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Showing posts with label Texas Southern University. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas Southern University. Show all posts
SAN MARCOS — Texas Southern's four laterals that resulted in a 90-yard touchdown return off of a blocked field goal might be a candidate for the football highlight of the week. However, the effort ended up playing second fiddle to Texas State quarterback Bradley George's record-breaking performance in the Bobcats' 52-18 victory Saturday at Bobcat Stadium. The senior from New Braunfels Canyon became Texas State's career passing leader by throwing for 325 yards and two touchdowns to increase his total to 7,287 yards and eclipse Barrick Nealy's mark of 7,206 yards set between 2003-05.
George also threw three interceptions for the first time since his freshman year, but he was still sharp enough to keep the Bobcats (2-1) in control. His favorite receiver was Da'Marcus Griggs, who came within one reception of tying the single-game record after finishing with 11 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. “I think the three picks are what stand out in my mind,” George said. “But we won and that means something. To be mentioned in the same breath as Barrick Nealy is still an honor. But records aren't what you shoot for in sports. I have a couple (Southland Conference) rings, and I would like to get a third.”
SAN MARCOS — Statistics don’t always tell the story, especially on the football field. Texas State’s defense made a huge impact in forcing four fumbles and an interception that led to 28 points in the Bobcats’ 52-18 win Saturday at home over Texas Southern. But Texas State coach Brad Wright points to one play that will stick in his mind — one of the only defensive faux pas all game. “It was one of those games where so much happened, I don’t even know what we did right and what we did wrong,” said coach Brad Wright, “The only play that comes to mind is that blocked field goal right before half time. The guys in the locker room (at half time) looked like they just had a trophy stolen from them.”
The play in question was a bit of razzle dazzle by the Tigers as time expired in the first half.Texas Southern’s John Cole blocked a Justi Garelick field goal attempt with three seconds left on the clock. Tigers’ Harry Brown recovered the ball and four Texas Southern players would touch the ball — on a series of laterals — before DeMa Washington scampered 24 yards for the touchdown and cut the Bobcat lead to 24-12. “I’m sure I’ll catch that play on (ESPN) Sports Center,” Texas State quarterback Bradley George said. “I’d like to see it again though; it looked like he was down to me.”
MONROE, La.-ULM scored on its first three possessions of the game and rolled to a 58-0 victory over Texas Southern in the Warhawks' home opener Saturday night at Malone Stadium. ULM quarterback Trey Revell completed his first 12 pass attempts of the game and finished the night 17-of-19 for 238 yards and two touchdowns - his 89.5 completion percentage broke Doug Pederson's school record of 88.3 percent (16-of-18) set in 1990. Revell's 12 straight completions to open tonight's game, combined with his final three passes at No. 2 Texas last week, set a ULM school record for consecutive completions. His 15 consecutive completions broke Wendel Lowery's record of 11 straight set in 1991.
His backfield companion running back Frank Goodin rushed for 105 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, despite a heavy rain that battered the Monroe area most of the night. Goodin's three touchdowns tied him for the most in head coach Charlie Weatherbie's seven seasons and were just one shy of the school record - he accomplished all of this despite taking only two snaps in the second half. True freshman running back Isaiah Newsome carried the ball 22 times for 158 yards to give the Warhawks two players with over 100 yards rushing. It marked the first time two Warhawks went over the century mark in the same game since Nov. 3, 2007, when Calvin Dawson and Kinsmon Lancaster ran wild against Middle Tennessee.
MONROE, La. — Frank Goodin scored three touchdowns in Louisiana-Monroe’s 58-0 rout of Texas Southern on Saturday night. Louisiana-Monroe outrushed the Tigers 345-6 with two Warhawks gaining more than 100 yards.Isaiah Newsome picked up 158 yards on 22 carries and Goodin added 105 yards on 16 carries. Trey Revell scored two touchdowns for the Warhawks through the air, and had 238 yards on 17 of 19 passing.
Louisiana-Monroe (1-1) gained a total of 592 yards of total offense, while Texas Southern lost four fumbles in the shutout. The Warhawks’ defense held the Tigers (0-3) to 103 total yards and notched a safety midway through the third quarter. Texas Southern’s Quarterback Arvell Nelson was 18 of 32 for 97 yards.
It wasn’t exactly a classic way to open the season. Not for either school. Nonetheless, Prairie View A&M will savor a 17-7 season-opening victory over Texas Southern on Saturday night in the State Farm Labor Day Classic at Reliant Stadium. The Panthers have won the last three Labor Day Classic games. Prairie View escaped with a win in this Southwestern Athletic Conference game, despite producing just 176 yards of offense and committing 13 penalties. TSU had 204 yards of offense and was penalized 20 times.
On their first possession of the fourth quarter, the Tigers were forced to punt from their goal line, giving the Panthers excellent field position. Anthony Weeden returned the punt to the TSU 15 to set up quarterback Jay Bluford’s touchdown pass to Brandon Bell to push the Panthers ahead by 10 points with 12:02 to go. “We went into the game blind,” Bluford said. “We had absolutely nothing to go off. We had to make adjustments on the fly. We had no film. (Offensive coordinator Michael) Bryant did a wonderful job today, especially not knowing what they were going to throw at us.
Jackson State University Giles speed burns Alouettes in Montreal
The CFL Grey Cup Champs, Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie RB Levarus Giles was impressive in his pre-season game at the Montreal Alouettes. The former JSU Tiger star ran for a 77-yard TD on a draw play. "He's a burner," said quarterback Stefan LeFors. "He's got speed to kill. I just saw a little crease in there, he hit it and he's gone and it's fun watching a back like that getting into the open field and outrun people."
Giles, by the way, comes by his speed honestly as he also ran track at Jackson State. "I ran the 100 and the 200 (metre races)," he said. "I ran a 10.4 100 and a 24.60 in the 200 ... I won the gold in the SWAC conference in the 100 and the 200." Giles also returned three kickoffs for 71 yards. "I did kickoff returns in college so I can do that, too," he said.
Lavarus Giles and Yvenson Bernard, both battling veteran Fred Reid for a job at running back, ran in TDs for the Bombers, while Alexis Serna kicked three field goals. The Montreal Alouettes downed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 31-27 in pre-season play on Tuesday night. Winnipeg used three quarterbacks in a long grind of a game to watch for the 20,202 fans at sold-out Percival Molson Stadium.
The contract for athletic director Bob Braddy is set to expire Tuesday. A former longtime JSU baseball coach, Braddy has led the JSU athletic department for three full athletic years and the program has won the SWAC Commissioner’s Cup for performance across all sports each of those years. Braddy wants to return and president Ronald Mason has said he expects to bring Braddy back. Still, if nothing changes, Braddy will not be under contract after Tuesday. “We are family, we’re on talking terms,” Braddy said.
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Farrell on Ferrell Five-star Academy: Willie Ferrell Willie Farrell Highlights 1 AMP: Gainesville NIKE RB vs. LB Former FAMU High football player Willie Ferrell has enrolled at Florida A&M University and intends to play for the football team, FAMU High head coach Ira Reynolds confirmed on Wednesday. Ferrell signed a letter-of-intent with Mississippi, but Reynolds said the linebacker has decided to remain home for personal reasons. A call to Ferrell was not returned. According to Reynolds, Ferrell indicated he would have to sit out one year before playing for the Rattlers because he had broken his contract with Ole Miss.
"He's excited about playing at FAMU," Reynolds said. "I know his mom is a season-ticket holder, so he grew up going to FAMU games. And I think he's excited about getting a chance to play with his brother (and sophomore defensive back), Jonathan, again." Originally, Ferrell had committed to Louisiana State, but when signing day came in February, Ferrell sided with the Rebels. Ferrell was a first-team selection to the Tallahassee Democrat All-Big Bend team as a junior and senior. During his senior year he finished with 174 tackles. Ferrell was the 33rd-ranked linebacker in the nation and the 75th-ranked player in Florida by Rivals.com. ESPN analysts rated him the No. 6 inside linebacker in the country, and Scout.com listed him as the 13th-ranked linebacker recruit. "What (Florida A&M) is getting is a four-star athlete that many teams in their division don't get, and he wants to be there," Reynolds said.
Javares Knight had every reason not to come back to play a fifth year at receiver for FAMU. His right knee was so banged up last season that it required surgery. On top of that, he will have to compete against some receivers who had a solid spring to maintain his status as one of the Rattlers' go-to guys. Plus, he'll have graduate classes to concentrate on. All that, and Knight, who took a redshirt in his freshman year and graduated this spring, didn't agonize over whether he'll exercise his fifth-year option.
Counting the two years he played at Lincoln before finishing his high school career at FAMU High, he could have easily said farewell to football. "The decision wasn't hard to make because I felt like I have all my life to work (a career) but I only have four to five years to get that college experience," he said. "I also feel like we're going to have a special year this season so I want to be a part of that. I feel like everything is going to be an explosion for us."
Beads of sweat rolling down Padric Scott arms, neck and face said a lot about how much the defensive lineman wants to impress coaches at FAMU. He didn't waste much time either. Just a few weeks after transferring from Stanford University, the former Lincoln High School standout is already going hard during FAMU's conditioning drills. "I want to make the biggest contribution possible," Scott said. "I want to try my best, work the hardest that I can and get back in top shape to help the team out. I'm looking forward to being on the field and helping the Rattlers go 12-0."
Scott, a 6-foot-1, 286-pound Tallahassee native, redshirted his freshman season last year at Stanford and was expected to earn playing time this fall. But the distance from home and a strained relationship with his coaches prompted his move to FAMU, he said. "Sometimes me and my coach didn't see eye to eye," he said. "That was pretty much the gist of it." Playing at FAMU was a childhood dream, but the opportunity to go west and be part of a winning program weighed heavily in his decision. His admiration for co-defensive coordinator Earl Holmes and the influence of receiver Isaac West, a former Lincoln teammate, made the decision to come to FAMU easy, he said.
Padric Scott moves into his dormitory for summer school at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, June 21, 2008. The Tallahassee native is now a resident at Florida A&M, where the Rattlers, under Coach Joe Taylor are vying for the Division I FCS National Championship.
After every practice last season, defensive lineman Lymon Reed took a stroll up an incline path between FAMU's practice field and the field house. He was usually alone with a pensive look in his eyes. He had quite a bit to think about: He was projected to be a cog on the Rattlers defensive line, but instead he was ineligible to play. Those post-practice walks weren't always easy on the eve of a game. "It made me think about being a student first before being the athlete," Reed said. "It made me feel like I let my teammates down in terms of what we wanted to get done."
Reed, a senior, will get his chance to contribute this season. He said he found his in the classroom, regaining the scholarship he'd lost. He said he's spending less time in front of his television and avoiding other distractions. Having to sit out an entire season was a hard lesson, he said. "That whole process just reiterated to me that I've got to put it down in the classroom before I put it down on the field," he said. Indeed he put it down on the field in 2007. Reed recorded 45 tackles, 11.5 for loss. He made 10 tackles against Southern and in two other games had seven. "He is probably one of the quickest guys I've seen at that position," FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. "He doesn't stay blocked."
Delaware State University DSU Women's Basketball Signs Four Delaware State University head women’s basketball coach Ed Davis has announced four additions to the Lady Hornets for the 2009-10 season. Guard/forward Crystal Pitt (fr. - Ft. Washington, MD), forward Kianna D’Oliveira (fr. - Newport News , VA), guard Jamarra Robinson (jr. - Ft. Pierce , FL), and center Uchechi Ahaiwe (fr. - Riverdale, MD) recently signed the National Letter of Intent to attend Delaware State this fall. Pitt (5-7) averaged 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 4.1 steals per-game as a senior at National Christian Academy (MD) last season.
