Florida A&M Rattlers Golf Wins Two Tourneys In Four Days

VALDOSTA, Georgia – The Florida A&M golf team made it a clean sweep for the weekend, as they took first place in the Thomas University Invitational Golf Tournament, making it the second victory in four day for the Rattlers, here at the Kinderlou Golf Course and Country Club.

The pristine course, which annually hosts a Web.com tour event, was a challenge for all golfers, but ideal weather on the final day made way for good scoring conditions. Jonathan Ortiz, Justin Stills and Chase Burkhalter all turned in one-under-par scores of 71 to pace the Rattlers on the final day. Kevin Parker would turn in the low round of the tournament with a score of 69, three-under-par, for the Rattlers on Monday.



Head golf coach Marvin Green was pleased with what he saw out of his team. "This team has shown that it can win in whatever manner it needs to. It's easy to win a blowout, but this team has proven that they can do whatever they need to do to win. I did not expect them to gel this early in the season, but apparently they have, and have the ability to have a total team effort," Green said.

This season will mark the first time that golf is an official MEAC sport, with a championship and ranking at the end of the season. The Rattlers will travel to San Destin, Fla., for the University of North Alabama tournament this weekend.

Individual scores were as follows:

Jonathan Ortiz: 74-71, 145

Justin Stills: 74-71, 145

Kevin Parker: 69-82, 151

Chase Burkhalter: 73-71, 144

Dominick Vennare: 80-76, 156

Team total: 579

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WSSU Notes: Johnson thriving as starting QB



RUDY JOHNSON

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Somebody asked Coach Connell Maynor who his starting quarterback will be on Saturday against Bowie State, but it’s been obvious for a while that Rudy Johnson, who is 3-0 as a starter after taking over from Anthony Carrothers, is the main guy.

Maynor, however, was diplomatic when the question was asked.

"Rudy is the starter, of course, and he had four touchdown passes in the first half and I pulled him and played Anthony and DeShean Townsend in the second half. Overall, we had seven passing touchdowns so that’s good production from all three.”

In his three starts, Johnson has completed 39 of 60 passes for 626 yards and seven touchdowns; he’s been intercepted once.

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Safety Proctor finally finds some playing time for WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- It’s no secret that Winston-Salem State seeks Division I players looking for changes of scenery. But when they arrive, there aren’t starting spots just waiting for them.

Safety Everett Proctor is one example. He started his career at N.C. State, transferred to WSSU before the 2011 season and is just now getting playing time.

“I had to wait for my chance around here, but I’m glad things are finally working out,” said Proctor, who had an interception return for a touchdown last week in a rout of Virginia Union.

Proctor, 23, was a star quarterback at Fayetteville Britt High School and was good enough to attract N.C. State’s attention in 2009. He signed as a quarterback, was moved to defensive back for a short time and then was moved again to wide receiver.

But he never found his footing and left N.C. State after playing one season for former coach Tom O’Brien.

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Preview: N.C. Central vs. Howard

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- Spoken 4 Communications previews matchup No. 18 between North Carolina Central and Howard as the maroon and gray begin their journey towards a MEAC title.

Play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks chats with head coach Dwayne Foster to talk about the contest against the Bison as October football is upon us.  Tune in at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon for the Denny's of Durham Pregame Show to get revved up for this weekend's conference tilt.



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FSU loss not withstanding, B-CU on a roll heading into MEAC slate

HEAD COACH BRIAN JENKINS

DAYTON BEACH, Florida  -- It’s time again for Bethune-Cookman to put its guarantee money in the vault and the target on its back.

The “preseason’’ is over.

 

The Wildcats begin their eight-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference slate Saturday at Delaware State, a stretch that will run through the end of the season and decide whether they will return to the postseason for a third time in four years.

 

B-CU won the MEAC title last year with a perfect 8-0 mark, and it has a 13-game conference winning streak, dating back to 2011.

 

B-CU (3-1) is an overwhelming favorite to defend the title. The ’Cats are ranked 21st in the The Sports Network’s FCS poll and are the consensus No. 1 team among historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). They are one of just three MEAC teams with a winning record through the first third of the season.

 

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TSU Tigers Ranked No. 21 in Gridiron Performance Index

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Tennessee State football team ranked No. 21 in the first week of the Gridiron Power Index (GPI), the index ranking for the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision and a top indicator of at-large playoff selection.

The Tigers scored a 22.29 rating in the index with a perfect score being 1.0.

Big Blue is 4-1 this season and has won its last four games by a combined score of 167-50. Last week, TSU defeated Central State, 73-6.

The Tennessee State held CSU to just 180 yards of total offense and is ranked third in the nation in the category (252.8 yards per game). The unit also ranks in the top ten in the FCS in passing defense (4th), passing efficiency defense (2nd), scoring defense (4th) and takeaways (7th).

