The calendar has turned to October, meaning that a third of the season is in the books.
When last week’s slate of games came to an end, Homecoming season started with a win, we saw streaks get extended (both good and bad), and a big one came to an end while the lone unbeaten program in HBCU FCS Football sat at home during their bye.
So, before the start of this week’s action, here are my top five takeaways from Week 5 in HBCU FCS Football.
1. Down Goes Frazier
After starting last Saturday’s game down 24-0, North Carolina Central would eventually have their seven-game win streak – the longest in FCS Football –snapped in their 48-18 road loss to Campbell.
The Camels tallied 563 total yards of offense, 315 of which were on the ground. The Eagles allowed 328 combined rushing yards in their first four games of the season.
In the loss, NCCU QB Davius Richard was able to compile 331 yards of total offense and scored three touchdowns but what does this mean for the other two HBCUs (Jackson State, North Carolina A&T) that will face Campbell later this month?
2. Streaky Panthers
Not only did Prairie View A&M win its fifth consecutive State Fair Classic over Grambling this past weekend, but they are also on top of the SWAC’s West Division with a conference record of 3-0. Oddly enough, Coach McDowell believes that the Panthers have yet to put together four quarters of quality football this season and is looking for ways to get his team going in the second half of games. During the last half of their previous four games, Prairie View has scored a total of 24 points.
3. Back-To-Back Bhayshul
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. North Carolina A&T won a game thanks to staunch defense and relying heavily on their running attack.
After starting the season losing three straight, the Aggies have won two-in-a-row thanks in part to The Blue Death Defense creating turnovers and placing the ball into the hands of RB Bhayshul Tuten. The sophomore tailback gained 114 yards and scored two touchdowns on 27 carries in the Aggies 24-13 win over Bryant.
During this win streak, Tuten has compiled 254 yards and four scores on the ground while the defense has forced seven turnovers, led by DB Karon Prunty’s two interceptions.
4. Lucky Thirteen
Since losing to Jackson State in the Orange Blossom Classic, Florida A&M is riding a three-game win streak after defeating Mississippi Valley State 34-7. During that stretch, QB Jeremy Moussa and WR Xavier Smith have been outstanding.
Moussa has thrown for 864 yards and six touchdowns during that span, all of which were thrown to Smith. Oh yeah, all three of those games were won at Bragg Stadium, extending their home winning streak to 13.
5. Tough Starts
Mississippi Valley State (0-5), Norfolk State (0-5), and Tennessee State (0-4) are still winless at this point of the season, losing by a combined 45 points this past weekend.
Who will get off the schneid first? Of the three teams, TSU has the easiest road to a victory based on the current records of their next three opponents (3-9). But the Tigers just lost to Division II Lane at home this past Saturday, so…
Honorable Mention: Last week, Grambling faced Bethune-Cookman without their iconic “G” logo on their helmets. Head coach Hue Jackson pointed out that his players needed to earn the right to wear the logo after failing to meet expectations.
The 34-14 loss to PVAMU in Dallas last weekend didn’t help. Maybe they’ll prove themselves when they travel to Huntsville on Saturday to face Alabama A&M.
