Saturday, July 27, 2013
Five SSU Tigers Receive Preseason All-MEAC Honors
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Head football coaches and sports information directors of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference have selected five Savannah State football players to the Preseason All-MEAC squad. The selections were announced at the annual MEAC football press luncheon held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott Hotel.
Senior wide receiver Simon Heyward made the first team offense while senior defensive back John Wilson was named to the second team defense. Dylan Cook (wide receiver) and Kris Drummond (tight end) were named to the third team offense while senior Micah Blount (defensive lineman) was named to the third team defense.
Heyward (5-11, 185) had 44 receptions for 751 yards and six touchdowns last year. The Savannah, Georgia native enters his senior year with 116 career receptions for 1,381 yards and eight touchdowns. Earlier this summer, Heyward was named to the First Team by College Sports Madness Preseason All-MEAC team Heyward is also on the watch list for the College Football Performance Awards FCS Wide Receiver Award. The award is given annually to the top wide receiver in the Football Championship Subdivision. Heyward is one of 34 players on the watch list.
Wilson (5-10, 175) finished last season with 68 tackles , three tackles for losses, four interceptions and seven pass break-ups. The Athens, GA native also blocked one kick.
Cook (6-2, 190), a senior from Hiram, GA, caught 37 passes a year ago for 491 yards and one touchdown while Drummond (6-5, 215), a junior who hails from Washington, D.C., hauled in 21 receptions for 318 yards and a touchdown. Blount (6-6, 225) played in nine games last year and had 37 tackles, four tackles for losses. The Stone Mountain, GA native also had 2.5 sacks.
Savannah State, which received one first place vote, was picked to finish 11th in the MEAC.
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B-CU’s Jackson, Fields and FAMU’s Fleming Earn Top Honors
NORFOLK, Virginia – Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming and Bethune-Cookman running back Isidore Jackson along with linebacker Jarkevis Fields received top honors as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its 2013 preseason football players of the year at the annual Football Press Luncheon Banquet on Friday afternoon at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel in Virginia.
All preseason honors are voted on by the MEAC’s football coaches and sports information directors.
Bethune-Cookman, the defending conference champion, was predicted to finish first in the annual preseason poll. The Wildcats finished the 2012 season with an unblemished 8-0 mark and 9-3 overall record. For the second straight year South Carolina State was picked to finish second while North Carolina A&T was selected to finish third.
Fleming finished second in the MEAC in passing yards with 2,175, completing 214-of-308 pass attempts. He ranked second in the conference in passing efficiency (142.2) and passing yards per game (196.1). Fleming led the Rattlers in total offense (2,351) in 11 games of action.
Jackson, a native of Mossy Head, Florida, led the MEAC in rushing with 1,069 yards on 191 attempts. He averaged 89.1 yards per game and recorded 11 touchdowns. He finished third on the team in receiving with 148 yards, averaging 12.3 yards per game. He led the Wildcats in scoring (72 points) and all-purpose yards (1,217) during his junior season.
Fields finished sixth in the conference and led the Wildcats in total tackles with 103 including 46 solo and 57 assists. He averaged 8.6 tackles per game and recorded six tackles for a loss, four breakups, four deflections, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Florida A&M led all teams with six student-athletes receiving first-team preseason honors. Bethune-Cookman and Delaware State were tied at second with five student-athletes to earn a first-team nod.
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All preseason honors are voted on by the MEAC’s football coaches and sports information directors.
Bethune-Cookman, the defending conference champion, was predicted to finish first in the annual preseason poll. The Wildcats finished the 2012 season with an unblemished 8-0 mark and 9-3 overall record. For the second straight year South Carolina State was picked to finish second while North Carolina A&T was selected to finish third.
Fleming finished second in the MEAC in passing yards with 2,175, completing 214-of-308 pass attempts. He ranked second in the conference in passing efficiency (142.2) and passing yards per game (196.1). Fleming led the Rattlers in total offense (2,351) in 11 games of action.
Jackson, a native of Mossy Head, Florida, led the MEAC in rushing with 1,069 yards on 191 attempts. He averaged 89.1 yards per game and recorded 11 touchdowns. He finished third on the team in receiving with 148 yards, averaging 12.3 yards per game. He led the Wildcats in scoring (72 points) and all-purpose yards (1,217) during his junior season.
Fields finished sixth in the conference and led the Wildcats in total tackles with 103 including 46 solo and 57 assists. He averaged 8.6 tackles per game and recorded six tackles for a loss, four breakups, four deflections, one sack, and one forced fumble.
Florida A&M led all teams with six student-athletes receiving first-team preseason honors. Bethune-Cookman and Delaware State were tied at second with five student-athletes to earn a first-team nod.
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2013 MEAC/SWAC Challenge by Disney
ORLANDO, Florida -- When Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley State face off on Sept. 1 in the ninth installment of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney, it will be the third meeting between the two storied programs. Their first meeting was way back in 1990, a game FAMU won 28-13.
For the Florida A&M Rattlers, this game marks the team’s first under new head coach Earl Holmes, whose team finished with a 4-7 record last season. The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, under Karl Morgan, ended the 2012 season with a 5-4 mark.
South Carolina State Picked Second; Six Bulldogs Earn Preseason All-MEAC Honors
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| SC State head coach Buddy Pough addresses the media Friday at the MEAC’s Annual Football Press Luncheon held in Norfolk, Virginia (Courtesy SC State Athletics) |
The announcements were made at the MEAC's Annual Football Press Luncheon held Friday afternoon at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside Hotel in Virginia.
Sophomore defensive lineman Javon Hargrave and redshirt-senior punter Nick Belcher earned All-MEAC First Team honors, while junior linebacker Justin Hughes earned Second Team All-MEAC accolades and senior wide receiver Tyler McDonald, redshirt-junior offense lineman Domanic Wilson, redshirt-junior defensive lineman Andrew Carter, and kicker Nick Belcher all earned Third Team All-MEAC honors respectively.
"I was surprised," head football coach Buddy Pough said. "I hadn't quite had a chance to digest it all. But I guess they still respect what we have done in the past."
Hargrave (Salisbury, NC) recorded 45 total tackles, 26 solos, with 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks as a true freshman. He was named to The College Sports Journal 2012 FCS All-Freshman Team.
Belcher (Sumter, SC) averaged 38.9 yards on 75 punts and had a long of 62 yards with 20 kicks inside the 20-yard line. He also made 8 of 15 field goal attempts, with a long of 47 yards.
SC State is coming off a 5-6 overall record and a 4-4 conference mark. The Bulldogs were picked to finish second in the MEAC standings a year ago. With a second place prediction for 2013, SC State is listed ahead No. 3 North Carolina A&T, No. 4 NC Central and No. 5 Florida A&M to round out the top five teams.
"I think we've got guys who should be disturbed that they weren't selected and it might give them some inspiration," Pough said.
The Bulldogs open the 2013 season on Aug.31 at home against Coastal Carolina at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg, SC. Season tickets to SC State's five home games are still available for more information go online to www.scsuathletics.com or contact the SC State Ticket Office at 803-536-8579 or 1-800-298-9157.
BUY S.C. STATE SEASON FOOTBALL TICKETS
2013 Predicted Order of Finish
(First Place Votes in Parenthesis)
School Points
1. Bethune-Cookman (16) 480
2. South Carolina State (2) 365
3. North Carolina A&T 302
4. North Carolina Central 260
5. Florida A&M 250
6.Howard 227
7. Norfolk State (1) 222
8. Delaware State 201
9. Hampton (1) 196
10. Morgan State 113
11. Savannah State (1) 52
First Team All-Defense
Pos. Player Cl. Hometown
DL Javon Hargrave So. Salisbury, N.C.
P Nick Belcher r-Sr. Sumter, S.C.
Second Team All-Defense
Pos. Player Cl. Hometown
LB Justin Hughes Jr. Virginia Beach, Va.
Third Team All-Offense
Pos. Player Cl. Hometown
WR Tyler McDonald Sr. Summerville, SC
OL Domanic Wilson r-Jr. Lake City, SC
Third Team All-Defense
Pos. Player Cl. Hometown
DL Andrew Carter r-Jr. Hamlet, NC
PK Nick Belcher r-Sr. Sumter,
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Florida A&M's Holmes & Players Participate In MEAC Media Day
NORFOLK, Virginia (July 26) – FAMU head coach Earl Holmes stepped to the podium at the MEAC football luncheon just moments after it was revealed that his team was picked to finish fifth in the conference by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors. It would have been easy to spend his five minutes dwelling on how inaccurate the prediction was from his standpoint, but the young coach displayed an uncommon poise for a first year coach.
“Greetings from the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, Florida. I’d like to say thanks for having us here. On behalf of Dr. (Larry) Robinson, our AD Mike Smith, Faydre (Hawkins Brown) and our staff,” Holmes said. It was a classy move, indicating a level of maturity from a rookie coach.
The good news of the day was the Rattlers placing 11 players on the preseason All-MEAC squad. Along with making the first team, quarterback Damien Fleming was selected as co-offensive player of the year. Still, for the staff he’s assembled, for the recruits he’s brought in and for the returning players, it was a hard pill to swallow. But, he had a crafty comeback. “Looking at the predictions they’ve got us ranked fifth. That’s fine. One thing about predictions and projections, you can say what you want to say, but at the end of the day you’ve got to play the game. We all love to play the game, that’s why we’re all here,” he said.
Fleming and safety John Ojo were at the press conference and luncheon to represent the Rattlers. Fleming is picked to have a banner year as the Rattler signal caller, while Ojo is under the radar. Attaining a medical hardship from the NCAA allows the Spring 2012 graduate to begin work on his master’s degree, while playing for the Rattlers.
Fleming is excited about the fast approach of the season. “I’m just excited to get this year started. We’ve been going against each other all Summer in seven-on-seven and one-on-one, so I’m just really excited to put the pads on. I want to see some guys hit each other, even though I don’t really get to see any of that until the season starts,” Fleming said.
The media interviews allowed the players to take a quick glance at some of the top players in the MEAC. That brought even more energy to the day. “Just to see some of these guys, some familiar faces, we came up short against some of them last year…I mean it’s all about revenge this year,” Fleming said.
Ojo was humbled by the chance to go out on a more positive note than ending his career at FAMU with an injury. “I’m just excited man and thankful to God I got another year to play. I think for of all it starts with our discipline. Bringing in new coaches is going to help with that, and our offseason strength and conditioning I think is going to help us. I think we look forward to having a successful season by strengthening ourselves in those areas,” Ojo concluded.
Holmes did excite the crowd in his address at the luncheon. His analysis of the level of disrespect was addressed in quite a tactful and witty utterance. “Being from FAMU, we all love homecoming. In fact, I’ve got four homecomings this year. We play South Carolina State for their homecoming, Morgan State for their homecoming, coach Pete (Adrian), I play you for homecoming, so I guess Florida A&M is just the homecoming team. That’s okay, I’m a young guy and a good guy. But, like I tell everybody and I told these coaches, Holmes coming,” Holmes said.
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FAMU Rattlers Place 11 On Preseason All-MEAC Team
NORFORK, Virginia -- The Florida A&M Football Team was predicted to finish fifth in the 2013 season. Quarterback Damien Fleming was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Preseason Co-Offense Player of the Year as the Rattler gridders placed 11 players on the 2013 Preseason All-MEAC team, voted on by the conference sports information directors and head coaches. The teams and predictions were announced today by Patricia Porter, assistant MEAC commissioner for media relations, at the annual MEAC Football Kickoff Luncheon held at the Marriott Waterside Hotel.
Fleming, a 6-2, 205, junior quarterback from Jacksonville, Fla., is a First Team Preseason All-MEAC selection and Co-Offensive Player of the Year, an award shared with Bethune-Cookman’s running back Isidore Jackson.
Fleming finished last season with 2,157 yards as he completed 214 passes in 308 attempts with 16 TDs and five interceptions. In addition, he became the first FAMU quarterback to pass for 2,000 plus yards in a season, since 2004 when Ben Dougherty was the Rattler signal caller.
Joining, Fleming on the Preseason All-MEAC first team are running back James Owens, wide receiver Lenworth Lennon, offensive linemen Kevin House and Zerrie Patterson and place kicker Chase Varnadore.
Earning second team honors is defensive back Jonathan Pillow and return specialist Owens, with his second nod. Rounding out the cast of all-conference performers is center Douglas Almendares, linebacker Brandon Denmark, and defensive back Devonte “Terry”Johnson.
FAMU was picked to finish fifth as a team with 250 points. Reigning champion Bethune-Cookman was predicted to finish first as the Wildcats garnered 480 points and 16 first place votes. South Carolina State was predicted to finish second as they tallied 365 points and two first place votes, followed by North Carolina A&T with 302 points. North Carolina Central was predicted to finish fourth with 260 points.
Predicted to finished sixth was Howard with 227 points, followed by Norfolk State with 222 points and 1 first place vote in seventh place.
Rounding out the conference is Delaware State with 201 points for an eighth place predicted finish, followed by Hampton with 196 points and one first place vote for a predicted ninth place finish. Morgan garnered 113 points for a 10 place predicted finish and Savannah State is predicted 11th with 52 points and one first place vote.
FAMU will open its 2013 season against Mississippi Valley State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney, at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., broadcasted live on ESPN in an 11:45 a.m. start.
The following week, the Rattlers will open their 2013 home schedule against Tennessee State on Saturday, September 7 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in a 2 p.m. start. For ticket information, contact the FAMU ticket office at 850-599-3141.
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MEAC Press Conference and Luncheon |
2013 MEAC Football Predicted Order of Finish
1. Bethune-Cookman (16) - 480
2. South Carolina State (2) - 365
3. North Carolina A&T - 302
4. North Carolina Central - 260
5. Florida A&M - 250
6. Howard - 227
7. Norfolk State (1) - 222
8. Delaware State - 201
9. Hampton (1) - 196
10. Morgan State - 113
11. Savannah State (1) - 52
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SWAC Coaches join Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Several Southwestern Athletic Conference assistant football coaches were selected to participate in the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship and will finish the off-season working side-by-side with NFL teams during Off-Season Training Activities (OTA) and training camp.Southern co-offensive coordinator, Chad Germany, Mississippi Valley State offensive coordinator, Alex Jackson, and Prairie View A&M wide receivers coach, Harry Williams, were picked for the opportunity to work along side the teams during full activities.
The Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship is an annual program administered by the NFL Management Council and NFL Player Engagement.
Designed as a vocational tool to increase the number of full-time NFL minority coaches, all 32 NFL Clubs participate in the program on an annual basis. Specific aspects of the program (including hiring, salary and coaching duties) are administered on a Club-by-Club basis.
Germany was selected to work the summer with the Minnesota Vikings. He enters his third season as a member of the Jaguars coaching staff and has been instrumental in the development of All-SWAC quarterback Dray Joseph.
Jackson, who is set to begin his first season as offensive coordinator with Delta Devils, joins Germany with the Vikings organization after serving part of last season in the interim role at MVSU. He took over as offensive coordinator midway through the season and makes a consecutive stint in the fellowship.
Williams was tagged by the Houston Texans to particiapte in the program. He joined the Prairie View A&M staff in 2009 as a volunteer assistant and played an integral part in the passing game as three receivers had career years in receptions and yards.
The NFL established the Bill Walsh NFL Minority Coaching Fellowship Advisory Council in 2012 to further enhance the idea conceived by the late Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Bill Walsh. Walsh introduced the concept to expose talented minority college coaches to the NFL’s methods and philosophies when he invited a group of minority coaches to participate in San Francisco 49ers’ training camp.
Participants are hired for the duration of training camp, including all pre-season games and clubs are encouraged to hire a minimum of four participants.
Bill Walsh introduced the concept of a minority coaching internship program in 1987 when he brought a group of coaches to 49ers training camp. Eventually, this program was picked up by every NFL team and now, 26 years later, the NFL has renamed it the Bill Walsh Minority Coaching Fellowship Program.
The program has given hundreds of coaches a foot in the door. Several current NFL head coaches, including Super Bowl winning coach Mike Tomlin, are graduates of the program.
Bethune-Cookman Voted to Repeat as MEAC Champs
NORFOLK, Virginia – Bethune-Cookman University was selected to
repeat as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football champions for the 2013
season, it was announced Friday afternoon at the annual MEAC Football Kickoff
Luncheon inside the grand ballroom of the Marriott Waterside Hotel.
Additionally, Isidore Jackson was selected as Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year, while Jarkevis Fields was voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
In all, a total of five Wildcats landed on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team, while another was voted to the Second Team.
Bethune-Cookman finished the 2012 campaign as regular season champions ending the conference season 8-0 for the first time in school history. It was the first undefeated record in league play for the Wildcats since winning the conference title in 1984.
Senior running back Isidore Jackson was tabbed Preseason MEAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year alongside Florida A&M quarterback Damien Fleming. A 5-10, 205-pound native of Mossy Head, Fla., Jackson finished the 2012 campaign on the all-conference team for the second consecutive season. He rushed for a league second-best 1,069 yards and aided the vaunted Wildcats offense that led the MEAC as a team in scoring offense, total offense, rushing offense and first downs. He would end the season becoming the first B-CU running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season since Steve Wallace in 1997, and the first Wildcat overall to gain 1,000 yards since quarterback Allen Suber in 2002.
Senior linebacker Jarkevis Fields was voted Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Wildcats in tackles during the 2012 campaign. Fields, a 6-0, 230-pound senior from Sanford, Fla., ended the 2012 campaign with 103 tackles (sixth-best in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), six tackles for losses and a sack. He also dropped back and broke up four passes, while helping the B-CU defense finish third nationally in passes intercepted. Fields was named to the First Team All-MEAC squad in 2012, as well as receiving the Army Strong Leadership Award at the Florida Blue Florida Classic. He was also the recipient of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Walter Payton Achievement Award, in addition to being a preseason HBCU All-America selection by BoxToRow.
Jackson and offensive lineman Alex Monroe were on the Preseason All-MEAC First Team for offense, while defensive end LeBrandon Richardson and defensive back Nick Addison joined Fields on the defensive team. Senior wide receiver Eddie Poole landed on the second team for offense, and defensive lineman Tevin Toney received honorable mention awards.
For a complete list of this year’s Preseason All-Conference Team, please click here. You can also visit MEACsports.com.
The Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman begin the season Sunday, Sept. 1, traveling to Tennessee State in Nashville, Tenn. A time for kickoff will be announced at a later date.
To purchase tickets for the 2013 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats football season, call the B-CU Ticket Office at 386-481-2465 or visit www.TicketMaster.com.
