No early rest for the N.C. Central women

Photo: NCCU Head Women's Basketball Coach Joli D. Robinson

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

Joli Robinson couldn't get practice started quite early enough for her N.C. Central women's basketball team.

McLendon-McDougald Gym wasn't available over the weekend because of homecoming festivities, so the Eagles couldn't get started preparing for their first season of Division I competition on Friday when most teams did.

But they were ready to go at 5:15 on Monday. That's 5:15 a.m., and players were required to be on site by 4:45. That pattern will be the pattern for four weeks.

"I never get that much sleep during the season anyway," said Robinson, who will enter her 13th season with a 181-135 record that includes four 20-win seasons including a 26-6 mark and a CIAA title last season.

She may be getting even less sleep this season. The Eagles will be facing 14 Division I foes in 26 games, with all of those games on the road. The biggest challenges are in their season opener, Nov. 9 at UNC (34-4 last season), and their Jan. 3 game at Duke (32-2).

"Those are games we need to play," Robinson said of the local challenges. "They should be good experiences for our student-athletes."

The measuring-stick game may be on Nov. 20 when NCCU travels to traditional MEAC power Coppin State (25-8 last season) in a battle of Eagles. The two shared the Black College National championship.

NCCU lost some major firepower from last season, as all-time leading scorer Cassie King (16.5 points per game, 7.9 rebounds) finished her career and had her jersey retired. Additionally, both sophomore LaQuanda Williams (14.2, 5.6) and classmate Jasmine Newkirk (11.2, 3.2) will miss this season because of separate violations of team policy.

But Robinson is most concerned about the road, where NCCU will play all but six games including the first 10.

"We'll just have to get used to it," the coach said.

And they'll be going as far away as Tallahassee, Fla.; Nashville, Tenn.; Pittsburgh; and Wilberforce, Ohio by bus.

"I'd rather go by bus than fly," Robinson said. "That way you have more control over when you leave."

The Eagles return six of their top nine scorers, led by sophomore center Jori Nwachukwu (11.7, 9.3). Guards Jennifer Hukill (5.9, 1.1) and Jordan High alumna Casey Daniel (4.6, 1.8) are the only seniors. Guards LaVonna Hailey (5.7, 5.6 assists) and Northern alumna Tonia Roundtree (4.2, 2.4 rebs.) are juniors and post player Latoya Bennett (4.0, 3.3 rebs) a sophomore.

"We're all going to have to score more," Hukill said. "I know I have to step up my game and show I can do things other than shoot 3-pointers."

Robinson said 6-0 center Losamo Osby from Richmond, Va., and 5-9 guard Shanice Blanks of Wilmington New Hanover have been the most impressive of the current freshmen.

"They're all looking pretty good," Roundtree said of the newcomers. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of this season. Some people are expecting us to get blown out, so we don't have anything to lose."

NOTES -- The Eagles will have two exhibition games -- at home against Virginia State on Nov. 3 and at Wake Forest on Nov. 7 -- before taking on the Blue Devils. ... Daniel is in her fourth season with the Eagles. If NCCU wins at least 14 games, she will become the first player in school history to participate in four straight winning seasons.

2007-08 NCCU Women's Basketball Schedule

Day Date Opponent Location Time/Result Record

SAT. NOV. 03 VIRGINIA STATE (EXHIBITION) DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM
Wed. Nov. 7 at Wake Forest (Exhibition) Winston-Salem, NC 7:00 pm
Fri. Nov. 9 at North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC 8:30 pm
Mon. Nov. 12 at Elon Elon, NC 7:00 pm
Wed. Nov. 14 at Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD 7:00 pm
Fri. Nov. 16 at Appalachian State Boone, NC 7:00 pm
Tues. Nov. 20 at Coppin State Baltimore, MD 7:00 pm
Wed. Nov. 21 at Morgan State Baltimore, MD 5:30 pm
Fri. Nov. 23 vs Lenoir-Rhyne (Catawba Classic) Salisbury, NC 6:00 pm
Sat. Nov. 24 at Catawba (Catawba Classic) Salisbury, NC 4:00 pm
Thurs. Nov. 29 at Tennessee State Nashville, TN 7:00 pm
Wed. Dec. 5 at Armstrong Atlantic Savannah, GA 7:00 pm
FRI. DEC. 7 ELIZABETH CITY STATE
(Lady Eagle Classic)
Fayetteville State vs. Barton - 7:30 pm DURHAM, NC 5:30 PM
SAT. DEC. 8 FAYETTEVILLE STATE
(Lady Eagle Classic)
Barton vs. Elizabeth City State - 2:00 pm DURHAM, NC 4:00 PM
Sat. Dec. 15 at Florida A&M Tallahassee, FL 2:00 pm
Mon. Dec.17 at Bethune-Cookman Daytona Beach, FL 5:30 pm
Sat. Dec. 22 at Towson Towson, MD 2:00 pm
SUN. DEC. 30 MERCY COLLEGE DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM
Thurs. Jan. 3 at Duke Durham, NC 7:00 pm
Sat. Jan. 5 at High Point High Point, NC 7:00 pm
Mon. Jan. 7 at Duquesne Pittsburgh, PA 7:00 pm
WED. JAN. 9 NORFOLK STATE DURHAM, NC 6:30 PM
Sat. Jan. 12 at West Virginia Tech Montgomery, WV 6:00 pm
SAT. JAN. 19 WEST VIRGINIA TECH DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM
Mon. Feb. 4 at Fayetteville State Fayetteville, NC 7:00 pm
Wed. Feb. 6 at Central State Wilberforce,OH 7:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 8 at Lincoln Lincoln, PA 5:30 pm
SAT. FEB. 16 LIVINGSTONE DURHAM, NC 2:00 PM

Home Games at McLendon-McDougald Gym in CAPS

NCCU relishes playing on the road

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

With the odd schedule the Eagles are having to play in their first season in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision, N.C. Central has already played its last home football game of the year.

But first-year head coach Mose Rison said he isn't worried about it.

The Eagles relish the chance to play on the road.

"We talk about it all the time," said Rison, whose 5-2 Eagles will travel to Savannah State (1-5) on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the first of three road games to finish the campaign. "Our kids for some reason like to play on the road and like hostile environments."

"That was something [senior nose guard] Courtney Coard said to me once, and I've found it to be true."

The Eagles are 2-1 this season away from home, winning at North Carolina A&T and beating Elizabeth City State on a neutral site while losing to Presbyterian in the season opener.

This year's NCCU senior class has three chances to become the school's first football team since 1984 to put together four straight years of winning records. And since the beginning of the 2004 season, they're 15-3 away from O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

"I don't know if it's history or what it is, but I've found it to be true," Rison said of the road-warrior mentality during his weekly press conference on Tuesday at The Chicken Hut.

This season, the Eagles have been very good at winning close games. Only their 17-0 romp over Fayetteville State was decided by more than seven points. St. Augustine's, A T and most recent victim North Greenville have all had the ball with a chance for victory in the closing seconds, but all have come up empty.

"After looking at the film from Saturday's game, we played well on both sides of the ball," Rison said. "We didn't want to give up any big plays, and we were successful at that. And our offense played a really good football game -- I was extremely pleased with that."

One thing that has made him particularly happy is the continued progress of sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown, who last year was named the Black College offensive player of the year.

Brown may not have the stats to repeat, having completed 98 of 195 passes for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns with five interceptions, but with a less experienced group of skilled players around him, Brown has continued to direct a winner.

"Stadford isn't big on stats," Rison said. "He just likes to win football games. He's done a very good job of knowing when to just throw the ball away and live to fight another day.

"We're proud of our [+12] turnover ratio. We trust our defense to get the ball back for us."

NCCU is 1-0-1 all-time against the Tigers, having played back-to-back in 1974 and '75. Savannah State, currently the only other Historically Black College playing as a Division I independent, is in its first season under head coach Theo Lemon.

Rison and Lemon were on the same sideline for one season, when Rison was wide receivers/tight ends coach and Lemon linebackers coach at Rutgers in 1994.

"I know what kind of coach Theo is, and he'll have his team ready to play," Rison said. "They would like to have a better record, but they're a Division I football team with Division I talent."

