ECSU Vikings do extra prep for opener

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina - Waverly Tillar wanted to be sure his Elizabeth City State football team would be on firm footing when the Vikings make their season debut at Newberry College today.

The Wolves play on artificial turf and Tillar was concerned that the ECSU players, who practice and play on natural grass, might get distracted by the different surface, so he took the team to East Carolina last Sunday to work out on a similar field.

“We’ve got a bunch of new guys and I wanted to get those turf jitters out of them so they would feel more comfortable,” Tillar said. “The game is much faster on turf. You have to give them a chance to get accustomed to it.

“Playing faster than normal, guys can ...

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Livingstone College band ready for football season

SALISBURY, North Carolina - When the Livingstone College Marching Blue Bears take the field tonight at Alumni Memorial Stadium, their size alone will impress you. When they start playing "In the Stone," one of Earth, Wind & Fire's biggest hits, you're probably going to be blown away. In fact, you might think members from the Grammy-winning group's horn section have donned Livingstone uniforms and are out there on the field, too.

Marching bands have long been the essence and ethos of the black college experience. More than a century ago, Alabama A&M's chancellor recruited W.C. Handy to join the faculty and direct the band, orchestra and vocal music programs. Over time, the tunes played by HBCU marching bands have evolved from classical music to more popular music - notably soul and R&B.

It's not uncommon for halftime shows to include songs by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Average White Band, Frankie Beverly & Maze, The Gap Band and other popular artists. Sometimes, even musical show tunes wind their way into the performances.

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NCCU Eagles look to cut turnovers, penalties

COACH HENRY FRAZIER III

DURHAM, North Carolina — A year ago, N.C. Central was on the road in New Jersey to play Rutgers in the Eagles’ season opener as a Football Championship Subdivision team. Rutgers, an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision team, beat NCCU 48-0.

The Eagles start the season today (6 p.m., WNCU 90.7-FM) at home against Fayetteville State, a Division-II school from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, in which NCCU competed before rejoining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

NCCU coach Henry Frazier III admitted that there is some added pressure for hosting a Division II squad in Game 1. NCCU doesn’t have the upper hand just because it’s on a higher level, Frazier said.

“Man, we went 2-9 (in 2011) — ain’t no upper hands,” Frazier said. “When you’re coming off 2-9 (and) you’re 0-5 at home, you can’t look a that. I don’t think no one should be around here talking about upper hands.”

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NSU player with NFL sibling is on his own path

NORFOLK, Virginia  -  After their freshman year at Norfolk State, DeMarta' Johnson was hanging out at teammate Keenan Lambert's house. They talked. They relaxed. Then a rookie safety with the NFL's Seattle Seahawks strolled into the room.

"He was just walking around the house," Johnson said. "I was kinda startled. I was like, 'Yo, that's Kam Chancellor.' I recognized him from Virginia Tech. He's like, 'Yeah that's my brother.' "

Johnson wasn't the only one surprised. Most people, including some teammates, still don't know Lambert and Chancellor are half-brothers who grew up sharing a bedroom.

The different last names are part of the reason. Lambert does the rest, downplaying the connection.

THE GAME
Norfolk State vs. Virginia State at Dick Price Stadium,6 p.m.
Radio 102.1 FM, 1490 AM

GAME WATCH
Virginia State at Norfolk State
Time 6 p.m.
No TV
Radio 102.1 FM, 1490 AM





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SCSU Marching 101 vs. Georgia State Panthers

What to watch for in Sunday's MEAC/SWAC Challenge

MONTGOMERY,. Alabama - Watch what Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow and company had to say after their last practice in Montgomery before heading to Orlando for the big game. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday and the game will be aired live on ESPN. Video is courtesy of http:www.bamastatesports.com.

Interviews with HC Reggie Barlow, CB Saeed Lee, FS Kejuan Riley and QB Greg Jenkins on this week's game vs. Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC-SWAC Chalenge Sunday, Sept. 2 at 11 a.m. CST in Orlando, Fla.

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FAMU seeking the right fit on special teams

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Some of the blame could be put on LeRoy Vann for the high standard that kickoff and punt returners for FAMU must now attain.

Vann made it a habit of scoring touchdowns on punt returns and he left with a school record three seasons ago. Since then, there hasn’t been a punt or kick returner who came close to the feat.



Coach Joe Taylor isn’t quite sure he’s found the man yet to match Vann but the ones he’s chosen as returners seem to be doing a pretty good job. Not of imitating Vann, mind you. At least they are getting the ball to a spot that would give FAMU good field position.

Cornerback Marvin Ross will take the lead on punt returns, with defensive back Terry Johnson and Lenworth Lennon as back-ups. James Owens will handle kick returns. He and Ross each had a return for a touchdown in the Rattlers’ final scrimmage last weekend.

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Fort Valley State has something to prove

FORT VALLEY, Georgia - There are doubters in the dorm rooms next to them, down the street and certainly on message boards. After a 2-8 season, Fort Valley State is in dire need of momentum from the season’s opening kickoff and on.

But playing a top-25 team on the road is likely to make that quite tough. Defensive back Dajuan Williams wouldn’t have it any other way when the underdog Wildcats visit No. 14 Delta State on Saturday.

“I like to play them early,” he said. “Set the tone, let other teams know we’re really coming to play. Once we take care of them, earn our respect early and maintain it throughout the season.”

It won’t be easy.

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Mature Mississippi State team takes on Jackson State

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - Back in 2009, Mississippi State opened the Dan Mullen era with a 45-7 demolition of Jackson State in the first meeting between an SEC football program and a SWAC school.

Mullen still remembers the Bulldogs' first offensive play of that game.

"We ran a double-reverse on the first play," he said this week. "I wanted to make sure we put a stamp on what the future was going to be like. That double-reverse play was planned out for like a year.

"Now we're four years in. We'll probably hand it off up the middle."

Now entering his fourth season in Starkville, Mullen has led the Bulldogs to two straight bowl wins and expectations are high for 2012. And again, the season will begin with Jackson State in a 6 p.m. kickoff today at Davis Wade Stadium.


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Jacarde Carter next in line at GSU

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana  -  Cliff Exama was always in Jacarde Carter’s ear during Carter’s freshman football season at Grambling State.

“Your whole playing career, you have to seize the moment, take it for what it is and build from that,” Carter said of Exama’s advice.

When Carter saw Bryan Nelson’s fumble on the ground in the fourth quarter of December’s Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, he did exactly what his senior teammate told him. Carter seized the loose ball and scooted 66 yards for the decisive score in Grambling’s 16-15 victory. The victory capped a season-ending seven-game win streak while the play helped propel Carter into the discussion of who would replace Exama, the 2011 SWAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Carter finished last season fourth on the team with ...

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Bowie State, Benedict Tigers Live on CBS Sports Network

BOWIE, Maryland - The NCAA Division II and CBS Sports Network have announced their 2012 regular-season football television schedule and Bowie State University will hit the airwaves first on Thursday (September 6th) on the road at Benedict College at 8 pm.  Bowie State defeated Benedict last season (31-14) on the Bulldogs' home field in the inagural contest.

The Benedict Tigers are a member of Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).

Division II Vice President Mike Racy said the program, now in its seventh year, has been good for the participating institutions and Division II in general.

“This will be the seventh season of Division II regular-season coverage on CBS Sports Network,” Racy said. “After this year, national telecasts will have originated from 35 different Division II football stadiums, and about 25 percent of our football-playing members will have had regular-season national television exposure. It's been great for the division, and the schools say it's also been valuable for them.”

This will be the first appearance on the CBS Sports Network series for eight institutions in football or basketball.

After the Bowie State / Benedict contest, the series will include  five conference matchups, including a Sept. 13 game between Texas A&M-Commerce and Midwestern State. That contest will be part of a Lone Star Football Festival – a three-day, six-game event at Cowboy Stadium that will include all nine LSC teams.

The remaining matchups include: Truman State at Central Missouri (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association), Sept. 20. This will be the only 2012 football matchup between founding members of the MIAA, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Wingate at Carson-Newman (South Atlantic Conference), Sept. 27. Carson-Newman is a three-time Division II finalist.  Wayne State (Mich.) at Saginaw Valley State (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), Oct. 11. Wayne State lost to Pittsburg State in the 2011 championship game. New Haven at Stonehill (Northeast-10 Conference), Oct. 18. New Haven received a first-round bye in last year's Division II championship playoffs.

2012 BSU BULLDOGS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern gets important paycheck, exposure for New Mexico game

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Asked how competitive his team can be against the Football Bowl Subdivision’s New Mexico Lobos in the season opener, Southern coach Stump Mitchell made his feelings clear.

“We’re not just going up there to collect a paycheck,” Mitchell said. “We’re going up there to try to get win No. 1.” But the paycheck will sure be nice.

For making the trip out to Albuquerque, N.M., the Jaguars will receive a guarantee of $350,000 — a sum that goes a long way toward boosting the SU athletics budget. In total, the school will receive a little more than $1.1 million between the New Mexico game, a guarantee from the Atlanta Football Classic against Florida A&M and ticket revenue from the Bayou Classic against Grambling.

Altogether, that amounts to more than 13 percent of Southern’s projected athletics revenues.

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MSU will look to unleash passing attack on Jackson State

STARKVILLE, Mississippi - Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen says the winning formula for his football team won't change.

However, with four senior starting wide receivers and a former Parade All-American -- junior Tyler Russell -- at quarterback, the prevailing thought is MSU will become a pass-first football offense. MSU's season opener at 6 p.m. Saturday (Fox Sports South) against Jackson State University should give Mullen and his assistant coaches an opportunity to define the personality of the offense again.

"Our personality is never going to change," Mullen said. "We want to run the football and be a very physical team, but the expectations the guys have in themselves of making plays in the passing game can make you a more explosive offense."

In Mullen's first three years at MSU, his offense has averaged at least 175.3 yards rushing per season. It also has had a passing game without experienced receivers and quarterbacks who are true pocket passers.

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D.J. Williams out to make his own name at Grambling

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana - When D.J. Williams lined up under center at Independence Stadium last September, he found himself in the worst position possible.

Williams was a quarterback with too many thoughts running through his head, most of them relating to his coach and father, legendary Grambling quarterback Doug Williams.

“Going into my first game, I’m like, ‘I wonder how many passes my dad threw in his first game?’” D.J. Williams said. “All kind of stuff like that. It was just bad for me. It should never have gone that way. That wasn’t a good way to go.”

As Grambling lurched to a 1-3 start, things got worse for the younger Williams. In addition to battling a turf toe injury, he found himself on the bench as Frank Rivers helped rally the Tigers.

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GSU opens against Alcorn

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana - Alcorn State's Jay Hopson said he has fielded "8,000 questions" regarding his becoming the SWAC's first white football coach this summer.  Grambling's Doug Williams, whose Tigers open the season against the Braves, can empathize.

Williams is still answering questions about his place in history as the first black quarterback to play in and only black quarterback to win a Super Bowl with the Washington Redskins' 42-10 victory Jan. 31, 1988.

Hopson in particular downplayed the importance of his own race-related distinction, but both men understand the interest in their respective roles.

"That's the great thing about football is football's not a political game," the Alcorn State coach said. "We're just gonna try to do what we came here to do and do everything in our power to build a successful program."


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Howard University marching band prepares for annual football classic

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Saturday, RFK Stadium will be filled with thunderous cheers as the Howard University Bison and the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers take the field for the annual AT&T Nation’s Football Classic.

The decibel level is unlikely to subside when the linemen and running backs jog off at halftime. The reason: Howard’s famed Showtime Marching Band.

The band’s 110 members — helped along by a dozen Ooh La La! Dancers, an eight-person Flashy Flag Squad and one hyper-dynamic drum major — will strut, high-step and slip-and-slide between notes and syncopated drum beats.

“The marching band is another aspect of the football game,” says John Newson, director of bands for Howard University. “It’s not only about playing music, but entertaining the audience and motivating the football team.”

Photo Gallery

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ATTNFC website: www.NationsFootballClassic.com
ATTNFC Twitter: @NationsClassic
ATTNFC Facebook: www.Facebook.com/NationsFootballClassic
Howard University website: www.howard.edu
Morehouse College website: www.morehouse.edu

About the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™

The AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ is a black college football game held annually at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. This year, the game features Howard University against Morehouse College.

Organized by Events DC, the AT&T Nation's Football Classic™ was created to celebrate the passion and tradition of the college football experience, recognize the

history of service to others by the students, faculty and alumni of historically black colleges and universities, highlight the unity of African American culture, and honor the heritage and excellence of these proud institutions.

Tickets for the AT&T Nation’s Football Classic™ are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, the Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore. Seats are priced $25 to $50.

Georgia State pounded in opener by MEAC powerhouse S.C.State, as growing pains continue

SCSU BULLDOGS POUND GEORGIA STATE 33-6 IN THE DOME.

ATLANTA, Georgia - If you haven’t kept up on the uniquely metamorphosing Georgia State football program, it goes something like this:

The Panthers started playing games in 2010. Their first schedule of Colonial Athletic Association games is this season (Year 3). But they’re not eligible for the CAA championship because they’ve already decided to jump to the Sun Belt. The NCAA’s mandated two-year transition to FBS means they can’t compete for championships or bowls until 2014 — not that it was realistic anyway — which effectively means they will have played four years of exhibition games (45) by the end of 2013.

And you thought the NFL preseason was long.

There’s an obvious advantage to this: New programs typically get beat up, and Georgia State has been no exception to this. So this extended stretch of unofficial-ness allows Georgia State athletic director Cheryl Levick to tell prospective donors, “Don’t worry, it’s just growing pains. Just wait until the games really count. Would you like another shrimp?”

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SSU: Scheduling Losses to Start a Turnaround

SAVANNAH, Georgia — On a resplendent afternoon in late August, when no college football team in the country had yet lost and no player blessed with youthful confidence expected to, the Savannah State Tigers were immersed in a spirited practice peppered by the language of positivity: “Good block.” “Nice tackle.”

Just beyond one end zone, cheerleaders rehearsed the fight song. “Our team is strong,” it went. “Victory’s our guarantee.”

This show of optimism spilled forth from a university that could justifiably claim — not that anyone would — that it had the worst Division I program since the turn of this century.

Over 11 seasons, Savannah State, the self-proclaimed University by the Sea, in a charming city distinguished by oak trees that sprout Spanish moss, has won 17 games, just five against Division I teams. It has changed coaches six times — once because of a death — and had nine athletic directors, including interims. It has been placed on N.C.A.A. probation twice and faced a pair of embarrassing lawsuits that claimed racial discrimination.



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Tennessee Tech thwarts Hampton's comeback 41-31

COOKSVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee Tech dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage Thursday night in Tucker Stadium, posting a season-opening 41-31 non-conference victory over Hampton. The game saw highly touted Tennessee transfer Da'Rick Rogers make an impact to an already-potent Tennessee Tech offense.

Rogers caught three passes for 75 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown from Tre Lamb with 4.6 seconds left in the first half that gave the Golden Eagles a 31-7 halftime lead.

Rogers joined the defending Ohio Valley Conference champions' program less than a week ago after being dismissed from Tennessee for failing multiple drug tests.

After being outgained 384-80 in the first half, Hampton bought itself a chance with great third-quarter work in the kicking game. Jorrian Washington returned the second half's opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, and Taurean Durham kicked a 40-yard field goal at the 8:45 mark to make it 31-17.

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Charleston 44, Shaw Bears 26

CHARLESTON, West Virgina - Senior All-American Jordan Roberts (Madison, WV) racked up a school-record 238 yards on just 23 carries as the University of Charleston football team rolled past Shaw 44-26 in the 2012 season opener at UC Stadium.

Roberts got the season off on the right foot by scampering for a 13-yard touchdown run to cap a quick 45 second drive for the early 7-0 advantage that proved to be just the start of a great night. The short touchdown was setup by a stellar defensive stand that was capped by Ahmed Shakoor (Stone Montain,GA) recoving a blocked Shaw punt at the 14 yard line.

On their next possession the Golden Eagles sustained a longer drive after taking over at the SU 39 yard line. The other every down threat Maurice Leak (Waxhax, NC) provided the highlights for the second scoring drive as he went to the air for a 16-yard completion to Roberts. The pass got UC within striking distance and Leak closed the door on the drive with a two yard touchdown run for a controlling 14-0 lead.

Shaw showed some fight as the first quarter closed by marching 75 yards for a touchdown to pull within a possession at the 14:54 mark of the second stanza. Charleston showed off more options with an answer to the Bear's score as C.J Stallworth (Orange Park, FL) and Darrell Byrd (Columbus, OH) took some of the pressure off Roberts with double-digit yardage runs, which setup the scoring strike from Leak to freshman Shaq Williams (Charleston,WV).

SU All-American James Langford pulled his squad within a possession with 5:21 remaining in the opening half with a touchdown run from 13 yards out making the score 21-13 as the extra point was missed.

The University of Charleston took control of the final five minutes of the second quarter and put on a clinic for how much can be accomplished in a short period of time as the Golden Eagles managed two field goals and a touchdown before heading into the locker room. Leak put the touchdown on the board with a five yard run before handing the scoring reigns to Puma Nuredini (Naples, FL) who put away back-to-back field goals from 43 and 27 yards out. Shakoor was credited with a fumble recovery to give UC a quick turnaround to setup the first Nuredini score.

After giving his team a 34-13 lead headed into halftime Nuredini picked up where he left off in the second half by drilling a 39 yard field goal five minutes into the third period. The third field goal of the game handed Nuredini a school-record of his own for most field goals in a game.

Shaw quarterback and former University of Wisconsin signee James Stallons put together a solid effort on the next drive by marching his team down the field and booking a two yard touchdown toss to pull within 37-20 at the 8:29 mark of the third quarter.

A comeback attempt was never allowed to materialize as Charleston again expanded their advantage when Leak connected with Dustin Phelps (Roanoke, VA) for a 30-yard touchdown just four minutes later giving the home standing Golden Eagles plenty of breathing room at 44-20. SU grabbed six more points for the road to set the final score at 44-26, but would never threaten in the final quarter of play.

For the night Roberts was the work-horse on offense taking 23 carries, yet he managed a double-digit average of 10.3 yards per carry on his way to setting the school single-game mark with 238 net rushing yards. Stallworth provided plenty of relief with what on any other night would have been a stellar 5.2 yard per carry effort as he racked up 42 yards on eight carries.

Leak kept the Bears defense honest by completing 11-of-20 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns, which included connecting with Williams and Ryan Foster (Cincinnati, OH) four times each on the evening.

The Golden Eagle defense kept Shaw held in check all night by allowing just 292 yards of total offense. Shakoor and Matt Kelly (Cincinnati, OH) led the way for the defensive unit with nine tackles apiece. In the trenches Rockford Stone (Charlotte, NC) booked a sack and tackle for loss in the win.

Charleston possessed the ball 37 minutes to just 22 by the Bears in the game.

UC keeps in the weeknight game mood next week when Saint Joseph's (Ind.) comes calling upon UC Stadium. Kickoff next week is set for 7:00 pm on Thursday, Sept. 6.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF CHARLESTON MEDIA RELATIONS

Redemption Awaits Albany State

ALBANY, Georgia - Albany State has waited ten months for a redo with the North Greenville Crusaders.

Still reeling from the SIAC Championship loss to Miles College, the Golden Rams entered the Division Two postseason as an at-large seed, but were never much of a factor in their loss to North Greenville. The Golden Rams were thrashed in the first round by the Crusaders 63-14 ending the 2011 season abruptly.

“Things didn't go the way we planned it...we lost early in the playoffs. We're just glad to have another opportunity to play them. First game of the season, we want to go out there and give it our best shot,” running back Nathan Hoyte said.

This go-around, North Greenville travels to Albany for Saturday’s season opener with a lighter load.



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Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame class announced

MARTY MILLER
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR 
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY

NORFOLK, Virginia  -  Two NBA champions, two championship coaches and two decorated athletic directors comprise this year's class for the Hampton Roads Sports Hall of Fame.

The class features basketball stars Dave Twardzik and Bobby Dandridge (NSU), coaches John Brophy and Nancy Fowlkes, and athletic directors C.J. Woollum and Marty Miller.

Dandridge averaged 22.5 points and 12.9 rebounds from 1965-69 at Norfolk State. He later won two NBA titles, averaging 18.5 points in regular-season games and 20 points in playoff contests.

Twardzik was a two-time All-American at Old Dominion. He played four seasons with the ABA's Virginia Squires and four more with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, who won the 1977 NBA title. He has spent 25 years working in the NBA as an assistant coach and executive.

Brophy coached ...

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Five things to watch against Virginia State

NORFOLK, Virginia - How Nico Flores plays?

Yeah, I've been harping on Flores a lot early on, but the quarterback is kind of important. Even if Flores plays great, it’s against Virginia State and it doesn’t guarantee success, but he can allay at least some of the concerns with a solid performance. But if he struggles, fumbles and makes poor decision against an over-matched opponent, he’s going to have major problems going against an equal. The big thing will be watching how he handles pressure, blitzes and whether his mechanics hold up in game situations. There are times he slips into bad habits.

How will the running game fare?

Norfolk State pretty much faked a run game last year with the spread. It left opponents thin on defenders in the box, allowing NSU to run the ball well between the 30s, but making it difficult the closer the Spartans got to the end zone. Norfolk State ran it enough to keep opponents honest. The game-plan this season calls for a power-run game. If the Spartans can’t do it against Virginia State, they can't expect to be able to do it against anyone.

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Signs point to big season for WSSU Rams, Smith

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Kameron Smith's grin tells the story of how excited he is heading into his senior football season at Winston-Salem State.

Smith, the starting quarterback, seems to have everything in his favor. He's healthy, and he will have a massive and experienced line in front of him when WSSU opens Saturday at home against UNC Pembroke.

He also remains humble, not inclined to muttering expletives when things go poorly or to bragging or displays of emotion when things go well.

"Having a veteran at quarterback is so huge," coach Connell Maynor said. "It's a tremendous advantage to have a three-year starter coming back, but to also have an All-CIAA quarterback coming back is great. He's a guy that should have been an All-America, but that's another story."

Smith (listed at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds) has led WSSU to a 19-3 record since taking over as the starter in the third game of the 2010 season. He leads WSSU in many career passing categories and needs 266 yards to pass Tory Woodbury as the all-time yardage leader.

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Benedict Tigers ready for season debut

COLUMBIA, South Carolina - The Benedict College Tigers kick off the 2012 season on Saturday at Virginia Union. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.

The Tigers will be young, especially on offense. Redshirt freshman Marcus Graham is set to take over the reins at quarterback.

The main area of improvement head coach James Woody wants to see from his offense is to cut down on turnovers. Last year, the Tigers turned the ball over 37 times.

The Tigers have more experience on the defensive side, led by preseason All-SIAC safety Martin Epps and defensive lineman Dyrell Porcha.

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