Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State's unbeaten season is alive, but barely. The Rams, ranked No. 9 in the Division II coaches' poll, needed a key defensive play in the fourth quarter to secure a 21-14 victory against the Shaw Bears in front of about 3,500 at windy Bowman Gray Stadium.
An interception by defensive back Cameron Demps with 8:21 left turned the momentum in the favor of the Rams, who improved to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the CIAA — and posted their first unbeaten conference finish since 1999.
Coach Connell Maynor of WSSU preached all last week that the Bears, last season's CIAA champs but now 2-7, would come at the Rams hard.
"These guys are the ex-champions, and I knew they wouldn't have any quit in them," Maynor said. "We knew they would come out and fight us. And they gave us their best shot. And it was a good test, and we needed that."
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Sunday, October 30, 2011
24-3 Tuskegee victory a bright spot on difficult year
Tuskegee, Alabama -- The 2011 campaign has been difficult in many ways for Willie Slater and his program. Tuskegee isn't comfortably resting atop the conference standings like in seasons past and Slater will finish with his worst record as head football coach since taking over in 2006. Saturday afternoon, however, brought some normalcy and smiles back to the Golden Tigers in the form of a 24-3 victory over Clark Atlanta.
"I think we've been getting better all year," said Slater, whose worst season at TU was last year's 9-2 mark. "We've gotten better every week, but we're still making a lot of mistakes. We needed this win, so we'll take whatever we can get and any way we can get it right about now."
It was the fifth consecutive win over the visiting Panthers (2-7, 1-5 SIAC), who trail 58-15-3 all-time in a series that dates back to 1902. Tuskegee's last loss in the series came during Slater's inaugural campaign. Tuskegee (3-5, 3-3) aims to string together its first pair of wins when Miles College visits Abbott Memorial Stadium next week.
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"I think we've been getting better all year," said Slater, whose worst season at TU was last year's 9-2 mark. "We've gotten better every week, but we're still making a lot of mistakes. We needed this win, so we'll take whatever we can get and any way we can get it right about now."
It was the fifth consecutive win over the visiting Panthers (2-7, 1-5 SIAC), who trail 58-15-3 all-time in a series that dates back to 1902. Tuskegee's last loss in the series came during Slater's inaugural campaign. Tuskegee (3-5, 3-3) aims to string together its first pair of wins when Miles College visits Abbott Memorial Stadium next week.
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Home sweet home: Albany State Rams trample Tigers in rout
Albany, Georgia -- One win away. Albany State's 37-13 Homecoming victory against Benedict on Saturday has the Rams one win away from an SIAC East Division Championship. One win away from extending their season. One win away from Rams coach Mike White getting a Gatorade bath. On Saturday, ASU defensive leader Justin Blash almost jumped the gun on that Gatorade bath.
"I was standing beside (White at the end of the game), and I was acting like somebody was getting ready to hit coach White with the Gatorade," said Blash, a 320-pound defensive tackle. "I said, 'Watch out, they have the Gatorade!' He tensed up for it. But I was just playing."
Blash may have been joking at the end of the game, but the No. 22 nationally ranked Rams were all business early in the game Saturday. They held Benedict to zero offensive yards in the first half and scored about every way possible to take an insurmountable 31-0 lead into intermission.
Even though the Rams (7-2, 5-1) came out with little ...
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"I was standing beside (White at the end of the game), and I was acting like somebody was getting ready to hit coach White with the Gatorade," said Blash, a 320-pound defensive tackle. "I said, 'Watch out, they have the Gatorade!' He tensed up for it. But I was just playing."
Blash may have been joking at the end of the game, but the No. 22 nationally ranked Rams were all business early in the game Saturday. They held Benedict to zero offensive yards in the first half and scored about every way possible to take an insurmountable 31-0 lead into intermission.
Even though the Rams (7-2, 5-1) came out with little ...
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Morehouse, Carter take care of FVSU
Fort Valley, Georgia -- Morehouse’s David Carter wears No. 32 on game days. The running back, however, might as well have had a question mark embroidered on his jersey Saturday at Wildcat Stadium. Fort Valley State simply had no answer for the SIAC’s leading rusher. Carter needed merely a half to break the Morehouse single-game program record for rushing yards, finishing with 351 on 32 carries. The junior also scored on touchdown runs of 60, 45, 22 and 2 yards as Morehouse throttled FVSU 49-12.
Morehouse rang up 536 of its 662 yards on the ground.
“We couldn’t tackle the big running back,” FVSU head coach Donald Pittman said. “Defending the run has been our Achilles’ heel. “We gave them a short field a lot of times to work with, and we had some key people that did not make plays. That kept the defense out on the field.”
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Stillman Tigers falls in close one against Miles Golden Bears
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama (Oct.27, 2011) | The Miles College Golden Bears squeaked by rival Stillman College to claim the Southern Intercollegeate Athletic Conference Western Division title with a 9-7 victory, one year after going 3-8 and finishing in near the bottom in the conference.
The Golden Bears (6-3) won with a suffocating defense, holding the Tigers (6-3) to just 210 yards of offense and forcing three interceptions, including two in the fourth quarter. They also got just enough offense, led by quarterback David Thomas who went 17 of 25 for 180 yards.
“It’s been a long time coming for Miles College,” first-year coach Reginald Ruffin said. “I asked these guys to just to buy, and these guys have bought in.”
