BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - In the 1960s, Mel Blount made his mark as a top athlete in Southern history. Then, during 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he won four Super Bowls, became one of the best cornerbacks to ever play in the NFL and stands as the lone Jaguar in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
When his alma mater takes the field on Saturday in the Atlanta Classic, there will be a Blount wearing the familiar No. 47, but he’ll be on the opposite sideline.
His son, Akil Blount, will suit up for Florida A&M, where’s he’s a 6-foot-3, 225-pound freshman linebacker.
“I tried to talk to him about going to Southern, and we even talked with (former SU coach) Stump Mitchell at the time. But he just never wanted to get under that umbrella,” Blount said. “He wanted to go out and chart his own course and blaze his own trail.”
A bonus was playing for Earl Holmes, a former FAMU star who went on to play 10 seasons in the NFL (including six with the Steelers) before taking over his current role as the Rattlers’ defensive coordinator.
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Friday, September 28, 2012
ECSU's McNeill continues to shine for Vikings
ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina - Defenses put hard hit after hard hit on Elizabeth City State running back Daronte McNeill, hoping that just one of those hits will force the Vikings to put someone else in the game.
And more than the yards or touchdowns – of which there are plenty – that McNeill puts on opposing teams, the most deflating aspect of his game comes after the whistles: He keeps hopping back to his feet.
Defenders hit him hard. They hit him often. They try his legs and his torso. And each time he jumps up, unfazed and heads back to his huddle, ready to take another carry.
By the end of the game, it’s an exercise to determine who was punishing whom.
TSU Tigers Battled Top Ranked Sam Houston
HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern played against the 9th ranked FCS team in the country, and Sam Houston played like they were one of the best teams in the nation.TSU fans sensed it was going to be a long night when the Bearkats scored after two plays into their first drive. SHSU scored again two possessions later on a 32 yard run by Trey Diller which gave Sam Houston a 14-0 advantage.
TSU freshman quarterback Justin Jones got into the game at the end of the first quarter. In his second series under the center, he led the Tigers to their only touchdown of the game. Jones hit James Davis on a 16 yard pass play for six points. The extra point was blocked and returned for a defensive PAT. TSU trailed 16-6.
Sam Houston scored three more times in the second quarter and ended the first half up 33-6.
They scored 17 points in the second half for a 50-6 win.
Quarterback Rudy Johnson started the game for TSU and completed 6 of 11 passes for 39 yards. Jones had 4 of 6 passes caught for 67 yards and a touchdown. James Davis had three catches for 37 yards and a score. Fred Plummer had 1 catch for 38 yards. Running back Edward Perkins-Loving had 23 yards on 15 carries.
Jarius Moore and LeTevin Wilcox were the defensive leaders for TSU. Both had 9 tackles. Moore also had a TFL. Steven White recorded two tackles and an interception which he returned 37 yards.
The Tigers will regroup from this game and prepare for conference play. Texas Southern heads to Montgomery, AL to face the Alabama State Hornets on Saturday, October 6th. Kickoff is at 1:00pm
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Texas Southern University's 'Ocean of Soul' suspended over hazing report
HOUSTON, Texas - Texas Southern University suspended its renowned Ocean of Soul marching band as officials investigate alleged hazing.
The incident was reported on Wednesday to school authorities, prompting a campus police investigation, a news release issued late Thursday said.
"While it is not known at this time how many students were involved in this incident, it is believed to involve one section of the band," the statement said, adding that school officials will "take appropriate action."
The suspension canceled Thursday's scheduled band performance at TSU's football game against Sam Houston State University at BBVA Compass Stadium. One band member who preferred not to be identified said members did not learn about the suspension until Thursday's pregame rehearsal on campus. At least a handful of Ocean of Soul members attended the game out of uniform.
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The incident was reported on Wednesday to school authorities, prompting a campus police investigation, a news release issued late Thursday said.
"While it is not known at this time how many students were involved in this incident, it is believed to involve one section of the band," the statement said, adding that school officials will "take appropriate action."
The suspension canceled Thursday's scheduled band performance at TSU's football game against Sam Houston State University at BBVA Compass Stadium. One band member who preferred not to be identified said members did not learn about the suspension until Thursday's pregame rehearsal on campus. At least a handful of Ocean of Soul members attended the game out of uniform.
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Morgan State wins on TD pass with 10 seconds left
GREENSBORO, North Carolina. - Morgan State's Andrew King caught a game-winning, 32-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone with 10 seconds remaining after quarterback Josh Council scrambled from trouble to give the Bears a 21-18 victory against North Carolina A&T on Thursday night.
The Bears drove 77 yards with no timeouts remaining, beginning the march with 1:43 to play in a dramatic Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams at Aggie Stadium.
The winning drive appeared doomed after the Bears reached the Aggies' 14-yard line with more than 35 seconds to play. An intentional grounding penalty and a 10-second run-off appeared to thwart momentum before the winning play.
But on the next play, Council hit King, who got behind the N.C. A&T defenders in the end zone.
"I saw the defense coming and I tried to make something happen with my feet," Council said. "I just threw it up and he caught it. Our work pays off."
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Greensboro, N.C. - Just when it seemed like N.C. A&T had the win wrapped up in the first nationally televised game at Aggie Stadium in five years, Morgan State snatched the victory away.
Bears quarterback Robert Council broke out of the pocket and heaved a ball toward Andrew King, who hauled it in with 10 seconds left to cap off a frenzied last-minute drive with a 32-yard touchdown pass to give Morgan State a 21-18 win over the Aggies on Thursday night.
Morgan State (2-2, 1-0 MEAC) got the ball back at its own 23 with 1:43 to go, and drove down to the Aggies' 14 on a 35-yard catch and run from Council to Travis Davidson with 38 seconds left.
Council took a bad snap and threw it away, but was flagged for intentional grounding because he was still inside the tackle box, moving the ball back to the 32 with 18 seconds to go, thanks to a 10-second runoff with the penalty.
Homecoming Week Activities Highlight TSU’s 100th Anniversary
NASHVILLE, Tennessee (TSU News Service) – Inspired by the yearlong celebration of 100 years of achievement and tradition, Tennessee State University will welcome alumni, students, community members and friends to the University September 23-29 for Homecoming 2012.
Named A Centennial Homecoming, this year’s celebration will include many of the traditional events, but will also feature new activities geared toward celebrating the 100-year anniversary.
“I think for the community and the state, this is a real milestone for Nashville’s only public University,” said Portia Shields, TSU President. “It’s our opportunity to celebrate the past, but also look forward to the future as we move the University into a new era.”
While TSU has cherished and maintained certain Homecoming traditions, it has also moved forward across the century, finding new ways to celebrate pride in the institution, its students and its alumni. Innovations that have sprung up over the years include the parade, pep rally, Homecoming Court, tent parties and many additional campus activities.
“This year’s celebration is expected to be our biggest ever,” said Cassandra Griggs, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “We recognize that every year Homecoming is a special time at the University, but 2012 promises to be even larger because of our Centennial. This celebration promises to bring students, alumni and the campus community together to commemorate the University’s 100-year anniversary.”
This year’s student and alumni events include: (EXCERPT)
Friday, Sept. 28
- Breakfast of Champions, 8 a.m., Floyd Payne Campus Center, Kean Hall, $15 per person, $20 after 9/13/12
- Charles Campbell Fish Fry, 11 a.m., Gentry Complex lawn, for tickets email dsjanitorialserv@bellsouth.net
- Homecoming Pep Rally, 11:45 a.m., Hale Stadium (Gentry Complex-Inclement Weather)
- Gateway to Heritage Plaza Announcement, 3 p.m., Jefferson Street beneath I-40 overpass
- TSU Pan-Hellenic Step Show, 4 p.m., Gentry Complex
- 13th Annual Agriculture & Home Economics Hall of Fame, 7 p.m., Gaylord Opryland Resort, email shpatterson@tnstate.edu for information
- Homecoming Parade, 9 a.m., parade starts at Walter S. Davis Blvd.
- Showcase of Bands, 11 a.m., Hale Stadium
Homecoming Pre-Game Festivities, 4:45 p.m. LP Field - Homecoming Football Game, TSU vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 5 p.m., LP Field (Centennial Fireworks Show immediately following the game)
- The Official TSUNAA Homecoming After Party, 9 p.m., Gaylord Opryland Resort, www.tsu-alumni.org for more information
Video Above: The Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands enters the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Theme Park in Orlando, Florida on Friday, Sept. 21, 2012 to kick off the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade. Videographer: Cass Teague
97-year-old cheerleader will be on sidelines Tenn. State homecoming
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- One of the Tennessee State University cheerleaders at the homecoming game Saturday will be somewhat more experienced than the others.
Burnece Walker Brunson is 97 years old.
Brunson told WKRN-TV she first cheered on the Tigers as a member of the university's cheerleading squad in 1934-35. She will suit up again for TSU's centennial homecoming game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Brunson said she won't be doing back flips, cart wheels or be part of a pyramid. She never did. Cheerleaders didn't do what Brunson calls that "fancy stuff" back then.
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Burnece Walker Brunson is 97 years old.
Brunson told WKRN-TV she first cheered on the Tigers as a member of the university's cheerleading squad in 1934-35. She will suit up again for TSU's centennial homecoming game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Brunson said she won't be doing back flips, cart wheels or be part of a pyramid. She never did. Cheerleaders didn't do what Brunson calls that "fancy stuff" back then.
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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Sam Houston State Bearkats Face Texas Southern Thursday Night in Houston
HOUSTON, Texas - There are three Southland Conference games on the schedule this week, including league openers for Lamar, Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State. Lamar will play host to Southeastern Louisiana Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Toyota Game of the Week on the Southland Conference Television Network.
Stephen F. Austin welcomes Central Arkansas Saturday at 6 p.m. and Northwestern State visits McNeese State Saturday at 7 p.m. The only other conference game pits Sam Houston State at Texas Southern Thursday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston at 7 p.m. Nicholls State is off this week before visiting Central Arkansas for its league opener Oct. 6.
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Stephen F. Austin welcomes Central Arkansas Saturday at 6 p.m. and Northwestern State visits McNeese State Saturday at 7 p.m. The only other conference game pits Sam Houston State at Texas Southern Thursday at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston at 7 p.m. Nicholls State is off this week before visiting Central Arkansas for its league opener Oct. 6.
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Morgan State at N.C. A&T: This time, it's on national TV
GREENSBORO, North Carolina - N.C. A&T is opening MEAC play in style, on national television on ESPNU against Morgan State, which the Aggies beat last year for the first time since 2005.
Speaking of 2005, that's when the MEAC's current TV deal with ESPN started, and A&T's gone 0-5 in nationally televised games since then, losing by an average of about 40 points.
The Aggies, obviously, are hoping their fortunes turn tonight. And just maybe present ESPNU's viewers with a glimpse of a program on the rise.
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Speaking of 2005, that's when the MEAC's current TV deal with ESPN started, and A&T's gone 0-5 in nationally televised games since then, losing by an average of about 40 points.
The Aggies, obviously, are hoping their fortunes turn tonight. And just maybe present ESPNU's viewers with a glimpse of a program on the rise.
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NC A&T Pride Goes Nationwide On ESPNU
Greensboro, NC - North Carolina A&T State University plays on ESPNU for the first time.
According to school officials, it is A&T's 1st TV appearance in 2 years and the 1st at Aggie Stadium in 5 years.
The Aggie Football Team will face Morgan State University at 7:30PM.
Dr. Franklin McCain, one of the Greensboro / A&T Four, will be the Aggies' hornorary captain and will lead the team onto the field. The televised game will also host Grammy Award Winning Reording Artist Fantasia and other special guest.
XU's Franklin, Holcombe chosen preseason All-GCAC
Xavier is the defending GCAC regular-season champion and the three-time defending tournament champion. The Gold Nuggets' season will begin in early November, and the schedule will be announced soon.
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| CARMEN HOLCOMBE |
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| SiMON FRANKLIN |
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's SiMon Franklin and Carmen Holcombe have been selected to the All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference preseason women's basketball team by the GCAC head coaches. The conference announced the team Wednesday.
Franklin, a 5-foot-7 senior guard from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of St. Joseph's Academy, was All-GCAC in 2011-12 and the MVP of the GCAC Tournament, which Xavier won 58-50 against Talladega. Franklin led the Gold Nuggets with 10 points per game. She shot 46 percent from the floor and had 57 assists and 70 steals.
Holcombe, a 5-11 junior forward from Plano, Texas, and a graduate of Plano West High School, averaged 5.1 points and 4.2 rebounds as a sophomore. She was the Nuggets' No. 6 scorer and No. 3 rebounder. Holcombe had 11 points and eight rebounds at Georgetown (Ky.) in Xavier's come-from-behind 79-76 victory.
Xavier is one of three schools with two preseason All-GCAC players. Talladega and SUNO are the other schools.Xavier is the defending GCAC regular-season champion and the three-time defending tournament champion. The Gold Nuggets' season will begin in early November, and the schedule will be announced soon.
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| Name | School | Ht. | Year | Position | Notes |
| Portia Craft | Tougaloo | 5-5 | Junior | Guard | Averaged 12.7 points per game |
| Janine Davis | Fisk | 5-6 | Junior | Guard | Transfer from George Washington |
| SiMon Franklin | Xavier | 5-7 | Senior | Guard | Averaged 10 points per game |
| Carmen Holcombe | Xavier | 5-11 | Junior | Forward | Averaged 4.2 rebounds per game |
| Megan Iloff | Talladega | 5-6 | Senior | Guard | 2011-12 GCAC Newcomer of the Year |
| Caryan Jones | Philander Smith | 5-4 | Sophomore | Guard | 2011-12 GCAC Freshman of the Year |
| Janee Morton | SUNO | 5-7 | Senior | Guard | 14 points/6 rebounds per game |
| April Perry | SUNO | 5-7 | Senior | Guard | 15 points/5.3 assists per game |
| Jazzmin Smith | Dillard | 5-9 | Senior | Forward | 14.7 points/7.3 rebounds per game |
| Bianca Thomas | Talladega | 6-3 | Senior | Center | All-GCAC in 2011-12 |
| Tiffany Tolbert | Edward Waters | 5-7 | Senior | Guard | Averaged 11.9 points per game |
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
FAMU brings playmakers to 2012 Atlanta Classic
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| Photo Courtesy: FAMU Sports Information |
ATLANTA, Georgia - The Florida A&M Rattlers enter Saturday's Atlanta Classic against the Southern Jaguars wondering which players will be the gamechangers for them. In last year's Classic, Rattlers quarterback Damien Fleming entered the game in the third quarter and led them on a 21-point rally to beat Southern 38-33.
Fleming is now the starting quarterback for the Rattlers. Rattlers head coach Joe Taylor knew that he had a game changer on his hands, according to an interview with St. Claire Murraine of Tallahasee.com:
"At that time I thought the team needed a shot in the arm, a change because we were struggling. It was a difficult situation for him. In fact, all of the staff looked at me like, ‘Are you sure?' I knew it was a big decision, but I had been evaluating this kid in practice and he was getting better and better."READ MORE
FVSU Looks to Keep Streak Alive
ALBANY, Georgia - The Fort Valley State Wildcats are rocking and rolling with two straight conference wins. The Cats now stand at 3-1 on the season looking to continue the streak this weekend.
Saturday night, the Benedict Tigers were the latest victim of Coach Donald Pittman and the blue and gold. Fort Valley emerged from the Cat fight, 33-10 and they say they want to keep the pressure on in the Valley.
Back to back SIAC special teams player of the week, Justin Rosenbaum says, moral is high for the Wildcats. "We have a lot of chemistry. This is the best team that we've had since I've been here and we feel pretty good" says the senior Michigan native says. "We feel pretty confident that will continue to make progress and be more consistent throughout the season."
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Saturday night, the Benedict Tigers were the latest victim of Coach Donald Pittman and the blue and gold. Fort Valley emerged from the Cat fight, 33-10 and they say they want to keep the pressure on in the Valley.
Back to back SIAC special teams player of the week, Justin Rosenbaum says, moral is high for the Wildcats. "We have a lot of chemistry. This is the best team that we've had since I've been here and we feel pretty good" says the senior Michigan native says. "We feel pretty confident that will continue to make progress and be more consistent throughout the season."
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St. Augustine's building a CIAA winner
RALEIGH, North Carolina - St. Augustine’s has not built itself as a silver spoon football program. The campus, nestled in downtown Raleigh, reintroduced football in 2002, and it has taken a decade’s worth of work to emerge as a contender in an ever-competitive CIAA Conference.
Coach Michael Costa’s team is putting a quality team on the field despite the lack of amenities often found at lower divisions of football and even some high schools.
“It does take time, but if you’re patient and try to do things the right way, there’s a whole lot of models we can follow,” said Costa, whose Falcons will play Elizabeth City State at 4 p.m. Saturday in the 15th annual Down East Viking Football Classic at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. “It can’t happen overnight. A lot of things take time.”
The obstacles are big and small. Instead of meeting in a fieldhouse, the Falcons often use classrooms to break down film and discuss gameplans.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
XU's Zahri Jackson wins second GCAC weekly award this year
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| ZAHRI JACKSON |
Jackson, a sophomore from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School, recorded the fastest women's 5,000-meter time in the GCAC this season, 19 minutes, 53.23 seconds, on Saturday in the ASCIS Embry-Riddle Classic at Daytona Beach, Fla. She finished sixth out of 108 runners, and the time ranks 11th on XU's all-time list. Jackson has seven top-10 finishes in 11 collegiate meets.
Jackson led the Gold Nuggets to their highest finish, second place, since November 2003 in a meet of 10 or more schools. Xavier finished behind NAIA No. 20 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) and was 3-0 against NCAA Division I opponents, including Seton Hall of the Big East Conference.
Jackson has won seven GCAC weekly awards, one less than Spring Hill's Kate Imwalle, the GCAC career record holder.
Neither Xavier team will compete this week. The next meet for the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets will be the Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational at Clinton, Miss., on Oct. 5. The women's 6K will start at 4:30 p.m., and the men's 8K will start at 5:15 p.m.
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Entering heart of MEAC slate, B-CU tries to fix mistakes
Bethune Cookman at Hampton
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
RECORDS: B-CU 2-2, 1-0 MEAC; Hampton 0-3, 0-1 MEAC
RADIO: WELE (1380-AM
B-CU went on to win its final six games of the season.
Consecutive losses to Miami and Tennessee State the past two weeks has Jenkins searching for answers once again.
But while the recovery last year was too late for the 'Cats to get back into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference race after they had suffered two MEAC losses, this year B-CU (2-2, 1-0) is still very much in control of its own fate.
“We're still looking forward to the rest of our season,'' said senior safety D.J. Howard, “because although we wanted to win the Tennessee State game, it wasn't a conference game, so we're still in line to win the conference and make the playoffs.''
“We're still looking forward to the rest of our season,'' said senior safety D.J. Howard, “because although we wanted to win the Tennessee State game, it wasn't a conference game, so we're still in line to win the conference and make the playoffs.''
Gold Nuggets rally from 7 down in 4th set to defeat SUNO
NEW ORLEANS — Chinedu Echebelem had 10 kills and 11 digs Monday, and freshman reserve Patrice Smith scored five points during a fourth-set rally which gave Xavier University of Louisiana a 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22 women's volleyball victory against SUNO at The Castle.
The Gold Nuggets (8-4 overall, 2-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) won their third in a row and extended their school-record road win streak to eight. They snapped the school-record nine-match win streak of the Lady Knights (9-3, 1-1).
SUNO led 12-5 in the fourth set before Xavier rallied with two kills and three blocks from Smith and three Taylor Reuther kills. Moira Kirk's ace tied the set at 17, and the Nuggets went ahead to stay on the next rally on an errant SUNO set. Xavier scored its final two points on SUNO attack errors and moved to match point after Kirk and Alexandria Rencher blocked a Christal Hollins attack.
Reuther had nine kills, eight digs and two aces, and Kirk and Claudia Haywood had eight kills and six blocks apiece. Kirk served two aces, hit .538 — the third consecutive match that she topped .500 — and had a career-high nine digs.
Zipporah Washington had 18 kills and 13 digs for SUNO, and Hollins had 13 kills and 11 digs.
"We had key players come in late in the match and give us a boost," XU coach Christabell Hamilton. "Patrice Smith was one of them. Alex Rencher also did a great job at setter when Franziska Pirkl got hurt and left the match. Alex had a bad start but calmed down and kept her composure."
SUNO outhit Xavier .159 to .129 and had advantages of 56-40 in kills and 69-63 in digs. But the Lady Knights committed 58 errors, 17 more than the Gold Nuggets.
Xavier trailed 13-11 in the opening set before taking control with a 7-1 run which included two Kirk kills and one ace apiece from Pirkl and Reuther. Echebelem's ace put the Nuggets ahead to stay at 22-21 in the second set, and Reuther closed with a kill.
The Gold Nuggets are 16-0 against GCAC opponents during Hamilton's two seasons as coach, including 12 regular-season victories.
Xavier, which has played 10 of its 12 matches on the road, will travel for GCAC matches at 7 p.m. Thursday at Fisk and 1 p.m. Saturday at Philander Smith. The next home match will start at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 against Edward Waters at The Barn.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
SU seeks better discipline
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Since Southern’s coaching change brought a new atmosphere to practices, the two words used most in describing it have been “discipline” and “military-like.”
That sure didn’t show on Saturday.
For all of interim coach Dawson Odums’ emphasis on discipline, the Jaguars were remarkably undisciplined in their 28-21 victory against Jackson State.
They were penalized 14 times for 136 yards — numbers that were hard for Odums to stomach. At more than 10 penalties and 85 yards per game, SU is the third-worst team in the conference in that category and had several that could have cost it the game this weekend.
The Jaguars helped along the Tigers’ second touchdown drive in the fourth quarter with a personal foul that moved them to the SU 26, and an illegal block penalty on a kickoff cost Southern 20 yards when it needed to run off the final four minutes of game clock to win the game.
Jackson State faces Prairie View A&M Saturday
JACKSON, Mississippi — A season that began with talk of a SWAC championship has turned into a tale of survival.
After losing 28-21 to previously winless Southern University, Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy called for changes in hopes of saving a season that started with championship aspirations. Yes, the Tigers (1-3) are just 1-1 in SWAC play with seven games to go, starting with Saturday's home game against winless Prairie View A&M.
But as JSU enters the meat of its conference schedule it does so with far more questions than answers.
Comegy said personnel changes are coming but, perhaps more importantly, an attitude adjustment is needed for the Tigers, who have looked sluggish and over-matched early on in all three of their losses. None was more alarming than last week's disastrous start.
In that game, Southern returned the game's opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. It was an early blow that seemed to floor JSU as the Tigers fell behind 28-0 in the third quarter. It was a lack of fight that most irked Comegy.
SWAC Preview: Mike Davis prefers challenge of winning at Texas Southern to ‘torture’ of a year off
HOUSTON, Texas - Only once since grade school has Mike Davis not spent the winter either playing basketball or teaching it. Cut by the Milwaukee Bucks in training camp before the 1983 NBA season, Davis opted to put his basketball career on hold a few months in order to finish his degree.
"That was like torture," Davis said. "I've been around basketball all my life. That experience taught me I can't be doing nothing during basketball season."
Memories of that miserable winter fueled Davis' efforts to find a new coaching gig this offseason after UAB fired him in March. Even though he'll receive $625,000 from UAB this year because he had one season left on his contract, the 52-year-old Alabama native insists he'd have coached a high school or junior high team before he took a full year off from basketball.
Texas Southern spared Davis from a return to the youth ranks in August when athletic director Dr. Charles McClelland hired him as the school's interim coach. It surprised many in basketball circles that a SWAC school could land a man who led UAB to four straight 20-win seasons and took Indiana to the 2002 national title game, but Davis found the job attractive for many reasons.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
TSU's Merkel Six Strokes Off Lead at SIUE
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| Kelly Merkel Freshman Hometown: Columbia, Tennessee High School: Columbia Central High School (Courtesy: Sam Jordan / TSU Athletics) |
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - Kelly Merkel led the Tennessee State women's golf team on day one of the SIUE Doubletree Intercollegiate. The freshman shot a 12-over 84 on the Par-72, 6,025 yard course at Sunset Hills Country Club in Edwardsville, Ill. on a beautiful 76 degree day.
Merkel recorded ten pars on the day and is tied for ninth with four other golfers. The Columbia, Tenn. product is six strokes behind co-leaders Savanna Schubert of Lipscomb and Cassie Rushing from Southern Illinois, who are at 6-over.
Amelia Dap recorded a birdie on the par-4 eighth hole on her way to a 92 on Monday. Dap is 14 strokes off the lead heading into the final day of competition
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Sarah Needleman is tied for 57th with Evansville's Kelly Lamarche after carding a 97.
The final round is scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Monday, September 24, 2012
XU Nuggets beat Big East team, place second in Florida meet
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Xavier University of Louisiana got top-10 finishes from Zahri Jackson and Catherine Fakler and placed second out of 12 women's teams Saturday in the ASICS Embry-Riddle Classic cross country meet.
It's the Gold Nuggets' highest finish in a meet of 10 or more schools since November 2003. Jackson broke 20 minutes for 5,000 meters for the fourth time at Xavier, placing sixth in 19:53.23. Fakler was 10th in 20:15.88. Xavier scored 70 points — NAIA No. 20 Embry-Riddle won with 47 — and the Gold Nuggets beat all three NCAA Division I opponents, including Seton Hall of the Big East Conference.
Xavier's men placed fifth out of 13 teams and fourth out of 12 collegiate teams. Senior Matt Pieri led the Gold Rush, running 8,000 meters in 27:49.81 to finish seventh. It was Pieri's 15th career top-10. Kwame Jackson, Zahri's older brother, was 10th in 28:26.71.
Both Gold Nuggets freshmen ran 5K season bests — Briana Simms placed 13th in 20:23.06, and Hannah Finnegan was 29th in 21:19.12. Hali Yarmush was 14th in 20:24.22, Donyé Coleman was 50th in 22:25.13, and Paige Rochelle was 79th in 25:20.23.
On the Gold Nuggets' all-time 5K list, Jackson's time ranks 11th, Fakler's 17th and Simms' 21st.
David Holobowicz placed 25th for the XU men in 29:38.51. Aaron Yarmush was 50th in 31:25.60, Emmanuel Detiege was 61st in 32:19.28 and Charles Shaw was 74th in 32:59.77.
Embry-Riddle's 15th-ranked men won that team title by 47 points over runner-up Seton Hall. The Eagles' Evans Kirwa, the reigning NAIA National Runner of the Week, won the race by more than a minute — 25:25.02 to teammate Vincent Bett's 26:30.57 — and earned his second victory of the season. Embry-Riddle's Ellie Staker won the women's race in 18:43.12.
Xavier will not race this weekend. The Rush and Nuggets will compete next Oct. 5 in the Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational at Clinton, Miss.
Results: Men Women
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
It's the Gold Nuggets' highest finish in a meet of 10 or more schools since November 2003. Jackson broke 20 minutes for 5,000 meters for the fourth time at Xavier, placing sixth in 19:53.23. Fakler was 10th in 20:15.88. Xavier scored 70 points — NAIA No. 20 Embry-Riddle won with 47 — and the Gold Nuggets beat all three NCAA Division I opponents, including Seton Hall of the Big East Conference.
Xavier's men placed fifth out of 13 teams and fourth out of 12 collegiate teams. Senior Matt Pieri led the Gold Rush, running 8,000 meters in 27:49.81 to finish seventh. It was Pieri's 15th career top-10. Kwame Jackson, Zahri's older brother, was 10th in 28:26.71.
Both Gold Nuggets freshmen ran 5K season bests — Briana Simms placed 13th in 20:23.06, and Hannah Finnegan was 29th in 21:19.12. Hali Yarmush was 14th in 20:24.22, Donyé Coleman was 50th in 22:25.13, and Paige Rochelle was 79th in 25:20.23.
On the Gold Nuggets' all-time 5K list, Jackson's time ranks 11th, Fakler's 17th and Simms' 21st.
David Holobowicz placed 25th for the XU men in 29:38.51. Aaron Yarmush was 50th in 31:25.60, Emmanuel Detiege was 61st in 32:19.28 and Charles Shaw was 74th in 32:59.77.
Embry-Riddle's 15th-ranked men won that team title by 47 points over runner-up Seton Hall. The Eagles' Evans Kirwa, the reigning NAIA National Runner of the Week, won the race by more than a minute — 25:25.02 to teammate Vincent Bett's 26:30.57 — and earned his second victory of the season. Embry-Riddle's Ellie Staker won the women's race in 18:43.12.
Xavier will not race this weekend. The Rush and Nuggets will compete next Oct. 5 in the Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational at Clinton, Miss.
Results: Men Women
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Brown wins opener, but rough start for XU in UNO tourney
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Amber Brown rallied for a 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 victory Friday against McNeese State's Lara Pujol in the Big Easy Tennis Classic at the University of New Orleans.
It was the lone XU victory on a day when two seeded Gold Rush players and two seeded Gold Nuggets lost their opening matches. Three XU singles players began their collegiate careers with losses.
"Our focus today was to just compete and get the first-match jitters out of the way," said 10th-year XU coach Alan Green. "We will be fine."
Brown, the Nuggets' No. 3 women's singles player this past season, came back against the Cowgirls' No. 2 player of a year ago. The victory occurred in the round of 16 in the second flight.
"I'm looking for good things from Amber Brown this season," Green said of the junior from Decatur, Ga., who five months ago won three consecutive singles matches to help the Gold Nuggets win an NAIA unaffiliated group tournament and receive an automatic bid to nationals.
Jennifer Dien of Southern Illinois eliminated Brown in the quarterfinals, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1).
The only other XU player to win a set was junior Amir Rahbar, who lost 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to UNO's Vinay Kamineni in the round of 16 in the second flight of men's singles.
In other XU matches:
• Nikita Soifer, seeded fourth in the men's singles first flight, lost his collegiate debut 6-2, 6-1 to UNO's Abdelrahman Zaki.
• Second-seeded Viktor Svoboda lost 6-4, 6-1 to South Alabama's Blake Gregor in the quarterfinals of the men's singles second flight.
• Kourtney Howell, a second-team NAIA All-American this past season, lost 6-3, 6-2 to Troy's Lyubov Gorleeve in the round of 16 of the women's singles first flight. Howell was seeded fourth. Freshman teammate Brion Flowers lost 6-0, 6-0 to Troy's Karoline Grymel in the quarterfinals.
• The Gold Nuggets were 0-4 in the women's singles third flight. Nicole DeLoach, seeded sixth, lost 6-0, 6-0 to Troy's Anja Cosovic. Jordyn Goody lost 6-2, 7-5 to Lamar's Kanda Borgononi. Vashni Balleste lost 6-3, 6-1 to Cosovic in Balleste's collegiate debut. And Olivia West, a sophomore transfer from Centenary (La.), lost her XU debut in a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) decision against Nicholls State's Emma Pitre.
• The Gold Nuggets lost twice in the women's doubles round of 32. Troy's Cosovic and Brooke Durden defeated Howell and Flowers 8-1, and Anita Lee and Ariadna Cairo Baza of Southern Illinois beat West and Goody 8-1.
The tournament will continue Saturday and conclude Sunday at UNO's University Tennis Center. Many of the XU men and women will play consolation matches.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Offense, Big Plays Power Chowan over Shaw
The Hawk's offense was dominate on Saturday, fueled by Cameron Stover's 220 passing yards in the contest. He connected with six different receivers, while completing 17-28 pass attempts. Tim Hanson was unstoppable in the win, rushing for 195 yards and three touchdowns.
The Shaw Bears struck first in the game with a 30 yard field goal with 13:47 remaining in the first quarter. The Hawks quickly answered back after JR Williams caught a 51 yard pass from Cameron Stover to make the score 6-3. The point after attempt from Alex Noboa was good, allowing the Hawks to take a 7-3 lead with 7:15 left in the first quarter.
Shaw tacked on another three points with 4:41 remaining in the quarter off a 20 yard field goal by George Mulumba to make the score 7-6.
The start of the second quarter was a little shaky, after Stover's pass for Damian Ellis was intercepted by Shaw's Darnell Evans. The Hawks fought back, with Brandon Whitaker snagging James Stallons' pass to get the ball back for the Hawks. Tim Hanson's seven yard rush gave the Hawks the 13-6 lead. The ten yard touchdown drive took just two plays and was completed in 34 seconds. Noboa once again made good on the point after attempt.
The Hawks defense continued to hold down the Bears, forcing Shaw to settle for another field goal. Mulumba kicked a 33 yard field goal, his third of the half, with 8:30 left in the half to inch the score to 14-9.
The Hawks fumbled just seven seconds later, allowing the Bears to take over possession. Shaw took advantage of the miscue and James Stallons connected with Ta'Juan Brown for a 41 yard touchdown pass. The point after attempt from Mulumba was good, giving the Bears a 16-14 lead.
The Bears threatened again as Darius Moffett intercepted a pass from Ryan Nolan (who took over for Stover) on the 28 yard line with 6:55 left in the half. Chowan quickly answered back as Chris Morris intercepted a screen pass and took over deep in Shaw territory. Ryan Nolan ran for three yards to score for Chowan with 5:30 on the clock. Noboa made good on the field goal attempt giving the Hawks a 21-16 edge over Shaw.
The Bears answered back on the next possession after Stallons threw a 14 yard touchdown pass to Marcus Hinson and a good point after attempt from Mulumba. The Shaw defense prevented Chowan from scoring, maintaining a 23-21 point lead heading into halftime.
The Hawks turned on the offense after halftime. Just a minute and a half into the third quarter, Chowan's David Fulton picked Stallon's pass and ran for a 58 yard touchdown to open up the half. Noboa made good on the point after attempt allowing Chowan to take a 28-23 lead.
With a drive starting at 8:35 in the third quarter Stover through a 16 yard pass to Antjuan Randall for a first down. Tim Hanson rushed for the next three plays for a total of 16 yards, leading to a five yard rush by Ryan Nolan and a 19 yard rush again from Hanson to score the touchdown for Chowan. Noboa made good on the point after attempt giving Chowan a 35-23 lead.
On the next possession, Shaw's Marquise Grizzle ran for 33 yards to give Shaw the first down. Stallons' then threw a 51 yard pass to Deangelo Ruffin, allowing Marquise Grizzle to rush for four yards, scoring a touchdown for the Bears. With 4:38 on the clock, and the score 35-29 in favor of the Hawks, Chowan's Aeon Blake came up with the big play blocking Mulumba's point after attempt.
Chowan failed to score in their next possession, turning the ball back over to the Bears. With seconds left in the third quarter, Stallons threw a 42 yard touchdown pass to Marucs Hickson to tie the game 35-35. With Shaw in the driver's seat to take the lead, Stephen Guelff missed the point after attempt, and the game would remain tied going into the fourth quarter.
JR Williams returned Mulumba's kickoff for 15 yards setting up the Hawks for a series of big plays. Williams caught a 14 yard pass from Stover to get the first down for Chowan. Hanson followed up the play with a 68 yard rush leading to a touchdown to give CU a 41-35 lead. Noboa's consistency shown through making good on the point after attempt to make the score 42-35.
The Hawks' weren't satisfied with the seven point lead. With 6:23 remaining in the game, Antjuan Randall started the Hawks' drive with a 13 yard rush to get the first down. Hanson rushed for five yards leading to an eight yard pass from Stover to Damian Ellis. Stover connected with Elliot Smalls for a 13 yard touchdown pass. Noboa made good on the point after attempt giving Chowan a 49-35 lead with 3:16 left to play.
The defense was able to keep Shaw off the board for the remainder of the game. Chris Morris, Devahn Murphy, and David Fulton led the defense on Saturday collecting six tackles each. Morris and Fulton each had an interception in the win, along with James and Brandon Whitaker. The defense also collected four sacks in the victory.
With the win the Hawks also move to 2-3 in the five year series against Shaw. Chowan returns home to take on the Fayetteville State University Broncos on Saturday September 29th. Kick-off is set for 6:00 v pm.
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