21 SWAC Games to be Broadcast in 2011

Birmingham, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its football broadcast schedule Thursday, including a 10-game slate on SWAC TV, the league's internet broadcast site.

The schedule has eight games across ESPN networks, plus national and regional television dates with NBC, Versus, and SportSouth. In all, 21 SWAC games are scheduled to be televised during the 2011 football season.

Note: The tape delayed games on ESPNU can all be seen live on ESPN3.com.

Date               Game                                              Time (CT)      Network

Sat., Sept. 3 Alabama State at Mississippi Valley State 5 pm SWAC TV
Sat., Sept. 3 Alcorn State vs. Grambling 9:30 pm (Tape) ESPNU
Sun., Sept. 4 Prairie View A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman 11 am ESPN

Sat., Sept. 10 Alcorn State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6 pm SWAC TV

Sat., Sept. 10 Jackson State vs. Tennessee State 6 pm SportSouth

Sat., Sept. 17 Jackson State at Southern 6 pm SWAC TV

Sat., Sept. 24 Southern vs. Florida A&M 2:30 pm VERSUS

Sat., Sept. 24 Alabama A&M at Grambling 5 pm SWAC TV

Thur., Sept. 29 Texas Southern at Jackson State 5 or 6:30 pm ESPNU
Sat., Oct. 1 Alcorn State at Alabama State 7 pm SWAC TV

Sat., Oct. 8 Mississippi Valley State at Alabama A&M 1 pm SWAC TV

Thur., Oct. 13 Texas Southern at Alabama A&M 6:30 pm ESPNU

Sat., Oct. 15 Southern at Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6 pm SWAC TV

Sat., Oct. 15 Prairie View A&M at Alabama State 9:30 pm (Tape) ESPNU

Sat., Oct. 29 Jackson State vs. Prairie View A&M 4 pm SWAC TV

Sat., Oct. 29 Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State 9:30 pm (Tape) ESPNU

Sat., Nov. 5 Grambling at Jackson State 5 pm SWAC TV

Sat., Nov. 12 Texas Southern at Grambling 8 pm SWAC TV

Thur., Nov. 24 Tuskegee at Alabama State 3 pm ESPNU

Sat., Nov. 26 Southern vs. Grambling 1 pm NBC

Sat., Dec. 10 Farmers Insurance SWAC Championship Game 12 pm ESPNU

By SWAC Media Relations

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Three Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions Sign NFL Contracts

PINE BLUFF, Ark.- University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff football players Raymond Webber, Ibrahim Abdulai, and Arthur Thomas have signed free agent contracts with the NFL.

Webber will join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Abdulai and Thomas have signed to play for the New York Giants and the St. Louis Rams respectively.

“As a coaching staff we could not be happier to hear the news that Webber, Abdulai, and Thomas will be able to continue their careers in the NFL,” said UAPB head coach Monte Coleman. “All three young men have put in the hard work necessary to achieve their goals and with continued work at improving themselves as players I expect to see all of them heavily contributing on their respective teams in the near future.”

NFL teams are expected to begin training camps in the upcoming days as a deal was reached ending the lockout on Monday.

“I'm excited to get going and for training camp to start,” said UAPB's Webber. “While I was disappointed that I didn't get drafted I knew with hard work and persistence I would get my chance to showcase my abilities at the next level some day.”

For Webber, Abdulai, and Thomas that day has arrived as they headline the list of collegiate football players from HBCU's to sign free agent contracts.

By UAPB Golden Lions Athletics

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Former TSU, Prairie View stars pursuing NFL careers

Houston, TX - Former Texas Southern linebacker Dejuan Fulghum will formally begin his pursuit of an NFL career when he opens training camp with the Detroit Lions today. 

Fulghum, the 2010 Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year, signed as an undrafted with the Lions earlier this week. Fulghum, a Killeen native, was a four-year starter during his four years at TSU, helping to lead the Tigers to a 9-3 record and the SWAC championship in his final season.

In 2010, the 6-1, 220-pound Fulghum led TSU in total tackles (101), tackles for loss (18 ½), sacks (11) and forced fumbles (three).

Two former Prairie View A&M defensive stars also will be in NFL training camps. Defensive back Chris Adingupu signed as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive lineman Quinton Spears inked with the Miami Dolphins.

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Indianapolis Colts signs Delaware State's WR Larrone Moore

Indianapolis, IN - The Indianapolis Colts Friday officially announced the signing of Delaware State University free agent wide-receiver Larrone Moore.

Moore totaled 102 receptions for 1,236 yards and five touchdowns in 43 career games at Delaware State. In 2009 as a junior, he ranked second on the team with 33 catches and 315 yards while posting the third-highest kickoff return-yard average (25.6) in the MEAC. As a freshman in 2007, Moore led the squad with 431 kickoff return yards.

The 6'-0", 196 pound wideout and kick returner is noted for his speed, clocking a 4.38 40 yard dash at DSU's Pro Day. The Prince George's County (Hyattsville, MD) native played high school football at Northwestern High School.



Moore was the top sprinter on Delaware State’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams … qualified for 2009 NCAA Outdoor East Regional championships in the 100-meter dash (10.39) and 200-meter dash (20.75) … member of Delaware State’s NCAA championship qualifying 1600-meter relay team, which posted a school-record time of 3:05.21 at national championships … captured 2009 MEAC indoor 200-meter championship with time of 21.50 seconds … qualified for 2008 NCAA East Regional in 100 & 200 … also competed in long jump (top leap: 6.84 meters).

In other words, Larrone Moore has an excellent opportunity to become a deep threat kick returner in the NFL, as he can outright fly.

VISIT: DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
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Hampton's Brandon Peguese signed by Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Philadelphia Eagles have signed former Hampton University defensive standout Brandon Peguese, the team announced on Tuesday.

Peguese (Greensboro, N.C.) was a Sports Network FCS All-American and First Team All-MEAC selection last season, after finishing third on the team in tackles with 85 (38 solo, 47 assisted). He also finished third in the MEAC with 8.0 sacks in 2010, while also ranking second in the conference in tackles for loss with 23.5 for a total of 94 yards.

For his career at Hampton, Peguese tallied 179 tackles and 18 sacks. In 2009, Peguese was named Second Team All-MEAC after leading the conference with 7.5 sacks.

Peguese was one of nine rookie free agents signed by the team.

Peguese is the second Pirate to be picked up by an NFL team this season; defensive lineman Kenrick Ellis was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft back in April by the New York Jets.

By Hampton University Athletics

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South Carolina State's Harrison signs with Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers signee Josh Harrison
(Photo courtesy S.C. State Athletics)

Lake City, S.C. - Josh Harrison finally got the phone call he wanted.

On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed the former Lake City and South Carolina State offensive lineman to a free-agent contract. “I was so excited about it. I can’t put it into words,” Harrison said. “It’s been a dream of mine to play pro football and I’m excited to get the opportunity.”

Harrison will report to the Steelers’ facility Wednesday and then be with the club when it opens training camp Thursday in Latrobe, Pa. Harrison, like other undrafted free agents, has been in limbo since April until the NFL lockout ended Monday. Tuesday was the first day teams were able to sign undrafted free agents.

Harrison said he has stayed in shape by working out in Orangeburg, where he has been taking classes to finish up his degree in mechanical engineering, and at the YMCA in Florence.

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New football coaches meet ahead of MEAC Media Day

NORFOLK, Va. — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will have five new football coaches on the sidelines this season and two of them are already creating a bit of a buzz around the league because of their reputation of winning championships.

Henry Frazier, who spent the last seven seasons at Prairie View, comes into the league as head coach at North Carolina Central. Rod Broadway left Grambling State University to take over the head coaching job at North Carolina A&T.

Frazier is taking the Eagles from Division II to their first season at the Football Championship Subdivision, while Broadway's mission is to turn around an Aggies program that hasn't had a winning season under their last two coaches.

They spent Thursday in meetings with the conference's nine other coaches and commissioner Dennis Thomas. They will meet the media today and they could expect to field plenty of questions about how soon they'll make their programs winners. The same will be asked of the three other new coaches — Kermit Blount of Delaware State University, Garry Harrell of Howard University and Savannah State's Steve Davenport.

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