Jackson State Tops Texas Southern 30-14

(TSU quarterback Cornelius Harmon completed 14 passes on 29 attempts for 175 yards. Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (October 18, 2008) Despite holding Jackson State to three field goals in the 1st half, Texas Southern was unable to convert their defensive success to offensive points as they lost a hard fought game to Jackson State 30-14 on Saturday night at Houston ISD’s Delmar Stadium.

Jackson State’s Luter Edwards led the charge for the Tigers, rushing for 113 yards and town touchdown, while quarterback Trae Rutland was 11-12 passing for 180 yard and two touchdowns. Rutland also rushed for 67 yards on 10 carries.

Texas Southern quarterback and Oklahoma State transfer Bobby Ried was injured when he was sacked by JSU tackle Dennis Coit. Ried suffered a bruised knee and did not return to the game.

Jackson State built a 16-7 halftime lead.

TSU was unable to overcome JSU strong running game and solid defense, falling to 3-5 for the season and 0-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference standings.

TSU held the lead 7-3 after the first quarter, but JSU came back with 20 unanswered points before TSU could find the end zone again.

They finally scored their second touchdown in the closing seconds of the 3rd quarter when wide receiver Brian Haith caught a 16 yard pass from backup quarterback Cornelius Harmon. Robert Hersh’s conversion was good to take the score to 23-14.

Jackson State again scored with 8:55 left in the game to finish all scoring.

Jackson State moves to 3-4 for the season and 2-1 in SWAC action. The next game on tap for TSU is against Mississippi Valley State while TSU faces Alcorn State on the road. Both games are scheduled for October 25.

Grambling Downs Prairie View 40-16

DALLAS, TEXAS (October 5, 2008) Greg Dillon threw for four touchdowns as Grambling State beat Prairie View A&M 40-16 on Saturday night in the State Fair Classic.

Dillon went 15-of-20 passing for 155 yards and was also the Tigers' leading rusher with 61 yards. Larry Donnell caught two passes, both of them touchdowns for Grambling (4-2, 1-0 SWAC).

The Tigers displayed a balanced offense, rushing for 145 yards and throwing for 158. The Tigers held Prairie View to 80 yards rushing.

Mark Spivey went 14-of-27 passing for 144 yards and one touchdown to lead the Panthers (4-1, 1-1). He ran for another score. Spivey tossed three interceptions.

Donald Babers ran for 65 yards on 23 carries for Prairie View.

Aggies Down Army 21-17

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (September 27, 2008) After a 1st quarter that saw neither team reach the end zone, The Black Knights of Army showed they intend to avenge their loss to the Texas A&M Aggies from 2 years ago. Virtually leading in every statistic, they were ahead of the Aggies in first downs (3-0), net rushing yards (51-4) total offensive plays (16-9) and total offensive yards (55-20). The Aggies held the edge in net passing yards (24-4).

Neither team can seem to find the offense drive to advance the ball pass the midfield, as the defense shuts down each offensive set of downs before they can get started. The Aggies failed to get any third down conversions, while the Black Knights were able to find success twice on five third-down conversions.

The second quarter of the Texas A&M-Army game saw the Aggies explode for two touchdowns and the Black Knights find the end zone on a 9-yard run by Tony Dace.

The Aggies drew first blood in the second quarter on a 42-yard pass from quarterback Stephen McGee to wide receiver Jeff Fuller. The first and ten play from the Army 42-yard line occurred at 7:12 in the quarter. The conversion by Rickie Bean was good to make the score 7-0 in favor of the Aggies.

Army came right back on a 9-yard run by running back Tony Dace at 3:09 in the quarter, who, along with Adam DeMarco’s kick tied the score at 7 all.

In a fluke of all flukes, Army quarterback Chip Bowden rushed for 1-yard on a third and two play and promptly fumbled the ball at the Aggie 36-yard line. It was recovered by Aggie defensive lineman Paul Freeney; and surrounded by a bevy of maroon jerseys, ran 58-yard for the score. Rickie Bean again converted the kick to make the score 14-7 at the half.

The Black Knights traded a field goal for touchdown as the Aggies pushed the score and their lead to 21-10 at the end of three quarters.

The Aggies found the end zone again at 13:44 in the quarter when sophomore quarterback Jerrod Johnson completed a pass to McCoy for 11 yards and the touchdown. Bean again concerted the kick to take the score to 21-7 in favor of the Aggies.
Army mounted a drive on the next possession, which entailed 71 yards on 17 plays, but could not find the end zone due to a tenacious Aggie defense, settling for a Matthew Campbell field goal to close out scoring for the quarter.

The Aggies drove 39 yards in 10 plays running 5:28 off the clock to end the quarter.

The Black Knights found the end zone with 8:46 left in the fourth quarter to take the final score to Texas A&M 21 Army 17.

They began their final scoring drive at 14:55 left in the game. Patrick Mealy capped off a 10 play, 39-yard scoring drive with a 4-yard rush on third and goal. DeMarco tagged the conversion to close out scoring for the game.

Final score: Texas A&M 21 Army 17.

Texas A&M Aggies -vs- Army Black Knights

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2008 TexSport Publications

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (September 27, 2008) It is a bright and slightly muggy Saturday, September 27, 2008 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. It could be a football game that could transcend the ages. In fact, in their fourth meeting that dates back to 1969, the Black Knights of West Point and the Aggies of Texas A&M will face off in their fourth meeting, with the Aggies holding a 2-1 record over Army.

In the inaugural game on October 4, 1969, the Aggies defeated the Black Knights 20-13, with Army evening the series in 1972 24-14. In their last meeting, the Aggies came from behind late in the 4th quarter to beat the Knights 28-24.

On this mild day in Aggieland, both teams will try to improve on their 2008 season records. Texas A&M is 1-2 while Army is winless at 0-3.

In outlooks for the game, Aggie freshman Jeff Fuller will attempt to break a freshman recprd for the Aggies. Just three games into his A&M career; he is just one receiving touchdown shy of the record. He is also on pace to set freshman records for season catches and yards.

All American and Ray Guy Award candidate Justin Brantly will be seeking the 32nd 40-yard plus punt average of his career (in his 40th game) against the Black Knights. Brantly currently leads the Big 12 in punting with a 46.0 average, and ranks number 6 nationally. with 45 “coffin corner” boots in his career, Brantly has deposited more than 25 percent of his punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.

Kickoff in College Station is set for 11:35am and will be broadcast regionally by the 40-plus station Texas A&M Radio Network and will be televised by Versus.