Southern to announce head football coach finalists Friday

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Southern University athletic director William Broussard confirmed in a text message Thursday night that the Jaguars will announce the finalists for its football head-coaching position Friday morning.

Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins was one of six semifinalists for the job, Southern announced Monday on its athletic website. Broussard said he interviewed Jenkins by phone Tuesday.

Monday's announcement said Broussard would pick a maximum of three finalists who would potentially make on-campus visits and that the athletic director expected to present his final choice for the job to Southern's Board of Supervisors at its next meeting Dec. 14.

In a statement Tuesday, B-CU athletic director Lynn Thompson said ...

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SWAC title game looks like a dandy

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --   Although the FCS playoffs take center stage this weekend, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Jackson State still have a lot to play for, with the SWAC title up for grabs in Birmingham, Ala.

UAPB is making its first appearance in the championship game since 2006 and the Golden Lions have arguably been the most consistent SWAC team this season. Offensively, Arkansas-Pine Bluff is fairly balanced, averaging 204 rushing yards per game and 196 passing yards per game. Justin Billings (768 yards, five touchdowns) and Dennis Jenkins (539 yards, four touchdowns) offer a nice one-two combo for quarterback Ben Anderson, who leads the team and ranks second in the SWAC in total offense with 236 yards per game.

Jackson State's last SWAC title came in 2007 - the 16th in program history - and the Tigers earned a berth in the contest this season despite having a 2-4 record after a 34-24 loss versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 6.

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Florida A&M BOT vice chair wants faster process

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A search committee that will help identify FAMU’s next head football coach will begin its work on Friday, but at least one member of the school’s Board of Trustees said Wednesday that the process is taking too long.

Spurgeon McWilliams, vice chairman of the BOT, suggested that athletic director Derek Horne and interim president Larry Robinson take control of hiring the man who will replace Joe Taylor, who retired from coaching college football a month ago.

McWilliams said forming a committee, which will include students and faculty, would be wasting time.

“We don’t need a group of students and faculty members sitting around trying to decide who is going to be the next coach,” McWilliams said during a break at Wednesday’s meeting. “This is an important decision because the football coach drives the whole economic situation for the athletic program. Those two people should have made the decision by now.”

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Wolf Pack on target in upset of NAIA No. 13 Gold Rush

NEW ORLEANS -- Robert Lovaglio scored 27 points for the second consecutive game, and Loyola shot 61.1 percent from the floor Wednesday in a 77-67 men's basketball victory against NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana at XU's Convocation Center.

The Wolf Pack (7-4) won for the second time in five days against a ranked opponent and gained a season split with the Gold Rush (9-2). Xavier won 73-67 at Loyola on Nov. 13.

Lovaglio was 8-of-14 from the floor, made 10-of-12 free throws and grabbed seven rebounds. He scored 15 second-half points and was Loyola's only double-figure scorer. Six teammates scored eight points apiece.

Wanto Joseph scored a career-high-tying 26 points for Xavier, and Xavier Rogers scored 11. Joseph, who scored 26 in the first Loyola game this season, also had five rebounds and five assists.

Loyola outscored Xavier 9-3 in the first 8½ minutes and led 32-29 at halftime. After Xavier took its final lead, 49-48, on a Rogers basket with 10:50 remaining, Jared Townsend's 3-pointer put the Wolf Pack ahead to stay 22 seconds later. Lovaglio scored six points during an 11-0 run which gave Loyola a 69-56 lead with 2:45 remaining.

It was the second time this season that Loyola shot 60 percent or better. It was the first time since January 2005 that a Xavier opponent was that accurate.

Both teams made the same amount of field goals and 3-pointers, but Loyola prevailed by making 27-of-38 free throws -- 19-of-23 in the second half. Xavier was 17-23 from the line and 7-of-12 in the second half.

Xavier, which shot 57.2 percent its previous three games, finished at 42.3. Loyola had a 30-23 rebound advantage.

Xavier's two best post players, Anthony Simmons and Denzell Erves, each committed a fourth foul in the first four minutes of the second half. Neither fouled out, but Simmons finished with six points and five rebounds -- he was trying for a fourth consecutive double-double -- and Erves had season-lows of four points and four rebounds. It was the first time this season that Erves did not score at least 10.

After taking fall semester final exams, the Rush will travel to Mobile, Ala., for a 5 p.m. game Dec. 14 against Martin Methodist in the Spring Hill Classic. The next Gold Rush home game will start at 5 p.m. Jan. 12 against Tougaloo.

