For the Week of March 23 - 29, 2021 S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 B L A C K C O L L E G E F O O T B A L L (Standings and Weekly Honors)
Mid Eastern Southwestern SCORES MEAC Athletic Conference SWAC Athletic Conference INDEPENDENTS CONF ALL CONF ALL SATURDAY, MARCH 20 ALL EAST DIVISION W L W L W L W L Alabama State 35, Jackson State 28 W L Alabama A&M 1 0 2 0 Tennessee State 1 3 1 3 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 48, Grambling State 21 # Delaware State 1 1 Alabama State 2 1 2 1 Savannah State 0 1 Southern 51, Texas Southern 23 # SC State 1 1 Jackson State 2 1 3 1 # Howard 0 1 Miss. Valley State 0 1 0 1 ™ # No MEAC Championship This Year # Alcorn State 0 2 0 2 BCSP PLAYERS OF THE WEEK SUNDAY, MARCH 21 WEST DIVISION OFFENSE & NEWCOMER Murray State 35, Tennessee State 13 BCSP PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Prairie View A&M 2 0 2 0 Devon Starling, R-Fr., RB, TSU- Had 19 carries for OFFENSE Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2 0 2 0 149 yards (7.8 yards per carry) and two catches for NA Southern 2 1 2 1 10 yards in loss to Murray State. Texas Southern 0 2 0 2 DEFENSE Grambling State 0 3 0 3 DEFENSE SCHEDULE NA # Forfeiting all games Devoan Hawkins, R-So., DL, TSU - Had seven tackles, SATURDAY, MARCH 27 six solos, 2 tackles for -5 yards including one sack for Alabama A&M Sports Photo SPECIALIST -3 yards and a forced fumble. Grambling State @ Alabama A&M 2 pm BCSP SWAC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK NA OFFENSE : Star QB Alabama State @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7 pm AQEEL GLASS Ezra Gray, Sr., RB, ALST - 23 car., 195 yds., 3 TDs (4, SPECIAL TEAMS for Alabama A&M leads the Middle Ga. State @ Savannah State (HC) 2 pm OFFENSIVE LINEMAN 49 & 50 yds.) in win over JSU. Antonio Zita, Jr., PK, TSU - Was good on field goals Bulldogs back into action NA DEFENSE of 50 and 47 yards while missing a 53-yarder in loss SPRING to Murray State. Also had a PAT. after three-week pause at SUNDAY, MARCH 28 Isaac Peppers, Sr., DE, ALST - 10 tackles, 5 solos, 2 sacks UT-Martin @ Tennessee State 2 pm for -14 yards, 2 FFand a pass break-up in win over GSU. FLINGS home vs. Grambling State. SPECIALIST OFFENSIVE LINEMAN Shykee Thomas, Jr., DB/KR, SU - 98-yard KO return for NA MEN’S CHAMPS GET NCAA WINS BEFORE BOWING TD, 130 yards in three returns vs. TSU. NEWCOMER OUT; GARVIN OUT AT SC STATE; TRANSFERS GALORE Jalen Brown, Fr., QB, TEXAS SOUTHERN - 20 of 36 passes for 275 yards and one TD in loss to Southern.
NCAA TOURNAMENT RECAPS SWAC football heats up as spring blooms MEN EAST REGION - FIRST FOUR LUT WILLIAMS H H No. 16 Texas Southern 60, No. 16 Mount Saint Mary’s 52 BCSP Editor O O T T WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – SWAC tournament champion Tex- The basketball season came to an end this as Southern turned up the heat in the second half employing a week as black college teams bowed out in the C P full-court press to change the tempo and momentum of the game men’s and women’s NCAA Tournaments. O L coming back from a 10-point halftime deficit to knock off Northeast But just as a halt comes to a pandem- A A Conference champion Mount St. Mary’s, 60-52. C Y Down 30-20 at the half, TSU’s John Walker III scored the ic-strained basketball season, the equally strained H E first six points and the Tigers scored the first spring football season is heating up. E R 11 points of the second half, taking its first lead With no football being played in the CIAA S S since early in the game at 31-30 on Jordan and the SIAC – with the exception of Savannah Gilliam’s 3-pointer at the 16:45 mark. The Gamble Hill-Eley Perry Gray teams traded the lead before the Tigers (17-7) State – and no championship being contested in went up for good at 41-40 with 9:31 to play on the MEAC – though three teams are playing – UAPB is at home this week (7 p.m.) to take for just two TDs and three interceptions in three Justin Hopkins’ jumper in the lane. the bulk of attention is going to the SWAC where on Alabama State (2-1, 2-1 E) in what could be games. MSMU pulled to within 52-50 with 3:11 everyone is playing except three-time defending shaping up as a May 1, SWAC Championship Defensively, Grambling has given up 12 to play before TSU closed the game on an 8-2 Walker III champion Alcorn State. game preview. ASU is fresh off knocking Jack- spurt to put the game away. TDs, more than anyone in the league. The Tigers Walker led TSU with 19 points and nine rebounds while Gil- With new head coach Deion (Coach Prime) son State and Coach Prime from its unbeaten are next-to-last in rushing offense and total de- liam added 12 points. Sanders at Jackson State and mini powershifts perch last week. fense and last in rushing defense. taking place in both the league’s East and West Another SWAC East vs. West battle is on With three losses and only three games left WEST REGION - FIRST FOUR Divisions, the spring football race could not be tap this week as Alabama A&M (2-0, 1-0 E) on the schedule, this is a must-win game if the No. 16 54, No. 16 Appalachian State 53 Norfolk State hotter or more interesting, nor the prospects for finally gets back into action hosting Grambling G-Men are to have any say in the final conference INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MEAC Tournament champ Norfolk State led by 20 first-half points from Jalen Hawkins ran out to a the fall when Florida A&M and Bethune-Cook- State (0-3, 0-3 W) Saturday in Huntsville, Al. (2 outcome. 16-point halftime lead and held on down the stretch to knock off man join the SWAC fray. p.m.). Prairie View A&M (2-0, 2-0 W) who is tied Sun Belt champion Appalachian State Thursday. A&M has had its games with Mississip- with UAPB atop the West standings is off until Hawkins came in off the bench on fire in the first half stretch- SWAC WEST pi Valley State (on March 6) and with Prairie its aforementioned date next week with Alabama ing an early 7-3 lead to as much as 18 at 33-18 while scoring his While the Coach Prime saga is playing out View A&M (on March 20) postponed while A&M. Southern (2-1, 2-1 W) is off this week 20 points. NSU (17-7) led 36-20 at the half. App State fought back behind Justin in the East, Arkansas-Pine Bluff under new those programs were on pause because of and travels to play at Jackson State next week. Forrest and went up 46-45 on his 3-pointer head coach Doc Gamble is making noise and COVID-19 issues. Those cancellations were Texas Southern (0-2, 0-2 W) is idle this week with 9:45 to play. His jumper at the 5:47 mark headlines out West. sandwiched around a promising 31-7 win over and hosts Grambling next week. stretched the lead to 51-45 before the Spar- All the Golden Lions (2-0, 2-0 W) have MEAC defending co-champion South Caroli- tans closed the game on a 9-3 run. done under Gamble is knock off perennial divi- na State, a game put in place on March 6 after SWAC EAST A J. J. Mathews jumper with 3:06 left regained the lead for NSU at 52-51 but NSU sion powers Southern (33-30 on March 6) and MVSU had to bow out. Based on its forfeit win over Alcorn State, didn’t lead again until Devante’ Carter canned Grambling State (48-21) last week to move to The Bulldogs will be led into battle by star Alabama A&M (2-0, 1-0 E) sits atop the East
two clutch free throws with :08 seconds left for the head of the West race in the pandemic-short- quarterback Aqeel Glass who recovered from standings headed to its home date Saturday with Hawkins the winning margin. ened six-game season. Both victories came on three early interceptions to throw for 272 yards Grambling State. Hawkins finished with 24 points while Joe Bryant added 10. the road. The last time the Golden Lions beat and four scores vs. SC State. Junior running Alabama State (2-1, 2-1 E) also has a for- Forrest’s 18 points led ASU.
both Grambling and Southern in the same season back Gary Quarles ran for 92 yards (21 carries) feiture win over Alcorn State and its big 35-29 EAST REGION - FIRST ROUND was in 2006. and Glass hit three different receivers for scores. win over Jackson State last Saturday. ASU’s loss No. 1 Michigan 82, No. 16 Texas Southern 66 UAPB is currently leading the SWAC in Head coach Connell Maynor’s troops are likely came 24-21 to Southern at home on a last-sec- WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – East Region top seed Michigan scoring (40.7 ppg.) and passing (284.7 ypg.) be- to be a little rusty after being off for three weeks. ond field goal to open the season. ran out to an 18-point halftime lead and maintained that margin hind league passing leader Skyler Perry. The This past week the SWAC announced that Alabama State head coach Dr. Donald throughout in downing game SWAC champ Texas Southern in a junior is hitting on 59.7% (40 of 67) of his pass- first round NCAA Tourney match up here Saturday. the A&M at Prairie View game has been re- Hill-Eley has gotten great play from his defense The Wolverines (21-4) led 42-24 at the break and placed four es for 569 yards with six TDs and just one pick. scheduled for next Saturday, April 3 and the that currently leads the SWAC surrendering just players in double figures led by Mike Smith’s 18 points. Redshirt senior Josh Wilkes tops the SWAC A&M at MVSU game is re-set for April 24. 312.0 yards per game and just 157.5 passing TSU, who got 24 points from Michael Weathers and 11 from receiving stats with 10 receptions for 215 yards Grambling and head coach Broderick yards. Sophomore linebacker Colton Adams (18 John Walker III, got the lead down to 12 at 73-61 on a Walker (21.5 ypr., 107.5 ypg.) and two TDs. Harry Bal- Fobbs are fighting out of an 0-3 hole after loss- tackies, 2 forced fumbles) is the ringleader. jumper with 3:40 to play and again at 75-63 on a Weathers dunk lard III (11 rec., 143 yds. 2 TDs) and Ralph with 2:50 left. But that was close as it could get. es to Jackson State, Prairie View and Pine Bluff Running back Ezra Gray, who gouged Tyrin (9 rec., 114 yds.) give the Golden Lions that has them at the bottom of the West Division JSU for 195 yards and three back-breaking WEST REGION - FIRST ROUND three of the top 10 receivers in the league. The standings. The JSU (33-28) and PV (17-10) loss- fourth-quarter scoring runs, is the conference No. 1 Gonzaga 98, No. 16 Norfolk State 55 offensive line has given up just two sacks. es were close before the G-Men took it on the rushing leader (7.2 yards per carry, 134.0 ypg.). INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MEAC Tournament champion Norfolk six-foot, 205-pound junior linebacker Isaac chin (48-21) from UAPB last week. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Nettles hung with undefeated West Region top seed Gonzaga for State Peppers leads the Golden Lions in tackles (18) Changes have come on the sidelines where the first ten minutes of the game before the Zags (27-0) pulled (43-69, 62.3%, 406 yds., 4 TDs is only behind away to a decided first round win here Saturday. and sacks (2.5) and has forced a league-best two offensive coordinators Mark Orlando and his counterpart Saturday, UAPB’s Skyler Perry, The Spartans (17-8) only trailed 14-11 at the 11:46 mark of fumbles. Senior DB Jalon Thigpen’s two picks Kendrick Nord have left in successive weeks. in passing stats. the first half before Gonzaga closed the half on a 29-12 run to lead leads the league, one he returned for a score. The Changes as well are afoot on the field where ju- Jackson State (3-1, 2-1 E) is off this week 43-23 at the break. The Zags opened the second half on a 29-9 run defense is giving up a stingy 114.5 yards on the nior juco transfer Elijah Walker has replaced and hosts Southern next week. Mississippi Valley to lead 72-32 midway thru the period. ground, best in the league, and is second in total incumbent redshirt senior Geremy Hickbottom Corey Krispert led four Zags in double-digit scoring with 23 State (0-2, 0-2 E) is idle before hosting UAPB points. Devante Carter and Kyonze Chavis led NSU with 12 defense. starting at quarterback. The two have combined next week. points each.
WOMEN RIVER WALK REGION - FIRST ROUND BCSP Notes No. 2 Baylor 101, No. 15 Jackson State 52 SAN ANTONIO, TX – West Region second-seed Baylor ran SC State not renewing contract of More than a football game, the out to a 29-10 first quarter lead and were men’s basketball coach Murray Garvin week-long celebration of black culture never headed in subduing SWAC tournament and history will provide invaluable ORANGEBURG – South Carolina State University Athletics champion Jackson State here Sunday in a exposure for HBCU football players Director Stacy Danley announced last week that first round game. and coaches. Approximately 100 of The lead grew to 51-24 at the half and the contract of Bulldog’s men’s basketball head the top HBCU players will be invited 80-35 after three quarters. coach Murray Garvin will not be renewed. to participate. Moon Ursin led five Lady Bears (26-2) Garvin spent 11 seasons on the Bulldog’s staff, in double figures with 24 points. Keshuna HBCU Legacy Bowl founding the last nine as head coach, and compiled an overall Luckett had a team-high 15 points for JSU partners include the National Football record of 88-166 as head coach with a 50-75 mark (19-6) while senior Ameshya Williams re- Wililams League, Pro Football Hall of Fame and corded 14 points and 14 rebounds for her in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. His Tulane University. 17th double-double of the season. SWAC Player of the Year Day best season was his third as head coach in 2015-16 Dayzsha Rogan dropped 10 points and recorded three steals. where his team posted a 19-15 overall record and Garvin 12-4 mark in league play, finishing 2nd in regular Transferring the new normal for Div. 1 hoops MERCADO REGION - FIRST ROUND In 2018, the NCAA instituted a new rule allowing Div. I athletes to add No. 1 N. C. State 79, No. 16 N. C. A&T 58 season conference standings. INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MEAC Tournament champion North “We appreciate the years of service Coach Garvin gave to Bulldog their names to a “transfer portal” without permission from the program. Carolina A&T battled top seed North Carolina State for a half but basketball,” said Danley. “The dedication to his student-athletes was That rule has led a plethora of athletes, particularly those in football couldn’t maintain it in falling in a first round match up here Sunday. admirable. I wish Coach Garvin all the best in his future endeavors.” and basketball, to place their names in the portal. The NCAA is also The Aggies (14-3) only trailed 21-20 after one period and allowing student-athletes an extra year of eligibility because of the went on a 13-2 run at the start of the second to open up a six-point coronavirus pandemic, a reprieve of sorts for players whose 2020-21 lead at 35-29 on a basket by Jayla Jones-Pack with 5:22 left. Black College HOF to establish postseason seasons were marred by shutdowns, postponements and cancellations. They also led by six at 37-31 after another basket by Jones-Pack black college football all-star game at the four minute mark, but that marked the HBCU players are certainly not exempt from this process. Already ladies last points of the first half. New Orleans – The Black College Football Hall of Fame today after their seasons ended, several key players have placed their names in The Wolfpack took control and scored announced last week the establishment of the HBCU Legacy Bowl, a the portal. the final 13 points of the second quarter and postseason all-star game that will showcase the best NFL draft-eligible Hampton scoring leader Davion Warren, a 6-6 guard who averaged taking a seven-point advantage (44-37) into football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. a Big South Conference best 21.2 points per game has done it. Ditto for the break. North Carolina A&T shot 57.1 per- The game will take place on the Saturday after Super Bowl LVI Tennessee State scoring leader Mark Freeman (17.1 ppg., 4.6 assists cent in the first half. NCSU outscored the (February 2022) at Yulman Stadium at Tulane University, and will be Lady Aggies in the third quarter 20-7 to push pg. and 2.0 steals pg.), a sophomore and second team all-Ohio Valley the margin to 64-44. carried live on the NFL Network. Conference guard. “The HBCU Legacy Bowl means opportunity and exposure for NCSU got 33 points off its bench led Scott Prairie View A&M’s 6-7 scoring leader (15.2 ppg.) Jawaun Daniels by Jada Boyd’s team-high 18. Chanin Scott HBCU players and coaches,” said BCFHOF Co-Founder and Inductee has added his name to the list. North Carolina Central scoring leader C. shot 11 of 19 and led A&T with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Jones- Doug Williams. “We’re excited to have this in New Orleans, especially J. Keyser (16.6 ppg.) and five others on the 2020-21 Eagles squad have Pack finished with 11 points. during Black History Month.” joined the parade. © AZEEZ Communications, Inc. Vol. XXVII, No. 33