Shorthanded UAPB Lions Fall in Opener to Arkansas State

JONESBORO, Arkansas  --   With several key players sidelined, including a handful of starters, the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions went into battle against defending Sun Belt Conference champions Arkansas State a bit shorthanded. It made for a very long, hot night as UAPB fell 62-11 at Liberty Bank Stadium.

A-State running back Michael Gordon broke off a 91-yard touchdown run and the Red Wolves had four different rushers with over 100 yards.avid Oku led the Red Wolves with 124 yards and two touchdowns. Sirgregory Thornton had 112 yards and two touchdowns. Fredi Knighten also scored two touchdowns and finished with 101 yards. Gordon had just four carries, but ended with 102 yards for Arkansas State, which won its ninth consecutive game, dating back to the 2012 season.

The Red Wolves piled up 672 yards of total offense, 509 rushing. Meanwhile, the Golden Lions, who averaged close to 400 total yards in 2012. Was held to just 173 total yards.

"Arkansas State is a very good football team. They are well coached and they did a lot of good things out there," said UAPB head coach Monte Coleman. "We didn't execute like we did in practice. Even being without some of the guys we needed, we just didn't execute."



"We have to be ready and we didn't do it. We can't look over anybody. We can't under judge anybody and we can't expect folks to have pity on us because we don't have all of our guys playing. It's the game of football and when you're down, you kick'm and that's what they did."

"The thing we have to do is go back and rebuild. We have to play harder than what we really played in this particular ballgame," Coleman continued. "This is just one game. It's not the end of the season, it's not even a conference game. The thing we have to do is go back and play hard and practice hard getting for McNeese State."

Although much of the evening was a nightmare for the Golden Lions, there were some bright spots to build on. "We actually had some guys that actually played well. It didn't look like it, but we actually had some guys that played well," Coleman pointed out. "There were several guys that normally wouldn't have played a certain position played and played well."

"Julian Morgan came in, he's an undersized linebacker, we had to put him at the defensive end position and he actually played well. Morgan finished the evening with four tackles (3 solos), a tackle for loss and a forced fumble that was returned for the only touchdown of the night for UAPB.

The Lions also hit the road without a punter or placekicker, but Tyler Strickland stepped into that role well. "Tyler Strickland came in and kicked the ball extremely well," said Coleman. "He punted the ball well, he kicked the ball well, they didn't have an opportunity to get a return because he kicked the ball out of the endzone. Then he came in and bailed us out punting the football. Strickland averaged 41.6 yards on 10 punts with three over 50 yards. He also hit a 39-yard fieldgoal that banged in off of the uprights.

There was one more bright spot for the Golden Lions' head coach. Coach Coleman had an opportunity to speak with son Kyle leading up to Saturday's game. However, during the postgame, the two met on the field in a moment caught by the ESPN3 cameras. "I gave him a hug and a kiss, told him I love him and that I didn't have any money for him," Coleman said with a chuckle. "I told him that I hope he has a great season."

Next up: The Golden Lions head to Lake Charles, La. to face McNeese State at Cowboy Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

Jacksonville State 24, Alabama State 22: Hornets fall short again

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  --  Two hard-fought games in ASU Stadium. Two games that would come down to a two-point conversion. Once again, the Hornets came up short.

Receiver Jarrett Neely’s pass for quarterback Daniel Duhart was short, and so was the Hornets’ comeback as Jacksonville State held on for a 24-22 win in the season opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon.

“Last season, we had a play we believed in and this season it was a play we believed in when we went for two, we just weren’t able to complete it,” Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. “There have been some nail biters in this (stadium). Hopefully, we can change the fortunes on that.”

The Hornets would get one last chance, driving to a first down at the Jacksonville State 20-yard line with 1:32 remaining, but a delay-of-game penalty turned into another negative play when Duhart was slammed for a five-yard loss on a quarterback draw. On second down, his slant-in pass for Jamel Johnson turned into a Brenton Tolson interception that killed the rally.

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Photo Gallery: 1st half action Alabama State vs Jacksonville State
Photo Gallery: Second half action ASU vs Jax State

Alabama State notebook: Biggest plays recorded by ASU running back Cyrus

The biggest plays in Alabama State’s game with Jacksonville State were recorded not by heralded tailback Isaiah Crowell or quarterback Daniel Duhart, but by reserve tailback Malcolm Cyrus.

The Autaugaville native had just 38 yards rushing but was in the game in the fourth quarter because of an injury to Crowell and added 58 yards on punt returns.

His biggest play, a 54-yard reception for an apparent touchdown on a screen pass, was called back for a personal foul penalty of left tackle Matthew Bates, drawing a loud protest from head coach Reggie Barlow.

“They called a block in the back, I guess,” Cyrus said. “It really wasn’t a flag. It was really a bad call because we practice that play every day in practice.”

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Alabama State quick hits

Crowell injured again
Everyone wants the job as ASU offensive coordinator to figure out the best way to get 200 yards out of Isaiah Crowell every game. But Crowell, for the second straight season, couldn’t finish the season opener, complaining of an injured foot, then an injured knee as he spent the fourth quarter on the sideline.

WRs overcome slow start
The Hornet receivers had more than their fair share of drops in preseason practice and that trend continued into the game as Earl Lucas and Jamel Johnson each dropped catches that would have resulted in first downs. Those were the only two drops, however, as the receiver corps did their job in the final three quarters.

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No. 23 B-CU Cats Open Season with ESPN3 Broadcast

No. 20/23 Bethune-Cookman at Tennessee State
September 1, 2013  |  8 p.m. (ET)
Nashville, Tenn. | L.P. Field

TV:  ESPN | Watch ESPN3
Radio: WELE 1380 AM  | CatEye Network
Webcast:  WELE1380.com | CatEyeNetwork.tv
Twitter: @BCUGridIron
Instagram: /BCUathletics

Series: Bethune-Cookman trails, 1-6
Last Meeting:   Sept. 22, 2012. Tennessee State won, 21-14, in Daytona Beach.

Bethune-Cookman 0-0 (0-0 MEAC)
Roster | Coaches | Schedule & Results | Game Notes

The Game 
No. 23 Bethune-Cookman opens the 2013 season visiting Tennessee State for the John Merritt Classic at L.P. Field in Nashville, Tenn. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 at 8 p.m. (ET).

 

The Series
Tennessee State leads the all-time series against Bethune-Cookman by a 6-1 advantage. The Tigers claimed a hard-fought 21-14 decision a year ago in Daytona Beach, with both teams unable to connect on the scoreboard in the second half. B-CU’s only win came on the heels of a 16-13 victory Nov. 7, 1987, in Nashville. Saturday’s match up marks the first meeting between th two schools at L.P. Field.

The Broadcasts
Catch the game on ESPN3 with Kevin Ingram and Bob Belvin making the call. Also check out the game on WELE 1380 AM Radio with Joe LaBarbera (play-by-play) and Larry Wesley, as well as B-CU's CatEye Network.

The Coach
Head coach Brian Jenkins is in his fourth season as head coach of the Wildcats in Daytona Beach. He has an overall record of 27-8 with Bethune-Cookman.

 

The Weather
Projected temperatures on game day: Nashville - 93/73. Thunderstorms expected late in the day/early evening.

The Rankings - RPI/SOS
As of September 1, 2013: The Sports Network:  23 / Coaches: 20

The Notes
• Senior RB Isidore Jackson and Junior LB Jarkevis Fields were each named Preseason MEAC Players of the Year. Jackson was voted Co-Offensive POTY, while Field was Defensive POTY.
• The Cats were voted to repeat as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champions, as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors.
• B-CU dropped a spot to No. 23 in The Sports Network poll during the preseason after ending the 2012 campaign No. 22.
• Saturday will mark the first season-opening game outside the state of Florida since 2004, when traveling to Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
• Jackson and SR DL LeBrandon Richardson are on the College Football Performance Award (CFPA) FCS National Player of the Year Trophy Watch List.
• Bethune-Cookman has scored 10 or more points in 18 straight games, the longest active streak in the MEAC of 10-plus points.
• The Wildcats have scored in double-figures in 34-of-35 games under head coach Brian Jenkins. The lone game without 10 or more points was a 22-3 setback at North Carolina A&T on Oct. 8, 2011.

#IKECANFIXIT
Senior running back Isidore Jackson is heading up the walls of the B-CU record books at a fast pace. He enters the season needing just 449 yards to put himself atop the all-time list for career rushing yards in B-CU history. Additionally, he needs just three touchdowns to match Jimmie Russell (2004-07) at fourth place all-time for career rushing scores in school history.

I DON’T MEAN TO PRY, BUT...
Offensive coordinator Jim Pry has several ties around the nation, not to mention with Vanderbilt. His son, Brent Pry, serves as Vanderbilt’s Assistant Head Coach and Co-Defensive Coordinator. In addition, Franklin coached current Vandy head coach James Franklin while he was at East Stroudsburg in Pennsylvania.

RETURN MEN
The 2013 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats return 50 letterwinners, including 13 players who were starters last season – six on offense and seven on defense. B-CU also welcomes back long snapper Andrew Ferris, after losing place kicker Sven Hurd and punter Kory Kowalski.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

29th Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands: PVAMU vs. TSU

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Prairie View beats TSU 37-13 in Labor Day Classic

HOUSTON, Texas  --  Though the rhythmic dance motions and renditions of popular music during the halftime battle of the bands attracts many to the Labor Day Classic, Prairie View A&M’s dominating performance may have stolen the show.

Prairie View defeated Texas Southern 37-13 before a crowd of 18,361 in the teams’ Southwestern Athletic Conference opener Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium.

“Anytime Prairie View can beats Texas Southern, it’s a good day for the university,” Prairie View coach Heishma Northern said. “It’s all about the effort that our guys played with.”



The rivalry game took so much out of Northern that he needed an IV after the game ended. The third-year coach can rest easy after pushing his record to 2-1 in the Labor Day Classic.

The game started with an offensive flourish — each team scored touchdowns on its opening drive.
TSU made big plays in the running game, while Prairie View drove down the field with its quick-passing attack.

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ASU Braves Express Edward Waters Back Home in 63-12 Victory

LORMAN, Mississippi  --  Senior Arnold Walker scored a single game career-high, three rushing touchdowns, as the Braves thump Edward Waters 63-12 in today's season opener at Spinks-Casem stadium.

It was all about the "Run Game" in the Braves victory this evening totaling 280 yards and 6 total touchdowns. Led by Walker's 75 yards and three scores, the Braves were able to pound the ball the entire game.

The Braves scored first on the only passing touchdown of the game when sophomore, John Gibbs, Jr. connected with senior wide receiver Tavoris Doss for a 28-yard touchdown giving the Braves a 7-0 lead.

Alcorn State Braves Arnold Walker Runs Over Edward Waters Tigers
Courtesy ASU Braves Athletics

But Edward Waters drove right back down the field on the Braves and kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3.

The very next possession, Gibbs hit Zerick Rollins, Jr. on a 30-yard pass to put the Braves in scoring position. A few plays later Walker marched in for his first touchdown of the day extending Braves lead to 14-3.

A little over a minute later, Carrington Aloese recovered a fumble forced by Deion Roberson inside the Tigers 30 yard line giving the Braves a golden opportunity to extend their lead. Walker walked into the end zone for the second time in the game to give the Braves a 21-3 with 2:54 to play before the end of the first quarter. The Tigers came away with a 27-yard field goal before the first quarter ended making the score 21-6.

