Baton Rouge, Louisiana -- Once again, the offense fell asleep in the second half. Once again, the opponent had claimed momentum.
Yet somehow, in the fourth quarter of a pivotal, tense, 23-20 loss to Prairie View inside A.W. Mumford Stadium, the Southern football team found itself right where it wanted to be — with the football in the fourth quarter, with a chance to drive for the game-winning score. Once again, just as quickly, it all fell apart.
With 5:23 remaining in this Southwestern Athletic Conference showdown, Prairie View forced a fumble, recovered a fumble by SU quarterback Dray Joseph, then drained the clock and got a 19-yard field goal from Christopher Barrick with 10 seconds remaining, allowing the Panthers to escape Baton Rouge with a suddenly firm grip on first place in the Western Division.
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Backup QB struggles
Mitchell: Douglas ‘was different’ Saturday
Southern football coach Stump Mitchell said he thought freshman quarterback J.P. Douglas “was different” Saturday after the Jaguars’ 23-20 loss against Prairie View at A.W. Mumford Stadium, noting that Douglas was ineffective in his usual role as part-time player.
“I think J.P., he was different tonight. He was different before the ballgame,” Mitchell said of Douglas, who completed only 2 of 8 passes for 20 yards after he entered the huddle in the third quarter.
“I watch all these guys, and I don’t know if he ... He was just different. He was dancing. He was doing several things in pregame, which I just didn’t think that was him. Now, maybe I don’t know him. But I know he’s a heck of a player. I don’t know if he was right there tonight.”
A week earlier, Douglas had come off the sideline and ...
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SU offense fizzles in 2nd half
There were signs the Southern University offense is beginning to find its comfort zone during Saturday night’s 23-20 loss to Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Prairie View. Unfortunately for Southern, most of those signs disappeared in the second half when it could put up only a lone defensive score.
“I guess we’re learning that it takes 60 minutes to win the game,” offensive tackle Chris Browne said. “You have to do your job the whole game. You can’t stop.”
Southern ran 41 plays and gained 158 yards in the first half, but managed only 99 in the second half. The overall effort came up just short and squandered a defensive effort that was good enough to impress Jaguars coach Stump Mitchell.
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Monday, October 10, 2011
Miles 19, Clark Atlanta 16
Atlanta, Georgia -- A homecoming victory for Clark Atlanta University in front of a crowd of more than 20,000, was conceivable until Miles College’s kicker Patton Chambers’ 18-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining in the game lifted the Golden Bears over CAU 19-16 Saturday at Panther Stadium.
Anderson Davis put Clark Atlanta (2-4, SIAC 2-2) on the board first with a three-yard touchdown run in the second quarter which gave the Panthers a slim advantage. Miles (3-3, SIAC 2-1) then tied the game with its own one-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback David Thomas. A 7-7 tie remained at the half.
Running back Rashad Lewis’ three-yard run put the Panthers ahead 13-6, before a Miles safety by Alexander Morris made it a four-point game, 13-9, in the third quarter.
Miles struck early in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard pass from David Thomas to K.C. Logan that gave the Golden Bears their first lead of the game at 16-13. But the Panthers orchestrated a 64-yard drive on its next possession which led to a Kemuel Lawrence 30-yard field goal conversion that knotted the game at 16.
A 38-yard reception by Vondragu Hudson moved the Golden Bears to the Panthers four-yard line with 58 seconds remaining, and Chambers’ chip shot from the one-yard sealed the road win for Miles.
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Anderson Davis put Clark Atlanta (2-4, SIAC 2-2) on the board first with a three-yard touchdown run in the second quarter which gave the Panthers a slim advantage. Miles (3-3, SIAC 2-1) then tied the game with its own one-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback David Thomas. A 7-7 tie remained at the half.
Running back Rashad Lewis’ three-yard run put the Panthers ahead 13-6, before a Miles safety by Alexander Morris made it a four-point game, 13-9, in the third quarter.
Miles struck early in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard pass from David Thomas to K.C. Logan that gave the Golden Bears their first lead of the game at 16-13. But the Panthers orchestrated a 64-yard drive on its next possession which led to a Kemuel Lawrence 30-yard field goal conversion that knotted the game at 16.
A 38-yard reception by Vondragu Hudson moved the Golden Bears to the Panthers four-yard line with 58 seconds remaining, and Chambers’ chip shot from the one-yard sealed the road win for Miles.
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Stillman defense steps up big with eight turnovers in rout of Benedict
The Stillman defense came out swinging against Benedict, forcing a season-high eight turnovers and allowing 102 yards, including only 27 yards in the first half.
“They played hard, they played fast and they played together,” Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said. “Those are the things you want a defense to do.”
The carnage started early. On the opening drive, Benedict mixed the run and the pass and made it all the way to Stillman’s 22-yard line before quarterback Christopher Thomas threw an interception to Bryant Mosley.
Next, it was Stillman quarterback Dondre Purnell who connected with Roger Dixon on a 27-yard touchdown strike. Dixon blew by two defenders and scampered all the way down the sideline for the score.
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Morehouse 17, Tuskegee 14: Golden Tigers let lead slip
Columbus, Georgia -- COLUMBUS, Ga. -- The Maroon Tigers served up a heavy dose of Vitamin D and clawed back from a 14-point deficit, to break a seven-game losing streak against Tuskegee, with a 17-14 win.On a day when the Morehouse offense was slowed by the SIAC's best rushing defense, the Maroon Tiger defense took up the slack, holding Tuskegee to 181 total yards. Led by Brandon Houston, with a game-high 11 tackles, the 'House D, recorded 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Capitalizing on Morehouse mistakes and turnover, Tuskegee jumped out to a 14-0 lead, on the strength of two rushing touchdowns by quarterback Justin Nared, of 16 and 10 yards. Morehouse bounced back in the second quarter, when David Carter took it up the middle for a 20-yard touchdown run.