The Golden Bears got off to a fast start, starting the game with a trick play. Quarterback David Thomas threw a 50-yard bomb to D.J. Fife on a flea-flicker pass on the first play from scrimmage. Several plays later, running back Jordan Lewis took a pitch in from four yards out for the score, diving into the end zone to cap off the scoring drive. The extra point was blocked.
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The Golden Bears (6-3) won with a suffocating defense, holding the Tigers (6-3) to just 210 yards of offense and forcing three interceptions, including two in the fourth quarter. They also got just enough offense, led by quarterback David Thomas who went 17 of 25 for 180 yards.
“It’s been a long time coming for Miles College,” first-year coach Reginald Ruffin said. “I asked these guys to just to buy, and these guys have bought in.”
The Golden Bears got off to a fast start, starting the game with a trick play. Quarterback David Thomas threw a 50-yard bomb to D.J. Fife on a flea-flicker pass on the first play from scrimmage. Several plays later, running back Jordan Lewis took a pitch in from four yards out for the score, diving into the end zone to cap off the scoring drive. The extra point was blocked.
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Saturday, October 29, 2011
Seniors eye another upset in FVSU home finale
Fort Valley, Georgia -- Senior night is always an emotional one for a team, regardless of how a season has gone. The players preparing for their final home game start thinking about how fast their career has gone and how their lives have changed.
It’s no cakewalk for coaches, for similar reasons. They’ve watched players grow from green, wide-eyed freshmen who were either timid or arrogant upon arrival turn into young men. The Wildcats will honor 16 seniors before the home finale, and it will be a little painful for the FVSU coaches to watch.
Nine position players are basically starters, and one position player, wideout Demario Barber, is one of the nation’s top punt returners. Nearly all in the group are regulars who get substantive snaps. Head coach Donald Pittman noted how many played only on special teams as freshmen and can only wonder about if they had been redshirted.
“If those guys would be able to play next year?” Pittman said. “Wow. What an impact.”
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It’s no cakewalk for coaches, for similar reasons. They’ve watched players grow from green, wide-eyed freshmen who were either timid or arrogant upon arrival turn into young men. The Wildcats will honor 16 seniors before the home finale, and it will be a little painful for the FVSU coaches to watch.
Nine position players are basically starters, and one position player, wideout Demario Barber, is one of the nation’s top punt returners. Nearly all in the group are regulars who get substantive snaps. Head coach Donald Pittman noted how many played only on special teams as freshmen and can only wonder about if they had been redshirted.
“If those guys would be able to play next year?” Pittman said. “Wow. What an impact.”
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Maynor, WSSU Rams have sights set high
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor approaches a familiar football intersection driving a John Deere utility vehicle that resembles a golf cart as it climbs the rocky hill from the Winston-Salem State practice field to Bowman Gray Stadium.
The green cart, adorned with a tiny Rams decal on the front, matches the recreational tastes of a former quarterback who shoots around par during golfing months.
On October's final Saturday afternoon, though, golf takes a back seat beside bags of workout footballs while Maynor strives to scratch out a win against Shaw. The Rams, 8-0 and No. 9 in the NCAA Division II coaches' poll, look perfectly situated, having clinched a spot in the CIAA title game.
Despite routing the field by an average score of 48-16 thus far, the Rams could still blow their NCAA ride. Cruise control remains a dangerous illusion, which WSSU discovered last season when St. Augustine's and Shaw derailed the roaring red revivalists. Shaw intercepted a disastrous screen pass and converted a short touchdown drive for the second defeat.
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The green cart, adorned with a tiny Rams decal on the front, matches the recreational tastes of a former quarterback who shoots around par during golfing months.
On October's final Saturday afternoon, though, golf takes a back seat beside bags of workout footballs while Maynor strives to scratch out a win against Shaw. The Rams, 8-0 and No. 9 in the NCAA Division II coaches' poll, look perfectly situated, having clinched a spot in the CIAA title game.
Despite routing the field by an average score of 48-16 thus far, the Rams could still blow their NCAA ride. Cruise control remains a dangerous illusion, which WSSU discovered last season when St. Augustine's and Shaw derailed the roaring red revivalists. Shaw intercepted a disastrous screen pass and converted a short touchdown drive for the second defeat.
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Kirk's work helps Xavier Gold Nuggets defeat Faulkner in five
EW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Freshman Moira Kirk had 23 kills, the most by a Xavier University of Louisiana player this season, to rally the Gold Nuggets in a 25-19, 14-25, 17-25, 25-20, 15-12 women's volleyball victory Friday against Faulkner.
Kirk had three kills in the final seven rallies to help the Gold Nuggets (17-6) rally from a 17-14 deficit in the fourth set, then she closed the match with consecutive kills after Xavier trailed 3-0 and 9-5 in the fifth.
"I wish I had a team full of Moira Kirks," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "I say that because of her heart. She plays hard every day, whether it's a match or practice. She always gives me 100 percent, and sometimes she exceeds that. She's a leader by example."
Kirk also had four blocks and an ace and hit a team-best .364 in 44 attacks. Chinedu Echebelem had 10 kills, eight digs and three blocks, and Taylor Reuther had eight kills, 16 digs and a career-best five blocks. Xavier also got 11 digs from Celeste Poe and a career-high 17 digs from Kia Smith, whose dig set up Kirk's winning shot.
"Kia Smith played a great match," Hamilton said. "She's continued to fight for playing time. She's gotten more time recently, and today she stepped up."
Neysa Hernandez had 14 kills, 10 digs, two blocks and two aces for Faulkner (18-17), which dropped its fourth straight. Kelsey Bell had 10 kills and 23 digs, and Abbie Melvin had 19 digs.
Xavier took the lead for good in the deciding set with a 7-1 run. Echebelem and Jeanay Butler blocked Brittnay Renfroe's attack to tie the score at 10, and Reuther's lone ace put the Nuggets ahead to stay.
"Man, we were in some trouble in the fifth," Hamilton said. "I just told them that we've got to stay together and keep fighting."
It's the second time in the program's four seasons that Xavier won after trailing two sets to one, and it's the first time in five tries that the Gold Nuggets defeated Faulkner. This is the first Xavier team with three five-set victories in a season.
Both teams committed 48 errors. Xavier outhit Faulkner .155 to .154 and had a 71-67 advantage in digs, but the Lady Eagles had advantages of 54-48 in kills, 8-4 in aces and 9-7 in blocks.
Xavier will travel to Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and city rival SUNO for a 6 p.m. match Saturday. The Gold Nuggets have clinched a share of the GCAC regular-season championship and need a victory against SUNO or Dillard to win the title outright. SUNO and Dillard are both 7-2 in conference, and they're the only teams which can catch Xavier.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Kirk had three kills in the final seven rallies to help the Gold Nuggets (17-6) rally from a 17-14 deficit in the fourth set, then she closed the match with consecutive kills after Xavier trailed 3-0 and 9-5 in the fifth.
"I wish I had a team full of Moira Kirks," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "I say that because of her heart. She plays hard every day, whether it's a match or practice. She always gives me 100 percent, and sometimes she exceeds that. She's a leader by example."
Kirk also had four blocks and an ace and hit a team-best .364 in 44 attacks. Chinedu Echebelem had 10 kills, eight digs and three blocks, and Taylor Reuther had eight kills, 16 digs and a career-best five blocks. Xavier also got 11 digs from Celeste Poe and a career-high 17 digs from Kia Smith, whose dig set up Kirk's winning shot.
"Kia Smith played a great match," Hamilton said. "She's continued to fight for playing time. She's gotten more time recently, and today she stepped up."
Neysa Hernandez had 14 kills, 10 digs, two blocks and two aces for Faulkner (18-17), which dropped its fourth straight. Kelsey Bell had 10 kills and 23 digs, and Abbie Melvin had 19 digs.Xavier took the lead for good in the deciding set with a 7-1 run. Echebelem and Jeanay Butler blocked Brittnay Renfroe's attack to tie the score at 10, and Reuther's lone ace put the Nuggets ahead to stay.
"Man, we were in some trouble in the fifth," Hamilton said. "I just told them that we've got to stay together and keep fighting."
It's the second time in the program's four seasons that Xavier won after trailing two sets to one, and it's the first time in five tries that the Gold Nuggets defeated Faulkner. This is the first Xavier team with three five-set victories in a season.
Both teams committed 48 errors. Xavier outhit Faulkner .155 to .154 and had a 71-67 advantage in digs, but the Lady Eagles had advantages of 54-48 in kills, 8-4 in aces and 9-7 in blocks.Xavier will travel to Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and city rival SUNO for a 6 p.m. match Saturday. The Gold Nuggets have clinched a share of the GCAC regular-season championship and need a victory against SUNO or Dillard to win the title outright. SUNO and Dillard are both 7-2 in conference, and they're the only teams which can catch Xavier.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Savannah State meets Hampton on homecoming Saturday
Savannah, Georgia -- There are still four games to go in the football season for the Savannah State Tigers. After losing six of the first seven, you might think first-year coach Steve Davenport would be looking at younger players.
But Davenport isn’t using the final part of the season as an audition for next year. Particularly today on the Tigers’ homecoming.
“We’re not at that point,” said Davenport, whose squad meets Hampton University at 2 p.m. at T.A Wright Stadium. “I don’t want to toss the seniors aside just for the sake of looking at young kids. We’re going to play the best players. The guys we have playing are the older guys and they’re the best players.
“Our mentality the whole time is we’re going to play the best players. If the results aren’t good enough, then we have to go out and get better players.”
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But Davenport isn’t using the final part of the season as an audition for next year. Particularly today on the Tigers’ homecoming.
“We’re not at that point,” said Davenport, whose squad meets Hampton University at 2 p.m. at T.A Wright Stadium. “I don’t want to toss the seniors aside just for the sake of looking at young kids. We’re going to play the best players. The guys we have playing are the older guys and they’re the best players.
“Our mentality the whole time is we’re going to play the best players. If the results aren’t good enough, then we have to go out and get better players.”
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Friday, October 28, 2011
Scouting report: Morgan State vs. Delaware State
Morgan State (4-3, 3-1 MEAC) vs. Delaware State (2-5, 0-4 MEAC)Time: 1 p.m.
