Tougaloo Bulldogs Escape Belhaven 72-70

Tougaloo College Bulldogs
Legendary Head Men's Basketball Coach
Mr. Lafayette Stribling

TOUGALOO, Mississippi - The Tougaloo College Men's Basketball team hosted cross town rival Belhaven University in Day 2 of the Tougaloo College Classic here at the Dawg Pound. The Bulldogs escaped Blazers 72-70 to take the win.

After a tough loss to Freed Hardeman University last night, the Bulldogs were determined to win against Belhaven tonight.

The Bulldogs would struggle early in the first half, as the Blazers would take an early lead. The Bulldogs would try to find some kind of momentum, but they would continue to struggle all the way through the first half and the Blazers would take a 33-26 halftime lead.

In the second half, however, the Bulldogs would find their momentum and take control of the game, fighting their way back to gain the lead. The Bulldogs would maintain the lead for the majority of the half, but the Blazers just would not give up.

With 11.3 seconds left in the game, the score tied at 70, and the Bulldogs possession, Tougaloo's Marquise Mems would fly down the court in hopes of a fast lay up. The ball would hit the side of the rim, Horace Whitehead would get the rebound and put it back up, the ball would pop back out, Mems would get the rebound and put it back up, but it would come out again. With the time winding down, Tougaloo's Erik Burks would get the rebound and quick put back at the buzzer to give the Bulldogs the win over the Blazers.

Marquise Mems led the Bulldogs with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Kadon Day chipped in 15 points and 10 rebounds, Horace Whitehead tacked in 15 points, and Donteeno Todd added 10 points for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on December 14, 2011 as the host Concordia College Selma. Tip-off is set for 7:30 P.M.

By Eric Pilcher
VISIT: TOUGALOO COLLEGE BULLDOGS

Union, State meet again in NYC

RICHMOND, Virginia - Virginia State and Virginia Union are 26 miles apart on I-95, a quick 30-minute drive from the north side of Richmond to Ettrick.

But today, the CIAA rivals head more than 300 miles north to New York City, where they will play at 3 p.m. at Madison Square Garden in the annual Big Apple Classic.



For the past few years, VUU and VSU have met every December in New York and every January in the Freedom Classic at the Richmond Coliseum. That means they always face each other on a neutral court. Despite their proximity, Union and State haven't played against each other at either team's home site since Feb. 7, 2004.

VUU has won 21 consecutive games in the ...

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Haywood's scoring burst leads Xavier past Concordia (Ala.)

Nick Haywood

NEW ORLEANS -- Nick Haywood scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half Saturday to lead NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 78-61 men's basketball victory against Concordia (Ala.) at The Barn.

The Gold Rush (5-2) produced five double-figure scorers to snap a two-game losing streak.

Haywood was scoreless the first eight minutes, then scored 14 points during a nine-minute stretch to give Xavier a 40-25 lead at 2:28 of the first first half. Haywood capped his burst by making three consecutive 3-pointers. It was Haywood's third consecutive game in double figures after averaging 5.2 points in the first four contests. He finished with four 3-pointers and has made 14 in the past three games.

Denzell Erves

Denzell Erves had 16 points -- his first double-figure game since the season opener -- eight rebounds and two blocked shots for the Gold Rush. Cordell Hadnot had a season-high 14 points, seven rebounds and a career-high-tying four steals. Renard Smith scored a season-high 13 points, and Wanto Joseph had 10 points and a career-high-tying eight assists. 

Travis Rasco scored 22 points for Concordia (3-8), and Wesley Conor scored 11. The Hornets have dropped a season-high three straight decisions and five of their past six.

Xavier never lost the lead after outscoring the Hornets 7-0 in the first 2½ minutes. The Gold Rush led 44-33 at halftime and by 26 points on three occasions in the second half.

Xavier, winning at home for the 24th time in 26 games, shot a season-best 49.1 percent from the floor, limited the Hornets to 40.4 percent and outrebounded them 36-26.

The next Gold Rush game will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday at home against Mobile.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS 

VISIT: GCACSPORTS

B-CU's win is a Breeze; Wildcat women fall to FAMU court press, 81-57

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman's Anthony Breeze said he felt he might have hurt his team Tuesday when he played for the first time in two weeks after injuring his shoulder. That certainly wasn't the case Saturday.

The 6-foot-5 post player scored a game-high 22 points and sophomore forward Adrien Coleman came off the bench to score 18 points and pull down a game-high nine rebounds as the Wildcats defeated Florida A&M 74-59 at a packed Moore Gymnasium.

It was B-CU's first win over an NCAA team this season. The Wildcats (3-5) improved to 1-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, while FAMU fell to 0-7, 0-1.

"Anthony Breeze just wore us out," FAMU coach Clemon Johnson said. "This is the first time I saw (Rattlers 6-8 center Yannick Crowder) get outplayed against a school our size. But he got outplayed (Saturday)."