The Ohio Valley Conference also received high marks, as the league placed fourth in the conference rankings with a score of 36.19.

Eastern Illinois was ranked No. 4 with a GPI of 4.00 while UT Martin placed 16^th with a mark of 18.14.

TSU will put its No. 21 ranked GPI and its four-game winning streak on the line this Saturday when the squad hosts Southeast Missouri at LP Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Rank School (No. of #1 Ratings) (Rating)
1. N Dakota St (6) (1.00)
2. Northern Iowa (1) (2.57)
3. Towson (3.29)
4. E Illinois (4.00)
5. Sam Houston St (5.57)
6. Coastal Carolina (9.71)
7. E Washington (10.71)
8. Maine (12.57)
9T. Bethune-Cookman (13.86)
9T. Fordham (13.86)
9T. McNeese St (13.86)
12. Villanova (14.00)
13. S Dakota St (16.00)
14. Northern Arizona (16.71)
15. Southern Utah (17.71)
16. TN Martin (18.14)
17. Cent Arkansas (18.71)
18. William & Mary (19.29)
19. Ga Southern (20.14)
20. Youngstown St (20.29)
21. Tennessee St (22.29)
22. Old Dominion (23.57)
23. SE Louisiana (24.14)
24. Montana St (24.57)
25T. Cal Poly (25.43)
25T. Wofford (25.43)

 

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MIAA Football: Emporia State at Lincoln (Mo.)

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri  --  #24 Emporia State hits the road in week number five looking to stay unbeaten with a trip to Lincoln. For the Hornets Brent Wilson is averaging 383 yards per game passing with 19 touchdowns and he also has two on the ground.

Receiving Austin Willis is averaging 175 yards per game with eight touchdowns and Ray Ray Davis is averaging 96 yards per game with seven scores. Defensively Tariq Allen and Deshawn Dinwiddie each have 30 tackles and Chris Poston and Gary Fortune each have two interceptions.

For the Blue Tigers Morris Henderson is averaging115 yards per game rushing with six touchdowns. Jacob Morris is averaging 251yards per game through the air with five touchdowns. Kendrick Causey is leading the defense with 42 tackles and Brian Smith has forced two fumbles.

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25TH ATLANTA FOOTBALL CLASSIC: N.C. A&T looking to improve with win over S.C. State

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A 27-game losing streak and 30-75 record since last winning the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title in 2003 is no longer a topic of discussion at North Carolina A&T.

An 11-game losing streak to arch-rival South Carolina State and, more importantly, two seasons of NCAA probation for low Academic Progress Rate scores, are also in the past for the Aggies. What’s relevant now to the players and fan base is a 3-0 overall record with victories over Southern Conference opponents Appalachian State and Elon University and MEAC foe Howard and the third-longest active winning streak in Football Championship Subdivision play (7) dating back to last season.


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Yet despite having orchestrated a revival of “Aggie Pride,” head coach Rod Broadway is not ready to concede his program has truly turned the corner.

“I don’t know if we’re around that corner,” he said during Tuesday’s weekly MEAC teleconference. “The steering wheel is still far to the left. We’re still turning. We’re not the program that we need to be to be successful. I think we’re making progress and I think we’re getting better. You can’t get too carried away with winning three ball games.

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NCCU Eagles Visit Howard Bison for First Time Since 1995

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University head coach Dwayne Foster along with senior fullback Gabe Smith (Washington, D.C.) chat with the local media prior to NCCU's first conference matchup against the Bison of Howard University. The Eagles (2-2) will look to get league play started off strong against Howard as kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from Greene Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Tune in to the Denny's of Durham Pregame Show at 12:30 p.m. as play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks and color analyst Kyle Serba count listeners down to the 18th meeting between the Bison and the Eagles.

Complete Game Notes (PDF):

GAME NOTES: NCCU EAGLES vs. HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON

THE KICKOFF
Saturday, October 5, 2013 – Kickoff at 1:00 p.m.

THE SITE
William H. Greene Stadium (7,086 capacity/Artificial Grass) - Washington, D.C.

THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (2-2 overall, 0-0 MEAC); Howard (1-3 overall, 0-1 MEAC)

MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network mobile app (iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Kindle Fire HD); "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Broadcast starts at 12:30 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play).

