TSU Falls to Vanderbilt, 31-27, in Hard-Fought Battle

PHOTO GALLERY 

STATS 

Game 3: Tennessee State 27, Vanderbilt 31
Records: TSU (2-1), VU (3-2)
Venue: Vanderbilt Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Weather: Sunny, 63
Kickoff Time: 3:05 p.m.
Attendance: 27,340

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --- The Tennessee State football team went toe-to-toe with SEC foe Vanderbilt, falling by a 31-27 final score in a game that went down to the wire on Saturday at Vanderbilt Stadium. It was the first loss of the season for TSU.

Despite 269 yards passing and three touchdowns from junior quarterback Demry Croft, TSU (2-1) could not overcome the balanced attack of Vanderbilt (3-2).

TSU held a 13-7 halftime edge, but the Commodores bounced back by outscoring the Tigers, 24-14, in the second half.

The Tigers took a 27-24 lead with 8:02 to play on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Croft to Andrew Knox. On Vanderbilt’s ensuing possession, however, the Commodores took the lead for good with a touchdown pass with 6:20 left.

Dajour Nesbeth led TSU’s defense with 10 tackles and an interception. Terry Straughter also recorded an interception for the Tigers.

 FIRST QUARTER

• Tennessee State started with the ball and had some success until a penalty to stalled the drive.
• The defense stood tall on Vanderbilt’s first possession as Terry Straughter intercepted a Kyle Shirmer fourth down pass attempt.
• The Tigers have stopped their opponents on four straight fourth down attempts, dating back to the opening season win against Bethune-Cookman.
• The Tigers moved down to the Commodores 25 on a pair of Te’kendrick Roberson runs and a 20 yard pass play from Demry Croft to Treon Harris.
• Antonio Zita fell short on his 46 yard field goal attempt with 5:08 remaining in the quarter.
• Dajour Nesbeth stepped in front of Shirmer pass in the end zone for an interception and returned it 65 yards to the Vanderbilt 35.
• After a DeMarco Corbin eight yard run and a 10 yard dash by Croft, the Tigers moved to the five as Croft hit Stephen Newbold for 12 yards.
• The quarter ended with The Tigers facing a second and goal from the five.
• TSU outgained Vanderbilt 88-75 in the quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• On the second play of the quarter, Croft found Newbold in the end zone as the Tigers took a 7-0 lead.
• The Commodores responded with a seven play, 75 yard scoring drive to even the score at 7-7 with 11:23 on the clock.
• The Tigers came right back and scored in 4:51, to retake the lead at 13-6.
• The drive opened with a 12 yard pass play from Croft to Newbold and a 12 yard rush by the signal caller.
• Croft continued the drive with three passes to Harris for 12, seven and 31 yards, the last for a touchdown.
• Vanderbilt drove back down the field on their next possession, but the defense forced a field goal attempt which sailed wide right.
• The Commodores charged back down on their next series and kicked a 20 yard field goal just before half to cut into the Tigers lead, 13-10.

THIRD QUARTER

• Vanderbilt opened fast in the second half as they capped off a 76 yard scoring drive with a 38 yard touchdown pass, taking a 17-13 lead.
• The Commodores added another touchdown, a 78 yard rushing touchdown, two plays after stopping the Tigers at midfield.
• The Tigers bounced back, using an acrobatic catch by Steven Newbold for 20 yards to keep the drive alive.
• The play was called incomplete on the field and was overturned in review.
• Croft completed back-to-back passes to Newbold and DeVon Johnson for 15 and 20 yards, respectively, moving the ball to the VU two yard line.
• Corbin hit pay dirt on the next play, crashing through the middle of the line for a two yard touchdown blast.
• The quarter ended with the Tigers trailing 24-20.

