UDC fires basketball coach Jeff Ruland

Jeff Ruland

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Jeff Ruland will no longer be the men’s coach at the University of the District of Columbia as of next month. The former Washington Bullet and NBA all-star was fired by the school after going 6-20 this past season.

When reached by telephone, Ruland declined to comment. UDC Athletic Director Pat Thomas confirmed the dismissal, but said, “I can’t comment any further.”

Under Ruland, who was in the fourth year of a five-year contract, the Firebirds made a big turnaround, going from 1-20 his first season to 22-6 his third season. In 2011, he took UDC to the NCAA Division II tournament for the first time in 25 years.

His success came despite UDC being placed on NCAA probation prior to his arrival because of, as the infraction report detailed, “the single most egregious lack of institutional control ever seen by the [NCAA] committee.” The school was on probation the entire time Ruland was there.

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DSU Hornets Outplay Towson Tigers for Seventh Straight Win

DOVER, Delaware  --  The Delaware State baseball team collected 11 hits and took advantage of four Towson errors in a 10-7 victory over the Tigers at Soldier Field this afternoon. The Hornets have won their last seven games to improve to 19-7 this season. Towson fell to 13-14.

Aaron Nardone was 3-for-5 with two runs batted in, while J.P. Frey, Cameron Cecil and Mike Alexander collected two hits each for the Hornets.  Nardone had two doubles in the contest to give him a team-high seven this season.

Towson opened the scoring with two runs off Delaware State starter Zach Adkins in the top of the first inning.

Delaware State scored five runs on just three hits in the second inning to take the lead. The Hornets tallied three runs in the inning on Towson errors and a fourth on a wild pitch. Alexander singled to lead off the inning. He advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Eddie Sorondo. Hassan Evans followed with a single to put DSU runners on third and first.  Nick Arrue was at the plate when Alexander scored the Hornets’ first run on a wild pitch by Towson starter Kevin Ross. Two batters later, Frey singled to right field to score Evans with the tying run. The next batter, Cameron Cecil, reached on a throwing error by Towson shortstop Hunter Bennett. Cameron Onderko scored on the play to give the Hornets a 3-2 lead. After a walk to Ryan Haas, Nardone reached on an error by Tiger second baseman Pat Fitzgerald. Frey crossed the plate on the play to stretch DSU’s lead to 4-2. Alexander, batting for the second time in the inning, reached on an error by Towson pitcher Ross. Cecil scored on the play, giving the Hornets a 5-2 lead.

Towson scored two runs in the third inning off Adkins and one in the fourth off Hornet reliever Bobby Brown to tie the game at 5-5.

Delaware State answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead for good. Cecil started the rally with a one-out single. Haas followed with a walk to give the Hornets runners at second and first with one out. Nardone followed with a hard ground ball to second. The ball took a bad hop off the side of the head of Towson second baseman Fitzgerald and rolled into the outfield for a double. Cecil scored on the play to put the Hornets on top 6-5. Fitzgerald was shaken up but stayed in the game.

The Hornets padded their lead with four runs in the fifth. Cecil and Haas had run scoring doubles, while Nardone and Alexander singled in runs in the inning. Alexander’s hit gave DSU a 10-5 lead.

The Tigers scored two runs off DSU reliever George Michael in the sixth to pull to within 10-7. 

Delaware State reliever Zach Candeloro retired all three batters he faced in the eighth; and Derek Marshallsea pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the season for the Hornets.

Haas was one-for-two with a RBI in the contest, giving him seven hits and 10 runs batted in his last 11 at bats (.636).  

Brown pitched 1.1 innings out of the bullpen to earn his first win of the season (1-1).

Delaware State will return to MEAC North play this weekend at home against Norfolk State. The series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon. The teams will play a single game on Sunday starting at 1:00 p.m.

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

24th Southern Heritage Classic Set For September 14

MEMPHIS, Tennessee  -- The 24th annual Southern Heritage Classic between Tennessee State and Jackson State is set for September 14 at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

This marks the 20th year in a row (and 22nd overall) that the teams have squared off in this Classic which began in 1990. Tennessee State is 12-11 all-time in the event while Jackson State is 9-12. The all-time series between the two schools is at 25-20-2 in favor of TSU.

The Big Blue won the 2012 meeting 38-12 in front of 42,257.

Thousands come back annually to Memphis for the lively tailgate parties, the classic rivalry, to tee off in the celebrity golf tournament and to experience music made in Memphis. For more information, go to southernheritageclassic.com.

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

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Dwight Floyd's Special Commentary: FAMU Got It Right When Rutgers Didn’t

"The Editor"
DWIGHT FLOYD
 

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  In one case a player complained of sexual harassment and abuse. In another case there is a videotape that clearly shows physical and emotional abuse—that’s what they call it in law enforcement. Some may argue with the findings, so remember that I am only discussing the action that was taken based on a sustained charge.

When Florida A&M University sustained charges of abuse through an investigation conducted by the university police department, its administration did not hesitate to fire the head coach. Most of the information that led to the sustained charge was based on witness statements, some confirming and others denying that anything negative happened.

In the Rutgers case it is not a matter of determining the facts because it is right there on videotape for everyone to see. Yet, Rutgers head basketball coach Mike Rice retained his job long after the allegations were brought to the school’s attention and later confirmed through an investigation by the athletic department.

See ESPN.com to review videotape & Interview.

On videotape coach Rice is seen tossing balls at players’ heads and feet. According to ESPN he called them “fagots” and “fairies”, obviously intending to demean them. He grabbed them like a bully and pushed them around. He kicked them like a raging spoiled brat, or worse. The videotape shows that he did it on numerous occasions with obvious intent.

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West is best: XU sophomore receives NAIA national honor

Olivia West

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Olivia West was selected NAIA National Women's Tennis Player of the Week, the NAIA announced Wednesday.

West, a sophomore from Humble, Texas, and a graduate of Atascocita High School, was honored for March 25-31 after going 2-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles during the Gold Nuggets' spring-break trip to Florida. Xavier won all three of its dual matches, including a 6-3 victory against then-NAIA No. 14 Northwood and a 7-2 decision against then-No. 7 Embry-Riddle.

West's 0-6, 6-2, 6-0 victory against Melanie Snowberger clinched the Northwood dual.

During the past four seasons, seven from Xavier have won NAIA National Player/Athlete of the Week awards. West is the second women's tennis player to be honored; teammate Kourtney Howell won in 2012. Zahri Jackson won the women's outdoor track award for March 18-24. West, Howell and Jackson are Houston-area residents.

XU's women and men will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play William Carey at 3 p.m. Friday, then play Auburn Montgomery at 2 p.m. Saturday at the new XU Tennis Center. In the NAIA coaches polls announced Tuesday, William Carey is second, AUM third and Xavier sixth in the women's rankings, and AUM is first, William Carey sixth and Xavier eighth in the men's.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XULAATHLETICS

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships April 13 at Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans Field Events: 8:45 a.m. Track Events: 9:30 a.m. Meet Information

Alabama State football coach Reggie Barlow talks after first day of spring practice

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  With a 2013 recruitingclass that was ranked tops in black college football d a slew of transfers from schools such as Florida, West Virginia, Southern Miss. and Arkansas State to go along with a talented core of returners such as SWAC Newcomer of the Year running back Isaiah Crowell, the Hornets could be among the early favorites in the conference.

Watch coach Reggie Barlow talk about acclimating the new guys into his system and  his hopes for the newcomers in this short clip. 

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Keith Pough: 2013 NFL Draft Scouting Report for the Howard OLB

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Keith Pough is an underrated linebacker from Howard University in the MEAC. He's one of the more unique prospects in this year's draft because he could have easily played in the FBS but chose instead to go to the FCS. He's the kind of prospect almost any coach in the NFL would love to have.

Let's explore how Keith projects to the NFL:

Overall Strengths
+ Athletically gifted player on film
+ Excellent, reliable tackler
+ Tremendous pass rusher

Overall Weaknesses
- Coverage instincts aren't great
- Will wash out in the run game from bigger blockers
- Competition questions from playing at a smaller school

Draft Projection
He should be taken anywhere from the middle of Round 3 to the end of Round 6.




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MEAC Champs Offer Youth Summer Hoops Camp

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  North Carolina A&T State University will hold the Youth Summer Basketball Camp, June 10-June 14. The camp will begin each day at 8:30 a.m., at A&T’s Corbett Sports Center, and will conclude at 12:30 p.m.

The camp is offered to boys ages 7-14 for a fee of $110 before June 1 and $125 any time after. In order to properly register, an application and deposit must be mailed to Men’s Basketball, 1601 E. Market Street, Greensboro, N.C., 27411  For more information, please call Don Corbett at (336) 285-3611 or email him at dmcorbet@ncat.edu.

REGISTRATION FORM (.pdf)

 

Registration Form

New FAMU RB coach focuses first on fundamentals

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Elijah Williams doesn’t plan to reinvent the wheel for the running back corps at FAMU. He just wants to make sure that when they come out of the backfield with the ball, it doesn’t result in a wasted down.

So since the former University of Florida star came on as running backs coach, he’s been preaching two things — ball-control and efficiency.

“I have to let these guys know that you can’t be a running team if you’re fumbling the ball,” Williams said Tuesday. “We have to be very precise and efficient with our ball security.

“A good back never fumbles, he never falls sideways or backward. He always falls forward. I don’t care if the lineman misses the block, you find the line of scrimmage and you fall for it. We have to do these things; so that’s all on me.”



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Bluefield State netters snag two victories

Men Tennis: BSC vs WV State Univ.
Date: April 3
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Bluefield City Tennis Courts

CHARLESTON. West Virginia — In a matchup between the top two teams in the Atlantic Region, the Bluefield State men’s tennis team prevailed with a 5-0 win over regionally-ranked No. 2 Shaw University (N.C.) Monday morning in the WVIAC/CIAA Round-Up hosted by the University of Charleston. The Big Blues (11-2) followed that with another 5-0 win over Atlantic Region no. 7 Winston-Salem State.

In the match with the Bears (13-2), BSC took a quick lead after doubles play, when Jacob Carey and Pitor Kruk teamed up to defeat Charles Silva and Sergio Cuartas 8-3 in the no. 1 doubles match. Niklass Sparr and Vlad Catlan (8-4) won in second doubles, and the Big Blues picked up a no. 3 doubles win by default to put BSC on top 3-0 heading into singles play.

The Big Blues moved to 4-0 a lead due to a default win at the no. 6 singles position and won the match after Conner Pickering defeated Andre Monti 6-1, 6-2 in the no. 4 singles match.

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Charlotte 49ers Football Primer: A quick look at Chowan

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  We began our Charlotte 49ers football spring primer series by looking at the Charlotte 49ers’ first opponent, Campbell. We move on to September 7, when the Chowan Hawks pay a visit to the Queen City.

Chowan Hawks
September 7, 2013
McColl-Richardson Field
Last year: 6-4 (5-2 CIAA)
Head Coach: Tim Place (5th season)

The Division II Hawks enjoyed a 5-2 record in the CIAA last year and a 6-4 record overall, good for its first winning season since 1999. Part of the reason was the play of quarterback Cameron Stover; the junior threw for 2,358 yards, 19 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in 2012. Stover is back for his senior season, and joining him will be his leading receivers: sophomore Ryan Nolan (led the team in receiving last year in route to a CIAA All-Rookie selection) and juniors Antjuan Randall and JR Williams–the trio combined for 109 catches, 1,562 yards and 12 touchdowns. The trio stepped up in the absence of first-team selection Robert Holland, who went down in week one against Livingstone. In the backfield, the Hawks will be missing leading rusher Elliot Smalls, and they’ll look to younger players to fill the gap. The offensive line will feature some questions, as well, as CIAA first team postseason pick Jobari Coleman-Wilson has graduated; the unit still has some depth going into next season.

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XU Gold Rush remain eighth in the NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana remained eighth Tuesday in the newest NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll. It's the 16th consecutive top-10 appearance for the XU men — a streak which began in May 2011 — and their 19th in the last 20 polls.

Xavier (10-6) won 3-of-4 dual matches since the March 19 poll, including road victories against NCAA Division I New Orleans and Northwood (Fla.), which is ranked 15th in the NAIA. The Gold Rush have five victories this season against teams in this week's top 25 — also No. 9 Cumberland, No. 14 Belhaven, No. 17 Oklahoma Baptist and No. 20 Webber International — and three against NCAA D-Is.

This the 46th consecutive Gold Rush appearance in the top 25. That streak began with the poll of April 4, 2007.

Xavier has four losses against top-7 teams, and two will face the Rush this week in rematches. Xavier will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play No. 6 William Carey at 3 p.m. Friday, then the Rush will play No. 1 Auburn Montgomery at 2 p.m. Saturday at the new XU Tennis Center. AUM defeated Xavier 5-4 on March 10 on the final day of the AUM Invitational. AUM's score included two matches Xavier defaulted because of insufficient players.

NAIA Men's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, March 31) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Auburn Montgomery (6) 12-3 306 1 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (4) 14-2 302 2 3 Vanguard (2) 17-0 298 3 4 Lindsey Wilson 6-2 279 4 5 Westmont 8-9 272 5 6 William Carey 7-2 262 6 7 Bethany (Kan.) 11-1 253 7 8 Xavier 10-6 246 8 9 Cumberland 9-2 229 11 10 Concordia (Calif.) 8-9 223 9 11 Bethel (Tenn.) 16-1 210 10 12 Lewis-Clark State 5-1 203 12 13 Aquinas 14-4 192 13 14 Belhaven 10-3 187 14 15 Northwood (Fla.) 9-4 166 15 16 Campbellsville 5-5 147 17 17 Oklahoma Baptist 10-7 145 16 18 Northwestern Ohio 9-4 137 22 19 McPherson 12-5 132 19 20 Webber International 10-7 127 RV 21 Olivet Nazarene 3-8 119 18 22 Warner 8-6 108 RV 23 Graceland 10-5 84 RV 24 Martin Methodist 12-6 83 RV 25 Spring Arbor 15-4 77 23 Others receiving votes: St. Thomas (Fla.) 54, Pikeville 53, Indiana Wesleyan 39, Coastal Georgia 31, Martin Methodist 31, Cumberlands 10, Hope International 5, Asbury 3.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

2013 Travis Williams Basketball Camps Announced by TSU

Nashville, Tennessee – The Tennessee State men’s basketball team has just announced the dates and times for its four Travis Williams Summer Camp offerings.

The summer will kick off with the Boys’ Basketball Camp on June 3-6 and continue with the first High School Team Play Day on June 8. On June 15, the coaches will welcome fathers and their children as well as host the second High School Team Play Day.

Complete Williams Summer Camp information can be found, here.

All of TSU's Summer Camp offerings can be found by following this link.

 

2013 Williams Summer Camps

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Nuggets are No. 6 — best rank by an XU team since '98

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's tennis team reached new heights again Tuesday when it climbed to No. 6 in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll.

 Not only is it the Gold Nuggets' best-ever ranking, but it's also:
• The highest NAIA ranking by any XU team since women's basketball was No. 6 on March 2, 1998.
• The best ranking by an XU tennis team, topping the men's No. 7 in the final three polls of 2012.
• The first time since 2009 that the Gold Nuggets rank ahead of the Gold Rush. The XU men held steady at No. 8.

The Nuggets' previous record was No. 8 in the previous poll on March 19. Key to the their poll boost Tuesday was a 3-0 record during their spring-break trip to Florida this past week, including a 7-2 victory at then-No. 7 Embry-Riddle. It was the Nuggets' first victory against a top-10 opponent since 2005, and they became the first NAIA women's team to win at Embry-Riddle since 2009.

Xavier is 11-7 overall, but all the losses are to NCAA Division I opponents. The Nuggets are 7-0 against NAIA top-25 teams.

More challenges await the Nuggets this week. They'll travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to play second-ranked William Carey at 3 p.m. Friday, then play No. 3 Auburn Montgomery at 2 p.m. Saturday at the new XU Tennis Center. If coach Alan Green does not reschedule or add any matches, the AUM dual will be the Nuggets' final home appearance of 2013.

NAIA Women's Tennis Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Sunday, March 31) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Brenau (12) 8-2 312 1 2 William Carey 9-5 302 2 3 Auburn Montgomery 9-5 291 3 4 SCAD Savannah 9-2 282 4 5 Lindsey Wilson 8-2 271 5 6 Xavier 11-7 257 8 7 Westmont 14-1 256 6 8 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 7-8 241 7 9 Concordia (Calif.) 8-8 232 9 10 Lewis-Clark State 3-7 224 10 11 Oklahoma Baptist 10-5 205 13 12 Vanguard 8-13 202 11 13 Indiana Wesleyan 16-0 194 12 14 Northwood (Fla.) 7-5 183 14 15 Coastal Georgia 5-7 171 15 16 Cumberland 6-4 165 20 17 St. Thomas (Fla.) 5-8 142 19 18 Olivet Nazarene 5-5 141 17 19 Campbellsville 4-6 133 16 20 Lee (Tenn.) 2-3 128 18 21 Marian (Ind.) 15-6 107 21 22 Southeastern (Fla.) 7-9 84 RV 23 Belhaven 8-4 79 tie-23 24 SCAD Atlanta 4-0 65 RV 25 Nebraska Wesleyan 4-6 60 22 Others receiving votes: Ashford 48, Hope International 48, Robert Morris (Chicago) 45, Milligan 39, Bethel (Kan.) 19, Davenport 18, Georgetown (Ky.) 16, Martin Methodist 14, Evangel 5, Graceland 4, Indiana Southeast 3, Aquinas 3.

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

SU set to host Pelican Relays April 5-6

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --   Southern University track and field will host the Davenport-Milburn Pelican Relays April 5-6 at the Roscoe Moore Track on the Baton Rouge Campus.

The two-day meet will feature high school and youth track programs. Admissios is $5 and all spectators are asked to enter A.W. Mumford Stadium from the West side gate.

Field events start at 1 p.m. on Friday followed by the opening ceremonies and running events at 4:30 p.m.

For more info on the Pelican Relays, including information packet, log on to gojagsports.com.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Spring Practice: Defense Returns All 11 Starters

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -  One of the strengths for the 2012 Tennessee State football team was the stellar defense. It should be more of the same for the upcoming season as the Tigers return all 11 starters in 2013.
 

The Tigers led the OVC in total defense last year giving up the fewest yards in the league and were second in the conference giving up 22 points per game. TSU was also the final FCS team to give up more than 20 points in a game.

Defensive back Steven Godbolt III led the country with 0.60 interceptions per game. As a sophomore, the Florida native picked off six passes, was named to the All-OVC first team defense and was a third-team All-American selection by the Associated Press.

Linebacker Nick Thrasher finished third in the conference with 105 total tackles, the 11th most in a single season in school history.

The daily start time for spring practice has been moved up to 3:45 p.m., with the Saturday scrimmages slated for 9 a.m. The Tigers complete spring practice schedule is as follows:

Wed., April 3

Fri., April 5

Sat., April 6

Mon., April 8

Wed., April 10

Fri., April 12

Sat., April 13

Mon., April 15

Wed., April 17

Sat., April 20 (Spring Game - 3 p.m.)

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

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

2013 Kentucky State University Football Spring Preview

JOSH DEAN
INTERIM HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
(Photo Courtesy: KSU Athletics)

FRANKFORT, Kentucky  –  There may still be snow flurries in the weather forecast but spring is in the air on the campus of Kentucky State University.

As the Kentucky State University football team takes the field at Alumni Stadium for practice once again, the sound of whistles and the pop of shoulder pads mark the start of spring.

 Part of the official kick-off of KSU spring football is the annual “Green and Gold” game.

This year's spring football game will be played on Friday, April 12^th, at Alumni Stadium. The stadium will be open to fans at 4 p.m. with kick-off is set for 5 p.m.

The game will consist of the offensive unit versus the defensive unit. Points will be awarded to the offense for converting first downs, big run plays, scoring plays, etc. The defense will be given points for making stops, turnovers, big hits, etc.

KSU will have many familiar faces on both sides of the ball this upcoming season. There are a total of 16 returning starters from last year's team, eight on both the offensive and defensive side.

This spring the KSU coaching staff will be implementing brand new offensive and defensive schemes for the upcoming season.

The offense will look to open up the field and create opportunities for big plays. With that said, the running game will still be the strength of the offense. This is in part, due to the fact that Kentucky State is returning all five of its starting offensive lineman from last season's team.

On the defensive side of the ball, the coaching staff will implement a more aggressive game plan with an emphasis on takeaways. With so many returning starters the coaching staff is confident in the player's ability to adapt to changes in the overall defensive scheme.

According to Interim Head Coach Josh Dean there will be an open competition at several key positions this spring including quarterback.

The two frontrunners for the starting quarterback position are Adam Robinson (6'2 215), a junior college transfer from Laney College in Oakland, CA and Bobby Brewer (6'3 210), who started his collegiate career at KSU, transferred to Campbellsville, and is now back with the Thorobreds.

Interim Head Coach Josh Dean talked about his plans for the football program at KSU. “We want to change the culture here at Kentucky State. It's our plan, as a team, to bring a sense of pride back to the program. That can only happen if everyone is fully invested in what we are trying to accomplish.”

Part of Coach Dean's plan to get fans and alumni more invested in the football program is to open up practices and team walk-through's to the public.

“We want people to feel like they are a part of this program. Part of our plan is to bridge the gap between the alumni and the current Thorobreds. I feel that by connecting with our extensive history, we can build a sense of pride in what we are playing for.”

Players to Watch

OffenseJacquise Lockett (Running Back)

Junior/6-1/225/Fulton City, KY

Justin Williams (Running Back/Wide Receiver)
Junior /5-10/182/Pompano Beach, FL

Zach LaGrange (Offensive Lineman)
Senior /6-1/322/Goshen, KY

Troy Churchill, Jr. (Wide Receiver)

Senior /6-1/187/Louisville, KY

Defense

Edward Dunaway (Defensive Back)

Senior/5-10/200/Columbus, OH

Eric Rawls (Defensive Back)
Sophomore/6-2/180/ Pompano Beach, FL

Terry Horton (Linebacker)
Junior /5-11/240/Haines City, FL

Deshon Floyd (Defensive End)
Junior/5-11/200/Frankfort, KY

Jeremy Lewis (Defensive Back)
Junior/5-9/171/Chicago, IL

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Five questions as Alabama State starts spring football Tuesday

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  1. Who'll emerge as the starting quarterback? Alabama State will take to the field without former dual-threat standout Greg Jenkins under center when it begins spring football practice Tuesday. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder from Dade City, Fla. accounted for nearly 2,200 yards of offense last season, throwing for nearly 1,700 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 500-plus and eight scores to lead the Hornets to a 7-4 records.

It would seem as if sophomore Daniel Duhart, last year's backup, would have an early beat on the gig. He was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week when he led ASU from down 14 in the second quarter at Prairie View A&M (Texas) after Jenkins went out with an injury, completing 21 of 35 attempts for 192 yards in a 35-21 Week 9 win.

Last year's third-string quarterback Demetric Price transferred to Division II Miles. Duhart will have healthy competition from a pair of mid-year transfers in juniors Arsenio Favor (Southern Miss.) and Samuel Gibson (Arkansas State). Incoming freshman Quinterris Toppings, who passed for 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns while being picked off seven times at Blount High School last season, could also factor into the equation.

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XU's Svoboda repeats as player of the week; West wins her 1st

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Viktor Svoboda is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men's tennis for March 25-31, and XU's Olivia West won the women's tennis award. Svoboda is the first Gold Rush tennis player to win the conference award in consecutive weeks since Terry Richardson in 2009. The junior from Kamenice, Czech Republic, and graduate of Vitezna Plan High School was 3-0 in singles and 2-1 in doubles during Xavier's spring-break trip to Florida. His singles victory clinched Xavier's dual victory against Webber International. His victory against Embry-Riddle's Miguel Lopez Gomez extended his singles win streak to eight.

Viktor Svoboda

Olivia West

It's the third time this season that Svoboda won the GCAC award, which matches the conference's season record set by Richardson in 2009 and tied by Zach Taylor in 2011 and 2012.

West, a sophomore from Humble, Texas, and a graduate of Atascocita High School, won the GCAC award for the first time. She had her best week of the season, going 2-0 in singles and 3-0 in doubles in Florida. West's three-set victory against Melanie Snowberger at No. 6 singles clinched Xavier's 6-3 victory against NAIA No. 14 Northwood. The Gold Nuggets also defeated No. 7 Embry-Riddle.

West entered the week with season records of 2-5 in singles and 1-4 in doubles. Against Embry-Riddle, West helped Xavier earn its second-ever road victory against a top-10 team and first since 2005 — and Xavier became the first NAIA women's opponent since 2009 to win at Embry-Riddle.

Both XU teams will play at 3 p.m. Friday at William Carey and 2 p.m. Saturday against Auburn Montgomery at the new XU Tennis Center. All the XU opponets are ranked among the top six in the NAIA. Both Xavier teams are ranked eighth, and new coaches polls will be announced Tuesday.

By Ed Cassiere, SID
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships April 13 at Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans Field Events: 8:45 a.m. Track Events: 9:30 a.m. Meet Information

VSU rallies in seventh inning to stun Chowan

ETTRICK, Virginia  –  Virginia State University reliever Maso Cotton thought he was softening the blow of a lop-sided defeat on Saturday. In actuality, the right-handed pitcher was weaving the fabric of the most improbable win of his college career.

With his team trailing by four runs and sputtering on offense against a red-hot Chowan team, Cotton took the mound in the fifth inning and kept the visiting Hawks at bay for the remainder of the game.

His solid showing appeared to be little more than a consolation prize until the Trojans assembled a six-run rally in the seventh and final frame to tie the contest at 10-10.

Cotton continued to befuddle the once-sizzling visitors until VSU mustered a game-winning run in the 11th to prevail 11-10 in a thrilling CIAA game at Whaley Colbert Field in Ettrick.

“I definitely came in thinking ...

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Florida A&M's miscues draw Holmes' attention

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Coach Earl Holmes had a one-track mind during the huddle after Saturday’s first spring scrimmage for the FAMU football team.

He wasted little time letting the Rattlers know that he wasn’t pleased with them the six times that whistles were blown for penalties. FAMU committed 98 penalties last season, averaging 76.9 yards in penalties per game and the Rattlers were the third-most penalized team in the league.

“We’ve got a long way to go, fellas,” he said after asking a few of the players who committed mistakes to stand up.

Afterward he was quick to point out that he still expects every player to be as aggressive as he could be, whether on offense or defense.

“I will never tell a guy don’t be aggressive,” Holmes ...




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Alabama A&M QB Brandon Wells talks about his performance in the Bulldogs' spring football game

NORMAL, Alabama---Calera native Brandon Wells was a bright spot for the Bulldogs' offense, connecting on 5 of 6 attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown after a rough start in the annual Maroon and White spring football game Saturday. 

Watch the 6-foot-3, 170-pounder talk about his play in this short clip.

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