Lamar fends off Grambling in home opener

BEAUMONT, Texas -- Caleb Berry broke the Lamar record for career passing touchdowns as the Cardinals defeated Grambling State 42-27 on Saturday night at Provost Umphrey Stadium.

Lamar started out sluggish in the season opener for both teams, falling behind Grambling in the second quarter. The Cardinals did get on the board first when Berry found wide receiver Mark Roberts streaking down the left sideline for a 69-yard touchdown pass. Berry finished the game 27-of-45 for 389 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

Despite the fast start, Lamar could not capitalize on numerous Grambling mistakes. After a bad punt snapped sailed over Tiger punter Johnathan Wallace's head and gave Lamar good field position, Berry threw an interception that was returned 74 yards. But the Cardinals would hold Grambling to a field goal that gave the Tigers the lead.



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TSU, Prairie View set for clash in Labor Day Classic

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

OPPONENT: Texas Southern

TIME: 4:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Houston, Texas (NRG Stadium)

WEATHER: Roof Closed
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TSU GAME NOTES: Click Here

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HOUSTON, Texas -- Labor Day signifies the end of summerTREThe annual Labor Day Classic means the start of a new football season in a game involving longtime SWAC rivals Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M.

The meeting between the programs comes early each season, and the outcome has a long, lasting affect throughout the remainder of the year.

"I had a lady walk up to me the other day, and she's a Prairie View alum, and tells me if Prairie View loses the game, she's not going to be able to go to church the next Sunday," fourth-year Prairie View football coach Heishma Northern said.

"I want to win, but you not going to church is between you and God. She said a lot of people at her church are TSU alums, and she just couldn't take it if we lose that game."

So not only does the winner get a head start in the SWAC West Division race, a year's worth of bragging rights is also on the line.

The 2014 Labor Day Classic is at 4 p.m. Sunday at NRG Stadium.

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Alabama A&M, North Carolina A&T face off in Orlando's MEAC/SWAC Challenge

TV: ESPN 11:45 AM ET

ORLANDO, Florida  -- If it were up to Alabama A&M coach James Spady, his first collegiate game as head coach would be played against anyone other than the man he'll see across the field from him on Sunday.

Spady spent three seasons as offensive coordinator under Rod Broadway at Grambling State from 2007-09, a brief encounter when you consider how long each has roamed the sidelines.

On Sunday Spady makes his debut with Alabama A&M on a national stage against Broadway and North Carolina A&T in a matchup of historically black colleges and universities. The 10th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge is scheduled for kickoff at 11:45 a.m. Sunday at UCF's Bright House Networks Stadium.

The significance of such a meeting is not lost on the career assistant of 22 years as Spady sets out to reignite a program that finished 4-8 in 2013 after back-to-back winning seasons.

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2014 Southern University Human Jukebox Season Opener at ULL

Jackson State beats the clock, defeats FAMU on Hail Mary

JACKSON, Mississippi -- What a way to open the season, let alone the Harold Jackson era. The Jackson State's sideline was cleared as players and coaches rushed to the endzone, with the crowd erupting in the background, all toward DeSean McKenzie, who caught the game-winning Hail Mary touchdown.

As the clock expired, Jackson State defeated Florida A&M 22-17 in Saturday's opener in Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"As they say, it's not over until the fat lady sings, and the fat lady sung in the last play," said Jackson, who's in his first year coaching at JSU. At first, it seemed the Rattlers had spoiled the Tigers' opener.

Quarterback Damien Fleming whipped a pass to Gerald Hearns, who zipped to the endzone, and FAMU went up 17-16 with 46 seconds left in the game.



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FIU Richard Leonard Sets School Record in Season Opening Loss to Bethune-Cookman Widcats

MIAMI, Florida -- The FIU football team (0-1) opened the 2014 season with a tough, 14-12, loss to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Saturday night. Senior Richard Leonard broke the school's single-game punt return yards record in the effort.

The Panthers' explosive cornerback collected 148 yards on five punt returns, while his 71-yard punt return late in the fourth quarter also stands as the fifth longest in school history. It's also the longest non-scoring return in FIU history. The Miami native shattered the previous record of 97 punt return yards, which was set in 2011 against Florida Atlantic by now-NFL standout, T.Y. Hilton. Leonard also had a 54-yard kick return in the second quarter.

On the defensive side of the ball, junior Denzell Perine set career highs in sacks (3) and tackles for loss (3/9.0). In all, the Panthers backline was able to accumulate 40 yards on 10 tackles for loss.

Senior safety Justin Halley's pass breakup on B-CU's opening drive moved the Boca Raton, Fla., native three pass break-ups shy of No. 2 all-time in program history. On the Wildcats' opening drive, Halley got in front of the B-CU receiver, slicing through the center of the field, forcing a fourth down. Junior Lars Koht collected FIU's first sack of the season on the following play.

B-CU broke a scoreless game with 11:26 to go in the second quarter. A one-yard touchdown run by the Wildcats' Michael Jones on first and goal gave the Wildcats' the an early 7-0 lead.

FIU responded with six points on back-to-back drives that resulted in a field goal. In his first drive under center for the Panthers, true freshman Alex McGough guided FIU 36 yards on six plays, setting sophomore Austin Taylor up for a 25-yard field goal.

Taylor's second 25-yarder came on the Panthers following drive. In a series that saw McGough connect 28 yards with junior tight end Ya'Keem Griner, FIU covered 53 yards on 10 plays and cut the deficit to one point. B-CU entered halftime with a 7-6 edge.

The Wildcats pulled ahead, 14-6, 3:34 into the fourth quarter, as the team converted a deep pass on third and nine. FIU responded with a four-play, seven-yard drive, resulting in a touchdown, following a 71-yard punt return from Leonard. The five-yard pass from McGough to junior T.J. Lowder was the first of the Tampa, Fla., native's career.
The score stood, 14-12, with 5:16 to go in the game. A failed last-second field goal attempt by the Panthers ended the contest.

Sophomore Jonnu Smith's two catches in the game moved the Ocala, Fla., native into second place in school history for catches by a tight end with 41.
McGough finished his first game with the Panthers 13-of-27 for 117 yards and one touchdown. His connection with Griner for 28 yards stands as a benchmark career-long for the rookie. In all, five true freshmen saw action in tonight's game (Shermarke Spence, Alex McGough, Anthony Wint, Alex Gardner, Dennis Turner)

FIU returns to action next weekend as the Panthers host Wagner. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m
. from Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.

Final Stats (PDF) I Final Stats (HTML)
Ron Turner Quotes (PDF) I Richard Leonard and Alex McGough Quotes(PDF)
B-CU Head Coach Brian Jenkins Quotes (PDF) I Post-Game Notes (PDF)

COURTESY FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

ODU hangs on to defeat Hampton 41-28

NORFOLK, Virginia -- (WAVY) – Old Dominion opened the 2014 season with a 41 to 28 win over nearby Hampton University.

The Pirates were playing their first game under new head coach Connell Maynor and they were hanging tough with ODU which is playing its first season as a member of the FBS.

The Monarchs took a 28 to 14 lead into the locker room at the half, but Hampton kept things close throughout the second half.

Quarterback Jaylian Williamson, who went Oscar Smith, outplayed ODU’s heralded signal caller Taylor Heinicke. Williamson was 32 of 45 and threw three touchdowns and one interception.

Heinicke was 29 of 49 for 281 yards, three TD’s and two interceptions. Two of Heinicke’s touchdowns were to Zach Pascal.

Both of his interceptions were by former ODU basketball player Breon Key.

ODU used a ground attack led by sophomore Gerard Johnson to help move the offense. He rushed the ball 22 times for 137 yards and a touchdown.



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