NORFOLK -- Nico Flores is raw, a converted receiver playing quarterback, more reliable running than throwing. Jake Basmagian is raw, new to the Spartans this fall with just two years of high-level football on his resume.
The Norfolk State offense is raw, shut out by South Carolina State, sputtering all season, ending the Spartans' hopes to repeat as MEAC champions before their third conference game.
Raw doesn't turn smooth in a week, and the problems at quarterback likely will hamper the Spartans (2-3, 0-2 MEAC) the rest of the season.
The absence of quarterback Chris Walley (graduation) and offensive coordinator Joe Blackwell (not retained), were more significant than initially thought, and made a measure of offensive dysfunction inevitable this season. At this point, a return to last year's success probably will have to wait until next season.
The Spartans returned all but four starters from last year's offense, which totalled nearly 400 yards per game. Eight receivers who caught at least 10 passes came back. Despite the glut of options in the receiving corps, the quarterbacks can't find them, passing for fewer than 100 yards in 3 of 5 games.
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Friday, October 5, 2012
FAMU QB Fleming piles up the yards
Sophomore on pace to set FAMU marks
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - When Damien Fleming took over as FAMU’s quarterback near the midway point last season, he asked position coach Quinn Gray what records he still holds from his career as a Rattler.
They haven’t had a conversation about statistics since.
“I’ve never heard him ask,” said Gray, who holds the school’s all-time passing record of 7,378 yards.
“The only thing he has ever asked was, ‘Coach what’s your record?’ He asked me that last year and said I’m asking you for a reason, and I won’t ask you any more until I get there. That’s the last time I heard of it.”
Meanwhile, Fleming is putting up some eye-catching numbers, although he wouldn’t talk about them unless pressed to do so.
He has completed 107 of 152 attempts and is averaging 218.2 yards per game. Combined with his 99 yards rushing in the first five games of the season, Fleming has amassed 1,190 yards of total offense, averaging 238 per game.
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TALLAHASSEE, Florida - When Damien Fleming took over as FAMU’s quarterback near the midway point last season, he asked position coach Quinn Gray what records he still holds from his career as a Rattler.
They haven’t had a conversation about statistics since.
“I’ve never heard him ask,” said Gray, who holds the school’s all-time passing record of 7,378 yards.
“The only thing he has ever asked was, ‘Coach what’s your record?’ He asked me that last year and said I’m asking you for a reason, and I won’t ask you any more until I get there. That’s the last time I heard of it.”
Meanwhile, Fleming is putting up some eye-catching numbers, although he wouldn’t talk about them unless pressed to do so.
He has completed 107 of 152 attempts and is averaging 218.2 yards per game. Combined with his 99 yards rushing in the first five games of the season, Fleming has amassed 1,190 yards of total offense, averaging 238 per game.
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ASU Football Expects Improved Lane
ALBANY, Georgia - For the Albany State football team, there's no more finger pointing. A change in the win column has changed the attitude of the Golden Rams.
However, there’s no time to celebrate as ASU heads to Macon this week. Albany State is facing an improved Lane College football team guided by dangerous Dragons quarterback, Chris Rini.
Rini has passed for 1,042 yards and added 246 on the ground to lead the Dragons in both offensive categories.
In 2011, Albany State lost to Lane College for the first time in school history by the final of 26-24. It’s easy to play the revenge card, but ASU Head Coach Mike White is trying to bury that aspect of this SIAC game.
“I don't think we need any payback deals here...we have enough issues here on our own. We have our work cut out, but I think we can get it done,” Coach White said.
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However, there’s no time to celebrate as ASU heads to Macon this week. Albany State is facing an improved Lane College football team guided by dangerous Dragons quarterback, Chris Rini.
Rini has passed for 1,042 yards and added 246 on the ground to lead the Dragons in both offensive categories.
In 2011, Albany State lost to Lane College for the first time in school history by the final of 26-24. It’s easy to play the revenge card, but ASU Head Coach Mike White is trying to bury that aspect of this SIAC game.
“I don't think we need any payback deals here...we have enough issues here on our own. We have our work cut out, but I think we can get it done,” Coach White said.
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Savannah State Announces Women's Basketball Schedule
SAVANNAH, Georgia – The Savannah State athletic department released the 2012-13 women’s basketball schedule this afternoon.
Savannah State opens the 2012-13 campaign on November 9, 2012 at home in Tiger Arena against Columbia College. Prior to beginning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule, the Lady Tigers will play South Carolina, Georgia, Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State.
The heavy opening to the season should weather the Lady Tigers in preparation for conference play, which opens with two home games. On December 1 they host Norfolk State and then MEAC powerhouse Hampton University on December 3.
The Lady Tigers finish out 2012 with five non-conference games. They will play in the University of Florida Tournament in Gainesville, Florida on December 20 – 21.
On January 2, 2013, the Lady Tigers will open the second half of the season in San Diego, California against San Diego State. They return home against Trinity Baptist on January 7. After the non-conference games, Savannah State hits a nine game conference stretch with five of those games in Tiger Arena.