Gibbs found senior Felando Warr for an 18-yard pass across the middle of the field en route to Gibbs scoring on a 34-yard scamper increasing the Braves lead to 28-6.

Within the next 45 seconds the Braves were right back on offense after sophomore free safety intercepted a pass with 10:19 to play in the second quarter. Sophomore LaDarrien Davis snagged a 19-yard pass thrown by Gibbs to put the Braves in good position to put more points on the board. Anthony Williams III breezed through traffic to find himself in the end zone to boost the Braves lead to 35-6.

It was all about the defense from there for the Braves. Linebacker Jestin Williams intercepted a pass in traffic and took the ball down inside the Tigers territory. Walker once again would find his way to the end zone two plays later to make the score 42-6.

The defense wasn't done just yet. Junior Kenry Tolbert picked up a fumble and scored with .40 seconds to go into the half with a 40-point lead, 49-6.

Edward Waters struck first in the second half on a 31-yard field goal by Jerry Martin but Braves continued to hammer the ball when Anthony Williams III scored on a 17-yard run giving the Braves a 56-9.

Freshman quarterback Khadarel Hodge got into the action finding his way to his first career touchdown on three plays with 9:39 to play in the game.

The Braves defense forced 4 turnovers (2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries) against the Tigers in today's win. John Gibbs completed 75 percent of his passes going 15-20 for 184 yards and one touchdown. Freshman kicker Haiden McCraney set a freshman record for most made PATs in a game posting a perfect eight for eight.

Next up for the Braves is a trip to Starkville, Miss. to face the Bulldogs of Mississippi State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Go Braves!!!

Box Score

COURTESY ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State Tigers Defeat Southern Utah for First Win

Mobile, Alabama  –  The Tigers charged back in their final game of the Jaguar Invitational in Mobile, Ala. to earn their first win of the season. After dropping the first game to Southern Utah, Tennessee State won the next three to claim a 3-1 decision.

TSU (1-2) defeated SUU (0-3) by the scores of 24-26, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20.

Sherryce Butler and Naomi Wells led the way with 17 kills each, but it was Butler who sparked the Tigers with her .464 hitting percentage. The junior committed just four errors in 28 attempts. Erika Moss recorded 48 assists and added eight kills against one error in 14 attempts.

In game one, Taylor Swayzer tried to single handedly keep the Tigers close as she recorded five of her ten kills during the first half of the set. Her fifth kill brought TSU to within two points at 13-15. The Thunderbirds went on a four point run to put space between the two teams at 20-14, but the tigers would fight back to catch SUU at 24-24. Southern Utah would hold on and escape with a 26-24 win and take a 1-0 lead.

SUU used a .306 hitting percentage (12k-1e-36a) to pace the win. The Tigers committed ten errors opposed to 18 kills in 51 attempts for a .157 percentage.

The Tigers were trailing 14-12 in game two when they exploded with nine kills, two aces and a block to close out SUU with a 13-3 run. Wells started the winning stretch with a kill and an ace that fueled two kills each for Swayzer, Butler and Jordon Piper. Katie Burnett delivered her fourth ace of the weekend as Wells and Moss closed out the 25-17 win with kills.

With the score tied 11-11 in game three, the Tigers took charge of the game jumping out to a 22-18 lead. The Thunderbirds rattled off four straight points to tie the game back up at 22-22. Piper delivered her third kill of the match to regain the lead, while Wells and Swayzer scored kills to secure the 25-23 win.

In the fourth game, TSU enjoyed an 11-4 lead before SUU stormed back to within one point at 14-13. The Big Blue continued their balanced attack as four separate players earned kills and Moss teamed up with Shauntia Carr on a block to extend the lead to 21-15. The Thunderbirds could only get as close as three points at 22-19 before Butler would end the match with her 17th kill.

Wells was named to the all-tournament team after posting 44 kills averaging 4.00 kills per game. Wells finished the weekend with 32 digs and two aces.

The Tigers are off until they travel to Bloomington, Ind. for the University of Indiana Tournament on Sept. 13-14.

    TSU-Southern Utah Stats

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Montana Tech defeats Xavier for UST tournament title

Xavier University of Louisiana's 2013 women's volleyball team
ROSTER
Coaching Staff 

HOUSTON -- Sydney Norris had three kills during a closing run Saturday which clinched Montana Tech's 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 15-7 women's volleyball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana in the championship match of the UST Labor Day Tournament.

The Lady Diggers (8-2) won their eighth in a row, including four matches in this event. The Gold Nuggets (5-3) were 3-1 in the tournament.

The teams were tied at 6 in the fifth set before Montana Tech scored eight consecutive points. Norris' third kill of the run, off a free ball, gave the Lady Diggers a 12-6 lead. Montana Tech had a 9-4 advantage in kills during the fifth.

Taylor Reuther had 19 kills and a career-high 25 digs for Xavier and recorded her seventh consecutive double-double. Chinedu Echebelem had 13 kills and 13 digs, and Moira Kirk had 11 kills and four blocks. Jodi Chatters had 19 digs and CeCe Williams 12.

Kirk's block gave Xavier its only lead of the third set, 18-17, before Jordan Danz produced three kills to give the Lady Diggers a 2-sets-to-1 advantage. But Echebelem had four kills, and Kirk and Reuther had three apiece to force a fifth set.

Earlier Saturday, the Gold Nuggets defeated Columbia (S.C.) 25-27, 25-20, 25-20, 25-15. It was the second time this season that Xavier won after dropping the opening set.

Reuther had 15 kills, 14 digs and a season-high four aces against Columbia. Kirk had 11 kills, and reserve Claudia Haywood had seven kills and three blocks in two sets. Chatters had 20 digs,
Franziska Pirkl had 32 assists and 12 digs in her fourth double-double of the season, and Echebelem had nine digs and a career-high-tying three aces.

