MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- It has been a long and disappointing season for Alabama State. The Hornets and their fans raised expectations after six wins in the last eight games of 2015.
The 2016 season hasn’t gone as people might have expected. Alabama State was picked to finish second in the SWAC East, but close losses on the road kept the Hornets out of title contention.
Still, ASU coach Brian Jenkins said he’s trying to make the best out of a bad situation.
“We’re beat up pretty bad, along with being young and inexperienced,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to try to get a lot of rest and try to patch together a football team. We’re going to work on capitalizing on opportunities.”
There has been a lot of good that has taken place off the field during the first two seasons of Jenkins’ tenure.
Since Jenkins has taken over, there have been no major arrests. That’s something neither Alabama nor Auburn can say during that time.
The team earned 10 days of spring practice and the full 20 hours of practice time for the 2016 season after posting a 932 APR score for 2014-15.
CONTINUE READING
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Bayou Classic a SWAC showdown
NEW ORLEANS -- The Grambling-Southern matchup in this year's Bayou Classic is shaping up as an Ali-Frazier type of bout.
Grambling and Southern sport identical 8-0 records in the Southwestern Athletic Conference thanks to mirror image eight-game win streaks. To date, Grambling is receiving more exposure with a No. 14 ranking in the latest FCS Coaches Poll, but Southern's play has forced a potential matchup for the ages with a SWAC title berth on the line.
"It’s better than a heavyweight title fight," Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said Tuesday at Bayou Classic media day in New Orleans. "All season long I’ve been pulling for Southern University as well as pulling for ourselves to make sure we could get to this point like this.
"I think it gives us an opportunity to have a huge game and a huge draw. We’re looking forward to this. I wouldn’t have it any other way than for both teams to be undefeated and to settle it on the field."
The stakes are straightforward: the winner plays Alcorn State in the Dec. 3 SWAC title game in Houston. All Grambling has talked about is getting back to the championship and taking care of business.
Only Southern stands in the way.
CONTINUE READING
Oldest Living Member Of The Famous Tuskegee Airmen Squadron, Willie N. Rogers Dies At 101
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida -- Willie N. Rogers, the oldest living member of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen air squadron, died Friday evening (11/18/16) in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Rogers served as master sergeant of the squadron of World War II fighter pilots. They became famous as the first black aviators in U.S. history. Rogers was the backbone of the organization, coordinating the ground logistics for the squadron.“He recognized that we as people and he as a black man have come a long way but that there is still more to go,” Rogers’ daughter Veronica told the Tampa Bay Times. “But in God’s eyes there is no color, he’d say. We are all one and he lived by the greatest commandment — to love one another.”
The Tuskegee Airmen existed at a time when the U.S. military was still segregated. Formally called the U.S. Army Air Corps 99th Flying Squadron, the Tuskegee Airmen were also known as the “Red Tails,” due the trademark bright red tails painted on their P-40 Tomahawk and P-51 Mustang fighter planes.
The squadron trained at Tuskegee University in Alabama. While the existence of an all-black fighter squadron was controversial at the time, the Tuskegee Airmen proved themselves as remarkable pilots during the war. The squadron’s 335 pilots deployed overseas during the war lost bombers in only seven out of 179 escort missions, compared to an average of 46 among their peers. The Red Tails also destroyed a total of 262 enemy aircraft and obliterated 950 rail cars and various other vehicles.
Rogers was reportedly quite humble about his service with the groundbreaking squadron, so much so that some of his family was not even aware of it. He received a Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush in 2007 for his service, but did not attend the ceremony. Rogers’ family had known he was a veteran, but he did not reveal his place in history until 2012.
Rogers was reportedly quite humble about his service with the groundbreaking squadron, so much so that some of his family was not even aware of it. He received a Congressional Gold Medal from President George W. Bush in 2007 for his service, but did not attend the ceremony. Rogers’ family had known he was a veteran, but he did not reveal his place in history until 2012.
Palmer Sets New Career Scoring High In Chicago State's Win Over EWU
 |
| Trayvon Palmer (15) led CSU in Tuesday night's win over East-West with a career-best 34 points and 15 rebounds Courtesy: CSU Athletics |
Palmer recorded his first double-double of the season with a career-high 34 points and a season-best 15 rebounds, including 10 on the offensive end. He shot 16-for-20 from the field while also dishing out three assists.
Leading 41-34 after a battle with the visitors in the first half, CSU (2-2) would dominate in the second half via a 62-41 margin. The Green and White also held advantages in several statistical categories, including field-goal percentage (.582-.446), rebounding (48-28) and assists (23-15).
Sophomore Fred Sims, Jr. (Chicago, Ill./North Lawndale) added 21 points and tied a career high with six rebounds, while senior Clemmye Owens V (Toledo, Ohio/Rogers) contributed 15 points. Graduate student Brian Greene, Jr. (Chicago, Ill./Thornton) dished out a game-high five assists and junior Glen Burns (West Memphis, Ark./West Memphis Christian) finished with top game honors in steals with four.
Devontae Smith paced East-West with 22 points and Carl Moore added 14 points with eight boards.
