Xavier tops Dillard for 2nd straight GCAC tourney victory

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team defeated city rival Dillard 25-12, 25-16, 25-18 for the Gold Nuggets' second victory in as many matches Thursday at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Gold Nuggets (20-7), the defending champion, reached 20 victories for the second consecutive season. They'll play at 4:30 p.m. Friday against SUNO for the right to advance to Saturday's championship round. The tournament is double elimination. SUNO defeated Tougaloo 25-21, 25-21, 25-20 to join Xavier as the tournament's other 2-0 team.

Xavier, which swept Philander Smith in the first match Thursday, took advantage of a Dillard team which needed five sets to defeat Talladega in the third match and had about two hours to rest and refuel before playing the Gold Nuggets. Xavier led 5-0 and 9-2 in the first set and closed it with a 10-2 run. It was the fewest points Xavier ever had allowed to Dillard in an opening set.

The Nuggets trailed 7-5 in the second set, then took the lead for good with a 6-0 run. Dillard led 8-3 in the third set, but the Nuggets rallied for their first lead, 15-14. After Dillard scored three consecutive times for a tie 17, Xavier ended the match by scoring eight of the final nine points.

"We played with high energy and great composure throughout the match," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "We had to make adjustments with our lineup due to injuries, but we controlled the momentum for the whole match. It was a great team effort."

Xavier defeated the Lady Bleu Devils (6-14) for the second time in six days and the third time this season. It was the Nuggets' seventh consecutive victory against Dillard, and it tied the series at 7.

The Nuggets have won four in a row, 7-of-8 and and 15 of their last 18 matches. Xavier has won 26 consecutive matches against GCAC opponents since the start of 2011 — 20 in the regular season, six in the tournament.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

CIAA Notebook: Wilkins has helped ECSU offensive line

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- Elizabeth City State is back in the championship game despite having to revamp its entire offensive line from last season.

The Vikings (7-3) will take on Winston-Salem State on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Durham County Stadium. The Vikings lost 38-18to the Rams last season in the championship game.

One of the newcomers to the offensive line for the Vikings is Jairus Wilkins , a junior-college transfer. Wilkins, a 2009 graduate of Parkland High School, is 6-2 and 280 pounds.

The Vikings are led by running back Daronte McNeill , who has rushed for 1,145 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Converted wide receiver Petey Boone has also come on lately and has rushed for 203 yards on 36 carries.

McNeill, who was last season’s CIAA offensive player of the year, is the school’s all-time leading rusher with 4,489 yards and 54 touchdowns.

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Riding a wave of success, honors, but not at Navy

KAMERON SMITH, 2009

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Quarterback Kameron Smith of Winston-Salem State is tough to gauge.  He’s riding one of the hottest streaks of his quarterbacking life but he shrugs it off like he shrugs off would-be tacklers.

“I’m just enjoying it,” Smith said earlier this week as he tried to sum up a second straight unbeaten regular season for WSSU.

The Rams (10-0) are cruising toward another playoff berth — they are ranked No.2 in NCAA Division II — but before then they will take on Elizabeth City State (7-3) in the CIAA championship game on Saturday in Durham.

For Smith, who not that long ago was a converted wide receiver at Navy, it’s all about his preparation and attention to detail. It all came together this season, and that’s why he was named the CIAA’s offensive player of the year earlier this week.

When Smith went to Navy after a successful career at Garner High School in Raleigh, he was intent on playing quarterback. But a broken thumb his freshman year and a subsequent move to wide receiver wasn’t what he had in mind.

He transferred to WSSU before the 2010 season and has been Coach Connell Maynor’s most important recruit.

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XU Gold Nuggets sweep Philander Smith in GCAC first round

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Xavier University of Louisiana trailed briefly in the first and third sets but still rolled to a 25-11, 25-16, 25-17 women's volleyball victory against Philander Smith in the opening round of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

    

The Gold Nuggets (19-7), the defending champion, will play at 6 p.m. today against the winner of a 2 p.m. match between Talladega and Dillard. Philander Smith (7-28), the host school, will play in the losers bracket at 8:30 a.m. Friday against the loser of the Edward Waters-Tougaloo match.
    

Xavier trailed 3-0 and 4-1 to begin the match but took the lead to stay with a 6-0 run to give the Nuggets an 8-5 advantage. Xavier closed the set by winning 13 of the final 16 points, including another 6-0 run which gave the Nuggets a 21-9 lead.
    

The Nuggets scored the first seven points of the second set, then closed with a 12-4 burst after Philander Smith cut the margin to 13-12.
    

Xavier trailed 3-0 and 6-5 in the final set before scoring six consecutive points to take the lead to stay. The Nuggets ended the match by scoring the final five points.
    

"Everyone played well. No one stood out offensively," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said after the Nuggets' third consecutive victory and their 14th in 17 matches. "Jodi Chatters was pretty consistent on the back row."
    

Xavier defeated the Lady Panthers for the second time this season and leads the all-time series 3-0.
    

It's the third consecutive year that the Nuggets won their opening match in this tournament, which is double elimination.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Reuther, Hamilton earn top honors on All-GCAC team

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Taylor Reuther is the 2012 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Year in women's volleyball, and XU's Christabell Hamilton is a repeat choice as GCAC Coach of the Year.
    

Reuther is one of five XU players honored. Moira Kirk and Franziska Pirkl joined Reuther on the first team, and Chinedu Echebelem and Jodi Chatters made the second team.
    

GCAC coaches selected the all-conference team Wednesday afternoon, and the results were announced during the evening at a banquet for the teams prior to the GCAC Tournament, which will begin Thursday in Little Rock, Ark.

From left: XU All-GCAC selections Jodi Chatters, Chinedu Echebelem,
 Moira Kirk, Player of the Year Taylor Reuther, Franziska Pirkl
 and Coach of the Year Christabell Hamilton.

Reuther, a sophomore outside hitter from Metairie, La., and a graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School, leads the Gold Nuggets with 286 kills, 66 aces and 251 digs in 25 matches. She ranks second in the NAIA with 0.78 aces per set. Reuther has eight kill-dig double-doubles, including 21 kills and 20 digs at Belhaven in the championship match of the Belhaven Tournament on Sept. 8.

    

Hamilton, who shared the GCAC coaching award a year ago, won it outright this time after leading Xavier to a second consecutive 10-0 conference record. The Gold Nuggets are 18-7 this season — including a school-record 11 consecutive road victories — and 41-14 since Hamilton was hired in June 2011.
    

Kirk, a sophomore middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, leads Xavier with a .308 hitting percentage and 69 blocks. She's third on the team with 197 kills and 23 aces. Kirk has nine matches of four or more blocks, and she closed the regular season with double-figure kills in 6-of-8 matches. She hit .416 in GCAC matches.
    

Pirkl, a freshman from Munich, Germany, and a graduate of Theodolinden Gymnasium, replaced the graduated Patrice Hightower, an All-GCAC setter in 2011, and recorded 663 assists, 36 aces, 34 kills, 116 digs and 24 blocks. Pirkl ranks 42nd in the NAIA in aces per set and second in the GCAC — first among freshmen — in assists per set.
    

Echebelem, a sophomore from Dallas and a graduate of Duncanville High School, is second on the Nuggets with 211 kills and 220 digs. She has seven kill-dig doubles and ranks among the GCAC's top 12 in kills, kills per set, hitting percentage, digs and digs per set. Her 22 digs against Belhaven on Oct. 29 are the most in a match this season by an XU player.
    

Chatters, a freshman setter/libero from Lake Charles, La., and a graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, emerged late in the season as the Nuggets' most reliable libero. She will enter the GCAC Tournament with a streak of eight consecutive matches with 10 or more digs, Xavier's longest streak since it reinstated volleyball in 2010. Chatters has 175 digs, 119 in the past eight matches.
    

Reuther, Kirk and Echebelem are repeat All-GCAC selections.
    

Xavier will lead off the GCAC Tournament with a 10 a.m. Thursday match against Philander Smith. If the Gold Nuggets win, they'll play at 6 p.m. Thursday against the winner of the Talladega-Dillard match. If the Nuggets lose to Philander Smith, they'll play at 8:30 a.m. Friday in the losers bracket. Xavier is the defending GCAC Tournament champion.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

XULAATHLETICS

TSU Mourns Passing of Freshman Football Player William Wayne Jones III

William Wayne Jones, III
(Photo Courtesy Tennessee State University Athletics)

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (11/7/2012)  - Tennessee State University is tonight mourning the death of one of its student- athletes.

William Wayne Jones, III, a freshman walk-on defensive back from Smyrna, Tenn., passed out and became unresponsive during an early evening practice at approximately 4 p.m. Jones was transported to Baptist Medical Center in Nashville where efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and died at approximately 5:50 p.m.

"This is a very tragic day for our entire Tennessee State University community and we are devastated by the sudden passing of this young man," said Teresa Phillips, TSU Athletics Director. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very difficult time. Our University and our football team are hurting as we feel the loss of one of our own. As a team and a family we will grieve alongside the family and do everything we can to help support the family through this very difficult time."

Students, faculty, staff and the TSU community are mourning the loss of the young football player. More details will be made as they become available.

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Joe Taylor Steps Down Immediately As FAMU Head Football Coach

HEAD COACH JOE TAYLOR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  (11/7/12) -- Florida A&M University (FAMU) head football coach Joseph "Joe" Taylor announced today that he will officially retire from coaching the Rattlers effective immediately.

"With the enormous amount of coverage that my retirement has been receiving, I felt it was best to step aside and let the team focus on the last two games," Taylor said. "With me it has always been about the student-athletes not me. I want to thank FAMU for the opportunity they gave me to finish out my coaching career here at this fine institution. I wish them well in their future endeavors."

"Coach Taylor and I both decided it was best for him to step aside, so that the team can focus on the last two games of the season," said FAMU Athletic Director Derek Horne. "We want to thank Coach Taylor for his years of service here at FAMU and wish him the best in his future endeavors."

Horne also stated that Taylor would transition into a role of advising the athletic department on improving the overall football operations until the end of his contract in January of 2013.  FAMU alumnus and defensive coordinator Earl Holmes will take on the day-to-day operations of the Rattler football program.

"I want to thank Coach Joe Taylor again for all of his support of the university through the football program," said FAMU Interim President Larry Robinson. "He has had enormous success as a coach. He has helped many athletes to create a balance between their academic progression and what is required to create a successful program. With this recent development, we must complete the last two games of the season without him. We know that it will not be easy for our student athletes, but I'm encouraging them to work with the new leadership and continue to perform at their highest level."

Taylor finishes his illustrious coaching career with 233-96-4, tying him with former Southern University Coach Arnett "Ace" Mumford and placing him third among historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) coaches in career wins. Ahead of Taylor is John "Big John" Merritt of Tennessee State with 235 career wins, who ranks second. Eddie Robinson leads the list of HBCU coaches with 408 career wins.

In five seasons at FAMU, Taylor compiled a 35-19 record, tying legendary coach Alonzo S. "Jake" Gaither with nine wins in his first season as head coach, the third most wins in school history. He surpassed Gaither, after the 2010 season, as the Rattlers went 8-3 and winning a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship (MEAC) with Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State, becoming the first coach in school history to record 25 wins in his first three seasons.

Taylor, in his first season as head coach of the Rattlers, led FAMU to a 9-3 season in 2008, after the Rattlers finished the previous season 3-8 in 2007. In 2009 and 2010, Taylor led the Rattlers to back-to-back 8-3 seasons as the Rattlers reeled off six straight wins and knocked off an undefeated Bethune-Cookman team in the annual 31st Florida Blue Florida Classic at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., in 2010.

His 2009 team produced the MEAC Offensive Player of the Year in Curtis Pulley and the Division I FCS All-Time Punt Returner for TDs in LeRoy Vann, who finished his career with eight (8) TD runbacks, surpassing Kenny Shedd (1989-92) of University of Northern Iowa, while tying the NCAA single season TD punt return record with five (5) set by North Carolina A&T's Curtis DeLoatch in 2001. He also finished his career with 11 total TDs on kick returns, including the three (3) on kickoffs he tallied in 2008.

A man of great faith, Taylor has been the mentor to several young coaches who have joined the ranks during his career. Well respected in the athletics community, Taylor has graduated more than 60 players in the first four years at FAMU. Coaching the Rattlers through their NCAA probation, Taylor managed to find success off the field, recruiting athletes that would win FAMU the NCAA award for biggest APR improvement in the MEAC in 2009.

Taylor departs with an impressive resume of accolades. He has won four Black College National Championships, graduated hundreds of athletes over his 40-year career, sent several players to the professional ranks and most importantly has helped influence the lives of thousands of productive citizens.

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WSSU Rams hope to add exclamation point to perfect season

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  For the second straight year, the Winston-Salem State University Rams capped off a perfect regular season on Saturday with a 41-8 win over Fayetteville State.

WSSU used another stifling defensive effort in limiting the Broncos to just 154 yards. Fayetteville State was held to just six first downs and was just one of 13 on third downs.

The Rams are now focused on Elizabeth City State University. They will face the team Saturday for the CIAA Championship on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Durham County Stadium.

In other football news, Matthew Browning, a redshirt freshman defensive back, has been named to the 2012 CIAA Football All-Rookie team. The Charlotte native finished the 2012 regular season with 24 tackles, 1.5 tackles for lost yardage, one sack, one interception, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

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Frazier, NCCU get one more chance vs. Taylor

DURHAM, North Carolina  — This likely will be N.C. Central coach Henry Frazier III’s last time going against Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor, who announced his retirement this past week before the Rattlers’ game against N.C. A&T.

Frazier said he has head to head with Taylor twice and lost both times.

Taylor, who has the most wins in the history of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, said he is not stepping away from the game because FAMU (3-6, 3-3 MEAC) is struggling. Taylor said he and his wife agreed, during the 2011 Christmas holidays, that 40 years on the sidelines was enough.

Taylor, who has coached at Howard and Hampton in the MEAC and Virginia Union in the CIAA, has won 233 games during his career.

Complete Game Notes (PDF) 
   



“It’s kind of a melancholy feeling, so to speak, because he’s one of the best that’s ever done this thing,” Frazier said.

But Frazier said he, with all due respect, is going to try to beat the pants off Taylor on Saturday (3 p.m., WNCU 90.7-FM).

“I wish him nothing but the best after Saturday,” Frazier said.

A win by NCCU (6-3, 5-1) would equal ...

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OBAMA VICTORY SPEECH: 'THE BEST IS YET TO COME'

CHICAGO, Illinois  --  President Barack Obama said early Wednesday the American people have "picked ourselves up" and fought back during tough economic times, declaring after winning re-election that the "best is yet to come."

Obama said he wants to meet with Republican rival Mitt Romney to discuss how they can work together. He says they may have "battled fiercely, but it's only because we love this country deeply."

The president rolled to a second term over Romney, winning more than 300 electoral votes.

Obama was welcomed by thunderous applause as he arrived on stage at McCormick Place in his hometown, joined by first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia.

Obama sounded a conciliatory tone after his victory, saying he has learned from those who supported him and those who opposed him. And he says he returns to Washington "more determined" and "more inspired."

He said he's hoping to work with Republicans to solve the nation's problems.

He spoke to a cheering crowd shortly after Romney told supporters in Boston that it's time for the nation to unite behind the president.

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Defending champ XU Nuggets to play host team in 1st round

Xavier will attempt to win its second consecutive GCAC Tournament.

 

NEW ORLEANS — The Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball team will play Philander Smith at 10 a.m. Thursday in the first match of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament at Philander's Mims Gym in Little Rock, Ark.

The Gold Nuggets (18-7) finished 10-0 in the GCAC to win their second consecutive regular-season championship. They're the defending champion of the GCAC Tournament after winning all four of their matches a year ago in Nashville, Tenn.

All eight conference members qualified for the three-day, double-elimination event. Xavier is the No. 1 seed from the South Division, and Philander Smith is seeded fourth from the North Division. The tournament winner will receive the GCAC's automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 17 with 12 first-round matches at campus sites.

The other first-round matchups Thursday will be Edward Waters (No. 4 South) vs. Tougaloo (No. 1 North) at noon, Talladega (No. 2 North) vs. Dillard (No. 3 South) at 2 p.m. and SUNO (No. 2 South) vs. Fisk (No. 3 North) at 4 p.m.

If Xavier defeats Philander Smith, it will play the Talladega-Dillard winner at 6 p.m. Thursday. If Philander Smith defeats Xavier, the Gold Nuggets' second match would start at 8:30 a.m. Friday — in the losers bracket against the Tougaloo-Edward Waters loser. A first-round loss would require Xavier to win three matches Friday and three more times Saturday to repeat as champion.

Sophomores Taylor Reuther (286 kills, 66 aces, 251 digs), Moira Kirk (197 kills, .308 hitting percentage, 23 aces, 69 blocks) and Chinedu Echebelem (211 kills, 220 digs) are, like last year, the Gold Nuggets' leaders. Freshman Jodi Chatters, recruited as a setter, became the Nuggets' libero late in the season and will enter the tournament with a streak of eight consecutive matches with 10 or more digs — the longest streak since Xavier reinstated volleyball in 2010. Three more freshmen recorded 100 or more digs, including Franziska Pirkl, who has 116 digs, 663 assists and 36 aces.

Xavier got eight kills apiece from Kerris Crier, Reuther and Echebelem and won 25-17, 25-15, 25-5 at Philander Smith on Sept. 29 in their other meeting this season.

The Gold Nuggets defeated SUNO 25-12, 25-17, 25-20 in the 2011 tournament final. Xavier rallied for a 21-25, 17-25, 25-15, 25-12, 15-7 victory against SUNO at The Barn last week to clinch the regular-season championship.


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

S.C. State's Pough hopes defense recouped for rival A&T, push for winning year

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  Even after a season-best overall team performance for homecoming, the bye week could not have come a better time for South Carolina State.

Bulldogs’ head football coach Buddy Pough could not fathom the effort it would have taken from his coaching staff to get the players ready last weekend to face an improved North Carolina A&T.

“We couldn’t have played Saturday if we had to play,” he said at Monday’s weekly press conference.

“It would have been such a tough time just getting enough people together to put out on the field to play. We think we were better off having the time off.”



Pough was especially concerned about some of his key defensive players who were either out against Howard or not close to 100 percent. While linebacker Joe Thomas of Blackville-Hilda remains doubtful, S.C. State (4-5, 3-3) is hopeful of getting back Justin Hughes and Bandit Terrell Fitts for Saturday’s game.

As the defense convalesced, the offense spent the idle week continuing to refine their execution. Quarterback Richard Cue is coming off a school-record 417-yard, four-touchdown performance against the Bison, but faces an Aggies’ defense that has not allowed a touchdown in eight straight quarters overall and 10 straight at home.

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THE SHOW: North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine

The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University "Blue and Gold Marching Machine" sends the praises up and features the University Gospel Choir, under the direction of Mr. Ron Jones.

FAMU Lady Rattlers 'ballers hopeful of a championship season

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  The Lady Rattlers finished the 2011-12 season with 22 wins and eight losses, after starting the season off with a crushing blow.  Even with the lost of two of their top players, Antonia Bennett and Qiana Donald, the Lady Rattlers envision even greater success than last year.

Check out what Florida A&M Women's Basketball Coach LeDawn Gibson had to say about her team this year, and their goals and expectation going into the season.

The Lady Rattlers will hit the floor for their first game of the 2012-13 season against Jacksonville at Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, Nov. 9.

Howard vs. Georgia Southern Preview: #7 FCS ranked Eagles host Bison in non-conference tilt

STATESBORO, Georgia  --  The Georgia Southern Eagles will look to get back on the right track this weekend when they host the Howard Bison in a non-conference tilt.

Georgia Southern (7-2, 6-2 Southern) suffered a tough 31-28 loss to the Appalachian State Mountaineers this past weekend. The Eagles led 28-24 heading into the fourth quarter, but gave up a touchdown and could not put any more points on the board. The loss closed the Eagles' lead in the Southern Conference to a half-game over the Mountaineers and Wofford, but they are secured at least a share of the conference title.

Howard (6-3, 5-2 MEAC) defeated the Hampton Pirates 20-10 on Saturday. The Bison are 1½ games behind Bethune-Cookman in the MEAC.

Georgia Southern has been bolstered by a powerful rushing attack that is racking up 387.0 yards per game on the ground. Quarterback Jerick McKinnon leads the team in rushing with 915 yards and eight touchdowns. The Eagles will face a pretty tough rushing defense in Howard, which is giving up 142.8 rushing yards per game.


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FVSU Wildcats rise to number five in region rankings

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  --  After a convincing win over the Golden Rams of Albany State University in the 23^rd Annual Fountain City Classic on Saturday, November 3^rd, the Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) rose in this week's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Regional Rankings. Ranked sixth last week, FVSU rose to the fifth spot in the Super Region 2 rankings in the next to final poll of the season.
 

With only the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship game remaining, if the Wildcats can maintain fifth place or higher, they will be assured of a berth in the NCAA Division II Region Play-offs which begin on Saturday, November 17^th. The top six finishers of Super Region 2 advance to the play-offs. FVSU's last post-season appearance was in 2001.

To view the top ten teams from all four Super Regions, visit:

SUPER REGIONS RANKINGS

Chowan Hawks set four-year mark

MURFREESBORO,North Carolina  –  From ‘Little Big Man’ to ‘Big Man On Campus’ – as doing the little things made everything else come up huge.

Chowan closed out its 2012 football season with a 35-19 drubbing of fellow Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) member Lincoln University on Hall Of Fame Day.

In fact, fans who witnessed the game may have been watching the play of a future Jim Garrison Hall of Famer.

Senior running back Elliot Smalls – all five-foot-seven inches, 185 pounds of him – used the Lincoln defense as his launching pad and blasted his way to a Chowan football single game rushing record with 200 yards on the ground in the win.

Smalls’ accomplishment eclipsed the old record of 197 yards rushing in a game set by Jawarren Cowles in 2002 against Christopher Newport. Smalls averaged over eight yards per carry on 24 carries and also scored a pair of touchdowns.

“This is just an incredible dream for me and my fellow seniors,” said the exhausted Raleigh native and fifth-year senior after the game as he was mobbed by family, friends, coaches and teammates.

“We stuck to it,” he added with a smile. ”All the time we thought about leaving, but we believed in the coaches and we believed in ourselves. We put in the sacrifice and it all paid off.”

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Tuskegee still not ranked in NCAA poll after defeat of No. 1 Miles

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  --  Despite its 27-17 victory at previous No. 1 Miles this past Saturday, Tuskegee still failed to crack the NCAA Division II Region 2 poll Monday.

Miles slipped to No. 2 behind now top-ranked Valdosta St. (Ga.)

Fort Valley State (Ga.), which the Golden Tigers downed 49-18 back in Week 4, is ranked fifth.

The Tigers will face the Wildcats again in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship game at Lakewood Stadium Saturday at 7 p.m.

Tuskegee (8-1, 7-0), riding an eight-game winning streak, got plenty of love in two other national polls.

It's ranked No. 16, up from 23rd a week ago, in the American Football Coaches Association Division II poll. Miles dropped to No. 23 from No. 15, following the loss.


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Fayetteville State, Campbell fire football coaches

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  --  The man who restored Fayetteville State to football prominence has coached his last game for the Broncos.

Kenny Phillips, who led FSU to three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association titles and more wins than anyone in school history, will be reassigned to another job within the athletic department, school officials confirmed Monday.

"We are working out the final details of it right now,'' athletic spokesman Adrian Ferguson said. "What I can say is he is being reassigned within the department.''

Phillips was not the only region coach to lose his job Monday. Campbell fired Dale Steele after nearly five seasons but he will coach the Camels in their final two games this year.

FSU athletic director, Edward McLean, declined comment about Phillips' situation. McLean said he would have more to say about the situation after a press release was sent out today.

Phillips, who has a year remaining on his contract with FSU, was still trying to come to grips with being removed from the job he'd held for 13 seasons.

"I haven't had time to digest what went down today,'' Phillips said when reached by phone Monday night. "I don't know how to describe it. It was odd and awkward, if you ask me.

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Delta Devils end 5-game losing streak to Alcorn State

ITTA BENA, Mississippi – For the first time since 2006, Mississippi Valley State sent Alcorn State home with a loss.

The Delta Devils upended the Braves 33-9 Saturday at Rice-Totten Stadium using a stout defensive effort and a dominating rushing attack to end a five-game losing streak to the Braves. MVSU last defeated Alcorn in 2006.

Despite outgaining the Delta Devils 289 to 247, MVSU (3-6, 3-4 SWAC) raced past Alcorn (3-6, 3-4 SWAC) to end a two-game losing streak.

“We won the game, that’s the bottom line,” said MVSU head coach Karl Morgan.

MVSU senior running back Trey Bateaste rushed for three first half touchdowns that gave the Delta Devils a 20-3 halftime lead.

Valley quarterback Garrick Jones scrambled for a 16-yard TD near the end of the third quarter to give the Delta Devils a powering 27-3 lead.

The Braves scored its only TD late in the fourth quarter on a 55-yard strike from John Gibbs to Anthony Williams III.

MVSU sophomore running back Cortez Frizell put the finishing touches on the victory with a 45-yard TD run with 36 seconds left in the game.




“It was good to finish the way we finished,” said Morgan.

Frizell led Valley in rushing with 63 yards on seven carries while Bateaste added 59 yards and three TDs on 12 attempts.

Julian Stafford finished with three catches for 57 yards.

MVSU senior linebacker Keven Woods had another dominating defensive outing, leading the Delta Devils with eight tackles and two sacks. Jeremy Langston and Leployer Franklin had eight tackles apiece for Valley.

Alcorn State quarterback Gibbs led the Braves in rushing with 68 yards on 11 carries. He finished 13of-35 through the air for 162 yards with a TD and two interceptions.

MVSU’s Carlos Hollis and Keven Eugene each had an interception.

MVSU will be at home next Saturday at 1 p.m. against Prairie View.

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Jackson State flattens Grambling, 53-17

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Jackson State’s five-game losing streak to SWAC rival Grambling State is officially a thing of the past.

And it wasn’t even close.

JSU scored 32 unanswered points in the first half, Clayton Moore threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns and senior Rico Richardson had 115 receiving yards in a 53-17 victory today at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium.

“I’m just happy with the way the kids responded,” JSU coach Rick Comegy said. “I was just happy and pleased to see us come out here and not let a fired up Grambling team take it to us because they’ve been beating us for a quite a few years.”

JSU relished the opportunity to kick the host Tigers while they’re down. GSU fell to 1-8 overall and remained winless (0-7) in SWAC play.

JSU (5-4, 5-2 SWAC) hosts Alabama A&M (7-2, 6-2 SWAC) next Saturday in what will be a critical Eastern Division game. JSU can clinch the division with a win over the Bulldogs. The Tigers can still clinch the division with a loss if Alabama A&M loses one of its remaining games.




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Alabama State reserve QB Daniel Duhart named SWAC Newcomer of the Week

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  It would've been hard for things to look worse for Alabama State early on at Prairie View A&M this past Saturday.

With their Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game hopes on the line, the Hornets were down 14. Then, senior Greg Jenkins, the Hornets second-year starter at quarterback and the conference's reining Offensive Player of the Week, went down with an injury.

Insert 6-foot sophomore Daniel Duhart.

The Macon, Ga. native led the Bulldogs to 20 second-quarter points on their way to a 35-21 win at Blackshear Field. He completed 22 of 31 passing attempts for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns and was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week Monday.

 

"We've got a lot of confidence in him," Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said of Duhart during Monday's SWAC coaches' teleconference. "This guy is a pinpoint passer, really cerebral, smart guy, understands the game and we gave him the opportunity to play. He took ownership of the offense and did some really good things for us."

 

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DWIGHT FLOYD COMMENTARY: Head Coaching Job Vacancy

DWIGHT FLOYD
"The Editor"
SportsEdit.Org

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The anticipated head coaching vacancy at Florida A&M University is just one of many yet to come.

Picking the right person is crucial and should involve more than chasing after the old and familiar. One of the complaints by fans is that HBCUs tend to recruit within the “chitlings circuit” and are reluctant to go after the unknown and perhaps better candidate.

 If you were given the privilege of interviewing candidates to fill the vacancy what questions would you ask; or are you one of those persons who for some reason feel qualified to take the head coaching job yourself?

 Well here’s your chance to see if you qualify for a personal interview. Answer the simple questionnaire (written interview) below and see where you stand. The responses are not retained in our database and you may retry as many times as you like. This is not an official interview and it won’t get you a job. It will give you a few things to think about though.

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Tennessee State Tigers' OVC hopes take a hit

MURRAY, KY. — Murray State’s ticking time-bomb offense finally exploded against Tennessee State on Saturday and left the No. 18 Tigers in shambles.

The Racers scored the last 29 points in a 12-minute span to come from behind and beat TSU 49-28 at Roy Stewart Stadium before a crowd of 3,112.

TSU (8-2, 4-2 OVC) shouldn’t have been surprised. The Racers scored 44 points in the first 27:50 last year on their way to a 58-27 rout.

“They just got into a rhythm,” said TSU safety Daniel Fitzpatrick, who led TSU with 10 tackles. “They’re a deadly team when they get into a rhythm. We kept them out of it up until that point, but that doesn’t matter. If you don’t keep them out of it the whole game you saw what can happen.”

The Tigers were without sophomore defensive back Steven Godbolt, who suffered a concussion last week. Godbolt came into the game leading the OVC with six interceptions.

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TSU coach: Injuries to starters didn't lose this game

MURRAY, Kentucky  --  Tennessee State was short-handed with cornerback Steven Godbolt sidelined with a concussion and offensive tackle Rogers Gaines out with a sprained ankle, but coach Rod Reed refused to blame the 49-28 loss to Murray State on injuries.

Strong safety Daniel Fitzpatrick also was nursing a shoulder injury, which kept him out of contact practice last week, but he led the Tigers with 10 tackles, all solos.

Starting free safety David Van Dyke injured his knee but was able to continue.

It was the most significant injuries TSU has had to deal with in any game this season.

“We were missing some guys, but injuries weren’t the reason we lost,” Reed said. “(Murray) did a better job of coaching in the second half than we did. We made some minor adjustments, and I guess they adjusted a little better than we did.”

Reed said Godbolt, who leads the OVC with six interceptions and has 41 tackles, will not practice next week because the Tigers have a bye on Saturday.

 

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Special Teams Magic Lifts NCCU Eagles to Double OT Win Over Delaware State Hornets

DURHAM, North Carolina  —  North Carolina Central University took advantage of clutch special teams plays to pull out a 23-20 double-overtime victory over Delaware State University, thrilling a sellout homecoming crowd of 12,742 fans inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C.

The win pushed the Eagles into second place in the MEAC standings and clinched the program’s first winning season since 2007.

NCCU senior running back and return specialist Arthur Goforth started the special teams highlights with a dazzling 92-yard punt return for a touchdown, the longest in school history, to give the Eagles a 17-10 lead in the third quarter.

Delaware State took advantage of an NCCU fumble by driving 42 yards on eight plays to tie the score at 17-17 with one tick on the clock in the third stanza.

As the contest slipped into overtime, DSU kicker Mitchell Ward, who missed a 21-yard field goal with 3:11 left in regulation, converted a 25-yard field goal on the first possession of the first overtime to provide the Hornets with their first lead of the day.

When NCCU got the ball, the Hornets’ fifth sack of the contest pushed the Eagles back to the 29-yard line, forcing sophomore kicker Oleg Parent to try a 46-yard field goal to extend the game. With the homecoming crowd on its feet, Parent nailed the career-long three-pointer to force a second overtime.

Parent came through again for NCCU when he connected on his third field goal of the afternoon from 26 yards out to put the Eagles ahead by three points after the opening possession of the second overtime.



On DSU’s possession, NCCU senior defensive end Xavier Proctor sacked Hornets’ quarterback Nick Elko, moving the ball back to the 17-yard line. Needing a field goal to send the contest into a third overtime session, Ward’s 34-yard kick was blocked by redshirt senior defensive back Malik Cromartie, the fifth blocked kick of his NCCU career, igniting a swarming celebration on the home field.

Cromartie, who also blocked a field goal in last year’s 14-7 win at Delaware State, topped the NCCU defense with 12 tackles (9 solo) and four pass break-ups. Junior linebacker Tazmon Foster contributed 10 stops, including a sack, while Proctor recorded nine takedowns with two hits for a loss, including that critical sack in overtime.

Goforth, who ranks second in the conference in all-purpose yards, added to his total with 225 all-purpose yards on Saturday. The electrifying senior amassed a team-best 61 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, 57 kickoff return yards and 92 yards on the recording-breaking punt return. Goforth now has six career special teams touchdowns with three kickoff return scores and three punt return visits to the end zone.

NCCU redshirt junior quarterback Jordan Reid completed 18-of-27 passes for 126 yards, including a 3-yard lob to a leaping Jonathan Nicely for a second-quarter touchdown. Redshirt senior receiver Decona Roberts led the Eagles with five receptions for 65 yards, while senior tight end Detwan Robinson, redshirt senior Geovonie Irvine and Goforth each had three catches.

Elko’s efficient play at quarterback for the Hornets continued, as the senior completed 35-of-56 passes for 305 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown to senior receiver Justin Wilson to tie the score at 10-10 in the second quarter. Wilson finished with 12 receptions for 138 yards.

DSU’s defense, which collected three interceptions and a fumble recovery, was topped by sophomore Joe Boyd with a game-high nine tackles. Rookie Terrick Colston posted 11 stops, including an assisted takedown for a loss, along with an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for the Hornets.

NCCU improves to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the MEAC, while DSU falls to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in league play.

Next week, the Eagles travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to face Florida A&M. Kickoff is set for 3:00 p.m., as the Rattlers host homecoming.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION