HBCU Football 2016 Kicks Off Tonight With Four Games -- Get Your Game Previews HERE!

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

This is the day that HBCU football fans have been waiting for -- kickoff for the new football season.

Tonight, four games are on tap.  They are:

(From Cheyney athletics site)

Cheyney (Pa) at Lincoln (Pa) - Last season, in the Battle of the First, Cheney fell to Lincoln 29-22.  It was easily their closest game and most points they scored during a winless season. They averaged just under nine points a game on offense and gave up more than 50 on defense, so both sides of the ball stand for improvement against virtually the same schedule.  Lincoln had a better season, staring 2-0 in 2015 before dropping seven of their last eight games. But they return star running back Stephen Scott, who rushed for 1,253 yards and ten touchdowns last year.



Jackson State at UNLV - Tony Hughes takes the field as head coach for the first time when Jackson State visits UNLV for the first time since 1975.  Though the Tigers were 3-8 last season, they do return quarterback La Montiez Ivy who completed more than 60 percent of his passes last year. UNLV had similar struggles last season, going 3-9 in 2015.  Last season, the Rebels ran decently, but struggled on defense against the pass, which could be a good thing for Ivy.

Mississippi Valley State at Eastern Michigan - Mississippi Valley State can't be much worse than last season when they were 1-10, and finished at the bottom of the SWAC in scoring, rushing, passing, total offense, points allowed and rushing defense.  But Khalil Young and Ladrelin Cheatam are experience defenders who made a combined 117 tackles last season. Eastern Michigan had the same struggles, going 1-10 in 2015 also.  The Eagles gave up at least 28 points in every game.

Delaware State at Delaware - The "First State Rivalry" is renewed as two teams who combined for five wins last year hook up.  The state's little brother, Delaware State, was 1-10 in Kenny Carter's first year as head coach.  The Hornets will go with a two-quarterback system this season and hope to see an improved running game with the addition of high school star Mike Waters. Delaware has beaten Delaware State in each of their six previous meetings by a combined score of 223-68.