lot of blitzing, which puts a lot of pressure on you to get rid of the football.”

Said Southern sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee, “They’re physical. They’re going to attack us.”

Chowan to CIAA simply is historical

The significance — and even the news itself — might have escaped many fans and supporters this week. Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., has joined the Hampton-based CIAA as a football member starting in 2008.

It is the first time that a predominantly white institution has joined a historically black college athletic conference, but it might not be the last.

Many fans on the popular black college sports site onnidan.com are skeptical of the union. Others are taking a wait-and-see attitude.

The feelings are similar at Chowan, according to athletic director Dennis Helsel.

"The reaction has ranged from 'Wow, that's creative!' to 'Will it work?' We haven't had any outright negative," Helsel added. "We've had some quizzical."

Eric Moore, founder and Webmaster for onnidan.com, said the relationship is a win for both sides.

"Now you have pretty much broken the mold," Moore said. "Because you are saying that schools who fit geographically and well as athletically will be welcome."

Moore said he doesn't think the union takes anything away from the purity of a historically black college conference, because the colleges for years have had white athletes, and "black colleges will always be historically black."

Jerry Holmes, defensive coordinator at Hampton University, and a graduate of Chowan when it was a junior college, agreed. "It's a good fit for both," Holmes added. "Chowan has always had a solid program."

Indeed, the school's Website lists 20 athletes, including Holmes, under "Chowan in the NFL."

Folks having a problem with this arrangement need to get over it quickly. This was a marriage of convenience that is already being looked at by at least one of the other three black conferences.

But first a little recent history.

The CIAA has been hemorrhaging members and looking for new partners. Hampton and Norfolk State left at least 10 years ago, and Winston-Salem and N.C. Central took off recently, hoping for greener pastures in Division I-AA.

Meanwhile, Chowan's courtship (provisional membership) with the Division III USA South Conference ended when the school was denied full membership in 2004. But in came a new president and new direction — and a decision to move up to Division II.

Chowan had played many of the CIAA schools in nearly all of its sports, and conference membership looked enticing — to both the CIAA and Chowan.

But race, so often an incendiary element, threatened an open love affair.

Credit CIAA commissioner Leon Kerry, a Hampton native. And credit both Helsel and Chowan president M. Christoper White for not letting race be a dividing factor.

All it took was a look ahead and even a look back.

"We want to be out of the box in our thinking," Kerry said. "We're looking for people with excellent venues, who play similar sports that we do. It's not about color."

Helsel, a former associate commissioner for Conference USA, searched for a new league for Chowan. He found that the average driving distance to the closest compatible conferences was 350 miles.

However, the average driving distance to the CIAA schools was 196 miles.

"That's a substantial cost difference in terms of savings," Helsel said. "If you take race out of it, the CIAA popped up as the best fit."

Helsel said some university officials also looked back to Chowan's beginnings in 1851 "as a four-year college for women — one of the first of its kind — not just a finishing school.

"We were ground breakers, so there is a parallel with us going to a historically black conference," Helsel said. "We're hoping people will look at us and say, 'Wow, this was a very creative and very good idea.' "

Helsel wasn't at first sure the CIAA would be receptive to a non-historically black institution. But once he learned the CIAA was having discussions with the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, a predominantly Native American institution, Chowan became less shy and made contact.

Discussions took place this summer and the arrangement was announced this week. Both Helsel and Kerry say that Chowan might become a member in other sports down the road.

Kerry said historically black Lincoln University, near Philadelphia, and UNC-Pembroke will join the CIAA in football in 2009.

Williams Lide, president of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, a black-college league based in Atlanta, said the CIAA-Chowan arrangement is the future.

"We are too looking to diversify our conference," Lide said. "It's the right thing to do, and it's also a good business decision.

"It expands your fan base, instills new rivalries and enhances your revenues."

So in the end, it is about color.

It's about green.

David Squires, Daily Press

Gulf Coast Classic: Barlow--will, desire key to ASU Hornets' success

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Special to The Advocate

Reggie Barlow is a proven winner.

A freshman on the 1991 Alabama State squad, Barlow and the Hornets claimed a National Black College Championship that season after going 11-0-1.