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

Gold Nuggets defeat Wolf Pack for fifth consecutive victory

NEW ORLEANS -- Paige Gauthier and Whitney Gaston-Loyd scored 12 points apiece Wednesday to lead NAIA No. 10 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 54-44 women's basketball victory against city rival Loyola at XU's Convocation Center.

The victory was the fifth in a row for the Gold Nuggets (7-1), who won despite being outscored 6-0 in each half.

Gauthier scored 10 first-half points and gave Xavier its first lead, 10-8, on a 3-pointer at 12:49 of the first half. The Gold Nuggets led 35-20 at halftime and took their biggest lead, 48-29, on Danielle Tucker's 3-pointer with 9:28 remaining.

Jasmine Brewer scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Rebekah Greer had 10 points for Loyola (3-6), which lost its third in a row and its fifth straight on the road. Loyola equaled its loss total of last season, when it reached the NAIA Division I National Championship.

Xavier outshot Loyola 35.1 to 27.9 percent from the floor and had a 39-32 rebound advantage. Sophomore guard Talor Hixon grabbed a season-high-tying eight rebounds to lead the Nuggets for the second time in three games.

Gauthier and Whitney Gathright each made two of Xavier's six 3-pointers.

The Nuggets lead the series 29-6 and have won all 16 meetings at Xavier.

After taking fall semester final exams, the Nuggets will travel to William Carey for a 6 p.m. game Dec. 14. It will be Xavier's first road game of the regular season. The next XU home game will be against NAIA No. 13 Bethel (Tenn.) at 2 p.m. Jan. 2.

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

SWAC Championship Buzz: Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Jackson State

SWAC CHAMPIONSHP BUZZ-Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Jackson State (Miss.)

WHAT: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (9-2) vs. Jackson State (7-4)

WHEN: Saturday, noon

WHERE: Birmingham's Legion Field

TV: ESPNU

LINE: None

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: Well, obviously it will determine the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion. But what makes the SWAC title so special for the teams involved is that each team plays all nine opponents in the 10-team conference. So, you get a true champion. Also, the teams don't participate in the FCS playoffs. This is it for them. The winner will also make a strong case to chosen as black college football mythical national champion by sports writers across the country.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR:

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Georgia Tech Adds Alabama A&M To 2013 Football Schedule

THE FLATS - Georgia Tech filled an opening in its 2013 football schedule by adding Alabama A&M to a non-conference lineup that already includes Brigham Young and Georgia.

The void in the Yellow Jackets' schedule came when the ACC announced earlier this fall that it would play an eight-game conference schedule in 2013 instead of expanding to nine games.

Tech will host the Bulldogs, an FCS opponent out of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, Nov. 23, 2013 at Bobby Dodd Stadium - one week before the regular-season finale against rival Georgia.  A&M finished the 2012 season with a 7-4 record, including a loss at Auburn to close the year. The addition of Alabama A&M, coupled with a season opener scheduled against Elon, gives Georgia Tech two FCS non-conference opponents in 2013. The Yellow Jackets will need to win a minimum of seven games next fall to extend their school-record 16 consecutive postseason bowl appearances.

The Yellow Jackets will play seven home games in 2013.

Georgia Tech has never previously played Alabama A&M in football.


COURTESY GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Former JCSU player killed in wreck

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Former Johnson C. Smith women's basketball player Tiana Pope was killed in a single-car wreck in Winston-Salem Wednesday morning.

According to a university statement, Winston-Salem police reported Pope, 27, was speeding before she crashed her 2010 Chevrolet Aveo into a utility pole in the 500 block of Oak Summit Road at 2:45 a.m. She died at the scene. The car went off the right side of the road and police asserted speeding was a contributing factor in the wreck.

Police are still investigating.

Pope, who lived in Kernersville, played guard at JCSU from 2003-07. She scored 1,184 points, pulled down 413 rebounds, and was credited with 271 assists, and 206 steals. The Golden Bulls won CIAA Western Division titles in 2005, ‘06 and ‘07.

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Tennessee State Men's Basketball Slays the Drexel Dragons, 76-66

Nashville, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State men's basketball team won its third straight game in row with a 76-66 victory over the Drexel Dragons.

Kellen Thornton had a game high 20 points on 9-of-16 shooting, and Tennessee State had at least five players in double-figures for the first time all season.

