VSU Men's Cross Country Team Reclaims CIAA Championship Title

SALEM, Virginia  -- The Virginia State University men's cross country team accomplished their season goal by reclaiming the CIAA Championship Title. VSU had five Trojans to cross the finish line among the overall top 15 finishes. Leading the charge for the Trojans was Tyreece Huff with an overall second place time of 26:36.5.

RESULTS

The full story is forthcoming.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama A&M Bulldogs preparing for Magic City Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- From the first day Connell Maynor arrived at Alabama A&M, the Bulldogs football coach has heard a recurring message:

The Magic City Classic is important.

There is truth in what Maynor has heard.

Not only is the Magic City Classic a longstanding — and intense — rivalry between Alabama's two largest HBCUs, but it also is one of the most-attended games in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision.

"And this game is extremely important to a whole lot of people," Maynor said. "That was made clear since Day 1. I've been told that from just about everyone since the day I got here."

Maynor and his new Alabama A&M coaching staff is about to see what the chatter is about.



Alabama A&M plays Alabama State on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the Magic City Classic in Birmingham at Legion Field. It is the 81st time the two in-state rivals have played, and it is the 77th time in the Magic City Classic.

"Since I got here, when I go out and talk to alumni groups, the primary thing I've been told is 'you better win the Classic,'" Maynor said. "It doesn't take long to figure out just how big this game is. Just look at the numbers. This is one of the biggest games in the FCS, and for our players to have a chance to play in an event like this is huge.

"This game is a reason why guys choose to play at Alabama A&M."

In Maynor's first season, Alabama A&M (3-4) has shown lots of positive signs.

With a young team that relies heavily on underclassmen, Alabama A&M has made waves in the
SWAC, competing with some of the league's top teams.

But, what would a strong showing the Classic provide?

"This game carries so much weight," Alabama A&M defensive end Yurik Bethune. "These are the type of games you love as a player. It means so much to so many people. This is what it's about."

Alabama A&M (3-4, 2-2 in SWAC) is entering the final stretch of its schedule, and the Bulldogs are chasing the program's first winning season in six years.

How would a successful game against a longtime rival impact the program?

"It would be huge," Alabama A&M quarterback Aqeel Glass said. "There aren't many schools our size who have games of this magnitude. Anyone who thinks it's not a big deal just needs to come by the stadium on Saturday. When that many people come out for an event, it's a really, really big deal.

"A win in this game goes a really long way."

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

GAME NOTES: NCCU Football at Delaware State

THE GAME
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" vs. Delaware State University "Hornets" 

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, October 27, 2018 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.

THE SITE
Alumni Stadium (7,000 capacity / Astro Turf) - Dover, Del.

THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (3-3 overall, 2-1 MEAC); Delaware State (0-7 overall; 0-4 MEAC)

GAME NOTES

MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (internet stream). Broadcast starts at 1:40 p.m. (Jonathan Duren, play-by-play).
TV:  ESPN3 (WatchESPN).

QUICK HITS
• Saturday will be Delaware State's homecoming game.
• NCCU leads the series against Delaware State, 18-6. The Eagles have won nine of the last 10 contests, including five straight.
• First-year Delaware State head coach Rod Milstead was an offensive line coach at NCCU in 2013.
• Delaware State has the second-best rushing attack in the MEAC with an average of 170.0 ground yards per contest.
• The Eagles were ranked No. 1 in the nation (Division I-FCS) in turnovers lost with just one before losing two fumbles at Norfolk State, which dropped the Eagles to second in the nation - still best in the MEAC.
• NCCU leads the conference and ranks 19th in the NCAA Division I-FCS in tackles for loss with an average of 7.5 per game.
• NCCU tops the MEAC and ranks fifth in the nation in third-down conversion percentage defense (.280).
• NCCU boasts the top red-zone offense in the MEAC, scoring 91.3 percent of the time. The Eagles are 21-of-23 inside the 20-yard line, with 14 touchdowns and seven field goals.
• NCCU senior defensive lineman Darius Royster already has more tackles for loss than last season's team leaders (Roderick Harris and Antonio Brown with 8.5). Royster owns 10.0 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage (2nd in MEAC, 12th in FCS) and three forced fumbles (1st in MEAC, 3rd in FCS).
• NCCU senior safety Davanta Reynolds, the Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team (Second Team), ranks third in the MEAC with 49 tackles (8.2 per game).
• Since the start of the 2012 season, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three defensive scores last year and two this season.
• NCCU is under the direction of first-year head coach Granville Eastman, who accepted the interim role after Jerry Mack left to be the offensive coordinator at Rice.
• NCCU received votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 preseason poll.
• NCCU returns just nine starters (6 offense, 3 defense), but boasts nine members of the Preseason All-MEAC Team: First Team - DB Davanta Reynolds, RB Isaiah Totten, OL Nick Leverett, DL Kawuan Cox; Second Team - TE Josh McCoy, OL Andrew Dale, DL Randy Anyanwu; Third Team - WR Xavier McKoy, and DB De'Mario Evans.

ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL
NCCU won three consecutive MEAC championships from 2014-16, and represented the MEAC in the 2016 Celebration Bowl versus Grambling in the Georgia Dome.
NCCU Recent Records:
2017: 7-4 overall, 5-3 MEAC
2016: 9-3 overall, 8-0 MEAC – MEAC champions
2015: 8-3 overall, 7-1 MEAC – MEAC co-champions
2014: 7-5 overall, 6-2 MEAC – MEAC co-champions

THE SERIES
This will be the 25th meeting in the series between the Eagles and the Hornets since the teams first played in 1945. NCCU leads the series against Delaware State, 18-6. The Eagles have won nine of the last 10 contests with wins in 2017, 2016, 2015, 2012, 2011, 2004, 2003, 1996 and 1979, while DSU won the 2010 meeting 29-7.

NCCU vs. Delaware State Series Results:
10/28/2017 - NCCU 42, DSU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
11/5/2016 - NCCU 38, DSU 19 (Dover, Del.)
11/7/2015 - NCCU 43, DSU 10 (Durham, N.C.)
11/3/2012 - NCCU 23, DSU 20 - 2OT (Durham, N.C.)
11/5/2011 - NCCU 14, DSU 7 (Dover, Del.)
11/6/2010 - DSU 29, NCCU 7 (Dover, Del.)
9/11/2004 - NCCU 26, DSU 23 (Dover, Del.)
9/20/2003 - NCCU 21, DSU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
9/21/1996 - NCCU 21, DSU 16 (Atlantic City, N.J.)
10/13/1979 - NCCU 31, DSU 26 (Durham, N.C.)
10/14/1978 - DSU 16, NCCU 13 (Dover, Del.)
10/15/1977 - DSU 23, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
10/16/1976 - NCCU 27, DSU 6 (Dover, Del.)
10/18/1975 - NCCU 16, DSU 14 (Durham, N.C.)
10/19/1974 - NCCU 7, DSU 0 (Dover, Del.)
10/13/1973 - NCCU 32, DSU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
10/14/1972 - DSU 14, NCCU 10 (Dover, Del.)
10/16/1971 - NCCU 34, DSU 3 (Durham, N.C.)
10/7/1950 - NCC 13, DSU 0 (Dover, Del.)
10/22/1949 - NCC 27, DSU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
9/25/1948 - NCC 14, DSU 0 (Dover, Del.)
9/27/1947 - DSU 7, NCC 0 (Durham, N.C.)
9/28/1946 - NCC 32, DSU 6 (Durham, N.C.)
9/29/1945 - DSU 13, NCC 12 (Durham, N.C.)

