The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).
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WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- With a long and grueling preseason camp nearly behind them, the Winston-Salem State Rams had a bounce in their step Wednesday night under the lights at their practice field.
Coach Kienus Boulware watched his team go through its final scrimmage before next week’s opener at UNC Pembroke. The Rams wanted to simulate the 7 p.m. start for next week’s game and the scrimmage under the lights worked out well.
“Guys can kind of get a feel for what it will be like next week,” Boulware said.
Boulware said he saw a lot of good things, but what he loved the most was the energy level.
“I’m thinking that the night atmosphere gets the guys going a little faster, and that’s good to see,” Boulware said after the scrimmage. “And I thought the conditioning is the best that it’s been, because I see guys moving very well and not sucking wind.”
CORAL GABLES, Florida – The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers open their 2015 season with high aspirations. The team was picked to win the MEAC southern division, by the conference's head coaches and SIDs. But, head coach Tony Trifonov seeks much more. In a five year drought, the Lady Rattlers have their sights on winning the MEAC tournament.
Florida A&M received 22 first-place votes and posted a 9-1 record in the Southern Division and 13-15 overall finish last year. The Lady Rattlers will be anchored by Pamela Soriano and 2014 All-MEAC First Team middle blocker Ginna Lopez-Chavez. Soriano, the 2014 MEAC Rookie of the Year, ranked second in the conference and 31st in the NCAA in kills per set (4.25), and second in the MEAC and 39th nationally in points per set (4.73). Lopez-Chavez ranked fourth in the MEAC in hitting percentage (.304) and fifth in blocks per set (0.90) and was selected to the preseason team. Soriano was selected the MEAC preseason player of the year.
The Lady Rattlers will take on Kansas State on Friday at 5 p.m. to open the season. That will be followed by Saturday matches with the University of Miami (12;30 p.m.) and Illinois State (5:30 p.m.).
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Used to be that football games against Bethune Cookman were no contest. Competing wasn’t about the game. It was about getting together and having a good time.
Now that the Wildcats have become a big rival most of us hate losing to them even in marbles. Make no mistake though. We can butt heads on the field or in the gymnasium. We can debate history and quarrel over who is the best. Yet, at the end of the day you had better not harm a Wildcat or you’ll have to face me because after all, when all is said and done they are my brothers and sisters.
Such is the case with the Rattler family. Yes, we are quarreling and we don’t know how to handle it. It’s the tar baby effect. We are bewildered and frustrated about what we see unfolding. Once you voice an opinion about it you get stuck in the conversation trying to defend your point of view. We all know we are right in our opinion and are confident we know where to st
and on an issue. It is called being stubborn.
People say that Floyd men are stubborn, but being a Floyd man I just don’t see it!
ORLANDO, Florida -- The winners of the eighth annual Walter Payton Achievement Award, which is given to one player from each team participating in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney, were announced today by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN. The 11th annual game, which showcases and celebrates teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, will feature the South Carolina State University Bulldogs of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Sept. 6, at the newly renovated Orlando Citrus Bowl and will be televised live on ESPN.
The 2015 Walter Payton Achievement Award winners, voted on by students and fans, are South Carolina State senior tight end Temarrick Hemingway and Arkansas-Pine Bluff redshirt senior safety Kevin Rucker Jr.
First presented in 2008, the Walter Payton Achievement Award is named in honor of the late Walter Payton, a former All-American at Jackson State University (1971 to 1974) and Professional Football Hall of Fame running back who spent his entire NFL career (1975 to 1987) with the Chicago Bears. The award recognizes exemplary student-athletes, shining a light on character and embodiment of team spirit.
Finalists are selected by a committee consisting of academic advisers and coaches from the two participating schools. Voting, open on the MEAC/SWAC Challenge website to students, fans, alumni and fans for a month leading up to the game, closed Wednesday, Aug. 26. Award winners are celebrated at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge kickoff banquet at the Walt Disney World Resort. The award, to be given out this year on Friday, Sept. 4, is regularly presented by Walter Payton’s son, Jarrett Payton.
