Bethune-Cookman breaks it open early to romp to fifth straight victory

DAYTONA BEACH — Androse Bell rushed for two touchdowns and Matt Johnson accounted for two scores to lead Bethune-Cookman to a 47-24 win over Delaware State on Saturday. The Wildcats (5-0, 3-0 MEAC) are 5-0 for the fifth time in their 85-year history and first since 2002.

Bell opened the scoring with 4:23 left in the first quarter on a 1-yard run. He added a 3-yard run near the end of the first half to put B-CU ahead 27-2. The Hornets (0-3, 0-5) struggled against the Wildcats defense in the first half, scoring only two after returning a blocked extra point in the first quarter.

Hornets Remain Winless; Drop to 0-5

Daytona Beach, Fla. --- Bethune-Cookman racked up 590 yards en route to a 47-24 win over Delaware State before 10,151 homecoming fans at Municipal Stadium this afternoon. The Wildcats improved 5-0 overall and pulled into a tie with Hampton for first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with a 3-0 mark in league play. The Hornets fell to 0-5 and 0-3.

Delaware State scored 22 points and collected 291 yards in the second half after trailing 34-2 at the break. Quarterback Matt Johnson completed 16-of-21 passes for 259 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 52 yards and a score, to lead the Bethune-Cookman attack. Johnson was tops in the MEAC in passing average and total offense entering the contest.

B-CU is 5-0 after rout on homecoming

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- After Bethune-Cookman and Delaware State players prayed on the field together, B-CU coach Brian Jenkins gave DSU coach Al Lavan a big hug. The postgame proceedings sure were a lot different than the last time Jenkins' Wildcats played at Municipal Stadium. This time he got to walk off the field with a big smile on his face.

Two weeks ago, he suffered from dehydration and was carried away on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. This time he got to celebrate the victory with his players. "I'm proud of the guys and thankful for the fans and always proud of my administration and our president," a beaming Jenkins said. "Right now, it's great to be a Wildcat."

After disposing of the Hornets 47-24 before a homecoming crowd of 10,151 on Saturday, the Wildcats are 5-0 for the first time since 2002.

Photo Gallery

Attendance: 10,151

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Tuskegee defeats Morehouse

COLUMBUS, GA -- Nykeem Barton wanted to make his final Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic a lot like all the others in which he has played. The senior running back rushed for three touchdowns and No. 18 Tuskegee's defense squashed a second-half rally to hand No. 16 Morehouse its first loss of the season, 31-15 Saturday at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

It was the seventh straight win in the series for Tuskegee (5-1, 4-1 SIAC), which improved to 66-27-7 all-time against Morehouse (5-1, 4-1). Barton scored on a 2-yard run on the Golden Tigers’ first possession and his 7-yard run, and subsequent two-point conversion run, in the second quarter put Tuskegee ahead 21-2 at halftime.

Tuskegee Downs No. 16 Morehouse College 

The high-scoring offense failed to launch for the first time this season and Morehouse fell, 31-15, to the Tuskegee Golden Tigers, in the 75th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic.

 Morehouse's 15 points and 213 total yards were season lows, for the team that averaged 40 points and 366 yards per game. The Maroon Tigers dropped to 5-1; Tuskegee improved to 5-1.

Tuskegee jumped out to a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. An eight-yard touchdown pass, early in the second quarter, pushed the lead to 13-0. But the Morehouse defense blocked the point-after attempt and Darrius Williams returned the football for a two-point score.

A seven-yard touchdown run gave the Golden Tigers a 21-2 halftime lead. In the third quarter, the teams traded scores. Morehouse linebacker Charlie Wilson blocked a punt that Samuel Gilmore returned 36-yards for a touchdown. Tuskegee kicked a 22-yard field goal.

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Week 6: Pretenders vs. Contenders

Bethune Cookman is for real! Hampton is better that most anticipated and South Carolina State is on another collision course for a three-peat of the MEAC championship.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is now a three-headed race with the other Florida school becoming a legitimate contender for this week. The following week is another story as the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats must travel to Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg to face the powerful S.C. State Bulldogs in a MEAC showdown for conference supremacy.

