HBCU Football Preview: Arkansas Pine-Bluff Is Not To Here For Your Amusement

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  It’s important to keep in mind the intimacy of HBCU sports. You often hear the question of why the Southwestern Athletic Conference doesn’t send a team to the FCS playoffs, or why don’t black college sports compete on more of a national scale.

Wouldn’t it help them with recruiting, if players knew they could compete for a national title at the end of the season?

It all depends on whether a young, promising athlete can be sold on that localized fame appeal. You win the SWAC, MEAC or an HBCU classic, and it means just as much or more than a chance to take on Montana or North Dakota State in the FCS title game.

Unfortunately, most black colleges don’t have the resources that elite FCS programs do, so it’s an uneven playing field economically. Best to do like the south did for so long in Hip-Hop – keep the money and attraction local, then shine in any weather.

The college football season gets started this week with a lot of the writing on the HBCU football wall. Here’s a look at the black football college hierarchy of the moment.

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Winston-Salem State men’s basketball lands three frontcourt players

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- When 6-8 power forward Michel-Ofik Nzege left Winston-Salem State to transfer to East Carolina, Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams didn’t panic.

Instead, he and his staff went about finding frontcourt help and did so in a big way.

 

Center Brian Okam, a 7-footer from Appalachian State, has transferred to WSSU and so has 6-7 Stacy Caroway, who started his career at Morehead State. The Rams also picked up 6-10 post player Freddie Scott, a transfer from Delaware State.

“We needed help up front because … our two inside guys that were coming back this season were Wykevin (Bazemore) and Victor Holloway,” Collins said. “I’m a big believer in my faith and what our program needed and while we hated to see Ziggy go, we also recruited some young men who were intent on making good decisions for themselves.”

The Rams, who were 21-7 last season, lost eight players from that team. Collins said he has 13 new players on his roster to add to his seven returning players.

“Yeah, we have a few new guys but ...

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TSU Volleyball Welcomed Over A Hundred Fans at Meet and Greet

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Over one hundred Tiger fans filled the upper level of the Floyd-Payne Campus Center Tuesday evening for the 2013 meet and greet.

 

The evening began with the Tigers entering before opening comments from TSU President Dr. Glenda Baskin-Glover. Fans then lined up to meet the team and get autographs on their Tiger Nation posters.

 

“I felt tonight was amazing,” head coach Kathy Roulhac said. “This is actually the best attendance we have had. I do not believe, until tonight, the girls knew how many people support Tiger volleyball. It is awesome for them, especially the new girls, to experience the TSU family.”

 

The Tigers open play on Friday, Aug. 30 at the Jaguar Invite hosted by the University of South Alabama.

 

“I feel we are ready,” said Roulhac. “We are just as ready as everybody else will be on Friday. For some of the girls this is their first college experience. I am expecting the first ten points to be kind of crazy, but after, to settle in and to accomplish many good things this weekend.”

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB Golden Lions Dinged up, but Eager

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  --  The season opener is just days away and the Golden Lions are making final preparations for Saturday's battle with Arkanas State.

Staying healthy has been a key concern for UAPB head coach Monte Coleman. That has been a chore for the defending SWAC champions. "We are a bit beat up, but things are going well," said Coleman. "Some of the back-ups have had to step up, but we will be ready on Saturday."

Coleman mentioned being inspired by the Biblical story of Gideon. "Gideon's army was outnumbered going into battle," season Coleman, "but they had faith against the odds to win."

And as the story goes, Gideon's army won....stay tuned.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

Game Notes: NCCU Football at Duke (Aug. 31)

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- Complete Game Notes 
THE GAME
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" vs. Duke University "Blue Devils"

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, August 31, 2013 – Kickoff at 4:00 p.m.

THE SITE
Wallace Wade Stadium (33,941 capacity/Natural Grass) - Durham, N.C.

THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (0-0 overall, 0-0 MEAC); Duke (0-0 overall, 0-0 ACC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network mobile app (iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Kindle Fire HD); "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream); Satellite radio: XM 190/Sirius 110. Broadcast starts at 3:30 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst; Anthony Sharp, sideline reporter)

Video: ESPN3 (http://es.pn/NCCUvsDUKE) #NCCUvsDUKE

QUICK HITS
• Saturday will be the third meeting between Durham foes NCCU and Duke.
• NCCU's projected starting quarterback Jordan Reid performed well off the bench in last year's game against Duke, earning the starting job the rest of the season and breaking the NCCU single-season record for pass completion percentage (62.3%).
• Both NCCU and Duke are coming off notable seasons, with the Eagles posting their first winning season since 2007 and the Blue Devils playing in their first bowl game since 1994.
• NCCU has three student-athletes from Durham that are expected to suit up against hometown opponent Duke on Saturday: Zachary Giles (Hillside H.S.), Micah Martin (Southern H.S.) and Jeremy Thompson (Southern H.S.).
• NCCU and Duke cross country teams will start Saturday's dual meet inside Wallace Wade Stadium at approximately 3:45 p.m., 15 minutes prior to the kickoff of the football game.

