"Showdown Week" arrives

LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor

This Saturday, October 21, looks like the "Day of Decision" for the front runners and their chasers in the four black college conferences. If anyone is going to catch the defending champions, Saturday is the day to do it.

There are match-ups against the top teams everywhere except in the CIAA, and even it has some interesting games involving the front-runners.

Shaking things up in the SWAC

Everything is turned upside-down in the SWAC as the season enters its final five weeks.

Southern (3-3, 2-3) and defending conference champion Grambling State (2-4, 2-2) were picked as favorites to win the West Division. Instead, surprising Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-3, 2-2) under third-year coach Mo Forte, after its 33-28 upset of Grambling last week, now sits atop the standings.

In the East, defending division champ Alabama A&M (5-1, 3-1) or Mississippi Valley State (3-4, 2-3) were pegged as favorites. Instead, resurgent Jackson State (5-1, 4-0) under new head coach Rick Comegy, now rules that division.

That makes this week's cross-division showdowns between Grambling and Jackson State (3 p.m. at Grambling) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Alabama A&M (2:30 p.m. at UAPB) that much more intriguing.

Not only do they match teams currently first and second in opposite divisions but either game could be a preview of the Dec. 16 SWAC Championship game between East and West Division winners.

Jackson State has won four games in a row to surge to the top of the East and faces a Grambling team reeling after suffering its second loss in conference play. One of the hallmarks of JSU's season has been strong fourth quarter play. The Tigers scored 14 unanswered fourth-quarter points (See HOW THEY DID IT) to send the Southern game into overtime. In its only loss, JSU fought back in the fourth quarter to tie Tennessee State before falling on a freak play in overtime.

The play of QB Jimmie Oliver, second in the SWAC in total offense (195.3 ypg.), has been key as has been that of Ohio State transfer RB Erik Haw, who leads the conference with ten touchdowns.

Grambling still leads the conference in passing (266.7 ypg.) and scoring (30.7 ppg.) but is at the bottom in scoring defense (27.3 ppg.).

UAPB started slowly, losing two of its first three games to Mississippi Valley State (10-0) and Alabama State (31-13) but they have caught fire recently behind QB Chris Wallace, whose efficient play (61.4% compl. pct., 8 TDs, 2 ints.) complements a solid ground game led by conference rushing leader Martell Mallett (103.8 ypg., 7 TDs).

A&M will counter with the league's stingiest defense (19.8 ppg.) and the Luke brothers. QB Kelcy leads the league in total offense (206.2 ypg.) and has passed for 10 TDs with just 5 interceptions, while RB Nic averages 5.2 yards per carry.

MEAC Showdowns

Everyone thought going into the season that the match-up of two-time defending champ Hampton and South Carolina State would determine the 2006 champ and that's pretty much what's at stake when they meet Saturday in Orangeburg, S.C. (1:30 p.m.).

The undefeated Pirates (7-0, 5-0) have been rolling along, averaging a league-best 37.1 points per game while surrendering just 13.1 points, also tops in the conference. Veteran QB Princeton Shepherd, after struggling early in the season, has stepped up his game, hitting on 26 of 37 passes and 7 TDs over the past two games without an interception.

The Bulldogs also have emerged from their struggles, particularly on offense. They've rebounded from a two-game losing streak _ which including a 45-21 pasting at the hands of Bethune-Cookman _ to win their last two games and get back in the race.

While the Hampton/SC State showdown was expected, practically no one figured Morgan State would enter its homecoming game Saturday in Baltimore (12 noon) with a shot at second place in the league. The Bears (4-3, 3-1), on a three-game winning streak after escaping Howard's homecoming Saturday with a double-overtime win, host Delaware State (4-2, 3-1).

Showdown, SIAC style

Albany State (5-2, 5-0) and Tuskegee (4-2, 4-1) have been the kingpins of the SIAC for the last six year with the ASU Rams winning the last three titles. Tuskegee, who won the three previous titles, can take a big step towards ending the Rams' run with a win Saturday in Tuskegee.

To do so, the Golden Tigers will have to shut down ASU's running game which racked up 263 rushing yards Saturday in a 24-13 homecoming win over Clark Atlanta. Gary Neavins stepped to the fore for ASU running for 131 yards on 17 carries including scoring runs of 34 and 42 yards. QB Terrence Ransom was also efficient, completing 10 of 15 passes for 95 yards without an interception. The conference leading ASU defense (10.0 ppg.) posted four sacks, picked off two passes and held the Panthers to 29 rushing yards on 22 carries.

Tuskegee, who had an open date last week, is coming off its best offensive performance of the year in a 55-29 win over Morehouse on Oct. 7. In that game, TU rushed for 220 yards led by RB Eric Long, who got 100 yards and two TDs, and Keon Davis, who added two rushing scores.

The going should be hard for both offenses. TU is first (232.7 ypg.) and ASU (240.9) second in the SIAC in total defense. ASU has surrendered just seven touchdowns in its seven games.

At 3-1, Langston will not be a non-conference pushover when they enter Durham, N.C. Saturday to face defending CIAA champ, undefeated West Division leader North Carolina Central (7-0, 5-0). Lions' QB Kendrick Dozier has thrown for 17 touchdowns in five games including five in his team's win two weeks ago over Paul Quinn. Langston was leading its Sept. 23 game vs. SWAC member Prairie View 28-14 before the game was halted late in the third quarter because of bad weather.

NCCU slipped to third in the NCAA Div. II Southest Region poll despite a dominating 49-6 win over Fayetteville State Saturday. The Eagles picked off four FSU passes, one that was returned 60 yards for a TD in the rout. QB Stadford Brown was 13 of 20 for 191 yards with one TD and one interception.

CIAA East Division leader Elizabeth City State (6-1, 4-0) has risen to eighth in the NCAA Div. II Southeast Region poll and needs to finish strong to earn a shot at the playoffs. It begins a stretch of three closing games vs. CIAA East Division rivals with a date at home Saturday vs. Shaw (2-5, 1-3).

© 2006 Azeez Communications, Inc.

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