GSU wins homecoming game in OT over Mississippi Valley

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Quarterback D.J. Williams headed to the line of scrimmage for just his second play of the afternoon. Grambling had allowed visiting Mississippi Valley State 17 straight points to force overtime at 24-24 before holding the Delta Devils scoreless on their offensive possession.

The Tigers took their stances with a handoff planned, but as the freshman surveyed the defense, he flipped the script.

“Instincts,” Williams said. “We’ve got the best receiver in the SWAC, and one-on-one nobody can stop him. I saw one-on-one, and I just threw it up … I knew (he’d catch it) all along. That’s why I just walked to the sideline because I knew. I had already planned it out.”

Williams dropped back and look to the left edge of the end zone where ...

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Fort Valley State ready for homecoming atmosphere

Fort Valley, Georgia -- Regardless of what happens between the sidelines and end zones, good weather on homecoming means at least the fans have a quality day. Fort Valley State hopes to add to that with an upset win Saturday when the Wildcats host SIAC leader Stillman on homecoming at Wildcat Stadium.

Almost as many fans will remain outside the stadium during the game for the socializing that will be inside watching to see if the Wildcats can break a three-game losing streak and finally turn a close game into a win.

FVSU has lost games by one, three and five points, and the other losses have been to a pair of FCS teams and a Division II power. “The schedule, the schedule’s been tough, man,” FVSU senior linebacker Bernard Goodrum said. “It was tough.”

Key injuries early on in one of the most ambitious SIAC schedules in years have left the Wildcats reeling, frustrated at being close but unable to come up with the late-game big play.



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WSSU prepares to face Edward Waters' option

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State's defense will see something it hasn't seen all season when Edward Waters visits Bowman Gray Stadium today. It will see an option-type offense, which could present problems.

"They are an option team," coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said of the 2-4 Tigers. "We look forward to the challenge because it's going to be tough facing an option team. It's assignment football, and guys can't guess — so they'll have to know their assignments…."

Kickoff is set for 1:30. The Rams, 7-0 and ranked 11th in the Division II coaches' poll, clinched the CIAA's Southern Division title last week with a 63-7 rout of Livingstone. They'll step outside of conference play for a rare home game.

"This is only our third home game ...



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Blown Away: NSU Spartan Legion gives B-CU a music lesson in Crunkology 101

Norfolk, Virginia (Oct.20, 2011) -- Tonight, the great Bethune-Cookman University Marching Wildcats Band received a valuable lesson in Crunkology 101, from the Spartan Legion Marching Band of Norfolk State University.

The backdrop from this entertaining clash of band pageantry, magnificent musicianship, showmanship, originality, and marching supremacy was the nationally televised football game between the MEAC leading Norfolk Spartans and the B-CU Wildcats. Too bad ESPNU hasn't learned that Thursday night HBCU TV football fans don't give a darn about Sports Center at half-time. Students and parents want to see the marching band battle....PERIOD.

Great credit is given to Bethune-Cookman University for busing the 400+ Wildcats band from Daytona Beach to Norfolk, a distance of 1418 miles round-trip and 24 total hours travel time away from school and classes on Wednesday and Friday.

No doubt, B-CU performance was good and very entertaining!

Norfolk State gave the Wildcats a valuable lesson in crunkology, showmanship and superior marching. The Spartan Legion marches under 260, but the superior musicianship, crystal clear melody and counter-melody lines from the woodwinds, upper and lower brass were superb in Thursday's performance. Much credit has to be given to NSU band directors and arrangers who fresh perspectives in music of mixing funk, hip-hop and crunk, gives the Spartan Legion a powerful sound, that punctuates every movement of the band with a rhythmic bass and drum line that we all enjoy.

Bethune is good -- but not great due to its lack of originality. The Wildcats marching style is ordinary, the drum major movements are a total copy-cat of FAMU, Jackson State Sonic Boom and UAPB M4 Bands. What the Wildcats need is many more lessons is crunkology and a total makeover in marching style.

More importantly, B-CU announcer is a total irritation and negatively impacts the band performance in their simple dance routines. What is needed here is less talking over the band and more creative, rhythmic, and slick choreography for the dance routines. No originality in this phase of the performance.

