Florida A&M Rattlers fall 12-10 after failed QB sneak

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Interim head coach Corey Fuller’s first game at helm for the Florida A&M Rattlers against Norfolk State was marred by two drives that ended on the goal line — the second one ended the game and any hopes the Rattlers had of finishing near the top of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Quarterback Damien Fleming tried to sneak the ball in on third down with eight seconds left in the game, despite the team being out of timeouts and down by two points. The play was stuffed by Norfolk and time ran out while the field goal unit was trying to get on the field, leading to a 12-10 loss for the Rattlers.

It wasn’t the way Fuller wanted to cap a tumultuous week in front of 18,663 homecoming fans. Head coach Earl Holmes was fired on Tuesday and the other coaches were given 60-day non-renewal notices. This is the third homecoming loss for the Rattlers in the last four years.

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Former Band Member Found Guilty In FAMU Hazing Case

ORLANDO, Florida (Oct. 31) -- A Florida jury found former Florida A&M University marching band member Dante Martin guilty of manslaughter for his role in the fatal hazing of drum major Robert Champion.

As NPR's Greg Allen reported from Orlando earlier this week, prosecutors said Martin was the ringleader of what they called a dark hazing tradition in which Champion was beaten to death. Martin's lawyer argued that the tradition of walking through a bus while getting beaten started way before Martin was in the band. 

Originally, 15 band members were charged for the role they played in Champion's death.

"Most of the others have had ...

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GCAC: Talladega College MarchingTornado Band Makes 2015 Honda Battle of Bands Lineup

WATCH ALL VIDEO IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

TORRANCE, California -- Students, alumni and fans of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) cast their votes online and took to social media to help their favorite marching bands advance to the 13^th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. The final eight bands have been selected and will take the Georgia Dome by storm on January 24, 2015, when they showcase their incredible musical talent and electrifying showmanship in front of a packed crowd in Atlanta, GA.

The following eight bands will perform at the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:

• Alabama State University, Mighty Marching Hornets (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
• Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
• Howard University, Showtime Marching Band (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference); performing at Honda Battle of the Bands for the first time
• Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
• North Carolina A&T University, Blue and Gold Marching Machine (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
• Southern University, Human Jukebox (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
• Talladega College, Marching Tornado Band (Gulf Coast Athletic Conference); performing at Honda Battle of the Bands for the first time
• Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Ohio Valley Conference)

Tickets to the Honda Battle of the Bands are available for purchase now on the official website, starting at just $10. The participating eight HBCUs will receive a $20,000 grant from Honda to support their music education programs, plus travel to and accommodations in Atlanta for the Invitational Showcase. The final eight were selected through a process that included online fan voting, as well as feedback from band directors, HBCU school presidents and representatives from American Honda.

This year's theme, "March On," serves as a reminder to students and fans that life on and off the field is a journey, and no matter the challenge, the dream or what may lie ahead, learning never stops as long as you commit to "March On."

"Honda congratulates the eight bands selected to participate in the Invitational Showcase and thanks all of the schools, students, alumni and fans that participated in the process leading to Atlanta," said Stephan Morikawa, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Community Relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

"Honda is committed to supporting education at HBCUs by investing in their programs and providing a platform aimed at helping students realize what Honda calls The Power of Dreams."

The 2015 Invitational Showcase will feature the first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands Power of Dreams Award. Participating teams and fans will have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding member of their community who is working to help students achieve their dreams. Honda will then select a winner who will be recognized in Atlanta at the 2015 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.

For updates, follow the Honda Battle of the Bands and join the social media conversation using #HBOB.

• Facebook – Facebook.com/HondaBattleoftheBands
• Twitter – @The_Honda / Twitter.com/The_Honda
• Instagram – @The_Honda / Instagram.com/the_honda
• YouTube - YouTube.com/hondabotb

For more information on the 2015 Honda Battle of the Bands, visit HondaBattleoftheBands.com. 

Week 10: HBCU Football Schedule

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2014

OVC
Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee State, 3 PM, ESPN3

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 3:30 PM
Grambling State at Texas Southern, 6:30 PM
Alabama State at Southern, 7 PM
Alabama A&M at Jackson State, 7 PM

MEAC
Morgan State at Hampton, 1 PM
Delaware State at Howard, 1 PM
Savannah State at South Carolina State, 1:30 PM
Norfolk State at Florida A&M, 3 PM (Homecoming)
North Carolina Central at Bethune-Cookman, 4 PM

CIAA
Winston-Salem State at Shaw, 1 PM
Saint Augustine's at Johnson C. Smith, 1 PM (Homecoming)
Bowie State at Lincoln (Pa.) 1PM
Virginia Union at Elizabeth City State, 1 PM\
Livingstone at Fayetteville State, 2 PM
Chowan at Virginia State, 2 PM

SIAC
Lane at Kentucky State, 1PM
Tuskegee at Central State (Ohio), 1:30 PM
Albany State at Benedict, 2 PM
Paine at Clark Atlanta, 2 PM (Homecoming)
Stillman at Miles, 4 PM
Fort Valley State at Morehouse, 7 PM

OTHER CONFERENCES
Cheyney at West Chester, 1 PM
West Virginia State at Notre Dame College, 1 PM
Ava Maria at Edward Waters, 2 PM
Wayland Baptist at Texas College, 2 PM (Homecoming)
Virginia University Lynchburg at Alderson-Broaddus, 2 PM
Corcordia-Selma at Samford, 3 PM
Oklahoma Panhandle State at Langston, 3 PM
Lincoln (Mo.) at Central Washington, 4 PM

ALL GAME TIMES ARE SHOWN IN EASTERN TIME

Lady Rattler Volleyballers bounce A&T, 3-1

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Oct. 31) – The FAMU Women’s Volleyball team won their 37th straight conference match Friday with a 3-1 road victory over North Carolina A&T at Moore Gymnasium on the A&T campus.

The Lady Rattlers (10-13, 8-0 in MEAC), won 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 25-13, to remain perfect in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, thanks to the net play of Pamela Soriano and Tamar Fowler.

Soriano, the heavy favorite for MEAC Rookie of the Year, led the way with 19 kills and 20 digs, followed by Fowler, who spiked down 14 kills.

Sophomore Ginna Lopez-Chavez added eight kills, while Joanie Del Castillo and Sydni Etheredge each had 13 digs. Freshman Vaeria Lopez dished out a season-high 46 assists for FAMU.

WHAT’S NEXT: Sunday, FAMU will trek to Durham, N.C. to face North Carolina Central in a 2:00 conference bout…. They close their conference slate for 2014 next Friday night at Bethune-Cookman (7:00) in Daytona Beach.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

No. 5 Lady Tigers' strong finish beats No. 18 Nuggets

McKENZIE, Tennessee (Oct. 31) -- Senior guard Caroline Owen scored 15 of her 26 points in the final 4:04 Friday to help NAIA No. 5 Campbellsville pull away for a 74-62 women's basketball victory against No. 18 Xavier University of Louisiana in the Bethel Chamber of Commerce Shootout.

It was the season opener for both teams and a rematch of a second-round game at last season's NAIA Division I National Championship, which Campbellsville won 59-55.

Xavier tied the score at 56 on a Vinnie Briggs basket with 4:15 remaining, then Owen answered 11 seconds with her fourth 3-pointer of the game to put the Lady Tigers ahead to stay. Owen made her final 3-pointer at 1:16 for a 69-60 advantage.

Briggs scored 17 points, Eliqua Brooks 13 and Alesha Smith 10 for the Gold Nuggets. Brooks, a junior in her XU debut, made all three of her team's 3-pointers. Briggs also led the Nuggets with six rebounds and three steals.

Xavier trailed 16-3 through seven minutes before rallying to take its only lead, 20-19, on Daylin Boatner's free throw at 5:43. Campbellsville led 31-25 at halftime, but the Lady Tigers did not regain a double-digit lead until the final 45 seconds.

Xavier shot 51.6 percent from the floor in the second half and outshot Campbellsville 43.1 to 36.4 percent for the game. The Lady Tigers dominated at the line, making 26-of-37 free throws to Xavier's 9-of-13. Owen made all nine of her free throws in the closing run.

Xavier, opening the season with four consecutive ranked opponents, will play No. 9 Bethel (Tenn.) at 2 p.m. Saturday in the final game of this event. Bethel defeated Harris-Stowe 74-40 in the other game Friday.

 Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Gold Rush are 2-0 after defeating Carver 98-87

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NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 31) -- Anthony Goode scored 25 points Friday to lead NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 98-87 men's basketball victory against Carver College.

Goode became the first Gold Rush player since Jarrel Lake in 2007-08 to reach 20 points in each of the first two games. It's the first time since 1991-92 that Xavier opened the season with back-to-back 90-point games.

Xavier is 2-0 for the 12th consecutive season, and Carver is 0-1.

Morris Wright scored 19 points for Xavier. Jarvis Thibodeaux scored a career-high 17 points for the second straight game, and RJ Daniels recorded his first collegiate double-double, 16 points and a career-best 13 rebounds.

Donovan Gardner scored all 21 of his points in the second half for Carver. Troy Swanson scored 20, Jamil Saaka 13, Emmanuel Griffin 12 and Julian Bratton 10.

Wright's 3-pointer at 7:53 of the first half put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 28-25. Xavier led 46-35 at halftime and held its biggest advantage, 69-53, after Troy Salvant's 3-point play with 9:05 remaining.

Gardner's sixth 3-pointer of the half trimmed Xavier's lead to 92-87 with 27 seconds remaining.

The Cougars made 14 3-pointers -- Swanson had four -- and Xavier made 10. Goode and Wright made three treys apiece, and Gary Smith made two.

Xavier outshot the Cougars 52.5 to 41.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 44-30. Xavier made 26-of-30 free throws, and Carver made 11-of-20.

Xavier will visit Belhaven at 7 p.m. Monday and play its next home game at 6 p.m. Thursday against Albany State.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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