QUICK HITS
• NCCU begins the first of eight straight Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games.
• Saturday will be NCCU's first trip to Howard since 1995 (Sept. 16) when the Eagles defeated the Bison 37-32.
• NCCU interim head coach Dwayne Foster is a native of Washington, D.C., and made his name on the high school level in his hometown as the head coach of his alma mater Archbishop Carroll High School from 1997-2003. At Archbishop, Foster received coach of the year honors by the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Committee in 1998.
• Four Eagles - Gabe Smith, Kevin Staton, Kevin Thompson and Aaron Wallace - list their hometown as Washington, D.C., while seven Eagles hail from the state of Maryland.
• NCCU true freshman cornerback Michael Jones (Baltimore, Md.) is tied as the national leader with four interceptions and leads the MEAC with seven total passes defended.
• NCCU senior linebacker Tazmon Foster (Henderson, N.C.), who amassed 17 tackles versus No. 4 Towson in the Eagles' last outing on Sept. 21, leads the MEAC with 46 tackles.

THE SERIES
This will be the 18th meeting between the Eagles and the Bison. Howard leads the series with NCCU, 9-7-1. The last meeting was on Sept. 16, 1995 in Washington, D.C., with NCCU beating the Bison 37-32 to snap a six-game Howard winning streak dating back to 1975.

NCCU ROOKIE JONES TIED AS NATIONAL LEADER IN INTERCEPTIONS
NCCU true freshman cornerback Michael Jones collected two interceptions against Charlotte and another versus No. 4 Towson to increase his season total to four picks, which ties the Baltimore, Md., native for the lead in the NCAA Division I-FCS ranks.

NCCU'S FOSTER NAMED MEAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
North Carolina Central University senior linebacker Tazmon Foster was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 23) for his outstanding performance against No. 4 Towson University in week four. Foster, a 5-10, 215-pound native of Henderson, N.C., amassed a career-high 17 tackles (eight solo) along with a forced fumble during the 35-17 setback to the nationally-ranked Tigers. His 17 takedowns are the most by an Eagle in 10 years. The last to reach that standard was Luis George, who tallied 17 stops on Oct. 18, 2003 against Fayetteville State. On the season, Foster has racked up 46 tackles, an average of 11.5 hits per game, to lead the MEAC.  In just 12 games with the Eagles, the linebacker has totaled 126 tackles and has two touchdowns to his credit with fumble and interception returns to the end zone.

THE COACHES
North Carolina Central ...

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ASU Hornets Hit the Field to Prepare for Texas Southern

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MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State University hit the practice field for their weekly night practice session Tuesday, to begin preparations for the upcoming game against Texas Southern in Houston Saturday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m.

The team has spent the past two days looking at film of Texas Southern, and even though they have been through some adversity in the first part of the season it doesn't show in their play.

"They are really athletic and have great size," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Offensively it is another big offensive line and they have three running backs that are very elusive. They are not big guys, but they are extremely fast and quick."

"They have a quarterback that is a scrambler and keeps plays alive. He does a lot with his legs and that is going to present a challenge for us along the defensive front."

Texas Southern has long been known for their tough defenses and this year is no different. They gave up only 12 points last week in a 12-10 loss at Alabama A&M.

"Defensively they have a lot of talent with great size," Barlow said. "In the secondary, these are long kids, 6'-2", 200 pounds, that are really good. They have a really good cornerback and one of their safeties is extremely good and will come down and hit you."

"They are playing a lot of guys on the defensive line which means they have good depth. So it will be a challenge. They were right in the game with A&M (Alabama) and lost it there at the end with a missed field goal. They will be ready to play and will be excited about the opportunity of having us come down there. It will be another big test for us."

The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will be televised live in the Houston area on KHOU. It will be shown tape delay Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon on Comcast SportsNet (CSN) at noon. Live audio can be heard on WVAS FM 90.7 beginning with the pregame show at 5:45 p.m.


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SWAC Cross Country Runners of the Week - October 1



Felix Kiprop
Sophomore
Nairobi, Kenya

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference has selected Felix Kiprop (Mississippi Valley State) and ShaNiece Pinkston (Southern) as SWAC Runners of the Week for October 1.

Kiprop finished 31st in the men’s 8K to lead MVSU at the Rhodes College Invite. He clocked in with a time of 27:30 for the Delta Devils.  The senior runner, and native of Nairobi, Kenya, is receiving the weekly honor for the first time this season. 

Pinkston competed at the at the McNeese Cowboy Stampede. She finished with a time of 19:52.19in the 5K race. Her time placed her 19th out of 35 runners. Pinkston is a senior from Detroit, Michigan.

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Nuggets' schedule has 7 games vs. NAIA tourney teams

NEW ORLEANS — Seven games against teams which competed in last season's NAIA Division I National Championship are on the 2013-14 Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball schedule.

Fifteenth-year head coach Bo Browder announced the schedule Tuesday.

The Gold Nuggets' games against 2013 postseason teams will be:

•  Nov. 15 against Our Lady of the Lake and Nov. 16 against LSU-Shreveport in the LSUS Classic at Shreveport, La.

•  Nov. 29 at Oklahoma City in the Capital City Classic.

