Wednesday, October 5, 2011
SSU NOTEBOOK: Tigers make changes on offensive line
Savannah, Georgia - After surrendering eight sacks during a 34-14 loss to Howard in their renovated stadium’s first game, the Savannah State Tigers went to work Tuesday renovating their offensive line.
SSU has surrendered 16 sacks and 45 tackles for losses accounting for 211 lost yards during its first five games. The Tigers rank 101st among the 120 teams in the Football Championship Subdivision with 3.2 sacks allowed per game.
“It’s one of those things where we’ve got to get better, and I’ve got to find ways to put these kids in better situations,” SSU offensive coordinator Terance Mathis said. So Mathis decided to move some players around. You might need a scorecard to keep up with all the changes.
Thelmore Jackson (6-foot-5, 291), who was moved to ...
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SSU has surrendered 16 sacks and 45 tackles for losses accounting for 211 lost yards during its first five games. The Tigers rank 101st among the 120 teams in the Football Championship Subdivision with 3.2 sacks allowed per game.
“It’s one of those things where we’ve got to get better, and I’ve got to find ways to put these kids in better situations,” SSU offensive coordinator Terance Mathis said. So Mathis decided to move some players around. You might need a scorecard to keep up with all the changes.
Thelmore Jackson (6-foot-5, 291), who was moved to ...
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Former Xavier employee becomes Savannah State's AD
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| Savannah State University athletic director, Sterling Steward Jr. |
Steward, 40, worked at Xavier from 1999-2004 — first as director of campus recreational sports, then as assistant athletics director. He also worked in the athletics departments at Mississippi Valley State, Alabama State, Kentucky State and Eastern Oregon.
"Xavier was my first professional job with major athletics responsibilities," Steward said.
"Xavier gave me a solid foundation on how to operate a successful athletics program without winning at all costs yet still graduate a high percentage of student-athletes. I am thoroughly thankful to have had that opportunity to serve at Xavier."
Steward is a 1988 graduate of St. Augustine High School and received degrees from Southern Mississippi in 1993 and 1996. His wife, the former Rachael Thompson, is a 2001 Xavier graduate.
Steward is not the first with connections to Xavier and Savannah State. Theodore "Ted" Wright coached basketball, football and track at Xavier in the 1930s and '40s and later did the same at Savannah State, which named its football/track stadium after him.
Savannah State, an NCAA Division I member in Savannah, Ga., became a full member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Sept. 1 after 14 months of provisional membership.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Mississippi Valley wide receiver knows discipline
ITTA BENA, MS -- Back home in Franklin, Mississippi Valley State wide receiver Paul Cox (#84) had discipline instilled in his household at an early age. After all, his dad, Paul Cox Sr., is a master sergeant in the U.S. Army and his mom, Monica Cox, works at the clerk of courts for the St. Mary Parish court house.
“They always talked about discipline, discipline, discipline,” Cox said. “When I was younger, I never understood why my family was so hard on me.”
It was his family’s discipline that molded him into the man and football player he is today, Cox said. At seven years old, he recalls playing flag football in Morgan City, where his grandfather constantly told him to never quit, never stop, and to be the fastest person on the field.
After playing at Patterson High under Timmy Minton, Cox decided to play his college football outside of Louisiana. Despite interest from schools like Louisiana Tech, Nicholls State and Louisiana-Lafayette, Cox turned to Mississippi Valley State, in Itta Bena, Miss.
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“They always talked about discipline, discipline, discipline,” Cox said. “When I was younger, I never understood why my family was so hard on me.”
It was his family’s discipline that molded him into the man and football player he is today, Cox said. At seven years old, he recalls playing flag football in Morgan City, where his grandfather constantly told him to never quit, never stop, and to be the fastest person on the field.
After playing at Patterson High under Timmy Minton, Cox decided to play his college football outside of Louisiana. Despite interest from schools like Louisiana Tech, Nicholls State and Louisiana-Lafayette, Cox turned to Mississippi Valley State, in Itta Bena, Miss.
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S.C. State coach says he made error in key play before halftime
Orangeburg, SC - A week ago, Buddy Pough was concerned about keeping his South Carolina State football team level-headed after a resounding victory over Delaware State. Coming off a crucial Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference road loss at Norfolk State, the challenge for the Bulldog head football coach is keeping the team's morale and spirits up.
"We've got our work cut out for us," said Pough at Monday's press conference. "We've got to regroup. It's one of the tougher regroups we've had in a while. One of the toughest Sundays we've had in a while. A little bit unusual, but this team is a proud one. We've struggled a little bit with the understanding and the handling of this past Saturday's game, and we need to hurry up and get by this one so we can on to the next game."
