Musical Sounds from the 2010 Atlanta Football Classic

Television Versions

Morehouse Tigers improve to 5-0 in 30-14 win over Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers

Atlanta, GA - David Carter rushed for 211 yards and a touchdown and powered Morehouse to a 30-14 win over Lincoln University. At 5-0, the Maroon Tigers are enjoying the best season start since 1930.

After surrendering a 99-yard touchdown return on the opening kick, Morehouse settled down and limited the visiting Blue Tigers (1-3) to one touchdown the rest of the way.

The Maroon Tigers bounced back on their first possession with a seven-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off by a Carter one-yard touchdown run. Ian Mullen’s point-after attempt was blocked.

On the next Lincoln possession, defensive lineman Chigbo Anunoby, who played at Lincoln last year, forced a Blue Tiger fumble that led to a 33-yard Mullen field goal and game Morehouse a 9-7 advantage.

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Morehouse highlights against Kentucky State (last week)

Offense comes alive as A&M dominates Southern

HUNTSVILLE, AL - In lopsided losses to Tennessee State and Texas Southern, Alabama A&M's offense looked virtually inept. The Bulldogs were limited to 276 yards in a 27-14 loss to Tennessee State and were held to 197 yards in a 32-9 loss at Texas Southern a week ago. Thank goodness for Southern.

A&M's offense came to life against the Jaguars, finishing with 455 total yards as the Bulldogs whipped Southern 34-14 Saturday night in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference game in front of an announced crowd of 6,218 at Louis Crews Stadium.

After strong start, Jaguars falter

NORMAL, Ala. — On the glorious first play from scrimmage, the Gary Hollimon experiment worked. Virtually everything else did not.

On a rain-soaked field at Louis Crews Stadium on Saturday night, the Southern football team started strong for the first time this season, getting a 62-yard touchdown run from Hollimon, their tailback-turned-quarterback, in the Jaguars’ Southwestern Athletic Conference opener against Alabama A&M.

From that moment, the Bulldogs blitzed, ran, passed and thoroughly beat Southern 34-14 in a game that had to make fans wonder if they’re in for a long first season under new coach Stump Mitchell.

Alabama A&M grades

Offense: A: The Bulldogs, who looked a lot some of Alabama A&M's units in recent years, finished with a season-high 455 yards in total offense, 234 rushing and 221 passing.

Defense: A-minus: Defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns wasn't pleased with Southern quarterback Gary Hollimon's 62-yard touchdown run to start the game, but the Bulldogs dominated the Jaguars the rest of the way.

2010 State Fair Classic - PVAMU vs. GSU

Lil Jon opens the halftime show before the Marching Storm performs at the 6:30 mark on video.

Coastal Carolina dominates early in win over DSU

CONWAY, S.C. -- Coastal Carolina dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State on Saturday night.

Coastal Carolina (1-3) led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU (0-3) scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shut out for the first time since 2004, a span of 66 games.

The Hornets gained 97 yards in the fourth quarter to finish with 210 for the game. The Chanticleers racked up 339 total yards in the contest. Coastal Carolina scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions. The Hornets' second possession ended with a fumble that was recovered by the Chanticleers at the DSU 34. Coastal Carolina needed six plays to pad its lead.

Coastal Carolina tops Delaware State for its first victory of season

CONWAY, SC -- There will be no talk around the Coastal Carolina football program this week about early season struggles or missed opportunities. There will be no need to scavenge for positives or search for ways to explain a season careening off path. Not this week, at least. The Chanticleers played nothing like a team mired in a winless slump - and everything like a squad eager to prove it is better than it had showed through the first three weeks.

The Chants shook the demons of the last three weeks - thoroughly and impressively - and started the process of righting their season with a 34-14 win over visiting Delaware State before an announced crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium.

Hornets Dominated by Coastal Carolina

Conway, S.C. --- Coastal Carolina completely dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State before a sellout crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium this evening. The Chanticleers improved to 1-3 on the season, while the Hornets fell to 0-3.

Coastal Carolina led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shutout for the first time since 2004, a span off 66 games.

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Early TD aside, JSU defense shows up big time

They call this a scary start if you're a Jackson State fan. Mississippi Valley State quarterback Oliver Hughes hit receiver Paul Cox for a 57-yard touchdown on Valley's first play from scrimmage Saturday night. Cox out-leaped JSU defensive back Qua Cox and then ran into the end zone, stunning the partial crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Not to worry. The defense didn't allow another point in JSU's 43-7 win. A unit criticized heavily over the first three games - it allowed an average of 447 yards in those games - finally lived up to its Darkside billing.What changed - besides playing one of the worst offenses in the nation?

"I think we hit a little bit more in practice this week," coach Rick Comegy said. "We emphasized being more aggressive."

Tigers rip Devils

A good way to get over your first loss of the season? Why, play Mississippi Valley State, of course. A week after being physically pounded by Grambling, Jackson State whipped Valley 43-7 on Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, beating the Delta Devils for the 16th straight year and showing fans just how potent JSU's new Air Raid offense can be.

Quarterback Casey Therriault had 291 yards passing - by halftime - as JSU cruised to a 30-7 lead at the break.He finished with 374 yards and four touchdown passes in about three quarters of work. Therriault, who struggled under pressure in last week's 28-21 loss to Grambling, completed 33 of 50 attempts, picking apart Valley's secondary.

Photo Gallery: JSU - Valley

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Bowie State Breaks in New Turf with 28-27 Win over Virginia Union

Bowie, Md. - The Bowie State University (BSU) Bulldogs wasted no time breaking in their brand new home field Saturday as they edged Virginia Union University (VUU), 28-27, in their first home game since switching from grass to synthetic turf.

Bulldogs junior Clifton Budd set two school passing records as Bowie State advanced to a 2-3 overall record, 2-0 Central Interscholastic Athletic Association (CIAA) wise. Budd completed 32 of 51 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. His 32 completions and 355 yards broke an 18-year-old BSU record set by Arthur Lee who held the mark at 24 completions and 324 passing yards.

The Bulldogs led, 15-13, at halftime, but struggled in the third quarter, allowing VUU to take a 27-15 lead late in the third quarter. But BSU managed a comeback with two touchdown strikes from Budd, an 18-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Reginald McIntyre and a 39-yard touchdown strike to senior Gregory Jackson.

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Week 4: Pretenders vs. Contenders

There were only two surprises this week--Tennessee State and Winston Salem State steamrolling their long time rivals, Florida A&M and Fayetteville State. The wins by Tuskegee and Albany State against higher classification Texas Southern and Savannah State were expected.

The Florida A&M Rattlers put on a nationally televised coaching clinic on how not to play college football against your arch rival. The Rattlers were unable to stop Tennessee State from steamrolling their offensive and defensive lines. TSU proved to be very good at holding and chop blocking, getting several calls by the officials and registering 16 flags for a -136 yards.

The Tigers registered 11 sacks and had an Atlanta Classic rushing record 233 yards by Tigers running back Preston Brown. TSU averaged 6.6 yards per carry, amassing 304 yard on 46 carries for the game.

The Rattlers gained 24 yards on 25 carries, and was limited to 175 yards passing for the game.

What happened to that stable of running backs that the Rattlers were bragging about in August? Three years--and Taylor's Rattlers still cannot stop a smash mouth running team.

TSU first year head coach Rod Reed game plan was simply--prove to us you can stop the run!

Well, the Rattlers clearly flunked the mid-term exam on defense and their starting quarterback, Martin Ukpai, fizzled under the constant pressure of the Tigers' blitzes.

Joe Taylor and his staff had no solutions for the TSU defense. No question, the Rattlers were outplayed on offense, defense and special teams and didn't look anything like a conference championship team.

It gets worst for the Rattlers next week with a home date with MEAC powerhouse, South Carolina State Bulldogs. Expect the Rattlers to receive another pounding, as they disappear totally from the FCS playoff conversation.

TSU played a great game against FAMU and gets the opportunity to do it again to the MEAC next Saturday with 0-4 North Carolina A&T at the Circle City Classic.

Winston Salem State has been the surprise of the season, with its 5-0 start for Coach Connell Maynor. Even with the plays called being intercepted by FSU coaching staff, the Broncos could not stop the efficient execution by the Rams. If the Rams keep rolling, this may become the greatest turnaround in NCAA history.

WSSU finished last season with an 1-10 record, as a provisional Division I member in the MEAC. The Rams are clearly leading the pack in the CIAA after dismantling last season's champions on the road.

Most of our fans and their employers didn't receive the White House press release trumpeting that the recession is over. We all need mo' money. This weekend games with the highest attendance in our conferences were as follows:

1. Atlanta Football Classic, 54,202, FAMU vs. Tennessee State, Atlanta, GA
2. State Fair Classic, 43,754, Grambling vs. PVAMU, Dallas, TX
3. Whitney Young Classic, 34,160, Howard vs. Morgan St., E. Rutherford, NJ
4. Gateway Classic, 22,781, UAPB vs. CAU, St. Louis, Mo.
5. Jackson State vs. Mississippi Valley, 18,020, Jackson, MS
6. North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T, 15,173, Durham, N.C.
7, Coastal Carolina vs. Delaware State, 9,218, Conway, S.C.

One last point.... The MEAC has not beaten any team of significance outside the conference this season. What's up with that?

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MEAC
Tennessee State 29, Florida A&M 18
Bethune Cookman 21, Norfolk State 7
South Carolina State, Bye
Coastal Carolina 34, Delaware State 14
North Carolina Central 27, North Carolina A&T 16
Albany State(Ga.) 28, Savannah State 14
Morgan State 20, Howard 3

SWAC
Alabama A&M 34, Southern 14
Jackson State 43, Mississippi Valley 7
Grambling State 34, Prairie View 17
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19
Alcorn State 41, Alabama State 21

CIAA
Saint Augustine's 53, Lincoln (Pa.) 21
Saint Paul's 27, Livingstone 6
Winston Salem State 31, Fayettville State 14
Virginia State 20, Chowan 13
Bowie State 28, Virginia Union 27
Shaw 31, Elizabeth City State 28

SIAC
Morehouse 30, Lincoln (Mo.) 14
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Albany State 28, Savannah State 14
Miles 13, Kentucky State 12
Benedict 35, Stillman 0
Arkansas Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19

Morgan State conquers its touchdown woes, Howard

Morgan State scored its first two touchdowns of the season off two turnovers in the first half to beat Howard, 20-3, on Saturday in the 40th annual New York Urban League Football Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. More than 34,160 attended the first college football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Morgan State had yet to score a touchdown of any kind in three games, including a 14-7 opening win over Bowie State, which it won with four field goals and a safety. But that streak ended with 10 minutes 52 seconds left in the second quarter when Donovan Dickerson hit Chuka Okakpu with a 16-yard touchdown pass, giving the Bears (2-2, 1-1 Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference) a 10-0 lead.

Reshaude Miller picked off Howard's Casey Council, returning it 89 yards for a touchdown to put Morgan State ahead by 17. The interception and score was Miller's first of his career.

Morgan State downs Howard University in annual charity Football ...

George Steinbrenner was probably smiling down over the New Meadowlands Stadium Saturday.

The scrumptious smells of tailgating - everything from burgers to jumbo shrimp - in the parking lot led to thousands packing the new stadium to see Morgan State blast Howard University, 20-3, in the 39th annual New York Urban League Football Classic.

The Football Classic was the brainchild of Steinbrenner and legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, who created the annual game as a charity for disadvantaged students.

The Football Classic debuted at Yankee Stadium in 1971 and was played there till 1986, before changing venues to Giants Stadium. As legend has it, sustained damage to Yankee Stadium's field one year prompted the change. But the move wasn't a bad thing for the Football Classic, as it added the popular tradition of tailgating to the annual event.

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NCCU Eagles return to MEAC with win over NC A&T Aggies

DURHAM, N.C. -- Based on the recent history of the series, N.C. Central's 27-16 win over North Carolina A&T might count as a blowout in favor of the Eagles. Thanks to seven turnovers by the Aggies, NCCU was able to wrap up its biggest win over its biggest rival since winning 15-2 in 1988.

The past five game went down to the wire, with each settled on the final possession. A year ago, the Aggies took a 23-17 win in double overtime to break a three-game winning streak by NCCU. Now the Eagles (2-2) can claim four wins in five years over N.C. A T (0-4). After the game, NCCU coach Mose Rison was doused by his players with a cooler full of water as they all celebrated in front of the student section and band.

The crowd of 15,173 at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium was the largest in school history, with more than 5,000 standing-room tickets being sold as festival admission at the track adjoining the stadium. The overflow crowd was on hand to watch the first game in Durham between the teams since 1992, which A T won 49-7.

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Winless SSU falls to D-II Albany State, 28-14

WAYCROSS, GA - Savannah State could not stop the multi-headed offense of Albany State, but the Tigers were able to slow it down on the neutral field of Memorial Stadium.

The NCAA Division II Golden Rams cruised to a 28-14 victory in the "Rumble in the Swamp" behind the running of LiRonnie Davis, Robert Welton and Kareem Hess, and the passing of Stan Jennings.

Albany State had not been held under 30 points in its first three games, nor had anyone scored more than 10 points against the Rams. SSU accomplished both.

ASU doubles up on Savannah State, 28-14, moves to 4-0

WAYCROSS, GA — During football practice last week, Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings said momentum can change anything in a game. If the “Rumble in the Swamp” was any indication, he’s right.

The Rams defeated Savannah State, 28-14, in Waycross on Saturday in the 60th meeting between the two teams, but they had to hold off freshman quarterback Antonio Bostic from rallying the Tigers in the fourth quarter.

“I was glad with the way we played (overall),” said head coach Mike White, whose team is now 4-0 on the season and 42-16-2 against Savannah State all-time. “(But) I thought we played a better first half. The second half, I was really disappointed.”

ASU-SAVANNAH STATE NOTEBOOK: ASU’s Savannah natives happy to beat their hometown Tigers

WAYCROSS, GA – Arkeen Riley may not be the most well-known Ram, but the defensive lineman definitely had the biggest cheering section in Waycross for Albany State’s game against Savannah State Saturday.

Two dozen friends and family members of the ASU sophomore made the drive from Savannah to see his team grab a big victory against the Tigers, and most of them brought t-shirts sporting his No. 95 on the back. “I’m going to (try to) be at every game,” Riley’s mother said.. “It’s exciting (to see him play). It’s a dream come true.”

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B-CU rides fast start to MEAC win; Jenkins OK after scare

DAYTONA BEACH -- This is not the way Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins would have liked to celebrate his first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory. Shortly after the Wildcats held off Norfolk State 21-7 in front of 5,371 fans at Municipal Stadium, a dehydrated Jenkins was wheeled away in a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

"He's fine," B-CU associate head coach Terry Sims said of Jenkins, who was feeling dizzy late in the game and was fitted with an IV in the locker room after the game before being transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach.

"Everything they did was for precautionary reasons," Sims said. "He was drinking (water), but once dehydration sets in, there's not much you can do. It's really hot down there on the sideline."

Coach gets wake-up call

DAYTONA BEACH -- It may not be an all-out red alert. Maybe not even a red flag. But when your head coach's post-game exit involves a stretcher and ambulance, you don't exactly whistle into the night while fully enjoying a 3-0 record and first conference victory.

"Of course, he's gonna be fine," Bethune-Cookman athletics director Lynn Thompson said Saturday night, about 30 minutes after his high-profile hire, head coach Brian Jenkins, was hauled away from Municipal Stadium.

NSU digs early hole in falling to Bethune-Cookman 21-7

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman was ready for the race track. Norfolk State belonged on a dirt track. Bethune-Cookman's quickness, both in its Speedway offense and blitzing defenders, left the Spartans stuck in place for nearly a half, more than enough time for the Wildcats to take control in a 21-7 home win.

"It was like we were playing in sand," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. "We looked slow. We were in slow motion the first half."

In the first quarter, Norfolk State surrendered two touchdowns, two sacks and a blocked punt while being outgained 167-37. Norfolk State (2-2, 1-1 MEAC) trailed 14-0 after a quarter and 21-0 just nine seconds into the second.

NSU notes: Branche suffers shoulder injury in first quarter

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - On its most important offensive play of the game, the player Norfolk State wanted to carry the ball was only capable of toting his helmet. Senior running back DeAngelo Branche, NSU's offensive MVP so far this season, suffered a shoulder injury and barely played in the second half.

