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0 Fob the Week of Nov 12 through Nov. 18,2002 ? v Ill# ST" I_ . _ Photo? by Lut Williams TITLE EAST MEETS WEST: TIKJIC Bowie State's Frazier and I IM t Fayetteville State's Phillips ? hi A| t a meet in Winston-Salem for IN CIAA CIAA title. ? NEW PLAYERS IN CIAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME; ABRAMS STEPS DOWN AT NCCU UNDER THE BANNER WHAT'S GOING ON IN AND AROUND BLACK COLLEGE SPORTS ABRAMS STEPS DOWN: N.r.h Carolina Central University head football coach Rudy ! Abrams announced his retirement ! from the Eagle football program Saturday, immediately following a disheartening 29-14 home loss to Johnson C. Smith that concluded an emotional roller coaster ride through the 2002 season. "It's time," Abrams told reporters when he Photo by Lot Williams ????? ABRAMS: Decides telling his student-athletes and to retire after 4-6 coaching staff about his retirement record at N.C. Abrams said he has been consider Central this year. ? tng this decision for a few months, but made it official on Friday (Nov. 8) when he submitted a ? letter of retirement to NCCU Athletic Director Lin Dawson "Coach Abrams leaves this program with a solid foundation," Dawson said. "Next year, 22 seniors will return for the 2003 season. I wish him well as he prepares for the next phase in his life." The Eagles finished the 2002 campaign with a 4-6 overall record, only Abrams' second losing season in nine years as a college head coach. His overall coaching record now stands at 53-36-1, including an 18-21 record in four sea sons at NCCU. Prior to accepting the NCCU job, Abrams spent five years at his alma mater, fellow CIAA-member Livingstone College, where he posted a 35-15 record and led the Blue Bears to two CIAA titles (19?? and 19??). PIONEER BOWL TO TAMPA: The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (S1AC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced that the 6th Annual Pioneer Bowl Weekend is set for Friday, December 13 through Sunday, December 15,2002 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Florida. Kickoff time is set for Noon on Sunday. December 15. The Pioneer Bowl, currently the only post-season black college bowl game in the nation, began in 1997. The first two games were played at Morris Brown's Hemdon Stadium and then moved to the Georgia Dome for the next three games. The move to Tampa. Florida is another step in evolution of the Pioneer Bowl. The change is part of an overall effort to brand the event, capital ize on the regional strength of the game and provide a festive atmosphere and good experience for the student-athletes, stu dents. administrators, alumni, fans and supporters of the CIAA and the SIAC. The overall goal is to strengthen the connection for students, fans, alumni and sponsor^, while reflecting the athletic and academic excellence and values personified by the CIAA and the SIAC, Individual ticket prices for the game range from $15.00 to $50.00. SWAC GETS NEW SPONSOR: Birmingham-based Alamerica Bank has signed on as the title sponsor of the 2002 SWAC Football Championship Game to be played Dec. 14 in Birmingham. Alamerica Bank is the first Alabama-based bank and minority-owned company to serve as title sponsor for the game which pits SWAC East and West Division champs at Legion Field. "We're proud to spon sor the 2002 SWAC Football Championship Game," said Bob Nesbitt. President of Alamerica Bank "This is the first time that Alamerica Bank has sponsored a sporting event, and we look forward to developing a solid business relationship with the SWAC." "Alamerica Bank's title sponsorship of the SWAC Football Championship game will definitely develop a working relationship between