Battle of I-40 Preview: North Carolina A&T at Winston-Salem State (Sept. 1)

By: Daniel Henderson-Contributor

After a disappointing 0-11 season, the North Carolina A&T Aggie football team is not worried about the grief suffered from last season.

Now adjusting to new plays and new sets, the Aggies are excited and looking forward to their season opener at Winston-Salem State University this Saturday.

The Aggies fell short last year in Aggie Stadium in the season opener for the Rams' MEAC debut.

They are hoping to redeem themselves this weekend when the Rams host the blue and gold for the first time as a MEAC contender.

"A win will mean a lot for the kids in this program," Head Coach Lee Fobbs stated in his press conference.

The game will also symbolize the first time Fobbs will open a season without an injured player, something that crippled them in 2006-07.

The players believe that the team is more confident than hopeful this season.
"A win will set the tone for the season," declared linebacker Timothy Shropshire.

Offense
The offensive attack will be lead by returning starting quarterback Herb Miller. Miller started in the beginning of last season.

He is described by Fobbs to have a running back mentality with a hard-nosed attitude.
Also leading the way are returning starters Curtis Walls (42 receptions, 477 yards, one touchdown) and Michael Ferguson (141 attempts, 631 yards, 4.5 yard per carry, four touchdowns.

The depth of A&T's running game is considerably deeper with the additions of transfers running back David Robinson (College of Sequoias, Miami, FL), and running back Demerick Chancellor (Clemson University).

Defense
"Link up, lock down" is the catch phrase the Aggie defense dwells upon.
A&T fans should expect a much more intensified, tougher, and quicker defense this year.

Leading tackler, linebacker Andre Thornton returns to the field after having and exceptional freshman year (64 tackles, 28 solo, 35 assists, two tackles for a loss, one fumble recovery).

Along with Thornton heading the attack this season will include be linebacker Jamison Hedgepeth (63 tackles, 28 solo, 35 assists, one forced fumble) who also had an outstanding freshman season.

Sack leader defensive end Antonio Johnson (3.0 sacks) returns for his senior year, while the secondary will be headed by sophomore defensive back Donald Dorsey (32 tackles, 22 solo, two defensive breakups).

The Rams look to standstill the Aggie attack with their quality running backs returning in action.
Juniors Brandon McRae and Rod Fluellen, and senior Tionti Powell each rushed for over 350 yards and combined for nine touchdowns last season, and are vital to the Rams rushing attack.

Winston Salem State is also looking forward to the return of senior Jerrick Bines who sits fifth all time on the school's rushing list (2,765 yards), who missed the 2006 season due to academic issues.

Senior quarterback Monte Purvis (1006 total yards, 865 passing yards, 168 rushing yards) will run the offense once again for Winston Salem State this season.

Purvis lead the Rams in total yards last season with 89 of his passing yards received by junior wide receiver Johnathan Kinzer who led the team with eight receptions.

The defense has much to prove after allowing allowing 17.5 points per game and 283.1 yards per game.

Last season the Rams were inexperience youth was evident after traveling to seven road games.

The team looks to make up for the disappointing season with now experienced linebackers Thaddeus Griffith (80 tackles) and Juan Corders (45 tackles) returning in their veteran season.

North Carolina A&T visits Winston Salem State on Saturday 6 p.m.

Rattler finally finds place where he fits in

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Fullback Kalif Sheppard finally exhaled. The release of FAMU's first depth chart earlier this week brought the well-traveled redshirt sophomore plenty of relief when his name appeared among the starters.

"It's been a long journey, but I think I've found a place where I feel comfortable in the offense," Sheppard said. "I feel pretty comfortable. I'm not on edge so much because I've found a place where I fit in."

During fall workouts, Sheppard established himself as a tough guy. But he'll be quick to tell you he didn't get this far on brute strength and his ability on the field alone. His big brother, Sam Miller, has provided inspiration every step of the way.

Miller offered advice when schools that recruited Sheppard reneged or weren't offering him enough, he said. More than anything else, Sheppard's big brother helped him keep the faith when his only choice to play out of Plant City High School was Division II Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.

Sheppard, who has always been eligible as a bright-future recruit, had to sit out last season after transferring to FAMU. It was his second stop after leaving Saint Joseph's at the end of the 2005 season.

Sheppard tried catching on at the University of South Florida, where his brother is a senior linebacker. That lasted through the end of spring practice last year.

All the time he was on the phone with Miller, his inspiration for getting into the game in the first place.

"He helps me stay motivated every day," said Sheppard, who still talks with his brother at least three times each week. "Like in camp when I feel like it's getting too hard, he called me and said, 'Hey, I'm going through the same thing. Just hang in there.' "

Sheppard will make his debut as a Rattler Saturday against Southern University. He persuaded Cater with his tenacious play that he deserved a shot. It didn't take long to see Sheppard's ability, said Carter, who calls the fullback a diamond in the rough.

"We're happy that that young man is here," Carter said. "We're looking to utilize his ability and his skills as a blocker and his capability with catching the football."

Blocking is one of Sheppard's strong suits. He learned that at Plant City High and developed it even more while playing tight end at Saint Joseph's. He left the Hawks after averaging three catches per game. He also was tied with three other players for the most touchdown catches in one game, with three against Austin Peay.

Having Sheppard's versatility adds a dimension that can only be executed by a player of his ability, said quarterback Albert Chester II.

"Just having another big, physical athletic body is always a plus," Chester said. "You can't coach size and he's been a tight end so that means he's a big guy with hands. He can run some routes and get open and do some things for us and he's an excellent blocker.

"He quietly did his thing, learned the system, picked up on what he can do and gave 100 percent. That's all that you can ask for."

He's eager to get back on the field, giving more each time, Shepard said. Every week will be a challenge, he said, but his big brother will talk him through.

He knows how much time he gets to contribute to the team will be up to his production. Sheppard seemingly is up to the task.

"I feel like you can play football anywhere," he said. "No matter where you go to school, at the top D-1 or D-3. If you're an athlete you're going to be an athlete anywhere. If you're an athlete you just have to go out and prove yourself."

Grambling faces uncertain season

By Scott Ferrell, Shreveport Times

Grambling State football fans have, at least historically, had a good idea about their football team at this time of the year.

Through much of Eddie Robinson's coaching career and on to Doug Williams' career, the Tigers have been either contenders or favorites in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

But a 3-8 season last year resulted in the dismissal of Melvin Spears as head coach and the hiring of Rod Broadway.

Broadway, in turn, has reshaped the Tigers' roster. Half of the GSU roster is filled with newcomers.

Little wonder then that GSU fans don't have a feel for this season.

Heck, even the coach doesn't know what to expect.

"You don't know how these guys are going to perform," Broadway said earlier this week. "I hope it's going to be better than it's been in preseason. Because one day we're good and one day we're bad.

"There's no consistency in the program right now. I truly believe the characteristic of a champion is someone who is able to repeat their performance day in and day out. And we're not able to do that."

One of the reasons for the inconsistency is self-made — inexperience.

The Tigers ended spring practice with 45 players. They have since brought in 45 newcomers.

"We had 45 guys back from spring and we brought in 45 new guys," Broadway said. "Half of our football team is new. Trying to get those guys trained up and knowing what college football is all about. So many of them are walkons.

"We had one or two guys who transferred. We have about 25 scholarship guys and the rest of them are walkons.

"Hopefully those guys can grow into being good football players for us. Our job is to keep them here and develop them as people and as players. If we can keep this class, or the majority of the class, intact then I think we have a chance to be a pretty good football team to take down the road."

But Grambling fans are more concerned about Saturday than they are down the road.

This is a team that has a proven quarterback in Brandon Landers and a top receiving target in Clyde Edwards.

They could be good. And maybe they should be good this season.

"I'm anxious to see what this team can do," Broadway said. "I don't know the competition that's in this league.

" I know there are some well-coached teams in this league. I know there are some good coaches. And there is some talent in this league. I don't know where we fit in as far as talent. I don't know where we fit in."

