SSU beats S.C. State, 34-10, to end season

SAVANNAH, Georgia – Savannah State's football team defeated South Carolina State, 34-10, in both teams' season finale Saturday. It was the Tigers' third victory in their last four games, all Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contests, after earlier beating Delaware State and Norfolk State.

A T.A. Wright Stadium of 3,015 celebrated Senior Day/Community & High School Band Day by watching SSU beat S.C. State for the first time since a 14-9 win in 2001. SSU (3-8 overall, 3-5 MEAC) improved to 2-18 in the series against S.C. State (3-7, 2-6).

"Hopefully, this gives us some momentum going into the offseason that we can carry into recruiting and also into the offseason workouts," SSU second-year head coach Erik Raeburn said. "We talked about how many true freshmen we've played all season. They showed me these last four weeks they have the talent to compete in the MEAC. But we've got to develop in the weight room and get more physical. Man, if we do that, we've got a really good, young nucleus to build around."

SSU took a 7-0 lead on freshman running back Jaylen McCloud's 6-yard touchdown run with 10:21 left in the first quarter, and Giovanni Lugo kicked the first of his four extra points, to cap a 10-play, 68-yard drive.

SSU made it 14-0 with 6:15 left in the first quarter when freshman quarterback D'Vonn Gibbons connected with junior tight end Paris Baker for a 90-yard touchdown. Gibbons held onto the ball until the last possible second and he was drilled by an S.C. State defender a split-second after he threw it. Baker, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound graduate of Savannah's Jenkins High School, caught the ball despite double-coverage by defenders and rumbled about 45 yards to the end zone.

"I saw him stop in his route and come back to me so I threw it," said Gibbons, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound graduate of Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain. "I wasn't worried about the hit. I was just worried about delivering the ball."

Sprawled on the turf, Gibbons said he heard the roar of the crowd and knew something good happened.

"I peeked my head up at the end of the play and I was like, 'Oh, he's still running!" said Gibbons, who finished 13-of-23 passing for 267 yards and two touchdowns.

As Baker lumbered toward the end zone, he used the sun of the afternoon game as a guide.

"All I was doing was looking at my shadow (on the turf)," he said. "I saw my shadow, and my shadow only, so I just kept running."

During S.C. State's ensuing series, SSU senior defensive back Juwuan Tolbert, after dropping a potential interception, made up for it on the next play by picking off S.C. State quarterback Dewann Ford's pass.

SSU's ensuing drive ended when Gibbons fumbled and S.C. State linebacker Damu Ford recovered at the Tigers' 31-yard line. The Bulldogs cut the score to 14-7 on Dewann Ford's 24-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Baxley with 1:25 left in the first quarter. Tyler Scandrett kicked the extra point.

"I thought this was maybe their most solid performance this season," Raeburn said of SSU's defense. "They played excellent against Delaware State as well. I thought they really played well (today). The only touchdown, (S.C. State) got the ball in good field position. That doesn't excuse giving up a big pass play. But other than that, they played really physical all day."

Late in the second quarter, SSU's Gibbons connected with senior wide receiver Cameron White for a 51-yard gain to S.C. State's 29-yard line. Three plays later, Gibbons found senior wide receiver Tino Smith for an 8-yard gain that extended the drive. Three plays after that, Gibbons connected with senior wide receiver Steven "Tyler" Hagan for a 10-yard pickup that kept the chains moving. SSU decided to attempt a 28-yard field goal on third down and Lugo made it to put the Tigers up 17-7 with 19 seconds left before halftime. SSU's 10-play, 69-yard drive took 2:21 to complete.

With 8:34 remaining in the third quarter, S.C. State cut it to 17-10 on Scandrett's 29-yard field goal, capping a 14-play, 57-yard drive that took 6:26 off the game clock.

With 6:18 to go in the third quarter, SSU junior defensive back Darrell "Vanquez" Bonner forced S.C. State quarterback Dewann Ford to fumble and freshman Jeremiah Bundrage recovered for the Tigers at the 50-yard line.

SSU's Gibbons connected with junior wide receiver James Kicklighter, a graduate of Savannah's Windsor Forest High School, for a 47-yard gain to the Bulldogs' 3-yard line. SSU settled for a 22-yard field goal by Lugo that made it 20-10 with 4:28 remaining in the third quarter.

After S.C. State's drive ended with a punt, SSU's White made an acrobatic catch for a 25-yard gain to the Bulldogs' 5-yard line, ending the third quarter. On the next play to start the fourth quarter, Gibbons threw a 5-yard touchdown strike to Smith that made it 27-10. The Tigers' six-play drive covered 52 yards. During the touchdown pass, Gibbons again held onto the ball until the last possible second before enduring another vicious hit.

"He took some shots," Raeburn said of Gibbons. "They're good on defense. It's a combination. It's some poise and a lot of courage. It's hard to stare down, when you know you're going to take a shot, it's hard to hang in there and deliver the ball, and he did it a bunch of times today.

"He's done a great job," Raeburn continued. "He's really improved every week. The plan was to redshirt him and give him some time to develop in our program but he got thrown into the fire and he really responded. I'm so proud of the way he progressed."