Halftime score: 14-7 Tuskegee.
In the second half, Morehouse dialed up a heavy dose of the running game and pressure defense, to hold the Golden Tigers scoreless.
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Albany State Stunned By Lane
Jackson, Tennessee -- The Albany State Golden Rams appear to have been caught in the trap game. Saturday’s game at Lane College (3-3) was supposed to be a reprieve for ASU before their SIAC Eastern Division slate starts next week.Twelfth-ranked ASU scored three points in the second half losing to the Lane Dragons 26-24.
The Golden Rams led 21-20 at the half, but a third quarter touchdown by Lane College running back McKinsley Marbury sealed the game for the Dragons. ASU kicker Brandon Hamilton hit a 40-yard field goal in the fourth, but the Rams were unable to put any more points on the board.
Marbury was the star on Saturday at Lane Field. The running back had 29 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns. While, ASU’s all-conference quarterback Stanley Jennings was not able to pull off another come-from-behind win. Jennings was 8-20 for 160 yards and a touchdown.
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Kentucky State Thorobreds rallies past Fort Valley State Wildcats
Frankfort, Kentucky -- The Kentucky State Thorobreds utilized a three-headed monster at running back in senior Andrew Ramsey and redshirt freshmen Jacquise Lockett and Justin Williams, and they led KSU to a thrilling, 25-24, homecoming victory over the Fort Valley State Wildcats Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
Ramsey came into the game as clearly KSU’s leading rusher and struggled versus FVSU, with just 28 yards on 13 tries, but Wlliams and Lockett picked up the slack big time.
Williams gained 176 yards on 20 carries; Lockett added 138 yards on 14 tries with two touchdowns, and junior quarterback Martez James complemented all of the above with 37 yards on eight tries, including the game-winning TD from 17 yards out with just over two minutes to go.
Kentucky State improved to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC, while a very game Fort Valley team fell to 2-4 and 0-3. The Thorobreds piled up 424 yards of total offense, including 372 on the ground.
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Ramsey came into the game as clearly KSU’s leading rusher and struggled versus FVSU, with just 28 yards on 13 tries, but Wlliams and Lockett picked up the slack big time.
Williams gained 176 yards on 20 carries; Lockett added 138 yards on 14 tries with two touchdowns, and junior quarterback Martez James complemented all of the above with 37 yards on eight tries, including the game-winning TD from 17 yards out with just over two minutes to go.
Kentucky State improved to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC, while a very game Fort Valley team fell to 2-4 and 0-3. The Thorobreds piled up 424 yards of total offense, including 372 on the ground.
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Morgan Bears Crush Savannah State, 44-17, on Homecoming
Baltimore, Maryland -- Morgan State (MSU) saved its best performance so far this season for its Homecoming celebration as the Bears crushed Savannah State (SSU), 44-17, on Oct. 8 at a packed Hughes Stadium in Baltimore, Md.
The Bears poured on the offensive production against Savannah State, posting a season-high 430 yards on the day, mostly gained in the second half of the game. Morgan State led 17-10 at half time, and outscored their opponents 28-7 in the third and fourth quarters.
“We started moving the ball around and everyone just did their job,” said MSU freshman quarterback Seth Higgins. “And that's what the coaches stressed this week.”
Higgins played outstanding in just the second start of his young collegiate career, completing 14-of-24 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns.
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The Bears poured on the offensive production against Savannah State, posting a season-high 430 yards on the day, mostly gained in the second half of the game. Morgan State led 17-10 at half time, and outscored their opponents 28-7 in the third and fourth quarters.
“We started moving the ball around and everyone just did their job,” said MSU freshman quarterback Seth Higgins. “And that's what the coaches stressed this week.”
Higgins played outstanding in just the second start of his young collegiate career, completing 14-of-24 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns.
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Hampton U. thwarts Princeton's second-half surge for 28-23 victory
Hampton, Virginia -- Dyrri McCain had seen enough. Hampton's senior wide receiver and his Pirate teammates had watched an 11-point halftime lead evaporate after a pair of field goals and back-to-back safeties in less than six minutes, and they'd just escaped losing their suddenly slim edge altogether when Princeton missed a field goal.
It was time to get down to business. HU mounted an 11-play, 80-yard drive, kept alive when a defender tipped a 15-yard pass on third-and-10 into Javaris Brown's arms, to take a 28-20 lead on McCain's 1-yard touchdown reception, then held off the Tigers 28-23 with a goal-line stand in the final two minutes.
"We didn't play the same type of football that we played in the first half," said McCain, who caught 123 of quarterback David Legree's 302 passing yards and both his passing TDs. "When it got down to where it was like, 'This is it, we have to make a play,' we drove it all the way down. Our tempo picked up. Everybody had it in their mind, 'We've got to turn this around. It's getting too out of hand. "
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It was time to get down to business. HU mounted an 11-play, 80-yard drive, kept alive when a defender tipped a 15-yard pass on third-and-10 into Javaris Brown's arms, to take a 28-20 lead on McCain's 1-yard touchdown reception, then held off the Tigers 28-23 with a goal-line stand in the final two minutes.
