Tennessee State Tigers Set Sights on Tenn.-Martin Skyhawks

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE ATHLETICS

GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE | LISTEN LIVE 

 

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Coming off of arguably the biggest win of the head coach Rod Reed-era, the Tennessee State football team looks to keep its winning streak intact when the squad travels to Martin, Tenn. for a 1 p.m. meeting with the Skyhawks.

 

TSU (6-1, 3-0 OVC) defeated Jacksonville State, 31-15, for the second time in school history on Saturday for its sixth straight victory.

 

In that contest, the No. 1 ranked Big Blue defense stole the show with a herculean effort that included halting the Ohio Valley Conference’s top rushing offense to a measly 21 yards. The Gamecocks even had problems getting the ball past the line of scrimmage, as TSU recorded a season-best 14 tackles for loss, five of which were quarterback sacks.

 

JSU’s inability to move the ball on the ground forced the offense to resort to going through the air, but the Tigers eventually stopped that too. Junior safety Daniel Fitzpatrick recorded his team-leading fourth interception in the fourth quarter and redshirt sophomore Bernell Brooks iced the game with another pick a few plays later.

 

TSU has the third-most interception in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) with 12. The Tigers are sixth nationally in takeaways with 18.

 

While the defense was taking JSU’s ground game away, the Tiger offense was running the ball very efficiently. Tim Broughton gained a career-high 190 yards on 26 carries including one of 39 yards in the first quarter that jumpstarted a previously stagnate Tiger attack.

 

With his breakout performance in the biggest game of his collegiate career, Broughton moved into first place on the OVC rushing list with 739 yards. The senior is averaging an impressive 5.6 yards per carry and 105.6 yards per game.

 

Redshirt sophomore Telvin Hooks has also helped out in the rushing department, and with his 56 yards in Jacksonville is now fifth in the conference with 437 yards.

 

The winner of this Saturday’s contest against UT Martin (4-2, 2-1 OVC) could end up being the team that runs the ball the best.

 

Skyhawk ball carrier D.J. McNeal is the only other player in the nine-team league to average more yards per game than Broughton (112.5). Both McNeal and Broughton have 131 attempts on the season and McNeal has nearly matched Broughton’s output (5.2 yards per carry).

 

UT Martin also has Dylan Favre manning the quarterback position and the nephew of the NFL-great Brett has thrown for 792 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

 

Senior defensive back Camaren Harris had nine tackles, three pass breakups and a key second half interception in the Skyhawks’ 28-17 win over Tennessee Tech. Tony Bell added a team-best 10 stops to go along with a pair of sacks. Overall the UTM defense tied or set season-highs with nine tackles-for-loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.

 

TSU is 15-7 all-time against UT Martin, but just 1-4 in the last five contests.

 

The game will be pivotal in the race for the Sgt. York Trophy, given to the team with the highest head-to-head winning percentage between TSU, UT Martin, Austin Peay and Tennessee Tech.

 

TSU won the Sgt. York in 2007, 2008, 2011 and again last season.

 

    Game Notes

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Washburn Defense Keys Win Over Fort Valley State

FORT VALLY STATE WILDCATS AT #13 WASHBURN UNIVERSITY
(COURTESY: WASHBURN ATHLETICS)

TOPEKA, Kansas -- The No. 13 Washburn Ichabods held the visiting Fort Valley State Wildcats to 26 rushing yards and 141 total yards in a 41-0 win as they improved to 7-0 on the season Thursday night in Yager Stadium. Washburn will return to action on Oct. 26 when they will face Lindenwood in MIAA action at 1 p.m. for Washburn's homecoming festivities.

Washburn jumped on the board first after taking advantage of the Wildcats' (2-5) on special teams when Jeremy Carlisle blocked a punt which Ryan Macken recovered at the Fort Valley 2-yard line. Washburn needed only one play as Vershon Moore picked up the first score of the game putting the Ichabods up 7-0.

After the teams traded punts, Washburn again took advantage of a miscue on a punt when the snapped was fumbled and Washburn took over at the Wildcat 18. Washburn could not convert the drive in to a touchdown, but Justin Linn hit a 37-yard field goal staking the Ichabods to a 10-0 with 3:46 left to play in the first quarter.

Washburn scored on the first play of the second quarter when Mitch Buhler connected with Mark Kolmer for a 27-yard touchdown pass.

Washburn stretched the lead to 20-0 when Linn hit his second 50-yard field goal of the season with 9:20 left in the first half to end the scoring in the first half.

The Ichabods took the second half kickoff and marched 75 yards on six plays as Buhler hit Matt Kobbeman on a 34-yard touchdown pass putting the Ichabods up 27-0. Neither team would score again until Cody Heiman rushed for the first of his two touchdowns on the ground with 3:16 left in the third quarter.

After a fumble by the Wildcats on their next drive, Heiman scored from 12 yards out with 1:29 remaining putting Washburn up 41-0 to finish out the scoring as neither team would put any points on the board in the fourth quarter.

The shutout for the Ichabods was the first since topping Emporia State 42-0 on Nov. 6, 2010 - a streak of 31 games.

The defense held the Wildcats to 141 total yards overall with 115 passing and 26 on the ground. Fort Valley State averaged 0.7 yards per carry on 38 attempts.

