By Donald Hunt
For The Birmingham Times
Miles College had its offense in high gear against Central State. The Golden Bears defeated the Marauders, 36-0 at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium. Miles College leaned on the strong arm of quarterback David Whipple who threw three touchdown passes in the victory. Whipple completed 16-of-29 passes for 193 yards.
The Golden Bears signal caller hooked up with wide receivers Earnest Bell, Jr., Trey Smith and Jourdan Walker. Offensively, Miles College has a great passing attack that could really help them in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Defensively, Miles College received a great effort from linebacker Austin Stephens who was named SIAC Newcomer of the Week. Stephens had 11 total and eight solo tackles and his first career interception against Central State.
Miles College (3-2, 1-0) will visit Kentucky State (2-4, 2-1) on Saturday, Oct. 15 for a contest at 1 p.m.
In other SIAC action, Tuskegee quarterback Kevin Lacey was named the SIAC Offensive Player of the Week. Lacey threw four touchdown passes and just one interception while leading Tuskegee to a 28-19 win over Morehouse in the 81st annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic. The Golden Tigers’ field general connected on 18-of-29 passes for 300 yards.
Tuskegee (6-0, 4-0) has one of the best Division II teams in the nation. The Golden Tigers have moved from No. 8 to No. 5 in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll. Tuskegee has a bye week. After this week, they will return to SIAC competition on Oct. 22 with a home game with Kentucky State.
SWAC
In the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Alabama A&M will battle host Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 2:30 p.m. The Bulldogs (1-5, 1-4) will try to get a road win against the Golden Lions (1-4, 1-2).
Alabama A&M is coming off a 42-19 loss to Alcorn State. The Bulldogs should be able to move the football with their passing combination of quarterback De’Angelo Ballard and tight end Jonathan Dorsey. Ballard completed 14-of-30 passes for 181 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Dorsey had two catches for 49 yards and two TDs.
Alabama State will entertain Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. with hopes of getting a SWAC victory. The Delta Devils (0-6, -04) have really struggled this season. ASU dropped a tough 24-17 decision to Prairie View A&M last week. Running back Khalid Thomas had 106 yards rushing on 21 carries.
Alabama State punter Trevor Vincent was named the SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week. Vincent had eight punts for 330 yards.