THE LAST MEETING
(NCCU 42, Delaware State 14 - Durham, N.C. - Oct. 28, 2017) NCCU celebrated homecoming with a 42-14 victory over Delaware State in front of a capacity crowd of 14,117 fans inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. NCCU senior wide receiver Jacen Murphy collected 10 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns. NCCU amassed 401 yards of total offense with quarterback Chauncey Caldwell accounting for 252 total yards and four scores. The Durham, North Carolina native completed 17-of-29 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 10 yards and a pair of trips to the end zone. Defensively, NCCU recorded four sacks and three interceptions. Safety Davanta Reynolds picked off his fourth interception of the season and added four tackles and a pass break-up. Cornerback De'Mario Evans tallied six takedowns and an interception, while defensive end Kawuan Cox added six stops with two sacks.

THE LAST MEETING IN DELAWARE
(NCCU 38, Delaware State 19 - Dover, Del. - Nov. 5, 2016) NCCU scored touchdowns in all three phases of the game to hand Delaware State University a 38-19 defeat at Alumni Stadium.

LAST WEEK
NCCU 36, Norfolk State 6 (Norfolk, Va.) - NCCU amassed five takeaways (3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries) and six sacks, and connected on the second-longest pass play in school history during a 36-6 conference road victory over Norfolk State at William "Dick" Price Stadium. Among NCCU's five takeaways was a red-zone interception by NCCU senior safety Jaquell Taylor midway through the third quarter, keeping the Spartans off the scoreboard. Two plays later, Eagles quarterback Chauncey Caldwell connected with tight end Sherman McLeod for a 93-yard touchdown reception, the second-longest pass play in school history, to push the Eagles ahead 19-0. NCCU recorded 388 yards of total offense, including 200 yards rushing, to average 5.7 yards per play, while Norfolk State managed 301 total yards for an average of 3.8 yards per play. Caldwell accounted for 241 yards of total offense for the Eagles with 188 passing yards and 53 yards rushing, including a 5-yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter. Sophomore running back Isaiah Totten registered 108 ground yards with a 35-yard score in the fourth quarter, along with three receptions for 23 yards. Sophomore Nique Martin tallied six receptions for 44 yards for the Eagles. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Branden Bailey posted a game-high 11 tackles, junior lineman Tavon Lofties chipped in five tackles with two sacks, senior linebacker King Kiaku contributed six takedowns with two pass break-ups and a fumble recovery, and senior lineman Randy Anyanwu added a sack and a blocked punt. NCCU interceptions were recorded by Taylor, senior safety Davanta Reynolds and redshirt freshman linebacker Patrick Connor, who also recovered a fumble. Redshirt freshman kicker Adam Lippy made all three field goal attempts with a long kick of 38 yards, while also converting three extra-point kicks. NCCU entered the contest ranked No. 1 in the nation in turnovers lost with just one interception in the first game of the season. On Saturday, the Eagles lost two fumbles.

S.C. State 30, Delaware State 19 (Orangeburg, S.C.) - South Carolina State scored two touchdowns after blocking punts and another on an interception return in a 30-19 win over Delaware State at Oliver C. Stadium. Delaware State won the total yardage battle, 410-404, highlighted by a 217-136 edge in passing yards, but was plagued by critical miscues. In addition to the blocked punts and interception return for touchdown, the Hornets were set back by another interception that went in and out of a receiver's hands and two holding penalties that negated 30-plus-yard passing gains.
THE COACHES
NCCU: Granville Eastman (Saint Mary's, 1992) is in his first season as a college head coach. With 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Eastman joined the NCCU staff in January 2014, serving as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach until his promotion to interim head coach on Dec. 8, 2017. Prior to joining NCCU, Eastman spent nine seasons (2005-13) as the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tennessee. During his 11 total seasons at APSU, he coached defensive backs and linebackers, and also served as special teams coordinator (2003-04) and interim head coach (winter 2013). Eastman coached four seasons (1999-2002) at Tiffin University in Ohio, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, while working with defensive backs and defensive line during his tenure. A native of Toronto, Canada, Eastman secured his first coaching position at York University in his hometown, where he spent two seasons (1994-95) working with defensive backs. He then served as a defensive graduate assistant for three seasons (1996-98) at Arkansas State University, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1999. Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Stephen Leacock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there. Eastman earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University in 1992.