D’Oliveria (5-10) was a Daily Press (VA) All-District Second Team selection after averaging 13.9 points and 8.0 rebounds-per-game during her senior year at Woodside High School last season. Robinson (5-8) joins the Lady Hornets after two seasons at Palm Beach Community College in Florida . During the 2008-09 season, she led PBCC in scoring (9.9 ppg), assists (4.2 pg) and steals (2.6 pg), and was second in rebounding (6.2 pg). She was a two-time All-Florida Southern Conference First Team selection and team MVP. Ahaiwe (6-3) was an All-Prince George’s County Second Team selection and Prince George's County Senior All-Star at Bladensburg High School last season.
“I believe we addressed some critical team needs with this incoming class,” said Davis, who is 156-115 in nine seasons as head coach of the Lady Hornets. “This group will bring much needed speed and athleticism to our squad.” Delaware State was 15-15 overall and finished third in the MEAC regular season with an 11-5 record in league play last season. The Lady Hornets must replace last year’s starting guards Keyhana Wakefield and Jameka Smith, along with center Thea Littlepage. Courtesy: DSU Athletic Media Relations Mississippi Valley State University MVSU signs four for 2010 softball campaign
The Mississippi Valley State women's softball team announces its initial four signees for the 2010 season. MVSU head coach Lee Smith hopes that the initial group of signees will become vital parts to the program as the Devilettes look to defend their six consecutive SWAC softball titles. “We were looking for ladies who fit our mold of aggressive players both at the plate and in the field,” said Smith. “We are continuing to build our program with the goal of having a successful 2010 season.”
Kimberly Spivey, a 5-foot-5 pitcher/utility from Dallas, Texas, comes to the Devilettes with an impressive resume. The Hillcrest High School product built an 84-17 overall record over her four seasons with Hillcrest. During her senior season, she was 18-1 with a 0.47 earned run average. She was Pitcher of the Year, first-team all-district and most valuable player for four consecutive seasons. Outstanding in the classroom, she also was a member of the A-B honor roll each academic high school year. Spivey currently plays travel softball for Texas Fusion Gold.
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff UAPB Athletics Department Announces The Hiring of Shelton University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Director Athletic Louis "Skip" Perkins Jr. has announced the hiring of Cary Shelton to the position of head women's basketball coach. He will officially begin the post effective July 1st. "We're very excited to be able bring in a coach of the caliber of Coach Shelton," said Perkins. "We believe he will be able to take the women's basketball program to new and improved heights." Shelton has been a member of the UAPB Athletics Department for the past four years serving as an assistant coach on both the men's and women's basketball teams. Last season he served as the number two assistant coach on a team that finished with a 10-8 conference record marking the first time in school history the program concluded the regular season with a winning mark in SWAC play. Shelton was also instrumental in the player development of Ciara Shields (2008-09 SWAC Defender of the Year) and Shay Holmes (2008-09 SWAC Newcomer of the Year). In addition he has played a vital role in the programs recruiting efforts as he helped the program land some of the top women's basketball recruits in the state and around the country. UAPB Sports Information Coleman's Tournament Brings Celebrites to Pine Bluff Many athletic celebrities will be flocking to Pine Bluff this weekend. The second installment of Arkansas-Pine Bluff football coach Monte Coleman’s celebrity golf tournament will bring about a dozen former professional athletes from both the NFL and NBA, UAPB athletic director Skip Perkins said. Coleman, who played 16 seasons with the NFL’s Washington Redskins and won three Super Bowls, has invited several of his former Washington teammates to Southeast Arkansas this weekend. Among those expected to attend are Tony Peters, who won multiple Super Bowl rings with the Redskins in a 10-year pro career; Vernon Dean, who was drafted by the Redskins in the second round of the 1982 NFL draft; and Ken Coffey. Perkins said Redskin Hall-of-Famers Art Monk and Darrell Green were also invited but unable to attend because of previous church commitments.
Other celebrities attending are Keith Jackson, a Little Rock-native who was a college All-American at Oklahoma and played nine seasons in the NFL, while winning a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers; Jackie Harris, a Pine Bluff-native who played 12 seasons in the NFL; Ceasar Belser, who played for UAPB when it was known as AM&N College and also played in the NFL; former NBA player Dennis Scott; and local television personality Matt Mosler.
“We have a stellar group of guys that are going to come and help support the Golden Lions,” Coleman said. Proceeds from the tournament will go to furnish new weight equipment for the J. Thomas May Fieldhouse, Perkins said, adding that after costs, the UAPB athletic department expected to raise a little more than $15,000.
RETROSPECT: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Marching Musicial Machine of the Mid South (M4) at President Barack Obama's Inauguration parade 1/20/2009, Washington, D.C. The M4 students had an experience of a life time performing for President Obama and countless millions of viewers globally.
Martin to focus on duties as football assistant coach ...
A month after helping Alabama A&M return to the Southwestern Athletic Conference baseball tournament for the first time since 2000, Jay Martin has resigned as the Bulldogs' baseball coach. Martin, who also doubled as the inside linebackers coach for the A&M football team, said he was eager to return to the football field on a full-time basis.
"I'm a football coach first and foremost, and that's where I belong," said Martin, who compiled a 31-99 record during his three seasons as the baseball coach. "I enjoyed my time working with the baseball team and the guys deserve a lot of credit for making the tournament, but they deserve a full-time coach. "They shouldn't have to share a coach, and I hope the administration will see that that won't happen again." The program made strides under Martin's guidance.
LeVelle Moton has seen more chicken in the last three months than Colonel Sanders. The new men's basketball coach at N.C. Central is making the rounds of the chicken circuit from the Triangle to the Triad to the Piedmont. Everybody wants a piece of the Raleigh native since he was named coach on March 25. It's not hard to understand why. Moton is one of them. He's a 1992 graduate of Enloe High in Raleigh. He's a NCCU alum. He obviously loves his alma mater. He's young enough to relate to today's players but is still an old-school, no-nonsense disciplinarian. And he's a dedicated father and husband who's also deeply religious. What's not to like? "
"The is a very rounded individual. I kid him that he's an old man in a young body personality wise because he does have traditional views of discipline, and moral and ethical values in terms of being a student-athlete," NCCU Athletics Director Ingrid-Wicker McCree said. "He gives a lot of attention to really building these young men and preparing them for life after basketball. I don't know if everyone does that. They may say it, but LeVelle really means it."
Melvin and Sean Spears One thing Sean Spears and his father Melvin Spears have in common is versatility, and they also know the importance of balancing family and football. Melvin Spears, a Hall of Fame inductee from Alcorn State, currently serves as the wide receivers coach for the Texas Southern University Tigers. While at Alcorn State, Melvin played both quarterback and wide receiver. However, his son, Sean, bares quite a different responsibility on the field where he was a four-year starter for the Clinton High School Eagles at defensive tackle/offensive guard.
"I am bigger than my dad was in high school," laughed Sean, who is 6 feet tall and 295 lbs. "But, he's my size now."However, just because Sean differs in comparison to his father's size coming out of high school, he said he often gets told that he shares certain character traits of his father's. "I'm told I have the same heart as he did when he played. For instance, if I get hurt, I keep playing," Sean explained. "I've seen old video footage of my dad playing, and I see how it's pretty similar to me. There's a competitive nature in us, and sometimes after games people would come up to me and say ‘you are your daddy's boy.
"Much like his father who played dual positions, Sean has proved that he is a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball. In 2008, Sean was named the District 8-2A MVP, having made first team All District on both offense and defense, as well as being a member of the All Metro and All State teams. "Sean has transcended into being an outstanding player. He had the opportunity to play on both sides of the ball, and he has extremely long arms and huge hands, which are great strengths to have, and he loves the game," Melvin remarked. "He has passion, enthusiasm and plays full speed. I love to play, and I love the game. I see the same qualities in Sean."
While an assistant at Auburn, Oregon and South Carolina, John Cooper learned a thing or two about what a top-tier college basketball program looks like. And 12 weeks into his tenure as the new head coach at Tennessee State, Cooper hopes to start seeing some of those things here.
From buying new uniforms to renovating the locker room and other parts of the facility, Cooper said he's focused on transforming the men's basketball brand both on and off the court. But, he added, he understands that a tough economy and the budget of a mid-major university means the off-the-court changes could take awhile.
"This is completely different," Cooper said. "You're talking about a BCS school. You're talking about the SEC. You're looking at money from basketball, the bowls, the TV deals and all that. There are other streams of revenue that are coming in. You're looking at schools with 26,000, 27,000 students with alumni bases all over the world and big booster clubs that are raising money and putting money into the program. "There are very few mid-majors that open up the pocketbook and say 'go get it,' and have the means to do that. Still, there have been coaches at mid-major programs that have found a way and been creative in making sure to get what they need."
Already, Cooper said he's been surprised by the community enthusiasm for TSU athletics. He sees his challenge as turning that excitement into financial support. "We've got one of the bigger facilities (in the Ohio Valley Conference) on campus," Cooper said of the 10,500-seat Gentry Center. "Our hope is to get to the point of doing something to the locker room. Update it. Make it a showpiece as it pertains to our level."
Ex-TSU star views NFL career as a reality Despite an injury-plagued, lackluster football career at Tennessee State University, Ahmaad Smith never doubted he could play at the next level. That self-confidence has taken him to lower-level arena ball, the Canadian Football League — and to 4th And Long, with a chance for a spot on the Dallas Cowboys' 80-man training camp roster. As the Spike TV reality show premiered May 18, Smith was one of 12 players set to go through weeks of meetings, drills and one-on-one competitions under the scrutiny of NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, former Cowboy safety and special teamer Bill Bates and ex-Dallas assistant Joe Avezzano.
"When I first got there, I was like, 'this is going to be a joke,' " Smith said recently. "But Mike, Coach Avezzano and Coach Bates set the tone from Day One. We had to do those 110s and 40s (sprints) and all the special-teams drills. I'm looking at guys throw up. I was like, 'this is the real deal.' "Mike told us, 'Jerry (Cowboys owner Jones) told me to find a ballplayer, and that's what I'm going to do. If you want that spot, you've got to go through me.' The look on his face, you knew you were going to have to endure some pain and suffering so you could appreciate it at the end."
Players are eliminated over the course of the 10 episodes, until the final player emerges with his chance to go into preseason with the Cowboys. None of the 12 — six receivers, six defensive backs — have ever been on an NFL roster.
"Coach Taylor was hired with expectations of winning championships...not just winning games"
The dialogue from FAMU's press conference on December 31, 2007 with the presentation of Florida A&M University new head football coach Joe Taylor quickly became an ole fashioned revival of Rattler Pride and an awaking of the Jake Gaither mystique.
Coach Taylor, like FAMU President Dr. James Ammons and director of athletics William "Bill" Hayes vowed to return Florida A&M University to its former greatness on the gridiron. The synergies of these three leaders are remarkable and Rattler Nation finally has the leadership and commitment necessary for us to work collectively together to accomplish these lofty goals.
As you read the transcript of Coach Taylor's remarks, you will have no doubts that this is all part of the master's plan or the master plans of the Ammons Administration.
Joe Taylor is now the highest paid football coach in Black College Football and is predestined to take the mighty Rattlers to their traditional place of football supremacy in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Here are the remarks made by Coach Joe Taylor.
Thank you so much.
I didn’t have a prepared speech. I guess when you’ve been here and done some things for a while, it’s kind of here what you do. [Taylor points to his heart.] I do want to thank Dr. Ammons and let him know that really he’s the reason I’m here. I’ve researched. I’ve looked around. Everywhere I looked, everything I heard said this is a guy you really want to work for. That’s why I’m here.
When you look at Eddie Robinson, certainly he did a great job of molding and building and sending men forward. Then there is another guy I had the real fortunate occasion to meet. That’s the great Jake Gaither. He had built, in my mind, one of the most storied programs ever. I tell the story all the time when Eddie and Jake got together in the Orange Blossom Classic. Bob Hayes was one of the great receivers out of here.
