XU gets season sweep of Loyola; 1,000 kills for Reuther

TAYLOR REUTHER

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana survived some second-set blues, and Taylor Reuther reached 1,000 career kills Saturday in its 25-14, 11-25, 25-12, 25-18 women's volleyball victory against

The victory was the 11th in a row for the Gold Nuggets (17-7) -- that extended a school record -- and it was their third in as many matches against the Wolf Pack (8-17) this season. Xavier was 0-11 against its city rival in its previous five seasons.

Reuther's kill during the 10th rally of the second set made her the first XU player to reach 1,000 kills. The Nuggets lost that set, but first-year coach Hannah Lawing's pep talk with her junior captains -- Reuther, Chinedu Echebelem and Moira Kirk -- provided a spark for the remainder of the match.

"We were dwelling on past points if we made an error," Echebelem said. "As captains, we have to stick together and keep the team together. If we make an error, let it go."

Not only did the Nuggets stop dwelling on errors, they also reduced their mistakes and forced Loyola into more. Xavier committed 13 errors in the final two sets after making 21 in the first two. Loyola, meanwhile, made 22 errors in the final two sets, eight more than in the first two.

"We regained our focus," Reuther said, "and played together."

Kirk and Reuther had two kills apiece during an 8-0 run which gave Xavier a 10-2 lead in the third. Claudia Haywood ended the set with a kill of a free ball.

Xavier and Loyola were tied at 14 in the fourth set, but two Wolf Pack errors -- one on a serve, the other on an attack -- and Reuther's free-ball kill put the Nuggets ahead to stay. Alexandria Rencher clinched with her third ace to end Loyola's three-match win streak and put a damper on the Wolf Pack's senior-day celebration.

Kirk had 14 kills, two aces and a block. Reuther (11 kills, 12 digs) and Echebelem (10 kills, 13 digs) both had double-doubles. Jodi Chatters had 10 digs, and Rencher had 40 assists, five digs, a block and a kill. Haywood, the Nuggets' most efficient hitter during the win streak, hit .643 with nine kills and no errors in 14 attacks.

Eva Allen had 10 kills, two aces, a block and six digs for Loyola.

Xavier outhit Loyola .289 to .144 and had advantages of 51-37 in kills, 8-6 in aces and 57-53 in digs.

Reuther finished the day with 1,008 career kills and likely will reach 1,000 career digs soon. She has 952.

"I couldn't have gotten 1,000 kills without my teammates' support," Reuther said. "They were a big part of that."

The contest was the finale of a four-team, four-match tournament co-sponsored by Xavier and Loyola. The Nuggets were the only 2-0 team in the event.

Xavier will play four of its next five at home, beginning with a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match against SUNO at 7 p.m. Monday at the Convocation Center. Xavier (6-0) and SUNO (9-1) have the best records in the GCAC, and the Nuggets are responsible for the Lady Knights' only conference loss.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Virginia State Nips Bowie State 47-44 in Triple Overtime

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Bowie State University football team lost a tough triple overtime game on Saturday afternoon at Rogers Stadium, falling by a score 47-44 to host Virginia State University.

The Bulldogs fall to 2-5 overall on the season and 0-4 in conference play.

The Trojans struck quickly to open the game, scoring the games' first three points on a 38-yard field goal by Shawn Hunt (Newport News, Va.) with 10:46 left in the first quarter.

Virginia State's passing game was on point in the first half of play. A pass interference call with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half, gave the Trojans a first down at the Bulldogs five yard line. Three plays later, Jordan Anderson (Houston, Texas) punched it in from two yards out to give Virginia State a 10-0 advantage.

Bowie State put their first points on the scoreboard with 2:17 left in the second quarter following a 33-yard field goal by junior Mario Diaz-Aviles (Washington, D.C.) to close the deficit to 10-3.

On the ensuing kickoff, Bulldogs redshirt sophomore Nkonyeasua Uwandi (Berwyn Heights, Md.) forced a fumble and senior Dwayne Price (Fort Washington, Md.) recovered the fumble in the end zone. Diaz-Aviles added the extra point to tie the game at 10.

The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game after a 22-yard field goal by Diaz-Aviles to send Bowie State into the homecoming halftime with a 13-10 lead.

Redshirt junior Kendall Jefferson (Temple Hills, Md.) busted up the gut of the Virginia State defense for a 19-yard touchdown run to push the Bulldogs lead to 20-10 with 47.9 seconds left in the third quarter.

With 9:07 left in regulation VSU senior quarterback Justin Thorpe (Henrico, Va.) faked a handoff and rushed for an 11-yard TD run. Hunt added the extra point to trim the BSU lead to 20-17.


