In the FCS Huddle: Can Savannah State be fixed?

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Joe Paterno. Tony Dungy. Dennis Green. Kirk Ferentz. Ted Marchibroda. Joe Philbin. Joe Lee Dunn. Willie Shaw. Yes, the list can go on.

When people, especially potential recruits, want to know why Earnest Wilson III believes he will get different results as Savannah State University's head football coach than plenty of predecessors, he can point to his many coaching influences.

It's an impressive list of coaches whom he worked under or alongside, or simply has drawn off.

"With any type of business, you've got to have a vision, you have to sell that vision to them," Wilson says. "I just say, 'Look at my background.'"

The 50-year-old Wilson's background suggests he can slow, perhaps end Savannah State's longstanding struggles. He was part of a national championship-winning staff in ...

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Tech lands Florida A&M transfer guard Jermaine Ruttley

RUSTON, Louisiana -- Louisiana Tech's busy day on the recruiting trail continued Tuesday evening when former Florida A&M guard Jermaine Ruttley announced on Twitter he is transferring to play for the Bulldogs.

The junior guard is a graduate transfer and is eligible to play immediately in 2016.

Ruttley joins Justin Leon as the two most recent additions to the Bulldogs' roster. Leon, a 6-foot-8 junior college forward, committed to Tech on Tuesday afternoon and is expected to sign.

Ruttley, a 6-3, 200-pound guard, averaged 17.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game for Florida A&M this past season. He'll bring instant scoring to a position that is losing two all-league guards in Speedy Smith and Raheem Appleby.

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DSU Hornets Make Progress in Red-White Scrimmage

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State football coaches saw enough from the offense and defense in the Hornets’ Red-White scrimmage at Alumni Stadium today to give them hope for the upcoming season.

The full contact scrimmage consisted of more than 80 plays in various situations, including short-and-long yardage, third down, red zone and goal line.

“I was pleased with the overall performance of the offense and defense,” said DSU first-year head coach Kenny Carter. “Both sides are on schedule are far as understanding their assignments in our new systems. While there were a number of positive plays in the scrimmage, we still have a long way to go in our development as a team.”

First-team quarterback Esayah Obado (r-jr.) appeared to have a good grasp of the new offense. He threw four touchdown passes in the scrimmage and directed two other scoring drives. Obado connected with tight end Nate Ortiz (jr.) on a 28-yard touchdown pass for the first score of the scrimmage. Ortiz had two long receptions in the scrimmage, strengthening his bid to be the team’s starting tight end this season. Hornet tight ends have combined for just three catches in the last two years.

Obado threw two touchdowns to wide receiver Aris Scott (jr.) and connected with wideout Marquel Knight (so.) on another. Two other apparent touchdowns throws by Obado were dropped by Hornet receivers.

Obado was DSU’s projected starter heading into the 2014 season, but was forced to sit out the year due to a lower back injury. He has not seen game action since 2013, when he completed 21-of-40 passes (52.5%) for 168 yards and two interceptions in four games as a redshirt freshman.

“Considering all he’s been through coming back from injury and learning a new offense, Esayah has done a really nice job for us this spring,” Carter said. “He made some good throws and impressed us with most his reads and check downs in the scrimmage. Of course, there are things he needs to improve, but he’s on the right track.”

Najee Jackson (sr.), Dae-Hon Cheung (sr.) and Jamaal Jackson (sr.) each had big running plays in the scrimmage.

The Hornet defense was particularly impressive in applying pressure on the quarterback. The officials stopped six plays that would have been ruled sacks for the defense.

The defense also kept the offense out of the end zone with two big stands inside of its five-yard line.

Linemen Tarique Anderson (sr.), Gabe Sherrod (jr.) and Jihad Abdur-Rahman (sr.), along with linebackers Demont Cook (so.), Malik Harris (so.) and Dan Zajac (so.) turned in solid efforts along the front seven.

