DSU putting final polish on preseason

DOVER, DE -- Having wrapped up a busy preseason camp with a pair of practice sessions Friday, Delaware State University's football team is now focusing on dotting the i's and crossing the t's. The Hornets will conduct a "game simulation" scrimmage at 6 tonight at Alumni Stadium before turning their eyes toward their season opener on Sept. 5 at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Florida A&M. DSU coach Al Lavan will be looking closely at all the details in tonight's scrimmage.

"We plan to focus on simulating game situations these next couple of days," said Lavan, who is 34-22 in five seasons with the Hornets. "During [today's] final session, we'll try to go over all situations that may be encountered in a game, from A to Z. "We'll focus on everything from our various packages to sideline and press box personnel. It will amount to a mental exercise to determine how prepared we are for next week's opener." There is a sense of anticipation among the Hornets as the regular season looms.

Anthony Glaud, who earned the job as DSU's starting quarterback, has been studying and working to be as prepared as he can be. "Right now, we are working on execution and polishing up the playbook," Glaud said. "We are trying to get in as many plays and formations as possible before the end of camp. About 95 percent of the offense is in place."

Coach Al Lavan (center).

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2009 Hornets Football Schedule (Record: 0-1; Forfeit to NCAT)

Date Opponent Location Time (ET)

Sat, Sep 05 Florida A&M * at Tallahassee, Fla. 6:00 p.m.
Sat, Sep 19 Delaware at Newark, Del. 12:00 p.m.
Sat, Sep 26 Hampton * at Hampton, Va. 6:00 p.m.
Sat, Oct 10 Bethune-Cookman * Dover, Del. 7:00 p.m.
Sat, Oct 17 Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mich. TBA
Sat, Oct 24 Morgan State * Dover, Del. 1:00 p.m.
Sat, Oct 31 South Carolina State * at Orangeburg, S.C. 1:30 p.m.
Sat, Nov 07 Winston-Salem State at Winston-Salem, N.C. 1:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 14 Norfolk State * Dover, Del. 1:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov 21 Howard * Dover, Del. 1:00 p.m.

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WSSU may be eyeing Hayes for vacant AD job

FAMU athletic director William "Bill" Hayes.

Winston-Salem State might reach back to its glory days in football to find its next athletics director. Bill Hayes, who led the WSSU football program to its greatest heights in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is being targeted by Chancellor Donald Reaves for the AD's position, several sources said. Reaves was hoping to introduce the new athletics director today at "Meet the Rams," a fall-sports pep rally at Bowman Gray Stadium scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. However, those plans fell through when Tim Grant took himself out of contention earlier this week.

Hayes, currently the AD at Florida A&M, said Thursday night that he hasn't been contacted by WSSU officials. "I haven't heard anything from them officially throughout this whole process," said Hayes, who is 64 and still owns a home in Winston-Salem. "I don't know what they have planned, but I haven't talked to them at all in an official capacity." Hayes said he has been working hard at Florida A&M, getting ready for another football season.

2009 WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT TIME LOCATION

SEPTEMBER 5, NORTH CAROLINA A&T, WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM, 6:00 PM

SEPTEMBER 10, FLORIDA A&M, WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM, 7:30 PM, (ESPNU-HD)

SEPTEMBER 19, MORGAN STATE, (N.Y. URBAN LEAGUE CLASSIC)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., GIANTS STADIUM, TBA

SEPTEMBER 26, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE, ORANGEBURG, S.C.
BULLDOG STADIUM, 6:00 PM

OCTOBER 3, HOWARD UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C.
GREENE STADIUM, 1:00 PM

OCTOBER 17, UC DAVIS, DAVIS, CALIF.,
AGGIE STADIUM, 6:00 PM

OCTOBER 24, BETHUNE-COOKMAN, DAYTONA BEACH, FLA.
MUNICIPAL STADIUM, 4:00 PM

OCTOBER 31, HAMPTON UNIVERSITY, (HOMECOMING)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM, 2:00 PM

NOVEMBER 7, DELAWARE STATE, WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM, 1:00 PM

NOVEMBER 14, NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL, WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.
BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM, 1:00 PM

NOVEMBER 21, NORFOLK STATE, NORFOLK, VA.
DICK PRICE STADIUM, 1:00

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Former Hillside star Michael Johnson earns starting QB job at N.C. Central

DURHAM, N.C. -- Michael Johnson is fulfilling a dream. Growing up, he was a ballboy for N.C. Central and now he is the starting quarterback for the Eagles. The former Hillside standout saw action in four games, including three starts, a year ago after transferring from Tulsa, and said his experience at Tulsa established a foundation that has allowed him to thrive with the Eagles. "I learned so much while I was there [at Tulsa]," Johnson said. "It made me a better quarterback. It made me a better student."

