From Around the MEAC

[Aggie One]

From the Nasville Tennessean 8/25/05 -

www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050825/SPORTS0604/508250466/1345/SPORTS

Former DB may start at tailback

Little used as a freshman cornerback, Denard Cox is the favorite to start at tailback for Tennessee State in the Sept. 3 season-opening John Merritt Classic against Alabama A&M.

Cox, who rushed for 47 yards and a touchdown on seven carries in TSU's spring game, has moved past incumbent sophomore Maurice Young — who actually had more receiving yards (34) than rushing yards (31) last season — and redshirt freshmen K.J. Austin-Bruce and Javarris Williams, according to running backs coach John Polite.

"Right now, he's penciled in as the starter," Polite said. "Javarris has had that turf toe that's been giving him problems and Maurice had that hamstring, but he's coming back now. I expect both of them to be ready for the first game.

"At this stage, all three of them are ahead of K.J."

Cox hasn't been without his own medical issues, as he missed the first few days of preseason workouts following oral surgery.

"He hit the ground running once he was (medically) released," Polite said of the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Texan. "He's run well all camp. He's not going to run over many people, but he'll run away from a few. Day in and day out, he's been our most impressive back. He appears to be durable, no bigger than he is."

TV time: The Tigers will grace the television airwaves on six different occasions this fall, although all TSU fans won't be able to see all of those broadcasts.

The Alabama A&M game will be carried by CSS and air in 11 states, but will be blacked out in the Nashville market. BET will carry both the Sept. 10 Southern Heritage Classic and the Oct. 1 Circle City Classic, against Jackson State and North Carolina A&T, respectively.

In addition to the John Merritt Classic, CSS will also air the Tigers' Nov. 5 homecoming game against Eastern Illinois. Turner South, which is not available locally, will carry the Atlanta Football Classic against Florida A&M, and the UT-Martin game on Sept. 17 will air in West Tennessee on a tape-delayed basis.

Winding down: With classes set to begin Monday, the Tigers have had the last of their two-a-day workouts and will begin zeroing in on preparing for Alabama A&M.

"This is one of the toughest camps I've been associated with, as a coach or as a player," TSU defensive coordinator Orlando Mitjans said. "But it's made us a tougher group, as players and coaches. It's worked wonders for all of us."

Luncheon set: TSU's 13 seniors will be honored at the team's kickoff luncheon tomorrow.

— MAURICE PATTON

Bumped and bruised: Senior linebacker Wesley Holmes, who was nursing a lower back injury last week, has been slowed this week by a foot injury. The former Pearl-Cohn standout and UT signee is still expected to start against Alabama A&M.

Luncheon set: TSU's 13 seniors will be honored at the team's kickoff luncheon tomorrow at the Millennium Maxwell House beginning at 11 a.m. For more information, call 963-5861.

• Barring any unforeseen circumstances — and there have been plenty of those — the Tennessee State men's basketball team will board a plane this morning for Costa Rica, where it will play a pair of exhibition games this weekend. The Tigers play tomorrow and Saturday against a club team and against the Costa Rican national team, before returning for the start of classes on Monday.

"It's probably exciting for them to finally get to go," Coach Cy Alexander said, noting a postponement and cancellation of a previously scheduled trip to the Philippines. "I'm excited. I think it'll be a great experience. We hope to use it to help catapult us into a great 2005-06 season."

—MAURICE PATTON

[Aggie One]

From Howard-Bison.com - August 20, 2005

www.howard-bison.com/sports/fball/2005/news/Venters_Impressive_in_Scrimmage

Venters Impressive in Scrimmage

Ronald Venters passed for one touchdown and set up two field goals to lead the offense in Howard University’s intra-squad scrimmage.

Venters, a senior quarterback who red-shirted last season, completed 12 of 16 passes for 180 yards. Most of his passes were directed to sophomore wide receiver Larry Flowers (C.H. Flowers HS), who grabbed four for 60 yards and a TD.


Ronald Venters “I was especially pleased with the play of our quarterbacks,” said Howard Coach Rayford Petty. “I thought Venters threw the ball well and managed the offense.” Petty also cited the play of reserve Darrell Turner, a red-shirt freshman, who completed five of nine passes, including a 55-yard strike to senior wide receiver Thyron Lewis.

Petty singled out several players on the offense: freshman running back Jerrel Smith; sophomore wide receivers Lawrence Hellams and Alandus Hood; and the starting offensive line which did not allow a sack.

The defense, which was missing starters, senior defensive tackle Jesse Hayes and junior linebacker Robert Dowdy to injuries, was led by junior defensive tackle Edwin Piner, junior linebacker Timothy Lockett and senior safety Antoine Bethea, who picked off a pass and recovered a fumble.

“I thought the defense did a good job of stopping the offense when they had to,” said Petty of his unit that returns seven starters. “There were a couple of times when they (the offense) had good drives, but the defense toughened and forced field goals.”

Ndapa Mendy, freshman walk-on kicker, hit on field goals of 35 and 37 yards.

The Bison open the season on September 3 at home against Winston-Salem State.

[Aggie One]

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel - August 25, 2005
www.sun-sentinel.com/

Wyatt seems more fix-it man than coach for Wildcats

By Shandel Richardson
Staff Writer

Bethune-Cookman coach Alvin Wyatt says the school pays him to handle adversity.

Good thing for those signing the checks that Wyatt isn't paid per incident. If that were the case this season, his salary would rank among the highest in the nation.

The problems have piled up for the Wildcats, and once again Wyatt is asking for help.

By the time practice started, Wyatt had yet to have a defensive coordinator after Rusty Russell resigned a week before camp opened. B-CC is also awaiting the status of running back Eric Weems, quarterback Jimmie Russell and cornerback Ricky Williams, who were all suspended during spring practice for breaking school rules.

Then there's the signing of transfer Taurean Charles, who is expected to start at middle linebacker. Charles was dismissed from Florida for off-the-field problems.

"I have a lot of work to do," Wyatt said.

And now for the on-field problems. The defense returns just one starter and the offense will be relatively young, especially if Russell or quarterback Lawrence McCloud isn't granted a sixth year of eligibility for medical reasons. Russell was impressive in last year's win over Florida A&M in the Florida Classic, but Wyatt said it's up to school administrators to determine whether the players will be reinstated.

"On both sides of the ball right now, it's the same," Wyatt said. "It's like there's water running through it. There are so many holes."

The good news is the Wildcats have a few Division I-A transfers, including defensive lineman Ramon McCullough (South Florida), James Monds (Toledo), Cedric Mason (Duke) and Stephon Walker (Florida International).

Charles, a junior, is expected to lead the defense. Charles' cousin, Jarod, is a junior quarterback for the Wildcats, and that played a large factor in him choosing Bethune-Cookman over FAMU.

"That's the only reason we were able to get him," Wyatt said. "He attended summer school and did well. He's good to go."

Wyatt said he investigated Charles' situation before allowing him to enroll. Charles, a highly recruited player out of Miami Northwestern, was suspended after being accused of throwing a beer keg at another student at an off-campus party. He pleaded no contest and was given probation for a year.

"He was a complete gentleman," Wyatt of his interview with Charles. "He answered all the questions perfectly."

Shandel Richardson can be reached at [e-mail].

Copyright © 2005, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

[Aggie One]

From the Tallahasse Democrat -8/28/05

www.tallahassee.com/mld/tallahassee/sports/12495962.htm

Rattlers wrap up preseason with controlled scrimmage

By Heath A. Smith

DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

Florida A&M head football coach Rubin Carter wrapped up his first fall camp Saturday evening with a controlled scrimmage at Bragg Stadium.

Carter said he was pleased with the progress the team has made during camp, but admitted injuries did force him to change up things a little bit.

"Certainly I've had to curtail the hitting a little bit," Carter said Saturday evening after the scrimmage. "We have to keep our good players healthy. It's been more of thud camp than anything else."

More important than hitting, Carter wanted the players to get used to the pace that he wanted them to operate at. Carter has implemented more of an NFL pace at practices, which he hopes will pay dividends come game time.

"I'm very pleased with the tempo of the camp," Carter said. "I think the kids understand now how the camp will be ran. We want to take the mechanics we've learned at that tempo and transfer it to the playing field."

Chester preparing to start

Carter still hasn't made it official, but all signs point to redshirt sophomore Albert Chester Jr. starting at quarterback in the home opener Saturday against Delaware State.

Chester has gotten most of the reps with the first team offense in the spring and in fall camp with fifth-year senior Josh Driscoll nursing a variety of injuries at different times.

Chester, the son of former FAMU quarterback Albert Chester Sr., said he is preparing himself to play in front of the 20,000-plus fans expected to show up at Bragg on Saturday.

"It's different from high school where you might of had 2,000 to 3,000 people at the game," said Chester. "I'm feeling pretty good about the offense, but physically I'm not 100 percent. I'm probably about 80 right now, but as far as my mental capacity with the offense, it is going along pretty good."

Chester wouldn't elaborate on his physical condition, but he has taken a lot of extra reps in camp and scrimmages because of injuries to other quarterbacks.

Injury report

Freshman defensive end Joseph Wims expected to be out four to six weeks with a torn ligament in his right knee, which he suffered during last week's scrimmage.

If Wims' recovery stays on that schedule, he could be back by the Sept. 24 game against Tennessee State in Atlanta.

There is a possibility Carter could decide to redshirt Wims, but Carter said he wouldn't make any decisions until Wims was healthy enough to practice again.

The freshman out of Miami Carol City High School was close to earning a starting spot at defensive end before the injury.

Carter said he expects to hear word Tuesday on the status of Driscoll's health. Driscoll complained of tightness in his chest during last week's scrimmage and has not been allowed to practice since.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Owens didn't play in Saturday's scrimmage, but is expected to return to practice Tuesday. Owens is coming off a knee sprain that flared up again this week.

Senior defensive back Devvin Richardson attended the scrimmage but did not play. Richardson is recovering from an asthma attack.

"Certainly it is a very good sign," Carter said about Richardson coming to the scrimmage. "We just want to see where Devvin is over the next week or so. Hopefully he'll be able to get back in there to get some reps and get his conditioning level back where it needs to be."


Contact Heath A. Smith at [phone] or [e-mail].

[Aggie One]

From Dover State Capitol News - 8/28/05

www.newszap.com/articles/2005/08/27/dm/central_delaware/sports/dsnspt02.txt

Hornets seek turnaround in '05
By Chris Gasiewski, Delaware State News


DOVER — To Al Lavan, it's simple.

"Either you win or you lose," the second-year Delaware State University football coach said.

Winning, however, is something the Hornets aren't used to, having endured eight straight losing seasons.

But Lavan believes he has done things to end that streak.

He had his first full recruiting class. He changed coordinators. And most importantly, he's been through his initial season as head coach — one that saw a dismal start followed by improvement by the end of a 4-7 campaign.

"It was a start to this long road we are going to travel to a championship," Lavan said. "We are closer than we were last year. We are headed in the right direction."

Optimism surrounded the Hornets in 2004 when DSU brought in Lavan to replace Ben Blacknall, who was fired after an 0-6 start in 2003. Positive feelings emerged having a veteran coach who had been an assistant with five NFL teams and seven Division I-A colleges.

That same optimism is back as DelState opens the 2005 campaign Saturday at Florida A&M at 7 p.m.

"We are committed, from our coaches and players," Lavan said. "Our one and only goal is to win a championship."

But DSU will face some challenges in order to gain title stature. The Hornets will compete against two teams that were ranked in The Sports Network preseason I-AA Top 25.

They play at defending I-AA champ and No. 1-ranked James Madison on Sept. 17 and at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title-winner, 13th-ranked Hampton on Oct. 1. DelState gave Lavan his first win by defeating Hampton 28-23 last year.

Outside of Dover, many people don't think things will change for the Hornets this season. They were selected to finish eighth in the MEAC for the second consecutive year.

But Lavan made some changes, shifting his coaching staff during the offseason. He promoted Eric Day, who was quarterbacks coach, to offensive coordinator.

Day's biggest task will be settling on a quarterback, as last year's starter Bryan Botts left the school in June. DSU has yet to select a starter.

Vashon Winton, and transfers Kurt Elden and Shane Lopes are competing for the position, which should be filled in the coming days. All fit into the West Coast offensive scheme.

Lavan also hired Andre Creamer, who was a DSU defensive backs coach in 2003, as defensive coordinator. Creamer inherits a defense that was sixth in the MEAC in points allowed (32 per game) and total yards allowed (377.9 per contest).

"I think they just fit in with the type of staff structure to move forward and win a championship," Lavan said. "That's going to impact our football team as we, not only coach the players that we have, but the players who came in."

DSU also had eight players transfer from Division I schools. They could all make an impact.

Most of those players are on defense. And with the experience of linebacker Kenny Kern (Mississippi State), and linemen Ben Brinson (Central Florida), Jamaal Jones (Purdue) and Stephon Hopkins (Minnesota), Creamer hopes he has the pieces to a formidable defense.

"We've got more transfer and junior college players," Lavan said. "That combination of players combined with the players we have coming back is going to be the heart of our team in the immediate future."


But for Lavan, the future is now.

The following is a position-by-position look at the 2005 Hornets.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK: The departure of Bryan Botts left a huge void to fill. After Botts came in midway through last year, he led DSU to a 4-3 record while being third in the MEAC in passing average (202.9 yards per game), total offense (200.8 ypg) and passing efficiency (101.6).

That leaves returnee Vashon Winton (6-2, 195), and transfers Kurt Elden (6-2, 200, Jr.) and Shane Lopes (5-10, 195, So.) competing for the signal calling position.

Winton redshirted and sat out the entire season in 2004, while Elden was an All-Minnesota Community College All-Southern Division first-team selection passing for 1,527 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Lopes, who redshirted at Arizona in '03, tossed for 226 yards on 14 of 40 passes before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the third game of the season for Moorpark (Calif.). He also sat out all of the Hornets' intra-squad scrimmages with a hamstring injury this summer.

RUNNING BACK: Rodney Roy (5-6, 215, Sr.) returns as the starter. Last year, Roy was second on the Hornets, rushing for 344 yards and three touchdowns in 11 contests. Roy improved and impressed coaches during the spring and summer camps.

However, Emmanuel Marc (5-10, 205, Jr.) transferred from Hudson Valley Junior College after sitting out the entire season due to academics. In 2003, Marc was the National Junior College Athletic Association's leading rusher (2,038 yards).

Billy Henderson (5-10, 200, Sr.) also transferred from South Florida. He didn't play in 2004, recovering from a torn ACL. Both Henderson and Marc were also injured for most of the summer.

"Those players have not had significant playing time to be able to effectively compete," coach Al Lavan said. "Rodney has played very well, better than he did last year."

DSU will also mix Paul Brum (5-10, 240, Sr.) and Middletown grad Adam Shrewsbury (6-0, 200, Fr.) at fullback.

WIDE RECEIVER/TIGHT END: The receiving corps will be headed by preseason first-team All-MEAC Shaheer McBride (6-3, 190, Jr.) for the second consecutive year.

McBride caught 46 passes for 849 yards and seven touchdowns in '04 where he was named the MEAC's Rookie of the Year.

"He really came back bigger, stronger and faster," Lavan said of McBride.

Rashod Coleman (5-10, 190, Sr.), who was third on the team in receptions (36) and receiving yards (434) and Dennis Savedge (6-4, 195, So.) should complement McBride.

The Hornets are depleted at tight end. Jeff Postell (6-5, 230, So.) and Chris Singh (6-4, 240, So.) have been hurt, so freshman Corey Graver (6-4, 225) should see significant playing time.

OFFENSIVE LINE: The most off-season improvement was to the offensive line. The Hornets welcome seven new linemen, including five freshmen.

T Jeremy Breath (6-2, 315, So.) is the staple on the line as the Hornets' top lineman as he started all 11 games as a true freshman in 2004.

G Derrick Upchurch (6-5, 315, Jr.) will compete this year after sitting the entire '04 season out to focus on academics. And senior captain T David Jones (6-6, 280), senior G Marcus Reynolds (6-4. 320) and junior C Travis Pierce (6-2, 300) will complete the line and attempt to improve a run offense that was last in the MEAC (66.8 ypg).

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE: With Division I-A transfers DE Jamaal Jones (6-4, 295, r-Fr.), DE Stephon Hopkins (6-3, 245, So.) and DT Ben Brinson (6-5, 300, Sr.), the Hornets have a new defensive front.

DT Jason Taylor (6-2, 300, Sr.), who missed six games last season with an elbow injury, and DE Chad Ellis (6-1, 250, Sr.) could also emerge as leaders on the front four. Ellis had eight and a half tackles for a loss in last year.

LINEBACKER: First-team All-MEAC selection OLB Russell Reeves (6-3, 225, So.) came on as the leader of the unit. He was second on the Hornets with 81 tackles.

Reeves combined with Mississippi State transfer MLB Kenny Kern (6-0, 235, Sr.) who made 62 tackles as a true freshman, could provide a force in the middle for the Hornets.

SECONDARY: The secondary is the healthiest Hornet unit entering the season.

SS Sam Smith (6-0, 200, Sr.) heads the unit as a first-team All-MEAC selection. Smith led the team in tackles (77) and sacks (6.5). But Smith's versatility allows him to play all positions and roam around.

CB Deon Rhuebottom (5-9, 170, Sr.) recovered from offseason hernia surgery and posted six interceptions in '04. DB Blake Saunders (5-9, 170, Sr.) and FS Kadafi Tunsil (6-0, 190, Jr.) should round out the starting secondary.

SPECIAL TEAMS: K Peter Gaertner (6-0, 180, Jr.) returned after offseason hernia surgery to convert 6 of 11 field goals last season. He'll start at kicker and P Eric Contos (5-10, 175, Sr.), who had a 35.4-yard punt average, will be the punter.

Rheubottom and McBride will split time returning kickoffs and punts.

[Aggie One]

From the NSU Athletic Web Site - 8/26/05
www.nsu.edu/athletics/story.php?id=717

First Team Solid in Spartans’ Final Tune-Up
Football 2005

Release Date: 08-26-05

NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State football team concluded its preseason scrimmages with the annual Green & Gold Game on Friday night. The first and second-teams put up 30 points in the two-quarter scrimmage while holding the scout team scoreless at Dick Price Stadium.

The first-team offense looked sharp early, with fullback Daryl Jones (Richmond, Va.) ripping off a 45-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. Starting running back Terrell Johnson (Newport News, Va.) capped off the quick three-play scoring drive with a 20-yard touchdown run.

After stopping the scout team on the next drive, the first team got the ball back and needed just two plays to score. After an incomplete pass on first down, quarterback Brandon Brooks (Long Beach, Calif.) hit wideout Derrick Baker (Miami, Fla.) for a 65-yard touchdown bomb down the left sideline.

Antonio Gomez (Chesapeake, Va.) capped the scoring in the first quarter with a 31-yard field goal for the Green team. Jones added a 30-yard TD run in the second quarter, and backup quarterback James Callaham (Virginia Beach, Va.) found Robbie Delgardo (Seattle, Wash.) for a 40-yard touchdown pass to cap the scoring.

Jones had two carries for 75 yards, and Brooks completed 3-of-7 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.
NSU head coach Pete Adrian was pleased with the scrimmage.

“I thought tonight went pretty well. Our green team had very few penalties tonight, so I was happy with that,” Adrian said. “But the biggest thing was, everyone who walked on the field tonight is walking off it.”

The Spartans open the 2005 season by hosting Virginia State on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. in the Virginia Lottery Labor Day Classic.

[Aggie One]

from the Orangeburg Times-Democrat - 8/30/05

thetandd.com/articles/2005/08/30/sports/doc4313d453b57e3220713831.txt

Pough has concerns heading into opener

By THOMAS GRANT JR., T&D Senior Sports Writer

The overpowering winds accompanying Hurricane Katrina will have long departed the region by the time South Carolina State arrives in Birmingham, Ala. for Saturday's season-opener against defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Alabama State.

Yet it appears a cloud of uncertainty will accompany the defending co-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions and head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough to Legion Field, the site of the inaugural MEAC/SWAC Challenge. At his first weekly press conference on Monday, Pough expressed concern about facing an unfamiliar foe in the Hornets and how his team would respond.

"I'm hoping we get into a scoring duel, but you never know what exactly to expect when you hadn't played a team before," he said. "That's the difference in the sensation in preparing for them as opposed to say for instance somebody I would know a little bit about. They seem to really run well on tape. So defensively, they'll make some plays because they'll knock some balls loose and some of that kind of stuff. As to whether or not we can keep up with them if we got into a scoring duel, I would hope so. But, heck, you never know. I just don't know enough about them to give a good answer as to whether we can keep up with them or not."

Pough remains unsure about the status of 1,000-yard running back DeShaun Baker. The Charlotte, N.C. native has seen limited action during training camp as he continues to rehabilitate his knee he injured during spring practice.

Baker is expected to suit up on Saturday, although how much he'll play is still a question mark. When asked whether the Bulldogs will implement more running plays for new starting quarterback Cleveland McCoy, Pough indicated that was a possibility.

"I don't know if we take a chance on running Cleve a bunch this early in the year, but that might seem to be in order if Deshaun cannot go," Pough said. "Now we're thinking that DeShaun is going to be able to go, maybe not at full strength. But we're hoping that he'll be somewhere over the 90 percent range.

We can rest him and then play those other kids. We've got Jonathan Woods and JoJo McFadden, both guys have played pretty extensive in practice and we'll play them enough to give Deshaun some rest so that we can keep him fresh."

A greater concern for Pough is defensively and how the Bulldogs' young secondary defend the passing of Alabama State quarterback, and reigning SWAC Player of the Year, Tarvaris Jackson. After Morgan State and MEAC Offensive Player of the Year quarterback Bradshaw "The Big Show" Littlejohn, in Pough's words, "tore a hole" in the SCSU defense with 480 total yards, 382 passing, in a 38-35 overtime loss last season, Pough is understandably concerned about how his "green" secondary will fare against Jackson.

"I'm a little bit worried about this thing because of the fact that this guy (Jackson) is such a talent and they've got all the evidence right in front of them on what to do to hurt us," Pough said. "So, it could be a high-scoring affair. Hopefully, we can score some on them, because I'm sure they're planning to score a bunch on us."

Pough is counting on the experience and leadership of cornerbacks Kevin Corley and Holly Hill native Wesley Middleton to guide new starters William Oliver and David Broome.

"Kevin Corley's the guy we'll depend on back there to keep the guys straight. He may be the best player on our team," he said. "Not only is he a tremendous player, but he's also a smart guy who can get everybody in the right position, Wesley Middleton's back there too. Wesley's a smart guy who's been on our team for some years now and can play too.

I think we'll be in it when all is said and done, about as good as we were in our secondary last year, maybe even a little better as we get through the season. We need to get some experience and this is a tough test for us, because we haven't quite gotten enough work dealing with the situation we're going to deal with on Saturday."

What Pough does not want to see is his offense putting the defense on its heels with turnovers, which in turn will bring the expected pro-Hornet crowd into play.

"You've got to do a good job of putting your team concept into play, making your offense understand not to put your defense in negative situations because I think we can be pretty good on defense," he said. "But, no defense can overcome, say for instance, what happened to them against Hampton last year (the Bulldogs committed five turnovers which were turned into five touchdowns by the Pirates.) So we don't even need to go in that direction.

"One of the big emphasis for this week has got to be turnovers and controlling the ball and if nothing else, punting the ball back to them and making them drive the ball on our defense as opposed to giving them a short field.

That's how you win games on the road, by being smart enough not to give them easy points. At that point, you've got a chance. But, if you go out and give a big crowd the momentum, give them a chance to get up and get to hollering and raising heck and hooting and hollering, next thing you next you're doing 20."

Getting an early lead has proven to be a successful winning formula for the Bulldogs under Pough. They are 21-1 when leading at half-time, while 3-10 when playing from behind.

This is the fourth meeting in school history between the two schools and first since 1970. The Hornets lead the series 2-1, but the Bulldogs enter the contest with a perfect 9-0 record in televised games and 7-1 in "Classics" under Pough.

SCSU will practice again today at 4:30 p.m. and will leave for Birmingham, Ala. on Thursday.

T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at [e-mail] or by phone at 803-533-5547.

[Aggie One]

From the MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS WEB PAGE. 9-1-05

www.morganstatebears.com/News/foot/2005/8/31/TowsonvsMSU.asp?path=foot

Bears Set To Kick-off Season Against Towson
MSU Sports Information

Head coach Donald Hill-Eley and the Bears prepare for cross-town test.

The Game: Morgan State will travel cross-town to play the Towson Tigers in both teams’ season opener on Thursday, September 1. MSU and Towson last met in 2003 when the Bears were able to capture a 19-16 victory at Hughes Stadium.

Road Woes: Morgan State has had a hard time winning games at Towson. The Tigers currently hold a 6-0 home record during day games played against Morgan State. The Bears are 2-2 during night games at Minnegan Field. In Donald Hill-Eley’s first year at the helm, the Bears fell to Towson by a score of 49-28.

The Coaches: Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley has resurrected the Bears’ program, leading the MEAC members to a 18-16 mark as he enters his fourth season. The Bears were 5-6 last season and posted a 3-4 mark in the league. Hill will attempt to guide MSU back to the top of the MEAC during the Bears 2005 "Hard Work Pays" tour. Gordy Combs enters his 14th season in charge of the Tigers’ program with a73-64 overall school record. The 2004 season saw the Tigers join the Atlantic 10 Football Conference, marking the return of scholarship football to Towson. The Tigers finished the season 0-8 in the conference and 3-0 against non-conference opponents.

Breaking Down The Offenses: Morgan State returns as one of the top ranked offenses in Division I-AA after finishing 6th nationally in total offense (458/ypg). The Bears will roll-up yards offensively from its multiple pro attack. Towson will run a multiple pro offense.

Breaking Down the Defenses: Morgan State’s defense allowed 407.3 ypg and ranked 110th in the nation in 2004. The Bears return in 2005 with a new defensive coordinator, Michael Vite, and a new mindset geared at attackling its opponents. MSU will run a multiple 4-3 defense. Towson will line-up in a multiple 40 defense that ranked 55th in I-AA.

Last Time Out For Morgan State:
Morgan State ended the 2004 season on a high note as they defeated Texas Southern at the Reliant Astrodome by a score of 37-21. Jason Jackson was absolutely phenomenal for the Bears. Jackson rushed for a game-high 219 yards on 30 carries, including 2 rushing TDs and a TD reception. MSU completed the game by amassing 487 total yards.

Last Time Out Againt Towson:
Bradshaw Littlejohn and MSU’s special teams unit helped the Bears upend Towson 19-16 at Hughes Stadium on August 28, 2003. It was the Bears first win against Towson since 1999. With the game in the balance in the 4th quarter, the Bears had the ball on its own 43 yard line and faced a critical 4th and 1.

"The Big Show" Littlejohn turned a simple quarterback draw into a 57-yard game-winning touchdown as he sprinted through the middle of Towson’s defense to the endzone. Following an ineligible player downfield penalty, Jon Voroshilin was forced to kick the extra point from 41-yards away. He stepped up and nailed it solidifying Morgan’s first season-opener win since 1993.

Copyright 2003 Morgan State University, All Rights Reserved.