"We didn't play the same type of football that we played in the first half," said McCain, who caught 123 of quarterback David Legree's 302 passing yards and both his passing TDs. "When it got down to where it was like, 'This is it, we have to make a play,' we drove it all the way down. Our tempo picked up. Everybody had it in their mind, 'We've got to turn this around. It's getting too out of hand. "
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Sunday, October 9, 2011
North Carolina A&T Aggies surprise Bethune-Cookman
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- A good defense can make up for a lot of deficiencies. And, most importantly, it can win football games. N.C. A&T's defense held Bethune-Cookman to 5 yards on the ground and 108 yards of total offense, leading the Aggies to a 22-3 win over the Wildcats before a crowd of 10,352 at Aggie Stadium."Our No. 1 goal every week is to stop the run," A&T coach Rod Broadway said. "We were able to do that. We ganged up on them. If we can get you one-dimensional and throwing the ball, we think we'll have a pretty good chance of winning."
The defense had forced seven turnovers in the Aggies' first four games and came up with four more turnovers against a Bethune-Cookman offense that had more total yards than Miami in the Wildcats' loss to the Hurricanes a week earlier.
"We thought we could play with these guys," Broadway said. "I think we had four turnovers on four plays. We gave them one and then we took it right back. We gave them one and then we took it right back. That was huge. The kids came out ready to play today. That was probably the most physical game we have played all year."
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S.C. State Holds Off NCCU 49-38
ORANGEBURG, SC - Junior running back Asheton Jordan rushed for a career-high 226 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns to lead South Carolina State (3-3 overall, 3-1 MEAC) to a 49-38 victory over North Carolina Central (1-4, 0-2 MEAC) on Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson.
"First off, I didn't think our defense would give up 38 points, said SC State head coach Buddy Pough." "They took it to us and we were very lucky that they had the turnovers and we got a score off both."
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Richard Cue made the most of his first career start completing 15-of-22 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He is also rushed 92 yards on 17 carries on the day. Cue replaced starting quarterback Derrick Wiley who suffered a knee injury against Norfolk State on last week.
Pough stated about Cue, "I was very proud of his poise ad demeanor today. He did a good job in holding things together and made some very big plays."
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"First off, I didn't think our defense would give up 38 points, said SC State head coach Buddy Pough." "They took it to us and we were very lucky that they had the turnovers and we got a score off both."
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Richard Cue made the most of his first career start completing 15-of-22 for 171 yards and two touchdowns. He is also rushed 92 yards on 17 carries on the day. Cue replaced starting quarterback Derrick Wiley who suffered a knee injury against Norfolk State on last week.
Pough stated about Cue, "I was very proud of his poise ad demeanor today. He did a good job in holding things together and made some very big plays."
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FAMU lets huge lead slip away in the final minutes
Tallahassee, Florida - Not even Joe Taylor has seen anything like it in his more than 30 years of coaching. The 23,400 fans who showed up at Bragg Stadium sure weren't expecting it after Florida A&M had taken a three-touchdown lead on Howard University.In stunning fashion, though, the Bison came back in the final 4 minutes and 26 seconds to pull out a dramatic 29-28 victory Saturday to hand Taylor his second homecoming loss as head coach at FAMU.
Howard converted two FAMU fumbles and the Rattlers could do nothing right in the meantime to avoid squandering it's the biggest lead it had taken on any opponent so far this season.
By the time the Bison lined up to kick the winning field goal ...
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HOWARD SCORES 29 FOURTH QUARTER POINTS IN WIN OVER FAMU
Tallahassee, FL -- Howard University erupted for 29 fourth quarter points--- including 15 in the last 1:23 to stun Florida A&M, 29-28 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference before a near capacity homecoming crowd at Bragg Stadium.
After trailing 21-0 at the half, the Bison (3-3 overall, 2-2 in the MEAC) rallied to cut the deficit to 21-13 with 10:23 left in the fourth quarter. The Rattlers (3-3 overall, 1-2 in the MEAC), who had won seven straight from the Bison, appeared to dash their comeback hopes when they capitalized on one of the Bison’s special team miscues and turned it into a 28-13 advantage with 8:23 remaining.
But the Bison had other ideas. Freshman quarterback Greg McGhee, who threw three interceptions, engineered a five-play, 71-yard drive that was capped off by a 10-yard scoring pass to Brandon Drayton. The Bison missed the PAT and trailed, 28-19 with just 1:27 left on the clock.
The Bison executed a well-designed onside kick on the ensuing kickoff that was recovered by Theodore Graham, IV. It took the Bison five plays to go 45 yards as Andra Williams capped off the drive with a one-yard burst to narrow the gap to 28-26 with 26 ticks on the clock.
Howard attempted another onside kick, but this time the Rattlers were ready and recovered.
FAMU appeared poised to run out the clock, but Howard’s Corey Berry forced a Damien Fleming fumble that was recovered by Sackie Kerkulah at the Florida A&M 15.
In an attempt to position itself for a game-winning field, Howard ran Williams on first down and took the ball down to the FAMU 8-yard line.
That is when things really got interesting. With four seconds on the clock, the Bison lined up for what would be the potential game-winning field goal. Sophomore kicker Parker Munoz lined up and booted a 25-yard field goal that was signaled good by one official. But the Rattlers had called a timeout in an attempt to freeze Munoz.
The problem was that FAMU had already exhausted its allotment of timeouts.
After a brief discussion, the officials ruled that there would be a penalty on FAMU. They marked if off half the distance to the goal at the FAMU four-yard line, thus setting the stage for what would prove to the game-winning, 21-yards field goal by Munoz, the first game winner in his career.
“This team is growing up,” said Howard first year head coach Gary Harrell. “To be down like that and come back and win shows the character of this team. Mishaps are a part of football but what I am most proud of is that they never gave up.”
Much of the credit has to go to the staunch Bison defense, which continues to improve each week under defensive coordinator Ray Petty. After allowing drives of 80 yards and 72 yards in the first half, Howard limited the Rattlers to 21 yards total offense the second half.
The Bison forced three fumbles and picked up an interception to go along with 12 tackles for losses and three sacks. Senior defensive end Sackie Kerkulah, who is playing as well as anyone in the FCS, added two more tackles for losses to his total of 11.5 and two sacks to up his total to 7.5, ranking him among the nation’s leaders.
He received a lot of help from teammates Keith Pough (5 tackles, two for losses and a forced fumble), DeCarlos Knight (six tackles, a tackle for a loss, a fumble recovery), Kurt Mangum, II (4 tackles, 2 for losses), Julien David (8 tackles) and Cameron Alston (4 tackles, an interception).
Offensively, red-shirt sophomore running back Andra Williams and freshman Aquanius Freeman picked up the slack with the running game when leading rusher Terrance Leffall left the game with a concussion. Williams led all rushers with 76 yards on 11 carries and a TD. He also grabbed three passes for 37 yards.
Freeman, who has begun to come own, carried the ball nine times for 28 yards. Freshman quarterback Greg McGhee completed 20 of 47 passes for 233 yards and two TDs. He was picked off three times and and sacked three times, but he made the plays when the Bison needed them.
“Everyone played their role,” said Coach Harrell. “Coach Petty (defensive coordinator) and Ted White (offensive coordinator) made some great adjustments at halftime. And the players responded with a courageous effort.”
By Howard University Sports Information
VISIT: HOWARDBISON
XU Nuggets, Rush sweep UD titles; Zahri Jackson runs first
IRVING, Texas -- Xavier University of Louisiana won the women's and men's team championships of the University of Dallas Invitational cross country meet Saturday, and XU freshman Zahri Jackson was the women's individual champion.
The Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush, both five-time defending Gulf Coast Athletic Conference champions, swept the team titles in a regular-season meet for the first time since the 2008 Mobile (Ala.) Rampage.
Jackson ran 6,000 meters in 25 minutes, 10.63 seconds to become the Nuggets' first individual champion since Ebony Harding won the 2009 GCAC title and the second female titlist during Joseph Moses' seven seasons as XU's coach. Jackson, who won't turn 18 until April, recorded her fourth top-10 finish in six collegiate meets and her third top-five.
All seven Gold Nuggets finished in the top 10 -- Hali Yarmush was second in 26:04.34, Anna D'Souza third in 26:31.85 and Catherine Fakler fourth in 26:34.62 -- and Xavier scored 16 points to win the team title by 40 points over runner-up Dallas. UD's Rachel Oleksiak placed fifth to deny the Nuggets a perfect team score.
In the 8,000-meter men's race, Matt Pieri was third in 28:00.55, Kwame Jackson sixth in 29:14.97 and Ray Walston ninth in 29:49.38. The Gold Rush scored 41 points, followed by Arlington Baptist with 54 and Dallas with 65.
Pieri has 12 top-10s and eight top-fives in three seasons at Xavier, and Walston, a senior, has 13 top-10s. Kwame Jackson, a freshman and the brother of Zahri, has four top-10s.
Also in the top 10 for Xavier's women were Ashley Taylor (sixth, 27:22.45), Darian Towns (seventh, 27:33.94) and Donyé Coleman (10th, 28:18.94). Yarmush and Towns recorded their first top-10s as collegians. Fakler, a freshman, has four top-10s and two top-fives. D'Souza and Taylor, both seniors, recorded their first top-10s of the season.
Xavier has won 14 men's and 11 women's team championships during Moses' tenure.
This was the last regular-season meet for both XU teams. Next will be the GCAC Championships at Clinton, Miss., on Oct. 22.
Men Women
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
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| Xavier University of Louisiana's 2011 Women's Cross Country Team From left: Anna D'Souza, Hali Yarmuth, Catherine Fakler, Darian Towns, Donye Coleman, Zahri Jackson, Paige Rochelle, Ashley Taylor. (click photo to enlarge) |
Jackson ran 6,000 meters in 25 minutes, 10.63 seconds to become the Nuggets' first individual champion since Ebony Harding won the 2009 GCAC title and the second female titlist during Joseph Moses' seven seasons as XU's coach. Jackson, who won't turn 18 until April, recorded her fourth top-10 finish in six collegiate meets and her third top-five.
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| Xavier University of Louisiana's 2011 Men's Cross Country Team From left: Charles Shaw, Jamaal Williams, Ray Walston, Kwame Jackson, Javon Mead, Matt Pieri. Not pictured is Emmanuel Detiege. (click photo to enlarge) |
In the 8,000-meter men's race, Matt Pieri was third in 28:00.55, Kwame Jackson sixth in 29:14.97 and Ray Walston ninth in 29:49.38. The Gold Rush scored 41 points, followed by Arlington Baptist with 54 and Dallas with 65.