Bryce Atagi led the Ichabod defense with eight tackles including three solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss for 25 yards adding a sack for 14 yards with an interception, two pass break ups and a fumble recovery playing early into the fourth quarter. Isaac Wright had seven tackles and Akhmad Abdul-Razzaq had seven as well. Willie Williams added an interception as well.

Offensively Washburn had 115 yards on the ground with Moore finishing with 49 yards on 16 carries and Heiman had 38 yards on eight carries and the two scores. Mitch Buhler finished 13 of 25 with two touchdowns and 190 passing yards ending play at the end of the third quarter. Kobbeman had five catches for 87 yards and a score.

Box Score

FROM WASHBURN UNIVERSITY PRESS RELEASE

NSU Spartans Host Hampton for State Farm Battle of the Bay this Saturday

Game Notes | Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats | Twitter Updates

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Long-time rivals Norfolk State and Hampton do battle for the 51st time on the gridiron this Saturday in the State Farm Battle of the Bay. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium. Both teams are looking to remain in the upper echelon of the MEAC standings by avoiding a second conference loss. Saturday's game is also Breast Cancer Awareness Day.


WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS

 NSU had its two-game winning streak snapped and fell to 2-4 overall, 2-1 in MEAC play in a 14-7 loss at Delaware State last Saturday. The Spartans were held to 184 yards of total offense in a rainsoaked contest. The Spartans couldn't overcome five turnovers, including a Davon Moore interception of backup quarterback Nico Flores with 21 seconds left at the Hornets' 9-yard line. The Spartans intercepted DSU quarterback Cory Murphy three times in the first half and got a 14-yard TD pass from Tyler Clark to Derrick Demps to take a 7-0 lead into the half. But an NSU fumble led to the tying touchdown for the Hornets in the third quarter. Murphy then scored on a 1-yard run with 5:25 left in the fourth for the go-ahead score, capping an 18-play drive which took 8:42 off the clock.

Linebacker Brent Singleton led a game defensive effort with 11 tackles and one interception. Running back Rolandan Finch ran for 46 yards at DSU and continues to lead the MEAC with 449 yards (74.2 ypg). Sophomore linebacker Deon King is tied for the MEAC lead in both tackles for loss (11.5) and sacks (7.5).

SCOUTING THE PIRATES

 Hampton (1-5, 1-1 MEAC) won its first ballgame of the year and snapped a five-game losing streak to start the year with a 31-26 homecoming win over North Carolina A&T last Saturday in Hampton, Va. Redshirt freshman Bryan Bailey threw three touchdown passes for the Pirates, and Aaron Matthews returned one of three N.C. A&T interceptions 19 yards for a score in a 28-point Hampton first half. The Pirates overcame a 419-246 deficit in total yardage to earn the win. Bailey is one of three Pirates to see time under center this year, along with sophomores Jaylian Williamson and Brian Swain. Hampton has struggled to score this year, scoring just over 16 points per game. But return man/receiver Jorrian Washington (98.3 ypg) and receiver/running back Antwon Chisholm (90.5 ypg) both rank in the MEAC's top five in all-purpose yards per game. Chisholm has also caught four touchdown passes this year.

THE SERIES

• NSU leads the all-time series with Hampton, 25-24-1.
• The home team has won the last seven meetings in the series dating to Hampton's 55-14 win at Dick Price Stadium in 2005.
• NSU is 12-12-1 at home against Hampton.
• The last three meetings have been decided by 14 points or fewer.

MEDIA COVERAGE

• Radio: NSU Sports Network, 1490 AM The Game/WNSB Hot 91.1 FM
(Play-by-Play: Ross Gordon; Color: Maguell Davis; Pre-Game: Gordon, Davis and Matt Michalec)
• Live Video: www.nsuspartans.com/showcase (Subscription required)
• Live Statistics: www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/football
• Audio Stream: www.nsuspartans.com (click "Live Audio" link under Inside Athletics tab)
• Twitter Updates: @NSUSpartans

QUICK HITS FROM DELAWARE STATE

 More news and notes from the loss to Delaware State last week:
• The Spartans had a season-low 19 rushing yards and their 184-yard output was their second-lowest of the year (133 at Rutgers).
• NSU also had a season-high five turnovers.
• The Spartans picked off a season-best three passes, one each by Brent Singleton, Darrin Marrow and Collin Frazer. That extended NSU's string of picking off at least one pass in nine straight games.
• Singleton had a season-high 11 tackles, and DL George Riddick had a career-high nine stops.
• Derrick Demps caught his first TD pass of the year, a 14-yarder in the second quarter.
• Punter Dalton Fraser averaged 44 yards on his five punts, his best average in a game this year. He also hit a season-long 65-yarder in the first quarter.
• TE Joseph Hawkins had a season-high 68 receiving yards on his five catches.
• RB Rolandan Finch had a season-high six catches to lead the team.
• WRs James Church and DeAndre Sangster made their first career starts.

KING'S COURT

While teammate Lynden Trail has gotten a lot of the preseason attention as one of the defense's top playmakers, sophomore (and fi rst-year starter) Deon King has emerged as a playmaker. King starts at the outside linebacker spot opposite Trail and is second on the team with 47 tackles so far. King has a team-high 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, both of which are tied for first in the MEAC.  He is second nationally in sacks per game and fifth in tackles for loss. He had three sacks against Savannah State two weeks ago to earn honorable mention defensive line performer of the week honors from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA). King, from Reston, Va., worked with the second unit last year behind senior starters Terrence Pugh and Jamal Giddens. He made the most of his playing time - of his 19 tackles, five were for a loss, including two sacks. He also returned an interception 15 yards for a TD against Morgan State.



By Matt Michalec, Asst. AD/Communications
COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: NSUSPARTANS.COM
VISIT:NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY

Southern University Women's Basketball tabbed as SWAC favorite

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Southern University was selected topped the 2013-14 Southwestern Athletic Conference women's basketball preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The announcement was made by the Southwestern Athletic Conference on Wednesday, October 16, during its annual media teleconference.

Southern tallied 145 points, including six first-place votes, while Prairie View A&M was selected to finish second collected 136 points.

Texas Southern tacked on 131 points with five first-place votes for a predicted third-place finish followed by Mississippi Valley State with 126 points to finish fourth receiving five votes for first.

The remaining rankings on the poll include: Grambling State (115 points), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (95 points), Alabama State (93 points), Jackson State (92 points), Alabama A&M (88 points) and Alcorn State (50 with one first-place vote).

Despite sprinting out to a stellar 10-1 SWAC record, Southern faltered during the latter half of the season losing six of their final eights games, including a 63-58 quarterfinal loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the 2013 SWAC Tournament.

Southern opens the 2013-14 season with an exhibition matchup against Dillard Nov. 1 in the F.G. Clark Activity Center at 5:30 p.m. The 2013-14 home opener is set for Nov. 8 when the Jaguars host Southeastern Louisiana at 5:30 p.m.

2013-2014 SWAC Women's Basketball Predicted Order of Finish
(Selected by SWAC Head Basketball Coaches and SID's)

Team	Points (First Place Votes)
1. Southern	145 (6)
2. Prairie View A&M	136 (2)
3. Texas Southern	131 (5)
4. Mississippi Valley State	126 (5)
5. Grambling State	115
6. Arkansas-Pine Bluff	95
7. Alabama State	93
8. Jackson State	92
9. Alabama A&M	88
10. Alcorn State	50 (1)

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

FVSU battles travel before ranked opponent, Washburn

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  -- Fort Valley State rode more than 500 miles last week to take on Kentucky State.

The Wildcats were nice homecoming guests in losing 17-11 with top-20 Washburn on the road next on the schedule, so FVSU needed a superb week of practice in hopes of regrouping.

The problems? The game is Thursday, and it’s in Topeka, Kansas. All of a sudden, a bus ride to Frankfort isn’t so bad.

As a season with potential possibly spirals out of control, FVSU left Tuesday for the drive of nearly 1,000 miles through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri before finally arriving to take on the 13th-ranked Ichabods on Thursday night. It’s the shortest of weeks for the Wildcats, who fell to 2-4 overall and 2-2 in SIAC play last week.

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Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2013/10/16/2723064/fvsu-battles-travel-before-ranked.html#storylink=cpy

Paine Baseball to Hold Press Conference/Purple and White Game

COURTESY PAINE COLLEGE ATHLETICS

AUGUSTA, Georgia  -- Paine College head baseball coach Kerby Marshall will host a press conference in the HEAL Complex Conference Room this Friday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. to announce details regarding the 2014 Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) All-Star Game, the Bobby Bonds Symposium, guest attendees and former MLB players involved.

MJBL Executive Director William Forrester, Jr., former Major League ball player Mookie Wilson (Mets, Blue Jays), MJBL Commissioner Fred Plump, Jimmy Williams and Richard Lee are all tentatively scheduled to attend the press conference.

MJBL is a 47-year-old non-profit organization established during the days of segregation when there were limited opportunities for African-American youngsters to play baseball. Today, the league provides baseball, educational and cultural enrichment opportunities to primarily African American youth across the country with teams in 20 states, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

To add to this weekend's festivities, on Sunday, Oct. 20 Coach Marshall and his staff will host the Purple and White Game, the annual end to Paine College baseball's fall workouts. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

About MJBL The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League, Inc. (MJBL) is a non-profit organization that was founded in Richmond, Virginia in 1966. In 1991, MJBL launched its Inner City Classic in Columbia, SC. It was designed to provide urban youth the opportunity to travel to other cities, compete in the game of baseball and to be exposed to diverse cultures. It has since grown to become a national network with teams throughout the United States and the Caribbean. MJBL Virginia welcomes you to read more about how our organization is helping to make a difference in the lives of others and how we are helping to bring baseball back to the inner city.

COURTESY PAINE COLLEGE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

SWAC Hoops Teleconference - Sandy Pugh, Southern University

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Listen to the GoJagSports.com Audio Replay exclusive of head women's basketball coach Sandy Pugh as she previews the 2013-14 season during Wednesday's SWAC Basketball Media Teleconference.

Southern University was selected to finish first in the 2013-14 Southwestern Athletic Conference women's basketball preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

CLICK LINK: 2013 SWAC Hoops Teleconference-Sandy Pugh

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Big Blue Madness set for Thursday in Kean Hall

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State University men and women's basketball teams will hold Big Blue Madness on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in Kean Hall.

 

Fans will get an opportunity to meet the 2013-14 Tiger and Lady Tiger basketball teams as well as the members of the coaching staff.

 

The event will feature a three-point contest, skills challenge, dunk contest and a 'Blue and White' scrimmage for each team. There will be live music as well as performances from the Cheerleaders and Tiger Gems.

 

Throughout the night, there will also be giveaways and promotions. Fans will also have an opportunity to pick up an autographed copy of this year’s team poster.

 

Admission to the event is free.

 

Follow tsutigers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube.

 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU defense finally gaining some recognition

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Winston-Salem State’s defense is ranked No. 1 overall in Division II, but the news brings just a shrug and slight smile from senior linebacker Daniel Mungin.

"Somebody told me that this morning and that’s a great accomplishment and a goal we had four ourselves, but we still have a ways to go,” Mungin said. “It doesn’t hold too much weight right now because we haven’t won anything yet.”

Defensive coordinator Kienus Boulware and Coach Connell Maynor, upon hearing what Mungin said, nodded their heads.

"That shows you that Mungin has been listening to what we preach around here,” Maynor said. “Stats don’t matter, rankings don’t matter, and individual weekly awards don’t matter. It’s all about the W.”

The Rams lead all Division II teams in total defense with just 221.7 yards a game allowed, and the No. 1 ranking in the category is a first in Maynor’s four seasons. Making the accomplishment more ...

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Southern U. Men's Basketball slated to finish second in SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  One season after claiming the league's postseason tournament and falling to 64-58 to Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament, Southern men's basketball fell five votes shy of being selected to finish first in the conference.

Texas Southern University was picked to win the 2013-14 Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball title in a preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The announcement was made by the SWAC during its annual media teleconference on Wednesday, October 16.

The Tigers, last year’s SWAC regular season champions, earned 171 points, including 10 first-place votes, while Southern was selected to finish second accumulating 167 points and nine first-place votes. Arkansas-Pine Bluff picked up 132 points for a predicted third-place finish followed by Prairie View with 118 points to tally fourth.

Rounding out the poll includes: Jackson State (99 points), Alabama A&M (95 points - two first-place vote), Alabama State (93 points), Alcorn State (70 points), Mississippi Valley State (65 points) and Grambling State (34 points).

Southern's non-conference schedule has received a considerable upgrade thanks to road games at Marquette, Florida, Arizona and Baylor and home dates against Tulane and Arkansas-Little Rock.

The Jaguars will also be featured in five television broadcasts over two networks including ESPNU (Jan. 6 at Texas Southern; Feb. 17 vs. Mississippi Valley) and Cox Sports (Jan. 25 vs. Alabama A&M; Jan. 27 vs. Alabama State; March 8 vs. Texas Southern.

2013 SWAC Hoops Teleconference-Roman Banks

 

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Tennessee State Tigers Rally to Stun Memphis in Five Set Thriller

MEMPHIS, Tennessee  --  On a night where it seemed nothing would go right, the Tigers turned it around at the halftime break to post numerous season and career highs; in a monumental win over Memphis.

 

Tennessee State (6-11, 2-4) was led by junior Naomi Wells, who continued her hot streak after earning the OVC Offensive Player of the Week award. The outside hitter posted her seventh double-double of the season, with 19 kills and 19 digs. Junior Sherryce Butler also posted a double-double, picking up 12 kills and 10 block assists. Butler’s 10 block assists marked a career high for the Lexington, Ky. native.

 

Butler and Wells both posted a career high in attacks with 49 and 73 respectively. Freshman Arijana Anderson also posted a career high in attacks with 49 connecting for thirteen kills.

Senior setter Erika Moss continued her stellar play for the Tigers with 47 assists and 21 digs to give TSU its third double-double of the game.

 

The fifth set began with Memphis (9-10) taking the early 1-0 advantage; both teams traded points with Memphis regaining the lead, 4-3. TSU used a 3-0 run to take their first lead of the decisive fifth set, 6-4. Memphis answered with a 3-0 blitz of their own to grab the lead back at 7-6. Two straight points from Tennessee State gave the road warriors an 8-7 lead at the switch, after a junior Taylor Swayer Kill.

 

Memphis equalized the score at nine off of an attack error. Tennessee State used a 3-0 span to grab a controlling, 12-9 lead, highlighted by a service ace from junior Jamie Cooper. Memphis countered with two straight kills forcing TSU to call a timeout, leading 12-11.

 

The timeout gave the Tigers the jolt they needed, with TSU answering with two straight Arijana Anderson kills and putting TSU within one point of claiming the match at 14-12. The next play, Naomi Wells came up with a huge block to give Tennessee State the huge non-conference win, 3-2.

 

In the first set Memphis took an early 7-4 lead capitalizing on Tennessee State miscues. TSU battled back to stay in the match trading points in the early goings. Tennessee State cut the Memphis lead to just one at 15-14 with a Butler and Wells combo block.

 

Memphis’ lead swelled back up to three at 19-16, two straight TSU points trimmed the lead back down to one. Memphis closed on a 6-2 run to take the opening set, 25-21. Butler finished the set with three kills and two blocks.

 

Memphis began the second set where it left off in the first opening with a 5-2 run to take the lead early. Tennessee State cut the lead to a single point four times, the latest coming at 12-11. A block from Anderson and Butler gave the match its first tie of the night at 12-12. Butler followed up her block with a kill on the next point giving Tennessee State its first lead of the match.

 

The two teams traded the lead knotting the score on nine different occasions.  Tennessee State took the lead, 22-21, after a Wells kill. Memphis followed up the kill with a timeout to regroup. After the timeout Memphis rattled off three straight points, moving just one point away, 24-22, from taking the second set.

 

Tennessee State used a timeout of their own after the rally, but Memphis closed out the set on the following point, 25-22. The set was highlighted by a four kill performance from Wells that included a service ace.

 

The Tigers opened up the third set on a tear taking the early 7-3 lead aided by two kills apiece from Butler and Wells. Memphis raced back with a 5-0 run to regain the lead, 8-7. The Memphis lead would swell to as many as six, 21-15.

 

Tennessee State wouldn’t go down without rallying with a 7-0 run to take the lead, 22-21, with Naomi Wells tallying four kills in the span. Both teams battled to tie the match at 25 all. The Tigers would take the next two points to win the set and cut into Memphis lead, 2-1.

                                                                        

Memphis grabbed the early 10-7 lead in the third stanza. Coach Kathy Roulhac’s team clawed its way back in to the match knotted the set at 11 with back-to-back kills from Anderson. Butler followed up with two points of her own off of a kill and a block. The 4-0 run from Tennessee State resulted in a Memphis timeout. Out of the stop in action Memphis connected on consecutive points to even the score at 13 all.

 

Both TSU and Memphis would trade points out after the home team tied the score. An attack error by Memphis gave Tennessee State a two point lead, 21-19, late. The American Conference team would level the score at 23. Memphis connected on the next point closing within one point of taking the set. TSU used a timeout to rally the troops and the Tigers answered with three straight points to take the set, including two from Wells on a block and a kill.

 

TSU returns to action with a pair of home OVC contests this weekend beginning Friday against UT Martin at 7 p.m. The Tigers close out the weekend against Southeast Missouri on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets set school record with ninth consecutive victory

Taylor Reuther

NEW ORLEANS -- Taylor Reuther had 16 kills and 17 digs, and Moira Kirk had 15 kills and six blocks Tuesday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana in a 26-24, 25-13, 21-25, 25-15 women's volleyball victory against Mobile.

The Gold Nuggets (15-7) set a school record with their ninth consecutive victory and defeated the Lady Rams (15-11) for the second time in three matches this season.

Reuther was one of three Nuggets with double-doubles. Chinedu Echebelem had 11 kills and 12 digs, and Franziska Pirkl had 43 assists and 13 digs. Claudia Haywood hit .563 with nine kills and a season-high six blocks, and CeCe Williiams had a season-best 17 digs.

Bailey Nations and Maegan Wilkins had 12 kills apiece for Mobile. Nicole Armstrong had 15 digs and Katy McCollister 14.

Kills by Kirk and Jodi Hill clinched the first set for Xavier after trailing 19-16. The Gold Nuggets hit .571 and got six kills in seven attacks from Kirk during the second set, and the Nuggets used a 9-1 run to take control of the fourth set. Pirkl's kill ended the match.

Xavier had a pair of eight-match win streaks in 2011 and tied that mark Saturday. The Gold Nuggets also extended their school-record home win streak to eight. They are 4-0 in their first season at the Convocation Center.

Reuther reached double figures in kills for the eighth consecutive match, a career best, and recorded her fourth straight double-double. Kirk reached double-figure kills for a season-best third consecutive time.

Xavier outhit Mobile .286 to .098 and had advantages of 59-47 in kills, 81-63 in digs and 13-6 in blocks. The Nuggets' block total was a season best. Mobile had a 6-2 advantage in aces, with Nations and Armstrong serving two apiece.

"We started off strong right away," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "Our passers took care of the ball in serve receive, giving our middles the ability to side out quickly. Fran (Pirkl) made really great decisions with her sets, getting our hitters one-on-one with the block a lot.

"Our middles did an unbelievable job closing the block and keeping utmost pressure on Mobile's hitters. The team was very consistent with their energy and effort and really showed everyone tonight that they wanted that win."

Xavier will play Avila at 6 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center as part of a two-site tournament hosted by Xavier and Loyola. Mobile will play Avila at 2 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center.

Box Score

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

Florida A&M Rattlers Can Still Have Successful Season

Howard University vs. Florida A&M University

October 19, 2013
2:00 P.M. EST
Bragg Memorial Stadium
Radio: 96.1 FM; Internet: Rattler Vision

Dwight Floyd
thesportsedit.org

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- No, this isn’t a joke! Should FAMU win each of its last six games, including BCU, they will automatically be in the playoffs. Yes, it sounds like hope without realism, but isn’t that what sports is about most of the time anyway? When the Florida Gators played the LSU Tigers this past weekend they saw opportunity even though there wasn’t an expectation they would be able to compete. LSU won 17-6. If you are a true gator fan you would say last Saturday’s game was close, LSU just had a little more experience and depth.