THE SERIES
This will be the third meeting between the Eagles of NCCU and the Blue Devils of Duke University. Duke leads the series 2-0 after a 49-14 win on Sept. 26, 2009 and a 54-17 victory on Sept. 15, 2012, both played inside Wallace Wade Stadium.

NCCU EAGLES NO STRANGERS TO WALLACE WADE STADUIM
Durham neighbors North Carolina Central University and Duke University will meet on the gridiron for just the third time on Saturday inside Wallace Wade Stadium, but the Eagles are no strangers to Duke's home field. NCCU has played football contests at Wallace Wade Stadium on five occasions, boasting a record of 2-3. The Eagles made their first known appearance at Wallace Wade Stadium on Nov. 18, 1972, in a game against rival North Carolina A&T that determined the MEAC championship. NCCU edged the Aggies 9-7. Two weeks later (Dec. 2, 1972), NCCU returned to Wallace Wade Stadium for the first Pelican Bowl against Grambling, in an event that was tagged as the National Black Championship game. The Tigers cruised to a 56-6 victory. On Nov. 23, 1974, the Eagles once again defeated rival North Carolina A&T, this time by a score of 29-18. NCCU faced Duke for the first time inside Wallace Wade Stadium on Sept. 26, 2009, which the Blue Devils won 49-14. Last season on Sept. 15, 2012, Duke beat the visiting Eagles on its home field 54-17.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
North Carolina Central University enters its third season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletic competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles won back-to-back football conference championships and a Black College National Championship in their final two years in the Division II ranks (2005 and 2006) before starting the transition to Division I in 2007. During its storied gridiron tradition, NCCU has produced 131 all-conference selections, 64 all-Americans, 40 NFL draft picks, 10 conference championships and two Black College National Championships.

THE COACHES
North Carolina Central: Dwayne Foster (Delaware State, 1993) joined NCCU in 2011 as assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach, before being elevated to interim head coach prior to the 2013 season. Previously, he served as running backs coach at Prairie View A&M University (2005-10), tight ends and running backs coach at Catholic University (2004), and offensive line coach at Bowie State University (2003). Foster made his name on the high school level in Washington, D.C., as the head coach of Archbishop Carroll High School from 1997-2003. At Archbishop, Foster received coach of the year honors by the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Committee in 1998. Foster played college football at Delaware State University from 1989-93 and helped the Hornets capture two MEAC Championships during his freshmen and junior seasons before graduating in 1993. Foster is a member of the Black Coaches and American Football Coaches Associations, was part of the NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Program in 2010 with the Buffalo Bills and in 2012 with the Cincinnati Bengals, and participated in the NCAA Men's Football Coaching Academy in Indianapolis, Ind., in June 2006.

Duke: David Cutcliffe (Alabama, 1976), who was voted 2012 ACC Coach of the Year after leading the Blue Devils to the program's first bowl game appearance since 1994, was named Duke University's 21st head football coach on December 15, 2007. Cutcliffe is 21-40 in five seasons at Duke and owns an overall head coaching ledger of 65-69 in 11 seasons. Cutcliffe, born September 16, 1954, came to Duke after serving the previous two seasons as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee. His head coaching experience includes a six-year stint at the University of Mississippi from 1999-2004, where he compiled a 44-29 (.603) ledger with five winning seasons, five bowl game appearances and a share of the SEC Western Division championship in 2003. Cutcliffe was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2003 after leading the Rebels to a 10-3 record, including a 31-28 victory over Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl. Cutcliffe has participated in 22 bowl games including the 1982 Peach, 1983 Florida Citrus, 1984 Sun, 1986 Sugar, 1986 Liberty, 1988 Peach, 1990 Cotton, 1991 Sugar, 1992 Fiesta, 1993 Hall of Fame, 1994 Florida Citrus, 1994 Gator, 1996 Florida Citrus, 1997 Florida Citrus, 1998 Orange, 1998 Independence, 1999 Independence, 2000 Music City, 2002 Independence, 2004 Cotton, 2007 Outback, 2008 Outback and 2012 Belk. He owns a 4-2 record as a head coach in bowl tilts with victories over Oklahoma, Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. As a member of the coaching staff at Tennessee from 1982-98, Cutcliffe helped the Volunteers to four SEC championships, 16 bowl games in 17 seasons and the national title in 1998. His first tenure with the Vols featured the mentoring of quarterbacks Andy Kelly, Heath Shuler, Tee Martin and Peyton Manning.

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St. Aug Names Tony Sheals Head Men's Basketball Coach

HEAD COACH TONY SHEALS
MEN'S BASKETBALL
SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- The Saint Augustine's University athletics department announced the hiring of Tony Sheals as head men's basketball coach on Tuesday, August 27, 2013.

Sheals brings a wealth of experience to the St. Aug basketball program. He has coached on the high school, collegiate and professional levels for more than 20 years, including Florida State University, Bethune-Cookman University, Towson University and Delaware State University. Sheals spent the last three seasons at Florida A&M University, where he was the Associate Head Men's Basketball Coach. While at Florida A&M, the Rattlers reached the MEAC Tournament semifinals in the 2011-2012 season.

Sheals will take over a St. Aug team which finished 16-12 overall last season. At one point during the regular season, the Falcons led the CIAA Southern Division with an unbeaten division mark. Five players return from that squad.

"He is starting with a seasoned, talented team so we are looking for a big finish," St. Aug President Dianne Boardley Suber said.

Sheals is thrilled to coach at St. Aug. He is excited about competing in the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association), which is steeped in basketball tradition.

"I want to thank Dr. Suber, athletic director George Williams and the committee for selecting me to lead the basketball program at St. Aug," Sheals said. "It is a tremendous opportunity and honor to represent the Falcon community. I look forward to coaching in the CIAA and leading our program to success."

Sheals was head coach at Bethune-Cookman (1994-1997) and Delaware State (2000) during their most successful periods in basketball history. He finished with a conference record of .500 or better each season at Bethune-Cookman, where Sheals was named MEAC Coach of the Year in 1995 as the Wildcats established school marks for best overall regular-season record and conference finish.

Sheals enjoyed success as an assistant coach for several years in the traditionally strong Atlantic Coast Conference, considered one of, if not the best, collegiate basketball conference in the nation. He was Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Miami (2001-2002) and Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at Florida State University (2002-2006).

Sheals was also an assistant coach at Towson State (1997-1999) of the America East Conference where he was primarily responsible for recruiting the No. 1 recruiting class in the league for two consecutive years.

During his time in Miami, the Hurricanes played in the NCAA Tournament four times in five years, earned a No. 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament and won a then school-record 24 games. At Florida State, he helped assemble four of the top recruiting classes in school history, including the nation's No. 1-ranked class in 2003. The Seminoles defeated six nationally-ranked Division I teams with Sheals on the coaching staff.

Sheals began his coaching career at Kathleen High School (1984 -1990) in Lakeland, Fla., where he compiled a career record of 156-57. He led his teams to three state tournament finals appearances (1986,1987,1989), posting one 31-win season and two 29-win seasons during his tenure. His 1987 team was ranked 18th in the nation by USA Today and Sheals was named Class 4A Coach of the Year by the Central Florida Coaches Association. He was recently inducted into the Lakeland Sports Hall of Fame for his coaching achievements at Kathleen High School.

After coaching six years on the high school level, Sheals coached on the junior college level as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at South Florida Community College (1990-1992). At South Florida CC, he led the Panthers to a No. 8 ranking in the state, its first ever postseason tournament victory and a conference tournament final appearance.

Sheals also was the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Palm Beach Community College (2006-2009), the Assistant Basketball Coach of the Tampa Bay Thunder Dawg

Sheals holds a B.S. degree in health and physical education from Bethune-Cookman University (1980), where he finished Cum Laude. He and his wife Marian, have two children: a son, Drew, and a daughter, Marissa.

s (1999-2000) of the American Basketball Association and the Head Boys Basketball Coach at Florida A&M University Developmental Research School during his coaching career.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

St. Augs AD George Williams to be Inducted in the Raleigh Hall of Fame

COACH GEORGE WILLIAMS
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY

RALEIGH, North Carolina  --  Athletic Director George Williams will be inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame Class of 2013 on October 7 during a gala dinner at the Raleigh Convention Center. The Raleigh Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and non-profit organizations, past and present, who have made significant contributions to the City of Raleigh.

Williams is a member of six Halls of Fames: the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the Florida Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Saint Augustine’s University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Booker T. Washington High School (Miami, Fla.) Hall of Fame and the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Hall of Fame.

Coach Williams, who has built a dynasty in track and field and cross country at Saint Augustine’s University, began coaching in 1976. His track and field programs have won an astounding 33 national championships including the 2013 NCAA Division II Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Championships.

Williams has coached 39 Olympians, including three gold medalists. He has been the recipient of more than 100 track and field coach of the year honors, including the 2013 NCAA Division II National Indoor and Outdoor Men’s Coach of the Year Awards by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Under his leadership, the Falcons have amassed more than 150 CIAA track and field and cross country conference championships. Additionally, his scholarship student-athletes have a 95 percent graduation rate.