Is anyone able to pop a 90 degree knee lift in the B-CU Wildcats band? Look at Norfolk State --That's how you march with precision --popping 90's.

Close your eyes and listen to the Marching Wildcats -- there is nothing unique in their musical style and sound that gives them a "signature," other than "Let's go Wildcats."

A world-class collegiate marching band is more than a fight song!

Thursday night -- Norfolk State University approached "world-class" and originality won hands down in all phases of the contest. Behold - The Green and Gold !!!

Winner: Norfolk State University Spartan Legion Marching Band.

(beepbeep)

St. Aug's Falcons to host Johnson C. Smith in historic game

Raleigh, North Carolina -- For the first time in over 40 years, Saint Augustine’s College will host a home football game on its campus.

History will be made Saturday (Oct. 22) when the Falcons face Johnson C. Smith University in the first game at the George Williams Athletic Complex. The CIAA contest, starting at 2 p.m., is the centerpiece of homecoming weekend, which started Oct. 20.

The stadium features a FieldTurf playing surface in addition to a state-of-the-art scoreboard and track surface befitting the person the stadium is named after – George Williams, the school’s athletic director and iconic track and field coach.

The 2004 U.S. Olympic Head Coach, Williams has led his track and field teams to 31 NCAA Division II championships and approximately 150 CIAA titles in his 35 years as St. Aug head coach.

“It is a great thing that we can play on our own campus,” Williams said. “Our students can come out of their residence halls and see the game. Give praise to our president – Dr. [Dianne Boardley] Suber - for this. We give all those involved a big round of thanks, and hope it will be an everlasting relationship between the community, the city of Raleigh and the college.”

After playing the previous three home games in Durham, N.C., Head Football Coach Michael Costa is certainly looking forward to this moment. His Falcon teams have played at various off-campus sites in Raleigh, N.C., since football was re-instituted at St. Aug in 2002.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” Costa said. “We have been waiting 10 seasons for this. We appreciate the opportunity to showcase our talents to our fans and our alumni and finally have that home field advantage.”

Football Game Notes vs. Johnson C. Smith

Richmond Football Unveils Future Opponents Through 2016

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND -- The University of Richmond has announced its non-conference football opponents through the 2016 season, highlighted by 11 games versus Commonwealth teams.

The Spiders series versus the University of Virginia continues through 2016, while the long-standing VMI series is extended through 2015. Richmond and North Carolina State meet in 2013 and the Spiders have not yet announced a BCS opponent in 2015.

Also highlighting the Spiders' future schedule are home-and-home series with in-state foes Liberty and Hampton University, along with a series versus Gardner-Webb and home games versus Charlotte, Morehead State and Norfolk State. The Spiders and Flames have never met on the gridiron, while Richmond has played Hampton just once previously - with the Spiders winning 38-10, in the 2005 NCAA FCS Playoffs First Round.

Game dates and times have yet to be announced and match-ups are subject to change.

FUTURE FOOTBALL NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
2012: HOME: Gardner-Webb. AWAY: at Virginia; at VMI
*2013: HOME: Liberty; VMI. AWAY: at N.C. State; at Gardner-Webb
*2014: HOME: Hampton; Morehead State; AWAY: at Virginia; at Liberty
2015: HOME: VMI; AWAY: at TBA (BCS opponent); at Hampton
2016: HOME: Charlotte; Norfolk State. AWAY: at Virginia
* 12-game regular-season schedule

ECSU can clinch tie for title

Elizabeth City, North Carolina -- Even after losing its first two games of the season, Elizabeth City State did not panic. Coach Waverly Tillar preached to his players that if they continued to work and stayed on the path they were on, things would work out.

Five games and five wins later, the Vikings (5-2, 3-1 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) can win the Northern Division title and sew up a spot in the Nov. 12 CIAA championship game opposite Winston-Salem State, which beat the Vikings 22-17 on Sept. 3.

Standing in ECSU’s way is Bowie State (4-3, 3-2). The Vikings can virtually wrap up the division crown by beating the Bulldogs today.