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Two-Team or Multiple-Team Tie – If the tied teams played each other, head-to-head competition will be used to determine the representative. Other methods will be used if this first option is not available.

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Anyone who viewed FAMU’s September schedule ahead of the season knew it was going to be seriously tough; and it was. In October, FAMU is 1-1, as capable as anyone in the conference to win an automatic bid. In that regard the schedule favors them. Besides South Carolina State and Bethune Cookman no other team in the MEAC stands a chance of going undefeated in conference play. The rest of the teams with a one loss record in conference play will have to win out and hope that Bethune Cookman and South Carolina State loses a game or two. Having BCU and South Carolina State on its schedule FAMU stands the best chance mathematically of sending other teams into the Also Ran category and taking first place.

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Kirk is GCAC Player of Week for second time this season

Moira Kirk

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Moira Kirk, who starred in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball road victories against SUNO and Philander Smith, is the GCAC Player of the Week for Oct. 7-13.

It's the second time this season that Kirk won the award and the fourth time in her career. She is the first XU player to win the award twice this season.

Kirk, a 5-foot-9 junior middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, had 10 kills and nine blocks — one less than her career best — against SUNO to help Xavier take sole possession of first place in the conference. Then she had 10 kills, three blocks and hit a season-high .643 in 14 attempts against Philander Smith to help Xavier tie a school record with its eighth consecutive victory.

Kirk is hitting .314 this season with 185 kills, 58 blocks and 10 aces entering a home match tonight against Mobile.

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

Magic City Classic: ASU Hornets Back on the Practice Field

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- After taking a couple of days off following Alabama State's 48-42 overtime win over Prairie View, the Hornets took the practice field for a Tuesday practice to begin preparations for Alabama A&M.

The Hornets have a week off and will have a shortened practice week with practices scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

The off week could not have come at a better time for ASU as the Hornets are hoping to nurse several players back to health in order to have them back on the field against the Bulldogs.

"People say all the time about their off week coming at the right time and it's the honest truth for us," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Obviously we have guys we are hoping will be back for the Magic City Classic. This week we are not going to ask them to do much of anything but to continue rehab. I am expecting all of them to be back by the Magic City Classic."

The Magic City Classic is scheduled for kickoff at 2:30 p.m. and will be shown live on ESPN3 with a tape delay broadcast at 9:30 p.m. on ESPNU.


WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU Rams to begin practice with plenty of new faces

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Nate Long, a freshman forward on the men’s basketball team at Winston-Salem State, said he enjoyed Saturday’s homecoming football game.

But he knew then that things would change quickly.

"On Tuesday, we go to work,” said Long, referring to the start of basketball practice.

Coach Bobby Collins will start his eighth season today and is looking forward to getting his team in shape for the season.

"Our first game is November 8, and we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” said Collins, whose team was picked by CIAA coaches to win the league’s Southern Division title.

The Rams have a roster of 19, with four of those players redshirting. Twelve players from last season’s NCAA Tournament team are gone, but seven players return, including starter WyKevin Bazemore.

CONTINUE READING

Former Texas Southern/Super Bowl-Champion Michael Strahan Profiled on NFL Network’s ‘A Football Life’ Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 9:00 PM ET

‘A Football Life: Backstory’ Airs at 10:00 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Before he became a second-round draft pick, a Super Bowl-champion defensive end for the New York Giants, and co-host of a nationally-televised morning show, Michael Strahan was the youngest of six children who grew up on an American military base in Germany. Through his upbringing, Strahan learned the value and importance of working hard to achieve a goal, a belief he has carried with him throughout his life.

The two-time Emmy-nominated series A Football Life continues Tuesday, October 15 at 9:00 PM ET with Michael Strahan: A Football Life. The one-hour documentary provides an in-depth look at the 15-year NFL veteran’s life, from growing up in Germany and then transitioning to life in the United States during his high school and college years, to his storied NFL career, and finally to his broadcasting career as the co-host of LIVE with Kelly and Michael and NFL analyst for FOX.

“I almost feel like in a sense it was diminished because everyone goes, ‘Brett Favre gave you a sack’…I always have to say if you don’t like it, then break it.” – Michael Strahan

 TRAILER | BEHIND THE SCENE | TEASER

Michael Strahan: A Football Life features interviews with Strahan himself, as well as individuals who know him well including his parents Gene and Louise Strahan; Hall of Fame defensive lineman and FOX analyst Howie Long; FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin; and former Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Jon Runyan.

Throughout the documentary, Strahan expounds on a number of topics, including:

• His thoughts regarding breaking the NFL’s all-time sack record and subsequent criticism
• His evolving relationship with New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
• The role he played in the immediate aftermath following the events of September 11, 2001
• An influential moment when he was nine years old which involved a bicycle he still owns today

Emmy-nominated actor from CBS’ The Good Wife, Josh Charles, narrates.

Michael Strahan: A Football Life includes interviews with the following people:

Michael Strahan
Gene & Louise Strahan – Michael’s father & mother
Tom Coughlin – New York Giants head coach
Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons tight end
Howie Long – Hall of Fame defensive lineman/FOX analyst
Jay Glazer – FOX NFL Insider
Michael Gelman – Executive Producer, LIVE with Kelly and Michael
Jon Runyan – Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman
Kelly Ripa – Co-host, LIVE with Kelly and Michael
Brandi Chastain – Television colleague
Jason Garrett – Dallas Cowboys head coach/teammate of Michael on the Giants
J.W. Harper – Former assistant coach, Texas Southern University
Tara Sullivan – Columnist, The Bergen Record

Provided below are some select quotes from Michael Strahan: A Football Life:

- “I was scared every time I put on a uniform and stepped on the field. I’m scared every day I go into the studio and I come on stage because I fear that I will not live up to what is expected. I fear that somebody who spent a lot of money to come into our studio, to come to New York and they’ll walk away and go, ‘I could have stayed at home.’ I feared that as a player a fan would come to the stands and I wouldn’t perform well. Just the way I’m built. I’m more scared of failure than I am excited about the accolades that come with success.” – Michael Strahan

- “The sack record is great; absolutely phenomenal. But I almost feel like in a sense it was diminished because everyone goes, ‘Brett Favre gave you a sack’…I always have to say if you don’t like it, then break it.” – Michael Strahan

- “I hated him. And when I say hate, I don’t mean hate as I’m just saying hate as a loose word. No, I mean I absolutely hated the man.” – Michael Strahan on New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin

- “He’s best known for being a football hero, but from my perspective that is the least of his talents.” – Kelly Ripa

- “What developed more than anything was his leadership. He could get on the guys around him and they would accept it because he was doing it.” – J.W. Harper

- “A lot of people are given the God-given gifts, and a lot of people don’t have the intensity or desire to get in there and mix it up. He had both of them.” – Jon Runyan

- “I’m somebody who is thinking about going into television when I get done playing, and he’s the blueprint.” – Tony Gonzalez

Following the episode, Jenn Brown hosts A Football Life: Backstory at 10:00 PM ET, a 30-minute show that provides a deeper look into the lives and story of each subject, features interviews with relevant individuals, and includes material that did not make the final edition of the episode. Viewers will also have the opportunity to interact and offer their thoughts on Twitter by following @NFLNetwork and using the hashtag #AFootballLife.

Viewers can also interact with and follow the series on their phones and tablets with A Football Life Xtra. Located within the new NFL Mobile app, A Football Life Xtra features producer commentary, photos and artifacts from the NFL Films archives, and career stats and unique facts, as well as trivia games and polls on NFL legends. Visit NFL.com/xtra on your mobile device to download NFL Mobile. Additionally, every episode of A Football Life – as well as all NFL Network programming – is streamed live on NFL Mobile from Verizon, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

FAMU Homecoming Strike Magazine Has Special 3-D Cover

Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information
Strike Magazine features a 3-D Cover

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Department of Athletics announces a collector’s edition of Strike Magazine for Homecoming.  This will likely be the first-ever 3-D game day football program in HBCU history.

The cover features head football coach Earl Holmes holding a coiled rattlesnake.  When you tilt the program to either side, it will show another rattlesnake fully extended, striking toward you.  The process has been in the works for the past several months.  Working with local printer, Graphic Press, production of the publication was mapped out from start to finish to produce a high-quality publication.

The 68-page publication is color throughout and has several features in it.  Of course the standard football rosters, profiles and game stories are in the program, but it also features the FAMU Royal Court, the Marching “100”, Interim President Larry Robinson, Interim Athletic Director Michael Smith, the FAMU varsity cheerleaders and junior cheerleaders and much, much more.

Vaughn Wilson and Ronnie Johnson of the FAMU Sports Information Department conceived the magazine.  The FAMU Sports Marketing Department also offered creative input and logistical assistance. Editing and collaboration with the FAMU Office of Communications was also critical to the production process.

“We wanted to make sure this was something people would want to keep for a long period of time,” Smith said. “With such rich history here at FAMU, and since our school has been known as the trendsetters in HBCU athletics, it was a natural for us to undertake this project.  I commend our staff for their diligence in researching the process, devising a budget and implementing it.  I suggest that you get a copy and hold on to it.”

The programs will be available in the FAMU Ticket Office on Fri., Oct.18, for fans who want to get theirs in advance.  The price for the programs are $10, and will be available on game day as well.  This will be a limited edition publication that the Department of Athletics hopes will set a trend for years to come.

“We have been considering this project since last year,” Wilson said. “Knowing that FAMU fans love to collect special things from the university and the FAMU Athletic Department, we hope that this Homecoming Strike Magazine will find a place in the homes of Rattler alumni, students, friends and fans. 

Full Homecoming Schedule of Activities    Homecoming Safety Tips from FAMU Public Safety

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS.COM

   Full Homecoming Schedule of Activities

   Homecoming Safety Tips from FAMU Public Safety

Fort Valley State to face #13 Washburn on Road, Thursday

WACO, Texas -- The Washburn University Ichabod football team moved up two spots to No. 13 in the latest American Football Coaches Association top 25 poll which was released Monday.  The Ichabods will step out of MIAA play to host Fort Valley State Wildcats on Thursday in Yager Stadium at 6 p.m.

Among other MIAA schools, Northwest Missouri is ranked No. 2 while Missouri Western is ranked fourth, Pittsburg State is ranked seventh and Emporia State is ranked 20th. Northwest Missouri and Pittsburg State will face off this weekend while Missouri Western will travel to face Missouri Southern and Emporia State will travel to face Lindenwood.

Under head coach Craig Schurig, the Ichabods have been ranked or have received votes in the AFCA poll 47 times.

GAME DAY
Thursday: Oct. 17, 2013, 6:00 PM CT
#13 Washburn Ichabods (6-0, 6-0 MIAA) vs. Fort Valley State Wildcats (2-4, 2-2 SIAC)
Location: Yager Stadium, Topeka, Kansas
Ticket Information
Radio: KTPK 106.9 FM | Online
Video: America One Sports
TV: None
Live Stats: Through WU
Media Stats: Through  WU
Website: www.wusports.com
Website: www.fvsusports.com
WU Football 2013 Media Guide

2013 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll – October 14, 2013

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Week Two	Next Game
1.	Minnesota St.-Mankato (26)	6-0	791	2	D. Augustana (S.D.), 20-10	Oct. 19 at Southwest Minnesota St.
2.	Northwest Missouri St. (4)	6-0	767	3	D. Central Oklahoma, 72-10	Oct. 19 vs. No. 7 Pittsburg St. (Kan.)
3.	Colorado St.-Pueblo (1)	6-0	729	5	D. No. 19 Chadron St. (Neb.), 51-42	Oct. 19 vs. Colorado School of Mines
4.	Missouri Western St. (1)	6-0	708	6	D. Northeastern St. (Okla.), 54-10	Oct. 19 at Missouri Southern St.
5.	Henderson St. (Ark.)	6-0	638	8	D. Southwestern Oklahoma St., 45-17	Oct. 19 vs. Arkansas Tech
6.	Bloomsburg (Pa.)	6-0	606	9	D. Millersville (Pa.), 45-7	Oct. 19 at East Stroudsburg (Pa.)
7.	Pittsburg St. (Kan.)	6-0	594	10	D. Central Missouri, 31-21	Oct. 19 vs. No. 2 Northwest Missouri St.
8.	West Alabama	5-1	547	14	D. No. 1 Valdosta St. (Ga.), 49-30	Oct. 19 at No. 24 Midwestern St. (Texas)
9.	Minnesota-Duluth	5-1	489	11	D. Minnesota St.-Moorhead, 69-45	Oct. 19 at Minot St. (N.D.)
10.	North Carolina-Pembroke	5-0	461	13	D. North Carolina-Charlotte, 45-22	Oct. 19 at Catawba (N.C.)
11.	Shepherd (W.Va.)	6-0	454	12	D. Virginia-Wise, 42-17	Oct. 19 vs. Notre Dame (Ohio)
12.	Valdosta St. (Ga.)	4-1	452	1	Lost to No. 14 West Alabama, 49-30	Oct. 19 at West Georgia
13.	Washburn (Kan.)	6-0	390	15	D. Lincoln (Mo.), 58-7	Oct. 19 vs. Fort Valley St. (Ga.)
14.	Tarleton St. (Texas)	5-0	341	21t	D. No. 4 West Texas A&M, 31-27	Oct. 19 at Delta St. (Miss.)
15.	West Chester (Pa.)	6-0	319	17	D. East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 34-20	Oct. 19 at Lock Haven (Pa.)
16.	Winston-Salem St. (N.C.)	5-1	313	16	D. Johnson C. Smith (N.C.), 44-17	Oct. 19 at St. Augustine's (N.C.)
17.	West Texas A&M	5-1	309	4	Lost to No. 21t Tarleton St. (Texas), 31-27	Oct. 19 vs. Angelo St. (Texas)
18.	Ohio Dominican	6-0	283	20	D. Ashland (Ohio), 31-19	Oct. 19 vs. Findlay (Ohio)
19.	Carson-Newman (Tenn.)	5-1	252	18	D. Shorter (Ga.), 45-28	Oct. 19 vs. Tusculum (Tenn.)
20.	Emporia St. (Kan.)	6-0	187	23	D. Southwest Baptist (Mo.), 63-17	Oct. 19 at Lindenwood (Mo.)
21.	Indianapolis (Ind.)	5-1	179	21t	D. McKendree (Ill.), 45-7	Oct. 19 at William Jewell (Mo.)
22.	Indiana (Pa.)	5-1	161	7	Lost to Slippery Rock (Pa.), 42-16	Oct. 19 vs. Edinboro (Pa.)
23.	Newberry (S.C.)	6-0	138	NR	D. Tusculum (Tenn.), 44-9	Oct. 19 at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)
24.	Midwestern St. (Texas)	4-1	121	25	D. McMurry (Texas), 66-20	Oct. 19 vs. No. 8 West Alabama
25.	St. Cloud State (Minn.)	5-1	35	NR	D. Minnesota-Crookston, 55-6	Oct. 19 at Mary (N.D.)

Dropped Out: Chadron St. (Neb.) (19), Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (24)

Others Receiving Votes: New Haven (Conn.), 26; Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 25; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 22; Chadron St. (Neb.), 17; Ferris St. (Mich.), 16; Slippery Rock (Pa.), 13; Tuskegee (Ala.), 8; Harding (Ark.), 3; Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 2; Virginia St., 2; Colorado School of Mines, 1; Stonehill (Mass.), 1.

COURTESY WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION