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BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Elijah Staley threw three touchdown passes and Morgan State jumped to a 42-7 first-half lead en route to a 48-28 win over winless Savannah State Saturday.
The victory is the first in six games for the Bears (1-5, 1-2 Mid-Eastern).
"It's great to get that monkey off our backs," said MSU head coach Fred. T. Farrier. "For the most part, we paid attention to detail and did the little things. This was a great start to the second half of our season and a good marker for where we are."
Savannah State (0-6, 0-4) took the early lead when D'Vonn Gibbons hit Uriah Oliver on an 83-yard on the Tigers' first play from scrimmage.
Eric Harrell got Morgan State even, punching in from a yard out to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive, and Staley put them ahead with a 21-yard strike to Amonta Poteat a minute-and-a-half later.
Staley was 14 of 22 for 220 yards while Harrell gained 114 yards on 16 carries. Herb Walker Jr. added 19 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown and Manassah Bailey pulled in five catches for 116 yards and a score.
"It was beautiful," Staley said of the Bears' mixed attack. "The O-line played great and the running game, which had been struggling, was big time. It's hard to beat a team when two guys each go over 100 yards. Watching [Harrell and Walker] do their thing was amazing — and they blocked great, too."
Gibbons completed just 5 of 17 pass attempts, but two went for touchdowns.
BOX SCORE MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
MOBILE, Alabama -- The Tuskegee University football team remained unbeaten against opponents from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in a 33-7 win over Jackson State in the 5th Quarter Classic at Ladd Peeples Stadium in Mobile Saturday night.
Tuskegee (5-2, 3-0) scored first when Justice Owens walked into the end zone untouched on a one yard touchdown run on the opening drive. The point after try was no good giving TU an early 6-0 lead.
Javariuss Cheatham, who had not played since week four at Findlay returned and provided a spark catching four passes for a season high 106 yards including a 35 yard touchdown catch from Jamarcus Ezell with 10:42 left in the second quarter.
Jackson State (0-6, 0-2) responded with a five yard touchdown catch just before halftime when Brent Lyles connected with Jordan Johnson making the score 13-7.
The Golden Tigers would strike again on its first possession of the second half when Ezell threw his second touchdown pass of the night on a 15 yard catch by Chardian Johnson.
The highlight of the evening came at the 5:09 mark when Ahmad Deramus found Tyrez McCain wide open who carried three would be defenders into the end zone on a 35 yard touchdown catch extending Tuskegee's lead to 27-7.
Hoderick Lowe would round out the scoring for the Golden Tigers when he scampered for a 41 yard touchdown run capping things off at 33-7.
Ezell earned MVP honors finishing with 183 yards passing completing 10 of his 18 passing attempts and two touchdowns. He also rushed five times for another 77 yards. Davoris Thomas was named Defensive MVP.
Lowe led TU's rushing attack with 94 yards of his own and a score. Osband Thompson led the defense with seven tackles. His first time registering under 10 stops all season long.
Tonight's win marked the third victory in two seasons over a Division I NCAA FCS opponent. TU defeated Florida A&M in last season's classic and Alabama State in this year's season opener.
Tuskegee will face Kentucky State in Frankfurt next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Live coverage on the Tuskegee digital Network will get underway at 1:15 p.m.
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
MARK SUTTON PHOTOGRAPHY
NORFOLK, Viginia -- On a misty afternoon for the 55th annual Battle of the Bay, it would come down to "Thunder and Lightning" for Hampton University to stop a three-game losing streak to homestanding Norfolk State Saturday.
Shai "Thunder" McKenzie scored two first quarter touchdowns, while Yahkee "Lightning" Johnson ran for 115 yards on 27 carries as Hampton held off a last ditch drive from Norfolk State to score a 16-14 win in front of over 6,100 at Dick Price Stadium.
Hampton (4-2, 3-0) scored its first win over Norfolk State under head coach Connell Maynor and maintained a share of first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) along with North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central.
