Land O' Lakes, Florida -- Bishop McLaughlin senior volleyball player Jessica Johnson has verbally committed to Norfolk State, Hurricanes coach Douglas Chinchar said Tuesday.
Johnson visited the MEAC school in Virginia over the weekend. She plans to sign in the early signing period next month, when she would become the first volleyball player in Bishop history to sign with a Division I program, Chinchar said. She also made an official visit to Maryland Eastern Shore.
Johnson, an outside hitter, is among the North Suncoast’s leaders in aces (1.4 per game) and kills (5.1 per game). She has 995 kills in her high school career and will likely record her 1,000th this week.
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Tuesday, October 18, 2011
SCSU Bulldogs, FAMU Rattlers alike, Pough says
Orangeburg, South Carolina -- Winning two straight games and climbing over the .500 mark for the first time all season is a positive in South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough's book.
It does not necessary mean in his eyes, however, the Bulldogs have "turned a corner" into becoming a complete Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship contender. On Monday, Pough said the team remains a work in progress although he believes a home win Saturday over Florida A&M would bring them a step closer towards becoming what he envisioned in the preseason.
"I think the jury is probably still out," he said. "We don't necessarily have the confidence to really say that we've got it pretty much on track. I can tell you though is that I think I see that happening. We need another win or two as this week will go big in that direction of trying to make that determination."
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It does not necessary mean in his eyes, however, the Bulldogs have "turned a corner" into becoming a complete Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship contender. On Monday, Pough said the team remains a work in progress although he believes a home win Saturday over Florida A&M would bring them a step closer towards becoming what he envisioned in the preseason.
"I think the jury is probably still out," he said. "We don't necessarily have the confidence to really say that we've got it pretty much on track. I can tell you though is that I think I see that happening. We need another win or two as this week will go big in that direction of trying to make that determination."
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Streaking Xavier Gold Nuggets picked to win another GCAC title
NEW ORLEANS — No surprise here. Xavier University of Louisiana, winner of its past 29 games against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponents, was picked first again in the preseason coaches poll.The Gold Nuggets received seven first-place votes and 49 points. SUNO received the other first-place vote and tied with Tougaloo for second place with 37 points.
It's the ninth time in 10 seasons that the Nuggets finished in the top two of the coaches poll.
Xavier hasn't lost to a GCAC team since a 59-56 decision at LSU-Shreveport in the semifinals of the conference tournament on March 6, 2009. The Gold Nuggets went 18-0 in the GCAC regular season and 3-0 in the tournament in 2009-10, then 6-0 in the regular season and 2-0 in the tournament this past year.LSUS no longer is in the GCAC, but the conference expanded from six to eight teams during the summer by adding Philander Smith and Talladega. All teams will play a double round-robin schedule of 14 games.
Keldra Hall, Jazmoné Kelly and Brandi Young, all seniors, are returning starters for Xavier, which will travel to SEC member LSU for a 7 p.m. exhibition on Nov. 2, then open the regular season at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 against Florida Memorial at The Barn. Hall and Kelly were All-GCAC this past season, and Young was All-GCAC Tournament. Hall was GCAC Newcomer of the Year.
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By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Bulldogs’ basketball team full of excitement as practice begins
Orangeburg, South Carolina - The first official practice for men's basketball Saturday morning at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center marked an end and a beginning for South Carolina State.As far as the players and head coach Tim Carter are concerned, the book on last year's 10-22 season was officially closed and they're determined to focus on producing a more successful account.
"Don't talk about it," Carter said. "I mean, that's a word we don't even say ‘last year' because it doesn't matter what happened last year other than you don't want it to happen again." "We've got that bad taste in our mouth from last year," point guard Khalif Toombs said. "We're ready to get that out and have a good season."
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Grambling breathing easier after win
Grambling, Louisiana - Monday provided Grambling its first chance since early September to start a new week of meetings and practice on a positive note."It's cured the cold so far," Doug Williams said Monday about beating Concordia, 44-0. "I think not only for the players, but for the coaches. In meetings (Monday) morning, you could feel in the room that it's a better atmosphere when you win, no matter who you play, and hopefully it's contagious not only from the coaches' standpoint but all the way down to the players and the fans."
But much of the coach's comments about his team and its status midway through the season remained similar to those that had followed four consecutive losses.
"You've got a chance to smile a little more because you've got a 'W' up under your belt," he said...
XU's Gold Rush picked for second in GCAC preseason poll
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana, which returns nine of 11 lettermen and four starters from its 27-6 men's basketball team of this past season, is picked to finish second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in 2011-12.
The Gold Rush received one first-place vote and 43 points in a poll of the GCAC's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team. Tougaloo topped the poll with 49 points and received the other seven first-place votes.
Four points separated the third- through seventh-place teams.
The GCAC expanded during the summer from six to eight teams with the addition of Philander Smith and Talladega. Unlike last season, all GCAC teams will play a double round-robin schedule, with the conference awarding regular-season and tournament championships. Tougaloo defeated Xavier 93-80 in overtime to win the GCAC Tournament in March.
Xavier's returning starters are guards Chris Iles and Kevin Miller and forwards Anthony Simmons and Denzell Erves. Simmons was All-GCAC this past season, and Iles led the conference in assists per game. They helped Xavier win its first 13 games for the first time since 1940-41 and record a school-record-tying 11th consecutive winning season.
The XU men will open their 74th season at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2 at The Barn against Carver College of Atlanta.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
The Gold Rush received one first-place vote and 43 points in a poll of the GCAC's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own team. Tougaloo topped the poll with 49 points and received the other seven first-place votes.
Four points separated the third- through seventh-place teams.
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The GCAC expanded during the summer from six to eight teams with the addition of Philander Smith and Talladega. Unlike last season, all GCAC teams will play a double round-robin schedule, with the conference awarding regular-season and tournament championships. Tougaloo defeated Xavier 93-80 in overtime to win the GCAC Tournament in March.
Xavier's returning starters are guards Chris Iles and Kevin Miller and forwards Anthony Simmons and Denzell Erves. Simmons was All-GCAC this past season, and Iles led the conference in assists per game. They helped Xavier win its first 13 games for the first time since 1940-41 and record a school-record-tying 11th consecutive winning season.The XU men will open their 74th season at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2 at The Barn against Carver College of Atlanta.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Mitchell 1-for-2 on late choices
Baton Rouge, Lousiana - In the final moments of Saturday’s 22-21 loss at Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week, Southern coach Stump Mitchell had to make two crucial decisions. One of them was right on the money. One wasn’t.With 2 seconds left, the Jaguars were down by seven points and had the ball at the UAPB 11-yard line. Southern lined up for a play, and UAPB took a timeout - ostensibly to take a longer look at the Jaguars’ offensive formation.
Mitchell then called for a throwback screen to Sylvester Nzekwe, which gave the Jaguars the touchdown they needed. The call, and the players’ execution of it, fooled the defense enough for Nzekwe to beat a lone defender and sneak inside the left pylon.
That, in turn, left Mitchell with another tough decision: Should he go for an all-or-nothing two-point conversion? Or try for the extra point and overtime?
Norfolk State cracks Top 25 for first time since 2007
Norfolk, Virginia -- No. 24 is not enough.
That's where the Norfolk State football team sits in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 poll released Monday. It's the first national ranking for NSU since 2007.
That didn't satisfy linebacker Corwin Hammond.
"My dad and I were talking about it today," Hammond said. "We're No. 24. I'm not going to name names, but there are teams ahead of us with three losses. If we're unbeaten in the MEAC, we should at least be ahead of teams with three losses. But those things have never respected us. It's why we always play with a chip on our shoulder."
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That's where the Norfolk State football team sits in The Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS Top 25 poll released Monday. It's the first national ranking for NSU since 2007.
FCS/FATHEAD.COM TOP 25
| Team (No. 1 votes) | Record | Points | Pvs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ga. Southern (125) | 6-0 | 3,871 | 1 |
| 2. Northern Iowa (18) | 5-1 | 3,732 | 2 |
| 3. N. Dakota State (9) | 6-0 | 3,509 | 4 |
| 4. Montana State (2) | 6-1 | 3,502 | 3 |
| 5. Wofford (3) | 5-1 | 3,354 | 5 |
| 6. Appalachian State | 4-2 | 2,957 | 6 |
| 7. Sam Houston State | 6-0 | 2,808 | 10 |
| 8. Lehigh | 6-1 | 2,795 | 8 |
| 9. Maine | 5-1 | 2,481 | 12 |
| 10. Jacksonville State | 5-1 | 2,480 | 11 |
| 11. James Madison | 5-2 | 2,275 | 13 |
| 12. Montana | 5-2 | 2,083 | 14 |
| 13. New Hampshire | 4-2 | 2,062 | 6 |
| 14. William and Mary | 4-3 | 1,882 | 16 |
| 15. Towson | 5-1 | 1,795 | 17 |
| 16. Delaware | 4-3 | 1,371 | 9 |
| 17. Indiana State | 5-2 | 1,235 | 21 |
| 18. Richmond | 3-3 | 843 | 20 |
| 19. Alabama State | 6-1 | 768 | 24 |
| 20. North Dakota | 4-2 | 747 | 23 |
| 21. Old Dominion | 5-2 | 671 | 18 |
| 22. Massachusetts | 4-2 | 668 | NR |
| 23. Jackson State | 6-1 | 529 | 25 |
| 24. Norfolk State | 6-1 | 511 | NR |
| 25. South Dakota | 4-3 | 477 | 15 |
That didn't satisfy linebacker Corwin Hammond.
"My dad and I were talking about it today," Hammond said. "We're No. 24. I'm not going to name names, but there are teams ahead of us with three losses. If we're unbeaten in the MEAC, we should at least be ahead of teams with three losses. But those things have never respected us. It's why we always play with a chip on our shoulder."
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Monday, October 17, 2011
Prairie View misses chances against Alabama State
Prairie View, Texas - Prairie View A&M came back to earth a bit with Saturday's 20-7 loss to conference rival Alabama State.
The Panthers (4-3, 4-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) saw their three-game winning streak end under a mountain of missed opportunities. They outgained Alabama State 456-296 in total yards but committed three turnovers and missed three field goals. Prairie View also came up empty on four fourth-down attempts, including three inside the red zone.
However, there were some bright spots. The Panthers moved the ball consistently on offense, and the defense had a solid performance. Freshman running back Fred Anderson rushed for 101 yards on 20 carries, becoming the first PV player to top the century mark this year.
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The Panthers (4-3, 4-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) saw their three-game winning streak end under a mountain of missed opportunities. They outgained Alabama State 456-296 in total yards but committed three turnovers and missed three field goals. Prairie View also came up empty on four fourth-down attempts, including three inside the red zone.
However, there were some bright spots. The Panthers moved the ball consistently on offense, and the defense had a solid performance. Freshman running back Fred Anderson rushed for 101 yards on 20 carries, becoming the first PV player to top the century mark this year.
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Walker stressing short-term goals for loaded ECSU Vikings
Camden, North Carolina - The surroundings may not have been familiar, but when Elizabeth City State men’s basketball coach Shawn Walker looked around the Camden High gym Sunday, there were plenty of familiar faces.The Vikings, conducting their second day of preseason practice at Camden because homecoming festivities had the RL Vaughan Center booked, return 12 players from the team that went 18-10 last season, including most of the starters.
Two other known quantities — former CIAA Rookie of the Year Angelo Sharpless and Winston-Salem State transfer Michael Bonner — are also on the roster.
Sharpless sat out the 2010-11 season while mending a broken leg and then dealing with a few undisclosed issues while Bonner was a regular at practice last year, but couldn’t play when he got caught up in an unexpected interpretation of a CIAA transfer rule.
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Johnson C. Smith basketball seeks consistency, avoiding tailspin
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| Head Coach Steve Joyner Sr. |
"That's not going to cut it," junior point guard Trevin Parks said Sunday at Golden Bulls Frenzy at Brayboy Gym. "We need to win over 20 games, and I'm willing to take on the task of leading this team on and off the court to make sure my guys are doing what they need to do for us to win."
"We're aware of our season last year, what did do and what we didn't do," coach Steve Joyner said. "We want to better that this year."
Parks, a Division II All-American who averaged 21.2 points per game last season, will have experienced help as the Golden Bulls look to become a quicker, transition-oriented team. Phillip Wood, a 6-foot2 transfer from Talladega (Ala.) College, is expected to ...
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VISIT: JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
VISIT: GOLDENBULLSSPORTS
Sunday, October 16, 2011
ASU 20, Prairie View 7: Hornets take rival by swarm
Montgomery, Alabama -- It's a formula that continues to work for 24th-ranked Alabama State.
Nick Andrews hauled in a touchdown pass from Greg Jenkins and the defense forced three turnovers to help ASU remain unbeaten in conference play with a 20-7 victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday at Cramton Bowl.
Saturday's game pitted the top teams in each division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in what could be a preview of the SWAC Championship Game on Dec. 10.
"It's a championship-caliber game, the best team in the West and the best team in the East clashing," Jenkins said. "Both teams have great defenses, so you can't really expect a high-scoring game."
Jenkins completed 12 of 31 passes for 215 yards, throwing one touchdown pass and running for another as the Hornets (6-1) improved to 6-0 in SWAC play.
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Nick Andrews hauled in a touchdown pass from Greg Jenkins and the defense forced three turnovers to help ASU remain unbeaten in conference play with a 20-7 victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday at Cramton Bowl.
Saturday's game pitted the top teams in each division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference in what could be a preview of the SWAC Championship Game on Dec. 10.
"It's a championship-caliber game, the best team in the West and the best team in the East clashing," Jenkins said. "Both teams have great defenses, so you can't really expect a high-scoring game."
Jenkins completed 12 of 31 passes for 215 yards, throwing one touchdown pass and running for another as the Hornets (6-1) improved to 6-0 in SWAC play.
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Norfolk State wins Battle of the Bay, beats Hampton U. 34-24
Norfolk, Virginia -- Norfolk State's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship is now a little closer to reality, while Hampton's first league title since 2006 slipped further out of reach.
The Spartans jumped out to a 20-point lead, then held off a second-half rally to beat the Pirates 34-24 on Saturday at Dick Price Stadium in the 49th annual Battle of the Bay. Norfolk State improved to 6-1 for the second time since joining the Division I ranks in 1997 and 4-0 in the MEAC for the first time since 2007, while Hampton fell to 3-3 and 1-2.
"We preached to our guys all week: This is why you play the game, to be in a position like this and kind of control your destiny," third-year HU coach Donovan Rose said. " … It's real tough. You can't allow a team to get 27 points in the first half."
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Norfolk State loving its spread, thriving in Walley World
NORFOLK, Virginia — With Saturday's 34-24 win over Hampton University, Norfolk State is 6-1 for only the second time since becoming moving up to Division I in 1997. But to trace the Spartans' success, go back to a four-game stretch last fall in which they went 0-4 and scored only two offensive touchdowns.
No coach relishes changing his offensive scheme with four weeks left in the season, but that's what NSU's Pete Adrian felt compelled to do. And ever they ditched the power game and went with the no-huddle spread, the Spartans are 10-1 and averaging 29 points a game.
Norfolk State raced out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead thanks to premium field position. Hampton won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, leaving the Pirates playing into a stiff wind that played a role in punts of 23 and 28 yards on their first two possessions. Those kicks gave the Spartans the ball at the Hampton 39 and 29, and Norfolk State scored touchdowns on both abbreviated drives.
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Big plays at right time put Walley, NSU in rarefied air
NORFOLK, Virginia - A few minutes before kickoff Saturday, the Norfolk State band played its team onto the field to "We Are the Champions." The Spartans, who remain undefeated in the MEAC, like the sound of that, but for the time being, they'd be happy to be included in the FCS top 25. They will be now.
"Hard to keep us out at six and one," coach Pete Adrian said after his team defeated Hampton 34-24 at Dick Price Stadium.
Norfolk State knocked on the door last week, finishing 26th in the vote. The door started to come off its hinges when the Spartans jumped to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. By then, Chris Walley had already thrown two of his three first-half touchdown passes en route to racking up 265 yards through the air.
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The Spartans jumped out to a 20-point lead, then held off a second-half rally to beat the Pirates 34-24 on Saturday at Dick Price Stadium in the 49th annual Battle of the Bay. Norfolk State improved to 6-1 for the second time since joining the Division I ranks in 1997 and 4-0 in the MEAC for the first time since 2007, while Hampton fell to 3-3 and 1-2.
"We preached to our guys all week: This is why you play the game, to be in a position like this and kind of control your destiny," third-year HU coach Donovan Rose said. " … It's real tough. You can't allow a team to get 27 points in the first half."
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Norfolk State loving its spread, thriving in Walley World
NORFOLK, Virginia — With Saturday's 34-24 win over Hampton University, Norfolk State is 6-1 for only the second time since becoming moving up to Division I in 1997. But to trace the Spartans' success, go back to a four-game stretch last fall in which they went 0-4 and scored only two offensive touchdowns.
No coach relishes changing his offensive scheme with four weeks left in the season, but that's what NSU's Pete Adrian felt compelled to do. And ever they ditched the power game and went with the no-huddle spread, the Spartans are 10-1 and averaging 29 points a game.
Norfolk State raced out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead thanks to premium field position. Hampton won the opening coin toss and elected to receive, leaving the Pirates playing into a stiff wind that played a role in punts of 23 and 28 yards on their first two possessions. Those kicks gave the Spartans the ball at the Hampton 39 and 29, and Norfolk State scored touchdowns on both abbreviated drives.
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Big plays at right time put Walley, NSU in rarefied air
NORFOLK, Virginia - A few minutes before kickoff Saturday, the Norfolk State band played its team onto the field to "We Are the Champions." The Spartans, who remain undefeated in the MEAC, like the sound of that, but for the time being, they'd be happy to be included in the FCS top 25. They will be now.
"Hard to keep us out at six and one," coach Pete Adrian said after his team defeated Hampton 34-24 at Dick Price Stadium.
Norfolk State knocked on the door last week, finishing 26th in the vote. The door started to come off its hinges when the Spartans jumped to a 17-0 lead in the first quarter. By then, Chris Walley had already thrown two of his three first-half touchdown passes en route to racking up 265 yards through the air.
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JCSU victorious on homecoming 26-19 over Virginia Union
Charlotte, North Carolina – The Johnson C. Smith University football team defeated Virginia Union University 26-19 on Saturday afternoon inside the Irwin Belk Complex during their homecoming contest. JCSU improves to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the CIAA; while the Panthers drop to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in the conference.The Golden Bulls continue to make new history this season. Head coach Steven Aycock has already picked up four wins just seven games into the year. JCSU had not produced a plus three-win season since 2006; they finished 7-4 in the standings. That season was also marked the last time Johnson C. Smith had been 3-1 in the CIAA.
Aycock earns his first career victory against Virginia Union and their head coach Michael Bailey in his third season (1-2). This is also the first homecoming win for Aycock. Johnson C. Smith is 3-0 at home this year.
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N.C. A&T ends years of frustration with a homecoming victory
Greensboro, North Carolina -- "Now this is how a homecoming game should be," said an N.C. A&T fan after the Aggies scored an early touchdown during their game against Delaware State.
That was one of four scores in the first half as A&T rolled to a 42-24 win over the Hornets. It was the first homecoming win for A&T at Aggie Stadium since 2003.
"I'm excited for our players, for them to have had an opportunity to taste some success, win the first homecoming they've won since they've been here and mostly for playing the way they are playing," said N.C. A&T coach Rod Broadway. "We still have a lot of work to do before we develop into the type of football team we are capable of having here. Like any win, it's a good win."
The Aggies improved to 4-2 on the season and, more importantly, 3-0 in the MEAC, and Broadway said his team is beginning to understand that success in one game doesn't always equal success in the next. A&T faces four consecutive conference road games starting with Howard next Saturday.
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Stillman comes from behind to defeat Chowan 24-21
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- The Stillman Tiger football team showed the ability to lead from start to finish last week against Benedict. This week, the Tigers showed the prowess to come from behind. After surrendering 192 yards of total offense in the first half, Stillman held Chowan to 123 yards in the second half while getting key defensive plays to defeat the Hawks 24-21.
With the win, Stillman moves to 6-1 while Chowan falls to 1-6.
The scoring opened for Chowan as Cameron Stover found Kevin Hodrick for a 20-yard pass play as the first quarter was coming to a close. A missed PAT made the score 6-0 in favor of Chowan. The Hawks then got a 32-yard field goal from Ryan Murphy to make the score 9-0.
Midway through the second quarter, after a Ronnie Partridge punt pinned Chowan to the two yard line, Stillman's Antonio Johnson forced a fumble which was recovered by Jeremy Hall in the end zone. The follow-up PAT cut the score to 9-7. Chowan would tack on a field goal as time expired to make the halftime deficit 12-7.
In the third period, both teams had two possessions, with Chowan scoring on their first, capping a 12-play, 73-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal by Murphy.
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With the win, Stillman moves to 6-1 while Chowan falls to 1-6.
The scoring opened for Chowan as Cameron Stover found Kevin Hodrick for a 20-yard pass play as the first quarter was coming to a close. A missed PAT made the score 6-0 in favor of Chowan. The Hawks then got a 32-yard field goal from Ryan Murphy to make the score 9-0.
Midway through the second quarter, after a Ronnie Partridge punt pinned Chowan to the two yard line, Stillman's Antonio Johnson forced a fumble which was recovered by Jeremy Hall in the end zone. The follow-up PAT cut the score to 9-7. Chowan would tack on a field goal as time expired to make the halftime deficit 12-7.
In the third period, both teams had two possessions, with Chowan scoring on their first, capping a 12-play, 73-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal by Murphy.
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Cue comes alive in second half, guides SCSU Bulldogs over Georgia State
Orangeburg, South Carolina -- Rallying from a halftime deficit has rarely served as a winning proposition for South Carolina State in the Buddy Pough era.
The 2011 Bulldogs appear more than comfortable in that role. Down 6-3, the Bulldogs completed their third halftime comeback of the season in defeating upstart Georgia State 23-13 before 11,517 fans at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
"We generally seem to somehow or another just score more points in the second half than we do in the first," said Pough, who picked up his 80th career victory and improved to 8-27 when trailing at halftime as S.C. State head football coach.
"I think we had 37 more points ...
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Bulldog notebook: Erickson not surprised by kicking success
Orangeburg, South Carolina -- It was just another typical Saturday afternoon for South Carolina State place-kicker Blake Erickson.
Given his early season struggles that included five straight missed attempts, the senior Bulldog could have acted more exuberant over going a perfect 3-3 in field goals in the 23-13 win over Georgia State. Instead, the preseason All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection and school career leader in field goals acted not surprised by his latest performance.
"That's why Coach (Buddy) Pough put me in and that's my job," Erickson said. "It's not a big deal really. Everything I'm supposed to do is what I'm supposed to do."
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The 2011 Bulldogs appear more than comfortable in that role. Down 6-3, the Bulldogs completed their third halftime comeback of the season in defeating upstart Georgia State 23-13 before 11,517 fans at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
"We generally seem to somehow or another just score more points in the second half than we do in the first," said Pough, who picked up his 80th career victory and improved to 8-27 when trailing at halftime as S.C. State head football coach.
"I think we had 37 more points ...
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Bulldog notebook: Erickson not surprised by kicking success
Orangeburg, South Carolina -- It was just another typical Saturday afternoon for South Carolina State place-kicker Blake Erickson.
Given his early season struggles that included five straight missed attempts, the senior Bulldog could have acted more exuberant over going a perfect 3-3 in field goals in the 23-13 win over Georgia State. Instead, the preseason All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection and school career leader in field goals acted not surprised by his latest performance.
"That's why Coach (Buddy) Pough put me in and that's my job," Erickson said. "It's not a big deal really. Everything I'm supposed to do is what I'm supposed to do."
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Xavier's Didavi wins fifth place, improves to 17-3 in fall
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| Coach Alan Green |
Didavi won his final two matches in straight sets after a three-set loss to top-seeded Chris Freeman of Embry-Riddle (Fla.) on Thursday in the opening round. Didavi dominated against Arakhamiya, losing only the second game and earning five straight service breaks thereafter.
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| Loic Didavi |
Didavi is a junior from Cotonou, Benin — a coastal city in West Africa — and was a second-team NAIA All-American each of the past two seasons at Auburn Montgomery. He transferred to Xavier in August.
"Yes, I am feeling pretty good right now," Didavi said. "I am pretty confident in my tennis. I practiced a lot this summer, and I am playing my best right now."
Didavi has won 17 of 20 matches for the Gold Rush — 10-1 in singles, 7-2 with All-America Zach Taylor in doubles — and credits his coach for his success.
"Coach Green gives me all the confidence to be able to play good," Didavi said. "He has me on the court a lot and has worked with me a lot. He has worked with me a lot off the court too."
Didavi and Taylor were 2-1 in doubles at this tournament. They won the third-place match Friday.
"I'm proud of the way Loic and Zach performed here," Green said. "This is something we've never accomplished before, and although they were the only participants from our team, all the other guys are excited because they know that we have a really good team this year."Freeman beat Oklahoma Christian's second-seeded Bruno Tiberti 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the NAIA singles final to advance to additional competition this weekend against bracket winners from NCAA Division II and III and junior colleges.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: GCACSPORTS
JSU Tigers unable to hit long ball vs. MVSU Devils' scheme
Itta Bena, Mississippi -- Joseph LeBeau had seen this before. Watching from the sideline Saturday during Jackson State’s 17-16 win over Mississippi Valley State, he noticed the Delta Devils’ scheme in the secondary.
“They played more of an Alabama State defense on our offense,” the JSU defensive end said. All agreed that Mississippi Valley (0-7) mimicked a scheme Alabama State used three weeks ago to hand JSU a loss and force six interceptions from quarterback Casey Therriault.
The scheme? A mix of cover-2, cover-4. Valley’s cornerbacks played as much as 15 yards off the ball and their safeties were in farther, preventing JSU’s go-to play: the long pass. “They didn’t let our receivers get behind them,” Therriault said. “They kept everything in front, looking for tipped balls, looking to jump routes. It was a good scheme.”
It worked, too, at least in the first half.
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“They played more of an Alabama State defense on our offense,” the JSU defensive end said. All agreed that Mississippi Valley (0-7) mimicked a scheme Alabama State used three weeks ago to hand JSU a loss and force six interceptions from quarterback Casey Therriault.
The scheme? A mix of cover-2, cover-4. Valley’s cornerbacks played as much as 15 yards off the ball and their safeties were in farther, preventing JSU’s go-to play: the long pass. “They didn’t let our receivers get behind them,” Therriault said. “They kept everything in front, looking for tipped balls, looking to jump routes. It was a good scheme.”
It worked, too, at least in the first half.
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Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley to kick off 2013 in Starkville
Itta Bena, Mississippi -- By 2013, Mississippi State will have paid more than $1 million to the state's three historically black universities for football games against them.The Bulldogs will play Mississippi Valley State to open the 2013 season and will pay the Delta Devils $350,000 for the one-year deal, MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin said Tuesday.
Mississippi Valley, currently on a 14-game losing streak, will be the third Mississippi-based historically black university from the Southwestern Athletic Conference to travel to Scott Field over a five-year span.
Mississippi State played Jackson State in 2009, the first meeting between the schools that are about two hours apart. The Bulldogs played Alcorn State for the first time last year.
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Capital City Classic Future Uncertain
Jackson, Mississippi -- News Channel 12 has learned that the Capital City Classic between Jackson State and Alcorn State will return to the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium for at least one more year.
Back in May, Alcorn State University President Christopher Brown announced that his university would consider withdrawing from the annual match-up in Jackson. He told us Thursday that the game greatly benefits both universities, and this fall's Classic will go on. But Alcorn is interested in bringing the game to Lorman in the future.
"Certainly the Alcornites are united around a return to the "Soul Bowl"," says Dr. Brown. "But it's in the best interest of both Jackson State and Alcorn for this year to allow the Capital City Classic name to continue."
Jackson businesses don't want to see the Capital City Classic leave the Capital City.
It's Thursday night, and as usual, Sal and Mookie's parking lot is packed. In the distance is Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the home of the Tigers. The 60,000 people that can pack the stadium for the Classic pack Sal and Mookie's before and after the action.
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Back in May, Alcorn State University President Christopher Brown announced that his university would consider withdrawing from the annual match-up in Jackson. He told us Thursday that the game greatly benefits both universities, and this fall's Classic will go on. But Alcorn is interested in bringing the game to Lorman in the future.
"Certainly the Alcornites are united around a return to the "Soul Bowl"," says Dr. Brown. "But it's in the best interest of both Jackson State and Alcorn for this year to allow the Capital City Classic name to continue."
Jackson businesses don't want to see the Capital City Classic leave the Capital City.
It's Thursday night, and as usual, Sal and Mookie's parking lot is packed. In the distance is Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the home of the Tigers. The 60,000 people that can pack the stadium for the Classic pack Sal and Mookie's before and after the action.
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Miles blows away Kentucky State 45-24 with big second half
FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- A ho-hum start gave way to a frenzied finish as Miles College came up with five turnovers in the second half on its way to a 45-24 victory over Kentucky State on Saturday at Albert J. Sloan-Alumni Stadium.Junior quarterback David Thomas passed for a career-high three touchdowns and ran for another score as the Golden Bears (4-3, 3-1 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) broke open a 10-all tie with 35 points in the second half.
The 45 points were the most by the Golden Bears since a 47-27 win against Kentucky State in 2001. "It feels good after every victory," said Thomas. "But this good? It's been a while."
Kentucky State vs Miles Football: 10-15-11 gallery
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Fayetteville State lets big lead slip away in overtime loss to Shaw
Fayetteville, North Carolina -- Fayetteville State had a commanding lead and seemed to end its homecoming week on a high note until a second-half aerial attack by Shaw grounded those plans.Quinshon Odom connected with James Pettiway for a 17-yard touchdown in overtime, and the defense forced a fumble by Colon Bailey to give Shaw a stunning 35-29 win over Fayetteville State on Saturday.
Odom threw for 376 yards and three touchdowns as the Bears (2-5, 2-2) scored the final 28 points of the game to overcome a 22-point deficit and end the Broncos' two-game winning streak. Odom did most of his damage after halftime with 249 yards passing.
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