•  Dec. 31 against Faulkner in the Xavier Classic.

•  Jan. 7 at Southern Poly.

•  Jan. 11 at home against SUNO.

•  Feb. 8 at SUNO.

Xavier will open the season at 6 p.m. on Nov. 2 against Langston at a neutral site in Grand Prairie, Texas, a Dallas suburb. The second game, Nov. 9 against Spring Hill, will be the Gold Nuggets' home opener.

Eight of the Gold Nuggets' first 10 games will be on the road, including a Dec. 1 game at Louisiana-Lafayette. It will be Xavier's first regular-season game against an NCAA Division I opponent since November 2010 and its first against the Ragin' Cajuns since the 1988-89 season.

The Gold Nuggets will play two games in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the week before Christmas, but opponents and times have yet to be announced.

The Xavier Classic, a Thanksgiving event since it began in 2000, is moving to the week after Christmas this season with Faulkner, LSUS and Mobile in the four-team field. Browder said he plans to return the Xavier Classic to Thanksgiving week in 2014.

The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference selected New Orleans as the host city for its 2014 women's and men's basketball tournaments. Xavier, one of three GCAC members from New Orleans, is committed to a role in the event, which will be played during the first full week of March. Venues, dates and times will be announced later. The Gold Nuggets are a three-time defending GCAC regular-season champion and won the GCAC Tournament four times in the past six years.

Xavier will play longtime HBCU, city and GCAC rival Dillard in the Crosstown Classic on Jan. 25 and Tougaloo for Senior Day on Feb. 22.

Still to be determined is which home contest will be the Play 4Kay Game for cancer awareness and fundraising.

It will be the second season of basketball in the Convocation Center, a $25 million facility which seats nearly 4,000. The Gold Nuggets were 15-2 in the building last season with a pair of six-game win streaks, one to close the season.

The GCAC Tournament women's champion will earn an automatic bid to the NAIA Division I National Championship at Frankfort, Ky. Xavier qualified for nationals last season as an at-large selection and reached the tournament for the fourth consecutive year and the 17th time in 19 seasons. The Gold Nuggets were 24-6 in 2012-13, 12-2 in the GCAC and ranked 17th in the NAIA Division I postseason poll.

2013-14 Xavier University Women's Basketball Schedule.

2013-14 Xavier University Women's Basketball Schedule Click here for detailed schedule information Nov. 2 (Sat.):  Langston, 6 p.m. (1) Nov. 9 (Sat.):  SPRING HILL (DH), 4 p.m. Nov. 11 (Mon.):  at Mobile (DH), 5:30 p.m. Nov. 15 (Fri.):  Our Lady of the Lake, 5:30 p.m. (2) Nov. 16 (Sat.):  at LSU-Shreveport, 5 p.m. (2) Nov. 23 (Sat.):  TEXAS COLLEGE (DH), 2 p.m. (3) Nov. 28 (Thu.):  Oklahoma Baptist, 5 p.m. (4) Nov. 29 (Fri.):  at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m. (4) Dec. 1 (Sun.):  at Louisiana-Lafayette, 2 p.m. Dec. 3 (Tue.):  at Loyola, 7 p.m. Dec. 5 (Thu.):  WILLIAM CAREY (DH), 5:30 p.m. Dec. 17 (Tue.):  TBA (5) Dec. 18 (Wed.):  TBA (5) Dec. 30 (Mon.):  MOBILE, 7 p.m. (6) Dec. 31 (Tue.):  FAULKNER, 5 p.m. (6) Jan. 4 (Sat.):  • at Fisk (DH), 3 p.m. Jan. 6 (Mon.):  • at Voorhees (DH), 5:30 p.m. EST Jan. 7 (Tue.):  at Southern Poly, 6 p.m. EST Jan. 11 (Sat.):  • SUNO (DH), 3 p.m. Jan. 18 (Sat.):  • EDWARD WATERS (DH), 3 p.m. Jan. 20 (Mon.):  • TALLADEGA (DH), 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 (Sat.):  • DILLARD (DH), 3 p.m. (7) Feb. 1 (Sat.):  • at Tougaloo (DH), 3 p.m. Feb. 3 (Mon.):  • at Philander Smith (DH), 5:30 p.m. Feb. 8 (Sat.):  • at SUNO (DH), 3 p.m. Feb. 11 (Tue.):  at William Carey (DH), 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17 (Mon.):  • PHILANDER SMITH (DH), 5:30 p.m. Feb. 22 (Sat.):  • TOUGALOO (DH), 3 p.m. (8) March 1 (Sat.):  • at Dillard (DH), 3 p.m. TBA:  GCAC TOURNAMENT IN NEW ORLEANS March 19-25 (Wed.-Tue.):  NAIA Division I National Championship, Frankfort, Ky. Home games (in bold and CAPITAL LETTERS) will be played at the Convocation Center (capacity 3,937), Xavier University campus, New Orleans • Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game TBA — To be announced All times are Central except where noted (DH) — doubleheader with Xavier's men (1) — at Grand Prairie, Texas (2) — LSUS Classic, Shreveport, La. (3) — Homecoming (4) — Capital City Classic, Oklahoma City (5) — at San Juan, Puerto Rico (6) — Xavier Classic (7) — Crosstown Classic (8) — Senior Day Call (504) 520-7329 for ticket information

