Alabama State University Volleyball Earns AVCA Award

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has announced the AVCA Team Academic Awards for the 2012-13 season and the Lady Hornets of Alabama State are one of those teams.

The award honors collegiate volleyball teams that show excellence in the classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 grade-point average (gpa) on a 4.0 scale. The Lady Hornets finished the school year with a 3.31 gpa.

"We put a high demand on our student-athletes to perform not only on the court, but in the classroom, and this award shows the determination these young ladies put forth in their academics," Head Coach Penny Lucas-White said. "We will push them to continue to work hard in the classroom, but I am very proud of what they have accomplished with this award."

The AVCA initiated the award during the 1992-93 academic year, and honors not only NCAA Division I programs, but NCAA II, NCAA III and NAIA programs. ASU was one of 130 NCAA Division I teams to earn the award this season.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Experienced Tuskegee squad not intimidated by praise, tradition

ATLANTA, Georgia---Tuskegee don't back down.

Not from a challenge and certainly not from it's rich tradition. 

 

The Golden Tigers, last year's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champs, were picked to repeat as league champions at the conference's annual media day at the Holiday Inn Perimeter earlier today. 

 

So, what if they lost Derrick Washington, who transferred from Missouri last season and rushed for more than 1,600 yards on his way being named the 2012 SIAC Player of the Year and earned a nomination for the Harlon Hill Trophy award, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman. 

 

So, what if they won't have any members of the a starting defensive backfield which was ranked in the top 10 in the country and accounted for nearly 20 interceptions a year ago. 

 

Coach Willie Slater admitted those are ...

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Pough anxious to see his new-look SCSU squad at full speed

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  The period of acclimation to the summer temperatures ended Wednesday for the South Carolina State football team.

Donning full pads for the first time this preseason, the Bulldogs enthusiastically entered the next phase of their preparation for 2013. The two-hour session started with the players receiving more instruction and installation work at their respective positions before closing out the morning in a controlled team scrimmage.

“You get a little bit closer to real team-style kind of activity,” S.C. State head football coach Buddy Pough said. “You see some signs of guys trying to adjust and be prepared for the real full action that we’ll start tomorrow.”

Wednesday’s practice offered Pough the first glance of what he could potentially expect from this year’s team.



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Eager Texas Southern Tigers take the Field

HOUSTON, Texas  --  The Texas Southern Tigers football team is back in action.  They kicked off practice for the 2013 season today at TSU's Alexander Durley field.  The coaches and players were eager to get in some work despite the near 100 degree temperature.

"The heat was not a factor for us because everyone was so anxious to practice," said head coach Darrell Asberry. "We missed spring ball because of our NCAA situation so this is the first time we are getting some work done.  It felt really good to get out of the office and work with these young men."

The players were fired up to get on the field as well.  "We started a little sloppy because the guys were trying too hard to make plays," Asberry said.  "But they got into a groove once they calmed down and focused on what we were asking them to do."

The Tigers have nine quarterbacks in camp looking for a shot at the starting position.   Transfer Homer Causey, redshirt junior Jamal Small and Earnest Carrington took most of the reps today.  Coach Asberry said he was pleased with what he saw.  The freshmen quarterbacks will get a shot on Wednesday.  Right now the job is up for grabs, but coach Asberry says he is looking for someone who can take care of the bottom line.  "I need a leader," said Asberry. "I'm looking for the guy who the team will rally around and who can take a game over and win two or three games himself."

The wide receivers are a strong point on this team.  They got speed and the players showed it today.  The running backs looked good as well and the offensive line is coming along now that they have a little depth.

The biggest change and question mark for the Tigers is on defense.  The team is learning a new system under first year defensive coordinator Mike Vite.  Coach Vite has more 30 years of coaching experience and he wasted no time letting the guys know that his expectations are high.

"We got some talent and the kids are listening," said Vite. "They are enthusiastic and flying around.  The defensive line knows that everything starts up front.  They are the nail in the coffin for us.  Our goal is to get better every day."

The Tigers practice once each day until August 12th when two-a-days begin.   They have a scrimmage on August 17^th at 7:00pm.

TSU's first game of the season is August 31^st against Prairie View A&M in the Labor Day Classic.  This will be the first time the Tigers host the game in their new home…the BBVA Compass Stadium.

First Practice Photo Gallery

By Rodney Bush TSU Sports Information Director
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
TSUBALL.COM

Frosh Williams impresses Jackson State coaches

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  The wide receiving corps has gotten more interesting, with freshman Daniel Williams turning heads at Jackson State practices lately.

One of Williams’ receptions on Tuesday camp came from about a 40-yard pass from LaMontiez Ivy. Williams juggled the football before controlling it and running into the end zone. The catch drew cheers from his teammates, and even his coaches referred to it as a “Randy Moss” play.

“Danny Williams is learning fast,” head coach Rick Comegy said. “He’s making those acrobat catches. He’s just a tremendous athlete, and he’s going to be playing a lot of football for us.”

Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 190 pounds, Williams joins a crowded group of receivers, which includes Zachary Pendleton, Michael Perkins, DeSean McKenzie and Tobias Singleton as the main returners.



