XU's Reuther, Jackson siblings earn GCAC weekly honors

Taylor Reuther

Kwame Jackson

Zahri Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana sophomores Taylor Reuther, Zahri Jackson and Kwame Jackson won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week awards for Sept. 3-9. Reuther did it in volleyball, and the Jacksons earned theirs in cross country.

It's the sixth GCAC award in a career for Zahri Jackson and the fourth award for Reuther. Both are XU records in those sports. Kwame Jackson, Zahri's brother, has four awards.

Reuther, an outside hitter from Metairie, La., and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School in New Orleans, produced three kill-dig double-doubles in four matches to lead Xavier to a 4-0 record and the championship of the Belhaven Tournament at Jackson, Miss. It's the Gold Nuggets' first regular-season tournament title. Reuther served all nine of her aces in the third set against Rust, with eight of them coming consecutively. Those nine aces are the most in a match by an XU player since the school resumed intercollegiate volleyball in 2010. Against Belhaven in the championship match, Reuther had a career-high 21 kills and became the first XU player since the program resumed with a 20-20 kill-dig match.

Both Jacksons are from Kingwood, Texas, and graduates of Kingwood Park High School. This is the fourth time they've won GCAC awards in the same week.

Zahri Jackson ran 5,000 meters in 20 minutes, 8.05 seconds to finish second out of 66 runners in the season-opening Loyola Wolf Pack Invitational. She set an XU women's record for the fastest 5K by a sophomore, and she posted the highest finish of the past 12 seasons by an XU female in a season opener. Zahri led Xavier to its first team championship in an opener since 2006. The Gold Nuggets placed first out of nine schools. It was Jackson's sixth top-10 finish in nine collegiate meets and her fifth time in the top five.

Kwame Jackson ran his 5K in 16:36.72 to finish second out of 72 runners at the Loyola meet. His finish was the highest of the past 12 seasons by an XU male in an opener. It was his sixth top-10 finish in nine collegiate meets and his fourth time in the top five. The Gold Rush placed third out of nine schools.

Both XU cross country teams will compete Saturday morning in the Azalea City Classic at Mobile, Ala. Starting times will be 7:30 for the men's race and 8:05 for the women's. The next XU volleyball match will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Mobile at The Barn.


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

Xavier Gold Nuggets receive most points in NAIA poll since 2008

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana, a 21-point victor in its season opener, received four points Wednesday in the NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 poll. The Gold Nuggets are tied for 37th place with four points, and it's their most points and highest ranking since the 2008 preseason.

The poll is the first since the preseason rankings Aug. 22 and the second of 10 this season.

The XU women earned their first victory in an opener since 2006 by defeating eight opponents Saturday in the Loyola Wolf Pack Invitational at Metairie, La. Sophomores Zahri Jackson and Catherine Fakler finished 2-4 in the field of 66 runners, and freshman Briana Simms placed ninth. Xavier scored 33 points, followed by Mississippi College with 54.

This is the first time since 2003 that the Nuggets received votes in consecutive seasons. A year ago they received one point in four consecutive polls Oct. 12-Nov. 6. No Xavier cross country team, female or male, has reached the top 25.

Three-time defending champion Cal State San Marcos retained its No. 1 ranking. Five teams, led by No. 10 Concordia (Calif.), made their first appearance this season in the top 25.

Xavier's next meet will be the Azalea City Classic at Brookley Gulf Pines Golf Course in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday morning. The men's 8,000-meter race will start at 7:30, and the women's 6K will begin at 8:05. Scheduled to compete are the women of UAB, Delta State and Jackson State and the men and women of Alabama State, Auburn, Auburn Montgomery, Millsaps, Mobile, Southeastern Louisiana, South Alabama, Spring Hill, Tougaloo, Troy, Tulane, West Florida and William Carey. South Alabama, the host, won the men's and women's team championships in 2011.

