Albany State Stunned By Lane

Jackson, Tennessee -- The Albany State Golden Rams appear to have been caught in the trap game. Saturday’s game at Lane College (3-3) was supposed to be a reprieve for ASU before their SIAC Eastern Division slate starts next week.

Twelfth-ranked ASU scored three points in the second half losing to the Lane Dragons 26-24.

The Golden Rams led 21-20 at the half, but a third quarter touchdown by Lane College running back McKinsley Marbury sealed the game for the Dragons. ASU kicker Brandon Hamilton hit a 40-yard field goal in the fourth, but the Rams were unable to put any more points on the board.

Marbury was the star on Saturday at Lane Field. The running back had 29 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns. While, ASU’s all-conference quarterback Stanley Jennings was not able to pull off another come-from-behind win. Jennings was 8-20 for 160 yards and a touchdown.

READ MORE

Kentucky State Thorobreds rallies past Fort Valley State Wildcats

Frankfort, Kentucky -- The Kentucky State Thorobreds utilized a three-headed monster at running back in senior Andrew Ramsey and redshirt freshmen Jacquise Lockett and Justin Williams, and they led KSU to a thrilling, 25-24, homecoming victory over the Fort Valley State Wildcats Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.

Ramsey came into the game as clearly KSU’s leading rusher and struggled versus FVSU, with just 28 yards on 13 tries, but Wlliams and Lockett picked up the slack big time.

Williams gained 176 yards on 20 carries; Lockett added 138 yards on 14 tries with two touchdowns, and junior quarterback Martez James complemented all of the above with 37 yards on eight tries, including the game-winning TD from 17 yards out with just over two minutes to go.



Kentucky State improved to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC, while a very game Fort Valley team fell to 2-4 and 0-3. The Thorobreds piled up 424 yards of total offense, including 372 on the ground.

READ MORE

K-State gears up for homecoming, FVSU

Frankfort, Kentucky -- Kentucky State’s football team takes on Fort Valley State for homecoming Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The Thorobreds (3-2) are coming off a 57-31 conference loss to Albany State last week in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.

Three KSU players earned SIAC player of the week honors from that game. Raphael Amey was named offensive player of the week after catching 14 passes for 234 yards. Keith Massey was special teams player of the week with 243 return yards, including a 91-yard return that went for a touchdown, and Jessie Mitchell was named offensive lineman of the week.

Fort Valley comes into the game with a 1-4 record. Its lone win was a 40-23 decision over Benedict. Last week the Wildcats lost to Tuskegee 18-15. FVSU’s leading rusher has been freshman running back Travis Richmond with 294 yards on the season. Last week he rushed for 116 yards.



READ MORE

Banged-up FVSU Wildcats look to bounce back

Fort Valley, Georgia -- The way the season is going would normally be enough to make a coach feel a bit less chipper than usual. Throw in allergies kicking up, and it’s not the best week for Fort Valley State head coach Donald Pittman. The Wildcats are 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC, and they aren’t in the best of health themselves.

“Nobody’s back as of yet,” Pittman said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

Freshmen Cameron Pearson and Jahyrie Harris are battling it out at quarterback this week. Antonio Henton has been out since suffering a knee injury against Delta State in the second game. Then W.J. McAllister sat out last week after getting a head injury Sept. 22 at Benedict.  McAllister struggled in FVSU’s 16-11 loss at Clark Atlanta but made progress against Benedict just in time to get hurt.

Pearson had played a few snaps at quarterback, and Harris had been moved to the secondary before the season because of the logjam at quarterback. He returned to the offensive side about two weeks ago.



READ MORE

Albany State Finding New Ways to Win

ALBANY, GA -- The 11 hour bus rides from Albany to Indianapolis and back to the “Good Life City” may have taken some shine off of Albany State's trip to the Circle City Classic (the Rams returned to Albany at 7 am on Sunday).

But make no doubt about it- ASU was still gleaming from Saturday’s 57-31 win over Kentucky State at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Golden Rams sealed Saturday’s game against the KSU Thorobreds in strange fashion for 2011 standards- by scoring on defense and special teams.



In a sequence to start the fourth quarter, ASU picked off a pass for a score and Orion Ponder returned a kick-off 89 yards for another touchdown in a span of 34 seconds (KSU returned a kick-off of their own in between). However, after all the dust settled- Albany State led 43-19, and didn’t look back.

“We needed it then. Right then in the third quarter, I thought our offense kind of sputtered...we got the big interception. They came back with their return and boy, what a lift for us to come back and Ponder got his return,” ASU head football coach Mike White said.

READ MORE

18-15 loss to Tuskegee could be a serious blow to FVSU season

Fort Valley, Georgia - After last week’s critical win against Benedict College, the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) entered last night’s game (Oct. 1st) against the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University with the same sense of urgency. With a record of 1-3, the team was well aware that another conference loss could have disastrous implications on their season. In the match up against the winless Golden Tigers, the outcome now leaves many wondering just what the future holds for the Wildcats this season.

Despite the disappointing result, things started well for FVSU. After the teams traded punts for the first seven minutes of the game, the Wildcats scored first with 7:45 remaining in the quarter when freshmen running back Travis Richmond broke free on a 67-yard touchdown run. While the extra point attempt failed, the Wildcats took the early 6-0 lead.



That margin held until the 9:40 mark in the second quarter. After a 15-play, 81 yard drive by Tuskegee stalled at the FVSU 14 yard line, the Golden Tigers converted on a 27-yard field goal by Eduardo Murillo. The Wildcat lead was cut to 6-3.

On the ensuing kick-off, a Wildcat fumble was recovered by Tuskegee at the FVSU 27 yard line. Five plays later, Golden Tiger Quarterback Justin Nared gave Tuskegee its first lead of the game with a two-yard touchdown run. With the converted extra point, Tuskegee led 10-6.

The Wildcats inched closer to Tuskegee in the third quarter when junior kicker Justin Rosenbaum converted a 47 yard field goal with 12:05 left. The kick narrowed the Golden Tiger lead to 10-9.

READ MORE

Not pretty, but Stillman will take it over Lane Dragons

Coach Teddy Keaton

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama | The Stillman Tigers rumbled, bumbled and fumbled their way to a 28-17 victory over the visiting Lane Dragons at Stillman Stadium. Turnovers defined the game, with Stillman giving the ball away four times, three on fumbles.

“This is the sloppiest we’ve played all season,” Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said. “I think we made too many mistakes, too much stuff that could take a good ballgame and take it away from you.”

Stillman (4-1, 3-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Confernce) played three different quarterbacks Saturday night, none of which was effective except in short spurts. The Tigers finished with 315 yards of offense, 165 of which came on the ground, with the quarterbacks going a combined 11-for-23 passing with two interceptions.

“I came out with the first touchdown, but there at the end, I slowed down,” sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen said. “I just have to do better.”

READ MORE

Benedict drops OT game to Miles

AUGUSTA, Georgia - A new coach brought some new enthusiasm for the Benedict College Tigers football team, but some old demons were too much to overcome as Mile College defeated Benedict 20-14 in overtime Saturday at Lucy Laney Memorial Stadium in the annual Augusta City Classic.

Miles drove 75 yards on 11 plays to score on a 1-yard run by Jordan Lewis with one minute left on the clock to cut Benedict's lead to 14-12. Lewis got the call again on the two-point conversion to tie the game. The key play on that drive was a 33-yard pass from David Thomas to Jerromy Mardis on fourth down and eight on their final drive in regulation.




The Tigers got the ball first in overtime, but quarterback Simeon Kelley fumbled the exchange on the second play in overtime, turning the ball back over to the Golden Bears.

On Miles' possession, Lewis carried the ball on all five plays, and ran in from one-yard out to seal the victory for the Golden Bears. Miles improves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the SIAC.

READ MORE

1st-timers to meet in this year's Circle City Classic: Division II schools Albany (Ga.) State, Kentucky State bring different fan bases

Indianapolis, Indiana - The names had become routine around Indianapolis during the first weekend of October: Florida A&M. Grambling. Alabama A&M. . . . This year's Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium will be different.

