MIAMI GARDENS — Bethune-Cookman had the best evidence it had Miami concerned for at least one half Saturday: The players saw it in the Hurricanes' eyes.
"If you looked in their eyes they were a little timid. But they got a couple of big plays and they started relaxing and talking a little more trash," said Bethune defensive end Ryan Davis. "I thought we had them worried."
The Wildcats' first game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in their 86-year history ended with a 45-14 loss, a game in which the Hurricanes were able to wear down their undermanned opponent with 31 second-half points.
Still, Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins wasn't about to walk away satisfied just because his team hung close for more than a half. "If you're looking for me to say moral victory, you're not going to get that out of me. I don't know what that is. I don't believe in that," said Jenkins. "You win or you lose and we lost the game."
But not without making an impression.
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Strong second half powers Miami Hurricanes past Bethune-Cookman
Miami, Florida - It took two plays over 19 seconds to startle the home crowd from its slumber Saturday. And that’s about how long it seemed Miami outplayed Bethune-Cookman University in the first half.
But as flat as the Canes often appeared, they persevered in the end, awakening in the second half and defeating the lower-division Wildcats 45-14 in front of an announced Sun Life Stadium crowd of 40,387.
The pair of second-quarter touchdowns, in a span of less than two minutes, gave UM a lead it would never relinquish. Those plays, each of which equaled one drive:
• A 56-yard pass from Jacory Harris to Tommy Streeter, in stride, that ate nine seconds off the clock and made it 7-7 with 7:16 left in the second quarter.
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Sunday, October 2, 2011
XU Rush, Nuggets work quickly at Gulf Coast Stampede
Gold Nuggets Zahri Jackson |
Jackson, who finished 18th out of 122 runners, ran the second-fastest 5K in XU women's history. She set the school record of 19:15.18 three weeks earlier.
Freshman Catherine Fakler was 24th in a career-best 19:43.8, the fifth-fastest time in XU history. Another freshman, Hali Yarmush, was 31st in 20:03.6, No. 9 on the Gold Nuggets' all-time list. And senior Anna D'Souza, a three-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference performer, was 42nd in 20:31, her best time as a collegian.
Prior to this season only one XU female, Ebony Harding, had covered a 5K in less than 20 minutes. She did it four times. Jackson and Fakler have done it twice each this season.
Gold Rush Matt Pieri |
Kwame Jackson was 27th in a career-best 27:27.1 and was seventh out of 34 freshmen.
The Gold Nuggets scored 153 points to finish sixth out of 16 schools and improve to 32-14-1 through five meets. They were 22-27 a year ago. The XU women finished ahead of city rival Loyola by 71 points after losing to the Wolfpack in the first two meets this season.
The Gold Rush were fifth out of 13 teams and are 29-16 after finishing 18-22 in 2010.
Individual champions were Stephanie Ledgerwood (17:54) of Southern Miss in the women's race and Harding's Philip Biwott (25:20.1) in the men's. Harding won both team titles, scoring 49 points in the women's division and 20 in the men's.
Xavier's next event will be the University of Dallas Invitational in Irving, Texas, next Saturday. It will be the final race for the Rush and Nuggets before the GCAC Championships on Oct. 22 at Clinton, Miss.
Results: Men Women
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Successful homecoming for W.Virginia Wesleyan Jonas Jackson
NCAA Division II West Virginia Wesleyan College coach Jonas Jackson, a native of Boston, is the first African-American head coach in the history of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC). WVWC Director of Athletics Ken Tyler originally named Jackson the interim head coach this summer, and that part of the title was removed before the Bobcats (5-0) 37-26 win at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Buckhannon, West Virginia -- Jonas Jackson is a long way from home, in more ways than one.
A long way from Lewenberg Middle School, the BNBL courts, and Simco’s on the Bridge. Those memories resonate in his soul.
Nor has he forgotten the countless individuals at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional who stepped forward, starting with football coach Tom Lopez, who saw promise in the Metco student, and gave Jackson a push and guidance. Line coach Gary Justason and his wife, Nancy, welcomed the wayward teen into their home when he had no place to live.
And that is why his trip back to the area, albeit on a bus that departed Buckhannon, W.Va., Thursday at midnight, means so much to the 32-year-old Jackson. The 1997 L-S graduate will return as the head coach of West Virginia Wesleyan College for today’s nonconference matchup at Bentley University (Waltham, Massachusetts), a pair of Division 2 football programs that lit up the scoreboard with 50-point efforts in their openers last week.
Rally falls short as WVWC Bobcats down Lincoln (Pa.) Lions
West Grove, Pennsylvania - Despite a strong second half, the Lincoln University football team couldn't rally from a big first-half deficit as the Lions fell just short in their comeback attempt Saturday as West Virginia Wesleyan remained unbeaten with a 37-26 victory at Avon Grove High School.
“We started slow, but played hard in the second half,” Lincoln head coach O.J. Abanishe said. “We just have to put four quarters of football together.”
After both teams had slow starts in the opening quarter, the Bobcats (5-0) struck first with an 11-play, 51-yard drive as Adam Neugebauer, who was 32-of-45 passing for 345 yards and four touchdowns, connected with Brandon Hoffman for a 3-yard touchdown to give West Virginia Wesleyan a 7-0 lead with 1:09 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Philip Jean-Juste, who finished with 82 yards on seven catches and two returns for 50 yards, returned the ball 36 yards to the 50 yard line and a penalty by West Virginia Wesleyan advanced the ball five more yards. After picking up four yards on first down, Doug Cook, who was 28 of 58 through the air for 350 yards and three touchdowns, connected with Jean-Juste down the left sideline for 40 yards, setting up the Lions at first-and-goal at the Bobcats' 1. Mason Colton punched it in from a yard out to cut the deficit to 7-6 as the extra point was blocked with four seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
The second quarter belonged to West Virginia Wesleyan as the Bobcats scored 20 unanswered points to take a 27-6 lead into the break.
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“We started slow, but played hard in the second half,” Lincoln head coach O.J. Abanishe said. “We just have to put four quarters of football together.”