Hampton got on the board on its first drive going 70 yards in eight plays. Delmon Williams hit Aulden Knight on the first play of the game for a 39-yard completion to the Norfolk State 36. Following four Johnson runs and a 14-yard completion to Ronald Bell, McKenzie finished the drive with two runs of three and the final six yards for the first touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 11:24 left.
The special teams unit for Hampton helped set up the next touchdown drive as Harry Freeman IV blocked a Taylor Goettie punt to give Hampton possession on the Norfolk State 24. McKenzie accounted for 14 of the 24 yards on that drive with a four-yard burst finishing it for a 14-0 Hampton lead with 1:22 left in the opening quarter.
Hampton outgained Norfolk State 137-40 in the opening quarter, but the Spartans responded in the second outgaining Hampton 127-16. They scored on the first possession of the second quarter as Juwan Carter found Marcus Taylor with a 52-yard scoring strike as Taylor weaved through several defenders for a 14-7 Hampton lead with 13:32 left in the half. The Pirates did dodge a scoring attempt at the end of the second quarter as a 34-yard field goal went wide right.
The only scoring of the third quarter came after the Pirates drove from their 45 to the NSU two but were stopped on a fourth and goal run by McKenzie. The next play, Oral Varcciann pinned Larry Bishop in the end zone for a safety and a 16-7 Hampton lead with 7:12 remaining.
Norfolk State got within 16-14 on a four-yard touchdown pass from Carter to Taylor with 7:27 left in the game and had two chances down the stretch. After holding Hampton on a three-and-out, the Spartans drove to the Hampton eight before a 25-yard field goal went wide right. Hampton went three-and-out again, but the Spartans had one last chance as a Carter pass at the end of the game was deflected by Dereon Carr for the win.
Johnson ran for 115 yards on a season-high 27 carries and McKenzie ended up with 37 physical yards and his two first quarter touchdowns. Williams was 6-of-10 for 100 yards passing, while Bell caught three passes for 50 yards to lead Hampton. On defense, Davonte Spruill and Raheim Huskey had seven tackles each, while Steven Smith Jr. had six.
The Pirates return home for Homecoming on October 21 when they tangle with the Rattlers of Florida A&M University in a 2pm kickoff at Armstrong Stadium.
For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The Central State Marauders spoiled Arkansas-Pine Bluff's homecoming celebration with a 40-35 win over the Golden Lions on Saturday afternoon.
Still in search of their first win, the Marauders opened the scoring with an 80-yard drive highlighted by a 39-yard pass from Trent Mays to Martell Clark. CSU capped off the drive when full back Darius Meadors scored from 1 yard out for his first rushing touchdown of the season.
The Golden Lions answered early in the second quarter as quarterback LeEar Patterson completed back-to-back passes of 36 yards and 34 yards to set up a 1 yard KeShaw Williams touchdown run.
CSU immediately responded on the next offensive possession. Mays connected with Renon Lorenzo for a 36-yard gain. Darian Nelson rushed for 17 yards on the next play. Mays then found Clark for a 13-yard touchdown pass. After a failed extra point attempt, CSU led 13-7 with 11:13 left in the first half.
CSU linebacker Kahari Logan forced a Patterson fumble on the next UAPB possession. Mikey'ion Hunter corralled the loose ball for the Marauders at the Golden Lions' 27-yard line. The Marauders scored on the next play as Mays ran from 27 yards out to put his team up, 20-7, at the 9:52 mark of the second quarter.
The Golden Lions regained momentum thanks to a litany of big plays to end the half. On the ensuing kickoff, Paris Mack returned the ball 57 yards to set up the UPAB offense at the CSU 37-yard line. Four plays later, the offense found the end zone as Patterson crossed the plain from 2-yards out.
After a quick three-and-out from the CSU offense, UPAB struck again when Patterson found Mack through the air for a 65-yard score to take a 21-20 lead with 6:03 left in the second quarter.
