Lincoln vs. Howard: A Rivalry Revisited

WASHINGTON, DC - This is a non-conference game between the Lions of Lincoln University from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAA) against the Bison of Howard University from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The Lions (1-3 overall, 0-2 in) are coming off a 52-21 home loss to Saint Augustine's this past Saturday while the Bison (0-4, 0-3 in the MEAC) dropped a 20-3 decision to Morgan State University this past Saturday in the New York Urban League Football Classic at the Meadowlands.

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QB has triggered fast starts for NSU's offense

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley's career has started just as the Spartans hoped. His starts to each game, though, have been far better than anticipated.

Walley, a transfer from Joliet (Ill.) Junior College and the winner of a three-way quarterback competition in the preseason, has three straight torrid starts. He completed four of his first five passes against Rutgers, eight of his first 10 against North Carolina A&T and 11 of his first 13 against Virginia State.

Heading into Saturday's game at Bethune-Cookman, the Spartans have played their best in the first half, outscoring opponents 47-20. The transfer credits scouting for the early success.


B-CU's schedule getting tougher

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- It's hard to imagine a more favorable scheduling scenario for a first-year head coach and a team learning an entirely new system.

Preseason drills and practice were followed by a season-opener that, for all intents and purposes, was a glorified scrimmage against a totally overmatched opponent -- Edward Waters College, which fell 70-10. After that came a rare second-week bye, allowing for an extra week of preparations leading up to Game 2, against Savannah State, which offered a small step up in competition yet still resulted in a lopsided victory, 42-7.

After Saturday's decisive win over Savannah State, Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins assessed how his team currently looks, compared to what he was hoping to see at this early stage. Since football coaches are never completely satisfied, the answer was fairly predictable.

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Hampton Pirates Get Past North Carolina A&T Aggies

HAMPTON, VA – Coming into Saturday’s football game here at Armstrong Stadium, the Hampton University Pirates had not lost a season-opener since 2003. Behind the arm and legs of quarterback David Legree and running back Antwon Chisholm, the Pirates improved upon that streak after a 35-21 victory over the Aggies of North Carolina A&T.

Hampton improved to 2-1 on the season and a more important 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while the Aggies dropped to 0-3 on the year and 0-2 in MEAC play.

The Pirates opened the game slowly as they would score just once in the first half on a 34-yard pass from Legree to Donte Davis for the first score of the game. The Aggies were not going to be outdone on the ensuing kick-off as Justin Ferrell retuned the kickoff 85 yards to tie the game at 7-7.



Legree's four TD passes lead Hampton past NC A&T 35-21‎

Hampton, VA - The scores came often as North Carolina A&T paid a visit to Armstrong Stadium on Saturday night. As the Aggies faced Hampton, two long-time college football rivals renewed a tradition. The Aggies and Hampton's Pirates have played for many years and are both members of MEAC. The contest turned into a scoring parade, with the Pirates winning, 35-21.

After a scoreless first quarter, the teams found the end zone.The scoring came within just a few seconds in the second period. Hampton's Donte Davis hauled in a 34-yard pass from David Legree. N.C. A&T answered quickly with a blazing 85-yard kickoff return by Justin Ferrell. The offenses, especially Hampton's, really moved into high gear in the second half.

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Howard Bison tests new offense vs. FAMU Rattlers

When Brad Bernard was hired in the spring as the new offensive coordinator at Howard, it was no secret that the Bison's offense was about to undergo a major change — from spread to the triple option. Bernard spent 12 seasons at Bethune-Cookman where his offensive scheme was nicknamed the "Wyatt bone" for then-head coach Alvin Wyatt's passion for the once-popular offensive scheme. Now Bernard is indoctrinating Howard.

He will see today how well the offense is grasping the change when Howard meets Florida A&M. So far, Howard has been good in spots...

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WATCH GAME: 1:00 PM - http://www.famu.edu/famcast/

Appalachian State Moutaineers vs. NCCU Eagles

After taking over the #1 spot in the polls this week, Appalachian State University will take on North Carolina Central this Saturday at Kidd-Brewer Stadium.

This Saturday will also be Fan Appreciation Day at The Rock. Fans will have the opportunity to win several different items, as well as be chosen for seat upgrades and a chance to be out on the field when the Mountaineers run out of the tunnel in front of the screaming fans. Also, in honor of this day, the Mountaineers will be wearing their gold alternate Nike Pro Combat jerseys for the home crowd. These game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off next month.

ASU is coming off of a big win over the Jacksonville Dolphins last week. Quarterback DeAndre Presley set a record that even legendary quarterback Armanti Edwards had no match for. Presley became the first Mountaineer ever to account for 300 yards of total offense in three of his first four starts at the position.

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ALABAMA STATE 38, ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF 31: Rickerson revs up Hornets for key win

Alabama State was slowly wearing down and the Hornets were in need of a big play. And early in the second half Jacques Rickerson delivered. The Hornets' defensive back had asked for the assignment of covering Arkansas-Pine Bluff receiver Raymond Webber and when quarterback Josh Boudreaux threw his first pass of the second half toward Webber, Rickerson was waiting.

"They started running crossing routes against the zone, so we came out in the second half and decided to 'man' up," Rickerson said. "I told Coach I wanted 86 (Webber) and he put me on him the rest of the game."

Rickerson's 17-yard interception return on the second play of the third quarter set up the Hornets' go-ahead touchdown and Alabama State went on to win 38-31 before 14,199 fans at Cramton Bowl on Saturday night.

Photo Gallery: ASU battles Arkansas Pine Bluff

Defense prevails in FAMU's first win

DOVER, Del. — A lot of what coach Joe Taylor expected from his Florida A&M football team didn't materialize, but he was thankful Saturday night at Alumni Stadium. Taylor's biggest thank you after watching the film could go the Rattlers' defense, which turned away Delaware State twice during the final seven minutes to secure a 17-14 victory in FAMU's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game.

"It's always been tough to play up here," Taylor said, "but we will take a victory." Neither team could do much offensively early on. The teams mustered just 16 points in the first half with the Rattlers taking a 10-6 lead at halftime.

PHOTO GALLERIES

• FAMU 17, DSU 14

Without kicker, DSU loses close one

DOVER, DE -- The good thing is that Delaware State's football team might be just one swift kick away from solving its problems. The bad thing is that Mario Diaz-Aviles, the Hornets' freshman placekicker, sat on the bench with a severely injured ankle against Florida A&M University and won't be ready to come back anytime soon.

The lack of a reliable placekicker put DSU coach Al Lavan and his Hornets at a sizable disadvantage in field position -- and scoring -- against the Rattlers.

Hornets quick hits

Delaware State's football team wore stickers with the initials "KG" on their helmets during Saturday's game against Florida A&M in honor of New York City firefighter Keith Glascoe, a DSU graduate who played for the Hornets in the early 1980s and was among those killed while performing rescue efforts at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

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Central Michigan gives new coach Dan Enos 33-0 win in football opener against Hampton University

MOUNT PLEASANT, MI -- The Dan Enos coaching era at Central Michigan University began with a bang. Solid play by special teams got it going as the Chippewas built a large early lead and cruised to a 33-0 win against Hampton on Thursday night in front of 17,311 fans at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The opening-game shutout was the first by CMU since 1979, when the Chippewas beat Western Michigan 10-0 in the school's first Mid-American Conference championship season. It also marked Hampton's first shutout since 1984, a 44-0 loss to Tennessee St.

"Obviously, we won, and that was the goal the entire season," Enos said. "Special teams, we challenged the kids all week that we should make a difference. We really hammered that home, and we thought we made a huge impact with their play today."

Special teams came into play on the Pirates' second drive when redshirt freshman long snapper Vincent Harper snapped the ball over the head of punter Jordan Stovall and into the end zone for a CMU safety. On the ensuing kickoff, Central Michigan sophomore wide receiver and kick returner Cody Wilson raced 81 yards to the Hampton 4-yard line. A face mask penalty advanced the ball to the 2.

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Kearse still believes in A&M's defense

Defensive tackle Frank Kearse doesn't appear to be too concerned that Alabama A&M's first defense has struggled mightily against the first offense in two preseason scrimmages. Last Wednesday, quarterback Deaunte Mason got the best of Kearse and company. On Saturday, running backs Tony Green and Kaderius Lacey carved up the Bulldogs' defense.

"They caught us in some bad situations and made some big plays," Kearse said. Despite that, Kearse says the Bulldogs have more than enough time to get ready for the season opener against Tennessee State on Sept. 4. "I want us to play with more intensity and know our assignments," he said. "Getting in the playbook will help us out a lot."

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FAMU football players give Coach Taylor good early impression

All summer Joe Taylor could only go on second-hand information about the condition of the players on the Florida A&M football team. Taylor finally got a close up Tuesday as the team began preseason workouts. Under a blistering mid-afternoon sun, the Rattlers ran the 40-yard dash, a shuffle over 20 yards and zig-zag runs through cones. They will return at 6 a.m. today for more testing before starting walk-through drills later in the day. Tuesday's start impressed Taylor.

"I thought there was a lot of energy," he said. "I don't know if we've had this amount of sub-4.5 (seconds) for a timing day since I've been here. Now we've just got to be able to get it transferred (onto the field)."

Taylor said he had an inkling before the team showed up there would be some impressive times. During the team's initial meeting, when each one of them had to stand up and tell about themselves, Taylor said, he noticed a physical improvement in more than half of the players. "For some of those guys when they took off their shirts their chest came with it," Taylor said, "but you could see evidence and signs that they've been working. They're really cut."

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Coach Mose Rison has high expectations for NCCU Eagles‎

DURHAM, N.C. -- After a week of practice, N.C. Central football coach Mose Rison thinks he's got a team that can be pretty good. "For the first time since I've been here we're not going to be outmanned at any position in any game," Rison said.

"I expect us to turn it up and be ready to play. If we play good early, we have a chance to be ranked in the top-25."

Rison's confidence is boosted by a roster that returns 17 starters. The Eagles got off to a rough beginning a year ago, with six losses to start the season, but rallied to win four of their last five. And after what Rison called a tremendous off-season program, he thinks this squad is in the best shape they have been in since he arrived.

The Eagles certainly appeared loose and confident Sunday during their annual media and photo day. NCCU opens its season on Sept. 2 at home against Johnson C. Smith, a former rival in the CIAA. Since leaving that conference, NCCU has been preparing for play in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles have five games scheduled against MEAC opponents this season before playing a full slate next year.

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The NCCU Marching Sound Machine wants you to support the NCCU Marching Sound Machine on Their Road to the 2011 Annual Tournament of Roses Parade.

BUY A $20 RAFFLE TICKET TO WIN A 2010 Nissan Versa!!!

Make Your Donation Today! Tickets Will soon be available for purchase: • From any NCCU Sound Machine Musician or The Exquisite Ladies of the eClipse Auxiliary Squad • Student Affairs • Campus Bookstore • Student Union • Michael Jordan Nissan • Sound Machine Booster Club and Alumni Band Members.

Circle City Classic: Alabama A&M Bulldogs 35, Tuskegee Golden Tigers 15

Alabama A&M rallies to win Circle City Classic, 35-15

Taking advantage of four second-half turnovers and a blocked punt for a touchdown, Alabama A&M rallied past Tuskegee 35-15 today in the Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium.Alabama A&M trailed 15-0 but scored 35 unanswered points. Tuskegee (4-2) lost two fumbles, had two interceptions and had a punt blocked that Larry Lumpkin fell on for a score. The two traditional rivals from Alabama were playing a rematch of last year’s game, won 34-24 by Tuskegee, an NCAA Division II school. Ulysses Banks ran for 104 yards and a touchdown for A&M (4-1), an NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivsion (formerly I-AA) program. Korey Morrison also had a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown for A&M, alma mater of Colts defensive end Robert Mathis.

A time to rise

INDIANAPOLIS - For 30 minutes, Alabama A&M's defense had no answers against Tuskegee's offense. The Golden Tigers had their way against the Bulldogs in the first half, accumulating almost 230 yards, but only had an eight-point lead at intermission. The second half was totally different. The result was a 35-15 A&M victory before an announced crowd of 35,289 in the 26th annual Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Bulldogs blanked Tuskegee over the final 30 minutes, holding the Golden Tigers to 23 yards in total offense while blocking a punt for a touchdown and forcing four turnovers that led to 17 points.

"We realized they couldn't hang with us if we played the way we were supposed to play," said A&M inside linebacker Afu Okosun, whose interception early in the fourth quarter helped set up Tony Green's 1-yard run that gave the Bulldogs a 25-15 lead with just less than nine minutes remaining. "We dominated the way we were supposed to dominate." With the win, A&M avenged last year's 34-24 loss to Tuskegee, and improved to 4-1 on the season. Tuskegee fell to 4-2.

Circle City Classic -

Alabama A&M makes it a rivalry

For a half, it appeared Robert Mathis might be upset with his alma mater for the second year in a row. The Indianapolis Colts defensive end delivered a pregame speech to Alabama A&M prior to its 35-15 victory over Tuskegee in Saturday's Circle City Classic. The Bulldogs fell behind 15-0 before turning four second-half turnovers and a blocked punt in the end zone into a lopsided victory in the recently resurrected rivalry between the two Alabama schools. A&M lost 34-24 to Tuskegee in last year's Classic, the first time the schools had played since 1999 in a rivalry that dates to 1932. Mathis let the Bulldogs know what he thought about losing to the Golden Tigers.

"He was talking about last year's game and how he was down about that," said A&M running back Tony Green, whose 1-yard touchdown run was part of 20 fourth-quarter points. "He was here and wanted to see us whoop up on them." Alabama A&M leads the series 23-20-4, but when the schools next play is up in the air. The rivalry stopped after A&M won 54-0 in 1999 and moved from NCAA Division II to the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) while Tuskegee remained Division II.

Circle City Classic Attendance: 35,289 @Lucus Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.

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Duke Blue Devils 49, NCCU Eagles 14

Devils rule in cross-town romp

DURHAM, N.C. Early last week, Duke coach David Cutcliffe said the Blue Devils were not a "good" football team - a candid remark that represented the team's ineffectiveness and inconsistency in three previous games. On Saturday against N.C. Central, the Devils made strides to change their coaches' perspective, pounding the Eagles to capture a 49-14 victory at Wallace Wade Stadium in the first game between the neighboring schools.

The game, billed as the "Bull City Gridiron Classic," attracted 26,390 fans, many who showed up early to tailgate and enjoy the joint festivities planned by the two schools. A steady downpour did not turn away the faithful, who had talked about this game for weeks. The Eagles, who are in their third year of a transition from NCAA Division II to Division I, pulled the score to within a touchdown in the second quarter, cutting Duke's early lead to 21-14. Thereafter points were harder to acquire, with the Devils standing firm on defense and opening the game with an offensive outburst that continued into the fourth quarter.



Photo Gallery: Full Slideshow
Game summary

Rucker Understands What Tonight's Game Was All About

Kinney Rucker, more than any other Duke player -- with the possible exception of freshman running back Desmond Scott -- understood what the first Bull City Classic was all about. The Blue Devils' senior defensive tackle reveled in the moment as he walked out to the center of the field before the kickoff of Duke's 49-14 victory over North Carolina Central. The Durham native was appointed a co-captain for the first historic meeting between Durham's two universities. "I moved down here in the sixth grade," Rucker said. "I went to Central games. I went to Duke games. For this to happen, is huge. "I went to the pep rally Thursday, just to see the camaraderie. It is amazing how much this community has come together and how much times have changed. Growing up, you never thought you'd see Duke and Central playing on the same field. As they moved up another division, it made it possible."

NCCU Eagles Tim Shankle scores on 1-yard TD run against the Duke Blue Devils.

'A LONG TIME IN COMING'

DURHAM -- The rain fell, but it did not seem to bother Duke and N.C. Central University alumni who gathered late Saturday before the historic first meeting of the Blue Devils and the Eagles football teams at Wallace Wade Stadium. In addition to the rain, beer flowed, and there was plenty of chicken, barbecue and other good picnic food as fans gathered at Blue Devil Alley for the pregame tailgate parties for the historic first meeting of the two schools' teams. Much has been said and written about this game as an event that bridges a historical divide between Duke and historically black NCCU. Members of the Omega Zeta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity -- the first black fraternity at Duke, established in 1974 -- were on hand celebrating that historic milestone along with the evening's game.

Attendance: 26,390 at Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, N.C.

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Saskatchewan Roughriders' training camp: Battle in trenches heated for MEAC stars

Defensive lineman Stevie Baggs (90) and offensive lineman Andrae Townsel have been doing battle at training camp. Baggs and Townsel both played in the MEAC. Baggs, 27, played with the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats and was a three-time all-American. Townsel, 25, played with the Howard University Bison and was an all-MEAC honorable mention in his senior year.

The trenches have already produced some memorable battles during the early days of the Saskatchewan Roughriders' training camp. Some of the more impressive tussles have featured veteran defensive end Stevie Baggs and rookie offensive tackle Andrae Townsel. One can barely step into Mosaic Stadium without hearing that the two have engaged in another epic struggle during one-on-one drills.

"The battles on the field are as intense as they get,'' Townsel said Tuesday after the Riders completed the third day of training camp. "It's almost like game preparations but it's all love. There isn't anything personal. They get it all on film and afterwards we walk to the sideline and tell the guy, 'Good rep, good rep.' ''

From the safety of the sidelines, it doesn't look like a lot of affection is being shown when the offensive and defensive linemen collide in one-on-one drills. It's an intense 20-second battle of wills. "We're just trying to make each other better,'' said Townsel. "He's making me a better offensive tackle and I'm making him a better defensive end.'' Townsel has the size advantage. The native of Detroit is 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds. Baggs, who hails from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is 6-foot-1 and 241 pounds. It's about Townsel's might versus the speed of Baggs. The collisions and skirmishes after the contact are must-see viewing during training camp.

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Alabama A&M falls to ULM 37-15

A&M falls to 0-3 but is proud of its showing at major-college La.-Monroe

MONROE, La. - Anthony Jones walked out of Malone Stadium Friday night with his head held high. So did his Alabama A&M football team. The Bulldogs gave Sun Belt Conference member Louisiana-Monroe all it could handle for almost three quarters before the Warhawks pulled away down the stretch. When it was over, ULM ran off to celebrate its 37-15 victory, but A&M walked away with a renewed sense of confidence.

"My team went through a lot to play this game," Jones said after his team fell to 0-3 for the first time since 1992. "We traveled through the night to get here and had to make an adjustment due to the weather. I'm exhausted and I can only imagine how my kids feel. "I am proud of the way my kids represented Alabama A&M University. They came and fought hard. At halftime, they (ULM) had reason to be concerned. To their credit, they came out in the second half and took advantage of some of the mistakes we made and put the game away."

PHOTO GALLERY: Alabama A&M v. ULM

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Attendance: 9,717 (32%) at Malone Stadium, Monroe, LA (Capacity: 30,427)

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