Photo by Max DunhHI
Aggies quarterback Conned Maynor, MEAC Offensive MVP, poses special problems for defenses because of his
ability to etude the pass rush.
North Caofna AST caught a lot atpeo
ple by suprisewtother second place finish to
league champ Florida ASM The Aggies were
right on mack to win ial in VO, but they lost to
ASM by two points in Tatahassee, their only
That rivaty w* continue this year when
the two teams meet on MTs home turf in
October. SO, ts not wise to figure that MM
wont be in the running by the time the smoke
dears in tale November.
Delaware State has some holes to fit and
i they do, the Hornets ni do a lot of damage.
South Carolina State S Butdogs are hoping
they Ma quarterback who can take toemai
the way f not, its My to be a so-so season
lor tie Dogs' totowers.
Howard Un^ersity needs bench strength
to steer dear of the infirmary. I so, the Bison
can surge and bolt past everybody else.
Bethune-Cookman is always in contention f
the Wtktt are able to maintain cote istency,
they coM end the year with far more wins
than any d the preseason pun&ts predicted
Morgan State is bent on reviafizing its
team spirit under rookie coach Ricky Diggs
Ano oaseo on reports from spring practice, t
bate as though tie Bears wltM anew ati
tude and termed desire to betteopponerts
for 60 minutes every Saturday
'+ . ?
North CarotnaA&T
Ite Aggies areata* the enter Phase IV
of ooacn am Mayes masierpian 10 transform
A&T into afuMledged powerhouse.
m three years, Hayes has revamped a
program mat was nsauea ? me oooom a me
sea. last season, the team finished up as one
of the nation's most improved squabs at 9-2. In
the process, they were also tied for No. 19 in
the 1-AApols at the end of the "90 campaign.
a&t 6 Daa6Q trom lop io Dooom on cxxn
sees or tne toocai. And tneres sumaent oepui
to hefc take up the slack in case of injuries.
C8 Cornel Maynor, the MEACs offensive
MVPt is the centerpiece in tho A&T gamo ptan.
Maynor was 1-AAs passing efficiency leader,
throwing far nearly 1,700 yards and 16 sooces,
while running for 11 IDs.
Maynor's ability to avoid the rush and
break down defenses is what separates him
from his league counterparts. If you're playing
defense and he's the QB, you're guaranteed
thai every play w? be an adventure.
Stl, the Aggies are far from being a one
man act Craig Thompson (39 receptions, 600
yards, 9 IDs) is arguably the conference's best
tight end And Barry Turner and Kevin Acker
are very able at running back.
The Aggies weaponry works in good order
wan re or nep irom a trort ane tnat excels at
wiping out anything that gets in the way.
Richard Lide and Tyrone Brown are the beet of
the Aggies offensive inemen.
Defensively, A&T is just as imposing. The
Aggies didn't give up very much of anything last
season. They allowed 15.9 ppg which made
them the No. 1 scoring defense in the confer
ence.
The defensive line is as hefty as the
offensive line. Knox Thompson is the prime
toroe a oetenswe end ano Hooney cowards is
just as proficient at his linebacker slot. Dee
Moye ir another aBoonferenoe star who com
mands respect tor the secondoy.
FMcbASM
The Rasters enjoyed the fnjls of victory in
ttX Now they wart to monopotothe top spot
And since they have QB Antonie Ezell
coming back for his final college fling, their
chances to derai the Aggie express are asT
good as anyone^. "
Ezel puts #? heat oh opposing defenses
with his ami. His 2,231 total yards and 20
touchdownpasses were league highs. Ezelt
9bo contnouteo see scoring runs 01 nis own.
Terry Mickens, James Thurman and Tim
Daniel gel a tot of attention from the Rattlers'
passer. As a tandem, they average close to 20
yards per reception. Rushing-wise, Pat Reddick
wi get irxxe opportunities since Amir Rasul has
finished his oollege career. Reddick was the
team's second-leading runner last season,
gaining 573 yards.
But for all of the potency thai FAMU's
offense has, it will go for naught if the offensive
line (which tost four starters to graduation) isn't
able to function effectively. Walty Williams, a
center, is the best of the returning trench types.
That doesnl mean that FAMU wiM be lack
ing up front Them are several players who saw
action in *90 because the Rattlers used a rota
tion system for their linemen. So it's really a
matter of how quickly people adjust to playing
full-time.
The defense is a mixed bag going into the
season. The secondary has a pair of outstand
ing safetymen in Wiam Carroll and Craig HaH
Carrol finished *90 as the league's co-teader in
interceptions vrth nine.
But Carrol and Hal wi find that they wl
ha* their hands M 9 the Rattlers arenl able to
generate sustained pressure on enemy quarter
backs. FAMU ooach Ken Riey is counting on
Sean Brantley to provide some of thai pressure.
And if Maress Scott, a defensive end, can
return to his form of *89 when he registered 9
1/2 sacks, A&M will be good shape. Scott
missed last season in order to get himself
squared awsy academicaly.
* the Hornets can ptrf together defensive
ly, they should be in the hunt to rnake a serous
run at the MEAC crown.
al the tools to run amok every Saturday. Just
about everybody is back on a unit that was 1
AA's best rushing outfit last year, averaging
almost 299 ypg.
The Hornets have four backs who have
proven that they are more than any match tor
any defense trying to stop them. The quartet of
Mike Murray, Doug Reed, Hefb White and
Wendell Watson averaged close to six yards
per rushing attempt
Deeper stffl, DSC opponents can look tor
more of the same from the ground crew
because the earth movers who made! happen
last year are back again. Rod Mtetead, a guard,
6 the teams premier otrensveineman.
That's good raws tor Eric Jones, the lead