TSU got 26 points from its bench including 15 by Jordan Cyphers and 11 by Michael Green.

Tennessee State won the tip, and both teams got off a quick start shooting the ball. TSU nailed four of its first six shots-including two threes from Robert Covington- but Drexel was just a tad better at 5-for-7. The small difference in shooting percentage led to a small difference on the scoreboard, as the Tigers trailed 10-11 during the game's first six minutes.

Early in the game, the Tigers seemed content to feed the ball into the low-post on offense, and Thornton benefitted by racking up eight points on half of the Tigers' first 16 total shots.

Thornton ended the half with 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

Even with TSU's strong play in the post, the Dragons hung around by outrebounding Tennessee State 20-11 during the opening stanza.
 

With the score tied at 27, Deshawn Dockery nailed a jumper as the shot clock expired and Green added a fast-break two-handed dunk to give the Tigers and narrow four-point lead with 2:28 left to play in the period.
 

TSU executed an impressive display of the running the whole court when Drexel missed a shot with 51 seconds to play in the first half. Green started the break by getting a rebound. He then passed the ball off to Cyphers who found Thornton with a no-look pass. Thornton converted the layup, was fouled and made the ensuing free-throw to give TSU a 36-28 lead.

The Dragons had a tip-in on following possession, but the Tigers still led at the break, 36-30.

TSU had just two turnovers and the Tigers received 11 points from its bench during the game's first 20 minutes. Green (7) and Cyphers (4) accounted for all of Tennessee State's first half bench points.

Drexel started the second half on a 7-2 run, cutting the TSU lead to one and prompting the Tigers to burn their first timeout of the game.

Following the stoppage in play, Thornton canned an elbow jumper and drained a foul shot for an old-fashioned three-point play. The play put TSU up 41-37.

The Dragons came right back with a 7-0 run that was finally ended by a Covington jumper at the 12:20 mark.

Covington finished the game with 17 points, shooting 2-of-4 from three-point land. He also led the Tigers with seven boards.

The teams traded blows for the next eight minutes, with neither side gaining more than a one-possession lead. TSU finally broke the streak with four minutes to go in the game when Cyphers hit a layup and was fouled. He missed the shot at the charity stripe, but Green was there to clean up the miss to give the Tigers a 61-57 advantage.

Cyphers drained a three with 2:50 to go, and Covington threw down a dunk with a little over a minute to play, allowing TSU to hang on and vanquish the Dragons, 76-66.

TSU shot 50 percent (26-52) from the field and held the Dragons to just 38.8 percent (26-67).

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Announces Recruiting Class for 2013-14

Nashville, Tennessee - Men's Basketball head coach Travis Williams has announced the class of 2016. Jamontae Davis (Nashville), Jamonte Graham (Nashville), and Rhyan Townes (Memphis) will join the Tigers for the 2013-14 season.

"We are always trying to stay local when the talent presents itself in the state of Tennessee," said Williams. "We were able to get two local guys in Davis and Graham out of respectable programs, which had tremendous summers on the AAU scene. For our first recruiting class, it is great to be able to get these types of players to set the foundation for future success of the program. These guys are impact players. There is always an adjustment process coming from high school to college, but I believe these young men will adjust quite nicely."
 

Davis is a 6-8, 200-pound forward and is listed as the No. 50-ranked forward according to ESPN Recruiting Nation. The Hillsboro High School product was selected to the All-City team as a freshman and was a part of the AAU Team Nashville that was ranked as high as 11th in the nation in 2012. The two-year member of the Avid Program intends to major in Business at TSU. Davis has been involved with humanitarian projects, such as clean-up help to flood victims and building access ramps for a teammate's parent's home.

"He is a very skilled combo player who reminds me of Robert Covington," Williams said. "He comes with a little more body size. He is very capable of playing inside/outside, three-point shooting, and putting it on the floor with good ball skills." 

A 6-1, 195-pound guard, Graham hails from Father Ryan High School and intends to major in Special Education. Graham helped head coach Doug Bondrager and FRHS reach the semifinals at the Tennessee State Championships in 2012. He was named to the All-Region team as a sophomore and to the All-State team as a junior after averaging 18 points per game. A multiple sport athlete at Father Ryan, Graham was selected to the All-Mid Region, All-Mid State and All-State teams in football as a junior. His brother Jamie, played basketball as a freshman at Vanderbilt and competed for the Commodores football team for three seasons. Jamie completed his collegiate football career at UCLA.

"[Graham] is a talented two sport star at Father Ryan. He is a player that succeeds wherever they put him on the field. As far as basketball, he is a tough hard-nosed player capable of playing the combo position for us. He brings a physicality to the program that I am very excited about."

Townes is a 6-5, 192-pound guard who prepped at Arlington High School and played for head coach Don Deaton. In 2012, Townes guided AHS to the second round of regionals for the first time in school history. As a junior, he averaged 14 points per game, including a season high 28 points against defending state champions Craigmont High School. For his play he was named a part of the Pepsi/Commercial Appeal AAA Best of the Preps. Townes played for Jerry Starks and Team Thad who finished as 2012 AAU Tennessee State champions and finished the summer ranked 11th in the nation. In the classroom, he has shown excellence academically and has been a member of the Principals Honor Roll every semester. Townes is a member of the National Honor Society, National Science Honor Society and the National Beta Club. He plans to major in Civil Engineering.

"[Townes] epitomizes what it means to be a student-athlete. Bottom line, he is taking care of business academically. On the court, you look at his skill set and he is a very talented player that had a great summer. Academically and athletically, he is the type of player we are recruiting to Tennessee State University."

 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

9-1 Gold Rush are 13th in poll after climbing six places

NEW ORLEANS -- Nine victories in the first 10 games helped Xavier University of Louisiana climb six spots to 13th Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

The poll is the first since the NAIA announced preseason rankings Oct. 23. The next two polls will be announced Dec. 11 and Jan. 8.

The Gold Rush defeated NCAA Division II opponents Morehouse and Tuskegee en route to a 6-0 start. William Carey won 78-68 at Xavier on Nov. 19, but since then Xavier won three in a row to give Dannton Jackson his sixth start of 9-1 or better in 10 seasons as head coach.

Xavier is in the top 25 for the 13th consecutive time and the 26th time in 27 polls.

Oklahoma Baptist is No. 1. One of Xavier's city and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rivals, SUNO, climbed three places to 21st. A third GCAC school, second-year member Philander Smith, received three points to tie for 34th. William Carey, which received no votes in the preseason, is 15th.

Coupled with Xavier's No. 10 position in the new women's poll, it's the first time since Feb. 7, 2011 -- and just the second time since the start of the 2004-05 season -- that both XU basketball teams are among the NAIA's top 13.

Both XU teams will play city rival Loyola on Wednesday at the Convocation Center. The men will tip off at 7:30 p.m. and follow a 5:30 women's game. Loyola was the other school to receive three points in the men's poll.

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

Xavier Gold Nuggets earn first top-10 ranking since 2005

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana, aided by consecutive home victories against preseason ranked teams, climbed one spot to 10th Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll. It's the first time since Feb. 8, 2005, that the Gold Nuggets have been among the top 10.

This is the first poll since the NAIA announced preseason rankings Oct. 23. The next two polls will be announced Dec. 11 and Jan. 8.

The Gold Nuggets (6-1) beat then-19th-ranked LSU-Shreveport 46-45 on Nov. 19, then defeated then-No. 14 Langston 46-38 three days later. LSUS is No. 17 in the new poll, but Langston received no votes. Xavier's loss was 62-50 at home Nov. 17 to Westminster (Utah), which was preseason No. 5 but climbed to fourth.

Xavier is in the top 25 for the 33rd consecutive time dating to January 2010. It's the Nuggets' longest top-25 streak since 34 straight polls from Jan. 13, 2003-March 8, 2005.

Future opponents in the top 25 are No. 13 Bethel (Tenn.) and No. 25 Faulkner. Xavier will play Faulkner on Dec. 29 in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Montgomery, Ala., and Bethel on Jan. 2 at XU's new Convocation Center. Lubbock Christian is No. 1 for the second consecutive time.

Coupled with Xavier's No. 13 position in the new men's poll, it's the first time since Feb. 7, 2011 -- and just the second time since the start of the 2004-05 season -- that both XU basketball teams are among the NAIA's top 13.

Both XU teams will play city rival Loyola on Wednesday at the Convocation Center. The women's game will tip off at 5:30 p.m., and the men's game will start at 7:30 p.m.

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

SWAC Championship Nears Kickoff

SWAC CHAMPIONSHIP NEARS KICKOFF

#THESWAC

Jackson State University and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff prepare to Battle at the

2012 Toyota SWAC Football Championship Game

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Get ready, Judgment Day is coming! The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) 2012 Football Championship game is almost here. West Division Champion, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is set to play the East Division Champion, Jackson State University Saturday, December 8^th at Legion Field Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama and tickets are selling fast.

The 2012 SWAC Toyota Football Championship game is a time for SWAC fans, alumni and students to come together to celebrate and experience SWAC college football. SWAC has planned the ultimate fan experience by hosting many ancillary events before and after the championship game with events for all ages.

Celebrating its 14^th year, the SWAC Football Championship continues to grow in exposure and attendance every year. With festivities starting on Friday, December 7^th, the SWAC offers many events and entertainment for all fans, students and alumni. Below you will find a brief schedule of events.

Friday, December 7^th, 2012

What: SWAC Football Championship Press Conference

When: Friday, December 7^th, 2012 at 10 a.m.

Where: Birmingham Sheraton Hotel

Who: Media and participating SWAC Coaches

What: The Official SWAC Kickoff Party and Mini Concert

When: Friday, December 7^th, 2012 Doors Open at 8 p.m.

Where: Merienda Lounge, Birmingham, Alabama

Who: SWAC alumni, fans and students

Saturday, December 8^th, 2012

What: Great Championship Tailgate Party

When: Saturday, December 8^th, 2012, 9 a.m. to Noon

Where: Legion Field Stadium: Lower Parking Lot F; Birmingham, Alabama

Who: SWAC alumni, fans and students

What: SWAC College Expo

When: Saturday, December 8^th, 2012, 9 a.m. to Noon

Where: Legion Field Stadium: Lower Parking Lot F; Birmingham, Alabama

Who: Middle/High School Prospective Students

What: 2012 Toyota SWAC Football Championship Game, #SWACFBCHAMP12

When: Saturday, December 8^th, 2012 Kickoff at 12 Noon

Where: Legion Field Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama

Who: UAPB vs. JSU and SWAC alumni, fans and students

What: Verizon SWAC Battle of the Bands

When: Halftime, Saturday, December 8^th, 2012

Where: Legion Field Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama

Who: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Jackson State University Band

For event details, download a complete 2012 SWAC Football Championship event schedule.

Find us on social media and keep up with the 2012 SWAC Football Championship events. Follow the SWAC on Twitter and Like on Facebook to keep up-to-date on the latest schedule.

For 2012 Toyota SWAC Football Championship Game information about hotels and travel, tailgating, vending opportunities and event details please visit www.swacfootball.org .

About SWAC

Founded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference – made up of historically black colleges and universities - and its members are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. The conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that govern intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the NCAA. Sponsoring 18 sports, the SWAC ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams- particularly in football. For more information about SWAC, visit www.swac.org.

WSSU Rams say they’re not satisfied just being back in semis

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Winston-Salem State is in the same spot it was in last season — the semifinals of the Division II football playoffs.

WSSU (13-0, ranked No. 2) will play West Texas A&M (12-2, ranked No. 16) at 6:30 Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.

The Rams lost in the semis last season, 21-14 to Wayne State. Many of the players from that team are back, and they’ve had a long time to chew on the loss.

Wide receiver Jamal Williams said Tuesday that reaching the semifinals again is nice but that it won’t mean anything if the Rams don’t win.

“It’s more so that we are trying to refocus again,” Williams said. “We had focus for the last two playoff games, and now we have to raise the bar even more knowing that this is where we were at this point last season. We haven’t done anything different, but we want to come out and prove to ourselves that we can get it done.”

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Coleman scores 29 points as B-CU thumps Stetson, 86-63

DAYTONA BEACH -- Bethune-Cookman's Adrien Coleman hit 13 of 14 field goals on the way to a game-high 29 points, and all he could talk about after the game was defense.

Actually, just about everything went right for the Wildcats as they dismantled Volusia County rival Stetson 86-63 in a non-conference game Monday night at Moore Gymnasium.

 

B-CU (3-6) shot 63.5 percent from the field, forced 19 turnovers -- leading to 24 points -- and hit 7-of-14 3-pointers.
 

“When we play good defense it makes it easier for us to get out on transition and that makes the game much for fun for us,'' said Coleman, who got out on the break all night and also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.
 

“He's a really good player,'' Stetson coach Casey Alexander said of the 6-5 Coleman. “He has a real knack to get to the basket and draw fouls.''
 

After losing three in a row, the Wildcats looked like they were having fun Monday. They jumped out to a 46-23 halftime lead, notching seven steals and hitting 20 of 29 shots from the field.

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Reports: B-CU's Jenkins candidate for Southern U. head-coaching job

COACH BRIAN JENKINS ON THE MOVE...

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  On a day when Bethune-Cookman football coach Brian Jenkins won a regional coach of the year award, The Times-Picayune and The Sports Network reported he is one of six candidates to be the next head coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge, La.

But B-CU athletic director Lynn Thompson said Monday night that Southern has yet to contact the Wildcats to ask permission to interview the third-year coach.

"(Jenkins) got a call last week from Southern, and he instructed them that they had to contact me,'' Thompson said. "And I haven't heard from Southern.''

Jenkins, 41, was named the Football Championship Subdivision Co-Region Two Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, the AFCA announced Monday. He shared the award with Stony Brook's Chuck Piore.

Jenkins could not be reached for comment Monday night.

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WSSU flattens Allen University 82-45

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Sometimes, pancakes win out over watching basketball.

While Winston-Salem State was well on its way to an easy 82-45 win over Allen University at the Gaines Center, there was also a late-night pancake dinner for hungry students in the cafeteria.

With about seven minutes to go in the game and the Rams comfortably ahead by 30 about 150 or so students piled out of the Gaines Center.

“I did see that,” said point guard Marcus Wells, who was already out of the game as Coach Bobby Collins cleared his bench. “That’s okay though, because we had a big lead. And you know what, I’m about to go get me some of those pancakes myself.”

The Rams, who won their fifth in a row to improve to 6-2, had little trouble feasting on the overmatched Yellow Jackets, an NAIA school from Columbia, S.C., that fell to 2-10 on the season.

Wakefield Ellison, who is playing his best ball of his two-year career at WSSU, led the way with 15 points off the bench. Freshman Michael-Ofik Nzege had 13 points and nine rebounds, and Justin Glover scored 11 points with three assists.

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ECSU Vikings spring into 2013 with momentum

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina  --  For two days, the text messages, e-mails and phone calls have been pouring in.

But Elizabeth City State football coach Waverly Tillar hardly considers them distractions.

“It’s great,” he said Monday while seated behind a huge silver cup the Vikings were awarded after upending favored Tuskegee 28-13 in Saturday’s Pioneer Bowl in Columbus, Ga.

“I’m getting a lot of positive feedback from students, staff, alums and friends of Vikings football. And I appreciate it all.”

The trophy, almost big enough to serve as a hot tub, put an exclamation mark on what had been an up-and-down season for ECSU (8-4) and erased the memories of a strong effort that went for naught in the CIAA championship game. There, the Vikings dropped a 34-19 decision to undefeated Winston-Salem State after leading late in the third quarter.

“I am so proud of these guys,” said Tillar, who secured his first postseason coaching victory after losing four CIAA title games, two NCAA Division II playoff games and the 2009 Pioneer Bowl. “I can’t say enough about their effort against a team like Tuskegee.

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TSU Men's Basketball to Take on Drexel on Tuesday Night

 

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  –  The Tennessee State men’s basketball team will look to win its third consecutive game when the squad hosts Drexel on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.

The Tigers are coming off an 83-72 victory in their first true road win of the season at Alabama A&M. It was a well-played game by the Tigers, who committed a season-low 10 turnovers.

“The first thing that I was proud of in the game against Alabama A&M was that the team limited its turnovers,” head coach Travis Williams said. “We made good decisions offensively and took good shots.”

Senior forward Robert Covington led TSU in the win with 27 points, but Kellen Thornton, Patrick Miller and Jordan Cyphers also ended up in double-figures.

Williams has received production from a handful of players all season long, and Saturday was no different, as TSU had eight players finish with at least 15 minutes against the Bulldogs.

“I tell every player on the team to always be ready, and whether they come in on offense or defense, the guys have been receptive,” Williams said.

The Tigers will need to continue to get production from everyone on the squad when they take on the Drexel Dragons, who were pegged to win the Colonial Athletic Conference before the season.

However, it has been a rough first few games for the Dragons so far this season, as they limp into the Gentry Center with a 2-5 record.

Drexel has four players who average in double-figures in points, but Damion Lee leads the team with 17.4 per contest.

Hanging onto the ball has been a problem so far for the Dragons, as the team has averaged nearly 14 turnovers per game and has only recorded 28 steals.

“We are going to have to get back quickly in transition on defense and communicate on both ends of the court. If we play smart and play together on every possession then I think we will be okay,” Williams said.

The Tigers will look to improve to 4-5 on the season with a home win over Drexel on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Livingstone College promotes Williams to head football coach

Coach Daryl Williams

SALISBURY, North Carolina  --  Livingstone has promoted football offensive coordinator Daryl Williams to head coach.

Williams replaces Elvin James, who was fired after three seasons and a 3-28 record, including 2-8 in 2012.

“I felt it was imperative we make a coaching change to turn around our football program,” Livingstone Athletics Director Andre Springs said in a statement. “We appreciate the work coach James did during his tenure; however, we need to be much more competitive on the gridiron than we have been in recent years. Coach Williams has a solid background in coaching, including stints at Texas Southern University and Alabama State University. We feel he’s the right man to get Livingstone’s football program on the right track at this time.”

Williams was associate head coach and quarterback coach at Texas Southern from 2007-2011. During the 2010 season, Texas Southern won the SWAC championship.
 

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Jackson State riding five-game win streak into Saturday's SWAC title game

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Jackson State coach Rick Comegy isn't making any excuses for the way his team started the season.

The Tigers dropped four of their first six games this season, giving up an average of 34 points per contest. In the final of those losses, a 34--24 defeat at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on October 6^th, they allowed 21 points in the second quarter alone.

But none of that matters anymore.

That game was the last one JSU dropped. Since then, it's reeled off five-straight victories, including wins at Alabama State, against Mississippi Valley State, at Grambling State, against Alabama A&M and at Alcorn State to find themselves to earn a Southwestern Athletic Conference eastern division crown.

The Tigers (7-4) will travel to Birmingham for Saturday's conference title game in a rematch against the last team that beat them. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Legion Field and the game will be aired live on ESPNU.




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Odums, Jenkins among six head coach semi-finalists

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  Southern University has narrowed its search for the future head football coach to six semi-finalists, athletics director Dr. William Broussard announced Monday.
The finalist pool includes coaches with an average of 18 years of NCAA coaching experience, includes 4 former or current head coaches who have won or appeared in multiple black college national championships and bowl games, extensive experience recruiting Louisiana prep student-athletes, and all 6 coaches have HBCU coaching experience.

Among the six candidates vying to fill Southern's coaching vacancy are Alabama State special teams coordinator John M. Hendrick, current Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins, current SU interim coach Dawson Odums, Nevada offensive line coach James Spady, and two other finalists who wish to remain unidentified due to their respective seasons not yet coming to an end.

Broussard is scheduled to conduct a 30-minute phone interview with each of the candidates this week before condensing the six semi-finalists to as many as three who will potentially make on-campus visits.

Hendrick, a former Tulane assistant head coach and LSU tight ends coach, presently serves as the special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach at Alabama State. The University of Pittsburgh graduate helped produce two All-Conference USA defensive lineman while at Tulane from 2011-12 and was a member of Bill Synder's Kansas State coaching staff in 1991-92 that helped turnaround the worst program in college football history. Hendrick also served as Southern's offensive line coach in 1986.

Jenkins is widely considered a rising star in Division I coaching ranks after producing a 28-7 record at Bethune Cookman College which includes two MEAC championships and two FCS playoff appearances. In his first season as the Wildcats head coach, Jenkins led Bethune Cookman to the school's first-ever HBCU national championship and was named the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Region 2 Coach of the Year. Jenkins also spent seven years as the special teams coordinator and running backs coach at Louisiana-Lafayette from 2002-2009.

Odums' previous title of defensive coordinator changed to interim head coach two games into Southern's 2012 season. The North Carolina native and N.C. Central graduate proceeded to lead the Jaguars to a 4-5 finish after an 0-2 start, claiming signature wins over Jackson State, Florida A&M and Grambling. Odums arrived at Southern in 2011 after a 3-year stint at N.C. A&T where he served as the Aggies' co-defensive coordinator in 2010 and defensive line coach in 2009. Odums also served as the interim head coach at Clark Atlanta during the 2004 season and head coach in 2005.

Spady spent several seasons at some of black college football's elite programs before becoming the offensive tackles and tight ends coach at the University of Nevada, where the Wolfpack finished ranked #2 in FBS in total offense in 2010 and are currently in the Top 10 in several categories in 2012. Spady served as Grambling's offensive coordinator from 2007-2009 helping the Tigers win a SWAC title after an 11-2 record in 2008. Spady, who played four years as a center at Texas-El Paso, also helped win conference titles at N.C. Central in 2006, South Carolina State in 2004 and UTEP in 2000, while adding HBCU national championships in 2006 (NCCU) and 2008 (Grambling) to his resume.

Broussard expects to present his choice for Southern's next head coach at a Dec. 14 Board of Supervisors meeting on the Baton Rouge campus.


COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Dwight Floyd WEEKLY COMMENTARY: FAMU Interviews Potential Band Director

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  There is perhaps not a greater time in the history of Florida A&M than now, where the University finds itself in such a fragile position. The FAMU Board of Trustees must identify and approve a new university president.

Almost as important are applicants to be selected for the head football coaching position, Special Assistant to the President for Anti-Hazing, and director of bands. After identifying the top four candidates for the director of bands, the selection committee recently invited them to tour FAMU, work with selected band members and talk about the job.

Previous band directors
 P.A. Van Weller, 1892–1898
 Nathaniel C. Adderly, 1910–1918
 Leander A. Kirksey, 1930–1945
 Dr. William P. Foster, 1945–1998
 Dr. Julian E. White, 1998–2012



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Tennessee State Women's hoops prepares for Montana State

GAMEDAY

The Tennessee State University women's basketball team will conclude its three-game road stint at Montana State on Monday, Dec. 3. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. in Worthington Arena.

THE LADY TIGERS AT A GLANCE
The Lady Tigers (3-4) had won two straight before dropping its most recent game to Montana, 71-48, at the 32nd annual Lady Griz Classic. The Lady Tigers went 1-1 at the tournament after defeating Idaho in the first game. Simone Hopes and Kesi Hess were named to the All-Tournament team for TSU.

As a team, TSU is averaging 53.7 points per outing while shooting 33.9 percent from the field and 22.0 percent from beyond the arc. TSU is currently shooting only 67.2 percent from the free-throw line while committing an average of 17.9 turnovers per game.

TSU averages 38.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 9.9 steals per game.

LAST TIME OUT

Tennessee State suffered a 71-48 loss to Montana at the Lady Griz Classic Saturday night. TSU was outrebounded, 41-29, and got outscored, 37-22, in the second half. Simone Hopes was the lone Lady Tiger to post double-figures in scoring with 13 points to go with six rebounds. Kesi Hess followed with eight points and five steals. Hopes and Kesi Hess were named to the All-Tournament team.

ABOUT MONTANA STATE

Montana State is coming off a 71-65 win over Utah State on Saturday. The Bobcats had won three straight before falling to Southern Methodist, 71-70. The Big Sky member bounced back from the loss to SMU by defeating UM-Western and Utah State for consecutive victories.

In the win over Utah State, Kallie Durham paced the Bobcats with 18 points while Ashley Brumwell (14), Rachel Semansky (13) and Jackie Elliot (11) also scored in double-digits.

As a team, Montana State averages 68.5 ppg behind a .421 shooting percentage. The Bobcats are only shooting, .247 from three-point range and average 19.2 turnovers per game.

Durham leads the team in scoring with 14.5 ppg while Semasky follows with 13.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg.

TSU vs. MONTANA STATE

Tennessee State and Montana State will meet for the first time in the two programs' history.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

TSU will have a nearly a two week break before hosting Cleveland State on Dec. 16 in the Gentry Center.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Volusia County basketball rivals Stetson, Bethune-Cookman face off

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  — Both Stetson coach Casey Alexander and Bethune-Cookman coach Gravelle Craig say the geographical rivalry between their teams is good for both basketball programs.

But pride and bragging rights will take a back seat at 7 p.m. Monday when the Wildcats host the Hatters at Moore Gymnasium.

The coaches are more concerned with getting their teams straightened out for their upcoming conference schedules. While Stetson (2-3) is coming off its worst loss of the season — a 92-56 whipping at Virginia Commonwealth on Wednesday — B-CU (2-6) has lost three straight.

 

“We're starting over in a way,'' Alexander said. “We're not supposed to go to VCU and win, but you want to execute at a higher level and compete.''

Center Adam Pegg was held to one point before fouling out against the Rams, lowering his season average to 14.0 points per game. Leading scorer Aaron Graham (16.3 ppg) missed the game with a bruised foot and has been day-to-day since.

 

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