QUICKSLANTS: Grambling vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

By Nick Deriso, The News Star

ON THE UP AND UP
Grambling coach Rod Broadway praised his team for not playing down to the competition against one-win Mississippi Valley last week. The team will need a similar mindset this week against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which sports a 1-4 overall mark.

"Nobody's going to give it to you," Broadway told the team after a recent practice. "It's about desire. Let's piece together a good season. Stay focused and maybe we can win a championship."
SCORELESS LESSONS

Grambling has held opponents out of the end zone in two of its four league games — first allowing Alabama A&M just two field goals and then shutting out Mississippi Valley.

Both games were played at home, where GSU has won by an aggregate 71-6 this season.

Maurice "Mo" Forte — head coach of GSU's next opponent, UAPB — has taken notice.

"They have a very strong defense," Forte said. First-year Grambling defensive coordinator Cliff Yoshida "has them playing very well down there. We're going to have to find a way to move the ball."

In all, Grambling has surrendered just three touchdowns, a score a piece on the ground, in the air and on an interception return.

WINNING IS EVERYTHING

Junior Grambling quarterback Brandon Landers hasn't been able to find his favorite target, Clyde Edwards, as much as he would like this season.

"Opposing teams are dictating their defense toward him," Landers said. "They know he can make the big catch."

The result, so far, has been Edwards' lowest statistical average per game since he and Landers were both true freshmen in 2004.

Landers sees those numbers going up. Either way, though, he and Edwards are focused on the bigger picture.

"He's the type of guy, and so am I, that as long as we're winning," Landers said, "we're fine."

ENEMY LINES: ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF

For Arkansas-Pine Bluff, mired in a three-game losing streak, the bye week was a welcome respite.

Fresh off a SWAC Western Division title, the Golden Lions (1-4 overall; 1-2 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference) needed to take stock.

After all, this team nearly sunk itself last season, only to reel off six straight wins to advance to the league championship game. That run began against this week's opponent, when UAPB beat Grambling 33-28 at War Memorial Stadium at Little Rock in 2006.

"We know we have dug ourselves a hole," said Pine Bluff coach Maurice "Mo" Forte. "Our kids welcome the challenge. The harder the challenge, the more we like it."

There have been plenty, with tough out-of-conference games against Southern Illinois and New Mexico State coming back to back in Weeks 4-5.

While UAPB fell 58-3 to the Salukis, in the worst whipping of Forte's tenure, the Golden Lions held their own against the high-powered NMSU — which came in ranked No. 16 nationally in total offense, yet needed a 37-yard field goal with seconds left on the clock to steal a victory.

"We feel that they are getting better each week," Forte said. "When we came in there, we had an entirely new (offensive) line and it takes time to learn a system. It takes time to do the things that coaches expect you to do. They are getting better each week. Whether that's good enough, well, it really hasn't been so far."

UAPB's struggling offense, which has put up 69 fewer points than Grambling so far this season, also showed signs of life against New Mexico State.

Junior quarterback Jonathan Moore was 16-of-34 for a career-best 234 yards, while junior running back Martell Mallett got back on track with a season-high 84 yards.

Moore now has 554 yards and two touchdowns over three starts this season. Mallett upped his average to 42 yards a game, after a slow start. Tim Turner leads all Golden Lions tacklers with 55 on the year.

Unfortunately that hole Forte was talking about is a deep one.

UAPB enters Saturday's contest two games back from unbeaten Grambling, and one behind second-place Southern. Its only victory on the year is against winless Alcorn State.

History isn't on Pine Bluff's side either. Since winning three straight over Grambling in 1938-40, the Golden Lions have only strung together consecutive wins over GSU twice -- and the last time was a decade ago.

"Do the math," Forte said, "and you could say we are out of it. But we are not thinking about that. What we're thinking about is the next game."

SWAC ATTACK

TELEPHONE LINES
The Southwestern Athletic Conference's coaches teleconference turned into a free-for-all this week.

When it was over, comments made by two league coaches, Jackson State's Rick Comegy and Prairie View's Henry Frazier, were both under review.

First, Comegy questioned the security of Southern's stadium, where he will coach his first game this week — calling the conditions "hostile," and adding that many JSU fans "are not taking their families" out of fear.

Frazier then questioned the competence of the league's officials: "Either they're cheating or they're incompetent," he said.

The SWAC reprimanded Comegy on Wednesday, though it stopped short of suspension. His school president hastily issued an upbeat news release stating that JSU had sold out its allotment of tickets.

Meanwhile, interim league commissioner Duer Sharp rebuked Frazier on Monday, saying: "It's disappointing he used this forum to make those comments; it goes against the code of conduct."

Prairie View was flagged nine times for 79 penalty yards last week against Alcorn State, but won 17-7.

UAPB report

By Beck Cross, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Can Lions pull repeat of 2006 ?

Arkansas-Pine Bluff will have fresh legs and an optimistic attitude when it resumes Southwestern Athletic Conference play Saturday against West Division leader Grambling State in the Delta Classic 4 Literacy at War Memorial Stadium.

UAPB (1-4, 1-2 in SWAC ), is coming off a confidence-boosting performance on Sept. 29, losing to New Mexico State of the Football Bowl Subdivision 20-17 at Las Cruces, N. M.

The Golden Lions took last week off, giving them a chance to correct mistakes.

“ For a team that hasn’t had a lot of success, [the off week ] really did come at a good time, ’’ UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “ This team is making strides and it gave us some needed time to work on things. ’’

The Golden Lions were 1-2 in conference at this point last year before rallying to beat Grambling 33-28 in what was the first of six consecutive conference victories and the school’s first West Division title.

Plenty to do The UAPB-Grambling game is the centerpiece, but is just one of a number of activities for the AT&T Delta Classic 4 Literacy, the second of an annual series of football games between historically black colleges and universities to raise awareness and funds for literacy improvements in the Delta regions of the South. At 10 a. m. Saturday, a parade will begin at Central High School and end at Daisy Bates & Chester Street and will be followed by a tailgate party at 11 a. m. at War Memorial Stadium.

Children will be admitted free all day free Saturday at the Little Rock Zoo with a paying adult. All those with a football ticket stub will be admitted free at the Arkansas State Fair. A 30-minute battle of the bands between UAPB and Grambling will be held at halftime while a drumline competition between the two schools will take place immediately after the game. Off the field, Mo’Nique will be the headliner at the “ Laughing 4 Literacy ’’ concert at Robinson Auditorium at 8: 30 p. m. while the “ Jammin 4 Literacy ’’ afterparty begins at the Statehouse Convention Center at 9: 30 p. m. Mo’Nique is a comedian who has a recurring role on the hit television series Ugly Betty, A gospel jazz brunch will be held Sunday between 10 a. m.-3 p. m. at 1620 restaurant.

Different view

UAPB Coach Mo Forte said he would be coaching his second consecutive game from the press box rather than the sidelines. “ It really has nothing to do with any health issues, ’’ Forte said.

“ It’s just a different vantage point, and I can see things better.’’ UAPB is 7-3 when Forte coaches from the press box. Grambling ranked Grambling State is back in the national rankings under first-year Coach Rod Broadway after going 3-8 last season.

The Tigers (4-1, 4-0 in SWAC ) moved to No. 25 in both the Sports Network and Football Championship Subdivision polls.

Grambling lost to Pittsburgh on Sept. 8 but has beaten its four conference opponents by an average margin of 22. 3 points. The Tigers, the first SWAC team to be ranked in the FCS poll this season, are coming off a 40-0 victory against Mississippi Valley State. Loving their Lions

The Rolling Lions, an RV club that follows UAPB both home and away, will be out in full force for this weekend’s game against Grambling State.

A caravan of about 60 motor homes will motor from the Clinton Library today at 3 p. m. to their assigned spots near the main entrance at War Memorial Stadium.

“ We don’t have the numbers that the Road Hogs do, but there’s not a group that loves their team more than the Rolling Lions, ’’ said Mary Rogers, who has been an active member of the club since 2000.

The Rolling Lions also give approximately $ 1, 500 annually to the school in scholarship funds.

Texas Southern brings back Moreland as interim coach

By Brandon C. Williams, Houston Chronicle

TSU names Moreland as interim basketball coach

Texas Southern University's search for a men's basketball coach led the Tigers to a trusted and familiar face of past glories.

Robert Moreland, who coached TSU for 26 seasons, was named the interim head coach, ending for now a lengthy search that concluded just eight days before the start of fall practice.

"This is just for this season,'' said Moreland on Friday morning. "TSU had a need, and I felt I had to answer the call.''

Moreland coached the Tigers from 1974-2001, leading the school to 399 wins, 10 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament (1990, 1994, 1995). He will be named to the SWAC Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Ala. on Dec. 13.

He will be replacing Ronnie Courtney, who was fired after four seasons in July. Courtney's departure began the process of finding a permanent coach, one that will continue throughout the season.

"We felt it was important to have a coach on board as expeditiously as possible,'' said TSU interim president J. Timothy Boddie, Jr. "At the same time, we felt it was too important a decision to rush. Having coach Moreland assume the interim role allows us time to make a more thougthful search for a permanent coach.''

Boddie approached Moreland - who has served as a professor at the school for the last six years - about the role earlier this week. It was a decision that didn't take the coach long to make.

"I was satisfied with what I was doing,'' he said. "My love of coaching never left me, but the idea of doing it wasn't, which is why I never seriously considered any coaching offers.''

Moreland will begin practice on Oct. 13 with just eight scholarship players and will likely have to fill out the roster with walk-ons before the Tigers' Nov. 10 season opener at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

"Right now, my biggest challenge will be finding out who these players are on a personal level,'' said Moreland, who plans to spend the weekend meeting with them. "I want to let them know we are a team and talk to them about my philosophy and my expectations for this season.

"I think we can be competitive with eight players, but we do want enough players to have practice and have depth in case of injuries.''

Despite the challenges in front of him, Moreland is excited about the upcoming season.

"I haven't quite kicked into coaching mode yet,'' he said. "I'm just going to take this one step at a time.''

Edwards unknown, but may soon set Grambling records

Photo: Grambling Head Coach Rod Broadway

by Monroe News Star

GRAMBLING, La. — With six games left, Clyde Edwards is nearing several Grambling State records. Coach Rod Broadway says he's better than many receiving superstars of the past, but for some reason just isn't as well known.

"I think Clyde represents everything that is good about college football," Broadway said. "He's a model person, a 4.0 student, and an outstanding football player."

He has 163 receptions for 2,720 yards — more career receiving yards than Trumaine Johnson, who was the Southwestern Athletic Conference offensive player of the year in 1980 and '82.

His 31 touchdowns already have outstripped those of all-conference receiver Tramon Douglas, who set the school's career reception mark in 2003 with 193, and one behind the record set by Johnson and Henry Tolbert in 2005-06.

"I'm not real flashy," Edwards said, "so people tend to overlook me, I guess."

Sammy White, a former Grambling receiver who has coached Southern University's receivers for 10 seasons, said, "When you sit down and compare them, he's going to rank above all of them. He never stopped working, and now he's quietly passed them all. But his demeanor is one where he won't boast. Quiet people can get left behind the scenes sometimes."

Broadway says he's been an assistant at Florida, North Carolina, Duke and East Carolina, and Edwards could have played on any of those teams. "He's an exceptional talent," he said.

Though Edwards was part of 2005's league title team, Grambling was 6-5 his freshman season, and 3-8 last year.

Yet Edwards never wavered. His career mark for catches already ranks him at No. 13 all-time among SWAC receivers, a list that includes Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State, 1981-84), Sylvester Morris (Jackson State, 1996-99) and Michael Hayes (Southern, 1999-2002).

White, 1975's SWAC offensive player of the year, said his own mentor, Eddie Robinson, would have loved Edwards' devotion to craft. "Clyde could have played in any era at Grambling," White said.

But opponents have been focusing on Edwards, who is averaging just five receptions, 62 yards and one touchdown a game in 2007.

"I'm getting off to a slow start," Edwards said. "I feel like I've got a lot to improve on right now. The offense has changed, but at the same time, I think I can do some things better."

If he chugs on at his current pace, he would finish with 193 career catches for 3,092 yards and 37 scores for Grambling — better than Scotty Anderson for scores, tying Douglas for receptions and finishing second to Anderson in yardage.

Those numbers also would put Edwards at No. 5 all-time in the SWAC, behind only Rice, Texas Southern's Darrell Colbert (1983-86), Hayes and Texas Southern's Donald Narcisse (also 1983-86).

"I can celebrate and think about all of the records later," Edwards said. "What you want out of your season is to have consistency. Over my career I've been able to do that, and I take pride in the fact that my team and my coaches know every Saturday what they are going to get out of me.

"The rest — hopefully another championship — comes on its own."

Harris inherits FAMU, little time to prep for season

By Andy Glockner

You'll have to believe Eugene Harris when he says taking over at Florida A&M is the right opportunity for him.

The former Florida State standout is friendly with some former Rattlers, so he understands the nature of life in the MEAC. He is passionate enough about coaching to have spent almost two decades as an assistant before getting his own program but had enough perspective to walk away for several years to spend more time with his ailing parents before they died. He's OK with taking over a team that made the NCAA Tournament last season but now needs to rebuild -- and heal in the wake of former coach Mike Gillespie's dismissal after he was arrested for stalking a former girlfriend.

Right now, we're already two months behind everyone else.
--Eugene Harris

Now, if only Harris could officially bring his assistant coaches on board, or have time to work with his players, or at least have them cleared for supervised workouts. Such is life for a coach hired on Sept. 20.

"It's been kind of tough because I haven't hired some staff yet because you have to advertise the positions," Harris said, whose staff has yet to be hired because of the public university's job-posting requirements. "I've not been able to do a lot of breakdown drills with the guys, and some guys haven't been able to take their physicals because some things at this school run a little bit slower.

"With basketball players, you know they're going to find pickup games. What we missed on here is breakdown drills, fundamental drills, technique stuff. … Right now, we're already two months behind everyone else."

Instead, Harris has spent his time on the recruiting trail. His Rattlers only have 11 scholarship players this season, so he needs to land a good-sized class for next season. A long-time talent evaluator in the Southeast who helped build championship programs at Clemson and Auburn, Harris is in his element delivering a sales pitch. His biggest issue is that he can't clone himself.

"I don't have a problem, because I'm pretty good in the homes and I am the head coach, but you can't cover a lot of ground," Harris said. "You're only getting maybe one or two [visits] a day when a lot of coaches are doing maybe four a day, so that puts you behind in recruiting."

Photo: FAMU Men's Basketball Coach Eugene Harris

That's all for next year, though. Harris still needs to ready himself for this season and the trials and tribulations of a first season at a new program. UTEP's Tony Barbee knows what that's like. He actually had to rerecruit his entire roster when he first landed the job in August 2006 and understands the numerous issues Harris, who wants to install a similar up-tempo system at FAMU, will face.

"Probably the biggest challenge [after salvaging his roster] was instituting the philosophy of the program," Barbee said. "Not just style of play, but the philosophy in how we're going to do things from a discipline standpoint, class attendance being mandatory, everything from A to Z. You become comfortable in your routine as an assistant and you've been around it for awhile, you know things are going to work. Now you're the head coach. … Now all of a sudden you have to institute a whole philosophy on a program, and you had no grace period."

It's only been a couple of weeks, but Harris said that he hasn't had to deal with any possible defections or discipline issues … yet.

Mike Gillespie Sr. led Florida A&M to two NCAA Tournament appearances during his six-season tenure but was fired in the offseason after being charged with stalking his former girlfriend.

"We might run into it when we get to the court," he said. "Guys want to do things their way and my style is going to be my way. I'm a man-to-man guy. They played a lot of zone defense [under Gillespie]. I like to get after people. I'm also big on being on time and stuff like that."

If you can judge by the initial response from a team captain, though, it sounds like the Rattlers are ready to buy in.

Photo: Larmar Twitty, 6-4/200, Guard, Junior, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Boyd Anderson HS

"Coach Harris coming in, I know we have to learn his system. We'll adjust, but the résumé speaks for itself," said senior forward Akini Adkins. "He's coached in the SEC and the ACC, and I think we should be ready to head in a new direction.

"The first thing he said to the team was that we're going to be in shape. It wasn't an option. We're going to run, play up-tempo and play man-to-man defense. He doesn't believe in zone defense, so it's going to be a big adjustment. Most of the guys are excited about it because they like to play man-to-man. We're going to work on it, get better at it and everything's possible."

A return trip to the NCAA Tournament -- last season's run ended unceremoniously in an opening-round game loss to Niagara -- might not be possible this season; the Rattlers return only one starter from that team. There's also the issue of getting over Gillespie's legal troubles (he pleaded no contest to the stalking charge and was sentenced to probation) and subsequent firing, a development Adkins said he first heard about when it ran on ESPN.

Despite his predecessor's awkward end, Harris is not downplaying what Gillespie accomplished at the school and said the incident hasn't hindered the new coach's efforts on the road.

"The man did a good job here, and I'm going to build on that," Harris said. "He went to the NCAA Tournament and he graduated players. Those are two of the most important things you can do in a program. Now, what happened to him is unfortunate, but I'm not going to have to fight that in recruiting. The man just made a mistake."

Harris points to a forthcoming new arena and the ongoing efforts of the university's president as evidence he made the right decision in taking this job. He said he sees a future built around the plentiful talent in the Southeast and other urban centers where A&M has alumni presence.

"Florida A&M has a name where I think we can go get a player," Harris said. "You're not always going to get the All-American … but I'm going to at least talk to them and they're going to have to turn me down."

Given all that he has experienced just to get to this point, a little rejection is nothing to fear.

A WINNER: TV, Movie Trumpet Ballou Senior High School Band's Feats

Article by Timothy Wilson, Washington Post

S.E. Washington, D.C. - When Darrell Watson returned to his alma mater and became director of Frank W. Ballou Senior High School's Majestic Marching Knights, the former band member fulfilled a lifelong dream.

Although he has developed a nationally acclaimed band with limited resources, Watson was not fully aware of what people thought of his work until he saw Michael Patrei's "Ballou," a documentary on the Southeast school's marching band.

"When I saw the movie, I didn't realize that was me," said Watson, 37. "I was just doing what I thought was right."

The film highlights Watson's dedication to his students and has placed him in the national spotlight with an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" last Thursday. Students Lewis Franklin and Kenneth Horne appeared on the set with Watson while the 90-piece band performed via satellite from the school's gymnasium.

The 90-minute film, which began shooting in August 2006 and is in the final stages of editing, chronicles the efforts of Watson and several volunteers who try to teach their students life lessons through music and provide them with support, discipline and encouragement despite the adversity they might encounter.

Although the documentary has yet to be shown publicly, it has received praise through private screenings and generated notable publicity. "Good Morning America" aired a segment on the film last month.

Watson along with several band members, the filmmakers and District government officials have been invited to the White House for a private screening of the film today with first lady Laura Bush.

The filmmakers have submitted their project to the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it could debut in January. The film will be shown to the public after it debuts at a festival.

"We haven't gotten into the big festivals yet, but we're hoping to," said Casey Callister, who served as the film's executive producer with his wife, Maiko Callister, a teacher at Ballou, and childhood friend Patrei. "We feel it's been a success whether it gets into [them] or not."

DeGeneres stunned Watson during his interview on the daytime talk show by presenting two checks from online payment company PayPal totaling $100,000. The first check, for $25,000, went to the band; the school received a check for $75,000.

"PayPal's donation was our way of helping the students of Ballou Senior High School to continue to achieve their dreams," said Dana Stalder, senior vice president of marketing and business operations for PayPal.

Photo: Ellen DeGeneres interviews Ballou Senior High School students, from left, Kenneth Horne and Lewis Franklin and Majestic Marching Knights director Darrell Watson on her show. She stunned them with checks totaling $100,000.

"Mr. Watson and the Ballou High marching band are truly an inspiration," Stalder said.

Despite the influx of congratulations from colleagues, friends and family, Watson said he will rely on the guidance from his parents to remain "rooted and grounded" and hopes the spotlight will compel community leaders to increase their support for music and art programs in all public schools.

"I want [my students] to appreciate this," Watson said. "We still have to put the work in. There's nothing worse than having new uniforms or new instruments and looking a mess."

http://www.balloumovie.com/index.html

Ballou Senior High School Majestic Marching Knights Band, Washington, D.C.





Washington Times...

The White House celebrated the Ballou Senior High School marching band yesterday with a tribute from first lady Laura Bush and a private screening of a documentary about the struggles of the Southeast school's musicians as they worked for national success.

“Ballou: A Documentary” chronicles the efforts of director Darrell Watson and several volunteers who try to teach their students lessons through music and provide them with support, discipline and encouragement, despite adversity.

Mr. Watson along with several band members, filmmakers and city government officials were invited to join Mrs. Bush for the screening of the 90-minute film.

“Mr. Watson loves his job, and he does it well. He also loves the young people in his band, and it shows,” Mrs. Bush said.

Although the documentary has not been shown publicly, it has received praise through private screenings and generated notable publicity.

Photo:First lady Laura Bush yesterday greeted Ballou Senior High School marching band director Darrell Watson in the East Room of the White House. The band is featured in a documentary (above).

The filmmakers have submitted their project to the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where it could debut in January. The film will be shown to the public after it debuts at a festival.

“We haven't gotten into the big festivals yet, but we're hoping to,” said Casey Callister, who served as the film's executive producer with his wife, Maiko Callister, a teacher at Ballou, and childhood friend Michael Patrei. “We feel it's been a success whether it gets into [them] or not.”

For years, Ballou has been beset by problems, including a 2004 shooting in which a student was fatally shot in a hallway. But the band has been a source of pride — even performing in President Bush's 2005 inaugural parade.

Mr. Watson said he hopes all the attention will compel community leaders to increase their support for music and art programs in all public schools.

“I want [my students] to appreciate this,” Mr. Watson said. “We still have to put the work in. There's nothing worse than having new uniforms or new instruments and looking a mess.”

HU Bison Face Stiff Test In Road Game at Morgan State

by Howard University Sports Information

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Howard University football team, fresh off a two-game win streak that included a 41-14 win over Cheyney University last week, faces one of its biggest challenges during the midway point in the season.

The Bison (2-3 overall, 0-2 in the MEAC) travel to Baltimore, MD on Saturday to take on the Bears of Morgan State University at 1 pm for their homecoming. Howard, which is looking for its first conference win of the season, takes on a Morgan State team that is having one of its best seasons in recent history. The Bears are still in contention for the MEAC title and should actually be undefeated in league play. Morgan State lost in overtime to Hampton early in the season in a game which they dominated.

Like the Bison, Morgan State is currently riding a two-game win streak, its latest a 22-17 home win over North Carolina A&T. The Bears feature a running game that ranks among the best in the country. Chad Simpson, the senior tailback has rushed for 979 yards and 9 TDs and will arguably be the best back Howard will face this season.

"They are very impressive," said Howard first year coach Carey Bailey. "They lead the MEAC in rushing, rushing defense and several other categories. We have a serious challenge going against Simpson. Our defensive line will have to play its best game of the season for us to have a chance."

That responsibility falls on the shoulders of All-American candidate Rudy Hardie and his comrades along the front line. After a slow start, Hardie, a 6-1, 270-pound senior defensive end, has come on strong. He ranks among the leaders in 1-AA and in the MEAC in both tackles for losses (10) and sacks (4).

