Points a rarity for Johnson C. Smith University

Charlotte, NC - Points are scarce at Johnson C. Smith. After lighting up opponents for 99 points in their first two games, the Golden Bulls offense has produced 14 in the last pair. JCSU (2-2, 1-0 CIAA) split those games – a 14-7 win against Virginia State and 35-7 loss at Davidson.

I'm concerned, but I know schematically the coaches do a great job on game planning what we have to do to take advantage of another defense," JCSU coach Steve Aycock said. "We've just got to go back to square one and get the basics."

The Bulls are having trouble moving the ball, especially via the pass. Freshman quarterback Keahn Wallace has thrown for 359 yards and two scores in the last two weeks compared to 337 and four touchdowns against West Virginia State and 325 and three against Brevard. Very little went right against Davidson, with Wallace hitting 11-of-29 passes for ...

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Chowan Falls to Virginia State University, 35-20

ETTRICK, VA – Coming in to tonight's game, the Virginia State University defense allowed only 21 total points to Division II opponents. The Trojans defense was again strong tonight, proving to be the difference as VSU defeated Chowan 35-20. Chowan is now 1-3 overall, and 0-2 in the CIAA. Virginia State moves to 2-2 overall (1-1 in the CIAA).

The Virginia State defense caused five Chowan turnovers and stopped the Hawks twice in the red zone.

Virginia State put together a four play, 60 yard drive on the opening series of the game for their lone score of the first half. Kenay Hawks capped the drive for the Trojans with a seven yard touchdown run. The Hawks defense stepped up for the rest of the quarter, however, allowing only 34 more yards.

After totaling 72 yards in the first quarter, the Hawks offense got back to their usual ways in the second. Quarterback Cameron Stover went 8-13 for 88 yards in the stanza. Stover led a seven play, 59 yard drive late in the quarter to even the score at seven. He hooked up with Kevin Hodrick for a ten yard pass for the score.

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WSSU's offensive line playing extremely well

Winston Salem, NC - "The Block Squad" wanted to look its best for the big moment.

That's why all members of the group — Winston-Salem State's starting offensive linemen — showed up Wednesday at coach Connell Maynor's media conference well dressed and wearing ties. Keenly aware that offensive linemen rarely get exposure, they also were ready to talk.

The Rams are 3-0 and averaging 503 yards a game, and production like that requires more than just talent at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. It also requires talent on the line.

Starters Winston Hill, Markus Lawrence, Darrell Billiott, Devan Gray and Terrence Thomas — and reserves Chris Beardon and Corey Morris — acknowledge that playing in the trenches isn't glamorous.

"I've been playing offensive line since I was 13," said Lawrence, the center. "I would love to score touchdowns and all of that, but you just have to love it when your running back scores or your quarterback throws for a touchdown."

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WSSU needs plenty of support at home games

The powerful Bill Hayes, who is WSSU’s energetic athletics director, can control a lot of things as a top-flight administrator. But the one thing he can’t control is the weather, and he’ll be watching the forecast with keen interest for Saturday’s 6 p.m. home game at Bowman Gray Stadium against Fayetteville State (0-3).

The Rams fans have traveled in bunches for their first three road games. They traveled so well, in fact, that I estimate the Rams had more fans in the stands at all three games at Elizabeth City State, Virginia Union and Chowan.

Hayes made sure to seek me out last week to let me know that for the program to truly be successful seats have to be occupied at home games. That’s one of the ways the athletics program generates money and it’s a big resource.

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Mecklenburg neighbors JCSU, Davidson renew football series

Charlotte, NC - It’s never too late to grow a rivalry.

Davidson and Johnson C. Smith, Mecklenburg County’s only collegiate football programs – at least until Charlotte’s arrival in 2013 – play Saturday at Davidson’s Richardson Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. The series, tied at a game each, has been dormant since 1990 when Davidson won 17-7 at home. The Golden Bulls won 18-15 at Memorial Stadium the previous season.

“We got the ball with 32 seconds left and had to drive 70 yards for a touchdown,” said JCSU offensive coordinator Maurice Flowers, who tossed a 22-yard touchdown pass to David Washington on the final play of Smith’s win. “We had a couple of big plays and it came down to … 3 seconds left and we had to go to the end zone.

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Benedict Tigers earn first win of 2011

COLUMBIA, SC – Emmanuel Houston scored three touchdowns to lead the Benedict College Tigers to their first football victory of the season, 23-17 victory over the Shaw University Bears in a non-conference NCAA Division II game Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

This week the Tigers won the turnover battle, intercepting Shaw's freshman quarterback Homer Causey three times, including once in the end zone, and recovering one fumble.




“We had a good week of practice, and I thought we would play that way,” said Benedict head coach Stan Conner. “We still had some unforced errors we have to eliminate, but we are on the right track.”

The Tigers, now 1-2, return to action on Thursday night to face Fort Valley State at home in a regionally-televised game. Kickoff is 8 p.m. at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

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JCSU pulls out a 14-7 win over Virginia State with defense

Charlotte, NC - The Johnson C. Smith University football team stayed on course and prevailed for a 14-7 victory against Virginia State University on Saturday afternoon inside the Irwin Belk Complex. JCSU improves to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the CIAA after their first conference contest of the season.

This ball game started off as a stalemate with both teams feeling each other out. William Rudd received a lot of playing time in the first half for Virginia State. Fortunately for JCSU, Mr. Rudd is the Virginia State punter. Rudd came out to punt on three of the first four Trojans offensive drives. On the first drive, Rudd had a 39 yard field goal attempt blocked.

The first quarter ended without a score for either team. JCSU finally put together a nine play, 81-yard scoring drive in the second quarter. After driving the team to the VSU seven; freshman quarterback Keahn Wallace (Homestead, FL) connected with sophomore receiver Avius Capers (Charlotte, NC) on a fade route to the left for the touchdown.



Capers' touchdown would be the only score of the first half.

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Turnovers a backbreaker for Fayetteville State against Elizabeth City State

Fayetteville, NC - Cedrick Snead hugged freshman quarterback Chauncey Concepcion as they jogged together toward the Fayetteville State sideline, and benched starter Brandon Blumears-Cluff gave Concepcion a congratulatory slap on the helmet.

Concepcion capped his first series with a crowd-pleasing touchdown pass, but the honeymoon period quickly turned into a painful indoctrination.

Elizabeth City State forced three costly turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns in a 42-21 victory against the Broncos on Saturday night.



Concepcion entered the lineup after ECSU's William Davis returned a first-quarter interception 56 yards for a score, and Fayetteville State (0-3) pulled within 14-7 when Antonio Allen caught a 35-yard TD pass on the next possession. The Vikings (2-2) dominated the last 10 minutes of the second quarter, sacking Concepcion three times and posting a trio of touchdowns in rapid succession to claim a 35-7 lead.

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Defense stands tall for Lincoln in CIAA opener

WEST GROVE, PA — Coming into the season, Lincoln knew it should be able to count on its defense. Afterall, the Lions brought back just about everybody from a defense that was nationally ranked last season. In turning back visiting Virginia Union 19-10 on Saturday night, Lincoln's defense turned in a stellar performance that keyed the Lions' first CIAA win since topping Livingstone on the road two years ago.

"I'm proud of the job our offense did today,too," said Lions' coach OJ Abanishe. "We came in with what might have looked like a risky game plan, but it was just really a bunch of screens and shorter high percentage passes. But the guys executed very well, and put points on the board."

Up 3-0 in the second, Matthew Coston shook a defender and found himself all alone on the right sideline, and quarterback LaQuan Williams hit him in stride for a 22-yard gain and Lincoln's lone touchdown on the day.

Williams completed 20 of 40 passes on the day for ...



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WSSU demolishes Chowan

MURFREESBORO, NC -- Different opponent, similar result. Winston-Salem State rolled to its second straight lopsided win Saturday night, 55-24 against Chowan. It followed a 67-16 victory at Virginia Union and although this game wasn't as lopsided, it was just as impressive.

As quarterback Kameron Smith rested on the bench in the waning minutes, his left knee wrapped in ice, he gave a thumbs up to some of the WSSU fans who braved the wet weather.

"We tried to keep it going from our previous game," said Smith, who had career highs for touchdown passes (6) and yards passing (355). "We tried to come out focus and play our game."

The Rams racked up 619 yards and scored all of their points on offense. Against Virginia Union, they scored twice on special teams.

"I give this to the O-line and my coaches," said Smith, who was 17 of 31 passing but did have one interception, his lone mistake.

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ECSU Vikings wary of FSU Broncos

Fayetteville, NC - Elizabeth City State is ready to turn the corner.

After two tough losses by a combined 12 points, one in overtime, the Vikings captured their first victory of 2011 last week and intend on using that as a springboard for the rest of the season. But to carry that momentum into the heart of it Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association schedule, ECSU (1-2) will have to get past a Fayetteville State team on the road today that is in a similar situation the Vikings were in just a week ago.

“I want us to be mindful that this team is as hungry as we were in trying to turn the corner,” ECSU coach Waverly Tillar ...

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JCSU looks for defensive improvement vs. Virginia State

Charlotte, NC - Johnson C. Smith scores in bunches – and so do Golden Bulls opponents. The Golden Bulls, who play CIAA North foe Virginia State Saturday at McGirt Field, have outscored 99-65 in the first two games, but are 1-1 after a 38-35 overtime loss last week against Brevard. For the second straight week, JCSU allowed more than 400 yards but that liability has been offset by an offense that’s averaging better than 536.5 per game.

“I’m extremely proud of those guys because they didn’t give up,” Golden Bulls head coach Steve Aycock said. “The one thing I take from this is our kids have got to learn how to close. “We could’ve put them away in the fourth quarter and nailed the coffin shut and got out of there with a victory.”

The Golden Bulls’ main concern from the start has been defense, which was overhauled after allowing an average of 405 yards and 39 points a game last year. They’re still struggling at 452 per contest, and opponents are averaging 229.5 per game on the ground.

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Rams say they will redshirt QB Carrothers

Winston Salem, NC - Quarterback Anthony Carrothers, a high-profile transfer at Winston-Salem State, will be redshirted this season. Coach Connell Maynor said on Wednesday that Carrothers, who started last season for Grambling State as a freshman before transferring to WSSU, will sit out this season and will have three seasons of eligibility.

"I'm always going to make decisions based on what's good for the team," Maynor said. "I think its best that Anthony redshirts."

The play of backup Jamie DeGeare, a fifth-year senior, helped Maynor make the decision to redshirt Carrothers. DeGeare came on in relief Saturday night in a 67-16 win over Virginia Union and threw two touchdown passes. This is DeGeare's final season; starter Kameron Smith, a redshirt junior, has one more season of eligibility.

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WSSU's Maynor maintains stance on lopsided win

Winston Salem, NC - Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State said Monday he hasn't heard any backlash about his team's 67-16 victory over Virginia Union.

He remained unapologetic for allowing backup quarterback Jamie DeGeare, a fifth-year senior, to continue to throw in the fourth quarter, which started with the Rams leading 54-3.

"The game kind of got away from us in the third quarter with those two kickoff fumbles that we turned into touchdowns," Maynor said. "And I put my (second string) guys in during the fourth quarter, and they were just playing football."

Instead of keeping the ball on the ground and running ...
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VSU Trojans come from behind to defeat West Virginia St., 17-14

Petersburg, VA - The Trojans of Virginia State University (1-1), scored 14 points in the third quarter to take a come from behind lead and win the game 17-14, against the (0-2) Yellow Jackets of West Virginia State University. Junior wide receiver, Corey Young caught a 28 yard TD pass to put VSU ahead.

VSU’s offense woke up late but rallied in the second half to gain some yardage and several first downs to seal a 17-14 victory on the road against WVSU. The Trojans accumulated 277 of total offense (211 passing, 66 rushing) and had 14 first downs. Senior running back, Antwain Lyde rushed for a team high 80 yards and averaged 4 yards a carry. Lyde also caught 4 passes for 53 yards out of the Trojan backfield. Junior quarterback, Jarred Battle passed for 211 yards, completing 19 of 32 pass attempts.



Five Trojans caught passes from Battle. Junior wide receiver, Alan Anderson’s led with 6 catches for 61 yards. Corey Young caught Battle’s longest pass of the game, a 28 yard touchdown score with 45 seconds left in the third quarter. That touchdown was the first for VSU’s offense this season and was key this game, as it was the last points ...

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Kentucky State Stays Perfect, Beats Lincoln 43-27

Frankfort, KY – In a highly anticipated home opener, the Kentucky State University Thorobreds galloped past the Lincoln University Lions with a score of 43-27.

Lincoln won the coin toss and deferred to the second half and the Thorobreds elected to receive the opening kick. During the opening drive, quarterback, Jerrel Noland threw his first interception of the season resulting in a 39 yard touchdown for Lincoln.

In retaliation, KSU senior defensive back, Keith Massey, returned a kick for 79 yards and freshman kicker, Cade Berryman assisted in tying the game 7-7, making the PAT.

Kentucky State closed the first half with Noland making two 1 yard rushing touchdowns, combined with a rushing touchdown by Andrew Ramsey, giving the Breds a 28-14 lead at halftime.

Kentucky State added nine points in the third quarter that extended the Thorobreds’ lead to 37-20. In the fourth quarter, Berryman nailed a 43-yard field goal with 7:30 to play, giving the Breds a 20-point lead (40-20), but Lincoln marched down the field and scored on a 24-yard pass from Cook to Garlin Gardner, bringing the score to 40-27, in favor of the Breds. With 2:02 to play in the game, Berryman made a 39-yard field goal to bring the score to its final 43-27.

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WSSU storms past Virginia Union 67-16

Coach Connell Maynor

RICHMOND, Va. -- Winston-Salem State had its own version of an air show Saturday night in a dominating 67-16 victory over Virginia Union. The Rams, opening up their explosive offense early and often, were clicking on all cylinders while the Panthers (2-1) were left to wonder what happened.

Quarterback Kameron Smith of the Rams opened the game with six straight passes. But when he wasn't moving the offense through the air, he handed off to running back Nic Cooper. Smith completed 15 of 28 passes for 238 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper had his second straight 100-yard game rushing with 113 yards on 12 carries, scoring two touchdowns.

The Rams (2-0) had just a 20-3 lead at halftime, but it turned into a laugher in the second half.

"I wanted triple digits," said center Markus Lawrence, who helped the Rams rack up 493 yards of offense. "If they weren't ready to play, that's their fault. We were ready to play."

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DSU capitalizes on fumble for comeback win

DOVER, DE -- Delaware State was handed the gift of life as a driving rainstorm pounded Alumni Stadium in the closing minutes of the Hornets' home opener against Shaw University on Saturday night.

With 49 seconds remaining, the Bears handed the football to James Langford, who was hit immediately by DSU defensive lineman Olusegun Ayanbiola, who forced a fumble and recovered it at Shaw's 12-yard line.

Two plays later, with the rain still dripping in his eyes, Delaware State quarterback Nick Elko launched a 12-yard pass to Darius Jackson, who caught it for the game-winning touchdown in the right-corner of the end zone as the Hornets capped an improbable 31-27 comeback victory over Shaw in a nonconference game.

"I was very surprised," DSU middle linebacker Brandon Harvey said. "I actually asked the ref, 'Are they going to down the football?' And he said, 'No.' I said, 'OK, we're going to cause a turnover.'"

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Shaw Suffers Fourth-Quarter Collapse - Loses to DSU 31-27

Shaw played three strong quarters against Division I Delaware State on Saturday, but allowed the Hornets to swarm in the fourth - giving up 22 last period points, including a last-minute touchdown that sent the Bears home with a 31-27 loss.

With the loss, the Bears drop to 0-2 while the Hornets improve to 2-0 on the season.

With 1:01 left on the clock, DSU lined up for a field goal that would have tied the game at 27. In a driving rain and into a strong wind, Mitchell Ward's attempt went wide right and the Bears got the ball at their own 20.

After a loss of five on a delay of game penalty, James Langford got the handoff, but Quentin Ferguson forced a fumble, giving the Hornets the ball 13 yards from the end zone. Two plays later, Nick Elko covered that ground with a 13-yard strike to Darius Jackson - giving the Hornets the win.

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Bowie State football team breezes past Benedict

Bowie, MD - The Bowie State University football team amassed 473 yards of total offense and improved to 2-0 this season with a 31-14 victory against Benedict College on Saturday afternoon in Bowie.

The Bulldogs led 10-0 at halftime and 24-7 heading into the fourth quarter. Dominique Budd tossed a 33-yard touchdown pass to Kevin James in the first quarter to open the scoring. Michael Gagne added a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter.

Suitland High graduate James Proctor made it a 17-0 Bowie State lead when he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Surrattsville grad Andre Johnson with 4:13 to play in the third quarter. Benedict answered with its first touchdown less than a minute later on a 66-yard pass from Harlon Samuels to Assad Mujihad. But with 53 seconds to play in the third period, Johnson hit Kendall Jefferson with a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-7.

Samuels threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Houston with 6:20 left in the game. Oxon Hill graduate Kenneth Turner returned a fumble 56 yards for a touchdown with 1:21 to play for Bowie State.

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WSSU Maynor wants fewer mistakes

Richmond, VA - To make a solid run at the CIAA title, Winston-Salem State will have to get more disciplined. That much was evident last week in the season opener, a sloppy 22-17 victory over Elizabeth City State. The Rams had 11 penalties and several mental errors and looked out of sorts for most of the game.

Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU said he hopes today's 7 p.m. game at Virginia Union (2-0) will be different.

"It's a little disappointing," said Maynor, referring to his team's 399 yards of offense and only three touchdowns last week. "We had a lot of penalties that killed our drives. I always tell the guys other teams can't stop us, but we can only stop ourselves, and it was a classic case of that."

The Rams went backward several times at key points because ...

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ECSU still confident despite 0-2 mark

Elizabeth City, NC - Elizabeth City State’s football team was a confident bunch heading into the season. After two games and two losses, it would be understandable if that confidence was waning. But coach Waverly Tillar says it is business as usual around the Vikings’ facility.

“They really feel like they didn’t play well Saturday night (in a 22-17 loss to Winston-Salem State) and they know they need to come out big this week to set them on the right course for an eight-game run,” Tillar said. “The attitude has been up tempo, execution has been sharp and the camaraderie has been good.”

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