After both teams had slow starts in the opening quarter, the Bobcats (5-0) struck first with an 11-play, 51-yard drive as Adam Neugebauer, who was 32-of-45 passing for 345 yards and four touchdowns, connected with Brandon Hoffman for a 3-yard touchdown to give West Virginia Wesleyan a 7-0 lead with 1:09 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, Philip Jean-Juste, who finished with 82 yards on seven catches and two returns for 50 yards, returned the ball 36 yards to the 50 yard line and a penalty by West Virginia Wesleyan advanced the ball five more yards. After picking up four yards on first down, Doug Cook, who was 28 of 58 through the air for 350 yards and three touchdowns, connected with Jean-Juste down the left sideline for 40 yards, setting up the Lions at first-and-goal at the Bobcats' 1. Mason Colton punched it in from a yard out to cut the deficit to 7-6 as the extra point was blocked with four seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
The second quarter belonged to West Virginia Wesleyan as the Bobcats scored 20 unanswered points to take a 27-6 lead into the break.
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APSU holds off Tennessee State 37-34
Clarksville, Tennessee - Austin Peay beat Tennessee State 37-34 in an OVC and Sgt. York Trophy game at Governors Stadium Saturday night. With the win, the Govs are now 2-0 in the OVC for the first time since 1977. But it didn't look like things were going to go APSU's way after TSU returned to opening kick off 100 yards for a touchdown and sprinting out to a 27-6 lead with 4:10 left in the second quarter.
The Govs went on and outscored TSU 31-7 after that and sealed in on Stephen Stansell's 35-yard field goal with 10.1 seconds left in the game.
Jake Ryan's 300-yd passing game was first since Mark Cunningham threw for 308 on Oct. 28, 2006 against ...
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Austin Peay rallies to beat TSU, starts OVC play 2-0 for first time since 1977
It's usually easy to figure out how Austin Peay faired after it allowed the opening kickoff go for a touchdown and after it's fallen behind 27-6 with 4:10 left to go in the first half. That's usually, but so far the Govs aren't acting like teams in years past.
And every time Austin Peay and Tennessee State get together, a game coming down to the final moments is expected and Saturday's OVC and Sgt. York Trophy game was no different. Last year the Govs needed to score late to pull out a victory. Adrian Mines caught a touchdown pass with 40 seconds left to give APSU a 26-23 triumph.
This time, it was Stephen Stansell that provided the celebration, and his 35-yard field goal with 10.1 seconds left lifted the Govs to a 37-34 conference win over the Tigers.
The win was APSU's second straight, third consecutive over TSU, and more importantly made them 2-0 in the OVC for the first time since 1977; the same year of the football program's only conference championship.
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The Govs went on and outscored TSU 31-7 after that and sealed in on Stephen Stansell's 35-yard field goal with 10.1 seconds left in the game.
Jake Ryan's 300-yd passing game was first since Mark Cunningham threw for 308 on Oct. 28, 2006 against ...
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Austin Peay rallies to beat TSU, starts OVC play 2-0 for first time since 1977
It's usually easy to figure out how Austin Peay faired after it allowed the opening kickoff go for a touchdown and after it's fallen behind 27-6 with 4:10 left to go in the first half. That's usually, but so far the Govs aren't acting like teams in years past.
And every time Austin Peay and Tennessee State get together, a game coming down to the final moments is expected and Saturday's OVC and Sgt. York Trophy game was no different. Last year the Govs needed to score late to pull out a victory. Adrian Mines caught a touchdown pass with 40 seconds left to give APSU a 26-23 triumph.
This time, it was Stephen Stansell that provided the celebration, and his 35-yard field goal with 10.1 seconds left lifted the Govs to a 37-34 conference win over the Tigers.
The win was APSU's second straight, third consecutive over TSU, and more importantly made them 2-0 in the OVC for the first time since 1977; the same year of the football program's only conference championship.
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Not pretty, but Stillman will take it over Lane Dragons
Coach Teddy Keaton |
“This is the sloppiest we’ve played all season,” Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said. “I think we made too many mistakes, too much stuff that could take a good ballgame and take it away from you.”
Stillman (4-1, 3-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Confernce) played three different quarterbacks Saturday night, none of which was effective except in short spurts. The Tigers finished with 315 yards of offense, 165 of which came on the ground, with the quarterbacks going a combined 11-for-23 passing with two interceptions.
“I came out with the first touchdown, but there at the end, I slowed down,” sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen said. “I just have to do better.”
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Alabama A&M Bulldogs pull off improbable comeback over UAPB
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Vandrick Jackson did a few cartwheels across the field. Clarence Morris struck a pose near the scoreboard. Several other Alabama A&M players celebrated in their own way. Meanwhile, in all of the excitement, Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones kneeled down to say thanks.
The Bulldogs had plenty of reasons to be thankful. Trailing by 20 points entering the fourth quarter, Alabama A&M put together a comeback for the ages.
Quarterback Deaunte Mason threw four touchdown passes to G'Alonzo Milton, including the game-winner with 57 seconds as A&M scored 21 unanswered points to pull off an improbable 28-27 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff before an announced crowd of 5,136 at Louis Crews Stadium.
"We played with a great sense of urgency in the fourth quarter," Jones said. "Sometimes you have to get punched in the face before you realize you're in a fight. We got punched in the face in the third quarter. The way our guys responded is darn near a miracle."
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The Bulldogs had plenty of reasons to be thankful. Trailing by 20 points entering the fourth quarter, Alabama A&M put together a comeback for the ages.
Quarterback Deaunte Mason threw four touchdown passes to G'Alonzo Milton, including the game-winner with 57 seconds as A&M scored 21 unanswered points to pull off an improbable 28-27 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff before an announced crowd of 5,136 at Louis Crews Stadium.
"We played with a great sense of urgency in the fourth quarter," Jones said. "Sometimes you have to get punched in the face before you realize you're in a fight. We got punched in the face in the third quarter. The way our guys responded is darn near a miracle."
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Sharpe wants to be more active at Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia - Shannon Sharpe led the Tiger Walk to renovated T.A. Wright Stadium on Saturday afternoon before Savannah State met Howard University in the school’s first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference home game.
He attended a luncheon earlier in the day and an induction ceremony for the school’s athletic hall of fame on Friday night. “I would like to become more active in the program,” said Sharpe while meeting with the media during some spare time Saturday.
Those are melodious words for a new administration at Savannah State, trying to start new traditions while embracing some of the old.
Sharpe, 43 and still in football shape, is part of the school’s good, old days — a local kid from nearby Glennville who came to Savannah State College in the ’80s when bigger school wouldn’t touch a Prop 48 player.
All Sharpe did was star for four years with the then-Division II Tigers before becoming an even bigger deal in the National Football League, earning his own induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame about two months ago.
