Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Wide receiver Jamal Williams of Winston-Salem State will be on familiar turf Saturday. Williams, a former star at UNC Pembroke, will be on the visitors' sideline this time when the Rams close the regular CIAA season with a game against the Braves at Grace P. Johnson Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
"I'll have a lot of emotions going back there to play a game," said Williams, a redshirt junior who was UNCP's leading receiver in 2008 and 2009.
Williams said there were no hard feelings when he left UNC Pembroke and that he has found a home at WSSU. He missed two games earlier in the season because of sore ribs but was back on the field for last week's 21-14 victory against Shaw.
That win moved the Rams, who are ranked No. 7 in the Division II coaches poll, to 9-0 and gave them a chance at their first unbeaten regular season since 1978. Williams said he doesn't have any close friends still on the Braves but that he does keep up with how they are doing. "I hear things through the grapevine," he said.
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Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Beyond the bluff: Southern University football legacy
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (NBC33) — The Southern University football program has seen its better days. This year the Jags are 3 and 5 leaving fans longing for the glory days. From 1993-2003 Southern football was a SWAC powerhouse winning five titles.We caught up with members of the 1993 SWAC Championship team to get there perspective on being a champion and what it will take to turn a season around.
"2011 LSU tiger team, that was Southern University 1993 team. We had depth. We had size. We had speed. We had talent, and we had swagger," said Virgil Smothers, former Southern University right defensive end, " We knew we were good."
Members of the 1993 Southern University football team say they'll always remember winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship. "We were always prepared. Preparation is no just on the field it's in the film room. We study film. We study their tendencies. We went in the weight room. We work out. We prepare like a well oiled machine," said Smothers.
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Gamble comes up a winner for Johnson C. Smith University
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| LaQwesha Gamble |
“Out of all the awards I have received, the all CIAA award means the most to me,” she said. “It’s one of the toughest conferences to play in, therefore it means the most.”
Gamble has been a force to be reckoned with since high school in Winter Haven, Fla. At Winter Haven High, she was named Miss Florida Basketball and led the Blue Devils to the 2005 4A state championship. Gamble had no intentions of playing basketball, however. She used the sport as way to stay in shape between volleyball and track seasons.
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JCSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SHOWS DEPTH IN 63-51 EXHIBITION LOSS TO UNC-WILMINGTON
Wilmington, NC - The Johnson C. Smith University women's basketball team made their public debut for the season with a resilient 63-51 exhibition loss to the Seahawks of UNC-Wilmington on Wednesday evening inside the Trask Coliseum. UNCW is a NCAA Division I institution competing out of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
Senior preseason All-American guard LaQwesha Gamble (Winter Haven, FL) had the most offensive production in the first half. Gamble had a team-high six points, three steals, and three rebounds (all offensive) at the break. Fellow senior guard Terrica Jones (Raleigh, NC) shot two-of-six from the field for five points in the first period. Both Gamble and Jones started along with three other seniors: forward April Smith (Auburn, AL), guard Ashley McGee (Milwaukee, WI), and guard Terran Quattlebaum.
Shooting rust was apparent as J.C. Smith only made seven-of-37 shot attempts (18.9%) in the opening half. UNCW held a 30-19 lead at halftime, shooting 44.8% (13-29) from the floor.
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Mississippi Valley heads to Mobile to play South Alabama
ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Practice has had a different feel this week for Mississippi Valley State. And second-year Valley head coach Karl Morgan could get use to this. Coming off its first win in Morgan's two-year tenure, the Delta Devils have had "more pep in their step", he said during an interview.Valley defeated Texas Southern 12-9 last Saturday to halt its 19-game losing streak, the second-longest in NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. They also snapped a 22-game SWAC losing streak.
"It was big to finally get the monkey off our back because it was validation for all the hard work we had put in," said Morgan. "We do have to get better on offense and continue not to give up big plays on defense to have a chance to start us a win streak now."
The Delta Devils (1-8) didn't have long to celebrate as they face a short week of practice because they travel to Mobile, Ala., Thursday to face South Alabama. The Jaguars (5-3) are in the process of making the transition from FCS to Football Bowl Subdivision.
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Defensive front getting job done for FAMU
Tallahassee, Florida -- The Florida A&M defensive secondary has been stealing the ball and grabbing headlines for a few weeks now. Meanwhile, the trio on the front line has gone about its business quietly — sacking quarterbacks and stopping running backs who dare to challenge them.
"We don't mind not getting the publicity and stuff," said defensive end Nicholas Hollinghead. "We just come in and work hard every day. We already know going into the season that to have a good defense you have to have a good line. We do a good job of getting after it every day."
That might sound like self-praise, but at least it's not brash talk. Between Jerry Willis, the other end, Hollinghead and nose tackle Padric Scott they have a combined 10 sacks, with Hollinghead and Willis making three and a half each.
