Virginia State Pounds ECSU 51-28, for 4th Consecutive Win

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- Virginia State (5-1, 3-0) used a tough defense, steady running attack and timely special teams play to register a 51-28 victory over Elizabeth City State (1-5, 1-2) before 1,876 fans at Roebuck Stadium in Elizabeth City, N.C.

The win was the fourth straight for the Trojans, matching the longest winning skein since 2010.

The ball-hawking Virginia State defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns, running back Jordan Anderson rushed for 214 yards and five touchdowns and the Trojans special teams blocked a punt resulting in a field goal.

Virginia State took the opening kickoff and marched 78 yards in 12 plays, culminating in Anderson's six-yard touchdown run. Shawn Hunt added the extra point to give the Trojans a 7-0 advantage with 9:29 left in the opening quarter. Sean Smith intercepted a pass on Elizabeth City State's second-play from scrimmage, returning it 39 yards for a score less than a minute later upping Virginia State's lead to 14-0. Two minutes later, the Trojans took over on the nine-yard line after a Viking punt. On the first play from scrimmage, Anderson broke loose and rambled 91 yards for Virginia State's third touchdown in the first 7:34 of the game. The extra-point attempt failed.

Elizabeth City State scored when Petey Boone bulled in from the one-yard line midway through the second quarter, making the score 20-7. With 3:50 left in the half, Virginia State's Devonte Piggott intercepted a pass and returned it 26 yards for the score to increase the Trojan margin to 27-7. But the Vikings got on the scoreboard just before halftime on a 16-yard scoring pass from Tyrell Houghton to Lovi Rose-Banks to make the score, 27-14.

The Trojans scored 10 unanswered points in the third quarter to take control. Anderson capped a nine-play, 60-yard play with a 13-yard scoring run and, following a blocked punt, Shawn Hunt booted 32-yard field goal to up the lead to 37-14 at the end of the three quarters.

Jordan scored fourth quarter touchdowns on runs of three and two yards. Elizabeth City State scored in the final period on a 69-yard pass from Houghton to Montario Hunter in a 51-28 triumph.

COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

Alabama State fights through injuries to down Prairie View A&M 48-42

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Already down a starting quarterback and right tackle before the game began, Alabama State's depth chart took a few more hits Saturday against Prairie View A&M.

Star running back Isaiah Crowell, the SWAC's leading rusher, tweaked his ankle with seven minutes to go in the first and backup quarterback Arsenio Favor went down with a knee injury with 14:00 to go in the second quarter, forcing coach Reggie Barlow to burn true freshman's quarterback Quinteris Toppings' redshirt out of desperation.

But the Hornets' win-loss record didn't endure any affliction as they toughed out a 48-42 overtime victory in a game featuring the SWAC's top two offenses to up their win streak to five and improve their mark to 5-2 (5-1).



"It was a range of emotions," Barlow said. "We thought, offensively, we would be able to score on them. They are a high-powered offense as well. We did some positive things on defense.

Unfortunately, with the speed they were moving the ball and making plays, they were able to score. It was a big win for us."

Two big plays, the first coming from defensive tackle Justin Mitchell and the second from running back Malcolm Cyrus, catapulted ASU to the win which allows them to keep hope alive in the SWAC East race.

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Alabama A&M falls 20-17 in double overtime at Southern

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Alabama A&M's football game at Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Southern University (La.) ended after multiple delays due to severe weather with the Jaguars downing the Bulldogs 20-17 in double overtime on a 37-yard field goal by Southern kicker Matthew Hill.

The game was delayed with 3:27 to play in the fourth quarter after multiple lightning strikes forced officials to push back the restart time on several occasions.

When play resumed the Bulldogs took the lead at 17-14 when quarterback Brandon Wells found tight end Toriono Upshaw for a 4-yard touchdown pass with 49 seconds to play.

Aided by a 39-yard kick return by Southern wide receiver Willie Quinn, the Jaguars drove the ball down to the Bulldogs 16-yard line and Southern kicker Greg Pittman connected on a 37-yard field goal as time expired to send the game into overtime tied at 17.

A&M gave up both of its touchdowns against Southern about three and half minutes into the contest.

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Florida A&M Rattlers Tame Tigers 27-14 For First MEAC Win

SAVANNAH, Georgia – The Florida A&M Football team picked up their first conference win of the season as the Rattlers defeated Savannah state, 27-13 here Saturday night at Ted Wright Stadium.

FAMU on the season goes to 1-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play and 2-4 overall, while SSU dropped their fourth straight contest for a 1-6 record overall and 0-3 in conference play.

FAMU head coach Earl Holmes was pleased with the team's effort. "I thought up front on both sides of the ball we did an excellent job of getting a body on a body, winning our one-on-ones. We kicked the ball off and guys started fast. Pretty much we've kinda stepped on our own toes by starting slow all season, but guys started fast tonight and we finished strong. ," he said.

A Kashawn Butler fumble recovery with 11:12 remaining in the first set up the Rattlers' first score of the game as Lemond Buice scored on a 10-yard run with 7:24 left in the quarter, giving the Rattlers a 6-0 lead, after the Chase Varadore, missed PAT.

Less than two minutes later, Terry Johnson would increase FAMU’s lead as he scored on a 63-yard punt return for a touchdown with 5:23 to go in the first, making the score 13-0 in favor of the Rattlers, after the Varnadore made PAT.

Casey Glines recorded his second TD of the season as he made an acrobatic catch in the end zone, increasing FAMU’s lead to 20-0, after the Varnadore made PAT with 12:53 left in the second quarter.

The Rattler defense was key to the win, giving up just one touchdow, with the other SSU score coming on an interception return for touchdown. Holmes felt the defense was the key to the victory. "Defense wins championships. We were putting a lot of blame on the offense, we even had a pick-six tonight, but a good team finds a way to win. I thought the defense dominated up front and done their one-on-ones. We had some balls out there, i think we dropped two interceptions. I think it was a solid effort by the defense," he said.

SSU would light up the score board in the second quarter as Marquis Smith scored on that 46-yard interception return for TD with 6:13 to in the quarter, cutting FAMU’s lead to 20-7.




Lenworth Lennon scored the Rattlers' final TD of the game on a 11-yard pass from Damien Fleming with 2:57 to go in the fourth quarter, giving the Rattlers a 27-7 lead, after the Varnadore made PAT.

SSU would score on their final drive of the contest as Antonio Bostick connected with DeQuan Daniels from seven-yards out with 39 seconds left in the contest for the 27-14 finale, after the McCarty made PAT.

FAMU was led by Damien Fleming as he rushed for 59 yards on nine carries and passed for 110 yards by completing 11 passes in 18 attempts with two TDs and one interception to finish the game with 169 yards of total offense.

Buice was the Rattlers' second leading rusher as he rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries with his longest rush being for 21 yards to go along with one TD.

Adamsen Felix led the Rattler receivers with 27 receiving yards on three receptions with his longest reception being for 17 yards.

William Smalls led the Rattler defense as he tallied a team-high nine tackles with eight of them being solos, 1.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks on the day. Behind him was Brandon Denmark as he tallied six tackles, and 0.5 tackles for loss.

The Rattlers were assisted by a nice contingency of Rattlers fans, several of whom traveled from Tallahassee. The team recognized the supportive fans and fed off of it. "

After the game, I made sure our guys went over to our crowd and let them know we appreciate them. The 12th man always makes a difference and we felt comfortable almost like it was a home game. That's another reason we started fast, because we felt like we were playing in our own back yard. We appreciate the support," Holmes said. It resulted in the largest crowd of the season for Savannah State, at 5,620.

SSU was paced by Bostick as he rushed for 42 yards on 14 carries, and passed for 99 yards by completing 15 passes in 22 attempts and one passing TD to finish the game with 141 yards of total offense.

Justin Dixon led the Tigers defense as he tallied a team high 13 tackles and one tackle for loss.

FAMU will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 19 as they will host Howard University in their annual homecoming game in a 2 p.m. start at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tennessee State Tigers Out-Game JSU, 31-15

JACKSONVILLE, Alabama  -- Senior running back Tim Broughton had a career-high 190 yards on 26 carries and the Tennessee State football team defeated Jacksonville State for the second time in school history, 31-15, on Saturday.

 

The Tiger defense came up big for TSU (6-1, 3-0 OVC), holding JSU to a season-low 292 yards, recording 14 tackles for loss and forcing a pair of turnovers.

 

David Van Dyke anchored the unit with eight total tackles (five solo) and Anthony Bass contributed a career-high 2.5 sacks.

 

After a TSU three-and-out to begin the game, Jacksonville State (5-2, 2-2 OVC) used a 21-yard run by Troymaine Pope to get into field goal range. The Big Blue defense stuffed a pair of runs near the red zone, but the Gamecocks got on the board first when Griffin Thomas nailed a 33-yard field goal at the 10:19 mark.

 

Another Tiger three-and-out on offense allowed the Gamecocks to start their next series at the TSU 48-yard line. JSU picked up one first down, and then attempted a fake field goal four plays later. The Tigers snuffed the pass attempt at the line and Big Blue regained possession.

 

This time, the TSU offense moved the ball effectively with a career-long 39 yard dash by senior running back Tim Broughton. Mike German capped off the six-play, 71-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to A.C. Leonard. The toss put TSU up, 7-3, with 4:15 left in the first quarter.

 

JSU countered with a 14-play scoring drive, but TSU’s No. 1 ranked defense held the Gamecocks to a 27-yard field goal from Thomas. The kick trimmed the Tigers’ lead to one at the end of the first quarter.

 

The Tigers answered with a touchdown to go up, 14-6, as German hit Wesley Samuels on a delayed out-route for a 13-yard score. Broughton, again, was the catalyst on the drive with a 21-yard rush that took the Tigers into Gamecock territory.

 

Broughton was solid for TSU in the first half, carrying the ball 11 times for 77 yards.

 

After five straight punts, TSU got the ball with 2:23 left before halftime. German led an eight-play, 71-yard drive in which he completed passes of 12, six, 12, 19 and seven yards. His last pass of the series was complete to a diving Weldon Garlington for his third touchdown pass of the game, and made the score 21-6, going into halftime.

 

German was 5-for-12 for 54 yards coming into TSU’s final drive of the second quarter. In the last possession he completed all five of his passes for 56 yards.

 

The Tennessee State defense also did its part in the first 30 minutes, limiting the OVC’s leading rusher DaMarcus James to 10 yards on seven carries. JSU had only 163 yards of total offense in the first two periods and did not score a touchdown in the first half of an OVC game for the first time since 2006.

 

TSU forced a punt on JSU’s first possession of the third period and the Tiger offense marched 59 yards down the field. From there, Jamin Godfrey’s 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked, leaving the score at 21-6.

 

After the sides traded punts, JSU took over on its own nine-yard line. Three plays later, JSU’s Eli Jenkins found Markis Merrill for a 76-yard bomb. JSU punched it into the end zone four seconds later, cutting TSU’s lead to 21-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

 

On the Tigers’ next possession, German was sacked for 15 yards in the end zone, giving JSU two points via a safety. The score cut the TSU lead down to six with over 14 minutes to play.

 

After the ensuing free-kick, Samquan Evans and Marquaveus Jackson came up with big tackles for loss, forcing JSU to give the ball back to the Tigers.

 

Broughton had a 20-yard run on TSU’s next possession, but the drive stalled at the JSU 33-yard line. Godfrey came in to attempt a 50-yard field goal and the senior sneaked it over the crossbar for three points. The pivotal kick put TSU up by two scores, 24-15.

 

TSU notched its third straight sack on JSU’s first play of the Gamecock’s next drive. On the second, Daniel Fitzpatrick intercepted Kyle West and returned the ball 13 yards downfield.

 

The pick was Fitzpatrick’s fourth of the season and the Tigers have now recorded a takeaway in 20 straight games dating back to 2011.

 

Five plays later, newly inserted quarterback Ronald Butler found Wesley Samuels wide-open in the end zone for TSU’s fourth touchdown of the game. The pitch and catch widened Big Blue’s lead to 31-15 where it would stay for the remainder of the game.

 

JSU tried to come back, but Bernell Brooks caught his first career-interception with just over three minutes left to ice the game.

 

With his 118 yards, German passed Joe Gilliam Jr. for eighth all-time in career passing yards with 5,335. He also moved into a tie for sixth in school history in career passing touchdowns with 41.

 

The Tigers will carry a six-game winning streak to Martin next weekend for a matchup with the Skyhawks on Oct. 19.

 

    Final Box

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Gold Nuggets tie XU record with 8th consecutive victory

HEAD COACH HANNAH LAWING
Xavier Gold Nuggets Volleyball

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Xavier University of Louisiana defeated Philander Smith 25-20, 25-15, 25-10 Saturday in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball to tie a school record for consecutive victories.

The Gold Nuggets (14-7, 6-0) have won eight in a row. The 2011 Nuggets had a pair of eight-match win streaks.

Xavier also extended its GCAC win streaks -- 28 straight in the regular season and 34 straight overall, which includes conference tournaments.

Philander Smith is 8-18, 5-3.

"We were able to run a different lineup today," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "Everyone got to see the court, and we made some small changes at the net that may be permanent.

"It wasn't a perfect match for us, but we worked through the mistakes and stayed united and energetic as a team. We are looking forward to another home match, a challenging one, on Tuesday against Mobile."

Xavier and Mobile will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Convocation Center. It will be one of three XU non-conference matches next week. Xavier and Mobile split a pair of matches this season.

Box Score

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

WSSU rolls in second half, wins 44-17

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- For a while, Johnson C. Smith gave 16th-ranked Winston-Salem State all it could handle.

But the Rams started rolling in the third quarter and by the time they finished had

“We started playing Ram football,” said tight end Jerry Chandler, who caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Rudy Johnson in the decisive third quarter. “We settled down and didn’t panic, and we didn’t make mistakes.”

The Rams trailed 17-14 early in the third quarter before finding their footing.
Coach Connell Maynor gave credit to the scrappy Bulls, who used their fast-paced, no-huddle offense to knock his Rams off balance in the first half.

“You have to take your hats off to them because that’s just their third loss in their last 11 games, and two of those losses were to us,” Maynor said. “Coach (Steve) Aycock is doing a great job, and they played us hard for about two quarters, but we just came out in the second half and executed better, and our defense was there.”

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PVAMU Panthers Suffer Overtime Blues Once Again

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Billed as an offensive shootout entering the game, fans received their money's worth plus more as Prairie View A&M had to endure its second overtime game this season and third time in school history. However, the Panthers came out on the wrong side of the ledger as ASU claimed a 48-42 win at the New ASU Stadium.

The Panthers struck first to open the game as quarterback Jerry Lovelocke led the team on a 13-play, 97-yard drive which was commenced with a 1-yard run by Lovelocke. Barrick's PAT was good as the Panthers jumped out to a 7-0 advantage. ASU answered PV's score to open its drive as quarterback Arsenio Favor found receiver DeMario Bell for a 40-yard strike. Two plays later, the Hornets tied the game as running back Isaiah Crowell rushed in from six yards out coupled with the PAT.

After a quick paced opening drive, the Panthers found a faster way to score as Lovelocke found Patrick Gant for a 73-yard strike. The PAT was good as the Panthers led 14-7 nearly 12 seconds later. PV failed to capitalize on a turnover on ASU's next drive and it came back to bite them as the Hornets marched 65 yards in 12 plays to knot the game at 14-all midway through the first quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, ASU went up by seven as quarterback Quinteris Toppings connected with wide receiver Earl Lucas for a 21-yard touchdown reception. The ensuing PAT was successful as ASU led once again in the quarter. However, the Panthers answered with a 50-yard drive of its own to close within 21-20 as running back Courtney Brown rushed in from a yard out. Barrick's PAT sailed thru the uprights as PV knotted the contest at 21-all with 4:14 left in the half. The score remained the same to close the half as ASU missed a 47-yard field goal as time expired.


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PV recorded the first big play of the second half with a fumble recovery deep in ASU terrtory. Unfortunately, they failed to capitalize on the play and misfired on a field goal attempt to remain tied. From that point, it was all ASU as running back Malcolm Cyrus recorded an 80-yard touchdown run on the opening play followed by a 1-yard run by Crowell for a 35-21 lead with 8:02 left in the quarter.

With the quarter winding down, the Panthers reestablished themselves on both sides of the ball and found its groove as Lovelocke found Brown for a 6-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds remaining in the quarter. The PAT was good as the score was huge due to the fact that it cut the deficit to only 35-28 entering the final quarter.
The defense forced an ASU punt on the next drive and the Panthers went to work once again via the air as Lovelocke found Jacoby Anderson on a well-thrown pass to the corner of the end zone. The PAT was good as the Panthers were back in business with a 35-all score with 9:26 left in the game.

Alabama State shanked the punt and the Panthers received solid position at Hornet 48 on the next drive. However, on third down and long Lovelocke was sacked and the ball was scooped up and returned 40 yards for the ASU touchdown. The PAT was successful as the Hornets led 42-35 with 7:48 remaining in the contest.

The Panther offense was forced to punt on the ensuing drive but the defense came up big and returned the favor by forcing ASU to punt. The offense received the ball with 3:32 remaining in addition to being 95 yards out from paydirt. On the potential game-tying drive, PV marched all the way to the ASU 45 and faced a fourth-and-11. On the play, Lovelocke found Jacoby Anderson and Anderson tip-toed to the first down and more as the ball was on the ASU 15.

With the ball on the ASU 10 and slightly more than 40 seconds left, the Panthers faced fourth down once again and received new life as ASU was flagged for a pass interference call which gave PV the ball as the ASU 4. Three plays later, Lovelocke found Brown once again for a 4-yard scoring strike followed by Barrick's game-tying PAT with 20 seconds remaining. With the ball on ASU's 27 with 15 seconds left, the Hornets opted for overtime as they kneeled the ball to end the half.

In overtime, the Panthers went three-and-out and missed the 36-yard field goal as it went wide right. ASU drove the ball to the PV 8 and appeared to go for the field goal but changed its mind and sent the offense out after PV called a timeout before the kick. ASU sent out its offense instead and rushed for the touchdown but not after an ASU player jumped on the ball in the endzone after Cyrus fumbled the ball.

The Panthers gained 685 offensive yards with 533 via the pass and 152 on the ground. Lovelocke passed for a career-high 533 yards and four touchdowns while Brown rushed for 88 yards on 17 attempts with one touchdown. Wide receiver Jacoby Anderson had a career day with 12 receptions for 152 yards. Defensively, linebackers Raheem Cardwell and Chuck Obi had 15 tackles apiece.

The team returns home next week for homecoming as they'll face Mississippi Valley State at 2 p.m. inside Blackshear Stadium.

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Bethune-Cookman rolls past Howard, 27-6

WASHINGTON, D.C.  -- Early in the week, Howard coach Ray Petty said he was concerned about Bethune-Cookman's depth at quarterback and running back.

 

On Saturday, the Wildcats showed why.

 

Three B-CU quarterbacks combined to pass for a Wildcats' season-high 272 yards and three running backs scored touchdowns as the Wildcats defeated the Bison 27-6 at Greene Memorial Stadium in Washington, D.C.

 

“We're going to do what we have to do to win, and it just so happens we used all three (quarterbacks), and we came away with the victory,'' B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said.

 

The Wildcats, ranked 13th in the latest FCS coaches' poll and 16th in The Sports Network poll, improved to 5-1, 2-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

 

They rolled up a season-high 480 yards, while holding the top offense in the conference to 186 yards in winning their 15th straight conference game.

 

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Bowie State's Student-Athlete Quentin Walker Receives High Praise as Maryland General Assembly Intern

Quentin Walker

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland  -- During the 2013 Spring Semester Quentin Walker had the opportunity to participate in the Maryland General Assembly Internship program. The program is open to college and high school students across the state to provide them with work experience through the 90 day legislative session.

Each student was given a State Delegate or Senator to work with throughout the 90 days. Walker was able to work with Maryland State Delegate Melony G. Griffith of the 25th District. Delegate Griffith has been in office for 15 years and currently serves as the Chair on the Oversight Committee on Pensions.

As a legislative intern Walker was responsible for office administration and several legislative duties. From an administration standpoint the senior from Waldorf (Md.) was responsible for receiving incoming mail and phone calls from general assembly members and District 25 constituents on a daily basis. He also had to schedule and coordinate several meetings throughout the session.

BSU Bulldogs Quentin Walker

Quentin's legislative duties consisted of attending several committee meetings to receive important updates for bill tracking and to record witness testimony. Throughout the session Quentin was active in the Capital Bond Bill process which allows local and state organizations such as fire stations, arts organizations, and churches to receive funding for their facilities. He worked closely with several organizations to coordinate their documents along with providing testimony in front of the Appropriations Committee.

Towards the halfway mark of session Walker was given a special project to promote the availability of arts programs across the State of Maryland. With support from Prince George's Community College, Maryland State Arts Council, Prince George's Arts & Humanities Council, and Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission were able to host the 2013 Cultural Arts Expo. The event was held at Prince George's Community College on May 11, 2013 and it was a great success. The expo featured 20 vendors that included National Great Black & Wax Museum, Maryland Science Center, National Aquarium, and National Children's Museum. We also had live performances from the Shakespeare Company and Ebony Sonshine Puppets.

At the completion of the 90 day session Walker was offered the position of Legislative Aide to Delegate Melony G. Griffith. Quentin states, "I am grateful to have had this wonderful experience as an intern and it shows that hard work and dedication pays off, the opportunity to continue to work with Delegate Griffith is a blessing and I look forward to future success."

"I have always been very impressed with the caliber of students that I have received from Bowie State University who have served as interns in my office, however Quentin Walker has distinguished himself as a poised young man ready for a professional career", said Delegate Griffith. Griffith was recently mentioned as a possible running mate with candidate Doug Gansler.

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Hampton earns its first win of the season, 31-26 against North Carolina A&T

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

HAMPTON, Virginia  — After its first five games, where the defense gave up 30 or more points in each, it's only appropriate that a pair of defensive stands gave Hampton University reason to dance on homecoming.

Forced to come up with a pair of stops, the Pirates stalled two N.C. A&T drives and helped Hampton hold off the Aggies to record a 31-26 win on a misty Saturday afternoon at Armstrong Field.

"The defense needed to make a couple plays in the fourth quarter and they stood out on the last two series forcing turnovers on downs," HU coach Donovan Rose said. "I feel so good for those guys. They deserved to enjoy this on homecoming."

Hampton started true freshman Bryan Bailey at quarterback and he marched the Pirates down on a 12-play, 80-yard drive. Bailey connected on five straight passes to help get HU in gear and found Antwon Chisholm on a 12-yard scoring pass with 8:51 left to put the Pirates up 7-0.

"No question I was a little nervous on the first drive, but I knew once I could get into a rhythm it was just walking through my reads and making sure to keep things moving in the right direction," Bailey said.

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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

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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

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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.

CONTINUE READING

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.”

CONTINUE READING

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.

CONTINUE READING

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." 

CONTINUE READING

'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."

CONTINUE READING

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