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Xavier Gold Nuggets' 2013-14 recruiting class consists of six

NEW ORLEANS — Coach Bo Browder on Thursday announced Xavier University of Louisiana's six-member women's basketball recruiting class. Newcomers signed to scholarships for the 2013-14 academic year were:

Daylin Boatner Kaci Cason

Vinnie Briggs Kelsey Joseph

Jasmine Bush Taylor Norman

Daylin Boatner, a 5-foot-10 forward from Baton Rouge, La., and Scotlandville Magnet High School.
    
Vinnie Briggs, a 5-7 guard/forward from Roxie, Miss., Franklin County High School and Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
     
Jasmine Bush, a 5-11 forward from Meridian, Miss., and Southeast Lauderdale High School.
    
Kaci Cason, a 5-9 guard/forward from Florissant, Mo., McCluer North High School and State Fair Community College.
    
Kelsey Joseph, a 5-4 guard from LaPlace, La., and Riverside Academy.
    
Taylor Norman, a 5-9 guard/forward from Fremont, Calif., and Newark Memorial High School.     

Boatner, Bush, Joseph and Norman will be freshmen at Xavier. Cason will be a sophomore, and Briggs will be a junior. Four of the six will concentrate on science; Boatner and Cason will major in chemistry/pre-pharmacy, Briggs in biology/pre-medical and Bush in biology. Joseph will major in speech pathology, and Norman will major in mass communications.
    
Boatner was a four-year varsity starter who averaged at least 10 points per game each year. She was chosen to the Baton Rouge Advocate's All-Metro team this past season after averaging 14.6 points and six rebounds and receiving two tournament MVP awards. Four times she scored 30 or more points, twice as a senior. She was all-district in basketball and volleyball as a freshman and sophomore.
    
Briggs averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, made 12-of-29 3-pointers and had two double-doubles this past season for Copiah-Lincoln, which finished 26-4 and won conference and state championships. She averaged 7.5 points and 3.5 points as a freshman. Briggs' high game was 31 points, which included 14-of-20 free throws. At Franklin County, Briggs averaged 14.6 points as a senior and 13.4 points as a junior.
    
Bush averaged 13 points and 11.8 rebounds this past season for Southeast Lauderdale, which was 33-2 and won the Class 3A state championship. Bush was MVP of the 3A state final after collecting 21 points and eight rebounds. Her steal and two free throws with 11 seconds remaining in that game clinched the Lady Tigers' 63-59 victory against Charleston. Bush also was a straight-A student, a co-valedictorian and she earned honorable mention on the Jackson Clarion-Ledger's All-State team.
    
Cason averaged 5.5 points for State Fair this past season and made a 3-pointer as time expired to win a first-round game in the NJCAA Region 16 tournament. Cason was first-team All-Suburban North Conference as a junior and senior at McCluer North and averaged 21.7 points — which ranked sixth in metro St. Louis — 8.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.2 steals her senior year. Her high game was 42 points.
    
Joseph, a three-year varsity starter, was Class 2A All-State honorable mention, all-district and a Times-Picayune Small Schools All-New Orleans Area selection her senior year and helped Riverside earn the second playoff victory in the program's history. Her game highs included 26 points, eight assists and six steals. In November she became the school's first African-American homecoming queen.
    
Norman averaged 15.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals for Newark this past season and was voted team MVP. She was a four-year varsity starter and a three-time first-team all-league selection who averaged 12.3 points and 6.2 rebounds during her career.
    
Xavier was 24-6 in 2012-13, won its third consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship and qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship for the fourth consecutive year and the 17th time in 19 seasons. Xavier extended a school record with its 12th consecutive season of 20 or more victories and reached 20 victories for the 20th time in 21 seasons. The Gold Nuggets ranked 17th in the NAIA Division I Coaches' Top 25 Postseason Poll and have been ranked in every top 25 dating to Jan. 25, 2010.

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

 

Tuskegee WR Larry Cobb snag one-arm passes like it's nothing

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  Tuskegee won't have Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year Derrick Washington this fall.

 

As a senior in 2012, the 6-foot, 215-pound former tailback led the league in rushing with 1,679 yards and 14 touchdowns on his way to being named a finalist for the Harlon Hill award, the Division II equivalent of the Heisman trophy. 

 

However, the Golden Tigers' offense, led by rising junior quarterback Justin Nared, will have both of its top two receivers from last year's league championship team coming back in Marquel Gardner and Larry Cobb. 

 

Watch Cobb hard at work during offseason training as he makes 10 one-armed grabs in the span of about 16 seconds in the clip below:

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FAMU football: Three freshmen among contenders for backup QB

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Former East Gadsden High school quarterback Treveze Robinson understands very well the role that he and three others are competing for at FAMU.

Two years ago in a game against Florida High, Robinson went down and the Jaguars had to resort to a receiver as his backup. His usual backup was unavailable.

“If that happens,” Robinson said, “I will be ready to step up to help my team.”

Of course, he has to earn the opportunity as he competes in preseason practice. He along with T.J. Abrams and Jerry Caplan are going head-to-head against Carson Royal for No. 2 spot behind junior starter Damien Fleming.

