Around the MEAC and more

As promised folks, take a spin around Norfolk State’s schedule from Rutgers in Week 1 to Savannah State in the finale.

Rutgers primer

Here’s a look at all you need to know about Rutgers heading into Thursday’s opener. In summary, the defense could be one of the best in Division I, they own an incredibly dangerous wide receiver (and a bunch of questionable ones) and the major question for their season seems to be how quarterback Tom Savage will operate without any training wheels. From the Newark Star-Ledger. http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2010/08/looking_ahead_to_the_2010_rutg.html

North Carolina A & T working through penalties

Seems like none of the big-boy papers cover A&T, but this is a pretty nice job by the school’s student paper. The program is working through some limitations placed on its program through poor academic performance. Depth will be an issue, but likely not against the Spartans, who play A&T before the injuries should be a problem. http://www.ncatregister.com/mobile/aggie-football-moving-forward-from-penalty-1.2307661

Virginia State off to a quick start

Well, somebody got their season started early. I couldn’t find a newspaper-based account focused on the Trojans so this is the athletic department recap. The new starting quarterback had a pretty nice season debut. http://www.vsu.edu/pages/6211.asp

Bethune-Cookman adjusts to new coach

Former Rutgers assistant Brian Jenkins seems like he’s brought in plenty of talent, but odds are it will take a while for these transfers to all get on the same page. NSU will be happy to get them early. This story is by The Associated Press. http://www2.counton2.com/sports/2010/aug/18/bethune-cookman-set-to-enter-jenkins-era-fbc-ar-722996/

South Carolina State: rebuilding or reloading?

The skill players are gone, the line is back. This one is courtesy of the Charleston Post and Courier. http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/aug/26/reloading/

Hampton happy to face big foe

Just like the Spartans, the boys from across the bay are looking forward to one big challenge. They, too, open with a Division I team, although Central Michigan is a little less daunting than NSU’s task. http://articles.dailypress.com/2010-08-19/sports/dp-hamptonschedule-20100819_1_hampton-university-central-michigan-hu

Florida A&M band creator dies

You know you’ve been entertained by the Rattlers’ marching band over the years. Here’s a nice tribute to William Foster, the creator of the band, who died recently at 91. It’s from The Tampa Tribune. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/aug/29/290011/na-famu-marching-100-creator-dies-at-age-91/ Howard

I’ll be honest guys, a Google News search on Howard got me nothing. I’ll look more extensively as we approach that game, but if you really need to find out about the Bison – winless in the MEAC for two straight years – you’ll have to find it yourselves.

Morgan State

The Baltimore Sun says Morgan state is focused on its opener despite a season that includes a couple of marquee games. Like many MEAC team, they play a big boy and face Atlantic Coast Conference member Maryland. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-08-08/sports/bs-sp-morgan-0909-20100808_1_donald-hill-eley-morgan-state-bears

Delaware State RB a survivor, starter

The one running back that managed to stay healthy for Delaware State did a nice job and begins this season atop the depth chart. http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100818/SPORTS08/8180357/1002/SPORTS

Savannah State focus of two race complaints

This isn’t good news for the prospective MEAC member. The school’s old football coach claims he was fired because he was white, the second coach to make that charge. Four white recruits say scholarship offers were taken away after he was fired. Five players have been arrested as well as an assistant coach. Worst of all, it’s a USA Today story being read by the country. This is not how you want to start a season. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/2010-08-04-savannah-state-lawsuit_N.htm

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