Saturday, October 1, 2011

Fort Valley State plays host to struggling Tuskegee

Fort Valley, GA - For years, conventional wisdom held that the SIAC title had to go through Tuskegee and Albany State, with Fort Valley State often part of the equation.

Tuskegee usually spent most or all of the season ranked, and the Tigers shared the 2006 title with Albany State before winning three straight championships.  Now? Tuskegee enters October winless and is the only team in the SIAC to do so. Sympathy among opponents is non-existent.



“I don’t know,” FVSU head coach Donald Pittman said about what’s wrong with Tuskegee. “I hope they stay the same way on Saturday.”

The Golden Tigers will try to right the ship at 6 p.m. on Saturday when they visit FVSU in an SIAC battle. FVSU got into the win column nine days ago with a 40-23 win over Benedict. “

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NSU report: South Carolina State offense may be problematic

Norfolk, VA - Norfolk State has seen this offense before, just not quite like this. South Carolina runs a spread offense predicated on a single play and single player, much like the offenses run by Charleston Southern and Howard - teams the Spartans have shut down this season.

The zone read quarterback run, recently brought to prominence by Tim Tebow and then Cam Newton, will be a big part of the Bulldog offense. South Carolina State quarterback Derrick Wiley might not be as effective as the aforementioned, he is better than both quarterbacks the Spartans previously faced.



"They're almost identical as far as scheme is concerned...," head coach Pete Adrian said. "They have a lot better players, which presents a problem."

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Savannah State University looking for second MEAC win

Savannah, GA - Savannah State’s football team doesn’t want to slow down the wave of enthusiasm rushing over the school these days.

The Tigers are looking to make it two wins in a row, in the process showing students and alumni a good time in newly renovated T.A. Wright Stadium, when visiting Howard University comes to town tonight at 7.

“Coach has been telling us, ‘We’re the new Savannah State,’” said SSU sophomore receiver Simon Heyward.



The new Savannah State has a new stadium, a new Hall of Fame class and a new athletic director while playing football in a new conference.

Here’s another new aspect of the Tigers — undefeated in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play after knocking off North Carolina Central, 33-30, in Durham, N.C., a week ago in their first game in the MEAC.



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A&T football: 'Bargain' coach battles history in rebuilding effort

Baltimore, MD - N.C. A&T begins another MEAC football season tomorrow afternoon on the road against Morgan State. Last year’s coach, Alonzo Lee, will work the opposite sideline in Baltimore as the Bears defensive coordinator. Lee was fired last November after a 1-10 season. He was 6-16 in two years with the Aggies.

Rod Broadway was hired a few days after national signing day in February. It was the latest in a line of changes at A&T.



In the late 1990s Edward Fort (18 years on the job) was the chancellor, Bill Hayes (15 years) the football coach and Willie Burden (eight years) the athletics director. Recent history makes the length of their tenures seem like an eternity

In the last 12 years, A&T has gone through five chancellors, five football head coaches and nine athletics directors. And beginning with Hayes’ final season in 2002, the Aggies’ football team has finished with a losing record eight times in the last nine years, going 29-74 (.282 winning percentage). They haven’t won a homecoming game since 2003.

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TSU prepares to face Austin Peay with depleted roster

Clarksville, Tennessee - A 63-24 loss at Air Force last week and a 58-27 loss the week before at Murray State left the Tigers (1-3, 0-1) with a long list of injured players as they prepare for Saturday’s OVC game at Austin Peay (1-2, 1-0). Seven starters are listed as questionable or out for this week’s game:

Nose tackle Donte’e Nicholls left last week’s game with an upper body injury. He will be replaced by freshman Samquan Evans. Defensive end Tyler Lusk did not play last week (leg) and is not expected back this week. Freshman Detorrius Shipley will replace him. Defensive tackle Lamar Wallace did not start (leg). Redshirt freshman D.J. McCellion replaced Wallace.

Middle linebacker Rico Council, TSU’s leading tackler with 34, left last week’s game (leg) and did not return. He practiced Tuesday, but is questionable. Freshman Mike West came in for Council. Fullback Johntae Gleaves did not play (leg). He returned to practice wearing a brace on his knee but won’t start this week. Redshirt freshman Stephen Brooks, a converted linebacker, has replaced Gleaves.

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Xavier advances 4 to singles semifinals in NAIA regional

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis teams won 14 of 23 main-draw matches Friday at the USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional.

Reaching the quarterfinals were Loic Didavi, Amir Rahbar and Steffen Giles-Osborn in men's singles and Kourtney Howell in women's singles. Advancing to semifinals were the men's doubles teams of Didavi and Zach Taylor and Giles-Osborn and Sean Richardson. Howell and Nicole DeLoach reached the women's doubles semifinals.

Didavi, seeded second, improved to 5-0 in singles for the fall semester with a 6-1, 6-0 victory against Shorter's Arturo Lifshitz.

Howell beat Shorter's Katie Wilmer 6-0, 6-0, then upset SCAD Atlanta's seventh-seeded Daniela Vukadinovic 2-6, 6-1, 2-0, retired.

Rahbar defeated Shorter's Colt Kelley 6-1, 6-0 and William Carey's fourth-seeded Thomas Rizk 5-7, 7-6, 7-5. Giles-Osborn beat Auburn Montgomery's Josh Reason 6-4, 7-5 and will play Rahbar in the quarterfinals Saturday.

Howell and DeLoach upset Brenau's fourth-seeded Hannah Thompson and Theresa Neumeyr 8-3.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Alabama State hopes to avenge 2010 loss as they host Alcorn

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Alabama State opens October at home when the Hornets host Alcorn State Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Cramton Bowl.

"I think these guys have put in the work this week," head coach Reggie Barlow said of his team's preparation. "Friday is really a jog-through day for us. Spirits are good and they have good energy. Guys seem to be pretty relaxed. We'll meet later tonight and get them ready for tomorrow."



The Hornets have started strong this season with a 3-1 record to begin the 2011 season. The September schedule had Alabama State on the road three times and ASU will play just its second home game Saturday night.

"We've been gone for a while, to only have one home game to start after traveling to Mississippi (twice) and Michigan," Barlow said. "It's going to be good for us to be back at home. We know our fans will come out, support us and give us good energy and hopefully our guys will feed off of that."

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2011 Road To The SIAC Championship Episode 3

Friday, September 30, 2011

Savannah State Names New Athletic Director

SAVANNAH, GA. -- Sterling Steward, Jr. has been announced as the new Athletic Director at Savannah State University.

Steward worked at Mississippi Valley state, Kentucky State, Eastern Oregon and Xavier of  Louisiana and Alabama State before coming to Savannah State.



Steward has been a Senior Consultant for Athletics Administration at Mississippi Valley State University since April. Before that, he was Alabama State's Interim Athletic Director from September 2009 until June 2010.

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ASU VS. KSU EARNS HSRN "GAME OF THE WEEK" HONORS


Albany, Georgia - Because Saturday's game between Albany State and Kentucky State is the HSRN Game of the Week, it can be heard live on the internet and satellite radio.

"We encourage our fans who want to hear the action of the Golden Rams game against the KSU Thorobreds to listen to the game on HSRN. The broadcasters will provide live action, play-by-play of the game," said Richard H. Williams, ASU's interim athletics director.

Fans can listen to the live broadcast on Sirius XM Satellite Radio Network, Channel 137, and XM Radio. Fans may also visit www.hsrn.com and click the "Listen Live" link on the HSRN home page.



Other internet resources for the HSRN broadcast are www.HBCUConnect.com, www.HBCUDigest.com, www.TuneIn.com, www.Blacksportsonline.com, www.BSTM.com and www.Urbaiamag.com.

Other radio network coverage includes WOKS 1340 AM out of Columbus, WAGF 1320 AM out of Dothan, Ala., and WEUP 1700 AM out of Huntsville, Ala. Coverage for the game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. with the pre-game show.

Color analyst Mike Walker will join play-by-play announcer Lamont Germany in the booth, with LeCounte Conaway providing sideline coverage. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m.




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Helmet cam debuts at FAMU practice

Coach Joe Taylor
Tallahassee, FL - From a distance the little silver gadget strapped to the helmets of quarterbacks Austin Trainor and Damien Fleming looked weird. It almost seemed like a distraction.

But both said the device, which is actually a helmet camera, can only make them better at their job from under center. Coach Joe Taylor said he approved its use for practices because it serves as a third eye that lets him and his staff see exactly what the quarterbacks see.

"I think it's going to have a pretty good amount of upside; it gives you a perspective from the quarterback's eyes," Trainor said. "We can't tell coach one thing and he sees another thing. It should help us in our development as quarterbacks; nothing but positives from it."

That's exactly what the team's videographer ...

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With Budd, Bowie State Hopes to Bloom

OgheneMaro Erhie
Bowie, MD - An overcast sky, with a few drops of rain, was the scene on Tuesday afternoon as the Bowie State football team held practice in preparation for another road game on Saturday.

The dreary weather on the back side of campus, just off Laurel-Bowie Road, was hopefully not an omen for the Bulldogs, who are coming off their first loss of the season and will play the second of six straight road games this coming weekend at Virginia State in Petersburg.

Bowie State, 3-1 overall and 2-1 in the CIAA, may be at a crossroads. The Bulldogs lost last Saturday, 32-29, at Virginia Union in a CIAA contest and Virginia State will be the second of four league games in a row away from Bowie.

"From here on out we have to win," said starting right tackle OgheneMaro Erhie, a 296-pound junior from Laurel High. "We need to play better on defense." The normally stingy Bowie State defense gave up 523 yards of total offense to Virginia Union, including 354 through the air at Hovey Field in Richmond.

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SSU followers show support during stadium dedication

Howard (1-3, 0-2 MEAC) at Savannah State (1-3, 1-0 MEAC)
Where: T.A. Wright Stadium, Savannah
When: Saturday at 7 p.m.
TV/radio: No TV/WHCJ 90.3 FM



Savannah, Georgia - Orange and blue balloons decorated the gate leading to the playing surface of Savannah State’s T. A. Wright Stadium. Bands serenaded, dignitaries bowed, cheerleaders cheered and a crowd of 500 on a sunny Thursday afternoon displayed the unity student government association vice president Jesse Fenton suggested when he said: “one mission, one vision, one Savannah State.”

It was a day to show your blue and orange colors as officials cut ribbons to dedicate the $6 million renovation of the Tigers’ football stadium. SSU plays its first game in the spiffed up stadium Saturday night at 7 against Howard University.

“It’s so exciting to break our home in with the community,” said Tigers senior quarterback A.J. DeFilippis. “You know, it wasn’t a day I expected to come. But it’s come and we’re embracing it.”

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Morehouse College dominates Clark Atlanta

Atlanta, GA - Morehouse College football still rules its neighborhood. The Maroon Tigers beat Clark Atlanta 30-2 Thursday night at Morehouse's B. T. Harvey Stadium. Morehouse earned its third consecutive victory and ninth in the last 12 meetings against its West End border rival.

Morehouse (4-1, 2-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) kept pace with Albany State at the top of the East division. Clark Atlanta (2-3, 1-1), which leads the all-time series 48-33-2, fell behind 13-0 and never recovered.

“You had historical implications and also to keep us in the race for the conference championship,” Morehouse coach Rich Freeman said. “It was a big win for us. The guys know the magnitude. We are trying to make generational change. We are not just looking at this season.”

The game set up as a clash between Clark Atlanta's stout defense against Morehouse's prolific offense. Morehouse entered the game leading the SIAC in scoring and yards while Clark Atlanta was No. 1 in points allowed and third in yards surrendered.

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Jackson State pummels Texas Southern, 58-13

Jackson, MS - Casey Therriault threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns tonight, leading Jackson State to a 58-13 thrashing of Texas Southern in a rare Thursday night SWAC game at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

JSU’s Tigers (4-1, 1-1 SWAC) bounced back from last week’s 21-14 loss to Alabama State — and a six-interception game, the worst Therriault’s career — in a big way, scoring 37 points in the second quarter to take a 37-7 halftime lead. It was the most points scored in a quarter by JSU in at least 30 years, said school officials.

JSU rolled up 401 total yards and scored eight touchdowns. Texas Southern (2-2), was penalized 16 times for 134 yards.

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Notebook: Rebounding well - very well

Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault threw six interceptions last Saturday in a loss at Alabama State. Six - the most of his career. He had eight in the last two games entering Thursday's 58-13 victory over Texas Southern - the first time he's had back-to-back games with multiple interceptions.

On Thursday, he had one. "After you have the worst game in your career," Therriault said, "you want to come back and play sound football." Therriault completed 15 of 27 passes, for 300 yards, three touchdowns and that single pick.

It all came against the No. 1-ranked defense in the Football Championship Subdivision and helps him forget about the last two weeks and that game at Texas Southern a year ago. JSU lost 21-18 in windy Houston last October as Therriault was held to his fewest yards (256) and worst completion percentage (37) in 2010.



VIDEO

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Football preview: Grambling State vs. Prairie View A&M at Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday

Dallas, Texas - Doug Williams, former Grambling State University quarterback and Grambling’s head football coach from 1998-2003, just had to come back as head football coach to where he considers home.

“What made me come back?” Williams told a press conference audience on Monday. “It’s just one word: Grambling.”

Williams, along with Prairie View A&M University Panthers head coach Heishma Northern, on Monday were part of the Kickoff Press Conference for the State Fair Classic, one of Black College Football’s most prestigious annual games. The two teams square off Saturday, October 1 at 6 p.m. at the Cotton Bowl at Fair Park.



The game regularly attracts between 50,000 and 60,000 fans. Traditionally held on the opening weekend of the State Fair of Texas, officials determined that the event brings in close to $10 million of economic infusion into North Texas each year.

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Thursday, September 29, 2011

TSU's pass defense ready for Jackson State

Gametime: Thursday, 6:30 p.m.CT/ 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Television: ESPNU
Radio: WHLH-95.5 FM in Jackson
Jackson, MS - Texas Southern freshman cornerback Tray Walker and his secondary mates were prepared for a challenge from Alcorn State quarterback Brandon Bridge on Saturday.

Bridge, nicknamed "Air Canada" by some Alcorn State fans, tried to hit an early home run with three towering passes on the game's opening series. "We were expecting the deep balls, but not consecutively like that," Walker said.

All three bombs fell incomplete, and Bridge completed only five of 21 passes for 56 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Backup Darius Smith wasn't much better, finishing 4-for-12 for 43 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception as TSU held on for a 14-7 victory.

TSU has the Football Championship Subdivision's stingiest ...

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NSU ready for defending MEAC champs



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Alcorn travels to Alabama State needing win

Lorman, MS - Alabama State controls its destiny in the Eastern Division championship race. The Hornets (3-1, 3-0 SWAC) entertain Alcorn State on Saturday at 7 p.m. in a game that could determine who reaches the SWAC championship game.

If Alcorn (1-3, 1-3) loses, the Braves would be all but eliminated from the SWAC championship game picture. Alabama State would build a huge cushion in the Division standings.

Alabama State quarterback Greg Jenkins played two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, helping the Bulldogs win a MACJC state championship. He transferred from Troy University. He threw for over 140 yards against Jackson State.

S.C. State mens basketball picks up commitments

Orangeburg, S.C. - The South Carolina State mens basketball team picked up a pair of commitments from the Lowcountry over the weekend. Baptist Hill guard Shaquille Mitchell and Timberland post player Daryl Palmer both committed to play for the Bulldogs, according to their AAU coach Antoine Sanders.

Mitchell is a 6-4 guard who was selected first-team All-Lowcountry by The Post and Courier last year. Entering his fifth year as a starter for the Bobcats, he averaged 18.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.7 steals and 4.7 assists a season ago.

Palmer, who is 6-6, was a second-team All-Lowcountry selection by The Post and Courier, averaging 10 points per game.

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Former Dothan player leads Stillman College defense

Dothan, AL - Former Dothan High standout Jarell Thomas is hungry to finish his college career with a bang. He figures the team he plays for – Stillman College - is primed for some big things as well.

“We have players that really want it and we have a coach (new head coach Teddy Keaton) we don’t mind fighting for,” Thomas said. “We are determined and don’t want to accept failure. We’re very hungry.”

Thomas, a senior linebacker, leads Stillman College with 44 tackles (18 solo, 26 assists) through the first four games of the season.



Stillman, which is located in Tuscaloosa and competes in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) on the Division II level, is off to a strong start at 3-1, 2-0 in conference play, after a win at Tuskegee last Saturday.

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Eugene Richardson: Outstanding basketball player and coach

MOULTRIE, GA — Eugene Richardson had an outstanding career playing basketball at Moultrie High, Bethune-Cookman College and professionally in Europe. But he became a successful high school coach almost by accident.

After playing in Finland, Holland and Belgium for seven years, Richardson returned to Florida determined to do what he had wanted do since he was a student at Bethune-Cookman several years before. Richardson wanted to use his degree in physical education and become a teacher.

And it was while teaching at Everglades Middle School in 1990 that he was asked to take over the boys basketball team there. In three years as the head coach at Everglades, the school won three middle school championships.

But when he was asked to become the head coach at Coconut Creek High School in 1995, he hesitated and asked his wife Mae about it.

“You’re always gone anyway,” Richardson remembers his wife saying. “You might as well.”  And so began one of Florida’s finest high school boys basketball coaching careers.

Bowie State: A running back’s long road

Bowie, MD - Ramono Flowers is young man among even younger men on the Bowie State University football team. The 26-year old redshirt junior tailback has had an inspiring journey to his place in the Bulldogs’ backfield.

“When I think of Ramono, I think of perseverance,” Bowie State coach Damon Wilson said. “He’s a guy who has persevered a lot to get where he is.”

After graduating from Largo High School in 2003, Flowers accepted a full scholarship to play at Central Michigan University. By the end of his redshirt freshman season for the Chippewas under coach Brian Kelly (now the coach at Notre Dame) and running backs coach Butch Jones (now the coach at Cincinnati), Flowers had some tough decisions to make.



“I had a child on the way, so I wanted to come home and work,” Flowers said. His son, Ramono Flowers Jr. is now 6.

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WSSU Rams coach not sure what to expect when his team trails

Winston Salem, NC - Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State knows a lot about his football team, except for one small detail. He isn't sure how the Rams will respond once they fall behind.

Winston-Salem State has been rolling through opponents and hasn't trailed in any of its four games. The Rams, ranked No. 21 in the AFCA Division II poll, will play Johnson C. Smith on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium. It's not a concern to Maynor that the Rams, who have outscored their opponents 200-77, haven't been behind.

"I haven't even thought about that," Maynor said. "I have noticed that when we are up by a touchdown or two, the defense can lay back a little bit and they can afford to play a little more conservative."

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Bounce TV to televise Bowie State at Virginia Union Football Tonight!!














Wednesday, September 28th
@ 8PM ET/5PM PT


This is a re-broadcast of the Sept. 24th CIAA game played in Richmond, Virginia.   Check your TV network directory for the channel for BounceTV.   For more info: 


Coming Up on October 8th
Fayetteville State University

Saturday, October 8th
@ 6P ET / 3P PT