NOTES -- Savannah State has lost four straight games, with its only victory so far a 24-10 win over visiting CIAA member Johnson C. Smith. ... NCCU has no reported injuries except for the two players - kicker Brandon Gilbert and running back Jeff Tolliver - who were reported out for the season in September. ... NCCU is 34-7 since the beginning of the 2004 season; the previous best four-year run was 30-10-2 for the class of 1974.

Tough road ahead for NCCU Eagles men's hoops

By MIKE POTTER, The Herald-Sun

N.C. Central opened men's basketball practice Monday night at McLendon-McDougald Gym, and Coach Henry Dickerson's Eagles are going to have to learn quickly.

NCCU's move up to the Division I level has made fund-raising a major consideration, and men's basketball is one of few sports that can get much done in that department. So Dickerson's team will play a tougher schedule than any other team at the school.

The Eagles open the season at Duke on Nov. 9, and after going to Rutgers on Nov. 12, they visit two-time reigning national champion Florida on Nov. 14.

That's the toughest part of a slate that doesn't let up much until after Christmas -- 15 of the Eagles' first 16 games are on the road, broken only by the home opener against Tennessee Tech on Nov. 21.

NCCU has just seven home games, although the Eagles will play seven other games around North Carolina including visits to N.C. State, Wake Forest and Davidson. Along the way, they'll play games in 12 other states, with Nebraska the biggest out-of-state name on the schedule after the Gators.

Dickerson (39-45) has been through a little of this before, going on the road against big-time powers several times a season when he was head coach at Chattanooga (72-73 in five seasons). But he never had to play 22 road games and never had to do it with a team boasting a total of 37 minutes experience in an official game against a Division I opponent.

Bryan Ayala played 36 minutes and Joshua Worthy one in last year's 68-47 defeat at East Carolina. Last season's losses at Duke and Wake Forest were exhibition games.

The best news Dickerson got this spring is that forward Charles Futrell, who missed last season with a shoulder injury from football, is back for a senior season after attending a pair of NFL preseason camps. Futrell averaged 10 points and 6.4 rebounds two seasons ago.

The only other NCCU player who has proven himself in four-year college ball is Ayala, who averaged 9.9 points and 4.0 rebounds last season.

Worthy, junior guard J'Mell Walters and sophomore forward Tremain Holloway have worn the Eagles' uniform before, but everyone else is new. Freshman Marius Vaskys (6-9, 220), a Lithuanian who finished his high school career at Cape Fear Christian, is the biggest recruit.

"We've got seven home games, and if we win more than seven games it's going to be a pretty good accomplishment," Dickerson said. "We've got a lot of guys who are going to be playing who have never been in a college basketball game, and they won't know what to expect. Maybe we can turn that into a positive.

"One thing we've done is recruit good people. I don't want our fans cheering for somebody just because he's wearing the school colors. I want them to be cheering for young men they might hire in a few years."

Ayala couldn't help but smile when he talked about the challenge of the schedule.

"Who wouldn't want to play teams like Duke and Florida?" he said. "If you don't want to play games like that, I don't know why you'd want to play basketball."

Added Worthy: "Of course we're excited. We want people to see how hard we play every game. I know we're going to be in condition."

NOTES -- NCCU's early season visits to Rutgers, Florida and North Dakota State (Nov. 17) plus the home game with Tennessee Tech are a part of the Blue Ribbon Classic. ... ECU is the only opponent returning from last season's schedule.

Carter wants FAMU to tackle better against Norfolk State

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

The past two weeks have been like deja vu for Florida A&M football coach Rubin Carter.

Just when it looked like the defense had turned the corner against the run this season, the Rattlers give up a combined 701 rushing yards in their past two games.

After watching his defense look helpless in giving up 405 total rushing yards Saturday against South Carolina State, Carter said he would personally try to help figure out the problem.

“I said that prior to evaluating the tape itself,” Carter said after Monday's practice. “We have to be able to make plays on defense, swarm and get to the ball.

“We had too many missed tackles. We had people in position to make plays and we have to be able to make those plays. That was the thing that was most glaring about our defensive performance.”

In two games, the Rattlers (2-4, 1-2 in the MEAC) went from being among the leaders in the conference in rushing defense to dead last, giving up 221.5 yards a game.

Carter and the Rattlers have little time to get things fixed with Norfolk State, (5-1, 4-0) coming to play on Thursday.

The Spartans rank last in rushing offense, averaging 115.5 yards a game. But senior running back Daryl Jones is among the conference leaders in rushing, averaging 93.7 yards a game.

“We're trying to make sure players understand we have to leverage the ball better,” Carter said. “We can't overrun ball carriers and all those things.”

The defense is expected to get a big boost from the return of senior defensive ends Tyrone McGriff and Carlos Rolle, who did not play Saturday because of injuries.

“It made a difference quite a bit,” Carter said about not having McGriff and Rolle on the field Saturday. “Anytime you don't have a Tyrone McGriff, who is a big-time tackler, you are losing a playmaker on the defensive line.

“You also lose another senior in Carlos Rolle on the line. The people playing in their spaces have had limited time in games.”

Carter said he was not as sure about whether junior outside linebacker Victoriano Arboleda, who has a sprained knee, would be healthy enough to play Thursday.

“It was more difficult (without those players), but we can't use that as an excuse,” Carter said. “I think they will both be ready to go Thursday night. Being off for a week helped them out immensely for the type of injuries they had.”

Outlook for FAMU vs. Norfolk State game from former FAMU President Fred Humphries...

FAMU QB Battle shines in debut

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida A&M's present may not look too bright after Saturday's 49-14 loss at South Carolina State, but a glimpse at a brighter future may have appeared in Orangeburg, S.C.

Redshirt-freshman quarterback Eddie Battle saw his first action as a Rattler on Saturday, playing the entire fourth quarter. He led the offense on three drives, generating a touchdown on the second drive.

“Eddie got a chance to go in, execute the offense and show his leadership at the quarterback position,” FAMU coach Rubin Carter said. “I was really pleased with his performance.

“He was one of the bright spots on a dismal day for us as a football team.”

Battle was one of three quarterbacks signed to FAMU's 2006 class, joining Eugene Smith and Robert Love. Smith did not qualify.

Smith and Love were both redshirted last season and began competing for a place on the totem pole this past spring. It was generally thought that Love came out of the spring ahead of Battle.

But Love was suspended before the start of fall practices for three games. Love also had academic issues that he was unable to clear up once his suspension was over and he has yet to rejoin the team.

With Love's status uncertain, it is a strong possibility the 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback from Titusville's Astronaut High will enter the 2008 season as the Rattlers' starting quarterback. Saturday was the first major step toward that process.

Photo: #8, QB 6-2/215, Eddie Battle, Titusville FL/Astronaunt H.S., is ready to do battle with Norfolk State.

“I learned a lot,” Battle said. “I got my first collegiate snap in this game. The speed of the game, the connection with the receivers and the O-line - it was a lot to take in.

“The circumstance was terrible to come into, but everybody kept me positive. If I ever have to come in again, I feel I will be alright.”

Battle's first drive under center wasn't anything to write home about. A rush for a three-yard loss, a rush for a six-yard gain, an incomplete pass to Isaac West and it was over.

Battle's second drive, however, was something for him to write home about. It included his first complete pass - a 23-yarder to Derek Williams that was also his first completion for a first down.
Battle also completed his first touchdown pass to sophomore fullback Mykel Benson.

“I got to throw to one of my great friends,” Battle said. “I played against him a lot in high school. Mykel Benson is a great receiver and it was a terrific feeling.”

Battle finished the quarter completing 5 of 7 passes for 54 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

While his play was insignificant as far as the outcome of Saturday's game was concerned, it may have had a great impact on the future of FAMU's football program.

“It was like going from an infant to a grown man,” Battle said. “I took my first hit in the first series. It was the first time I received a signal from Leon and it actually meant something.”

MSU Bears face #15 Delaware State in a showdown for first place in the MEAC

Photo: Head Football Coach Donald Hill-Eley

MSU Sports Information

The Bears travel to Dover to square-off with Delaware State during the Hornets' Homecoming on Saturday.

MORGAN STATE “BEARS” (4-3, 2-1 MEAC)
#15 DELAWARE STATE “HORNETS” (5-1, 4-0 MEAC)
GAME #8
Saturday, October 20, 2007 • 3:30 p.m.
Alumni Stadium (Capacity 6,828) • Dover, Del.
TELEVISION: Will be televised live regionally on the Comcast Network, CN8
RADIO: Morgan State Radio Network WEAA - 88.9 FM:
Rob Long (play-by-play) & Kelvin Bridgers (color).
INTERNET: www.MorganStateBears.com; www.dsuhornets.com
INTERNET COVERAGE: Live Audio and Live Stats

Setting the Scene

• Devan James ran for 19 of his team-high 73 yards in overtime to help setup a 23-yard game-winning field goal by James Meade as the Bears held off Howard 36-33 Saturday at Hughes Stadium before a record crowd of 14,987. MSU QB was Byron Selby was productive and completed 11-of-20 passes for 216 yards. MSU’s defensive unit held Howard air attack to 103 yards and was led by LB Lamar West who recorded a team-high 9 tackles. MSU will attempt to extend its winning streak to four when they face the Hornets for a battle for 1st place in the MEAC.



• #15 Delaware State is coming off a bye week and the last time they were on the gridiron was when they pitched a 27-0 shutout against N.C. A&T in Greensboro (NC). The Hornets, who are currently tied with Norfolk State for first place in the MEAC standings, were outgained by the Aggies 182 to 156 in total offense. Hornet RB Chris Strothers led DSU’s ground game by rushing for 63 yard, while QB Vashon Winton completed 3-of-9 for 31 yards and ran for a 1 yard touchdown. Defensively, DB Akeem Green scored on an 86-yard interception return and on special teams Brandon Hudson took the opening kick-off back for an 84-yard touchdown. With the win the Hornets improved to 5-1 overall and will enter Saturday’s Homecoming contest with a 4-0 conference record and will attempt to extend their winning streak to four games. Saturday’s contest will mark the 50th meeting between Morgan State and Delaware State since 1945.

• The Hornets have one of the top quartebacks in the conference. Vashon Winton (Jr./6-2/195/Chicago, IL/Simeon HS) has completed 53-of-89 passes for 645 yards and 7 touchdowns and ranks 4th in the MEAC in passing. Winton connected on 3-of-9 passes and ran for a touchdown during DSU’s 27-0 victory against N.C. A&T.

• The Hornets have one of the top quartebacks in the conference. Vashon Winton (Jr./6-2/195/Chicago, IL/Simeon HS) has completed 53-of-89 passes for 645 yards and 7 touchdowns and ranks 4th in the MEAC in passing. Winton connected on 3-of-9 passes and ran for a touchdown during DSU’s 27-0 victory against N.C. A&T.

• SEE CHAD RUN … INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS - Chad Simpson entered the Towson game just needing 63 yards to reach 1,000 yards in his Morgan State career…he ended up rushing for 195 yards! The All-MEAC running back rushed for 142 yards and three touchdowns in the season-opener vs. Savannah State and has increased his career total to 1,774 yards following a game-high 181 yards versus North Carolina A&T ... he now sits 259 yards behind Lloyd McCleave (1975-78) who ranks #5 in the Bears rushing annals. As a result of his career-high 221 yard output against the Winston-Salem State Rams in Week 3, Simpson was selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week.

• LAST TIME vs. THE HORNETS - (Oct. 14, 2006) Morgan State’s Homecoming matchup with Delaware State was riddled with Bear mistakes. The Hornets capitalized on fumbles and two blocked punts as they pulled out a 29-7 victory in front of 13,557 fans.

ESPN focuses on UD, DSU

By KRISTIAN POPE and KEVIN TRESOLINI, The News Journal

Failure to meet in football examined

The ESPN show "Outside the Lines" will feature an upcoming segment on the lack of a Delaware-Delaware State football rivalry.

Producers from the show were in Dover on Tuesday to tape interviews with representatives from DSU. They are scheduled to meet with University of Delaware officials in Newark today.

A telecast date has not been announced.

Delaware and Delaware State, two NCAA Division I-AA programs, have never met in a football game. But, as of now, both teams are in contention for a I-AA playoff berth and, under NCAA guidelines, the two could meet in a first-round game Nov. 24 at Delaware Stadium.

Hornets coach Al Lavan said Tuesday he was to be interviewed for the ESPN show with DSU athletic director Rick Costello and senior linebacker Russell Reeves. The network also is planning to tape footage of DSU's game Saturday against Morgan State at Alumni Stadium. Crews shot footage of Delaware's win over Northeastern last Saturday.

"It's good exposure for us," Lavan said. "It is what it is. They are just doing some followup to the recent stories."

The story received national attention when Delaware graduate and former Sports Illustrated reporter Jeff Pearlman wrote a column for ESPN.com that lambasted UD for not scheduling a game with DSU.

DSU (5-1, 4-0) shares the lead in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference; the champion earns an automatic NCAA bid.

Delaware (6-1, 4-1) is second in the CAA's South Division, but in the running for an at-large bid. The overall conference winner earns the CAA's automatic bid.

The 16-team I-AA field will be announced Nov. 18.

The NCAA handbook reads as follows:

1. The teams awarded the top four seeds are placed in the appropriate positions in the bracket (Nos. 1 and 4 in the upper half, and Nos. 2 and 3 in the lower half), and will be paired with teams that are in closest geographic proximity;

2. The remaining teams will be paired according to geographic proximity and placed in the bracket according to geographic proximity of the four pairings previously placed in the bracket.

The four seeded teams are given a chance to host a game if they can meet the I-AA tournament's minimum financial guarantee requirements: $30,000 for the first round, $40,000 for quarterfinals and $50,000 for semifinals. After that, the NCAA's first three criteria for selecting a host site are "quality of facility," "revenue potential" and "attendance history and potential."

While 22,000-seat Delaware Stadium routinely is filled to capacity during the regular season, playoff crowds always are smaller, in part because students have to pay for tickets and most aren't on campus Thanksgiving weekend.

Delaware's State's 6,800-seat Alumni Stadium would not, therefore, be considered for a Hens-Hornets playoff game.

DSU Hornets see a shift in power

Photo: DSU Hornets Head Football Coach Al Lavan

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

Delaware State suddenly part of MEAC's new elite

DOVER -- In about a month, there could be a first in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

None of the league's current top teams -- Delaware State (4-0 in conference play), Norfolk State (4-0) and Morgan State (3-1) -- has ever qualified for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

The trio's midseason success indicates a power shift in the MEAC.

"I would think so," said Hampton coach Joe Taylor, whose team won the past three conference titles but is 3-2 in the MEAC this year. "It will be interesting to see how they match up against one another."

The MEAC is among eight conferences whose regular-season champion gets an automatic bid to the I-AA playoffs. DSU has never made the playoffs and has not won the league championship since sharing it with North Carolina A&T in 1991.

Hornets coach Al Lavan has seen extra attention placed on his team, which is 5-1 overall heading into Saturday's homecoming game against Morgan State. The game will televised live on CN8.

"I'm not unaware more people are aware of the program, and that's good," Lavan said. "The incentive for me is to keep being successful."

It only gets more interesting for the Hornets, who rose to No. 15 in The Sports Network's Top 25 poll this week.

Photo: Hampton University Pirates Head Football Coach Joe Taylor.

In the MEAC's preseason poll, coaches and sports information directors picked Delaware State, Morgan State and Norfolk State to place third, sixth and seventh, respectively. Norfolk State earned its first national ranking this week when it debuted at No. 25.

Hampton was able to squeak by Morgan State, 24-17 in overtime, on Sept. 20. Had the Bears won, they would be in a three-way tie for first place with DSU and Norfolk State.

Morgan State is at or near the top of virtually every statistical category in the conference, including total defense (No. 1) and total offense (No. 2).

"The MEAC has year-to-year been a competitive conference," Bears coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "The teams at the top now have gained the edge by last-play performances, field goals and things of that nature. It's a swing in the luck or whatever goes with it. The ones up front are the ones that have normally fallen short in the last seconds, and now they've found ways to win it in the last seconds."

While the Hornets figured Hampton (whom DSU beat 24-17 on Sept. 29) would serve as the biggest barrier to their first playoff spot, the success of Morgan State and Norfolk State has put a new emphasis on the games still to come. DSU plays host to Norfolk State on Nov. 10, the next-to-last game of the regular season.

