Football Weekly Release
SWAC.org
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The 2014 Southwestern Athletic Conference football has finally arrived. All 10 programs open this weekend as they start their chase for the chance to play in the 2014 Toyota SWAC football championship December 6.
Schedule of Games
Saturday – August 30
Alcorn State vs. Virginia Lynchburg
Lorman, Miss • 4 p.m.
Game Preview
Mississippi Valley vs. University of Faith
Itta Bena, Miss. • 4 p.m.
Southern at Louisiana-Lafayette
Lafayette, La. • 6 p.m (ESPN3)
Jackson State vs. Florida A&M
Jackson, Miss. • 6 p.m.
Game Preview
Grambling State at Lamar
Beaumont, Texas • 6 p.m.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas State
San Marcos, Texas • 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
Alabama State at Sam Houston State
Huntsville, Texas • 6:30 p.m.
Game Preview • Radio: WVAS 90.7 FM
Sunday – August 31
10th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Alabama A&M vs. North Carolina A&T
Orland, Fla. • 10.45 a.m. (ESPN)
Labor Day Classic
Prairie View at Texas Southern
Houston, Texas • 4 p.m.
Game Preview
Conference Notes and News
• The 2014 Toyota SWAC Football Championship game will be held December 6 at NRG Stadium.
• There are three head coaches making their debut this weekend. James Spady (Alabama A&M), Broderick Fobbs (Grambling State), and Harold Jackson (Jackson State) are all first year head coaches.
• Reigning SWAC champion Southern University was pegged to win the west division again in the 2014 preseason poll. Alabama State was picked to take the East.
• 18 SWAC alums opened preseason play on the rosters of several NFL teams. Alabama State had the most of any school at four. The Washington Redskins currently hold the most SWAC alums at four.
• Alabama State, Alcorn, and Southern currently appear on four different national polls. The trio are receiving votes on The Sports Network FCS Top 25 poll and are ranked in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network, Heritage Sports Radio Network, and BOXTOROW HBCU Football Media polls.
• Alabama A&M University will represent the conference in the 10th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney. Alabama A&M makes its first appearance in the Challenge and will face North Carolina A&T. The MEAC holds 7-2 record over the SWAC with Southern picking up the only wins for the league. The last win recorded in the Challenge for the SWAC - Southern defeated Delaware State 37-27 in 2010.
• A trio of SWAC football student-athletes were tabbed by The Sports Network and named to its 2014 FCS Preseason All-America Team. Avery Boykin (Mississippi Valley), Corey Carter (Texas Southern), and Jonathan Smith (Jackson State) join a group of 95 players from 59 different schools in all 13 FBS conferences.
• Adrian Gamble, a defensive lineman at Texas Southern, was selected to the 2014 Nike Ignite Internship Program. The highly competitive 12-week summer program provides candidates with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in virtually every area within Nike.
• The SWAC has 11 student-athletes on the College Football Performance Awards 2014 FCS Watch List.
• Alabama State and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Alabama announced the establishment of the Prince Hall Masons Americanism Football Classic. The two year classic features Texas Southern on September 27 at 5 p.m. this year with the Hornets hosting Grambling State 2015.
• Alcorn State signed current head coach Jay Hopson to a three-year contract extension. Hopson led the Braves to a 9-3 record in 2013.
• SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year Ben Anderson (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) was named one of JetMag.com’s top five HBCU Players to Watch in 2014.
• Four SWAC student-athletes were named to the 2014 BOXTOROW Preseason All-America Team. Punter Corey Carter (Texas Southern), linebacker Javancy Jones (Jackson State), tight end Jordan Payne (Alcorn State), and receiver Willie Quinn) all made the team based on votes from selected media members.
• The Southwestern Athletic Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously on May 30 2013 to relocate the Toyota SWAC football championship and basketball tournament to Houston, Texas for the next three seasons. While Houston is the birthplace of the SWAC, the league is the first HBCU Conference to hold both championships in a professional venue in one season.