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B-CU women fall to FAMU court press, 81-57

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman saw the return of three key starters in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener against rival Florida A&M, but the good news for the Wildcats ended there.

FAMU beat B-CU 81-57 on Saturday at Moore Gymnasium, and Demetria Frank's first game back since having knee surgery last year ended with her hopping off the court early in the second half.

Nothing obvious occurred to cause the injury, but the senior guard collapsed in agony behind the bench as team doctors attended to her surgically repaired knee.

Wildcats coach Vanessa Blair said she had no information on Frank's status and didn't want to speculate on her availability for their next game Dec. 11 vs. Stetson. The game against the Rattlers (3-4, 1-0 MEAC) was supposed to be a coming-out party of sorts for the Wildcats (1-5, 0-1).

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NCAA Division II Championship: Winston Salem State Rams 27, University of New Haven Chargers 7

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - If there were any doubts regarding the overall strength of the Winston Salem State University Rams football team, they were put to rest with a dominating 27-7 victory over the University of New Haven Chargers, today.

The 2011 CIAA Champion Rams took the opening kickoff and shredded the New Haven defense with a combination of All-American Nic Cooper runs, and timely passes. The Rams junior quarterback Kameron Smith connected on a 48 yard bomb to receiver Jameze Massey for the game's first score at the 8:21 mark.

Kicker Alejandr Suarez point after missed wide-right for a 6-0 Ram lead in the first quarter.  The Rams scoring drive was for 9 plays, 69 yard consuming 3:40 off the clock.

New Haven came back slinging the ball to their bread and butter receiver, D. Washington.  He scored on a beautifully timed 36 yard pass in the back of the end zone from quarterback Ryan Osiecki to tie the game.  The Chargers took their only lead of the game 7-6, on Chris Scifo extra point kick.

But the Rams showed no panic, and drove the ball from their own 30 yard line to the New Haven 47 before their offense stalled.  For the reminder of the 1st. quarter, the game became a defensive battle for both clubs. 

Then, on a 4th and one at the WSSU 34 yard line, the Chargers made their first critical mistake. 

WSSU  punter Landen Thayer sent a booming kick to the New Haven 44 yard line where the Rams Rodney Taylor forced a fumble by the Chargers Kent Quran, which was recovered by the Rams Rashad Shaw.  The Rams were in business with a short field at the Chargers 21 yard line. 

Quarterback Kameron Smith completed a 9 yard pass to Tyrone Goldston to move the ball to the New Haven 12 yard line.  Then, a hand off to Nicholas Cooper finished the deal as he scampered 12 yards to the end zone to give the Rams a 12-7 lead.  The extra point by Alejandr Suarez was good with 14:49 left in the half for a 13-7 score.

On the first series of the 3rd. quarter the Rams received the ball first.  WSSU hitched their wagon to Nic Cooper and their vaulted running game and ran the ball down the throat of the Chargers for the next 8 minutes and 7 seconds.  The Rams moved the ball from their own 25 yard line to the New Haven 33.  QB Kameron Smith 4th and 8 pass hit Tehvyn Brantley squarely in both hands near the 10 yard line. He dropped the ball like it was a hot potato, ending the Rams 13 play drive.

New Haven immediately showed their half-time adjustments by abandoning their 400 yards per game passing attack, and going to a two-back ground attack.  The Rams defense slammed the door shut on the Chargers limiting them to only 30 yards on a 10 play, 6 minute drive.

On 4th and 29 yard to go, the Rams defensive rush forced New Haven into their second critical mistake.

The Chargers Chris Scifo punt only traveled 29 yards and then out of bounds at the WSSU 8 yard line, where the Ram offense took over with the clock showing only 6:41 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

Coach Connell Maynor noticed the New Haven secondary creeping up towards the line of scrimmage before the snaps on the previous series and immediately opened up the Rams playbook.  QB Kameron Smith caught the Chargers defense flat-footed and hit Jameze Massey for 23 yards to the WSSU 31 yard line.  A hand off to Nic Cooper moved the chains another 4 yards to end the 3rd. quarter.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Rams coaching staff surprised New Haven with a five receiver set that they were not prepared to defend.  A streaking Jahuann Butler hauled in a 32 yard pass from Kameron Smith for a 1st down at the New Haven 33 yard line.  The Rams called a timeout to discuss their next play with 14.31 remaining in the game, and to give their huge offensive line a breather with the Rams up by 13-7.

A determined Ram team lined up in a passing formation with 5 receivers and an empty back field.  Before the Chargers pass rushers could get to QB Kameron Smith on the play, he stood tall in the pocket and calmly hit Jameze Massey on a perfectly thrown ball for a 33 yards touchdown and a 19-7 lead.  Kicker Alejandr Suarez kick was good for a 20-7 Ram lead.

The pressure was now squarely on New Haven, down by two scores with only 14:13 left in the game.

The Rams defense got nasty, limiting the Chargers to only a 23 yards on 5 plays.

