B-CU's Baggs chooses stability over NFL spot

Former Bethune-Cookman standout Stevie Baggs got a taste of the National Football League this fall, but found life north of the border more to his liking. The Canadian Football League's sacks leader last year, Baggs spent all of training camp and the preseason with the Arizona Cardinals before being released in the final cut of players Sept. 3.

The Cardinals initially asked the 28-year-old to hang around on their practice squad before doing an about-face and going with younger players. "My main objective was to see if I could go play in the NFL, and I proved to myself that I could do that," Baggs said. "I've been with several teams, but that was my first (NFL).



It's all in the Baggs

Free agent defensive end Stevie Baggs has come to terms with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on a two-year contract plus an option. Baggs, formerly of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders, was a final cut of the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals.

The Ticats gave Baggs a $50,000 signing bonus with a weekly salary of $5,000 ($400,000 over 3 seasons). The Roughriders were in play for Baggs' services, offering the same weekly salary, but a signing bonus of just $25,000. The Alouettes were also in the running, having contacted Baggs three times and had a compensation package similar to Hamilton's.

Shakespeare pens a CFL hit

Stevie Baggs will not tell you the name of the New York Giants scout that he swears told Baggs he should forget about playing football because he was pigeon-toed. But he can rattle off a list of athletes like him: Bullet Bob Hayes, Dominique Wilkins, Jackie Robinson, Ed Reed …

“Pigeon-toed,” the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive end said, as he peeled away from a sideline scrum at Ivor Wynne Stadium for a separate 1-on-1 interview. “All of them. I’ve researched this. I’m serious. [Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker] Barrin Simpson is, too. It doesn’t hinder me at all.”

In seven games with the Ticats, Baggs has 23 tackles, five sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and three fumbles recoveries, as well as two touchdowns.

Ticats' Baggs takes defensive honours

HAMILTON, — Stevie Baggs could be in Arizona, he might be making National Football League money but it’s doubtful he could be having more fun than he is with the Ticats. “The biggest thing I see here is that its actually a team and guys get along off the field,” said Baggs after being named the CFL’s defensive player of the month, Tuesday.  “It’s not about egos. It’s not about who is the better player, who does this or that. I feel a genuine camaradarie among the guys and that’s something that’s different here.”

Ticats try to explain missed opportunities

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats cleaned out their lockers at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Tuesday while still processing how their once promising season came to an end. Hamilton lost to the Toronto Argonauts 16-13 on Sunday in the Canadian Football League East Division semi-final. The Ticats made a number of mistakes during the game, which allowed the Argos to steal a victory even though they did not complete a pass longer than 12 yards. Hamilton players addressed some of the issues that contributed to the disappointing result on Tuesday. Here is a list of the miscues and what the players had to say about each one:

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So what now for Southern football?

Southern A.D. Greg Lefleur has some difficult days ahead.

At the end of a disastrous Bayou Classic, inside a largely empty Superdome that had all the buzz and life of a library, Southern right tackle Lee Almanza nosed his way through a crowd of players and found his buddy, center Ramon Chinyoung.

Almanza, a junior, threw an arm around Chinyoung, a fifth-year senior. After three seasons, the two Houston natives had grown close. Almanza said something nice to Chinyoung, offering words of sympathy to a player who didn’t want his college career to end like this — with a lopsided 38-17 loss to Grambling, the Jaguars’ third straight defeat at the Bayou Classic; and a 2-9 overall record in Stump Mitchell’s first season at SU, the worst in school history.

Hobbled SU women seeking consistency

Four games into this young basketball season, the Southern women have won twice and lost twice. The Jaguars (2-2) face Miami (5-1) at 6 p.m. today in Coral Gables, Fla., and naturally, they’d love to upset an Atlantic Coast Conference team on its own home floor. Win or lose, however, 11th-year coach Sandy Pugh would love to see a little more consistency from her team, even if Southern is nursing an injury or two.

Not even close

NEW ORLEANS — Untouched.

Saturday afternoon at the Bayou Classic, early in the third quarter of a game Grambling thoroughly dominated in a 38-17 victory over Southern, the Tigers swiftly and easily knifed their way to the Jaguars’ 16-yard line.

Hot-handed Charleston rips Southern men

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kelvin Martin and Kenny Mitchell each scored 15 points to lead Charleston Southern to an 89-54 victory over Southern University on Saturday in the Chicago Invitational Challenge men’s college basketball tournament. Jamarco Warren added 14 points and Sheldon Strickland had 12 for the Buccaneers (3-4), who raced out to a 53-22 halftime lead.

Small Superdome crowd foreshadows lackluster game

NEW ORLEANS — When you put 40,000 fans in the Louisiana Superdome, it’s like dressing a kid in his father’s sports coat.

Saturday afternoon, the Dome hosted the 39th edition of the Bayou Classic. The game wore the same famous pageantry as usual, blaring bands and all. Problem was, it all seemed oversized. The empty seats in the crowd of 43,494 — the lowest attendance figure in Classic history — told the story of a blowout waiting to happen.