Royal was promoted to the backup spot after an impressive spring, while Robinson and Abrams are true freshmen in their first season of college football. Caplan transferred from Stillman College, a Division II program, two seasons ago.

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Texas Southern Football Schedule Changes

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern made two changes to its 2013 football schedule. TSU will play Jackson State on the road on Thursday, September 19th at 6:30pm. The game was moved so it can be carried live on ESPNU.

The Tigers also moved the game against Southern University to Friday, November 1st at 8:00pm. There was a possible conflict with Major League Soccer. The Dynamo had that date set as a potential home playoff date. TSU decided to move the game to Friday to better accommodate the fans.

"It was a better option than moving it to a Thursday night because it gives the fans in Houston an opportunity to finish out their work week and come to the game, and it will eliminate a two-day turn-around off work for fans traveling from Baton Rouge," said athletics director Dr. Charles McClelland. "Hopefully our decision works best for all parties involved."

The Tigers have five home games this season which will be played at BBVA Compass Stadium.

TSU 2013 Football Schedule Date OPPONENT LOCATION TIME COVERAGE

Aug 31 *PRAIRIE VIEW BBVA Compass Stadium 7:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9
Live KHOU TV The Bounce digital CH. 11.2, Comcast SportsNet (tape delay Tues. @ noon)

Sept 14 @ Sam Houston Huntsville, TX 6:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9
Live Comcast Sports Network

Sept 19 (Thurs.) *@ Jackson State Jackson, MS 6:30pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9
Live ESPNU

Sept 28 *@ Alabama A&M Huntsville, AL 6:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9

Oct 5 *ALABAMA STATE BBVA Compass Stadium 6:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9
Live KHOU TV The Bounce digital CH. 11.2, Comcast SportsNet (tape delay Tues. @ noon)

Oct 12 *@ Ark-Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, AR 6:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9

Oct 19 *ALCORN (Homecoming) BBVA Compass Stadium 2:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9
Live KHOU TV The Bounce digital CH. 11.2, Comcast SportsNet (tape delay Tues. @ noon)

Oct 26 *@ Grambling Grambling, LA 2:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9

Nov 1 (Fri.) *SOUTHERN BBVA Compass Stadium 8:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9
Live KHOU TV The Bounce digital CH. 11.2, Comcast SportsNet (tape delay Tues. @ noon)

Nov 9 *@ Mississippi Valley Itta Bena, MS 1:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9

Nov 16 HOWARD BBVA Compass Stadium 2:00pm Live KTSU-FM 90.9
Live KHOU TV The Bounce digital CH. 11.2, Comcast SportsNet (tape delay Tues. @ noon)

* Conference Games / HOME GAMES BOLD CAPS

Home Games on CSN can be accessed on Comcast channel 39 and in high definition on Comcast channel 639.

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tiger Camp Report: Day Three

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State football team put the shoulder pads on for the first time of fall camp on Wednesday and the squad responded with its best practice thus far.

“I thought the guys really competed hard,” head coach Rod Reed said following the team’s third practice of the season. “The offense made some good plays which was good to see because the defense usually dominates the first day with all the pads on.”

Wednesday’s session started at 6 a.m., but the rain came at approximately 7:45, forcing the Tigers out of Hale Stadium and into the Indoor Football Facility. The move led to a slight delay in practice and a later finishing time.

 While the first two practices were dominated by either the offense or the defense, the third was more neutral, with neither side gaining much ground on the other. The line blocked well for most of the day, allowing for some big runs, but the secondary was able to break up a lot of passes.

The play of the day came towards the end of practice when the left side of the offensive line sealed the edge perfectly, allowing senior running back Tim Broughton to race towards the sideline for a huge gain. Broughton had just redshirt freshman corner Victor Fletcher between him and the end zone. Broughton faked a high-step juke and lowered his shoulder on the five-foot-nine 180 pound defender, but Fletcher held his ground, forcing the ball carrier to ground while he stayed upright.

“That hit stemmed from spring practice,” Reed said. “Broughton got the best of Fletcher back then, but not today. It got everybody fired up on both sides.”

Broughton will have all of fall camp to pay it forward starting tomorrow when Big Blue hits the field at 6 a.m.

This Week’s Practice Dates
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #4 (SHELLS)
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2013 - 6:00-8:00 PRACTICE #5 (SHELLS)
SATURDAY, Aug. 10, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #6 (SHELLS)
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #8 (FULL)
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2013 - 7:30-9:30  PRACTICE #9 (FULL)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #10 (FULL)


COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

A&M Football Continues Work Towards First Scrimmage; Camp Report #4

NORMAL, Alabama -- The A&M football team spent two hours on the turf of Louis Crews Stadium Tuesday morning in the first of two practices scheduled for the day; Tuesday marked the first two-a-day practice session of camp.

The team continued to workout in small groups, but ended the practice with a 11-11 non-contact drill. The Bulldogs are just two days away from its first full scrimmage of the fall on Thursday evening.

The Maroon & White open the season on Saturday, August 31, when they travel to Grambling, La to face the Tigers of Grambling State. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m.