The Cougars begin a month-long road swing on Saturday, Nov. 22 when they head to Notre Dame, Ind., to face the Fighting Irish in an ESPN3 broadcast beginning at 6 p.m.
Box Score
CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Florida A&M Baseball Announces 2017 Schedule
 |
| HEAD COACH JAMEY SHOUPPE Courtesy FAMU Sports Information |
“Our staff and players are extremely excited for the upcoming season and the level of competition we’re able to face on our schedule in 2017, “head coach Jamey Shouppe said. “The players have put in a lot of time this fall and worked extremely hard, both on and off the field, this fall to prepare for the upcoming season. We’re extremely fortunate to have 30 home games this spring, which allows our fans to have the opportunity to come see up play more often and also gives our student athletes the ability to stay in class more during the spring semester.”
FAMU will host non-conference series against Wofford, George Washington, Mercer, East Tennessee State and Jackson State, while having single games versus Jacksonville, Alabama State and North Florida at Moore-Kittles Field. Florida A&M will also travel to Auburn, Florida, South Florida, Jacksonville, Mercer, Alabama State, and North Florida as part of its out of conference schedule.
The Rattlers begin their MEAC schedule the weekend of March 11-12 at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Fla. and the first home conference series is the following weekend, March 18-19, against Savannah State. FAMU will wrap up the regular season at North Carolina A&T on the weekend of May 12-13.
2017 FAMU Baseball Schedule
The 2017 MEAC Baseball Championship will once again be held in Salisbury, Maryland at Perdue Stadium, home of the Baltimore Orioles Single A team the Delmarva Shorebirds. The top three teams in each division of the MEAC will advance to the MEAC Baseball Championship.
Florida A&M is returning 16 players from a 2016 team that finished the regular season as the overall number one seed in the MEAC. Florida A&M also recorded its first 30-win season since 2003 and just the third 30-win season since becoming a Division I program in 1980. 2016 posted a strong offensive season as the Rattlers finished ranked in the top 10 nationally in three categories. FAMU also set program records in seven categories and finished in the top three of 19 different categories in program history.
With 21 newcomers to the fall roster, there has been plenty of competition for positions in the middle infield and in the outfield that was left vacant from graduating seniors following the 2016 season. With the addition of many talented new arms to help fill out the pitching staff, 2017 is poised to build off the success of 2016.
As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook. Updated news is also always available at FAMUAthletics.com.
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Culver: Lincoln grad Gallon shines on FAMU’s defense
 |
| Quenteze Gallon LB, 5'-10" 205 lbs. Sophomore Courtesy FAMU Sports Information |
Sophomore linebacker Quenteze Gallon made his mark as one of FAMU’s best defenders this season.
The Lincoln grad picked up 45 total tackles (29 solo) and 7 tackles for loss during the 2016 season. He was second on the team in both stats and was one of the best defenders on the field in FAMU’s loss to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.
“I’m just playing hard for my pride and where I’m from,” he said. “All of my people that surround my like my family, it’s just my motivation. You could say it’s a good thing I’m playing in my hometown in Tallahassee.”
Gallon led all players with 13 total tackles (10 solo, also a game-high) and tallied two tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Gallon played in all 11 games for the Rattlers this season after playing in just six games last year and spending most of his time on special teams duty.
CONTINUE READING
FCS First Round: North Carolina A&T vs.Richmond
ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
FCS Playoffs First Round
The Matchup - North Carolina A&T (9-2) at Richmond (8-3)
Kickoff - 2 p.m. ET Saturday at Robins Stadium (8,700) in Richmond, Virginia
Coverage - ESPN3
Series - First meeting
Players to Watch - North Carolina A&T: RB Tarik Cohen (1,518 rushing yards, 339 receiving yards, 19 total TDs), DE Marquis Ragland (44 tackles, 9 TFL), LB Jeremy Taylor(75 tackles, 4 INTs, 8 PBU); Richmond: WR Brian Brown (67 receptions, 1,179 yards, 9 TDs), DT Winston Craig (47 tackles, 7.5 sacks), LB Omar Howard (77 tackles, 8 TFL)
The Skinny - While MEAC teams have lost 18 straight FCS playoff games, North Carolina A&T's one win in four previous appearances was a huge one - it beat No. 1 Tennessee State in 1999. The Aggies seek to recover from last week's 42-21 loss at rival North Carolina Central, which ended their bid to win the MEAC championship and return to the Celebration Bowl. Cohen has 5,549 career rushing yards, the conference record and more than any active player in the FCS. Backup quarterback Oluwafemi Bamiro, who pulled out a four-overtime win at FBS member Kent State in September, has started the last two games because Lamar Raynard has a chest injury. The Aggies have 37 sacks, and 10 different players have at least a pair (DE Angelo Keyes' six are the high).
Richmond has faced adversity from 12 season-ending injuries, the latest suffered by No. 1 quarterback Kyle Lauletta (torn ACL). If backup David Broadus remains out for a third straight game, untested Jake Clise or Reid Chenault will step in for Lauletta. And if the play calling is scaled back, redshirt freshman running back Deontez Thompson (five 100-yard performances in last six games) will get a big workload. The Spiders defense is ranked third in the FCS in passing yards allowed (156.5 ypg), although the focus will be on stopping Cohen. The Spiders, one of six teams in this year's field to have won an FCS title (2008), opened the season by beating Virginia.
They said it: Southern's Dawson Odums, Grambling's Broderick Fobbs meet with media at the Superdome
NEW ORLEANS — Five days before their undefeated football teams meet for the 43rd annual Bayou Classic, Southern's Dawson Odums and Grambling's Broderick Fobbs took turns answering questions from assembled media on the turf at the Superdome.
Here is a full transcript of everything they had to say, with the questions that were posed to them in parentheses.
Dawson Odums, Southern University head football coach
When you get to this point of the season, you want to be playing really well as a football program. To get here undefeated is a monumental task. Both teams have had adversity, they’ve played well, and we’re going to decide everything here at the Bayou Classic.
It really reminds you of the heyday when the Bayou Classic was sold out and many fans were coming to watch two great programs compete for that weekend. It’s on display, there’s two fine institutions … playing for an opportunity to play for the SWAC championship. It don’t get any better than that.
(On the offensive firepower on both teams)
CONTINUE READING
With a lot on the line, Bayou Classic could set attendance record
NEW ORLEANS -- All signs point to record attendance at the 43rd annual Bayou Classic football game this year, a match-up that will determine who gets a shot at a conference championship.
And organizers say they have several new features planned to help fans of Southern University and Grambling State University enjoy the event.
"What we are doing is blending the best of the best," said Dottie Belletto of New Orleans Convention Co. Inc., the company that runs the Bayou Classic.
One of the additions is a mobile app that will give fans game updates and an event schedule and let them vote for the game's most valuable player.
That app also will let users choose the winner of Friday's fraternity and sorority step show, one in a series of events leading up to the game at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Launched in New Orleans in 1974 after a 1973 test run in Shreveport, the annual showdown between the two historically black Louisiana universities brings thousands of visitors to the city over Thanksgiving weekend.
Although the nationally televised game is the highlight of the five-day affair, other big events will include a Thanksgiving day parade, a Friday Battle of the Bands and Greek Show and a Sunday gospel brunch.
CONTINUE READING
XULA's Salwan, Setodji rank 3-4 in ITA/NAIA men's singles
NEW ORLEANS — Five from Xavier University of Louisiana, including two newcomers, were in the 2016 Oracle/ITA Collegiate Tennis NAIA Fall Rankings announced Tuesday.
XULA's ranked players are:
• Karan Salwan, third nationally and third in the South in men's singles.
• Thomas Setodji, fourth nationally and fourth in the South in men's singles.
• Charlene Goreau, 30th nationally and 11th in the South in women's singles.
• Lacee Ancar and Emma Kranendonk, 10th in the South in women's doubles.
Salwan, Setodji and Goreau were ITA/NAIA All-America last season. Salwan and Setodji this past May helped the Gold Rush finish second in the NAIA National Championship — XULA's highest-ever NAIA team finish in any sport.
Salwan is a senior from New Delhi, India, and a graduate of Modern School. Setodji is a sophomore from Domont, France. Goreau is a sophomore from Toulouse, France, and a graduate of Raymond Naves School. Ancar is a freshman from the New Orleans suburb of Harvey, La., and a graduate of John Curtis Christian School. Kranendonk, a senior from Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and a graduate of Kennemer College, is in her first season at XULA after transferring from NCAA Division I's University of South Dakota.
XULA has concluded its fall tournament schedule and will resume competition in late January with dual matches. Coach Alan Green will announce soon the spring-semester schedule.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold
Gold Nuggets win 64-56 at William Carey, end streak
HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — Six Xavier University of Louisiana players made first-half 3-pointers Tuesday in a 64-56 women's basketball victory at William Carey.
The Gold Nuggets (4-5), playing on the road for the fourth time in five days, snapped a five-game losing streak.
XULA led 39-17 at halftime and 54-34 through three quarters. The Lady Crusaders (1-2) rallied to get as close as six points in the final 80 seconds.
Maya Trench — a 5-foot-2 freshman point guard from Edgard, La., and a former West St. John High School standout — had 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists for XULA. She led the Gold Nuggets in those categories for the second time in four games.
Making 3-pointers in the first half for XULA were Mikayla Bates, Essence Wells, Kelsey Joseph, Rosie Davis, Jalyn Hodge and Ireyon Keith. Davis and Jordan Coleman each made second-half treys, and the Gold Nuggets finished with a season-high-tying eight. Coleman's 3-pointer was her first of the seaaon.
Fourteen Gold Nuggets scored. Aliyah Bell scored seven points, and Bates, Davis, Keith and Terriel Ross had six apiece. Wells had three steals.
Teshia Jones had 13 points, four steals and six rebounds for William Carey (1-2), but she also had eight of the Lady Crusaders' 25 turnovers. Courtney Epting had 12 points, six rebounds and five assists, and Caroline Lumpkin scored nine.
XULA outshot William Carey 41 to 29.5 percent from the floor. It was the third consecutive game and the fourth time this season that a XULA opponent shot less than 30 percent.
The Gold Nuggets won for the second time in their last five trips to William Carey and extended their series lead to 53-22. The teams will meet again Feb. 1 in New Orleans.
Next for the Gold Nuggets will be the 15th Xavier Classic at the Convocation Center. On Thursday, Langston will play Dillard at 5 p.m., and XULA will play LSU-Shreveport at 7 p.m. On Friday, LSUS will play Dillard at 1 p.m., and Langston will play XULA at 5 p.m. Sandwiched between the Friday college games will be a 3 p.m. girls prep matchup between East St. John and Ellender.
BOX SCORE
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold
Prudhomme hits double-double again to score Southern's first win
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Shawn Prudhomme is nothing if not consistent.For the second straight game, the Southern guard posted a double-double, except this time, his performance carried the Jaguars to its first win of the season.
Southern snapped its three-game losing streak Tuesday night, beating Tennessee Tech 80-68 in the team’s home opener at the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
“I was feeling good,” Prudhomme said. “I just like to come out with a lot of energy, and the guys on the team did a good job of getting me shots, and it’s just my job to knock them down."
By the final buzzer, Prudhomme posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and a pair of steals.
Prudhomme’s productive showing was all the more crucial to Southern’s success, considering Tre’lun Banks was battling small virus in his system.
Southern coach Roman Banks was happy his son was able to suit up at all against the Golden Eagles after sitting out practice for most of the week.
CONTINUE READING
Union men fall for first time on season with 78-72 loss to Lane
JACKSON, Tennessee – The Union University men's basketball team fell for the first time this season in a 78-72 loss to crosstown and South Region foe Lane College Tuesday evening.GAME DETAILS
Final: Lane 78 | Union 72
Records: Union 3-1 | Lane 2-3
Location: Fred DeLay Gymnasium – Jackson, Tenn.
Series: Union leads 28-9
Social: @UUAthletics | #WeAreUU | UUAthletics.com
WHAT HAPPENED
- Union pulled out to an early lead in the opening minutes of the first half pulling out to a 17-10 lead with help from threes from Tray Boyd and KC Goodwin.
- Lane gained the momentum in the closing minutes rattling off a 14-1 run to close out the period and to head into the locker room leading 29-23.
- Union finally pulled back and regained the lead with long three from Jarad Scott to lead 42-40 with 13:56 left in the second half.
- Over the next six minutes, neither team was able to gain more than a two point advantage with both Union and Lane trading shots. Union eventually gained some momentum with a 7-0 run to push their lead to 55-50.
- Lane returned the favor going on a nine point run of their own to regain the lead, 64-60, with 3:59 remaining. The Dragons pushed their lead to 10 points on a three from Maurice Alexander.
- Union pulled within three points of the Dragons with just 0:16 seconds left in the game with back-to-back three balls from Tray Boyd, but the effort was not enough with Union falling 78-72.
STAT OF THE GAME
- Union turned the ball over 19 time in the game compared to just six for Lane. The Bulldog turnovers translated to 19 points for the Dragons, while Union converted just eight points.
- TEAM STATS
- Despite falling in the game, Union outshot crosstown foe Lane 53 percent to 49 percent from the field.
- The Bulldogs hit 12 threes, good for 41 percent and shot 61 percent from the free throw line.
- Lane out rebounded the Bulldogs 31 to 27 in the game, while Union did not grab a single offensive board.
PLAYER STATS
- Tray Boyd led the all scorers with 29 points hitting seven three pointers in the game.
- Jarad Scott recorded his fourth straight double-double of the season scoring 12 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
- Lane had three players in double figures with Maurice Alexander leading the Dragons with 17 points.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs move on to their final non-conference matchup taking on Brewton Parker College on Saturday, November 26th, in The Fred. Union kicks off Gulf South Conference action next Tuesday, November 29th, against Christian Brothers at 8:00 p.m. in Jackson.