Today's game features two teams -- Kentucky State (3-1, 0-1) and Albany State (3-1, 1-0) -- that have never participated in the game. That hasn't occurred in nearly three decades.

"It's a great opportunity for our players and us coaches," Albany State coach Mike White said. "We're all excited about having the chance to play in the Classic for the first time. We've heard so much about it over the years. I think of it as a big-time game with a lot of hype leading up to it."

Kentucky State and Albany State are NCAA Division II schools that play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Kickoff has been moved up to 2:30 p.m. There will be the customary battle of the bands at halftime.

READ MORE

VISIT: CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC
VISIT: THESIAC

Fort Valley State plays host to struggling Tuskegee

Fort Valley, GA - For years, conventional wisdom held that the SIAC title had to go through Tuskegee and Albany State, with Fort Valley State often part of the equation.

Tuskegee usually spent most or all of the season ranked, and the Tigers shared the 2006 title with Albany State before winning three straight championships.  Now? Tuskegee enters October winless and is the only team in the SIAC to do so. Sympathy among opponents is non-existent.



“I don’t know,” FVSU head coach Donald Pittman said about what’s wrong with Tuskegee. “I hope they stay the same way on Saturday.”

The Golden Tigers will try to right the ship at 6 p.m. on Saturday when they visit FVSU in an SIAC battle. FVSU got into the win column nine days ago with a 40-23 win over Benedict. “

READ MORE

2011 Road To The SIAC Championship Episode 3

Morehouse College dominates Clark Atlanta

Atlanta, GA - Morehouse College football still rules its neighborhood. The Maroon Tigers beat Clark Atlanta 30-2 Thursday night at Morehouse's B. T. Harvey Stadium. Morehouse earned its third consecutive victory and ninth in the last 12 meetings against its West End border rival.

Morehouse (4-1, 2-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) kept pace with Albany State at the top of the East division. Clark Atlanta (2-3, 1-1), which leads the all-time series 48-33-2, fell behind 13-0 and never recovered.

“You had historical implications and also to keep us in the race for the conference championship,” Morehouse coach Rich Freeman said. “It was a big win for us. The guys know the magnitude. We are trying to make generational change. We are not just looking at this season.”

The game set up as a clash between Clark Atlanta's stout defense against Morehouse's prolific offense. Morehouse entered the game leading the SIAC in scoring and yards while Clark Atlanta was No. 1 in points allowed and third in yards surrendered.

READ MORE

FVSU Sprints Past Benedict Tigers for 1st Win

Columbia, SC - Fort Valley St. dropped to 0-3 Saturday, with starting quarterback Antonio Henton on the bench. Don Pittman's team got back on the field on short rest Thursday in a SIAC road test, and came away with a 40-23 win.

Peach Co. grad gave the Wildcats a 7-3 lead on his first collegiate touchdown. FVSU then ran away from the Tigers, leading 40-3 in the 4th quarter. By game's end Benedict made the game look far less one-sided.

READ MORE

Senior provides spark for Stillman offense

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Deandre Holley played a significant role last Saturday when the Stillman College football team beat Kentucky State 31-29 on the road.

But the running back didn’t find out until Monday that he had reached a personal milestone. Holley’s contributions included a career- and team-high 106 yards rushing on 19 carries, including a 7-yard touchdown run. He caught two passes for 24 yards. His longest run covered 23 yards, and the longest catch went for 19.

“I didn’t see a stat sheet,” said Holley, a senior from Belle Glade, Fla. “Actually, it was Monday at practice when they were telling me. I was like, ‘OK, I want more.’”

READ MORE

Morehouse Rolls Over Edward Waters

Atlanta, GA - David Carter rushed for 123 yards and four touchdowns, as Morehouse rolled over Edward Waters College, 49-15. Carter, a junior from Marietta, GA, scored on two 26-yard runs, a four-yard run and a one-yarder, to bring his season total to 363 yards and six touchdowns.

The Maroon Tigers rolled up a season-high 510 yards of offense, in the lopsided win over EWC, which plays in the smaller-college NAIA. Morehouse converted on 8-of-15 third-down chances and 3-of-3 fourth-down chances.

Edward Waters got on the board first with a seven-play, 61-yard drive that was capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Antonio Bellamy.

Morehouse bounced right back, with a “scoop and score,” by defensive back Darrius Williams who recovered an Edward Waters fumble at the 9-yard line and sprinted into the end zone. The fumble was forced by defensive end Elijah Anderson, who swatted down an errant lateral by quarterback Brandon Thurman.

Five minutes later, Carter broke several attempted arm tackles and rumbled 26 yards into the end zone, to give Morehouse 14-6 first quarter lead.

In the second quarter, Paul Parker extended the Maroon Tiger lead, with a 55-yard touchdown reception from Byron Ingram. Parker, a senior wide receiver, had his best day as a Maroon Tiger, finishing with two catches for 107 yards.

The ensuing extra point attempt was fumbled by holder Joshua Thurston and returned by linebacker Arthur Smith for a safety.

Edward Waters running back Anthony Wallace scored on a 3-yard rush, to bring the halftime score to 20-15.

READ MORE

Stillman slips by Kentucky State

Frankfort, Kentucky - The Kentucky State football team channeled the spirit of Santa Claus Saturday night against Stillman College at Alumni Stadium. That was the assessment from KSU coach Wayne Dickens after the Thorobreds (2-1) fell 31-29 to the Tigers.

“We gave them a laundry basket full of gifts today,” he said. “You can’t expect to do that against a good team and win. Our guys have to learn that lesson, and when it you learn it, it’s painful.”

The basket of gifts included a 72-yard punt return touchdown by Raphael Amey that was called back for unnecessary roughness and a failed third-down conversion near the end of the first half that gave Stillman the ball back and allowed the Tigers to score.

There was also an uncharacteristic missed extra point by Cade Berryman that forced K-State to go for a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter, which it failed to convert. The two failed PAT tries would prove extremely costly in a 2-point defeat.

“I’m afraid when we go back and watch this film, we’ll see a lot of things that we just gave them,” Dickens said. “We decided to play Santa Claus. It’s OK to do that in December, but not now.”

READ MORE

Lane Dragons Win First Home Game!

Jackson, Tennessee - The Dragons football team got their first home victory in over two years as they defeated the Skyhawks of Point University 46-18. The Dragons picked up their second win of the season, and activated the ringing of the “Big Blue Bell” into action once again.

It did not take long for the Dragons to score first as the Skyhawks won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball in the second half. Freshman kicker Ryan Bullock connected on a 32- yard field goal at the 11:52 mark for a Dragons 3-0 advantage. This would not be the only score of the first quarter for the Dragons. With 1:12 left on the clock, Freshman Quarterback Alan Ferguson aired a long-range missile to the right corner of the end zone, where he found Greg Moore for a 48-yard touchdown. Ryan Bullock added the extra point for a Dragons 10-0 lead.

The second quarter started the same way the first quarter ended.

Once again the Dynamic-Duo of Ferguson and Moore made reservations in the end zone after a 47 yard hook up for another Dragons touchdown. Bullock connected on his second extra point of the evening putting the Dragons up 17-0.

Not to be denied, the defensive unit was the next to give the overflow crowd at Lane Field something to cheer about. Jack Howard zeroed in on the Skyhawk Quarterback, creating a fumble that allowed teammate Tyren Futch to collect the pigskin and rumble 72 yards to pay dirt. Ryan Bullock connected once again on the extra point and increased the Dragons'lead to 24-0.

The Skyhawks put together a five minute drive to the end zone as QB Michael Bloodser was able to enter pay dirt from one yard out for the touchdown. The Skyhawk's attempt for a 2 point conversion resulted in a 92-yard safety for the Dragons. The pass attempt for the conversion was intercepted by the Dragons Paris Hopper, and the race to the end zone was on. After the speedy free-safety cleared his last obstacle, it was smooth sailing for the 92-yard return and a 26-6 Dragons half-time lead.

After each team had one possession in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, Dragon Damien Harris intercepted the Skyhawks' Quarterback pass giving the Dragons great field position at the Skyhawks 46-yard line. Seven plays later, Darren Henry shot up the middle for a five-yard run to the end zone for a touchdown. Ryan Bullock added another extra point and increased the Dragons' lead to 33-6.

After getting a nice run back on the kick-off by Darion Sneed, the Skyhawks moved the ball to the Dragons' 26-yard line. The next play from scrimmage allowed Paris Hopper to step in front of the Skyhawks' receiver and dash for what would seem to be a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown. A penalty against the Dragons before the interception negated the outstanding return and placed the ball at the 11-yard line.

Michael Bloodser connected with Brand Lampkin on an 11-yard pass, completing a five-play 66 yard drive for the Skyhawks' second touchdown of the evening at the 4:04 mark in the third quarter. The two-point conversion failed as the pass was incomplete and the Dragons' lead was reduced to 33-12.

A quick offensive possession by the Dragons, gave the ball back to the Skyhawks after a bad snap sailed over Punter Ryan Bullock's head. The Skyhawks looked to be ready to put another drive together before Kedric Hooks intercepted the Quarterback pass for a 58-yard return and a Dragons touchdown. Ryan Bullock connected with his fifth extra point of the evening and increased the Dragons' lead to 40-12 going into the fourth quarter.

Bullock added two additional field goals (23 & 36 Yards) in the fourth quarter before the Skyhawks scored their third touchdown of the evening with nine seconds left in the game for a final 46-18 Dragons Victory.

The Dragons look to continue the winning streak at home on September 24 as they host the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. Kick-Off is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.

We invite all fans to wear your Royal Blue as we pack the stadium for the next football action.

For more information on the statistics please visit our web-site: www.golcdragons.com.


By Lane College Sports Information

UWG Wolves hang on to win No. 1 over Miles

Carrollton, GA - The first win can be the hardest, and the University of West Georgia football team took care of win No. 1 on the 2011 campaign with a 23-20 triumph over Miles College on Thursday evening at University Stadium.

The Wolves (1-1) held on against a late surge from the Golden Bears (1-2) for what UWG coach Daryl Dickey hopes is the first win of many this fall.

“It will be a lot easier to go to work and coach with a win under your belt. There’s no question about that. We’ve got to develop a habit of winning, and you can’t do that unless you start winning. I’m proud of our kids [Thursday]. They fought hard and found a way to stretch it out at the end with enough cushion that we were going to win the ball game,” Dickey said.

The first win was especially sweet for junior quarterback Emmanuel Taylor, who was playing his first game at University Stadium.



READ MORE

Late interception carries VSU Blazers past Albany State, 30-27

ALBANY, GA — ALBANY — The Valdosta State Blazers defeated sixth-ranked Albany State 30-27 on Saturday night to stay undefeated on the season. Just like the first two games, the Blazers (3-0) won the game inside the minute, as senior safety Harrison Dreiling intercepted a Stan Jennings pass to give VSU the win over the Golden Rams.

“Beating anyone in your state that you have an opportunity to play is going to be huge,” Valdosta State head coach David Dean said.



With the score tied 27-27 late in the fourth quarter, VSU kicker Daniel Andersen drilled a 43-yard field goal, giving VSU a slim three-point lead. Following Andersen’s field goal, VSU was forced to make back-to-back defensive stands, including the final drive, which ended with Dreiling’s interception.

READ MORE

K-State prepares to open conference play against Stillman

Frankfort, KY - Kentucky State’s football team will put its unbeaten record on the line when it hosts Stillman College Saturday night at Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday’s game will be the conference opener for both teams.

Stillman comes into the game at 1-1, having won at home against Shaw 16-13 to open the season and falling to Samford 48-6 last week in Birmingham, Ala. Freshman quarterback Dondre Purnell has led the Stillman offense with his arm and his feet.

In the win against Shaw, Purnell rushed for 130 yards on 14 carries and scored one touchdown. He was 5-for-6 passing in that game.

READ MORE