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He attended a luncheon earlier in the day and an induction ceremony for the school’s athletic hall of fame on Friday night. “I would like to become more active in the program,” said Sharpe while meeting with the media during some spare time Saturday.
Those are melodious words for a new administration at Savannah State, trying to start new traditions while embracing some of the old.
Sharpe, 43 and still in football shape, is part of the school’s good, old days — a local kid from nearby Glennville who came to Savannah State College in the ’80s when bigger school wouldn’t touch a Prop 48 player.
All Sharpe did was star for four years with the then-Division II Tigers before becoming an even bigger deal in the National Football League, earning his own induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame about two months ago.
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Howard Bison ends Savannah State University's celebration
Savannah, Georgia - A festive weekend for athletics on campus at Savannah State University ended on a sour note Saturday night at T.A. Wright Stadium. A crowd of 5,635 was treated to the amenities of the newly renovated stadium, but didn’t have much else to cheer about in a 34-14 loss to Howard, the first SSU football game on campus in nearly two years.
“We wanted to come out and please the fans. We didn’t get the job done,” said Tigers wide receiver Darren Hunter as fireworks were shot off after the game.
It was Savannah State’s first loss in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play and the Bison’s first win in league play since defeating Norfolk State 17-10 on Oct. 27, 2007. Howard (2-3, 1-1 MEAC) snapped a 29-game conference losing streak.
View Spotted® photos of the game
It ruined the party for the Tigers, who held a stadium dedication celebration on Thursday and their athletic hall of fame induction ceremony on Friday night. The school’s most famous alum, Shannon Sharpe, was in town for some of the festivities and gave the team a pre-game speech.
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“We wanted to come out and please the fans. We didn’t get the job done,” said Tigers wide receiver Darren Hunter as fireworks were shot off after the game.
It was Savannah State’s first loss in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play and the Bison’s first win in league play since defeating Norfolk State 17-10 on Oct. 27, 2007. Howard (2-3, 1-1 MEAC) snapped a 29-game conference losing streak.
View Spotted® photos of the game
It ruined the party for the Tigers, who held a stadium dedication celebration on Thursday and their athletic hall of fame induction ceremony on Friday night. The school’s most famous alum, Shannon Sharpe, was in town for some of the festivities and gave the team a pre-game speech.
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Xavier Gold Nuggets 5-0 in GCAC after four-set win at Dillard
NEW ORLEANS — Taylor Reuther had 19 kills and a season-high 21 digs Saturday in Xavier University of Louisiana's 24-26, 25-16, 25-12, 25-18 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball victory at Dillard.
The Gold Nuggets (10-3, 5-0) won for the ninth time in 10 matches.
Chinedu Echebelem had 10 kills and 16 digs for Xavier, Moira Kirk had 10 kills and three blocks, and Patrice Hightower had a season-high-tying 10 digs and a career-high 42 assists. Celeste Poe had 19 digs, one less than her career best.
It was the second time in the Nuggets' four-year history that they won on the road after losing the first set. It was the first time they did it on an opponent's floor, and it was the first time in four tries that they beat Dillard at Dent Hall.
"I always wanted to come to Xavier and break records," said Echebelem, who recorded her second kill-dig double-double of the season. "I'm glad to do it as a team."
Dillard (5-7, 0-2), the defending GCAC Tournament champion, opened the match with a 10-1 run. Xavier rallied for ties at 20, 21, 23 and 24, but the Lady Bleu Devils closed the set with a Monica De Alcantara kill and a Jessica Goods-Morris block.
"We just had to calm down, relax and get in a groove after that start," Hightower said. "We were shaking and nervous. Ne (Echebelem) got a kill, got us pumped up and got us going."
Xavier trailed only twice more after the first set — at 3-2 and 4-3 in the fourth. Reuther's kill put the Nuggets ahead to stay at 5-4, and she ended the match with a kill.
Reuther recorded her team-leading seventh kill-dig double. She hit minus-.333 in 15 attacks the first set but .419 in the final three sets.
Dillard's 6-1 run in the fourth set cut Xavier's lead to 13-12 and prompted first-year Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton to call timeout. Then the Lady Bleu Devils committed attack errors on each of the next four rallies, and Dillard never challenged seriously again.
"Our team had to come together quickly after that start," Hamilton said. "Dillard is the defending champion, and you don't want to give them that kind of lead at their place. We stayed in there and started to fight."
Paula Ogbevoen led Dillard with 10 kills.
The teams will meet again Nov. 5 at The Barn. Next for the Gold Nuggets will be a two-match home stand — 7 p.m. Wednesday against the University of New Orleans, then 5 p.m. Thursday against Prairie View A&M — before returning to Dillard for GCAC matches against Philander Smith and Tougaloo on Friday and Edward Waters on Saturday.
NOTES: Xavier is 36-14 all-time (16-4 home, 8-4 away, 12-6 neutral) when winning the first set and 4-62 (2-16 home, 1-29 away, 1-17 neutral) when losing the first set . . . Attendance was 800 . . . Poe had eight digs in the first set . . . Xavier was 5-17 in GCAC regular-season matches its first three seasons.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
The Gold Nuggets (10-3, 5-0) won for the ninth time in 10 matches.
Chinedu Echebelem had 10 kills and 16 digs for Xavier, Moira Kirk had 10 kills and three blocks, and Patrice Hightower had a season-high-tying 10 digs and a career-high 42 assists. Celeste Poe had 19 digs, one less than her career best.
It was the second time in the Nuggets' four-year history that they won on the road after losing the first set. It was the first time they did it on an opponent's floor, and it was the first time in four tries that they beat Dillard at Dent Hall.
"I always wanted to come to Xavier and break records," said Echebelem, who recorded her second kill-dig double-double of the season. "I'm glad to do it as a team."
Dillard (5-7, 0-2), the defending GCAC Tournament champion, opened the match with a 10-1 run. Xavier rallied for ties at 20, 21, 23 and 24, but the Lady Bleu Devils closed the set with a Monica De Alcantara kill and a Jessica Goods-Morris block.
"We just had to calm down, relax and get in a groove after that start," Hightower said. "We were shaking and nervous. Ne (Echebelem) got a kill, got us pumped up and got us going."
Xavier trailed only twice more after the first set — at 3-2 and 4-3 in the fourth. Reuther's kill put the Nuggets ahead to stay at 5-4, and she ended the match with a kill.
Reuther recorded her team-leading seventh kill-dig double. She hit minus-.333 in 15 attacks the first set but .419 in the final three sets.
