One game does not make a season but here is what we learned about MEAC teams in the opening weekend of the 2011 season.

There is a new Sheriff in town

Rod Broadway is 1-0 as North Carolina A&T’s head coach. Sure, the Aggies first victory came against a completely outmanned University of Virginia Lynchburg squad.  But for a once proud program who finished 1-10 a season ago, a win is a win. Perhaps the most promising sign from yesterday’s game for the Aggies was the play of Sophomore QB Lewis Kindle (341 yards passing and 4 touchdowns).  On the downside, All-MEAC running back Mike Mayhew suffered a leg injury in the contest.  A&T was supposed to win big and they did.  Let’s just hope that Mayhew’s injury isn’t serious.

Florida A&M was also expected to win big but that didn’t happen.  The Rattler faithful spent much of the offseason talking about winning games in the FCS playoffs this year. If Saturday’s showing against Division II Fort Valley State was any indication, Joe Taylor may breakout his best Jim Mora Sr. impression if asked about the playoffs. (Playoffs, you’re talking playoffs). The Rattler’s scored the game winning touchdown on a fluke play..ah deflected pass with :39 seconds left in the game. (Click the link to see video of the play http://www.wctv.tv/sports).  FAMU hung on for the 28-22 victory. Perhaps this was FAMU’s one bad game for the season. Perhaps Ft Valley State is better than we’re giving them credit. I guess an ugly win is better than a pretty defeat. We will all know more about how good FAMU is (or is not) in just a few short days when they face off against Hampton live on ESPNU (Thursday, Sept 8th).

Close but no cigar

Savannah State was less than 30 seconds away from defeating SIAC powerhouse and reigning Sheridan Broadcast Network Black College National Champion Albany State. Sometimes there are moral victories in sports. Savannah State players should feel good about their performance against Albany State. The next step in the evolutionary process for the Tigers, finish the deal against an upper echelon HBCU team.

South Carolina State also deserves kudos for their performance in a loss. I know that may sound strange to some but the Bulldog defense only gave up 21 points on the road against FBS foe Central Michigan. The Bulldogs were a play or two away on offense from making this a very interesting contest.

Howard and North Carolina Central received sizable checks and beat downs in their matchups this weekend. Morgan State on the other hand took a similar beat down but received no check. Hey MSU, what’s that old saying about giving it up for free? This is a family friendly blog so I digress.

Norfolk dominated Virginia State for the sixth straight year. I guess the Trojans just can’t comPETE with the mighty Spartans.

Owned

The MEAC finished the weekend 3-1 versus FCS competition. (Curse you Morgan State!) Delaware State defeated Virginia Military Institute of the Big South Conference 24-21 behind strong performances from MEAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Justin Wilson (6 receptions, 110 yards, and 2 touchdowns) and QB Nick Elko (17 of 32 for 232, 3 touchdowns).

Hampton trailed Alabama A&M 17-0 at halftime in the Chicago Classic but rallied to a 21-20 victory. Sophomore running back Antwon Chisholm continues to impress rushing  for 141 yards and scoring the winning touchdown in the Pirates’ victory.

In the second game this past weekend matching MEAC and SWAC opponents, Bethune Cookman delivered the most comprehensive performance of the opening weekend. The Wildcats absolutely annihilated Prairie View A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Mercy rule, running clock, “uncle”, throw in the towel; somebody just please make it stop. To tell you how out of hand this one got, Prairie View Head Coach, Heishma Northern, elected to line up in the “victory formation”, take a knee, and run the clock out during his team’s final possession. The Panters were trailing at the time (BCU)- 63, (PVAM)-14.

Click the link for highlights of BCU’s victory http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6930833.

University of Maryland transfer Jamarr Robinson started at QB for the Wildcats and racked up 281 yards of offense (251 passing and 30 rushing) and 3 touchdowns (2 rushing and 1 passing) in less than 2 and a half quarters of work. Next up for BCU is a pivotal matchup against conference rival South Carolina State in Daytona Beach. The game will be broadcasted on tape delay on ESPNU Saturday, September 10th at 10:00 PM (EST).

Week two matchups

* Thu, Sep 08	Hampton		Florida A&M
First Nation’s Football Classic
Sat, Sep 10	Morehouse College		Howard
Sat, Sep 10	Southeastern Louisiana		Savannah State
Cleveland Classic
Sat, Sep 10	Central State University		North Carolina Central
Sat, Sep 10	Appalachian State		North Carolina A&T
* Sat, Sep 10	Bethune-Cookman		South Carolina State
Sat, Sep 10	Delaware State		Shaw University
Sat, Sep 10	Bowling Green		Morgan State
Sat, Sep 10	West Virginia		Norfolk State