"This was progress," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "It was a very productive weekend for us. We learned how it feels to be successful, not only individually, but as a team. We are taking steps in the right direction and growing as a team."

Xavier must play five more times on the road -- 6 p.m. Tuesday at Spring Hill, then four times next week in the Rumpke Invitational at Georgetown, Ky. -- before playing its home and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at 1 p.m. on Sept. 14 against Voorhees at the Convocation Center.


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

Alabama A&M defense dominates as Bulldogs win opener at Grambling

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- The hump on the question marks didn't quite straighten themselves out all the way to become exclamation points for Alabama A&M, but there were some answers provided in an opening-game cauldron for the Bulldogs.

In mid-90s temperature at the sunken pit that is Grambling State's Robinson Stadium, Alabama A&M opened the season - and quarterback Brandon Wells began his career - in impressive fashion in a 23-9 throttling of the Tigers.

Alabama A&M's defense was ferociously effective, holding Grambling to a mere 165 yards on 55 plays, limiting the Tiger quarterbacks to eight-for-25 passing.
Meanwhile, Wells, the redshirt freshman from Calera, was 15-for-28 for 187 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

"Our young people played really well," said Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones, whose lineup featured 15 new starters, plus a new punter and kicker.

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Alabama A&M notebook: Running back 'committee' of Eldemire, Scott works well

GRAMBLING, Louisiana - Alabama A&M's "running game by committee" didn't take long to unfold.

After Kaderius Lacey had 182 of the 263 carries by a running back last season, Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones promised the load would be shared by Brandon Eldemire, who started the game, and transfer Barrington Scott, who entered the game on the third series.

Scott, who played at Ball State before coming to A&M, rushed 16 times for 77 yards. Eldemire had 10 carries for 21 yards.

RECEIVING DIVERSITY: Quarterback Brandon Wells had plenty of targets in his debut. Seven different receivers caught passes. Tight end Toriono Upshaw had six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. G'Alonzo Milton had three catches for 46, Montaurius Smith two for 32 yards and a touchdown
 
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2-Minute Drill: Alabama A&M 23, Grambling 9

WHY ALABAMA A&M WON: Alabama A&M's defense set the tone with its second-quarter safety, when Robert Nelson tackled Grambling quarterback D.J. Williams in the end zone. While Williams had a few significant completions, the A&M defense consistently pressured him. The defense and the punting game - the latter a surprise - gave the A&M offense convenient field position. Rookie QB Brandon Wells had his moments where accuracy was lacking, but he was able to pick apart the Grambling secondary on occasion.

KEY MOMENT: Senior cornerback Tremaine Shepherd made a diving interception with just over a minute to play in the second quarter, putting Alabama A&M on the Grambling 38. It might have been more prudent for a struggling Grambling to have run out the clock to regroup. Instead, it gave A&M good field position and ample time to score another TD seconds before halftime. As a bonus, the Bulldogs would also have the ball to open the second half.

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Second Half Offensive Push Propels Eastern Michigan Eagles to Victory Over Howard Bison

YPSILANTI, Michigan (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University kicked off its 122nd season on the gridiron Saturday, Aug. 31 at Rynearson Stadium against the Howard University Bison.  The effort proved to be a successful one as the Eagles took down the Bison 34-24 after an aggressive home opener.

The first quarter played out quickly with just two possession changes in the first 15 minutes. EMU's early offensive efforts were quickly slowed by running into the stone line of the Bison defense before redshirt-junior quarterback Tyler Benz (Park Ridge, Ill. / Maine Township South) was able to help the Eagles break through into Howard territory at the 12:30 mark.  Eastern's offense suffered a setback at 11:17, when a long pass from Benz was intercepted by Howard's Amedola Olantuji at the Howard 12-yard line.

EMU's defense answered back with forceful aggression to defend their territory as a sack by junior defensive lineman Cy Maughmer (Glendale, Ariz. / Glendale C.C.) on a Howard third down forced a punt by the Bison to return the ball to the Eagles.

The Eagles were able to complete 12 plays and gain 55 yards within the remaining 6:04 of the first quarter, but as the time expired the matchup remained scoreless.

Box score.

Photo Gallery.

The Green and White came out in full force with the start of the second quarter, as a three-yard rush was followed up by an 18-yard throw into the end zone to junior tight end Tyreese Russell (Chicago, Ill. / Walther Lutheran) at 14:17 plus an extra point thanks to sophomore kicker Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich. / Saline) gave the Eagles the 7-0 lead over the Bison.

Where the Howard offense could not seem to make a play happen, their defense proved to be reliable, as their defenders were able to shed the EMU blockers and force another possession change at 10:43.

After what should have been a challenging start on the Howard five-yard line, the Bison offense jumped into gear with a 16-yard pass straight down the middle and a touchdown at 8:34 thanks to a 65-yard sprint by Howard's William Parker.  The Bison were able to gain 95 yards within six plays and knot the score at 7-7.

A short punt from John Fleck gave the Bison an advantage as they started their possession within Eagle territory.  Sophomore defensive lineman Pat O'Connor (Chicago, Ill. / St. Rita) was able to lead the defense with two consecutive tackles to take the Bison to a third down.  An incomplete attempted touchdown pass by Greg McGhee brought Fleck out onto the field, which produced a 43-yard field goal to push Howard to a 10-7 lead with 3:17 left in the half.

With 2:55 remaining and the opposition in the lead, the Eagles started off their final possession of the half with a solid 25-yard return from Allen.  Benz completed a series of 10-yard plays, moving the ball from sideline to sideline.  With 31 seconds left in the half Benz connected with Demarius Reed (Chicago, Ill. / Simeon Academy) on a 33-yard touchdown play to give the Eagles a 13-10 lead heading into the locker room.

Howard came out strong in the second half, showing that they were not content with relinquishing their lead as McGhee moved the ball up the field smoothly with five-yard gains before throwing to Jonathan Booker. A 32-yard sideline run from Booker would give the Bison their second lead of the contest over EMU.

The Eagles were unable to create any opportunities with their next possession, gaining only 17 yards in five plays before having to give the ball back over to Howard.



McGhee proved to be the sparkplug of the Howard offensive front as he sprinted toward the Eagle end zone at 6:22 before being stopped by junior defensive back Darius Scott (Chicago, Ill. / Simeon Academy) on the EMU two-yard line.  A series of attempts to run the ball in for a touchdown was seemingly the end of Bison's scoring opportunity, but a penalty on an incomplete fourth-down touchdown attempt gave Howard another chance to run the ball in.  McGhee was able to take advantage of the call to complete a 1-yard rush at 4:20 and extend the Bison lead.

Despite the 14-0 scoring run by the Bison, the Eagles' offense returned to the field with intensity and determination as the Eagles traveled 60 yards along the gridiron within four plays.  At 1:29, Eastern was able to quench their scoring drought thanks to junior running back Bronson Hill (Grand Rapids, Mich. / Catholic Central), who rushed the ball in two yards for the Eagles' third touchdown of the evening.  EMU began to close the scoring gap after a Mulder extra point, bringing Eastern within four of the Bison.

The fourth quarter began with the ball in the hands of the Howard offense, but less than 45 seconds into the final frame senior middle linebacker Sean Kurtz (Anaheim, Calif. / Canyon Santa Ana C.C.) nabbed his first career interception from Howard's McGhee and ran a 25-yard return.  Four plays after Kurz's electric play, Hill found himself in the end zone once more with 12:31 left to play, giving the Eagles a 27-24 lead over the Bison.

The EMU offense was unable to produce the success on their next possession despite a valiant effort, and the ball was once again returned to Howard's side.  Senior defensive end  Kalonji Kashama (Brampton, Ont. / Canada Brampton) produced a huge defensive play by taking down Anthony Philyaw at the Howard 21-yard line, and after only gaining one yard in three plays, the Eagles found themselves with a fantastic opportunity to add more to their growing scoring run.

With 3:54 left in the game, sophomore running back Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill. / Sparta) showcased his wheels with a 28-yard rush to take the line of scrimmage to the Howard 20-yard line.  Just 40 seconds later, Jackson found himself with the ball gripped tightly under his arm again, despite having Howard's Tabrian Resby latched on to his jersey, as he barreled through the field with to end his 19-yard rush with another Eagles touchdown.

With the addition of the fourth completed extra point attempt of the evening, the Eagles found themselves with a 34-24 lead, a 21-0 scoring run in over fifteen minutes of play.

Despite an aggressive effort by the Bison, the Eagles were too powerful of a force to be overcome.  As the clock ran down, the Bison gave one last effort to score but were intercepted in the end zone by Willie Creear (Seattle, Wash. / Lingbergh (Butte J.C.)).  The Eagles closed out the beginning of the 2013 campaign with a 34-24 victory over Howard as the EMU rushing effort was led by Hill, who ran 101 yards in 28 carries.  Hill also added two touchdowns, while Jackson added 64 yards and one touchdown.  Benz connected on 19 passes in 26 attempts for 210 yards and two touchdown passes. 

On the defensive side, Kurtz added 13 total tackles and one interception, while Maughmer and O'Conner each added a sack to the effort.

The Howard offense was led by McGhee, who totaled 75 yards and one touchdown.  Half back William Parker had 82 yards on seven carries and one touchback.  McGhee was 19-for- 32 with 182 yards and one touchdown pass. 

On the defensive front, Cameron Alston and Tabrian Resby led the Bison with 14 and 12 tackles, respectively.

The Eagles improve to 1-0 on the 2013 season while Howard falls to 0-1.  Eastern Michigan football will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 7, at noon when they travel to Penn State.

COURTESY EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES.COM 

Trio from Pensacola part of new chapter for Florida A&M band

PENSACOLA, Florida  --  Most dreams of collegiate sports heroics begin at the end of regulation: A buzzer-beating three-pointer, a walk-off home run in extra innings, a game winning touchdown in overtime.

However, for three recent high school graduates from Pensacola — Cleveland Brown, Austin Conner Jr. and Tatiana Hughes — the biggest on-field moments of their college careers will happen at halftime today at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

The 18-year-old Washington High grads were all awarded music scholarships to join the nationally acclaimed Florida A&M University band, the Marching 100.



“This is surreal,” Hughes said. “I never thought I’d be here. I’ve been such a fangirl for the band ever since I first saw them.”

The Marching 100 has been performing since the 1890s and is famous for its elaborate, rollicking, stadium-rocking halftime shows. The 400-member band has performed at multiple Super Bowls, college bowl games and even at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration.

But the fame turned to infamy in ...

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Pough, SCSU Bulldogs suffer disappointing 27-20 loss to ranked Coastal

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough believed his team showed vast improvement in effort and overall play when compared to last season in Saturday’s season opener at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

To his disappointment, it was still not enough to defeat a nationally ranked opponent. In stunning fashion, the Bulldogs went from being poised to take a double-digit lead against the #21/25 Chanticleers to falling short 27-20 before 10,048 fans at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.



“I can honestly say that we gave this football game away tonight,” a disappointed Pough said. “We didn’t execute at the times we needed to execute. We didn’t do a good job and that’s on me. We didn’t do a good job of putting us in the right places to be able to accomplish what we needed to accomplish to win the football game.”

Trailing 20-12 with seven minutes left in the third quarter, Coastal Carolina scored 15 unanswered points. It started when LaDarius Hawthorne blocked Nick Belcher’s field goal attempt and Big South Defensive Player of the Year Quinn Backus returned it 56 yards for a touchdown.

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Bingo: UMaine football opens with victory over Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Now we know why the University of Maine calls the play “Bingo.”

Norfolk State’s Spartans found out, too, just in time to see the back of Zedric Joseph’s jersey as the senior dashed 85 yards for the decisive touchdown in the Black Bears’ 23-6 victory Saturday night in the season opener for both schools at Dick Price Stadium.

As expected, the defense led the way for the Black Bears, who had their way with two first-time NSU quarterbacks and bottled up the Spartans attack most of the night. But with a sputtering Maine offense squandering several scoring opportunities, the Black Bears’ lead was just 13-6 midway through the third quarter when the offense lined up at its own 15-yard line for a second-down call.



That’s when Joseph faked receiving a handoff and circled out of the backfield.

The Spartans sold out on the run action, and when Joseph collected Marcus Wasilewski’s pass, there wasn’t an NSU defender within 10 yards of him. It stayed that way as Joseph streaked into the end zone for his first career touchdown.



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FAMU's New band director retires 'drum major' title

OCOEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M University Marching 100 just wrapped up practice at Ocoee High School and students are clamoring for their chance to perform in the Citrus Bowl on Sunday.

They'll have to be careful how they address each other on the field though -- band director Sylvester Young has officially retired several titles within the band.

Young said he retired names like "drum major" and "section leader" in order to shed titles that gave students power over their peers. Section leaders are now principals and drum majors are now field commanders.

"One of the intrinsic problems of hazing is students leading and instructing other students," Young said. He added now it is mandatory that faculty members be with students at all times.

He added he also wanted to pay respects to...

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Norfolk State University Spartan Sports Zone Launched

FAMU football: Cash makes immediate impression for Rattlers

KEONTE CASH

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Keonte Cash, the only freshman starter on FAMU’s football team, has been making an impression on coaches long before taking his first rep.

He was just a middle school kid who spent his spare time participating in dramatic plays or tinkering with baseball, when the coaching staff at Miami Jesuit called him to try out for the junior varsity team. Before his freshman season was over, he was promoted to varsity on the offensive line.

He started every game. What he did at Jesuit was so impressive, that his former coach now use his highlight film as a teaching tool.

“He is the best lineman we’ve ever had and I’ve been the head coach for 30 years,” said Richard Stuart. “He is a very smart young man; intelligent.


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XU Gold Nuggets win in 4, will play for tourney championship

TAYLOR REUTHER

HOUSTON — For the Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball program, victories after first-set losses have been rare. But that trend has improved lately.
    
The Gold Nuggets defeated Columbia (S.C.) 25-27, 25-20, 25-20, 25-15 on Saturday morning for their third victory in as many matches at the UST Labor Day Tournament. Xavier is 10-73 all-time when losing the first set but has two such victories in the past five matches.
    
Taylor Reuther's sixth-consecutive double-double — 15 kills and 14 digs — Moira Kirk's 11 kills and reserve Claudia Haywood's seven kills and three blocks in two sets helped propel Xavier (5-2) into a 4 p.m. championship match later in the day against Montana Tech, the tournament's other 3-0 team.
    
The Nuggets were a roller coaster in the opening set, turning a 4-1 deficit into a 15-10 lead, then falling behind 21-19 before rallying again for a 25-24 advantage after a CeCe Williams kill. But Columbia prevailed, closing the set with three consecutive kills.
    
Xavier finally found some momentum late in the second set, with Haywood and Kirk collecting three kills apiece to pull the Nuggets out of a 16-14 hole and even the match. An 8-2 run helped Xavier pull away in the third set, and 8-1 and 10-2 runs in the fourth clinched the Nuggets' 21st victory in their last 22 neutral-site matches, a streak which began in 2011.
    
Reuther hit .159, her lowest since the season opener, but also served four aces, the most in a match by an XU player this season. Kirk hit .370, and Haywood — who sat out both Friday matches due to injury — hit a season-best .462 in 13 attempts.
    
Xavier produced 74 digs for the second consecutive match. Jodi Chatters had 20 to reach 60 for the tournament, Franziska Pirkl had 12 and Chinedu Echebelem nine. Pirkl had 32 assists in her second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season.
    
The Nuggets hit .208 — .286 in the final two sets — and served a season-high 10 aces. Echebelem had three aces to equal her career high. Columbia (0-4) served four aces, but only one in the final three sets.
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

Nuggets beat Loyola for first time ever, go 2-0 in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas  -- Xavier University of Louisiana beat city rival Loyola in women's volleyball for the first time ever and defeated the host school, St. Thomas, on Friday in the UST Labor Day Tournament.
     
The Gold Nuggets (4-2) defeated Loyola 25-13, 25-16, 25-16 and St. Thomas 25-19, 25-18, 22-25, 25-21.

Box scores:  Loyola    St. Thomas
  
Taylor Reuther extended her double-double streak to five with 12 kills and 16 digs against Loyola and 23 kills, a career best, and 14 digs against St. Thomas. Chinedu Echebelem had 10 kills, eight digs and season bests of three aces and a .450 hitting percentage against Loyola and 13 kills, a season high, and seven digs against St. Thomas. Jodi Chatters had 40 digs in the two matches, 23 against St. Thomas. Kerris Crier, playing collegiately in her hometown for the first time, had a career-high-tying nine kills and hit .471 against St. Thomas.
     
"We found some fluidity and continuity in terms of court chemistry," said first-year XU head coach Hannah Lawing, whose team hit better than .300 in both matches. "Our hitters are connecting better with our setters, and our defensive system was better executed than it was last weekend. We kept pressure on our opponents with our serves. Everybody on the bench was ready to go in when we needed them.
     