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The Trojans regained the lead at 24-20 on a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Anderson at the 4:47 mark of the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Garry Cropper (Odenton, Md.) caught a Johnston screen pass and scampered down the Bowie State sideline for a 24-yard score. It was Cropper's first TD reception of his career.

VSU's Hunt drilled a 37-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to send the Trojans and Bulldogs into overtime tied at 27.

Virginia State (6-1, 4-0 CIAA) went on offense first in overtime and Thorpe connected with Jaivon Smallwood (Virginia Beach, Va.) for a 15-yard pass and catch touchdown.

Bowie State junior Keith Brown (Temple Hills, Md.) rumbled 25 yards on the Bulldogs second play from scrimmage in overtime and the Aviles extra point knotted the score at 35 heading into a second overtime.

Johnston threw it up in the right corner of the VSU end zone and freshman Ricardo Smith (Oxon Hill, Md.) out-jumped the VSU defender for a 13-yard touchdown and a 41-34 Bulldogs lead.

Faced with a fourth and five, Smallwood hung in the pocket, which seemed like an eternity, and ran up the middle for a nine-yard touchdown, sending the game into the third and deciding overtime tied at 41 all.

The Bulldogs went ahead 44-41 in the third overtime following a career-long 40 yard Aviles field goal.

However, the Thorpe/Smallwood duo would close it out for the Trojans on a 24-yard pass and catch to lift Virginia State to a 47-44 victory. This marked the third straight year VSU has beaten BSU in overtime. The 91 points were a new combined high between the two teams.

Bowie State accumulated 336 yards of total offense, while Virginia State had 510 total yards.

Brown led the Bulldogs in rushing with a career-high 175 yards on a career-best 32 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. Redshirt junior tight end Khari Lee (Baltimore, Md.) caught a team-high four passes for 55 yards.

Bulldogs senior quarterback Jared Johnston (Dumfries, Va.) was 12-for-24 in the air for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Kevaugn Townsend (Fort Washington, Md.) led the Bulldogs with 11 tackles. Senior linebacker Antoine Young (Washington, D.C.) had 10 tackles, including one tackle for a loss.

Leading the Virginia State ground and air game was Thorpe with 182 rushing yards and 259 passing yards, completing 20-of-33 passes and two touchdowns.

The top receiver for the Trojans was Smallwood with eight receptions for 131 yards while tight end Gene Holloman (Virginia Beach, Va.) had five catches for 56 yards and one touchdown.

Ronald Lewis (Virginia Beach, Va.) paced the Trojans defense with a team-high 10 tackles. Andre Rawls (Franklin, Va.) had a good afternoon totaling nine tackles to go along with two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, one pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.

The Bulldogs return home to take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University next Saturday, October 26th at 1 pm in Bulldogs Stadium. This game has been designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Day and anyone that wears pink will be admitted for $5. For additional ticket information, visit the official Bulldogs website at www.bsubulldogs.com.

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Hampton, behind freshman QB, downs Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Virginia -- It was bad enough for Norfolk State that its ineffective offense petered out yet again Saturday.

That it happened against Hampton only made things worse.

Freshman Bryan Bailey completed 19 of 27 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown to lift the Pirates to a 27-17 win over NSU in the annual Battle of the Bay at Dick Price Stadium.

The Spartans (2-5, 2-2 MEAC) saw their final two drives end on interceptions thrown by sophomore Omari Timmons, who came off the bench when starter Nico Flores suffered a second-quarter knee injury.

The Pirates (2-5, 2-2 MEAC) won for the second straight time in the series, which dates back to 1963. In a rivalry that features friends and former high school teammates facing off, bragging rights will stay on the other side of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.

View all 11 photos |



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Jackson, White help B-CU rout Savannah State, 48-21

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- Normally, Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins would be irate after his team committed four turnovers.

Normally, he’d be incensed to see his team suffer a letdown in the second half.

 

But Saturday’s 48-21 victory over Savannah State was different. The Wildcats jumped out to a 42-7 halftime lead and then rested their first- and second-string players in the second half.

 

“We played some down-the-line guys,’’ Jenkins said. “We know what we have coming in next week, and we want to be 100 percent healthy. That’s the main thing.’’

 

The victory sets up B-CU’s biggest homecoming game in years. The Wildcats (6-1) will host South Carolina State (5-2) at 4 p.m. next Saturday in a contest that could decide the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship. Both teams are 3-0 in the MEAC, while every other conference team has at least one loss.

 

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Week 8: HBCU Football ScoreCard Finals

SATURDAY, October 19, 2013

CIAA
Chowan 14 at Virginia Union 24 (H)
Winston-Salem State 35 at Saint Augustine's 17
Lincoln (Pa.) 14 at Elizabeth City State 56 (H)
Fayetteville State 35 at Johnson C. Smith 26
Bowie State 44 at Virginia State 47 (H) 3 O.T.
Livingstone 21 at Shaw 45 (H)

SWAC
Alcorn State 20 at Texas Southern 13 (H)
Jackson State 1, Grambling State 0 (H) Forfeit
Mississippi Valley 14 at Prairie View A&M 51 (H)
Southern 29 at Arkansas Pine Bluff 21 (H)
Alabama State (open)
Alabama A&M (open)

OVC
Tennessee State 29 at Tennessee-Martin 15

SIAC
Fort Valley State 0 at #13 Washburn 41, Thursday
Central State (Ohio) 37 at Lane 34 (H)
Morehouse 20 at Albany State (Ga.) 42 (H)
Clark Atlanta 0 at Benedict 24 (H)
Stillman 7 at Tuskegee 35
Kentucky State 17 at Miles 40 (H) TV: Bounce TV

OTHER CONFERENCES & INDEPENDENTS
Millersville 30 at Cheyney 12 (H)
Charleston (WV) 31 at West Virginia State 9
Concordia-Selma 14 at Virginia University Lynchburg 57
Lincoln (Mo.) 14 at Nebraska-Kearney 24
Texas College 8 at Langston 34

MEAC
Hampton 27 at Norfolk State 17( Battle of the Bay)
Delaware State 12 at North Carolina A&T 7
Morgan State 34 at North Carolina Central 22 (H)
Howard 21 at Florida A&M 10 (H)
Savannah State 21 at Bethune-Cookman 48 (Bikers Classic)

BOLD: Winner
(H): Homecoming

ESPN Tim Kenow: Grambling football team not bluffing

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Feel the power of the college athlete. Don't believe a group of young men can unite for a cause, stay together and demand change? We don't know how the administration and football staff at Grambling State would have answered that question before this week, but we definitely know the answer now.

The Grambling football team capped its weeklong protest of conditions within the program by refusing to get on the buses for Jackson, Miss., on Friday afternoon. The game has been canceled, and the Tigers' impressive show of solidarity continues.

It's a remarkable and perhaps unprecedented show of force, and it has raised so many issues – from facilities to transportation to the very purpose of college athletics – that it's difficult to decide where to start. State funding for the school has been cut 57 percent since 2007-08, according to the school's fundraising literature. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and the state legislature have cut $269 million from higher education since 2009, the year Jindal turned down federal stimulus funds. Grambling lost $6 million, causing the school's Office of Finance and Administration to say the school has gone from "state 'funded'" to "state 'assisted.'"

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Grambling State players send letter to Administration

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- Grambling State football players complained of mold and mildew on equipment and in facilities, having to pay for Gatorade out of their own pockets and even said which assistants they thought would make a good interim coach after the firing of Doug Williams in a letter to the administration obtained by ESPN's Pedro Gomez.

On Friday, Grambling State canceled its football game against Jackson State after Grambling's disgruntled players refused to travel to Jackson, Miss., for the game Saturday.

The letter says "there are certain factors that are hindering us from reaching our goals" and then elaborates on many of them.

NEXT VIDEO

• Grambling State Forfeits

  Grambling State Forfeits

  Stephen A. Smith discusses the Grambling State players' decision not to travel and to forfeit their game against Jackson State because of poor facility conditions, travel policies and a tumultuous coaching situation.Tags: Grambling State, Stephen A. Smith, Forfeits
• Grambling State Won't Play Amid Protest

GSU Football Players' Letter (.pdf)

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Golden Bears Buzz: Kentucky State at Miles College

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WHAT: Kentucky State (4-2, 2-1 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) at Miles College (2-3, 2-1)

 

WHEN: Saturday, 4 p.m. 

WHERE: Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium, Fairfield, Ala. 

 

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: There are currently four teams, including KSU, Miles, Stillman and Lane (Tenn.) with one loss in the SIAC West behind Tuskegee, unbeaten in league play at 3-0. Tuskegee hosts Stillman Saturday. Stillman already has a win against KSU and Miles has yet to play Stillman or Tuskegee. So, this game will be huge in what could be a down-to-the-wire race for a spot in the SIAC title game in Atlanta in November. 

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Kentucky State running back Jacquise Lockett. Locket is the best running back in the SIAC and it's not even close. The bruising 6-foot-2, 230-pound junior leads the league in rushing with 728 yards, a number more than 300 better than the league's second-leading rusher, and 12 touchdowns on 104 carries for an average of 121.3 yards per game. 

2. Miles' resolve. The Golden Bears have been up and down in 2013, after going 8-3 and reaching the Division II playoffs for the first time in school history this season. Last week, might've been the low point of the season for Miles when it fell 25-21 on the road at previously winless conference newcomer Central State (Ohio). The Golden Bears can still make a run at a league title but a lot of depends how they rebound against a tough Kentucky State squad. 

 

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Florida A&M Rattlers' roster features a northern flair

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- There is a very good chance that the crowd that shows up for FAMU’s homecoming game on Saturday will hear a few states mentioned over the public address system that might grab their attention.

Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Utah, in particular. Those are the home states of some of the Rattlers who have been contributing lately.

Take a look at the Rattlers’ roster, and the names and home states of the players from up north seem to jump off the page. They are intertwined with more than 60 other players who are mostly from Florida or a nearby state.

Coming from as far north as they have, living in the south took some getting used to. Culture, food and the Southern twang have been the biggest difference they said they’ve had to deal with.

And the weather, too.

“There is no getting used to it,” said junior offensive lineman Ryan Templeton, adding that summertime here is more punishing then he is used to in his hometown Chicago. “You just have to keep pushing yourself.”


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FAMU Rattlers working on offensive identity

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Imagine how Quinn Gray, offensive coordinator for the FAMU football team, must feel at times when he is putting together the weekly game plan for the Rattlers.

Remember, Gray was quarterback in former coach Billy Joe’s potent Gulf Coast offense that emphasized the pass. Now he is working for head coach Earl Holmes, who is a run-first kind of guy.

But Gray and the receiving corps coached by Ernie Mills seemingly are just fine with Holmes’ brand of offense, although it means pass plays are kept to a minimum. Well, unless desperation sets in.

“You have an identity that your head coach wants,” said Gray, who holds FAMU’s career passing record of 7,378 yards. “Once you understand where the program is headed and what the head coach wants, it’s not necessarily hard or frustrating because you’re on the same page and you understand that.”



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Crier delivers on senior day; XU Nuggets win 10th straight

NEW ORLEANS -- Middle blocker Kerris Crier celebrated her senior day by producing eight kills Friday in Xavier University of Louisiana's 25-16, 25-11, 25-16 women's volleyball victory against Avila.

The Gold Nuggets (16-7) extended their school-record win streak to 10. They've won nine in a row at home, also an XU record.

It was the second of two matches at the Convocation Center in a tournament co-hosted by Xavier and Loyola. Mobile defeated Avila 25-13, 25-7, 25-15 in the other match. The tournament will shift to Loyola's facility, The Den, on Saturday. The Wolf Pack will play Avila at 10 a.m. and Xavier at 2 p.m.

Crier -- the first to play four seasons of volleyball at Xavier and the sole survivor among four freshmen who were on the roster when the program resumed in 2010 -- recorded her second-most kills in a match this season and was one short of her career high. She produced half her kills in the second set and ended the match with a kill.

Crier hit .261 in 23 attempts and had a solo block, an assist and four digs. She served flawlessly in 12 attempts. Crier's mother and father attended the match, as did a grandmother, aunt and uncle.

Taylor Reuther had nine kills, seven in the third set, for Xavier. Chinedu Echebelem had eight kills and hit .400, and Claudia Haywood had seven kills and hit .462.

Anna Woods had eight kills, six assists and five digs for Avila (6-18).

After the Eagles' Stephanie Gordon opened the match with a kill, Xavier scored eight of the next nine points and closed the first set on a Reuther kill. Crier, Echebelem and Haywood had two kills apiece in a 16-5 run to open the second set.

Reuther had two kills in a 7-0 run to begin the third set, but Avila answered with seven consecutive points, the last two on kills by Woods. Haywood put Xavier ahead to stay with a kill on the next rally, and the Gold Nuggets led 22-14 after an 8-2 run.

Reuther raised her career total of kills to 997. Haywood continued her hot hitting, surpassing .390 for the sixth time in the last seven matches.

Xavier outhit Avila .262 to minus-.040 -- .365 to minus-.063 in the final two sets -- and had advantages of 41-18 in kills and 71-47 in digs. CeCe Williams had 11 digs for the Nuggets, and Echebelem and Darian Harris had eight apiece.

The Gold Nuggets will try to complete a three-match season sweep of Loyola aft
er losing all 11 of their meetings with their city rival in their previous five seasons. Xavier's next home match will start at 7 p.m. Monday against SUNO.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

Week 8: HBCU Football Schedule and ScoreCard (Update)

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Here are the highlights of week eight as the HBCU conferences move into an exciting homecoming schedule this weekend.

Grambling State University Football Players staged a revolt against its administration and coaches this week, and did not travel to Jackson State for its homecoming.  The game has been ruled a forfeit. The ruling was made following Grambling State's failure to participate in the scheduled match up.  READ MORE

Two MEAC teams remain unbeaten in conference play including Bethune-Cookman (2-0) and South Carolina State (3-0). Bethune-Cookman extends its conference win streak to 15 games with a 27-6 win over Howard. B-CU is No. 2 in the FCS in total defense, allowing just 260.0 ypg. South Carolina State defeated North Carolina Central 44-3 to extend its current win streak to five games. S.C. State ranks in the top five of several FCS defensive categories.  READ MORE

Not only does the OVC feature the No. 1 ranked offense (Eastern Illinois) and defense (Tennessee State) nationally, OVC teams are also excelling on special teams. The OVC has the No. 1 punter in the FCS (Tennessee Tech’s Chad Zinchini is averaging 47.9 yards/ punt), and the No. 1 field goal kicker (Jacksonville State’s Griffin Thomas is averaging 2.3 made field goals/game). READ MORE

Leland Baker of Alabama State registered a game and career high of 17 tackles in Alabama State’s 48-42 overtime victory against Prairie View A&M. Baker is the fifth different ASU defender to earn the award during the last six weeks. With its 26-17 win against Mississippi Valley State, Jackson State (5-0) remains the only unbeaten team in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. Jackson State hosts winless Grambling this week. Jackson State is 5-2 overall.  READ MORE

Winston-Salem State Rams defense is finally gaining some national recognition.  Coach Maynor's defense is ranked No. 1 overall in Division II.  However, the Rams are not happy about still being ranked at #16 in the latest AFCA Division II poll.  WSSU has had five straight blowout wins after a season-opening loss to #10 ranked UNC Pembroke.  READ MORE



SATURDAY, October 19, 2013

CIAA
Chowan at Virginia Union, 1 PM (H)
Winston-Salem State at Saint Augustine's, 1:30 PM
Lincoln (Pa.) at Elizabeth City State, 1:30 PM (H)
Fayetteville State at Johnson C. Smith, 2 PM
Bowie State at Virginia State, 2 PM (H)
Livingstone at Shaw, 2 PM (H)

SWAC
Alcorn State at Texas Southern, 3 PM (H)
Grambling State at Jackson State, 3 PM (H) FORFEIT: JSU 1, GSU 0
Mississippi Valley at Prairie View A&M, 3 PM (H)
Southern at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 3:30 PM (H)
Alabama State (open)
Alabama A&M (open)

OVC
Tennessee State at Tennessee-Martin, 2 PM

SIAC
#13 Washburn 41, Fort Valley State 0, Thursday
Central State (Ohio) at Lane, 2 PM (H)
Morehouse at Albany State (Ga.), 2 PM (H)
Clark Atlanta at Benedict, 2 PM (H)
Stillman at Tuskegee, 2 PM
Kentucky State at Miles, 5 PM (H) TV: Bounce TV

OTHER CONFERENCES & INDEPENDENTS
Millersville at Cheyney,1 PM (H)
Charleston (WV) at West Virginia State, 1 PM
Concordia-Selma at Virginia University Lynchburg 1 PM
Lincoln (Mo.) at Nebraska-Kearney, 2 PM
Texas College at Langston, 4 PM

MEAC
Hampton at Norfolk State ( Battle of the Bay), 1 PM
Delaware State at North Carolina A&T, 1 PM
Morgan State at North Carolina Central, 2 PM (H)
Howard at Florida A&M, 2 PM (H)
Savannah State at Bethune-Cookman, 4 PM (Bikers Classic)

(H): Homecoming

ALL GAMES STARTING TIMES ARE STATED IN THE EASTERN TIME ZONE


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Alabama State Hornets Sports Report 10/18/13

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State fall sports teams continue the winning ways on this week's edition of the Hornet Sports Report.

Women's soccer won the SWAC Eastern Division title for the first time in school history, football ran its winning streak to five, volleyball just keeps on winning, cross country is gearing up for the SWAC Championship, and basketball plays in Late Night Madness.

Enjoy the show, and thanks for watching! Tell a friend to tell a friend to watch the Alabama State University Hornet Sports Report.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Saturday's Game More Than a Homecoming Party for UAPB Golden Lions.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (0-6, 0-4 SWAC)  vs.
Southern Jaguars (3-3, 3-1 SWAC)
Homecoming 2013 at Pine Bluff, Arkansas
2:30 p.m. - Golden Lions StadiumTickets Available Online

The Matchup:
This game doesn't get any bigger for UAPB. The Golden Lions are out of wiggle room at 0-4, but they still have a chance to win the West. However, they will need to win the rest of their games to have a chance after the devastating 41-28 loss to Texas Southern. A loss on Saturday will make it all but impossible for UAPB to make it to the top of the hill.

In contrast, Southern is sitting in first place in the Division, a half game ahead of Prairie View. The Jaguars also have the tiebreaker over PVAM by virtue of a 62-59 overtime win over the Panthers back on Sept. 14. SU has won three of their last four games, including a 20-17 win in overtime over Alabama A&M last weekend.

Series Record:
This is the 61st meeting between the Golden Lions and Jaguars. Southern leads this long series, which dates back to 1923, 43-14-3. The Jaguars won the first five games in the series. UAPB, then Arkansas AM&N, got their first win over Southern in 1935, 8-0. During one stretch between 1947 and 1963, Southern went 17 games without a loss to the Golden Lions. The only game they didn't win was a 7-7 tie in 1951. However, since 2000, the teams have split the last 12 games. UAPB has won the last three in a row, including a 50-21 win last season in Baton Rouge.

The largest margin of victory didn't come in last year's game, that happened in 1953 when Southern won 60-0. There have been three ties and 13 shutouts. Overall, Southern has outscored UAPB 1528-744 in the previous 60 meetings.

The 71 combined points last season was the most scored in a game in the series. The lowest scoring game was an 8-0 win for UAPB in 1935.

Players to Watch
UAPB -(QB) Benjamin Anderson - 109-of-197, 1,416 yards, 7 TDs, 6 INT (236 ypg); 226 yards rushing, 3 TDs (44 ypg)
(RB) Jeremiah Young - 336 yards, 6 TD on 66 carries (56 ypg - Has scored in 5 of 6 games)
(WR) Dezmond Beverly - 23 rec, 298 yards (49.7 ypg)
(WR) Dexter Bryant - 19 rec, 212 yards, 1 TD (35.3 ypg)
(WR) Isaiah Ferguson - 14 rec, 232 yards, 1 TD (46.4 ypg)
(LB) Jer-ryan Harris - 78 tackles (40 solo), 3.0 TFL, 1 QBH (1 fumble return for TD)
(LB) Antonio Jenkins - 62 tackles (39 solo), 4.0 TFL, 2 Breakups, 1 Forced Fumble
SU -
(QB) Dray Joseph - 130-of-205, 1,687 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INT (281.2 ypg)
(RB) Lenard Tillery - 262 yards, 5 TD on 63 carries (65.5 ypg)
(RB) Darrius Coleman - 231 yards on 67 carries (46.2 ypg)
(WR) Lee Doss - 42 rec, 696 yards, 5 TDs (116 ypg)
(WR) Willie Quinn - 29 rec, 383 yards, 4 TDs (63.8 ypg)
(DL) Daniel Brown - 48 tackles (21 solo), 5 TFL, 2 Sacks, 5 QBH, 1 Fumble Rec.
(DB) Omar Cook - 34 tackles (18 solo), 2 INT, 2 breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble rec.



COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

SWAC issues statement Grambling State - Jackson State game

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference has issued an official statement in correlation to the Grambling State - Jackson State football game scheduled for Saturday, October 18.

Per league rules, the game has been ruled a forfeit. The ruling was made following Grambling State's failure to participate in the scheduled match up. 

"It's unfortunate that the game (Grambling State vs. Jackson State) will not be played, but in accordance with the Southwestern Athletic Conference bylaws, the game will be ruled a forfeit charging Grambling State the loss and awarding Jackson State with a win," said SWAC commissioner Duer Sharp. "For Grambling State's failure to compete in a conference contest and in addition to forfeiting the game, they (Grambling State) are subject to a monetary penalty."

According to the current record book, it is the first time a member school within the conference has forfeited a game during the regular season.

Southwestern Athletic Conference

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), established in 1920, is a college athletic conference headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., which is comprised of historically black universities in the Southern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for its 18 sports and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

Press Release 10/18/13

Game Preview: Savannah State at Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  -- Bethune-Cookman (5-1, 2-0 MEAC) is playing its first home game since Sept. 7. It needs to take care of business against Savannah State (1-6, 0-3) to set up its homecoming showdown next week with South Carolina State, the only other undefeated team in the conference.

3 Keys to the Game

 

1. Turnovers

Savannah State has the worst turnover margin in the nation at minus-14. Taking care of the ball and causing turnovers have been B-CU strengths the past three years. B-CU is plus-four this year but turned the ball over three times last week, including its first lost fumble of the season.

 

2. Running wild

The Tigers know the Wildcats want to run — B-CU is 17th in the nation in rushing offense (231.0 ypg) — but containing them is another matter. The Tigers rank 117th (out of 122 teams) in rushing defense (264.7 ypg).

 

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Last week highlights: B-CU vs. DSU...

Game Preview: North Carolina Central vs. Morgan State

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Spoken 4 Communications previews the 2013 Homecoming matchup between the Eagles of North Carolina Central University and the Bears of Morgan State University as play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks chats with head coach Dwayne Foster.

 NCCU and Morgan State meet for the 38th time in program history on Homecoming.

NCCU looks to rebound off the tough loss against SC State this past week and stay in the thick of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) race. Tune in beginning at 1:30 p.m. for the Denny's of Durham Pregame Show as Hooks and Joe Simmons will count listeners down to meeting number 38 between these two programs.

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Grambling University football game vs. Jackson State cancelled, JSU spokesman says

SWAC COMMISSIONER DUER SHARP
Jackson State 1, Grambling State 0.

NEW ORLEANS -- Jackson State announced Friday afternoon that Saturday's SWAC contest with Grambling State has been cancelled. Jackson State spokesman Wesley Peterson said that Grambling officials told them they would not play.

Buses that were to transport Grambling State football players to Jackson, Miss., for Saturday’s SWAC contest against Jackson State sat empty as the prescribed time to depart of 2:30 p.m. Friday came and passed. Several reports from north Louisiana say that the Tigers have elected not to play Saturday.

Monroe News-Star reporter Sean Isabella reported that departure time was pushed back to 3:30 p.m. However, that time passed as well with no players. The buses left the campus empty shortly before 4 p.m.

Grambling spokesman Will Sutton said earlier Friday there will be "no forfeit" in a text to The Associated Press. He said that school officials are meeting to decide the next step.

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READ RELATED:
Grambling State University football forced to forfeit game vs. Jackson State
Jackson State Says Game Vs. Grambling Canceled

 

SI Special: The inside story of what caused Grambling football players to revolt

GRAMBLING, Louisiana - Start with the floor.

Anyone who wants to understand why the players on the 0-7 Grambling State football team revolted this week -- walking out of a Tuesday meeting with the school's president and athletic director and boycotting practice -- should visit the weight room in the school's Stadium Support Building. Then look down.

Covering the concrete floor are large interlocking rubber tiles. They are light gray now but were almost certainly a different shade when they were installed years ago. Many of them curl at the edges or have corners missing, hazards that can cause an unsuspecting player to trip. In some areas, entire tiles are gone, creating a perilous sort of hopscotch. Imagine hoisting 300 pounds while having to watch your step. In a sport where injuries are common enough, the last thing players need are physical hazards in their own weight room. That is how Grambling football players train.

The floor is not the only sign of ...

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Pine Bluff fading after fall from 2012’s lofty perch

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- There is never any shortage of parity in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and a prime example lies in Pine Bluff, Ark.

The Heritage Sports Radio Network’s poll named Arkansas-Pine Bluff its historically black Football Championship Subdivision national champion last season following a 10-2 year in which the Golden Lions beat Jackson State 24-21 in the SWAC title game. Subsequently, UAPB was the preseason favorite to win the conference’s Western Division in 2013.

Yet Pine Bluff enters Saturday’s contest against Southern winless in conference play at 0-4 and in search of its first victory of the season at 0-6.

The year started off rocky: Just before kickoff of the season opener, coach Monte Coleman learned he would be without at least 13 players because to eligibility concerns, including preseason first-team running back Justin Billings.

When the Jaguars travel to Pine Bluff on Saturday, the Golden Lions will be without multiple starters.



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Winston Named GSU's Interim Head Football Coach

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling State University defensive coach Dennis “Dirt” Winston has been named interim head coach of the G-Men, effective today.

Winston joined the GSU family in 2012 after working at Arkansas-Pine Bluff as the school’s defensive line coach since 2010. He immediately implemented a closed practice so he and his coaches could work with the football team after a frustrating two days filled with concerns and emotions.

“We are blessed to have a coach with the type of background and experience like Dirt on staff already and ready to go,” said GSU President Frank G. Pogue. “There’s no question we’re having a difficult season, but I’m certain that Winston will get our young men focused on what they need to do to beat Jackson State University this weekend and to bring some other wins the balance of the season.”

“I’ve known Dirt a long time, and I can’t think of a better choice,” added Aaron James, the university’s athletic director. “He can tone things down and get the program up and running smoothly while empowering our football players to be successful.”

Winston coached at Grambling State from 1992-1994 and from 1995-1997. He was an assistant coach at Arkansas (1997-98), Norfolk State (1994-95) and Arkansas State (1989-91). Winston was an assistant for the Toledo Rockets (MAC) for four seasons, coaching linebackers from 2001-02 and the defensive line two seasons. Winston left Toldeo to join the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League coaching staff in 2005, coaching the defensive line.

During his playing days Winston played linebacker at the University of Arkansas from 1973-76, and was selected to the Razorbacks’ All-Century Team in 1994. He was drafted by the Steelers in the fifth round of the NFL draft in 1977.

He played eight seasons with the Steelers (1977-81, 1985-87), including Super Bowl victories in 1978 and 1979. He also played three seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 1982-84.

Interim head coach and running backs coach George Ragsdale has been reassigned in the athletic department. “Rags is an amazing person and we’re happy to have him on our team,” said Pogue. “We thank him for helping us these last few weeks, and we know he’ll help us in other ways.”

By Will Sutton, GSU MEDIA RELATIONS

Grumblings at Grambling cause player walkout, coaching change

Grumblings at Grambling State after player walkout and another coaching change.Now the question is ...

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Jackson State’s homecoming bout with Grambling State will be played as scheduled.

For a while, there was nearly something missing.

An opponent.

Jackson State and Grambling State spokesmen confirmed to The Clarion-Ledger on Thursday that GSU would make the trip to Jackson for Saturday’s SWAC game, and the team will leave today.

“We’re going to play football on Saturday,” JSU spokesperson Eric Stringfellow said.

But the Grambling State players might have something to say about that..

Following a two-day player mutiny, Grambling State interim coach George Ragsdale was removed as coach and reassigned in the athletic department. Defensive coordinator Dennis Winston was named the new GSU coach later on Thursday, making him program’s third coach of the season. Doug Williams was fired on Sept. 11.

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Grambling State coach out after second player practice boycott

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- For the second consecutive day Thursday, Grambling players boycotted football practice. And about the same time that practice was scheduled to be under way, the school announced that interim head coach George Ragsdale had been reassigned within the athletics department.

School spokesman Will Sutton also said defensive coordinator Dennis "Dirt" Winston would replace Ragsdale as interim head coach.

PREVIOUSLY: Grambling State players boycott practice

"Ragsdale has been reassigned and to go in another direction at this time, and he'll be helping in other ways," Sutton said.

Winston is Grambling's third coach in five weeks, as Ragsdale ends his short tenure at Grambling with a 0-5 record. He took over for Doug Williams after the legendary coach and former player was fired Sept. 11.

Jackson State spokesman Dennis Stringfellow told The (Jackson, MiClarion-Ledger on Thursday afternoon ...

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‘Unconscious bias’ led to police shooting of ex-FAMU football player in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- A former Florida A&M football player fatally shot by police in Charlotte, North Carolina, was clearly seeking help after a car wreck — and video from the squad car’s dashboard camera will prove it, an attorney for the man’s family said Wednesday.

Officer Randall Kerrick shot the unarmed Jonathan Ferrell, 24, last month after a woman — home alone with her 1-year-old child — called 911 and reported that someone was trying to break down her front door.

Ferrell had wrecked his car down the street and had simply gone to the nearest home seeking help, family attorney Chris Chestnut said.

“I completely understand her situation. She’s at home by herself, 2 in the morning, with a baby. I completely understand that she was frightened,” Chestnut said. “But had she taken the time to just speak through the door and find out what was going on, rather than say, ‘He’s trying to rob me’ or ‘He’s trying to beat down the door,’ I think she would’ve had a different understanding.”

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TSU Tigers Hold Big Blue Madness

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- On Thursday night, the Tennessee State men’s and women’s basketball teams held “Big Blue Madness” in Kean Hall.

 

The Lady Tigers were introduced first in front of the 800-plus crowd and performed a dance from Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time”. The men came out next and did their best rendition of New Edition’s “If it isn’t Love” to the delight of Big Blue students and supporters.

(COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE ATHLETICS)

The first event of the night was the shooting competition where the team of Jordan Gaither and Brianna Lawrence edged Jacquan Nobles and Chelsea Hudson in the championship round for the crown.

In the dunk contest, five-foot-ten guard Jay Harris brought the house down with a two-handed slam in which he leaped over Gaither. The junior received perfect marks from the five judges that included Tennessee Titans Chris Johnson and Kendall Wright.

The Lady Tigers scrimmaged following the high-flying throw downs and the Blue squad defeated the Gray team, 22-20. Shekinah Gibson led the winning effort with six points in 12 minutes.

During the men’s contest, Jaleel Queary poured in six points as the Blue team beat the White side, 30-26.

The festivities will continue Friday at 4 p.m. when the men’s team host the “Blue and White Scrimmage” in the Gentry Center. The game will be professionally officiated using the NCAA’s new rules and regulations. Admission is free.

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