Throw in the effort of the four linebackers in the Rattlers' 3-4 defense and they account for another 10 sacks. As a team FAMU is eighth in the MEAC in total defense, but third in sacks with 23 for a loss of 112 yards. It also leads the league in red zone defense.
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"We don't mind not getting the publicity and stuff," said defensive end Nicholas Hollinghead. "We just come in and work hard every day. We already know going into the season that to have a good defense you have to have a good line. We do a good job of getting after it every day."
That might sound like self-praise, but at least it's not brash talk. Between Jerry Willis, the other end, Hollinghead and nose tackle Padric Scott they have a combined 10 sacks, with Hollinghead and Willis making three and a half each.
Throw in the effort of the four linebackers in the Rattlers' 3-4 defense and they account for another 10 sacks. As a team FAMU is eighth in the MEAC in total defense, but third in sacks with 23 for a loss of 112 yards. It also leads the league in red zone defense.
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XU's Erves is perfect in opener to lead Gold Rush past Carver
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Denzell Erves scored a career-high 20 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and was 10-of-10 from the floor Wednesday in Xavier University of Louisiana's 88-69 men's basketball victory against Carver.
The Gold Rush, ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, won a season opener for the 16th consecutive season and defeated the Cougars (0-2) for the fourth straight season.
Erves' double-double was his second at Xavier. The junior forward made all six of his first-half shots and scored 12 points to lead the Gold Rush to a 38-32 halftime advantage.
Wanto Joseph scored 15 points, Nick Haywood 13 and Anthony Simmons 12 for Xavier. It was Haywood's debut with the Gold Rush after playing for the University of Houston the past two seasons.
Bernard Parks scored 14 points and Nicholas Hood 13 for Carver, and Derek Douglas and Demetrius Mack had 12 apiece.
Carver, an Atlanta college, spent about 2½ minutes with the lead in the first half, the last time at 20-18 on Hood's basket at 9:27. Kevin Miller's 3-pointer at 8:14 put the Gold Rush ahead to stay at 21-20.
Haywood's back-to-back 3-pointers in the third minute of the second half gave Xavier its first double-digit lead, 46-35. Simmons' basket with 2:14 remaining gave Xavier its biggest lead, 83-61.
Xavier outshot the Cougars 47.2 to 38.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 53-29.
Xavier won for the 21st time in its past 22 games at The Barn.
Xavier's next two games will be road exhibitions against NCAA Division I opponents — 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Western Kentucky and 7 p.m. Monday against seventh-ranked Vanderbilt.
Box score
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
The Gold Rush, ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, won a season opener for the 16th consecutive season and defeated the Cougars (0-2) for the fourth straight season.
Erves' double-double was his second at Xavier. The junior forward made all six of his first-half shots and scored 12 points to lead the Gold Rush to a 38-32 halftime advantage.
Wanto Joseph scored 15 points, Nick Haywood 13 and Anthony Simmons 12 for Xavier. It was Haywood's debut with the Gold Rush after playing for the University of Houston the past two seasons.
Bernard Parks scored 14 points and Nicholas Hood 13 for Carver, and Derek Douglas and Demetrius Mack had 12 apiece.
Carver, an Atlanta college, spent about 2½ minutes with the lead in the first half, the last time at 20-18 on Hood's basket at 9:27. Kevin Miller's 3-pointer at 8:14 put the Gold Rush ahead to stay at 21-20.Haywood's back-to-back 3-pointers in the third minute of the second half gave Xavier its first double-digit lead, 46-35. Simmons' basket with 2:14 remaining gave Xavier its biggest lead, 83-61.
Xavier outshot the Cougars 47.2 to 38.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 53-29.
Xavier won for the 21st time in its past 22 games at The Barn.
Xavier's next two games will be road exhibitions against NCAA Division I opponents — 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Western Kentucky and 7 p.m. Monday against seventh-ranked Vanderbilt.
Box score
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
LSU dominates Gold Nuggets in exhibition game
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — LaSondra Barrett's 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds Wednesday led 21st-ranked LSU to a 102-42 women's basketball exhibition victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.Theresa Plaisance added 20 points, Krystal Forthan 14 and Adrienne Webb 12 for the Lady Tigers.
Jasmine Grant scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers, and freshman Jessica Savannah had 10 for the Gold Nuggets, who are ranked 16th in NAIA Division I.
LSU outshot the Gold Nuggets 58.8 to 24.6 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 52-29.
LSU led 45-29 at halftime. The final margin was the Lady Tigers' largest of the game. It was the first meeting between the schools.
The teams traded three pointers in the first minute — Barrett made hers at 19:47, and Grant answered 19 seconds later — then LSU scored the next 11 points and never lost the lead.
Grant, Savannah and Brandi Young each made 3-pointers during a 9-0 run which closed the margin to 23-17 at 10:12. The Gold Nuggets pulled even closer at 29-24 at 5:38, but LSU answered with a 14-0 run.
Then the Lady Tigers pulled away some more, outscoring Xavier 23-5 in the first eight minutes of the second half.
LSU's winning margin exceeded the combined margin of Xavier's seven losses in 2010-11 (55 points), and it exceeded the XU record for largest loss — a 122-64 decision against Southeastern Louisiana in 1977-78, Xavier's first season in the Title IX era. Xavier led NAIA Division I in scoring defense the past two seasons.
Xavier will open its regular season at 7 p.m. Friday against Florida Memorial at The Barn. PSBlive.com will provide live internet coverage of the game.
Box scoreBy Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Rivers' defense holds back Shaw Bears
DURHAM, North Carolina -- One of Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski's biggest tasks this season is to get talented freshman guard Austin Rivers to play as well on defense as he does on offense. The Blue Devils looked shaky at times Wednesday night in an 80-66 exhibition defeat of Shaw University at Cameron Indoor Stadium.Talented Shaw guards Tony Smith and Malik Alvin drove the lane and created plays almost at will at times in the first half, when the Bears shot 50 percent from the field. But over the first nine minutes of the second half, Shaw was held to nine points. Smith managed three of his 13 points in the half, and the defense of Rivers - the preseason ACC Rookie of the Year according to the media who cover the conference - was a big reason for that.
"I thought Austin really played Smith well in that second half," Krzyzewski said. "I think Smith's good, really good. "And Austin for a freshman, in wanting to play defense - he's known as this great scorer - I thought it was a really big half for Austin."
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GAME NOTES: Gardner-Webb Hosts Virginia State Thursday Night
Boiling Springs, North Carolina -- Gardner-Webb will host Virginia State at 6:00 pm Thursday night on Harris Field at Spangler Stadium. The game will air live on WGWG-FM (88.3), with Fabian Fuentes and David Allen providing the call. The game will also be broadcast on the Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com), as part of the league’s video streaming package. Log onto to wgwg.org for a live audio stream via the internet as well.
GAME NOTES (PDF)SERIES NOTES: First meeting in the sport of football ... GWU is 11-4-0 all-time against members of the CIAA, with most of that win total coming against nearby Johnson C. Smith (Charlotte) and Livingstone (Salisbury) ... GWU hasn’t played a home game against a CIAA school since beating Virginia Union, 22-20, on Homecoming in 2000.
THE COACHES: Gardner-Webb head coach Ron Dickerson, Jr., is in his first season in charge of the Runnin’ Bulldogs. GWU is his first head coaching job overall. Andrew Faison is in his 10th season as heac coach at Virginia State, his alma mater (‘81). Faison is 54-46 during that time, including a 5-4 mark this season. The Trojans went 8-3 in 2010.
LAST WEEK: Treymaine Schley caught two touchdown passes, one from Lucas Beatty and one from Ricky Rhodes, and Gardner-Webb’s defense recorded seven sacks and two interceptions to spark a 14-7 win over Charleston Southern. Lyndon Leslie provided a lift off the bench with four catches for 85 yards, including a 21-yard reception on a flea flicker that set up Gardner-Webb’s first score – a 14-yard strike from Beatty to Schley.
PUSH ‘EM BACK: Gardner-Webb ranks No. 3 nationally in tackles for loss, helped indeed by last weekend’s 11-tackles for loss effort vs. Charleston Southern. GWU also had a season-high seven sacks and 11 quarterback pressures in that game – just two sacks shy of the league’s single-game mark for a team. The rotation up front of Preston Pemasa (6-2, 250, So.), Matt Goods (6-2, 275, RSo.) Dylan Taylor (6-0, 265, Jr.), Jordan Woods (6-3, 245, Sr.), Maurice Dickson (6-4, 260, So.), Maurice Bryan (6-2, 265, RJr.) and Tyler Hough-Jenkins (6-4, 270, RFr.) forms one of the deepest defensive lines in the nation.
BIG FRONT LINE: Gardner-Webb’s offensive line has drawn solid reviews during preseason camp, coming together nicely as a unit under new position coach Dwayne Ledford. The starting five: left tackle Harrison Martin (6-6, 285, RJr.); left guard Jamie Dunaway (6-4, 290, Jr.); center Austin Sargent (6-3, 290, Jr.); right guard Jeff Harris (6-2, 291, RSo.) and right tackle Steve Demilio (6-5, 290, RJr.) average a solid 6-foot-4, 289-pounds per man and have at least three years each in a college weight program under their belts.
A GOOD STREAK: Gardner-Webb has won two games in a row in the same season for the first time since starting the 2010 season 2-0 with wins vs. Brevard and at Akron. GWU won two in a row to span the end of the 2010 season and the start of the 2011 campaign, beating VMI to close out ‘10 and topping Brevard to begin ‘11. GWU has not won three games in a row since October 18-November 1 of the 2008 season – topping Presbyterian (Oct. 18), VMI (Oct. 25) and Stony Brook (Nov. 1) behind strong quarterback play from then-senior Devin Campbell.
