Florida Classic: Bethune Cookman University 34, FAMU 7

Photo: Goodbye Coach Carter, your services are no longer needed...

by beepbeep

Florida A&M University Rattlers (3-8, 2-7 MEAC) were soundly beaten by the Bethune Cookman University Wildcats (5-6, 3-6 MEAC) before 65,357 Florida Classic fans. The Wildcats, with no passing offense to speak of held possession of the football for 41:36 to just 18:24 for the Rattlers. The Rattlers gifted BCU 21 points with four silly fumbles, including one on the first play of the game. FAMU had a total of 158 yards of offense to BCU 414 yards.

We are talking about a Rattlers team being coach by Rubin Carter, a former NFL all-pro defensive lineman with Superbowl experience coaching in his 33rd game at FAMU. Let us not worry about being politically correct tonight, as the Rattlers are in need of major changes starting with the ENTIRE coaching staff.

There is absolutely no defense for bad coaching and lousy performance in the eleventh game of the season. It was final exams this afternoon and FAMU lay-ed a big F with four fumbles on the Citrus Bowl turf. The only thing good about this game is FAMU will receive slightly over $1 million dollars for showing up.

I don't know about you, but this Rattler has had enough of sub-standard FCS football. Coach Carter's 2005, 2006 and 2007 defenses can't stop the run and gave up an average of 25 points per game and over 215 yards rushing this season. The Wyattbone blasted FAMU for 336 rushing yards. The Rattlers offense ended the season with a scoring average of 18.5 points per game but only scored 30 points on the Howard Bison this season. You won't win many games giving up 25 and scoring 18.

A career record of 6-5, 7-4 and 3-8 just doesn't cut it, especially for a head coach with a life-time record of 16-17 and a winning percentage of 48.5 percent. No head football coach in the modern era of Rattlers history has had such a pitiful record at FAMU. I am amazed how cupcake programs with no facilities, small recruiting budgets and half the number of assistant coaches can make an 8-3 or 10-1 record out of little resources. So, what's Carter excuse?

Before Carter, FAMU was a top ten team in NCAA home attendance. Today, the Rattlers are ranked #22 averaging only 15,193 per home contest (four) played at Bragg Memorial. Before Carter, attendance at the Atlanta Classic averaged 68,000 to 70,000 fans. This year, only 56, 990 came to watch the Rattlers and Tennessee State. Before Carter, homecoming was a sellout; after Carter, it wasn't in 2007. The MEAC/SWAC Challenge with our key rival, Southern University drew only 30,106 in Birmingham in the season opener. The Circle City Classic with Winston Salem State had only 43, 821 in attendance in a 60,000 seat NFL facility. Now, the Florida Classic attendance drops from 70,000 to 65,000.

Welcome to the Exit Club Coach Carter. Come join your buddies in the MEAC/SWAC that have a ticket to somewhere else. Meet Texas Southern 's former coach Steven Wilson, 4-38 (fired); Dr. Johnny Thomas (48-61), Alcorn State; Lee Fobbs (0-22), North Carolina A&T; UAPB Mo Forte (21-22); and Mississippi Valley State's Willie Totten (25-41). Coaches, meet FAMU's Rubin Carter (16-17) who replaced a college football hall of famer.

MEAC/SWAC Rivalry Weekend: Delaware State 29, Howard Bison 13

Compiled by beepbeep

FCS #10 ranked Delaware State University Hornets (10-1, 9-0 MEAC) 29, Howard University Bison - 13 (4-7, 3-6 MEAC). Season over for the Bison. DSU MEAC representative in NCAA FCS Playoffs next weekend.

The Delaware State Hornets took care of business with the Bison as expected, but their FCS #9 ranked rivals at the University of Delaware (8-3, 5-3 CAA) were beaten by the Villanova Wildcats (7-4, 5-3 CAA), 16-10.

We do not expect to see the long anticipated first football game between Delaware State and UD in the FCS playoffs, as the Hens are no better than Villanova, who they are tied for 3rd place in the South Division of the Colonial Athletic Association. The CAA has a tie for their automatic bid in Division leaders UMass and Richmond, who are both 9-2, 7-1 CAA. Both are expected to be in the playoffs with possible second place James Madison University (8-3, 6-2 CAA)being selected.
Expect Delaware State to be put on the road and paired with one of these CAA teams by the FCS selection committee.

Only 1,985 fans came out to watch the Hornets dismantle Howard.

DSU stomped HU Bison 29-13 to go undefeated in the MEAC for 2007.

The Bison took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 9 yard pass from Brian Johnson to Larry Duncan to cap a 14 play, 80 yard drive consuming 7:05 of the quarter. Howard was helped on a second and 6 at the DSU 35 with a 15 yard roughing the passer call on senior LB Russell Reeves from Mechanicsville, MD. After two rushing plays and a 4 yard completion from the DSU 20 yard line, on third and goal from the 9 yard line, Brian Johnson hit Duncan for the touchdown.

The Bison would only score again in the fourth quarter with only 2:43 remaining in the game on a 4 yard pass to Jarahn Williams 4 from QB Floyd Haigler with the two point conversion failed.

The Hornets scored 29 straight points on the Bison before their final score of the game. Quarterback Vashon Winton led the attack with 16/24 passes, 185 yards 0 TD/0 interceptions. DSU running back Kareem Jones scored one touch down on a five yard run in the second quarter, and had 13 carries for 53 yards and caught five passes for 58 yards. Lennox Norville scored on a four yard run.

DSU field goal kicker Peter Gaertner hit two from 24 yards and 33 yards to complete the offensive scoring. The Hornet defense scored a safety and a touchdown with the tackle of Howard's Russell Reeves in the end zone in the third quarter.

Later, Howard's Jarahn Williams fumbled the return and Brandon Hudson ran 10 yards for a touchdown that put the Hornets ahead 19-7.

The Hornets should more up to #9 spot in the FCS Polls this week.

MEAC/SWAC Rivalry Weekend, 11/17/07

Compiled by beepbeep

Florida Classic: Florida A&M University (3-7, 2-6 MEAC) vs. Bethune Cookman University (4-6, 2-6 MEAC) expects to attract 70,000 for this annual Orlando affair that will be televised on ESPN Classic at 3:00 p.m., today. FAMU leads the series 45-14-1 with Rattlers boss Rubin Carter holding a 2-0 mark over Alvin Wyatt Wildcats. The Rattlers will need to contain BCU running quarterback Jimmie Russell who has rushed for 762 yards/165 attempts and 12 TDs in the Wyattbone. Last week against Howard University, Russell could not be stopped and rushed 15 times for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Rattlers are giving up over 214 yards per game rushing and hasn't stopped anyone in two seasons, except BCU.

BCU has two standout NFL prospects on defense in LB Ronnie McCullough and FS Bobbie Williams, who lead the defense with 137 and 75 tackles, respectively. Williams is a shutdown free safety that will play against FAMU's best receiver, senior Willie Hayward. It doesn't matter! The Rattlers always find a way to win this game even with a red shirt freshmen quarterback (Eddie Battle), 3rd string freshmen offensive linemen and a defense plagued with injuries. Rattlers senior kicker/punter Wesley Taylor will be the difference maker in this game of two teams that need to recruit better athletes.

Capital City Classic: Jackson State University (6-4, 6-2 SWAC) vs. Alcorn State University (2-7, 2-6) is the Tigers last chance to win the east division title to play in the December 15 SWAC championship game against Grambling State University. Alcorn is playing for pride. JSU blew it last week at Prairie View, who has an opportunity to help JSU by beating the AAMU Bulldogs who are tied for first with the Tigers. A win by JSU puts them in the championship game.

Expect ASU Coach Johnny Thomas (48-60,11 years) to join fired Texas Southern Coach Steve Wilson (4-38, 4 years) on the sidelines after this game. Not only is Thomas record below par, but when you attract only 1,000 fans for ASU home date with MVSU and 2500 against division champion AAMU, the ASU fans are making a strong financial statement to the administration. The Braves total attendance for five home dates was 30,430 or 6,086 average attendance for the season. This is not rocket science--a change must come.

The Braves defense is solid, but can the offense score enough to keep up with Jackson State? Expect JSU seniors to go out as winners in an exciting game!

Howard University Bison (4-6, 2-5 MEAC) at FCS #10 ranked Delaware State University Hornets (9-1, 8-0 MEAC).

This game should be a tune-up for the MEAC champion Hornets for next week FCS playoff game, hopefully against University of Delaware Hens. Howard coach Carey Bailey believes in playing smash mouth football and the Bison team that beat MEAC second place Norfolk State in Norfolk, may just show up in Dover. If so, DSU will get what it expects to see in the FCS playoffs, a ball control, grind in out offense with a few conservative shots in the air when the receivers are open.

