Morgan State looking forward to Year 2 of Seth Higgins era

September 1, 2012
Sacred Heart at Morgan State
Time: 1:00 PM
Hughes Stadium, Baltimore
Radio: WEAA, 88.9 FM

Game Notes

 

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Sophomore Seth Higgins likes to think of himself as a student of the game. This offseason, Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley found out first-hand just how intent his starting quarterback is on becoming a football scholar.

"Seth was always in the office. It was almost like he was employed," Hill-Eley said. "I mean, seeing the copier machine was just like seeing Seth. He was going to be there, and he was going to put the time into watching film and learning what's expected."

It's that kind of commitment that has Morgan football fans buzzing about the former Edgewood standout, who started the team's final seven games as a true freshman, throwing for 1,116 yards and nine touchdowns. Twice he was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week.

At 6 feet 5, 225 pounds, Higgins has all the requisite physical tools to become a star, unafraid to show off his strong, accurate arm and ability to outrun defenders. But taking the next step, he knows, is also about mastering the game mentally.

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The skinny on the CIAA

RICHMOND, Virigina - The skinny

What's new: Founded in 1912, the CIAA will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, maintaining its claim as the oldest predominantly black conference in the nation. On Aug. 1, Saint Augustine's College officially became Saint Augustine's University, right on time to commemorate the school's 145th anniversary.

Who's new: Just two seasons removed from winning the CIAA championship, Shaw will have a new head coach in Robert Massey. Massey was promoted from the defensive coordinator post he served the past two seasons under former Bears head coach Darrell Asberry, who is now the head man at Texas Southern.

Top five players: Elizabeth City State RB Daronte McNeil, Elizabeth City State DE Brad Davis, Lincoln DE Tim Green, Saint Augustine's WR Tyrone Laughinghouse, Winston-Salem State QB Kameron Smith.

Preseason offensive player of the year: Elizabeth City State RB Daronte McNeil

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Clark Atlanta University marching band suspended for possibility of hazing

ATLANTA, Georgia - Clark Atlanta University has suspended performances of the "Mighty Marching Panthers" to investigate a hazing allegation. University leaders made the decision on Friday.

The University's Official Statement is as follows:


“Mighty Marching Panthers” Band Performances Temporarily Suspended

August 30, 2012--Clark Atlanta University today suspended performances of its “Mighty Marching Panthers” Marching Band in light of an allegation regarding the possibility of hazing within its ranks. While there is no immediate evidence of hazing or any other foul play, the University of its own volition chooses to takea thorough, comprehensive look into this serious matter.

Even the possibility of hazing is unacceptable under any circumstance. Therefore, an investigation will commence immediately. The University aims to be thorough, comprehensive and aggressive in its review.

Ideally, the allegations will prove untrue and the band can return to its planned schedule of performances as quickly as possible. However, regardless of the findings, Clark Atlanta is prepared to take whatever actions are necessary to ensure a safe, healthy, non-threatening experience for our student musicians. The integrity of our University, our band program and the honor of the musicians therein warrants no less.!

The Mighty Panthers Marching Band was a participant in the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Showcase at the Georgia Dome.

The Mays High School band will substitute during CAU's first football game of the season on Saturday. CAU will play the University of West Alabama at Panther Stadium in Atlanta.



CAU Press Release, August 30, 2012

FAMU's Joe Taylor climbs higher in record books

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Joe Taylor was attending a press conference in Nashville a few weeks ago to promote Saturday’s game between FAMU and Tennessee State when John Merritt’s name came up in a conversation that Taylor wasn’t expecting.

The game is a classic named in Merritt’s honor, but until he was informed, Taylor didn’t know that he could surpass the legendary black college coach with just six victories this season. Such a milestone would make Taylor the second-winningest HBCU coach.

“I didn’t start this thing off by saying let’s see how many championships I could win or how many records I could set,” Taylor said. “I went with the idea of how much I can give back because somebody helped me.

“You can’t lose sight. You have to be concerned about these young men because when they grow the program grows.”

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FAMU will overcome its challenges

MIAMI, Florida - Before Florida A&M University accepted me in 2006, I’d heard rumors and stories about FAMU — that it was nothing but a party school, that it did not offer a serious education and that the bar for success was set pretty low.

