Stillman spring football update: Tigers looking to run and stop the run

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  Run and stop the run.

Those are two of Stillman College's primary goals as they began preparing for the 2013 season, opening spring practices this week.

The Tigers went 6-5 in 2012, going 4-3 in NCAA Division II's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference behind in-state foes Tuskegee and Miles.

They were dead last among 10 teams in the conference in rushing, gaining just 585 yards on the ground for the season. That's an average of 53.2 yards game. They were fifth in rushing defense, allowing 20 touchdowns and 150 yards a contest.

"That's one of our biggest issues--the o-line and d-line play and the running back play," Keaton said. "The o-line play, I really feel it's unfair to judge them and say they didn't do a good job. We didn't have a running game to really help ourselves out. Our running backs were nowhere near what we thought we had."

Their inability to run the ball forced them ...

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Turkey Day Classic 2013: Deal between Alabama State and Stillman a one-year agreement

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- Alabama State will have a new opponent in the 90^th Turkey Day Classic in Stillman College.  

But there's no telling if the battle between the FCS Hornets and the Division II Tigers will continue beyond this season.

"The current agreement is for this year," Stillman Athletic Director Curtis Campbell told al.com. "So, I don't know what the future may hold after that. We'll just have to wait and see."

Campbell said Stillman first got word that Tuskegee, the Hornets' most common opponent in the annual showdown which dates back to 1924, at a meeting among Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference athletic directors about a month ago.  

Stillman approached ASU to see if the Hornets would be interested in playing the Tigers in the game which attracted more than 26,000 fans in the first game ever played at ASU's new $62-millon stadium "and things went from there" Campbell said.

The opportunity to market Stillman's brand in the state's capitol city trumped the possibility of playing in the NCAA Division II playoffs should the Tigers qualify. That's the reason Tuskegee cited, following a 10-2 season during which it won a conference title and likely would've been a top-seed in the postseason tournament, as the reason it decided not cease participating in the oldest rivalry in all of black college football.

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Former XU coach Harold Hunter, 86, dies in Tennessee

NEW ORLEANS — Harold Hunter, the coach of Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball teams during the mid-1970s, died at 6:55 a.m. Thursday (March 7, 2013) at his home in Hendersonville, Tenn. He was 86 years old.      Hunter was 29-29 as coach of the Gold Rush but achieved greater fame outside of Xavier. He was the first African-American to sign an NBA contract — April 26, 1950, with the Washington Capitols, who drafted him in the 10th round — and the first African-American to coach a U.S. Olympic basketball team. Hunter never played in the NBA regular season, however; the Capitols cut him during their training camp.      Hunter succeeded Bob Hopkins as coach of the Gold Rush in May 1974. Hunter's first two teams finished 11-9 in 1974-75 and 12-15 in 1975-76. Bernard Griffith, an assistant on Hunter's staff, replaced Hunter as head coach after the Gold Rush won six of its first 11 games in 1976-77.      Among the teams Xavier defeated during Hunter's tenure were Arkansas-Little Rock, Florida A&M, Morehouse, Sam Houston State, Southern, Stephen F. Austin and Tuskegee. Hunter's first XU team won its first seven games and defeated Daniel Payne and Tougaloo to win the championship of the Azalea Classic at Mobile, Ala., in December 1974.      "He liked his teams to shoot every four seconds," said Griffith, now the men's coach at Xavier's longtime city rival, Dillard. "He believed we were supposed to be shooting the ball. He never met a shot he didn't like."      The Gold Rush were 11-0 when scoring 100 or more points during Hunter's tenure.      Although his time at XU was brief, Hunter's program demonstrated benevolence. His players painted the interior of Xavier's St. Michael's residence hall during the summer of 1975. His second Gold Rush team played an exhibition against former XU players on Nov. 8, 1975 — a charity game which benefitted the Big Brothers of Greater New Orleans.      Hunter is the second-winningest men's basketball coach at Tennessee State; his teams were 172-67 in nine seasons (1959-68). His first Tennessee State team placed third at the NAIA National Championship, and he sent 17 of his players from that school to the NBA.      In 1968, Hunter coached the U.S. Olympic team during its tour of Europe and the Soviet Union and led the Americans to a victory against the Soviet national team in Minsk.      After Xavier, Hunter remained in New Orleans and continued coaching. He was an assistant on Mary Teamer's Dillard women's team which finished third at the 1984 NAIA National Championship, and he coached SUNO's women from 1986-91. Hunter and his wife moved from New Orleans to Tennessee after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.      Hunter played for North Carolina Central from 1946-50 — his coach was John McLendon, who is enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame and the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame — and was the most outstanding player of the 1950 CIAA Tournament, which the Eagles won.

