MEAC Football
By Uba Okereke
Bethune-Cookman Wins Florida Football Classic
Bethune-Cookman defeated Florida A&M 26-16 last Saturday in the Florida Football Classic at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
The Rattlers took an early 3-0 lead courtesy of Trevor Scott’s 41-yard field goal. BCU responded with 10 straight points in the second quarter including a four-yard touchdown run by Anthony Jordan.
The Wildcats led 10-3 at halftime.
FAMU came within seven in the third quarter following a 63-yard touchdown pass from Damien Fleming to Brian Tyms.
Jordan increased the Wildcat lead to 24-10 with a three-yard touchdown run, his second of the day. The defense sealed the win in the fourth quarter by tackling Fleming in the end zone for a safety.
The Wildcats finished the season tied for second in the MEAC with South Carolina State. Norfolk State won the conference title. However, they were unable to become the second team from the league to get a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
Fleming passed for 287 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions for the Rattlers.
Delaware State Snaps Eight Game Skid
Delaware State defeated Howard 39-36 last Saturday behind Nick Elko’s three touchdowns, snapping an eight game losing streak.
Howard led 21-17 in the second quarter when Jashawn Jones scored on a three-yard run to give Delaware State a 24-21 lead with 2:48 remaining. The Bison regained the lead on a 16-yard touchdown pass by Greg McGhee to Charles Anderson with 40 seconds left going into halftime.
Howard increased its lead to 36-24 following a safety in the third quarter and a two-yard run by Terrance Leffall early in the fourth quarter. The ensuing two-point try was unsuccessful.
The Hornets trailed by the same score with 12:09 remaining before Elko led Delaware State on two touchdown drives. The first one came on a 38-yard strike to Travis Tarpley to pull them within five. The tandem connected two drives later for 28 yards to take a 37-36 lead. The following two point try was successful.
Howard drove the ball on its final possession to the DSU 26-yard line but Parker Munoz’s 43-yard field goal was short as time expired.
Elko finished with 324 yards on 28 of 44 passing, one week after being benched in their contest with Hampton.
SWAC Football
Alabama A&M Clinches Spot in SWAC Title Game
Alabama A&M beat Prairie View A&M 17-15 last Saturday to clinch a berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship game on Dec. 10.
The Bulldogs led 3-0 in the first half via a Chance Wilson 30-yard field goal going into halftime.
G’Alonzo Milton increased the lead to 17-0 with touchdown catches of 68 and 10 yards, respectively.
Prairie View (5-6, 5-4 SWAC) mounted a comeback with a safety and two fourth quarter touchdowns by Jerry Lovelocke including a six-yard pass with 3:47 remaining but the two-point conversion fell incomplete which became the margin of victory.
Alabama A&M (8-3), tied with Alabama State at 7-2 for first place in the SWAC East division but won on a head-to-head victory over Jackson State, also 7-2, who is ineligible for postseason play.
The loss, coupled with Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s win eliminated the Panthers from title contention in the SWAC West division.
Kaderius Lacey rushed for 163 yards for the Bulldogs.
UAPB Rushing Attack Buries Texas Southern
Arkansas-Pine Bluff defeated Texas Southern 42-6 last Saturday in the regular season finale.
The Tigers (4-7, 2-7 SWAC) opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run by Rico Smalls but the PAT attempt was blocked. It was the only offensive score for Texas Southern.
UAPB (6-5, 5-4) took the lead for good later in the first quarter with two scores to lead 14-6. The Golden Lions never looked back.
Adrian Moore scored twice on runs of eight and 11 yards as Arkansas-Pine Bluff racked up 262 yards rushing on 48 carries.
The Golden Lions are still alive to win the SWAC West division following Prairie View’s loss to Alabama A&M. The Bayou Classic in New Orleans tomorrow may decide the winner of the race.
Smalls had 214 yards passing for the Tigers.
Okereke is a contributing writer for Regal Black Men's Magazine, a publication dedicated to the African American community.
