SWAC Football Players of the Week: September 28

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  – Grambling State quarterback Johnathan Williams , Jackson State defensive end Teddrick Terrell, Alabama A&M kicker Nick Carden and quarterback De’Angelo Ballard have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference as football players of the week for their outstanding performance in competition during Sept. 26 action.

Offensive Player of the Week
Johnathan Williams
Grambling State
Quarterback
QB • Sr. • 5-11 • 185 • Tampa, Fla.

It was a banner day for Grambling’s senior quarterback, as he tossed for 429 yards on 20-of-33 passing and six touchdowns in leading the Tigers to a 70-54 shootout victory over Prairie View A&M during the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic. Williams also ran for another score, accounting for seven total touchdowns in the contest.

Defensive Player of the Week
Teddrick Terrell
Jackson State
Defensive End
DE • Sr.• 6-2 • 230 • Jackson, Miss.

Terrell stuffed the stat sheet for Jackson State, racking up seven stops, including two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in Jackson State’s 34-30 win over Texas Southern. Terrell’s second sack came on the last play of the game, snuffing out Texas Southern’s comeback attempt in the final seconds.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Nick Carden
Alabama A&M
Punter
P • So. • 6-3 • 190 • Huntsville, Ala.

Carden averaged 41.3 yards per punt attempt in the Bulldogs’ 28-9 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Carden twice pinned the Golden Lions’ offense inside the 20-yard line, also unleashing a 54-yard punt during the contest.

Newcomer of the Week
De’Angelo Ballard
Alabama A&M
Quarterback
QB • Jr. • 6-0 • 200 • Macon, Miss.

Ballard claims his second-straight SWAC Newcomer of the Week award after another 300-yard, three-touchdown outing. Ballard threw for 353 yards on 20-of-30 passing to lead the Bulldogs to victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He also chipped in 30 yards rushing in the contest. 

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS                

2015 SWAC Football Teleconference - Week 5

Alabama A&M - James Spady

Alabama State - Brian Jenkins

Alcorn State - Jay Hopson

Jackson State  - Harold Jackson

Mississippi Valley State - Rick Comegy

Prairie View A&M - Willie Simmons

Grambling State - Broderick Fobbs

Southern - Dawson Odums

Texas Southern - Darrell Asberry

Arkansas-Pine Bluff - Monte Coleman

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Culver column: FAMU fans out in full force for first home game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Rattler Nation, I tip my cap to you.

FAMU was 0-3 and coming off a 36-0 shutout at the hands of South Carolina State before Saturday’s first home game against Tennessee State.

The Rattlers had very little offense to speak of and the defense was ranked last in the FCS.

Florida A&M has one victory at home since 2013 and, before Saturday, had lost three straight to Tennessee State.

None of that mattered. When the Rattlers received the opening kickoff from Tennessee State, there were 18,202 screaming fans in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Well done, fans.



CONTINUE READING

Fayetteville State Football Trumps Virginia State 33-20 in Televised CIAA Contest

Ettrick, Virginia – The Fayetteville State University football team beat defending CIAA champion Virginia State University 33-20 on Saturday, September 26th inside a rain-soaked Rogers Stadium. FSU improves to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in conference, while the Trojans fall to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA.

The Broncos jumped out to a 19-0 lead with three passing touchdowns from senior quarterback Derek Bryant (Carrboro, NC). On the first offensive possession, Bryant connected with senior wide receiver Tavon Gatlin (Virginia Beach, VA) for a 62-yard scoring strike. The first quarter ended with VSU trailing 7-0.

Bryant and Gatlin were the scoring connection again for Fayetteville State at the beginning of the second. Gatlin snagged a catch out of the air and managed to get one foot down in the back of the end zone for a TD. Senior wide receiver Chris Hubert (Apex, NC) nestled in a 32 yard TD reception with one hand for the next score.



FSU held a 19-0 advantage until late into the second quarter. Freshman place kicker David Lamb (Pineville, NC) seemed effected by the wet field conditions. He missed the extra points on the last two touchdowns.

Virginia State crossed the goal line just before the end of the first half. Walter Harold had a three yard pass over the middle to Javon Smallwood for a TD. VSU completed a 14-play, 92 yard drive and left 58 seconds on the clock in the second quarter.

Fayetteville State managed to drive down to the VSU four yard line with four seconds remaining. The 24-yard field goal attempt sailed left and hit the crossbar to miss. The Trojans went into halftime with a 19-7 deficit.

Senior running back Andre Montgomery (Goldsboro, NC) dug a deeper hole for the Trojans scoring at the start of the third. Montgomery battered his way into the end zone from 12 yards out to cap a four play drive. The extra point was blocked to account for a 25-7 Broncos’ lead.

VSU responded with two consecutive touchdowns in the third quarter. Trenton Cannon scored on a 13 yard run. Later in the quarter, Harold threw a 25 yard TD pass to Gene Holloman. Earl Hughes was stopped short of the goal line on the two-point conversion rush attempt. FSU held onto a 25-20 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Broncos lost a fumble on their first offensive series of the fourth. Bryant completed a 52 yard pass to Hubert; the ball was freed upon contact with the ground. The officials called a fumble, which Malik Sexton recovered at the VSU 28 yard line. Two plays later, junior defensive back Eric Henderson (Charlotte, NC) intercepted the ball and regained possession for Fayetteville State.

FSU iced the game with another touchdown reception late in the quarter. Bryant to Hubert again for a 32-yard score with 2:23 left to play. Gatlin caught a two-point conversion pass for a 33-20 score in favor of the Broncos.

Virginia State failed to score in the fourth and had their 17-game win streak over CIAA opponents ended. FSU earned their first victory over the Trojans since 2011 and their first at VSU since 2010. Head coach Lawrence Kershaw also records his first career victory over Virginia State; which happens to be his alma mater.

“We just executed the whole game; had a little lull in there where it wasn't going as good but we just stuck with the plan,” said Kershaw. We knew VSU was going to make some plays; they are a good football team. We stuck with what we were doing and made plays. We needed a drive to close out the game and we got it.”

Bryant completed 28-of-39 (71%) of his passes for 430 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. He received NCAA Division II “Make It Yours” Player of the Game honors for his performance. Hubert caught a game-high 12 passes for 184 yards and two TDs. Gatlin finished with nine catches for a game-high 186 yards and two scores.

Senior defensive end Thomas Perry (Windsor, NC) collected five solo tackles, including a sack for a loss of eight. Henderson also had five solo tackles and an interception.

Fayetteville State returns home for their next matchup against The Lincoln University on Saturday, October 3rd. This contest marks the annual “Ball in Pink” and Military Appreciation game at FSU. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

HBCU Football Judgement Day Scoreboard (Week 4 - Sept. 26)

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015

OVC
Tennessee State 30, Florida A&M 14

CIAA
Chowan 49, Saint Augustine's 0
Virginia Union 33, Johnson C. Smith 3
Fayetteville State 33, Virginia State 20
Bowie State 45, Livingstone 17
Lincoln (Pa.) 20, Shaw 10
Winston-Salem State 17, Elizabeth City State 10

SIAC
Kentucky State 21, Central State 17, Circle City Classic
Fort Valley State 33, Benedict 3
Miles 13, Morehouse 10
Tuskegee 41, Lane 14
Delta State 40, Albany State 0
West Georgia 56, Clark Atlanta 0




CSFL
Langston 32, McMurry 20

MWC
Charleston (WV) 34, West Virginia State 13

PSAC
Kutztown 34, Cheyney 0

GLVC
Truman State 31, Lincoln (Mo.) 14

The Sun Conference
Point University 56, Edward Waters 14

MEAC
Bethune-Cookman 42, Savannah State 12
Norfolk State 24, Hampton 12, Battle of the Bay
Morgan State 21, Howard 13, Chicago Football Classic
Tennessee State 30, Florida A&M 14

SWAC
Alabama A&M 28, Arkansas Pine Bluff 9
Alabama State 45, Mississippi Valley State 15
Alcorn State 40, Concordia-Selma 7
Grambling State 70, Prairie View A&M 54
Jackson State 34, Texas Southern 30
Georgia 48, Southern 6

UDC Firebirds Soar Past Roberts Wesleyan, 8-1

ROCHESTER, New York – The University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team soared to an 8-1 victory in East Coast Conference action vs. Roberts Wesleyan Saturday afternoon.

The Firebirds (4-3, 4-2 ECC) won the top two of the three doubles matches and claimed all six singles victories for their 2nd straight resounding conference win. The Redhawks dropped their 2nd straight match as they fell to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in league play.