Radio: 88.9 FM
Series: Morgan leads series 30-23
MSU Gamenotes
What's at stake: Morgan State, which is tied for first place in the MEAC, will face the struggling Hornets on the road as both teams are coming off bye weeks. Before the break, the Bears had won two straight, including a dominant 52-3 victory at North Carolina Central on Oct. 29. Meanwhile, the Hornets have plummeted in the standings. After winning its first two games of the season, Delaware State has lost five straight under first-year coach Kermit Blount. The Bears have not won at Delaware State since 2003, when they claimed a 53-36 victory.
Key matchup: Morgan State running back Travis Davidson rushed for a game-high 142 yards and three touchdowns in the Bears' rout of N.C. Central two weeks ago. The junior leads the team with 455 rushing yards this season and five touchdowns. Running backs have had no problem against the Hornets, who have allowed more than 200 rushing yards per game this season. The Delaware State defense has allowed a MEAC-worst 441 yards per game.
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Spears makes return to SU as Alcorn coach
Baton Rouge, Louisiana -- This weekend's game will be a homecoming of sorts for so many more than the Southern University faithful. Sure alums, former faculty members, administrators and fans from all over will converge on the Baton Rouge campus on Saturday in anticipation of seeing old friends, watching a little football and hearing the SU band, also known as the Human Jukebox perform.
But as Southern (2-5, 2-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) prepares to host Alcorn State (2-4, 1-4) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. inside A.W. Mumford Stadium, the Jaguars are also aware it will be a homecoming for several players and coaches from the visiting team.
Alcorn first-year head coach Melvin Spears, a Clinton native, grew up a short drive away from the SU campus.
Michael Roach, a Baton Rouge native and a 1985 graduate of SU, is Alcorn's assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. Roach played football at SU and later coached at the school after graduation. Until last year, he was also the head coach at Southern Lab, which is located on the SU campus.
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But as Southern (2-5, 2-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) prepares to host Alcorn State (2-4, 1-4) Saturday at 5:30 p.m. inside A.W. Mumford Stadium, the Jaguars are also aware it will be a homecoming for several players and coaches from the visiting team.
Alcorn first-year head coach Melvin Spears, a Clinton native, grew up a short drive away from the SU campus.
Michael Roach, a Baton Rouge native and a 1985 graduate of SU, is Alcorn's assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. Roach played football at SU and later coached at the school after graduation. Until last year, he was also the head coach at Southern Lab, which is located on the SU campus.
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Andrews aims for history: Receiver set to break ASU career mark
Montgomery, Alabama -- He's humble by anyone's standards, so it wasn't easy for Nick Andrews to stand in front of teammates and announce his individual goals.
The Alabama State senior receiver was one of a handful head coach Reggie Barlow called on after an August practice, asking the player to step forward and tell teammates of his personal goals for 2011 as well as hopes for the Hornets this season.
Andrews spoke of returning to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game and completing the mission after losing to Texas Southern in 2010.
"At the end, I was like, 'My individual goal is to break his record,' " he said, referring to Barlow's career receiving yard standard at Alabama State. "He told (offensive coordinator Fred) Kaiss, 'If he breaks my record, this is your senior year, too.'
"We joke about that all the time."
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The Alabama State senior receiver was one of a handful head coach Reggie Barlow called on after an August practice, asking the player to step forward and tell teammates of his personal goals for 2011 as well as hopes for the Hornets this season.
Andrews spoke of returning to the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game and completing the mission after losing to Texas Southern in 2010.
"At the end, I was like, 'My individual goal is to break his record,' " he said, referring to Barlow's career receiving yard standard at Alabama State. "He told (offensive coordinator Fred) Kaiss, 'If he breaks my record, this is your senior year, too.'
"We joke about that all the time."
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Grambling State plays Arkansas-Pine Bluff Saturday in important SWAC game
Grambling, Louisiana -- Suddenly, Grambling State University is back in business in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Well, almost."We've won our last two games, but this season is far from over and there's no need to start bringing out the black and gold pom-pons and start cheering," said Tigers' Head Coach Doug Williams. "There's still a whole lot of work to be done and it all starts Saturday."
Grambling (3-4, 2-3) will have an important 2:30 p.m. test against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-3, 3-2) at the Golden Lions' Stadium.
It will mark the Tigers' first road appearance in nearly a month after having dealt with an open date and then back-to-back home games, the latest being last week's 30-24 overtime victory against Mississippi Valley. Saturday's game looms significant in the SWAC chase. UAPB is in second place and GSU third for the Western Division.
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FAMU football tops MEAC in nine categories
Tallahassee, Florida -- Getting to its bye week has been quite a rollercoaster ride for Florida A&M. But even as they sit in a third-place tie, the Rattlers have plenty to feel good about — at least through this weekend's MEAC games.
The Rattlers amazingly are leading the league in nine of 33 statistical categories. Topping the achievement is the team's 19 interceptions, which is the best in the national in all levels of college football.
FAMU also has the conference's best scoring offense, kicker off coverage, PAT success, third-down conversions, time of possession, red zone offense, red zone defense and sacks.
"I take my hat off to the coaches," head coach Joe Taylor said Thursday, as he read the list. "We have been adjusting as we go and that's why you see us playing better."
Safety Anthony Shutt agreed that the stats that the Rattlers are racking up is the result of the chemistry between players on both sides of the ball.
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The Rattlers amazingly are leading the league in nine of 33 statistical categories. Topping the achievement is the team's 19 interceptions, which is the best in the national in all levels of college football.
