Joseph scores career-high 26 to help XU Gold Rush move to 5-0

The 2012-13 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball team

ROSTER

NEW ORLEANS -- Wanto Joseph, the reigning Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week, scored a career-high 26 points Tuesday to lead NAIA No. 19 Xavier University to a 73-67 men's basketball victory against Loyola at The Den.

The Gold Rush are 5-0 for the sixth time in Dannton Jackson's 10 seasons as head coach. Loyola (2-2) dropped its second in a row, both at home against city rivals. The Wolf Pack lost 78-70 Saturday to SUNO.

Joseph -- a 5-foot-9 senior guard whose previous best was 18 points as a sophomore -- was 10-of-16 from the floor, 2-of-3 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 from the line in 36 minutes. He had four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Denzell Erves had a season-high 16 points and a career-high four assists for Xavier, and Nick Haywood scored 12. Anthony Simmons had nine points and a season-high 12 rebounds.

McCall Tomeny scored 19 points for Loyola, and Kyle Simmons, Mason Ibert and Robert Lovaglio scored 13 apiece.

Six players scored during a 15-0 run which gave Xavier a 27-17 lead at 7:09 of the first half. The Gold Rush led 36-33 at halftime.

Joseph scored 20 points in the second half, and his 3-pointer with 13:38 remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 50-48. The Gold Rush had a pair of 10-point leads in the second half, the last after Joseph's basket made it 66-56 with 5:44 remaining.

The Gold Rush preserved the victory by making 7-of-8 free throws in the final 36 seconds.

Xavier, playing for the first time on the road this season, outshot Loyola 53.2 to 47.7 percent from the floor. Xavier had a 33-20 rebound advantage -- the fourth time this season the margin was in double figures -- and shot a season-best 85.7 percent from the line.

Joseph, Erves and Haywood have scored in double figures in every game this season.

Xavier leads the series 30-6 and won for the first time since a two-game Loyola sweep last season.

The Gold Rush will play Wiley for homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday at XU's new Convocation Center.


By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

TSU Tigers try to ground UTM Skyhawks in final regular season game

Nashville, Tennessee - Tennessee State and UT Martin are playing for a potential at-large berth to the Division I Football Championship on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Martin, Tenn.

A win by TSU would give it nine Division I victories, while a win by UT Martin would give it eight Division I wins, including a victory over FBS Memphis. TSU is hoping for its first playoff berth since 1999 while UT Martin is looking for its first playoff appearance since making its lone appearance in 2006. The game is also part of the Sgt. York Trophy series in which TSU has already clinched at least a share of the title; UTM can gain a share, although TSU will keep the actual trophy, with a win.
 

Tennessee State, ranked No. 23 in this week’s Sports Network poll, is fresh coming off its bye week and will go on the road for its final regular season game. In its last game two weeks ago Tennessee State held a 28-27 lead at the end of the third quarter but saw Murray State score 22 unanswered points on its way to the 49-28 victory. Running back Trabis Ward rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown in the loss. In the process Ward moved past Javarris Williams (2006) for the third most rushing yards in TSU single-season history (1,316). Ward currently ranks eighth nationally in rushing (131.6 yards/game) and has scored 15 touchdowns.
 

Sophomore tight end A.C. Leonard had another big game, hauling in seven passes for 115 yards. Leonard currently has 44 catches for 643 yards on the season. Quarterback Michael German passed for 273 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 22 yards and an additional score in the game. Playing without sophomore defensive back Steven Godbolt III, who ranks second in the FCS in interceptions/game), TSU turned to sophomore Daniel Fitzpatrick who had a game-high 10 solo tackles, broke-up a pass and had a sack.

UT Martin saw its four-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday in overtime at Tennessee Tech when a botched extra point gave the Golden Eagles a one-point victory. The Skyhawks handled 31-17 entering the fourth quarter only to fall behind 38-31 with 1:10 to play after Tech scored on a 79-yard touchdown pass. But UTM quarterback Derek Carr threw a 46-yard Hail Mary pass that bounced off two TTU players before landing in the arms to Chris Thompson to tie the game. After the Golden Eagles scored to open the extra period UT Martin faced a 4th and 16 before Carr found OVC Newcomer of the Week Jeremy Butler for a touchdown. That play was right before the Skyhawks fumbled the extra point snap, ending the game.

Butler finished the game with 13 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns; over the past four games Butler has caught 35 passes for 438 yards and seven touchdowns. Carr finished the game 35-of-52 for 422 yards and four touchdowns; he has 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions over his last two games. Carr ranks seventh nationally in passing yards/game (300.0) and in points responsible for (17.4/game). His 66 career touchdowns passes currently ranks third in OVC history while his 8,152 passing yards is fifth in OVC history. Ben Johnson had 13 tackles in the loss and continues to lead the OVC and rank fourth nationally in tackles/game (12.3).

Tennessee State holds a 14-7 advantage in the all-time series, although UTM has won four of the last six overall, including a five-point victory a season ago. In that game UT Martin held a 17-14 halftime advantage before TSU scored 14 unanswered points in the third quarter. Michael German threw for three touchdowns and Trabis Ward ran for 180 yards and two scores for the Tigers. The Skyhawks were led by Derek Carr who threw for 329 yards and four touchdowns.

Follow TSU Athletics on Facebook.com/TSUTigers, Twitter @TSU_Tigers and YouTube

Tennessee State Game Notes OVC Weekly Football Release

Coach Rod Reed Weekly Teleconference

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Begins Postseason Play Against Austin Peay

Photo courtesy of Sam Jordan / TSU Athletics

Nashville, Tennessee –After finishing the regular season with a 10-6 conference record, the Tennessee State volleyball team enters the OVC Tournament as the fifth overall seed.

The Tigers will play Austin Peay on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m. Should the Tigers win, they will face the winner of the Morehead State (the host school) versus UT Martin game.

Last week, TSU split a pair of matches versus Belmont and SIUE.

During the week, Sophomore Rachel Ambroch recorded 24 kills over the two matches, including 16 versus the Cougars. She also had four service aces and five blocks against SIUE. Ambroch also added 23 digs last week. Ambroch currently sits at ninth in the conference with 2.84 kills per set.

Defensively, senior Britani Hathorn had a match-high 18 digs at Belmont and followed that with 25 versus SIUE. She also recorded a pair of service aces in the matches, adding to her conference-leading 0.36 aces per set.

TSU also ranks first in the OVC as a team, recording an average of 1.55 aces per set.

Junior setter Erika Moss had 36 assists in the match with Belmont before recording her fourth 50-plus assist match of the season with 52 versus SIUE. Moss has recorded 30 or more assists in every match since Sept. 22.

Meanwhile, Austin Peay (1715, 10-6 OVC) defeated Murray State and fell to Morehead State last week.

Junior Lauren Henderson led the Lady Govs with 12 kills and a .611 attack percentage against Morehead State. She also recorded a .600 hitting percentage against Murray State, finishing with 11 kills and four blocks.

Sophomore Cami Fields recorded 30-plus assists in both matches. She had 35 assists, 10 digs and three blocks against Murray State. She followed that up with 31 assists against Morehead State.

Nikki Doyle finished the regular-season with 422 kills while Jada Stotts had 407 kills becoming Austin Peay's first duo to finish with 400-plus kills in the same season since 1999.

Austin Peay currently leads the conference with a .226 hitting percentage.

TSU lost to Austin Peay earlier this season 1-3 (25-21, 15-25, 22-25, 25-27) on Oct. 27.

The Tigers will try to keep their season alive with a win against the Lady Govs. The match can be seen on the OVC Digital Network.


COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Xavier's Joseph selected GCAC Player of the Week

WANTO JOSEPH

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Wanto Joseph has been chosen Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week for Nov. 5-11.

It's the first time that Joseph -- a 5-foot-9 senior guard from New Orleans and a graduate of O. Perry Walker High School -- has won this award. Four Gold Rush players combined to win the GCAC's weekly award seven times in 2011-12.

Joseph averaged 15.5 points, four rebounds and 6.5 assists in two Gold Rush victories in the Big Easy Classic. Joseph had 16 points, four rebounds and five assists Friday in a 75-71 victory against Jarvis Christian, then he had 15 points, four rebounds and a season-high eight assists Saturday in a 78-70 victory against Tuskegee. Joseph made 12 free throws against Tuskegee -- the most in a game by a Gold Rush player since February 2009 -- and made all 10 of his attempts in the final four minutes.

Joseph leads the Gold Rush this season with 15.3 points and 6.3 assists per game and 23 made free throws.

Xavier (4-0), ranked 19th in NAIA Division I, will visit city rival Loyola tonight, then return home to play Wiley at 2 p.m. Saturday for homecoming at XU's new Convocation Center.


By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Franklin's career-high 18 helps XU Nuggets beat Spring Hill

SiMon Franklin

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's SiMon Franklin scored 13 of her career-high 18 points in the second half Tuesday in a 61-50 women's basketball victory against Spring Hill at XU's new Convocation Center.

The Gold Nuggets (2-0), ranked 11th in NAIA Division I, have a 12-game home winning streak, including both their games this season.

Franklin, a senior guard, had four assists, four steals and a blocked shot in 27 minutes. Xavier led 27-23 at halftime, but five consecutive Franklin points gave the Nuggets a 42-30 lead with 13:52 remaining. Angelica Alexander's basket with 2:45 remaining gave Xavier its biggest lead, 61-43.

Danielle Tucker scored 11 points, nine in the first half, and Whitney Gaston-Loyd eight for Xavier. Paige Gauthier led the Nuggets with career-highs of eight rebounds and six steals.

Jamesha Watkins scored 12 points for Spring Hill (1-4), which dropped its fourth in a row. Thirteen Badgers scored, but no one else had more than seven. April Bradford grabbed nine rebounds.

Gaston-Loyd's basket at 14:53 of the first half put Xavier ahead to stay at 8-6.

Both teams shot 38 percent from the floor. Xavier outshot Spring Hill 46.9 to 36 percent in the second half. Xavier outrebounded Spring Hill 37-34. The Nuggets committed 21 turnovers and gained 31.

Xavier's next game will start at noon Saturday against NAIA No. 5 Westminster (Utah) at the Convocation Center. It will be the first of three consecutive Xavier games against ranked opponents.

Box score

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Jags' Mathis: Bethune-Cookman can't let guard down in Florida Classic

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Rashean Mathis has some advice for his alma mater.

According to Mathis, a former Bethune-Cookman standout turned Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback, the Wildcats (8-2, 7-0) do not want to underestimate Florida A&M (4-6, 4-3) heading into Saturday's Florida Classic. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

“In a game like that, records don't matter,” Mathis said in front his locker at Everbank Field in Jacksonville following his team's Thursday night, 27-10, loss to the Indianapolis Colts. “I'm sure the coaches will be preaching the same thing. The atmosphere of the game gets everyone ready to play so if you're undefeated or defeated it doesn't matter in that game because the emotions are going and the rivalry stands strong.”

Mathis was a second-round pick by the Jaguars in 2003. He said he still pays attention to Bethune-Cookman football and is excited about the way the team has played this season.

“They have done an awesome, awesome job,” Mathis said. “Ever since the new coaching staff came in, they have been doing a tremendous job.”

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Tuskegee RB Derrick Washington named SIAC Player of the Year, Willie Slater Coach of the Year

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  --  Tuskegee running back Derrick Washington was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's 2012 Player of the Year Tuesday.

If the 6-foot, 215-pound transfer hadn't already done enough to lock his name in the hearts and minds of voters a couple weeks ago, the Missouri transfer's performance in the Tigers last two games had to remove all doubt from even the staunchest dissenter.

First, he rushed for 208 yards in a 27-17 win against Miles College in a battle of conference unbeaten to punch his team's ticket to the SIAC title game in Atlanta. Then, he topped that performance going for 224 yards and a pair of scores while catching a couple of passing for 107 and another score to lead Tuskegee to a 55-24 win against Fort Valley State (Ga.) in the conference championship game this past Saturday.

 

It's a blessing man," Washington said, following the Tuskegee's win against the Wildcats. "To come from where I came from this year and to end it with a championship, it's really a blessing and I really can't explain it.

Washington has been a workhorse for Tuskegee all season. He led the SIAC in rushing with 1,399 yards and 13 touchdowns on 172 carries in 10 games.



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Elizabeth City University and Tuskegee University to play in Pioneer Bowl XIV

Columbus, GA – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) have announced that Elizabeth City State University and Tuskegee University have been selected to participate in the 14^th Pioneer Bowl. The game will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, GA at 1:00pm (EST).

Tickets can be purchased online beginning on Thursday, November 15, 12 pm at www.TheCIAA.com or www.TheSIAC.com. Adult general admission tickets are $18; children ages three and under are free.

The Elizabeth City State University Vikings, led by Head Coach Waverly Tillar, finished first in the CIAA Northern Division and vied for the CIAA Championship title for the second consecutive year. The Vikings are currently 7-4 overall record, 6-1 in conference play. “We are excited that Elizabeth City State University will represent the CIAA in the Pioneer Bowl. Their tremendous season and record will bring forth great competition against Tuskegee, for the fans and the Columbus community,” comments new CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter.

Tuskegee is coming off a 55-18 victory over Fort Valley State in the SIAC Championship Game, played last week at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta. Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Willie Slater, No. 14 Tuskegee has won nine consecutive games en route to earning its 26th SIAC Football Championship. Led by Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Derrick Washington, Tuskegee is currently 9-1 overall and 8-0 in conference play.

“The City of Columbus and its Sports Council has been very supportive and welcoming to both the CIAA and SIAC, in hosting the Pioneer Bowl for the last two years,” said SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore. “Last year, Johnson C. Smith and Miles provided an electric and exciting atmosphere and we expect the same this year with Elizabeth City State and Tuskegee’s success this season.”

Tuskegee will be making its ninth appearance in the Pioneer Bowl while Elizabeth City State will make its second appearance in this historical game. The Golden Tigers have won eight Pioneer Bowl titles, with their last coming in a 21-7 victory over Elizabeth City State in 2009.

The Pioneer Bowl, established in 1997, is the only NCAA-sanctioned Division II bowl game involving HBCU athletic conferences. Last year, Johnson C. Smith defeated Miles 35-33 in the Pioneer Bowl XIII, played at AJ McClung Stadium.

COURTESY THESIAC.COM

XU Gold Nuggets will visit Georgetown (Ky.) in opening round

Xavier qualified for the NAIA nationals for the second consecutive year. NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will travel to Georgetown (Ky.) for the 2012 NAIA Volleyball National Championship Opening Round. Xavier (22-7) will play the Tigers (33-4) at 7:30 p.m. EST Saturday in Georgetown's Davis-Reid Alumni Gym.      The NAIA announced first-round pairings Monday. Xavier qualified for nationals for the second consecutive year and the second time overall by winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday.  Georgetown, ranked 13th, earned at at-large bid after winning the Mid-South Conference regular season and losing in four sets to Lindsey Wilson in the Mid-South tourney championship match. It will be the Tigers' 15th appearance at nationals and first since 2009. "Georgetown has beaten three teams we played this season — Lee, Union (Ky.) and Lindsey Wilson — so that has our attention," said XU coach Christabell Hamilton, whose team lost to Lee and Lindsey Wilson and defeated Union in the season-opening Lee Invitational in August. "We're definitely the underdogs, and I like it that way."      Georgetown had a 25-match win streak from Aug. 25-Oct. 23.      The 12 winners of Saturday's opening-round matches will advance to the NAIA National Championship Final Site presented by CNOS. They'll meet up with the host school, Morningside, and the 11 top seeds for competition Nov. 27-Dec. 1 at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.      Xavier lost 25-13, 25-11, 25-21 at Spring Hill in the NAIA's 2011 opening round. By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAATHLETICS XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Alabama A&M players relish unique 'honor' to play at Auburn this Saturday

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- It was always a cool deal when college recruiters came to visit McAdory High. The school secretary would call over the intercom system for particular players to report to the office.

"I always enjoyed that part of my high school drill," admitted Preston Nelson, now a senior defensive lineman for Alabama A&M.

One day his name was called. An Auburn recruiter was there to meet him. He was recruiting one of Nelson's McAdory teammates "and they just heard about me through the grapevine."

Though Nelson had that quick meeting and running back Kaderius Lacey went for an official visit, the closest most of the Bulldogs came to Auburn University football was their mailbox, where the occasional form letter and standard recruiting inquiry would land.

Until this Saturday.

The Bulldogs, 7-3 on the season, with those three losses coming in the last four games, go limping but also eagerly and confidently into their unprecedented date with Auburn at 1 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Football Game Notes: Auburn vs. Alabama A&M

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Comegy: Jackson State 'should' win against Alcorn State

COACH RICK COMEGY

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy didn’t want to talk too much about what would happen should the Tigers beat Alcorn State Saturday in Lorman.

Yes, a win would give the Tigers’ their first SWAC Eastern Division title since 2008, but Comegy isn’t one to get ahead of himself.

“Those guys are going to be playing well over their heads like no other when we play them,” Comegy said. “We have to go down and play a solid football game, an intense football game. If we really want this championship it will tell in how we play this game.

“If we give it up, that’s on us,” Comegy said. “We should beat them. In my mind, I think we have the personnel to do it but we have to go down and play a solid football game.”

Comegy said JSU (6-4, 6-2 SWAC) must cut down on its mistakes.

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FVSU Wildcats set for 1st Round of NCAA Football Playoffs

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  --  On Sunday (Nov.11th), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced the field of teams to compete in the NCAA Division II Football Play-offs. The sixth ranked Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) (8-3) will compete in the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 play-offs in a first round match up with the third ranked Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University (8-2).

The game will be played on Saturday, November 17th. Kick-off is scheduled for 12 noon in Moretz Stadium on the Lenoir-Rhyne campus in Hickory, NC. Tickets for the playoff game are $6 for adults (Reserved seating on home side of stadium), $5 for faculty and staff and general admission, and $3 for students with proper identification and children. Tickets will be sold at the stadium on the day of the game.

This will be the first meeting between FVSU and Lenior-Rhyne. The winner will advance to the second round and meet the number two seed, Carson-Newman University. For more information, please call the FVSU Office of Sports Information at 478-825-6437.


COURTESY FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Miles College qualifies for Division II playoffs for first time, travels to West Alabama

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Miles College is in.

The Golden Bears qualified for the for the NCAA Division II football playoffs for the first time in school history Sunday.

Miles, once the top-seed in Super Regional 2, dropped to No. 2 following its 27-17 loss to Tuskegee in the regular season finale. However, despite placing second in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's western division, the Golden Bears still managed to be one of 24 teams to chosen for postseason play.

No. 5 Miles (8-2, 6-1) will travel to Livingston to face No. 4 West Alabama in the first round Saturday. The winner will take on top-seeded Valdosta (8-2), which has a first-round bye, in the second round.

Coach Reginald Ruffin, a former Division II national champion at North Alabama, has turned around the Miles' program in next to no time. Last season, he led the Golden Bears to its first SIAC title and first appearance in the Pioneer Bowl on his way to earning SIAC Coach of the Year honors.

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WSSU gets top seed in NCAA Division II football playoffs

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Fans coming to Winston-Salem State playoff games at Bowman Gray Stadium this season will be in for a surprise — green grass.

Earlier this season the city planted rye grass and — instead of a brown tint that was evident during last year’s Division II playoff run, thanks to dormant Bermuda grass — the field should look much better.

Coach Connell Maynor of the Rams hopes his team will look just as good. The Rams (11-0) are the top seed in the Super Region I, and will get a first-round bye in the playoffs and will take on the winner of the Shippensburg-Bloomsburg State game on Nov. 24 at Bowman Gray Stadium. Both Shippensburg and Bloomsburg State are 10-1.

The pairings for the 24-team playoffs were announced tonight.

 

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Tuskegee DB Jamar Hornsby's big hit sets tone in 55-24 SIAC championship game win against Fort Valley State

ATLANTA, Georgia  ---  It was the first play of the game but it set the tone in Tuskegee's 55-24 win against Fort Valley State (Ga.) in the SIAC championship game Saturday night at Lakewood Stadium.

Fort Valley State quarterback Antonio Henton launched one deep over the middle of the field. However, the ball sailed slightly over the head of the receiver. As it neared ball its intended target, Tigers defensive back Jamar Hornsby unloaded and delivered a hit that likely would've jarred the ball loose had the receiver gotten his hands on it.

"The last time we played them in the regular season," Hornsby said, referring to Tuskegee's 49-18 win at home against the Wildcats back in Week 4. "They kind of hit us on the first play of the drive with a deep seam. So, I had a feeling that they were going to come right back to it the first play of the game in the championship game and that's what they did."

It was clean. It was legal. It was brutal and it typified the night the Tigers' secondary would have, minus a few missteps in the first half, against the SIAC's top passer.



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Happy Birthday, FAMU!!

Tuskegee wins 2012 SIAC Football Championship

ATLANTA, Georgia  —  Behind big plays on both side of the ball, Tuskegee defeated Fort Valley State 55-18 to win the SIAC Championship Game played at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta.

Derrick Washington rushed for 224 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. His 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter negated all hopes for a Fort Valley State comeback. The Missouri transfer also added 107 yards receiving and a 74-yard touchdown reception on way to earning MVP Honors of the 2012 SIAC Championship Game.

Tuskegee broke Fort Valley's back with big plays, scoring on a run of 75 yards, a pass of 74 yards and interception returns of 50 and 78 yards for scores.

In all, Tuskegee also benefited from scores by its top-rated conference defense en route to winning its ninth consecutive game. Adam Lucas had a 78-yard interception return in the second quarter and William Buford picked ran back a 50-yard return in the fourth quarter to propel the Golden Tigers.

Despite losing big, Fort Valley State still had its chances to rally. Trailing 27-15, Wildcats running back Travis Richmond fumbled the ball and it was recovered by Tuskegee on their own 15-yard line. Similar to the first game against Tuskegee, Fort Valley State had its chances, but turnovers, missed opportunities, and blown assignments on defense, took the fight out of the Wildcats.

Richmond led Fort Valley with 103 yards rushing and a touchdown. Quarterback Antonio Henton threw for over 200 yards and a touchdown, but his three interceptions came at inopportune times during the game.

After finishing No. 6 in the NCAA Division-II Super Region-Two, Fort Valley, (8-3, 5-2), was selected to play in the Division-II playoffs and will travel to Hickory, NC to face Lenior-Rhyne (8-2) on Saturday, November 17^th. Fort Valley State will be making its first appearance in the playoffs since 2001.



Next for Tuskegee will most likely be the Pioneer Bowl, which will be played on Saturday, December 1^st at AJ McClung Stadium in Columbus, GA. Tuskegee’s last appearance in the Pioneer Bowl came in 2009, when the team defeated Elizabeth City 21-7.

COURTESY THESIAC.COM

A&T Has Learned How To Win

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  The North Carolina A&T football team doesn't worry about style points. It concerns itself with results. The Aggies have won three straight games to guarantee themselves their first winning season in nine years.

All three games are evidence the Aggies have learned how to grind out and win close ballgames at home. Three weeks ago, the Aggies trailed 9-7 at halftime before their defense dominated Norfolk State, and the offense used an effective running game to earn a 30-9 win. Last week, in their 16-3 win over Florida A&M, the Aggies went without an offensive touchdown. But freshman kicker Zach Cimaglia kicked three field goals and junior linebacker D'Vonte Grant returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.

Against the Bulldogs on Saturday, the Aggies again went on the grind. After the Bulldogs returned the opening kickoff 96 yards, the Aggies trailed for 3 ½ quarters. Then in a period of 16 seconds, they scored two touchdowns, one on a 34-yard run by Ricky Lewis, and the other on a 10-yard fumble return by D'Vonte Graham. A&T's defense, the second-best in the nation, has received the most credit, but A&T's offense seems to produce in crucial moments.

"I'm proud of the way our players hang in there and find ways to win ballgames," said A&T coach Rod Broadway. "It's not pretty, but it's a win. Our guys kept playing hard today, and they were rewarded for it during the back end of the ballgame because some things went our way. To be 6-4 at this point in the season is a great accomplishment for our players because they've worked their butts off this season."




THE STREAK: How good has the Aggies defense been this season? When Lewis scored on a 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, it marked the Aggies first offensive touchdown in seven quarters. Yet, the Aggies are on a three-game winning streak. That is because the A&T defense has not allowed an offensive touchdown in 14 quarters. It is a span of 3 ½ games.

"The guys have a lot of pride in how they're playing right now," said Broadway. "Our guys are being successful (on defense) because we understand where we're supposed to fit and fill. They know where to line up, and they have a clear understanding of what we want them to do."

SENIOR DAY: The Aggies honored 18 football players, three student managers and one student trainer as a part of its Senior Day celebration before the game. The football senior class overcame a 1-10 season in 2010 to post an 11-10 record over the last two seasons. They will also walk away with school's first winning record in nine seasons.

"This will be our legacy," said senior linebacker Makari Pugh.

Among the Aggies seniors are Mike Mayhew, the school's all-time leading rusher, and Chris Neal, a four-year starter on the Aggies defensive line. Pugh, Mayhew, Neal, Leroy Bradford, Jeremy Days, Brandon Hill, Brandon Young, Brandon Hover, Thomas Hearn, Tony Mashburn, Mark Newton, Jermarion Pegues, Donta Prince, Chris Andrews, Larry Raper, Devin Ray, Xavier Robinson and Armon White were the 18 players honored.

Student mangers Alicia Funderburk, Shannon Sellers and Shantel Wilkerson were also honored along with senior student trainer Kim Stratford.



HOME SWEET HOME: The Aggies are 10-2 at home under Broadway. The 6-4 Aggies have won all their games at home. Their last win on the road came on Oct. 1, 2011. They will try to end their seven-game road losing streak next week at N.C. Central. But for now, the Aggies are content with their success at home. Broadway has long had a reputation for getting his teams to play well at home. N.C. Central was 18-5 and Grambling was 15-0 under Broadway. As a head coach, Broadway is 43-7 at home.


COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Xavier Gold Rush take a free ride to rally past Tuskegee

NEW ORLEANS -- Wanto Joseph made all 10 of his free throws in the final four minutes Saturday to help NAIA No. 19 Xavier University of Louisiana rally for a 78-70 victory against Tuskegee in the final game of the Big Easy Classic at XU's Convocation Center.

The Gold Rush (4-0), the only team to win both games in this event, outscored Tuskegee 29-9 in the final 12:04 after trailing 61-49. Xavier made 20-of-22 free throws during the comeback and 33-of-43 in the game.

Joseph, who scored one point in the first half, finished with 15 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals. Denzell Erves scored 13 points, Nick Haywood 12, Xavier Rogers 11 and Renard Smith 10 for the Gold Rush.

Javier McKinney scored 22 points, including 5-of-7 3-pointers, for Tuskegee, which was 1-1 in this event but counted both games as exhibitions. Calvin Thomas had 17 points, five assists, two blocked shots and three steals, and David Alexander scored 10 points.

The teams were tied at 36 at halftime.

Xavier, an NAIA member, has two victories this season against NCAA Division II opponents. The other was against Morehouse in Xavier's first game in its new home arena one week ago.

Xavier is 4-0 for the ninth time in 10 seasons.

Jarvis Christian made nine first-half 3-pointers in a 94-87 victory against Spring Hill in the first game Saturday.

More on the Xavier game will be posted online at http://www.xula.edu/athletics/news/2012/1110b.html



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

XU Nuggets repeat as GCAC champion; Echebelem is MVP

Chinedu Echebelem
2012 GCAC MVP

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team defeated Tougaloo 25-15, 25-13, 25-16 Saturday to win the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the second consecutive year.

The Gold Nuggets (22-7, 4-0 tournament) became the first HBCU to qualify for the NAIA National Championship in consecutive seasons. They'll play a first-round match next Saturday against an opponent to be announced.

Xavier's Chinedu Echebelem was chosen tournament MVP and was joined on the all-tournament team by teammates Moira Kirk and Taylor Reuther. All three are sophomores.

"It is an amazing feeling to be able to accomplish the same thing we did last year," said Christabell Hamilton, whose Gold Nuggets are 28-0 against GCAC opponents during her two seasons as coach. "I am very proud of my team and their hard work since August."

Tougaloo had less than an hour to prepare for Xavier after rallying for a five-set semifinal victory against SUNO. The Lady Bulldogs (23-14) won the final two sets. They turned an 11-6 deficit into a 15-13 fifth-set victory which earned them their first berth in the final and denied SUNO a third consecutive appearance in the championship round.

Xavier never trailed against Tougaloo until 1-0 and 2-1 in the third set. The Nuggets led 4-0 and 10-4 in the opening set and 7-1 and 13-3 in the middle set. They scored five consecutive points in the final set to build a 10-4 lead.

"Tougaloo was tired by the time they played us," Hamilton said. "They had some main players go down with injuries from the previous match and during ours, and that was a factor. However, we played very well. We controlled momentum the whole time, and we were able to play all of our players."

Echebelem excelled despite knee injuries which kept her out of the opening tournament match Thursday against Philander Smith. Echebelem played the final three matches, and "she played great," Hamilton said. "She's the kind of kid every coach wants to have on their team. I admire her fight and her love for the game and her teammates."

Echebelem said she was given the option to sit out the tournament, but she declined. "I fought through my pain for my team," Echebelem said. "All my teammates worked together to win the championship."

Hamilton used Echebelem on the front row only and subbed in CeCe Williams when Echebelem rotated to the back row.

The Nuggets have won six in a row, 9-of-10 and 17 of their last 20 matches.

For the second consecutive year, all three of XU's fall teams won conference championships. The men's and women's cross country teams each won seventh consecutive GCAC titles in October. The volleyball Nuggets, in their fifth season of intercollegiate competition, are 45-14 during Hamilton's tenure. They were 30-73 the first three seasons.


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

Alcorn State Braves Send the TSU Tigers Packing with their Tails Between their Legs

ALCORN STATE, MS --The Alcorn State Braves welcomed the Tigers of Texas Southern to the beautiful greens of 1000 ASU Drive. Today's game served as high school day as well as military and first responders' appreciation day. Under bright lights and gorgeous skies at Dwight Fisher Field the Braves delivered a show stopping explosive performance on offense and defense. You would have to be here to experience the electric atmosphere and crisp breeze setting the tone for exciting football action. Weather…..ideal for any football lover! Today's match up is the first game back at Spinks-Casem since the Braves two game winning streak against the Jaguars of Southern University.

The first quarter of action was a showcase and birthday highlight reel for senior wide receiver Terrance Lewis. Rookie quarterback John Gibbs connected with Lewis via air on an eight yard pass for an early Braves touchdown with 11:27. The drive went seven plays for sixty-five yards in 3:17 for a first quarter score of 7-0.

In the second quarter, the Tigers got on the scoreboard off the foot of senior kicker Robert Hersh with a forty yard field goal with 8:57 left in the quarter. The drive went eight plays for fifty-seven yards in 3:37 for a score of 7-3. The Braves responded with a successful scoring drive of their own. With 4:19 on the clock freshman quarterback Jordan Payne connected with senior wide receiver Nick Brooks for a nine yard pass and the PAT was good by sophomore kicker Ernesto Santillan for a score of 14-3. The drive went five plays and fifty-seven yards in 1:29. With more back and forth scoring between the teams Texas Southern scored their first touchdown with Rudolph Johnson hitting James Davis for a nineteen yard pass with 0:34 on the clock. The scoring drive was ten plays and seventy-four yards in 3:41. The score at the half was 14-10.



After going in down at the half the last two games, head coach Jay Hopson was elated to deliver not a motivational speech instead a resounding rally of the troops highlighting the team word of the season “execution”.

The third quarter saw Texas Southern edging a come-back; scoring first in the second half the Tigers' James Davis reached the end zone off a pass from Johnson for twenty-two yards. That drive was four plays for thirty-seven yards in 2:52. With 12:06 on the clock the score was 17-14, Texas Southern leading. The Braves quickly responded by putting our work horse….running back sensation senior Arnold Walker to work. On a two yard run in thirteen plays and sixty yards the Braves scored again. The clock read 7:03 and the score to end the quarter was 21-17.

Welcome to the fourth quarter, with all fours in the air the team was more than ready to put the icing on the cake and the win in the books. As in the previous quarter TSU scored first with a quarterback keeper run Johnson broke the plane with a forty-six yard run and the PAT was good by Hersh. The drive went four plays and eighty yards in 1:44 with 14:46 on the clock. The score was 24-21 with TSU looking to seal the deal. The Braves quickly responded with Walker pounding into the end zone at the 12:37 mark on a one yard run. The PAT by Santillan was no good leaving the Braves with a score of 27-24. The Braves went nine plays and seventy-five yards in 2:09. After the clinic Walker and Lewis put on Tollete George joined the party with a forty-one yard pass by Gibbs for the final score of the game with 1:46 left. The drive was eight plays and seventy-one yards in 3:56. Your final score from Spinks-Casem was 34-24. The Braves improve to 4-6 overall and 4-4 in the conference.

"I thought the guys executed when they had to and did enough to win the game. I'd like to eliminate the penalities but overall we ran and threw the ball effectively. I thought Arnold Walker ran the ball extremely hard and he brought life and energy to this unit", said offensive coordinator Willie Simmons.

The Braves will be back in action next weekend at home against arch-rival Jackson State University in the Magnolia Heritage Classic: Return of the Soul Bowl. Kick-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. We advise you all to get here early because you don't want to miss this thrilling finale from Dwight Fisher Field!




COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Stillman ends 2012 season with 28-26 homecoming win against Concordia-Selma

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama --- Since Sunday, the theme surrounding homecoming activities at Stillman was, "Stillman: Soaring". As the week closed out, indeed the Tigers needed to soar to put a more than favorable cap on the season.

Following the lead of senior wide receiver Damian Ford, the Tigers downed Concordia-Selma 28-26 Saturday afternoon at Stillman Stadium.

The senior from Birmingham scored on two pass plays and a punt return as the Tigers avenged last season's homecoming defeat.

Stillman (6-5) took the opening drive and marched 65 yards on six plays, ending the drive with a 24-yard pass play from freshman Joshua Straughan to senior Damian Ford. Concordia would answer with a 12-play, 64-yard drive ending with quarterback Keith Ray running in from three yards out. The Hornets (5-4) would score again on a 79-yard pass play from Ray to Jeremy Morris to give Concordia a 12-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Late in the second quarter, senior receiver Jamal Rodman scored on a 30-yard pass and catch to put Stillman in front 14-12. However, the Hornets would get a late score, a 15-yard pass play from Ray to David Hampton with 19 seconds remaining in the half. Concordia took a 18-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.




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Trei Mitchell’s mother dies before last chance to see him play

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana --  This was supposed to be the biggest game of the year for Sanja Mitchell.

It was supposed to be the last time the 43-year-old mother of two would see her son, Trei Mitchell, play football in A.W. Mumford Stadium — the same venue the former Southern Lab Kitten made a name for himself as a hole-opening offensive lineman.

“This was supposed to be her Super Bowl,” said Sanja’s sister, Tonja Myles. “She loved to see Trei play football. She was his biggest fan.”

For the first time in his life, Trei Mitchell is without the woman that molded him into the young man he is today. So, it’s no surprise the past two weeks have been extremely challenging.

Especially Saturday, as the Baton Rouge native returned home for the first time since his mother succumbed to a heart attack on Oct. 24 and helped his team pick up a bittersweet 31-30 win.

“It would have been something special,” Mitchell said ...

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Alabama State still alive in SWAC East race

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Southern’s football team has long since dropped out of the running for a spot in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game.

Alabama State, which survived Saturday’s trip to A.W. Mumford Stadium, holding on for a 31-30 victory, is still very much in the race.

But the Hornets need help.

Alabama State (7-3, 7-2 SWAC) wrapped up conference play with Saturday’s win. The Hornets, who are idle this week before their annual Turkey Day Classic against Tuskegee, must hope for Jackson State to lose Saturday at Alcorn State.

If JSU loses, Alabama State will represent the Eastern Division in the title game at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 8. JSU holds the head-to-head tiebreaker against ASU, thanks to a 37-34 win on Oct. 13.

On the other side, Arkansas-Pine Bluff clinched the West title last week.

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FAMU wins its 'Holmescoming'

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  A scene that is rarely witnessed after a FAMU football game unfolded Saturday night at Bragg Stadium for the first time in more than a decade.

Right after Rattlers got a stunning 22-21 homecoming victory over North Carolina Central, the second-ranked team in the MEAC, acting coach Earl Holmes was doused with Gatorade. Still soaking wet, the players hoisted him on their shoulders amid a deafening cheer from the crowd of 14,768 that had witnessed the Rattlers win a homecoming game for the first time in two seasons.

“When you talk about love you just can’t talk about it,” Holmes said afterward. “You’ve got to show it and those guys showed love today.

“We play for each other; from week to week, day to day and hour to hour. At the end of the day we are modern gladiators.”

It’s been an emotional past seven days for the Rattlers. They found out last Saturday that former coach Joe Taylor would retire at the end of the season. Four days later, Taylor decided that he would step aside immediately.

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Varnadore's kicks lift FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  As FAMU drove toward the North Carolina Central end zone, kicker Chase Varnadore appeared a little antsy on the sideline.

His number was called after the Rattlers took two unsuccessful shots at the end zone. With two minutes left in the fourth quarter and FAMU down by two points, Varnadore knew he couldn’t miss.

He didn’t, either, driving the 36-yard attempt straight through the upright to secure a 22-21 victory for the Rattlers in their homecoming game at Bragg Stadium.

“I was real eager to get in there,” Varnadore said. “I kept pacing and going, ‘please just get me within range.’ I’m just thankful that the offense got down there and gave me an opportunity to make it.”

The win wasn’t all that Varnadore celebrated. He became the first FAMU kicker to hit five field goals in one game since his coach Juan Vasquez did it against Morgan State University in 2000.

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