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St. Aug Hosts WSSU At O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium Saturday
Raleigh, North Carolina - Saint Augustine's College will host Winston-Salem State University in a CIAA Southern Division football game Saturday (Oct. 8) at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on North Carolina Central University's campus in Durham, N.C. Game time is 1:30 p.m.
The Falcons (2-3 overall, 1-2 CIAA) are shooting for their second consecutive win over the unbeaten Rams (5-0, 4-0 CIAA), ranked 16th in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll. In 2010, the Falcons won a 40-35 thriller in Winston-Salem, N.C., en route to a record 9-2 season and a Pioneer Bowl title. The Rams were undefeated and nationally-ranked at the time.
The Falcons are 2-0 at home in Durham, N.C., this season. They are averaging 32 points in home games.
Tickets are $20 for the general public. They can be purchased online at www.saintaugfalcons.com and www.st-aug.edu. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.
By Saint Augustine's College Sports Information Office
The Falcons (2-3 overall, 1-2 CIAA) are shooting for their second consecutive win over the unbeaten Rams (5-0, 4-0 CIAA), ranked 16th in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll. In 2010, the Falcons won a 40-35 thriller in Winston-Salem, N.C., en route to a record 9-2 season and a Pioneer Bowl title. The Rams were undefeated and nationally-ranked at the time.
The Falcons are 2-0 at home in Durham, N.C., this season. They are averaging 32 points in home games.
Tickets are $20 for the general public. They can be purchased online at www.saintaugfalcons.com and www.st-aug.edu. Gates open at 11:30 a.m.
By Saint Augustine's College Sports Information Office
Monday, October 3, 2011
Alabama A&M football: Milton's patience pays off
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - G'Alonzo Milton was Alabama A&M's top returning receiver from last year. The 6-0, 205-pound junior had 30 receptions for 517 yards and four touchdowns, but hadn't been much of a factor through the Bulldogs' first four games this season, managing just eight catches for 57 yards and a touchdown.
That all changed Saturday. Milton almost equaled his season total with seven catches for 87 yards and four touchdowns.
"I just stayed patient," Milton said. "Obviously, my time came and they can depend on me now. I'm going to enjoy this, but I'm going to stay humble. We've got a lot of mistakes to fix. We've got to keep working and prepare for next week."
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That all changed Saturday. Milton almost equaled his season total with seven catches for 87 yards and four touchdowns.
"I just stayed patient," Milton said. "Obviously, my time came and they can depend on me now. I'm going to enjoy this, but I'm going to stay humble. We've got a lot of mistakes to fix. We've got to keep working and prepare for next week."
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Albany State Finding New Ways to Win
ALBANY, GA -- The 11 hour bus rides from Albany to Indianapolis and back to the “Good Life City” may have taken some shine off of Albany State's trip to the Circle City Classic (the Rams returned to Albany at 7 am on Sunday).
But make no doubt about it- ASU was still gleaming from Saturday’s 57-31 win over Kentucky State at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Golden Rams sealed Saturday’s game against the KSU Thorobreds in strange fashion for 2011 standards- by scoring on defense and special teams.
In a sequence to start the fourth quarter, ASU picked off a pass for a score and Orion Ponder returned a kick-off 89 yards for another touchdown in a span of 34 seconds (KSU returned a kick-off of their own in between). However, after all the dust settled- Albany State led 43-19, and didn’t look back.
“We needed it then. Right then in the third quarter, I thought our offense kind of sputtered...we got the big interception. They came back with their return and boy, what a lift for us to come back and Ponder got his return,” ASU head football coach Mike White said.
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But make no doubt about it- ASU was still gleaming from Saturday’s 57-31 win over Kentucky State at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Golden Rams sealed Saturday’s game against the KSU Thorobreds in strange fashion for 2011 standards- by scoring on defense and special teams.
In a sequence to start the fourth quarter, ASU picked off a pass for a score and Orion Ponder returned a kick-off 89 yards for another touchdown in a span of 34 seconds (KSU returned a kick-off of their own in between). However, after all the dust settled- Albany State led 43-19, and didn’t look back.
“We needed it then. Right then in the third quarter, I thought our offense kind of sputtered...we got the big interception. They came back with their return and boy, what a lift for us to come back and Ponder got his return,” ASU head football coach Mike White said.
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Despite loss, B-CU Wildcats energized for MEAC
MIAMI GARDENS -- There were many cheers emanating from the Bethune-Cookman sideline during its game with Miami on Saturday at Sun Life Stadium.
There were none in the final minutes when the Hurricanes were pouring it on in a 45-14 victory over the Wildcats. But that's when perhaps the best news of the day occurred relating to B-CU's prospects this season.
Eight minutes before the B-CU-Miami game ended at 6:55 p.m., Norfolk State had finished off its 17-14 upset victory over South Carolina State, giving the Wildcats hope for a chance to win at least a piece of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.