Purchase Tickets
2013 Schedule

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Winston-Salem State Rams are looking ahead, not back

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- If there is any damage left from Winston-Salem State’s loss in last season’s Division II championship game, Coach Connell Maynor doesn’t show it.

He’s ready for the start of his fourth season. Players are set to report Friday, with 105 expected, and the first practice will be Monday.

One reason Maynor doesn’t feel as if his team is living in the past is turnover. The Rams lost nearly 30 players to graduation, exhausted eligibility, injuries or academic deficiencies and will have a decidedly new look.

After finishing 14-1 in 2012, WSSU will start this season with a 20-game regular-season winning streak.

“The coaches are fired up, and the players that are returning are ...

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Stillman QB Josh Straughan much more mature after freshman season under fire

ATLANTA, Georgia -- This college football thing really isn't as difficult as everyone tries to make it seem.

 

You come in as a 17-year-old freshman and earn the starting position at quarterback after entering the game in Week 1 with your team down double-digits and leading them to a dramatic 1-point victory. 

 

That's what Stillman College's Josh Straughan did last year, completing 7 of 12 attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns to propel the Tigers to a 28-27 win against Central State last season. 

Then, reality set in.

The Colton, Washington native threw for just 98 yards and an interception the next week in his first career start, a 31-0 loss at home against Ouachita Baptist (Arkansas),ranked No. 21 in the nation in the NCAA Division II polls. He completed 26 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown in a Week 3 loss at Shaw but did so on 53 attempts and was picked off twice. 

 

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Southern football team grinding it out

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  --  As they finished a two-hour workout Tuesday morning on the Southern practice field, the Jaguars removed their helmets and gathered to hear coach Dawson Odums speak.

The players wore full gear, sweat pouring from their foreheads.

A few hours later, they would return to the same place and do it all over again.

“It’s grind time,” Odums told the team after Tuesday’s practice. “Got to grind.”

The sixth day of preseason camp at Southern brought the first of five two-a-day sessions, welcoming the most grueling stretch of the preseason.

Odums advised the players to “stay off their feet” between practices and drink plenty of fluids.

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SIAC, Bounce TV Reach Agreement to Televise Football Games

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and Bounce TV (www.bouncetv.com) today unveiled the schedule for their new rights agreement in which Bounce TV, the nation's fast-growing and only broadcast television network for African Americans, will broadcast five (5) SIAC football games for the 2013 season.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to have SIAC football games on Bounce TV this fall," said SIAC Commissioner Gregory Moore. "As we expand our broadcast footprint from a regional to a national network, the partnership with Bounce TV will afford millions of viewers the opportunity  to follow  our outstanding SIAC football teams and student-athletes."

The SIAC football slate on Bounce TV will start on October 5th when Morehouse College will host rival Clark Atlanta University at B.T. Harvey Stadium for the annual Battle of the AUC. The following Saturday, October 12th, the Maroon Tigers will face another rival, Tuskegee University, at the historic A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, GA for the 78th Annual Tuskegee/Morehouse Classic. Miles College will host SIAC West Division opponent Kentucky State for its homecoming at Albert J. Sloan Alumni Stadium in Fairfield, AL on October 19th.

Bounce TV will also broadcast games during the final two weeks of the season. On November 9, the network will televise the 23rd Annual Fountain City Classic game between Albany State University and Fort Valley State University played also at AJ McClung Stadium in Columbus, GA. The final game of the schedule will be the 2013 SIAC Football Championship Game between the East and West Division Champions at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, November 16.

Bounce TV, the nation's fast-growing and only broadcast television network for African Americans, targets African American adults with a programming mix of original series, theatrical motion pictures, live sports, documentaries, specials, game shows and inspirational faith-based programs. Since its launch, Bounce TV has seen overwhelming success, with accelerated growth and expansion among station groups, advertisers and viewers alike.

COURTESY THESIAC.COM

Howard University Bison Athletics Launches New Website

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  Welcome to the new HUBison.com! Today, the Howard University Athletics Department, in conjunction with SIDEARM Sports, announces a new athletics web site that will deliver a platform for simpler navigation and more social media features.

"We love the passion that players, alumni and student fans bring to Howard games," Howard University Director of Athletics Louis "Skip" Perkins said "We are excited to apply this passion by giving our web site a fresh look. HUBison.com will provide alumni, fans, recruiting prospects and media outlets a variety of information on what's happening in Howard Athletics."

The new site will feature an exciting look for each of the 19 sports team at Howard. The site displays team news, rosters, and statistics in a format that allows users to access the information they want quickly and easily. New sidebars and tabs allow fans to stay connected through links to upcoming team promotional events and playing schedules.

The new HUBison.com will serve as a stronger platform for social media integration. Fans can now more easily access any of the social media platforms that Howard Athletics utilizes. Access to latest Tweets and Facebook posts will now appear at the bottom of pages. HUBison.com also boasts mobile technology enhancements, live stats technology, fan polls, photo galleries and more online video.

"We hope supporters, alumni, fans, student-athletes and the staff at Howard University enjoy their new athletics website," said Jeff Rubin, president and chief executive of SIDEARM Sports.

