HBCU Football Preview 2014

It’s not quite the good old days at TENNESSEE STATE, days when Coach “Big John’’ Merritt and his lieutenants, Alvin Coleman Joe Gilliam Sr., could shake any tree on campus and a dozen or so pros would fall out. But times are pretty good for Big Blue, the defending Black College National champion.

The Tigers, who had seven team members drafted or signed by NFL teams this spring, enter the 2014 season ranked No. 1 among HBCUs and No. 17 in the preseason FCS Top 25 rankings. Defending MEAC champion Bethune-Cookman is the only other HBCU ranked in the Top 25. The Wildcats are No. 23. Tennessee State has increased its victory total each of Coach Rod Reed’s five seasons.

The Tigers were 10-3 last season, advancing to the second round of the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1986, by defeating Butler 31-0. They return 60 lettermen and 12 starters, giving Reed plenty of reason for optimism for the 2014 season. “Anytime you got a lot of guys who played a lot of college football games, the experience factor plays in a bunch,” Reed says. “No matter how great your talent is, having that game experience, being in the game atmosphere, means a lot. We’ve got some really good players coming back on both sides of the ball. Our biggest challenge is staying focused week to week. Our motto is win one.’’

Defense was Tennessee State’s forte in 2013. The Tigers ranked sixth nationally in total defense (296.9 yards a game) and scoring defense (18.1 points a game) and ninth in turnovers gained (31). Defensive end Anthony Bass (14.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks, 34 tackles and two fumble recoveries), the reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year who was also the conference’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, returns to lead the Big Blue defense. Also back is senior defensive back Daniel Fitzpatrick, who was named National Defensive Back of the Year by the FCS ADA last year.

Fitzpatrick led all Division I players (FBS or FCS) with eight interceptions as a junior and is on the Preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watch List for National Defensive Player of the Year. De’Ante Saunders is a good complement for Fitzpatrick in the secondary, and Nick Thrasher and Tra’Darius Goff are an imposing linebacker tandem. Quarterback Michael German is poised to have big year. German missed the beginning of last season but worked his way back in the lineup, and in seven games he completed 60 % of his passes for 1,168 yards and 13 touchdowns without throwing an interception.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN is the team most likely to challenge Tennessee State for supremacy among HBCUs. The Wildcats are gunning for their third consecutive MEAC crown. Traditional MEAC power South Carolina State and resurgent North Carolina A&T are the biggest threats to the Wildcats’ title aspirations. Bethune-Cookman returns 44 lettermen, including 10 starters. Quarterback Quentin Williams (1,270 passing yards, 5 touchdowns) is the acknowledged leader of the Wildcats’ offense after splitting time with Jackie Wilson and Brock Waters the past two seasons in Coach Brian Jenkins’ three-quarterback rotation. Redshirt freshmen Larry Brihm and Trey Farrior are likely to see action as well.

The Wildcats have the foundation for a strong offensive unit with three starting linemen, Andrew Edourd, Anthony Kibler and Darius Bladek returning, along with wide receiver Jhomo Gordon. However, their defense will be full of new faces. Linemen DeBranden and Joshua Richardson and Rony Barrow and defensive back Marquis Drayton are the only starters on hand.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE has averaged eight victories a year and won or shared five conference titles during Coach Buddy Pough’s 12-year tenure. There is little reason to believe they won’t be in the thick of the battle for the again in 2014. As usual, defense is the Bulldogs’ calling card. Defensive ends Alex Glover and Andrew Carter and nose tackle Javon Hargrave give the Bulldogs the most formidable defensive line in the conference and perhaps all of FCS. All three were All-MEAC last season. But Pough has some holes to plug on offense, with the biggest one being at quarterback. TeDarrius Wiley (234 passing yards, one TD) takes over for Richard Cue after seeing action in seven games last season.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T has been on an upward trajectory ever since fourth-year coach Rod Broadway took over.The Aggies were 7-4 last year for the second straight year. With 54 lettermen returning, this could well be the season for them to make a serious run at the conference title. Running back Tarik Cohen (1,148 rushing yards, a school record for freshmen) gives Broadway the type of ball carrier that he likes for the running game.

However, Cohen will operate behind a rebuilt offensive line that is anchored by left tackle William Ray Robinson. The Aggies will also have to break in a new quarterback as Kwashaun Quick takes over for three-year starter Lewis Kindle. Defense has been a constant for the Aggies,and it will likely determine how successful they are this season. The secondary has to be made over after losing all four starters to graduation.

DELAWARE STATE has shown steady improvement the last two seasons, tying for third place with a 5-3 conference record both years. They could be the spoiler this season. Redshirt freshman quarterback Esayah Obado (40 attempts, 21 completions and 168 passing yards in four games) is the key to the Hornets’ fortunes. He takes over the No. 1 passing offense in the conference, replacing Cory Murphy.

HOWARD hopes the return of Coach Gary “Flea’’ Harrell will elevate the Bison into contention. Harrell is back on the sidelines after taking off the 2013 season to attend to personal and family issues. That’s good news for the Bison. Harrell had them on the move during his first two seasons as they compiled a 12-10 record after winning just four games the previous four seasons. The Bison should have a potent offense with QB quarterback Greg McGhee, the 2013 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year (2,379 passing yards, 16 touchdowns) running the show and sophomore second-team All-MEAC running back Anthony Philyaw (722 rushing yards, MEAC best 15 TDs) heading up the ground game.

FLORIDA A&M and NORFOLK STATE are a pair of programs that have fallen on hard times in recent years, and the prospects for them contending for the championship this season aren’t good. Norfolk State added former Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley as offensive coordinator after ranking in the bottom third in the conference in passing yards and total yards while averaging a conference low 14.0 points a game. Florida A&M is pinning its hopes for returning to relevance on its underrated defense and a revitalized offense. The Rattlers were No. 1 in the MEAC against the pass (125.3 yards a game) but were inconsistent when it came to stopping the run.

HAMPTON, MORGAN STATE and NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL have reshuffled the deck and brought in new coaches. Connell Maynor has taken over at Hampton after guiding Winston-Salem State to a 45-6 record in four seasons, including a 29-2 mark in the CIAA. Maynor led the Rams to three conference titles and three appearances in the Division II playoffs, where they were national runners-up in 2012. He’s unlikely to have that kind of success immediately with the Pirates, who haven’t won more than seven games in a season since 2011 and have had winning records just three times since 2007.

MORGAN STATE hopes to build on its strong finish last season with former University of Maryland receivers coach Lee Hull at the helm. The Bears ended 2013 by winning five of their final seven games after going winless in their first five.

Thirty-three-year-old Jerry Mack, the third youngest head coach in Division I, is NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL’S third coach in the last 13 months. Mack replaces Dwayne Foster, who replaced Henry Frazier III on an interim basis after Frazier was fired just weeks before the 2013 season began.

It is shaping up as another long season for SAVANNAH STATE. The Tigers, who are ineligible for the conference championship because of APR issues, are shooting for their first winning record since 1999. They are 3-31 since joining the MEAC and have lost 23 consecutive conference games. One bright spot – The Tigers had the second-best passing attack in the conference last season. They will have a new triggerman this year, Leon Prunty, who split time with Anthony Bostick a year ago. The SWAC championship race appears to be wide open after a shakeup in the coaching ranks. Three of the conference’s most successful coaches – Anthony Jones at Alabama A&M, Doug Williams at Grambling State and Rick Comegy at Jackson State.—were replaced. Also gone is Karl Morgan at Mississippi Valley State.

The coaching change will have the greatest impact in the East Division, where Comgey led JACKSON STATE to back-to-back titles but didn’t have his contract renewed after failing to win the conference crown either time. Jackson State favorite son Harold Jackson, a former All-Pro wide receiver and one of the all-time greats in school history, replaced Comegy. The first order of business for Jackson is replacing two-year starting quarterback Clayton Moore. Redshirt sophomore LaMontiez Ivy is the frontrunner. Ivy started the 2013 season opener against Tulane because Moore was out due to injury, but Ivy suffered a season-ending leg injury himself. In addition to breaking in a new quarterback, the Tigers must to remake the secondary, with the graduation loss of cornerback Qua Cox and safety Cameron Loeffler. Expectations are high at Jackson State as usual, but the Tigers seem to have too many holes to fill to three-peat as division champs.

Despite being favored nearly every year, ALABAMA STATE hasn’t won the division title since 2010 and Hornets fans are getting restless. This could be their breakthrough season even though they lost the conference’s top running back in Isaiah Crowell, who was an early entry for the NFL draft. Malcolm Cyrus (759 yards rushing, 6 TDs) is a capable replacement. The Hornets have a veteran offensive line with four starters returning, setting the table for quarterback Daniel Duhart to have a big season, which is essential to their success.

ALCORN STATE is well positioned to win the division for the first-time since the conference went to its two-division alignment in 1999. The Braves, who have 20 returning starters, are coming of their first nine-win season in 30 years and their first winning record since 2006. Quarterback John Gibbs (2,567 passing yards, 21 touchdowns) is back to lead the top-scoring offense in the conference (38.6 point a game). The defense was No. 1 against the pass (188.2 yards a game allowed) and should be stronger.

Comegy’s presence at MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE has the Delta Devils’ hopes soaring higher than at point since Archie “Gunslinger’’ Cooley was their coach 30 years ago and quarterback Willie “Satellite’’ Totten and wideout Jerry Rice were tormenting their opponents. Comegy has made a career of resurrecting downtrodden programs, having built championship teams from scratch at Jackson State and Tuskegee before that. Quarterback Patrick Ivy (1,443 passing yards, 10 TDs), and wide receiver Julian Stafford (52 catches, 694 yards receiving)are the backbone of the offense. Preseason All-SWAC corner Avery Boykin is the defensive leader, but depth is a huge problem for the Delta Devils.

James Spady has a tough act to follow at ALABAMA A&M as he replaces Jones, who had the third-highest winning percentage in school history (.592). Spady has installed the Pistol Offense and tabbed quarterback Jaymason Lee (1,153 passing yards, 11 TDs) as his triggerman. The Bulldogs’ attack will be a work in progress and they are likely to a few lumps while adjusting to Spady’s scheme.

SOUTHERN was the surprise team in the conference last season, emerging from out of nowhere in the West Division to win the SWAC title. The Jaguars won’t have the luxury of catching opponents unaware this season. They also won’t have the luxury of Dray Joseph, four-year starting quarterback, 2013 SWAC co-Offensive Player of the Year, running the offense. Coach Dawson Odums will choose Joseph’s successor from sophomores Deonte Shorts and Francis Kanneh or freshmen Austin Howard and Jarrad Hayes, none of whom possess Joseph’s experience and savvy, which diminishes the Jaguars’ chances of repeating.

Look for PRAIRIE VIEW A&M to light up the scoreboard with 10 returning starters from the SWAC’s No. 1 offensive unit, which averaged 39.0 points and 517.2 yards a game. Quarterback Jerry Lovelocke ((2,808 passing yards, 23 touchdowns) and running back Courtney Brown (1,039 yards rushing) are the hub of the offense. The challenge for the Panthers will be preventing opponents from lighting it up as well. They gave up 35.9 points and 485.6 yards a game last season, numbers that they will need to decrease in order to contend for the title.

It was a quick trip from the penthouse to the outhouse, for 2012 SWAC champion ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF, which was a distant third in the West last season with a 2-7 conference record. Unless the Golden Lions are able to fix their defense, which allowed 483.5 total yards a game, including 277.3 on the ground, they shouldn’t expect to move up in the standings. The offense is in capable hands with 2014 preseason SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Benjamin Anderson (2,787 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 824 rushing yards) returning.

GRAMBLING STATE no longer strikes fear in opponents’ hearts, not after only winning one game each of the last two seasons. Roderick Fobbs, a former Grambling running back, is the G-Men’s fourth coach in the last 12 months. Fobbs takes over from interim coach Dennis “Dirt’’ Winston, who replaced George Ragsdale, who never coached a game after replacing Doug Williams, who was fired two games into the season. Fobbs’ most daunting task is developing a sense of stability. Next, he must replenish the G-Men’s talent pool.

TEXAS SOUTHERN isn’t eligible for the conference championship because of NCAA sanctions that won’t be lifted until 2017. But things are looking up for the Tigers. They are past restrictions for failing to meet APR requirements, which is huge. They were able to hold spring drills and the limits on practice time during the season have been lifted. That should translate to marked improvement on the field this season It’s shaping up as business as usual in the SIAC. That means the champion is likely to come from among Albany State, Tuskegee and Miles. One of these teams has won each of the three previous titles.

ALBANY STATE is the defending champ and the hands down favorite to capture the Eastern Division crown again. The team is well-stocked this season. The Golden Rams’ roster includes 11 preseason All-SIAC picks. Quarterback Frank Rivers, the 2014 preseason SIAC Offensive Player of the Year ((2,000 passing yards, 19 touchdowns) is the Golden Rams’ attack dog. Rivers and wide receiver Jesse Atkins (51 catches, 661 yards, 8 TDs, 2014 preseason All-SIAC) form one of the deadliest pass-catch duos in the conference. Linebacker Larry Whitfield and linemen Grover Stewart (36 tackles, 5 sacks), another first-team all-conference pick, and Damien Goosby (17 tackles, 2 sacks) are the stalwarts of the Golden Rams’ defense.

FORT VALLEY STATE is the leading candidate to challenge Albany State in the East. The Wildcats have a solid nucleus of returning starters. That is especially true on defense where All-SIAC linebacker LeRon Furr and preseason All-American tackle Bernard Little hold forth. The Wildcats were No. 4 in the conference in fewest total yards allowed per game (301.8) last year and gave up just 975 total yards rushing the entire season, However, they were near the bottom offensively in 2013, ranking 10th among 11 teams in total yards per game (307.0), eighth in passing (170.9) and ninth in passing (136.1). With just four returning starters, the prospects for improvement aren’t good.

BENEDICT, CLARK ATLANTA, MOREHOUSE and conference newcomer PAINE figure to be also-rans with no real shot at reaching the conference championship game, which moves to Montgomery, Ala., this year. Either MILES or TUSKEEGEE has represented the West in the conference title game since its inception three years ago. The smart money says that pattern will continue this season, and the division champ won’t be decided until the in-state rivals square off in the season finale Nov. 8, the same as last season when Miles took the title. The Golden Bears placed nine players on the preseason All-SIAC teams. They feature a balanced offense, which averaged 377.3 yards a game (175.0 rushing, 202.3 passing).

Preseason all-conference picks Terrence Owens and Aderus Hood are the pillars of the offensive, which is the heart and soul of the Golden Bears’ attack. The defense, however, is the unit that could make this a special season for Miles. Linebacker Julantate English, the 2014 preseason SIAC Defensive Player of the Year, tackle Bryshon Jones and defensive back Joe Beckham, all-conference picks as well, make the Golden Bears’ defense solid at all three levels.

TUSKEGEE is coming off a history-making season despite not winning the division or conference title. The Golden Tigers were in the Division II playoffs for the first time in school history, narrowly losing to North Alabama 31-28 in the first round. They enter the season No. 25 in the American Football Coaches Association preseason poll, the same position they held in the 2013 final poll.

The Golden Tigers have a number of returning starters from the squad that outscored opponents by nearly a 2-to-1 margin in 2013, averaging 31.5 points a game while allowing 17.0. Quarterback Justin Nared returns for his fourth season as the Golden Tigers’ starter. Sophomore running back Hoderick Lowe is a speedy home run hitter in the backfield. Wide receivers Marquel Gardner (31 receptions, 614 yards, 5 TDs) and Larry Cobb (24 catches, 487 yard, 4 TDs) are dependable big play targets. All-SIAC picks Michael D. Thornton and Matthew Reece anchor the offensive line. Reese was also named to several preseason All-American teams. Marquiste Mason joins El’Maik Chinn to form one of the more formidable linebacker tandems in the SIAC.

STILLMAN is the darkhorse in the division. The Tigers had three winning seasons in Teddy Keaton’s three years. They were one of the more explosive offensive teams in the conference last season, finishing No. 2 in passing yards (262.5 yards a game) and total offense (404.2 yards a game). Look for them to produce at a high level again this season. Just how productive the Lions will be revolves around Quarterback Joshua Straughan, a junior who was one of the top freshmen in the conference and was having a solid sophomore season (1,334 passing yards, 10 touchdowns) before being injured and missing the last six games. The Tigers’ defense returns the top five tacklers from last season. They also have a new coordinator, Bruce Jackson, after finishing third in total yards allowed (298.7).

CENTRAL STATE and LANE – both of whom have new coaches – will bring up the rear in the division, along with KENTUCKY STATE. Lane, which had a 21-game losing streak from 2008-11, had been on the upswing. The Dragons increased their victory total by one win each season of the last three seasons of Coach Derrick Burroughs’ four-year tenure. Burroughs has departed to become defensive coordinator at Jackson State, and it is up to interim coach Malik Hoskins to continue the Dragons’ improvement.

Hoskins has been with the Dragons six seasons and was offensive coordinator for Burroughs. Don’t look for things to change offensively for the Dragons. They were the No. 1 passing team in the conference (294.7 yards a game) and led the conference in total offense (415.8 yards a games) as well. But the Dragons are in dire need of defensive improvement after giving up 427.5 yards a game. With that in mind, expect lots of points for both sides when the Dragons play.

CENTRAL STATE hopes to fare better in its second season in the SIAC than it did in its first year in the league when the Marauders were 2-8. Cedric Pearl is their new coach. Quarterback Michael Wilson is an exciting dual threat at quarterback, but the Marauders don’t have much else on either side of the ball.

KENTUCKY STATE played well enough last season to have ‘interim’ removed from Coach Josh Dean’s title while finishing 5-5. That is going to be tough act to follow unless the Thorobreds are able to find some offensive weapons to complement running back Jacquise Lockett, who led the conference in rushing with 1,095 yards. Lockett accounted for 16 of the Thorobreds’ 19 rushing TDs, and all but 593 of their rushing yards.

Don’t look for a shift in the balance of power in the CIAA simply because Kienus Boulware has taken over for Maynor as head coach at WINSTON-SALEM STATE. The Rams remain the class of the CIAA field as they vie for their third consecutive conference title. Their roster boasts 18 starters, 41 lettermen and seven first-team All-CIAA picks. Senior quarterback Rudy Johnson (1,713 passing yards, 19 touchdowns) the headliner. The Rams are No. 14 in the AFCA rankings.

FAYETTEVILLE STATE could challenge the Rams for the top spot in the South Division. Their Nov. 8 showdown will likely determine who advances to the conference championship game. The Broncos excelled at taking care of the ball last, committing just 13 turnovers (three fumbles, 10 interceptions). Avoiding giving the ball away will play a key role in their success again this season.

A lot of the responsibility for that will fall on the shoulders of quarterback Derek Bryant (1,670 passing yards, 13 touchdowns). A challenging early season schedule could make it difficult for SHAW to duplicate the Bears’ 6-4 record from last season. Their first three games are against Miles, West Alabama and UNC Pembroke, with the first two on the road. If the Bears come through those games with a couple of victories, a big season could be in store. Running back Marquise Grizzle and quarterback Trevius Folston are solid performers, but they will operate behind an inexperienced offensive line that lost all five starters to graduation.

JOHNSON C. SMITH, SAINT AUGUSTINE and LIVINGSTONE are looking to improve but have too much ground to make up to contend for the top spot in the division. VIRGINIA STATE stormed to the North Division title in Coach Latrell Scott’s first season. The Trojans have eight starters returning and must plug a number of holes in order to repeat. Sophomore quarterback Tarian Ayres will move into the starting lineup, replacing Justin Thorpe. Ayres started and won two games last season. The Trojans won with defense and a strong running game a year ago, but they are missing All-CIAA running back Jordan Anderson, the top rusher in the conference.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE is looking to rebound from an unaccustomed losing season, its first since 2005. Coach Waverly Tiller is counting on running back Petey Boone (957 rushing yards) to carry the offensive load and put the Vikings in contention for the top spot in the division.

BOWIE STATE is looking for better days after posting a 5-5 record last season. The Bulldogs return 42 lettermen and 14 starters – seven on each side of the ball. That gives Coach Damon Wilson a good foundation to build on.

CHOWAN had a disappointing season with a 4-6 record. But the Hawks return 85 lettermen, including linebacker Tim Denny and offensive lineman Kevin Tarr, a pair of 2013 CIAA All-Rookie picks. The Hawks were one of the better offensive teams in the conference, averaging 399.4 yards a game. But their defense wasn’t up to par, and that likely will be the case again this season.

VIRGINIA UNION has called on defensive line coach Mark James to mold the Panthers into contenders. James will build around 2013 CIAA All-Rookie quarterback Shawheem Dowdy on offense and linebacker London Byrd and cornerback Willie Bailey, two more All-Rookie picks. Another long season appears to be on the horizon for Lincoln following last year’s 1-9 debacle. Senior quarterback Doug Cook is one the Lions’ few bright spots. Cook already holds the school career passing records for yards (6,620) and touchdowns (41).

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