Unfinished business: Grambling State Tigers Football

Unfinished business: Grambling didn't live up to own championship expectations

By Grambling’s standards, 7-4 isn’t cutting it. After consecutive trips to the SWAC Championship — including a victory to claim the conference crown in 2008 — it’s hard to call the Tigers’ 2009 season anything but a disappointment. “Coming into the season we wanted a championship,” junior defensive end Christian Anthony said. “It’s always our No. 1 thing. Winning is the No. 1 thing. We fell short of that goal. ”Watching the Tigers, they had the look of a championship-caliber team. The talent was there, with nearly all of GSU’s 2008 starters returning on both offense and defense. The coaching was there, too. But it never quite came together. A tendency to self-destruct early in games, combined with a few untimely injuries, turned the Tigers from the odds-on favorite to win the SWAC to also-rans.

Grambling's Anthony earns two All-America honors

Celebrated Grambling defender Christian Anthony has been named to the 2009 Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision All-America team, released on Wednesday. The team is headed by Walter Payton Award winner Armanti Edwards and Buck Buchanan Award recipient Arthur Moats. Anthony was one of just two from the Southwestern Athletic Conference to be included on the first team, joining kick returner Mareo Howard of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Grambling punt returner Kiare Thompson earned second-team honors. Anthony was also named to the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS All-America first team. He was one of only three from the SWAC on that unit, joined by Southern wide receiver Juamorris Stewart and Prairie View punter Pedro Ventura.

Grambling’s Christian Anthony named SWAC defensive player of year

Grambling State end Christian Anthony has been named the 2009 Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive player of the year. “I don’t think about all of these honors,” said Anthony, who has one more year of eligibility. “My whole thing is to go out and play as hard as I can every game.” Grambling kicker Ari Johnson was named freshman of the year. GSU offensive lineman Revay Smith, linebacker Cliff Exama and returner Kiare Thompson were named first-team All-SWAC. Running backs Frank Warren and Cornelius Walker earned second-team nods. Anthony, a Birmingham, Ala., led the SWAC in solo tackles (55) as he tied for sixth in the conference with 76 tackles. “He’s as good as anybody I’ve ever coached,” said Grambling coach Rod Broadway. “I think he has an opportunity to do something special. I think he will have an opportunity to play on Sundays.”

Photo of Grambling's Dillon honored by SportsCenter; see the shot!

A photo of Grambling quarterback Greg Dillon scoring during the Tigers’ 31-13 victory over Southern in the State Farm Bayou Classic was selected as the SportsCenter Bud Light Freeze Frame photo of the week. The photo taken by Associated Press photographer Patrick Semansky is of an upside down Dillon scoring as he dives into the endzone over Southern cornerback Tim Berry in the first half of the game. The shot of Dillon beat out photos of UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel holding his players back after they nearly had an all-out fight with USC and of Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt celebrating after making the game-winning catch against the Arizona Cardinals. The winning photo was selected by a national online poll of voters from the Sportscenter website. The photo of Dillon received 62 percent percent of the votes.

2009 Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision All-America Team

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE: QB - Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Sr; RB - Deji Karim, Southern Illinois, Sr; RB - Pat Paschall, North Dakota State, Sr; FB - Tommy Fraser, Coastal Carolina, Sr; WR - Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Sr; WR - Marc Mariani, Montana, Sr; WR - Tim Toone, Weber State, Sr; TE - Clay Harbor, Missouri State, Sr; C - Kyle Mutcher, Weber State, Sr; G - Jeff Hansen, Montana State, Sr; G - Matthew McCrackern, Richmond, Sr; T - Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts, Sr; T - Ben Ijalana, Villanova, Jr; AP - Matt Szczur, Villanova, Jr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE: DE - Arthur Moats, James Madison, Sr; DE - Danny Batten, South Dakota State, Sr; DL - Christian Anthony, Grambling, Jr; DT - Sean Lissemore, William & Mary, Sr; DT - Mychal Savage, Youngstown State, Sr; LB - Matt Coen, Lehigh, So; LB - Brandin Jordan, Southern Illinois, Sr; LB - J.C. Sherritt, Eastern Washington, Jr; LB - D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, Jr; CB - Cortez Gilbert, Appalachian State, Sr; CB - Josh Morris, Weber State, Sr; SS - Jeromy Miles, Massachusetts, Sr; FS - Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, Fs; S - Terrell Whitehead, Norfolk State, S.

FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS: PK - Matt Bevins, Liberty, So; P - Trevor Ward, Southern Utah, Sr; KR - Mareo Howard, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, So; PR - Leroy Vann, Florida A&M, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: DE - Dane Fletcher, Montana State, Sr; DE - Adrian Tracy, William & Mary, Sr; DL - Austen Lane, Murray State, Sr; DT - Christian Clark, Sacramento State, Jr; DT - Martin Parker, Richmond, Jr; LB - George Howard, Morgan State, Sr; LB - Adrian McLeod, Western Carolina, Sr; LB - Terrence Thomas, Villanova, Jr; LB - Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin, Jr; CB - Korey Lindsey, Southern Illinois, Jr; CB - Patrick Stoudamire, Western Illinois, Sr; SS - Terrence Klein, New Hampshire, Sr; FS - Charles Graves, Delaware, Sr; S - J.J. Vercammen, Dayton, Jr.

SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS: PK - Zach Kutch, Illinois State, Sr; P - Jonathan Plisko, Old Dominion, Fr; KR - Scotty McGee, James Madison, Sr; PR - Kiare Thompson, Grambling, Jr.

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE: QB - *Ryan Perrilloux, Jacksonville State, Sr; QB - *Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross, Sr; RB - Brent Grimes, Central Arkansas, Sr; RB - Toddrick Pendland, McNeese State, Jr; FB - Marlin Meeks, Nicholls State, Sr; WR - Duane Brooks, Stephen F. Austin, Sr; WR - Pat Simonds, Colgate, Sr; WR - Juamorris Stewart, Southern, Sr; TE - Nathan Overbay, Eastern Washington, Sr; C - Chaz Millard, Eastern Illinois, Sr; G - Dorian Brooks, James Madison, Sr; G - Terran Hillesland, Montana, Sr; T - Levi Horn, Montana, Sr; T - David Pickard, Southern Illinois, So; AP - Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington, Jr.

THIRD TEAM DEFENSE: DE - Tim Knicky, Stephen F. Austin, Sr; DE - Tim Kukucka, Villanova, Sr; DL - James Ruffin, Northern Iowa, Sr; DT - Sam Daniels, James Madison, Sr; DT - Ko Quaye, South Dakota, Sr; LB - Kadarron Anderson, Furman, So; LB - Luke Bonus, Hofstra, Sr; LB - Rob Damon, Rhode Island, Jr; LB - Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, Sr; CB - Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky, So; CB - T.J. Heath, Jacksonville State, Jr; SS - Anthony Beck, Prairie View, Sr; FS - Jason House, Southern, Jr; S - Anthony DiMichele, Holy Cross, Jr.

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‘Rob’ Museum Nearing Reality

GRAMBLING, LA — When a museum is dedicated in memory of Eddie Robinson in February (2010), the stars will definitely be out to pay a lasting tribute to the late and legendary leader of Grambling State University’s football program. Mike Tomlin, the youngest head coach ever to win a Super Bowl championship, will be the keynote speaker for a gala banquet scheduled for the GSU Assembly Center on Feb. 12 starting at 7 p.m. Many of the former National Football League players guided by Robinson during his record-setting 57-year career at GSU are scheduled to be in attendance, both for the banquet and the museum’s ribbon-cutting ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 13.

Among the expected celebrities to be present for either or both events are former NFL quarterbacks Doug Williams and James “Shack” Harris; Pro Football Hall of Famers Willie Davis, Willie Brown and Charlie Joiner and former Pro Bowl defensive back Everson Walls, among many others. Also expected to appear will be Grant Teaff, former head coach at Baylor University and current executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. Invitations have been sent to the 200-plus players who starred at GSU under Robinson and later played in the NFL.

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Wake-Up Call: Vann's records make sweet music

Two-time All-American. For Florida A&M University senior LeRoy Vann (Tampa Blake High), it's a sweet sound and the best way to be remembered. Vann, a record-setting return man who garnered national attention this season through ESPN's SportsCenter and on the pages of Sports Illustrated, again made first team on the Walter Camp Football Championship Subdivision All-America team, which was announced Wednesday. "I almost can't believe some of the things that have happened to me playing college football," said Vann, a 5-foot-9, 185-pounder who plays cornerback.

To Vann, one of the most unbelievable things was when former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard visited the FAMU campus to do a story for ESPN's College GameDay program. "That was crazy," Vann said. "I didn't know until right before it happened that he was coming to talk to me. I felt like a little girl, blushing and everything. I could hardly talk." All modesty aside, Vann's FAMU career was something to talk about.

FAMU's record-setting kick return specialist LeRoy Vann was named to the 2009 Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-America team on 12/23/09. It was the second straight year that the 5-9, 185-pound fireball from Tampa, Florida was named to the first team, thanks to a memorable senior season which witnessed him take a school record five punts back for touchdowns; tie a single-season NCAA record for TD punt returns, while setting a new single-season return yardage mark for the school and the MEAC. Vann also finished his career as just the fifth player in NCAA FCS history to compile at least 1,000 yards on both punt returns and kickoff returns and he holds the career mark for combined kick returns for touchdown, 11 in the past two years (eight punts, three kickoffs). Vann has been named to four (4) All-American teams in the past two years as a kick returner.

It's hard to believe that Vann actually arrived at FAMU as a preferred walk-on player. While at Blake, he had dreams of earning a scholarship to a large school. But college coaches didn't share that vision. "They thought I was too small," Vann said. "I wasn't the average size they were looking for. But I think it's more than size. You've got to have no fear. You've got to play with heart."

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HU's Tracy White Making Most of First NFL Real Chance

PHILADELPHIA, PA - For six years, he ran around covering punts and tackling kick returners and pouncing on loose footballs in the Lambeau Field end zone after Greg Lewis fumbles. For six years, he was Tracy White, special teamer. Now, he's Tracy White, football player. After bouncing from Seattle to Jacksonville to Green Bay to Philadelphia exclusively as a special teamer, the 28-year-old White has emerged for the first time as a real-life NFL linebacker.

White, in his second season with the Eagles, has been playing in many two-linebacker nickel formations with Will Witherspoon, a combination that doesn't have much size but offers plenty of speed. On Sunday, in his 97th career game, he recorded his first interception, picking off Alex Smith late in the second quarter to set up a field goal in the Eagles' 27-13 win over the 49ers.

And on a unit that has gone through eight starters this year, White has been a valuable - and improbable - contributor. "To tell you the truth, I really didn't think I'd ever get a chance (to play defense)," White said. "But they gave me my shot, and I made the most of it. It took seven years to do it, but I got my chance." White played at Division 1-AA Howard University, a historically black college in Washington, D.C., and began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks in 2003.

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The Tracy White File...
Tracy White started all 44 games played at Howard University and led the Bison each season in tackles, becoming the school's all-time leader with 500, to go along with 22 sacks and six interceptions. As a junior, he was named the Black College Defensive Player of the Year. White also earned All-MEAC three times (2000-2002); twice MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (2001-2002); and twice Buchanan Award finalist (2001-2002). White is 6’0, 230 from St. Stephen, South Carolina (Timberland High School) and was a star linebacker for the Bison.

After being undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft, White signed with the Seattle Seahawks on 05/01/03. After spending two seasons with the Seahawks, in which he saw mostly special teams work, he was waived on 09/03/05. White was immediately claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in 15 games, mostly on special teams. On 12/28/05 before the season finale, he was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury. The Jaguars did not offer him a contract for the next season, making him a free agent.

White signed with the Green Bay Packers on 03/17/06. On 03/16/08, White re-signed with the Packers to a two-year contract after visits with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. The contract was worth $1.8 million and the deal included a $250,000 signing bonus. He was released by the Packers on 10/07/08 and was signed by the Philadelephia Eagles on 10/14/08 to a two year contract as a special teams player.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MEAC/SWAC AND OVC FANS...

A&M Chancellor Supports Prairie View A&M Stadium Efforts

HOUSTON, Texas - The chancellor of the Texas A&M System told FOX 26 Sports Wednesday he is 100 percent behind efforts by school officials at Prairie View A&M to build a new football stadium and athletics facility. It will be the first new stadium and facility on the Prairie View Campus in nearly 50 years. This season the Panthers won their first SWAC football championship in nearly 50 years. Head Coach Henry Frazier helped put Prairie View back on the map and Chancellor McKinney has taken note.

Chancellor McKinney used his November '09 visit to the 6,000-seat Blackshear Stadium, which opened in 1960, to talk about ideas for funding improvements. "Prairie View needs a new stadium," McKinney said. "The stadium they have is rundown and needs to be replaced. I am trying to help them raise money for the project. "It's vital and absolutely necessary to build a stadium for Prairie View that reflects the growth and the success of the school." McKinney said he and George Wright, the president of Prairie View, have been discussing ways to enhance sports programs at the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas.

"Building a new athletics facility and stadium at Prairie View is tremendously important," said McKinney. "My opinion is athletics is the front door to our universities. "It's important we get people on our campus. Education is our mission. Athletics is the front door." Prairie View officials have completed 90 percent of their athletics economics study according to Athletics Director Fred Washington. Washington said the first phase, which involves the football stadium and athletics facility, will cost roughly $30 million with groundbreaking expected in around two years. "This is probably one of the largest undertakings that our university and our athletics department has taken on in its existence," said Washington. "We haven't built a new facility since the 60's. "So this is going to be huge for us."

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Former Hampton Pirates All-American Latrell Scott Named Head Football Coach at Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond has introduced Latrell Scott as its new head football coach. Scott, who has previously served as assistant coach with the Spiders, was introduced by Director of Athletics Jim Miller as the school’s 34th football coach during a press conference December 15th at the Robins Center. A highly-regarded recruiter and graduate of nearby Lee-Davis High School, Scott brings 11 years of coaching experience back to the Spiders after spending the last two seasons as the wide receivers coach at the University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia, respectively.

“Coach Scott will provide great leadership for our football program,” said Miller. “He is an energetic young coach and proven recruiter who many of our players know and respect. He is a Richmond native, former assistant head coach here, and a great fit for the University. Latrell Scott will continue the Richmond tradition of attracting student-athletes of high-character who are champions on and off the field.”

“Growing up in Richmond, and having the experience of coaching at the University of Richmond previously, the opportunity to be the head coach is incredible,” said Scott. “The students, faculty, staff, and administration of this University are second-to-none, and with their continued support, we will continue the success that we have come to expect from the Richmond Football program.”

Prior to joining the Volunteers’ staff in 2008, Scott, 34, served for three years at Richmond under former head coach Dave Clawson as the wide receivers coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator before the 2007 campaign. Richmond was 26-12, made two NCAA Playoff appearances and beat a BCS team (Duke) with Scott on staff. The Spiders shattered the offensive record books in 2007, which ended with a then-school record 11 wins and the school’s first-ever appearance in the National Semifinals.

Richmond’s leading pass-catcher was now-rising senior Kevin Grayson with a school-record 68 receptions for a freshman-record 970 yards and seven TDs. Then-senior Arman Shields began 2007 with a monster effort against Vanderbilt, catching 12 balls for 107 yards, before an injury limited him to just two more brief appearances. His skills and development under Scott, however, were enough to earn him a spot in the NFL Combine and a fourth-round NFL Draft selection by the Oakland Raiders. Of the 10 team records eclipsed in that season, Scott’s wide receivers helped the Spiders set new standards for scoring average (34.9), touchdowns (63) and total offense (5,675).

Scott inherits a Richmond team that went 11-2 in 2009, won the CAA Football Championship and reached the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs – the program’s third-consecutive postseason appearance and 10th in school history. The 2008 National Champions return eight starters next season, including arguably the best receiving and linebacking corps in CAA Football. Scott arrived in Richmond after spending three seasons as wide receivers coach at VMI. During his tenure in Lexington, the Keydets led the Big South Conference in passing in 2003. His first coaching assignment was at Fork Union Military Academy, where he spent two seasons before being named an assistant at Western Carolina in 2001.

A three-year starter at tight end during his playing days at Hampton University, Scott earned All-America honors following his senior season. He played on two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and NCAA playoff teams and also competed in the Gridiron All-Star Classic in Orlando, Fla. Scott graduated with a sport management degree in 2001. Scott is married to the former Brandi Bradby of New Kent, Va.

Personal
Born: July 17, 1975 in Richmond, Va. Family: Wife, Brandi

Education
High School: Lee-Davis High School, Mechanicsville, Va. College: Hampton University (sport management), 2001

Playing Experience
Hampton University (1994-97)

Coaching Experience
1999-2000: Fork Union Military Academy
2001: Western Carolina (wide receivers)
2002-04: VMI (wide receivers)
2005-06: Richmond (wide receivers/recruiting coord.) **FCS Quarterfinals
2007: Richmond (asst. head coach/WRs/recruiting coord.) **FCS Semifinals
2008: Tennessee (wide receivers)
2009: Virginia (wide receivers)

What They're Saying About Latrell Scott

"Latrell Scott is an outstanding young coach. He brings great energy to recruiting and is dynamic on the field working with players. Latrell is trustworthy and engaged very well with families, prospects and staff. Richmond has made a great choice and I wish him very well."
--Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee Head Coach (1992-2008)

"This is a great hire by the University of Richmond. Latrell will do a great job. He knows the school, he knows Virginia and he knows the league. I'm confident he'll pick up right where Mike London left off." -- Joe Taylor, Florida A&M Head Coach and Scott's former coach at Hampton University.

"I'm very excited for Latrell. He is well-known in the coaching fraternity for his communication and recruiting ability. With him being at Richmond previously, he understands the academic requirements it takes to be successful. He's a good football coach and I'm confident he'll continue the championship tradition at my alma mater." --Mike London, Virginia Head Coach

Video: Former UVA Receivers Coach Named Richmond Head Coach

UR names Scott football coach

University of Richmond Athletic Director Jim Miller called Dave Clawson a few days ago. The subject: Latrell Scott, whom Miller was considering as the Spiders' football coach. Clawson, UR's coach during 2004-07 and now Bowling Green's coach, acknowledged the conventional wisdom that Scott, 34, was probably a couple of years away from having the background expected of a head-coaching candidate. But Clawson, for whom Scott worked at Richmond, also made a point that Miller noted.

"In two years, you're not going to be able to get him as a head coach," Clawson told Miller. "If you wait, he may not be available." Miller did not wait. UR named Scott its coach yesterday after an eight-day search that began with Mike London accepting the University of Virginia job vacated by Al Groh. Miller met with Scott, a Virginia assistant this season, over the weekend. Scott never has been an offensive or defensive coordinator, which bothered Miller less than it would have several years ago. "I think we're on the cutting edge of that, on the front side, of having more coaches who specialize in being the CEO of the program," Miller said.

Hampton University graduate Scott to coach Richmond Spiders in football

RICHMOND - Hampton University graduate Latrell Scott has received his first head-coaching job, and it's at one of the Football Championship Subdivision's top programs. Scott, 34, was introduced Tuesday as coach at the University of Richmond. He becomes the 34th head coach in program history, one of the youngest coaches in the country, and takes over at an opportune time. The Spiders won the national championship for the first time last season. This year, they spent time at No. 1 in the nation, shared the Colonial Athletic Association championship with Villanova and advanced to the playoff quarterfinals, losing to Appalachian State in the closing seconds.

Scott, who played tight end for HU and graduated in 1999, is widely respected as a dynamic recruiter. At his news conference, he said keeping the Spiders' 14 current verbal commitments is his top priority. "If you want to ask the question if I think I'm prepared, I think I've been prepared by some of the best," Scott said, mentioning coaching mentors like former Richmond coaches Dave Clawson and Mike London, former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and former Virginia coach Al Groh. "I've been raised by some of the best head coaches in the country."

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Alcorn State Made the Correct Decision

Collins given three-year extension

LORMAN, MS — Alcorn State has extended the contract of head football coach Earnest Collins by three years. The Braves (3-6, 3-4) sat alone in first place in the Eastern Division midway through the season after being picked to finish last. Alcorn couldn’t hold on, but a win against Jackson State gave the program three wins for the first time since 2006 when the team finished 6-5. Collins coached the Braves this season on a one-year deal, following the firing of former coach Johnny Thomas and weeks of turmoil within the program.

“We are delighted that Coach Collins will continue to lead the Alcorn State University Braves football program,” said Mrs. Brenda T. Square, interim director of athletics. “He and the entire football staff share the University’s vision for excellence and they care about the welfare of our student-athletes both on the field and in the classroom.” In 2008, Collins served as the defensive coordinator/associate head coach for the Braves. Prior to joining the Braves’ staff, Collins spent a year coaching secondary for the University of Central Florida, where the Knights ranked third in the C-USA defensive statistics.

Alcorn made the correct decision

I’m sure most Alcorn State fans remember what was going on with the football program about this time last year. To put it mildly, it was chaos. Seven assistant coaches were fired without the knowledge of the head coach. Then, after the head coach threatened to sue the school, the assistants were reinstated, and then the head coach, Ernest Jones, was fired himself. Through all of the turmoil, one man stood out and was left with picking up the pieces and trying to rebuild what had been torn down. That man was Earnest Collins. Collins, was the defensive coordinator under Jones and was named interim head coach after Jones was fired.

Collins might have only been just that, an interim, if some senior football players hadn’t met with Alcorn State President George Ross and convinced him to make Collins the head coach on a permanent basis. So Collins was given the job full-time, but only received a one-year contract, which put him in a tough situation from the outset. Most coaches don’t operate on one-year contracts, and schools usually extend a coach’s contract before it comes down to the last year because they don’t want the coach to be seen as a lame duck.

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FAMU Rattlers Haul in More Division I-A Transfers

Coach Joe Taylor is making major strides in recruiting Florida blue chip talent, including opening the doors for top D-IA transfers like Steven Robinson, Jarien Moreland and James Poe.

Former Lincoln lineman looks to rejuvenate career at FAMU »

Offensive guard Steven Robinson is coming home to rekindle the passion that just a year ago put him on the radar of several major college football programs. Robinson, a two-time All-Big Bend selection out of Lincoln High School, has enrolled at FAMU where he plans to play his final three years of football. Robinson said he is currently going through the enrollment process after signing to become a Rattler. He played in eight games this past season at the University of Central Florida, but the fire that made him want to play the game was being diminished as he tried to fit into the program, Robinson said.

“I just didn’t feel like I was going to reach my fullest potential,” he said. “I was playing football but I wasn’t enjoying it. I was starting to lose that passion so I said I can’t sit here and let my years go by.” Robinson is expected to fill a void on the Rattlers’ offensive line where they’ve lost three seniors. His UCF teammates James Poe, a 6-foot-4, 237 pound tight end-fullback and, 6-5, 313 pound center Jarien Moreland also have transferred to play at FAMU.

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Players Bio:
Steven "Moose" Robinson

Class: RS Freshman, Hometown: Tallahassee, Fla., High School: Lincoln, Height/Weight: 6-3/306, Position: Offensive Line.

TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2008): Earned a redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters in football for head coach Kyle Rice at Lincoln High School ... Named first-team Class 4A All-State by the Florida Sports Writers Association following his senior season ... Earned All-Big Bend first-team honors by the Tallahassee Democrat as a junior and senior ... Four-year starter on the offensive line ... Earned third-team All-State honors as a junior ... Also lettered in wrestling, track and field and played the tuba in the school band ... Ranked as the No. 25 offensive guard prospect in the country by ESPN.com ... Ranked as the No. 24 offensive guard prospect in the country and the No. 69 overall prospect in the state of Florida by Scout.com ... Ranked No. 90 on the top 100 high school football prospects 2007 list by the Orlando Sentinel ... Also recruited by Clemson, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina and USF.
Majoring in Criminal Justice.

Jarien Moreland

Class:RS Freshman, Hometown: Belle Glade, Fla., High School: Glades Central,
Height/Weight: 6-4/321, Position: Offensive Line.

TRUE FRESHMAN SEASON (2008): Earned a redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: Earned four letters for head coach Willie Snead at Glades Central High School ... Helped lead his team to the 2006 Class 3A state championship as a junior and Class 3A Region 4 titles as a sophomore, junior and senior ... Ranked No. 36 nationally among offensive guards by Rivals.com and the 90th best prospect in the state of Florida ... Ranked No. 95 nationally among offensive tackles by Scout.com ... Also received recruiting interest from Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Pitt and USF.

James Poe

Class:RS Sophomore, Hometown: Orlando, Fla., High School: Freedom, Last College:
Georgia Military College, Height/Weight: 6-4/232, Position: Running Back.

PRIOR TO UCF: Attended Georgia Military College before coming to UCF ... Played for Freedom High School in Orlando ... Selected as the team MVP his final two years after being ranked as the fifth-best running back in the state with 1,500 rushing yards as a senior, and 700 yards as a junior ... Also recruited by West Virginia, Louisville, Florida, East Carolina and Iowa. Major is undecided.

Bethune-Cookman Excited About New Football Coach

B-CU excited about new football coach

DAYTONA BEACH -- There was no doubt in Lynn Thompson's mind that Bethune-Cookman's search committee made the right choice in selecting Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins as the Wildcats' next head football coach. He discovered over the weekend that many B-CU fans agree with him. "I was at the mall (Sunday night) and people stopped me. They were very excited about our choice," said Thompson, the Wildcats' athletics director. The school, who has been without a coach since Alvin Wyatt was fired Nov. 21, will introduce Jenkins today.

"He's a wonderful young man with a bright future," Thompson said. "His name came up early in the process, and the more we looked we saw something about him that everybody on the committee felt was attractive. This guy stood out as a good fit for our university and its mission. We feel he'll do a great job." Jenkins, 38, was on the Rutgers sideline Saturday night during its 45-24 victory over UCF in the St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field. He was with the Scarlet Knights for one season, coaching wide receivers. He came over to Rutgers from Louisiana-Lafayette, where he spent seven years as the running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He also was an assistant coach in NFL Europe and at Bowling Green, Eastern Illinois and Western Kentucky universities.

Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins to take Bethune-Cookman head coaching job...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Another Rutgers assistant football coach is on the move, with wide receivers coach Brian Jenkins set to become the head coach at Bethune-Cookman immediately following the Knights' St. Petersburg Bowl game against Central Florida on Saturday, according to someone familiar with the move. Jenkins, 38, who is from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., arrived at Rutgers this year from Louisiana-Lafayette. The Bethune-Cookman job opened when the school fired Alvin Wyatts following a 5-6 season and a 90-54 record after 13 years.

Brian Jenkins is new Bethune-Cookman coach‎

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Former Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins is the new coach at Bethune-Cookman, replacing Alvin Wyatt. Athletic director Lynn Thompson introduced Jenkins during a press conference Monday. Wyatt was fired on Nov. 23, two days after the Wildcats' 42-6 season-ending loss to archrival Florida A&M. Despite finishing 5-6 for the third time in four years, Wyatt departed as the winningest coach in Bethune-Cookman history, going 90-54 in 13 seasons. Jenkins coached wide receivers at Rutgers. He finished his duties with the Scarlet Knights during the St. Petersburg Bowl. "In coach Jenkins, we follow a new initiative with a new vision for our football program," said Thompson, adding that Jenkins was the unanimous choice among a search committee considering 87 applicants. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

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Tennessee State Selects New Football Coach

Coach Rod Reed's $160,000 salary is among the highest for FCS coaches in the state. Tennessee Tech Coach Watson Brown's salary for the 2008-09 fiscal year was $149,350, UT Martin Coach Jason Simpson's was $105,000 and Austin Peay Coach Rick Christophel's was $95,917, according to figures released by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Rod Reed officially named head football coach at Tennessee State ...

Nashville, Tenn. - Tennessee State University president, Dr. Melvin N. Johnson, and athletics director Teresa Phillips, officially named Rod Reed head football coach. The announcement was made during a press conference (12/18) in the lobby of Kean Hall in front of family, friends, faculty, staff, alumni and former players. Reed, who served as associate head football coach in 2009, replaces James Webster who resigned on November 19, 2009. He will be the twenty-first head coach of the Tennessee State Tigers program, dating back to 1912.

Reed, 43, was a four-year letter winner at TSU (1984-88) and helped lead the Tigers to the second round of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs in 1986. Reed, who played linebacker, capped off his career as a Sheridan All-American football player his senior season. Rod is the son of the late Robert Reed, who was the first All-American for the TSU legendary football head coach "Big John" Merritt.

This will be Reed's first assignment as head coach in which he brings 17 years of experience in the coaching ranks. In addition to his time at Tennessee State, he has held positions at East Texas Baptist College, Prairie View A&M, Bethune-Cookman University (formerly Bethune-Cookman College) and Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.

As a recruiter, Reed is responsible for bringing several notable players into the TSU program. Reed is noted for recruiting Javarris Williams (2009 seventh round draft pick, Kansas City Chiefs), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (2008 first round pick, Arizona Cardinals), Shaun Richardson, Lamar Divens (Baltimore Ravens) and Cornelius Lewis.

Rod Reed replaces James Webster as football coach at Tennessee St.

Tennessee State University has named Rod Reed as its new football coach. Reed began as TSU's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2003, and served as top assistant to coach James Webster during the 2009 season. Webster resigned in November. Reed, 43, recruited Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, a first round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2008, to play for the Tigers.

TSU hopes new coach can revive tradition

The hiring of Rod Reed as Tennessee State's football coach Friday is one of several steps the administration hopes to take that will elevate the program to the prominence it once enjoyed. Reed, 43, a former TSU linebacker, has been on the staff since 2003 and served as defensive coordinator and associate head coach the past two seasons. He has been interim head coach since James Webster resigned after five seasons in November. "We've always had an interest in athletics," TSU president Melvin Johnson said. "You can't live on John A. Merritt Boulevard and work on John A. Merritt Boulevard without having an emphasis on athletics. But the hiring of Rod Reed, along with the other commitments we're making, is our attempt to rejuvenate the program."

TSU was a powerhouse under Merritt from 1963-83, but the Tigers haven't won a playoff game since 1986. Reed's salary will be $160,000, the same as Webster's, TSU Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said. He has not signed a contract, but Phillips said he would be given a five-year deal. Reed, who is TSU's all-time leading tackler (1985-1988), and Morehouse Coach Rich Freeman, another former TSU linebacker (1992-1995), were the only candidates who interviewed.

Watch Press Conference: Rod Reed introduced as TSU's head football coach
(Flash - Video)

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HBCU Senior Bowl: East 26, West 21

Florida A&M's Vann is the man in HBCU Bowl

Children from a youth football team surrounded Florida A&M's Leroy Vann seeking an autograph from the star of the inaugural HBCU Bowl all-star game. Like he did in Saturday's game at Cramton Bowl, Vann didn't disappoint. Vann returned a punt 81 yards for a first-quarter touchdown to highlight the East's 26-21 win over the West and patiently worked through the autograph-seeking mass afterward. "It's like this when I'm home in Tallahassee," Vann said. "If I go anywhere, it's the same way."

Vann, who returned five punts for touchdowns this season and is the NCAA record holder for career return TDs, was the most valuable player Saturday due to his one spectacular play. Because of his resume, the East expected Vann to do it. He had eight career punt returns and three kickoff returns for touchdowns. "He's been making returns like that for the last couple years," East coach Joe Taylor of FAMU, who had nine of his players on the East team. "We had a little orange and green flavor out there. "It was great to coach all of them for one last time."



Photo Gallery: East wins HBCU Bowl

East beats West in HBCU Bowl

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Florida A&M's Leroy Vann got the first HBCU Bowl all-star game off to a fast start Saturday. Vann returned a punt 81 yards for a first-quarter touchdown to highlight the East's 26-21 win over the West. "This was a great opportunity for us to show what we can do and I hope a great experience for the fans, too," Vann said. "We showed that black colleges have talent, too."

Vann returned five punts for touchdowns this season and holds the NCAA record for career return TDs. He returned eight punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns in his career. "That's just who he is," East coach Joe Taylor of Florida A&M said. "He's been making returns like that for the last couple years." East quarterback Dennis Brown of Norfolk State threw for 117 yards and a touchdown. Lamarcus Coker of Hampton caught a 33-yard TD pass late in the second quarter to give the East a 19-14 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, Devan James of Morgan State scored on a 4-yard run to give the East a 26-14 lead. Coker finished with a game-high 82 yards receiving on three catches.

Doug Williams, director of professional scouting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, warns HBCU Bowl players of harsh reality that everyone will not make the NFL -- "Somebody's got to coach, somebody teach, somebody's got to be the governor, somebody's got to be a lawyer, and somebody's got to pick up the trash,"Williams said. "They're all paying and in this economy, a job is a job."

Doug Williams warns players of harsh reality

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Hours before the players who competed in the Russell Athletics Senior Bowl had their first practice for Saturday's game, Doug Williams laid down the harsh truth. Please, understand that his audience was made up mostly of the 80-plus players who came here hoping to impress professional scouts. "Everybody in this room is not going to play in the National Football League," said Williams, the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl. "That's a fact." In other words, all the players in this inaugural all-star game had was an opportunity to make their case. At least a handful of them have proven they deserve an invitation to the NFL combine in February. Williams delivered those words of warning as a guest speaker at a banquet to recognize the players who made up the East and West teams. He didn't have notes. He didn't need any.

FAMU's LeRoy Vann is MVP of HBCU all-star game

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As Florida A&M's LeRoy Vann waited for the high punt to land in his arms, the crowd at Cramton Bowl was almost hushed Saturday afternoon. He ran it back 10 yards and the cheers went up. He crossed the 50-yard line and suddenly the inaugural Russell Athletics Senior Bowl became Vann's personal show with an 81-yard return for a touchdown that helped the East team give FAMU coach Joe Taylor a 26-21 victory over the West. But while Vann was spectacular, the crowd didn't get an opportunity to see the Rattlers' heralded quarterback Curtis Pulley on the field. He aggravated a groin injury that slowed him during the final weeks of the regular season and Taylor elected to sit him out.

FAMU's Taylor has a reunion with Hampton players

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Saturday wasn't just a historic occasion for Joe Taylor as one of the coaches in the first Russell Athletics Senior Bowl. It was an emotional reunion for him and three of the four players from Hampton University who played for the East team. Taylor came to FAMU from Hampton just before offensive linemen Ryan Cave and Nocolas Royal and running back Lamarcus Coker entered their junior year. Brandon Roundtree, the fourth Hampton player on the East squad, transferred from West Los Angeles Community College after Taylor left to become the Rattlers' head coach. The week they spent with Taylor as their coach was a bit of deja vu, Cave said. "It's the same thing all over again," he said. "It's just like he never left. It's really never about just football with Coach Taylor. He always taught us about life; to be successful doing something that makes you happy."

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Pough tabbed Palmetto State Coach of the Year

South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough has been named the 2009 Palmetto State College Coach of the Year and five Bulldogs earned a spot on the All-State team as selected by The (Columbia, SC) State newspaper and announced Wednesday. Pough guided SC State to a 10-2 overall record -- 8-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – its second straight MEAC title and back-to-back appearances in the FCS playoffs.

Bulldogs named to the All-State team were running back Will Ford, wide receiver and return specialist Tre’ Young, offensive lineman Johnny Culbreath, linebacker David Erby and defensive back Phillip Adams. Ford, Young and Adams are all departing seniors, while Erby and Culbreath are juniors. Wednesday’s announcement was the second major accolade bestowed on SC State this week. On Monday, SC State was declared the 2009 National Black Champion by the Sheridan Broadcasting Network.

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Jackson State 41, Nebraska 57

Huskers beat winless Jackson State

His Huskers won again Saturday night to move to 8-2, but Doc Sadler is far from happy. The Nebraska basketball coach knows his team is three weeks away from a rude awakening, so forgive him if he isn’t able to celebrate a 16-point victory over winless Jackson State. “I don’t know if we took a step forward tonight in any area, except that we got the win,” Sadler said. “There’s not another positive thing.”

For Sadler, the Huskers’ 57-41 win Saturday night at the Devaney Sports Center was just one more chance for NU to prepare for Jan. 9, a day he certainly isn’t looking forward to. Nebraska takes on Texas A&M in College Station, Tex., that day to kick off its Big 12 Conference schedule, and the fourth-year coach knows the seven newcomers he played Saturday night are far from ready for that challenge. “We’re playing too many guys who have no idea what’s fixing to hit them,” he said. “It’s been too easy for them. If these guys are going be playing minutes, they better get ready.”

Attendance: 9,358

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Russell Athletics HBCU Senior Bowl Today

Taylor brings credibility to Senior Bowl

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Joe Taylor didn't give an immediate "yes" to Darryl Moore's invitation to coach the East team in today's Russell Athletics HBCU Senior Bowl. Taylor, who had just gotten through coaching FAMU to its second consecutive winning season, had reservations. Moore, a passionate advocate of HBCU football, persisted. Taylor, known for being organized and a stickler for details, went hunting for the facts about Moore's Synergy Sports and Associates company.

He found out that the fledgling promoter had already gotten the backing of Montgomery city government and a multi-year sponsorship from Russell Athletics for the inaugural event. Moore didn't just have the final piece to make the game go when Taylor committed, but the game instantly gained credibility. "He is a guy who has put a stamp on HBCU football," Moore said. "It's unbelievable to have a guy like that in your corner." Taylor's participation adds a recognizable name to the event, which is being considered in some quarters as a replacement for the Blue-Gray Classic.

CLICK HERE FOR GAME WEBCAST LIVE AT 3 PM ET OR VIDEO ON DEMAND: http://www.wsfa.com/Global/category.asp?C=1191&nav=menu33_4

Young drawing scouts eyes at HBCU Bowl

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Tre’ Young knows the opportunity afforded him this week at the HBCU Senior Bowl. Last year, at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, NFL scouts showed up for Pro Day to find a large group of aspiring college players from all over South Carolina ready to show what they could do. They all were allowed to run the 40-yard dash. Three of them were allowed to move on with the rest of the day’s activities. The rest of the players found themselves locked out, literally, from the rest of the workout.

Several were former teammates of Young, so the long-striding S.C. State wide receiver has embraced the opportunity to have more time to impress the scouts heading into today’s contest, an All-Star game featuring the top HBCU players in the country, scheduled to kickoff at 2 p.m. "It’s a blessing,” Young said. “It’s a blessing to be given the opportunity to play in a game of this type of magnitude. I’m getting a chance to come out and showcase my talent against some of the best players in HBCU football and that is real exciting.”

2009 RUSSELL ATHLETIC HBCU BOWL

EAST ROSTER
1 QB Curtis Pulley FAMU 6-4 200 Hopkinsville, KY

2 DB Antwan Cox Bethune-Cookman 6-1 180 Miami, FL

3 DB Phillip Adams SC State 6-1 180 Rock Hill, SC

4 DB Jody Ellis Morgan State 6-0 180 Evansboro, IL

5 DB Quintez Smith Shaw 6-1 187 Dublin, GA

6 DB Terrell Whitehead Norfolk 6-2 200 VA Beach,VA

7 DB Leroy Vann FAMU 5-9 185 Tampa, FL

8 WR DeAndre Okonji Shaw 6-2 198 Upland, CA

10 QB Dennis Brown Norfolk 6-3 202 Miami, FL

12 QB Carlton Fears NC A&T 6-1 190 St. Mountain, GA

21 DB Jeff Gowdy Fayetteville St 5-11 185 Jacksonville, NC

22 RB Will Ford SC State 5-11 200 Travelors Rest, SC

23 RB Lamarcus Coker Hampton 5-10 195 Nashville, TN

32 LB Marcus Esquivel Fayetteville State 6-1 228 Kearny, AZ

33 DB Justin Hamilton Elizabeth City 5-10 170 Washington, DC

34 RB Devan James Morgan State 5-10 200 Pompano Beach, FL

37 K Justin Castellat Norfolk 6-1 170 VA Beach, VA

40 LB Hurley Hemphill VA Union 6-2 240 Kannapolis, NC

47 LB Kalvin Baker Tennessee State 6-1 260 Columbus, GA

48 LB Brandon Roundtree Hampton 6-2 220 Compton, CA

49 LB Bryan Parker FAMU 6-3 230 Randlestown, MD

55 LB George Howard Morgan State 6-1 230 Chesapeake, VA

56 OL Robert Norris Morgan State 6-4 300 Cheltenham, MD

58 OL Ryan Griffin Bethune-Cookman 6-3 280 Miami, FL

65 OL Anthony Collins FAMU 6-3 355 Miami, FL

68 OL Mike Maloney Delaware State 6-6 290 Chicago, IL

71 OL Steve Brazzle FAMU 6-4 325 Coatesville, PA

74 OL Dylan Stivers Elizabeth City 6-6 305 Guerneville, CA

75 OL Gabriel Manns NC Central 6-6 305 Winston Salem, NC

76 OL Nicolas Royal Hampton 6-4 323 Keeling, VA

77 OL Ryan Cave Hampton 6-4 360 Beaufort, SC

79 OL Robert Okeafor FAMU 6-4 320 Jacksonville, FL

81 K Daniel Mendez Elizabeth City 5-11 190 Riverside, CA

83 DL Yuself Dorman-EL Bowie 6-5 240 Baltimore, MD

84 DL Dewayne Moss Shaw 6-4 275 Petersburg, VA

85 WR Oliver Young SC State 6-0 200 Charleston, SC

87 WR Damon McDaniel Hampton 6-0 185 VA Beach, VA

88 WR Reggie Smith Elizabeth City 5-11 195 Ft. Wayne, IN

89 WR Phillip Kirkland Bethune-Cookman 5-10 195 Quincy, FL

90 DL Marcus Crump St. Augustine 6-6 240 Pittsboro, NC

91 DL Tyree Glasper NC A&T 6-3 274 Detroit, MI

92 DL Justin Lawrence Morgan State 6-1 275 Cheltenham, MD

95 DL Dexter Jackson Bethune-Cookman 6-2 280 Jacksonville, Fl

98 DL James Carter Howard 6-2 265 Tifton, GA

99 DL Cameron Houston FAMU 6-0 285 Rockledge, FL

WEST ROSTER

1 DB Rod Williams Alcorn 5-11 180 Monroe, LA

2 DB Anthony Beck Prairie View 6-1 205 Houston, TX

3 WR Antonio Dejarnett Alcorn 6-1 182 Elridge, AL

4 DB Justin Hannah Tuskegee 5-10 185 Birmingham, AL

5 DB Jason Bruce Alabama State 6-1 195 Montgomery, AL

6 RB Rahmond Traylor Alabama State 5-11 205 Memphis, TN

7 QB Tim Buckley Alcorn 6-1 185 Madison, MS

8 DB Nigel Copeland Grambling 6-0 190 Birmingham, AL

10 QB AJ McKenna Albany State 6-5 220 Albany, GA

12 QB Bryant Lee Southern 6-3 205 Boutte, LA

21 RB Ulysses Banks Alabama A&M 5-11 200 Birmingham, AL

22 DB Rechard Johnson Alabama State 6-0 190 Montgomery, AL

23 DB Derrick Shelton Lane 5-10 170 Missouri City, TX

32 DB Kevin Thornton Arkansas Pine Bluff 6-1 200 Little Rock, AR

33 RB Demetrice Johnson Albany State 5-11 210 Albany, GA

34 RB Quinn Porter Stillman 6-1 200 Los Angelos, CA

37 LB Michael Thompson Benedict 6-0 220 Springfield, OH

40 DB Jeremy Obie Tuskegee 5-11 184 High Point, NC

47 LB Marcus Jamison Jackson State 6-1 235 Brooksville, MS

48 LB Brandon Anderson Tuskegee 6-3 220 Toxey, AL

49 LB Zimier McCloud Clark-Atlanta 5-11 236 Philadelphia, PA

55 LB Adrian Hardy Alabama State 6-2 197 Selma, AL

56 LB Allan Baugh Southern 6-0 235 Houston, TX

58 DL Jeremy Maddox Alabama A&M 6-0 263 Grand Bay, AL

65 OL Robert Ogletree Mississippi Valley 6-2 290 Birmingham, AL

68 OL Xavier Manuel Alabama A&M 6-1 325 Vinegar Bend, AL

71 OL Revay Smith Grambling 6-1 330 Port Allen, LA

74 OL Adrian Banks Southern 6-1 295 Houston, TX

75 OL Chris Hymel Stillman 6-3 300 Birmingham, AL

76 OL Mikeal Harshaw Jackson State 6-4 310 Memphis, TN

77 OL Ramone Harewood Morehouse 6-8 310 St Michael, Barbados

79 OL Collin Cordell Ft Valley 6-5 345 Douglasville, GA

81 TE Remo Gay Arkansas Pine Bluff 6-2 230 Bartlett, TN

83 TE Jonathan Hannah Texas Southern 6-4 260 Bethesda, MD

84 DL Robert Jackson Ft Valley 6-4 300 Jonesboro, GA

85 WR Thomas Harris Alabama A&M 6-0 174 Alexander City, AL

87 WR Archille Henje Morehouse 6-2 190 Silver Springs, MD

88 WR Jumorris Stewart Southern 6-3 205 Baton Rouge, LA

89 K Christopher Khan Tuskegee 6-0 190 Tuskegee, AL

90 DL Tyrell Henderson Kentucky State 6-7 255 Columbus, OH

91 DL Daryl Corley Miles 6-4 313 Birmingham, AL

92 DL Jared Dorn Arkansa Pine Bluff 6-2 250 Pine Bluff, AR

95 DL Terrence Banks Jackson State 6-2 290 Newark, NJ

98 DL Noel Alphonso Alabama State 6-5 270 Tallahassee, FL

99 DL Junior Galette Stillman 6-2 255 Spring,Valley, NY

South Carolina State 93, Furman 91

GREENVILLE, S.C. — Carrio Bennett made a three-point play with 4 seconds left in overtime and South Carolina State defeated Furman 93-91 on Friday night. Bennett was one of five Bulldogs (6-2) in double figures as Jason Flagler scored 19, Darnell Porter and Brandon Small had 16 each and Arsenio Williams added 16 points and 12 rebounds. Furman's Neil Duval tied the game at 90 on two free throws with 21 seconds left in overtime. Bennett then put the Bulldogs ahead 93-90, and the Paladins' Darryl Evans went to the free throw line with 3 seconds left. He made the first shot, missed the second and Jordan Miller grabbed the offensive rebound. However, Furman (5-4) couldn't get off a shot. Evans finished with 19 points.

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PVAMU's Henry Frazier III Wins Eddie Robinson Award

Coach Frazier is the first coach of a Southwestern Athletic Conference team, or a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to win the Robinson Award, which is presented annually to the top coach in the Football Championship Subdivision.

CHATTANOOGA, TN -- Prairie View A&M coach Henry Frazier III was named the 23rd winner of the Eddie Robinson Award Thursday night at The Sports Network's Football Championship Subdivision Awards Banquet, held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on the eve of the NCAA Division I Football Championship title game. Frazier is the first coach of a Southwestern Athletic Conference team, or a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to win the Robinson Award, which is presented annually to the top coach in FCS. Robinson, the legendary Grambling State coach, spent much of his career in the SWAC.

"It is a humbling honor," said Frazier. "It's a great honor to be considered the top coach in your conference and it's an even greater honor to be considered the top coach in the country." Taking over a program best known for losing an NCAA-record 80 consecutive games from 1989-98, Frazier led the Panthers to a perfect 7-0 conference mark, the SWAC West Division title and their first-ever berth in the SWAC championship game since the title contest was introduced in 1999.



Frazier is 36-27 at Prairie View and has gone 25-5 in the past three years. Prairie View completed its season with a thrilling, 30-24 SWAC title game victory over Alabama A&M. The Panthers hadn't won a SWAC championship since 1964, and 2009 marked the team's second consecutive 9-1 season. "When we took over at Prairie View, if there were 119 teams, we were the 119(th) team in the country," Frazier said. In 2008, Prairie View also beat both Grambling and Southern in the same year for the first time in 35 seasons, and posted its first nine-win campaign since 1953, a feat they duplicated this season.

The 2009 season marks the first time the Panthers have had three consecutive winning years since legendary PVAM coach W.J. Nicks ran off nine straight such seasons from 1957-65. Frazier also coached the Panthers to the No. 18 spot in the final regular season Sports Network poll, the highest ranking Prairie View has ever held. PVAM was ranked 25th last season, the first time the Panthers had ever made a poll appearance.

In the second-closest balloting in Robinson Award history, Frazier received 24 first-place votes out of the 125 ballots cast by a panel of sports information directors and select media who regularly cover FCS. He picked up 237 points to edge J.C. Harper of Stephen F. Austin by two points. (Full voting information is available at sportsnetwork.com). Jerry Moore of Appalachian State won by one point over Craig Bohl of North Dakota State in 2006.

The Sports Network established the Eddie Robinson Award in 1987. Past recipients of this prestigious honor include current FCS coaches, two-time winner Mickey Matthews of James Madison, Northern Iowa skipper Mark Farley, New Hampshire's Sean McDonnell, Villanova's Andy Talley, Mike Ayers of Wofford and Elon's Pete Lembo, when he won the coveted award with Lehigh.

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NC A&T releases 2010 football schedule

Head coach Alonzo Lee has Aggies moving in right direction.

N.C. A&T will play in the 2010 Circle City Classic in Indianapolis on Oct. 2, the university announced Wednesday. The Aggies will play Tennessee State, their opponent in the 2005 Classic. A&T won that game 16-3. A&T will open its 2010 football season at home against Winston-Salem State on Sept. 4. Homecoming will be Oct. 9, with Morgan State as the Aggies' opponent. Other home games for A&T include Howard on Oct. 23, Florida A&M on Nov. 6; and S.C. State on Nov. 20. The Aggies travel to Norfolk State on Sept. 11 and Hampton on Sept. 18. They will play rival and newest MEAC member N.C. Central on September 25.

North Carolina A&T's 2010 football schedule as it stands now:
Sept. 4: Winston-Salem State
Sept. 11: at Norfolk State
Sept. 18: at Hampton
Sept. 25: vs. N.C. Central, location tba
Oct. 2: vs. Tennessee State at Indianapolis, Ind.
Oct. 9: Morgan State (homecoming)
Oct. 23: Howard
Nov. 6: Florida A&M
Nov. 20: South Carolina State

Texas Southern Football to Play at UConn in 2010

The University of Connecticut football team had a hole in its schedule for next season when Northeastern abruptly dropped its football program this month. Texas Southern has filled the vacancy. The Huskies will host FCS Texas Southern, out of the Southern Athletic Conference, on Saturday, Sept. 11, a week after a season-opening game at Michigan. It will be the home opener at Rentschler Field for the Huskies.

Coach Johnnie Cole's Texas Southern Tigers went 6-5 this season and expects to lose only four starters heading into the 2010 season.

UConn has tried to have a single FCS game on the schedule every year and was playing regional FCS teams including Rhode Island, Maine, and Hofstra in recent seasons. Northeastern was due to be next, but ended up folding instead. Hofstra also dropped its football program. Schedules are set years in advance and the Huskies had to struggle to find a team with an open date and willing to go on the road early in the season. UConn’s non-conference schedule for 2010 is at Michigan, at Temple and home against Texas Southern, Buffalo and Vanderbilt.

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Florida A&M 61, Alabama 52

FAMU scores big comeback win, 61-52

Alabama was on a run that produced a five-point lead over FAMU with eight minutes left in the game, when Qiana Donald summoned the rest of the Rattlers into a huddle. "Once they started taking the lead, I had to call everybody together and let them know this is our game," Donald said. "We couldn't let them walk out with the win." The Crimson Tide didn't, as the Rattlers regained the lead with 6:01 left and completed a stunning comeback for a 61-52 victory Tuesday night at the Lawson Center. It was FAMU's second third victory over a major women's basketball program and its second over a SEC team. This one seemingly was headed the way of a blowout loss to Kentucky just four days ago as the Rattlers (6-3) spotted Alabama (6-5) a 13-point lead early in the first half. During the Alabama run, not even routine plays worked for the Rattlers.

Photo Gallery: FAMU vs Alabama Basketball

Women's Basketball Drops 61-52 Decision at Florida A&M

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The women's basketball team fell 61-52 to Florida A&M on Monday at the Al Lawson Center. With the loss, the Crimson Tide drops to 6-5 overall, while the Lady Rattlers up their season standing to 6-3. "You can't go on the road and shoot the way we did tonight," said head coach Wendell Hudson. "We have to step up and make those shots. We did all the things we were supposed to do from a defensive standpoint and all that added up, you would have thought we won the game. Like I've said before though it's hard to win basketball games on the road, and even harder if we can't make shots."

Final Stats

NEXT GAME: Dec. 30, FAMU at Alabama State, 8 p.m.

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Morgan State 83, Manhattan 74

MSU Bears Reggie Holmes waxes the Jaspers with 31 points, hitting 4 of 6 three's.

Holmes scores 31 in Morgan's win over Manhattan

Reggie Holmes scored 31 points and Morgan State held off Manhattan 83-74 on Saturday.
Troy Smith came off the bench to score 12 points, and Kevin Thompson had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Bears (6-4). The Bears led 33-28 at halftime and never trailed in the second half. Leading 50-49 with 9:38 to play, the Bears went on a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach, capped by a jumper by Joe Davis for a 59-49 lead with 8:17 to play. The Bears built their largest lead at 78-65 with 1:18 to play on a pair of free throws by Troy Smith. Morgan State shot 46.2 percent from the field (24 of 52) while the Jaspers shot 37.1 percent (23 of 62).

The expression of Morgan State Bears Coach Todd Bozeman says it all--Please, tell me these scores are a mistake. The MEAC and SWAC really didn't get beat like this!

SCORES FROM AROUND THE MEAC...

West Virginia 69 (7-0), Coppin State 43 (5-4)
Arizona State 76 (7-3), Delaware State 34 (4-4)
Miami (FL) 91 (9-1) S. Carolina State 54 (5-2)
Central Fla. 63 (7-2), Bethune Cookman 50 (5-4)Minnesota 94, Morgan State 64 (12/8/09)

SCORES FROM AROUND THE SWAC ...

Chattanooga 82 (5-4), MVSU 60 (1-8)
S. Illinois 82 (5-2), Alabama State 63 (1-6)
Southern 78 (1-8), New Orleans 73 (5-3)

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Prairie View wins first SWAC title in 45 years

PVAMU Coach Henry Fraizer III does the impossible--makes Panthers into SWAC Champions!

Prairie View wins first SWAC title in 45 years

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Nasty weather, a tough Alabama A&M squad and a few costly mistakes couldn’t keep Prairie View A&M from reaching its season-long goal of winning the school’s first conference championship since 1964. With quarterback K.J. Black leading the way, the Panthers claimed a 30-24 victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game before a crowd of 20,218 at Legion Field.

Black, voted the game’s Offensive Most Valuable Player, completed 18 of 28 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter when Prairie View (9-1) seized control. “When I got here, all anybody was talking about this year was a championship,” said Black, a first-year transfer from Western Kentucky who went 8-0 as a starter this season. “When you can see that in somebody’s eyes and you know everybody is striving for the same goal, it makes you want to work that much harder. That collective effort got us to where we are right now.”

WATCH REPLAY SWAC Championship - Prairie View A&M vs. Alabama A&M

Happy days here again for Prairie View

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As a glorious celebration carried on behind him, Henry Frazier III — the coach of the championship Prairie View A&M football team — struggled to fit the title belt around his waist. He joked that his expanded waistline made things a bit more difficult than he imagined it would be last January when he purchased the belt to inspire his squad. If only building a champion at Prairie View were as easy as fitting a prong through an eyelet.

What nerve and courage Frazier showed to have even imagined Prairie View as a football champion. But that is what the Panthers are after they fended off Alabama A&M 30-24 on Saturday to claim their first Southwestern Athletic Conference title since 1964. It came in a chilly 40 degrees with a steady drizzle at Legion Field, but the Panther faithful were warm with pride after witnessing the final step in their program's climb from the depths of the college football world to the height of the SWAC.

Prairie View's Title Is Its First in 45 Years (New York Times)

Prairie View, which lost 80 straight games in the 1990s, won the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship Saturday, beating Alabama A&M, 30-24 in Birmingham, Ala. It was the program’s first conference title in 45 years. “Nobody on this staff, nobody on this team was born in 1964,” Coach Henry Frazier III said. “This is a special time.” K. J. Black threw for 258 yards and 3 touchdowns. Two of his scoring passes came in the fourth quarter as Prairie View (9-1) rallied past Alabama A&M (7-5).

Harry Williams finds a coaching home at Prairie View A&M

Former Jackson-Olin High, Tuskegee University and Houston Texans star Harry Williams #86 is at home on the football field as an assistant for Prairie View.

The place that Harry Williams feels most at home — the foot­ball field — felt for­eign to him in the days of early August. His steps were tentative. His thoughts were guarded. His decisions didn’t come easily. His new boss — Prairie View A&M head football coach Henry Frazier III — noticed. “When he first went on the field, it was different for him,” Frazier said. “I watched him, because, you know, you got a new guy and don’t really know how he’s going to be around my kids. I kind of watched him the first few days and he would just wander around. I went to him and said, ‘Hey Harry, get involved with whatever you want. I trust your judgment, so get involved." So how did things work out after that conversation? “He’s been a blessing,” Frazier said.

Updated, with photos: Prairie View tops Alabama A&M to win SWAC title

Former Western Kentucky starter K.J. Black threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, leading Prairie View A&M to a 30-24 victory against Alabama A&M in the SWAC Championship Game today at cold and wet Legion Field. Alabama A&M had one last shot on the game's final play, but freshman Deaunte Mason's Hail Mary heave into the end zone was knocked down as the horn sounded. Prairie View finishes the season 9-1, its only loss to Division I-A New Mexico State. Black was named the Offensive MVP and Panthers defensive end Quinton Spears was voted Defensive MVP.

SWAC Championship Game: It's cold and wet, but offenses are hot

Despite drizzling rain and chilly temperatures, the SWAC Championship Game is off and running (for the live telecast, tune into ESPN Classic). Both offenses started hot, scoring on their first possession. Prairie View got on the board first, thanks to a 39-yard Brady Faggard field goal. Alabama A&M answered with a 2-yard touchdown run from Ulysses Banks, the Birmingham native, and takes a 7-3 lead into the second quarter.

Prairie View rallies past 'Bama A&M for SWAC title

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Prairie View A&M, a program once synonymous with football futility, is a conference champion for the first time in 45 years.K.J. Black threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, two coming in the fourth quarter, and the Panthers ralllied for a 30-24 win over Alabama A&M in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game on Saturday."It's been a long time coming," said Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III. "Nobody on this staff, nobody on this team was born in 1964. This is a special time."Frazier is the one most responsible for turning around a program that gained notoriety during the 1990s by losing 80 consecutive games. "It's a special occasion," Frazier added. "I'm very proud of this football team."

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