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Bowie State Bulldogs Bite Will Bite Through the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
HBCU Happenings with Elliott Robinson, College Sporting News
Some folks expect the status quo in the CIAA this season, but we think they'll be a change at the top. The defensive unit at Bowie State continues to improve and 2 I-AA transfers for the defensive line will make this a special unit for the 2002 season. Winston-Salem State will still be in the title hunt because they are a talented bunch, but they should fall to Bowie State in the CIAA Championship Game.
Virginia Union's move out of the Championship Game mix is due in large part to the departure of 17 seniors from the defending champ's squad. The biggest losses being First Team All-CIAA players QB Jasun Thompson, DL James Atkins and DB Ralph Hunter (NFL 5th round draft pick of Dallas Cowboys). With 5 players garnering First Team All-CIAA honors, the Fayetteville State Broncos are loaded and poised to break into the upper echelon of the CIAA. Their defense is led by DL Damien Adams, LB Brian Holliday and DB Phil Crumb and Coach Kenny Phillips hopes they can be the catalysts to lead the charge to a CIAA title.
Two dates to place on your calendar are September 7th and 21st. The 7th will be the 1st game for the St. Augustine's Falcons since 1965. Their opponents for this contest will be the Fayetteville Broncos. But all of Raleigh will be in an uproar on September 21st, when their first home game in 38 years is played in front of the Falcon faithful against CIAA power Bowie St.
The CIAA's Predicted Order of Finish
1. Winston Salem State
2. Virginia Union
3. Bowie State
4. Fayetteville State
5. North Carolina Central
6. Virginia State
7, Elizabeth City State
8. Johnson C. Smith
9. Livingstone
10. Saint Augustine's
HBCU Happenings' Predicted Order of Finish
1. Bowie State
2. Winston Salem State
3. Fayetteville State
4. Virginia Union
5. North Carolina Central
6. Virginia State
7, Elizabeth City State
8. Johnson C. Smith
9. Livingstone
10. Saint Augustine's
1. Bowie State University Bulldogs
Coach: Henry Frazier III (2001 CIAA Coach of the Year)
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 4-2 Overall: 7-3 (Finished 2nd in the CIAA Eastern Division)
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Charles Alston DE 6'6" 275 73 tackles, 25 solos, 7 sacks;
Kernis Faison QB/P 6'1" 200 629 yards passing, 7 TDs, 37 yards per punt;
Atcheson Conway LB 6'1" 215 107 tackles, 7 INTs, 4 forced fumbles (2001 CIAA Rookie of the Year)
Team Strengths: An exceptional defensive unit; A very good running game; Dependable special teams; Veteran ball club that returns 9 starters on offense and 9 on defense.
Team Weaknesses: An inconsistent passing game
Intangibles: Will the addition of 2 Howard University transfers take this defense to the next level? DL Damien Walker (Pre-season I-AA All American honors prior to transferring) and DL Rico Walker (former Bison starter).
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "With a little luck, we could be a solid contender for the conference championship. We'll play hard for four quarters and let the chips fall where they may." - Coach Henry Frazier
-----------------------------------
2. Winston-Salem State University Rams
Coach: Kermit Blount
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 8-2 Overall: 8-3 (Western Division Champions)
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Arnell Wooten TE 6'4" 225 29 receptions for 307 yards, 3 TDs, First Team All-CIAA
Josh McGee QB 6'0" 185 773 yards passing, 7 TDs, 1st Team All-CIAA
Dameon Workman LB 6'1" 225 60 tackles, 33 solos, 5 fumble recoveries
Brandon Hussey KR 6'0" 17 Led conference with a 27.5 per return avg.
Team Strengths:Experience at some key skill positions (8 pre-season 1st team All-Conference selections - 6 on offense).
Team Weaknesses: Key losses on defense.
Intangibles: Can McGee and the offense carry the team until the defense can catch-up? With their first 5 contests being: at Carson-Newman, Tuskegee, at Bowie St., Virginia Union and Fayetteville St., they will certainly be tested.
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We are looking forward to the challenge ahead. This will be a different type of season for us, but we believe that this will be a very positive year for our team." - Coach Kermit Blount
-----------------------------------
3. Fayetteville State University Broncos
Coach: Kenny Phillips
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 4-2 Overall: 6-4
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Brian Holiday LB 6'0" 245 120 tackles, 3 sacks, First Team All-CIAA
Damien Adams DL 6'2" 285 55 tackles, 1 sack, First Team All-CIAA
Johnny Suratt OT 6'6" 300 Honorable Mention All-CIAA
Phil Crumb CB 6'0" 190 45 tackles from the CB position, First Team All-CIAA
Eliot London WR 5'10 175 34 receptions for 571 yards, 3 TDs, First Team All-CIAA
Team Strengths: Linebacker; Defensive and Offensive lines; Running backs
Team Weaknesses: Secondary; Wide receiver
Intangibles: With 16 starters returning, 9 on offense, is this their year to overtake Winston-Salem?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We improved greatly on our record from the 2000 season to the 2001 season. We plan to build on that winning attitude and put a good team on the field each Saturday this year in the CIAA." - Coach Kenny Phillips
-----------------------------------
4. Virginia Union University Panthers
Coach: Willard Bailey
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 8-2 Overall: 8-3 (Won school's 10th CIAA Championship and its first in 15 years, Finished 10th in the SBN Poll and 25th in the AFCA Poll )
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Larry Edwards RB 5'9" 185 857 yards rushing, 7 TDs in 8 games, Preseason A-A, First Team All-CIAA
Treymane Hill WR 5'8" 185 First Team All-CIAA Kick Returner
Alfred Dubose DE 6'3" 215 36 total tackles
Team Strengths: Experience at running back, linebacker and on the defensive line, Return game
Team Weaknesses: Finding a replacement for Jasun Thompson (2001 First Team All-CIAA), a four-year starter at QB; Replacing four starters on the offensive line.
Intangibles: Can RB Larry Edwards repeat or improve upon his success in 2001 despite a young OL (lost 4 starters), a new QB and 8 defenders in the box all game long?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We will have a tough time replacing the 17 seniors, 15 of which graduated in June. We will be extremely young, especially at quarterback and on the offensive line, which will be the key to our offensive balance. We will have to scrap in order to finish in the top six teams in our league!" - Coach Willard Bailey
-----------------------------------
5. North Carolina Central University Eagles
Coach: Ruby Abrams
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 3-3 Overall: 5-4
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Donnie Pippen TB 6'0" 205 477 yards and 3 TDS in 2001
Sheldon Connors LB 6'3" 245 40 tackles and 4 sacks
Kurtis Stewart LB 5'11" 230 28 tackles in six games
Roger Burbage P 5'10 160 All-CIAA punter with 40.5 yard per punt avg.
Team Strengths: Solid at the skill positions of running back, wide receiver and defensive back
Team Weaknesses: Inexperienced at quarterback and on the offensive and defensive lines
Intangibles: Can QB Sean Williams improve enough to help the running game prosper (RB Pippen, FB Fuller) and take the pressure off the defense?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We will be inexperienced on the offensive line, but very deep at the offensive skill positions. We will be inexperienced in the front seven, but very experienced in the secondary. This season's success depends on how fast we mature."
Coach Rudy Abrams
-----------------------------------
6. Virginia State University Trojans
Coach: Andrew Faison
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 3-4 Overall: 3-6
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Corey Brown OT 6'5" 320 Key performer on O-line, First Team All-CIAA
Bernard Comer TB 5'8" 185 423 yards rushing, 6 TDs
Neil Purvis LB 6'2" 240 46 tackles, 1 sack
Dwayne Wilson LB 6'1" 235 Second Team All-CIAA
Eric Plant WR 5'11" 175 29 receptions for 387 yards, 1 TDs
Team Strengths: The running back position will be the strength of our offense
Team Weaknesses: A young and inexperienced secondary
Intangibles: Can Faison, a first year coach, win despite incredible inexperience at QB?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "As a first year head coach I am very excited about the upcoming season. We plan to go out and play every down like it's the last. We will go out, compete and have fun doing it." - Coach Andrew Faison
-----------------------------------
7. Elizabeth City State University Vikings
Coach: John K. Wright
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 1-6 Overall: 2-7
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Rashaun Spencer DT 6'2" 310 39 tackles, 2 sacks
Howard Williams FS 6'1" 190 51 tackles and 2 fumble recovs., First Team All-CIAA
Sean Wilkes LB 6'3" 230
DeWitt Newkirk LB 6'2" 245
Greg Dalton WR 6'3" 205
Carlos Smith RB 6'0" 210
D.J. Morey ECSU SR 6'2" First Team All-CIAA
Team Strengths: Experience on defense and special teams
Team Weaknesses: Lack of receivers, inexperience at QB
Intangibles: Will their defense (LB Newkirk, LB/DE Wilkes and DB Williams) be able keep the offense in games.
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "Our team has matured quite a bit over the past two years. We have 10 starters returning on defense and seven on offense. Our special teams all have experienced personnel. We are excited about the prospects for this season. We have finally gotten our athletes in place, they have valuable game experience and we have them in the proper positions. We have a good crop of recruits to add to the veterans and a few will compete for playing time. I really believe that the pieces to the championship puzzle are finally coming together." - Coach John Wright
-----------------------------------
8. Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls
Coach: Tim Harkness
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 2-4 Overall: 2-7
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Reggie Broughton CB 6'0" 220 49 tackles, 3 INTs
Justin Jackson DE 6'2" 215 36 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Craig Brown WR 5'10" 180 DNP last season
Team Strengths: Good experience in the secondary and along the offensive line
Team Weaknesses: Running back position; QB; Lack of overall depth
Intangibles: Can RBs Kevin Woods and Derrick Bostic replace last season's CIAA offensive player of the year, RB Jimmy Bell.
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We face similar challenges as in my previous campaigns. We must stay healthy because of a lack of depth and quality numbers. We will be more experienced in the o-line and the secondary, but we lack leadership on offense. A quarterback must emerge as soon as possible!" - Coach Tim Harkness
-----------------------------------
9. Livingstone College Blue Bears
Coach: George Johnson Jr.
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 0-6 Overall: 1-8
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Jason Ocean LB 6'0" 225 Division II leading 141 tackles
David Melton QB 6'2" 190 512 yards passing and 219 yards rushing
Demetrious Rudolph DL 6'3" 240 51 tackles, 6 sacks
Joel Ward QB 5'10" 175 Reliable backup QB
Team Strengths: Defensive line will be more aggressive with 3 returning starters and JUCO transfers; More mature offensive line
Team Weaknesses: Lack of depth in the secondary
Intangibles: How long will it take first year coach George Johnson (former Tuskegee defensive coordinator) to instill a winning attitude into the Blue Bears?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "After the spring we felt that we must continue to recruit to upgrade our team. We are very spotty at the cornerback position, but hopefully they will improve. Our kicking game will have more confidence and will show improvement. We are looking for a better year than 2001." -Coach George Johnson Jr.
-----------------------------------
10. Saint Augustine's College Falcons
Coach: Michael E. Costa
Last Season's Record: The Falcons are fielding a football team for the first time since 1965
Key Returning Players:: N/A
Key Losses: N/A
Team Strengths: "As a new program, team strengths will be determined as the season progresses."
Team Weaknesses: "Being a new program, we are untested." - Coach: Michael E. Costa
Intangibles: Will the Falcons be able to bring some of those track burners onto the football field to play defensive back and wide receiver?
-----------------------------------
CIAA Games to Watch
August
29th - Winston-Salem St. @ Carson-Newman
September
1st - NC Central vs. NC A&T
7th - Tuskegee @ Winston-Salem St.
7th - St. Augustine's @ Fayetteville St.
14th - Winston-Salem St. @ Bowie St.
21st - Bowie St. @ St. Augustine's
28th - Virginia Union @ Winston-Salem St.
October
5th - Virginia Union @ Bowie St.
5th - Fayetteville St. @ Winston-Salem St.
12th - Bowie St. @ Hampton
November
2nd - Bowie St. @ Fayetteville St.
---------------------------
Elliott Robinson, Esq. is a Washington, D.C. based journalist and collegiate legal consultant. He can be heard on sports radio programs in the Mid-Atlantic region and XM Satellite Radio. HBCU Happenings can be found at Blackahtlete.com, 3c-hbcusports.com, CollegeSportingNews.com and Politix.com.
Bowie State Bulldogs Bite Will Bite Through the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association
HBCU Happenings with Elliott Robinson, College Sporting News
Some folks expect the status quo in the CIAA this season, but we think they'll be a change at the top. The defensive unit at Bowie State continues to improve and 2 I-AA transfers for the defensive line will make this a special unit for the 2002 season. Winston-Salem State will still be in the title hunt because they are a talented bunch, but they should fall to Bowie State in the CIAA Championship Game.
Virginia Union's move out of the Championship Game mix is due in large part to the departure of 17 seniors from the defending champ's squad. The biggest losses being First Team All-CIAA players QB Jasun Thompson, DL James Atkins and DB Ralph Hunter (NFL 5th round draft pick of Dallas Cowboys). With 5 players garnering First Team All-CIAA honors, the Fayetteville State Broncos are loaded and poised to break into the upper echelon of the CIAA. Their defense is led by DL Damien Adams, LB Brian Holliday and DB Phil Crumb and Coach Kenny Phillips hopes they can be the catalysts to lead the charge to a CIAA title.
Two dates to place on your calendar are September 7th and 21st. The 7th will be the 1st game for the St. Augustine's Falcons since 1965. Their opponents for this contest will be the Fayetteville Broncos. But all of Raleigh will be in an uproar on September 21st, when their first home game in 38 years is played in front of the Falcon faithful against CIAA power Bowie St.
The CIAA's Predicted Order of Finish
1. Winston Salem State
2. Virginia Union
3. Bowie State
4. Fayetteville State
5. North Carolina Central
6. Virginia State
7, Elizabeth City State
8. Johnson C. Smith
9. Livingstone
10. Saint Augustine's
HBCU Happenings' Predicted Order of Finish
1. Bowie State
2. Winston Salem State
3. Fayetteville State
4. Virginia Union
5. North Carolina Central
6. Virginia State
7, Elizabeth City State
8. Johnson C. Smith
9. Livingstone
10. Saint Augustine's
1. Bowie State University Bulldogs
Coach: Henry Frazier III (2001 CIAA Coach of the Year)
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 4-2 Overall: 7-3 (Finished 2nd in the CIAA Eastern Division)
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Charles Alston DE 6'6" 275 73 tackles, 25 solos, 7 sacks;
Kernis Faison QB/P 6'1" 200 629 yards passing, 7 TDs, 37 yards per punt;
Atcheson Conway LB 6'1" 215 107 tackles, 7 INTs, 4 forced fumbles (2001 CIAA Rookie of the Year)
Team Strengths: An exceptional defensive unit; A very good running game; Dependable special teams; Veteran ball club that returns 9 starters on offense and 9 on defense.
Team Weaknesses: An inconsistent passing game
Intangibles: Will the addition of 2 Howard University transfers take this defense to the next level? DL Damien Walker (Pre-season I-AA All American honors prior to transferring) and DL Rico Walker (former Bison starter).
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "With a little luck, we could be a solid contender for the conference championship. We'll play hard for four quarters and let the chips fall where they may." - Coach Henry Frazier
-----------------------------------
2. Winston-Salem State University Rams
Coach: Kermit Blount
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 8-2 Overall: 8-3 (Western Division Champions)
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Arnell Wooten TE 6'4" 225 29 receptions for 307 yards, 3 TDs, First Team All-CIAA
Josh McGee QB 6'0" 185 773 yards passing, 7 TDs, 1st Team All-CIAA
Dameon Workman LB 6'1" 225 60 tackles, 33 solos, 5 fumble recoveries
Brandon Hussey KR 6'0" 17 Led conference with a 27.5 per return avg.
Team Strengths:Experience at some key skill positions (8 pre-season 1st team All-Conference selections - 6 on offense).
Team Weaknesses: Key losses on defense.
Intangibles: Can McGee and the offense carry the team until the defense can catch-up? With their first 5 contests being: at Carson-Newman, Tuskegee, at Bowie St., Virginia Union and Fayetteville St., they will certainly be tested.
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We are looking forward to the challenge ahead. This will be a different type of season for us, but we believe that this will be a very positive year for our team." - Coach Kermit Blount
-----------------------------------
3. Fayetteville State University Broncos
Coach: Kenny Phillips
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 4-2 Overall: 6-4
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Brian Holiday LB 6'0" 245 120 tackles, 3 sacks, First Team All-CIAA
Damien Adams DL 6'2" 285 55 tackles, 1 sack, First Team All-CIAA
Johnny Suratt OT 6'6" 300 Honorable Mention All-CIAA
Phil Crumb CB 6'0" 190 45 tackles from the CB position, First Team All-CIAA
Eliot London WR 5'10 175 34 receptions for 571 yards, 3 TDs, First Team All-CIAA
Team Strengths: Linebacker; Defensive and Offensive lines; Running backs
Team Weaknesses: Secondary; Wide receiver
Intangibles: With 16 starters returning, 9 on offense, is this their year to overtake Winston-Salem?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We improved greatly on our record from the 2000 season to the 2001 season. We plan to build on that winning attitude and put a good team on the field each Saturday this year in the CIAA." - Coach Kenny Phillips
-----------------------------------
4. Virginia Union University Panthers
Coach: Willard Bailey
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 8-2 Overall: 8-3 (Won school's 10th CIAA Championship and its first in 15 years, Finished 10th in the SBN Poll and 25th in the AFCA Poll )
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Larry Edwards RB 5'9" 185 857 yards rushing, 7 TDs in 8 games, Preseason A-A, First Team All-CIAA
Treymane Hill WR 5'8" 185 First Team All-CIAA Kick Returner
Alfred Dubose DE 6'3" 215 36 total tackles
Team Strengths: Experience at running back, linebacker and on the defensive line, Return game
Team Weaknesses: Finding a replacement for Jasun Thompson (2001 First Team All-CIAA), a four-year starter at QB; Replacing four starters on the offensive line.
Intangibles: Can RB Larry Edwards repeat or improve upon his success in 2001 despite a young OL (lost 4 starters), a new QB and 8 defenders in the box all game long?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We will have a tough time replacing the 17 seniors, 15 of which graduated in June. We will be extremely young, especially at quarterback and on the offensive line, which will be the key to our offensive balance. We will have to scrap in order to finish in the top six teams in our league!" - Coach Willard Bailey
-----------------------------------
5. North Carolina Central University Eagles
Coach: Ruby Abrams
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 3-3 Overall: 5-4
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Donnie Pippen TB 6'0" 205 477 yards and 3 TDS in 2001
Sheldon Connors LB 6'3" 245 40 tackles and 4 sacks
Kurtis Stewart LB 5'11" 230 28 tackles in six games
Roger Burbage P 5'10 160 All-CIAA punter with 40.5 yard per punt avg.
Team Strengths: Solid at the skill positions of running back, wide receiver and defensive back
Team Weaknesses: Inexperienced at quarterback and on the offensive and defensive lines
Intangibles: Can QB Sean Williams improve enough to help the running game prosper (RB Pippen, FB Fuller) and take the pressure off the defense?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We will be inexperienced on the offensive line, but very deep at the offensive skill positions. We will be inexperienced in the front seven, but very experienced in the secondary. This season's success depends on how fast we mature."
Coach Rudy Abrams
-----------------------------------
6. Virginia State University Trojans
Coach: Andrew Faison
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 3-4 Overall: 3-6
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Corey Brown OT 6'5" 320 Key performer on O-line, First Team All-CIAA
Bernard Comer TB 5'8" 185 423 yards rushing, 6 TDs
Neil Purvis LB 6'2" 240 46 tackles, 1 sack
Dwayne Wilson LB 6'1" 235 Second Team All-CIAA
Eric Plant WR 5'11" 175 29 receptions for 387 yards, 1 TDs
Team Strengths: The running back position will be the strength of our offense
Team Weaknesses: A young and inexperienced secondary
Intangibles: Can Faison, a first year coach, win despite incredible inexperience at QB?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "As a first year head coach I am very excited about the upcoming season. We plan to go out and play every down like it's the last. We will go out, compete and have fun doing it." - Coach Andrew Faison
-----------------------------------
7. Elizabeth City State University Vikings
Coach: John K. Wright
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 1-6 Overall: 2-7
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Rashaun Spencer DT 6'2" 310 39 tackles, 2 sacks
Howard Williams FS 6'1" 190 51 tackles and 2 fumble recovs., First Team All-CIAA
Sean Wilkes LB 6'3" 230
DeWitt Newkirk LB 6'2" 245
Greg Dalton WR 6'3" 205
Carlos Smith RB 6'0" 210
D.J. Morey ECSU SR 6'2" First Team All-CIAA
Team Strengths: Experience on defense and special teams
Team Weaknesses: Lack of receivers, inexperience at QB
Intangibles: Will their defense (LB Newkirk, LB/DE Wilkes and DB Williams) be able keep the offense in games.
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "Our team has matured quite a bit over the past two years. We have 10 starters returning on defense and seven on offense. Our special teams all have experienced personnel. We are excited about the prospects for this season. We have finally gotten our athletes in place, they have valuable game experience and we have them in the proper positions. We have a good crop of recruits to add to the veterans and a few will compete for playing time. I really believe that the pieces to the championship puzzle are finally coming together." - Coach John Wright
-----------------------------------
8. Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls
Coach: Tim Harkness
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 2-4 Overall: 2-7
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Reggie Broughton CB 6'0" 220 49 tackles, 3 INTs
Justin Jackson DE 6'2" 215 36 tackles, 2.5 sacks
Craig Brown WR 5'10" 180 DNP last season
Team Strengths: Good experience in the secondary and along the offensive line
Team Weaknesses: Running back position; QB; Lack of overall depth
Intangibles: Can RBs Kevin Woods and Derrick Bostic replace last season's CIAA offensive player of the year, RB Jimmy Bell.
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "We face similar challenges as in my previous campaigns. We must stay healthy because of a lack of depth and quality numbers. We will be more experienced in the o-line and the secondary, but we lack leadership on offense. A quarterback must emerge as soon as possible!" - Coach Tim Harkness
-----------------------------------
9. Livingstone College Blue Bears
Coach: George Johnson Jr.
Last Season's Record: CIAA: 0-6 Overall: 1-8
Key Returning Players:
Name Position Ht. Wt. 2001 Stats
Jason Ocean LB 6'0" 225 Division II leading 141 tackles
David Melton QB 6'2" 190 512 yards passing and 219 yards rushing
Demetrious Rudolph DL 6'3" 240 51 tackles, 6 sacks
Joel Ward QB 5'10" 175 Reliable backup QB
Team Strengths: Defensive line will be more aggressive with 3 returning starters and JUCO transfers; More mature offensive line
Team Weaknesses: Lack of depth in the secondary
Intangibles: How long will it take first year coach George Johnson (former Tuskegee defensive coordinator) to instill a winning attitude into the Blue Bears?
Outlook/Coaches Quotes: "After the spring we felt that we must continue to recruit to upgrade our team. We are very spotty at the cornerback position, but hopefully they will improve. Our kicking game will have more confidence and will show improvement. We are looking for a better year than 2001." -Coach George Johnson Jr.
-----------------------------------
10. Saint Augustine's College Falcons
Coach: Michael E. Costa
Last Season's Record: The Falcons are fielding a football team for the first time since 1965
Key Returning Players:: N/A
Key Losses: N/A
Team Strengths: "As a new program, team strengths will be determined as the season progresses."
Team Weaknesses: "Being a new program, we are untested." - Coach: Michael E. Costa
Intangibles: Will the Falcons be able to bring some of those track burners onto the football field to play defensive back and wide receiver?
-----------------------------------
CIAA Games to Watch
August
29th - Winston-Salem St. @ Carson-Newman
September
1st - NC Central vs. NC A&T
7th - Tuskegee @ Winston-Salem St.
7th - St. Augustine's @ Fayetteville St.
14th - Winston-Salem St. @ Bowie St.
21st - Bowie St. @ St. Augustine's
28th - Virginia Union @ Winston-Salem St.
October
5th - Virginia Union @ Bowie St.
5th - Fayetteville St. @ Winston-Salem St.
12th - Bowie St. @ Hampton
November
2nd - Bowie St. @ Fayetteville St.
---------------------------
Elliott Robinson, Esq. is a Washington, D.C. based journalist and collegiate legal consultant. He can be heard on sports radio programs in the Mid-Atlantic region and XM Satellite Radio. HBCU Happenings can be found at Blackahtlete.com, 3c-hbcusports.com, CollegeSportingNews.com and Politix.com.