TSU Volleyball Ends the Regular Season With a Win

Edwardsville, Illinois  - The Tennessee State volleyball team (17-13, 10-6 OVC) ended the regular season strong by defeating SIUE in four sets (25-27, 25-22, 25-20, 25-13).

Sherryce Butler and Rachel Ambroch each had 16 kills in the match to lead all attackers. Butler's total tied her career high that she set Oct. 12 at UT Martin.

TSU recorded 95 digs as a team, 19 higher than the squad's previous season-high. Naomi Wells and Britani Hathorn led the team with 28 and 25 digs, respectively. Well's 28 digs broke her previous season high by nine.

Setter Erika Moss tallied 52 assists in the match- her second 50-plus assist match in her last three tries.

SIUE (9-18, 5-11 OVC) jumped out to an early 3-1 lead when an attack from freshman Emilie Sandve Aase went long, but the Tigers came roaring back with a 4-0 run. Butler and Moss led the charge with a kill apiece, and freshman Jaime Cooper recorded her only service ace of the match.

SIUE came right back to tie the frame at six with a slam from Leslie Lindsey, but a 7-3 TSU run from there gave the Tigers a big lead at 13-9.

Tennessee State maintained its advantage for the better part of the set, but SIUE would eventually tie the score at 23 with an attack by Kelsey Augustine. Sensing the momentum shifting away from her side, TSU coach Kathy Rouhlac called time to talk things over.

The message was not received as SIUE ended the set on a 4-2 run to take the opening period.

The start of the second set was just as close as the ending of the first, as a kill from Butler tied the score at six a side.

Back-to-back points from Ambroch later in the frame put TSU up 12-8, prompting a timeout from the home team. Ambroch's second point of the run was one of Ambroch's four service aces in the match.

Freshman Linday Hornsby had a slam following the timeout, but SIUE rebounded to make the score 13-13.

The score was still tied at 22 each when Ambroch had a pair of points and Hornsby recorded another kill to tie the match at one set apiece.

With the score tied at five early in the third frame, the Tigers went on a 5-0 run highlighted by three kills from Butler.

The run proved to be too much for the Cougars, as they could never get within one of the lead and TSU hung on for a five-point set victory.

With two straight set wins, TSU carried over its strong play in the third set, starting on an 8-2 run. Butler and Aase led the charge with two kills each.

The Tigers extended their advantage to eight when SIUE committed two errors, causing SIUE to use its second timeout of the set.

The stoppage did nothing to stop the TSU run, as the Tigers eventually went up 20-10 when Hornsby connected on an attempt.

Hornsby finished the match third on the team in kills with 14.

Freshman Shawneis Jones recorded her first career kill to make the score 24-12, and Wells ended the match two-points later with a kill assisted by Moss.

TSU hit .270 during the final set and held SIUE to a -.105 line.

By virtue of its win, TSU earned the five-seed in the OVC Conference Tournament. This sets up a match against Austin Peay on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

The match will be held in Morehead, Ky.

 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alexander's 3-pointer lifts Tuskegee past Spring Hill in Big Easy Classic

NEW ORLEANS -- David Alexander's 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining in overtime gave Tuskegee a 62-60 men's basketball victory against Spring Hill in the opening game of the Big Easy Classic at Xavier University of Louisiana's Convocation Center.

Xavier defeated Jarvis Christian 75-71 in the second game. Spring Hill will play Jarvis Christian at 2 p.m. Saturday, and Xavier will play Tuskegee at 4.

Alexander's 3-pointer, his only field-goal attempt of the game, came after Alex Looney's basket gave Spring Hill (0-3) a 60-59 lead with 49 seconds remaining. There were four lead changes in overtime, which the Badgers forced after Brett Williams' 3-pointer at the buzzer in regulation. That tied the score at 53.

Javier McKinney scored 13 points, Calvin Thomas 11 and Elliott Dean 10 for Tuskegee, which is counting both its games in this event as exhibitions. McKinney had five assists and four steals, one on Spring Hill's final possession. McKinney also passed to Alexander for the winning shot.

Looney and Williams scored 13 points apiece for Spring Hill, and Robert Gipson had 11. Looney missed three free throws in overtime.

Five times Tuskegee led by seven points, the latest at 25-18 after McKinney's 3-pointer at 18:35 of the second half. Spring Hill took its first lead, 36-35, on Gipson's basket at 9:29 and three times led by three points in the final nine minutes of regulation.

Tuskegee outshot Spring Hill 38.5 to 36.2 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Badgers 42-36. The Golden Tigers committed 17 turnovers and gained 22.


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

XU Gold Rush rally late to defeat Jarvis Christian 75-71

NEW ORLEANS -- Renard Smith's free throw with 51 seconds remaining put Xavier University of Louisiana ahead to stay Friday in a 75-71 men's basketball victory against Jarvis Christian in the Big Easy Classic at XU's Convocation Center.

The Gold Rush are 3-0 for the 11th consecutive season. It was Jarvis Christian's opener.

Tuskegee defeated Spring Hill 62-60 in overtime in the opening game. Spring Hill will play Jarvis Christian at 2 p.m. Saturday, and Xavier will play Tuskegee at 4 p.m.

Smith's free throw gave Xavier a 72-71 lead. It was 74-71 after Wanto Joseph's two free throws with 26 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs' Roman Walker missed a 3-pointer which would've tied the score with seven seconds remaining.

Joseph scored 16 points and Anthony Simmons 14 for Xavier. Denzell Erves had 13 points and 12 rebounds -- his third consecutive double-double -- and Nick Haywood and RJ Daniels scored 11 points apiece. Smith had eight points.

Marcus O'Key scored 15 points, Walker 13 and EJ Freeman 10 for Jarvis Christian.

More on this game will be posted online at http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/1109b.html
By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

UL-LaFayette’s last-second shot sinks Southern

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  The season opener for Southern and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette came with some last minute fireworks Friday night at the F.G. Clark Activity Center. Unfortunately for The Lady Jaguars, they found themselves on the wrong end of a buzzer-beater, losing 71-69.

“It’s not the loss that bothers me, it’s how we played,” said Southern coach Sandy Pugh. “ULL played well. They ran their sets, they pushed the ball and got in the lane on us all night and they killed us at the end.”

Tied at 69 with nine seconds to go in the game, Southern’s Lechell Rush turned the ball over as Pugh desperately tried to call a timeout. The ball was picked up ULL’s Byronesha Santiago, she passed it up-court to Kia Wilridge who banked in a floater just as time expired, sinking the hearts of The Lady Jags and those in attendance.

“It was kind of helter-skelter with all of these new players we have on the floor but we played a good game,” said first-year ULL Coach Garry Brodhead. “I was pleased with the effort we gave.”

READ MORE

St. Bonaventure tops Bethune-Cookman 65-55

OLEANS, New York -- Demitrius Conger netted 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds as St. Bonaventure toppled Bethune-Cookman 65-55 in a nonconference affair in each team's season opener Friday night.

After letting the Wildcats cut a 29-25 halftime lead to 33-32, Conger and Matthew Wright hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Wright and Eric Mosley made layups to stretch St. Bonaventure's lead to 43-32.

After that, Bethune-Cookman only threatened briefly, cutting the Bonnies' lead to 55-49 with 2:25 to play. But a 3-pointer and a free throw by Mosley and then a dunk by Conger stifled Bethune-Cookman's charge. St. Bonaventure scored 21 points off turnovers to Bethune-Cookman's 5.

Prior to the game, St. Bonaventure raised banners honoring the team's first Atlantic 10 championship and its NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance from a year ago.




READ MORE

Bethune-Cookman clinches MEAC championship with win over Savannah State

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Brian Jenkins received a Gatorade bath after his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats clinched their second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in three years.

But the workaholic coach was not ready to celebrate.

 

“It's not over,'' Jenkins said after B-CU dispatched Savannah State 49-7 Saturday evening in Savannah, Ga. “We still have some more football to play. We're just going to keep preparing and keep playing.''

 

The win, coupled with North Carolina Central's 22-21 loss to Florida A&M, guaranteed the Wildcats (8-2, 7-0) at least one extra game to play. They clinched the MEAC's automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

But first they have a date with arch-rival FAMU in the Florida Classic next Saturday in Orlando.

The Wildcats also advanced to the playoffs in 2010, Jenkins' first season at B-CU, when they finished in a three-way tie for first place in the conference. This year, with N.C. Central losing its second MEAC game, B-CU clinched the title outright.


READ MORE

Stillman Men's Basketball Preview: Strong showing against Alabama has Tigers confident

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --  The season hasn't even officially started but Stillman College men's basketball team has already seen the best competition it'll face.

The Division II Tigers fell 76-68 to the University of Alabama on the road at Coleman Coliseum Tuesday night. They give the Crimson Tide, leading by as many as six points and one at the half before succumbing against their SEC opponent.

And while Stillman coach Michael Grant already figured his team might fare well in 2012-2013, it returns four starters from last year's team, three of whom were preseason All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference choices, it certainly adds to his confidence.

"I thought our guys really competed," Grant said. "They really respected their opponent but at the same time they knew that they wanted to come out and prove something---that they can play with anybody. That's what kind of team we have this year."

READ MORE

Alabama A&M falls to Jackson State, 35-21, knocking Bulldogs from SWAC East contention

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Alabama A&M's hopes for a repeat trip to the SWAC Championship were erased Saturday afternoon in a 35-21 loss to Jackson State.

the Bulldogs, who opened the season with six consecutive wins, have dropped three of their last four games and stand 7-3 overall, 6-3 in the SWAC, with a season-finale at Auburn next Saturday at 1 p.m.

A&M needed to defeat Jackson State, then hope that Alabama State -- owner of the tie-breaker over A&M -- lost Saturday evening at Southern to win the SWAC East title.

Jackson State quarterback Clayton Moore riddled A&M with 233 yards of passing and he rushed for 54 more. Rakeem Sims gained 125 yards on 21 carries for Jackson (6-4, 6-2).

Alabama A&M senior quarterback Deaunte Mason had three touchdown passes, to Toriono Upshaw, Reshaad DeJarnett and Montarius Smith. However, he was only 17-for-40 and made a costly fumble that Jackson's Ryan Griffin returned for a 35-yard touchdown, giving the hosts a 28-7 lead in the third quarter that A&M couldn't overcome.


READ MORE

Norfolk State Spartans send off seniors with a W

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) -- Norfolk State’s defense forced a season-high five turnovers, four in a 20-point first quarter, and the Spartans notched their second shutout of the season in a 30-0 Senior Day victory over Morgan State on Saturday afternoon at Dick Price Stadium.

Nico Flores passed for 216 yards and two touchdown for the Spartans (4-7, 2-6 MEAC), who close the season on a two-game win streak. The Bears (3-7, 2-5), who were held to 221 yards of offense, lost their fifth in a row.

NSU’s defense set the tone for the afternoon on the first drive of the game. The Bears received the opening kickoff, but on the second play of their possession, Spartan defensive lineman Cameron Jude sacked MSU quarterback Robert Council and forced a fumble. NSU linebacker Jamal Giddens pounced on it at the Bears’ 4-yard line. Two plays later, freshman Brendon Riddick scored on a 2-yard TD run. The extra point hit the upright, keeping the Spartans’ lead at 6-0.

On MSU’s next possession, NSU safety Keenan Lambert picked off a third-down pass by Council deep in MSU territory. On the third play of the Spartans’ next drive, Flores hit Xavier Boyce for a 16-yard TD pass, putting NSU on top 13-0 at the 11:17 mark of the first quarter.

READ MORE

Spartans send off seniors with a W

WSSU rallies, repeats as CIAA champion

DURHAM, North Carolina  --  Second-ranked Winston-Salem State won its second straight CIAA title by beating Elizabeth City State 34-19 on Saturday afternoon at Durham County Stadium.

The Rams improved to 11-0 and most likely assured themselves of a first-round bye in the Division II playoffs. The pairings will be announced Sunday at 5 p.m.
 

The Vikings (7-4) gave the Rams all they could handle in the first half. They knocked out starting quarterback Kameron Smith, who didn’t play in the second half because of a shoulder injury.

But backup Anthony Carrothers was more than ready to step in. He went 7 for 11 for 123 yards and three touchdowns and ran the offense to near perfection in Smith’s absence.

Maurice Lewis ran for 120 yards on 21 carries, and DeQuann Leak and Bryce Sherman combined to rush for 92 yards.

Wide receiver Jameze Massey, the game’s MVP for WSSU, had six catches for 115 yards and a championship-game record three touchdown catches.

 

READ MORE

 

Winston-Salem tops Elizabeth City 34-19 for CIAA Championship

DURHAM The Winston-Salem State Rams are CIAA champions once again.

With starting quarterback and Garner native Kameron Smith out for the second half, sophomore signal-caller Anthony Carrothers rallied Winston to a 34-19 come-from-behind victory over Elizabeth City State on Saturday at Durham County Stadium. The victory gives the Rams their second straight undefeated CIAA season and a 16-game win streak.

But to use an old cliché, the game was much closer than the score. Elizabeth City led 9-0 after the first quarter, only the second time this season the Rams trailed after the period.

“I told the guys we weren’t going to score 48 points in this game, it was going to be much closer,” said Winston-Salem State coach Connell Maynor, the CIAA coach of the year. “I told them to just stay patient, play one play at a time, one quarter at a time.”

Smith threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter to give the Rams the lead: a 10-yard strike to Jamal Williams and a 26-yard pass to Jameze Massey, co-MVP of the game.

Smith then suffered a shoulder injury on a sack just as the first half ended and did not return.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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

VISIT: GCACSPORTS

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.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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.

READ MORE

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 ...

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.


READ MORE