Past winners of the Walter Payton Achievement Award include, for 2014: Alan Cruz, Alabama A&M, and Quentin Todd, North Carolina A&T State University; 2013: Jonathan Pillow, Florida A&M University, and Kevin Eugene, Mississippi Valley State University; 2012: Bobby Wenzig, Alabama State University, and Arlen McCray-Nibbs, Bethune-Cookman University; 2011: Nesly Marcellon, Bethune-Cookman University, and Raheem Cardwell, Prairie View A&M University; 2010: Kevin Green, Delaware State University, and Gary Hollimon, Southern University; 2009: Van Phillips, Grambling State University, and Zachary Middleton, South Carolina State University; 2008: Kevin Teel,Hampton University, and Marcus Smith, Jackson State University.
Tickets for the game are available via Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Special packages for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Walt Disney World Theme Park admission can be purchased via this link. For travel packages that include resort accommodations, game tickets, theme park tickets and much more, visit AnthonyTravel.com/MEACSWAC or call 1-888-632-6951. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a subsidiary of ESPN. For more information, visit meacswacchallenge.com.
RICHMOND, Virginia -- Fans of Virginia Union University football will get a sneak peek at the 2015 team when the inaugural "Panther Walk" takes place at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 28, on the VUU Campus in Richmond, Va.
The football team, led by head coach Mark James, will walk from the Belgium Building to the Dr. Claude G. Perkins Living & Learning Center during the event.
The VUU Marching Band and the cheerleaders, the Rah Rahs, will accompany the team on the premiere walk.
Then on Saturday, August 29, the Panthers will take to the Historic Hovey Field turf in the final pre-season scrimmage.
The inter-squad scrimmage will begin at 1 p.m., but members of the team, including pre-season All-American Addison Hayes, will start signing autographs and posters at 10 a.m. in Hovey Field that same day.
Admission is free to all! Come join the Panthers for this historic walk and see what's in store for the 2015 season! VUU finished 7-3 in 2014 and looks to dethrone defending CIAA Champion Virginia State University for the CIAA crown this season!
Virginia Union kicks off the 2015 season when the Panthers meet Brevard College at 1 p.m. in Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.
COURTESY VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- For the seventh consecutive year, all 10 Johnson C. Smith University football games will be broadcast on AM 1450 WGNC.
The 1,000 watt station, located in nearby Gastonia, N.C. reaches into the Charlotte market and provides JCSU with another valuable tool to highlight Golden Bulls Athletics.
WGNC Owner and General Manager Scott Neisler once again looks forward to the start of football season. "We're excited to continue our partnership with JCSU athletics and to the start of the upcoming football season," he said. "We're Golden Bulls through and through and we enjoy bringing JCSU football and other top-notch programming to the fans of the Gold and Blue."
Dave Friedman will once again be charged with providing play-by-play duties. Josh Diggs will join Friedman in the booth providing color commentary.
COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERITY SPORTS INFORMATION
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- A year ago, Tyree Massey was not an every-down running back at Winston-Salem State. Instead, he was a key element in a three-player rotation which totaled 1,555 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
Although Massey was third on the depth chart, he made the most of his opportunities – 402 yards, six touchdowns and he averaged 5.4 yards per carry. With the departure of seniors Maurice Lewis and Mustafa Greene, Massey figures to be the featured Rams runner coming out of the backfield this season.
“I’m ready for the challenge,” said Massey, a senior from Bunnlevel. “Things went real well during the off-season. I stayed here all summer and worked out. As a result, I came to this year’s training camp in real good shape and I’m ready to go.”
Look for the Rams to give opponents a healthy dose of Massey at tailback all season long. And for good reason. At 5-feet-11, 240 pounds, he’s a punishing runner between the tackles. But that’s just one aspect of his game. Massey said his best time in the 40-yard dash is 4.7 seconds. Yet, he looks much faster under game conditions. Aside from that, he’s agile, elusive and rarely goes down after initial contact.
FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Fayetteville State University Athletics has announced Tyreece Brown as the head men’s and women’s cross country coach for the upcoming 2015 season. This will be Brown’s first collegiate head coaching opportunity.
Brown has worked with FSU Athletics since his appointment as assistant women’s basketball coach in 2012. He was named athletics facility manager in 2014. Brown has been a volunteer assistant for cross country in previous seasons.
“The focus of the program is to compete at a championship level,” said Brown. “Our team this year is full of strong, motivated runners. Our student-athletes have been pushing themselves and each other in preparation for this upcoming season. Our program definitely has a championship mindset.”
Brown is a native of Philadelphia, PA and a 2008 graduate of Fayetteville State. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Brown later completed his master’s degree in Business with a Leadership concentration from Liberty University in 2013.
He was a two-year starter for the men’s basketball program and former cross country student-athlete. Brown served as a captain on the 2005 FSU men’s basketball team, which advanced to the CIAA Championship Game. In his role with women’s basketball, Brown is primarily responsible for backcourt development and recruiting.
FSU men’s and women’s cross country have five meets scheduled before the 2015 CIAA Championships. Both teams open the season on September 4th at the Catawba College/Chik-Fil-A Invitational held at Salisbury Community Park in Salisbury, NC.
COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Brandon Banks is a local kid from Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine, located in Southern Prince George's County, Maryland.
JACKSON, Tennessee -- Brandon Banks, a Vanderbilt football player dismissed from the team two years ago and charged with rape, has been admitted to Lane College, President Logan Hampton said Monday night.
Lane head football coach Derrick Burroughs said Banks, a defensive back, is signing to join the Lane football team and is on campus.
Banks is accused with three other Vanderbilt football players in a June 2013 rape. He is charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery. His lawyer has entered a not guilty plea on his behalf, and Banks is awaiting trial.
Hampton said he and the school’s chaplain and executive vice president, the Rev. Dr. Moses Goldmon, asked themselves what good the college could do in this situation.
“If the church isn’t open to him, who is?” Hampton said. He later added, “The church has an opportunity and an obligation to try to do what it can.”
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University only had to go down the hallway to complete its national search for a football coach.
Now it’s Terry Sims’ turn to maintain, if not improve, the Wildcats’ prominence.
As an assistant to Brian Jenkins — who left for Alabama State — for the previous five years, Sims was a logical and popular choice. While he intends to make his own thumbprint on a program that has won or shared a piece of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title for the past three years, B-CU never lost a step in the transition.
“It makes it easier on the players,” Sims said. “We’ve all been around each other for a while. I know all their little quirks.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern began the preseason with few doubts about who would be in its starting lineup.
Now that the preseason is winding down, the few preseason competitions at the top of the Jaguars depth chart seemed to have been settled — at least for the time being.
Performances in games and in practice can always produce promotions and demotions, but barring something unforeseen between now and Sept. 5, Southern seems to have settled on its first unit for the opener at Louisiana Tech.
Junior Nicholas McDonald, a native of New Orleans and incoming transfer from Southwest Mississippi Community College, has passed Blake Monroe as the starter at strong safety. That spot was unexpectedly thrown into a competition when incumbent starter Bryan Anderson was declared academically ineligible before the start of preseason camp.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Greg Pittman keeps telling Southern coach Dawson Odums he can do more than just place-kick.
Adding punting duties might not be everything Pittman has in mind, but it’s a start, and Pittman is expected to handle place-kicks, kickoffs and punts for the Jaguars when they open the season Sept. 5 at Louisiana Tech.
“Pittman’s a different guy,” Odums said. “He keeps telling me those guys aren’t just punters or kickers, they’re football players. They keep telling me they’re an elite group of performers, too.”
While the team was reviewing film recently, Pittman bristled when Odums chided one of Pittman’s teammates for being tackled by an opposing kicker.
“He was giving one guy a hard time for not being able to shake the kicker because we’re the worst athletes on the team and I said, ‘Coach, you must be crazy,’ Pittman said with a smile. ‘You had to see my tackle in the SWAC championship and you had to see my two-point conversion two years ago at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.’ ”
The Celebration Bowl will pit champions from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) against the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.
ATLANTA, Georgia -- The 100 Black Men of Atlanta has teamed up with ESPN to promote a new, best-in-class Historically Black College and University (HBCU) football postseason bowl game.
The Celebration Bowl, a championship style game, will pit the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion against the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga. The inaugural game will kick off at noon ET and be televised nationally on ABC. The game will be the first bowl game of the 2015-16 bowl season.
“We are excited about our multi-year relationship with ESPN,” said 100 Black Men of Atlanta Chairman Bill Lamar, who added that the 100 will forego the 2015 Atlanta Football Classic. “We see a new horizon in the world of HBCU football and look forward to beginning a new tradition with ESPN. Our organization is committed to mentoring and educating our black youth and this bowl game gives us yet another opportunity to innovate in the arena of HBCU sports while supporting our community.”
As it did with the Atlanta Football Classic for almost three decades, the 100 will manage the game’s ancillary events, which will include a Youth Symposium, Robotics Showcase, College Fair, Job Fair and Fan Experience.
Added Lamar: “Fans can expect a highly competitive football game supported by our exciting Fan Experience events.”
“We are excited to work with the 100 Black Men of Atlanta in building a quality postseason experience for not only the MEAC and SWAC but for the Atlanta community,” said Pete Derzis, senior vice president, ESPN Events. “The Celebration Bowl will build on the traditions and legacy of black college football, and we hope that fans across the country will take advantage of this experience.”
Owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, the Celebration Bowl will provide fans a first-class bowl experience while continuing to celebrate the legacy, values and traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
About the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.
The mission of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc. is to provide support and improve the quality of life for African Americans, and youth in particular, in the Atlanta Community. Over 200 committed and engaged members give their time, talent and money to help youth overcome obstacles every day.
For more information about the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., go to www.100blackmen.org.
ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a large portfolio of collegiate sporting events worldwide. The roster includes three Labor Day weekend college football games; 13 college bowl games, 10 college basketball events and two college award shows, which accounts for approximately 250-plus hours of programming, reaches almost 64 million viewers and attracts over 700,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in Boca Raton, Boise, Birmingham, Dallas-Fort Worth, Albuquerque, St. Petersburg and Las Vegas, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Is Florida A&M ready for the 2015 football season?
I actually hear that question quite a bit from readers, folks on social media and random passersby. Usually they’re people in orange and green. They’re the fans who know I see practices and talk with head coach Alex Wood on a regular basis.
“How them Rattlers lookin’?”
“Is the team going to be ready for Sept. 5?”
“What do you think of the coaches?”
The 2015 Rattlers — even though many of the same players are on the team — will be completely different from what fans saw in 2014. The intensity of the coaches has affected the majority of the players, and it’s obvious the team is playing to erase whatever memories remain from last season.
LORMAN, Mississippi -- Head Coach Jay Hopson recaps final scrimmage of fall camp. Defensive Coordinator Tony Pecoraro and Offensive Coordinator Fred Kaiss discusses unit performance during their scrimmage under the lights.
COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
NORMAL, Alabama – A pair of seniors, a junior and a sophomore have been named team captains for the Alabama A&M football team.
The captains were selected in a vote of their teammates.
For Brower, a 5-10, 220-pound linebacker, it is a repeat honor – he was a team captain last season. The graduate of Stanhope Elmore High School near Montgomery was the team's leading tackler in 2014 with 46 solo tackles and 37 assists.
Lanier, 6-6, 265 pounds, is a first-team all-Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive lineman. The Savannah, Ga., product graduated from H.V Jenkins High School. He was second in tackles with 37 solo and 17 assists. Lanier had 18 tackles for loss for minus-74 yards, broke up four passes, forced two fumbles and blocked a kick.
Eldemire, at 5-10, 180 pounds, was second on the team in rushing last year with 530 yards – including a team-longest 63-yard run - and six touchdowns. He hails from Miami, Fla., and is a graduate of Dr. Krop Senior High School.
McKenzie, a 5-10, 190-pound wide receiver, had nearly 400 yards receiving with two touchdowns and another 226 yards in kickoff returns last year. He is a graduate of Murphy High School in Mobile.
The Bulldogs open the 2015 season on Sept. 5 at the University of Cincinnati. The game will be carried on ESPN3 with a 6 p.m. (Central Time) kickoff.
COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
HOUSTON, Texas -- The NCAA Men's Basketball Committee has approved the addition of Texas Southern University as a host institution for the 2016 Men's Final Four, according to an announcement today from the Houston Local Organizing Committee (HLOC).
Along with the University of Houston and Rice University, Texas Southern will be a key component in planning, organizing and executing the city-wide event to be held April 1-4, 2016.
This marks the first time in the history of the Final Four that three institutions have collaborated to host the NCAA's largest championship.
"Texas Southern continues to be an important institution in our city and our region and we felt like it only made sense to add them as a host along with University of Houston and Rice," said Houston Local Organizing Committee Chair, Tony Chase. "In a city this size and this diverse in its population and students, it will take all the qualified resources we have to execute at the level we are planning. Texas Southern President Dr. John Rudley and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland have shown a great interest in this event and we know they will be bring great resources and energy to help deliver the best Final Four ever."
"We are thrilled to have Texas Southern join University of Houston and Rice as tri-hosts for the next Final Four," said NCAA vice president of men's basketball, Dan Gavitt. "Texas Southern is a terrific school with nearly 90 years of history of providing a quality education to its students. Dr. Rudley and his leadership team will be a tremendous asset to the NCAA and the city of Houston as we work together to stage one of America's greatest sporting events."
"With our basketball programs having participated in the last two NCAA men's basketball championships, we feel like we understand this tournament and can help deliver a great experience for the student-athletes who will travel here," said Texas Southern President John Rudley." "We are thrilled to have been asked by the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee and the HLOC to participate as a host institution."
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State University head football coach Brian Jenkins held his weekly press conference today (Wednesday) and most of the questions from the local media were in connection with the announcement earlier in the day of the ASU-Tuskegee football game beginning play again in 2017.
"It's really exciting," Jenkins said. "It's something me and Athletic Director (Melvin) Hines have been discussing for a long time and I know he has been working on it behind the scenes very hard and has been very diligent in getting it done. I was very excited to see that we got the deal done and look forward to renewing this great rivalry."
The Hornets and Tigers will face each other on Sept. 2, 2017, in the season opener for both teams. The teams last played in the opening of ASU Stadium before a sellout crowd on Nov. 22, 2012, in the 89th Turkey Day Classic.
"I am pleased to announce the renewal of our football rivalry with Tuskegee," Alabama State University President Dr. Gwendolyn E. Boyd said. "This contest dates back to 1924 and has provided wonderful opportunities for fans on both sides to enjoy a longstanding tradition of spirited competition, as well as the reunions of families and friends. We look forward to welcoming the Tigers back to The ASU Stadium in 2017."
The two teams will also play on Sept. 1, 2018, Sept. 7, 2019, and Sept. 5, 2020, with all games played at The ASU Stadium.
Jenkins is not the only one that is very excited about the rivalry kicking off again, as he has had many of the Hornet faithful approach him to let him know about their excitement even though he knows he can't think about those future games just yet.
"I've had to stay away from that a little bit," Jenkins said. "I don't want to lose focus on a very important opponent we have coming up in Tennessee State. They are a team that needs all of our focus."
"I have talked to them (fans) briefly about it, because the rivalry is a great rivalry and it has had some great moments in the past and we can have some great moments in the future."
Even with most of the talk on today's Tuskegee announcement, the Hornets are only 11 days away from their season-opener against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic in Nashville.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- After making strides last year, the Grambling State Tigers aim to continue their progress in year two under Head Coach Broderick Fobbs.
Taking over at his alma mater, Fobbs inherited a team coming off of unprecedented one-victory campaigns. Regrouping from an 0-3 start, the G-Men rattled off seven straight victories en route to a 7-5, 7-2 finish.
GSU's six-victory improvement did not go unnoticed. Edging out Southern by two points, the Tigers were picked to win the SWAC West in the conference's preseason media poll.
Riding the arm of Johnathan Williams, the Tigers ranked 12th nationally while leading the SWAC in passing with 277.2 yards per game.
GSU was fourth in the league in scoring with 32.2 points per game and sixth in total offense with 403.9 ypg.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University quarterback Austin Howard didn't seem overwhelmed when he took the field during the Jaguars' season opener against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette last season. He certainly didn't look like a true freshman during the game against the best opponent the Jaguars played in 2014.
Poised was the best way to describe him.
The Ragin' Cajuns easily defeated the Jaguars that night, 45-6. But it looked as though Southern had another West St. John High quarterback to take the helm and lead them effectively. Former West St. John quarterback Dray Joseph completed his eligibility at Southern in 2013, leading the Jaguars to the SWAC title.
Howard completed 18 of 31 passes against the Cajuns for 181 yards and a touchdown. And it wasn't just in relief.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- ADRIAN KOLLOCK JR. (r-Jr., Quarterback, 6-2, 202, Spartanburg) — Returned as the top signal caller to lead the Bulldog offense to another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in 2015. Had a productive sophomore season in leading S.C. State to share of the conference championship.
• LAST SEASON: Played in 11 games in 2014 passing for over 1,244 yards (54.5 percent) on 96-176-7 and seven touchdowns and rushed for 320 yards on 86 carries and six touchdowns during the season.
• KOLLOCK JR. OUTLOOK ON THE SEASON: “I think this season we will have a ...
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- After weeks of hitting players wearing Orange and Green, FAMU’s defense is ready to hit someone – anyone – in a different jersey.
Senior linebacker Akil Blount said the defense is anxious for its first test against South Florida on Sept. 5. He said the group isn’t nervous, it’s just ready to show the results of a rigorous offseason schedule.
“We’re just focused on alignment, assignment and execution,” Blount said. “We have some pretty good depth at linebacker. We’re just really excited to go out and play football on Sept. 5”
Blount smiled and added, “We’re just anxious to get after USF and see a different color jersey.”
He’s not alone. Plenty of FAMU’s defensive starters are ready to stop hitting their teammates. Defensive tackle Michael Lovejoy said players have adjusted to the new scheme implemented by defensive coordinator Theo Lemon, and now they’re just waiting to get after an opponent.
Players started class Monday and ended fall camp on Saturday.
PHOENIX, Arizona -- As a gesture of building camaraderie, cornerback Patrick Peterson bought a bunch of hands-free scooters for the Cardinals' defensive backs this year. They're like mini Segways you just step on and zip around.
The other day at training camp, Jerraud Powers found Rodney Gunter, the team's hulking 6-foot-5, 305-pound rookie defensive lineman, standing on Powers' scooter in a hallway.
"I just acted like it wasn't even mine," Powers said. "I just let him have it."
Why would a seven-year pro shy away from a newbie out of Delaware State who didn't even start playing football until his senior year in high school?
"He's one of those country guys you wouldn't want to fight," Powers said bluntly. "He's quiet, he doesn't say much, but he walks around here and he has that look."
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Brian Jenkins' introduction to the SWAC could be a cruel one.
After playing Tennessee State in the season opener Sept. 6 in Nashville, Alabama State opens conference play against defending league champion Alcorn State and preseason SWAC West favorite Grambling in consecutive weeks.
The biggest saving grace for the Hornets is they play both teams at home. That may not matter, but it surely can't hurt.
The Braves are more than just the defending league champs and SWAC East favorite. They have the most dynamic player in the league in John Gibbs Jr. The 2014 SWAC co-offensive player of the year is 6 feet, 6 inches tall, 220 pounds and can dazzle with his arm and legs.
Last season, Gibbs threw for 2,482 yards and 21 touchdowns on 169-of-294 passing and ran for 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead an offense that ranked second in the FCS in scoring (44 ppg.). Eastern Washington only averaged 0.1 points more.
