FAMU continues to own Tennessee State

Taylor's 200th win gives Rattlers momentum

Photo Galleries:
FAMU 28, Tennessee State 21
Photos of the game, the bands
Atlanta Classic Pre Game
Atlanta Classic Step Show

ATLANTA, GA-- He played it off, but they knew better. Florida A&M University head football coach Joe Taylor was largely hush-hush about the 200-win deal all week. It's about the game. Play the game better than the last time. Beat this team. Focus on that, he would tell them. The Rattlers did that, too. Taylor's players held off a last minute drive by Tennessee State in the 20th Atlanta Football Classic to earn a 28-21 win over the 23rd-ranked team in the Sports Network Division I Championship Subdivision poll and the 25th-ranked team in the Football Championships Subdivision Coaches poll.
























FAMU Coach Taylor reached a career milestone with the Rattlers win over arch rival TSU. Taylor now has a record of 200-77-2, becoming the ninth black coach to achieve this level of excellence, joining FAMU's Hall of Fame coaches Jake Gaither and William "Billy" Joe in the exclusive 200 win club.

But even before he had a chance to speak about the game when it was over, the question about becoming the ninth Black College coach to reach 200 wins in his career came to the fore. "That's the residue of enjoying what you do," Taylor said. "It speaks to having been around supportive administrators, top-level coaches, and great student-athletes." No student-athlete on the Georgia Dome turf Saturday was more instrumental in the game than Rattler linebacker Bryan Parker.

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Attendance: 50,428 (70.7%) at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA (Capacity: 71,228)

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Michelle Obama, Jill Biden speak to over 8,000 at FAMU campus about student issues, economic crisis

Photo Gallery: Michelle Obama visits FAMU

According to Cindy Dick, Fire Chief of the City of Tallahasse, somewhere between eight and ten thousand people gathered on a hot and sunny day at the campus of Florida A&M University to hear Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden speak. The two women showed great respect for each other and spoke highly of the presidential debate held Friday night (Sept. 26, 2008).

The Rickards High School marching band opened the event with excitement. A giant “Change” banner was suspended in front of great white pillars. First Jill and then Michelle entered through double white doors, were swung wide open for their dramatic arrivals.

Jill talked about her experiences as a professor at the community college level. She explained that her students are her heroes, often juggling day jobs and caring for their children while still finding time to go to college. She described her dreams of a country in which college was affordable for everyone.

Michelle discussed Barack’s history and his promise to end the war in Iraq. She urged the students in the crowd to take action and help register Floridians to vote, noting that there are only nine days left to register here. In Florida, every vote counts, as it is a major swing state. She promised that she would personally call the parents and grandparents of the student on campus who registered the most voters and sing the praises of their child.

Please enjoy a video of the event.



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DSU drenched, but not in glory

Photo Gallery: Central Connecticut St. 28, DSU 10

Blue Devils handily beats Hornets at home

DOVER, DE -- Their jerseys were drenched, looking like they were showered in a Gatorade celebration. It was only the steady rain. There was little to celebrate at Delaware State on Saturday night. In a game that was supposed to gauge their season's potential, the Hornets probably were left looking for a do-over. Central Connecticut State, a visitor from the Northeast Conference, defeated the Hornets in their first-ever meeting, winning 28-10 at Alumni Stadium.

"This is not practice, it's real football," Hornets coach Al Lavan said. "I had concerns over how this team would respond this week. When you're trying to build a young team, you are going to go through times of adversity and you have to find out how they will respond." While it certainly didn't predict an easy outcome, Delaware State hardly would have expected such a loss to the Blue Devils. And it occurred at home, where the Hornets had not lost in 10 tries, dating back to Oct. 14, 2006, against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Hampton. Delaware State (1-2) has lost two games in a row for the first time since 2006.

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Attendance: 3,254 (47.8%) at Alumni Stadium, Dover, DE (Capacity: 6,828).

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NEXT: The Hornets host the Hampton Pirates on Saturday at 1 PM in a MEAC showdown.

Grambling's win over (NAIA) Langston no thing of beauty

Photo Galleries:
Grambling You Cam, 9/27
Grambling-Langston halftime show
Grambling vs. Langston

Ethan Conley kept a running diary of Grambling's 13-2 win over Langston on Saturday:

FIRST QUARTER

15:00 It's 85 degrees and sunny at Robinson Stadium, and we're poised for a titanic matchup between two explosive offenses ... ah, who I am kidding?

This should be a blowout in GSU's favor.

11:59: Grambling's Dezmond Spivey boots the first punt of the game. You'll understand the significance soon enough.

11:43: Grambling dodges a bullet. Langston tight end Donald Hill was wide open behind the Grambling defense only he never knew it. Hill never turned around to look for Danny Lowery's pass, which fell harmlessly to the ground. Had he caught the ball Hill may have coasted to the end zone untouched. Unfortunately, this won't come close to being the most inept offensive play of the game.

9:41 : Kiare Thompson's 32-yard punt return gives Grambling the ball at the Langston 26.

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Attendance: 5,121 (26%) at Robinson Stadium, Grambling, LA (Capacity: 19,600).

Alcorn can’t close it out--SU Jaguars win!

Braves defense unable to hold Southern in end

LORMAN, Miss. — Alcorn State’s calling card came up short Saturday in its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at Jack Spinks Stadium as Southern scored the go-ahead touchdown to topple the Braves 15-12 just before time expired. “There is no explanation for it (the defensive breakdowns),” said Alcorn senior linebacker Lee Robinson. “We just didn’t close the game out.”

Alcorn, clinging to a 3-0 lead headed into the second half surrendered two touchdowns as SU pieced together quick-strike scoring drives of 2:37 and 1:48. SU (2-2, 1-0 SWAC) got its first score as quarterback Bryant Lee hit Clevan White on a 16-yard strike putting the Jaguars ahead 7-3 with 4:09 left in the third. The drive was good for 10 plays and 86 yards. Then in the fourth quarter, after Lee was knocked out of the game following a Idly Etienne hit on the far sideline, reserve quarterback C.J. Byrd fumbled the snap on fourth and goal with 5:05 remaining and Alcorn took possession.

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Attendance: 22,500 (100%) for ASU Homecoming Game at Jack Spinks Stadium, Lorman, MS (Capacity: 22,500).

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Next Week: The Braves (1-4) travel to 1-A Western Athletic Conference, New Mexico State Aggies (1-2) in Las Cruces for a beat down and a quick paycheck.

The Southern Jaguars will be on the road to face Jackson State University, Jackson, MS for a 6 p.m. game.

Week 5: MEAC/SWAC Football Updates

• Florida A&M (3-1) vs. Tennessee State (4-1) - FAMU is giving the 4-0 TSU Tigers a clinic on Joe Taylor power football with the Rattlers driving at the start of the 4th quarter with a 28-14 lead. Kudos to Versus with an excellent telecast of the Atlanta Football Classic game, including full half-time shows by both bands. FAMU Qier Hall intercepts QB Antonio Heffner with .59 second left in game to give the TSU Tigers the loss and Joe Taylor gets his 200th career victory (200-77-2). FAMU keeps the streak alive in a hard fought battle for their 7th consecutive victory over rival TSU. Rattlers move up with 3-1 record and has served notice to all, knocking off the #23 ranked team in the FCS Rankings and the Ohio Valley Conference leader. The Rattlers are moving forward to their rightful place as the premier football program in the MEAC. The game MVP for FAMU was QB Curtis Pulley and QB Antonio Heffner was the MVP for TSU. Final score FAMU 28-21.
• Morgan State vs. Rutgers - No surprise here as the Scarlet Knight called the dogs off in the second half, but steamrolled the Morgan Bears 38-0.
• Bethune Cookman vs. Norfolk State - The Spartans received a bitter dose of reality in Daytona Beach as the BCU Wildcats flatten the Spartans 33-17. The Spartans are nothing more than a one season wonder with a 2-3 record on the season.
• South Carolina State vs. Winston Salem State - SCSU Bulldogs trying to get their pride back after getting smashed by Clemson last week 54-0. Too bad for the hapless WSSU Rams as they are getting a tatto beaten on their rear at the tune of 3-31 at the end of second quarter. Update: Score 37-10 SCSU with 12 minutes left in 3rd quarter. Final score on this blowout is SCSU 43, WSSU 17.
• Grambling State vs. Langston - GSU wins 13-2 over their visitors. Final: GSU 13, Langston 2.
• Southern vs. Alcorn State - The Jaguars are in for a long season as they escape the lowly Braves by a score of 15-12, with all their points coming in the second half of the game.
• Central Connecticut State University vs. Delaware State - Hornets gets pounded 28-10 by a North East Conference, 1-AA Blue Devil team that moves to 3-1 on the season with a victory over N.C. Central last weekend. DSU falls to 1-2.
• PVAMU vs. Morehouse - The Division II Maroon Tigers gave the Panthers a fight in the Angel City Classic in Los Angeles, CA. With the 28-17 win, Prairie View moves to 4-0.
• AAMU vs. UAPB - Monte Coleman and the Golden Lions move to 0-5 as the Bulldogs move to 2-3, winning 23-17.
• Howard vs. Savannah State in Miami, FL - In the battle of the cupcakes, Howard gains a much needed win by pounding the helpless Tigers 49-21 in Miami, FL. Bison moves to 1-3 and SSU drops to 2-3
• NCA&T vs. Coastal Carolina - The Aggies get embarrassed again falling on the losing end of a 20-7 score. The Lee Fobbs era may be ending soon as only 2,062 attended this contest at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro, N.C. This attendance figure has to be wrong. If not, the Aggies have lost their pride and are feed up with Fobbs and his losing ways. The Aggies fall to 2-3 on the year. CCU of the Big South Conference moves to 3-2.
• Texas Southern vs. Concordia College - TSU is padding its record with a schedule of Division II cupcakes in Texas College and Concordia College. The Tigers are leading 45-21 in the 4th quarter over Concordia which illustrate how awful this TSU program is under-performing.

Who's Hot: FAMU Rattlers are playing superb football and has opportunity to become the league's contender with a home date with South Carolina State next weekend. Rattlers should mop the field with Buddy Pough Bulldogs who ran over the Rattlers last season when Rubin Carter was coach. It won't happen this time as the Rattlers are seeking a championship.

Greatest Surprise: PVAMU 4-0 and in the drivers seat to win the SWAC. Overall poor showing of the SWAC this football season. FAMU defense is stopping drives and scoring TDs to help offense. National televised rivalry game attracts 50,428 to Georgia Dome with gas shortages in Atlanta. MEAC Teams inability to beat Out of Conference 1-AA/FCS teams that they scheduled for their home stadiums.

Top Newcomer: FAMU QB Curtis Pulley

Dummy of the Year: The clown(s) responsible for the FAMU athletic website (http://www.famurattersport.com/) that has everything wrong or missing including current rosters for the athletic teams, posted game scores and stats, and listing two coaches no longer on Coach Joe Taylor's staff.

N.C. A&T eager for some home cookin'

COASTAL CAROLINA AT N.C. A&T
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aggie Stadium, Greensboro
Records: Coastal Carolina 2-2; N.C. A&T 2-2

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The N.C. A&T Aggies play host to Coastal Carolina on Saturday, which is nice for reasons beyond the totally obvious: It means they won't be going to Tidewater Virginia for the third straight week. An odd scheduling quirk sent A&T to Norfolk State on Sept. 13 and Hampton last week, and the Aggies made the five-hour drive back home with a pair of losses. It is the mirror image of scheduling in 2005, when the teams came to Aggie Stadium.

"It's like following your own footsteps back up there," coach Lee Fobbs said this week. "Hopefully, in the future, we can correct that. Is that the reason we lost? Probably not. At least (change) would give us some peace of mind." So how does this happen? Imperfections are almost certain when the process is complicated by two otherwise welcomed trends, expansion and television.

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