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BSU GAME AUDIO:  http://www.herbfm.com/
12:30pm Bowie State Football Pre-Game show with Pre game interviews from Elizabeth City NC (Live)
1pm Kickoff: Bowie State Bulldogs (4-2, 3-2) at Elizabeth City State Vikings (5-2, 3-1)from Elizabeth City NC (Live)

2011 OVC Cross Country Championship Preview (Tenn. State)

Nashville, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University men's and women's cross country teams conclude the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Front Runner Invitational hosted by Chattanooga. The 2011 OVC Cross Country Championship will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Arlington Golf Course in Richmond, Ky. Eastern Kentucky University will serve as the host.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
OVC Championship (Richmond, Ky.)
Austin Peay
Eastern Illinois
Eastern Kentucky
Jacksonville State
Morehead State
Murray State
Southeast Missouri
Tennessee State
Tennessee Tech
UT Martin



Tennessee State: Tennessee State traveled to the Front Runner Invitational in Chattanooga on Saturday to compete in the five-team field. The Flying Tigers placed fourth overall as did the Tigerbelles. Christopher Hobbs led the men's team for the fifth time this season, running the 5K course in 17:30 to place 20th overall. Charita Harris led the women's squad for the first time this year, covering the 2-mile course in 13:14 and placing 16th overall. The race was the last prep before running at the OVC Championship in Richmond, Ky. in two weeks.

VISIT: TSUTIGERS
VISIT: OVCSPORTS

WSSU cross-country teams off to a fast start

Cary, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State is off to another good start as it tries to collect more CIAA championship hardware. The Rams women’s cross-country team, led by Brittney Killebrew, Manuela Rigaud, Tyrah Winfrey and Kristi Baptiste, won their second straight CIAA title on Thursday in Cary. All four runners finished in the top 10.

Coach Inez Turner said she was thrilled with how the Rams came through. “We displayed big heart and the right attitude,” Turner said. “The ladies were tough.” For Killebrew, a sophomore, it was her second straight CIAA team and individual championship. She won for the second straight year running the 5-K course in 19:11.2

“We focused on running in a pack, staying together, and not letting anyone pass us,” Killebrew said. “This feels great. It's never going to get old.”

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Homecoming Preview: NCCU Eagles at Hampton Pirates

HAMPTON, Virginia – The Hampton University football team will look to get back into the win column on Saturday, when the Pirates welcome North Carolina Central to Armstrong Stadium to celebrate Homecoming.

Kickoff will be at 2 p.m.

The Pirates (3-3, 1-2 MEAC) are coming off a 34-24 loss at Norfolk State this past Saturday, while the Eagles (1-5, 0-3 MEAC), in their first year in the conference, lost their fourth straight game this past Saturday 52-3 to Morgan State.

The Pirates are 48-33-2 all-time in their Homecoming contests – though Hampton has not won a Homecoming game since 2006, when the Pirates beat Winston-Salem State 13-3. Bethune-Cookman spoiled Hampton’s Homecoming last season with a 23-18 win. Hampton won its first-ever Homecoming game, beating Virginia Union 25-0 in 1928. The Pirates won 11 straight Homecoming games from 1980-1990, and had won six straight from 2001-06.

For the season, senior quarterback David Legree (Brooklyn, N.Y.) is completing 59.3 percent of his passes (115-for-194) for 1,338 yards and nine touchdowns. Legree is second in the MEAC in passing, averaging 223.0 yards per game in the air.

Game Notes



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North Carolina A&T Aggies, Howard Bison Renew Rivalry in D.C.

Greensboro, North Carolina -- Over the last six seasons, Howard and North Carolina A&T have stumbled to the bottom of the MEAC standings. Howard has not had a winning season since 2004 and the Aggies last winning season occurred in 2003. Over the previous six seasons, the two teams have combined to go 29-104.

In the same time frame, S.C. State is 52-18. But the trends are changing for both schools.

The Aggies and the Bison were picked to finish 9th and 11th respectively in the conference during the preseason, but the Aggies are 3-0 in the MEAC and the Bison is 2-2 with a win over MEAC co-champion Florida A&M. Perhaps the reasons behind the turnarounds are the two first-year head coaches. Rod Broadway is in his first season as the Aggies head coach, while Gary Harrell took over it is alma mater.

The Polls

As the wins continue to pour in, North Carolina A&T is starting to be recognized nationally. In this week's Sports Network Top 25 Poll, the Aggies received four votes. The Aggies entered the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Poll for the first time in seven years this week as the No. 9 team. The SBN Poll traditionally determines who the Black College National Champion is. The Aggies last won the title in 1999.

Aggie Game Notesv.Howard

2011 SBN Poll Previous Week
Team Record Pts.
1. Alabama State 6-1 259
2. Norfolk State 6-1 246
3. S.C. State 4-3 178
4. Jackson State 6-1 145
5. WSSU 7-0 121
6. Bethune-Cookman3-3 97
7. Albany State 4-2 82
8. Alabama A&M 4-2 56
9. N.C. A&T 4-2 51
10. Hampton 3-3 39

Others receiving votes: Stillman 34, Florida A&M 28, Morehouse 23, Elizabeth City State 19, Morgan State 15.

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information

VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NCATAGGIES

Bethune-Cookman shuts down Norfolk State, hands Spartans first MEAC loss

Norfolk, Virginia -- Isidore Jackson rushed for a career-high 206 yards on 34 carries, and Dion Hanks intercepted a Chris Walley pass in the end zone in the final minute to seal Bethune-Cookman’s 14-6 win over Norfolk State in an ESPNU-televised MEAC contest Thursday evening at Dick Price Stadium.

The loss is the first in MEAC play for the Spartans (6-2, 4-1), who had their five-game winning streak snapped and had made the national polls -- at No. 24 in The Sports Network rankings -- for the first time since 2007. B-CU improved to 4-3, 2-2.

NSU was held to a season-low 249 yards of offense by the Wildcats, who never trailed. NSU failed to score a TD against an FCS opponent for the first time since a 43-3 loss to B-CU in 2004, a span of 70 games.

B-CU struck first on a 2-yard Anthony Jordan run with 4:08 left in the first quarter. That capped a 14-play, 88-yard drive. The Spartans cut the deficit to 7-3 on a 50-yard Everett Goldberg field goal with just 2:18 left before halftime.

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Bethune-Cookman stuns Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Viriginia -- With Ryan Davis wreaking havoc on defense and Isidore Jackson doing the same on offense, Bethune-Cookman overpowered 24th-ranked Norfolk State 14-6 Thursday night at Dick Price Stadium.

B-CU shut down Norfolk State's high-powered offense most of the night, but the Spartans drove to B-CU's 4 in the final minute with a chance to pull out the win until Dion Hanks intercepted a Chris Walley pass in the end zone to clinch the victory.

The Wildcats (4-3, 2-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) have little hope of winning the conference championship this year, but they were able to play spoiler in handing the Spartans (6-2, 4-1) their first MEAC loss.

They did it by playing power football. Led by defensive end Davis, B-CU kept pressure on Walley all game, holding the conference's top quarterback to 88 yards passing. On offense, the 'Cats kept handing the ball to the rugged Jackson, and he continuously punched holes through the Spartans' defensive front.

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Though at home, NSU looked out of its element

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State on Thursday night played its first football game in four years as a nationally ranked team. The Spartans, 24th in the Football Championship Subdivision, also played their third game in 13 days.

They looked significantly more like a team running on fumes, from the 94-yard touchdown drive they yielded to Bethune-Cookman in the first quarter to the interception at the goal line that ended their hopes in the final minute.

Whether it was fatigue, malaise or the unfamiliar dynamic of a midweek night game Dick Price Stadium hasn’t seen since 2005 – likely it was a stew of them all – Norfolk State sputtered through a 14-6 loss to the MEAC-rival Wildcats.

The bright side of NSU’s uncharacteristic display for a crowd announced at 10,053 is that, in this interesting season’s scheme of things, the loss is immaterial to the Spartans’ drive for their first conference title.

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WSSU enjoying the ride but it might get bumpy

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- About the only suffering coach Connell Maynor has had to endure so far this season is a root canal earlier this week. At 7-0 and ranked 11th in Division II there’s much to be happy about at WSSU these days.

Somebody asked me the other day what is the team’s best feature, their offense or their defense. My response was neither because I think their best attribute is their depth.

