Edward Waters escapes with 30-29 homecoming win

JACKSONVILLE, Florida  – The Webber International University Warriors football team traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to face off against the Edward Waters College Tigers. The Game started at 3:00 p.m. on hot Florida day the Tigers won the game with a final score of 30-29.

The first half of the game was a defensive battle in which neither team would score until the second quarter when the Tigers would kick a 28 yard field goal to take the lead, 3-0. The Warriors Mason Prater would tie the game with 1:28 left in the second quarter, 3-3. The Tigers would score the last points of the first half on a 32 yard pass to the endzone, 10-3. The Warriors would go into the half trailing by seven points.

After the half the Warriors would score first on the second half on a Kentrall Mims one yard run, 10-10. The Tigers would score on a 26 yard run regaining the lead, 10-17. Just 30 seconds later the Warriors would tie the Tigers on a Brendan Deshields 25 yard run, 17-17. The Warriors Mason Prater would set a new career record hitting a 52 yard field goal giving the Warriors their first lead of the game. 20-17. The Warriors would add a safety at the start of the fourth quarter, 22-17. The Warriors Brendan Deshields would score from three yards out with 10:34 left to play, 29-17. The Tigers would end the Warriors 19 point run when they scored on a seven yard pass and miss the extra point, 29-23, with 6:36 left to play. The Tigers would score the final points of the game on a 49 yard pass giving them a one point lead and the win, 30-29.

The Warriors were lead on offense by Kentrall Mims who threw for 10-15 for a total of 96 yards and a long of 25 yards, and four yards rushing. Mason Prater would score six points on his two field goal attempts the first from 37 yards away and his new personal best of 52 yards. The Warriors were lead on defense by Nate Keller who had five solo tackle, six assisted tackles, one fumble recovery, two and a half tackles for a total loss of 11 yards, and one quarterback hurry.

The Warriors will return to action on Saturday, October 20^th as they are hosted by Point University starting at 1:00 p.m.

COURTESY WEBBER INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Familiar problems sink NSU Spartans in Battle of Bay

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Poor special teams play cost Norfolk State its first conference game. An awful offense cost them the second. A referee's decision took away the third.  Small issues cost the Spartans in three close losses.

On Saturday, they were afflicted with all those problems, all in the first half of a painful 28-14 loss at previously winless Hampton that NSU never seemed close to winning.

"Sometimes when it rains it pours," Spartans quarterback Jake Basmagian said. "We're saying that a little too often around here."

The trickle of concerns that ate away at the foundation of NSU's season has turned torrential.

Defending MEAC champion Norfolk State (2-5, 0-4) struggled against Hampton (1-4, 1-2) in the same areas that have hampered it all season, turning the ball over five times and compiling just 72 yards of offense in the first half.  The Spartans also struggled with more basic tasks.

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Homecoming 2012: Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers Hold Off the UNK Lopers, 34-27, For First Win of the Season

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri – The Lincoln football team overcame a three-and-a-half hour weather delay, a change of venue and a late Nebraska-Kearney comeback to defeat the Lopers, 34-27, for the Blue Tigers' first win of the season. The victory came on Homecoming Saturday (Oct. 13), with Jacob Morris tossing two touchdowns and rushing for a score while Maurkice Savage picked off three passes to secure the win.

It was an unusual game on an unusual day. The game featured a weather delay that was longer than the game itself. The contest began on the campus of Lincoln University and concluded on the campus of Jefferson City High School. But the game was already a memorable one before either of those events happened, as Lincoln entertained its Homecoming audience by breaking a 38-year school record early in the second quarter.

The Lopers, holding a 7-0 lead, downed a punt at the Lincoln three-yard line with just under 12 minutes to go in the half. The Blue Tigers took the field with a twist: O'Hara Fluellen, a defensive back who entered the game leading Lincoln with 40 tackles, lined up a wide receiver for the first time all season. Morris snapped the ball and lofted it down the right sideline to Fluellen, who made a leaping catch. After coming down in bounds, Fluellen broke away from a tackle and raced into the end zone for a 97-yard touchdown, the longest completed pass in Lincoln history. The completion broke the 1974 mark set by quarterback Calvin McDaniel and receiver Chandler Williams, who connected on a 96-yard pass.



The momentum shift did not last long, as Nebraska-Kearney, playing in its first season as a member of the MIAA, answered with a six-play drive that covered 67 yards for a go-ahead score. The drive was capped by a 23-yard run by quarterback Justin Drudik, who finished the game with 294 yards and a score through the air and 36 rushing yards.

Later in the second quarter, after forcing Nebraska-Kearney to turn the ball over on downs thanks to two incomplete passes forced by Cecil Frison hurries, the Blue Tigers set up their second scoring drive. Beginning on the LU 27-yard line, Morris opened the drive with a seven-yard completion to Maurice Woodard. On the next offensive snap, Morris gained 13 yards on a keeper, then later handed off to Morris Henderson for a 22-yard gain. Lincoln gained another 22-yards on a pass from Morris to Martee Tenner down to the UNK five-yard line. It was all Tenner from there, as the running back gained the last five yards on the ground, including breaking through the defensive line into the end zone on fourth down for the score.

Lincoln missed the extra point, and the score would remain 14-13 entering one of the longest halftimes ever in a football game. The halftime was supposed to feature a performance by the Lincoln Marching Musical Storm, a ceremony recognizing Homecoming Queen Tierra Phillips and Mr. LU Steven Robinson and an appearance by Lincoln's 2012 Hall of Fame inductees. Instead, during the LU band's performance, lightning was spotted, forcing the long delay. Due to the length of the delay and the lack of lights at Dwight T. Reed Stadium, the game was moved to Jefferson City High for the second half. The total delay lasted three hours and 35 minutes while the game itself took just two hours and 43 minutes to play.



