Sunday, September 6, 2009

Q&A with Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman

There will be a mix of new and old on the roster of the defending MEAC champions this season. Nine players return from Morgan State’s NCAA tournament team, but Bears head coach Todd Bozeman is adding five new faces to the mix. Point guard Danny Smith (5-11, 190 pounds), combo guard Joe Davis (6-0, 180), shooting guard Jarrod Denard (6-2, 185), power forward DeWayne Jackson (6-8, 210) and center Anthony Anderson (6-10, 235) will all suit up for Morgan State this season.

Morgan State University Bears Coach Todd Bozeman has a new contract and a top-notch incoming class of multidimensional players.

Smith, a Randallstown native and Woodlawn graduate, will have two years of eligibility remaining after playing at Western Nebraska Community College the past two seasons. Davis, a junior from Warrensville, Ohio, sat out last year as a transfer from Cleveland State, where he averaged 8.8 points per game in his first two seasons. Denard was a highly touted shooting guard from Philadelphia’s Freire Charter School. Jackson, a Bowie High graduate, and Anderson, a LaPlata alumnus, both enrolled at Morgan one year ago and sat out as non-qualifiers. They will each have four years of eligibility remaining. Bozeman spoke with Recruiting Report recently about Morgan State’s incoming class.

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Prairie View A&M 17, Texas Southern 7

PVAMU extends reign over TSU at Labor Day Classic

It wasn’t exactly a classic way to open the season. Not for either school. Nonetheless, Prairie View A&M will savor a 17-7 season-opening victory over Texas Southern on Saturday night in the State Farm Labor Day Classic at Reliant Stadium. The Panthers have won the last three Labor Day Classic games. Prairie View escaped with a win in this Southwestern Athletic Conference game, despite producing just 176 yards of offense and committing 13 penalties. TSU had 204 yards of offense and was penalized 20 times.

On their first possession of the fourth quarter, the Tigers were forced to punt from their goal line, giving the Panthers excellent field position. Anthony Weeden returned the punt to the TSU 15 to set up quarterback Jay Bluford’s touchdown pass to Brandon Bell to push the Panthers ahead by 10 points with 12:02 to go. “We went into the game blind,” Bluford said. “We had absolutely nothing to go off. We had to make adjustments on the fly. We had no film. (Offensive coordinator Michael) Bryant did a wonderful job today, especially not knowing what they were going to throw at us.

Photo Gallery:
Photos: Football and music at Labor Day Classic

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Shaw University 20, Bethune-Cookman 6

Bethune Cookman Wildcat twins Antonio and Antwane Cox.

B-CU commits 7 turnovers in loss to Shaw

Bethune-Cookman knew it would be playing a formidable foe Saturday. But the Wildcats had no idea they would be playing against two of them -- Division II power Shaw and themselves. The Wildcats turned the ball over seven times, including four inside the Bears 12-yard line, as Shaw upset B-CU 20-6 in the 'Cats' season-opener Saturday at Municipal Stadium. "(Saturday) the people that beat us have Wildcats on their jerseys," said B-CU quarterback Matt Johnson, who provided a spark off the bench with 126 total yards, but, like starter Maurice Francois, had trouble getting his team into the end zone.

The Wildcats fumbled six times, five times inside Shaw territory. Running back Brian Sumlar, who rushed for 67 yards and a 12-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter for the Wildcats' lone score, fumbled at the Bears 10 and 6. Francois fumbled at the 5 in the fourth quarter. And Johnson threw an interception at Shaw's 11 on B-CU's first possession of the second half. "What else can you do? We had opportunities to score touchdowns," B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt said. "Fumbles killed us; they were our worst nightmare."

Big Cash Schools in B-CU's future

Shaw University backup quarterback Brandon Landers strutted off the field Saturday after the Bears upset Bethune-Cookman 20-6 before 4,137 stunned fans at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium. "We don't have to jump around," Landers exclaimed. "We're supposed to win." A few years down the road, it's possible that a similar scene could unfold in a much larger stadium. And the underdog winner could be wearing Bethune-Cookman's Maroon and Gold instead of Shaw's Maroon and White.

