UAPB DEFENSE TOPS IN THE SWAC — WANTS TO STAY THERE

Last game: UAPB Golden Lions 45, Langston 30

Every season, Arkansas-Pine Bluff sets a goal of having the top defense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Every season the Golden Lions have made strides in accomplishing this goal. After their defense finished last in the 10-team league in total defense in 2006, the Golden Lions moved up to eighth in 2007 and a respectable fourth place last season. Now, through the first two games of the 2009 season, the UAPB defense is the No. 1 ranked defense in the SWAC, surrendering only 203.5 yards per game in its first two outings. “Our goal is at the end of the year to have the No. 1 defense in the SWAC and one of the No. 1 defenses in the country,” said first-year defensive coordinator Alonzo Hampton. “All we want to do is to keep continuing on it.”

Hampton has laid out a plan to help the Golden Lions do just that. It involves using UAPB’s depth on defense to rotate players, thus keeping everyone fresh to pursue the football and stop the run. In two games, the Golden Lions (1-1) have done a good job of the latter. Facing two of the better running threats they’ll see all season, UAPB’s defense limited Arkansas-Monticello quarterback Scott Buisson —the reigning Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year — to only 19 yards on 11 carries. Then, last week, Langston’s Carlos Ross was limited to only 65 yards on 12 carries. Senior defensive end Jared Dorn, who is third on the team with 11 tackles, said stopping a team’s rushing attack makes the opponent one-dimensional and thus easier to contain.

UAPB Set to Host Community Day

On Thursday, October 1st the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Football team will host Alcorn State at 6:00 pm at Golden Lions Stadium in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPNU. The UAPB Department of Athletics in conjunction with Wal-Mart has tabbed the game "Community Day". Various free health screenings will be available on the stadium grounds at Community Day. In addition all fans that bring a canned good to the game will be admitted into the stadium for $5. Children and youth ages 0-18 will be admitted into the game free of charge with a paying adult (limit 5 children per adult). The UAPB Athletics Department has also received confirmation that Nerjyzed Game Studios will be at the contest on Thursday night allowing football game enthusiast a free chance to play its newest version of Black College Football 2010 on its BCFX Tour Bus which is equipped with 12 flat screens televisions.

Golden Lion Stadium and Fieldhouse

UAPB may drop UAM from schedule

Arkansas-Pine Bluff might drop Arkansas-Monticello from its schedule after losing to the Division II school for the second consecutive season. The Division I Golden Lions, who play in the Football Championship Subdivision, fell 27-3 to the Boll Weevils on Saturday. UAPB lost 21-7 in last year's matchup. Although the teams are supposed to play again next season, UAPB athletic director Skip Perkins indicated his school might buy out of the game. Perkins said it was a "lose-lose situation" for UAPB and that he can understand why the Arkansas Razorbacks don't want to play in-state schools.

UAPB OVERCOMES MISTAKES, BIG PLAYS TO PICK UP FIRST WIN

There were stalled drives, a rash of penalties and an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that made it so the Golden Lions headed into halftime trailing an NAIA team on their home field.But, unlike in a loss to Division-II Arkansas-Monticello last week , UAPB stood up and fought back. It used turnovers and big plays of its own to put a pesky team away.The Golden Lions scored their first touchdown of the season on their first drive of the second half Saturday, and Kevin Thornton returned two interceptions for touchdowns to complete the 45-30 come-from-behind win over Langston (Okla.) University. That point total tied the most for the Golden Lions since a 2006 win over Southern, and it brought a much-needed, early-season win to UAPB.“I was very proud of them,” UAPB coach Monte Coleman said. “We go down, they get the football, it could have been a good opportunity to do what we did last week. We can’t afford that.”

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Tennessee State Tigers 14, Jackson State Tigers 7

TSU QB Calvin McNairl scores over hapless JSU.

Tennessee State's streak reaches 7 victories in Southern Heritage ...

MEMPHIS — The Jackson State football team went over 55 minutes without scoring a single point inside the Liberty Bowl on Saturday. But, amazingly, with seven seconds remaining on the clock, JSU still had a shot. That shot, from the arm of Dedric McDonald, fell harmlessly to the turf as Jackson State fell 14-7, its seventh straight loss to Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. "It had nothing to do with them, we just weren't clicking," JSU starting QB Mike Mosley said. "It's really frustrating, we're much better. I just don't know."

The day was horrid for a JSU offense that was starting its second quarterback in as many weeks. A third, McDonald, entered the game just before halftime after Mosley injured his shoulder. McDonald took his team to the brink, and was a dropped touchdown pass away from tying the game at 14 apiece. "I don't know," JSU coach Rick Comegy said when asked about the offense. "The film will tell us."

Photo Galleries: JSU - TSU

Win caps big week for TSU quarterback

Quarterback becomes a dad, is named MVP...
MEMPHIS — Calvin McNairl stood at midfield, holding his most valuable player trophy, after leading Tennessee State to a 14-7 win over Jackson State in the 20th Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday night. But when asked what had been the best part of his week, it was a tough decision for the Tigers sophomore quarterback. Earlier in the week, McNairl became the father of a baby girl. Then, he was named TSU's starting quarterback, replacing Dominic Grooms, who suffered a severe hamstring injury in last week's season opener.

Finally, in his first start since 2007, McNairl not only won the game, but also he was awarded the MVP trophy in front of the 43,306 who turned out at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. ''God works in mysterious ways,'' McNairl said. ''It's been a long week. This has been the best week ever. I can't explain how much this week means.'' TSU had to hold on at the end, as Jackson State reached the Tigers' 3 in the final seconds. McNairl rushed 14 times for 101 yards and a touchdown while completing four of 11 passes for 43 yards.

TSU turns to McNairl at quarterback

Tennessee State will turn to its third quarterback of the season Saturday, with Calvin McNairl stepping in as the starter against Jackson State at the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis. McNairl, a sophomore from Henry County, will replace Dominic Grooms, who started in Saturday's 24-7 loss to Alabama A&M and suffered a hamstring injury in the second quarter.
Grooms was replaced by sophomore Jeremy Perry. McNairl started the last four games as a freshman in 2007 when Antonio Heffner was hurt. McNairl redshirted last year.

QB lifts Tennessee State over Jackson State in Southern Heritage Classic

Calvin McNairl stood at midfield, holding his Most Valuable Player trophy, after leading his Tennessee State team to a 14-7 victory over Jackson State in the 20th Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday night. But when asked what had been the best part of his week, it was a tough decision for the Tigers redshirt sophomore quarterback. Earlier last week, McNairl became the father of a baby girl. Then, he was named TSU's starting quarterback, replacing Dominic Grooms who suffered a severe hamstring in last week's season opener. Finally, in his first start, McNairl not only won the game, but was awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy in front of 43,306 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

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Battle of Bands: Norfolk State vs. North Carolina A&T

9/12/2009 - Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band

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Alabama State Hornets 20, Savannah State 17

Hornets hold off Savannah State

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Devin Dominguez caught a 20-yard pass from Chris Mitchell in the fourth quarter and Alabama State held on to defeat Savannah State 20-17 on Saturday. Savannah State could've taken the lead in the fourth quarter, but Dereck Williams missed two field goals from 36 and 42 yards. Nick Andrews had 124 yards on nine catches for the Hornets (2-0). Mitchell threw for 227 yards on 17-of-31 for Alabama State. Darius Mathis caught four passes for 62 yards and one touchdown. The Hornets defense allowed just 84 yards rushing and only 286 yards total while forcing the Tigers into a 3-for-14 performance on third down conversions.

Attendance: 5,947@Ted Wright Stadium, Savannah, GA

Shannon Sharpe Day set at SSU

Shannon Sharpe is coming home to Savannah State University to have his football jersey number officially retired. Sharpe, who wore No. 2 when he played spilt end for Savannah State College (now university) from 1986-89, will be honored Oct. 17, the day SSU plays Bethune-Cookman University at 5 p.m. at T.A. Wright Stadium. Sharpe, an analyst on “The NFL Today” show on CBS since 2004, played 14 seasons in the NFL. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and won three Super Bowl championships — two with the Denver Broncos, one with the Baltimore Ravens — before retiring in 2003 as the NFL’s all-time leader at tight end in touchdown catches (62), receiving yards (10,060) and receptions (815).

WSSU move no problem

Winston-Salem (N.C.) State's announcement Friday that it will leave the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference should not hurt SSU's chances of becoming the league's 14th member, SSU vice president of administration Claud Flythe said Saturday. "I would think not," Flythe said Saturday before kickoff. "There have been some discussions for quite a few months as to the status of Winston-Salem State, whether they will remain Division I or go back to Division II. "I have no reason to believe their decision to leave the MEAC will have any kind of impact on Savannah State."

Thursday, North Carolina Central in Durham became the MEAC's 13th member. MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas has said the conference wants to expand to 14 schools, 12 of which play football. Coppin State and Maryland-Eastern Shore do not have football programs. The MEAC wants to expand to 12 football-playing schools so it can form North and South divisions and have a conference championship game.

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New Mexico State 21, Prairie View A&M 18

Aggie Football Beats Prairie View A&M

LAS CRUCES, N.M.-New Mexico State football head coach DeWayne Walker earned his first career victory with the 21-18 Aggie win over Prairie View A&M, Saturday, Sept. 12, at Aggie Memorial Stadium in Las Cruces, N.M. Junior running back Seth Smith led the Aggies with a career-high 150 rushing yards. NM State hadn’t registered that many yards on the ground since 2003 when Eric Higgins recorded 218 against Louisiana-Monroe. Sophomore quarterback Jeff Fleming added two touchdown runs in the first half, while senior running back Marquell Colston put the Aggies up for good with a fourth-quarter score.

NMSU Aggies Coach DeWayne Walker--- Courtesy: New Mexico State University

After Prairie View A&M tallied the first points of the game with a 30-yard field goal, the Aggies responded with an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive of the game to take a 7-3 lead. Fleming posted his first career touchdown with a 10-yard run. Smith and Colston combined for 59 rushing on the drive, which also included Fleming’s first completion of the game. Sophomore wide receiver Todd Lee grabbed an 11-yard pass to continue the Aggie campaign. NM State established the running game early and recorded 100 yards on the ground after the first two series.


Pregame 9-12-2009, Prairie View vs. Aggies NMSU Las Cruces PRIDE Marching Band

Halftime 9 12 09 Prairie View vs. Aggies NMSU Las Cruces NM PRIDE Marching Band and Sundancers

In the second quarter, the Aggies scored again for a 14-3 advantage after 12 plays and 67 yards. Smith was the workhorse with 28 rushing yards. Fleming collected his second touchdown of the contest on a quarterback sneak. With less than a minute before the half, junior defensive back Alphonso Powell grabbed his first interception of the season. The turnover was the lone one in the first half.

Smith had 102 rushing yards on 14 carries at the break, and that mark was the first time an Aggie had achieved that feat since the Nevada win in 2008. Following a scoreless third quarter, the Aggie ground attack continued and NM State increased the lead to 21-3. Colston claimed his first of the touchdown of the year on a four-yard rush that concluded a 12-play, 71-yard drive. The Panthers scored a pair of late touchdowns to pull within three, 21-18.

Attendance: 15,902 @Aggie Memorial Stadium
NM State in-game notes
Box Score

Area Colleges: Prairie View has offensive issues

Prairie View A&M coach Henry Frazier III was surprised to enter a mostly silent locker room after the Panthers' 17-7 season-opening win over Texas Southern in Saturday's Labor Day Classic. Several defensive players were excited about the performance of their unit, but members of the offense didn't see much reason to celebrate. After all, the offense recorded only 176 yards, converting just three of 15 third-down attempts. “I said, ‘It's so quiet in here; you guys act as if you lost the game,'” said Frazier, who won his third straight Labor Day Classic. “They were like, ‘We could have done a lot better, coach.'”

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Alabama A&M Bulldogs 31, Hampton Pirates 24

A&M makes key stops down stretch

Alabama A&M's defense, under pressure for most of the second half Saturday night against Hampton University, thought it had come away with a game-saving stand with less than two minutes remaining. The Bulldogs had stopped the Pirates, giving the ball back to their offense. However, running back Ulysses Banks fumbled on the ensuing play and Hampton recovered it, forcing A&M's defense to come up with yet another stop. Jeremy Maddox, who had been held in check for much of the game, came to the Bulldogs' rescue.

A 6-foot, 263-pound All-Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive end, Maddox had managed just one sack and a tackle for loss against the Pirates. However, with the game on the line, he broke through and sacked Hampton quarterback David Legree, and the Bulldogs hung on for a 31-24 victory before an announced crowd of 6,377 at Louis Crews Stadium. "I missed three sacks," said Maddox, clearly upset with himself, "but I got the one that counted. I knew we had to make a stop for us to win. I think we got a little ahead of ourselves and didn't play as well in the third quarter, but we came together and stepped it up in the fourth quarter and got the win."

Finally, Segura has some good news for Mom

New Orleans native is an A&M starter after three years of injuries, disappointments. Raymond Segura calls his mother back home in New Orleans almost nightly. Unfortunately for Segura, the Alabama A&M weakside linebacker hasn't had much to offer his mom, Angela Waxter, concerning his football career. Truth be told, Segura's first three seasons have been filled with one injury after another. The list includes shoulder, back, foot and knee injuries. "I've dealt with just about every injury you can have," Segura said. Still, despite all of his ailments, Segura kept the faith and, because of an injury to one of his teammates, was inserted into the starting lineup last week against Tennessee State. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound redshirt junior didn't disappoint. He had plenty to tell his mother after the game.

Mitchell:Study in perseverance

Losing two years to ineligibility fails to faze A&M receiver. Anthony Mitchell was headed for stardom. A 6-foot-2, 197-pound receiver, Mitchell was supposed to team with Thomas Harris to give Alabama A&M one of the best tandems in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Unfortunately, eligibility issues got in the way. Mitchell was the team's third-leading receiver in 2006 as a sophomore when A&M downed Arkansas-Pine Bluff to win the SWAC championship. With quarterback Kelcy Luke back along with a number of returning offensive starters, the Bulldogs were expected to repeat the following year. However, Mitchell, who had 20 catches for 206 yards and three touchdowns during A&M's championship year, wasn't there to participate, having been ruled academically ineligible for the 2007 season. Jackson State beat A&M late that season and went on to win the SWAC title.

A & M holds off Hampton

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Over and over, Alabama A&M quarterback Kevin Atkins dropped back to pass and scanned the field for wide receiver Thomas Harris. The Hampton University defense could do nothing to stop it. Harris caught 10 passes for 224 yards with two touchdowns, and the Bulldogs held on to beat the Pirates 31-24 Saturday night at Louis Crews Stadium. It was the first loss for Hampton coach Donovan Rose, whose Pirates fell to 0-5 on the road against Southwestern Athletic Conference schools.

"Defensively, we've got to find a way to stop the pass," Rose said. "They threw the ball something like 36 times in the first half, and I'm still waiting on our guys to recover. We've got to find a way to stop that and give our offense the ball. Thirty-one points and 24 points in two games, defensively, we've got to find a way to stop that."Twelve seconds into the game, it appeared as if the Pirates could name their score. Senior running back LaMarcus Coker took the A&M kickoff at the 13, cut up the middle, faked his way past a couple of Bulldog defenders and returned the kick 87 yards for a touchdown. Jordan Stovall's extra point gave Hampton a 7-0 lead before the echoes of the national anthem had died down.

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