Southern longing to recapture SWAC swagger

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Although the Stump Mitchell era at Southern is off to a rocky start, there are signs of improvement.

After going 2-9 in Mitchell's first season, the Jaguars went 4-7 in 2011, with four of their losses coming by five or fewer points.

Now Southern has more experience at key spots and looks to recapture its traditional role as a Southwestern Athletic Conference contender.

Quarterbacks Dray Joseph and J.P. Douglas, who split time last season and combined for more than 2,800 yards passing, are both back to contest for the No. 1 job. Whoever starts the opener at New Mexico on Sept. 1 will have a slew of talented targets at their disposal including receiver Charles Hawkins and tight end Michael Berry.

Southern has to improve the worst rushing offense in the SWAC and hopes it can with a more experienced line blocking for Sylvester Nzekwe and Jerry Joseph.

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Grambling expects momentum to carry over from 2011

GRAMBLING, Louisiana - Grambling put together a late surge to win its 18th Southwestern Athletic Conference title in 2011 and is hoping for a carry-over effect this season.

The Tigers return four all-conference players, three statistical leaders and 15 starters from last season's squad, which won its last seven games after losing four of the first five.

"Even with the slow start we had, our guys stayed confident and focused," said Doug Williams, entering the second year of his second stint as head coach. "They really stayed together and kept working hard and remaining confident that they could finish up the year in a good way. And they were able to do just that. Now, we have to start all over. It's a new season."

Returning All-SWAC players include 2011 league rushing leader Dawrence Roberts, as well as offensive linemen Sanford Banks and Clint Marsh and defensive lineman Jomarcus Savage.

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Florida A&M Rattlers get out the vote

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - It seemed like a game-planning meeting for the Florida A&M football team Sunday night inside the Galimore Fieldhouse. The attentiveness was that intense.

This gathering wasn’t about X’s and O’s, though. The players were there registering to vote. For some it was a first-time experience; others took the opportunity to make changes to their existing registration.

Invited by coach Joe Taylor, members of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church’s Steel-Brooks Institute guided the players through the registration process.

“Many of them voted in 2008 and they are very energetic about voting again,” said Rev. Richard Mashburn, who headed up the group. “We are here today to register people regardless of which (political) party they might be affiliated with; Republican, Democrat or independent.”

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Miles College, second-year coach Reginald Ruffin out to defend SIAC crown

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- After going 26 years without a conference championship, the Miles Golden Bears are embracing the challenge of defending their 2011 SIAC crown.

"We've got a big 'X' on our backs," sophomore safety Tyrrell Kinder said Saturday during Miles' media day at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium. "Everybody will be trying to come at us strong, but it's time for Miles to begin a winning tradition."

Senior running back Jordan Lewis from Fairfield also acknowledged that the Bears will be tested each week, but said they are not backing down.

"Every week is going to be a dogfight," Lewis said. "But to get to a certain level as a team, as a unit, we've got show we're not the Miles of old."

The SIAC Football Coaches Association likes the Bears' chances of making it back to the league championship game, picking Miles to finish first in the SIAC West.



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FSU Welcomes the Class of 2016

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina - FSU Welcomes the Class of 2016. Common Cause North Carolina helps Fayetteville State University freshman register to vote for the 2012 elections.

Fayetteville State hopes to cut down on turnovers this season

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina - Fayetteville State has taken the field for its first football practice on a cool, overcast morning, and coach Kenny Phillips is already in midseason form.

Wearing sunglasses and a bucket hat with the front bill flipped up, Phillips stands with a laminated schedule dangling from the lanyard that's around his neck. A whistle is in his mouth, but it doesn't stay there for very long.

Not surprisingly, FSU's defensive players are learning how to properly force fumbles, and it's a work in progress. "Don't fall on it," Phillips says. "Scoop and score."



Another group arrives at his station, and the results are similar. A defender falls on a bouncing ball, and Phillips stops the drill.

"That's not how it works in Broncoland," he yells. "Out in the open field, please don't fall on that football."

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2012 CIAA football at a glance

Favorite: Winston-Salem State. Rams aim to surpass last year’s school-best 13-1 season and Division II semifinal berth.

Contender: Elizabeth City State. Vikings return CIAA’s offensive player of the year and school all-time rushing leader Daronte McNeil.

Sleeper: St. Augustine’s. Falcons return 18 starters, including record-setting quarterback Teddy Bacote.

5 PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kameron Smith, RB, Winston-Salem State (Sr., 6-0, 180): Passed for school-record 2,706 yards and 33 touchdowns last year.

Robert Holland, WR, Chowan (Sr., 6-3, 190): Led the league in receptions (69) and yards (914) with 13 TDs.

Derrick Johnson, DE, J.C. Smith (Sr., 6-2, 265): Hopewell High grad produced breakout season with 11.5 sacks.

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