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January 4th, 2008, 01:44 AM
The CSN Way: Whew, 2007
Charles Burton, CSN Columnist
The 2007 season began -- and ended -- with historic achievements. Conference by conference, here’s a look back at the “year that was” in FCS football. The champions, the games of the year, the highest moments, the biggest disappointments, the best players and the unsung heroes, the "what if's" and the peeks forward. Whew, 2007!
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Champions: Delaware State Hornets
Game of the Year: November 10th, Delaware State 28, Norfolk State 21, OT.
It was a game which had a little of everything. Down 21-3, the Hornets pulled together an improbable 18 point comeback in the fourth quarter featuring wideout Shaheer McBride grabbing a teammate’s helmet to get in the game and catch a six yard touchdown pass from quarterback Vashon Winton to spark the comeback. After another late touchdown and 2-point conversion, kicker Peter Gaertner’s 28 yard field goal would send the game to overtime. The Hornets would gut out another cardiac win en route to a 10-1 season with their only regular-season loss coming to FBS Kent State.
Highest Moment: The Playoffs (Finally) Make a Rivalry.
The highlight was clearly on selection Sunday when Delaware State, through the magic of the FCS playoffs, were paired with Delaware to finally allow the Hornets and Blue Hens a chance to face off, on national television. Although the Hornets got soundly beaten, it seemed to usher in a new era between Delaware and Delaware State – two in-state rivals who both finally seem to be completely committed to FCS football.
Biggest Disappointment: Hampton President Bill Harvey.
How do you just elbow out such a successful head coach like Joe Taylor? Few would have predicted that the popular Pirate head football coach would be finding himself looking for a job this year – especially after a hugely successful 15 year career at Hampton where coach Taylor only suffered ONE losing season, in 1996. But if you believe the reports coming out of Hampton Roads that’s exactly what has happened – a game of chicken that meant Harvey shooed Taylor into the arms of league-mate Florida A&M. Taylor may have been looking for respect, but Harvey should have treated his hall-of-fame caliber coach better.
Players of the Year: Norfolk State linebackers Maguell Davis and Marquez Davis.
The “twin terrors” in the middle of the Spartan defense allowed for the 8-3 Spartans to enjoy their best season ever in Division I. With a combined 209 tackles, 5 ½ sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions between these twins, the rest of the MEAC will be very happy to see these two graduate.
Unsung Player of the Year: Runningback Chad Simpson, Morgan State.
Folks around the MEAC know how tough this senior was for the Bears – in ten games Simpson amassed 1,603 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns in the defensive-minded MEAC this year.
What If: Norfolk State Had simply beaten Howard?
How does Norfolk State lose to 4-7 Howard by a 17-10 score? Couldn’t Casey Hansen just complete that one pass to put the game in overtime? More importantly, had they not had that blemish on their record, might they not have gotten woofed by the NCAA Playoff committee and made the playoff field with a 9-2 record?
A Peek Towards 2008:
Big-time players in wideout Shaheer McBride and defensive back Akeem Green graduate, but Delaware State boasts some impressive players returning in quarterback Vashon Winton and runningback Akeem Green. Hampton looks as interesting as ever with quarterback T.J. Mitchell returning, while South Carolina State sees runningback William Ford return.
READ MORE... http://www.collegesportingnews.com/article.asp?articleid=89669
Charles Burton, CSN Columnist
The 2007 season began -- and ended -- with historic achievements. Conference by conference, here’s a look back at the “year that was” in FCS football. The champions, the games of the year, the highest moments, the biggest disappointments, the best players and the unsung heroes, the "what if's" and the peeks forward. Whew, 2007!
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Champions: Delaware State Hornets
Game of the Year: November 10th, Delaware State 28, Norfolk State 21, OT.
It was a game which had a little of everything. Down 21-3, the Hornets pulled together an improbable 18 point comeback in the fourth quarter featuring wideout Shaheer McBride grabbing a teammate’s helmet to get in the game and catch a six yard touchdown pass from quarterback Vashon Winton to spark the comeback. After another late touchdown and 2-point conversion, kicker Peter Gaertner’s 28 yard field goal would send the game to overtime. The Hornets would gut out another cardiac win en route to a 10-1 season with their only regular-season loss coming to FBS Kent State.
Highest Moment: The Playoffs (Finally) Make a Rivalry.
The highlight was clearly on selection Sunday when Delaware State, through the magic of the FCS playoffs, were paired with Delaware to finally allow the Hornets and Blue Hens a chance to face off, on national television. Although the Hornets got soundly beaten, it seemed to usher in a new era between Delaware and Delaware State – two in-state rivals who both finally seem to be completely committed to FCS football.
Biggest Disappointment: Hampton President Bill Harvey.
How do you just elbow out such a successful head coach like Joe Taylor? Few would have predicted that the popular Pirate head football coach would be finding himself looking for a job this year – especially after a hugely successful 15 year career at Hampton where coach Taylor only suffered ONE losing season, in 1996. But if you believe the reports coming out of Hampton Roads that’s exactly what has happened – a game of chicken that meant Harvey shooed Taylor into the arms of league-mate Florida A&M. Taylor may have been looking for respect, but Harvey should have treated his hall-of-fame caliber coach better.
Players of the Year: Norfolk State linebackers Maguell Davis and Marquez Davis.
The “twin terrors” in the middle of the Spartan defense allowed for the 8-3 Spartans to enjoy their best season ever in Division I. With a combined 209 tackles, 5 ½ sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions between these twins, the rest of the MEAC will be very happy to see these two graduate.
Unsung Player of the Year: Runningback Chad Simpson, Morgan State.
Folks around the MEAC know how tough this senior was for the Bears – in ten games Simpson amassed 1,603 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns in the defensive-minded MEAC this year.
What If: Norfolk State Had simply beaten Howard?
How does Norfolk State lose to 4-7 Howard by a 17-10 score? Couldn’t Casey Hansen just complete that one pass to put the game in overtime? More importantly, had they not had that blemish on their record, might they not have gotten woofed by the NCAA Playoff committee and made the playoff field with a 9-2 record?
A Peek Towards 2008:
Big-time players in wideout Shaheer McBride and defensive back Akeem Green graduate, but Delaware State boasts some impressive players returning in quarterback Vashon Winton and runningback Akeem Green. Hampton looks as interesting as ever with quarterback T.J. Mitchell returning, while South Carolina State sees runningback William Ford return.
READ MORE... http://www.collegesportingnews.com/article.asp?articleid=89669