Pough says SCSU will "hold the course"

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

There was no panic in South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough’s voice during his weekly press conference.

Following Saturday’s double-overtime loss to Norfolk State, he did not announce any wholesale changes in light of the Bulldogs finding themselves in the same predicament as last year in facing a "win or go home" scenario in each of their remaining six games.

Instead, Pough took a cue from President George Bush by stating he plans to "hold the course" as he believes the program, despite its current place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings, is still going in a championship direction.

"I believe in what we’re doing," he said. "I just think we’ve got to get better at it."

"The one good thing I can tell you is that is we’ve just started to really get a good solid group of guys in here I think can carry us for a while," he continued. "I know the very last thing we want to here is wait until next year. But I can tell you that this time we will at least be a solid team for years to come.

"We’re not building a team for today. We’re building a team for the times and I think this team will be good for some time."

Photo: SCSU Head Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough.

To that end, SCSU (2-3, 1-1) held an impromptu practice session Sunday, much of it spent correcting 19 missed assignments committed by the offense during the 20-13 setback. Many of those miscues committed in the "Red Zone" were related to the various changes made on the offensive line with newer, younger starters and a lack of execution, something Pough took full responsibility for during his weekly press conference.


"Norfolk beat us," he said. "I could put it on all kinds of stuff. We didn’t play well, but I didn’t think we played all that poorly. We made some mistakes, but we had a chance to win the football game every kind of way there was but didn’t quite get it done. So, it’s on me and that’s what I do here. The only thing I can tell you is that we’ll work to get better next week and see what happens."

Entering Saturday’s home game against equally-struggling Florida A&M (2-3, 1-2) ranked last in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring offense (12.6 points per game) and pass efficiency (82.6 rating) and next to last in passing offense (116 yards per game). Along with injuries which will keep out for a second straight week running back Travil Jamison (groin) and wide receiver Terrance Smith (knee), SCSU was unable to stretch a Spartan defense which often crowded the line of scrimmage with 6-8 players.

Pough said the Bulldogs have to show more consistency throwing the football and he hopes to still use freshman Malcolm Long (who was 1 of 2 passing for 39 yards and an interception) in spot duty alongside Cleveland McCoy.

"We’ve got to get him the experience of being in a football game so that we don’t get into next season with a totally new game who hasn’t taken any reps at all," Pough said. "So it’s important that we get him a few series a game - one in the first half and one in the second half. If things are going good, then we’ll probably play him either a third series. If things really go good, then we’d like to play him for a quarter. But, we haven’t got to that point yet. Most of the situations have been where we’ve been kind of behind the eight ball and haven’t been able to free-wheel as much as we’d like. But the first opportunity we get to play him a good length of time, we will."

The offense is not the only area where execution has been a problem for SCSU. Place-kicker Stephen Grantham has missed 9-15 field goals this season and had his fourth blocked kick of the season during overtime.

Despite the numbers, Pough downplayed the Florence native’s difficulties and was confident he could turn things around.

"He’s struggling from time to time, but that’s part of it," Pough said. "Kids miss field goals. You heard of Bobby Bowden? You heard of Wide Right? You know it happens. The best thing I can tell you is that these kids don’t try to miss them. They do the very best they can to make them. It’s tough sometimes under the microscope when that things all on you. But, we’ll be alright. We’ll get better."
Pough also defended his secondary and their coverage on the halfback option throw from Daryl Jones to Jamar Johnson in the second-overtime which proved to be the game-winner.

"The play in overtime was a play that could possibly hurt a young, overaggressive guy," he said. "The guy that got hurt in that situation had three great plays in that game. He had balls knocked down. He was in one-on-one coverage a lot and they’ve got some pretty good receivers. We were in zone at that time and they fooled him and our free safety couldn’t get over to help.

"It happens. You want to do good and sometimes people turn the fact that you want to do good so bad that you’ll be a little bit overaggressive against you and that happens."

Getting those areas up to par with a Bulldog defense which has allowed an average of 13.3 points per game in non-Football Bowl Subdivision games is important if SCSU is to make a second-half run.

"One of the things you do in a situation such as this is you focus on the next task at hand," Pough said. "You create the situation of being able to continue to fight for a conference championship and we think we can. I think as long we’ve got breath left in our body, as long as our guys are the kind of people that they are, we’re going to always give a solid effort, a full effort, to achieve what’s best at that particular task that we’re approaching at that time. It’s not very hard with the type of kids that we have to motivate them.

"Let me tell you something. The one thing I can tell you is that we played as hard as we could play on Saturday. Now we might not have done some things right, He may have made some mistakes and that kind of stuff. But I guarantee you, you won’t hear anybody say that those kids didn’t give a good effort. That’s all you can ask for and they’ll do it again this week."

BULLDOG NOTES: A decision is pending on whether to redshirt BANDIT Marshall McFadden, out since the first half of the Bethune-Cookman team. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs hope to slowly bring back offensive tackle Nygel Pearson, who’s missed over a month with a broken hand and will most likely wear a cast...Saturday’s game against Florida A&M is "Youth Day" with youngsters will be charged at a special rate. It’s also being aired nationally on tape delay by ESPNU (Channel 160 on Digital Time Warner Cable) starting at 10 p.m. SCSU is a perfect 12-0 in games aired nationally on cable and 6-0 when aired by either ESPN2 or ESPNU, which has aired five of the Bulldogs’ contest since its inception in 2005.

Championship quality: FAMU coach praises SCSU

Photo: FAMU Coach Rubin Carter

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

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A reporter received a quick response from Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter to his question regarding the offensive woes of Saturday's opponent South Carolina State.

"Don't mean a thing," said Carter during Tuesday's teleconference. "A wounded animal fights back, man, and that's exactly what I see with that team right now. They've had some injuries, some nicks and also other types of situations going on with them. But they're going to come out and they're going to fight. They have a lot of pride too and that's the one thing and not just with South Carolina State, but one thing about our conference. It's competition week in and week out."

Not only does Carter still see a championship-quality squad in the Bulldogs, but also a mirror image of his Rattlers. Both teams enter Saturday's contest sporting similar records, having played the majority of their games on the road and seen their rosters riddled by injury.

Nevertheless, Carter expects to see the Bulldogs' team which has won the last four meetings in the series since Oliver "Buddy" Pough's arrival and not the one ranked last in the conference in passing efficiency and scoring offense.

"I don't why they have been struggling," he said. "I know in the preseason, the pick was South Carolina State being on top and I don't discount that at all. They are a good football team and I know they've had some situations with players being nicked and bruised and all those other things.

"On the defensive front, their defensive line is one of the best in the conference and the offensive center (Raymond 'Duck' Harrison), he's one of the best players. He's going to be a challenge for our defensive line, our interior guys, because he'll knock your head off. They've been competing at a high level. But for whatever the reason, injuries, transition with personnel, those things do occur and it's tough to replace good players."

FAMU has also struggled with developing team continuity with a new starting quarterback and several young starters on the defensive line. In the 27-23 loss to Winston-Salem State this past Saturday at the Circle City Classic at Indianapolis, Ind., the Rattlers hurt themselves with two first-half fumbles which were turned into touchdowns and gave up 296 rushing yards.

"It was a difficult game for us," Carter said. "We didn't start out real well. We shot ourselves in the foot early in the game and spotted Winston-Salem (State) two touchdowns with turnovers down in the 'Red Zone' area and those are the types of things you can't do versus any football team. But they're a good team. They came out and I thought they executed a lot better than we did and we have to be able to be better in that area."

This was also the first game FAMU played since the abrupt departure of starting quarterback Albert Chester II. The preseason All-MEAC first-team selection and four-year starter left the team just days following the team's 18-17 victory over Tennessee State in the 19th annual Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic - a game in which Chester was pulled in the first half for senior Leon Camel.


FAMU's starting QB Leon Camel hands off ball to Freshman RB Phillip Syvester.

Chester later told The Famuan in an Oct. 5 article that health issues, including a entrapped nerve, which caused numbness, tingling and weaknesses around the arm area, were the primary reasons for his decision. He and his father, former FAMU quarterback Albert Chester Sr., also alluded in the same article to "ongoing problems" with the coaching staff stemming from a lack of communication.

Carter acknowledged those issues during the teleconference, but insisted he has an open door policy with all of his players.

"Most of the players feel comfortable with coming in and sitting down and talking and discussing what's going on with them in situations and then others don't feel comfortable about doing it," he said. "It all depends on the personality of the young man. I would have liked to have seen it occur, come in and have a conversation prior to being in a situation where you're taken out of a game and having to be replaced by another player. That creates more conflict than anything else."

At the same time, Carter is confident the Rattlers will rally behind the 5-6, 170-pound Camel, who's 21 of 54 passing for 271 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

"We have to become a football team - that's what it's all about and every player understands that on our team," he said. "We've gone through adversity before as a program and this year is no different. But the team has to come together and understand this is what it's all about. One player doesn't make the entire squad. It takes the entire team. They have to rally around the offensive side of the ball and support Leon and his effort and everybody really understanding their role and performing at a high level."

Camel does have experience against SCSU, completing 5 of 6 passes for 39 yards in last year's 28-21 loss in Tallahassee. Carter also pointed out that even when Chester was the starter, Camel took most of the snaps during practice due as Chester was often absent or late due to the classroom commitments of his major pharmacy.

"I think it will help him a great deal," Carter said about Camel. "Number one, he's played against them before and he's gotten more action than that actually last year. He played in several games where he was productive and his mobility is one of his assets and that's what he's capable of doing very well which is escaping rushes and that type. We want to get him to settle in, to understand what we want from him. I think Leon is starting to get a thorough understanding of the offense and also the different people that's around him, particularly Willie Hayward (who had seven catches for 117 yards against Winston-Salem State), who's back with us.

"The young man has a tremendous amount of pride. He's an undersized player, but he has the heart of a lion."

Although linebacker Michael McMillan did earn MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honors after tallying 12 solo tackles and two sacks against Winston-Salem State, Carter is very concerned about a run defense which has allowed 184 yards per game on the ground.

The last thing he wants to see is the Bulldogs' offense experience a revival of the "explosiveness" it's shown in the previous two meetings.

"We've been on the road for three weeks now...and now we're going into the 'Doghouse' down in Orangeburg where Coach (Oliver "Buddy") Pough always has his teams prepared. They've had some tough games that they've been playing in. I know they've been nicked and bruised similar to ourselves with some of our defensive people have injuries. But they'll come out there and fight. Coach Pough always does a great job in getting his team prepared for competition. So we know we'll have our work cut out for us, but we'll put together our best gameplan going in and keep our players up and help them to understand that we're midway through the season and we have to finish strong."

RATTLERS vs. BULLDOGS

WHO: Florida A&M (2-3, 1-2) at South Carolina State (2-3, 1-1)

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium

TV: ESPNU (Channel 160 on Digital Time Warner Cable; Channel 609 on DirecTV and Channel 148 on The Dish Network)

RADIO: WQKI 93.1 FM (Orangeburg)

45th Battle of the Bay: HU vs. NSU

by NSU Sports Information

NORFOLK, Va. – For the fourth time since 2001, State Farm will be the principal sponsor of the Battle of the Bay football game as the Norfolk State University Spartans (4-1 overall, 3-0 MEAC) host the Hampton University Pirates (4-1, 3-1) on Saturday, Oct. 13, at William “Dick” Price Stadium. Kickoff is 2 p.m. for what is considered one of Hampton Roads’ biggest entertainment and sports events.

The week's activities begin on Thursday, Oct. 11 when State Farm hosts a media luncheon featuring Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian, Hampton Head Coach Joe Taylor and players from both teams.

On Friday, State Farm and the Norfolk State University Athletics Foundation will co-host the "State Farm Battle of the Bay After Work Mixer” at Grand Affairs in Virginia Beach, Va. Alumni, university administrators, faculty, staff and supporters of both institutions are expected to attend the event and music will be provided by the Fuzz Band. The Norfolk, Va.- based band has opened for platinum-selling artists such as Outkast, Jill Scott, Morris Day and The Time and Alicia Keys. The Fuzz Band has also performed at fundraisers for dignitaries and entertainers, including Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, NBA star Allen Iverson and former NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith.

As a result of State Farm's partnership with the NSU Athletics Department, State Farm will also participate in NSU's Parent Weekend set for Oct. 11-12. State Farm will donate 50 Million Pound Challenge kits to participants of the 2k run/walk on the NSU campus.

The football game on Saturday is the 45th meeting between the schools in what has been one of college football’s most intense and enduring rivalries. NSU leads the series 22-21-1, although the Spartans have not defeated the Pirates since 2001. In addition to the fierce, hard-hitting action between the teams, fans will also be treated to the pageantry and precision of the NSU Spartan Legion Marching Band, featuring the Hot Ice Dancers; and the Hampton Marching Force and the Ebony Fire Dance Team.

“The Battle of the Bay is a football classic between two long-time rivals and it has delighted fans for many years,” said Bill Whitney, vice president of State Farm Insurance. “State Farm Insurance is proud to sponsor the game, because it is more than a competition. The event highlights the educational and athletic excellence of Norfolk State and Hampton Universities.”

The end of the game will not mean the end of the day’s events. After the game, spectators will be invited on the Dick Price Stadium field to stage the largest Cupid Shuffle in Hampton Roads – and perhaps the world. A raffle will be held and registered participants will have a chance to win cash prizes totaling $1,000.

“Norfolk State University Athletics is extremely pleased with the support we receive from State Farm," said Craig Cotton, associate athletics director for external operations. “State Farm's sponsorship of the Battle of the Bay and its involvement as a Team Spartan Corporate Partner indicate the company's commitment to supporting organizations and events that benefit and serve the community.”

MEAC voters pick Hampton University

DSU's Roy Bright (#45) named MEAC Pre-Season Player of the Year.

By MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

The men's team returns all five starters as coach Kevin Nickelberry heads into his second season.

Hampton University enters the 2007-08 men's basketball season as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference favorite. The Pirates were picked first in a poll of conference coaches and sports information directors released on Tuesday, with two-time defending regular season champion Delaware State second.

"I think, if anything, this is a rubber stamp of the progress we've made here," Pirates' coach Kevin Nickelberry said. "This shows that the program is heading in the direction I want it to go with respect to academics, recruiting and development of players.

"There's no way I thought this would happen after only one year. But the reality is, we still have to go out and win games."

Nickelberry guided the Pirates to a 15-16 record and third-place finish in his first season as the Pirates' coach. All five starters return from that team, including guard Rashad West, who won the MEAC scoring title last season with a 17.8 average.

West, a 6-foot-1 senior, was the lone Hampton player voted to the preseason all-conference team. Delaware State forward Roy Bright, who averaged 15.3 points last season, was selected the men's preseason Player of the Year.

Nickelberry said Tuesday that he signed point guard Jordan Brooks of C.H. Flowers High in Springdale, Md. just prior to the school year. Nickelberry said that Brooks might start at the point this season because signee Chris Tolson of Laurel High did not qualify academically.

Like Tolson, Brooks earned a spot on the Washington Post All-Met third team last season. Brooks averaged more than 20 points per game in leading Flowers to the Maryland 4-A South regional final. He also started at point guard on the D.C. Assault AAU team that featured Kansas State signee Mike Beasley, the top recruit nationally last year.

"Jordan is one of those little guys (5-foot-7) who makes it hard for people to get the ball up court and who knows how to get the ball to people," Nickelberry said. "We were lucky to be able to get him to replace Chris Tolson."

Kwame Morgan, a first team Washington Post All-Met selection, also will sit out this season because he did not qualify. He averaged 27.5 points last season for Maryland 3-A semifinalist Largo.

They are the first players to sit out for any reason during Nickelberry's tenure. All of Hampton's players and recruits were academically eligible both semesters last season.

MEAC coaches picked Hampton's women's team to finish fifth. Defending regular season champion Coppin State is the women's preseason favorite.

Below is the predicted order of finish for the MEAC.

MEN

1-Hampton, 2-Delaware State, 3-North Carolina A&T, 4-Morgan State, 5-Florida A&M, 6-Bethune-Cookman, 7-South Carolina State, 8-Coppin State, 9-Norfolk State, 10-Howard, 11-Maryland-Eastern Shore.

WOMEN

1-Coppin State, 2-Delaware State, 3-Morgan State, 4-North Carolina A&T, 5-Hampton, 6-Florida A&M, 7-Maryland-Eastern Shore, 8-Howard, 9-South Carolina State, 10-Norfolk State, 11-Bethune-Cookman.

Faith in himself: Hampton U Charles Robinson

By MARTY O'BRIEN , Daily Press

Junior linebacker (#58) Charles Robinson's prayers are being answered as he stars for Hampton University.

HAMPTON — Truman Capote had a point about answered prayers causing more pain than unanswered ones. Take Charles Robinson's game-changing interception return for a touchdown in Hampton University's win over Princeton on Saturday.

