Carson Newman crushes Fayetteville State

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — The No. 20-ranked Carson-Newman College football team dismantled visiting Fayetteville State Thursday night. The Eagles defense recorded five sacks and the offense scored eight touchdowns on its way to a 56-7 victory over the Broncos at Burke-Tarr Stadium.

“It was very pleasing,” head coach Ken Sparks said. “I was excited about how they responded. We just have to keep it going. We’re glad to be where we are right now. I think we’ve got something special going. I thought the offense, at times, was very solid and the defense, at times, was almost spectacular. ”



It was a banner day for the Eagles defense. In addition to the five sacks and seven tackles for a loss, Carson-Newman picked off two passes and held Fayetteville State to just 165 total yards.

On offense, the Eagles were nearly unstoppable. C-N piled up 478 total yards, with 417 coming on the ground. Carson-Newman was 7-of-9 on third down conversions and 5-for-5 in the red zone. The Eagles’ first punt came with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter.

READ MORE

Saint Augustine's, UNH have something in common

New Haven, CT - Saturday's meeting between Saint Augustine's College and the University of New Haven (1 p.m., DellaCamera Stadium in West Haven) is the first between the schools, although the two teams have something in common: Both have recently reinstated their football programs. In 2002, Saint Augustine's revived football, while the Chargers did the same in 2009 as a varsity sport. Both schools also finished 8-2 last season, barely missing NCAA bids.

Junior quarterback Ryan Osiecki will lead the Chargers after sparking their 35-32, season-opening win over West Chester last Saturday. Osiecki went 16-for-27 and threw for 194 yards and three touchdowns, including the clincher in OT. Saint Augustine's (1-1, 0-1 CIAA) defeated Catawba 30-5 last weekend.

READ MORE

Early lead holds up for WSSU

Rams Coach Connell Maynor

ELIZABETH CITY -- Winning ugly took on a whole new meaning for Winston-Salem State in its season opener Saturday night. WSSU scored three touchdowns in the first half of a penalty-marred game, then held on to defeat Elizabeth City State 22-17.

The teams combined for 22 penalties, and there was a bank of lights out at Roebuck Stadium, making the south end of the stadium more like a dungeon than a football stadium. Despite all that, the Rams won their CIAA opener.

"They had a game under their belt, and it was our first game under the lights," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said. "We made some mistakes, and we knew we would make some, but the thing is what do you do when adversity hits? Our guys kept fighting and they hung in there."

READ MORE

Cheyney plays host to Lincoln

THORNBURY, PA -- In 11 all-time meetings against archrival Lincoln dating back to 1934, the Cheyney football squad is still looking for its first triumph against the Lions. And the two most recent setbacks are particularly galling to the Wolves.

In just its second season since reviving its program after a 48-year hiatus, Lincoln throttled CU 41-20 in 2009. And last year in another neutral site clash at Northeast High School in Philadelphia, the Lions prevailed 12-0 in a defensive struggle.



For the third straight year, these cross-county archrivals will kickoff the 2011 campaign against one another (1 p.m., Heritage Sports Radio Network on Sirus XM Satellite Radio) on Saturday. But this time the "Battle of the Firsts/Wade Wilson Classic" will take place on campus at Cheyney's O'Shields-Stevenson Stadium, and many in the Wolves' camp believe the setting will be right for an historic victory.

"I am real anxious about this game," said CU defensive lineman Tim Hume. "They got us the last two years so they've had bragging rights, but it's here in our own house this time and we have to bring a lot. I am sure it will be a big crowd because the schools are close. It's going to be real intense.

READ MORE

NSU report: Unsettled Spartans 'a work in progress'

NORFOLK, VA - Norfolk State can't prove how good it will be during its season opener against Virginia State. It may give glimpses of how bad things could get. If the Spartans trounce the Trojans, they'll be doing what's expected, just as they did last year during a 6-5 campaign. Struggles, though, would be a bad omen.

"It's like when we go play a bigger school," NSU head coach Pete Adrian said. "Do you expect to win? Sure. You have more scholarships. But they can still beat you."



Rutgers felt the same way when NSU visited New Jersey for last year's season opener. The Scarlet Knights won 31-0, but more telling was an offensive line that surrendered three sacks against an inferior opponent. Rutgers went on to allow an NCAA-record 61 sacks and finished a disappointing 4-8.

Norfolk State enters this season with major questions on each of its lines, so while the scoreboard might not be worth watching today - NSU has won the past five games against its Division IIrival by an average of 24.4 points - the line of scrimmage should be.