On the next UAPB possession, Patterson found Williams for a 59-yard gain. Patterson capped of the drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Robert Simms to give the Golden Lions a 28-20 lead at the intermission.
The Golden Lions threatened to extend their lead early in the third quarter. UAPB marched down to the CSU 5-yard line but were unable to come up with any points after a detrimental holding call and a missed 31-yard field goal attempt.
Trailing by 8 late in the third quarter, freshman running back Jerry Lanier provided a spark with a 37 yard run. Mays later found an open Darius Ford for a 20 yard gain to get CSU into UAPB territory. Mays went to Ford again three plays later for a 31 yard gain down to the 1-yard line. Meadors picked his second touchdown of the afternoon on the next play. CSU failed to convert a two-point attempt and trailed, 28-26, with 14:12 remaining.
The CSU defense forced the Golden Lions into a quick three-and-out to give the ball back to Mays and the Marauder offense. Mays jumpstarted the drive with a 22 yard pass to Ford. Mays later found an open Meadors for 44 yards. Running back Terraris Saffold finished the drive with a 12-yard touchdown drive to put the Marauders up 33-28 with 10:21 left to play.
CSU seized control with another 83-yard touchdown drive in the late stages of the game. CSU kept the ball on the ground with ten straight running plays. Saffold touched the ball six times for 73 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown to give CSU a 40-28 lead with 1:29 to go.
The Golden Lions added a late touchdown with 11 seconds left but CSU recovered the ensuing onside kick a closed out the game for the first victory of the season.
Mays completed passes to eight different receivers, converting 20 of 36 pass attempts for 334 yards and 1 touchdown. He also picked up 19 yards and 1 score on the ground. Ford finished with a career-best 8 receptions for 117 yards. Saffold led the CSU rushing attack with 87 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Defensively, CSU was led by Isaiah Smith's 9 tackles. Mikey'ion Hunter recorded 8 tackles, 1 sack and a fumble recovery. With the win, CSU is now 1-6 overall.
Patterson led the Golden Lion offense with 333 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Tashad Charity led UAPB's defensive efforts with 6 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 sack. The loss drops UAPB to 2-5 overall.
The Marauders will return to Wilberforce, Ohio in search of their first conference victory when they host Fort Valley State next Saturday at 1 pm.
Notes
With Saturday's win, CSU snaps a 9-game losing streak dating back to last season
The Marauders collected their first win over an NCAA Div. I program since 2005 (Savannah State)
CSU is now 4-3 all-time against UAPB. The series dates back to the 1972 season. Next Game
Opponent: Fort Valley State
Date: Saturday, October 21st
Kickoff: 1 pm
Venue: McPherson Memorial Stadium
Legends Plaza: Hurt and Banks Unveiling & Dedication Ceremony
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State University unveiled statues of legendary coaches Edward P. Hurt and Earl C. Banks Thursday at Hughes Stadium.
The statues are located between Hurt Gymnasium and MSU's Student Center between the front entrance of Hughes Stadium and the University Student Center, features six-foot bronze statues of Hurt and Banks resting on four-foot pedestals.
Athletic greatness is one of the historical pillars of Morgan State University's worldwide reputation for excellence. The University's new Legends Plaza, inspired by the artistic vision of alumnus George Nock, honors two head coaches who were largely responsible for leading Morgan scholar-athletes to those stellar achievements on the field of play.
Beginning in 1929, Edward P. ("Eddie") Hurt compiled an incredible record of success as Morgan's football, basketball and track and field coach, leading his teams to 33 CIAA championships and producing two Pro Football Hall of Famers and an Olympic gold medal winner. Earl C. ("Papa Bear") Banks succeeded Hurt as Morgan's head football coach in 1960 and added his own chapters to the program's volume on victory. Under Banks, the Bears won five CIAA Championships, went to four bowl games, were unbeaten in three regular seasons and had a 31-game winning streak. They also sent two more NFL players to the Hall of Fame. Both Banks and Hurt placed the highest value on good citizenship and high moral character and demanded that their players meet that standard on and off the field.