The Bison got smacked last week by a BCU ground attack that did not complete a pass in five attempts but amassed 420 yards rushing/4 touchdowns. Delaware State was able to come back in the fourth quarter and score 18 points on Norfolk State to take the game into overtime, and win the MEAC championship. Expect a tough game for the Hornets in containing Bison senior quarterback Brian Johnson (172 of 293 passes, 2,053 yards, 20 TDs, 8 interceptions; 126 carries, 439 yards, 4 TDs)and senior WR JARAHN WILLIAMS (53 receptions, 652 yards,14 TDs).

On defense, the Bison are led by senior All-American DE Rudy Hardie (38 solos, 20 assists, 22.5 tackles for losses, 10.0 sacks, 8 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles). Delaware State need to win this game to keep their momentum going, but expect Hornets Coach Al Lavan to protect his starters as this game is basically meaningless. The Hornets are looking ahead to their first ever NCAA championship playoff game against a team that refuses to play them in football, University of Delaware. Howard stopped DSU from sharing the MEAC crown last year with a 20-17 victory in Washington, D.C. QB Vashon Winton, NFL prospects WR Shahee McBride, RB Kareem Jones and DB Akeem Green brings a lot of talent to the field. DSU should prevail in this contest with an undefeated season in the MEAC.

Winton Salem State University Rams (6-4, 5-3 MEAC) at Norfolk State University Spartans (7-3, 6-2 MEAC).

Norfolk State would like to close out this season with a win over provisional FCS division upstart WSSU. Both the Spartans and Rams have been the surprise of the league this season beating traditional powers Hampton and FAMU. WSSU took SCSU and DSU to the wire before losing late in the fourth quarter. Both have gained respectability and winning records for their programs.

Norfolk has the third leading rusher in the conference in senior Daryl Jones who has 235 rushes for 1097 yards (4.7 yds. carry) and 14 touchdown. This 250 bus is almost impossible to stop. Quarterback Casey Hansen is the third leading passer in the conference averaging over 189 yards per game passing.

Lowcountry Classic: North Carolina A&T Aggies (0-10, 0-7 MEAC) at South Carolina State University (6-4, 5-2 MEAC). The Aggies will remain a virgin for a second consecutive season at 0-11. But, there is always--Next Year! SCSU Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough finishes with a disappointing 7-4 record in a year of high expectations of winning the MEAC, going to the FCS playoffs, playing Air Force and University of South Carolina competitively, all in the Bulldogs 100th year of college football. This talented class of Bulldogs will be remembered most for the seasons of under achievement. No titles, no playoff bids--just high fan expectations.

Bulldog senior quarterback Cleveland McCoy should closeout his SCSU career as the #1career leader in touchdowns and total yards. McCoy is three behind Michael Hicks' 52 in touchdowns and total yardage, he's 76 yards behind Marvin Marshall's 5,996 yards.
Not bad for a guy that wasn't recruited by the Division I schools as a quarterback.

Coach Pough is 6-0 life-time against North Carolina A&T. We lost patience with Aggies Coach Fobbs some time ago when the losing streak hit 12, but it has grown to an embarrassing 27 consecutive losses. Fobbs is a head coaching virgin at 0-21 overall, 0-15 MEAC in his 2nd season. Hopefully, someone will take our suggestion and schedule a Division II cupcake for next season opener to end the streak. The Aggie-nation deserves a winner, and Fobbs ain't delivered!

Aggie Pride however, is alive as North Carolina A&T is ranked #12 in NCAA home attendance (5 home games) in the entire FCS class, with a 14,245 average for the season. Norfolk State #6 (19,045) and Southern University #7 (18,913) are the only HBCUs ranked higher than the Aggies in home attendance. Outstanding for a school that hasn't tasted victory since 2005. Go Aggies!!!

Southern Illinois Salukis #5 ranked FCS(9-1, 5-1 Gateway) at Hampton University Pirates (6-4, 5-4 MEAC).

This was supposed to be Hampton Coach Joe Taylor signature game to catapult the Pirates into the FCS playoffs this season, but they got derailed by DSU, NSU, SCSU and WSSU for their highest number of conference losses in the past three years. The Salukis only loss came at the hands of Gateway conference champion and #1 ranked FCS Northern Iowa (10-0, 6-0) but SI will be in the FCS playoffs next weekend. This will be a good measuring stick for Hampton to see where they need to improve in the off-season to become FSC top echelon ranked and playoff successful. Great opportunity for Hampton to pull off a major upset.


University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions (3-7, 3-5) at Texas Southern Tigers (0-9, 0-8 SWAC)

The Tigers fired coach Steve Wilson last week after a 4-38 record in four years. Defensive coordinator DeChon Burns was named interim coach. Wilson also served this season as his own offensive coordinator. Former Washington Redskins LB Monte Coleman was elevated to defensive coordinator for TSU.

Wison had loss 11 consecutive games before his firing.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff coach Mo Forte is 20-22 in four years and went 8-4 in 2006, winning the West Division title and losing 22-13 to Alabama A&M in the SWAC championship game. The Pine Bluff Commercial is reporting that barring a change of heart by UAPB Chancellor Lawrence Davis or Athletic Director Skip Perkins, Forte final year of his contract ($120,000) will be bought out. Forte is expected to be fired on Monday.

Expect the Golden Lions to make this the third win in a row for Forte against a TSU team with no running game. Regardless, who is sitting in the head coaching position, the Texas Southern athletic programs are in a shambles due to the poor administrative leadership.

With the basketball coaching position having an interim head coach (after a national search), the former president Priscilla Slade firing and public court battle for misspending university funds and the Texas governor firing the TSU BOT, it may take years for TSU to recover. Football and basketball are not their top agenda item.

Expect the Golden Lions Forte to win this one for pride.

FCS #23 ranked Alabama A&M University Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 SWAC) at Prairie View A&M University Panthers (6-3, 5-3 SWAC).

The Bulldogs have two scenerios riding on today's game with PVAMU. First, AAMU must win.

Secondly, if AAMU wins and Alcorn State upsets Jackson State in the Capital City Classic, the Bulldogs will win the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title and the Bulldogs last game will be next month against Grambling in the championship game. If A&M wins and Jackson State beats Alcorn State, the Bulldogs hope their 9-2 record will be good enough for an at-large berth in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Prairie View is riding high after knocking out Jackson State last weekend to secure their first winning record in 31 years. The Panthers are playing well and don't expect them to scratch and crawl their way to the second place in the West behind Grambling University with a win, a half game in front of Southern University. Players and coaches read the press clippings, and that spread in USA Today this week was impressive on Prairie View success this season under Coach Henry Frazier III. The rebuilding job is just about completed and this will be a statement game for Frazier and the Panthers--not in our house!

Alabama A&M Kelsey Luke may be the difference maker for the Bulldogs. Luke holds virtually every Division I passing record in school history, including yards (6,538), completions (547), attempts (984), touchdowns (55). Luke also holds career marks for total offense (8,009) and touchdowns responsible for (73). If the Bulldogs win, it will be their third straight season with 9 win season under Coach Anthony Jones and Luke will have a 32-10 record for this career. This one will be a battle!


Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils (2-8, 2-7 SWAC) at Savannah State University Tigers ( 1-8).

Mississippi Valley State coach Willie Totten is 24-41 in six seasons. The Delta Devils are not a good team, but neither in SSU in any stretch of the imagination. Watching a good high school playoff game may be more entertaining than seeing the Delta Devils and the Tigers. But watching the Delta Devils Marching Band perform is worth the price of the football ticket.


University of Tennessee - Martin ( 3-7, 3-4 OVC) at Tennessee State University ( 5-5, 4-2)

TSU Tigers have an opportunity to end the season with a winning record and 3rd place in the Ohio Valley Conference. UTM defense is suspect giving up over 30 points an outing which should give the Tigers opportunity to score on the ground and in the air. TSU should be motivated to earn a winning season.

FAMU SPORTS PIONEER HANSEL TOOKES DIES WEDNESDAY

More on the passing of Coach Tookes and the arrangements for his funeral can be seen at these links:

http://thefamurattlers.cstv.com/genrel/111507aac.html

http://thefamurattlers.cstv.com/genrel/111407aac.html

As FAMUans, we all have our favorite coach and Coach Tookes was at the top of my list. I learned the basic fundamentals of golf from him which has been a part of my life after leaving FAMU. I will always love this man for what he gave to me as a student and a young Rattler.

As we move forward in life, let us not forget how Coach Tookes touched all our lives with kindness and generosity to our beloved Alma Mater and community. He will always live in the heart, mind and spirit of Rattlers forever. Thank you friend, counsel, mentor, coach, professor, father, great administrator and visionary for creating the Florida Classic for 70,000+ to enjoy annually.

What a Mighty Rattler you were and thank you Lord for giving Hansel E. Tookes to all of us! Your presence will be missed but not forgotten.

FAMU signs a diamond in ASHLEY HAMPTON

FAMU Coach Debra Clark has Lady Rattlers 3-0 on the 2007-08 season.

Florida A&M University Lady Rattlers basketball coach Debra Clark had successful surgery to remove her thyroid on Wednesday morning. Clark, in the final year of her contract did not let that stop her from moving the program forward and her assistants were able to keep the Lady Rattlers undefeated at 3-0 with a victory over Albany State on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, Coach Clark signed to a national letter-of-intent Ashley Hampton, senior forward with St. John Lutheran, who is a top basketball and volleyball player in the Ocala, Florida region. Basketball was the sport that many took notice of the 5-foot-9 senior, as she also drew interest from Harvard and Princeton, thanks to a grade-point average of 4.42.

Seven relatives of Hampton has graduated from FAMU. She joins her uncle Whitfield Jenkins, as members of the family who have signed athletic scholarships with the Rattlers.

"They stayed in contact with me from there and also contacted my coach," Hampton said. "They kept up with me and then we had a home visit and then I went on my official visit and I was sold (on the school)."

As a volleyball player, Hampton started each of the past three seasons on the varsity, after moving up at the end of the freshman season. She played in three consecutive Class 1A Final Fours, including the state title game in 2006.

In basketball, Hampton plays the guard position and entered her senior season with a school record 1239 points. Last season, she received second team All-State honors, averaging 16.2 points and 10 rebounds per game, in leading the Saints to their third consecutive district championship and advancement to the regional semifinals. Hampton was also selected as the FACA's District 7 MVP for Class 1A.

Photo: All-Stater Ashley Hampton is expected to become a star in both the classroom and on the basketball court at FAMU, in 2008-09.

Her mother, Kimberly Pompey-Bell is the second year head coach of St. John Lutheran School Varsity & J.V Girls Basketball programs. She is pleased in her daughter's selection of FAMU. "She wanted to go where she could major in pharmacy, and she's real excited about this chance."

Ashley's mother is no stranger to Division I women basketball, having been a star player at Ocala Vanguard and the University of South Alabama, where she still holds the school record for most 3-pointers.

"A lot of people helped play a part in this," Ashley said. "I really enjoyed my time at St. John and I feel very prepared for what lies ahead."

FAMU currently has 15 players on its roster and Hampton will play the three-guard in college.

Two of the Rattlers' three players at that spot will graduate this season, so she will have a chance to get into the mix right away.

"They are a running team and their coach (Debra Clark) liked the way that I run the floor and finished on the fast break," Hampton said. "My main focus throughout school was academics and I also love sports. Why not use sports to help with my academics? It has really worked out well."

Due to Coach Clark's recovery period, she will miss the Lady Rattlers game with Savannah State University on November 20. However, with Ashley Hampton signed for next season, her recovery should be a little less painful and peaceful.

Congratulations to Ashley Hampton and her family for continuing the Rattlers tradition of excellence. Get well soon, Coach Clark! Go Rattlers!

A Gridiron Odyssey: How three friends made it happen

Photo: Dereyck Moore with a Packers fan during a pilgrimage to Green Bay.

...The three used to think their student days at Florida A&M University were the peak of sports memories. Dereyck Moore and Corey Evans were drummers in the famed Marching 100 band, halftime performers who were so popular that the football game served as warmup and after party. Moore and Evans reunited with Roary Lee in Atlanta and started venturing into new cultures in new time zones, partying on a pigskin passport from Dallas to Phoenix to Denver. Along the way they began to compete among themselves to make each trip more memorable.

"The culture of D-I big-time football was a new experience," Moore said. And we kept gravitating to it. ... We never looked at black college football the same again." Their "Fall Football Pilgrimage" would eventually evolve into a three-day, forget-the-budget excursion that began with golf and great dinner on Friday, college football on Saturday and a pro game on Sunday.

READ THIS GREAT STORY AT: http://www.ajc.com/living/content/living/stories/2007/11/15/roadtrip%201118.html

Prairie View celebrates first winning season in 31 years at JSU expense

by beepbeep

Prairie View A&M University Panthers are no longer terrible in football. Just ask Coach Rick Comegy and the Jackson State University Tigers who were defeated by the Panthers 30-27 yesterday. The win gives Coach Henry Frazier III and PVAMU (6-3, 5-3 SWAC) its first winning season in three decades which is cause for celebration. The Panthers have one game remaining with a home contest with Alabama A&M next week.

The 39 year old head coach who has become the beacon of change for the Panthers was in third grade in Washington, D.C., when PVAMU had its last winning season way back in 1976. Frazier came to Prairie View from CIAA Division II Bowie State University, his alma mater, where he resurrected the Bulldogs program from a 21 consecutive loss string before his arrival to having the best record in school history. Frazier was the Bulldogs quarterback and led them to the 1989 CIAA championship.

So, Prairie View was the right fit for an extraordinary head coach who saw this gig as the greatest opportunity in college sports. What was he thinking? With no expectations of winning and being reminded daily by the press of Prairie View's history of having the Division I record of 80 consecutive losses in the 1990's, he was viewed like all fifteen other coaches that had tried. All had come and gone with an accumulated record of 74-295-4, since 1965.

Photo: PVAMU Head Coach Henry Frazier III has led the 2007 Panthers to a winning season, where 15 other former Prairie View coaches failed since 1965.

Back to JSU. If you think Jackson State was looking past PVAMU after their big win last week over last season SWAC champions Alabama A&M University, guess again. With this loss, JSU and AAMU are now tied for first place in the East Division with identical 6-2 records, but with JSU holding the important tie breaker in head-to-head competition. The Panthers are now tied with Southern for second place behind West division leader Grambling (8-2, 8-0 SWAC) which is an amazing accomplishment considering that Prairie View has the 9th lowest football budget in the SWAC conference, which consists of 10 programs.

Frazier deserves a lot of credit, but you have to give the team more credit for executing the plans of their coaches by digging deep to win. Quarterback Mark Spivey was able to torch Jackson State with four touchdown passes (8-19/4 TD/0 Int, 180 yards), when the Panther ground game was held to a total of 43 rushing yards. Prairie View junior wide-receiver Joe Townsend (5-10,160 lbs) from Jacksonville, Florida had a career day catching two passes for touchdowns for a total of 99 yards. The Panthers defense held JSU to only 79 yards rushing on the day, but quarterback Jimmy Oliver of the Tigers was able to complete 21/31 for 296 yards and three touchdowns and no interceptions. Jaymar Johnson, WR was able to score on a 16 yard pass and 38 yard strike from Oliver in the first half.

PVAMU defense was led by senior linebacker Zach East from Houston, Texas who had a monster game with a career high 19 tackles (seven solo), a forced fumble and a blocked field goal to keep JSU offense under control.

Senior Quarterback Mark Spivey, 6-5/180, Houston, Texas Westfield H.S., had a career day with four TDs against Jackson State.

Spivey was not to be outdone by Jackson State, hitting receivers on touchdowns from 32, 35, 20 and 64 yards giving the Panthers an explosiveness not seen at Prairie View in over 40 years. The win was reserved by a fourth quarter interception with 1:11 left by free safety Chris Adingupu at the JSU 45 yard line and Prairie View ran out the clock on the Tigers. The Panthers (6-3, 5-3 SWAC) will end their 10 game schedule next week at home with Alabama A&M. A win by the Panthers not only will improve their winning record but will put Jackson State University in the SWAC championship game (against Grambling State) if JSU defeats next week's foe, Alcorn State. Guess who JSU Coach Rick Comegy will be cheer leading for next week other than for his team to win?

A second or third place finish for the Panthers in the SWAC West Division goes beyond expectations for a program that has traveled a very long road back to respectability. Henry Frazier III in his fourth season is writing a new chapter in Prairie View history, but he is not nearly finished with the final product--SWAC championships in the modern era for the Panthers. This program is digging deep and setting an example for all universities on what it takes to build a winning football program.

PVAMU Football Photo and Audio Show: The Meaning of the Shovel http://homecoming.pantherconnect.com/ss/PVAMUFtBl07Shove/index.html