In the secondary, T.J. Ajibola (so.) was the leading tackler, while J.R. Robinson (sr.) was solid in pass coverage.

The Hornets will wrap up their 2015 spring camp with a 6:30 p.m. practice on Monday at Alumni Stadium.

Coach Carter will begin his first summer camp as DSU head coach in August.

The Hornets open the 2015 season on Sep. 5 at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. The home opener is Sep. 19 against Chowan.

2015 DSU Hornets Football Schedule

Date Opponent Location Time (ET) .   Sat, Sep 05  Liberty Lynchburg, Va.   TBA   Sat, Sep 12  Kent State Kent, OH   TBA Hall-of-Fame Day   Sat, Sep 19  CHOWAN Dover, Del.   2 p.m.   Sat, Oct 03  MORGAN STATE * Dover, Del.   2 p.m.   Sat, Oct 10  Hampton * Hampton, Va.   TBA   Sat, Oct 17  Florida A&M * Tallahassee, Fla.   TBA Homecoming   Sat, Oct 24  SOUTH CAROLINA STATE * Dover, Del.   2 p.m.   Sat, Oct 31  BETHUNE-COOKMAN * Dover, Del.   2 p.m.   Sat, Nov 07  No. Carolina Central * Durham, N.C.   2 p.m.   Sat, Nov 14  North Carolina A&T * Greensboro, N.C.   1 p.m.   Sat, Nov 21  HOWARD * Dover, Del.   2 p.m.

* Conference Games COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

All-Tidewater pick commits to Grambling State

CHESAPEAKE, Virginia -- Oscar Smith senior Nigel Ribeiro - South Hampton Roads' most prolific scorer in boys basketball last season - has committed to play at Grambling State.

Ribeiro, a 6-foot guard, was first-team All-Tidewater last season. He led South Hampton Roads in scoring with 22 points a game. He also averaged 9.4 assists and four steals.

"It feels amazing and it's like a huge weight off of me," said Ribeiro, who was the Monitor-Merrimac Conference Co-Player of the Year and first-team All-6A South Region. "And I'm just thankful for this opportunity."

Ribeiro said he formed a good relationship with Grambling State coach Shawn Walker, who is in his second season with the Tigers after 14 years at Elizabeth City (N.C.) State University. Walker saw Ribeiro play several times last season.

"He told me he loves that I can do it all," Ribeiro said. "I can score a lot, but I can also get assists."

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Brian Burg leaving NCCU basketball

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central assistant Brian Burg is leaving the men’s basketball program to join newly hired coach Chris Beard at Arkansas-Little Rock, NCCU coach LeVelle Moton confirmed through an Instagram Monday morning.

“Gonna miss this guy (Brian Burg) as he prepares for his next chapter in life at Arkansas Little Rock. No one has been more loyal, worked harder, and given 110% each day. You are loved and appreciated my man. I’m fortunate that I had you as my assistant the last 2 years. May God bless your pathway abundantly. #ThankYou,” the caption beneath a photo of Burg read.

N.C. Central could not confirm the departure Monday afternoon.

Burg, who joined NCCU’s staff in the summer of 2013, was a major factor in the program’s recruiting and helped the team land all-MEAC point guard Nimrod Hilliard.

During Burg’s two seasons with the program, NCCU’s program reached...

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Felony charges against ASU football signee dropped

NORFOLK,Virginia -- Alabama State football signee Elston "Ricky" Haley Jr. was in a world of trouble.

Last May, Haley was the driver in a drive-by shooting in which two people were shot. The Norfolk, Virginia native was charged with multiple felonies that included two counts of malicious wounding, two counts of use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, one count of conspiracy and one count of child cruelty.

All that changed today.



Earlier this morning, the prosecutor dropped all the charges against the Maury High graduate, according to The Virginian-Pilot. The people who were shot weren't cooperating with attorney Catherine Dodson's office . Dodson said they weren't in court ready to testify. So she asked for all charges to be dropped.

"I'm just happy it's over with," Haley told The Virginian-Pilot. "That's all I can say. I'm happy and ready to move on with my life."

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Multi winner Fakler leads Nuggets to 3rd straight GCAC team title

Gold Nuggets score 202 points, win GCAC championship in women’s outdoor
 track and  field for third consecutive year and fourth time in five years

2015 GCAC PHOTO GALLERY

NEW ORLEANS -- Catherine Fakler won four individual events and anchored a winning relay team Saturday, leading Xavier University of Louisiana to its third consecutive women's team title in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships at Tad Gormley Stadium.

Fakler, a senior with a cumulative 4.0 grade-point average, won the 3,000-meter steeplechase (12 minutes, 45.41 seconds), 800 (2:29.43), 1,500 (5:10.86) and 5,000 (22:26.21). Fakler erased a 75-meter deficit during the final segment to give the Gold Nuggets a nearly 3-second victory in the 3,200 relay (10:38.28).

Fakler won the 1,500 for the fourth consecutive year and the 5,000 and steeplechase for the third straight year.

The Gold Nuggets scored 202 points, 44 more than runner-up Edward Waters. Dillard was third with 138 points, and SUNO was fourth with 65.

In the men's division, Edward Waters scored 156 points to win for the third time in four years. Dillard (121 points), SUNO (103) and Xavier (83) finished 2-3-5. The XU men's point total was more than double the average Gold Rush score at the previous four GCAC meets.

"This was my last conference meet, so I wanted to do well. I wanted to win every race," Fakler said. "I thought we had a chance to win the relay with about 300 meters to go. The (Edward Waters) runner ahead of me was really slowing down. My teammates were screaming for me to catch her, so there was no option but to try to win it."

In the 5,000, Fakler lapped all eight of her opponents, including three teammates. She won by nearly two minutes.

Also winning a fourth consecutive title was XU senior Devinn Rolland in the women's long jump (18 feet, 1 inch). Rolland missed on opportunities to win fourth consecutive titles in the 100 and 200. She placed fourth in the 100, third in the 200 and helped the 400 relay team finish second.

Also winning for Xavier's women were Terri Cunningham in the 400 hurdles (school-record 1:05.72) and high jump (4-11), Tylor Row in the 100 hurdles (school-record 15.26) and Drew Chatters in the javelin (meet-record 116-5). Hannah Finnegan, Reeka Belton and Zahri Jackson teamed with Fakler on the champion 3,200 relay.

Row and Chatters are freshmen.

Xavier's Alex Xavier won the men's 110 hurdles (15.05), and Christopher August won the 5,000 (17:09.13). August's victory denied teammate Kwame Jackson a fourth consecutive conference title in that event. Jackson finished second in 18:22.48.

Ten Gold Nuggets scored in two or more individual events, and nine scored 10 or more points.

"We knew it would be difficult to repeat as women's champion," XU coach Joseph Moses said. "But we had a lot of help in a lot of areas. Our ladies stepped up and did a great job."

The women's title was the 22nd in Moses' 10 seasons at Xavier. Moses' teams have won four championships in women's outdoor track and nine apiece in women's and men's cross country.

Next for the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will be the Southern Miss Invitational April 24-25 at Hattiesburg, Miss.

Results:  Men    Women 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Hampton Relays revival showcases McCorory, other HU alumns

HAMPTON, Virginia -- After a six-year hiatus, the Hampton Relays resumed business on the blue track of Armstrong Stadium this weekend. As expected, the host Pirates excelled on the oval, but the stars of the day may have been a few of their alumni.


Olympic gold medalist and 400-meter indoor world champion Francena McCorory ran three events, as did two-time NCAA champion Yvette Lewis. In the women's 400 relay, McCorory and Lewis combined with fellow alums Breana Norman and Teiara Denmark to decimate the college teams with a time of 45.02, two seconds ahead of runner-up Campbell University.

Not to be outdone, the Hampton Alumni quartet of Reggie Dixon, Charles Clark, Je'von Hutchinson and Brandon Jones raced to a 40.43 win in the men's 400 relay, edging Virginia Union (40.65). Hutchinson also won the open 400 in 46.65.

But McCorory was not done. Later in the day, she breezed to a win in the 200 (23.01), and then saved the best for last, anchoring the winning women's 1600-meter team with a split of 50.1.

FINAL RESULTS

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Morehouse College: Death of former Annapolis High track athlete shocks friends, family

OBITUARY: JOHN B.D. HARRIS, JR.
2015 Class of Morehouse College

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland -- In Mary Jackson Harris' family home, there is a room devoted to the trophies from the Harris family.

One wall is just the awards for John Benjamin Daniel Harris Jr. Ribbons and plaques line a glass case along the wall. Nearly every family member has an iconic shot of Harris, running in a race from his time at Annapolis High School. In it he's thin and wiry, concentrated, and focused.

"He would set a goal, believe he could do it, and he did," said his grandmother.

John Harris Jr. [Pictures]

John Harris died Tuesday after being involved in a car accident in Marietta, Georgia. The 22-year-old was the passenger in a vehicle with Quantae Lanard Adams, who spun out, crossed a concrete median, and collided into another vehicle.

Adams, has been charged with vehicular homicide, failure to maintain lane, driving on a suspended license, driving under the influence, serious injury by vehicle and giving a false name and date of birth. He is being held without bond.

The loss of Harris, who was just a month shy of graduation from Morehouse College, is a loss to the community, Mary said.

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Observations, takeaways from FAMU’s 2015 spring game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Top plays of the game

The flea-flicker: A trick play helped invigorate Florida A&M’s offense after two drives fizzled out. Royal handed the ball off to Terrance Nelson, who then pitched it back to the quarterback for a 70-yard pass to Montavious Williams. It was the first score of the day for the offense.

Yards after the catch: Tra’Von Holmes — the nephew of FAMU legend and former coach Earl Holmes — caught a quick wide receiver screen from third-string quarterback Davonte Austin and ran an additional 40 yards to set up the Rattlers’ second touchdown.

By accident: Royal’s second touchdown pass of the day was a 28-yard pass to redshirt junior Jairuckeis Jones. The pass was tipped (nearly intercepted) but Jones adjusted his route and snagged the ball out of the air, sealing the scrimmage win for the offense.

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NSU | Yellow flags fly and don't make Scott happy

COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State's new pro-style offense had little trouble moving the ball during Saturday's scrimmage.

The problem was that it wasn't always in the right direction.

The Spartans committed 12 penalties, many of them false starts, in a 21/2-hour scrimmage at Dick Price Stadium in which they ran about 100 plays.

It wasn't quite what first-year coach Latrell Scott wanted in the final tune-up for this Saturday's Green & Gold Game.

"Hopefully, it's very uncharacteristic of us," Scott said, adding that his teams at Virginia State and Richmond were known for keeping penalties to a minimum.

Rising sophomore quarterback Terrance Ervin said the offense is taking steps toward installing Scott's read-heavy scheme. But the penalties have to go.

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FAMU basketball leader Jermaine Ruttley transferring

Jermaine Ruttley
Courtesy: FAMU Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Junior guard Jermaine Ruttley, the MEAC's third-leading scorer last season, is transferring away from Florida A&M, head coach Byron Samuels confirmed via text Sunday morning.

Ruttley led the Rattlers in points (17.4 per game), rebounds (6.7) and assists (2.1). He finished the seasons with two 28-point games and had a 30-point game against Delaware State.

The Rattlers (2-27, 2-14 MEAC) started the season with a 23-game losing streak before beating North Carolina A&T. The losing streak was the longest in school history.

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Livingstone upbeat after spring practice

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- Sometimes it’s not rocket science.

Livingstone led the CIAA in rushing and was third in passing but won only two of seven conference contests in 2014. The obvious culprits were turnovers (a league-high 18 lost fumbles) and a defense that finished 10th in the league in points allowed.

Livingstone managed to win three non-conference contests — two of them shootouts — for a 5-5 overall record, but head coach Daryl Williams, heading into his third season, envisions a team that can stifle opponents instead of having to outscore them.

“We’ve got excellent recruits coming in, 23 of them, and 17 of those 23 are on defense,” Williams said. “I’m real proud of the progress we’re making with the defense. Defense has been our emphasis.”

Williams said his incoming recruits will include three sets of twins.

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Pirates Track Wins Six Titles at Historic Hampton Relays

HAMPTON, Virginia -- The return of the historic Hampton Relays on Saturday was met with bright sunny skies and a light breeze, as the Hampton University men's and women's track & field teams combined for six event titles in front of the home fans at Armstrong Stadium.
 
In addition, several Hampton track & field alumni showed off their talents.
 
Four of those titles came courtesy of the Pirates – highlighted by a gold-medal performance in the 4x400-meter relay, the final event of the day – when Justin Beatty, Chidi Okezie, Edose Ibadin, and Rayon Black combined to run a 3:11.19.
 
Trey Holloway won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.31, while Stanley Davis turned in a 53.26 in winning the 400-meter hurdles.
 
Sulaiman Fareed won the shot put, tossing the implement 15.68 meters.
 
On the women's side, Ce'aira Brown won the 800-meter run with a season-best time of 2:08.93, and Kayla Key threw the javelin 39.81 meters to win gold.
 
Malekah Holland came in second in the women's 400-meter dash with a 55.42, and she was part of the Lady Pirates 4x400-meter relay squad – along with Brown, Tanisha Greene, and Le'Quisha Parker – that came in second with a 3:40.65.
 
Taniya Mitchell was second in the discus throw with a season-best mark of 33.70 meters.
 
Fareed also finished second in the men's discus throw – with a mark of 37.71 meters – while Christian Faber-Kinneywas second in the javelin throw, behind Hampton alum and former All-American Stefano Nardini, at a season-best 44.99 meters.
 
Ramoye Simon ran a 14.79 to come in second in the 110-meter hurdles, while Gabriel Johnson was second in the 400-meter hurdles after running a 53.30.
 
Ibadin ran a 1:52.92 to finish second in the 800-meter run.
 
Okezie was second with a season-best 47.08 in the 400-meter dash.
 
Francena McCorory, who won three NCAA titles at Hampton, returned to win the 200-meter dash (23.07), 4x100-meter relay (45.02), and 4x400-meter relay (3:36.23).
 
Yvette Lewis, a two-time NCAA champion at Hampton, was on that same 4x100 squad. She also won the women's 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.47.
 
Former Lady Pirate Teiara Denmark leapt 6.15 meters to win the long jump.
 
Former Pirate Je'Von Hutchison ran 46.65 to win the men's 400-meter dash, and he was on the 4x100-meter relay squad – along with Hampton alumni Reggie Dixon, Charles Clark, and Brandon Jones – that won gold with a 40.43.
 
The Pirates and Lady Pirates will be in Baltimore, Md. for the Morgan State Legacy Meet on Friday and Saturday. For more information on Hampton University track & field, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Results

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Track and Field Wins 21 Events at Boston-Moon

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State Track and Field Teams dominated the Boston-Moon Relays, winning 21 events on their home track.

Amber Hughes paced the Tigerbelles by standing atop the podium in the 200 meter dash (24.80 seconds) and the triple jump (12.54 meters). She later led TSU to three victories in the relays.

Diera Taylor was also a leg in the 4x100 (47.03) and 4x400 (3:55.46) and she posted the fastest time in the 400 meter dash (58.46).

Twins Christian and Kayla Pryor compromised the rest of the 4x400 team and also had a good day individually as Christian won the 800 meter dash (2:15.02) and Kayla was tops in the 400 meter hurdles (1:00.63).

