Wildcats blackout Aggies: Bethune-Cookman 67, N. Carolina A&T 17

B-CU game delayed by power outage

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- The game was billed this week as a "black-out."

Bethune-Cookman marketers had no idea how prophetic that label would be. As the Wildcats were setting up for a 2-point conversion with 3:37 left in the first quarter Thursday night, power went out at Municipal Stadium. Because of a blown transformer and lightning in the area, B-CU's nationally televised game with North Carolina A&T was delayed for one hour and 42 minutes with the Wildcats leading 19-0.

B-CU (8-0, 5-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) went on to defeat N.C. A&T 67-17 as the Wildcats racked up 621 yards of total offense.

NC A&T's primetime game goes awry

The bus left Greensboro early Tuesday morning for the long ride to Daytona Beach, Fla., where N.C. A&T would get its one shot at a nationally televised game this season. This wasn’t what the Aggies (1-8, 1-5 MEAC) had in mind.

Not a 50-point loss. And certainly not a game that started Thursday night and ended in the wee small hours of Friday morning. A&T’s primetime showcase game on ESPNU at undefeated Bethune-Cookman (8-0, 5-0) got off to a rough start. The host Wildcats scored on their first three possessions to take a 19-0 lead. Then the lights went out.



Power outage darkens B-CU spotlight

DAYTONA BEACH -- The spotlight on Bethune-Cookman University's football program went dark Thursday night when a distant piece of power equipment -- a lightning protector about a mile-and-a-half from Municipal Stadium -- sent the game into an hourlong blackout.

B-CU, playing in front of a national TV audience on ESPN's college-dedicated ESPNU channel, was leading 19-0 late in the first quarter when, at 8:16 p.m., the stadium went dark. Moments later, a thunderstorm moved over the stadium.

Mayhew Reaches 1000, Aggies Fall To Wildcats

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., -- Junior running back Mike Mayhew was the bright spot in what otherwise was a very dim night for the North Carolina A&T football team. His historic season continued on Thursday as he rushed for 211 yards on 31 carries. He is the first Aggie to rush for more than 200 yards in a game since Brandon Sweeney rushed for 205 yards on Oct. 8, 2005 against Morgan State at FedEx Field.

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Shaw holds keys to CIAA championship

Kienus Boulware doesn’t get too excited too often. As the coordinator of Winston-Salem State’s defense, he has used his steady hand and quiet nature to help make an already talented unit even better.

On Saturday, Boulware will face his old boss, Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw. Boulware spent the previous four seasons as Shaw’s defensive coordinator, and his players sense something different this week. “When you are playing a school you used to coach, there’s a different feeling,” defensive lineman Juan Corders of WSSU said. “Of course Coach Boulware wants us to be successful on Saturday.”



Stakes sky high for WSSU, Shaw

Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw is well aware of what his team will have at stake the next two Saturdays. First, his Bears will take on the 18th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams at 1 p.m. Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The next weekend, on Nov. 6, they will play No. 23 St. Augustine’s.

“When you get down to this point in the season, they are all big,” said Asberry, who is in his fifth season. With Shaw (6-2, 5-0 CIAA), WSSU (8-1, 5-1) and St. Aug’s (7-1, 5-0) all chasing the CIAA’s Southern Division title, there’s late-season drama, but Asberry said that’s not a bad thing.

Maynor: Playoffs begin now for Rams

Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State has done a good job keeping his players from worrying about whether one game is more important than another. He doesn’t have that luxury this week. The 18th-ranked Rams (8-1, 5-1 CIAA) will play the Shaw Bears (6-2, 5-0) in their regular-season finale Saturday. For WSSU, it might as well be a championship game.

“It doesn’t get any bigger,” Maynor said. “We have to win it.”

The game will help settle who wins the CIAA’s Southern Division title. A loss most likely would end the season for the Rams, eliminating them from the Southern Division race and a shot at the Division II playoffs.

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A Rattler with deep roots: Bobby Lang hails from the glory days of Jake Gaither

A small rose garden at the entrance of Bobby Lang's home seems a fitting prelude to the tranquility inside. There are no wall-of-fame mementos of the many championships his teams won when Lang coached track and field at Florida A&M University.

