CIAA unbeatens hook up, SIAC/SWAC clash

In the CIAA, Bowie State and North Carolina Central, two of three conference teams off to 4-0 starts, get it on in Durham (4:00 p.m.) in a classic battle that could be a preview of the Nov. 5 title game that will also be staged in the Bull City.

So far both schools have wins over MEAC opponents with NC Central downing NC A&T and BSU defeating Morgan State but the similarities, or contrasts, don't end there.

NCCU leads the CIAA in total offense getting a healthy 424 yards per game while BSU leads in total defense giving up just 167 yards per contest. NCCU is the best passing team (268 ypg). while BSU is best on the ground (257.2 ypg.). NCCU QB Adrian Warren with WR Torrey Ross (26 rec., 6 TDs) leads the passing stats (253 ypg., 1,015 yards, 13 TDs, 4 int.) while BSU RB Isaac Redmond is the best rusher (85 car., 477 yds., 119.2 ypg., 7 TDs). This is shaping up to be a pitched battle between second-year coach Mike Lynn at BSU and third-year man Rod Broadway at NCCU.

It's also the first time since 1988 the CIAA has had three teams at 4-0. The other 4-0 squad, St. Augustine's plays in Rocky Mount, N.C. against Elizabeth City State (1-3, 0-1 CIAA E) Saturday.

SIAC vs. SWAC

Conference favorite Tuskegee and defending champion Albany State will be representing the SIAC in their first battles against SWAC competition this year.

Unbeaten Tuskegee (3-0, 3-0 SIAC) has the first crack at a SWAC opponent when it travels to St. Louis for a 4:00 p.m. meeting with winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-3, 0-1 SWAC W) at the annual Gateway Classic at the Edward Jones Dome.

Albany State (3-1, 3-1 SIAC), whose only loss so far this year is to defending Div. II champion Valdosta State, then travels to Baton Rouge for a 7:00 p.m. date with perennial SWAC power Southern (1-1, 1-1 SWAC).

The debate over which of the four black college conferences is the strongest (or weakest) takes another turn with the two SWAC/SIAC battles.

So far this year, the MEAC has posted a 3-3 record vs. CIAA competition and is 3-0 in games vs. the SWAC. The CIAA and SIAC are 1-1 in head-to-head games while the MEAC and SIAC have yet to meet.

Tuskegee/Arkansas-Pine Bluff brings together what appears to be the best in SIAC versus one of the SWAC's worst. If UAPB wins or plays the Golden Tigers close, it could be an indication that the top teams in the SIAC are no match for the better SWAC teams.

Tuskegee enters averaging an SIAC-high 33 points per game and is led by QB Kevin Huff who leads the conference in passing (232.7 ypg.) and total offense (311.7 ypg.). Wide receiver Kenneth Henderson's 18 receptions and five TDs also led the conference. The Golden Tigers lead the SIAC in total offense and defense.

Conversely, the Golden Lions have struggled on offense scoring just five touchdowns and averaging only 14.5 points through three games, the worst in the SWAC. After posting the SWAC's best rushing numbers last year during an 8-3 campaign, UAPB head coach Mo Forte has incorporated much more passing into its offense with John Pierce (28 of 55, 2 TDs, 4 ints.) at the helm.

Albany State goes into Baton Rouge to face a Southern team that has had two weeks to prepare after losing to Mississippi Valley State for the first time in 11 years.

Jaguar QB J. C. Lewis is among the SWAC passing (297 ypg.) and total offense leaders and is the trigger-man for the conference's highest scoring unit (33 ppg.). The Jaguars, however, are at the bottom of the rushing stats netting only 39 yards per game.

Look for Albany State to try and pound its SIAC best rushing attack (218.8 ypg.) against a young Southern defense. ASU features the double-A running back duo of Antwan Andrews (118.8 ypg., 4 TDs) and Antonio Atkins (64.5 ypg., 1 TD). ASU QB Hosea Harris is completing 60.3% of his passes (41 of 68) for 509 yards with five TDs and just one interception. ASU is second in the SIAC in run defense and total defense.

© 2005 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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