READ MORE

WSSU appears loaded … on paper

Winston Salem, NC - Winston-Salem State is expecting to contend for the CIAA football title and will find out starting today if its expectations are realistic. WSSU will open with a CIAA game at Elizabeth City State's Roebuck Stadium at 6 p.m.

Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU seems to have it all — depth, speed and experience after an 8-2 finish in his debut season. But he's quick to point out that, despite how things look on paper, it's what's done on the field that counts.

"We have a veteran team coming back, and we'll be ready to go," said Maynor, who returns 18 starters. Quarterback Kameron Smith, running back Nic Cooper and wide receivers Tehvyn Brantley and Dominique Fitzgerald are weapons on offense.



"I'm so excited about the season getting started," Brantley said. "We are tired of playing against our defense. I mean, it's hard when we have the best offense and the best defense and you have to play against each other all the time in practice. It gets old…."

READ MORE

Fayetteville State, UNC-Pembroke set for Saturday's Two Rivers Classic

Fayetteville, NC - Tonight at Nick Jeralds Stadium, Fayetteville State will host UNC-Pembroke in the third installment of the Two Rivers Classic. The Braves have won the first two meetings, capturing a 41-34 triumph in double overtime at FSU in 2009 and rolling to a 39-0 shutout last season in Pembroke. Yet heading into tonight's game, the Broncos may be position to turn the tides. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on.

Can the Fayetteville State defense contain Travis Daniels?



UNC-Pembroke coach Pete Shinnick is expecting a stellar senior season from Daniels, a lightning bolt of a tailback who will be the catalyst of the Braves offense. Daniels is looking to move past a disappointing 2010 campaign. Shinnick said earlier this week he has sensed renewed focus and greater dedication from Daniels, who hopes to recapture the form he had as a sophomore. Proof of Daniels' explosive potential came at Jeralds Stadium in the inaugural Two Rivers Classic in 2009, when he tore through the Broncos defense for 213 yards and two touchdowns.

READ MORE

Sterile turning into vocal leader for Lincoln defense

LOWER OXFORD, PA -- The hoarse voice and strained vocal chords are just the latest indication how much Brucelee Sterile has developed into a vocal leader for the Lincoln University football squad.

"I lost my voice screaming and preaching to the team that we are going to be winners this season," Sterile said recently as the Lions' prepare for their season opener on Saturday at archrival Cheyney.

"I take this seriously. If you don't have someone watching and pushing, you won't reach your full potential."

The senior linebacker is getting an awful lot of personal recognition heading into the 2011 campaign, but Sterile is much more interested in helping orchestrate a breakout season at Lincoln, which reinstituted football in 2008 after a 47 year hiatus. Sterile and 18 other seniors were the program's first recruiting class since the 1950s.

READ MORE

A huge test: Vikings face one of CIAA favorites in home opener

Elizabeth City, NC - Elizabeth City State has watched the film. The Vikings know they left a lot of plays and, perhaps, the program’s biggest-ever win on the field in Cleveland, Miss., last week.

But that was last week and ECSU has to prove whether the 28-21 overtime loss at Delta State was a fluke, or if the Vikings are truly contenders in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

“The attitude is upbeat,” ECSU coach Waverly Tillar said. “They talked about Delta State on the bus, but by the time we got to the North Carolina line, the talk was about the next game. The attitude is they feel they can win.”

The test of that attitude comes today when ECSU hosts ...

READ MORE

Chowan Routs Livingstone in Football Season Opener

Happy days at Chowan

MURFREESBORO, N.C. – “It's just one game,” said head coach Tim Place. True. When that one game is a 43-7 thumping, however, there is cause for optimism for the Chowan University football program.

The Hawks held the Blue Bears of Livingstone College to only 12 yards of total offense as they picked up their first win of the 2011 season in convincing fashion Thursday night. This marks the first opening day win for Chowan since a 16-13 victory over Randolph-Macon College in 2005.

The Hawks tallied 310 first half yards, with 178 of them coming through the air from quarterback Cameron Stover. Stover opened up the scoring for Chowan with a six yard touchdown pass to Kevin Hodrick at the 9:17 mark of the first quarter. The Hawks dominated the opening drive, going 79 yards in 15 plays.

After a slow-moving quarter and a half, the Hawks exploded midway through the second frame offensively. Ryan Murphy nailed a 23 yard field goal with 7:40 left in the quarter to give the Hawks a 9-0 lead. Livingstone fumbled the ensuing kickoff to give the Hawks the ball at the Blue Bears 21 yard line. Only a minute and five seconds later, Adrian Ferns plowed into the goal line with a one-yard touchdown run to open up a 16-0 lead.

Chowan then forced a three-and-out and began the following drive at the Livingstone 46 yard line. After two first downs, Cameron Stover found Michael Satterwhite for a 27 yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 22-0 with 4:02 remaining in the half.

On the next Livingstone drive, Patrick Charles intercepted a Levon Stanley pass and returned it to the LC 33 yard line. The Hawks stayed on the ground for their ensuing drive, and Elliot Smalls capped it with a 13 yard scoring run to open the game wide open at 29-0.

READ MORE

From Bowie High to Bowie State Football

Bowie, MD - Tropical Storm Irene was just a memory, having passed through Bowie more than 24 hours earlier.

The sky was mostly blue with a slight wind blowing the small markers on the top of the goalposts on the football field at Bowie State University on Monday afternoon.

About 50 yards behind one end zone students were unloading their cars in preparation for the fall semester.

Inside the football stadium the Bulldogs of Bowie State were preparing for their first game of the season, a non-conference contest at Assumption on Saturday in Worcester, MA.

READ MORE

ECSU Vikings’ LB Dixon opens with career-high 17 tackles

Elizabeth City, NC - Elizabeth City State linebacker DeWitt Dixon is used to winning. In his high school career at Charlotte Independence, he was never on a losing side, going undefeated and winning a state championship each season.  Now a senior at ECSU, Dixon has that championship feeling again.

“We work way too hard to be second best or be second tier,” said Dixon as he and the Vikings prepare for Saturday’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association against Winston-Salem State.

Some of that confidence was born last week. Dixon recorded a career-best 17 tackles in a 28-21 overtime loss at No. 2 Delta State.



“I hate to dwell on almost beating the No. 2 team in the country,” said Dixon, who was named the CIAA Linebacker of the Week on Monday. “Yeah, we didn’t pull it off, but ...

READ MORE

WSSU has the talent to take CIAA crown

Winston Salem, NC - Winston-Salem State felt very much at home last season in its re-entry into the CIAA. This season, it wants more.

"It's championship or bust this season," wide receiver Dominique Fitzgerald said. "We are deep at every position, and our mindset is championship or bust."

To win their first CIAA title since 2000, the Rams will need to cut down on turnovers and avoid key injuries. One luxury coach Connell Maynor has is more depth. The Rams have 13 players with Division I experience, including two newcomers who graduated from D-I schools and have a final year of eligibility.



"We are deeper," said Maynor, whose Rams went 8-2 in his first season but were knocked out of CIAA title contention after losses to St. Augustine's and Shaw. "We have more guys for both the offensive and defensive lines, and we've got ...

READ MORE

CIAA Football: Livingstone opens tonight at Chowan

SALISBURY, N.C. — The second year of the Elvin James era begins for Livingstone tonight when they travel to Murfreesboro to take on the Chowan Hawks in the season opener.

The Blue Bears will have a new quarterback in transfer Jaren Troutmanwhile sophomore returner Levon Stanley will be the backup. Stanley was Livingstone’s top passer last season, finishing with 406 yards passing and two touchdowns.

Whoever is under center, they will be protected by an experienced offensive line which includes three returners (Allyne Hall, Josiah Simms and Chris Woodard), a Division I transfer in Harlee Frink and freshman Stuart Wallace.

In the backfield, Livingstone has a strong returning core with senior Jamel Moore, junior Terrill Gourdine and sophomore Tevin Mishoe. Each of them finished in the top four in rushing for the Blue Bears last season. The Blue Bears have also added some depth, starting with Javon Williams, a freshman from Goldsboro.

READ MORE

Hemsley Returns Home to Play for Bowie State

BSU Head Football Coach Damon Wilson

Bowie, MD - After three years of football at Division II California of Pennsylvania, Terrance Hemsley wanted to change positions on the defensive side of the ball. A product of the Upper Marlboro Boys and Girls Club, Hemsley played outside linebacker and inside linebacker for the school about one hour south of Pittsburgh.

"I talked to the coaches about changing positions," Hemsley said Monday. "They were not willing to do that."

So Hemsley, 22, changed schools and got to come home in the process. He is now a senior linebacker for Division II Bowie State University, which opens the season Saturday on the road at Assumption in Worcester, MA. Assumption was 6-5 last season.

The Bulldogs figure to use Hemsley, listed at 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, as a weakside linebacker this season.

READ MORE

CIAA Football: Livingstone preview

SALISBURY, NC — Livingstone’s 2011 football season begins with an unavoidable question: Why is Elvin James smiling?

Is it because the second-year coach has four of his five starting offensive linemen from last season back on board? Or because a full complement of running backs returns intact, a year older and fiercer? Or because a handful of newcomers — including three highly touted assistants, four top-shelf local products and a bona fide, full-scholarship kicker — have injected the Blue Bears with a dose of inspiration?

All are poignant queries. But maybe, just maybe, the answers can be found in James’ old record collection.



“It was Sam Cooke who sang ‘A Change Is Gonna Come,’” he said, channeling the man who invented soul. “And it’s coming to us. I see the progression here and, mark my words, change is coming.”

READ MORE

Two Rivers Classic: Fayetteville State, UNC-Pembroke prepare for Saturday's rivalry game

Fayetteville, NC - Fayetteville State safety Andre Lyles has been trained well. It's easy to see that. For when asked Monday to describe his emotions heading into Saturday's Two Rivers Classic against UNC-Pembroke, Lyles shrugged and played the "just another game" card.

"This rivalry doesn't necessarily flip a switch for me," he said. "It's just another football game. We try to win and we treat every game the same. So the rivalry won't be a big issue."

Don't, however, take that sentiment at face value. Ed McLean, Fayetteville State's athletic director, certainly didn't. McLean knows full well that no matter how composed Lyles seemed at Monday's press conference, his adrenaline will inevitably spike Saturday when the Broncos storm onto the turf at Nick Jeralds Stadium to square off against UNCP for the third straight season.




READ MORE

Livingstone Football: Nelson works with Steelers

SALISBURY, N.C. — In 1987, the National Football League started the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship for college football coaches to expose them to summer NFL training camps.

All 32 NFL teams participate in the program. And this summer more than 1,000 coaches applied to work with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have more Super Bowl rings than any other team in NFL history.

The Steelers narrowed their choice down to two men, and Livingstone College assistant football coach Malcolm Nelson got the nod.

“Coach Nelson worked directly with our special teams unit under the supervision of special team coordinator Al Everest,” said Kirby Wilson, Steelers running backs coach. “Under this program Coach Nelson was exposed to the daily preparation and operational tactics of an elite NFL team led by head coach Mike Tomlin. Coach Nelson was involved in daily practice and game-plan meetings, as well as organizational personnel meetings. During his stay he was allowed to conduct drills, participate in practice structure and organization and assist on game day with teaching and instruction.”

READ MORE

Virginia Union weathers storm, Saint Augustine's in opener

Richmond, Virginia - The wind gusted violently from north to south, shaking the bleachers and whistling across the field. The sideways rain felt like pushpins against the skin. The American flag flapped mercilessly from side to side and looked as if it would rip from its pole. And yet, a football game was played at Virginia Union.

What was billed as "The only game in town" became maybe the only game on the East Coast, which was hit Saturday by Hurricane Irene. Despite some of the worst conditions imaginable, the game went on, and Virginia Union defeated Saint Augustine's 12-0 at Hovey Field.

"We knew there'd be rain," VUU coach Michael Bailey said. "But you don't stop football for rain. You stop it for lightning and tornadoes. That wasn't in the picture, so we felt like we could get it in. This wasn't the first time we've played in rain."

Bailey, who also serves as Union's athletic director, said he made a joint decision with VUU President Claude Perkins to proceed with the game. Saint Augustine's coach Michael Costa didn't object.

READ MORE

Div. II schools scoff in Irene’s general direction, open 2011 season

Richmond, VA - What, you thought a lil’ ol’ hurricane that’s already claimed the lives of at least eight people as of this posting was going to stop a pair of schools in its path from getting their season-opening football on?

Rain-soaked, wind-swept child please.

Just as the leading edge of Hurricane Irene was making its way into the state of Virginia early Saturday afternoon, Div. II schools Virginia Union and Saint Augustine’s were scheduled to kick off their 2011 season. And, of course, they decided to go ahead and play the opener as scheduled.

And, of course, the game was slightly affected by the weather conditions.

READ MORE

CIAA Preview

J.C. SMITH
2010 record: 2-8.

Players to watch

Offense: WR Avius Capers (Independence High) caught 21 passes for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns as a freshman.

Defense: DE Derrick Johnson (Hopewell High) led the Golden Bulls with 4.5 sacks as a sophomore in addition to 29 tackles.

Biggest question of the season: Will the defense show marked improvement from last season's 39 points allowed average?

Number to live by: Three freshmen (one redshirt) are competing for the starting quarterback position.

2011 schedule: Sept. 3 West Virginia State; S10 at Brevard; S17 Virginia State; S24 at Davidson; Oct. 1 at Winston-Salem State; O8 at Shaw; O15 Virginia Union; O22 at St. Augustine's; O29 Fayetteville State; N5 vs. Livingstone



READ MORE