Mississippi Valley Delta Devils close out season with best SWAC record since 2006

HOUSTON, Texas  --  A Mississippi Valley State season that began with a disappointing loss to Concordia College has turned into one to remember – in a good way.

The Delta Devils used its stingy defense and rejuvenated offense to defeat Texas Southern 34-3 at BBVA Compass Stadium to close out the 2012 season.

The win gives Valley (5-6, 5-4 SWAC) its best conference finish since 2006 when the Delta Devils also went 5-4 under Willie Totten. It also marked MVSU’s first three-game win streak since 2006 when they defeated Texas Southern, Prairie View and Alcorn State in a three-game span.

“I’m proud of our team,” said MVSU head coach. “It’s great that our seniors get to close out their career with a victory.”

MVSU wasted no time Saturday showing the Tigers (2-9, 2-7 SWAC) what they had to offer. Julian Stafford returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a score to give the Delta Devils an early 7-0 lead. But that wouldn’t get the last time TSU would hear from the sophomore standout.

He scored the game’s final TD on an 89-yard strike from Garrick Jones which gave the Delta Devils a demanding 34-7 lead.

Stafford finished the day with five catches for 160 yards and a TD. The Memphis native had a career-high 282 all-purpose yards.

While Stafford was the star of the MVSU, it was junior college transfer Kevin Eugene making a name for himself on defense.

The junior safety scored two second quarter TDs – the first on a 31-yard interception return and the final one on a 100-yard fumble return after TSU had drove to MVSU’s 2-yard line.

Eugene had two of Valley’s three interceptions.

His two defensive scores along with a 5-yard TD run by quarterback Garrick Jones gave the Delta Devils a commanding 27-3 halftime lead.

Then Stafford’s 89-yard TD catch with 7:54 left in the third quarter gashed TSU’s hopes of a comeback.
The win marked the second straight victory over the Tigers for MVSU.

Valley’s third-ranked FCS defense lived up to its reputation Saturday as well, sacking TSU quarterbacks six times and picking off three passes.

Keven Woods led MVSU’s defense with 10 tackles (2.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Jeremy Langston added eight tackles (2 for loss) and a sack while Robert Simpson, who leads the FCS in tackles for loss, had six tackles (2 for loss) and 1.5 sacks.

Rico Shaw (1 sack), Marquez Floyd (0.5 sacks) and Javaris Fritz (0.5 sacks) also got to the quarterback.
MVSU senior cornerback Daanjeral Johnson had an interception.

The Delta Devils forced TSU to punt eight times throughout the game and limited to just 241 total yards. MVSU finished with 469 yards of total offense.

MVSU running back Brandon Stansell closed out his career with another remarkable game on the ground. He rushed for 102 yards on 14 carries while quarterback Garrick Jones added 89 and a TD on the ground.

Jones finished 10-of-21 through the air for 148 yards and a TD with a pair of interceptions.


COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UWA Wins Playoff Opener Over Miles, 41-7

LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Gary Johnston rushed for 154 yards and West Alabama rolled up 578 yards of total offense on the way to a 41-7 NCAA Division II Football First Round Playoff victory over Miles College Saturday at Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers, who also limited Miles to 30 points below its season average, improved to 9-3 overall and travel to Valdosta State for a second-round matchup against the Blazers on Saturday. This will be UWA's second trip to Valdosta State this season. The Tigers posted a 39-28 victory over VSU on Sept. 22. Miles ended its season at 8-3.

“We executed well all day long and our defense played extremely well after the first drive,” UWA head coach Will Hall said. “That's kind of been our M.O. all year that people have something schemed against us and then Coach (Robert) Henry gets them to the sidelines and makes the adjustments that make us the defense we are.

“Offensively we have hit our stride over the last few weeks and have been extremely efficient,” Hall said. “We are built for 60 minutes. We are not a throw it 65 times a game team. We are 60-minute team that's going to pound you as the game wears on, but we did start fast today and that was good to see.”

Johnston, a junior from Gulf Shores, Ala., picked up his 154 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 22 carries while also completing 10-of-15 passes for 90 yards.

Freshman running back George Michael Rowe of Prattville, Ala., contributed 84 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries for the Tigers. Both of Rowe's scoring runs came in the fourth quarter from 16 and nine yards.

“Another great effort by Gary today. I don't know if he got tacked by the first guy all day,” Hall said. “That's something we talk about with our skills guys. If you are good player you don't get tackled by the first guy.”

West Alabama struck first when Kyle Caldwell found Malik Lofton on a 40-yard touchdown pass to cap a nine-play, 87-yard drive on its first possession. Johnston put UWA up 14-0 on a 31-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter. Johnston's run came on a fourth-down conversion attempt by the Tigers.

“Our offensive line and receivers did a great job all day,” Johnston said. “If we can just make one person miss then it puts us in a good situation as runners.”

Miles threatened for the first time midway through the second period, but the drive stalled at the UWA 15 yard line, forcing a 32-yard field goal try. Ryan Jones blocked Patton Chambers attempt to end the threat. The blocked field goal was the fifth by the Tigers this season.

“Coach Henry just told us to slow down. We were already in the right position, but we were over pursuing and they were hitting cutbacks for a few big plays,” safety Otha Foster said. “Our defense has been good at keeping people from scoring all year.”

West Alabama, who leads the nation in pass defense and came into the game fourth in the land in total defense, limited two Miles quarterbacks to just 8-of-20 passing for 104 yards. The Tigers recorded four tackles for loss and a sack.

“We had some penalties that stoned some drives and we were in the red zone three or four times and didn't get in,” Miles head coach Reginald Ruffin said. “Those are points and the name of the game is the one who has the most points at the end of the game wins.”

West Alabama made it 21-0 with 5:04 to play in the first half when Johnston rambled in from 3 yards out to cap a 10-play, 78-yard drive following the blocked field goal.

The Tigers missed an opportunity to stretch the lead on the final play of the first half, but Ryne Smith's 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked, ending his NCAA-record field goals made streak at 24.

West Alabama marched 77 yards on 13 plays to open the second half. Johnston's third rushing touchdown of the game, this one from the 1-yard line, gave the Tigers a 27-0 lead after the extra point sailed wide left.

Miles avoided the shutout when Denzel Veale scampered in from 5 yards out after a pass interference penalty on fourth down kept the Miles drive alive at the UWA 2 yard line. Veale's score capped an 11-play, 78-yards drive that took 3:38 to play.

“West Alabama did a great job of keeping us out of the end zone. We had our shots,” Ruffin said. “Defensively, we couldn't do anything to stop the quarterback (Johnston). We knew he was a good player and that they had a good core of receivers and a good offensive line.”

Lofton had five receptions for 82 yards to pace UWA receivers. Marcus Brown and Curt Amacker had four catches each. Javae Swindle rushed for 72 yards on just five carries for the Tigers.

Foster finished with seven total tackles, including one for a loss. Jones and Deon Lacey had five each.

Floyd Graves led Golden Bear rushers with 69 yards on 10 carries. Tyrrell Kinder recorded nine tackles to lead Miles.


COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Lenoir-Rhyne wins first postseason game since 1962, tops Fort Valley State

HICKORY, North Carolina  –  The Lenoir-Rhyne Football Team (9-2) advanced to the second round of the 2012 NCAA Division II Playoffs with a 21-6 victory over Fort Valley State (8-4) Saturday afternoon at Moretz Stadium.

L-R, winners of eight straight games, moves on to face Carson-Newman (8-2) next Saturday at Noon in Jefferson City, Tenn.

The two South Atlantic Conference squads faced off on September 15 with the Eagles prevailing by a 47-23 score at home. L-R has not lost since the setback to Carson-Newman.

L-R sophomore fullback Isaiah Whitaker (Salisbury, N.C.) rushed for a game-high 117 yards with two scores to lead the Bears in their first postseason appearance in 50 years.

Junior defensive back Michael Green (Kingsland, Ga.) added a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown as L-R won its first postseason game since a 20-7 win over Northern State (S.D.) at home on December 1, 1962. The 1962 squad would eventually fall in the NAIA National Championship game.

Whitaker's 57-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter proved to be the lone score in the first half for either squad.

Whitaker's second score of the contest, a one-yard run, was set up by a 99-yard kickoff return by sophomore halfback Jarrod Spears (Bunnlevel, N.C.) to start the second half.

The Bears pushed the advantage to 21-0 on Green's interception return for a score with three minutes remaining in the third quarter before the Wildcats finally got on the board in the final stanza.

Fort Valley State quarterback Antonio Henton (Fort Valley, Ga.) found wideout Stephen Stroman (Lithonia, Ga.) for an 11-yard touchdown reception with 9:57 remaining in the contest. Henton finished with 242 yards passing in the losing effort.

Lenoir-Rhyne, which rushed for 243 yards in the game, held Fort Valley State on downs in the Wildcats' final drive of the contest and possessed the ball for the last five minutes to take the win.

Senior linebacker Demetrius Green (Cedartown, Ga.) led the defense with a game-high 12 tackles as the Bears held the Wildcats without a score four times in the red zone.

Lenoir-Rhyne also won its 12th straight game at home and picked up its most wins in the regular season since an 11-1 mark during the 1962 campaign.

Box Score

COURTESY LENOIR RHYNE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Auburn 51, Alabama A&M 7

AUBURN, Alabama  --  An Auburn offense that has struggled most of the season had its best game of the year Saturday in a 51-7 win over Alabama A&M on Senior Night in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Tre Mason led the onslaught with 181 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries, and senior Onterio McCalebb also went over the 100-yard mark and scored twice on 15 rushes.

True freshman quarterback Jonathan Wallace finished 10-of-18 for 171 yards and a touchdown.

Trent Fisher even got in on the scoring, intercepting a pass and returning it 60 yards for a touchdown to cap the scoring for the Tigers with 2:38 remaining.

Auburn (3-8) will look for its first SEC win of the season in its final game next week at No. 4 Alabama.

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Jackson State routs Alcorn, earns spot in SWAC title game

LORMAN, Mississippi — The Soul Bowl returned to the Alcorn State campus Saturday, but Jackson State maintained its dominance in the series.

JSU scored 14 points off Alcorn turnovers to start the second half and rolled to a 37-11 victory over the Braves Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium. On a day that started with Alcorn trumpeting the series’ return to the Braves’ campus after an 18-year run in Jackson, it ended with the Tigers walking out Eastern Division champions and on their way to the SWAC championship game for the first time since 2008.

“I’m happy for the kids and Jackson State and our administration,” JSU coach Rick Comegy said. “We didn’t play as well in the first half as we did the second half, but I’m glad they responded and came out and got the win.”

JSU junior running back Tommy Gooden was named the game’s overall MVP after rushing for two touchdowns and 68 yards. Fellow running mate Rakeem Sims earned offensive MVP honors after running for a game-high 152 yards and one touchdown. Joseph LeBeau, who led JSU with eight tackles, including 3 for a loss and two sacks, was the defensive MVP.



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Florida A&M University Makes Progress with Anti-Hazing

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - The Rattler News Service has an in depth conversation with FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson about changes on campus since the death of drum major Robert Champion last November. Dr. Robinson gives insight on when positions such as the special assistant to the president for anti-hazing will be filled and other measures that have been taken to study and change hazing - behavior that begins in many high school bands. He also discusses he Marching 100 future.

 

Bethune-Cookman rallies for 21-16 win over FAMU in Florida Classic

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Florida A&M (4-7, 4-4 MEAC) flirted with a big upset of rival Bethune-Cookman (9-2, 8-0 MEAC) during the annual Florida Classic at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

The Rattlers earned a 10-7 halftime advantage, but the Wildcats took control of the contest in the second half.

B-CU eventually scored a 21-16 win over FAMU. The Wildcats, who have already clinched the Mid-Eastern Atlantic title and are ranked No. 24 in the latest FCS Top 25 poll, were heavy favorites in the contest. They didn't look the part until the pivotal second half.

Wildcat Isidore Jackson rushed for a 34-yard touchdown and Sven Hurd hit the extra point, giving Bethune Cookman a 14-10 lead with 3:13 left in the third quarter.

The Wildcats tacked on another big touchdown in the fourth quarter. Andronicus Lovette rush for 1 yard touchdown. Hurd hit the extra point to give B-CU a comfortable 21-10 lead.

FAMU didn't give up. Damien Fleming passed to Dewayne Harvey for a 37-yard touchdown. B-CU blocked the ensuing extra point to make the score 21-16 with 8:04 left in the game.

B-CU's defense held on for the win.

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Texas Southern Tigers Work Extra Hours to Capture Their 74-71 Win over ULL

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern men’s basketball head coach Mike Davis and his fighting Tigers gave the TSU fans quite a show in the 2012-13 season home opener against Louisiana-Lafayette in the H&PE Arena. The Tigers took their first win under Coach Davis in grand fashion in a 74-71 overtime win.

TSU started strong by taking a 29-19 lead in the first half with SWAC Preseason Player of the Year, Omar Strong leading the way with 8 points. Newcomer Ray Penn had 7 points.

The Tigers were force to fight off a charge by Louisiana-Lafayette in the second half. The Ragin’ Cajuns closed the 10 point gap and tied the game at 65-65 with two clutch free-throws with no time left on the clock.

ULL jumped out to a 71-70 lead on overtime but Dexter Ellington hit two free-throws to give the Tigers a one point lead with 39 seconds left to play. Kyrie Sutton sealed the deal with two-free throws at the seven second mark to put TSU up by three put away Louisiana-Lafayette’s hope of a second comeback.

Penn lead the Tigers with 17 points and 4 assists. Strong and Fred Sturdivant finished the game with 14 points each. Sturdivant added 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season.
 
COURTESY: Rodney Bush, TSU Sports Information Director

Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats Move to 2-1 with 71-61 Win Over Florida Atlantic

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida   – The Lady Wildcats continued a great start at home on Friday, battling it out with Florida Atlantic for the 71-61 win in historic Richard V. Moore Gymnasium. It was an all-around performance from the team, which executed the game plan perfectly, as Bethune-Cookman held off several Owls charges in the second half.

The Lady Wildcats (2-1) trailed early, as the tough FAU (1-1) zone press forced B-CU into early turnovers, converted to points by the Owls. B-CU began attacking the press, which presented the opportunity to spread the defense. The Lady Wildcats took the lead for the last time with 3:24 on the clock in the first half, carrying a 30-25 lead into the half.

“What we did was get the ball out of our point guard’s hand and let our four players, Sharnese [Neal] and Terrenisha [Hollis] bring the ball up against another four player and just look to attack,” Head Coach Vanessa Blair said. “That’s really how we were able to break it open.”

As the offense turned it on, B-CU stepped up on the defensive end at the same time and protected the basket with extensive pressure before settling into a zone to keep the taller FAU forwards out of the game, and limiting the Owls to just 18 points in the paint all night.

B-CU began to pull away just before the midpoint of the second half, aided by an 8-2 run, but the Owls came storming back as the game wound down, narrowing the B-CU lead to one with just over five minutes to play. A tough night from the free throw line (51.7 percent on the night) granted an opening for FAU, but hustle on the offensive glass put the Lady Wildcats in position to rebuild their lead. B-CU scored 14 on second-chance opportunities against the Owls in tonight’s contest.

Despite free throw woes throughout, the Lady Wildcats locked in at the charity stripe when it counted, hitting five-of-six in the final two minutes to secure the win over the Sun Belt Conference foe which defeated B-CU twice in 2011-12.

“To get [to the free throw line] almost 30 times tonight and not do better, that’s something that we definitely have to work on, but down the stretch they stepped up, and they connected,” Blair said.

Led by Amanda Hairston and Terrenisha Hollis’ 14 points apiece, the Lady Wildcats put in 40 points in the paint and controlled the glass, outrebound FAU 47-36.

Hairston collected her 14 on 70 percent shooting, while also grabbing seven rebounds to co-lead the team (with Sharnese Neal), a career-high five blocks, three steals and an assist. In fact, the only category she didn’t log a stat in was turnovers.

Hollis also finished with six rebounds, five on the defensive glass, along with a pair of steals, shooting 6-of-11 from the floor.

“Tonight I just showed up for my team,” Hollis said. “I wanted to perform well and get the win for my team. Even though the win is good, we’re not going to leave it at that, we’ve got to keep moving forward.”

The win makes it consecutive seasons opening the year 2-1, and the third time in the Vanessa Blair era. The Lady Wildcats return to the court in a 7 p.m. road meeting with Stetson, next Tuesday, Nov. 20, as B-CU will be pursuing the first 3-1 opening record since 2008-09.

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.



Post-Game Quotes

Blair on Forward Terrenisha Hollis:

“You look at her and she looks slight, but she is very athletic. She has played the small forward position as well as playing the wing position. Right now for our team she is getting her minutes more at the post, and if you look at her, you think ‘wow, she’s undersized’, but she plays very big.”

“She has guard-type skills, so it’s tough to defend her as a regular post player.”

Blair on Center Amanda Hairston:

“This is what’s expected of Amanda on this team. She is our go-to post player. What makes Amanda that much better this year is that she’s completely healthy, so now you’re getting to see Amanda at her full potential, and she is leading and playing well for this program.”

Junior Center Amanda Hairston:

I feel like, as a team we stuck together through trials. I felt like we kept our heads and we stayed working together no matter what happened on the court, we tried to work together as a team.

COURTESY: BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

First Half Run Lifts Hampton Past LSU Lady Tigers

HAMPTON, Virginia  --  Keiara Avant scored a game-high 19 points and Hampton won its second straight game over a Southeastern Conference opponent as the LSU women's basketball team fell by a score of 67-58 on Friday night in Hampton University Convocation Center.

The Lady Tigers (1-1) saw a streak of eight consecutive non-conference regular season wins come to an end. LSU also fell to a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team for the first time after previously being 6-0.

Hampton (3-0), the defending MEAC champions, beat an SEC opponent for the second time in five days. The Pirates knocked off Mississippi State, 56-48, in Starkville on Monday. Riding the momentum of that victory, Hampton used suffocating defense on LSU's guards, forcing 22 turnovers that led to 21 points.

"We have to have players match their intensity," said LSU head coach Nikki Caldwell. "They came up with some critical offensive and defensive boards. We have to make sure to box out and give teams only one look. Give credit to them. When you have a player like (Keiara) Avant, you have to have someone match her intensity."

Theresa Plaisance led the Lady Tigers with a career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. It was the first double-double of her career. Freshman Danielle Ballard added 13 points, while Bianca Lutley reached double-figures for the second straight game with 13 points.

LSU shot just 5-of-21 for 23.8 percent in the first half. After trailing 6-2 three minutes into the game, Hampton put together a 19-0 run and took complete control. Over the next five minutes, the Lady Tigers went scoreless from the floor and committed a series of turnovers. Nicole Hamilton's three at the 11:02 mark put the Pirates up 21-6.

Trailing 35-18 at the half, LSU fell behind as many as 21 points in the second half. Plaisance scored six in a row and the Lady Tigers came within 15 points at the final official timeout. The Pirates iced the game at the line. Avant scored nine of her game-high 19 from the stripe, and Hampton finished 19-of-24 as a team.

LSU out-scored the Pirates, 40-32 in the second half and out-rebounded Hampton for the game, 42-41.

The Lady Tigers continue their four-game road swing at Georgetown at 6 p.m. CT Monday. LSU heads to Washington D.C. on Saturday morning and will tour The White House. Monday's game will be carried on the LSU Sports Radio Network on 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge and to members of the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net/live.

Box Score

by Bill Martin (@LSUBillMartin), Associate SID

It'll be a busy Saturday for 5 XU teams, 3 in postseason

XU will play its first homecoming games in the new Convocation Center.

NEW ORLEANS — For the second consecutive year, there will be five Xavier University of Louisiana teams competing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Three teams will compete in NAIA National Championships, with one trying to extend its season.

Both XU basketball teams will play their first homecoming games in the new Convocation Center, which opened to the public two weeks ago and seats 3,937.
The day's schedule:
• Women's Basketball — The Gold Nuggets, 2-0 and ranked 11th in NAIA Division I, will play Westminster (Utah), 3-1 and ranked fifth, at noon. It's the first of three consecutive XU games against ranked opponents, and all three will be at home. It's the first time in at least 13 seasons that a top-5 team visits the Nuggets.

• Men's Basketball — The Gold Rush, 5-0 and ranked 19th, will play Wiley, unranked but 4-0, at 2 p.m.. It's the fourth time in five seasons that XU plays the Wildcats in an XU student or alumni homecoming game. The Gold Rush won five of the previous six meetings at XU by four points or less. This is the first XU-Wiley matchup of unbeaten teams since 2007. A victory would make the Rush 6-0 for the fourth time in six seasons. Senior guard Wanto Joseph leads the Rush with 17.4 points per game. Since the start of the 2003-04 season, that's the best average by an XU player in the first five games.
    
• Women's Cross Country — The Gold Nuggets will compete at nationals for the fourth time in five years. The women will run 5,000 meters at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver, Wash. Starting time will be 10:30 a.m. PST (12:30 p.m. New Orleans time). Sophomore Zahri Jackson, a two-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference individual champion, makes no secret of her goal to finish in the top 30 and become the Nuggets' first All-America distance runner. If Jackson reaches her goal, she'll receive her All-America honor in a live online video of the awards ceremony staring at 4 p.m. New Orleans time. (Click "Live Events" on the left-side link, then click "Cross Country Championship Awards Ceremony" on the right.)
    
• Men's Cross Country — The Gold Rush, led by two-time GCAC champion Matt Pieri and 2011 champion Kwame Jackson (Zahri's brother), also will conclude the season at nationals at the same site as the women. The men's 8,000-meter race will begin at 11:45 a.m. PST (1:45 p.m. New Orleans time). The XU men are at nationals for the fourth time in five seasons.
    
• Women's Volleyball — The Gold Nuggets (22-7) will play 13th-ranked Georgetown (33-4) at 7:30 p.m. EST (6:30 New Orleans time) at Davis-Reid Alumni Gym in Georgetown, Ky., in an NAIA opening-round match. The winner will advance to the NAIA National Championship Final Site presented by CNOS Nov. 27-Dec. 1 at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa. Live video and live statistics are available for the XU-Georgetown match. Xavier, in its fifth year of intercollegiate volleyball, qualified for nationals for the second consecutive year.

 

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

READ RELATED ARTICLES
11/17/2012: Live video of XU at Georgetown volleyball, 6:30 p.m. CST
11/17/2012: Live stats of Wiley at XU men's basketball, 2 p.m.
11/17/2012: Live stats of Westminster at XU women's basketball, noon

DWIGHT FLOYD WEEKLY COMMENTARY: FAMU Season Just a Blur



Dwight Floyd
"theeditor"
SportsEdit.Org

ORLANDO, Florida  --  You knew at the start of the season that it would either be a great season or a bust.

With as many as 41 freshmen and redshirt freshman and playing at Tennessee State, Oklahoma, and Delaware State for three of the first four games, you knew it would take something special to come out on top. Defeating Hampton in the third game of the season was somewhat of a reprieve followed by a win against a decent Delaware State team in Delaware. At that point in the season we were looking to just “keep hope alive.” Depending on what happens in Orlando today, the Delaware State win and the most recent win against North Carolina Central, a team that is relatively new to Division 1 football, may be FAMU’s biggest wins of the 2012 season.

There were fewer fans in the stands for the FAMU homecoming than there were for the first three games where fans showed up in abundance. It was not that people protested homecoming and I’m not sure how much of it was for lack of a band or plain old disappointment over previous game results. The only difference I can see between homecoming and the first three home games is the price of admission. According to witnesses there were a whole lot of people at the shopping malls. I can say first hand that there were a lot of people participating outside the stadium too.

Bethune Cookman Wildcats vs. Florida A&M Rattlers
Saturday, 2:30 P.M. EST
ESPN Classic/Rattler Sports

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WEEK 12, HBCU Classic Saturday

OTHER
Central State @ Kentucky State, 3 pm
Edward Waters@ Virginia University of Lynchburg, (Homecoming) 1 pm

SWAC
Alabama A&M @ Auburn, 2 pm, ESPN3
Prairie View A&M @ Arkansas Pine Bluff, 3:30 pm
Mississippi Valley State @ Texas Southern, 2 pm
Jackson State @ Alcorn State, 3 pm

OVC
Tennessee State @ Tennessee-Martin, 3 pm

MEAC
Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M @ Orlando, Florida Classic, 2 pm, ESPN Classic
Hampton @ Morgan State 1:pm
Delaware State @ Howard, 1 pm
North Carolina A&T @ North Carolina Central, 2 pm
Savannah State @ South Carolina State, 1:30 pm

NCAA Division II Playoff
Fort Valley State @ Lenoir-Rhyne, 12:00 p.m.
Miles @ West Alabama, 1 pm

LSU Women's Basketball Opens Road Trip at Hampton

Hampton (2-0) is riding the momentum of a monumental win at Mississippi State on Monday

HAMPTON, Va. - The LSU women's basketball team begins a four-game road trip at 6 p.m. CT Friday as the Lady Tigers travel to take on Hampton, the 2012 champions of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, in Hampton University Convocation Center.

The contest will be carried live on the LSU Sports Radio Network on 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge and to members of the Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net/live. In-game updates are available via Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LSUwbkb.

LSU (1-0) practiced on Thursday in Baton Rouge before taking a charter flight to Hampton, Va. Following Friday's game, the Lady Tigers will depart for Washington D.C. and then tour The White House on Saturday morning. LSU will spend three days in the nation's capital and play No. 25 Georgetown at 6 p.m. CT Monday.

It's been nearly a week since the Lady Tigers overcame a six-point second-half deficit to rally past Wichita State, 72-70, in the season-opener last Sunday. LSU narrowly out-rebounded the Shockers, but head coach Nikki Caldwell said this week the Lady Tigers turned up the intensity on the boards.




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WSSU steamrolls over Barber-Scotia

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  For a game that was a bit late getting started, Winston-Salem State’s home basketball opener Thursday sure was over in a hurry.

The Rams scored the first 13 points and were off and running to a 107-49 victory over Barber-Scotia College in front of 1,644 at the Gaines Center.

WSSU (1-1) stretched its lead to 49-20 by halftime, by which time Coach Bobby Collins had sent all 16 players on his roster into the fray. All ended up playing at least seven minutes, and nobody played more than 18.

“We really wanted to play well (Thursday) and I wanted a lot of guys to get an opportunity to play,’’ Collins said. “This was about us. Regardless of who showed up, we wanted to play well, and I’m glad my team stayed focused to play the way we played.’’

Barber-Scotia, an NAIA school from Concord, arrived late because of travel problems and got fewer than 15 minutes to warm up. After another brief delay because of a scoreboard malfunction, the game started 12 minutes after its scheduled time.

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Connell Maynor leads WSSU into the NCAA Division II playoffs

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Coach Connell Maynor is leading Winston-Salem State into the Division Two playoffs.

His Rams faced some big adversity in Saturday’s CIAA Championship game against Elizabeth City State, losing his quarterback and a couple of offensive linemen to injuries.

 Ram nation was getting nervous. But Winston-Salem State rallied to win the conference title. Then the next day, they gathered to watch the Division two selection show.

The rams got a first round bye and home field advantage all the way up until the national championship game. Last year they got so close to winning it all.

“I want it bad man,” said Senior Center Markus Lawrence. “More than anything.”

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TSU Tigers Advance to Semifinals at OVC Championships

Morehead, Kentucky - Tennessee State advanced to the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament with a win over fourth seeded Austin Peay. The Tigers earned a 3-1 (25-15, 18-25, 27-25, 25-17) victory over the Governors in Wetherby Gym on Thursday afternoon. The win is the first for the Tigers in the OVC Championships since winning the tournament in 2007.

 

Naomi Wells led the Tigers with a double-double as she recorded a game-high 16 kills (.324) and picked up 13 digs. Rachel Ambroch added offensive support with 13 kills (.250).

 

Setter Erika Moss added five kills to go along with her 41 assists. Libero Britani Hathorn registered four assists and a game-high 15 digs.

 

The two teams traded points to start the match and were tied at 7-7 when the Tigers used consecutive kills by Moss, Lindsay Hornsby and Wells to take a 10-7 lead. Austin Peay would respond with two quick points before TSU exploded with six straight points behind the serving of Wells.

 

Hornsby added two kills during the stretch before Wells picked up her only ace of the night. Emilie Aase closed out the run by taking advantage of an over pass by the Governors and delivering a booming kill for a 16-9 lead.

 

To close out the set, Ambroch made a great save on an APSU tip allowing Hathorn the opportunity to get the ball up enough for Ambroch to put the ball down for the 25-15. TSU hit .424 during the first set with 16 kills and 2 errors on 33 attempts. Austin Peay was held to a .152 percentage (11-6-33).

The rolls reversed in the second set as APSU hit .481 (15-2-27), while the Tigers hit .212 (13-6-33). The two teams would stay close early with Aase picking up a kill to bring the Tigers to within one at 8-7. But the Governors went on an 8-2 run to give them a comfortable 16-9 lead. TSU would never get any closer than a four point deficit as they dropped the second set 25-18.

 

Both teams came out of the break fired up, but neither team could get away from the other. Late in the set, the Governors used a Lauren Henderson kill to take a 21-19 lead. But the Tigers fought back with three straight points as Hornsby recorded a kill and teamed with Aase for a block.

 

APSU would come back to tie the set at 24-24 before Moss and Ambroch each recorded kills to give the Tigers a 27-25 win. TSU hit .222 (16-6-45) to Austin Peay's .191 (14-5-47).

 

The fourth set opened with the Tigers getting a little momentum as they used a Wells kill to take a 10-7 lead. APSU would come back to tie the game at 13-13 only to see the Tigers go on a 12-6 run to end the match. Ambroch and Butler led the charge as they teamed up for two blocks. Ambroch added two kills and an ace, while Butler recorded a kill along with Wells.

 

TSU will play their semifinal match at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday evening against host and top seeded Morehead State who defeated UT Martin 3-0.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Mr. 100: Ross puts stamp on title-game season by reaching plateau again

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  --  Monte Coleman wasn’t even asked what life in Arkansas-Pine Bluff football will be like without Bill Ross when he uttered: “I’m going to miss him.”

There are two games left, of course, for the Golden Lions. Two games Ross has remaining in his college career.

“Two games aren’t enough,” said Coleman, the Lions’ head coach. “I’d like to have two more years with him. We’re definitely going to miss him. He’s definitely one of the leaders, to say the least, not just in tackles or interceptions or any of that type of stuff.”

But he is a statistical leader.

Ross has 105 tackles to lead the SWAC, reaching the 100 plateau for the second straight year. He’s two away from his total last season.

That’s a nice stat for just one of the key players in Coleman’s standout 4-3 defense, which also boasts the Football Championship Subdivision’s leading sack man in defensive end Brandon Thurmond and another 100-plus tackler in linebacker Jer-ryan Harris (129 in 2010).



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'Soul Bowl' has lot on line for Jackson State and Alcorn State

JACKSON, Mississippi — It doesn't get much bigger than this for Jackson State — or rival Alcorn State, for that matter.

Since July, Saturday's meeting between the in-state SWAC rivals has been one of the most anticipated in series history, simply because of the location.

That was when Alcorn announced it was moving the game to its stadium in Lorman, ending an 18-year run at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (JSU's home turf) as the Capital City Classic. Braves fans rejoiced, while some Jackson State fans and city of Jackson employees fumed.

The Magnolia Heritage Classic: Return of the Soul Bowl — as it's billed by Alcorn — is set for a 2 p.m. kickoff Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium. Alcorn added 2,500 temporary seats to accommodate what school officials expect to be a record crowd at the 22,500-seat stadium.

Those added seats could come in handy. Not only does the game mark the return of the series to the Alcorn campus for the first time in nearly 20 years, but both teams have plenty to play for.

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TSU deeply saddened by the loss of legendary football coach Joe Gilliam, Sr.

Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee State University family is saddened by the passing of legendary coach, hall of famer and mentor Joe Gilliam, Sr.

"The passing of Coach Joe Gilliam has cast a sadness across the Tiger nation this evening," said TSU Director of Athletics Teresa Phillips. "A great teacher, a genius coach, a developer of men, he will be missed but never forgotten in the hearts and souls of all who bleed blue."

JOE GILLIAM SR.
(Photo Courtesy TSU Athletics)

From 1963-1981, Gilliam was the assistant head football coach and defensive coordinator for Tennessee State University. During this period, TSU had nine Black National Championships, and four undefeated teams. As an assistant coach under John A. Merritt, Gilliam helped create one of the best defenses in the country, including NFL Hall of Famer Richard Dent and former Dallas Cowboy Ed 'Too Tall' Jones.

In 1989, he took the helm as head coach for four seasons and was selected as Coach of the Year in the Ohio Valley Conference in 1990. Over 80 TSU student-athletes reached the NFL during Gilliam's tutelage.

Not only was Coach Gilliam a success on the field, approximately 74 percent of his student-athletes graduated from Tennessee State. The men have professions in the business, education and in the medical field to just name a few.

His illustrious career record of 254-93-15 included coaching five undefeated teams and five other teams that lost only one game. In the process, he coached 10 teams to national championships, and helped guide 144 players into professional football careers with the National Football League.

During the 25 years that Gilliam was at Tennessee State, the Tigers had a 164-31-6 record.

He is father of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joe Gilliam, and the grandfather of R&B singer Joi.

Gilliam was inducted into the TSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Tennessee Sports Hall Of Fame in 2007.

In August 2011, coach Gilliam served as Richard Dent's presenter at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.

This past May, former Tennessee State University football athletes honored coach Gilliam in a Roast Gala. The fundraiser supported the Joe Gilliam Sr. Scholarship fund. 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida Classic ticket sales down without FAMU band

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Florida A&M University verses Bethune-Cookman University is one of the biggest state rivals. It brings thousands of people into Orlando for the Florida Classic football game.

"I've never gone before so I want to know what all the hype is about," said BCU student Joyel Williams.

Some might argue that that the biggest competition is during the halftime show.

"You have state bragging rights for the next 12 months depending on how well you do at the game," said Donovan Wells, the director of Bands for the B-CU wildcats.

However, this year is definitely different since FAMU's Marching 100 won't be there. A hazing scandal at the school began at the classic a year ago. FAMU's band is still suspended for the death of drum major Robert Champion.

The loss of one half of the halftime show has affected ticket sales. Projections show that there will be around 30,000 people in attendance. That's a little less than half of the number of people that attended last year's game. Fewer ticket sales mean fewer dollars that each school can take home for scholarshipships .



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In the FCS Huddle: No right or wrong answers

Philadelphia, PA – Some potential FCS playoff teams could still be riding high come midnight Saturday.

It's during the wee hours of Sunday, when the NCAA football selection committee is expected to finalize their 20-team field for the FCS playoffs, that the carriage could turn into a pumpkin.

Unfortunately for too many teams with playoff-worthy resumes, the bubble is bigger than Donald Trump's ego.

"There seemed to be at least a consensus (among selection committee members) that this may be the most difficult year to pick the at-large teams," said Appalachian State athletic director Charlie Cobb, the chair of the committee.

In recent years, the committee has wrapped up discussions around midnight on the eve of Selection Sunday.

The members are ready for some overtime this year. The field will be announced at 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPNU.

It's the final year before the FCS playoffs are increased to 24 teams, so there will be 10 automatic bids for conference champions and 10 at-large bids.


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Golden Bear Buzz: Miles College at West Alabama

WHAT: Miles College (8-2) at West Alabama (8-3)

WHEN: Saturday, noon

WHERE: Tiger Stadium

TV: None but fans can listen online at http://www.miles.edu

LINE: None

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: It's a Division II first-round playoff matchup. So, it's kill or be killed for both the Tigers and the Golden Bears. However, there's also pride on the line for both teams. West Alabama likely feels disrespected after being seeded fourth despite going undefeated in Gulf South Conference play and downing top-seeded Valdosta St. (Ga.) in the regular season. Meanwhile, Miles, in its first playoff game ever, likely wants to prove it belongs among the nation's best.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. How often will Miles go to the air against West Alabama's defense? West Alabama is tops in the nation in Division II in pass defense, allowing just 127.7 yards per game. The Tigers are also the nation's best in passing efficiency on defense. Miles quarterback David Thomas led the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, in passing efficiency (157.6) and was second in total offense and passing yards per game. However, Miles, which led the SIAC in scoring at 37.5 points per game, also showed in can run the ball toward the latter part of the season with a running game that features the likes of Floyd Graves, Devonta Parker-Johnson and K.C. Logan. 

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Hampton looks to salvage win at Morgan State

HAMPTON, Virginia — As Donovan Rose winds down as trying a season as he has encountered, he looks to both present and future.

Rose wants his Hampton University football team to conclude 2012 on a good note, with a win Saturday in the season finale at Morgan State. But the final couple of weeks and games are also a time for evaluation — of personnel, coaching and everything within the program.

"It's a little like a preseason game for next year," Rose said Wednesday. "We want to evaluate the people we have and see who's still playing hard and who we feel like we can count on in the future. We want to look at our coaches and make sure we're doing everything we can to put our kids in the best position.

"This will start to let us know what to do with recruiting — our biggest needs, who we have to recruit over, the kinds of players who can help us right away."

Not to say that the Pirates (2-7, 2-5 MEAC) don't have immediate goals. Running back Jeremiah Schwartz is 70 yards short of 1,000, a feat made more significant since the Pirates play only 10 games, and he missed the Howard game with an injury. He wasn't the featured back for the first several games.




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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