Dominika Hadnadova and Alena Skobkina set the tone for the day as they dominated their No. 1 doubles match, 8-0 for the first point. Laura Rojas and Laura Dimante then fell short, 8-5 at No. 3 as Alyssa Brault and Emily Linhart earned the Redhawks their only point of the match. But UDC would take a 2-1 lead at the conclusion of the doubles matches as Peerada Looareesuwan and Zoe Mall grinded out a 9-8 victory at No. 2 doubles after four tiebreakers.

Looareesuwan was the 1st Firebird to complete her singles win as she defeated Camilla Linhart, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3. Hadnadova remained on fire as she won her 4th straight No. 1 singles match with a decisive, 6-0, 6-1 win over Natalia Cardona. Rojas then bounced back from the doubles loss to beat Emily Linhart, 6-0, 6-2 at No. 6 singles to clinch the match victory.

For good measure, UDC won the final three singles matches at No. 4, 2 and 5. Mall (No. 4) defeated Tiffany Hamdan, 6-1, 6-0, Skobkina (No. 2) outlasted Marine Kennel, 6-0, 2-6, 10-7, and Dimante (No. 5) gutted out a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory vs. Alyssa Brault.

The Firebirds, who are over .500 for the first time this season, will return to the nation's capital to host non-region foe Chowan on Sunday, October 4th.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPORTS INFORMATION

Bowie State Routs Livingstone 45-17 in Home Football Opener

QB MATTHEW GOGGANS
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY

BOWIE, Maryland  --  In racking up almost 500 yards of total offense Saturday night, the Bowie State University football team routed visiting Livingstone College 45-17 in the home opener for the Bulldogs. It was also the conference opener for both teams.   

"It's good to get a win, especially a conference and home opener win, but we still have a lot of work to do … correct our special teams unit and we must eliminate some of these penalties", stated Bowie State head coach Damon Wilson.

Bowie State (3-1, 1-0 CIAA) amassed 495 total yards of offense in the game with graduate quarterback Matthew Goggans (Pine Grove, Calif.) continuing to torch visiting defenses.

Goggans completed 19-of-43 passes for 345 yards and four touchdowns. He has 13 touchdown passes in four games this season and leads the CIAA in passing yards with 1,383.

Sophomore Kerrick Pollock (Miami, Fla.) had a good night for the Bulldogs making four catches for a career-high 146 yards and two touchdowns. Graduate Kendall Jefferson (Temple Hills, Md.) rushed 12 times for a team-best 52 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior Kevaugn Townsend (Fort Washington, Md.) did yeoman's work again on defense for the Bulldogs, tallying a game-high 11 tackles.

Drew Powell (Upper Marlboro, Md.) finished with 224 yards passing for the Blue Bears while Jalen Hendricks (Nashville, N.C.) finished the contest with a game-high seven reception yards for a team-high 97 yards. Powell was Livingstone's top ground gainer with 130 yards on 22 carries.

Defensively, Livingstone (1-1, 0-1 CIAA) was led by Armond Cox (Teaneck, N.J.) with six tackles while Demarcus Nolan (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Billy Moore (Norwalk, Calif.) recorded five stops each.

Bowie State led from beginning to end, scoring on their second play from scrimmage when Goggans connected with Pollock for a 47-yard touchdown less the two minutes into the game.

 PHOTOS

Livingstone used a fake punt to put their first points on the board at the 8:48 mark of the first quarter. Anthony Grady (Manassas, Va.) took a direct snap and scampered 54 yards for the score to tie the game at 7-all.

The Bulldogs went on a 26-3 scoring burst to take a rather comfortable 33-10 lead into halftime. Goggans connected with junior Jordan Garrison (Baltimore, Md.) and senior Garry Cropper(Odenton, Md.) for four and 11 yard scores with Jefferson's two rushing TD's coming in the second quarter.

Pollock burned the Livingstone's defense for a 56-yard reception down the Bowie State sideline at the 8:21 mark of the third quarter to extend the Bulldogs lead to 39-10.

Redshirt sophomore Stephen Willis (Beltsville, Md.) recorded his first career touchdown early in the fourth quarter, basically walking in from 8-yards out round out Bowie State's scoring.

The Blue Bears scored their final points of the night on 1-yard run around the left side by Powell with 9:47 remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs will hit the road for the fourth time in five games this season, this time traveling to Charlotte (N.C.) to face the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith University on Saturday, October 3rd. Kickoff from JCSU's Irwin Belk Complex is 3 p.m.

Box Score

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION