NSU Spartans romp Virginia State Trojans

Norfolk, VA - Senior running back DeAngelo Branche (Norfolk, Va.) rushed for 167 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to lead Norfolk State to its most points in five years in a 51-28 rout of Virginia State on Saturday night in the Spartan-Trojan Classic at Dick Price Stadium.

Quarterback Chris Walley (Tallahassee, Fla.) completed 17-of-22 passes for 237 yards and two scores for the Spartans (2-1), who piled up 505 yards of total offense en route to their fifth straight win over the Trojans (2-1). The five-game winning streak is NSU’s longest in the series, which dates to 1963. The 51 points recorded by NSU is the team’s most since ...

Branche puts legs to work as Spartans trample Trojans

NORFOLK, VA - The only labor came from the scoreboard operator. Behind running back DeAngelo Branche's career-high four touchdowns and quarterback Chris Walley's best effort yet, Norfolk State's offense barely broke a sweat. The Spartans were efficient throughout a 51-28 trouncing of Virginia State on Saturday, scoring on two of their first three offensive plays.

"I kept saying in the first quarter that we could do whatever we wanted to, run or pass," Norfolk State wide receiver Victor Hairston said.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

Smith leads FVSU to 56-2 rout over Stillman

FORT VALLEY, GA — Eugene Smith has waited a long time for his Fort Valley State debut. He was in school last year but didn’t play. And assorted paperwork and administrative issues kept him off the field for FVSU’s first three games. His debut was the kind one dreams of.

“It’s about time,” the 6-foot-3 quarterback said. “It’s been a long time. The strong right-hander had 167 yards worth of touchdown passes before halftime as FVSU rolled past Stillman 56-2 on Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium.

FVSU improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC while Stillman fell to 0-4 overall and in conference play. The Wildcats are off before hosting Benedict on Oct. 2 for homecoming.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VUU overcomes miscues to earn 55-31 win over Lincoln (Pa.)

Virginia Union first had to beat itself. After that, Lincoln went down easily as the Panthers claimed a victory in their home opener, 55-31 against the Lions. Quarterback Aris McGlone-English threw for five touchdowns and added another on the ground, finding a way to overcome an early stretch of penalties, miscues and even a punt where the team fielded only 10 players.

"We've just got to be smarter," coach Michael Bailey said. "Winning is good, but we need to learn to be more disciplined." Once they did, the Panthers showed that this year's edition is potent in the air, with McGlone-English finding his favorite target, Joseph Jean-Pierre, seven times for 80 yards and three TDs.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

VUU leader announces new scholarship funding

Virginia Union preview

B-CU does its job again; Savannah State fall 42-7

DAYTONA BEACH -- Preseason is over. And finally Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins was ready to admit it. Jenkins went into his first two games with the Wildcats building up his opponents. But after he built them up during the week, the 'Cats tore them down on game day.

Quarterback Matt Johnson passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more Saturday, as B-CU improved to 2-0 with a 42-7 win over Savannah State in front of 2,510 fans at Municipal Stadium. Johnson accounted for 277 of the Wildcats' 446 yards on offense in the rout, which came on the heels of a 70-10 demolition of Edward Waters two weeks ago.

Next week the competition will get decidedly tougher, as the 'Cats play host to Norfolk State in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener.



Tigers fall 42-7, remain winless

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Savannah State University's multitude of offensive problems seemed on the verge of becoming a thing of the past after the Tigers' opening drive Saturday against Bethune-Cookman University. It turned out that those problems would only get worse.

In addition to remaining winless by losing, 42-7, to the Wildcats, the Tigers absorbed a beating which went beyond the scoreboard.

Running back Justin Babb, who rushed for 125 yards and accounted for the offense's first touchdown all season, injured a hamstring in the third quarter attempting to recover a fumble and never returned to the game. Two starting linemen also needed to be helped off the Municipal Stadium field...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.


The Savannah State University Coastal Empire Sound Explosion works it out at the Drumline Battle of the Bands on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Savannah, Ga.

JSU Darkside defense anything but against G-men

GRAMBLING, LA. — Milton Patterson dropped his head and frowned as he walked into the locker room following Jackson State's 28-21 loss to Grambling State on Saturday night. JSU's starting inside linebacker didn't have an answer for all of those gaping holes in the run defense or for all of those missed tackles.

"Frustrated right now," he mumbled. "I can't even think about it."

Clearly, Patterson was still awestruck by it all - and that's before he saw the statistics. Jackson State allowed 379 rushing yards, the most by an opponent under coach Rick Comegy and defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes' five years at the school. A defense once dubbed the Darkside was anything but Saturday.

