NCCU Adds Seventh Home Football Game‎ to 2010 Gridiron Slate

NCCU Eagles Tim Shankle scored TD against Duke Blue Devils in historic 2009 Bull City Classic game. The 2010 slate will be even more exciting with Appalachian State, North Carolina A&T, Winston-Salem State, Hampton and newcomers - Georgia State and Old Dominion.

Durham, N.C. - The 2010 North Carolina Central University football schedule features seven home contests, including a Thursday night season-opener and the return of rival North Carolina A&T to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, along with four games against MEAC conference foes, as NCCU announced its updated gridiron slate on Saturday.

The seventh home contest has the Eagles hosting second year NCAA FCS Division I program, Old Dominion University Monarchs at 2 p.m., November 20. In what qualifies as one of the most successful season-ticket launches of a football team in NCAA history, the 2009 Monarchs sold over 14,859 season tickets and sold out each home game in Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium, which seats 19,782 for football. The Eagles will get a first-hand chance to see how the Monarchs travel to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. In 2011, Old Dominion will become a member of the Colonial Athletic Association for football.

The Monarchs were 9-2 in their inaugural season and is currently negotiating a buy-out with Presbyterian College in order to play the more competitive NCCU Eagles. Both winless Presbyterian and Georgetown University have been dropped from ODU 2010 schedule. Georgetown was replaced with an ODU road trip on October 30 to traditional MEAC power, Hampton University.

In each of the prior three seasons since moving to NCAA Division I competition, NCCU had only four home contests. This marks the first time in school history that NCCU hosts seven regular-season home games. The Eagles also have an entertaining road schedule, facing powerhouse Appalachian State at Boone, N.C., newcomer Georgia State in Atlanta's Georgia Dome, Delaware State and Savannah State.

The 2010 NCCU schedule also includes the continued series with rival Winston-Salem State, the first home contest against Hampton in 19 years, a game inside the Georgia Dome, and Bethune-Cookman's first visit to O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. "It's a very competitive schedule," said Mose Rison, entering his fourth season as head football coach at NCCU. "We play seven games on our campus, which is a big plus. Our kids enjoy playing in front of our student body and our fans.

"Without a question, this is a great home schedule, with the likes of Winston-Salem State, North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Old Dominion and Bethune-Cookman coming to Durham. Plus, the return of former CIAA opponent Johnson C. Smith and Edward Waters for Homecoming," Rison added. "We're excited." NCCU will become members of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) on July 1, 2010, but will not be eligible for the conference championship during the upcoming season.

No doubt, this will be an exciting season for Eagle fans and the MEAC.

2010 North Carolina Central University Eagles Football Schedule
Date Opponent

9/2 JOHNSON C. SMITH, DURHAM, N.C. 7:00 PM
9/11 WINSTON-SALEM STATE, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
9/18 at Appalachian State, Boone, N.C. TBA
9/25 NORTH CAROLINA A&T, DURHAM, N.C. 6:00 PM
10/9 HAMPTON, DURHAM, N.C. 4:00 PM
10/16 at Georgia State, Atlanta, GA TBA , Georgia Dome
10/23 BETHUNE-COOKMAN, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM
10/30 EDWARD WATERS, DURHAM, N.C. 2:00 PM, “Homecoming"
11/6 at Delaware State, Dover, Del. TBA
11/13 at Savannah State, Savannah, Ga. TBA
11/20 OLD DOMINION, DURHAM, N.C. 2 PM

Southern University women dominate in sprints

Friday night, as the first day of the 51st annual Davenport-Milburn Pelican Relays wound down, only a few dozen people filled the stands at A.W. Mumford Stadium. By Saturday morning, the west side of the stadium was almost full, packed with parents, coaches, fans and loads of high school, college and club teams who came for the second day, when the event picked up steam. Were anybody so inclined, he could have watched 11 hours of track and field.

One of the day’s highlights, however, came during college sprints, where the Southern women dominated a field that included Grambling, Mississippi Valley State and Southern-New Orleans. One day after sweeping the women’s 200-meter dash, the Lady Jaguars swept the 100 meters. Jazzmin Sims finished first with a time of 12.05 seconds, followed by Lambreche Odeh (12.29) — running in the 100 for the first time. Teammates Sierra Richard (12.59) and Kayante Parker (12.81) were third and fourth, respectively.