Delaware State: Rod Milstead (Delaware State, 1992), a former DSU Hornet All-America offensive lineman and National Football League standout, is in his first season as head coach at his alma mater. This is his first collegiate head coach position. Milstead served as Delaware State's offensive line coach in 2014 and held the same position at North Carolina Central in 2013. Following his playing career with the Hornets, Milstead competed for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Washington Redskins.

NCCU TRIO REGAINS WEEKLY MEAC AWARDS
For the second time in consecutive outings, three North Carolina Central University Eagles received weekly football awards from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for their performances during a 36-6 road victory over Norfolk State on Saturday, Oct. 20. NCCU sophomore quarterback Chauncey Caldwell (Durham, N.C.) has been named the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week, redshirt freshman kicker Adam Lippy (Tucker, Ga.) has been announced as the MEAC Specialist of the Week, and redshirt junior Nick Leverett (Concord, N.C.) has been selected as the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week. The trio earned the same honors two weeks ago prior to the Eagles' off week, when NCCU rallied to beat Howard on Oct. 6. In this past weekend's win over Norfolk State, Caldwell amassed 241 yards of total offense and accounted for two touchdowns. He passed for 188 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown connection to tight end Sherman McLeod for the second-longest pass play in NCCU history, and rushed for 53 yards and a score. Lippy accounted for 12 points with three field goals and converted three extra-point kicks. Leverett helped pave the way for 388 yards of total offense and 36 points. He graded out at 98 percent with three pancake blocks, no sacks allowed and zero penalties.

EAGLES TURN DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS INTO POINTS
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Eagles have demonstrated a knack for finding the end zone when the offense is off the field. In the past 75 games, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including two this season, three in 2017, three in 2016, six in 2015, five in 2014, nine in 2013 and 10 in 2012. In that time, the Eagles have made trips to the end zone on 14 punt returns, six kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries. 

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY EAGLES SPORTS INFORMATION

This Is Game Week: Morgan State vs. Florida A&M

 Morgan State Notes  |     Florida A&M Notes (PDF) |    MEAC Notes (PDF) |   Purchase Tickets |
 MEAC Teleconference Audio  |     GAMEDAYGuide   
 Facebook.com/MorganStateBears   |    @MorganStBears

GAME TIME
Morgan State (2-5, 1-2) returns to the gridiron when they face Florida A&M (5-2, 4-0). The match-up will kick off in Bragg Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m. and will be televised live by ESPN3 and  broadcast by WEAA, 88.9 FM.

The Bears enter the 2018 season under the leadership of interim head coach Ernest T. Jones. Florida A&M completed the 2017 season with a 3-8 overall mark and went 2-6 in the MEAC. The Rattlers will enter the contest fresh off of a bye week.

GAME COVERAGE
TELEVISION: ESPN3

RADIO: WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears ... Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with Renard Stubbs and Austin Ward in the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org. 

LIVE STATS: Click Here

SOCIAL NETWORKS
Fans can keep up-to-date with all MSU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/MorganStBears and @MorganStateFootball. You can also become a fan of the Bears on Facebook at Facebook.com/MorganStateBears.

TICKETS
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all five home games, including homecoming start at only $95. Premium seats are now available for purchase by calling 443.885.1522 or visiting MSU Student Center Athletics Ticket Office during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or visit  morganstatebears.com/tickets.

THE SERIES
• Saturday's matchup marks the 29th meeting between the two schools.
• The Rattlers lead the overall series 21-7 since 1943.
• Florida A&M posted a 34-31 victory in the last meeting in Baltimore in 2017.
• The Bears fell 22-21 in their last visit to Bragg Memorial Stadium on Nov. 19, 2016.

THE COACHES
•  Morgan State - Ernest T. Jones (Alcorn State, '95) joined the Bears as the Defensive Coordinator in 2016 and was previously a JUCO head coach at ASA Miami (2015 - 8-2 record); he has also worked at Connecticut, Notre Dame, Univ. of Buffalo, Cincinnati, Alcorn State, Central Michigan, Oberlin, Kentucky State and Concordia. CAREER RECORD (12-17, 2 yrs); RECORD AT MSU (2-5, 1st yr).

•  Florida A&M - Willie Simmons (Clemson, '02) enters his first season at the helm for the Rattlers. He left Prairie View A&M after coaching three seasons, where he went a combined 21-11. He  also had an impressive three-year stint as the offensive coordinator at Alcorn State, winning the 2014 SWAC and SBN Black College National Championships. RECORD AT FLORIDA A&M (5-2, 1st yr), CAREER RECORD (26-13, 4th yrs).

QUICK HITS
• Junior DeAndre Harris, a 6-4, 210-pound quarterback from Washington (Ga.) has connected on 74 of 143 passes for 889 yards, including five TDs. He has also had 88 carries for 309 yards with three TDs.
• The Bears recorded a season-high 229 yards on the ground against UAlbany and had 226 vs. Howard.
• Against Howard, junior RB Josh Chase finished with a season-high 115 yards on 20 carries, including a 22-yard TD run.
• Senior LB Damare' Whitaker ranks second in the MEAC with 60 total tackles (42 solo).
• LB Rico Kennedy, the team's leading tackler in 2017 with 70 stops, in addition to 19.5 tackles for loss (No. 3 in the FCS), has posted 41 tackles, a team-high 7 TFLs, with 2.5 sacks and 4 QB hurries through 7 games.
• MSU's defense leads the MEAC in turnovers gained with 15 (12 interceptions, 5 fumbles).
• The Bears defense held #4 NCAT to 1 of 12 in 3rd down conversions.
• Ernest T. Jones' Bears are predicted to finish 9th in the MEAC's 2018 Preseason Order of Finish.

LAST TIME vs. FLORIDA A&M - OCT. 28, 2017
BALTIMORE, Md. -- Morgan State sophomore quarterback DeAndre Harris took over the reigns late in the second quarter after head coach Fred T. Farrier decided to pull starter Elijah Staley.
• Harris tossed a pair touchdown passes before halftime and added a 3-yard TD scamper that would have been the game clinching score, however Florida A&M answered on a 12-yard touchdown pass with under 6 minutes left to escape with a 34-31 victory at Hughes Stadium.
• Florida A&M (3-6, 2-4) overcame some early miscues – including three turnovers in the first half – to get their second conference win of the season. 
• Morgan State (1-7, 1-4) and FAMU made it an interesting game as both teams exchanged scores throughout the day, but key penalties and a late fourth quarter interception from redshirt sophomore Terry Jefferson sealed the Bears defeat.
• Harris completed 9 of 19 passes for 149 yards and tossed two TD passes to redshirt senior Amonta Poteat. Poteat led the Bears receiving corps with seven catches for 99 yards. 

A WIN WOULD ... 
...give Ernest T. Jones his second win as MSU's head coach and his 13th career win.
... mark the Bears' first win against Florida A&M since a 21-7 win on Nov. 14, 2015 in Baltimore.
... mark the Bears' first win against Florida A&M in Tallahassee since a 24-9 victory on Oct. 4, 2014. 
... mark MSU's second road conference win of the season.
... trim the Rattler's all-time series record lead to 21-8 since 1943.
... mark the Bears third road win of the season - matching the most road wins to start a season since 2011.

A GLANCE AT THE RATTLERS
•  Florida A&M finished 2017 with an overall mark of 3-8 and went 2-6 in conference play. The Rattlers finished 0-3 in MEAC home contests.
•  FAMU enters Saturday's contest coming off of a bye week. The Rattlers currently rank No. 1 atop the BoxToRow Coaches Poll and Media Poll with a 5-2 overall record and are unblemished in the MEAC at 4-0.  
•  Head coach Willie Simmons' (Clemson, 2002) offense ranks No. 2 in the league averaging 368.1 yards of total offense (143.6 rushing; 224.6 passing). They have scored 10 rushing TDs and 10 passing. The Rattlers average 27 points per contest.
•  FAMU's offense is led by r-junior QB Ryan Stanley. The 6-3, 210-pound Pembroke Pines (Fla.) product has completed 122-of-202 passes (60.4%)  for 1,545 yards (Ranks No. 3), with 10 TDs and 6 INTs. 
•  R-Sophomore RB Bishop Bonnett is averaging 8.0 yards per carry with 3 TDs. The 6-1, 205 pound senior has 343 yards on 43 carries, while Deshawn Smith has 57 carries for 304 yards and a TD.
• R-sophomore wideout Chad Hunter (6-0, 180) and r-freshman Xavier Smith (5-10, 165) are two of the league's top receivers. Hunter has 32 catches for 446 yards (63.7 avg/g) and 5 TDS, while Smith has 26 catches for 340 yards (42.5 avg/g) and 2 TDs. 
• FAMU is allowing 337.9 yards of total offense (rushing 116.3; passing 221.6). The Rattlers have also forced 9 turnovers (7 INTs; 2 FR). Opponents are averaging 5.2 yards per play. The Rattlers have recorded 45 tackles for loss.
• FAMU's D is led by sophomore linebacker Derrik Mayweather (Ft. Worth, Texas) and senior outside linebacker Antonio MIller. Mayweather, (6-0, 240) ranks No. 11 in the league with 44 tackles, while Miller (6-1, 205) ranks T-No.32 with 34 stops to go along with 7.5 TFL, 3 sacks and a pair of interceptions.

NOTABLE NATIONAL NOTES
Here are a few 2018 FCS national statistics of note on offense, defense and special teams that pertained to the Bears:
• Senior LB Damare' Whitaker ranks T-No. 16 nationally in solo tackles (35).
• Sophomore CB Donte Small ranks T-No. 6 nationally in interceptions per game (0.6; 4 ints) and
No. 3 in passes defended (13).
• Senior DL Ayodeji Agbelese ranks T-No. 7 nationally in fumble recoveries (2).
• Junior LB Ian McBorrough ranks T-No. 32 nationally in sacks (5).
• Freshman DE Colby Warrior ranks T-No. 6 nationally in blocked kicks (2).
• MSU ranks T-No. 8 nationally in turnovers gained (18) and T-No. 4 in passes intercepted (12).
• The Bears rank No. 12 nationally in 3rd down conversion defense (.295).
• The Bears rank No. 16 nationally in passing efficiency defense (105.06).
• The Bears rank T-No. 15 nationally in defensive TDs (2).
• MSU ranks No. 36 nationally in total defense (364.3).

PRESEASON PICKED 9TH 
Morgan State was picked to finish ninth (9th) to MEAC defending champion and Preseason #1 North Carolina A&T and #2 Howard.
 
PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERS
Seven (7) Morgan State football players were named to the 2018 MEAC preseason team, which was voted on by the conference head coaches and sports information directors.  Senior defensive lineman Malachi Washington and junior linebacker Rico Kennedy were first-team selections. Senior offensive linemen Joshua Miles and Matthew Thompson were third-team picks, along with junior wideout Manasseh Bailey, junior linebacker Ian McBorrough, and senior defensive back Carl Garnes. The seven preseason All-MEAC performers are part of a group of 37 lettermen and 16 starters returning for the 2018 Morgan State football season.
 
BEARS OPEN 120th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 120th season of football and will open the 2018 campaign under interim head coach Ernest T. Jones, set to enter his first year at the helm and his third year at Morgan State.
 
RETURN MEN 
The 2018 Morgan State Bears return 37 letterwinners, including 16 starters - 7 on offense, 8 on defense and 1 on special teams.
 
CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS 
The Bears enter the 2018 season looking to post their first winning season since going 6-5 in 2009. MSU's 7-6 record in 2014 was vacated. 
 
NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Bears will open the 2018 campaign against four non-conference opponents. MSU opens the season against Towson (Sept. 1) in the 'Battle for Greater Baltimore', followed by road trips versus  Akron (Sept. 9), Univ. at Albany (Sept. 15) and the N.C. A&T (Sept. 22) game will also be recorded as a non-conference contest. 
 
BEARS OPEN 41st SEASON IN MEAC
The Bears will open its 41st season in the MEAC when they host South Carolina State for Homecoming on Oct. 6.
• The Bears opened the 2017 MEAC schedule with a 49-17 loss against #15 N.C. A&T at Hughes Stadium. 
• The Bears kicked off its first season in the MEAC in 1971. Morgan State withdrew from the conference at the end of the 1979-80 fiscal year, before returning to the MEAC in 1984.
 
EDWARD SCOTT NAMED TO FCS ADA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Division I Football Subdivision Athletics Directors Association announced that Morgan State's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Edward Scott will serve on its Executive Committee. Scott represents the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE CLASSROOM
The Morgan State football team has had great success in the classroom.
• Most recently, the Bears produced a 3.24 GPA during Summer 2018.
• The 2017-18 school year saw the Bears achieve their highest single-year GPA in program history.
• The program had 31 Athletic Director Honor Roll Members in the Fall of 2017, a 41% increase from the previous Fall. 

MSU LEGEND EDDIE P. HURT NAMED TO 2019 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME BALLOT
76 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks make-up the 2019 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.  Morgan State head coach Eddie P. Hurt is among the list of nominees.
•  Hurt led Morgan's football teams to six Black College National Championships and won 14 CIAA titles. 
• Eleven of his squads executed undefeated seasons, including a non-losing string of games from 1932 to 1938. 
•  His 1943 team did not allow a score from a single opponent.
 
FOLLOW US IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
            Facebook: /MorganStateBears
            Twitter: @MorganStBears
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MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Virginia State Women's Basketball 2018-2019 Season Outlook

2018-2019 Women's Basketball Schedule

ETTRICK, Virginia -- Head women's basketball coach James Hill, Jr. is on a quest to reclaim the CIAA title in 2019. The Virginia State University Women's Basketball team will tipped-off their 2018 – 2019 season on Tuesday, November 6th in an exhibition contest against Newport News Apprentice School. The Trojans finished the 2017-18 campaign as with 23-6 overall record, 12-4 CIAA, where the Trojans made an appearance in the 2018 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Atlantic Region Tournament.   

The Trojans will return four players from last year's roster. Key returners include: senior Aja Robertson, senior Chrisanna Green, senior Taylor Hayes and junior Ebony Reynolds. Robertson, the senior guard from Bells, Tennessee, averaged 7.2 points a game will be leaned on for her senior leadership.  Green is a senior from Jamestown, New York averaged 13.1 points and 10.3 rebounds a game.  Taylor Hayes and Ebony Reynolds will be leaned upon to help out with leadership and keep the team focused. Shayln Washington(Richmond, Va.) is returning and will make an immediate impact to the team.

Newcomers to the team that are looking to make an immediate impact are sophomore Autumn Hopson(Gainesville, VA), junior Yazmen  Hannah (Hickory, NC), junior Tajah Clark (Clayton, NC), senior Asia Timmons (Virginia Beach, VA), freshman Jalynn Spaulding  (Lawrence, NJ), freshman Jeane' Robinson(Stafford, VA), junior BriAllen McIver (Williamsburg, VA), junior Zhane Barnes (Fredericksburg, VA) and sophomore Brianna Jones (Waverly, VA).

Head Coach James Hill, Jr. said of the upcoming season "with our returning players coupled with our incoming class.  I am excited to see where this season can take us." We have a lot of depth on the bench this year. We have four transfer added to the defensive end. We will be more aggressive and up-tempo this season." said Hill.

Throughout the year, VSU will play key games against Edinboro, Cheyney, Paine College, Puerto Rico-Bayamon, Tusculum, Lynchburg,  Saint Augustine's, Fayetteville State, Claflin, University of the District of Columbia, Winston-Salem State, Livingstone College, Johnson C. Smith University, Virginia Union University, Chowan University, Elizabeth City State University, Shaw University, Bowie State University, and Lincoln University.  The Trojans will play 12 of their 26 games scheduled at home. 
 
For the most up-to-date information on VSU women's basketball please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.



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