SWAC Preview: 2017 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Courtesy HBCU Sports

Courtesy: HBCU Sports View Photo

Football Preview: Mississippi Valley State

Courtesy SWAC.org

Thu, August 24, 2017

With less than a week before the first game of the 2017 Division I college football season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will be releasing team previews for all 10 SWAC schools each business day for the next couple weeks in the lead up to the kickoff opener between Texas Southern at Florida A&M on Saturday, August 26 at 11 a.m.scheduled be to broadcast on ESPNU. 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mississippi Valley State head football coach Rick Comegy isn’t shying away from a road-heavy start to the season against battle-tested teams from around the nation.
The Delta Devils (1-10 overall, 1-8 SWAC in 2016) will open with five of their first six games on the road away from the friendly confines of Itta Bena, Miss. and mixes in some challenging non-conference opponents including a huge test at FCS national powerhouse No. 2 ranked North Dakota State in the season opener on Sept. 2 that will be aired on ESPN3.
“They’re a good football team,” Comegy said. “There’s no doubt about it.  The only thing that we can do is try this thing out and see if our formula works because I know they’ve got a great formula.  But, I want to see if our formula works rather than having to prepare for what they’re doing all the time.”
The schedule continues with a trip to Southern Illinois of the Missouri Valley Conference in week two and then will host the defending SWAC Champions and Celebration Bowl winners Grambling State (ranked #21) in week four.
“That’s the way the schedule is,” Comegy added. “The only thing that I can say right now is we got to get our kids prepared to play football.  And, if we can prepare our kids correctly, then we’ll be alright.  Hard work is the only way that I can answer that.”
In 2016, the Delta Devils ranked ninth in scoring offense with 14.0 points per game, was 10th in total offense (245.3 yards per game), and finished 10th in rushing offense by running for 25.0 yards per contest.  The Delta Devils passing offense was more toward the middle of the pack with 220.3 passing yards per game (fifth in the SWAC).
New quarterbacks have entered the fray at Mississippi Valley State and there could be open competition between transfer Jett Even, senior James Crosby, and freshmen Dewayne Betts and Christopher Fowler.
Running back will be a position of note as the Delta Devils will look to find a dependable option to take some pressure off their new quarterback.  Charlie Crenshaw, Stavonski Wilkes, Kyuntrae Bell and Tyler Brewer could all share that responsibility.  None received more than 32 carries a season ago (Crenshaw).
The offense should also be aided by senior offensive lineman and All-SWAC Preseason Second Team selection Alvin Solomon, who offers some size and skill up front at 6-2 and 305 pounds.
Lining up at receiver will be returning senior Jesse Bryant, who averaged 19.4 yards per catch in 2016.  But again, there will be plenty of opportunities for others to step into a larger role with the departure of top receiver Joshua Banks, who led the team with 48 receptions for 652 yards and five touchdowns.
Mississippi Valley State will have work as a whole in improve in all areas, but should key in on the turnover battle as a way to alleviate some of their troubles.  The Delta Devils were a conference-worst minus 11 in that category as the team forced 20 turnovers, but turned it over on 31 occasions in 2016.
Last season, Mississippi Valley State ranked 10th in scoring defense (45.8 points allowed per game), eighth in total defense (446.1 yards allowed per game), eighth in rushing defense (200.7 yards allowed per game) and eighth in passing defense (245.4 yards allowed per game).
The Delta Devils defense will have to improve their red zone defense as the team allowed opposing teams to score a league-high 37 touchdowns in that situation and tied for the worst red zone defense as it allowed teams to come away with points 89.6 percent of the time. 
The secondary has the potential to be a strength of the team.
Senior defensive back Everett Nicholas leads the Mississippi Valley State defense as he is coming off a season in which he totaled 24 tackles and four interceptions.  Additionally, Mark Pegues shifts to the defensive back position after recording a returning team-high with 63 tackles.
The Delta Devils had two players in all named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including one First Team selections in defensive back Everett Nicholas and one on Second Team in offensive lineman Alvin Solomon.

Head coach: Rick Comegy; Record at Mississippi Valley State 4-29 (fourth year); Overall 177-115-2 (27th year).

2016 record and finish: 1-10 overall, 1-8 SWAC (fifth in the SWAC East Division)

Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Will Dean (8-of-15, 30 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INTs)
Rushing: Charlie Crenshaw (32 carries, 62 yards, 0 TDs)
Receiving: Jesse Bryant (17 receptions, 194 yards, 2 TDs)
Tackles: Mark Pegues (63)
Sacks: Willie Clay (three)
Interceptions: Everett Nicholas (four)
Potential game breaker: Nicholas.  The redshirt junior ranked in the top 20 in the conference in both interceptions (tied for second with four) and also ranked 17th in passes defended with seven to his credit.  With Pegues shifting to assist him in the secondary, the Atlanta, Ga. native has an opportunity to make even more plays in 2017.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ North Dakota State, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Southern Illinois, 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 Open
Sat, Sept. 23 Grambling State, 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 30 @ Charleston Southern, 6 p.m.   
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6 p.m. 
Sat, Oct. 14 @ Alabama A&M, 3 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 21 Virginia Lynchburg, 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 28 Jackson State, 2 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 4 Texas Southern, 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 @ Alcorn State, 2 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Alabama State, 1 p.m.

SWAC Football team preview schedule 

Monday, August 14: Alabama A&M

Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern

Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State

Thursday, August 17: Southern

Friday, August 18: Alcorn State

Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M

Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State

Wednesday, August 23: Grambling State

Thursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State

Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 

SWAC Preview: 2017 Grambling State Tigers

Courtesy Chris Jones / Chris Jones Photography

Courtesy: Chris Jones / Chris Jones Photography View Photo

Football Preview: Grambling State

Courtesy Elizabeth Conley

Wed, August 23, 2017

With less than two weeks before the first game of the 2017 Division I college football season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will be releasing team previews for all 10 SWAC schools each business day for the next couple weeks in the lead up to the kickoff opener between Texas Southern at Florida A&M on Saturday, August 26 at 11 a.m.scheduled be to broadcast on ESPNU.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On the heels of a largely dominant 2016 campaign that saw Grambling State take its place atop the HBCU football mountain once again, the Tigers head into 2017 as the team to beat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Tigers were a sparkling 11-1 (9-0 SWAC) in 2016, claiming the SWAC football title and a Celebration Bowl victory. Coach Broderick Fobbs’ unit does lose impact players, but for the most part there are enough returning standouts to where the G-men’s talent level is good enough for a title defense.

Starting in the backfield, reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Devante Kincade will again lead the offense at quarterback. Kincade was one of the most efficient signal-callers in the nation last year, throwing for 3,022 yards with a stunning 31 touchdowns to just four picks. Alongside him at running back is perhaps the premier all-purpose weapon in the league in Martez Carter.

With Jestin Kelly having graduated, Carter – who has bulked up compared to last season – stands to be leaned on even more to power the lion’s share of the running game with Lyndemian Brooks offering some pop as well. That said, expect Carter to make an impact all over the place, as he accounted for 1892 total yards (876 rush, 625 return, 376 receiving) and 14 scores on 184 total chances in 2016, good for a first-down-per-touch average.

Grambling State does have fellow lineman William Waddell returning up front, but all-conference performer Trent Scott – who was set to return – may be lost for the season due to injury, so there are four spots still left to sort out.

Jordan Jones remains in place as the top tight end on the team. Along with that, wide receiver is a potential area of concern as nearly 75 percent of Kincade’s yardage and touchdown totals left with the graduation of Arizona Cardinal Chad Williams and Verlan Hunter among others. DeVohn Lindsey projects as the top weapon out wide, but the preseason second-team All-SWAC pick as well as names like Darrell Clark must come along quickly as Grambling looks to remain as potent offensively as they were last season.

Defensively, the Tigers’ strength appears to lie in the back seven as the graduation of 2016 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Donovan McCray as well as Blain Winston and All-SWAC players Arkez Cooper and Samuel Reese leaves questions up front. Led by Preseason First-Teamer De’Arius Christmas, most of the linebacker corps returns, and the majority of the secondary is also set to return, though it must proceed ahead with All-SWAC defenders Guy Stallworth and Jameel Jackson (graduation)

Head coach: Broderick Fobbs; Record at GSU 28-8 (fourth year); Overall 28-9 (fourth year).

2016 record and finish: 11-1 overall, 9-0 SWAC (Won SWAC West Division, SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl 

Returning statistical leadersPassing: Devante Kincade (218-of-341, 3022 yards, 31 TD, 4 INT)
Rushing: Martez Carter (116 carries, 891 yards, 10 TDs)
Receiving: Martez Carter (28 receptions, 376 yards, 3 TDs)
Tackles: De’Arius Christmas (69)
Sacks: Deontae Hatter (4.5)
Interceptions: Deaumante Johnson (3)

Potential game breaker: The Defensive Line. On paper, this area has the most to replace from 2016, but reports from training camp indicates that the new faces up front are more than ready to answer the bell, as the D-line is stocked with size, length and athleticism and has looked unstoppable at times in team scrimmages. If this performance carries over into the season, the Tigers’ defense may be better than it was last season and could intermittently carry the team as a potentially explosive offense continues to come together in the early goings of the 2017 slate.

2017 scheduleSat, Sept. 2 @ Tulane 7:00 PM (ESPN3)
Sat, Sept. 9 vs. Northwestern State 6:00 PM
Sat, Sept. 16 vs. Jackson State 6:00 PM
Sat, Sept. 23 @ Mississippi Valley State 6:00 PM Sat, Sept. 30 vs. Clark Atlanta 3:30 PM (Chicago Football Classic in Chicago, Ill.)
Sat, Oct. 7 vs. Prairie View A&M 4:00 PM (State Fair Classic in Dallas, Texas)
Sat, Oct. 21 vs. Alcorn State 2:00 PM
Sat, Oct. 28 vs. Texas Southern 2:00 PM (Homecoming)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2:30 PM
Sat, Nov. 11 @ Alabama State 2:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 25 vs. Southern 4:30 PM (Bayou Classic in New Orleans, La. on NBCSN)

SWAC Football team preview scheduleMonday, August 14: Alabama A&M
Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern
Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State
Thursday, August 17: Southern
Friday, August 18: Alcorn State
Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M
Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State
Wednesday, August 23: Grambling StateThursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State
Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 

SWAC Preview: 2017 Alabama A&M Bulldogs

Courtesy Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M

Courtesy: Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M View Photo

Football Preview: Alabama A&M

Courtesy SWAC.org

Mon, August 14, 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  Alabama A&M head football coach James Spady said during the 2017 SWAC Media Day that he loves everything about his football team.
Alabama A&M appeared to be heading into a positive direction as it produced a one-game improvement from a season ago (4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC) with a second-place finish in the SWAC Eastern Division in 2016.
Now, the Bulldogs return their entire starting offensive line along with a top running back in the conference and signs from their spring games that they may be able to take the next step forward this upcoming season.
“I wanted to see great effort and we got that on both sides of the ball,” coach Spady said.
“Our defense did dominate us offensively, but there were some things that the offense did that I was fired up about.  We converted more third downs than we had.  We grew as an offensive unit in getting the ball to our different weapons and so it was a successful spring.”
Freshman of the Year running back Jordan Bentley looks to build upon his impressive first season where the All-SWAC First Team Preseason selection rushed for 851 yards on 159 carries (5.4 rushing yards per carry) with nine touchdowns. The six-foot, 200-pound back from Guntersville, Ala. was strong enough to finish with the fourth most rushing yards per contest in the conference with 77.4 yards per contest. Among returning players for the 2017 campaign, Bentley holds the second most rushing yards (only behind 2016 SWAC Championship Game Offensive MVP Martez Carter of Grambling State).
As far as the Bulldogs’ offense as a whole, it showed a slight uptick in production, producing 23.8 points per game (good for sixth in the conference).  Alabama A&M ranked ninth in passing offense (188.6 yards per game), fifth in rushing (178.8 ypg), and was sixth in total offense (367.5 ypg).
The Bulldogs will have to look to a new signal caller this season with the departure of De’Angelo Ballard.  Quarterbacks on the roster who could step into that starting role include redshirt junior Damion May, freshman Aqeel Glass and redshirt freshman Dylan Smith.
A key for the Alabama A&M defense in 2017 will be to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as no individual Bulldog player ranked inside the top 20 in sacks and the team totaled a league-low nine sacks.
Leading the Bulldogs defense will be senior linebacker Kenneth Davis, who ranked second in the conference in tackles with 98 and had 10.5 tackles for a loss.
In 2016, Alabama A&M ranked eighth in scoring defense (allowed 38.7 points per game), ninth in total defense (460.7 yards allowed per game), 10th in rushing defense (238.8 yards allowed per game) and fourth in passing defense (221.9 yards allowed per game).
The Bulldogs had five players named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including four First Team selections.  It’s the most in Spady’s tenure.  Bentley (RB), Davis (LB), Tere Calloway (DB), Nick Carden (K) were named as First Teamers while OL Austin Simmons made the Second Team.
Head coach: James Spady (Record at A&M 11-23 (fourth year); Overall 11-23 (fourth year).
2016 record and finish: 4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC (second in the SWAC East Division)
Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Damion May (1-of-3, 12 yards, 0 TDs, 1 Int)
Rushing: Bentley (159 carries, 851 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving: Ledarion Heath (22 receptions, 247 yards, 0 TDs)
Tackles: Davis (98)
Sacks: Yurik Bethune, Davis (two apiece)
Interceptions: Calloway (two)
Potential game breaker: R-So Marceles Clash.  The 6-1, 170-pound wide receiver from Altadena, Calif. showed promise this spring and has Bulldogs coaching staff excited for what he may be able to do to alleviate the loss of departing WR Tevin McKenzie, who ranked ninth in the SWAC in receptions (50 catches), fifth in receptions per game (4.5) and totaled 529 receiving yards.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ UAB 2:30 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Vanderbilt 3 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 @ South Alabama 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 23 Texas Southern 6 p.m. (Louis Crews Classic)
Sat, Sept. 30 Arkansas Pine-Bluff 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Southern 6 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 14 Miss. Valley State 2 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 28 Alabama State TBA (Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Ala.)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Alcorn State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 Jackson State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Kentucky State 1 p.m.

SWAC Football team preview schedule

Monday, August 14: Alabama A&M

Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern

Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State

Thursday, August 17: Southern

Friday, August 18: Alcorn State

Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M

Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State

Wednesday, August 23: Grambling State

Thursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State

Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Houston Cougar Head Coach Herman Talks Win Over Oklahoma

Head Coach Herman talks their big win over #3 Oklahoma Sooners.

SWAC 2016 Football Media Day Recap

Courtesy Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M

Courtesy: Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M View Photo

2016 Football Media Day Recap

Courtesy SWAC.org

Fri, July 15, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference officially opened the 2016 football season with its annual SWAC Football Media Day in Birmingham, Alabama at the Birmingham Marriott.

The event featured several workings including the All-SWAC Preseason Team announcement with a live video and radio broadcast stream.  A series of special guest included LT. COL Keith Bland of the Air Force Reserve, ESPN’s  John Grant, Executive Director of the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, Mark Wright from The Undefeated, Jay Walker ESPN College Football Analyst and Shack Harris from the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Head coaches from all 10 schools accompanied with two players each were in attendance.  Over 130 media members were credentialed for this year’s gathering.
The SWAC released a pair of public service initiatives to highlight the conference member institutions, promote the upcoming 2016 Toyota SWAC Football Championship in Houston, Texas on December 3.
The SWAC released its 2016 SWAC Preseason Teams with Southern running back Lenard Tillery and Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry being tabbed for individual honors.
Two-time defending champion Alcorn State totaled 44 votes points as it was named the preseason favorite out of the East Division. Alabama State followed with 35 points, Jackson State received 28 points, followed by Alabama A&M (16) and Mississippi Valley State (12).

Out in the West Division, Prairie View A&M was chosen as the division favorite after amassing 41 points in the voting. Grambling State followed with 35 points, and Southern received 32 points. Texas Southern (16) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (11) rounded out the order of predicted finish.

SWAC Championship Recap: Alcorn State 49 Grambling State 21

Alcorn State beats Grambling State 49-21 to win 2015 SWAC Championship.

SWAC: Football Championship in Houston

Courtesy Zena Lewis

Courtesy: Zena Lewis View Photo

Football championship brings excitement to Houston

Courtesy Antonio Morales, Clarion Ledger

Fri, December 04, 2015

Alcorn State beat Southern 38-24 in the SWAC title game last season. Now the Braves will try to become the first repeat conference champion in 13 years. Alcorn  State will enter the title game on a three-game winning streak and has allowed 33 points combined in the past three games. The Braves have lost two consecutive games to Grambling, though, which included a 35-34 overtime loss earlier this season.

The Tigers are trying to win their first conference title since 2011. They also earned a lot of accolades from the SWAC.  Quarterback Johnathan Williams was the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, and coach Broderick Fobbs was named the conference’s Coach of the Year. Grambling is the only team in the SWAC without a loss in conference this season.

3 THINGS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Can Alcorn State slow down the Grambling offense?

The Tigers didn’t go crazy offensively in terms of yards in the first meeting, they posted 343. But they still managed to put plenty of points on the scoreboard. Grambling is the second-highest scoring offense in the SWAC at 43.2 points per game. Alcorn State, which allows 21.2 points per game, has the top scoring defense. So it’ll be a battle between two of the top units in the conference.

How much does experience help?

Braves coach Jay Hopson said he hopes the experience of playing in the title game last season helps. It didn’t matter much to Alcorn State last season when it was new to the SWAC title game and beat defending champion Southern. Grambling will be playing in this game for the first time since 2011. Braves receiver Brandon Vessell said he felt some pressure while playing in the game last season, but those nerves should be a bit more calm this time around.

Will John Gibbs Jr. play?

It seems like it’s the main question posed to Hopson every week. Hopson typically says Gibbs, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is “day-to-day.” He gave that answer when asked about Gibbs this week. Quarterback Lenorris Footman has been struggling passing lately, so the possible return of Gibbs could help the passing attack.

GAMEDAY DATA

When: Today, 3 p.m.

Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Television: ESPNU

Last meeting: 35-34, Grambling, on Oct. 17, 2015

All-time series: Grambling 44-19-1

SWAC: Football Game Day Central

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo

Football Game Day Central - November 28

Courtesy SWAC.org

Fri, November 27, 2015

Home team's radio will serve as the live audio feed in SWAC head-to-head match ups. SWAC member's radio will serve as live audio link in non-conference games. Live audio links may vary. For radio networks, coverage may begin during pre-game show and times may vary depending on network.

Some audio links may require and prompt you to download software if your desktop/laptop is missing the component.

Live stats begin at kick off.

SWAC WEEKLY RELEASE I STATS FCS SCOREBOARD I NCAA SWAC GAMECENTER I ONNIDAN SCOREBOARD l FCS INSIDER

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MEAC: Football Recaps Week 11, North Carolina A&T Clinch Title

Football Recap: Week 11

Courtesy Associated Press

Sat, November 14, 2015

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Aggies Clinch a Share of MEAC title
GREENSBORO, N.C. - North Carolina A&T can't quite have a "celebration" yet, but the Aggies can claim their second straight MEAC football championship after defeating Delaware State 27-6 Saturday afternoon at Aggie Stadium.
Junior running back Tarik Cohen become the Aggies all-time leading rusher in the first quarter of Saturday's game, as he surpassed Mike Mayhew on a 28-yard run. Cohen had 132 yards on 17 carries while freshman quarterback Kylil Carter accounted for three Aggie touchdowns including one on the ground. As a runner he finished with 84 yards on 21 carries. 
The win clinches at least a share of the MEAC title for No. 14 N.C. A&T (9-1, 7-0 MEAC). A&T has produced back-to-back 9-win seasons for the first time since doing it three straight seasons from 1990-92.
The Aggies must go through their arch-rivals N.C. Central (7-3, 6-1 MEAC) next week at Aggie Stadium in order to claim the title outright. A win over the Eagles would also give Aggies a berth to the inaugural Celebration Bowl, which pits the MEAC champion against the SWAC champion at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Dec. 19. Bethune-Cookman also has a chance to claim a share of the conference title. Underdog Delaware State (0-10, 0-7 MEAC) tried to throw off the Aggies' plans, but could not generate enough offense. The Hornets were held to 14 yards rushing and 174 yards of offense as the Aggies held a team to under 100 yards rushing for the sixth straight game.
N.C. A&T led 6-0 at halftime thanks to a 9-yard touchdown pass from Carter to junior receiver Denzel Keyes. Carter threw his second touchdown of the game to Khris Gardin on a double move by the receiving that freed him up for a 35-yard touchdown reception. But the Hornets found themselves down only seven in the first quarter when Brycen Alleyne scored from four yards out to cut N.C. A&T's lead to 13-6.
Senior Tony McRae helped the Aggies put the game away on the ensuing kickoff as he returned a squib kick 75 yards for his third career kickoff return for touchdown. Carter added a 1-yard run late in the game.
Read more at www.NCATAggies.com.

NCCU Beats Howard 41-6 for Sixth Straight Victory
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Eagles of North Carolina Central University defeated the Howard University Bison 41-6 to keep their MEAC championship hopes alive.
The Eagles got off to a slow start as a fumble on the opening drive set up a Howard 39-yard field goal. The Eagles responded on the very next drive with a field goal of their own, a 25-yarder by Nigel Macauley, to tie the game at 3. That kick by Macauley broke the school record for field goals in a season with 17.
The game remained tied until the 2:47 mark in the second quarter, when a 6-yard touchdown run by redshirt junior quarterback Malcolm Bell put NCCU up 10-3. It did not take long for NCCU to extend its lead as a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown by redshirt freshman Davanta Reynolds put the score at 17-3.
At halftime the score was 20-3 as a 21-yard field goal by Macauley, the 18^th of his rookie campaign, on the last play of the half gave the Eagles a comfortable lead.
After going scoreless in the third quarter, redshirt freshman Ramone Simpson found the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter to put the score at 27-6.
In the fourth quarter, Bell went on to find his rhythm in the passing game with an 8-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Armani Lanier, his sixth of the season, and a 74-yarder to junior LaVontis Smith to get two passing touchdowns on the day, and three total.
Read more at www.NCCUEaglePride.com.

4^th Quarter Rally Lifts SCSU Past NSU, 17-10
NORFOLK, Va. - South Carolina State scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, capped by Justin Taylor's go-ahead 4-yard touchdown run with 42 seconds left, as the visiting Bulldogs rallied for a 17-10 win over Norfolk State on Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium.
Stymied for much of the first three quarters, the Bulldogs (6-4, 5-2 MEAC) put together two fourth-quarter scoring drives to rally from a 10-3 deficit and top the Spartans (3-7, 3-4) in NSU's home finale.
The game was tied 3-all at the half as both defenses controlled the game. Both teams also blocked a field goal in the first half.
The Spartans took the lead on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Greg Hankerson Jr. to Marcus Taylor with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter. NSU had a chance to extend its lead to 10 points early in the fourth quarter. But SCSU blocked its second field goal of the day, a 34-yard attempt by Cameron Marouf, with 10:21 left in the fourth. SCSU's James Settles accounted for both blocked field goals.
SCSU responded with a nine-play, 79-yard drive. NSU appeared to recover a fumble on its 25-yard line that would have ended the drive, but officials ruled the play to be an incomplete pass. Four plays later, quarterback Adrian Kollock threw an 8-yard TD pass to Dondre Brown with 7:36 left, tying the game at 10-all.
NSU got the ball back and drove to the SCSU 49, but eventually was forced to punt. The Bulldogs then embarked on a 10-play, 76-yard drive to take the lead. Kollock completed five passes for 75 yards on the drive, the big blow being a 34-yard completion to Taquan West down to the NSU 6. Two plays later, Taylor scampered in from 4 yards out, and the PAT made it 17-10 with 42 seconds left.
Read more at www.NSUSpartans.com.

Additional recaps to come:
Florida A&M 17 v. Morgan State 21
Hampton 42 v. Savannah State 3

SWAC: Grambling State Wins Western Division Football Championship

Courtesy UAPB Sports Information

Courtesy: UAPB Sports Information View Photo

Grambling State wins Western Division Football Championship

Courtesy SWAC.org

Sat, November 14, 2015

Grambling State 49, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31
Box Score

PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Grambling State clinched its first Western Division Championship since 2011 with a 49-31 win at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Saturday afternoon.  Wih a win over Southern in the Bayou Classic, GSU can be the first team with a perfect conference record since they accomplished that feat in 2008.

Johnathan Williams passed for 339 yards and four touchdowns, and Grambling State jumped out to a 35-3 lead that they would not relinquish.  With the victory, GSU punched its ticket to the 2015 SWAC Football Championship in Houston, Texas at NRG Stadium on Dec. 5.

Leading 14-3 late in the first half, GSU (8-2, 8-0) forced a punt to get the ball back with just 1 second left. Rather than kneeling on it, Williams found Verlan Hunter for a 41-yard score as time expired.

Jateri Pouncey returned an interception for a 22-yard score on UAPB's first possession of the second half, and Williams hit Hunter for nine yards 55 seconds later to build the Tigers' lead en route to clinching the West Division title.

Hunter had 77 yards on five catches to go with his two touchdowns for Grambling State.

Brandon Duncan finished 34 of 52 for 459 yards with three TDs and three interceptions for UAPB (1-9, 0-8), adding 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
Teammate Willie Duncan finished with a game high 14 tackles for the Golden Lions. Troy Roach led GSU with nine stops and one sack

SWAC: College Football Recaps November 14

Courtesy David Campbell / Alabama State

Courtesy: David Campbell / Alabama State View Photo

Football Recaps - November 14

Courtesy SWAC.org

Sat, November 14, 2015

Alcorn State 65, Texas Southern 13
Box Score

HOUSTON –Texas, - Lenorris Footman threw two touchdowns and ran for two more as Alcorn State topped Texas Southern 65-13 on Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

Footman was 11 of 18 for 185 yards passing and rushed for 75 yards for the Braves (6-3, 5-2). Darryan Ragsdale ran for 115 yards and a touchdown.

Footman threw a seven yard scoring pass to Jordan Payne following a fumble by TSU on the first play after the opening kickoff. The Braves scored again on a blocked punt and Footman added two scoring runs and another touchdown pass before the end of half for a 38-0 lead at the break.

Ragsdale broke into the open for a 68-yard touchdown run to start the second half and the Braves cruised to the win.

Homer Causey threw for 114 yards and ran for a score for the Tigers (3-6, 2-6).  Archie Rice finished with a game high 12 tackles for TSU. 

Prairie View 38, Alabama State 13
Box Score

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Trey Green threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score to lead Prairie View to a 38-13 win over Alabama State on Saturday for its sixth-straight victory at ASU Stadium.

Green opened the scoring with a 59-yard pass to KhaDarel Hodge and then the Panthers (8-2, 7-1) outscored the Hornets 17-0 in the second quarter to lead 24-7.

Green, who completed 16 of 27, found Anthony Wiltz for 19 yards in the third quarter and after and Alabama State scored early in the fourth he ran 8 yards for a touchdown.

The Panthers piled up 534 yards and held Alabama State to 263 to win eight games for the first time since 2009.

Johnta Herbert rushed for 101 yards on 18 carries and Hodge had 101 yards on four receptions.

Kourtney Berry led ASU with 12 tackles.  Brandon Medina completed the afternoon with six tackles and a pair of sacks for PVAMU.

Southern 46, Alabama A&M 7
Box Score

BATON ROUTE, La. -- Austin Howard passed for 312 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more to lead Southern to a 46-7 win over Alabama A&M on Saturday.

The Jaguars (6-4, 6-2) led 39-7 at halftime and finished with 631 yards and 34 first downs, while holding the Bulldogs (2-7, 2-5) to 110 yards and 11 first downs.

Malcom Crockett also notched a pair of scores while gaining 99 yards and Lenard Tillery had 127 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

AAMU quarterbacks combined for just four completions on 12 attempts but Damion May had an 11-yard scoring pass to Jonathan Dorsey early in the second quarter to make it 13-7.

Howard connected with Randall Menard for 23 and 21 yard scores sandwiched around Crockett's three yard run and Tilliman's 39-yard score on the next four possessions before halftime.

Embrel Vaughn led all tacklers with nine for AAMU.  Gabe Echols finished with three sacks for the Jaguars.

SWAC: College Football Week 11 Preview

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo

Football Weekly Release - November 10

Courtesy SWAC.org

Tue, November 10, 2015

FULL NOTES l WEEK11 TELECONFERENCE l WEEK 10 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 14
Alcorn State at Texas Southern
Houston, Texas
1:00 p.m.
Alabama State vs. Prairie View A&M
Montgomery, Ala.
2:00 p.m.

Grambling State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Pine Bluff, Ark.
2:30 p.m.

Southern vs. Alabama A&M
Baton Rouge, La.
4:00 p.m.
CONFERENCE NEWS AND NOTES
• Grambling State can clinch a spot in the 2015 Toyota SWAC Football Championship this weekend. If the Tigers defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff Saturday, they will sew up the Western Division race. Prairie View A&M must win out and Grambling State must lose its remaining two games for the
Panthers to win the division, as Grambling State holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over Prairie View.
• In the SWAC Eastern Division, Alcorn State is currently atop the leaderboard, with Alabama State the only team in the division that could potentially overtake the defending Conference champion. If Alcorn State wins two of its final three games, it will clinch the East regardless of Alabama State’s result against Prairie View, as the Braves hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Hornets.
• After another 100-yard outing, Southern running back Lenard Tillery ranks No. 10 in the nation in rushing yards. He is also tied for fourth in the nation in terms of rushing touchdowns with 12 scores on the ground this season.
• This week features a clash of two of the hottest teams in the SWAC, as the Alabama State Hornets look to push their win streak to four when they host Prairie View, which is eyeing its fifth-straight victory. The game will match strength on strength as the Panthers will put their conference-leading offense to the test against the Hornets’ defense, which ranks No. 2 in scoring and total yards in the SWAC.

MEAC: Football Recap Week 7 - Hampton, FAMU Get Wins

Football Recap - Week 7

Courtesy Associated Press

Sun, October 18, 2015

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

N.C. A&T State Aggies Defeat B-CU Wildcats
GREENSBORO -- A 4^th-and-4 play in the fourth quarter played a major role in North Carolina A&T State’s 24-14 win over Bethune-Cookman in MEAC football action Saturday afternoon at Aggie Stadium.
Senior Kwashaun Quick and redshirt freshman Lamar Raynard exchanged quarterbacking duties on the drive with Raynard connecting on 5-yard and 8-yard passes to Cohen to set up the crucial fourth down.
Raynard took the snap and sprinted left like he was going to roll out and pass.
As he went left, Cohen sprinted parallel to the right. With the defense flowing toward Raynard, he reached out and handed the ball off to Cohen, who stopped in his tracks and ran up the middle of the field for a 33-yard touchdown untouched to give the Aggies a 10-point advantage with 11:23 remaining in the game.
B-CU failed to convert fourth downs on its next two drives to seal the win for N.C. A&T who beat the Wildcats for just the second time in 10 tries.
Cohen finished with 116 yards rushing and one touchdown on 20 carries. For the second straight week, Cohen also led the Aggies in receiving with five caches for 29 yards. Keyes caught two touchdowns and Quick was 8-for-9 for 63 yards and a touchdown. He also had 47 yards rushing.
B-CU did have success throwing the ball against N.C. A&T with 358 yards passing. Starting quarterback Quentin Williams threw for 191 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while reserve Larry Brihm had 167 yards passing. Junior Jawill Davis had 103 yards receiving on six catches.
The win gives Aggies sole possession of first place at 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the MEAC. Bethune-Cookman dropped to 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the MEAC. 
Read the full story at NCATAggies.com.

Hampton Pirates Upends Morgan State Bears on the Road 
BALTIMORE, Md. – Last season, Morgan State spoiled Homecoming for the Hampton University football team.
Saturday saw the Pirates exact revenge against the defending MEAC co-champions, as Hampton beat Morgan State during the Bears’ Homecoming 20-10 at Hughes Stadium.
Hampton improved to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in MEAC play.
David Watford’s string of consecutive games with a touchdown pass extended once more, as he completed 17 of his 30 passes for 206 yards – throwing completions to six different receivers. He also ran seven times for 22 yards.
Rashawn Proctor racked up a team-high 87 receiving yards on three catches – including an 80-yard touchdown. Twarn Mixson had a team-high six catches for 53 yards.
Christopher Dukes ran 12 times for 78 yards, averaging 6.5 yards per carry.
Jason George led the Pirates on defense with eight tackles, and Miles Grooms disrupted thebackfield to the tune of two sacks and three quarterback hurries. Chaka Diarrassouba had an interception, while the Pirates forced three lost fumbles.
In addition to four turnovers, Morgan State (3-3, 3-1 MEAC) had just 276 yards on total offense.
After a missed field goal from the Bears, the Pirates struck first with 4:06 left in the first quarter, when Watford hit Proctor from 80 yards to put Hampton up 7-0.
Morgan State had driven into the red zone on the ensuing possession, only to have Moses Killon fumble the ball. Darius Banks recovered the fumble and ran it back 83 yards to put the Pirates up 14-0 with 12:34 left in the first half.
Diarrassouba intercepted Skillon on the Bears’ next possession, before Watford threw an interception of his own on the ensuing play. That gave the Bears their first scoring drive of the afternoon, when Chris Moller kicked a 49-yard field goal to cut the lead to 14-3.
 Adam Brown kicked a field goal of his own, a 33-yard boot, as the clock expired to give the Pirates a 17-3 halftime lead.
Read the full story at HamptonPirates.com.

Rattlers Swat Hornets for 41-13 Homecoming Win
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida A&M Football rode a 24-6 scoring surge in the second half to rolls past Delaware State, 41-13 at Homecoming before 22,678 in Bragg Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The win was the first of the year for FAMU (1-6, 1-3 in MEAC), while luckless Delaware State (0-6, 0-3) remained winless of the season.
It was also FAMU's first Homecoming win since 2012, a 22-21 come-from-behind win over North Carolina Central.
FAMU's last victory came against the Hornets, 41-7 in Dover last November, but it was their finishing flurry in the second half that put the visitors away.
The Rattlers broke a 7-7 tie with 3:00 left in the second period, when Carson Royal found Jairockeis Jones in the right flat, and the Eastern Michigan transfer raced 78 yards to put FAMU ahead for good at 14-7.
Colby Blanton tacked on a 35-yard field goal with 36 seconds left to extend FAMU's cushion to 17-7 at the half. Blanton's 27-yard fielder with 9:42 left in the third pushed the Rattler lead to 20-7, then Devondrick Nealy's five-yard blast made it 27-7.
Read full story at FAMUAthletics.com.

Bulldogs Dominate Bison in 49-10 Victory
ORANGEBURG, SC—Freshman quarterback Caleb York led the charge throwing 13-of-22 for a game-high 208 yards and two touchdowns to lead South Carolina State to a 49-10 thrashing of Howard Saturday (Oct. 17) at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.

"This was a good win for us, the kind of win we needed to get back on track," said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. "We didn't do that much statistically, especially on offense, but we did some things on defense and scored in several ways."

SC State finished with 325 total yards offense, while Howard managed just 217 on the day.

Redshirt sophomore Mykal Moody posted his second 100-yard receiving game of the season with three catches for 107 yards and a touchdown.  Redshirt freshman Lynard Jamison dazzled the crowd of 16,033 screaming Bulldogs fans on a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown. Jamison also finished with eight (8) catches for 70-yards.

The defense played lights out with back-to-back interceptions for touchdowns by senior defensive back Chris Pauling (42-yards) and redshirt sophomore linebacker Darius Leonard (65-yards) early in the first quarter.

York connected with Moody on a 67-yard touchdown pass to give SC State an early 21-0 lead to close out the quarter. Senior running back Dondre Lewis-Freeman pushed the Bulldogs ahead, 28-0, on a 10-yard scamper with 5:40 remaining in the second quarter.

The Bison finally found the endzone on a 36-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by sophomore defensive back Travon Hunt early in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Adrian Kollock, Jr. put the game out of reach on a 6-yard punch with 0:49 seconds remaining late in the third quarter to give SC State an commanding 42-7 lead.
Read more at SCSUAthletics.com.