NAIA Women's Cross Country Coaches' Top 25 Poll(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank Team Points Last 1 Cal State San Marcos (21) 591 1 2 British Columbia 572 2 3 Olivet Nazarene 549 3 4 College of Idaho 530 4 5-tie Carroll (Mont.) 505 6 5-tie Biola 505 7 7 Northwest Christian 471 5 8 Lewis-Clark State 436 8 9 Concordia (Neb.) 427 10 10 Concordia (Calif.) 399 RV 11 Milligan 385 11 12 Southern Oregon 367 13 13 Westmont 352 9 14 Aquinas 347 17 15 Dordt 325 15 16 The Master's 292 12 17 Cornerstone 269 20 18 St. Francis (Ill.) 267 RV 19 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 264 16 20 Rocky Mountain 262 21 21 Huntington (Ind.) 255 23 22 Taylor 210 RV 23 Illinois Tech 123 RV 24 Cumberlands 113 RV 25 Indiana Wesleyan 106 18 Others receiving votes: Northwest 103; Oklahoma Baptist 96, Doane 81, Saint Xavier 78, Spring Arbor 43, Central Methodist 34, Shawnee State 29, Trinity Christian 23, Eastern Oregon 10, SCAD Savannah 10, Mount Mercy 5, Xavier 4, Lee (Tenn.) 4, Baker (Kan.) 3.

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

Stump Mitchell out as Southern University football coach

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  - Southern University Athletics Director William Broussard announced football coach Stump Mitchell has been reassigned to administrative duties, effective immediately.

Defensive Coordinator Dawson Odums has been named the interim head coach of the Jaguars, who lost 6-0 at home against Mississippi Valley State last night in a game which was shown live on ESPNU.

 

Valley was coming off a 29-7 loss on the road against Alabama State. The Delta Devils had only four days prepare for Southern, which had a bye in Week 2.

 

Broussard declined to disclose any details concerning Mitchell's new role.

"Last night's contest was disappointing," Broussard said. "It was disappointing to players and coaches but there were other factors as well."



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Mississippi Valley stands firm, holds off Southern in stunner

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Offense was a valuable commodity Thursday evening at A.W. Mumford Stadium.  Mississippi Valley State visited Southern University for the Jaguars’ Southwestern Athletic Conference opener, and a lone score was the difference for the Delta Devils in a 6-0 win. Their defense made sure that’s all they needed.

“I knew we could do it. We just had to show the world,” Valley senior defensive end Leployer Franklin said. “We know what we go through in practice with the coaches. Being a senior, I feel like this is my defense, and getting a shutout is such a good feeling.”

The groundwork for Valley’s win was laid last week in the second half of a 29-7 loss at Alabama State. During those final two quarters in Montgomery, Ala., the Devils limited the Hornets to a second-half field goal. With that, they felt they’d turned a corner.

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Dray Joseph, Jaguars can’t move ball against Delta Devils

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - A distraught and teary-eyed Dray Joseph lingered outside the Southern University locker room following the Jaguars’ 6-0 loss to Mississippi Valley State on Thursday night at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The junior quarterback, who was named the undisputed starter after fall practice, and the Jaguars offense had hoped to put on a show in front of their home fans for the first time this season and a national audience on ESPNU.

Instead, the Southern offense was pretty painful to watch in person or on TV as the Jaguars (0-2, 0-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) suffered the painful loss to the historically hapless Delta Devils (1-3, 1-1).

“Unfortunately for us, it was a bad game, especially when you have a TV audience to play in front of,” said Southern coach Stump Mitchell.

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ASU's Crowell only half GSU's battle

GRAMBLING, Louisiana - Isaiah Crowell quickly drew as much attention this offseason from fans and media as any SWAC player, but coach Doug Williams said his Grambling defense can't devote too much of its own focus to the former SEC Freshman of the Year.

Senior quarterback Greg Jenkins leads the Alabama State running attack into this week with team highs of 28 carries, 111 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, and Williams cautioned the Tigers must be mindful of both Hornets' options.



"I really haven't looked at (Crowell's) stats, but I do know from his highlights I've seen of him at Georgia, he ran well in the SEC," Williams said. "I think we do have a tough task in making sure we can stop him, but the quarterback is a guy that also likes to pull it down and run, so they've got some weapons."

