The "unofficial" meeting place for intelligent discussions of Divisions I and II Sports of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC).
America's #1 blog source for minority sports articles and videos. The MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC and HBCUAC colleges are building America's leaders, scholars and athletes.
Linda Randall says her daughter, Randi-Lyn, a student at Radford University in southwestern Virginia, is not a "die-hard" follower of the Highlanders sports teams.
Even so, by the time Randi-Lyn graduates in 2012, her parents probably will have paid an average of nearly $1,000 a year in fees to the school's athletics department. They just didn't know it from the school's billing statements or website.
"We're looking at five years because she changed majors. That's $5,000," Randall says. "That's one of her loans. That would have paid rent off-campus for a year. It's kind of disheartening. I don't think I'd have as much of a problem with it if I knew I was paying it. With what we're paying, it doesn't seem right."
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
NOTE: Tennessee State University student athletic fee of $224 generates $1.95M of the Tigers $8.62M 2010/11 athletic budget. TSU is a member of the Ohio Valley Conference and has the second lowest student athletic fee of nine Division I public school programs in Tennessee.
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – There was a time in the not-so-distant past when handling defeat was like rolling out of bed to the Prairie View A&M football team. It was routine, rote, all too regular. Holders of the NCAA record for consecutive losses at a mind-boggling 80 from 1989 to '98, the Panthers did not post a winning season from 1977 through 2006.
Yet there was nothing been-there, done-that about their latest loss. A last-minute 47-yard field goal by Alabama State resulted in an 18-15 defeat Saturday in front of a shocked crowd at Blackshear Stadium. Walking off the field with a 15-game Southwestern Athletic Conference winning streak in tatters, players sank into an abyss of remorse and pain.
"This is awful," said senior receiver Shaun Stephens. "We just don't do this." Not anymore, anyway.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
Next Game: Saturday: 6:00 p.m., Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic - PVAMU Panthers vs. Grambling State Tigers, Cotton Bowl, Dallas, TX TV: ESPNU (delayed broadcast)
ALBANY, GA — The Golden Rams are living up to their name these days, and they have the gold to prove it. The Albany State football team racked up some more awards this week, as the SIAC announced Monday that multiple Rams earned honors for their performance in a 34-6 win against Tuskegee Saturday.
Quarterback Stanley Jennings earned Newcomer of the Week after he completed 9 of 15 passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 83 yards. Starting center Michael Mavromichalis was also honored, earning Co-Offensive Linemen of the Week with Fort Valley State’s Bobby Young. “Big Mike” and the Rams didn’t allow a sack against the Tigers as the Albany State offense racked up 362 total yards on offense.
FAMU's 50-7 win Saturday afternoon did more than improve the Rattlers conference record to (2-0), it sent a message to the rest of the MEAC. FAMU sophomore defensive tackle Padric Scott says,"This early on in the season to come out with a victory 50-7, that definitely speaks volumes. Not only did we score on special teams, offense, and then defense as well. You start scoring on all phases you get excited to what's to come, but you still have to be humble."
Even with Senior Running Back Philip Sylvester sidelined from an ankle injury, the Rattlers gained 209 yards on the ground and rushed for four touchdowns.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Florida A&M football coach Joe Taylor opted to try for fourth-down conversions twice during Saturday's 50-7 victory over Howard. But if he had any concerns about his special teams units, they appeared to be answered. Kicker Trevor Scott hit a 47-yard field goal on his only attempt of the game to account for three of the 14 points scored by the special teams unit. Also included were five points on PATs and a touchdown off a blocked punt.
Rivals N.C. Central, N.C. A&T not on this season's schedule
Bobby Collins, the men’s basketball coach at Winston-Salem State, found it tough to schedule nonconference opponents for the coming season, but there’s a reason.
The Rams will have a front line that measures 6-10, 6-11 and 6-8 and most likely will also have five senior starters. Not many Division II programs can match the height.
“It was very tough finding games, and we didn’t have many choices,” said Collins, whose team will play a full Division II schedule after four seasons of playing mostly Division I opponents. “We tried to get some Division I programs to play us, but it just didn’t work out.”
Winston-Salem State will play a key CIAA game at Fayetteville State on Saturday, and three WSSU coaches will focus on what lies ahead, not their pasts.
Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU, assistant head coach John Eder and assistant Duane Taylor will be returning to Luther “Nick” Geralds Stadium, where they helped build Fayetteville State into one of the CIAA’s best programs.
Taylor will be making his first trip back since graduating in 2005 after starring at quarterback, leading the Broncos to CIAA titles in 2002 and 2003 and setting more than 25 school records.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Nothing went right for the Hawks of Chowan University on Saturday evening at Bowman Gray Stadium as the Rams of Winston-Salem State rolled up 499 yards of total offense and put 48 points on the scoreboard to defeat Chowan 48-7 at Bowman Gray Stadium as WSSU improved to 4-0 in 2010.
The Hawks started the game with a five-yard delay of game penalty before the opening kickoff and it would only get worse for visiting Chowan as WSSU would need less than five minutes to jump out to a 14-0 advantage.
Tehvyn Brantley got the Rams on the board only 1:09 into the contest as he reeled in a 35-yard touchdown pass from Kameron Smith to give WSSU a 7-0 lead as the true freshman wide receiver scored his fourth touchdown of the year.
Winston-Salem State made it look easy against undersized and overmatched Chowan last night at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The Rams rolled to a 48-7 win to remain unbeaten. The Rams (4-0, 2-0 CIAA) rolled up 499 yards of offense on their way to their most lopsided victory of the season. It was also their widest winning margin since a 47-0 victory over N.C. Central in 2003.
Running back Nic Cooper did much of the damage, with 11 carries for 149 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. The offensive line established itself early and Cooper took advantage with his best run, a 74-yard touchdown burst right up the middle in the second half.
Atlanta, GA — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is proud to announce that football will move to divisional play starting in 2011. The 10 football-playing members will be aligned into two five-team divisions—East and West.
As a result, the SIAC will also play its inaugural championship football game in 2011. The game will be played November 12, 2011 at a location yet to be determined.
“Moving to an East-West divisional format will not only provide our teams with an opportunity to compete for divisional championships, but also allow the SIAC to determine its conference champion by playing the first ever SIAC Championship Football Game, which we are very excited about,” says Commissioner Greg Moore.
HOUSTON, TX - Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones and Texas Southern coach Johnnie Cole exchanged words after the game was over and had to be separated. Jones said Cole said something to him and everything became chaotic.
"He said I was disrespecting him and his program," Jones said. "When I asked him for an explanation, one of his guys starting pushing me. I didn't throw a punch. I didn't try to throw a punch. I asked Johnnie what he was talking about and I told him he was being disrespectful.
"He ran off and the guy pushed me and (A&M sports information director) Brandon (Willis). Johnnie came back and I told him we could talk and people started grabbing me."
HUNTSVILLE, AL - Madison County District Judge Lynn Sherrod knows what happens too often to high-school dropouts. They show up in her courtroom.
"There's a direct correlation between school performance and delinquent behavior," said Sherrod, who tries juvenile court cases. In the prison population, "an overwhelming percentage did not graduate from high school," she said.
With that in mind, Sherrod spearheaded a recent trip to Alabama A&M University for freshmen at Butler High School. About half the class of 180 spent the day attending workshops on decision making and preparing for college as well as touring the campus.
Texas Southern stumbled like a punch-drunk boxer for three quarters against Alabama A&M on Saturday, landing only occasional jabs. The Tigers, however, had plenty left in the tank to deliver the knockout blow in the final period.
With an aggressive defense leading the way, TSU forced two turnovers and broke open a close game with 20 points in the fourth quarter to sprint past the Bulldogs 32-9 before 6,347 at Delmar Stadium.
Darrell Brooks got off to a good start as Bowie State’s men’s basketball coach in his first year back at his alma mater.
The longtime George Washington assistant guided the Bulldogs to a 16-10 record last season. This year, he’ll attempt to better that mark with the help of a few former Baltimore City high school stars.
Brooks has added four Baltimore natives to the Bulldogs’ roster for the 2010-11 season: Trawn Rogers, a 6-foot-8, 185-pound forward from St. Frances, Byron Westmoreland, a 6-foot-3, 175-pound shooting guard from Mervo, Julian Harrell, a 6-foot point guard from Good Counsel, and Tyrone Lawson, a 6-foot-8, 220-pound forward from Northwestern.
HAMPTON, VA – Coming into Saturday’s football game here at Armstrong Stadium, the Hampton University Pirates had not lost a season-opener since 2003. Behind the arm and legs of quarterback David Legree and running back Antwon Chisholm, the Pirates improved upon that streak after a 35-21 victory over the Aggies of North Carolina A&T.
Hampton improved to 2-1 on the season and a more important 2-0 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while the Aggies dropped to 0-3 on the year and 0-2 in MEAC play.
The Pirates opened the game slowly as they would score just once in the first half on a 34-yard pass from Legree to Donte Davis for the first score of the game. The Aggies were not going to be outdone on the ensuing kick-off as Justin Ferrell retuned the kickoff 85 yards to tie the game at 7-7.
Legree's four TD passes lead Hampton past NC A&T 35-21 Hampton, VA - The scores came often as North Carolina A&T paid a visit to Armstrong Stadium on Saturday night. As the Aggies faced Hampton, two long-time college football rivals renewed a tradition. The Aggies and Hampton's Pirates have played for many years and are both members of MEAC. The contest turned into a scoring parade, with the Pirates winning, 35-21.
After a scoreless first quarter, the teams found the end zone.The scoring came within just a few seconds in the second period. Hampton's Donte Davis hauled in a 34-yard pass from David Legree. N.C. A&T answered quickly with a blazing 85-yard kickoff return by Justin Ferrell. The offenses, especially Hampton's, really moved into high gear in the second half.
Fans, this was an ole fashion barn burner of a band brawl with host Norfolk State University Spartan Legion and the Hot Ice dancers; North Carolina A&T State University Marching Machine and Golden Delight dancers; and Virginia State University Trojan Explosion Marching Band, the Satin Diva Flag Corps, and the Essence of Troy dancers.
Who won? Not sure, but it was a heavy weight brawl of the best kind! Overall, a very exciting football weekend in the 757 region with Norfolk State and Hampton University dominating the VSU Trojans and NCA&T Aggies.
Norfolk, VA - Senior running back DeAngelo Branche (Norfolk, Va.) rushed for 167 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to lead Norfolk State to its most points in five years in a 51-28 rout of Virginia State on Saturday night in the Spartan-Trojan Classic at Dick Price Stadium.
Quarterback Chris Walley (Tallahassee, Fla.) completed 17-of-22 passes for 237 yards and two scores for the Spartans (2-1), who piled up 505 yards of total offense en route to their fifth straight win over the Trojans (2-1). The five-game winning streak is NSU’s longest in the series, which dates to 1963. The 51 points recorded by NSU is the team’s most since ...
NORFOLK, VA - The only labor came from the scoreboard operator. Behind running back DeAngelo Branche's career-high four touchdowns and quarterback Chris Walley's best effort yet, Norfolk State's offense barely broke a sweat. The Spartans were efficient throughout a 51-28 trouncing of Virginia State on Saturday, scoring on two of their first three offensive plays.
"I kept saying in the first quarter that we could do whatever we wanted to, run or pass," Norfolk State wide receiver Victor Hairston said.
FORT VALLEY, GA — Eugene Smith has waited a long time for his Fort Valley State debut. He was in school last year but didn’t play. And assorted paperwork and administrative issues kept him off the field for FVSU’s first three games. His debut was the kind one dreams of.
“It’s about time,” the 6-foot-3 quarterback said. “It’s been a long time. The strong right-hander had 167 yards worth of touchdown passes before halftime as FVSU rolled past Stillman 56-2 on Saturday night at Wildcat Stadium.
FVSU improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC while Stillman fell to 0-4 overall and in conference play. The Wildcats are off before hosting Benedict on Oct. 2 for homecoming.
Virginia Union first had to beat itself. After that, Lincoln went down easily as the Panthers claimed a victory in their home opener, 55-31 against the Lions. Quarterback Aris McGlone-English threw for five touchdowns and added another on the ground, finding a way to overcome an early stretch of penalties, miscues and even a punt where the team fielded only 10 players.
"We've just got to be smarter," coach Michael Bailey said. "Winning is good, but we need to learn to be more disciplined." Once they did, the Panthers showed that this year's edition is potent in the air, with McGlone-English finding his favorite target, Joseph Jean-Pierre, seven times for 80 yards and three TDs.
DAYTONA BEACH -- Preseason is over. And finally Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins was ready to admit it. Jenkins went into his first two games with the Wildcats building up his opponents. But after he built them up during the week, the 'Cats tore them down on game day.
Quarterback Matt Johnson passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more Saturday, as B-CU improved to 2-0 with a 42-7 win over Savannah State in front of 2,510 fans at Municipal Stadium. Johnson accounted for 277 of the Wildcats' 446 yards on offense in the rout, which came on the heels of a 70-10 demolition of Edward Waters two weeks ago.
Next week the competition will get decidedly tougher, as the 'Cats play host to Norfolk State in their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Savannah State University's multitude of offensive problems seemed on the verge of becoming a thing of the past after the Tigers' opening drive Saturday against Bethune-Cookman University. It turned out that those problems would only get worse.
In addition to remaining winless by losing, 42-7, to the Wildcats, the Tigers absorbed a beating which went beyond the scoreboard.
Running back Justin Babb, who rushed for 125 yards and accounted for the offense's first touchdown all season, injured a hamstring in the third quarter attempting to recover a fumble and never returned to the game. Two starting linemen also needed to be helped off the Municipal Stadium field...
READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.
The Savannah State University Coastal Empire Sound Explosion works it out at the Drumline Battle of the Bands on Sunday, September 19, 2010 at Memorial Stadium in Savannah, Ga.
GRAMBLING, LA. — Milton Patterson dropped his head and frowned as he walked into the locker room following Jackson State's 28-21 loss to Grambling State on Saturday night. JSU's starting inside linebacker didn't have an answer for all of those gaping holes in the run defense or for all of those missed tackles.
"Frustrated right now," he mumbled. "I can't even think about it."
Clearly, Patterson was still awestruck by it all - and that's before he saw the statistics. Jackson State allowed 379 rushing yards, the most by an opponent under coach Rick Comegy and defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes' five years at the school. A defense once dubbed the Darkside was anything but Saturday.
GRAMBLING — Grambling State and Jackson State's matchup Saturday lived up to the all the hype of the SWAC rivals' sixth meeting in less than three calendar years. In the end, coach Rod Broadway's Tigers needed a little bit of everything junior defensive back David Stuckman had to offer to hang on for a thrilling 28-21 victory.
Jackson State junior quarterback Casey Therriault spotted Anthony Mayes breaking toward the left side of the end zone as he dropped back on fourth-and-2 from the Grambling 12-yard line with the clock winding down to less than 10 seconds.
GRAMBLING, LA. — High-powered and having fun, quarterback Casey Therriault and Jackson State's Air Raid offense entered Saturday's game at Grambling State overflowing with a confidence that this program hadn't seen in nearly a decade. They left with bruises - the kind that'll take more than a night to fade away.
Behind a stiff rushing attack and a hard-hitting, ball-hawking, blitz-crazy defense, Grambling beat Jackson State 28-21 Saturday night, ending the team's euphoric start to the 2010 season with one pounding of a loss.
Grambling State head coach Rod Broadway wasn't pleased with the way his defense played early in the season opener against Louisiana Tech. However, the Tigers' defense stiffened after the opening quarter at Independence Stadium and has since had what must seem like an eternity to improve.
The Atlanta Football Classic is expected to bring 60,000 visitors and a economic impact of $26 million, according to the Atlanta Visitors and Convention Bureau.
The Georgia Dome will host the Atlanta Football Classic on Sept. 25. Tennessee State will attempt to break its eight-year losing streak to Florida A&M, which has won 11 classics. Just as in the previous games, though, the classic will carry far more meaning than a football game.
"It's about an early come-together before Thanksgiving. It's a family reunion, part one," said Joe Bullard, voice of the Marching 100, Florida A&M's incomparable marching band. (If you're wondering, parts two and three take place at FAMU's homecoming and then at its final game of the year, according to Bullard.) It's a weekend of activities that include a health fair, job fair, college fair and parade.
It was hard to find much positive to take away from Howard's 50-7 loss to Florida A&M on Saturday afternoon at Greene Stadium. The Bison threw an interception, lost a fumble and had a punt blocked - and that was just in the first half. To make matters worse, all three of those miscues led to touchdowns for the Rattlers.