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

GCAC coaches poll projects XU Rush for second-place finish

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana, winner of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championships in men's basketball each of the past two years, is picked to finish second in the league in 2013-14. 

Coach Dannton Jackson's Gold Rush received one first-place vote and 50 points in a poll of the GCAC's head coaches, who were not allowed to vote for their own teams. Philander Smith, which shared the GCAC regular-season title with Xavier last season and won the conference tournament, topped the poll with 63 points and received the other eight first-place votes. 

It's the fourth consecutive year and the sixth time in seven seasons that Xavier finished in the poll's top two. 

The Gold Rush will attempt to become the second GCAC team to win three consecutive regular-season championships. SUNO did it three straight times from 2001-04. 

Xavier will begin its 76th season at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1 against Carver College of Atlanta at the Convocation Center. It will be one of five November home games for the Gold Rush. Also in the opening month will be a 7 p.m. exhibition Nov. 6 at LSU. 

The Gold Rush — 24-8 overall, 11-3 in the GCAC and 24th in the NAIA Division I postseason poll a year ago — are aiming for a fourth consecutive 20-win season, a fourth consecutive berth in the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship and a 14th consecutive winning season, which would extend a school record. 

The NAIA Division I Coaches' Preseason Top 25 will be announced Oct. 29.

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Men's Basketball 2013-14 Preseason Coaches Poll (first-place votes in parentheses) No. School Points 1. Philander Smith (8) 63 2. Xavier (1) 50 3. SUNO 43 4. Edward Waters 42 5. Voorhees 33 6. (tie) Talladega 27 6. (tie) Tougaloo 27 8. Dillard 25 9. Fisk 14 Xavier in previous GCAC polls 2012-13 — 1st 2011-12 — 2nd 2010-11 — 1st 2009-10 — 8th 2008-09 — 2nd 2007-08 — 1st 2006-07 — 6th 2004-05 — 3rd 2003-04 — 4th       2002-03 — 5th 2001-02 — 1st 2000-01 — 2nd 1999-2000 — 3rd 1992-93 — 2nd 1991-92 — 1st 1989-90 — 6th 1988-89 — 4th 1987-88 — 2nd

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

SIAC Week 4 Players of the Week Announced

Atlanta, Georgia — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its football players of the week for the fourth installment of the 2013 SIAC Football Season as voted by the SIAC Sports Information Directors Association.

After leading his team to a come-from-behind victory against Kentucky State over the weekend, Stillman College sophomore Josh Straughan was named SIAC Offensive Player of the Week, while SIAC Defensive Player of the Week was awarded to Miles College junior Julante English after the linebacker had a stellar performance leading the Golden Bears to their first victory of the season over Albany State.

Newcomer of the Week was awarded to Miles College's Demetrice Price, who led the offensive charge for the Golden Bears in his first start of the season at quarterback.  Tuskegee University All-American senior Christopher Tolbert was awarded SIAC Lineman of the Week and Benedict College junior Rodney Hall and Fort Valley State defensive back Ja'Bioas Glenn were named Co-SIAC Special Teams Players of the Week.

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Cary cop wasn’t sure about charge against Frazier

HENRY FRAZIER III
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

DURHAM, North Carolina — The Cary Police Department officer who initiated the arrest warrant that ultimately triggered the firing of Henry Frazier III from his head coaching duties at N.C. Central University said he was iffy about the charge he was leveling.

Wake County Judge Jennifer Knox on Monday found Frazier not guilty of violating the domestic violence protective order in place to govern the relationship between him and his ex-wife, Lanier Turner-Frazier.

In August, Turner-Frazier contacted the Cary Police Department after reading handwritten notes from Frazier asking her to reimburse him for a $205 parking ticket.

Either Turner-Frazier or her daughter generated the ticket in Washington, D.C., while driving a vehicle registered to Frazier, according to his attorney, Ralph Frasier Jr.

Turner-Frazier testified that she received the notes on Aug. 11 and the next day spoke with Cary police officer B.T. Ready, who said he consulted with a Cary police detective to figure out exactly what crime Frazier might have committed.

