Alcorn State Football Media Day Set for Saturday, Aug. 10th

LORMAN, Mississippi  -- The Alcorn State Football team will host its' annual media day this Saturday, August, 10^th at the Alcorn State Football Practice Facilities.  The team will practice that morning at 9 a.m. and return at 1 p.m. for player and coaches interviews and photos.

The Braves open the 2013 football season at Jack Spinks/Marino Casem Stadium on Aug. 31^st against Edward Waters. The game is set for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff.  For more information on the Alcorn State 2013 Football season, follow the team on twitter @BRAVESSPORTS, on instagram @alcornstatesports at www.alcornsports.com.

2013 Media Day Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 10
Practice at 9:00 a.m.
Brunch at 11:00 a.m.
Open to media at 1:00 p.m.


2013 ASU BRAVES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date	Time	Opponent	Location	Home / Away
8/31/2013	4:00 PM	Edward Waters	Lorman, MS	H
9/7/2013	TBA	Mississippi State	Starkville, MS	A
High School Day
9/14/2013	2:00 PM	Mississippi Valley State	Lorman, MS	H	*
9/21/2013	6:00 PM	Arkansas Pine-Bluff	Pine Bluff, AR	A	*
9/28/2013	5:00 PM	Alabama State	Montgomery, AL	A	*
Homecoming
10/5/2013	2:00 PM	Warner University	Lorman, MS	H
Circle City Classic
10/12/2013	3:00 PM	Grambling State	Indianapolis, IN	N	*
10/19/2013	2:00 PM	Texas Southern	Houston, TX	A	*
10/26/2013	5:30 PM	Southern	Baton Rouge, LA	A	*
11/2/2013	4:00 PM	Alabama A&M	Lorman, MS	H	*
11/7/2013	6:30 PM	Prairie View	Lorman, MS	H	*
11/16/2013	2:00 PM	Jackson State	Jackson, MS	A	*

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Zippy Jackson State athlete Jarius Moore turning heads

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  The latest Jackson State newbie to stand out in practices has been a zippy freshman.

Jarius Moore carried the ball during running drills, slipping through holes in tackles, and in Thursday morning’s full-pads session, Moore showed what he can do at 5-foot-11, 205-pounds.

“That No. 3, I love him,” head coach Rick Comegy said. “Good God, he turned the corner today and ran up and down the end zone. I put him at the plus-20, and when he turned that corner, there was nobody by him. Zip.

“I didn’t think he had all of that until he turned that corner and took the pitch, and there were a lot of guys that had angles on him, he just — I said good God.”



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Scrimmage could help separate Southern running backs

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Two weeks into the fall practice schedule and three weeks away from the season opener, the Southern Jaguars have their share of questions going into Saturday’s first scrimmage of preseason practice.

One of the biggest is how their stable of tailbacks will shake out come Aug. 30.

Projected starter Lenard Tillery is sidelined with a minor ankle injury.

“Tillery has had a pretty nice spring,” running backs coach Elvis Joseph said. “He’ll back in a couple of days, so we’re just going to be smart with him right now. We don’t want to push him.”

The injury to Tillery will give the other backs a chance to showcase their abilities and make their claim to be included in the rotation this fa

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Southern cooks up depth at receiver with Chuck Baker aboard

If Thursday morning’s practice was any indication, the Southern football team’s defense looks to be a step ahead of its offensive counterparts.

When practice concluded with the sides squaring off in red zone, goal line and overtime situations, the defense consistently came out ahead. Co-offensive coordinator Chadwick Germany said his players have a lot of catching up to do.

“The defense did a great job of being hard-nosed,” he said. “As an offense, we’re not satisfied with where we are.”

His group welcomed All-Southwestern Athletic Conference receiver Lee Doss back to practice Thursday after he suffered a hip contusion Monday. Doss led the Jaguars with 65 catches for 703 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior last season.

“We think we’ll have a good, solid unit at receiver led by Doss,” Germany said.

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Southern football team to scrimmage Saturday

The Southern football team will conduct the first of two full-squad scrimmages on Saturday with an eye on improving execution and communication.

The scrimmage, which is set to start at 9 a.m., will consist of the first-team offense against the first-team defense, as well as the second-team units squaring off with some third-unit players seeing action.

Coach Dawson Odums said the scrimmage will focus on game-day situations: red-zone, goal-line and open-field scenarios.

“Everything will be situational,” Odums said. “We’ll work on being backed up on our own goal line. Just all game-day situations.”

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Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils kick off fall camp

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- The Mississippi Valley State football team kicked off fall camp Monday in preparation for the 2013 season which is set to begin Sept. 1 in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney against Florida A&M at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

A total of 93 players have reported to camp, including a host of former high school standouts and community college transfers. All-SWAC selections Robert Simpson (DT, 6-3, 267, Sr.), Kevin Eugene (DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.) and Julian Stafford (WR, 5-10, 180, R-Sr.) also return to help the Delta Devils pick up where they left off last season after winning its final three games.

Valley will hold its first full practice Saturday at 5:45 p.m. at the MVSU practice field.

 Get instant updates on Twitter (@MVSUDevilSports) and Facebook.