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Videographer: MarchingsportHD

Road trip helps TSU learn to handle adversity

 SWAC Championship, Dec. 11-Texas Southern vs. Ala. State 

Texas Southern men's basketball coach Tony Harvey was understandably fatigued when he and the team returned to Houston on Saturday. The Tigers had completed a six-game road trip to open the season, ending it with Friday's 84-60 loss at No. 4 Kansas State. They made stops in four states. And they did so with three key players out.

Senior forward Travele Jones and senior guards Harrison Smith and Justin Ray are ineligible because of compliance issues. The loss of Jones, the preseason Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year, is especially painful, as he was the team's leading returning scorer (13.7 points per game).

TSU Cole Talking Contract

After leading TSU to an 8-3 regular-season record and its first berth in the SWAC championship game, football coach Johnnie Cole stands to receive a raise and an extension of the four-year contract he signed after being hired in December 2007.

Athletic director Charles McClelland said Friday that the two sides would sit down after the Dec. 11 SWAC championship game to discuss the situation.

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Dr. Carolyn Meyers and Dr. M. Christopher Brown II selected as preferred candidates for the presidency of Jackson State University and Alcorn State University

Dr. Meyers was strong advocate for athletics at NSU

Dr. Christopher Brown II

The preferred candidates to lead Alcorn State University and Jackson State University say they are aware of the daunting budget situations they would face as leaders of Mississippi's two largest historically black universities.

The state College Board announced Monday it had selected former Norfolk State University President Carolyn Meyers as JSU's potential new leader and Fisk University Vice President Christopher Brown to take the helm at Alcorn. Each will visit the respective campus next week to meet with alumni, students, faculty and staff before the appointments are finalized.

Reached by phone Monday, Meyers and Brown both said they were "humbled" by the selection.

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BIO for Dr. M. Christopher Brown II (former executive vice president and provost, Fisk University)
BIO for Dr. Carolyn Winstead Meyers (former president, Norfolk State University)

NSU band entertains football fans

The Legion: beat of a different drum

NORFOLK, Va. - The Norfolk State University band has had a strong following in the stands on Saturdays during football season. Suited for Saturday war games, a wave of Spartans defended a piece of territory called Norfolk State.

The football team sweeps the gridiron with punishing precision. Observing enemy weakness, citizens of Dick Price Stadium welcome conquest. But among the cheers for the action on the field, is an infectious love of rhythm and music, a marching band that is called the Legion.

NSU's marching band is an army of 250 who play it fast and loose. "Here at Norfolk State, if this band is not right our fans will have a fit! They would have a fit, " said an NSU fan.


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Howard basketball hosts President Obama in 84-74 loss to Oregon State

Washington, D.C. - There had to be times during Saturday afternoon's game when Howard Coach Kevin Nickelberry looked up into the stands and wished he could put President Obama or Education Secretary Arne Duncan in the game.

Nickelberry could have used Obama, who looked none the worse after taking an elbow to the mouth in a basketball game Friday and receiving 12 stitches in his lip, and Duncan, the former Harvard standout. The Bison, who have been savaged by injuries this season, were desperate for bodies when two players fouled out of the game.

Though undermanned, Howard was undaunted. The Bison put up quite a fight against Oregon State before finally succumbing, 84-74, before 1,827 at Burr Gymnasium.



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Mids let UMES slip from grasp for overtime victory

At this stage in its development, the Navy basketball team is still learning how to win. Navy had the ball with a chance to close out a come-from-behind victory by scoring on the final possession of regulation. Much to the dismay of head coach Billy Lange and 1,825 fans at Alumni Hall, the Midshipmen did not even get off a shot.

Senior point guard O.J. Avworo lost control of his dribble while trying to create and the ball squirted toward midcourt. Freshman guard Isaiah Roberts chased down the loose ball, but did not realize the final seconds were ticking away and waited until after the final buzzer had sounded to launch a potential game-winning 3-pointer.

That final sequence was deflating for Navy and uplifting for the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, which proceeded to dominate overtime.

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ASU defeats Wingate, 30-28, advances to quarterfinals of D-II playoffs

ALBANY, Ga.-- Next, please. The Albany State football team is moving on in the NCAA Division II playoffs after beating Wingate, 30-28, on Saturday afternoon in front of a packed house at Albany State University Coliseum.

Stanley Jennings threw two touchdowns, LiRonnie Davis and Rodrick Nabors got it done on the ground and the Rams' "Ditry Blue" defense held off Division II's most prolific offenses en route to the huge win.

In scary news, however, Rams defensive star Justin Blash had to be carted off the field after an injury late in the fourth quarter. There was no immediate word the extent of the injury, but it would be a huge blow to ASU if Blash can't return next week.

Wingate ousted, ends 9-3

ALBANY, Ga. The Wingate Bulldogs mounted a late rally against the Albany State Golden Rams Saturday afternoon, but fell short 30-28. The loss ends the Bulldogs' seven-game winning streak and 2010 season. Wingate finishes 9-3.