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Judge dismisses criminal charge against fired NCCU football coach

RALEIGH — A judge in a Wake County court dismissed a charge against former N.C. Central head football coach Henry Frazier III on Monday that led to him getting fired.

Frazier was charged in August with violating a domestic violence protective order his wife had taken out against him. Frazier said he was trying to get word to her that he was paying for a ticket on their car and that the incident was a misunderstanding.

“I am very happy,” Frazier’s mother, Bessie Harris, said of the ruling. “I haven’t spoken with him directly. He left a message on my answer machine, but I’m happy about that and I knew he wasn’t guilty anyway. But I can’t wait to hear it directly from my baby.”

Attorney Ralph Frasier represented Frazier in court.
 “He intends now to concentrate on restoring his good name, raising his minor children and appealing to the Board of NCCU to set right the wrong that has been foisted upon him by them,” Frasier said in a press release.

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Chasing more than quarterbacks: Former star works on finishing degree

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Thumbing through a media guide for Winston-Salem State football, Thomas Washington doesn’t see his name listed very often.

That’s because the statistics portion doesn’t include sack totals. If it did, Washington — a three All-CIAA defensive end in the late 1990s — would be near the top of the list.
These days, Washington, 36, is finished chasing quarterbacks and pursuing something more important — his college degree.

He left WSSU after the 1999 season and four years under former coach Kermit Blount with NFL aspirations. He signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chief but injured a knee in his rookie season, and the pro career he dreamed about was derailed.

After the injury and subsequent surgeries, he spent a year in NFL Europe and won a championship with the Berlin Thunder. He returned to the Chiefs but was one of the last cuts in training camp in 2001.

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TSU Men's Basketball Begins 2013-14 Season Practice

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  –  The Tennessee State men’s basketball team started team practices on Monday in preparation of the team’s first contest against the University of Hawai’i on Nov. 8.

The Tigers welcome back six letter winners from a year ago, including reigning All-OVC guard Patrick Miller.

Last year, Miller scored 14.8 points per contest and broke the school’s single season record for assists in a season with 195. He was also one of the team’s main workhorses, averaging 35.9 minutes a game.

The other returnees for TSU are seniors Michael Green and Chaed Wellian, juniors Jay Harris and M.J. Rhett and sophomore Jordan Gaither.

Post players Green, Rhett and Wellian will be called upon to replace Robert Covington and Kellen Thornton who graduated last season. The trio of current Tigers averaged 10 points and nine rebounds combined last season.

This year’s squad will also have to replace Jordan Cyphers and Tashan Fredrick at shooting guard and small forward which could be a job for Harris, Gaither or one of the nine incoming players that the program has brought in.

The newcomers to this year’s club include forwards Alex Bates, Kennedy Eubanks, Ugo Mmonu and Jaylen Reid and guards Jamonte Graham, Jacquan Nobles, Jaleel Queary, Rhyan Townes and Gerald Williams.

Graham, Mmonu, Reid and Townes are true freshmen while Bates, Eubanks, Nobles, Queary and Williams all have some level of prior collegiate experience. 

The Tigers will host Lemoyne-Owen in an exhibition game on Nov. 4 before heading to the Aloha State four days later.

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FAMU Golf Team Wins HBCU Hall Of Fame Tournament

(COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS)

ATLANTA, Ga. (Sept. 29) – The Florida A&M Rattler golf team captured first place in the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Golf Tournament this weekend at Brown Mill Golf Course in Atlanta, Ga.

The win did not come easy, as the Rattlers had to win in a playoff over defending South Western Athletic Conference champion Alabama State University.

The Rattlers were led by veteran Justin Stills, who carded back-to-back scores of 72 to tie for the Rattlers’ low score. Jonathan Ortiz scored 73 on Saturday, and followed it with a 71 to combine for a 144 as well for the Rattlers. Chase Burkhalter and Kevin Parker, each scored a total of 146 for the two-day tournament. Burkhalter put up a 72 on the first day and 74 on the final day, while Parker carded 76 on the first day, then had the low round of the tournament for the Rattlers with a 70 on the final day. Dominick Vennari carded a 74 and 73, to close out the team with a147 total.

FAMU’s team score of 286 tied them with the Hornets, before the Rattlers would win the tiebreaker for the victory.

The Rattlers travel to Valdosta to compete in the Thomas University Invitational
On Monday, Sept. 30-Tues, Oct.1.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fired NCCU coach 'not guilty' in note incident

COACH HENRY FRAZIER III

RALEIGH, North Carolina  — Fired N.C. Central football coach Henry Frazier III’s play call designed to return him to his former job with back pay has gained ground.

Wake County judge Jennifer Knox Monday declared Frazier not guilty of violating a domestic violence protective order in place to govern the relationship between him and his ex-wife, Lanier Turner-Frazier.

Turner-Frazier in August took issue with Frazier over a handwritten communication about a financial matter. She discussed that written contact with Cary Police Department officer B.T. Ready, who generated the warrant that resulted in Frazier’s Aug. 19 arrest.

After the arrest,  NCCU athletics director Ingrid Wicker-McCree terminated Frazier, explaining that the issues between him and his ex-wife had become too much of a distraction for the university.

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Charge dropped against former NCCU head coach

DURHAM, North Carolina -- A charge of violating a domestic violence protective order was dropped Monday against former North Carolina Central University Head Coach Henry Frazier.

Frazier was fired in August - just two days after he was arrested for allegedly disobeying the order which was first issued last year following a domestic dispute with his then wife.

A police report says Frazier wrote a letter to his ex-wife about a parking ticket for a family vehicle she drives, saying he had paid it and would deduct the money from his monthly alimony check. The letter was delivered by the couple's son. But the order states Frazier can't use a third party - like a friend or a family member - to communicate.

Frazier has appealed his firing to NCCU, but it was denied last week. Frazier is reportedly considering legal action against the school.

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TSU Lady Tigers Get to Work on First Day of Practice

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team had its first official day of practice for the 2013-14 campaign on Sunday afternoon in the Gentry Center.

The Lady Tigers will continue practicing for the next 40 days leading up to the season opener at Kansas State on Nov. 8.

“It was a great practice,” said head coach Larry Inman. “We had great attitudes.  It looked like a typical first day as far as execution but we’re changing our system so it will take a while to get that in place. We have a lot of new kids and they were very enthusiastic. We worked hard and had a good time and that is what’s important.”

Tennessee State has four returning letter winners from last season’s squad with eight newcomers joining the roster. 

Junior guard Rachel Allen is among the top returners and will be expected to provide leadership on the court for TSU. The 5-5 native of Clarksville, Tenn., started all 28 games last year while leading the team in assists with 3.4 helpers per contest. Allen finished the season with the best assist/turnover ratio in the Ohio Valley Conference at 1.9. She also ranked eighth in the OVC in assists and 11^th in steals.



 “The first day of practice was good,” commented Allen. “[We have] a lot of new people so we’re just trying to mesh together. I’ve taken more of a leadership role this year so I’m just trying to help my team however I can.”

Redshirt Junior Chelsea Hudson is the only returning post player for the Lady Tigers. In 2012-13, she averaged a team second-best 5.4 rebounds per game while posting 6.6 points per contest.

Senior Alana Morris and sophomore Brianna Lawrence round out the returners for TSU. Morris dished out the second-most assists on the team last season while Lawrence saw action in 25 contests.

 

The 2013-14 newcomers include: Diamond Beatty (5-7*Guard*Fr.), Imani Davis (6-0*Forward*Fr.), Shekinah Gibson (5-10*Guard*Fr.) Alexis Haddock (5-8*Guard*Fr.), LaTeasha Hill (6-0*Forward*Junior), Jayda Johnson (6-0*Forward*Fr.), Jemilah Leonard (5-7*Guard*Freshman) and Julie McCarthy (6-2*Center*Fr.).
 

The Lady Tigers will face Tennessee Temple in an exhibition contest on Friday, Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. in the Gentry Center.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

For now, Seth Higgins is Morgan State's starting quarterback

SETH HIGGINS
QUARTERBACK

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Junior Seth Higgins became the first quarterback this season to start and finish a game for Morgan State, going wire-to-wire in Saturday’s 27-21 loss to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Norfolk State.

Higgins, an Edgewood native and graduate who has accounted for the offense’s last five touchdowns (three passing and two rushing), earned coach Donald Hill-Eley’s vote of confidence as the starter for the remainder of the year – with a caveat.

“I think he has, but you know how that thing is,” Hill-Eley said. “As with everything else, you don’t want to become complacent. You like the competition, and as long as they compete and he competes and he has success in moving the ball and the offense, we’ll continue to play him.”

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Higgins completed 5-of-14 passes for 83 yards and one touchdown against the Spartans. He was also intercepted twice, but the last one was off a Hail Mary attempt at the end of regulation. He also led the offense in rushing with 63 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

In his last seven-plus quarters, Higgins has ...

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Jackson State's special teams stand out

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The first unit that came to coach Rick Comegy’s mind after Jackson State’s 19-14 win against Southern was the special teams.

Despite Jackson State’s defense making key stops in the final minutes Saturday, Comegy highlighted the contributions that took place in the third phase of the game.

“Special teams, I thought, did a fine job in doing what they had to do, getting the ball kicked and doing whatever they could do to stop (the returns),” said Comegy, whose team improved to 3-2 overall and 3-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. “Special teams really came through and did a good job.”