The upcoming pratice schedule for MVSU includes:

Friday, Aug. 9	Practice #4 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 10	Practice #5 (Full)	5:45 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 11	Practice #6 (Helmets)	5:45 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 12	Practice #7 (Full)	6:15 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 12	Practice #8 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 13	Practice #9 (Full)	5:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 14	Practice #10 (Full)	6:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 14	Practice #11 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 15	Practice #12 (Helmets)	5:45 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 16	Practice #13 (Full)	6:15 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 16	Practice #13 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 17	Practice #15 (Full)	5:45 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 18	Practice #16 (Helmets)	5:45 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 19	Practice #17 (Full)	6:15 a.m.
Monday, Aug. 19	Practice #18 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 20	Practice #19 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21	Practice #20 (Full)	6:15 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21	Practice #21	5:45 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 22	Practice #22 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 23	Practice #23 (Full)	6:15 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 23	Practice #24 (Uppers)	5:45 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 24	Practice #25 (Helmets)	5:45 p.m.

COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Hornets Looking Forward to First Scrimmage

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  — The Alabama State football team has practiced for eight days and will hold their first controlled scrimmage at New Hornet Stadium Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. The scrimmage will be closed to the public.

The scrimmage may be trimmed down some, because the Hornets have several players who will not be able to participate due to injuries.

"We want to try and get about 80 to 90 plays in," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Unfortunately, we have a lot of guys either banged up, injured or hurt, so the scrimmage will be predicated on the guys we have out there, but we are looking forward to those 80 or 90 plays."

Like all teams, ASU films all of their practices and goes back to evaluate those films to look for standout plays and players and also teach from the mistakes. Tomorrow's live scrimmage will give an even deeper look at film study and evaluation.

"I am looking forward to us having an opportunity to have the officials out there to help us to tighten up our play and play without making penalties," Barlow said. "It also gives us a chance to play on the field without the coaches being out there. We will be able to stay on the sidelines which give us an opportunity to observe and grade these guys. Sometimes it becomes a bit cluttered when we are out here on the field. So I am looking forward to in the morning."

ASU will hold two more scrimmages after tomorrow. One on Aug. 17 and the final scrimmage will be set for Aug. 24.



Hornets Have Options at Quarterback; Saturday's Scrimmaged Closed to the Public

MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Alabama State University hit the field Thursday with the first of six scheduled two-a-day practice sessions. The ASU coaching staff will have an extra period of practice during those six days to look at one of the top positions that needs to be filled, and that is quarterback.

ASU enters the 2013 football season with three experienced running backs, an experienced offensive line, and several young, but talented receivers, but replacing two-year starter Greg Jenkins at quarterback has become one of the top decisions during preseason camp. Jenkins amassed over 4,000 career yards (rushing and passing) and a total of 35 touchdowns (rushing and passing) over his two years under center.

Daniel Duhart served as the Hornets' backup last season and proved himself by completing 69 percent of his passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns, with no interceptions.

One would think Duhart would be the starting quarterback heading into the 2013 season, and he has done nothing to hurt his chances during the spring and in preseason camp, but the arrival of Arsenio Favor, who transferred to ASU from Southern Mississippi, has given the Hornets' coaching staff plenty of options under center.

"We do have two guys (Duhart and Favor) we believe in," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "We just need for them to take ownership of it. I have been preaching throughout this camp the quarterback position is more than just calling the plays and getting the guys lined up. It's about how you carry yourself; it's how you walk, its how you communicate. So we are expecting one of those guys to step into it. We believe both of those guys can get the job done we just need one of them to step up and take ownership of it and to be the guy."

ASU did sign two freshmen in Quinteris Toppings (Eight Mile, Ala.) and Sir Jackson (Gainesville, Fla.). Those players are talented, but are a little behind the other two.

"I think those guys are picking up things pretty good," Barlow said. "Quinteris is a little ahead of Jackson. He knows the system and being here this summer helped him out. Sir is a guy that has some ability, but he is a bit too casual right now and has to pick it up and understand the college game, but those are two good gets for us."

All of the quarterbacks will get plenty of reps Saturday, when ASU holds their first scrimmage of preseason camp. The scrimmage is set to begin at 9 a.m., at New Hornet Stadium. The scrimmage will be closed to the public. ASU will only practice once on Friday, at 3:30 p.m.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

South Carolina State Bulldogs Hold First Preseason Scrimmage

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  — South Carolina State continued preseason fall workouts Friday morning in preparation for the Bulldogs first scrimmage Saturday at O. C. Dawson Stadium. The Bulldogs held a two-hour morning workout session in full pads.

"Another full day a practice and we seemed to have gotten a lot accomplished today," said head coach Buddy Pough. "For the most part it was a pretty good day and our team is still showing some life."

In addition to team-style drills, the Bulldogs continued their focus on special teams, an area that has become a bit of a concern for Pough and his staff.

"We are still trying to find our way in some instances (as it relates to special teams), but we appear to be moving in the right direction in identifying people who will be able to help us in those roles (on special teams) in which we need them."



Pough noted that the defense seems to be a little bit ahead of things at this point, and have more of an established plan with being familiar with what the team is trying to accomplish

"During our first scrimmage I would like to get as many young guys involved as I possibly can tomorrow," he said. "But the main thing is show some signs of understanding of what we are trying to install and try to get a good look at those new guys."

SC State will hold its annual Media & Picture Day beginning tomorrow morning at 9 a.m., followed by a scrimmage during the evening at 7 p.m., the first of the preseason.

The Bulldogs will return to the practice field Monday with two workouts – an early morning session at 9:30 a.m. in full pads and an evening practice at 7:10 in shells.

Saturday Aug. 10 Media & Picture Day-9 a.m. O.C. Dawson Stadium

Practice#9(scrimmage #1-full pads)-7 p.m.