When Norfolk State failed on a fourth-and-2 at the Bethune-Cookman 21 in the middle of the third quarter, Branche could only watch. "He hurt it in the first quarter," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. Adrian said Branche was having trouble lifting his arm. Branche remained close to the coaching staff throughout the second half but got the call to re-enter only once or twice, trotting on as a diversion.


NSU MARCHING SPARTAN LEGION @ I.C. NORCOM H.S. BAND DAY, SEPT 25, 2010

Tennessee State shocks FAMU

The bus ride home to Nashville was a whole lot more fun than the ride back to Tallahassee, as Tennessee State shocked Florida A&M 29-18 in the Atlanta Football Classic on Saturday.

While it was bit of a surprise that Tennessee State won, what was startling was just how dominant it was over a team that had a better record this season and an eight-game win streak in this series. Tennessee State’s Preston Brown ran for a career-high 233 yards, which was also an Atlanta Football Classic record.

Big-game tested and accustomed to winning at the Georgia Dome, the Rattlers were surprisingly lifeless from the start. They had no answers for Tennessee State’s relentless pressure, as the Tigers sacked FAMU quarterbacks an astonishing 11 times

Photo Gallery

• Atlanta Football Classic: FAMU-TSU

Tennessee State's Preston Brown sets Classic rush record

ATLANTA — Thanks to 11 sacks and Preston Brown's 233 yards rushing, Tennessee State broke an eight-game Atlanta Football Classic losing streak to Florida A&M 29-18 on Saturday at the Georgia Dome. Brown set an Atlanta Football Classic rushing record and equaled the third-best effort in TSU history.

"This is huge," first-year TSU Coach Rod Reed said. "One of the benchmarks for this program was beating Florida A&M. We came here ready to play this. I'm so proud of these gentlemen." On the game's second play, a crowd of 54,202 saw Brown take a handoff and race 71 yards up the middle for a touchdown.

Tennessee State runs past FAMU in Atlanta Classic

ATLANTA — So much for the win streak that Florida A&M had in the Atlanta Classic. The Rattlers played an uninspired first half and Tennessee State's running back Preston Brown was unstoppable all afternoon to carry the Tigers to a 29-18 victory in front of 54,202 at the Georgia Dome.

Not since losing to TSU by 20 points in 2001 has FAMU been beaten this badly by the Tigers. Ironically, that was the last time TSU beat FAMU. TSU exposed FAMU in every phase on an afternoon when the Rattlers were plain flat.

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UAPB's Richard Webber grabs 3 TD passes to star in Gateway Classic

The last time Raymond Webber played in a football game at the Edward Jones Dome was four years ago when he caught two passes and scored a touchdown while participating in a jamboree for his high school, Miller Career Academy.

On Saturday, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior receiver made a triumphant return, catching 11 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns and earning the offensive most valuable player award as he helped Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a 35-19 win over Clark Atlanta University in the 17th Gateway Classic.

"Really, with our offense, it's just whoever is open," said Webber, who was playing in front a big throng of family and friends. "Whoever is making plays, we're just feeding him the ball. Everybody contributed to this win." The win was the first this season for the Golden Lions (1-2).

Ark.-Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19

ST. LOUIS -- Josh Boudreaux ran for a touchdown and threw three scoring passes to Raymond Webber as Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Clark Atlanta 35-19 on Saturday in the Gateway Classic. Inside the Edward Jones Dome, Webber caught 11 passes for 162 yards for the Golden Lions (1-2).

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Attendance: 22781

Clark Atlanta and Arkansas - Pine Bluff performing at the Gateway Classic Pep Rally

WSSU Rams whip FSU Broncos to improve to 5-0

Fayetteville, N.C. -- There’s a new sheriff in the CIAA.

That much was evident on Saturday night when Winston-Salem State had its way with Fayetteville State, the defending conference champions, by rolling to a 31-14 win at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium.

With more than half of the 4,000-plus fans dressed in Rams’ red, the Rams remained unbeaten at 5-0 and 3-0 in the conference and will likely crack the top 25 Division II coaches’ poll this week. “That was the whole plan - this was a statement game,” said wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald of the Rams, who caught a touchdown pass and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass off a wide receiver flea-flicker. “They were the defending champs and to become the champs we had to knock off No. 1.”

Winston-Salem State tops Fayetteville State, 31-14

Winston-Salem State wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald knew Saturday night's game at Fayetteville State would be a test plus a learning experience all rolled into one. As the Rams continue transitioning back into Division II, returning to the CIAA for the first time since 2005, Fitzgerald admitted he wasn't quite sure what to make of his team's 4-0 start, eager to gauge the program's progress with a showdown against the defending conference champ.

"We really don't know what to expect from most teams because a lot of us have never played them before," Fitzgerald said. "So with everything so far, it's like we're guessing."

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Prairie View hurt by fumble in 34-17 loss to Grambling State

DALLAS, TX — Penalties and a costly fumble doomed Prairie View A&M in a 34-17 loss to Grambling State in the State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl. The Panthers, (1-3, 1-2 SWAC) were penalized seven times for 62 yards and fumbled inside the Tigers’ 5-yard line in the second half.

After a 17-yard pass from KJ Black to Shaun Stephens on the opening drive of the second half gave 
the Panthers a 17-14 lead, Prairie View was poised to score again on its next possession.
After Black hit Devin Brown for a 21-yard gain to the Grambling 3-yard line, Brown fumbled, killing the drive and any Prairie View momentum.

“It killed us,” Panthers head coach Henry Frazier III said. “We had the lead. We should have scored again. That was very devastating. That gave them the momentum.”



State Fair Classic: Big plays help Grambling State top Prairie View A&M

Grambling State used big plays in the second half to defeat Prairie View A&M, 34-17, at the State Fair Classic on Saturday at the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers avenged their loss from last year, their first in the series since 1986.

A 59-yard bomb from Anthony Carrothers to Kiare Thompson with 4:21 left put Grambling State up by 10 and sealed the Panthers' fate. Grambling State's Cornelius Walker scored on a 66-yard run with 1:24 remaining for the final score.

The Panthers' defense gave them a chance by stuffing Frank Warren on a fourth-and-1 at Prairie View's 14 with six minutes left and Prairie View down by a field goal. But Prairie View's drive consisted of an incompletion, a sack, a false start and a near-interception. Carrothers hooked up with Thompson on the following drive.

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Attendance: 43,754

Alcorn State 41, Alabama State 21: Alcorn takes battle of SWAC unbeatens

LORMAN, MS. -- Gabriel Nash had 29 carries for 135 yards and two touchdown, and Alcorn State took advantage of five Alabama State turnovers to take a 41-21 victory and emerge as the Southwestern Athletic Conference's only undefeated team Saturday.

Alabama State (3-1, 3-1 SWAC) began the game positively with a five-play, 62-yard drive capped off by a 10-yard touchdown run from quarterback Devin Dominguez, giving the Hornets a 7-0 lead following a PAT. "We came out of the gate and the first drive of the game was outstanding," Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. "After that drive, we did nothing positive on offense."

Alcorn (3-0, 2-0) quickly responded with Brandon Bridge's 57-yard TD run, and Gabriel Nash's 12-yard run to take the lead.

Alcorn offense leads way in win over Alabama State

LORMAN, MS —Alcorn State was averaging 38 1/2 points after two games coming into its matchup with Alabama State Saturday. And the Braves continued to thrive offensively, churning out another high-scoring game and defeating the Hornets 41-21 to improve to 3-0 on the season.

The win marked Alcorn’s first victory over Alabama State since 2002, something Braves head coach Earnest Collins was very happy about. “I wouldn’t have cared if it was 41-40, as long as we came out with the victory,” Collins said. “The kids played hard. We made some mistakes in the game that we have to get corrected, but the kids played together, and I’m proud of them.”

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Attendance: 2584
Next Games: Alcorn State at Mississippi State 
                       Texas Southern at Alabama State    

TSU values football classics for history, money

Tennessee State Coach Rod Reed told his players this week that Florida A&M would be the best team they've faced. He also emphasized the importance of the game even though it is not against an OVC opponent. The Tigers (1-2) and Rattlers (2-1), from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, have met 14 times in the Atlanta Football Classic, and FAMU has won 11.

"I don't view either type of game as being more important than the other whether it's a conference game or one of our classics," said Reed, who is TSU's all-time leading tackler with 406 from 1985-88. "I embrace the classics. That's our heritage as (a Historically Black College and University)." TSU usually plays non-OVC opponents in Classics, which routinely draw larger crowds and are steeped in tradition.