In the field events, Cyra Beard had the tallest leap in the high jump (1.68 meters) and Clairwin Dameushopped 5.68 meters to win the long jump.

For the Flying Tigers, Quamel Prince continued his strong season by winning first-prize in the 200 and 400 meter dashes with times of 21.81 and 47.53 seconds, respectively.

TSU also performed well in the hurdles, as Shawn Harris won the 110 meters (15.58) and Jason Griffin kicked off his 2015 Outdoor Season with a first-place showing in the 400 (54.59).

The Flying Tigers were the top team in two of the three relays and Daryl Rice closed the day by earning top marks in the high jump (1.93 meters).

TSU will next travel to Atlanta, Ga. for the Georgia Tech Invitational on Apr. 17.

    FULL RESULTS

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Culver Column: FAMU Wood's structure brings excitement back to Bragg

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- When Florida A&M's football team came together on the field after the annual Orange and Green game, a crowd of about 1,500 did something a home fans haven't done at Bragg Memorial Stadium in a long time.

The crowd stood in unison and gave the Rattlers — and first-year coach Alex Wood — a standing ovation.

Florida A&M has only won one home game over the last two seasons. FAMU fans haven't had too much to be excited about in a while. After watching the new Rattlers under the direction of a new coaching staff, fans were excited to see what the future holds.

It was a small turnout, but Wood — who according to athletic director D'Wayne Robinson has a signed contract with the university that is awaiting approval from the Board of Trustees — said he was pleased to hear the crowd's reaction to what he and his coaches are trying to do.



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Tennessee State Blue Tops White in Spring Game, 48-28

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Blue Team defeated the White Team, 48-28, in Tennessee State’s annual Spring Game, Saturday. Over 2,500 Big Blue supporters were on hand to see the offense best the defense thanks in large part to quarterback Oshay Ackermann-Carter.

Despite throwing an interception on his first attempt of the day to Ty Law, Ackermann-Carter finished the game with 123 yards on 7-for-10 passing and a touchdown.

Senior tight end Joe Bowens was the beneficiary of Ackermann-Carter’s scoring toss, catching the bullet pass from 15 yards out. The touchdown was one of two receptions on the afternoon for Bowens who tallied 33 yards.

Fellow quarterback Ronald Butler was just 3-of-9 for 21 yards and he too was picked off by Law. Butler did make a couple of key plays with his legs however, including a 41-yard run that set up his touchdown from nine-yards out.

Butler’s performance on the ground was one of the many bright spots for the TSU’s run-game on the day, asTelvin Hooks had 69 yards and a score on seven carries while Marcus Deanes rushed 11 times for 43 yards.

Defensively, Vantavious Williams and Roc-M Nesbitt each had a tackle-for-loss and stopped many other run plays for minimal yardage.

Latrelle Lee was also tough to block from his defensive end position and registered a pair of sacks.

The Tigers will next suit up this fall in preparation of their first game on Sept. 6 against Alabama State in the John Merritt Classic.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Sweep puts NSU in first

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Denathan Dukes had four hits, Angel Rosario had three hits and three RBIs and Roger Hall had two hits and drove in two on the day as the Spartans swept Maryland Eastern Shore in a doubleheader Saturday at Marty L. Miller Field, winning 1-0 and 7-3 to take sole possession of first place in the MEAC North.

In the opener, Hall's first-inning single scored Dukes with the only run. Matt Outman (Grassfield) allowed seven hits and struck out five over 7 ⅔ innings to improve to 5-1. Josh Vales finished to get his first save.

Game 2 was tied 3-3 until NSU scored four runs in the sixth inning. Mikey Bruno had a two-run triple and Robbie Hiser and Hall had RBI singles.

Cooper Jones (Great Bridge) earned the win with 1⅔ innings of shutout relief. The Spartans (14-10, 11-3) and Hawks (11-21, 9-5)

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Florida A&M's Wood pleased with spring game, believes team has more work to do

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- First-year Florida A&M football coach Alex Wood said there's still plenty of tape to review.

