HBCU GameTime w/ Donal Ware

The HBCU sports season is officially on, and as host of the national sports talk radio show, From the Press Box to Press Row, I cover all the action on the games that showcase our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCU GameTime will provide a weekly rundown on what’s happening on the field, and occasionally other sports-related topics. Let’s play!
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The old saying goes to be the best you have to beat the best.

The Tennessee State Tigers did just that, defeating last week’s top HBCU football team Bethune-Cookman 21-14 in Nashville.

The Tigers are now the best.

The media and the coaches voted TSU No. 1 in both Boxtorow HBCU polls — it was unanimous among the coaches. The Tigers were giving up over 400 yards of total offense coming into their matchup with the Wildcats and gave up just 287 yards to the Wildcats.

TSU will face another tough opponent as No. 5 Arkansas-Pine Bluff comes to Nashville for the Tigers’ homecoming.  The No. 5 ranking (on both polls) are the highest for the Golden Lions since Boxtorow began administering the media poll in 2007 and coaches poll in 2009.  UAPB is coming off an impressive 24-21 victory last Thursday over Alabama State on national television.

TSU isn’t the only unbeaten team in HBCU football. The defending HBCU national champion Winston-Salem State Rams are off to a 4-0 start and will face Bowie State in Bowie, Md.  No. 2/2 Alabama A&M is also off to a 4-0 start and will host defending SWAC champion Grambling State in the Louis Crews Classic on Saturday in Huntsville, Ala.

Boxtorow National Game of the Week: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-1) vs. Tennessee State (4-0)

Typically for homecoming you bring in a team that you are pretty sure you can beat and everyone goes home happy. Since former Washington Redskins linebacker Monte Coleman took over the program in 2008, the Golden Lions have never been an easy out.