"It's always good when you have new teams winning," Lavan said. "It's an example of the coaching. These coaches have their teams put together. I think it leads to a stronger and more competitive conference."

Hampton in 'Do or Die' situation

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer

HAMPTON, Va. - Playing a "do or die" game on Homecoming is something Hampton University has not faced during its three-year run as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion.

Having already lost as many conference games this season as they have the previous three seasons combined, this is where the Pirates (4-2, 3-2) find themselves entering Saturday's showdown with South Carolina State (3-3, 2-1). Another loss would all but end Hampton's chances of a fourth straight MEAC title and their shot at an at-large Football Championship Subdivision playoff berth.

"As a champion, your back is always against the wall because everybody is always coming after you," Pirates head coach Joe Taylor said.

Among the winningest active FCS head coaches, Taylor foresaw a challenging season ahead for his Pirates. With 17 new starters and seeing an increase in conference parity with programs like Delaware State, Morgan State and Bay rival Norfolk State, who defeated the Pirates 20-19 last Saturday, emerging as title contenders, Taylor is still pleased to see how his team has fared in losing two games by a total of eight points.

Nevertheless, Taylor sees his young squad progressing fast but is waiting for them to compete for all four quarters.

"I think we're still on the right track," he said. "Each week, after we gameplan, I look at the personnel we're going against, and when I see most of these teams who have 15-20 starters who are juniors and seniors. We're not going to go away. I still think we're doing the right kind of things. I'm proud of what we're doing and there's a lot of football left."

Hampton owns an 11-2 edge over SCSU in the series and Taylor's winning record against the Bulldogs (11-4-1) dates back to his days at Virginia Union. The Pirates have also never lost to SCSU at Armstrong Stadium, including a 14-10 victory in 2005 in which they rallied from a 10-0 deficit with two, second-quarter touchdowns.

Last year's 13-6 win by SCSU which snapped the Pirates 24-game regular-season and 17-game conference winning streaks, played out the same way in turning into a second half defensive struggle. In fact, the two teams have combined to score three second-half points in the last two meetings.

Photo: #20, Gerard Griffin, RB 5-11/R-freshman, Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte H.S.

With SCSU coming off a 611-yard, 49-point effort against Florida A&M, Taylor said the Pirates must figure out a way to slow its offense down with a relatively new cast.

"They do what they do," he said. "They're going to run the football. That's their m.o. Defensively, they're going to flock to the football. They have a very sound special teams."

Offensively, Taylor is concerned about quarterback Cleveland McCoy, who earned MEAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after amassing 314 yards against FAMU and the double threat he presents.

"You've got to keep our eyes on him," he said. "He'll run draw plays, then he'll fake the run and back up and throw it. He's probably one of the better quarterbacks in this conference. The bottom line is you can't go to sleep on him. You better know where he is at all times."

Other than hoping that the SCSU bus "does not show up," Taylor joked, the key to containing McCoy and the Bulldogs' running game will be winning the battle upfront. Even with the presence of Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Kendall Langford (39 tackles, two sacks) and Marcus Dixon (25 tackles, five sacks) on the defensive line, Hampton is allowing 168.8 yards per game on the ground against MEAC teams and faces an experienced SCSU offensive line with two All-MEAC first-team selections in right tackle James Lee and center Raymond "Duck" Harrison.

"When you look at the outcome of ballgames, it's really all about who controls the trenches," Taylor said. "If you look back at last year, it was such a close ball game. Both teams really played tough in the trenches. Defensively, we feel pretty good about the experience that we have this year. But I tell you, that whole offensive line, especially on the right side, and that center is probably one of the better centers if not in the conference, in this country on this level because he's a scrapper. He gets after you. So that's going to be very important. We're going to have our hands full with their o-line. Hopefully, we can make a few plays in there. That's going to be a key matchup."

When McCoy looks to the air, he will have to contend with University of South Carolina transfer cornerback Sam Pope. The former Gamecock is tied with SCSU's Markee Hamlin for the MEAC lead with four interceptions and Taylor said he has "tremendously" helped his young Pirate secondary.

"The reason he transferred was because (USC) wanted him to move inside and play safety and he felt like he's a true corner and I'm glad he had that belief because he's really made a difference for us," Taylor said. "When you lose all four starters in the secondary, certainly you're looking for some help, and he's come in and not only is he a good cover guy, he's very physical as well."

Offensively, the Pirates are ranked next to last in rushing, but counter with the MEAC's leading passer and total yards producer in quarterback T.J. Mitchell (1,542 yards, 11 Tds, 5 ints; 72 rushing yards.). His favorite targets are Jeremy Gilchrist (39 receptions for 648 yards and five Tds), Justin Brown (18 catches, 350 yards, two Tds) and Kevin Teel (18 catches, 275 yards, two Tds).

Prior to Taylor's teleconference, SCSU head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough discussed he's all but decided to redshirt BANDIT Marshall McFadden. He said the junior is still hobbled by an elbow injury suffered in Week Two against Bethune-Cookman, but it made more sense to sit him the rest of the way and have him available for a full season next year.

McFadden was a preseason MEAC first-team selection and had 12 tackles in two games.

QB play keeping Alcorn down

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

Photo: Alcorn has gotten some big plays from the likes of Oliver Bozeman, intercepting a pass against UAB, but its D has been left on the field too much.

The quarterback position continues to cause sleepless nights for Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas.

The Braves (0-5, 0-4 SWAC) rank last in the league in scoring offense (9.0 ppg) and first downs (13.2 per game) and No. 9 in third-down percentage (23.9).

"We're still having personnel letdowns," Thomas said. "Every time we get something going offensively, we fumble the ball, throw an interception, drop the ball, overthrow the receiver.

"We cannot keep our defense on the field and expect (it to play well)."

Senior Chris Walker has been battling a high ankle sprain, opening the door for junior Tony Hobson.

However, Hobson has been less than spectacular, completing 2 of 8 passes for 23 yards with two interceptions in a 17-7 loss to Prairie View A&M last week.

Walker did play, connecting on 9 of 19 attempts for 117 yards.

"We started Tony and he has not come out and performed like we thought," Thomas said. "Chris is a tenacious young man. I've never seen a guy who's been able to bounce back (from injuries like he has).

"We're hoping he'll be ready to go against Texas Southern."

The Tigers (0-5, 0-4) host the Braves at Alex Durley Stadium at 3 p.m. Saturday.

MORE QB ISSUES

Mississippi Valley State may rotate quarterbacks during Saturday's home game against North Dakota State.

Sophomore Paul Roberts is likely out with a mild concussion, leaving junior Semaj Williams and sophomore Ryan Barciaga to split duties.

Williams has completed 13 of 29 passes for 101 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns in three games this season.

Barciaga is 0-for-2 with an interception in two appearances.

BAD CALLS?

Prairie View A&M has put together a tape detailing questionable calls against the Panthers for the SWAC office.

Coach Henry Frazier insists that the officiating has been consistently lopsided against his team throughout the season.

"It's one of two things: They're either cheating or incompetent," Frazier said. "I know I'm going to get in trouble. It's frustrating because it's on film.

"That loses you ballgames. That's the kind of thing that loses people their jobs."

Prairie View is tied with Jackson State for the most penalties in league with 53. Its 499 penalty yards are second behind JSU's 578.

"We've gotten flagged 64 times," Frazier said. "Referees have to get coached up, too."

TAKE-A-KID

Children between the ages of 5-12 will be admitted free with a ticket-bearing adult to Valley's game Saturday against North Dakota State. Kickoff in Itta Bena is 2 p.m.

Take-A-Kid-To-The-Game Day pregame tickets are available for $15 at the MVSU cashiers window and remote locations. Game day tickets will be available for $18.

Contact the MVSU department of athletics for more information at (662) 254-3011.