UNION UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
HBCU Basketball Judgment Day Scoreboard
November 22, 2016
MEN
CIAA
Winston-Salem State 85, Morris College 63
Virginia State 74, Bluefield State 49
Lees-McRae 70, Johnson C. Smith 66
Queens (NY) 76, Lincoln (Pa,) 71
SIAC
Lane 78, Union 72
Miles 74, West Georgia 69
Montevallo 67, Tuskegee 58
West Florida 74, Spring Hill 56
Claflin 85, Saint Augustine's 78
Augusta 79, Benedict 70
Georgia College 63, Albany State 49
Shorter 75, Clark Atlanta 70
Kentucky Wesleyan 120, Kentucky State 81
MEAC
San Diego 96, Bethune-Cookman 91
Richmond 65, Hampton 52
East Carolina 82, Florida A&M 62
Western Kentucky 77, North Carolina A&T 56
Syracuse 101, South Carolina State 59
SWAC
Alcorn State 83, Blue Mountain 57
Southern 80, Tennessee Tech 68
Prairie View A&M 84, Jarvis Christian 69
Kennesaw State 79, Alabama State 72
#7 Virginia 90, Grambling State 34
UMass-Lowell 76, Mississippi Valley State 71
GCAC
Edward Waters 110, Webber International 79
#12 Dillard 92, Huston-Tillotson 69
Loyola 81, SUNO 69
Philander Smith 77, Paul Quinn 61
RRAC
#18 Oklahoma City 90, Langston 86
WOMEN
CIAA
Claflin 75, Livingstone 65
Winston-Salem State 70, Morris 53
UDC 65, Lincoln (Pa.) 63
Francis Marion 67, Elizabeth City State 47
Saint Augustine's 74, Newport News Apprentice 69
Hampton 58, Maine 49
Cornell 67, Howard 55
Iowa State 74, Savannah State 51
Hofstra 64, Delaware State 44
Campbell 61, North Carolina Central 30
West Virginia 80, North Carolina A&T 64
Eastern Illinois 66, Florida A&M 50
SWAC
Alabama A&M 61, Concordia-Selma 58
Southern 61, Bethune-Cookman 59
Texas Christian 83, Grambling State 47
Nicholls 83, Jackson State 76
Southern Methodist 61, Prairie View A&M 54
SIAC
Clark Atlanta 71, Shorter 65
Cedarville 77, Central State (Ohio) 71
Georgia College 45, Albany State 44
West Florida 81, Spring Hill 51
Lynn 78, Tuskegee 74
Claflin 75, Livingstone 65
Augusta State 73, Fort Valley State 47
Union 97, Lane 56
GCAC
Philander Smith 78, Paul Quinn 40
Huston-Tillotson 69, Dillard 67
Xavier 64, William Carey 56
RRAC
McNeese State 72, Wiley 56
#19 Oklahoma City 85, Langston 49
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
NCAA Football Playoffs: Ticket Information - North Greenville Crusaders vs. Tuskegee Tigers
North Greenville will host Tuskegee in the 2nd round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
VIDEO AUDIO LIVE STATS TICKETS TU MEDIA GUIDE TU AUDIO
TIGERVILLE, South Carolina -- The North Greenville University football team will play host to Tuskegee University on Saturday, November 26th in the second round of the NCAA Division-II Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 pm.
Tickets for Saturday’s game will be available on Saturday, two hours before the scheduled kickoff time. Tickets will ONLY be available at the ticket booth in front of Younts Stadium.
Cost of the tickets is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 12 and under. All tickets are general admission and will be sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. For questions or inquiries about playoff tickets, contact Associate Athletic Director Micah Sepko at micah.sepko@ngu.edu.
NORTH GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Unstoppable force, meet un-moveable object: Southern's Danny Johnson, Grambling's Chad Williams set to clash
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Saturday’s matchup between Southern and Grambling is a meeting of what are clearly the two best teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, but there are also intriguing games within the game, maybe none of which are more interesting than the one that will happen on the boundaries.
On one side, there’s Grambling wide receiver Chad Williams, who has been virtually un-guardable the past two seasons. He led the SWAC with 1,067 receiving yards as a junior and has ramped up the production this season with league-leading totals in receptions (70), receiving yards (1,102) and receiving yards per game (122.4).
On the other is Southern defensive back Danny Johnson, who is widely regarded as the top defensive back in the SWAC. Johnson is a former high school wide receiver and has shown off his knack for finding the ball with a league-best seven interceptions this year.
It’s the type of matchup that Southern coach Dawson Odums usually refers to as “our good guys against their good guys.” If Southern’s good guys win, Odums will say, he likes Southern’s chances in the game itself.
CONTINUE READING
Backup quarterbacks at heart of A&T-Richmond playoff matchup
GREENSBORO, North Carolina — Who’s the quarterback?
That’s the legitimate question for both teams when No. 17 N.C. A&T (9-2) plays at No. 12 Richmond (8-3) in the first round of the NCAA Division I Football Championships on Saturday.
Will the Aggies get starter Lamar Raynard back in time?
“No,” Coach Rod Broadway said today. “He’s out.”
Meanwhile, the Spiders lost junior Kyle Lauletta with a season-ending right knee injury in their final game of the regular season, a 34-13 loss at William & Mary.
The loss likely cost Richmond a first-round bye in the 24-team FCS playoffs. And the Spiders were winning 13-6 when Lauletta slid at the end of a scramble with 6:12 left in the first half. He didn’t get up.
CONTINUE READING
Richmond Spiders go outside, then in, beat Hampton Pirates in matinee
RICHMOND, Virginia -- With 14 minutes left, eight of Richmond’s 12 baskets were 3s. That may appear a bit trigger-happy on the Spiders’ part, but the shooting led to a 65-52 win over Hampton Tuesday afternoon at the Robins Center.
From the outside, Richmond (3-1) shot the Pirates (1-3) out of their zone, taking a 44-25 lead with 12:40 left, and then put them to sleep behind the floor leadership of senior guard ShawnDre’ Jones.
The Spiders finished with nine 3-pointers on 28 attempts. Three came from 6-foot-8 senior Marshall Wood (10 points) and three came from senior forward T.J. Cline (17 points).
For Richmond, this was the fourth of four home games that started the season. This was the second game of the Barclays Center Classic for both teams. Richmond now moves on to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a Friday meeting at 9:30 p.m. with Maryland, which is among others receiving votes in the AP Poll, and a Saturday date with Kansas State or Boston College.
Jones (9 points), on whom the Spiders rely for direction and scoring (23 ppg before HU’s visit), got into some foul trouble and was off the floor more than usual. Richmond struggled for offensive rhythm against Hampton’s zone while Jones was out.
CONTINUE READING
From the outside, Richmond (3-1) shot the Pirates (1-3) out of their zone, taking a 44-25 lead with 12:40 left, and then put them to sleep behind the floor leadership of senior guard ShawnDre’ Jones.
The Spiders finished with nine 3-pointers on 28 attempts. Three came from 6-foot-8 senior Marshall Wood (10 points) and three came from senior forward T.J. Cline (17 points).
For Richmond, this was the fourth of four home games that started the season. This was the second game of the Barclays Center Classic for both teams. Richmond now moves on to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a Friday meeting at 9:30 p.m. with Maryland, which is among others receiving votes in the AP Poll, and a Saturday date with Kansas State or Boston College.
Jones (9 points), on whom the Spiders rely for direction and scoring (23 ppg before HU’s visit), got into some foul trouble and was off the floor more than usual. Richmond struggled for offensive rhythm against Hampton’s zone while Jones was out.
CONTINUE READING
N.C.A&T Aggies' linemen will challenge Spiders, believes NSU coach Latrell Scott
 |
| NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS |
GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Latrell Scott may be as qualified as anyone to break down Saturday’s Richmond-North Carolina A&T 2 p.m. encounter in the first round of the FCS playoffs at Robins Stadium. He projects a very competitive game.
Scott, UR’s coach in 2010, is Norfolk State’s coach and his Spartans played the Spiders and Aggies this season. NSU lost 34-0 at Richmond on Sept. 10 and 35-0 at N.C. A&T on Oct. 6. Teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, to which N.C. A&T and NSU belong, have lost 18 consecutive FCS tournament games and are 6-23 in the playoffs.
But Scott said he sees the Aggies (9-2) as “one of the few teams in (the MEAC) that’s built” to compete with a CAA playoff opponent. That’s the case because of the size and talent of N.C. A&T’s linemen, according to Scott. Scott believes the Aggies will make running difficult for Richmond (8-3), and may be able to create space for 5-foot-6 Tarik Cohen, who averages 138 rushing yards (third in the FCS) and 7.63 yards per carry (second in the FCS).
“When you get these (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) teams versus CAA teams, the game is usually lost up front,” said Scott, a Lee-Davis High grad. “I think (N.C. A&T’s linemen) are good enough to manage. I think Richmond has got its hands full. (The Aggies) are a lot like Richmond. They ought to be able to match up with Richmond up front.”
CONTINUE READING
Kentucky State Volleyball selected to the NCAA Tournament for a Second Consecutive Season
FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Kentucky State University volleyball will head into the NCAA Division II Women's Volleyball Championship for the third time in four years, as announced on Monday evening.The Thorobrettes (22-17) ran through the SIAC schedule and the championship tournament from Nov. 16-18 to a 13-4 conference record. KSU has been a dominating squad within the SIAC, claiming three of the last four conference tournaments, accumulating a .887 winning percentage during the four-year run.
Despite the impressive stretch, the KSU has yet to win a NCAA DII tournament contest.
KSU enters the tournament as a No. 8 seed and will take on a familiar foe in Palm Beach Atlantic (28-3). The Sailfish will host the South Regional bracket for the second straight season, and it will be the second consecutive season KSU will take on PBA in the opening round.
After defeating the Thorobrettes in 2015, the Sailfish went on to a historic run to the NCAA DII Championship match, where they fell 3-0 to Wheeling Jesuit (25-22, 26-24, 26-24).
The opening match between the Thorobrettes and Sailfish will take place on Dec. 1 in the Rubin Arena; a start time has not been announced at this time.
NCAA BRACKET
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Core of WSSU team will be back next season
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Built to last.That’s a good way of describing what’s ahead for the Winston-Salem State football program.
The Rams, who lost on Saturday 48-41 to Long Island Post in the first round of the Division II playoffs, made tremendous progress this season. After the Rams’ 6-5 season in 2015, there weren’t a lot of people expecting the Rams to make it to the Division II playoffs.
Three weeks into the season, the Rams were 1-2 heading into CIAA play but a remarkable turnaround took place as they ran off eight straight wins to capture their second straight CIAA championship. And a bonus was getting a bid to the D-II playoffs for the first time under head coach Kienus Boulware.
Boulware, who has been with the Rams since 2010, has been the head coach for three seasons. The luxury for Boulware heading into next season is strength in numbers at key positions.
The Rams will lose four starters from this season to exhausted eligibility. The biggest loss will be All-CIAA punter/placekicker Will Johnson, a four-year starter. Another loss will be tight end Demeeko Jones, who was also the long snapper on punts and field-goal attempts.
CONTINUE READING
ESPN3: Alabama State Hornets at Kennesaw State Owls
Tuesday, November 22
6 p.m. – Kennesaw State vs. Alabama State
Location: Kennesaw, Ga. | KSU Convocation Center
Links: Live Stats | ESPN3 | Game Notes
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook
Game Preview
After playing two tough games on the road, Kennesaw State men's basketball team will be back in the friendly confines of the KSU Convocation Center for two games the week of Thanksgiving. The first home game is against Alabama State on Tuesday, November 22 at 6 p.m. It is the first meeting between the two teams since 2010.
Lou Henson Preseason Watch List
After being named to the ASUN Preseason All-Conference team, Kendrick Ray was selected to the Lou Henson Preseason Watch List. Ray led the conference in scoring in league play a season ago averaging 21.0 points per game and was named Newcomer of the Year. The Lou Henson award goes to the nation's top mid-major player in the country.
Comeback Time
The Owls fell behind 21 points in their home opener against Brewton Parker before making a huge comeback in front of their home crowd to secure their first victory of the season.
Dating back to the 2009-10 season, Kennesaw State has made seven comebacks when facing a double-digit deficit. The largest comeback the Owls had made prior to the Brewton Parker game was 16 points against Texas A&M Corpus Christi in 2011.
Second in the Nation in Rebounds
Aubrey Williams is second in the nation in rebounds per game with 14.5 and second in the nation with 58 rebounds so far this season. In the last three games alone, he has averaged 16.7 after pulling down 20 rebounds against Brewton Parker and then securing 15 rebounds against Bethune-Cookman and UMBC.
The redshirt senior is averaging a double-double as well with 13.5 points per game. He's the third Owl player to be averaging in double figures this season.
Masterson of the Three
Junior Nick Masterson's hard work this offseason paid off as he is shooting 48.9 percent from the floor and is the second leading scorer averaging 15.5 per game. The junior shooting guard has made 14 of the team's 23 three-pointers this season. He started the season went 11-16 from the field while setting a new career high with 29 points in the team's opening game against Iowa. He was 7-10 from behind the arc tying a Kennesaw State single-game record.
Coming into the season, Masterson had seven games in double figures in his career. This season, he has scored in double figures in three of the four games.
Post Play Getting it Done
The Owls outscored Bethune-Cookman 42-26 in the paint led by Williams, Johannes Nielsen and Jordan Jones. Combined, those three went 18-21 from the floor.
KSU has out rebounded all four of its opponents this season. In two of the games, the margin has been by more than 10 rebounds.
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State men's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.
KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
TSU's Dunker, Robinson Accept Invites to Reese's Senior Bowl
MOBILE, Alabama -- Seniors Jessamen Dunker and Ezra Robinson have officially accepted their invitations to participate in the 2017 Reese’s Senior Bowl. The nation’s premier all-star game is set for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. and will be televised on the NFL Network.
Dunker, who was named to the Watch List in late August, is an offensive lineman from Boynton Beach, Fla., who started in 40 games over his career, including 10 this season. Dunker moved from guard to left tackle for the 2016 campaign and anchored the offensive line for the top scoring team in the OVC, which averaged 32.3 points per game. Dunker and his line mates powered an offense that generated 415.1 yards per game and topped the Ohio Valley Conference at 6.6 yards per play. Dunker and the Big Blue line allowed the least amount of sacks in the OVC (14).
Robinson was not on the initial Watch List, but was added for consideration during his stellar senior campaign. Robinson capped of his career at TSU with his fifth interception of the year on the final play of the season finale at Southeast Missouri. The cornerback started all 11 games for the Tigers in 2016 and compiled 42 tackles, 31 solo and had eight pass breakups. Robinson also recovered a fumble and was the only player in the OVC to return two interceptions for touchdowns and tied for second in the FCS. The Sarasota, Fla. native earned adidas OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play versus Eastern Kentucky (10/16).
The two selections give Tennessee State four over the last four seasons and five since 2008. Robert Myers and Kadeem Edwards were the last two linemen at the Senior Bowl for TSU. Myers was selected in 2015 while Edwards played in 2014. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was the last Tiger cornerback to participate when he accepted an invitation in 2008.
Dunker and Robinson bring the TSU total of participants to 27, which is the largest amount of any non-FBS program in the country. The Tigers outdistance all other HBCU institutions, just ahead of Jackson State (21) and Grambling (17).
The selections are also, at this time, the first two player invitees from an OVC school in the same season. In all, the conference opponents have sent 15 representatives over the years, led by Eastern Kentucky with five, followed by Jacksonville State and UT Martin with three each. Since joining the conference, TSU has sent nine players.
This also marks the first time TSU has sent two in the same season since 1978 when defensive linemen Sylvester Hicks and Stan Johnson went to Mobile. In 1973, wide receiver Ollie Smith and offensive lineman Robert Woods were the first Tiger duo to play together. The following year, TSU sent its largest group to Mobile as linebacker Waymond Bryant, wide receiver John Holland and defensive lineman Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones played in the game.
The list of accepted invites has risen to 29 and will reach 110 seniors during the upcoming weeks. Practices will be broadcasted live on ESPN2 and the NFL Network beginning on Jan. 23.