Harold Hunter April 30, 1926-March 7, 2013

Back in the Day . . . Harold Hunter's Introductory News Conference at Xavier in 1974 On Expectations: "I know I'm stepping into a lion's den, but I have never been a loser before, and I don't anticipate being one now." On Winning: "Defense is where you win or lose, and we will stress that phase of the game. It's not something you enjoy as much as shooting, but it's what must be done to win basketball games." On Recruiting: "I'd hope Xavier's program is attractive enough to interest good white athletes just as black athletes are attracted to and recruited by predominantly white schools."

   
Additional honors of Hunter include induction into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 1987, retirement of his jersey by North Carolina Central in 2005, being named one of the top 100 sports legends at North Carolina Central during the university's centennial in 2009, and a Sam Lacy Pioneer Award from the National Association of Black Journalists' Sports Task Force at the NABJ's 2012 convention in New Orleans.
    
Hunter was quoted extensively in "Black Magic," a 2008 ESPN documentary about basketball pioneers from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
    
Hunter was born April 30, 1926, in Kansas City, Kan., and graduated from Sumner High School. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline T. Hunter, who was a member of XU's biology faculty; a son, Harold Jr.; and a daughter, Micki. Funeral arrangements are pending but are expected to be held March 16 in Tennessee, Harold Hunter Jr. said.

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

Third Time's a Charm as TSU Beats Morehead, 88-75

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State men's basketball team was 0-2 against Morehead State during the regular season, but the Tigers beat the Eagles when it mattered most on Thursday night, 88-75.

Jordan Cyphers set a new career high with 23 points on 5-of-7 shooting. The Wichita, Kan. native was also 10-of-11 from the charity stripe.

Patrick Miller had his second consecutive double-double for TSU, finishing with 15 points and 10 assists.

Seniors and All-OVC Second Teamers Robert Covington and Kellen Thornton added 21 and 15 points, respectively, and combined for 18 of TSU's 35 rebounds.

TSU forced 17 turnovers in the game and outshot Morehead State, 48.3 percent to 42.4.

Morehead State's only lead was after scoring the game's opening basket, and TSU forced four turnovers during the next four minutes, sparking a 9-2 Tiger run. Highlighting the stretch was a steal by Miller, followed by a long cross-court pass ahead to Cyphers, which resulted in an old-fashioned three-point play for the Tigers.

Miller, the OVC's leader in assists at 5.5 per game, had five dimes in the first half alone.

The Tennessee State full-court press forced yet another Eagle miscue at the 13:42 mark and the ball ended up in the hands of Thornton. The senior missed a three, but five-foot-ten guard Jay Harris was there deep in the lane to clean up the mess. Harris's hoop put TSU in the driver's seat, 15-9.

A three by Covington with eight minutes to go in the half widened TSU's lead even farther and a layup by Miller a couple of possessions later made the score 27-13 in favor of the Tigers.

TSU eventually raised its advantage all the way to 15, but a 6-2 Morehead run to end the half made the score, 41-30, heading into the locker room.



The Tigers flew around on defense during the first 20 minutes, forcing nine turnovers and only allowing the Eagles to shoot 34.5 percent from the field (10-of-29).

Morehead State chipped away at TSU's lead and brought it down to nine during the second half's first three minutes, but then Covington took over. The senior first polished off a rim-rocking alley-oop and then swooshed a three on TSU's next possession, making the score 55-41.

Covington's scoring flurry moved him into seventh place on the school's all-time scoring list, passing Bernard Bailey's 1700 career points.

Following the Bellwood, Ill. product's milestone, Morehead State rattled off a 15-4 run to pull within three of the lead. Harris answered with a three and fast-break layup and TSU was back in control, 64-56.

It seemed as though the Tigers weathered the storm, as TSU went up by double-digits a few possessions later and never relinquished its big lead.

A three by Cyphers at the 1:20 mark gave the senior his career-tying 22^nd point and ended Morehead's chances at a comeback.

With the win, TSU improves to 18-13 on the season and an ESPNU televised game against No.1 seeded Belmont at 6 p.m. tomorrow night.

Final Box

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tuskegee University responds to relationship with ASU, Turkey Day rivalry

Statement from Tuskegee University Department of Athletics

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  --  Although Tuskegee University and its supporters treasure the long-standing relationship we have maintained with Alabama State University and the Turkey Day Classic, the Department of Athletics at Tuskegee University has decided not to participate in this season’s classic in order to pursue more challenging opportunities for our football program.

The decision is definite. However, we would like to continue the special relationship between our two teams and perhaps play the Hornets on a different day in the not-so-distant future. We look forward to discussing our future options with ASU, to find a solution that will best satisfy the hopes and wishes of both of our esteemed institutions.

Tuskegee fans have generally been split on this issue. There will be many who will rightfully express frustration about today's football schedule release. However, we have had an increasingly vocal amount of fans who wanted to see how deep the Golden Tigers could play into the postseason, if given an opportunity.

Playing in the postseason means that the TU Department of Athletics will be able to get a distinct advantage in recruiting and positive encouragement by the families of our players and potential student- athletes, because they will no longer have to be in a situation where just winning the SIAC Conference Championship is the ultimate prize anymore. Our football team just won its 26th outright SIAC Championship last season, after going 3-0 against teams in our conference that made the Division II playoffs.




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Holmes shakes up FAMU football staff

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Earl Holmes expects administrative approval within a few days on three of the six coaches he plans to hire before the Florida A&M football team begins spring practice later this month. Holmes confirmed that much Wednesday, but he wouldn’t say who they were or which positions they would fill.

On Monday, Holmes announced the firing of receivers coach Steven Jerry and secondary coach Jimmie Tyson and said he would complete his staff with assistants who understand his coaching philosophy.

Holmes had said repeatedly since he was hired two months ago that he wants his players to be physical, and he would have a staff that can coach them that way. 

“They fit the mold of what we are trying to do here,” he said. “They understand what the philosophy is and they fit perfectly in that system. All I’m doing now is just trying to reach out and find some coaches who understand what I’m trying to get done.”

In addition to replacing Tyson and Jerry, Holmes also has to find position coaches to work with the running backs, offensive line, as well as a defensive coordinator.

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Alabama State Hornets Announce 2013 Football Schedule

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  A new matchup for the annual Turkey Day Classic, contests with a trio of instate opponents and a game against an SEC team highlight the 2013 Alabama State football schedule.

The first full season in The New ASU Stadium will begin with a home game against Jacksonville State on Labor Day Weekend and end with Stillman in the 90^th Turkey Day Classic.

“We are pleased to release the 2013 ASU football schedule,” Alabama State Interim President Dr. William H. Harris said. “As is reflected on our schedule, we are proud to say that the tradition that is the Turkey Day Classic will be the final regular season game and another state institution, Stillman College, will be our opponent for 2013. In addition to the game, the parade and all of the events that make up the oldest HBCU Classic in the nation will continue, as they are time-honored traditions that are celebrated by the ASU family, the Montgomery community and Turkey Day Classic fans across the country.

“It is unfortunate that Tuskegee University has chosen not to be our opponent for this year's Classic. We had looked forward to continuing the rivalry between TU and ASU because the competition between the institutions has great historical significance. Although it was our desire to continue the matchup, we understand their desire to compete in post-season play,” Harris said.

ASU head football coach Reggie Barlow looks forward to continuing the Turkey Day tradition.

“We've always played the Turkey Day Classic, regardless of who the opponent has been,” Barlow said. “For many years, it has been Tuskegee; but unfortunately, they have other plans, which creates an opportunity for another team. With Stillman being that team and being in Alabama, it gives us the opportunity to continue the Turkey Day Classic and play against a team that is from our state whose fans can embrace it as well,” added Barlow.

Alabama State will begin its 12-game, 2013 campaign on August 31 against the Gamecocks.

“I've always admired their program from afar, and with Coach Bill Clark being there, I imagine they will continue to do well. He knows the state really well and will do a good job. We've always had a lot of respect for them, and we know they will be a solid, well-coached team that will play hard. It's an opportunity for us to have a home game to open the season and see where we are as a team.”

Alabama State will face its traditionally challenging Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule, as well as an early November meeting with Kentucky from the Southeastern Conference.

“Whenever you play non-conference games, you get an opportunity to see how you measure up against bigger universities,” Barlow said. “Right now, the SEC is the dominant conference in college football. Kentucky has a new coach in Mark Stoops, and I know it will be a hard-fought game. It will be great notoriety for our team and be a great experience for everyone involved.”

Following the home opener against the Gamecocks, Alabama State will begin conference play on the road with games at Eastern Division champion Jackson State and SWAC and Western Division champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Hornets will open their home conference schedule with back-to-back games against Grambling State and Alcorn State.

Alabama State starts October on the road at Texas Southern and home against Prairie View A&M. Following an open date, the Hornets will face archrival Alabama A&M in the 72^nd State Farm Magic City Classic in Birmingham.

ASU will begin November at Kentucky before finishing conference play at home against Southern and on the road at Mississippi Valley State. After an open date, the Hornets will host Stillman for the first time in the Turkey Day Classic.

“We talk all the time about the parity in our conference,” Barlow said. “Last year, several of the teams had new coaches and were adjusting to the SWAC. Now, those teams have a year under their belt and are headed in the right direction. To open SWAC play on the road against the two teams that played for the championship will be a real challenge. It will be another challenging conference schedule, and it gives the SWAC fans what they like to see – a lot of good football!”

2013 ALABAMA STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DATE OPPONENT LOCATION TIME

Sat. Aug. 31 JACKSONVILLE STATE MONTGOMERY, ALA. TBA
Sat. Sept. 7 at Jackson State* Jackson, Miss. 6 P.M.
Sat. Sept. 14 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* Pine Bluff, Ark. TBA

Sat. Sept. 21 GRAMBLING STATE* MONTGOMERY, ALA. TBA

Sat. Sept. 28 ALCORN STATE* MONTGOMERY, ALA. TBA

Sat. Oct. 5 at Texas Southern* Houston, Texas TBA

Sat. Oct. 12 PRAIRIE VIEW A&M* MONTGOMERY, ALA. TBA

Sat. Oct. 19 Open Date

Sat. Oct. 26 Alabama A&M * 72nd State Farm Magic City Classic BIRMINGHAM, ALA. TBA

Sat. Nov. 2 Kentucky Lexington, Ky. TBA

Sat. Nov. 9 SOUTHERN* MONTGOMERY, ALA. TBA

Sat. Nov. 16 Mississippi Valley State* Itta Bena, Miss. TBA

Sat. Nov. 23 Open Date

Thur. Nov. 28 STILLMAN 90TH Turkey Day Classic MONTGOMERY, ALA. TBA

Sat. Dec. 14 TOYOTA SWAC Championship TBA TBA

Schedule subject to change; * denotes SWAC games; home games in CAPS; all times central

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

For the first time, Gold Nuggets join Gold Rush in top 10

COACH ALAN GREEN

NEW ORLEANS — In his 10th year as coach of the Xavier University of Louisiana men's and women's tennis teams, Alan Green finally has the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets in the top 10 simultaneously. It happened Tuesday when the NAIA released its third top-25 polls of the season.

The XU men are familiar with the top 10. They're 10th for the second consecutive poll, and this is their 14th consecutive appearance in the top 10. But it's been a long climb back to the top 10 for the XU women, whose only previous appearance was No. 9 on March 7, 2007. The Gold Nuggets are 10th in the new poll, up one place from the previous poll on Feb. 19.

This is the 44th consecutive top-25 appearance for the Gold Rush, which equals the Gold Nuggets' poll streak from 2004-11. The XU men are in the top 20 for the 35th consecutive time, the top 15 for the 20th consecutive time and the top 10 for the 17th time in 18 polls. For the Gold Nuggets, this is their sixth consecutive top-25 appearance and their 51st appearance in the last 61 polls.

The Gold Rush are 1-1 since the previous poll, including a 5-4 home victory last week against Belhaven, which remained No. 12. The Gold Nuggets are 1-4 since the previous poll, but all the losses were to NCAA Division I opponents. The victory was 9-0 against Belhaven, which dropped from 22nd to 24th.

Both XU teams will compete Friday in the AUM Invitational at Montgomery, Ala. The women will play NAIA No. 22 Cumberland at 9 a.m. at the AUM Tennis Complex, and the men will play 22nd-ranked Coastal Georgia at 1 p.m. at Lagoon Park Tennis Center. XU coach Alan Green announced Tuesday that the men of NAIA No. 4 Lindsey Wilson have dropped the Gold Rush from its schedule — they were to meet March 13 in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Several other ranked NAIA teams will compete in the AUM Invitational — Auburn Montgomery (women No. 2, men No. 2), Belhaven, Campbellsville (women No. 13, men No. 15), Cumberland (men No. 11) and the men of Graceland, ranked 17th and coached by XU graduate and former player Monroe Walker.

William Carey, which defeated AUM 5-4 this past week, collected 10-of-12 first-place votes and replaced AUM as the No. 1 women's team. Embry-Riddle (Fla.), despite receiving a season-low 7-of-12 first-place votes, is No. 1 for the third time in as many men's polls this year.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, March 3) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 William Carey (10) 3-3 341 7 2 Auburn Montgomery 3-2 329 1 3 Brenau 6-0 318 2 4 SCAD Savannah (2) 3-2 309 3 5 Lindsey Wilson 2-2 302 4 6 Westmont 7-1 290 5 7 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 3-5 276 6 8 Concordia (Calif.) 4-5 265 8 9 Lewis-Clark State 3-3 256 9 10 Xavier 4-5 240 11 11 Vanguard 4-6 239 10 12 Indiana Wesleyan 15-0 219 12 13 Campbellsville 1-1 208 13 14 Oklahoma Baptist 1-4 189 16 15 Olivet Nazarene 2-3 182 14 16-tie Coastal Georgia 1-4 179 NR 16-tie Northwood (Fla.) 4-1 179 RV 18 Lee (Tenn.) 1-2 144 15 19 Marian (Ind.) 11-2 142 19 20 Robert Morris (Chicago) 0-0 131 17 21 St. Thomas (Fla.) 3-3 130 18 22 Cumberland 0-1 111 20 23 Nebraska Wesleyan 1-4 99 21 24 Belhaven 3-1 88 22 25 Milligan 5-1 73 RV Others receiving votes: Davenport 61, Bethel (Kan.) 61, Martin Methodist 52, Georgetown (Ky.) 33, SCAD Atlanta 22, Evangel 13, Arizona Christian 8, Graceland 7, Indiana Southeast 6, Ashford (Iowa) 5.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, March 3) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (7) 6-1 308 1 2 Auburn Montgomery (1) 5-1 299 2 3 Vanguard (4) 9-0 298 3 4 Lindsey Wilson 2-1 281 4 5 Westmont 5-4 267 tie-5 6 William Carey 3-1 265 tie-5 7 Bethany (Kan.) 6-1 253 7 8 Concordia (Calif.) 4-5 235 8 9 Aquinas 3-3 234 9 10 Xavier 4-4 227 10 11 Cumberland 1-0 206 11 12 Belhaven 3-1 198 12 13 Lewis-Clark State 3-1 187 15 14 Olivet Nazarene 3-2 184 13 15 Campbellsville 1-1 174 14 16 Oklahoma Baptist 3-4 153 21 17 Graceland 4-1 148 18 18 Northwood (Fla.) 3-1 144 RV 19 McPherson 7-2 140 17 20 Pikeville 1-1 130 19 21 Northwestern Ohio 6-2 93 22 22 Coastal Georgia 4-2 90 tie-24 23 Georgetown (Ky.) 2-2 89 23 24 Bethel (Tenn.) 6-0 87 RV 25 Spring Arbor 11-2 72 tie-24 Others receiving votes: Davenport 70, Warner 63, St. Thomas (Fla.) 30, Indiana Wesleyan 21, Webber International 17, Missouri Valley 13, Asbury 11, Hope International 8, Our Lady of the Lake 4.

Familiar situation: Rush, Nuggets headed to nationals

NEW ORLEANS -- The basketball teams of Xavier University of Louisiana will play again. Based on their high rankings in Wednesday's coaches polls, both the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush received at-large bids to next week's NAIA Division I National Championships.

The Gold Nuggets (24-5) fell from 10th to 12th in the women's poll. The Gold Rush (24-7) fell from 13th to a tie for 16th in the men's poll. The XU women received one of 14 at-large bids, and the XU men received one of 17 at-large bids.
The NAIA will announce first-round pairings and times early Wednesday evening. Both tournaments -- the men in Kansas City, Mo., the women in Frankfort, Ky. -- will begin Wednesday, March 13. Thirty-two teams qualified for each site.

Xavier's women qualified for nationals for the fourth consecutive year and the 17th time overall. All of the Gold Nuggets' appearances have occurred in the last 19 seasons. The Gold Nuggets reached the second round seven times, including 2011 and 2012, but never have advanced to the quarterfinals.

Xavier's men qualified for nationals for the third consecutive year, the seventh time in nine seasons and the 14th time overall. The deepest advance of the Gold Rush was the quarterfinals in 1973; the most recent first-round victory was in 2007.

Both XU teams won Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championships this year -- the men shared theirs with Philander Smith -- but both were upset in the quarterfinals of the GCAC Tournament at Little Rock, Ark., last week.

Also qualifying for nationals from the GCAC were the tournament champions, SUNO's women and Philander Smith's men. Philander Smith is ranked 22nd.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Friendly’s Carroll Holmes continues tradition of putting players into college

FORT WASHINGTON, Maryland  --  As detailed in Thursday’s paper, Friendly girls’ basketball Coach Carroll Holmes has a long history of putting players into college, mostly during his time leading the boys at Carroll. The list included Lawrence Moten (Syracuse), Charles Harrison (Georgetown/Wake Forest), Derrick and Cedric Lewis (Maryland) and Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje (Georgetown), among others.

Holmes spent more than two decades coaching in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, and he’s just three years into his stint with the Patriots, but he’s slowly building his list of girls’ players at the next level.

Point guard Precious Winley made the jump off last year’s Maryland 3A South runner-up team to Grambling State in the SWAC where she’s played 11 games this season. Forward Nakita Gray, last year’s second-leading scorer, moved on to North Carolina A&T to become a member of the track and field team.

The next group of college-bound Patriots already features forwards Chayla Lewis (Central Connecticut State) and Janay Carter (Delaware State). Both players made it official during the early signing period in November. Another senior, guard Breanna Brown, continues to weigh her college options but expects to continue her career.

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MVSU releases 2013 football schedule

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- One of the most exciting football schedules in recent Mississippi Valley State history is now complete.

This upcoming season, MVSU will play six home games and kick off its 2013 campaign in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney against Florida A&M on Sunday, Sept. 1 in Orlando at the Florida Citrus Bowl. It will mark the third time the teams have met each other with the Rattlers coming away victorious 10-0 in 1987 and 28-13 in 1990.

Afterwards, the Delta Devils will be at home Sept. 7 against Delta State at 2 p.m. The two teams haven't faced off since 2003 when DSU defeated Valley 45-0.

MVSU will then travel to Alcorn State on Sept. 14 before coming back to Rice-Totten Stadium on Sept. 21 against Southern, who the Delta Devils defeated 6-0 on ESPNU last season. Then on Oct. 5, MVSU will travel to Alabama A&M for a 2 p.m. kickoff before hosting rival Jackson State Oct. 12. A trip to Prairie View A&M will follow on Oct. 19 before celebrating homecoming on Oct. 26 when the Delta Devils host defending SWAC champion Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

The Delta Devils will start November on the road at Grambling State on Nov. 2 before playing their final two games on the season at home against Texas Southern on Nov. 9 and Alabama State on Nov. 16.

MVSU will play six home games, four road contests and the neutral site game against FAMU. The Delta Devils are coming off a 5-6 record, including three straight victories to close out the 2012 season.

MVSU DELTA DEVILS 2013 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date         Opponent                 Time                        Site

9/1            Florida A&M              5:00 p.m. (EST)   Orlando, Fla. (MEAC/SWAC Challenge)9/7            Delta State                2:00 p.m.             Itta Bena, Miss.
9/14          Alcorn State*              TBA                     Lorman, Miss.
9/21          Southern*                   TBA                     Itta Bena, Miss.
10/5          Alabama A&M*           2:00 p.m.             Huntsville, Ala.
10/12        Jackson State*           TBA                     Itta Bena, Miss.
10/19        Prairie View*               TBA                     Prairie View, Texas
10/26        Arkansas-Pine Bluff*  TBA                     Itta Bena, Miss. (Homecoming)11/2          Grambling State*        TBA                    Grambling, La.
11/9          Texas Southern*        1:00 p.m.            Itta Bena, Miss.
11/16        Alabama State*         1:00 p.m.            Itta Bena, Miss.

*SWAC Contest
BOLD: Home Game

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Nuggets, Rush draw Faulkner in first round of nationals

NEW ORLEANS -- It'll be a double shot of Faulkner for Xavier University of Louisiana's basketball teams in next week's NAIA Division I National Championships.

Both the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will play Faulkner, a Montgomery, Ala., university, in first-round matchups on Thursday, March 14. The XU women will play Faulkner at 10:45 a.m. at the Frankfort Convention Center in Frankfort, Ky., and the XU men will play the Eagles at 9:45 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

The NAIA announced pairings for its women's and men's tournaments Wednesday night, about three hours after revealing new top-25 polls and the teams which qualified for nationals. This is the ninth time that the Nuggets and Rush qualified in the same season, but it's the first time they'll play the same school in the opening round.

Xavier's women are 24-5 and ranked 12th, and the Lady Eagles are 25-6 and ranked 21st. Xavier's men are 24-7 and tied for 16th, and Faulkner is 28-5 and ranked 18th. The Gold Nuggets are one of four No. 3 seeds, and the XU men are a No. 15 seed overall, their highest since 2001. The women's and men's tournaments both have 32 teams, but the brackets are seeded differently.

For the Nuggets, it'll be a rematch of a Dec. 29 game which Faulkner won 66-64 in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Huntingdon College in Montgomery. But for the Rush, it'll be the first meeting with Faulkner since the 2004-05 season.

"We'll have a very good matchup with Faulkner," said XU women's coach Bo Browder, whose teams have qualified for nationals in 12 of his 14 seasons. "However, Faulkner will have an advantage with their 6-3 All-America center, Brittney Carter. Can we guard her?"

Carter, a senior, had 18 points and 11 rebounds against Xavier in December and scored the winning basket with four seconds remaining.

Faulkner's men have beaten Xavier 3-of-5 times and won the last three meetings. Most recently, the Eagles won 67-62 at The Barn on Nov. 18, 2004 -- Xavier's only loss in its first 10 games that season.

"Our team is excited about being selected and to be able to represent our university at nationals," said XU men's coach Dannton Jackson, whose teams have qualified in eight of his 10 seasons. "Faulkner is a tough team with a great post game. We have some common opponents with them. We are looking forward to the challenge."

Both Xavier games will occur on the second day of first-round matchups. The Gold Rush game will be final one of the men's first round, the same thing Xavier experienced in 2008 against California Baptist. That game tipped off approximately 45 minutes late and finished around midnight.

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

XU's Rolland, Jackson and Kennie collect GCAC awards

Devinn Rolland

Zahri Jackson

Christopher Kennie

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Devinn Rolland, Zahri Jackson and Christopher Kennie are the first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week in outdoor track and field for the spring 2013 semester.

Rolland, a sophomore from Harvey, La., and a graduate of Cabrini High School, won the women's field award after qualifying Saturday for the NAIA National Championships in Xavier's first meet of the season, the Tulane Team Challenge at Tad Gormley Stadium. She long-jumped 5.66 meters (18 feet, 7 inches) to meet the NAIA's A-standard and finish second out of eight competitors. She also ran anchor on Xavier's 400-meter relay team which finished second in 49.83 seconds.

Jackson, a sophomore from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School, won the women's track award after running 1,500 meters in 4 minutes, 48.71 seconds at the Tulane meet to finish first in a field of 11. Winning GCAC awards is nothing new for Jackson, who shares the conference's women's cross country record with eight awards.

Kennie, a freshman from New Orleans and a graduate of Holy Cross High School, won the men's field award after long-jumping 6.88 meters (22 feet, 7 inches) and finishing first at Tulane in his collegiate debut. Kennie also triple-jumped 12.54 meters (41 feet, 1¾ inches) to place second. His mark in the long jump was better than the winning mark at the 2012 GCAC Championships.

Xavier's women and men will compete Saturday in the McNeese Cowboy Relays at Lake Charles, La. Xavier will play host to the GCAC Championships on April 13 at Tad Gormley.

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

Three Tennessee State Tigers Selected to All-OVC Teams

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Junior guard Patrick Miller was selected to the Ohio Valley Conference's First Team as announced by the league office on Tuesday. Senior forwards Robert Covington and Kellen Thornton made the OVC's Second Team.

 

Miller made the six-man all-conference first team after a season in which he ranked first in the OVC in assists (5.5/game), fifth in steals (1.7/game), seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.6) and 12th in scoring (14.6 points/game). Miller had three double-doubles during the season (reaching that mark with points and assists) and nearly had a triple-double at OVC champion Belmont when he had eight points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.

Miller was selected to the OVC's All-Preseason Team before the start of the year.

Also selected to the All-Preseason Team was Covington, who ended up averaging 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per contest. His number probably would have gotten him on the first team, had he not been forced to miss 10 games with a knee injury.

This marks the third straight time that Covington has made the all-conference team. He was named to the OVC's All-Newcomer Team as a freshman.

For Thornton, his selection comes on the heels of a year in which he averaged 15.5 points, 7.9 boards and 0.6 blocks per game. The Chicago native also led the team with a .547 shooting percentage.

Thornton was named to the OVC's All-Newcomer Team last season- one year after transferring from Illinois State.

2012-13 All-OVC Men's Basketball Teams/Awards

OVC Co-Players of the Year: Ian Clark, Belmont and Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
OVC Defensive Player of the Year: Ian Clark, Belmont
OVC Freshman of the Year: Chris Horton, Austin Peay
OVC Coach of the Year: Rick Byrd, Belmont

All-OVC First Team
Ian Clark, Belmont
Isaiah Canaan, Murray State
Mike DiNunno, Eastern Kentucky
Kerron Johnson, Belmont
Ed Daniel, Murray State
Patrick Miller, Tennessee State

All-OVC Second Team
Jud Dillard, Tennessee Tech
Robert Covington, Tennessee State
Kellen Thornton, Tennessee State
Tarvin Gaines, Jacksonville State
Tyler Stone, Southeast Missouri

OVC All-Newcomer TeamGlenn Cosey, Eastern Kentucky
Travis Betran, Austin Peay
Corey Walden, Eastern Kentucky
Jeremiah Samarrippas, Tennessee Tech
Sherman Blanford, Eastern Illinois
Chris Horton, Austin Peay

There are 6 players on the All-OVC first-team and All-Newcomer team due to ties in voting.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION