Tuesday, October 16, 2012

SWAC boasts next-level talent

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Next spring, there should be no shortage of talented prospects available for the NFL draft from the SWAC. The conference has a number of great players on both sides of the football.

It has produced some terrific players over recent seasons, including Donald Driver (Green Bay Packers, Alcorn State), Robert Mathis (Indianapolis Colts, Alabama A&M) and Jason Hatcher (Dallas Cowboys, Grambling State).

The following list has some players who could be chosen on draft day or signed as free agents. But any way you cut it, the SWAC has some players to watch this season.

Kejuan Riley/free safety
Alabama State
6-1, 208-pound senior

Riley is probably the No. 1 prospect among HBCU players. He has 19 career interceptions, which makes him the active career leader in the FCS. He should be in the Senior Bowl and should get invited the NFL combine. Riley is a terrific player against the pass and does a good job of covering a lot of ground in the secondary with his quickness and anticipation. He has 20 solo and 32 total tackles along with two interceptions.

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Southern tries to reduce distractions



BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  As it turns out, Saturday’s 34-7 win against Texas Southern truly was a homecoming for the Southern Jaguars.  They spent the previous night out of town. On Friday evening, while their friends and fans enjoyed the festivities in Baton Rouge, SU’s coaches and players were about an hour away, staying at a hotel in Lafayette.

As linebacker Anthony Balancier put it, that left them with one thing to do. “Get sleep,” he said.  And that was the point. With the host of distractions included in a packed calendar of events during homecoming weekend, interim coach Dawson Odums felt it best to make an escape.

“It’s just a way to get them isolated and have our meetings and really just jell together, have our walk-through and cut down on distractions,” he said. “Being (on campus) on a Friday night during homecoming, I could imagine they would have never gotten any sleep in the dorm.”

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Alabama State quarterback Greg Jenkins says he needs to take better care of the ball

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  Greg Jenkins went toe-to-toe with another dual-threat quarterback in Jackson State's Clayton Moore this past Saturday.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder threw for a season-high 262 yards and a touchdown, completing 14 of his 25 passing attempts. But following the game, which ended in a 37-34 loss when Tigers' kicker Ryan Deising hit a 40-yard field goal as time expired, the senior wished he could have had one throw back.

With this team leading by seven, Jenkins faced a third-and-6 at the Hornets' 39-yard line with a little more than eight minutes to play. He dropped back to pass then rolled left toward the Alabama State sideline and fired the ball deep down the field. It was intercepted by JSU standout defensive back Qua Cox, who was tackled at the Tigers'31.

Aided by a 53-yard reception by JSU receiver Rico Richardson, the Tigers tied the game up at 34 on a 3-yard run from Moore with 3:53 to play. Moore, who rushed for 131 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 269 and two scores in the game, was named the SWAC's Newcomer of the Week Monday.



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HBCU Legends: Benjamin F. Payton, Former President of Tuskegee University



Beginning in 2009, SEF began producing a series of filmed interviews with education advocates and leaders at various stages in their careers to capture their personal stories, foster mentorship, and promote the intergenerational exchange of information and ideas on social change and education.

Former President of Tuskegee University, Dr. Benjamin F. Payton who is the fifth president of the institution since 1881 was interviewed for this video series. In this short excerpt, Payton provides valuable insight on what strategies must be enacted to make change in education policy and practice and why still too many low income and minority people are denied the opportunity to fully contribute to our society.

Alabama A&M looking to regroup after first loss, coach Anthony Jones says

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  --  The perfect storm for an upset was already brewing before Alabama A&M took to the field at Louis Crews Stadium in Normal this past Saturday, a game the Bulldogs would lose 21-20 to Alcorn State.

A&M was undefeated. It was rated No. 2 in most every major black college football poll and made its debut in the FCS national poll at No. 25. It was the state's hottest team outside of Tuscaloosa and was scheduled to face a Braves team one-game removed from a four-game losing streak on its homecoming.

"This past weekend was something that we as coaches had a fear of," Jones said during Monday's SWAC coaches teleconference. "We'd watched Alcorn on film. You look at some of these teams they've played. People don't look at that. They just look at the scores and things of that sort and try not to give people their just due. We tried to make sure our guys were aware of this."





