Southern shuffles two to tight end

Jaguars offensive coordinator, Mark Orlando

A year ago, Southern moved a senior tight end to left tackle at the start of preseason camp and got a huge return on the move. This time, the Jaguars are hoping the reverse pays off. Because of a lack of tight ends and greatly improved depth among offensive linemen, two linemen — senior Rafael Louis and freshman Leslie Davis — got looks Monday at tight end.

“We’re in dire need of tight end now,” Southern offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. The two most veteran tight ends aren’t available. Senior Evan Alexander is out after having knee surgery and there’s no guarantee he’ll play this season. Senior fullback/tight end Antuanya Antoine has yet to return from an internship.

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Prairie View elevates its play, goals

PVAMU returns 10 veterans to a stingy defense that averaged 15.2 points per contest in 2007, third lowest in the Football Championship Subdivision (1-AA).

Work left for Prairie View

Nearly nine months after finishing their first winning season since 1976, the Prairie View A&M Panthers got their 2008 fall camp under way with a practice Monday night. The coaches, the drills and most of the faces were the same from last season, but the camp’s theme was significantly different.

Last year, the Panthers’ theme was to “dig deep,” something they did well down the stretch, winning five of their last six games to finish 7-3. But with a squad that returns nine starters on offense, 10 on defense and two on special teams, the Panthers plan to take care of “unfinished business” this season. Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III believes this year’s team can elevate the program to a higher level.

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After the NSU sidelines, Branche eager to make up for lost time

NORFOLK, VA - DeAngelo Branche compared climbing the stadium stairs repeatedly in Tuesday's humid conditions to a walk in the park. "Just like when I was a kid," said the Norfolk State running back, smiling big as sweat dripped from his shoulder-length dreads.

It's unlikely all of Branche's teammates shared his enthusiasm, but Tuesday was not just any first day of practice for the Spartan sophomore. It was another step toward the reward he covets: suiting up Aug. 30, the day after he turns 21, for NSU's opener against Virginia State.

Expect Branche, limited by academic issues to a scout-team role last year, to start at running back. "I'm telling everybody - the coaches, the players - when they ask if I'm ready this year, that I'm coming back with a vengeance," said Branche, with one tattoo that reads "No pain" painted down his right arm and another, "No gain," scribbled down his left.

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MVSU Football Team Reports to Campus

Delta Devils head football coach Willie Totten.

Itta Bena, Miss. --- By end of day yesterday 85 student-athletes had reported to camp as the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils football team reported to began fall conditioning and practice. With five more expected players who had received clearance for late arrival expected over the weekend, there should be a total of 90 student-athletes aboard.

"Guys came in really excited," said head coach Willie Totten. "Now we're just ready to test them and get them on the field." In this morning's work out, the team went through time tests on the track which included 40-yard dash and vertical and broad jumps. They also hit the iron in the weight room working out at 225 lbs on the bench and inclines.

On the track freshman Gerard Hall (5-9, 189, DB, Memphis, TN) turned in a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash, while redshirt freshman Paul Cox, Jr. (6-5, 190, WR, Patterson, LA) had a 4.41. Running backs Johey Hargrett (6-0, 265, SR, Chicago, IL) and Ronald Brewer (5-10, 205, R-SO, Memphis), 2008 Preseason All-SWAC, each ran a 4.5.

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Tennessee State University Athletics Unveils new Big Blue Sports Network

Courtesy: Tennessee State Sports Information.
Logo Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics.

Affiliates in Nashville, Columbia and Jackson

Tennessee State University Athletics announced yesterday the creation of a new Big Blue Sports Network with radio affiliates in Nashville, Columbia and Jackson. The network will greatly expand the coverage area for Tiger football and men’s basketball broadcasts throughout middle and west Tennessee, while reaching into southern Kentucky and northern Mississippi.

The TSU athletic broadcast rights were recently awarded to B2C Media. The company is co-owned by Danny Clay and TSU alumnus Fred Beasley. “We are excited to partner with TSU Athletics and to know that Tiger fans all over the state of Tennessee will be able to enjoy the excitement of the Big Blue broadcasts on their radio,” said Beasley.

The Big Blue Sports Network will consist of flagship station, WVOL 1470 AM in Nashville, WMRB 910 AM in Columbia and WOJG- 94.7 FM in Bolivar/Jackson.

WVOL served as the home for Tiger broadcasts for more than 30 years and will see the Big Blue return to their airwaves for the first time since 1998. “This is a great day for WVOL,” said TSU alumnus John Heidelberg, the owner and general manager of WVOL. “Many unforgettable moments in Tiger history were broadcast on WVOL and we are thrilled to serve as the flagship station for the new network.”

For the first time ever, Tiger broadcasts will be available on the air in Columbia on WMRB 910 AM. "I am excited about having the Tennessee State University Big Blue Sports Network on the radio here in Maury County because it allows WMRB listeners to experience the excitement of Tiger pride,” said Rev. Trent Ogilvie President of WMRB 910 AM.

WOJG 94.7 FM will take TSU broadcasts into west Tennessee for the first time ever as well. The 6,000 watt FM station’s coverage area includes 10 west Tennessee counties and four counties in northern Mississippi.

“Tennessee State has a tremendous following in west Tennessee and we know that our listeners are going to be excited to know that they can hear the games right here on WOJG,” said State Representative Johnny Shaw, owner of WOJG.

The entire 12 game TSU football schedule will be broadcast on the Big Blue Sports Network beginning with the Tigers season opener on August 30 at Alabama A&M. The TSU basketball game broadcast schedule will be released at a later date.

In addition to the game broadcasts, Tiger Talk with Coach James Webster will also be carried on the network. The one hour weekly coach’s call-in show will air every Tuesday night at 6:00 PM, beginning August 26. Barry Gresham, TSU Associate Athletic Director for Broadcasting and Sales, will return for his fourth season as the play-by-play voice of Tiger football. He will also serve as host of Tiger Talk. Albert Dawson will begin his 18th season as analyst and statistician for the Tiger broadcasts.

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JSU cranks it up under Comegy's watchful eye

The Jackson State football team kicked off its first practice of the 2008 season Monday with an hour and a half evening practice, starting at 7:45 p.m. The players wore helmets and shorts. The workout mainly concentrated on special teams work, but also contained a good amount of individual drills.

"Just want to get them out there thinking football," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "See how quickly they adjust. ... See the thinking process, especially the younger guys. "There's always talent evaluation, but you can't really tell. ... This at least gives us an inkling."

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Alabama A&M's Moore wants to put poor season behind him

Cornerback who lost starting job is on the rebound

Frank Moore was one of the big surprises in the Southwestern Athletic Conference two years ago - a walk-on defensive back who finished with a league-high six interceptions as the Bulldogs captured their first SWAC championship. But in 2007, the 5-foot-9, 170-pounder couldn't duplicate his success. In fact, Moore played so poorly that he ended up losing his job to Maurice Thomas early in the season and finished the year with just 10 tackles. He had no interceptions.

"I got the big head," Moore said Tuesday after practice. "I feel like I could have still made some plays. I didn't have any problems on the field. My problems were off the field." Said Defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns: "I don't know what happened between his sophomore and junior year. Frank was terrific for us in 2006 when we won the championship. Last year, he wasn't the same kid. He didn't play well at all last year.

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Young NCCU Eagles to face tough schedule

DURHAM -- The good news is they're going to have plenty of size and talent. The other news is they're young, and they're going to be facing the toughest overall schedule in school history. Those are the challenges that await Mose Rison's N.C. Central football team as the Eagles open preseason practice this week.

The Eagles -- all 90 of them, including 39 players who have never stepped onto the field in an NCCU uniform -- reported to campus Sunday and will have their first practice tonight at 9:30 p.m. That one will be closed to the public. They'll have their first public workout on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, beginning preparation for their Aug. 31 opener against visiting Fayetteville State.

"We've got so many new guys, we're going to take that first session to show them how to practice," said Rison, who went 6-4 in his first season at the helm in 2007.

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North Carolina Central University Marching Sound Machine


2008 NCCU Football Schedule

Date Opponent / Event Location / Time

08/31/08 vs. Fayetteville State Durham, NC 4:00 p.m. ET
09/06/08 at James Madison Harrisonburg, VA 6:00 p.m. ET
09/13/08 at Morgan State Baltimore, MD 4:00 p.m. ET
09/20/08 at Central Connecticut State New Britain, CT 1:00 p.m. ET
10/04/08 vs. N. Carolina A&T Charlotte, NC (Memorial Stadium) 5:00 p.m. ET
10/11/08 at Presbyterian Clinton, SC 1:30 p.m. ET
10/18/08 at Coastal Carolina Conway, SC 7:00 p.m. ET
11/01/08 vs. Edward Waters (HC) Durham, NC 1:30 p.m. ET
11/08/08 at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA 4:00 p.m. PT
11/15/08 vs. Winston-Salem State Durham, NC 1:30 p.m. ET

The long bus ride to FAMU will be a challenge for WSSU

Last year's kicker, freshman Matt Mitchell, quit school in the spring leaving a big question mark for the Rams special teams.

■ One of Winston-Salem State's biggest challenges this season will come Oct. 9, when it plays at Florida A&M. The game will be at 7:30 on a Thursday night and will be televised on ESPNU. Coach Kermit Blount said that a midweek game and a bus trip to Tallahassee, Fla., will take their toll.

"I think the one thing that we've learned is how you travel," Blount said. "Unfortunately, we aren't at the point now where we can fly to Tallahassee. So the trip to Tallahassee will be tough because it takes us out of our routine."

The Rams are 7-8 against MEAC teams (4-7 and 6-5 overall) in their first two seasons playing Division I schedules, and they're learning how tough the MEAC is, compared to the Division II CIAA.

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WSSU Rams seeking a new quarterback

WSSU Rams head coach Kermit Blount (Mark's Digital Photography).

Coach Kermit Blount of Winston-Salem State spent most of the summer building a large deck at his home in Clemmons. With a young team, he'll also be in a building mode this football season, especially in the early days. Blount is expecting 90 players to report Wednesday for the start of camp, and the first practice is scheduled at 3 p.m. Friday.

"A major concern that I have is the quarterback position, because we have to solidify a guy there," Blount said. "And we think we have enough talent to solidify that spot. We don't have a Monte Purvis right now, but we have the talent to make it work." Blount is also concerned with replacing seven starters on defense, including four of the top five tacklers from last season's 6-5 team.

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DSU softball coach signs new contract

DOVER -- Delaware State University softball coach Jeff Savage has signed a new contract through the 2010 season, athletic director Rick Costello announced Monday.he Hornets to the program's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship last spring and its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Savage has a nine-year record of 256-222, including a 119-35 mark in MEAC regular-season games.

Jeff Savage at Delaware State

Year Overall MEAC Highlights

2000 17-30 8-6 First winning MEAC record since 1994
2001 22-22 12-4 School record for overall and MEAC wins
2002 29-22 20-1 MEAC North title; school record for overall and MEAC wins;
2003 26-28 14-6 MEAC North title; MEAC Tournament final three
MEAC Tournament final four
2004 41-22 17-3 MEAC North title; MEAC Tournament championship round;
school record for wins
2005 34-22 18-2 MEAC North title
2006 34-22 10-4 MEAC Tournament championship round
2007 24-29 10-4 MEAC Tournament final four
2008 29-25 10-5 MEAC Tournament championship

Totals 256-222 119-35

Mitchell pushing SU secondary

The Southern secondary is home to some of its most veteran players. Yet that doesn’t mean they get a free pass from new position coach Jackie Mitchell. When strong safety Glenn Bell, a fifth-year senior, didn’t get out of his break like he was supposed to Monday morning, Mitchell made him do it again. And again. And a fourth time, when Bell finally fought through his fatigue and used the proper technique to execute the drill.

“I see he’s a real perfectionist,” Bell said. “But that’s what we need as a unit. We need someone to stay on us about the little things. That’s what he is, and I’m real appreciative for it.”

Bell was happy Mitchell pushed him. He and guys like Michael Williams and Joe Manning and Anthony Wells and Toyin Akinwale aren’t looking for free passes. They want to get a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship ring, like those Mitchell has from his days as a standout free safety in the 1990s at SU.

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S.C. State athletics leadership sees program ready for new glory era

S.C. State athletic director Charlene Johnson

South Carolina State University is a few weeks from reopening its doors for the student body. But for Athletics Director Charlene Johnson, it’s not too early to hold a pep talk with some of the new and returning coaches involved with the school’s 17 sports. Crowded together in the conference room of Rowe Hall, they listen to Johnson’s expectations and optimism about the upcoming school year.

“I’m still trying to learn everybody’s names,” said Johnson as she hustled back to her office to prepare for another meeting. Having replaced six head coaches over the past 15 months and having seen just one program (tennis) reach the postseason during her second tenure as AD, Johnson is ready to see a rebirth in S.C. State athletics.

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Prairie View A&M Panthers football team reports to camp

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas- The Prairie View A&M Panthers football team officially reported to camp on Sunday, August 3rd. The first two days of camp will be used primarily for the issuing of equipment as well as athletic physicals.

This season the Panthers feature a veteran unit as over fifty lettermen return to help PVAMU improve on last seasons' 7-3 mark. The Panthers will hit the field for their first day of workouts later this week.

Thursday, August 14th has been tabbed Fan Appreciation Day as PVAMU Athletics supporters will get a chance to get autographs and photos with current Prairie View A&M student-athletes. The afternoons’ festivities will culminate with a two and a half hour football practice session that will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

PVAMU Sports Slideshow


2008 PVAMU Panthers Football Schedule

Event Date Location Description

Texas Southern, 8/30/2008 07:00 PM Houston,Texas State Farm Labor Day Classic
Texas College 9/6/2008 04:00 PM Prairie View, Texas
Sam Houston State 9/13/2008 06:00 PM Huntsville, Texas
Mississippi Valley State 9/20/2008 05:00 PM Itta Bena, Miss.
Morehouse 9/27/2008 04:30 PM Los Angeles, Ca. Angel City Classic
Grambling State 10/4/2008 06:00 PM Dallas, Texas Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic
Alabama State 10/11/2008 02:00 PM Prairie View, Texas Homecoming
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10/18/2008 04:00 PM Pine Bluff, Ark.
Southern 10/25/2008 06:00 PM Houston,Texas
Alabama A&M 11/8/2008 01:00 PM Huntsville, Ala.
Alcorn State 11/15/2008 02:00 PM Prairie View, Texas Senior Day

SCSU Bulldog intensity levels high despite soaring temperatures

S.C. State Bulldogs defensive coordinator/linebacker coach Mike Adams.

ORANGEBURG, SC – South Carolina State continued installation of its offense and defense during it second preseason workout Sunday. Bulldog head coach Buddy Pough said the enthusiasm and intensity level of the players remained high despite soaring temperatures on the field.

“Day two was pretty good,” Pough said. “Our main focus is installation on both sides of the football, getting our offensive and defensive schemes in place. We will be doing this (installation) for another five or six practices. We may try to be a little different on offense this season.

“Our players continue to show great enthusiasm overall,” he continued, “and we are excited a bit about the performance of our group of young kids, who we will be counting on to provide depth this fall. “We are not great by any stretch of imagination, but the potential is there and if we can keep our players in practice, we got a chance to be pretty good.”

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August 4 - Monday practice was cut short due to a thunder storm and lightning in the area, according to Bulldog head coach Buddy Pough. “We only got in about three-quarters of our workout before the storm hit,” Pough said. “Of the 24 periods we had scheduled, we were in period 17 when we had to leave the field (shortly before 5 p.m.). We had about eight drills left.”

TSU back, Conditioning test is no sweat

Javarris Williams (#28) hits defenders like a Mack truck but his only concern Sunday night was hitting the sack early. The annual conditioning test for Tennessee State's senior football players is at 6:30 a.m. today and Williams wanted to be rested and ready. While he has finished each of the past two seasons with more than 1,000 rushing yards, he has not started well. He has had trouble meeting the conditioning test standards.

And though by any measure Williams is an NFL prospect, his poor conditioning cost him his starting job for last year's opener. This year will be different, Williams promised during Sunday's team photo session at Hale Stadium. "As soon as we get done eating dinner I'm going straight to the room,'' he said. "No TV, just music and bed, that's it."

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JSU Tigers welcome 21 signees, wait for word on 2

The Jackson State football team reported to campus Saturday with 95 players expected to check in. All but a handful had been accounted for by 3 p.m. Of the 26 players signed on National Signing Day in February, 21 are set to play in good academic standing. Defensive end Avon Waters, offensive lineman Ivory Waters and offensive lineman Etienne Odino did not clear NCAA guidelines and will not be with the team.