"Our hitters mixed up their shots really well, finding holes on the other side of the court and making adjustments to each team."
     
Loyola entered the tournament with an 11-0 series advantage against Xavier, including two victories a year ago.
     
"It felt good to win against a traditionally good program," Lawing said. "It was a relief not only to win the match but also to be in control the entire time."
     
The Gold Nuggets never trailed in any of their sets against Loyola and closed the first two sets with 7-1 runs. Consecutive kills by Jodi Hill, Reuther and Moira Kirk ended the match.
     
St. Thomas scored the final four points of the third set to extend the match and led 16-14 in the fourth after overcoming a 9-4 Xavier advantage. But four St. Thomas errors, four Reuther kills and a Darian Harris ace helped the Nuggets escape with their fourth win in their last five matches and their first this season on an opponent's court.
  
Xavier will play Saturday, the second and final day of the tournament, at 10 a.m. against Columbia (S.C.) and 4 p.m. against Montana Tech. Xavier's home opener will start at 1 p.m. on Sept. 14 against Voorhees in the Convocation Center.


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

Victories for XU Rush and Jackson, school record for Fakler

Catherine Fakler

CLINTON, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana scored team and individual men's victories Friday and broke a women's school record in its first cross country meet of the 2013 season, the Mississippi College Opener at Choctaw Trails Course.
    
The Gold Rush scored 54 points to win the men's championship by 14 points over runner-up Mississippi College, and XU junior Kwame Jackson won the 5,000-meter race in 16 minutes, 34 seconds. It was Jackson's second collegiate victory and his first since winning the 2011 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference title on this same course.

Junior Catherine Fakler was third in the women's race, running a school-record 15:34 for 4,000 meters. Teammate Zahri Jackson, who did not compete because of injury, set the previous mark of 16:27.58 two years ago in this same meet. The Gold Nuggets were third in team scoring with 73 points, trailing Blue Mountain (34) and Millsaps (54).
    
Results:  Men    Women

Info for students interested in joining the 2013-14 Gold Star Dance Team.  PDF files:  workshop    auditions

The team championship was the 19th in the modern era of the XU men's program, the 11th in the regular season and the first in a season opener since 2007. Jackson, who led a field of 49 runners, scored the first regular-season victory by a Gold Rush runner since Matt Pieri in 2010.
    
"I told our guys in the huddle just before we started that they needed to win this meet. There was no reason why they shouldn't," said ninth-year XU coach Joseph Moses. "Kwame came out relaxed and confident and was running smooth. When he came out those of woods on the back of the course for that final uphill stretch, he was running by himself."
    
Jackson won by 10 seconds over runner-up Ryan Campbell, a freshman from Mississippi College.
    
Both Gold Rush newcomers finished in the top 10. Sophomore Brent Kitto, running in his first cross country meet since transferring from Louisiana Tech after the 2011 season, placed third in 16:48. Freshman Christopher August was ninth in 17:24.
    
Also finishing for Xavier were David Holobowicz (12th place, 17:40), Charles Shaw (29th, 18:48) and Aaron Yarmush (31st, 18:57). Holobowicz posted his best collegiate time at this distance.
    
Former Belhaven and Carson-Newman runner Hannah Reese, running unattached, was the top female finisher. Blue Mountain's Kelsea Posadas was second.
    
Mississippi College was unable to supply official times for all the women. Xavier's Donyé Coleman was 12th in 17:29, followed by Hannah Finnegan (16th place, 17:54), Reeka Belton (18th, 18:00), Danielle Rogers (29th, 19:17) and Hali Yarmush (30th, 19:19). Coleman's finish was her second highest in a regular-season collegiate meet. Belton and Rogers are freshmen.
    
"Catherine stepped up and ran a good race," Moses said. "It was great to see Donyé, a senior, step up and post a high finish. But I thought our women could've won this meet, too, even though we weren't at full strength. We need to redeem ourselves next week."
    
Both XU teams will compete Sept. 7 — one week from Saturday — in the Loyola Wolf Pack Invitational at Lafreniere Park in Metairie, La., a New Orleans suburb. Both collegiate races will be 5,000 meters, with the women starting at 7:50 a.m. and the men at 8:25. It will be the second of five regular-season meets for Xavier and its only local appearance of 2013.

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

WSSU solid in final scrimmage

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State put the finishing touches on preseason camp with a controlled scrimmage Thursday morning.

With a week left before the Sept. 5 opener at UNC Pembroke, Coach Connell Maynor wanted to see his offense and defense against each other once more, and he liked what he saw.

"The biggest thing is we didn’t get anybody hurt,” said Maynor, who sat several starters. “We wanted everybody to get up after every play, and that’s what happened. We looked pretty good, and we moved the ball a little better today.”

With classes in session, the Rams have gone back to 6 a.m. practices — a staple since Maynor arrived in 2010. “We used to practice at 5 a.m.,” one veteran said, “so 6 a.m. is a little better.”

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MEAC SWAC Challenge: Competing Teams Legends

Mississippi Valley State University vs. Florida A&M University
September 1, 2013
11:45 A.M. EST
Orlando, Florida Citrus Bowl/TV: ESPN

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- When two historically black colleges and universities meet, whether it is a political science conference, or a sporting event, there is a story behind the story. In the case of the MEAC SWAC Challenge the events leading up to the game and the game itself are of small significance in comparison to what these schools represent.

On the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington I could easily highlight the roles of the Mississippi Valley State University and Florida A&M University in the resistance movement against segregation and oppression. Though this article is about sports history, it nonetheless has ties to the resistance movement. It was author and University of Michigan’s Professor Emeritus Harold Cruse who in “The Crisis of the Intellectual Negro” wrote many years ago about black America’s struggle with self-identity. Thus, it is not just entertaining to learn about black sports history, it is most important to black America in general that we connect with our past legends and heroes born of our own making.

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Whitney Houston - "I Love The Lord" according to The Mad Violinist...

Southern University Human Jukebox and Dancing Dolls at Houston 9/30 (Updated)

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Santiago Sparks Army To 28-12 Season-Opening Win Over Morgan State Bears

WEST POINT, New York  -- Making just his second career start, junior Angel Santiago combined for 221 total yards of offense to lead the Army football team to a 28-12 victory over visiting Morgan State Friday night under the lights at Michie Stadium. Santiago threw for 101 yards and one touchdown while tacking on a game-high 120 yards on the ground and three scores to lead the Black Knights to their first season-opening win since 2010.

Santiago was one of two Army (1-0) players to eclipse the 100-yard mark on the ground as junior Larry Dixon tallied 107 yards, reaching the century mark for the fifth time in his career. Freshman Xavier Moss led the receiving corps with a pair of catches en route to a 75-yard showing. Junior Chevaughn Lawrence also caught a pair of passes, including an 18-yard touchdown toss from Santiago in the early goings of the second quarter.

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes |  Photo Gallery  |  Photo Gallery  Watch Recap
Army 28, MSU 12



On the defensive side of the ball, junior Geoffrey Bacon and sophomore Alex Meier tallied career highs in tackles, recording 16 and 11, respectively. Senior Kyle Maxwell, who entered the game without a career sack, finished the night with a pair of quarterback take-downs.

Santiago and the Army offense came out firing, marching 95 yards downfield in its first possession to score midway through the first quarter. The possession was bookended by Santiago connecting with Moss for a 24-yard gain before the quarterback found paydirt on a 33-yard scramble to the end zone. Santiago punched in his second score of the game with 36 seconds remaining in the first stanza, en- route to a 168-yard offensive quarter for the Black Knights while Morgan State (0-1) sputtered to gain just 61 yards.

Following Lawrence's TD reception to push Army's lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter, the Bears cracked the scoring column with time winding down in the half. Junior quarterback Robert Council scored on a one-yard run for MSU, but the first of two failed extra-point attempts kept Army's lead at 21-6 heading into intermission.

Santiago would add one more score during the Black Knights' first possession of the second half to extend the lead to 28-6, before MSU closed out the game scoring with Council finding senior Chris Flowers for a 22-yard score with eight minutes remaining in the third.

Council ended the night with 89 yards of passing and 47 yards rushing, while Lamont Brown led the Bears' ground game with 75 net yards. Flowers had two receptions for 37 yards. MSU totaled 301 yards of offense to Army's 396.

The Black Knights played a blemish-free game, recording zero turnovers and zero penalties, a feat last accomplished in Army's 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl win over SMU on Dec. 30, 2010. Conversely, MSU was hamstringed by nine penalties resulting in a loss of 65 yards.

Army will hit the road for Game 2 of the 2013 season when the Black Knights travel to Muncie, Ind., to face Ball State on Sept. 7. Kickoff against the Cardinals is slated for noon at Scheumann Stadium. BSU defeated Illinois State, 51-28, in its season opener on Thursday night and earned a 30-22 win at Michie Stadium in the 2012 meeting with Army.

The MSU Bears will continue its road swing when they return to action next Saturday against Robert Morris.  The game is set for a noon kickoff on September 7 at Joe Walton Stadium. It will mark the second meeting between Morgan State and Robert Morris since 2011. The Bears won the matchup 13-12 at Hughes Stadium. 

Note:  NFL Hall of Famer and Morgan State great Willie Lanier was in attendance.  This game was also the first night game at Michie Stadium since 2009.


COURTESY U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT, GOARMYSPORTS.COM & MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern defense tries but falters against Houston

HOUSTON, Texas — With six minutes left in the first half Friday, Southern’s defense stood with its back 15 yards from the end zone.

Houston was threatening again. A play earlier, the Cougars’ No. 2 quarterback, John O’Korn, misfired and sailed a throw over the head of receiver Deonte Greenberry.

At that point, the Jaguars only trailed 13-6. Had they held their Football Bowl Subdivision opponent to a field goal, they might have stemmed momentum and allowed the Southern offense to cobble together a rally.

It failed. Running back Ryan Jackson cut once, hit a backside hole on a power play and scampered into the end zone: Houston 20, Southern 6.

One possession later, the Cougars recoverd a muffed punt at the Jaguars 12 and converted it into a score on a 10-yard touchdown pass. It took 55 seconds. And Houston’s next two scoring drives each needed less than 60 seconds to turn a reasonable deficit into a rout by the end of the third quarter at Reliant Stadium.

Yet, the Jaguars’ 3-4 scheme tried to stiffen early.

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Video: Dawson Odums said Jaguars must find positives in Houston loss



Turnovers, mistakes, penalties doom Southern

HOUSTON — Near the end of the first quarter against the University of Houston, the Southern sideline erupted after a leaping 45-yard catch by Samuel Altman. The Jaguars were in the red zone and threatening to draw within three points. Two plays later, freshman running back Kylum Favorite fumbled that momentum away.

Midway through the second quarter, a big stop on defense forced the Cougars to punt the ball back to a seemingly re-energized Jaguars team. Southern fumbled away that opportunity as well. The ball hit Marquon Webster in the back, and the Cougars recovered at the SU 12.

Add in a third fumble, an interception and 10 penalties for 91 yards and the Jaguars made things a lot more difficult on themselves in a 62-13 loss to the Cougars on Friday night at Reliant Stadium.

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MVSU Delta Devils and FAMU Rattlers "Wobble"&"Cupid Shuffle" at MEAC/SWAC Challenge