Gateway Classic founder Earl Wilson Jr. passes torch to son

In a bustling kitchen, Earl Wilson Jr. searched for a little elbow room to cut the cakes for his community Thanksgiving dinner last Thursday. One of the women in the kitchen looked at him and said, “Don’t mess with the cake, Earl.” She shooed him out back to the barbeque pit. According to his apron, which read “Earl, BBQ King,” that’s where he belonged. The St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation, which Wilson founded, hosts a dinner for the needy every November. That’s in addition to investing $2.6 million in scholarship funds to send more than a hundred students to college during the organization’s 16 years.

The foundation has invested even more in assisting youth-related programs. Throughout the year, it sponsors its namesake HBCU football game, an amateur boxing tournament, high school basketball match-ups, a scholarship golf tournament, the Miss Gateway Classic Scholarship pageant and a local Walk of Fame inauguration. “If you asked me what Gateway Classic is about, I’d say it’s about giving back,” Wilson said. The foundation doesn’t receive grants, he said. About 80 percent of the funding is raised through ticket sales at the sporting events. He runs the foundation by a mantra of self-sufficiency and integrity. “Don’t sell out, don’t cop out, stay the course,” he said. “The course needs people with commitment.”

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Welcome to the St. Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation

Alabama-Birmingham 90, Florida A&M 59

Howard Crawford leads UAB to win over Florida A&M

UAB spent the early part of the basketball season sharing the role of go-to guy. On Saturday night, it was Howard Crawford’s turn again. The 6-foot-8 senior scored a career-high 26 points and added a team­high eight rebounds to lead UAB to a 90-59 non-confer­ence victory over Florida A&M before a Bartow Arena crowd of 3,860. It was the second con­secutive Saturday that Crawford set a career high in points. Last Saturday, he scored 21 points in a 72-56 win over Georgia. He fol­lowed that by making only 3-of-9 shots from the field against Troy and finishing with nine points.

Eugene Harris may have inherited a mess when he accepted the position of head basketball coach at Florida A&M on the eve of the 2007-08 season. But, Harris is seven games into his third season and sports a 0-7 record and 25-45 career mark in 70 games. Coach Harris is proving to be unable to recruit blue chip players, especially a mobile 6'-10"+ center --with a brand new 10,000 seat facility with three practice courts, that is second to none in the Southeast. The question of the day--when will FAMU President James Ammons get the message that the Rattler fans wants a winner and Harris is unable to deliver!

“It’s the first time in his career to be the guy,” said UAB head coach Mike Da­vis. “He’s going to have his good nights and bad nights while he adjusts. I just told him to keep playing.” It was a good night for Crawford against a Florida A&M team that was consid­erably smaller than the Blazers. Crawford shot 4-of-5 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line on his way to 14 first­half points. He added five rebounds as UAB (6-1) built a 38-23 halftime lead. In the second half, Craw­ford was 4-of-5 from the field again and 4-of-5 from the free throw line. He tied a season high with eight re­bounds overall, matching his total against Troy.

The Alfred Lawson Multipurpose Center may not see a victory until Division II Albany State (Ga.) visits on 12/19/09. The Rattlers are expected to be 0-11 by then, with losses at Florida, FIU, at BCU and Georgia State. For sure, the Rattlers will not be returning to the big dance under this coaching staff nor will they finish with a .500 record under Coach Harris.

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The Harris File:
15-17 (2007-08)
10-21 (2008-09)
0-7 (2009-10)
______
25-45 (.357)

Florida A&M reached the NCAA tournament in 2006-07, but has been in a state of disarray ever since due to what Coach Eugene Harris indicates was a poor job of recruiting during that championship season. Harris personally recruited every player on the Rattlers roster that is being blown out by Mid-Major teams that FAMU should be competitive. Even with the mess, Harris was able to win 15 games with Coach Mike Gillespie's players. What's his excuse for going 10-28 with his own recruits?

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Appalachian State 20, South Carolina State 13

Is ASU's dominance at an end?

The Appalachian State football dynasty has been built on several factors, including the decision of coach Jerry Moore and his staff several years ago to commit to the spread offense, the successful recruiting of athletes who can play that style, a loyal, talented coaching staff that provides continuity and the full backing of an administration that has figured out how vital a successful football program can be for the entire university. Since 2006 the Mountaineers are 62-11, won three consecutive national championships (2006-08), four Southern Conference titles (stretching that domination to five straight league crowns) and have posted a 14-1 record in the playoffs.

Will Ford's college career comes to a sudden, crashing halt

BOONE, N.C. — The end came sooner for Will Ford than it ultimately did for South Carolina State Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. It came with 2:04 remaining and the Bulldogs trying to drive downfield for the go-ahead score against Appalachian State. With the Mountaineers’ defense shutting down the Bulldogs’ rushing game, Ford looked to catch a short pass from quarterback Malcolm Long for a first down. Ford was tackled two yards shy of the first down and began to favor his left knee.

The team trainers rushed to the field and helped carry the all-time Bulldog and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rushing leader to the sidelines. As Ford cheered the team from the training table with his sprained knee wrapped in ice, little did he realize it was the last time he would carry the football in college. For the Travelers Rest native, how the Bulldogs lost 20-13 to Appalachian State was less important than seeing his prolific college career abruptly end.

South Carolina State Bulldogs Quarterback Malcolm Long was 18 of 36 for 189 yards and a season-high three interceptions against Appalachian State.

Mountaineers benefit from SC State error to break tie

BOONE, N.C. - As S.C. State was lining up for a fourth-quarter field-goal attempt that could have put the continuation of Appalachian State's football season in grave danger, Mountaineers coach Jerry Moore was studying his notes in preparation for one, maybe two more possessions. The score was tied, the Bulldogs were staring at a 41-yard field-goal attempt and the Mountaineers were in trouble.

When Moore looked up, the ball was loose, Appalachian State's Dominique McDuffie was scooping it up and on his way to a 50-yard touchdown run with 7minutes, 42seconds remaining that proved to be the difference in the Mountaineers' tough 20-13 victory Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. In a game littered with 10 turnovers - five by each team - Appalachian State (10-2) was able to advance to a quarterfinal game next Saturday at Richmond. "When you're in a playoff run, you've got to be good enough, some would say lucky enough, to win a ballgame like today," Moore said.

Attendance: 12,216 (56% of Capacity) @ Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, N.C. (Capacity: 21,650).

Richmond, Appalachian State meet again

Again, they meet. For the third time in three years, the University of Richmond will face Appalachian State in the FCS playoffs. The Mountaineers visit UR Stadium on Saturday in the FCS quarterfinals (time to be determined). The teams combined to win the past four FCS titles. The Mountaineers captured national championships in 2005, 2006 and 2007. UR won last season. "I think it's going to be an incredible physical battle," said Elon coach Pete Lembo, whose Phoenix fell 27-10 to Appalachian two weeks ago, and to the Spiders 16-13 yesterday.

"These are two big, strong, physical teams. I think they're two teams with corners that can really cover and obviously quarterbacks that are winners. [ASU's Armanti Edwards and UR's Eric Ward] just find a way to make plays." Richmond (11-1) gets home-field advantage as the fourth seed in the FCS tournament. Unseeded Appalachian (10-2) has won 10 straight after opening with losses to East Carolina (29-24) and McNeese State (40-35). ASU hasn't played a playoff game on the road since 2001.

Bulldogs await next group of leaders

BOONE, N.C. - Another year, another difficult loss at the hands of perennial FCS power Appalachian State. S.C. State coach Buddy Pough wasn't ready to look ahead after Saturday's 20-13 loss to the Mountaineers, but he realizes the Bulldogs have established themselves as a power as well. The two-time defending MEAC champions just haven't quite been able to get past ASU. He's losing two great offensive players in running back Will Ford and receiver Tre Young, the leading rusher and pass catcher, respectively, in school history. But he isn't concerned about a big drop-off in talent in Orangeburg. "We'll be OK," Pough said. "The good thing about being a decent program is you'll lose good players every year, but as you lose them, other guys are waiting in the wings to take those responsibilities."

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2009 Bayou Classic: Battle of the Bands - Grambling State vs. Southern University

Bayou Classic: Grambling State 31, Southern 13

Coach Rod Broadway is 2-1 in Bayou Classic wins.

Grambling grounds Southern

NEW ORLEANS — Grambling ran its way to a second Bayou Classic victory in as many years — and fifth since 2000. Frank Warren led all GSU rushers with 166 yards and two touchdowns in an eventual 31-13 win over Southern, its in-state Southwestern Athletic Conference rival. "That was the plan, to give it to Frank and (fellow junior running back) Cornelius (Walker), and let them take it over," said junior GSU quarterback Greg Dillon. Grambling's 53 rush attempts were most all year; its 308 yards were also a season high. Every GSU touchdown came on the ground. "Our offensive line really did an outstanding job," said Grambling coach Rod Broadway, now 2-1 against Southern. "Any time you rush for that many yards, you're doing something right." A game featuring teams tied at 18-18 all time in the Dome — and 4-4 in the 2000s — played as scripted, with Grambling and Southern trading pairs of touchdowns in the first half.

Grambling attack well-grounded

NEW ORLEANS — Grambling played a game of keep-away in its 31-13 victory against Southern in the Bayou Classic on Saturday afternoon in the Superdome. The Tigers ran for 308 yards and all four of their touchdowns as they exceeded even their league-leading rushing standards. Grambling, which came in averaging 178.4 rushing yards per game, had more running plays (58) than the Jaguars had total plays (56), enabling it to possess the ball for 37:01 while running 85 total plays. “We wanted to keep their offense on the sideline because they’re explosive and are capable of making big plays,” Grambling coach Rob Broadway said of Southern. “Any time you rush for 308 yards, your offensive line is doing a great job.” The offensive line sprung Frank Warren, the SWAC’s third-leading rusher, for 166 yards and touchdown runs of 13 and 1 yards on 24 carries. Cornelius Walker, the SWAC’s fifth-leading rusher, ran for 57 yards on 11 carries.

Photos: Grambling 31, Southern 13

Bayou domination

NEW ORLEANS — With 1:06 remaining in the biggest game of the season, just after the final timeout of the Bayou Classic, Grambling’s offense emerged from the west sideline of the Superdome, full of life and sure of its fate. A crowd of 53,618 fans had looked on as the Tigers spent much of their Saturday pounding Southern University at the line of scrimmage. They sensed victory. In a 31-13 win, all that remained was the final blow. Behind the west sideline, Grambling fans waved their arms in celebration, and the World Famed Band screamed right along. Offensive lineman Keir Boyd skipped and danced his way to the Jaguars’ 1-yard line, ready for more. A few feet behind the line of scrimmage, tailback Frank Warren prepared for his last handoff.

Attendance: 53,618@Louisiana Super Dome, New Orleans, LA

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Appalachian State 93, Morgan State 92

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Appalachian State beats Morgan State 93-92 in OT

BOONE, N.C. — Andre Williamson sank a free throw with 18 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Appalachian State to a 93-92 win over Morgan State on Saturday night. Williamson, who went 9-for-10 from the free throw line, was fouled after grabbing a defensive rebound. He missed the first attempt, then sank the second for the game-winner. Williamson finished with 13 points. Donald Sims, who led the Mountaineers (2-3) with 19 points, hit two free throws to tie the game 90-90.

Booth, Williamson lift Mountaineers over Morgan State

Appalachian State had been down the road of overtime before, but could not beat Arkansas. Faced with overtime again, the Mountaineers beat a team that beat Arkansas. Appalachian State got a clutch 3-point shot from Jeremi Booth to tie Morgan State, and then nailed 8-of-10 foul shots in the overtime period to beat the Bears 93-92 in front of 1,576 fans at the Holmes Center Saturday night. Morgan State (4-2), which beat Arkansas 97-94 on Nov. 24, held an 80-75 lead with 38.7 seconds left after Reggie Holmes hit one of two free throws. But Appalachian State (3-3) responded with a 3-pointer from Donald Sims, and a foul shot by Sims on the Mountaineers' next two possessions to close to within 80-79.

After Troy Smith canned two free throws for Morgan State, Jeremi Booth nailed a 3-pointer from the left side of the court to tie the game at 82-82 with .7 seconds left in regulation. "Sims got me the ball and I was open," Booth said. "I let it go and fortunately it went in." Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman blamed a mental breakdown on defense as the reason Booth was open along the perimeter. The Bears guarded Sims, but backed off of Booth when he got the ball. "We were backing off the guy at the end there," Bozeman said. "We generally are pretty good at guarding the 3-point line. But to be backing off the guy, it's like a sin in our book. We backed off and that's a mental breakdown. Basically we relaxed."

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2009 Lonestar Classic: Texas Southern vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff M4