13 – Seperation Saturday ???

October 13, 2013October 13, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Alvin Hollins Jr.

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Alvinhollins833@yahoo.com – Most teams are at the halfway point of their seasons, and some things are becoming clear:

THE BEST OF THE BEST: Bethune-Cookman, South Carolina State. These two are headed for a classic Showcase Showdown: DOGS vs. CATS ON THE BEACH, October 26….

TEAMS ON THE RISE?: Parity has reared its head in this league with only two remaining unbeaten teams (See Best of the Best), leaving a nine-team mass of humanity in their wake…. Delaware State (2-1) seems to be the best of the crowd, although Norfolk State (2-1) is tied with them for third (DSU owns a head-to-head edge from Saturday’s 14-7 win over NSU)….

IMPOSTERS OR HOPEFULS: After that, there is a four-team pack of 1-1 teams who still have hopes to have a say in the conference race: North Carolina Central, FAMU, Morgan State and Hampton… Hampton pulled a huge upset of North Carolina A&T ending a winless streak,,, FAMU snapped a four-game slide with a win at Savannah State, ending for the moment a mystifying slump that had the Rattler faithful shaking their heads… NCCU was bombed at home Thursday by South Carolina State, raising questions about the program’s stability with the drama surrounding their deposed coach… Morgan State was off Saturday, but they too have been too inconsistent to be a contender…

FLAT OUT OF IT: North Carolina A&T (1-2) was riding the wave of a 3-0 start including two OOC wins, but back-to-back conference losses have all but eliminated them from the race, but perhaps the program is showing fatigue being shorthanded scholarship wise, and from some problematic issues with personnel…. Howard (0-3) is clearly a team of potential perhaps missing their head coach (on leave), but the Bison seem to be in fade mode now…. Savannah State (0-3) may be the most dangerous 0-3 team in the league with their Air Raid spread offense under first year coach Earnest Wilson, and may yet scratch out a win or two before the year ends…

NOTES: The league will hit the halfway point in conference play this week, and it appears that B-CU and SCSU (remember those preseason predictions??? Starting to look like Nostradumus those folks) are a cut above, but while SCSU seems to be on a mission to dominate and destroy, B-CU seems content to get the lead and protect it…. Should make for an interesting bout in two weeks…

What will be interesting will be how the other nine squads shake out…. Delaware State has just one team left on its’ schedule with a .500 overall record, this week at North Carolina A&T, so the pesky Hornets might still have a title shot if the frontrunners find an oil slick or two on the road ahead…. DSU arguably had the strongest schedule with #1 North Dakota State, #4 Towson, #16 Bethune-Cookman and Delaware…

Norfolk State has a rugged closing schedule with ODU (Oct. 26), then B-CU, SCSU and NCCU in the last three games in November…

Everyone else, we’ll just have to wait and see….

2013 MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Through October 12
Team …………………… Conference …….. Overall
South Carolina State …. 3-0 1.000 ….. 5-2 .714
Bethune-Cookman ……. 2-0 1.000 ….. 5-1 .857
Delaware State …………2-1 .667 ….. 2-4 .333
Norfolk State ………….. 2-1 .667 ….. 2-4 .333
North Carolina Central .. 1-1 .500 ….. 3-3 .500
Florida A&M ……………. 1-1 .500 ….. 2-4 .333
Hampton …………………1-1 .500 ….. 1-5 .167
Morgan State ……………1-1 .500 ….. 1-5 .167
North Carolina A&T …… 1-2 .333 ….. 3-2 .600
Howard …………………. 0-3 .000 ….. 1-6 .142
Savannah State ……….. 0-3 .000 ….. 1-6 .142

MEAC WEEK SEVEN SCORECARD (October 10-12)
Thursday
South Carolina State 44, North Carolina Central 3, ESPNU

Saturday
Bethune-Cookman 27, Howard 6
Hampton 31, North Carolina A&T 26
Delaware State 14, Norfolk State 7
Florida A&M 27, Savannah State 14

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE (October 19)
Savannah State at Bethune-Cookman, 4:00
Hampton at Norfolk State, 1:00
Delaware State at North Carolina A&T, 1:00
Morgan State at North Carolina Central, 2:00
Howard University at Florida A&M, 2:00
South Carolina State is idle.

Wildcats take on Bison

October 12, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

WASHINGTON, DC — This Saturday’s matchup between Bethune-Cookman (4-1, 1-0 in the MEAC) and Howard University (1-4, 0-2 in the MEAC) pits the MEAC’s top offense against the league’s best defense.

BCU currently sits atop the conference rankings in both Total Defense (274.8 ypg) and Scoring Defense (18 ppg) while HU leads the MEAC in Total Offense (396.4) and Passing Offense (239.4). The Bison offense is directed by junior quarterback Greg McGhee who leads the conference in total yards (1414), passing yards (1153), and passing touchdowns (10); and only trails BCU’s Quentin Williams in passing efficiency and completion percentage. McGhee is coming off a stellar performance last week against North Carolina Central in which he completed 31 of 48 attempts for 328 yards, 4 TDs and no interceptions in a 28-37 loss.

McGhee has the luxury of throwing to 3 of the league’s Top 10 receivers in Jonathan Booker, Brandon Flanagan, and Stewart Hartman.

Despite the numbers, the Bison have struggled to translate their offensive proficiency into wins. HU pulled off a near upset in Week One against FBS foe Eastern Michigan and defeated Division II Morehouse a week later. Since then, the Bison have lost three consecutive contests being outscored 140-66 in the process.

The Wildcats (who are ranked 13^th in the FCS Coaches poll and 16^th in the Sports Network Media poll) shook off a sluggish first half against Delaware State last week in route to their 14^th consecutive MEAC win. BCU’s consecutive game win streak stretches back to October 20, 2011.

The Cats racked up 409 yards of offense against DSU including 241 yards on the ground. Four BCU running backs rushed for at least 40 yards in the contest (Cary White (65), Anthony Jordan (61), Isidore Jacskon (54) and Drexler Dixon (40)) while senior wide receiver Eddie Poole added 4 catches for 103 yards with 1 touchdown through the air.

Defensively, the Wildcats have registered 6 interceptions, 15 sacks and 36 tackles for loss this season. The aggressive and opportunistic BCU defense could be poised to have another big afternoon against HU’s high volume pass attack.

Jarkevis Fields pace the Cats D with 30 tackles while Dyron Dye leads the way with 3.5 tackles-for-loss and 3 sacks.
Other notes:

-BCU leads the overall series against HU 17-13-1 and have won 4 straight against the Bison.

-Howard University has billed Saturday’s contest as “Think Pink Day” and encourage all game attendees to wear something pink in support of breast cancer awareness. Perhaps Bethune will oblige by wearing the highly anticipated pink helmets….hmmmmm! We shall see.

Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00.

Courtesy of BCU Athletics

MEAC Power Rankings Week 6

October 9, 2013 / J Bell / Leave a comment

Here’s how the 11 MEAC teams stack up based on records, rankings and their remaining schedules as the Hunt For November begins.

Howard QB Greg McGhee (Courtesy Photo/Howard Sports)

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Alvinhollins833@yahoo.com

Now that the 2013 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Football’s “Hunt For November” is in full swing with league play headed into its’ third week, the time has come for ranking the boyz from top to bottom, along with their remaining schedules.

The rankings below are based on the Jeff Sagarin College Football Ratings, and any positions in various national polls will be included.

Bethune-Cookman (4-1, 1-0 * #16 FCS/#1 SBN/#2 HSRN * 118 Sagarin)
@ With wins over #145 Sagarin/#1 HSRN/#2 SBN Tennessee State (5-1) and FBS member Florida International, the defending champs are the team to beat…. And with North Carolina A&T’s 29-24 conference loss to South Carolina State last week, the Wildcats are in full control of their own destiny, as they for now have avoided a potential tie with A&T for the title since the two teams don’t play this season… The ‘Cats do have three key games in the next four weeks: Saturday at Howard; Oct. 26 vs. SCSU; Nov. 2 at NCCU.

REMAINING SCHEDULE: Saturday @ Howard; 10-19 SSU; 10-26 SCSU; 11-2 @ NCCU; 11-9 NSU; 11-16 HAMP; 11-23 FAMU (Orlando).

South Carolina State (4-2, 2-0 * #3 SBN/#4 HRSN * 162 Sagarin)
@ The Bulldogs appear to be on the rebound from last year’s sub .500 overall finish, owning a slice of the league lead and a huge win over North Carolina A&T, puts them on track towards a possible 13th MEAC title… But the next three weeks will likely tell the tale of the Bulldogs’ season as they are at NCCU Thursday, then trek to Bethune-Cookman after a bye week, on Oct. 26.

REMAINING GAMES: Thursday at NCCU; 10-19 BYE; 10-26 @ B-CU; 11-2 @ SSU; 11-9 FAMU; 11-16 MORG; 11-23 @ NSU

North Carolina A&T (3-1, 1-1 * #5 SBN/#7 HSRN * 176 Sagarin)
@the Aggies scored big out-of-conference wins over Appalachian State and Elon to open a few eyes, but their march toward the MEAC title was derailed a bit by their heartbreaking 29-24 loss to resurgent South Carolina State in Atlanta last Saturday.
A&T will need help to win the title as they will be chasing B-CU, SCSU, NCCU and Norfolk the rest of the way, with only NCCU on their schedule at season’s end.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday @ Hampton; 10-19 DSU; 10-26 @ FAMU; 11-2 VA-LYNCHBURG; 11-9 @ MORG; 11-16 SSU; 11-23 NCCU

North Carolina Central (3-2, 1-0 * #9 HSRN/#10 SBN * 192 Sagarin)
@despite the off-field drama surrounding deposed head coach Henry Frazier, the Eagles remain focused on chasing their first MEAC title in 40 years… Very competitive in a 35-17 home setback to #4 FCS Towson on Sept. 21, the Eags outslugged Howard, 37-28 on the road last week in their league opener… NCCU has the other four title contenders on tap (SCSU, NSU, B-CU and A&T), beginning their attack run at home Thursday against first place SCSU.

REMAINING GAMES: Thursday SCSU; 10-19 MORG; 10-26 @ SSU; 11-2 B-CU; 11-9 @ HAM; 11-16 NSU; 11-23 @ NCA&T

Norfolk State (2-3, 2-0 * #10 HSRN * 225 Sagarin)
@ Two conference wins have softened the disappointment of an 0-3 start, which included relatively close bouts against Charleston Southern and Maine, plus a money game at Rutgers… The Spartans’ league wins were no walks in the park though, as they eased past Morgan State (27-21) and needed a blocked field goal to eke past suddenly dangerous Savannah State (26-24) last week…. The Spartans, who are spared a matchup with A&T, will have the trio of Bethune-Cookman and NCCU back-to-back on the road before closing at home against SCSU… Oh, and they duel ODU in two weeks (Oct. 26) too.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday at DSU; 10-19 HAMP; 10-26 ODU; 11-2 FAMU; 11-9 @b-CU; 11-16 @ NCCU; 11-23 SCSU.

Howard University (1-5, 0-2 * 221 Sagarin)
@ The Bison started strong in their first two games, holding a fourth quarter lead before fading at Eastern Michigan, 34-24, then rebounding for a 27-16 against Morehouse, but have since dropped three straight including back-to-back conference games which have all but snuffed out their title hopes for 2013… Their Saturday home bout with defending champion Bethune-Cookman could either eliminate them from title contention, or keep them in the mix, as their remaining schedule after Saturday features six teams with losing records.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. B-CU; 10-19 @ FAMU; 10-26 MORG; 11-2 @ DSU; 11-9 SSU; 11-16 @tex. SOUTH; 11-23 @ HAMP

Delaware State (1-4, 1-1 * 229 Sagarin)
@ The Hornets have been a tough out despite being in rebuilding mode, escaping Savannah State with a 24-22 win, before going toe-to-toe with #21st ranked Bethune-Cookman for three quarters before bowing out 21-7… The Hornets have played a rugged schedule so far which features three FCS Top 25 teams – #1 North Dakota State; #4 Towson and the #21 Wildcats, along with perennial power Delaware…. DSU has two remaining contenders on their schedule, Norfolk State at home Saturday and North Carolina A&T on the road (Oct. 19).

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. Norfolk State; 10-19 @ NCA&T; 10-26 @ HAMP; 11-2 HOWARD; 11-9 BYE; 11-16 @ FAMU; 11-23 MORG.

Morgan State (1-5, 1-1 * 234 Sagarin)
@ The Bears snapped a five-game skid last Saturday with a 34-21 home win over slumping Florida A&M, on the heels of a narrow 27-21 conference-opening loss at Norfolk State two weeks ago… Morgan has a bye Saturday before a closing six-game stretch that includes contenders NCCU, SCSU, A&T and DSU.

REMAINING GAMES: 10-12 BYE; 10-19 @ NCCU; 10-26 @ HOW; 11-2 HAMP; 11-9 NCA&T; 11-16 @ SCSU; 11-23 @ DSU

Florida A&M (1-4, 0-1 * 223 Sagarin)
@ The Rattlers are the leading candidates for the league’s Most Disappointing Award right now, having lost four straight games, including two winnable non-conference home bouts against Tennessee State (27-7) and Samford (27-20), and last Saturday’s 34-21 loss in their conference opener at Morgan State… The FAMU Offense, has tailed off dramatically so far, ranking last in the MEAC and 120th (of 122) in FCS, managing a paltry 211 yards per game… The Rattlers are still alive for the title, but face four of the leading contenders – A&T, NSU, SCSU and B-CU in their closing seven game stretch.

REMAINING GAMES: 10-12 @ Savannah State; 10-19 HOWARD; 10-26 NCA&T; 11-2 @ NSU; 11-9 @ SCSU; 11-16; DSU; 11-23 B-CU (Orlando).

Hampton (0-5, 0-1 * 233 Sagarin)
@ The Pirates are on the verge of being marched off the plank of their own ship as they continue their recent struggles on the gridiron under beleaguered coach Don Rose… Although they are just 0-1 and mathematically still in the hunt for the league title, they have a formidable final seven games that includes Saturday’s home bout with North Carolina A&T, next week’s road game at Norfolk, plus a November home date with NCCU followed by a road tilt at Bethune-Cookman.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. North Carolina A&T; 10-19 @ NSU; 10-26 DSU; 11-2 @ MORG; 11-9 NCCU; 11-16 @ B-CU; 11-23 HOWARD.

Savannah State (1-5, 0-2 * 242 Sagarin)
@ Under new management, the Tigers are no longer playful tabby cats but have shown a renewed growl since the hiring of head coach Earnest Wilson this summer… SSU is six points away from being 2-0 in league play, with a 24-22 home loss to Delaware State, followed by a 26-24 road heartbreaker at Norfolk State last week… The Tigers host struggling FAMU Saturday, then tackle B-CU, NCCU, SCSU, Howard and A&T to close the regular season.

REMAINING GAMES: Saturday vs. FAMU; 10-19 @ B-CU; 10-26 NCCU; 11-2 SCSU; 11-9 @ HOW; 11-16 @ NCA&T

Week 11 MEAC Review

November 10, 2012November 12, 2012 / J Bell / Leave a comment

MEAC SATURDAY FOOTBALL WEEKENDER
Bethune-Cookman clinches MEAC title; Rattlers edge NCCU under new coach; Delaware State, Norfolk, A&T all win Saturday

Alvin Hollins Jr.

By ALVIN HOLLINS JR.
Rockstat7376@aol.com

NOVEMBER 10 – The Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats won their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in three years Saturday, with a crushing road victory at Savannah State, dashing the remaining co-championship hopes of several teams.

The Wildcats (7-0, 8-2) locked up the title with a 49-7 win at Savannah State (0-7, 1-9), leaving them just one game shy of a perfect conference record. B-CU has also punched its’ ticket to the NCAA Division FCS playoffs.

Meanwhile, Florida A&M (4-3, 4-6) scored late to edge visiting North Carolina Central (5-2, 6-4), 22-21, winning their first game under interim head coach Earl “Hitman” Holmes at Homecoming in Bragg Stadium.

In other conference action Saturday, Delaware State (5-2, 6-4) pulled into a three-way tie for second with NCCU and Howard University, with a 35-27 win over visiting Hampton (2-5, 2-7) at Dover, Delaware; North Carolina A&T (4-3, 6-4) rallied past visiting South Carolina State (3-4, 4-6), 17-7 at Greensboro, N.C.; Norfolk State (2-6, 4-7) finished their disappointing season after winning the 2011 MEAC title, with a 30-0 whitewash of visiting Morgan State (2-5, 3-7), at Norfolk, Va.

In the lone non-conference affair Saturday, Howard University (5-2, 6-4) was bashed by nationally-ranked Georgia Southern (8-2), 69-26 at Statesboro, Ga.

The New Pecking Order…
Bethune-Cookman (7-0) has locked up the conference title and the automatic NCAA Division I FCS playoff bid…. The race will now be for second as North Carolina Central (5-2), Howard (5-2), and Delaware State (5-2) will go down to next weekend to determine which two of them will finish behind B-CU…

Next Weekend’s Schedule
The final Saturday of the regular season is pretty much Rivalry Weekend, highlighted by Bethune-Cookman against Florida A&M in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Florida Classic in Orlando, to be nationally televised on ESPN Classic at 2:30 p.m.

The remainder of the schedule features Hampton at Morgan State (1:00); Delaware State at Howard (1:00); Savannah State at South Carolina State (1:30); and North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central (2:00).

MEAC Random Shots
@ Bethune-Cookman (7-0) hopes to complete a perfect conference season next week against rival FAMU, which spoiled their hopes of a perfect season in 2010….

@ Two of three teams will finish second behind Bethune-Cookman: Delaware State, Howard and North Carolina Central (5-2)… DelState visits Howard, while NCCU hosts Triad rival North Carolina A&T in the Aggie-Eagle Classic.

@ Wins by Delaware State and North Carolina A&T Saturday clinched winning seasons for both squads, allowing them to join Howard and North Carolina Central in the club of teams who finished under .500 overall a year ago.

@ Bethune-Cookman, along with the quartet of DSU, Howard, A&T and NCCU officially flipped the script in the MEAC, as all five teams are led by coaches in their second or third years, while veteran-led programs like FAMU, Hampton, South Carolina State, Morgan State and Norfolk State suffered a reversal of fortune in 2012.

@ Florida A&M (4-3, 4-6) won its’ first game under interim head coach Earl Holmes, one of the school’s all-time great linebackers, and formerly the defensive coordinator… Holmes was tabbed to replace the 30-year head coaching veteran Joe Taylor on Wednesday of this week, after Taylor was placed on administrative leave… Taylor will still retire following the season with 233 career victories…

MEAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS
Thru Saturday, November 10, 2012
School ……………………….. Conference / Overall
Bethune-Cookman ………………… 7-0 1.000 / 8-2 .800
Delaware State ………..……………. 5-2 .714 / 6-4 .600
Howard University …….…………… 5-2 .714 / 6-4 .600
North Carolina Central …….……. 5-2 .714 / 6-4 .600
^North Carolina A&T ………..…… 4-3 .571 / 6-4 .600
Florida A&M ………..………………… 4-3 .571 / 4-6 .400
South Carolina State .…….……… 3-4 .428 / 4-6 .400
Morgan State ………………………… 2-5 .285 / 3-7 .300
^Hampton …………………………….. 2-5 .285 / 2-7 .222
Norfolk State ………………………… 2-6 .250 / 4-7 .363
Savannah State ………..…………… 0-7 .000 / 1-9 .100
^-Ineligible for 2012 title

Saturday’s Scoreboard
*Delaware State 35, Hampton 27
*Norfolk State 30, Morgan State 0
*North Carolina A&T 17, South Carolina State 7
#Georgia Southern 69, Howard 26
*Florida A&M 22, North Carolina Central 21
*Bethune-Cookman 49, Savannah State 7
(*)-Conference Games

Next Week’s Schedule
*Hampton at Morgan State, 1:00
*Delaware State at Howard, 1:00
*Savannah State at South Carolina State, 1:30
*North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central, 2:00
*Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M (Orlando), 2:30 (ESPN Classic)
(*)-Conference Games