Regardless of the outcome of this season, Broadway is about building a program. He's not looking for a quick fix.

"Our main concern right now is the attitude of our players because some things have happened," the GSU coach said. "Trying to change the culture and get the confidence back is a major job for us."

Grambling looks to fresh faces at running back

By Nick Deriso, The News Star

GRAMBLING — Grambling will use as many as four freshmen — including a nephew of one of the school's greatest passers — in a new running back-by-committee.
That gives first-year GSU coach Rod Broadway a broad range of versatility in a reworked offense, but more than a few moments of stomach-churning anxiety.

"We think they can make some plays for us —- but, as freshman, they haven't done that yet," Broadway said. "They have speed and balance. They can change direction, and have pretty good vision. We need to mix all that together, then teach them how to pick up the blitz and block. There is a lot of responsibility that goes into being a running back in our system."

The position has been remarkably stable, as Alabama native Ab Kuuan gained 2,600 yards as a starter in each of his four years at GSU dating back to 2003.
Not anymore.

Mableton, Ga., freshman Raymond "J.R." Spivey, whose uncle is ex-Grambling and NFL great James "Shack" Harris of Monroe, has been sharing the majority of the snaps with Pleasant Grove, Ala., product Frank Warren. (Warren, a finalist for Alabama Back of the Year as a prep senior, is also related to a former pro standout — the late New Orleans Saints' lineman of the same name.)

The pairing isn't exactly a "thunder and lightning" approach, since neither is above 6-0 or 185. But their styles (Spivey is inventive and quick while Warren runs downhill) are different enough to draw comparisons.

"We don't have any big guys," Broadway said, "but hopefully, we have some fast guys."

Also seeing time are returning Vicksburg, Miss., junior Michael Rainey as well as freshmen Kenneth Batiste of Lafayette — a Louisiana Sports Writers Association 4A all-state first teamer last year — and Cornelius Walker of Georgia.

"We've got a lot of depth at the running back spot," said junior GSU quarterback Brandon Landers, a Carroll product. "We've got as many as four that we will be using. Each one of them brings a different thing to the table, a different style."

Truth be told, the previous system may have relied too much on Kuuan during obvious running situations. The team's second and third leading rushers last season were actually quarterbacks Landers and Larry Kerlegan. No. 4 on that list was departed change-of-pace back Keantwon Gray, who only had 71 total yards.

A radically rewritten playbook, however, will spread the responsibility around to a series of ball carriers — even as the number of touches increases in this more run-oriented look.

First-year GSU offensive coordinator James Spady said the offense will try to regain a more-balanced approach, using the run "to control the game, move the sticks — and, of course, to score points."

Spivey, who rushed for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns as a prep senior, has already taken something of a leadership role in the lockerroom. His family connection, and a familiar-looking playbook, instilled quick confidence, he said.

"It's similar to the system we used in high school, though we passed a lot more," Spivey said. "I love the system, and feel good about the coaches."

The feeling, already, is mutual.

"He's the flashy one," Spady said. "It's not that the other guys don't stand out. They are all pretty good talents, but each has his own specific talents. Which guy plays will depend on which play we are running."

Rainey might be considered the savvy veteran of the bunch, but he had just nine carries for less than 50 yards in 2006.

That's led Broadway to a running joke about lining up with an empty backfield.

Still, if anything, it might be getting too crowded back there. For now, anyway.

"Once they get in the flow of the game, I think they're talented enough to be good running backs," Broadway said. "They're not great. They're not bad. They're just good running backs at this point."

Florida A&M vs. Southern Sept. 1 on ESPN Classic for MEAC/SWAC Challenge

First of at Least Nine Live Games on the Network

The Third Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Florida A&M vs. Southern from Birmingham’s (Ala.) historic Legion Field, will be televised live on ESPN Classic Saturday, Sept. 1 at 3 p.m., ET. Eric Collins will provide the play-by-play with analyst Jay Walker and sideline reporter Monica Knowles.

ESPN Classic will televise at least nine live games in 2007, including: Rhode Island at Army (Sept. 8, 1 p.m.); Louisville at Kentucky (Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m.); Grambling at Jackson State (Oct.20 at noon); Tulsa at Army (Nov. 17 at noon); MEAC Disney Florida Classic - Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 17, 3:15 p.m.); and the SWAC Championship Game (Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.). The network will also air two Big Ten regular-season games (dates TBD).

Each year, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge game pits a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) team against a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member at a neutral site located within the footprint of one of the conferences. This is the first meeting between Florida A&M and Southern since 2001. The teams first competed in 1941, with Florida A&M leading the all-time series 33-24-1.

Seven-time MEAC Champion Florida A&M University finished the 2006 season with a 7-4 overall record and 5-3 in the MEAC. With expectations to regain supremacy in the MEAC, the 2007 Rattlers return a solid offensive and defensive front headed by third-year head coach Rubin Carter.

Southern University completed the 2006 season with a 5-6 record, 4-5 in conference play. Under the helm of 14-year head coach Pete Richardson, the Jaguars have won five conference titles. This season, Southern is hopeful to regain its dominance in the SWAC behind the accomplished leadership of Richardson.

DSU Hornets kicker not ready to quit

Gaertner returns after year off due to hip injury

By KRISTIAN POPE, The News Journal

DOVER -- Kickers face all kinds of pressure on the football field.

Then there's the type of pressure Delaware State kicker Peter Gaertner encountered over the summer.

He's in the Dominican Republic on an exotic beachfront at sunrise. He's brought an engagement ring -- the one for which he spent months saving -- to ask his longtime girlfriend for her hand in marriage.

Oh, and 19 of her family members just happen to be standing by. This is a family vacation, after all.

The DSU finance and banking major received the "yes" he'd hoped for from Erin Schonewolf, a University of Delaware graduate and daughter of Caesar Rodney High football coach Mike Schonewolf.

"Don't ask me anything else about it," Gaertner said. "I don't want to think about it until the end of the season."

The hard part is over for Gaertner. Now, the native of Berlin can focus on football after missing nearly the entire 2006 season because of a hip flexor strain.

DSU, 8-3 a year ago, opens its season Saturday against Big South champion Coastal Carolina at Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.

If his confidence in asking his girlfriend to get married is any sign, the Hornets should have one of the more reliable kicking units in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, if not all of NCAA Division I-AA.

In 2004, Gaertner made 6-of-11 field goals and 18-of-20 extra points to earn preseason All-MEAC second-team honors the next year. In 2005, he hit 16-of-21 field goals and all 23 extra points. He led the MEAC with a .762 field goal percentage and made second-team All-MEAC. His longest field goal is 46 yards.

But in 2006, he played in only one game (and missed his only field goal) before sustaining a hip flexor strain.

His hip injury was the third injury he's incurred since arriving as a sophomore in 2004. In Gaertner's first season, he missed the first month because of hernia surgery. He also sprained his ankle, but fought through it.

"Bottom line, I didn't want to go out like that," he said of last year. "This school has been very patient with me. You can't control injuries; they happen to everyone. My goal now is to stay healthy."

Gaertner's return is as unexpected as it is crucial to the Hornets' success. With Gaertner performing field goal duties, DSU has two other players -- returning punter Josh Brite and kickoff specialist Riley Flickinger -- who can concentrate on their specialties.

"It's an enormous boost," said special teams coach Derek Hall, who discovered Gaertner at Pima (Ariz.) College. "It allows me to have that third kicker on the team, which is kind of unheard of. We can utilize everyone's talent."

Hall said he had several discussions with Gaertner about returning for this season. Like his decision to get married, Hall said the player thought long and decided wisely.

Gaertner said he's going to wait until October 2008 to get married. He said he hasn't thought about where the wedding will be. Maybe another exotic locale would be in order, his coach said.

"That's a Peter thing to do," Hall said.

Good 'problem' to have--SWAC

Pine Bluff has two stars in RB-starved league

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN. Advocate sportswriter

There are plenty of teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference which could use a proven running back.

Grambling, Southern, Prairie View, and even defending champion Alabama A&M come under that heading.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff has two.

The Golden Lions found a star in junior Martell Malett (a conference-best 1,129 yards and 14 TDs rushing and another 180 yards and one TD receiving) last season. That came while junior Mickey Dean, the 2005 SWAC Freshman of the Year who once declined an invitation to walk on at Arkansas, was injured most of his sophomore season.

“We feel very fortunate to be able to have two running backs the caliber of Malett and Mickey,” UAPB coach Mo Forte said. “A lot of teams can’t say that.

“You want to find a way to get the ball in their hands. It’s a problem because you don’t have enough footballs. But it’s a problem you like having.”

The “problem” only gets worse, because if the M&M’s have the ball, how are senior quarterback Chris Wallace, the reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year and the preseason pick to do so again, and speedy playmaker Jason Jones going to hook up?

UAPB’s biggest concern is making sure the offensive line is strong, with having to replace up to four starters.

Forte and Co. have a tradition of a strong run game and always being able to assemble lines to power that strong suit.

“Our line is better than it was the first day,” Forte said. “I don’t know where we are until we play an opposing team.”

The Golden Lions were the story of last season, starting 1-3, expected to do little and then losing Dean and having Forte’s health issues move him to the press box but yet winning seven in a row to get to the SWAC Championship Game.

Faced with the adversity, UAPB bought into its “one play, one game at a time” mantra.

This season, they’ll have to cling to that philosophy even more, because expectations are sky-high.

“We’re not talking about going to Birmingham (Ala., for the Dec. 15 SWAC title game),” Forte said.

Defending champion Alabama A&M, the conference’s preseason pick to win the Eastern Division, has, unlike UAPB, been a contender, making four of the last seven SWAC title games. But last season was the breakthrough year.

“Now, we know it’s out there. Now we know we’ve done it before,” A&M coach Anthony Jones said. “It helps you that you’ve crossed that bridge.”

The Bulldogs, powered yearly by stingy defense, have consistently been one of the teams to beat.

“I just don’t see a dominant team (in the SWAC),” Jones said. “Everybody is catching up with everyone else.”

Here’s a quick look at the SWAC, in alphabetical order, including last season’s record:

Western Division

ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF (8-4): Wallace ties the bow on the best offensive package. Golden Lions’ run last season shows they’re for real.

GRAMBLING (3-8): First-year coach Rod Broadway won last season’s black college national team from North Carolina Central. That team was stacked; this team isn’t.

PRAIRIE VIEW (3-7): Panthers feel establishing a passing game is final piece. Really? PV ran for 1,806 yards but threw for just 692, second to last of 116 I-AA teams, last season.

SOUTHERN (5-6): Jaguars are young at linebacker and running back, and quarterback and young and thin on offensive and defensive lines.

TEXAS SOUTHERN (3-8): Two bowl subdivision teams are on the schedule for a struggling program. Team shows flashes and can spring an upset.
Eastern Division

ALABAMA A&M (9-3): Bulldogs lost LB Johnny Baldwin, a fifth-round pick of the Detroit Lions, but has eight defensive starters back. The question is in finding a running back. Ulysses Jones, an electric return man, starts.

ALABAMA STATE (5-6): Hornets were inconsistent at quarterback last season, but Alex Engram should settle in, and the running game is solid with Jay Peck.

ALCORN STATE (6-5): The Braves still don’t know who the starting quarterback is and they’ve got six new starters on defense.

JACKSON STATE (6-5): Rick Comegy continues to stockpile talent. The Tigers will look to put last season’s second-half collapse behind them.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE (6-5): The Aries Nelson era is over, with little to show for it, and here comes Paul Roberts. There’s a veteran offensive line and Johey Hargrett back at running back, but junior-college players will have to solidify a defense with four returning starters.

Campbell defeats WSSU 3-0

Photo: Valentina Pushkina, #500 H.S., Moscow, Russia, 5-10 Junior, Utility

WSSU Sports Information

BUIES CREEK, NC - The Winston-Salem State University Lady Rams volleyball team dropped their season opener on Tuesday evening as they fell in defeat to the Campbell University Camels at Carter Gym by the score of 3-0 (30-18, 30-15, 30-12) as they began play in the 2007 season.

WSSU jumped out of the starting gate hot as they evenly competed with the Camels for the entirety of the first game, ultimately falling in defeat 30-18 in a game in which they registered a match-high .267 attack percentage.

However, the Camels, playing in front of a home crowd of 183 people, responded in the second game of the match with an offensive showcase as they recorded 13 kills and committed only three errors en route to an attack percentage of .500.

The third game saw the Lady Rams commit seven attack errors and earn five kills as a negative attack percentage (-.105) proved too difficult to overcome as the Camels secured the 3-0 match victory with a 30-12 victory in the third, and final, game of the contest.

Photo: Valentina Pushkina recorded a team-high 20 attack attempts in WSSU's 3-0 loss to Campbell on Tuesday evening.

WSSU was led by newcomer Ashley Harris (Mitchellville, MD) who recorded a team-high four kills in the contest. Lore McBroom (Wilmington, NC) recorded a team-high nine assists in the loss.

Campbell was led by Emily Werner who tallied eight kills en route to posting a .700 attack percentage.

The win improves the Camels to 4-1 on the season while the Lady Rams fall to 0-1 overall with the loss.

WSSU returns to action on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 8:00 am as they face the Hampton University Lady Pirates in first round action from the Hampton University Tiny Laster Volleyball Invitational. WSSU will play three matches on the day as they face Hampton at 8:00 am, South Carolina State University at 1:00 pm and Southern University at 3:00 pm.

Alabama A&M Winston returns and may start

Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times

Defensive tackle David Winston practiced Tuesday for the first time in over a week and is expected to play in Saturday's season opener against Tennessee State.

Winston, a 6-foot-3, 263-pound junior, injured his back lifting weights over a week ago and was held out of practice to rest it. He returned on Tuesday and A&M coach Anthony Jones came away believing he could help the Bulldogs.

"He practiced and moved around pretty good," Jones said. "He didn't do a thousand things, but I expect him to be available. We'll look at him again (tonight), but we're hoping he can start."

If Winston is unable to start, Renaldo Askew, a 6-1, 263-pound redshirt sophomore, will start. The Bulldogs are already without defensive tackle Justin Harper, who is out up to four weeks after having surgery on his thumb.

Webster expects stern test: Tennessee State coach James Webster is eager to see how his team stacks up against A&M.

The Bulldogs have beaten the Tigers in each of Webster's two seasons, but both games have been very competitive.

"They're a good football program," Webster said. "They're picked to win the (SWAC) again. It will be a good test to see where we are."

The Tigers, who finished 6-5 last season, return 10 starters from last year's team that came within one win of sharing the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Bulldogs return 15 starters from last year's SWAC championship team. "They'll be a very tough opponent," Webster said. "It'll be a very tough, emotional game. It will tell us a lot about our football team."

Kicker decision coming: Jones said a decision will be made on A&M's place-kicking job tonight or Thursday.

Sophomore Jeremy Licea and freshman Grant Maddix have competed throughout preseason practice and appear to be almost even.

Licea has been more accurate from shorter distances, while Maddix has the stronger leg, but has been a little less consistent.

"We're looking at it and trying to see how it's going to play out," Jones said. "We're trying to determine who's going to be more consistent. We may let both of them kick."

Furthermore: The possible loss of reserve left guard Antonio Regist leaves A&M with only four offensive linemen that have ever played in a game for the Bulldogs. ... Ted Dixie will be the color commentator on A&M's radio broadcast on WJAB along with play-by-play man Ley Jean.

Jones says four AAMU Bulldogs ineligible

By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Running back Martin yet to be cleared by NCAA

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said Tuesday night that four football players have been declared ineligible.

Jones said wide receiver Anthony Mitchell, offensive linemen Anquez Jackson and Antonio Regist and defensive end Jonathan Jones were all ruled ineligible.

