A&M's Kearse is a big hit with NFL scouts after early struggles

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - When Sonja Braxton brought her son, Alabama A&M defensive tackle Frank Kearse, to school four years ago, she took his house keys when she left.

Kearse told his mother he loved football and planned to go pro. He had escaped the traps back home in Savannah, Ga., [- his mom and dad both worked two jobs to make sure he had everything he needed-]  and Braxton didn't want anything to distract him from reaching his goal.

Bulldogs look to fix O-line problems

f Deaunte Mason has one goal Saturday night against Southern, it’s that he spends more time standing on his feet as opposed to laying on the grass at Louis Crews Stadium.

Last week, Mason, a quarterback at Alabama A&M, was sacked seven times — knocked down and hit even more times — during a 32-9 rout by Texas Southern. With his linemen unable to protect him and Mason jittery, the offense managed just 197 yards of total offense, including 69 in the second half. Breakdowns up front occurred on both blitzes and base defense packages, drawing the ire of ninth-year coach Anthony Jones, who vowed improved play.

SU’s Cushingberry iffy

Southern wide receiver Corey Cushingberry, who suffered a left shoulder injury two weeks ago in the Jaguars’ loss to Arkansas-Monticello, is “doubtful” for Saturday’s game at Alabama A&M, coach Stump Mitchell said.

Cushingberry, a fifth-year senior from Istrouma High and a sprinter on the SU track team, hurt his shoulder on the first play of the UAM game, a 30-yard kickoff return that ended with him landing underneath two tacklers.

Hollimon to start at QB for Southern

In a surprise turnaround, Southern football coach Stump Mitchell said at his weekly news conference Tuesday he plans to start Gary Hollimon at quarterback when the Jaguars open Southwestern Athletic Conference play in Normal, Ala., against Alabama A&M at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Hollimon, a senior from Gulfport, Miss., has been the team's starting tail-back this season. He moved into the position following preseason camp last year after beginning his career at the school as a quarterback. Sylvester Nzekwe, a sophomore, will start at tailback for the Jaguars.

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Howard Bison vs. Morgan State Bears

Howard vs. Morgan State
Where: New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J. When: 3:30 p.m.
Records: Bison 0-3, 0-2 MEAC; Bears 1-2, 0-0

NEW YORK URBAN LEAGUE CLASSIC
The 39th annual game benefits the Whitney M. Young Scholarship Fund and the educational programs of the New York Urban League. It will be the first college football game played at the new stadium.
NOT MUCH TO BRAG ABOUT
This matchup features two of the worst scoring teams and the worst defensive teams in the MEAC. Morgan State is averaging just 8.7 points per game, while Howard is averaging 11.7 points per game. The Bison are allowing 39.7 points per game, while the Bears are allowing 34.7 points per game.
ON THE RUN
Given its unstable quarterback situation...

A final look inside new Meadowlands Stadium before its Saturday opening with its first college football game -- Howard University Bison vs. Morgan State University Bears from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls vs. WSSU Rams Football Matchup Moved to Memorial Stadium

Saturday, October 2nd game moved to Memorial Stadium, at 6:00 p.m.

Charlotte, NC – The football contest between Johnson C. Smith University and Winston-Salem State University scheduled for Saturday, October 2nd at 6:00 pm originally set to be played at the Irwin Belk Complex has been relocated to the American Legion Memorial Stadium.

The game has been moved to accommodate the potentially larger than capacity seating at the Irwin Belk Complex. The stadium seats approximately 4,500 fans. The move will not be unfamiliar for the team; JCSU has played its homecoming football games in the past at the nearby Memorial Stadium.

“We just wanted to take safety precautions and be proactive, with a big rivalry game between these two institutions, and the success that Winston has had this season; it made economical sense to move the game to Memorial,” said JCSU Athletic Director, Stephen Joyner, Sr.

American Legion Memorial Stadium is a 21,000-capacity stadium located on 7th Street in the Elizabeth community of Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Albany State football players have a special lunch

ALBANY, GA (WALB) – Albany State University football players are known for their toughness, but on Friday they showed a softer side. Nearly a dozen players and coaches visited Albany's Palmyra nursing home for a cookout with the residents.

They enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers and some good fellowship. It was a chance for the players to give back to some loyal fans. Mike White, the Albany State Football coach said, "it definitely makes us feel good also to come over and do that."

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When America Thinks of Marching Bands...

Understated FAMU secondary leads with maturity 

Sometimes the Florida A&M football players who make up the secondary can't help but feel a little overlooked. It goes back to last season when quarterback Curtis Pulley was stealing headlines on a weekly basis.

This season, an injury to star running back Philip Sylvester has put sophomore Eddie Rocker into the conversation about who could be better. Meanwhile, the secondary is becoming the heart and soul of FAMU's defense without much fanfare.

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Understated FAMU secondary leads with maturity »
FAMU intends to stem O-line woes »
Special teams play big for FAMU »
FAMU coasts to easy win over Howard »
Page continues to grow from shooting incident »
Injuries have Rattlers' O-line stitched up »

B-CU/Norfolk State rivalry fades with Wyatt gone

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- When former Bethune-Cookman defensive coordinator Pete Adrian became head coach at Norfolk State in 2005, he took three other B-CU assistants with him and a rivalry was born.

Five years later, Brian Jenkins has replaced Alvin Wyatt as B-CU's coach and none of the Wildcats recruited by Adrian or his assistants are still with the team.

"The ties to them are gone," said B-CU quarterback Matt Johnson, a fifth-year senior. "The players who knew them are not here anymore, so it's just another game." As the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for the Wildcats, against a team that manhandled them last year, Saturday's game against the Spartans at Municipal Stadium is not quite just another game.

Pete's Ploys 3.0‎

This week's motivational tactic was by far the most entertaining, but also the most far-fetched.

Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian said he was listening to Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins recently -- I'm not sure if it was a media conference call, radio show or television program since I didn't hear it -- and Adrian decided to have a little fun with one of Jenkins' comments.

All of Jenkins' comments from below are Adrian's accounts, and I can't speak to the veracity of them, but it's not hard to imagine something similar occurring. Bethune has pumelled two rather inferior opponents, Savannah State and Edward Waters College. Jenkins, whose Wildcats beat Savannah State 42-7, allegedly said ...

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North Carolina Central Eagles host North Carolina A&T Aggies

Complete Game Notes            Ticket Information

THE GAME 
North Carolina A&T State Univ. “Aggies” vs. North Carolina Central Univ. “Eagles”

THE KICKOFF 
Saturday, September 25, 2010 – Kickoff at 6:00 p.m.

THE SITE 
O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity / Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.

2010 RECORDS 
North Carolina A&T (0-3); North Carolina Central (1-2 overall) 

MEDIA COVERAGE 
Audio: NCCU Sports Network - flagship station WRJD 1410 AM (Durham), WHNC 890 AM (Henderson), WELS 1010 AM (Kinston), WYRN 1480 AM (Louisburg), WCBQ 1340 AM (Oxford), WEED 1390 AM (Rocky Mount), WXKL 1290 AM (Sanford); NCCUEaglePride.com. Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Video: NCCUEaglePride.com features GameCentral by Stretch Internet ($8.95). Starts at 5:45 p.m. 

Alcorn ready to challenge in SWAC East

LORMAN, MS — It may only be the fourth week of the season, but when Alabama State heads into Jack Spinks Stadium to take on the Alcorn State Braves, SWAC East division title implications could be on the line.

Alabama State has a 3-0 record in the SWAC, including an 18-15 upset victory over Prairie View last week, while the Braves have a 1-0 conference mark following a 27-9 win over Mississippi Valley State. And if the Braves want to play in their first SWAC Championship Game, the Hornets might be the team that stands in their way.

“Regardless of what our records are early in the year, this is a big game,” Alcorn State head coach Earnest Collins said.

Bridge gives Alcorn dual threat at quarterback‎ 

 Don't berate Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins if he's coy about his quarterback plans for Saturday's key conference game against streaking Alabama State. It's a coaching thing. They all do it. Collins replaced starting quarterback Terrence Barnes with true freshman Brandon Bridge during Alcorn's win over Mississippi Valley State last week, sparking the Braves to the 27-9 victory.

That raises the question: Who will start Saturday? "We'll work that out in practice," Collins said earlier this week.

Bridge, a 6-foot-5, 195-pounder from Canada, ran and threw for a combined 250 yards. He threw a touchdown and ran for another after replacing Barnes in the second quarter. Bridge, who Collins says runs the 40-yard dash in less than 4.6 seconds, accounted for 150 yards more in three quarters than Barnes had in the first two games.

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New director aims to revitalize Gateway Classic

Although his father founded and ran the Gateway Classic Sports Foundation for 16 years, Rich Gray never yearned to succeed Earl Wilson Jr., whose goal was to fill the Edward Jones Dome once a year. In fact, Gray had every intention of retiring from corporate America before health issues forced Wilson to step down.

"He had talked to me about it previously, but our styles were a little different," Gray said. "So, it wasn't something I embraced."

When the time came to talk seriously, Gray budged and accepted. In a short time, he has served notice that all effort will be made to revitalize the Gateway Classic, an annual football game featuring teams from historically black colleges and universities.

Gateway Classic 

Clark Atlanta vs. University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff

When: 3 p.m. Saturday

Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

Featuring the Halftime Battle Of The Bands w/Special guest performance by Bradd Young

Tickets: Edward Jones Dome box office

More info & events: gatewayclassic.org

A 'Classic' homecoming, Jamaal Phillips comes home for Gateway Classic

St. Louis native Jamaal Phillips is coming home to play in the 2010 St. Louis Gateway Classic football game this Saturday, September 25 at the Edward Jones Dome at 3 p.m.

Phillips, a Hazelwood East High School graduate, plays offensive line for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions. They face the Clark Atlanta Panthers in this year’s showdown between historically black universities. “I get to play in front of hometown fans. I have a lot of family and friends coming out to support me,” said Phillips. One important source of support will come from the Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club.

In 2008, Phillips was Youth of the Year for Herbert Hoover, as well as youth clubs in the State of Missouri and the Midwest region. He got a chance to travel and compete nationally for Youth of the Year honors and network with individuals from boys and girls clubs around the nation.

Comanches in the Classic

For Thomas Winters Jr. and Terron Armstead, it will be a dream comes true this weekend. The former Cahokia High standouts are coming home to perform in front of family members, friends, former teammates and coaches in this Saturday’s 17th Annual Gateway Classic Football Game.

Winters and Armstead play for the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which takes on Clark Atlantic University in this year’s Classic at the Edward Jones Dome. Kick- off is set for 4 p.m.

Both young men were stellar student–athletes for Cahokia on some of the school’s best football teams ever. Together, they helped lead Cahokia to a few South Seven Conference titles as well as four consecutive playoff appearances. In addition, Armstead was one of the best field event athletes in track and field on some great Comanche teams that won state championships.

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TSU safety keeps piling up tackles

Even though safety Eugene Clifford is Tennessee State's leading tackler, that doesn't mean opposing ball carriers are making it to the last line of defense, Coach Rod Reed said.

"That doesn't bother me because the coverages we've been running put safeties down in the box, up close to the line," Reed said. "Tackling is what his job is. A lot of the linebackers' responsibility on runs is to clog up the middle and spill to the safeties."

The scheme has worked against the run as TSU (1-2) is first in the OVC and 21st in the Football Championship Series, allowing 110.0 yards per game. The Tigers play Florida A&M (2-1) on Saturday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The Rattlers have depended heavily upon the running back tandem of senior Philip Sylvester and sophomore Eddie Rocker. TSU held Sylvester and Rocker to a combined 61 rushing yards in FAMU's 31-12 win last year, and Clifford recorded six tackles.

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QB has triggered fast starts for NSU's offense

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley's career has started just as the Spartans hoped. His starts to each game, though, have been far better than anticipated.

Walley, a transfer from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and the winner of a three-way quarterback competition in the preseason, has three straight torrid starts. He completed four of his first five passes against Rutgers, eight of his first 10 against North Carolina A&T and 11 of his first 13 against Virginia State.

Heading into Saturday's game at Bethune-Cookman, the Spartans have played their best in the first half, outscoring opponents 47-20. The transfer credits scouting for the early success.


B-CU's schedule getting tougher

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- It's hard to imagine a more favorable scheduling scenario for a first-year head coach and a team learning an entirely new system.

Preseason drills and practice were followed by a season-opener that, for all intents and purposes, was a glorified scrimmage against a totally overmatched opponent -- Edward Waters College, which fell 70-10. After that came a rare second-week bye, allowing for an extra week of preparations leading up to Game 2, against Savannah State, which offered a small step up in competition yet still resulted in a lopsided victory, 42-7.

After Saturday's decisive win over Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins assessed how his team currently looks, compared to what he was hoping to see at this early stage. Since football coaches are never completely satisfied, the answer was fairly predictable.

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ASU kickoff moved to 4 pm in battle of unbeatens this Saturday

Alabama State University's showdown with Alcorn State University will be moved to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Jack Sprinks Stadium in Lorman, Miss. The two unbeaten teams were originally scheduled to play at 2 p.m., but the time has changed due to anticipated mid-day heat. The teams are the only remaining that are unbeaten in the SWAC.



Hornets swarming

Monday morning, just two days after Reggie Barlow’s Alabama State team notched a landmark victory at Prairie View, the Hornets’ fourth-year coach didn’t gloat. Instead, he apologized.

Alabama State dumped the reigning champions of Southwestern Athletic Conference with a game-winning field goal in a hard-fought 18-15 win — and upon further review, Barlow said, his players might have taken their celebration a little too far. Barlow made it clear he didn’t intend to show up Prairie View or its coaching staff.

ASU's Lyons named Special Teams Player of Week

MONTGOMERY, AL — Andrew Lyons, place kicker for Alabama State University, has been named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Special Teams Player of the Week. Lyons, a junior from Panama City, Fla., hit a game-winning 47-yard field goal with 23 seconds left to give ASU an 18-15 win at Prairie View A&M over the weekend. Lyons also connected on his only extra-point attempt.

The 47-yard field goal was Lyons career-long and was his fourth field goal of the season. He leads the team in points with 20 as he has also hit all eight of his extra point attempts.

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A&M investigates Thomas' eligibility

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M conducted an internal investigation late last week on the eligibility of wide receiver Demetrius Thomas, The Times has learned.

Thomas, a transfer from Marshall, apparently spent four or five days at Texas Southern, sources said, before coming to A&M last month. A&M coach Anthony Jones said he couldn't comment on the matter Sunday and Monday. Sources say Thomas is the reason Jones and Texas Southern coach Johnnie Cole got in a heated exchange after the Tigers whipped the Bulldogs 32-9 on Saturday. Sources also say Jones and Cole reached a mutual agreement that Thomas, a 6-0, 170-pound redshirt sophomore from Mobile, wouldn't play Saturday. Thomas didn't make the trip with the team and wasn't made available to the media on Monday during Jones' weekly press conference. He also didn't practice Tuesday.

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Alabama A&M University Bulldogs Fight Song

STAND UP AND CHEER
CHEER LOUD AND LONG FOR DEAR OLD NORMAL
FOR TODAY WE RAISE
THE MAROON ABOVE ALL OTHERS

OUR NOBLE TEAM IS NOW FIGHTING
IS FIGHTING TO HARD TO WIN THE FRAY
WE'VE GOT TO WIN! WE'RE SURE TO WIN!
FOR THIS IS DEAR OLD NORMAL'S DAY

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

Fayetteville State expects big group of WSSU fans

Fayetteville State will have a web broadcast of the game at http://www.fsubroncos.com./

Winston-Salem State football fans have a reputation for traveling well, and they’ll have the chance to uphold that tradition Saturday, when undefeated WSSU plays at Fayetteville State, the defending CIAA champion. The game, at 6 p.m. at Luther “Nick’ Jeralds Stadium, will be the Rams’ biggest since they last played in the CIAA in 2005.

Antoinette Fairley, Fayetteville State’s ticket manager, said she’s prepared and that she already has sent 100 tickets to WSSU. “And if need be, we can overnight some more to them,” she said. “We’ve been getting a lot of calls already, so we are expecting a pretty big crowd for this one.”

Fairley said that the stadium seats about 6,200, and she’s expecting a favorable forecast to drive game-day ticket sales.

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Blount's Harris leads Tuskegee into Mobile

Joshua Harris has always dreamed of owning something. He graduated in May from Tuskegee University with a 3.2 GPA and degrees in business administration and management science, and hopes to own a franchise one day. For now, the 6-1, 224-pound quarterback has owned opposing defenses as a starter for the Golden Tigers.

After replacing injured Jeremy Williams over the last four games last season, Harris has thrown for 1,543 yards, 4 touchdowns and 7 interceptions as a starter.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., the Blount High graduate will return to familiar territory when Tuskegee (2-1) travels to Mobile to battle Texas Southern (1-2) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

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A&M investigates Thomas' eligibility

Colleges quietly charge millions in fees to support athletics

Linda Randall says her daughter, Randi-Lyn, a student at Radford University in southwestern Virginia, is not a "die-hard" follower of the Highlanders sports teams.

Even so, by the time Randi-Lyn graduates in 2012, her parents probably will have paid an average of nearly $1,000 a year in fees to the school's athletics department. They just didn't know it from the school's billing statements or website.

"We're looking at five years because she changed majors. That's $5,000," Randall says. "That's one of her loans. That would have paid rent off-campus for a year. It's kind of disheartening. I don't think I'd have as much of a problem with it if I knew I was paying it. With what we're paying, it doesn't seem right."

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NOTE: Tennessee State University student athletic fee of $224 generates $1.95M of the Tigers $8.62M 2010/11 athletic budget. TSU is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and has the second lowest student athletic fee of nine Division I public school programs in Tennessee.

RELATED

• Chart: Analyzing the percentage of tuition that goes to athletics
• PDF: 2010-11 Athletic spending in Tennessee

Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands performance at Tennessee Titans vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game on 9/18/2010.

Losing is no longer routine for resurgent Prairie View A&M‎

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – There was a time in the not-so-distant past when handling defeat was like rolling out of bed to the Prairie View A&M football team. It was routine, rote, all too regular. Holders of the NCAA record for consecutive losses at a mind-boggling 80 from 1989 to '98, the Panthers did not post a winning season from 1977 through 2006.

Yet there was nothing been-there, done-that about their latest loss. A last-minute 47-yard field goal by Alabama State resulted in an 18-15 defeat Saturday in front of a shocked crowd at Blackshear Stadium. Walking off the field with a 15-game Southwestern Athletic Conference winning streak in tatters, players sank into an abyss of remorse and pain.

"This is awful," said senior receiver Shaun Stephens. "We just don't do this." Not anymore, anyway.

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Next Game: Saturday: 6:00 p.m., Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic - PVAMU Panthers vs. Grambling State Tigers, Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX
TV: ESPNU (delayed broadcast)

Albany State Rams rack up awards, land at No. 16 in poll

ALBANY, GA — The Golden Rams are living up to their name these days, and they have the gold to prove it. The Albany State football team racked up some more awards this week, as the SIAC announced Monday that multiple Rams earned honors for their performance in a 34-6 win against Tuskegee Saturday.

Quarterback Stanley Jennings earned Newcomer of the Week after he completed 9 of 15 passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 83 yards. Starting center Michael Mavromichalis was also honored, earning Co-Offensive Linemen of the Week with Fort Valley State’s Bobby Young. “Big Mike” and the Rams didn’t allow a sack against the Tigers as the Albany State offense racked up 362 total yards on offense.

FAMU Football Sending a Message to the MEAC

FAMU's 50-7 win Saturday afternoon did more than improve the Rattlers conference record to (2-0), it sent a message to the rest of the MEAC.  FAMU sophomore defensive tackle Padric Scott says,"This early on in the season to come out with a victory 50-7, that definitely speaks volumes. Not only did we score on special teams, offense, and then defense as well. You start scoring on all phases you get excited to what's to come, but you still have to be humble."

Even with Senior Running Back Philip Sylvester sidelined from an ankle injury, the Rattlers gained 209 yards on the ground and rushed for four touchdowns.

Special teams play big for FAMU

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor opted to try for fourth-down conversions twice during Saturday's 50-7 victory over Howard. But if he had any concerns about his special teams units, they appeared to be answered.  Kicker Trevor Scott hit a 47-yard field goal on his only attempt of the game to account for three of the 14 points scored by the special teams unit. Also included were five points on PATs and a touchdown off a blocked punt.

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Winston Salem State Rams will have experienced team for 2010-'11

Rivals N.C. Central, N.C. A&T not on this season's schedule

Bobby Collins, the men’s basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, found it tough to schedule nonconference opponents for the coming season, but there’s a reason.

The Rams will have a front line that measures 6-10, 6-11 and 6-8 and most likely will also have five senior starters. Not many Division II programs can match the height.

“It was very tough finding games, and we didn’t have many choices,” said Collins, whose team will play a full Division II schedule after four seasons of playing mostly Division I opponents. “We tried to get some Division I programs to play us, but it just didn’t work out.”

HOMECOMING: Rams will have extra motivation

Winston-Salem State will play a key CIAA game at Fayetteville State on Saturday, and three WSSU coaches will focus on what lies ahead, not their pasts.

Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU, assistant head coach John Eder and assistant Duane Taylor will be returning to Luther “Nick” Geralds Stadium, where they helped build Fayetteville State into one of the CIAA’s best programs.

Taylor will be making his first trip back since graduating in 2005 after starring at quarterback, leading the Broncos to CIAA titles in 2002 and 2003 and setting more than 25 school records.

Rams Dismantle Hawks; Winston-Salem State Defeats Chowan 48-7

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Nothing went right for the Hawks of Chowan University on Saturday evening at Bowman Gray Stadium as the Rams of Winston-Salem State rolled up 499 yards of total offense and put 48 points on the scoreboard to defeat Chowan 48-7 at Bowman Gray Stadium as WSSU improved to 4-0 in 2010.

The Hawks started the game with a five-yard delay of game penalty before the opening kickoff and it would only get worse for visiting Chowan as WSSU would need less than five minutes to jump out to a 14-0 advantage.

Tehvyn Brantley got the Rams on the board only 1:09 into the contest as he reeled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Kameron Smith to give WSSU a 7-0 lead as the true freshman wide receiver scored his fourth touchdown of the year.

Rams rout hapless Hawks

Winston-Salem State made it look easy against undersized and overmatched Chowan last night at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Rams rolled to a 48-7 win to remain unbeaten. The Rams (4-0, 2-0 CIAA) rolled up 499 yards of offense on their way to their most lopsided victory of the season. It was also their widest winning margin since a 47-0 victory over N.C. Central in 2003.

Running back Nic Cooper did much of the damage, with 11 carries for 149 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. The offensive line established itself early and Cooper took advantage with his best run, a 74-yard touchdown burst right up the middle in the second half.

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SIAC Football moves to Divisional Alignment and will play Inaugural Championship Game in 2011

Atlanta, GA — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is proud to announce that football will move to divisional play starting in 2011. The 10 football-playing members will be aligned into two five-team divisions—East and West.

As a result, the SIAC will also play its inaugural championship football game in 2011. The game will be played November 12, 2011 at a location yet to be determined.

“Moving to an East-West divisional format will not only provide our teams with an opportunity to compete for divisional championships, but also allow the SIAC to determine its conference champion by playing the first ever SIAC Championship Football Game, which we are very excited about,” says Commissioner Greg Moore.

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A&M's Jones, Texas Southern's Cole exchange words

HOUSTON, TX - Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones and Texas Southern coach Johnnie Cole exchanged words after the game was over and had to be separated. Jones said Cole said something to him and everything became chaotic.

"He said I was disrespecting him and his program," Jones said. "When I asked him for an explanation, one of his guys starting pushing me. I didn't throw a punch. I didn't try to throw a punch. I asked Johnnie what he was talking about and I told him he was being disrespectful.

"He ran off and the guy pushed me and (A&M sports information director) Brandon (Willis). Johnnie came back and I told him we could talk and people started grabbing me."

Alabama A&M, Butler High collaborate on The Hill Project - Class ...

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Madison County District Judge Lynn Sherrod knows what happens too often to high-school dropouts. They show up in her courtroom.

"There's a direct correlation between school performance and delinquent behavior," said Sherrod, who tries juvenile court cases. In the prison population, "an overwhelming percentage did not graduate from high school," she said.

With that in mind, Sherrod spearheaded a recent trip to Alabama A&M University for freshmen at Butler High School. About half the class of 180 spent the day attending workshops on decision making and preparing for college as well as touring the campus.

Offensive outburst fuels TSU past Alabama A&M

Texas Southern stumbled like a punch-drunk boxer for three quarters against Alabama A&M on Saturday, landing only occasional jabs. The Tigers, however, had plenty left in the tank to deliver the knockout blow in the final period.

With an aggressive defense leading the way, TSU forced two turnovers and broke open a close game with 20 points in the fourth quarter to sprint past the Bulldogs 32-9 before 6,347 at Delmar Stadium.

Bowie State hoops loads up on Baltimore talent

Darrell Brooks got off to a good start as Bowie State’s men’s basketball coach in his first year back at his alma mater.

The longtime George Washington assistant guided the Bulldogs to a 16-10 record last season. This year, he’ll attempt to better that mark with the help of a few former Baltimore City high school stars.

Brooks has added four Baltimore natives to the Bulldogs’ roster for the 2010-11 season: Trawn Rogers, a 6-foot-8, 185-pound forward from St. Frances, Byron Westmoreland, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound shooting guard from Mervo, Julian Harrell, a 6-foot point guard from Good Counsel, and Tyrone Lawson, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward from Northwestern.

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Hampton Pirates Get Past North Carolina A&T Aggies

HAMPTON, VA – Coming into Saturday’s football game here at Armstrong Stadium, the Hampton University Pirates had not lost a season-opener since 2003. Behind the arm and legs of quarterback David Legree and running back Antwon Chisholm, the Pirates improved upon that streak after a 35-21 victory over the Aggies of North Carolina A&T.

Hampton improved to 2-1 on the season and a more important 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while the Aggies dropped to 0-3 on the year and 0-2 in MEAC play.

The Pirates opened the game slowly as they would score just once in the first half on a 34-yard pass from Legree to Donte Davis for the first score of the game. The Aggies were not going to be outdone on the ensuing kick-off as Justin Ferrell retuned the kickoff 85 yards to tie the game at 7-7.



Legree's four TD passes lead Hampton past NC A&T 35-21‎

Hampton, VA - The scores came often as North Carolina A&T paid a visit to Armstrong Stadium on Saturday night. As the Aggies faced Hampton, two long-time college football rivals renewed a tradition. The Aggies and Hampton's Pirates have played for many years and are both members of MEAC. The contest turned into a scoring parade, with the Pirates winning, 35-21.

After a scoreless first quarter, the teams found the end zone.The scoring came within just a few seconds in the second period. Hampton's Donte Davis hauled in a 34-yard pass from David Legree. N.C. A&T answered quickly with a blazing 85-yard kickoff return by Justin Ferrell. The offenses, especially Hampton's, really moved into high gear in the second half.

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Hampton's 2nd Half Spells Doom for NC A&T

NSU, VSU & NCA&T 3-Way Battle of the Bands

Fans, this was an ole fashion barn burner of a band brawl with host Norfolk State University Spartan Legion and the Hot Ice dancers; North Carolina A&T State University Marching Machine and Golden Delight dancers; and Virginia State University Trojan Explosion Marching Band, the Satin Diva Flag Corps, and the Essence of Troy dancers.

Who won? Not sure, but it was a heavy weight brawl of the best kind! Overall, a very exciting football weekend in the 757 region with Norfolk State and Hampton University dominating the VSU Trojans and NCA&T Aggies.