When I enrolled, I planned on tolerating the school for two years, getting my associate’s degree and transferring to the more well-regarded Florida State University.

Over the next four years, however, my perspective was turned completely on its head, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice to remain a Rattler.

Now as the school is stuck in a difficult moment, I can’t help but think back to the tough stories I once heard about the college from those who did not really know it — and about how wrong they were.

Yes, students party and some of the friends I met freshman year didn’t make it to graduation, but those who base reputations on rumors rarely think of the thousands of other students each year, and the hundreds of thousands throughout the years, who have become successful adults because of their education and experiences at FAMU.

Bits of negativity sometimes create an aura that envelops an institution, and it simply isn’t fair.

In no way am I ignoring reckless acts of some members of our beloved Marching 100 band, but they made up only a small fraction of our student body, faculty, staff and other organizations who are passionate and loyal Rattlers. Their acts, which are undeniably unfortunate, do not reflect the ideals of the university as a whole. We are so much more than that ugly fragment.

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TSU faces rival in John Merritt Classic

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Tennessee State-Florida A&M rivalry dates to 1944, but tonight marks the first time the two have met in the John Merritt Classic. Coach Rod Reed makes all his players aware of the significance of the rivalry by putting them through a required class — History of TSU Football.

“We’re young and not as battle-tested as we have been some of the last few years,” Reed said. “That’s why the first thing we do when these guys get on campus is have them take that class. We show them the Richard Dents, the Ed “Too Tall” Joneses, the Leon Moores and then we get into the rivalries. After it’s over they get it. They know this is a really, really big game. Plus, we have more than 20 guys on our team who are from Florida, and that helps them to understand the rivalry.”

TSU tied the series 25-25 by winning the last game in 2010, Reed’s first season as coach, 29-18.



Last season marked the first time since 1982 that TSU and FAMU didn’t play. They had met in the Atlanta Football Classic 13 consecutive years, but organizers did not invite TSU back after 2010.

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Prairie View, TSU eye trophy, bragging rights

HOUSTON, Texas - Prairie View A&M coach Heishma Northern was taking his son, Adam, to his first day of kindergarten Monday when Adam noticed the Labor Day Classic trophy nestled in the back of the truck.

Adam, who is used to seeing the trophy in his father's office, inquired why it wasn't in its usual location.

Northern explained that he had to take the trophy to a joint Prairie View-Texas Southern news conference that afternoon and that the winner of Saturday night's game at Reliant Stadium would get to keep it.

"Well, you might as well as leave it in the office," Adam said.

Given recent history, Adam's intuition could prove to be true.

The Durley-Nicks Traveling Trophy, as it is officially named, has been in Prairie View's possession for the last five years and seven of the previous eight. TSU last retained the trophy in 2006 when it slipped away with a 17-14 victory at Reliant Stadium.



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Alabama A&M football: Mason craves one step more

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Faith. Fire. Focus. Those three words are printed on a wrist band that Alabama A&M football players wore last season when they reached the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

Quarterback Deaunte Mason wants to add one more word to the band before Saturday's season opener against Tuskegee.  Finish.

"One of the main things we focused on this summer is finishing," Mason said. "We've got all the elements together."



While the entire team would like to finish and win a championship, the onus is likely on Mason, who has led the Bulldogs to the SWAC championship game two of the last three years, but hasn't come away with a title. A&M blew a 15-3 halftime lead to Grambling last year before falling 16-15.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself," said Mason, a 6-foot-3, 233-pound redshirt senior from Nashville. "I feel like it's my duty to the team to win it. It's that simple."

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A&T Aggies Looking For Win Against Coastal Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA A&T (0-0, 0-0) at COASTAL CAROLINA (0-0, 0-0)

Date: September 1, 2012
Time: 6 p.m.
Stadium: Brooks Stadium
Series: Coastal leads, 3-0
Radio: WNAA 90.1 FM; Campus Radio Station: Spencer Gwynn (play-by-play), Al Swann (color); Billy Covington (color), Mel Swann (halftime host).