Sunday Aug. 11 No practice

Monday Aug. 12 Two-a-day Practices
Practice # 10(full pads) 9:30 a.m.
Practice # 11(shells) 7:10 p.m.

Tuesday Aug. 13 Practice # 12(full pads)-9:30 a.m.

Wednesday Aug. 14 Two-a-day Practices
Practice # 13(full pads) 9:30 a.m.
Practice # 14(shells) 7:10 p.m.

Thursday Aug. 15 Practice #15(full pads)-9:30 a.m.

Friday Aug. 16 Two-a-day Practices
Practice # 16(full pads) 9:30 a.m.
Practice # 17(shells) 7:10 p.m.

Saturday Aug. 17 Practice# 18(Scrimmage 2-full pads) 10 a.m.

Sunday Aug. 18 No practice

Monday Aug.19 Two-a-day Practices

Practice # 19(full pads) 9:30 a.m.

Practice # 20(shells) 7 p.m.

Tuesday Aug. 20 Classes Begin, No Practice
Rally on the Square (Downtown Orangeburg) 6:30 p.m.

**In-season practice schedule begins Aug. 21(times vary, consult Sports Information Office).**

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State Tiger Camp Report: Day Five

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State football team completed Friday’s practice inside the Indoor Practice Facility for fear of inclement weather the likes of the previous two days. There was marked improvement team-wide from Monday to the fifth practice.

“We have a veteran group returning this year,” head coach Rod Reed said. “So they are catching on to the system a lot quicker. Now we are just trying to get the new guys some reps.”

The upperclassmen dominated Friday’s session, especially in the defensive front-seven where linebackers Wilson Robinson and Nick Thrasher were flying around all day. Thrasher made many stops on running plays, while Robinson came out of nowhere to deflect a pass during the latter portion of practice.

“This is a different Wilson Robinson than I have seen in the past few years. He seems to have an agenda and is much more focused on details and refining his skills,” Reed said.

On the offensive side of the ball, the quarterbacks threw the ball better on Friday, but the running backs produced the biggest plays. True freshman Tevin Spells made two eye-opening cuts on a run that seemed to be doomed from the start, and ended up in the end zone for a 40-yard touchdown. Spells’s long run was one of many by TSU’s backs, providing even more question marks as to who would be getting the most carries come Sept. 1.

“Three years ago, I made a promise that we would never be short on running backs. We may have an overflow at the position [now], but it’s a good problem to have,” Reed said.

Big Blue will scrimmage tomorrow from 7:30-9:30 a.m. to wrap up the first week of fall camp.

This Week's Practice Schedule
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2013- 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #6 (SHELLS)
MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #8 (FULL)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #9 (FULL)
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #10 (FULL)
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013 - 7:30-9:30 PRACTICE #11 (FULL)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 2013 - 9:15-11:30 PRACTICE #12 (FULL)

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

SSU Football Team To Conduct First Scrimmage Saturday

HEAD COACH EARNEST WILSON III
(Courtesy SSU Athletics)

SAVANNAH, Georgia  -- A tenacious defense, efficient offense and overall display of solid fundamentals. Those are the things Savannah State University first-year head coach Earnest Wilson III said he hopes to see during the Tigers' first scrimmage at 8 a.m. Saturday at T.A. Wright Stadium.
 
“You want to be able to see the defense stop people but at the same time you want to see the offense score,” said Wilson, who was hired June 7 from Hampton University, where he was the Pirates' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “You want to see consistency. You want to see the fundamentals and good technique being executed. You want to see a sense of urgency on both sides of the ball, and we want to make sure that they are assignment-correct. If I can see fundamentals and good technique, and a sense of urgency, then I think Savannah State football is going in the right direction.”

Wilson and his assistants have been busy working with the players who returned after finishing 1-10 overall and 0-8 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference last season. The coaching staff sees tremendous potential in an offense that returns 10 starters and a defense that brings back eight starters. SSU lost three starters from last season's team: offensive lineman Cedric Brown, defensive tackle James Briscoe, and nose tackle Terrance Williams.
 
“We have 86 guys now on our roster,” Wilson said. “We pretty much hit every day. We're doing a lot of hitting. We're trying to get the team into a game-mode mentality at all times.”

SSU averaged 13.4 points per game while allowing 44.9 points last season. The Tigers averaged 82.1 yards rushing and 169.3 yards passing. Defensively, SSU allowed 286.5 yards rushing and 179.5 yards passing.
 
“All positions are open,” Wilson said. “This team went 1-10 last year so nobody's a real starter here. Everybody's got to fight it out for a position.”

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TSU Tigers Eye OVC Success as They Prepare to Open Camp

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State volleyball team will hit the courts on Saturday morning to train for the upcoming 2013 season. Head coach Kathy Roulhac enters her 10th season at the helm of the Tigers and is looking to claim the program's second Ohio Valley Conference Title.

 

“I am extremely excited,” Roulhac said. “It is always good to get back in the gym with the girls. Everybody, including myself, is expecting greatness. I am just ready for the 2013 season to begin.”

 

TSU finished 18-14 on the season and 10-6 in OVC play, good for a third place in the Eastern Division and the No. 4 seed at the conference championships. The Tigers won their first game at the post-season tournament, but fell to eventual champion Belmont in the semifinals.

 

Senior Erika Moss and redshirt junior Naomi Wells were both named to the all-OVC team in 2012 and will be looked upon to lead TSU.

 

“They are already hungry from last season,” Roulhac commented. “Erika, our lone senior, has been trying to do this for three years and she is on a mission. Naomi has worked all summer to get to the point she is right now. Those two girls [are] leading the pack; we are definitely going to come up with a championship.”

 

The Tigers open with three tournaments with a match at home against Alabama A&M sandwiched between their second and third tournament. The season kicks off against host South Alabama, defending Southern Conference champions Georgia Southern and Southern Utah at the Jaguar Invite on Aug. 30-31.

 

TSU will travel to Big Ten country on Sept. 13-14 to compete in the Hoosier Classic. The Tigers open with a match versus Wyoming and follow with games on day two against host Indiana and Conference USA opponent UAB.

 

After hosting AAMU on Sept. 17, Coach Roulhac’s squad will close out their non-conference tournament schedule with games against Elon, South Carolina State and UNC-Charlotte at the UNCC 49er Invite on Sept. 13 and 14.

 

TSU will be tested early as they open OVC play with three straight home matches. Eastern Kentucky is first on the slate at Kean Hall on Sept. 27 and is followed by two-time defending regular season champions Morehead State the next day. Three days later, on Oct. 1, cross-town rival and defending OVC tournament champions, Belmont University, steps into Kean.

 

“We try to put together a competitive schedule,” Roulhac stated. “I wanted to get some top teams on our schedule and that is why we chose the Indiana tournament. We try and have some competitive teams that are closer in nature to the OVC, as well as the big competition because we need to prepare for the next level. We feel the combination of opponents during non-conference play will prepare us for the OVC.”

 

The Tigers will take to the court on two occasions during Saturday's practice before splitting into individual workouts to close out the day.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fields key to Winston-Salem Rams’ success

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- In spite of Winston-Salem State University’s unprecedented football success over the past two seasons (27-2), linebacker Carlos Fields refuses to take anything for granted. He’s acutely aware that there are no guarantees for the Rams, who advanced to play for last year’s Division II national championship.

The memories of a 35-7 defeat to Valdosta State (Ga.) haven’t faded. In fact, it provides more incentive for Winston-Salem State in its quest to return to the national title game in December.

“The way we performed last season was all about heart,” said Fields, who was voted first-team All-America by D2Football.com a year ago. “It’s very difficult to win a lot of games and find ways to stay highly focused for every game of the season. We fell one game short, but we’ll use that to add fuel to the fire. Our goal is to earn another trip to Alabama (to play for the national championship).”

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Hampton Pirates drop opening game in BTC Summer Thunder

NASSAU, Bahamas – Free throws proved to be the difference in the end as the Pirates fell to the Mail Boat Cybots 79-85 in their first game of their international trip to the Bahamas on Thursday night in the Basketball Travelers Summer Thunder event.

Senior guard/forward Du'Vaughn Maxwell (Manhattan, N.Y.) led the Pirates with 27 points and 11 rebounds, starting the year with a double-double, while 2012 MEAC Rookie of the Year sophomore guard Deron Powers (Williamsburg, Va.), added 15 points.

The Pirates shot 44 percent (32-for-75) from the floor, hitting two of their 16 3-pointers (13 percent) and 13 of their 30 free throws (43 percent). Hampton scored 10 points off of 19 Mail Boat Cybot turnovers as well as 18 points in the paint.

Hampton grabbed 55 total rebounds.



Mail Boat Cybot shot 40 percent (28-for-70) from the floor and hit one of its six 3-pointers (17 percent). They also hit 28 of their 50 free throws, going 56 percent from the charity stripe.

Eugene Bain led the Cybots with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while brother Brian Bain added 16 points. Ernest Saunders also scored in double figures with 13 points in the win for Mail Boat Cybots.

The Pirates will return to action on tomorrow, when they take on New Providence All-Stars at the Sir Kendall Issac Gymnasium at 7 p.m. For more information on Hampton University basketball, check them out on twitter @Hampton_MBB, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Miles College quarterback race could be interesting heading into camp

ATLANTA, Georgia---Christmas came early for Miles College football fans when the NCAA granted quarterback David Thomas an additional year of eligibility this offseason.

Thomas was chosen as a first-team selection to the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's preseason all-league squad, after completing 143 of 221 passes for 2,059 yards and 13 touchdowns against eight interceptions, at the SIAC Media Day at the Holiday Inn Perimeter today.

But don't think the 6-foot-2, 206-pounder has the job all sewn up. Despite his familiarity with coach Reginald Ruffin's spread offense, which produced more than 34 points per game last season, the most in the SIAC, the Opelika native will still have to earn his starting spot like everyone else when the Golden Bears open camp Wednesday in Fairfield.

We don't give out positions," Ruffin said. "David was ...

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ASU Golden Rams voted to win the SIAC East Division

ATLANTA, Georgia -- The 2013 Albany State football team was voted to win the SIAC East Division at the conference's annual Kickoff Reception. Golden Rams Dexter Moody, Jessie Atkins and Marcavius Dudley were also selected to SIAC Preseason All-Conference team.

"We have improved from last season, and I will accept this honor. Just for us to get back to our old level would be a major improvement," head coach Mike White said.

"We want to build off last year. We thought we were better than a 6-4 team. We want to put out a well-rounded team and play Albany State style of football. We want to be champs in this conference, but we want to think about the bigger picture and play more than just 10 games this season."

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.

Albany State finished the 2012 season with a 6-4 record and second in the East Division behind Fort Valley.

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 Championship. The Golden Tigers received five out of six 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.

Moody, a 6'3, 200 lb defensive back from Twin City, Georgia was named to SIAC Defensive 1st Team. He led the SIAC in interceptions (seven) and ranked third in the nation in 2012.

Atkins returns for his junior season as ASU's top receiver. He was named to the SIAC Offensive 1st Team. In 2012, the Camilla, Georgia native recorded 32 receptions 553 receiving yards.

Dudley, a 5'9, 240 lb linebacker from Brunswick, Georgia was voted to the SIAC Defense's 2nd Team. He led the Golden Rams in tackles (75 total, 31 solo) a season ago.

The Golden Rams will open their season on September 7th at North Greenville.

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

COURTESY ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN RAMS SPORTS INFORMATION

Savannah State Tiger Basketball Signs Five New Players

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Head men's basketball coach Horace Broadnax has added five new players to join the Savannah State men's basketball program for the 2013-14 season. Joining the Tigers will be three recent high school graduates and two junior college transfers.

Alante Fenner, Javaris Jenkins, and Saadiq Muhammad are all 2013 high school graduates while Hikeem Champaigne and Terel Hall come to SSU from junior colleges.

Fenner (6-4, 180) played at Lake Wales High School in Lake Wales, Florida where he averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game. Jenkins (6-5, 200) played at Deerfield Beach High School in Deerfield Beach, Florida averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds per game. Muhammad (6-7, 200) averaged 11 points and 7 rebounds while helping Sol C. Johnson High School in Savannah, Georgia to a state championship.

Champaigne (6-9, 216) played at Denmark Tech. The Charleston, South Carolina native averaged 10.4 points and 8.5 rebounds a game while Hall (6-1, 185) who is from Dawson, Georgia, averaged 6.1 points, 5.5 assist and 3.2 rebounds a game this past season at Chipola Junior College.

Broadnax will be entering his ninth season as the Tigers head coach. SSU finished the 2012-13 season with a 19-15 record and earned a trip to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
                   


COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

South Carolina State Bulldogs in the Bahamas: Day 1

NASSAU, Bahamas -- South Carolina State University's men's basketball team will be in the Bahamas from August 8-13 to take on the Caribbean National teams in exhibition games. While they are there, senior forward Chasen Campbell gives an inside look at what the Bulldogs experience during their time in Nassau.

Wow, this has been a journey to the great island of Nassau, Bahamas.

We left South Carolina State University at 6:30 a.m. and departed Charlotte, North Carolina at 11:30 a/m. Once we landed, the scenery was mesmerizing. I enjoyed looking at the contrasting water with its light and dark tones. It was rejuvenating. I felt privileged and motivated to continue this type of travel in the future.

Coach Garvin always says ...


Murray Garvin on S.C. State Basketball

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S.C. State Bulldogs bring intensity to preseason camp

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- As a senior, South Carolina State linebacker Joe Thomas of Blackville-Hilda High School has his “two-a-day” practice regimen down to a science.

“Just having your mind right,” he said. “Coming out in the morning, getting the job done and, in the afternoon, doing the same thing without losing intensity.”

Through a pair of two-hour practices Wednesday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, the Bulldogs maintained a suitable level of intensity for the coaching staff. At the same time, the team was careful not to endanger themselves physically.

“We got some instructional kinds of things that we’ve got to relay to our guys to make sure that we can practice properly,” head coach Buddy Pough said. “One of the hardest things to do, especially at the early part of camp, is to gear them down a little bit so you can get all the things accomplished you’re trying to get done. Our guys want to be a little rough and tumble when you’re not in the full gear and stuff. So that gets to be a little bit of an issue. But besides that, our guys seem to have a little bit of enthusiasm.”



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Tickets for AT&T Nations Football Classic are on Sale

WASHINGTON, D.C.  --  With kick-off to the 2013 Howard University Football season just a few weeks away, now is the time to prepare for the Nation's Capital opening event, the third Annual AT&T Nation's Football Classic^®, hosted by Events DC.  Tickets for the Saturday, Sept. 7 event against Morehouse College are available.

Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster, the Howard University Box Office at the Cramton Auditorium and the Morehouse College Bookstore.

All lower bowl tickets are regularly $25 and mezzanine tickets are $50, plus applicable fees.  Group sales for a party of 50 or more began June 1.

The Howard University Box Office at Cramton Auditorium is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (2455 Sixth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20059).  The Morehouse College Bookstore is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (830 Westview Drive, Atlanta, Ga. 30314).



Marriott will once again serve as the “Official Lodging Partner” for the AT&T Nation's Football Classic.  The JW Marriott Washington, D.C., will serve as the heart of weekend activity, while other participating properties include Washington Marriott Metro Center, Renaissance Washington, D.C., Courtyard U.S. Capitol, Courtyard Embassy Row and the Mayflower Renaissance.  Classic attendees are eligible for hotel discounts.

In addition to the football game, there are several free events that will be held throughout the weekend including the AT&T Kickoff Rally, Pepsi^® Fan Festival, Presidential Symposium, Morehouse vs. Howard Student Debate, Chapel Service, and the Alumni Mixer.

For more information on the AT&T Nation's Football Classic^®, please visit www.nationsfootballclassic.com.

Last season Howard defeated Morehouse 30-29 on a final “Hail Mary.”

For more information on Howard Football, visit the official athletics website at www.hubison.com.

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State to Retire Pro Football Hall of Famer Richard Dent's Jersey at the John Merritt Classic

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- During halftime of Big Blue’s first game against Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 1, the Tennessee State Athletic Department will retire legendary TSU football player Richard Dent’s No. 95 jersey.

 

Dent will be the honoree of the 15^th annual John Merritt Classic and his jersey will become the first one retired in program history. The only other retired jersey by TSU is former men’s basketball player Richard “Skull” Barnett’s No. 35.

Dent, a native of Atlanta Georgia, became the first former TSU player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. He played with the TSU tigers from 1979-82 and was drafted to the Chicago Bears soon after completing his last season with the Tigers.

Throughout his time at TSU, Dent was a three time All-American and is currently third in the school's all-time sack list. While helping to lead the Tigers to three Black college National Champions, Dent finished his career with 39 sacks.

After playing Football at Tennessee State University, Dent was drafted to the Chicago Bears in the eighth round of the 1983 NFL Draft. In 1986, Dent won a NFL championship with the Bears and was named Super Bowl XX MVP. He is also the Only TSU tiger alum to be named game MVP. 

Beyond the Bears, Dent spent one year with the 49ers before eventually returning to Chicago in 1995. While under contract with the 49ers in 1994, Richard Dent won yet another Super Bowl ring. In 1996 Dent played for the Indianapolis Colts and the Philadelphia Eagles in 1997 as a designated pass rusher for them both. Not long after his 1997 season, Dent retired and ended his lifetime career with 137.5 sacks and 8 interceptions, which put him Third in NFL history behind Reggie white and Bruce Smith at the time of his retirement.

Dent was selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Feb. 5, 2011. He was also inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on February 15, 2008.

In addition, the city of Nashville will award Dent a medallion for his outstanding accomplishments.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WVSU Yellow Jackets Picked to Finish 10th by MEC Coaches

BRIDGEPORT, West Virginia – The Shepherd Rams have been picked to win the first-ever Mountain East Conference football title after a vote conducted by the league's coaches. Shepherd collected eight of 11 possible first-place votes in earning 117 points.

Charleston was picked to finish runner-up with 101 points and also received two first-place votes. Concord was picked to finish third (94), followed by Glenville State (83) and West Liberty (79). Urbana was picked to finish fifth and had 75 points and also received a first-place vote. Fairmont State (51) was predicted to finish in eighth, followed by Notre Dame College (40), UVa-Wise (31), West Virginia State (28) and West Virginia Wesleyan (27).

Shepherd returns eight starters on both offense and defense from a team that went 8-3 and earned a berth in the NCAA playoffs. The Rams will have to replace starting quarterback Bobby Cooper, but SU returns its entire offensive line that will pave the way for Jihad Rasheed and Allen Cross. The Rams also boast a stout defense that has led the country in rushing defense each of the last two seasons and boasts All-America candidates Howard Jones (defensive lineman) and Keon Robinson (cornerback/return specialist).

Charleston turned in a 9-2 season last year in which its two losses came by just a combined 10 points. The Golden Eagles will have to deal with the loss of one of the top all-purpose players in the country last year in Jordan Roberts, but return experience behind center in quarterbacks Maurice Leak and John Knox. UC also returns eight starters on a defense that allowed under 16 points per game. All-America candidate Puma Nuredini handles the kicking and punting duties for the Golden Eagles.

Concord closed the 2012 season strong by winning five of its last six, but will need to replace six starters on both offense and defense. The Mountain Lions return plenty of talent on defense including All-America candidates Jake Lilly (linebacker) and Riyahd Richardson (cornerback). Sophomore running back Calvinaugh Jones will be expected to shoulder the offensive load for CU after racking up 749 yards on the ground in 2012.

Glenville State was 6-5 last year with all five losses coming on the road. The Pioneers return one of the top running backs in the country in Rahman Lee who rushed for 1,357 yards and 13 touchdowns a year ago. Quarterback Justin Feagin saw action in all 11 games last year for GSC passing for over 600 yards and adding nearly 200 yards on the ground. Senior center and All-America candidate Jon Rasnick will anchor the offensive line. James Johnson returns to the defense after notching 92 tackles a season ago.

West Liberty surged to a 6-5 record in 2012 after winning four of its final six, including a one-point win over Shepherd. Dylan Lagarde saw action in all 11 games under center for the 'Toppers and made five starts throwing for 1,150 yards with six touchdowns and 14 interceptions. WLU returns its leading running back from last year in Isaiah Moody who added 618 yards and six touchdowns on the ground last season. The Hilltoppers will be strong on defense returning eight starters, particularly in

Urbana finished last season with a 7-4 record and finished third in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Blue Knights will be led by All-America candidate quarterback D.J. Mendenhall. Mendenhall is a three-year starter for Urbana racking up 6,702 yards passing and another 1,605 rushing during his career. Mendenhall's top target, Joe Webb, also returns after catching 63 balls for 1,074 yards despite missing two games. On defense, the Blue Knights return lineman Kyle Ferguson (58 tackles, nine tackles for a loss) and corner David McComas (70 tackles, two interceptions).

Fairmont State will be led by first-year head coach and Fighting Falcon alumnus Jason Woodman. Woodman inherits a team that went 4-6 last year but features two of the top players on either side of the ball in running back Daniel Monroe and middle linebacker Garrett Davis. Monroe is on pace to be one of the top backs in school history, and Davis led the nation last year in solo tackles per game. On top of that, offensive tackle Chris Barfield is considered to be one of the top offensive linemen in the country and has garnered preseason All-America honors.

Notre Dame College is in just its fourth year of existence under head coach Adam Howard. The Falcons went 3-8 last year playing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). NDC is led by senior running back and All-America candidate Pedro Powell. Powell rushed for a school record 1,460 yards and found the end zone 11 times last year.

UVa-Wise posted a 3-8 record playing in the NAIA last year. The Cavs will be bringing back 15 starters from last year's squad (nine on offense and six on defense), including running back Zach Cochran (301 yards and five touchdowns), wide receiver Terrance Younger (24 receptions and 516 yards) and safety Marcus Jones (65 tackles, six tackles for a loss).

West Virginia State will look to first-year head coach Jon Anderson to turn the Yellow Jackets around after a 2-9 campaign in 2012. On offense, WVSU will need to replace its starting quarterback and top rusher from last year, but the defense returns end Wenly Beliard (67 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss) and defensive back Dominque Matthews (53 tackles, four tackles for a loss).

Head coach George Shehl takes over a West Virginia Wesleyan team that went 3-8 in 2012. The Bobcats do feature one of the more explosive players in the country in wide receiver and return specialist Lavaughn Hughes, who led NCAA Division II last year with 453 punt return yards and also added three punt return touchdowns. On defense, WVWC lost its three top tacklers to graduation, but returns solid defensive backs James Williamson and Jermichael Kelly.
The 2013 season begins on Sept. 5 with several Mountain East Conference teams in action, and the MEC portion of the schedule begins on Saturday, Sept. 14.

 2013 Mountain East Conference Preseason Poll
1. Shepherd (8) 117
2. Charleston (2) 101
3. Concord 94
4. Glenville State 83
5. West Liberty 79
6. Urbana (1) 75
7. Fairmont State 51
8. Notre Dame College 40
9. UVa-Wise 31
10. West Virginia State 28
11. West Virginia Wesleyan 27
() Indicates first place votes

COURTESY WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Hampton and Arkansas Pine Bluff booked for inaugural Corpus Christi Challenge,

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas –- Tournament organizers announced Wednesday the pairings for the final two rounds of the inaugural Corpus Christi Challenge, which will conclude Thanksgiving weekend at Corpus Christi’s American Bank Center.  Joining Texas A&M in the field at the event will be Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Hampton, Liberty, Missouri State, Sam Houston State, SMU and Virginia.

To kick off the event, Texas A&M will host a pair of games inside the friendly confines of Reed Arena. The Aggies welcome Sam Houston State to Aggieland on Nov. 24 before returning to action on their home court against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 26.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend the scene shifts to Corpus Christi’s American Bank Center where Texas A&M will face Missouri State on Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Depending on the outcome of their contest with Bears, the Aggies will face either the winner or the loser of the previous day’s Virginia/SMU tilt on Nov. 30. Both of Texas A&M’s games at Corpus Christi will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

2013 Corpus Christi Challenge Schedule
Nov. 24 – Reed Arena (College Station)
Texas A&M vs. Sam Houston State

Nov. 26 – Reed Arena (College Station)
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff

Nov. 29 - American Bank Center (Corpus Christi)
1:00 PM -- Liberty  vs. Hampton   
3:30 PM -- Sam Houston State  vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
6:30 PM -- Virginia  vs. SMU  (CBS Sports Network)
9:00 PM -- Texas A&M  vs. Missouri State (CBS Sports Network)

Nov. 30 - American Bank Center (Corpus Christi)
12:00 PM -- Loser LU/HU  vs. Loser SHU/UAPB
2:30 PM -- Winner LU/HU  vs. Winner SHU/UAPB
5:30 PM -- Loser TAMU/MSU  vs. Loser UVA/SMU  (CBS Sports Network)
8:00 PM -- Winner TAMU/MSU  vs. Winner UVA/SMU  (CBS Sports Network)

The Aggies enter their third season under the direction of head coach Billy Kennedy and feature a young, talented roster led by three returning starters including upperclassmen Fabyon Harris (senior guard) and Kourtney Roberson (junior forward). A year ago, Harris ranked among the SEC leaders in 3-point field goal shooting at 45.3 percent while Roberson paced the Aggies and ranked eighth in the league by averaging 6.6 rebounds per contest. Additionally, the maroon and white feature two local standout sophomores Alex Caruso (College Station, Texas) and J-Mychal Reese (Bryan, Texas) looking to a step forward during their second year on campus.

Caruso led the team in assists with 112 and set the A&M record for steals by a freshman with 61 a year ago, while Reese made a freshman-high 25 starts as a rookie last season. Joining the solid core of returners are an impressive slew of newcomers led by 6-foot-8 junior college transfer guard Jamal Jones (Searcy, Ark.) and 6-foot-7 freshman guard/forward Davonte Fitzgerald (Tucker, Ga.)

Virginia returns 11 letterwinners, including its top five scorers from last season's team, which finished with a 23-12 record and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. All-ACC performers Joe Harris (Chelan, Wash.) and Akil Mitchell (Charlotte, N.C.) lead the way after enjoying breakout seasons a year ago. Harris earned All-ACC first-team honors after averaging a career-high 16.3 points, including a career-high 36 in a win against Duke.

Mitchell was named to the All-ACC third team after averaging 13.1 points and a team-leading 8.9 rebounds. Sophomores Justin Anderson (Montross, Va.) and Mike Tobey (Monroe, NY) also return after seeing valuable action as rookies in 2012-13. Anderson averaged a team-leading 19 points during UVa's three NIT games, while Tobey helped Team USA to the gold medal at the FIBA U19 World Championships this past summer. R

Redshirt sophomores Malcolm Brogdon (Norcross, Va.) and Anthony Gill (Charlotte, N.C.) bolster the Cavalier attack after sitting out last season. Brogdon averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds as a freshman for Virginia in 2011-12, while Gill averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds for South Carolina in 2011-12.   Fifth-year head coach Tony Bennett, the 2007 National Coach of the Year, has a 76-53 record at Virginia. He has increased Virginia's win total in each of the last four seasons and led the Cavaliers to the postseason in each of the last two seasons.

SMU enters its second season under Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown. The 2013-14 Mustangs return all five starters while adding the No. 14 ranked recruiting class and three transfers that sat out last season. SMU will also open the renovated and expanded Moody Coliseum during the season, which is its first in the American Athletic Conference. The Mustangs went 15-17 last year with Cannen Cunningham, Jalen Jones, Ryan Manuel, Nick Russell, and Shawn Williams starting the entire season. They are joined by transfers Nic Moore (from Illinois State), Markus Kennedy (from Villanova) and Crandall Head (from Illinois). The recruiting class that is ranked as high as No. 14 includes McDonald's All-American Keith Frazier, the nation's top junior college prospect in Yanick Moreira, and a pair of Illinois' Mr. Basketball finalists from the Chicago area in Sterling Brown and Ben Moore.

Missouri State head coach Paul Lusk returns four starters and eight lettermen as he begins his third season directing the Bears. He inherited a program that was coming off its first Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title in 2011, and Lusk spent much of last season rebuilding the program tradition with a solid crop of freshmen. MSU’s six freshmen accounted for 43.5 percent of the team’s scoring in 2012-13, including Valley Freshman of the Year Marcus Marshall (6-3, G, St. Paul, Minn., 11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.1 apg) who broke the club’s freshman scoring mark with 368 points. The Bears have added three more freshmen and a pair of transfers to their arsenal this winter and also will see the return of 2012 starter Jarmar Gulley (6-5, F, Beaumont, Texas, 10.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg) who missed last season with a torn ACL.

Each team will play four games-the first two at campus sites and the final two rounds at the beautiful American Bank Center in Corpus Christi on November 29th & 30th.

Tickets for the final rounds in Corpus Christi can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or purchase by phone by dialing 1-800-745-3000.  For ADA seating please call 361-826-4170.  They can also purchase tickets by visiting a Ticketmaster outlet located at participating HEB stores.

COURTESY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

New TV network wants to partner with FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida --  The journalism school at Florida A&M, one of the university’s flagship programs, may become home to a new, national TV network.

Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, now a high-powered Washington lobbyist and principle partner with the Black Television News Channel, told FAMU trustees during a Wednesday teleconference that he wants his CNN-style network headquartered at FAMU.

Watts has been in discussion with FAMU for about 18 months, first planning with the late James Hawkins and now with Ann Kimbrough, dean of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication.

If all goes according to plan, the 24-hour network, housed in FAMU’s broadcast studios, would go on the air in fall 2014. FAMU trustees may be asked to approve contracts with BTNC as early as October.

“We wanted to make sure, and this has been communicated ...

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10 questions facing Johnson C. Smith football in 2013

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  Ten questions facing Johnson C. Smith football going into preseason camp:

Q: Can the Golden Bulls post a third straight winning season?
For the first time since 1973, J.C. Smith is in position to do so, especially with four of the first five games in Charlotte. The toughest opponents appear to be cross-county rival Davidson (Sept. 21 in Charlotte) and two-time CIAA champ and 2012 Division II national runner-up Winston-Salem State (Oct. 12 on the road).

Q. Where is quarterback Keahn Wallace’s ceiling?
The junior is the CIAA’s best returning quarterback. As a sophomore, Wallace set a school record for passing yards in a season with 2,280 and 22 touchdowns.

Q. Where’s the position of strength?
There’s no shortage of receivers. J.C. Smith returns preseason All-CIAA Fred Scott (47 catches, 610 yards, six TDs) Terrell Hutchinson (32 catches, 352 yards, three TDs) and tight end Jimmy Drye (three TDs).  CONTINUE READING 

MIAA Football Media Day: Interview With Lincoln's Mike Jones

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  --  The Mid America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) held its annual Football Media Day on Monday (Aug. 5), as coaches from all 14 league teams converged on Kansas City, Missouri to take questions from radio, television and newspaper journalists. Lincoln's own Mike Jones was on hand, speaking with over 20 members of the press about the Blue Tigers' goals for 2013. During the media day, The above video interview is courtesy of the MIAA.

The Blue Tigers open the 2013 season on Thursday, Sept. 5 with a 7:00 p.m. CDT contest at Lindenwood in St. Charles, Missouri.




2013 MIAA Coaches and Media Polls


COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI SPORTS INFORMATION 

QB competition open as A&T starts football practice today

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- With the first practice of the season looming this afternoon, there’s a lot more optimism than usual surrounding N.C. A&T’s football program.

The Aggies are coming off their first winning season in nine years, the NCAA waived the team’s APR restrictions in June after a significant increase in academic progress from 2010-11 to 2011-12, and third-year coach Rod Broadway announced a 22-player signing class in February.

But with the first game of the season only a month away, now the real work begins.

“We probably have as much talent as we’ve had since we’ve been here,” Broadway said. “We just need to develop that talent now because a lot of our talent is freshmen and sophomores. We haven’t had a chance to get those guys trained because of a lack of spring (practice).”

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