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wEEK oF AUGUsT 29, 2011 Follow Us

2011 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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EVERY CoNFERENCE CHAMP IS PICKED To REPEAT

Its REAL easy to pick a winner in the beginning of the season. Just pick the guys that won it last year! Looks like that holds true in black college football in 2011. Every champion from last season (Shaw, Bethune-Cookman, Texas Southern and Albany State) is favored to repeat in their respective conference. I guess its easy to do when these programs return a solid nucleus of key players and an experienced coaching staff. Throw in the fact that several other schools within those conferences have made significant changes and those selections just became that much easier to make. Even with all of this uncertainty, I wont risk my credibility by personally predicting a championthis year. After all, you play to win the game and ANYTHING can happen. So with the 2011 college football season officially kicking off this weekend, I will give you a preview of the conference, picks made by coaches and other members of the media and a list of things to watch for this year. that are new to the conference.

AGAIN?!??
2. Scheduling
Playing within your conference can be hard enough but I want to know what Fort Valley State and Bowie State were thinking when they put their schedules together? The Bulldogs three (yes, three) home games have forced them to have their Homecoming in early September. The Wildcats can easily be considered the best team in black college football IF they can win out in 2011. Fort Valley State will face Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman and the Division II Runner-Up Delta State along with conference foes Albany State, Morehouse and Tuskegee. Wow.

VUU Downs St. Augs 12-0 in Hurricane: Virginia Union Universitys Jerell Washington rushed for 150 yards as VUU downed Saint Augustines College 12-0 in a football game at Hovey Field on August 27 which was played under hurricane conditions. Washington carried the ball 38 times as the Panthers braved 35 mile per hour winds and gusts of 50 mph. VUU is now 1-0 and travels to Columbia, S.C., to face Benedict College at 3:30 p.m. on September 3.

3. Players To Watch
Its easy to keep an eye on guys who have been picked to be players of the year within their respective conference but here is a list of players who had big years last year and may have break out years this season: David Carter, Running Back, Morehouse Carter averaged 122.5yds per game last season as a sophomore. Brandon Bridge, Quaterback, Alcorn state Air Canada was fourth in the league with a 190-yard passing average per game in 2010. Only two passers, both upperclassmen, threw for more than his 19 touchdowns. Bridge also finished No. 7 in the SWAC for rushing, with 600 yards and tied for third overall with eight scores on the ground. Rico Council, lineback, Tennessee state Last year, he recorded the best season of his career leading TSU in sacks with four. Council finished second on the team in stops with a career season best with 79 tackles (39 solo).

1. Changes
Every season brings change and 2011 isnt any different. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) will move to divisional play. The 10-team conference will split into two-5 team divisions and the division winners will face off in the first Title Game in Atlanta. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has expanded into a 12-team league and a total of 10 teams have new head coaches. Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship contenders Grambling State (Doug Williams), Texas Southern (Kevin Ramsey) and Prairie View A&M (Heishma Northern) all bring in new coaches. The MEAC will bring in a total of 5 new head coaches (Blount/Delaware Stste, Harrell/Howard, Broadway/NC A&T, Fraizer/NCCU, Dixon/SSU)

SCORES

FOOTBALL Saturday, August 27

Bellhaven 47, Texas College 3 Delta State 28, Elizabeth City State 21 OT Virginia Union 12, Saint Augustines 0

The loss of former head coach Johnnie Cole has not stopped experts from picking Texas Southern to repeat as SWAC Champion in 2011.

REED

MEAC MVP to UCF: Former Bethune-Cookman guard and reigning MEAC Basketball Player of the Year C. J. Reed is transferring to the University of Central Florida. Reed, who averaged an MEAC-best 18.8 points per game while leading the Wildcats to a 21-13 overall record and their rst ever MEAC regular season title, received a release from B-CU in early July afterthe school abruptly dismissed his father, Clifford Reed, as the Wildcats head coach on June 27.

INSIDE

Will NCAA academic changes hurt HBCUs? 2

Going to Homecoming? See when it will be 9

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wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Vikings Drop Opener in OT, 28-21

DI Board Approves Increased Academic Performance Concept

INDIANAPOLISLess than 24 hours after emerging from a landmark Presidential retreat, the Division I Board of Directors unanimously approved the concept of increasing the required academic performance of all teams and mandated that teams must meet those requirements in order to participate in any NCAA-sponsored championship or football bowl game. NCAA President Mark Emmert touted the change as proof of the NCAAs commitment to the academic success of all student-athletes. This is about the academic performance of all of our students in all of our sports. This is about the academic expectations we have for all of our student-athletes. The board voted to raise the Academic Progress Rate benchmark from 900 to 930 and supported a penalty structure that will require teams to earn at least a 930 four-year, rolling APR in order to participate in postseason competition. These changes stemmed from the two-day presidential retreat which concluded Wednesday, Aug. 10 and focused on improving intercollegiate athletics in a variety of ways: academics, fiscal responsibility and integrity. The presidents also directed NCAA President Mark Emmert to assemble whatever groups are necessary to codify the recommendations in all three areas discussed at the retreat. We have made some very significant recommendations that we want to turn into action. We will begin working on this immediately, Emmert said. We will come before this group no later than october with a clear action agenda to implement the ideas that were developed over the past two days. Some of that action began today. The presidents felt strongly that the academic principles be adopted swiftly and decidedly, with details to be finalized in october. The Board directed the Committee on Academic Performance to produce particulars about the new changes in academic requirements, in-

The raise to the Academic Progress Rate benchmark from 900 to 930 may make it harder for HBCUs that may not have the resources to assist athletes with academic issues. Southerns football team was one of the eight teams banned from post season competition due to poor academic perfoprmance.

Second-ranked Delta State came up big on defense in the second half, shutting down Elizabeth City State for a 28-21 OT win.

CLEVELAND, MSNo. 2 Delta State kicked off the 2011 season with an overtime thriller, defeating the Elizabeth City State Vikings 28-21 on Saturday. Statesmen sophomore Ixavier Triplett tipped a Creven Powell pass that eventually fell into the hands of Jerry Barnes to seal the victory for the green and white. The Statesmen took the lead in overtime with a Brandon Lucas touchdown run of five yards. The key play of the drive was a 15-yard pass from Micah Davis to Erick Clayton to convert a third-and-15 down. Three plays later, Lucas scored what proved to be the game-winner. The defense held the Statesmen in the game in the second half, holding the Viking offense to 11 yards of total

offense after halftime. Mark Hoskins led the way for the defense with eight tackles and a sack. Triplett led the linebackers with seven tackles and Dominique Davenport led the secondary with six tackles. However, the Statesmen need 14 points in the second half to force overtime. With less than 30 seconds left, the Statesmen were able to tie the game at 21. Davis sneaked in from less than a yard out behind a big offensive line surge. The touchdown drive was continued after the Statesmen converted a 4th-and-1 on a Brant Botill run to set up 1st-and-goal with less than a minute remaining in the quarter. Davis connected with Lucas for a 35-yard touchdown pass to bring the Statesmen to within seven early in the

third quarter. Lucas had a solid game for the Statesmen in the second half. The junior finished with 79 yards on 17 carries and the one rushing touchdown in overtime. He also was a big player on special teams, setting up a touchdown with a long return. He also broke what appeared to be a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that was called back by an inadvertent whistle. Chance Dennis brought in the lone touchdown for the Statesmen in the first half. The senior brought in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Davis that capped a three-play, 16-yard drive. The touchdown drive was set up by a 77-yard kickoff return from Lucas, following the Vikings second touchdown of the game. Powell and Elizabeth City State an-

swered two plays later. After a kickoff return and penalty took the ball to the 40, Powell found Keit Strickland for a 40-yard strike to go up 21-7 before the half. Elizabeth City State turned Delta State turnovers into touchdowns in the first half, punishing the Statesmen for the mistakes. Brant Botill fumbled deep in Viking territory in the first quarter. The Vikings recovered and immediately turned around a four-play drive that ended with a 55-yard touchdown pass from Powell to Anthony Faulcon. In the second quarter, Davis fumbled deep in Statesmen territory and the Vikings added another quick strike. Powell and Faulcon connected on their second touchdown pass of the night, this time from 16 yards out.

