ECSU football still has business to settle

Elizabeth City, North Carolina -- Elizabeth City State’s immediate future has been set for a few weeks now. But there is one more piece of business the Vikings have to take care of before next week’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship game.

ECSU closes out the regular season with a Senior Day home game against Lincoln today. The Vikings, who clinched their spot in the CIAA title game opposite Winston-Salem State two weeks ago, are approaching today’s game the same way they have the first nine games of the season.

“Our concentration is on Lincoln as we always try to take it one game at a time,” ECSU coach Waverly Tillar said.

While the game might be meaningless in the CIAA standings, ECSU has a bigger picture to look at. The Vikings are clinging to the fifth spot in the NCAA Division II Super Region One poll, which would put them into the playoff field if the season ended today. But the season does not end today.

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ECSU PREPARES TO SALUTE 20 FOOTBALL SENIORS SATURDAY

ELIZABETH CITY, NC - The Elizabeth City State University football team will host Senior Day on Saturday, November 5th prior to the start of the Vikings' season finale with Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.

ECSU pause pregame to salute 20 student-athletes who will be playing at their final regular season home game at Roebuck Stadium. They are; Creven Powell, Anthony Faulcon, Baron Coffin, Torri Stewart, Earnest Murphy, Larry Jones, Domonic Strand, DeAundre Barfield, Sanerivi Reupena, Kahawaiolaa Soon, Jermaine Lindsay, John Davis, Brandon White, Brandon Smith, Sean Gueringer, DeWitt Dixon, Billy Wiggins, Bryan Garnett, Tolbert Matthews and Devven Sutton.

These seniors have been an integral part of the Vikings' third appearance since 2006 in the CIAA title game. This year the Vikings will square off against Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, November 12 at Durham County Stadium in Durham, NC.

However before the trip westbound to the Bull City, the Vikings will look to run their win streak to eight games over the visiting Lions of Lincoln University.

Saturday Viking fans may also witness a bit of history as junior tailback Daronte McNeill needs only 12 yards to become ECSU's all-time leading rusher.

Courtesy ECSU Sports Information

With win today, Spartans will earn share of MEAC title

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Terrence Pugh is at Norfolk State because of history. Now he has a chance to make some of his own. A linebacker from Indian River High in Chesapeake, Pugh was part of Norfolk State's 2008 recruiting class, the group that followed the best Division I season the Spartans have produced.

"With coach (Pete) Adrian and everything, the program was on the rise," Pugh said. "I know everyone in the area is like, 'Who wants to go to Norfolk State? It's right down the street.' I always thought it would be a chance to bring a MEAC championship to the hometown."

With a victory today against Savannah State, the Spartans will earn at least a share of the MEAC title, their first since joining the conference and making the jump to Division I in 1997.

Pugh, an All-Tidewater first-team player after helping Indian River to an Eastern Region title game, chose Norfolk State over scholarship offers from Liberty, Virginia Military Institute and, most impressively, Youngstown State, a program with a far prouder tradition than Norfolk State.



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FVSU set for rivalry showdown

Columbus, Georgia -- The senior season of Bernard Goodrum has been more forgettable than not. Beating Stillman by 49 points wasn’t expected to be the highlight for a team expected to contend for the SIAC East Division title.

And that was all but erased by a 49-12 loss a week later to Morehouse during which running back David Carter rolled the Wildcats for 351 yards. So here Fort Valley State sits, however, at 2-7, guaranteed to finish with its worst season in years. But the possibility of a measure of salvation awaits -- Albany State and the Fountain City Classic.

“We’ve got to win the Classic,” said Goodrum, a senior from Spalding. “The Classic is our championship game.”

FVSU and Albany State meet in the 22nd Fountain City Classic at McClung Stadium in Columbus. Head coach Donald Pittman said that the Wildcats have rebounded from their Morehouse loss to focus on their rival.

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Fountain City Classic: Fort Valley State seeks upset of Albany State

At first glance, it appears Albany State’s football team with a 7-2 record shouldn’t have much trouble against Fort Valley State, 2-7, in today’s 22nd annual Fountain City Classic. Ask folks at Stillman College about that.

On Oct. 22, Fort Valley State was 1-6 and played host to Stillman College, then 6-1. At the finish, Fort Valley State had a homecoming victory by an astonishing 52-3 score. “Everything clicked for us that day,” coach Donald Pittman said. He hopes it does again at 2 p.m., when his Wildcats clash with the Golden Rams at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

A sellout crowd of 15,000 is expected. Pittman’s team has no chance at playoff action so, he said, “We’ve got one last time to get it right.”

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2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference & All-Academic Teams Announced

ATLANTA, Georgia — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announces the 2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference team as voted by the SIAC Volleyball Coaches Association. The 2011 team is led by 2011 SIAC Player of the Year Jamila McKinnis of Stillman College, 2011 SIAC Offensive Player of the Year LaTayvia Mack of Benedict College, and 2011 SIAC Setter of the Year Kathrin Fischer of Claflin University.

McKinnis, a senior from Mobile, AL, leads the SIAC with 450 kills and finished with a .364 hitting percentage, which ranks second in the SIAC. In 32 matches, the 5-10 outside hitter averaged 3.88 kills per set, which ranks second in the SIAC, while totaling 294 digs and 55 service aces, putting her among the conference leaders in both categories. The All-SIAC first team selection also totaled 334 assists and 59 total blocks. McKinnis finishes her career as a two-time SIAC Player of the Year, earning the honor as a sophomore in 2009, and a four-time All-SIAC selection.

 Jamila McKinnis
Stillman College

Mack, a junior from Holly Hill, SC, leads the SIAC with 4.67 kills per set, totaling 308 kills in 66 sets, which ranks sixth nationally. The 6-1 outside hitter also ranks third in the SIAC with a .342 hitting percentage while totaling 21 service aces, 74 digs, and 18 total blocks. The All-SIAC first team selection also currently ranks sixth in Division II averaging 5.20 points per set.

Fischer, a sophomore from Vienna, Austria, leads the SIAC in assists and ranks second in assists per set. The All-SIAC first team setter also leads the conference in service aces and currently leads Division II in aces per set.

Joining the three aforementioned players on the first team include Claflin University sophomore Lauren Calvin, Clark Atlanta University junior Ashley Brooks, Paine College junior Victoria Claytor, and Stillman College senior Christine Mallory.

Kathrin Fischer
Claflin University

Kentucky State University and Claflin University are tied for the most selections with three. The Thorobrettes’ selections include All-SIAC second teamer Audrey Sherles, who was also named 2011 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Claflin University Head Coach Vernell Keitt-Capers was named 2011 SIAC Coach of the Year. In 2011, Keitt-Capers, who was Co-Coach of the Year last season, led the Lady Panthers to a 13-3 record in the SIAC, 26-7 overall, and their second SIAC East Division title in as many years.

McKinnis and Stillman College lead the SIAC Volleyball All-Academic team. McKinnis, a Biology major, led the way with a 4.0 grade point average while the Lady Tigers had four selections on the team and also claimed the all-academic team award.

2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference Team
1st Team
Name Class Position Institution
LaTayvia Mack Junior Outside Hitter Benedict College
Lauren Calvin Sophomore Outside Hitter Claflin University
Ashley Brooks Junior Outside Hitter Clark Atlanta University
Victoria Claytor Junior Outside Hitter Paine College
Jamila McKinnis Senior Outside Hitter Stillman College
Christine Mallory Senior Libero Stillman College
Kathrin Fischer Sophomore Setter Claflin University

2nd Team
Name Class Position Institution
Sabrina Garcia Senior Outside Hitter Albany State University
Faith Simmons Senior Outside Hitter Claflin University
Ayanna Parker Freshman Outside Hitter Kentucky State University
Audrey Sherles Freshman Outside Hitter Kentucky State University
Janae’ Kearse Senior Outside Hitter Paine College
Tyrealle Reed Senior Libero Benedict College
Jordan Foyer Freshman Setter Kentucky State University

Player of the Year: Jamila McKinnis, Stillman College
Offensive Player of the Year: LaTayvia Mack, Benedict College
Defensive Player of the Year: Audrey Sherles, Kentucky State University
Setter of the Year: Kathrin Fischer, Claflin University
Coach of the Year: Vernell Keitt-Capers, Claflin University

2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Academic Team
Name Class Major GPA Institution
Jamila McKinnis Senior Biology 4.00 Stillman College
Ebony Lollis Senior Biology 3.94 Stillman College
Cynteria Jones Junior English 3.92 Stillman College
Kathrin Fischer Sophomore Politics & Justice System 3.91 Claflin University
Christine Mallory Senior Education 3.82 Stillman College
Soncya Williams Sophomore Music 3.82 LeMoyne-Owen College
Jamila Winston Senior Accounting 3.79 Benedict College

All-Academic Team Award: Stillman College, 3.73 GPA

Courtesy of SIAC

Xavier's Jackson siblings get face time in Sports Illustrated

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana cross country standouts Zahri and Kwame Jackson have earned one more honor in what has been a memorable debut season for both. Sports Illustrated selected them for its weekly Faces in the Crowd feature, and the freshman siblings appear in the Nov. 7 issue, which hit newsstands Wednesday.

"That is so cool," Zahri Jackson said Thursday when she learned of the recognition.
"That's pretty awesome," Kwame Jackson said.
"Wow!" Xavier coach Joseph Moses said. "That is a great honor."

The Jacksons, from the Houston suburb of Kingwood, Texas, and graduates of Kingwood Park High School, got SI's attention after both won individual titles in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships on Oct. 22 at Clinton, Miss. They helped Xavier win the women's and men's team championships for the sixth consecutive season.

(Click on photo to enlarge SI article)

"I'm still trying to find out if there's ever been a pair of siblings in college who won cross country individual championships in the same season," said Ed Cassiere, Xavier's sports information director. "I posed that question on the NAIA-SIDA Facebook page. No leads yet, but Mount Vernon Nazarene SID Dave Parsons replied with a great tip. He recommended that I contact Sports Illustrated and nominate them."

Zahri Jackson set XU women's records of 19 minutes, 15.18 seconds for 5,000 meters on Sept. 10 and 16:27.58 for 4,000 meters on Sept. 1. She has the Gold Nuggets' three fastest 5K times. Her 19:20.40 5K was the second fastest in 11 seasons by a female at the GCAC Championships.

Kwame Jackson's 5K of 16:12.13 on Sept. 10 was the fastest by an XU male since Farris Gransberry set the record of 15:46.80 in 2000. He ran 8,000 meters in 28:12.09 to win the GCAC title and defeat teammates and former conference champions Ray Walston and Matt Pieri.

The Jacksons won a combined eight GCAC Runner of the Week awards. Zahri collected five to set an XU season record, tie Ebony Harding's XU career record and match the GCAC women's season record set by Spring Hill's Kate Imwalle in 2009.

"Zahri and Kwame are great kids, great runners and great students," Moses said. "I am blessed to know them and be able to coach them."

Both Xavier squads will compete Nov. 19 in the NAIA National Championships at Vancouver, Wash.


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

South Alabama beats Mississippi Valley State 35-3

Coach Karl Morgan, MVSU

MOBILE, Alabama -- Kendall Houston ran for two scores, J.J. Keels returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and South Alabama's defense held Mississippi Valley State to 166 yards in a 35-3 dismantling of the Delta Devils Thursday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

South Alabama improved to 6-3 with the win before an announced crowd of 13,807 and went to 19-0 all-time at home.

"It means everything," Jaguars linebacker Ken Barefield said of protecting the home winning streak. "We said in the locker room, 'We're going to do it for Mobile.' It rained today, it was cold, but they still came out and supported us. We harp on that at practice: This is our house. We've got to protect it as best as we can."

South Alabama led 21-0 at halftime thanks to a trio of 1-yard touchdown runs from Houston and quarterback C.J. Bennett.

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Alabama A&M sports: Athletics director Betty Austin will retire at the end of the month

Betty Kelly Austin
Director of Athletics, AAMU

Huntsville, Alabama -- Alabama A&M athletics director Betty Austin will retire at the end of the month, The Times has learned. Sources told The Times that Austin has agreed to stay on through Feb. 29 while the school conducts a search for a new athletics director.

Austin, a 1974 A&M graduate, has spent the last six-plus years as athletics director after taking over for the late Jim Martin. Before becoming athletics director, Austin served in a number of capacities, most notably as the volleyball coach, where she led the Bulldogs to unprecedented success, and Senior Woman Administrator.

Austin captured more than 600 wins during her 30-year tenure as volleyball coach. A&M won 17 conference championships, including 11 as a Division II member in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and six as a Division I member in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, during her illustrious career. She was named SWAC Coach of the Year during each of her championship seasons.

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Stillman rebounds with win against Clark Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia -- The Stillman College football team found a way to rebound from two tough losses as the Tigers defeated the Clark Atlanta Panthers, 16-6, Thursday night.

After surrendering six points in the first quarter, Stillman broke into the scoring column as Alejandro Perez-Huerta nailed a 23-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the first half. In the third quarter, Stillman quarterback Dondre Purnell hit Deandre Holley for an 8-yard scoring play to give the Tigers a 10-6 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Huerta made field goals of 48 and 28 yards to make the final scoring margin 16-6. CAU outgained Stillman 242-240 while maintaining time of possession 31:01 to 28:59.

Purnell finished 14 of 21passing for 168 yards with one touchdown while rushing 15 times for 27 yards. Reese Sturgis caught four passes for 34 yards while Holley rushed for 33 yards on nine carries.

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Morehouse needs playoffs help

Atlanta, Georgia -- Morehouse probably needs to at least make the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title game and perhaps win it to earn an invitation to the Division II playoffs.

Morehouse is No. 8, one spot behind Albany State, in the latest Super Region 2 rankings. The top six teams in the final rankings make the playoffs.

Albany State, which owns a victory against Morehouse, would clinch the East title with a victory against Fort Valley State (2-7, 2-4 SIAC) on Saturday. Morehouse needs a victory at Kentucky State (6-3, 3-3) and an Albany State loss to win the division.

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2011 SIAC Football Championship moves to CAU

Atlanta, Georgia -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced that the 2011 SIAC Football Championship has been moved to a new site. The game, originally scheduled to be played at Lakewood Stadium, will now take place at Panther Stadium, located on the campus of Clark Atlanta University.

“Due to protracted renovations at Lakewood Stadium and in light of related health and safety concerns, it is in the best interest of our fans and student-athletes to move the game to the Atlanta University Center,” said SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore. “Despite the change in venue, we fully anticipate an exciting game day environment at our inaugural football championship with vendors, tailgating, bands, and a capacity crowd full of passionate fans supporting our student-athletes.”

Panther Stadium is a 7,000-seat artificial grass stadium located at 735 Beckwith Street, Atlanta, GA 30314.

“In addition, I would like to thank Clark Atlanta University President, Dr. Carlton Brown, and Athletic Director, Dr. Tamica Jones, for allowing their stadium to serve as an alternate site for the game,” Moore stated.

Kickoff for the 2011 SIAC Football Championship remains at 3 p.m. EST. Tickets for the championship game are $20 and can be purchased in advance online at www.thesiactickets.com through Monday, November 7th.

For questions about the SIAC Football Championship, visit www.thesiac.com or contact the SIAC office at 404-221-1041.

Maynor says Rams have caught some breaks

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State said that a lot has gone right for his Rams this season and that's why they are 9-0 heading into Saturday's game at UNC Pembroke.

"I think the biggest thing is we've been pretty injury free with no serious injuries," Maynor said. "And we are taking care of the football. Our turnover ratio is plus-10, and any time you win the turnover battle, you've got a great, great chance of winning. "We think that if we don't turn the ball over, we can win every football game that we play."

Smith excelling at QB

Quarterback Kameron Smith, 15-2 in two seasons as Winston-Salem State's starter, said he has come a long way from his days at Navy. He transferred to WSSU before the 2010 season because he wanted an opportunity to play quarterback.

"I was on the scout team as a quarterback there, but I wasn't able to show what I could do," said Smith, who ranks sixth in WSSU history with more than 3,300 passing yards.

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Stopping TSU's run key for Southern

Baton Rouge, Louisiana - As well as Southern University's defense has played this season — Stump Mitchell, the boss himself, has conceded that the defense has given SU a chance to win almost every game — the Jaguars do have a weakness. They're suspect against the run.

Mitchell knows it. Defensive coordinator O'Neill Gilbert knows it. They've lived through it. And Southern fans have watched it, sometimes with frustration. When the Jaguars are forced to slow down a robust ground game, the results aren't often pretty.

Tennessee State gained 342 rushing yards. Prairie View gained 161 rushing yards. Mississippi Valley State: 230. Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 298. You get the idea. With that in mind, SU's next Southern (3-5, 3-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) faces Texas Southern (3-5, 1-5) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Delmar Stadium in Houston — and if the home team can establish its potent rushing attack early, the Jaguars' bus ride home to Baton Rouge won't be much fun.

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GWU Runnin' Bulldogs Run Past Virginia State, 34-13

Boiling Springs, North Carolina -- Kenny Little ran for a career-high 153 yards and two touchdowns, and Ricky Rhodes added 114 yards as Gardner-Webb dominated the ground game in a 34-13 win over Virginia State.

Gardner-Webb (4-5) won its third game in a row and ran for a season-high 296 yards on 50 carries. The Runnin' Bulldogs hosted a Thursday night game in Spangler Stadium for the first time in school history - on a night that saw the weather deteriorate with cold, rainy conditions by game's end.

The Runnin' Bulldogs held Virginia State (5-5) to minus-25 yards rushing in the game, the fewest allowed in a game since Davidson rushed for minus-36 yards in 1985. The Trojans did have some success throwing the football, with Jarred Battle completing 25-of-48 passes for 282 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

Gardner-Webb went up 14-0 early in the second quarter and led 14-3 at the break before Virginia State answered with 10 points in the third quarter to trim the lead to 14-13. The Runnin' Bulldogs ran off 20 unanswered points from there, with Little's 72-yard touchdown run on a third down play with 10:06 left breaking the game open for good.

Little opened the scoring with 51 seconds left in the first quarter, darting in and out of tackles for a nine-yard touchdown on a fourth-and-one play. Ivan Toomer set up the scoring drive, intercepting a Battle pass and returning it 54 yards to the Virginia State 31-yard line.

Browning capped a 74-yard march by calling his own number from one yard away, giving the 'Dogs a 14-0 lead with 9:16 to play before the half. Virginia State answered with a 25-yard field goal from William Rudd with 4:33 on the second quarter clock, the first of two short field goals for Rudd in the game.

The Trojans used a ball-control passing attack to score its only touchdown of the game, hitting several underneath routes on a 14-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a 13-yard scoring pass from Battle to Timothy Paulk with 7:19 to play in the third quarter. The Trojans ran the football just once in the drive, which cut the 'Dogs lead to 14-10.

Another long drive, this time 10 plays for 64 yards, and with only one running play called - led to Battle's final field goal of the night to trim the lead to 14-13 with 50 seconds to play in the third.

Trever Austin answered with a 26-yard field goal of his own with 12:57 to play in the game for a 17-13 Gardner-Webb lead, and Little put the game away with his 72-yard dash - the longest of his career. Browning added another one-yard touchdown plunge with 7:04 to play after a Gianni Olivas interception - and Austin capitalized on another Olivas interception with an 18-yard field goal for the final margin with just over two minutes to play.

Gardner-Webb piled up 443 yards of total offense, averaging 6.2 yards per play in the game - which started with sunny skies and 62 degree weather and ended with a steady rain and temperatures in the low 50s.

Little's effort was encouraging, as he gained his 153 yards on just 15 carries after missing the past two weeks with an injury. He and Rhodes combined to give Gardner-Webb a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game for the second time in 2011. The 100-yard game was Rhodes' second in the past three weeks.

Alonzo Winfield collected a career-high nine total tackles (five solo), 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack to go with a pass break up to pace the defensive effort. Marty Patterson added seven tackles and Toomer recorded a season-high six hits (five solo), an interception and three pass break ups in a solid performance.

Virginia State had 257 yards of total offense. Battle's favorite receiver was Paulk, who caught seven passes for 44 yards. Alan Anderson had six catches for 85 yards and Corey Young hauled in six for 78 yards.

Jeremy Pruitt, the CIAA's leading tackler, posted a game-high 14 stops (five solo) and 2.5 tackles for loss to pace the Trojans' defensive effort.

Gardner-Webb will remain at home and return to Big South play next week, as it hosts league title contender Stony Brook at 1:30 on Saturday, November 12. Virginia State's season is complete.

BOX SCORE (PDF)

Courtesy: Gardner-Webb

Battle tosses for 282 yards in VSU loss

VSU aired it out for a season high 282 passing yards in a 34-13 loss to the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb University on Thursday, in Spangler Stadium. Junior quarterback, Jarred Battle completed 25 of 48 pass attempts and threw a 13 yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver, Timothy Paulk for a touchdown.

The Bulldogs rushed for 4 touchdowns and gained 296 total yards on the ground. VSU threw 3 interceptions and had a total of -3 rushing yards. The Trojans went into the half down 14-3 by two rushing touchdowns by the Bulldogs offense. Senior kicker, William Rudd made a 25-yard field goal late in the second quarter, scoring VSU's only points of the first half.

The Trojans made a statement on their first drive of the second half, by forcing a punt on defense and then scoring on a 14-play, 80-yard drive.

Battle connected with Timothy Paulk from 13 yards out cutting the Bulldog lead to 14-10 with 7:12 left in the third quarter. Battle made 10 completions on that drive hooking up with five different Trojan receivers. The Trojans cut the lead to within a single point later in the third quarter as Rudd made his second field goal of the night, scoring from 26 yards out with under a minute remaining in the quarter.

GWU extended their lead on their next possession, by nailing a 26-yard field goal with 12:57 in the fourth quarter, pushing the score to 17-13.

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WSSU's Williams started at UNC Pembroke

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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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

LaQwesha Gamble

Charlotte, North Carolina -- LaQwesha Gamble plans on going out with a bang. The Johnson C. Smith senior power forward was named all CIAA after the leading the Golden Bulls to a 26-5 record last season. She is a preseason all-conference pick by league coaches. However, she expects to do even better than last season’s 11.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.

“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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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

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 score

By 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

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Grambling coach Doug Williams talked less about his two young quarterbacks this Monday than any other week this season. The player taking the snaps against his defense this week, however, prompted more questions than any opposing athlete thus far.

"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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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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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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