Dillard's 6-1 run in the fourth set cut Xavier's lead to 13-12 and prompted first-year Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton to call timeout. Then the Lady Bleu Devils committed attack errors on each of the next four rallies, and Dillard never challenged seriously again.
"Our team had to come together quickly after that start," Hamilton said. "Dillard is the defending champion, and you don't want to give them that kind of lead at their place. We stayed in there and started to fight."
Paula Ogbevoen led Dillard with 10 kills.
The teams will meet again Nov. 5 at The Barn. Next for the Gold Nuggets will be a two-match home stand — 7 p.m. Wednesday against the University of New Orleans, then 5 p.m. Thursday against Prairie View A&M — before returning to Dillard for GCAC matches against Philander Smith and Tougaloo on Friday and Edward Waters on Saturday.
NOTES: Xavier is 36-14 all-time (16-4 home, 8-4 away, 12-6 neutral) when winning the first set and 4-62 (2-16 home, 1-29 away, 1-17 neutral) when losing the first set . . . Attendance was 800 . . . Poe had eight digs in the first set . . . Xavier was 5-17 in GCAC regular-season matches its first three seasons.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Winston Salem State Rams holds off Johnson C. Smith Bulls
WINSTON SALEM, NC - Winston-Salem State, riding high after three straight lopsided victories, was brought back to earth Saturday by pesky Johnson C. Smith. Nonetheless, the Rams stayed unbeaten, winning 28-10 in front of more than 20,000 at Bowman Gray Stadium and surviving what coach Connell Maynor called a week of distractions.
"All the distractions with homecoming, the CP3 All-Star Game and the dances and everything else," Maynor said. "Everything is going on, and it's hard to stay focused."
The Rams, ranked No. 21 in Division II, averaged 50 points in their first four games, but the Bulls' defense was effective in harassing quarterback Kameron Smith.
Running back Nic Cooper was the workhorse again for the Rams (5-0, 4-0 CIAA) with 203 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries. The Rams finished with 401 yards of offense, but they also made three turnovers that kept giving the Bulls (2-3, 1-1) new life.
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"All the distractions with homecoming, the CP3 All-Star Game and the dances and everything else," Maynor said. "Everything is going on, and it's hard to stay focused."
The Rams, ranked No. 21 in Division II, averaged 50 points in their first four games, but the Bulls' defense was effective in harassing quarterback Kameron Smith.
Running back Nic Cooper was the workhorse again for the Rams (5-0, 4-0 CIAA) with 203 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 28 carries. The Rams finished with 401 yards of offense, but they also made three turnovers that kept giving the Bulls (2-3, 1-1) new life.
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Florida A&M Rattlers dominates Delaware State Hornets
Tallahassee, Florida - Florida A&M scored in every quarter, including 14 points in the third quarter, to seal a 34-7 win over Delaware State on Saturday in Tallahassee. The Rattlers got a pair of Trevor Scott field goals to take a 6-0 halftime advantage. The first was from 25 yards out and the second from 34.
Florida A&M (3-2 overall, 1-1 MEAC) saw its offense come alive in the third quarter. Damien Fleming hit Brian Tyms on a 23-yard strike for the first score. Al Terek McBurse burst through the line for a 25-yard run on the second.
Delaware State (2-3, 0-2) got on the board for the first time early in the gourth quarter when Nick Elko hit Milton Williams on a 9-yard touchdown pass. But it was too little too late, as Fleming responded with a 1-yarder touchdown and, just for good measure, Eddie Rocker added a 20-yarder to bring the game to its final score.
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FAMU offense in midseason form
The FAMU Rattlers' offense is clicking at exactly the right time despite an early-season change at quarterback.
Freshman quarterback Damien Fleming started his first collegiate game Saturday and provided a strong performance and leadership for a team looking for its first conference win. Fleming threw for 245 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another touchdown against the Delaware State Hornets.
Head coach Joe Taylor said he was impressed with his quarterback's poise after mistakes and his willingness to fight after a slow first half against the Hornets.
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DSU ends scoreless streak, but drops third in a row
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Delaware State put points on the board for the first time in more than 11 quarters, but had little else to celebrate in a 34-7 loss to Florida A&M in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Saturday. The Hornets (2-3 overall, 0-2 MEAC) dropped their third straight game.
Delaware State scored its lone touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Nick Elko to Milton Williams with 11:37 left in the fourth quarter. The score was the first for the Hornets since the game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds left in a 31-27 win over Shaw on Sep. 10.
"We played well for a while, but made too many mistakes," said Delaware State coach Kermit Blount. "Hopefully, we'll get some of our injured players back soon to help out the offense."
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Florida A&M (3-2 overall, 1-1 MEAC) saw its offense come alive in the third quarter. Damien Fleming hit Brian Tyms on a 23-yard strike for the first score. Al Terek McBurse burst through the line for a 25-yard run on the second.
Delaware State (2-3, 0-2) got on the board for the first time early in the gourth quarter when Nick Elko hit Milton Williams on a 9-yard touchdown pass. But it was too little too late, as Fleming responded with a 1-yarder touchdown and, just for good measure, Eddie Rocker added a 20-yarder to bring the game to its final score.
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FAMU offense in midseason form
The FAMU Rattlers' offense is clicking at exactly the right time despite an early-season change at quarterback.
Freshman quarterback Damien Fleming started his first collegiate game Saturday and provided a strong performance and leadership for a team looking for its first conference win. Fleming threw for 245 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another touchdown against the Delaware State Hornets.
Head coach Joe Taylor said he was impressed with his quarterback's poise after mistakes and his willingness to fight after a slow first half against the Hornets.
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DSU ends scoreless streak, but drops third in a row
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Delaware State put points on the board for the first time in more than 11 quarters, but had little else to celebrate in a 34-7 loss to Florida A&M in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Saturday. The Hornets (2-3 overall, 0-2 MEAC) dropped their third straight game.
Delaware State scored its lone touchdown on a 9-yard pass from Nick Elko to Milton Williams with 11:37 left in the fourth quarter. The score was the first for the Hornets since the game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds left in a 31-27 win over Shaw on Sep. 10.
"We played well for a while, but made too many mistakes," said Delaware State coach Kermit Blount. "Hopefully, we'll get some of our injured players back soon to help out the offense."
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Benedict drops OT game to Miles
AUGUSTA, Georgia - A new coach brought some new enthusiasm for the Benedict College Tigers football team, but some old demons were too much to overcome as Mile College defeated Benedict 20-14 in overtime Saturday at Lucy Laney Memorial Stadium in the annual Augusta City Classic.
Miles drove 75 yards on 11 plays to score on a 1-yard run by Jordan Lewis with one minute left on the clock to cut Benedict's lead to 14-12. Lewis got the call again on the two-point conversion to tie the game. The key play on that drive was a 33-yard pass from David Thomas to Jerromy Mardis on fourth down and eight on their final drive in regulation.
The Tigers got the ball first in overtime, but quarterback Simeon Kelley fumbled the exchange on the second play in overtime, turning the ball back over to the Golden Bears.
On Miles' possession, Lewis carried the ball on all five plays, and ran in from one-yard out to seal the victory for the Golden Bears. Miles improves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the SIAC.
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Miles drove 75 yards on 11 plays to score on a 1-yard run by Jordan Lewis with one minute left on the clock to cut Benedict's lead to 14-12. Lewis got the call again on the two-point conversion to tie the game. The key play on that drive was a 33-yard pass from David Thomas to Jerromy Mardis on fourth down and eight on their final drive in regulation.
The Tigers got the ball first in overtime, but quarterback Simeon Kelley fumbled the exchange on the second play in overtime, turning the ball back over to the Golden Bears.
On Miles' possession, Lewis carried the ball on all five plays, and ran in from one-yard out to seal the victory for the Golden Bears. Miles improves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the SIAC.
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Late fumble leads to OT loss for Bowie State at Virginia State
ETTRICK, Virginia - The Bowie State University football team gave up the tying touchdown after fumbling the ball with 22 seconds left in the fourth quarter and went on to lose to Virginia State in overtime, 28-21, on Saturday in Ettrick, Va.
The game was punctuated by a wild fourth quarter that had an even wilder final minute. Each team scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and it appeared Bowie State had the game won when it took possession at the Virginia State 48-yard line with a 21-14 lead and 30 seconds left.
After Virginia State used a time out to stop the clock with 22 seconds to go, Bowie State's Michael Gagne lost 20 yards on a second-down play and fumbled at the Bowie State 21, where Virginia State's Malcolm Solomon recovered. With 16 seconds left on the clock, Jarred Battle tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Timothy Paulk, and William Rudd's extra point tied the game at 21-21, forcing overtime.
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The game was punctuated by a wild fourth quarter that had an even wilder final minute. Each team scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and it appeared Bowie State had the game won when it took possession at the Virginia State 48-yard line with a 21-14 lead and 30 seconds left.
After Virginia State used a time out to stop the clock with 22 seconds to go, Bowie State's Michael Gagne lost 20 yards on a second-down play and fumbled at the Bowie State 21, where Virginia State's Malcolm Solomon recovered. With 16 seconds left on the clock, Jarred Battle tossed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Timothy Paulk, and William Rudd's extra point tied the game at 21-21, forcing overtime.
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Alabama State beats Alcorn State 31-23
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Greg Jenkins passed for a career-high 297 yards and three touchdowns and Nick Andrews became the all-time school leader in receiving touchdowns as Alabama State held off Alcorn State 31-23 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game Saturday night at Cramton Bowl.
Alabama State (4-1 overall, 4-0 SWAC) is the lone undefeated team in the conference, improving to 4-0 for the first time since 2005. Alcorn State (1-4, 1-4) lost its fourth game by a margin of eight points or less this season.
Highlights, interviews as Alabama State beats Alcorn State 31-23. Courtesy Alabama State University Athletics
Tied 10-10 at halftime, the Hornets scored touchdowns on consecutive possessions to take the lead for good. Jenkins' nine-yard touchdown run gave Alabama State the lead for good at 17-10 with 11:40 remaining in the third quarter. Andrews' 16-yard touchdown catch gave the Hornets a 23-10 lead with 6:13 to play in the quarter.
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Alabama State (4-1 overall, 4-0 SWAC) is the lone undefeated team in the conference, improving to 4-0 for the first time since 2005. Alcorn State (1-4, 1-4) lost its fourth game by a margin of eight points or less this season.
Highlights, interviews as Alabama State beats Alcorn State 31-23. Courtesy Alabama State University Athletics
Tied 10-10 at halftime, the Hornets scored touchdowns on consecutive possessions to take the lead for good. Jenkins' nine-yard touchdown run gave Alabama State the lead for good at 17-10 with 11:40 remaining in the third quarter. Andrews' 16-yard touchdown catch gave the Hornets a 23-10 lead with 6:13 to play in the quarter.
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North Carolina A&T Aggies put up strong defense
BALTIMORE, MD - North Carolina A&T used a stingy defense, three blocked field goals and big running plays from Mike Mayhew to earn a 24-3 conference win over Morgan State at Hughes Stadium on Saturday.
The Aggies defense held Morgan State to 33 yards rushing, while Mayhew finished with a career-high 233 yards rushing and one touchdown. It was their first win over Morgan State in six years and their first win at Hughes Stadium since 2003. The win also marked the Aggies (2-2, 1-0 MEAC) first road win since beating Howard in Washington, D.C., two years ago.
"All wins our big wins at this stage in our program," said N.C. A&T head coach Rod Broadway. "This is the first time in a long time we've defeated Morgan, so it's going to be a nice bus ride home. But we've got to continue to get better. We missed out on a lot of opportunities today."
In a twist of irony, Morgan State's inability to take advantage of opportunities to score touchdowns early allowed N.C. A&T to gain some confidence defensively. On the game's first play, a Lewis Kindle interception gave the Bears (2-3, 1-1) the ball at the Aggies 16-yard line.
The Bears minus-10-yard drive was highlighted by a Travis Crosby sack. Ervin Gonzalez booted a 43-yard field goal to give the Bears a 3-0 lead. Morgan State's good field position would be a trend that would continue throughout the first quarter. Three of the Bears first four drives started in Aggies territory. The one drive that did not start in Aggies territory, started at the Bears 48 after a Kindle fumble.
Each MSU good fortune was met with an Aggies rebuff. Mayhew finally turned the field position in N.C. A&T's favor late in the first quarter. A 12-yard run helped the N.C. A&T move the ball from in front of its own goal line. Mayhew then sprinted down the sideline for a 78-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career.
Morgan State Band @ Collegiate Marching Band Festival 9/25/2011, Allentown, Pennsylvania
"Once I got off the bus today, I was feeling it," said Mayhew. "I was in that zone. My offensive line stepped up today. (Offensive line coach Keith Wagner) told us all week it was time for a 100-yard game. We've been slacking the first three games, so I'm glad we got it going today."
Saturday marked Mayhew's second career 200-yard performance. His showing also put him 17 yards shy of the 2,000-yard mark for his career. But it was the Aggies defense that allowed the Aggies to keep a comfortable lead.
After stopping the Bears on 4th-and-1 from the Aggies 47 to open the second quarter, Jose Garcia-Camacho hit a 35-yard field goal to give the Aggies a 10-3 lead. Morgan State answered by putting together its best drive of the game, a 9-play, 50-yard march that led to a 41-yard field goal attempt.
But a bobbled snap led to Terence Webb blocking the kick. With the Aggies defense playing so well, the game was put away on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Kindle to Larry Raper to close out the first half.
"We started the game in the hole with an interception and the defense held them to three," said Broadway. "I thought that set the tone. I think we gave up one 3rd down-and-14 today, but overall we were great on third down."
Senior Justin Ferrell had two blocked kicks and an interception. Brandon Hover finished with 10 tackles and a 31-yard interception return. N.C. A&T's last two wins over Morgan State has included a 200-yard rusher. Brandon Sweeney ran for 205 yards in 2005.
The Aggies return home next week to host Bethune-Cookman at 1:30 p.m.
Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information
The Aggies defense held Morgan State to 33 yards rushing, while Mayhew finished with a career-high 233 yards rushing and one touchdown. It was their first win over Morgan State in six years and their first win at Hughes Stadium since 2003. The win also marked the Aggies (2-2, 1-0 MEAC) first road win since beating Howard in Washington, D.C., two years ago.
"All wins our big wins at this stage in our program," said N.C. A&T head coach Rod Broadway. "This is the first time in a long time we've defeated Morgan, so it's going to be a nice bus ride home. But we've got to continue to get better. We missed out on a lot of opportunities today."
In a twist of irony, Morgan State's inability to take advantage of opportunities to score touchdowns early allowed N.C. A&T to gain some confidence defensively. On the game's first play, a Lewis Kindle interception gave the Bears (2-3, 1-1) the ball at the Aggies 16-yard line.
The Bears minus-10-yard drive was highlighted by a Travis Crosby sack. Ervin Gonzalez booted a 43-yard field goal to give the Bears a 3-0 lead. Morgan State's good field position would be a trend that would continue throughout the first quarter. Three of the Bears first four drives started in Aggies territory. The one drive that did not start in Aggies territory, started at the Bears 48 after a Kindle fumble.
Each MSU good fortune was met with an Aggies rebuff. Mayhew finally turned the field position in N.C. A&T's favor late in the first quarter. A 12-yard run helped the N.C. A&T move the ball from in front of its own goal line. Mayhew then sprinted down the sideline for a 78-yard touchdown run, the longest of his career.
Morgan State Band @ Collegiate Marching Band Festival 9/25/2011, Allentown, Pennsylvania
"Once I got off the bus today, I was feeling it," said Mayhew. "I was in that zone. My offensive line stepped up today. (Offensive line coach Keith Wagner) told us all week it was time for a 100-yard game. We've been slacking the first three games, so I'm glad we got it going today."
Saturday marked Mayhew's second career 200-yard performance. His showing also put him 17 yards shy of the 2,000-yard mark for his career. But it was the Aggies defense that allowed the Aggies to keep a comfortable lead.
After stopping the Bears on 4th-and-1 from the Aggies 47 to open the second quarter, Jose Garcia-Camacho hit a 35-yard field goal to give the Aggies a 10-3 lead. Morgan State answered by putting together its best drive of the game, a 9-play, 50-yard march that led to a 41-yard field goal attempt.
But a bobbled snap led to Terence Webb blocking the kick. With the Aggies defense playing so well, the game was put away on a 47-yard touchdown pass from Kindle to Larry Raper to close out the first half.
"We started the game in the hole with an interception and the defense held them to three," said Broadway. "I thought that set the tone. I think we gave up one 3rd down-and-14 today, but overall we were great on third down."
Senior Justin Ferrell had two blocked kicks and an interception. Brandon Hover finished with 10 tackles and a 31-yard interception return. N.C. A&T's last two wins over Morgan State has included a 200-yard rusher. Brandon Sweeney ran for 205 yards in 2005.
The Aggies return home next week to host Bethune-Cookman at 1:30 p.m.
Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information
XU's Didavi, Giles-Osborn reach NAIA regional singles final
ATLANTA, Georgia -- It will be an all-Xavier University of Louisiana matchup in Sunday's men's singles final of the USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional.
Second-seeded Loic Didavi defeated Auburn Montgomery's sixth-seeded Zine Jouini 6-4, 6-0 in one semifinal Saturday, and teammate Steffen Giles-Osborn rallied in the other semifinal for a victory against William Carey's eighth-seeded Ricky Keppeler, who retired while trailing 5-0 in the final set. Keppeler won the first set 6-4, but Giles-Osborn won a 7-4 tiebreaker to force a third set.
Didavi, a two-time NAIA second-team All-American and an AUM transfer, will try to win a singles title for the second straight week. He beat Shorter's No. 7 Guillame Ledrap 6-2, 6-0 in the quarterfinals. Giles-Osborn advanced to the semis when XU teammate Amir Rahbar retired at 3-all in the second set. Giles-Osborn won the first set 6-4.
"Steffen's win in the semifinals may be his best at Xavier," XU coach Alan Green said. "It was a huge win against a very good player."
XU newcomer Viktor Swoboda beat William Carey's Duffy Loel 8-3 to win the men's singles consolation championship.
Didavi and Zach Taylor, seeded second in men's doubles, will play William Carey's top-seeded Jody Claasen and Thomas Rizk in the final. Didavi and Taylor defeated Shorter's Ledrap and Romain Lefevre 8-3 in the semifinals.
In women's doubles, XU's Kourtney Howell and Nicole DeLoach lost 8-0 in the semifinals to AUM's top-seeded Ana Veselinovic and Jade Curtis. Howell lost 6-1, 6-0 to Curtis, a No. 2 seed, in the singles quarterfinals.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Second-seeded Loic Didavi defeated Auburn Montgomery's sixth-seeded Zine Jouini 6-4, 6-0 in one semifinal Saturday, and teammate Steffen Giles-Osborn rallied in the other semifinal for a victory against William Carey's eighth-seeded Ricky Keppeler, who retired while trailing 5-0 in the final set. Keppeler won the first set 6-4, but Giles-Osborn won a 7-4 tiebreaker to force a third set.
Didavi, a two-time NAIA second-team All-American and an AUM transfer, will try to win a singles title for the second straight week. He beat Shorter's No. 7 Guillame Ledrap 6-2, 6-0 in the quarterfinals. Giles-Osborn advanced to the semis when XU teammate Amir Rahbar retired at 3-all in the second set. Giles-Osborn won the first set 6-4.
"Steffen's win in the semifinals may be his best at Xavier," XU coach Alan Green said. "It was a huge win against a very good player."
XU newcomer Viktor Swoboda beat William Carey's Duffy Loel 8-3 to win the men's singles consolation championship.
Didavi and Zach Taylor, seeded second in men's doubles, will play William Carey's top-seeded Jody Claasen and Thomas Rizk in the final. Didavi and Taylor defeated Shorter's Ledrap and Romain Lefevre 8-3 in the semifinals.
In women's doubles, XU's Kourtney Howell and Nicole DeLoach lost 8-0 in the semifinals to AUM's top-seeded Ana Veselinovic and Jade Curtis. Howell lost 6-1, 6-0 to Curtis, a No. 2 seed, in the singles quarterfinals.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
CIAA Football: Shaw 54, Livingstone 0
DURHAM, North Carolina — The success the Livingstone Blue Bears found last week couldn’t be duplicated Saturday as Livingstone managed only 33 yards of total offense in a 54-0 loss to the Shaw University Bears in a CIAA Southern Division contest.
Livingstone’s second possession ended with a botched punt and Shaw needed to move only 17 yards to reach the end zone. The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by freshman John Paplillion and Shaw recovered. The Bears added a field goal off the turnover to go up 10-0. Another field goal was added only 2:07 into the second quarter to put Shaw up 13-0.
The turnover bug bit the Blue Bears again as the pass from sophomore quarterback Jaren Troutman was picked off. Shaw marched 39 yards on four plays for a score to go up 20-0.
Shaw added two more touchdowns before the half, including a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with less than a minute to play in the first half. The two scores put the Bears up 34-0 at halftime.
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Livingstone’s second possession ended with a botched punt and Shaw needed to move only 17 yards to reach the end zone. The ensuing kickoff was fumbled by freshman John Paplillion and Shaw recovered. The Bears added a field goal off the turnover to go up 10-0. Another field goal was added only 2:07 into the second quarter to put Shaw up 13-0.
The turnover bug bit the Blue Bears again as the pass from sophomore quarterback Jaren Troutman was picked off. Shaw marched 39 yards on four plays for a score to go up 20-0.
Shaw added two more touchdowns before the half, including a 10-play, 80-yard drive that ended with less than a minute to play in the first half. The two scores put the Bears up 34-0 at halftime.
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Saturday, October 1, 2011
Jackson State and Tigers fan base are above the crowd
Jackson, Mississippi -- What some are proclaiming to be the "best show that the Jackson State Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band has performed in recent times," was missed by most of the nation. As usual, ESPNU cut away to Sports Center for the entire half-time period of the televised Texas Southern vs. JSU game on Sept. 29.
With over 26,000 in attendance (this has to be an HBCU attendance record for a Thursday night game) at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the JSU Sonic Boom of the South, the Air Raid offense, the Darkside defense, and Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger made it a memorable event for JSU/TSU fans.
Ruettiger, the inspiration for the 1993 Disney movie "Rudy" spoke at a luncheon at Jackson State University and gave the JSU Tigers football team an uplifting speech before the game.
The rest is history as the JSU Tigers manhandled Texas Southern's No.1 ranked defense (in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision) with 37 points in the second quarter on their way to a 58-13 rout.
The Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul Marching Band made the trip to Jackson, and also performed extremely well.
There is no other fan like a fervent JSU Tigers fan. No doubt, they have some of the most passionate fans in all of college football.
With over 26,000 in attendance (this has to be an HBCU attendance record for a Thursday night game) at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the JSU Sonic Boom of the South, the Air Raid offense, the Darkside defense, and Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger made it a memorable event for JSU/TSU fans.
Ruettiger, the inspiration for the 1993 Disney movie "Rudy" spoke at a luncheon at Jackson State University and gave the JSU Tigers football team an uplifting speech before the game.
The rest is history as the JSU Tigers manhandled Texas Southern's No.1 ranked defense (in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision) with 37 points in the second quarter on their way to a 58-13 rout.
The Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul Marching Band made the trip to Jackson, and also performed extremely well.
There is no other fan like a fervent JSU Tigers fan. No doubt, they have some of the most passionate fans in all of college football.
Dang -- 26,000 on a Thursday night! Who went to work on Friday in Jackson?
The videos shown below are brought to you by MarchingsportHD, who has been doing an exceptional job in creating a library of high definition video history of our HBCUs band performances. Check out all their band videos by clicking HERE.
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The videos shown below are brought to you by MarchingsportHD, who has been doing an exceptional job in creating a library of high definition video history of our HBCUs band performances. Check out all their band videos by clicking HERE.
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Delaware State braces for FAMU
Tallahassee, Florida - Delaware State's new head coach, Kermit Blount, sees two things in the way FAMU rallied last weekend that he could use to motivate his football players who are coming off two humiliating defeats.
First, the way the Rattlers came back in the fourth quarter to earn a five-point win gives him a power point to show his players there is hope to the end of every game. Secondly, he's been telling them that they can expect more of the same from the Rattlers. DSU comes to Bragg Stadium today for a MEAC matchup with the Rattlers.
"We have to learn how to play through all of the adversity," said Blount, who was hired after this past recruiting period to turn around the DSU program. He was out of coaching for a year after being fired at Winston-Salem State University.
Coaching the Hornets (2-2, 0-1), gives him an opportunity to resume doing ...
TODAY'S GAME
• Delaware State at Florida A&M, 6 p.m.
• RattlerNews.com: Live game blog.
• Radio: 96.1 FM.
. Internet: audio/streaming video LIVE -- FAMU ATHLETICS RATTLER VISION
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First, the way the Rattlers came back in the fourth quarter to earn a five-point win gives him a power point to show his players there is hope to the end of every game. Secondly, he's been telling them that they can expect more of the same from the Rattlers. DSU comes to Bragg Stadium today for a MEAC matchup with the Rattlers.