Pieri has 12 top-10s and eight top-fives in three seasons at Xavier, and Walston, a senior, has 13 top-10s. Kwame Jackson, a freshman and the brother of Zahri, has four top-10s.Also in the top 10 for Xavier's women were Ashley Taylor (sixth, 27:22.45), Darian Towns (seventh, 27:33.94) and Donyé Coleman (10th, 28:18.94). Yarmush and Towns recorded their first top-10s as collegians. Fakler, a freshman, has four top-10s and two top-fives. D'Souza and Taylor, both seniors, recorded their first top-10s of the season.
Xavier has won 14 men's and 11 women's team championships during Moses' tenure.
This was the last regular-season meet for both XU teams. Next will be the GCAC Championships at Clinton, Miss., on Oct. 22.
Men Women
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Stallings, Smith, Rencher step up in Gold Nuggets' victory
NEW ORLEANS — Of the seven freshmen on the Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball team, Morgan Stallings, Kia Smith and Alexandria Rencher were the only ones who had played fewer than half the sets this season. Yet all three played important roles Saturday in the Gold Nuggets' 25-13, 25-8, 25-15 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference victory against Edward Waters at Dillard's Dent Hall.
Stallings, who entered the match with six kills, equaled that number in the third set and finished with nine. Smith and Rencher combined for 32 of the Nuggets' 35 assists, with Smith collecting a season-best 19.
All three filled in capably for Chinedu Echebelem and Patrice Hightower, who missed the match because of injuries. But Xavier (14-4, 8-0) didn't miss a step and completed a two-day, three-match sweep against GCAC opponents at Dillard.
The Gold Nuggets have won five of their last six matches and 13 of their last 15. Saturday's match was Xavier's fifth in four days.
"We expect all our players to be ready to go at any time," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "Morgan, Kia and Alex haven't played as much as the others, but they've continued to work hard in practice and improve their skills. It was nice to see them step up and play a part in this win."
Moira Kirk hit .421 and led Xavier with 10 kills and four aces. Sophomore Kerris Crier had eight kills and a .727 attack percentage — the first time she's topped .700 in 10 or more attempts and her first time this season with no attack errors. Taylor Reuther had seven kills, seven digs, three aces and hit .429.
Reuther had three kills and three aces during a 13-4 run which gave the Nuggets a 22-11 lead in the opening set. Xavier got four kills and two aces from Kirk and two aces from Iva Bobkova in an 18-2 second-set run. Stallings had three kills during an 8-0 run in the final set.
Xavier finished with 39 kills and hit .297. The Nuggets served 14 aces and finished with a 47-6 ace advantage in their three GCAC matches.
Edward Waters (3-19, 0-8) lost to Xavier for the second time this season.
The Nuggets won't play their next GCAC match until Oct. 29, when they visit second-place SUNO. In between there will be five non-conference matches, with the next one at 7 p.m. Thursday at city rival Loyola. That's a makeup of a Sept. 4 postponement due to Tropical Storm Lee.
Box score
By Ed Cassiere,Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Stallings, who entered the match with six kills, equaled that number in the third set and finished with nine. Smith and Rencher combined for 32 of the Nuggets' 35 assists, with Smith collecting a season-best 19.
All three filled in capably for Chinedu Echebelem and Patrice Hightower, who missed the match because of injuries. But Xavier (14-4, 8-0) didn't miss a step and completed a two-day, three-match sweep against GCAC opponents at Dillard.
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| Xavier University of Louisiana's 2011 Women's Volleyball Team Front row, from left: Kia Smith, Chinedu Echebelem, Joyy Joseph, Celeste Poe, Patrice Hightower and Alexandria Rencher. Back row, from left: Morgan Stallings, Kerris Crier, Iva Bobkova, Moira Kirk, Jeanay Butler and Taylor Reuther. (Click photo to enlarge) |
"We expect all our players to be ready to go at any time," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "Morgan, Kia and Alex haven't played as much as the others, but they've continued to work hard in practice and improve their skills. It was nice to see them step up and play a part in this win."
Moira Kirk hit .421 and led Xavier with 10 kills and four aces. Sophomore Kerris Crier had eight kills and a .727 attack percentage — the first time she's topped .700 in 10 or more attempts and her first time this season with no attack errors. Taylor Reuther had seven kills, seven digs, three aces and hit .429.
Reuther had three kills and three aces during a 13-4 run which gave the Nuggets a 22-11 lead in the opening set. Xavier got four kills and two aces from Kirk and two aces from Iva Bobkova in an 18-2 second-set run. Stallings had three kills during an 8-0 run in the final set.
Xavier finished with 39 kills and hit .297. The Nuggets served 14 aces and finished with a 47-6 ace advantage in their three GCAC matches.
Edward Waters (3-19, 0-8) lost to Xavier for the second time this season.
The Nuggets won't play their next GCAC match until Oct. 29, when they visit second-place SUNO. In between there will be five non-conference matches, with the next one at 7 p.m. Thursday at city rival Loyola. That's a makeup of a Sept. 4 postponement due to Tropical Storm Lee.
Box score
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| Ed Cassiere |
By Ed Cassiere,Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Alabama A&M 37, Mississippi Valley State 14
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Inside linebacker Willie Fuller was reminded last week of Alabama A&M's embarrassing homecoming loss to Texas Southern six years ago. The Tigers, who entered the game riding a 16-game losing streak, stunned the Bulldogs 17-7.Fuller and company made sure there would be no embarrassing homecoming loss Saturday to Mississippi Valley State, who like Texas Southern, entered the game riding a 16-game losing streak.
Defensive end Corey Hart returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown less than a minute into the game and A&M scored on its four offensive possessions as the Bulldogs extended the Delta Devils' losing streak to 17 in a row with a satisfying 37-14 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory before an announced crowd of 16,827 at Louis Crews Stadium.
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Alabama State improves to 5-1 with 43-29 win over TSU
HOUSTON, Texas -- A 21-point third-quarter keyed by special teams propelled Alabama State to a 43-29 win over Texas Southern in a wild Southwestern Athletic Conference shootout at Delmar Stadium in a rematch of last season's SWAC Championship Game. [Stats]
The Hornets (5-1 overall, 5-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) are off to their best start since the 2005 season and scored 30+ points for the fourth time this season, all victories.
"It's a huge win for us," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "There's so much parity in this league and we have other teams on the East that are winning and having success. It's going to come down to the wire. A team that has no losses or one loss is the team that has the best chance to go to the SWAC Championship."
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The Hornets (5-1 overall, 5-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) are off to their best start since the 2005 season and scored 30+ points for the fourth time this season, all victories.
"It's a huge win for us," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "There's so much parity in this league and we have other teams on the East that are winning and having success. It's going to come down to the wire. A team that has no losses or one loss is the team that has the best chance to go to the SWAC Championship."
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Norfolk State beats Delaware State 38-21
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| (Photo by Mark's Digital Photography) |
Quarterback Chris Walley completed 28 of 37 passes for 327 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a third to pace the Spartans (5-1, 3-0 MEAC) over the Hornets (2-4, 0-3) and set up an interesting Battle of the Bay matchup with Hampton next Saturday.
Norfolk State took a 24-7 lead into halftime and Matthew Grant stopped the Hornets’ only real chance to make the contest close by blocking a 27-yard field goal on Delaware State’s first drive of the second half. The blocked kick was Grant’s third of the season.
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Spartans "deserve" MEAC title if they run table, Pough says
Norfolk State is now in the driver’s seat for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title. A look at the Spartans’ remaining six conference games looks more than favorable with their two toughest remaining games (Hampton on Oct. 15 and Bethune-Cookman on Oct. 20) taking play at home and three winnable road games at Delaware State today, Savannah State on Nov. 5 and Morgan State on Nov. 12.
Should Norfolk State run the table to claim the MEAC title outright, South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough is already lining up to be among the first to give a congratulatory call to head coach Pete Adrian.
"If they win both those guys, let me tell you something. They deserve it," Pough said. "If they beat South Carolina State, Hampton and Bethune, then let me tell you something. They deserve to be conference champions. I’ll pat them on the back and say ‘Go get them’ and we’ll try again next time."
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WSSU turns back St. Aug's, stays undefeated
DURHAM, N.C. -- Winston-Salem State took St. Augustine's best shot Saturday and survived 35-28. The Rams, ranked No. 16 in the Division II coaches poll, improved to 6-0 (5-0 CIAA) and took another step toward the CIAA's Southern Division title, in part because they tightened up on defense in the second half.
"We played a little more man in the second half," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said. "We played a lot of zone in the first half, and they found a lot of holes, but in the second half we played pretty much straight man, and we protected the ball a little more."
The Rams were cruising along, leading 21-7, but the Falcons (2-4, 1-3) intercepted a Kameron Smith pass and scored two quick touchdowns to tie the score right before halftime. When Tehvyn Brantley fumbled the kickoff after ...
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"We played a little more man in the second half," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said. "We played a lot of zone in the first half, and they found a lot of holes, but in the second half we played pretty much straight man, and we protected the ball a little more."
The Rams were cruising along, leading 21-7, but the Falcons (2-4, 1-3) intercepted a Kameron Smith pass and scored two quick touchdowns to tie the score right before halftime. When Tehvyn Brantley fumbled the kickoff after ...
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Saturday, October 8, 2011
Jackson State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
When: Today, 4 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson
Television: None
Radio: WHLH-95.5 FM in Jackson
Last meeting: Jackson State won 52-30 last year
History: All-time series: Jackson State leads 20-11
Scouting the Golden Lions: Keep an eye on...
Ben Anderson, Quarterback: Anderson ranks only behind JSU QB Casey Therriault in the league for passing yards a game at 200. He's completed 53 percent of his passes for 1,025 yards.
Unit that could give the Tigers fits: Receivers
If there's a weakness on JSU's defense it's been pass coverage. The Tigers, who lack depth, are fifth in the league, allowing 195 yards a game. Pine Bluff has three receivers with 200 yards or more - Desmond Beverly, Rontrell Bailey and Jevon Dixon.
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Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson
Television: None
Radio: WHLH-95.5 FM in Jackson
Last meeting: Jackson State won 52-30 last year
History: All-time series: Jackson State leads 20-11
Scouting the Golden Lions: Keep an eye on...
Ben Anderson, Quarterback: Anderson ranks only behind JSU QB Casey Therriault in the league for passing yards a game at 200. He's completed 53 percent of his passes for 1,025 yards.
Unit that could give the Tigers fits: Receivers
If there's a weakness on JSU's defense it's been pass coverage. The Tigers, who lack depth, are fifth in the league, allowing 195 yards a game. Pine Bluff has three receivers with 200 yards or more - Desmond Beverly, Rontrell Bailey and Jevon Dixon.
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B-CU not taking N.C. A&T lightly
Daytona Beach, Florida -- Gearing up for his team's first out-of-state game this season, Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins turned up the coach-speak earlier this week.
"We're going into dangerous territory -- Aggie Land -- and we're going up against a scrappy, fierce football team," Jenkins said of today's opponent, North Carolina A&T. When asked about the Aggies' improvement under first-year coach Rod Broadway, Jenkins said, "I thought they were a pretty good football team last year."
But the Wildcats (2-2, 1-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) thumped A&T last year, 67-17, in a game more famous for the Municipal Stadium power outage during an ESPNU Thursday night broadcast than the action on the field.
Given the one-sided result, it's probably no surprise the cable network passed on the matchup this season. The 1:30 p.m. game today in Greensboro, N.C., will be the first time this season the Wildcats will not be on TV.
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"We're going into dangerous territory -- Aggie Land -- and we're going up against a scrappy, fierce football team," Jenkins said of today's opponent, North Carolina A&T. When asked about the Aggies' improvement under first-year coach Rod Broadway, Jenkins said, "I thought they were a pretty good football team last year."
But the Wildcats (2-2, 1-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) thumped A&T last year, 67-17, in a game more famous for the Municipal Stadium power outage during an ESPNU Thursday night broadcast than the action on the field.
Given the one-sided result, it's probably no surprise the cable network passed on the matchup this season. The 1:30 p.m. game today in Greensboro, N.C., will be the first time this season the Wildcats will not be on TV.
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K-State gears up for homecoming, FVSU
Frankfort, Kentucky -- Kentucky State’s football team takes on Fort Valley State for homecoming Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The Thorobreds (3-2) are coming off a 57-31 conference loss to Albany State last week in the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.
Three KSU players earned SIAC player of the week honors from that game. Raphael Amey was named offensive player of the week after catching 14 passes for 234 yards. Keith Massey was special teams player of the week with 243 return yards, including a 91-yard return that went for a touchdown, and Jessie Mitchell was named offensive lineman of the week.
Fort Valley comes into the game with a 1-4 record. Its lone win was a 40-23 decision over Benedict. Last week the Wildcats lost to Tuskegee 18-15. FVSU’s leading rusher has been freshman running back Travis Richmond with 294 yards on the season. Last week he rushed for 116 yards.
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Three KSU players earned SIAC player of the week honors from that game. Raphael Amey was named offensive player of the week after catching 14 passes for 234 yards. Keith Massey was special teams player of the week with 243 return yards, including a 91-yard return that went for a touchdown, and Jessie Mitchell was named offensive lineman of the week.
Fort Valley comes into the game with a 1-4 record. Its lone win was a 40-23 decision over Benedict. Last week the Wildcats lost to Tuskegee 18-15. FVSU’s leading rusher has been freshman running back Travis Richmond with 294 yards on the season. Last week he rushed for 116 yards.
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WSSU tries to remain unbeaten at Saint Augustine's
Winston Salem, NC -- Winston-Salem State will try to move another step closer to the CIAA's Southern Division title today. The Rams (5-0, 4-0 CIAA) will hit the road to play the St. Augustine's Falcons (2-3, 1-2) at 1:30 at N.C. Central's O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
Last season WSSU was cruising along at 6-0, but St. Aug's came to Bowman Gray Stadium and pulled a 40-35 upset. Quarterback Kameron Smith struggled in that game, and the Rams had six turnovers.
Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU said turnovers most likely will be a factor again today.
"We have to do a better job of taking care of the football, and if we can do that, we feel we can win every football game that we play," Maynor said. "We still feel that way, so we have to execute."
WSSU didn't exactly roll over Johnson C. Smith last week at Bowman Gray Stadium. It won 28-10, overcoming three turnovers, but the outcome wasn't as decisive as some thought it would be.
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Last season WSSU was cruising along at 6-0, but St. Aug's came to Bowman Gray Stadium and pulled a 40-35 upset. Quarterback Kameron Smith struggled in that game, and the Rams had six turnovers.
Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU said turnovers most likely will be a factor again today.
"We have to do a better job of taking care of the football, and if we can do that, we feel we can win every football game that we play," Maynor said. "We still feel that way, so we have to execute."
WSSU didn't exactly roll over Johnson C. Smith last week at Bowman Gray Stadium. It won 28-10, overcoming three turnovers, but the outcome wasn't as decisive as some thought it would be.
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XU's Kirk, Reuther experience the kills of victory
NEW ORLEANS -- Moira Kirk and Taylor Reuther produced 12 kills apiece Friday to help Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team defeat Tougaloo 25-17, 25-9, 25-11 and remain perfect in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
The Gold Nuggets (13-4, 7-0) earned their second victory of the day at Dillard's Dent Hall and maintained their one-match lead in the GCAC over SUNO.
"After a loss last night (against Prairie View A&M) we set our goals to correct our mistakes," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "Today was a new day and a fresh attitude. And it's totally different when we play in conference."
It was the second time this season that Kirk and Reuther, both freshmen, reached 12 kills in the same match. Reuther had eight first-set kills and started a pair of 5-0 runs with kills. The three-time GCAC Player of the Week hit 400 in 25 attempts and had seven digs and three aces. Kirk hit .381 in 21 attempts -- she ended the second set with a kill -- and added four digs and two blocks.
Jeanay Butler had a season-high-tying four aces for Xavier for the second straight match, and Kerris Crier had her first four of the season -- all in a row to give the Nuggets a 21-9 lead in the third. Xavier served 15 aces and finished the day with 33.
Tougaloo's only lead of the 51-minute contest came when Dayane Souza opened the third set with her team's lone ace. The Nuggets responded with a 10-1 run which included two aces and a kill by Butler and two kills by Kirk.
Xavier hit .267 and got a team-high 12 digs -- eight in the first set -- from Chinedu Echebelem. Celeste Poe had seven digs and Joyy Joseph five.
"Our goal was to go 3-0 this weekend -- so far so good," Hamilton said. "It was a very good momentum shift compared to last night. Hopefully we'll finish strongly on Saturday."
Xavier will play Edward Waters at 10 a.m. Saturday at Dent Hall. The Nuggets defeated the Lady Tigers 25-12, 25-12, 25-10 on Sept.23.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
The Gold Nuggets (13-4, 7-0) earned their second victory of the day at Dillard's Dent Hall and maintained their one-match lead in the GCAC over SUNO.
"After a loss last night (against Prairie View A&M) we set our goals to correct our mistakes," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "Today was a new day and a fresh attitude. And it's totally different when we play in conference."
It was the second time this season that Kirk and Reuther, both freshmen, reached 12 kills in the same match. Reuther had eight first-set kills and started a pair of 5-0 runs with kills. The three-time GCAC Player of the Week hit 400 in 25 attempts and had seven digs and three aces. Kirk hit .381 in 21 attempts -- she ended the second set with a kill -- and added four digs and two blocks.
Jeanay Butler had a season-high-tying four aces for Xavier for the second straight match, and Kerris Crier had her first four of the season -- all in a row to give the Nuggets a 21-9 lead in the third. Xavier served 15 aces and finished the day with 33.
Tougaloo's only lead of the 51-minute contest came when Dayane Souza opened the third set with her team's lone ace. The Nuggets responded with a 10-1 run which included two aces and a kill by Butler and two kills by Kirk.
Xavier hit .267 and got a team-high 12 digs -- eight in the first set -- from Chinedu Echebelem. Celeste Poe had seven digs and Joyy Joseph five.
"Our goal was to go 3-0 this weekend -- so far so good," Hamilton said. "It was a very good momentum shift compared to last night. Hopefully we'll finish strongly on Saturday."Xavier will play Edward Waters at 10 a.m. Saturday at Dent Hall. The Nuggets defeated the Lady Tigers 25-12, 25-12, 25-10 on Sept.23.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Alabama State improves to 5-1 with 43-29 win over Texas Southern
HOUSTON, Texas -- A 21-point third-quarter keyed by special teams propelled Alabama State to a 43-29 win over Texas Southern in a wild Southwestern Athletic Conference shootout at Delmar Stadium in a rematch of last season's SWAC Championship Game. [Stats]
The Hornets (5-1 overall, 5-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) are off to their best start since the 2005 season and scored 30+ points for the fourth time this season, all victories.
"It's a huge win for us," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "There's so much parity in this league and we have other teams on the East that are winning and having success. It's going to come down to the wire. A team that has no losses or one loss is the team that has the best chance to go to the SWAC Championship."
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The Hornets (5-1 overall, 5-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) are off to their best start since the 2005 season and scored 30+ points for the fourth time this season, all victories.
"It's a huge win for us," head coach Reggie Barlow said. "There's so much parity in this league and we have other teams on the East that are winning and having success. It's going to come down to the wire. A team that has no losses or one loss is the team that has the best chance to go to the SWAC Championship."
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NCCU football coach Henry Frazier previews S.C. State game
G. Alan Inc. previews the 19th matchup between the Eagles of North Carolina Central University and the Bulldogs of South Carolina State University. NCCU enters the contest fresh after an off-week while the Bulldogs were upset last week in the Fish Bowl Classic against Norfolk State. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m., but tune in to Eagle Gameday built by Dayeco Construction Company beginning at 1:00 p.m. as play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks and Joe Simmons get fans revved up for NCCU Football.
SSU looks to get back on winning track
Savannah, Georgia -- Savannah State coach Steve Davenport doesn’t want to look backward — a direction his team was headed all too often a week ago.
But that was last week. Davenport and the Tigers are now looking ahead to building a new winning streak when they travel to Baltimore to meet Morgan State today at 1 p.m. at Hughes Stadium in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown.
“You can’t live your life looking backward,” Davenport said. “There’s nothing we can do about the loss to Howard now. We just have to focus on Morgan State and handle our business with Morgan.”
SSU (1-4, 1-1 MEAC) played poorly at an inopportune time against Howard a week ago. The Tigers were playing their first game on campus in nearly two years while re-opening their renovated T.A. Wright Stadium. It was also their first home MEAC game.
Savannah State (1-4, 1-1 MEAC) at Morgan State (2-3, 1-1 MEAC)
When: Today, 1 p.m.
Where: Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
TV/radio: No TV/WHCJ 90.3 FM
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But that was last week. Davenport and the Tigers are now looking ahead to building a new winning streak when they travel to Baltimore to meet Morgan State today at 1 p.m. at Hughes Stadium in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown.
“You can’t live your life looking backward,” Davenport said. “There’s nothing we can do about the loss to Howard now. We just have to focus on Morgan State and handle our business with Morgan.”
SSU (1-4, 1-1 MEAC) played poorly at an inopportune time against Howard a week ago. The Tigers were playing their first game on campus in nearly two years while re-opening their renovated T.A. Wright Stadium. It was also their first home MEAC game.
Savannah State (1-4, 1-1 MEAC) at Morgan State (2-3, 1-1 MEAC)
When: Today, 1 p.m.
Where: Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, Md.
TV/radio: No TV/WHCJ 90.3 FM
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