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U-Pick-Em: The Only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Fan Poll

DWIGHT FLOYD
"The Editor"
SportsEdit.Org Fan Poll
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Every week a few media and college personnel, and football coaches, get to vote on teams they think are the best in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision. Their votes and the final polls have a direct impact on who makes the NCAA FCS playoffs each year. Not since the inaugural 1-AA football playoff has teams like Florida A&M and Jackson State had the kind of success that led to the Rattlers winning the whole thing. Since then FAMU has come close only twice in the 90s under Coach Billy Joe when they reestablished themselves as a contender for the championship. Each of those years FAMU was recognized in the polls.

There are only 20 playoff slots available that are chosen from among top conference teams and at large bids. Conferences like the Big Sky, CAA and Southern annually have multiple teams in the rankings and playoffs. A vote for a team in the rankings usually means a spot in the playoffs. Which teams get the votes depend on who gets the national exposure as well as quality of play. Many of the people that vote don’t get to see many teams outside of their conference and don’t have the time to study the stats to see who the best really is.

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Former Wildcat won't stop believin'

WILMINGTON, North Carolina  -- Throughout the world, sports represent opportunity. Whether it's escaping an oppressive tyrant in a foreign country or young Americans from poverty-stricken areas, sports is a way out.

 
Yet reality shows it's a narrow path to travel. According to a study conducted by the NCAA, only 1.6 percent of college football players become professionals.
 
Former New Hanover Wildcat Jermaine Jones doesn't worry about numbers. The redshirt junior wide receiver for St. Augustine's University aspires to become a professional, and is doing whatever it takes to make his dream a reality.
 
"I can't sum up my love for the game," said Jones. "It's going to take a lot of hard work. Putting in the work, doing what I have to do on the field and classroom, but playing the game I love is something I can't live without. It's my way out."
 
Jones was the 2009 StarNews Track & Field Athlete of the Year as a senior at New Hanover. His best tool of the trade is speed, but family fuels the 6-foot-4 receiver on and off the field.
 
 

ASU Basketball Opens with Midnight Madness

ALBANY, Georgia  -- Madness took over the Albany State basketball teams Sunday night.

Albany State’s Midnight Madness marked the first official basketball practices for the Golden Ram men’s and women's squads. Both teams are looking for some improvement in 2012 after losing seasons.

The SIAC preseason predictions and all-conference teams have been released. Sophomore guard April Thomas was the only Golden Ram named to the All-Conference team. The Bainbridge-native led the Lady Rams in scoring as a freshman.

As for the preseason rankings, the Golden Rams have some room to move up.


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WSSU, at No. 2, sets standard for CIAA

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Winston-Salem State is creeping closer to No. 1 in Division II football.

The 7-0 Rams jumped a spot to No. 2 on Monday in the American Football Coaches Association poll. Colorado State-Pueblo moved up a spot to No. 1 after Pittsburg State, last season's D-II national champion, lost 31-21 to Northwest Missouri State on Saturday.

Until Monday, no CIAA team had been higher than No. 3 in the poll, which was started in 2000.

"It's a great honor for the university and for the alumni and our fans," Coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said. "And it's nice to be the highest-ranking CIAA team ever in the poll's history, but we also know our work isn't done."

The Rams are coming off their fourth straight CIAA blowout — 56-37 against St. Augustine's. Over the last four games, they have outscored their CIAA opponents 189-53. WSSU will play Livingstone in its homecoming game Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.




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Monday, October 15, 2012

HBCU Legends: Norman Francis, President of Xavier University, Louisiana



Beginning in 2009, SEF began producing a series of filmed interviews with education advocates and leaders at various stages in their careers to capture their personal stories, foster mentorship, and promote the intergenerational exchange of information and ideas on social change and education.

Dr. Norman C. Francis, President of Xavier University of Louisiana and the longest serving college president in the United States was interviewed for this effort and provided meaningful advice and wisdom on what real leadership looks like and what is needed from tomorrow's next generation of leaders (including our President) to make our society more equitable and just.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, Xavier continues to rank first nationally in the number of African American students earning undergraduate degrees in both the biological/life sciences and the physical sciences.
The College of Pharmacy, one of only two pharmacy schools in Louisiana, is among the nation’s top three producers of African American Doctor of Pharmacy degree recipients.

In pre-medical education, Xavier ranks first in the nation in placing African American students into medical schools, where it has been ranked since 1993.

Today Xavier retains its distinction as the only historically Black, Catholic University in the United States.

Xavier University's 5th Annual Dr. Norman C. Francis Endowed Scholarship Benefit Concert


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Convention Center

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MORE INFORMATION @ XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

NCCU Eagles enjoy win, shift focus to Thursday night game

DURHAM, North Carolina — That fourth-down touchdown by N.C. Central tight end Detwan Robinson did a number on Morgan State's homecoming Saturday and amplified the attraction of Thursday's nationally televised game between the Eagles and a Hampton team that is looking for momentum after its first win of the season.

NCCU wrapped up a five-game road swing with a 24-20 win at Morgan State's Hughes Stadium in Baltimore, keeping the Eagles undefeated in the MEAC at 3-0, tied with Bethune-Cookman for first place in the league.



Trailing 17-10 at halftime, NCCU adjusted its defense to shut off the yardage Morgan State was getting off the edges, Eagles coach Henry Frazier III said.

Offensively, NCCU went to a quick passing game to shorten the field for quarterback Jordan Reid, who was playing with an injured leg.  "We just told Jordan to go through your progressions, just take your time," Frazier said.

Facing fourth-and-2 in the fourth quarter on Morgan's State's 26, Reid took the snap and got rid of the ball in a hurry to Robinson with 25 seconds left in the game.

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Chowan Hawks earn critical homecoming win over Virginia Union


MURFREESBORO, N.C.—Chowan picked up a critical 28-21 win over Virginia Union University on Saturday.  The Hawks moved to 4-3 and 3-1 in league play. The record marks the most wins in a season for the football team since 1999 when CU finished 5-4 on the year.

Despite collecting 19 penalties for a total of 143 yards, Chowan fought for 413 yards of offense en route to the CIAA Northern Division win.

Elliot Smalls rushed for a team-high 70 yards. Cameron Stover was 23-38 in pass completions and connected with seven different receivers in the win. Ryan Nolan and Antjuan Randall led the offense with 95 and 71 receiving yards, respectively.

On the defensive side of the ball, Chris Morris collected seven tackles. Additionally, the Hawks’ defense collected five interceptions with Dakorian DeSamme, David Fulton, Anthony Joffrion, Brandon Whitaker and Christian Niekens all managing to pick off passes from the Panther’s quarterback tandem Kenneth Graham and Abe Coleman.

Chowan’s defense shutout the Panthers in the first quarter. Virginia Union prevented the Hawks from scoring.

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Winston-Salem State Rams New No. 2 in AFCA Division II Coaches' Poll; Miles College enter poll at No. 21

WACO, Texas  --  Seven ranked teams lost this past weekend, including previous No. 1 Pittsburg State (Kan.), causing a big shakeup in the AFCA Division II Coaches’ Top 25 Poll. Colorado State-Pueblo is the new No. 1 team this week. The Thunderwolves picked up 23 first-place votes after they beat Colorado School of Mines, 35-21, and moved their record to 7-0.

Winston-Salem State (N.C.) moves up to the second spot with six first-place votes. The Rams are also 7-0 after a 56-37 defeat of St. Augustine’s (N.C.). New Haven (Conn.) is No. 3 this week, followed by Bloomsburg (Pa.) at No. 4 and Northwest Missouri State at No. 5. The Bearcats beat then-No. 1 Pittsburg State (Kan.), 31-21, in the Fall Classic at Arrowhead Stadium and received one first-place vote.

With its loss, Pittsburg State (Kan.) drops to a tie with Minnesota-Duluth at No. 7. Then-No. 4 Missouri Western State fell 12 places to No. 16 after its 31-30 loss to Missouri Southern State.

Miles College (Ala.) enters the Division II Coaches’ Poll for the first time in school history at No. 21. The Golden Bears are 6-1 on the season after a 45-0 blowout of Kentucky State. Also entering the poll for the first time in over a year is Michigan Tech. The Huskies are ranked No. 22 and sit 5-1 after a 28-21 win over Northwood (Mich.).

2012 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II Coaches’ Poll – October 15

RankSchool (1st votes) Rec. Pts.Prev.Week SevenNext Game
1.Colorado St.-Pueblo (23)7-07422D. Colorado School of Mines, 35-21Oct. 20 vs. Black Hills St. (S.D.)
2.Winston-Salem St. (N.C.) (6)7-07183D. St. Augustine’s (N.C.), 56-37Oct. 20 vs. Livingstone (N.C.)
3.New Haven (Conn.)6-06795D. Bentley (Mass.), 17-13Oct. 18 at Stonehill (Mass.)
4.Bloomsburg (Pa.)7-06516D. East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 48-27Oct. 20 at Cheyney (Pa.)
5.Northwest Missouri St. (1)6-16287D. No. 1 Pittsburg St. (Kan.), 31-21Oct. 20 at Missouri Southern St.
6.Ashland (Ohio)7-05868D. Walsh (Ohio), 30-0Oct. 20 at Malone (Ohio)
7t. Minnesota-Duluth6-15199D. Minot St. (N.D.), 44-6Oct. 20 vs. Bemidji St. (Minn.)
7t.Pittsburg St. (Kan.)5-15191Lost to No. 7 Northwest Missouri St., 31-21Oct. 20 vs. No. 16 Missouri Western St.
9.Minnesota St.-Mankato7-051410D. Southwest Minnesota St., 34-31 2OTOct. 20 at Winona St. (Minn.)
10.Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)6-045811D. Arkansas-Monticello, 58-7Oct. 20 vs. No. 25 Harding (Ark.)
11.Henderson St. (Ark.)7-043812D. No. 23 Harding (Ark.), 38-10Oct. 20 vs. East Central (Okla.)
12.Midwestern St. (Texas)5-141613D. Angelo St. (Texas), 35-28Oct. 20 at Abilene Christian (Texas)
13.Shippensburg (Pa.)7-038416D. Kutztown (Pa.), 73-35Oct. 20 at West Chester (Pa.)
14.California (Pa.)6-134715D. Lock Haven (Pa.), 30-0Oct. 20 at Gannon (Pa.)
15.Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.)6-132117D. No. 18 Wayne St. (Mich.), 24-7Oct. 20 at Hillsdale (Mich.)
16.Missouri Western St.6-13114Lost to Missouri Southern St., 31-30Oct. 20 at No. 7t Pittsburg St. (Kan.)
17.West Texas A&M6-126620D. Abilene Christian (Texas), 36-0Oct. 20 at Eastern New Mexico
18t.Emporia St. (Kan.)7-025821D. Lindenwood (Mo.), 13-0Oct. 20 at Truman St. (Mo.)
18t.Washburn (Kan.)6-125819D. Truman St. (Mo.), 35-24Oct. 20 at Lindenwood (Mo.)
20.Indiana (Pa.)6-119722D. Edinboro (Pa.), 26-10Oct. 20 vs. Mercyhurst (Pa.)
21.Miles (Ala.)6-1100NRD. Kentucky St., 45-0Oct. 20 at Lane (Tenn.)
22.Michigan Tech5-187NRD. Northwood (Mich.), 28-21Oct. 20 at Ferris St. (Mich.)
23.Sioux Falls (S.D.)6-169NRD. Concordia-St. Paul (Minn.), 31-23Oct. 20 at Augustana (S.D.)
24.Grand Valley St. (Mich.)5-23914Lost to Northern Michigan, 38-10Oct. 20 vs. Northwood (Mich.)
25.Harding (Ark.)5-13123Lost to No. 12 Henderson St. (Ark.), 38-10Oct. 20 at No. 10 Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)


Dropped Out: Wayne St. (Mich.) (18), North Carolina-Pembroke (24), Shepherd (W.Va.) (25)

 

COURTESY AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION

Ex-high school teammates Dukes, Coleman lead B-CU men's hoops

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — The good news for Bethune-Cookman's basketball team is it returns leading scorers Kevin Dukes and Adrien Coleman, who averaged more than 23 points between them last year.

The bad news is the Wildcats lost big men Anthony Breeze and Garrius Holloman, who averaged more than 20 points and 10 rebounds between them.

But with the help of some newcomers and the improvement of some returning players, second-year coach Gravelle Craig expects the Wildcats to compete again for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship.

Last year, B-CU finished fourth in the conference at 11-5 (18-17 overall) but came within two missed shots in the final 5 seconds of beating Norfolk State in the MEAC tournament championship game, falling 73-70.
 
“If we play to our potential and if the junior-college guys play well for us, we have a shot,'' Craig said at the Wildcats' media day Sunday evening at Moore Gym. “I think we can compete for the championship.''

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Will Cash-Strapped HBCUs Survive?

NEW ORLEANS -- (The Root) -- When Walter Kimbrough opted last July to helm 143-year-old Dillard University, his choice stumped friends and colleagues who knew some of what Dillard was up against. Compounding the costs of running the New Orleans campus is a $160 million federal loan for post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction, a repayment that Kimbrough calculates could consume a quarter of Dillard's overall budget within a decade.

"We're lobbying the government to forgive the loan, wipe the slate clean," said Kimbrough, previously president of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., a campus founded expressly to educate former slaves. Kimbrough is credited with helping to orchestrate its revival.

Citing Dillard's longstanding academic viability -- its nursing program is Louisiana's oldest, its digital media and film project draws collaborations with filmmaker Spike Lee and so forth -- Kimbrough continued pressing the case for loan forgiveness during this year's annual conference of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. That September confab draws HBCU presidents, lower-level administrators and players in Washington who control federal education policy and purse strings.

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THE SHOW: Howard U. Showtime Marching Band vs. North Carolina A&T Blue and Gold Marching Machine

Wallace leads Johnson C. Smith past Fayetteville State

FAYETTEVILLE,  North Carolina  --   Quarterback Keahn Wallace completed 21 of 28 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another in leading Johnson C. Smith (3-4, 2-2 CIAA) to a 35-18 win against Fayetteville State (1-6, 0-4).

J.C. Smith’s Dedrick Anderson added 103 yards rushing – the third time this season he has eclipsed 100 yards. He also rushed for one touchdown and scored on one of four catches.

The Golden Bulls, who led by as much as 21-0 late in the second quarter, scored two touchdowns in the first quarter, one on offense and the other on defense.

Anderson capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run for the first score. The Broncos squandered an offensive drive at the J.C. Smith 5 with a fumble. Linebacker Darryl Rankin scooped the ball and returned it 95 yards for a score.

J.C. Smith led 21-10 at halftime. Fayetteville State produced back-to-back, seven-play drives for a touchdown and a field goal before closing the first half.

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Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/10/13/3596884/wallace-leads-golden-bulls-past.html#storylink=cpy

Shaw 48, Livingstone 20

SALISBURY, North Carolina --  It seemed like old times at Alumni Stadium Saturday afternoon - and not only because former Livingstone coach Robert Massey was visiting with the Shaw University football team.

It was because the late-season Blue Bears looked a lot like last season's Blue Bears in a disheartening 48-20 CIAA setback.

"There really are no hard feelings," said Massey, who coached LC through a couple of barren seasons in 2005 and 2006. "Yeah, I worked here and I got fired. But I still wanted to win every game. Just like today. We just wanted to win."

Shaw prevailed largely because it moved the ball like it had a police escort against Livingstone (2-5, 2-2). The guests amassed 601 total yards and scored seven touchdowns in the last three quarters,
"We've got playmakers but we made stupid plays," said third-year LC coach Elvin James. "We regressed today. We went backwards. We prepared ourselves all week to make it happen and it just didn't happen."

Sophomore linebacker Kenneth White, who was in on 13 tackles, tried to voice the team's disappointment after Livingstone played its final home game.




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Sunday, October 14, 2012

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 20th 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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