B-CU's fate is still not entirely in its hands. It has to win the rest of its MEAC games and it also needs either S.C. State to lose another, or Hampton or another eventual one-loss team to win out, forcing a three-way tie.
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There were none in the final minutes when the Hurricanes were pouring it on in a 45-14 victory over the Wildcats. But that's when perhaps the best news of the day occurred relating to B-CU's prospects this season.
Eight minutes before the B-CU-Miami game ended at 6:55 p.m., Norfolk State had finished off its 17-14 upset victory over South Carolina State, giving the Wildcats hope for a chance to win at least a piece of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.
B-CU's fate is still not entirely in its hands. It has to win the rest of its MEAC games and it also needs either S.C. State to lose another, or Hampton or another eventual one-loss team to win out, forcing a three-way tie.
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Quarterback Troast rewards Prairie View's faith in him
Prairie View, Texas -- Prairie View A&M coach Heishma Northern ruled out quarterback Jerry Lovelocke at halftime of Saturday's game against Grambling State after the freshman injured his right ankle.
But Northern left it up to offensive coordinator Mark Orlando to pick Lovelocke's replacement. Orlando chose experience over youth, going with former starter Jonathan Troast instead of true freshman De'Auntre Smiley. He made the right call.
Troast threw for 312 yards and a career-high four touchdowns with zero interceptions to help lead the Panthers to a 31-23 victory Saturday night at the Cotton Bowl. The senior completed 21 of 27 passes operating out of Orlando's no-huddle offense.
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But Northern left it up to offensive coordinator Mark Orlando to pick Lovelocke's replacement. Orlando chose experience over youth, going with former starter Jonathan Troast instead of true freshman De'Auntre Smiley. He made the right call.
Troast threw for 312 yards and a career-high four touchdowns with zero interceptions to help lead the Panthers to a 31-23 victory Saturday night at the Cotton Bowl. The senior completed 21 of 27 passes operating out of Orlando's no-huddle offense.
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FAMU Homecoming 2011: This Is How We Do It
Sunday, October 2nd
12:00 p.m -- 03:00 p.m "SUM DAY", Location TBA
01:00 p.m -- 03:00 p.m Coronation "Mr. & Miss FAMU", Lee Hall Auditorium
03:00 p.m -- 05:00 p.m Coronation Ball, Grand Ballroom
07:00 p.m -- 11:00 p.m Homecoming "Kick-Off Bash", Recreational Fields
Monday, October 3rd
11:00 p.m -- 01:00 p.m Homecoming "Spirit/Run Walk", CAMPUS RECREATION
01:00 p.m -- 03:00 p.m Homecoming "Spirit Rally", The Set
03:00 p.m -- 06:00 p.m Health & Safety Fair, FAMU PARK
07:00 p.m -- 10:00 p.m "Comedy/Talent Showcase", Multi-Purpose Teaching Gym
Tuesday, October 4th
10:00 a.m -- 12:00 p.m Educational "Seminar", Location TBA
12:00 p.m -- 02:00 p.m Royal Luncheon "Mr. & Miss FAMU" {Invite Only} Grand Ballroom
07:00 p.m -- 10:00 p.m "Dorm Step Show", Multi-Purpose Teaching Gym
Wednesday, October 5th
12:00 p.m -- 04:00 p.m SGA Annual Homecoming BBQ, Recreational Fields
12:00 p.m -- 04:00 p.m BET College Tour, Recreational Fields
07:00 p.m -- 10:00 p.m "Fashion Show" White Party, Recreational Fields
Thursday, October 6th
10:00 a.m -- 12:00 p.m Educational "Seminar", Location TBA12:00a.m -- 05:00 p.m "Block Party", FAMU PARK
06:00 p.m -- 09:00 p.m "Class of the Classes & Powder Puff Games", Recreational Fields
Friday, October 7th
10:10 a.m -- 12:10 p.m "Convocation", Gaither Gymnasium
01:00 p.m -- 03:00 p.m Homecoming "Spirit Rally" Gaither Gymnasium
06:00 p.m -- 10:00 p.m President's Gala, Multi-Purpose Teaching Gymnasium
07:00 p.m -- 11:00 p.m National Pan-Hellenic "Greek Step Show", Leon Co. Civic Center
08:00 p.m -- 11:00 p.m "Gospel Concert", Lee Hall Auditorium
Saturday, October 8th
08:00 a.m -- 11:00 p.m Parade/Judging of Floats, {Frenchtown & Downtown Route}
01:00 p.m -- 03:00 p.m Homecoming "Tailgate", BRAGG STADIUM 03:00 p.m -- 07:00 p.m Football Game, FAMU vs. Howard, Bragg Stadium
07:00 p.m -- 09:00 p.m "Old School/New School" Crab Boil, FAMU Track
Sunday, October 9th
12:00 p.m -- 04:00 p.m Rattler Fever Clean-Up, Bragg Stadium & The Set
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Albany State Runs Circles Around Kentucky State
INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- Five weeks in to the 2011 Albany State football year and the Golden Rams have their first complete victory of the season.
ASU clicked in all facets of the game defeating Kentucky State 57-31 in the 28th Annual Circle City Classic from Indianapolis. The Golden Rams led at the half 29-13, and blew it open in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns from unexpected outlets.
Rams cornerback Brandon Brown returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown in the first minute of the fourth quarter. The Rams immediately gave up a 91 yard kick-off return for a touchdown before Orion Ponder responded with an 89 yard touchdown return.
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Defense sets tone for Albany State in Circle City Classic
The defense set the tone early and the offense took over late for Albany State University in its first Circle City Classic appearance Saturday afternoon. The Golden Rams forced three first-quarter turnovers in a 57-31 victory over Kentucky State at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"It was a great atmosphere and I think the guys rose to the occasion," Golden Rams coach Mike White said.
The win is the Georgia school's eighth straight over the Thorobreds. The Golden Rams came within two points of matching the Classic record for points. Florida A&M scored 59 points against Hampton in 1996.
"We've got the receivers, we've got the running backs, we're just a good offensive team," Golden Rams receiver Orion Ponder said.
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Circle City Classic notebook: Thorobreds, Golden Rams enjoy their first appearance
Kentucky State football coach Wayne Dickens wasn't pleased with his team's performance Saturday, but he was happy about the opportunity to play in the Circle City Classic for the first time.
Albany State beat the Thorobreds 57-31 in front of an announced crowd of 36,831 at Lucas Oil Stadium. "This is a great stadium and you can't ask for a better atmosphere," said Dickens, whose previous trip to Lucas Oil Stadium was to watch the NFL Scouting Combine.
Albany State was also making its first appearance in the Classic. Golden Rams coach Mike White said the chance to play on the same field as the Indianapolis Colts was well worth the 12-hour bus ride his team made from its campus in Georgia.
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ASU clicked in all facets of the game defeating Kentucky State 57-31 in the 28th Annual Circle City Classic from Indianapolis. The Golden Rams led at the half 29-13, and blew it open in the fourth quarter with two touchdowns from unexpected outlets.
Rams cornerback Brandon Brown returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown in the first minute of the fourth quarter. The Rams immediately gave up a 91 yard kick-off return for a touchdown before Orion Ponder responded with an 89 yard touchdown return.
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Defense sets tone for Albany State in Circle City Classic
The defense set the tone early and the offense took over late for Albany State University in its first Circle City Classic appearance Saturday afternoon. The Golden Rams forced three first-quarter turnovers in a 57-31 victory over Kentucky State at Lucas Oil Stadium.
"It was a great atmosphere and I think the guys rose to the occasion," Golden Rams coach Mike White said.
The win is the Georgia school's eighth straight over the Thorobreds. The Golden Rams came within two points of matching the Classic record for points. Florida A&M scored 59 points against Hampton in 1996.
"We've got the receivers, we've got the running backs, we're just a good offensive team," Golden Rams receiver Orion Ponder said.
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Circle City Classic notebook: Thorobreds, Golden Rams enjoy their first appearance
Kentucky State football coach Wayne Dickens wasn't pleased with his team's performance Saturday, but he was happy about the opportunity to play in the Circle City Classic for the first time.
Albany State beat the Thorobreds 57-31 in front of an announced crowd of 36,831 at Lucas Oil Stadium. "This is a great stadium and you can't ask for a better atmosphere," said Dickens, whose previous trip to Lucas Oil Stadium was to watch the NFL Scouting Combine.
Albany State was also making its first appearance in the Classic. Golden Rams coach Mike White said the chance to play on the same field as the Indianapolis Colts was well worth the 12-hour bus ride his team made from its campus in Georgia.
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NSU Spartan Defense Stands Tall as NSU Knocks off SCSU
NORFOLK, Virginia – Norfolk State linebacker Onyemechi Anyaugo returned a second-quarter fumble 84 yards for a touchdown, and the Spartan defense came up with a key goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter to knock off three-time defending MEAC champion and 22nd-ranked South Carolina State 17-14 on Saturday afternoon in the Fish Bowl Classic at Dick Price Stadium.
The win gives the Spartans (4-1, 2-0 MEAC) just their second-ever win over a ranked FCS team in 24 tries, their third win in 17 games against SCSU, and ends the Bulldogs’ 15-game MEAC road winning streak. SCSU (2-3, 2-1) had not lost a road conference game since falling to NSU, 20-13, on Oct. 6, 2007.