DICKSON DELIVERS: With All-Big South tackle Matt Goods sitting out last week with an injury, classmate Maurice Dickson (6-4, 260, So.) came through with a tremendous effort. Playing both end and tackle in the game, Dickson registered a career-high 10 total tackles (four solo), 4.5 tackles for loss and broke a school record with 3.5 sacks. The previous mark was set by Rondell White at Tusculum in 1998 (3.0 sacks). Dickson added four pressures and was named Big South Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. The Hillside, N.J., native leads the Big South with 4.5 sacks in 2011.
PATTERSON PILING UP STATS: Linebacker Marty Patterson (6-3, 235, RSr.) has accomplished many things already during his career in Boiling Springs, but topped his best efforts in the win over Charleston Southern. The preseason All-America selection came through with a career-high 20 total tackles (nine solo) and a tackle for loss in the win, including several big hits. Patterson has 72 tackles in six games played this season, leading the Big South with 12.0 tackles per game. In league play, Patterson has totaled 55 tackles in four league games, averaging 13.8 per contest – which also leads the league. The Mt. Airy, Ga., native has registered 293 total tackles during his career in Boiling Springs, which ranks No. 16 in school history – only 13 hits behind former All-America and NFL linebacker Jim Maxwell.
SCHLEY IS SLY: Sophomore tight end Treymaine Schley (6-3, 220) enjoyed one of his finest games Saturday – one week after posting a career-high total in yardage – hauling in five passes for 50 yards and the first two touchdowns of his career. Schley’s 14-yard scoring grab from Lucas Beatty tied the game with 2:00 left before halftime and his nine-yard touchdown catch from running back Ricky Rhodes gave GWU the lead for good with 14:10 left in the game. Schley was named National Tight End of the Week in the Football Championship Subdivision by College Football Performance Awards (CFPA), and now leads the Big South’s tight ends with 17 catches for 200 yards and two scores – all career-high numbers to date for Schley. The Ft. Myers, Fla., native has nine catches for 119 yards in the past two games combined.
CAREER DAY: Punter Graham Purvis (5-11, 165, RSr.) was one of several stars in Gardner-Webb’s 14-7 win over Charleston Southern last week, punting 11 times for a conference-record 497 yards (45.2 yards per punt). Purvis uncorked two of the longest punts in league history in the same game – booming a 67-yarder (sixth best) late in the first half to pin CSU inside its own 20 with the game tied, 7-7, and launching a school and Big South-record 85 yard punt late in the fourth quarter that forced CSU to try and cover 80 yards for a potential game-tying score. The GWU defense took advantage of the field position and kept the lead safe. Purvis’ effort earned the Shallotte, N.C., native Big South Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors Monday morning, and National Special Teams Player of the Week honors Monday afternoon. He is averaging 36.3 yards per kick this season, and has five kicks of 50 yards or better under his belt through eight games.
BIG SOUTH NETWORK: The Big South Network, presented by State Farm, will carry all of Gardner-Webb’s home football games and all Big South Conference games live as part of the league’s subscription-based video streaming package. Interested parties may register for an account at bigsouthsports.com.
Courtesy: Gardner-Webb
Stopping veteran QB key for GSU
"The one thing they have going for them that we don't have, but eventually will have, is the veteran quarterback," Williams said. "He's played well. He's an All-American ... They've got some mature players, and they're making plays."
"Playing well" might be an understatement for Casey Therriault's performance this season for Jackson State (7-1, 5-1). The 22-year-old senior has completed 183 of his 313 pass attempts (58.5 percent) for 2,441 yards (305.1 per game) and 17 touchdowns — all conference-leading statistics. No other SWAC quarterback has more than 235 pass attempts, 122 completions, 1,446 yards or 12 touchdowns.
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Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Alabama State Hornets backup Dominguez ready if needed
Montgomery, Alabama -- Is it Greg Jenkins or Devin Dominguez? If Alabama State football coach Reggie Barlow knows the answer, he isn't saying. His choice of quarterback for Saturday's game at Arkansas-Pine Bluff remains a question mark, adding some mystery to the matchup.
"The plan is for Dominguez to get all of (the game plan)," Barlow said. "Greg is going to have to be 80 percent or better, and I don't know if he can get there. He was probably 50 percent this past weekend, so I don't foresee him being able to go."
The Hornets suffered their first Southwestern Athletic Conference loss last week in the Magic City Classic after Jenkins' recurring hip injury forced him to the bench in the first quarter. Barlow might have left Jenkins in the game had the Hornets lacked a capable backup, but with last season's starter Dominguez on the sideline, the head coach had an easy decision.
What's not easy is determining the future starter.
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"The plan is for Dominguez to get all of (the game plan)," Barlow said. "Greg is going to have to be 80 percent or better, and I don't know if he can get there. He was probably 50 percent this past weekend, so I don't foresee him being able to go."