The B-CU offense will be a real test for the Bulldogs--for a quarter or two, but don't expect the Wildcats to match their FCS leading numbers in total offense. The Bulldogs defense recently held FAMU and Norfolk State under six first downs and under 106 yards of total offense for the entire game.

Expect more of the same for Bethune-Cookman, as they get slammed back to reality by Coach Buddy Pough Bulldogs.

Forget the ranking that has the Bulldogs at #9 in the FCS polls. South Carolina State is a legitimate Top 5 program and can beat any of the teams ranked above it.

The Bulldogs will win the conference outright the following week, as the Hampton Pirates take their turn facing the Bulldogs in Dawson Stadium. Thereafter, the Bulldogs will have a diet of light scrimmages and tuneups with Delaware State (0-5), Howard (1-4), Morgan State (2-3) and North Carolina A&T (0-6), who have a combined record of 3-18.

The Bulldogs should be well rested by the time the playoffs start. Now, the rest of the story...

Surprises of the Week: Winston Salem State self-destruct with six turnovers (5 interceptions) and Saint Augustine's Falcons accepts the gifts for a 40-35 road win over the Rams. Texas Southern defense won the battle of turnovers and upset Alcorn State 30-20 on the road to improve to 3-1 in the SWAC race.

Morehouse forgot to bring its high scoring offense and dropped its first game of the season, 31-15 to Tuskegee in the 75th Annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic. The #16 ranked Maroon Tigers were averaging 40 points per game before running into the Golden Tigers buzz saw defense.

Best Dance Routine of Week: You gotta give it to Lincoln University (Pa.) Marching Band for last week's performance at Howard University. The "Orange Crush dancers" are high energy and the band had a good sound for its size...well I will leave the rest to your own imaginations...see them in the video below.

-beepbeep

SWAC
Texas Southern 30, Alcorn State 20
Jackson State 30, Alabama A&M 14
Grambling State 22, Alabama State 7
Southern 38, Mississippi Valley State 20
Prairie View 21, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6 (Thursday)

MEAC
South Carolina State 34, Norfolk State 13
Hampton 27, North Carolina Central 13
Bethune Cookman 47, Delaware State 24
Morgan State 27, North Carolina A&T 14
Furman 56, Howard 14
Georgia State 55, Savannah State 21

CIAA
Bowie State 16 (O.T.), Saint Paul's 10
Elizabeth City State 17, Virginia Union 14
West Virginia Wesleyan 58, Livingstone 3
Shaw 45, Johnson C. Smith 13
Fayetteville State 21, Virginia State 14
Saint Augustine's 40, Winston Salem State 35
Chowan 30, Lincoln (Pa.) 27

SIAC
Tuskegee 31, Morehouse 15
Albany State 34, Miles 7
Kentucky State 41, Central State (Oh.) 24
Benedict 30 (O.T.), Lane 23
Concordia (Al.) 18, Stillman 17
Fort Valley State 40, Clark Atlanta 16

OVC
S.E. Missouri State 19 , Tennessee State 17

OTHERS
Bloomsburg 52, Cheyney (Pa.) 14
Seton Hill 48, West Virginia State 20
Southwest Baptist 62, Lincoln (Mo.) 38

New attitude lifts St. Aug's

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Several St. Augustine's football players arrived early to practice on Tuesday, pulling on shoulder pads, buckling chin straps and starting drills before coaches even started blowing whistles.

Pushing sleds, running sprints and dropping for push-ups are easier tasks on cool October afternoons. But more than weather, the Falcons' excitement at the drudgery of two-hour practices stems from their 4-1 record - the program's best mark since 2005.

Around mid-afternoon, players shift attention to their 3:30 p.m. practice, an undertaking in past years they accepted with a grunt and a sigh. Annoyance has been replaced with anticipation.

Another tough foe for Rams

Coach Connell Maynor has seen Winston-Salem State react positively to every situation it has faced this season, and his Rams will have a chance to show their strength again today.

WSSU — 6-0 overall, 4-0 in the CIAA and ranked 17th in the Division II coaches poll — will take on St. Augustine’s (4-1, 3-0) in a key CIAA Southern Division game at 6 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium.

“There’s a whole lot riding on it, and I think they are going to react the same way they’ve done since the season started,” Maynor said. “These guys are preparing every day, and no matter who the opponent is, we have to take care of our business. We are at home, so that should help us.”

CIAA Report: Virginia State, St. Augustine's Survive to Remain ...

Walter Sanders rushed for 243 yards and three touchdowns and St. Augustine's still needed to recover an onside kick with 18 seconds left to hold off Fayetteville State, 42-36, at Broughton High School in Raleigh Saturday.

The victory kept the Falcons (4-1, 3-0) unbeaten in conference play and helped them keep pace with the juggernaut called Winston-Salem.

The Broncos (1-4, 0-2) looked like the team that won the CIAA championship last year, at least on offense, compiling 376 yards to 394 for St. Augustine's.

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Southern's Mitchell sees things differently after 1-3 start

Stump Mitchell, the first-year Southern University coach, has a simple but not-so-subtle message for the fiery Jaguars fans who are more than a little frustrated with the team's 1-3 start to the season. "You know what?" Mitchell asked earlier this week, "they have to realize there's a reason for a new coach coming in."

The school fired longtime coach Pete Richardson after last season, ending the coach's 17-year run with SU that included five Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and five black college national titles.

Sacks not lacking for MVSU

Of all the defensive woes Mississippi Valley State has faced this season, the unit has one positive heading into Saturday night’s game at Southern: sacking quarterbacks.

The Delta Devils lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference in sacks with 12 through four conference games. Overall, Valley ranks second with 13 sacks in all games (five); Texas Southern leads the SWAC with 17 sacks in five games.

Line keys Southern’s best offensive effort

Even in an 18-point loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff last weekend, Southern’s offense looked at long last like it might be on to something.

The quarterback, Jeremiah McGinty, stood back in the shotgun, stepped up in the pocket, threw well on the run and made quite a few nice plays.

Defensive coordinator Gilbert looks to simplify SU defense

O’Neill Gilbert had a vision.

As he drew up plans for a complex new defense at Southern University, he dreamed of disguised coverages, a dominant line and blitz after blitz after blitz — all of which added up to a unit that struck fear into the rest of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Four games into this season, however, no one seems scared. This was not Gilbert’s vision.

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A&T's new 3-4 defense still a work in progress

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- There's irony at Aggie Stadium this homecoming weekend. Morgan State comes to town Saturday still running the aggressive 4-3 defensive scheme installed five years ago by then-coordinator Alonzo Lee.

"It's my same exact defense," Lee said. "Nothing has changed. Coach (Herbert) Parham was under me not only at Morgan, but at Hampton before that. He hasn't changed the defense we ran." But A&T has changed. Now in his second year as the Aggies head coach, Lee has reluctantly gone away from the scheme. Truth is, A&T can't run it. Not full-time, anyway.

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Trainor moves up FAMU depth chart»

If Austin Trainor plays his role with the same confidence and tenacity that he demonstrates during an interview, the former North Florida Christian quarterback should give some kind of effort.

Coach Joe Taylor announced earlier this week Trainor has been promoted on the Florida A&M depth chart to second-string quarterback behind Martin Ukpai. Maybe it's the innocence of being a redshirt freshman, but Trainor responded to the move from third-string as if he was handed the reins.

FAMU's Ojo making a positive impact at safety

As Florida A&M offense struggled last weekend to put points on the board, safety Oye Ojo felt a sense of responsibility as the game went on.

The former Florida High standout just wanted to do something — anything defensively — to get the Rattlers in a position to score. That didn't happen, of course. But as a result of his effort, Ojo ended the game with a career-best 12 tackles in the game, becoming the team's second leading tackler.