While they do have 14 Division I transfers on their roster, several of those transfers don’t start and have to battle each and every day for playing time. That’s a luxury most Division II teams would love to have.



A perfect example is defensive tackle Justin Wilkerson, who originally signed with Duke but never played for the Blue Devils. He transferred to WSSU and with Barry Tripp injured Wilkerson has made an impact.

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QB battle: Norfolk's stability, vs. B-CU's versatility

Daytona Beach, Florida - They say that if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. So what does it mean if you have three? The perfect situation, according to Bethune-Cookman coach Brian Jenkins. Norfolk State, on the other hand, has one established starter under center in Chris Walley, who leads the Mid Eastern-Athletic Conference with 1,660 yards passing.

The approaches may be different, but you can't argue with the results. The top two offensive teams in the conference will square off tonight in Norfolk, Va., in front of a nationally televised audience. "It's going to be a good football game," Jenkins said. "A good football game."

Bethune-Cookman at Norfolk State

WHERE: Dick Price Stadium, Norfolk, Virginia
KICKOFF: 7:30 p.m. TV: ESPNU 
INTERNET: ESPN3
RADIO: WELE (1380 AM), Daytona Beach 



Norfolk State (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) is trying to remain undefeated in the conference, while B-CU (3-3, 1-2) is trying to get back in the race.

 "Bethune-Cookman is another great football team with a lot of great talent. They have three quarterbacks and they can all play," said Spartans coach Pete Adrian, a former defensive coordinator at B-CU and head coach at Deltona High.

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Grambling State host Mississippi Valley State Saturday

GRAMBLING, La. — Homecoming and a winless opponent. Sounds like a recipe for success for Grambling State University on Saturday, doesn't it? Whoa, not so fast.

"While it's great to be at home and having all of the alumni events and grads coming back, it can also be a little distracting," admitted Doug Williams, the Tigers' head coach. "There is always so much going on, it's a challenge to keep the team focused.

"For the players and coaches, there's still a football game to be played and that's what we've got to deal with."

Serving as Grambling State's 2 p.m. homecoming foe at Robinson Stadium will be Mississippi Valley State (0-7, 0-6), which has yet to win in seven games. And the Delta Devils' overall losing streak of 18.games is the second longest in the country. The last time Valley won a game was in November of 2009 when they defeated Lincoln University 16-6.



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ASU plays musical quarterbacks

Lorman, Mississippi -- Alcorn State appears to have grounded Air Canada. The Braves (1-4) entertain Concordia College at 4 p.m. Saturday. Bridge, nicknamed Air Canada, was benched a month ago as Darius Smith started the Braves’ last two games. Smith is expected to start against Concordia. Bridge was named SWAC’s freshman of the year.

“We felt the other guy was the best guy at the time,” Braves coach Melvin Spears said during a SWAC teleconference call. “We’re looking for consistency. He has more poise than Bridge and is not looking to run as much.”

The Braves have had odd back-to-back open dates.

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Preseason All-GCAC team includes Xavier's Hall, Kelly

NEW ORLEANS, Lousisiana — Seniors Keldra Hall and Jazmoné Kelly are Xavier University of Louisiana's representatives on the preseason All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball team announced Wednesday.

GCAC head coaches selected the team, which consists of 10 players. Xavier and Tougaloo are the only schools with two players on the team.

Keldra Hall, left, and Jazmoné Kelly are among five seniors on the
 2011-12 Xavier  women's basketball team.
(click photo to enlarge)

Hall, a 6-foot center from Dallas and a graduate of Molina High School and Angelina College, averaged 8.2 points and a team-leading 7.2 rebounds and 0.8 blocked shots per game this past season. Her 108 rebounds were the most by a Gold Nugget in four seasons.

Kelly, a 5-9 guard/forward and a graduate of Cincinnati's Ursuline Academy, averaged 6.9 points and 4.1 rebounds and became the first Gold Nugget since Jackie Tucker in 2003-04 to reach 60 offensive rebounds, 60 assists and 60 steals in the same season

Both Hall and Kelly were All-GCAC in 2010-11, and Hall was the GCAC Newcomer of the Year.

Xavier, 27-7 in 2010-11, will travel to LSU for an exhibition on Nov. 2, then open the regular season two days later against Florida Memorial at The Barn. Both games will tip off at 7 p.m.

2011-12 Preseason All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Team Christine Conners, SUNO 5-9 senior forward Portia Craft, Tougaloo 5-5 sophomore guard, McComb, Miss. Keldra Hall, Xavier 6-0 senior center, Dallas, Texas Myisha Johnson, Philander Smith 5-10 sophomore guard/forward, Little Rock, Ark. Victoria Jones, Tougaloo 5-10 senior forward, Saginaw, Mich. Jazmoné Kelly, Xavier 5-9 senior guard/forward, Cincinnati, Ohio Ariel Mitchell, Dillard 5-7 senior guard, St. James, La. Ebony Presha, Edward Waters 5-11 senior forward, Jacksonville, Fla. Ebony Richardson, Talladega 5-4 senior guard, Oakland, Calif. Raona Stowers, Fisk 5-5 senior guard, Macon, Miss.

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

Lincoln's Cook continues to impress

Lincoln University, Pennsylvania -- Less than a year ago, Doug Cook was wowing college recruiters and bedeviling opposing defenses as a high school senior in Dania Beach, Florida.

Today, the 6-foot, 170-pounder is not only a starter at Lincoln University, but he has already established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the CIAA. And the sky is the limit for Cook’s future.

“He is going to be a very special player,” said teammate Brandon McElwee. “That boy is different from any other true freshman. Wait until you see him in a couple years.”

Cook’s ascent into one of the premier rookie signal callers in all of Division II is hardly a shocker. He was the third-rated quarterback in talent-rich Florida in 2010 and ranked No. 44 nationally by MaxPreps. And through seven games, Cook is second in the 12-team CIAA in total offense, averaging 242 yards per contest.

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One is not a lonely number for XU in the NAIA polls

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana received one point Wednesday — the same number as this past week — in both of the NAIA Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 polls. But that pair of ones is significant.

For the Gold Nuggets, it's the first time since 2002 that they received a vote in consecutive polls, and it's the first time since that same season that they were mentioned in the poll entering the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships. For the XU men, it's the first time they received a vote this late in a season.

Both XU teams will compete Saturday in the GCAC meet at Choctaw Trails Course in Clinton, Miss. — women's race at 8 a.m., men's race at 8:30 — and both the Gold Nuggets and the Gold Rush are trying to win a sixth consecutive team championship. XU junior Matt Pieri is the defending men's individual champion.

NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank Team Points Last 1 Azusa Pacific (21) 652 1 2 Cal State San Marcos (2) 633 2 3 British Columbia 584 4 4 College of Idaho 576 8 5 Friends 572 6 6 Olivet Nazarene 570 5 7 Northwest Christian 529 3 8 Biola 516 7 9 Concordia (Ore.) 479 9 10 Carroll (Mont.) 459 11 11 Morningside 458 10 12 The Master's 423 12 13 Saint Xavier 371 13 14 Lewis-Clark State 359 15 15 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 355 14 16 Westmont 350 16 17 Taylor 309 17 18 Indiana Wesleyan 261 19 19 (tie) Concordia (Neb.) 260 NR 19 (tie) Southern Oregon 260 18 21 Roberts Wesleyan 246 20 22 Rocky Mountain 208 NR 23 Dordt 194 21 24 Aquinas 172 22 25 Milligan 155 23 Others receiving votes: Viterbo 114, Point Loma Nazarene 107, Shawnee State 80, Cornerstone 56, Eastern Oregon 35; Northwestern (Iowa) 23, SCAD Savannah 22, Judson (Ill.) 21, Spring Arbor 8, Northwest (Wash.) 7, Park 3, Grand View 3, Xavier 1,Southwestern (Kan.) 1, Huntington (Ind.) 1, Trinity Christian 1, Wayland Baptist 1, Cumberlands 1, Vanguard 1. NAIA Men's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank Team Points Last 1 Oklahoma Christian (22) 622 1 2 Shorter 589 2 3 The Master's 566 5 4 Southern Oregon 554 7 5 Friends 520 9 6 Lewis-Clark State 517 6 7 Shawnee State 491 8 8 Cal State San Marcos 485 4 9 College of Idaho 483 21 10 Wayland Baptist 451 10 11 Concordia (Ore.) 430 3 12 Aquinas 400 12 13 Bryan 387 13 14 Westmont 356 14 15 St. Francis (Ill.) 340 16 16 Concordia (Neb.) 305 15 17 Oklahoma Baptist 294 18 18 Olivet Nazarene 289 11 19 Southwestern (Kan.) 277 17 20 Eastern Oregon 258 19 21 Biola 243 20 22 British Columbia 179 22 23 Siena Heights 136 24 24 Morningside 124 RV 25 SCAD Savannah 111 RV Others receiving votes: Graceland 98, Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 96, Vanguard 90, Berea 85, Carroll (Mont.) 48, Cornerstone 27, Azusa Pacific 24, Baker 20, Huntington (Ind.) 19, Rocky Mountain 8, Point Loma Nazarene 4, Cumberlands 3, Xavier 1, Dordt 1, Doane 1, By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