Legends Plaza, a nearly 2,000-square-foot enclosure located in the Morgan Commons area. The memorial will also include bronze plaques honoring other Morgan sports legends placed along a 30-foot fence between the two anchoring statues.
ETTRICK, Virginia – In front of Homecoming crowd of 17,092, the Virginia State University Trojans secured a 47-35 victory over the Bulldogs of Bowie State University on Saturday afternoon. With the win, VSU not only remains undefeated with a 6-0 record, but also moved to the #1 spot in the CIAA Northern Division. Bowie State moves to the #2 in the North and is now 6-1. The Trojans are remaining focused as they keep their eyes on the 2017 CIAA Championship title.
Virginia State took a home field advantage as they took an early 7-0 lead when quarterback Cordelral Cook (Atlanta, GA) found the end zone on a three yard run at the 9:31 mark in the first. Bowie State then answered at the 3:15 mark of first quarter, when Hall connected with Geordan Clark for a 24-yard pass to cut VSU lead to 7-6. Virginia State then answered with senior Trenton Cannon (Hampton, Va.) exploding down the Bowie State sideline to secure a 93-yard touchdown run. The Trojans then added another big play that led to a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Blair Wynn, pushing the Trojans lead to 20-7.
Bowie State started to pick up momentum in the second quarter by adding two touchdowns. The first was at the 13:40 mark, when Amir Hall connected with Lansana Sesay for a 23-yard pass. VSU keeping the same momentum added another touchdown when Cordelral Cook connected with Carlton Campbell for a 55-yard pass for a touchdown at the 12:16 mark. BSU added its final touchdown of the quarter on a 7-yard pass bring the score to 27-21 at the half.
Despite a scoreless third quarter for both VSU and BSU, VSU's Cordelral Cook scored on 6-yard run to set the score at 33-21 in favor of the Trojans at the 13:21 mark in the fourth quarter. The Trojans then ran a trick play with quarterback Cordelral Cook connection with Joshua Harris (King Williams, Va.) for 36-yard touchdown. The kick was blocked, but recovered, by the sophomore Cullen Marshall (Suffolk, Va.) resulting in a two-point conversion to put the Trojans up 41-21.
A quick touchdown and kick by the Bulldogs gave them an additional seven points. Cordelral Cook then scored his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon at the 4:46 mark of the fourth quarter. The 56-yard touchdown enhanced the Trojans lead to 47-28. BSU then revisited the end zone, bringing the score to 47-35.
The Virginia State Trojans completed the competition with 596 total offense yards compared to 381 for Bowie State. The home team also recorded 249 passing yards. Offensively, the Trojans was led by Cordelral Cook with 234 passing yards, completing 13-of-21 passes. Zachary Parker (Reston, Va.) led all receivers with 92 reception yards on four catches. Senior Trenton Cannon carried the ball 19 times for 239 yards and adding one touchdown.
Senior Brandon Lynch (Norfolk, Va.) led the Trojans defensively with 10 tackles and one sack, followed by junior Malik Sexton (Portsmouth, Va.) with 7.5 tackles.
The Trojans will hit the road next week as they travel to face the Lions of Lincoln University (PA) on Saturday, October 21. Kickoff slated for 1 pm.
For the most up-to-date information on VSU Football please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.
LORMAN, Mississippi – Winning its fourth consecutive game, the Alcorn State University football program erased a 14-point first quarter deficit to defeat Prairie View A&M 34-21 Saturday during homecoming at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.
The Braves (5-2, 3-0 SWAC) trailed 14-0 at the end of the first quarter when they came back and scored 34 unanswered points to take control. Alcorn led PVAMU (2-4, 2-2 SWAC) 24-14 at half and 34-14 early in the fourth quarter.
