Post by Aggie One on Oct 17, 2019 0:22:44 GMT -5
It's Judgment Day
by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Week 7 in the MEAC narrowed the field somewhat as one team was virtually eliminated from any reasonable shot at first place in the conference race.
The Morgan State Bears put together a complete football game for their homecoming and broke through for their first win of the year as they dominated floundering Delaware State 34-3 knocking them out of the title race.
Norfolk State got masterful showing from quarterback Juwan Carter as he threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns and ran for two more as the Spartans blasted defensively hapless Howard 49-21 in Washington.
Bethune-Cookman once again unleashed the duo of Akevious Williams and Jimmie Robinson down in Durham and N.C. Central could provide no answer of its own as the Wildcats rolled past the Eagles 27-13 on a nationally televised contest.
Florida A&M forged a 14-point third quarter lead, squandered it, fell behind then had to stage a dramatic last minute come from behind drive to squeak by S.C. State 42-38 in Orangeburg. Quarterback Ryan Stanley connected 30-49 passes for 427 yards and three touchdowns including the 19-yard game winner to tight end Kamari Young with a 1:08 left.
This week the headliner will be down in Tallahassee as 10th-ranked North Carolina A&T (4-1, 2-0) rolls in to take on Florida A&M (5-1, 3-0) on ESPN3 at 6 p.m. in a big, big midseason showdown.
Bethune-Cookman (5-1, 3-0) will welcome Norfolk State (2-5, 1-2) to Daytona for 4 p.m. kick off on ESPN3.
Morgan State (1-5, 1-2) will hit the road to South Carolina State (3-2, 1-1) for a 1:30 p.m. game for ESPN3.
Delaware State (1-5, 0-3) will be at home this weekend as they will have a non conference game against FCS independent Merrimack (2-4) at 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
North Carolina Central ((2-5, 1-2) has the week off.
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In any other season this year's Florida A&M would be the talk of the town. Getting out to a 5-1 start with wins over southern and S.C. State for the first half of the season, unbeaten in conference play, a record setting quarterback that is having a great senior season while putting up offensive numbers that Billy Joe would be proud of. Yep, in any other year things would be almost electric down in Northwest Florida. The reason the enthusiasm isn't exactly resonating is a little thing having to do with the lack of institutional control, the NCAA, and probation.
FAMU's continued off again, on again affliction with its ongoing inability to correct compliance issues within the athletic department dating all the way back to 2012 has cost the Rattlers a shot at post season play whether it's the Celebration Bowl or a NCAA playoff at-large berth. It won't matter because they are banished to watch from the sidelines this season not to mention the reduction of scholarships over the next three years. That presented a strange predicament as to how the program would react to such a big disappointment of not having postseason opportunities for one of its better teams in recent years.
Coach Willie Simmons enters his second year in Tallahassee and he has his Florida A&M team again winning games in 2019, albeit a lot of them by a razor's edge, but winning them none the less. The one big reason for the Rattlers coming out on top in these very close wins is senior quarterback Ryan Stanley.
Stanley (6-3, 210) just became the all-time leading passer in FAMU history just a few weeks ago surpassing Quinn Gray. He has thrown 1,708 yards on 130-212 passing for 13 TDs against just 4 interceptions.
His best target and biggest benefactor is wide out Xavier Smith (5-10,165, 4.4) who has 44 catches for 595 yards and 5 TDs this season. Smith along with freshman David Manigo (6-3,185) and Azende Rey (5-10,205, Jr.) compose a highly capable receiving unit. Tight end Kaleob Parker (6-5,215, Fr.) had a big day against S.C. State a week ago.
The Rattlers don't run the ball a great deal but when they do they had depended on junior Bishop Bonnett (5-7, 165). Bonnett may miss Saturday's game due to a high ankle injury he suffered last week. In his place expect to see a lot of Davonn Kendrick (5-10, 205, R-Fr.) who has seen very little action in mop up duty.
Blocking up front for Stanley will be lone senior guard Terrell Reed (6-5,335). He'll be flanked by Calvin Ashley (6-7, 330, So.) , Keenan Forbes (6-3,325), Tarique Akbar (6-3, 250, Jr.) and Veryl White (6-2, 255, So.).
FAMU prides itself on being a swarming defense that depends a great deal on speed to the ball. FAMU is second in the conference against the run with just 111.2 yards allowed per game but on the flip side is dead last in pass defense giving up 252.8 yards an outing. The statistical data confirms that the Rattler defense is definitely a mixed bag as evidenced by the 31.6 points allowed per game for a 5-1 football team.
This bend but don't break philosophy has stood up thus far because of an active linebacker corps led by Elijah Richardson (6-1, 225, Sr.), Derrick Mayweather (6-0,245, Jr.), and Isaiah Land (6-4, 195, R-Fr.). The starting interior line of the Rattlers is not domineering by any stretch so those linebackers often play closely along the line of scrimmage. Demontre Moore (6-3, 310) and nose guard Renaldo Flowers (5-10,245) are the notables there.
The secondary will be manned by FS Markquese Bell (6-3, 215, So.), rover Tim Williams (6-2, 193, R-Fr.), with corners Eric Smith (5-9, 175, So.) and Troy Hilton (6-3, 190, Jr.) and nickel back Terry Jefferson (5-9, 190, Gr.).
The Rattlers have one of the top punters in the nation in All-America Chris Faddoul (6-0, 190, Jr.) who is averaging a stout 46.9 yards per punt this season.
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The day of reckoning is at hand. Make no mistake. North Carolina A&T has been pointing to this game for well over a year. With all due respect to the long history and rivalry with in-state arch rival N.C. Central, Florida A&M, over the last decade or so, has been the one opponent that A&T has pointed to on its schedule as being "the" must win game.
Even before the dust settled, the Aggies were thinking about it evening the score with FAMU while they bouncing back a week later when they seal clubbed Bethune-Cookman on the road. They were thinking about it when they pounded Norfolk State into submission during homecoming. They were thinking about it when they absolutely destroyed NCCU in Durham in the 2018 regular season final.
The Aggies' thoughts even turned to a rematch shortly after knocking off SWAC champion Alcorn to win their third Celebration Bowl and HBCU national title in four years. Now that wait is over. That day is now upon us.
This match-up will come down who can play to their strengths the best and which team can impose its will on the other in key situations down the stretch on both sides of the ball. You can bet that the Rattlers will throw the football because Stanley's arm is their bread and butter but they use the pass to substitute in for an anemic ground game, throwing a wide array of short patterns off a two and three step drop to stay out of third and long situations then take deep shots over the top once the zones drops off.
A&T will need to keep tabs on FAMU's superb wide receiver Xavier Smith both on offense and on special teams. He is the one great game changing weapon in their arsenal that the Aggies will have to account for on every single down.
Defensively, the Rattlers are extremely fast and active especially at the linebacker spots. They aggressively attack the edges and they blitz a fair amount on passing downs but the secondary often remains stationary because they play so much man press coverage. They bet they can either disrupt the play or get to the quarterback before there's a chance to do damage.
The Aggies can best counter this by constantly mixing the playbook on first down which can back those linebackers and that defensive back out of the box and allow their powerful offensive line to straight up put a hat on a hat. If that were to happen the balance of power in this battle would shift greatly in A&T's favor.
Both teams have excellent kick games so special teams play will be crucial part in the outcome. Neither team can afford breakdowns or give up huge plays in the return game. Despite all the dissecting and what ifs that have been floating around all week it still will come down to the four basics - blocking, tackling, ball security, and maintaining mental discipline. The team that can be consistent in those things on Saturday will come out on top.
Winning these kind of games isn't rocket science. The formula is always the same. You just have to muster the will to make it happen. It's that simple.
************************************************************************************************
PREDICTION
NC A&T - 28
FAMU - 19
by Craig R. Turner
bluedeathvalley.com
Week 7 in the MEAC narrowed the field somewhat as one team was virtually eliminated from any reasonable shot at first place in the conference race.
The Morgan State Bears put together a complete football game for their homecoming and broke through for their first win of the year as they dominated floundering Delaware State 34-3 knocking them out of the title race.
Norfolk State got masterful showing from quarterback Juwan Carter as he threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns and ran for two more as the Spartans blasted defensively hapless Howard 49-21 in Washington.
Bethune-Cookman once again unleashed the duo of Akevious Williams and Jimmie Robinson down in Durham and N.C. Central could provide no answer of its own as the Wildcats rolled past the Eagles 27-13 on a nationally televised contest.
Florida A&M forged a 14-point third quarter lead, squandered it, fell behind then had to stage a dramatic last minute come from behind drive to squeak by S.C. State 42-38 in Orangeburg. Quarterback Ryan Stanley connected 30-49 passes for 427 yards and three touchdowns including the 19-yard game winner to tight end Kamari Young with a 1:08 left.
This week the headliner will be down in Tallahassee as 10th-ranked North Carolina A&T (4-1, 2-0) rolls in to take on Florida A&M (5-1, 3-0) on ESPN3 at 6 p.m. in a big, big midseason showdown.
Bethune-Cookman (5-1, 3-0) will welcome Norfolk State (2-5, 1-2) to Daytona for 4 p.m. kick off on ESPN3.
Morgan State (1-5, 1-2) will hit the road to South Carolina State (3-2, 1-1) for a 1:30 p.m. game for ESPN3.
Delaware State (1-5, 0-3) will be at home this weekend as they will have a non conference game against FCS independent Merrimack (2-4) at 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
North Carolina Central ((2-5, 1-2) has the week off.
*****************************************************************************************
In any other season this year's Florida A&M would be the talk of the town. Getting out to a 5-1 start with wins over southern and S.C. State for the first half of the season, unbeaten in conference play, a record setting quarterback that is having a great senior season while putting up offensive numbers that Billy Joe would be proud of. Yep, in any other year things would be almost electric down in Northwest Florida. The reason the enthusiasm isn't exactly resonating is a little thing having to do with the lack of institutional control, the NCAA, and probation.
FAMU's continued off again, on again affliction with its ongoing inability to correct compliance issues within the athletic department dating all the way back to 2012 has cost the Rattlers a shot at post season play whether it's the Celebration Bowl or a NCAA playoff at-large berth. It won't matter because they are banished to watch from the sidelines this season not to mention the reduction of scholarships over the next three years. That presented a strange predicament as to how the program would react to such a big disappointment of not having postseason opportunities for one of its better teams in recent years.
Coach Willie Simmons enters his second year in Tallahassee and he has his Florida A&M team again winning games in 2019, albeit a lot of them by a razor's edge, but winning them none the less. The one big reason for the Rattlers coming out on top in these very close wins is senior quarterback Ryan Stanley.
Stanley (6-3, 210) just became the all-time leading passer in FAMU history just a few weeks ago surpassing Quinn Gray. He has thrown 1,708 yards on 130-212 passing for 13 TDs against just 4 interceptions.
His best target and biggest benefactor is wide out Xavier Smith (5-10,165, 4.4) who has 44 catches for 595 yards and 5 TDs this season. Smith along with freshman David Manigo (6-3,185) and Azende Rey (5-10,205, Jr.) compose a highly capable receiving unit. Tight end Kaleob Parker (6-5,215, Fr.) had a big day against S.C. State a week ago.
The Rattlers don't run the ball a great deal but when they do they had depended on junior Bishop Bonnett (5-7, 165). Bonnett may miss Saturday's game due to a high ankle injury he suffered last week. In his place expect to see a lot of Davonn Kendrick (5-10, 205, R-Fr.) who has seen very little action in mop up duty.
Blocking up front for Stanley will be lone senior guard Terrell Reed (6-5,335). He'll be flanked by Calvin Ashley (6-7, 330, So.) , Keenan Forbes (6-3,325), Tarique Akbar (6-3, 250, Jr.) and Veryl White (6-2, 255, So.).
FAMU prides itself on being a swarming defense that depends a great deal on speed to the ball. FAMU is second in the conference against the run with just 111.2 yards allowed per game but on the flip side is dead last in pass defense giving up 252.8 yards an outing. The statistical data confirms that the Rattler defense is definitely a mixed bag as evidenced by the 31.6 points allowed per game for a 5-1 football team.
This bend but don't break philosophy has stood up thus far because of an active linebacker corps led by Elijah Richardson (6-1, 225, Sr.), Derrick Mayweather (6-0,245, Jr.), and Isaiah Land (6-4, 195, R-Fr.). The starting interior line of the Rattlers is not domineering by any stretch so those linebackers often play closely along the line of scrimmage. Demontre Moore (6-3, 310) and nose guard Renaldo Flowers (5-10,245) are the notables there.
The secondary will be manned by FS Markquese Bell (6-3, 215, So.), rover Tim Williams (6-2, 193, R-Fr.), with corners Eric Smith (5-9, 175, So.) and Troy Hilton (6-3, 190, Jr.) and nickel back Terry Jefferson (5-9, 190, Gr.).
The Rattlers have one of the top punters in the nation in All-America Chris Faddoul (6-0, 190, Jr.) who is averaging a stout 46.9 yards per punt this season.
****************************************************************************************************
The day of reckoning is at hand. Make no mistake. North Carolina A&T has been pointing to this game for well over a year. With all due respect to the long history and rivalry with in-state arch rival N.C. Central, Florida A&M, over the last decade or so, has been the one opponent that A&T has pointed to on its schedule as being "the" must win game.
Even before the dust settled, the Aggies were thinking about it evening the score with FAMU while they bouncing back a week later when they seal clubbed Bethune-Cookman on the road. They were thinking about it when they pounded Norfolk State into submission during homecoming. They were thinking about it when they absolutely destroyed NCCU in Durham in the 2018 regular season final.
The Aggies' thoughts even turned to a rematch shortly after knocking off SWAC champion Alcorn to win their third Celebration Bowl and HBCU national title in four years. Now that wait is over. That day is now upon us.
This match-up will come down who can play to their strengths the best and which team can impose its will on the other in key situations down the stretch on both sides of the ball. You can bet that the Rattlers will throw the football because Stanley's arm is their bread and butter but they use the pass to substitute in for an anemic ground game, throwing a wide array of short patterns off a two and three step drop to stay out of third and long situations then take deep shots over the top once the zones drops off.
A&T will need to keep tabs on FAMU's superb wide receiver Xavier Smith both on offense and on special teams. He is the one great game changing weapon in their arsenal that the Aggies will have to account for on every single down.
Defensively, the Rattlers are extremely fast and active especially at the linebacker spots. They aggressively attack the edges and they blitz a fair amount on passing downs but the secondary often remains stationary because they play so much man press coverage. They bet they can either disrupt the play or get to the quarterback before there's a chance to do damage.
The Aggies can best counter this by constantly mixing the playbook on first down which can back those linebackers and that defensive back out of the box and allow their powerful offensive line to straight up put a hat on a hat. If that were to happen the balance of power in this battle would shift greatly in A&T's favor.
Both teams have excellent kick games so special teams play will be crucial part in the outcome. Neither team can afford breakdowns or give up huge plays in the return game. Despite all the dissecting and what ifs that have been floating around all week it still will come down to the four basics - blocking, tackling, ball security, and maintaining mental discipline. The team that can be consistent in those things on Saturday will come out on top.
Winning these kind of games isn't rocket science. The formula is always the same. You just have to muster the will to make it happen. It's that simple.
************************************************************************************************
PREDICTION
NC A&T - 28
FAMU - 19
