Howard falls in homecoming game to Florida A&M despite Greg McGhee-led rally

WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- Howard quarterback Greg McGhee was peddling a stationary bicycle in the closing minutes waiting for one more opportunity. The senior had practically willed the Bison back into the thick of Saturday’s homecoming game against Florida A&M, tossing three second-half touchdowns, including the final two on a balky knee he was trying to keep from tightening.

In the end, McGhee’s afternoon concluded in that same spot on the sideline at Greene Stadium, only able to watch as the Rattlers ran out the clock on Howard’s 31-28 loss, its fifth consecutive defeat. In losing their first homecoming game in four years, the Bison remain winless in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with four games left. A season that began with aspirations of challenging for a conference title has unraveled in large part because of injuries to 10 starters.

“For some reason we played better in the second half,” Howard Coach Gary Harrell said. “We’ve got to find out how can we play the same way for four quarters, but the guys fought. It was a game we wanted to win. The momentum, we gained it late, but we just ran out of time.”



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WSSU beats St. Aug’s 36-13 on homecoming

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Winston-Salem State, always a good bet to show up on the big stage, overwhelmed St. Augustine’s 36-13 in front of more than 16,000 at homecoming at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Rams (6-1, 4-0 CIAA) needed a little boost in the second half, and defensive back D’Metrius Smith provided it with a key interception. The Rams, ranked 16th in the most recent Division II poll, were leading at the time of Smith’s interception, but it allowed them to cruise the rest of the way.

“That was a big play,” Coach Kienus Boulware of the Rams said. “We knew St. Aug’s was going to give us a fight and they did. You have to give credit to them, because they never gave up.”

The Falcons (2-5, 2-2 CIAA) cut the Rams’ lead to ...

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Fayetteville State beats Johnson C. Smith for third straight CIAA win

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Fayetteville State was seemingly cruising toward its third straight victory Saturday, but found itself on shaky terms in the waning moments of the third quarter.

However, Corbin Rascoe wouldn't let the Broncos collapse in the fourth quarter, scoring both of his touchdowns as Fayetteville State put away Johnson C. Smith 34-14.

The Broncos (3-4, 3-1 CIAA) held a 20-0 advantage at halftime before the Golden Bulls scored 14 in the third to apply pressure.

On the ensuing 4-play, 75-yard drive, Rascoe rushed for 66, including the 32-yard run to start it and the 32-yard touchdown to give Fayetteville State a 27-14 advantage.

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Special teams hurt DSU Hornets again in homecoming loss

DOVER, Delaware -- Special teams continue to be far from special for the Delaware Sate University football team.

And the quarterback position continues to be a gigantic question mark.

A blocked punt and a pick-six gave North Carolina A&T a big advantage and the Aggies held on for a 33-20 victory to spoil the Hornets’ homecoming in MEAC action Saturday afternoon.

Seven times a punt has resulted in a touchdown for the opposition this season for DelState (2-2 MEAC, 2-6 overall). The latest instance came in the second quarter when D’Vonte Grant blocked Jeremiah McGeough’s punt, which allowed Jerom Beatty to recover for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Of those seven touchdowns, four have been recoveries after a punt block.

Beatty’s touchdown spurred the Aggies (3-1, 6-2) to a 24-0 halftime lead.

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Morgan State comeback leaves NCCU with 1st MEAC loss

BALTIMORE, Maryland  -- N.C. Central didn’t get around to finishing.

On the road, NCCU was in the driver’s seat against Morgan State until about halfway through the fourth quarter in Hughes Stadium on Saturday.

Things began falling apart for the Eagles.

The scoreboard showed 36 seconds left in the game when Morgan State quarterback Robert Council took the snap and began rolling out. He lofted a soft, 15-yard toss to wide receiver Andrew King, who was lonely in the end zone until his touchdown grab attracted his Bears teammates.

That play tied the game with 32 seconds left in the contest. Chris Moller kicked the extra point that gave Morgan State a 21-20 homecoming win.

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TSU Hosts Big Blue Madness

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  On Thursday night, the Tennessee State men’s and women’s basketball teams held “Big Blue Madness” at McClendon Court in the Gentry Center.

The event began with a student shooting competition. The night quickly flowed into team introductions in which the highly anticipated women’s team was announced first followed by the brand new men’s team.

A crowd of over 1400 was on hand to witness head coach Dana Ford lace up the sneakers and try his hand at an alley-oop dunk with the help of freshman Charles Tucker. Coach Ford had a uniform on underneath his suit and surprised both fans and the players, directly following a student dunk competition.

Following performances by the cheerleaders and Tiger Gems, the men’s and women’s teams sent a couple of pairs into a shooting skills competition. The pairs were first Michelle Cox and Rodney Simeon, next I’mani Davis and Christian Crockett, third Brianna Lawrence and Keron Deshields, and wrapping it up was Rachel Allen and Jay Harris. The pair of Davis and Crockett won. Players had to make the most shots in a minute, alternating attempts.

One of the staples of Big Blue Madness, the dunk contest, came next. Zachary Lee, Marcus Roper, Xavier Richards, and Demontez Loman competed for the best dunk. Lee came away the big winner, throwing down a slam after taking off just inches in front of the free-throw line. Richards made it to the final round with Lee but had no answer for the high-flier.

The women then played a 10 minute scrimmage in which the blue team beat the white team 25-14. The men then held an intra-squad match of the same length with the blue team winning 26-20. Blue went on a 12-6 run in the final two minutes to seal the win.

The Lady Tigers’ first home game will be on Nov. 10 against Tennessee Temple while the men open up at home against Reinhardt on Nov. 14.

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Albany State Rams visit Morehouse in key SIAC East Division game

ALBANY, Georgia  — Albany State coach Mike White has no interest in forecasting the future. But if he did, it would be interesting to see if his assessment of today’s game against Morehouse holds true.

The Rams visit the Maroon Tigers in a key SIAC East Division Game at 2 p.m. today at B.T. Harvey Stadium in Atlanta.

No matter the record, White said he expects the game to be decided in the fourth quarter.

It’s always been a real tough game for us up there all the time,” White said. “Every time we go up there, it always comes down to the fourth quarter. I really don’t expect anything different. Regardless of record, it seems every time we go up there, we have a tough time with those guys.”

With four games left, the Rams can take a giant step forward in their division. Albany State is unbeaten in the East Division, while Fort Valley State and Morehouse have just one loss each.

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