"HUBison.com has much to offer and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Howard." 


HOWARD BISON 2013 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date	Opponent	Location	Time/Result

8/31/2013 Eastern Michigan,  Rynearson Stadium 6:00 p.m.    
9/7/2013 Morehouse. R.F.K. Stadium 3:30 p.m.     
9/14/2013 Old Dominion, Foreman Field at SB Ballard 6:00 p.m.     
9/26/2013 N.C. A&T Aggie Stadium 7:00 p.m.    
10/5/2013 N.C. Central, William H. Greene Stadium 1:00 p.m.    
10/12/2013 Bethune-Cookman, William H. Greene Stadium 1:00 p.m.     
10/19/2013 Florida A&M Bragg Memorial Stadium 2:00 p.m.     
10/26/2013 Morgan State,  William H. Greene Stadium 1:00 p.m.     
11/2/2013 Delaware State, Alumni Stadium 2:00 p.m.     
11/9/2013 Savannah St. William H. Greene Stadium 1:00 p.m.    
11/16/2013 Texas Southern BBVA Compass Stadium 3:00 p.m.    
11/23/2013 Hampton Armstrong Stadium 1:00 p.m.     

About SIDEARM Sports
Founded in 1996 and based in Syracuse, NY, SIDEARM Sports is the leading web-based content management solution for collegiate athletics. SIDEARM sites include all the functionality that a collegiate athletic web site needs: press release and roster management, social media integration, dynamic scoreboards, sponsorship recognition, interactive polls, SIDEARM STATS (live in-game statistics), streaming audio and video, newsletters, recruiting components, and so much more. SIDEARM Sports has nearly 500 athletic clients from around the country including Cornell University, Drexel University, Eastern Illinois University, the University of Hawai'i, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Syracuse University and many other NCAA DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, NJCAA and collegiate conferences. Learn more at http://www.sidearmsports.com.

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State working to add depth to defensive line

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  —  Alabama State had one of the top-ranked defenses in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) last year, but that did not keep the coaching staff from recruiting several players to play along the defensive front. They have made it a priority to build some depth along the defensive front during preseason camp.

"The offensive and defensive lines are where you have to be strong and do what you need to do there during the game and we are especially looking at our depth along the defensive front," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Derrick Billups is a mainstay at the defensive tackle position. We believe with him being in there and with him being a consistent player, he can dominate inside."

"Justin Mitchell is a guy that has the potential, but has been a little bit inconsistent. Then there are the younger guys like Jafar Mann, Shane Woodget and some more guys that don't have the experience but we're expecting them to step up and be able to contribute for us."

The Hornets have five freshmen listed at a defensive line position, and the coaching staff sees a lot of opportunity available for the freshmen to compete immediately for playing time and to help shore up some depth across the defensive front.

"We signed some big guys up front and we have been real impressed with Malik Reid at defensive end," Barlow said. "With his size he is big enough to play inside. He is a big kid and strong off the line and we know we will use him this year."

ASU has both of their starting defensive ends returning from a year ago, and that position may actually be one of the deepest on the team.

"Our defensive ends give us the depth and experience we need," Barlow said. "(Edward) Mosley, (Chris) Terry, (Raymond) Heningburg are guys that have played and they have the experience. So we do have some depth there with guys like (Antonio) Humphreys and Sejean Hart are guys we are hoping will step up and help us out along with Carlton Jones who is mister consistent. He has been a starter for us for three years and is having a good camp for us and is doing things he needs to do."

The Hornets will take Wednesday off, but will begin their two-a-day schedule Thursday, Aug. 8 with their first practice beginning at 9 a.m. followed by their first night practice of the season at 7 p.m.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama A&M looking to establish depth chart

NORMAL, Alabama --  Through the first two days of full-contact practice, Alabama A&M head football coach Anthony Jones said he's beginning to see the wheat separate itself from the tares.

 

Some guys are beginning to think too much and play slower, Jones said. Some receivers aren't as eager as they were without pads. The same can be said for running backs and linemen on both sides of the ball. 

Players will have their first chances to prove themselves in game-like situations later in the week. The Bulldogs have scrimmages set for Thursday and Saturday. 

 

"Then, we'll be able to get some grades going and kind of set a tentative depth chart," Jones said. 

 

The Bulldogs open their season on the road against Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Grambling State (La.) Aug. 31. 

 

CONTINUE READING

Grambling begins two-a-days on Wednesday

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  The Grambling football team caught its breath Tuesday with an off day, but the plunge into two-a-day practices as the heat soars begins Wednesday.

The Tigers strapped on pads for the first time Monday, and the most competitive position battles continue to be waged.

Running back, while not necessarily being the most important battle this fall, is the most visible.

Rising sophomores Cedric Skinner (365 rushing yards) and Jeremy Runner (318 yards) led the ground game in 2012, but junior and veteran Juwan Martin (183 yards) appears he will play a larger role this season after posting the highest yards-per-carry average of 4.2 in 2012.

“Juwan Martin did a tremendous job this spring, but you still have Skinner, Runner and (Justin Fortson),” said Grambling coach Doug Williams. “The little guy (Fortson) had a great spring, too.”