LAST WEEK'S STANDOUTS


Corey Clark (JSU) - six tackles, three sacks


Ben Boyd (Prairie View) - six carries, 124 yards, one touchdown


Zach East (Prairie View) - 11 tackles


Sam Irons (MVSU) - 11 tackles, pass breakup


Zach Gilarski (MVSU) - eight punts, 37.8 average


Ronald Brewer (MVSU) - 14 carries, 50 yards; four receptions, 28 yards


Tim Manuel (Grambling) - two field goals; four PATs; five punts, 40.4 average

UAPB vs. AAMU: Father, son on opposite sidelines

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

A&M tackle's father coaches for Ark.-Pine Bluff

Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff will get together Thursday night at Louis Crews Stadium in a rematch of last year's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

The game will also feature another rematch of smaller proportions.

A&M defensive tackle Justin Harper will be opposing his father, UAPB defensive line coach Gary Harper, when the two teams collide. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

Gary Harper took bragging rights last year during the regular season as UAPB turned back A&M 23-21, but Justin Harper got the last laugh as the Bulldogs won the SWAC championship with a 22-13 win last December.

"I was so mad I didn't want to talk to anybody," said Justin Harper, recalling the loss last season. "My family was there and my dad wanted to take pictures, but I didn't feel like taking pictures with him."

Six weeks later, Justin Harper couldn't stop smiling.

"When we won, I took a picture with him," he said. "I know, since he couldn't win (the SWAC championship), he was happy that I won it."

Win or lose, Gary Harper was just thrilled to see his son.

"It was a good experience," said Gary Harper, who has coached at Tuskegee, Morris Brown, Savannah State and UAPB. "It gave me an opportunity to watch Justin on film and play in person. It was great because I seldom get to an opportunity to see him play. He played well. I enjoyed that."

Gary Harper plans to enjoy himself Thursday night. This time, however, he hopes to be celebrating.

"Knowing that Justin is on the other side, I want him to do well, but I want us to win," he said.

Gary and Lori Harper, Justin's mother, got divorced when he was 6 years old. As a result, Justin and Gary Harper have lived apart for most of their lives.

Even so, Justin Harper heavily considered playing college football at Savannah State four years ago. His father was an assistant coach there at the time.

However, A&M, Alcorn State and Nichols State also recruited Harper. In the end, he chose A&M.

"I came up here and had a good time on my visit," said Harper, a 6-foot-2, 252-pound redshirt junior. "I saw the highlight tape and A&M's defense was one of the dominant defenses in the nation and they were winning. I wanted to be a part of that."

Unfortunately, Harper had to call his father and give him the news.

"Initially, he sounded kind of sad ... a little hurt," he said. "But, he was proud I was going to a good school."

A&M offensive coordinator Cedric Pearl, who handles the Bulldogs' offensive line, and Gary Harper coached together at Morris Brown. Harper turned Pearl on to his son.

"Coach Pearl was fired up about Justin and he fell in love with Huntsville," Gary Harper said. "It was disappointing at first, but he needed to be happy where he went. He wanted to win a championship and he did that. A&M has been good for him and he's been good for A&M."

Despite being separated, father and son are close.

"I spent Christmas break, spring breaks and summers with him growing up," Justin said. "We haven't been living together, but we are close. We talk once or twice a week. We talk about football, school and other things."

In fact, they talked some Tuesday.

"He didn't want to talk too much," Gary Harper said. "Hopefully, I'll get to see him and get a chance to talk to him before the game."

Justin Harper has come on the last few weeks.

He broke his left thumb during preseason practice and had to undergo surgery. Initially, he was told he would miss the first four games of the season, but he only missed the season opener against Tennessee State. He moved into the starting lineup against Texas Southern and has been a force to be reckoned with ever since.

"I have a lot of admiration for that kid," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "He could have stayed out a few more weeks, but he wanted to play. He worked with our trainers to get back and since he's been back he's been our best defensive lineman."

Justin Harper has put a little extra into Thursday night's game. He wants to show out in front of his father.

"I want to have the bragging rights again," he said. "I've been watching a little more film and paying attention a little more to the scouting report ... the small details so I can get better."

Gary Harper couldn't be more proud.

"I'm excited about seeing him," he said. "I haven't seen him since Christmas with me being in Arkansas and him being in school all the time. It's tough, but it's a good thing. He's grown up and he'll be graduating soon.

"As a parent, I'm really proud of him for coming back so soon (from injury). He's just a chip off the old block. He has good work habits and doesn't want to sit out and be lazy. He's got a few more goals he wants to conquer and I'm sure he'll reach them."

Alabama A&M notebook

Photo: UAPB Head Football Coach Mo Forte

Huntsville Times

Golden Lions have no controversy at QB

Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Mo Forte said the Golden Lions are not entrenched in a quarterback controversy.

Starter Chris Wallace, the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, started the first two games before Jonathan Moore moved into the starting lineup. According to UAPB officials, Wallace didn't play against Alabama State and New Mexico State because of exhaustion, but saw action against Southern Illinois and Grambling.

In fact, Wallace threw what could have been a potential game-winning 63-yard touchdown pass to Jason Jones Saturday night against Grambling, but the play was nullified by a penalty.

Wallace replaced Moore, who bruised his throwing hand on a helmet, in the fourth quarter.

Moore was 16-of-32 for 276 yards, one touchdown and one interception before leaving the game. Wallace was 9-of-13 for 93 yards and a touchdown.

"It's never a controversy," Forte said when asked about the quarterbacks. "We don't deal with that up here. We go with the person that will give us the best opportunity to win."

Forte said Moore's status remains uncertain for Thursday's game at Alabama A&M.

"I'm not sure," he said. "It's up in the air right now. It depends on how he progresses over the next couple of days. Hopefully, he's going to be ready to play."

If Moore is unable to go, Forte says Wallace will be ready.

"Chris is as fine a person as you'll ever find and he's always ready to take the reigns," Forte said.

Richardson's career is over at A&M: Inside linebacker Jimmy Richardson has elected not to rejoin the team, A&M coach Anthony Jones confirmed Tuesday.

Richardson, a 6-foot-1, 232-pound senior from Orrville, left the team on Sept. 30 and never returned. He didn't practice the following week and didn't accompany the team to Baton Rouge, La., for an important game against Southern on Oct. 5.

Richardson met with Jones and his staff on Oct. 8 and hasn't been heard from since.

He was slated to start at inside linebacker before losing his job during training camp to Mississippi State transfer Carlton Rice. Richardson left the team for that reason, sources say.

"Jimmy Richardson has decided to pursue other endeavors," Jones said. "We wish him well."

Affordable tickets: Tickets for Thursday night's game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff are available at a reduced rate.

Any school in the Huntsville area is eligible to sell tickets to their students for $1. School officials have to pick up the tickets and distribute them on consignment at their respective schools.

Local church groups of 25 adults or more can purchase tickets in group quantity for $10 apiece. All student tickets (ages 6-18) are half price for the game at $3. These tickets are available at any time. General admission tickets that do not fall under one of these specials are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the game. For more information, contact the A&M ticket office at 372-4059. The offer ends today at 5 p.m.

Reggie Benson

Season is not golden for UAPB Lions

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

UAPB is 1-5 going into Thursday night's A&M game

This time last year, Arkansas-Pine Bluff was in the midst of one of the biggest turnarounds in school history.

The Golden Lions opened the season losing three of their first four games, but beat Tuskegee in the Gateway Classic that started a string of seven straight victories that carried them to the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title and a berth in the championship game.

Alabama A&M downed UAPB 22-13 in the title game. With a number of their top players returning, the Golden Lions were picked to repeat as West Division champions during the league's annual media day.

But UAPB hasn't lived up to the hype.

The Golden Lions are 1-5 overall and 1-3 in league play heading in Thursday night's game at Alabama A&M. Kickoff is 6:30 and the game will be televised live on ESPNU.

"This is one of the strangest seasons I've ever been in," UAPB coach Mo Forte said earlier this week. "We're 1-5 and five of those games have been on the road. This is the second Thursday night game we've had and both of them have been on the road and you only have two days to prepare.

"But, we're not going to complain. It's football and we're going to play the hand that we've been dealt."

Few expected the Golden Lions to be out of the West Division race this early.

Quarterback Chris Wallace, the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, was benched after two games. Running back Martel Mallett, who had almost 1,300 yards rushing and led the league with 15 touchdowns a year ago, has just 240 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Jason Jones has been productive with 28 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns, but even his numbers are down compared to last season.

The biggest problem, Forte said, has been UAPB's disappointing play along the offensive line. The Golden Lions have allowed 28 sacks through six games.