But overall he was pleased with what his players showed Saturday during the annual Orange and Green game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The scrimmage had a different format from previous years. Florida A&M's entire offense was on the Orange team, and it played against the defense, which made up the Green team.

The defense had its own scoring system for the game (three points for turnovers and three-and-outs, nine points for turnovers returned for touchdowns), and the offense ran about 120 scripted plays from various parts of the field. FAMU's offense won the scrimmage 28-22 on a rainy afternoon in front of about 1,500 fans.

The crowd gave players and Wood a standing ovation once the game was over.



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FAMU Rattlers Show New Offense And Defense In Spring Game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Spring Football Game went to the Offense, which edged past the Defense, 28-22 in Saturday’s wrap up to the 15 days of spring training under new head coach Alex Wood and his staff.

Redshirt junior quarterback Carson Royal (Yulee, Fla.) got most the snaps with the first team and it showed, as he completed 13 of 19 passes for 215 yards and a pair of scoring strikes – a 70-yarder to Montavious Williams (Tallahassee, Fla.) for the game’s first score, and a 28-yard completion to junior Jairockeis Jones (Bartow, Fla.) near the end of the session.

Jacksonville junior quarterback Davonte Austin, was 8 of 12 for 87 yards and a score, tossing a 10-yard aerial to wideout Victor Love (Orlando, Fla.) for the game’s second score.

Overall, the offensive squad rolled up 343 passing yards and another 153 yards on the ground, as sophomore Gerald Hearns (West Palm Beach, Fla.) led all rushers with 59 yards on 18 carries, followed by Ronald Ricci (Sarasota, Fla.) with 32 yards on 10 tries, Terrence Nelson with 29 yards on seven carries and Tysean Holloway (Asheville, N.C.), who ran for 19 yards on two carries before exiting with an injury.

Brandon Norwood (Atlanta, Ga.) led all receivers with six catches for 45 yards, followed by Tra’Won Holmes (Tallahassee) with five catches for 78 yards, Kareem Smith (Haines City, Fla.) with three receptions for 44 yards and Montavious Williams with two for 81 yards.

The FAMU Defense, which accounted for its points using a scoring system for three-and-outs, sacks and turnovers, was paced bvy end Daikwon Fuse (West Palm Beach, Fla.) who had two of the unit’s seven quarterback sacks.

FAMU SPRING GAME STATISTICS BRIEFS

FINAL SCORE: Offense 28, Defense 22

RUSHING LEADERS: 30-Gerald Hearns, 18 carries, 59 yards; 24-Ronald Ricci, 10 carries, 32 yards; 32-Terrence Nelson, 7 carries, 29 yards, 20-Tysean Holloway, 2 carries 19 yards.

PASSING LEADERS: 12-Carson Royal, 13-of-19, 215 yards, 2 TDs; 1-Devonte Austin, 8-of-12, 87 yards, 1 TD; 8-Kenneth Coleman, 6-of-9, 41 yards, 0 TD.

RECEIVING LEADERS: 7-Brandon Norwood, 6 for 45 yards; 2-Tra’Von Holmes, 5 for 78 yards; 19-Kareen Smith, 3 for 44 yards; 24-Ronald Ricci, 3 for 15 yards; 15-Montavious Williams, 2 for 81 yards, 1 TD.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (QB Sacks): 94-Daikwon Fuse (2 sacks); 46-Calvin Darville; 47-Akil Blount; 59-Trevor Bone; 92-Michael Lovejoy; 97-John Archambault (1 sack each).

SCORING SUMMARY (Offense)

Carson Royal 70 pass to Montavious Wiliams (Colby Blanton PAT)

Devonte Austin 10 pass to Victor Love (Corey Irwin PAT)

Ronald Ricci 2 yard run (Irwin PAT)

Carson Royal 28 pass to Jairockeis Jones (Irwin PAT)

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION