Ivy Vs. Ivy and Comegy Vs. His Former Employer Storylines for Miss Valley State-Jackson State Battle; Morehouse and Tuskegee Battle in Nation's Oldest HBCU Classic; Look at ALL of Today's HBCU Football Games

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

If it gets a bit confusing when the game announcer mentions a play by Ivy, be sure to listen for the first name during the Mississippi Valley State - Jackson State game.

The quarterback for Mississippi Valley State is Patrick Ivy while the quarterback for Jackson State is his younger brother, LaMontiez Ivy.

But that isn't the only thing causing a buzz around this game.

Mississippi Valley State head coach Rich Comegy was the head coach at Jackson State before school officials fired him last December, even though he was 55-35 in eight seasons at J-State. A Jackson State spokesperson cited the need for a change in the direction of the program and a need to recruit local and to have players with discipline as part of their DNA.

But don't bring any of that up to Comegy now.  He is just focused on getting a win.


"I would love to feel different about it and make it something that seems to be very exciting but I'm worried about how our team performs," Comegy said Monday during the SWAC Coaches Teleconference. "......Maybe later on the week, when we get going and really pushing toward the game, that excitement will slowly come back because I want them to be excited…..I don't want to take any of that from them……I'm sure that piece will be there, that excitement about going back and playing but at this moment there's more things on my mind about getting better as a team."

Mississippi Valley State is in need of a win. The Delta Devils are winless in conference play and 1-5 overall and have lost five straight games.  They give up the most points per game in the SWAC and score the least of all conference teams.

There are bright spots. The Patrick Ivy-to-Julian Stafford connection has been a good one for MVSU, as Stafford leads the conference in receiving yards per game (94.3) and is fifth in receptions per game (4.5).  And the defense is ranked fourth in total defense in the SWAC.  They held high-powered Texas Southern last week to 20 points and 257 yards of offense in losing by only four points.

And Comegy said he see some chinks in the Jackson State armor.

"We can exploit some things that they do," he said. "I saw some film (Monday) that we can exploit, and some ways we can get after them."

The MVSU defense is the second best against the pass, an area where Jackson State has excelled.  LaMontiez Ivy is the SWAC's leading passer while tossing a conference-leading 11 touchdowns so far this season.

The J-State is ranked fourth in the SWAC, but they've given up at least 30 points in four of their six games.

"We're struggling right now. One of the guys we've been hoping to anchor the defense, Coleman Johnson, he's been hurt (with a hand injury) all year," defensive coordinator Derrick Burroughs told the Jackson Clarion-Ledger newspaper. (Ted Terrell) he's been hurt all year, hasn't been able to play much."

SIAC's Two Top Teams, Tuskegee and Morehouse, Meet in the Nation's Oldest HBCU Classic

The SIAC team with the conference's best record is headed to Columbus, Ga. today to play in the 79th Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic.  But that team isn't Tuskegee.

It's Morehouse, a team that's 4-1 with their only loss to FCS' Howard three weeks ago.   The Maroon Tigers have been looking to regain the form that took them to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2010.  Injuries and other issues have plagued head coach Rich Freeman the past three seasons, particularly as they bottomed out in 2013 with a 2-8 record.

This season, they lead the SIAC in total offense, mainly on the strength of the conference's top passing game. But the triggerman, sophomore quarterback Monquavious Johnson, is out this week with an ankle injury, putting senior Jordan Tarver at the controls.  

He'll have two solid receivers to throw to Lake McGuffie, who is second in the SIAC in receptions per game, and Devon Mann, a stalwart receiver who had 203 yards and three touchdowns against Central State last month.

Tuskegee is a tough defensive squad that is fourth in total defense in the SIAC, but tougher against the run. El'Malik Chunn is the SIAC's fourth leading tackler with 47 while Jewell Ratliff has picked off three balls this year, returning one for a touchdown.

On offense, Kevin Lacey and Justin Nared have shared the quarterback slot this season.  It's a duo that works as they are third in passing in the SIAC, accounting for six touchdowns and over 1,000 yards passing this season.

The Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic kicks off at 5 p.m. CST and will broadcast live on the Aspire network.

Here is a look at the rest of today's HBCU football schedule

SIAC

Stillman at Benedict (The SIAC's second leading passer, Cameron Stover, is looking at a matchup, on paper, that he may be favored in.  Stillman has the second-worst pass defense in the SIAC. But then again, Stillman's Jovantae Thurmon could be saying the same as Benedict gives up 196 yards rushing per game)

Paine at Limestone College (

College of Faith at Clark Atlanta (College of Faith is probably just what Clark Atlanta needs right now.  They are a team that is 0-5 and hasn't been close in their games this year. Clark Atlanta has lost their last three games, including a 27-7 defeat at the hands of Morehouse last week. Montavious Taylor leads a CAU rushing game that is the best in the SIAC.  They'll need him.  The Panthers are last in passing)

Kentucky State at Fort Valley State (Kentucky State needs a win   These are two teams that mirror each other offensively and defensively, except in pass defense where Kentucky State suffers. It could be an opportunity for Fort Valley's offensive dynamo, quarterback Otis Brown, to shine)

Central State at Miles (

Lane at Albany State (



MEAC

Delaware State at Norfolk State (

North Carolina Central at South Carolina State (

Howard at Bethune-Cookman (Howard has had a tough season so far, losing their last three games with their only win being over Division II Morehouse.  But Greg McGhee continues to lead a potent offense that

Savannah State at Florida A&M (One thing is for sure in this game - at least one of these squads will be getting their first win of the season. Both teams are 0-5 and mirror each other in many ways. Both struggle to score and neither is great on defense, though the Rattlers are giving up 15 points a game less than Savannah State's league worst 47 points per game.  Savannah State's Leon Prunty does lead a SSU pass offense ranked in the top half of the MEAC)


CIAA

Fayetteville State at Shaw (

Lincoln (Pa) at Virginia Union (

St. Augustine's at Livingstone (

Winston-Salem State at Johnson C. Smith (

Elizabeth City State at Virginia State (

Bowie State at Chowan (

SWAC

Southern at Alabama A&M (

Alabama State at Prairie View A&M (

Alcorn State at Grambling (

OTHERS

Hampton's Maynor Looks for Win Over His Alma Mater, North Carolina A&T Tonight; Game to be Broadcast Live on ESPNU

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

It's always interesting when a coach puts his team up against his alma mater.

But Hampton head coach Connell Maynor's Pirates squad needs a win in this, his first year, at the Hampton helm.  So the A&T grad can put his devotion to the side as the Pirates take on North Carolina A&T tonight.

"A&T is my alma mater, but I am the coach at Hampton, so hopefully there will not be too many boos," he said.  "But I think it is going to be great, and I am so looking forward to it.”

At 1-4 and 0-1 in the conference, Hampton can't afford to lose another game if they hope to hang on in the MEAC race.

The Pirates will be playing just a day after the school announced that defensive coordinator and former Fayetteville State head coach Kenny Phillips has taken an indefinite leave of absence to deal with unspecified personal issues.  Tremayne Henry will take over the spot on an interim basis.

That's important this week as A&T will be looking to get back on the scoreboard after being shut out last week, 13-0, by South Carolina State.  Despite being shut out last week, North Carolina A&T leads the MEAC in scoring offense, mainly because of running back Tarik Cohen and quarterback Kwashaun Quick.  They are the conference's second (Cohen averages 122 yards rushing a game) and sixth (Quick is good for 66 yards on the ground each game to go with his 145 yards passing a contest) rushing duo.

Last week, SCSU only allowed 49 yards rushing to Cohen. And Quick is out for a second straight game with a knee injury, replaced again by freshman Hasaan Klugh.

“If we’re facing a freshman who hasn’t played a lot, we’re going to stack the box, take away the run and make him throw,” A&T head coach Rod Broadway told the News and Record newspaper. “That’s smart. That’s what South Carolina State did, and it’s what I would’ve done.”


The Aggies are also stout on defense as they give up only 15 points a game, best in the MEAC.

"They're very athletic, they've got a lot of talent, a lot of speed," said Maynor. "Offensively, they've been scoring points … even though they got shut out last week, a lot of that probably had to do with being without their starting quarterback. They're playing great on both sides of the ball, so we've got to be ready to play."

But the Pirates have firepower as well.  Running back Jorrian Washington is second in the nation with 204 all-purpose yards a game while quarterback Jaylian Williamson, the MEAC's top passer, leads the MEAC's top passing offense.

 A national television audience will be watching all of this take place as ESPNU broadcasts tonight game from Aggie Stadium, where Maynor is part of the school's Hall of Fame, at 7:30 p.m.

 "To come back and play A&T on national TV on a Thursday night is going to be real special for me and it is going to be great exposure for both programs," Maynor said.

Watts and Madison Named SIAC Pre-Season Basketball Players of the Year; Benedict, Kentucky State, Albany State and Tuskegee Tapped to Win Men's and Women's Division Titles

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

Last year's leading scorer in women's SIAC basketball, Ashley Watts, is back and heads the SIAC's preseason All-Conference women's basketball squad.

The preseason honors for both the mens and womens basketball squads, along with the predicted order of finish for both was announced Tuesday during the SIAC Mens and Womens Basketball Media Day in Birmingham.

Watts was chosen by league coaches as the preseason SIAC Offensive Player of the Year after leading Division II in scoring last year with 26.5 points a game.  Watts led Paine, the conference's highest scoring offense, in scoring 24 of their 28 games and scored 30 or more points in 11 games.

Artisa Holston of Albany State was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after a season where she led the Golden Rams in scoring and rebounding, as well as swiping 39 steals and blocking 14 shots.  She led Albany State to the SIAC title and an NCAA tournament berth for the 21-7 team.

On the mens side, Stillman's Markeith Madison was named preseason Offensive Player of the Year while Kendall Jackson of Claflin was named Defensive Player of the Year.

Madison led Stillman, the SIAC's highest scoring team last season, in scoring with 16.7 points a game and 7.5 rebounds a game.  He was the fifth best scorer in the SIAC last season. 

Jackson blocked 25 shots and had 21 steals last year for Claflin while also averaging 11 points a game.  He was a 49 percent 3-point shooter last season.

League coaches picked Benedict (East Divsion) and Kentucky State (West) to finish first this season in the mens race.  On the women's side, they chose Albany State to repeat in the East and Tuskegee to win another West title.

Her are the complete womens and mens Preseason All Conference Teams and predicted orders of finish: 

PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Watts (Paine)

 
PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Artisha Holston (Albany State)

 
WOMEN'S PRESEASON TEAM
Artisha Holston (Albany State) *
Uniqua Mitchell (Claflin) *
Crystal Rayford  (Lane) *
Shayla Moore  (Kentucky State) *
Brieona Warner (Kentucky State) *
Ashley Watts  (Paine) *
Angel Mitchell (Stillman) *
Keidra Green (Albany State)
Shakeima Ravenell (Claflin)
Chelsea Azore  (Tuskegee)
Brittnee Hazel  (Fort Valley State)
Tiffany Martin (Lane)
Karahn Scott  (Claflin)
Jaquanna Davis  (Claflin)
Denissea Law  (Clark Atlanta)

*Denotes returning players who were selcted as a result of earning post season honors for 2013-14


PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
WESTERN DIVISION
Team (First-Place Votes)
1. Tuskegee - 35 (6)
2. Kentucky State - 29 (1)
3. Stillman - 26
T4. Spring Hill - 17
T4. LeMoyne-Owen - 17
6. Miles - 16
7. Lane - 7


EASTERN DIVISION
Team (First-Place Votes)
1. Albany State - 20 (5)
2. Benedict - 17 (1)
3. Paine - 12
4. Claflin - 11
5. Fort Valley State - 9
6. Clark Atlanta - 6

MENS PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Markeith Madison (Stillman)

MENS PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kendall Jackson (Claflin)

PRESEASON TEAM
MEN
Jerry Hampton  (LeMoyne-Owen) *
Kendric Taylor   (Paine) *
Markeith Madison   (Stillman) *
Ulysses Thomas III  (Kentucky State)
Larry Bullock   (Albany State)
Austin Anderson  (Morehouse)
Kendall Jackson   (Claflin)
Quentin Henderson  (Kentucky State)
Bryant Hill   (Lane)
Andrew Crawford (Benedict)
Alfonso Davis   (Paine)
Ralph Wilson   (Fort Valley State)
Maurice Crenshaw  (Stillman)
Marcel Hawkins   (LeMoyne-Owen)
Brennan Reynard (Benedict)
*Denotes players who were auotmatically selected to preseason team as a result of earning 2013-14 postseason honors.

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
EAST DIVISION
1. Benedict - 29 (2)
2. Clark Atlanta - 25 (2)
3. Morehouse - 24
4. Albany State - 22 (2)
T5. Paine - 17 (1)
T6. Fort Valley State - 17
7. Claflin - 13

WEST DIVISION
Team (First Place Votes)
1. Kentucky State - 36 (6)
T2. LeMoyne-Owen - 20
T2. Tuskegee - 20
4. Stillman - 19
T5.Miles - 18
T5. Spring Hill - 18
7. Lane - 16

Alcorn State Moves Up In FCS ADDS HBCU SPORTS REPORT Poll Shake-Up; Virginia Union Up to Second Spot in Division II Poll

By ADD SEYMOUR JR. 

Virginia Union dropped Shaw to go to 4-1 on the season. (photo from VUU athletics site)

FCS teams flipped a number of spaces in this week's ADD'S HBCU SPORTS REPORT HBCU, including in the top spot, while there was some shifting in the Division II poll after previously undefeated Livingstone lost last weekend.

In the FCS poll, Bethune-Cookman remains a clear No. 1 after a solid win over Delaware State this weekend.  The 4-1 Wildcats are ranked 17th in the national FCS poll, one of three HBCU teams (the others are Tennessee State and Alcorn State) in the national poll. 

Tennessee State's second loss of the season, to OVC foe Southeast Missouri, dropped them from first to fourth behind third ranked Alabama State (who defeated TSU last month) and second ranked Alcorn State, which knocked off Alabama State last Thursday.

Three wins in a row lifted Grambling to the eighth spot. Grambling, undefeated in the SWAC, has won consecutive games for the first time since 2011.

In Division II, Winston-Salem State continues their run in the first place spot.  But the new second place team is Virginia Union, who won their third straight game this weekend. Last week's second place team, Livingstone, went into Elizabeth City State undefeated but was routed by the Vikings and drops to fourth.

Here are the entire ADDS HBCU SPORTS REPORT HBCU Football FCS/Division II Top Ten polls for this week:

FCS

1) Bethune-Cookman
2) Alcorn State
3) Alabama State
4) Tennessee State
5) Texas Southern
6) South Carolina State
7) North Carolina A&T
8) Grambling
9) Morgan State
10) Southern

DIVISION II

1) Winston-Salem State
2) Virginia Union
3) Tuskegee
4) Livingstone
5) Morehouse
6) Albany State
7) Fort Valley State
8) Virginia State
9) Stillman
10) Miles

Livingstone and Bowie State Men and Virginia State and Fayetteville State Women Picked to Top CIAA Hoops This Season; SIAC Basketball Media Day Set for Oct. 7

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

Virginia Union's Ashlee Freeman and Ray Anderson were both named to the preseason All-CIAA womens and mens squads.

With the slight nip in the air and the calendar's turn into October, it means football isn't the only big time collegiate sport tipping off right now.

Basketball season is near as the HBCU conferences are all starting to hold their mens and womens basketball media day activities.   Tomorrow, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference holds their annual Media Day in Birmingham, Ala. at 9 a.m. central time.

The SIAC Basketball Media Day can be followed on SIAC Radio or on social media, via the SIAC's Twitter page, @thesiac, and on Facebook at Facebook.com/thesiac.

Meanwhile, the CIAA held their mens and womens basketball media day on Oct. 2.  Both of the 2013 championship teams, Livingstone (Southern Division) and Bowie State (Northern Division), were picked to be on top of their respective divisions in 2014-2015 by the CIAA Mens Basketball Association.  Livingston had two players named to the All-CIAA Mens Preseason All Conference team in Eric Dubose and Eric Mayo.  Winston-Salem State, picked to finish second in the North, also had two players named to the All-Conference team in the CIAA's leading returning scorer, Marquez Jones and double-digit scorer Wykevin Bazemore.

On the women's side, Fayetteville State and Virginia State were chosen to top the Southern and Northern divisions this season.  Last year's leading scorer, Ashle Freeman, returns and leads the women's All-CIAA Preseason team.  Freeman averaged 20.5 points a game for Virginia Union and was second in steals and fourth in free throw percentage last season.

To see the CIAA mens and womens basketball predicted order of finish and the All-CIAA preseason teams, go to http://www.theciaa.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/141002_bkb_preseason_picks.

Grambling Wins Third Third Straight for the First Time Since 2011; ECSU Routs Previously Undefeated Livingstone; Tuskegee Defeats Fort Valley State; Recap of ALL HBCU Football From Saturday

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

The Grambling defense stops Alabama A&M's Brandon Eldemire (Photo by Sarah Cole/Al.com)

Grambling football is on a roll.

After a few years of futility, Grambling has now won its third game of the season and remains undefeated in the Southwestern Athletic Conference after their 38-28 win over Alabama A&M Saturday.

Third string quarterback Johnathan Williams, filling in for injured starter D.J. Williams and backup Stephen Johnson, threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns while the Grambling (3-2, 3-0 SWAC) defense sacked Alabama A&M quarterbacks seven times to put a damper on the Bulldogs' homecoming festivities.

The Grambling defense only allowed 255 yards of offense all day to the Bulldogs.

Alabama A&M (2-4, 1-2 SWAC) pulled to within two early in the fourth quarter on a 20-yard Harvey Harris touchdown run. But the Tigers put the game out of reach as Martez Carter returned the kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown and Williams threw a 6-yard touchdown to Verlon Hunter four minutes later.

The third straight win is the first time the Tigers have won three straight since 2011, a season where they won eight games and a SWAC title. 

The win sets up a battle next week between homestanding Grambling, the SWAC's hottest team, against Alcorn State, the conference's best team.

Elizabeth City State Routs Previously Undefeated Livingstone 59-21

When Drew Powell threw a 10-yard TD pass on Livingstone's first drive, it looked like another good week for his squad.

Not.

The Vikings exploded for 28 unanswered points to overwhelm previously undefeated Livingstone 59-21. 

Petey Boone answered Powell's TD with a one-yard plunge and Will Boyette followed with three touchdown passes to put ECSU up 28-7 at the half.  Powell started the second half with another TD pass, but that was as close as the Bears would get as Kenny King rushed for an ECSU touchdown and Boyette added another touchdown to put the game out of reach.

Boyette threw for 188 yards and four touchdowns while King rushed for 120 yards and a TD.  Powell finished with 217 yards and three touchdowns passing, two of those TDs going to Jalen Hendricks.

Stephen Williams had 16 tackles and recovered two fumbles for ECSU while Zach Taylor added five tackles and two sacks.

Elizabeth City State (2-3, 1-1 CIAA) goes to Virginia State while Livingstone (4-1, 1-1 CIAA) hosts St. Augustine's in their homecoming game.


Tuskegee Rushes Past Fort Valley State 35-28

Hoderick Rowe runs past Fort Valley State defenders (Photo by Mickey Welsh/Montgomery Advertiser)

Tuskegee's Devozea Gaines ran the second-half kickoff back 89 yards for a touchdown that started a 21-point third-quarter that pushed Tuskegee to a 35-28 win over Fort Valley State.

Tuskegee had been down 14-7 going into the half after Nikyiem Floyd returned a Tuskegee fumble 60 yards for a touchdown just before the quarter ended.  But the Golden Tigers got Gaines' TD to start the second half, followed by Jawell Ratliff's 42-yard interception return for another touchdown and Hoderick Lowe's 7-yard TD run, his second of the game, to go up 28-14.  Both teams traded fourth quarter touchdowns, but Tuskegee held on for the win.

Despite the score, defense ruled the day as Tuskegee passed for only 113 yards and Fort Valley State rushed for just 89.  El' Malik Chinn had 13 tackles for Tuskegee while Ratliff had nine tackles and two interceptions and A. Revere had two sacks.  Fort Valley State's LeRon Furr had 13 tackles while Stefon Harper added ten tackles.

Tuskegee's win sets up a big game next week in Columbus as they take on the SIAC's top team, Morehouse, in the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic.  Fort Valley State hosts Kentucky State.

 Tennessee State Comeback Falls Short as Southeast Missouri Wins 28-21

This is something Tennessee State hasn't been good at this year.

The Tigers fell behind 17-0 early in the second quarter, mounted a comeback late, but didnt have enough as they loss to Ohio Valley Conference foe Southeast Missouri 28-21.

Just as they did in their other loss at Alabama State last month, Tennessee State (4-2, 1-1 OVC) was down after two SEMO rushing TDs and field goal.  TSU pulled within three after Stephen Hopkins' two-yard plunge before halftime followed by quarterback Michael German's 10-yard TD toss to Chris Sanders-McCullom made it 17-14 late in the third.

An 11-point fourth quarter (a field goal, touchdown and 2-point conversion) pushed SEMO's lead out to 28-14.  German threw his other TD, a 2-yarder to Weldon Garlington, late in the fourth, but it wasn't enough.

Lennies McFerren led SEMO (4-2, 2-0 OVC) with 115 yards and a touchdown. Kyle Snyder only had 134 yards passing, but added 67 yards and a touchdown on the ground for SEMO. German finished with 362 yards and two touchdowns passing for TSU.

Southeast Missouri visits Murray State next weekend while Tennessee State hosts another OVC opponent, Jacksonville State.

SWAC

Prairie View A&M 48, Jackson State 30 (Prairie View A&M got their first win in Jackson, Miss. in 50 years on the strength of a 21-point fourth quarter after going down three at the end of the third. Quarterback Jerry Lovelace started the enslaught off with a 17-yard touchdown pass while Johnta Hebert followed with two TDs on the ground. Hebert finished with 150 yards rushing. J-State's Jarius Moore rushed for 145 yards and touchdown while quarterback LaMontiez Ivy threw two touchdown passes. The loss is the third over the last four games for Jackson State)

Southern 51, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 36 (Two of Austin Howard's three touchdown passes came in a 20-point second quarter that broke a tie and allowed Southern to pull away for the win.  Reggie Travis caught three TDs and had 156 yards receiving. Benjamin Anderson led the UAPB offense with 289 yards and two touchdowns passing and another TD rushing)

Texas Southern 20, Mississippi Valley State 16 (MVSU was 2-for-15 on third down conversions as Texas Southern got back on the winning side this week by playing solid defense and doing just on offense for the win. Daveonn Porter rushed for 106 yards for TSU while defensively Arthell Wyre had nine tackles, two of them for losses, and 1.5 sacks.  Charles Moore (13 tackles) and Sean Fugate (seven tackles and a sack) were stars for Mississippi Valley State)

CIAA

Bowie State 24, Johnson C. Smith 0 (Keith Brown (above) rushed for 102 yards while Trevon Bennett threw two touchdown passes while the Bowie State defense completely shut down JCSU.  They forced JCSU to punt seven times and held them But Austin Jacques had a phenomenal 23 tackles, 2.5 for loses, for Johnson C. Smith)

Fayetteville State 34, Lincoln (Pa) 13 (Andre Montgomery 130 yards and two touchdowns while Derek Bryant threw two touchdowns as Fayetteville State rolled up 514 yards of offense. Doug Cook had 199 yards and two touchdowns passing and Stephen Scott had 129 yards on the ground for Lincoln (Pa).  Moongo Bolobiongo had two sacks and two tackles for losses for FSU; Benjamin Brown added eight tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss; and Michael Johnson had seven tackles and an interception. Lincoln's Brionn Robinson had 13 tackles and forced a fumble)

Virginia State 42, St. Augustine's 35 (Virginia State scored 28 unanswered points midway through what had been a tight game to pick up their third straight win. VSU's Tarian Ayers rushed for three touchdowns and passed for 162 yards, while Trey Johnson rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown.  Roderick Davenport rushed for 145 yards and three touchdowns (all three in a fourth quarter comeback that fell a touchdown short) for St. Aug's, which also got 277 yards and a touchdown passing from Cyril Davis, who added a rushing TD.

Winston-Salem State 77, Chowan 30 (The Rams scored nearly half of their points in the first quarter as they cruised to a rout over Chowan.  WSSU quarterbacks Rudy Johnson and Phil Sims both threw a couple of TD passes, Brenden Felder caught two TDs and Mustafa Greene rushed for two TDs.  Dain McFarland threw two touchdown passes and Ryan Martin had 81 yards and a touchdown rushing and passing for Chowan)

Virginia Union 31, Shaw 9 (Kenneth Graham threw touchdown passes of 74 and 67 to Donte Gross midway through the game to help break open a tie contest with 21 unanswered points to defeat Shaw. Virginia Union had 344 yards of total offense, but only three yards of that was on the ground.  Evan Stranger had ten tackles, three for losses, and a sack)


MEAC

Norfolk State 14, Savannah State 7 (Tyler Clark threw a touchdown and ran for 106 yards and another TD for Norfolk State.  Neither team scored after the first quarter and moved the ball much all day.  But the Norfolk D had two sacks and only allowed 13 yards rushing all day)

North Carolina Central 27, Howard 22 (Howard outgained NCCU and controlled the ball more than they did, but the Eagles held off Howard for their first MEAC win this season.  Malcolm Bell threw for 250 yards and three touchdown passes. Howard's Greg McGhee threw for 291 yards and two TDs and added 87 yards rushing for now 1-5 Howard who is also winless in three conference games)

South Carolina State 13, North Carolina A&T 0 (The Aggies still can't figure out Buddy Pough and South Carolina State, a combination that is 11-1 against North Carolina A&T. South Carolina State held the MEAC's top offense to 156 yards and no points on the day. The Aggies, which had the MEAC's top rushing offense, only got 43 on the ground. Jalen Simmons had 95 yards rushing and a touchdown for SCSU while Adrian Kollock Jr. added 75 and a touchdown.  Darius Leonard had 13 tackles for an SCSU defense that had four sacks, two by Javon Haregrave. Landis Shoffner and D'Vonte Grant both had 13 tackles for A&T)

Morgan State 24, Florida A&M 9 (Morgan State has now won four of the last six meetings against winless Florida A&M as Herb Walker Jr. rushed for more than 200 yards - 203 - for the second time this season. Quarerback Robert Council added two rushing TDs. Gerald Hearns rushed for 100 yards to lead 0-5 FAMU, which has the MEAC's lowest scoring offense)

Bethune-Cookman 27, Delaware State 7 (Quentin Williams threw two first quarter TDs as Bethune-Cookman's 21-point first quarter sealed the deal early.  The Wildcats also blocked a punt that Leroy Hunt returned for a touchdown after Delaware State's game-opening series. Michael Jones had 132 yards rushing for 4-1 Bethune-Cookman. Terrick Colston scored DSU's only touchdown by picking off a Williams pass and returning it for a touchdown.  The Delaware State offense only had 174 yards on the day, 41 of it rushing)

SIAC

Morehouse Tops Panthers in Annual Atlanta University Center Rivalry Game 

(story by Austin Willliams)

The Morehouse Maroon Tigers continued their surprising play this season, holding Clark Atlanta's Wing-T offense in check in a 20-7 victory at CAU's Panther Stadium.  This was the second straight win for the Tigers, who improved to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Morehouse avenged last year's 21-17 loss by holding the Panthers' offense to 217 yards, 170 yards of that on 42 carries.

Though the Tigers won, the victory was not pretty by any means. The game featured more fumbles than touchdowns and missed opportunities by both teams, particularly by Morehouse that could have blown the game wide open. At halftime, the Tigers led 7-0 but had dropped two touchdown passes and botched three field goal attempts.

The bright spot in the game, however, came from sophomore running back Malik Johnson, who rushed for 104 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns.

"Malik was very important for us," Tigers coach Rich Freeman said.  "We've had it with Cameron Fields, but we use him in so many positions.   Malik has been a pleasant surprise.  He works hard to be a good student, and he's been working hard for us, and we're glad."

The win may prove costly for the Tigers as they lost two key offensive starters to injury.  Quarterback Montavious Johnson was having a solid day, completing 8 of 16 passes for 179 yards, before suffering an ankle injury in the second half.

"I dove in the end zone and the defender wiped my ankle out," Johnson said.

Center Trovante' Thompson left the game in the fourth quarter with an irregular heartbeat.

"Trovante' wears a heart monitor every game and the doctors saw his heart beat at a fast rate," athletic director Andre Pattillo said.  "They contacted his mom and she came down to the field and they went to Piedmont Hospital."

This was an important win for the Tigers not only for conference play, but because the victory helped them regain bragging rights in the Atlanta University Center.

"This win is exciting for us," Freeman said.  "Andre Pattillo's charge to me upon taking the job in 2007 was to restore institutional pride and what better way to do so than by beating an across-the-street rival in a fairly convincing manner."

Morehouse will travel to Columbus, Ga., this weekend to take play the Tuskegee Golden Tigers.  It's the oldest rivalry in HBCU football.

(Austin Williams is a student in the Morehouse College Journalism and Sports Program)

Albany State 17, Paine 0 (Albany State shut down the Paine offense as Division II's leading tackler, Tavarius Washington had 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Meanwhile, Jarvis Small rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns to pace 2-2 Albany State. 0-5 Paine, who was only down 10-0 at halfime, couldn't muster much offense for the second week in a row.  They had 41 yards rushing and 104 yards passing all day.) 

Kentucky State 31, Central State 24 (Jacquise Lockett rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns to lead KSU over Central State.  Michael Wilson ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns for Central State.  The Thorobreds led by as many as 21 when Lockett ran a 68-yard TD in the third quarter)


Stillman 55, Lane 16 (Lane's offensive woes continue as they give up 55 points to Stillman, a team that is in the middle of the pack offensively in the SIAC. Stillman rolled up 560 yards of total offense on a balanced offensive day.   Josh Straughan threw for 292 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for another. The Tigers also had five sacks on the day)

Miles 23, Benedict 13 (Jamarcus Hill rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown while Demetric Price passed for 214 yards and a TD to lead Miles' first half surge to sink Benedict.  Cameron Stover was solid for Benedict, throwing for 262 yards and a touchdown)

OTHERS

Bloomsburg 41, Cheyney 7 (Undefeated Bloomsburg went to 5-0 as Eddie Mateo rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns.  Cheyney remains winless, but they became the only team not to turn the ball over to Bloomsburg this season)

Langston 61, Texas College 0 (After playing four straight NCAA Division II teams Langston successfully returned to the NAIA ranks as they go to 2-3 on the season in defeating winless Texas College)

William Jewell 20, Lincoln (Mo) 13 (Lincoln led early, but William Jewell scored the game's final 13 points to go to 2-3 on the season.  Nick West passed for 285 yards and two touchdowns for William Jewell.  Lincoln's Davon Walls led a good Lincoln defense with four tackles and two sacks.  Lincoln had five sacks overall)

MEAC Powers North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State Square off in Atlanta; Fort Valley Visits Tuskegee; A look at EVERY HBCU Football Game on Tap Today

By ADD SEYMOUR JR.

Just looking at past history, the Atlanta Football Classic, pitting North Carolina A&T against South Carolina State, looks like a one-sided affair.

SCSU, one of the most HBCU football's most consistently solid programs, has beaten North Carolina A&T, a program that was on hard times through most of the past 20 years, 12 out of their last 13 meetings.

But this isn't the same kind of North Carolina A&T team.

After winning seasons every year from 1996 to 2001 (and only one losing season between 1990 to 2001), North Carolina A&T football hit the skids.  A 10-3 season in 2003 was the only bright spot from 2002 to 2011 as the program was 34-80 during that time span.

They went through six coaches during that period until Broadway took over the program in 2011.

Since then, there has only been one losing season, his first when they went 5-6 after going 1-10 the year before his arrival.  Two 7-4 records the past two years were the first back-to-back winning seasons for Aggies football in 11 years.

Now A&T sits atop the MEAC at 4-1 overall and winning their only conference game so far.  They lead the conference in total offense, scoring offense and scoring defense.

Led by Tarik Cohen's 140 rushing yards a game, the Aggies are second best MEAC running team in the conference.  They also sport a solid passing game led by Kwashaun Quick who is also a top ten MEAC rusher.

“We’re an up-and-coming program,” Broadway old the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “We’re close. We have a pretty good football team. This is probably the most talent we’ve had since we’ve been here. We expect to show it in the season. South Carolina State has been where we are trying to get.”

South Carolina State's Buddy Pough celebrated his 100th win as coach last week and brings a team to Hotlanta that was 9-4 last year, won a share of the MEAC title, and have been in the FCS playoffs four times since 2008.  This year, their two blowout losses have been to one of the best FCS teams in the nation in Coastal Carolina and ACC power Clemson. Take those out of the equation and the Bulldogs have scored a combined 97 points in wins against Benedict, Hampton and Furman.

All American defensive lineman Alex Glover and Andrew Carter both had double-digit sack seasons last year and anchor a defense this year that's given up only 17 points in those three games.

But Pough isn't resting on those laurels.

“When you see A&T on film they do everything well,” he told the AJC. “We would like to think we can match up with them but at the same time it will be a tough game for us.”

Today's game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and shown later on ESPNU.

SIAC Division Leaders Fort Valley State and Tuskegee Battle

Two of the SIAC's most storied programs square off today in Alabama as Fort Valley State visits Tuskegee.  And, as usual, these are two of the best conference teams this season.

Fort Valley State shook off a season opening blowout loss to Delta State to win their last three games.  But besides their solid win over FCS also-ran Savannah State, their wins over Benedict and Clark Atlanta have been decided by a total of four points.,

The Rams has uncharacteriscally struggled on defense this season, particularly against the pass.  Of the 346 yards of offense they've given up a game this season, 217 and 10 touchdowns has been through the air.

That cold be an issue as Tuskegee's dual quarterbacking duo, Justin Nared and Kevin Lacey, have thrown for a combined 231 yards a game, which, if they were one player, would lead the SIAC.

"(Offensively) we try to attack people, but I'm not going to tell them were I'm trying to attack them. We've just got to do the best we can on each one of our plays," Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater told the Montgomery Advertiser. "I think (Pittman) said on one of his shows that we have three running plays and we throw the ball. So we've got to get better at those three plays so we can execute."

Here is a look at all of the HBCU football games on tap around the country today:

SIAC

Central State vs. Kentucky State (Circle City Classic, Indianapolis, IN) (Central State is in need a of a good showing after a rough couple of weeks where they have been defeated a combined 112-11. Though they've lost their last three games, Kentucky State has been mostly solid as they've been on the short end in two close games. Justin Williams and Jacquise Lockett key a good KSU running game that could give the SIAC's worst defense (second worst rushing defense also) problems)

 Morehouse at Clark Atlanta (Forgive Morehouse is they have something in their long distance vision - longtime rival, Tuskegee who they play next weekend.  A win over Clark Atlanta and a Tuskegee win against Fort Valley State would set up a huge game. But this is a big Atlanta University Center rivalry game that Clark Atlanta always gets up for. Morehouse's running game has fallen off while their passing game has taken off. But Paine slowed that down last week and aside from their West Georgia blowout, the Panthers like to control the ball and play defense)

Stillman at Lane (Lane couldn't get anything going on offense against Tuskegee last week. Actually, offense has been an issue all season as they are the SIAC's bottom-dwellers in total offense. They haven't been able to run the ball at all this season, averaging a paltry 28 yards a game on the ground. Stillman's Jovontae Thurmon has been a bright spot, with five touchdowns and 72 yards a game rushing.  Stillman's defense gives up a ton of yards and points, 428 yards and 34 points a game)

Albany State at Paine (One thing opponents have figured out this year is that Paine is no pushover.  They slowed down a high-flying Morehouse passing game last week and kept close as they have in every game this season. Statistically, Paine is near the top of the SIAC in passing, total offense and scoring.  But Albany State is Albany State.  They've struggled to score big time this year, but they have the league's most rugged and stingiest defense)


MEAC

Howard at North Carolina Central (Howard has one of the most prolific players in HBCU football in quarterback Greg McGhee.  But he can't do it alone, as evidenced by the Bison's 1-4 record. They give up 34 points and 437 yards offense each game. Central's Malcolm Bell and Quinn Billerman have had their offense moving well, though they will have to take it up a notch to keep up with McGhee)

Norfolk State at Savannah State (These are two teams who have struggled again this season, with only one win between both teams and that came last week as Norfolk State won on a last minute touchdown over Morgan State. The problem for Savannah State is offensive.  They have one of the most anemic offenses in the MEAC while Norfolk State leads the conference in total defense. The Spartans only allowed 38 yards passing last week.  But Norfolk State only averages 8.4 points a game themselves)

Delaware State at Bethune-Cookman (This could be the very definition of a trap game.  Or it can result in a lopsided affair that the stats would dictate. Bethune-Cookman has the MEAC's second-best defense which is also the stingiest against the run, while Delaware State has the league's most anemic offense, accounting only 227 yards of total offense a game. But Bethune-Cookman passers better be wary -- the Hornets are stout against the pass, only giving up 129 yards a game and two touchdowns all season)

Morgan State at Florida A&M (This will be Florida A&M's first game with new offensive coordinator who takes over a unit that is among the MEAC's worst. They rank at the bottom in rushing offense and next to last in total offense. They host an up-and-coming Morgan State squad that has the MEAC's best rushing offense, featuring running back Herb Walker Jr. and quarterback Robert Council)  

CIAA

Shaw at Virginia Union (You have to do some work to move the ball against Virginia Union.  They have 12 sacks and allowed only one touchdown and give up the second-fewest yards in the CIAA.  They are solid on the other of the ball as they are fourth in total offense.  Shaw looked good in beating Lincoln (Pa) last week. Their defense will be tested this week)

Livingstone at Elizabeth City State (Livingstone stayed undefeated with a late field goal against Bowie State last week. But led by quarterback Drew Powell, they still sport the CIAA's top offense. Elizabeth City State will have to amp up an offense that is near the bottom of the CIAA. Livingstone has given up 33 points a game on D this season)

Fayetteville State at Lincoln (Pa) (Lincoln (Pa) looks good each week, except for a week two loss to North Carolina Wesleyan. Fayetteville State has struggled on offense, though they have played decent defense.  They have accounted for 10 sacks this season)

St. Augustine's at Virginia State (Virginia State is now starting to look like the team that ran through the CIAA into the championship game last year. Both the defense and offense have started to click during the Trojans' last two games.  The St. Aug's offense came alive in the first quarter last week in their first win of the season. They'll need that kind of performance this week)

Johnson C. Smith at Bowie State (Bowie State nearly knocked off Livingstone last week, mostly on the strength of a churning running game led by Kendall Jefferson and Keith Brown.  But to get their first win of the season, the Bulldogs will have to keep a Johnson C. Smith offense that can be explosive (though rarely in 2014) in check.  The JCSU running game has been bleak though)

Winston-Salem State at Chowan (Winston-Salem State keeps humming along, as they continue to stand among the conference leaders in offense and defense. Ask Elizabeth City State who was throttled 35-7 last week.  Chowan runs the ball well, but they have the CIAA's worst defense)


SWAC

Grambling State at Alabama A&M (Grambling is looking good for the first time in a long time. They aren't particular spectacular on either side of the ball, but they are playing much better football and have won two games in a row for the first time since 2011. But they head into homecoming territory at Alabama A&M, a team led by Jaymason Lee, a quarterback who leads the SWAC in passing efficiency and has thrown six TDs. In last week's win, newcomers kick returner Ocatvious Miles and running back Harvey Harris shined)
 

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Southern (UAPB played well against Jackson State last week, though they lost in overtime.  But their biggest problem - defense - came to light.  They give up 35 points a game. Southern's problem hasn't been on offense.  It's also on defense where they've given up 38 points and nearly 467 yards a game. That's good news for stud running back Benjamin Anderson for UAPB)

Prairie View A&M at Jackson State (Jackson State is coming off a big overtime win last week that put them back on the winning side after losses to Tennessee State and Grambling. They give up a lot of points, especially in the first half - 86 points in four games this year. Prairie View has lost all four games this year, but aside from their big loss to McNeese State, they've been in every contest. They feature a solid passing duo in quarterback Jerry Lovelock and the SWAC's leading receiver in catches per game in Greg Thurmond.)

Mississippi Valley State at Texas Southern (Mississippi Valley State may be heading into a bad situation or they may be going into Texas at the right time.  Texas Southern was flying high until Alabama State thumped them last week. So the Tigers may have something to prove.  MVSU is 0-4 in their last four games and they haven't been very close)


OTHERS

Tennessee State at Southeast Missouri State (

Langston at Texas College (If Langston, who has dropped three straight after a season-opening win over  wants to keep pace with first place Oklahoma Baptist in the Central States Football League, they must beat teams such as 0-5 Texas College. Statistically, Langston sports the CSFL's second-best offense, but the second-worst defense. The good news for Langston is that Texas College is at the bottom of the CSFL in both categories.