Albany State moves to 11-0 overall and will host Delta State (Miss.) next weekend. Albany State quarterback Stanley Jennings completed two touchdown passes for the Golden Rams. Albany State running back LiRonnie Davis (Macon, Ga.) ran nine times for 90 yards and two scores, including a 45-yard run in the fourth quarter that gave the host team a 30-21 advantage.

ASU-WINGATE NOTEBOOK: Rams await word on injured defensive lineman Blash, who was carted off late in 30-28 win Saturday against Wingate

ALBANY, Ga. — There was a scary moment in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game when 6-foot-5, 300-pound sophomore defensive lineman Justin Blash had to be carted off the field at the 4:34 mark after several moments of silent anticipation.

The early diagnosis was a sprained knee, and nothing appeared to be broken, but the coach Mike White said the team will know more Monday. If Blash can’t recover, it’ll be another tough loss for the Rams as they head into the Division II quarterfinals next week against Delta State after a 30-28 win against Wingate on Saturday.

Win-gate? Check.

For only the second time in school history, the Albany State football program is headed to the quarterfinals of the Division II playoffs, this after the Rams hold on to beat Wingate, 30-28, on Saturday afternoon at Albany State University Coliseum.

ALBANY, Ga. — Stanley Jennings is starting to look like he might have a future as a psychic. After guaranteeing earlier in the season that the Albany State football team would win the rest of its regular-season games — which came true — he predicted during practice this week that the “Dirty Blue” Rams defense would contain quarterback Cody Haffly and the explosive Wingate offense.

And that’s exactly what happened Saturday as ASU (11-0) defeated Wingate, 30-28, at home in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs to advance to the quarterfinals against Delta State (9-3). Delta State defeated North Alabama, 47-24, on the other side of the bracket Saturday.

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Grambling State easily defeats rival Southern 38-17 in Bayou Classic

There’s little question as to how much the Grambling State players wished the Tigers had one more game next weekend in Birmingham, Ala., the site of the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

Since the Tigers just barely missed on playing for the conference title, there probably isn’t a better way for Grambling to wrap up its successful season than taking it out on its biggest rival in what so many supporters deem as the most important game of every season. Grambling State (9-2 overall, 8-1 SWAC) was never threatened as it defeated Southern 38-17 in Saturday’s State Farm Bayou Classic at the Superdome.

Grambling brings home Bayou Classic victory

NEW ORLEANS — Frank Warren ran for three touchdowns and collected MVP honors, defensive end Jomarcus Savage had a key interception return for a touchdown and Grambling beat Southern 38-17 in the Bayou Classic on Saturday.

Grambling (9-2 overall, 8-1 SWAC) forced Southern (2-9, 1-8) to punt on its opening drive, but GSU returner Kiare Thompson muffed the punt and the Jaguars recovered deep in GSU territory, leading to a 27-yard field goal and a 3-0 Southern lead early in the first quarter.

Grambling beats Southern, 38-17 in Bayou Classic

Frank Warren ran for 106 yards and three touchdowns and Anthony Carrothers passed for 167 yards as Grambling dominated Southern 38-10 before the smallest crowd in Bayou Classic history Saturday. The Tigers (9-2) won for the third consecutive time against the Jaguars (2-9) and, in the process, handed Southern its first nine-loss season in school history.

It was a fitting end to a disappointing first season under new coach Stump Mitchell, who set the bar sky-high for the Jaguars during the preseason, saying he thought his team had a chance to go undefeated and win the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

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ATTENDANCE: 43,494

Mistakes send S.C. State Bulldogs packing, 41-16

Coach Buddy Pough is 0-3 in playoffs in past three seasons.

STATESBORO, Ga. - The eyes of South Carolina State quarterback Malcolm Long were blood red from heavy tears shed Saturday at Allen Paulson Stadium.

His head football coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough was equally inconsolable and near-speechless in what was supposed to be a different showing for the Bulldogs in the opening round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

S.C. State was instead sent home...

Eagles roll past 'Dogs in playoffs

STATESBORO, Ga. --- Georgia Southern looked to its defense and reserves Saturday to overcome a key loss to starting quarterback Jaybo Shaw in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Shaw was injured after a hit midway through the first quarter, but the Eagles found ample volunteers to step up during a 41-16 victory at Paulson Stadium.

"This team is very special," Georgia Southern backup quarterback Jerick McKinnon said. "There's a brotherhood here. We all believe in each other, and we'll fight for each other, and that's going to take you a long way."

Georgia Southern Eliminates SC State In FCS Playoffs

STATESBORO, Ga. - Georgia Southern used a relentless ground game to control the ball for nearly 42 minutes and beat South Carolina State 41-16 Saturday in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

Twelve players totaled 323 yards on 77 carries for the Eagles (8-4), who will play at No. 2 seed William & Mary on Dec. 4. J.J. Wilcox rushed for two touchdowns and Russell DeMasi one for Georgia Southern, but special teams and defense also played a key role.



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ATTENDANCE: 10,214

Doug Williams hoping for more visibility for Grambling-Southern Bayou Classic

After quarterbacking Grambling State against Southern University in the inaugural State Farm Bayou Classic 36 years ago and coaching the Tigers from 1998-2002, Doug Williams is enjoying the spectator's view of the annual game between African-American universities. It's visibility he hopes maintains its relevance beyond Saturday's contest at the Louisiana Superdome.

"I'm always going to be involved around the game," the former NFL quarterback and Super Bowl XXII MVP said. "It's been affected by the economy, but it's still viable. I mean, you can't take away black college rivalries like Jackson State-Alcorn, Alabama State-Tuskegee and Grambling-Southern."

Grambling RB Frank Warren earns praise on and off the field

Grambling senior running back Frank Warren sat among the crowd during Monday’s Bayou Classic news conference on the floor of the Superdome, donning an old-school letterman’s sweater. Nothing flashy. And one by one, someone from either Grambling or Southern took the podium and showered him with compliments in anticipation of Saturday’s State Farm Bayou Classic.

First, it was Grambling Athletic Director Lin Dawson.

“Not only do I respect him as the leading rusher in the history of Grambling, but also as a man of character,” Dawson said. “And I will tell you after the Bayou Classic is over, years from now, people will be hearing about this young man. He is a man of integrity and a young man of character.”

Bayou Classic keys to victory

Grambling State and Southern have to focus on playing for pride, and make it the driving point. Texas Southern swiped the Tigers’ chances of playing in next week’s SWAC championship game a couple of weeks ago. Yet, Tigers Coach Rod Broadway continues to talk up this game to his team. The Jaguars have endured one of their worst seasons in school history. They’re riding a five-game losing streak and have lost eight of the past nine games. A win today for first-year coach Stump Mitchell could make up for this season’s struggles.

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A&T's inside game is too much for Greensboro College

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Thomas Coleman scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead N.C. A&T over Greensboro College 79-58 on Friday night, but it wasn't the kind of performance Aggies coach Jerry Eaves wanted.

"I think we overlooked Greensboro College,'' Eaves said. "We didn't play with the enthusiasm that we needed, and we also shot the ball poorly. It was good to get a win, but I think we had our minds on what is going to happen on Monday (against UNCG). It's never good to look ahead when you have an opponent staring you in the face."

The Aggies (3-3) led 43-23 at halftime and led by as many as 22, 43-21, before a jumper by Luqman Tijani with 37 seconds left before the break pulled the Pride within 20.

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SC State Bulldogs happy to get a chance

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Preparing for another FCS playoff appearance was something South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough did not envision six weeks ago.

He acknowledged that a 14-0 loss to Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 16 more than snapped the Bulldogs’ MEAC-record 21-game winning streak. Pough referred to it as one of the lowest points in his tenure, and how S.C. State rebounded to win an at-large berth to face Georgia Southern in today’s opening round as one of the highest.

“I had no idea we had a shot,” Pough said. “The fact that we hadn’t had very good luck in getting an at-large berth up until now, and I was so down in the dumps. I felt like I had done a poor job of creating a sense of urgency in preparation for Bethune. They came in and had outplayed us and shut us out.

No secrets for GSU, South Carolina State

STATESBORO - Football Championship Subdivision first-round playoff opponents Georgia Southern and South Carolina State are neighbors without many secrets.

Video technicians for both schools split the 98-mile trek down Route 301 from Statesboro to Orangeburg, S.C., on Sunday to exchange tapes of the teams' four most recent games. Usually, teams download their tapes and send them over the Internet, but it proved easier and faster just to drive the DVDs to a designated spot.

'Mighty Mouse' leading SCSU

David Erby could see it coming. Sitting in his stance, pre-play, the diminutive linebacker (he claims 5-10, 225) sniffed the play out, and on the snap, sprinted toward a Norfolk State receiver. He got there when the ball did, dropping the Spartan with a whack that drew an audible reaction from the home stands at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium not once, but twice, the second time coming when the play was shown on the stadium's video board.  "I love it," Erby said. "You have to give the fans something to watch."

Erby, the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, has given Bulldogs fans plenty to watch this season, recording 92 tackles and 5.5 sacks. A former safety and tailback at Rock Hill High School, Erby doesn't exactly match up physically next to fellow Bulldogs linebackers Marshall McFadden (6-2, 235) and Julius Wilkerson (6-4, 225). But Erby makes up for his non-prototypical size with a "Mighty Mouse" style of play, taking on whatever comes his way.

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VSU Lady Trojans go to work

ETTRICK, VA - While millions of Americans relaxed, belts still loosened, the Virginia State women's basketball team went to work in the second game of the third annual VSU Thanksgiving Classic. After trailing by five at halftime, VSU used its relentless pressure to overtake Saginaw Valley State and run away with a 61-50 victory on Black Friday at Daniel Gymnasium.

The Lady Trojans showed no symptoms of lingering Thanksgiving food comas in the early going as seniors Nia Thompson and Morgan McGill helped guide the home team to a blistering start. Thompson converted a layup in transition to open the scoring and stole the ensuing inbound pass. The 5-10 shooting guard then found a streaking McGill for another easy bucket.

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TODAY'S GAMES: VSU Thanksgiving Classic Games at Daniel Gymnasium
Elizabeth City State vs. Saginaw Valley State, 1:00 p.m.
Claflin vs. Virginia State 3 p.m.

Albany State Rams enter Division II playoffs with clean slate

Wingate (9-2) at Albany State (10-0).

2nd round of the NCAA D-II playoffs.

1 p.m. today.

At Albany State University Coliseum.

Local Radio: 98.1 FM.
Updates: twitter.com/AlbHeraldSports.

Wingate U. Audio Broadcast: Audio
Live Video Broadcast: NCAA 1:00 PM Video Broadcast

Ryan Brown, Wayne Shadrick and Tylan Merkerson will bring Wingate Bulldog fans the audio broadcast. The Wingate University Sports Network pre-game show will begin at 12:15 p.m. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m.

ALBANY, GA — It’s officially a new college football season in Dougherty County. That perfect 10-0 run through the regular season by Albany State? Old news. The NCAA Division II playoffs are here, which means slates are clean, tensions are high and losers go home.

In the Rams’ case, though, it’s lose and stay home as they host Wingate (9-2) in the second round today after the Bulldogs — No. 14 in the nation in total offense — defeated Morehouse, 63-41, in the first round last week, while the Rams had a bye.


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Tuskegee Marching Band Refused to Yield

The Commissioner of the SIAC, Gregory Moore and SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp needs to take immediate action to prevent this type of situation from happening again.

Based on the story published today by the Montgomery Advertiser, (if you want to believe everything the main stream press writes about HBCUs), Tuskegee is "alleged" to have performed beyond their scheduled time in the Turkey Day Classic. I said "alleged" because there are two sides to every coin and we haven't received the Tuskegee version.

However, Alabama State Marching Hornets Drum Majors may have been equally as wrong to march onto the field and create a possible confrontational situation -- especially with fans emotionally charged with the homecoming spirit(s) and verbally involved.

What makes this incident bad was the halftime show and game was being broadcast nationally by ESPNU. When it happens twice in a football season, i.e., Kentucky State band did the same thing at Morehouse earlier this year -- its a problem that needs to be fixed!

Mr. Warren L. Duncan, Tuskegee University Marching Crimson Pipers Band and Dr. James B. Oliver, Alabama State University Marching Hornets Band are exceptionally talented leaders and band directors. This may have been nothing more than a lapse in communications, but it should not happen. You would think after 97 years of football competition, "ASU vs. TU", the bands would have gotten their timing down pat for the half-time shows.

Please, let us get the timing of half-time shows fixed -- Tuskegee, Alabama State, Kentucky State, Morehouse and Florida A&M.

Fans, there are no acceptable excuses for booing the band members! The students work very hard to prepare these shows, memorize the music and dance routines to perfection. Generally, more than 40-60 hours of rehearsal time goes into a 10-12 minute half-time show. That's a full-time JOB in addition to the academic workload carried by these outstanding musicians!

Shame on ESPNU!

(beepbeep)

Now, the story from Montgomery Advertiser.com

The Tuskegee band wasn't finished with its halftime show when its allotted time ran out, causing an intriguing confrontation with the Alabama State band in the middle of the field.

The halftime show of the Turkey Day Classic was originally scheduled for 24 minutes, leaving each team 12 minutes, but ESPN officials notified each school just prior to kickoff that the halftime show would be changed to 20 minutes, forcing the Golden Tiger band to leave the field at the 10-minute mark.

The band continued playing past...

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HPU Men's basketball hosts Hampton Sunday afternoon

The game: High Point University (2-2) hosts a hot Hampton University team (4-1) on Sunday at 3 p.m. HPU is coming off a 71-63 loss at the Citadel in which the Panthers staged a huge comeback to get within three points with under a minute remaining but couldn’t tie it up.

Hampton lost its first game of the season, 63-56, to Wake Forest at the Lawrence Joel Coliseum before reeling off wins over Winthrop, Fordham, Boston University and George Washington. It will be the first-ever meeting between High Point University and Hampton. HPU is 7-4 all-time against current MEAC schools. The Panthers beat North Carolina Central twice last season and split two games against South Carolina State.

On the air: 1230 AM-WFMR with Jason Benetti and Stafford Stephenson --LISTEN LIVE

Pirates to Take on High Point Panthers on the Road

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Hampton University men’s basketball team will take to the road on Sunday, as they head to the Millis Center to face the Panthers of High Point University at 3 p.m. Since moving to Division I in 1995, this will mark the first time that Hampton and High Point face each other.

The Pirates, in their second season under head coach Edward Joyner Jr., are on a four-game winning streak following wins over Boston University and George Washington on Monday and Tuesday in the consolation rounds of the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off. Junior guard Darrion Pellum (Hampton, Va.) scored a team-high 18 points in Tuesday’s 62-51 win over George Washington, while junior guard Kwame Morgan II (Largo, Md.) added 14 points and tied his career high with 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.

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VSU: Alfred the Great

ETTRICK, Va. -- Every day after practice, Virginia State Football coach Andrew Faison leaves Rogers Stadium and heads down a winding walkway that takes him past Daniel Gymnasium and in the direction of the James Hugo Johnston Memorial Library.

Along the way, he sometimes pauses to watch intramural football games at a nearby field. He's not necessarily expecting to find anything, but he looks nonetheless. Good thing he does. It was on one of those visits in 2009, albeit after the urging of some of his players, that he first discovered Alfred Ngauja.

Faison liked what he saw enough to offer Ngauja a chance to participate in spring workouts. "Once we got a chance to put the pads on him and see how he fared, he had that 'it' with him," Faison said.


Videographer: UrbanSportsITG (#26 Alfred Ngauja earns MVP for performance in 2010 CIAA Championship game).

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Savannah State's Dixon hopes to return as coach‎

Julius Dixon and his assistant coaches have turned their attention to next football season, when Savannah State University will compete in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. But the interim head coach is limited by what he can tell recruits because his own future is uncertain.

Dixon has been the Tigers' interim head coach since Jan. 28, the day Robby Wells was forced to resign. Dixon inherited an 11-game schedule this season that included the first nine games on the road because of construction to T.A. Wright Stadium, and no games on campus. SSU's final two games were played at Memorial Stadium.

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Tuskegee holds off Alabama State to win Turkey Day Classic, 17-10

Tuskegee ends its season 9-2 and raises Coach Willie Slater record to 51-7 in five seasons with the Golden Tigers.  Tuskegee defeated both West and East SWAC champions --Texas Southern (8-3) and Alabama State (7-4) this season.

MONTGOMERY, AL -- Tuskegee quarterback Joshua Harris' 60-yard pass to wide receiver Antoine Mitchell keyed a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that ultimately gave the Golden Tigers a 17-10 win Thursday over Alabama State in the Turkey Day Classic at Cramton Bowl.

Three plays after his completion to Mitchell, Harris hit tight end Stephen Clements on a 2-yard touchdown pass to give the Golden Tigers a 17-3 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Tuskegee tops Alabama State in Turkey Day Classic

Montgomery, AL - Tuskegee won the oldest football classic among the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities, beating Alabama State for the second straight year, 17-10, in the Turkey Day Classic at the Cramton Bowl.

Joshua Harris threw for a touchdown and Nykeem Barton rushed for one to power Division II Tuskegee (9-2), which completed a sweep of the Football Championship Subdivision teams that will play in the SWAC Championship Game on Dec. 12, Alabama State (7-4) and Texas Southern (8-3). The Golden Tigers extended their series lead over Alabama State to 60-33-4, including 48-31-3 in the Turkey Day Classic.

TURKEY DAY CLASSIC: TUSKEGEE 17, ALABAMA STATE 10: Efficient Harris leads Golden Tigers over Hornets

All week, Alabama State coaches and defenders said the key to beating Tuskegee in the 87th annual Turkey Day Classic was forcing Tuskegee quarterback Joshua Harris to beat the Hornets with his arm.

Harris was up to the challenge. The senior completed 11 of 22 passes for 196 yards and a touchdown to lead the Golden Tigers to a 17-10 win over the Hornets at Cramton Bowl on Thanksgiving Day. "He's been inconsistent at times, but I'm talking about a kid with thick skin," said Tuskegee coach Willie Slater. "He receives it and tries to get better. He made some big plays for us today, really big plays."

Photo Gallery:
Turkey Day Classic Parade
Tuskegee defeats ASU

TURKEY DAY NOTEBOOK: Is ASU-Tuskegee rivalry in jeopardy?

Tuskegee won the Turkey Day Classic for the 59th time in the 97-game series with Alabama State and for the 10th time in the last 12 meetings, but there is some talk that the series between the two rivals may be coming to an end.

It's not the first time the two sides haven't seen eye to eye, but Alabama State's plan to move the game to its campus in two years may factor into the Tigers' thoughts of quitting the rivalry. "That's beyond me," Tuskegee coach Willie Slater said. "I wouldn't want to speculate."

Tuskegee, a Division II school, forgoes an opportunity to participate in the NCAA Division II playoffs by playing the Turkey Day Classic. Skipping the Thanksgiving Day game could put the Tigers in a position to participate in the playoffs and compete for a national championship.

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ATTENDANCE: 17,882

Alabama State looks for better Turkey Day Classic results vs. Tuskegee

Alabama State vs. Tuskegee, 3 p.m. CT, Television: ESPNU

Since 2005, Turkey Day Classic oppo­nents Alabama State and Tuskegee have entered the showdown with familiar fore casts beyond Thanksgiving. Tuskegee has traditionally been set to play in December's Pioneer Bowl -- the exception being 2008, when the Pioneer Bowl was canceled -- while Alabama State knew the annual game was its last of the season. At today's 3 p.m. kickoff in Montgomery, the roles are reserved.

Tuskegee (8-2) has lost its four-year hold on the Southern Intercollegiate Ath letic Conference title, while Alabama State (7-3) has secured a spot in the Dec. 11 Southwestern Athletic Conference cham pionship game in Birmingham. Despite the looming SWAC title showdown with Texas Southern, Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said he won't be holding back today.


Videographer: vbrot11 (Alabama State University Marching Hornets vs. SU , 2010)

Turkey Day Classic on ESPNU

Alabama State has beaten Tuskegee University only once in the past six Turkey Day Classics at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl — and that one win in 2008 was a controversial one when TU’s apparent winnng touchdown was ruled out of bounds, which photos showed was the wrong call.

Tuskegee has been the dominant team in recent years, having won 11 of the past 14 games after Alabama State reeled off 15 wins in 17 games from 1975 through 1995. The two teams didn’t play in 1991-92.

For the first time in years, Alabama State comes into the game on a roll with four straight victories to nail down a berth in the SWAC Championship Game December 11 as the conference’s East Division representative.

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Bayou Classic: Southern athletic director gets flak as new coach Stump Mitchell struggles

BATON ROUGE, LA — Greg LaFleur chuckles a little bit, almost as if he knew the questions were coming. Does he regret hiring Stump Mitchell as coach? Did he pull the trigger too soon on Pete Richardson, who won 105 games, a national championship and five SWAC championships in 17 seasons at Southern?

Southern’s athletic director has sat through a difficult season, watching the crown jewel of his department — football — and the good friend he hired as coach struggle to a 2-8 record and a last-place finish in the SWAC Western Division.

To players, coaches Classic still a big deal

Yes, of course it’s still a big game. It is, after all, still Southern and Grambling.

At 1 p.m. Saturday in the Superdome, the two archrivals meet for the 37th Bayou Classic — and while attendance has lagged over the past few years, and even though both teams are out of the running for the Southwestern Athletic Conference football title, none of that will probably mean much to the coaching staffs and players at kickoff time.


Videographer: Realwidit5 (GSU Homecoming Half-Time Show 2010)

Southern defense ready for Grambling challenge

Southern defensive tackle Jordan Miller peered across the ground floor of the Superdome late Monday morning, sneaking a peek at the main attraction for this year’s Bayou Classic.

There he was, neatly attired in a black sweater, with a mustard-gold “G” on his chest: Mr. Frank Warren, the leading rusher in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, a running back whom Prairie View coach Henry Frazier III once referred to as a “stud, plain and simple.”

Bayou Classic win could ease SU pain

NEW ORLEANS — By the time Stump Mitchell strolled into the Superdome, just before 10 o’clock on a beautiful Monday morning in this city of second chances, the New Orleans Saints logos had already vanished from the playing field.

A team of workers and their paint-removing chemicals had taken care of that, and with five days to go until the biggest game in black college football, the crew had started to transform this giant building into a place fit for the Bayou Classic, which, as always, gets under way at 1 p.m. Saturday, with a national television audience looking in.


Videographer: Wayla2010 (Southern University Marching Human Jukebox, 11/8/2010)

SOUTHERN NOTES: McGinty to start at QB

NEW ORLEANS — During last season’s Bayou Classic, then-freshman quarterback Jeremiah McGinty walked up and down the Southern sideline, watching fifth-year senior Bryant Lee run for his life against a dominant Grambling pass rush.

McGinty assumed that the next time the Jaguars played in the Superdome, he’d be the one in charge, trying to lead the Jaguars toward better results. Evidently, at the end of an up-and-down season, he’ll get that chance after all.

A year of adversity

RUSTON — Grambling's championship hopes were on life support after the team's 41-34 overtime loss to Texas Southern on Nov. 11, and any remaining hope was dashed when Texas Southern beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20-13 on Saturday to clinch the SWAC's Western Division.

So there will be no championship for Grambling (8-2 overall, 7-1 SWAC) in 2010. But by no means does that mean the Tigers' season is over.

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UTC blows early lead as Jackson State scores first win

JSU Head Coach Tevester Anderson

Jeff Smith didn’t bother putting on his goggles for the final minute. They just hung around his neck as Jackson State guard Rod Melvin dribbled out the clock in JSU’s 87-75 win over the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The Tigers earned their first win of the season by turning a two-point game with 10 minutes to play into a comfortable victory for the SWAC preseason favorites. Jenniro Bush led all players with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting including 5-of-8 from the 3-point line. Rod Melvin added 13, Grant Maxey contributed 12 points for JSU.

Jefferson Ties Career High as Mocs Lose to Jackson State

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team heads into Thanksgiving on a sour note losing 87-75 to Jackson State Wednesday night. Chattanooga is now 2-4 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 1-5.

DeAntre Jefferson (Bloomington, Ill.) and Ricky Taylor (Brownsville, Tenn.) tied for team-high scoring honors with 18 apiece. Jefferson's came on a perfect shooting night hitting 8-8 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line. JSU's Jenirro Bush led all scorers with 31 points, while grabbing six rebounds. Three other Tigers joined him in double-digits including Rod Melvin who tallied 13 points and eight assists.

The Mocs led by 10 points twice in the first half. A three-point play by Jefferson on a tip-in made it 21-11 at 11:29. Leading 26-17 at 6:21, Chattanooga's offense went cold as the Tigers closed the half on a 19-5 run to take a 36-31 advantage into intermission. Jackson State built its lead to nine, 51-42 on a Grant Maxey three-point play at 14:58. But the Mocs stormed back.

Photo Album Stats Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes

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Next Game: Dec. 1 at Nebraska

Honda Battle of the Bands Unveils 2011 Invitational Showcase Line-Up

Top Historically Black College and University Marching Bands From Around the Nation Prepare to Take the Field at Ninth Annual Showcase

Torrance, Calif. – Today, the journey of 45 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Marching Bands has reached its destination. It all began in late summer when these HBCUs took that first high step and that first rehearsal where increasingly challenging drills and compositions were tested to develop the most dynamic, spirited halftime performances of the fall season. Notoriety is earned today by the following top eight HBCU marching bands selected to perform at the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:


Videographer: AkeemC998 (Clark Atlanta University Mighty Marching Panthers Band, Oct. 30, 2010)

Virginia State University “Marching Trojan Explosion” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
South Carolina State University “Marching 101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Jackson State University “Sonic Boom of the South” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Clark Atlanta University “Mighty Marching Panthers” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands” (Independent)


Videographer: Cassfl (Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands at Jacksonville State University, Alabama, Oct. 16, 2010)

The 2,000 student-musicians that make up these bands have staked their claims to being among the elite in the country and will take the stage to prove their mettle on January 29th at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Each band will have the opportunity to perform for 12 minutes and showcase their musical skills, dancing talents and creativity. This year’s showcase features first-time South Carolina State University as well as eight-time participant Virginia State University. Band sizes range from the small but powerful 120-member ensemble of Clark Atlanta University, to the 300-member goliath of Bethune Cookman.

Marking its ninth year, the Honda Battle of the Bands is the only national scholarship program that highlights music education as an important facet of HBCU heritage and culture. The eight winning band programs chosen to participate in this year’s Invitational Showcase will be awarded $20,000 by American Honda for their music programs, in addition to the $1,000 grant they received for participation in the pre-qualifying Celebration Tour. Through this program, American Honda annually awards a total of $205,000 in scholarships to HBCU music programs. Since the program’s inception, an excess of $1 million in grant money has been bestowed to black colleges.


Videographer: JSUTigers1877 (Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band, Half-Time Show at 2010 Southern Heritage Classic, Memphis, TN).

“The Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase is about more than what happens on the field at the Georgia Dome on show day,” said Marc Burt, Senior Manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda. “This event is about celebrating the abilities and brilliance of young people coming out of the nation’s black colleges. The discipline and drive these student-musicians exhibit both on and off the field are phenomenal, and Honda is pleased to be able to contribute to the music education programs that help foster the artistic and academic growth of these students.”

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BSU Bulldogs Advance to 2-0 after Win over No. 2 Team

The Bowie State men’s basketball team made the best of its weekend with a surprise victory over one of the best teams in the country. Heading into Nov. 20, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks were ranked No. 2 in the entire Division II conference of the NCAA, but that didn’t help them stop the BSU Bulldogs from claiming a 71- 68 home victory.

The Bulldogs may have won by only three points, but the game wasn’t as close as the score suggests. BSU led by as many as 14 points late in the second half, and kept the Crimson Hawks away from any chance of wining the game.

BOWIE STATE DOWNS #2 INDIANA (PA) 71-68

BOWIE, Md. - Bowie State University held off a furious late second half rally by Indiana University of Pennsylvania and defeated the Crimson Hawks 71-68. Indiana (Pa.) (1-1) came into the game ranked #2 in the early D-II polls.

Bowie State (2-0) led by as much as 14 points in the second half (67-55) after free throw by junior Darren Clark (Largo, MD, Largo, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania) with 4:31 left to play. However, a 13-4 run put the Crimson Hawks in position to tie the game in the final seconds before the last of IUP’s 21 turnovers sealed the win for the BSU Bulldogs.

Darryl Webb led Indiana (Pa.) with a game-high 19 points followed by Ashton Smith with 17 points. Webb also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for the Crimson Hawks.



IUP Nearly Erases Big Deficit in Final Four Minutes but Falls at Bowie State

A furious IUP comeback in the final four minutes fell just short in a 71-68 loss at Bowie State, only the fourth loss in the past 38 games for the Crimson Hawks over the past two seasons.

IUP (1-1) trailed by as many as 14 in the second half and was down 67-55 after a free throw by Darren Clark with 4:31 remaining. But a 13-4 run the rest of the way put the Crimson Hawks in position to tie the game in the final seconds before the last of IUP’s 21 turnovers sealed its fate.

Darryl Webb led IUP with 19 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth straight double-double dating back to the last four games of the 2009-10 season that included the NCAA Atlantic Region championship game and all three games at the Elite Eight. Webb has 40 double-doubles in his career.

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