Alabama State football: Injuries claim pair of starters

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State’s high-powered offense will take a three-game winning streak on the road to Texas this week, but the Hornets will be missing two starters when they face Texas Southern on Saturday.

Both right tackle Tovar Allen and cornerback Michael Showers suffered injuries in the third quarter of Saturday’s 49-30 win over Alcorn State and will miss this weekend’s game with Texas Southern, head coach Reggie Barlow said. Tailback Malcolm Cyrus, who also left the game after suffering a bruised shoulder in the third quarter, is fine and will play this weekend.

The loss of Allen and Showers had a silver lining, however. Allen, who was helped off the field with what was initially thought to be a serious ankle injury, has a high ankle sprain and should return in time for the Magic City Classic on Oct. 26, Barlow said. Showers, who was taken off of the field on a stretcher and rushed to a local hospital, was released later that night and suffered a neck stinger. He is being held out of Saturday’s game as a precaution.

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Concordia Homecoming 2013: Celebrating in Gold!

SELMA, Alabama -- When the Concordia College Hornets hit the field for Homecoming 2013 Saturday, Oct. 5, they will have much to celebrate!

One cause for celebration: a phenomenal present. The Concordia College Hornets will be suiting up for homecoming in the uniform of a professional football team!

The Concordia College Alabama Hornets will be wearing Green Bay Packer gold pants and specialized socks that arrived as a gift from the Wisconsin team Wednesday Oct. 2.

"We are so blessed by this gift--it's like Christmas all over again," said head Coach Don Lee. "We will be wearing the Green Bay Packer uniforms for Homecoming!"

The Green Bay Packers were responding to the Sept 21 bus fire that destroyed all the football teams uniforms and equipment. Because we share the same colors-- green and gold -- the connection was made through our sister school, Concordia University Wisconsin.

This Homecoming we also celebrate: Christian faith. Community. Compassion. College Life.

Christian faith is central to Concordia College. Faith and the power of prayer was seen in a mighty way this season. The team prays before every game. Led by Coach Don Lee, they prayed for safe travel before boarding the bus to go to a game with Miles College on Saturday, Sept. 21.

On the way to the game, the bus caught fire and was completely destroyed. Thanks to God, our players and coaches safely escaped the fire. No one was injured or hurt.

Community extends across the country, we learned, when we heard from so many people responding to the news of the bus fire. Community includes our sister college Concordia University Wisconsin, who connected us with the Green Bay Packers. Wearing the same colors--green and gold, the Packers responded to our loss by sending boxes of gold pants and special socks in time for homecoming.

Community includes big business, too. The CCA Hornets hit the football field Thursday, Sept. 26 -- just six days after the fire destroyed all our equipment -- outfitted in completely new uniforms, thanks to the athletic company, Adidas. Adidas volunteered over 100 each of jerseys pants, socks and cleats with our team colors with school name -- in time for the first post-fire game. The day before the team had been practicing in shorts and tennis shoes.

We celebrate our local community and local schools who responded: Jeff Davis High School, Montgomery (team colors green & gold) who loaned jerseys, and Morgan Academy, Selma, who loaned equipment. We celebrate good coverage by our community newspaper, the Selma Times-Journal, and others dedicated to getting our story told.

We celebrate compassion. We received so many prayers and good wishes from folks across the country, and especially from churches, individuals and schools and members of our church body, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We are grateful for the kind words and support.

Finally, we celebrate college life -- a day to re-connect with our new friends, and long-standing friends, alumni, students, faculty and staff, as you join us for Concordia College Alabama Homecoming 2013.

The homecoming weekend kicks off as we lift our praise to the Lord, Friday at 11 am. with chapel, followed by a pep rally! A Jambalaya fest featuring the Louisiana staple will be held on campus that afternoon, provided by Pastor Paul Ernewein of The Village Lutheran Church in Lacombe, Louisiana. Friday night is the Alumni Ball at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center at 8 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 at the door.

Saturday's festivities open with a showcase of bands at the park at 9 a.m, along with lots of food and fun. Game starts at noon; halftime features our homecoming court and the CCA Magnificent Marching Band.

CCA Hornets vs. Ave Marie University Gyrenes
Homecoming, noon Sat., Oct. 5.
Memorial Stadium, Bloch Park.
Tickets $10.

COURTESY CONCORDIA COLLEGE-SELMA MEDIA RELATIONS

No. 4 West Texas A&M Hosts Central State for Homecoming 2013

CANYON, Texas – The No. 4 West Texas A&M football team returns home for Homecoming 2013 Saturday at 3 p.m. versus Central State (Ohio) at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium. The Buffs enter with a 4-0 record, while the Marauders are 0-4. WT is coming off of a 69-7 drubbing of Texas A&M-Kingsville last week, while Central State lost 73-6 to Football Championship Subdivision foe Tennessee State in St. Louis, Mo.

HOW TO CATCH THE GAME - The game will be streamed live on www.gobuffsgo.com and radio coverage can be heard throughout the Texas Panhandle on KGNC 710 AM with Neil Horn and Brice Sheets having the call. Live stats and links for the audio and video can be found at www.gobuffsgo.com. The game also can be heard on

THE SERIES - This is the first meeting between the two teams and the second consecutive season WT has played a team from Ohio. Last season WT won 33-28 at Ashland University in the second round of the NCAA playoffs. WT is 8-2 all-time against teams from Ohio.

HOMECOMING - WT is 42-26-2 all-time in Homecoming games and has won the past eight, outscoring the opposition 322-171. Last season WT blanked Abilene Christian 36-0 on Homecoming.



THE COACHES - West Texas A&M interim head coach Mike Nesbitt took over the reigns of the program on Aug. 22 after former head coach Don Carthel was relieved of his duties. Nesbitt is no stranger to WT as he was on Carthel's staff from 2007-2010 prior to stints at Stephen F. Austin and University of Houston before returning to Canyon for the 2013 season. Before taking over the interim duties, Nesbitt was assistant head coach and coached the offensive line.

Central State head coach E.J. Junior III is in his fifth season at the helm of the Marauders. He was an All-American linebacker at Alabama under Paul "Bear" Bryant where Junior helped lead the team to two national championships and was selected in the first round of the 1981 NFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He played 13 seasons in the NFL (1981-1993) and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. He also played for the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks. He served with a number of NFL teams on the coaching staff and in the front office and was inducted into Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

A WIN OVER CENTRAL STATE WOULD. . .

Give WT a 5-0 record for the first time since 2008 (11-2, NCAA Second Round)
Be the first win in the series vs. Central State and ninth win against a team from Ohio in school history.
Give WT a 9-0 record in the past nine seasons on Homecoming
Be the 483rd win in school history and give WT a .500 record all-time (482-483-22)
Be the 43rd win on Homecoming (42-26-2)
Be the 188th home win since 1946 (187-147-4)

ON THIS DAY - The Buffs are 4-4 since 1946 on Oct. 5 and all eight games have been played at home. Angelo State won the last meeting on this day, 19-0 in 2002.

A LOOK AT CENTRAL STATE - The Marauders enter with an 0-4 record after a 73-6 loss in St. Louis, Mo., to Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) foe Tennessee State last Saturday. Central State has been outscored 195-52 thus far (48.75 ppg. to 13). Quarterback Michael Wilson has 243 rushing yards on the season and 203 passing yards, while Jonathon Jones leads the team in solo tackles averaging 4.3 per game and tackles for loss at 1.0 per game. Zachary Thomas leads the team in receiving yards per game at 42.0, while Aaron Wade leads the team in receptions per game at four. As a team, the Marauders are 17th nationally in passing yards allowed at 171.5 per game. They are 18th in punt returns at 16.33 per return.

BUFFS REMAIN FOURTH IN BOTH POLLS - The West Texas A&M Buffaloes remained fourth in both the AFCA Coaches Poll and the D2Football.com Poll this week. It is the fourth-straight week the Buffs have been fourth in both polls.

CASTILLO AND McCULLER NAMED LSC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - Senior kicker Sergio Castillo, Jr., and senior linebacker Taylor McCuller were named LSC Players of the Week. It was the first weekly honor for Castillo this season and second for McCuller.

SPORTSCENTER TOP PLAYS - Senior wide receiver Nathan Slaughter had a spectacular one-handed catch which made ESPN Sportcenter's No. 7 Play that night. Chadron State running back Glen Clinton also had a play make the Top 10.

COURTESY WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

HU's Rose aims for turnaround after 0-5 start

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
AND MARK'S DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

HAMPTON, Virginia — Each week Hampton U. head coach Don Rose flips on the video and sees more self-inflicted damage this side of the halls of Congress.

Turnovers, line play, busted coverages, missteps, overzealousness, inconsistency, a bad read here, a poor decision there. All of it has contributed to Hampton University's 0-5 start, the worst as a Division I program and the worst since 1991 — coincidentally, Rose's first year as an assistant at his alma mater.

"My thing now is just to compete," Rose said Wednesday. "We're trying to find the formula to do that. It's real simple. Guys have to buy into what we're doing and do your 1/11th (your job on the field)."

Video review of Pirates' games routinely shows, he said, "Somebody's not doing their 1/11th. We have to find a way for them to process what they've learned in meetings and practice and put it on the field. It's not complicated. We've just got to simplify and stress to them to practice hard and play hard. Enough is enough. You've got to have a little pride. Your back is against the wall. We have another opportunity."

Seven of them, to be precise. Though the Pirates are 0-5 overall, they are just 0-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference after last Saturday's 30-6 loss at South Carolina State.

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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.



COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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.

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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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