NCCU's 'Big Three' Lead Eagles To 82-72 Win Over Norfolk State Spartans

DURHAM, N.C. (www.NCCUEaglePride.com) – After being recognized prior to Saturday’s game for breaking the school’s single-season record for three-point field goals, North Carolina Central University junior Landon Clement added to his tally by nailing five triples for a season-high 28 points to lead the Eagles to an 82-72 victory over Norfolk State University inside McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium.

Clement had some help with 20 points from senior guard C.J. Wilkerson and the fourth double-double of the season by junior forward Nick Chasten with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Clement, Wilkerson and Chasten, who Clement referred to as the ‘Big Three,’ accounted for more than 81 percent of NCCU’s offense.



NCCU defeats Norfolk State University, 62-56

DURHAM, N.C. – On Saturday, Feb. 19, three was the magic number for North Carolina Central University to earn a 62-56 victory in McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium. Senior Jori Nwachukwu, sophomore J’Mia Pollock and freshman Sierra Solomon each netted in double-figures and provided season-high performances to lead the Lady Eagles past Norfolk State University.

Seizing her 11th double-double this season with a season-high 28 points and 13 rebounds was Nwachukwu. Pollock, who has had a breakout season as a sophomore, reached a season-high in points (15), rebounds (14) and assists (6). Solomon, who is developing and becoming more confident each contest, poured in 11 points.



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NSU center O'Quinn loses 15 pounds, gains stature

NORFOLK, VA - Thin is in for Kyle O'Quinn. Anybody looking for answers as to why Norfolk State's 6-foot-10 junior center has been the best player in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for the past month should look no further than the scale. These days, it reads 235 pounds, 15 less than a year ago.

"I can get down the court now, almost all the time, where last year, I couldn't and didn't," said O'Quinn, who has averaged 25.4 points and 13.3 rebounds in his past five games. "Nothing tells you that you're dragging better than watching game film and running across a possession where your team is playing 4-on-5 because you haven't yet made it across half court."

So what spurred the weight loss? O'Quinn points to local high school basketball coach Walter Webb, whom O'Quinn met through a mutual acquaintance.




1. Videographer: UrbanSportsITG
2. Videographer: SportsGrooveTV

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Coach Adrian and Norfolk State Announces 11-Member Football Recruiting Class

NSU Spartans Coach Pete Adrian

NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State head football coach Pete Adrian announced Wednesday the signing of nine players to national letters of intent. Those nine join two mid-year enrollees in the Spartans’ recruiting class of 2011.

“We’re extremely pleased with this group of recruits,” Adrian said. “Our main goal was to increase our team speed offensively, and we feel we have definitely accomplished that.”

All 11 newcomers could potentially wind up on the offensive side of the ball at NSU, though several played on both sides of the ball at their previous institutions. The Spartans added four linemen, three quarterbacks, two wide receivers, one tight end and one running back. Two previously attended junior colleges, one is a Division I FBS transfer, and eight are high school recruits.

2011 NSU Football Recruits (as of Feb. 2)


Shaun Corbett, WR, 5-11, 160, Miami, Fla./Varela HS
Notes: A first-team All-Dade County 6A selection as a senior…caught 42 passes for 754 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior…averaged 18 yards per catch…played in the Dade vs. Broward and the Miami North/South all-star game…one of six finalists for city Player of the Year.

%Nico Flores, QB, 6-2, 210, Miami, Fla./UCF/North Miami Beach HS
Notes: Redshirted the 2009 season at UCF before playing primarily as the Knights’ “wildcat” quarterback in 2010, rushing six times for 48 yards…enrolled at NSU for the spring semester…has three years of eligibility remaining…was a two-time All-Dade County pick for North Miami Beach and was an all-state selection as a junior…rated a three-star recruit by both Rivals.Com and Scout.Com…rated the No. 31 high school QB in the country according to Rivals…completed 135-of-210 passes (64 percent) for 1,517 yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior.

Ramsey Henderson, OL, 6-4, 305, Washington, D.C./HD Woodson HS
Notes: Named to the All-Metro team by the Washington Pigskin Club…rated a two-star prospect according to Rivals.Com…also had offers from Delaware State and Howard and interest from Morgan State.

James Lynch, TE, 6-3, 220, Darby, Pa./West Philadelphia Catholic HS
Notes: First-team Pennsylvania Sportswriters Class AA all-state selection…also first-team All-City and All-Catholic League…helped the Burrs to a 13-2 record and the state AA championship…played both tight end and defensive end for West Catholic…defensively, recorded 90 tackles, 29 for loss, and 9.5 sacks as a senior…also forced and recovered two fumbles…had scholarship offers from Stony Brook and Monmouth and was recruited by Villanova and Temple.

Randy Maynes, RB, 5-9, 185, Miami, Fla./West Hills College (Calif.)/North Miami Beach HS
Notes: Ran 143 times for 750 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore at West Hills…rushed for 747 yards and seven TDs as a freshman, earning All-Valley Conference honors…was an honorable mention All-Dade County pick as a senior along with former NMBHS teammates and fellow Spartans Ricardo Volcin and Nico Flores.

Brendon Riddick, QB, 6-0, 195, Richmond, Va./Hermitage HS
Notes: Two-time Colonial District Offensive Player of the Year…also named the Central Region and Richmond Times-Dispatch Metro Player of the Year as a senior…rushed for 1,281 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior while passing for 1,446 yards and 21 scores…led Hermitage to a 13-1 record, the district and regional titles, and a berth in the state Group AAA championship game…first-team all-district, all-region and All-Metro…second-team all-state Group AAA…grandfather Cladwell was an NSU alum and long-time University employee.

George Riddick, OL, 6-3, 285, Suffolk, Va./King’s Fork HS
Notes: Second-team All-Southeastern District selection…also had an offer from Morgan State and interest from Towson, Richmond and Old Dominion.

Wilonte’ Roscoe, QB, 6-0, 175, Portsmouth, Va./Churchland HS
Notes: Honorable mention All-Eastern District pick…passed for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 600 yards and six scores…threw just two interceptions all season…team MVP. He is also an honors student.

DeAndre Sangster, WR, 6-1, 175, Dumfries, Va./CD Hylton HS
Notes: Caught 35 passes for 720 yards and nine touchdowns…also returned a kickoff for touchdown…first-team All-Cardinal District and News & Messenger all-area pick…second-team All-Northwest Region and honorable mention Washington Post All-Met.

William Waters-Shorter, OL/DL, 6-4, 295, Chesapeake, Va./Grassfield HS
Notes: First-team All-Southeastern District…second-team All-Tidewater pick by The Virginian-Pilot.

%DeAnte Williams, OL/DL, 6-3, 275, Hyattsville, Md./St. Johns College HS
Notes: Honorable mention all-conference selection…two-way starter on both sides of the line…originally signed with NSU last February, but did not enroll for the fall session…enrolled at NSU for the spring semester of 2011 after attending Prince George Community College in the fall of 2010 but did not play there.

% Mid-year tranfer

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By Matt Michalec, SID, Norfolk State University Office of Sports Information.

O'Quinn, NSU Spartans roll in double OT win over Coppin State Eagles

BALTIMORE, MD - Kyle O'Quinn, who just hours earlier was named MEAC Player of the Week, sank two free throws with 4.5 seconds left in double overtime Monday night as Norfolk State topped Coppin State 110-108 at the Coppin State Physical Education Complex.

O'Quinn, a 6-foot-10 junior center, scored a career-high 37 points, grabbed 19 rebounds and blocked six shots as the Spartans won their fifth straight. O'Quinn was coming off games of 26 and 24 points in wins over South Carolina State and Morgan State. But Norfolk State (7-13, 5-3 MEAC ) had many heroes in this one.

Poor shooting foils NSU women

BALTIMORE - The Norfolk State women were doomed by 29 turnovers and poor shooting Monday night in a 64-55 MEAC loss at Coppin State. Tyisha Bridges led NSU (8-10, 1-7) with 14 points while Sarah Daily chipped in 13.

Coppin State (7-12, 4-4) attempted 20 more free throws than the Spartans and was paced by Larissa Carter, who finished with 18 points.

Eagles Prevail Over Norfolk State 64-55

BALTIMORE -- Larrisa Carter had 18 points and nine rebounds and Coppin State defeated Norfolk State 64-55 on Monday in the Physical Edciation Complex despite the suspension of three players.

Coppin State (7-12, 4-4 MEAC) played the game without Jeanine Manley, Crystal Whittington and Leola Spotwood who were all suspended for one game following their involvement in an on-court altercation following the Eagles 75-74 loss to North Carolina A&T on Saturday.

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MSU Bears Upset At Home By Norfolk State, 76-74

NSU Men's Coach Anthony Evans

BALTIMORE, Md. – Kyle O'Quinn scored 24 points to help lead the Norfolk State Spartans to a 76-74 upset victory over the Morgan State Bears Saturday afternoon in an ESPNU nationally televised game. Rob Hampton tallied 19 points for Norfolk State (6-13, 4-3), which got 15 points from Pendarvis Williams and 11 points from Aleek Pauline.

DeWayne Jackson poured in a team-high 19 points in the loss for Morgan State (9-9, 5-2), who suffered its first conference home loss since falling to South Carolina State 71-68 on February 15, 2010; Coincidentally, that game was also during an ESPNU televised matchup at Hill Field House.

4 Score in Double Figures as Spartans Win 4th in a Row, Top Morgan State

BALTIMORE, Md. – Kyle O’Quinn scored a game-high 24 points to lead four Spartans in double figures, and Norfolk State extended its winning streak to four games with a 76-74 win over two-time defending MEAC champion Morgan State on Saturday at Hill Field House.

Rob Hampton added 19 points, Pendarvis Williams had 15 and Aleek Pauline 11 for NSU (6-13, 4-3 MEAC), which broke a four-game losing streak against the Bears (9-9, 5-2) and improved to 3-0 in ESPNU-televised games this year.

Morgan State Holds Off Spartans, 64-60

BALTIMORE, Md.- Brittany Noel scored a game-high 16 points, while Kyla Rollins added 13 points to help Morgan State to a 64-60 victory over visiting Norfolk State on Saturday afternoon in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game at Hill Field House. The win was the Lady Bears' seventh straight over Norfolk State.

Noel, who shot 4-of-8 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, also recorded a game-high four steals in the victory. Rollins, who was playing in just her second game as a Lady Bear, notched a game-high nine rebounds in her home debut, falling shy of a double-double for the second consecutive game.

Free Throws Lead Morgan State Past NSU, 64-60

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Norfolk State women’s basketball team got oh-so-close, but numerous free throws by Morgan State allowed the Bears to take a 64-60 win over the Spartans Saturday afternoon at Talmadge Hill Field House.

NSU tied the score with as few as five minutes left in the game, but the Spartans were unable to convert on several chances late in the half as the Bears held on. The Spartans fell to 8-9 overall and 1-6 in the MEAC, while the Bears improved to 11-8, 5-2.

Sophomore Batavia Owens and junior Sarah Daily led the balanced NSU scoring with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Daily and sophomore Marian Brooks tied for the team lead with seven rebounds.

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Nansemond River Warrior now sprints for Norfolk State Spartans

James Taylor won seven individual state track crowns and two state titles on Nansemond River relay teams. He made Virginia prep sports history as a Warrior senior becoming the first athlete to win four individual state championships in the same indoor meet.

Two things off the track slowed him down for a year, the SAT and NCAA rules. Taylor missed one year from the Norfolk State track team for being academically ineligible.

“Academically ineligible” sounds bad. It sounds as though it’s something a young person might not rebound from, academically or athletically.

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Videographer: sixerthree

Norfolk State Releases 2011 Football Schedule

Norfolk State University released its 2011 football schedule on Tuesday. Highlighting the slate are six home games, including the return of the Labor Day Classic, and a road game at Big East power West Virginia (9-3, 5-2 Big East).

The Spartans open the season on Sept. 3 against Virginia State (8-2, 7-1 CIAA) at Dick Price Stadium. After the Spartans played VSU in their third game of the season in 2010, the game returns to Labor Day weekend for the next four years.

"Having Virginia State back on Labor Day weekend is a great way to kick off the season," head coach Pete Adrian said. The VSU Trojans won the Division II, Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Eastern Division championship in 2010.

The following week, the Spartans trek to Morgantown, W.Va., to face West Virginia University. It will be the Spartans' fourth-ever game against a Division I FBS opponent, and third against a Big East team after facing Rutgers in 2007 and 2010. WVU is currently 9-3 and was Big East Conference co-champion with Connecticut and Pittsburgh.

Coach Pete Adrian's Spartans will play at West Virginia

"This will be a major challenge, to say the least, to face a Big East champion," said Adrian, who graduated from WVU in 1970. "But our team looks forward to these games and this will be no exception."

The Spartans open MEAC play at Howard University (1-10, 0-8 MEAC) on Sept. 17 in Washington, D.C.

NSU's third and final non-conference game of the season will come on Sept. 24 against FCS foe Charleston Southern (3-8, 1-5 Big South)at Dick Price Stadium. The teams have never met.

"Playing Charleston Southern will be a good test for us, and a nice non-conference game to add to our league's schedule for next season," Adrian said.

The Spartans' final seven games of the year will be against conference opposition. With the addition of North Carolina Central and Savannah State to the MEAC for 2011, MEAC teams will no longer play every conference opponent each season. NSU will not face NCCU (3-8) and 2010 MEAC Co-Champion Florida A&M (8-3, 7-1 MEAC) in 2011.

The Spartans' home MEAC games next season are against 2010 MEAC Co-Champion/FCS Playoffs participant South Carolina State (9-3,7-1 MEAC)(Oct. 1), Hampton (6-5, 5-3 MEAC) (Oct. 15), MEAC Co-Champion/FCS Playoffs participant Bethune-Cookman (10-2, 7-1 MEAC) (Oct. 22) and North Carolina A&T (1-10, 1-7 MEAC) (Oct. 29). The contest against the Aggies will serve as Homecoming as well as Senior Day.

In addition to the road game at Howard, NSU will also travel to Delaware State (3-8, 2-6 MEAC) (Oct. 8), Savannah State (1-10)(Nov. 5) and Morgan State (4-7, 3-5) (Nov. 12) in MEAC play. The Spartans do not have a bye week next year, playing 11 consecutive games before completing the regular season on Nov. 12.

2011 Norfolk State Football Schedule

September
03, Virginia State (Labor Day Classic), Norfolk, VA
10, West Virginia, Morgantown, WV
17, Howard, Washington, D.C.
24, Charleston Southern, Norfolk, VA

October
01, South Carolina State, Norfolk, VA
08, Delaware State, Dover, DE
15, Hampton, (Battle of the Bay), Norfolk, VA
22, Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk, VA
29, North Carolina A&T (Homecoming/Senior Day), Norfolk,VA

November
05, Savannah State, Savannah, GA
12, Morgan State, Baltimore, MD

Press Release: 12/21/10; Written By: MEAC Media Relations

Virginia Barely Slips by Norfolk State, 50-49

Charlottesville, VA - UVa men's basketball got a huge scare Monday night, but the Cavaliers pulled out a 50-49 win over Norfolk State.

UVa had to play again without the injured Mike Scott. Mustapha Farrakhan picked up the scoring slack, leading the Cavs with 18 points. The Spartans came into the game losers of six straight but they outrebounded UVa 43-36 and they had a one-point lead with time winding down. Sammy Zeglinski's three-pointer rimmed out, but K.T. Harrell got the rebound and was fouled. He missed both free throws, but the 7-footer Assane Sene tipped in the game-winner with 4.8 seconds left.



U.Va. squeaks past NSU 50-49 with late tip-in

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - It was evident Monday night at John Paul Jones Arena that the Norfolk State Spartans are going to be a much better team with transfer Chris McEachin in their lineup. It was also crystal clear that the Virginia Cavaliers are a donut unit - sweet on the outside and empty in the middle - as long as power forward Mike Scott is sidelined as he recovers from ankle surgery.

Monday's result was expected: A Virginia victory over a team that ranks No. 311 in the power rankings among 348 Division I teams. The way it came about was mind-boggling and bordered on unbelievable.

The Cavaliers needed an Assane Sene tip-in of a missed free throw with 4.8 seconds remaining to pull out a 50-49 win in front of a crowd of 7,856 that ...

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N.C. A&T rides play of Coleman, Hill

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- In the aftermath of N.C. A&T's wild overtime win over Norfolk State on Saturday, Aggies head coach Jerry Eaves had already taken off his coat, loosened his tie and unbuttoned his top button. As he took the walk to his seat in the postgame interview room, Eaves carried a telling look -- one of exhaustion, joy and most clearly, relief.

"I can't complain," Eaves deadpanned in response to how he was doing. Talk about an understatement. Thanks to 25 points after intermission from Marc Hill and a brilliant all-around effort from center Thomas Coleman, A&T escaped with an 89-81 win.

Norfolk State loses league opener in OT

GREENSBORO, N.C. - After committing a foul in the final seconds of overtime, Norfolk State forward Kyle O'Quinn pounded the ball on the floor over and over again. The score was already out of reach and his foul had no effect on the outcome, but O'Quinn couldn't help himself. His team had been so close, only to see a late lead crumble away - again.

"For them to shoot the way they did and for us to stay that close, we let it slip out of our hands," O'Quinn said of his team's 89-81 loss to North Carolina A&T (5-3). "It kind of makes you mad at the end if you don't come out the victor." The game quickly boiled down to a battle between the two tallest players on the court.

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Branche runs for school rushing record as NSU rolls 42-6 over SSU

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The game ended, but there was one carry left to make. Norfolk State football players sprinted from their sideline to the middle of the field. As they jumped up and down at midfield, the Spartans' offensive linemen hoisted running back DeAngelo Branche on their shoulders.

The Spartans were celebrating their 42-6 victory over Savannah State and were rejoicing in Branche becoming Norfolk State's all-time leading rusher.

Branche, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound redshirt senior from Maury High School, ran 41 times for 233 yards and three touchdowns to set the record. The Norfolk native finished his career with 3,678 yards rushing on 741 carries, eclipsing the previous mark set by LaRue Harrington, who ran for 3,659 yards on 825 carries from 1976-79.


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FINAL: Norfolk State 42, Savannah State 6

Norfolk State University beat Savannah State University, 42-6, to spoil the Tigers' Homecoming on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Norfolk State (6-5) was led by senior running back DeAngelo Branche, who became the Spartans' all-time leading rusher. Branche ran for 233 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries.

ATTENDANCE: 4967

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Branche in striking distance of NSU's rushing crown

DeAngelo Branche racked his brain, but struggled to come up with a childhood friend who could talk about him. Two are in prison. One is dead. The best bet is running from police.

Football, the Norfolk State senior running back says, is the biggest reason he never joined them. "They knew we were on different paths," Branche said. Instead, at 23, the Maury High graduate is married with a child on the way. He's close to his parents, who attend every game and whose house he retreats to every weekend.

Branche hopes that path includes the school's all-time career rushing mark. Currently 16th in the country with 1,097 yards, he needs a career-high 215 against Savannah State on Saturday to break LaRue Harrington's record of 3,659 yards.

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Videographer: 8to5pros

SSU's Johnson finds positives in everything

This is not at all what Dan Johnson envisioned when he graduated from Augusta's Glenn Hills High School and enrolled at Savannah State University. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound offensive lineman has played for three head coaches in four losing seasons.

He won't get to play a game on campus this season, his senior season, because of construction to T.A. Wright Stadium. And he will miss out on competing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference by one year.

No, this is not at all what Johnson envisioned. And yet, he insists he would not change a thing.

Miss SSU to be crowned at ‘Royal Sunset by the Sea’

Savannah native Jordan M. Riles will be crowned Miss Savannah State University 2010-11 at the “Royal Sunset by the Sea,” the annual queen’s coronation.

The event will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at Tiger Arena as part of Savannah State’s Homecoming 2010 festivities. Riles’ court and queens representing about 50 campus organizations will also be presented.

The event is free and open to the public.

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Branche runs wild as NSU cruises to easy home win

NORFOLK, VA - After his second touchdown run, running back DeAngelo Branche placed his hands on his hips and straightened his back, stretching his lungs for air. His 15-yard score down the right sideline with 11:38 to play in the second quarter was his second consecutive run. Earlier in the drive, he'd carried three straight times, including a 10-yard run that featured a cutback from one side of the field to the other.

But before Branche, chest still heaving, took a break and a seat alongside the rest of the skill players, he paced in front of the offensive line's bench, bumping fists with the five men that led the way. "You know we don't get the glory," left tackle Kendall Noble said. "It shows he appreciates what we're doing for him."



Branche Leads Senior Day Victory over Delaware State

The Spartans ended their last home game of the season in style as they beat the Delaware State Hornets 31-21 at Dick Price Stadium.

Emotions were running high with the game against the Hornets being Senior Day. The Spartans have 20 seniors on the roster with 10 of them starting in the game and many of them had an impact in the victory.

NSU's offense was dominated by running the ball with senior DeAngelo Branche having a career-high 212 rushing yards on 30 carries. He also eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the season. Three of his runs were touchdowns and he was relentless every time he got the ball. His last carry was the most crucial being a 40-yard touchdown run putting the game away for the Spartans. Branche wasn't the only running back playing well as senior Donovan Cotton had 13 carries for 72 yards and one catch for 21 yards.

Hurry-up offense too much for DSU

NORFOLK, Va. -- The Delaware State football team hasn't matched up particularly well with any opponent this season, but its depth chart made Saturday's visit to Norfolk State seem like a destined defeat.

The Hornets, with just four healthy defensive linemen, faced a Spartans offense with a rugged runner and strong offensive line that had just installed a hurry-up offense. Delaware State was rushed all over by the Spartans, getting outgained 310-54 on the ground in a 31-21 road loss.

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ATTENDANCE: 6181



Videographer: godsquadtkd1

Today's MEAC Football Reviews

Howard at Bethune-Cookman

1 p.m. at Municipal Stadium, Daytona Beach, Fla. Records: Bison 1-8, 0-6 MEAC; Wildcats 9-0, 6-0. RADIO: WELE 1380 AM (Daytona)

Emerging stars: Even though Howard's defense has allowed more than 50 points in three of its past four games, the Bison have received outstanding performances from its younger defensive players. Freshman safety Cameron Alston, the reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rookie of the week, had nine tackles, recovered a fumble and returned a blocked field goal 37 yards for a touchdown in a 54-14 loss to South Carolina State. Sophomore linebacker Kurt Mangum II had 13 tackles, including three for a loss, and a sack.

Delaware State at Norfolk State

Delaware State (2-7, 1-5) at Norfolk State (4-5, 3-4), 1 p.m., Dick Price Stadium, 102.1 FM; 91.1 FM (Norfolk); WWTX-1290, WDOV-1410 (Dover)

Ever since getting Norfolk State's season back on track, Sherron Childress admits he's been thinking about today. The tight end, one of the Spartans' most emotional players, is one of 20 NSU seniors likely playing their final home game today.

"I've been thinking about it all week," Childress said. "Since the start of the week, I've been thinking one more home game. I've played a lot of games here... one more time at Dick Price Stadium."

Childress has already been through a spectrum of results at home this season. He wept on the field after a close loss to Florida A&M three weeks ago. Last week, during a 35-27 win over Morgan State, he celebrated his first catch since September, and his first touchdown of the season.



Hampton at Florida A&M

Florida A&M vs. Hampton, 3 p.m: Hampton (5-4, 4-2 MEAC); FAMU (6-3, 5-1 MEAC); Internet Live TV: FAMCAST, Radio: 96.1 FM.

There is no hope of winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship for Hampton. That chance was dashed by three consecutive losses, including a heartbreaking five-point loss to undefeated Bethune-Cookman last weekend.

But today, the Pirates could do severe damage to the plans that Florida A&M (6-3, 5-1 MEAC) has to run the table and force a possible three-way tie for the conference title. Hampton (5-4, 4-2) did it last season and coach Donovan Rose is looking for a repeat performance.

What Rose has been telling his players amounts to forgetting that they've not won a game since escaping with a 7-6 victory over Norfolk State. Only a two-touchdown loss to Old Dominion was at a wider margin than the setback to the Wildcats.

North Carolina Central at Savannah State

SSU (0-9) faces North Carolina Central (3-6) at 2 p.m. at Memorial Stadium; Radio: WHCJ 90.3 FM (Savannah)

Sheldon Barnes hoped to earn some playing time this season, but the freshman never expected to become Savannah State's workhorse.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound running back from Hinesville's Bradwell Institute leads SSU with 440 yards and three touchdowns on 98 carries.

Senior running back Justin Babb has not played since suffering a leg injury Sept. 18 against Bethune-Cookman. Filling in for Babb has been Barnes.

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Videographer: SpeechlessQue

Norfolk State's passing game too much for Morgan State, 37-25‎

Norfolk, VA - Chris Walley passed for season highs of 305 yards and four touchdowns for Norfolk State (4-5, 3-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and set a single-game school record for completion percentage Saturday in a 37-25 win against visiting Morgan State (4-5, 3-3 MEAC).

After Kemar Scarlett's second field goal gave the Bears the 6-3 lead, Walley capped a 10-play drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Garrett. Walley scored again for Norfolk in the second quarter on a 45-yard pass to Nigel McCowan, and Scarlett added two more field goals, bringing Morgan to a 20-12 deficit at halftime.

QB Walley sparks Norfolk State past Morgan State 37-25

NORFOLK, VA - From nearly invisible to nearly unstoppable. The Norfolk State offense, missing for much of the year, put together its best effort against an FCS opponent and never punted in a 37-25 win over Morgan State at Dick Price Stadium on Saturday.

Chris Walley completed his first 12 passes, connected for touchdown passes with four different receivers and finished with a school record for completion percentage (90.9 percent) after a 20-for-22, 305-yard effort. "It's hard to be much better than that, isn't it?" Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said.

NSU notes: McCowan makes first catch for 45-yard TD

NORFOLK, VA - When Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian took over six years ago, his first goal was to put out a team that wouldn't quit over four quarters. On Saturday, Adrian reaped the benefits for finding players willing to fight for a full season.

Quarterback Chris Walley, kicker Ryan Estep and wide receiver Nigel McCowan have struggled at times this season, yet all delivered big plays Saturday. Walley was the day's highlight, Estep made three key kicks, but McCowan's moment excited the Spartans the most. The senior wide receiver began the year as a starter, was demoted to reserve, hadn't made a catch and cost the team a touchdown with a holding penalty in a 17-13 loss to Florida A&M.


Norfolk State University Spartans Legion Marching Band, Videographer: kevinrharris1 (11/1/10)

Spartans Win in Offensive Shootout

The Spartans bounced back from a lackluster performance offensively last week against Howard University to defeat the Morgan St. Bears 37-25.

In the second week since the Spartans changed their offensive coordinator to Joe Blackwell, the offense played excellent the whole game. Running back DeAngelo Branche had 23 carries for 111 yards. Quarterback Chris Walley played the best game of his NSU career as he was 20-22 for 305 yards and four touchdowns and an interception. Wide receiver Reggie Garrett caught the first receiving touchdown of his career on a 10-yard fade route and wide receiver Nigel McCowan caught a 45-yard touchdown pass as Walley rolled out to the right to avoid a sack. Walley completed a pass to nine different players and the most was to wide receiver Victor Hairston who had seven catches for 92 yards.

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ATTENDANCE: 5,755

NSU loses gut-wrenching defensive battle to Hampton

HAMPTON, VA -- Achilles only had one deficiency. Norfolk State has two.

The poor passing and shaky special teams that have marked each of the Spartans' MEAC contests emerged again Saturday in a 7-6 Battle of the Bay loss to Hampton (5-1, 4-0), the most frustrating defeat yet for a Norfolk State team (2-4, 1-3) growing well accustomed to them.

Kicker Ryan Estep missed a game-tying extra point and quarterback Chris Walley had just four completions and 12 yards passing until the final two minutes, another exposition of Norfolk State's most glaring flaws.



Hampton hangs on to beat Norfolk State 7-6 BATTLE OF THE BAY:‎

HAMPTON, VA — For long stretches on Saturday, Brandon Peguese and his Hampton teammates didn't give his grandmother, watching her grandson play football for the first time ever, many reasons to cheer.

That changed on the final drive of the game, when Peguese, the Pirates' senior defensive end, combined with sophomore linebacker Matt Davis to sack Norfolk State quarterback Chris Walley on fourth down and preserve Hampton's 7-6 victory in the 48th edition of the Battle of the Bay.

Hampton U. prevails in offensive quagmire

HAMPTON, VA — It seemed fitting that Saturday's offensively-challenged Battle of the Bay was decided by a missed extra point, and that one of the game's crucial plays began with a botched snap. Here's the kind of offensive display Hampton and Norfolk State provided: The Pirates scored one more point than they did a year ago when they got housed by 40. Except that this time, they won.

"It's a win," Pirates head coach Donovan Rose exhaled after the 7-6 affair. "We could win by point-five. I'll take it. That's 4-0 in the conference. I don't know what everybody else does, but I know we're steadily going forward."

PICTURES: Hampton University VS. Norfolk State Battle of the Bands

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Attendance: 11,916

SCSU Bulldogs extend win streak with 34-13 win over Norfolk State

A special teams' snafu ended South Carolina State's season last November in Boone, N.C.
Almost a year later, a similar surreal miscue enabled the Bulldogs to rally from an early deficit and extend their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference-record winning streak Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

Reserve defensive back Josh McFadden recovered an errant punt by Norfolk State's Troy Muenzer and returned it 47 yards to tie the game at 7-7. S.C. State added 17 more points in the first half and pulled away for a 34-13 victory. "I've never been involved in a play like that," McFadden said. "First time I've ever seen something like that."

After 30-plus years, ’76 and ’80 Bulldogs receive National Black Championship rings

SANTEE, S.C. - Slowly but surely, they entered the dimly lit ballroom at the Whitten Inn Friday night. They shook hands, exchanged greetings and shared a laugh or two from memories past. They were Black College National Champions, former South Carolina State Bulldogs brought back together in Santee to receive an honor long overdue - their national title rings.

It was one last chance for the Bulldogs 1976 and 1980 teams to share memories from their playing days.

"It's like the Reverend said earlier," former Bulldogs outside linebacker R.V. Brown said. "For us to receive this 34 years later, we would have not realized the impact that we had being the first school in the state of South Carolina to win a National Championship. We didn't know the value of it at the time, but right now, we know that and we've got that."



Special teams miscue ruins Norfolk State's day

ORANGEBURG, S.C - The opening minutes played out to perfection for Norfolk State on Saturday in its game at No. 9 South Carolina State.

Just 59 seconds into the game, Spartan defensive back Ricardo Volcin stepped in front of a sideline pass by Bulldog quarterback Malcolm Long and raced 39 yards into the end zone. After S.C. State was forced to punt on its next possession, Norfolk State appeared on its way to winning for the first time in seven tries at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

With 10:24 remaining in the first quarter, one bizarre special teams miscue turned the momentum and contest quickly back in South Carolina State's favor. A low snap was mishandled by punter Troy Muenzer who, in the process of trying to retrieve the football, illegally kicked it off the ground.

NSU report: New TE coach can't shake his passion

Mackinley Jane Blackwell loves to watch the Ducks. The 5-year-old isn't so much into lakes or ponds, or the Donald and Daisy kind. She takes after dad. So last Saturday, on Norfolk State's bye week, Spartans tight end coach Joe Blackwell went home to Myrtle Beach, S.C., scooped up Mackinley Jane and settled in for what qualifies as quality time in the Blackwell household.

" We sat up and we watched Clemson together," Blackwell said. "Then we watched Oregon" - the Ducks. "For some reason, she really likes Oregon." A first-year tight ends coach at Norfolk State, Blackwell travels back to his home state again today, this time for the Spartans' game at South Carolina State.

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Attendance: 21,971

NSU report: Defense too eager, not too slow, coach says

After the loss Saturday to Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said the Spartans looked slow. After watching film, he thinks he knows why. Rather than coming out flat, Adrian said NSU actually was overeager. The Spartans lacked discipline.

"We weren't any slower than they were," Adrian said. "It wasn't about speed. A couple times, from a linebacker standpoint, they thought it was going left, took two steps that way and the quarterback kept it and went the other way. If you're two steps behind, you look two steps too slow."

Adrian said the coaches were surprised the struggles came in the fourth game rather than earlier.

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B-CU rides fast start to MEAC win; Jenkins OK after scare

DAYTONA BEACH -- This is not the way Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins would have liked to celebrate his first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory. Shortly after the Wildcats held off Norfolk State 21-7 in front of 5,371 fans at Municipal Stadium, a dehydrated Jenkins was wheeled away in a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.

"He's fine," B-CU associate head coach Terry Sims said of Jenkins, who was feeling dizzy late in the game and was fitted with an IV in the locker room after the game before being transported to Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach.

"Everything they did was for precautionary reasons," Sims said. "He was drinking (water), but once dehydration sets in, there's not much you can do. It's really hot down there on the sideline."

Coach gets wake-up call

DAYTONA BEACH -- It may not be an all-out red alert. Maybe not even a red flag. But when your head coach's post-game exit involves a stretcher and ambulance, you don't exactly whistle into the night while fully enjoying a 3-0 record and first conference victory.

"Of course, he's gonna be fine," Bethune-Cookman athletics director Lynn Thompson said Saturday night, about 30 minutes after his high-profile hire, head coach Brian Jenkins, was hauled away from Municipal Stadium.

NSU digs early hole in falling to Bethune-Cookman 21-7

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman was ready for the race track. Norfolk State belonged on a dirt track. Bethune-Cookman's quickness, both in its Speedway offense and blitzing defenders, left the Spartans stuck in place for nearly a half, more than enough time for the Wildcats to take control in a 21-7 home win.

"It was like we were playing in sand," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. "We looked slow. We were in slow motion the first half."

In the first quarter, Norfolk State surrendered two touchdowns, two sacks and a blocked punt while being outgained 167-37. Norfolk State (2-2, 1-1 MEAC) trailed 14-0 after a quarter and 21-0 just nine seconds into the second.

NSU notes: Branche suffers shoulder injury in first quarter

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - On its most important offensive play of the game, the player Norfolk State wanted to carry the ball was only capable of toting his helmet. Senior running back DeAngelo Branche, NSU's offensive MVP so far this season, suffered a shoulder injury and barely played in the second half.

When Norfolk State failed on a fourth-and-2 at the Bethune-Cookman 21 in the middle of the third quarter, Branche could only watch. "He hurt it in the first quarter," Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. Adrian said Branche was having trouble lifting his arm. Branche remained close to the coaching staff throughout the second half but got the call to re-enter only once or twice, trotting on as a diversion.


NSU MARCHING SPARTAN LEGION @ I.C. NORCOM H.S. BAND DAY, SEPT 25, 2010

B-CU/Norfolk State rivalry fades with Wyatt gone

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- When former Bethune-Cookman defensive coordinator Pete Adrian became head coach at Norfolk State in 2005, he took three other B-CU assistants with him and a rivalry was born.

Five years later, Brian Jenkins has replaced Alvin Wyatt as B-CU's coach and none of the Wildcats recruited by Adrian or his assistants are still with the team.

"The ties to them are gone," said B-CU quarterback Matt Johnson, a fifth-year senior. "The players who knew them are not here anymore, so it's just another game." As the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for the Wildcats, against a team that manhandled them last year, Saturday's game against the Spartans at Municipal Stadium is not quite just another game.

Pete's Ploys 3.0‎

This week's motivational tactic was by far the most entertaining, but also the most far-fetched.

Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian said he was listening to Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins recently -- I'm not sure if it was a media conference call, radio show or television program since I didn't hear it -- and Adrian decided to have a little fun with one of Jenkins' comments.

All of Jenkins' comments from below are Adrian's accounts, and I can't speak to the veracity of them, but it's not hard to imagine something similar occurring. Bethune has pumelled two rather inferior opponents, Savannah State and Edward Waters College. Jenkins, whose Wildcats beat Savannah State 42-7, allegedly said ...

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