Hardie has gotten plenty help from Jarrett Burgess (18 tackles, 2.5 tackles for losses) and tackles James Robinson (17 tackles, 2 for losses) and James Carter (13 tackles, 3.5 tackles for losses). The front line, along with linebackers Robert Dowdy (42 tackles) and Endor Cooper (44 tackles, 4.5 for losses), have combined to limit opposing runners to 3.3 yard per carry. Only one runner has rushed for 100 yards against the Bison.

Offensively, the Bison will be tested by a Morgan State defense that has made a dramatic improvement under defensive coordinator, Alonza Lee. Two years ago when the Bison lost, 7-0 to Morgan State, the Bears were next to last in defense in the country. That has all changed. Morgan State leads the nation in turnovers gained (18) and ranks in the Top 10 nationally in sacks, total defense and in rushing defense.

Photo: Bison QB Brian Johnson

Under the leadership of senior quarterback Brian Johnson have shown the ability to move the ball and sustain drives. Johnson has passed for almost 1,000 yards and rushed for almost 400 yards on the ground. He has taken care of the ball, having thrown 11 TD passes and only 3 interceptions.

Johnson will needed continued support from junior running back Terry Perry, who has had back-to-back good performances with 87 and 79 yards rushing, respectively. It has allowed Johnson to hook up with his favorite receiver Jarahn Williams, who ranks among the conference leaders with 26 receptions, seven of which have gone for TDs.

Morgan State and Howard have a rivalry that dates back to 1889. The Bears hold a 36-33-1 advantage in the series. In last year's game, Morgan State literally "stole" the game from the Bison. Howard quarterback Will Blanden appeared to score the game-winning TD on a QB sneak in overtime, only to have the Bears pull the ball away and take it 99 yards the other way for the dramatic win. Incidently, it was the Bison's homecoming.

Jackson State University Sonic Boom Band suspension lifted

Photo: JSU Sonic Boom of the South Band member does fire routine during half-time performance.

By LaRaye Brown, Clarion Ledger

Alleged hazing amounts to sit ups

The JSU Sonic Boom marching band will be allowed to perform at the university's Saturday football game against Southern after university officials lifted a suspension prompted by hazing allegations.

Two days after suspending the Sonic Boom of the South, Jackson State University announced it has reversed the decision and will allow the band to perform at Saturday's game against rival Southern University.

The 280-member band was suspended Tuesday after parents and non-members raised hazing allegations.

"Some students were required to do sit ups and crunches if they did not perform their musical parts or marching routine correctly," Velvelyn Foster, vice president of academic affairs and student life, said in a news release. "We also found that some members of the band might have felt pressure because of the high expectation of excellence required of band members."

Lee Shields, a senior trombone player, said he and other members have done 25 to 50 push ups for being late to practice and other things. He said it’s not hazing.

“It’s the honor system,” Shields said. “You know you messed up. There really isn’t any other consequence for it other than you messed up the show.”

The band, which draws high school musicians from across the country, competes at football games with other university show bands. It has performed internationally and on national television, including the NAACP Image Awards.

JSU Tigers look to build on last season's NCAA appearance

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

Jackson State kicks off its 2007-08 basketball campaign with a 7 p.m. practice Friday evening. The Tigers are coming off their first NCAA Tournament appearance in seven years - a 112-69 opening round loss to eventual champion Florida.

JSU rode SWAC Player of the Year Trey Johnson to a 21-14 record last season while finishing second in the regular season SWAC standings (12-6). The Tigers won the conference tournament and a NCAA Tourney invite with an 81-71 victory over Mississippi Valley State.

Johnson recently signed with the New Orleans Hornets after averaging 27.1 points and 4.5 rebounds as a senior.

However, the Tigers return four starters, including 6-foot-7 sophomore forward Grant Maxey (8.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg).

Junior center Jeremy Caldwell (7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg), senior guard Catraiva Givens (5.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 143 assists) and senior guard Kay Martinez (5.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg) round out the top returners.

Coach Tevester Anderson begins his fifth season at the helm of the program. His Jackson State record sits at 63-65, though his win total has increased each year.

The Tigers will play two exhibition games before opening the regular season. JSU will host Springhill College on Nov. 1 and Miles College on Nov. 8.

JSU will also have a tough pre-SWAC schedule. JSU will travel to Baylor on Nov.11, BYU on Nov. 16 and Louisville on Nov. 18. The Tigers will host Southeastern Louisiana on Nov. 27 and UC Davis on Dec. 21.

NO NAME HT/WT POS Hometown/Last School
44 Caldwell, Jeremy 6-8/200 C Jackson, MS
3 Givens, Catraiva 5-8/155 G little Rock, AR
32 Grant, Maxey 6-7/180 F Toledo, OH
12 Griffin, Dariron 6-3/185 G Toledo, OH
10 Henry, Carl 6-1/180 G london, England
22 Jarrow, Edwin 6-6/166 F
33 Johnson, Garrison 6-6 F Smyrna, GA
24 Johnson, Trey 6-5/218 G Jackson, MS
00 Jones, Marcus 6-8/185 C Houston, TX
5 Martinez, Kay 6-7/195 G Limon, Costa Rica
4 Russell, Kenny 6-3/195 G Atlanta, GA
30 Swanier, Kyle 6-1/160 G Jackson, MS
40 Turner, Stanley 6-11/295 C /Lamar, MS
42 White, Kevin 6-1/180 G Gary, IN
34 Young, Julius 6-6/185 G Jackson, MS

Jackson State Transfer Tigers bonding into team with 1 uniform color, 1 common goal

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State at Southern
When: Saturday, 6 p.m.
Radio: WOAD-1300 AM

As Jackson State prepares for Saturday's game at Southern University, the Tiger coaches and players say recent success can be traced to a bonding process that took more than a year to take hold.

"It takes awhile for a championship team to gel," said running back Eric Haw.

Especially when that team's lineup is dotted with transfers from around the country.

Thirty-five players listed in the JSU media guide are transfers, from programs such as Ohio State, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and South Florida.

There are junior college transfers, too, from Pearl River, Hinds and Coahoma in Mississippi, to Compton and L.A. Pierce in California.

That is a strength of the JSU program - an ability to recruit nationwide.

However, all those players from all those programs presented some problems, too. At least it used to, coach Rick Comegy explained.

"They came from all over the place," Comegy said. "When they came, they were still wearing their own shirts under their practice gear. They still had pride in where they came from.

"They were kind of big-chested about where they came from."

The media guide personal bios shine a little light on Comegy's thinking. Under the category of "If I could add one team to our schedule it would be," Haw, a former Buckeye, lists Ohio State.

Wide receiver Carlos Simpson, a former Bearcat, lists Cincinnati.

Quarterback Tray Rutland, a former Bulldog, lists Mississippi State.

Even Comegy was new to the program in 2006. This year, the second-year coach asked the group to leave the past and embrace their new home, new teammates and new program.

"Even though we won some games (last year) I don't know if it really meant a lot to them," Comegy said.

All that might have changed when JSU lost 16-13 to Tennessee State to start this season 0-2.

Combined with losses in four of the final five games of 2006, the Tigers had lost six of seven and were reeling.

"They all put their hearts in that game," Comegy said about the Tennessee State loss. "I knew after that we were a football team from Jackson State.

"They knew who they were playing for. They were proud of their colors. And they understood where they were. Everything else was erased."

It's hard to argue with what has happened since.

Jackson State (3-2, 3-0 SWAC) has run off three consecutive victories and sits atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division standings heading to Baton Rouge.

"They know each other now," JSU offensive coordinator James Woody said. "We've become one whole family instead of strangers.

"Everyone understands each other, the coaching staff and the expectations of this program. It's more of a one heartbeat-type atmosphere."

Said Haw, who ran a career-best 159 yards and three touchdowns in last Saturday's 32-20 victory over Alabama State: "It's a team game. We want to come in and play ball together as one unit, one goal, one team, one dream."

Comegy isn't naive enough to believe that's the only reason results have taken a turn for the better.

The players have learned and bonded, but so has the coaching staff.

"I think we got a little over-excited last year and we didn't stay strict about business," he said. "We may not have done a thorough job of going back and really going down the details of our exploitations.

"This year we're doing a much better job, regardless if we win, of being highly critical of our mistakes."

NFL scouts join crowd to watch TSU players

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

COOKEVILLE — Titans scout Blake Eddingfield was among eight NFL scouts and one from the Canadian Football League who attended Thursday night's game between Tennessee State and Tennessee Tech.

They were there mainly to see TSU seniors Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a highly rated cornerback, and defensive end Shaun Richardson. Richardson caused a fumble, which was recovered by TSU linebacker Reno Thompson at the Tech 18 in the first quarter. That set up TSU's third touchdown in the first quarter.

Richardson finished with four tackles, including two for losses. Rodgers-Cromartie had six tackles and broke up one pass.

In addition to the Titans, scouts in attendance represented the Colts, Browns, Seahawks, Raiders, Vikings, Rams and 49ers. The scout from the CFL was from the Edmonton Eskimos.

Remember me?: TSU wide receiver Kwame Patrick, who played for Tennessee Tech Coach Watson Brown at Alabama-Birmingham last year, had five catches and 38 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

Another running TD: Tech senior receiver Larry Shipp, who scored his first rushing touchdown last week against Austin Peay, scored again on a run Thursday — from 4 yards out in the fourth quarter.

Moore hurt: TSU receiver Jonathan Moore, a freshman from Maplewood, suffered an injury to his right leg on a kickoff return midway through the first quarter. Moore was helped off the field.

Eller hurt: Both teams went to one knee on the field after Tech offensive lineman Scott Eller, a Collierville native, was injured midway through the fourth quarter. Eller eventually was able to walk off the field on his own power.

Longest rush: Henry Sailes' 71-yard burst off tackle in the first quarter was the longest run from scrimmage for Tech this season.

The backup tailback's run set up the Golden Eagles first touchdown, which came three plays later on a 2-yard pass from Cass Barnes to fullback Daniel Jackson.

Long halftime: The halftime was extended to 25 minutes so that both school's bands could perform.

Halfway home: AAMU Bulldogs

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Bulldogs sitting pretty with big weekend on tap

Mathematically, only three teams appear to be out of the race for a berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game as the league reaches its halfway point.

In the Eastern Division, Mississippi Valley State and Alcorn State, 1-4 and 0-4 respectively in league play, are looking up at Jackson State, defending champion Alabama A&M and Alabama State.

In the Western Division, lowly Texas Southern, 0-4 in league play, has been eliminated. Grambling has a one-game lead over Southern, followed by Prairie View and defending champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

A couple of more teams could be eliminated this weekend.

The game of the week has Jackson State at Southern. The Jaguars, coming off a loss to Alabama A&M, are trying to keep pace with Grambling. The Tigers, who host Grambling next week and visit A&M Nov. 3, appear to have a tough road to the title game.

Alabama State hosts Prairie View - with the loser eliminated from contention.

Overall, A&M appears to have the inside track in the Eastern Division, while Grambling has latched on to the favorite's role in the Western Division.

The Bulldogs host UAPB Thursday night, take on Alabama State on Oct. 27 and host JSU on Nov. 3 before closing out the season at Alcorn State and Prairie View.

"We're in a good place," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "We control our own destiny and that's all I'm concerned about. As long as I'm focused on what we can do and what we need to do, we'll be fine."

A&M and JSU have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the Eastern Division, while Grambling and Southern have done the same thing in the Western Division.

Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow isn't surprised.

"They're good teams," said Barlow, whose team started 4-0 before dropping its last two games. "A&M was picked to win the East and Jackson State wasn't far behind. Coach Jones is doing an outstanding job. He always has. His guys have bought into what he wants to get done.

"Southern and Grambling have great talent. Those are four really good teams and they have their guys ready to compete and play at a high level."

JSU coach Rick Comegy, whose team started 5-1 last season before losing four of its last five games, was nonchalant about where his team stands.

"I really don't know," he said when asked to assess the East Division race. "I still look at it as being early in the season. The teams that have to play one another haven't shown what direction it's going to go.

"We just want to play football and we welcome all challenges. "We don't want to try to predict what will happen."

Even so, Broadway was reluctant to talk about his team's chances to win the Western Division title.

"I don't get caught up in that stuff," he said. "The only thing I see is UAPB. I don't get too far ahead of myself."

Under Broadway, the Tigers have already surpassed their win total from last year.

Southern coach Pete Richardson doesn't shy away from his team's goals.

The Jaguars haven't reached the championship game since 2004. Southern's last title came in 2003.

"Our goal is to get to that championship game," said Richardson, who also is fighting for a new contract. "We lost one last week and that's going to make it tough.

"We've got a big tradition of getting to the championship game and it's hard to get away from that. Hopefully, we can reach our goals."

Bright knows he must lead for DSU

Hornets open practice in bid for 4th MEAC title

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

DOVER -- Greg Jackson plans to do a lot of leaning on Roy Bright. Jackson, Delaware State's men's basketball coach, has no choice but to look to Bright. The 6-foot-6 senior guard is the only returning starter from a 2006-07 team that tied a school record for wins (21) and won its third consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season championship.

Bright averaged 15.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game last season, his first at DSU after transferring from Garden City (Kan.) College, where he landed after leaving the University of Cincinnati.

When the Hornets open practice tonight at Dover High, four of the team's top five scorers from a year ago will be missing.

But Jackson believes all he might need is Bright.

Photo: Delaware Head Basketball Coach Greg Jackson.

"Look at what he's done; in high school, he was the [North Carolina] player of the year, he went to Cincinnati for a season and then had a stellar year in junior college," Jackson said. "When Roy got here, he took a back seat to everybody. That made a tremendous statement. He's maturing now and is in a place to help this team."

Jackson, 118-96 in six seasons at DSU, was 16-2 in the MEAC last season. Now, he said he'll face one of the bigger challenges of his tenure when the season opens Nov. 9-10 in the Hornet Round-Ball Classic against Allen University and St. Paul's College at Memorial Hall.

DSU returns eight letter-winners, led by Bright, but must replace seven others. No returnee has the experience of Bright, who played 35.5 minutes per game.

Bright said he understands his role.

"The thing is, we have to stay together," said Bright, chosen the MEAC preseason player of the year. "What we can't do is point fingers. If we stay together as a team, we'll be ready."

Photo: Roy Bright, MEAC Pre-Season Player of the Year.

Leading a relatively unproven pack of returning underclassmen are sophomore point guards Kyle White (2.3 ppg, 22 games) and Marcus Neal (1.6 ppg, 28 games). They will be challenged by sophomore guards Darrell Mosley (0.4 ppg, 18 games) and 6-1 Tremaine Johnson (2.0 ppg, 24 games).

Returning at forward are 6-7 sophomore Mark D'Agostino (0.9 ppg in 19 games) and 6-6 sophomore Frisco Sandidge (0.4 ppg in 14 games).

Joe Dickens, a 6-7 senior forward who averaged 8.6 points in 35 games in 2005-06, will return after a medical red-shirt year. He missed all but two games last year because of surgery on his right foot. He was the team's second-leading scorer two years ago. Jackson expects Dickens, who had surgery again in September, to be ready by the end of November.

The Hornets have five new scholarship players, led by 6-6 sophomore forward Kris Douse, a transfer from the University of Nebraska. Other newcomers are 6-0 sophomore guard Jerel Chavis (Durham, N.C.), 6-4 junior guard Donald Johnson (Prince George, Va.), 6-9 freshman center Matt Washington (Hackensack, N.J.) and 5-10 freshman guard Trevor Welcher (Augusta, Ga.).

The team also has three walk-ons: 6-4 sophomore guard Kyle Ingram (Camden, N.J.), 6-4 junior forward Clayborne Holmes (Reston, Va.) and Jackson's son, 6-1 sophomore guard Greg Jackson Jr. (Polytech High).

Rounding out the roster are 6-6 freshman forward Terrence Parks (New Rochelle, N.Y.), 6-1 sophomore guard Melvin Smith (Burlington, N.J.) and 6-10 freshman center Andre Topic (Zagreb, Croatia). All three sat out last season. Dominik Hrga, who played sparingly last season, recently decided not to return.

One concern for Jackson is how he can go about orchestrating a fourth consecutive regular-season championship, considering his wealth of new talent and the team's hangover from losing in the MEAC Tournament title game for the second year in a row.

"I hope I can instill the same kind of mind-set," Jackson said. "There's so much emphasis on the conference tournament because you go to the NCAA Tournament [if you win], to the point it outweighs the regular season. That's hard to do on any level. There's no question our main focus is to get us at that same level."

Fast start helps TSU dominate Tennessee Tech

Photo: TSU Jr. QB Antonio Heffner, 6-2/195

Heffner's three TDs lead Tigers to win

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

COOKEVILLE — Tennessee State's quarterback carried the Tigers to victory while another quarterback was carried off the field for Tennessee Tech.

Antonio Heffner threw three first-half touchdowns sending TSU on its way to a 45-28 win over the Golden Eagles, who ran out of quarterbacks during the Ohio Valley Conference showdown before 9,369 fans at Tucker Stadium.

Heffner's outstanding performance helped TSU (3-3, 2-0 OVC) score its most points in a game under Coach James Webster. It was the most points TSU has scored since the final game of 2001, when the Tigers beat Jackson State 64-33.

Before the game, Tech (4-3, 2-3) already was down to its third-string QB, freshman Cass Barnes. Lee Sweeney tore his medial collateral ligament last month and backup Josh Lowery broke his wrist last Saturday against Austin Peay.

Barnes, a native of Tullahoma, was attempting to slide to the turf when he suffered a concussion and deep cut to his mouth with 57 seconds remaining in the first half. The braces on Barnes' teeth were embedded into his lower lip and he was unable to speak to trainers.

"What's new? I've seen it for three straight weeks,'' Tech Coach Watson Brown said. "I sat there and watched another one go down."

It was TSU's fourth consecutive win over Tennessee Tech.

Since Tech did not have another QB on the roster, Steven Brown, Watson's son, moved from wide receiver. Steven Brown had played quarterback in high school but has been a receiver since he began college.

He transferred to Tech when Watson became the Golden Eagles coach.

Unfamiliar position

Steven Brown struggled at the helm of an offense that he obviously was limited in, while Heffner was spectacular throughout the game, both running and throwing the ball. Heffner punished Tech's defense by throwing for 138 yards and rushing for 139.

It was the best game Heffner has played since transferring from South Carolina in 2006.

"People wanted me to waver on Heffner and I've never wavered on Heffner,'' Webster said. "I told the team, he's our quarterback and he's going to be our quarterback and he's going to be OK. I've said it all along, he can run the ball, he can throw the ball. He proved that tonight."

Photo: Jr. RB Javarris Williams, 5-11/215

Help from Williams

TSU also got a big night from tailback Javarris Williams who rushed for 139 yards on 14 carries and scored two TDs.

Steven Brown eventually found a bit of a groove and was able to move Tech's offense in spurts. He completed 9-of-14 passes for 105 yards with one interception.

"You've got to do what you've got to do,'' Steven Brown said. "They threw a lot of different zones at us and they have a very fast defense that got us in trouble."

Barnes, who had not completed a pass before the game, threw a touchdown on his first pass. It was a 1-yard toss to fullback Daniel Jackson, which tied the game 7-7 in the first quarter.

Tech fumbled the ball eight times and lost three of them.
Barnes completed 5-of-6 passes for 44 yards and was playing well before he was hurt, according to Brown.

"He is a tough kid," Brown said. "I don't ever want any kid to have to go through what he did out there."

Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands (Song: Praise is what I do)

Winless Aggies find ways to make big plays

By Rob Daniels, Greensboro News and Record

DELAWARE STATE AT N.C. A&T
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aggie Stadium, Greensboro
Records: Delaware State 4-1 overall, 3-0 MEAC: N.C. A&T 0-6, 0-3
Tickets: General admission tickets on Fan Appreciation Day are $5 online at http://www.ncataggies.com or call 334-7749
Online: http://www.dsuhornets.com or http://www.ncataggies.com

GREENSBORO -- Kenneth Ray had a plan, and come Hades, high water or high degree of improbability, N.C. A&T's offensive coordinator was sticking to it. Having the ball on your own 4-yard line simply means there are 96 yards worth of opportunity out there, he reasoned.

The resulting touchdown pass to Michael Caldwell wasn't simply the longest play from scrimmage in the Aggies' 84 seasons of football. The attempt last Saturday at Morgan State also indicated a new willingness and ability to play big and bold. The Aggies (0-6) still have the longest losing streak in college football's second-highest division, a 22-game run of futility nearing its second anniversary. But as they prepare for Saturday's home game with Delaware State, they're at least capable of making it interesting.

"People aren't afraid to make a play now," said Caldwell, a Dudley High graduate. "You can look in a player's eyes, and you know he wants to be the person to make the play and not wait on somebody else. It's not selfish. You've got to have that little bit of 'I' in you to make a play for your team."

The Aggies, whose only run of longer than 30 yards in 2006 came with six minutes left in the season, have broken off five of 35 or more in 2007. Michael Ferguson, healthy after a series of injuries, is responsible for all of them.

"My offensive line and fullbacks are a dream," said Ferguson, the nation's ninth-leading rusher at 124.5 yards per game. "They're setting up big holes for me."

And the success, which included a 66-yard bolt at Morgan State, has helped create a mind-set. Ray, in his first season as offensive coordinator, approached Caldwell late in the third quarter and said the Aggies would go deep on their next possession. There would be no amendment. Recovering a fumble was, in fact, even more reason to let it fly because defenses are often distracted by the disappointment and surprised by the immediate need to return to the field.

From the 4, quarterback Shelton Morgan faked a handoff to Ferguson.

"They think they've got us backed up," coach Lee Fobbs said. "Great call. Momentum change. Why not?"

Well, a year ago, the line was so inexperienced that the fear of a sack and a safety, not the hope of a record-setting completion, was probably foremost on the Aggies' minds. The line now has three veterans, and though that's not a terrific number, it represents better continuity than the team has had in a while.

So Morgan had the time necessary to wait and hope Caldwell could get a step on a secondary that included Northeast Guilford graduate Dakota Bracey. The Bears entered the game ranked third nationally in total defense, a fact of no consequence in the moment.

"You never think that's possible, a 96-yard touchdown," Caldwell said. "You always dream about it, but so many things have to go right. I told (Fobbs) that was the best ball I've had thrown to me my whole life. I didn't have to break stride. When I saw it in the air, I knew it was my chance to make a play. I saw the ball in the air and went to get it. Nobody would catch me."

Scoring still isn't easy for the Aggies, but the offense is more reliable than the 2006 version, which was blanked three times and held to seven points on two other occasions. That team required long drives to have any chance; the current team can break one from time to time, and that's one viable difference. Ferguson's only lament is getting caught on his longest runs.

"Guess I have to work on my speed a little more," he joked.


North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine Band

NCCU Eagles coach faces North Greenville in first homecoming

By Mike Potter, The Herald-Sun

Saturday's opponent may not be a familiar one, but first-year N.C. Central coach Mose Rison knows how big a game it is to Eagle alumni and fans.

When NCCU's first schedule as a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) was being assembled, Division II North Greenville University was the best available opponent for a home game this late in the season. And since NCCU couldn't find an opponent -- and I mean any legitimate opponent at all -- for its traditional homecoming weekend around Nov. 3, the North Greenville contest became the homecoming game.

But first-time foe or not, a sellout is expected.

"At some of the other schools where I coached [none of them historically black colleges], homecoming was just homecoming," said Rison, who had over 20 years experience as an assistant coach before becoming the Eagles' offensive coordinator before the 2006 season.

"But I learned last year that homecoming is a big deal at an HBCU. The alums are back, and they expect to win the football game."

It will also be "Senior Day" for the Eagles, as 19 players will be suiting up for their final home game.

NCCU is currently 4-2, coming off an open date following a 34-27 loss to visiting Presbyterian on Sept. 29. North Greenville may be 1-5, but the last two losses have been to members of the FCS. And four days ago the Crusaders lost at Presbyterian by a wacky 66-52 score.

"We know they're a good football team despite that record," Rison said Tuesday during his weekly luncheon at The Chicken Hut. "Fifty-two points certainly gets your attention. They're a good Division II team, and there's no question if they were in the CIAA they could compete for the championship."

Senior quarterback Eric Moeller has completed 119 of 196 passes for 1,582 yards and 13 touchdowns with three interceptions for Mike Taylor's Crusaders. Junior Rashad Cummings has rushed for 686 yards and six touchdowns, while classmate Matt Moore has 495 rushing yards and six scores.

"Their quarterback is a tremendous football player," Rison said. "He definitely plays like a senior. We're going to have to pressure him. And both their running backs are solid."

Rison said the week off was a good thing for his team. No other Division I team, FCS or Football Bowl Subdivision, had played six straight weeks before September was over.

"We got a chance to get healed from some bumps and bruises," Rison said. "And we got a chance to get healed from whatever bug was going around. We would have been in a lot of trouble if we had had to play Saturday. [Quarterback] Stadford Brown was bedridden. But he came back [on Monday] and told me he's ready to go.

"We've been doing a good job all season of not turning the ball over, and that needs to continue. And now we know who is going to be playing in what positions on offense. Defensively, we've been going a great job all season. We had a little off-day against Presbyterian, but other than that we've played extremely well."

Rison is hoping that besides the homecoming festivities, the swan song for the seniors will being up lots of emotions.

"When I was a senior at Central Michigan, I was just in the locker room before the game bawling because I knew that was going to be my last home game," Rison said. "I could barely even go out for warmups."

Rison said he will probably redshirt "22 or 23" players this season, and that they're going to start some hard-hitting scrimmages this week.

"Every Thursday we're going to have the "Weenie Bowl," he said, not even sure of the origins of the term. "We learned a lot about [freshman quarterback] Keon Williams last week when Stadford couldn't be at practice. He was playing so well, we didn't really miss Stadford out there."

Fourteen of the seniors playing their final game are starters. They include offensive linemen Carlos Hardy, Mark Ellis, Azu Alaribe and tight end Christopher Edwards; defensive linemen Paul Johnson, Courtney Coard and Xavier Joe; linebackers Derrick and Eric Ray and D.J. Fretwell; defensive backs Tyrone Williams, Darren Brothers and Craig Amos; and punt returner Brandon Alston.

NOTES - NCCU is not eligible to be included in FCS national statistics, but the Eagles' plus-19 on turnovers and 12 interceptions would lead the nation. ... The Eagles are 50-17-2 in homecoming games, but have won just two of their last four. ... NCCU's final three games are on the road against Division I teams. The Eagles are at FCS member Savannah State on Oct. 20, then travel on Oct. 27 to Western Kentucky which is transitioning from the FCS to the FBS. The season finale is on Nov. 10 at FCS member Winston-Salem State.

Saturday to be a homecoming of sorts for UAPB Lions

Photo: Mo Forte, UAPB Head Football Coach

By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial

It’s always special for an Arkansas-Pine Bluff team full of Little Rock natives to return to War Memorial Stadium.

Historically the Golden Lions have enjoyed playing in the Capitol City, posting a 12-6 record in the Rock since 1971, including last season’s 33-28 win over Saturday’s opponent Grambling State, but lately the game has also served as a homecoming for many UAPB players. The Lions currently have 10 players from Little Rock on their roster and three more from North Little Rock.

Six of the players hail from Central High School with McClellan, Parkview and Mills High Schools also represented.

“It’s very important to these guys to have the chance to go back home,” UAPB head coach Mo Forte said. “There friends and family still get to see them play here only 30 minutes away but we have a lot of kids from a lot of the different schools up there and they’re very proud of being from Little Rock.

“They take a lot of pride in playing on that field and in their city and this game takes a little extra meaning for them.”

The majority of UAPB’s Little Rock natives are major contributors. Michael Witherspoon (Central), Anton Williams (Central) and Tim Turner (Parkview) are the team’s starting linebackers. Freshman left tackle Jason Thomas (Mills) starts at left tackle. Stewart Franks (Central) starts at free safety and both running back Mickey Dean (Central) and safety Kevin Thornton (Central) hold quasi-starting roles.

“There’s no doubt that [Little Rock] is a place where we go for a lot of talent that makes up out football team,” Forte said. “This is a game that’s great for these guys but it’s also important as a showcase for our program because it puts what we have to offer on display in the city and helps us keep tapping into the pipeline of talent that comes out of there.”

Getting defensive

Forte knows a lot about what his offense will be up against Saturday — literally.

Two of Grambling’s key defensive players, junior tackle Melvin Matthews of Clinton, La. and senior linebacker Zaire Wilborn of Houston, Texas were recruited hard by Forte and his staff before eventually choosing Grambling.

Wilborn, nicknamed “Pit Bull,” by his teammates, was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week two weeks ago and was named preseason All-SWAC prior to the season.

“They’ve got some fine athletes over there but those two guys were ones we really wanted to get,” Forte said. “Matthews is really a load, a really good player up front. Wilborn we talked to as well and he’s very quick and athletic.”

As usual, UAPB’s biggest need against the Tigers’ defensive will be to establish its dormant running game, which showed flashes of effectiveness for the first time all season in its last game at New Mexico State.

“It was our ability to finish the play and be more physical than we have been,” Forte said. “Grambling’s defense is strong. It’s got some quickness but it’s stronger more than it is quick so we’re going to have to be physical at the point of attack.”

A good cause

As part of Literacy Week and in conjunction with Saturday’s Delta Classic for Literacy, 20 UAPB players will be reading to elementary school children in Little Rock on Friday morning.

That is just one of many events sponsored by the state’s Literacy Council as it tries to promote its cause through the remainder of the week and into gameday.

“This particular Classic game proves that it’s not all about athletics in the SWAC, it’s about caring for the individual,” Forte said. “This Literacy Classic is a great cause and they’ve done a great job getting the thing promoted because it shows people, especially young people, that you need to get an education and it’s really going to be a tough go for you if you don’t.

“These elementary school kids look up to our guys and when they go and read to them it helps stress how important reading and getting that education is.”

UAPB’s entire team will attend a Literacy Luncheon on Noon on Friday before checking into the team hotel. The Lions will practice at War Memorial Stadium for an hour Friday afternoon at 3 p.m.

NFL interested in two TSU players

Photo: Dominique Rogers-Cromartie, #45, DB, 6' 2"/170 lbs.

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

The number of NFL scouts coming to see Tennessee State's top prospects continues to grow.

Eight NFL scouts, and one from the Canadian Football League, will attend the Tigers' game Thursday night at Tennessee Tech.

They will be there mainly to observe TSU's top two senior defensive players — cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and end Shaun Richardson.

A scout from the Minnesota Vikings attended TSU's practice Tuesday.

Rodgers-Cromartie and Richardson said they try to ignore the fact that representatives from NFL teams are monitoring them so closely, but it's not easy.

"It doesn't really affect me. My coaches just tell me to go out there and play the game like I'm taught and everything else will take care of itself,'' said Richardson, a 6-foot-3, 250- pounder who transferred to TSU from Joliet (St. Louis) Junior College last season.

Photo: Shaun Richardson, #13, DE, 6-3/250 lbs.

Richardson leads TSU in tackles for losses (7) and sacks (5).

He said he has recovered from a sprained knee and bruised shoulder, which hampered him the previous three games.

"I'm 100 percent and ready to go,'' Richardson said.

Rodgers-Cromartie said knowing the eyes of so many people who could steer his future are on him can be daunting.

"You realize they're watching everything you do and the way you play could have a lot to do with what happens (in the NFL draft),'' Rodgers-Cromartie said.

Rodgers-Cromartie has broken up a team-high five passes, blocked three kicks, and is averaging 22.3 yards on 17 kickoff returns.

Feeling good: Richardson isn't the only player the Tigers welcomed back to the lineup. Coach James Webster said his team, which had a bye last week, is healthier than it's been all season.

"We really needed the bye week,'' Webster said. "We've had a very tough schedule, played some very tough opponents. We needed some time just to rest up and heal up."

Basketball staff: Former Whites Creek High and Belmont basketball player Brian Collins has joined the TSU staff as a graduate assistant. Collins, who graduated from Belmont in 2006, is enrolled in graduate school at TSU.

TSU's sights set on OVC title run

By MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

Coaches pick Tigers to finish sixth

The middle of the pack is not where Cy Alexander expected Tennessee State's men's basketball team to be headed into his fifth season with the Tigers.

But that's where the coaches and sports information directors in the Ohio Valley Conference picked TSU at Wednesday's media day at LP Field.

Austin Peay was the overwhelming pick to win the conference, Eastern Kentucky was second, and Tennessee Tech third. TSU was picked sixth.

It's hard for Alexander to paint a brighter picture than what was predicted and he admitted the team's inability to reach the upper-echelon of the conference has created a sense of urgency.

"We had to take a step back last year and that was disappointing,'' Alexander said. "I felt the pain every time we lost. There is a sense of urgency because we want to turn the corner. We've been close, but we haven't really turned this program back into a winning and championship caliber program."

Over the past three years TSU regressed. The Tigers went 14-17 and finished sixth in the OVC in 2004-05; 13-15 and a seventh-place finish in 2005-06, and 12-20, finishing eighth in 2006-07.

Missing key players

Alexander said losing key players in each of the last two seasons has been the reason TSU has failed to gain ground.

In 2005-06, the Tigers lost 6-foot-1 guard Bruce Price to a knee injury and Eric King, a 6-7 senior, who abruptly quit the team. Then last year, Price re-injured his knee and Jerrell Houston, a 6-8 transfer from Mississippi State, became eligible only for the final five games.

"We've had two years in a row where two of our better players haven't been able to play,'' Alexander said.

"You go two years without arguably your two best players and there were a lot of close games over that span that you could argue, had those two guys each year been on the court, possibly the outcome of those games might have been different."

TSU lost five games last season by six points or fewer.

Price returns

With Price healthy again this year and Houston's eligibility problems resolved, at least Alexander's expectations, if not the rest of the league's coaches, are rising again.

"Bruce is a warrior and he also has the capabilities of being a very good leader because he plays hard all the time and practices hard,'' Alexander said.

"Jerrell wasn't able to do much for us last year because he had missed 20-something games and he was anxious and he really didn't know our system very well because he was on the scout team when he wasn't eligible. We expect a lot more out of him.''


OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE FORECAST
Predicted order of finish as voted by conference coaches and sports information directors, with first-place votes in parentheses. Teams selected by coaches and sports information directors:

OVC MEN
1. Austin Peay (19) 199
2. E. Kentucky (1) 166
3. Tennessee Tech (2) 160
4. Murray St. 149
5. SE Missouri 131
6. Tennessee St. 101
7. Samford 85
8. Eastern Illinois 75
9. Jacksonville St. 61
10. Morehead St. 50
11. Tennessee Martin 33

Preseason top players
G-Bruce Carter, Murray State
G-Anthony Fisher, Tennessee Tech
F-Brandon Foust, SE Missouri
G-Adam Leonard, E. Kentucky
G/F-Fernandez Lockett, Austin Peay
G-Romain Martin, E. Illinois
F-Amadi McKenzie, Tennessee Tech
C-Travis Peterson, Samford
F-Drake Reed, Austin Peay
G-Mike Rose, E. Kentucky
Preseason player of the year: Drake Reed, Austin Peay

OVC WOMEN
1. SE Missouri (19) 199
2. Samford (2) 161
3. Murray State 155
4. Eastern Illinois (1) 119
5. Tennessee Tech 118
6. UT Martin 114
7. Eastern Kentucky 105
8. Morehead State 100
9. Austin Peay 69
10. Tennessee State 48
11. Jacksonville State 22

Preseason top players
F_Rachel Galligan, E. Illinois
G_Jessica Huffman, E. Illinois
G_Crystal Jones, E. Kentucky
G_Amber Guffey, Murray St.
F_Alex Munday, Samford
F/C_Missy Whitney, SE Missouri
G_Ashley N. Hayes, Murray St.
G/F_Sonya Daugherty, SE Missouri
F/C_Phyllisha Mitchell, Tenn.-Martin
G/F_Obiageli Okafor, Tennessee St.
Preseason player of the year: Missy Whitney, SE Missouri

Experience may pay off for AAMU Bulldogs

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Returnees hope to put A&M back on winning path

Two years after winning the school's first Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball championship, Alabama A&M's program hit rock bottom.

The Bulldogs, fielding a team made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores, finished 10-20 and failed to reach the SWAC Tournament.

However, A&M coach Vann Pettaway says the experience gained from last year's disappointing season has provided the impetus his team needs to turn things around.

"I'm looking forward to this season," said Pettaway, who is beginning his 22nd campaign at A&M. "On paper, we're still a young team, but these guys have grown up. Hopefully, we can go out and redeem ourselves from last year."

If the Bulldogs are to redeem themselves, they will do so with Mickell Gladness and Trant Simpson leading the way.

Gladness, A&M's 6-foot-11, 205-pound senior center, is the league's reigning Defensive Player of the Year. He led the nation in blocked shots, averaging more than six per game and also set the single-game record with 16 against Texas Southern.

While Gladness' prowess has been on the defensive end, Pettaway needs him to be more effective on the offensive end.

"He has to step up and be a threat for us," he said. "I'm looking for four more points and four more rebounds per game. That will make him a double-double guy and take some of the pressure off of our perimeter people."

Simpson, the league's Freshman of the Year, was A&M's top perimeter player a year ago. He averaged 13 points and six assists while shooting 81 percent from the foul line.

"Trant had a really good freshman year and he's only going to get better," Pettaway said. "We had to play him too many minutes and we've added some depth to that position and we hope that will make our team better."

Junior Norris Arnold, 6-8 and 225 pounds, will back up Gladness at center, while Jonathan Inman and Jonathan Belt, a pair of rugged sophomores, will split time at power forward. Inman is 6-5 and 215, while Belt is 6-6 and 235.

"Inman played real well down the stretch last year," Pettaway said. "We're counting on both of those guys to give us some scoring punch inside."

Kudus Ogbara, who was granted a medical redshirt last year after sustaining a knee injury, will play both forward spots, Pettaway said.

The Bulldogs have an ample amount of talent at small forward, shooting guard and point guard.

Sophomores LaNorris Smith and Andrew Williams will compete for the starting job at small forward.

Smith, 6-4 and 215, is regarded as the team's best athlete. Williams, also 6-4 and 215, isn't far behind.

"Smith has to pick it up," Pettaway said. "He has shown some signs in preseason practice that he may be ready to come around. He was a little heavy last year, but he's lighter and leaner this year.

"He has looked impressive in preseason workouts and he has that look in his eye. He's a very gifted athlete. He's got to have his motor running every game."

Sophomore Cornelius Hester returns at shooting guard, but will be challenged by redshirt freshman Desmond Jackson and junior Evan Hilton.

Hester averaged 10.4 points per game, but shot just 35 percent from the field, including 29 percent from 3-point range. Jackson has been solid in preseason workouts, Pettaway said, while Hilton hopefully will emerge after splitting time between shooting guard and point guard the last two seasons.

"Jackson can put the ball in the basket," Pettaway said. "We think we have created a very competitive situation by grouping those three guys together."

Simpson is the clear leader at point guard, but freshmen Jabari Deshields and Reggie Porter will also see playing time.

"We expect more from this cast of players," Pettaway said. "If Mickell can shoulder some of the offensive production in the paint and we can stay healthy, I like our chances."

Alabama A&M University Maroon and White Marching Band