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Stump Mitchell Interviews with ESPN

LINK

Stump Mitchell with Moscona 4-7 PART 2

Stump Mitchell with Moscona 4-7 PART 1

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" returns to Savannah State

Savannah State University QB A.J. DeFilippis will share his opinion on the upcoming edition of ESPN "Outside the Lines" show that has not finalized a date for airing.

A crew from ESPN's investigative program "Outside the Lines" made a second visit to Savannah State University on Friday. The crew is working on a story about ex-football coach Robby Wells, who accused administrators of racism and lies in his Feb. 11 resignation letter.

The crew attended the Tigers' practice Friday morning. SSU interim head coach Julius Dixon, quarterback A.J. DeFilippis and defensive back Darren Hunter participated in on-camera interviews, SSU sports information director Opio Mashariki confirmed Saturday night. A crew from ESPN's "Outside the Lines" also visited SSU on March 23-24, and interviewed administrators and coaches about Wells.

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Backdrop:

Robert "Robby" Wells ended his first head coaching job with a 5-7 (2008) and 2-8 (2009) record at Savannah State University on February 11, 2010. Wells needs to put away the race card and move on. I didn't think much of Wells when he was hired -- as higher qualified African-American finalists were passed over, like Raymond Gross, Rubin Carter and Kent Schoolfield.

Raymond Gross (former Georgia Southern University All-American QB, won two 1-AA National Championships in 1989 and 1990; QB coach at B-CU for seven years under Alvin Wyatt; OC at Clark-Atlanta); Rubin Carter (former head football coach at Florida A&M University (16-17); current defensive line coach at University of New Mexico; had a storied career highlighted by 12 seasons (1975-86) as a defensive tackle with the Denver Broncos famed "Orange Crush" defense; played on five AFC West championship teams and two Super Bowls; noted recruiter; 21 years of Division I college and professional coaching experience; All-American DT from the University of Miami (Fla.)); and veteran coach Kent Schoolfield (current WR coach at Capital University (OH); former offensive coordinator at FAMU, NC A&T, James Madison during their 1-AA playoff runs; head coach at Fort Valley State (Ga.) with three NCAA Division II Playoff runs; WR coach at Florida State and Pittsburgh; also coached at Temple and New Mexico State). All had better resumes and proven collegiate coaching careers at the time of Robby Wells' selection.

Savannah State University current offensive coordinator Alan Hall left the Tigers program in March 2009, before Spring pratice for the same position at Winston-Salem State University, only to return to SSU after Coach Robby Wells was released on February 11, 2010. Hall, a member of the Miami Hurricanes' 1991 national championship team and a backup to Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Gino Torretta, said it was a tough decision to leave the Tigers program in 2009.

Wells, in his allegations, fail to mention that 13 players were ineligible to participate in 2010 Spring practice and 20 players either quit, are in jail or were dismissed from the team. Not to mention the fact that starting quarterback Kurvin Curry, a sophomore last season, was among those missing from Spring drills.

The Savannah Morning News recently reported that five Savannah State University football players were arrested on Feb. 4 and 10, 2010 respectively, and are currently in the Chatham County jail on charges stemming from a Feb. 4 attack on two fellow (non-football players) students, Carl Gee and Karl Arila, on campus.

Sophomore defensive backs Edward Ndem and Patrick Thomas, freshman defensive back Jevontae Jefferson, sophomore defensive lineman Juvaro Goodman and sophomore running back Rashard Russell all are charged with aggravated assault, a felony. All but Russell also are charged with aggravated battery. Their cases will go to a Chatham County grand jury, where prosecutors are expected to seek indictments within 90 days. Chatham County Recorder's Court Judge Tammy Stokes on March 2 denied bond for the five defendants, all recruits of Robby Wells.

Patrick Thomas, from Atlanta, was charged with battery and released on bond. Thomas was rearrested Feb. 7 on an aggravated assault charge. Jevontae Jefferson, a freshman cornerback from Mableton, is charged with battery. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Brent McCall is facing a felony charge of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute following his arrest on March 14, on campus. The 20 year old McCall also is charged with misdemeanor possession of a drug-related object for use. He was busted "during a routine room check on campus." McCall, a sophomore defensive back from Detroit, came to SSU from East Ridge High School in Clermont, Fla. He played in four games last season and three games in 2008.

Again, Wells resigned on February 11, 2010, while 33 of his players were either being arrested for drug selling, assault and/or battery, and flunking out--all under Robby Wells watch as head football coach. With a 2009 record of 2 and 8, he would have been locked out of the athletic facilities at any school serious about Division I FCS football and student graduation rates.

SSU became a "provisional" member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on March 13, 2010.

If anything is "outside the lines," its the players that Wells recruited to Savannah State that did not obey the rules, his meager Division I coaching experience, and the negative script he and his crew are writing in Tiger history.

It appears someone (head coach and 33 players) forgot about the student, in student-athlete.

Tennessee State's Calvin McNairl enjoys dual role as quarterback, wide receiver

Having already proved his ability to run and throw the football, Calvin McNairl is spending spring practice at Tennessee State proving he also can catch it. The Henry County product started at quarterback eight games in 2009 and led the Tigers in rushing (628 yards) and passing (78-of-147, 920 yards). The junior shared time with senior quarterback Dominic Grooms, which left McNairl on the sideline too often, Coach Rod Reed said.

TSU star Calvin McNairl get shot as dual threat receiver and quarterback in 2010.

When Reed, the former defensive coordinator, replaced James Webster in December as head coach, keeping McNairl on the field was high on his list of priorities. So he moved McNairl to wide receiver for spring drills and expects him to play there next season when he's not at quarterback. "You want your best athlete on the field and the more you can get the ball in his hands the better,'' Reed said. "We'll have a package for him at quarterback and work him in at wide receiver." McNairl (6-foot, 210) had hoped for a shot at receiver since he was a freshman even though he had never played it before.

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Defense shines in NCCU Maroon-Gray game

DURHAM, N.C. - North Carolina Central University Coach Mose Rison put his N.C. Central football team on display for the public in its annual Maroon & Gray game, and the defense probably won. But the big news of the day was the addition of another game for this fall. The Eagles have added an 11th game — and a seventh home game — on Nov. 20 against Old Dominion, a team that is in its second season of football. NCCU, which has gone 4-7 each of the past two seasons as it transitions into NCAA Division I, has never played seven home games in the same season. NCCU was one of the better teams on the schedule last season for the Monarchs (9-2), who won their first meeting in Norfolk 42-28. “This is huge for this football program,” Rison said. “Our kids really enjoy playing in front of our fans and we play well at home.”

Incumbent starting quarterback Michael Johnson completed six of 15 passes for 74 yards and led one touchdown drive, which ended in a 1-yard scoring plunge by Justin Campbell. “We were just starting to click toward the end of spring ball, so I wish it had gone on a little bit longer,” Johnson said. “Overall it was pretty good. I’m more comfortable coming to the line and seeing everything. Last year I knew my plays and what everyone had to do, but I had no clue what the defense was doing. Now my thought process is much better and I’m seeing the field way better.”

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UMES Lady Hawks Fall; Finish 5th in NCAA Bowling Championship

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J.—Some things just aren't meant to be. With a team that has no seniors, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) will try again next year to claim their second NCAA Championship. They bowed out early, falling to New Jersey City University 4-1, and finishing tied for fifth in the nation. "We always come in with the expectation of winning," said Sharon Brummell, UMES head coach. "I think we got a fresh start this morning after a rough day yesterday. We played well under pressure in our win over Vanderbilt but we made a lot of mistakes and I think the team that makes the least mistakes on this shot will be the winner."

Mistakes may be an understatement, the Lady Hawks (103-37) left 15 open frames in their five games against NJCU (78-45), 10 of which were splits. "We couldn't get Paula going," said Brummell of sophomore All-American Paula Vilas. "She is the key to our engine, she starts us up. She wanted it so bad but as the lead-off we need her to strike and we just couldn't get her, or anyone for that matter, adjusted to the pattern." The pattern, Brummell speaks of, is how the oil is laid on the lanes.

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DSU knocked out of NCAA Bowling Championships‎

NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- The Delaware State University bowling team was eliminated from the NCAA National Collegiate Women's Bowling Championship after suffering two losses in double-elimination play on Friday at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lane. No. 7-seeded Delaware State (98-36) exited the tournament after a four-games-to-two loss to No. 3 Vanderbilt in a Baker format match on Friday afternoon. The Hornets had earlier lost 4-0 to No. 2 Arkansas State in the morning.

In the Vanderbilt match, Delaware State had four open frames en route to a 170-147 loss. The Hornets bounced back to even the match at 1-1 after a 245-178 victory in Game 2. DSU opened the game with five strikes. After the Commodores won game three 241-183, Delaware State evened the contest at 2-2 after a 198-184 victory in game four. The Hornets had marks in each frame, including strikes in the seventh and eighth.

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AD search back on for FAMU

President James H. Ammons, Ph.D., Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

The search for an athletics director at Florida A&M is back to square one. FAMU President James Ammons said Thursday he has decided to extend the search by continuing to take applications for a permanent AD. Ammons also shot down reports that interim athletic director Mike Smith will be named the permanent replacement, although he said Smith could apply for the position.

Ammons' announcement during an interview with the Tallahassee Democrat came almost two months to the day in February when he told staff at an athletic department meeting that he'd have a decision within a week. He has since reconsidered but didn't make a statement until Thursday, when he said advertising for the position will resume.
"I want to make certain that we have reached all the talent for this position," Ammons said. "I just want to make sure I have a pool that is broad enough and rich enough to make this important decision."

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WSSU Rams' Davis thinking NBA Draft

Paul Davis, a 6-9 junior center at Winston-Salem State, has decided to put his name into the NBA Draft but has not hired an agent. Davis, who was named to the All-Independent second team last season, led the Rams in scoring at 10.9 points and rebounding at 7.8 a game. Davis, who was one of the Coach Bobby Collins' top recruits, was a three-year starter who shot a team-leading 58 percent from the field last season. Of his 129 made field goals, 42 of them were dunks. He also had 50 blocks last season and is the all-time leader in school history. Davis, from Clio, S.C., is hoping to get a chance to work out for NBA scouts in the next three weeks.

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SSU not rushing to hire AD, football coach‎

Savannah State University has not begun advertising for an athletics director or football head coach, and SSU Vice President for Administration Claud Flythe said there is no rush to do so. Bart Bellairs, who was paid $110,000 annually, resigned Nov. 23 as athletics director, a position he held for 18 months. Robby Wells, who was paid $90,000 annually, resigned Jan. 28 as football head coach, a position he held for two seasons.

"There is no deadline because, I'll be candid with you, I knew at the university I have two good people who can move us along," said Flythe, who oversees athletics. "There is no doubt in my mind." Flythe appointed Marilynn Suggs, SSU's assistant athletics director and senior woman administrator, to interim athletics director the day after Bellairs resigned to become athletics director at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La. Suggs appointed defensive coordinator, Julius Dixon interim head coach, the day Wells resigned.

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University of Houston Speaks with PVAMU Coach Cooper-Dyke‎

HOUSTON, TX - FOX 26 Sports has learned that University of Houston officials contacted Cynthia Cooper-Dyke, Prairie View A&M University women's basketball coach, as part of the process to find a new coach for the Cougars. College basketball sources told FOX 26 that UH officials conducted a preliminary interview with Cooper-Dyke on the phone. The sources said that the university has also spoken with other candidates in a similiar fashion and that UH is in the early stages of the process.

The Cougars' job opened when Joe Curl resigned because of health issues. Cooper-Dyke was announced on Monday as one of the newest members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is the highest individual honor that a player or coach can receive in the sport of basketball. As a player, Cooper-Dyke did it all leading the University of Southern California to a pair of national championships, winning Olympic gold and leading the Houston Comets to four consecutive WNBA championships. And as a coach, Cooper-Dyke is doing a sensational job at Prairie View A&M.

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Southern U preps for busy home sports weekend

A big athletic weekend is on tap on the bluff, as the Southern track and field, baseball, softball and tennis teams will all be in action. The 51st Annual Davenport/Milburn Pelican Relays will be held on Friday and Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium on Roscoe Moore Track. Friday events kick off at 4 p.m., and Saturdays events start at 9 a.m. Five collegiate women's and men's teams, along with 10 high school girls and boys track teams are set to participate in this annual event at Southern University. Cost for the event is $5 for adults, and children under 10 are free.

It is Throwback Weekend at Lee-Hines Field, as the Southern Jaguars will battle in-state rival Grambling State in a three-game series. Southern has hosted Grambling for its annual throwback weekend in every year but one, and the weekend has grown to include vendors, exhibits and visits from the likes of the legendary Negro Leaguer Buck O'Neil.

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Title is right up UMES Hawks' alley

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Coach Sharon Brummell holds the NCAA National Championship trophy earned by the 2008 Lady Hawk Bowling Team. The Lady Hawks are seeking another championship; however, they must get past 2010 MEAC Champion, Delaware State University Lady Hornets that are also in the NCAA Bowling Championship Tournament.

PRINCESS ANNE -- The top-ranked University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's bowling team is prepared to make another run at a national title this week. Starting today, in North Brunswick, N.J., the Hawks will make their seventh consecutive appearance at the seventh annual NCAA championship. The Hawks, who finished second to Vanderbilt in 2007 before winning a national title in 2008, are looking to recapture their winning ways after placing seventh in last year's championship.

"We've worked so hard at just doing well this year," UMES coach Sharon Brummell said. "We've had a good year, so were back in the tournament -- now the pressure is on us to do well here. Our main concern is making sure that we are still bowling on Saturday."

The tournament features eight teams (Arkansas State, Central Missouri, Delaware State, Fairleigh Dickinson, Nebraska, New Jersey City, Vanderbilt and UMES) squaring off in five-person regular team games to determine seeding. The teams then will be seeded for play Friday based on their win-loss record during qualifying. A double-elimination format then will determine which two teams are still alive Saturday to play for a national title, which will air live on ESPNU at 8:30 p.m.

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WSSU Rams exit MEAC with strong promise for return to CIAA

The Rams 2009-2010 basketball season will leave a lasting impression as Winston-Salem State exits Division I and the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference play. WSSU began with a 0-3 start in Eugene, Ore. at the BTI Tournament Tip-Off in mid-November, but bounced back winning two of their next three games at home. The Rams defeated Atlanta Christian 94-57 Nov. 20 and Milligan 85-59 Nov. 30. The 76-52 loss came from Atlantic Coast Conference powerhouse Wake Forest Nov. 24.

During the win over Atlanta Christian, the Rams recorded 12 scorers, five in double-digits, and three with double-doubles. By halftime, 10 of the 12 players to score had put points on the board. Junior Shelton Carter scored 17 points and snatched 10 rebounds. Junior Paul Davis added 13 points and 11 rebounds, as junior McIntoche Alcius tossed in 10 points and led the Rams in rebounds with 12. The contributions from the trio were the first time in five years that three WSSU players contributed a double-double. Senior Brian Fisher also added a personal mark to his collegiate resume earning his 1,000th point in the 37-point victory.

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Norfolk State Spartans 0, Norfolk Tides 6

Brandon Snyder collected four hits and seven Tides relievers held Norfolk State to two hits in a 6-0 win in front of 8,509 fans Tuesday night at Harbor Park. Snyder singled four times to pace Norfolk's 11-hit attack, while Josh Bell singled and added an RBI triple. Lou Montanez, Scott Moore and Miguel Abreu each added an RBI single for the Tides, while Joey Gathright added two stolen bases and a run scored. Seven Tides hurlers combined on the two-hit shutout, with Ross Wolf striking out the side in a perfect inning of work.

The contest was the first between the two teams and benefited the Norfolk State University baseball program. Brandon Hairston and James Taylor each singled for Norfolk State, who continue their MEAC schedule on Saturday with a doubleheader against Maryland Eastern Shore. The Tides open up their regular season on Thursday night against the defending International League Champion Durham Bulls, with first pitch slated for 7:15 pm.

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Absences giving coaches look at developing JSU Tigers

Jackson State has dealt with limited numbers this spring as the team goes through practices with many expected starters out due to injuries or grades. And you'd think that would be a concern for coaches like defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes, whose secondary has been without Anthony Johnson (toe), Jalil Johnson (academics), Qua Cox (academics) and Jeremy Keys (work obligations). The 15 NCAA-allowed drills are crucial to player development, but Hayes isn't stressed and sees an upside.

"I get the opportunity to see other guys play other positions that you wouldn't normally have them play," Hayes said. "Those (returnees) have played in game situations and they'll be here all summer. "It's those guys who haven't been in the thick of the battle - you don't know how they're going to react. Spring tells you if a guy's going to get gun-shy." There isn't much concern about Anthony Johnson, Jalil Johnson or Keys, who combined to play 25 games in 2009, but Cox saw action just once.

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Southern Jaguars salvage split with Texas Southern Tigers

Late in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader at Lee-Hines Field, Southern first baseman Frazier Hall disappeared into foul territory, jogging toward a small cranny between Texas Southern’s dugout and bullpen. Unaware teammates soon found him near the wall, doubled over, writhing in apparent pain. It seemed that the 83-degree temperature, grouped with humid air, a sunny sky and no wind, made for bad conditions in Hall’s stomach. He overheated and lost his breakfast. Undeterred, however, Hall declined to leave the game.

Contrary to a theory that floated through the stands, Hall wasn’t nauseated by the Jaguars’ play — even though they were fairly sloppy in a split with the Tigers, losing the first game 6-4 and winning the second game 9-3. In two games, they committed nine errors, stranded 13 runners and hit .258 as a team, showing lack of discipline in many at-bats.

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SSU sweeps NC Central in baseball‎

The Savannah State University baseball team pounded out 28 hits Saturday en route to sweeping a home doubleheader from winless North Carolina Central (0-25), 11-1 in eight innings, and 11-6 in seven. The Tigers (13-13) had 15 hits in Game 1, as right fielder Dexter Kelley was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, three runs scored and one double. Third baseman-shortstop Joseph McCrary was 4-for-4 with one RBI, one run and one double. Michael Allegretti (7 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 K) earned the win.

In Game 2, Kelley was 2-for-4 with three RBIs, and McCrary was 2-for-3 with three runs scored. Blake Lee was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs. Mark Sherrod (5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) was credited for the win.

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Commentary: Mississippi Valley coach must be scratching his head‎

MVSU head coach Karl Morgan: "I am very positive and optimistic about where we can take this program." Last Wednesday, four of Valley players, including the potential starting quarterback and a offensive lineman, were charged with the sale of marijuana on a school campus, arrested and expelled with 11 others.

Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. That old saying could easily apply to new Mississippi Valley State head football coach Karl Morgan although he says that's not the case at all. It's been a rough couple of first months since he was hired in January to replace Willie Totten. First, he didn't receive an overwhelming reception from the majority of Valley fans who wanted the school to hire MVSU alumnus Sam Washington, one of the five finalists for the job.

Second, Morgan was called out by some fans after not signing any players on National Signing Day after getting an extremely late start in the recruiting process. He was hired just three weeks before signing day. When Totten stepped down just a couple of weeks after the 2009 season, recruiting probably wasn't a priority for the assistant coaches who, knowing they weren't going to be retained by the new coach, were more worried about feeding their families than recruiting for another coach. So when Morgan came on board in mid-January, he probably had little to work with in recruiting.

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SU football coach Mitchell focused on players' grades

Wednesday night, as he drove through Baton Rouge from one errand to the next, Southern football coach Stump Mitchell discussed priorities for the offseason. Nearly three months have passed since he took over, and in that time, he hired a staff of assistants, evaluated the current roster, instituted a winter workout program, signed 34 recruits and navigated the Jaguars through 15 sessions of spring practice — most of which happened before sunrise.

Nearly four months stand between now and the start of preseason training camp. Still, Mitchell said his No. 1 priority — improving the players’ grades — hasn’t changed. “We’re settling in now as coaches, and we’re getting an opportunity to learn these young men. They’re learning us, too. I think that’s more important,” Mitchell said. “These guys understanding that they’re going to get an education first. We’re not going to allow them to just get by so we can win a football game. It doesn’t mean that much to me.” Of course, winning football games still means quite a bit to Mitchell, and for the players, it’s not all about exams and research papers.

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FAMU'S Green Team wins 27-0 in Orange and Green Game

Defensively, the Rattlers Green Team was led by linebacker Jerod Brisbon, who finished with five tackles (4 solos, 1 asst) and one tackle for a loss of four-yards. The former Hillsborough High standout was arrested (Booking No. 10007525) on February 14, 2010 in Tampa and charged with allegedly possessing less than 20 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest without violence. All three charges are misdemeanor offenses and Brisbon posted a $1,500 bond with the Hillsborough County Sheriff Office and was released. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Brisbon signed with FAMU last spring and despite coming in as a true freshman, earned a starting spot at linebacker by the end of the season.

TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida A&M University Football team held their Annual Orange and Green game on Saturday, April 3 at Bragg Memorial Stadium with the Green Team winning 27-0, over the Orange Team. Trevor Scott gave the green team a 3-0 lead as he connected on a 22-yard field goal with 4:21 to go in the first quarter. He would then connect on another 22-yard field goal to increase the Green’s team lead to 6-0 with 11:04 left in the second quarter. Anthony Shutt scored the Green’s team first touchdown of the game on a 46-yard interception return with 4:46 to go in the half, giving them a 13-0 lead.

Lavontae Page scored the Green’s team first offensive TD of the game on a two-yard run with 14:52 left in the fourth quarter, making the score 20-0 in favor of the Green Team. James Owens would score the Green’s team final TD on another two-yard run with 1:10 left in the contest for the 27-0 win. The Green team finished the game with 305 yards of total offense with 124 yards on ground and with 181 yards through the air.

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MVSU football coach sees progress in first scrimmage

Karl Morgan wasn't blown away by his team's performance, but he did see progress. "I saw some things to be excited about, but we still have a long way to go," said the new Mississippi Valley State head football coach after his team's first scrimmage of spring training Wednesday at Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena. "I thought our effort was decent. We're still a work in progress."

The Delta Devil offense ran 60 plays against the defense and struggled early with timing and pre-snap penalties. The offensive unit did, however, gather momentum late in the scrimmage and find the end zone a couple of times. "The offense came back at the end with a couple of drives and big plays," said Morgan, who was hired in January to replace Willie Totten, who stepped down following the 2009 season. "Our running backs ran harder as the scrimmage went on, but they did put the ball on the ground too many times. And I think our offensive line showed some progress."

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Mississippi Valley expels 15 arrested in sweep; includes four football players‎

Valley football coach Karl Morgan, who was hired in January, says football players Eddie Ivory (QB), Kyle Hurt (DE), Keldrick Hooks (DE) and Nicholas Dwayne Sherman (OL) were arrested and have been expelled from the University.

Mississippi Valley State University has expelled 15 students, including four football players, arrested in a drug sweep Wednesday morning. Sixteen people were arrested in a collaboration between several law enforcement agencies, including Valley police and the North Central Narcotics Task Force. Valley confirmed that 15 of those arrested were students. MVSU Police Chief Robert Sanders said he believes the bust nabbed a substantial amount of the drug activity on campus.

“We are continuing to put our officers out,” he said. “We are stepping up patrols and asking students, staff and faculty to be involved with reporting suspicious activity.” A six-week investigation culminated in 11 felony and five misdemeanor arrests by the narcotics task force. Commander Gordon Ward said about seven ounces of marijuana, $4,700 in cash and two vehicles were confiscated.

The arrests were made in dorm rooms, Sanders said. It was not clear if the expelled students had left the campus, but only two remained incarcerated as of this morning. “There is a policy in place that we do not tolerate any sort of drug activity on campus,” Sanders said. Ward said the task force had captured video evidence of the marijuana sales. The bust involved about 40 officers. The sweep involved the MVSU Police Department, Leflore County Sheriff’s Office, Greenwood Police Department, U.S. Marshals, Parchman K-9 Unit and the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

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SU Cador hopes fish tale helps spark Jaguars‎

Late Tuesday night, sometime after the Southern baseball team outlasted Nicholls State and returned from Houma, longtime coach and part-time motivational speaker Roger Cador found himself transfixed on a television nature show. It detailed the life cycle of the salmon — how they start in Alaskan rivers, swim downstream into the Pacific, grow into adults, then swim upstream to lay eggs in the same Alaskan river ... only to die a few weeks later.

Somehow, in Cador’s ever-expansive mind, he saw how the story applied to his own team, which heads into the meaty part of its Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule this month. The salmon and the Jaguars. Who knew they had anything in common? Southern (8-9, 5-1 Western Division) kicks off a three-game series against second-place Texas Southern (13-14, 4-2) with a doubleheader that begins at noon today, and two days before the first pitch, the Jaguars gathered around their 26th-year coach for story time. Cador spoke of the salmon — about how they adapt from freshwater to saltwater, about how they swim against raging rapids and sometimes even leap waterfalls, just to return to the place where they mate.

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