CSN Inside the HBCU Huddle: No. 1 Spot on The Line!

The #1 ranked Bethune-Cookman Wildcats take their show on the road in hostile MEAC territory against #2 ranked South Carolina State. Both teams are riding high with solid non-conference wins last week. In the SWAC, #9 Alabama A&M travels to take on #10 Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the cat fight in Memphis in the Southern Heritage Classic features #3 Tennessee State taking on their arch rival Jackson State.

By Dr. J. Kenyatta Cavil and Brandon Bolden
Inside the HBCU Huddle Columnists
College Sporting News

The HBCU Major Division Game of the Week features #3 Tennessee State (1-0, 0-0) versus Jackson State (0-1, 0-0); the MEAC Game of the Week, featuring #1 Bethune-Cookman (1-0, 0-0) at #2 South Carolina State (1-0, 0-0); the SWAC Game of the Week, #9 Alabama A&M (1-0, 0-0) at #10 Arkansas at Pine Bluff (1-0, 0-0), and the HBCU Classic Game of the Week features a bonus with a non-FCS matchup from the HBCU mid-major ranking with #8 Tuskegee (0-1, 0-0) vs. Johnson C. Smith (0-1, 0-0);

HBCU FOOTBALL MAJOR DIVISION POLL

Week 1 – Released 09/01/12
1. Bethune-Cookman--(1-0)
2. S. C. State—(1-0)
3. Tennessee State--(1-0)
4. Norfolk State--(1-0)
5. Alcorn State--(1-0)
6. Delaware State--(1-0)
7. Texas Southern--(1-0)
8. Morgan State--(1-0)
9. Alabama A & M--(1-0)
10. Arkansas at P. B.--(1-0)
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@ Alabama State—(0-1)
@ = TSPN & 3C 2011 HBCU Football Major Division National Champion

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION GAME OF WEEK

#3 Tennessee State (1-0, 0-0) vs Jackson State (0-1, 0-0)

The Tennessee State Tigers look to stay perfect on this young season as they take on Jackson State University in a classic HBCU matchup in the Southern Heritage Classic. In their previous contest with Florida A&M last week, The Tigers were able to hold off a late surge by the Rattlers to nail their first victory of the season, 17-14. Tennessee State’s offensive charge was led by QB, Michael Germain who went 22-32 for 265 yards and one passing touchdown. The Blue Bengals of Jackson State are looking to wash the bad taste, of an embarrassing loss to Mississippi State, 56-9, out of their mouth with a win this upcoming Saturday. Jackson State’s offense was stagnant against a stout Mississippi State defense. Jackson State managed 265 yards of offense but turned the ball over three times. The J-State Tigers QB, Dedric McDonald had a rough outing throwing for only 136 yards, one touchdown and having two of his interceptions returned for Mississippi State scores. The matchup against Tennessee State will prove to be a tough challenge for the Blue Bengals’ offense as they face a Tiger defense that is ranked second in pass and total defense in the Ohio Valley Conference. In their most recent matchup against each other, Jackson State edged Tennessee State, 35-29.

*** Game Outcome: Tennessee State (Score 35-24)

MEAC GAME OF WEEK

#1 Bethune-Cookman (1-0, 0-0) at #2 S. C. State (1-0, 0-0)

It is an early season clash of the top two teams in Dr. Cavil’s HBCU Poll as the No. 1 ranked Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman travel to South Carolina to take on No. 2 S.C. State Bulldogs in MEAC action. The Bulldogs hope to put together consecutive wins after having their way with Georgia State 33-6 last Thursday. Bulldogs QB, Richard Cue led the way with a very impressing showing passing for over 300 yards and connecting with three different receivers for touchdowns. Bethune-Cookman made a strong comeback and recorded their first victory of this season last Saturday as they defeated the Hornets of Alabama State 38-28 in the Annual SWAC/MEAC Challenge. The Wildcats overcame a 21-point deficit on the arms and legs of QB, Broderick Waters who threw two passing touchdowns and rushed for one. Waters was brought off the bench and completed six of nine passes for 109 through the air and rushed for 100. Bethune-Cookmn is hoping that Waters has another big game as the Wildcats look to get a taste of revenge against the Bulldogs. In their last meeting S.C. State defeated Bethune-Cookman, 26-18.

*** Game Outcome: (Bethune-Cookman 42-24)

SWAC GAME OF WEEK

#9 Alabama A & M (1-0, 0-0) at #10 Arkansas at P. B. (1-0, 0-0)

The Alabama A&M Bulldogs travel to Pine Bluff to tangle with the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine-Bluff in a SWAC Western versus Eastern Division matchup. The Golden Lions won their season-opener as they squeaked by Langston University, 17-14 on a last-second 27-yard field goal by Arkansas at Pine-Bluff K, Tyler Strickland. Arkansas at Pine-Bluff’s QB, Benjamin Anderson threw for 168 yards and a touchdown, completing 16 of his 31 passes. Alabama A&M began their season with a victory as they tangled with the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University, 7-6. Alabama A&M junior Vernon Marshall blocked the 52-yard field goal attempt by Tuskegee K, Eduardo Murillo as time winded down to seal the win for the Bulldogs. That was the second blocked field goal by Alabama A&M on the evening. Though Alabama A&M’s defense was stout, the offense struggled at times. Bulldogs QB, Daunte Mason provided the only consistent part of Alabama A&M’s offense in the contest finishing with 171 and a touchdown on 19 of 28 passing. Mason also rushed for 55 yards on eight attempts. In their last meeting, the Bulldog’s pulled out a close one as they topped the University of Arkansas Pine-Bluff by one, 28-27.

*** Game Outcome: (Arkansas at Pine Bluff 21-17)

MEAC GAMES TO WATCH

Liberty (HWCU) (1-0, 0-0) at #4 Norfolk State (1-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: North Carolina Central (Score 28-24)

#6 Delaware State (1-0, 0-0) at Delaware (HWCU) (6-3, 1-0)
*** Game Outcome: Delaware (Score 24-7)

#8 Morgan State (1-0, 0-0) at Buffalo/FBS (HWCU) (1-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Buffalo (Score 38-10)

Savannah State (0-1, 0-0) at Florida State/FBS (HWCU) (1-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Florida State (Score 63-3)

Florida A&M (0-1, 0-0) at Oklahoma/FBS (HWCU) (1-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Oklahoma (Score 56-10)

Hampton (0-1, 0-0) at Old Dominion (HWCU) (1-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Old Dominion (Score 24-21)

West Virginia State (1-0, 0-0) at N. Carolina A & T State (0-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: North Carolina A&T (Score 28-10)

North Carolina Central (1-0, 0-0) at Elon (HWCU) (0-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: North Carolina Central (Score 28-24)

Howard (1-0, 0-0) – Open

SWAC GAMES TO WATCH

#7 Texas Southern (1-0, 1-0) at North Texas/FBS (HWCU) (0-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: North Texas (Score 31-17)

Prairie View A & M (0-1, 0-1) at Lamar (HWCU) (0-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Prairie View A&M (Score 28-20)

Alcorn State (1-0, 1-0) at James Madison (HWCU) (1-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: James Madison (Score 31-14)

Mississippi Valley State (0-1, 0-0) at Alabama State (0-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Alabama State (Score 28-14)

Grambling State (0-1, 0-1) at TCU/FBS (HWCU) (0-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: TCU (Score 54-10)

Southern (0-1, 0-0) – Open

INDEPENDENT (OVC) GAME TO WATCH
See Above

HBCU CLASSIC GAME OF WEEK (BONUS)

#8 (Mid-Major) Tuskegee (0-1, 0-0) vs Johnson C. Smith (0-1, 0-0)

The Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University look to claim their first win of the 2012 football season as they prepare to clash with the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University in the Inaugural Inner City Classic in Atlanta, GA. On last Saturday, after a 45-minute lightning delay, the Golden Bulls suffered their first loss of the season falling to West Virginia State 34-31. After leading 23-21 early in the third quarter, Johnson C. Smith University failed to convert on their last drive which sealed the win for the Yellow Jackets. The Golden Bulls offense was led by senior RB, Dedrick Anderson who had 149 yards of total offense and a rushing touchdown. Tuskegee started their 2012 football campaign on the wrong foot as well losing a heartbreaker at Legion Field to the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M, 7-6. The Golden Tigers’ offense was almost non-existent only manufacturing six points throughout the whole game off of two field goals by K, Eduardo Murillo. This is the first time that these two teams will meet since the 2006 Pioneer Bowl where Tuskegee proved to be the victor.

*** Game Outcome: Tuskegee (Score 31-17)