Randall Barnes Articles - Page 5

The talk of the HBCU football world following Howard’s 10-9 victory over Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic was the play of the new starting Rattlers quarterback, RJ Johnson III. Johnson finished the game throwing for 183 yards on 17-of-32 passing. While he struggled at times, including a missed connection with a wide-open receiver […]

Although Alabama A&M lost its season opener to Arkansas, Sam Shade put the experience into perspective. The new Bulldog head coach didn’t see the game as a “money game” but rather as an “opportunity game.” “Well, the first thing is going into the ball game, I told I told our team, I said, ‘Look, people […]

As I was watching Bill Belichick and UNC get totally destroyed by TCU on Labor Day evening, something dawned on me. Over the past five years, we’ve seen an influx of “celebrity” coaches in college football. Many seemingly are drawn to the sport after seeing Deion Sanders’ success and the groundswell of attention around him. […]

Alabama State University has hired Fort Valley State alumnus and Super Bowl champion Tyrone Poole as head coach of the flag football team. The news was announced by Hornets athletic director Dr. Jason Cable. “I am excited to welcome Tyrone Poole to Hornet Nation,” Cable said in a statement. “His professional accomplishments on the field […]

Tuskegee University is jubilant after a 20-17 victory over Winston-Salem State University in the Red Tails Classic, but athletic director Reginald Ruffin has some choice words about Tiger fans who want free tickets. Ruffin took to his Facebook account to bluntly denounce the idea of free tickets to Tuskegee University games. The full post is […]

Alabama State’s Andrew Body had a phenomenal season opener versus the University of Alabama Birmingham, and is getting high recognition. Body was named the Stats Perform HBCU National Player for Week 1. Honorable mentions for the honor were Joshua Iseah, LB, North Carolina A\&T; Quincy Ivory, DE, Jackson State; Chris Mosley, RB, North Carolina Central; […]

After a resounding win over Hampton University, Jackson State has found itself moving up the FCS top 25. Originally listed at 17 to start the season, Jackson State is now ranked 15th headed into a compelling matchup against Charles Huff, who is ironically a Hampton University alumnus, and his new Southern Miss team. Jackson State […]

Norfolk State lost its season opener to Towson University 27-7, and Vick addressed the media postgame. “Tonight certainly we could have done a lot of things better. Um, you know, certainly shot ourselves in the foot and a lot of situations. We gave some big players early. Um, found a way to get back into […]

Following Delaware State’s season-opening 35-17 loss to Delaware on Thursday, DeSean Jackson is putting things into perspective. He spoke to media members following the game on Thursday, captured by The League Winners. Overall, he was proud of his team and how they competed. “They did a great job, man. They came out and, um, you […]

This year’s Texas Southern versus Prairie View A&M matchup was arguably the most anticipated HBCU game of the weekend. The Labor Day Classic is already a huge event, often turning into an amazing game between two heated rivals. But this year, the off-the-field drama made the game even more personal and intriguing to watch. The […]

Southern University quarterback Jalen Woods suffered a nasty injury during the team’s victory over Mississippi Valley State University. Early in the second quarter, Woods was dealt a hard helmet-to-helmet hit on a QB run that left him unconscious on the ground. As Southern University’s medical staff and coaches tended to him, an ambulance truck came […]

In HBCU football, it’s rare that you see Celebration Bowl rematches during the regular season. But the Orange Blossom Classic brought Howard University and Florida A&M together for the second iteration of their matchup after a thrilling 2023 Celebration Bowl face-off. In that game, Willie Simmons led Florida A&M to their first Celebration Bowl victory […]

Chennis Berry in his first year with the program at South Carolina State, had a magical season. Berry has proven himself to be a certified program-builder, as he led Benedict College to prominence in the SIAC and Division II football in only three seasons with the program. After a MEAC championship in his first season […]

Today, for both North Carolina A&T and Tennessee State, it was the dawn of a new era. For North Carolina A&T, Shawn Gibbs returned to the Aggies in hopes of restoring the glory they accrued during their MEAC championships and Celebration Bowl runs. Meanwhile, Reggie Barlow leads a Tennessee State program that found immense success […]

Perhaps the most anticipated game of the weekend featured Hampton University facing off against the reigning Celebration Bowl champions, Jackson State. Ever since leaving the MEAC in 2018, Hampton has competed in the Coastal Athletic Association and the Big South, and they haven’t been a part of regular HBCU competition in years. While they do […]

A blocked Clark Atlanta field goal kick led to Valdosta State escaping an upset with a 31-28 victory. Valdosta State has been traditionally dominant against HBCUs, especially SIAC programs, with a record of 59-5 against the conference in the program’s history. Their last loss against an HBCU came in 2022 to the Jada Byers-led Virginia […]

Despite Alabama State’s 52-42 loss to UAB on Thursday evening, Andrew Body had a standout game that almost delivered his Hornets the upset. He completed 18 of 24 attempts for 312 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 119 yards and one touchdown on 16 rushing attempts. Even when it seemed that UAB pulled ahead […]

In one of the more shocking outcomes of the evening, Northwestern State broke their 20-game losing streak en route to beating Alcorn State 20-10. The team picked up their first victory since November 5, 2022, on Thursday night, ending the longest losing streak in the FCS.   It’s been 1,027 days, but tonight, the streak […]

Heading into Thursday’s season opener, many in the HBCU community foresaw that Alabama State had a chance against UAB. Typically, early-season FBS vs. FCS matchups are quick money games that could also be an opportunity to showcase standout plays on film for draft-eligible players. But, Thursday night was a statement for the Hornets, who were […]

The much-anticipated coaching debut of Michael Vick was met with great excitement, following months of fanfare about the team he was building. He even made an appearance on First Take, which was broadcast live from Norfolk State’s campus. However, the Spartans’ 27-7 loss to Towson University showed that the hype comes secondary to the work […]

Eddie George’s tenure at Bowling Green could not have started more perfectly. The former NFL standout assumed the position of head coach at Bowling Green in March, following a successful tenure at Tennessee State. Thursday night marked the debut for Eddie George’s Falcons, and they faced Lafayette. Just seconds into the game, an electrifying moment […]

Texas Southern head football coach Cris Dishman has been very vocal about his support for his team recently. First, he had pointed words for Tremaine Jackson in the Labor Day Classic press conference over how well he believes his team will fare against the Panthers. “It’s going to be a very exciting game, and there’s […]

Ahead of the start of the football season, Edward Waters University athletic director Dr. Ivana Rich-Letiner has stepped down. On Tuesday, the university announced the leadership transition with university president and CEO Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr, confirming the resignation, effective September 1, 2025. Dr. Rich-Leitner, who joined EWU in October 2022, has been a […]

When it comes to the Labor Day Classic, the rivalry between Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M is a story that writes itself. The Labor Day Classic is one of the most well-anticipated HBCU classics in the nation, with thousands of Texans from around the state taking a portion of their Labor Day weekend to […]

Although there was only one HBCU football player selected in the 2025 NFL draft, several HBCU alumni have secured final roster spots on various teams around the league. As the 2025 regular season gears up to start, several former HBCU football players, such as Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, had standout games […]

Saturday’s matchup between North Carolina Central and Southern University in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge drew a huge TV audience. The game, which aired in primetime on ABC, drew 867,000 viewers. While that number is a drop from last season’s edition of the game, which featured Florida A&M and Norfolk State and drew 1.3 million viewers, the […]

Ahead of the start of First Take’s fall HBCU tour, former NFL MVP Cam Newton has signed a multi-year deal with ESPN. The new deal ensures that “4th & 1” host Cam Newton will continue appearing on ESPN’s First Take, even expanding his role on the show. “I am excited to be back with the […]

The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie has entered a historic partnership with Urban Edge Network (UEN), a 24-hour streaming network that recently expanded its college sports broadcasting efforts with the expansion of their coverage of the NAIA. With this agreement, USC Salkehatchie becomes the first NJCAA member to secure a streaming deal with UEN. USC […]

Bethune-Cookman University has made a significant recruiting splash by signing former five-star recruit Arterio Morris. A former guard for both the Texas Longhorns and the Kansas Jayhawks, Morris spent his most recent season at South Plains College. Morris had a stellar high school career, earning a five-star recruit ranking and being named a McDonald’s All-American. […]

The Labor Day Classic between Prairie View A&M and Texas Southern is always one of the most anticipated games of the season, but it has more meaning this year. In a rather tense and contentious press conference, Texas Southern head coach Cris Dishman threw some verbal jabs toward new Prairie View A&M head coach Tremaine […]

Love Island, as I’ve often said, is one of the most interesting viewing experiences that I’ve ever had. It was honestly just like a roller coaster. When you were up, you were up with Love Island. It was fun. It was different. You were drawn to the cast members on the show. It aired every […]

It seems as if Florida A&M has officially found its solution to the open quarterback spot once held by Daniel Richardson. Per a report by the Tallahassee Democrat, James Colzie III announced that Toledo transfer RJ Johnson will get the nod as QB1 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge against Howard University on Sunday afternoon. Johnson, a […]

Despite Southern University losing the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, Trey Holly announced his presence as an offensive playmaker on Saturday evening. He rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries and had an 80-yard touchdown run with the Jaguars backed up at the 20-yard line in the second quarter. The former LSU standout who is […]

It’s the opening week of the college football season, and the Michael Vick era at Norfolk State is set to officially start. After months of conversation and expectation, the Spartans are set to open the season hosting Towson University. On the debut of his new coach’s show in collaboration with WVEC Channel 13,  Vick let […]

One of the biggest storylines heading into the MEAC/SWAC Challenge matchup between North Carolina Central and Southern University was who would be the starting quarterback for the Jaguars. Southern had two options: returning QB Jalen Woods and Jackson State transfer Cam’Ron McCoy. Earlier in the week, Southern University head coach Terrance Graves was coy about […]

The HBCU football season is upon us as North Carolina Central and Southern University geared up to face off in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Ultimately, North Carolina Central picked up where they’ve left off the last few years and left Atlanta with a victory. Southern had some great moments and big plays, but a lack of […]

DeSean Jackson and Delaware State are playing their first game on Thursday against Delaware, but the new Hornets coach has an eye on the future. ClutchPoints associate editor Lorenzo J. Reyna spoke exclusively with Chaminade High School running back Marquis Jones after the team’s 42-27 victory over Oaks Christian. Per Reyna’s conversation with Jones, Jackson, […]

North Carolina Central has found itself atop HBCU football for the past few seasons. With a MEAC Championship and Celebration Bowl victory under their belt, along with an FCS Playoff appearance, Trei Olver’s Ealges have exemplified football excellence and are arguably the favorite headed into tonight’s MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Their success is no coincidence. North Carolina […]

The interconference game between Southern University and Bethune-Cookman is getting a location upgrade. Per a release by Bethune-Cookman, the two SWAC competitors will compete in the 2025 Tampa Bay Football Classic that will take place at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Football Classic is a neutral-site college football game that is meant to honor […]