With 12 minutes remaining in the game, everyone in the stadium knew what was coming next.  The Rams moved the ball methodically, mixing runs with passes keeping the tiring Chargers defense on its heels. The drive ended at the New Haven 7 yard line where New Havens J.D. Chalifoux intercepted Kameron Smith when he unwisely threw into double coverage, ending the Rams 8 play, 36 yard drive.

With time running short, the Chargers were in a do or die situation.

QB Ryan Osiecki cranked up the Chargers high powered offense with 12 minutes remaining in the game.  On the arm and legs of Osiecki, New Haven moved the ball on a 12 play 88 yard drive, consuming  3 minutes and 52 second, but coming up empty with no points.  Winston Salem's LB Carlos Fields dropped back into pass coverage and intercepted Ryan Osiecki pass at the Rams 1 yard line, denying the Chargers of the touchdown.

The Rams took over with 7 minutes and 28 second remaining and the opportunity to play in the Division II football final 4 was finally within their grasp.  With the 7,000 fans on their feet, the Rams first pass dropped incomplete. A Tyrone Goldston rush netted only 5 yards moving the ball to the WSSU 6 yard line.

On 3rd and 8, and with the box stacked with 8 New Haven defensive players, WSSU handed the ball to their All American turbo-charged bulldozer, Nic Cooper. Cooper busted through the Chargers line and then went airborne about 10 yards down field, smacking a New Haven defense back to the turf for a 14 yard drive saving 1st down.

First and Ten, and the crowd started the early celebration.

With the ball at the WSSU 20, Tyrone Goldston made two runs for 7 yards. The Chargers immediately called a timeout with 1:27 remaining, ball on the WSSU 27 yard line.

When play resumed, the Rams on a 3rd and 3 play called Nic Cooper's number.  Cooper took the hand off and galloped through the Chargers tired defense for 72 yards, running out of gas at the New Haven 1 yard line.  A winded Cooper was unable to hit pay dirt on the next play and was replaced by back up fullback Cedric Hickman.

Hickman calmly delivered the mail on second and goal for a 1 yard touchdown with only 39 seconds remaining, as the Ram fans erupted for joy and the Charger fans headed for the parking lots.

Alejandr Suarez extra point extended the WSSU lead to 27-7 and completed the 8 play 99 yard drive.

The win moves Winston Salem State into the national semi-finals for the first time in 33 years.

The New Haven Chargers ends their season with a 11-2 record.  Their other road defeat was at FCS College of William and Mary (13-10) of the strong Colonial Athletic Conference.

The New Haven Chargers band provided a great show for the excited 7,000 fans at Bowman-Gray Stadium including an estimated 500-800 supporters from New Haven.  The Red Sea of Sound Band provided an opening tribute to fallen FAMU Marching 100 Drum Major, Robert Champion, which was well received by the crowd.

Box Score

NEXT GAME: #1 Winston Salem State will host #6 Wayne State Warriors (11-3) (Detroit, Michigan) on December 10 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Wayne State has been designated the Cinderella of the tournament, as they beat the defending national champions, University of Minnesota-Duluth 31-25 on the road in Duluth, Minnesota, today. Minnesota-Duluth ends their season with a 11-3 record.

Wayne State, seeded sixth in Super Region 3, recorded three consecutive road wins (48-38 at #14-St. Cloud State, 38-26 at #4 Nebraska Kearney, and 31-25 at #9 Minnesota Duluth) to advance to next weekend's national semifinal contest at Winston-Salem.

Winston Salem State is the highest seed remaining and only undefeated team left in the tournament. They are only two wins away from taking the national championship title home to Winston Salem, but no one on this team is looking ahead.

The NCAA Division II Football National Championship game will be played on December 17, at Florence, Alabama.

MY GAME NOTES:
The WSSU vs. New Haven game is available for replay at NCAA.com. or the WSSURAMS.com sites.

This game is worth watching again, as Coach Connell Maynor made great adjustments at the half on the offensive and defensive ends to take control of the game in the third and fourth quarters.

Winston Salem had only 3 penalties for 25 yards for the entire game. New Haven was penalized 9 times for 63 yards, mostly for false starts.

The Chargers self-destructed with 4 turnovers --three interceptions and one fumble.

My Take on the Division II Rams:  The Rams are a very disciplined, athletic and well coached team and deserves to be #1 in both Division II  and HBCU Football.  They have speed and Division I type athletes.  That Nic Cooper is a very good 6-0/245 beast of a running back that has speed and power.  He reminds me of a bulldozer with a turbo-charger engine, or an Earl Campbell type runner that has to be tackled by more than three-four players. The Rams are so balanced and can beat you with the pass or run and will not beat themselves with mistakes. They are a great looking championship team. 

I enjoyed this game more than any FCS game I watched this season.  WSSU plays a better brand of football that is fun to watch. Go Rams!!!

