SWAC coaches offer SU's Mitchell encouragement‎

SWAC coaches offer SU’s Mitchell encouragement

Three games. One thrilling win. Two ugly losses. The Stump Mitchell era has barely begun at Southern University, and already, the first-year coach must try to assure fans that his program isn’t doomed to fail. "I still love this football team,” Mitchell said Monday. “We just have to be consistent in doing the things that we want to get done.”

But of all the people to offer a ray of light, perhaps the least likely — Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones, who handed the Jaguars a 34-14 defeat on Saturday — was the one who gave some interesting, encouraging advice.

Jaguars nursing injuries to key defensive leaders

A 34-14 defeat at the hands of Alabama A&M wasn’t the only thing Southern University lost Saturday night in Normal, Ala. The Jaguars also took a blow to their defense when two key starters were injured.

Middle linebacker Corey Ray, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of Saturday’s game, is “day-to-day,” Southern coach Stump Mitchell said. The status of free safety Jason House is a little less clear.

Rough sailing could be ahead for Southern

At about 9 p.m. Saturday, after they shook hands with an Alabama A&M team that handed them a second ugly loss in as many games, members of the Southern football team removed their helmets and took a knee on the soft, wet grass at Louis Crews Stadium.

The rain kept falling, and somehow, that figured. The Jaguars were soundly beaten on the line of scrimmage and, after a first-play touchdown, seemed overmatched in a 34-14 loss. It had been, without any doubt, a night to forget.

SU preaches effort

As far as he knew, first-year coach Stump Mitchell said the charter bus Southern’s football team used this weekend was not equipped with a panic button. Even if it were, he said, the Jaguars did not intend to use it as they rode home from Normal, Ala., after a 34-14 loss Saturday night against Alabama A&M in their Southwestern Athletic Conference opener.

SU (1-2, 0-1 SWAC) faces Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-2, 0-1) at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium, the second of eight games in eight consecutive weeks.

Struggling defense loses leaders

NORMAL, Ala. — Southern’s defense struggled for the second consecutive game Saturday in a 34-14 loss to Alabama A&M at Louis Crews Stadium. It didn’t help that this time, the Jaguars lost two of their leaders to injury.

Middle linebacker Corey Ray suffered an injury to his right shoulder with 3:11 remaining in the first quarter, watching the second half in a T-shirt and a sling. Ray’s injury was noteworthy for two reasons: He has dislocated the shoulder before, and he is largely responsible for calling plays and checks for the SU defense.


Hollimon finally gets chance at quarterback for Southern

This is for all those afternoons when Gary Hollimon iced down his shoulder, having finished another practice with pride and purpose, even though he knew he’d never play on Saturday.

This is for all those times when coaches praised Hollimon’s work ethic and easygoing attitude, then told him to stay on the bench. This is for the time Gary Hollimon nearly got cut from the team he now leads.

Mitchell taking the heat

Stump Mitchell spent nine years as an NFL running back. He knows how to take a beating. Mitchell has lived in Georgia, Arizona, Texas and, since January, when he accepted the job as Southern’s football coach, Louisiana as well. He knows how to deal with heat. These days, he’s getting enough of both.

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Winston Salem State Coming Together Fast

Coming together fast

It’s not easy to form a cohesive offensive line in a short amount of time, but Winston-Salem State did. That’s one reason WSSU is 5-0 and ranked in the AFCA Division II (No. 23) poll for the first time in eight years. The Rams started the preseason with plenty of question marks, and the offensive line was among the biggest.

I’m not surprised, because from the first week of camp, we’ve been pretty together,” said Winston Hill, a freshman offensive lineman from Brooklyn, N.Y. Hill (6-3, 305) came in from Hargrave Military Academy, enrolled at WSSU last winter and impressed coaches in spring practice. He has been a starter ever since.


Rams in good shape, injury-wise

One thing that has helped the Rams to a 5-0 record is the lack of any serious injuries. But linebacker Carlos Fields sprained an ankle in the first half of Saturday’s 31-14 win over Fayetteville State and didn’t play in the second half.

Trainer Rob Woodall said that Fields is questionable for Saturday’s game at Johnson C. Smith. “He didn’t practice (on Monday) because we were indoors so we’ll see later in the week how it feels,” Woodall said.

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FAMU sticking with its running game

FAMU sticking with its running game

After Saturday's stunning loss to Tennessee State, coach Joe Taylor suggested that receiver T.J. Lawrence might figure more prominent in the offensive mix, but that's not saying that the Rattlers are about to abandon their running back.

That doesn't seem likely especially with the depth that FAMU has at the position for the first time in more than three seasons. But no matter which one of the four running backs that played against TSU carried the ball, they didn't gain much rushing. FAMU actually finished with just 24 yards on the ground as its eight-game win streak in the Atlanta Classic was snapped with a 29-18 loss.

FAMU must quickly shake off loss to TSU

ATLANTA — In so many ways, the way Tennessee State ran past Florida A&M on Saturday mirrored the Rattlers' loss to South Carolina State a year ago.

FAMU was pounded on the ground for 413 yards and barely responded in its 29-18 loss to the Tigers. South Carolina State beat FAMU 35-20 last year, but the Rattlers bounced back and won three straight games. This time, rebounding after TSU snapped an eight-year losing streak at the Georgia Dome might not be as easy because of the opponent — South Carolina State.

Pough expects FAMU to be better than in Saturday’s loss
If watching Florida A&M fall to Tennessee State this past weekend inspired additional confidence in ninth-ranked South Carolina State, head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough gave no indication at Monday's press conference.

In fact, Pough believes the way the Rattlers were handled by the Tigers at the Atlanta Football Classic in allowing 11 quarterback sacks and close to 300 rushing yards will make them even more motivated for this Saturday's 6 p.m. clash at Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee.

"I think losing creates ...

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South Carolina State moves Into the Top 10

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Appalachian State holds the No. 1 spot for the third straight week in the Football Championships Subdivision Coaches Poll. The Mountaineers lost a first-place vote from the previous week, but still received 16 of the 28 votes and 681 total points to remain the top-ranked team in the nation.

South Carolina States moves into the top 10 for the first time this season at No. 9, while Montana State completes the top 10. The Bulldogs travels to Florida A&M Saturday to face a highly regarded Rattlers team that was demolished 29-18 by rival Tennessee State in the Atlanta Football Classic. TSU limited the Rattlers rushers to 24 yards and registered 11 sacks on defense. The 6 p.m. contest will be delayed broadcast at 10 p.m. on ESPNU.

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Finally, Winston Salem State Rams Receives National Ranking

After a four-year run in Football Championship Subdivision, Winston-Salem State (N.C.) is back in Division II and makes an appearance in the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll for the first time since 2002. The Rams moved their record to 5-0 after a 31-14 victory over Fayetteville State (N.C.) and enter the poll at No. 23.

Grand Valley State (Mich.), Minnesota-Duluth, North Alabama, California (Pa.) and Abilene Christian (Texas) still hold down the Top 5 places. There will be three Top 25 matchups in this week’s games, including a pair of Top 10 games. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas) will travel south to face conference rival, No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville, while No. 7 Northwest Missouri State plays host to No. 8 Missouri Western State. In the final Top 25 matchup, No. 15 West Alabama will travel to No. 19 Delta State (Miss.) in a Thursday night showdown in the Gulf South Conference.

From the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference -- Albany State, Morehouse and Tuskegee are ranked at #14, #18 and #22.