He claimed his second championship ring 11 years later with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when the group won Super Bowl XXXVI.

Despite all the accolades and title rings, fans and critics alike are trying to figure out how this year’s Alabama State squad remains undefeated.

The Hornets will put their unbeaten record on the line against another unbeaten team in Southern University on Saturday, when the two clash in the 34th annual Gulf Coast Classic in Mobile, Ala. The Southwestern Athletic Conference clash will be televised by ESPNU and will kick-off at 2:30 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

With running back Jay Peck, who leads the conference in rushing yards with 492 yards on 98 carries and two touchdowns, being the lone superstar returning from last year’s 5-6 team, Barlow doesn’t have a simple answer to the secret of his team’s success.

In his first year as head coach at his alma mater, Barlow cites different factors in the group’s 4-0 start.

“That 1991 team was as deep as any team I’ve ever seen. We had so many play makers and it was a very explosive group,” Barlow said. “In comparison, I think this team has a better defense than we did in 1991. But offensively, we had so many weapons.

“To be fair to this year’s team, we have our own character,” he continued. “It’s a bunch of silly young guys that really care and love each other and the game of football equally. In every game this season, our guys kept fighting under the final horn. I contribute that to will, desire and conditioning.”

The last time the Hornets program opened the season 4-0 was in 1991.

One of the reasons Barlow’s group has been successful is credited to the poise and play of quarterback Chris Mitchell.

A backup before the season, Mitchell has led the group to four consecutive fourth quarter come-from-behind victories, including a pair of rushing touchdowns a week ago against Alcorn State.

“Chris just never gets rattled. He’s as calm late in the game as he is prior to the game starting,” Barlow said. “Obviously we’d love to close teams out early but every team has their niche. Right now rallying late in the game might be our niche.”

At 34, Barlow is the youngest coach in the SWAC and is quick to give praise to his staff.

“Our coaches have been really good to me and encouraged me,” he said. “Anywhere I’m slacking they’ve encouraged me and picked me up. Plus what a great group of players we have. I’m just grateful and happy for this staff and our team.”

In Mobile on Monday for a meet-and-greet sessions with fans, Barlow admits his team will have to play some of their best football on Saturday.

“This game is going to be pivotal for both schools. Southern is a great team and it’s scary because they have so much talent and explosive players,” he said. “We’ll have to make sure we take the proper angles and come to battle when we tackle these guys.

“It’s going to be challenging for us and all of their play makers scare me,” Barlow continued. “Obviously their talent level is back to where it use to be and their coaching staff will have their team prepared.”

While the upcoming contest will be the battle of the unbeatens for the Montgomery, Ala., native he has the same message for his team that he’s had the previous four contest.

“As a player, a coach and a team you can’t ever feel like you’ve arrived. You have to always compete and always feel threatened that you may fail,” Barlow said. “That’s what we’ve been trying to get our kids to buy into.”

Hampton's Taylor sets example in MEAC

Photo: Hampton's head coach earns respect from DSU, other rivals

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

DOVER -- Joe Taylor's first job in college football, as an assistant coach at Eastern Illinois in 1978, was just as important as the one he holds now.

Maybe that is the secret behind Taylor's quiet rise through the college ranks.

"I guess I was told, wherever you are is supposed to be the best job," Taylor said.

A virtual unknown to the mass-consuming audience of college football, the head coach at Hampton University is showered with great esteem within his own sect.

Winners of three-straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships and seven playoff bids, Taylor's Pirates have placed the bar where few programs can reach.

Delaware State coach Al Lavan, who brings his team to meet Taylor's Pirates at 1 p.m. Saturday at Armstrong Stadium in Hampton, Va., holds reverence for Taylor's exploits.

The Hornets' only victory over a Taylor-led Hampton team occurred in 2004, in Lavan's first season at DSU. Taylor is 11-1 all-time against the Hornets.

"Teams that do that, it's not an accident," Lavan said. "Joe Taylor for a number of years has had his program running at a high level, and that's impressive."

Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley, who also worked as an assistant under Taylor, echoed the sentiment.

"It's hard to do anything in life three times," Hill-Eley said. "You just have to respect who they are. It doesn't happen haphazardly."

In 15 seasons at Hampton, Taylor has directed his team to eight conference titles (CIAA and MEAC). He owns a 194-73-4 record with the third most wins among active Division I-AA coaches.

Taylor, who attended Western Illinois, began his career in the mid-1970s as a physical education teacher around Washington, D.C., before he was offered a chance to coach the offensive line at Eastern Illinois.

In 1984, he took over at Division II Virginia Union and took the program to three division playoffs.

Taylor took over then-Division II Hampton in 1992 and has been on a roll ever since. Since Hampton classified as Division I and joined the MEAC in 1995, he has won 102 games against league opponents.

Taylor takes it all in stride.

"We've been blessed in this profession," Taylor said. "At Eastern Illinois, we won a Division II championship, so that was great. Virginia Union, we won some championships there. But you just wake up every day and take what the Lord gives you and try to make the best of it. Maybe when I'm sitting in the rocking chair I'll look back on it."

Taylor has been long rumored to be an overdue candidate for a I-A job. He said he's spoken with some I-A leadership, but the positions were never enough to warrant leaving the Pirates.

Last year, Taylor relinquished his role as Hampton athletic director to concentrate on football. That move started rumors of his pending retirement. But Taylor laughed off any notion of retiring soon.

"I look at the guys who retired, and they don't last long," Taylor said. "As long as your health is good and people want you around, you just enjoy what you're doing and you don't look that far ahead."

Without question, Taylor's success in recent years has allowed him to lure many transfers from upper-division programs and high school recruits who wouldn't normally go to Hampton.

Five Pirates players last year were invited to the NFL combines. Even the best players Delaware State has offered in recent years, linebackers Kenny Kern and Sam Smith, were talented but failed to be included in the type of consideration Taylor's players regularly receive.

Despite losing 14 seniors to graduation, Hampton remains in a position to win a fourth championship. It enters Saturday's game with a 3-0 record, all against MEAC competition.

While no one wants to be Taylor, coaches want the secret to his successes.

"His program is much more attractive to attract high-level people," Lavan said. "The consistency in the acquisition of personnel is critical at a certain point. The ability to acquire personnel and use them in that context, that's why guys win."

North Carolina A&T's losing deal turns over a 21

Photo: Norfolk State defensive back Josh Anderson tries to grab N.C. A&T wide receiver Mike Caldwell.

FINAL: Norfolk State 50, N.C. A&T 20

By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News-Record

GREENSBORO -- N.C. A&T hit 21 on Thursday night, but this was no jackpot.

The Aggies' losing streak reached that occasionally magic number when Norfolk State struck suddenly, patiently and often in racking up a 50-20 victory before an ESPNU audience.

Casey Hansen went 19-for-27 passing for 351 yards and four touchdowns, and the Spartans (3-1) improved to 2-0 in the MEAC for the first time in their 11 seasons in the league. A&T (0-5, 0-2) now has allowed 70, 59 and 50 points in its past three national television appearances and owns the fifth-longest skid in the 30-year history of the NCAA's second-highest division, formerly called I-AA.

The Aggies forced one punt in the first three quarters. They fumbled it away, setting up a Spartans touchdown in the process. Norfolk State didn't need any help on a night when it combined for 532 yards in total offense.

"We didn't take care of the ball in any phase tonight, and they capitalized," said A&T coach Lee Fobbs. "Poor execution on our part."

Hansen hooked up with Jeremy Wicker on three nearly identical deep balls against single coverage in the first half, but the Aggies were still competitive to a point. They actually led three times in the early going, the last at 20-16 when quarterback Herb Miller scrambled deftly in from the Spartans' 4 with 8:39 left in the half.

At that stage, the Aggies had amassed their highest-scoring half in any game since the season finale in 2005.

"We wanted to start fast," said tailback Michael Ferguson, whose 18-carry, 131-yard night included a 51-yard run that set up an A&T score 75 seconds into the game. "We felt we could move the ball on them. We went down and scored."

The lead began to evaporate at the end of the first half. After Norfolk State kicked a field goal, A&T trailed 26-20 with 2:45 left and had decent field position following a short kickoff.

Norfolk State had one timeout left, which meant even a three-and-out possession with a punt by A&T would leave the visitors with a long field, a short clock and little compulsion to seek another score.

Under its current set of circumstances, A&T couldn't have griped about a six-point deficit at the half on its home field.

The problem was not the attempt to find the end zone again; it came when Miller failed to protect the ball as protection broke down around him. The resulting sack and fumble led to a Spartans field goal with 7 seconds to go in the half.

After Norfolk State took the second-half kickoff, it didn't go for the quick hit. The Spartans exercised patience with an experienced line and the forceful running of Daryl Jones. In 16 plays, they effectively put the victory away by going 76 yards and churning up more than 81/2 minutes.

For the Aggies, life only got worse. Five nights after they came within six yards of breaking the streak, they suffered through an inconsequential fourth quarter in which the only highlight was the end.

If they need a role model for a revival, the Aggies could do worse than the Spartans, who won in Greensboro for the first time in 20 years. Last week, they ended a long losing streak to Bethune-Cookman.

"We've been down for so long, and it's hard to get respect," said coach Pete Adrian, who became the team's fourth coach in two years when he was hired three seasons ago.

"It's an interesting thing. We hadn't beaten Bethune-Cookman in nine years. We've got South Carolina State coming up. I think we've beaten them once in the past nine years. That's the depths of where we're coming from. But I'm pleased with the direction we're headed in."

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Norfolk St., D.Jones 25-105, Ferrell 12-53, Cook 4-20, Moore 5-18, Hansen 2-(minus 15). N.C. A&T, Ferguson 18-131, Robinson 3-22, Caldwell 1-18, Walls 1-3, Tomlin 3-3, McNair 2-2, Miller 10-(minus 17).

PASSING--Norfolk St., Hansen 19-27-0-351, B.Jackson 0-1-0-0, K.Jones 0-1-0-0. N.C. A&T, Miller 3-7-1-51.

RECEIVING--Norfolk St., Walker 6-93, Wicker 5-172, Dickerson 2-37, Ja.Johnson 2-23, Bailey 2-21, D.Jones 2-5. N.C. A&T, C.Dawson 2-41, Caldwell 1-10.

Saturday homecoming puts B-CU, Daytona touches to test

By MARK HARPER, Daytona Beach News-Journal Education Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- Homecoming traditions: The parade. The marching band. The game. The traffic.

Bethune-Cookman University puts on a good show for its students, alumni and friends every year. But long lines forming at the gates of Memorial Stadium, extending down LPGA Boulevard and onto International Speedway Boulevard have been problematic, said Lynn Thompson, athletic director.

"We have a lot of people trying to get into the same spot at the same time," he said. "It's caused a logjam."

This year, school officials have worked with city officials to develop a plan. Here are some details for folks attending Saturday's homecoming:

PARADE: Starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. Main viewing areas are along Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard, Walnut Street and Oak Street.

SAFETY: Daytona Beach police Sgt. Lance Blanchette said traffic, especially at Nova Road where Bethune Boulevard crosses, frequently backs up as the parade gets started. Officers will likely allow parts of the parade to cross Nova, then stop the parade to allow traffic through before resuming the parade. "We may stop the parade from time to time to let traffic flow a bit," he said.

GRAND MARSHAL: Joyours "Pete" Gamble, executive director of the Daytona Beach Housing Authority and a member of the class of 1969, will lead the parade.

BUSES TO STADIUM: About 20 buses will run from the university's campus in central Daytona Beach to Memorial Stadium on the west side.

PREGAME PARKING: Passes for the Memorial Stadium lot are available through the university ticket office, 698 W. International Speedway Blvd. Cost is $15. Spaces are limited but off-site parking on the day of the game is also available at the LPGA Golf Course and the USTA Tennis Center on LPGA Boulevard. Those spots cost $10, and shuttle buses will run from those locations.

PARTYING: Many of the tailgating spots have already been sold. The stadium lot opens at 8 a.m. An Alumni Boosters Welcome Tent opens at the stadium at 1 p.m. The pregame show begins at 3:30 p.m.

GAME: The Wildcats host the Morgan State University Bears at 4 p.m. Tickets are $30.