The 38th Annual NY Urban League Classic-A recap

By The Gambler [J.Gamble] Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online
 
East Rutherford, N.J. -- The first half of Morgan State’s 16-10 OT win over Winston-Salem State in the 38th annual NY Urban League Classic should have been renamed The Exuse Caboose Classic.
 
Each team had credible and understandable exuses as to why despite the huge stage – 25,000 Giant Stadium fans, an epic battle of the bands and the Deputy Mayor of New York sitting front endzone – they played sloppy and uninspired football.
 
“We have to get back and work on our timing on offense, said MSU coach Donald Hill-Eley, “and we have to create an identity for our offense.”
 
The Bears were without the services of their offensive identity, junior sensation Devan James. James, out with an abdominal strain, is an All- MEAC First Team tailback. He rushed for a whopping 1,337 yards last season as a sophomore. And 219 of those were in one big game against Howard !
 
Quarterback Carlton Jackson seemed to be battling two fronts. The lingering effects of an injury that caused him to miss some key games at the end of the 08’ season, and the 41-0 beating MSU suffered in a season-opening loss to Akron. The negative effects of James absence was obvious, as MSU’s offense sputtered. The ground game was non-existent. The passing attack was limited.
 
WSSU entered the game in the midst of turmoil and disheartening circumstances.  The Rams, in their fourth year of a five-year transition into Div 1 football, found out on Thursday that the school’s chancellor has abandoned the ambitious plan, and will return the school to Div II status next season.
 
“Its been tough for the whole team not only football team but whole athletic program,” said Rams sophomore defensive end Stephen Young, whose college will suffer a loss in scholarships from 53 to 38 as well as exclusion from high-profile Div I games, like the Urban League Classic.
 
“We feel the freshman and sophomores deserve better than that. We came here with the intention of playing DIV I football. The whole team was sad and upset. A whole lot of emotions were going through our minds.”
 
There were even rumors around the WSSU campus of an organized boycott of games. But Young says the team had a meeting and never considered quitting on the season.
 
With the halftime score an offensively stifled 7-3, Hill-Ely looked at the scoreboard and realized there was a game up for grabs that neither team seemed to want. He needed a few good men to stop feeling sorry, and will his team to victory.
 
Senior quarterback Carlton Jackson and widereciever Ed Baptiste seized the moment.
 
Down 10-7 late in the fourth quarter, Jackson found a groove with Baptiste and they connected on pass plays of 36 and nine yards to fuel a 5-play, 39-yard drive, capped with a  42-yard field goal that tied the game and sent it into an overtime shootout.
 
On MSU’s first OT possession Jackson -- who at this point had transformed into Doug Williams -- withstood a vicious hit in the pocket and connected with Baptiste, who outhustled a leaping defender in the end-zone, sealing victory for the Bears. MSU evened its record at 1-1, and can look forward to trying to play up to the team’s high preseason MEAC Conference and FCS [Football championship Subdivision] expectations.
 
“Me and Baptiste we work everyday for moments like this,” said Jackson, who completed an efficient 16 of 21 passes for 146 yards and two TD's. “I been playing with Devan James since five years old and he is a vital part of our offense and he is missed, but that doesn’t stop the show. We got to keep trucking.”
 
WSSU, on the other hand, is just stunned. Stunned by the news of going back to Div II. Stunned by the likelihood of falling to 0-4 with a meeting against FCS No. 1 South Carolina State a week away.  Stunned by the way they relinquished a 10-7 lead. Stunned by the fact that they had 188 rushing yards to MSU’s 43. And 79 more total yards. And still lost.
 
The future of the Rams athletic program is in limbo. Coach Kermit Blount has re-written the record books at WSSU in his 17 years there. He is confident the university and its football team will end up on its feet.
 
 “We just didn’t make the plays” said Blount. “We’ll make the proper adjustments. I won’t blame it on the transition back to Div II. The kids were hurt and the coaches were hurt [by the news], but the things we control are in between the lines. We have to move on.”
 
 
 

Close Win For SBU Over The Brown Bears

By Douglas Speigel-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

Sure it was only a one point victory, but if you want an early prediction, here it is, Chuck Priore: FCS coach of the year. After quipping “We needed it” during his entrance to the post game conference he went on to explain, what could be clearly seen, as the mental and philosophic fever that is spreading throughout this team’s players.
Tonight at LaValle Stadium, Brown was in town to play their first game of the season vs.-The Seawolves. Ticklish excitement from home-based fans could be felt the moment you entered the parking lot, and moved beautifully into the first plays of the game.
The Browns stability and togetherness, throughout the first half, could be clearly seen as they marched down the field, between a series of flags drawn by the very patient Stony Brook.
These periods, of well played football, lead to a beautiful roll-out pass from Caballero, to the man in the end zone, Matthew Sudfeld. A successful kick and it is 7-0.
Stony Brook immediately answered back with a 51-yard kick-off return by WR #80 Matthew Brevi, a well-choreographed five yard pass to Porter, and hand off to Edwin Gowins, who hesitated not at all, and broke to the outside for an explosive 27 yard touch down run.
The game tied 7-7, it was Browns turn to score again, and Kyle Caballero, did just that. Locating #46 Buddy Famham for the touch down.
#80, does it again, with a 36-yard kick off return, giving the Seawolves great field position. With SBU looking for the end zone, they go to the air a lot for what had to be seen as a bunch of nearly gotten beautiful plays.
SB Freshman Justin Blake intercepts a pass in the end zone. Tides still not being sturdy the Seawolves #46 Schwicke intercepts a deflected pass and takes it for a nice run leaving SBU at the 44.
This series of action culminated with a gorgeous Coulter pass, on a gorgeously orchestrated play, and a gorgeous reception by Number 25 Jordan Gush, putting Stony Brook on the board again. Skiffington makes the second of his first two extra point attempts and leaves the game tied 14-14 at the half.

The marching band graces the crowd with the classic White Rabbit and an early 70’s Don’t Fear the Reaper.. and it is on to the second half.

Who else to start it off, but the sophomore Matt Brevi. #80. Gaining yet another 53 yards, moving like a barracuda’s chewing at his heels and leaving his daily kick off return total at 140 yards.
Kyle, with a nothing less then relentless performance, showed his ability to run, picking up 22 important yards on foot, and earning 267 yards passing for the game. However, getting to Alex Prestly for The Bears third touch down, proves to be the turning point as the third of Plitcha’s field goal attempts flies right and leaves the score, Bears 20 SBU-14.
With 47 seconds left on the clock, The Seawolves come up strong again as Coulter connects with WR Donald Porter(#6) in the end zone, setting up Skiffington for the potential game winning extra point. The kick is good and after enough 47 seconds of play to keep us all interested, including a failed 43 yard kick by Brown, Stony Brook walks away with their first victory of the season.

I felt a quite sense of strength in the Browns locker room after the game, a sense of brightness on the rise, and heard a lot of silence. While I am a reporter, I also respect privacy. I know it is not best to put a word in a person’s mouth, but I do believe If I had gotten up the momentary rational to ask the The Bears coach Phil Estes for comment, he undoubtedly would have spoken of hope for their next game on September the 25th.

Next week, look to see the Bears come out strong and for Stony Brook to try many new things in Massachusetts, and as Chuck put it “be what they need to be to win that game.”

Week 4 NCAA FBS Predictions
By Max Baez Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online


The marquee story of the third week of the college football season were clearly the events in Seattle, where an uberconservative approach by USC caused them to lose to Washington. Aaron Corp showed why Matt Barkley was named their initial starter, and many are still wondering what in the world happened to Mitch Mustain. Lots of teams are starting up their conference schedules this week, which makes for a solid weekend of football. Now, for the five games to watch this weekend, at least in my mind:

Ole Miss @ South Carolina

I don’t know what’s up with South Carolina and playing on Thursday night, but this is already their second appearance there this year. Ole Miss is already ranked number four in the nation, and this is their first true test. South Carolina looks like they can be solid on both sides of the ball. Against North Carolina State, they were great defensively, while the offense looked great against Georgia. They haven’t put it together on both sides of the ball in a big game yet this year (they’ve only had two), but if they can, they can definitely pull the upset at home. Stephen Garcia looks like he will be a great QB for the future, but while part of me wants to take South Carolina and the upset, my gut is just telling me that the talented Rebels will pull out a close win.

Ole Miss 24, South Carolina 20


North Carolina @ Georgia Tech

These are definitely two rising programs, and you can say Georgia Tech has already risen after their performance last year. Georgia Tech was embarrassed last week at Miami, and took a major hit by the pollsters, falling out of both polls. While North Carolina is ranked, I don’t think they are the better team. They looked pretty flat in their one semi-difficult game this year, a road game at UConn, while Georgia Tech still has a strong run game and defense, outside of last week’s mishap. Georgia Tech gained a reputation as a tough team last season, and I think they are going to be real hungry this week, so expect them to run all over the Tar Heels.

Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina 10


Cal @ Oregon

Many have given up on Oregon after the bad start to the season against Boise State (and then losing LeGarrette Blount for the season), but Oregon has recovered nicely, with wins against Purdue and Utah. Cal is a solid all around team, but this game is going to be a test. Autzen Stadium is a very tough place to play, and you can guarantee that the Ducks don’t want to start the season 2-2. However, Cal matches up well against Oregon. The Oregon offense won’t be able to pass at all on Cal’s stellar secondary, and Cal will be able to stack the box and make themselves more effective against the run. My guess is that we will see Cal pull out the solid road win and put itself in a great position to start the Pac-10 season.

Cal 24, Oregon 13


Miami @ Virginia Tech

And here goes my upset of the week. Virginia Tech is good all around, just like they tend to be. Very well coached, good defense, solid offense – they are a very good team. They’ve also been tested, already playing Alabama and Nebraska. However, Miami looks electric this year. Jacory Harris is the real deal at QB (and looks better than his adversary in this game, Tyrod Taylor), and while the defense didn’t look good against Florida State, they really showed up strong against the vaunted Georgia Tech run offense. Miami has already won two big games, and they are filled with confidence. They’ve had two extra days than Virginia Tech to prepare for this one, and I think it will pay off, with Miami winning a close one. Jacory Harris could become a darkhorse Heisman candidate with a win here, if he hasn’t already.

Miami 23, Virginia Tech 20


Iowa @ Penn State

With a schedule featuring the likes of Akron, Syracuse, and Temple, Penn State better have the record it currently has: 3-0. Now, their first conference game of the year has Iowa coming to town, and the stars are well aligned for a Penn State win. Iowa has gotten off to a 3-0 start, but nearly lost to FCS team Northern Iowa, and simply doesn’t have the talent that Penn State has on either side of the ball. Also, Penn State will surely be out for revenge against the Hawkeyes. Penn State lost one game last year, which was at Iowa, and if they had won out, Penn State would have played for a national title. The circumstances simply favor a Nittany Lions victory.

Penn State 24, Iowa 7


Five more to watch: TCU @ Clemson, Arkansas @ Alabama, Arizona State @ Georgia, Texas Tech @ Houston, South Florida @ Florida State

Last week’s record: 5-0