Week 3 Score Card: Pretenders vs. Contenders

SWAC
Alabama State 18, Prairie View A&M 15
Grambling State 28, Jackson State 21
Alcorn State 27, Mississippi Valley 9
Texas Southern 32, Alabama A&M 9
Southern and Arkansas Pine Bluff (open date)


MEAC
South Carolina State 61, Benedict 20
Florida A&M 50, Howard 7
Bethune Cookman 42, Savannah State 7
Norfolk State 51, Virginia State 28
Hampton 35, North Carolina A&T 21
Appalachian State 44, North Carolina Central 16
North Dakota State 35, Morgan State 9

OVC
Austin Peay State 26, Tennessee State 23

CIAA
Winston Salem State 48, Chowan 7
Bowie State 55, Livingstone 6
Virginia Union 55, Lincoln (Pa.) 31
Elizabeth City State 38, Fayetteville State 26
Saint Augustine's 31, Saint Paul's 7
Catawba 32, Shaw 21
Brevard 25, Johnson C. Smith 21
Norfolk State 51, Virginia State 28

SIAC
Albany State (Ga.) 34, Tuskegee 6
Morehouse 41, Kentucky State 6
Fort Valley State 56, Stillman 2
Clark Atlanta 35, Miles 9
Tennessee Tech 43, Lane 0 (9/16/10)
South Carolina State 61, Benedict 20

Howard Bison tests new offense vs. FAMU Rattlers

When Brad Bernard was hired in the spring as the new offensive coordinator at Howard, it was no secret that the Bison's offense was about to undergo a major change — from spread to the triple option. Bernard spent 12 seasons at Bethune-Cookman where his offensive scheme was nicknamed the "Wyatt bone" for then-head coach Alvin Wyatt's passion for the once-popular offensive scheme. Now Bernard is indoctrinating Howard.

He will see today how well the offense is grasping the change when Howard meets Florida A&M. So far, Howard has been good in spots...

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WATCH GAME: 1:00 PM - http://www.famu.edu/famcast/

WSSU welcomes Chowan

Chowan, one of the newest football programs to join the CIAA, will make its Bowman Gray Stadium debut tonight to play unbeaten Winston-Salem State. It will be the first meeting between the teams, and Coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said that he doesn’t know much about the Hawks, who are 0-2 with road losses to Lenoir-Rhyne (59-10) and The Citadel (56-14).

“Offensively they were a passing team last year, and their quarterback was offensive player of the year in the conference,” Maynor said. “But he’s gone, and that’s not going to be easy to replace him.” That quarterback was C.J. Westler, who passed for 2,865 yards and 25 touchdowns last season before graduating. Finding a replacement has not been easy for Coach Tim Place, who is entering his third season.

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Tennessee State defense faces challenge against Austin Peay

Had Tennessee State's defense struggled in other games as much it did against Austin Peay last season, Rod Reed probably would not be coaching the Tigers today. Reed was the defensive coordinator when the Governors piled up 201 rushing yards and beat the Tigers 24-21. That's more yards on the ground than any other opponent has gained on TSU in the last 23 games.

Reed was elevated from defensive coordinator to head coach after James Webster resigned at the end of the season, but it wasn't based on his performance against Austin Peay. "They rushed for over 200 yards on us, so evidently I didn't figure out how to stop them," said Reed, whose defense led the OVC last year against the rush (119.9 yards). "Hopefully we'll come up with a little better scheme to get them stopped this year."

The challenge for TSU (1-1, 0-0 OVC) tonight at LP Field will be...

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WATCH ON ESPN3
6:00 P.M.
Austin Peay vs. Tennessee State

ECSU Vikings travel for 13th Down East Classic

Packing up a football team and traveling 100 miles to play a home game might seem like a pitfall of distractions, but for the Elizabeth City State Vikings, this weekend is a familiar process.

Today’s Down East Viking Football Classic in Rocky Mount has grown into a second homecoming of sorts for ECSU. The weekend is full of parties, banquets and a football game to cap everything off. This year’s game, the 13th year of the event, pits ECSU (1-1) against fellow Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association member Fayetteville State (1-1), although this does not count as a league game. With all that surrounds the game, the Vikings are somewhat insulated from it, according to coach Waverly Tillar.

Down East Classic game features two programs on the rise

When Elizabeth City State plays host to Fayetteville State in the 13th annual Down East Viking Football Classic at 4 p.m.today at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, the two teams will showcase more than an intrastate rivalry. Both the Vikings and the Broncos are Division II programs on the rise, especially visiting Fayetteville State, which finished last season seventh in the Super Regional 1 rankings.

“We’re coming along pretty good. We’ve been pretty consistent. We won the (CIAA) championship last year, and the past two years have been very...

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Norfolk State squares off against longtime foe Virginia State

It's not just a Labor Day weekend love. While tonight's meeting between old rivals Norfolk State and Virginia State isn't being played during the holiday weekend for the first time since 1991, NSU athletic director Marty Miller said it's the teams, not the calendar, that attract a crowd.

Norfolk State's DeAngelo Branche, the team's top offensive option, was looked at seriously by Virginia State. Two of the Trojans' primary producers - quarterback Jarred Battle and wide receiver Corey Young - are local products whom NSU inquired about, though neither felt heavily pursued.

"There's nothing personal about it," said Young, a Bayside High grad. "But maybe after I do play this game, and we get this win, they'll look back and see what could have been."

Appalachian State Moutaineers vs. NCCU Eagles

After taking over the #1 spot in the polls this week, Appalachian State University will take on North Carolina Central this Saturday at Kidd-Brewer Stadium.

This Saturday will also be Fan Appreciation Day at The Rock. Fans will have the opportunity to win several different items, as well as be chosen for seat upgrades and a chance to be out on the field when the Mountaineers run out of the tunnel in front of the screaming fans. Also, in honor of this day, the Mountaineers will be wearing their gold alternate Nike Pro Combat jerseys for the home crowd. These game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off next month.

ASU is coming off of a big win over the Jacksonville Dolphins last week. Quarterback DeAndre Presley set a record that even legendary quarterback Armanti Edwards had no match for. Presley became the first Mountaineer ever to account for 300 yards of total offense in three of his first four starts at the position.

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Bethune-Cookman vs. Savannah State

Bethune-Cookman vs. Savannah State, 4 p.m.

Consider the first game of the Brian Jenkins coaching era a success. The Wildcats (1-0) romped over NAIA Edward Waters 70-10. Bethune-Cookman tallied 635 total yards, including 239 passing. That's significant because Jenkins hopes to have more of a balanced attack than his predecessor, fired Alvin Wyatt. Wildcats QB Matt Johnson put up 281 yards of total offense, with two passing touchdowns and one rushing. Savannah State (0-2) opened the season with a 48-3 loss at Georgia Southern, then lost last week 41-10 to Fort Valley State.

SSU's offense searching for end zone

Before Savannah State University can think about beating Bethune-Cookman University today, the Tigers' offense must do something it has not done this season: score a touchdown.

SSU (0-2) has been outscored a combined 89-13 by Georgia Southern and Fort Valley State. The Tigers managed a field goal in a 48-3 loss to GSU. SSU mustered a field goal and an interception return for a touchdown in a 41-10 loss to Fort Valley State, an NCAA Division II team, last Saturday.

B-CU not taking Savannah St. lightly

Officially there is no preseason in college football. But the first two weeks are when teams often play above or below their own level. And either way, the goal is to work out the kinks for the conference matchups down the road.

While Savannah State will become a member of Bethune-Cookman's conference next season, today's game against the Tigers is just another exhibition. Not that the Wildcats are taking Savannah State lightly, they are just more worried about themselves than their opponent. B-CU thrashed its opening foe, Edward Waters, 70-10 two weeks ago, yet coach Brian Jenkins found much for his squad to improve on, such as preventing letdowns and cutting down penalties.

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Saturday's SWAC TV Schedule: Jackson State Tigers vs. Grambling State Tigers

Jackson State at Grambling State football game will be shown live on Saturday from Eddie Robinson Stadium in Grambling, Louisiana on SWAC TV. Fans will be able to view the game for free via the SWAC TV link from the SWAC website. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. with the pregame show at 3:45.

To view SWAC TV, click on www.swac.org and follow the link on the right side of the page, or use this direct link - http://www.swac.org/allaccess/

SATURDAY'S SWAC GAMES

Alabama A&M at Texas Southern, noon
Alabama State at Prairie View A&M, 3 p.m.
Alcorn State vs. Mississippi Valley State, 4 p.m. (Soldier Field, Chicago)
Jackson State at Grambling, 4 p.m.
SWAC TV: http://www.swac.org/allaccess/

ASU puts Undefeated Record on Line at Prairie View

MONTGOMERY, AL — After opening the season with consecutive home games, the Alabama State University Hornets will hit the road for the first time in 2010 with a 4 p.m. kickoff at reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, Prairie View A&M University.

The game will feature the top offense in the SWAC as the Hornets have scored 72 points over their first two games. The game also features the only two teams in the league that have picked up conference wins as Prairie View defeated Texas Southern in its first game of the year. ASU has picked up two conference victories with wins over Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

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PVU Marching Storm - Labor Day Classic 2010 from Sed Brass on Vimeo.

Recruiting rivalry shaping up between schools

The schools are a day away from becoming rivals on the football field. But are William and Mary and Old Dominion also beginning a heated recruiting battle for Hampton Roads talent? No more so, say officials at both universities, than any other in-state programs.

"From a recruiting standpoint, I really feel like it's us, William and Mary, Richmond and JMU, the four of us, all waving that CAA flag to the kids," ODU coach Bobby Wilder said. "I say that with all due respect to the two MEAC teams (Hampton and Norfolk State) that are in-state and the two Big South teams (Liberty and VMI) that are in-state. We're trying to wave that CAA flag, so we are competing for the same kids.

"Now, you get kids that are at different levels of interest in the school, kids who want a city school, or a liberal arts school, or a private school. But we've all waving the same flag."

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FAMU men's basketball faces 'Bama early in year

Obviously missing from the 2010-2011 schedule for the Florida A&M men's basketball team is its annual matchup with the University of Florida, but the Rattlers will still play an SEC team in the early portion of a top-heavy schedule.

FAMU will open its season at Alabama on Nov. 12 as the only SEC team on the slate, unlike last season when it faced the Tide and Gators. Coach Eugene Harris said he opted not to renew a contract with UF this season.

Before the end of the November, FAMU also has dates with Cincinnati and Dayton before facing mid-major programs Florida International and Air Force to round out the nonconference portion of its schedule.



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Wesley makes most of his chance with FVSU Wildcats

FORT VALLEY, GA — Denzel Wesley was late for practice Tuesday and stretched while the offense started its drills. But Wesley’s tardiness was more than acceptable. He had to finish a class, and it ended after football practice at Fort Valley State had started on this particular afternoon.

A year ago, it wasn’t a problem. Wesley’s grades weren’t good enough for him to suit up, and he had to watch. Now, he’s making the most of the new opportunity. “He has taken control of that position,” head coach and offensive coordinator Donald Pittman said. “He’s tough. He has speed and quickness. He can take it all the way at any moment.”

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Devin Dominguez thrives as QB; Former Harding standout stars for Alabama State

Perfection isn't in Devin Dominguez's future. The former Harding standout understands that even while not accepting it. “You strive for perfection and focus on being perfect,” he said. “Of course we know it's tough and that you'll never be truly perfect, but you might as well try.”

Dominguez tries these days as Alabama State's starting quarterback and the results, although imperfect, are impressive. He has led the Hornets to a 2-0 start and earned Southwestern Athletic Conference offensive player of the week honors.

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Speed sets Delaware State receiver apart

Delaware State University wide receivers coach Curt Thomas thinks highly of Hyattsville native and Northwestern High School graduate Larrone Moore.

In fact, Thomas said Moore holds a unique place among Hornets' players historically. "He flat out may be faster than any receiver that has come through Delaware State in the last 25 years," said Thomas, who recruited Moore out of high school. "He's probably the fastest ever. One thing you can't coach is flat-out speed. Sky's the limit for this kid. He can continue his career beyond Delaware State. Scouts have been watching him the last three seasons."

Moore has put his speed on display early...

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GSU Tigers will host Jackson State on Saturday

GRAMBLING, LA — Grambling is still feeling the physical effects of its season-opening loss to Louisiana Tech. GSU had an open date on Saturday, and it appears the bye came at the right time, even if it is still very early in the season.

"We needed it because physically we had some guys that were banged up quite a bit," coach Rod Broadway said. "I'd have preferred to continue playing, but if we would have played last week we would have been without a number of players so I guess it came at a good time."

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JSU's Johnson out for season

Jackson State defensive back Anthony Johnson will miss the rest of the season with an knee injury. Johnson suffered the injury in the first quarter of Saturday's game against Tennessee State. The Mississippi State transfer and former Provine star was considered to be the Tiger's first draft pick in almost five years.

Despite his injury JSU defeated Tennessee State behind the brilliant play of quarterback Casey Therriault who passed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns. The win was the first over TSU in seven years and it has Terriault the talk of the SWAC. "I mean as long as our team keeps...



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FAMU's Robinson to miss rest of season

Offensive tackle Steven Robinson will miss the rest of the season with the Florida A&M football team after undergoing surgery to repair a broken left ankle that he sustained in Saturday's win over Delaware State University.

The loss of the former Lincoln High School standout will create a bit of shifting of personnel on the line, but coach Joe Taylor said Monday that he didn't expect the unit to see any drop off in talent. Jarian Moreland, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound transfer from the University of Central Florida, will replace Robinson at left tackle, Taylor said.

Robinson went down early in the fourth quarter of FAMU's 17-14 victory over Delaware State University. FAMU also had to play the second half without running back Philip Sylvester, who twisted his right ankle.



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ECSU Vikings' Jenkins an All-America

When Malcolm Jenkins arrived at Elizabeth City State as a freshman, coaches threw him No. 71. He took that as a slight. Wearing an offensive lineman’s number was unfitting for a defensive end. Now a senior, Jenkins’ No. 92 is a number Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association quarterbacks fear most.

“They didn’t even expect me to play.” Jenkins recalled of his freshman season. “They probably wanted me on special teams or redshirt and sit out a year. I had this big jersey on, an O-lineman jersey. I took it as a sign of disrespect, like they think I’m not going do anything, so...

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Twice ineligible, Fluker-Berry happy to have a home at NSU

Before transitioning from defense to offense and back at Norfolk State, Dwight Fluker-Berry signed with North Carolina, played for Fork Union Military Academy, attended West Virginia and went home to Miami. Compared to traversing the East Coast, traipsing around a depth chart isn't much of an imposition. In his senior season, his third year as a Spartan, the 23-year-old safety is finally locked in.

"You go through some of those trials, when you get here, when you get through that, you just want to play football," defensive backs coach Marco Butler said. Through two games, Fluker-Berry is tied for fourth at NSU (1-1) in tackles with nine. He delivered the crucial play in a victory Saturday that opened the MEAC schedule, picking up a fumble and running 50 yards for a score.

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Valley, Alcorn taking rivalry to Windy City

Soldier Field in Chicago is the unlikely site of this year’s matchup between Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley State. The rivals clash on at 5 p.m. in the Windy City because the Delta Devils’ home, Rice-Totten Stadium, is under renovation and will be unavailable this season. Valley (0-2) has struggled through two games.

“Things have jolted me, but I’m not knocked off track,” Delta Devils coach Karl Morgan said. “I knew the limitations when I took the job.” Alcorn coach Ernest Collins doesn’t have a problem with playing in Chicago because the Braves (1-0) can attract recruits. “It will be great experience for the players to go out in an NFL stadium and play,” Collins said. “We’ve got a big alumni base in Chicago; it will be great for Chicago alums to see us play on their home turf.”

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Defenses zero in on A&T's running game

GREENSBORO, N.C. — What's wrong with Mike Mayhew? Why has the tailback who was last season's MEAC rookie of the year struggled to gain yards in A&T's first two games?

Mayhew is fine. But the arithmetic is certainly against him right now. When the Aggies (0-2, 0-1 MEAC) lost starting quarterback Lewis Kindle with a knee injury in an August practice, it did more than simply set back A&T's passing game.

Mayhew, who averaged 4.2 yards per carry and rushed for six touchdowns last year, became the focal point of opposing defenses. In losses to Winston-Salem State and Norfolk State, the Aggies routinely faced defenses crowding the line of scrimmage with eight — sometimes nine — players.

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Southern tries to regroup from defeat

First-year Southern head football coach Stump Mitchell has covered a wide range of emotions in just two weeks of the Jaguars' season. He experienced the thrill of a come-from-behind win in the season's first week against Delaware State. On Saturday, he got the opposite feeling as his team lost to NCAA Division II member Arkansas-Monticello at home.

"We had a bunch of mental mistakes in that ballgame," Mitchell said Monday. "It cost us. "It was the second week in a row we also had a special teams breakdown. We had a punt returned against us for a touchdown which put the defense in a bad position and we were inefficient in the red zone. We got down there a couple of times and were not able to score. As a result, we ended up losing that ballgame, 31-7."

State Roundup: Ark.-Monticello breezes past Southern

BATON ROUGE — Johnny Polite rushed for two touchdowns and Jywin Ceasar scored on a 94-yard punt return to help Arkansas-Monticello beat Southern University 31-7 on Saturday night. The Boll Weevils (1-1) jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on Polite's 2-yard rushing score, Ceasar's punt return for a touchdown and a 1-yard touchdown by Nakita Myles.

Scott Buisson led Arkansas-Monticello with 101 yards rushing on 13 carries. He also completed 9 of 15 passes for 164 yards. Polite finished with 37 yards rushing on 11 attempts.

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North Dakota State Football Hosts Morgan State in Home Opener

No. 23-ranked North Dakota State (1-1, 0-1 MVFC) is scheduled to host Morgan State (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, in the 2010 home opener in the Fargodome (18,700) ... The Bison lost 16-9 to 13/14th-ranked UNI on Sept. 11, while Morgan State lost 62-3 at Atlantic Coast Conference member Maryland ... NDSU is looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the Fargodome ... The last Bison win at home was against Wagner, 59-28, on Sept. 19, 2009 ... This will be NDSU’s 100th game in the Fargodome.

TICKETS: Tickets for North Dakota State home football games are available in advance at the Bison Sports Arena ticket office, online at GoBison.com/tickets, or toll free at (888) 231-NDSU.

AT HOME: North Dakota State has compiled a 224-34-3 record at home since 1964 ... The Bison are 79-20-0 in the Fargodome since moving from Dacotah Field in 1993 ... NDSU was 1-4 last season and are 30-9 at home since head coach Craig Bohl took over in 2003.

SERIES RECORD: This is the first meeting between North Dakota State and Morgan State, located in Baltimore, Md., and members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference ... It is NDSU’s first meeting with a member of the MEAC.

GoBISON.COM VIDEO/AUDIO/LIVE STATS: Follow on the Internet at GoBison.com with live streaming video, audio (Bison Radio Network) and live in-game statistics.

IN THE NCAA FCS STATISTICS: North Dakota State’s defense ranks 4th in scoring defense in the NCAA FCS at 9.5 points per game ... The Bison allowed 82 points in the first two games last season ... NDSU is also 6th in net punting, 8th in sacks, tied for 13th in turnover margin, 15th in punt returns and 24th in pass efficiency defense nationally ... Individually, John Prelvitz is 6th in punting, defensive end Coulter Boyer is tied for 14th in sacks, kicker Ryan Jastram is tied for 15th in field goals, and linebacker Matt Anderson and cornerback Freddie Banks are tied for 24th in interceptions.

SPECIAL TEAMS X-FACTOR: Senior punter John Prelvitz punted six times for an average of 45.5 yards and net of 43.7 per punt at UNI ... Prelvitz ranks 6th in NCAA FCS in punting at 44.71 avg. and the Bison are 6th in net punting at 40.50 ... He matched a career-high with eight punts for an average of 44.1 and net of 38.1 yards per kick (compared to 23 net per kick for Kansas) ... Against UNI, Prelvitz placed one inside the 20 (33 in career) and had two of 50+ yards (15 in career).



BISON QUICK-HITTERS: North Dakota State has six takeaways through the first two games compared to 12 overall in 2009 ... Update from Saturday’s UNI game, linebacker Matt Anderson forced the fumble in the second quarter that went out of the end zone for a touchback and free safety Daniel Eaves forced the fumble picked up by defensive end Coulter Boyer to set up the NDSU TD in the fourth quarter ... Boyer had a career-high five solos and six tackles overall ... He returned a fumble 26 yards to stop a UNI drive inside the red zone in the fourth quarter ... It was Boyer’s fourth career fumble recovery ... He is tied for 14th nationally in sacks ... Cornerback Freddie Banks recorded his first career interception late in the second quarter. ... Tight end Landon Smith made a career best three receptions for 47 yards at Northern Iowa (9-11-10) ... Quarterback Jose Mohler completed 20 of 35 passes for 247 yards -- all career-highs -- in the loss at nationally-ranked UNI (9-11-10) ... Mohler, who completed passes to nine different receivers, also rushed 16 yards for NDSU’s first touchdown of the season ... The -41 yards rushing (including 11 sacks for -77 yards) against UNI is the lowest figure since the Bison had 3 yards in a 20-14 loss to UC Davis during the 2005 season. ... North Dakota State was ranked No. 23 in both national polls released Sept. 13 ... On Sept. 6, the Bison made their first appearance in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Coaches Poll since Nov. 17, 2008, and The Sports Network/Fathead.com poll since Oct. 13, 2008 ... Wide receiver Titus Mack made a career-high four receptions for 46 yards against Kansas (9-4-09) ... The 6-3 win over Kansas was the lowest combined output since NDSU’s 9-0 loss at Southern Illinois (11-19-05), while the three points allowed were the lowest since a 45-0 shutout vs. Mississippi Valley State (10-14-09), and the six points scored is the lowest since a 37-6 loss at Cal Poly (10-8-05) ... The 59 points vs. Wagner in 2009 were the most scored by NDSU since 2006 when the Bison defeated Concordia-St. Paul 66-7 in the season opener ... Speaking of home openers, the Bison have won 11 straight dating back to 1998 when Emporia State defeated NDSU 23-21 ... With a 53-26 record, NDSU head coach Craig Bohl is No. 5 on the school’s all-time win list ... Bohl is one of four Bison coaches with 50 wins ... NDSU is 7-7 against nationally-ranked opponents over the past five seasons (2010: L UNI; 2009: L Southern Illinois, L UNI; 2008, L South Dakota State; L, Youngstown State, W Southern Illinois, L Western Illinois; L UNI; 2007: W, Cal Poly, W, Western Illinois, W, Sam Houston State, 2006: W, Georgia Southern, W, Cal Poly, W, South Dakota State) ... North Dakota State was ranked in the top five for 19 weeks (including eight weeks at No. 1) during the 2007-08 seasons ... The Bison were ranked in the top 10 for 21 weeks in a row and were in the top 25 for 41 weeks in a row ... The 48-45 shootout with Sam Houston State was the most points allowed since 2002 when the Bison lost 49-42 at Nebraska-Omaha.

Courtesy: NDSU Athletic Media Relations

A&M prepares for SWAC opener

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - The preseason is over for Alabama A&M. A run for a berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game starts at Texas Southern Saturday. Kickoff is noon.
It is the first of nine straight grueling conference games for the Bulldogs after league officials elected to go back to the nine-game schedule after playing only seven each of the last two years.

"We're going to take it one step at a time," A&M coach Anthony Jones said Sunday afternoon, a day after the Bulldogs whipped Central State 45-0 in the inaugural Louis Crews Classic to even their record at 1-1. "We're going to get ourselves ready for this long bus ride and get down there and deal with the heat and the adversity of playing on the road."

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