Barlow has fielded several FBS transfers in the past, including Jenkins, who began his college career at Troy

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Doc: No good to UC vs. Delaware State matchup

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Week after week, the scores are grotesque. Especially in September. But not exclusively. Three Octobers ago, Delaware State went to Michigan and lost, 63-6. Michigan needed less than 30 minutes to gain 727 yards. Bugs do better against windshields.

We mention Delaware State because UC hosts the Hornets Saturday night. Depending on your pain tolerance, that’s either (1) a wonderful “opportunity’’ for the visitors to make money and get some exposure or (2) a fraudulent football game that should not be played.

There is no line on the game. Take the home team and give the piñata a good whacking. Maybe you think it’s swell that the Hornets, not very in good in their own, Football Championship Subdivision conference, the MEAC, get the chance to play footwipe in front of 20-something thousand fans and on national television, if you count ESPN3 as national television.

After all, they’re getting $325,000 to do it. Who’s going to complain about that?

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The Wednesday Rewind: Savannah State’s “money-making games” offer more than just finances

EXCERPT:

SAVANNAH, Georgia -  Following the Oklahoma State game, Tigers head coach Steve Davenport said “embarrassment lasts a lot longer than $840,000.”

You know what Coach Davenport, losing 84-0 or 55-0 in a game where your team had absolutely no chance to win is not what should embarrass you, your staff, or your team. No, what’s more embarrassing is Savannah State’s 9-37 record since 2008 or the consecutive 1-10 seasons that followed the 2-8 campaign in 2009. Sure this is only the beginning of your second season as head coach, but you finished 1-10 last year. That is embarrassing.

And yet, Savannah State should not be criticized for scheduling these two games, they should be applauded for finding a way to make additional revenue to help fund the athletic department even when their football team is awful. It’s not like they were the only FCS program to make money by playing an FBS program. After this past weekend, FCS schools have already combined to win eight games against teams at the higher level, two shy of the single-season record.

These types of pay-for-play games are ...


The Rain started just as the SSU Marching Tigers took the field at Florida State Seminoles' Doak Campbell Stadium. This video is the band marching to their "bus". They actually marched and played for a while. No half-time show, just some clips. Video shot under the street lights and walking through puddles and mud.  (Sep 8, 2012)

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Preview: Delaware State Hornets at Cincinnati Bearcats

Delaware State (1-1, 0-0 MEAC) at Cincinnati (1-0, 1-0 Big East)

Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Spread: No line

Watchability: The Hornets were blown out last week by Delaware. Choose wisely.

Shining stars: Delaware State: QB Nick Elko. A redshirt senior, Elko is in line to hold almost every school passing record. He chucked it 50 times last week against Delaware. Cincinnati: DE Walter Stewart. The speed rusher off the edge had a big opener against Pittsburgh, and he will have plenty of chances to get after the quarterback Saturday. Chances are the Hornets will put it up around 50 times again, and they likely haven't seen a player the caliber of Stewart in a while.

Who could steal the show: Delaware State: WR Justin Wilson. With 17 catches in the Hornets' first two games, Wilson has emerged as Elko's favorite target. He entered last season as the preseason MEAC player of the year but missed three games with an ankle injury. Cincinnati: RB Ralph David Abernathy IV. Abernathy showed flashes of his dynamic talent last week against Pittsburgh, and he's certain to have plenty of chances Saturday. He's almost impossible to stop in the open field, and he will likely get several opportunities to show off his speed against Delaware State.

You going? Ranking the road trip: Night games are usually fun -- but probably not this one.

Magic number for Delaware State: 353. Even though the Hornets were smoked by in-state rival Delaware, they posted 353 yards of total offense.

Magic number for Cincinnati: 117. Quarterback Munchie Legaux had 117 yards rushing last week to supplement the 205 yards he accumulated through the air. For the Cincy offense to be successful, Legaux will have to be a true dual-threat QB.

This game comes down to: Talent. The Bearcats have more, and should win easily.