Savannah State concludes the regular season on the road with conference games against N.C. Central State and N.C. A&T. The Lady Tigers host Maryland Eastern Shore in their last home game and last game of the season.
The 2012-13 MEAC Championship is scheduled for March 11 – 16 in Norfolk, Virginia.
Savannah State will play an exhibition game against Armstrong Atlantic State University on November 1 in Tiger Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
FULL SCHEDULE
2012-13 Preseason Prospectus
COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Savannah State opens the 2012-13 campaign on November 9, 2012 at home in Tiger Arena against Columbia College. Prior to beginning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schedule, the Lady Tigers will play South Carolina, Georgia, Southern Mississippi and Mississippi State.
The heavy opening to the season should weather the Lady Tigers in preparation for conference play, which opens with two home games. On December 1 they host Norfolk State and then MEAC powerhouse Hampton University on December 3.
The Lady Tigers finish out 2012 with five non-conference games. They will play in the University of Florida Tournament in Gainesville, Florida on December 20 – 21.
On January 2, 2013, the Lady Tigers will open the second half of the season in San Diego, California against San Diego State. They return home against Trinity Baptist on January 7. After the non-conference games, Savannah State hits a nine game conference stretch with five of those games in Tiger Arena.
Savannah State concludes the regular season on the road with conference games against N.C. Central State and N.C. A&T. The Lady Tigers host Maryland Eastern Shore in their last home game and last game of the season.
The 2012-13 MEAC Championship is scheduled for March 11 – 16 in Norfolk, Virginia.
Savannah State will play an exhibition game against Armstrong Atlantic State University on November 1 in Tiger Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
FULL SCHEDULE
2012-13 Preseason Prospectus
COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
SSU Announces 2012-13 Men's Basketball Schedule
SAVANNAH, Georgia - The Savannah State men's basketball team will have 15 home dates during the 2012-13 basketball season which includes exhibition games with two former Division II rivals.The Tigers, the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season champs, will start the season with a pair of exhibition games.
SSU will host cross-town foe Armstrong Atlantic State on November 1 while former SIAC rival Fort Valley State comes to Tiger Arena on Nov. 5.
The regular season begins with a three game homestand.
Savannah State will play Trinity Baptist on Nov. 9 followed by Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 13 and North Florida on Nov. 14.
The Tigers hit the road for games at Alabama State, Central Florida and Florida before returning home to play Robert Morris on Nov. 26.
The MEAC slate begins on December 1 with a home game against Norfolk State.
After road games at Ohio State (Dec. 12), Marquette (Dec. 15), Marshall (Dec. 19) and St. Louis (January 4), the Tigers finish the rest of their season with conference play beginning with road games at Coppin State (Jan. 12) and Morgan State (Jan. 14).
Other home games include Florida A&M (Jan. 19), Bethune-Cookman (Jan. 21), Hampton (February 7), South Caroliona State (Feb. 9). North Carolina Central (Feb. 16), North Carolina A&T (Feb. 18) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (March 7).
The North Carolina Central game has been designated as the basketball homecoming.
Full Schedule
COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
WSSU picked to finish first in Southern Division
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Winston-Salem State, the defending CIAA basketball champion, has a rather
large bull's-eye on its back after being picked as a favorite to repeat this
season.
The Rams, who went 21-9 last season and didn't lose any starters, were picked to win the Southern Division, according to the preseason coaches' poll.
Coach Bobby Collins of WSSU, who will begin his seventh season, said he's not afraid of the expectations that are heaped on his deep and experienced team.
"The bigger the target, the bigger the opportunity," Collins said. "I've been to the pinnacle of pressure so we'll just go into this season and prepare and play smart and try to do it again."
The Rams won the CIAA title last season by coming together in the tournament, winning three straight games.
"With my assistant coaches (Tim Wells and James Wilhelmi), we try to make our guys better each and every season — and that's what we'll try to do for this season," Collins said.
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The Rams, who went 21-9 last season and didn't lose any starters, were picked to win the Southern Division, according to the preseason coaches' poll.
Coach Bobby Collins of WSSU, who will begin his seventh season, said he's not afraid of the expectations that are heaped on his deep and experienced team.
"The bigger the target, the bigger the opportunity," Collins said. "I've been to the pinnacle of pressure so we'll just go into this season and prepare and play smart and try to do it again."
The Rams won the CIAA title last season by coming together in the tournament, winning three straight games.
"With my assistant coaches (Tim Wells and James Wilhelmi), we try to make our guys better each and every season — and that's what we'll try to do for this season," Collins said.
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Shaw women picked to win division in CIAA
RALEIGH, North Carolina - Shaw’s women have been picked to win the CIAA’s Southern Division basketball championship this season, while the Bears men are the preseason pick to finish second in the division. The Bears’ Sequoyah Griffin, a senior guard from Columbus, Ga., was also named the preseason all-conference women’s team.St. Augustine’s women were the preseason choice to finish fourth in the Southern Division. Johnson C. Smith, which lost to Shaw in the championship game of last season’s CIAA tournament, was picked second, with Winston-Salem State fourth, Fayetteville State fifth and Livingstone sixth.
Virginia Union is the pick to win the Northern Division’s women’s title, followed by Virginia State, Bowie State, Elizabeth City State, Chowan and Lincoln. In the men’s poll, Shaw was picked to finish second in the South behind Winston-Salem State, with St. Augustine’s predicted to finish sixth. Falcons forward Joel Kindred, who played at Raleigh’s Word of God Academy, made the preseason all-league team. Bowie State was picked to win the Northern Division men’s championship, followed by Elizabeth City State, Virginia Union, Virginia State, Lincoln and Chowan.
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Thursday, October 4, 2012
Alabama A&M at Mississippi Valley State will feature SWAC top passer, rusher
ITTA BENA, Mississippi - Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones and Mississippi Valley State coach Karl Morgan have mutual respect for each other's stars.
The Bulldogs (5-0) will travel to Itta Bena, Miss. to face the Delta Devils (1-3, 1-1) on their homecoming Saturday at 2 p.m. The SWAC eastern division matchup will pit the conference's top passer, Alabama A&M's Deaunte Mason, and top rusher, Valley's Brandon Stansell, against each other.
Mason, who has led the 5-0 Bulldogs to their best start in nearly 50 years, has been the talk of the conference and even made national headlines. Last year, The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Nashville native took his team to the SWAC title game where it fell 16-15 to Grambling State. After ho-hum offensive performances in wins against Tuskegee and Arkansas-Pine Bluff to start the season, he's won three straight SWAC Offensive Player of the Week awards.
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The Bulldogs (5-0) will travel to Itta Bena, Miss. to face the Delta Devils (1-3, 1-1) on their homecoming Saturday at 2 p.m. The SWAC eastern division matchup will pit the conference's top passer, Alabama A&M's Deaunte Mason, and top rusher, Valley's Brandon Stansell, against each other.
Mason, who has led the 5-0 Bulldogs to their best start in nearly 50 years, has been the talk of the conference and even made national headlines. Last year, The 6-foot-3, 209-pound Nashville native took his team to the SWAC title game where it fell 16-15 to Grambling State. After ho-hum offensive performances in wins against Tuskegee and Arkansas-Pine Bluff to start the season, he's won three straight SWAC Offensive Player of the Week awards.
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#24 Tigers host #16 Eastern Kentucky in OVC play
NASHVILLE - Tennessee - In a battle of two of the top teams in the OVC, Eastern Kentucky travels to Nashville to take on the undefeated Tennessee State Tigers this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hale Stadium.
TSU comes into the game 5-0 for the first time since the 2001 season. Last week, the Tigers wrapped up non-conference play defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 40-13, in front of 31,765 fans at LP Field.
Redshirt Freshman Telvin Hooks led the way for TSU as he had a career best 108 yards on 14 carries along with the first two touchdowns of his career. The second touchdown by Hooks was the first of four TSU touchdowns over the next nine minutes, 42 seconds during the second half.
Running back Trabis Ward rushed for 87 yards on on 21 carries and a score as he jumped two spots on the all-time TSU rushing yards list as he passed Alfred Reese (1970-72) for seventh and Lee Derricks (1953-55) for sixth all-time. He is now 91 yards away from passing Eugene Bowens (1963-1966) for fifth all-time.
Quarterback Michael German passed Bryson Rosser (2001-05) for ninth on the TSU all-time passing yards list. German finished 18-of-35 for 262 yards, with two touchdowns, a 16 yarder to Devin Wilson and a 41-yard TD to A.C. Leonard, and an interception. He now has 3,036 yards in his career.TSU comes into the game 5-0 for the first time since the 2001 season. Last week, the Tigers wrapped up non-conference play defeating Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 40-13, in front of 31,765 fans at LP Field.
Redshirt Freshman Telvin Hooks led the way for TSU as he had a career best 108 yards on 14 carries along with the first two touchdowns of his career. The second touchdown by Hooks was the first of four TSU touchdowns over the next nine minutes, 42 seconds during the second half.
Running back Trabis Ward rushed for 87 yards on on 21 carries and a score as he jumped two spots on the all-time TSU rushing yards list as he passed Alfred Reese (1970-72) for seventh and Lee Derricks (1953-55) for sixth all-time. He is now 91 yards away from passing Eugene Bowens (1963-1966) for fifth all-time.
The Tiger defense was impressive yet again holding all five opponents this season to 14 points and under. This is the seventh game in a row that TSU has not allowed a 100 yard rusher and the Tigers have won their last eight games in which they have held their opponent under 20 points.
The Tigers are 4th in the country in scoring defense giving up 13.4 points a game. TSU is also 25th in the nation in total defense, giving up 317.2 yards a game.