NOTES

• TSU’s captains were Demry Croft, Micheal Hughes, Thomas Burton and LaQuarius Cook.
• TSU won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
• Saturday’s game aired live on SEC Network Alternate.
• Tennessee State is 0-3 in the all-time series versus Vanderbilt.
• Treon Harris made his first start of the season at wide receiver. Neiman Armstrong (CB) and Jeremiah Caine (DL) also made their first starts of the season for the Tigers.
• Tennessee State received votes in the most-recent STATS FCS Top 25 poll.
• TSU’s defense has an interception in two of the first three games this season. It is the second time this season TSU has posted multiple interceptions.
• TSU led at the half for the second time this season.

 WHAT’S NEXT

TSU travels to Austin Peay for an Oct. 6 game in Clarksville, Tenn. at 6 p.m. 

QUOTES
RUNNING BACK DEMARCO CORBIN
(on scoring in three-consecutive games)
“It’s been a good feeling. For the past few years in college football, this has been my job. When we get near the goal line, it’s time to go. I think I’ve shown (the coaching staff) that they can trust me, and hopefully I can continue to show them that.”

(on playing a close game with an SEC opponent)
“To me, that shows me this is a special teams. It shows we can do some big things if we all believe.”

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CHIDI OKEKE
(on the offense moving the ball)
“We do what we have to do all week. We watched Vanderbilt’s defense, and we believed we could match up with them and actually beat them. We kept what we were doing in practice and did it in the game.”

(on if the game gives him confidence)
“It gives me confidence moving forward because if we can play this way against OVC teams, it will be tough for them to match up with us.”

DEFENSIVE BACK LAQUARIUS COOK
(on the defense getting take aways)
“It’s pretty cool that we could do that against an SEC opponent, but we still came out trying to be the best we can be and give them nothing.”

(on building confidence from the game)
“It’s alright to play a close game, but we came here to win. We didn’t come here to play a close game.”

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

CSU Buccaneers utilize complete performance in topping Hampton, 48-14

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Charleston Southern played a complete game on Saturday afternoon as the Buccaneers dominated on offense, defense, and special teams in their 48-14 win over Hampton at Armstrong Stadium.

FB 1Q | CSU 7, Hampton 0@TerrenceWil23 takes the handoff and is gone - 68 yards for the touchdown on the opening drive #JoinTheSiege pic.twitter.com/xSVEJ1x88t

— CSU Game Day (@CSUGameDay) September 29, 2018

PDF Box Score

CSU (1-2) forced five turnovers, James Allen returned an interception and a kickoff for scores, and London Johnson connected on a pair of touchdown passes as the Buccaneers seized control with a 35-14 halftime lead on their way to coasting to their first win of the season.

Terrence Wilson sparked the offense early with a 68-yard touchdown run on the game's opening possession. The sophomore running back recorded his second career 100-yard rushing game in the win leading the Bucs with 10 carries for 103 yards and the score.

Johnson led CSU's passing attack with an 8-for-15 performance through the air for 63 yards and a score. Saire Davis and Ronnie Harris both recorded their first touchdown receptions of the season in the win.

James Allen led CSU's defensive efforts in the contest with a career-high three pass breakups, his first interception with the Bucs, and a pair of tackles. J.D. Sosebee added 10 tackles, a half sack, and two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery in the win.

Shai McKenzie led Hampton (1-3) with 21 carries for 129 yards. Bruce Dixon paced the offensive efforts through the air with an 8-of-17 performance for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Kapri Doucet led the Pirates with three tackles for loss including a pair of sacks. Chaka Diarrassouba and Caleb Brown both added interceptions.

Key Sequence
Hampton appeared to be riding the tide following a Charleston Southern fumble deep in Buccaneer territory early in the second quarter. Bruce Dixon immediately took advantage of the turnover and converted it into an HU touchdown as the junior quarterback targeted Jadakis Bonds on the fade pattern in the left corner for the touchdown to narrow the CSU lead down to 14-7.