"We've struggled there," he said. "We've had a tough time with them. They've gotten better every week, but it hasn't been good enough to put a 'W' on the board."

UAPB suffered yet another tough loss Saturday as Grambling outlasted the Golden Lions 30-24 in Little Rock. It was UAPB's fourth loss by seven points or less this season.

"We've lost games by 2, 3, 6 and 7 points and all have been with under a minute left in the game," Forte said.

UAPB hurt itself with five turnovers and had more than 100 yards in penalties.

"You can't do that against a quality football team like Grambling and expect to beat them," Forte said.

About the visit to A&M, Forte said: "Our kids don't quit. We're going to play hard."

Case of deja vu confronts JSU Tigers

Rick Comegy received a reminder that he could have gone without Tuesday morning.

The second-year Jackson State coach was asked about being in familiar territory going into Saturday's noon kickoff against Grambling State (5-1, 5-0 SWAC).

JSU (4-2, 4-0) was undefeated in the SWAC after a win over Southern University last year. Up next was Grambling State. A 36-7 loss was the first of three straight before dropping four of five to end the season.

Comegy was asked how he planned to stop history from repeating itself.

"I don't plan to think about it," Comegy said. "I also plan to just play football.

"We grew as a football team. That's the major difference. No matter what happens ... if we stumble, I don't think we'll spiral."

40 YEARS AT MEMORIAL

A face-off between the last two teams undefeated in conference play draws plenty of interest.

The game being broadcast nationally on ESPN Classic adds a little more flavor.

Tack that onto the fact that Jackson State will celebrate 40 years of football at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium by hosting Grambling State, and the atmosphere grows to red-line type proportions.

Jackson State College first kicked off a football game inside Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21, 1967 - a homecoming game against Grambling State.

Roderick Paige coached Jackson State to a 20-14 victory.

Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson led Grambling College. JSU will honor Robinson during Saturday's game.

INJURY REPORT

Starting center Lorenzo Breland suffered a stinger in the victory over Southern. Comegy said he should be fine to play Saturday.

Photo: Transfer RB, #3 Erik Haw, 6-1/215, Columbus, OH/Ohio State gain yards against Southern University in last week game.

-Kareen Copeland

JSU Perri gives boot to concerns about consistency

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State vs. Grambling State
When: Saturday, noon
TV: ESPN Classic

The Jackson State football staff nearly went recruiting for another kicker after last season.

Eric Perri was good as a freshman, connecting on 6 of 8 field goals. He had a strong leg, tying a school record that had stood since 1975 with a 45-yarer against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Miami native had the nerves, burying a 22-yarder to beat Southern University 31-28 in double overtime.

But he was erratic.

"We didn't know how good he would be," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "He was kind of inconsistent that first year. We thought we might have to go out and find another guy because we didn't know if he would last."

The Tigers are no longer looking for another kicker.

Perri is one field goal from tying Eric Dozier (1983) and Adam Harris (1996) for the single-season school record (12). The sophomore is likely to cruise past that mark when Grambling State comes to town Saturday for a noon kickoff. He has gone 3-for-3 in three consecutive games and is 11-for-13 on the season, ranking No. 1 in the SWAC amongst kickers with eight or more attempts.

Perri leads the league in points (50), field goals made (11) and attempts (13). He is on track to shatter the JSU career record (29) set by Brian Reynolds.

"I never did imagine that," said James Hartfield, JSU's kicking coach. "I saw him on film and knew he was a good kicker. But I never imagined him doing what he's doing now."

Perri's progression from Year No. 1 to Year No. 2 has mostly taken place between the ears.

There was a lot repetition and technique work, but the mental hurdle was the largest.

"I've gotten him to just calm down," Hartfield said. "He gets upset in practice if he misses a field goal or misses an extra point.

"It was a mental thing. Last year we got a few of them blocked and he started looking up at the linemen instead of watching the ball and seeing where he was going. We've got him to trust his offensive linemen. If it gets blocked, it's not his fault; it's the linemen's fault."

Perri added, "I wanted it more. I've only got two years after this. I want to make (the most out of it). Be the best kicker I could."

The league's No. 1 kicker has added another dimension to offensive coordinator James Woody's weaponry.

The Jackson State offense ranks No. 3 in the conference in red zone offense, scoring on 22 of 27 trips (81.5 percent). Nine of those were field goals.

"It's a luxury situation," Woody said. "It does change the play-calling depending on the situation of the game. You would like to have that touchdown, but a lot of times you've got a great kicker and you really try to pound that clock and you can be conservative knowing you've got three solid points."

But there's a dangerous side to a life of luxury - complacency.

"It can make you relax and not push as hard on third down to get that crucial first down because you've got Eric in the corner," Comegy said. "We don't want to go there. But it's good to have a guy there who can really nail it when you need it."

Woody added, "I tell the quarterbacks, you don't want to try to force it ... and risk throwing an interception when you've got a kicker that can get you three points. (But) you don't want to get comfortable."

The situation makes no difference to Perri. He possesses a strong sense of self-motivation.

He has dedicated the season to his grandfather, William Perri, who died just before Perri returned for August football camp.

He just wants to win and fulfill a few personal goals along the way.

"Coming into the season I just wanted to do my job, basically try to improve on what I did last year," Perri said. "I wasn't really trying to break a record. I try to bail the guys out. Just in case they don't come out with seven, I come out with three.

"I want to be an All-American and have big dreams. If God puts me in the NFL that'd be great. That's what I'm working towards and hopefully get a championship ring here."

That and to keep Comegy from having to scour the nation for a kicker for another couple years.

Photo: Jackson State University J-Settes member is ready for a high kick.

With Lee sidelined, Matthews ready to take helm for Southern

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

There will be no safety net for Southern quarterback Warren Matthews on Saturday.

Last Saturday, Matthews knew all week he was going to start the Jackson State game. But he also knew the team’s No. 1 quarterback, Bryant Lee, had warmed up well and was ready to go on a sore right ankle that caused him to miss the major work days of game-week practice. With Lee’s ankle dramatically worse, Matthews will be on his own this Saturday.

“I feel comfortable with him,” offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. “We’re not going to shut anything down of what we’re doing. We’ll keep rolling with what we’ve been doing.

“He’s excited about it. He’s enthused. He’s got a great attitude. He works hard.”

Southern (5-2, 3-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) hosts Alcorn State (1-5, 1-4) at 3 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Matthews, who was redshirted and did not play last season after being out of football as a nonqualifier in 2005, is 6-for-12 for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Lee is 144-for-223 for 1,585 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions this season.

“I know the offense and everything,” Matthews said. “It’s just a matter of execution.

“We’re just going to try to get the timing down.”

Matthews likely will be without senior wide receiver Gerard Landry (409 yards, eight touchdowns) but should have Del Roberts (279 yards, one touchdown).

Landry went out in the third quarter with a high ankle sprain. Roberts (back) missed all of the Jackson State loss and most of the Alabama A&M loss.

Junior C.J. Byrd, who missed most of preseason camp after being in a car accident in late July, will back Matthews.

Byrd started four games last season. He was 32-for-52 for 389 yards, three touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 155 yards and four TDs.

“C.J. is going to have to get ready, because I think there are some things he can do,” Orlando said.

Matthews is a physically imposing 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, with the strongest arm on the team. Byrd is 5-11, 170. Lee is 6-2, 195.

Photo: QB Warren Matthews, RS Soph., New Orleans, LA/Warren Easton H.S., 6-3/230.

“As far as knowing what we’re doing, he knows it, because, Lord, he’s had a ton of reps at it,” Orlando said. “I feel comfortable with the entire system with him.”

Last month, fifth-year senior J.C. Lewis, the No. 1 quarterback the previous two seasons, left the team after not seeing any action in the first two games.

Redshirt freshman Gary Hollimon is third on the depth chart.

Though the decision on who would be SU’s No. 1 quarterback was expected to be between Lee and Lewis, Matthews’ dramatic improvement in the spring changed all that.

Lee, SU’s starter at the end of last season, eventually outdueled Matthews in preseason camp. But the work Matthews, from Warren Easton High in New Orleans, put in during the spring and summer left an impression on coaches.

“Warren worked hard,” Orlando said. “It was a heckuva battle coming out of spring.

“He’s really improved a lot in the last year or so. He’s got a big-time arm.”

Though he had gotten the majority of practice reps the last two or three weeks to allow Lee more recuperative time, Matthews’ only collegiate action — until Saturday’s start — had been running the ball late in a season-opening win over Florida A&M.

With Matthews starting Saturday, Southern was three-and-out on its initial series. Matthews completed his first collegiate pass, a 5-yarder to Nick Benjamin, to set up a third-and-4. But the shotgun snap got botched, with Matthews falling on the ball for a 3-yard loss.

“I thought he was a little jittery early in the game but when he got settled down he did some good things,” Orlando said. “He was in a tough situation and I thought he did fine.”

Matthews didn’t return until after Lee went out midway through the third quarter.

Matthews directed a 10-play, 72-yard touchdown drive to get the Jaguars within 30-26 with 6:22 left in the game. He converted three third downs — a third-and-5, a third-and-10 and, on a 22-yard TD pass to Benjamin, a third-and-16.

“That’s why I practice,” Matthews said. “I knew going into the week I was going to start. I just had to do what I had to do to get prepared. I did all I could.”

The tradeoff for not having Lee to back him Saturday is Matthews now has some game experience.

“Now I have some experience dealing with the game speed,” Matthews said. “It’s much different. Since I have the experience, it’ll slow down for me once I get into my rhythm.

“After that first completion, it started to slow down.”

What Landry did best is what Matthews will have to do best: stay within the offense.

“Like I told Warren last week, you’ve got a lot of kids around you to help you win this ballgame,” Orlando said. “Don’t feel like you’ve got to go out there and win it yourself.”

“We’re not asking Matthews to win the game for us,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “We’re just asking him to manage our football team. The players have confidence in him — and we have confidence in him — to do that.”

Photo: Southern University Dancing Dolls performs during half-time.

Gallery & Half-Time Show: UAPB M4

The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South (M4) and the Golden Girls (10/13/2007).

Making Tracks: WSSU Jeptolo excels in athletics, academics

Photos: Irene Jeptolo, 5-3 Jr.,St. Joseph's Girls H.S., Kapsabet, Kenya

By John Dell, JOURNAL REPORTER

It’s a shame that Irene Jeptolo’s cross-country season has come to an end because she has been on a serious roll for Winston-Salem State.

Jeptolo, a 23-year-old junior from Kenya, dominated just about every race she was in this fall, winning four times in six races. In the other two races she was good enough to finish in the top 10.

“I have been running well,” said Jeptolo, whose English has improved in her three years on campus. “I have had some good training thanks to my coaches and it’s given me a boost.”

Last week, in the Rams’ final meet of the fall, Jeptolo helped them to a third-place finish at the Erskine Invitational in Due West, S.C. She won the 5K with a time of 19 minutes, 12 seconds.

“It was nice to win again,” said Jeptolo, who transferred to WSSU three years ago from a community college in Arizona.

When the Rams were still competing in Division II, she was good enough at the regionals to qualify for the nationals in 2005. But since the Rams are in their transition to Division I they aren’t eligible for the postseason.

Coach Halcyon Blake, who is in her third season of coaching the cross-country and track teams, said that what is most amazing about Jeptolo is her mental toughness. Jeptolo is a nursing major who has been busy working at Baptist Hospital this semester.

“She is doing her clinical-rotation class at the hospital and makes rounds there all throughout the week and even some on the weekends,” Blake said. “And she still finds time to fit in her training.”

Jeptolo’s normal day begins at around 4:30 a.m. She gets to the hospital by 6 a.m. and is there until 2 p.m. before heading to practice.

“I want to either be a pediatric or geriatric nurse, I haven’t decided,” she said. “So this has been a busy semester but I don’t mind.”

Jeptolo is an honor-roll student who plans to graduate in December of 2008.

Perhaps Jeptolo’s best race came near Orlando, Fla., in a meet that had 386 runners. She ran the 5K in 18:16 and finished seventh.

“It was a sprint to the finish and she was right there, so it could have gone either way,” Blake said.

With the indoor-track season starting in late November, Jeptolo will turn her attention to the 3,000 and 1,500 meters. Blake said that Jeptolo might eventually be an outstanding steeplechase runner.

Jeptolo said that her success this fall has a lot to do with her training during the summer, a regimen that was set up by Blake.

“I was feeling that I was prepared for these races,” said Jeptolo who also won at the UNC Pembroke Invitational, the Old North State Championships in Greensboro and the Greensboro Invitational.

“Winning makes me very happy and I’m looking forward to the indoor season,” Jeptolo said.

“I’m having a lot of fun.”

Grambling's knack for the timely turnover keys its run

By Nick Deriso, Monroe News Star

GRAMBLING — Grambling State has built a 5-0 mark in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with an opportunistic defensive attack.
In fact, a league-best plus-eight turnover margin — which ties GSU with Alabama A&M — already includes 12 forced fumbles and 7 interceptions over the first six games.
Grambling had the same number of picks and just three more forced fumbles over the complete 11-game campaign in 2006.

There's a reason for the quick turnaround on takeaways, first-year GSU coach Rod Broadway says: Focus.
"We work on it every day," Broadway said. "We have a five-minute period each day where we work on takeaways — fumble recoveries, stripping the ball and interceptions. We work on all of those things."

In all, GSU would snatch four of five fumbles against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week, while picking off two passes that led to 84 return yards in the other direction.

The result: A 30-24 win which, coupled with Southern's loss against Jackson State, put Grambling (5-1 overall; 5-0 in the SWAC) up by two the league race for the Western Division crown.

Most impressive was one stretch early in the third quarter when the Tigers held a slim 17-10 lead against Pine Bluff. Grambling would reel off three consecutive momentum-changing turnovers: DeMichael Dizer and Keefe Hall recovered consecutive fumbles, then Kenneth Anio picked off a pass.

The defense kept UAPB on its heels, even while Grambling's offense sputtered.

Anio also had a first-quarter takeaway last Saturday, though kicker Tim Manuel's subsequent 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

GSU quarterback Brandon Landers then gave the ball right back with his own interception between the Dizer and Hall fumble recoveries.

"We are plus-eight, but we are still turning ball over way too much," Broadway said. "We've had a chance to distance ourselves, scorewise, over the course of a couple of games, and we turned the ball over and let teams hang in there with us. That's the part that we've got to get corrected."

Up 14 points as the fourth period began, Landers saw another interception returned 50 yards to set up what would be UAPB's final score.

"That was a huge turnover," Broadway said. "They ran it back down to the 28-yard line and they were right back in the football game."

It was a scenario eerily similar to Grambling's late-game fade against Prairie View, another contest that saw takeaways lead to a razor-thin margin of victory. Landers had an untimely interception returned 24-yards for a touchdown to tie things up in the first possession of the fourth quarter at the State Fair Classic.

A penalty for an illegal shift saved Grambling last week, as a blocked kick had before in Dallas against Prairie View.

"Even though we are plus-eight," Broadway said, "we've got to protect the football a little bit better than we have been."

Yet another forced UAPB fumble, again by Dizer, led to Grambling's final touchdown — the deciding points of the game in Little Rock.

NEW ALL OVER AGAIN: Freshman Grambling running back Frank Warren has won his third player of the week honor from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Each time, he was named newcomer of the week.

Warren helped Grambling to a Saturday night win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 92 yards and two critical touchdowns on 17 carries. He ran for 14-yard, second-quarter TD to begin a rally after GSU fell behind 10-0 then completed the Tigers' scoring with an 18-yard blast on the way to a 30-24 victory.

Warren earned previous newcomer awards after victories over Alcorn State and Mississippi Valley. He is currently third in the SWAC with 528 yards, second with 110 attempts and fifth in the league for yards per game with 88.

Grambling teammate Tim Manuel was also named the SWAC's specialist of the week, after averaging 43 yards per punt, hitting a 45-yard field goal to pull GSU even with Pine Bluff and adding three extra points.

MOVING ON UP: With its fourth straight SWAC win, and fifth overall, Grambling moved from No. 25 to 23 in the Sports Network's poll of Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) teams.

GSU is the only SWAC team in the Top 25, though Alabama A&M appears at No. 28. Grambling's Saturday foe Jackson State follows at No. 37, with in-state rival Southern at No. 41.

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Despite record, Golden Lions concern Jones

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones admits Arkansas-Pine Bluff scares him. The Golden Lions should.

UAPB (1-5 overall, 1-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) has been in virtually every game aside from being blown out at nationally ranked Southern Illinois.

That includes a 20-17 loss at New Mexico State in a game where the Aggies kicked a field goal as time expired to escape with the victory.

"I know the potential that UAPB has," Jones said. "They have a good coaching staff. They were picked to win the West. They're putting their stuff together. They've been in all of their games except one. This is a team you can't overlook. They're going to be very, very tough."

The Golden Lions came within an eyelash of knocking off West Division-leading Grambling on Saturday in Little Rock before falling 30-24.

"Anytime you play Grambling down to the wire, it says something about your program and about your team," Jones said. They're playing everybody tough. I know this team is capable of beating us.

They proved that last year. They're a team that concerns me."

Contract still unsigned:Jones had hoped to sign his contract last week, but after reviewing it, he gave it back to athletic director Betty Austin with some revisions.

"I gave my thoughts to it and now I'm just waiting," said Jones, who gave the contract back to Austin on Thursday. "I'm hoping everything is going in a positive manner. I'm not really concerned with that now. I'm just waiting to hear back from there."

The school's board of trustees approved a package last summer that would pay Jones a total package of $155,000, which would make him the fourth-highest paid coach in the league.

Affordable tickets: Tickets for Thursday night's game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff are available at a reduced rate.

Any school in the Huntsville area is eligible to sell tickets to their students for $1.

School officials have to pick up the tickets and distribute them on consignment at their respective schools.

For more information, contact the A&M ticket office at 372-4059. The offer ends Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Local church groups of 25 adults or more can purchase tickets in group quantity for $10 apiece.

All student tickets (ages 6-18) are half price for the game at $3. These tickets are available at any time. General admission tickets that do not fall under one of these specials are $15 in advance and $18 the day of the game.

The A&M ticket office will be open this week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Reggie Benson

Matthews to start at QB for SU

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern likely will be without sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee and senior wide receiver Gerard Landry when the Jaguars host Alcorn State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Lee and Landry both went down with ankle injuries in the third quarter of a 32-26 loss to Jackson State on Saturday.

SU coach Pete Richardson said both are “questionable.”

Lee re-aggravated a right ankle sprain that has bothered him since the second game of the season.

Lee had a brace around the injury last week and sophomore Warren Matthews got most of the first-team reps throughout the week, then started and played the first series against Jackson State in place of Lee.

Matthews, who did not return to the game until Lee went out, will make his second start and this time he’ll stay in the game.

Lee, who started late last season, edged Matthews, who never played last season, in a preseason duel.

Photo: QB Warren Matthews will make his second start for Southern.

“The only thing he’s lacking is experience,” Richardson said of Matthews. “And the only way to get that is to play.”

SU coaches want Lee (144-for-223 for 1,585 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions) to rest Saturday and then have the benefit of an open week. They’d prefer Lee not to risk further injury.

Junior C.J. Byrd, who started in the middle of last season, will be Matthews’ backup, Richardson said.

With fifth-year senior J.C. Lewis leaving the team last month, the team’s three healthy quarterbacks are Matthews, Byrd and redshirt freshman Gary Hollimon.

Matthews, who was 6-for-12 for 83 yards and one touchdown Saturday, likely won’t have the benefit of throwing to the team’s top playmaker.

Landry has a high left ankle sprain and, like Lee, needs rest.

Landry has a touchdown catch in all seven games and eight TDs overall, along with team highs of 34 catches and 409 yards.

“It’s just how much pain tolerance he’s going to be able to take,” Richardson said.

The injuries to Lee and Landry are just two concerning Southern.

True freshman linebacker Corey Ray (left shoulder) will need arthroscopic surgery that likely will end his season, Richardson said.

Ray had reconstructive surgery on the left shoulder in February after having surgery on the right one in late December.

“It depends on him. It’ll take awhile (to recover),” Richardson said.

Sophomore linebacker Allan Baugh (left knee) had an MRI on Monday. Baugh was on crutches Sunday when the Jaguars had a light practice. (SU did not practice Monday.)

Richardson said he expects junior linebacker Johnathan Malveaux to return Saturday after missing the previous three games with a high ankle sprain. Malveaux is the team’s most experienced linebacker and he was SU’s top tackler before the injury.

Malveaux dressed for the Jackson State game, and coaches considered playing him.

Richardson said he also expects junior wide receiver Del Roberts (back) and senior center Demarcus Stewart (calf) to return Saturday. Both missed the Jackson State game.

Roberts, with 30 catches for 279 yards and one touchdown and five rushes for 55 yards, plays a key role in the offense. With Roberts playing little in the loss to Alabama A&M and not at all in the JSU game, the SU offense lost a key component.

Also, Richardson said sophomore wide receiver Juamorris Stewart (concussion) to be fully recovered. Juamorris Stewart did not start, played sparingly and did not catch a pass for the first time this season.

Richardson said junior running back Kendrick Smith (foot), who has missed the last three games, is “questionable” to play Saturday. Smith is off crutches and out of his walking boot, but was still not walking smoothly.

Southern University Human Jukebox Marching Band and the Dancing Dolls (10/13/2007) vs. JSU Tigers

Thomas expects loud fans at Southern

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas on Monday used the word “hostile” twice, first describing the crowd and then the environment at A.W. Mumford Stadium, while discussing Saturday’s game at Southern.

However, avoiding a duplicate of the firestorm that began with Jackson State coach Rick Comegy’s remarks on the same Southwestern Athletic Conference teleconference the week before, Thomas quickly explained he meant “hostile” in a positive manner.

“They’re going to be excited, loud and ready for the football game,” Thomas said.

A week earlier, Comegy talked about the upcoming game at Southern as being played in a “hostile situation.”

“I know a lot of people aren’t taking their families. They’re leaving their kids here,” Comegy said.

Those remarks eventually drew a Tuesday statement regretting any misunderstanding from the school’s president and a Wednesday reprimand from the SWAC.

Before a 32-26 victory over Southern in front of 24,600, including a large contingent of Jackson State fans, Saturday, Comegy did not come on the field during pregame warmups and, when he took to the sideline with his team, was flanked by law enforcement representatives.

The game was Comegy’s first at Mumford Stadium.

There were no apparent major incidents Saturday.

Alcorn’s run at SU

Alcorn has won its last three games at Mumford Stadium — 22-20 in 2002, 36-34 in ’03 and 38-16 in ’05.

Thomas said there is no common thread to the successful run.

“I don’t know what it is. I certainly can’t put my hand on it,” Thomas said.

The biggest victory of those three came in 2003, when Donald Carrie, with a Southern defender wrapped around his waist, threw a 24-yard touchdown strike to Charlie Spiller with 40 seconds left in the game. That was the only loss that season for SU, which won the SWAC and black college national titles with a 12-1 mark.

Close first win

In a game matching winless teams, Alcorn escaped from Texas Southern with a 22-20 victory Saturday after a 23-yard field-goal try from TSU’s D’Javan Conway went wide right as time expired. TSU, behind third-string quarterback Donnie Shorts, drove 72 yards with no time outs in the final 1:11 to set up the try.

“Our team now has some confidence,” Thomas said. “We still need to make tremendous improvement on offense, defense and special teams. We can’t play the way we did against Texas Southern against Southern.”

TSU outgained Alcorn 309-147.

Quick look at Southern

Of Southern, Thomas said, “Southern has a winning tradition, outstanding coaching staff and a quality football program. Going down on the Bluff is going to be a tremendous challenge.”

Quick look at Alcorn

Of Alcorn, SU coach Pete Richardson said, “Offensively, they have seven or eight starters who are seniors. (Nate) Hughes is one of the finest wide receivers in the whole conference. Defensively, they’re going to create a lot of pressure. They’re going to play man-to-man (in the secondary).”

Notes

After going 0-11 in 2000, Alcorn has had six straight winning seasons — going 7-4 in 2003 and ’04 and 6-5 in the other four seasons. SU true freshman P Josh Duran is 35th nationally in punting, at 40.5 yards per punt.