List of All TSU Tigers at the Senior Bowl
1967 - Bill Tucker, B
1968 - Claude Humphrey, DL
1969 - James Marsalis, DB
1971 - Vern Holland, OL
1972 - Cliff Brooks, DB
1973 - Ollie Smith, WR and Robert Woods, OL
1974 - Waymond Bryant, LB, John Holland, WR and Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones, DL
1976 - Larry Dorsey, WR and Mike Hegman, LB
1977 - Oliver Davis, DB
1978 - Sylvester Hicks, DL and Stan Johnson, DL
1979 - Dwight Wheeler, OL
1980 - McDonald Oden, TE
1982 - Donald Laster, OL
1993 - Patrick Robinson, WR
1994 - Randy Fuller, DB
2000 - Michael Thompson, OL
2001 - Ligarius Jennings, DB
2008 - Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DB
2014 - Kadeem Edwards, OL
2015 - Robert Myers, OL
2016 – Jessamen Dunker, OL and Ezra Robinson, CB
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Nine Tennessee State Tigers Selected All-OVC
BRENTWOOD, Tennessee -- Tennessee State placed nine players on the 2016 All-Ohio Valley Conference Football Team as announced by the OVC office on Tuesday. Six Tigers were named first team, two on the second team and two were selected to the All-Newcomer Team.
Offensive Tackle Jessamen Dunker, wide receiver Patrick Smith, defensive end Ebo Ogundeko, cornerback Ezra Robinson, kicker Lane Clark and return specialist Chris Rowland earned first team honors, while offensive guard Kevin Kenton and linebacker Chris Collins were named second team. Wide receiver Steven Newbold joined Rowland on the All-Newcomer squad.
Dunker and Kenton anchored the offensive line for the top scoring team in the OVC, which averaged 32.3 points per game. The two seniors powered an offense that generated 415.1 yards per game and topped the OVC at 6.6 yards per play. The front five allowed the least amount of sacks in the OVC (14). Dunker, a second team All-OVC selection a year ago, played in 11 games, starting 10, while Kenton started all 11 contests. Dunker has accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Smith led all OVC receivers with 13 Touchdowns, 78 Points and in points per game (7.1). His total touchdowns were fifth best in the FCS and tied for the seventh most in the OVC in a single season. The junior finished with, 61 catches for 966 yards (15.8 ypc) and averaged 87.8 yards per game. Smith amassed 16 plays over 20 yards and four over 40, including a 93-yard scoring play from Ronald Butler versus Vanderbilt (the second longest in TSU history). Smith was a second team selection in 2015 and earned OVC Player of the Week honors for his play at Vanderbilt (10/22).
Ogundeko snared his second straight first team selection, despite missing three games and playing sparingly in three others due to injury. The junior led all conference defensive linemen with 25 solo tackles despite playing in just eight games. Ogundeko also finished in the top three in tackles (48), tackles for loss (11.0) and sacks (5.5). The defensive end added a pass breakup, five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick to his resume for the season. Ogundeko was an OVC Defensive Player of the Week winner after the first week of the season (9/11).
Robinson started all 11 games for the Tigers in 2016 and compiled 42 tackles, 31 solo, five interceptions and eight pass breakups. Robinson also recovered a fumble and was the only player in the OVC to return two interceptions for touchdowns, tying for second in the FCS. The senior earned adidas OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play versus Eastern Kentucky (10/16). Along with Dunker, Robinson has accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Clark became the first kicker at TSU to be named to the All-OVC First Team. Clark led the OVC in scoring with 89 points and 8.1 points per game. He was one of three players in the four levels of NCAA to kick at least four field goals of over 50 yards. Clark also had five field goals ranging in the 40’s. No other kicker in the OVC attempted more than eight kicks this season from 40-Plus, one less than the nine Clark made from that distance. The junior made kicks from 44, 46, two from 47, 49, 52, 54, 55 and a school record 57 (also the longest in the OVC over the past 15 years). Clark accounted for four of the five longest distances in the FCS this season. Clark finished the season making 17-of-25 FG’s (68.0%) and 38-of-42 PAT’s. Clark was named OVC Specialist of the Week on two separate occasions this season (10/2, 11/19).
Rowland was one of only two freshmen to make the first team this season, along with OVC Freshman of the Year Marlon Bridges from Jacksonville State. Rowland led the nation in Combined Return Yards with 1,103 yards and finished third in the OVC in All-Purpose yards. The first-year returned 42 returns kickoffs for 993 yards (23.6 ypr) with a long of 66 to go along with 13 punt returns for 111 yards (8.5 ypr) and a long of 20. Offensively, Rowland caught 16 passes for 236 yards and rushed 14 times for 57 yards.
Collins started all 11 games for the Tigers and collected 87 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and forced a fumble. Collins also registered 59 solo tackles which led the OVC and is 22nd in FCS averaging 5.3 solo tackles per game. The junior captained the defense and helped TSU to a 7-4 record.
Newbold concluded an explosive rookie campaign, which included an OVC Newcomer of the Week honor for his play at Eastern Illinois (10/9). The true freshman totaled 16 plays over 20 yards and added three more of 40 yards or more, highlighted by a 71 yard touchdown reception at Bethune-Cookman. Newbold finished 14th in the nation with 19.1 yards per reception and was the top freshman receiver in the conference in receptions (41), yards (784) and touchdowns (6).
The nine selections were the most since 2013 when TSU put 12 members on the team.
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)