Concordia captures one-point victory in first Crossroads Classic (Photos)

PRICHARD, Alabama  -- The 2013 season had been a longer one for Concordia College Alabama than even the Hornets' 0-4 record might have indicated. That's what made Concordia's 21-20 victory over Arkansas Baptist in the inaugural Crossroads Classic even sweeter on Saturday.

A bus fire as the Hornets were traveling to a game against Miles on Sept. 21 destroyed most of the team's equipment, and it took donations from Adidas and the Green Bay Packers kept the team's season going.

"For what we've been through this year, I don't care if it was one point, it means a lot to this team," Concordia coach Don Lee said. "We've been through a lot - bus burning, things happening in school. This is awesome."

Concordia held on by stopping Arkansas Baptist on downs twice in the final four minutes of the game at Prichard Municipal Stadium. Patrell Ruff came up with a sack to halt the Buffaloes at the Concordia 20, and a third straight incomplete pass with 46.5 seconds to play ended ABC's final threat at the Hornets 39. The Concordia defense stopped the Buffaloes (3-4) three times in the Hornets' end of the field, made two interceptions and set up Concordia's first touchdown by recovering a fumble at the ABC 29.

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Week 7: HBCU Football Schedule and ScoreCard Finals

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

Saturday, October 12

OVC
Tennessee State 31, Jacksonville State 15

SWAC
Alabama State 48, Prairie View A&M 42 O.T.
Jackson State 26, Mississippi Valley State 17
Alcorn State 48, Grambling State 0 at Circle City Classic, Indianapolis, IN
Southern U. 20, Alabama A&M 17  2 O.T.
Texas Southern 41, Arkansas Pine Bluff 28

MEAC
South Carolina State 44, North Carolina Central 3 -Thursday   ESPN Highlights  »
Bethune-Cookman 27, Howard 6
Hampton 31, North Carolina A&T 26
Delaware State 14, Norfolk State 7
Florida A&M 27, Savannah State 14

CIAA
Virginia State 51, Elizabeth City State 28
Chowan 31,Bowie State 21 
Winston-Salem State 44, Johnson C. Smith 17 (Homecoming)
Saint Augustine's 21, Livingstone 14
Virginia Union 28, Lincoln (Pa.) 21
Shaw 44, Fayetteville State 34

SIAC
Central State (Ohio) 25, Miles 21
Kentucky State 17, Fort Valley State 11
Lane  37, Albany State 31
Tuskegee 54, Morehouse 10 at Columbus, GA
Stillman 35, Benedict 21
Clark-Atlanta 56, College of Faith 0

OTHER CONFERENCES & INDEPENDENTS
Oklahoma Panhandle State 41, Texas College 0
Wesley 40, Virginia University Lynchburg 0
Kutztown 35, Cheyney 19
West Virginia Wesleyan 45, West Virginia State 30
Washburn 58, Lincoln (Mo.) 7
Concordia-Selma 21, Arkansas Baptist 20 Cross Road Classic, Prichard, AL
Webber International 49, Edward Waters 10
Langston (Ok.) 41, Southwestern Assemblies of God 17

ALL GAME TIMES ARE SHOWN IN EASTERN TIME ZONE



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Close losses have SSU encouraged with FAMU upcoming

SAVANNAH, Georgia  -- Savannah State’s first-year coach Earnest Wilson probably hasn’t lost sleep thinking about the team’s elusive second win this season.

The Tigers get their fourth shot at it today when they play host to Florida A&M at 6 p.m. at T.A. Wright Stadium.

“As coaches, we keep telling (the players), ‘We’re teaching you how to win. We’re teaching you how to play. We’re teaching you how to compete. We’re teaching you how to work,’ ” Wilson said. “With that being said, whatever happens, we know there’s another day to fight.”

SSU (1-5, 0-2 MEAC) has put up a fight the last two times out, just falling short to Delaware State (24-22) and Norfolk State (26-24).

Now the slumping Rattlers (1-4, 0-1) come to town looking to break a four-game losing streak.

“I know coach (Earl) Holmes will get it together; I’m just hoping not this week,” Wilson said.

The Tigers have lost all five games in the all-time series with ...

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Winning Streaks Highlight ASU Hornet Sports Report

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Winning streaks of the football, volleyball, and soccer teams, along with success of the cross country programs highlight this week's edition of the new Alabama State University Hornet Sports Report television show.

Launched in late September to spotlight the academic and athletic accomplishments of nearly 400 student-athletes in 18 Division I programs, the program also features a compliance tip of the week, increasing the knowledge of NCAA rules and regulations for all Hornet student-athletes, staff, alumni, and supporters of Alabama State University.

"We are excited to debut this new program to spotlight the accomplishments of our student-athletes, both in competition and in the classroom," Interim Athletic Director Melvin Hines said. "This show will profile our great students-athletes, coaches, programs and our University."

The show airs Friday afternoons on demand at bamastatesports.com and locally in Montgomery on WFRZ-TV Friday evenings at 9:30 p.m.

All of the fall sports teams are on roll heading into mid-October: football (four straight wins), volleyball (seven straight), and soccer (four straight), along with the men's and women's cross country teams winning its last meet. The women's program is contending for its third straight Southwestern Athletic Conference title later this month. Plus, the show takes a look at the men's and women's basketball teams' opening of fall practice, and news and notes from ASU Athletics.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Third place for Howell and Flowers in XU fall season finale

Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers justified their No. 1 seeding
at Regionals and the National Championships.


FORT MYERS, Florida -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers lost in the semifinals, then won the third-place match Friday in the NAIA division of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

Howell and Flowers, seeded first in their division, lost 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 1-0 (10-5) to Lindsey Wilson's unseeded Jessica King and Alicia Rodriguez. But the Gold Nuggets' duo defeated another upset victim, second-seeded Amy Grossklag-Fritz and Jenna Elliott of Evangel, 6-4, 6-4 to earn third place.

It was the final fall event for Xavier, whose women and men will play dual matches beginning in late January.

King and Rodriguez won six of the first seven points in the super-tiebreaker. Howell and Flowers closed the lead to 6-4 but didn't get any closer.

In the third-place match, Howell and Flowers won four of the first five games and broke Grossklag-Fritz's serve to end the first set, then rallied from a 3-2 deficit in the next set to give them their 16th victory in their last 19 matches dating to March of last season.

"This was a bittersweet trip out here to nationals," XU coach Alan Green said. "We were capable of winning here and advancing to the Super Bowl but we were just outplayed by Lindsey Wilson in the final tiebreaker.

"But we also realize that third place is no small potatoes and the furthest we've ever gone in Xavier women's history. I'm proud of what we did out here."

King and Rodriguez lost 6-3, 6-2 to Hui-I Huang and Kristina Marova of Embry-Riddle (Fla.) in the NAIA final. The victory advanced Huang and Marova to the National Small College Super Bowl this weekend against winners of the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and junior/community college brackets. That winner will earn a wild-card berth in next month's USTA/ITA National Intercollegiate Indoor Championships.

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

TSU's Nick Thrasher, Chasing Ball Carriers and Coach Reed

NASHVILLE, Tennessee –  When junior middle linebacker Nick Thrasher arrived on campus in 2011 he had no idea how prestigious of a career his head coach had at the same position over 20 years ago. Two years later he’s well aware.

Now, Thrasher is out to break coach Rod Reed’s career records.

“At first I didn’t know about (Coach Reed’s pedigree) but when I got here everybody tells you about all coach’s records here for the most tackles here at TSU,” Thrasher said about his head coach. “I’m still trying to beat that record, and I’m going to beat that record.”

The record Thrasher is referring to is Reed’s 406 tackles during his career from 1985-88. Reed, one of the most decorated athletes at Tennessee State not only holds the record for tackles in a career, he holds many tackle marks in the record books. TSU’s head man had the best and eighth best seasons in terms of tackles, as well as the sixth and tenth best mark in solo tackles in a year, during his illustrious playing career.

Thrasher has a number of accolades himself, with the first one being the starting middle linebacker of the best defense in FCS. The junior lead the team in tackles a year ago with 105 tackles to earn second team All-OVC honors. His superb sophomore season also made him a pre-season All-OVC selection this past summer.

Halfway into his junior season Thrasher has picked up 163 tackles. Now, the Morrow, Georgia native sits a good distance away from Reed’s school record, but he’s still trying to emulate the qualities of Tennessee State’s head man.

“Coming out of high school I just had a nose for the football, and then when I got to college (coach Reed) taught me how to read the keys right and watch what the offense does because the offense tells it all,” said Thrasher about his mentor. “When I get out of classes I’m always in coach Reed’s office watching film and looking at what the offense does.”

The two spend so much time together they often give each other a hard time when it comes to their on-field accolades.

“I call him the luckiest linebacker in America,” Reed said with Thrasher laughing in the background. “Cause he always seems to be falling in on the tackles or right around the ball a lot of stuff falls in his lap.”

Reed’s relationship allows for the sarcasm but the head man knows that the work his linebacker puts in makes him the player he has become today.

“When things like that fall in your lap I’ll tell you why, it’s because you’re reading the keys and you know where the play is going to be and you always end up in the right spot.”

The lunch pail attitude Thrasher brings to the table leaves Reed seeing a lot of similarities between himself and the leader of the 2013 Big Blue defense.

”I like his intensity, I like the way he practices,” said Reed. “I think the biggest thing you can compare him to me is film study. He loves to study film he comes in when other players are doing different things. He’s always somewhere studying film.”

For Thrasher he gives all the credit to his coach and mentor.

“He’s teaching me what he did back then, and helping make me a successful middle linebacker.”

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU offense is rolling as J.C. Smith comes to town for homecoming

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  --  Johnson C. Smith has a reputation for being able to score quickly, and it will be tested today against 16th-ranked Winston-Salem State.

Kickoff is set for 1:30 at Bowman Gray Stadium.
"There haven’t been a lot of CIAA teams that have matched us in terms of scoring points,” said Coach Connell Maynor, who will try for his 40th career victory today.

Maynor’s Rams (4-1, 2-0 CIAA) are riding a four-game winning streak and leading the CIAA in scoring at 45.8 points a game. The Golden Bulls (4-1, 2-1) are second (38.6 ppg), but the Rams’ defense has been the stingier of the two, allowing a CIAA-best 16.4 points a game.

Johnson C. Smith allows nearly 22 points a game and has been susceptible to giving up yards through the air.

Maynor also has an offense that’s rolling. The Rams ran up 690 yards of offense — the highest total in his 44 games as coach — in last week’s 56-21 domination of Bowie State.

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Kentucky State welcomes FVSU for homecoming

FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- There have been way too many penalties.

The defense has been solid, yet still seems to surrender a few big plays.

Special teams haven’t been much of a boost. And Fort Valley State has made the wins closer than they probably should have been while leaving chances to win two other games on the field.

But the Wildcats will take a one-game lead in the SIAC’s East Division on the road Saturday to take on Kentucky State.

FVSU (2-3, 2-1) is coming off a 21-13 home loss to Tuskegee, the Wildcats committing 17 penalties for 183 yards and leaving chances to win on both sides of the ball.

“The execution was good,” FVSU head coach Donald Pittman said. “The student-athletes, they played hard and were on point. Tuskegee knew they were in a game.”

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Too small to play college football? Not these six under 6-feet

RALEIGH, North Carolina — In a game of power, football players often are judged by their size.

But two Shaw University players aren’t letting stature hold them back. Senior cornerback Darnell Evans and sophomore running back Marquise Grizzle both measure about 5-foot-7 while putting up big numbers as two of the Bears’ top players.

They are in good company.

N.C. State’s Bryan Underwood is one of the ACC’s most dangerous deep threats. N.C. Central’s Michael Jones leads all of FCS with four interceptions. Ryan Switzer has flashed his game-changing ability in UNC’s passing game and on special teams. And Duke’s Jamison Crowder has the potential to change the scoreboard every time he touches the ball.

All six are small by college football standards, shorter than 6 feet, no heavier than 181 pounds. All six have overcome long odds to stand out. All six have shown you don’t need to be 6-4, 220 to make a difference on Saturdays.

“We all know you can’t have the size we’d like all the time, but these guys, they play like they’re six-foot or above on the football field,” Shaw coach Robert Massey said.

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Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/10/11/3270881/too-small-to-play-college-football.html#storylink=cpy

Stillman quarterback Josh Straughan picks up second-straight SIAC Offensive Player of the Week award



Josh Straughan, Quarterback
(Courtesy Stillman College Athletics)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Stillman quarterback Josh Straughan picked up his second-straight Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week award earlier this week. 

The true sophomore set a school record, throwing for 437 yards and three touchdowns on 31-for-46 passing in the Tigers' 28-27 loss at home to Lane College (Tenn.) this past week. That performance came after he ripped Kentucky State's defense for 326 yards and four touchdowns on 19-for-32 passing in a 26-21 win on the road. 

Against Lane, wide receiver Dondre Purnell had 14 catches for 188 yards and Reese Sturgis had eight catches for a 187 yards. 

Straughan leads the SIAC in passing, having completed 98 of 157 attempts for 1,334 yards and 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. 

"That's been typical of them this year,"Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said. 'They've done a good job of executing drives, moving the ball. That's been a problem over the years. We haven't been able to sustain drives. We've been able to do that now. We've been able to move the ball down, play pitch-and-catch and move it down." 

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'Schooled: The Price of College Sports'

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Fans flood into the Florida State University football stadium. Shouting, covered in body paint and glitter. An aerial camera glides over the 80,000 seats. As athletes storm the field, students wearing Seminoles garb raise their forearms up and down, chanting in unison. In the official stadium store, an employee shows off jerseys that go for $55 to $60.

“It’s not about money,” a voiceover says. “It’s about love of the game.”

But the opposite appears to be true in "Schooled: The Price of College Sports," a new documentary film that screened here Wednesday night. Based on the widely read Atlantic article The Shame of College Sports, by historian Taylor Branch, the film aims to push the increasingly apparent tensions and moral dilemmas permeating money, student welfare and academics in college sports even further into the public consciousness.

“We all have a share in the dishonesty,” Branch says in the film. “That’s what blinds us to the biggest issue.”

For Branch, that issue is the fact that athletes are asked to give up their rights – the right to worker’s compensation, the right to hold down a job, the right to due process – in exchange for a year or four in the national spotlight and a shot at going pro.



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Schooled: The Price of College Sports" premieres Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. on the Epix Channel and will also be available online with a free two-week trial.

Arkansas Baptist accepts another challenge at Saturday's Crossroads Classic

PRICHARD, Alabama - The football team of Arkansas Baptist College has tackled some of the biggest challenges in junior-college football this season, and the Buffaloes will get another at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Crossroads Classic. That's when ABC will take on Concordia College - Alabama at Prichard Memorial Stadium. Arkansas Baptist is a two-year college; Concordia is a four-year school.

"It's a great opportunity for my kids," Arkansas Baptist coach Richard Wilson said. "Very seldom do you, at a two-year institution, get to play a four-year school. We feel very fortunate to have been invited.

"It's always challenging to play somebody at a four-year program, but it gives my kids what they really want, and that's an opportunity to be looked at."

The youngsters playing for the Buffaloes hope to continue their collegiate careers at four-year programs after playing at ABC. That shows on the field, Wilson said.

"You'll see a bunch of young men who, first off, will play hard," Wilson said. "Our theme is: Attitude is everything. We want our kids to know that when they go to someone's program, they need to be an asset to them and not a liability."

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SSU's Marquis Smith On Jerry Rice Award Watch List

Marquis Smith
HENRY E. LACKEY HIGH SCHOOL
 INDIAN HEAD, MARYLAND
(Courtesy SSU Athletics)

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  -- Savannah State University linebacker Marquis Smith was one of twenty players named to the initial 2013 Jerry Rice Award Watch List, the Sports Network announced on October 9.

Smith (6-3, 235) is an outside linebacker from Prince George County, Maryland.

After six games, the mass communications major has 60 tackles (39 solo) and 3.5 tackles for losses. He posted a career-high 16 tackles on Oct. 5 against Norfolk State, had 13 against Georgia Southern and 10 tackles against Delaware State.

The Jerry Rice Award is presented to the top first-year player in the FCS, whether a true freshman or a redshirt freshman.

Smith was humbled by the honor but says it makes him that much hungrier.

"It will make me work that much harder so I can achieve that award," said Smith. "I want to be a part of the best defense in the conference and make over 100 tackles."

Named for legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice, who played in the FCS (then Division I-AA) at Mississippi Valley State, the Rice Award will be voted on by a national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season.

The initial position breakdown is five quarterbacks, five linebackers, three running backs, two wide receivers, two defensive ends, one cornerback, one safety and one punter. The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has the most nominees with three.

The winner will be announced at The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation Dec. 16 in Philadelphia.

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alcorn Braves Scouting Report vs. Grambling State Tigers

LORMAN, Mississippi  -- What to Watch for this Saturday…

• This weekend marks the 68^th meeting between the Braves and Grambling State with the Tigers leading the all-time series 60-17-1.
• Braves head coach Jay Hopson and Grambling's interim head coach George Ragsdale will face each other for the first time in their head coaching careers. Hopson is 1-0 vs. Grambling after last year's win in the Port City Classic, 22-21
• Alcorn is ranked third in the SWAC averaging 35.5 points per game with a 4-2 overall record and 2-1 in the conference. Grambling is ranked eighth and only averaging 15.5 ppg with a 0-6 overall record and 0-3 record in conference play.
• The Braves rank No. 1 in four team categories; Pass Defense (142.2 ypg), Punt Return Avg. (26.4 ypg), Punting (39.4 ypg), and Onside Kicks (50.0 pct.). Grambling is leading the SWAC in Red Zone Defense with an average of 64.9.
• With six games in the books, the Braves are still sitting in the No. 3 spot in the SWAC Eastern Division with hopes of knocking off the G-Men this week.
• Senior running back Arnold Walker ran for 111 yards on 14 carries to surpass Rodney Thomas for the 3^rd spot in career-rushing yards. He is 243 yards from passing Alcorn great Steve McNair.
• Quarterback John Gibbs continues his weekly ranking pass efficiency with an average of 148.7 which ranks him 2^nd in the SWAC.
• Defensive tackle Deion Roberson ranks in the top five in two categories; tackles for loss (4^th-8.5 TFL) and forced fumbles (4^th-2 FF)
• "DB University" is ranked No.1 in the conference and No. 6 in the FCS in pass defense. Three of the braves defensive backs (CJ Morgan, Jamison Knox, & Quinton Cantue) are ranked in the top 10 in the conference in passes defended.

2013 ALCORN STATE STATISTICS

Rushing GP Att Yds Avg TD
Arnold Walker 6 87 469 5.4 8
Joe Price 6 24 165 6.9 1
John Gibbs, Jr. 6 46 148 3.2 2

Passing GP Eff. Att-Comp-Int Pct. Yds TD
John Gibbs, Jr. 6 148.7 92-144-3 63.9 1133 10

Receiving GP No. Yds Avg TD
Tollette George 6 26 327 12.6 2
Tavoris Doss 6 17 221 13.0 2
Zerick Rollins 6 11 94 8.5 0

Punting No. Yds Avg. Long
Haiden McCraney 27 1168 43.3 72

Defense GP TT TFL
William Thomas 6 38 5.0-14
Damon Watkins 6 37 0.5-0
Devon Francois 5 34 0.0

2013 GRAMBLING STATE STATISTICS

Rushing GP Att Yds Avg TD
Jestin Kelly 6 58 323 5.6 2
Cedric Skinner 6 64 277 4.3 0
Juwan Martin 6 21 109 5.2 0

Passing GP Eff. Att-Comp-Int Pct. Yds TD
D.J. Williams 6 103.3 95-202-5 47.0 1119 9

Receiving GP No. Yds Avg TD
Chester Rogers 6 37 514 13.9 4
Anthony McGhee 6 24 279 11.6 3
Robert Bailey 6 13 162 12.5 0

Punting No. Yds Avg. Long
Jonathan Wallace 49 1995 40.7 70

Defense GP TT TFL
Steve Orisakwe 6 54 5.0-24
Nicholas Peoples 6 52 2.0-20
Aaron Breed 6 47 6.5-14

South Carolina State routs North Carolina Central 44-3

DURHAM, North Carolina — The month of “Pough-tober” continued Thursday with South Carolina State avenging another loss from last season in dominating, historic fashion on the road.

On a night wide receiver Tyler McDonald tied the school career record for receptions, S.C. State used a stifling defense and balanced offensive attack to roll past North Carolina Central 44-3 at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

It was the fifth consecutive victory and third straight before a national audience on ESPNU for the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-0). The win also improved S.C. State to 30-9 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference road games under head coach Buddy Pough and sets up a first-place showdown on Oct. 26 at defending champion Bethune-Cookman.

“Our energy level and focus was good,” Pough said. “We needed a break because we had been in close games. We were very focused and I’m pretty happy where we are after seven games.”

A year after suffering the worst conference loss under Pough in a 40-10 setback at the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis, Ind., S.C. State handed North Carolina Central (3-3, 1-1) its most lopsided MEAC loss since returning to the conference in 2011.

ESPN Highlights  » 

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XU's Howell, Flowers win first match at national tourney

Brion Flowers (L) and Kourtney Howell (R)

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers defeated Westmont's Jessica Cedillo and Grace Davis 6-2, 7-5 Thursday in the opening round of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

Howell and Flowers, top-seeded in the NAIA women's doubles bracket, will play Lindsey Wilson's Jessica King and Alicia Rodriguez in the semifinals at 12:30 p.m. EDT Friday. King and Rodriguez upset SCAD Savannah's fourth-seeded Maria Barragan and Daniella Arcila 6-2, 6-1.

Howell and Flowers will play for the championship or in the third-place match at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Howell and Flowers are 5-0 this fall and have won 15 of their last 17 matches dating to March of last season.

In the other first-round matches of this bracket, Evangel's second-seeded Amy Grossklag-Fritz and Jenna Elliott defeated Davenport's Alyssa Fuentes and Emily Spiech 6-4, 6-4, and Kristina Marova and Hui-I Huang of Embry-Riddle (Fla.) upset Oklahoma Baptist's third-seeded Kateryna Shkot and Anastasyia Baranova 3-6, 6-0, 1-0 (10-7).

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

TSU Looks for Sixth Straight Win at JSU

GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | LISTEN LIVE | WATCH LIVE

 

NASHVILLE, Tennessee – The Tennessee State football team looks to record its second-ever victory against Jacksonville State when the two sides meet on Oct. 12 at 3 p.m.

 

The good news for TSU (5-1, 2-0 OVC), is that the Tigers are one of the hottest teams in the nation, having won their previous five contests by a combined score of 207-66.

 

In Big Blue’s most recent contest – a, 40-16, home win over Southeast Missouri – the defense held the Redhawks to 229 yards of total offense, 99 of which came on one play. Even with the long run, the stout defensive effort last Saturday pushed the Tigers to No. 1 in the Football Championship Subdivision in total defense (246.7 yards per game).

 

A big reason for the unit’s success is its play on third downs. Opposing offenses have only converted 21-of-78 third down attempts for a successful rate of just 26.9 percent. The stingy number ranks the Tigers sixth nationally.

 

The offense has also really picked it up after not scoring a single touchdown in the season opener against Bethune-Cookman. During the team’s current five-game winning streak, the Tigers have averaged 41.4 points and 222.4 rushing yards. Additionally, TSU quarterbacks have thrown 13 touchdowns in the stretch, and just three interceptions.

S

enior running back Tim Broughton has been the offense’s workhorse all year, and is second in the OVC in rushing yards with 549. Broughton has had help though, as his counterpart Telvin Hooks is fourth in the league with 381 yards.

 

TSU’s two-headed rushing attack has amassed seven touchdowns on the year including four the past two weeks. The duo has also gained 362 yards in those contests.

 

While the Tigers’ ground game has been solid during the past few games, Jacksonville State’s (5-1, 1-1 OVC) has been tops in the conference all season long (243.3 yards per game).

 

The Gamecocks are led by DeMarcus James who has 563 yards so far this season, and an impressive 10 touchdowns. Miles Jones (333 yards) and Troymaine Pope (327 yards) have helped out James in the rushing department as well.

 

JSU is coming off of a, 41-27, victory at then-ranked UT Martin. In that contest, junior quarterback Max Shortell threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns on14-for-25 passing with no interceptions, while freshman Josh Barge hauled in five passes for 114 yards.

 

TSU is 1-7 all-time in the conference clash and lost last year’s game, 31-28, in overtime. The three-point margin of victory is the smallest in the rivalry.

 

Big Blue will try to keep its winning streak going when the squad travels to Jacksonville State for a ranked matchup with the Gamecocks. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

 

 

Chemistry gives Jackson State run game boost

COACH RICK COMEGY

JACKSON, Mississippi -- For Rakeem Sims, one of the keys to Jackson State’s running game has been the chemistry between he and quarterback Clayton Moore.

“We talk a lot; we’re friends now,” the junior running back said. “Last year, we didn’t know each other. I didn’t start camp, so I didn’t know Clayton until August.

“We trust each other,” Sims added. “I know how to set my pocket up so he can pull it if he has to. Just chemistry, that’s the number one thing.”

Moore transferred to Jackson State (4-2, 4-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) last season and didn’t establish himself as a starter until the middle of the season.

Sims can see the results of the improved chemistry with the team’s latest success in the running game, which has carried the offense. In its last game, JSU rushed more than 300 yards en route to a 42-33 win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

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PVAMU Bowling Ranked 19th Nationally To Open 2013-14 Campaign

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - With the 2013-14 season on the horizon, the Prairie View A&M bowling team will enter the season with high expectations once again as they open season ranked 19th nationally by The National Tenpin Coaches Association.

The reigning back-to-back SWAC Champions and the lone school from the conference ranked nationally, the Lady Panthers return four letterwinners from last year's squad in juniors Alexis Holmes, Sharita Turner and sophomores Ashle Reid and Brittney Wehmeier. In addition to head coach Glenn White's three returning letterwinners, the Lady Panthers will finally have the depth White has coveted as seven freshmen join the team this fall.

2013/14 NTCA Preseason Bowling Poll.pdf



With the foundation in place, White's goals from this point forward are for the Lady Panthers to become a contender on the national level week-in and week-out. With a limited number of spots available for the NCAA Bowling Championship, the Lady Panthers will have to rank high after each event in addition to tweaking their schedule for additional exposure.

In addition to their usual tournament schedule, the Lady Panthers will venture to the New Jersey Jamboree for the first time ever on Nov. 1 and battle a variety teams from the East Coast which should help tremendously in terms of competition, recruiting and exposure. Along with the New Jersey Jamboree on Nov. 1, the team will open the season in New Orleans, La. at Tulane on Oct. 18 followed by a trip to Valparaiso, Ind. for the Crusader Classic on Nov. 8.

Due to the change in date for the annual Sam Houston State Track-Kat Clash which normally took place in December, the Lady Panthers will have an extended break from that point and won't return to action until the SWAC West Round-up on Jan. 17 in Baton Rouge, La. The annual Prairie View A&M Invitational at the ITRC is slated for Jan. 31 in Arlington, Texas followed by the Track-Kat Clash on Feb. 14 in Houston for the first time ever. The SWAC East Round-up will take place in Jackson, Miss. on Feb. 21 followed by the Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tenn. on March 7 and the 2014 SWAC Championship on March 21 in Arlington, Texas at the ITRC.

"The team is very excited and eager to get started with the season," said White. "We have a great group of young ladies and they are working hard to get prepared. There is a lot of work to be done. Our goals are set high as we know it will not be easy to defend our conference championship but we are also focusing on competing on a national level. We feel it's attainable and we will follow our team motto, 'No Excuses--Make It Happen'."

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Week 7: HBCU Football Schedule and ScoreCard

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

Thursday, October 10

South Carolina State at North Carolina Central, 7:30 PM, TV: ESPNU

Saturday, October 12

OVC
Tennessee State at Jacksonville State, 4 PM


SWAC
Prairie View A&M at Alabama State, 2 PM
Jackson State at Mississippi Valley State, 3PM
Grambling State vs. Alcorn State at Circle City Classic, Indianapolis, IN,  4 PM
Alabama A&M at Southern U., 7 PM
Texas Southern at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 7 PM

MEAC
South Carolina State at North Carolina Central, Thursday -7:30 PM, TV: ESPNU
Bethune-Cookman at Howard, 1 PM
North Carolina A&T at Hampton, 2 PM
Norfolk State at Delaware State, 2 PM
Florida A&M at Savannah State, 6 PM

CIAA
Virginia State at Elizabeth City State, 1 PM
Chowan at Bowie State, 1 PM
Johnson C. Smith at Winston-Salem State, 1:30 PM, (Homecoming)
Livingstone at Saint Augustine's, 2 PM
Virginia Union at Lincoln (Pa.), 2 PM
Shaw at Fayetteville State, 4 PM

SIAC
Miles at Central State (Ohio), 1:30 PM
Fort Valley State at Kentucky State, 1:30 PM
Albany State at Lane, 2 PM
Morehouse vs.Tuskegee at Columbus, GA,
      78th Annual Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic, 2 PM
Benedict at Stillman, 2:30 PM
College of Faith at Clark-Atlanta, 6 PM

OTHER CONFERENCES & INDEPENDENTS
Texas College at Oklahoma Panhandle State, 1 PM
Virginia University Lynchburg at Wesley, 1 PM
Cheyney at Kutztown, 1 PM
West Virginia State at West Virginia Wesleyan, 1 PM
Lincoln (Mo.) at Washburn, 2 PM
Concordia-Selma vs. Arkansas Baptist, Cross Road Classic, Prichard, AL, 3 PM
Edward Waters at Webber International, 5 PM

ALL GAME TIMES ARE SHOWN IN EASTERN TIME ZONE


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LIVE FOOTBALL TONIGHT ON ESPNU: South Carolina State Bulldogs at North Carolina Central Eagles

THE GAME
South Carolina State University "Bulldogs" vs. North Carolina Central University "Eagles"

GAME NOTES .pdf

THE KICKOFF
Thursday, October 10, 2013 – Kickoff at 7:30 p.m.

THE SITE
O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity/Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.

THE RECORDS
S.C. State (4-2 overall, 2-0 MEAC); N.C. Central (3-2 overall, 1-0 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 7:00 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, color analyst).

Television: ESPNU / ESPN3. Broadcast starts at 7:30 p.m. (Mark Neely, play-by-play; Jay Walker, color analyst)

QUICK HITS
• Battle of two unbeaten teams in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.
• S.C. State's last visit to NCCU's O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium was in 1977 (Oct. 29).
• S.C. State has won seven of the last eight games against the Eagles, dating back to 1976. NCCU won last year's meeting 40-10 in the Circle City Classic.
• NCCU has won three of its last four contests, with its only setback during that time coming against No. 4 Towson (now No. 3 at 6-0).
• After losing to Coastal Carolina and Clemson to open the season, S.C. State has won four straight games by a combined score of 150-36.
• NCCU true freshman cornerback Michael Jones (Baltimore, Md.) is the national FCS leader with four interceptions and leads the MEAC with 10 total passes defended.
• NCCU senior linebacker Tazmon Foster (Henderson, N.C.), who amassed 80 tackles in eight games last season, leads the MEAC with 58 tackles (6th in FCS).
• The last time NCCU played in an ESPNU contest, the Eagles beat Hampton 37-20 on Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 in Durham, N.C.  NCCU linebacker Tazmon Foster made SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays with an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown.
• WHITE OUT - Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game in order to "White Out" the stadium for the ESPNU viewing audience.

THE SERIES
This will be the 21st football meeting between South Carolina State and NCCU since the two schools first played on Oct. 15, 1927. SCSU leads the series 11-9. The Bulldogs have won seven of the last eight match-ups dating back to 1976. In last season's meeting, NCCU snapped a seven-game losing skid to the Bulldogs by cruising to a 40-10 victory at the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis.
Oct. 6, 2012 - NCCU 40, SCSU 10 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Oct. 8, 2011 - SCSU 49, NCCU 38 (Orangeburg, S.C.)

LAST WEEK
(NCCU 37, Howard 28) NCCU used two special teams touchdowns and a season-high 215 rushing yards to earn a 37-28 road conference victory over Howard University on Saturday inside Greene Stadium in Washington, D.C.



(S.C. State 29, N.C. A&T 24) S.C. State redshirt senior quarterback Richard Cue threw for a game-high 236 yards and two touchdowns on 17-of-28 passing to lead the Bulldogs to a 29-24 victory over rival N.C. A&T in the Atlanta Football Classic at the Georgia Dome.

FOUR OF MEAC'S TOP DEFENDERS IN ACTION THURSDAY NIGHT
Four of the top defenders in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will be on the same field Thursday night. NCCU senior linebacker Tazmon Foster leads the conference in tackles with 11.6 stops per game (58 total tackles). NCCU freshman cornerback Michael Jones tops the MEAC and is the national NCAA Division I-FCS leader with four interceptions, while also leading the conference with 10 passes defended. SCSU junior defensive end Andrew Carter leads the league with 11.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. Bulldogs senior linebacker Joe Thomas tops the conference in total tackles with 62, including 8.5 hits for a loss with 3.0 sacks.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Coaching Staff Sees More Than Offense in Prairie View

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- If you sit back and look at Alabama State's next opponent on the gridiron, Prairie View, the first thing that would jump out at you is the amount of points they have put on the scoreboard in jumping out to a 4-2 record, but the Hornets coaching staff sees more than their offense.

"Defensively they have given up some points," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "They still have a good group of linebackers and the defensive line position that are playing fast and with a lot of confidence. Our offense will have to be ready to play against them."

They held Texas Southern to 13 points and Grambling State to three points in two of their conference wins. So they have the ability to shut their opposition's offense down.

Raheem Cardwell leads the Panthers defense with 58 total hits (37 solo). Jerome Howard causes a lot of havoc in the backfield as he leads the team with nine stops behind the line of scrimmage and 2.5 sacks.

"Their defense is playing fast and running to the ball," Barlow said. "They are also causing a lot of turnovers which has helped their offense score. We must go into the game knowing we have to take care of the ball against their defense because it could be that kind of game."

PVAUM puts a lot of pressure on the quarterback and enters the game third in the conference in sacks with 15. They are tied with ASU for second in the SWAC in interceptions with seven.

The kickoff for Saturday's SWAC showdown will be at 1 p.m. in New ASU Stadium. The game can be watched live on Hornet Vision on bamastatesports.com, and can be listened to live on WVAS FM 90.7.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee Statre Men's Basketball to Play Belmont on ESPNU

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee – On Wednesday, the Ohio Valley Conference announced that the Tennessee State men’s basketball team will play at least one contest on the ESPN family of networks during the 2013-14 season.

TSU will be showcased on ESPNU on Feb. 13 when the team travels to Belmont for an intra-city matchup with the Bruins. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 8 p.m. (CT).

The full list of OVC on ESPN schedule includes seven total men's basketball games (four regular season contests and three OVC Tournament games) that will appear on one of the networks during the season. Each of the regular season games and the OVC Tournament semifinals will air live on ESPNU.

The OVC Tournament championship game will air on ESPN2 at 6:00 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 8. The tournament will be held at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn.

The package is part of a five-year agreement with ESPN. The new deal runs through the completion of the 2017-18 season and also includes a minimum of eight football games to be carried on ESPN3 annually as well as the ability for the OVC to receive additional national exposure.

“We are delighted to maintain our relationship with ESPN, the proven worldwide leader in sports,” said Beth DeBauche, OVC Commissioner. “This new deal is the foundation of a more comprehensive media approach for men’s basketball that includes additional national and regional exposure.”

The first live game event telecast on ESPNU, launched on March 4, 2005, was a Southeast Missouri State/Eastern Kentucky OVC Tournament semifinal which followed a live College GameDay telecast from Oklahoma State. The 24-hour college sports television network airs more than 650 live events annually. ESPNU is available nationwide in approximately 75 million households and has long-term carriage agreements with all 10 of the top multichannel TV providers - Cablevision, Charter, Comcast, Cox, DirecTV (Channel 208), DISH Network (Channel 141), Mediacom, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS TV and AT&T U-verse.

A complete television schedule with additional national and regional exposure will be released soon.

2013-14 OVC ESPN Television Schedule

Thursday, January 16
Belmont at Eastern Kentucky 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT) (ESPNU)

Thursday, February 6
Murray State at Belmont, 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)

Saturday, February 8
Morehead State at Eastern Kentucky, 11:00 a.m. ET (ESPNU)

Thursday, February 13
Tennessee State at Belmont, 8:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)

Friday, March 7
OVC Tournament Semifinal #1, 6:30 p.m. CT (ESPNU)
OVC Tournament Semifinal #2, 9:00 p.m. CT (ESPNU)

Saturday, March 8
OVC Tournament Championship, 6:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2)

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

J.C. Smith trying to get where WSSU has been

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith has a thin history of football supremacy in the CIAA — one conference championship in 101 years, in 1969.

Coach Steve Aycock is trying to change that.

The Golden Bulls — rarely consistent winners — showed a glimpse of what they could become last season with a second-place finish in the CIAA’s Southern Division. They recovered from a 63-7 flattening by Winston-Salem State to win their final four games, and they’re 4-1 this season (2-1 CIAA) and coming off a 49-10 victory against Lincoln (Pa.).

Aycock and his more experienced Bulls will get another crack against WSSU, ranked 16th in Division II and the two-time defending CIAA champion, at 1:30 Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium.

"We’re excited about the challenge,” said Aycock, who is in his fifth season. “You try and tell the kids that it’s a big game because it’s our next game, but this one is different for a lot of reasons.”

The Rams-Bulls rivalry is one of the best in the CIAA ...

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Turning an $11.8 Million deficit into a $5.8 million surplus: Cal U. cuts back on spending, saves millions

Officials cite university as budget example for State System schools

CALIFORNIA, Pennsylvania -- Channel-surfing college football fans may notice one area team missing from this fall's TV lineup.

California University of Pennsylvania decided it no longer could justify spending up to $150,000 a season to produce and broadcast games played by its Division II Vulcans football team -- not with classroom cuts looming.

Suddenly frugal Cal U also pared service on its Vulcan Flyer, a shuttle named for the school's mascot that used to leave campus stops every 10 minutes. Students now wait a bit longer, saving Cal U half a million dollars.

Still more money -- another $1.6 million -- was recouped by telling campus departments to return unspent money at year's end, suspending a practice that had let them amass surpluses, even in years that the university tapped reserves to balance its books.

These are a few of the ways, big and small, that a university once slammed for excessive spending managed in months to turn an $11.8 million deficit into a $5.8 million surplus. It enabled interim Cal U President Geraldine Jones to do this fall what some university presidents across the State System of Higher Education could not: pledge no professor layoffs.

State System officials have said Cal U's situation is not necessarily applicable to the 13 other member universities.

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