Defense bends for GSU, holds

GRAMBLING — Grambling State and Jackson State's matchup Saturday lived up to the all the hype of the SWAC rivals' sixth meeting in less than three calendar years. In the end, coach Rod Broadway's Tigers needed a little bit of everything junior defensive back David Stuckman had to offer to hang on for a thrilling 28-21 victory.

Jackson State junior quarterback Casey Therriault spotted Anthony Mayes breaking toward the left side of the end zone as he dropped back on fourth-and-2 from the Grambling 12-yard line with the clock winding down to less than 10 seconds.

Air Raid grounded

GRAMBLING, LA. — High-powered and having fun, quarterback Casey Therriault and Jackson State's Air Raid offense entered Saturday's game at Grambling State overflowing with a confidence that this program hadn't seen in nearly a decade. They left with bruises - the kind that'll take more than a night to fade away.

Behind a stiff rushing attack and a hard-hitting, ball-hawking, blitz-crazy defense, Grambling beat Jackson State 28-21 Saturday night, ending the team's euphoric start to the 2010 season with one pounding of a loss.

Grambling opens SWAC schedule

Grambling State head coach Rod Broadway wasn't pleased with the way his defense played early in the season opener against Louisiana Tech. However, the Tigers' defense stiffened after the opening quarter at Independence Stadium and has since had what must seem like an eternity to improve.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

Atlanta Football Classic weekend brings FAMU Rattlers, Tennessee State Tigers

The Atlanta Football Classic is expected to bring 60,000 visitors and a economic impact of $26 million, according to the Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau.



The Georgia Dome will host the Atlanta Football Classic on Sept. 25. Tennessee State will attempt to break its eight-year losing streak to Florida A&M, which has won 11 classics. Just as in the previous games, though, the classic will carry far more meaning than a football game.

"It's about an early come-together before Thanksgiving. It's a family reunion, part one," said Joe Bullard, voice of the Marching 100, Florida A&M's incomparable marching band. (If you're wondering, parts two and three take place at FAMU's homecoming and then at its final game of the year, according to Bullard.) It's a weekend of activities that include a health fair, job fair, college fair and parade.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Howard football stumbles to 50-7 loss to Florida A&M

It was hard to find much positive to take away from Howard's 50-7 loss to Florida A&M on Saturday afternoon at Greene Stadium. The Bison threw an interception, lost a fumble and had a punt blocked - and that was just in the first half. To make matters worse, all three of those miscues led to touchdowns for the Rattlers.

"We didn't play well, didn't play well in any phase - offensively, defensively, special teams," Howard Coach Carey Bailey said. "Was disastrous on all fronts. Was not a good day." Howard (0-3, 0-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) has now lost 10 in a row, dating to last season.



Page continues to grow from shooting incident »

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sept. 5, 2009. What a night it was for Florida A&M running back LaVante Page. The kid went out and rushed for over 100 yards and looked powerful doing it, too. About 30 minutes after he had a throng of media members looking for explanations of his explosive runs, Page was lying on the ground in a spot not far from the stadium where he lit up the night.

Page was the victim of a wanton shooting involving some teenagers who were later arrested. Page escaped with his life, but he'll live with the scar on his left arm where a stray bullet hit him. This year, Sept. 5 was much quieter for Page. A dubious anniversary came and went. Page didn't even remember to mark the day. No flashbacks, no nothing.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Next Game: Oct. 25, 4 p.m., Tennessee State - "Atlanta Football Classic" at Georgia Dome.
TV: Live at 4 p.m. on Versus Channel - Check local listings in your area at: TV Listings - Zap2it

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Rocker leads Florida A&M to 50-7 win over Howard
Florida A&M Takes Advantage of Howard Miscues, 50-7
Injuries have Rattlers' O-line stitched up »

Tuskegee, Alabama A&M to play in Mobile in 2011 and 2013

Tuskegee University has secured a contract with Alabama A&M to play at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in 2012 and 2014, and athletic director Alvin Jackson said he also wants to play in Mobile in 2011 and 2013. The Golden Tigers are eager to establish a presence in the Mobile area beginning with their game against Texas Southern a week from today at 1 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

"We're excited about bringing our program to the Mobile area," said Jackson. "We have the signed contracts with Alabama A&M and are currently in the process of finding an opponent for the 2011 and 2013 seasons. We fully intend to play here those seasons."

Florida A&M, Southern, Grambling and Jackson State are some of the programs named as possible opponents.

Next week's game was initially scheduled to be played in Los Angeles but was moved due to promotional problems. And Jackson made it clear that this game will in no way be similar to the now-defunct Gulf Coast Classic.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Note to Fans:

Just the 'beepbeep' thoughts on this matter...
The majority of RattlerNation has no interest in watching the Rattlers play Division II football teams. This is not an upgrade for FAMU's program. Clearly athletic director Alvin Jackson is trying to pump up interest in his ball game by name dropping the superior brand of Florida A&M University.

Don't hold your breath expecting FAMU to pass up a $600,000 money game with an FBC school, to play Tuskegee in Mobile. No disrespect to Tuskegee University or the City of Mobile, but FAMU is seeking an FCS National Championship, not an easy "W" that does not help the Rattlers FCS playoff opportunity.

Is this a sign that Tuskegee is considering moving up to Division I? I haven't heard anything on this subject officially... The Rattlers won the first NCAA D1-AA National Championship in 1978 after defeating the University of Massachusetts.

Jackson should consider "renting the Marching 100 for a command appearance" at an attractive price, plus expenses and he will get the butts in the seats that he desire in Mobile.

Alcorn State Braves hits right notes at Soldier Field‎

Braves set tone for 27-9 victory over Mississippi Valley State on special teams.

Chicago, IL - Alcorn State has proved in its first two games that while it's nice to have offense, it's really not necessary for getting in the end zone. The Braves used two early special teams touchdowns to set the pace in their 27-9 victory over Mississippi Valley State (0-3) in the Chicago Football Classic on Saturday at a musically boisterous Soldier Field.

"We saw some flaws in their punt protection and we tried to exploit it, and it ended up working out for us," Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins Jr. said. Saturday's performance came two weeks after Alcorn State (2-0) returned three turnovers for touchdowns in its season-opening victory over Langston. Mississippi Valley State punted on its first possession to Alcorn State receiver Edward Johnson, who returned it for a 70-yard touchdown. Johnson, who scored twice, was named the game's offensive MVP.





Alcorn State gets easy win over MVSU

CHICAGO — The Alcorn State defense had all the fun two weeks ago against Langston, scoring three touchdowns. So Saturday against Mississippi Valley State in the Chicago Football Classic, the Braves special teams decided they would get in on the action. Alcorn scored two special teams touchdowns in the first quarter to jump out to an early 14-0 lead and never looked back in a 27-9 victory over the Delta Devils.

Alcorn true freshman quarterback Brandon Bridge also had a great game, coming off the bench to throw for 127 yards and a touchdown and rush for another 67 yards.

Alcorn State beats MVSU at Soldier Field

Edward Johnson scored two touchdowns, including one on a 70-yard punt return, and Alcorn State defeated Mississippi Valley State 27-9. Gabriel Nash added 81 rushing yards and a TD, and the Braves (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) also scored on a blocked punt. The game was played at Soldier Field as part of the annual Chicago Football Classic.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

Kentucky State Thorobreds fall to Morehouse Maroon Tigers

Coming off a big win last week over Benedict, the Kentucky State football team missed their opportunity to start a winning steak on Saturday, falling 41-25 to Morehouse College at B.T Harvey Stadium. Although they racked up 389 yards to Morehouse’s 361, the Thorobreds couldn’t score when it mattered most against the Maroon Tigers, who entered the game 3-0 on the season.

Sophomore quarterback Byron Ingram led an explosive Morehouse passing attack, racking up three touchdowns in the first quarter. Junior Jamar Rodriguez and senior Robert Darby-McNair were on the receiving end of Ingram’s first quarter strikes. Sporting a 20-0 lead, Ingram struck again at the 5:22 mark in the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass to junior Derrick Hector.

MOREHOUSE'S 4-0 BEST START SINCE 1935

ATLANTA, GA – Byron Ingram threw for five touchdowns – three of them to Robert Darby-McNair – and Morehouse beat Kentucky State Thorobreds, to go to 4-0 and the best start to a season since 1935.

Ingram, a 6’-5” sophomore from Atlanta, tied the Morehouse single-game record of five touchdown passes, set by Jimmie Davis, also against Kentucky State, in 1987. In contrast to last week’s 49-6 win over Lane, which featured an overwhelming ground game, Saturday’s game showcased the Maroon Tigers’ aerial attack.

Four touchdown passes by Ingram gave Morehouse a comfortable lead, until a one-yard KSU rushing touchdown took the halftime score to 27-7. Ingram completed first-half touchdown passes to Jamar Rodriguez, for 41 yards, Derrick Hector, for four yards, and two to Darby-McNair, for 17 and 55 yards.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

South Carolina State Defeats Benedict 61-20

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Chris Massey and Asheton Jordan each rushed for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns as South Carolina State routed Benedict 61-20 on Saturday. Massey, a senior, had 20 carries for 148 yards and scored on runs of 11 and 2 yards while Jordan, a sophomore, had 14 carries for 126 yards and scored twice from 2 yards out.

Jordan came into the game averaging 103.3 yards.The Bulldogs (2-1) had their highest scoring total since beating Morgan State 65-15 in 2005. South Carolina State rolled up 415 yards total offense, 371 on the ground, before a record crowd of 13,334 in the HBCU Classic.

SC State thunders past Benedict Tigers, 61-20

COLUMBIA - For a brief moment, all of South Carolina State's worst fears manifested at once Saturday at a sold-out Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

A lethargic showing on the first two series offensively had the Bulldogs backed near their own end zone by Benedict College. The Tigers and fans among the record-13,334 in attendance were further electrified with 6:20 left in the first quarter when Marquez Gibson blocked Blake Erickson's punt and an on-the-spot Domenic Sivera retrieved it in the air at the six before heading for a touchdown. Add sweltering on-field temperatures which had some Bulldog players battling cramps and it was nervous time on the S.C. State sidelines.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Bulldogs' own 'Thunder and Lightning' lights the way in 61-20 win
South Carolina State rushes past Benedict 61-20
Massey, Jordan lead ground attack as South Carolina State takes 61-20 win over ...

Next Game: at Florida A&M Rattlers, Oct. 2.

Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands Cares...

The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands visited their director, Edward Graves, at his home on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Prof. Graves is recuperating from surgery, and the surprise visit brightened his day!

Late Field Goal Dooms PV Panthers In 18-15 Loss To Alabama State

A 47-yard field goal by Andrew Lyons with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter lifted Alabama State to an 18-15 road victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday evening at Blackshear Field.

Leading 12-7 early in the fourth quarter and about to receive another offensive possession, the Panthers gave Alabama State new life after a muffed punt by Prairie View’s Brandon Bell led to an ASU fumble recovery at the PV 23. Four plays later, ASU moved ahead 15-12 on quarterback Devin Dominguez’s 7-yard pass to Nick Andrews at the 10-minute mark. Both teams traded possessions throughout the quarter with the Panther defense making a big stand by stopping the Hornets on 4th-and-1 with 4:29 remaining.

Prairie View took advantage of the stop and managed to tie the game at 15-all on Brady Faggard’s 42-yard field goal attempt with 1:55 left on the clock. Alabama State responded on its ensuing drive and drove 50 yards to set up Lyons’ game-winning field goal.

GAME STATISTICS

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Fayetteville State fails to capitalize on early lead

Rocky Mount, N.C. - Fayetteville State was given every chance to put away Elizabeth City State during the first half of the Down East Viking Football Classic on Saturday at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. But as time continued to tick off the clock and a partisan Elizabeth City State crowd grew restless with some poor play by the Vikings early, hope emerged.

It came in the form of a defense that didn’t let things get out of hand, and when Elizabeth City State’s special teams caught a break, momentum followed in its favor. “We had a few stumbles and falls, but we picked it back up, and that’s what we needed to do,” Elizabeth City State wide receiver Dexter Manley said after his team rallied for a 38-26 victory in the 13th edition of the Classic.

Photo Gallery: Down East Viking Football Classic tailgating

Elizabeth City state rallies for Down East Viking Classic victory

With roughly a minute remaining in the first half, Fayetteville State had already watched its 13-point lead against Elizabeth City State shrink to three.

Albany State Golden Rams pay back Tuskegee in 34-6 romp

TUSKEGEE, Ala. -- One of the Albany State football team's biggest games of the season is now in its rear-view mirror. The Rams crushed SIAC rival Tuskegee on Saturday in Alabama, 34-6, to move to 3-0 on the season and in the SIAC, offically making the Rams the team to beat for this year's title. The win also avenged last season's 21-19 home loss in which the Tigers ended ASU's undefeated season and went on to win the SIAC title, while the Rams dropped three of their last four to end the season.

Stanley Jennings threw three TD passes -- two to Octavius Staton and one to Ronnie Childs -- and Robert Welton and LiRonnie Davis added rushing scores. The win was also significant because it ended Tuskegee's 24-game win streak at home dating back to 2004. The last team to beat the Tigers before that streak started? Albany State.

Take that, Tuskegee

TUSKEGEE, Ala. — There’s really no better way to describe Albany State’s dominating victory against Tuskegee on Saturday afternoon than to borrow from the song “All I Do is Win,” by D.J. Khaled, which the ASU band plays at the end of every halftime show performance.

ASU (3-0) didn’t do anything but win Saturday, jumping out to a 20-0 halftime lead and cruising to a 34-6 win against Tuskegee (2-1) that snapped the Tigers’ 24-game home win streak dating back to 2004 — not to mention Tuskegee’s eight-game win streak in the process.

“They have a great home-field advantage, but the streak started with us,” said head coach Mike White, referring to the fact Tuskegee’s last home loss came in 2004 to ASU. “We just needed to win and play well.” That they did.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

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...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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