After being off the field for nearly four hours, Lincoln and Nebraska-Kearney resumed their first-ever meeting down the street at 7:05 p.m. CT. Nebraska-Kearney took the kickoff and the LU defense gave up a few first downs, but eventually forced a punt. The Blue Tigers took over at their own four-yard line, but never looked back en route to their victory.

The drive began with Morris finding Woodard for six yards. He then handed the ball to Andre Borney, who dropped back and completed a 30-yard pass to Kevin Wade. Henderson then broke free for a 26-yard carry before Morris found Woodard for a 26-yard completion down to the UNK seven. Two plays later, Morris ran the ball in for a five-yard score that put Lincoln in the lead for the first time. It marked the fourth game this season that Morris has recorded both a rushing and passing score.

The Lopers mounted a long drive of their own, eventually advancing as far as the Lincoln 17. On a day when Lincoln was honoring several great Blue Tiger defensive backs in Hall of Fame inductees Lemar Parrish, Willie Burkes, Bruce Johnson and Jim Tolbert, Savage had a quite a performance of his own. The freshman cornerback picked Drudik off for the second time on Saturday at the LU five-yard line.

The Blue Tigers were unable to capitalize on the turnover, though, as three plays later LU was forced to punt. UNK got through the line quickly, and Sam Kuck knocked the ball back out of the end zone for a safety, making the score 20-16 entering the fourth quarter.

The Lincoln defense held tough, forcing another turnover on downs, and the Blue Tiger offense took advantage. Morris began the drive with a 14-yard keeper and a seven-yard carry by Donald Malone moved the ball into Loper territory. A third-down, 19-yard rush by Deon Brock kept the drive alive, as did a 12-yard completion by Morris to Jammell Trammell three plays later. Morris then ran the ball down to the UNK six, and two plays later Henderson finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown run that increased the Blue Tiger lead to 27-16.

A 24-yard field goal by UNK's Drew Farlee cut the lead to eight, but, yet again, the Lincoln offense responded with a scoring drive. Morris completed passes of 12 yards to Henderson, 30 yards to Trammell and 21 yards to Woodard, with the last reception going for a touchdown that gave Lincoln a 34-27 advantage on the scoreboard.

Nebraska-Kearney wasn't going away, however, and began a furious comeback bid with 2:52 to play. The game began with Drudik completing a 47-yard pass to Adam Lehner, who led the Lopers with 132 receiving yards. Drudik completed a 13-yard pass down to the Lincoln nine and, on third down, threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Trinidad. UNK chose to go for two and converted on a halfback pass, cutting the Lincoln lead to 34-27.

The Lopers attempted the onside kick, the first faced by LU's special teams this season, but Trammell recovered to give Lincoln back possession. The Blue Tigers were unable to run out the clock, however, and punter Jon Manning kicked the ball into the UNK end zone to set up the Lopers' final drive at their own 20-yard line.

Thus began one last long scoring threat by the Lopers. Drudik completed passes of 20, eight, 13 and 24 yards to move the Lopers down to the Lincoln 10-yard line. That was as far as the drive would go, however, as Savage made his third interception of the day at the Lincoln one, returning it 38 yards to guarantee Lincoln its first win of 2012.



The Lopers fell to 0-6 overall and 0-6 in the MIAA with the loss while Lincoln improved to 1-6 on the year and 1-6 in conference play with the victory. The win, Lincoln's first since a 35-3 victory over Avila on Sept. 3, 2011, was the first conference win for the Blue Tigers since LU rejoined the MIAA in 2011. It was Lincoln's first league win over an MIAA opponent since 1989, when the Blue Tigers defeated Missouri-Rolla (an MIAA member from 1935-2005), 21-14. It was also LU's first victory over a current MIAA program since 1988, when Lincoln won an 18-17 decision against Northwest Missouri.

Morris finished just shy of 300 yards passing, ending his day with 19 completions for 298 yards and two touchdowns. Fluellen's record-breaking 97-yard score gave him the LU receiving yard lead, while Woodard had a team-high nine catches for 84 yards and a score. Henderson led the LU rushing attack with 66 net yards while Morris finished with 48.

Fluellen and Kareem Joyner tied for the team lead with nine tackles. Savage capped off his career day with seven solo tackles, tying Fluellen for the team high, and two pass break-ups to go with the three picks. Timmy Dunn also had seven tackles while James Jackson was next with six. Frison had three quarterback hurries while James Primm had a sack. Jackson and Fluellen also broke up passes.

Lincoln finished with 328 yards passing compared to 294 for Nebraska-Kearney, but UNK outgained LU, 504-480, in total yardage. That was boosted by a 210-152 advantage in rushing yards, with Ricky Trinidad leading the Lopers with 159 yards on 32 carries. Lincoln owned the edge in time of possession, 35:04 to 24:56, and denied the Lopers on all three of their fourth-down conversions.

With the chance now to build a winning streak, Lincoln will take to the road next Saturday (Oct. 20) to take on Fort Hays State in Hays, Kan. That game, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT, is the MIAA Network's Game of the Week, and will be televised in select markets.

Box Score

By Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY (MISSOURI) ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Florida A&M's Taylor pursuing victory milestone

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- While the Rattlers are on a mission to run the table for a shot at the MEAC championship, coach Joe Taylor is pursuing a milestone of his own.

Taylor is attempting to become the second winningest coach of a HBCU program and the leader among active FCS coaches. Saturday’s 44-3 victory over Savannah State gives Taylor 233 win, tying Arnett W. "Ace" Mumford.  “That’s just residue of blessings,” Taylor said.

“That comes from being around some good people; administrators, coaches and certainly football players.”