FAMU also has the conference's best scoring offense, kicker off coverage, PAT success, third-down conversions, time of possession, red zone offense, red zone defense and sacks.
"I take my hat off to the coaches," head coach Joe Taylor said Thursday, as he read the list. "We have been adjusting as we go and that's why you see us playing better."
Safety Anthony Shutt agreed that the stats that the Rattlers are racking up is the result of the chemistry between players on both sides of the ball.
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This week in Georgia HBCU Football
Macon, Georgia -- The SIAC race has come down to the end. Albany State controls their own destiny. The Rams can represent the SIAC East with wins vs. Benedict and FVSU in the final 2 games. Morehouse is in good position if they win the 2 remaining games and Albany State loses one of the 2 remaining games.
Morehouse Tigers - As you all know the Maroon Tigers have been my pick since the beginning. The Tigers won on homecoming in a come from behind win 37-31 last saturday vs. Benedict. RB David Carter turned in 111 yards and the game winning touchdown. The Maroon Tigers are in the mix, but are in a peculiar position as they no longer control their own destiny. Morehouse is such a quality team that I still believe even if they don't get into the conference championship game a Division II playoff game is in store. A worst Morehouse is looking at a Pioneer Bowl bid, and they have had a very good season.
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Fort Valley State vs. Stillman College - 2011 Pregame Battle
Morehouse Tigers - As you all know the Maroon Tigers have been my pick since the beginning. The Tigers won on homecoming in a come from behind win 37-31 last saturday vs. Benedict. RB David Carter turned in 111 yards and the game winning touchdown. The Maroon Tigers are in the mix, but are in a peculiar position as they no longer control their own destiny. Morehouse is such a quality team that I still believe even if they don't get into the conference championship game a Division II playoff game is in store. A worst Morehouse is looking at a Pioneer Bowl bid, and they have had a very good season.
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Fort Valley State vs. Stillman College - 2011 Pregame Battle
Ram Ramblings: Basketball in October, say it ain't so
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- It’s hard to believe that in the middle of football season I went to go see a basketball game tonight at the Gaines Center. But that’s the nature of college athletics these days with plenty of over lapping. The reason I went to the Gaines Center was to see the new-look WSSU men’s team.The men played in a Red-White scrimmage which will be their only tune-up before the opener on Nov. 13 at home against Talladega College.
I don’t know what I expected to see but my first impression is the Rams are a lot smaller than in years past. Last season they had four players who were 6-8 or taller and that included the 6-9 Paul Davis and the 6-10 Corey Morris.
The experienced Rams of last season went 19-8 and won the Southern Division but lost in their first round of the CIAA Tournament and the first round of the NCAA playoffs is a distant memory.
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For seniors on NSU Spartans, it's do or die
NORFOLK, Virginia -- All Norfolk State had to do to win a championship in 2007 was win its final MEAC game. Despite needing to win their final three games this season, the Spartans feel even closer to their first MEAC title this time around.
The Spartans should be favored in all three and face championship expectations for the first time since the program moved to the FCS level in 1997. "This has to be it," senior linebacker Corwin Hammond said. "It has to be the year."
In 2007, the Spartans went on the road to play Delaware State in a winner-take-all conference game. The Spartans surprised Delaware State, then ranked No. 10 in the country, by taking a lead before blowing the game in the fourth quarter.
This time, North Carolina A&T is the toughest team on NSU's schedule, but the Spartans have home-field advantage. Afterward come road contests with MEAC creampuff Savannah State and Morgan State, which has a 3-1 MEAC record against suspect competition.
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The Spartans should be favored in all three and face championship expectations for the first time since the program moved to the FCS level in 1997. "This has to be it," senior linebacker Corwin Hammond said. "It has to be the year."
In 2007, the Spartans went on the road to play Delaware State in a winner-take-all conference game. The Spartans surprised Delaware State, then ranked No. 10 in the country, by taking a lead before blowing the game in the fourth quarter.
This time, North Carolina A&T is the toughest team on NSU's schedule, but the Spartans have home-field advantage. Afterward come road contests with MEAC creampuff Savannah State and Morgan State, which has a 3-1 MEAC record against suspect competition.
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Thursday, October 27, 2011
Final Eight HBCU Bands Chosen for 10th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands
TORRANCE, California -- The nation’s marching band fans have spoken, and have chosen eight marching bands at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands. Now marking 10 years of celebrating the heritage, showmanship and scholarship of HBCU bands, the Honda Battle of the Bands will bring “The Homecoming” to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta for the Invitational Showcase, Saturday, January 28, 2012.
Following are the HBCU marching bands that will earn a $20,000 grant for their music education programs and an all-expenses-paid bus trip to the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:
Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Jackson State University “Sonic Boom of the South” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Prairie View A&M University “Marching Storm” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
South Carolina State University “Marching 101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands” (Independent)
Virginia State University “Marching Trojan Explosion” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
For the eight winning bands, the journey to the Invitational Showcase involved months of practice and training, all in preparation for their Georgia Dome performances, where each band will have 12 dazzling minutes to showcase the musical excellence, distinctive style and superior showmanship that earned them a place in the 2012 Invitational Showcase. The Showcase bands are chosen via online voting, with votes by fans, students and alumni accounting for one-third of the selection criteria, and band directors and school presidents accounting for the balance of the selection process.
This year’s event theme, “The Homecoming,” reflects on the 10th anniversary of the Honda Battle of the Bands and calls for all HBCU marching band alumni, current HBCU students and the many fans of the event to meet in Atlanta for this special anniversary showcase event. The homecoming theme also highlights the importance of marching band culture to black college homecoming celebrations.
“We are excited to be celebrating 10 years of the Honda Battle of the Bands as we continue to support the music education programs of our nation’s HBCUs,” said Marc Burt, senior manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda. “We hope that Black college marching band fans and alumni will attend this year’s Invitational Showcase as we anticipate a great community turnout and even greater performances by the top eight HBCU marching bands.”
The Honda Battle of the Bands website is the sole online destination and clearing house for all HBOB information, updates, polling status, photos and video footage, and is a one-stop resource for all questions about the program. Fans are encouraged to also follow Honda Battle of the Bands on Twitter (@the_honda) and to become a fan of the Facebook page (Honda Battle of the Bands) where they can share memories, photos and engage in trivia, and get updates on the 2012 program. For more information about the Honda Battle of the Bands, please visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com.
Following are the HBCU marching bands that will earn a $20,000 grant for their music education programs and an all-expenses-paid bus trip to the 2012 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:
Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band” (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Jackson State University “Sonic Boom of the South” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Prairie View A&M University “Marching Storm” (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
South Carolina State University “Marching 101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands” (Independent)
Virginia State University “Marching Trojan Explosion” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound” (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association)
For the eight winning bands, the journey to the Invitational Showcase involved months of practice and training, all in preparation for their Georgia Dome performances, where each band will have 12 dazzling minutes to showcase the musical excellence, distinctive style and superior showmanship that earned them a place in the 2012 Invitational Showcase. The Showcase bands are chosen via online voting, with votes by fans, students and alumni accounting for one-third of the selection criteria, and band directors and school presidents accounting for the balance of the selection process.
This year’s event theme, “The Homecoming,” reflects on the 10th anniversary of the Honda Battle of the Bands and calls for all HBCU marching band alumni, current HBCU students and the many fans of the event to meet in Atlanta for this special anniversary showcase event. The homecoming theme also highlights the importance of marching band culture to black college homecoming celebrations.
“We are excited to be celebrating 10 years of the Honda Battle of the Bands as we continue to support the music education programs of our nation’s HBCUs,” said Marc Burt, senior manager, Office of Inclusion and Diversity for American Honda. “We hope that Black college marching band fans and alumni will attend this year’s Invitational Showcase as we anticipate a great community turnout and even greater performances by the top eight HBCU marching bands.”
The Honda Battle of the Bands website is the sole online destination and clearing house for all HBOB information, updates, polling status, photos and video footage, and is a one-stop resource for all questions about the program. Fans are encouraged to also follow Honda Battle of the Bands on Twitter (@the_honda) and to become a fan of the Facebook page (Honda Battle of the Bands) where they can share memories, photos and engage in trivia, and get updates on the 2012 program. For more information about the Honda Battle of the Bands, please visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com.
Best foot forward: Dedicated FVSU's King takes his spot among the top punters in Division II
FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- The scene would have made for a unique picture. Stadium lights still on, family and friends mingling as players emerged from the locker room, the stadium all but empty except for workers. And there was the shot: a punter and his ball.
The punter was Marquette King, a lone figure on the football field, except for a bag of footballs. The game was over, but King’s work – no matter how well he had done his job earlier – wasn’t. There would be King, while teammates dispersed, punting into the night air. That scene has played itself out with regularity since King went from Rutland to Fort Valley State, after some games and after scores of practices.
FVSU Punter Marquette King punts a 76 yard punt against Clark Atlanta.
“He’s definitely one of the most obsessive guys I’ve had,” said Haskel Buff, Fort Valley State’s special teams coach and defensive coordinator. “He takes an unbelievable amount of pride in his job and doing it well.” It’s paying off.
King is fifth nationally in Division II with a 43.8-yard punting average, which leads the SIAC. That figure would rank 26th among all Division I punters.
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The punter was Marquette King, a lone figure on the football field, except for a bag of footballs. The game was over, but King’s work – no matter how well he had done his job earlier – wasn’t. There would be King, while teammates dispersed, punting into the night air. That scene has played itself out with regularity since King went from Rutland to Fort Valley State, after some games and after scores of practices.
FVSU Punter Marquette King punts a 76 yard punt against Clark Atlanta.
“He’s definitely one of the most obsessive guys I’ve had,” said Haskel Buff, Fort Valley State’s special teams coach and defensive coordinator. “He takes an unbelievable amount of pride in his job and doing it well.” It’s paying off.
King is fifth nationally in Division II with a 43.8-yard punting average, which leads the SIAC. That figure would rank 26th among all Division I punters.
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SIAC West on line when Stillman meets rival Miles
TUSCALOOSA, Alabama | Trying to bounce back from its worst loss of the season, the Stillman College football team remains in contention for a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference division title.
“If I win, I win the West,” said Teddy Keaton, Stillman's first-year head coach. “If Miles wins, they win the West. This game is bigger than it's ever been. It's the first time that both of these schools have got a chance to play for the SIAC championship. That's huge for both programs. They're both under new leadership. I have great respect for coach (Reginald) Ruffin and the job he's done with his team up there. It's going to be a battle. They have some weapons. They've been playing really good football over the course of the last three or four weeks.
"We've got a lot of kids on our team from Birmingham. They have a lot of kids on their team from Tuscaloosa. So there's a lot of rivalry, a lot of bragging rights that goes into it.”
Last Week: Stillman Tigers took an ole fashion beatdown at FVSU Homecoming.
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“If I win, I win the West,” said Teddy Keaton, Stillman's first-year head coach. “If Miles wins, they win the West. This game is bigger than it's ever been. It's the first time that both of these schools have got a chance to play for the SIAC championship. That's huge for both programs. They're both under new leadership. I have great respect for coach (Reginald) Ruffin and the job he's done with his team up there. It's going to be a battle. They have some weapons. They've been playing really good football over the course of the last three or four weeks.
"We've got a lot of kids on our team from Birmingham. They have a lot of kids on their team from Tuscaloosa. So there's a lot of rivalry, a lot of bragging rights that goes into it.”
Last Week: Stillman Tigers took an ole fashion beatdown at FVSU Homecoming.
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Transit authority: Johnson C. Smith basketball adding speed for up tempo attack
Charlotte, North Carolina -- Expect fewer one-man fast breaks from Johnson C. Smith basketball this season. The Golden Bulls were pedestrian last season despite having All-America guard Trevin Parks as one of Division II’s best transition players. The goal this year is to get everyone up to play at a quicker pace.“This team right now is built around him,” JCSU coach Steve Joyner said. “He had to carry us a number of occasions last year and he has that type of ability, but we’re hoping some of the other young players, especially those freshmen who’ve turned into sophomores, will be able to take more of a leadership role in terms of what we need to do offensively, defensively, rebounding – the whole nine yards.”
“We are a transition team that’s going to get out on the break, but we’re disciplined to the point that if we have to slow the game down and manage the clock we can do that,” said Parks, who averaged 21.3 points and 4.4 assists per game last season en route to earning the CIAA player of the year award. “As a point guard, it starts with me managing the clock and I think I’ll do a good job putting everybody in their correct spot on the court and milking the clock if we have to slow it down.”
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WSSU Notebook: Team returns to full strength for Shaw
Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State will be at full strength for the first time in weeks when it plays Shaw on Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Several players who have been held out of recent games with injuries will be available, coach Connell Maynor said. Included in that group are wide receivers Jamal Williams and Patrick Terry, defensive lineman Barry Tripp and linebacker Khendra Reid.
“We are pretty healthy, and I don’t think we’ll have to hold anybody out…,” Maynor said. “We’ve got guys with bumps and bruises, but that’s expected at this point in the season.”
Maynor said that trainers Rob Woodall and Ian Mushinski have done excellent work keeping the Rams healthy.
“They both know that we want guys back to near 100 percent because we’ve got enough depth,” Maynor said. “And the players understand we want them healthy, because it’s a long season.”
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Rams can't afford to overlook Bears
Winston-Salem State, coming off lopsided wins against Livingstone and Edward Waters, will try to remain unbeaten Saturday when it plays Shaw, last season's CIAA champion. The ninth-ranked Rams (8-0) have been steamrolling CIAA opponents and already have clinched a berth in the CIAA championship game, but Saturday's home game is important for many reasons.
To continue their drive to the Division II playoffs, the Rams must keep winning. Shaw, 2-6 and out of contention, could be viewing this as its championship game this season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 at Bowman Gray Stadium.
"It's going to be four quarters of pure football," coach Connell Maynor of WSSU said. "They are the defending champions, and there is no quit in the Shaw players because they've proven it over the years."
The Bears have won four of the last seven CIAA titles, and Maynor said they're better than their record. "The coaching staff over there didn't just wake up and forget how to coach," Maynor said.
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Several players who have been held out of recent games with injuries will be available, coach Connell Maynor said. Included in that group are wide receivers Jamal Williams and Patrick Terry, defensive lineman Barry Tripp and linebacker Khendra Reid.
“We are pretty healthy, and I don’t think we’ll have to hold anybody out…,” Maynor said. “We’ve got guys with bumps and bruises, but that’s expected at this point in the season.”
Maynor said that trainers Rob Woodall and Ian Mushinski have done excellent work keeping the Rams healthy.
“They both know that we want guys back to near 100 percent because we’ve got enough depth,” Maynor said. “And the players understand we want them healthy, because it’s a long season.”
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Rams can't afford to overlook Bears
Winston-Salem State, coming off lopsided wins against Livingstone and Edward Waters, will try to remain unbeaten Saturday when it plays Shaw, last season's CIAA champion. The ninth-ranked Rams (8-0) have been steamrolling CIAA opponents and already have clinched a berth in the CIAA championship game, but Saturday's home game is important for many reasons.
To continue their drive to the Division II playoffs, the Rams must keep winning. Shaw, 2-6 and out of contention, could be viewing this as its championship game this season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 at Bowman Gray Stadium.
"It's going to be four quarters of pure football," coach Connell Maynor of WSSU said. "They are the defending champions, and there is no quit in the Shaw players because they've proven it over the years."
The Bears have won four of the last seven CIAA titles, and Maynor said they're better than their record. "The coaching staff over there didn't just wake up and forget how to coach," Maynor said.
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Texas Southern sets 2012 schedule at new stadium
Houston, Texas -- Texas Southern football will begin play in the new TSU/Dynamo Stadium in 2012 with at least six home games, the SWAC university announced Wednesday.
The 22,000-seat stadium is scheduled to open in May. The Tigers' first home game will be Sept. 15 against Jackson State.
TSU's other SWAC home games will be against Alabama A&M (Sept. 22), Grambling State (Oct. 27), Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Homecoming Day (Nov. 3) and Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 17). The Tigers also will host Sam Houston State from the Southland Conference (Sept. 29).
TSU will open the 2012 season against SWAC rival Prairie View A&M on Sept. 1 in the Labor Day Classic. A site has not been determined, but the TSU/Dynamo Stadium is an option.
View: TSU/Dynamo Stadium LIVE Webcam
TEXAS SOUTHERN 2012 TENTATIVE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Sept 1 * @ Prairie View Prairie View, TX (Labor Day Classic) TBA
Sept 8 @North Texas State Denton, TX TBA
Sept 15 *Jackson State TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Sept 22 *Alabama A&M TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Sept 29 * Sam Houston State TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Oct 6 *@ Alabama State Montgomery, AL TBA
Oct 13 *@ Southern Baton Rouge TBA
Oct 20 OPEN
Oct 27 *Grambling TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Nov 3 *Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Homecoming) TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Nov 10 *@ Alcorn Alcorn, MS TBA
Nov 17 *Mississippi Valley TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Nov 24 OPEN
Dec 8 SWAC Championship Game TBA TBA
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The 22,000-seat stadium is scheduled to open in May. The Tigers' first home game will be Sept. 15 against Jackson State.
TSU's other SWAC home games will be against Alabama A&M (Sept. 22), Grambling State (Oct. 27), Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Homecoming Day (Nov. 3) and Mississippi Valley State (Nov. 17). The Tigers also will host Sam Houston State from the Southland Conference (Sept. 29).
TSU will open the 2012 season against SWAC rival Prairie View A&M on Sept. 1 in the Labor Day Classic. A site has not been determined, but the TSU/Dynamo Stadium is an option.
View: TSU/Dynamo Stadium LIVE Webcam
TEXAS SOUTHERN 2012 TENTATIVE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME
Sept 1 * @ Prairie View Prairie View, TX (Labor Day Classic) TBA
Sept 8 @North Texas State Denton, TX TBA
Sept 15 *Jackson State TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Sept 22 *Alabama A&M TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Sept 29 * Sam Houston State TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Oct 6 *@ Alabama State Montgomery, AL TBA
Oct 13 *@ Southern Baton Rouge TBA
Oct 20 OPEN
Oct 27 *Grambling TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Nov 3 *Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Homecoming) TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Nov 10 *@ Alcorn Alcorn, MS TBA
Nov 17 *Mississippi Valley TSU/Dynamo Stadium TBA
Nov 24 OPEN
Dec 8 SWAC Championship Game TBA TBA
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This Magic City Classic is the biggest yet
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- There's big, and there's bigger. Then, there's the Magic City Classic.
Particularly the one coming up Saturday afternoon at Birmingham's Legion Field.
"Opportunities like this," Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones said earlier this week, "are rare."
Oh, there's the usual pomp surrounding the annual football game/fashion show/band battle - not necessarily in that order, of course - but the circumstance is even more intriguing in this, the 70th edition of the event.
Alabama State is 6-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. A&M is 4-1. Alabama State is ranked No. 1 in the latest Sheridan Broadcasting Network poll. A&M is No. 5.
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Particularly the one coming up Saturday afternoon at Birmingham's Legion Field.
"Opportunities like this," Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones said earlier this week, "are rare."
Oh, there's the usual pomp surrounding the annual football game/fashion show/band battle - not necessarily in that order, of course - but the circumstance is even more intriguing in this, the 70th edition of the event.
Alabama State is 6-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. A&M is 4-1. Alabama State is ranked No. 1 in the latest Sheridan Broadcasting Network poll. A&M is No. 5.
READ MORE
Men's Basketball Team preview: Florida A&M Rattlers
Tallahassee, Florida -- Clemon Johnson was around during the days when Florida A&M was a perennial powerhouse in the SIAC. As a senior, he helped the Rattlers reach the Division II tournament for the final time in 1978.
Hired as the program's new coach this May, Johnson sees no reason his alma mater cannot recapture the glory days of old.
"We expect to win the conference. There's nothing else," Johnson said. "We're definitely going to reach for the sky. I just want them to have the faith in me coaching them."
Johnson carries quite a basketball resume into his first Division I coaching job. As a player with the Rattlers, he set team records for rebounds in a game (25), a season (412) and a career (1,494). All three marks remain intact. Johnson also ranks among the top 20 in career scoring at A&M, with 1,381 total points.
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Hired as the program's new coach this May, Johnson sees no reason his alma mater cannot recapture the glory days of old.
"We expect to win the conference. There's nothing else," Johnson said. "We're definitely going to reach for the sky. I just want them to have the faith in me coaching them."
Johnson carries quite a basketball resume into his first Division I coaching job. As a player with the Rattlers, he set team records for rebounds in a game (25), a season (412) and a career (1,494). All three marks remain intact. Johnson also ranks among the top 20 in career scoring at A&M, with 1,381 total points.
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