"We're moving on without those guys," said Jones, four days before A&M opens the season against Tennessee State.

"It would have been nice to have them, but we don't. We're going to look elsewhere for answers."

Meanwhile, former Bob Jones running back Max Martin has yet to be cleared due to an NCAA issue. Jones said Martin has a chance to get eligible, but it won't happen before Saturday's season opener.

"There's a possibility," he said, "but the NCAA has to decide that. I don't want to say anything to derail that possibility. He's still trying to get himself eligible. When and if that happens ..."

Sources say Regist also has an outside chance to get eligible.

Martin transferred to A&M last January from Alabama and was expected to give the Bulldogs a tough, hard-nosed running back at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds. Mitchell and Regist's status had been up in the air throughout training camp, while Jones failed to get eligible during summer school.

Mitchell, who would have been a starter, was A&M's third-leading receiver a year ago with 20 catches for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Regist, a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference performer two years ago, missed all of last season with an ankle injury and was listed as the third team left guard. Jackson was listed as the second team left tackle and was being counted on heavily in A&M's thin and inexperienced offensive line, while Jones was a reserve defensive end and a solid special teams player.

"All of them made plays during camp," Jones said. "We were hoping to have them available."

Losing Martin, Mitchell and Jackson were big blows.

Without Martin, A&M will have to rely on Ulysses Banks and Anthony Green, a pair of undersized running backs. The loss of Mitchell leaves A&M with only one proven receiver in Thomas Harris and he's only a sophomore. Jackson's departure leaves A&M's offensive line even thinner.

Jones said Martin, Mitchell, Regist and Jones will continue to practice with the team.

Hall travels across town to play ball for TSU

By MIKE ORGAN, Staff Writer

In one breath Marquez Hall admits he wasn't ready to play football on the college level last season at Vanderbilt.

In the next breath the talented cornerback says he's more eager than ever to get on the field this season at Tennessee State.

After redshirting at Vanderbilt, the Shorter, Ala., native decided in early summer not to return to the Commodores. He wanted to go to a school where he would be eligible to play right away and that meant finding the right fit at an NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision — formerly Division I-A) program.

He considered Georgia Southern, Jacksonville State, Appalachian State and Jackson State before settling on TSU.

"At first I wanted to play last season while I was at Vanderbilt, but I found out I really wasn't ready," Hall said. "Now, I thank them for redshirting me because I still have four years to play."
And play he will. Hall quickly moved to the starting cornerback position opposite of preseason All-American Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The Tigers lost Aaron Strong to graduation so Hall will start in the season opener Saturday at LP Field against Alabama A&M.

No avoiding Rodgers-Cromartie

The arrival of Hall got TSU's defense out of a bind. There was no clear starter identified after spring practice.

"We're fortunate to get Marquez," said defensive coordinator Ron Lambert. "I don't know how he dropped in our lap. But anytime (Vanderbilt) drops good players like that, I'll take them."

Hall won't say exactly why he left Vandy other than being buried on the depth chart by upperclassmen.

"I transferred for some other reasons, too, and I'm just happy to be here at Tennessee State," Hall said. "I was pretty happy at Vanderbilt, but things happen."

Hall plans to make things happen.

"He's allowed us to have some flexibility in the secondary," Lambert said. "He's allowing us to do some things with Dominique that we probably wouldn't have been able to do. As good as Dominique is sometimes, people have a tendency to want to go away from him. Now we've got a guy on the other side, that if you try to go away from Dominique, I call a ball hawk."

Lambert calls Hall a ball hawk because he already has caused a turnover in every full-speed drill in practice and recorded seven interceptions.

Fast track

Hall was a track star in high school and has shown off his speed throughout camp.

"My speed is my biggest asset, but I like to tackle, too," Hall said. "I'm a physical corner also."

TSU Coach James Webster is happy Hall didn't have the patience to wait for his turn to play at Vanderbilt.

"On the Division I level it's not a matter of how good you are, it's a matter of when you get an opportunity to play," Webster said.

"There are so many good players – everybody's good. In a lot of cases you have to wait your turn and life goes by fast. A lot of these premier athletes don't want to sit on the bench for two and three years just to play one year. I am just so thrilled to have Marquez – he's been a great surprise for us."

Edwards emerges as GSU's go-to guy

By Nick Deriso, Louisiana Sports Bureau

Receiver shoots for SWAC, school records

GRAMBLING — The rare performer who is as consistent on the field as he is off, senior Grambling receiver Clyde Edwards still surprises people.

"I'm more of a quiet guy," the Houston native said, quietly.


He'd like to see his team — a 3-8 disaster last season, GSU is picked by nobody to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference's Western Division in '07 — slip up on some people, too.

"As talented as we are, we feel like we can play with anybody," Edwards said. "Last year, we had what it takes to win, but for a few plays here and there."

First-year coach Rod Broadway might have trouble sorting out the reasons for that down season — after all, GSU fell six of eight times by a touchdown or less — but not who gives Grambling its best shot at pulling out of the downturn.

That would be Edwards, who enters the season with 2,400 career yards.

"It didn't take long over the spring to see that he was one of our best players," Broadway said. "I would like for him to show more leadership, not only with the receiving corps but the entire offense."

He's a show-by-doing standout.

"My biggest thing is I want to lead by example," Edwards said. "I feel like if I am doing what I need to do on the field, then others will follow."

They'd be following him right into Grambling lore.

If Edwards matches his average over the past two campaigns — 55 catches and 10 touchdowns a year — he will pass Tramon Douglas in the school record books.

His 11 scores last season, even as the team struggled to a 3-8 record, ranks among the best performances in Southwestern Athletic Conference history. Edwards is already No. 13 overall in career yardage among SWAC receivers.

The model of consistency, he has hauled in at least one pass in each of his last 26 games, dating back to 2004. Better still are his trademark acrobatic one-handed grabs, including a dramatic coatch against Alabama State at home last season.

He's the same way off the field, maintaining a 4.0 in seven of his eight semesters at GSU thus far.

"I've been blessed; my parents always stressed school and taking care of things in the classroom," Edwards said. "Football is what I lived to do. So I just try to do my best to please parents on one side and myself on the other."

Broadway and first-year offensive coordinator James Spady have made no promises on how they will adapt Grambling's pass-oriented passing attack, other than to say Edwards will get his touches.

Together last season at North Carolina Central, Broadway and Spady helped craft an attack that led their conference with 211 passing yards per game, while setting school and league records with 24 touchdown passes by a freshman. Broadway's offense also averaged 30.8 points per game in 2005, a new school record.

"In the past, we were always a home-run team," Edwards said. "It's a little bit different now. We are looking to be more of a ball-control offense. I've had a chance to sit down and talk with the coaches; they understand our strengths. They know where the talent is and they will use that.'

JSU Clark finally returns

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Jackson State’s starting defensive tackle Corey Clark was back on the practice field Tuesday for the first time in nearly two weeks.

Coach Rick Comegy said Clark left the team to take care of some “personal” problems. He said Clark has returned in shape and should start on Saturday against Delta State.

“Boy, it’s good to have him back out there,” Comegy said. “He’s been working out while he was gone so he’s still able to help us. We need him out there against Delta State.”

Clark (6-foot-2, 305 pounds) had 44 tackles, including 7› for a loss, last season.
After Tuesday’s soggy practice, Clark stayed on the field with fellow defensive linemen Idrees Abdur-Rashied and Marcus Benard, getting in some extra running.

“These guys have stuck by me and supported me while I got through this,” Clark said. “They were always calling on me and checking on me, making sure I was still working out while I got things figured out.”

JSU'S BIG BOY MAY PLAY

Freshman offensive lineman Terrael Williams has made such an impression during fall practice that he could see extended playing time in Saturday’s season opener against Delta State.

At 6-foot-8 and a reported 390 pounds when he came to camp, Williams has slowly slimmed down into better playing shape.

Once a candidate to redshirt, the big man from Dallas could be a key significant piece to the offensive line.

“He’s young and he’s going to make some mistakes,” Comegy said. “But he’s a man on that field and can really move. We’ll see how everything turns out.”

Hill-Eley has built Florida pipeline to MSU

By Ken Murray, Baltimore Sun

Morgan State head coach has 16 Floridians on roster

Morgan State caught Jerrell Guyton on the rebound. Guyton wanted to play football for Texas Southern in Houston in 2004, but detoured to Morgan State and Baltimore after a chance meeting with Donald Hill-Eley.

From such quirks, college football legends are sometimes made.

A native of Miami, Guyton effectively opened a pipeline to that football-rich area for Hill-Eley, Morgan's coach. When the Bears launch their season Thursday night at home against Savannah State, their roster will number 18 Floridians, the second most by state after Maryland's 24.

"Florida has been major for us," Hill-Eley said. "It's changed the team morale, it's changed the team speed."

It also gives the Bears their best chance to end three straight seasons of losing.

As many as seven players who came from Florida could start Thursday. Another five or six should receive substantial playing time.

The migration essentially started with Guyton, a 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker who was dismissed as too small by Texas Southern. When he visited the Houston campus late in 2004, Morgan State was in town for its final game of the season (a 37-21 victory).

Guyton met Hill-Eley on the sideline that day, offered to send tape, "and the next thing you know, I had a scholarship," he said.

It's not like he knew where he was going, though.

"I never heard of Morgan State. I didn't know anybody that went to school here. When I first got up here, there were two people from Florida," he said.

Guyton had starred at Miami Edison and then went to Dodge City (Kan.) Community College before arriving in Baltimore in 2005. Soon after, he played a role in helping running back Chad Simpson (South Florida), wide receiver Edwin Baptiste (Bethune-Cookman) and defensive end Clarence McPherson (Akron) transfer to Morgan. All three had played at Edison.

"All of us coming out of high school basically are family," Guyton said. "You've got to look out for each other. If you see an opportunity where your friend can step in and do some good, you're going to let him know."

Simpson was disgruntled with limited playing time at South Florida. He quit the team not once, but twice.

"Guyton was saying this is a good place, the coaches are down to earth and fair," Simpson said. "That's what I was looking for."

By the fourth game of the 2006 season, Simpson was Morgan's starting running back. He punched out 795 yards, including games of 192 and 178. He was voted to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's preseason first team this summer.

"I'm trying to be way better than that," he said. "I'm trying to be a new man. I've been focusing on being great, being the first 2,000-yard Morgan running back here."

After listening to Guyton and Hill-Eley, Baptiste didn't bother with a recruiting visit. He just decided to come.

"Jerrell let me know what they were trying to build here," Baptiste said. "Coach Hill wasn't selling anything. He was talking to me like a man and said the best players will play. He offered a scholarship and I came off word of mouth."

Of the 18 players from Florida, eight are transfers and 13 are from Miami. Hill-Eley, who once coached with the Baltimore Stallions in the Canadian Football League, enlisted the help of former CFL players Kwame Smith and Joe Washington to open doors in Florida.

Hill-Eley said Morgan's campus helps close the deal, especially with transfers.

"A lot of times they'll contact a bunch of different schools," he said. "We always believe if we can get them here on campus and show them our facility, we shouldn't lose a one of them, and we've been successful getting them in here."

Strong safety Gary Albury came in from Orlando, transferring from Mississippi. Cornerback Darren McKahn came from Miami Miramar and UConn. That's half the starting secondary.

McKahn said the high number of Florida recruits was what attracted him to Morgan. "I didn't visit," he said. "The people who were telling me about this school, I trust."

Hill-Eley said he even won a recruiting battle with Auburn for running back Devan James from Pompano Beach. For the most part, he goes head-to-head with Florida A&M and Bethune Cookman for the Florida recruits. He recruits Florida himself in May and December, a key point in certain cases.

"I recruit as the head coach, so I don't need to call back to tell the head coach 'I got a kid, what do you think?' " he said. "I can make my decision on those kids right there and sometimes you have to do that."

Hill-Eley also said he first tries to speak with the parents to present the picture beyond football.

"I don't fill the kids with the Sunday [NFL] dream," he said, "and the parents understand. When you treat them right and make sure to keep education up front, you really don't have a problem."

Lane out for opener; others may be back

Photo: Lymon Reed, DL 5-11/272, rs-Soph, Tampa Chamberlain HS, FL

By Heath A. Smith, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Starting defensive tackle Demetris Lane will miss Saturday's season-opener against Southern after reinjuring the index finger on his right hand Saturday.

Lane, a redshirt sophomore from Pace High School in Hollywood, Fla., originally broke the finger two weeks ago, but was allowed to return to practice with a protective cast last week.

Lane said he broke the finger again in Saturday's mock game and had it reset Monday.

"It was a little bit of a setback for Demetris," said Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter. "I know he was really looking forward to going to Birmingham and getting the opportunity to play in the first game."

Lane made his first career start last season in FAMU's homecoming game against Morgan State, recording seven tackles and two tackles for loss.

Lane finished last season with 15 tackles and three tackles for loss in mainly a reserve role. Lane earned a starting job in the spring along side sophomore Cameron Houston.

Lane, 6-foot-2, 295 pounds, brings size to a defensive line looking to tighten up against the run this season.

"He was pretty good last year as a redshirt freshman and is looking to improve on his performance," Carter said. "I'm really disappointed that he will not be able to go with us, but he'll stay in good shape and I look to get him back in several weeks."

Redshirt sophomore Lymon Reed is expected to start next to Houston, while Lane recovers. Health concerns may also keep 2007 Preseason All-MEAC running back Anthony Edwards from playing Saturday as well.

Edwards, a senior, has been nursing arthritis in his left foot and went to the doctor Tuesday for his asthma. Edwards said he has been cleared to return to practice, but Carter said he is concerned about Edwards being in the proper condition after missing most of preseason camp.

"He's gradually working himself back," Carter said. "He had to get released and his willing to go out and do it. We just want to make sure that everything is fine."

Edwards led the Rattlers in rushing last season with 482 yards and five touchdowns.

Hayward on Southern's mind

By Heath A. Smith,DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Rattlers WR will face MEAC's top defender

Southern football coach Pete Richardson didn't mention his name, but made reference to Florida A&M senior receiver Willie Hayward Monday in a teleconference.

While Hayward may be on Richardson's mind heading into Saturday's season-opening contest between the two schools in Birmingham, Ala., he has a player that is sure to be on FAMU offensive coordinator Bob Cole's mind as well.

Roaming the secondary for Southern Saturday will be senior free safety Jarmaul George, who was named the 2007 Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. George led the Jaguars with five interceptions and four pass breakups in 2006.

It could be interesting to see what happens if George and Hayward get locked up with each other.

"Willie is very competitive," said FAMU head coach Rubin Carter. "That is one thing you have to give him credit for. He wants to make a statement. Some say he has a swagger, but that's OK if he makes plays and he has certainly done that."

Hayward, a 2007 Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection, said he is looking forward to the challenge of getting the opportunity to play against George.

"It's always a great challenge when you get to go up against another great athlete," said Hayward, who caught 49 passes last season for 674 yards and five touchdowns.

"It just motivates you to do better. That is a great way to start the season to get the opportunity to go up against that caliber of player. I just want to go out and make any play I can against him."

Taylor is fine
Richardson also made mention of FAMU's "dangerous" kicker referring to senior place kicker and punter Wesley Taylor, who hurt his kicking leg last week.

"Everything is fine," Taylor said. "I'm back to 100 percent."

Taylor, an All-American in 2005, said he was cleared by the team physician just before Saturday's mock game and plans to handle all the kicking and punting duties Saturday.

Other injury updates
Sophomore running back Demetric Henry (hamstring) returned to practice Tuesday as did redshirt-sophomore linebacker Michael McMillan (hamstring) and junior linebacker Vic Arboleda (groin).

Eligibility update
Carter said he should get of those players who won't be eligible for Saturday game within the next two days.

Among the key players yet to be cleared to play are senior receiver Ronald Wright and senior safety Khalil Sutton.

FAMU itching for returns

Photo: Donovan Johnson, KR/CB, 5-11/181 Junior, Miami Booker T. Washington HS, FL
By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Kicker Wesley Taylor's view of the field won't change this season just because the distance for kickoffs will be five yards longer. He's been preparing for almost a year now since he first read about the change.

FAMU's entire special-teams unit, especially Taylor and kick returner Donovan Johnson, is eager to see the effects of the change.

Adjusting hasn't been more than mind over matter, Taylor said.

“It's a mind-boggling thing, because the field looks longer, but if you do the right technique, it's really the same,” said Taylor, who averaged 56.2 yards per kickoff last year. “If you let it bother you, you will probably mess up.”

Johnson is stepping into the role of returner for the first time. He was the second man last year behind All-American receiver Roosevelt Kiser.

Special teams didn't return any kicks for a touchdown, although the Rattlers gave up one on punt returns. FAMU averaged 9.4 yards per punt return, the longest at 40 yards. Kiser returned 33 kicks, averaging 22.8 yards. As a team, the Rattlers averaged 21 yards per return.

Johnson said he expects those numbers to drastically improve because of the extra yards should give him leverage for better speed.

“Every kick will basically get returned,” he said. “A lot of things will open up with that extra five yards. I will get to see the field better to hit the hole and go the distance.”

During fall camp, special teams spent time making adjustments to get the most out of the extra distance. If executed effectively, Johnson, who plays cornerback on defense, would become an extension of the FAMU offense, Carter said.

“It could be the equalizer, especially if a team scores and then you come out and get a big return for an advantageous field position,” he said. “That gives you an opportunity to match that score from an offensive standpoint.”

The impact that special teams will have on the game could change the unit's image, Johnson said. Special teams could go from being a unit that simply marks a transition in the game to one that has greater significance, he said.

“If we want to be that well-rounded football team we've got to be good in the special teams area, too,” he said. “They say if you win two phases you'll win. If we win the defensive battle and the special-teams battle we'll win. We need that to be a complete team.”

That put the onus on punt returner Greg Clark, too. His goal on every turn would be to make drives as short as possible for his offense, he said.

“I want to get them as close as possible to the goal line,” he said. “My goal is to get it to goal line or score.”

Saturday: p.m. in Birmingham, Ala., on WHBX (96.1 FM).

SU receiver Landry back at practice

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern got a nice boost Tuesday when All-Southwestern Athletic Conference wide receiver Gerard Landry returned to practice. Landry had stitches removed in his mouth Tuesday and was cleared to get back on the field.

Landry had oral surgery the previous Tuesday and had missed about two weeks.

“I don’t want to rush him into anything, just let him work,” wide receivers coach Eric Dooley said. “He’s a hard worker as it is. He put in a lot of good time in the summer, so I’m pretty sure all he needs to do is get back in the flow.”

Southern, 5-6 last season, plays Florida A&M, 7-4 last season, for the first time since 2001 as the teams meet in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at 2 p.m. Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. The game will be televised on ESPN Classic.

Landry, a senior and co-team captain, knows the offense well. Last season, he had career highs of 727 yards, 55 catches and five touchdowns.

The concern was how much timing Landry would lose. He went out pretty much simultaneously with sophomore Bryant Lee emerging as the No. 1 quarterback and taking almost all of the first-team snaps.

“I did worry about that at first,” Dooley said. “But when I saw him (Saturday) running routes with no equipment on, he appeared to be, actually, a lot faster.”

Landry was also out, initially, at the same time as senior A.J. Turner and senior RaShon Jacobs.

“It was a minus, but it was a plus, because (Del) Roberts came on, (Juamorris) Stewart came on and (Mark) Henderson came on,” SU head coach Pete Richardson said. “This gave them an opportunity to get more reps and build confidence. Now, we put them back in there with (Landry).”

Honors
Florida A&M had nine players on the preseason All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference teams.

Five were on the first team: quarterback Albert Chester II, wide receiver Willie Hayward, left tackle Justin Delancy, linebacker Vernon Wilder and Wesley Taylor, as both the place-kicker and punter.

Four were on the second team: running back Anthony Edwards, defensive end Tyrone McGriff Jr., cornerback Michael Creary and free safety Jason Beach.

FAMU coach Rubin Carter said of his team’s leaders, “All are great leaders for us. You have to have that. You can’t police the team by yourself, as coaches. McGriff, he’s a big play-maker for us. Wilder, he’s our inspirational leader on defense. Taylor is the X-factor, with his ability to kick. He’s not shaking under pressure.”

On the preseason All-SWAC teams from Southern are first-teamer Jarmaul Landry, with the senior free safety also the SWAC’s preseason defensive player of the year and Gerard Landry and junior defensive end Vince Lands on the second team.

Quick look at Southern
Said Carter of the Jaguars, “I’m well-acquainted with that team and what they’re capable of doing. (Richardson) has an ability to get his team prepared to play.”

Lid-lifters
Southern is 7-7 in season openers under Richardson. That’s 2-5 starting in 2000. SU won last season’s opener 30-29 against Bethune-Cookman College in Jacksonville, Fla. FAMU has not won an opener since 2001.

The work
A thunderstorm popped up just after 3 p.m. as the Jaguars were just set to begin practice. SU waited, with some players in the F.G. Clark Activity Center, until going back about 4:15 p.m., working on the easternmost field. SU worked in drizzly conditions until the rain subsided and the team transitioned into A.W. Mumford Stadium.

Monday night, SU practiced in Mumford Stadium.

Still waiting

Richardson said Southern is still awaiting clearance for junior running back Kendrick Smith and sophomore center Ramon Chinyoung to make sure they’ll be eligible to play or even make the trip for Saturday’s game.

Offensive line
SU junior Frank Harry, who moved to the offensive line at guard last week, will wear No. 66. He was originally No. 96 and a defensive tackle.

Harry, is listed as the backup at left guard on offense and left tackle on defense, has worked exclusively with the offensive line since making the transition there last week.

Including Harry, the offensive line has three new starters (of five) and five first-year players among its two-deep chart.

Notes
Richardson’s weekly news luncheon is at noon today at The Table is Bread restaurant. Southern and FAMU have combined to win 20 black college national titles, with SU at nine and FAMU at 11.

NCA&T Aggies open with healthy enthusiasm

By Rob Daniels, Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — Somewhere in the heart of every Junction Boys-era hard-liner, there lurks a suspicion: If football players aren't dropping like tropical insects in Iceland, it's not a real preseason. It's got to be some sort of all-inclusive vacation masquerading as work.

N.C. A&T coach Lee Fobbs is familiar with that mentality, having worked at Texas A&M, among other football furnaces. But when he looks at his depth chart for Saturday's opener at Winston-Salem State and sees almost perfect health, he doesn't apologize. He knows this wasn't Club Aggie, and better yet, it wasn't destructive.

Asked when one of his teams made it through a preseason like this, he said, "It's been a long time, especially when you go through the type of camp we went through. We all know how the weather has been."

The only personnel issue of consequence is the status of linebacker Robert Russell, who suffered a concussion two weeks ago and has been held out as a precaution. Doctors have been judicious, but are expected to clear Russell for duty against the Rams.

New strength coach Cedric Walthaw and trainer Rob Woodall instituted workout plans in advance of the summer, and the coaches say they've seen the results. Players returned to campus this month in better shape than in August 2006, and Fobbs said that allowed the staff to accelerate the timetable for contact.

"We got after each other a lot more," he said. "In our offseason, the work was good in the weight room. That enabled us to get into the physical aspect of things more than we anticipated."

There were heat-related accommodations — conducting the second practice on certain days in the evening rather than the afternoon, for example — but the temperature didn't really give in much. It's going to be the hottest August on record in Greensboro.

"Two-a-days," said linebacker Tim Shropshire, "are still a beast. But it was worth it."

Health is an absolute prerequisite for the Aggies, who have only five seniors on an 85-man roster. The NCAA doesn't have complete and certified rosters for all the schools in what is now known as the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly called Division I-AA). But you'll have a hard time finding a team with fewer seniors than A&T.

There's nothing Fobbs, starting his second year on the job, can do about that situation. Attrition is a part of this game early in any administration, and the depth chart won't look normal until 2009.

Competition for starting jobs has been largely resolved. One issue will be whether to use a kickoff specialist in light of a new rule that moves kickoffs five yards back to the 30. Lee Woodson, a preseason All-MEAC candidate, is expected to be the punter and freshmen Elliott Simmonds and Eric Houston are the top field-goal and extra-point candidates.

In general, the status quo is highly undesirable for the Aggies, who have lost 16 consecutive games. The one exception is the injury list.

"It's unusual, but we'll take it," Fobbs said.

A&T AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE

What: Aggies' football opener

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem

Tickets: $25 general admission. Call 750-3220.

Online: http://www.ncataggies.com

Hampton U kick returner Reggie Dixon is out with an injury

BY MARTY O'BRIEN, Daily Press

Broken collarbone might sideline him for the season

Some say Reggie Dixon is so fast that all you can really see of him are his vapor trails. Hampton University football fans might have to wait a year to see even those, because Dixon is sidelined by a broken collarbone.

Hampton coach Joe Taylor said Tuesday that Dixon sustained the injury in practice on Friday. Taylor added that Dixon will miss a minimum of eight weeks.

Dixon, a 5-foot-7, 160-pound true freshman, would've started as a kickoff returner and played as a reserve wide receiver. But Taylor said that it is likely that Dixon will redshirt this season.

"He'll probably need surgery, and when he comes back he's going to get hit," Taylor said. "I'd like to see him get into the weight room and get a little stronger,"

Dixon was a two-time New Jersey state champion at 55 meters for Plainfield High. His 6.31-second 55 ranks second best in New Jersey prep history.

Taylor said that defensive back James Butts will replace Dixon at kickoff returner. He'll partner with Kevin Teel, who finished second in Division I-AA last season with a 31.2-yard return average in addition to returning one kickoff for a touchdown.

Butts a true freshman from Maury High, is also one of the Pirates' fastest players. He ran a 4.3-second 40 at practice recently and will also play as a reserve cornerback.

The Pirates open the season on Sept. 8 at Howard.

MEAC/SWAC Scoreboard-Week One

Finally, the big sports week is here...


MEAC Scoreboard - Week 1

Savannah State
@ Morgan State
7:00 PM Thu Aug 30

South Carolina State
@ Air Force
2:00 PM Sat Sep 1

Southern University
@ Florida A&M
3:00 PM Sat Sep 1
ESPN Classic & ESPN 360

Jacksonville
@ Bethune-Cookman
4:00 PM Sat Sep 1

Virginia State
@ Norfolk State
6:00 PM Sat Sep 1

North Carolina A&T
@ Winston-Salem
6:00 PM Sat Sep 1

Coastal Carolina
@ Delaware State
7:00 PM Sat Sep 1


SWAC Scoreboard - Week 1

Arkansas-Pine Bluff
@ Mississippi Valley State
2:00 PM Sat Sep 1
CSTV live

Southern University
@ Florida A&M
Birmingham, AL
3:00 PM Sat Sep 1
ESPN Classic & ESPN 360

Grambling State
@ Alcorn State
7:00 PM Sat Sep 1

Delta State
@ Jackson State
7:00 PM Sat Sep 1

Alabama A&M
@ Tennessee State
7:00 PM Sat Sep 1

Jacksonville State
@ Alabama State
8:00 PM Sat Sep 1

Prairie View A&M
@ Texas Southern
8:00 PM Sat Sep 1
ESPNU


Division I Independent - Scoreboard Week 1

August 23
North Carolina Central--(10) at Albany State U (16)

Savannah State
@ Morgan State
7:00 PM Thu Aug 30

Fayetteville State
@North Carolina Central
4:00 p.m., Sunday Sept 2

GSU has concerns on ground

By Scott Ferrell, Shreveport Times

Either Grambling State head football coach Rod Broadway is extremely coy or the Tigers have a concern running the football going into Saturday's season opener at Alcorn State.

"We don't have a running back," Broadway joked during Monday's Southwestern Athletic Conference teleconference. "We may play empty (backfield) all game."

The problem is nothing new at Grambling.

Ab Kuuan led the team in rushing last season with 551 yards. But Kuuan averaged only 3.9 yards per carry.

And Kuuan is not coming back.

Photo: Coach Rod Broadway

"As you know, our leading returning rusher has 47 yards in his career," Broadway said. "So we're still trying to find someone to run the ball. It looks like we may be throwing it all over the ballpark."

Actually, quarterbacks Larry Kerlegan and Brandon Landers were the Tigers' second- and third-leading rushers a year ago. Both return. Kerlegan ran for 215 yards and Landers gained 117 on the ground.

But running back Michael Rainey did indeed rush for 47 yards last season.

Broadway, though, isn't giving up on the run.

"We have some freshmen who have done a good job for us," Broadway said. "Cornelius Walker, a guy out of Georgia, has done a good job for us. Frank Warren and Kenny Batiste, all freshmen, and J.R. Spivey out of Atlanta.

"So we have four freshmen there. Of course, there is the issue of: when you throw a freshman in there you don't know what you're going to get. We know what they have done in practice. But once the lights go on, you don't know what these guys are going to do because they are freshmen."

While the Tigers don't have experience at the running back position, Broadway does see talent there in his freshmen backs.

"Once they get in the flow of the game, I think they're talented enough to be good running backs," he said. "They're not great. They're not bad. They're just good running backs at this point.'

Pough says SCSU Bulldogs conditioned well heading into Air Force game

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

Having completed a physically grueling training camp, South Carolina State head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough knows what to expect effort-wise from his team in Saturday’s season-opener against Air Force.

How that translates into competing for the first time in school history against a Football Bowl Subdivision foe on the road remains a mystery for Pough and his coaching staff.

"This the best-conditioned team we’ve had since I’ve been here and it appears that we’ve got some talent," said Pough at Monday’s press conference. "Whether or not it’s going to transcend into a team that goes out and plays good, solid cohesive football is what the next portion of this year’s schedule will let us know. And what better situation to find out if our guys can actually fight through a tough setting than what we’re going into Saturday."

Along with travelling out west and facing an opponent which enjoys a vast advantage in resources and scholarship players over other Football Championship Subdivision programs, Pough said the Bulldogs still do not have a solid idea as to what type of Falcons team to expect under new head coach and former Houston Texans assistant coach Troy Calhoun.

"What really makes this a little bit strange is the fact that we just know so little about what they actually are doing," he said. "We don’t have any film. We don’t any way of knowing of how they’re going to attack us or how we need to attack them because of the fact that everything out there is new. Their staff is totally new and we can only go by what he’s (Calhoun) done in some places in the past. I don’t think he’ll try to run the Houston Texans’ offense. I don’t think he’ll try to run the Houston Texans’ defense. So we’ve got to work to really find what has been a part of their staff’s past history to get an idea of what they possibly may be."

Photo: SCSU Receiver Corps.

Pough does know about senior quarterback Shaun Carney. The four-year starter, who was selected to the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award "watch list for the third straight year, ranks third in career total offense at the Academy with 5,824 total yards. He also ranks eighth in rushing with 1,924 yards, third in passing with 3,900 yards, second in touchdown passes with 30 and reminds Pough of former Coastal Carolina quarterback Tyler Thigpen.

"The Carney kid for them is a special player," Pough said. "He has been not only a good passer, but he’s been a real athletic guy. He seems to be a fit for what would be the possibility of what they do with that kind of style guy. You’d think that he’d be a guy that you would have to really pay some special attention to. It’s no telling all the special things you can do with him."

The element of surprise could work in SCSU’s favor especially if Pough believes the Falcons take a light-hearted approach to the game.

"I can’t see them being awfully concerned," he said. "They know that we are a lower level team. There’s a good possibility that they feel like they would be able to take us on pretty easily. They’ve got a good chance probably to have all of our film so that they have a real good idea about what we are actually going to try to do to them. I would not think it would scare them a bunch. We don’t do anything really unusual, anything that’s going to stress them out more than what they would be ordinarily be stressed out by maybe one of the medium-level teams on their schedule. So I would think that they might think they have an easy time with us."

Furthermore, Pough does not see the Falcons becoming discombobulated should the Bulldogs make an early statement.

"You’re talking about an outfit of men who are practicing to not only play football but they jump on bombs for a living," he said. "I don’t know if you’re going to scare those kinds of people. I don’t know if hitting them in the mouth is what you want to do. I think what you want to do is you want to get in there and find a way to hang in this football game in a way where you have an opportunity to win at the end. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we hope that our guys can hang in there and not give them any big plays for scores. And then at that point, we can possibly be in the game and have a chance at the end."

In order to make that happen, look for SCSU to make the most use out of its roster of available defensive linemen. Because of the group’s lack of significant size, Pough believes by going three-deep will keep them from getting exhausted and get the highest quality of play.

The offense has had to deal with a litany of injuries. Offensive tackle Nygel Pearson is out again for 2-4 weeks with a broken hand, while a similar injury has wide receiver Tron Jackson sidelined. Meanwhile, Terrance Smith and Phillip Smalls remain questionable.

For all the great anticipation for Saturday’s contest, SCSU continues to have a firm eye towards the Sept. 8 game at Bethune-Cookman. Even with a loss, Pough wants to come out of the Air Force matchup with some positive carryover.

"I think going out and competing is the measure that we probably use to determine if the game was a success or not," he said. "If we go out and play well, if we go out and execute what we’ve been working on in camp in a way where we’ve had some success, then I think that gives us some momentum to go into our next week and feel positive about our situation."

PVAMU vs. Texas Southern-- Labor Day Classic Press Conference

PVAMU Sports Information

Photo: Prairie View A&M University Head Football Coach Henry Frazier III

STATE FARM LABOR DAY CLASSIC PRESS CONFERENCE

Coach Henry Frazier III Opening Remarks:

“Well we are here again... its football season. We are extremely excited about this upcoming season. We had a great training camp. We concluded camp relatively healthy. We’re excited about the opportunity to bring that trophy back to Prairie View. Last year was a very good football game and the year prior to that was a very good football game, and they both came down to the last drive.

This year I anticipate it will be more of the same. Looking at Texas Southern, I know they have a good football team. Looking at their depth chart, they start eighteen seniors. In this conference or any conference, you win championships with juniors and seniors.

As for the Prairie View A&M Panthers, we are ready to roll. On the offensive side of the ball Chris Gibson is our quarterback. He had a great spring practice and a great training camp. It’s no secret that we definitely needed to work on our passing game, and that’s something we worked on all summer. We plan on throwing the ball around a little bit more. I'm sure nobody believes us, but we are going to attempt to pass more frequently, and we are going to have some fun.

Last season our defense was number one in the conference, and twelfth in the nation. We return just about all of those starters and we’ve been having very physical practices, just to get in that mind-set. We should have a pretty good defense. We also tried to address our special team’s problems from last season by bringing in three kickers. When you lose five football games by seven points or less, you’re able to contribute a lot of that to your kicking game.”

Coach Frazier Interview

On the season: “We are very excited about this year. Our goal is to have a winning season.”

On having another down to the wire game: “I hope not, but I think it’s going to be a good football game, we are excited about it. There’s a lot of parody in this conference. I think from top to bottom on any given Saturday any team could beat any team, but being a cross-town rival makes it a little sweeter. Hopefully we can try to put them away, but they have a veteran team, and they will fight back.”

On his relationship with TSU head coach: “We know each other well. We worked together my last year at Bowie State. He was my defensive coordinator, and we had the number one defense in the country, so we know each other pretty well. He had a lot of coaches on his staff that worked for me as well, so we are also familiar with each other.”

On the Labor Day Classic: “It’s not just a regular game, it is a conference game and it’s your rival in an amazing venue like Reliant Stadium, so it is a great way to start the season.”

On the rivalry: “There are so many people that have graduated from both universities. They really pump the game up, and these kids now have grown up and some of their parents or grandparents have.

Academic issues concern Southern

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter


The Southern football team has had at least 10 players become academically ineligible since the spring, but football hasn’t been the school’s only program touched by grade, retention and clearance issues.

In the previous school year, men’s basketball lost veteran forward Ralph Hishaw. Women’s basketball lost up-and-coming shooting guard Deidra Jackson. And baseball lost several veterans and couldn’t get Joshua Kirk, who earned his master’s degree in December, eligible until after the conference season concluded.

In May, the NCAA issued its Academic Progress Report and sent official warning letters to schools, including Southern.

SU was the nation’s only school whose three main men’s programs — football, basketball and baseball — were noted for all having academic concerns.

“With that APR, eventually we’re going to get penalized if we don’t turn this thing around,” SU Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said.

Plus, campus-wide, the problem of academic progress is getting more focus.

Southern reported its retention rate of freshman as 73.2 percent, but its six-year graduation rate was 27.7 percent. The school has been hurt financially by declining enrollment.

“I’m challenging the entire university. We’re going to do something with our retention rates,” SU Interim Chancellor Margaret Ambrose told the school’s student-athletes Thursday at an orientation meeting in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

Ambrose spoke to the student-athletes about the APR warning letter from the NCAA.

“We have a challenge with at least three of our major sports,” Ambrose said. “I got an important letter that told me you guys are not where you’re supposed to be in terms of graduation rates. p We want not to fail you. Hold us to that. Study; go to class; if you need help, ask for it.”

LaFleur said the school will establish an academic center for student-athletes (in addition to other tools available on campus) in the Clark Center. He said the center, which will be open until 9 p.m., should be up and running in a month.

“We’re consciously doing some things to elevate the academic support we’re giving to the entire athletic department,” Ambrose said.

The problem could require research.
“We need to analyze and try to approach it from a data collection and analytic point of view,” Ambrose said. “We just have to bring to bear everything we can to figure this thing out.”

Photo: SU Football Coach Pete Richardson

The latest rash of ineligible football players, along with at least five more players who are no longer with the program, underscores the problem.

“I feel comfortable Ambrose and (SU System President Ralph) Slaughter understand we have an issue,” SU football coach Pete Richardson said.

“They’ve made a commitment to get us some help. Now, it’s not going to happen overnight, because the problem we have didn’t start overnight. It’s going to be a period of time of putting things in place.”

Like most Southwestern Athletic Conference schools, Southern recruits many nonqualifiers — players who are not eligible to practice or play as true freshmen — as well as players who are high risk even if they qualify initially.

“The mission of a lot of historically black colleges is to give a lot of the lesser an opportunity to go to school,” Richardson said.

“We’re going to get a higher-risk individual, especially from the inner-city schools.

“But then the standards are important, but you also have to realize some of them are all behind. I can just see this start to escalate unless you get some things in place to try to help them out.”

LaFleur said in May that SU had to make an effort to “minimize the risks in terms of whom we offer a scholarship to.”

In the past two recruiting classes, Richardson and his staff have signed a lower percentage of nonqualifiers than in previous classes.

Richardson said the NCAA’s recent change in determining eligibility based on a student-athletes percentage, by year, of completed coursework in a major has made an impact.

“The main reason is we went to the 40-60-80 rule,” Richardson said.

“With that, you have to declare a major and every year you have to maintain a certain percentage of that major in order to be eligible.

“I could see it two or three years ago, when they were putting it in, because of the student-athlete, historically, we’ve been recruiting. Some of our student-athletes are struggling with math and biology. Once you get behind, it’s almost impossible to maintain. That’s what hurting some of them at this time.”