CONTINUE READING

The Black Quarterback: Episode Preview - 60 MINUTES SPORTS: TONIGHT!

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Two decades after Jackie Robinson broke pro baseball's color line the NFL still had no black quarterbacks, even as African Americans excelled at every other position on the field. It was pro-football's open secret: the quarterback position was for whites only.

A handful of pioneers began to change this in 1968 and four of them tell their humiliating and often emotional stories to Armen Keteyian about an unpopular chapter in the history of America's most popular sport. Keteyian also talks to the black QBs of the 1980s and '90s, whose paths were paved by those pioneers in this rarely told story.

Watch a preview of the compelling segment of 60 MINUTES SPORTS before it airs on Wednesday, August 7 at 9 PM ET/PT Only on SHOWTIME.

Ex-JMU QB Thorpe will start for Virginia State Trojans

Justin Thorpe

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Former James Madison starting quarterback Justin Thorpe will play at Virginia State this season, according to new Trojans coach Latrell Scott.

Scott, a former University of Richmond coach, said his relationship with Thorpe began when Thorpe was a Varina High School student and Scott evaluated him on behalf of Richmond.

Scott was JMU’s tight ends coach last year.

“Having spent last season around (Thorpe), when he called us and asked about the opportunity to come (to VSU), we jumped at the chance to have him,” Scott said.

Thorpe has one season of eligibility remaining, and is projected as the Trojans’ starter in their Sept. 7 opener at Fayetteville State, according to Scott.

CONTINUE READING

Stillman football team picked 3rd in SIAC West

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE ATHLETICS

ATLANTA | The Stillman College football team, which has had winning seasons in Teddy Keaton’s first two years as head coach, has been picked to finish third in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Western Division.
The league coaches voted on the order of finish Tuesday during the SIAC football media day.

Stillman, which went 7-4 in 2011, posted a 6-5 overall record and a 4-3 conference record last season.

“I almost expected that pick, especially with how we finished third in the West in 2012,” Keaton said. “The one thing that I have consistently said to the players is that it is not about how you start, but how you finish.”

The Western Division features six teams, including Kentucky State, Tuskegee, Lane, Miles and Central State of Ohio, a new member this season.

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SIAC Football: Coaches select Albany State, Tuskegee as top teams in 2013

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its Preseason All-Conference Team and Predicted Order of Finish this afternoon at the 2013 SIAC Kickoff luncheon held at the Holiday Inn Perimeter.

The SIAC Football Coaches Association unanimously voted Tuskegee University as the top team in the West Division, as well as favorite to win the 2013 SIAC Football Championship.  The Golden Tigers received 5 out of 6 first place votes in front of 2011 SIAC Champion Miles College, selected to finish second, followed by third place Stillman College. Lane College was selected as the fourth place team, followed by Kentucky State University and SIAC newcomer Central State University.

Led by senior running back and 2012 SIAC Player of the Year Derrick Washington, Tuskegee went 10-2, with the only blemish resulting from a 28-13 loss to Elizabeth City State University in the Pioneer Bowl. The Golden Tigers return 16 starters, including 13 All-SIAC Preseason selections, from a team that finished 7-0 against conference opponents in route to claiming the program's 29th SIAC Championship.

In the East Division, Albany State was selected to finished as the top team, followed by last year's East Division Champion Fort Valley State University. After the coaches picked Morehouse College to finish third, Benedict and Clark Atlanta, were voted to finish fourth and fifth, respectively.

Headlining the All-Conference team is Miles redshirt-senior quarterback David Thomas, who threw for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, to lead the program to its first Division II playoff appearance in school history. His teammate running back Floyd Graves, the SIAC's top returning rusher, and Kentucky State's Justin Williams were picked as the top running backs. Another Golden Bears player Antonio Pitts and Albany State's Jessie Atkins were selected at receiver, while Zach Thomas, a sophomore from Central State University, who put up big numbers as a freshman was named to the team at tight end. Tuskegee's Devonte Jones and Christopher Tolbert, paired with Morehouse's Drew Wilkins and Richard Washington are the first team offensive linemen.

On defense, SIAC Defensive Player of the Year and All-American LeRon Furr from Fort Valley State highlights the group of first team linebackers. Joining Furr, is Tuskegee's top tackler Quavon Taylor and Clark Atlanta's Bernard Williams. Stillman's Peter Dele, Morehouse's Clarence Christian, Benedict's Devin Gainer, and Bernard Little, also from Fort Valley State were named as first team players. The Fort Valley State trio of Duron Furr, Thomas "Trey" Wolfe, and Tracey White, in addition to Albany State All-American, Dexter Moody headline the heralded group of defensive backs.

On special teams Benedict's Eduardo Hernandez and Morehouse punter Temitayo Agoro were the first team selections, while the always dangerous Thomas Williams of Morehouse and Stillman's Dondre Purnell were voted as first team return specialist. Overall, Tuskegee led the conference with 13 preseason selections, followed by Miles with nine players.

The 2013 SIAC Preseason All-Conference Team and Predicted Order of Finish can be seen below.

2013 SIAC Predicted Order of Finish

                East Division                                                       West Division
1. Albany State University (3)                                     1. Tuskegee University (4)
2. Fort Valley State University (2)                               2. Miles College (2)
3. Morehouse College                                                  3. Stillman College
4. Benedict College                                                      4. Kentucky State
5. Clark Atlanta University                                          5. Lane College
                                                                                      6. Central State University

East Division Champion: Albany State       West Division Champion: Tuskegee

Overall SIAC Champion: Tuskegee (7)
Note: Number of first place votes in parenthesis



First Team Offense
Position Name No. School Class HT. WT. Hometown
QB David Thomas 16 Miles Senior 6-2 206 Opelika, AL
RB Floyd Graves 7 Miles Senior 5-8 180 Newton, MS
RB Justin Williams 6 Kentucky State Junior 5-11 185 Pompano Beach, FL
OL Devonte Jones 73 Tuskegee Senior 6-1 330 Ft. Lauderdale, FL
OL Christopher Tolbert 74 Tuskegee Senior 6-7 320 Birmingham, AL
OL Drew Wilkins 78 Morehouse Junior 6-4 315 Elkins Park, PA
OL Richard Washington 74 Morehouse Junior 6-9 345 Washington, DC
OL Terrance Owens 73 Miles Soph 6-1 292 Greenville, AL
WR Antonio Pitts 12 Miles Junior 5-10 174 Montgomery, AL
WR Jessie Atkins 4 Albany State Junior 5-10 180 Camilla, GA
TE Zach Thomas 85 Central State Soph 6-4 215 Columbus, OH
K Eduardo Hernandez 11 Benedict Soph 5-10 180 Miami, FL
KR Thomas Williams 21 Morehouse R-Senior 5-11 175 Knightindale, NC

First Team Defense
Position Name No. School Class HT. WT. Hometown
DL Bernard Little 90 Fort Valley State Junior 6-4 290 Eatonton, GA
DL Clarence Christian 97 Morehouse Senior 6-3 255 Atlanta, GA
DL Devin Gainer 92 Benedict Senior 6-0 285 St. Petersburg, FL
DL Peter Dele 45 Stillman Junior 5-9 213 Fresno, TX
LB Bernard Williams 49 Clark Atlanta Junior 5-11 225 Omega, GA
LB LeRon Furr 33 Fort Valley State Senior 6-3 235 Columbus, GA
LB Quavon Taylor 1 Tuskegee Junior 6-1 210 Miami, FL
DB Carlos Wilson 20 Stillman Senior 5-10 175 Mobile, AL
DB Joe Beckham 20 Miles R-Soph 5-11 180 Daleville, AL
DB Dexter Moody 3 Albany State Senior 6-3 200 Twin City, GA
DB Jack Howard 21 Lane Senior 5-11 175 Miami, FL
P Temitayo Agoro 44 Morehouse Soph. 5-11 190 Fort Worth, TX
PR Dondre Purnell 7 Stillman Junior 5-10 175 Smyrna, GA

Second Team Offense
Position Name No. School Class HT. WT. Hometown
QB Justin Nared 17 Tuskegee Junior 6-1 200 Evergreen, AL
RB Devonta Parker-Johnson 27 Miles Soph 5-9 174 Milry, AL
RB Michael J. Thornton 38 Tuskegee Junior 6-2 230 Thomasville, AL
OL Michael D. Thornton 72 Tuskegee Junior 6-0 305 Miami, FL
OL Marquis Franklin 52 Fort Valley State Senior 6-8 330 Tyler, TX
OL Aderus Hood 60 Miles Junior 6-3 292 Mt. Hebron, AL
OL Derrick Miles 63 Stillman Senior 6-3 270 Tuscaloosa, AL
OL Matt Reese 63 Tuskegee Junior 6-3 310 Birmingham, AL
WR Marquel Franklin 25 Tuskegee Junior 6-3 210 Prichard, AL
WR DJ Fife 15 Miles Junior 5-11 185 Cherokee Co., AL
TE Stephen Clements 87 Tuskegee Senior 6-0 225 Birmingham, AL
K Cade Berryman 1 Kentucky State Soph. 5-9 151 Irvine, KY
KR Dondre Purnell 7 Stillman Junior 5-10 175 Smyrna, GA

Second Team Defense
Position Name No. School Class HT. WT. Hometown
DL Jordan Paige 7 Central State Junior 6-5 225 Osceola, FL
DL Kevdrick Blue 92 Tuskegee R-Soph 6-0 225 Millbrook, AL
DL Reginald Woods 55 Tuskegee Senior 6-3 240 Compton, CA
DL Kenneth Townsend 94 Kentucky State Senior 6-3 263 Louisville, KY
LB El-Malik Chinn 33 Tuskegee Junior 5-11 215 Northport, AL
LB Marcavius Dudley Albany State Senior 5-10 230 Brunswick, GA
LB Reginald Virges 58 Miles Senior 5-10 220 Alpine, AL
DB Thomas "Trey" Wolfe 9 Fort Valley State Senior 6-1 185 Marietta, GA
DB Duron Furr 17 Fort Valley State Senior 6-3 205 Columbus, GA
DB Tracey White 29 Fort Valley State Junior 5-11 190 Dunwoody, GA
DB Joseph Blount 15 Central State Junior 5-10 185 St. Louis, MO
P Brian Currey 35 Benedict Soph 6-1 170 Prattville, AL
PR Desmond Reese 83 Tuskegee Soph 5-10 170 Valley, AL

COURTESY THESIAC.COM

Morgan State Football Team Receives Visit From Past MSU Greats During Media Day

BALTIMORE, Maryland  --  Despite the rain this past Saturday, the 2013 Morgan State football team had a full slate, as the team took part in its annual picture and media day. As an added bonus this year, the squad had a bonding session with several former Morgan State greats.

Those former Bears who were in attendance included former Dallas Cowboy, Mark Washington; retired General "Kip" Ward; New York Times sportswriter and novelist, Joe Draper, who authored a book about the 2012 Army football team; Craig Spencer, who attended the first Morgan vs. Grambling football game in 1968 when he was a kid and New York Times sports journalist, Bill Rhoden, who hosted the event.

They each addressed the team with inspiring messages about their experiences while at Morgan State and also touched on the historical significance and importance of playing against Army in the season opener on August 30th in West Point, N.Y. The game will mark the first time that a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) football team will square off against the United States Military Academy (Army).

The program was very informative and included a trip down memory lane with a discussion and showing of the DVD documentary featuring the 1968 Morgan vs. Grambling Football Classic game played in Yankee Stadium, which was put on by the New York Urban League. The current Morgan State players were also introduced by the former athletes to the Morgan "Grizzly" tradition ('Claim to Fame'), which is a football team function.

Courtesy Morgan State University Athletics

Several members of the Return to Greatness Steering Committee were also in attendance.

Morgan State kicks off the 2013 campaign on Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. when it takes on Army live on the CBS Sports Network, the 24-hour cable home of CBS Sports. The Bears will remain on the road for three more contests, including a Sept. 21 date at Western Kentucky, before finally playing in the friendly confines of Hughes Stadium when they host Norfolk State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) match-up on Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.

The following week Morgan State will welcome the Rattlers of Florida A&M to Baltimore for Homecoming on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. Later in the season the Bears will be featured on ESPNU as part of the MEAC's television package, when they travel to Orangeburg, S.C. to take on South Carolina State on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

For more information on Morgan State football and Morgan State athletics, log on to www.morganstatebears.com.



COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

PVAMU Panther Alumni Hard At Work In NFL Training Camps

Spears, Hamilton and Reed Are Vying For NFL Roster Positions

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas --  With two days of training camp nearly in the books for the Prairie View A&M Panthers, three former Panthers who excelled at defensive end in Adrian Hamilton, Quinton Spears and Jarvis Reed are currently vying for roster spots on NFL teams.

Adrian Hamilton is beginning his second season with the Baltimore Ravens and looks to make a bigger impact on the defensive side of the ball after seeing time on special teams last fall.  The former sack specialist, who plays outside linebacker for the Ravens, recently drew praise from Baltimoreravens.com for his pass coverage skills during 11-on-11 drills.  Hamilton, who was a Pstandout with the Dallas Cowboys last summer, will make his preseason debut this Thursday evening versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6:30 p.m.

Quinton Spears begins his first season with the Indianapolis Colts after spending the 2011 season with the Cleveland Browns.  Spears received valuable experience playing special teams in 2011 and like Hamilton, made the move to linebacker in the NFL.  Currently, Spears is paired with another former SWAC great, Robert Mathis of Alabama A&M, and will have every opportunity to prove himself as the Colts begin preseason play on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. versus the Buffalo Bills.

Jarvis Reed, formerly Jarvis Wilson, starts his pro career as an outside linebacker after a solid career playing defensive end for Prairie View A&M.  Like Hamilton and Spears, Reed will be asked to play big roles on both special teams and defensive situations in order to solidify himself a spot on the Packers' roster.  Reed makes his NFL debut Friday night in a preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at 7 p.m.

 

To see more future NFL prospects wearing purple and gold, purchase your season tickets today by calling (936) 261-9111 in addition to special hotel rates for selected games through the month of August.

Keep up with all the action through PVAMU's official Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram social media websites.  Also stay connected through daily updates delivered right to your e-mail by subscribing to PVPanthers.com's newsletter.

2013 SCHEDULE

 

2013 PV FOOTBALL CAMP SCHEDULE (subject to change if weather is a factor)All practices are open to the public

 

Tuesday, Aug. 6	6:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 7	6:45 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 8	6:45 p.m. (Helmets & Shoulder Pads)
Friday, Aug. 9	6:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10	7:00 p.m. (Full Gear)
Sunday, Aug. 11	7:00 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 12	8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 13	9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 14	8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 15	9:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 16	8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 17	7:00 p.m. (Scrimmage)
Sunday, Aug. 18	7:00 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 19	8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 20	9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21	8:30 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22	9:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 23	Walk-Thru
Saturday, Aug. 24	Team Activity
Sunday, Aug. 25	Walk-Thru
Saturday, Aug. 31	Labor Day Classic at Texas Southern (7 p.m.)

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION