BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is not officially termed a “Classic,” but Southern Athletic Director Roman Banks is hopeful he sees a little bit of the Classic mentality out on the Bluff this weekend.
The simplest way he could encapsulate the classic spirit was to say “it’s a big celebration of love in a competitive spirit.”
That competition extends well beyond the playing field for the parties involved.
“Traditionally, HBCUs celebrate themselves a little differently,” Banks said. “People come together and they’re tailgating out there, but also sharing. You get a chance to enjoy my gumbo while I tell you why I’m better than you.”
Banks enjoys these types of affairs. He is hopeful they can be a more frequent occurrence at Southern under his direction.
It is Southern’s first game against a school from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, its fellow HBCU conference, since ...
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Saturday, September 2, 2017
Hall of Famers and icons: Southern bringing back eight football 'legends' to celebrate return of football season
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana--It won’t matter if there are rain clouds in the area Friday night — the stars will be shining on Southern’s campus.
Eight iconic former Southern football players will be on hand at the F.G. Clark Activity Center on Friday night for an event Southern is dubbing the “Kickoff Extravaganza.”
Pro football Hall of Famers Aeneas Williams and Mel Blount will be there, as will Harold Carmichael, Ken Ellis, Frank Pitts, Rufus Porter, Rich “Tombstone” Jackson and Isiah “Butch” Robinson.
This whole idea was concocted by Southern Athletic Director Roman Banks as a way to celebrate the Jaguars' rich football history.
“Any time you can open your doors up and welcome your athletic alumni back, and recognize them for the hard work they’ve done here, and not only here, but they went off and continued their legacy and represented the university in a grand fashion, that speaks volumes,” Banks said.
“Ultimately what you’re doing is telling your story not only to the fans and the public, but to the student athletes to try and get them to emulate some of the things these guys have done.”
CONTINUE READING
Eight iconic former Southern football players will be on hand at the F.G. Clark Activity Center on Friday night for an event Southern is dubbing the “Kickoff Extravaganza.”
Pro football Hall of Famers Aeneas Williams and Mel Blount will be there, as will Harold Carmichael, Ken Ellis, Frank Pitts, Rufus Porter, Rich “Tombstone” Jackson and Isiah “Butch” Robinson.
This whole idea was concocted by Southern Athletic Director Roman Banks as a way to celebrate the Jaguars' rich football history.
“Any time you can open your doors up and welcome your athletic alumni back, and recognize them for the hard work they’ve done here, and not only here, but they went off and continued their legacy and represented the university in a grand fashion, that speaks volumes,” Banks said.
“Ultimately what you’re doing is telling your story not only to the fans and the public, but to the student athletes to try and get them to emulate some of the things these guys have done.”
CONTINUE READING
National opportunity: ESPN2 features SCSU Bulldogs in opener at 2:30 Sunday
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- For South Carolina State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough, this could be more than just a working holiday weekend -- and perhaps even better than a relaxing getaway.It could be a great start to a new season in which the Bulldogs utilize a solid defense and an emerging offense to post wins.
Pough’s team knows all football fans will have one live game to choose from on television Sunday afternoon.
S.C. State plays Southern University at Ace W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
The game will also be aired on 90.3 FM WSSB.
“It’s always fun to be a part of the ESPN package this way,” Pough said, entering his 16th season at the helm in Orangeburg. “I think they put this together at a time where we are the only football game on.
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MSU Set To Face Towson Saturday in the 'Battle For Greater Baltimore'
Game to be played at Johnny Unitas Stadium; will be broadcast live on SPORTSfever Television
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@MorganStBearsGAME TIME
Morgan State will face Towson in the season opener on Saturday (Sept. 2) at Johnny Unitas Stadium. The Bears open the 2017 season under the leadership of Fred T. Farrier who had the interim tag removed and assumed the full-time position as MSU's head football coach. Towson completed the 2016 season with a 4-7 overall mark and were 3-5 in Colonial Athletic Association play. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast by SPORTSfever Television Network (STN) and WEAA, 88.9FM. The game will mark the first of the "Battle for Greater Baltimore" series between the teams.
TELEVISION
SPORTSfever Television Network (STN) will be broadcasting the game live … Phil Schoener will handle the play-by-play duties with color analyst Emory Hunt. Amanda Kuhl will be handling the sideline reporting. Click here for where to watch.
RADIO
WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears ... Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with Austin Wardin the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org.
THE SERIES
•Saturday marks the 24th meeting in the series that began with a 34-7 Morgan Sate win on Sept. 1, 1979 at Towson.
• The Tigers hold a 17-6 advantage in the series vs. MSU.
• SPORTSfever's broadcast of Saturday's game will mark the fourth time the Towson-Morgan game has been televised in the Baltimore area. In 1998, WMAR-TV aired the Tigers' 15-10 win and again carried the 1999 contest. In 2011, ComCast SportsNet telecast the Tigers' 42-3 victory.
QUICK HITS
• Mid-year transfer QB Elijah Staley (6-7, 245) makes his first start as the Bears' starting quarterback. Staley was previously at Tyler Junior College (Texas) where he completed 21 of 36 passes for 373 yards, including 5 TDs during the 2016 season … and prior to that he was at Mississippi State.
• MSU senior RB Eric Harrell ranked second for the Bears in rushing last season with 350 yards (3.4 avg) with a team-high three TDs in 11 games. The running game will also be bolstered by the return of Herb Walker Jr., Nadir Muhammad and Brandon Womack.
• LB Damare' Whitaker was the team's second leading tackler in 2016 with 59 stops, in addition to an interception and forced fumble.
• NT Jai Franklin was named to the 2016 All-MEAC Second Team as a junior. Franklin was a force on the Bears' defensive line where he finished the 2016 season with 50 stops, 13.0 TFL and four sacks.
• DB Carl Garnes was a standout for the Bears secondary a season ago. The Columbus, N.J. native was named to the 2016 All-MEAC Third Team and garnered 35 tackles and a pair of INTs in 10 games played.
• Fred T. Farrier's Bears are predicted to finish 8th in the MEAC's 2017 Preseason Order of Finish.
A GLANCE AT THE TIGERS
• Towson finished the 2016 season with an overall mark of 4-7 and a 3-5 conference record. They capped the season with a 32-31 road win against Rhode Island, and finished the season on a 3-game winning streak.
• Towson returned 14 starters (five on offense and nine on defense) from a team that won ended the 2016 season on a 3-game winning streak.
• The Tigers ranked No. 5 in the CAA in total offense (368.7/g), No. 7 in scoring offene (22.1 avg), and led the league in kickoff returns (25.6 avg). Towson ranked T-No. 4 in sacks allowed (14) and finished No. 8 in sacks (20).
• RB Shane Simpson (5-9,200) was named the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, ECAC Offensive Rookie of the Year and All-CAA First Team KR after he topped the CAA and ranked sixth in FCS with 166.8 all-purpose yards per game. He led the Tigers on the ground with 784 yards and three touchdowns.
• Sophomore Monty Fenner (6-3,270) leads the Tigers secondary from his S position where he racked up 63 stops with 2 TFLs, 8 pass defenses and an INT.
• PK Aidan O'Neill returns after earning All-CAA Third Team honors as a freshman a season ago. He ranked No. 2 in the league by connecting on 18-of-22 field goals and was perfect in PATs (25-25).
MORGAN STATE vs. TOWSON IN OPENERS
Saturday's game marks the 10th time the Tigers and Bears will meet in the season opener. Towson holds a 5-4 advantage, including a 42-3 victory in the 2011 season opener.
LAST TIME OUT vs. TOWSON
Sept. 3, 2011 -- Grant Enders completed 15-of-19 passes for 197 yards and threw three touchdowns Saturday – two of them to fullback Tyler Wharton – to lead Towson to a 42-3 victory in front of 9,759 fans.
• Morgan State suffered its most lopsided loss to the Tigers since a 30-2 loss at Towson in 2006.
• Tyrone Hendrix returned the opening kickoff 85 yards to help give the Bears great field position. The Bears came away with a 33-yard field goal by Abraham Mercado with 13:10 left in the first quarter.
• Junior starting QB Donovan Dickerson, who left the game in the 3rd quarter due to injury, completed 6-of-10 passes for 40 yards, including an interception. Backup QB Robert Council threw for 72 yards on 4-of-10 completions.
• DT Justin Young and LB Allen Stephens led the Bears defense with 10 tackles apiece. CB Joe Rankin collected his first interception of the season.
PRESEASON PICKS
Morgan State was picked to finish eighth (8th) to MEAC defending champion and Preseason #1 North Carolina Central and #2 North Carolina A&T.
PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERSSaturday's game marks the 10th time the Tigers and Bears will meet in the season opener. Towson holds a 5-4 advantage, including a 42-3 victory in the 2011 season opener.
LAST TIME OUT vs. TOWSON
Sept. 3, 2011 -- Grant Enders completed 15-of-19 passes for 197 yards and threw three touchdowns Saturday – two of them to fullback Tyler Wharton – to lead Towson to a 42-3 victory in front of 9,759 fans.
• Morgan State suffered its most lopsided loss to the Tigers since a 30-2 loss at Towson in 2006.
• Tyrone Hendrix returned the opening kickoff 85 yards to help give the Bears great field position. The Bears came away with a 33-yard field goal by Abraham Mercado with 13:10 left in the first quarter.
• Junior starting QB Donovan Dickerson, who left the game in the 3rd quarter due to injury, completed 6-of-10 passes for 40 yards, including an interception. Backup QB Robert Council threw for 72 yards on 4-of-10 completions.
• DT Justin Young and LB Allen Stephens led the Bears defense with 10 tackles apiece. CB Joe Rankin collected his first interception of the season.
PRESEASON PICKS
Morgan State was picked to finish eighth (8th) to MEAC defending champion and Preseason #1 North Carolina Central and #2 North Carolina A&T.
Five (5) Morgan State football players were named today to the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's preseason team, which was voted on by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Senior defensive lineman Jai Franklin and redshirt senior running back Herb Walker Jr. were second-team selections. Junior defensive backs Carl Garnes and Darius Johnson were third-team picks, along with junior return specialist William King. The five preseason All-MEAC performers are part of a group of 63 lettermen and 19 starters returning for the 2017 Morgan State football season.
BEARS OPEN 119th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 119th season of football and will open the 2017 campaign under head coach Fred T. Farrier, set to enter his first year at the helm without the interim tag, and his fifth year at Morgan State.
RETURN MEN
The 2017 Morgan State Bears return 63 letterwinners, including 17 starters - 7 on offense, 9 on defense and 1 on special teams.
CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS
The Bears enter the 2017 season looking to post their first winning season since going 7-6 in 2014.
NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Bears will open the 2017 campaign against three non-conference opponents. MSU opens the season against Towson (Sept. 2) in the 'Battle for Greater Baltimore', followed by a home-opener versus Albany (Sept. 9). The Bears round out non-conference action at Rutgers (Sept. 16).
THE INAUGURAL 'BATTLE FOR GREATER BALTIMORE' WILL BE FEATURED ON STN
The 'Battle For Greater Baltimore' is a renewal of the sports rivalry between the Baltimore area's only two local universities with a college football program. The competition for local bragging rights begins on September 2, 2017, when the Bears take a short trip over to Johnny Unitas® Stadium to take on the Tigers.
• The teams are scheduled to play the home-and-home series in 2017 and 2018.
• "Both programs have a rich history of playing outstanding football and this rivalry is something that our students, fans, and alumni can look forward to each year," said Edward Scott, director of intercollegiate athletics for Morgan. "Our goal is to create an event that is more than just a football game; we see this as an opportunity to rally the Greater Baltimore community."
• The game will be televised live regionally by SPORTSfever Television Network (STN).
THE 3RD ANNUAL CELEBRATION BOWL
At stake once again for the MEAC Champion is a postseason berth to the 3rd annual Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, Ga. on Dec. 16 at the brand new Mercedes Benz Stadium. North Carolina Central fell to Grambling State 10-9 in 2016. The all-time bowl series featuring the MEAC and SWAC Champions stands at 1-1.
• The Celebration Bowl, which showcases the legacy, values and traditions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, will pit the conference champion from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion.
ABOUT MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is celebrating its 150th year of excellence in higher education. A Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution, Morgan offers more than 100 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Alabama State and Tuskegee to meet Saturday for first time since 2012
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- fter a four-year hiatus, one of the oldest rivalries in HBCU football resumes Saturday night as Alabama State University hosts Tuskegee University at ASU Stadium in the Marion Nine Invitational Labor Day Classic.
Kick is set for 7 pm, and the game will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network.
"I am excited for the opportunity to play in this contest," Alabama State head coach Brian Jenkins said. "Every where you go, people always come up and ask about the game no matter what you are doing. It's finally here, and now we get to go out on the field and play.
"I am honored to coach in this game, it is such an historic game. I heard about it when I was a young lad and attended it once or twice when I was young. Now I get a chance to coach in it, it is just exciting. I keep telling our guys to enjoy the moment, this is one of the greatest things that will happen."
The last time the two teams met was in 2012, with Tuskegee claiming a 27-25 victory at ASU Stadium in the final meeting between the two in the Turkey Day Classic. Prior to that contest, the Hornets claimed the 2011 contest and have the most consecutive wins in the series at nine (1983-95).
Alabama State returns 13 starters, with most of those on the offensive line and at wide receiver. The Hornets return their top receivers from a season ago in Nygel Lee (26-357-2 TD) and Willis White (36-337-2 TD), and a host of offensive linemen which include preseason all-conference pick Sam Baptiste.
There are question marks on offense as Jenkins looks to replace a pair of quarterbacks from last season, and 1000-yard rusher Khalid Thomas.
"We like to keep an open competition," Jenkins said. "The guys are fighting it out everyday looking to earn the spots that we have. I like what we have, and we are deep at the spots. We have a lot of potential at the quarterback position and at running back where Alex Anderson has really stepped as a leader. It is a preparation process, our guys have stayed focused."
The Hornets look to rely on returner Alex Anderson (34-158-4 TD); while they will have others options in the backfield that include Ezra Gray and Darrel King. Under center, there are several players who will challenge for the starting role include transfer Darryl Pearson, Jr., Kobie Jones and Jimmy Ferrell. Only one quarterback on the roster returning on the roster has attempted a pass while at Alabama State – David Whitlow.
Defensively, the Hornets must find a way to replace a pair of all-conference performers, but have a wealth of talent coming back that includes the team's second-leading tackler from a year ago in Darron Johnson (66 tackles). Several other of the team's top tacklers also return from last season in Treyon Garnett (45 tackles), Ronnie Scott (42 tackles), Dominique Jackson (41 tackles) and Ishmael Aurismond (38 tackles).
"Our defense has been flying around in camp," Jenkins said. "Our new defensive coordinator, Osita Alaribe, has done a great job getting them prepared."
But it is the atmosphere and the opponent who has everyone talking this week. Jenkins compares this game to a pair of other Classic games that he has played in with the similar feel before the teams take the field.
"The Magic City Classic," he said. "And the Florida Classic. Those type of games, they are similar to this game. But I will say this, I think this game is bigger, I really do. Just to see the reaction of everyone in the community and around the region. You see people and the only thing they want to talk about is the Tuskegee game. I just get that feeling about this game."
Jenkins is well aware of the Tuskegee program and has a lot of respect for them and their head coach, Willie Slater.
"They are a tough football team," Jenkins said. "They know how to win, that's why they are where they are. They are tough. They are big time program and a big time opponent. This will let us know where our program is headed. Watching them on them on film, the first word I said was wow.
"They are well-coached and I have a lot of respect for their head coach. He has been around the game a while, and is a heck of coach. I am humbled to be a part of this contest and be able to share the field."
Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University football, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.
ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
UAB Football Makes Historic Return on Saturday vs. Alabama A&M
GAME NOTES | DEPTH CHART | TICKETS
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- After two seasons without a game, the UAB football team makes its historic return to the field this Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Alabama A&M at Legion Field with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.
When UAB takes the field, it will have been exactly 1,007 days since its last game, which was a 45-24 victory at Southern Miss to close out the 2014 regular season.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN:
The game will be produced by Stadium and fans not in attendance can watch online at www.WatchStadium.com or on Twitter @WatchStadium. Ron Thulin will be on the call as the play-by-play announcer and is joined by Max Starks on color analysis and UAB graduate Laura Britt on the sideline.
Fans can also listen to the game on UAB's flagship radio station 100.5 FM WJOX2. The "Voice of the Blazers" David Crane serves as the play-by-play announcer with Steve Irvine providing color analysis and former UAB punter Trey Ragland serving as the sideline reporter.
WHAT TO KNOW:
Head Coach Bill Clark enters his second year on the sidelines for UAB, but his fourth in Birmingham. Clark is 17-10 overall as a college head coach which includes an 11-4 record at Jacksonville State in 2013 and a 6-6 record at UAB in 2014. In his first year at UAB, Clark guided the Blazers to bowl eligibility for the first time in a decade.
For 15 of the Blazers, running out of the tunnel at Legion Field will not be new to them. The players who were on the 2014 team and helped revive the program are: #1 Darious Williams (CB), #6 Wally Adams (WR), #13 Collin Lisa (WR), #17 Jordan Petty (S), #19 Nick Vogel (PK), #23 Tevin Crews (LB), #24 T.K. Lowe (S), #42 Shaq Jones (LB), #53 Zach Sims (OL), #63 Brad Minor (OL), #72 Lee Dufour (OL), #74 Bryant Novick (OL), #80 Stephen Pickren (TE), #82 Vernon Chatman (WR) and #92 Roderick McKinney (DL).
Four of those players, Shaq Jones, Tevin Crews, Darious Williams and Jordan Petty played significant roles for the defense in 2014 and look to lead what should be a strength for UAB this season. Added to that unit includes Power 5 transfers Teko Powell (Illinois), Duke Culver (Louisville), Will Dawkins (Indiana) and a core group of experienced junior college players.
The offense, conversely, does not have much experience in a UAB uniform. A.J. Erdely leads the team at quarterback while Tyler Johnston III should also see snaps under center. A trio of running backs look to carry the load by committee in James Noble III, Donnie Lee and Lucious Stanley. Wide receiver Collin Lisa is UAB's top receiving threat, while James Davis, Chris Schleuger, Lee Dufour, Malique Johnson and Justice Powers anchor the offensive line from left to right.
BLAZER GAMEDAY:
For all gameday information, visit www.blazergameday.com and follow @BlazerGameday on Twitter and Instagram, and like Blazer Gameday Operations on Facebook. Run by Bruno Event Team, their site and social media channels will be the fans' go-to gameday information which features everything you will need to know about heading to Legion Field.
STAY CONNECTED:
For a behind-the-scenes look at UAB Football, follow @UAB_FB on Twitter and Instagram, and like UAB.Blazers on Facebook.
TICKETS:
Season and single game tickets are still on sale. Season tickets start as low as $99, while single game tickets start at $20. Click here to purchase tickets and witness history in 2017.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Jackson State Football Opens Season at TCU
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Jackson State travels to Fort Worth, Texas to take on the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday, September 2, at Amon G. Carter Stadium. FOX Sports Network will televise the 7 pm contest.
JSU in Season Openers
*Since 1941 the Tigers are 41-25-5 in season openers.
*From 1946 to 1953 the Tigers posted a 7-1 record in season openers
*Over the last 10 seasons JSU has a 3-7 record in season openers.
*JSU is 0-1 in season openers under HC Tony Hughes.
KICKOFF COVERAGE
*Jackson State’s 2017 campaign will be the its 106th season of college football
*Year two of the Tony Hughes era is underway at Jackson State. Hughes posted only three wins in his first collegiate head coaching job, but looks to have his Tigers take another step forward towards making JSU a perennial contender for the Southwestern Athletic Conference title.
*Last season JSU was involved in five games that were decided by one possession, en route to posting an 8-3 overall record.
*Senior defensive end Keontre Anderson returns as the FCS leader in tackles for loss (25.5 last season).
MEDIA INFORMATION
Radio: JSU Tigers Sports Radio Network
Rob Jay, play-by-play
Darrell Asberry, analyst
Sam Brown, sideline reporter
WHLH-FM-Jackson, MS (95.5 FM), WORV– Hattiesburg (1580 AM), WJMG – Hattiesburg (92.1 FM), WTYJ – Natchez (97.7 FM), WMIS – Natchez (1240 AM), WNBN – Meridian (1200 AM), Online (iHeart Radio App).
TV: FSN – Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger, Lesley McCaslin
ABOUT THE GAME
* TCU opens its 2017 campaign Sept. 2 with a 7 p.m. home game versus Jackson State.
* The Horned Frogs are not ranked in the preseason Associated Press or Amway USA Today Coaches polls for the first time since 2014, when they went on to post a 12-1 record while winning a Big 12 championship and defeating Ole Miss 42-3 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
* A victory over Jackson State would give head coach Gary Patterson his 150th win at TCU.
* Patterson's 149 victories at TCU rank second nationally behind Kansas State's Bill Snyder (202) for most win by a head coach at his current school.
* Beginning his 17th season, Patterson is the nation's second-longest tenured head coach. He trails only Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (19th year).
* TCU is tied for second nationally with 19 returning starters (10 offensive, seven defensive, two specialists).
SERIES HISTORY
* TCU and Jackson State are meeting for the first time in their histories.
* The Horned Frogs are facing an opponent from the SWAC for the first time since the 2012 season opener, when they defeated Grambling State 56-0 to give Gary Patterson his 110th victory and make him TCU's all-time winningest head coach. That game also marked the first in Amon G. Carter Stadium after its $164 million rebuild.
SEASON OPENERS
* TCU is opening at home for just the sixth time in Gary Patterson's 17 seasons as head coach. During that stretch, the Horned Frogs will have had nine road games, six home dates and two neutral-site contests (Arlington, Texas).
* TCU is 12-4 in season debuts under Patterson and 72-39-9 overall in openers.
* The Horned Frogs have won their last three season openers and 12 of the past 14, including victories over No. 5 Oklahoma in 2005 and No. 22 Oregon State in 2010.
HOME OPENERS
* The Horned Frogs have won their last 15 home openers for the nation's fifth-longest active streak, trailing only Florida (28), Illinois (20), Arizona State (18) and Arizona (17).
* TCU's 15 straight victories in home openers are under head coach Gary Patterson. In 11 of those wins, the Horned Frogs allowed 17 points or less.
* TCU is 15-1 overall in home openers under Patterson.
CANTON TIES
* TCU legend LaDainian Tomlinson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. LT's childhood hero was fellow Canton enshrinee and Jackson State product Walter Payton.
TCU NOTABLES
* Over the last three seasons, TCU has the Big 12's second-best overall record (29-10) and conference mark (19-8).
* In the two previous seasons it was coming off a non-winning record in the 17-year tenure of head coach Gary Patterson, TCU went a combined 23-2 en route to a pair of conference championships (Mountain West, 2005; Big 12, 2014). The Horned Frogs were 11-1 in 2005 after a 5-6 campaign in 2004, while going 12-1 with Big 12 and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl championships in 2014 after a 4-8 season in 2013.
* TCU has 21 scholarship seniors this season, nearly three times the total of eight from last year. Overall, 32 seniors are on the Horned Frogs' 2017 roster. TCU had just 13 seniors a year ago.
* Total attendance last season at Amon G. Carter Stadium was at 100.4 percent of capacity, as TCU averaged 45,168 per home date.
* Receiving Preseason All-Big 12 recognition were linebacker Travin Howard, safety Nick Orr, offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann and return specialist KaVontae Turpin.
* Howard and fellow linebacker Ty Summers were the Big 12's top-two tacklers last season with 130 and 121 stops, respectively.
* Running back Kyle Hicks is one of just two returning players nationally (Ito Smith, Southern Miss) to have more than 1,000 yards rushing and 400 receiving last season. Hicks totaled 1,042 on the ground and 417 receiving.
* Hicks became the first Horned Frog to lead the team in rushing (1,042 yards) and receiving (47 receptions) in the same season since Basil Mitchell in 1996.
* Quarterback Kenny Hill is tied for second nationally among active players with five career 400-yard passing games.
TCU and JSU ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
JSU in Season Openers
*Since 1941 the Tigers are 41-25-5 in season openers.
*From 1946 to 1953 the Tigers posted a 7-1 record in season openers
*Over the last 10 seasons JSU has a 3-7 record in season openers.
*JSU is 0-1 in season openers under HC Tony Hughes.
KICKOFF COVERAGE
*Jackson State’s 2017 campaign will be the its 106th season of college football
*Year two of the Tony Hughes era is underway at Jackson State. Hughes posted only three wins in his first collegiate head coaching job, but looks to have his Tigers take another step forward towards making JSU a perennial contender for the Southwestern Athletic Conference title.
*Last season JSU was involved in five games that were decided by one possession, en route to posting an 8-3 overall record.
*Senior defensive end Keontre Anderson returns as the FCS leader in tackles for loss (25.5 last season).
MEDIA INFORMATION
Radio: JSU Tigers Sports Radio Network
Rob Jay, play-by-play
Darrell Asberry, analyst
Sam Brown, sideline reporter
WHLH-FM-Jackson, MS (95.5 FM), WORV– Hattiesburg (1580 AM), WJMG – Hattiesburg (92.1 FM), WTYJ – Natchez (97.7 FM), WMIS – Natchez (1240 AM), WNBN – Meridian (1200 AM), Online (iHeart Radio App).
TV: FSN – Mark Followill, Brian Baldinger, Lesley McCaslin
ABOUT THE GAME
* TCU opens its 2017 campaign Sept. 2 with a 7 p.m. home game versus Jackson State.
* The Horned Frogs are not ranked in the preseason Associated Press or Amway USA Today Coaches polls for the first time since 2014, when they went on to post a 12-1 record while winning a Big 12 championship and defeating Ole Miss 42-3 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
* A victory over Jackson State would give head coach Gary Patterson his 150th win at TCU.
* Patterson's 149 victories at TCU rank second nationally behind Kansas State's Bill Snyder (202) for most win by a head coach at his current school.
* Beginning his 17th season, Patterson is the nation's second-longest tenured head coach. He trails only Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (19th year).
* TCU is tied for second nationally with 19 returning starters (10 offensive, seven defensive, two specialists).
SERIES HISTORY
* TCU and Jackson State are meeting for the first time in their histories.
* The Horned Frogs are facing an opponent from the SWAC for the first time since the 2012 season opener, when they defeated Grambling State 56-0 to give Gary Patterson his 110th victory and make him TCU's all-time winningest head coach. That game also marked the first in Amon G. Carter Stadium after its $164 million rebuild.
SEASON OPENERS
* TCU is opening at home for just the sixth time in Gary Patterson's 17 seasons as head coach. During that stretch, the Horned Frogs will have had nine road games, six home dates and two neutral-site contests (Arlington, Texas).
* TCU is 12-4 in season debuts under Patterson and 72-39-9 overall in openers.
* The Horned Frogs have won their last three season openers and 12 of the past 14, including victories over No. 5 Oklahoma in 2005 and No. 22 Oregon State in 2010.
HOME OPENERS
* The Horned Frogs have won their last 15 home openers for the nation's fifth-longest active streak, trailing only Florida (28), Illinois (20), Arizona State (18) and Arizona (17).
* TCU's 15 straight victories in home openers are under head coach Gary Patterson. In 11 of those wins, the Horned Frogs allowed 17 points or less.
* TCU is 15-1 overall in home openers under Patterson.
CANTON TIES
* TCU legend LaDainian Tomlinson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in August. LT's childhood hero was fellow Canton enshrinee and Jackson State product Walter Payton.
TCU NOTABLES
* Over the last three seasons, TCU has the Big 12's second-best overall record (29-10) and conference mark (19-8).
* In the two previous seasons it was coming off a non-winning record in the 17-year tenure of head coach Gary Patterson, TCU went a combined 23-2 en route to a pair of conference championships (Mountain West, 2005; Big 12, 2014). The Horned Frogs were 11-1 in 2005 after a 5-6 campaign in 2004, while going 12-1 with Big 12 and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl championships in 2014 after a 4-8 season in 2013.
* TCU has 21 scholarship seniors this season, nearly three times the total of eight from last year. Overall, 32 seniors are on the Horned Frogs' 2017 roster. TCU had just 13 seniors a year ago.
* Total attendance last season at Amon G. Carter Stadium was at 100.4 percent of capacity, as TCU averaged 45,168 per home date.
* Receiving Preseason All-Big 12 recognition were linebacker Travin Howard, safety Nick Orr, offensive lineman Austin Schlottmann and return specialist KaVontae Turpin.
* Howard and fellow linebacker Ty Summers were the Big 12's top-two tacklers last season with 130 and 121 stops, respectively.
* Running back Kyle Hicks is one of just two returning players nationally (Ito Smith, Southern Miss) to have more than 1,000 yards rushing and 400 receiving last season. Hicks totaled 1,042 on the ground and 417 receiving.
* Hicks became the first Horned Frog to lead the team in rushing (1,042 yards) and receiving (47 receptions) in the same season since Basil Mitchell in 1996.
* Quarterback Kenny Hill is tied for second nationally among active players with five career 400-yard passing games.
TCU and JSU ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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