Safety Antonio Wardlow and cornerback Ricardo Kemp, Tennessee transfers who committed after signing day, also did not qualify academically. Jackson State is still awaiting final word on quarterback Dominick Britt and offensive lineman Luis McLeoud from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Both Britt and McLeoud checked in on Saturday.

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Savannah State Tigers have questions about running game

SSU Tigers starting QB Jacorey Kilcrease
Sophomore, 6-0/170, Macon, Georgia; Central Macon.

Savannah State's running game was an area of concern after sputtering for only 899 yards and five touchdowns last season. It became a bigger issue when leading rusher Antwan Edwards quit the team in May. SSU's running game suffered another blow Sunday when heralded freshman Kendal Blackshear quit the team.

SSU head coach Robby Wells said Blackshear, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound Houston native, returned to Texas. Wells said Blackshear's departure was not the result of a disciplinary decision. "Kendal came in, and it's a long way from home," Wells said following the completion of a Media Day press conference at Tiger Arena. "For whatever reason, he and his parents - his parents were still here (on campus) - decided that they wanted to go back home. It happens. We wish him well."



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A&M's Atkins tries on big shoes

Replacing Kelcy Luke at QB no small challenge

Kevin Atkins has taken over for a quarterback before. Six years ago, Atkins replaced his cousin, T.J. Wilson, who was moved to wide receiver, as the starter at Southern Durham (N.C.) High School. All the 6-foot-1, 219-pounder did was win.

When Atkins left Southern Durham, he had led his team to a 38-3 record and to three consecutive conference championships. He was a three-time all-conference selection and was a 4A All-State pick as well, throwing for more than 2,000 yards as a senior, while rushing for 700 more. "I had a great high school career," Atkins said shortly after arriving at Alabama A&M three years ago. "Hopefully, I can duplicate that here."

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UAPB ready to put its newly added facilities to use

Expect to see some positively bug-eyed college football players when the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions report for their first official practice this morning at Golden Lion Stadium.

Many of them will be getting their first look at UAPB's new 27,000-square foot field house, one that features ample locker room space for home and visiting teams, a war room for the coaching staff, a new weight facility, offices for each coach and a training room complete with a hydrotherapy pool.

The team will spend the first two weeks practicing inside Golden Lion Stadium to let the grass take hold on a new practice field located behind the visitors stands. "I think some of the guys may cry, "first-year Golden Lions Coach Monte Coleman said.

J. Thomas May Field House with Golden Lion Stadium in the background. - Home of the UAPB Golden Lions Football Team.

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UAPB Golden Lions 2008 Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time/Result
8/30/2008 UA-Monticello Pine Bluff 6:00 pm
9/6/2008 Henderson State Arkadelphia, AR 6:00 pm
9/13/2008 Central Arkansas Little Rock, AR 6:00 pm
9/18/2008 Alcorn State Lorman, MS 6:30 pm
9/27/2008 Alabama A&M Pine Bluff 6:00 pm
10/11/2008 Jackson State Pine Bluff 4:00 pm
10/18/2008 Prairie View A&M Pine Bluff 4:00 pm
10/25/2008 Lincoln (HC) Pine Bluff 2:30 pm
11/1/2008 Southern Baton Rouge, LA 6:00 pm
11/8/2008 Grambling State Little Rock, AR 4:00 pm
11/15/2008 Mississippi Valley State Pine Bluff 2:30 pm
11/29/2008 Texas Southern Dallas, TX 2:30 pm

Monte Coleman Head Football Coach / Defensive Coordinator
Jonathan Cannon Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
Phillip Cole Tight Ends/Special Teams
Alonzo Hampton Defensive Backs (Corner)
Gary Harper Defensive Line
Henry Miller Defensive Backs (Safety)
Craig Raye Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator
Keith Saine Running Backs
Winston Delane Quarterbacks Coach

S.C. State: It is time for an S.O.S.

S.O.S.? That’s State of State, and before the South Carolina State Bulldogs take the field for the 2008 season, a year in which they will face Central Florida and Clemson, as the favorites for the MEAC title what better time to look at the school’s athletic programs as a whole?

You should have been there last year. If you were a South Carolina State fan, you really should have been there. Cleve McCoy was slickly dressed, Marshall McFadden couldn’t stop smiling and the two players stood next to proud former Bulldogs head coach Willie Jeffries and current SCSU head man Oliver “Buddy” Pough in the stands at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium (see photo below).

Outside the stadium, across the road, a bus sat with its engine warming. For the first time in 100 years of football, the South Carolina State football team was going to play a College Bowl Subdivision team – Air Force. It was a highlight. The South Carolina game was a highlight to...

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SSU's Kilcrease leads QB competition

Locals DeFilippis, Wilson and Taylor in the mix

Savannah State first-year football coach Robby Wells has named JaCorey Kilcrease the Tigers' starting quarterback going into fall practice, which begins at 3:30 p.m. today. Kilcrease, a 6-foot, 170-pound junior, was SSU's starting quarterback last season. His playing time was shortened after he suffered a separated left (non-throwing) shoulder in the third game against Bethune-Cookman.

Kilcrease started five of the seven games in which he played. He was 62-for-126 passing for 490 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. His backup, freshman Greg McCrary, was 38-for-95 passing for 412 yards, three touchdowns and 13 interceptions. McCrary quit the team after last season.


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SU offensive line enjoying more depth

At one point last season, Southern University was down to six offensive linemen. So the joy of not being able to spot massive second-year offensive line coach Damon Nivens amidst a sea of 15 linemen, with another on the sideline awaiting medical clearance, was noticeable.

“Those guys from last year are like, ‘Coach, there is a God, because we’ve got depth now,’” Nivens, a former black college All-American tackle at SU, said.

Jaguars offensive line coach Damon Nivens has three offensive lines to work with this season.

Because of attrition that was heavy on academic losses, a year ago at camp, SU had to switch senior tight end Trent Thomas to left tackle. Though not built for the role and with no experience, Thomas was a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference pick and SU went 8-3. Said coach Pete Richardson, “We were real lucky last year, thanks to those individuals.”

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NCCU football set for preseason

Eagles report today, practice Tuesday

N.C. Central's football players will report today to begin preparation for the Eagles' second year of competing in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA). The Eagles will check in at 1 p.m., followed by a meeting with new athletic director Ingrid Wicker-McCree, dinner, physicals and a team meeting.

The team's first open practice will be Tuesday at 4 p.m. NCCU returns 44 lettermen (24 on offense, 20 on defense) from a team that went 6-4 in 2007. Second-year NCCU head coach Mose Rison has nine returning starters, and all but two are on the offensive side of the ball. Senior quarterback Stadford Brown, fifth on the Eagles' career passing yards list with 4,288 in just two seasons, leads the offense. Brown threw for 1,711 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago.

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2008 NCCU FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result

08/31/08 vs. Fayetteville State Durham, NC 4:00 p.m. ET
09/06/08 at James Madison Harrisonburg, VA 6:00 p.m. ET
09/13/08 at Morgan State Baltimore, MD 4:00 p.m. ET
09/20/08 at Central Connecticut State New Britain, CT 1:00 p.m. ET
10/04/08 vs. North Carolina A&T Charlotte, NC (Memorial Stadium) 5:00 p.m. ET
10/11/08 at Presbyterian Clinton, SC 1:30 p.m. ET
10/18/08 at Coastal Carolina Conway, SC 7:00 p.m. ET
11/01/08 vs. Edward Waters (HC) Durham, NC 1:30 p.m. ET
11/08/08 at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA 4:00 p.m. PT
11/15/08 vs. Winston-Salem State Durham, NC 1:30 p.m. ET
11/22/08 vs. Savannah State Durham, NC 1:00 p.m. ET

Grambling 2008 Season Begins Now

GRAMBLING, LA – The first practice of the 2008 campaign is in the books as the Grambling State Tigers opened year two of the Rod Broadway era on Friday morning at the Robinson Stadium Support Facility Practice Field.

“Practice went well and I’ve got an early gauge of what areas we’ll need to work on right away,” said Tiger head coach Rod Broadway. “There also was an obvious difference in the conditioning level of the guys who stayed here in the summer opposed to the ones who remained at home. However, we’ll round them into shape by the first game.”

Click here to play video

Broadway and staff spent most of the practice with his 90-man squad to get used to the various drills they’ll run throughout the majority of their practices. Once the two-hour practice came to an end, the team assembled on the sidelines and wrapped practice up with several sideline-to-sideline conditioning sprints.

The Tigers return to the gridiron tomorrow morning for a single 8 a.m. workout.

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