Prediction: Cincinnati 45, Delaware State 6

Howard, Norfolk State Open MEAC Play on ESPNU

WASHINGTON, D.C. (www.howard-bison.com) - The stakes will be high when the Howard University Bison football team travels to Norfolk, VA to take on the Spartans of Norfolk State University at 4 pm in Dick Price Stadium. It is the conference opener for both teams and it will be televised on ESPN on a tape delayed basis at 10 pm. Joe Davis will handle the play by play and Howard alum and former All American quarterback Jay "Sky" Walker will provide color commentary.

Howard (1-1, 0-0 in the MEAC) is coming off a 26-0 loss to Rutgers of the Big East in which they were surprisingly competitive. The Spartans (2-0, 0-0 in the MEAC), who are ranked in some of the FCS national polls and is ranked Number 1 in several black college polls, posted an impressive 31-24 come-from-behind win over a tough Liberty University team on the road.

READ COACH GARY HARRELL BLOG: Week 3 "Fearless" (Click Here)

When the two teams last met in Washington, DC in what was then the conference opener for both teams, it was tough battle despite the final 23-9 advantage to Norfolk State, which went on to capture its first MEAC title since entering the conference. Following the game, Norfolk State head coach Pete Adrian had nothing but praise for the Bison in their first year under Gary Harrell. It proved to be almost prophetic as Howard went on have its best season in almost a decade.

"This league has become so competitive that there are no days off," said Coach Adrian, the 2011 MEAC Coach of the Year. "This game is no different. We know that Howard is a very physical team that is well coached and they play hard as we saw in the Rutgers game. Last week's win over Liberty is in the past. We have to focus on Howard because if we don't we will lose. We understand that."

Harrell had similar thoughts.

"They do a great job in all phases of the game," said Harrell. "Coach Adrian makes sure that the teams disciplined and fundamentally sound in their approach. This is going to be like a championship game for us. In this conference, if you lose a game this early in the season, it is very difficult to win a championship."

Much of the Bison game on offense is predicated on the run game that sets up the play action in the passing game. In sophomore Aquanius Freeman, freshman William Parker, junior Andra Williams and senior Jarren Brown, Howard has a lot of options. The rushing attack could improve exponentially with the return of senior Terrence Leffall, last season's leading rusher with almost 900 yards, who returns after missing the first two games.

Rutgers was able to neutralize the Bison rushing attack and it resulted in pressure on freshman quarterback Jamie Cunningham, who had problems with rhythm.

"Because we were not able to run the ball effectively against Rutgers, it created problems in the passing game because we could not go play action. Jamie had problems recognizing some of their fronts and it caused problems. In Norfolk State, you have a similar challenge. They have a very defensive line and are very solid in their secondary."

The Spartans rank Number 1 in several MEAC defensive statistical categories. The mainstays on defense are red-shirt senior linebacker Jamal Giddens, and red-shirt sophomore linebacker Lynden Trail and sophomore defensive back Keenan Lambert.

Defensively, the Bison have had problems stopping the run. Both Morehouse and Rutgers had measured success, especially on third down conversions. The Spartans will be sure to test the Bison rush defense by relying on their workhorse, red-shirt freshman running back Brendon Riddick, who rushed for 150 yards in the win over Liberty en route to being named the MEAC Rookie of the Week.

"Brendon was the player of the year in Richmond as a quarterback where they ran the spread offense," said Adrian. "We red shirted him and in the spring, he asked to be moved to the running back position. He is about 5-11, 200 pounds and is a strong runner who can also pass. He gives us a lot of options." Riddick is averaging almost eight years per carry.

It will be the task of Bison defense to try to slow down the Spartan attack. The unit should be much improved with the return of All American linebacker Keith Pough, who made his season debut last week. Howard has also gotten fine play from junior safety Julien David, junior middle linebacker Tabrian Resby and junior defensive end Toavan Sheats.

Pough, the team leader, was a bit rusty early on but he turned in another of his signature performances, finishing with two more tackles for losses, which puts him at 61 in his career, four shoy of the FCS career record.

"There is a reason he is the pre-season Player of the Year," said Adrian. "He is a great player and you have to account for him."

Added Harrell, "There is no question he is our team leader on and off the field. With him in the lineup, it adds a different dimension to our defense. We are happy to have him back out there."

For more information on Howard University Football, visit the official HU Athletics website at www.howard-bison.com.

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ram Ramblings: Marketing effort underway for next week's game

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - There were more than a few eyebrows raised when WSSU decided to take the offer and run to Cleveland to play in Saturday’s Cleveland Classic against Morehouse.

With a guarantee of $25,000 plus all expenses paid it was a no-brainer for Bill Hayes, the athletics director, to take the Rams show on the road.

The Rams were slated to have a home game on Saturday but it was too difficult to find a quality opponent that also had an open date so going to Cleveland was the best option.



The Rams will return home next week to open CIAA play against Virginia Union for a 6 p.m. game at Bowman Gray Stadium.

WSSU officials are already marketing the game as “Community Day” to attract large groups to the game. The school is offering cut-rate group tickets if they are purchased before Wednesday. The deals are very reasonable.

For groups of 20 or more tickets are $3 for children ages 6 to 17 and children under 5 get in free. For adults ages 18 and up tickets are $8 each.

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The CI: Livingstone freshman QB Drew Powell off to strong start

SALIBURY, North Carolina - The best football team in the CIAA has the country’s attention, too.

Winston-Salem State is ranked fith in the Division II coaches’ poll after a 30-22 win at Concord (W.Va.) last week. The Rams are 2-0 going into Saturday’s Cleveland Football Classic against Morehouse (1-1). WSSU isn’t blowing out nonconference opponents, but winning is winning in any language – no translation needed.

• Livingstone football is off to a slow start, but freshman Drew Powell has been named CIAA Rookie of the Week for the second week in a row. Powell (Upper Marlboro, Md.) threw for 305 yards and a touchdown in a 49-17 loss to Catawba last week. He hit 30-of-45 passes and led the Blue Bears with 65 yards rushing.

Livingstone (0-2) has moved the ball with Powell under center – the Blue Bears piled up 396 yards to Catawba’s 399. Livingstone plays Edward Waters (Fla.) Sept. 15 in Salisbury. Kick-off is 1 p.m.



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NSU quarterback rotation will continue

NORFOLK, Virginia - Nico Flores will start. Jake Basmagian will play. The quarterback rotation Norfolk State employed during its win over Liberty last Saturday will be used again this week, according to offensive coordinator Howard Feggins.

Head coach Pete Adrian said the first-half split was planned heading into the Liberty game, not a product of Flores' slow start. Feggins said he envisions things playing out similarly Saturday against Howard.



"We'll play both," Feggins said. "Jake's going to continue to get more reps. They'll probably both play in the first half, like they did, and then we'll probably try to get Jake out there in the second half, which we didn't do."

Feggins also said Norfolk State will use the "hot hand" if one quarterback is having success.

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Attendance for Southern home games decreasing; SU looks to draw huge crowd for home opener

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - When Southern takes on Mississippi Valley State on Thursday night, there’s really no telling how many fans will show up to A.W. Mumford Stadium.

As the Jaguars’ home and Southwestern Athletic Conference opener in a make-or-break season for the coaching staff, it’s certainly a big game. Then again, it’s on a weeknight, it’s on television, and the Delta Devils aren’t exactly a buzzworthy opponent with a huge following.

“I have not spoken with a single person — and these are people who have been affiliated with the school for 20 or 30 years — who has said, ‘Look, here’s about how many you can expect,’ ” Athletic Director William Broussard said. “We’re going to open the doors, tailgate and let folks in.”

While no one can say what the turnout will be this week or this season, it’s a safe bet that it won’t be what it used to be. As Southern’s reputation as a football power has slipped, attendance has slid with it.

According to the NCAA’s online database ...

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Southern looks to draw huge crowd for home opener

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Southern University is getting ready for its home opener football game against Mississippi Valley State Thursday.

The game will be nationally-televised on ESPNU. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. It is also the SWAC opener for the Jaguars.

The team is looking to bounce back from its 66-21 loss to New Mexico.