While Division II Shaw played a Division I Football Championship Subdivision opponent for the competition, B-CU could follow a growing trend and play at a Bowl Championship Series team mainly for the guaranteed money. "For me," B-CU athletics director Lynn Thompson said, "BCS means Big Cash Schools." The Wildcats always turned away guaranteed games in the past because B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt was afraid his squad would get badly beaten up -- physically and mentally by the bigger and deeper D-I powerhouses. But due to the downward spiraling economy, the 'Cats have been listening to offers in recent years. And what started as a trickle has become a raging river of offers.

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Louisiana-Lafayette 42, Southern Jaguars 19

Southern University Jaguars Coach Pete Richards begins 17th season on the Bluff with expectations of winning the 2009 SWAC Championship after blowing a 12-7 lead at ULL.

Missed opportunities

Jaguars lead early, but fall to Cajuns...
Wherever and whenever this season ends, the Southern football team probably won’t remember the final score of Saturday’s season opener — a 42-19 runaway for Louisiana-Lafayette, a game that started with a bevy of big plays and ended as a snoozer. The Jaguars might remember the record crowd of 41,357 at Cajun Field and how lively it seemed for the first two quarters. They’ll remember other things, too.

As they walked off the field, outmatched against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent that controlled the line of scrimmage and cashed in on their mistakes, the Jaguars were left to lament the opportunities they missed, the mistakes they made and the potential for a strong season that might still lie ahead. “Our goal is to get to the (Southwestern Athletic Conference) championship game,” 17th-year coach Pete Richardson said. “Now, we’ve just got to get back home and try to get some of our guys back together. “Every time we play up, it’s such a physical type game — and it’s a numbers game.

SU shakes off bumps, bruises

Southern coach Pete Richardson said his No. 1 priority in Saturday’s season opener at Louisiana-Lafayette — aside from winning, of course — was escaping Cajun Field with relatively few injuries. At the end of the Jaguars’ 42-19 loss, they appeared to get lucky. With 8:54 left in the first quarter, freshman cornerback Pierre Warford and senior free safety Anthony Wells collided while trying to make an interception near the Southern 10-yard line. Warford suffered a rib injury and did not return. Jeremy Ivory came off the bench to play corner, while House replaced Wells at free safety. Wells returned to the field later, but junior Jason House played much of the rest of the game.



Stewart keeps SU close

Jaguars leave opportunities on the field... For all of the success that Louisiana-Lafayette had operating against Southern’s defense, the Cajuns were in a tight battle for most of the first half of Saturday’s season-opening game. With wideout Juamorris Stewart threatening all of his single-game best numbers, Southern came away from a 42-19 loss at Cajun Field feeling like it left too many opportunities on the field. “We know, as an offense, we left a lot of points out there,” Stewart said. “We’re just going to have to get in the film room and work it out.”

Game Statistics: SU-ULL

Photo Gallery
Photos: ULL 42, Southern 19

Florida A&M 21, Delaware State 12

Hornets drop gridiron opener at FAMU

He might be the preseason all-conference quarterback, but it was the legs of Florida A&M quarterback Curtis Pulley that did the most damage In a 21-12 Rattlers win over Delaware State in both teams’ football opener Saturday in Tallahassee. Riley led the way with 196 yards rushing and a 47-yard touchdown scamper to lead Florida A&M to the win, snapping a four-game losing streak to the Hornets in the process.

FAMU dominated the time of possession, 35:28 to 24:32, rushing for 328 yards overall and putting up 485 total yards to Delaware State’s 274. Anthony Glaud was 17 of 32 for 188 yards and a 31-yard touchdown pass in his first start at QB for the Hornets. Jason Randall led the team in rushing with 54 yards and scored his first career TD on a 4-yard run with 12 minutes to play. Darius Jackson, playing in front of dozens of relatives in his home state, caught seven passes for 67 yards.



Notable items from FAMU's win

Saturday's attendance for the opening game of the 2009 season was 17,209, which was impressive considering Florida A&M had sold less than 200 walk-up tickets as of Wednesday evening. Bryan Parker was the leading tackler for Florida A&M and his fumble recovery with 4:04 remaining sealed the game. The senior from Randlestown, Maryland had 11 tackles.

Rattlers snag win in opener

Curtis Pulley didn't run for a single yard until late in the first quarter, but when his night was done it was just a typical performance by the senior quarterback that led FAMU's rushing attack to a 21-12 victory over Delaware State. Pulley rushed for 196 yards, accounting for more than half of the Rattlers yards on the ground, in front an opening-night crowd of 17,209 at Bragg Stadium. The victory snapped a four-game losing skid against the Hornets that dates back to the 2003 season.