Yet hours of conversation reveal the years of accomplishments Lang enjoyed in a coaching career that spanned more than four decades, including the years he spent as a multi-sport coach at FAMU High. Talk long enough with Lang, and he will touch on being the offensive line coach under four different FAMU coaches before becoming Rudy Hubbard's defensive line coach.

FAMU Rattler relishes homecoming as a chance to give back to her alma mater

I hail from the university that sits on the highest of Tallahassee's seven hills. Yes, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. It was my school of choice. To this day, I proudly say I'm so glad I'm from FAMU!

I'm sure you've seen in the Tallahassee Democrat that this week is homecoming. It was always a good time while I was a student — with all the parties and entertainment events going on. Now that I've graduated, homecoming has become more important to me, because it means the Rattlers are returning home. It's the time for me to see all my friends who I haven't seen in a year or longer. It'll be like a big family reunion.



Ukpai develops as FAMU leader on and off field

The first day of practice this week had been completed for more than 30 minutes and quarterback Martin Ukpai was still on the field with a handful of Florida A&M players from the offensive unit. When they were done tossing balls and making catches, they huddled in a close circle.

Ukpai had a lot to say, being very animated as he went through specifics of plays. His mannerism resembled the way he took charge of the offense in Saturday's game against Norfolk State.

FAMU homecoming activities kick into high gear

Florida A&M University’s 2010 homecoming has gone into full swing starting with events on Saturday. This year’s theme is: Lights, Camera, Action: The Reel Rattler Spirit. The schedule of events for homecoming is as follows:

Friday - Homecoming Convocation in Gaither Gymnasium from 10:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. Keynote speaker is FAMU alumna Sonia Myles, director for Global Printed Packaging Purchases for Proctor and Gamble Company.

MSU, Florida A&M Will Battle to Stay in MEAC Title Contention on Saturday

2010 MORGAN STATE FOOTBALL
Game 8
Saturday, October 30 – 3 p.m. (ET)
Morgan State (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) at Florida A&M (4-3, 3-1 MEAC)
Florida A&M Homecoming
Tallahassee, Fla. – Bragg Memorial Stadium
Live Coverage)
Radio: WEAA Radio (88.9 FM) in Baltimore, Md. Rob Long (Play-by-Play).
Live Stream: www.morganstatebears.com
Rattlers TV: http://www.famu.edu/famcast/


Rattlers not new to playing crucial homecoming game

Running back Philip Sylvester can joke about it now, but when Florida A&M lost its 2008 homecoming game to Morgan State, it dealt the Rattlers' postseason hopes a huge blow.

The scenario is the same this year: FAMU has to beat the Bears on homecoming to keep its hopes alive for a shot at winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. But Sylvester, who will be one of the Rattlers' featured weapons, couldn't help being a little humorous earlier this week about the matchup.

FAMU Homecoming parade gets rolling on Saturday

FAMU's homecoming festivities are winding down with this weekend's activities, which include the annual high-stepping parade and the game against Morgan State, while FSU's homecoming is getting ready to crank up.

Today (Orange And Green Day)

Homecoming Convocation featuring FAMU alumna Sonia Myles at 10:10 a.m. in Gaither Gymnasium on Wahnish Way on FAMU campus. Call 599-3400.

Block party and concert featuring K. Michelle, Midget Mac, Trina, Webbie and Ice Bergat at 1 p.m. at FAMU Park on West Osceola Street, near the softball field on campus. Free.

Coach heads turf initiative

With the football season in motion, Florida A&M is standing 4-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, head coach Joe Taylor has put his prime initiative of revamping Bragg Memorial Stadium's football field on pause until the season is over. Artificial turf was initially aimed at being installed by the Oct. 2 game against South Carolina State, but lack of funds from the Got Turf campaign postponed those plans.

However, Taylor is optimistic that the new field will be installed over the summer and in place for the 2011 football season. University Relations confirmed the amount needed is $750,000, and as of August 5, approximately $50,000 had been raised.

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Magic City Classic on SWAC TV

Birmingham, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference will carry live the 69th Magic City Classic from Legion Field on SWAC TV. The free telecast will begin Saturday at 2:00 p.m. (CT) with the kickoff between Alabama A&M and Alabama State set for 2:30.