"We didn't play well, didn't play well in any phase - offensively, defensively, special teams," Howard Coach Carey Bailey said. "Was disastrous on all fronts. Was not a good day." Howard (0-3, 0-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) has now lost 10 in a row, dating to last season.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sept. 5, 2009. What a night it was for Florida A&M running back LaVante Page. The kid went out and rushed for over 100 yards and looked powerful doing it, too. About 30 minutes after he had a throng of media members looking for explanations of his explosive runs, Page was lying on the ground in a spot not far from the stadium where he lit up the night.
Page was the victim of a wanton shooting involving some teenagers who were later arrested. Page escaped with his life, but he'll live with the scar on his left arm where a stray bullet hit him. This year, Sept. 5 was much quieter for Page. A dubious anniversary came and went. Page didn't even remember to mark the day. No flashbacks, no nothing.
Tuskegee University has secured a contract with Alabama A&M to play at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in 2012 and 2014, and athletic director Alvin Jackson said he also wants to play in Mobile in 2011 and 2013. The Golden Tigers are eager to establish a presence in the Mobile area beginning with their game against Texas Southern a week from today at 1 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
"We're excited about bringing our program to the Mobile area," said Jackson. "We have the signed contracts with Alabama A&M and are currently in the process of finding an opponent for the 2011 and 2013 seasons. We fully intend to play here those seasons."
Florida A&M, Southern, Grambling and Jackson State are some of the programs named as possible opponents.
Next week's game was initially scheduled to be played in Los Angeles but was moved due to promotional problems. And Jackson made it clear that this game will in no way be similar to the now-defunct Gulf Coast Classic.
READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.
Note to Fans:
Just the 'beepbeep' thoughts on this matter...
The majority of RattlerNation has no interest in watching the Rattlers play Division II football teams. This is not an upgrade for FAMU's program. Clearly athletic director Alvin Jackson is trying to pump up interest in his ball game by name dropping the superior brand of Florida A&M University.
Don't hold your breath expecting FAMU to pass up a $600,000 money game with an FBC school, to play Tuskegee in Mobile. No disrespect to Tuskegee University or the City of Mobile, but FAMU is seeking an FCS National Championship, not an easy "W" that does not help the Rattlers FCS playoff opportunity.
Is this a sign that Tuskegee is considering moving up to Division I? I haven't heard anything on this subject officially... The Rattlers won the first NCAA D1-AA National Championship in 1978 after defeating the University of Massachusetts.
Jackson should consider "renting the Marching 100 for a command appearance" at an attractive price, plus expenses and he will get the butts in the seats that he desire in Mobile.
Braves set tone for 27-9 victory over Mississippi Valley State on special teams.
Chicago, IL - Alcorn State has proved in its first two games that while it's nice to have offense, it's really not necessary for getting in the end zone. The Braves used two early special teams touchdowns to set the pace in their 27-9 victory over Mississippi Valley State (0-3) in the Chicago Football Classic on Saturday at a musically boisterous Soldier Field.
"We saw some flaws in their punt protection and we tried to exploit it, and it ended up working out for us," Alcorn State coach Earnest Collins Jr. said. Saturday's performance came two weeks after Alcorn State (2-0) returned three turnovers for touchdowns in its season-opening victory over Langston. Mississippi Valley State punted on its first possession to Alcorn State receiver Edward Johnson, who returned it for a 70-yard touchdown. Johnson, who scored twice, was named the game's offensive MVP.
Alcorn State gets easy win over MVSU CHICAGO — The Alcorn State defense had all the fun two weeks ago against Langston, scoring three touchdowns. So Saturday against Mississippi Valley State in the Chicago Football Classic, the Braves special teams decided they would get in on the action. Alcorn scored two special teams touchdowns in the first quarter to jump out to an early 14-0 lead and never looked back in a 27-9 victory over the Delta Devils. Alcorn true freshman quarterback Brandon Bridge also had a great game, coming off the bench to throw for 127 yards and a touchdown and rush for another 67 yards.
Edward Johnson scored two touchdowns, including one on a 70-yard punt return, and Alcorn State defeated Mississippi Valley State 27-9. Gabriel Nash added 81 rushing yards and a TD, and the Braves (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) also scored on a blocked punt. The game was played at Soldier Field as part of the annual Chicago Football Classic.
Coming off a big win last week over Benedict, the Kentucky State football team missed their opportunity to start a winning steak on Saturday, falling 41-25 to Morehouse College at B.T Harvey Stadium. Although they racked up 389 yards to Morehouse’s 361, the Thorobreds couldn’t score when it mattered most against the Maroon Tigers, who entered the game 3-0 on the season.
Sophomore quarterback Byron Ingram led an explosive Morehouse passing attack, racking up three touchdowns in the first quarter. Junior Jamar Rodriguez and senior Robert Darby-McNair were on the receiving end of Ingram’s first quarter strikes. Sporting a 20-0 lead, Ingram struck again at the 5:22 mark in the second quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass to junior Derrick Hector.
MOREHOUSE'S 4-0 BEST START SINCE 1935 ATLANTA, GA – Byron Ingram threw for five touchdowns – three of them to Robert Darby-McNair – and Morehouse beat Kentucky State Thorobreds, to go to 4-0 and the best start to a season since 1935.
Ingram, a 6’-5” sophomore from Atlanta, tied the Morehouse single-game record of five touchdown passes, set by Jimmie Davis, also against Kentucky State, in 1987. In contrast to last week’s 49-6 win over Lane, which featured an overwhelming ground game, Saturday’s game showcased the Maroon Tigers’ aerial attack.
Four touchdown passes by Ingram gave Morehouse a comfortable lead, until a one-yard KSU rushing touchdown took the halftime score to 27-7. Ingram completed first-half touchdown passes to Jamar Rodriguez, for 41 yards, Derrick Hector, for four yards, and two to Darby-McNair, for 17 and 55 yards.
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Chris Massey and Asheton Jordan each rushed for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns as South Carolina State routed Benedict 61-20 on Saturday. Massey, a senior, had 20 carries for 148 yards and scored on runs of 11 and 2 yards while Jordan, a sophomore, had 14 carries for 126 yards and scored twice from 2 yards out.
Jordan came into the game averaging 103.3 yards.The Bulldogs (2-1) had their highest scoring total since beating Morgan State 65-15 in 2005. South Carolina State rolled up 415 yards total offense, 371 on the ground, before a record crowd of 13,334 in the HBCU Classic.
COLUMBIA - For a brief moment, all of South Carolina State's worst fears manifested at once Saturday at a sold-out Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
A lethargic showing on the first two series offensively had the Bulldogs backed near their own end zone by Benedict College. The Tigers and fans among the record-13,334 in attendance were further electrified with 6:20 left in the first quarter when Marquez Gibson blocked Blake Erickson's punt and an on-the-spot Domenic Sivera retrieved it in the air at the six before heading for a touchdown. Add sweltering on-field temperatures which had some Bulldog players battling cramps and it was nervous time on the S.C. State sidelines.
The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands visited their director, Edward Graves, at his home on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Prof. Graves is recuperating from surgery, and the surprise visit brightened his day!
A 47-yard field goal by Andrew Lyons with 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter lifted Alabama State to an 18-15 road victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday evening at Blackshear Field.
Leading 12-7 early in the fourth quarter and about to receive another offensive possession, the Panthers gave Alabama State new life after a muffed punt by Prairie View’s Brandon Bell led to an ASU fumble recovery at the PV 23. Four plays later, ASU moved ahead 15-12 on quarterback Devin Dominguez’s 7-yard pass to Nick Andrews at the 10-minute mark. Both teams traded possessions throughout the quarter with the Panther defense making a big stand by stopping the Hornets on 4th-and-1 with 4:29 remaining.
Prairie View took advantage of the stop and managed to tie the game at 15-all on Brady Faggard’s 42-yard field goal attempt with 1:55 left on the clock. Alabama State responded on its ensuing drive and drove 50 yards to set up Lyons’ game-winning field goal.
Rocky Mount, N.C. - Fayetteville State was given every chance to put away Elizabeth City State during the first half of the Down East Viking Football Classic on Saturday at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. But as time continued to tick off the clock and a partisan Elizabeth City State crowd grew restless with some poor play by the Vikings early, hope emerged.
It came in the form of a defense that didn’t let things get out of hand, and when Elizabeth City State’s special teams caught a break, momentum followed in its favor. “We had a few stumbles and falls, but we picked it back up, and that’s what we needed to do,” Elizabeth City State wide receiver Dexter Manley said after his team rallied for a 38-26 victory in the 13th edition of the Classic.
Linda Randall says her daughter, Randi-Lyn, a student at Radford University in southwestern Virginia, is not a "die-hard" follower of the Highlanders sports teams.
