THE SHOW: 2012 Atlanta Football Classic

Classic a game of two halves

ATLANTA — After a performance against Southern University that demonstrated the good and the bad of the FAMU defense, players insisted they’ll band together to find the consistency needed to get through the season without another loss.

“We are a family and this can’t do nothing but make us stronger,” said cornerback Marvin Ross, who had one of two FAMU interceptions in Saturday’s 21-14 defeat here at the Georgia Dome.

“I’ve got to be a leader on the field and if something goes wrong we’ve got to come back and make a good play.”

Ross and the Rattlers (2-3) return to the road at Howard (3-1) in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Kickoff is 1 p.m. The Bison blitzed Savannah State 56-9 last Saturday.

READ MORE

Southern holds off Florida A&M in Atlanta

ATLANTA, Georgia  — Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming lofted the ball for the back corner of the end zone. To send the Atlanta Football Classic into overtime, all he needed was a pair of friendly hands.

Instead, the ball found nothing but Georgia Dome turf.

One kneel-down later, Southern’s sideline burst into celebration with chest-bumps and the now-weekly tradition of spraying interim coach Dawson Odums with water.

In the stands, the SU faithful screamed and cheered, and on the club level, a group of Jaguars fans twirled umbrellas and danced carefree to the sounds of the Human Jukebox.

Ah, that’s what two in a row feels like.  The Jaguar Nation might have forgotten that feeling in recent years, but after Southern’s 21-14 win against Florida A&M, the team has its first back-to-back wins since 2009, not to mention something that seemed inconceivable two weeks ago: momentum.

READ MORE   

Southern sticks with Dray Joseph after FAMU victory

ATLANTA — In a 21-14 win over Florida A&M that was often a struggle offensively, Southern’s coaches showed just how confident they are in starting quarterback Dray Joseph.  After saying last week that he planned to put backup J.P. Douglas in for a series or two per game, interim coach Dawson Odums and his staff stuck with Joseph throughout Saturday’s Atlanta Classic.

A change could have been expected just after halftime, when Joseph was 9 of 15 for 88 yards and threw an interception on his first pass of the second half. At that point, Southern trailed 7-0.

“We believe in our starting quarterback,” Odums said. “We just felt like it wasn’t anything that he was doing that was preventing us from scoring. We went into halftime and made some adjustments and corrections, got some protections together, and we challenged him.”

It worked, as Joseph rebounded in a big way. He was a perfect 8 of 8 on a game-tying touchdown drive, then finished 25 of 35 for 226 yards and two touchdowns to earn the game’s MVP award.

READ MORE

Dawson Odums has Southern believing it can win

ATLANTA — At halftime of Saturday’s Atlanta Classic, Southern interim coach Dawson Odums had his work cut out for him.

The Jaguars had played a sloppy and sluggish first half, with four punts, two turnovers and only 94 yards of offense. They trailed Florida A&M 7-0, with the lone score coming after a fumble led to an easy Rattlers touchdown.

At that point, it was eerily similar to Southern’s 6-0 loss against Mississippi Valley State two weeks earlier — the kind of performance that has already proven deadly to an SU coaching career.

Not that a negative result would have cost Odums his job, but he and the Jaguars were well on their way to losing the momentum they had built in a win at Jackson State. They were in dire need of a second-half turnaround.

READ MORE

West Virginia State University Celebrates Homecoming 2012

“New Visions, Timeless Traditions” theme for weeklong celebration

INSTITUTE, West Virginia - Thousands of alumni will return to West Virginia State University to join students, faculty, staff and friends in a celebration of Homecoming, Oct. 1-6. With the theme New Visions, Timeless Traditions, events will continue the momentum brought to campus by new President Brian O. Hemphill, while honoring and remembering the University’s proud history.

Hemphill will give his first State of the University address at 10 a.m. Oct. 3 in Ferrell Hall Auditorium. Friends of WVSU are encouraged to attend.

Homecoming begins Oct. 1 with festive events for students in the early part of the week. The following activities are a few of the week’s headliners:

·  Campus carnival on the Student Plaza, Oct. 4, will set the tone for the weekend with fun and food

·  Coronation of Mr. and Ms. State and the royal court Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. in Ferrell Hall auditorium.
·  Black and Gold Day, Friday, Oct. 5, everyone is encouraged to show spirit by wearing the WVSU colors.
·  ROTC Induction Ceremony, 11 a.m. Oct. 5, Davis Fine Arts Theater.
·  NAACP Oratorical contest returns for its second year, 1 p.m. Oct. 5, in the Davis Fine Arts Theater. Students will speak on the topic "I Am State."

·  President Hemphill holds an open forum with alumni, 3 p.m., Oct 5, Davis Fine Arts Theater.

·  Bonfire and pep rally, 10 p.m., Oct.5.

 

Homecoming Day, Oct. 6, gets off to a quick start at 7:30 a.m. with a 5K run/walk to raise money for the Students Matter Most scholarship fund. Following that, the “W” Club will hold its traditional Hall of Fame induction brunch at 8:30 a.m. in the Wilson University Union. After the inductees don the traditional gold jackets and enter the Canty House, the Homecoming parade will make its way down the red road through campus at 11 a.m.  At its conclusion, the Alumnus of the Year will be recognized at the Erickson Alumni Center.

The game begins at 1:30 p.m., as the Yellow Jackets take on the West Liberty Hilltoppers.

 

Following the game at 5 p.m., the Greek step show in Ferrell Hall Auditorium gives fraternities and sororities a venue to show their talent and spirit.

After the Step Show, alumni can enjoy the Taste of State buffet and dance at 8 p.m. at the Embassy Suites, while students dance the night away at the Dusk ‘til Dawn dance in Fleming Hall, beginning at midnight.

           

For a complete Homecoming Schedule, visit www.wvstateu.edu/alumni/homecoming-information.

Fifth-Ranked Winston-Salem State Rolls Pass Bowie State

BOWIE, Maryland  -  Defending Central Interscholastic Athletic Association (CIAA) and 2011 NCAA semifinalist Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) scored 21 points in the second half and rolled to a 35-3 victory over Bowie State University (BSU) on Saturday Sept. 29 in Bowie, Md.

The Bulldogs fell to 3-2 overall on the season and 0-2 in CIAA play, while Winston-Salem State improves to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the CIAA.

The Rams struck first on their very first possession of the game, going 64 yards in five plays before junior quarterback Kameron Smith threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Jahaunn Butler. Kicker Alejandro Suarez, a sophomore, added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

Bowie State wasted no time cutting into the early first quarter Rams lead, taking the second possession 63 yards in six plays, but only managed three points on a 28-yard field goal by redshirt sophomore kicker Mario Diaz-Aviles at the 8:54 mark. Unfortunately, those would be the only points the Bulldogs would score for the rest of the game.

READ MORE

WSSU extends Collins' contract

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Bobby Collins, the longest tenured men's basketball coach at Winston-Salem State since Big House Gaines, has had his contract extended.

Collins, who will start his seventh season at WSSU this month, was given a three-year extension by school officials.
 

"I thought coach Collins did a good job, especially down the stretch last season," athletics director Bill Hayes said. "He won the tournament championship and kept that team together — and it was a young team. They got to the playoffs and he brought them together and represented the school very well."

 Collins, who was making around $97,000 a year, was given a raise to around $110,000 a year. The three-year extension will take him through the 2015-16 season.

 READ MORE

THE SHOW: Howard University "Showtime" Marching Band

Alabama A&M cruises to 38-17 victory over Grambling State

NORMAL, Alabama - Alabama A&M cruised to a 38-17 victory over Grambling State on Saturday night to remain undefeated. 

The Bulldogs (5-0) broke out to a 28-7 lead by halftime thanks to in part to three touchdown pass from quarterback Deaunte Mason. He completed touchdown passes of 32, 30 and 32 yards in the first half. The Bulldogs also got a 45-yard touchdown run from Kaderius Lacey. 

Alabama A&M scored two more times int he second half thants to a 31-yard field goald by Chance Wilson and a 19-yard touchdown run by Brendon Johnson.

READ MORE

Week 5 HBCU ScoreCard

The new Talladega College Tornadoes(GCAC) marching band performs in the 2012 Atlanta Football Classic Parade, 9/29/12. CIAA
Shaw 16, Virginia State 6
Chowan 27, Fayetteville State 3
Elizabeth City State 23, Saint Augustine's U. 21 (Down East Classic)
Livingstone 23, Virginia Union 21
Winston Salem State 35, Bowie State 3

OVC
Tennessee State 40, Arkansas Pine Bluff 13

SIAC
Albany State (Ga.) 17, Kentucky State 14
Miles 50, Benedict 7
Morehouse 34, Clark-Atlanta U. 16
Stillman 32, Lane 22
Tuskegee 49, Fort Valley State 18

OTHER
Langston (Ok.) 17, Southern Nazarene 14
Valdosta State 58, Edward Waters 10
Mercyhurst 36, Cheyney 10
Central State (Ohio) 23, William Jewell 21
Emporia State 37, Lincoln (Mo.) 26
West Virginia State 21, Seton Hill 13

SWAC
Sam Houston State 50, Texas Southern 6 (Thursday game)
Southern U. 21, Florida A&M 14 (Atlanta Football Classic)
Alabama A&M 38, Grambling State 17
Alabama State 54, Alcorn State 14
Jackson State 34, Prairie View A&M 13

MEAC
Morgan State 21, North Carolina A&T 18 (Thursday game)
South Carolina State 14, Norfolk State 0
Bethune-Cookman 38, Hampton 26
Howard 56, Savannah State 9
Southern U. 21, FAMU 14

Howard Grounds Out Easy Win Over Savannah State

Washington, DC — Aquanius Freeman rushed for a career-high 212 yards and two touchdowns to lead Howard to an easy 56-9 win over Savannah State University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Greene Stadium.  A 5-10 sophomore from New Orleans, La, Freeman averaged a single-game school-record 16.3 yards per carry, including a 71-yard jaunt.

A reserve, Freeman was starting for starter Terrence Leffall, and he made the most of it. Freeman got the Bison on the board first with a 16-yard scamper that gave Howard (3-1, 2-0 in the MEAC) the early 7-0 lead with 38 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

That opened the door for the Howard running game, which amassed 466 yards and nine yards per rush.  Senior Jarren Brown and junior quarterback Randy Liggins, Jr. got into the act, Brown on a one-yard dive and Liggins on runs of 12 and 29 yards during a seven minute stretch in the second quarter that put the game away.

"We established the run early," said Howard Coach Gary Harrell.  "Our offensive line, the running backs, and even the quarterback, did a great job running the ball today.  We played sound football and stuck to the fundamentals."

The Tigers (0-4, 0-2 in the MEAC) did manage to get on the board when Preston McCarthy capped off a 73-yard drive with a 33-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the opportunistic Bison special teams made its presence felt for the fourth game this season, this time with senior safety DeCarlos Knight blocking his second punt attempt of the season.  Freshman LB Devin Rollins returned Knight's gift 23 yards for a TD to extend the lead, 35-3.

Savannah State got a boost from sophomore reserve quarterback Victorian Hardison who connected with Simon Heyward less than two minutes later to make it 35-9 at the 12:37 mark of the third period.  Hardison came off the bench to complete 12 of 24 passes for 137 yards and a TD.

"Howard did not do anything different. They are who they are, a solid football team," said SSU Coach Steve Davenport.  "There is nothing positive that we can take from this game.  No one tackled, no one blocked and they scored on offense, defense and special teams.  They beat us in all phases of the game."

Operating on a short field on their next possession, the Bison scored again, this time with senior fullback Justin Duncan punching it in from one-yard out.  A little more than two minutes later, freshman William Parker scored on a twisting, winding 46-yard run.

It seemed only fitting that Freeman who close out the scoring.  The 5-10, 195-pound sophomore from Stone New Orleans, La streaked 71 yards down the final score.

"All of the credit has to go to the offensive line," said Freeman.  "They did an outstanding job.  The strength of our team on offense is  to be able to run the ball effectively.  We did that today."

Parker finished with a career-high 87 yards on nine carries while Liggins (10 carries, 70 yards) and Terrence Tuscan (7 rushed for 51 yards) contributed to the game.

The 212 yards was the third highest in school history behind former All American Harvey Reed (260 vs Newberry in 1987) and Antoine Rutherford (230 vs Norfolk State on 11/01/03).

The 59 points was the most by a Howard team since the 1998 season against Morgan State.

"We preach ball control and execution and that was what we were able to accomplish today," said Liggins, who was 9 of 13 passes for 85 yards to go along with 70 yards rushing. Liggins has filled in admirably for starter Greg McGhee, who had to sit out his third game of the season.  He has yet to throw an interception this season.

Savannah State was led on offense by Sheldon Barnes (62 yards rushing on 14 carries), Hardison who added 30 yards rushing to his 137 yards passing and wide receiver Dylan Cook, who grabbed 5 passes for 72 yards.

GAME NOTES:The 59 points is the second highest in school history.  The Bison defeated Morgan State, 69-3 in 1998,..Keith Pough had a half tackle for a loss and now needs 3.5 to break the FCS record…the current 3-1 record is the best start for Howard since the 1993 season when the Bison went undefeated….It is also the last time that Howard has started the season, 2-0 in the MEAC.

NEXT UP:  Howard will host Florida A&M University next Saturday at 1 pm in Greene Stadium.

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: HOWARD-BISON.COM
VISIT: HOWARD UNIVERSITY

THE SHOW: Tennessee State University 2012 Homecoming

TSU rolls at homecoming

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -  Tennessee State celebrated its 100th anniversary homecoming Saturday night, but the Tigers didn’t have much to celebrate until the offense finally joined the party.

And that didn’t happen until the second half when TSU scored four touchdowns in a stretch of 9:37 on the way to blowing out Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40-13.

A crowd of 31,765, an LP Field record for TSU, watched the Tigers improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2001.

BOX SCORE

“Being 5-0 means a lot. It means we’ve already won as many games this year as we won all of last year,” said TSU coach Rod Reed, who in his third season.

“That’s an accomplishment within itself, but it’s still a long season. We’ve still got six football games to play and we’re going into the meat of our schedule right now and facing a tough, tough Eastern Kentucky team next week.”

It was the Tigers’ most lopsided victory of the season, but they actually trailed 13-12 to the Golden Lions (3-2) at the midway point in the third quarter.

The fireworks began for TSU after that.

READ MORE

Seven Quotes That Describe This Week’s MEAC/SWAC Games

Dwight FloydWeekly Commentary

“In seven days God made the heavens and the earth.”(Bible) That’s how people must feel right now about the Southern Jaguars.  Never has there been such a quick turn-around from a team that was winless, 0-3, yet in 7 days the Southern Jaguars found a convincing way to beat a legit Jackson State team in Mississippi. Their game today against the FAMU Rattlers won’t have a bearing on the conference race, but it will have a major impact on the overall record and the psyche of the team. Jaguar fans should not be ready to label interim coach Odum as Moses, the prophet who has come to take them to the promise land. It is exciting though just to know that there is talent on this team and hope for the season. The Jaguars should not win this game simply because Odum had two weeks to prepare while FAMU’s Joe Taylor has been coaching his team for 5 years. FAMU is at a disadvantage in one respect, it doesn’t have the Marching 100, so at half time it will be the Human Jukebox versus Joe Bullard and the cast of stars—Chaka Khan and Future. This is a made for television game of the week and you couldn’t write a better script. I’ll be watching this one on NBC – 3:30 P.M. EST.

“It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” (Dan Cook – broadcaster) Okay, I know that these are insensitive words. Consider that this phrase actually alludes to the “fat lady” in opera. In any case don’t count Grambling out. Today at 7:00 P.M. EST, they play the hot Alabama A&M Bulldogs, who have yet to lose a game. This would not be the first time the rambling Tigers started out slow and ended up Grambling Tigers in the conference championship game. If you live anywhere close to Huntsville, Alabama, I recommend a road trip to watch this game.

READ MORE

XU's Howell and Flowers reach NAIA regional doubles final

GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers won two matches Saturday to reach the women's doubles final of the USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional. It will be the first time that the Gold Nuggets play for a regional championship.

Howell and Flowers built a 6-1 lead and held on for an 8-6 quarterfinal victory against Auburn Montgomery's third-seeded Chanel Cunningham and Tiffany William. Then the XU tandem defeated Brenau's Stephanie Moniz and Eline Nagels 8-5 in the semifinals.

Howell and Flowers will play AUM's top-seeded Jade Curtis and Morgane Zowczak for the championship on Sunday and a berth in the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships next month.

It's the second consecutive year that Xavier produced a regional finalist. The XU men won singles and doubles championships in 2011.

Howell, seeded third in singles, defeated Belhaven's Natalia Krier 6-0, 6-0 before losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to AUM's sixth-seeded William in the quarterfinals. Flowers, seeded 10th, lost 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 to AUM's top-seeded Curtis in the round of 16.

More on this tournament will be posted online at
http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/0929b.html

XU advances 7 to singles round of 16 in ITA regional tourney

GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- Seven singles players from Xavier University of Louisiana advanced to the round of 16 Friday in the USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional.

Viktor Svoboda, Nikita Soifer and Amir Rahbar of the Gold Rush all won their matches 6-2, 6-1. Svoboda defeated Reinhardt's Nick Draghiceanu, Soifer beat Belhaven's Andres Cepede, and Rahbar defeated William Carey's Julian Arnowski.

In the women's division, XU's Brion Flowers defeated Reinhardt's Lindsay McCutcheon 6-1, 6-0, Kourtney Howell beat Loyola's Kanda Borgononi 6-0, 6-1, Jordyn Goody defeated Belhaven's Ashley McLendon 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, and Amber Brown beat Loyola's Frances Bonnin 6-0, 6-0.

Howell and Flowers advanced to the quarterfinals of women's doubles after their 8-1 victory against Loyola's Bonnin and Meghan DeBaroncelli.
More on this tournament will be posted online at
http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/0928.html

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Week 5, HBCU Football

Thursday FINALS
Morgan State 21, North Carolina A&T 18
Sam Houston State 50, Texas Southern 6

OVC
Arkansas Pine Bluff @ Tennessee State (Homecoming), 6pm

SWAC
Alabama State @ Alcorn State, 3pm
Florida A&M vs. Southern (Atlanta Football Classic) 3:30 pm, NBC     Sports Network
Prairie View A&M @ Jackson State, 5pm
Grambling State@ Alabama A&M, 7pm ESPN3

MEAC
Savannah State @ Howard, 1pm
Norfolk State @ South Carolina State, 2pm
FAMU vs. SU, Atlanta Football Classic, 3:30pm, NBC Sports Network
Bethune-Cookman @ Hampton, 6pm

OTHER
West Virginia State @ Seton Hill, 12Noon
Mercyhurst @ Cheyney, 1pm
Lincoln (Mo.) @ Emporia State, 2pm
Central State (Ohio) @ William Jewell, 2pm
Edward Waters @ Valdosta State, 7pm
Southern Nazarene @ Langston (Ok.), 8pm

SIAC
Fort Valley State @ Tuskegee, 2pm
Stillman @ Lane, 3 pm
Albany State @ Kentucky State, 5pm
Morehouse @ Clark-Atlanta, 6pm
Benedict @ Miles, 7pm

CIAA
Winston-Salem State @ Bowie State, 1pm
Livingstone @ Virginia Union, 1pm
Saint Augustine's U @ Elizabeth City State, (Down East Classic), 4pm
Shaw @ Virginia State, 6pm
Fayetteville State @ Chowan, 6pm


NOTE:  We are taking a short road trip to Bowie State University today, to witness the battle with Winston-Salem State University.  We will catch up on the Blog postings later this evening.  Have a Great Day at an HBCU Football Game!!

Akil Blount, son of Mel Blount, makes his own way at FAMU

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.

READ MORE

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.

“No matter how hard they hit ...

READ MORE

TSU Tigers Battled Top Ranked Sam Houston

HOUSTON, Texas  -  Texas Southern played against the 9^th 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 6^th.  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.




READ MORE 

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."

READ MORE

Morgan State shocks N.C. A&T, 21-18

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.

READ MORE

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
• 13^th Annual Agriculture & Home Economics Hall of Fame, 7 p.m., Gaylord Opryland Resort, email shpatterson@tnstate.edu for information

Saturday, Sept. 29

• 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

View the complete Homecoming Schedule including student, alumni and reunion events

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.

READ MORE

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.

 READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

XU's Franklin, Holcombe chosen preseason All-GCAC



CARMEN HOLCOMBE



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.

2012-13 Preseason All-GCAC Women's Basketball Team
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