Alcorn used both of its quarterbacks as senior Lenorris Footman threw for 138 yards, and sophomore Noah Johnson registered 90 passing yards, one passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. Footman also ran for 38 yards and a score.
Senior Jalen Walker led the aerial attack with 100 receiving yards which more-than doubled his previous career-high. He caught eight passes with a long of 22 yards.
Defensively, seniors O.J. O'Neal and Quintin Smith each wrapped-up seven tackles. Junior Trae Ferrell tallied a sack, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The Panthers were guided by quarterback Neiko Hollins who tossed 291 yards and three touchdowns. Two of his touchdowns were caught by Khadarel Hodge who etched 132 receiving yards.
On the first series of the game, the Braves were faced with a pair of third downs when Walker caught passes of 12 and 14 yards, respectively, to move into PVAMU territory. However, on a 4th and 1 attempt, the Panthers got a stop on a rush to the left side at the 33-yard line to force a turnover on downs.
PVAMU came back with a quick four-yard drive to go up 7-0 which included a nine-yard touchdown pass to Darius Floyd on the left. The big play was a 45-yard pass to Floyd as he broke a tackle and scampered down the right side.
The Panthers went up 14-0 on their next series after a 46-yard touchdown pass was caught by Hodge on a seam route through the middle. The Braves forced and recovered a fumble on the drive, but were flagged for offsides on the play so PVAMU kept possession.
Early in the second quarter, Alcorn's defense backed the Panthers up to their own one-yard line, which resulted in a punt and good starting field position for the Braves at the PVAMU 44. Footman completed a pass to sophomore Tavares Johnson for 16 yards, and a targeting penalty resulted in an ejection against the Panthers and put Alcorn at the eight-yard line. Noah Johnson came in and scrambled eight yards to the left for the touchdown to cut the deficit to 14-7 with 9:31 left in the half.
After a three-and-out by the Braves defense, Alcorn again started a drive in PVAMU territory at the 43. The Braves were situated with a 3rd and 22 when Footman found senior Charles Hughes over the middle for a gain of 24 yards and a first down. Footman followed it up with an 11-yard rush to the PVAMU 6. Noah Johnson re-entered the game, and kept it himself on a quarterback-option play to the left for a two-yard touchdown run. It evened the score 14-14 with 4:16 remaining.
On the ensuing kickoff, a huge hit by freshman Nichel Herron popped the ball loose and junior Isiah Thomas recovered at the PVAMU 18. Alcorn took the lead 17-14 on a 39-yard field goal by sophomore Corey McCullough with 2:46 to go.
Another quick three-and-out by the defense got the ball back for the Alcorn offense with 1:29 left. The Braves extended the lead to 24-14 after a 12-yard pass from Noah Johnson was caught by Hughes in tight coverage on the left side. Hughes also made a 15-yard grab earlier in the series.
On the last play of the half, sophomore Javen Morrison recorded an interception and returned it to the PVAMU 16, but time ran out; Alcorn led 24-14 at the intermission.
To open the second half, the Panthers moved the ball to the Alcorn 34 when they were looking at a 4th and 5. PVAMU decided to go for it, but great coverage by Quintin Smith resulted in an incomplete pass and a turnover on downs.
On Alcorn's first drive of the third quarter, Noah Johnson completed passes to Turner, junior Corbin Johnson and Walker to get the Braves to the red zone. McCullough nailed a 34-yard field goal to extended Alcorn's advantage to 27-14 at the 8:42 mark.
The Braves added-on early in the fourth quarter after a 12-play, 86-yard drive resulted in a seven-yard touchdown rush by Footman. It increased the edge to 34-14. Junior P.J. Simmons started the drive with a pair of 10-yard rushes, and Turner followed by pounding it up the middle. Footman also competed passes on the series to Hughes junior Marquis Warford and Walker.
PVAMU had a quick response as a two-play, 58-yard drive ended with a 22-yard touchdown catch by Hodge. The first play was a 36-yard rush around the left by Jalen Morton. It made it a 34-21 game with 11:59 to go.
With 3:40 remaining, the Panthers had to go for it on a 4th and 13 when Ferrell came through with a strip-sack. Ferrell then returned it 49 yards, but fumbled at the one-yard line as the ball went through the back of the end zone for a touchback.
Up next, Alcorn travels to Grambling State on Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.
NOTES
- The Braves improved to 3-0 in league play for the third time in the last four years.
- Alcorn is now 41-15 all-time against PVAMU with a point differential of 1673-996 (+677).
- The Braves improved to 72-52 all-time at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium which is in its 26th season (first year was 1992).
- Alcorn is now 5-0 this season when it runs for over 100 yards as a team. The Braves etched 123 yards, led by senior De'Lance Turner's 60.
- The Braves dominated in time of possession 40:12-19:48.
- Footman remained at No. 7 all-time in school history in both career rushing yards (1,934) and touchdown passes (30). He also stayed at 10th in career passing yards with 3,843 yards. Footman entered the game leading the SWAC and ranked top-25 in the FCS in both passing and total offense.
- The Braves entered the game ranked top-10 in the FCS in third down conversions at 47.6 percent. Alcorn was 7-for-14 (.500) in the contest.
- McCullough has now made 10 field goals this year. He's chasing the single-season school record of 13 13 set by Wilfredo Rosales in 1980 and David McConnell in 2003.
- Walker's previous career-high in receiving yards was 48 yards against Grambling State in the 2016 SWAC Championship game.
- The Braves were without their leading receiver Norlando Veals due to injury. His status is week-to-week.
- Alcorn's captains were Footman and Turner. The Panthers won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.
Quoting Alcorn head coach Fred McNair Opening Statement
"Prairie View is a tough team, but I thought we came out flat in the first quarter. We just were not doing the things we normally do. The second quarter we kind of settled in and did the things that an Alcorn Braves football team should do. We executed and played solid defense. This team could be really good if we can piece it all together for a complete game. We just have to continue working." On coming back from a 14-point deficit
"I always tell the team that it's not about what the other team does but what we do. If we do things right then we can play. Though, it shows you what kind of character these kids have on our team. These guys have a lot of fight in them."
On his quarterbacks
"Footman did a whole lot of scrambling there in the first and the second quarters so he got a little fatigued. That's why we have a number two guy. He is as good as the number one guy. Noah plays hard. I see it out of him every day in practice. His execution and determination shows that he wants to be a starter. I thank him for his leadership and the things he helps Footman with. They just come together and execute the offense. He knows the offense in and out. We don't miss a beat when he comes in. Now, other teams have to prepare for two quarterbacks."
On the defense
"They are playing relentlessly. They don't give up much. It's a bend but don't break rule. Coach [Cedric]Thomas and the defensive staff have those guys playing. You should see them at practice. The way they practice is the way they play. It's really coming along, and the run defense is there."
On preparing for Grambling State
"We've seen them a lot of times. We are so familiar with them now. We are just going to do what we do and we should be okay. We haven't played a complete football game yet."
Quoting quarterback Noah Johnson
"I just wanted to move the ball and execute the offense. When I look at the score I see 0-0 every time. I go into every week as if I'm the starter. When I go into the game I'm just calming myself down so there's no jitters, and I just play. Everybody believing in each other is huge, and we still haven't played our best game yet." Quoting defensive back O.J. O'Neal
"We just started off sluggish. It was our first 2 p.m. game so we just had to settle down and focus on the task at hand. From then on, we just buckled down and got after them."
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Elijah Staley threw three touchdown passes and Morgan State jumped to a 42-7 first-half lead en route to a 48-28 win over winless Savannah State Saturday.
