The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 168

RRAL F8 Sunday, Sept. 7, 1997 COLLEGE FOOTBALL The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution AROUND THE SOUTH Ga. Southern loses heartbreaker to No. 4 Tribe before sophomore James Banks returned a kick 94 yards for a TD that put Georgia Southern up 25-17 at the half. "The key for us is to cut down on the turnovers, and we'll be all right," Robin- son said.

WllliMltMM) 6a South 17 1JU blame placekicker Eric Meng, or his team's defense, which gave up 470 yards total offense. "There were a zillion plays in that game that could've made a difference," Johnson said, responding to a question about a concern, but we knew that going in. We've got to keep working to get better at it. "But I'm proud of our football team," Johnson added. "They made tremendous progress over last week a 45-26 victory over Valdosta State." Especially in the big-play category.

In the first scoring drive, Robinson had a 65-yard run. Then Davis separated Cook from a ball that was recovered by Eagles' end Reggie Garland. That led to a TD, three minutes left and his team holding a 28-23 lead. That, and the Eagles' inability to convert on one- and two-point PAT attempts (they have missed 3-of-10 on the season), greatly hindered the Eagles. "Little things like turnovers keep separating us from the great teams," said Robinson, who, fumble aside, had a day almost as huge as that of Cook.

"But we're confident that, with this offense, we can put big numbers on board." The loss put a damper on Robinson's performance, which included 13 carries for 131 yards and two touchdowns, and the rushing effort of senior fullback Roderick Russell (22 carries, 106 yards). Eagles coach Paul Johnson refused to inexperienced secondary for 352 yards and three touchdowns, threw the decisive strike of 11 yards to Tribe wideout Billy Commons who made a big-league leaping catch on a fourth down play with 2:08 remaining. "We knocked Cook down all day, but he just kept getting up and making plays," lamented Georgia Southern linebacker Eric Davis. "We had it, but he took it away from us." The Eagles (1-1) indeed appeared on the way to their second victory of the season. But senior1 quarterback Kenny Robinson, attempting to seal the upset of the No.

4-ranked Tribe (2-0), was separated from the ball on a third-and-2 play inside William Mary's 40 with less than By Earnest Reese STAFF WRITER Statesboro When Georgia South-' ern cornerback Lavar Rainey picked off a pass in the end zone that eventually allowed his team to add a field goal to a 2-point lead over nationally ranked Mary late in the fourth period Saturday afternoon at Paulson Stadium, it appeared the Eagles would make a giant step back to national respectability. But then William Mary quarterback Mike Cook more than made amends for his errant toss, when he led his team on a six-play, 56-yard scoring drive that broke the Eagles' hearts, 29-28. Cook, who riddled Georgia Southern's First On tr GSU: Robinson 1 run (Meng kick), 11 GSU Russell 14 pass horn Hill (kick failed), 4: 14. Stcond Quarter WSM Patch 7 run (ShaHcross kick). 14 46 Porch 1 1 pass horn Cook (ShaHcross kick), 8 53 GSU Robinson 1 run (run tailed), 3:41 W4M FG ShaHcross 24, 121 GSU: Banks 94 kickotf return (pass failed).

106 Third Quarter WSM Foster 20 pass from Cook (kick tailed). 5 24 Fourth Quarter GSU FGMenf 24, 7 56 WtM: Commons 1 1 pas; from Cook (pass failed), 2 09 Attendance: 10,329. rifH Maroon Tigers ready to roar sifter 27- 6 win I-? VMAU 4S? 'St' toaeCV tS my- 1 spy 1 MARLENE KARAS Staff back Tennell Lockett maneuvers through Fort Valley defenders. line with 2:02 remaining. The Maroon Tigers then ran out the clock.

Much of Morehouse's offensive effort came from a running attack lead by Tennell Lockett, who had 123 yards on 29 carries after replacing DeNorris James, who left the game with a hand injury. "There were a lot of creases for me to run through," Lockett said. wins because they, started out 2-0 last year. It is sort of scary being 2- 0 because we don't know the players mindset. We have to keep telling them to play hard because nobody is going to give us anything.

We can't worry about other people, we got to make sure we are prepared." The win ruined the coaching debut of Kent Schoolfield, who replaced the retired Doug Porter, who patrolled the Fort Valley sidelines for the past 18 years. "We knew coming in that we were going to make some mistakes and drop some passes because it was our first game," Schoolfield said. "This was our first game and we got the butterflies out of our system. Morehouse is a good football team. Their guys play really hard." The Fort Valley players left impressed with Morehouse.

"Morehouse definitely has a good program," said Fort Valley quarterback Renotto Solomon, who was 22 of 42 for 194 yards. "There is no way we could have underestimated them, because we knew what kind of coach they have. They got it done today." After spotting Fort Valley a 3- 0 lead in the first quarter, the Maroon Tigers scored 21 i s. 1 Morris Brown falls again By Celeste E. Whittaker STAFF WRITER With injuries, penalties and.

slow defensive adjustments, the enemies this week, Morris .1 Brown limped off its homefield for the second" consecutive weekend without a victory. On: Saturday night Division I-AA' opponent Bethune Cookman proved too much for the Woj- verines to handle, winning 35-20 at Herndon Stadium. The Wolverines were out- gained 233-182 by Bethune Cookman on their way to a sound defeat which followed last week's disappointing two-touchdown loss to rival Clark Atlanta. Morris Brown pulled to 20-14 with 3:48 left in the third -on a 4-yard run by Ryan Jinks, before Bethune sealed it with a faked punt attempt at the end -of the quarter, which saw punter Alton Bolden throw a 53-yard score to Clifton Gordon. Bolden faked an attempt again for a 34-yard gain in the fourth quarter, too.

The Wildcats, playing in their season opener for first-! year head coach Alvin Wyatt, got on the board quickly, scoring off the game's initial drive. Quarterback Todd Walker, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior from Macon, found James Adderley (seven catches for 167 yards and two touch- -downs), who snatched a pass from the fingertips off a Morris Brown player to score on a beautiful 35-yard toss with 10:37 left in the first. Two Wolverine penalties, including a pass interference call, aided the drive. "They forgot I'm 6-foot-3," Adderley said. "They had some little DB's sticking me.

They didn't respect me, I had to make them respect me." Walker finished 13-for-22 with 217 yards and three touchdowns. For Morris Brown, Jason Drayton had 50 rushing yards on 10 carries. Wolverines quarterback Ivan Mandell was 3 of 8 with 48 yards and a score. After a Morris Brown interception and a short series by the Wolverines, Bethune would use just five plays on its next drive before Walker hit Curtis Williams with a 7-yard floater' with 3:57 left in the first to go up 14-0. Again, a 29-yard pass to Adderley fueled the drive.

Morris Brown (0-2) was playing without starting defensive back Roosevelt "Tadpole" -Blackmon, quarterback Jerome Weaks, center Jamar Fordham, receiver Keith Jackson and defensive end Antonio Alexander, who were all out with injuries. IEAHUNE COOKMAN MORRIS BROWN in it 3J TI7I 20 lamw Addertey 35 pass from Todd Walker (Alton BoMon kick) Curtis Williams 7 pass from Walks (kick Mocked) Ml Httton Mcundtr 47 pass from Ivan Mandel (Hemy Boyntonkick) Slaw Wallace Mnm (BoMon kick) Ml Ryan Jinks 4 ran (Boynton kick) Clirton Gordon 53 pass from Boyntofl (William past from lawrtnee Goss) Addeiley 31 pass from Walker (BoMen kick) Ml Breton hoes pass Itom Tony Slatoa Tommy Bowden wins 1st as Tulane stops Bearcats; Clark rips Lane 25-0 By Derrick Mahone STAFF WRITER Coming into the season, not much was expected from Morehouse, picked to finish last in the SIAC. Even Maroon Tigers coach Doug Williams had asked the Morehouse faithful for patience as he attempts to build the downtrodden program into a winner. After Saturday's 27-16 win over Fort Valley State before 7,249 fans at B.T. Harvey Stadium, the Maroon Tigers are 2-0 and loaded with confidence.

"It is a different attitude at Morehouse now," said senior linebacker Doug Avery, who returned an interception 16 yards for a touchdown. "Last year we played not to lose. This year, we play to win." However, Williams cautions his team about being overconfident. Last year, Morehouse jumped to a 2-0 start before losing its last nine games, which led to the dismissal of coach Maurice Hunt. into the last two games, we were the underdog," Williams said.

"Now, things are atj-a different standpoint. We can't get overconfident with two Eddie Robinson began his 55th and final season as Grambling's coach. routed by Alcorn St. ASSOCIATED PRESS Grambling's Eddie Robinson has definitely seen better games than his season opener Saturday. Bad field position, quarterback troubles, poor special teams play and a pair of blocked punts combined to give college football's winningest coach a disappointing loss to Alcorn State, 44-20, in SWAC play.

gave us a good wjjipping," said Robinson, who is' embarking upon his SSth and last season at Grambling. jVIt's tough to win when you make the mistakes we made today," he said. It was a sloppy game for both teams as they combined for 16. penalties and 118 penalty yards before halftime. The Tigers amassed 12 penalties for 88 yards while Alcorn was penalized 16 times for 106 yards.

"Any time you beat a coach of the stature of Eddie Robinson, you have to feel pretty good," Alcorn head coach Cardell Jones "He's such a great coach that' being able to pick up the win says a lot of good things about the way this football lift I. Grambling Daybreak: Morehouse running unanswered points to take a 21-3 halftime lead. The Wildcats would make it 21-16 after a 4-yard touchdown by LaVorris White with 9:25 remaining. On Morehouse's next drive, the Maroon Tigers went 66 yards in 12 plays to widen the margin to 27-16 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Robert Anthony. Fort Valley lost the ball on downs at Morehouse's 29-yard 7i TOM ROSTER Associated Presi advantage at the half.

Harris' third touchdown run of the day from 6 yards out pulled Grambling to within seven at 27-20, but the Braves racked up 17 unanswered points in the final two minutes. "I thought if we stayed around long enough when it was 27-20 that the good Lord would reward me for all the times I've been in church and give us the win," Robinson said. Alcorn's sophomore quarterback Marcus Taylor connected on nine of 17 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Grambling's starting quarterback Michael Kornblau, who was treated for an upset stomach prior to Grambling's season opener, was 2-of-6 passing for 5 yards before giving way to sophomore backup Frederick Cagins. 'si Fort Valley Morehouse 317 1 1 (2111 27 First Quarter FV: Jevon Tyler 34 FG Second Quarter MC: Duke Bradley 12 pass from lonzy Robertson (Marcus Shaw kick) MC: Doug Avery 16 interception return (Shaw kick) MC: Tennell lockett I run (Shaw kick) Third Quarter FV: Jamal Garman 16 punt block (Tyler kick) Fourth Quarter FV: LaVorris White 4 run (kick failed) MC: Robert Anthony 1 run (kick failed) Attendance: 7,249.

and three touchdowns as the Braves improved to 1-1. West Georgia also scored on a 4-yard run by Kevin Carroll, a 22-yard field goal by Jeremy Coates and an 98-yard interception return by Corey Jarrells. Clark Atlanta 25, Lane 0: David Kennedy had two touchdown passes to lead Clark to its second win. Kennedy hit Terrance Harvey with a 67-yard scoring pass in the first quarter and Ederic Kenny on a 45-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Clark also scored on a 9-yard run by Corey Wyatt and a 3-yard run by Israel Thompson.

Carson-Newman 28, Valdosta St 7i Zac Allen threw for two touchdowns and Tyson Maples kicked three field goals, one a 51-yarder, as Carson-Newman beat Valdosta in the inaugural Nick Hyder Classic. The Eagles (1-0) got a 42-yard field goal from Maples on the opening drive, then stretched the lead to 9-0 when Allen, who threw for 238 yards, connected with Jacques Rumph on a 44-yard scoring pass. Carson-Newman's other touchdown came on a 4-yard run by Per-vis Henderson. Maples also kicked a 33-yard field goal. The Blazers (0-2) scored their only touchdown with just over a minute left in the game, a 4-yard pass from Donnie Johnston to Eric Doggett.

Albany State 22, Miles 12: Jerome Pope ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns to lead Albany State. Pope broke a 56-yard run early in the fourth quarter to give Albany a 16-6 lead. Miles answered with a touchdown at the 2:31 mark, but Pope scored from 24 yards out on the next dnve to ice the game. Gramble on: Grambling running back Brent Harris fights Alcorn State lineman Terry Wilkerson. Alcorn State won 44-20.

STAFF REPORTS AND NEWS SERVICES Tommy Bowden made a successful coaching debut Saturday as Tulane beat favored Cincinnati 31-17 in the Louisiana Superdome. He is the third major-college coach in the family, joining his father, Bobby Bowden of Florida State, and brother, Terry Bowden of Auburn. Led by junior quarterback Shaun King's four touchdown passes and a defense that forced four turnovers, Tulane controlled the Conference USA opener played before 20,828. King completed 21-of-34 passes for 265 yards and rushed for 87 yards on 17 carries. His scrambling kept the Bearcats (1-1) off balance through most of the game and enabled Tulane to go on a 31-point scoring spree.

King brought Tulane back from a 10-0 deficit by throwing three touchdown passes in the second period, 16 and 18 yards to JaJuan Dawson and 9 to P.J. Franklin. When he wasn't moving the ball by air, King called his own number most of the time. He was responsible for Tulane converting 9-of-16 third downs. Cincinnati, which beat Tulsa 34-24 it its opener, scored first on a 30-yard run by sophomore Robert Cooper in the first period and a 23-yard field goal by Eric Richards early in the second.

West Georgia 37, Man Hill 1 2: Toby Strange passed for 273 yards program is headed." Grambling's Sterling Hicker-son fumbled away the opening kickoff, and five plays later Estus Sands scored from 2 yards out to give Alcorn a 7-0 lead with 13:07 remaining. Brent Harris' 7-yard run tied the game at 7-7, but Alcorn (1-1, 1-0) countered with a 42-yard scoring strike from Marcus Taylor to Donald Driver to build a 13-7 lead at the 5:44 mark. Grambling (0-1, 0-1) tied the game at 13-13 with 48 seconds remaining on a 3-yard run by Harris before Eric Mitchell's first blocked punt set up a 6-yard drive ending when Alcorn's Ken-yatta Quinn scored. Mitchell's second blocked punt, in the second quarter, culminated in Sands' 1-yard touchdown run to give Alcorn a 27-13.