In 2012, Williams was selected 13th among the CIAA 100 Greatest Athletes and Coaches during the year of the conference’s 100th anniversary. On February 16, 2012, he was honored
with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Raleigh (N.C.) Sports Council. In 2008, Williams received the Bighouse Gaines Unsung Hero Award from the Winston-Salem State University Alumni Association.

Additionally, Williams has received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award three times - from Governor Jim Martin, Governor James Hunt in 1996 and Governor Michael Easley in 2004. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award is the highest civilian honor presented by the Governor of North Carolina. Coach Williams received this honor because of his career achievements, and his extraordinary service to the state and the community.

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELAITONS

#5 WSSU Rams to face UNC-Pembroke on CBS Sports Network in Season Opener

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina --  If you can't make it to Pembroke, NC next Thursday to see the Winston-Salem State University Rams return to the gridiron to face the UNC Pembroke Braves at Grace P. Johnson Stadium, catch all the action on the CBS Sports Network in the first game of the NCAA Division II 2013 television package.

 

With a little over 10 days and a few hours before kickoff, make sure you do not miss a moment of the action in 2013 season opener. The game should be an exciting one as the two teams met in a thrilling contest last season as the Rams escaped last year's matchup with a 28-23 victory in Winston-Salem, N.C.

 

Fans can watch CBS Sports Network now on Time Warner Cable: Channel 537 and 1537(HD); Direct TV: Channel 613 and 613(HD); and the Dish Network: Channel 158 and 158(HD). You can also visit http://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/channel-finder to find the channel in your viewing area.

"This year's package of games offers a tremendous representation of Division II football," said Frank Condino, chair of the Division II Football Committee and athletics director at Indiana (Pa.).

 

"The quality of teams and talent included is top-notch across the country. Featuring last year's national runner-up (Winston-Salem State ), a game at Cowboys Stadium and a matchup pitting the defending Harlon Hill Trophy winner against last year's third-place finisher are just a few of the highlights that make this lineup special."

 

NCAA Division II enters the eighth year of its partnership with CBS Sports Network in 2013, with nearly 25 percent of the division's football-playing members having enjoyed national television exposure during the course of the agreement.

 

"Institutions from seven different conferences, plus one independent, are represented this year," NCAA Associate Director of Division II Josh Looney said. "Over the past seven years, national telecasts have originated from 35 different Division II football stadiums, and we're adding five new venues to that list this year. In addition, eight teams will make their first football appearance on CBS Sports Network. This partnership has provided incredible visibility for our division that only continues to grow."

 

The Rams and the Braves are scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. kickoff at Grace P. Johnson Stadium in Pembroke, North Carolina. For more information on Rams football, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143.

 

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU Rams Open Up Season Ranked #1 In Sheridan Poll

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania  -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams top the initial 2013 Sheridan Broadcasting Network Poll heading into the first college football weekend of the year.    The WSSU Rams have finished the past two seasons ranked #1 in the Sheridan Poll, which crowns the HBCU National Champion.

 

The WSSU Rams open up the 2013 season on the road next Thursday in Pembroke, NC taking on the Braves of UNC Pembroke.  The game will be televised on the CBS Sports Network. Fans can watch CBS Sports Network now on Time Warner Cable: Channel 537 and 1537(HD); Direct TV: Channel 613 and 613(HD); and the Dish Network: Channel 158 and 158(HD). You can also visit http://www.cbssportsnetwork.com/channel-finder to find the channel in your viewing area.

 

 

Team (First-place votes)	2012 Record	Points	Previous Rank
1. Winston-Salem State Rams (19)	14-1	235	1
2. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (9)	9-3	217	3
3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (2)	10-2	204	2
4. Tuskegee Golden Tigers	10-2	182	4
5. Tennessee State Tigers	8-3	158	5
6. North Carolina A&T Aggies	7-4	124	10
7. Jackson State Tigers	7-5	95	6
8. Alabama State Hornets	7-4	52	7
9. Howard Bison	7-4	39	9
10. South Carolina State Bulldogs	5-6	26	NR
Others receiving votes (in order of points): Alabama A&M 23, Miles College 19, Elizabeth City State 17, Norfolk State 11, Fort Valley State 8.

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bowie State's Coach Damon Wilson Gains Valuable Experience as NFL's St. Louis Rams Intern

DAMON WILSON
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY

ST. LOUIS, Missouri  --  Bowie State Head Football Coach Damon Wilson recently completed a summer internship with St. Louis Rams as part of the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship. The annual program is administered by the NFL Management Council and NFL Player Engagement.

The program's objective is to use NFL Clubs' training camps, offseason workout program and minicamps to give talented minority coaches opportunities to observe, participate, gain experience and ultimately gain a full-time NFL coaching position.

"The Rams are a first class organization and Coach Fisher and his staff really continued to improve my development as a Head coach and the CEO of Bowie State University football program", said Wilson.

During his internship with the Rams, Wilson had the opportunity to participate in all of the offensive/Defensive and Special teams meetings along with personnel meetings. Wilson primarily worked with Coach Ben Sirmans (Running Backs) and Coach Brian Schottenheimer (Offensive Coordinator). "Coach Schottenheimer along with his offensive staff have a wealth of knowledge and have an excellent way of teaching their players", stated Wilson.

Designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, all 32 NFL Clubs participate in the program on an annual basis. Specific aspects of the program (including hiring, salary and coaching duties) are administered on a Club-by-Club basis. No elements of the Fellowship are mandated to the Clubs by the League office, but several "best practices" have been strongly recommended to the Club, including: Participants are hired for the duration of training camp, including all pre-season games. Clubs are encouraged to hire a minimum of four (4) participants.

As part of the programs' evolution, in 2012 the NFL announced the formation of the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Advisory Council, comprised of a distinguished group of NFL coaches and general managers.

"I believe this was the best possible organization for me to land an internship with because of the youth on their roster and the experience of the coaching staff, said Wilson. "The Rams have one of the youngest rosters in the NFL, which for me was great because it reminded me of a college atmosphere at practice and in meetings. I was also afforded the opportunity to meet with the Pro and College scouting department. This was great because it gave me the opportunity to confirm that what we are teaching and telling our student-athletes at Bowie State University is in line with what's being taught at the highest level. We are very fortunate with graduating our players and to have two players from BSU in the last four years remain on NFL rosters. In order to continue to prepare our players for the possible opportunity to play at the highest level, I believe that my coaching staff and I must take advantage of every opportunity that we receive to experience an internship like this one."

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Remembering 'The Dream': Thousands Retrace Historical Steps in March on Washington

FAMU's Lovejoy settles in on D-line

Michael Lovejoy

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Michael Lovejoy’s football life just seems to always happen.

When he was 10 years old and wanted to play quarterback, his coaches told him he’d be a better fit on either the defensive or offensive line. He played both.

A year ago, he came to FAMU as a freshman with the size to play on either side of the ball. He wasn’t sure where he’d end up, but quickly found himself as the backup to Padric Scott at nose tackle.

Coming into this season, Lovejoy finds himself as defensive line coach George Small’s choice to start at nose tackle on a young defensive
line. Now his teammates are looking to him for the same kind of smash-mouth leadership that Scott brought in his final season last fall.

“They are big shoes to fill, but ...

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FAMU vs MVSU Press Conference for MEAC-SWAC

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  The weekly football press conference with the media will start today.

The media-only press conference will be at 12 noon, but will be posted on FAMUAthletics.com at 6 p.m.  Today's presser will be aired free of charge.  Today's press conference will feature head coach Earl Holmes, quarterback Damien Fleming, running back James Owens, safety John Ojo and kicker Chase Varnadore.

FAMU Athletics is proud to announce expanded partnerships with both the FAMU School of Business and Industry and the FAMU School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.  These partnerships have provided interns to the sports information department over the last two years, but this year it has also resulted in a migration to high definition video for Rattler Vision.  In upgrading the infrastructure to HD, the experience for fans will be better when viewing content online.



COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Donald Hill-Eley not worrying about his future at Morgan State

DONALD HILL-ELEY
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY BEARS

Despite moving into final year of contract, Bears head coach insists he can only control "how I coach this particular team"

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- In the final year of his contract at Morgan State, Donald Hill-Eley knows his time is winding down. Despite the absence of an extension, however, the coach is not fretting about his future.

“The uncertainty affects us all,” he conceded. “[But] the things I can control, I can control. I should be getting my doctorate degree at the end of this year. I can control how I coach this particular team, and I can control coming to work every day and working hard. It’s very unfortunate sometimes when you look at it. I’ve graduated more than 200 men and took over a program that hadn’t won in 23 years, but I’m only evaluated by my record – not by what I’ve done for the community or for the young people. But that’s the game of football. You don’t sit there and lick a wound. You just keep working. I can’t get into the situation. It took work and creating belief, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Hill-Eley was nearly out of a job after last season when he accidentally received in November a email outlining the search for his successor. Two months later, he was given a reprieve, but there has been no talk about negotiating for an extension.

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Morgan addresses media as MVSU Delta Devils prep for national TV appearance with FAMU

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Mississippi Valley State head football coach Karl Morgan addressed the media today on the first of many Monday's to come as the fourth-year coach spoke about the Delta Devils' upcoming trip to Orlando and a host of other topics. Watch the full interview here.

The Delta Devils will kick off their season Sunday live on ESPN at 11:45 a.m. EST in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney against Florida A&M at the Citrus Bowl. It marks the first time that MVSU has played in the event.

"I think it's an honor for us to be there," said Morgan. "Talking to (former MVSU Athletic Director Ashley Robinson), he mentioned that the fact we finished (last season) with a three-game winning streak and five conference wins helped us in our bid to get here. It's an honor to represent the conference."

Valley recently wrapped up fall camp and one of the starting positions fans have kept an eye on is the quarterback battle between Jeremy Collins and Patrick Ivy. Morgan said the staff will likely name a starter on Tuesday.

Morgan also mentioned that he has been impressed by all of the quarterbacks in fall camp. And much of that progression can be attributed to new quarterbacks coach Rick Worman.

"Quarterback play has been better than it has been in the past three years and I attribute that to Rick Worman, our quarterbacks coach," said Morgan. "He has brought in a wealth of quarterback-play knowledge."

Worman, however, isn't the only new coach on the Delta Devil staff this season. Carlos Hollis, who was a starting safety for the Delta Devils last season and was named First Team All-SWAC, has taken over the duties as defensive backs coach.

"I thought who better to get than a person who's played in the system the last few years," Morgan said. "He knows what we're trying to do defensively (and) he's done it defensively, so I think that put him ahead of any other candidates."

When the Delta Devils hit the field Sunday they'll also honor former MVSU kicker Kevin Monzon, who died in June in a car accident in Leflore County. Each Valley player will wear a No. 47 decal on their helmet in honor of Monzon, who played one season at MVSU after transferring from Marietta College.

"We're going to honor him all this season with that on that back of our helmets," Morgan said.

Morgan also gave an update on linebacker Marcus Thompson, who was seriously injured in the same car accident. Thompson, who is at his home in Houston, Texas, has not yet been able to walk since the accident but has regained some feeling in his lower body, said Morgan.

"We kept his (jersey) number (and) locker open," he said. "We're hoping that he can come to a game this year. He's optimistic of his chances of walking again.

"We'll always carry the memories of those guys with us," Morgan added, "and hopefully we can do something that will make them proud."

The No. 47 decal won't be the only thing new about the Delta Devils. They'll also have new game jerseys, said Morgan. Unlike last year's jerseys, the new ones won't have red in them.

"School colors are officially green so we went back to a more traditional look," he said.

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Alabama A&M offense shaping up heading into opener at Grambling State

NORMAL, Alabama -- Alabama A&M had its bumps and bruises during preseason camp as injuries forced the Bulldogs to have to modify their regular routine.

Nonetheless, the they were able to get a lot of work done.

They found a starter at in quarterback in redshirt sophomore and Calera native Brandon Wells after relying on former signal-caller Deaunte Mason the past three seasons. Ball State transfer senior Barrington Scott and redshirt sophomore Brandon Eldemire shown themselves worth of carrying the load at tailback in A&M's opener at SWAC foe Grambling State (La.) Saturday.

"I don't know if you sit back and try to replace," longtime Bulldogs' coach Anthony Jones said during Monday's league coaches' teleconference. "What I think you do is try to concentrate on what you have here and not what you don't have and that's what we're doing. This is one of the great things about college football. Every three or four years, you get a new crop of guys to come in here and show what they can do."

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Southern Jaguars energized by game week

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Southern football team took to the practice fields Monday with plenty of enthusiasm, energized by the fact that game week is finally here.

“We’re just ready to go up against someone other than our own team,” co-offensive coordinator Chad Germany said.

The Jaguars practiced in full pads with a heavy emphasis on special teams. Coach Dawson Odums said sophomore place-kicker Greg Pittman holds a slight advantage over senior Matt Hill.

The Jaguars are also excited about the environment they’ll get to experience Friday night.

“From the type of field we practice on to going inside to Reliant Stadium with great turf, great surroundings and a great environment,” Odums said. “It will feel like a great football atmosphere to us. I really think it’s a win-win for everybody.”

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Alabama State RB Isaiah Crowell to play Saturday against Jacksonville State despite sitting out Hornets' last scrimmage

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Isaiah Crowell will be ready to go when Alabama State opens its 2013 football season at home against Jacksonville State Saturday despite sitting out the Hornets' final preseason scrimmage this past weekend.

"Isaiah's fine," ASU's Reggie Barlow said during Monday's first weekly coaches' teleconference. "He showed us all we needed to see from him in the first couple scrimmages. Saturday, we weren't going to have him do a whole bunch anyway because it was a controlled scrimmage. We weren't tackling. It was just, you know, another opportunity to kind of get a good practice in."

The Georgia transfer rushed for 842 yards and a SWAC-leading 15 touchdowns to help the Hornets finish 7-4 in his first season in black and gold in 2012 and earned him first-team all-league honors. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder from Columbus, Ga. scored on a 21-yard run in the Hornets second scrimmage a week prior.

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Hampton Pirates to Open 2013 at Western Illinois

DONOVAN ROSE
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY

MACOMB, Illinois -- The Hampton University football team will open the 2013 season at Western Illinois on Thursday, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. EST at Hanson Field.

The Pirates (3-7, 3-5 MEAC in 2012), coming into their fifth season under head coach Donovan Rose, were picked to finish ninth in the MEAC, while the Leathernecks (3-8, 1-7 MVFC), under first-year head coach Bob Nielson, were picked to finish ninth in the Missouri Valley Football Conference.

Redshirt-senior offensive lineman Jamal Wilson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and senior linebacker Matthew Davis (Chesapeake, Va.) were each named Preseason Second Team All-MEAC, while senior defensive back Carvin Johnson (New Orleans, La.) was on the Honorable Mention All-MEAC squad.

Wilson started all 10 games for the Pirates last season, and he was part of an offensive line that helped Hampton rank fifth in the MEAC with 148.1 rushing yards per game. He was part of a Pirates offensive line that helped Jeremiah Schwartz become the first Pirate to rush for over 1,000 yards since 2009. Behind Wilson's offensive line, Schwartz had seven 100-yard rushing games last season.



Davis tallied 37 tackles last season, including 13 solo efforts. His career-high of 12 tackles (five solo) came against Bethune-Cookman back on Sept. 29, and he led the team with 4.0 sacks last season. His 7.0 tackles for loss were third-most on the team.

Johnson was fourth on the team with 57 tackles in 2012, including 31 solo stops. He had a career-high 18 tackles at Tennessee Tech, and he recovered a team-high three fumbles last season.

The Pirates will have their fifth offensive coordinator in five seasons in Glen Ferebee. Ferebee comes to Hampton after spending five seasons as the head football coach at nearby Lakeland High School in Suffolk, where he recorded three winning seasons and led Lakeland to back-to-back state playoff appearances in 2011 and 2012. Ferebee played quarterback at Liberty University from 1995-99.

Bernard Clark Jr. returns to the Pirates this season to serve as defensive coordinator, taking the same position he held with the program back in 2009. That season, Hampton was third in the MEAC in both scoring defense (19.4 ppg) and total defense (278.1 ypg) – and Clark's Pirates were second in the conference in rushing defense, holding opponents to just 117.0 yards per game on the ground.

His team also had 157 sacks in 2009, second-most in the MEAC.

The Pirates are 1-0 all-time against Western Illinois, after beating the Leathernecks 40-20 at Armstrong Stadium on Sept. 18, 2004 – a year in which Hampton won 10 games and advanced to the NCAA Div. I-AA playoffs.

This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams in Macomb, Ill.

The Pirates are 1-3 all-time against schools currently in the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Hampton's last game against a MVFC school came in 2008, when the Pirates fell 37-31 at Southern Illinois. The Pirates are 1-0 all-time against Western Illinois, 0-2 against Southern Illinois, and 0-1 against Youngstown State.

Hampton has never faced Illinois State, Indiana State, Missouri State, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, South Dakota, or South Dakota State.

The Pirates went 1-5 on the road last season, with their lone win coming at Morgan State in the season finale. During Donovan Rose's tenure as head coach, Hampton is 8-13 on the road, and last season, the Pirates dropped road contests against Tennessee Tech, Florida A&M, North Carolina Central, Howard, and Delaware State.

The Pirates have seven road contests this season.

For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY PIRATES SPORTS INFORMATION

Mondays with Anthony: Alabama A&M football outlook for Grambling State game

HEAD COACH ANTHONY JONES
AAMU BULLDOGS

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Here's a look and listen from Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones and his weekly press conference.

This week: Alabama A&M (7-4, 6-3 in the SWAC in 2012) at Grambling State (1-10, 0-9), 6 p.m., Eddie Robinson Stadium, Grambling, La.

Last week: This is the season opener, but the Bulldogs are coming off a 2 ½-hour Saturday scrimmage in which the first-team offenses and defense both performed smoothly.

Saturday's standouts: Quarterback Brandon Wells had several long touchdown passes, including two to Montaurius Smith.

Coach Anthony Jones says: "When you deal with a first game of the year, you're going to be in a fog with what they do. We're more so in a fog because we don't have footage on their tendencies, what their personnel is, that sort of things. The way you prepare for that is (in practice give them) different looks, send a lot of pressure. You try to put your quarterback, running backs, offensive line, receivers, in the toughest situation you can put them in as far as pressure is concerned and different looks. You're not easy on them. And that's what I've done this training camp. ... You turn the heat up and maybe the guys go back and think, 'I need to work a little harder.'"

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Piland, Houston Cougars ready for Southern Jaguars

HOUSTON, Texas -- Houston coach Tony Levine announced Friday night that incumbent starter David Piland will be the Cougars’ starter this season again under center.

