Boxtorow Blog

I thought that the inaugural Russell Athletic HBCU Bowl was outstanding.  There was an estimated 3,000 fans in attendance which isn’t bad for the first go around.  The game, really more like an event has some REAL potential.  In talking to the players this week  they enjoyed their experience

Who stood out?

I thought one of the best players on the field was South Carolina State DB Phillip Adams.  Adams locked receivers down in the drills during the course of the week and in the game it was no different.  I don’t believe he had a ball caught on him and he had one interception and one pass break up.

Despite completing only 36 percent of his passes I thought Norfolk State quarterback Dennis Brown played pretty well.  Because of the injury to Curtis Pulley, Brown played all but one series of snaps.  He was only sacked once, completed nine passes for 117 yards with 1 TD and no interceptions.  He also had a couple of dropped balls.  He stepped up in the pocket and threw a nice tight spiral with good velocity.  He showed an ability to scramble as well and was only sacked once.

Hampton RB LaMarcus Coker was one of the best all around players on the field.  Coming off his 200-yard rushing performance at the East Coast Bowl on Nov. 28, He carried the ball 8 times for 35 yards and also had 3 receptions for 82 yards and 1 TD, on a nice designed play where he ran a route out of the backfield and was wide open for the 33-yarder.  He also dropped two balls looking to run before he caught the ball, one of which would have been another touchdown.

FAMU DT Cameron Houston wreaked havoc on West backs all game.  He was credited with 2.5 tackles for loss, but he seemed to have had more than that.  He was in the backfield all game, man-handling solid West offensive linemen.  He also recorded 1.5 sacks.

If Adams was the best corner, then Tuskegee’s Justin Hannah was 2^nd, at least in the game.  He was extremely physical against East receivers, had one pick and broke up another pass.

Norfolk State safety Terrell Whitehead showed why he has received many accolades over the last two seasons.  Whitehead showed great range.  He picked off a pass, broke up another and late in the game appeared to have tapped both feet inbounds on a 2^nd interception but he was said to have been out of bounds.

Morgan State RB Devan James showed the running ability that made him and All-MEAC performer a year ago.  He led all RB in rushing (57 yards) and averaged 5.2 yards per carry.  He ran hard between the tackles and showed the ability to break tackles at the line of scrimmage.

Alcorn QB Tim Buckley completed 5-of-17 passes and 1 INT., but completed TD passes  and the of 24 and 29 yards, while rushing for 60 yards on 5 carries, despite being under constant pressure.  He showed some great escapibility and the ability to improvise when plays broke down.

Disappointments

Southern WR Juamorris Stewart may have been the premier receiver in BCF, but from my understanding opted not to participate.  Appearentley, he opted to play in Texas vs. the Nation Bowl game.  There were 20+ NFL teams represented this year.  He is one of the premier players in BCF.  He should have been there.

FAMU QB Curtis Pulley did not play because of a groin.  I would have loved to see him play amongst the best.  Even though he couldn’t/didn’t play, more importantly he was there and was one of the guys.

I was surprised not to have seen Southern QB Bryant Lee, perhaps BCF most prolific passer, play more at quarterback.  He played two series, completing 2-of-5 passes for 21 yards and was sacked once, while carrying the ball 3 times for a net of two yards (rushed for 18, but loss 16).  He played some wide receiver and had one reception for 10 yards.

This year’s juniors have much to look forward to next year.  Guys like Grambling’s Christian Anthony, South Carolina State’s Malcolm Long and Clark-Atlanta’s Winston Thompson. 

This year’s group set the standard and has given the younger guys something to really look forward to.

Donal Ware.
“…remember to always support those that support you…”
 

Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays from 2 – 3 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.

The inaugural HBCU Bowl has been a big hit with everybody involved - the City of Montgomery, NFL Scouts, the media and most importantly, the players.  It’s kind of interesting because I talk about a lot of these guys or to some of them on a week-to-week basis.  And I have talked to and been around a lot of pro athletes and entertainers.  But to actually be able to communicate with these outstanding players, the ones I talk about each week, and get to get to meet and talk to them in person, guys with names like Whitehead, Hannah, Pulley, Harewood, McKenna, Banks, Howard, etc. it’s like surreal.

Great job by Synergy Sports Associates and the City of Montgomery.  This is just the beginning of big things to come for this event. 

Don’t forget to LISTEN to the game Sat., Dec. 19 on Classics Sports Radio Network @ www.classicsportsradio.com beginning with the pregame show at 2:30 p.m. ET with yours truly and Steve Robinson on the call.

Donal Ware.
“…remember to always support those that support you…”
 

Ware is the host of FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW that can be heard on radio stations around the country. Click the following link http://boxtorow.com/affiliates.php to find out which station in your locale carries the show or go to www.boxtorow.com and click on the listen live link Saturdays during the football season from 2 – 3 p.m. ET.  FTPBTPR, 4 years and over 200 shows in the best of HBCU Sports talk and pro sports talk.  August 20, 2005 - August 29, 2009.