FAMU Ready For Atlanta Classic

It's a rivalry that dates back to 1944. FAMU head football coach Joe Taylor says, "Through the Jake Gaither, John Meritt days when those two guys always had tremendous battles and we're just keeping that tradition going."

A tradition that began in 1989, sixteen games between Tennessee State and FAMU have met halfway, in Atlanta, to play in what is now called the Atlanta Football Classic. FAMU sophomore DT Padric Scott adds, "It's always a big event. The history and tradition surrounding it, now you can't let that get too much over you so you still have to approach it as a game, but it's also a great game to have that environment."



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State Fair Classic is SWAC predictor

The official SWAC Championship is played in Birmingham in December. But the State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas might be the conference's true championship game.

The winner of the annual matchup between Grambling State and Prairie View A&M has gone on to win the SWAC's Western Division — and eventually, the conference championship — in each of the past two seasons. The loser has had to play out the rest of its season, fruitlessly hoping the other team will slip up and provide a path to the championship game.

Do-or-die game faces Prairie View at Cotton Bowl‎

Prairie View A&M coach Henry Frazier III hardly knew what to say when addressing his team in a huddle after last weekend's 18-15 loss to Alabama State at Blackshear Stadium. The Panthers had just seen their nine-game home winning streak snapped. Their 15-game winning streak against Southwestern Athletic Conference opponents also went up in smoke. For Frazier, it was unfamiliar territory.

"It was hard to accept," Frazier said. "A part of me was like, 'Damn, we lost. What do I say?' I had to question myself (to see) if I was cut out to coach because I can't accept ...

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SSU, Albany State renew rivalry

Can Savannah State University's football team beat a lower-level opponent?

The Tigers, members of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA), will get a second opportunity today when they play Albany State, an NCAA Division II member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Two weeks ago, Fort Valley State, also a member of the SIAC, scored 41 unanswered points en route to a 41-10 victory over SSU. SSU (0-3) will play Albany State (3-0) at 2 p.m. today at Memorial Stadium in Waycross in the "Rumble in the Swamp."

Rams set to 'Rumble' against Tigers in Waycross

ALBANY, GA — One Tigers rivalry game down, one to go. After its 34-6 whipping of the Tuskegee Tigers last week, the Albany State football team heads out to Waycross today to take on the Savannah State Tigers — and renew a rivalry — in the inaugural “Rumble in the Swamp.” And while the two schools haven’t played each other since 2004, the history between them is deeper than the bogs of the Okefenokee.

“I’m excited about the game,” ASU head coach Mike White said this week. “They’re somebody we haven’t played in a while.” White was a star defensive lineman on the 1975-1978 Rams teams that beat Savannah State three out of the four times they played, but the tradition goes back further than that. Much, much further.

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Coastal Carolina-Delaware State breakdown‎

Series | Tied 1-1
Weather | 84 degrees with clear skies

Injuries | Coastal: LB E.J. Brown (knee) and RB Travis Small (thigh) are questionable; DE Jamel Davis (thumb), LB Andrae Jacobs (head), S Marcus Lott (thigh) are probable; OL Steve Simpson (knee) is doubtful; DE Quinton Davis (ankle) and David Hall (knee) are out. Delaware State: n/a.
Key number: 1
Delaware State returned only one full-time defensive starter from a team that finished 4-7 last season.
Key matchup

Delaware State's Larrone Moore vs. Coastal Carolina's Josh Norman (and friends). Moore is the Hornets' top offensive weapon, averaging 97 receiving yards per game. Look for Delaware State to try to get Moore heavily involved. Coastal would be wise to have Norman (eight interceptions last season) shadow him.

Less size allows growth for DSU's Green

DOVER, DE -- Kevin Green was ranked by one scouting service among the top 40 linebackers in the country when he signed to play football at Purdue in 2007. But even though he grew up in Chicago, something just didn't feel quite right for the 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker in West Lafayette, Ind.

"I wasn't really getting treated right there," Green said. "I was talking to a couple of the players and they said, 'We'd like you to stay here, but you've got to do what you've got to do for yourself.' "

So, rather than playing in front of 62,500 at Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium, Green says he is just as happy playing before 4,000 fans at DSU's Alumni Stadium.

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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.