2010 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll
September 27, 2010

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Last Week	Next Game
1.	Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (21)	4-0	644	1	D. Findlay (Ohio) 35-7	Oct. 2 at Tiffin (Ohio)
2.	Minnesota-Duluth (2)	4-0	620	2	D. Bemidji St. (Minn.), 44-21	Oct. 2 at Minnesota St.-Moorhead
3.	North Alabama (3)	4-0	604	3	D. Lambuth (Tenn.), 31-0	Oct. 2 vs. Arkansas Tech
4.	California (Pa.)	4-0	556	4	D. Clarion (Pa.), 24-9	Oct. 2 vs. Lock Haven (Pa.)
5.	Abilene Christian (Texas)	4-0	551	5	D. Tarleton St. (Texas), 65-3	Oct. 2 at No. 6 Texas A&M-Kingsville
6.	Texas A&M-Kingsville	4-0	520	6	D. Incarnate Word (Texas), 37-9	Oct. 2 vs. No. 5 Abilene Christian (Texas)
7.	Northwest Missouri St.	2-1	497	7	D. Truman St. (Mo.), 44-10	Oct. 2 vs. No. 8 Missouri Western St.
8.	Missouri Western St.	4-0	445	8	D. Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 42-25	Oct. 2 at No. 7 Northwest Missouri St.
9.	West Texas A&M	3-1	431	9	D. Angelo St. (Texas), 37-27	Oct. 2 at Northeastern St. (Okla.)
10.	Midwestern St. (Texas)	4-0	409	10	D. Central Oklahoma, 30-24	Oct. 2 vs. Incarnate Word (Texas)
11.	Hillsdale (Mich.)	3-1	359	12	D. Lake Erie (Ohio), 42-37	Oct. 2 vs. Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.)
12.	Edinboro (Pa.)	4-0	329	13	D. Gannon (Pa.), 13-0	Oct. 2 vs. Indiana (Pa.)
13.	Tusculum (Tenn.)	4-0	324	15	Idle	Oct. 2 at Mars Hill (N.C.)
14.	Albany St. (Ga.)	4-0	301	16	D. Savannah St. (Ga.), 28-14	Oct. 2 vs. Lane (Tenn.)
15.	West Alabama	3-1	260	17	D. West Georgia, 28-7	Sept. 30 at No. 19 Delta St. (Miss.)
16.	Central Missouri	4-1	236	21	D. Washburn (Kan.), 55-45	Oct. 2 at Truman St. (Mo.)
17.	Nebraska-Kearney	3-1	198	19	D. Western St. (Colo.), 13-6	Oct. 2 vs. Adams St. (Colo.)
18.	Morehouse (Ga.)	5-0	186	20	D. Lincoln (Mo.), 30-14	Oct. 9 vs. No. 22 Tuskegee (Ala.)
19.	Delta St. (Miss.)	3-1	165	23	D. Henderson St. (Ark.), 41-37	Sept. 30 vs. No. 15 West Alabama
20.	Augustana (S.D.)	4-0	134	24	D. Southwest Minnesota St., 53-21	Oct. 2 at Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.)
21.	Central Washington	3-2	111	22	D. Simon Fraser (B.C.) 44-30	Oct. 2 at Humboldt St. (Calif.)
22.	Tuskegee (Ala.)	3-1	103	25	D. Texas Southern, 21-14	Oct. 2 vs. Miles (Ala.)
23.	Winston-Salem St. (N.C.)	5-0	87	NR	D. Fayetteville St. (N.C.), 31-14	Oct. 2 at Johnson C. Smith (N.C.)
24.	North Carolina-Pembroke	3-1	78	NR	D. No. 14 Carson-Newman (Tenn.), 30-7	Oct. 2 at Glenville St. (W.Va.)
25.	Minnesota St.-Mankato	3-1	75	11	Lost to Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), 28-26	Oct. 2 at Winona St. (Minn.)

Courtesy: AFCA

Adams leads Benedict to shutout of Stillman

COLUMBIA, S.C. Sophomore quarterback Michael Adams ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more on Saturday to lead Benedict College to a 35-0 victory over Stillman College in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game.

Adams gained 107 yards on 13 carries, with his longest gain going for a 61-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He completed 7 of 14 passes for 193 yards and one interception. Stillman gained 100 yards rushing on 33 attempts. Chester Hightower led Stillman with 69 yards on 22 carries. His longest run went for 23 yards. The Benedict defense intercepted five passes and allowed 48 passing yards.




Benedict Picks Up Its First Win Of 2010

Backup quarterback Michael Adams helped Benedict jump out to a 21-0 lead as the Tigers cruised to a 35-0 win over Stillman Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

Adams got the start in place of Pat Riley who did not practice this week as a result of an undisclosed injury. Riley did dress out and was on the sidelines with his team which used a quick-striking offense and a tough defense to earn its first win of the season.

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NFL legend brings buzz to ECSU tourney

There was some buzz around the Elizabeth City State University Foundation Classic charity golf tournament at The Pines at Elizabeth City Friday. An NFL Hall-of-Famer was on the course.

Bruce Smith, who left pro football as the all-time sacks leader after a 19-year career with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, was playing in a foursome that included Foundation board chairman Rodney Hawkins, legendary ECSU basketball coach Bobby Vaughan and businessman Nick Clark.

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PHOTO GALLERY:

Bruce Smith plays ECSU Foundation Golf Classic, Sept. 24 The ...

Lewis TD Run Gives Miles Golden Bears 13-12 Win Over Kentucky State

FAIRFIELD, AL – The Golden Bears bounced back from a tough loss from a week ago, as the Miles College football team defeated the visiting Kentucky State University Thorobreds 13-12 in its second conference win of the season. Miles improves to 2-3; 2-2 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with the victory, while the Kentucky State drop to 2-3; 2-3 in the SIAC.

Miles got off to a sluggish start, falling behind 0-6 in the first half. The Golden Bears scored its first touchdown on Carlton Hill’s one yard run (PAT kick failed), bringing the score to 6-6, with 8:01 to play in the third quarter. The Thorobreds struck again on a 16 yard interception return to go up 6-12 (PAT kick failed) to end the third quarter. The Golden Bears tied the game up on Jordan Lewis 63 yard run (Patton Chambers kick good) at the 4:48 mark in the fourth quarter, making the score 13-12.

Bears rally past K-State

Kentucky State fell to Miles College 13-12 Saturday in Fairfield, Ala., dropping the Thorobreds’ record to 2-3 on the season. KSU led the game 6-0 at halftime, getting a 69-yard touchdown run from Shannon Frieson in the first quarter. Frieson gained 119 yards on 13 carries against the Golden Bears, leading all rushers in the contest.

Miles struck back to begin the third quarter, finishing a four-play, 42-yard drive with a 1-yard run from quarterback Carlton Hill, which tied the game 6-6. The Thorobreds responded with a defensive touchdown five minutes later. Grandson Brown picked off Hill at the Miles 16-yard line and returned it for a score. The two-point conversion failed, leaving KSU’s lead at 12-6.

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Kentucky State University added the auxiliary twirling group to the Marching Thorobreds in January 2009 thanks to the efforts of Sophia Marie Thompson. Sophia is from Piney Fork, Ohio.

KSU Marching Thorobreds performance at Morehouse College on 9/18/10.

VSU Trojans Rush To Third Win Over Chowan Hawks

Virginia State University's football team held on late in the fourth quarter to secure a 20-13 win against Chowan University in Murfreesboro, NC on Sept. 25. Justin Parker's 2nd made field-goal (19; 30), from a season long 30 yards out gave VSU a 20-6 lead with 3:23 remaining in the game. Coach Andrew Faison and the VSU Trojans won their first northern divisional conference game with a balance attack of 168 yards passing and 153 yards rushing improving to their best start at 3-1 since the 2002 season.

(3-1) Virginia State University's defense gave up a late touchdown with a minute left in the fourth, after only giving up only two Chowan field-goals the entire game. Chowan rushed for 66 total team yards due to the Trojans stingy and smart defensive group.

Led with 9 tackles from senior LaQuentin Milo (Florence, SC), senior James Pratt's (Alexandria, VA) and junior Clifton Haney's (Orlando, FL) 7 tackles the Hawks averaged 1.8 yards rushing on 36 carries. Chowan also received pressure when they attempted to pass as VSU recorded a season high 6 sacks. Red-shirt freshmen Timothy Durant (Hyattsville, MD) and senior Isiah Townsend (San Francisco, CA) both had 2 sacks each and three others each recorded one; senior Andre' Adams (Washington, DC), senior James Pratt (Alexandria, VA), and sophomore Thomas Sykes (Newport News, VA).

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Tuskegee Rebounds, Holds off Texas Southern

A week after being manhandled at home by Albany State, Tuskegee got back on track, outlasting FCS foe Texas Southern 21-14 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama Saturday.

Although Martin Gilbert rushed for 121 yards on 19 carries for TSU (1-3) against the 25th-ranked Golden Tigers (3-1), it was Nykeem Barton outdueling Arvell Nelson that was the heart of the game.

Barton smashed through the goal-line stands of TSU for all three Tuskegee touchdowns that combined for just four total yards. The third score, in the fourth quarter, proved to be the game-winner.

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Attendance: 5336

Musical Sounds from the 2010 Atlanta Football Classic

Television Versions

Morehouse Tigers improve to 5-0 in 30-14 win over Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers

Atlanta, GA - David Carter rushed for 211 yards and a touchdown and powered Morehouse to a 30-14 win over Lincoln University. At 5-0, the Maroon Tigers are enjoying the best season start since 1930.

After surrendering a 99-yard touchdown return on the opening kick, Morehouse settled down and limited the visiting Blue Tigers (1-3) to one touchdown the rest of the way.

The Maroon Tigers bounced back on their first possession with a seven-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off by a Carter one-yard touchdown run. Ian Mullen’s point-after attempt was blocked.

On the next Lincoln possession, defensive lineman Chigbo Anunoby, who played at Lincoln last year, forced a Blue Tiger fumble that led to a 33-yard Mullen field goal and game Morehouse a 9-7 advantage.

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Morehouse highlights against Kentucky State (last week)

Offense comes alive as A&M dominates Southern

HUNTSVILLE, AL - In lopsided losses to Tennessee State and Texas Southern, Alabama A&M's offense looked virtually inept. The Bulldogs were limited to 276 yards in a 27-14 loss to Tennessee State and were held to 197 yards in a 32-9 loss at Texas Southern a week ago. Thank goodness for Southern.

A&M's offense came to life against the Jaguars, finishing with 455 total yards as the Bulldogs whipped Southern 34-14 Saturday night in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference game in front of an announced crowd of 6,218 at Louis Crews Stadium.

After strong start, Jaguars falter

NORMAL, Ala. — On the glorious first play from scrimmage, the Gary Hollimon experiment worked. Virtually everything else did not.

On a rain-soaked field at Louis Crews Stadium on Saturday night, the Southern football team started strong for the first time this season, getting a 62-yard touchdown run from Hollimon, their tailback-turned-quarterback, in the Jaguars’ Southwestern Athletic Conference opener against Alabama A&M.

From that moment, the Bulldogs blitzed, ran, passed and thoroughly beat Southern 34-14 in a game that had to make fans wonder if they’re in for a long first season under new coach Stump Mitchell.

Alabama A&M grades

Offense: A: The Bulldogs, who looked a lot some of Alabama A&M's units in recent years, finished with a season-high 455 yards in total offense, 234 rushing and 221 passing.

Defense: A-minus: Defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns wasn't pleased with Southern quarterback Gary Hollimon's 62-yard touchdown run to start the game, but the Bulldogs dominated the Jaguars the rest of the way.

2010 State Fair Classic - PVAMU vs. GSU

Lil Jon opens the halftime show before the Marching Storm performs at the 6:30 mark on video.

Coastal Carolina dominates early in win over DSU

CONWAY, S.C. -- Coastal Carolina dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State on Saturday night.

Coastal Carolina (1-3) led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU (0-3) scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shut out for the first time since 2004, a span of 66 games.

The Hornets gained 97 yards in the fourth quarter to finish with 210 for the game. The Chanticleers racked up 339 total yards in the contest. Coastal Carolina scored touchdowns on each of its first three possessions. The Hornets' second possession ended with a fumble that was recovered by the Chanticleers at the DSU 34. Coastal Carolina needed six plays to pad its lead.

Coastal Carolina tops Delaware State for its first victory of season

CONWAY, SC -- There will be no talk around the Coastal Carolina football program this week about early season struggles or missed opportunities. There will be no need to scavenge for positives or search for ways to explain a season careening off path. Not this week, at least. The Chanticleers played nothing like a team mired in a winless slump - and everything like a squad eager to prove it is better than it had showed through the first three weeks.

The Chants shook the demons of the last three weeks - thoroughly and impressively - and started the process of righting their season with a 34-14 win over visiting Delaware State before an announced crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium.

Hornets Dominated by Coastal Carolina

Conway, S.C. --- Coastal Carolina completely dominated the first half en route to a 34-14 win over Delaware State before a sellout crowd of 9,218 at Brooks Stadium this evening. The Chanticleers improved to 1-3 on the season, while the Hornets fell to 0-3.

Coastal Carolina led 31-0 at halftime, and 34-0 late in the fourth quarter before DSU scored two touchdowns in the final 1:58 of the game to avoid being shutout for the first time since 2004, a span off 66 games.

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Early TD aside, JSU defense shows up big time

They call this a scary start if you're a Jackson State fan. Mississippi Valley State quarterback Oliver Hughes hit receiver Paul Cox for a 57-yard touchdown on Valley's first play from scrimmage Saturday night. Cox out-leaped JSU defensive back Qua Cox and then ran into the end zone, stunning the partial crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Not to worry. The defense didn't allow another point in JSU's 43-7 win. A unit criticized heavily over the first three games - it allowed an average of 447 yards in those games - finally lived up to its Darkside billing.What changed - besides playing one of the worst offenses in the nation?

"I think we hit a little bit more in practice this week," coach Rick Comegy said. "We emphasized being more aggressive."

Tigers rip Devils

A good way to get over your first loss of the season? Why, play Mississippi Valley State, of course. A week after being physically pounded by Grambling, Jackson State whipped Valley 43-7 on Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, beating the Delta Devils for the 16th straight year and showing fans just how potent JSU's new Air Raid offense can be.

Quarterback Casey Therriault had 291 yards passing - by halftime - as JSU cruised to a 30-7 lead at the break.He finished with 374 yards and four touchdown passes in about three quarters of work. Therriault, who struggled under pressure in last week's 28-21 loss to Grambling, completed 33 of 50 attempts, picking apart Valley's secondary.

Photo Gallery: JSU - Valley

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Bowie State Breaks in New Turf with 28-27 Win over Virginia Union

Bowie, Md. - The Bowie State University (BSU) Bulldogs wasted no time breaking in their brand new home field Saturday as they edged Virginia Union University (VUU), 28-27, in their first home game since switching from grass to synthetic turf.

Bulldogs junior Clifton Budd set two school passing records as Bowie State advanced to a 2-3 overall record, 2-0 Central Interscholastic Athletic Association (CIAA) wise. Budd completed 32 of 51 passes for 355 yards and three touchdowns. His 32 completions and 355 yards broke an 18-year-old BSU record set by Arthur Lee who held the mark at 24 completions and 324 passing yards.

The Bulldogs led, 15-13, at halftime, but struggled in the third quarter, allowing VUU to take a 27-15 lead late in the third quarter. But BSU managed a comeback with two touchdown strikes from Budd, an 18-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Reginald McIntyre and a 39-yard touchdown strike to senior Gregory Jackson.

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Week 4: Pretenders vs. Contenders

There were only two surprises this week--Tennessee State and Winston Salem State steamrolling their long time rivals, Florida A&M and Fayetteville State. The wins by Tuskegee and Albany State against higher classification Texas Southern and Savannah State were expected.

The Florida A&M Rattlers put on a nationally televised coaching clinic on how not to play college football against your arch rival. The Rattlers were unable to stop Tennessee State from steamrolling their offensive and defensive lines. TSU proved to be very good at holding and chop blocking, getting several calls by the officials and registering 16 flags for a -136 yards.

The Tigers registered 11 sacks and had an Atlanta Classic rushing record 233 yards by Tigers running back Preston Brown. TSU averaged 6.6 yards per carry, amassing 304 yard on 46 carries for the game.

The Rattlers gained 24 yards on 25 carries, and was limited to 175 yards passing for the game.

What happened to that stable of running backs that the Rattlers were bragging about in August? Three years--and Taylor's Rattlers still cannot stop a smash mouth running team.

TSU first year head coach Rod Reed game plan was simply--prove to us you can stop the run!

Well, the Rattlers clearly flunked the mid-term exam on defense and their starting quarterback, Martin Ukpai, fizzled under the constant pressure of the Tigers' blitzes.

Joe Taylor and his staff had no solutions for the TSU defense. No question, the Rattlers were outplayed on offense, defense and special teams and didn't look anything like a conference championship team.

It gets worst for the Rattlers next week with a home date with MEAC powerhouse, South Carolina State Bulldogs. Expect the Rattlers to receive another pounding, as they disappear totally from the FCS playoff conversation.

TSU played a great game against FAMU and gets the opportunity to do it again to the MEAC next Saturday with 0-4 North Carolina A&T at the Circle City Classic.

Winston Salem State has been the surprise of the season, with its 5-0 start for Coach Connell Maynor. Even with the plays called being intercepted by FSU coaching staff, the Broncos could not stop the efficient execution by the Rams. If the Rams keep rolling, this may become the greatest turnaround in NCAA history.

WSSU finished last season with an 1-10 record, as a provisional Division I member in the MEAC. The Rams are clearly leading the pack in the CIAA after dismantling last season's champions on the road.

Most of our fans and their employers didn't receive the White House press release trumpeting that the recession is over. We all need mo' money. This weekend games with the highest attendance in our conferences were as follows:

1. Atlanta Football Classic, 54,202, FAMU vs. Tennessee State, Atlanta, GA
2. State Fair Classic, 43,754, Grambling vs. PVAMU, Dallas, TX
3. Whitney Young Classic, 34,160, Howard vs. Morgan St., E. Rutherford, NJ
4. Gateway Classic, 22,781, UAPB vs. CAU, St. Louis, Mo.
5. Jackson State vs. Mississippi Valley, 18,020, Jackson, MS
6. North Carolina Central vs. North Carolina A&T, 15,173, Durham, N.C.
7, Coastal Carolina vs. Delaware State, 9,218, Conway, S.C.

One last point.... The MEAC has not beaten any team of significance outside the conference this season. What's up with that?

-beepbeep



MEAC
Tennessee State 29, Florida A&M 18
Bethune Cookman 21, Norfolk State 7
South Carolina State, Bye
Coastal Carolina 34, Delaware State 14
North Carolina Central 27, North Carolina A&T 16
Albany State(Ga.) 28, Savannah State 14
Morgan State 20, Howard 3

SWAC
Alabama A&M 34, Southern 14
Jackson State 43, Mississippi Valley 7
Grambling State 34, Prairie View 17
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19
Alcorn State 41, Alabama State 21

CIAA
Saint Augustine's 53, Lincoln (Pa.) 21
Saint Paul's 27, Livingstone 6
Winston Salem State 31, Fayettville State 14
Virginia State 20, Chowan 13
Bowie State 28, Virginia Union 27
Shaw 31, Elizabeth City State 28

SIAC
Morehouse 30, Lincoln (Mo.) 14
Tuskegee 21, Texas Southern 14
Albany State 28, Savannah State 14
Miles 13, Kentucky State 12
Benedict 35, Stillman 0
Arkansas Pine Bluff 35, Clark Atlanta 19

Morgan State conquers its touchdown woes, Howard

Morgan State scored its first two touchdowns of the season off two turnovers in the first half to beat Howard, 20-3, on Saturday in the 40th annual New York Urban League Football Classic in East Rutherford, N.J. More than 34,160 attended the first college football game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

Morgan State had yet to score a touchdown of any kind in three games, including a 14-7 opening win over Bowie State, which it won with four field goals and a safety. But that streak ended with 10 minutes 52 seconds left in the second quarter when Donovan Dickerson hit Chuka Okakpu with a 16-yard touchdown pass, giving the Bears (2-2, 1-1 Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference) a 10-0 lead.

Reshaude Miller picked off Howard's Casey Council, returning it 89 yards for a touchdown to put Morgan State ahead by 17. The interception and score was Miller's first of his career.

Morgan State downs Howard University in annual charity Football ...

George Steinbrenner was probably smiling down over the New Meadowlands Stadium Saturday.

The scrumptious smells of tailgating - everything from burgers to jumbo shrimp - in the parking lot led to thousands packing the new stadium to see Morgan State blast Howard University, 20-3, in the 39th annual New York Urban League Football Classic.

The Football Classic was the brainchild of Steinbrenner and legendary Grambling State coach Eddie Robinson, who created the annual game as a charity for disadvantaged students.

The Football Classic debuted at Yankee Stadium in 1971 and was played there till 1986, before changing venues to Giants Stadium. As legend has it, sustained damage to Yankee Stadium's field one year prompted the change. But the move wasn't a bad thing for the Football Classic, as it added the popular tradition of tailgating to the annual event.

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NCCU Eagles return to MEAC with win over NC A&T Aggies

DURHAM, N.C. -- Based on the recent history of the series, N.C. Central's 27-16 win over North Carolina A&T might count as a blowout in favor of the Eagles. Thanks to seven turnovers by the Aggies, NCCU was able to wrap up its biggest win over its biggest rival since winning 15-2 in 1988.

The past five game went down to the wire, with each settled on the final possession. A year ago, the Aggies took a 23-17 win in double overtime to break a three-game winning streak by NCCU. Now the Eagles (2-2) can claim four wins in five years over N.C. A T (0-4). After the game, NCCU coach Mose Rison was doused by his players with a cooler full of water as they all celebrated in front of the student section and band.

The crowd of 15,173 at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium was the largest in school history, with more than 5,000 standing-room tickets being sold as festival admission at the track adjoining the stadium. The overflow crowd was on hand to watch the first game in Durham between the teams since 1992, which A T won 49-7.

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