"We have to learn how to play through all of the adversity," said Blount, who was hired after this past recruiting period to turn around the DSU program. He was out of coaching for a year after being fired at Winston-Salem State University.
Coaching the Hornets (2-2, 0-1), gives him an opportunity to resume doing ...
TODAY'S GAME
• Delaware State at Florida A&M, 6 p.m.
• RattlerNews.com: Live game blog.
• Radio: 96.1 FM.
. Internet: audio/streaming video LIVE -- FAMU ATHLETICS RATTLER VISION
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Wildcats' game against Miami to net Bethune-Cookman $400,000
B-CU at Miami
KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. today
SITE; Sun Life Stadium
TV: ESPNU
RADIO: WELE (1380-AM)
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rivals have been scooping cash from the well-stocked Division I Football Bowl Subdivision vault for years.
The Wildcats will join the party today. B-CU will visit Miami at 3:30 p.m. in the Wildcats' first "guarantee" football game. The game will be televised live by ESPNU.
B-CU (2-1) is guaranteed a payday of slightly more than $400,000 to travel to South Florida, athletic director Lynn Thompson said. Thompson, though, hopes the Wildcats' players stay injury-free and don't get demoralized.
The Hurricanes (1-2), on the other hand, are pretty much guaranteed a victory. While Football Championship Subdivision teams are winning more and more games against FBS teams since Appalachian State's stunning upset of No. 5 Michigan in 2007, an MEAC team has yet to upend one of the big boys.
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KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. today
SITE; Sun Life Stadium
TV: ESPNU
RADIO: WELE (1380-AM)
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rivals have been scooping cash from the well-stocked Division I Football Bowl Subdivision vault for years.
The Wildcats will join the party today. B-CU will visit Miami at 3:30 p.m. in the Wildcats' first "guarantee" football game. The game will be televised live by ESPNU.
B-CU (2-1) is guaranteed a payday of slightly more than $400,000 to travel to South Florida, athletic director Lynn Thompson said. Thompson, though, hopes the Wildcats' players stay injury-free and don't get demoralized.
The Hurricanes (1-2), on the other hand, are pretty much guaranteed a victory. While Football Championship Subdivision teams are winning more and more games against FBS teams since Appalachian State's stunning upset of No. 5 Michigan in 2007, an MEAC team has yet to upend one of the big boys.
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1st-timers to meet in this year's Circle City Classic: Division II schools Albany (Ga.) State, Kentucky State bring different fan bases
Indianapolis, Indiana - The names had become routine around Indianapolis during the first weekend of October: Florida A&M. Grambling. Alabama A&M. . . . This year's Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Stadium will be different.
Today's game features two teams -- Kentucky State (3-1, 0-1) and Albany State (3-1, 1-0) -- that have never participated in the game. That hasn't occurred in nearly three decades.
"It's a great opportunity for our players and us coaches," Albany State coach Mike White said. "We're all excited about having the chance to play in the Classic for the first time. We've heard so much about it over the years. I think of it as a big-time game with a lot of hype leading up to it."
Kentucky State and Albany State are NCAA Division II schools that play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Kickoff has been moved up to 2:30 p.m. There will be the customary battle of the bands at halftime.
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VISIT: CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC
VISIT: THESIAC
Today's game features two teams -- Kentucky State (3-1, 0-1) and Albany State (3-1, 1-0) -- that have never participated in the game. That hasn't occurred in nearly three decades.
"It's a great opportunity for our players and us coaches," Albany State coach Mike White said. "We're all excited about having the chance to play in the Classic for the first time. We've heard so much about it over the years. I think of it as a big-time game with a lot of hype leading up to it."
Kentucky State and Albany State are NCAA Division II schools that play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Kickoff has been moved up to 2:30 p.m. There will be the customary battle of the bands at halftime.
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VISIT: CIRCLE CITY CLASSIC
VISIT: THESIAC
Prairie View WR Nelson steps into spotlight
Dallas, Texas - Prairie View A&M junior Spencer Nelson entered summer camp with the most game experience among the wide receivers and was expected to glide into the No. 1 role.
But Nelson struggled to gain his footing as the Panthers experienced inconsistent play at quarterback from the outset. He had only four catches for 68 yards in the first two games. What a difference two weekends make.
Nelson rebounded with the first two 100-yard, one-touchdown performances of his career. He caught seven passes for 113 yards in a 36-29 loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 17 and had nine catches for 117 yards in last Saturday's 43-34 win over Mississippi Valley State.
Nelson (5-8, 175) has quickly become ...
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But Nelson struggled to gain his footing as the Panthers experienced inconsistent play at quarterback from the outset. He had only four catches for 68 yards in the first two games. What a difference two weekends make.
Nelson rebounded with the first two 100-yard, one-touchdown performances of his career. He caught seven passes for 113 yards in a 36-29 loss to Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sept. 17 and had nine catches for 117 yards in last Saturday's 43-34 win over Mississippi Valley State.
Nelson (5-8, 175) has quickly become ...
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Maynor says Winston Salem Rams locked in
Winston Salem, NC - Hardly anything has gone wrong for unbeaten Winston-Salem State this season.
Well, actually, there was one play in last week's 56-20 win over Fayetteville State that didn't work. Punter Landen Thayer just missed Patrick Terry on a fake punt when the Broncos sent 11 defenders and tried for a block.
But that's about the only miscue the Rams have had in building a 4-0 record (3-0 CIAA) and climbing to No. 21 in the Division II coaches' poll. They'll play again at 1:30 today, taking on Johnson C. Smith (2-2, 1-0) at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Coach Connell Maynor has been pleased with the balance of his offense, and the Rams are averaging a CIAA-best 50 points a game.
The Golden Bulls, losers of 10 straight to the Rams, will try to spoil homecoming in a game expected to draw about 20,000.
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Well, actually, there was one play in last week's 56-20 win over Fayetteville State that didn't work. Punter Landen Thayer just missed Patrick Terry on a fake punt when the Broncos sent 11 defenders and tried for a block.
But that's about the only miscue the Rams have had in building a 4-0 record (3-0 CIAA) and climbing to No. 21 in the Division II coaches' poll. They'll play again at 1:30 today, taking on Johnson C. Smith (2-2, 1-0) at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Coach Connell Maynor has been pleased with the balance of his offense, and the Rams are averaging a CIAA-best 50 points a game.
The Golden Bulls, losers of 10 straight to the Rams, will try to spoil homecoming in a game expected to draw about 20,000.
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