Maryland HBCU Football rivals Morgan State and Bowie State kicked off the 2010 College Football season Labor Day Weekend in Baltimore and SportsGroove TV and Sports One Television was there. Mark Gray has the story of the free state’s Black College Football Classic from Charm City.

The nation’s oldest HBCU’s renewed their rivalry as Cheyney University and Lincoln University met Labor Day Weekend in Philadelphia. Mark Gray and SportsGroove TV covered the game for the nationally syndicated TV program Inside The Game and filed this report.

By Mark F. Gray

As fate would have it the day before national signing day for high school football players was media day for Super Bowl XLVI. It has become lucrative business for draft services to project how good 17 year old athletes will be by the time they reach 21. At best those recruiting geeks are good at making alumni feel proud and putting additional pressure on coaches who land these so called “blue chip, can’t miss” prospects.

Indianapolis Colts safety Antoine Bethea and kick returner Chad Simpson are two players the recruiting experts missed on going into college and many pro scouts missed coming out. Watching them start and play big roles on the floor of Sun Life Stadium should have Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football fans on either side of the parkway sticking their chests out this Sunday.

If Howard and Morgan State had been MEAC championship contenders or better than just .500 teams Bethea and Simpson would have been household names. However, with these two starters playing prominent roles this year for the Super Bowl favorites it’s a marketing tool for the two programs. These local rivals are examples of how making in the NFL is less about where you play college football but how you perform once you get your chance.

In his fourth season with the Colts Bethea is making his second Super Bowl start. There was never any doubt that the former Howard all pro safety was a special talent but size and his level of competition were all questions that most of the brilliant NFL scouting services used to justify not drafting him. The Bison only won 12 games in his three years which speaks more to Howard’s athletic infrastructure than it does to the team and the coaches who groomed him. In fact two of his teammates – Ron Bartel of the St. Louis Rams and Tracy White of the Philadelphia Eagles – made vital contributions to those teams this year as well.

Simpson’s road to the Super Bowl is much different than Bethea’s though. It began at South Florida where the recently deposed Jim Leavitt branded him a “trouble maker”. Ironically, it was Leavitt who was fired last month for yoking a player as Simpson is set to become the first player with any ties to the USF program to play in the NFL’s biggest show. Had it not been for a high ankle sprain during his senior year in Baltimore Simpson would have set the all time single season rushing mark at Morgan. Remember, hall of fame running back Leroy Kelly played there.

HBCU’s have made their mark by giving opportunities to students and athletes who may not have otherwise been given a chance to play sports or to gain an education. As the NFL’s season long 50th anniversary tribute to the AFL ends Bethea and Simpson represent the foresight of the old league. As teammates they follow in the footsteps of HBCU duos like Buck Buchanon (Grambling) and Willie Lanier (Morgan) who helped the Kansas City Chiefs matriculate their way to victory in Super Bowl IV. Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley St.) and John Taylor (Delaware St.) were the stars of the final drive that won Super Bowl XXIII for the San Francisco 49’ers.

By the way there was a quartet of HBCU alumni – one for each championship they won – who anchored the Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970’s. Hall of Famer Mel Blount (Southern), L.C. Greenwood (Arkansas AM&N now Pine Bluff), and Donnie Shell (S.C. State) were major players on the Steel Curtain defense. John Stallworth (Alabama A&M), another hall of famer, burned the Rams for the game winning touchdown to seal Super Bowl XIV.

Before HBCU sports were hijacked and banished to television’s version of the back of the bus by ESPN, it was my privilege to broadcast games featuring Bethea, Simpson, and Robert Mathis who played at Alabama A&M. Who knew then that less than 10 years later these three would be lining up in the Super Bowl keeping the HBCU football legacy alive on pro football’s biggest stage.

(Atlanta, GA) – Eight players, two coaches and one contributor were announced as the Inaugural Class of Inductees for the Black College Football Hall Of Fame. Established in 2009 by football pioneer quarterbacks Pro Bowl MVP James “Shack” Harris and Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams, the Hall of Fame is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and will honor the greatest football players and coaches from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The Priority Payment Systems Inaugural Enshrinement Ceremony will be held February 20, 2010, in conjunction with Black History Month, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta. The members of the Inaugural Class of Inductees includes:

Buck Buchanan (DE, Grambling State University, 1959-1963), Willie Galimore (RB, Florida A&M University, 1953-1956), “David Deacon” Jones (DE, S.C. State & Mississippi Valley State, 1958-1960), Willie Lanier (LB, Morgan State University, 1963-1967), Walter (RB, Jackson State University, 1971-1974), Jerry Rice (WR, Mississippi Valley State University, 1981-1984), Ben Stevenson (RB, Tuskegee University, 1923-1930), Paul “Tank” Younger (RB/DB, Grambling State University, 1945-1948), Alonzo “Jake” Gaither (Head Coach, Florida A&M University, 1945-1969), Eddie G. Robinson (Head Coach, Grambling State University, 1941-1997), Bill Nunn, Jr. (Pittsburgh Courier Journalist and NFL Scout)

ESPN Monday Night Football Analyst Jon Gruden will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Enshrinement Ceremony. Atlanta Falcons Owner and President of AMB Group Arthur Blank and Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and Mayor of Atlanta Andrew Young will serve as an Honorary Chairmen of the event.

By Mark F. Gray

The reason fans and broadcast journalists like me get into this business is to document the human drama of athletic competition. Last Saturday at Morgan State it was my honor and privilege to broadcast arguably the greatest single performance in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football history as Florida A&M quarterback Curtis Pulley accounted for 405 yards of total offense and the Rattlers beat the Bears 31-28 in an overtime epoch.

Pulley’s performance was the stuff of legend and should secure him as the Walter Payton award winner as the top player in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA). However, the controversy surrounding the contest has left a cloud over the game, the officials, and the conference. It was another embarrassing officiating fiasco that continues to erode the credibility of Black College football.

In the interest of full disclosure I have been broadcasting Morgan State football games this season and its great to be back in the booth after being in a Major League Baseball studio for several years. I’m sure there are those who will feel that this is just sour grapes because my team and alma mater lost.

So be it!!

This outcome was decided in the extra period where Morgan faced fourth down and one at the FAMU 16 yard line. Bears quarterback Carlton Jackson dove forward for to the 15 for an apparent first down given that all overtime drives begin at the 25. According to reports from the sidelines, the chains justified a questionable spot at best because they hadn’t been adjusted to the 10 yard length prior to the measurement which caused the play to be ruled short. Thus, Morgan’s championship hopes were all but mathematically eliminated and unnecessary doubts have been created about the contest.

Other reports from both sidelines began surfacing midway during the fourth quarter about the game’s referee – Chuck Williams – smelling of alcohol. From my vantage point in the booth I can’t confirm that, however, when players, coaches, and photographers who were on the field speak en masse there must be something to it. MEAC Supervisor of Officials Danny Evans was summoned to the field and was seen speaking to Williams who put two pieces of gum in his mouth and proceeded to finish the game.

Throughout the game, however, Williams struggled making calls after penalties over the public address system. Initially I thought that was due to equipment failure but other reporters in the working press box also had difficulty understanding the calls coming from the field as well because of his slurred speech. Even print reporters from Tallahassee and Baltimore openly joked afterwards that they thought Williams was drunk.

With the proliferation of new media coverage game management by officiating crews has become paramount. There is always the element of human error but if it is exacerbated by the alleged use of alcohol by the final arbitrator of all decisions a formal reprimand from the conference is not acceptable.

In watching and covering games around the country its clear that officiating has not kept up with new level of athleticism of today’s athletes in either of the four HBCU conferences. Favoritism continues to keep talented competent officials from getting their chance because of politics and personal relationships with those in positions to hire and it is reflected in embarrassing mistakes that take away from the outcome on the field.

The MEAC has to thoroughly investigate this matter and make its findings public. Don’t blame the players, coaches or media for the controversy surrounding this game. If players are subjected to random drug testing, does this now mean officials have to pass a field sobriety test.

Blame it on the alcohol thanks to Breathalyzer Bowl I.

BOWIE, MD – Considering how beautiful the weather was for Bowie State’s 2008 homecoming celebration was and how the game ended, a 14-0 victory over St. Paul’s in miserable conditions was more than enough to satisfy the partisan crowd last weekend at Bulldog Stadium.

Thanks to a win in a game where the biggest opponent was the weather Bowie State now has its CIAA Championship Game destiny in their hands. With a win next Saturday at Virginia Union they can clinch east division and secure their place in the title game with a week left in the season.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs this was their final home game because the driving rains turned the field into a quagmire and would have rendered it useless for the rest of the season. There has never been a stronger argument for the university to install field turf and a better drainage system especially if it continues to host the Prince George’s Classic.

The teams combined for more turnovers (15) than they did points (14) with the Tigers unable to capitalize on any of the Bowie State miscues. As the weather got worse with each play, simple exchanges between quarterback and center became the focus of execution. The Bulldogs lost seven of their nine fumbles and scored the final touchdown on a recovery in the end zone.

Kenneth Turner’s 37 yard interception return for a touchdown in the second quarter proved to be the game winner as the Tigers repeatedly made questionable offensive calls throughout the contest. St. Paul’s coach Willard Bailey raised the white flag of submission when they got the ball in Bowie State territory with less than three minutes in regulation and he chose no to use any timeouts down by two scores to seal his team’s fate.

Three years ago Bowie State went to Richmond to play for the division title and it was all Virginia Union. This year the Bulldogs face the Panthers on homecoming after they rolled up 490 rushing yards in blasting Virginia State on national TV.

Bowie’s coach Damon Wilson was named CIAA Coach Of The Week for the second time this season after beating St. Paul’s. However, considering the discipline he has installed and the change in the direction of the program, a win Saturday would more than likely assure him of Coach Of The Year.

After losing to Akron in the season opener the Bears have not lost to an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision opponent this year. This is first time since 1979 that Morgan has won five of their first six to open the season when they won the conference and lost to Alabama A&M in the first round of the Division II playoffs.

The “Battle of the Beltway” has become one of the fiercest rivalries in Black College Football with the previous four games decided in overtime. This one appeared to be heading in that direction until Morgan’s defense thwarted a final drive late in the fourth quarter.

Winning with defense has been the formula for Morgan’s success this year. In the five victories they are yielding just 9.6 points per game and none of the FCS division opponents have scored more than 13 points against them.

However, the hibernating Bears offense woke from a season long slumber in the first half which catapulted them to victory. Quarterback Carlton Jackson opened the game on fire with two first half touchdown passes that put Howard in a hole they were not able to climb out of. After opening the contest on fire Jackson cooled off and finished 10 of 28 passing for 150 yards and an interception.

He connected with you tube legend Edwin Baptiste for an acrobatic 31 yard catch in the back of the endzone that should have earned him a second ESPN top plays nomination in as many years late in first quarter to give them the lead for good. Just prior to halftime Morgan took advantage of a Howard turnover thanks to Jackson’s best two passes of the season.

Jackson found Edward Morton-Green streaking down the near sideline for 39 yards setting up first and goal at the five yard line. On the next play the emerging weapon Lamont Bryant hauled in his final scoring pass of the evening and the Bears took a 14-0 lead into halftime.

Then as the temperatures dropped so did Jackson’s accuracy in the third quarter. Howard’s lone touchdown was set up by freshman Keith Pough’s first interception which set them up deep in Morgan’s territory. Floyd Haigler made the Bears pay by finding Parker Watson with a three yard touchdown pass that closed the gap to seven.

Morgan turned to senior running back Devan James to move the chains from then on. The all-MEAC tailback has been nursing an abdominal injury all season and finally showed the explosiveness and power that has him on the verge of becoming their all-time leading rusher. On 22 carries he rushed for 103 yards leaving him just 673 yards shy of the top spot in school history.

Howard appeared set to send this game into overtime for a fifth consecutive year. However, with the Bison driving deep in Morgan territory Richard Wilson intercepted Haigler to preserve the win.

In recent years the second month of college football season has been about the DMV’s Black College programs getting a head start on next year. However, Bowie State, Howard, and Morgan State are now in a position to think about more than playing for respectability in the CIAA and MEAC respectively.

After getting thrashed at the University of Akron to open the season, Morgan has turned the year around with three straight wins including their conference opener at Bethune Cookman last week. It is the first time since 1996 that they are 3-1 after four games. The Bears host North Carolina A&T for homecoming in Baltimore this Saturday afternoon at 1 pm and it is a major test as the meat of their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule kicks into another gear.

However, these are not the Aggies of the last three years as Morgan’s former defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee brings them to Hughes Stadium. Lee was the architect of the Bears top rated nationally ranked defense in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in 2007 and 2008 and North Carolina A&T is poised to spoil the festivities in northeast Baltimore.

“Anytime you’re facing someone who knows the campus so well that you can turn off all the lights and walk from end to end without bumping into something you know its going to be a dog fight,” says Morgan Coach Don Hill-Eley. “Its like facing your older brother, you love him but you still want to beat him bad”.

Despite Lee’s defection to Greensboro, Morgan’s defense still remains amongst the elite in the nation. Senior linebacker George Howard has been named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in each of the last three games. Howard has 52 total tackles in that span and finally after sharing the weekly accolades this he finally stands alone this week.

This is a huge game for Morgan because next Thursday they will host Howard for a nationally televised showdown on ESPNU. A victory would send the Bears into that contest at 4-1 with two wins in the conference as the Bison prepare for another short week and a road trip.

Nonetheless, Howard can take a giant step toward regaining credibility in the conference, on campus, and in the community by defeating Hampton this weekend. For the second straight year they have to travel to the “other” HU for the annual renewal of their upscale feud for the 6 pm kickoff at Armstrong Field.

Last year the Bison were in a position to beat Hampton when the lights went out at the stadium causing a delay of nearly an hour which allowed the Pirates to score 38 unanswered points and pull off the controversial victory. Howard has won two consecutive games against winless opponents so this would qualify as a statement victory for the resurgence of the Bison program.

“The thing that concerns me about Hampton is Hampton,” says Howard coach Carey Bailey. “They are one of the most talented teams in the country and they do a lot of things well. This will be a real test for us”.

In his first month at his alma mater Bowie State coach Damon Wilson has brought the program from shadows into focus. Two weeks ago they beat two time defending champion Shaw University to win the sixth annual Prince George’s Classic. At the time the Bears were the top ranked HBCU team in Division II and that victory propelled them back into the CIAA race.

The Bulldogs are on the road at Elizabeth City State in a game that could be the difference between watching or playing in next month’s CIAA championship game. ECSU has already lost to Shaw and Virginia State so this is a must win for them to stay alive in the race to play for the title in Durham. Bowie needs the win to stay on track after losing earlier to Fayetteville State. They would love nothing more than to derail the Vikings post season plans after they rallied from a 13 point deficit last year to ruin the Bulldogs’ homecoming.