With 5:27 to play, SSU faced a fourth-and-goal from S.C. State's 2-yard line. The Tigers elected to go for it but Gibbons was sacked for a 6-yard loss and the Bulldogs took over on downs. But two plays later, SSU sophomore defensive back Terrance McCray intercepted S.C. State's Dewann Ford and returned the ball for a 27-yard touchdown, making it 34-10 with 5:15 to go.

SSU's White finished with three catches for 90 yards. Hagan, a graduate of Guyton's South Effingham High School, made three catches for 17 yards. Baker finished had two catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, SSU was led by defensive end Stefen Banks, who made a team-high 10 tackles, including three sacks. Banks, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound junior from Columbus, Ohio, made four tackles for losses of 26 yards and forced a fumble.

"We just wanted to come out and set the tone early," Banks said. "Last year, they came out and set the tone on us. We wanted to make sure that we came out with the gas pedal down."

SSU committed only one penalty for 15 yards compared to S.C. State's 11 penalties for 79 yards. The Tigers were 4-of-5 on red zone scoring opportunities, while the Bulldogs were 1-of-1.

"Part of (SSU's strong finish) was all these young guys that we're playing just getting some experience, growing up a little bit," Raeburn said. "The older guys hung in there and kept the faith. I'm really proud of them how they played today but also the way we finished the season."

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Norfolk State needs to think boldly about its future following Hampton's departure from MEAC

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Give Hampton University President William Harvey credit for thinking big. Historically black colleges and universities tend to remain in their comfort zones, and that means in HBCU athletic leagues.

Only one Division I HBCU school currently competes outside of the Mid-Eastern Athletic or Southwestern Athletic conferences: Tennessee State, which joined the Ohio Valley in 1986.

Harvey announced Thursday that Hampton will become the second to compete in a league with majority-white schools when it joins the Big South Conference in July. It’s a move with deep implications not only for HU, but also the MEAC and Norfolk State.



Harvey has been Hampton’s president for almost four decades, and has always been something of a dreamer and innovator. That’s why Hampton, which does not have a medical school, opened the region’s first proton therapy center, which uses an advanced technology to fight cancer.

Reaction to Hampton’s move to the Big South on social media has been mixed. Many alumni are happy the Pirates are moving up. And although it’s only a marginal step up, the Big South has better football and basketball, and a better TV presence, than the MEAC.

But other fans are miffed, wondering why Hampton officials believe they have to leave an HBCU league to better themselves.

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Hampton caps winning season with victory over Howard

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Senior Yahkee Johnson rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns to push Hampton to a 20-17 win over rival Howard on Saturday afternoon at Armstrong Stadium.

Delmon Williams added 83 yards and a touchdown on the ground and passed for 150 yards as the Pirates (6-5, 5-3 in MEAC) picked up their third straight win over the Bison.

The Pirates win deprived Bethel High graduate Mike London of a pleasant homecoming. London, who led Richmond and Virginia, is in his first year as the head coach at Howard.

Hampton’s Dereon Carr intercepted Caylin Newton as time expired to preserve the victory. Howard started its final possession at its 20 with 1:32 to play, but the Bison could only advance to its 42. Steve Smith and Darius Commissiong sacked Newton in the final series, which ended with Carr’s interception at the Hampton 32.

Hampton led 20-10 early in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard touchdown run by Johnson, who started the scoring with a 2-yard score in the first quarter. Newton answered with a 1-yard touchdown with 8:14 to play in the game to pull within 3 points, but that was as close as Howard would get.

The Bison (7-4, 6-2) gained 416 yards of total offense, but the Bison struggled to find the end zone. Newton — younger brother of Carolina Panthers’ Cam Newton — passed for 259 yards but was intercepted twice. He rushed for 26 yards and a score. He entered the game leading the MEAC in rushing with 102 yards per game.

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#7 West Georgia denies #2 Virginia State 35-9 in first round of NCAA Playoffs

ETTRICK, Virginia -- One of the Trojans’ best-ever seasons by the numbers has drawn to a close.

West Georgia quarterback Willie Candler engineered four of his team’s five touchdowns to lead the visiting #7 Wolves past #2 Virginia State Football 35-9 in the first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

“We just had some breaks go our way, we made some key plays at the right time, interception there early in the second half that set up a big score for us,” said West Georgia head coach David Dean. “I thought our defense played very, very good against an offense that scores a lot of points, and offensively we put together drives at the right time and we were able to capitalize on some mistakes that they made and put some points on the board.”

After the Trojans went 10-0 for the first time in the program’s history and won their 12th CIAA Championship over Fayetteville State 42-19, their 2017 campaign concluded on a final mark of 10-1.

“We were really glad to be able to host a playoff game here. I’m proud of our team. I thought they played the game the right way,” said Virginia State head coach Reggie Barlow. “They have overcome a lot all season, and it’s been a great season for us. I’m proud of them, and unfortunately it had to end this way. We give West Georgia a lot of credit. They were a good team, well-coached, played hard, and they were able to pull it out today, but I’m proud of our guys.”

The Wolves were able to shut down Virginia State’s all-time leading rusher Trent Cannon, limiting him to 65 yards on 21 carries.

“They had a good team. Their defensive line was good,” Cannon agreed. “I had a couple of opportunities, I could’ve made it happen, but I don’t regret anything. We played hard as a team.”

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PVAMU Panthers Football Wins At Incarnate Word

SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M University football team posted a 42-28 win at Incarnate Word Thursday night at Benson Stadium.

QB Neiko Hollins completed 23 of 35 passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns, two of them to Darius Floyd, who had a career-high 11 receptions for 148 yards. Floyd also had 109 yards on three kickoff returns.

After a three-and-out on the opening possession, Prairie View A&M (5-5) scored on three straight possessions. Floyd took a screen pass 48 yards for a touchdown to give the Panthers a 7-0 with 10:40 to play in the opening quarter.

DeVohn Reed's fumble recovery led to a touchdown on the ensuing possession. Hodge's 11-yard touchdown reception in the back corner of the end zone gave the Panthers a 14-0 with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter.



In the second quarter, Caleb Broach's three-yard scoring run ended a nine-play, 88-yard drive to give PVAMU a 21-0 lead with 11:23 to play until halftime.

Following an Incarnate Word touchdown, Prairie View A&M came right back with a touchdown of its own. A 50-yard kickoff return by Floyd set up a seven-play, 46-yard scoring drive. Floyd's 28-yard touchdown reception on fourth and two gave the Panthers a 28-7 lead with 3:31 to play until halftime.

Incarnate Word (1-10) would rally to tie the score at 28-all late in the third quarter before the Panthers regained control.

On the ensuing play from scrimmage following the kickoff, Dawonya Tucker sprinted 72 yards for a touchdown to put Prairie View A&M back in front at 35-28 with 34 seconds remaining in the quarter. Tucker rushed for 97 yards on only four carries.

The Panthers put the game away in the fourth. A 49-yard scoring pass from Hollins to Hodge was the final margin for PVAMU. Hodge caught six passes for 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Panthers will end the 2017 season at Saturday, Nov. 25 in the Labor Day Classic at Texas Southern at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at pvpanthers.com/labordayclassic.

Next Game: at Texas Southern, 11/25/2017 - 6 p.m.

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N.C. A&T topples Central 24-10 for first unbeaten season since 1999

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — N.C. A&T ended its regular season today with a perfect record, toppling Central 24-10.

The unbeaten Aggies (11-0, 8-0) celebrate their first unbeaten MEAC season since 1999. The Aggies are 11-0 for first time in their 93-year history.



Why the Aggies won: A&T protected the football, had a healthy quarterback and got a big lift from backup running back Jamari Smith. The Aggies had no turnovers, and never really came close to one after two deflected passes on their first possession. Junior Lamar Raynard played against the Eagles for the first time and was efficient, making plays with his arm and his feet and taking only one sack. And Smith, a graduate transfer, accounted for 113 total yards and gave A&T some elusiveness in the backfield to go with Marquell Cartwright’s power.

The big plays: A&T’s Elijah Bell, the league’s best wide receiver, made two. He outjumped a Central defensive back in the end zone to haul in a 13-yard touchdown for the game’s first points. Then in the fourth quarter, he made a one-handed catch for a 38-yard gain down the sideline that kept alive a clock-killing 10-play drive that ended with a field goal.

What it means for A&T: The Aggies are 11-0 for the first time in the program’s 93-year history. This is their third MEAC championship in the last four years, but their first outright title since 2003 and the first time they’re undefeated in the MEAC since 1999. They’ll head to the postseason for the third year in a row.

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FAMU's Marching 100 to unveil the latest 'Kinsey Collection'

ORLANDO, Florida -- Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, who graduated from Florida A&M University in 1966, have long been generous to their alma mater.

On Saturday, the university’s Marching 100 will show off the fruits of the couple’s $500,000 donation when it debuts new uniforms at the Florida Classic in Orlando. The FAMU Rattlers take on the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University.

The Marching 100 will pay a special tribute to the Kinseys during the performance.

“This is a way Shirley and I would like to use our blessings to help the band and the university,” Kinsey said Friday from Orlando. “The band is the symbol of excellence for everybody in the Southeast as it relates to marching bands.



"There has never been an organization that I belong to that has had the impact in shaping me in the person I am today as the Marching 100."

The 241-member band's freshman class also boasts GPA averages between 3.0 and 4.0, with many honors students majoring in STEM disciplines.

With the gift, the university was able to purchase 315 band uniforms, 12 drum major uniforms, 20 flag uniforms from Fruhauf Uniform Company in Wichita, Kansas.

The gift also provided for the purchase of a 45-foot trailer that is being used to transport the band’s instruments and equipment, Kinsey said. It, too, will be on display Saturday.

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Dr. John Eason introduced as Florida A&M's interim athletic director

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A week before John Eason got the call to be Florida A&M’s interim athletic director, he was relaxing on his back porch in Bogart, Ga, listening to the rain and contemplating what was next after retirement.

Eason, who was dealing with the death of his sister at the time, said he asked God, “Is there anything else?”

FAMU interim President Larry Robinson provided an answer, calling the 72-year-old former FAMU football player and former Florida State assistant coach out of retirement and asking him to see the Rattlers’ athletic department through yet another tough time.

“I feel like I’m blessed,” Eason said. “I’m blessed because I’m here. I’m blessed because I asked if there’s anything else.”

Eason believes he’s up to the task of steering FAMU in the right direction. On Wednesday, he was officially introduced as the school’s interim athletic director. He will take over for outgoing Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. – who will be Kennesaw State’s new AD – on Dec. 1.