2011 Shreveport Classic: JSU vs. PVAMU

Norfolk State - Bethune-Cookman to play in prime time

Norfolk, Virginia -- Norfolk State didn't have much time to celebrate last weekend's 34-24 win over Hampton in the annual Battle of the Bay or the program's first FCS ranking (No. 25) since 2007.

The Spartans (6-1, 4-0 MEAC) meet visiting Bethune-Cookman (3-3, 1-2) on Thursday night at 7:30 in a game that will be televised by ESPNU. With the condensed week, NSU coach Pete Adrian said he began preparations Saturday night, shortly after the win over HU.

"It does make it very interesting, and for some extremely long hours," he said. "But that's what you've got to do." The Spartans haven't been ranked since a two-week stay in the poll four years ago.

"It's nice to see one of our conference teams get some national recognition, but it really doesn't mean a whole lot," Adrian said of the ranking. "You've got to just keep on playing and trying to win. If you keep winning, it will take care of itself."

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Spartans, 'Cats still rivals

Daytona Beach, Florida -- If you want to know what's become of the recent Norfolk State-Bethune-Cookman rivalry, listen to Wildcats second-year coach Brian Jenkins' appraisal of the Spartans' program. "Norfolk State has always been a good football team," Jenkins said. "They were a good football team last year, and they're a good football team this year."

And that's just it. Jenkins' history with Norfolk State goes back just two years. His Wildcats (3-3, 1-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) will try to hand the Spartans (6-1, 4-0) their first conference loss of the season Thursday night in Norfolk, Va., in a game nationally televised by ESPNU.

Norfolk State has not always been a good football team. When head coach Pete Adrian arrived in 2005, the Spartans were coming off two successive one-win seasons. Just two years later, Adrian's team finished 8-3 and came within one game (an overtime loss to eventual champ Delaware State) of winning its first MEAC title.

Adrian again has the Spartans in position to win the conference. So there's plenty of incentive for Norfolk State to be fired up Thursday night when it meets the high-scoring Wildcats. But just a couple of years ago, just the mention of the other school would fire up the teams.

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GAME TIME: 7:30 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
INTERNET: ESPN3

XU celebrates Midnight Madness on Friday at The Barn

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana will celebrate the 2011-12 basketball season with Midnight Madness at The Barn.

The free event will run from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 21), followed by a block party with free food and soft drinks from 10:30 p.m. to midnight in the parking lot in front of The Barn. Midnight Madness and the block party will be open to all.

The 2011-12 Xavier Gold Nuggets basketball team
Last season: 27-7, GCAC Tournament champion, ranked 20th in NAIA
(click photo to enlarge)

The 2011-12 Xavier Gold Rush basketball team
Last season: 27-6, GCAC Tournament runner-up, ranked 17th in NAIA
(click photo to enlarge)

"We want Midnight Madness to generate strong spirit for XU on our campus and in the community," said Dannton Jackson, in his ninth season as coach of Xavier's men. "And we hope it will boost our attendance at The Barn this season and give the Gold Rush and the Gold Nuggets the best possible home-court advantage."

Fans can participate by entering a costume contest — the person whose costume best demonstrates Xavier spirit will win $100 — and more prizes will be awarded during a 3-point shooting contest.

The Rush and Nuggets, both 27-game winners and NAIA Division I National Championship participants this past season, will conduct 15-minute intrasquad scrimmages. Xavier's three spirit groups — the cheerleaders, the Gold Star Dancers and the Golden Girls pom squad — also will perform.

"You can expect a few surprises too," said Bo Browder, in his 13th season as coach of XU's women. "Our fans will have fun and be entertained at Midnight Madness."

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

2011 Road To The SIAC Championship -- Sights & Sounds from the 76th Annual Morehouse - Tuskegee Classic

Florida A&M Rattlers Preps For South Carolina State Bulldogs

Tallahassee, Florida - FAMU was able to avoid a letdown after its homecoming loss to Howard and responded by thrashing the Tigers of Savannah State 47-7. "We measure greatness by how you respond to adversity and in my mind we really passed a major test," says Joe Taylor.

One exam to be followed by another. FAMU travels to South Carolina State this weekend in a game which the losers championship dreams will practically be erased. Taylor adds, "The bottom line is it's still a conference ballgame. We're on the road but from the way we play I'm really not concerned with the opponent anymore because seemingly we have our act together."

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LOCATION: OLIVER C. DAWSON STADIUM, ORANGEBURG, S.C.
GAME TIME: 1:30 PM
WATCH GAME LIVE ON INTERNET FREE: ESPN3
DELAYED TV BROADCAST: ESPNU @ 10:30 PM ET

FAMU's offense getting job done

The chase for the MEAC title might look a little bleak right now for Florida A&M but the Rattlers are proving that they have the offensive power that might land them in the thick of the race when it's all said and done.

Seven games into the season with a 4-3 overall record and 2-2 in conference play, FAMU is leading the league in scoring offense among the teams that have played as many games. Its 28 touchdowns is the most in the conference, three more than Bethune-Cookman University, which has played six games, and one more than South Carolina State, which has also played seven games.

FAMU has scored 209 points and is averaging 312 yards per game. FAMU also leads the league in the red zone, scoring on 26 of 28 chances.

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FAMU zoned in on chasing the MEAC title

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Through its seven games, Florida A&M has had enough ups and downs and that should help to get the Rattlers zoned in on their next game. At least that's the feeling expressed by coach Joe Taylor, whose team has left him with a few head-scratching moments.

FAMU plays a season-defining game with South Carolina State, a team that has also been having its struggles this season. But even so, a victory over the Bulldogs on Saturday is pivotal to FAMU remaining in the chase for a shot at the MEAC championship.

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Taylor, FAMU hoping to end S.C. State’s streak

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A question brought a brief chuckle from Florida A&M head football coach Joe Taylor during Tuesday's weekly teleconference.

It regarded the Rattlers' eight-game losing streak to South Carolina State dating back to Buddy Pough's arrival in 2002. Taylor was prompted to laugh after pointing out he's been at the helm for only three of those losses, although he has a five-game losing streak to the Bulldogs counting his final two seasons at Hampton.

"South Carolina State has just built a tremendous talent base over the years there and that's what is going to make a difference if that's ever going to end," Taylor said. "It's going to be because you had a chance to recruit and get your talent base up to a level where you can compete legitimately."

Entering Saturday's matchup at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium ...

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Billups is solid at Jackson State University

Jackson, Mississippi -- Jonathan Billups has become a solid part to one of the toughest defenses in college football. Billups, a former all-state player at Picayune High, is in his second season as a starting defensive lineman for Jackson State. The Tigers are 6-1 after Saturday’s win over in-state rival Mississippi Valley, and the JSU defense is the tops in Division I-AA against the run.

“I think I’ve been playing pretty well, but I am always trying to get better every day,” Billups, who lines up at both nose and tackle, said. “I think I have gotten better each year I have been here, and I just plan on continuing to work hard and improve each time out.”

So far this season, Billups has started every game and has recorded 31 total tackles, including 13 solo stops. He has one sack, and five tackles for loss, and he has one fumble recovery, one pass break up and one quarterback hurry.

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