the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Alamerica Bank," says SWAC Interim Commissioner, Dr. James Frank. "We arc finding a lot of companies that want to get involved with the SWAC and its member institutions. In addition, this is a great way to devel op early consumer interest with students at our schools and potential consumer opportunities with alumni and fans." Events taking place during SWAC Championship Week include the SWAC Hall of Fame Gala. United States Air Force SWAC Youth Expo Tour, the "Surround Sound" featur ing the team's bands, the Coca-Cola Football Town USA and SWAC Vendor Village. This is the last sporting event at Legion Field commemorating 75 years of tradition at the his torical stadium. Tickets for the game are $20 and $10 in advance and $25 and $15 day of the game Tickets are avail able through www.swacchampionship.com and Ticketmaster at 715-6000 or 800-277-1700. All seats are reserved. Kick off is scheduled for I p.m. OAZEEZ Communications. Inc. VOL. IX, NO. 14 SCORES NOVEMBER 2 Abany St 22 Morehouse 8 Ark-Pne Btutf 44. Prime Vow 0 ' Bowie St 10, Vwgrua St 6 Ekz City St IS. WSSU14 Fairmont St 40. WVSU 20 FayettevSle St 28. Va Union 18 Fla Atlantic 34 Mo Brown 13 QramMng St 34. Alabama St 21 Hampton 37, B-Cookman 7 Hastngs 35. Langston 12 Howard 23. SC State 9 Jackson St 13, Alab AAM 11 J-vie 44. Edward Waters 31 JC Smith 29, NCCU 14 Kutzlown 37 Cheyoey 13 Lmcotn (MO) 23. Lane 6 Livingstone 12, St Augs 7 Miss Valley St 23. Alcorn St 8 MurraySl51.Tenn.St27 NCA4T34. Delaware St 7 Norfolk St 17. Morgan St 14 North Greenville 47. AHen 27 Southern 28. Miles 21 SMIman 34. Benedict 27 Texas Southern 26 O -Atlanta 3 Troy State 24, Florida AAM 7 Tuskegee28. Kentucky St 26 CI A A Centbai Intercollegiate w Atmletc Association OIV ALL E DIVISION W L W L ' Bowie State 5 2 6 4 Virginia State 5 2 7 3 Virginia Union 4 3 6 4 Ekz. City State 2 5 2 8 W DIVISION ' Fayetteville State 7 0 9 1 W-Salem State 4 3 4 6 N. C. Central 2 5 4 6 Livingstone 2 5 3 7 J. C Smith 17 2 8 St. Augustine's 0 7 19 ' Clinched Division title CIAA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK RECEIVER TEMARCUS McNEIL. Sr.. TE, JC Smith - 8 rec., 84 yds..1 TD m win over N. C Central OFFENSIVE BACK CORNELL THORNTON, So.. RB, Fayetteville St. -155 yds.. 27 carries with 2 TDs vs. VUU. DEFENSIVE LINEMAN BRIAN HOLUOAY. Sr., LB. FSU 1(X. 6 SOios in win over Virgnia Union DEFENSIVE BACK MALCOLM GADDY, Sr.. SS, EMz. City S4. 71. 1 sack, 1 int., nwm over WSSU ROOKIE DONJA GOOOSON, Fr? QB JC Smith ? Compl. 11-17 tor 107 yds. and a TD vs NCCU. MFAP MtuEASTUW ifiunv Athletic confehenct CONF ALL W I W L Bethune-Cookman 5 19 1 Florida A&M 5 2 7 4 Hampton 4 2 6 4 Howard 4 2 6 3 Morgan State 4 3 5 5 SC State 3 3 6 4 NC A&T State 2 4 4 6 Delaware State 15 3 7 Norfolk State 16 3 6 MEAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK OfFENSE JAY COLBERT, Jr., RB. Howard ? Ran k* career-high 182 yds. on ichooi-record 40 car vs SCSU DEFENSE ISAAC HILTON, Sr.. DE, Hampton ? 4 solos hetpmg hold B-CC to 49 yds rushing ROOKIE BRIAN HUDGINS. Fr? RB. NC AAT - 22 car 131 yds 1 TO in wm over DelStale SPECIAL TEAMS OONTRAIL POTTER, Fr., DB. Hampton Blocked two B-CC punts, recovemg the second one m the end zone tor a TD. OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ERIK STEINER, Sr., OL. Hampton - Helpec Ptrasaa pie up 366 yards ol total ottense aganst QI A f* Southern Intercollegiate Si',r,v' Athletic Conference CONE ALL W L W L ? Tuskegee 7 19 1 Fort Valley State 6 17 3 Albany State 5 2 6 4 Morehouse 4 3 6 4 Miles 4 3 $__i Lane 3 5 3 7 Benedict 2 6 2 8 Kentucky State 16 2 8 Clark Atlanta 17 2 8 " Clinched conference title SIAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK OFFENSE NICHOLAS SMTH. So OB. MIm - Pasted tor 211 yds.. 3 TDs n 28-21 loss to Soutfiem DEFENSE DRAYTON FLORENCE. Sr., OB. Tuskegee ? 6 tackles and int returned tor TD vs. KSU NEWCOMER TAWAIN BYRO. Fr.. OB. Benedict -11-26 lor 287 yards vs StAman KERENSKI McGHEE, Sr.. RB, Albany State Ran tor 160 yds. on 22 car. and 1TD vs MHC SPECIAL TEAMS JEFFREY STANTON, Sr.. D6/KR Tuskegee - Had 98-yd. KO ret. tor TD vs KSU OFFENSIVE LINEMAN ROLANDO SHULER. Sr.. OG. Benedict CIA/A P SOUTMWfSTWN wffnw Athlotc Conference OIV ALL e division w L w L Alabama AAM 4 16 3 Alcorn State 3 2 6 3 Jackson State 3 2 5 4 Alabama State 2 4 5 4 Mws Valley St. 2 4 4 6 *w. Division ' Grambkng State 6 0 9 1 Southern 3 2 4 6 Texas Southern 3 3 4 6 Ark. Pine Bluff 2 4 3 6 Pratne View A&M 0 6 19 " Clinched Division Mle SWAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK OFFENSE TRAMON DOUGLAS. Jr.. WR. Gremblmg - 8 fee . 175 yds.. nd.. 73-yardsr m mi over ASU DEFENSE EdGIN ANDREWS Sr.. LB. Jackson Stale 151.10 Mlo in wii over Alabama A&M SPECIAL TEAMS FRED AXON. Jr.. PR. MVSU - Relumed 3 punts lor 79 yards, mdudng 56-yarder lor TD vs PV CORY ALEXANOER. So.. 06. Texas Southern ? 3 KO ret.. 186 yds 96-ysrder lor TD vs GSU NEWCOMER KENNETH PEOPLES. So.. R8. Southern -16 cames tor 90 yards vs Alcom State CIAA set, SWAC E., ME AC still TBD LUT WILLIAMS BCSP Editor After last weekend's games, all the players for the 2002 postseason in black college football are in place except representatives from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Southwestern Athletic Conference's East Division. Those races are headed for decisions in the final two weeks of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association will crown its new champ this weekend. CIAA Bowie State (6-4. 5-2 CIAA E) pulled out a 10-6 win over Virginia State (7-3, 5-2 CIAA E) Saturday to claim the CIAA East Division title and will face West Division winner Fayetteville State (9-1. 7-0 CIAA W) Saturday (1 p.m.) in Winston-Salem (N.C) for the con ference championship. Fayetteville State is up to third in the latest NCAA Div. II South Region Poll (16th nationally) and. with a win over Bowie Slate, will assure itself of a spot in the national playoffs. The top four teams in each of four regions make up the 16-team Div. II playoff field. The CIAA has not had a team to make the playoff field since 1993 (then-CIAA member, Hampton). Win or lose, Bowie State will play opposite 1. GR AMBLING (9-1) - Handled Alabama State. 34-21 to clinch SWAC West title. NEXT: At Morris Brown. 2. BETHUNE-COOKMAN (9-1) - Without (QB) Suber, falls 37-7 to Hampton. NEXT: Hosting Howard. 3. TUSKEGEE (9-1) - Clinched fourth straight SI AC title with 28-25 win over Kentucky State. NEXT: Idle. 4. ALCORN STATE (5-3) - Upset by Miss. Valley St.. 23 9. NEXT: At Alabama A&M. 5. ALABAMA A&M (6-3) - Knocked off by Jackson State. 13-11. NEXT: Hosting Alcorn State. 6. HAMPTON (6-4) - Big win over BCSP #1 Bethune Cookman, 37-7. NEXT: Hosting N. C. A&T. 7. FAYETTEVILLE STATE (9-1) - Beat Virginia Union. 28 18. NEXT: CIAA title game vs. Bowie State 8. FORT VALLEY STATE (7-3) - Idle NEXT: Albany State in Columbus, Ga. 9. HOWARD (6-3) - Beat S. C. State 23-9. NEXT: Plays for MEAC lead at Bethune-Cookman. 10. S. C. STATE (6-4) - Upended by Howard, 23-9. NEXT:Hosting Morgan State. Tuskegee in the Pioneer Bowl. PREDICTION: Kennv Phillips' Fayetteville State team beat Bowie State 13-7 on Nov. 2 in a defensive struggle decided on an interception return for a touch down in the final 90 seconds. With both teams ranked in the top ten nationally in both total and scoring defense, points will be hard to come by. Henry Frazier's Bulldogs turned the ball over twice in the first game leading to FSU scores. They can't do that again, because FSU has the offensive edge. FSU 20, BSU 14. MEAC Bethune-Cookman played without star quarterback Allen Suber last week vs. Hampton and his absence was key in a 37-7 loss, the Wildcats' (9-1,5-1) first of the sea son. That loss has thrown open the MEAC gates to Florida A&M (7-4, 5-21. Hampton (6-4, 4-2) and Howard (6-3, 4-2), who each have two losses in confer ence play, and presents a number of scenarios that could determine the conference champion. Remember, the MEAC champ gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Div. I AA playoffs. Alvin Wvatt's B-CC Wildcats control their own des tiny. Win their last two games, this week at home against Howard and in Orlando on Nov. 23 vs. Florida A&M. and the title is theirs. Everyone else needs some help. Billy Joe's Florida A&M Rattlers need B-CC to beat Howard this week and then defeat B-CC themselves to win the crown. Ray Petty's Howard Bison need a win over B-CC this week and a win over Delaware State to end the season coupled with a loss by Hampton in either of its final two games to take the title. Joe Taylor's Hampton Pirates must win their final two games over N. C. A&T and Morgan State, and see Howard beat B-CC and B-CC beat FAMU to claim the championship. PREDICTION: Wyatt says Suber is about 90 per cent certain to play against Howard though he's still hob bling on a sore ankle. If he plays, the Wildcats win. If he's out. Howard takes another step toward the title. Hampton will dispose of A&T (33-17). SWAC Three teams remain alive for the SWAC E. Div. title and a spot opposite W. Div. champ Grambling in the Dec. 14 SWAC Championship game. Alabama A&M (6-3,4-1) and Alcorn State (6-3,3 2), both coming off losses, meet in Huntsville. Al? SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16,2002 O Alabama A&M vs. Alcorn St. in Huntsville, AL 1:30pm Alabama St. vs. MVSU in Montgomery, AL 1:30pm Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Lane in Pine Bluff, AR 1:30pm Benedict vs. Edward Waters in Columbia. SC 2:00pm Cheyney vs. Millersville in Cheyney, PA 1:00pm G-Webb vs. Sav. State in Boiling Spr., NC 1:00pm Hampton vs. N.C. A&T in Hampton, VA 1:00pm Jackson St. vs. Pr. View A&M in Jackson, MS 3:00pm Kentucky St. vs. Cl.-Atlanta in Frankfort, KY 1:30pm Miles vs. Morehouse in Fairfield, AL 5:00pm Morris Brown vs. Grambling St. in Atlanta, GA 1:30pm Norfolk State vs. DelState in Norfolk, VA 1:00pm S.C. State vs. Morgan St. in Orangeburg, SC 1:30pm Southern vs. T. Southern in Baton Rouge, LA 7:00pm Tenn. State vs. Tenn. Tech in Nashville, TN 1:30pm W. Va. St. vs. W. Liberty St. in Institute, WV 1:00pm TV GAMES (On MBC Network) CIAA Championship < Bowie St. vs. Fayetteville St. in W-Salem, NC 1:00pm B-Cookman vs. Howard in Dayt. Beach, FL 5:00pm 13th Fountain City Classic FVSU vs Albany State in Columbus, GA 1:30prn Tape Delay at 9 pm Saturday with the winner In position to clinch the title with a win on the last weekend of the regular season (see story below). A&M closes against Arkansas-Pine Bluff while Alcorn ends the season at-Jackson State, the other team with a shot at the crown. JSU (5-4, 3-2), which got a big win over A&M last week to keep its division title hopes alive, has what should be an easy date hosting Prairie View (1-9,0-6) this week. The Tigers must win out and hope A&M loses one of its final two games to give them the title.' PREDICTION: Alcorn is reeling. Take A&M! 23-16. JSU should have no problems with PV A&M. SIAC Tuskegee (9-1, 7-1) clinched its fourth straight Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titlff* with a close 28-26 win over Kentucky State Saturday night. The Golden Tigers have a Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) date with Alabama State to finish out the regular season before travelling to Tampa, Fl? for the 6th Annual Pioneer Bowl on Dec. 15 (See UNDER THE BANNER) vs. Bowie Stale. Alcorn, Alabama A&M in battle for SWAC East title i ROSCOENANCE BCSP Contributing Writer It has come down to cases for Alcorn State and Alabama A&M After confounding the experts all season by staying at or near the top of the SWAC Eastern Division standings, this pair of unlikely championship con tenders faces their day of reckoning Saturday when they meet in Normal, Ala. The winner will stay alive in a divi sion race that became tighter than a pair of cheap leather pants last weekend when Jackson State (5-4, 3-2) beat Alabama A&M (6-3.4-1) and Alcorn State (6-3,3 2) lost to in-state rival Mississippi Valley State. A&M and Alcom control their own destiny. Either can punch its ticket for Birmingham and a dale with Cramhling State in the fourth annual SWAC Championship Game on Dec 14. by win ning its remaining two games. Alcorn plays Jackson State on Nov. 23 and A&M plays Arkansas-Pine Bluff "One of the greatest feelings is to have the chance to control your own des tiny." said first-year Alabama A&M head coach Anthony Jones "That's what your fight in life is to do." After getting off to an 0-2 start with a new coaching staff and relying on a pair of freshmen quarterbacks, the Bulldogs didn't figure to be in control of much of anything. They were picked to finish fourth in the East after going 4-7 under Ron Cooper last season. "When I saw the preseason selec tion, it didn't bother me," Jones says. "With a new coaching staff and a 4-7 record how can you be upset with people thinking you're not going to do anything? That's why we play the season. We worked hard to put ourselves in this situ ation." A&M ran off six consecutive victo ries and dealt themselves a hand in the division race by relying of defense, field GUNNING FOR A TITLE: Alabama A&M head coach Anthony Jones (I.) and Alcorn State head coach Johnny Thomas have their teams in line for a SWAC East Division title and a shot at Grambling in the Dec. 14 SWAC title game. position and an opportunistic offense. A&M leads the SWAC in scoring defense and is No. 14 in Division I-AA. allowing 16.3 points a game. The Bulldogs are also in the top 20 nationally in total defense and rushing defense. The Bulldogs boast a +10 turnover margin for the season. Offensively, they are last in SWAC first downs (1I5). but first in red zone offense, scoring 80% of the time they get inside the 20. "The kids are playing well and under standing the concept of team." says Jones. "The big thing is taking advantage of turnovers and taking care of the football." Jones points to the Bulldogs' 23-13 loss to Grambling in the second game of the season as the turning point for his team. "We played Grambling tough even though we came away with a loss." says Jones. "We felt there were some things that needed to be done. We talked about it. We cleared the air. We got some things off our chest. We cleaned the slate. They under stood why we lost those games." "We went back to fundamentals." says Alabama A&M running backs coach Stanley Conner "We got guys to under stand that you have 10 practice a certain way and play a certain way. You have to play with effort. Practice with effort. It's all about effort, not talent. Guys wanted to win. Once you get a taste of winning, you will do the things necessary to win." Meanwhile, Alcorn State is trying to finish off its own rags-to-riches tale. The Braves were winless for the first time in school history two years ago with virtually the same players who have them on the brink of playing for the championship. "Maturity, spirit and the will to win of players has made the difference." says Head Coach Johnny Thomas "We're playing with the same people. We didn't have any people transfer or become acade mically ineligible. You can tell the differ ence in terms of maturity and experience and will to win. No situation fazes them." The Braves showed just how unflap pable they are two weeks ago when they blew a 22-6 lead against Southern and held on to win 22-20. It was their first win at Mumford Stadium since 1991 and their first victory over SU since 1994. "Two years ago we would have lost to Southern," says Thomas. "We don't panic. They get tenacious and rise to the occasion, but we need to get a killer instinct." Thomas says the Braves' victory against Southern is a microcosm of their season. They have yet to play a complete game. "When we didn't do so well defen sively. the offense rose to the occasion." he says. "Or the special teams put the offense in good position. When one (unit) or the other would breakdown the other would rise up. or a combination of both, to com pensate for the other's inability to rise up. If we can get them all to jell we can be very difficult to deal with. We haven't had all three units to play to their potential for four quarters." Alcom's inconsistency on offense can be traced to quarterback Donald Carrie's inconsistency. Carrie had his lowest completion total of the season con necting on 8-of-27 passes for 97 yards ' i ' a against Southern. He had his most produc tive game of the season the previous week, completing 22 of 37 attempts for 335 yards and one touchdown. "He looks good for 2-3 series," says Thomas. "Then he'll not look good." For the season Carrie has completed 122 of 261 attempts (46.7%) for 1,750 yards. He has thrown 13 interceptions and 15 touchdowns, and averages 194.4 yards a game, fourth best in the conference. That has forced Alcorn to rely more on the running game than Thomas had . anticipated. He has been satisfied with the results as the Braves are No.3 in the con-. ference in rushing (135 yards a game). He is optimistic that the Braves' running game can continue to carry enough of the load to 4 win the East. Five backs, led by sophomore Andrew Burks with 560 yards, have rushed for more than 120 yards and aver-' age at least 4.0 yards a carry. "We have quick and elusive tailbacks, a veteran offensive line that has been together three years and good blocking fullbacks." he says. The Braves have remained in the championship hunt while enduring an unfathomable number of injuries. They have lost seven starters or projected starters for the season since the start of preseason practice. "If we can stay healthy, we have a great chance," Thomas says, "I'm confident we can get to Birmingham." If the Braves make it to Birmingham, they will have traveled one of the most improbable roads to the Championship Game imaginable. Saturday's contest against Alabama A&M will be the fifth of si* consecutive road games for them. "If we can win the East, it is a^ood1 s task to accomplish," Thomas says,! , "Nobody can say we had the easiest road to travel if we can come out with these victo ries." ? . ' INDEPENDENTS W I StUman 8 2 Edward Waters 5 3 Shaw 5 3 St. PauTs 3 3 PaulOutnn 3 3 Unco* (Mo) 3 7 Tennessee State 2 7 langston 2 8 Allen 1 6 Savannah State 1 7 W. Va State 1 8 Moms Brown 1 8 Cheyney 0 9 PLAYERS Of TH? WEEK OFFENSE TYVUN GREEN 06. StMlman ? Hrt on 21 of 42 passes lor 362 yank and lour TDs in homecomng ww over Benedct DRENZO PAYNE. Sr.. WR. StiHman Hauled in rane of Green's aenals lor 203 yank ? am over Benedw DEFENSE UEDARIS BENSON. StiHman 10 total taddes m m over Benedct c
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Nov. 14, 2002, edition 1
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