By beepbeep

NCCU's Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree to be inducted in George Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame

Dr. Ingrid Wicker-McCree
Director of Athletics
North Carolina Central University

Washington, D.C. -- The George Washington University Department of Athletics and Recreation proudly announced Dec. 2, 2011, that eight inductees will comprise the GW Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Mike Bassett, Tina Brown, Jack Kvancz, Ingrid (Wicker) McCree, Joe McKeown, Chris Monroe, Shawnta Rogers and the late Jim Tarr will be inducted on Saturday, February 18, when the men's basketball team plays host to Saint Joseph's.

Ingrid Wicker-McCree ('89) was a member of the George Washington women's volleyball team from 1985-89. After her career as a student-athlete with the Colonials, Wicker-McCree began her professional career as a two-sport coach before making the transition into athletic administration. Currently, Wicker-McCree serves as North Carolina Central University's Director of Athletics. She began her career at NCCU as the head coach of both the women's volleyball and softball programs, and became the first coach in school history to win conference championships in multiple sports with NCCU's first-ever conference titles in softball (1998) and volleyball (1999, 2004, 2005). Wicker-McCree is a three-time Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Volleyball Coach of the Year and she was inducted into the NCCU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. Wicker-McCree received the CIAA Leadership Award for Service and was named the CIAA Senior Woman Administrator of the Year in the spring of 2006.

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Miles can make school history in today's Pioneer Bowl

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- On the night of Nov. 11, the Miles College football team gathered in a conference room in an Atlanta hotel. The Golden Bears were just hours away from kickoff of the inaugural Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship game.

There were no coaches in that room, just players. Miles first-year head coach Reginald Ruffin had agreed to the peculiar request, thinking that the impromptu meeting wouldn't last long.

Ruffin ended up waiting in the hotel lobby for more than three hours. His players finally exited the room around 10:30 p.m., their eyes red and watery.

"One of the kids told me, 'Coach, I learned a lot about my teammates tonight,'" said Ruffin, who adds he still doesn't know exactly what was said in that room.

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Ohio Bobcats Back Home for Clash with Morgan State Bears

Listen Live       Live Stats

Game Notes     Live Video

GAME TIME: 2:00 PM ET

ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio Men’s Basketball (4-1) returns home after two-consecutive road games to play Morgan State (0-6) on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Convocation Center. With a win, the Bobcats will be off to their best start since the 2005-06 season.

The game will be broadcast live at 2 p.m. with Voice of the Bobcats Russ Eisenstein providing the play-by-play and Rob Cornelius manning color commentary.

Ohio had its best shooting game of the season, connecting on 50 percent of its shots in a 70-68 win at previously-undefeated Marshall earlier this week.



Ohio led by as many as 14 in the second half as Reggie Keely paced the Bobcats with 16 points and added five rebounds. Walter Offutt had 13 points and five boards and Ivo Baltic was just shy of a double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds and the first three-pointer of his career. D.J. Cooper did post a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists to go with four steals.

Marshall, which had dominated its opponents on the boards to a tune of +11.4 per game, only out-rebounded Ohio by one. The Bobcats also grabbed 16 offensive rebounds to match their season average, which currently tops the Mid-American Conference. Ohio scored 45 points in the paint (+15), received 28 points from its bench (+17) and had an 18-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

Ohio has three players averaging double figures with Cooper, a junior guard, leading the way with 14.6 points per game. Offutt, a redshirt junior, leads the squad with 6.6 rebounds per game and is third in scoring at 12.4 points per contest. Keely rounds out the trio averaging a career-best 12.8 points, 5.8rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.

Coming into the season, Head Coach John Groce had stressed the importance of being sounder defensively and through four games, the work appears to be paying off. Ohio is limiting opponents to 26.7 percent shooting from beyond the arc and is a +4.4 in turnover margin per outing.



A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT
Morgan State is off to an 0-6 start with a road loss at #14/15 Xavier (63-74), a home loss against Murray State (69-80) and losses at UNLV (55-92), USC (62-65) and versus Tennessee State (64-69). The Bears will attempt to avoid its worst start since 2005 today.

MSU, who led for most of the second half, had a 45-37 advantage with 11:59 left before Tennessee State took over and came away with a 69-64 victory at the Las Vegas Invitational. Kevin Thompson led the Bears with 16 points and five rebounds. DeWayne Jackson had 14 and Ian Chiles had nine points.

Morgan State was selected to win the MEAC Regular Season Title, edging out last year’s MEAC Tournament Champion Hampton. The Bears are trying to rebound from last year’s fourth place MEAC finish and reclaim the conference title for the fourth time in five years. MSU completed the 2010-11 season with a 17-14 mark and posted a 10-6 conference record.

HISTORY VS. THE BEARS

This will be the first meeting between the Bears and Bobcats. Ohio is 5-0 all-time against members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (2-0, Coppin State; 2-0, North Carolina A&T; 1-0, Norfolk State). The Green & White host North Carolina A&T later this month, December 23.

RPI RANKINGS

Ohio’s strong start to the season is evident in many areas, but recently the Bobcats showed up at No. 11 in the CBSSports.com Ratings Percentage Index. They are currently the only team ranked among the top 68 from the Mid-American Conference.

In fact, the Bobcats rank above such college basketball heavyweights as Kentucky, Arizona, North Carolina, Michigan State, Indiana, Kansas, Georgetown, Purdue and Xavier.

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2011 NCAA Championship: Rams' kicking game will be needed

LIVE VIDEO STREAMING OF GAME@ WSSURAM.com or at:  http://livestre.am/oyWw

HELP US FINISH THE DEAL!  GO RAMS!!!

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina - There hasn't been much need for Winston-Salem State to worry about its kicking game, with all the lopsided victories it had during the regular season.

But now that the Rams are in the Division II playoffs, a good kicking game could mean the difference between winning and losing.

"Without a doubt, the kicking game is magnified in the playoffs," said place-kicker Landen Thayer, who missed two field-goal attempts in last week's 35-28 victory against California (Pa.).

Thayer, a junior, said he had never missed two attempts in one game in ...

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BILL HAYES' GAME BITS #2

BILL HAYES GAME BITS #2 - (Bill Hayes is a veteran and legend in football coaching circles, as well as being a renowned AD. He has put together these tidbits to inform our fans of some of the behind-the-scenes things that go into putting on a NCAA Playoff Game)
/
University of New Haven
HEAD COACH – Peter Rossomando is 24-8 in three seasons
a. Nick name – Chargers
b. Colors – Blue and Gold
c. Dellacamera Stadium has blue and gold synthetic turf
d. Staduim capacity of 3,500
e. Defeated #5 Kutztown to advance to this weekend's NCAA Quarterfinals

New Haven Football History
a. First year of football - 1973
b. All time record - 184-137-5
c. NE10 Conference Championships - 2 – 2010, 2011
d. Playoff appearances - 5
e. NCAA's Division II record - 7-4
f. Last playoff appearance - 2010
g. Official name is – University of New Haven
h. University of New Haven was founded in 1920
i. University is located in West Haven, Connecticut.
j. Enrollment of 6,000 students
k. Last regular season 2011 poll rankings: AFCA: 5th, D2Football.com: 11th
j. Miami Dolphins head coach, Tony Sparano, is a New Haven graduate, and has the strength & conditioning center named in his honor.
K. Primary offensive goal: Throw it!
New Haven has passed for over 3,465 yards and 39 touchdowns, although they have rushed for 1,693 yards and 25 touchdowns

GAME TIDBITS…
1. Types of footballs – WSSU normally plays with the Spalding footballs; however, the NCAA requires that we use Wilson Footballs.
2. We will practice with three different Wilson's balls and select the best fit early next week.
3. Officials will be assigned by the Division II Conference Office selected by the Division II Football
 Committee. Officials assigned have not officiated for either school.
4. WSSU is the home team and must wear dark uniforms.
5. Both football programs must exchange at least two previous game tapes.
6. In person game scouting is not permissible
7. Each institution's band may perform at half-time for six (6) minutes. If the opposing band does not attend, WSSU's band may perform for 12 minutes.
8. WSSU's athletics must make press box arrangements and field telephones and space for coaches and duplicating machines.
9. Medical services and assistance is provided by the home team.
10. NCAA's handbook states "no complimentary tickets will be issued."
11. Public address announcer and team introduction must be neutral.
12. Squad size is 54 players maximum and total party of 70 individuals including coaches, trainers and equipment personnel.
13. The tie-breaker procedure will be used in case of a tie game
14. Bands cannot play once the 25/40 second clock starts.
15. No artificial noise makers allowed – (thunder sticks, bells, horns)
16. The team area is from the 25 yard line to the opposite 25 year line.
17. NCAA's pre-game meeting will be held at the Field House Friday Evening
18. Host institutions or sponsoring agencies are encouraged to extend the utmost courtesy to the competing teams.
19. If space heaters or cooling fans are provided, both teams must have the same.
20. Home team must assist the visitors with a kicking net if needed.

TICKETS
•Ticket prices are $15 for general admission and $10 for WSSU students with proper ID (also will honor students from other area colleges and high school with ID). Parking prices will remain the same as in the regular season, $12 for the South Lot (Reserved – no season ticket or game ticket required) and $10 for the East and West Lots.
•Parking lots and tailgating open at 9:00 am at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday, while the gates will open at 11:00 am

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Watch live streaming video from wssu at livestream.com

2011 NCAA Championship: New Haven has impressive resume

WEST HAVEN, Connecticut - Coach Peter Rossomando of New Haven (Conn.) was asked earlier this week what he thought about Winston-Salem State's big-play offense.

"We've seen them on film, obviously, and we can't try and match them big play for big play because if you try to do that — fuggettaboudit," Rossomando said in his best Staten Island accent.



The fifth-ranked Chargers (11-1) will play at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday at noon against the third-ranked Rams (12-0).

Rossomando, in his third season with the Chargers, said he sees on film why the Rams are unbeaten and having one of the best seasons in school history.

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Gameday Central: NCAA Division II Football Championship Quarterfinal Round vs. Winston-Salem State

WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The nationally ranked No. 5/11 University of New Haven football team travels to nationally ranked No. 3/4 Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, December 3 for the NCAA Division II Football Championship Quarterfinal Round. All the information fans need to know can be found online at Gameday Central.

WATCH ALL GAMES LIVE AT NCAA.COM OR CLICK HERE TO GO TO SITE.

Div II	Location	Venue	Time ET
New Haven vs. Winston-Salem	Winston-Salem, N.C.	Bowman Gray Stadium	Noon
Wayne St. (MI) vs. Minn. Duluth	Duluth, Minn.	Malosky Stadium	1:00 p.m.
Northwest Mo. St. vs. Pittsburg St.	Pittsburg, Kan.	Carnie Smith Stadium	2:00 p.m.
North Greenville vs. Delta St.	Cleveland, Miss.	Travis E. Parker Field	2:00 p.m.

Coats has J.C. Smith covered on defense

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Mike Coats is thriving in the center of Johnson C. Smith's defense.

The Golden Bulls' middle linebacker leads Smith in tackles (71) and interceptions (three) going into Saturday's Pioneer Bowl against SIAC champion Miles (Ala.) College in Columbus, Ga.

Statistically, J.C. Smith (5-5) has improved to 71st in Division II in total defense at 362.2 yards allowed compared to last year's team, which ranked 124th at 405.5. First-year coordinator Craig Cox's emphasis on speed and pressure suits Coats, a 6-foot, 230-pound junior.

"It's the scheme we play," Coats said. "I'm more comfortable with what we're playing and I know everything we're doing. It's simple and the more comfortable I am, I know I play better.

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NSU football: Blackwell speaks about his departure

Coach Joe Blackwell (bio)

NORFOLK, Virginia - Norfolk State offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell said he was surprised that his contract with Norfolk State won’t be renewed after the Spartans’ championship season, but he was not angry about it.

“One thing I learned long ago,” Blackwell said. “Coaches were hired to be fired. It’s (Pete Adrian’s) program and he has a right to do what he wants with it. I don’t have hard feelings. I’m thick-skinned. I’m thankful he gave me the opportunity to be a coordinator.”

Blackwell said Adrian called him Monday to tell the former offensive coordinator about his decision. Blackwell had asked for the week off and was at the hospital with one of his daughters ...

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Hampton Pirates struggle; lose MEAC opener to Savannah State

HAMPTON, Virginia - The Pirates of Hampton University men’s basketball team did not open conference play the way it hoped Thursday night at the HU Convocation Center, falling 65-49 to conference newcomer Savannah State.

The Pirates, who seemed like they couldn’t get anything going throughout the game, made just 14 shots, shooting 30 percent from the floor and going 0-for-12 from 3-point range. Savannah State picked up its first-ever win over Hampton in three meetings. Hampton (3-4, 0-1 MEAC) went almost 15 minutes in the second half without making a field goal. After being down 39-26 at the half, the Pirates battled back to within three points when senior Darrion Pellum (Hampton, Va.) nailed a jumper at the 15:56 mark to cut Savannah State’s lead to 39-36 and cap a 10-0 run to open the second half.



But the Pirates would get no closer. The Tigers (3-5, 1-0 MEAC) would extend their lead back to as many as 18 points. Hampton would not get another field goal until the final seconds of the game, when senior Mike Tuitt (Bronx, N.Y.) made a floater in the lane.

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FAMU Band Director: 'He looked like he had passed out'

ATLANTA, Georgia -- For the first time since the death of Florida A&M drum major Robert Champion, director Julian White is giving more details about what happened that day.

11Alive's Blayne Alexander is the only Atlanta reporter to speak with Dr. White. During the interview, he described the moments after Champion collapsed.

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FAMU dismisses 4 students connected to death 
Florida A&M expels four students in wake of suspected hazing death

Hundreds attend funeral for FAMU drum major Robert Champion

DECATUR, Georgia -- Mourners filled a church in Decatur, Georgia, Wednesday for the funeral of a Florida university drum major who died this month in what officials have called a hazing-related incident.

A line of people -- some of them wearing band uniforms -- filed past Robert Champion's open casket. He was wearing his Florida A&M University Marching 100 uniform and holding a baton.

As the service began, a group of drum majors draped his coffin with the university's flag.

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Postseason drive filling WSSU bandwagon

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina -- Everybody loves a winner. So it's no surprise that Winston-Salem State's 12-0 football team has received extra love and attention.

"I was in the store the other day, and I was wearing a Winston-Salem State sweatshirt, and three people told me 'Go Rams,' " said punter Landen Thayer, who is from Clemmons and played at West Forsyth High School. "That's pretty cool when you hear stuff like that."

No. 3-ranked WSSU, which defeated California (Pa.) 35-28 in last week's second round of the Division II playoffs, will be at home again Saturday, against No. 5 New Haven in the quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for noon.  Even though WSSU's first playoff game came over Thanksgiving weekend, it drew a crowd of nearly 8,000 — the third largest crowd of the season at Bowman Gray Stadium.

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XU Gold Nuggets are a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards

Xavier's women's basketball accomplishments in 2010-11 helped
the Gold Nuggets become a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards.
Head Coach: Robert "Bo" Browder (13th Season)
Associate Head Coach: Darrilyn Broussard

(Click on photo to enlarge)

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's basketball program is a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards.

The Gold Nuggets are one of four finalists for women's team of the year — the others are Maryland Eastern Shore bowling, Florida A&M volleyball and Shaw basketball. Criteria for the finalists were winning a conference championship, maintaining good standing with graduation and academic progress rates and serving as a goodwill vehicle for their institutions during the 2010-11 academic year.

Winners will be announced at an April 20 ceremony at Bowie

Xavier's women's basketball accomplishments in 2010-11 helped the Gold Nuggets become a finalist for the 2012 HBCU Awards.

State University in Bowie, Md. A panel of chancellors and presidents from HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) named the finalists and will select the winners.

This is the second year of the awards, which are sponsored by the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy Inc. Awards also will be presented for leadership, arts, research and community engagement.

Bo Browder is in his 13th season as the Gold Nuggets' head coach, and associate head coach Darrilyn Broussard is in her 11th season on the staff. During their time together they've compiled a 266-79 record with five Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championships, five GCAC Tournament championships and nine appearances at the NAIA Division I National Championship. (Browder is 304-105 overall at Xavier.) Of the 39 senior student-athletes to play for Browder at Xavier, 38 received degrees from Xavier or are still enrolled.

Xavier, 6-3 and ranked 16th in NAIA Division I, will play 21st-ranked Shorter at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Barn in a PSBlive.com webcast.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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This Week

at The Barn

Saturday, December 3 — Women's Basketball vs. Shorter, 2 p.m. live webcast • live stats 

Saturday, December 3 — Men's Basketball vs. Concordia (Ala.), 4 p.m. live webcast • live stats

Charlotte 49ers add JCSU to football schedule

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- The Charlotte 49ers and Johnson C. Smith will face off in football in 2014 and 2015.

Charlotte, which launches its Division I football program in 2013, announced the addition of the Division II Golden Bulls to its schedule on Oct. 30. Both games will be played at McColl-Richardson Field on University of North Carolina-Charlotte's campus.

The 49ers and Golden Bulls will play home Sept. 6, 2014 and Sept. 19, 2015. JCSU is scheduled to play Division I Davidson in 2013 in Charlotte.

The 49ers’ 2014 schedule has ...
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FAMU student talks to WFTV about hazing

Tallahassee, Florida -- Only WFTV reporter Daralene Jones spoke with a student at Florida A&M University who said she was rushed to the emergency room after being hazed. Bria Hunter said the incident happened just days before band member Robert Champion died in Orlando earlier this month.

Hunter said some band members felt as if they had to join one of the underground groups known as the "Clones," "Red Dogs" and "Gustapos," so they can be accepted by veteran band members.

Champion, 26, mentored several members of the famed FAMU band, before he was hazed to death, including Hunter.

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Norfolk State Spartans must rebuild fast to contend in 2012

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State football team will have to replace the mood, and the mind, that led the Spartans to unprecedented success this season.

The Spartans' road to a repeat championship will have to include the biggest rebuilding job in the MEAC. Norfolk State listed 22 seniors on its roster this season, the most in the conference. Among the upperclassmen were the core of its defense, along with Josh Turner and Chris Walley, likely the two most important players on the roster.



"You know the thing in the middle of a wheel? What's that called, the axle?" coach Pete Adrian asked. "That's what Josh is. He's the one that makes it all work."

Turner is probably the biggest - 315 pounds big - loss of the seven graduating senior starters and four All-MEAC members on defense. That also includes leading tackler Corwin Hammond.

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Calls to end hazing ring out at drum major's funeral

Decatur, Georgia (CNN) -- Somber chords sounded at a funeral service Wednesday for a drum major whose death has sparked an investigation of hazing allegations at his Florida university. Criticisms of hazing and rallying cries for change echoed throughout the three-hour church ceremony.

"I call on every mother, every father, every niece, every uncle: Do what is necessary now to stop this tragedy so that it will never happen again," the Rev. John Tatum shouted into a microphone as he pointed at hundreds of people packed into the pews at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia.



Authorities have not specified what caused 26-year-old drum major Robert Champion's death after a performance earlier this month with the Marching 100 band from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). Officials said hazing was involved, and his family has said it plans to sue the school "to get answers."

Speaking at Wednesday's service, FAMU President James H. Ammons pledged to ...

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Who Should Be Blamed for Hazing? Students

Commentary by Tonyaa Weathersbee
BlackAmericaWeb.com

Jacksonville, Florida -- Florida A&M University drum major Robert Champion died last month – likely from hazing. Now the survival of a lot of other things at the historically black university is looking shaky as well.

The famed Marching 100, a band that has performed at Super Bowls, at the Grammys and in Paris, has been suspended. Their performance at Carnegie Hall is off. So are performances by the music department.

And the band director, Julian White, a former neighbor of mine here in Jacksonville - so dedicated to his art that his life story probably ought to be written in musical notes instead of words - must now fight to salvage his job and his legacy.

Things weren’t supposed to turn out like this.

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NSU coach Adrian fires offensive coordinator

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell won't be back with the Spartans next season. Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian said Wednesday that he chose not to retain Blackwell and told the team during a meeting earlier in the week. Norfolk State's assistant coaches are on year-to-year contracts.

"I'm not going to go into it," Adrian said. "It's something I felt like I had to do. Stuff goes on behind the scenes. Let's put it like this, there's more that goes into coaching college than Xs and Os."

Blackwell has changed his phone number since providing it to The Pilot last season and could not be reached for comment. Adrian said he expects to retain the rest of his staff.

Blackwell's offense averaged ...

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Pioneer Bowl XIII: Johnson C. Smith University vs. Miles College

Pioneer Bowl Game Notes (pdf format)

PIONEER BOWL football tickets can be purchased at the JCSU Ticket Office in Biddle Hall (3rd Floor) or call 704-378-1145. Tickets can also be purchased at the game.

Columbus, GA – The Johnson C. Smith University football team has accepted the invitation to participate in the 13th Pioneer Bowl to be held Saturday, December 3rd at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, Georgia at 1:00 p.m. (EST). JCSU will face Miles College from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) as the road team in this match-up.

The Pioneer Bowl is the only NCAA sanctioned bowl game involving HBCU athletic conferences and one of only three sanctioned bowl games in Division II. Started in 1997, the game features teams from the CIAA and the SIAC. Last year, Saint Augustine's College (CIAA) trumped Fort Valley State University (SIAC), 20-9.

JCSU closed out the regular season with a 31-0 victory against Livingstone College in the annual Commemorative Classic. The win moved the Golden Bulls to third in the CIAA Southern Division with 5-5 overall record and 4-3 in the conference mark.

This is the first non-losing season for Johnson C. Smith since 2006. That year, JCSU finished 7-3 in the standings and received a Pioneer Bowl bid. Unfortunately, even with the game played in Charlotte, NC, Tuskegee won the game 17-7. Until now, that has been the only bowl game appearance for the Golden Bulls.

Miles College, led by Head Coach Reginald Ruffin, finished first in the SIAC West Division with a 5-2 record in conference play. The Golden Bears won their first SIAC Championship by defeating Albany State University to finish with a 7-4 overall record.

A bowl game victory would be the icing on the cake of a reinvigorated year of JCSU football. Head coach Steven Aycock led his squad to their first winning conference record in five seasons. Aycock was elected CIAA Coach of the Week three times this season.

On the field, CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Keahn Wallace (Homestead, FL) has led the Golden Bulls and the conference in yardage. Wallace led the CIAA in total offense, while completing more than 58 percent of his passes and throwing for 1,946 yards with 16 touchdowns. He also averaged 48.4 yards per game running the ball to go with five rushing touchdowns. Wallace averaged 264.7 yards of total offense per game, leading the category by more than 23 yards.

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JSU's Coach Comegy receives extension, raise

Coach Rick Comegy

Jackson, Mississippi - Jackson State University has renewed Rick Comegy’s contract as the Tigers head football coach through 2013.

JSU Athletics Director Dr. Vivian L. Fuller made the announcement at an 11 a.m. press conference Wednesday, Nov. 30, in the Sports Hall of Fame Room of the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center.

“Coach Comegy and his staff have an excellent track record of on-the-field success at Jackson State,” said Fuller. “Moving forward under his leadership, I expect the JSU Tigers to be champions in sports, in the classroom and in the Jackson community.”

Having just completed his sixth season with the Tigers, Comegy looks forward to his two-year extension.

“I want to thank Dr. Meyers and Dr. Fuller for having confidence in me and my coaches. I’m thankful that they believe in us to continue what we’re building here at JSU,” said Comegy. “I love my job, I love my kids and I love JSU.”

“We all look forward to Coach Comegy’s continued leadership of Jackson State’s football program,” said Meyers. “I am confident that he will lead our student-athletes to even greater success on the field and in the classroom.”

Comegy, 58, completed his six years at Jackson State with a 41-26 record and ended this last season with a 9-2 record. His teams won a SWAC championship in 2007 and returned for SWAC championship play in 2008.