EKU improved to 2-0 in the OVC and 4-1 on the season with a 28-16 victory at UT Martin after trailing 16-7 midway through the third quarter.
Senior wide receiver Tyrone Goard tied a program record with four touchdown receptions. His 78-yard scoring catch from fellow senior T.J. Pryor with 8:57 remaining gave EKU the lead for good, 21-16. Goard totaled career highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (175) to go along with the four scoring catches.
Pryor set a program record of his own as he moved into first place on Eastern Kentucky's all-time passing list. The native of Louisville, Ky., now has 6,085 career passing yards thanks to his 211 yards passing and three touchdown tosses at UT Martin. Josh Greco (2004-07) had the previous Colonel record with 5,992 yards.
Pryor has thrown for 714 yards this season to go along with nine touchdown passes and no interceptions.
The Tigers and Colonels are two of the three remaining undefeated teams in OVC play this season along with Eastern Illinois, while TSU is the only undefeated OVC team overall. TSU and EKU are also the only two OVC teams that are ranked as EKU is 16th in the coaches poll, while the Tigers are 24th.
Entering this week Tennessee State is one of just 11 teams from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to be undefeated and one of just six FCS schools who enter the week with a 5-0 record. Among those six teams Tennessee State and Lehigh are the only 5-0 teams who have beaten five Division I scholarship programs to begin the season.
This is the 25th meeting between EKU and TSU with the Colonels holding a 20-4 advantage.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS
XU Gold Rush to play 6 of first 7 games in brand new arena
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Convocation Academic Center construction update |
NEW ORLEANS — The opening of the Convocation Academic Center and six appearances there in the first seven games are among the highlights of the 2012-13 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball schedule.
Tenth-year head coach Dannton Jackson announced the schedule Wednesday.
Xavier — 23-9 last season, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season co-champion and No. 24 in the final NAIA Division I coaches poll — will begin its 75th season Nov. 3 in the CAC against Morehouse. Tip-off will be 1 p.m., and tailgating and a ribbon-cutting will precede the game.
It will be the 19th consecutive season that the Gold Rush open at home, and the XU men will attempt to win their opener for the 17th straight season.Construction of the new arena is scheduled to be completed near the end of October. The CAC will replace The Barn, which opened in 1937 and seats 1,300. The Convocation Academic Center's seating capacity for athletic events will be 3,817. Capacity for other events, such as concerts, will be 4,500.
The XU-Morehouse game will be followed by a 3 p.m. women's game between Johnson & Wales (Fla.) and Xavier. The Gold Nuggets' complete schedule is expected to be announced by the end of the week.
The Gold Rush will play at home the next day (Nov. 4) against another Atlanta school, Carver College, then play host to Jarvis Christian, Tuskegee and Spring Hill in the Big Easy Classic on Nov. 9-10. Xavier will play Jarvis Christian on Nov. 9 and Tuskegee on Nov. 10. Other home opponents in the opening month will be Wiley on Nov. 17 in the homecoming doubleheader, William Carey on Nov. 19 and Mobile on Nov. 27.
Morehouse and Tuskegee are NCAA Division II members whose series with Xavier date to the mid-1930s, when all were members of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Both will play Xavier for the first time since the 2002-03 season.
Xavier will travel to Tennessee for the Memphis HBCU Classic on Thanksgiving weekend and to Mobile, Ala., for the Spring Hill Classic on Dec. 14-15. The Gold Rush's opening opponent in Mobile will be Martin Methodist, No. 9 in the final NAIA coaches poll last season.
First-time XU opponents will be Harris-Stowe on Nov. 23 in Memphis and Voorhees on Dec. 15 in Mobile.
The Gold Rush will play city rival Loyola, a 20-game winner last season and the Southern States Athletic Conference West Division champion, Nov. 13 at Loyola and Dec. 5 at the CAC. City and GCAC rival SUNO will visit the XU arena on Jan. 14 and play host to the Rush on Feb. 16. Xavier's other GCAC city rival, Dillard, will play host to the Rush on Jan. 26 and visit Xavier in the final regular-season game Feb. 23.
The GCAC changed its times this season for Saturday conference doubleheaders. After a longtime policy of 5 and 7 p.m. tip-offs, Saturday start times will be 3 p.m. for women's games and 5 p.m. for men's. The GCAC allows changes to starting times by mutual agreement of the competing schools, and four times this season the Gold Rush will play the opening game in conference doubleheaders — Jan. 19 at home against Philander Smith, Jan. 21 at home against Fisk, Feb. 2 at home against Talladega and Feb. 9 at Philander Smith.After two years in Jacksonville, Fla., the GCAC Tournament will be played Feb. 28-March 2 in Little Rock, Ark. The tournament winner will earn an automatic bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship at Kansas City, Mo. Xavier qualified for nationals last season as an at-large selection and reached the tournament for the second consecutive year and the sixth time in eight seasons.
2012-13 Xavier University
Men's Basketball Schedule Click here for an additional link to the basketball scheduleAll times are subject to change Nov. 3 (Sat.): MOREHOUSE (DH), 1 p.m. Nov. 4 (Sun.): CARVER, 2 p.m. Nov. 9 (Fri.): JARVIS CHRISTIAN, 6 p.m. (Big Easy Classic) Nov. 10 (Sat.): TUSKEGEE, 6 p.m. (Big Easy Classic) Nov. 13 (Tue.): at Loyola, 7 p.m. Nov. 17 (Sat.): WILEY (DH), 2 p.m. (Homecoming) Nov. 19 (Mon.): WILLIAM CAREY (DH), 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23 (Fri.): Harris-Stowe, 4 p.m. (Memphis HBCU Classic) Nov. 24 (Sat.) Texas College, 4 p.m. (Memphis HBCU Classic) Nov. 27 (Tue.): MOBILE (DH), 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 (Wed.): LOYOLA (DH), 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 (Fri.): Martin Methodist, 5 p.m. (Spring Hill Classic) Dec. 15 (Sat.) Voorhees, 3 p.m. (Spring Hill Classic) Dec. 18 (Tue.): at William Carey, 6 p.m. Dec. 31 (Mon.): at Belhaven, 2 p.m. Jan. 5 (Sat.): • at Edward Waters (DH), 5 p.m. EST Jan. 7 (Mon.): • at Talladega (DH), 7 p.m. Jan. 12 (Sat.): • TOUGALOO (DH), 5 p.m. Jan. 14 (Mon.): • SUNO (DH), 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 (Sat.): • PHILANDER SMITH (DH), noon Jan. 21 (Mon.): • FISK (DH), 1 p.m. Jan. 26 (Sat.): • at Dillard (DH), 7 p.m. Jan. 28 (Mon.): at Mobile (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 (Sat.): • TALLADEGA (DH), noon Feb. 4 (Mon.): • EDWARD WATERS (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 (Sat.): • at Philander Smith (DH), noon Feb. 11 (Mon.): • at Fisk (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 (Sat.): • at SUNO (DH), 4 p.m. Feb. 18 (Mon.): • at Tougaloo (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 (Sat.): • DILLARD (DH), 5 p.m. (Crosstown Classic, Senior Day and Rush/Nuggets Alumni Weekend) Feb. 28-March 2 (Thu.-Sat): GCAC Tournament, Little Rock, Ark. March 13-19 (Wed.-Tue.): Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship, Kansas City, Mo. Home games in (in bold and CAPITAL LETTERS) are played at the Convocation Academic Center (capacity 3,817), Xavier University campus, New Orleans• Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game DH — doubleheader with Xavier's women TBA — To be announced All times are Central except where noted Call (504) 520-7329 for ticket information |
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
For third straight season, XU Nuggets picked 1st in GCAC
NEW ORLEANS — The women's basketball coaches of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference expect Xavier University of Louisiana to do it again.
The Gold Nuggets have been picked to repeat as GCAC champions, based on a coaches poll announced Wednesday. It's the third straight year that Xavier is the top preseason choice.
Returnees for the Gold Nuggets in 2012-13 include senior guard SiMon Franklin, the team's leading scorer this past season and the MVP of the GCAC Tournament, and No. 3 rebounder Carmen Holcombe, a junior forward. The season will begin in early November, and 14th-year coach Bo Browder hopes to announce the schedule by the end of this week.
The Gold Nuggets received seven first-place votes and 49 points. Talladega received the other first-place vote and was second with 42 points. Xavier beat Talladega 58-50 this past season to win its third consecutive GCAC Tournament.
It's the 10th time in 11 seasons that the Nuggets finished in the top two of the coaches poll.
Xavier will attempt to reach 20 victories for the 12th consecutive season, which would extend a school record, and for the 20th time in 21 seasons. The Gold Nuggets also will try to qualify for the NAIA Division I National Championship for the fourth consecutive year and the 17th time in 19 seasons. Xavier is 44-2 against GCAC opponents since the start of the 2009-10 season.
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By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Spring Hill College sees SIAC as right fit for move to NCAA
MOBILE, Alabama -- Spring Hill College and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference appear to be an odd pairing at first glance. But Jim Hall, SHC's director of athletics, said the more college administrators studied the athletic landscape, the more they realized the Badgers and the SIAC were a good fit.
On Tuesday afternoon, Spring Hill announced it plans to apply for membership in NCAA Division II. The SIAC announced it would accept Spring Hill as a league member if that membership application is approved by the NCAA.
Spring Hill has been an NAIA member since 1959 and plays in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
The SIAC is composed of 13 historically black colleges and universities. Spring Hill will follow Chowan University in Murfreesboro, N.C., as non-HBCU schools that have joined HBCU conferences. Chowan started playing football in the NCAA Division II Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 2008.
"To us, being a pioneer, breaking some ground is not something we are afraid of," Hall said. "We believe this move is right for the athletic department and for the school, and we're not going to let any negative perceptions that some people may have keep us from doing what we think is right for the school."
SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore formally notified Spring Hill that its application for membership had been accepted after the league members' presidents met on Aug. 20. Hall said the SIAC initiated the conversation about the Badgers joining that conference.
CIAA Notebook: Anderson has big game for J.C. Smith
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| DEDRICK ANDERSON |
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Running back Dedrick Anderson ofJohnson C. Smith is coming off one of the best games of his college career and is looking forward to Saturday's game against No. 4 Winston-Salem State on Saturday.
Anderson, who starred at West Forsyth, rushed for 161 yards on 20 carries (8.1 ypc) and scored two touchdowns in last week's 55-53 loss to Lincoln (Pa.). He also returned four kickoffs for 120 yards to finish with 281 all-purpose yards.
Anderson is 5-foot-4 and weighs 150 pounds, and he said that although he hears about his height often, he doesn't let it bother him.
"I guess it's a point of interest," he said, "but that's OK."
Anderson ranks third in the CIAA in rushing (100.6 ypg) and knows the Bulls will have to play well to have a chance against the Rams.
DEDRICK ANDERSON NAMED CIAA OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE WEEK
HAMPTON, Virginia – Johnson C. Smith University senior running back Dedrick Anderson (Winston-Salem, NC) has been recognized by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) as the Offensive Back of the Week for the week ending September 29, 2012. This is a first time honor for Anderson and the second individual awards for JCSU football this season.
The shortest starting tailback in the CIAA was seven yards away from rushing for a new career high. Anderson ran for 161 yards off 20 attempts with two rushing touchdowns. He is averaging 8.1 yards per carry. Anderson also returned four kickoffs for 120 yards to produce a game-high of 281 all-purpose yards.
Anderson is third in the CIAA and first on the team with 100.6 rushing yards per game average. He has 503 yards rushing on the season and three touchdowns.
The Golden Bulls will face Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, October 6th at 4:00 p.m. inside Charlotte Memorial Stadium. This will be their first divisional conference game of the season.
The shortest starting tailback in the CIAA was seven yards away from rushing for a new career high. Anderson ran for 161 yards off 20 attempts with two rushing touchdowns. He is averaging 8.1 yards per carry. Anderson also returned four kickoffs for 120 yards to produce a game-high of 281 all-purpose yards.
Anderson is third in the CIAA and first on the team with 100.6 rushing yards per game average. He has 503 yards rushing on the season and three touchdowns.
The Golden Bulls will face Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, October 6th at 4:00 p.m. inside Charlotte Memorial Stadium. This will be their first divisional conference game of the season.
COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Maynor says WSSU has room for improvement
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - Winston-Salem State moved up in the national rankings this week, but coach Connell Maynor isn't satisfied.
The Rams, who jumped a spot to No. 4 in the American Football Coaches Association's Division II poll, are 5-0 overall (2-0 CIAA) heading into Saturday's game against Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte. Still, Maynor wants better decision-making from his offense and fewer penalties overall.
"There's room for improvement," Maynor said Tuesday. "I don't think we had any dropped balls, but we had some guys run the wrong routes the other day. And we had bad decisions by our quarterbacks where we had three interceptions."
WSSU wasn't at its best Saturday in a 35-3 victory at Bowie State but still generated 500 yards of offense. However, the Rams also were penalized 13 times for 126 yards — both season highs.
"We had some penalties that ...
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The Rams, who jumped a spot to No. 4 in the American Football Coaches Association's Division II poll, are 5-0 overall (2-0 CIAA) heading into Saturday's game against Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte. Still, Maynor wants better decision-making from his offense and fewer penalties overall.
"There's room for improvement," Maynor said Tuesday. "I don't think we had any dropped balls, but we had some guys run the wrong routes the other day. And we had bad decisions by our quarterbacks where we had three interceptions."
WSSU wasn't at its best Saturday in a 35-3 victory at Bowie State but still generated 500 yards of offense. However, the Rams also were penalized 13 times for 126 yards — both season highs.
"We had some penalties that ...
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TSU Tigers Fall Short of Third Consecutive National Black College Title
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The men's golf team came up short in winning its third consecutive National
Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc., tournament. The Tigers shot
a two-day 10-under 566 on the Par-72, 6,539 yard course at Browns Mill Golf
Course in Atlanta, Ga. Alabama State finished ten strokes ahead of TSU to claim
the team title with a 20-under 556.The Tigers were tied for second with ASU after day one with a 10-under 278, trailing Savannah State by four strokes. Day two saw SSU fall from contention after a 297, while ASU equaled their score from the first round. TSU teamed up to card an even par 288 finishing five strokes ahead of third place SSU.
ASU's Jose Rodriguez claimed the individual
title edging out James
Stepp who posted a 7-under 137 (68-69). Andrew
Warner finished just one shot behind Stepp as he recorded a career
best 6-under 138 (68-70). Cameron
Scitern notched a 1-over 145 (71-74), Dallas
Hill registered a 3-over 147 (71-76) and Tyler
Hendrickson fired a 6-over 150 (75-75).
TSU will travel to Paris, Tenn. to compete in the Skyhawk Classic on Oct. 7.
TSU will travel to Paris, Tenn. to compete in the Skyhawk Classic on Oct. 7.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Alabama A&M off to best start in decades
NORMAL, Alabama -- It’s no surprise that Alabama A&M is one of the best teams in HBCU football. The Bulldogs are off to a 5-0 start (4-0 in the SWAC) for the first time since 1966 when Alabama A&M finished 8-1. Last season, they played for the SWAC championship, losing to Grambling State for the league title. Alabama A&M defeated Grambling State, 38-17, on Sept. 29 in a rematch of the championship game.
The Bulldogs have some great players in quarterback Deaunte Mason and running back Kaderius Lacey. They also have a coach who has been around for a long time. Anthony Jones is in his 11th year as the program’s head coach and has an overall record of 77-45.
Jones has won five division titles. In 2006, he guided Alabama A&M to a 9-3 overall mark and a SWAC championship. He could be headed for another conference title this season. Alabama A&M will visit Mississippi Valley State (1-3 overall, 1-1 SWAC) on Saturday aiming for its sixth consecutive win. Nobody is playing better than the Bulldogs in the SWAC, and there aren’t many teams playing as well as them in the FCS.
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Lane College Jacoby Jones Has Become A Steal For The Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, Maryland - Ravens’ fans will forever remember the catch that never happened. In the 2011 AFC Championship game, Lee Evans would fail to secure the go ahead touchdown that would’ve sent Baltimore to its second Super Bowl. The play not only capped the end of the Ravens’ season, but the short career of Evans in Baltimore as well.
The Ravens would release Evans a few months later, leaving a huge void at the slot receiver position. Baltimore would fill that void with the signing of speedy wide receiver Jacoby Jones. And while drops plagued Jones as much as his predecessor, Jones was determined to make the most of his second chance.
Jones came into college with the intention of running track. In 2002, he enrolled in Southeastern Louisiana University with a track scholarship. But like many athletes with his speed, he was seen as a dangerous weapon on the football field. The following year, he transferred to Lane College.
At Lane College, Jones would succeed as one of the fasted receivers in college football. In his senior year, Jones was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Offensive Player of the Year. He would finish his career with 200 receptions, for 2,750 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Dragons would also use his speed on special teams as he ran in 4 touchdowns on kickoff returns.
The Houston Texans saw enough in Jones that they drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Though Jacoby Jones played Division II football in college, he showed he could still contribute early in his career. His most notable play came in his second year when he returned his first punt for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in 2009.
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The Ravens would release Evans a few months later, leaving a huge void at the slot receiver position. Baltimore would fill that void with the signing of speedy wide receiver Jacoby Jones. And while drops plagued Jones as much as his predecessor, Jones was determined to make the most of his second chance.
Jones came into college with the intention of running track. In 2002, he enrolled in Southeastern Louisiana University with a track scholarship. But like many athletes with his speed, he was seen as a dangerous weapon on the football field. The following year, he transferred to Lane College.
At Lane College, Jones would succeed as one of the fasted receivers in college football. In his senior year, Jones was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Offensive Player of the Year. He would finish his career with 200 receptions, for 2,750 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Dragons would also use his speed on special teams as he ran in 4 touchdowns on kickoff returns.
The Houston Texans saw enough in Jones that they drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Though Jacoby Jones played Division II football in college, he showed he could still contribute early in his career. His most notable play came in his second year when he returned his first punt for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in 2009.
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Spring Hill College to join NCAA; SIAC holding spot for Badgers
MOBILE, Alabama -- Spring Hill College President Rev. Richard P. Salmi, S.J., announced today that Spring Hill College has accepted an invitation to join the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and intends to apply for NCAA Division II membership in spring 2013.
Spring Hill has been a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) since 1959. The decision to switch national and conference affiliations comes after nearly two years of study and planning concerning the future of the Badger athletic program.
“We have enjoyed our relationship with the NAIA and SSAC (Southern States Athletic Conference)," said Salmi. “The SSAC is an excellent conference, and we have been pleased during our time as a member. However, we feel that strategically the NCAA is a better long-term fit for our goals and aspirations for the college and our athletic department.”
“Over the past year and a half, we have engaged in a comprehensive study of how best to ensure that our athletic program reaches its full potential and enjoys the same level of recognition and success that our academic programs have earned for more than 180 years,” said SHC Director of Athletics Jim Hall.
“We believe that being a member of the SIAC and the NCAA is a positive step in making that goal a reality.”
“The NCAA enjoys strong 'brand recognition' nationally and is regarded as being committed to competitive excellence, the welfare of student athletes and the support of its member institutions,” Hall said. “The NCAA also affords its members tremendous access to educational and professional development programs including postgraduate scholarships, athletic internships, conferences, symposiums and programs for women and minorities.”
One of the primary benefits cited in the study for moving to NCAA Division II is the opportunity to connect athletically with some of the best academic institutions in the country, including 26 of 28 Jesuit institutions nationwide. “Spring Hill has always been one of the highest ranked academic schools in the NAIA,” said Hall. “It is important that we continue our academic commitment to excellence as we build a highly regarded athletic program.”
“Spring Hill presently has more than 220 student athletes competing in 15 sports and we believe membership in the NCAA will make us an even more attractive college choice for outstanding student athletes from across the United States who, as studies suggest, are more likely to want to enroll at an NCAA campus,” said Hall.
SIAC commissioner Greg Moore formally communicated the conference’s acceptance of Spring Hill’s application after the SIAC president’s meeting on Aug. 20, 2012.
“We are pleased about the prospect of Spring Hill College becoming a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference,” Moore said. “Not only is Spring Hill College an institution with strong academics and athletics, but they were also cited by Dr. King for its commitment to racial justice and equality in his 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail.'”
As a result of the SIAC’s invitation, Spring Hill College will submit its NCAA application prior to the Feb. 1, 2013 deadline and begin what it hopes to be a three-year process toward full membership in NCAA Division II. Spring Hill will continue to hold membership in the NAIA and the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) through the 2013-2014 academic year, but will play a full schedule against SIAC opponents beginning in 2014-2015.
Founded in 1913, SIAC membership spans the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee and is comprised of 13 historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) that compete in 13 sponsored sports. SIAC teams and its athletes are known for being staunch competitors and for excelling on the national level. The conference as a whole has claimed more than 50 team and individual national championships.
“We believe that being a member of the NCAA and the SIAC is in concert with Spring Hill’s academic goals and mission,” Hall said. “It helps the college fulfill its promise of forming leaders engaged in learning, faith, justice and service for life.”
It was announced on August 27, 2012, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Council of Presidents unanimously approved the application of Central State University (Ohio) as an associate football member of the SIAC, effective July 1, 2013.
Basketball schedule is released for WSSU men
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina - We interrupt the middle of football season for some basketball news.
There’s not a lot of news coming from the WSSU men’s basketball team other than the schedule is out and it’s a good one. And when I say a good one, I mean it’s a challenging one for coach Bobby Collins.
The Rams, 21-9 last season and the defending CIAA champions, will play an exhibition against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Then, the Rams will open the regular-season against Division I UNC Greensboro at Greensboro Coliseum on Nov. 12.
Collins had a good quote about playing their opener in Greensboro against a Division I school that’s not N.C. A&T or N.C. Central.
“Since our rivals A&T and Central don’t want to play us we are hoping to start a nice little rivalry with UNCG,” Collins said. “I think it’s a great way for us to open our schedule with Duke and then UNCG because it will prepare us for our tough competition in the CIAA.”
Last season the Rams earned the automatic berth to the Division II tournament thanks to winning the CIAA Tournament title. With just about all of his team back along with several talented newcomers Collins and the Rams will likely contend again.
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There’s not a lot of news coming from the WSSU men’s basketball team other than the schedule is out and it’s a good one. And when I say a good one, I mean it’s a challenging one for coach Bobby Collins.
The Rams, 21-9 last season and the defending CIAA champions, will play an exhibition against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Then, the Rams will open the regular-season against Division I UNC Greensboro at Greensboro Coliseum on Nov. 12.
Collins had a good quote about playing their opener in Greensboro against a Division I school that’s not N.C. A&T or N.C. Central.
“Since our rivals A&T and Central don’t want to play us we are hoping to start a nice little rivalry with UNCG,” Collins said. “I think it’s a great way for us to open our schedule with Duke and then UNCG because it will prepare us for our tough competition in the CIAA.”
Last season the Rams earned the automatic berth to the Division II tournament thanks to winning the CIAA Tournament title. With just about all of his team back along with several talented newcomers Collins and the Rams will likely contend again.
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Chowan Hawks grab historic victory
MURFREESBORO – Earthquake.If it hasn’t shaken things up, it’s at least a seismic shift – football-wise – in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).
Your usual top dogs don’t live here anymore. Or at least now they’ve got some company.
Chowan’s 27-3 win Saturday at James G. Garrison Stadium over league opponent Fayetteville State - the first in the school’s gridiron history - left the Hawks’ overall record at 3-2 midway through a season for the first time since 1999.
It also put them into a tie for first place in the CIAA Northern division with Elizabeth City State at 2-0; and it marked the first time Chowan’s defense had not allowed an opponent a touchdown since 2005.
How tenacious was the Hawks-D? They allowed just a single field goal from an offense that came in averaging over 23 points per game.
Junior Jason Ampy had 13 tackles while Anthony Joffrion and T.J. Batchelor assisted with 10 each. Batchelor also added two sacks in the contest, upping his season total to nine.
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