Key Games
Florida A&M 27, Miss. Valley State 10 – The Earl Holmes era opened on a victorious note Sunday as the Rattlers defeated the Delta Devils in the 9th annual MEAC-SWAC Challenge at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla. Holmes, a former Florida A&M All-American linebacker who went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was named interim coach with two games remaining in the 2012 season. The interim tag was removed during the offseason. The Rattlers’ defensive effort had to be heart-warming for Holmes. He was their defensive coordinator last season and linebacker coach for three seasons before that. The Rattlers limited Mississippi Valley to just 88 yards passing, and they intercepted Delta Devils quarterbacks three times. Meanwhile, Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming threw for 110 yards in three quarters before leaving the game with leg cramps. Fleming also ran for 38 yards, and he scored a touchdown as the Rattlers cruised to a 20-0 lead. The victory for Florida A&M extended the MEAC’s dominance in the series. MEAC schools have a 7-2 edge.
Prairie View A&M 37, Texas Southern 13 – The Panthers continued their recent dominance against the SWAC archrivals in the 29th annual Labor Day Classic at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston. Quarterback Jerry Lovelocke threw for 283 yards and a touchdown as Prairie View beat the Tigers for the eighth time in the last 10 games between the teams. Running back Courtney Brown ran for 98 yards and two touchdowns for the Panthers. Prairie View’s defense throttled Texas Southern in the second half, holding the Tigers scoreless after leading 20-13 at the half. Texas Southern running back Porter rushed for 104 yards, but the Tigers offense was stymied by four turnovers.
Alabama A&M 23, Grambling State 9 – The Bulldogs handed the G-Men their 10th straight SWAC loss dating to last season as they rolled to a road victory. Grambling’s last conference win came in the 2011 SWAC Championship Game. Quarterback Brandon Wells threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate start for the Bulldogs. Running back Barrington Scott, a transfer from Northern Illinois, led Alabama A&M’s ground attack with 77 yards. Grambling’s offense never got untracked as the G-Men only gained 165 total yards – 87 rushing and 78 passing.
Other Results
Abilene Christian 84, Concordia 6
Alcorn State 63, Edward Waters 12
Arkansas State 62, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 11
Army 28, Morgan State 12
Belhaven 36, Texas College 26
Coastal Carolina 27, South Carolina State 20
Duke 45, North Carolina Central 9
Eastern Illinois 34, Howard 24
Georgia Southern 77, Savannah State 9
Houston 62, Southern 13
Jacksonville State 24, Alabama State 22
Maine 23, Norfolk State 6
Northern Colorado 31, Langston 10
Tulane 34, Jackson State 7
Western Illinois 42, Hampton 9