Head coach Stump Mitchell hopes running back Sylvester Nzekwe can get on the field for 20 plays or so, while also working fellow rusher Jerry Joseph back into the fold as well.

However, Darius Coleman and Terrance Clayton are expected to get most of the carries.

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Alcorn Braves set for home opener

ALCORN STATE, Mississippi - First-year Alcorn State coach Jay Hopson will make his home debut Saturday when the Braves (1-1, 1-0 SWAC) host Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-1, 0-1).  Hopson was asked during Monday's SWAC teleconference about what type of home-field advantage he hoped to have inside Jack Spinks Stadium.

"I hope we have a big one," Hopson said. "We want to play as many games at The Reservation that we can."

Alcorn opened the season with a surprising win over Grambling State in the Port City Classic in Shreveport.

Last week they bused 17 hours to James Madison University where they suffered a 42-3 defeat. "It's a learning lesson for us," Hopson said.

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Cleveland Classic: WSSU Rams excited about Classic

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Winston-Salem State's decision to bypass playing a home game this week will benefit the athletics department, according to athletics director Bill Hayes.

The fifth-ranked Rams (2-0) will play Morehouse (1-1) in the Cleveland Classic at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Saturday at noon. It's the second year of the classic and it's billed as a football game to celebrate historically black universities.



"This is something that will really get our name out there and it will give coach (Connell) Maynor a chance to showcase his team a little bit," Hayes said.

WSSU is getting $25,000 plus all expenses to travel for the band, cheerleaders and, of course, the team and coaches. Getting a chance at a guarantee as a Division II school is a bonus.

"These opportunities for guarantees ...

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NCCU's Sound Machine faces hazing allegations

DURHAM, North Carolina - N.C. Central University has suspended the drum line of its Marching Sound Machine band while it investigates hazing allegations.

The suspension went into effect on Monday, and it means members of the drum line are not allowed to participate in any band-related activities until further notice.

Drum lines in marching bands at historically black colleges and universities such as NCCU are known for their crowd-pleasing stick work and rhythmic antics.

NCCU's football team will drop in on Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday when it plays Duke in the Bull City Gridiron Classic. Sound Machine is scheduled to perform, but the band will be without its drum line.

"NCCU has a zero-tolerance policy on hazing," according to a statement from NCCU. "Hazing is a criminal behavior, as well as a direct violation of the university’s Student Code of Conduct and North Carolina General Statutes."



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Jackson State sticking with McDonald at QB

JACKSON, Mississippi - One day after hinting that a change could be coming at quarterback, Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy changed his tune on Tuesday. Senior Dedric McDonald is still the Tigers' starter.

"We decided that going into Saturday's game he's going to be our man," Comegy said. "We all let him know that we still have confidence in him. "He's the guy."
As JSU (0-2) readies for its SWAC opener Saturday at Texas Southern (1-1, 1-0 SWAC), it does so still trying to find answers for an offense that has sputtered and stalled. In two games JSU has managed just two offensive touchdowns

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NCCU vs. DUKE Preview: Bull City Classic

Duke vs. N.C. Central (ESPN3)
September 15, 2012
Wallace Wade Stadium (Durham, N.C.)
ESPN3
Blue Devil IMG Sports Network

Duke vs. N.C. Central Game Notes
• Duke plays game three of its 100th season of football by hosting N.C. Central in the Bull City Gridiron Classic on Saturday at 7 p.m. ... The game will be broadcast live by ESPN3 with Dave Weekley (play-by-play), Stan Lewter (analyst) & Beth McDade (sideline) calling the action

• The Blue Devils stand at 1-1 on the year following a 50-13 loss at then 25th-ranked Stanford while N.C. Central is 1-1 after dropping a 34-14 road decision to Elon last week

• The Blue Devils and Eagles have met just once on the gridiron with Duke posting a 49-14 victory on September 26, 2009 behind Desmond Scott’s 100-yard rushing night
• The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce is the official sponsor of the Duke-N.C. Central game ... This week also marks Youth Day and Junior Blue Devil Club Day

• Duke’s defensive captains — S Walt Canty & CB Ross Cockrell — are off to solid starts to the 2012 season ... Canty leads Duke and ranks second in the ACC in tackles per game (11.00) while Cockrell paces the league in total pass defended (5; 4 PBUs & 1 INT)

• Overall under head coach David Cutcliffe, the Blue Devils have won 16 games in four-plus seasons (2008-12) — six more wins than the program’s total in the previous eight campaigns (2000-07)
• Duke utilizes a pair of rookies to handle its kicking and punting chores ... True freshman K Ross Martin leads the Blue Devils in scoring with 15 points (3-4 FG; 6-6 PAT) while redshirt freshman P Will Monday paces the ACC and ranks 10th nationally in punting (46.33)

• Duke boasts three of the top six pass receivers in the ACC with WRs Jamison Crowder, Desmond Scott & Conner Vernon ... Crowder & Vernon rank tied for third with 8.0 catches per game while Scott is sixth at 6.5 receptions per contest

• Crowder has registered one pass reception of 50+ yards in each of the first two games this season

By the Numbers
100+ — WR Jamison Crowder is just the third Blue Devil to have 100+ receiving yards in the first two weeks of a season, joining Clarkston Hines (1988) & Richmond Flowers (1998)

19 — Pass receptions needed by senior WR Conner Vernon to set the ACC’s all-time record ... Vernon has 214 career catches and trails only Wake Forest’s Desmond Clark (216) and Clemson’s Aaron Kelly (232)

10+ — Last week in the loss at Stanford, two Blue Devils registered 10 or more pass receptions in a game for just the second time in school history as WRs Desmond Scott (11) and Jamison Crowder (10) turned the trick ... The only other time Duke has accomplished the feat came on October 19, 1995 against Virginia in Charlottesville when both Corey Thomas (13) and Marc Wilson (10) reached double figures in the reception column during the 44-30 Cavalier victory

46.33 — Punting average for P Will Monday, who leads the ACC and ranks 10th nationally

63 — Pass attempts by the Blue Devils last week at Stanford to match the school single-game record set in 1980 against Wake Forest ... The total also marks the highest single-game total in David.

COURTESY DUKE SPORTS INFORMATION AND NCCU SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES AND CBS Interactive launch new UMESHAWKS.COM

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore welcomes everyone to the brand new UMESHawks.com web site, launched today in conjunction with CBS Interactive.

The UMES media relations staff has worked with CBS Interactive to bring Hawk fans and supporters a more convenient way to follow all 15 athletic programs. Along with a sharper look, the new site include quicker and easier ways to follow the Hawks on social media and live broadcasts, as well accessing as the numerous fan-friendly options, including photo galleries, the Hawk Club and more. Users will be able to do more with the front page, including checking out upcoming UMES athletic contests and social media, while still being able to reading up on Hawk athletics, check out the sponsors and much, much more. All 15 sports pages will remain on the left sidebar for easy access with fan services, including tickets and the online store, will stay on the header. Some specialty pages, including the Hall of Fame, are still under construction and will be updated soon.
"UMES Athletics is thrilled to present this new site to our fans, students, faculty, staff and alumni, said Associate Athletic Director G. Stan Bradley, "We always try to stay on top of technology and to be among the best in our conference and area with fresh ideas and new experiences. Updating UMESHawks.com is just one example of our commitment not only to our student-athletes, but to everyone who bleeds maroon and gray."

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern enjoys extra preparation time

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - After dealing with all kinds of weather and travel issues before their season opener, Southern couldn’t ask for a much better situation heading into Thursday’s game against Mississippi Valley State.

While the Delta Devils spent last week preparing for Alabama State — the predicted top team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference — the Jaguars were enjoying a bye week that allowed them to start getting ready for Mississippi Valley State early.

And when Valley was finally able to turn its attention to SU on Sunday, it faced a short turnaround before having to make the trip to Baton Rouge on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Southern had adjusted its schedule, treating Saturday like a Monday practice in order to have a normal game week.

“To be able to practice up until the game on Thursday is awesome, because our last practice before the first game was on Tuesday (because of Hurricane Isaac),” SU coach Stump Mitchell said.

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Deep Threat

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina - In an effort to reduce the number of concussions for football players, the NCAA moved kickoffs up five yards this season so that there might be more touchbacks and fewer collisions.

Not that Brett Symonds needed any help getting the ball into the end zone.

The Elizabeth City State placekicker, a junior transfer from the College of the Desert and a former University of Hawaii recruit, may have the strongest leg in the CIAA.

Symonds showed it off in Saturday’s home opener, booting the second-half kickoff nearly 10 yards beyond the end zone. His other kickoff went about seven yards into the end zone. No danger of any concussions on either of those unreturnable kicks.

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UAB transfer plugs the middle for ASU Hornets: Jackson named SWAC Newcomer of the Week

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Defensive tackle Micky Jackson has a different set of priorities in his first season at Alabama State.

“I’m trying to make A’s and B’s,” he said, “because at UAB I really never did anything like that. I really focus more on school because football’s going to come (naturally).”

Athletics came naturally for the all-state lineman from Piedmont High, who recorded 17 tackles in 11 games for the Blazers as a true freshman in 2011. Academics, on the other hand, were “too tough.”

A losing season and a decision to fire head coach Neil Callaway and his staff were probably factors in Jackson’s decision to leave as well.

“I just wanted to play,” he said of his decision to sign with the Blazers out of high school. “It wasn’t my best option but I felt ...

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FVSU Poole, Kutuztown (Pa.) Mobley lead 2012 NCAA Division II Hall of Fame induction class

DECATUR, Alabama - Tyrone Poole figured his football career was over when he was kicked off his high school football team during his senior season.

But that proved to be just a small roadblock for Poole. He eventually went on to play football at Fort Valley State, where he became an All-American cornerback. After college, Poole was selected in the first round of the NFL Draft and went on to play 14 years in the league, winning two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

Poole will receive another honor when he is inducted into the Division II Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 14 at the 27th Harlon Hill Trophy and Division II Football Hall of Fame Banquet at 6:30 p.m. at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center in Florence (Alabama).



“It’s an honor to be a part of a growing number of great players that have been successful on and off the field,” Poole said. “The players and coaches that are included in the Division II Hall of Fame have contributed in a high manner to Division II athletics and it’s just a great honor and privilege to be seen as one of those players.”

Poole will be joined in the 2012 induction class by former Kutuztown (Pa.) University linebacker John Mobley, who went on to a win two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos.  Mobley and Poole were teammates on the Broncos during the 2002 season.

Poole wrote a book, “Ultimate Success in the Game of Life,” about his long journey to NFL stardom. He said the opportunity to play college football almost passed him by.

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FVSU Looks to Rebond in SIAC Opener

FORT VALLEY, Georgia - The Fort Valley State Wildcats experienced a disappointing loss last weekend at the hands of Valdosta State 62-14. But today's a new day in the valley and their first conference game is now on the horizon.

Coach Don Pittman and the Cats are 1-1 on the young season on the cusp of conference play in the SIAC. Last year the blue and gold finished 2-6 when it counted, landing them near the bottom of the standings. This season, injuries are few and anticipation is higher as they work toward the goal of a conference championship.

Clark Atlanta comes to town Saturday night at ...



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In the FCS Huddle: Struggling teams understand it's a process

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania - Let the season begin ...

That may seem to be what the Savannah State Tigers are saying following their season-opening losses to Oklahoma State and Florida State by a combined 139-0.

The truth is, the Tigers have been echoing those words at almost any point of their recent seasons. A program with 15 straight losing seasons (13 with two or less wins), they are among the worst in all of Division I.

While they were hopelessly overmatched in their two losses - as a 66 1/2-point underdog to Oklahoma State and a 70 1/2-point underdog to Florida State - the MEAC university deemed the games valuable because they totaled $860,000 in guarantees, which reportedly represents about 17 percent of Savannah State's athletic budget.

The Tigers are in a bye week. Then they hope to get on track with more- manageable opponents such as North Carolina Central (whom they beat last season to go 1-10), Howard, Morgan State and one remaining non- conference game against Edward Waters.

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