Johnson's decision to transfer back to his hometown university was based primarily on being closer to family so they could see him play. "It was a good experience but it was just difficult for my family to get out there to see me play," Johnson said. "My family likes to see me play so it was best for all of us for me to come back." Johnson said he feels like he has improved a lot since last season when he was thrust into action in the sixth game of the year against Presbyterian.


2009 NCCU Eagles Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time Affifiliation Series (Last Meeting)
Sept. 5 at Hampton “Pirates” Hampton, VA 6:00 pm
FCS HU leads 13-5 (11/14/1992 - L, 19-31)

Sept. 12 at Liberty “Flames” Lynchburg, VA TBA
FCS First Meeting

SEPT. 19 MOREHEAD STATE “Eagles” DURHAM, NC 1:30 PM
FCS First Meeting O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium

Sept. 26 at Duke “Blue Devils” Durham, NC TBA
FBS First Meeting

Oct. 3 at North Carolina A&T “Aggies” Greensboro, NC TBA
FCS A&T leads 45-30-5 (10/3/2008 - W, 28-27)

Oct. 10 at Appalachian State “Mountaineers” Boone, NC TBA
FCS First Meeting

OCT. 17 CENTRAL METHODIST “Eagles” DURHAM, NC 1:30 PM
NAIA First Meeting O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium

OCT. 31 CENTRAL STATE “Marauders” DURHAM, NC 1:30 PM
II Series tied 1-1 “Homecoming” O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10/19/1996 - W, 24-6)

Nov. 7 at Old Dominion “Monarchs” Norfolk, VA 2:00 pm
FCS First Meeting

Nov. 14 at Winston-Salem State “Rams” Winston-Salem, NC 1:00 pm
FCS Series tied 21-21 (11/15/2008 - W, 23-16)

NOV. 21 SAVANNAH STATE “Tigers” DURHAM, NC 1:30 PM
FCS NCCU leads 3-0-1 O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (11/22/2008 - W, 10-7)

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UAPB Beginning Transition to Game Week Preparations

UAPB Golden Lions head coach Monte Coleman believes the Lions to roar this season.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff took a break from its usual practice schedule on Saturday to show off its new jerseys and pose for a few pictures. The Golden Lions did do a short walkthrough at Golden Lion Stadium, but most of Saturday’s media day session was meant as a short pause before fall camp gives way to season-opening preparations. Exactly a week before UAPB’s season opener against Arkansas-Monticello, UAPB coach Monte Coleman stood near the 50-yard line and addressed reporters on the Golden Lions’ being more prepared heading into his second season than they were his first. He also discussed using the end of last season as momentum heading into this year, as well as his evolving role as an overseer of the program.

Countdown to KICKOFF 2009


“It’s been one of the best training camps I’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Coleman, who joined the staff as an assistant in 2003. “We fought each other, we ate lunch together. It was just a good training camp. A good start for a new season.” Heading into their final week of preparations the Golden Lions still have a few unanswered questions. The top priority on that list is deciding between a pair of quarterbacks who have risen to the top of a pool that included four candidates when camp opened Aug. 8.

Rontrell Bailey and Josh Boudreaux are still taking snaps with the No. 1 offense in practice, and Coleman said he would be comfortable if either one of them started against the Boll Weevils (0-1), who beat UAPB 21-7 last season in Coleman’s first game as coach. Coleman, who has relinquished defensive play calling duties this season in order to take more of a role within the offense, said healthy quarterbacks, a more experienced offensive line and group of wide receivers should make a unit that ranked ninth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in total offense improve in 2009.

2009 Golden Lions Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time
9/5/2009 Arkansas-Monticello (Sponsored by Tyson) Pine Bluff 4:00 pm
9/12/2009 Langston (Sponsored by State Farm) Pine Bluff 4:00 pm
9/19/2009 Mississippi Valley State Itta Bena, Miss. 4:00 pm
9/26/2009 Alabama A&M Huntsville, Ala. 3:00 pm
10/1/2009 Alcorn State (Wal-Mart Community Day) Pine Bluff 6:30 pm
10/10/2009 Jackson State Jackson, Miss. 4:00 pm
10/24/2009 Edward Waters (Homecoming) Pine Bluff 2:30 pm
10/31/2009 Southern (Senior Day) Pine Bluff 2:30 pm
11/7/2009 Grambling State (Delta Classic 4 Literacy) Little Rock, Ark. 2:30 pm
11/21/2009 Prairie View A&M Prairie View, Tex. 1:00 pm
11/28/2009 Texas Southern (Dallas Lonestar Classic) Dallas, TX

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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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