The Spartans trailed 7-3 and the Bulldogs appeared ready to add to their lead just before halftime when SCSU’s Courtney Ingram blocked a Troy Muenzer punt, setting the Bulldogs up at NSU’s 11-yard line with 26 seconds left in the second quarter. But on first down, NSU defender Chad Battles hit running back Jalen Simmons in the backfield and forced a fumble, which Anyaugo scooped up and returned 84 yards up the sideline for a 10-7 NSU lead.
The Spartans added to their lead late in the third quarter with a three-play, 62-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Chris Walley capped the drive with 2-yard TD run to make it 17-7 with 1:40 left in the quarter. The big play on the drive was Walley’s 41-yard completion to Xavier Boyce, which included a personal foul on SCSU at the end of Boyce’s run.
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'Kick in the gut': S.C. State loses to Norfolk State, 17-14
NORFOLK, Va. - Buddy Pough was struggling for answers Saturday night. Two plays that he called "kicks in the gut" - one to end the first, one to all but end the second - had Pough in a place that he has only been twice in his South Carolina State football team's last 27 MEAC games, trying to explain a conference loss.
And, yet, Pough insisted he was not down on his team following its 17-14 loss to Norfolk State. "We made too many mistakes," Pough said. "We gave them too many chances, but we fought our way back in it. If there is ever a time you feel good about the amount of fight in your kids, it's these times that make you feel that way."
The final "kick in the gut" came with 3:36 to go in the game when S.C. State kicker Blake Erickson's potentially game-tying 20-yard field goal pushed wide left. Norfolk State took over and ran out the clock against the stunned visitors from Orangeburg.
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The win gives the Spartans (4-1, 2-0 MEAC) just their second-ever win over a ranked FCS team in 24 tries, their third win in 17 games against SCSU, and ends the Bulldogs’ 15-game MEAC road winning streak. SCSU (2-3, 2-1) had not lost a road conference game since falling to NSU, 20-13, on Oct. 6, 2007.
The Spartans trailed 7-3 and the Bulldogs appeared ready to add to their lead just before halftime when SCSU’s Courtney Ingram blocked a Troy Muenzer punt, setting the Bulldogs up at NSU’s 11-yard line with 26 seconds left in the second quarter. But on first down, NSU defender Chad Battles hit running back Jalen Simmons in the backfield and forced a fumble, which Anyaugo scooped up and returned 84 yards up the sideline for a 10-7 NSU lead.
The Spartans added to their lead late in the third quarter with a three-play, 62-yard scoring drive. Quarterback Chris Walley capped the drive with 2-yard TD run to make it 17-7 with 1:40 left in the quarter. The big play on the drive was Walley’s 41-yard completion to Xavier Boyce, which included a personal foul on SCSU at the end of Boyce’s run.
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'Kick in the gut': S.C. State loses to Norfolk State, 17-14
NORFOLK, Va. - Buddy Pough was struggling for answers Saturday night. Two plays that he called "kicks in the gut" - one to end the first, one to all but end the second - had Pough in a place that he has only been twice in his South Carolina State football team's last 27 MEAC games, trying to explain a conference loss.
And, yet, Pough insisted he was not down on his team following its 17-14 loss to Norfolk State. "We made too many mistakes," Pough said. "We gave them too many chances, but we fought our way back in it. If there is ever a time you feel good about the amount of fight in your kids, it's these times that make you feel that way."
The final "kick in the gut" came with 3:36 to go in the game when S.C. State kicker Blake Erickson's potentially game-tying 20-yard field goal pushed wide left. Norfolk State took over and ran out the clock against the stunned visitors from Orangeburg.
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Chowan Hawks Hurt by Turnovers, Fall to Virginia Union 43-29
RICHMOND, Virginia – Chowan University could not overcome six turnovers against Virginia Union University, as they fell to the Panthers 43-29 on Saturday. The Hawks fall to 1-4 on the season (0-3 in CIAA play), and VUU is now 4-2. The Panthers totaled 479 yards of total offense, much of which was aided by Chowan miscues. After Virginia Union scored on their first offensive drive, they forced a fumble on Chowan's first play from scrimmage. Chowan forced a Panther punt, however, to thwart their drive.
The Hawks began their next possession on their own four yard line, following the punt. Again, on the first play of the drive, Virginia Union stopped Hawks running back JR Williams in the end zone for a safety. With 9:36 left in the first quarter, VUU owned an 8-0 lead.
The Chowan defense picked up as the quarter went on, and David Fulton intercepted a VUU pass with 5:11 remaining in the first quarter. Four plays later, Adrian Ferns found the end zone to bring the score to 8-6. Chowan's attempt at the two-point conversion failed.
On Virginia Union's next drive, quarterback Cheston Hickman rushed it in from 52 yards out to extend their lead to 15-6. They again struck on their next drive, going 46 yards on six plays. 45 seconds into the second quarter, the Panthers had a 22-6 lead.
The Hawks responded later in the second quarter, as Patrick Charles took Chowan's second interception to the VUU 42 yard line. Three plays later, freshman quarterback Jordan Roby found Robert Holland in the end zone to bring the score to 22-14.
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XU's Didavi, Taylor qualify for small college championships
ATLANTA, Georgia -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Loic Didavi defeated teammate Steffen Giles-Osborn 6-2, 6-4 in the men's singles final, then teamed with Zach Taylor for a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 doubles upset of William Carey's top-seeded Jody Claasen and Thomas Rizk on Sunday in the USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional tennis championships.
The victories qualified Didavi and Taylor for the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships at Mobile, Ala., on Oct. 13-16. It will be the first time Xavier will be represented at that event.
"It feels weird being on this end of it," ninth-year Xavier coach Alan Green said. "Winning a fall regional . . . it's great."
A year ago the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets had no finalists in this event, to which Xavier played host. But the arrival of Didavi, an XU junior and a two-time second-team NAIA All-American at Auburn Montgomery, and other key recruits is making Green, an eternal optimist, even more excited.
"I have a good feeling about our teams," Green said.
Didavi, winner of the singles A-flight at the HBCU National Championships one week earlier, has yet to lose a set in eight singles matches at Xavier. He's 5-1 in doubles with Taylor, an NAIA All-American in doubles last season with Hassan Abbas, now an XU student assistant coach.
"The singles final was a treat to just watch as a fan because both our guys were involved," Green said. "It was different in doubles. We got off to a good start, then William Carey picked up their game and handled us in the second. We regrouped in the third set and closed out the match."
Didavi and Taylor, the A-doubles runner-up at the HBCU tourney, were seeded second this weekend. Didavi made amends for a loss as a top seed in the NAIA fall regional doubles final a year ago.
Didavi was the No. 2 singles seed, and Giles-Osborn was unseeded. Giles-Osborn upset William Carey's eighth-seeded Ricky Keppeler in three sets in Saturday's semifinals.
The Mobile event will conclude Xavier's fall competition. The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will play dual matches during the spring semester, and Green will announce that schedule by the end of December.
"We'll be playing a lot of ranked teams in the spring," Green said. "We'll be going back to AUM's tournament and back to California for several matches. We're looking forward to playing the best competition available and bringing out the best in our players."
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
The victories qualified Didavi and Taylor for the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships at Mobile, Ala., on Oct. 13-16. It will be the first time Xavier will be represented at that event.
"It feels weird being on this end of it," ninth-year Xavier coach Alan Green said. "Winning a fall regional . . . it's great."
A year ago the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets had no finalists in this event, to which Xavier played host. But the arrival of Didavi, an XU junior and a two-time second-team NAIA All-American at Auburn Montgomery, and other key recruits is making Green, an eternal optimist, even more excited.
"I have a good feeling about our teams," Green said.
Didavi, winner of the singles A-flight at the HBCU National Championships one week earlier, has yet to lose a set in eight singles matches at Xavier. He's 5-1 in doubles with Taylor, an NAIA All-American in doubles last season with Hassan Abbas, now an XU student assistant coach.
"The singles final was a treat to just watch as a fan because both our guys were involved," Green said. "It was different in doubles. We got off to a good start, then William Carey picked up their game and handled us in the second. We regrouped in the third set and closed out the match."
Didavi and Taylor, the A-doubles runner-up at the HBCU tourney, were seeded second this weekend. Didavi made amends for a loss as a top seed in the NAIA fall regional doubles final a year ago.
Didavi was the No. 2 singles seed, and Giles-Osborn was unseeded. Giles-Osborn upset William Carey's eighth-seeded Ricky Keppeler in three sets in Saturday's semifinals.
The Mobile event will conclude Xavier's fall competition. The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will play dual matches during the spring semester, and Green will announce that schedule by the end of December."We'll be playing a lot of ranked teams in the spring," Green said. "We'll be going back to AUM's tournament and back to California for several matches. We're looking forward to playing the best competition available and bringing out the best in our players."
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Backup QB leads Prairie View A&M past Grambling State
DALLAS - Backup quarterback Jonathan Troast led four touchdown drives in the second half to lead Prairie View A&M to a 31-23 victory over Grambling State on Saturday night at the Cotton Bowl.
Troast, who replaced injured starter Jerry Lovelocke after halftime, connected with Greg Thurmond twice on touchdown passes and once with Spencer Nelson to help the Panthers (3-2, 3-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) erase a 10-3 deficit and take a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter. The Panthers added another score late in the fourth quarter to boost their lead to 14.
Grambling State (1-4, 1-3) scored with just over two minutes left but missed the extra-point attempt. The Tigers attempted and recovered an onside kick but Prairie View was awarded possession after Grambling State was penalized for illegal touching.
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Troast, who replaced injured starter Jerry Lovelocke after halftime, connected with Greg Thurmond twice on touchdown passes and once with Spencer Nelson to help the Panthers (3-2, 3-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) erase a 10-3 deficit and take a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter. The Panthers added another score late in the fourth quarter to boost their lead to 14.
Grambling State (1-4, 1-3) scored with just over two minutes left but missed the extra-point attempt. The Tigers attempted and recovered an onside kick but Prairie View was awarded possession after Grambling State was penalized for illegal touching.
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State Judge backs award in former Grambling coach-firing suit
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| Melvin Spears, Head Football Coach Alcorn State University |
State District Judge Wilson Fields denied Grambling’s request for a new trial.
At the request of Spears’ attorneys, Fields also tacked on another $43,000 in penalty wages to the jury award. “His ruling today upholds the intent of the jury,’’ said Jeffrey Cody, one of Spears’ attorneys, after the court hearing.
GSU attorney Charles Tabor said the school can proceed with its appeal to the state 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge.
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West Virginia State snaps 13-game losing streak
INSTITUTE, West Virginia - Apparently, West Virginia State learned its lesson - but not a moment too soon.In their first home game three weeks ago, the Yellow Jackets failed to protect a halftime lead against Virginia State and consequently saw a two-year losing streak continue to grow.
On Saturday, they found themselves in the same position - desperately clinging to a late-game lead - only this time, they held on. Just barely. State's defense held Seton Hill on three plays from the 15-yard line in the closing seconds to secure a 27-21 West Virginia Conference victory in the muck and mire of water-logged Lakin Field.
The dramatic finish in front of a homecoming crowd of 797 ended a 13-game losing streak for the Jackets (1-3, 1-1), who hadn't won since Nov. 7, 2009 against Fairmont State.
"I tell the guys all the time not to get too low over a loss or too high over a win,'' said State coach Earl Monroe, "but I've got to let the lettermen enjoy this a little bit. It's been a long time coming. You want to get that one off your back, and hopefully we can start a new streak.''
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VISIT: WVSUYELLOWJACKETS
VISIT: WEST VIRIGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
18-15 loss to Tuskegee could be a serious blow to FVSU season
Fort Valley, Georgia - After last week’s critical win against Benedict College, the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) entered last night’s game (Oct. 1st) against the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University with the same sense of urgency. With a record of 1-3, the team was well aware that another conference loss could have disastrous implications on their season. In the match up against the winless Golden Tigers, the outcome now leaves many wondering just what the future holds for the Wildcats this season.
Despite the disappointing result, things started well for FVSU. After the teams traded punts for the first seven minutes of the game, the Wildcats scored first with 7:45 remaining in the quarter when freshmen running back Travis Richmond broke free on a 67-yard touchdown run. While the extra point attempt failed, the Wildcats took the early 6-0 lead.
That margin held until the 9:40 mark in the second quarter. After a 15-play, 81 yard drive by Tuskegee stalled at the FVSU 14 yard line, the Golden Tigers converted on a 27-yard field goal by Eduardo Murillo. The Wildcat lead was cut to 6-3.
On the ensuing kick-off, a Wildcat fumble was recovered by Tuskegee at the FVSU 27 yard line. Five plays later, Golden Tiger Quarterback Justin Nared gave Tuskegee its first lead of the game with a two-yard touchdown run. With the converted extra point, Tuskegee led 10-6.
The Wildcats inched closer to Tuskegee in the third quarter when junior kicker Justin Rosenbaum converted a 47 yard field goal with 12:05 left. The kick narrowed the Golden Tiger lead to 10-9.
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Despite the disappointing result, things started well for FVSU. After the teams traded punts for the first seven minutes of the game, the Wildcats scored first with 7:45 remaining in the quarter when freshmen running back Travis Richmond broke free on a 67-yard touchdown run. While the extra point attempt failed, the Wildcats took the early 6-0 lead.
That margin held until the 9:40 mark in the second quarter. After a 15-play, 81 yard drive by Tuskegee stalled at the FVSU 14 yard line, the Golden Tigers converted on a 27-yard field goal by Eduardo Murillo. The Wildcat lead was cut to 6-3.
On the ensuing kick-off, a Wildcat fumble was recovered by Tuskegee at the FVSU 27 yard line. Five plays later, Golden Tiger Quarterback Justin Nared gave Tuskegee its first lead of the game with a two-yard touchdown run. With the converted extra point, Tuskegee led 10-6.
The Wildcats inched closer to Tuskegee in the third quarter when junior kicker Justin Rosenbaum converted a 47 yard field goal with 12:05 left. The kick narrowed the Golden Tiger lead to 10-9.
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Blocked kick saves FSU Broncos' win over Saint Augustine's
Fayetteville, North Carolina - Fayetteville State's Austin Turner kicked the go-ahead field goal and the special teams blocked Saint Augustine's ensuing 25-yard attempt Saturday night. That's what it took for the Broncos to claim their first win of the season, a 31-28 overtime thriller at Luther "Nick" Jeralds Stadium.
"Under all of the adversity that we faced tonight, I told my players they had no idea how much they accomplished tonight," Broncos coach Kenny Phillips said. "They didn't complain about mistakes and just played football."
The Broncos (1-4, 1-1 CIAA) overcame an early 14-point deficit and six turnovers for the victory.
"It doesn't matter where you start the game, but how you end it," Turner said.
Saint Augustine's (2-3, 1-1) scored on the third play of the game when Teddy Bacote connected with Jamian Smith for a 62-yard touchdown.
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"Under all of the adversity that we faced tonight, I told my players they had no idea how much they accomplished tonight," Broncos coach Kenny Phillips said. "They didn't complain about mistakes and just played football."
The Broncos (1-4, 1-1 CIAA) overcame an early 14-point deficit and six turnovers for the victory.
"It doesn't matter where you start the game, but how you end it," Turner said.
Saint Augustine's (2-3, 1-1) scored on the third play of the game when Teddy Bacote connected with Jamian Smith for a 62-yard touchdown.
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Despite mistakes, Southern University hangs on to beat MVSU
ITTA BENA, Miss. — At least once before, they’d been burned on this play. They knew that at some point, they’d see it again.
So in the final minute of Southern’s sloppy-but-important 28-21 victory Saturday at Rice-Totten Stadium, with fans screaming, momentum shifting and Mississippi Valley State facing a fourth-and-9 it had to convert, defensive tackle Dexter James prepared for the most important play. He adjusted his face mask and placed one hand on the grass.
A few yards behind him, linebacker Jamie Payton took his place and stood firm. They prepared for anything, but they both had a sneaking suspicion. They watched for a screen.
Payton: “As soon as they snapped the ball and let the defensive line go through, I knew it had to be a screen coming from somewhere.”
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Douglas answers the call for SU
ITTA BENA, Miss. — When the call came, quarterback J.P. Douglas expected it. Southern’s freshman backup knows the drill by now.
Saturday afternoon at Rice-Totten Stadium, in an ugly-but-important 28-21 win against Mississippi Valley State, the Southern offense was moving, but it often struggled to reach the goal line. The starter, Dray Joseph, mixed a handful of masterful moments with the occasional mistake.
And a vicious wind, coming in from the north and gusting to 20 mph, didn’t allow for many easy throws. But that didn’t really make a difference. Second-year coach Stump Mitchell has said all along he wants Douglas to play a little in every game — and in three of the past four weeks, he’d been true to his word. So when Mitchell told Douglas to hit the field at the start of the third quarter Saturday, Douglas said he knew what to do.
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So in the final minute of Southern’s sloppy-but-important 28-21 victory Saturday at Rice-Totten Stadium, with fans screaming, momentum shifting and Mississippi Valley State facing a fourth-and-9 it had to convert, defensive tackle Dexter James prepared for the most important play. He adjusted his face mask and placed one hand on the grass.
A few yards behind him, linebacker Jamie Payton took his place and stood firm. They prepared for anything, but they both had a sneaking suspicion. They watched for a screen.
Payton: “As soon as they snapped the ball and let the defensive line go through, I knew it had to be a screen coming from somewhere.”
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Douglas answers the call for SU
ITTA BENA, Miss. — When the call came, quarterback J.P. Douglas expected it. Southern’s freshman backup knows the drill by now.
Saturday afternoon at Rice-Totten Stadium, in an ugly-but-important 28-21 win against Mississippi Valley State, the Southern offense was moving, but it often struggled to reach the goal line. The starter, Dray Joseph, mixed a handful of masterful moments with the occasional mistake.
And a vicious wind, coming in from the north and gusting to 20 mph, didn’t allow for many easy throws. But that didn’t really make a difference. Second-year coach Stump Mitchell has said all along he wants Douglas to play a little in every game — and in three of the past four weeks, he’d been true to his word. So when Mitchell told Douglas to hit the field at the start of the third quarter Saturday, Douglas said he knew what to do.
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Bethune-Cookman dominates Miami early before being worn down in the end
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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"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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XU Rush, Nuggets work quickly at Gulf Coast Stampede
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| 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.
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| 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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