For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUGridIron, and make sure to ‘Like Us’ on Facebook at BCUathletics. Join the conversation for all things related to B-CU Football in 2013 by using the official hashtag #NeverSatisfied in all tweets.
Norfolk State coach's approach will be basic this season
NORFOLK, Virginia — At the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football media day Friday, Norfolk State head football coach Pete Adrian shared his philosophy for helping his team succeed this season.
"We're just going to take it one game at a time," he said.
After finishing the 2011 season with a 9-3 record, a MEAC title, and a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the Spartans struggled last year, finishing 4-7. Adrian said the team looks to rebound this season by getting back to the basics.
"The best part of a new season is that everyone starts with a 0-0 record," he said. "We aren't caught up in what happened last year, we are just going to go out and play and take it game by game."
Adrian attributed his team's record in the 2012 season to an excess of turnovers (34) and not focusing on the fundamentals. After winning their first two games of the season, the Spartans went on a seven-game losing streak before winning their final two games.
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"We're just going to take it one game at a time," he said.
After finishing the 2011 season with a 9-3 record, a MEAC title, and a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the Spartans struggled last year, finishing 4-7. Adrian said the team looks to rebound this season by getting back to the basics.
"The best part of a new season is that everyone starts with a 0-0 record," he said. "We aren't caught up in what happened last year, we are just going to go out and play and take it game by game."
Adrian attributed his team's record in the 2012 season to an excess of turnovers (34) and not focusing on the fundamentals. After winning their first two games of the season, the Spartans went on a seven-game losing streak before winning their final two games.
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Hampton U. football ready to contend after difficult season
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Outwardly, Donovan Rose appeared the same as ever: fit, trim, engaging, good natured. Internally, however, he feels like a man unchained.Hampton University's head football coach enters the 2013 season, the fifth at his alma mater, again on a level playing field with his competitors.
He feels good about his staff and his personnel, and particularly about the Pirates' ability to prepare to compete each week.
"I feel revived," Rose said Friday at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference media day. "I feel that everything I went through is for a purpose. It made me better."
Rose and the Pirates endured a kind of imperfect storm that resulted in ...
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Friday, July 26, 2013
Jackson settled with Seahawks; Former Alabama State QB changes outlook on NFL career
SEATTLE, Washington -- Tarvaris Jackson spent seven years trying to earn the starting job as quarterback of an NFL team. Now, as he prepares for his eighth season and a second stint with the Seattle Seahawks, the former Sidney Lanier High and Alabama State star has a new outlook.
“I could have gone to other teams, but I’m in the eighth year of my career now, and I’m just trying to get to the Super Bowl,” he said. “I’m all about winning championships. I feel like that was my best chance among the teams I could choose from.”
Forgive Jackson if he doesn’t sound quite as competitive as he used to be.
The last two years have been frustrating, downright mystifying at times, for a player who feels he has shown he has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the league but can’t always overcome the business aspects of pro football.
Tarvaris Jackson #7 to Rice on 52 Yard Bomb for TD.
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North Carolina A&T Picked To Finish Third In Preseason MEAC Poll
NORFOLK, Virginia -- The days of people thinking North Carolina A&T is a lower-tier football program in the MEAC seem to be behind the Aggies.
It was announced on Friday at the annual Preseason MEAC Football Luncheon at Norfolk's Waterside Marriott Hotel that MEAC head coaches and sports information directors predicted the Aggies to finish third in the conference in 2013.
A&T went 7-4 and 5-3 in the MEAC during the 2012 season. A season removed from its first winning season in nine years, A&T garnered 302 points in the preseason poll.
S.C. State, a team the Aggies beat for the first time in 12 years with a 17-7 win on Nov. 10, 2012, were picked to finish second with 365 points and two first-place votes. Bethune-Cookman, who won the MEAC title last season, was picked to repeat with 480 points and 16 first-place votes.
"My hope is that we have a really good football team," said A&T head coach Rod Broadway. "I expect us to be competitive, play hard and do the right things as far as football and school is concerned. How the ball bounces, I don't know. I know we will be well prepared, and I know the guys are going to give great effort. This could be a big year for us despite not having spring practice."
The Aggies were not allowed to have spring practice in 2013 because NCAA sanctions stemming from a poor academic progress rate score.
But Aggies' restrictions administered by the NCAA have been lifted because of improved single-year scores over the past four years.
A&T is now eligible to win the MEAC Championship and advance to the postseason. To help in that effort, the Aggies return all four starters from a secondary that posted the No. 1 pass defense in the Football Championship Subdivision. They return seven defensive starters in all from a defense that was ranked No. 2 in Division I-FCS.
"Last year we were able to win because of our defensive play," said Broadway. "Offensive football can be so unpredictable. Defensively, you have a chance of always being good. If you're sound defensively, that's going to keep you in a lot of football games."
The Aggies offense only produced four touchdown receptions last season. Broadway hopes the addition of veteran offensive coordinator Rickey Bustle will ignite the Aggies passing game, making it easier for senior running backs Ricky Lewis and Dominique Drake to operate.
"He brings experience, leadership and knowledge, and he is committed to his work," said Broadway about Bustle.
The Aggies open the season in Boone, N.C., when they take on Appalachian State, Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. They come home a week later to face Piedmont rival Elon at 6 p.m.
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Hampton U. Wilson, Davis Each Named Preseason Second Team All-MEAC
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Hampton University redshirt-senior offensive lineman Jamal Wilson and senior defensive end Matthew Davis were each named Preseason Second Team All-MEAC as the preseason honors were announced on Friday at the MEAC Football Press Luncheon.
Wilson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) started all 10 games for the Pirates last season, and he was part of an offensive line that helped Hampton rank fifth in the MEAC with 148.1 rushing yards per game. He was part of a Pirates offensive line that helped Jeremiah Schwartz become the first Pirate to rush for over 1,000 yards since 2009.
Davis (Chesapeake, Va.) tallied 37 tackles last season, including 13 solo efforts. His career-high of 12 tackles (five solo) came against Bethune-Cookman back on Sept. 29, and he led the team with 4.0 sacks last season.
His 7.0 tackles for loss were third-most on the team.
Senior defensive back Carvin Johnson (New Orleans, La.) was a Preseason All-MEAC Honorable Mention. He was fourth on the team with 57 tackles in 2012, including 31 solo stops. He had a career-high 18 tackles at Tennessee Tech, and he recovered a team-high three fumbles last season.
Florida A&M's Damien Flemming and Bethune-Cookman's Isidore Jackson were named Preseason MEAC Co-Offensive Players of the Year, while Jarkevis Fields of Bethune-Cookman was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
The Pirates, coming into their fifth season under head coach Donovan Rose, were picked to finish ninth in the MEAC in a preseason poll voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors. Hampton, which went 3-7 last season, tallied 196 points and picked up a first-place vote.
Defending champion Bethune-Cookman picked up 16 first-place votes and was picked to repeat with 480 points. South Carolina State picked up two first-place votes and tallied 365 points in being predicted to finish second.
North Carolina A&T, North Carolina Central, and Florida A&M were picked to finish third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.
The Pirates will open the 2013 season on Thursday, Aug. 29, when they head to Macomb, Ill. to take on Western Illinois at 7 p.m. For more information on Hampton University football, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.
S.C. State band leader selected IMA guest conductor
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Director of Bands
South Carolina State University
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Ellis said he was “totally taken by surprise” when IMA President Dr. Adolph E. Wright issued the invitation.
“The highest honor one can receive is one of commendation by your peers,” Ellis said. “Whenever you are asked to be a guest conductor for a conference it is an honor. This very prestigious invitation is one that I will cherish.”
Ellis is responsible for all band programs and activities at S.C. State, where he has conducted the symphonic band, the wind ensemble and the Marching 101 Band.
Under his direction...
Florida A&M Holmes seeks perfect balance
NORFOLK, Virginia -- When he meets with reporters today during MEAC Media Day, Earl Holmes likely will field questions about whether his FAMU football team is going to be more defense-oriented than it has been in the past.
Holmes, after all, made a name for himself in college and the NFL by tormenting any offensive player with the ball. But the Rattlers’ first-year head coach insists he is focused on more than just defense.
“Yes, I’m a defensive-minded coach, but I understand what it takes to win games,” Holmes said. “Defense wins championships, but at the same time you’re going to need some offense.
“You want to be balanced regardless because ...
Bowie State Bulldogs Football Predicted To Finish Sixth Overall In CIAA
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- The Bowie State University football team has been predicted to finish 6th in the CIAA and 3rd in the Northern Division according to the 2013 conference preseason poll, which was released during the league's football press conference at the Reaves Center on the Winston-Salem State University campus.
The Bulldogs return 39 lettermen including 16 starters from last year's squad. Bowie State finished the 2012 campaign with a 5-5 overall record and 2-5 record in the CIAA.
Senior defensive tackle Oladimeji (5-11, 240, Washington, D.C.), junior tight end Khari Lee (6-4, 235, Baltimore, Md.), fellow junior center Austin Hochman (6-5, 284, Annapolis, Md.) and sophomore defensive back Curtis Pumphrey (5-8, 155, Laurel, Md.) were selected to the 2013 All-CIAA Preseason Team. The conference Predicted Order of Finish and Preseason Team are voted on by the CIAA Football Coaches Association.
The defending CIAA Champions of Winston-Salem State University were selected to finish as the top team in the conference in 2013 followed by Elizabeth City State University, St. Augustine's University, Chowan University and Shaw University made up the top five teams. Bowie State was voted as the sixth overall ranked team in the conference followed by Johnson C. Smith University, Virginia Union University, Fayetteville State University, Virginia State University, Livingstone College and Lincoln (Pa.).
Bowie State will open up the season on September 7th, making a non-conference road trip to Manchester, N.H. to face the St. Anselm College Hawks at 1 pm. St. Anselm is a member of the Northeast-10 Conference and finished the 2012 season with an overall record of 2-9 (1-7 in the conference).
CIAA Football Predicted Order of Finish
1. Winston-Salem State University
2. Elizabeth City State University
3. St. Augustine's University
4. Chowan University
5. Shaw University
6. Bowie State University
7. Johnson C. Smith University
8. Virginia Union University
9. Fayetteville State University
10. Virginia State University
11. Livingstone College
12. Lincoln University (PA)
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
CIAA Media Day: Livingstone’s preseason ranking will be motivation
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Livingstone football players reporting to camp on August 12 will find an unwelcome surprise in their locker.
It’ll be a sheet of paper with the CIAA predicted final standings and it’ll show Livingstone picked to finish 11th in the 12-team league and last in the Southern Division.
New coach Daryl Williams is a realist, but he was a little surprised at the ranking during CIAA Media Day at Winston-Salem State on Thursday.
The favorite word in his vocabulary is “standard.” You find out quickly the requirements at Livingstone are different now. Williams’ business card states at the bottom ‘The standard is the standard.’
“We’ve created a standard throughout our whole building,” Williams said. “We always say ‘Did you meet the standard?’ ”
Howard University Bison Athletics Receives Major Academic Recognition from NCAA and MEAC
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Howard University student athletes rank among the best in the nation. Both NCAA and the MEAC have recently announced major academic honors for high-performing athletes at Howard.
“Howard University has a tradition of academic excellence,” said Howard University Director of Athletics Louis “Skip” Perkins. “We are very proud of the recent recognition from the NCAA and MEAC Commissioner. These represent the hard work, commitment and dedication of our student athletes, coaches and athletics staff.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference recently named Howard University the top institution in the conference for producing academic all-stars. MEAC named 101 student-athletes from Howard to the 2013 Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. The Howard total beat all other institutions in the 13-member conference.
The Bison women’s cross-country team was recognized recently by the NCAA for producing an Academic Progress Rate (APR) in the top 10 percent nationally for their respective sport in 2011-12. The APR provides a real-time look at a team’s academic success each semester by tracking the academic progress of each student-athlete on scholarship.
“Howard University has a tradition of academic excellence,” said Howard University Director of Athletics Louis “Skip” Perkins. “We are very proud of the recent recognition from the NCAA and MEAC Commissioner. These represent the hard work, commitment and dedication of our student athletes, coaches and athletics staff.
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference recently named Howard University the top institution in the conference for producing academic all-stars. MEAC named 101 student-athletes from Howard to the 2013 Commissioner’s All-Academic Team. The Howard total beat all other institutions in the 13-member conference.
| NCAA President Mark Emmert in a letter to AD Perkins lauded Howard Athletics. “These teams represent intercollegiate athletics at its best,” Emmert said. “Once again, I congratulate you, the head coach, student-athletes, athletics department and institution for the outstanding academic achievements.” Last year proved to be another exemplary academic year for Bison Athletics. Howard reported an impressive 68 percent graduation rate for its student athletes. The cumulative GPA for student athletes was 3.08; nearly half of all athletes held GPAs above 3.0. |
ABOUT HOWARD
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. Since 1998, the University has produced two Rhodes Scholars, two Truman Scholars, a Marshall Scholar, 30 Fulbright Scholars and 11 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, call 202-238-2330, or visit the University's Web site at www.howard.edu.
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JCSU picked fourth in CIAA South
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith is expected to finish near the bottom of the CIAA South in a preseason poll of the league's football coaches. The Golden Bulls, who went 6-4 last season and 5-2 in CIAA play, were picked behind two-time champ and national runner-up Winston-Salem State, St. Augustine's and Shaw. JCSU finished second in the South in 2012 by winning its final four games.
“It’s about building a foundation, and we’ve done that, now we have to turn the corner and succeed despite any adversity,” JCSU coach Steve Aycock said. “We’re doing some good things at JCSU, but we will continue to show humility and strive to reach the mountain top.”
Elizabeth City State, which went ...
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UAPB aiming to ensure respect with SWAC repeat
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Linebacker Jer-ryan Harris still isn't convinced Arkansas-Pine Bluff has made believers out of its Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals.
The Golden Lions won their first outright SWAC title last season and are the picks to repeat as West Division champions going into this season but now feel they must prove they're not one-year wonders.
"I believe last season got us an added respect level but at the same time, I also feel like teams are still kind of looking at it like that was luck," Harris said Monday at SWAC media day. "I believe that in order for us to actually get the respect we deserve, we will have to repeat. That's kind of the mind-set all the players have."
The results of balloting by league coaches and sports information directors and media members made it evident Pine Bluff's peers are starting to come around. The Golden Lions are led by preseason SWAC offensive player of the year Ben Anderson at quarterback and had nine players picked as first-team all-conference.
Kitto and August sign scholarships to run for XU Gold Rush
| NEW ORLEANS — Brent Kitto of Chalmette, La., and Christopher August of Spring, Texas, has have signed scholarships with Xavier University of Louisiana's men's cross country program. Both also will compete in outdoor track during the spring. Kitto will be a sophomore athletically at Xavier in 2013-14 — he competed for Louisiana Tech in 2011-12 — and will begin his first year in XU's College of Pharmacy. August will be a freshman and a chemistry/pre-pharmacy major. Kitto, a 2011 graduate of Holy Cross High School in New Orleans, won four individual state titles in track. As a senior he was the Division II indoor champion at 1,600 meters, |  Brent Kitto |  Christopher August |
Kitto led Holy Cross to 3A state championships in cross country in 2009 and 2010 and was second individually both years.
At Louisiana Tech, Kitto helped the Bulldogs compile a 35-10 record in cross country with best times of 27 minutes, 28.54 seconds for 8,000 meters and 15:47.5 for three miles. He was the third-fastest freshman at the 2011 Western Athletic Conference Championships and was Tech's No. 3 finisher.
August, a graduate of Klein Collins High School, was voted his cross country team's performer of the year as a junior and a senior. In 2012-13 he helped the Tigers place third in the regional cross country meet and second in the district and second in the area in outdoor track. He ran the 1,600 in 4:27 to break the school record by five seconds.
Other best times for August include 2:04 in the 800, 16:20 for three miles and 17:05 in the 5,000.
Xavier, the seven-time defending Gulf Coast Athletic Conference champion, will begin the cross country season in late August or early September.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
SWAC Releases 2013 Football Television Schedule
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2013 football television schedule which includes seven conference contests to air on several major networks this fall.
The line-up of networks to carry the broadcast: ESPN, ESPNU, ESPN3, NBC Sports, FOX SportsSouth, and Comcast Sportsnet. All games are available in the network's standard high-definition.
The 15-game schedule begins on opening weekend with three non-conference match-ups including Mississippi Valley State against Florida A&M in the 9th Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney.
"The Southwestern Athletic Conference is always excited to release our television schedule," said SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp. "The coverage networks provide allows fans outside of our region the opportunity to follow their favorite teams."
The schedule kicks off on Friday, August 30, at 7:30 p.m. CT when Southern faces Houston and ends with the 2013 Toyota SWAC Championship on Saturday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m. Both games will take place inside Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.
The schedule also features nine non-conference games and five HBCU Classics with three games slated for tape delay. The Classic games include: Alabama State at Jackson State (W.C. Gorden Classic), Jackson State vs. Tennessee State (Southern Heritage Classic), Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State (Magic City Classic), Alabama State vs. Stillman (Turkey Day Classic) and Grambling State vs. Southern (Bayou Classic).
"Not only will SWAC fans be able to see the games nationally, and in high-definition, but they will enjoy the analysis from the networks on-air talent," Sharp added. "With programming on a national stage, the games televised demonstrate the growth of the Southwestern Athletic Conference brand."
Game times and television networks are listed below:
Friday, August 30
Southern at Houston (ESPN 3 - 7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, August 31
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Arkansas State (ESPN3 - TBD)
Sunday, September 1
Mississippi Valley State vs. Florida A&M (ESPN - 10:45 a.m.)
Saturday, September 7
Alabama State at Jackson State (ESPN3 - 6 p.m.)*
Grambling State at ULM (ESPN3 - 6 p.m.)
Prairie View A&M at Texas State (ESPN3 - 6 p.m.)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at McNeese State (Comcast Sportsnet - 7:30 p.m.)
Saturday, September 14
Alabama State at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (ESPN3 - 6:30 p.m.)*
Texas Southern vs. Sam Houston State (Comcast Sportsnet - 7 p.m.)
Jackson State vs. Tennessee State (Fox SportsSouth - 6 p.m.)
Thursday, September 19
Texas Southern at Jackson State (ESPNU - 6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, October 26
Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State (ESPN3 - 7 p.m.)*
Thursday, November 28
Alabama State vs. Stillman (ESPNU - 3 p.m.)
Saturday, November 30
Grambling State vs. Southern (NBC - 1 p.m.)
Saturday, December 7
2013 Toyota SWAC Football Championship (ESPNU - 1 p.m.)
Game times are central and subject to change.
* Denotes tape delay and will air at 9:30 p.m. CT on ESPNU.
COURTESY SWAC.org
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