FAMU benefits from added depth »

Last season when South Carolina State University made a personnel switch to strengthen its lineup in the finals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tennis championships, Carl Goodman couldn't counter. His Florida A&M team didn't have the depth.

But with an eight-player roster, with the possible addition of another in January, Goodman is already seeing the advantage of having a deeper roster this season. The Rattlers didn't have a single overworked player two weeks ago when they captured the HBCU national championship in Atlanta.

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Howard, Morehouse may renew football rivalry

The college football rivalry between Howard and Morehouse, which began in 1923 but has been dormant for more than a decade, is close to being resurrected.

Officials from both of the historically black schools are nearing an agreement to play each other annually at RFK Stadium, beginning next year. Howard and Morehouse, an all-male school in Atlanta, played regularly in the 1980s and 1990s but last met in 1997, when the Bison handed the Maroon Tigers, then coached by former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, a 52-0 beating at Howard's Greene Stadium.

Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic: Coaches favor splitting SIAC ...

When the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced in September it would split the 10-team conference into East and West divisions, beginning next season, it did not leave coaches with much time to ponder the ramifications.

But Tuskegee coach Willie Slater and Morehouse coach Rich Freeman said Thursday they are mostly positive about the upcoming changes. They spoke during a press conference promoting Saturday's 75th annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Football Classic, to be played at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

Game preview: Tuskegee at Morehouse

When: 1 p.m. today
Where: A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, Columbus, Ga.
Records: Tuskegee (4-1, 3-1 in SIAC); Morehouse (5-0, 4-0)
On the Air: S Sirius Radio Network, channel 153, and XM Radio. You can also visit www.hsrn.com and click the “Listen Live” link on the HSRN homepage.

FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY

1. Games between Tuskegee and Morehouse are usually big events, and the hype will ratchet up a notch this weekend. Today's game is the 75th edition of the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic and the 100th overall meeting between the two programs. Tuskegee holds an overwhelming 65-27-7 advantage in the series and a 50-19-5 record since the game was dubbed "The Classic" in 1936.

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NCCU Eagles vs. Hampton Pirates

No.1 status gives Rams coach key motivation

Winston-Salem State basketball is generating buzz with its return to Division II and the CIAA. The Rams (12-17, 7-10 MEAC) are the choice of league coaches to finish first in the South Division after moving down from Division I. On the other hand, coach Bobby Collins noted, there's a season yet to play.

"It would be a trap if I didn't know it was a trap, but I know and understand being picked No. 1 makes the target a little bigger," Winston-Salem coach Bobby Collins said at the annual preseason luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center. "We're going to embrace it."

Kerry happy to have Rams back in CIAA

Commissioner Leon Kerry was all smiles yesterday at the CIAA media basketball roundup at the Charlotte Convention Center. This is the conference’s 99th year, and Kerry said that having Winston-Salem State and Lincoln (Pa.) back in the league is a big deal. Lincoln was one of the original conference members.

“We’re excited about Winston being back in the league,” Kerry said. “I’m looking for them to bring us the same things they did before they left, and that’s sell tickets and bring fans.” Kerry said he wasn’t surprised that the Rams were picked to win their division in men’s basketball.

Rams expected to win their division

CHARLOTTE, N.C. --The CIAA welcomed back Winston-Salem State in basketball yesterday, and coaches immediately put a big target on the Rams by picking them as favorites to win the Southern Division title.

Coach Bobby Collins, whose Rams spent four seasons playing a full MEAC schedule as the university tried to move to Division I, said he’s flattered that opposing coaches thought that much of his senior-dominated team, but he knows he won’t have an easy run.

WSSU focuses on higher goals

Winston-Salem State is the CIAA’s only unbeaten team, but it’ll take more to impress coach Connell Maynor.

The Rams, who are 6-0 in their return to Division II, have rumbled through the schedule, which includes wins at Division I rivals N.C. A&T State and N.C. Central. Those victories are good for bragging rights, but Maynor, who is in his first year as head coach, wants more.

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Washington Redskins Sign Stillman's Quinn Porter

The Washington Redskins have moved yet more players around as they announced the signing of running back Quinn Porter to the practice squad today. Porter was signed to replace running back Javarris James who has been signed to the Indianapolis Colts active squad.

Porter,6’0″, 205 lbs., was an undrafted free agent signed by the Green Bay Packers in April 2010. He was waived last month but in three preseason games with the Packers, rushed for 77 yards on 21 carries with a 3.7 average. Additionally he had a punt return for four yards, a kick off return for 22 yards and a reception for six yards.

The former Packer attended Stillman College where he played in 37 games. In 511 carries he gained 2,788 yards (a 5.5-yard-per-carry average) and 24 touchdowns. Porter caught 68 balls for 887 yards and 12 touchdowns and had a 32-yard-per-carry average on 19 kick-off returns.

Porter's path to Green Bay has had plenty of twists and turns

GREEN BAY — They come in a wide variety.

Go to training camps across the NFL and you'll find undrafted rookies battling against the odds for roster spots. There are those from big colleges and small ones. Some are underachievers dripping with talent, others overachievers full of desire.— And then there's Quinn Porter, who has about as interesting of a back story as any. "I just took another road, man," he said. "A longer road."

Inside Lambeau with Quinn Porter - Video Gallery

Come to Curly's Pub at the Lambeau Field Atrium for tapings of 'Inside Lambeau.' WFRV's Burke Griffin and 'voice of the Packers' Wayne Larrivee host. This week's guest: RB Quinn Porter.

Click Title to View Video Interview of Quinn Porter.

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Babers, Black lead Prairie View past Ark.-Pine Bluff

Linebacker Brenan Gordon recorded his first career interception return for a touchdown when his 79-yard runback sealed a 21-6 victory for Prairie View A&M over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday in Pine Bluff, Ark.

UAPB took advantage of an early Prairie View fumble and claimed a 3-0 lead as kicker Chris Ewald nailed a 45-yard field goal for the only score of the half.

SWAC: UAPB offense struggles in loss

Arkansas-Pine Bluff was handed a pair of second-half gifts Thursday night, but the Golden Lions couldn’t do anything with them. Trailing by one point, Prairie View A&M fumbled first on the Golden Lions’ 2 and later at its own 43.

But both of UAPB’s breaks ended with punts and what had been a dynamic UAPB offense was largely silent in a 21-6 loss to the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions at Golden Lion Stadium.

“They were basically giving us the football game,” UAPB quarterback Josh Boudreaux said. “Whenever teams turn the ball over like that, we’ve got to take advantage of it as an offense.”

Video Replay:

Prairie View A&M vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff

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Coach Buddy Pough Show: SCSU vs. FAMU

Title-minded Tigers, Bulldogs collide

A Michigan boy more used to snow flurries than sunburns, Casey Therriault had a lot to learn when he arrived in the Deep South just a few months ago. So, cut the Jackson State quarterback some slack if he didn't know the magnitude of the Alabama A&M-Jackson State game until a few days ago.

The important thing? He knows now. "Whoever wins goes to the SWAC championship," Therriault said Tuesday while walking off the practice field.

Tigers to face banged-up Dogs

Anthony Jones won't act like it's not an issue. It is. "When you get a chance to rest and get an extra week to prepare, it's an advantage," the Alabama A&M coach said.

The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-2 SWAC) travel to Jackson this weekend for a 4 p.m. meeting Saturday with Jackson State (3-1, 1-1). And they do so with - to use a cliche - the deck stacked against them.

Traditional powers A&M, JSU tangle

In the nutty, keep-you-on-your-toes Southwestern Athletic Conference, where this week’s contender is next week’s also-ran, no one yet knows how the Eastern Division race will play out.

Alabama State had the early lead, then dropped two straight games.

Jackson State's challenge is to stay on pace with Alcorn State

Jackson State’s hopes of reaching the SWAC championship game are on the line this weekend. The Tigers (3-1, 1-1) host Alabama A&M on Saturday in what’s considered an elimination game. The winner remains on pace with Alcorn State to win the East Division title and the loser faces an uphill climb.

Jackson State, coming off an open date, unexpectedly has one of Division I-AA’s top quarterbacks in Casey Therriault. The junior college transfer has produced three 300-yard passing games this season.

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NCCU Eagles ready for MEAC leader Hampton, after week off

DURHAM, N.C. -- After N.C. Central coach Mose Rison enjoyed a rare weekend without football, he and his team have turned their attention to the matchup with Hampton on Saturday. Hampton played Delaware State on Thursday night, but Rison, who was on the recruiting trail in Charlotte, said he watched the game on television.

That turned out to be a fortunate coincidence since the teams were not able to trade their latest films. "It was in a driving rainstorm," Rison said. "They ran the ball extremely well in the rain. Give Hampton credit for being resilient and not getting away from their game plan. "

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Beau Pré hosts Alcorn golf tournament

NATCHEZ, MS — Beau Pré Country Club has seen its fair share of golf tournaments over the years, but this week marked the first time it hosted a college tournament.

The Alcorn State River City Invitational took place at Beau Pré Monday and Tuesday, with six teams participating: Alcorn State, Texas Southern, Prairie View A&M, Alabama A&M, Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Braves men finished fourth, shooting 805 as a team. Alabama A&M placed first with a score of 613, followed by Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 643 and Prairie View A&M with 673.

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Thompson, Morgan State earn acclaim in MEAC men's basketball poll

Coach Todd Bozeman looks forward to another MEAC championship in 2010-11 and NCAA berth.

Morgan State junior forward Kevin Thompson (Walbrook) was voted the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year and the Bears were ranked first in the preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

Morgan sophomore swingman Dewayne Jackson also was voted to the All-MEAC preseason first team. The Bears received 20 of 22 first-place votes and 474 points; South Carolina State was second with 378. UMES was seventh with 242 and placed junior guard Hillary Haley on the second team. Coppin State received 84points, tied for last with Florida A&M.

The Secret World of HBCU Sports: 'More Than Just Games'

Proud and productive, I’m a child of an HBCU – a 2006 graduate from Morgan State University, but you won’t catch me in any letter jackets or riding with personalized school license plates—I’m much too discreet for that. However, whenever prompted to state my affiliation, I reel off my origin with no hesitation. My graduate friends from bigger schools (i.e. the University of Maryland-College Park, Penn State and UCLA) never seem to understand my loyalty to the HBCU circle.

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WSSU rivals point to scholarships

Coach Connell Maynor: “That’s what losers do, they complain,” Maynor said. “They make excuses, and we don’t make excuses — we take what we have and we keep going.”

Winston-Salem State has made quite an impact in its first football season back in the CIAA — compiling records of 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the league. Some opposing coaches say that some of that success can be tied to scholarship numbers.

Last season, in what was supposed to be the final year of transition to Division I, WSSU had 51 scholarship players and was on target to reach the Football Championship Subdivision limit of 63 this season. But school officials decided to change course, stopping the move and keeping WSSU in Division II.

Rams Break Into Top 20 In AFCA Poll; Debut In D2Football.com Poll

Winston-Salem, NC - The Winston-Salem State Rams (6-0, 4-0 CIAA) continued their move up the NCAA Division II polls as the team moved into 17th-place in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll and make their debut in the D2Football.com top 25 in the 22nd slot.

After earning their first top 25 ranking since 2002 last week, the Rams followed up their effort with a 49-3 win at Johnson C. Smith. The effort boosted the Rams into the top 20 of the AFCA poll as the team earned a 17th-place ranking.

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FAMU track teams improve under Moore

Wayne Angel told a group of reporters Tuesday that the sky is the limit for his track team, then made it clear that the potential that his Florida A&M men's track team is showing isn't because of some magic he worked in the short time that he's been at the helm.

He gave a lot of credit to women's coach Darlene Moore. Up until Angel was hired a little more than a month ago, Moore ran both the men's and women's teams simultaneously.

FAMU losses spur sense of urgency for turnaround »

There was a beam in Martin Ukpai's eyes and his mannerism exuded optimism when he heard about coach Joe Taylor's suspicion that the players on South Carolina State's football team might have had a meeting of the minds before coming to Tallahassee last weekend.

Whether or not Taylor's hunch was right, the Florida A&M quarterback believes there might be something to getting the offensive unit together. He figures it might just help them find the answer for producing points.

FAMU backups work for some playing time »

Linebacker Justin Davis would like to get a scholarship one day as a member of the Florida A&M football team. But for now, he has to prove he's deserving.

Davis, a redshirt freshman out of Florida High, is making a pretty good case as a walk-on. During Saturday's game against South Carolina State, he was on the field not only making plays on special teams, but trying to generate energy among his teammates — just like he has done in every other game.

FAMU looks to snap losing streak »

After watching the film of Saturday's shutout loss to South Carolina State, coach Joe Taylor has decided that he's going back to basics with the Florida A&M football team in hopes of ending its two-game losing streak.

"We're going to play smash-mouth football," Taylor said Sunday. "That's what got me to where I am."

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Legendary William "Billy" Joe resigns as Miles College's head football coach

The *69-year old William "Billy" Joe ends his 36 season head coaching career with a record of 245-127-4 combined from Cheyney University (PA), Central State University (Ohio), Florida A&M University and Miles College. Joe is a graduate of Villanova University and won a Super Bowl with the New York Jets in 1968.

FAIRFIELD, Alabama, - Miles College Head football Coach William “Billy” Joe met with College administrators earlier this afternoon to tender his resignation immediately as Head Coach due to health issues. Assistant Offensive-line Coach, Patrick Peasant, will assume duties as interim Coach while a national search ensues.

Billy Joe stated, “It’s been a great and glorious three year ride. But health concerns are becoming too much of a challenge for me to continue in my current capacity.” Joe further states, “I’m still going to be around though to support the College and become the schools number one fan.” Miles President, Dr. George T. French, Jr., said of Joe, “Coach Billy Joe has been a tremendous service to our Athletic Program and to the Institution overall. His presence will be missed.”

2008 marked the first season the Golden Bears played under Billy Joe and his 32nd year serving as a head coach. Joe leaves Miles as the second all-time winning Coach in HBCU history with over 240 wins, trailing only Grambling’s legendary Eddie Robinson. Billy Joe began his coaching career in 1971 as an assistant coach and later serving as the assistant running back coach for the Philadelphia Eagle’s before moving on to an illustrious career in Black College Football.

Joe was enshrined in 2007 into the National Football Foundation College Hall of Fame, Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame and the MEAC Hall of Fame. Joe is also an active member of the American Football Coaches’ Association.

Miles College Press Release 10/4/10

* Coach Joe birth date is 10/14/1940; he was born in Aynor (Horry County) South Carolina--Population 640 based on July 2008 Census.

2010 Circle City Classic: Tennessee State University vs. North Carolina A&T State University

The State of the MEAC

The State of the MEAC

It's time for a little honesty.

Raise your hand if there was an urge to chuckle after watching the closing part of the MEAC commercial aired during Saturday's tape-delayed showing of the South Carolina State-Florida A&M football game. You know, the part where Commissioner Dennis Thomas says "athletic excellence" about the MEAC?

When it comes to football, the only "excellent" part being exhibited is the 20-game conference-winning streak by the Bulldogs and Bethune-Cookman's dominating 4-0 start. Aside from those two developments, there's truly not much for Thomas...

MEAC Roundup -- Oct. 2

Well, we have our favorite. South Carolina State was awfully impressive dispatching Florida A&M on the road 19-0. The Bulldogs did settle for four field goal attempts after moving the ball, but given the way they dominated, that’s being a little bit picky. Norfolk State’s likely happy about the result – SC State would have been a beast of a game if they’d had the loss to focus them – but the abilities the Bulldogs displayed are worrisome enough. A tall task awaits the Spartans this week. Also, Bethune is still looking awfully good and Hampton stays unbeaten.

Inside the FCS Huddle: Sharks are in the water

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Maybe you saw the shark in the pool on "CSI:" the other night. Nothing a couple extra pounds of chlorine might solve. Or a 3-3-5 defense.

If a team is still sitting outside The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25, it probably will not be making a deep run into the playoffs later this fall. In fact, it would struggle just to make the 20-team field, which consists of 10 automatic bids to conference champions and 10 at-large bids. But that doesn't mean some teams outside the rankings won't make an impact on the playoffs. Whether they get in or not.

In the major FCS conferences, there are some sharks lurking...

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Howard's Brice Has Career Day in Win over Lincoln

Charles Brice rushed for a career-high 161 yards and three touchdowns to lead Howard University to a 28-14 win over Lincoln University on Oct. 2. The win snapped an 11-game losing skid for Howard.

After both teams failed to score in the first quarter, Howard (1-4) took advantage of good field position and drove 50 yards in seven plays, with Brice sprinting 34 yards for the score at the 11:52 mark of the second quarter. Howard never looked back after that.

Brice, a 5-foot-11-inch, 190-pound red-shirt sophomore from Columbia, S.C., was making his first start after coming off a career-best 96 yards on 13 carries in a loss to Morgan State on September 25.

Howard Bison beat Lincoln for first win

Charles Brice ran for three second-quarter touchdowns, and Howard defeated Lincoln (Pa.), 28-14, on Saturday at Greene Stadium.

Brice, who finished with 161 yards on 31 carries, had scores of 34 and 12 yards before putting the Bison up 21-0 on a one-yard run with 20 seconds remaining until halftime.

The Division II Lions (1-4) answered with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Ivan Mitchell to Anthony Wilson at the end of the half.

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Clark Atlanta Finds Enough Offense to Stop Stillman

It took almost the rest of the game, but Clark Atlanta found its offense as Ronald Thompson capped a 93-yard drive with a one-yard dive as the Panthers defeated Stillman 19-14 in CAU's home opener Saturday. The score was an exciting end to CAU's homecoming, but the excitement, unfortunately, did not end there for the fans.

Despite the touchdown, the Panthers (3-2, 3-1 SIAC) had to wait with baited breath as Stillman recovered a poor squib kick on the ensuing kick-off at Clark Atlanta's 38 yard line.

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Chowan Hawks Hang on for First Season Win over Virginia Union

MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Chowan University football team picked up their first win of season this afternoon after beating Virginia Union University 35-34 in CIAA gridiron action. Playing in their first-ever televised event, Chowan held on to the one point win despite a late surge by the Panthers.

Chowan's Robert Holland hauled in 11 passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns to help propel his team to victory. The Hawks improve their overall record to 1-4 and their CIAA record to 1-1. The Panthers fall to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the league after today.

Chowan collected 345 yards of total offense in the game with 234 yards coming through the air. Chowan's Steven Carroll came in for relief of starter Cameron Stover to throw for 183 yards on 19 completions. Carroll also threw three of today's four touchdowns. Stover, still nursing a shoulder injury, left the game in the second quarter but completed six passes for 51 yards and hooked up with Holland to put Chowan on the board in the first quarter.

Virginia Union University - Epic VUU Comeback Falls Just Short

A furious Virginia Union University comeback in the waning seconds of a regionally televised football game fell just short as Chowan University escaped with a 35-34 win over the Panthers in Murfreesboro, N.C., on October 2.

Trailing 35-21 with less than three minutes left to play, backup quarterback Cheston Hickman, playing in place of the injured Aris McGlone-English, led a seven-play 60-yard drive to pull the Panthers to within 35-28. Hickman capped the drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Andre Winston with 1:22 left to play. Union then recovered the ensuing onside kick at their own 36-yard line.

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