This story I always share with my players because it sends a message. Bob was running down the sideline. He had caught a pass and he was about to score. One of the Grambling corner-backs was in pursuit and about to make the tackle. The fans from FAMU started to yell, ‘Go Bob Hayes. Go Bob Hayes.’
The corner-back stopped running. He was about to make the tackle. When he got back to the sideline, Eddie said, ‘Son, what happened? You could have made the tackle.’ The corner-back responded,‘I didn’t know that was Bob Hayes. I’m not supposed to be able to catch him.’ So I use that often because that’s a mystique.
You want that kind of tradition. You want people to know that what you stand for they can’t compete against. I would think that spirit can return. That spirit can still be here. With that in mind, what I intend to bring here is no magic. There’s no mystery.
In my mind, coaching is a ministry. Whenever you are trying to improve the lives of young people, it’s a ministry. We’re not going to be concerned with what happens on Saturday; we’re going to be concerned with what happens all week. You can not be a champion all week and expect to be one on Saturday.
I think that every Sunday everybody should start off in some-body's church. Find a man’s spirit, there also you find him. When his spirit is right, then everything else follows. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – class. You’ve got to go to class. That’s what champions do. You can’t get smarter turning in someone else’s homework. You’ve got to do it for yourself.
In the weight room, it’s not osmosis. You lift to get smarter. That’s what champions do. On the track, again you’ve got to run to get faster. If you could lay under a shade tree and drink kool-aid to get in shape, then we’d do that. But we know that doesn’t work.
Study hall – we’ve got to be there. Whatever responsibility there is, you have to manage. If you do that, the only thing that changes on Saturday is the atmosphere because you are already a champion.
In my mind there are four numbers that we all have. Those four numbers we have nothing to do with. That’s the year we were born. There will be, at some other time, four other numbers. Those will represent expiration. We really have nothing to do with that. But in between those numbers is a dash. That’s the only thing we have control over – that’s your dash.
How do you control your dash? Let’s spell it out.
Now, I’m letting you know that the players are going to hear this a little more intensely but I want you to hear the philosophy.
The ‘D’ is for discipline. I don’t care what you try to get done in life, it must start with discipline. You’ve got to do the right thing. There is no short cut. You’ve got to do the right thing.
‘A’ is attitude. We will never accept invitations to pity parties. Attitude. Attitude. We’re not concerned about what the naysayers are saying. We’re not concerned about what people say you can’t do.
We’ll find a way to reach inside and flush all of that negative programming because it’s about your attitude. And your attitude can get derailed by what I call noise. We’ve got to rise above the noise. Attitude. Attitude. You have to control your attitude.
KR #7 LeRoy Vann made believers out of MEAC opponents on his way to achieving All-American honors during the '08 season. With great blocking, Vann takes another punt 60 yards to the house for another Rattler score.
‘S’ is for sacrifice. You were not put here on this earth to be served. You were put here to serve. It’s about sacrifice. When you put forth the necessary effort to be the best person that you can be, that’s a sacrifice. But look at how many people it serves and who can sit there and feel great about what’s happening on that field or in that classroom. It’s a sacrifice. You need to think about that.
We are ambassadors for all the great things that ever happen here. We have to connect that. We need to understand that. Others made great sacrifices so that you could be here. How dare you think you don’t need to be of that same nature. You must sacrifice.
Then the ‘H.’ The ‘H’ is for habits. Man does not decide his future. Man decides his habits. And his habits decide his future.
A player comes into me and says, ‘Coach, I want to be a doctor.’ ‘That sounds good, son, but I heard you were out drinking last night.’ ‘Yeah, but I want to be a doctor.’ ‘No, you want to be an alcoholic.’ Let’s get that straight.
When you can get that D-A-S-H, when you can control that, then you’ve got a chance. The program has a chance. The people around you have a chance. More importantly, you will have a life that is full of quality. That’s what the Lord wants. He wants you to have a great life. But you’ve got to control the dash.
In a nutshell, that’s really the key to success.
Certainly, this profession has been great to me. Really, I was called for this. It’s not like you came out of the womb and said that’s what you wanted to do. As my life went on in terms of going on to college with a scholarship and graduating within four years and having all kinds of opportunities, my high school coach kept calling me back. It just evolved. I’m just being obedient.
Someone says, ‘Wow, 16 years and 13 championships and you want to move?’ I’m being obedient. I told them I wasn’t moving. I’m expanding the neighborhood.
This is another opportunity to come and to minister and to let young men understand why they are on this earth. We want the Jake Gaither spirit to rise. We want all of Rattler Nation to be proud of what’s going on and we want to be a part of that.
As I said, Dr. Ammons is the biggest reason but Bill Hayes and I go back a long ways. We faced each other across the field. I don’t know who got the record over the other one. I’m just saying let’s put both records together. Then, too, we all know this place has so much potential. Let’s let people know we were sleeping for a little while but we’re back.
Thanks for giving me the opportunity. I vow to you my best. My wife already knows that football is 13 months a year. It’s non-stop. It’s something you can always do because you enjoy. It’s not a job. It’s an opportunity and it’s something we look forward to doing in this community.
Texas Southern's AD Charles McClelland takes step up from Texas College and Texas State by adding road games with Louisiana-Monroe and Rutgers to Tigers 2009 schedule for Coach Johnnie Cole second season.
Rutgers loads schedule with cupcakes -- Howard Bison (Sept. 12), Texas Southern, Florida International and Army.
The Scarlet-White game is tomorrow, Rutgers Stadium’s expansion is taking shape and the open slot in the "Rutgers University" 2009 schedule has finally been filled. With Texas Southern. From the Southwest Athletic Conference. Really.
I’m not knocking the thought of a second Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA if you will) opponent, but when Morgan State and Norfolk State look like USC compared to these guys, excuse me if I’m a little underwhelmed. Texas Southern was all of 4-8 last season, falling to mighty 6-6 Arkansas State in a close 83-10 slobberknocker. Three of its four wins were against non-Division I opponents Shaw, Texas College and Concordia College, and they were an impressive 1-6 in the SWAC.
To Rutgers’ credit, it’s not like they didn’t try to get a better opponent. “We have worked diligently for months to complete our 2009 schedule with a Football Bowl Subdivision team,” Athletic Director Tim Pernetti said in a press release. “We were unable to convince any of the institutions with openings to come to Rutgers, including numerous BCS conference opponents.” If they waited this long and worked this hard to try to schedule a better opponent, so be it. I commend that effort. But to settle for Texas Southern is unacceptable. But there are still a bunch of positives to come out of this.
Houston, Texas – The Texas Southern Fighting Tigers are bringing a new group of playmakers into the football program. This is a new TSU and these young men exemplify the top quality student-athletes that we are recruiting. “We accomplished what we wanted in this recruiting class,” said football head coach Johnnie Cole. “We went after Texas kids and older kids to fill some voids and we believe we got them.”
Coach Cole got some new fuel for his high octane big play offense. Cole’s impact-players include quarterback Arvell Nelson from Iowa, wide receiver Ricky Dixon from LSU, wide receiver Chip Gregory from Arkansas and offensive lineman Ernest McCoy from LSU. “These guys are play-makers and that’s what we were missing. They are big time players who played in the big leagues,” Cole said. “And adding McCoy upfront should make our offensive line one of the best in the conference.”
When the last form is faxed in, Cole expects to have at least 35 new faces on the team… including 11 top players from Texas…nine of them from the Houston area.
“These kids will take care of business on the field and in the classroom. We are not where we want to be, but we are off to a good start,” said Cole.
2009 Texas Southern Football Signees & Transfers
NAME POS HT WT CL HOMETOWN (Previous School)
Day 1 Announced Recruits
* Jared Benton OL 6-3 320 FR Houston, TX (North Shore HS)
* Justin Coleman DL 6-2 285 JR Schulenburg, TX (Navarro College)
* Chip Gregory WR 6-4 225 Jr Carrollton, TX (Arkansas)
* Vontray Sellers OL 6-2 300 JR Dillon, SC (Feather River CC)
* Jordan Curtin TE 6-4 270 JR Manistee, MI (Eastern Arizona JC)
* Edward Collins DL 6-5 295 FR Chaneyville, LA (Northeast HS)
* Arvell Nelson QB 6-5 210 JR Cleveland, OH (Iowa)
* Antonio Bassett DB 6-0 200 JR Cincinnati, OH (Iowa Central)
* Michael Griggs FB 5-11 225 FR Southfield, MI (Valley Forge Military Academy)
* Gordi Metezier DB 6-2 190 SO Margette, FL (Dodge City CC)
* Ernest McCoy OL 6-6 330 SO Belle Glade, FL (LSU)
* Ricky Dixon WR 6-2 210 JR Reserve, LA (LSU)
Day 2 Announced Recruits
Marvin Hollie OL 6-3 320 Fr Houston, TX (Madison HS)
Kingsley Akinwole DL 6-3 330 JR Allen, TX (Trinity Valley JC)
Alvin Samuel RB 6-0 215 FR Clute, TX (Brazoswood HS)
Sean Spears DL 6-0 260 FR Baton Rouge, LA (Clinton HS)
Jonathan Ellis OL 6-4 325 Fr Houston, TX (Spring Westfield HS)
Tyrrell Jones FS 6-2 200 FR Channelview, TX (Channelview HS)
Day 3 Announced Recruits
Dedric Shipman DB 6-2 200 FR Lawrenceville, GA (Meadow Creek HS)
Eloes Whitaker LB 5-10 200 FR Houston, TX (Westbury HS)
Andrew Franklin LB 6-2 195 FR Memphis, TN (Mitchell HS)
Danny Wash OL 6-2 265 FR Memphis, TN (Mitchell HS)
Serigne Sarr OL 6-3 320 FR Houston, TX (St. Pius X HS)
PINE BLUFF, Ark. - No coasting this time around. After blowing out their previous Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions needed a last-second tip-in by Tavaris Washington to post a 58-56 victory over Texas Southern on Saturday at Clemmons Arena. Terrance Calvin and Savalance Townsend led UAPB (5-12, 4-2 SWAC) with 13 points each, while Gavin Montgomery added 10. UAPB forced 30 turnovers.
The Golden Lions lumbered through the first half, making 8 of 25 field-goal attempts. Most of those attempts came from long range, including 11 three-point attempts, only two of which were made. The Golden Lions entered Saturday making just over 27 percent of their threepointers. UAPB Coach George Ivory said he'd like to see better shooting numbers, but he'd also rather see aggressiveness, even if it backfires. "I was a little disappointed with them," Ivory said. "But we need to be coming with the shots. We need to take shots."
IRVING, Texas — Senior running back Martell Mallett ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns, powering Arkansas-Pine Bluff to a 28-7 victory over Texas Southern on Saturday at Texas Stadium. Mallett led a running attack that ran up 204 yards, giving the Golden Lions 319 yards of total offense. The victory ends the season for UAPB (3-9, 2-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference), which won two of its last three games.
Mallett’s 2-yard touchdown run capped a first-quarter drive that took 6: 08 off the clock. The Golden Lions scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, the first coming when senior quarterback Jonathan Moore scrambled for a 13-yard score. Moore connected with De’Vonte Whitmore on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the half, giving the Golden Lions just their fourth passing touchdown of the season. Mallett scored from 4 yards out near the start of the fourth quarter, putting UAPB up 28-7. The Golden Lions entered Saturday with the top-ranked pass defense in the SWAC, and they built on those numbers against the Tigers (4-8, 1-6 ).
Texas Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff square off in the inaugural Dallas Lonestar Classic 2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Cotton Bowl.
The Tigers (4-7) are climbing back to respectability following a winless campaign in 2007. Tigers quarterback Bobby Reid, formerly of Oklahoma State, had season-ending knee surgery this month. His replacement, Cornelius Harmon, has thrown for 809 yards and six touchdowns in the last four games. Wide receiver William Osbourne is one of the SWAC's most electrifying playmakers with 75 catches for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Golden Lions (2-9) have won two of their last four games, including a 34-0 drilling of Mississippi Valley State on Nov. 15. Running back Martell Mallett had 24 carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns in the victory and has 128 carries for 778 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
And this black college football showdown wouldn't be complete without the battle of the bands. At halftime, Texas Southern's Ocean of Soul and Pine Bluff's Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South take center stage.
The Capital City Football Classic was billed as "more than a game," and for the Texas Southern University Tigers, it was a cleansing. The Tigers shook off a losing streak of 13 games with a stout mind-set and more determined defense and a 23-point third quarter on the way to a 40-29 victory over the Shaw University Bears at Hughes Stadium on Saturday evening.
TSU quarterback Bobby Reid adhered to the pleas of first-year coach Johnnie Cole and was an all-around force by running for two touchdowns and throwing for one. "We've been trying to tell Bobby that we wanted that from him," said Cole, who clutched the game ball as he spoke to reporters. "There would be times when he would have to put the team on his back. "He's a big-time player and makes plays in big games." This qualified as a big game coming off Arkansas State's 83-10 demolition of Texas Southern on Sept. 6.
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Attendance: 14,923 (65%) at Charles C. Hughes Stadium, Sacramento, CA (Capacity: 23,000).
JONESBORO, AR – Arkansas State scored early and often in its home debut Saturday night, pounding Texas Southern 83-10 in front of a crowd of 21,741 at ASU Stadium.
Freshman tailback Derek Lawson rushed for 209 yards and a touchdown in the game, the 8th most rushing yards in ASU history. Junior tailback Reggie Arnold added 123 yards and two touchdowns and junior quarterback Corey Leonard accounted for 229 yards of total offense and threw for four touchdowns as Arkansas State finished with 670 yards of total offense in the game, the second most in school history.
“I’m proud of a lot of individuals. They all played a great game,” said ASU Head Coach Steve Roberts. “All four of the running backs that carried the ball did a tremendous job. Reggie obviously got out of the game very early, and then Derek Lawson came in and rushed for more than 200 yards. You guys got to see a little bit of Derek Lawson that we get to see every day in scout team. I am also really proud of David Johnson. He had a big night, especially early in the game.”
“Defensively, we went out and did what we needed to do and shut them down,” added Roberts. “We gave up a couple of big plays, but overall did a good job. Our football team has got to get over this win in a hurry because we have a big game next week.”
ASU got on the board with less than two minutes gone in the game with a 53-yard pass from Leonard to Johnson. Two minutes later, Leonard connected with junior tight end Trevor Gillott from 39 yards out for the 14-0 ASU lead.
A 25-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown from sophomore linebacker Javon McKinnon, a 33-yard field goal from junior Josh Arauco, and a two-yard pass from Leonard to freshman fullback Jeff Blake wrapped up a 31-0 first quarter for ASU.
Leonard and Johnson hooked up for their second touchdown pass of the night just 29 seconds into the second quarter, and Arnold scored on touchdown runs of two yards and 56 yards before Texas Southern got on the board with a 34-yard field goal from Robert Hersh to make it 52-3 at the half.
A five-yard touchdown run from Lawson, a 30-yard field goal from Arauco and an eight-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Travis Hewitt made it 69-3 before the Tigers scored their only touchdown of the night on a 32-yard pass from quarterback Bobby Reid to wide receiver William Osbourne.
Blake added a 15-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter, and freshman linebacker Demario Davis returned a fumble 53-yards for a touchdown to set the final at 83-10 after Arauco’s 11th extra point. Arauco was 11-for-11 on extra points to tie the ASU record, and 2-for-2 on field goal tries on the night.
The Red Wolves’ 83 points were the second most in school history and the most in the history of ASU Stadium. The 73-point margin of victory was the most under head coach Steve Roberts.
Arkansas State continues a three-game home stand next week when they host Southern Miss in a 6 p.m. game at ASU Stadium.
Texas Southern next game is Sept. 13 at the Capital City Classic (Sacramento, California) Hughes Stadium, against CIAA Division II foe, Shaw University (N.C.). Game time is at 2:05 pm PT. The Tigers are currently on a 15 game losing streak.
Attendance: 21,741 (70.2%) at ASU Stadium, Little Rock, AR (Capacity: 30,964).
Prairie View A&M jumped out to a 28-point lead before allowing its defense to carry the Panthers home to a 34-14 victory over Texas Southern at the State Farm Labor Day Classic at Reliant Stadium on Saturday night in front of 20,444. Panthers, who have won four of the last five against the rival Tigers, spoiled the coaching debut of TSU coach Johnnie Cole by smothering his ballyhooed HOBO (high octane, big play offense) attack, as Prairie View A&M allowed just 113 yards and nine first downs while also recording six sacks of TSU quarterback Bobbie Reid.
“We were prepared for whatever they did,” said Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III. “We have a sound defensive foundation, and once we got settled in, we were able to stop just about anything they threw at us.”
Someone will move, and someone will get hit, so the plan goes.
Hence the theme for tonight’s State Farm Labor Day Classic, as Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M open the regular season (7 p.m.) in a contest that will feature an explosive quarterback (TSU’s Bobbie Reid) attempting to avoid being frequently hit by an equally volatile Prairie View defense that looks to pick up where it left off last season, when the Panthers allowed the fewest points in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
“Anything moving on the field (tonight) will get hit,” said Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III. “We plan on playing aggressive, confident football for 60 minutes.” Confidence is one trait the Panthers don’t lack. With 18 returning starters and the momentum from last season’s 7-3 campaign flowing throughout campus, Prairie View embarks on a season in which expectations are higher than they have been in decades. A winning season isn’t enough for the program, which has its eyes locked in on a SWAC championship.
Texas Southern’s ground game didn’t run to daylight in 2007. Instead, it sprinted into darkness. Of the 118 schools in the Football Championship Subdivision, the Tigers resided at the bottom of the list in rushing, totaling a paltry 543 yards on 281 carries and scoring only three touchdowns en route to an 0-11 season that led to the dismissal of coach Steve Wilson and ushered in the Johnnie Cole era, which began on the practice field early Monday morning.
“We know that in order to win, we’ll have to run the ball successfully,” Cole said. “One of our biggest goals is to find players who can fill that role for us.”
Two of the 65 new players Cole brought to TSU will have the first opportunity to help rejuvenate a ground game that averaged 1.9 yards per carry last season. Freshman Marcus Wright (5-11, 215) will compete with Lucas Caparerlli (5-11, 180), a transfer from Wake Forest who will give the Tigers something they sorely lacked last fall — speed.
The Cotton Bowl has added a major sporting event Thanksgiving weekend as it hosts the Dallas Lone Star Classic football game between Texas Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The game is scheduled for Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m. The Lone Star Classic represents a coup for Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl because it will be held on a day when the stadium is otherwise quiet, said Daniel Huerta, executive general manager of Fair Park.
"This is going to add another mix to that long weekend and provide a new option for people to come out," Huerta said. "For families that may be in town for the Thanksgiving holidays, you now have a football game that you can go to at the Cotton Bowl."
Fair Park and BE Entertainment, the game's promoter, have a one-year contract for the game at the Cotton Bowl.
Former Gopher Dominic Jones, once an admired team leader, says he is accepting full blame for his crime.
Excerpt:
Former University of Minnesota football star Dominic Jones offered some high school football players $100 recently if they could come up with his previous jersey number and his current one. One raised his hand and said Jones was No. 2 as a Gopher. Correct. Nobody knew his current number. "Number 00425759. That's my number," Jones said. "My name now is Inmate. It's not Dominic Jones."
In the past year, the 21-year-old Jones has gone from an admired team leader with realistic NFL dreams and a college diploma within reach to a sex offender serving a one-year sentence in the Hennepin County workhouse. "I am not blaming a white man. I am not blaming a prosecutor. I'm not blaming a judge. I'm blaming me. That was hard for me to do at first," he said. "I'm human. I made a mistake."
Jones had a full-ride football scholarship to Texas Southern University. Instead, he reported to the workhouse on July 7, after the state Court of Appeals declined a stay pending his appeal. He can get out during the day for work or studies. (An appeal of the guilty verdict is still pending.)
The state Appeals Court says former Minnesota Gophers football player Dominic Jones must still report to the workhouse pending his appeal. Jones had filed a motion to remain out of the Hennepin County workhouse while he appealed his fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction. To win, Jones had a prove there was no "substantial risk" that he would not appear at the conclusion of the appeal.
However, Appeals Court Judge Edward Toussaint ruled that with Jones' family in Ohio and his acceptance to Texas Southern University meant there was such a risk. In May, Jones was sentenced to a year in the workhouse after being convicted of performing a sex act on a drunken 18 year old woman that was recorded on a cell-phone camera by a team mate.
The all-star defensive back "starter" was offered a full ride athletic scholarship by new Texas Southern University head coach Johnnie Cole, who's Tigers ended 2007 with an 0-11 record. Jones was a junior strong safety from Columbus, Ohio, prior to being expelled by Minnesota. He was one of the Gophers' best defensive players, a two-year starter who was a standout kick returner and high school All-American.
Jones had faced up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine on the initial charges. The three other football players who had sex with the woman have not been charged with a crime, but are still suspended from the Minnesota football team.
Sitting at a small table, his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame bent into an even smaller folding chair, Bobby Reid smiles politely and seems at ease. He repeats the same answers over and over again to at least a half-dozen reporters who all ask the same questions. Yes, he likes it at Texas Southern. Yes, he's very happy to be back home in Houston. Yes, he's put all that happened at Oklahoma State behind him.
Despite the polite demeanor and confident, if not believable, answers, Reid appeared woefully out of place at the SWAC media event Tuesday in Birmingham. Not since the days when Doug Williams, a Super Bowl MVP with the Washington Redskins, coached at Grambling State has a more recognizable face been associated with SWAC football. And rarely has a conference player even approached Reid's celebrity.
BIRMINGHAM - Johnnie Cole is a fixer-upper. The new head coach at Texas Southern has developed a reputation of rebuilding ailing football programs. He did it at Tennessee State along with his brother, L.C. Then he did it at Alabama State and, most recently, at Division II Lane College in Jackson, Tenn.
Now Cole is embarking on perhaps his biggest rebuilding project yet - trying to revitalize the moribund program at his alma mater, Texas Southern, which was 0-11 last season. "I'm in familiar territory," Cole said Tuesday during the Southwestern Athletic Conference's annual Media Day and Kickoff Luncheon. "I joke with people that I don't know if I could take a job that was already established. I can put my brand on it and implement the same system we've had in other places."
BIRMINGHAM — He has yet to coach a game at Texas Southern, but Johnnie Cole has already made a big splash in the name recognition of his new transfer quarterback.
It's Bobby Reid, who started 27 games in an up-and-down three-season career at Oklahoma State. But while Reid is a household name maybe only to Oklahoma State fans, he was the spark for something that became household to college football fans nationwide - the press conference rant of his coach, Mike Gundy, when he disagreed with an Oklahoma City newspaper columnist who wrote about Reid last year.
The press conference video gained infamy on YouTube.com. And while Reid criticized Gundy in an ESPN The Magazine article earlier this year, it was clear that on Tuesday, he didn't want to dwell on it.
Texas Southern Coach Johnnie Cole Tigers get overwhelmed by Southland Conference power Texas State.
“Anything moving on the field (tonight) will get hit,” said Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III. “We plan on playing aggressive, confident football for 60 minutes.” Confidence is one trait the Panthers don’t lack. With 18 returning starters and the momentum from last season’s 7-3 campaign flowing throughout campus, Prairie View embarks on a season in which expectations are higher than they have been in decades. A winning season isn’t enough for the program, which has its eyes locked in on a SWAC championship.
