• Only three games occurred during week eight of the season and the western division dominated, going 2-1 and averaging 57.5 points in the wins.
• Grambling State still controls its own destiny. The league’s only undefeated team sits at 5-0 against SWAC opponents with just two divisional games remaining until a western division winner is decided. Contenders are Southern and Texas Southern.
• The 73rd Annual State Farm Magic City Classic will be broadcast live on ESPN3 at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. The historic matchup between Alabama State and Alabama A&M will also appear at 9 p.m. on ESPNU. A postgame concert by Bell Biv Devoe closes the event.
• A rematch of the 2013 Toyota SWAC Football Championships is set for 6 p.m. on October 25 when Jackson State hosts Southern. The last time the teams met, Southern pulled out the 34-27 overtime win to claim the conference title. Jackson State leads the all-time series 6-5.
• Heading into week nine, five SWAC student-athletes sit atop the nation alone in their respective statistical categories. Special teams dominate with Johntá Hebert (Prairie View) as the all-purpose yards per game leader, Danny Johnson (Southern) first in kickoff returns, Rashad Anderson (Alabama A&M) leading in punt returns, and Cory Carter (Texas Southern) remaining the top punter. Darryan Ragsdale (Alcorn State) leads the nation in rush yards per carry.
• Benjamin Anderson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) was named offensive student-athlete of the week (Oct. 20) after accounting for four of the Golden Lions five touchdowns at Grambling. He passed for a career-high 467 yards by completing 27 of 50 attempts with two touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns on 66 yards for over 530 yards of total offense.
• Jarius Moore (Texas Southern) earned defensive student-athlete of the week (Oct. 20) after racking up 13 tackles, including two for a loss and two pass breakups.
• Johntá Hebert (Prairie View A&M) was named specialist of the week (Oct. 20) for his role in the Panther’s 52-19 win at Mississippi Valley State. He returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown and also had a 53-yard return. He averaged 74 yards per return on the day.
• Jamil Cooks (Alcorn State) earned newcomer of the week honors after recording six tackles, four solo, in the Braves 40-25 win over Texas Southern. He also racked up a game-high 3.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry.
• Mississippi Valley State announced its 2014 Hall of Fame inductees October 20 and the class included former running back Corey Holmes (’01). He played two seasons with the Delta Devils and amassed nearly 2,900 career yards on 527 carries with 21 touchdowns. He was named First-Team All-SWAC twice and garnered offensive player of the year honors. Holmes still holds the school’s record for most rushing yards in a season and career.
• Prairie View A&M will play its final home football game in Blackshear Field on Saturday, Oct. 25. The Panthers have played 66 seasons inside Blackshear and will “Fade 2 Black” after the game with words from University President Dr. George C. Wright, Director of Athletics Ashely Robinson and Mr. Bill Downey, a former football standout who played during the inaugural season at Blackshear Field in 1948.
• Prairie View’s Johntá Hebert was named College Football Performance Awards FCS kick returner of the week.
• There are six former SWAC football student-athletes competing in the NFL as of October 24. Frank Kearse (Alabama A&M) and Jason Hatcher (Grambling State) are with the Washington Redskins, Larry Donnell (Grambling State) is a New York Giant, Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) plays for the New Orleans Saints, Tavaris Jackson (Alabama State) is with the Seattle Seahawks, and Isaiah Crowell (Alabama State) is on the Cleveland Browns roster.