Freshman Darcy Williamson has bettered his punting accuracy.

Two of his four punts in Saturday’s game came in the fourth quarter. The first pinned Southern (2-3, 2-1 SWAC) inside its own 15-yard line, and the next punt was caught by Virgil Williams on their 25, but he was quickly tackled by Wesley Jackson.

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Donald Hill-Eley explains why Morgan State stood on visitors' sideline

HEAD COACH DONALD HILL-ELEY
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

BALTIMORE, Maryland - When the Morgan State football team took the field at Hughes Stadium in Baltimore for Saturday’s home and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener against Norfolk State, the Bears did not run to the sideline closest to their fans, their marching band and their cheerleaders.

Instead, the team stood on the visitors’ sideline – in front of the Spartans’ fans, marching band and cheerleaders.

After the 27-21 loss, Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley explained his decision to have the team stand on the opposing sideline.

“We have about 14 freshmen that are playing. And when we’re on the home side, you’re accessible to the crowd and everybody that’s coming over and talking to the kids,” he said. “It’s so much distraction going on that we figured that you move them over and we could have the focus of those kids. Not looking back and seeing their parents in the stands, not having former players walk up and down the sideline because there’s just so many different types of things that go on in the game.

"So, we just figured that we would move them to the other side and at least we don’t have to coach kids out of the stands. You’ve got enough trying to play the game on the field. You shouldn’t have to try to manage the sideline.”

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UAPB/Steelers great L.C. Greenwood dead at 67

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania  --  L.C. Greenwood, the relentless defensive end who made up one quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers' "Steel Curtain" defense of the 1970s, has died. He was 67.

The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office said Greenwood died Sunday from undisclosed causes just before noon at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Greenwood played for the Steelers from 1969-81, helping Pittsburgh win an unprecedented four Super Bowls in a six-year span. Greenwood, Joe Greene, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White formed the bedrock of the defense that helped turn a perennial loser into a dynasty.

"L.C. was one of the most beloved Steelers during the most successful period in team history and he will be missed by the entire organization," Chairman Dan Rooney said in a statement. "He will forever be remembered for what he meant to the Steelers both on and off the field."

Greenwood was taken in the 10th round of the 1969 NFL draft - nine rounds after Greene - out of Arkansas A&M (now Arkansas Pine-Bluff). He blossomed into a tenacious pass rusher who ...


L.C. Greenwood is honored at the Bone Bash at the Arthritis Foundation in
Pittsburgh, PA, October 2012.

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XU's Howell, Flowers win South Regional doubles title

 Kourtney Howell

Brion Flowers

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's top-seeded Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers defeated Brenau's third-seeded Dominika Jasova and Maria Perdomo-Medina 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) in the women's double final of the USTA/ITA NAIA South Regional Championships at XU Tennis Center on Sunday.

The victory made Howell and Flowers the first from the XU women's program to qualify for the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships. That event will be played Oct. 10-13 at Fort Myers, Fla.

Jasova and Perdomo-Medina rallied from a 4-2 third-set deficit and fought off a pair of match points in the 12th game, but Howell and Flowers were uncatchable after scoring the first three points of the tiebreaker. Howell and Flowers each hit a pair of winners, and Jasova missed on a shot down the line to end the 2-hour, 29-minute match.

"I just tried to play the tiebreaker like we had a million points to play, and we wanted to win every point," Howell said. "We did not want to give Brenau anything. No freebies."

Flowers missed the Nuggets' first fall tournament last week because of a strained back -- she was cleared Monday to return to workouts -- then won four times in doubles, twice on Sunday, with Howell in her 2013-14 debut.

"Just a little soreness," Flowers said. "But my back was good every day of the tournament."

Auburn Montgomery won the other three main-draw titles and also advanced to the National Small College Championships. Zinolabidine Jouini defeated teammate Othmane Lalami 6-3, 6-4 in the men's singles final, top-seeded Nicolas Pinones and Miguel Grifol beat William Carey's Jody Claassen and Philipp Mueller 6-3, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4 in the men's doubles final, and top-seeded top-seeded Jade Curtis beat second-seeded Jasova 7-5, 6-3 for the women's singles title.

In singles semifinals, Jasova rallied to defeat fifth-seeded Flowers 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1). Jasova trailed 5-2 in the second set and 5-4 in the third.

Howell and Flowers defeated Georgia Gwinnett's Rocio Fernandez and Victoria Svennson 8-5 in the doubles semifinals. Jasova and Perdomo-Medina beat AUM's second-seeded Curtis and Chanel Cunningham 8-5 in the other semifinal.

Xavier's other Sunday participant was the men's doubles team of Jordan Harrell and Nikita Soifer, who lost 8-3 to Pinones and Grifol in the semifinals.

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