CHIT CHATTER: North Carolina A&T is looking for its first win over a non-HBCU since beating Elon 19-17 on Sept. 25, 2004. The Aggies have lost their last seven games against non-HBCU's, including three straight losses to Coastal Carolina. The Aggies will also be looking for just their second road win in nine tries. Their last road win came against Morgan State on Oct. 1, 2011. A&T is making its second trip to Conway, S.C., in four years. Their last trip occurred on Sept. 26, 2009 during Mike Mayhew's freshman season. The rookie rushed for 84 yards on 11 carries in the 28-7 loss.

From the other coach:
Coastal Carolina head coach Joe Moglia on the Coastal offense
"Our Offense is coming along, not as much depth in offensive line. We've had inconsistency in regards to our specialists."

Moglia on A&T
"North Carolina A&T has an outstanding tailback and they put a big full back in front of him. At the end of the last football season, they really became a powerful team. They really have a lot of skilled athletes offensively and defensively."

It's A "Lock": Junior linebacker D'Vonte Grant still has a lot to prove. He is mainly out to prove that last season was no fluke. At first glance, Grant doesn't look like a big, bad scary linebacker. But once he is in his pads, he is as fearless as any linebacker in the FCS. Grant (5-11, 205, Charlotte, N.C.) led the Aggies in tackles and was considered one of the best newcomers in the FCS after being a finalist for the Jerry Rice award. No one will be surprised by his success this season after he earned a spot on the MEAC's defensive preseason team. Another solid season even though there will be more attention paid to him, will show despite his size, he can still be an effective linebacker.



Potential Gameday Star power: North Carolina A&T: Junior safety Travis Crosby lives around the football. He is accustomed to making big plays whether the ball is in the air or on the ground. He will play a big part in trying to slow down the Chanticleers offense. Coastal Carolina: Senior quarterback Aramis Hillary threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the Chanticleers 31-14 win over the Aggies in 2011 at Aggie Stadium. No other opponent threw for that many yards against the Aggies throughout last season. Hillary, who was 18-for-24 in the game, has many of his weapons back including junior receiver Matt Hazel, who caught two of Hillary's touchdown passes.

The Magic Number For A&T: 0: In the Aggies previous three meetings against Coastal Carolina, they have failed to score a single point in the first half. If the Aggies are able to strike early against the Chanticleers, it could go a long way in helping the Aggies earn their win in three tries against the Chanticleers.



Fantasy League Pick: If this were a fantasy league ballgame, a solid guy to play would be senior receiver Larry Raper. Raper runs a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash, making him one of the fastest players on the team. For Aggie fans, Raper's speed is no surprise. What will make him an offensive threat this season are two other added elements to his game - size and leadership. Raper has put in the work to replace Wallace Miles as the Aggies No. 1 receiver by adding muscle and determination during the offseason. All that hard work may pay off Saturday night in Conway, S.C.

FROM THE NOTES

The Monster Mash
North Carolina A&T had one of the best run defenses in the country last season. The Aggies ranked seventh in rush defense and eighth in overall defense. A big part of the Aggies success came behind the leadership of senior defensive end Tony Mashburn. Mashburn made 12.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage in 2011. As a team, the Aggies held five of their opponents to under 50 yards rushing last season. In three of those games, the Aggies held their opponents to under 10 yards rushing.



Broadway Openers
North Carolina A&T head coach Rod Broadway is entering his 10th season as a head coach. He spent four seasons apiece at N.C. Central and Grambling. He is 5-4 in season openers as a head coach. He was 1-3 at Grambling when playing a season opener with two of those losses coming to Division I FBS teams. At N.C. Central, he was 3-1 in games that opened the season with his only loss coming to North Carolina A&T in 2003. Last season the Aggies opened with a 38-7 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg.

Mayhew Carries The Load
Mike Mayhew native is just 10 carries shy of becoming the school's all-time leader in rush attempts as well. He was only one of 25 backs with at least 150 carries in the Football Championship Subdivision to rush for more than 100 yards per game. In 2010, Mayhew carried the ball a school record 221 times. The following year, he outdid himself by breaking his own record with 231 rushing attempts. Mayhew has recorded 25 or rushing attempts eight times in his career. He is averaging 131.8 yards in those games.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Delaware State Hornets eager to get ball rolling

DOVER, Delaware - Delaware State University has won five out of its last seven football openers. But considering the Hornets haven’t had a winning season since 2007, that kickoff momentum has not been carrying through the rest of the campaign.

Delaware State hopes to change that trend starting today when it kicks off the 2012 season at Alumni Stadium against Virginia Military Institute in a nonconference tilt at 2 p.m.

“This is why we do what we do,” said Kermit Blount, beginning his second season as the Hornets’ head coach. “This is what we’ve been waiting for. It gives the kids the opportunity to play somebody with different-colored jerseys and gives a chance to match wits with a good staff from VMI.”

Delaware State defeated VMI 24-21 in Lexington, Va., in the first game between the teams last season. Nick Elko threw for 230 yards and three touchdowns and Justin Wilson had a pair of TD catches to lead the Hornets’ 346-yard offensive attack.



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Stillman hopes maturity leads to improvement

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama | After going 7-4 last season, Stillman coach Teddy Keaton is looking for this year’s squad to compete for the SIAC title. However, Keaton refuses to let his team rest on the successes of the 2011 season.

“Last year is last year. I’ll put that in the scrapbook. Every year, a team has a different identity. As far as camp goes right now, they’ve done a great job in the offseason of getting better, getting stronger, understanding execution, doing it the right way.”



This year’s team plans on using the experience built up by last year’s freshmen and some talented newcomers to achieve their goals.

“Right now, they’ve demonstrated the maturity level. A lot of the kids who played last year were freshman, now they’re sophomores, and there’s a mixture of juniors in there. They’ve matured into their role, they’re understanding the offense and understanding the defensive schemes.

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Expectations high as WSSU Rams hit field

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - One of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent Winston-Salem State football history will start at 6 p.m. today when WSSU plays UNC Pembroke at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Rams are coming off a program-best 13-1 season and are No. 9 in the American Football Coaches Association's preseason rankings.

"We've got a veteran team coming back, and we've replaced the guys we lost with some quality players, and right now they are performing well," coach Connell Maynor said. "I think because our offense and defense are both so experienced, it's really hard to make plays in practice. I think they are ready to play outside competition."

Maynor predicted a two-touchdown victory earlier this week against a UNCP team that has lost two straight to WSSU — 34-7 in 2011 and 21-7 in 2010, both at Pembroke.



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ECSU Vikings do extra prep for opener

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina - Waverly Tillar wanted to be sure his Elizabeth City State football team would be on firm footing when the Vikings make their season debut at Newberry College today.

The Wolves play on artificial turf and Tillar was concerned that the ECSU players, who practice and play on natural grass, might get distracted by the different surface, so he took the team to East Carolina last Sunday to work out on a similar field.

“We’ve got a bunch of new guys and I wanted to get those turf jitters out of them so they would feel more comfortable,” Tillar said. “The game is much faster on turf. You have to give them a chance to get accustomed to it.

“Playing faster than normal, guys can ...

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Livingstone College band ready for football season

SALISBURY, North Carolina - When the Livingstone College Marching Blue Bears take the field tonight at Alumni Memorial Stadium, their size alone will impress you. When they start playing "In the Stone," one of Earth, Wind & Fire's biggest hits, you're probably going to be blown away. In fact, you might think members from the Grammy-winning group's horn section have donned Livingstone uniforms and are out there on the field, too.

Marching bands have long been the essence and ethos of the black college experience. More than a century ago, Alabama A&M's chancellor recruited W.C. Handy to join the faculty and direct the band, orchestra and vocal music programs. Over time, the tunes played by HBCU marching bands have evolved from classical music to more popular music - notably soul and R&B.

It's not uncommon for halftime shows to include songs by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Average White Band, Frankie Beverly & Maze, The Gap Band and other popular artists. Sometimes, even musical show tunes wind their way into the performances.

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NCCU Eagles look to cut turnovers, penalties

COACH HENRY FRAZIER III

DURHAM, North Carolina — A year ago, N.C. Central was on the road in New Jersey to play Rutgers in the Eagles’ season opener as a Football Championship Subdivision team. Rutgers, an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team, beat NCCU 48-0.

The Eagles start the season today (6 p.m., WNCU 90.7-FM) at home against Fayetteville State, a Division-II school from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, in which NCCU competed before rejoining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

NCCU coach Henry Frazier III admitted that there is some added pressure for hosting a Division II squad in Game 1. NCCU doesn’t have the upper hand just because it’s on a higher level, Frazier said.

“Man, we went 2-9 (in 2011) — ain’t no upper hands,” Frazier said. “When you’re coming off 2-9 (and) you’re 0-5 at home, you can’t look a that. I don’t think no one should be around here talking about upper hands.”

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NSU player with NFL sibling is on his own path

NORFOLK, Virginia  -  After their freshman year at Norfolk State, DeMarta' Johnson was hanging out at teammate Keenan Lambert's house. They talked. They relaxed. Then a rookie safety with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks strolled into the room.

"He was just walking around the house," Johnson said. "I was kinda startled. I was like, 'Yo, that's Kam Chancellor.' I recognized him from Virginia Tech. He's like, 'Yeah that's my brother.' "

Johnson wasn't the only one surprised. Most people, including some teammates, still don't know Lambert and Chancellor are half-brothers who grew up sharing a bedroom.

The different last names are part of the reason. Lambert does the rest, downplaying the connection.

THE GAME
Norfolk State vs. Virginia State at Dick Price Stadium,6 p.m.
Radio 102.1 FM, 1490 AM

GAME WATCH
Virginia State at Norfolk State
Time 6 p.m.
No TV
Radio 102.1 FM, 1490 AM





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SCSU Marching 101 vs. Georgia State Panthers

What to watch for in Sunday's MEAC/SWAC Challenge

MONTGOMERY,. Alabama - Watch what Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow and company had to say after their last practice in Montgomery before heading to Orlando for the big game. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday and the game will be aired live on ESPN. Video is courtesy of http:www.bamastatesports.com.

Interviews with HC Reggie Barlow, CB Saeed Lee, FS Kejuan Riley and QB Greg Jenkins on this week's game vs. Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC-SWAC Chalenge Sunday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. CST in Orlando, Fla.

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FAMU seeking the right fit on special teams

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Some of the blame could be put on LeRoy Vann for the high standard that kickoff and punt returners for FAMU must now attain.

Vann made it a habit of scoring touchdowns on punt returns and he left with a school record three seasons ago. Since then, there hasn’t been a punt or kick returner who came close to the feat.



Coach Joe Taylor isn’t quite sure he’s found the man yet to match Vann but the ones he’s chosen as returners seem to be doing a pretty good job. Not of imitating Vann, mind you. At least they are getting the ball to a spot that would give FAMU good field position.

Cornerback Marvin Ross will take the lead on punt returns, with defensive back Terry Johnson and Lenworth Lennon as back-ups. James Owens will handle kick returns. He and Ross each had a return for a touchdown in the Rattlers’ final scrimmage last weekend.

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Fort Valley State has something to prove

FORT VALLEY, Georgia - There are doubters in the dorm rooms next to them, down the street and certainly on message boards. After a 2-8 season, Fort Valley State is in dire need of momentum from the season’s opening kickoff and on.

But playing a top-25 team on the road is likely to make that quite tough. Defensive back Dajuan Williams wouldn’t have it any other way when the underdog Wildcats visit No. 14 Delta State on Saturday.

“I like to play them early,” he said. “Set the tone, let other teams know we’re really coming to play. Once we take care of them, earn our respect early and maintain it throughout the season.”

It won’t be easy.

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Mature Mississippi State team takes on Jackson State

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - Back in 2009, Mississippi State opened the Dan Mullen era with a 45-7 demolition of Jackson State in the first meeting between an SEC football program and a SWAC school.

Mullen still remembers the Bulldogs' first offensive play of that game.

"We ran a double-reverse on the first play," he said this week. "I wanted to make sure we put a stamp on what the future was going to be like. That double-reverse play was planned out for like a year.

"Now we're four years in. We'll probably hand it off up the middle."

Now entering his fourth season in Starkville, Mullen has led the Bulldogs to two straight bowl wins and expectations are high for 2012. And again, the season will begin with Jackson State in a 6 p.m. kickoff today at Davis Wade Stadium.


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Jacarde Carter next in line at GSU

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana  -  Cliff Exama was always in Jacarde Carter’s ear during Carter’s freshman football season at Grambling State.

“Your whole playing career, you have to seize the moment, take it for what it is and build from that,” Carter said of Exama’s advice.

When Carter saw Bryan Nelson’s fumble on the ground in the fourth quarter of December’s Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, he did exactly what his senior teammate told him. Carter seized the loose ball and scooted 66 yards for the decisive score in Grambling’s 16-15 victory. The victory capped a season-ending seven-game win streak while the play helped propel Carter into the discussion of who would replace Exama, the 2011 SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Carter finished last season fourth on the team with ...

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Bowie State, Benedict Tigers Live on CBS Sports Network

BOWIE, Maryland - The NCAA Division II and CBS Sports Network have announced their 2012 regular-season football television schedule and Bowie State University will hit the airwaves first on Thursday (September 6th) on the road at Benedict College at 8 pm.  Bowie State defeated Benedict last season (31-14) on the Bulldogs' home field in the inagural contest.

The Benedict Tigers are a member of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

Division II Vice President Mike Racy said the program, now in its seventh year, has been good for the participating institutions and Division II in general.

“This will be the seventh season of Division II regular-season coverage on CBS Sports Network,” Racy said. “After this year, national telecasts will have originated from 35 different Division II football stadiums, and about 25 percent of our football-playing members will have had regular-season national television exposure. It's been great for the division, and the schools say it's also been valuable for them.”

This will be the first appearance on the CBS Sports Network series for eight institutions in football or basketball.

After the Bowie State / Benedict contest, the series will include  five conference matchups, including a Sept. 13 game between Texas A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State. That contest will be part of a Lone Star Football Festival – a three-day, six-game event at Cowboy Stadium that will include all nine LSC teams.

The remaining matchups include: Truman State at Central Missouri (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association), Sept. 20. This will be the only 2012 football matchup between founding members of the MIAA, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Wingate at Carson-Newman (South Atlantic Conference), Sept. 27. Carson-Newman is a three-time Division II finalist.  Wayne State (Mich.) at Saginaw Valley State (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), Oct. 11. Wayne State lost to Pittsburg State in the 2011 championship game. New Haven at Stonehill (Northeast-10 Conference), Oct. 18. New Haven received a first-round bye in last year's Division II championship playoffs.

2012 BSU BULLDOGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern gets important paycheck, exposure for New Mexico game

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Asked how competitive his team can be against the Football Bowl Subdivision’s New Mexico Lobos in the season opener, Southern coach Stump Mitchell made his feelings clear.

“We’re not just going up there to collect a paycheck,” Mitchell said. “We’re going up there to try to get win No. 1.” But the paycheck will sure be nice.

For making the trip out to Albuquerque, N.M., the Jaguars will receive a guarantee of $350,000 — a sum that goes a long way toward boosting the SU athletics budget. In total, the school will receive a little more than $1.1 million between the New Mexico game, a guarantee from the Atlanta Football Classic against Florida A&M and ticket revenue from the Bayou Classic against Grambling.

Altogether, that amounts to more than 13 percent of Southern’s projected athletics revenues.

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MSU will look to unleash passing attack on Jackson State

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen says the winning formula for his football team won't change.

However, with four senior starting wide receivers and a former Parade All-American -- junior Tyler Russell -- at quarterback, the prevailing thought is MSU will become a pass-first football offense. MSU's season opener at 6 p.m. Saturday (Fox Sports South) against Jackson State University should give Mullen and his assistant coaches an opportunity to define the personality of the offense again.

"Our personality is never going to change," Mullen said. "We want to run the football and be a very physical team, but the expectations the guys have in themselves of making plays in the passing game can make you a more explosive offense."

In Mullen's first three years at MSU, his offense has averaged at least 175.3 yards rushing per season. It also has had a passing game without experienced receivers and quarterbacks who are true pocket passers.

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