Eason said he doesn't know how long he'll be FAMU's interim AD -- he'll be the eighth head of the department in the last decade -- but he wants his time with the Rattlers to be remembered.

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HBCU Football Judgment Day Schedule, Week 12

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2017



NCAA Division II National Playoffs
Delta State at Bowie State, 1 PM, WATCH LIVE
West Georgia at Virginia State, 1 PM, WATCH LIVE

NAIA National Football Championship Playoffs
Northwestern (Iowa) at Langston (Oklahoma), 3 PM   | Live Stats | Live Video*

MEAC
Delaware State at Florida State, 12 Noon, TV: ACC Network
North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T, 1 PM, TV: ESPN3
Howard at Hampton, 1 PM
Norfolk State at Morgan State, 1 PM
South Carolina State at Savannah State, 1 PM
Florida A&M at Bethune-Cookman, 2 PM, TV: ESPN Classic, ESPN News

OVC
Jacksonville State 36, Tennessee State 6 (Nov. 16)

SWAC
Prairie View A&M 42, Incarnate Word 28 (Nov. 16)
Alabama State at Mississippi Valley State, 2 PM
Kentucky State at Alabama A&M, 2 PM
Alcorn State at Jackson State, 3 PM
Texas Southern at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 3:30 PM

 All times local to host site

Nuggets' Pace named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Brianna Pace is one of 351 cited as a Daktronics-NAIA Women's Cross Country Scholar-Athlete for 2017. The NAIA announced the honors Friday.
     
Pace is a junior from Junction City, Kan., and a graduate of Junction City High School. The XULA computer science major qualified for the NAIA honor by having a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4-point scale and reaching junior academic status.
     
Pace is a two-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference runner in cross country. She finished third at the GCAC Championships in October and helped the Gold Nuggets finish first in GCAC team scoring for the 11th consecutive season.
     
Pace is the first in this sport from XULA to earn Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete since Catherine Fakler and Hannah Finnegan in 2014.
  
The Gold Nuggets will conclude their season Saturday in the NAIA National Championships at Fort Vancouver, Wash.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Busy day includes XULA basketball/volleyball doubleheader

NEW ORLEANS — Once again the Saturday before Thanksgiving will be one of the busiest of the year for the intercollegiate athletics teams of Xavier University of Louisiana.

Men's basketball, volleyball and cross country will compete — the first two on campus at the Convocation Center.

At 1 p.m. the Gold Rush will play Huston-Tillotson in the homecoming basketball game, followed at 4 p.m. by Gold Nuggets volleyball against Marian (Ind.) in an NAIA National Championship Opening Round match. Basketball ticket-buyers can watch the volleyball for free. Admission to the volleyball match only will be $5.

The XULA-Marian winner will be a first-time qualifier for the NAIA National Championship Final Site at Sioux City, Iowa, Nov. 28-Dec. 2. The Gold Nuggets (23-2) were a first-round loser each of the previous six seasons; the Knights (27-5) are in the national field for the first time.

Two time zones away in Vancouver, Wash., XULA women's cross country will be one of 36 teams competing for NAIA individual and team national titles. That 5,000-meter race will start at 11:30 a.m. PST (1:30 p.m. New Orleans time). Also competing will be Gold Rush's lone qualifier, Camren Sewell, in the 8K men's race at 10:30 a.m. PST.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
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North Carolina A&T Aggies Celebrate Bowl Berth

NORFOLK, Virginia — The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference announced Monday night that the North Carolina A&T football team will represent the conference in the 2017 Celebration Bowl to be played noon in Atlanta on Dec. 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The conference explained the Aggies second bowl berth in three years in the following memo:

North Carolina A&T State’s win over Savannah State on Saturday clinched at least a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) football championship for the third time in four seasons.

Due to North Carolina Central’s loss last Saturday to Bethune-Cookman, only North Carolina A&T State (7-0 MEAC) and Howard (6-1) have an opportunity to win a share of the MEAC title. The Aggies will host North Carolina Central live on ESPN3 this Saturday, while Howard will travel to Hampton.



At stake for the Aggies on Saturday is an outright MEAC championship, which would mark their first since 2003. An Aggies win would accomplish this feat regardless of Howard’s outcome against Hampton. As NCAT loss, coupled with a Howard win, would allow the Bison to share the MEAC championship with the Aggies. It would be the Bison’s first title since 1993.

The MEAC’s tiebreaker system goes as follows:

Both North Carolina A&T State and Howard earned six (6) points for wins over Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams, as the Aggies defeated Charlotte and Howard beat UNLV. The Aggies earned an additional four (4) points for their non-conference Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) win over Gardner-Webb, while Howard does not have a non-conference FCS win.

With the third annual Celebration Bowl scheduled for Dec. 16 in Atlanta, Ga. at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, televised live on ABC as 12 p.m., North Carolina A&T State will be the MEAC’s representative regardless of Saturday’s outcomes via tiebreaker over the Bison by a 10-6 points edge. The teams did not have a head-to-head match-up in 2017.

MEAC tiebreaker scenarios at a glance:

-If NCAT wins: MEAC outright champion with an 8-0 conference record and the MEAC’s representative in the Celebration Bowl
-If NCAT loses and Howard wins: Howard and NCAT are named MEAC co-champions and NCAT is the MEAC representative in the Celebration Bowl. Howard and other postseason-eligible MEAC teams can potentially be selected at-large to the FCS Championship.
-If NCAT and Howard both lose, NCAT is the outright MEAC champion with a 7-1 record and will be the MEAC representative in the Celebration Bowl. Howard’s conference record would be 6-2.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets win wire-to-wire on the road again

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball earned its second straight wire-to-wire road victory when it defeated William Carey 62-43 Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets (2-2) made 4-of-5 3-pointers — two by freshman Taylor Jones, one apiece by Ireyon Keith and Maya Trench — to build a 19-0 lead in the eighth minute. The Lady Crusaders (0-2) got as close as seven points in the 15th minute, but XULA pulled away with an 8-1 run and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 24:51.

Jones, scoring in double figures for the second consecutive game, finished with 10 points. Keith and Trench scored nine points apiece, and freshman Taylor Jacob had eight.

Tamia Stinson, with 10 points, was the only player from William Carey with more than five.
XULA tied two school records for scoring defense in a quarter: five points allowed in the first and four points allowed in the third.

The Gold Nuggets shot a season-best 41.3 percent from the floor, and their 19 free throws and 33 attempts were season highs. They produced 20 steals, three apiece by Jones, Trench and Gina Smith.

William Carey shot 29.4 percent from the floor and committed 29 turnovers, 18 in the first half. The Lady Crusaders have lost nine straight dating to last season.

XULA's next game will start at 7 p.m. EST Nov. 22 — the day before Thanksgiving — at Florida Memorial in Miami Gardens. The next Nuggets home game will start at 5 p.m. Nov. 29 against LSU-Alexandria at the Convocation Center.

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No. 7 Langston Draws No. 10 Northwestern (Iowa) in NAIA Football Playoffs

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) officially announced the teams and first round pairings for the 2017 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS). The 16-team event kicks off Saturday, November 18, at eight campus host sites.

The No. 7 ranked Langston Lions host No. 10 Northwestern (Iowa); the Lions received an automatic postseason berth after clinching the Central States Football League title and by finishing the regular season undefeated were granted an opening round home playoff game. The Lions make their seventh postseason appearance during the time in the NAIA and their first playoff trip since 2014. Langston holds a 2-6 postseason record in the NAIA.

The Red Raiders were granted the first At-Large bid after finishing 9-1 overall; Northwestern will be making their 19th overall postseason appearance and hold a 20-16 mark in the postseason.

This year's field includes 12 automatic qualifiers – one from each conference – and four at-large selections. Automatic berths were given to teams that won their conference regular-season title and were ranked within the top 20 of the final regular-season NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll announced Sunday. To access the Top 25 poll, click here. At-large bids were given to the next highest ranked teams that did not claim an automatic spot.

The 62nd annual NAIA Football National Championship is scheduled for Saturday, December 16 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The City of Daytona Beach hosts the event at Municipal Stadium for the fourth-straight season. For fan and visitor information, click here.

Tickets to Saturday's playoff game are now on sale click here.

2017 NAIA Football Championship Series – First Round Schedule
Saturday, November 18 | Campus Sites
Game 1 – Benedictine (Kan.) (9-2) at Saint Francis (Ind.) (10-0)
Game 2 – Concordia (Mich.) (9-1) at Reinhardt (Ga.) (9-0)
Game 3 – Sterling (Kan.) (9-2) at Morningside (Iowa) (11-0)
Game 4 – Southeastern (Fla.) (8-1) at Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) (10-0)
Game 5 – Dickinson State (N.D.) (9-1) at Southern Oregon (10-0)
Game 6 – Georgetown (Ky.) (8-1) at Baker (Kan.) (10-1)
Game 7 – Northwestern (Iowa) (9-1) at Langston (Okla.) (10-0)
Game 8 – Grand View (Iowa) (9-2) at Saint Xavier (Ill.) (9-1)

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

4 Langston Lady Lions Selected to RRAC Volleyball All-Conference Team

WACO, Texas - The Red River Athletic Conference announced the 2017 Volleyball All-Conference selections with four athletes receiving honors.

Quiara Barbee was selected to the RRAC second team after tallying 151 kills, 119 digs 17 assisted blocks and three solo blocks

Courtlyn Harris, Ashley Michalski and Kori Williams were all selected to the RRAC Honorable Mention list.

Harris finished the season with 121 kills, 285 digs, 17 service aces and 14 total blocks, Michalski racked up 132 kills, 214 digs, 18 service aces, 28 assisted blocks and 13 solo blocks; Williams tallied 384 assists, 197 digs and 13 service aces.

The RRAC All-Conference awards wrap up the playing careers of Michalski and Williams; Michalski finished her Langston career with 401 kills, 49 service aces, 632 digs, 40 solo blocks and 112 assisted blocks. Michalski was also selected to the RRAC Champions of Character team.

Williams tallied 1,195 assists, 107 kills, 846 digs, four solo blocks and 18 assisted blocks.

For the complete RRAC Volleyball All-Conference list, click here.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fayetteville State failed to monitor its athletics program

Download the Nov. 2017 Fayetteville State Public Infractions Decision

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- Fayetteville State failed to monitor its women's basketball program and both the former women’s basketball head coach and her husband, the former director of intramurals, acted unethically, according to a decision by the NCAA Division II Committee on Infractions. The former head women’s basketball coach recruited two transfer student-athletes who were academically ineligible to compete, practice and receive financial aid.

Though the two student-athletes were ineligible, the former women's basketball head coach sought special admissions exceptions, allowed them to practice with the team despite warnings from the compliance director, and knowingly arranged impermissible tuition payments by a booster for both student-athletes. By requesting the booster make these payments, the former head coach engaged in unethical conduct. She also acted unethically when she provided false or misleading information to the institution when questioned about these payments.

The committee noted in it decision, “This case demonstrates the hazards of recruiting prospective student-athletes who do not meet eligibility requirements.”

Penalties prescribed by the committee include two years of probation for the university; a three-year show cause order for the former women’s basketball head coach; a two-year show cause order for the former director of intramural athletics; a vacation of records in which an ineligible student-athlete competed; and disassociation from the booster for two years.

The former women’s basketball head coach recruited and offered scholarships to two ineligible prospects who had previously attended two-year schools. Neither student met Fayetteville State’s admissions standards, but the former head coach convinced admissions officials to allow the students to enroll in classes through the university’s special visiting student program.

Shortly after the student-athletes enrolled, one incurred more than $4,000 in university charges. The head coach called a booster and requested assistance in paying the outstanding student fees. The former director of intramural athletics accompanied the booster to the financial aid office to complete the transaction. Approximately one month later, the head coach contacted the same booster to request assistance in paying fees for the second student-athlete. The booster was again accompanied by the former director of intramural athletics to pay the outstanding fees, resulting in more than $12,500 in impermissible benefits for the two student-athletes.

The two student-athletes also participated in practice after enrolling at the university, despite the former head coach’s knowledge that they were not eligible to participate in practice due to their status as special visiting students. The compliance director twice notified the former head coach that the student-athletes could not participate in practice, but did not follow up with the head coach to ensure that rules were followed moving forward.

Penalties include the following:

• Public reprimand and censure for the university.
• Two years of probation from Nov. 14, 2017, through Nov. 13, 2019.
• A $2,500 fine.
• Disassociation of the booster during the probationary period.
• A three-year show cause period for the former women’s basketball head coach, from Nov. 14, 2017, through Nov. 13, 2020. During that period, any NCAA member school employing her must show cause why she should not have restrictions on athletically related activity.
• A two-year show cause period for the former director of intramural athletics from Nov. 14, 2017, through Nov. 13, 2019. During that period, any NCAA member school employing him must show cause why he should not have restrictions on athletically related activity.
• A vacation of all records in which ineligible student-athletes competed.

Members of the Committee on Infractions are drawn from NCAA membership and members of the public. The members of the panel who reviewed this case are John David Lackey, attorney; Julie A. Rochester, committee chair, faculty athletics representative and associate professor, Northern Michigan; Carey Snyder, associate director of athletics at East Stroudsburg; Harry Stinson, athletics director at Lincoln (Pennsylvania); Christie L. Ward, senior woman administrator and associate athletics director for compliance at Georgia Southwestern.

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Hampton University Joins the Big South Conference As Full Member

HAMPTON, Virginia – Hampton University is joining the Big South Conference, effective July 1, 2018, after a 22-year relationship with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The announcement will be made at an 11 a.m. joint Hampton University/Big South press conference at Hampton University's Student Center Theater.

"The move to the Big South Conference is just another part of an exciting year at Hampton University," Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey said. "Institutions in the Big South are located in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, which means that our student athletes will spend less time traveling and more time in classes on campus. This keeps the proper focus on academics, which is our chief reason for being. The smaller geographic footprint will also reduce travel expenses. Another important consideration is the large number of alumni located in the Big South region. We have enjoyed our 22-year relationship with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and hope to continue competing against some of its teams."



Big South Commissioner Kyle Kallander couldn't be more pleased for the conference and for Hampton University.

"This is a big day for the Big South! We are so pleased that Hampton University is joining the Big South family," Kallander said. "We have always been impressed by Hampton's academics and athletics accomplishments under President Harvey's visionary leadership. We appreciate his interest and support of the Big South and look forward to working with him and the rest of Hampton's leadership to support our student-athletes. The Big South is a better conference with Hampton – athletically, academically, and in providing outstanding opportunities for our student-athletes."

The Big South's president is excited to add Hampton University to the conference.

"On behalf of the entire membership of the Big South Conference -- student/athletes, coaches and presidents, we are pleased and very excited to welcome the community of Hampton University to the conference," said Mary Grant, Big South President and UNC Asheville Chancellor. "Hampton University's rich history and tradition both athletically and academically aligns perfectly with the ideals and core values of the Big South Conference."

The Pirates sponsor 17 sports at the Division I level, 16 of which are sponsored by the Big South: football, men's and women's basketball, women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, softball, men's and women's golf, and women's volleyball. Only men's lacrosse will not compete in the Big South.

Hampton's athletics history dates back to the mid-1970s and includes memorable NCAA Tournament moments in 2001 when the No. 15-seeded Pirates upset No. 2-seeded Iowa State, as well as in 2014-15 making consecutive NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament appearances. The women's basketball team has won five Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championships in a row and six in the last eight years.

On the football field, the Pirates have made five FCS Championship postseason appearances, as well as making five trips to post-season play as a NCAA Division II member.

With the addition of Hampton, the Big South Conference will now have four members based in Virginia (Hampton, Liberty, Longwood, Radford), South Carolina (Charleston Southern, Presbyterian College, USC Upstate, Winthrop), and in North Carolina (Campbell, Gardner-Webb, High Point, UNC Asheville). The conference membership will begin exploring different scheduling models and championship formats for the upcoming 2018-19 season.



ABOUT HAMPTON UNIVERSITY


For 150 years Hampton University has been THE Standard of Excellence in higher education. Founded in 1868 by Brig. Gen. Samuel Chapman Armstrong, Hampton University has a long successful history of offering a strong academic program of educating the "head, heart and hand," and emphasizing the development of character. This foundation has been built upon by Dr. William R. Harvey, who has served as Hampton's president for 40 years, during which time the university has experienced accelerated growth and achieved notable accomplishments.

WHAT'S THE BIG SOUTH?

Founded in 1983, the Big South Conference is an exemplary leader in college athletics, dedicated to developing student-athletes through the pursuit of excellence in the classroom, community and field of play. The league's growing presence as an NCAA Division I athletic conference is made evident by its multitude of athletic accomplishments, innovative marketing and media partnerships, increased television packages and most importantly, its commitment to fostering the academic, personal, social, athletic and leadership development of its student-athletes.

Currently comprised of 10 member institutions (Campbell University, Charleston Southern University, Gardner-Webb University, High Point University, Liberty University, Longwood University, Presbyterian College, Radford University, UNC Asheville and Winthrop University, plus football members Kennesaw State University, Monmouth University and the University of North Alabama) sharing a common geographic region and similar academic values and purposes, the Big South's remarkable history of achievement is characterized by the league's 19 championship sports and the profound academic and life successes of its nearly 3,500 student-athletes. The Big South Conference: Where Winners Are Made.

BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE ADDS HAMPTON UNIVERSITY AS FULL MEMBER

SPARTANBURG, South Carolina  --  (www.BigSouthSports.com)  – The Big South Conference has added Hampton University as a full member effective with the 2018-19 academic year, it was announced this morning at a press conference in the Student Center Theater on Hampton’s campus. Hampton’s membership begins July 1, 2018 and increases the Big South membership to 12 next fall with the addition of USC Upstate yesterday.“On behalf of the entire membership of the Big South Conference -- student/athletes, coaches and presidents, we are pleased and very excited to welcome the community of Hampton University to the conference,” said Mary Grant, Big South President and UNC Asheville Chancellor. “Hampton’s rich history and tradition both athletically and academically aligns perfectly with the ideals and core values of the Big South Conference.”

The Pirates sponsor 17 varsity sports at the Division I level, 16 of which are sponsored by the Big South: football, men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track & field, softball, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s volleyball. Only men’s lacrosse will not compete in the Big South.

Hampton will be immediately eligible for conference championships, while its football program will officially start its Big South association no later than 2019.

A total of 162 student-athletes achieved a 3.0 grade-point average in 2016-17, and notable Hampton alumni include Rick Mahorn (NBA), Francena McCorory (Track and Field – 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist), Yvette Lewis (Track and Field – Olympics), Justin Durant (NFL) and Chris Baker (NFL).

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
BIG SOUTH CONFERENCE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Texas 5A standout at 400 meters signs with Nuggets

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has signed sprinter Ariel Ford of Mansfield, Texas, and Lake Ridge High School to an athletic scholarship for women's track and field.

Ford finished second as a junior in the 400-meter dash at the University Interscholastic League Class 5A state meet in May. Her best time is 55.30 seconds at the 2017 District 10-5A meet, which she won. That time is faster than the XULA record.

Also at last season's state meet, Ford helped Lake Ridge finish second in the 400 relay and fourth in the 1,600 relay. Lake Ridge placed second in team scoring.

At the 2016 UIL state meet, Ford was third in 400 and helped the 1,600 relay team finish fourth. Also that year she was the District 14-5A champion in the 400.

Ford's best time in the 200 is 24.39. That 2016 time also is faster than the XULA record.

Ford has made her school's honor roll multiple times. She will graduate from Lake Ridge in the spring, then major in biochemistry at XULA.

Mansfield is a suburb south of Fort Worth.

XULA competes in the NAIA and has won five Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's outdoor team championships in the last seven seasons, including 2017.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
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6-2 California player is Gold Nuggets' first signee

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has signed 6-foot-2 forward/center
Shae Johnson of Riverside, Calif., and Martin Luther King High School to an athletic scholarship for women's basketball.

Johnson is the Gold Nuggets' first signee for the 2018-19 season. She signed this past Wednesday.

Johnson helped King win its first 19 games and finish the 2016-17 season 28-2 after reaching the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1A semifinals. King coach Jesus Martinez said Johnson averaged five points, four rebounds and six minutes per game for that team.

"Shae is an amazing young lady," Martinez said. "She comes from a great family. She's a leader and extremely coachable. She will be an asset to your program."

Johnson is a team captain this season and the student body class historian. She has yet to declare her XULA major. Johnson's father, Dedrick, is a New Orleans native.

Riverside is about 60 miles east of Los Angeles.

XULA competes in the NAIA and has won six Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournaments in the last 10 seasons. The Gold Nuggets qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship 19 times in the last 23 seasons.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
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No. 2 Virginia State & No. 4 Bowie State to Host Regional Football Contests

Bulldogs Football to Host Delta State Statesmen in NCAA Super Region 2 Playoffs

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  – The Bowie State University football team received good news on Sunday (11/12) evening after hearing the Bulldogs named announced for a berth into the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 playoffs. The Bulldogs (9-1) will host their first-ever home football playoff game and will face the Delta State Statesmen (8-3).

"We're really excited about the opportunity, even more excited to host and look forward to a very challenging and tough Delta State team", said an ecstatic Bowie State head coach Damon Wilson.

Bowie State's last appeared in NCAA regional play in 2015, falling on the road to Assumption by a score of 51-29.

The top seed West Alabama (10-0) will have a first-round bye. In other Super Region 2 matchups, #2 Virginia State (10-0) will host #7 West Georgia (8-3) and #4 Wingate (9-1) will host West Florida (7-3).

All games will be played on the host campus and will kickoff at 12 noon.

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

RELATED: Interactive bracket

The VSU Trojans are set to Host the West Georgia Wolves at 1pm on Saturday

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana  – The Virginia State University football team received good news on Sunday (11/12) evening after hearing the Trojans named announced for an appearance into the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 playoffs. The Trojans (10-0) will host their second home football playoff game and will face the University of West Georgia Wolves (8-3). Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 11.

"We're really excited about the opportunity, the guys have worked hard this entire season and look forward to welcoming the University of West Georgia team", said Virginia State head coach Reggie Barlow.

Virginia State's last appeared in NCAA regional play in 2014, winning against LIU-Post 28-17 in the first round. The Trojans then fell on the road to Bloomsburg by a score of 14-35.

The first-round dates, sites and pairings are:

DATE	AWAY TEAM	HOME TEAM	LOCATION
November 18	Findlay (9-2)	Shepherd (10-0)	Shepherdstown, West Virginia
November 18	California (Pa) (9-2)	Assumption (9-1)	Worcester, Massachusetts
November 18	West Chester (8-3)	Shippensburg (10-1)	Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
November 18	West Georgia (8-3)	Virginia State (9-0)	Petersburg, Virignia
November 18	West Florida (7-3)	Wingate (9-1)	Wingate, North Carolina
November 18	Delta State (8-3)	Bowie State (9-1)	Bowie, Maryland
November 18	Harding (8-3)	UIndy (11-0)	Indianapolis, Indiana
November 18	Northwest Missouri State (9-2)	Ashland (10-1)	Ashland, Ohio
November 18	Ouachita Baptist (9-2)	Ferris State (9-1)	Big Rapids, Michigan
November 18	Colorado State-Pueblo (9-2)	Minnesota State Mankato (11-0)	Mankato, Minnesota
November 18	Sioux Falls (9-2)	Midwestern State (9-0)	Wichita Falls, Texas
November 18	Texas A&M-Commerce (9-1)	Winona State (10-1)	Winona, Minnesota

The following institutions earned first-round byes in each super regional and will host a second-round game on November 25, 2017.

Super Regional One:

1. Indiana (Pennsylvania) (11-0)

Super Regional Two:

1. West Alabama (9-1)

Super Regional Three:

1. Fort Hays State (11-0)

Super Regional Four:

1. Central Washington (11-0)

All contests shall start at 1 p.m. local time. Other times may be established if approved by the committee.

Northwest Missouri State defeated North Alabama 29-3 in the 2016 national championship game to claim last year’s NCAA title.

The championship game will be played December 16, at 6 p.m. Eastern time at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 HD/ESPN3.com.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU football, please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Virginia Union fires football coach Mark James

James will finish at the school with a 26-15 record, including a 6-4 mark this year.

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union University has fired football coach Mark James, ending his four-year tenure at the school.

A school spokesman said no interim coach had been named, and the school aims to have a new coach in place as quickly as possible.

Panthers athletics director Joe Taylor thanked James in an e-mailed statement.

“We want to thank Coach James for his efforts in leading the Panther football program,” he said. “After serious discussions about the future of Virginia Union football, the decision was made that it’s time to move the program forward under new leadership.”

James, a former Union player and assistant coach, finished his rookie season with a 7-3 record, Union’s first winning season since 2009. In his second season, James led the Panthers to an 8-3 record, including a playoff berth. Union lost in the first round to Slippery Rock, 40-21.

James will finish at the school with a 26-15 record, including a 6-4 mark this year.

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MEAC math adds up to Celebration Bowl for North Carolina A&T Aggies

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — There has been no league-sanctioned announcement. And there’ remains one week left in MEAC football’s regular season.

But now hear this: N.C. A&T is going back to the Celebration Bowl.

Regardless of the results of this weekend’s games.

“I can’t make an official announcement. That comes from the conference office,” A&T Coach Rod Broadway said Monday. “But by the rules and the way the thing is drawn up, yes, we’re in.”

The Aggies will represent the MEAC and play the champion of the SWAC in the bowl game at noon Dec. 16 in Atlanta’s new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Falcons.

The MEAC’s own math says so.

The unbeaten Aggies (10-0, 7-0 MEAC) clinched at least a tie for the league title this past weekend with a victory over Savannah State. It’s the third title in four years for A&T, which can win that title outright by beating archrival N.C. Central (7-3, 5-2) on Saturday.



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