Facing a team looking to ride the momentum, James Allen quieted the crowd down with his second touchdown of the contest. Allen fielded the Evan Lomax kickoff at the CSU 20-yard line and weaved his way through the defense. The senior defensive back broke a tackle at the HU 40 and went the rest of the way untouched for the 80-yard touchdown return, CSU's first special teams touchdown of the contest.

Allen's touchdown sparked a 34-7 run over the final three quarters as the Bucs held off Hampton the rest of the game.

How They Scored

• Terrence Wilson put the Bucs on the board in the first quarter as the sophomore tailback took the handoff up the middle and made his way up the right sideline to the end zone for the 68-yard touchdown run to cap the 5-play, 84-yard opening drive for the Bucs.
• James Allen added another score shortly afterward for CSU as the senior cornerback recorded his first interception with the Bucs and returned it 16 yards for the score with 7:04 left in the first quarter.
• Bruce Dixon connected with Jadakis Bonds following a CSU fumble deep inside Buccaneer territory early in the second quarter with a six-yard fade into the left corner to put the Pirates on the board with the touchdown pass.
• James Allen immediately responded once again for the Buccaneers with an 80-yard kickoff return for the touchdown to put the Bucs ahead 21-7 with 14:35 to play in the first half.
• CSU added to the lead again with London Johnson connecting with Saire Davis on the post pattern over the middle for the 13-yard touchdown reception with 11:23 remaining in the first half.
• Hampton's Caleb Brown ended the CSU scoring run with a pick-six of his own with nine minutes left in the half as the defensive back stepped in front of the pass and returned it 28 yards for the touchdown.
• Johnson atoned for the interception with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Harris on the rollout left before the half to put the Bucs into the break leading 35-14.
• Turnovers led to another CSU touchdown as the Bucs took the 41-14 lead following Adam Allen's two-yard plunge up the middle with 7:38 left in the third quarter.

Inside the Numbers

• Charleston Southern won a sloppy game in the turnover battle as the Buccaneers forced five turnovers, but coughed up three of their own in the win over the Pirates.
• CSU outgained the opposition for the first time this season outpacing Hampton 297-225 in the game.
• The Buccaneers outrushed their opponents for the third time this year, 226-187, behind Terrence Wilson's second career 100-yard rushing effort.
• CSU narrowly won the time of possession battle, 30:02-29:58, against the Pirates.
• CSU missed a PAT for the third consecutive game with Tyler Tekac's attempt in the third quarter going wide.
• Kyle Reighard continued his punting ways with a 40.2 average in the game including pinning three inside the 20.
• J.D. Sosebee eclipsed 10 tackles for the second consecutive game in the win.
• Jonathan Glover II added a season-high six stops to his credit, while Johnny Robinson recorded a half sack in the win.

News & Notes of Interest

• CSU's five-turnover game defensively was the first time the Bucs had reached the mark since the 2009 season. The Bucs forced five turnovers back in 2009 at Presbyterian.
• CSU's four forced fumbles and fumble recoveries marked the fifth time in program history the Buccaneers had recorded at least four of each in a single game.
• James Allen's kickoff return for a touchdown was CSU's first since Gerald Stevenson took one back 81 yards back on October 16, 2010, against Gardner-Webb.
• Allen's interception also marked the first CSU defensive score since Sekwan Jenkins returned an interception 70 yards last season against Mississippi Valley State.
• Terrence Wilson's 100-yard rushing game was the second of his collegiate career and first since the speedster recorded 106 yards last season against Mississippi Valley State.
• London Johnson's pair of touchdown passes was the second multi-touchdown passing effort of his career – his first came against Savannah State last season with four touchdown passes.
• CSU topped Hampton in their first matchup between the two programs in each of their respective histories. The Bucs and Pirates start an annual rivalry next season when Hampton joins the Big South Conference.

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Price, Sewell lead XULA teams at McNeese meet

LAKE CHARLES, Louisiana — Taylor Price and Camren Sewell were the first finishers Saturday for Xavier University of Louisiana at the McNeese Cowboy Stampede cross country meet.     

Price finished 45th out of 96 runners in the 5,000-meter women's race. Her time was 20 minutes, 58.3 seconds. Sewell placed 69th out of 99 runners in the four-mile men's race. His time was 25:07.6.
     
The Gold Nuggets' other finishers were Maliya Vaughan (55th place, 21:30.5), Brianna Pace (74th, 22:42.2), Mariah Cox (90th, 26:10.9) and Toni Trail (95th, 28:59.6).
     
Also finishing for the Gold Rush were Jordan Ashmore (79th, 26:07.5), Kadeem Burton(81st, 26:47.7), Francis Patterson (85th, 27:49.9), Darrick Williams (88th, 28:50.9), Oji Wells(91st, 29:10.2) and Langston Scott (93rd, 30:32.3). It was Scott's collegiate debut.
     
XULA scored 337 points to finish 12th out of 14 women's teams. One of the teams the Gold Nuggets beat was NCAA Division I Texas Southern. The XULA men finished 13th out of 14 teams with 354 points.
     
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi swept the team titles (women 24 points, men 39). Individual champions were Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Allyson Girard (17:15.2) in the women's race and McNeese's Daniel Saina (21:07.7) in the men's.
     
It was XULA's second competition of the season. The Nuggets and Rush will travel to Clinton, Miss., for the Watson Ford Invitational next Saturday — men's 8K at 8 a.m., women's 6K at 8:45.

Results (PDF):  Men    Women

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Alabama State Men's Golf in second place after opening round of NBCHOF Invitational

NEWNAN, Georgia -- The Alabama State men's golf team jumped out to an impressive start at the HBCU Golf Invitational on Friday by firing a 293 (+5) and is currently in sole possession of second place.

Thacher Neal and Afnan Chowdhury each carded a 71(-1) at Summer Grove Golf Club. The two Hornets are currently tied with Samuel Bradley (North Carolina Central) in third place. Thomas Caddell turned in a one-over par result and trails closely behind (seventh place) while Noel Sims (+2) is tied for eighth. Senior Mbongeni Maphosa Jr. fired his best round of the season (+3) and sits inside the top-15 via an eight-way tie for 13th place. Ben Swaffield (+6) and Patricio Minondo (+10) rounded out the scoring for Alabama State. Chowdhury and Minondo are competing in the event as individuals.

The Hornets trail Prairie View A&M (+3) – headlined by Lorenzo Elbert's 66 – heading into tomorrow's final round.

Live stats of the event can be tracked here.

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University men's and women's golf teams, follow us on social media at @BamaStateGolf (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State University athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

The Road To the Championship HBCU Football Schedule, Week 5

SATURDAY, SEPT. 29, 2018

BIG SOUTH
Charleston Southern at Hampton, 2 PM, ESPN+  Stats

OVC
Tennessee State at Vanderbilt, 4 PM, TV: SEC Network

SWAC
Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling State at Dallas, TX, 5 PM, State Fair Classic
Alabama A&M at Jackson State, 5 PM
Alcorn State at Southern, 7 PM, ESPN3
Arkansas Pine Bluff at Florida International, 7 PM, ESPN+

MEAC
Delaware State at Norfolk State, 4 PM, ESPN3
Florida A&M at North Carolina Central, 4 PM, ESPN3
Bethune-Cookman at Savannah State, 6 PM, ESPN3


OTHER HBCUs
Arizona Christian at Texas College, 12 PM
West Virginia State at Glenville State (WV) 12 PM, Stats   Video  Listen
Edward Waters at Keiser, 12 PM, 12 PM   Listen
Wayland Baptist at Langston, 3 PM, Stats   Video
Lincoln (MO) at Indianapolis, 6 PM, Video   Stats   Listen

SIAC
Benedict at Central State (OH), 1 PM,  Stats   Video
Lane at Tuskegee, 1 PM, Video
Morehouse at Kentucky State, 2 PM, Stats
Miles at Albany State, 6 PM, Video
Virginia University of Lynchburg at Fort Valley State, 6 PM
Allen at Clark Atlanta, 7 PM

CIAA
Livingstone at Virginia Union, 1 PM
Saint Augustine's at Elizabeth City State, 1 PM
Johnson C. Smith at Lincoln (PA), 1 PM
Winston-Salem State at Bowie State, 4 PM
Fayetteville State at Chowan, 6 PM
Shaw at Virginia State, 6 PM

ALL GAME TIMES SHOWN IN EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 27, 2018

MEAC
North Carolina A&T 31, South Carolina State 16

Tennessee State Coach Jessica Kern on the first official practice

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State University head women’s basketball coach Jessica Kern gave her thoughts on the first official practice of 2018.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Tigers Improve to 3-0 in OVC Play with Win Over JSU

JACKSONVILLE, Alabama -- In its first Ohio Valley Conference road game of the season, the Tennessee State Tiger volleyball team defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-23, 25-23) Friday evening at Kennamer Hall.

TSU is now 3-0 in conference play, 5-8 overall.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Julia Pierson recorded her third double-double of the season against the Gamecocks with a match-high 17 kills and 10 digs.
• Laken Te’o registered her career-high 46 assists.
• TSU combined for nine blocks – five Tigers registered three total blocks a piece. Rachel Henderson, Hinalei Fihaki and JoJo Kruize each posting solo blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Gamecocks served the first ball and won the first point with a kill by middle Addie Halverson. TSU’s first point came from a JSU service error. With Julia Pierson at the service line, fellow returner Rachel Henderson took control of the net, going up for and a solo block. From that point, TSU’s front row pushed the Tigers to create a six-point lead over Jacksonville State with a seven-point run that included a JoJo Kruize and Laken Te’o block. TSU finished the set with four team blocks and 13 kills to take the set, 25-23.

TSU took the lead in set two before Jacksonville State’s defense picked up steam halting the Tigers’ hitting accuracy to .081 compared to .219 in the first set. Freshman outside and Gamecock kills leader Lena Kindermann served as JSU’s finisher, posting four of the last six JSU points. Jacksonville State closed the set, 25-22.

The final two sets were battles as the Tigers started off fast, JSU pushed for points in the middle and TSU closed it out, winning both 25-23.

MATCH NOTES

• TSU improves to 11-23 in the all-time series against the Gamecocks.
• Big Blue is 3-0 in OVC play, while JSU sinks to 0-3.
• Jacksonville State won coin toss and served first.

UP NEXT             

TSU continues conference road play at Tennessee Tech tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. in the Eblen Center.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

AAMU Women's Soccer runs past Alcorn State

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  — Ayanna Gooden was excited about playing in front of a home crowd.

The Alabama A&M forward showed why.

Gooden scored three goals as Alabama A&M ran past Alcorn State 6-0 Friday afternoon to remain perfect in SWAC play.

Alabama A&M (3-6-1, 3-0 in SWAC) entered the contest on a hot streak, and the Bulldogs showed no signs of cooling off.

Gooden put a penalty kick in the back of the net midway into the first half to give Alabama A&M the lead, and momentum never shifted. Nia Thompson stretched the lead to 2-0 a few minutes later, and then Gooden followed with her second goal of the day.

BOX SCORE

Thompson finished with two goals, and Camille Nurse added another.

Gooden and Cailyn Poythress each had an assist for Alabama A&M.

Alabama A&M controlled possession throughout the match. Alcorn State (0-8, 0-3) only attempted three shots while the Bulldogs attempted 25, with seven of those being shots on goal.

Jodi Medina recorded the shutout in goal. She had one save.

Alabama A&M hosts Mississippi Valley on Sunday at 1 p.m.

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS