Wins not coming for Alcorn Braves

Photo: #16 Chis Walker, Sr. QB, 5-10/200, Jean Ribault HS, Jacksonville, FL

By Jeff Edwards, The Natchez Democrat

LORMAN — Johnny Thomas never expected this. Four games into the season, the Alcorn State head coach thought his team would be .500 at the very least. The goal was to post a winning record in each third of the 12-game season and finish with a solid season.

However, turnovers and key injuries have limited the Alcorn offense and the Braves had limped to a disastrous 0-4 start.

“We’ve just had too many mistakes on the offense and in our special teams,” Thomas said. “Our defense has played pretty well, but we’ve put them in situations difficult to defend too many times this year.”

Through the first four games, the Braves are averaging just 9 points per game and have let turnovers dominate their games. Thomas points to Alcorn’s game against Alabama State two weeks ago as typical of how the season has gone.

“We finally broke out on offense with over 400 yards but turnovers and special teams hurt us,” Thomas said of the 28-25 loss. “A classic drive of ours this season was in the third quarter of that game. We drove the ball deep in their territory but fumbled. After that, it was all downhill.”

While turnovers may be the deciding factor in the Braves’ 0-4 start, injuries to the quarterback position have also hampered the Alcorn offense.

Photo: #6 Tony Hobson Jr., Jr. QB, 6-3/219, Jim Hill HS, Jackson, MS

Starting quarterback Chris Walker injured his quadriceps and was replaced by backup Tony Hobson. However, Hobson injured his hand in the week of practice leading up to Alcorn’s game against Arkansas Pine Bluff and Walker was reinserted into the starting lineup.

“If we could just stay healthy in that position, it would help our offense greatly,” Thomas said. “I never expected the rash of injuries that we’ve had.”

The Braves will try to snap out of their losing skid when they take on Prairie View A&M Saturday afternoon in Lorman. Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.

The Panthers opened the season with two straight victories before losing their last two. They lost 12-2 to Southern two weeks ago and dropped a hard-fought 17-14 decision to Grambling in Dallas last weekend. They come into Saturday’s game with a 2-2 overall record and a 1-2 record in the SWAC and are led by a defense that has allowed just 12.5 points per game.

“Prairie View is a good team that is well coached,” Thomas said. “They know how to win because they have won twice this season. They have a very good defense and their offense is putting up points. It’s going to be a hard chore for us to pick up a win.”

After taking last weekend off, Thomas said his players are still in good spirits as they fight for that elusive first victory.

“We’ve had a good week of practice,” Thomas said. “Everyone is still positive and upbeat. The season is not over. They know what is at stake and no one has given up.”

But Thomas knows if his Braves want to pick up their first win of the 2007 campaign this weekend, they have to play a clean football game.

“The key to victory is not turning the ball over,” he said. “If we don’t turn the ball over, we can win. Turnovers make such a huge difference in who wins and loses.”

And if the Braves can do that, they may just be able to put their awful start behind them and begin the second third of their season with some momentum.

“The goal of the season was to get off to a good start,” Thomas said. “I never expected to be 0-4. I didn’t anticipate the rash of injuries and the turnovers. If we can eliminate them and get to playing solid football, we can still have a good season.”

UAPB taking advantage of bye week

By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial

The Arkansas-Pine Bluff football team will use its off-week to lick its wounds and get a head’s up on preparing for Grambling State, while the coaching staff will take advantage of the extra time by getting a jump on in-season recruiting.

UAPB will practice this afternoon before taking Thursday through Saturday off to allow players’ various bumps and bruises to heal and to give head coach Mo Forte and his staff time to leave Pine Bluff to get a look at potential student-athletes for next season.

Forte himself will travel to Detroit Wednesday on a recruiting trip.

“We wanted to give them a little rest and get some of the little, nagging injuries taken care of so we’re ready to play a tough Grambling team [on Oct. 13],” Forte said. “We’re fortunate in that we don’t have any big injuries but really it’s not that much more than one day off because on normal Fridays we don’t do too much and on Saturdays we never practice because we have games.

“We’ll go through a normal practice [today] and then all of the coaches will leave to go recruit.”

The Golden Lions will exchange tapes with Grambling today, which will give them a heads up on preparing for what the Tigers have been doing under new head coach Ron Broadway.

Broadway, who won the mythical Black College Football National Championship last season at North Carolina Central, has been an acquaintance of Forte’s for nearly 30 years, dating back to when both were young assistant coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference at North Carolina and Duke, respectively.

“I know him fairly well, we go way back,” Forte said. “We don’t really know how they’re going to be different from the last few years but Ron is a heck of a coach and what he has done is take talented players that they always have at Grambling and breathe new life into them.

“I think he has brought a renewed sense of enthusiasm and they’ve adjusted quickly to his system already because they’re 5-0.”

Grambling is coming off of wins over Alabama A&M and Prairie View A&M and will host Mississippi Valley State at Eddie Robinson Stadium this weekend. The Tigers have proven to be one of the top offenses in the Southwestern Athletic Conference during their perfect start with many of the same players they had last year, including All-SWAC quarterback Brandon Landers and receiver Clyde Edwards.

“Last year Grambling was flying high at this point of the year and then they took a nose dive after they lost to us,” Forte said. “We knew they were a talented football team even last year. What coach Broadway has done is sell them on himself and his system.”

Broadway’s system, according to Forte, doesn’t feature specific run or pass-first characteristics but is more of a mix.

“Really I think all coaches would tell you that they want to have a 50-50 mix of run and pass even if they usually focus on one or the other,” Forte said. “Ron is going to do whatever suits his talent best against an opponent on any given day so all we can prepare for is to get the best his kids have to offer, and with their talent that is a lot.”

Blount and the Rams ready for Florida A&M at Circle City Classic

Photo: WSSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

by WSSU Sports Information

WSSU Head Coach Addresses Media And Fans

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - WSSU head football coach Kermit Blount met with members of the media on Wednesday afternoon at the Pig Pickins' on Deacon Boulevard in Winston-Salem in his weekly press conference to address the Rams' upcoming game versus the Florida A&M Rattlers in the 2007 Coca-Cola Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana.

WSSU Head Coach Kermit Blount

Talk to us about last week...

"It was a disappointing loss for us for a couple of reasons. Number one, defensively we gave up some easy touchdowns. One of the things we have to learn to do as a football team, especially defensively, is not give up big plays. We ended up giving up two big plays last week that really hurt us. Of course offensively we were a little sluggish starting but we finally got it on track where we were able to score a couple of touchdowns that were called back and we missed two field goals so when I look at the scenario, even if we make one of those field goals we don't go into overtime and we win a ball game that we didn't play very well in. But at the same time, this team of ours is a little banged up and we need to get past this one this weekend, take next week and try to rest up and get ready for another road game."

What was the energy level like last week

"I think we may have been a little flat. I think we may be, or seem to be, a tired football team and I can certainly understand that. We've been on the road since the second week of September but at the same time when it comes to playing the game there are no excuses. We didn't play our best football, we didn't start Purvis on the offensive side, we started Dunston, so offensively we got off to a slow start, but defensively we gave up something easy and we can't do that. We've done that two straight weeks in a row. We have to eliminate that, but I think our team may have been a little flat. I think we might have underestimated the ability of Howard and at the same time it was a combination of us being road weary but that's no excuse you still have to go out and play in order to win those ball games."

Talk about the schedule. You guys have six weeks in a row on the road

"Well it's tough, but you know, us coming into and moving up into this division and moving into the conference the schedule has to be adjusted and certainly next year it will be a different kind of schedule for us and I don't think we will ever be in a situation were we have to travel five or six straight weeks. It is what it is, you know, we had to do what we had to do schedule-wise to make sure we are compliant with the MEAC and we have done that to this point so our schedule should balance itself out."

Photo: RS Senior QB Monte Purvis is a passing and running threat for MEAC opponents.

Can you talk about the progress of the passing game?

"Well it is one of the things I talked about last week in that we had to get better at throwing the football and I still think we could have thrown it a little better last week but I was very impressed with the receivers and the way they stepped their game up to play last week and of course Purvis had a outstanding ball game when he finally got himself going. Monte missed four days of practice and Jed Bines missed four days of practice last week so in actuality they didn't practice at all and I think that had something to do with them being a little sluggish starting us off. Once they got on track and got warmed up the offense started to click a little bit."

How do the coaches get the players ready for the things that they will be doing?

"Well the good thing about playing on the road is it's a little easier to maintain your players. You know you can get them their down time and get them their rest because you don't have to worry about people visiting the dormitory on a Friday night so it's a little better on the road in certain instances. The thing we have to do this week is make sure we keep our kids corralled because it's not a pleasure trip for us it's a business trip. Our young men understand that we are going to stay away from all the festivities. We are staying outside the city limits so we are going to monitor things that way. They will have a chance on Friday to get some down time and relax and meet a little more offensively and defensively and special teams but at the same time we are going to prepare to play in this big venue which a lot of kids haven't played in before so its an exciting time and we have to respond to that as a team."

Photo: WSSU defense working over Morgan State runner.

What do you know about Florida A&M?

"Well, you know what Florida A&M presents and brings to the table is a lot of team speed. A football team that we played last year for the first time in the history of the school we felt that we gave one away down there last year. We missed a couple of field goals last year at FAMU that really could have iced the ball game. There were a couple of things that happened and other things that happened that we questioned but at the same time it's a game that we should have won. Our kids remember that game and that one really hurt them pretty bad last year because that was a pretty good run for us. It is going to be an exciting game this weekend and as I normally say, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes and gives up the least amount of big plays is the team that is going to win the ball game and that's something that we are going to have make sure we do this weekend."

Circle City Classic events

Indy Star report

Classic Prayer & Praise Worship Service
7 to 10 p.m. Eastern Star Church, Main Campus, 5750 E. 30th St. Featuring Rev. Senator James T. Meeks. (317) 237-5222.
Thursday, Oct. 4

Indianapolis Black Alumni Council College Fair
6 to 9 p.m. Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet School, 1140 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. Presented by Eastern Star Church. Twenty-eighth annual event. Free. (317) 506-8306.

Horseshoe Casino & Caesars Indiana Gala
7 to 11 p.m. Scottish Rite Cathedral, 650 N. Meridian St. $125. (317) 237-5222.
Friday, Oct. 5

Classic Pep Rally
4 to 6 p.m. White River State Park, 801 W. Washington St. Florida A&M University and Winston-Salem State University marching bands perform. Free tours of NCAA Hall of Champions during pep rally. Free. For more information, call (317) 237-5222.

Photo: FAMU Cheerleaders

Rip the Yard Fashion Explosion
7 p.m. Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. Partial proceeds from the fashion show benefit the Indiana Black Expo/Circle City Classic scholarship program. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $10. For more information, call (317) 237-2222.

Gospel Music Explosion
7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Madame Walker Theatre Center, 617 Indiana Ave. Featuring Shirley Murdock, T.P. Hearn and Winston-Salem State University’s Burke Singers. $15 at the door, $12.50 advance. For more information, call (317) 319-0494.

Mike Epps Comedy Jam
8 and 11 p.m. Murat Theatre, 502 N. New Jersey St. Indianapolis native Epps and friends perform. $38.99. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Classic Cabaret
8 p.m. Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. Music by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly and the Average White Band. Doors open at 7 p.m. $40. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
Saturday Oct. 6

Classic Parade
10 a.m. to noon. Downtown Indianapolis, North and Pennsylvania streets. Grand marshal: Kelly Rowland. $16, $10 and $8. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Fall Fest
10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pan American Plaza, 201 S. Capitol Ave. Outdoor event with food, music and more than 250 vendors. Free. For more information, call (317) 329-9220.

Circle City Classic football game
4 p.m. RCA Dome, 100 S. Capitol Ave. Florida A&M University vs. Winston-Salem State University. Kickoff at 4 p.m., with pregame and halftime performances by Kelly Rowland, Tin-i-tee 5:7 and Cupid. Also included is the Battle of the Bands (featuring halftime and postgame performances by Winston Salem State University and Florida A&M University marching bands). $40, $30, $20, $15 and $10. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Photo: WSSU QB Monte Purvis

Greek Stepdown
7 to 11p.m. Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. A fraternity and sorority step show. $18 at the door, $15 advance. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Classic Jam
10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Indiana Convention Center, 100 S. Capitol Ave. Featuring appearances by Kelly Rowland, DJ Kid Capri and Cupid. Must be 21 or older to attend. $30 and $20. For more information, call (317) 239-5151 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Bears return home to host the North Carolina A&T Aggies

MSU Sports Information

MORGAN STATE “BEARS” (2-3, 1-1 MEAC)
NORTH CAROLINA A&T “AGGIES” (0-5, 0-2 MEAC)
GAME #6
Saturday, October 6, 2007 • 4:00 p.m.
Hughes Stadium (Capacity 10,000) • Baltimore, Md.
RADIO: Morgan State Radio Network WEAA - 88.9 FM: Rob Long (play-by-play) & Kelvin Bridgers (color).
INTERNET: www.MorganStateBears.com; www.ncataggies.com
INTERNET COVERAGE: Live Audio and Live Stats

Setting the Scene

• Morgan State held Bethune-Cookman’s offense scoreless last Saturday night en route to a 33-9 blowout victory during the Wildcats Homecoming festivities. The Bears were once again led by All-MEAC RB Chad Simpson who posted a game-best 98 yards on 30 carries, while Byron Selby completed 7-of-16 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown. MSU’s defensive unit held the Wildcats to 146 total yards, 47 on the ground. MSU will look to get in the win column when they host the Aggies.

Photo: Morgan State Head Coach Donald Hill-Eley

• North Carolina A&T is coming off a disappointing 50-20 loss against Norfolk State. The Aggies had four critical turnovers to help Norfolk State walk off the field with an ESPNU nationally televised victory at Aggie Stadium. N.C. A&T RB Michael Ferguson led the Aggies by rushing for 131 yards on 18 carries, while A&T finished with 213 total yards. Defensively, Andre Thornton collected a team-high 11 tackles (3 solo), while Marques Ruffin finished with 9 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. With the loss the Aggies dropped to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the MEAC. Saturday night’s contest will mark the 70th meeting between Morgan State and North Carolina A&T.

• The Aggies have the luxury of fielding two quarterbacks. Shelton Morgan and Herbert Miller have shared the QB duties so far this season. Morgan (r-Fr./6-1/200/Elizabeth City, N.C./Northeastern HS) has completed 22-of-44 passes for 207 yards with 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, while Miller (r-So./6-2/180/Winston-Salem, N.C./Carver HS) has 251 yards on 22-of-41 passes with two TDs and five picks. Miller is completed 3-of-7 passes for a touchdown and an interception duing the Aggies last game against Norfolk State ... he was also sacked three times and had -17 yards on 10 carries, including a 4 yard TD run.

• The Bears defensive unit will attempt to contain running back Michael Ferguson (Jr./5-11/185/Durham,N.C./Northern Durham HS). Ferguson leads the Aggies ground game with 406 yards on 68 carries and a touchdown through four games ... Ferguson also has two receptions for 18 yards ... Ferguson ranks 3rd in the MEAC in rushing by avaraging 101.5 yards per game ...6 yards per carry.

Photo: MSU #2 Chad Simpson runs behind a good offensive line.

• SEE CHAD RUN … INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS - Chad Simpson entered the Towson game just needing 63 yards to reach 1,000 yards in his Morgan State career…he ended up rushing for 195 yards! The All-MEAC running back rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opener vs. Savannah State and has increased his career total to 1,593 yards following a game-high 98 yards at Bethune-Cookman ... he now sits 265 yards behind Jason Jackson (2004-05) who ranks #6 in the Bears rushing annals. As a result of his career-high 221 yard output against the Winston-Salem State Rams in Week 3, Simpson was selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week.

Jackson State Notebook: Lineman back in lineup

Offensive lineman Terrael Williams, a 6-foot-8, 350-pound freshman, will return to the Tigers for their home game against Alabama State on Saturday after missing the past two games with a strained back.

"He will give us some some additional depth on the line," JSU coach Rick Comegy said Tuesday.

While Williams returns, Comegy said the Tigers are likely to be without tight end Cedric Dixon.

"Dixon had a tooth pulled last week and they want him out for five days," Comegy said. "We're going to miss Dixon in the game, but we think with what we plan on doing, it won't hurt us as much."

WHITE OUT THE VET

Officials with the Jackson State athletic department are asking that fans wear white to Saturday's home game against Alabama State.

Kickoff at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium is scheduled for 3 p.m.

TIME CHANGE

The game time for Jackson State's Oct. 20 game against Grambling State has been changed to accommodate television. The game, scheduled for Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, will be played at noon and will be broadcast on ESPN Classic. The game was originally scheduled for a 3 p.m. kickoff.

MEET THE TIGERS

The men's basketball team will hold its annual Meet the Tigers Night Thursday at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center from 7- 9 p.m.

The Tigers are the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions and reached the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual champion Florida last season.

The event is free to the public. For more information, call associate head coach Eric Strothers at (601) 979-2317 or Lolita Ward at (601) 979-2314.

JSU Tigers' TE would trade all aliases for catches

Photo: Antoine Ott-Terrell, JSU

By Rod Walker, Clarion Ledger

For now at least, Jackson State tight end Antoine Ott-Terrell has more nicknames than receptions.

There's Lew Alcindor, pinned on him by his offensive line coach because of his resemblance to the player more commonly known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

And Steve Harvey. "People say I looked like him when I had my afro," says Ott-Terrell with a laugh.

And O-T. And simply Twan.

"And I have some that you can't put in the newspaper," the sophomore added.

But while the nicknames have been plentiful, the receptions haven't been. Ott-Terrell caught his first two passes of the season in the Tigers' last game, a 50-16 blowout victory over Mississippi Valley State. He hopes to add to that total Saturday when Jackson State (2-2, 2-0 in the SWAC) hosts Alabama State (4-1, 3-1) at 3 p.m.

"It felt like I got a monkey off my back," said Ott-Terrell, all smiles as he reminisced about his first catch. "(Quarterback) Jimmy (Oliver) put the ball on the money and I went and grabbed it and brought it in."

It was Ott-Terrell's first reception in an actual game in three years. Before then, his last catch was in 2004 as a senior at Lahser High (Mich.).

It was at Lahser that Ott-Terrell excelled in football and basketball - "eighteen points and 10 rebounds," he boasts - and in the classroom.

The computer engineering major considered playing basketball at some smaller schools in Michigan and also at Ivy League member Princeton, but instead decided to walk on and play football at Tennessee.

"I love football because it's more of a team game," he said.

After a redshirt season and his freshman year in 2006 where he never touched the field, he transferred to JSU.

"This was the best situation for me," said Ott-Terrell, whose parents are Jackson State alums. "This gave me an opportunity to succeed in football. It's different, but my focus is still there and my drive is still there. I'm just going out every day and making sure that I take care of the things I need to take care of to contribute to the team. The location has changed. I'm in the SWAC now, not the SEC, but mentally I'm still the same hard-working guy."

And JSU coaches say the hard work is paying off for Ott-Terrell, who is trying to help the Tigers fill the giant void left after tight end Marcel Frost broke his leg in the spring game.

"He has height and he is getting better each week," said JSU coach Rick Comegy. "He's getting stronger in the weight room as we go along. I think he is going to be a premier tight end. I don't think right now he is in the class of a Frost, but I think he is developing into that type of a guy. Time will tell."

And according to JSU offensive line coach Bruce Johnson, Ott-Terrell doesn't mind putting in that time.

"He has some big shoes to fill, but he's constantly watching film and trying to get better," said Johnson. "He's going to be a very good one when it's all said and done. It's all starting to fall in place for him now. His attitude and demeanor is a little different from Frost, though. Frost knows his potential and is a little more cocky. Antoine is a little more humble and reserved."

But don't be surprised if that reserved demeanor escapes Ott-Terrell soon. Especially if he somehow finds his way into the end zone of Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"Yeah, I've thought about that," he said. "That's next on the list. I know things will come and whatever is meant to be is meant to be. I'll just be waiting and looking every ball in that comes my way and make the most of it. I'll have to say a silent prayer to myself to make sure I don't get a (celebration) penalty."

Alabama A&M notebook: Jones impressed with Southern's defense

Photo: SU defense limits ASU to 2 points in last week contest.

Huntsville Times

Southern has always had good offensive teams, but the Jaguars' defense has been pretty salty through the first five games of the season.

Southern is second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring defense per game (14.2), third in total defense (301.0), fifth in pass defense (182.0) and sixth in rushing defense (119.0).

"They're getting pressure on people," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "They're not letting you sit back there and pick them a part. They've got a nice blitz package and they're getting pressure on the quarterback."

Jones said the Jaguars are playing a lot harder.

"They're just a more aggressive football team," he said. "They're getting after people. Whether it's the pass or the run, we have to really be on our P's and Q's."

A&M looks same to Richardson: Southern coach Pete Richardson said this year's A&M team looks a lot like the ones from the recent past.

"They're a typical A&M team," Richardson said. "Defensively, they're going to have an eight-man front and that causes a lot of problems if you have an inexperienced offensive line. They also do a great job running to the football.

"(Offensively), they probably have the most experienced quarterback in the conference in Kelcy Luke. And, they're going to run the football. We're going to have to contain them (to win the game)."

Coach promises more focus: Much has been made about A&M's first trip to Louisiana this season.

Grambling whipped A&M 31-6 almost two weeks ago in a matchup between the last two Southwestern Athletic Conference champions. Jones has maintained the Bulldogs weren't very focused against the Tigers, but vowed that wouldn't be the case against Southern.

"I think our focus will be different," he said. "We started to believe what everybody was saying about us instead of working. Our kids got a little lax."

Furthermore: Strong safety Bobby McClain, who was named A&M's Defensive Player of the Week after recording eight tackles in the win over Texas Southern, worked with the second team during Tuesday's practice, but Knute Walker, who handles the Bulldogs' safeties and outside linebackers, wasn't available for comment. ... A&M defensive back Jonathan McConico, who missed the first four games of the season after being suspended for violating team rules, played for the first time against Texas Southern and returned a punt for eight yards. ... Southern wide receiver Gerard Landry needs nine yards Saturday to move into fourth place on the school's all-time receiving yards list. Landry has 1,718 career receiving yards and could pass Connell Swain this weekend. ... While the Jaguars will be without linebacker Jonathan Malveaux, who is out with a sprained ankle, Southern will welcome back cornerback Ronald Wade. According to The Advocate in Baton Rouge, Wade missed the past three games after being suspended for violation of team rules.

Reggie Benson

Secondary foremost concern for Alabama A&M

REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Defensive backs have been giving up big plays of late

Alabama A&M entered this season with some concerns on defense, but none of them involved the secondary.

Fifth-year senior Stephan Tucker was back at one corner. Junior Frank Moore, a preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference pick after tying for the league lead with six interceptions, was back at the other one.

Sophomore Maurice Thomas, who played a lot last season while Tucker was hampered by an ankle injury, was also considered a starter. Throw in junior free safety Al Donaldson, who was the team's fourth-leading tackler a year ago, and defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns believed he had a group that could be as good as any in the league.

The Bulldogs played that way through their first three games in blowout wins over Tennessee State, Clark Atlanta and Mississippi Valley State. A&M allowed just over 156 yards passing per game and had four interceptions.

However, the Bulldogs haven't been nearly as good in their last two games.

In a loss to Grambling and a win over Texas Southern, A&M has allowed almost 300 yards passing per game, including 352 in Saturday's 48-24 victory.

"We're messing up on little things," Tucker said. "We're not following our technique or we're out of position. It's all about guys focusing on what they need to do."

Towns admits his group can play better. But he said the problems don't lie solely with the secondary.

The Bulldogs haven't gotten consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Their linebacker play in passing situations has been suspect and that has contributed to the problems in the secondary.

"We're not getting it done right now," Towns said. "We're not as fine-tuned in certain coverages like we need to be. We've had some people out of position and then when we've been in position, we've missed some tackles, misplayed the ball or dropped some interceptions.

"We've just got to continue to work to get better in a lot of areas."

That work continued Tuesday as A&M began preparations for Saturday's game at Southern. Kickoff is 5:30.

Like Grambling and Texas Southern, A&M's secondary will be tested against Southern.

Quarterback Bryant Lee has completed a league-high 64 percent of his passes for 1,112 yards, 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Del Roberts has 29 catches for 272 yards and a touchdown, and Gerard Landry has 18 catches for 253 yards and five touchdowns.

"Bryant is doing a good job of distributing the ball," Towns said.

"He's getting the ball out quick and giving his guys a chance to make plays. We've got to do some things to try to confuse him in terms of his reads."

Don't count B-CU out

Photo: QB Jimmie Russell play will decide the outcome.

By BRENT WORONOFF, Daytona Beach News Journal

DAYTONA BEACH -- At first glance, Thursday night's game at Delaware State does not seem like a good time for Bethune-Cookman to be showcased on national television.

The Wildcats (2-3) are coming off their worst loss of the season, a 33-9 whipping by Morgan State, in which they produced just 146 yards of offense and turned the ball over five times. And after a short week of preparation they must travel to the hottest team in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Hornets (4-1) are coming off a 24-17 win over three-time defending conference champ Hampton.

But play-by-play announcer Charlie Neal, who will broadcast the game with Jay Walker on ESPNU, has covered enough B-CU games to know that one should never count out coach Alvin Wyatt's teams.

"Bethune-Cookman has a lot of pride," Neal said. "I don't think Alvin's going to allow those kids to go into the game with a defeatist attitude."

Walker, a former NFL and WLAF quarterback who led Howard to an undefeated season in 1993, said B-CU's triple-option offense, although turnover prone so far this season, could provide problems for the Hornets.

"(Delaware) State added (former Howard coach) Rayford Petty as defensive coordinator this year, and he is one of the best defensive minds in the country," Walker said. "But I don't think stopping the Wyattbone is his specialty."

Last year, the Wildcats were coming off two MEAC losses and a lackluster 10-6 win over Winston-Salem State before playing host to N.C. A&T in a game on ESPNU. The 'Cats took their frustrations out on A&T, pummeling the Aggies 70-7.

This year, a much larger national television audience will have the opportunity to watch B-CU. With the addition of three national cable companies, ESPNU is now available in nearly 20 million homes.

More fans in B-CU's local market will be able to watch the game. Since last season, Bright House Networks in Central Florida has added ESPNU to its digital lineup.

Neal has been broadcasting Historically Black College Football for 28 years, beginning with BET telecasts in 1980. He said he actually had a hand in helping Howard recruit his broadcast partner.

"I met Jay on his recruiting trip," Neal said. "My cousin, Steve Wilson, was the Howard coach then, and I was there that day, so I kind of helped them recruit Jay."

Walker, now a representative in Maryland's State House, remembers that day well.

"When you talk about Black College football, all you knew was Charlie Neal," Walker said. "He was the voice of the game, and he still is."

Home date vs. Baylor tops SU hoops slate

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

A Dec. 21 visit from Big 12 member Baylor highlights the Southern University men’s basketball schedule this season.

“Any time we can get a Big 12 school to play us on our home court, that’s a good thing for us,” Southern coach Rob Spivery said. “The only bad part is the timing. All the students will be gone. We’re going to have to rely on local people to come out and support the team.”

Southern won the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles in Spivery’s first season, but the team dipped to a 10-21 record last season.

The Jaguars, with eight players with experience returning, will have an exhibition game against Tougaloo College on Nov. 3 and begin their season at Southern Methodist in a two-day event on Nov. 10.

Starting with that game against SMU, SU will play nine home games — though the Jaguars will be at Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 20 and at LSU on Dec. 1 — before playing Baylor, 15-16 last season, for the first home game.

Last season, SU played Georgia, Wisconsin, Oklahoma State and Florida in November and went to Missouri in December.

This season, LSU, Auburn (in Mobile, Ala.), Missouri and Baylor are teams from power conferences which Southern will face.

“I don’t think it’s as overbearing as last year’s schedule, although we’ve got some high-profile teams to play,” Spivery said.

“It’s more workable for us, in terms of being able to compete.”

Coming and going
n Southern has added 6-foot-5 shooting guard/small forward Brandon Byars from Northwest Mississippi Community College. He is originally from Coosa High in Rome, Ga.

Byars averaged 9.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game last season at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

“He scores in a variety of ways,” Spivery said. Also, former Glen Oaks standout Brandon White, named one of District 6-4A’s top defenders in 2006 and a former Louisiana High School Coaches Association All-Star that summer, has walked on. White is listed as a freshman.

Junior guard Javaris Bradford is academically ineligible and has left school, Spivery said.

Bradford averaged 3.3 points, 1.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game last season. He was academically ineligible in the fall semester last season.

Shooting forward Jamar Flowers, who signed in late April and was transferring from Navarro College, did not qualify and will not be with the program, Spivery said. Flowers averaged 9.8 ppg and 5.3 rpg last season at Navarro. Flowers, who signed with Nicholls State in June 2004, was a Class 1A first-team All-State selection for White Castle High as a senior.

Notes
SU likely will start preseason practice with an open workout for fans on the night of Oct. 12. That date is the Friday before the home football game with Jackson State the next day. Desmond Griffin, a signee from Washington-Marion in Lake Charles, is a nonqualifier and will sit out this season. Griffin is a 6-5 shooting guard.

2007-08 Southern University Men's Basketball Schedule

November
3 Tougaloo College (exhibition) 7 p.m.
10 vs. SMU (at Dallas) 7:30 p.m.
11 vs. Paul Quinn (at Dallas) 5:30 p.m.
16 at Missouri 7 p.m.
20 at Southeastern Louisiana 7:45 p.m.
December
1 at LSU 1 p.m.
4 at Stephen F. Austin 7 p.m.
8 at Houston 7 p.m.
15 vs. Auburn (at Mobile, Ala.) TBA
17 at North Texas 7 p.m.
21 BAYLOR 7 p.m.
30 DILLARD 4 p.m.
January
5 at Prairie View 7:30 p.m.
7 at Texas Southern 7:30 p.m.
12 GRAMBLING 7:30 p.m.
14 JACKSON STATE 7:30 p.m.
19 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7:30 p.m.
21 at Mississippi Valley St. 7:30 p.m.
26 ALABAMA A&M 4 p.m.
28 ALABAMA STATE 7 p.m.
February
2 ALCORN STATE 4 p.m.
9 at Grambling 7:30 p.m.
11 at Jackson State 5:30 p.m.
16 ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 4 p.m.
18 MISSISSIPPI VALLEY ST. 7:30 p.m.
23 at Alabama A&M 7:30 p.m.
25 Alabama State 7:30 p.m.
March
1 at Alcorn State 7:30 p.m.
6 PRAIRIE VIEW 7 p.m.
8 TEXAS SOUTHERN 4 p.m.
12-15 SWAC Tournament
(at Birmingham, Ala.) TBA

Home games in caps

Alabama A&M finds new identity with passing game

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

The question, since slapping 49 points on the scoreboard against Tennessee State in the season opener, has been exactly who is Alabama A&M?

The score wasn’t a fluke. The Bulldogs put up 41 on Clark Atlanta, 45 on Mississippi Valley State and 48 on Texas Southern.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference isn’t used to conservative, defensive-oriented A&M regularly dropping 40-plus points per game.

“The makeup of our team is a little different than in the past,” A&M coach Anthony Jones said. “I try to do what the kids can do. &hellip We have some kids who are a little more explosive.”

A&M (4-1, 2-1) faces No. 25 Southern (5-0, 3-0) for homecoming at 5:30 p.m. Saturday night in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

A&M won its first SWAC title last season doing the things that got the Bulldogs to all of their title game appearances (2000, ’02, ’05 and ’06): solid defense and a run-based offense.

The program made its reputation on stalwarts like Robert Mathis (Indianapolis Colts) and Johnny Baldwin (Kansas City Chiefs). From 2000-05, the Bulldogs were in the top five every season in rushing defense. That included 39.7 rushing yards per game in 2000, a Division I-AA record.

Entering this season, the Bulldogs had to replace three fifth-year seniors on their offensive line, their top two running backs and three of four wide receivers after the title run.

However, in the retooling, there was an opportunity to change the team’s identity.

A&M wrapped speed at the skill positions around senior starter Kelcy Luke, a former Auburn transfer and the conference’s most experienced quarterback.

“It’s a combination of things, and a senior quarterback,” Jones said.

“I think, with them, is they’re doing a little more with their quarterback, going downfield to complement the running game,” Texas Southern coach Steve Wilson said.

Luke has thrown for 14 touchdowns and is 88-for-150 (58.7 percent) for 1,161 yards and four interceptions. He’s also run for 90 yards and another TD.

“We have to put some pressure on him,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “If he gets his feet set, he can throw.”

Jet-quick sophomore Ulysses Banks, meanwhile, has 491 yards and four touchdowns on the ground and 156 yards and two TDs through the air.

Banks is one of seven players to have caught a TD pass. That group is led by Thomas Harris, with 431 yards and four TDs.

And all of this production has come despite a hiccup of just six points in a humbling 31-6 loss at Grambling last month.

“That taught us some things,” Jones said. “We went back to make sure we knew what was going on.”


So, what about that defense?
“People are saying we’re not the defense of old, but we’re making plays,” Jones said. “We’re more of a bending defense now.”

A&M, still coached on defense by Brawnski Towns, has made 12 takeaways. And the Bulldogs are ranked third nationally in sacks, with 20 total and 3.8 per game.

“They’re getting to the quarterback. That’s a typical A&M team,” Richardson said. “We’re very inexperienced on our offensive line. I’m sure they’re going to be after us.”

The defense, despite losing Baldwin (originally drafted by the Detroit Lions before being claimed on waivers by the Chiefs), returned eight starters.

Linebacker Carlton Rice, who got his degree at Mississippi State in December, is second best on the team with 28 tackles (plus one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery).


“He’s making a big impact on what we do,” Jones said.
Senior linebacker Avery Moland, the second-leading tackler last season, leads A&M with 30 tackles.

Senior end Christopher Traylor, with three sacks this season, paves the way up front.

No Bulldog had made more sacks and tackles for loss than Traylor in the past three seasons. He had 9.5 sacks despite missing four games last season.

And junior free safety Al Donaldson leads with two interceptions and five pass breakups.

“We’re going to have to eliminate (Southern’s) big-play ability,” Jones said. “We’re going to have to make them earn everything they get.”

Southern’s inside linebackers answer call in Saturday’s win

Photo: SU defense unloaded on FAMU in 2007 MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Birmingham.

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

The loss of junior linebacker Johnathan Malveaux presented a challenge to Southern University’s youth and depth at both inside linebacker positions the Jaguars answered Saturday.

Southern shut down Alabama State’s marquee running back, Jay Peck, and dismantled the Hornets’ passing game in a 21-2 victory in Mobile, Ala.

SU, now ranked 25th, did so without Malveaux, who was the team’s starter at okie as well as the most experienced linebacker. Malveaux was out with a high ankle sprain that likely will also keep him sidelined for Saturday’s homecoming game against Alabama A&M.

“It went pretty well,” SU linebackers coach Todd Middleton said. “They fed off each other. I don’t think they made any major mistakes.

“We’ll have to keep mixing up like that until Malveaux gets healthy.”

Instead, sophomore Brian Lewis, the backup at eagle, started at okie and had a career-high five tackles, all solo.

Lewis moved over to okie during the week of practice.

“You have to know where the blitz is coming from, and he picked that up pretty easily,” Middleton said.

Junior Donald Steele backed Lewis, who had a slight hamstring pull, and had a season-best four stops.

Meanwhile, sophomore Allan Baugh remained the starter at eagle and had a career-best five tackles as well. True freshman Corey Ray saw his first career action behind Baugh but did not have a tackle.

“He’s a very smart player,” Middleton said of Ray. “I knew he was going to play. It was just a matter of when.”

Baugh has 19 tackles (including half of a sack) and one interception after making just three tackles last season. Lewis, with 16 stops, had four tackles last season. Steele has eight tackles, matching his total from last year.

No see, no problem
On the play that helped Southern seal the victory over Alabama State — running back Darren Coates’ 51-yard gain on a screen pass — Coates had difficulty seeing.

“I saw two balls coming at me,” Coates said. “I just happened to catch the ball.”

Coates said his helmet had come down over his eye, causing poor vision. He said he went through “half a bottle of eye drop” trying to clear his eye.

The catch and run, first to the right and traversing to the left, set up a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Gerard Landry with 3:08 remaining.

Money in the Banks
A&M sophomore Ulysses Banks ranks 20th nationally in all-purpose yardage (172.0 ypg).

Banks, the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week, has 491 yards and four touchdowns — averaging 7.4 yards per carry — as a running back. He has eight catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns — averaging 19.5 yards per catch. And he’s averaging 10.3 yards on three punt returns and 18.2 yards on 10 kickoff returns.

“He’s a versatile kid,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “He’s making a lot of big plays for them. &hellip They’re going to put him in position where he’s going to get his hands on it and hopefully he can do something with it.”

Last season, Banks led the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 34.9 yards per return and scoring twice, and was the Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year.

Return to sender
Southern is last in the nation, 116th of 116 Football Championship Subdivision teams, in kickoff returns, at 13.7 yards per return.

Plus, the Jaguars are 84th in punt returns, averaging a paltry 5.9 yards per return (along with muffing one and fumbling another in the season opener).

“I’m concerned about that, because we’re really not getting what we want out of it,” Richardson said.

Last season, SU averaged 19.1 yards per kickoff return (65th nationally) and 7.5 yards per punt return (80th).

In 2005, Southern led the nation in punt returns (19.1 per return) and was 11th in kickoff returns (22.38). The Jaguars were third in both in 2003: 26.4 per kickoff return and 15.7 per punt return.

Crowd control
Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said he is expecting a large crowd for homecoming.

“We have to try to get focused past that,” Jones said.

Jones said A&M will have to keep Southern’s crowd from becoming a factor.

“The best way to keep the crowd out of the game is not to give them a lot to cheer about,” Jones said. “That’s what we’ll try to do.”

Notes
Saturday, A&M blasted winless Texas Southern 48-24, with the Tigers falling to 0-5. Saturday, A&M will play undefeated SU (5-0). A&M is SU’s homecoming foe for the fifth time (previously doing so in 1999, 2001, ’03, ’05). SU was A&M’s homecoming opponent in 2004 and 1998 in Normal, Ala. In 2002, the teams met in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.

This Week in the SWAC

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

THE RATING GAME

1. Grambling

Gets late FG to win squeaker over improved Prairie View

2. Southern

Stingy ‘D,’ strong second-half play power undefeated start

3. Alabama A&M

Offense gets back rolling, scores 48 in blowout over TSU

4. Alabama State

Couldn’t find fourth-quarter magic against Southern

5. Jackson State

Big stretch coming: Ala. St., SU, Grambling, UAPB, Ala. A&M

6. Prairie View

If offense was as good as defense, would contend for title

7. Miss. Valley State

Personnel changes follow three-game slide, open week

8. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

In 1-4 hole, preseason favorite has open week to work things out

9. Texas Southern

Tigers fall to 4-34 in four seasons under Steve Wilson

10. Alcorn State

Braves hope to be healthier, play better after open week

THE BIG GAME

Alabama A&M at Southern

5:30 p.m. Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium

Another week and another showdown for surprising No. 25 Southern. The Jaguars didn’t win any of their three games in October a year ago — despite leading both Alabama A&M and Jackson State in the fourth quarter. Alabama A&M, the defending SWAC champion, has plenty of big-play capability on both sides of the ball. Southern has an impressive defense and a balanced offense.

AROUND THE SWAC

Grambling

Grambling senior Clyde Edwards, a first-team All-SWAC wide receiver last season, has caught a touchdown in his last seven games (including all four this season) and 12 of the last 13 games. He had at least one TD catch in nine of last season’s 11 games and has 28 TD catches in his career.

Edwards, with 2,489 yards on 152 catches, is within reach of becoming Grambling’s all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns along with catches.

“In Clyde, I see everything that’s good about college football,” Grambling coach Rod Broadway said. “He’s a model student, (3.9 grade point average), and he can play with anybody in the country.”

Broadway has been an assistant at Florida, North Carolina and Duke and he said Edwards “could have played on any of those football teams. You can never say enough good about him. I’m glad Clyde is on our football team.”

Grambling’s 17-14 victory over Prairie View was its closest margin over PV since the Panthers won 24-19 in 1986. RB Cornelius Walker, with career bests of 19 carries and 109 yards, was the SWAC’s Newcomer of the Week. Walker (48 carries, 224 yards, TD) and fellow freshman Frank Warren (73 carries, 332 yards) power the running game. “We’re getting good yardage with them; we’re just not making any (big) plays,” Broadway said. Grambling has two rushing TDs (one on a fumblerooskie) and nine passing TDs (one on a fake field-goal try) so far.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff

UAPB was 1-3 last season before ripping off seven straight victories and winning the Western Division for the first time. The preseason favorite to repeat, UAPB is 1-4 (1-2 SWAC) and has benched senior quarterback Chris Wallace, the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year last season, in favor of junior Johnathan Moore.

“Anything’s possible,” UAPB coach Mo Forte said of the ability to make another turnaround this season. “Last year is last year. We have to break down as simple as we can: We have to win the next play.”

That motto carried UAPB last season as the Golden Lions won their first four SWAC games in that stretch by a combined 17 points. Ahead for UAPB, open last week, is Grambling (3-1, 3-0) on Saturday, a Thursday game at defending SWAC champ Alabama A&M (4-1, 2-1) on Oct. 18, at Jackson State (2-2, 2-0) on Oct. 27, Prairie View (2-2, 1-2) on Nov. 3 and No. 25 Southern (5-0, 3-0) on Nov. 10.

Mississippi Valley State

The Delta Devils have lost three straight games since winning their season opener and used the open week — which Valley coach Willie Totten said was the first in his six seasons at the school — to revamp the depth chart.

Valley will make changes at quarterback, receivers, defensive line, linebacker and in the secondary. Senior Jean-Pierre Marshall, a preseason All-SWAC first-teamer, will return to safety from cornerback. Semaj Williams (3-for-8 for 26 yards and one interception), a transfer from Coahoma Community College who had been slowed by an elbow injury, will replace sophomore quarterback Paul Roberts (48-for-89 for 440 yards and three TDs).

“We have to find some type of continuity,” Totten said. “It’s not all Paul’s fault. &hellip We wanted to change the atmosphere. We can always put Paul back in the game.”

Prairie View

Senior linebacker Zach East, a former Hampton University transfer from Houston, leads the nation with 52 tackles (13.0 per game). He had 60 tackles last season. East was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week for his 18 stops against Grambling.

“We knew we had something special in Zach,” Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III said. “He is the real deal.”

Texas Southern

Texas Southern senior running back Brent Wilson continues to fade. After rushing for 1,032 yards and 10 TDs as an All-SWAC first-teamer in 2005, Wilson ran for 444 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and four TDs last season. He has 151 yards and one TD on 48 carries (3.1 per rush) this season.

TSU’s ground game, averaging 38.0 yards per game, is 115th of 116 Football Championship Subdivision teams.

Statement from 'former' FAMU starting QB Albert Chester II

After reading Chester's statement, I have one final comment on this matter. No time is a good time to leave, be it before the season or before the 5th game. So, let's treat his decision like a season ending injury with no eligibility left for a fifth year senior. No need to over analyze or second guess his rationale for leaving. Life goes forward, especially for Rattlers!

Thank you for all your services to the FAMU RattlerNation, Mr. Chester and God bless you... (beepbeep)


Albert Chester's statement announcing his decision to leave the Florida A&M football team:

Today I come to you as a man - as a man who has to make a decision on my current well-being and my future. Throughout my career as a Rattler football player, I've sustained numerous injuries to my right arm. In January 2005, I first injured my elbow and I promptly took a trip to the world-renown Dr. Andrews at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. This is when I was first diagnosed with an entrapped nerve. During the same year, I dislocated my right shoulder.

In 2006, I broke my left middle finger and severely sprained my right thumb and my wrist; all on my right hand. During 2006, I also had to leave and have two abscesses removed off my leg during the season.

This brings us to 2007. I sprained my right shoulder and the nerve in my elbow was re-aggravated for trying to come back too early. I'm not saying this to complain because you have to love this game to play it; and I do. But to make a long explanation short, my entrapped
nerve has caused me to lose the feeling in my right hand and extreme pain in my forearm and extreme pain in my biceps and triceps. Playing this year has been a painful experience.

I spoke with my physician and my family and we've come to a decision that will be in my best interest to no longer play football. The possible damage that lies ahead if I keep playing could possibly affect me for the rest of my life.

I would like to thank the many that recruited me, even though we've had our squabbles in the past, (and) coach Billy Joe and coach (Rubin) Carter for allowing me the opportunity to be a FAMU football player, quarterback and captain on the team. Both have touched me in
ways they'll never understand.

To my teammates; I wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season and in life. To Isaac West, Eddie Battle, Philip Sylvester and Tobias Lee; hope you all remember the things I've said and become the great players and great men I know you all can be.

As far as my life if concerned, the story doesn't end here so don't be sorry for me. I'm a fifth-year senior, a Pharm.D candidate, so you'll probably see me in the pharmacy filling your prescriptions or trying to counsel you on your medicine. I'll also be around town and with different organizations.

I will like to say I love everyone all over Rattler nation, even though some of you don't like or never did like me. It's been a roller coaster ride, but like Whitney Houston said, "the ride with you is worth the fall." I wouldn't trade it for the world. I give all the glory and honor to God and Jesus Christ who is the center of my life.

In closing, I want to leave with saying I love you and I appreciate all of you. It would be really nice if the people who supported me stand by me as I go through this troubling time and make this life-changing decision.

This for the most part is final, but it could change, maybe later. But I seriously doubt it.

Sincerely,

Albert Chester


We dedicate this song to you, Al Chester II...

Florida A&M University Marching 100

Norfolk State coach says SCSU will be his team's toughest FCS test

Photo: NSU must play its best football of the season to defeat the MEAC favorites, SCSU Bulldogs.


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

NORFOLK, Va. - Leading Norfolk State to its first-ever 2-0 start in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play is not reason enough for head football coach Pete Adrian to rest on his laurels.

If anything, Adrian is approaching Saturday's home contest against South Carolina State (2-2, 1-0) with great humility and caution. This is especially true following last year's 47-10 trouncing at the hands of the Bulldogs which is still fresh in his mind.

Like this season, the Spartans came into the matchup riding the confidence of a 3-1 start. From the one-two punch of running backs DeShawn Baker and Will Ford combining for four touchdowns and 186 rushing yards to the defense sacking quarterback Casey Hansen five times and intercepting him twice, however, Norfolk State got overwhelmed and went on to lose five of their last six games.

"We just got a good old-fashioned butt-whipping last year," said Adrian at Tuesday's weekly MEAC teleconference.

Even with a more athletic albeit younger squad with seven freshmen who see significant minutes, the second-highest scoring offense in the MEAC and a balanced offensive attack with Hansen and bruising running back Daryl Jones, Adrian insists his team will have to play "their best game" to beat an SCSU team he called the best team the Spartans will face this year next to Football Bowl Subdivision 21st-ranked Rutgers, which handed Norfolk State it's lone loss this season, 59-0.

Adrian even thinks SCSU may present an even more physical challenge than Rutgers did. He called the Bulldogs' starting defensive line "the best in the league", praised the athletic play of the offensive line and thinks the current backfield of Ford, Travil Jamison and Jonathan Woods may be even more potent without Baker.

"Every time he touches the ball, he can go the distance," Adrian said about Ford. " He's an excellent running back and Woods is as good if not even better."

The task of slowing down the Bulldogs' offense will go to a Spartan defense which leads the MEAC in passing defense, first downs allowed and opponents third-down conversions and is third in total defense. Senior twin linebackers Marquez and Maguell Davis lead the team with 31 and 25 tackles, respectively.

Norfolk State also hopes the offensive line will duplicate its effort last Thursday against North Carolina A&T. Led by starting right guard and MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week Jason Kressen, the Spartan offense racked up 532 yards, with Hansen throwing for a career-best 351 yards and four TDs.

Hansen's favorite target was redshirt freshman Jeremy Wicker who caught five passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the 50-20 victory. Both Hansen and Wicker were recognized as the MEAC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively.

When the Spartans keep the ball on the ground, the 5-10, 250-pound Jones has proven capable with 389 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. For of those came in the 38-31 come-from-behind win over Bethune-Cookman Sept. 22.

Norfolk State's kicking game has also provided another scoring option as Justin Castellat has connected on 8 of 9 field goals on the season.

If there's a big concern other than SCSU for Adrian it's his team's penchant for penalties. No team in the MEAC has been penalized for more yards (423) than the Spartans, with SCSU tied for next to last.

SCSU holds an 11-1 edge in the series. Norfolk State's lone victory came at home in 2000.

Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band

BCU makes tough trip to Dover

Photo: Expect more pounding of BCU defense from DSU run offense in Thursday's game.

by Kristian Pope, The News Journal

Wildcats face DSU in Thursday night game on ESPNU

DOVER -- Alvin Wyatt had one reaction when he saw that his Bethune-Cookman team was to meet Delaware State in a Thursday night football game to be televised on ESPNU.

"That was one game that I did not want to play on Thursday night," said Wyatt, the Wildcats' 11-year coach.

The Daytona Beach-to-Dover trip is tough on the Wildcats, who traditionally bus from the airport in Philadelphia or Baltimore. Throw in a short week and the challenge intensifies.

But when the league made its selections for games to be part of ESPN's national television package, the Wildcats were heading to Dover.

Bethune visits No. 20 Delaware State at Alumni Stadium. The 7:30 kickoff marks the first time an ESPN channel has broadcast a football game from the school.

Usually the league listens to Wyatt. His complaints in a loss last week to Norfolk State resulted in three officials being suspended last week for "inaccurate calls."

In this case of the DSU game, though, Wyatt said he refrained from asking the league to keep the game on a Saturday.

"We decided to play it since it was on ESPN," he said.

This game is an important test for both teams. Bethune-Cookman is 2-3 overall but winless in the MEAC.

The Hornets, meanwhile, are trying to maintain their momentum after beating previously unbeaten Hampton, 24-17, for the first time on the road since 1969.

DSU (3-1, 2-0) has won two straight over the Wildcats since DSU head coach Al Lavan lost his first meeting against Wyatt, 45-16, in 2004.

Lavan said Tuesday that last season's 33-31 victory over BCU in Daytona Beach is one he still uses to gauge his team's progress. The Hornets scored 12 points in the final 4:38, winning on an 18-yard TD pass from Vashon Winton to Derrick McNeil with 1:01 to play.

The win was the first of six straight for DSU. The Hornets have since gone 8-1 against the MEAC.

"That was a very important moment for us," Lavan said. "In that was achieved and met that obstacle. Periodically, I've pointed to it."

Bethune, which employs a triple-option offense, is coming off a 33-9 loss to Morgan State in the Wildcats' homecoming game. That loss followed a 38-31 defeat at Norfolk State.

DSU has in large part been able to control the running portion of the Wildcats' option, but they have failed against the pass. BCU was held to 81 yards on the ground last year but managed 304 yards in the air.

Wyatt said that for the first time he actually wants to play a game at Delaware State because of the team's synthetic field.

"We had some great games against each other," Wyatt said. "The last one [in 2006] was a shootout. And two years ago, we played on a [rain-soaked field]. I used to go up there and look around at the facilities and think, 'I'm at the bottom.' Now they have turf ... That gives us a different opportunity to play with them."

But, Wyatt said, he just wishes it wasn't on a Thursday night.

With the short time to prepare and off a homecoming loss, he said. "it makes it that much tougher."

Bethune Cookman University Marching Wildcats Band

(FAMU's) Chester leaves team

My View

I am still sorting through my feelings regarding the stunning announcement last night given by Albert Chester II to the Tallahassee Democrat. First, I respect Chester as a student-athlete and as a strong representative of FAMU. However, I do not like the way he blind-sided his coaching staff and specifically Coach Rubin Carter, by making a public announcement on his decision without notification to the athletic department leadership, i.e., the athletic director or Coach Carter. His prepared written statement read to the Democrat would have been sufficient notification, even if provided by a student messenger.

However, no one player or coach is bigger than the Rattler athletic program. We learned that lesson so well in the wrongful firing of NCAA and FAMU Hall of Famer, William "Billy Joe" by temp-president Castell Bryant. The Rattlers overcame this setback and will also overcome the sudden departure of Chester II, as we prepare for game five of the schedule.

Our prayers goes out to this young Rattler as he begin a new phase of his life without college football. We wish him much success in his pursuit of his degree(s). I for one (as a fan) appreciate his contributions to the Rattler program and enjoyed watching him play.

More importantly, I do like the statement provided by senior Leon Camel as he is ready to lead the Rattlers into the Circle City Classic battle with Winston Salem State University. Let's beat the snot out of these Rams! We are still in the battle for the MEAC championship. (beepbeep)

-----------
Photo: Albert Chester being sacked by Delaware State defender.

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida A&M quarterback Albert Chester II has decided to leave the football team.

Chester said Tuesday that he's abruptly ending his collegiate career because his often-injured body can no longer endure the pounding it has taken for the past two seasons. Coach Rubin Carter said he wasn't aware that he'd lost his starting quarterback before he was asked to comment on the sudden departure.

Chester announced his decision in an interview with the Democrat about 30 minutes after Tuesday's practice. Chester, who didn't attend practice, disclosed his decision while reading from a hand-written, prepared statement.

“I spoke with my physician and my family and we've come to a decision that will be in my best interest to no longer play football,” said Chester, who has battled various injuries since becoming the starting quarterback in 2005. “The possible damage that lies ahead if I keep playing could possibly affect me for the rest of my life.”

Chester's decision comes just five days before the Rattlers face Winston-Salem State in the Circle City Classic on Saturday in Indianapolis. Chester played almost three quarters last Saturday before giving way to backup Leon Camel in an 18-17 victory over Tennessee State University.

Carter said he was “shocked” at the news that his starting quarterback has decided to leave the team without informing him. He also said that Camel was prepared to take the starting position.

“I know that I can lead the team,” said Camel, who refused to comment on Chester's decision. “It won't be too hard. I've done it before. As long as I have my teammates to back me, it won't be hard for me to lead them down the field.”

Compared to last season when he threw for 1,986 yards and completed 164 of 264 attempts, Chester hasn't been having the best of seasons. He's completed 57 of 95 passes and was intercepted three times in four games.

Chester said he played every game in pain; Carter said he was willing to stick with the quarterback.

“I never have given up on Albert,” said Carter, who said he wouldn't comment further on Chester's decision until he met with the quarterback. “I just want to see that he is OK.”

Meanwhile, Carter said he'll make whatever adjustments might be necessary on offense.

“I feel that the football team and the program itself will survive,” Carter said. “The program is bigger than me or any of the players. It doesn't revolve around me or just one player.”

Chester said he and Carter haven't spoken since he was taken out of Saturday's game. But Chester said he had discussions with defensive end Tyrone McGriff about his future with the team.

“I haven't really felt like I would be as I was last year,” Chester said. “There is a lot of pain that I've been going through. It's bothering me when you feel like when you go to war your gun isn't as fast as it used to be. It's been real frustrating.”

But his teammates didn't expect him to walk away.

“I told him he is the bus driver on this bus, but I guess he wanted to go in a different direction,” said kicker Wesley Taylor, who said Chester was hinting at his decision a week ago. “We're going to miss him. He was a key factor to our program, but the Rattlers will prevail. We're going to get through this as a family.

"Our football team has been going through a lot and we'll find a way to get through this. We never stop fighting.”

FAMU CAREER PASSING YARDS

1. Quinn Gray, 1998-2001 ... 7,378

2. Oteman Sampson, 1996-97 ... 6,836

3. Tony Ezell, 1988-91 ... 6,620

4. Ben Dougherty, 2002-04 ... 5,211

5. Patrick Bonner, 1998 ... 4,148

6. Nathaniel Koonce, 1980-82 ... 3,707

7. Albert Chester, 2004-07 ... 3,369

8. Steve Scruggs, 1967-70 ... 2,981

FAMU starting QB quits team

The Tallahassee Democrat has released a story indicating that FAMU senior starting quarterback and preseason all-MEAC nominee, Albert Chester II announced Tuesday evening that he is leaving the FAMU football team.

Head Coach Rubin Carter and his Rattler team members were blind-sided by this development and shocked to hear the news. It was delivered by Chester during an interview with the Democrat, 30 minutes after the team practice on Tuesday. It is my understanding that Chester did not participate in the practice and his announcement comes as somewhat, shocking news to Rattler Nation.

Chester was pulled late in the third quarter of last Saturday's Atlanta Football Classic game against FAMU's longtime rival, Tennessee State University. Chester performance was below par with only 84 passing yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. He was replaced by senior quarterback Leon Camel, who sparked the Rattlers on a scoring drive and the game winning touchdown.

We're not going to speculate on what motivated Chester II to make the move at this time but we wish him the best in his pursuit of a degree from the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Albert Chester II has attempted to wear big shoes left by his father's legacy at FAMU. Albert Chester Sr., was FAMU's starting QB and helped FAMU win the first ever NCAA 1-AA National Championship in 1978 and led the Rattler's upset win over the University of Miami Hurricanes.

The only way that Chester II could please Rattler Nation message board critics was to go 11-0, win the MEAC and FCS national championship titles in his final season.

The FAMU Rattlers are scheduled to do battle Oct 6, with the Winston Salem State University Rams in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana. (beepbeep)

Albert Chester II, may have played the final game of his college career at the 2007 Atlanta Football Classic.

Who We Are: Hampton University Cheerleaders

WSSU Rams get good news about Morris

WSSU has recruited size for this upcoming season.

Center has been cleared to play by NCAA with basketball practice about to begin

By John Dell, JOURNAL REPORTER

Coach Bobby Collins of Winston-Salem State let out a big sigh of relief last week when the NCAA Clearinghouse gave the OK for center Corey Morris.

Morris, a 6-10, 255-pound center from Elizabeth City, had been waiting for the Clearinghouse to make its decision. It came down to one class from his senior year at Northeastern High School.

"I'm excited that this got cleared up," Morris said last week. "Now that I know I'll be out there, I can't wait for practice to begin."

The new-look Rams will begin practice Oct. 12. Of the six players that Collins brought in, three are 6-8 or taller.

Morris is the tallest, followed by post players Paul Davis (6-9) and McIntoche Alcius (6-8).

In Collins' first season, the Rams had one post player, but at 6-5, Jamal Durham was undersized. With the added height, Durham can move over to his more natural position at forward.

"Last year, I was posting up guys who were 6-4 or 6-5, and this year I'll have guys who are posting up 6-9 or 6-10," Collins said. "And that's going to give us a totally different look. This will allow us to do things that I've had in the past because I've always had a big man in the middle."

With returning player Julian Murphy-Long, a 6-9 walk-on, the Rams will have four players who are 6-8 or taller, which might be a first at WSSU.

Last season, the Rams suffered through the school's worst record (5-24). What made it worse was that the Rams played just five home games, although they made about $500,000 for playing some big-name programs on the road.

"We've got 14 home games this year, and that's going to bring a new flavor to us," Collins said. "Last year, in having 25 road games, we were fighting an uphill battle from the beginning. We weren't playing the school for the blind, either - we were playing teams like Georgetown and Georgia Tech."

Playing a balanced schedule and a full MEAC schedule should make things a lot easier for the Rams. They won't be eligible for the MEAC title until the 2010-11 season, but at least they are on more of a level playing field compared to last season. Another difference is that the Rams are scheduled to play all 14 home games at either Joel Coliseum or the Annex. However, because of the new pro hockey team playing at the Annex, two or three games could be moved to the Gaines Center.

Both the men's and women's team will open practice with a "Ram Madness" at 7 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the Gaines Center.

"We're excited about the first day of practice coming up," Collins said. "We are very young but very talented. We'll have a much different look than we had last year.… It's going to be a different kind of year."

WSSU prepares for trip to Indianapolis

School slated to receive around $250,000 for its game with Florida A&M

By John Dell, JOURNAL REPORTER

It was an offer that Chico Caldwell couldn’t refuse.

When Circle City Classic representatives approached Caldwell about moving Winston-Salem State’s game with Florida A&M from Bowman Gray Stadium to the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Caldwell didn’t hesitate.

“It really was a no-brainer because this is one of the best black-college classics in the country,” said Caldwell, who is WSSU’s athletics director. “This was too good to pass up.”

The Rams will take a chartered flight to the Midwest on Thursday and could play in front of 50,000 fans Saturday.

Of course, the $250,000 payoff to WSSU for playing in the game helped Caldwell make his decision. Caldwell said that around $25,000 of that will be used for expenses, including flying the team, cheerleaders and band to Indianapolis.

“I’ve always said that this is a partnership between the university academically and athletically. When you think about it this is great exposure for the university, and you really can’t buy that much exposure,” Caldwell said.

WSSU’s name will be introduced to folks who may have never heard of the university during the events that accompany the game. There are expected to be some 150,000 people who will arrive on the weekend for the festivities.

Kelly Rowland, a popular rhythm and blues singer, will be the grand marshal of a pre-game parade and will also perform at halftime. There will also be a college fair, a cheerleading clinic, a golf tournament and several parties in the Indianapolis area.

John Dedman, the director of communications for Indiana Sports Corporation, said that one reason that the Circle City Classic has been so successful is its wide range of activities.

“I’m not sure how the other classics operate, but we treat this as a community celebration that’s more than just football,” Dedman said.

The Classic promotes itself as “a weekend that celebrates African American cultural excellence and educational achievement while showcasing the tradition and quality of America’s historically black colleges and universities.”

This will be the last year that the game will be played at the RCA Dome. Next year it will be played in a new stadium being built for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.

This will be the 24th Circle City Classic. Last year, Hampton beat Central State of Ohio 42-12. Dedman said that over the past seven years the game has averaged around 48,000 fans. Dedman didn’t have exact ticket-sales numbers for this year’s game, but other officials said they are expecting 40,000 to 50,000.

WSSU has a good reputation for fans who like to travel. It was given 2,500 tickets to the game to sell and more than 2,000 have been sold, according to Caldwell.

“Winston-Salem State and their officials have been enthusiastic about this from the start, and they have done a great job of getting the word out there,” Dedman said. “They already have filled up one hotel with the block of rooms we set aside, and we are working on getting them some more rooms in another hotel.”

Coach Kermit Blount of the Rams, whose team is forced to play six road games in a row because of the Circle City Classic, looks at Saturday’s game as a recruiting tool. He also said that it’s a reward to his team.

“When you weigh the options of having to play at home, which isn’t a bad thing, and taking the team on the road to play in the same building where the Super Bowl champions play, it’s a great thing for us,” Blount said. “It’s the experience for us playing in a big arena, in a big atmosphere and the next time we have to play in something that big we’ll be ready for it.”

Another bonus for WSSU will be the broadcast of the game live on the NFL Network. The Circle City Classic has a two-year contract with the NFL Network to broadcast the game.

When the Rams’ schedule came out there was grumbling by some WSSU alumni about taking away a home game.

“I think those fans realize that to have this kind of exposure and get to play in the RCA Dome, you can’t buy that kind of opportunity,” Caldwell said.