The Hornets suffered their first Southwestern Athletic Conference loss last week in the Magic City Classic after Jenkins' recurring hip injury forced him to the bench in the first quarter. Barlow might have left Jenkins in the game had the Hornets lacked a capable backup, but with last season's starter Dominguez on the sideline, the head coach had an easy decision.
What's not easy is determining the future starter.
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Texas Southern's Tony Harvey Gets a New Contract
HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern has rewarded men's basketball coach, Tony Harvey, with a new three-year contract that includes an option for an additional two years. Harvey, who led the Tigers to their first SWAC regular season title last season since 1998, has an overall record of 43-54 at TSU.
"It's a three-year contract with a two-year option," said Charles McClelland, TSU athletics director, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "It could be a total of five years. We did it based on the recent on-court success as well as the improved success in acacemics that has equated to approximately a 70% graduation rate for the men's basketball team."
McClleland said when Harvey signs the contract, it will be his first with the school. "He never had a contract," McClelland said. He has been working, up until this point, for a contract. "We never agreed on the terms. It was never about money."
Last season Harvey led TSU to a 16-2 record in conference play and his non-conference victories included a road win over Oregon State. Two years ago Harvey led the Tigers to the championship game in the SWAC postseason tournament.
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"It's a three-year contract with a two-year option," said Charles McClelland, TSU athletics director, in an interview with FOX 26 Sports. "It could be a total of five years. We did it based on the recent on-court success as well as the improved success in acacemics that has equated to approximately a 70% graduation rate for the men's basketball team."
McClleland said when Harvey signs the contract, it will be his first with the school. "He never had a contract," McClelland said. He has been working, up until this point, for a contract. "We never agreed on the terms. It was never about money."
Last season Harvey led TSU to a 16-2 record in conference play and his non-conference victories included a road win over Oregon State. Two years ago Harvey led the Tigers to the championship game in the SWAC postseason tournament.
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FAMU Football Special Teams Prep for Duel with NCA&T
Tallahassee, Florida -- Special teams will be a major factor for the Florida A&M football team this week against the North Carolina A&T Aggies. FAMU (5-3, 3-2 in the MEAC) is coming off a 27-24 win against South Carolina State University on Oct. 22. It snapped an eight-game losing streak to SCSU.
FAMU will face NCAT on Nov. 5 at Bragg Stadium. It will be the last home game of the season. The Rattlers are looking to continue to build momentum coming down the stretch of the conference schedule.
NCAT (4-4, 3-2 in the MEAC) is coming off a loss to Norfolk State last weekend. FAMU had a bye week last week, which gave them two weeks to prepare for the Aggies.
Head coach Joe Taylor said consistency on special teams is the key. "We have to continue to cover well on kickoffs and punts," Taylor said. "We are probably number one on kickoff coverage in the conference."
Senior wide receiver and special teams gunner Edwin Baker agreed, and added that it is up to each individual player to contribute to the game. "Doing my part and holding my teammates accountable will have a positive impact on everybody," Baker said.
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Seniors look to win final game on home field
Defensive end Jerry Willis could have been speaking for any of the other 13 senior starters on the Florida A&M football team the other day when he was trying to explain his expectations going into his final home game at Bragg Stadium on Saturday.
"It the last time I'm playing in Bragg, last time it's a home game, last time I play in front of these fans," he said. "It's going to be real emotional."
All that will have to be suppressed somehow, though. The business at hand will be too urgent to have one tear-jerking moment or anything of the sort.
The Rattlers will be taking on a North Carolina A&T team that is in the midst of a dramatic turnaround. Just last year, the Aggies won only one game but they're now one of five teams in the MEAC with two losses and remain mathematically in the race for the conference title.
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FAMU will face NCAT on Nov. 5 at Bragg Stadium. It will be the last home game of the season. The Rattlers are looking to continue to build momentum coming down the stretch of the conference schedule.
NCAT (4-4, 3-2 in the MEAC) is coming off a loss to Norfolk State last weekend. FAMU had a bye week last week, which gave them two weeks to prepare for the Aggies.
Head coach Joe Taylor said consistency on special teams is the key. "We have to continue to cover well on kickoffs and punts," Taylor said. "We are probably number one on kickoff coverage in the conference."
Senior wide receiver and special teams gunner Edwin Baker agreed, and added that it is up to each individual player to contribute to the game. "Doing my part and holding my teammates accountable will have a positive impact on everybody," Baker said.
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Seniors look to win final game on home field
Defensive end Jerry Willis could have been speaking for any of the other 13 senior starters on the Florida A&M football team the other day when he was trying to explain his expectations going into his final home game at Bragg Stadium on Saturday.
"It the last time I'm playing in Bragg, last time it's a home game, last time I play in front of these fans," he said. "It's going to be real emotional."
All that will have to be suppressed somehow, though. The business at hand will be too urgent to have one tear-jerking moment or anything of the sort.
The Rattlers will be taking on a North Carolina A&T team that is in the midst of a dramatic turnaround. Just last year, the Aggies won only one game but they're now one of five teams in the MEAC with two losses and remain mathematically in the race for the conference title.
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Fountain City Classic 'is very big for Columbus'
Columbus, Georgia - Jean Lynn knows some local people think of the Fountain City Classic pitting Albany State University against Fort Valley State University as the “other football game,” one not as important to Columbus as the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic. She says nothing is further from the truth.
“We left Tuskegee and Morehouse behind six years ago,” said Lynn, a retired teacher here who now recruits for her alma mater Albany State. “What goes on here this week for this game is very big for Columbus.”
The 22nd annual playing of the classic will be 2 p.m. Saturday at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium. The Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic, which was played Oct. 8, has been here for 76 years.
“Tuskegee and Morehouse have played here longer and it is a great game, but ...
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“We left Tuskegee and Morehouse behind six years ago,” said Lynn, a retired teacher here who now recruits for her alma mater Albany State. “What goes on here this week for this game is very big for Columbus.”
The 22nd annual playing of the classic will be 2 p.m. Saturday at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium. The Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic, which was played Oct. 8, has been here for 76 years.
“Tuskegee and Morehouse have played here longer and it is a great game, but ...
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HU Lady Pirates win second straight MEAC Cross Country Title
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -– The Hampton University women’s cross country team won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) cross country title on Saturday morning at the UMES Cross Country Course.It was the second straight MEAC title for the Lady Pirates and their fourth overall. The Lady Pirates finished with 53 points, five points fewer than second-place Florida A&M.
Four Lady Pirates finished in the top 15 to earn All-MEAC honors – led by sophomore Alaine Tate (Queens, N.Y.), who finished sixth after completing the 5K course in 19:16.88. Sophomore Nichelle Harris (Rahway, N.J.) came in seventh after running a 19:17.69.
Junior Teshika Rivers (Greenbelt, Md.) ran a 19:39.55 to finish 10th, while sophomore Devyn Thompson (Chicago, Ill.) came in 11th with a time of 19:42.67.
Sophomore Cydney Robinson (Portsmouth, Va.) also came in the top 20, finishing 19th with a season-best 20:13.75. Junior Shaquanda Gainey (Camden, N.J.) ran a 20:32.95 to finish 24th, while senior Claudia Calder (Kingston, Jamaica), in just her second race of the season, ran a 22:30.01 to finish 57th.
In all, the Lady Pirates averaged a 19:38.11 as a team.
Head coach Maurice Pierce was named the Most Outstanding Coach on the women’s side for the fourth time in his tenure with the Lady Pirates.
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Norfolk State to Partner with Daktronics for new LED Video Display at Dick Price Stadium
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| Marty Miller Director of Athletics Norfolk State University |
“These new displays will make a big impact in our football stadium,” Director of Athletics Marty Miller said. “The technology is outstanding. Daktronics is the leader in this industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing the displays in action next season. The new system will open new avenues for sponsorships and increase revenue for the athletics department.”
On the west side of the football field, a new video display measuring more than 17 feet high by 47 feet wide will be installed. This display, which will feature Daktronics 15HD technology, will incorporate excellent clarity and contrast of images, multiple levels of protection from the elements and a more robust cabinet design with an improved ventilation system. It is capable of showing one large image, highlighting live video and instant replays. It can also be divided into separate windows to show a variety of vivid graphics, colorful animations, up-to-the-minutes statistics, scoring information and sponsor advertisements with outstanding brightness and wide-angle visibility.
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Davenport encouraged by SSU Tigers' freshmen
Savannah,Georgia -- Savannah State coach Steve Davenport was disappointed with the results, but encouraged with what he saw during a 22-5 loss to Hampton last Saturday. The setback dropped the Tigers to 1-7 overall, heading into Saturday’s matchup with Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leader Norfolk State.“Late second quarter, I think we had seven true freshmen out there on defense and playing well,” Davenport said. “We think the future is going to be bright here.”
Four freshmen — free safety Vaughn Cornelia, linebacker Fredrick Fluker, nose tackle Leroy Cummings and rush end Wayne Burden — started on defense for the Tigers, who surrendered their fewest points of the season. SSU led 5-3 at half and trailed only 8-5 after three quarters.
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Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Grambling had 'incentive' for victory
GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Doug Williams picked up the newspaper Saturday morning in Pine Bluff, Ark., and had to double-check his itinerary. For a while, the Grambling State football coach wasn't sure his Tigers were in the right place.
"When you picked up the paper in Arkansas on Saturday morning, basically we were a no-show," Williams said. "When you read that it was the clearest path to the SWAC Championship (Game) for Pine Bluff since 2006, it was like they didn't have a game to play. Even coach (Monte) Coleman, who I've known a long time, said that, from a running-game standpoint, with the running back suspended it shouldn't hurt them because that's their strongest suit. That's the kind of things that give you incentive. I certainly think it helped. Before we took the field Saturday, I certainly read the newspaper to them and let them know what some of the people thought of them."
The Tigers eventually made believers of UAPB, overcoming five turnovers to defeat the Golden Lions, 27-20, for GSU's third straight victory.
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"When you picked up the paper in Arkansas on Saturday morning, basically we were a no-show," Williams said. "When you read that it was the clearest path to the SWAC Championship (Game) for Pine Bluff since 2006, it was like they didn't have a game to play. Even coach (Monte) Coleman, who I've known a long time, said that, from a running-game standpoint, with the running back suspended it shouldn't hurt them because that's their strongest suit. That's the kind of things that give you incentive. I certainly think it helped. Before we took the field Saturday, I certainly read the newspaper to them and let them know what some of the people thought of them."
The Tigers eventually made believers of UAPB, overcoming five turnovers to defeat the Golden Lions, 27-20, for GSU's third straight victory.
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Urban Sports Poll: Explosive Jackson State back to No. 1 thank to Magic City upset
Arlington, Texas - Special teams play doomed Alabama State in its 20-19 loss to Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic.
The Bulldogs blocked the game-tying extra point and then ran out the clock. Alabama A&M now controls the tie-breaker for the SWAC East bid for the SWAC Championship.
Jackson State returns to the top spot with its 44-14 blitz of Prairie View. The Tigers ran up 722 yards in total offense would have rung up more points without turnovers in the red zone. Prairie View now sits precariously atop the SWAC West. If Prairie View and Arkansas-Pine Bluff finish in a tie, the Golden Lions would receive the SWAC
Jackson State (7-1), Alabama State (6-2), Winston-Salem State (9-0), Alabama A&M (6-2), and Bethune-Cookman (5-3) hold the Top 5 USN spots for week nine. Albany State (6-2), Norfolk State (7-2), Morehouse (7-2), FAMU (5-3) and Hampton round out the next five spots in the USN Poll.
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The Bulldogs blocked the game-tying extra point and then ran out the clock. Alabama A&M now controls the tie-breaker for the SWAC East bid for the SWAC Championship.
Jackson State returns to the top spot with its 44-14 blitz of Prairie View. The Tigers ran up 722 yards in total offense would have rung up more points without turnovers in the red zone. Prairie View now sits precariously atop the SWAC West. If Prairie View and Arkansas-Pine Bluff finish in a tie, the Golden Lions would receive the SWAC
Jackson State (7-1), Alabama State (6-2), Winston-Salem State (9-0), Alabama A&M (6-2), and Bethune-Cookman (5-3) hold the Top 5 USN spots for week nine. Albany State (6-2), Norfolk State (7-2), Morehouse (7-2), FAMU (5-3) and Hampton round out the next five spots in the USN Poll.
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Alabama A&M football: Bulldogs move up in all three major polls
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M moved up in all three of the major black college polls Monday following its 20-19 victory over Alabama State in the Magic City Classic.
The Bulldogs moved up one spot to second in both the Heritage Sports Radio Network and the Boxtorow polls and three spots to third in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Poll. Alabama State, which had been No. 1 in all three polls, fell to fourth in the HSRN and Boxtorow polls and sixth in the SBN poll.
"That's great," A&M coach Anthony Jones said Monday night during his weekly radio show. "We didn't know if they would make us first or second after we beat Alabama State. We can't control that. We knew if we beat them they wouldn't be No. 1 and that would give us a shot to win the (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Eastern Division title. All we've done is keep our playoff hopes alive."
The Bulldogs can win the Eastern Division title and advance to the SWAC championship with three more wins. That number would decrease if Alabama State lost one or both of its last two games.
A&M (6-2, 5-1) visits Alcorn State (2-5, 1-5) Saturday in Lorman, Miss. Kickoff is 2 p.m.
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The Bulldogs moved up one spot to second in both the Heritage Sports Radio Network and the Boxtorow polls and three spots to third in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Poll. Alabama State, which had been No. 1 in all three polls, fell to fourth in the HSRN and Boxtorow polls and sixth in the SBN poll.
"That's great," A&M coach Anthony Jones said Monday night during his weekly radio show. "We didn't know if they would make us first or second after we beat Alabama State. We can't control that. We knew if we beat them they wouldn't be No. 1 and that would give us a shot to win the (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Eastern Division title. All we've done is keep our playoff hopes alive."
The Bulldogs can win the Eastern Division title and advance to the SWAC championship with three more wins. That number would decrease if Alabama State lost one or both of its last two games.
A&M (6-2, 5-1) visits Alcorn State (2-5, 1-5) Saturday in Lorman, Miss. Kickoff is 2 p.m.
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Hampton University land two all-staters from North Carolina
Hampton, Virginia -- Hampton University has received verbal commitments from a pair of players at North Carolina powerhouse Northside Christian in Charlotte.
Dionte Adams, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound combo forward, and L.C. Cooks, a 6-1, 175-pound shooting guard, visited Hampton together last weekend and were sold on the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament champions, led by third-year coach Ed "Buck" Joyner.
"Even before (Adams') visit to Hampton, just researching the place, he had felt like that was the place," said Northside Christian coach Byron Dinkins, who said Adams also had scholarship offers from Winthrop, Presbyterian and Pembroke. "We told him he needed to see it, and once they took their visit, they both came back ready to get it done."
Adams, a first-team all-state selection as a junior, averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds last season as the Knights went 29-3 and finished runner-up in the state, posting a career high of 28 points and 18 rebounds in one game.
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Hampton University basketball continues to re-load for another NCAA run...
Dionte Adams, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound combo forward, and L.C. Cooks, a 6-1, 175-pound shooting guard, visited Hampton together last weekend and were sold on the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament champions, led by third-year coach Ed "Buck" Joyner.
"Even before (Adams') visit to Hampton, just researching the place, he had felt like that was the place," said Northside Christian coach Byron Dinkins, who said Adams also had scholarship offers from Winthrop, Presbyterian and Pembroke. "We told him he needed to see it, and once they took their visit, they both came back ready to get it done."
Adams, a first-team all-state selection as a junior, averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds last season as the Knights went 29-3 and finished runner-up in the state, posting a career high of 28 points and 18 rebounds in one game.
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Hampton University basketball continues to re-load for another NCAA run...
XU Nuggets' hot-hitting Kirk is GCAC Player of the Week
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| Moira Kirk |
Kirk, a 5-foot-9 middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, hit .452 in 93 attacks during a 3-0 week, had her two highest kill totals of the season and led Xavier on Saturday to a four-set victory at SUNO which clinched the Gold Nuggets' first GCAC regular-season championship in four seasons of intercollegiate competition.
Kirk, who also attended First Baptist Academy in Dallas, had 12 kills, seven digs, two blocks and hit .526 Tuesday in a four-set victory at the University of New Orleans. She had a career-best 23 kills and hit .364 in a five-set home victory against Faulkner on Friday, and she had 18 kills, five blocks and hit .533 against SUNO.
This is the first GCAC weekly award for Kirk and the fourth for the Gold Nuggets this season. Another freshman, Taylor Reuther, won the award three times.
Xavier (18-6 overall, 9-0 GCAC) will play city and GCAC rival Dillard at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Barn in the final regular-season match, then compete in the GCAC Tournament at Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 10-12 as the No. 1 seed. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.
Wednesday, November 2 — Men's Basketball vs. Carver, 7 p.m. live on internet FREE (CLICK HERE)
Friday, November 4 — Women's Basketball vs. Florida Memorial, 7 p.m. live on internet FREE (CLICK HERE)
Saturday, November 5 — Women's Volleyball vs. Dillard, 2 p.m.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorVISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
PVAMU: Looking for Reasons
The Panthers gave up a season-high 722 yards (315 rushing) and were out-gained in time of possession by a 2-1 ratio.
Prairie View (4-4, 4-3 SWAC) suffered its second consecutive defeat but remains in first place in the Western Division. The Panthers will face Texas State (5-4) in a non-conference game Saturday before finishing the regular season with key SWAC matchups at Alcorn State on Nov. 12 and at home against Alabama A&M on Nov. 19.
"We're going to see what kind of team we're really made of," Northern said. "Do we have some guys who are going to stand up and play or do we have some guys who are going to tuck their tails and run?"
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Monday, October 31, 2011
NSU wins 4th MEAC cross country title in row
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Norfolk State won its fourth consecutive MEAC men's cross country title Saturday at Maryland-Eastern Shore. The Spartans finished with 30 points. Florida A&M was second with 54.Hampton won the women's title with 53 points. The Spartans women were fifth.
NSU's Josef Tessema was the individual winner, completing the 8-kilometer course in 25 minutes, 24.73 seconds. It was Tessema's fourth straight all-conference honor.
Other Spartans to earn all-MEAC honors: Vincent Rono (sixth in 26:25.75), Amos Kipkosgei (eighth, 26:32.74), Philemon Kimutai (19th, 26:48.55) and Damtew Adnew (13th, 27:07.19).
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NSU Men Win 4th Straight MEAC Cross Country Title, Women Place 5th
PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – The Norfolk State men’s cross country team won its fourth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and 11th in the last 12 years on Saturday morning on the campus of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Spartans amassed 30 points. Florida A&M was second with 54.
Hampton won the women’s title with 53 points. The Spartan women placed fifth with 162 points.
The Spartan men were paced by senior Josef Tessema, who won his first title. He finished the 8-kilometer course in 25 minutes, 24.73 seconds to give NSU its third individual champion in the last four years. It was Tessema’s fourth straight all-conference honor.
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