QB Keahn Wallace wants to prove JCSU football critics wrong

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Keahn Wallace insists on being a better quarterback.

The J.C. Smith sophomore spent the offseason gaining a more thorough understanding of the Golden Bulls’ attack after accounting for 2,478 total yards and 24 touchdowns to earn the CIAA’s offensive rookie of the year award. The result is more comfort in reading and exploiting defenses.

“I’m looking for the matchup we want and go right at it,” he said.

Wallace made an immediate impact as a freshman by leading the Golden Bulls to a surprising 6-5 season and Pioneer Bowl win against Miles College (Ala.). He was especially adept in J.C. Smith’s spread offense, connecting on 167 of 300 passes for 2,005 yards and 16 scores, but bulked up to become a more effective runner.

“I need to get in the ...

READ MORE

Cheyney, RB Jones Preparing for Lincoln

CHEYNEY, Pennsylvania -- Marcus Jones knows the start of football season is right around the corner. Jones, a brilliant running back for Cheyney University’s football team, is preparing for his season opener. And it’s a big one.

Cheyney University will visit arch rival Lincoln University on Sept. 1 in the “Battle of the Firsts.” The kickoff will be at 1 p.m.

Cheyney and Lincoln are two of the oldest Black colleges in the country. Both of these HBCUs (Historically Black College and University) will battle each other in what should be a real classic. It certainly was an exciting contest last year with Cheyney edging Lincoln, 21-19. Of course, this is a new year, and Jones is looking forward to the matchup.

“It’s a big game,” said Jones, a Washington, D.C. native. “We had a great attendance with the fans. We had a lot of people there. I was surprised with how many people were there. I’m glad we were able to come away with a win.”

Jones, a 5-foot-8, 225-pound junior, has been a real bright spot for the Wolves’ offense. He has consistently been one of the best running backs in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Jones has 275 rushing attempts in his first two seasons combining for more than 1,500 yards. He has been tackled for a loss of just 10 yards. He’s set on having another big season carrying the football.

“I’ve been working on my quickness,” Jones said. “I’m trying to build speed. Last year, I could have scored a lot of runs. I got tackled a few times from behind. This year I’m just trying to get faster. I’ve been running hills, sprints, hitting the weights and everything. I want to get stronger and faster.”

Ken Lockard, Cheyney head coach, has been very impressed with Jones. Lockard knows the Wolves have a running back who can pick up good yardage and move the chains.

“Everybody knows Marcus,” Lockard said. “He gained 1,500 plus yards in two seasons. We’re looking for some great things from him again. The thing I’m looking for the most is leadership. He’s not a vocal guy. But he does everything he’s asked to do. He does what he’s supposed to do. He’s a leader by example.”

The Wolves finished with a 1-10 record last year. Cheyney’s record is a little misleading. They had a chance to win at least two other games. They dropped a couple tough decisions to Millersville (10-7) and East Stroudsburg (10-6). The Wolves are hoping to be a lot more competitive in the PSAC.

“We’re getting better,” Jones said. “We had a lot of guys come out in the spring. We brought in a lot of recruits. We have some good players returning, too. Our roster looks a lot better than it did in previous years.”

COURTESY CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: CHEYNEYWOLVES.COM
VISIT: CHEYNEY UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Far from USC, Garrett chases titles at Oklahoma's Langston U.

MICHAEL "MIKE" GARRETT
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
(Photo Courtesy LU Athletics)

LANGSTON, Oklahoma - Mike Garrett's next stop after being forced out at Southern California might as well be an entirely different world.

Instead of sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic on his way to work leading the Hollywood of college athletic programs, his commute now includes a twisting drive past cow pastures and grazing areas for his new school's research on goats.

The 1965 Heisman Trophy-winning tailback who started bringing USC back to national prominence by hiring Pete Carroll to lead the football program is taking on another transformation project far away from the glitz and glamour.

His new job is to lead the athletic department at tiny Langston University, a historically black college in rural Oklahoma that competes in the NAIA. Just like at his old home, Garrett has set the same expectations: win national championships.

At his last stop, Garrett oversaw the creation of the "it" team of the last decade in college football. The Trojans won two national championships and three Heisman Trophies, with celebrities turning the L.A. Coliseum into a great place to see and be seen.

Garrett's tenure ended when the football and men's basketball teams were sanctioned for breaking NCAA rules - although the football team emerged from the penalties to grab the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press' preseason poll Saturday.



READ MORE

Texas A&M Aggies schedule breakdown: South Carolina State

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Game 4: South Carolina State

Texas A&M’s first cream puff opponent comes four weeks into the season when the Bulldogs from South Carolina State come to Kyle Field.

The Aggies and Bulldogs have never played each other with South Carolina State being an FCS school. The last time they played an SEC school they were handed a 38-14 loss by South Carolina in 2009.

South Carolina State returns quarterbacks Richard Cue and Derrick Wiley as well as a solid ground game. But nothing the Bulldogs throw at A&M can stop the advantage the Aggies will have offensively. Look for big games out of freshman running back Trey Williams and receiver Ryan Swope as starters are rested when A&M gets a comfortable lead behind the 12th Man.

The Aggie turnover margin gets a boost from the interception prone Bulldogs as A&M wins handily.

Prediction: W 35-7





READ MORE

NOTE: Circle this game on your calendar. Texas A&M is in for a major surprise. Bad move by this journalist to characterize the SCSU Bulldogs as a cream puff opponent. The Bulldogs may be outnumbered in scholarship players, but they are not going to rollover and become a cream puff for any BCS program.  Aggies, get ready!  This will not be a easy win.

Marching 101 Band, just do it!  (beepbeep)

QB Smith sharp in WSSU scrimmage

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Winston-Salem State's first football scrimmage went the way first scrimmages tend to go, and coach Connell Maynor saw about what he expected to see Saturday morning.

"Without looking at the film, it was just an average scrimmage," Maynor said. "It was our first one, and we had people watching, and we had officials. It was a little different pressure for the players, and some guys responded, and some guys didn't."



One of the largest WSSU teams in 20 years — about 110 players — took part in the controlled two-hour session.

Maynor saw some good, including sharp play from quarterback Kameron Smith. He threw for four touchdowns — all to senior receiver Jamal Williams — and ran for another score.

READ MORE

2012 MEAC/SWAC Challenge - More Than Just A Game

ORLANDO, Florida - The eighth installment of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney – featuring Bethune-Cookman of the MEAC against Alabama State of the SWAC – will be Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012, at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (noon ET on ESPN). The yearly event features teams from two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Conferences.

The game marks the first time that one school, Bethune-Cookman, which beat Prairie View 63-14 in 2011, has appeared in back-to-back years. Alabama State returns having last played in the event in 2005, the first year of the annual game. At stake, as usual, is conference supremacy as the MEAC has won five of the previous seven games.

Alabama State finished with an 8-3 record in 2011, recording the most program wins since the 2004 season when the team went 10-2 and won the SWAC Championship. Bethune-Cookman also secured an 8-3 record last season and highlighting the team’s schedule was a 14-6 win over No. 24 Norfolk State on Oct. 20. Bethune-Cookman holds a 10-3 lead in the series against Alabama State.

Several events will take place around the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney, including a high school career panel and the halftime Battle of the Bands.



“Disney has a long history of supporting the African-American community and we're proud to build on this legacy by supporting the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Mid-Eastern and Southwestern Athletic Conferences,” said Eugene Campbell, vice president of Domestic Minority Business Development for the Walt Disney Company. “The MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney showcases football but it celebrates so much more. Our sponsorship of the event is just one way Disney demonstrates its commitment to diversity and inclusion, which benefits everyone.”

“Our team is excited about the opportunity to play on national television and we hope they take away what a blessing it is to be chosen to represent the SWAC in a game that will be watched all over the country,” said Reggie Barlow, head coach at Alabama State. “I’m looking forward to seeing how we measure up against a great team like Bethune-Cookman, who has Division I transfers and great recruits. I'm also looking forward to our student-athletes traveling to a great city and experiencing a great venue.”

“The overall experience last year was great for the team because it was aired on a national level and put on in a special way; it caused our team to really have to focus. It helped our young men understand preparation and how to stay in the moment,” said Brian Jenkins Sr., head coach at Bethune-Cookman. “Everything was done in a first-class manner and being invited back for a second time and as the first team to appear in back-to-back years is great. We are very thankful for this opportunity and hope we have continued success with this event.”



Tickets for the 2012 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $30 for reserved seating and $20 for general admission, plus applicable taxes and fees.

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is owned and operated by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), a subsidiary of ESPN. For more information about the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, or to join the event’s following on Facebook and Twitter, please visit the event’s official Web site at www.meacswacchallenge.com or at www.espnplus.com/msc.php.



Travel options including discounted hotel accommodations, game tickets and specially-priced Theme Park Tickets are available through Anthony Travel, the official travel provider of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Please visit AnthonyTravel.com or call (888) 632-6951.

Grambling and Alcorn Rivalry Has a Long History in Shreveport

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana - Since the inception of the Port City Classic in 2010, the Grambling State Tigers' football team has continued to wow crowds and bring the tradition of playing regular season football games back to Shreveport. This year will be no different as Grambling will face Alcorn State September 1st at Independence Stadium and will add to the history of the Port City Classic. While the Port City Classic has a history of its' own, the Tigers have a history of playing in Shreveport dating back to the 1940s.

Grambling State played their first regular season game in Shreveport in 1947. The G-Men defeated Bishop College, who was an original member of the SWAC, by the score of 20-6. Since then the Tigers have played 13 different teams and 42 regular season games in the Northwest Louisiana City and have a record of 32-10-1. They have faced teams such as SMU, Tennessee State and Louisiana Tech since they started playing regular season games in Shreveport.

The Tigers and Braves first game goes back to the 1940's and they have a long history of playing in Shreveport, dating back to 1981. The Tigers won the first game played against the Braves in Shreveport by the score of 13-10 under the leadership of legendary head coach, the Late Eddie Robinson. Grambling has played Alcorn in Shreveport more than any other team and currently leads the series against the Braves with a 7-4 record.



Fans have been treated to some fantastic football as the two teams have played some epic battles in Shreveport. The games between the two teams in Shreveport have been known for their offense. The winning team has scored at least 21 points 9 out of the 11 years. In 1992 the two teams combined for 68 points. Most of the games have been very close. The last three games between the two foes have been decided by a touchdown or less, including a 21-14 victory by the G-Men last year.

General Admission tickets for the game this year are available for purchase at Super 1 and Brookshire grocery stores in Shreveport. Ticket vouchers may be purchased at the checkout counters and redeemed at the Will Call window on game day at Independence Stadium. General admission is $15 and $20 for reserved seating. Club level tickets are also on sale for $125.



Tickets are also on sale at all branches of Shreveport Federal Credit Union (Shreveport, Grambling and Bastrop) Independence Bowl offices, the State Fair of Louisiana in Shreveport or by going to http://www.ticketmaster.com. The ticket offices of Grambling and Alcorn State also have tickets available.

For more information on tickets or group sales contact the GSU ticket office at 318-274-2625.

COURTESY GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION