Howard
and Grambling to play in Prince George's Classic
January 13, 2004
Top government, civic and business officials from Prince George's County in Maryland
gathered today to officially announce the Inaugural Prince George's County Black
Chamber of Commerce Football Classic, September 18, 2004 at Fedex Field, featuring
Grambling
State University and Howard University.
All Pro Photo
Hubert "Petey" Green (in the middle),
president of the Prince George's Black Chamber of Commerce is flanked by
Howard University football coach Rayford
Petty, on his right and Grambling State University head coach Doug Williams
on his left during Tuesday's press conference announcing the Inaugural
PG Classic.
Hubert "Petey" Green, president of the Prince George's Black Chamber
of Commerce, made the official announcement during a press conference at the
National Press Club in downtown Washington, DC. Several high-profile individuals
from the country were on hand including Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael
Steele, Maryland Representative Albert Wynn and County Executive Jack Johnson.
"This is something that will bring great exposure to Prince George's County," said Green. "To have two great historically black universities like Grambling and Howard is special. We have great support throughout the state and are looking to make this one of the premier black college classics in the country."
The game will feature the Tigers of Grambling from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and their legendary coach Doug Williams, the former Super Bowl MVP, who led the Washington Redskins to a Super Bowl victory.
"When we were approached a few months back and they said they wanted to do this here in the Washington, DC area, I said it was a no brainer," said Williams, who led the Tigers to a 9-3 record this past season and a national ranking among 1-AA schools. "Grambling
plays in a lot of classics, but there is no reason why the Prince George's
Classic cannot become one of the best in the country."
Grambling will showcase its talented senior quarterback Bruce Eugene, who put some eye-popping numbers this past season. The 6-1, 260-pound senior threw for 34 touchdowns and ran for another six while averaging over 350 yards of total offense per game.
Eugene operates behind a huge and talented offensive line that features two of the best in black college football in senior offensive tackles Jonathan Banks (6-8, 360) and Darryl Rodgers (6-6, 340).
The defense will be led by All-SWAC selection, senior defensive lineman Lennard Patton (6-4, 285), who recorded 50 tackles, 14 tackles for losses and 4 sacks.
Senior place kicker Brian Morgan accounted for 87 points.
The young Bison, from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), finished 4-7 last season, return 17 starters from last season. Howard Coach Rayford Petty, entering his third season at the helm, will rely on a powerful running game that features two 1,000-yard runners in sophomore Antoine Rutherford and senior Jay Colbert. Rutherford stepped in after injuries sidelined the starters and rushed for 1,050 yards and 8 TDs in 9 games while Colbert rushed for 1,001 yards in 2002, but missed all of last season healing a wrist injury that he received in an automobile accident prior to the season.
The running game will be powered by an offensive line that returns intact, led by All American candidate junior guard Brandon Torrey.
The Bison defense will pose a serious challenge for Eugene. Howard finished second in the nation in pass defense, allowing only 5 TD passes all season while also setting a new NCAA 1-AA single-season record for fumbles returned for TDs with 7.
Junior safety Antoine Bethea led all defensive backs in 1-AA in solo tackles and was named to the 2003 Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN) Black College All American team and first team All MEAC.
Senior linebacker Mike Sanders, who recorded almost 100 tackles in only nine games, is an All-American candidate.
"It will be a great challenge for us to play against a program like Grambling," said Coach Petty. "But it is also a great opportunity. It will definitely help in the area of recruiting. To play in a venue like Fedex Field, against a Grambling in a classic is very exciting for Howard University and our athletic program."
The two teams have met twice, with Howard winning both games. The Bison posted a 35-20 win in 1988 and a 6-0 victory in 1989. Both games were played in the Meadowlands.