Piland, who threw for 2,929 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2012, was able to beat out freshman quarterbacks John O’Korn and Greg Ward Jr. in what was a heated positional battle during fall camp.

“Everyone got better, which is the whole point,” Piland said. “We wanted to push each other to try and bring back that competitiveness that we were lacking.”



Piland credited his experience with the program in holding the advantage at camp.

“I been around a little longer,” Piland said. “That was a big benefit to me.”

A product of Texas high school power Southlake Carroll, Piland acknowledges the benefits of playing for a distinguished program.

“The level that Southlake plays at ...

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‘Championship or bust’: After success of ’12, WSSU has its sights set on the big prize

1. WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- When Coach Connell Maynor hears that Winston-Salem State has nothing to prove this season, his eyes bulge and his voice rises.

"We have to keep that chip on our shoulder,” said Maynor, whose Rams have a 20-game winning streak in the regular season and the No. 5 ranking in the AFCA Division II preseason poll. “I had that chip there when I took over and we were coming off a 1-10 season. That chip hasn’t gone anywhere.”

The Rams lost plenty of offensive firepower from last season, when they finished a school-best 14-1 and as Division II runners-up. The defense, on the other hand, could be one of the best in school history and will have to carry the load early.

One benefit of last season’s success is that Maynor, who is entering his fourth season, and his staff have fielded calls from players at Division I programs looking for a place to play — WSSU opened camp with close to 120 players, including nearly 30 D-I transfers.

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PVAMU Panthers Conclude Camp, Focus On Labor Day Classic

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- After three weeks of training camp, the Prairie View A&M Panthers enter game week mode as the 2013 football season opener is only six days away.

The Panthers recently completed their third training camp under head coach Heishma Northern and broke camp full of enthuisam as the team focuses solely on SWAC rival TSU this week. This year's camp had a different tone due to coaching changes on the defensive side of the ball while the offensive and special teams units focused on fine tuning their areas in addition to developing quality depth. Northern was pleased with what he saw during the final days of training camp.

"We're paying attention to detail and the small things that we think Texas Southern will do on offense, defense and special teams," said Northern. "The biggest thing is getting our defense on the same page. We've dramatically improved in terms of the checks they need to know while our offense needs to play with a little more effort and concentrate on catching the ball. Our kicking game has improved on special teams even though we've been pretty good but I think we have some guys that may be a little bit better or more suited to what we want to do."



On Monday afternoon, Northern will kick off the annual Labor Day Classic game week with a noon press conference at BBVA Compass Stadium in Downtown Houston. On Wednesday, Northern along with several Prairie View A&M officials will speak at the annual Touchdown Club of Houston Luncheon at The Power Center at noon. Tickets to Wednesday's luncheon are available by e-mailing houtdclub@att.net, or calling Neal Farmer at 713-849-9860.

The 29th annual Labor Day Classic takes place this Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Downtown Houston. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with tickets available at the PVAMU Bookstore (PV side only) in the Memorial Student Center, Wolfe's Department Store (both sides), BBVA Compass Stadium Ticket Office and www.AXS.com. All seats for this year's game are reserved.

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Best: At NCCU, the show must go on

DURHAM, North Carolina -- When N.C. Central football’s team met for the first time after winter break, quarterback Jordan Reid wrote one thing on the bulletin board: “1999.”

That’s the last year a team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference won a Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA) playoff game.

“Nobody knew what it meant. I explained it a week later,” the redshirt senior said. “And that’s definitely one of my goals – to not only win the MEAC but a playoff game and a national championship.”

The Eagles are coming off their first winning season (6-5) since 2007. Coaches took notice and picked them to finish fourth behind conference champion Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State and archrival N.C. A&T. But with 40 returning letter winners, plus a mixture of transfers and redshirt freshmen waiting in the wings, many feel fourth place is still too low.

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Grambling Tigers Break Camp and Get Ready for Game Week

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- The Grambling State University Tiger football team moves into game week mode as they get ready for the Alabama A&M Bulldogs Saturday night at Robinson stadium. The Tigers have stepped it up a notch and you can tell in the way practice is going. "The past few practices have been pretty good", said Head Coach Doug Williams. "We had more of a mental practice on Saturday as we went over a lot of situational things. We want the players to know that things can come up during the course of the game and we want them to be ready."

The intensity of practice has been increased by not only the coaches, but also the players. "They (the players) know what's at stake", said Coach Williams. "We want the players focus this week to be on school and Alabama A&M. If they can keep that focus and give 110 percent in

the classroom and on the field, we feel like we have a chance.

As the Tigers came into camp there was a different look and attitude. The coaches encouraged to let the things of the past motivate them and dedicate themselves to getting into good shape. "A lot of the work went on this summer in preparation for fall camp, "said Junior starting quarterback D.J. Williams. "We had a lot of guys that came in this summer and pushed themselves to be the best and prepare for the season."

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