BCSP XII-14: SIAC, MEAC titles clinched; Playoffs loom

The sixth CIAA Championship Game was the only matchup Saturday that had the moniker 'title game' attached to it but champs were also crowned in two other black college conferences.

While North Carolina Central earned its first CIAA football championship since 1980 with a dramatic, last-second 26-23 win over Bowie State (see story at right), Albany State of the SIAC and Hampton of the MEAC captured their respective titles without as much fanfare.

Albany State ripped Fort Valley State 41-23 in Columbus, Ga., to secure its second straight SIAC crown. The 8-1 Golden Rams Sunday were awarded their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Div. II playoffs where they will enter as the No. 4 seed in the Southeast Region and host 9-2 Central Arkansas, the No. 5 seed, this Saturday.

Hampton ran its record to 9-0, the only unblemished mark in NCAA Div. I-AA football, and clinched the MEAC title and automatic bid to the playoffs with a 24-10 road win at Bethune-Cookman. The Pirates host Florida A&M Saturday and close out the season Nov. 19 at home vs. Savannah State before beginning postseason play on Nov. 26. The I-AA playoff field will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 20.

The Pirates received 44 first place votes to move up to second in the Sports Network national poll behind 8-1 New Hampshire who garnered 57 first-place votes. They are also second in the USA Today/ESPN poll. If the Pirates win their final two games they should be in position to host playoff games through the national semifinals.

South Carolina State (7-2), in second place in the MEAC, moved up to 17th in the Sports Network poll and has a good chance to receive an at-large berth to the I-AA playoffs if they can win their final two games against Morgan State (at home, Nov. 12) and N. C. A&T (Nov. 19 in Charlotte, N.C.).

The only division and conference titles still to be decided are in the SWAC. Grambling State (7-1) is in as West Division champ. Alabama State (6-3, 6-2) can claim the East Division title and a spot opposite Grambling in the Dec. 10 SWAC Championship Game at Birmingham's Legion Field with a win Saturday (2:30 p.m.) in its final SWAC game at Mississippi Valley State (5-4, 4-4).

A loss by Alabama State opens the door for Alcorn State (5-3, 4-2) or Alabama A&M (7-2, 5-2) who meet Saturday (2 p.m.) at Alcorn State. A&M has one game left after Saturday, against Prairie View on Nov. 19. Alcorn State has games left against Jackson State on Nov. 19 and a make-up game against Grambling postponed from Sept. 3 because of Hurricane Katrina that will be played on Dec. 3 at Alcorn State.

NCAA Div. II Playoffs - First Round
Albany State (8-1) vs. C. Arkansas (9-2)
12 noon, Albany, GA

Albany State's opponent, Central Arkansas, posted an 8-1 record to capture the outright championship of the Gulf South Conference. Despite that, the Bears are seeded behind Valdosta State, a No. 3 seed, who finished second in the GSC but defeated UCA, 12-7. The Bears only other loss was to Div. I-AA Tennessee-Martin of the Ohio Valley Conference, 35-34.

UCA running back Kentrel Rogers amassed 965 rushing yards and 20 TDs His 11.6 points per game is tops in the GSC. Starting QB Nathan Brown completed 72.7% (133 of 183) of his passes for 1,520 yards, 15 TDs and only six interceptions. Aaron Fairooz is the leading receiver in the GSC with 66 catches for 1,071 yards and 10 TDs. Fairooz is a Harlon Hill Trophy finalist. The Bears average 40.5 points per game, best in the GSC, and give up just 15.4 ppg., a tenth of a percentage point behind North Alabama.

Albany State RBs Antwan Andrews (1,082 yards, 13 TDs) and Antoino Atkins (602 yards, 5 TDs) combine to give the Golden Rams a formidable rushing. The team averages 250.6 rushing yards per game. QB Hosea Harris has completed 60.6% (86 of 142) of his passes with 11 TDs and only two interceptions. The Rams average an SIAC-best 31.6 ppg. and give up 19.4 ppg.