MEAC contenders will square off this Saturday

NORFOLK, VA -- Joe Taylor calls it separation Saturday. Norfolk State isn't involved as the Spartans are off, but a pair of games this weekend should shed some light on the cream of the league race. Hampton (3-1, 2-0 MEAC) travels to Delaware State (1-2, 1-0) and preseason favorite South Carolina State (3-2, 1-0) heads to Tallahassee to take on Taylor's surprising Florida A&M team (3-1, 1-1).

"It's like looking at Hampton in Florida," South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough said of the Rattlers, who rotate two quarterbacks - Kentucky transfer Curtis Pulley and Eddie Battle. Hornets coach Al Lavan, meanwhile, said that without Taylor, Hampton hasn't missed a beat under first-year coach Jerry Holmes.

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Week 5 - Battle of the SWAC Bands

Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul Marching Band

Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm and Black Foxes @ Angel City Classic

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band & Dancing Dolls

Alcorn State University Sounds of Dynomite Marching Band & Golden Girls

CCU notebook: Looking back at N.C. A.&T Aggies

Excerpt:

GREENSBORO, N.C. The Coastal defense was scheduled to face yet another talented runner in A&T's Michael Ferguson, who rushed for 1,169 yards last season and entered averaging 102 rushing yards per game this season. Ferguson was scratched Saturday with a high ankle sprain. He was listed as questionable on the Aggies' injury report. Dione McNair replaced Ferguson in the lineup.

Welcome to the machine. The North Carolina A&T marching band, "The Marching Machine," is a sight to behold. The band began play in 1918 with 50 members and now contains over 200 pieces, easily out-numbering both football rosters on Saturday. The Marching Machine typically plays throughout the game, offering the Aggies a distinct home-field advantage.

CCU's party. With the win, Coastal improves to 6-1 all time against MEAC schools. Coastal's lone loss to a MEAC opponent came last season when the Chants lost their opener to eventual MEAC champion Delaware State.

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Attendance: Coastal Carolina defeat the Aggies 20-7 in the rain. A&T had only 2,062 (9.4%) fans at Aggie Stadium, Greensboro, N.C. (Capacity: 22,000).

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Rutgers gets much-needed victory; Morgan State gets $300,000

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Consider the $300,000 that the Rutgers football team paid Morgan State for Saturday's 38-0 drubbing a bargain.

Entering the day as one of only two schools from the BCS conferences without a win, the Scarlet Knights needed a victory in the worst way. They got one, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and cruising by their Football Championship Subdivision foe at Rutgers Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

If the win doesn't salve all their wounds from the 0-3 start, it builds confidence for a Rutgers team that begins Big East play at West Virginia next Saturday. Nothing cures a losing streak more than a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference school. Counting Saturday's win, Rutgers has now outscored its MEAC competition, 153-7, over the past three seasons (Howard, Norfolk State and Morgan State).

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Norfolk State didn't learn the lesson the first time, being on the losing end of a 0-59 score. The Spartans loved the exposure so much that they are scheduled for another beat down on Sept. 10, 2010. I guess its raising the profile, when Rutgers can talk about MEAC teams like this.

(beepbeep)

N.C.A&T Cold Steel plays for Barack Obama in Greensboro

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY: Click Playlist Tab; Click Photos of Barack Obama and Joe Biden;click on each picture to change to next in gallery.

Atlanta Football Classic '08: FAMU Marching 100 vs, TSU Aristocrat of Bands

FAMU Marching 100 (Part I)

FAMU Marching 100 (Part II)

Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands (Part I)

Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands (Part II)

Prairie View A & M defeats Morehouse College, 28-17

ANGEL CITY CLASSIC

Somewhere between the band clinic, the youth game, the step show and the concert, there was a football game Saturday at the Coliseum. Not exactly USC versus Ohio State. However, for organizers of Saturday's Angel City Classic -- pitting Morehouse College against Prairie View A&M -- it was bigger than that.The game, won by Prairie View A&M, 28-17, was the centerpiece of the annual showcase for historically black colleges across the country. This was the third year for the game, originally named the Silver Dollar Classic, and the first time it was televised nationally.

At least it was until a power outrage knocked Fox Sports off the air with 5 minutes 22 seconds left in the game. There was no lack of power in the legs of Donald Babers, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound Prairie View A&M junior who rushed for 180 yards and a touchdown to lead the Panthers. "Reggie Bush was my hero," Babers said. "I'm just glad I could play on the same field he did."

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Attendance: 52,487 (57%) at Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA (Capacity: 92,000).

Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm and Black Foxes 9/08.

BCU 'Cats get mad and get even

You know what they say about payback. And if you're a Norfolk State fan or a Spartan, you know how it feels after Saturday's 33-17 loss at the hands of a fired-up Bethune-Cookman football team. The Wildcats came into the game with vengeance on their minds. During pregame warm-ups, the 'Cats had an extra bounce in their steps on Municipal Stadium's Kelly Field and every now and then one of them would shout, "Payback!"

It had been a year since B-CU's 38-31 road loss to Norfolk State in a series that has heightened interest because the Spartans are coached by former Wildcats defensive coordinator Pete Adrian. Some of the Wildcats, including head coach Alvin Wyatt, had not forgotten how that game played out. The 'Cats left Dick Price Stadium feeling as if they were robbed. Wyatt said his team was forced to alter its blocking scheme to avoid inaccurate penalties for blocking below the waist.

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Attendance: 5,228 (52.3%) at Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, FL (Capacity: 10,000).

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Howard wins first Miami Classic 49-21 over Savannah St.

The first annual Miami Classic football game between Howard University and Savannah State at Traz Powell Stadium in North Miami was a memorable one for several former South Florida prep players. The Miami Classic -- which essentially replaces the defunct Orange Blossom Classic and moves to FIU Stadium next year -- featured 15 former local high school standouts. The Bison's roster had 12 former Miami-Dade and Broward prep players. The Tigers had three local players.

And four Bison players with local ties were instrumental in Howard's 49-21 rout of Savannah State. Howard freshman receiver Brandon Drayton, a Northwestern standout in the Bulls' run to the Class 6A state title last year, helped set up the Bison's second score of the game. With his team ahead 6-0, Drayton returned a punt 36 yards to the Tigers 30. After Drayton was tackled, the Tigers (2-3) incurred a late hit penalty that placed the ball at the Savannah State 15.

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Attendance: 3,926 (52.3%) at Traz Powell Stadium, Miami, FL (Capacity: 7,500).

FAMU continues to own Tennessee State

Taylor's 200th win gives Rattlers momentum

Photo Galleries:
FAMU 28, Tennessee State 21
Photos of the game, the bands
Atlanta Classic Pre Game
Atlanta Classic Step Show

ATLANTA, GA-- He played it off, but they knew better. Florida A&M University head football coach Joe Taylor was largely hush-hush about the 200-win deal all week. It's about the game. Play the game better than the last time. Beat this team. Focus on that, he would tell them. The Rattlers did that, too. Taylor's players held off a last minute drive by Tennessee State in the 20th Atlanta Football Classic to earn a 28-21 win over the 23rd-ranked team in the Sports Network Division I Championship Subdivision poll and the 25th-ranked team in the Football Championships Subdivision Coaches poll.
























FAMU Coach Taylor reached a career milestone with the Rattlers win over arch rival TSU. Taylor now has a record of 200-77-2, becoming the ninth black coach to achieve this level of excellence, joining FAMU's Hall of Fame coaches Jake Gaither and William "Billy" Joe in the exclusive 200 win club.

But even before he had a chance to speak about the game when it was over, the question about becoming the ninth Black College coach to reach 200 wins in his career came to the fore. "That's the residue of enjoying what you do," Taylor said. "It speaks to having been around supportive administrators, top-level coaches, and great student-athletes." No student-athlete on the Georgia Dome turf Saturday was more instrumental in the game than Rattler linebacker Bryan Parker.

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Attendance: 50,428 (70.7%) at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA (Capacity: 71,228)

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Michelle Obama, Jill Biden speak to over 8,000 at FAMU campus about student issues, economic crisis

Photo Gallery: Michelle Obama visits FAMU

According to Cindy Dick, Fire Chief of the City of Tallahasse, somewhere between eight and ten thousand people gathered on a hot and sunny day at the campus of Florida A&M University to hear Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden speak. The two women showed great respect for each other and spoke highly of the presidential debate held Friday night (Sept. 26, 2008).

The Rickards High School marching band opened the event with excitement. A giant “Change” banner was suspended in front of great white pillars. First Jill and then Michelle entered through double white doors, were swung wide open for their dramatic arrivals.

Jill talked about her experiences as a professor at the community college level. She explained that her students are her heroes, often juggling day jobs and caring for their children while still finding time to go to college. She described her dreams of a country in which college was affordable for everyone.

Michelle discussed Barack’s history and his promise to end the war in Iraq. She urged the students in the crowd to take action and help register Floridians to vote, noting that there are only nine days left to register here. In Florida, every vote counts, as it is a major swing state. She promised that she would personally call the parents and grandparents of the student on campus who registered the most voters and sing the praises of their child.

Please enjoy a video of the event.



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DSU drenched, but not in glory

Photo Gallery: Central Connecticut St. 28, DSU 10

Blue Devils handily beats Hornets at home

DOVER, DE -- Their jerseys were drenched, looking like they were showered in a Gatorade celebration. It was only the steady rain. There was little to celebrate at Delaware State on Saturday night. In a game that was supposed to gauge their season's potential, the Hornets probably were left looking for a do-over. Central Connecticut State, a visitor from the Northeast Conference, defeated the Hornets in their first-ever meeting, winning 28-10 at Alumni Stadium.

"This is not practice, it's real football," Hornets coach Al Lavan said. "I had concerns over how this team would respond this week. When you're trying to build a young team, you are going to go through times of adversity and you have to find out how they will respond." While it certainly didn't predict an easy outcome, Delaware State hardly would have expected such a loss to the Blue Devils. And it occurred at home, where the Hornets had not lost in 10 tries, dating back to Oct. 14, 2006, against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Hampton. Delaware State (1-2) has lost two games in a row for the first time since 2006.

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Attendance: 3,254 (47.8%) at Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE (Capacity: 6,828).

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NEXT: The Hornets host the Hampton Pirates on Saturday at 1 PM in a MEAC showdown.

Grambling's win over (NAIA) Langston no thing of beauty

Photo Galleries:
Grambling You Cam, 9/27
Grambling-Langston halftime show
Grambling vs. Langston

Ethan Conley kept a running diary of Grambling's 13-2 win over Langston on Saturday:

FIRST QUARTER

15:00 It's 85 degrees and sunny at Robinson Stadium, and we're poised for a titanic matchup between two explosive offenses ... ah, who I am kidding?

This should be a blowout in GSU's favor.

11:59: Grambling's Dezmond Spivey boots the first punt of the game. You'll understand the significance soon enough.

11:43: Grambling dodges a bullet. Langston tight end Donald Hill was wide open behind the Grambling defense only he never knew it. Hill never turned around to look for Danny Lowery's pass, which fell harmlessly to the ground. Had he caught the ball Hill may have coasted to the end zone untouched. Unfortunately, this won't come close to being the most inept offensive play of the game.

9:41 : Kiare Thompson's 32-yard punt return gives Grambling the ball at the Langston 26.

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Attendance: 5,121 (26%) at Robinson Stadium, Grambling, LA (Capacity: 19,600).

Alcorn can’t close it out--SU Jaguars win!

Braves defense unable to hold Southern in end

LORMAN, Miss. — Alcorn State’s calling card came up short Saturday in its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at Jack Spinks Stadium as Southern scored the go-ahead touchdown to topple the Braves 15-12 just before time expired. “There is no explanation for it (the defensive breakdowns),” said Alcorn senior linebacker Lee Robinson. “We just didn’t close the game out.”

Alcorn, clinging to a 3-0 lead headed into the second half surrendered two touchdowns as SU pieced together quick-strike scoring drives of 2:37 and 1:48. SU (2-2, 1-0 SWAC) got its first score as quarterback Bryant Lee hit Clevan White on a 16-yard strike putting the Jaguars ahead 7-3 with 4:09 left in the third. The drive was good for 10 plays and 86 yards. Then in the fourth quarter, after Lee was knocked out of the game following a Idly Etienne hit on the far sideline, reserve quarterback C.J. Byrd fumbled the snap on fourth and goal with 5:05 remaining and Alcorn took possession.

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Attendance: 22,500 (100%) for ASU Homecoming Game at Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, MS (Capacity: 22,500).

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Next Week: The Braves (1-4) travel to 1-A Western Athletic Conference, New Mexico State Aggies (1-2) in Las Cruces for a beat down and a quick paycheck.

The Southern Jaguars will be on the road to face Jackson State University, Jackson, MS for a 6 p.m. game.

Week 5: MEAC/SWAC Football Updates

• Florida A&M (3-1) vs. Tennessee State (4-1) - FAMU is giving the 4-0 TSU Tigers a clinic on Joe Taylor power football with the Rattlers driving at the start of the 4th quarter with a 28-14 lead. Kudos to Versus with an excellent telecast of the Atlanta Football Classic game, including full half-time shows by both bands. FAMU Qier Hall intercepts QB Antonio Heffner with .59 second left in game to give the TSU Tigers the loss and Joe Taylor gets his 200th career victory (200-77-2). FAMU keeps the streak alive in a hard fought battle for their 7th consecutive victory over rival TSU. Rattlers move up with 3-1 record and has served notice to all, knocking off the #23 ranked team in the FCS Rankings and the Ohio Valley Conference leader. The Rattlers are moving forward to their rightful place as the premier football program in the MEAC. The game MVP for FAMU was QB Curtis Pulley and QB Antonio Heffner was the MVP for TSU. Final score FAMU 28-21.
• Morgan State vs. Rutgers - No surprise here as the Scarlet Knight called the dogs off in the second half, but steamrolled the Morgan Bears 38-0.
• Bethune Cookman vs. Norfolk State - The Spartans received a bitter dose of reality in Daytona Beach as the BCU Wildcats flatten the Spartans 33-17. The Spartans are nothing more than a one season wonder with a 2-3 record on the season.
• South Carolina State vs. Winston Salem State - SCSU Bulldogs trying to get their pride back after getting smashed by Clemson last week 54-0. Too bad for the hapless WSSU Rams as they are getting a tatto beaten on their rear at the tune of 3-31 at the end of second quarter. Update: Score 37-10 SCSU with 12 minutes left in 3rd quarter. Final score on this blowout is SCSU 43, WSSU 17.
• Grambling State vs. Langston - GSU wins 13-2 over their visitors. Final: GSU 13, Langston 2.
• Southern vs. Alcorn State - The Jaguars are in for a long season as they escape the lowly Braves by a score of 15-12, with all their points coming in the second half of the game.
• Central Connecticut State University vs. Delaware State - Hornets gets pounded 28-10 by a North East Conference, 1-AA Blue Devil team that moves to 3-1 on the season with a victory over N.C. Central last weekend. DSU falls to 1-2.
• PVAMU vs. Morehouse - The Division II Maroon Tigers gave the Panthers a fight in the Angel City Classic in Los Angeles, CA. With the 28-17 win, Prairie View moves to 4-0.
• AAMU vs. UAPB - Monte Coleman and the Golden Lions move to 0-5 as the Bulldogs move to 2-3, winning 23-17.
• Howard vs. Savannah State in Miami, FL - In the battle of the cupcakes, Howard gains a much needed win by pounding the helpless Tigers 49-21 in Miami, FL. Bison moves to 1-3 and SSU drops to 2-3
• NCA&T vs. Coastal Carolina - The Aggies get embarrassed again falling on the losing end of a 20-7 score. The Lee Fobbs era may be ending soon as only 2,062 attended this contest at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, N.C. This attendance figure has to be wrong. If not, the Aggies have lost their pride and are feed up with Fobbs and his losing ways. The Aggies fall to 2-3 on the year. CCU of the Big South Conference moves to 3-2.
• Texas Southern vs. Concordia College - TSU is padding its record with a schedule of Division II cupcakes in Texas College and Concordia College. The Tigers are leading 45-21 in the 4th quarter over Concordia which illustrate how awful this TSU program is under-performing.

Who's Hot: FAMU Rattlers are playing superb football and has opportunity to become the league's contender with a home date with South Carolina State next weekend. Rattlers should mop the field with Buddy Pough Bulldogs who ran over the Rattlers last season when Rubin Carter was coach. It won't happen this time as the Rattlers are seeking a championship.

Greatest Surprise: PVAMU 4-0 and in the drivers seat to win the SWAC. Overall poor showing of the SWAC this football season. FAMU defense is stopping drives and scoring TDs to help offense. National televised rivalry game attracts 50,428 to Georgia Dome with gas shortages in Atlanta. MEAC Teams inability to beat Out of Conference 1-AA/FCS teams that they scheduled for their home stadiums.

Top Newcomer: FAMU QB Curtis Pulley

Dummy of the Year: The clown(s) responsible for the FAMU athletic website (http://www.famurattersport.com/) that has everything wrong or missing including current rosters for the athletic teams, posted game scores and stats, and listing two coaches no longer on Coach Joe Taylor's staff.

N.C. A&T eager for some home cookin'

COASTAL CAROLINA AT N.C. A&T
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aggie Stadium, Greensboro
Records: Coastal Carolina 2-2; N.C. A&T 2-2

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The N.C. A&T Aggies play host to Coastal Carolina on Saturday, which is nice for reasons beyond the totally obvious: It means they won't be going to Tidewater Virginia for the third straight week. An odd scheduling quirk sent A&T to Norfolk State on Sept. 13 and Hampton last week, and the Aggies made the five-hour drive back home with a pair of losses. It is the mirror image of scheduling in 2005, when the teams came to Aggie Stadium.

"It's like following your own footsteps back up there," coach Lee Fobbs said this week. "Hopefully, in the future, we can correct that. Is that the reason we lost? Probably not. At least (change) would give us some peace of mind." So how does this happen? Imperfections are almost certain when the process is complicated by two otherwise welcomed trends, expansion and television.

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Rivalry is personal for TSU's Heffner

NO. 23 TSU (4-0) VS. FLA. A&M (2-1)
Where: Georgia Dome
Last meeting: FAMU 18, TSU 17 (2007)
Key matchup: FAMU RB Philip Sylvester vs. TSU DT Maurice Davis. Sylvester carried the ball 25 times for 131 yards in last year's game. Davis helped TSU hold Eastern Kentucky to 9 rushing yards last week and is tied as the Tigers' leading tackler among linemen with 13 total stops.
TV: Versus Sports Channel (LIVE nationally) -- Cable Systems, Dish Network and Direct TV
Time: 4:00 PM ET

Tennessee State quarterback Antonio Heffner made his way past a teammate being interviewed by a reporter earlier this week and offered a directive. "Talk about the team Cliff — it's all about the team,'' Heffner said to safety Eugene Clifford. This team is very special to Heffner. Just how special a team the Tigers are could be answered if they finally beat Florida A&M (2-1) at 3 p.m. today in the Atlanta Classic at the Georgia Dome.

TSU QB Antonio Heffner proposed to girlfriend after Southern Heritage Classic victory in Memphis on Sept. 13, 2008. She said "yes", and since he has the girl, he now plans to get first victory in his career against FAMU.

It has been a great start for the No. 23 Tigers (4-0), but today's test might be the stiffest they've faced so far. Playing before a large crowd that could be in excess of 50,000, TSU hopes to snap a six-year losing streak to an opponent Coach James Webster calls "our No. 1 rival." Heffner agrees. "Not only is this our No. 1 rival, (but) it's about the event, all the hype that comes along with this game,'' Heffner said. "We haven't beaten them in a long time and not since I've been here." More fanfare was added last week when the Versus cable sports network announced it would televise the game live nationally for the first time.

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Three more I-A road games will raise profile, boost coffers for NSU

NORFOLK, VA - Rutgers and Kentucky were only the beginning. Norfolk State's future includes more games against Division I-A opponents - three more in the next four years, in fact. The Scarlet Knights are on tap again for Sept. 10, 2010, in Piscataway, N.J. Rutgers beat NSU 59-0 on Sept. 16, 2007, in the first-ever I-A game played by a Spartans football team.

NSU meets West Virginia in Morgantown on Sept. 10, 2011. On Sept. 8, 2012, Norfolk State plays Ohio University in Athens. NSU has never faced either team, though West Virginia is coach Pete Adrian's alma mater. "In four years, to be able to play three Division I-A football teams is something I don't know any other school in the MEAC can match," Adrian said. "It's a good thing to mention when you're recruiting a young man."

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Let's Call It Like We See It

We're not impressed, especially after the Spartans got kicked to sleep 42-12 by a bottom feeder, 1-AA William and Mary, last Saturday. No chance of beating 1-A Rutgers, West Virginia or Ohio on their worst days. So, let's call it like we see it ---an easy paycheck game for the Spartans athletic budget and another over-matched, non-competitive football game that makes the MEAC look like a cupcake Division III league, like most of the SWAC.

Norfolk State, the MEAC does not need your help on deteriorating the conference image further--North Carolina A&T did an exceptional job in that department with 27 straight losses and Howard is working diligently towards replacing the Aggies and Savannah State as the #1 cupcake in 1-AA football. At least attempt to schedule a 1-A team that you can at least stick with for a half, before getting crushed by 50-60 points.

Getting shellacked 97-3 in two "practices" with Rutgers and Kentucky, and losing to W&M by five TDs would be enough for us to seek developing a new marketing plan for filling beautiful 30,000 seat Dick Price Stadium with one of your old CIAA rivalry opponents like Fayetteville State, to boost the coffers $325,000. We would even suggest scheduling Division II Tuskegee University (who will beat the socks off the Spartans) or 1-AA Tennessee State, Southern or Jackson State, teams that travel well that will pack out Price Stadium to see the Spartans get steamrolled by the road team.

With all of the infrastructure in place, why go build the other guys fan base and business community, and give them a guaranteed victory on a platter for a few hundred thousand dollars? Why leave your Stadium empty with only five home games and your local business community and employers losing another $6-$12 million dollars of fan revenues on NSU game day because the 1-A will never sign a home and home contract with you?

Please focus on renewal of your past rivalry games in the CIAA, as games with W&M, Virginia Military and ODU does nothing for your bottom line. Forget playing Virginia and Virginia Tech, as they don't need you and the guaranteed 60-70 point loss for a paycheck that you are pimping. Moreover, it is not worth the national humiliation for the conference and University to have the Spartans flashed on ESPN being cremated by 8-9 touchdowns by a second or third tier 1-A in a so-called "tune-up" game for the opponent.

No doubt, Spartans athletic director Marty Miller is fast becoming the Number One, 1-A scheduler (pimp) in the MEAC. We only wish greater efforts would be placed in the development and execution of sustainable marketing plans by MEAC and SWAC athletic directors to fill the coffers. Scheduling 1-A power conference teams for a pay-check is just a band-aid solution to the greater problems in the MEAC and SWAC. And that's how we see it!

(beepbeep)

Norfolk State's sparse scoring ranks last in league

NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk State offense has scored 13 points in its last six quarters. It's no surprise, then, to see the Spartans ranked last offensively in the MEAC, a statistic the team must improve in order to remain competitive in the conference. NSU meets Bethune-Cookman at 4 p.m. today in Daytona Beach. The Spartans won in Jacksonville when the teams played there in 1996 but haven't won in the past six games played in Daytona Beach.

UConn transfer QB Dennis Brown, #10 was a no show at William and Mary as the Spartans were embarrassed 42-12, by a CAA cellar dweller.

"We're looking to reduce a few things, simplify the offense," NSU coach Pete Adrian said. We don't need 60 plays and 10 formations." The Spartans faltered badly in a 42-12 loss at William and Mary because of five turnovers, drive-killing penalties and an inability to move the ball. NSU was 3 of 18 on third-down opportunities, and many of Dennis Brown's passes were either dropped, thrown too hard or tossed behind receivers.

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FAMU and Tennessee State supporters will bring up $30 million into Atlanta economy this weekend

Joey Walters said events like today’s Atlanta Football Classic may have a comparable economic impact and visitor estimates as smaller bowl games. Such comments may exemplify the spending power that fans from Historically Black Colleges have when it comes to classics. Walters is the director of the Florida Classic for Florida Citrus Sports in Orlando, a game where Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman supporters infuse up to $30 million in the Central Florida economy each November.

This weekend the 20th annual match-up between Florida A&M and Tennessee State is expected to bring $30 million into the Atlanta economy according to estimates from the Atlanta Sports Council. The SEC Championship Game and the Chick-fil-A bowl, by comparison, bring $25 and $30 million respectively into the Atlanta economy.

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Tennessee State seeks to end Atlanta Classic heartbreak

Florida A&M has won the last five games in rivalry

Tennessee State loves playing in the Georgia Dome every year. And because Atlanta is the school’s largest alumni base outside of Nashville, Saturday’s Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic has become like a Bowl game for Tigers fans. But there’s only so much heartbreak a team can take. When the classic kicks off at 4 p.m., the Tigers will be trying to break a six-game losing streak in the series that’s been unusually painful.

The Rattlers have won the last five by six points or fewer. In 2006, they won 25-22 in overtime following a Tigers’ fumble. Last year, FAMU overcame a 14-5 halftime deficit and held on 18-17 when Tennessee State missed a short field goal at the end. The Tigers say this year will be different. “These seniors have never beaten them and there’s a commitment to winning this game,” coach James Webster said. “Our faith is strong and we believe we will be victorious.”

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Tennessee State University vs. Jackson State University

TSU gives transfer opportunity to shine

Tennessee State University DB Anthony Levine #6 and Ozzie Harrell #3 closing in on EKU receiver.

Former Ohio St. player is Tigers' new defensive star

Tennessee State needed help in the secondary. Eugene Clifford needed a place to play. It was a match made in football heaven. The Tigers were looking for an impact player to replace All-American cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Who knew they would be able to find one so quickly? "As coaches, we knew what Eugene Clifford could do when he came here,'' TSU Coach James Webster said. "He was a five-star athlete coming out of Ohio. We knew he was going to be a dominant player for us and he was going to be an impact player."

Clifford, a safety who transferred from Ohio State, displays a hard-hitting physical style of play that is much different from the electrifying speed and quickness Rodgers-Cromartie provided. But the impact on the secondary has been the same. Opposing offenses would avoid Rodgers-Cromartie, seldom throwing the ball his way. Now it's Clifford who has their attention.

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FAMU will try to stay calm on big stage

Qier Hall could hardly believe what he'd done in the Georgia Dome. After all, he was just a freshman coping with the fascination of playing in a pro venue. He certainly wasn't expected to be the one making a play to change the momentum in Florida A&M's favor. But his 83-yard punt return turned out to be the touchdown by which his career as a cornerback at FAMU might well be defined.

Rivalry weekend: FAMU (2-1) vs. Tennessee State (4-0) at Atlanta Football Classic; view live (nation-wide) at 3:00 p.m. ET on "Versus Channel" on Cable, Dish Network or Direct TV. Photo: CB LeRoy Vann.

"It was unbelievable that a freshman could change the whole game around like I did," said Hall, whose touchdown last season put the Rattlers in position to win on a field goal over Tennessee State. "It felt good." That's the feeling every freshman who gets on the field Saturday wants to experience when they make their first appearance on the Atlanta Falcons' home field. But as much as the younger players want to shine, rookie mistakes are a concern going against an undefeated Tennessee State (4-0) team.

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MEAC Notebook: Taylor has Florida A&M rolling

Coach Joe Taylor of Florida A&M has his team playing very well and is 2-1 heading into Saturday's game against Tennessee State in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. Taylor, a former coach at Hampton, said that Tennessee State is very talented. "I think they have seven Division I transfers on offense and six on defense," Taylor said.

Taylor inherited a young team but said he doesn't like to talk about that aspect. "I usually don't talk about how young they are because I don't want to scare the hell out of them," Taylor said. Taylor has a chance to get his 200th career win on Saturday. "That just speaks to the fact that you've been around a lot of good people and outstanding young men," Taylor said.

Taylor also said that getting 200 wins also means: "I'm getting old."

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ASU 47, MVSU 7: Hornets gain 1st victory of season

Photo Galleries:

• ASU plays Miss Valley for homecoming
• ASU Hornet Walk
• ASU Pep Rally

After opening the season with three straight losses, the Alabama State football team needed something to go right. Enter Mississippi Valley State: the cure for every strug­gling football program. The Hornets (1-3, 1-0 in the SWAC) turned in their most dominating performance in years, as they breezed to their first win, 47-7, at Cramton Bowl.

"(The first three weeks have) been rough on us," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "We needed (this game) bad. We needed the good feelings. We needed the confidence. This was very good for us, very good for our offense." It was very bad for Valley. For three hours Thursday night, the Delta Devils provided a clin­ic on how not to play organized football. And ASU took full advan­tage.

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Homecoming Attendance: 7,783 (31.8%) at Cramton Bowl, Montgomery, AL (Capacity: 24,500).