Robinson prayed for such a moment to atone for blowing a pass-coverage assignment a week earlier in the Pirates' loss to Delaware State.

But as he ran after intercepting the ball last Saturday, his biggest concern was making all 80 yards to the Princeton end zone.

"Eighty yards is a long way to run and I started cramping in my calves and my hamstrings," said Robinson, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound junior who starts at outside linebacker. "Before the game I had said, 'God if your glory can be shown on this field today, let it be shown.'

"My prayer was answered. I let it be shown that it was by kneeling in the end zone in prayer."

Robinson's score early in the third quarter opened the gates to a flood of HU points. The Pirates rallied from a 27-14 deficit to beat the Tigers 48-27.

But the toll on his legs resulted in something unusual, something you probably won't see in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown on Saturday between the Pirates (4-1, 3-1 MEAC) and Norfolk State (4-1, 3-0). Robinson had to sit out a few plays.

"We have packages where linebackers will play 30 or 40 downs a game, but Charles might play 70 plays because he wants to be in on every down," HU defensive coordinator Jerry Holmes said. "I like that about Charles.

"He is very disciplined, one of those guys you can trust out on the field. You can count on him to be in position all of the time."

Which made it all the more stunning when Robinson broke from the Delaware State tight end he was covering to chase the quarterback.

Robinson admits that he guessed Hornets quarterback Vashon Winton was scrambling to run the ball on a play in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 17.

Robinson was wrong and the Hornets scored what proved to be the winning touchdown in a 24-17 victory.

"(Winton) just dumped it over the top to (Jeff Postell) for a touchdown," Robinson said. "That left a bitter taste in my mouth the entire week."

In a team meeting several days later, he promised to play his assignments as close to perfectly as possible.

He was second on the team in tackles at Princeton with 11, but the interception was the most evidence that he was good to his word.

"Charles was right where he was supposed to be," Holmes said. "He rerouted his (receiver) then headed for the flat. The ball was tipped (by HU tackle Kevin Burke) and Charles was right where he was supposed to be.

"He picked off one in the same identical situation last year at Florida A&M and ran for a (45-yard) touchdown."

And just like in the Princeton game, he knelt in the end zone. Part of that reaction is that end zone celebrations are unusual for him.

He says that Coach Mike Smith taught him a lesson at Hampton High that Coach Joe Taylor reiterated at HU.

"They both have won so much that when you score or win a game, they tell you to act like you've been there before," said Robinson, a Daily Press All-Star while at Hampton High.

But Robinson would kneel regardless, because of his faith. He regularly attends Cornerstone Assembly of God in Hampton and says he hopes to serve in some capacity as a youth minister following graduation.

The occasional football setback is too small a matter to shake Robinson's faith. He believes that in sports and in life, redemption is a prayer away.

"I was talking to some of the players in my role as (the football team's) president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes," he said. "I told them that some people will ask 'Where was God?' after a tragedy or something traumatic.

"God will answer: 'Where were you? I've given you the power. All you have to do is open your mouth and pray to me and I'll be there for you.' "

The Robinson file
NAME: Charles Robinson.

SCHOOL: Hampton University.

POSITION: Outside linebacker.

NOTEWORTHY: The 6-foot-4, 212-pound junior is third on the Pirates this season with 29 tackles. ... Returned an interception 80 yards for a TD last week in HU's 48-27 win over Princeton. ... Returned an interception 45 yards for a TD last year in a 59-7 win at Florida A&M. ... Is president of the football team's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. ... Earned all-state and Peninsula District defensive player of the year honors while at Hampton High. ... Helped convince his first cousin, freshman tailback Dennis Mathis, to play for HU.

Lady Rattlers takes easy win over Norfolk State

Photo: Coach Tony Trifonov provides instructions to volleyball team at last week game.

by FAMU Sports Information

FAMU goes to 2-0 in MEAC in win over Norfolk State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida A&M Volleyball team picked up their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the season in a 3-0 romp of Norfolk State, Thursday evening at the Gaither Athletic Center in Tallahassee.

FAMU (4-5, 2-0 MEAC) made easy work of the Spartans winning game one, 30-12, and putting them away in games two and three winning 30-19.

Iva Lakic finished with a game high 13 kills, to lead the Lady Rattlers, while Jovana Blazeski added 10. Zaira Manzo led FAMU in assists with 34 and Blazeski finished with 14 digs.

NSU (4-12, 1-1 MEAC) was paced by Chantel Cherry with eight kills and 12 digs, followed by Heather Quinn with six. Solange Honore led the team in assist with 18.

The Lady Rattlers extended their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win streak to 93 matches.

The Lady Rattlers will travel to the Triad region this weekend, visiting Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday, Oct 6 taking North Carolina A&T and then will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. on Sunday, Oct 7 taking on Winston-Salem State.

FAMU Volleyball Gallery

FAMU Lady Volleyball MEAC record wins -- 93 consecutive matches and growing...

Florida A&M University Incomparable Marching 100

Brothers keep FAMU's Akkebala pushing

Photo: #51, Kwame Akkebala, 6-4/255, Center, Soph, Jones HS, Orlando, FL , prepares for each game with a team prayer.

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

A few times each week, Kwame Akkebala gets a phone call from his brothers. Sometimes it's a "How are you doing" kind of conversation, but most times big brother Kwan wants to get into Akkebala's head.

He wants to be sure Akkebala, an offensive center, isn't slacking in his assignment with the FAMU football team. It doesn't change when they get together, either.

"I go home now and he will go jogging with me," Akkebala said. "He pushes me. He makes sure I get my work in."

But Kwan, a former player at FAMU, isn't the only one who Akkebala hears from. Kwan and the oldest of the three brothers, Kwakou, have been the father figures in Akkebala's life for some time, especially after their mother's suicide three years ago.

A year after his mother's death, Akkebala's world took another topsy-turvy spin when his father succumbed to cancer. Akkebala, now 19, was 16 at the time. Just recently he lost his grandfather.

Football became his reprieve as he copes with the losses. He keeps on playing because of the strength he drew from his parents, Akkebala said.

"When my mother passed, my father was there and because we went through that it was easier the second time with my father," he said. "The main thing they always taught us is making sure we kept our heads up; stay unified. They taught us well so we were able to bounce back."

His brothers have not been more than a phone call away for the sophomore from Orlando Jones High School. But there are times when he wants to go it alone. It's something he has to get used to, Akkebala said.

"I get what I need myself," he said. "I see it both as a strength and a weakness because, yes, you shouldn't have to ask anybody, but that third time you should ask for help. That's just something I have to learn and I know I need to."

When he isn't looking for support from his brothers, he gets it from the coaches at FAMU. Coach Rubin Carter said he and his staff have become father-figures of sorts for Akkebala.

"It's important for him to have the feeling of a family atmosphere with people who will support him to help him achieve his goal," Carter said.

Akkebala is a model student-athlete, Carter said. He came to FAMU with all sorts of academic accolades, having taken college courses while he was in high school. Academics remains a priority, said Akkebala, who is majoring in engineering.

"I don't have to worry about Kwame being out late at night," Carter said. "His character is not in question; I know exactly where he's going to be. He's going to be on time for everything."

Akkebala's role with the Rattlers has changed since he joined the team as a defensive lineman. He started this season at offensive center, replacing injured Steve Brazzle.

While he's played on the offensive line in high school, he's adjusted quickly to the faster pace in college. He's gradually finding his niche at center, he said.

"I've got to have mental toughness because you have to react and see everything on the field," he said. "I've got to be able to look back at the quarterback and make sure he is getting his ball. It takes a lot of everything."

Circle City Classic: Dome showcase has launched stars

Photo: FAMU Rattlers expects a tight game with WSSU Rams in the 2007 Circle City Classic.

Colts' Mathis vividly recalls game

By Jeff Rabjohns, Indy Star

The key moment in turning the Circle City Classic into a reality came in the early 1980s, when legendary Grambling coach Eddie Robinson agreed to bring his team here.
Robinson, on his way to breaking Bear Bryant's coaching victories record, had star power and gave the game instant credibility.

Robinson, who finished with 408 wins, had one stipulation: Grambling got to pick its opponent for the inaugural Classic in 1984.

"They picked Mississippi Valley State," recalled Classic executive George Pillow. "I guess they thought they'd come up here, beat them, collect their payday and go home. But Mississippi Valley beat them.

"Mississippi Valley? I'd never heard of the school."

Robinson's decision brought one of the greatest football players in history to Indianapolis before he was famous. Mississippi Valley stunned Grambling 48-36 behind 174 yards receiving and two touchdowns from Jerry Rice.

The Classic will be played at the RCA Dome for the final time Saturday, closing a run of 24 consecutive falls of hosting a contest between two historically black colleges. The game moves to Lucas Oil Stadium next season, and might showcase future NFL stars there as well.

Its run at the Dome certainly did.

Jerry Rice, Steve McNair, Hugh Douglas, Erik Williams and Robert Mathis, who helped the Colts win the Super Bowl in February, are just some of the players the Classic brought to the Dome.

"It lets you know there's a rich heritage, nothing to take for granted," Mathis said this week. "It lets you know there are a lot of guys who paved the way for us."

Rice, who holds every major NFL receiving record, put on a show in the inaugural game. Grambling was within 41-36 when he caught a 63-yard touchdown pass for the final score.

In the 1991 Classic, a freshman quarterback named Steve McNair threw for 433 yards and three touchdowns in his fifth college game. He completed 23-of-36 passes as Alcorn State beat Howard 46-27.

McNair, now with Baltimore, played for the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans from 1995-2005.

Williams, from Central State in Wilberforce, Ohio, played tackle for 11 years in the NFL, starting for the Cowboys during their dominant run in the 1990s. He went to four Pro Bowls while blocking for Emmitt Smith and Troy Aikman.

Douglas, also from Central State, was the 1995 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was a three-time Pro Bowler. He helped shut down Alabama State 34-13 in 1992.

"You go down through the list, and it's not so much what we think, it's what has been proven," said James Bell, who coached Jackson State and is now at Taylor University. "Those guys have gone on to the pros. That tells you something about the players in the Classic. It's factual evidence.

"It's a good opportunity for guys to showcase their talents."

Mathis certainly did that. He had four sacks and caused a fumble that was returned for a touchdown in Alabama A&M's 27-11 victory over Southern in 2002. Mathis' big day came on the home field of the Colts, and in the fifth round of the 2003 draft, they picked him.

"It was very exciting to get that chance to participate in a game outside of your region, to play in front of a different crowd," Mathis said. "It was a very big deal. When we first saw in the schedule, we were counting down the days."

Quickslants: Mississippi Valley at Grambling

By Nick Deriso, The News Star

PASSION OF THE TIGERS
First-year Grambling coach Rod Broadway said he noticed something in Prairie View last week that his own team lacked.
“We’ve got to play with passion,” Broadway said.

The Panthers kept pace with GSU late in the game before finally falling by three points in the State Fair Classic.

“We’ve got to play at a faster speed than what we played last weekend,” Broadway said. “We’ve got protect the football. I didn’t like the way we played last weekend. (Prairie View) played hard, and they played fast. We’ve got to get back to doing that this weekend against Valley.”

TIP OF THE HAT
Grambling’s offensive guys recognize that teammates on the other side of the ball helped rescue them in a sputtering effort in Dallas.

Having the league’s best run stoppers to fall back on, senior receiver Clyde Edwards said, could make GSU all the more dangerous.

“I don’t think these SWAC teams have seen many defenses like ours,” he said. “That defense is going to be special.”

RUN FOR THE BORDER
Even as Grambling has regained some consistency in its rushing attack, there remains this startling stat: Freshman Cornelius Walker, this week’s SWAC newcomer of the week, has scored GSU’s lone rushing touchdown this season.

“We’re still one guy away from breaking one of those big runs,” Broadway said. “Once we can get our running backs scoring some touchdowns, I think it will improve us as a football team. We’re getting pretty good yardage, but we’re not making those big plays.”

Walker punched in from the 2 against Alabama A&M on Sept. 22, finishing a seven-play, 77-yard drive to put Grambling up 17-3. A&M eventually fell 31-6.

ENEMY LINES: MISSISSIPPI VALLEY
Mississippi Valley, which hasn’t had a bye week since Willie Totten returned to coach at his alma mater, got some much-needed rest last week.

After all, the Delta Devils (2-2 overall; 1-2 in SWAC) had just fallen against Alabama A&M and cross-state conference rival Jackson State.

“We’ve been playing straight through,” Totten said, “so that was something different for this team. We needed the break after those two devastating losses.”

Valley was leading Jackson 13-6 in the second quarter, but collapsed later in an eventual 50-16 shellacking. The Devils narrowed A&M’s lead to three points at the half but ultimately fell 45-14.

“If we can minimize our mistakes,” Totten said, “if we can put two halves together, that would be key for us. That’s something we’ve been concentrating on this week.”

Valley used the extra time to prepare for Grambling, which enters Saturday’s game with at 3-1 with a 3-0 league mark, but also to do some soul searching.

“It gave us an opportunity to go back and regroup, and to look at some things that we are doing,” Totten said. “We looked at the players we’ve been playing. Some, we thought were ready, and some of them aren’t.”

Valley’s pass and total offense had slipped to the bottom of the SWAC, as has its pass and total defense. That led to a sweeping bye-week revamp that began with a change at quarterback.

Paul Roberts (440 passing yards, four TDs and no picks) will be replaced by former juco passer Semaj Williams, who has been 3-for-8 for 26 yards, no scores and an interception in two relief appearances for Valley.

Totten was just getting started. He also reshuffled the offensive line, switched receivers, moved defensive linemen and linebackers around, and shifted safeties.

“They know that we are not getting the job done in the second half,” Totten said. “They know we played everybody tough in the first half, but we’ve got to put a second half together.”

Ronald Brewer is Valley’s leading rusher, with 86 yards a game and two touchdowns on the year. Its top receiver is tight end Abner Brown, with 172 yards and a score in 2007.

SWAC ATTACK
A&M’S LEE WAY
Alabama A&M will make a point this week of trying to stop Southern’s talented quarterback Bryant Lee.

“He’s scary,” said A&M coach Anthony Jones. “He’s completing the ball at a high percentage rate. He’s making really good decisions. And he’s athletic enough that, if he doesn’t like what he sees, he can get out of there.”

Lee has a SWAC-best completion average and is second in passing yards and TDs. Only Prairie View’s Chris Gibson has more rushing yards among league quarterbacks.

RENEWED CONFIDENCE
Prairie View was bolstered by its showing against Grambling, coach Henry Frazier said.

“After that ballgame, I’ve never seen so many alumni in the locker room,” said Frazier, who fell by the smallest margin in Grambling’s two-decades old streak of wins. “You can see the pride coming back.”

That newfound confidence will come in handy as the Panthers face an Alcorn program that Frazier has never beaten.

Keeping it simple makes JSU defense hard to handle

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

It's been said before by football coaches that strategy on the field is much like chess, with teams making adjustments based on the opponent's previous move.

But you won't hear Jackson State defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes make that claim. To him, chess is way too complicated to be compared to football.

"With my defense, I want them to be thinking more checkers and less chess," Hayes said. "Football's not that hard of a game on defense. You have some base formations and rules, but from there you rely on your athleticism and instincts."

And with that strategy in mind, Hayes and head coach Rick Comegy have built a defense that's simple, allowing players to fly around the football field with wild abandon. So far it's worked - JSU (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is giving up just 16.5 points per game and a SWAC-low 229.5 total yards per game.

The Tigers host Alabama State (4-1, 3-1) at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Defensive ends Daniel Brooks and Marcus Benard, along with linebacker Marcus Jamison, most typify the "hit first, think later" approach. Benard - a junior college transfer from Michigan - has been particularly effective, with 24 tackles, including 5 1/2 for a loss and a team-high three sacks.

"When I came to Jackson State, I told the coaches that I might look like a lunatic out on the field," Benard said. "But at the same time - I know what I'm doing. You've got to be a little nasty to play the defensive line."

Balancing the ruthlessness of the guys up front is the secondary, which is having a very impressive bounce-back season after struggling in 2006.

All four starters in the secondary - Domonique Johnson, LaBrose Hedgemon, Keith Camp and Malcolm Palmer - have at least one interception through four games. But unlike Benard, they've done most of their damage with patience and precision.

"I think patience just comes more with playing the secondary," Hayes said. "Those guys have been great at holding their positions and picking their spots to gamble. But they're keeping it simple. They stay in a few base formations and make sure their receivers aren't getting any big plays."

Stuck between those two extremes is junior linebacker Marcellus Speaks, who has quickly emerged as the leader of the defense. He leads the Tigers with 32 tackles, including seven for a loss, and is also charged with calling out formations and making sure everybody is in the right position.

"I've really been pleased with the way Speaks has embraced the leadership role on defense," Comegy said. "With Speaks in the middle, it moves everybody to their natural positions and makes us a much better defensive team."

Speaks said his personality is basically a mixture of the entire defense. On one play, he might need to calm down the defensive line and then yell at the secondary on the very next play to provide a spark.

"I like the way our guys are playing," Speaks said. "The emotional guys are up front and it gets a little more conservative as you move to the back. But everybody understands their role and we have a balance of attitudes. We'll need that if we want a SWAC championship."

JSU Strength coach has Hornet past

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: vs. Alabama State
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Radio: WOAD (1300 AM); WYFS (105.9FM)

Jackson State strength and conditioning coach Derek Scott is usually an energetic guy anyway.

Mix in a game with his alma mater Alabama State, who the Tigers host Saturday, and you get that same energy multiplied by two.

"I haven't been able to sleep any this week," Scott said. "I have played this game over in my head a thousand times. Even the weekend we played Valley, I had a dream about this game, but I had to stay focused."

Scott arrived at JSU in June after serving the past 11 years as strength and conditioning coach at Alabama State, where he played.

"This game has been marked on my calendar since the day I left," Scott said. "I can't really explain how I feel. It's kinda like an out of body experience, but at the same time I'm excited. I'm taking it kinda personal this week because those are my old stomping grounds. That's where I got my start, but my loyalty and love is at Jackson State."

Scott is one of two JSU assistants with ties to the Hornets. Offensive line coach Bruce Johnson spent four years at Alabama State before coming to JSU in 2006.

"It's going to be a good competitive game, but when it's all said and done, you're going to see the Tigers growling," Scott said.

OH SO SPECIAL

JSU has been splendid on returns so far this season, leading the SWAC in both kickoff and punt returns.

The Tigers are averaging 30.5 yards per kickoff return (1 TD) and 18.6 yards per punt return (1 TD).

"We have put in a whole lot of work on the field and a whole lot of time in meetings on that," said JSU coach Rick Comegy.

OPEN WIDE

Jackson State will play Saturday without tight end Cedric Dixon, who had a tooth pulled last week.

"That tooth is still bothering him so we aren't going to take any chances," Comegy said.

SU offensive linemen not getting much of a break

Photo: Southern offensive lineman Rafael Louis leads the way for running back Darren Coates against Alabama State on Saturday.

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern’s offense has been on the field for 372 plays in five games this season.

Six offensive linemen have been on the field for those plays.

Plus, there are three more games remaining, starting with Saturday’s homecoming game with Alabama A&M, before the No. 25 Jaguars get an open Saturday. SU has practiced since Aug. 2.

“Somebody has to be looking over them,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said.

Four linemen have yet to have a break: left tackle Trent Thomas, a former tight end; left guard Rafael Louis, a former tackle; center Demarcus Stewart, a former right guard who moved back to his old spot; and right tackle Myles Williams.

Senior right guard Reuben Oliver has, on occasion, been spelled by redshirt freshman Rodrell Stewart.

“At this point, they’ve logged a lot of practice time,” Richardson said. “A lot of them are tired. We haven’t had an off date. A lot of them are hurting. We realize that. I have to respect that.”

“I respect their heart,” first-year offensive line coach Damon Nivens said. “They’re playing through it. &hellip I tell them, ‘We play for 60 minutes and you have to stick together.’”

The Jaguars lost six veteran linemen to grades since the spring. Plus, true freshman Brian Bridges did not clear after initially practicing.

“We had low numbers, so we knew, in the summer, we had to work twice as hard — put in extra work after we put in the original conditioning work,” Louis said.

Saturday, in a 21-2 victory over Alabama State, Demarcus Stewart took a helmet to his thigh. Thomas had a bruise to his lower back.

“They came back in the second half and said, ‘Coach, I’m ready to go,’” Nivens said.

Despite not having depth up front, SU has substantially bettered its running game and has both the second-best rushing offense (176.2 yards per game) and total offense (408.4 ypg) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

“Every game, we’re getting better and better and better and in better shape,” Louis said.

SU has outscored the opposition 65-18 in the second half.

“I’m proud of our team, because we were counting on certain people but we’ve had people step in and we’re improving each week,” Williams said.

“We’re hanging in. We’re making each other better. With not having depth, we’re going through all the reps and it’s preparing us for games. We’re a second-half team, because we have the endurance.”

Southern has backups, but all of those are first-year players and the Jaguars have yet to be in a blowout where those players could be inserted.

“They’re still learning,” Nivens said. “They’re getting better every week. They’re going to be the future.”

Richardson said his staff has done well to scheme practices to keep linemen fresh.

“They’re finding a way to get through, and we’ve been blessed from that aspect,” Richardson said.

Luke is a force
A&M QB Kelcy Luke has thrown 14 touchdown passes this season, and two more will already tie his career-best total of 16 from last season.

“They’re playing with a lot of confidence. A lot of that is led by their quarterback Luke,” Richardson said.

An Auburn transfer who started since 2004, Luke has thrown for 5,519 yards and 50 TDs and run for 1,328 yards and another 18 TDs. He entered the season as the school’s career leader in yards, completions and attempts.

“Kelcy is the anchor,” A&M coach Anthony Jones said. “He’s leading them, and everybody follows his lead.”

Landry keeps going
Southern senior wide receiver Gerard Landry kept his run of a touchdown catch in every game going this season with a 23-yarder with 3:08 left in a 21-2 win over Alabama State on Saturday.

Landry had four catches for 54 yards, but the day wasn’t easy. He had his arm in a sling during the week and missed practices while getting rehab after injuring his left shoulder the week before.

“I was telling people I was going to play, but in my mind, it wasn’t looking good, because it was hurting very bad,” Landry said. “When game time came, I got it warmed up, and I was ready to go. I didn’t feel it during the game, but after the game I iced it up a little bit. It was hurting.”

Licea kicks it
A&M sophomore kicker Jeremy Licea went 1-for-3 in the regular season a year ago. The one make was a 20-yarder to beat Grambling 30-27 in overtime. He didn’t have an attempt in the final eight games.

But after getting a field-try blocked in the SWAC Championship Game, Licea made his final three of that game and has been good on all five tries — from 42, 37, 37, 36 and 25 — and is already 24-for-25 on PATs this season.

Banks spark plug for potent Alabama A&M offense

By REGGIE BENSON, Special to The Advocate

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Ulysses Banks had no intentions of coming to Alabama A&M. He wanted to play in the Southeastern Conference and had verbally committed to the University of Kentucky, but that was before he failed to qualify academically after a star-studded career at Parker High School in Birmingham.

Even so, Kentucky wanted to send Banks to Butler Community (Kan.) College and re-sign him two years later. That’s when Banks’ mother (Shirley) stepped in.

“My mother helped me make up my mind,” Banks said. “She told me you’re not going way up there.”

As a result, Banks landed at A&M and Bulldog fans couldn’t be happier.

After redshirting in 2005, Banks burst on the scene last season as a standout on special teams.

He led the nation in kickoff returns, averaging a whopping 34.2 yards, with 14 returns for 480 yards and two touchdowns. Banks was named Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, was a first-team All-SWAC selection and earned third-team All-America honors.

This season, Banks has been even better.
A month ago, in just his second career start at running back, Banks had a night to remember.

A 5-foot-8, 172-pound sophomore, Banks rushed for a Division I school record 211 yards on 19 carries in A&M’s 41-10 trouncing of Clark Atlanta. His 211 yards eclipsed the mark of Jeremiah Bonds, who rushed for 197 yards against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 20, 2003.

“We knew we could have a big night as an offensive unit, but I didn’t know it was going to be that big,” said Banks, whose father Kenny played for the Bulldogs in the 1980s. “I’m excited about it because it’s my first 200-yard game and I’ve been playing football since I was 3.

“If I wouldn’t have done it, it wouldn’t have been right. The holes were so big that if I wouldn’t have run for 200 yards, I would have let my linemen down because they worked so hard.”

One of those linemen, left tackle Darius Turner, was mesmerized by Banks’ effort. Turner has spent the last two years blocking for Nic Luke and Ta’mar Scott, more power runners than scat backs.

“I enjoyed his running,” Turner said of Banks. “It’s not something that I’m used to. He makes my job easy.”

Banks has made it look easy so far this season.
He has rushed for more than 100 yards in three of his last four games, including 112 on 17 carries in last week’s 48-24 victory over Texas Southern. That effort earned him SWAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Through five games, he is second in the league in rushing (98.2 ypg) with 491 yards on just 66 carries and four touchdowns. He is averaging a league-high 7.4 yards per carry and also has eight receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Banks is also averaging 10.3 yards on three punt returns and 18.2 yards on 10 kickoff returns.

All total, Banks is averaging 172 all-purpose yards per game, which ranks him 20th in the country.

“We saw what he could do in spring ball,” A&M coach Anthony Jones said. “We knew he had the speed. We knew he had good vision. He’s not a big kid, so we had to be smart how we used him.”

Banks will try to continue his hot play Saturday when A&M visits Southern in an important SWAC game at A.W. Mumford Stadium. Kickoff is 5:30 p.m.

Banks opened the game last season with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (the first one of his career) to spark A&M to an early lead. Southern, down 14-0, scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-14 advantage, but A&M scored a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to claim a 28-21 victory.

Banks also had a 99-yard kickoff return against Alabama State in last year’s Magic City Classic.

“We don’t win those games without him,” Jones said. “We wouldn’t have won the SWAC championship without him.”

A&M probably won’t win it without him this season, either.

FAMU Rattlers rally behind Camel

Photo: FAMU QB Leon Camel rolls out to pass in TSU game last week.

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

As surprising as the departure of Albert Chester II was as quarterback of FAMU's football team earlier this week, the move doesn't seem to have affected the Rattlers offense. After spending the last hour of Thursday's practice watching film following a downpour, the players emerged pumped full of enthusiasm.

Coach Rubin Carter said the offense is ready to complete the season with senior walk-on Leon Camel under center. Eddie Battle will be the backup, Carter said.

“Everybody wants to rally behind (Camel); just give him that confidence that he needs to win,” said senior wide receiver Willie Hayward, who walked on with Camel four years ago. “It (Chester's departure) wasn't disruptive, but we had to adjust real quickly and be focused for the upcoming game.”

FAMU plays Winston-Salem State in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. Chester said Tuesday that he wouldn't continue to quarterback the team because of multiple injuries.

That opened the door for Camel, who became Chester's backup last season. He started the Miami game.

Camel has completed 9 of 23 passes for 115 yards in two games this season. He scored one touchdown, which came last weekend when he came on in the third quarter to lead FAMU to an 18-17 win.

“The offense is basically in for the game,” he said. “I feel real good about playing. I'm not nervous or anything. It's football. I've been doing it for a while. I'm ready to get in and have some fun.”

FAMU vs. Winston-Salem St., 4 p.m. on NFL Network, WHBX (96.1 FM).

Photo: Leon Camel,#16 celebrates with Willie Hayward after running for a second half touchdown. The Florida A&M football team takes on Winston Salem State on Saturday in the Circle City Classic.

Princeton will take on Hampton in historic matchup

By Roscoe Nance, USA TODAY

Princeton traditionally fills its non-conference football dates with opponents from the Patriot League, the same as other Ivy League members, because of geography and similar academic philosophy.

Saturday the Tigers will set tradition aside when they host Hampton, the defending champ of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. It will be Princeton's first game against a historically black college or university and only the second time for an Ivy League school to play an HBCU. Yale defeated Morgan State 41-0 in 1984.

The historic meeting between Princeton (2-1) and Hampton (3-1) is part of Tigers athletics director Gary Walters' effort to add "some flavoring" to the defending Ivy League champ's non-conference schedule.

"In the Ivy League, we don't play in the postseason," Walters says. "As a result, we would like our student-athletes to have at least one game during their four years that takes place outside the region. That provides players with a cultural education experience they wouldn't have. We think that compensates for no postseason."

Princeton played San Diego in 2004 and 2005 and will play The Citadel next season. The Tigers play at Hampton in 2011.

Walters says the idea of playing an HBCU came to him during his tenure as chairman of the Division I men's basketball tournament committee. Hampton was one of the two or three HBCUs that he considered and the first he called because of quality of the university.

Hampton President William Harvey says the game is a natural, given the schools' academic and athletic reputations.

"Hampton is objectively recognized as having an outstanding academic program," Harvey says. "Princeton and other Ivy League schools are objectively recognized as having outstanding academic programs. Hampton is known in the last couple of decades as having an outstanding athletic program."

Hampton U undeterred by loss to Delaware State

The Pirates remain confident of winning the MEAC title despite last week’s defeat.

By Marty O'Brien, Daily Press

HAMPTON - Hampton University coach Joe Taylor tossed his homemade penalty flag -- a piece of yellow cloth tied around a small rock -- several times on Tuesday at practice. The message he sent is that the Pirates' 15 penalties for 157 yards in the loss to Delaware State last week were too many.

Otherwise, it's been mostly business as usual this week for the Pirates. Taylor made a couple of lineup changes and is slightly adjusting his offensive scheme to energize a running game that generated only 100 yards on 35 carries last week.

But the players called for no emergency meetings in the wake of their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference home loss in four years. By all indications, their confidence in a fourth consecutive MEAC title remains unshaken.

"Some of the guys were hanging their heads like the season was over," offensive guard Ryan Cave said. "It's just beginning. How you react to a setback determines the type of person, and type of team, you are.

"We're looking at this as something that will make us better in the long run. We've been here before."

In fact, the Pirates (3-1, 3-1 MEAC) recovered from losses in 2004 and '06 to finish 7-1 in the conference and earn the automatic berth to the Division I-AA playoffs. Taylor predicts a repeat.

"We're the only team that's played 50 percent of its (eight) conference games," Taylor said. "All of the other contenders have played just two games, and (preseason favorite) South Carolina State has played only one.

"Teams are going to knock each other off, so we still control our conference fate. But it doesn't matter if Delaware State loses games if we don't win all of ours."

So the emphasis in preparation for Saturday's non-conference game at Princeton (2-1) has been eliminating the weaknesses evident in the loss to Delaware State.

Taylor said the Pirates will use a fullback and tight end more often this week to create a surge for the running attack, while Everett Hopkins will get his first start at center.

Hampton's Joe Taylor faces Princeton in historic game that has playoff impact.

It should help that tailbacks Van Morgan and Kevin Beverly will be healthy for the trip to Princeton. Morgan (abdominal pain) and Beverly (ankle sprain) were limited by injuries against Delaware State, while No. 3 tailback Dennis Mathis (thigh contusion) did not play at all.

"We ran 35 running plays and 35 passing plays last week," Taylor said. "But when you have injuries to your backs, it's hard to run the ball.

"From Mars to Jupiter to the United States, you've got to run the ball to win." Taylor said the Pirates also must stop the run. HU's defense is surrendering a MEAC-worst 187 rushing yards per game.

Taylor said that his defensive line -- a unit considered one of the nation's best at rushing the passer -- has not been communicating well on running plays.

"When you've got a defensive end and tackle not communicating, that leaves a big gap," Taylor said. "Part of the problem is that we changed defenses last week, going more often with four down linemen.

"The good thing is that the linemen learn quickly from their mistakes."

Ditto for free safety Tobin Lyon, who got burned on a key pass play last week. Taylor has since replaced Lyon in the starting lineup with Vaughn Mansfield. Taylor and Mansfield said Lyon reacted with one of his best practices of the season.

"Tobin had a great practice, intercepting one pass and breaking up three others," Mansfield said. "I was impressed by his attitude, because he didn't come out and complain. He just worked hard."

The loss, it seems, has brought out the best in many of the players. Cave said that several of the seniors -- Mansfield, tight end Ernie Lomax and defensive end Kendall Langford -- have encouraged their teammates to remain optimistic. Hopkins said the loss reignited the team's focus.

As for those pesky penalties, Taylor still wants the players to reduce their number but admits he's using that homemade flag less often.

"I don't like even a single penalty," he said. "But sometimes if a guy is jumping offside, it's because he's aggressive.

"I want our guys to continue being aggressive. There's a lot of games left and we can still win the conference."

Chowan's bold move to CIAA in '08 draws mostly positive reaction

by Tom Robinson, The Virginian-Pilot

REMOVE RACE FROM the issue and Chowan University's move next year into the historically black CIAA for football makes total sense.

Chowan needs a home for its budding Division II football program within manageable driving distance of its opponents. The 10-member CIAA, which has lost schools such as Norfolk State and Hampton to Division I-AA, needs new blood for its health and relevancy.

It's a win-win. A logical marriage for Chowan, a private, 900-student Baptist school in northeastern North Carolina, and a Virginia-North Carolina-based conference, headquartered in Hampton.

In the real world, of course, the nuptials announced last week are landmark stuff, a barrier-breaking moment to be recognized and congratulated.

The CIAA is the country's oldest and possibly proudest "historically black conference," a label that seems quaint in 21st century college sports, where racial lines are easily blurred. But Chowan's student body is 50 percent white. It never has been and obviously never will be a historically black college.

And yet, after a back-channel courting dance that lasted the better part of a year, CIAA commissioner Leon Kerry asked and Chowan president M. Christopher White accepted the offer to help form a new reality.

"I'm not going to say it was an obvious fit, but there were a lot of pros," says Chowan's athletic director, Dennis Helsel, citing geographic and academic similarities. "And there were some negatives."

None was larger than the uncertainty of how the bold move would be perceived by supporters in both camps. To their credit, neither Chowan nor the CIAA let anything clutter the supporting evidence they'd diligently compiled.

The CIAA, Helsel says, is well aware that Chowan football has been down on its luck. The Hawks - Chowan sports are transitioning from Division III to II - snapped an 18-game losing streak two weeks ago.

Helsel, a former assistant AD at Old Dominion, knows CIAA loyalists question whether Chowan, simply on merit, deserves its invitation and can ever be "more than just a doormat" in the CIAA.

He responds as he responded to Kerry, whom Helsel calls a visionary: Chowan has firm plans to improve facilities, raise more scholarship money and generally be "a good partner" to the CIAA, with an eye toward CIAA acceptance in all sports.

Until then, Chowan's 10 other sports will remain independents in Division II.

"This is not a free pass," Helsel says. "Leon wasn't out begging. If he was going to break ground, he didn't want to break ground with someone that was going to embarrass him."

Kerry couldn't be reached Thursday to address reaction to his conference's decision. Helsel, however, says feedback that's crossed his desk is strongly positive. Negative messages he's received that do reference race, he says, haven't been overtly bigoted.

"Nobody's said, 'How dare you do what you are doing?' " Helsel says. "At least nobody's had the guts to send me something like that."

They would forget Chowan's trailblazing history. Chowan was created in Murfreesboro in 1848 as a four-year educational school for women, Helsel notes, not as a "finishing school," which was common for the day.

From the start, Helsel says, "Chowan had the vision to buck society."

Vision, plus necessity, just put Chowan back out front.

NCA&T Aggies look for win on road against Morgan State

By Daniel Henderson, A&T Register

Head Coach Lee Fobbs stated that his team is ready for the challenge in Baltimore Saturday when the Aggie football team gets set to play the 2-3 Bears of Morgan State.
A&T lost 50-20 at home this weekend to Norfolk State.

"We go back to work on the practice field and continue to work," said Coach Fobbs. "We've got a ball game next week.
The Aggies (0-5), have not beaten the Bears since 2005, but have won seven out of the last ten meetings.

The last time A&T football has celebrated a victory was against Morgan State in 2005 at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Maryland.
Morgan State shut-out the blue and gold 32-0 in their previous 2006 rival at Aggie Stadium last season.

The Bears lead the all time series 37-35-3.

Offense

The Aggies hope to continue their effective ground attack this weekend behind junior running back Michael Ferguson.

Ferguson is currently ranked second in the MEAC in rushing yards with 587 on the season behind Morgan State's running back Chad Simpson.

A&T is averaging 14 points per game and 271.6 yards of total offense.

The running game has been the bulk of the offensive success as the Aggies obtain 51 more yards on the rushing than in the air a game.

Freshmen quarterback, Shelton Morgan, missed last Thursday's game due to a concussion, but is expected to start against the Bears.

The dual quarterback attack, which includes junior quarterback Herb Miller, is once again expected and has been quite valuable for the team. When executed, A&T has decreased their margin of victory by two touchdowns or less.

"I do not feel our success is weighted on how we use our quarterbacks", said Coach Fobbs.

"We've always been a two-quarterback system and we'll do whatever we have to do in order to win the game."

Defense

The blue and gold defense will try to relocate the supremacy displayed against the North Carolina Central Eagles earlier in the season this Saturday.

Allowing 351 passing yards last Thursday is certainly not a way of finding it for A&T after displaying it's poorest performance of the year from a consistent secondary last week.

Opponents are averaging 37.8 points per game against A&T this season, and over 100 more total offensive yards in comparison to their defense yards on the year.

Perhaps the highlight of the defense this season is leading tackler sophomore linebacker Andre Thornton, who has continually played well with his 33 tackles in five contests, with five being for losses.

After leading the team in tackles a year ago, Thornton is on the verge of becoming one of a few Aggies to lead his team in tackle in each of his four seasons.

The defense has surrendered 186 rushing yards per game, and will need to find a way to manage Morgan State's running game that averages 237.8 yards per contest.

Morgan State

The run heavy Morgan State offense is equally significant in their run stopping defense.

Morgan State has allowed a low 79 rushing ypg. game, while giving up 17.4 ppg.
The Bears are lead by running backs Chad Simpson and Devan James, who are coming off a combined 181 ground game attack in their 33-9 spoiler at Bethune-Cookman's College 2007 homecoming.

Quarterback Byron Selby will dictate the play calling on the field, and is pretty sufficient at distributing the ball to a variety of receivers.

The accomplishments of the Bears is still not enough to lower the level of Fobbs confidence on the Aggies.

"We will just rely on our offensive and defensive coordinators to come up with great schemes against Morgan State," said Coach Fobbs.

Game time is 4 p.m. and can be viewed live at www.morganstatebears.com

Morgan State's Hill-Eley offered extension

By Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun

Morgan coach 'really can't say' whether one-year deal is enough

Baltimore - Despite delivering Morgan State's football program from an era of unmitigated losing, when the Bears endured 22 consecutive sub-.500 seasons, coach Donald Hill-Eley is not assured of keeping his job for another year.

Hill-Eley, whose contract is up in December, said the university offered him a one-year extension last week.

He declined to say yesterday whether he would accept a one-year deal.

"At this point, I don't know. I really can't say," he said.

In his sixth season, Hill-Eley is already the third-winningest coach in school history. But his 27 victories leave him far behind legendary coaches Eddie Hurt (174 wins) and Earl Banks (94).

Hill-Eley resuscitated a program that won 31 straight games and one mythical NCAA Division II title (1966) under Banks but had fallen into disrepair. Since he was appointed head coach in 2002 - after one year as offensive coordinator - the Bears have had two winning seasons and a pair of five-win seasons. They also had a 2-9 season in 2005.

Before 2002, Morgan had not won five games in any of the previous 22 seasons, a period that spanned nine head coaches.

University spokesman Jarrett Carter would say only that the school is "in negotiations and considering an extension" for Hill-Eley.

Floyd Kerr, the director of athletics since 2005, acknowledged the progress the football team has achieved under Hill-Eley.

Photo: Coach Donald Hill-Eley

"I know great strides have been made in the program, and we want to get this thing resolved as soon as possible," Kerr said.

After the Bears went 7-5 in 2002, Morgan president Earl S. Richardson rewarded Hill-Eley with a three-year extension of his original three-year contract.

But Hill-Eley went into last spring's recruiting season without any guarantee he would be back.

"It was an obstacle," he said. "It makes [recruits] kind of leery. I tell them they're not coming to play for Don Hill, but that they're coming to Morgan State and should look at the opportunity to get an education."

Under Hill-Eley, Morgan opened a pipeline to Florida recruits. There are 18 players from that state on the roster. Hill-Eley also upgraded his coaching staff by adding defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee and strength and conditioning coach Josh Bush in the past two years.

This season, the Bears are ranked fourth in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) in total defense, and sixth in rush defense. They have the leading rusher in the FCS in tailback Chad Simpson with 798 yards.

Hill-Eley also has seen the team's graduation rate jump from 52 percent in 2005 to 63 percent a year ago and 61 percent this year. In a conference call Wednesday, NCAA president Myles Brand said he wants every program in every sport to be above 60 percent.

"I think I've earned the right to stay longer, to continue to build the program," Hill-Eley said. "I'm invested in the school here. It'd be a shame not to be able to finish it off and let [another head coach] benefit."

The Bears are 27-34 overall under Hill-Eley. They take a 1-1 record in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (2-3 overall) into tomorrow's home game against North Carolina A&T.

"I'm here to coach the football team," Hill-Eley said. "No coach has control over his own fate. You work like hell and hope the people notice it and that they want to keep your around. ... I feel confident the administration is going to do the right thing."

Savannah State University AD O'Neal resigns

More information on the Savannah State athletic department situation...

Photo: SSU Former AD Robert "Tony" O'Neal

By Noell Barnidge, Savannah Morning News

Savannah State University athletics director Robert "Tony" O'Neal unexpectedly resigned Thursday from the position he had held for three years.

SSU vice president for administration Claud Flythe has appointed Paula Jackson as interim athletics director. Flythe was hired in June by new SSU President Earl Yarbrough to a newly created position to oversee athletics, facilities operations and public safety.

Jackson, who has worked at SSU since 2005, is the senior women's administrator and assistant athletics director for compliance.

"It's time to look out for Tony," O'Neal said. "It hasn't always been easy, but it's been a very rewarding experience."

O'Neal will assume other athletics-related duties at SSU.
"I will be working with (Flythe), implementing my parts of the strategic plan, the financial piece," O'Neal said.

Asked if he would remain at SSU after the school year, O'Neal said, "I haven't thought beyond that. Right now, my focus is on doing the necessary things to enhance athletics at Savannah State University."

Jackson said of O'Neal's resignation: "This decision took me by surprise today. The information that I got today is there will not be a search anytime soon. I will have the opportunity to move into the full-time position. It just depends on my performance."

Photo: Paula Jackson, SSU Interim AD and Director of Compliance/Senior Women’s Administrator

O'Neal became SSU's 14th athletics director on Aug. 1, 2004, when he was hired by former president Carlton Brown.

During O'Neal's tenure, SSU's football program was placed on probation for three years by the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.

Last May, following an investigation that began Oct. 18, 2004, the NCAA found SSU guilty of violations in recruiting, playing and practice seasons, financial aid, ethical conduct and institutional control.

In men's basketball, SSU finished 0-28 during the 2004-05 season. The football team followed with a 0-11 record in 2005.

Also during O'Neal's tenure, SSU's athletics department was certified by the NCAA as a Division I program, and he revitalized the athletics lettermen program. At the annual banquet, athletes are awarded letterman jackets, plaques, trophies, watches and scholarships.

O'Neal also led SSU's attempt to join a Division I conference by submitting a $10,000 non-refundable application fee to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in May 2005. MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas said the conference will reconsider SSU's application after the school's NCAA probation ends May 18, 2009.

O'Neal came to SSU from Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he served as Associate Athletics Director for Compliance for four years.

Jackson, a native of Baton Rouge, La., came to SSU from Morehead State University, where she served as an assistant athletics director and senior women's administrator. She has held the same positions at Clark-Atlanta University.

"First and foremost, I'm still in the position of compliance director," Jackson said. "Being in athletics, this has always been a goal: to be an athletics director. This is right in step with my goals."

SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki said the Tigers' coaches were asked to refer all media questions to him.

Flythe, in a press release sent by SSU on Thursday night, said, "Paula Jackson has full power and authority to exercise as the interim athletic director. She has full support from my office and the president's office."

Link: http://www.savstate.edu/Athletics/athleticdept/2007_Staff_Bios/asst-athl-dir_Paula-Jackson.htm

Circle City Classic still draws a crowd, just not inside the Dome

By Robert King, Indy Star

More than 150,000 people are expected Downtown this weekend for the 24th Circle City Classic, but the event's supporters are increasingly concerned about how many of those folks will show up for Saturday's football game.

Big crowds continue to turn out for the game-day parade, the daylong Fall Fest and a long list of outside-the-game activities such as the black-tie gala, comedy show and the like.

But the matchup that makes it all possible -- the annual football game between teams from historically black colleges and universities -- has been hemorrhaging fans. This year, Florida A&M faces Winston-Salem State.

Once a contest that drew 60,000 people to the RCA Dome, the game hasn't hit that mark in a decade. The past three years, attendance has slipped significantly. Last year's game drew 31,597.

For an event that provides much-needed scholarship money to local organizations and an important payday to the participating colleges, the downward spiral isn't prompting panic. But there is growing concern that the game has become almost incidental.

Classic officials are targeting ads at white and Hispanic audiences, turning to new technology and amping up the halftime show to increase attendance.

"Only the alumni watch the game. I think everybody else comes to socialize," said Sharon Maxey, who saw the first Classic and is a part of its older fan base. As an advertising sales consultant for The Indianapolis Recorder, she has seen game-related ad sales decline in recent years in part, she fears, because of fading interest.

"There is a feeling among some that the focus has gotten off the game and that the game benefits African-American education," said Amos Brown, a local radio personality on WTLC-AM (1310) and longtime Classic supporter. "I think that has gotten lost in the shuffle in an emphasis on partying and entertainment that is part of the weekend."

But it is competing in a crowded field.

There are more than 40 games around the country this year between historically black colleges that bear the title "classic." Most, like many black colleges themselves, are in the South.

For years, the Circle City Classic stood alone among cities in the Midwest that hosted such a game. The bowl-game-like atmosphere and opportunity for black college alumni -- even those whose teams weren't on the bill -- was a great attraction for people in surrounding states, said Eric Moore, managing editor of HBCUSports.com, a Web site that covers black college sports.

The problem now, Moore said, is that cities like Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati and St. Louis have added their own games.

"There has been sort of a dilution of the uniqueness of the Classic," he said.
That has made it more important for games like the Circle City Classic to get good matchups involving bigger-name black colleges or at least those with rivalries. Moore said some cities, like Cincinnati and Detroit, opted to postpone their classics rather than settle for lackluster matchups.

Florida A&M is considered a big-name school among black colleges, Moore said. Winston-Salem State is more of a newcomer. And theirs is not a great rivalry. Still, he considers the Circle City Classic a top-notch event.

Saturday's Classic will be the last in RCA Dome, which gets demolished next year. The 2008 Classic is expected to move into the more spacious Lucas Oil Stadium. By then, organizers hope a research survey being conducted of the fans this weekend will give them a better understanding of what's working, what's not, and how best to sell the game.

Classic officials chalk up their attendance problem primarily to an aging fan base. Most of the game's original core fans -- black college alumni from around the Midwest -- have moved solidly into the older-than-50 demographic. Meanwhile, the game has been slow to develop a younger generation of ticket-buying fans and new audiences.

"We are at that point where we have to bridge that gap and sustain what has been a great event," said Classic executive director Tony Mason. "And we will."
The effort to reach new fans is evident in this year's marketing.

Aside from the traditional bombarding of black radio stations, the Classic has been advertising on "non-urban" radio outlets in hopes of attracting white and Hispanic fans, said Denise Herd, vice president of marketing and sales for Indiana Black Expo, the Classic's parent organization.

It has also tuned to so-called new media.

The Classic has been sending e-mail "blasts" to 10,000 addresses it compiled over the years, offering updates on the event list and entertainment lineup. It created podcasts to promote the game to the YouTube generation. There's a page on MySpace.com with a new Circle City Classic theme song that puts some funk into the traditional commercial jingle.

And the game's 30-minute halftime show will offer a lineup aimed at young audiences. It features Kelly Rowland, of Destiny's Child fame, and a face-to-face battle of the participating college bands, a la the movie "Drumline."

There will even be a massive exhibition of the country's latest dance craze -- the Cupid Shuffle -- featuring the R&B singer Cupid performing the song that inspired it.
The early returns are promising. As of Wednesday, Mason said, 34,000 tickets had been sold. For an event that usually features a big game-day walk-up crowd, Mason is expecting at least 45,000 people, maybe more.

And despite concerns of the game being overshadowed by the festivities, Mason said the two can go hand in hand. Some fans, he said, may come for the party but stay for the game.

"Sometimes," Mason said, "we find that the last ticket people buy is the game ticket."

Classic highlights

The Circle City Classic is expected to pump 150,000 people and $11.8.million into Indianapolis this weekend. What to expect:
FRIDAY
Indianapolis Colts Classic Coaches Luncheon
Colts coach Tony Dungy and Indiana Fever star Tamika Catchings will receive Major Taylor awards.
Time: Noon-1:30 p.m.
Place: Indiana Convention Center.
Cost: $30.
The Mike Epps Comedy Jam
Homegrown comedian-actor Mike Epps performs two shows.
Time: 8 and 11 p.m.
Place: Murat Theatre.
Cost: $39.
SATURDAY
American Family Insurance Classic Parade
More than 100 entries.
Time: 10 a.m.-noon.
Place: Downtown.
Cost: Free, with some areas of paid VIP seating.
24th Annual Coca-Cola Circle City Classic
Winston-Salem State plays Florida A&M. Halftime show features Kelly Rowland and Battle of the Bands.
Time: 4 p.m.
Place: RCA Dome.
Cost: $10-$40.
For more information, details and reviews of the Classic’s entertainment events, see Friday’s Go! section.
For a complete schedule of events, go to IndyStar.com/entertainment.