The game will not be broadcast on television, so fans that are unable to make it to the stadium, can catch all the action on their computer at www.swac.org/allaccess.

SWAC Cross Country Championship Set for Sunday

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference kicks off the 2010 Fall Championships schedule on Sunday, October 31 with the Men's and Women's Cross Country Championship held at the Choctaw Running Trails in Clinton, Miss.

The women's 5K race will start at 9:00 a.m., followed by men's 8K competition at 10:15 am. A year ago, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff men and women won team titles at the conference's championship meet in Baton Rouge, La.

SWAC Cross Country Championship Central

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Howard University: "No other homecoming compares"

First, this is a sports blog, so we must not get our priorities twisted...

There is a big homecoming game this Saturday with Norfolk State University Spartans vs. your Howard University Bison at Greene Stadium. Game time is 1:00 p.m. Tickets are still available.

The Sports Information department at HU has been working overtime to keep everyone informed about the exciting sports activities planned for the remainder of the week. A great thank you to Ed Hill, Director and Jamilah Corbitt, Assistant Director of Sports Information for the timely release and links sent for VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 of THE BISON, the official newsletter of Howard Athletics.

Click Here to view "The Bison" Newsletter. Ticket information is included in this issue and for other events.

CLICK HERE to view the complete Howard Bison vs. Norfolk State Spartans game notes.

If you missed Midnight Madness at Howard University 2010, here are the highlights...hosted by Jae Murphy and music by DJ Chubb E. Swagg. Get your season tickets early...The Burr will be rocking with Men's Basketball Coach Kevin Nickelberry and Women's Coach Nikki Reid Geckeler high powered teams.

Now to the Real HU party stuff...

Tyrese Gibson to be grand marshal at Howard Homecoming Parade

Howard University usually unveils its celebrity homecoming officials (in recent years: Taraji Henson, Terrence Howard) with much fanfare. Sorry, no longer possible in the Twitter era: Before the school could announce him as this year's grand marshal, actor/singer Tyrese Gibson did via tweet Tuesday. Oh well! The "Transformers" star will head up Saturday's parade; other celebs expected around the Yard this weekend include rapper Rick Ross and alumni Tracie Thoms and Amiri Baraka.

Howard: "No other homecoming compares"

There are university homecoming celebrations -- and then there's homecoming at Howard University. It's an epic nine-day-long event that attracts more than 100,000 people each year, including a number of celebs.

"No other homecoming compares. Ours is the one that everyone tries to do; we are trendsetters," Homecoming Chair Brian Cox told the student newspaper, The Hilltop, as he explained this year's theme, "The Dynasty."
Going Out Guide: Howard University homecoming, Yardfest, DJ Chris Washington

Howard University's homecoming is about more than a football game. Would a mere college sporting event be immortalized in rhymes by Biggie and Ludacris, play host to live performances by Kanye West or P. Diddy and have thousands of non-alumni pouring into town to hit packed nightclub parties?

The Click Track 2010 Howard Homecoming Draft!

When confronted with a smorgasbord of live music, Click Track's Chris Richards and David Malitz see no other way of divvying up the spoils than with a draft. It worked well at FreeFest, so they're giving it another go with the Click Track 2010 Howard Homecoming Draft.



Coronation Celebrates a New Reign of Howard Students

Family members, friends and staff gathered in the Armour J. Blackburn Auditorium at 7 p.m. for the recognition of Mr. and Miss Howard University and the royal court winners Friday.

Senior theatre arts major, Jeffrey Rashad Pugh, and senior music education major, Adrian Pruett, were honored as the king and queen of Howard University. Both contestants were surprised by the coronation ceremony as neither had been allowed to go to practice with the other royal court winners or see the ballroom until the night of coronation.




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CLICK HERE to view the complete Howard Bison vs. Norfolk State game notes.

TONIGHT: 7:30 p.m. B-CU and NCA&T ready for close-up with nation on ESPNU

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Followers of college football's second tier (formerly Division I-AA; formally the Football Championship Subdivision) have likely been wondering about what's behind Bethune-Cookman's turnaround this season.

They'll get their best chance yet to take a look for themselves tonight as B-CU, ranked 12th in the national FCS poll, plays North Carolina A&T at Daytona Beach's Municipal Stadium, and the game will be televised live on ESPN's college-dedicated channel, ESPNU.

"It's still football," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "You still have to play on a 100-yard field between the white lines. It hasn't disrupted us at all. We're getting prepared for the game and will be ready to play."

Hines was the missing ingredient

The North Carolina A&T football team earned its first win of the season on Oct. 23 with a 52-32 victory over Howard. The win ends a 10-game losing streak for the Aggies and is their first since defeating Howard 30-19 on Oct. 24, 2009. "More excited for them to see the hard work and all those things pay off because they have been working hard," said head coach Alonzo Lee. "They have been getting out there doing great things."

The star of the game for the Aggies was George Hines, the standout outfielder for the Aggies baseball team. He started for the second consecutive game on Saturday after making his debut in last weeks lost to Delaware State. Hines went 12-16 passing for 235 yards and three touchdowns, crediting the coaching staff for his preparation and knowing where the Bison defense would be.

"Of Course George Hines with that addition...

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ASU-A&M prepare for Magic City Classic

Alabama State and Alabama A&M have significantly different goals for the rest of the season. ASU remains in the thick of contention for the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title, while A&M is trying to end a three-game losing streak and salvage a season gone sour. But for one week, both these teams have the same objective: win the Magic City Classic. In many ways, winning this game is one of the primary objectives for any season.

"This game goes a long way in determining whether you have a successful year," said A&M coach Anthony Jones. "You feel more pressure on this game than any other one. Nobody will accept any excuses for losing." The 69th playing of the Magic City Classic is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legion Field in Birmingham.

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Hampton Pirates Football Set To Take On Old Dominion

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University football team will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, when they return to Armstrong Stadium to take on Old Dominion at 1 p.m.

The Pirates (5-2) had their five-game winning streak snapped with a 10-7 loss on the road to South Carolina State this past Saturday, while the second-year Monarchs (4-3), under the direction of head coach Bobby Wilder, have won three of their last four after a 34-20 Homecoming win over Georgia State.

Saturday’s game will be the first-ever meeting between Hampton and Old Dominion; the Monarchs are in just their second year of competition after going nearly 70 years without a football team. After a 9-2 debut in 2009, ODU now holds the mark for the most wins ever for an FCS program in its first season.

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GSU’s Warren and ASU’s Jennings Win HSRN.com National Player of the Week Honors

Hartly, DE – Grambling State’s Frank Warren and Albany State’s Stanley Jennings are the winners of week nine player of the week fan poll voting. Each week during the season, HSRN’s staff will select the top performances from all HBCU action and give the fans across the country a chance to vote for the Player of the Week.

HSRN developed the fan poll to get all HBCU alumni, students and fans involved with the national process and to also give everyone a chance to consistently keep up with the individual performances around the country. This web site and our broadcasts are designed to keep you abreast of all action around HBCU athletic competition.

Div. I-FCS
Frank Warren – Grambling State - RB – 5’9, 200 – SR/Pleasant Grove, AL
Warren finished the game with 209 yards on 27 carries, a 7.0 per carry average and touchdown runs for 85 and 39 yards. He led the Tigers to a 35-14 win over Mississippi Valley State



Div. II
Stanley Jennings – Albany State – QB – 6’2, 235 – JR/Marietta, GA
Jennings orchestrated ASU’s fourth quarter 13-12 come-from-behind win over Morehouse. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 202 yards, including the game winning five yard pass with 18 seconds on the clock. He also led the Golden Rams in rushing with 73 yards on 15 carries, including a 12 yard TD run. Jennings finished the game with 253 yards of total offense.

GSU's Warren rushing toward record books

GRAMBLING, LA — Grambling State running back Frank Warren is well on his way to shattering just about every meaningful rushing record in program history.

After Saturday's 209-yard, two-touchdown performance in GSU's 35-14 victory over Mississippi Valley State, Warren has 3,515 rushing yards for his career and 1,142 yards this season. He's already become Grambling's first 1,000-yard rushing since Brad Hill accomplished the feat in 2001, but even bigger accolades are on the horizon. Warren needs 260 more rushing yards to break...

Grambling's Warren earns SWAC honor

Grambling running back Frank Warren has been named the SWAC's Offensive Player of the Week. Warren carried 27 times for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground in Grambling’s 35-14 victory at Mississippi Valley State. He became Grambling’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2001, and he is the only player in FCS this season to have three 200-yard rushing games.

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Saturday's WSSU/Shaw game moved to Durham County Stadium

WSSU’s final regular-season game with Shaw on Saturday at 1 p.m. will be played at Durham County Stadium instead of Millbrook High School in Raleigh. The game originally was scheduled for Millbrook, where Shaw plays most of its home games because it does not have a stadium on campus. Durham County Stadium is also where the CIAA Championship Game will be played on Nov. 13. For information on tickets call the WSSU ticket office at 750-3220.

Bill Hayes, the Rams’ athletics director, spent a lot of time on the field during Saturday’s homecoming game against UNC Pembroke but he wasn’t coaching. Instead, he was recognizing the many donors, both alumni and corporate, who have ...

Winston-Salem State Needs Win And A Little Help

Winston-Salem, N.C.--The 8-1 Winston Salem State head into Saturday's showdown with CIAA Rival Shaw needing a win and a little help the following week to earn a spot in the Conference Championship game.

Shaw and Saint Augustine's sit atop the CIAA Southern Division Standings with 5-0 records with the Rams just behind at 5-1. Winston-Salem State needs to knock off Shaw, and have Shaw beat Saint Augustine's the following week to create a 3 way tie atop the Division.

Stakes sky high for WSSU, Shaw

Coach Darrell Asberry of Shaw is well aware of what his team will have at stake the next two Saturdays. First, his Bears will take on the 18th-ranked Winston-Salem State Rams at 1 p.m. Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The next weekend, on Nov. 6, they will play No. 23 St. Augustine’s.

“When you get down to this point in the season, they are all big,” said Asberry, who is in his fifth season. With Shaw (6-2, 5-0 CIAA), WSSU (8-1, 5-1) and St. Aug’s (7-1, 5-0) all chasing the CIAA’s Southern Division title, there’s late-season drama, but Asberry said that’s not a bad thing.

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ASU Rams get SIAC honors, move to No. 6 in poll

ALBANY, GA — It looks like Albany State’s 13-12 win against Morehouse on Saturday was pretty significant.

Not only did the Rams (8-0 overall, 7-0 in the SIAC) move up to No. 6 in the AFCA Division II Coaches Poll, they kicked the Tigers out completely and earned some SIAC awards in the process.
Junior quarterback Stanley Jennings was named Newcomer of the Week, while junior offensive lineman Ricory Green received Offensive Lineman of the Week honors.

Jennings orchestrated ASU’s come-from-behind victory as he completed 19 of 31 passes for 202 yards, including the game-winning five-yard pass with 18 seconds on the clock. The Marietta-native also scored on a 12-yard touchdown rush and led the Rams in rushing with 73 yards on 15 carries.




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VSU controls destiny for CIAA final berth

Virginia State will go into Saturday's game at archrival Virginia Union controlling its destiny for the Northern Division berth in the CIAA championship game, which will be played in Durham County (N.C.) Stadium for the third straight year Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.

"We look forward to our premier football event returning to Durham. Without question, the 2010 season is one of the most exciting in CIAA history," Commissioner Leon Kerry said. "We still have seven teams with a realistic chance of winning their division and a place in the championship game."

Still in the Northern Division hunt with the Trojans over the closing weeks of the regular season are Bowie State, Elizabeth City State and Chowan.

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DSU learning painful lesson, Lavan says

DOVER, DE -- There is no class at Delaware State that can teach its football team how to finish games. That, according to Hornets coach Al Lavan, has to be learned through difficult lessons. Those lessons don't get much more painful than DSU's 34-24 loss at Morgan State last Saturday, when the Hornets allowed 13 points in the final 20 seconds of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

Lavan remains confident in his team's ability, even as the Hornets (1-6 overall, 1-4 MEAC) prepare to host two-time reigning conference champion South Carolina State (5-2, 3-1) at Alumni Stadium at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Delaware State coach says team has to make plays ‎

DOVER, Del. - Former NFL head coach Bill Parcells once famously said, "You are what your record says you are."

At 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the MEAC heading into Saturday's home game against 17th-ranked South Carolina State, Delaware State head coach Al Lavan was inclined to agree on Tuesday. Although pleased with the Hornets' resiliency shown throughout the season, Lavan has seen too many missed opportunities and mental mistakes to try to sugarcoat his team's record.

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Little things are big to interim AD at N.C. A&T

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Justin Ferrell was headed for his seat in front of the three TV cameras gathered for N.C. A&T's weekly football news conference Monday afternoon. Suddenly a hand shot out and grabbed Ferrell by the shoulder, stopping one of the MEAC's toughest defensive players in his tracks.

Earl Hilton's keen blue eyes noticed the back of Ferrell's necktie poking out from under the collar of his dress shirt. Hilton helped Ferrell fix the fashion faux pas -- something the cameras wouldn't have seen, anyway. It was a small act. But it summed up what N.C. A&T's interim athletics director said he brings to the job. Attention to detail.



THURSDAY, Oct. 28: North Carolina A&T at Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
TV: ESPNU - 7:30 p.m.

Short week for B-CU

DAYTONA BEACH -- The good news is obvious. It's right there atop the conference standings, where Bethune-Cookman is perched with an unblemished record through seven games.

The stress is in the details. The Wildcats, whose first-year head coach Brian Jenkins is very big on routine, is now out of its comfort zone, forced to do a week of preparation in just four days as they look to a Thursday night home game -- moved from Saturday at the request of ESPN, which will broadcast the game on its ESPNU channel. Getting Jenkins to admit that his routine is ruffled, however, is another matter.

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With its offense struggling, NSU fires coordinator

NORFOLK, VA - The Norfolk State football team, struggling under the weight of a stagnant offense, replaced offensive coordinator Kirk Mastromatteo with tight ends coach Joe Blackwell on an interim basis Monday.

Mastromatteo will not coach in the Spartans' final four games and his contract will not be renewed. The Norfolk State offense has scored just two touchdowns during the team's four-game losing streak and the Spartans have just 39 points in those games, including two touchdowns scored by the defense.

"My job is to win games," Mastromatteo said. "My job is to score points. Of course it's frustrating. It's not a lack of effort, it's not a lack of experience or knowledge. In this profession, sometimes someone has to be the guy (to go). Right now, I'm the guy.... This is a great profession, but it's a nasty, nasty business."



NSU notes: It's 3,000 yards and counting for Branche

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State running back DeAngelo Branche, who needed 42 yards to reach the 3,000-yard mark for his career, finished with 89 yards on 26 carries. The Maury graduate is just the second Spartan to hit the milestone and the first to do it at the FCS level.

"It was one of my goals," Branche said. "You can enjoy it a little. Even after a loss, an achievement is still an achievement. My name's in the record books. When I leave here, it'll still be here." Doing it on homecoming made it extra special.

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BSU Bulldogs Win on Senior Day, 20-12 over ECSU

The Bowie State Bulldogs (5-4 overall, 5-1 CIAA) on Senior day found a way despite giving up 500 yards in total offense and not scoring in the second half to defeat Elizabeth State (4-4 overall, 3-2 CIAA), 20-12. The win gives the Bulldogs a fighting chance of earning a CIAA championship birth with two weeks remaining in the season.

"The guys played for the seniors today and they played a good game," said coach Damon Wilson. "This is a good Elizabeth City team." "The guys fought for four quarters and found a way to win the ballgame, so it was great to finish our home stretch with a W."

The Bulldogs won the game because of three things: on offense, they were efficient and ran the ball successfully; on defense, they were able to create three turnovers when Elizabeth City was within a yard of the end zone; and finally, special teams was fantastic creating two touchdowns.

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TSU fizzles on offense in OVC loss

Tennessee State's offense started strong but stalled in the second half as the Tigers lost to Tennessee Tech 21-10 on Saturday night. It is the first time TSU (3-5, 0-4) has lost four consecutive conference games since joining the Ohio Valley Conference in 1988.

Not only did TSU's offense suddenly start to sputter in the second half, but it also failed to take advantage of the two opportunities it did have. Freshman kicker Jamin Godfrey missed field goals from 24 and 31 yards. "We have to score in the red zone and we're making too many field goal attempts, and missing two tonight didn't help our effort any," TSU Coach Rod Reed said.

McNairl gives TSU an offensive boost

Not even Tennessee State's versatile Calvin McNairl enjoying a breakout game at wide receiver was enough to give the Tigers a win over Tennessee Tech Saturday night at LP Field. McNairl started eight games at quarterback last season, then moved to receiver in the spring. The junior from Henry County came into the game as TSU's third-leading receiver with 13 catches for 145 yards and no touchdowns. He finished the 21-10 loss as the leading receiver with nine catches for 131 yards, including an 84-yard TD.

TTU FOOTBALL: Golden Eagles fend off Tennessee State

NASHVILLE -- A year ago, it was Tennessee Tech's Tim Benford making the game-saving catch to give the Golden Eagles the win over Tennessee State and clinching the Sergeant York Trophy. On Saturday night, Benford caught two touchdown catches, his sixth and seventh in OVC play this season, leading the Golden Eagles to a 21-10 victory at LP Field. In other words, Benford likes playing Tennessee State.

For TSU, injury updates are a taboo subject

Tennessee State first-year Coach Rod Reed said he recently adopted a policy for being tighter-lipped about his team's injuries, but he doesn't deny the Tigers are hurting as they try to snap their three-game OVC losing streak today. The Tigers (3-4, 0-3 OVC) hope to avoid their first 0-4 start since joining the league in 1988 when Tennessee Tech (3-4, 2-2) visits LP Field at 6 tonight. Lost for the year are:

TTU FOOTBALL: Tech, TSU battered and bruised

COOKEVILLE -- As both Tennessee Tech and Tennessee State enter this week's contest, both sidelines could look like a battlefield hospital with many wounded players are lining up the sidelines. The two teams square off in a Sergeant York Trophy contest Saturday night at 6 p.m. from LP Field. The biggest blow this season has been the loss of running back Preston Brown, who was a major focal point of the Tigers' offense.

"Everybody knows about him," Reed said. "He was the nation's leading rusher.

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Harvey has TSU Tigers making academic strides

Texas Southern men’s basketball coach Tony Harvey could check off a lengthy list of accomplishments from the 2009-10 season. TSU’s first winning season since 2002-03. A 10-win improvement from the previous season. The Tigers’ first appearance in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament final since 2003.

Harvey, however, said his No. 1 accomplishment of 2009-10 can be best seen in a photo that sits on the desk of his office. In the photo, Harvey is posing with former Tigers guard David Burrell after the latter’s graduation from TSU in May.

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Williams shakes off three interceptions, rallies Morgan State past Delaware State, 34-24

Morgan State quarterback Delonte Williams had already thrown three interceptions, two of which resulted in Delaware State touchdowns, when he calmly walked into the huddle with just over three minutes left in the game. Williams said that even though the Bears were down by three, they'd be just fine.

The redshirt freshman then directed an 85-yard drive, capped by his 34-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Hendrix with 20 seconds left. Sheldon Jacques added another touchdown on a 2-yard fumble return as time ran out to give Morgan State a 34-24 victory in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Saturday before an announced 14,312 at Hughes Stadium.

Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley liked how his team overcame adversity on the last drive.

In seconds, DSU Hornets squanders victory

BALTIMORE, MD -- Delaware State has struggled all season when it comes to stopping the opponent in the fourth quarter. Saturday saw that problem reach a new extreme. With time winding down, Morgan State overcame a fourth-and-10 from its own 15-yard line and rallied for 13 points in the final 20 seconds to pull off a 34-24 victory in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

"That's why you have to play for every snap that's required in a football game," DSU head coach Al Lavan said. "It's not a mystery as to what happened. It's very clear as to what happened -- we didn't make enough plays when we were given the opportunity to."

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huevoicesdotcom captures sights and sounds from Morgan State's 2010 Homecoming game. Check out Bobby Marvin's blog site at:  http://www.huevoices.com
huevoicesdotcom is a blog that provides news,one on one interviews, features, and commentary on the African-American community of Baltimore and Washington, D.C.