Taylor can tie John Merritt’s 235 with two more victories. Legendary coach Eddie Robinson has nearly lapped the field with 408 wins.

Without the Rattlers’ struggles before beating the Tigers, Taylor was on course to becoming the leader among active coaches.

“I know everybody else was looking at the left side of our record, but we always look at the right side (overall record),” Taylor said. “The left side is the pessimistic side, but the right side is the optimistic side.

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THE SHOW: Southern University Homecoming 2012

Southern U. dominates in victory of Texas Southern

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- With just a few minutes until halftime Saturday night, cars were still bumper to bumper coming over “The Hump” on Harding Boulevard.

Fans showed up in force for Southern’s homecoming matchup with Texas Southern, and the Jaguars turned A.W. Mumford Stadium into a place that finally must have felt like home for the fans and alumni who were used to the winning ways of old.

In front of 18,719, Southern cruised to a 34-7 victory over the Tigers, holding a lead the whole way in a game that was never in doubt. Texas Southern scored its only points in the fourth quarter, but by then, the outcome was locked up.

It was just what SU (3-3, 2-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) needed ahead of next weekend’s showdown with Western Division-leading Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-2, 3-1). The Jaguars notched their largest margin of victory in a conference game since a 45-14 win against TSU in 2008. That, in fact, had been Southern’s most recent victory over the Tigers, who had won three straight games in this series.

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Change-up: Southern starts strong

 BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  For a team that has, at times, waited until the second half to play its best, Southern University’s performance Saturday night was a welcome change of pace.

The Jaguars’ rolled to a 20-0 halftime lead, and even found time to rest players late in what turned into a comfortable 34-7 homecoming win over Texas Southern.

Offensively, Southern rang up 390 total yards, a season-high total that paired nicely with its season-best point total, as well. Southern also had more than 100 yards rushing for the first time since the season-opener at New Mexico.

“We rebounded from a tough loss last week,” Southern coach Dawson Odums said. “We had a pretty good week of practice, and it showed tonight. We have our problems just like everyone else, but we’re happy to be where we are.”

Odums said one of the things he told the team was that more players would get a chance on offense. Early in the fourth quarter, Rashaun Allen dropped a pass and was replaced by William Waddel on the next play.

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Virginia State conquer BSU in Overtime to spoil Bulldogs Homecoming

BOWIE, Maryland  -- Bowie State redshirt sophomore Keith Brown (Temple Hills, Md. / Suitland HS) rushed for a game-high 120 yards and one touchdown, but Virginia State running back Lamont Britt (Norfolk, Va. / University of Virginia College of Wise) rushed for a 4-yard touchdown in overtime to spoil the Bulldogs Homecoming with a 26-20 victory. PHOTOS

Leading the Trojans on offense was quarterback Jarred Battle (Norfolk, Va. / Lake Taylor HS) with a game-high 201 passing yards, completing 21-of-32 (two interceptions) and one touchdown. Battle's top target was Bryan Jones (Hayward, Calif. / Chabot C.C.) with seven catches for 39 yards. The Virginia State defense was led by Brandon Robinson (Hampton, Va. / Phoebus HS) with a team-high 11 tackles.

Virginia State (3-4, 2-2 CIAA) amassed 422 yards (221 rushing) of total offense while limiting Bowie State to 287 (173 rushing).

Bowie State took a 6-0 lead when redshirt sophomore Jared Johnston teamed with junior Prince Onuoha on a 9-yard scoring strike in the corner of the end zone with 8:58 left in the first quarter. The extra point by redshirt-sophomore Mario Diaz-Aviles was blocked.

Devonte Hunt (Newport News, Va. / West Virginia Wesleyan College) scored Virginia State's first points of the afternoon with 9:07 left to play in the second quarter on a 24-yard field goal.

VSU's Jones pounded in from two yards out with 27 second left in the second quarter, shifting the advantage over to the Trojans at 10-6. Possession time in the first half of play was dominated by Virginia State, holding a 20:13 to 9:47 advantage.

Bowie State (4-3, 1-3 CIAA) regained the lead on its first possession of the third quarter on Johnston to freshman Maxie Stevens 46-yard pass and catch, putting the score at 13-10 Bulldogs.

Virginia State went three and out on their next possession and Bowie State took advantage of the opportunity, driving 64 yards in eight plays, capped off by a one yard score by Brown at the 6:19 mark of the third quarter and a 20-10 lead.

Virginia State's Hunt booted a 30 yard field goal with 13:35 remaining in the third to cut the Bowie State lead down to 20-13.

Bowie State appeared to be in the driver's seat with just over two minutes left in regulation. Faced with a fourth and 14 from the Virginia State 21 yard, the Bulldogs decided to attempt a 38 yard field goal. Unfortunately for Bowie State, the Diaz-Aviles kick was blocked by Virginia State's Rontrelle Knockett (Fort Barnwell, N.C. / Louisburg C.C.), giving the Trojans was last chance.

Following two short completed passes, Battle connected with Ja'von Smallwood (Virginia Beach, Va. / Bayside HS) for 23 yards down to the Bowie State 25 yard line. Battle then teamed up with Jacob Kellam (Virginia Beach, Va. / Norfolk State Univ.) for a 25 yard touchdown. Hunt calmly added the extra point, tying the game at 20-20 with 1:02 left on the clock.

In the overtime period, Virginia State won the toss and elected to go on defense first. The BSU Bulldogs ran three plays and attempted a fake field goal on fourth and 11 with no success.

Virginia State's Britt scampered 21 yards down the sideline on the Trojans first play of overtime and followed up with the winning 4-yard touchdown run.

Bowie State's Johnston completed the afternoon with 114 passing yards, completing 11-of-24 (one interception) and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs' defense was led by redshirt freshman Antoine Young and redshirt-junior Delante White with a game-high 13 tackles each.

Bowie State hit's the road for its next two divisional match-up's, making stops at Virginia Union University next Saturday (October 20th) at 1 pm then head north to face Lincoln University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, October 27th at 1:30 pm. 

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION     

Grambling Tigers fall to Mississippi Valley State 45-21

ITTA BENA, Mississippi  --  The Grambling Tigers fell to 0-6 on Saturday with a 45-21 loss Mississippi Valley State (2-4, 2-3 SWAC) in Itta Bena, Mississippi.

Mississippi Valley took a 17-0 lead at the half on runs of 70 and 43 yards by Garrick Jones and a 35-yard field goal from Kevin Monzon. Freshman Cedric Skinner finally put the G-Men on the board with a three-yard run at 10:22 of the third quarter, but the 17-7 deficit was as close as Grambling (0-6, 0-5) would get.

The Delta Devils responded with two quick scores, the first only 10 seconds later as Marcus Randle connected on a 65-yard scoring pass to Julian Stafford for a 24-7 lead. Two minutes after that, with 8:12 left, Mississippi Valley took the lead to 31-7 on a 34-yard scoring strike from Randle to Brandon Stansell.

An 18-yard run from Skinner late in the third quarter pulled the Tigers back into the game, but again, the spark was short-lived. On the ensuing kickoff, Stafford returned it 88 yards for the score to make it 38-14 after three.

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Alabama A&M falls flat on homecoming, loses to Alcorn State, 21-20

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Tantalizingly, it sat there, just out of reach. It never seemed that far away. Like something stashed on the top shelf you need to get on tippy-toes to reach.

"I just knew the big break was coming," Alabama A&M running back Kaderius Lacey said. "I knew it was coming."

But it never came.

Flat and fuzzy focused, Alabama A&M (6-1, 5-1 in the SWAC) flopped on homecoming Saturday afternoon, losing to Alcorn State 21-20 in front of an announced crowd of 16,781; double that figure for the number of people on tailgating on campus who neglected to come inside Louis Crews Stadium.

It spoiled a significant bit of history -- no Alabama A&M Division I-level team had ever started 7-0 and it would seem to assure that the Bulldogs' recent appearance in the NCAA Coaches' Poll of FCS schools, at 25th, will be little more than a cameo role.

"I don't think we were focused where we needed to be and we made some mistakes all across the field," coach Anthony Jones said.

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Alabama A&M's Great Homecoming Charade spoils chance to make history

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- So gleaming the recent past, you had to squint.

 So bright the future, you needed shades.

Then came the Great Homecoming Charade.

Alabama A&M only acted like a good team. It got itself humbled. It got a reminder in its 21-20 loss to Alcorn State.

Said A&M coach Anthony Jones, "we can never be blinded by our accomplishments again." It went from 6-0 and ranked for the first time in the NCAA FCS poll -- that was NCAA Division I-AA in the dial-up days -- to 6-1 and a non-factor nationally.

This was a page of history wadded up and thrown away. No A&M team had started 7-0 since 1968.
This was a homecoming float with a flat tire, gumming up the whole works.

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Ward's career night leads TSU to victory at SEMO

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Missouri -- A historic performance by Trabis Ward led the way as Tennessee State improved to 7-0 on the season with a 40-28 win at Southeast Missouri State Saturday night.

 

Tennessee State (7-0, 3-0 OVC) opened the game on a 15 play, 72-yard drive that was stopped inside the SEMO 10-yard line as running back Darion Hall never got control of the handoff, giving the Redhawks possession.

After a SEMO (2-4, 1-2 OVC) three-and-out, the Tigers took advantage of great field position at the SEMO 49-yard line. Quarterback Michael German started the drive with a 34 yard completion to tight end Wesley Samuels down to the 15. TSU kept the drive alive with a 12-yard pass to Devin Wilson on a third-and-eight. The first points of the game came on another third down conversion as German found fullback Johntae Gleaves in the right corner of the end zone for the one-yard score to put TSU up 7-0 with 3:54 left in the first quarter. The Tigers converted 11 of their 15 third down chances, while holding SEMO to just five of 12.

German finished with 154 passing yards on 17-of-27 throwing for a touchdown and zero interceptions.


 
SEMO wasted no time tying the game as the Redhawks offense covered 75 yards on just six plays. Quarterback Scott Lathrop had three carries for 44 yards, including a rushing touchdown from 13 yards out.

The Tigers would take back the lead with another lengthy drive as Jamin Godfrey connected on a 25-yard field goal for the 10-7 edge. Trabis Ward got TSU into SEMO territory with a 43-yard rush.

Ward had the first of his four touchdowns with 8:06 left in the first half from 12 yards out to increase the lead to 17-7.

After a first half that saw 24 points, the offenses exploded in the second half as they each put up three touchdowns and combined for 44 points.

Much like TSU started the first half with a ball controlling drive, SEMO answered with one of their own to start the second half. The Redhawks cut the TSU lead to 17-14 as running back Levi Terrell scored from seven yards out. SEMO passed only twice on the 12 play, 82-yard march down the field.

The back-and-forth battle continued as the Tigers used a nice mixture of run and pass to set up Godfrey for his second field goal of the game, this one from 42 yards.

With the momentum in their favor despite trailing 20-14, SEMO drove deep into TSU territory and looked to extend the drive on a third-and-two at the TSU 23 in the final minute of the third quarter. Lathrop dropped back to pass, but was intercepted by Steven Godbolt. It was the sophomore’s fourth interception of the season as he returned it 62 yards to the SEMO 26.

TSU would hitch its wagon to Ward as he found the end zone after five consecutive carries totaling 26 yards and a score.

With the Tigers holding their largest lead of the game at 26-14, SEMO would not throw in the towel as Terrell score again, this time on a 52-yard scamper to pull the Redhawks to within five with just under 11 minutes remaining.

Once again, Ward was the TSU workhorse as he carried the ball on nine of the next 11 plays resulting in a one-yard touchdown, his third of the contest to put the Tigers up 33-21 after a failed two-point conversion with 5:39 on the clock.

Just when it looked like the Tigers were in the clear, the resilient Redhawks continued to fight back. Lathrop had his only passing touchdown on the night to Paul McRoberts, who made an outstanding one handed grab in the back of the end zone, from eight yards out to make it a five point game with 2:22 remaining.

Even though they had all three timeouts left, SEMO elected to attempt an onside kick rather than kick it deep and try and stop Ward. TSU recovered at the SEMO 44.

With the Tigers needing a first down to assure themselves of a 7-0 record, they turned to none other than the junior from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Ward converted a third-and-two with a five yard run and backed that up with a 30-yard rushing touchdown, his fourth of the night to give TSU a 40-28 victory on the road.

Ward finished with 43 carries for 267 yards and four touchdowns, all career-highs.

It’s the second most rushing yards in a game in TSU history and second most touchdowns in a game.

The Tigers continue OVC play on the road next Saturday at Jacksonville State. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and will be available on Fox College Sports.
 

GAME NOTES: The only player to rush for more yards than Trabis Ward in a game in TSU history is Charles Anthony who ran for 285 vs. Samford on October 23^rd, 2004 … Javarris Williams also had four touchdowns in a game for the Tigers. The only player to have five is Charlie Thomas in 1971 … Ward’s previous career-high was 180 yards vs. UT Martin last season … Ward now has 908 yards on the season, which is the eighth most all-time, just behind his 978 yard he put up last season … TSU starts a season 7-0 for the 11^th time in team history. It’s their first 7-0 start since 1999 when they started 11-0 and made their last playoff appearance … The Tigers are now 11-2 all-time in games where they enter with a 6-0 record … Travis James passed David Davis (1968-1970: 1,305 yards) for 8^th on the all-time TSU career receiving yards list with his 13 yard catch on the first play of the game … TSU rushed for 306 yards, the most since the 2011 season opener vs. Southern when they rushed for 342 … The Tigers are now 3-0 in the OVC for the first time since 2008 … The 28 points is the most that TSU has given up all season. The Tigers were the final FCS team to give up more than 20 points in a game … It’s the first time since 1999 that TSU wins at SEMO breaking a five game losing streak. It’s also the first time since 2003 that a team has won consecutive games in the series … TSU now leads the all-time series 11-10 … TSU is one of four remaining undefeated teams in the FCS along with Lehigh, Cal Poly and Harvard.
 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Jackson State 37, Alabama State 34: Hornets lose heartbreaker

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Reggie Barlow’s heart said to go. The percentages said to punt.

The Alabama State head coach played the percentages. Instead of trying to pick up a first down on a fourth-and-one play from just across midfield in a tied game, he chose to kick to Jackson State and play defense.

There’s a reason why it’s not a 100-percent sure thing.

Jackson State got the ball at the 20 and moved 58 yards in six plays. The seventh play, as time expired, was a 39-yard field goal try from kicker Ryan Deising that wobbled through the uprights.
Final: Jackson State 37, Alabama State 34.

“We were in a mix there on fourth down,” Barlow said. “I didn’t want to punt it, but we had a hard time stopping them all day. So, I played the numbers. I didn’t want to leave them a short field in case we didn’t make it. I wanted them to have to go 80 yards. Hats off to them, they were able to pull it off.”



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Alabama State falls 37-34 to Jackson State in final game at Cramton Bowl

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- Alabama State shut down the Cramton Bowl with a thriller that would've made Michael Jackson proud.
 
The Hornets just wound up on the wrong end of it.

Jackson State defeated Alabama State 37-34 on a 40-yard field goal from Tigers' kicker Ryan Deising as time expired Saturday afternoon. The game, played before an announced crowd of 10,154, will go down in the books as the final game the Hornets ever played after 40 seasons at the city-owned facility.

"Cramton Bowl is (special) for me, personally," said Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow. I played a lot of games here in high school. (I) played games here in college and then also being able to play here as a coach. I'm glad this city allowed us to use this facility. They've definitely upgraded it. It's a nice play."
The Hornets will open their new, state-of-the-art on-campus stadium when they host Tuskegee in the 89^th Turkey Day Classic in in their regular-season finale.

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Week 7, HBCU Scorecard

OVC
Tennessee State (7-0, 3-0 OVC) 40, Southeast Missouri State (2-4, 1-2 OVC) 28

SWAC
Alcorn State (3-4, 3-2 SW) 21, Alabama A&M (6-1, 5-1 SW) 20
Mississippi Vally State (2-4, 2-2 SW) 45, Grambling State (0-6, 0-5 SW) 21
Southern U. (3-3, 2-2 SW) 34, Texas Southern (1-6, 1-4 SW) 7
Jackson State (3-4, 3-2 SW) 37, Alabama State (4-3, 4-2) 34
Prairie View A&M (1-5, 1-3 SWAC) Bye
Arkansas Pine Bluff (4-2, 3-1 SWAC) Bye
*SW (SWAC)

MEAC
Florida A&M (3-4, 3-1 ME) 44, Savannah State (0-6, 0-4 ME) 3
Delaware State (3-3, 2-1 ME) 31, South Carolina State (2-5, 1-3 ME) 17
North Carolina Central (4-2, 3-0 ME) 24, Morgan State (3-3, 2-1 ME) 20 (HC)
North Carolina A&T (3-3, 1-2 ME) 38, Howard U. (4-2, 3-1 ME) 10
Hampton (1-4, 1-2 ME) 28, Norfolk State (2-5, 0-4 ME) 14
Bethune-Cookman  (4-2, 3-0 ME) Bye




SIAC
Tuskegee 16, Stillman 0 (Thursday)
Albany State (Ga.) 16, Morehouse 13
Lane 16, Point U. 10
Clark-Atlanta U. 14, Benedict 10
Fort Valley State 38, Concordia-Selma 12 (HC)
Miles 45, Kentucky State 0


CIAA
Chowan U. 28, Virginia Union 21 (HC)
Winston-Salem State 56, Saint Augustine's U. 37
Shaw 48, Livingstone 20
Johnson C. Smith U. 35, Fayetteville State 18
Elizabeth City State U. 63, Lincoln U. (Pa.) 19
Virginia State 26, Bowie State 20 OT, (HC)




OTHER
Edward Waters 30, Webber International U. 29 (HC)
Lincoln (Mo.) 34, Nebraska-Kearney 27 (HC)
Glenville State 29, West Virginia State 12
Wesley 24, Virginia University of Lynchburg 7
Millerville 35, Cheyney 0
Indianapolis 45, Central State (Ohio) 13

*HC (Homecoming)

A&T gets back on winning track, slams Howard, 38-10

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  Mike Mayhew ran for a season-high 138 yards and a touchdown, and the Aggies' struggling offense reasserted itself after two down weeks in a 38-10 win over Howard, which had been undefeated in MEAC play, Saturday at Aggie Stadium.

N.C. A&T (3-3, 1-2 MEAC), which managed only 163 yards of offense against Bethune-Cookman last week, surpassed that total in the first quarter against the Bison (4-2, 3-1) and ended with 367 total yards.

Quarterback Lewis Kindle completed 12-of-21 passes for 125 yards -- also running for a score -- and Dudley grad Ricky Lewis added 76 yards and a score on the ground as the Aggies racked up 242 yards on 44 carries.




A&T's defense also pitched in, returning two Greg McGhee interceptions for scores.

Linebacker D'Vonte Grant had a 40-yard return for a touchdown in the third quarter, and cornerback D'Vonte Graham added a 60-yarder -- his second pick of the game -- in the fourth quarter for good measure.

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Savannah State falls again 44-3

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. — Thirteen is unlucky, just ask the Savannah State Tigers, who lost 44-3 to the Florida A&M Rattlers to drop their 13th straight game dating back to 2011. The losing streak is the longest in the FCS division.

The Tigers never led while falling to 0-6 in 2012 and 0-4 in the MEAC. The Rattlers improved to 3-4 and 3-1 and are back in the thick of the MEAC title chase at the midpoint of the league season.

Florida A&M came into Saturday’s game with the highest passing efficiency in the MEAC conference, but had rushed for just 41 yards total in their previous two games, both losses on the road. The Rattlers pounded the Tigers for 323 yards on the ground.

“We’ve been throwing the ball real well, but it was important that we get more of a balance,” Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor explained after the game.

The coach praised the extra work his offensive line put in on Monday, on their own, after the staff called them out in a film session on Sunday.

“We kinda challenged the offensive line last Sunday in our team meeting, watching film. We’re normally off on Monday. They took the right attitude from the challenge. Instead of sulking or whatever, they went out on their own Monday. It was good to see that as a coach that they took it personal.”


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SC State Suffers 31-17 Loss To Delaware State

DOVER, DE -- South Carolina State (2-5 overall, 1-3 MEAC) suffered yet another setback dropping its second straight league contest, 31-17 to the Hornets of Delaware State (3-3 overall, 2-1 MEAC) Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

 

"Well, it's another tough loss and I'm heart-broken for these kids (players), said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. There are a lot of reasons we are not winning but lack of effort is not one of them."

 

The Bulldogs offense once again couldn't seem to get things going falling behind 14-0 early in the first quarter. Red-shirt senior Nick Elko (6-2, 220) got the Hornets going early on with a 42-yard toss to freshman running back Dae-Hon Cheung (5-10, 170) at the 11:57 mark.

 

Senior quarterback Derrick Wiley (6-1, 190) pass was intercepted by freshman linebacker Terrick Coltson (6-1, 185) and returned for a 53-yard touchdown with 7:44 left in the quarter. SC State struck back on a forced fumble by sophomore linebackerJustin Hughes (6-1, 220) and recovery in the end zone cut the lead 14-7 with 4:50 left.

 

Senior kicker/punter Nick Belcher (5-9, 175) nailed a 37-yard field goal to close out ...

 

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North Carolina A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine

Sloppy LU Lions routed by ECSU

LOWER OXFORD, Pennsylvania — Turnovers. Dropped passes that killed drives. Almost100 yards in penalties, often with the flag thrown at the most inopportune of times. Add it all together, and it made for a long afternoon for the Lincoln football team.

Paced by running back DaRonte McNeill’s 139-yard, six-touchdown performance, visiting Elizabeth City State University put together a 42-point second half to top the Lions 63-19 at Frank “Tick” Coleman Stadium.

“They are a big, powerful running team,” said Lions coach OJ Abanishe.  “And they have great depth in their running game. They just wore us down in the second half, taking advantage of our lack of depth on the defensive side of the ball.”

The Lions came out swinging behind quarterback Doug Cook, who entered the contest as the CIAA leader in passing yards at 295 per game. Taking over on their own 29 following the opening kick off, the Lions completed three passes with a run sandwiched in to move deep into Vikings territory on their first drive.

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But in a harbinger of things to come, the Lions fumbled it away at the 11.  ECSU took full advantage, kicking the ground game into gear and marching off the 89 yards in 11 plays. McNeill capped the drive with the first of his six TDs, this one a four-yard jaunt.

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No. 3 Winston-Salem State 56, St. Augustine’s 37

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina — Teddy Bacote passed for two touchdowns and ran for another and Tyron Laughinghouse scored two touchdowns for Saint Augustine’s, but third-ranked Winston-Salem State scored 28 consecutive points between the second and third quarters to topple the Falcons 56-37 in a key CIAA matchup at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The loss hurt the Falcons’ (4-3 overall, 2-2 CIAA) chances of winning the Southern Division and reaching the CIAA title game. They are two games behind the unbeaten Rams (7-0 overall, 4-0 CIAA), with three games to go in the regular season. The 56 points are the most the Falcons have allowed in a game since 2009.




The Falcons trailed 21-19 early in the second quarter after Laughinghouse scored his second touchdown on an eight-yard catch from Bacote. The Rams responded with four consecutive touchdowns, including two by Ricky Rozier, to push their lead to 49-19 early in the third quarter.

Bacote, who started despite suffering an injury against Livingstone last weekend, completed 18 of 33 passes for 174 yards for the Falcons, who finished with 254 offensive yards. He had two interceptions in addition to his two scoring passes and touchdown run. Laughinghouse totaled 179 all-purpose yards including an 82-yard kickoff return in the first quarter. He has three touchdowns on kick returns this season.

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NCCU 24, MORGAN STATE 20: Eagles win comeback road thriller

BALTIMORE, Maryland — With his team trailing and less than a minute remaining in the contest, N.C. Central senior tight end Detwan Robinson caught a short pass then broke three tackles on his way to the end zone for the game-winning touchdown, as the visiting Eagles spoiled Morgan State University’s homecoming 24-20.

The home team held a 20-17 advantage when NCCU senior Geovonie Irvine returned a punt 20 yards to give the Eagles good field position at the Morgan State 47. NCCU redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Reid took a sack for a loss to the NCCU 47, but then completed four straight passes — two to Robinson and two to senior running back Arthur Goforth — to move the Eagles to the Morgan State 26.

After Reid’s only incomplete pass of the drive, a throw-away to avoid a sack on third down, NCCU faced fourth-and-two. NCCU head coach Henry Frazier, coaching in his home state for the first time since he serving as head coach at Bowie State in 2003, decided to go for the first down and the win.

Robinson caught a short pass with enough yardage for the first down, then powered his way through three tackles, spun away from several defenders and raced into the blue-and-orange end zone for the game-winner with 25 seconds left.

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SSU looking for first win in Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  The Savannah State Tigers are hoping for better results from a trip to Tallahassee, Fla., this time.

The Tigers will be on the road today at 6 p.m. against Florida A&M at Bragg Memorial Stadium in the Florida capital.

Five weeks ago, SSU challenged Florida State across town at Doak Campbell Stadium. That didn’t turn out too well. The Tigers entered as the largest underdogs in college football history (70 ½ points) and didn’t put up much of a fight before losing to the Seminoles 55-0 in a game stopped midway through the third quarter by inclement weather.

SSU followed its fortnight with FBS powerhouses with three more losses to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference schools and will enter today’s contest with a 12-game losing streak, the longest in the FCS.

“There are better days ahead for Savannah State, but (the losing) certainly eats at my patience on a daily basis,” Tigers second-year coach Steve Davenport said.





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Hampton-Norfolk State football rivalry turns 50

HAMPTON, Virginia --  As a 10-year-old ballboy on the sideline, Hampton native Devan Hill remembers being awe-struck by the atmosphere surrounding a game in which he later played and now coaches.

Orlando Goodhope followed the lead of older players from his Norfolk neighborhood and then got the thrill of playing against young men he practically idolized.

Donovan Rose embodies one of college football's fiercest and most familial rivalries, growing up a few miles from one campus and spending much of his professional life at the other.





Hampton and Norfolk State renew their annual rivalry 1 p.m. Saturday at Armstrong Stadium, the 50th meeting between programs that know each other intimately.

"In my mind, it's huge because of the tradition and the location of the two schools," former Hampton U. and NFL wide receiver Terrence Warren said. "For decades, this rivalry has played out in backyards all over Hampton Roads. For me, it was a rite of passage to be part of this game."

Warren, a Suffolk native, was well aware of the rivalry growing up. Suffolk, he said, was Norfolk State territory, and he remembers Saturday caravans to see the Spartans. He eventually chose Hampton because of its track program and later turned to football because of the challenge. No game, he said, was bigger than Hampton-Norfolk State.

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SWAC considers AutoZone Park for 2013 baseball tournament

MEMPHIS, Tennessee  --  The Southwestern Athletic Conference is considering moving its 2013 baseball tournament to Memphis.

SWAC commissioner Duer Sharp said AutoZone Park is one of several possible venues. Sharp declined to name the others, but said he was blown away after touring AutoZone Park.

"It's a state-of-the-art facility," Sharp said. "I was impressed when I came up there and did the site visit, to see a 60-foot (video screen) out there. I think it's a great place for a SWAC student-athlete to experience a first-class venue.

"The people in Memphis and at AutoZone Park were very excited we were in town to meet them. We'll take some things back to the council presidents and chancellors and see which direction they would like to go in."

Sharp said the league has one more site visit to take. He hopes to have a decision within two weeks. The SWAC tournament is scheduled for May 15-19.

Memphis Redbirds Foundation treasurer John Pontius said he could see the tournament developing into a big annual event.




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Tennessee State Men's Basketball Opens Preseason Practice

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State men's basketball opened fall practice on Friday in preparation of the team's first contest on Nov. 5 against Fisk.

The Tigers are coming off of one of the most successful seasons in recent history and the team returns four starters. While Tennessee State returns most of its impact players from a year ago, the team will feature a new head coach in Travis Williams.

After coaching at the school as an assistant for three seasons, Williams was awarded the head coach position in April. As the top assistant last season, Williams helped restore a winning attitude to the Tigers' program. The Big Blue recorded just nine wins in 2009-10, while improving to 14 victories in 2010-11. Last season, the Tigers completed a 20-13 mark.

This season, Williams will have the luxury of coaching an experienced team led by senior forward Robert Covington and junior guard Patrick Miller.

Last season, Covington led the team in points per game and rebounds per game with 17.8 and 7.9, respectively. At six-foot-nine, Covington is always a threat to score in the low-post, but he really shines from behind the three-point line. He attempted the most three pointers on the team last season (145), but he also made the highest percentage of his shots from behind the arc (.448).

 

While Covington excelled at making outside shots last season, he also had the benefit of playing with a point guard who could feed him the ball in Miller. The Chicago Ill. native led the team with 118 assists last season and also averaged double-digits points per game (10.8). Miller also played his part on the defensive end of the floor, tallying a team-high 51 steals and 120 rebounds.

Covington and Miller will play an integral part for the Tigers this season, but the team also has good leadership across the board with four seniors. Two of those seniors are Jordan Cyphers and Kellen Thornton.

Cyphers, a guard who transferred from Utah, averaged eight points per contest in his first season at Tennessee State and was another deep shooting threat- out of his 198 shots, 121 were from beyond the three-point line. Cyphers made 44 of those shots for a percentage of .364.

Thornton is another transfer that TSU picked up from Illinois State, and he made a splash with the team in his first season. Thornton was third on the team in points per game (9.1) and second in both field goal percentage (.525) and rebounds per contest (4.5).

Rounding out the starting five is sophomore M.J. Rhett. Rhett, a native of Hopkins S.C., started 26 games last season as a freshman and played mostly the power forward position. Rhett had the second most rebounds on the team last year (147) and recorded 14 blocks.

The non-conference schedule looks daunting with games at Missouri and BYU, but the Tigers hope that a tough opening slate will allow them to improve upon last year's second place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference.
 

 COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

DWIGHT FLOYD Weekly Commentary: Black College Football in Perspective

DWIGHT FLOYD
"The Editor"
SportsEdit.Org

TALLAHASSEE, Florida --  Today, I will take my 92 year old father to see the FAMU vs. Savannah State football game. He hasn’t missed more than a handful of games since the late 50s when I would accompany him starting around age four. If you do the math that was fifty something years ago for me and in addition to his reserved seat I now have a reserved seat for me and my grandson along with my own parking spot next to the game entrance.

For the record, the top college football teams on any level at one time included teams like Alcorn State, Grambling, Southern, Florida A&M, and Tennessee State. These teams were not just good they were among the very best. They didn’t get to play Ohio State, Notre Dame or USC, but know that coaches like Woody Hayes not only respected these teams, but visited their football camps and on occasion came to watch them play. These and other black college teams like them would today be considered dynasties. Back then a black college championship meant more because winning it really did mean you were one of the best teams in the country bar none.

Too little is said about FAMU’s former Coach Alonzo S. “Jake” Gather. I grew up down the street from a recreation center named in his honor and among the families of some of the outstanding assistant coaches and players like Bobby Lang, Robert Mungen, Willie Galimore, and Hewett Dixon. I remember as a small boy watching Bob Hayes, Ken Riley, Claude Humphrey and Ed “Too Tall” Jones of Tennessee State. Yes, on a rare occasion in the latter stages of black college football greatness I got to see Eddie Robinson and Doug Williams, Alcorn’s Marino “The Godfather” Casem and Steve McNair, Mississippi Valley State’s David “Deacon” Jones and Jerry Rice, Tennessee State’s Joe Meritt and Joe Gilliam, just to name a few.


Donald Lawrence - Encourage Yourself on Violin - Mad Violinist Ashanti Floyd


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WEEK 7 HBCU Football Saturday

OVC
Tennessee State @ Southeast Missouri State, 7 pm

SWAC
Jackson State @ Alabama State, 2 pm
Alcorn State @ Alabama A&M, 2 pm
Grambling State @ Mississippi Valley State, 3 pm
Texas Southern @ Southern U.  (Homecoming), 6:30 pm

SIAC
Tuskegee 16, Stillman 0 Final (Thursday)
Corcordia-Selma@ Fort Valley State,  (Homecoming), 2 pm
Lane @ Point U., 1 pm
Miles @ Kentucky State 1:30 pm
Benedict @ Clark-Atlanta U., 2pm
Albany State (Ga.) @ Morehouse, 7 pm

CIAA
Elizabeth City State U. @ Lincoln U. (Pa.), 1 pm
Shaw @ Livingstone, 1 pm
Johnson C. Smith U. @ Fayetteville State, 2 pm
Virginia State @ Bowie State (Homecoming), 1 pm
Saint Augustine's U. @ Winston-Salem State, 1:30 pm
Virginia Union @ Chowan U., 6 pm





OTHER
Webber International @ Edward Waters (Homecoming), 3pm 
Central State (Ohio) @ Indianapolis, 6 pm
Cheyney @ Millersville, 3:30 pm
Nebraska-Kearney @ Lincoln (Mo.) 3 pm
Virginia University of Lynchburg @ Wesley College, 1 pm
West Virginia State @ Glenville State, 1 pm

MEAC
North Carolina Central @ Morgan State, (Homecoming), 1 pm
Norfolk State @ Hampton (Battle of the Bay), 1 pm
Howard U. @ North Carolina A&T, 1:30 pm
South Carolina State @ Delaware State, 1:30 pm
Savannah State @ Florida A&M, 6 pm