cluding a timeline for phased-in implementation for both the new 930 benchmark and the penalty structure. Currently, the most serious APR penalties are assessed when a team falls below a 900 four-year APR. The move to 930 will be significant, especially as it relates to championship participation. The 930 APR predicts an approximately 50 percent Graduation Success Rate. Within the last year, the presidents on the Board stoutly affirmed a commitment to keeping the benchmark for penalties at a minimum 50 percent graduation rate. The relationship between the two rates had changed over the last several years as adjustments were made to improve the fairness of the APR. In other business, the Division I Board of Directors adopted a Legislative Council recommendation that the number of schools required to initiate an override of legislative action be increased to 75 from 30, effective immediately. The Council recommended the increase because the number of active Division I members has increased significantly since the original number was set. The Boards action also increased the number of requests necessary to suspend legislation from 100 to 125. The numbers for Football Champi-

onship Subdivision-specific override requests changed as well, from 15 to 25 for an override and from 40 to 50 for suspension of legislation. The Council believed it was important for the membership to have the opportunity to override legislation if a significant majority opposed the action taken by the Council and Board of Directors. However, the previous standard represented less than 10 percent of the Division I membership. The new standard requires 22 percent of schools to disagree with a legislative action for an override to take place. The change is effective immediately and will apply to any legislation adopted going forward. The presidents also directed the staff to apply NCAA recruiting rules concerning publicity of prospective student-athletes to institutional and conference networks and broadcasts, which will provide time to evaluate the proper application of NCAA rules. The NCAA is holding a meeting on August 22 with representatives from broadcast networks and several conferences to discuss the issue. The Board heard an update from Bowl Task Force Chair Harvey Perlman. The presidents expect a final report from the task force with recommendations for action at their october meeting.

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wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

FOOTBALL

3
2011 pREsEAson All-CiAA
OFFENSE Player Creven Powell
Elizabeth City State

CIAA
2011 pRojECTED CHAMpion

SHAW pREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH

(2010 Overall, CIAA Record)

Northern 1. Elizabeth City State (6-4, 5-2) 2. Virginia State (8-3, 6-1) 3. Bowie State (6-4, 6-1) 4. Virginia Union (3-7, 3-4) 5. Chowan (3-7, 3-4) 6. Lincoln (Pa) (0-7, 1-9) Southern 1. Shaw (9-3, 7-0) 2. Winston-Salem State (8-2, 5-2) 3. St. Augustines (9-2, 6-1) 4. Fayetteville State (5-5, 4-3) 5. Johnson C. Smith (2-8, 1-6) 6. Livingstone (0-11, 0-7)
DONT MISS GAMES
September 24 Elizabeth City State at Shaw
Will these be the same teams that will face off in the CIAA Championship game?

October 15 Virginia State at Elizabeth City State

The Vikings and Trojans will battle at ECSUs Homecoming. This game could very well decide the CIAA North Title.

October 29 Virgina Union at Virginia State

Throw the records out the window when these interstate rivals go head to head. Oh yeah, its going to be VSUs Homecoming.

HAMPTONThe CIAA has released the 2011 All-CIAA Football Preseason team and Predicted order of finish as voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association. The Vikings were picked to finish atop the CIAA North followed by defending division champion Virginia State University. Bowie State, Virginia Union, Chowan and Lincoln (Pa.) round out the Norths lineup while the Shaw Bears, last years conference champion, leads the Souths picks followed by WinstonSalem State, Saint Augustines, Fayetteville State, Johnson C. Smith and Livingstone College. It certainly wasnt easy, but Shaw went undefeated against CIAA opponents last year on the way to its third CIAA Championship in four years. Shaw will look to make it back-to-back championships for the second time in five years and the road could prove to be harder than last year. Shaws highpowered offense from a year ago will be looking for leadership this season. Gone is All-CIAA quarterback Kevin Atkins, Raymond Williams the schools all-time leading rusher, four of five starters on the offensive line, including two AllCIAA selections, as well as four of the five leading receivers, although Tyrone Craig (30-532-8) looks to build upon a solid 2010 campaign. Quarterback Quinshon odom was thrown into the fire at times last year and even started in the Bears playoff game against Shepherd. odom completed 26-62 passes on the season for 505 yards with 5 TDs and 5 INTs. Head coach Darrell Asberry has also gotten a couple of high-profile transfer quarterbacks into the program the last couple of years. Defense will be the strength of the Bears. It begins up front as Charles Deas and Stanley Porter are pre-season All-CIAA performers and combined for 29 tackles for loss and 10 sacks a year ago. Demarcus Roberson will also be counted upon on the defensive line as well and was second on the team last year in tackles for loss (15.5). Cornerback Darnell Evans anchors the secondary and had an excep-

Back-To-Back Bears

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pos. QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL C

Class SR JR SR JR SO SR SR SR SR SR JR Nicholas Cooper, Running Back, WSSU

Daronte McNeill

Elizabeth City State

Nicholas Cooper Robert Holland

Chowan

Winston-Salem State

Tehvyn Brantley Bobby Holiday

Shaw

Winston-Salem State

Larry McDonald Baron Coffin

Fayetteville State Elizabeth City State

Last season, finished ranked 19th in the nation in rushing yards with 1,134 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Bryan Garnett Allen Buckner

Shaw

Elizabeth City State

Markus Lawrence DEFENSE Player Larry Jones

Winston-Salem State

Pos. DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB P K RET

Class SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR SR Brucelee Sterile, Linebacker, Lincoln (Pa) SO SR SO SR SR

His 90 tackles ranked fourth in the CIAA, and the 9.0 stops-per-game average was 32nd in the nation.

Elizabeth City State

Charles Deas
Shaw Shaw

Robert Holland, Wide Receiver, Chowan

Stanley Porter Akeem Ward

Senior Running Back Raymond Williams looks to lead the Shaw Bears back to another CIAA Championship.

Led the CIAA in receiving touchdowns (7) and receptions per game (6.5) in his sophomore year.

Winston-Salem State

Delano Johnson
Bowie State

tional rookie campaign last year on his way to first team All-CIAA honors with a league-tying six interceptions and led the nation in pass break-ups with 18. 2010 was a disappointment for head coach Waverly Tillar and the Vikings. The Vikings came into the season with perhaps the best team on paper in the league. Fast forward to the present and the Vikings once again have tremendous talent returning. Creven Powell returns for his senior season as the Vikings signal-caller. Despite injuries last season, Powell completed 124 of 219 passes for 1,662 yards with 10 TDs to 5 INTs. Running back Daronte McNeill returns after shattering the ECSU rushing record for yards in a season last year

when he rushed for 1,321 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and 10 TDs. The offensive line is experienced, led by pre-season All-CIAA selections seniors Baron Coffin (6-3, 310) and Bryan Garnett (6-3, 330). Defense is normally the staple of a Tillar coached team and despite a wealth of talent last year, the unit struggled giving up 313 yards of total offense per game. only five starters return from last year led by linebacker Dewitt Dixon (56 tackles, 8 TFL) and lineman Larry Jones. The Vikings open the season at national championship runner-up Delta State and four of their first five games are on the road. Elizabeth City State, Winston-Salem State and Shaw tied for the most rep-

resentation with five selections each. Making his second consecutive appearance on the preseason squad is senior quarterback Creven Powell, who earned second team All-CIAA honors last season after passing for 1,662 yards and 10 touchdowns. Joining Powell is preseason All-American tailback Daronte McNeill along with senior offensive linemen Baron Coffin and Bryan Garnett, a core that helped the Vikings to a second place ranking in both total and rushing offense in 2010. McNeill finished with 1,321 yards as a sophomore, the first Viking to break the 1,000 yard plateau since the 1994 season.  CIAAWebsiteandDonalWare

Brucelee Sterile
Lincoln (Pa)

Jeremy Pruitt Andre Lyles

Virginia State Fayetteville State

Kenny Turner
Bowie State Shaw

Darrell Evans Alton Keaton

Winston-Salem State

William Rudd

BY THE NUMBERS

Virginia State

Austin Turner

Fayetteville State

Tyron Laughinghouse
St. Augustines

The Shaw Bears have won 4 of the last 7 CIAA Football Championships (2004, 2007, 2008, 2010).

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wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

FOOTBALL

4
2011 pREsEAson All-MEAC
OFFENSE Player Chris Walley
Norfolk State

MEAC
2011 pRojECTED CHAMpion

MEAC Teams Want To Finish

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pos. QB RB RB RB

Class SR SR

Tallahassee, Fl Charlotte, NC Belle Glade, Fl

Mike Mayhew

North Carolina A&T

Antwon Chisholm [TIE]

BETHINE-COOMAN pREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH

(2010 Overall, MEAC Record)

Hampton

SO

Jaashawn Jones [TIE]

Delaware State

Asbury Park, NJ Denmark, SC Windsor, Ct Augusta, Ga Jacksonville, Fl Goose Neck, SC

R-SR

Willie Carter
Howard

WR WR TE OL OL OL OL C

SR

1. Bethune-Cookman (10-2, 7-1) 2. South Carolina State (9-3, 7-1) 3. Florida A&M (8-3, 7-1) 4. Hampton (6-5, 5-3) 5. Norfolk State (6-5, 4-4) 6. Morgan State (4-7, 3-5) 7. Delaware State (2-6, 3-8) 8. North Carolina A&T (1-10, 1-7) 9. North Carolina Central (3-8) 10. Savannah State (1-10) 11. Howard (1-10, 0-8)

Justin Wilson

Delaware State

R-JR

Mike Mayhew, Running Back, NC A&T

Antuanne Kerr Alex Monroe

South Carolina State Bethune-Cookman

R-SR SO

The MEACs leading returning rusher (1,082 yds, 7TDs) from Charlotte shows real good instincts.

Javahr Nathan Kendall Noble

South Carolina State Norfolk State

R-SR SR SR SR

Rocky Mount, SC

Lawrence Brewer
Morgan State

Fort Washington, Md Miami, Fl

Natiel Curry

Bethune-Cookman

DONT MISS GAMES

September 4 Bethune-Cookman vs. Prairie View A&M
The annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge held in Orlando will pit last seasons MEAC Champion verses the 2009 SWAC Champion.
Coach Buddy Pough and the South Carolina State Bulldogs look to do what they could not over the past three seasons, win a Divion I-AA playoff game.

DEFENSE Player Ryan Davis

Bethune-Cookman

Pos. DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB P K

Class
Tampa, Fl

JR

Ryan Lewis, Linebacker, Bethune-Cookman

Sackie Kerkulah
Howard

Willingboro, NJ Chesterfield, Va Charleston, SC

R-SR SR

The Junior from Pompano Beach, Fl. led the Wildcats with 81 combined tackles and five sacks.

Josh Turner

Norfolk State

Pat Washington There also are five new head coaches: Delaware States Kermit Blount, 53, the former Winston-Salem State head coach; Howards Gary Harrell, 39, who was Bowie States head coach the last two seasons; North Carolina A&Ts Rod Broadway, 56, who left Grambling States head coaching position; North Carolina Central Henry Frazier, 43, who won the 2009 Eddie Robinson Award at Prairie View A&M; and Savannah States Steve Davenport, 43, who had been UABs running backs coach since 2006. It should be a terrific season for running backs and linebackers in the MEAC.  SportsNetwork Ryan Lewis

September 10 South Carolina State at Bethune-Cookman

The 2011 MEAC Champion might be at stake in this Week 2 matchup of conference co-champions from las season.

November 19 North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T

The first MEAC conference game betwwen these state rivals in Greensboro since 1978. By the way, the Aggies won that game 25-6.

CHARLOTTEIt was evident during football season last year that there isnt a baseball program at South Carolina State. Simply put, there wasnt a closer on campus. of course, it shows how good of a level that football program is on when coach Buddy Pough felt disappointed in a season which saw the Bulldogs earn a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and a spot in the FCS playoffs for the third straight year. Had there been some fireballing 6-foot-4, 235-pound stud closer on campus, Pough would have converted him into a tight end. He didnt think his squad was adept at finishing games or the season. I think we need to finish, said

Pough, whose program has gone 29-8 overall and 23-1 in MEAC games over the last three seasons. Thats probably our big role for the year, weve got to get our guys to the point where we do everything to the end. Its a predicament that plagues the MEAC, which hasnt shined in late November. The conferences last playoff win occurred in 1999. Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State split last years conference title with Florida A&M and gave the MEAC two playoff teams for the first time since 1999. Bethune-Cookman might have needed a closer more than South Carolina State. It was the last unbeaten team in the FCS at 10-0 before it lost its regular- season finale to rival Florida A&M

and then its first-round playoff game to New Hampshire, finishing 10-2. Im not one that becomes complacent, Wildcats second-year coach Brian Jenkins said. That was last year and this is a new year. The number one thing for me is, what are we going to do this year? Thats where my mindset is at. Tenand-two was good, but it wasnt satisfying enough for me. Last years trio of titlists and Hampton seem most likely to battle for this years MEAC crown. The MEAC is undergoing change this year with the addition of North Carolina Central and Savannah State to create an 11-team conference. Teams will continue to play eight conference games, and not two of the other opponents.

South Carolina State Bethune-Cookman

R-SR JR

Pompano Beach, Fl Orangeburg, SC Miami, Fl Miami, Fl

Keith Pough
Howard

R-JR SR SR SR JR

Reginald Sandilands
Bethune-Cookman

Michael Williams Micah Pellerin

Hampton

Bethune-Cookman

Justin Wilson, Wide Receiver, Delaware State

New Orleans, La Tallahassee, Fl Wendell, NC Jacksonville, Fl Pensacola, Fl

The junior native of Windsor, Ct. caught 59 passes for 937 yards with 11 touchdowns.

DVonte Graham Dominique Ellis

North Carolina A&T South Carolina State

BY THE NUMBERS

R-SR JR

Brandon Holdren
Florida A&M

Blake Erickson

South Carolina State

SR

The amount of time a team other than Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Hampton or South Carolina State has won a MEAC Football Championship since 1993.

THE YARD

wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

FOOTBALL

5
2011 pREsEAson All-siAC
OFFENSE Player Stanley Jennings
Albany State

SIAC
2011 pRojECTED CHAMpion

ASU Garners Another Top 10 Ranking

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pos. QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL OL

Class
Marietta, Ga Marietta, Ga Albany, Ga Mobile, Al

SR JR JR

David Carter
Morehouse

Tony Reid

AlBANY STATE pREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH

(2010 Overall, SIAC Record)

Fort Valley State

Derrick Hector
Morehouse

SR SR SR SR JR JR

Octavius Staton
Albany State

East 1. Albany State (11-1, 9-0) 2. Fort Valley State (8-3, 7-2) 3. Morehouse (8-3, 7-2) 4. Clark Atlanta (4-7, 4-5) 5. Benedict (5-6, 4-5) West 1. Tuskegee (9-2, 7-2) 2. Miles (3-8, 3-6) 3. Kentucky State (3-8, 2-7) 4. Stillman (3-8, 2-7) 5. Lane (0-9, 0-10)
DONT MISS GAMES
September 5 Fort Valley State at Florida A&M
The Wildcats start one of the most difficult schedules in Black College Football when they travel to Tallahassee.

Greenville, NC Fort Valley, Ga Savannah, Ga Cordele, Ga Atlanta, Ga

Tony Davis

Fort Valley State

Stanley Jennings, Quarterback, Albany State

Mike Mavromichalis
Albany State

Last season, Jennings was named 2010 SIAC MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.

Travis Walker

Albany State

Marlon Jones
Morehouse

Jessie Mitchell Norris Byrd

Kentucky State Albany State

East St. Louis, Il Atlanta, Ga

SR SR

DEFENSE Player Justin Blash

Albany State

Pos. DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB P K

Class
Alma, Ga Alma, Ga Olympia, Wa

JR

Ricky Johnson, Linebacker, Ft. Valley State

Antorio Wells Tyrone Davis

Benedict

Albany State

SR SR SR SR SR SR JR JR

In 2010, the Stone Mountain, GA native led a Wildcat defense that was the best in the nation in total defense.

Darel Strong
Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings, left, looks for a receiver downfield during the Rams preseason scrimmage Saturday. Jennings led ASU to an 11-1 record and No. 4 final ranking last season, and based on that past success, ASU starts the season ranked in the Top 10 in three different D-II polls.

Clark Atlanta

Ft. Lauderdale, Fl Brooklyn, NY

Ricky Moore

October 1 Tuskegee at Fort Valley State

The Tigers toughest games in the SIAC will come from outside of its division. Unfortunatley, those games (along with their match-up against Morehouse the following week) wont be played at home.

Clark Atlanta

November 5 Fort Valley State vs. Albany State

This match-up in Columbus could decide who will represent the East in the first SIAC Championship game which will be held a week later.

ALBANY, GAThe preseason Top 25 rankings keep piling up, and the Albany State Rams just keep taking them in stride. Its nice, Rams coach Mike White said of ASUs latest preseason honor -- a No. 10 ranking in the D2Football. com Preseason Top 25 Poll that was released Tuesday. There were a lot of years where we were not (in the Top 25), so its nice to be there. I just want us to push to be there in the end. The Rams have been ranked in every major Division II poll this preseason, including ninth in the AFCA Coaches Poll, 13th in the Sporting News D2 Football Preview and 14th in the Lin-

dys Football Preview Preseason Top 25. The defending SIAC and SBN Black College National Champions were also ranked on top of the Heritage Sports Radio Network Preseason HBCU Division II Top 10 Poll. All of these honors come after the Rams finished 2010 with an 11-1 record and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. And White and the ASU players are fully aware that these preseason rankings are based more on last seasons results than anything else. Being on teams (growing up), I was always told not to worry about it because it was just last years season, said

senior receiver octavius Staton, who was the lone Ram selected to the Boxtorow Preseason HBCU All-American Team. It means something for what we did last year, but we have to show it this year to keep us up there. We still have a lot of work to do, but right now we are good. We are moving forward, and things are looking good. White agreed that the Rams are beginning to put things together on the field as the preseason -- one that saw two top linemen ruled academically ineligible and two top running backs go down with serious knee injuries -- winds down. We had a good meeting (Monday),

and a scrimmage over the weekend, White said. I think some guys are getting the ABCs and 123s of the defense and offense down. I am proud of that, and we are just going to continue to work. ASU opens its season Sept. 3 in Macon against Division I Savannah State in the Music City Classic. Also ranked in theD2Football.com Preseason Top 25 Poll are Valdosta State (14th) and Wingate (19th) -- ASUs opponents on Sept. 10 and 17, respectively  JohnMillikan,albanyherald.com

Ricky Johnson Isaiah Person

Tuskegee

Fort Valley State

Stone Mountain, Ga Auburn, Al Brunswick, Ga Baxley, Ga Detroit, Mi

Dominique Patterson
Fort Valley State

Dejuan Williams

Fort Valley State

Ronnie Partridge, Punter, Stillman

Darrius Williams
Morehouse Benedict Stillman

SR SR SR SR

In 2010, Partridge led the nation with a 45.5 punting average which earned him several All-American honors

DeQuan Starling Ronnie Partridge Andy Polanco

Benedict

Hawkinsville, Ga Ridge Spring, SC Los Angeles, Ca

BY THE NUMBERS

Morehouse (2001) is the only school other than Albany St., Ft. Valley St. and Tuskegee to win a SIAC Title since 1992.

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wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

FOOTBALL

6
2011 pREsEAson All-swAC
OFFENSE Player Casey Therriault
Jackson State

SWAC
2011 pRojECTED CHAMpion

JSU, TSU Look To Lead SWAC

Doug Williams laughs that a lot of his football players at Grambling State didnt know much about him when he returned to his alma mater for a second stint as head coach. Dezmond Spivey knew him well. He just laughs at Williams style. Hes a character, hes a comedian, Spivey said. When he imitates Coach Rob, he goes only in America and certain things. And I can say this, when theres a scenario to be given, he has one for every single thing. Spiveys father played with Williams for one season at Grambling State under Coach Rob - the legendary Eddie Robinson - so Dezmond has a history with the Tigers new coach that includes attending his football camp and playing with his sons. There is one scenario that Williams doesnt have to joke about: winning the Southwestern Conference championship. Hes serious about it after winning three as a Grambling quarterback from 1974-77 and three as the head coach from 1998-2003. Williams return to the most-esteemed black college football program was the brightest news of a troubled offseason in the SWAC, where three head coaches took jobs elsewhere, Johnnie Cole of the defending champion Texas Southern Tigers was fired over the programs academic shortcomings and the program later received Academic Progress Rate penalties as did Jackson State and Southern. Jackson State (Eastern Division) and Grambling State (Western Division) were installed as the preseason favorites in the SWAC Coaches preseason poll. Jackson State cant play in the SWAC Championship Game as a result of the APR penalties, but it has the conferences best offensive player in recording-setting quarterback Casey Therriault, a returning finalist from last years Walter Payton Award, which goes to the FCS outstanding player, is presented by The Sports Network and sponsored by Fathead.com. I think we have the right attitude go-

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Pos. QB RB RB WR WR TE OL OL OL OL C

Class SR SR SR SR SR SR SR JR JR JR SR Moses Ellis, Defensive Back, Prairie View A&M

Marcus Wright Martin Gilbert Nick Andrews

Howard

Texas Southern Texas Southern

TEXAS SOUTHERN pREDiCTED oRDER oF FinisH

(2010 Overall, SWAC Record)

Marcellos Wilder
Jackson State

Eastern Division 1. Jackson State (8-3, 6-3) 2. Alabama State (7-5, 6-3) 3. Alcorn State (5-6, 4-5) 4. Alabama A&M (3-8, 2-7) 5. Mississippi Valley State (0-10, 0-9) Western Division 1. Texas Southern (9-3, 8-1) 2. Grambling State (9-2, 8-1) 3. Prairie View A&M (7-4, 6-3) 4. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-6, 4-5) 5. Southern (2-9, 1-8)
DONT MISS GAMES
October 8 Alabama State at Texas Southern
Rematch of last years SWAC Title Game.

Renty Rollins James Dekle

Jackson State Prairie View A&M

Sanford Banks Terren Jones

An All-America selection after a 2010 season where he led the NCAA Div. I-FCS with 8 Ints and is on the 2011 Preseason Sports Network Buck Buchanon Award Watch List.

Grambling State Alabama State

Chris Browne
Southern

Roderick Gladney
Jackson State

DEFENSE Player Marquis Jackson

Texas Southern Jackson State

Pos. DL DL DL DL LB LB LB DB DB DB DB P K RET

Class JR SR JR SR SR SO JR SR JR SR SR SR SR JR Casey Therriault, Quaterback, Jackson State

The senior QB was 3rd in the NCAA in passing yards per game in 2010 and is on the 2011 Preseason Sports Network Walter Payton Award Watch List...Again.

Donavan Robinson Jomarcus Savage

Grambling State

Cliff Exama, Linebacker, Grambling State

Exama recorded 106 tackles in just nine games during his All-SWAC campaign last season.

Kynjee Cotton Cliff Exama

Alabama State Grambling State

November 5 Grambling State vs. Jackson State

The potential 2011 SWAC Championship game that will never be.

Jer-ryan Harris
Head Coach Doug Williams looks to take Grambling State back to the SWAC Championship Game.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff

November 24 Tuskegee at Alabama State

Two of HBCUs best football teams from last season will face off at the Hornets Homecoming.

November 24 Grambling State vs. Southern

Bayou Classic. Nuff said.

ing into the season and I think the kids are ready to play. You couldnt ask for more than that, Jackson State coach Ron Comegy said. Jackson States ineligibility may open the door for Alabama State, the defending division champion, or an Alcorn State squad that might have its most talented quarterback since Steve McNair in Brandon Bridge, a sophomore sensatiom. Grambling States biggest challenge in the Western Division will come from Texas Southern, which elevated Kevin Ramsey to interim head coach. His Tigers feature the leagues only returning

1,000-yard rusher in Marcus Wright and a tough defensive front that helped them to finish first in the FCS in total defense (204.9 ypg) last season. Grambling State is replacing the leagues rushing champion, Frank Warren, whom it relied on heavily last season. The Tigers know not to take anything for granted after last seasons preseason favorite, Prairie View A&M, was a disappointing 6-3 in conference play with a veteran lineup after being unbeaten in 2009. Last year, we had a couple things going on, PAMU first-year head coach Heishma Northern said. I thought we

suffered a little bit in our focus both from the players standpoint and the coaches standpoint. We had quite a few coaches on our staff that were up for head coaching jobs, we had quite a few players that had aspirations of playing in the NFL. So I think you get a little more away from the team concept - let me do my thing type of thing. And the injuries didnt help us at all last year. I think we had 14 season- ending injuries last year. Were not going to make any excuses. Were going to come back better.  SportsNetwork

Willie Fuller Moses Ellis

Alabama A&M Prairie View A&M

Kejuan Riley Zack Gallow

Alabama State Texas Southern

Tim Dandridge
Jackson State Alcorn State

Arturo Tamayo Zoltan Riazzo B.J. Lee

BY THE NUMBERS

Grambling State Jackson State

Total SWAC Championships won by Doug Williams as a coach (3) and player (3).

THE YARD

wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

Livingstone (2010 Record 0-11) S 1 at Chowan S 10 Elizabeth City State1 S 17 at Bowie State S 24 Virginia University of Lynchburg O 1 at Shaw O 8 at Edward Waters O 15 Winston-Salem State O 22 Fayetteville State [HC] O 29 at St. Augustines N 5 at Johnson C. Smith
1

2011 HBCU TEAm SCHEdULES

S 24 O1 O8 O 15 O 22 O 29 N5 N 12 at Charleston Southern South Carolina State at Delaware State Hampton Bethune-Cookman North Carolina A&T [HC] at Savannah State at Morgan State O 15 O 22 O 29 N5
1 4

7
Morehouse vs. Clark Atlanta3 Benedict [HC] Ft. Valley State4

CIAA
Bowie State (2010 Record 6-4) S 3 at Assumption S 10 Benedict S 17 Livingstone [HC] S 24 at Virginia Union O 1 at Virginia State O 6 at Fairmont State O 14 at Lincoln O 22 at Elizabeth City State O 29 at Shepherd N 5 Chowan Chowan (2010 Record 3-7) S 1 at Livingstone S 10 at UNC Pembroke S 17 Winston-Salem State S 24 at Virginia State O 1 at Virginia Union O 8 at Lincoln (Pa) O 15 at Stillman O 22 Shaw [HC] O 29 Elizabeth City State N 5 at Bowie State Elizabeth City State (2010 Record 6-4) A 27 at Delta State S 3 Winston-Salem State S 10 Livingstone1 S 17 at Fayetteville State S 24 at Shaw O 8 at Virginia Union O 15 Virginia State [HC] O 22 Bowie State O 29 at Chowan N 5 Lincoln (Pa)
1

in Macon, Ga, 2in Indianapolis, In, 3in Valdosta, Ga, in Columbus, Ga

in Rocky Mount, NC

St. Augustines (2010 Record 9-2) A 27 at Virginia Union S 3 Catawba S 10 at New Haven S 24 Lincoln (Pa) O 1 at Fayetteville State O 8 Winston-Salem State O 15 at West Georgia O 22 Johnson C. Smith [HC] O 29 Livingstone N 5 at Shaw Shaw (2010 Record 9-3) S 3 at Stillman S 10 at Delaware State S 17 at Benedict S 24 Elizabeth City State O 1 Livingstone O 6 Johnson C. Smith [HC] O 14 at Fayetteville State O 22 at Chowan O 29 at Winston-Salem State N 5 St. Augustines Virginia State (2010 Record 9-3) S 3 at Norfolk State S 10 at West Virginia State S 17 at Johnson C. Smith S 24 Chowan O 1 Bowie State O 8 at Fayetteville State O 15 at Elizabeth City State O 22 at Lincoln (Pa) O 29 Virginia Union [HC] N 5 at Gardner-Webb Virginia Union (2010 Record 3-7) A 27 St. Augustines S 3 at Benedict S 10 Winston-Salem State S 17 at Lincoln (Pa) S 24 Bowie State O 1 Chowan O 8 Elizabeth City State [HC] O 15 at Johnson C. Smith O 29 at Virginia State N 5 Fayetteville State Winston-Salem State (2010 Record 8-2) S 3 at Elizabeth City State S 10 at Virginia Union S 17 at Chowan S 24 Fayetteville State O 1 Johnson C. Smith [HC] O 6 at St. Augustines O 14 at Livingstone O 22 Edward Waters O 29 Shaw N 5 at UNC Pembroke

North Carolina A&T (2010 Record 1-10) S 3 Virginia University of Lynchburg S 10 at Appalacian State S 24 Coastal Carolina O 1 at Morgan State O 8 Bethune-Cookman O 15 Delaware State [HC] O 22 at Howard O 29 at Norfolk State N 5 at Florida A&M N 12 at South Carolina State N 19 North Carolina Central North Carolina Central (2010 Record 3-8) S 1 at Rutgers S 10 vs. Central State1 S 17 Elon S 24 Savannah State O 8 at South Carolina State O 15 Morgan State O 22 at Hampton O 29 Bethune-Cookman N 5 at Delaware State N 12 Florida A&M N 19 at North Carolina A&T
1

Benedict (2010 Record 5-6) S 3 Virginia Union S 10 at Bowie State S 17 Shaw S 24 Fort Valley State O 1 vs. Miles1 O 8 at Stillman O 15 Clark Atlanta [HC] O 22 at Morehouse O 29 at Albany State N 5 Lane
1

in Augusta, Ga

Clark Atlanta (2010 Record 4-7) S 2 Georgia State S 10 Lane S 17 Fort Valley State S 24 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff1 O 1 at Morehouse O 8 Miles [HC] O 15 at Benedict O 22 vs. Albany State O 29 at Tuskegee N 5 Stillman
1

in St. Louis, Mo, 2in Valdosta, Ga

in Cleveland, Oh

in Rocky Mount, NC

Fayetteville State (2010 Record 5-5) S 3 UNC-Pembroke S 9 at Carson Newman S 17 Elizabeth City State S 24 at Winston-Salem State O 1 St. Augustines O 8 Virginia State [HC] O 15 Shaw O 22 at Livingstone O 29 at Johnson C. Smith N 5 at Virginia Union Johnson C. Smith (2010 Record 2-8) S 3 West Virginia State S 10 at Brevard S 17 Virginia State S 24 at Davidson O 1 at Winston-Salem State O 6 at Shaw O 15 Virginia Union [HC] O 22 at St. Augustines O 29 Fayetteville State N 5 Livingstone Lincoln (Pa) (2010 Record 1-9) S 3 at Cheyney S 10 at Kentucky State S 17 Virginia Union S 24 at St. Augustines O 1 West Virginia Wesleyan O 8 Chowan [HC] O 14 Bowie State O 22 Virginia State O 29 at Virginia University of Lynchburg N 5 at Elizabeth State

MEAC
Bethune Cookman (2010 Record 10-2) S 4 vs. Prairie View A&M1 S 10 South Carolina State S 24 Hampton O 1 at Miami O 8 at North Carolina A&T O 15 Fort Valley State O 22 at Norfolk State O 29 at North Carolina Central N 5 Morgan State N 12 Savannah State N 19 vs. Florida A&M1
1

Florida A&M (2010 Record 8-3) S 3 Fort Valley State S 10 at Hampton S 17 at South Florida S 29 Southern1 O 1 Delaware State O 8 Howard [HC] O 15 at Savannah State O 22 at South Carolina State N 5 North Carolina A&T N 12 at North Carolina Central N 19 vs. Bethune-Cookman2
1

S 10 S 17 S 24 O1 O8 O 15 O 22 O 29 N5 N 19
1

vs. Morehouse1 Norfolk State vs. Morgan State2 at Savannah State at Florida A&M Georgetown North Carolina A&T [HC] South Carolina State at Hampton at Delaware State

Savannah State (2010 Record 1-10) S 3 vs. Albany State1 S 10 at Southeastern Louisiana S 17 at Appalacian State S 24 at North Carolina Central O 1 Howard O 8 at Morgan State O 15 Florida A&M O 29 Hampton [HC] N 5 Norfolk State N 12 at Bethune-Cookman N 19 South Carolina State
1

Fort Valley State (2010 Record 8-3) S 3 at Florida A&M S 10 Delta State S 17 at Clark Atlanta S 24 at Benedict O 1 Tuskegee O 8 at Kentucky State O 15 Bethune-Cookman O 22 Stillman [HC] O 29 Morehouse N 5 Albany State1
1

in Columbus, GA

in Macon, Ga

in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC, 2in Meadowlands, NJ

in Atlanta, Ga, 2in Orlando, Fl

in Orlando, Fl

Delaware State (2010 Record 3-8) S 3 at VMI S 10 Shaw S 17 at Delware S 24 at South Carolina State O 1 at Florida A&M O 8 Norfolk State O 15 at North Carolina A&T O 29 Morgan State [HC] N 5 North Carolina Central N 12 at Hampton N 19 Howard

Hampton (2010 Record 6-5) S 3 vs. Alabama A&M1 S 8 Florida A&M S 17 Old Dominion S 22 at Bethune-Cookman O 8 Princeton O 15 at Norfolk State O 22 North Carolina Central [HC] O 29 at Savannah State N 5 Howard N 12 Delaware State N 19 Morgan State
1

Morgan State (2010 Record 4-7) S 3 at Towson S 10 at Bowling Green State S 17 Robert Morris S 24 vs. Howard1 O 1 North Carolina A&T O 8 Savannah State [HC] O 15 at North Carolina Central O 29 at Delaware State N 5 at Bethune-Cookman N 12 Norfolk State N 19 Hampton
1

South Carolina State (2010 Record 9-3) S 1 at Central Michigan S 10 a Bethune-Cookman S 17 at Indiana S 24 Delaware State O 1 at Norfolk State O 8 North Carolina Central [HC] O 15 Georgia State O 22 Florida A&M O 29 at Howard N 12 North Carolina A&T N 19 at Savannah State

Kentucky State (2010 Record 3-8) S 4 vs. Central State1 S 10 Lincoln (Pa) S 17 Stillman S 24 at Kentucky Wesleyan O 1 vs. Albany State2 O 8 Fort Valley State [HC] O 15 at Miles O 22 Tuskegee O 29 at Lane N 5 Morehouse Lane (2010 Record 0-9) S 4 at Edward Waters S 10 at Clark Atlanta S 17 Point S 24 Morehouse O 1 at Stillman O 8 Albany State O 15 Tuskegee [HC] O 22 at Miles O 29 Kentucky State N 5 at Benedict
1

SIAC
Albany State (2010 Record 11-1) S 3 vs. Savannah State1 S 10 Wingate S 17 Valdosta State S 24 at Miles O 1 vs. Kentucky State2 O 8 at Lane

in Meadowlands, NJ

in Chicago, Il

Howard (2010 Record 1-10) S 3 at Eastern Michigan

Norfolk State (2010 Record 6-5) S 3 Virginia State S 10 at West Virginia S 17 at Howard

in Dayton, Oh, 2in Indianapolis, In

Miles (2010 Record 3-8) S 4 vs. Morehouse1

THE YARD
S 10 S 17 S 24 O1 O8 O 15 O 22 O 29 N5
1

wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

O8 O 15 O 29 O 29 N5 N 24
1

2011 HBCU TEAm SCHEdULES

at Texas Southern Prairie View A&M vs. Alabama A&M1 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Southern Tuskegee O8 O 15 O 22 N5 N 12
1

8
Panhandle State SW Assemblies [HC] at NW Oklahoma State Texas College at Southern Nazarene

Concordia-Selma at West Georgia Albany State vs. Benedict2 at Clark Atlanta Kentucky State Lane [HC] at Stillman at Tuskegee

2011 HOMECOMINGS
Saturday, September 17
Livingstone at Bowie State

in Little Rock, Ar

Saturday, October 1
Concordia-Selma at Edward Waters Fort Hays State at Lincoln (MO) Seton Hill at West Virginia State J. C. Smith at Winston-Salem State

in Birmingham, Al

in Birmingham, Al, 2in Augusta, Ga

Morehouse (2010 Record 8-3) S 4 vs. Miles1 S 10 vs. Howard2 S 17 Edward Waters S 24 at Lane O 1 Clark Atlanta O 8 vs. Tuskegee3 O 15 at Albany State O 22 Benedict [HC] O 29 at Fort Valley State N 5 at Kentucky State
in Birmingham, Al, 2in RFK Stadium, Washington, DC, 3 in Columbus, Ga
1

Alcorn State (2010 Record 5-6) S 3 Grambling State S 10 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff S 17 Mississippi Valley State S 24 at Texas Southern O 1 at Alabama State O 22 Concordia-Selma [HC] O 29 at Southern N 5 Alabama A&M N 12 Prairie View A&M N 19 at Jackson State Grambling State (2010 Record 9-2) S 3 vs. Alcorn State1 S 10 at Louisiana-Monroe S 17 at Alabama State S 24 Alabama A&M O 1 Prairie View A&M2 O 15 Concordia-Selma O 22 Mississippi Valley State [HC] O 29 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff N 5 at Jackson State N 12 Texas Southern N 26 Southern3
1

Lincoln (Mo) (GLFC: 2010 Record 2-9) S 3 Avila S 8 at Washburn S 17 NW Missouri State S 24 Missouri Southern1 O 1 Fort Hays State [HC] O 8 at Missouri Western O 15 at Pittsburg State O 22 Emporia State O 29 Central Missouri N 5 at Truman State N 12 Nebraska Omaha
1

Saturday, October 8
Miss Valley State at Alabama A&M Miles at Clark Atlanta Texas College at Concordia-Selma Virginia State at Fayetteville State Howard at Florida A&M Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Jackson State Fort Valley State at Kentucky State Chowan at Lincoln (PA) Savannah State at Morgan State North Carolina Central at South Carolina State Johnson C. Smith at Shaw Elizabeth City State at Virginia Union

in St. Louis, Mo

Stillman (2010 Record 3-8) S 3 Shaw S 10 at Samford S 17 at Kentucky State S 24 at Tuskegee O 1 Lane O 8 Benedict O 15 Chowan O 22 at Fort Valley State O 29 Miles N 5 at Clark Atlanta N 12 Concordia-Selma [HC] Tuskegee (2010 Record 9-2) S 10 Langston S 17 at Alabama A&M S 24 Stillman O 1 at Fort Valley State O 8 vs. Morehouse1 O 15 at Lane O 22 at Kentucky State O 29 Clark Atlanta N 5 Miles N 24 at Alabama State
1

in Shreveport, La, 2in Dallas, Tx, 3in New Orleans, La

Tennessee State (2010 Record 3-9) S 3 Southern S 10 vs. Jackson State1 S 17 at Murray State S 24 at Air Force O 1 at Austin Peay O 8 Southeast Missouri O 15 at Tennessee Tech O 22 at Eastern Kentucky N 5 at Eastern Illinois N 12 Tennessee-Martin [HC] N 19 Jacksonville State
1

Saturday, October 15
Clark Atlanta at Benedict Southwest Baptist at Central State West Chester at Cheyney Virginia State at Elizabeth City State Virginia Union at Johnson C. Smith Tuskegee at Lane SW Assemblies at Langston Delaware State at North Carolina A&T Wesley at Virginia University of Lynchburg

in Memphis, Tn

Saturday, October 22
Concordia-Selma at Alcorn State Shaw at Chowan Stillman at Fort Valley State Mississippi Valley State at Grambling State North Carolina Central at Hampton North Carolina A&T at Howard Fayetteville State at Livingstone Lane at Miles Benedict at Morehouse Johnson C. Smith at St. Augustines Central State at Texas Southern

Jackson State (2010 Record 8-3) S 3 Concordia-Selma S 10 vs. Tennessee State1 S 17 at Southern S 24 Alabama State S 29 Texas Southern O 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff [HC] O 15 at Mississippi Valley State O 29 vs. Prairie View A&M2 N 5 Grambling State N 12 at Alabama A&M N 19 Alcorn State
1

N 19 Alabama A&M [HC]

1

in Orlando, Fl, 2in Dallas, Tx, 3in Shreveport, La

in Memphis, Tn, 2in Shreveport, La

in Columbus, Ga

SWAC
Alabama A&M (2010 Record 3-8) S 3 vs. Hampton1 S 10 at Southern S 17 Tuskegee S 24 at Grambling State O 1 Arkansas-Pine Bluff O 8 Mississippi Valley State [HC] O 13 Texas Southern O 29 vs. Alabama State2 N 5 at Alcorn State N 12 Jackson State N 19 Prairie View A&M
1

Mississippi Valley State (2010 Record 0-10) S 3 Alabama State S 10 Murray State S 17 at Alcorn State S 24 at Prairie View A&M O 1 Southern O 8 at Alabama A&M O 15 Jackson State O 22 at Grambling State O 29 Texas Southern [HC] N 3 South Alabama1 N 12 Arkansas-Pine Bluff
1

Southern (2010 Record 2-9) S 3 at Tennessee State S 10 Alabama A&M S 17 Jackson State S 24 vs. Florida A&M1 O 1 Mississippi Valley State O 8 Prairie View A&M O 15 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff O 22 Alcorn State [HC] N 5 at Texas Southern N 12 at Alabama State N 26 Grambling State2
1

INDEPENDENTS
Central State (2010 Record 1-10) S 4 vs. Kentucky State1 S 10 vs. NC Central2 S 17 at West Alabama S 24 Dayton O 1 Notre Dame College O 8 North Greenville O 15 Southwest Baptist [HC] O 22 at Texas Southern O 29 at Kentucky Wesleyan N 5 at Austin Peay N 12 at St. Francis
1

Concordia-Selma (NAIA: 2010 Record 4-4) S 3 at Jackson State S 10 Miles S 17 New Orleans S 24 Point O 1 at Edward Waters O 8 Texas College [HC] O 15 at Grambling State O 22 at Alcorn State N 12 at Stillman Edward Waters (NAIA: 2010 Record 0-8) S 3 Lane S 10 Virginia University of Lynchburg1 S 17 at Morehouse O 1 Concordia-Selma [HC] O 8 Livingstone O 15 at Webber International O 22 at Winston-Salem State O 29 Shorter N 5 at Ave Maria N 12 at Southern Virginia
1

Texas College (NAIA: 2010 Record 1-9) A 27 at Bellhaven S 3 at Lamar S 10 at Arkansas-Monticello S 17 at Texas Southern O 24 NW Oklahoma State O 8 at Concordia-Selma O 15 at Panhandle State O 22 at Southern Nazarene O 29 Bacone [HC] N 5 at Langston N 12 SW Assemblies Virginia University at Lynchburg (2010 Record 0-0) S 3 at North Carolina A&T S 10 vs. Edward Waters1 S 17 Louisburg S 24 at Livingstone O 8 West Virginia State O 15 Wesley [HC] O 21 at Fork Union O 29 vs. Lincoln (Pa)2 N 12 at George Mason
1

Saturday, October 29
Benedict at Albany State Morgan State at Delaware State Texas Southern at Mississippi Valley State Bethune-Cookman at North Carolina Central North Carolina A&T at Norfolk State Hampton at Savannah State Alcorn State at Southern Bacone at Texas College Virginia Union at Virginia State

Saturday, November 5
Alabama State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff Morgan State at Bethune-Cookman Miles at Tuskegee

in Atlanta, Ga, 2in New Orleans, La

in Kingsland, Ga, 2in Petersburg, Va

in Mobile, Al

in Dayton, Oh, 2in Cleveland, Oh

Saturday, November 12
Concordia-Selma at Stillman Tennessee-Martin at Tennessee State

in Chicago, Il, 2in Birmingham, Al

Alabama State (2010 Record 7-5) S 3 at Mississippi Valley State S 10 at Eastern Michigan S 17 Grambling State S 24 at Jackson State O 1 Alcorn State

Prairie View A&M (2010 Record 7-4) S 4 vs. Bethune-Cookman1 S 10 at Texas Southern S 17 Arkansas-Pine Bluff S 24 Mississippi Valley State O 1 vs. Grambling State2 O 8 at Southern O 15 at Alabama State O 29 vs. Jackson State3 N 5 at Texas State N 12 at Alcorn State

Texas Southern (2010 Record 9-3) S 10 Prairie View A&M S 17 at Texas College S 24 Alcorn State S 29 at Jackson State O 8 Alabama State Texas Southern O 13 at Alabama A&M O 22 Central State [HC] O 29 at Mississippi Valley State N 5 Southern N 12 at Grambling State N 19 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Cheyney (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conf.: 2010 Record 1-10, 1-6) S 3 Lincoln (Pa) S 10 at Slippery Rock S 17 at Edinboro S 24 at Kutztown O 1 Millersville O 8 at Bloomburg O 15 West Chester [HC] O 22 Shippensburg O 29 East Stroudsburg N 5 at C. W. Post N 12 California (Pa)

in Kingsland, Ga

Langston (NAIA: 2010 Record 6-4) S 3 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff1 S 10 at Tuskegee S 17 at Mo. Western State O 24 at Emporia State O 1 at Bacone

West Virginia State (WVIAC: 2010 Record 0-10) S 3 at Johnson C. Smith S 10 Virginia State S 24 at Concord O 1 Seton Hill [HC] O 8 at West Liberty O 15 Glenville State O 22 at Shepherd O 29 at West Virginia Wesleyan N 5 Fairmont State N 12 Charleston
[HC] indicates Homecoming Game.

Saturday, November 19
Alabama A&M at Prairie View A&M

Thursday, November 24
Tuskegee at Alabama State

THE YARD

wEEK oF AUGUsT 29TH

TWO-mINUTE WARNING

Eaton, Campbell and Fuller are new Directors

MARSHALL, TXWiley College made history with the naming of its first female director of athletics, Janet Eaton. Eaton is no stranger to the College. She joined the Wiley family in 2008 as head womens basketball coach. The College announced its promotion of Eaton at a news conference on August 19th. I thank God for blessing me with this opportunity, said Eaton at the conference. Wiley College has a rich tradition of excellence in athletics and academics, and my team and I will continue to build on this great tradition. Eaton takes on the position at a time of firsts and new beginnings for the athletic program. Soccer returns to the College this fall after a six year absence. The new soccer coach, Demetrio Hernandez, was introduced at the conference. Hernandez comes from conference rival Texas College where he won a RRAC Championship in 2006. In addition, bowling was introduced Friday as part of Wileys athletic program. Michael Vickerstaff was named the new head coach for bowling, which the Red River Athletic Conference describes as an emerging sport. other announcements included the naming of JB Haggerty as the new cross country and track and field coach, and the naming of Madeleine Harris as the new assistant coach for volleyball and track and field. I look forward to supporting each and every coach on my staff, said Eaton. I am excited about the opportunity to lead, guide, and direct the growth of this program. They day was filled with emotion for Eaton. Her mother and sister surprised her by driving six hours from Mississippi to be present for the historical announcement. Eaton earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education from Dillard University in 1994. She earned a masters degree in Education from the University of Phoenix in 2001. She has one son who is entering his third year at Wiley College. HAMPTON, VAHampton University has named Keshia Campbell as director of athletics. She becomes the first female athletic director to lead the Pirates and will begin working on August 15. Campbell, who served as assistant and associate director of athletics at Hampton from 2004-2006, succeeds Lonza Hardy, who has been named director of athletics at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She comes to the Tidewater Area from the University of Texas at Dallas where she was director of business affairs. Ms. Campbell comes with athletics management experience, knowledge of the institutions athletics program and direct experience from within the National Collegiate Athletics Association, said Dr. Rodney Smith, vice president for administrative services, who supervises athletics at Hampton. We are very excited to welcome her as a member of the Hampton family and we are looking forward to continued excellence from our student-athletes under her direction. Campbell held two administrative positions at the NCAA, assistant and associate director of championships, from 2006-2009. In addition to her time at Hampton, she was head womens basketball coach at South Carolina State University for seven years. A two-time graduate of South Carolina State, Campbell earned a bachelors degree in physical education and a masthe classroom. Fuller comes to Jackson State University from Sojourner-Douglass College, where she served as dean of the colleges Cambridge, Maryland campus. Before joining Sojourner-Douglass in 2003, Fuller spent more than a decade directing the athletics programs at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Tennessee State University and Northeastern Illinois University. When named AD at Tennessee State in 1997, Fuller became the first African-American woman to lead a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Athletics program with a football team. That team finished its first season under her leadership with a 9-3 record and won the ohio Valley Conference championship. Jacksons States new AD is a nationally known expert on academic support programs for student-athletes, academic advising, women in sports and management and gender equity. She has testified before the U.S. Senate in congressional hearings on gender equity and minority participation in sports and has been involved in numerous NCAA committees including the Management Council, the Peer Review Committee, the Initial Eligibility Standards Committee, the Gender Equity Task Force and the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP), for which she served as chairperson. Fuller began her career in higher education at Bennett College in 1978 as the director of intramurals and instructor of physical education. From 1984-87 she served as assistant director for advisement programs for student-athletes at North Carolina A&T, earning a promotion to assistant director of athletics. In 1987, she became associate director of intercollegiate athletics at Indiana University in Pennsylvania, where she was responsible for internal operations of the program and developing the academic component for student-athletes. Fuller earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Fayetteville State University in 1977, a Masters of Education from the University of Idaho in 1978, and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University in 1985. campus, including administrators, faculty, staff and students in the athletic certification process. The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institutions athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993. The certification process, which involves completion of a self-study which was led by President Watson, includes a review of five areas of which were also the foci of the five subcommittees namely, Academic Integrity, Diversity, Gender, Governance and Commitment to Rules and Student-Athlete Well-Being. I am extremely proud that Chicago State University has earned NCAA Division I certification, said Dr. Watson. The net effect of this work has been phenomenal in its revelations regarding the structural and human capital changes that we have and will continue to make. Lessons learned are strengthening our athletics program for our student-athletes, campus life and the communities that we serve, he further stated. The NCAA Committee on Certification issued decisions for Chicago State University [CSU] and 26 other Division I institutions including Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, Butler University, Northeastern University and the University of California, Los Angeles.

Chicago State re-certified DI by NCAA

CHICAGOThe National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced Thursday that Chicago State University [CSU] has met all of the requirements for re-certification as a member of Division I. A certified designation denotes that an institution operates its athletics program in compliance with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership. This announcement marks the culmination of an eighteen-month process that required a comprehensive review of the CSU Athletics Program and its interface with the university community conducted by five sub-committees and one steering committee composed of university stakeholders. Dr. Wayne Watson, President of Chicago State University stated, I am pleased with the exceptional work of our Steering Committee Co-Chairs, the Steering Committee and the sub-committees composed of individuals from across the Chicago State University

Campbell, a two-time graduate of South Carolina State, becomes the first female athletic director at Hampton.

ters degree in rehabilitation counseling. I am thrilled and honored to be appointed to the helm of the Pirate athletics program, said Campbell. Hampton is recognized as one of the best Division I mid-major programs in the entire country and I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence. Campbell is another in a long line of women being appointed to senior administration positions under William R. Harveys tenure as Hampton president. Ms. Campbell has the administrative skills and experience to continue to guide our student-athletes to academic and athletic success, Harvey said. We believe her passion and vision will further elevate the bright future of Hampton University athletics. JACkSON, MSJackson State University has named Vivian Fuller as its new athletics director. She will take the

helm of Jackson States athletics program later this summer. Im excited to be a Tiger, Fuller said. Jackson State has such a long and proud tradition; I look forward to honoring that tradition and helping our student athletes be the best they can be.Fuller JSU President Carolyn Meyers announced Fullers appointment during a press conference today inside the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Centers Sports Hall of Fame. Vivian Fullers leadership skills, along with her experience as an athlete, academician, and director of athletics at three institutions, make her the best choice for Jackson State University at this time. Meyers said. Im very confident that she will be able to lead our athletics programs to prominence, ensuring that JSU student-athletes succeed on the field or court as well as in

Mansfield Accepts Position at SEC: SWAC assistant director of communications, Chevonne Mansfield, has accepted a position as assistant director of media relations at the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and will transition across town at the end of the month. Mansfield earned the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) University Division Rising Star Award in June as a member of the SWAC staff.

NC CENTRAl IS ACTIVE DIVISION I: At 12:31 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, North Carolina Central University received a letter from the NCAA confirming the universitys active membership in Division I athletics. The five-year reclassification process moving from Division II athletics competition to Division I (Football Championship Subdivision) is now over, and NCCU is eligible to participate in post-season championships starting this fall.