South Carolina State team preview

QB Malcolm Long, 6-3 Jr., Gaffney, SC/Gaffney HS will lead the defending MEAC Champion Bulldogs in a strong season opener against 2008 SWAC Champions, Grambling State Tigers at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, FL on Sept 6.

Bulldog Offense: South Carolina State running back Will Ford is a guy that many FBS coaches would gladly add to their offense. The 5-foot-11-inch senior from Travelers Rest, S.C. was picked as the MEAC's preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. In the last two years combined, Ford has rushed for 2,888 yards and 17 touchdowns, including a 112-yard effort against the Gamecocks in 2007. Ford is joined in the backfield by quarterback Malcolm Long, a 6-foot-3 senior that set two school passing records last season. Long and Ford headline an experienced offense that returns six starters from their 2008 MEAC Championship squad.

Bulldog Defense: The Bulldog defense allowed only 17 points per game last season, including a stretch of three straight shutouts against MEAC rivals Howard, Morgan State and North Carolina A&T. That defensive squad returns seven starters, headlined by linebacker Marshall McFadden and safety Marquais Hamlin, who were both preseason All-MEAC selections. The one glaring blemish on SCSU's record last year was a 54-0 defeat at the hands of Clemson. The Tigers racked up 416 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns on the Bulldogs.

2009 Bulldogs Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time/Result Details
9/6/2009 Grambling State@ Orlando, Fla. 2 PM
9/12/2009 * Bethune-Cookman University Daytona Beach, FL 4 PM
9/26/2009 Winston-Salem State# Orangeburg, SC 6 PM
10/3/2009 University of South Carolina Columbia, SC TBA
10/10/2009 * Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA 1 PM
10/17/2009 * Florida A&M University$ Orangeburg, SC 2 PM
10/24/2009 * Hampton University Hampton, VA 2 PM
10/31/2009 * Delaware State^ Orangeburg, SC 1:30 PM
11/7/2009 * Howard University Washington, DC 1 PM
11/14/2009 * Morgan State University& Orangeburg, SC 1:30 PM
11/21/2009 * NC A&T State University Orangeburg, SC 1:30 PM

Home Games are in bold
* denotes a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest
@ MEAC-SWAC Challenge
# Faculty & Staff/Senior Citizen Appreciation Day
$ Greek Day/Youth Day
^ Homecoming
& Senior Day

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Fullbacks an Alabama A&M key

When Alabama A&M's offense has been good, the Bulldogs' fullbacks have been key. Not only have they been effective run blockers, they have been solid receivers out of the backfield. Early during Anthony Jones' tenure, Jonathan Rowland handled most of the fullback duties. Jacques Pyant and Trevis O'Neal were a terrific tandem on A&M's 2006 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship team, and O'Neal and Generion McWhorter were solid the next season as the Bulldogs finished 8-3 and just missed getting back to the title game.

Last season, A&M lacked a quality fullback. McWhorter left the team with personal problems and Roger Smith and Chris Terry, a pair of converted defensive linemen, couldn't master the position. As a result, the Bulldogs struggled. Fast forward to this season, and Smith said he believes A&M's fullback job is in far more capable hands. Now in his second full season playing the position, Smith said he and Dash Buntjer, a junior college transfer, can be as effective as Pyant and O'Neal.

2009 Alabama A&M Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time
9/5/2009 at Tennessee State Nashville, TN, LP Field
9/12/2009 HAMPTON Huntsville, AL, Louis Crews Stadium 6:00 PM
9/19/2009 JACKSONVILLE STATE Huntsville, AL, Louis Crews Stadium 6:00 PM
9/26/2009 HC * ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF Huntsville, AL, Crews Stadium 3:00 PM
10/3/2009 vs. Tuskegee Indianapolis, IN, Lucas Oil Stadium
10/10/2009 * at Grambling Grambling, LA, Eddie Robinson Stadium
10/17/2009 * at Alcorn State Alcorn State, MS, Jack Spinks Stadium
10/31/2009 * vs. Alabama State Birmingham, AL, Magic City Classic, Legion Field 2:30 PM
11/7/2009 * at Prairie View A&M Prairie View, TX, Backshear Stadium
11/14/2009 * JACKSON STATE Huntsville, AL, Crews Stadium 1:00 PM
11/21/2009 * MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE Huntsville, AL, Crews Stadium 1:00 PM
12/12/2009 SWAC Championship Game Birmingham, AL, Legion Field

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College Football Preview '09: Grambling State Tigers

GRAMBLING, LA - Rod Broadway gets a great deal of credit for the recent revival of Grambling State football, and well he should. The Tigers put together an 8-4 record in Broadway's first year as head coach in 2007 and reached the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game, even though losses to Southern in the Bayou Classic and to Jackson State in the title game marred that debut season. GSU avenged those two setbacks in a big way last fall, as the Tigers handled Southern 29-14 in the Bayou Classic and pounded JSU 41-9 for the conference title. That capped an 11-2 season and convinced the voters in the Sheridan Poll to declare Grambling the black college national champions.

GSU Tigers head coach Rod Broadway, third year, 19-6.

Broadway's name and stamp is on those teams, but Cliff Yoshida should get his share of acclaim - especially last year, when the Tigers fielded a defensive unit worthy of mention with Grambling's all-time best. Yoshida, in his second year as defensive coordinator under Broadway, engineered a platoon that recorded 29 interceptions and 44 quarterback sacks (double the previous year's total). GSU held opponents well under 30 percent on third-down conversions, and led the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision with a plus-1.85 turnover margin. More importantly, 43 percent of the time that Grambling opponents penetrated the Tiger 20-yard-line, they didn't score.

2009 GSU Tigers Schedule

Sept. 6 South Carolina St. (1 p.m., Orlando), MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Sept. 12 Northwestern State (6 p.m.)
Sept. 19 at Jackson State (3:30 p.m.)
Sept. 26 at Oklahoma State (6 p.m.)
Oct. 3 *vs. Prairie View A&M (6 p.m., Dallas), State Fair Classic
Oct. 10 Alabama A&M (3 p.m.)
Oct. 17 *at Alabama State (TBA)
Oct. 31 *Mississippi Valley State (2 p.m.)
Nov. 7 *vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4 p.m., Little Rock), Literacy Classic
Nov. 12 *Texas Southern (7 p.m.)
Nov. 28 *vs. Southern (1 p.m., New Orleans), Bayou Classic
Home games in bold. *denotes Southwestern Athletic Conference games

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History maker: JSU-MSU is 1st SEC-SWAC football matchup

Little did Greg Byrne know it when he did it, but the first football game contract he signed as athletic director at Mississippi State made college football history. That would be the one that pays Jackson State $315,000 to come play at Starkville on Saturday. It will mark the first football meeting in history between a school from the Southeastern Conference and a school from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

"To be honest, we weren't thinking of it in terms of a historical perspective," Byrne said. "We want to play one game a year against a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly Division I-AA) team. "We felt it made more sense to play, if possible, a regional team or someone in our own state. It also made sense to find a team that has a history of its fans traveling well. That was what we had in mind when I approached Bob Braddy (JSU's athletic director).

"Now, we're excited about bringing their band, their team, their fans to our campus. The historical part? We're honored to be a part of that." A week out, the game is nearing a sellout. From Braddy's point of view, it's a no-brainer: the largest payday in Jackson State history and a short trip besides. There is some historical irony at work here: The sons and grandsons of players who once made the SWAC perhaps one of the most talent-laden conferences in college football, now do the same for the SEC.

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Memo to A.D. Bob Brady--You gotta push the money envelop back for more cash in negotiations, especially with the Sonic Boom Marching Band and possibly 8,000+ JSU fans travelling to MSU. With only 148 miles separating MSU and JSU, the Bulldogs need only 7,326 additional fans to cover the JSU payout of $315,000. JSU averaged 21,263 fans for four home games in 2008, ranking #4 in the FCS in attendance. MSU averaged 43,453, ranking #54 in FBS average home attendance, with only one saleout (#7 ranked Auburn) at 55,082 Davis Wade Stadium. Expect the stadium record for attendance at 56,188 to be broken for this anticipated game. Game tickets are $43.00 each for JSU fans.

$315,000!! We're talking about a SEC school buying a FCS victory to become bowl eligible with a 6 win season. Surely a guaranteed victory is worth more...even for a bottom dwelling SEC Bulldog program.

Jackson State alters recruiting philosophy

For most football teams, a 7-5 record can be viewed as a good season. Darius Bolela didn't come to Jackson State for good seasons. Growing up in Jackson, Miss., Bolela is well versed in the tradition of JSU football. He understands the importance to Tiger fans and boosters of winning Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, especially after watching his hometown team win the 2007 league title.

That's why after seeing his team fall short of the SWAC title last year, he is entering his sophomore season on a mission. "I want to lead my team to victory and getting back to the championship,'' Bolela said. ''I came into this season saying, 'I'm from Jackson. I know how Jackson State ball is supposed to be...' I'm putting the team on my back this year."

Bolela isn't the only one looking to change things at JSU. Coach Rick Comegy took a different approach toward recruiting. Rather than going after a host of junior college transfers as he had in the past, and like most of his fellow coaches at historically black colleges do, Comegy decided to focus on recruiting freshmen. In doing so, Comegy hopes to build a solid foundation that will serve his program well in the years to come.

The combination of Darius Bolela (Smash), Luther Edwards (Crash) and Bloi-Dei Dorzan (Dash) are poised to make the Jackson State running game one of the best in the SWAC - no exceptions. Senior RB Dorzon, a 5-9/205 speed demon (#2 in photo) is from New Carrollton, (Prince George's County) Maryland.

JSU Tigers 2009 Schedule

09/05/09 at Mississippi State, Starkville, MS 2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN
Southern Heritage Classic:
09/12/09 vs.Tennessee State (Memphis, TN) 6:00 p.m. CT
W.C. Gorden Classic:
09/19/09 Grambling St. Jackson, MS 3:30 p.m. CT
10/03/09 at Southern Jackson, MS 6:00 p.m. CT
10/10/09 vs. Arkansas - Pine Bluff Jackson, MS 4:00 p.m. CT
10/17/09 vs. Texas Southern Jackson, MS 4:00 p.m. CT
10/24/09 at Mississippi Valley State Itta Bena, MS 1:00 p.m. CT
Homecoming:
11/07/09 vs. Alabama State Jackson, MS 4:00 p.m. CT
Magic City Classic:
11/14/09 at Alabama A&M Huntsville, AL 1:00 p.m. CT
11/21/09 vs. Alcorn State Jackson, MS 1:00 p.m. CT
12/12/09 vs. SWAC Championship Game Birmingham, AL 1:00 p.m. CT

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Alabama State Hornets '09 Preview

THE CRYSTAL BALL SAYS...Quarterback Chris Mitchell, who was a rather solid passer two years ago, has returned from grade issues. That gives ASU's offense a boost. Offensive coordinator Richard Moncrief, a former Division I quarterback, understands the game and has the respect of the players. That means something. The defense, as it has been the last three years, should be very solid again. Just looking at the first 22, this is a solid team that could challenge for the SWAC. Depth, however, is a big issue -- one that will likely cost the Hornets a couple of games. ASU goes a respectable 7-4 and is in the SWAC East discussion until late in the year.

Hornets Coach Reggie Barlow (8-14 in two seasons at ASU), 2008 record 3-8 overall, 2-5 SWAC .






QUOTEBOARD...According to Barlow: "It's time to get this done and show some progress on the field. I've been here two years, and I feel like we've done some good things, but we have to start turning some of this into wins, because fans won't stand for it if that doesn't happen. I understand that. I knew the expectations and the situation going in here. I have to produce ... or find something else to do."

According to defensive coordinator Jo Nixon: "I'm just ready to get this season kicked off. When I was at (NAIA) Langston, we had some tight games with some of the teams from the SWAC. (The coaches) would always be like, 'We weren't really looking at y'all' and stuff like that. Things to just discredit us. Well, now I'm over here and everything's equal. I wonder what excuse they're going to use now?"

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2009 Hornet Schedule

9/5 Concordia College 7pm
9/12 at Savannah State 4pm
9/19 Edward Waters (Fla) 7pm
9/26 at Mississippi Valley State 4pm
10/10 Prairie View A&M 1pm
10/17 Grambling State 1pm
10/24 Alcorn State 1pm
10/31 at Alabama A&M 2:30pm (Magic City Classic)
11/7 at Jackson State 4pm
11/14 at Southern University (Mobile, AL) 2:30pm
11/26 Tuskegee 3pm (Homecoming/Turkey Bowl)

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After consecutive seasons of 5-6 and 3-8, who blames Coach Barlow for padding the schedule with lower division cupcakes like Concordia, Edward Waters and Savannah State. Add Valley, Alcorn, A&M and D-II, Tuskegee, the Hornets have an opportunity to finish with a 7-4 season. It's more important for Coach Barlow to just WIN, even if the Hornets opponent is Wetumpka High School. FAMU's A.D. Bill Hayes decided to delay a return date with the Hornets to play two money games at the University of Miami in '09 and '10. Sort of unfair to the Hornets schedule and for Rattler and Hornet fans that had waited more than a decade for this series to return.

College Football Preview '09: Southern University Jaguars

SU Jaguars head coach Pete Richardson (16th year, 128-57)

To listen to the media types covering Southern University's football team, the Jaguars sound ready for prime time. Optimism abounds in the Southern camp, with a lot of the key cogs among 17 returning starters that were a couple of close losses away from playing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference title game. Even venerable coach Pete Richardson, entering his 17th season with the Jaguars, broke out of his stoic façade to voice high hopes for his team.

"I'm excited to see what kind of team we can have," Richardson said. "We've got a lot of guys back who have been through some battles for us, and we're coming into the season pretty healthy. A lot of these guys worked hard, stayed here during the summer, and I think a lot of them have really matured in a year."

Still, all the talk of going from the "Bluff to Birmingham" for the SWAC Championship Game might be a little premature. After all, the Jags haven't claimed a SWAC title since 2003 and haven't even won their own division since 2004. Last season, SU had to win two of their last three - one in overtime -- just to finish with a winning 6-5 record in 2008, and the squad showed a disturbing knack for self-destructing at crucial times last year. Fourth-quarter losses to Florida A&M and Prairie View A&M punched a hole in what could have been a banner year.

Jaguar senior All-SWAC QB Bryant Lee #16

2009 JAGUAR SCHEDULE

Sept. 5 at UL Lafayette (6 p.m.)
Sept. 12 Central State (OH) (6 p.m.)
Sept. 19 Tennessee State (6 p.m.)
Sept. 26 *Alcorn State (6 p.m.)
Oct. 3 *at Jackson State (6 p.m.)
Oct. 17 Fort Valley State (5:30 p.m.)
Oct. 22 *Prairie View A&M (6:30 p.m.)
Oct. 31 *at Ark.-Pine Bluff (2:30 p.m.)
Nov. 14 *vs. Alabama State (2:30 p.m., Mobile, Ala.)
Nov. 28 *vs. Grambling (1 p.m., New Orleans)
Dec. 5 *at Texas Southern (1 p.m.)

Home games in bold. *denotes Southwestern Athletic Conference games

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