Return to Front Page
Homecomings take center stage
LUT WILLIAMS
BCSP Editor
In addition to conference play heating up in mid-October, there's another very special tradition in black college football that is featured this time of year Homecomings.
Thirty-seven (37) of the 52 football-playing black colleges will play homecomings over the next three weeks. Eleven (11) homecomings dot the schedule this week, followed by 13 in each of the next two weeks.
For fans, whether your team's winning or losing is practically inconsequential
when homecoming time rolls around. Regardless of its won-loss record, homecoming is a time
to celebrate the institution, get re-acquainted with old friends, see what's new at the
old school and cheer on the team.
But homecomings are dangerous affairs for those teams in the thick of conference races. They can't do too much celebrating. In fact, coaches do all they can to block out the hoopla and distractions, at least until after Saturday's game.
Such is the case for several conference leaders who'll have to forego the festivities while preparing for a tough opponent this week.
MEAC favorite South Carolina State (4-2, 2-0) puts its unblemished conference record on the line at its homecoming Saturday (1 p.m.) vs. Norfolk State (2-3, 1-1).
The Spartans handed SCSU its first conference loss a year ago as they upset the Bulldogs 20-13 in double overtime in Norfolk en route to a run at its first MEAC title. NSU scored on a 25-yard halfback option pass in the second OT to pull out that contest. SCSU head coach Buddy Pough and his squad will be looking for a little revenge this time around.
Young SCSU QB Malcolm Long is firmly in control of the Bulldog offense. He hit on 18 of 29 passes for 171 yards and 2 TDs without an interception last week in a win over Florida A&M. Long has completed 61.7% (95 of 164) of his passes for 1,078 yards, 7 TDs and 6 interceptions so far this season.
New NSU QB Dennis Brown has struggled, completing just 40.5% (51 of 126) of his tosses for 524 yards. Brown has 2 TD passes and 6 interceptions.
In the SWAC, with Prairie View's 40-16 loss to Grambling State Saturday, Southern (3-2, 2-0) has taken over the lead in the West Division. The Jaguars play their homecoming Saturday (5 p.m.) in Baton Rouge against Texas Southern (3-3, 0-1).
Texas Southern, who finished 0-11 last year under Steve Wilson, has already won three games this season under new coach Johnnie Cole. Cole has ratcheted up the Tigers' offense of late, averaging 33 points over the last four games. Senior TSU QB Bobby Reid threw for 481 yards and four TDs in Saturday's loss to Texas State.
Southern QB Bryant Lee, the preseason offensive player of the year, is the pacesetter among SWAC signal callers. Thru five games the junior has hit on 109 of 164 passes (66.5%) for 1,227 yards, 11 TDs and only 2 interceptions. Reid has thrown for 1,328 yards, 10 TDs and 4 ints.
The SWAC East is still a toss-up with Alabama A&M (2-4, 1-0) and Alabama State (1-3,1-0) currently tied for the top spot. Both are involved in homecoming affairs this weekend. A&M has its homecoming (3 p.m.) Saturday against Grambling, who's trailing Southern by a half-game in the West. Alabama State plays at Prairie View's homecoming Saturday (2 p.m.).
In another key homecoming affair, Bethune-Cookman (4-1, 2-1) hosts (4 p.m.) defending MEAC champ Delaware State (1-3, 1-1) in a match-up of MEAC teams with one conference loss. This could be an elimination game with each team chasing Hampton (3-0) and SC State who are both undefeated in conference play atop the MEAC standings.
Also on the homecoming front, Albany State (4-1, 3-1) and Clark Atlanta (4-2, 3-1), both chasing SIAC leader Tuskegee, do battle at ASU's homecoming (3 p.m.). Tuskegee (5-0, 4-0) plays Morehouse (3-2, 3-1) in Columbus, Ga. (2 p.m.) in a game carried by tape delay on ESPNU at 10:30 p.m.
In non-homecoming action, CIAA West leaders Fayetteville State (5-1, 3-0) and Shaw (3-3, 2-1) battle Sunday in Durham, N.C. (4 p.m.).
© 2008 Azeez Communications, Inc.