Rally comes too late for DSU

15-point deficit too much to overcome in second half...Delaware State's football team had not trailed Florida A&M since 2003, but played catch-up to the Rattlers all Saturday night. The Hornets' four-game winning streak over FAMU ended in a 21-12 loss at Bragg Memorial Stadium, thanks to a costly late fumble and 328 Rattlers rushing yards, including 196 from quarterback Curtis Pulley. "We got ourselves behind the 8-ball early," Delaware State coach Al Lavan said. "Even in the third and fourth quarters, we managed to get some stops on defense, but we gave up too many big running plays to [Pulley]."

DSU quarterback Anthony Glaud tried to erase a 15-point second-half deficit and came close. He led the Hornets (0-1, 0-1 MEAC) on a seven-play, 54-yard scoring drive that ended with Jason Randall's four-yard touchdown run and cut FAMU's lead to nine. "We sat down and talked at halftime and kind of slowed things down so we could execute better," Glaud said. "We had guys dropping the ball a little bit and guys started catching the ball and making plays. We all picked it up."

For DSU, Michigan game good for money, visibility

The coaches and players at 3,534-student Delaware State know their chances of winning at mighty Michigan later this season are slim at best. But they also understand why their program will make the trip: a $550,000 pay day. At Delaware State, that's equivalent to the revenue from at least two years of home games. "From a competitive standpoint, it's not an ideal situation," says Delaware State football coach Al Lavan. But, "you always have hope." The Hornets aren't alone. Throughout the football season that begins this weekend, so-called guarantee games -- where lesser programs are paid lots of money in exchange for a presumed loss -- are common. The larger, better-funded programs in effect have an easy home game with more players seeing action.

Hornets lose football opener at Florida A&M

Delaware State’s football team had not trailed Florida A&M since 2003, but played catch-up to the Rattlers all night. The Hornets’ four-game winning streak over FAMU ended tonight in a 21-12 loss at Bragg Memorial Stadium, thanks to a costly late fumble and 246 Rattlers rushing yards. “We got ourselves behind the 8-ball early,” Delaware State coach Al Lavan said. “Even in the third and fourth quarters, we managed to get some stops on defense, but we gave up too many big running plays to (FAMU quarterback Curtis Pulley). “Essentially, that’s what happened last year, though we won,” Lavan added. “The pattern just continued.”

Photo Galleries
FAMU vs. Delaware State pregame
FAMU Pregame
FAN CAM - FAMU vs. Delaware State
FAMU vs. Delaware State first half
FAMU 21 Delaware State 12


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FAMU player shot by gunshot; suspect arrested

Sunday morning update - 6:15 a.m.

Florida A&M Police Department informed students by text alert that a suspect has been arrested in Saturday night’s shooting. The text alert was sent to students at 3:59 a.m. Sunday. It says, “All clear/arrest made. An arrest has been made in the shooting incident on FAMU campus.” No other details were given about the arrest. The shooting occurred Saturday around 10:10 p.m. after FAMU’s football opener. FAMU athletics officials confirmed late Saturday that running back Lonvontae Page was "grazed" in the arm by the ricochet bullet.



As many as two other people also were hurt in the campus shooting incident, said Lt. Norman Rollins of the FAMU Police Department. Two groups of people were arguing on the steps of Gibbs Hall near the stadium, Rollins said.

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There should be zero tolerance of guns and other weapons on any college campus. The penalty, in addition to locking their butts up and melting the key, should be automatic expulsion and a lifetime band from attending any State University in the U.S. Let'em attend some private thug college with high tuition and no federal dollars assistance. This type of foolishness may have an adverse impact on FAMU home game attendance as folks will be more concerned for their safety than being entertained by a great Marching 100 band and a superb Rattler football team. Time to bring out the metal detectors and guards--just like at the airports and get these armed fools off the FAMU campus.

-beepbeep

Friday, September 4, 2009

MEAC Game Day '09: FAMU Rattlers vs. Delaware State Hornets

Keys to the Game: Florida A&M vs. Delaware State

Time: Today at 6 p.m.
Site: Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Live Game Streaming Video/Audio (FamCast):
http://www.famu.edu/famcast/
Radio: 96.1 FM.
Series: FAMU leads 18-8.
Forecast: Sunny with 10 percent chance of rain.

Joe Taylor has built a reputation throughout his coaching career for a stable of running backs, and the 2009 Rattlers should not be an exception. Junior Philip Sylvester has returned from injury, but sophomore Lonvontae Page, senior Mykel Benson and freshman Eddie Rocker will also get carries in an offense that led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring in 2008.
FAMU quarterback Curtis Pulley said a big key will be putting the ball in the hands of the Rattlers' talented skill-position players and letting them make plays.


Jerome Strums, who intercepted Pulley last year to seal the Hornets' victory, said the defensive unit plans to pressure the Rattlers' offense "out of their environment" so Pulley will not be able to sit in the pocket and find receivers Isaac West or Kevin Elliott or one of the Rattlers' other running backs.

DSU sees only wide-open potential

The Delaware State University and Florida A&M football teams are a contrast in preseason expectations. After all, the Hornets were picked to finish seventh in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference while FAMU was chosen to finish second behind South Carolina State. The good news for Delaware State is that none of that matters once kickoff time arrives for its season opener at 6 tonight inside Florida A&M's Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. Several Hornets admit they hear the whispers that they are about to run into a brick wall since they have already suffered a conference loss due to a forfeit and have treacherous games at Delaware (Sept. 19) and Michigan (Oct. 17) looming.


They just choose to ignore it. "I don't see any brick wall," said Nick Richmond, DSU's senior center. "I'm excited. I think this is one of the best teams that we've had while I've been here. "We're flying a little under the radar with how people picked us in the [preseason] standings but as far as I can speak, offensively, we have more weapons than we've ever had."

Anthony Glaud, a redshirt junior, will be making his first start at quarterback for the Hornets tonight. The Sicklerville, N.J., native completed 47 of 75 pass attempts for 523 yards and two touchdowns in a backup role behind four-year starter Vashon Winton last season. Glaud has three returning receivers with whom to work in Larrone Moore, Erick Jones and Zach Charles.

For small schools, there's a big payoff to road trips

DOVER, Del. — The coaches and players at 3,534-student Delaware State know their chances of winning at mighty Michigan later this season are slim at best. But they also understand why their program, which plays a level of NCAA football below that of the Wolverines, will make the trip: a $550,000 payday. At Delaware State, that's equivalent to the revenue from at least two years of home games. "From a competitive standpoint, it's not an ideal situation," says Delaware State football coach Al Lavan, whose team plays in a 7,000-seat stadium, compared with the 106,000-seat Michigan Stadium. "(But) you always have hope."

FAMU's opponent Delaware State forced to play catchup early

Long before today's kickoff against FAMU, Al Lavan knew his Delaware State football team had a lot of catching up to do — on the field and in the win-loss column. The Hornets had to forfeit their Oct. 17 MEAC games against North Carolina A&T State because of a scheduling conflict with getting Michigan on their schedule for the same date. Now it's about making up ground, and Lavan will have to count on a young team to do so. The Hornets return just 12 starters from last year's team, which struggled down the stretch and fell short of preseason predictions that they would take at least second place in the league.

DSU was picked to finished seventh this year. "They must grow up fast by (today)," Lavan said earlier this week during the MEAC coaches conference call. "We've got to take that quick step forward and play well to win," he said. "I don't think it's a make-or-break situation for us but we must step forward and meet the challenge that I'm sure the Rattlers will present."

Taylor's young guns providing FAMU guidance

There was no shortage of candidates when Joe Taylor was filling his staff 21 months ago as FAMU's new head football coach. The list included three graduate assistants from the staff of Taylor's predecessor. Olympics sports strength and conditioning coach Antonio Wallace, who was caught in the crossfire of the termination of former coach Rubin Carter and his assistants, also was looking to join Taylor. Taylor hired Wallace. He kept Juan Vasquez as kicking coach, before his first spring practice. The other two — Jimmie Tyson and Edwin Pata — were left to prove themselves.

Taylor resorted to the same approach he has for walk-ons, allowing them to decide their fate by proving their abilities. "When I see you taking up more responsibility, it's easy for me," Taylor said. "All I have to do is evaluate and believe what I see." He saw enough during his first spring practice to keep them as graduate assistants. Both Pata and Tyson started this season football payroll. Together the four assistants join a growing list of youthful college assistant coaches who are less than 10 years older than the players they coach. Pata, Tyson and Vasquez have at least two years before their 30th birthday, while Wallace is a year away.

Rattlers take their place in the Hall

Jacquay Nunnally has come full circle to the point that he finds himself telling young football players some of the same things he heard before he became a record-setting receiver at FAMU almost a decade ago. He also can now tell his proteges that he is coaching at Miami South Ridge about the result of hard work. Nunnally was inducted Friday night into the FAMU Hall of Fame along with three other athletes and two supporters at the school's new arena.

"It's a huge honor because the institution recognizes you as one of the best that ever came through; With names like (NFL Hall of Famer) Bob Hayes," Nunnally said. "That's incredible. It's a huge honor. Huge." Some players who had come after him had gotten a place in FAMU's Hall of Fame years ago, but waiting his turn is something that the record-setting receiver is used to. Nunnally, 30, redshirted a year before he got quality playing time. He was highly recruited by FSU and UCF, but that didn't mean much to coach Billy Joe. His team was loaded with receivers who were getting the job done.

FAMU: Taylor Keeps Loaded Rattlers Humble

Joe Taylor brought success back to Florida A&M in a hurry. The longtime head coach with 200-plus wins led the Rattlers to a 9-3 finish in his first season at the school in 2008. FAMU went 3-8 the year before. "Hopefully, we didn't screw up by winning too many. Now they probably expect for you to win them all," Taylor joked. Expectations will surely be for this group to produce. The Rattlers are predicted by many to compete for the MEAC title, and Taylor is warning his troops about staying grounded and keeping up a high work ethic.

"Now that you're coming from maybe hunting to being hunted, you have to really work even harder," he said. Experience will help. FAMU has 18 starters returning, and the team's mind-set has evolved with the experience of its players. "Last year, they kind of stepped out on faith, they didn't really know," Taylor said. "But this year, it looks to me (like) they're stepping out on belief. They are working hard and no matter what happened in the past you just can't forget what got you there." The Rattlers have two key playmakers back on offense - quarterback Curtis Pulley and running back Philip Sylvester.

FAMU Rattlers back on track

It's not that the win total is important to Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor. It's just that he wants it reported right. One of the headlines on the Rattlers' homepage is a homage to Taylor, a graphic congratulating the second-year FAMU coach on his 205 career victories -- the bulk coming while at Hampton University. "Actually, I think it's 206,'' Taylor said. "I hope they do [get it right]. For that one win I probably aged five years.''

This year's FAMU football team could rejuvenate Taylor. The Rattlers team that he took over ended a 3-8 campaign in 2007 with a 34-7 loss to Bethune-Cookman. In its first year under Taylor, FAMU was 9-3 -- this time beating rival Bethune-Cookman in a 58-35 shootout and finishing second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Opener could define the season for FAMU

Curtis Pulley probably wouldn't recognize Delaware State free safety Jerome Strums, other than being a stranger, if they were to cross paths in the hallway at Galimore Fieldhouse. But Pulley hasn't forgotten how Strums upended his debut at quarterback for FAMU a year ago in Dover, Del. Pulley had engineered a FAMU comeback that fell short in overtime, when Strums intercepted a pass from Pulley on the Rattlers' first possession in the overtime to give FAMU its first of three losses.

All-American KR LeRoy Vann

Being thrust into an overtime game wasn't the ideal situation for Pulley, who was still learning coach Joe Taylor's offense. "I wasn't nervous," Pulley said. "It was just trying to do too much." Pulley redeemed himself with a remarkable season, but Saturday he could get a bit of revenge when FAMU meets the Hornets in a game that carries a lot of weight by the way Taylor puts it. He went as far as to say that the outcome could define the Rattlers' season. Taylor used a baseball analogy to make his point during his weekly news conference Tuesday.

FAMU eyes MEAC title in Taylor's second year

Joe Taylor needed just one season to take Florida A&M from turmoil to respectability. Now he has the Rattlers believing they can return to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Belief, Taylor said, is the key word. "Last year, they kind of stepped out on what I call faith," Taylor said. "This year, you can see they're stepping out on belief. That's the big difference."

A 3-8 record in 2007 cost former FAMU coach Rubin Carter his job and Taylor, who had spent 16 years at Hampton, stepped in. He led the Rattlers to a 9-3 season, punctuated with a 58-35 win over rival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic. By that time, Taylor said, the players knew the program was back on track. "They felt like it could happen, but they really weren't sure," Taylor said. "But now they see hard work pays off." So does a high-scoring offense and a turnover-happy defense. The Rattlers used both to key the turnaround.

Rattlers' defense performs at goal

At the sound of the horn, FAMU coach Joe Taylor dashed from his position near in the practice squad area to where the first team was lining up for the usual finale to practice — the goal-line drill. It's where the offense and defense mercilessly test each other in the red zone."This is my favorite part of practice," Taylor said, jogging to a better vantage point.

On the first play, quarterback Curtis Pulley gave the ball to running back Lavonte Paige. Nothing doing. Another give to Paige. Loss of 1 yard.On the fourth play, Pulley threw an incomplete pass to tight end Max Purcell. Score that series for the defense. A few special teams plays were sandwiched between another series of downs. The defense was stubborn again until fullback Mykel Benson came out of the backfield to catch a pass in the end zone. "We all just went hard," said nose tackle Cameron Houston. "They are going to get some and we're going to get some. We have one of the best offenses in the nation and one of the best defenses in the nation. We just try to come out and compete."

FAMU's O-line set to protect Pulley

No matter how many new wrinkles quarterback Curtis Pulley may have introduced with his habit of salvaging busted plays, the players on FAMU offensive line have a one-track mind when it comes to protecting their quarterback. They are zealous with it, too. "We take pride in what we are doing," said center Steve Brazzle. "We are the protectors (and) we have to look out for whoever has the ball." Four of the linemen doing the job are seniors, with Chris Sands out of Leon High School as the lone junior. For most of the five of them, this is their fourth quarterback they're working with in the last three seasons.

Pulley, who rotated last season with Eddie Battle, brings versatility that the offensive line hasn't had to deal with. His penchant to take off running when a play breaks down seemingly not only brought a different dimension to how the line does its job, it has brought more of a swagger to the line. "He gives us confidence because he is so versatile and he makes the defense play differently," said left guard Anthony Collins. "That makes it easier, actually."

Buzz builds for start of football

The car flags are starting to come out, even if they're not the harbinger they once were. Ticket sales are booming. Both schools drew packed houses for kickoff luncheons. So if the buzz has seemed muted to the casual observer, know that Florida State and Florida A&M fans are pumped for the start of football season. "Over the summer, with the students gone, there may have been a lull," said FSU senior Alex Mookas on Thursday as he walked by Doak Campbell Stadium. "But with the students back, it's started building. The excitement, especially with (first opponent) Miami is definitely there."

FAMU and FSU open their 2009 football seasons with home games this weekend. Saturday evening, FAMU hosts Delaware State. Monday night, FSU hosts rival Miami. With FAMU (9-3) and FSU (9-4) coming off their best seasons since the first half of the decade, anticipation for 2009 is high among officials and fans of both teams. FAMU officials have seen similar enthusiasm, tempered by the economy. FAMU booster contributions are running $30,000 ahead of last year at this time, when the boosters contributed about $150,000 to athletics. Saturday's crowd is unlikely to match last year's opener, when a season-high 18,088 attended the first game of the Coach Joe Taylor era. But it could climb above 15,000.

FAMU to induct 7 into Hall of Fame

All summer, Leon Collier excitedly awaited his induction into the Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame. The former two-sport athlete for the Rattlers during the late 1950s prepared a speech to celebrate his unanticipated inclusion among the pantheon of athletic legends at his alma mater. But "Tex" Collier will only be there in spirit. He died Aug. 14 while visiting family in Atlanta. In his place will be a collection of family and friends who look forward to celebrating the love Collier had for his alma mater.

"He was really excited about it and I talked to him on several occasions," said Dr. Joseph Ramsey, who is organizing Friday's banquet. "We're pretty down about that." Ramsey added that Friday's ceremony, held at the FAMU Multi-purpose Teaching Gymnasium, will be more poignant than usual because of Collier's recent passing. The late football and basketball star will be accompanied by six others including another offensive tackle in Terry Beauford, quarterback Tony Ezell, wide receiver Jacquay Nunnally, basketball player Aldwin Ware, and supporters Dr. Edward Scott and Keith Miles.

FAMU football a family affair for Wilson, Brazzle

Every time Evander Wilson walked by the trophy case at Coatesville (Pa.) High School, he'd see a photo of his brother, Steve Brazzle. It served as a reminder how good an athlete Brazzle was and gave his younger brother something to aspire to. "When he is three years gone and everybody in the town is still talking about how good he is," Wilson said, "I just wanted to follow in those footsteps." To do that, Wilson scoffed at offers from South Carolina State and Hampton University. Both were offering scholarships, but he opted to accept preferred walk-on status at FAMU.

Emulating an older sibling is a bit of tradition that started with Brazzle, who said his 32-year-old brother was his influence for him and Charles Brazzle, a defensive lineman at Cheney State. While growing up in Pennsylvannia, all four brothers played football, baseball and were on the Coatesville track team. Brazzle said his oldest brother, who played at North Carolina State, remains his biggest influence. The No. 64 that he wears on his jersey is the same number that his brother wore for the Wolfpack. No two of the brothers had ever played together on the same team, though, until Wilson came to FAMU during the summer. He is a fullback and Brazzle plays center on the offensive line.

FAMU receives $79000 in royalties after counterfeit crack down

More than a year has passed since Florida A&M began an intensive crackdown on counterfeit paraphernalia, as staffers received help from university and city police officers to arrest those selling contraband T-shirts, hats and other gear displaying the Rattler brand. By all accounts, the university’s effort has been a success, and Sabrina Thompson and other staff members are reaping the rewards for their hard work.

FAMU ranked No. 1 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities in selling licensed merchandise by generating $79,007 in royalties during the 2008-2009 fiscal year, according to Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC). “We are really, really excited,” Thompson, FAMU’s coordinator for licensing, said. “We knew that the revenue was going back for a worthy cause — scholarships for athletic students.” Thompson said more than $3,000 in materials has been confiscated. “Every home football game, I go out on Fridays and visit different More than a year has passed since Florida A&M began an intensive crackdown on counterfeit paraphernalia, as staffers received help from university and city police officers to arrest those selling contraband T-shirts, hats and other gear displaying the Rattler brand.

Walter McCoy resigns as FAMU's head track coach

Florida A&M University President James Ammons accepted the resignation of Walter McCoy on Thursday as men's track and field coach, the university announced Thursday night. The resignation is effective immediately. It came a week after Ammons proudly introduced McCoy as the new men's track coach and Darlene Moore as the head women's track and field coach. McCoy's resignation comes four days after he was booked and released from the Leon County Jail on an unemployment compensation fraud charge from Jefferson County, according to jail records.

According to Leon County Sheriff's Office booking records, McCoy was arrested by the Tallahassee Police Department and registered at the county jail at 5:57 p.m. Monday and was released at 9:08 that night. FAMU spokeswoman Sharon Saunders said she was unable to say if the resignation was related to the legal case. McCoy declined to speak when called at his Monticello home.

College football reinvigorates local economy

The general idea for businesses during football season in Tallahassee is to "step it up, get ready and hold on," says Chris Dodge, manager of the Mellow Mushroom restaurant on Pensacola Street. Florida A&M University is also expecting a high attendance at its first home game of the season today. "Everyone benefits from a Rattler football game," said Carla Willis, FAMU University Relations vice president. There is some concern, however, that this year's football turnout from traveling fans may not meet the turnout from previous years. The weak economy plays a role in that.

"This is a real tough time economically," said Mickey Clayton, Rattler Boosters executive director. "People are being more cautious with the way they are spending. That may mean they are not going to be traveling to the games as they have in the past." Emily Johnson-Truitt, director of sales at the recently opened Aloft Tallahassee Downtown Hotel, is excited to get in on this year's football season action. "We haven't been open a full week yet," she said. "There's an energy that the staff has with this first big weekend approaching. We are definitely amped and ready."

Other hotels like the Ramada Conference Center on North Monroe Street are accustomed to the football season rush. This weekend it will house both traveling teams (Delaware State and Miami), bringing $50,000 in revenue.

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Monday, August 31, 2009

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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Sunday, August 30, 2009

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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MEAC/SWAC Sports Main Street...
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.