New No. 1 Tennessee State travels to take on No. 3 Bethune-Cookman

The No. 1 ranked Tennessee State Tigers travel to Florida to have on the No. 3 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats for a non-conference OVC versus MEAC match-up. The Tigers come into game undefeated, while the Wildcats suffered their only loss of the season against the FBS Miami Hurricanes last week.

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

The 5th WC Gordon Classic features the Southern Jaguars winless on the season will head on the road to take on the No. 10 Jackson State Tigers that have just picked up their first win of the season. While in the MEAC the Delaware State Hornets in their first conference game of the season will host the No. 9 Florida A&M Rattlers coming off of their first victory of the season in a conference affair. In the SWAC, the No. 6 Alabama State Hornets travel to take on the No. 8 Arkansas at Pine Bluff in a game televised on ESPNU as a Thursday night featured HBCU match-up.

HBCU FOOTBALL MAJOR DIVISION POLL

Week 3 – Released 09/15/12
1. Tennessee State--(3-0)
2. Alabama A & M--(3-0)
3. Bethune-Cookman--(2-1)
4. Howard--(2-1)
5. Norfolk State--(2-1)
6. @ Alabama State--(2-1)
7. North Carolina A&T--(2-1)
8. Arkansas Pine Bluff--(2-1)
9. Florida A&M--(1-2)
10. Jackson State--(1-2)
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@ = TSPN & 3C 2011 HBCU Football Major Division National Champion

HBCU CLASSIC GAME OF WEEK

Southern (0-2, 0-1) at #10 Jackson State (1-2, 0-1)

The struggling Jaguars of Southern University try to find the answer on how to get their first win of the season as they travel to Mississippi to take on the Jackson State Tigers in the 5th WC Gordon Classic. Jackson State christened the opening of Texas Southern University’s stadium as they defeated the Maroon and Grey Tigers, 45-35. The Blue Bengals offense was carried by QB, Clayton Moore who torched Texas Southern’s defense for 363 yards through the air and three touchdowns, leading Jackson State to their first victory of the season. Moore also had a record day with his legs collecting 101 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Southern woes continue to pile up as they suffered an ugly loss in a sloppy game to Mississippi Valley State, 6-0, last Thursday on a nationally televised broadcast. The horrible loss prompted the immediate reassignment of then Jaguar head coach Stump Mitchell. Jackson State with a victory looks to put together a consecutive wins for the first time this season while Southern attempts to win just one. Jackson State defeated the Jaguars in their last meeting, 28-24.

*** Game Outcome: Jackson State (45-7)

HBCU MAJOR DIVISION GAME OF WEEK

#1 Tennessee State (3-0, 1-0) at #3 Bethune-Cookman (2-1, 1-0)

The Tigers of Tennessee State puts their undefeated record on the line as they travel to Daytona Beach to face-off against a strong Bethune-Cookman squad. Bethune, who is currently tied for the No. 1 spot in the MEAC looks to rebound after suffering their first loss of the season to Miami University last Saturday, 38-10. Wildcats RB, Isidore Jackson scored Bethune-Cookmans’ only touchdown of the contest on a 1-yard rush. Before losing against the Hurricanes, the Wildcats were on an 8-game winning streak continuing from last season. Tennessee State continued to tear through the opposition as they easily dominated the Govs of Austin Peay, 34-14. Tigers QB, Michael German played out of his mind, throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns while completing 27 of his 36 passes. Tennessee State is 3-0 for the first time since 2008. This will definitely be a match-up of strengths as the Wildcats who currently lead the MEAC in scoring, total and rushing offense collide with a Tigers team that lead the Ohio Valley Conference in scoring, total, and rushing defense. Both teams also have athletic dual-threat QB’s and efficient running attacks. This matchup features the top team in the OVC in Tennessee State against the top team in the MEAC, the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman.

*** Game Outcome: Tennessee State (34-33)

MEAC GAME OF WEEK

#9 Florida A&M (1-2, 1-0) at Delaware State (1-2, 0-1)

The Rattlers of Florida A&M attempt to stay perfect in conference action as they travel to Dover to take on the Hornets of Delaware State. Though having identical overall records, The Rattlers are tied for first in the MEAC conference so far in this budding season. In their game last Saturday, the Rattlers stumped Hampton University, 44-20. Florida A&M RB, James Owens had a monster day torching the ground for 157 yards on 11 carries and rushing for three touchdowns. Delaware State is on the trail to collect their first conference win of the season. The Hornets suffered their second loss in a row as they were topped by Cincinnati, 23-7 last Saturday. A very solid showing against a FBS member program out of the Big East Conference. The Hornets will have their hands full defensively as they try to stop a very potent rushing attack in Florida A&M. In their matchup last season, the Florid A&M Rattlers stomped Delaware State Hornets, 34-7.

*** Game Outcome: (Florida A&M 42-17)

SWAC GAME OF WEEK

#6 Alabama State (2-1, 2-0) at #8 Arkansas at P. B. (2-1, 1-1)

Alabama State University fights to stay atop of the Eastern division in the Southwestern Athletic Conference as they tangle with the Golden Lions of Arkansas Pine-Bluff this Saturday. The Golden Lions bounced back from a 14-10 loss against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs, as they defeated the Alcorn State Braves last week on the road, 24-6. Pine-Bluff QB, Benjamin Anderson led the way, throwing for a touchdown and running for one as well. Alabama State rallied to defeat the defending SWAC champs Grambling State by one, 19-18. The Hornets QB, Greg Jenkins scored off a 29-yard scramble which put the game in the bag. Jenkins also connected with T.C. Williams on a 9-yard touchdown pass which gave the Hornets their first lead of the game. Both teams in this match-up have their own advantages and disadvantages, but when it comes down to it, the Hornets will have a tall order on the offensive side as they take on an Arkansas Pine-Bluff defense that ranks second in pass and rushing defense in the SWAC. The game will be national broadcast on ESPNU this Thursday. In their last meeting, Alabama State dominated the Golden Lions on the road, 28-12.

*** Game Outcome: Arkansas at Pine-Bluff (17-10)

MEAC GAMES TO WATCH

#5 Norfolk State (2-1, 0-1) at FBS Ohio (HWCU) (3-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Ohio (Score 31-10)

South Carolina State (1-2, 0-1) at FBS Texas A&M (HWCU) (1-1, 0-1)
*** Game Outcome: Arizona (Score 49-10)

North Carolina Central (1-1, 0-0) at Savannah State (0-1, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: North Carolina Central (Score 24-21)

Morgan State (1-2, 0-0) – Open
Hampton (0-3, 0-1) – Open
#4 Howard (2-1, 1-0) – Open
#7 North Carolina A & T State (2-1, 0-0) – Open

SWAC GAMES TO WATCH

#2 Alabama A&M (3-0, 2-0) at Texas Southern (1-2, 1-1)
*** Game Outcome: Texas Southern (Score 31-20)

Prairie View A & M (0-3, 0-2) at #1 FCS ND State (HWCU) (2-0, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: ND State (Score 49-20)

Alcorn State (1-2, 1-1) at FBS Arkansas State (1-2, 0-0)
*** Game Outcome: Arkansas State (Score 31-10)

Mississippi Valley State (1-2, 1-0) – Open
Grambling State (0-3, 0-2) – Open

INDEPENDENT (OVC) GAME TO WATCH
See Above