Southern U. Men's Basketball slated to finish second in SWAC

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  One season after claiming the league's postseason tournament and falling to 64-58 to Gonzaga in the NCAA Tournament, Southern men's basketball fell five votes shy of being selected to finish first in the conference.

Texas Southern University was picked to win the 2013-14 Southwestern Athletic Conference men's basketball title in a preseason poll of the league's head coaches and sports information directors.

The announcement was made by the SWAC during its annual media teleconference on Wednesday, October 16.

The Tigers, last year’s SWAC regular season champions, earned 171 points, including 10 first-place votes, while Southern was selected to finish second accumulating 167 points and nine first-place votes. Arkansas-Pine Bluff picked up 132 points for a predicted third-place finish followed by Prairie View with 118 points to tally fourth.

Rounding out the poll includes: Jackson State (99 points), Alabama A&M (95 points - two first-place vote), Alabama State (93 points), Alcorn State (70 points), Mississippi Valley State (65 points) and Grambling State (34 points).

Southern's non-conference schedule has received a considerable upgrade thanks to road games at Marquette, Florida, Arizona and Baylor and home dates against Tulane and Arkansas-Little Rock.

The Jaguars will also be featured in five television broadcasts over two networks including ESPNU (Jan. 6 at Texas Southern; Feb. 17 vs. Mississippi Valley) and Cox Sports (Jan. 25 vs. Alabama A&M; Jan. 27 vs. Alabama State; March 8 vs. Texas Southern.

2013 SWAC Hoops Teleconference-Roman Banks

 

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Tennessee State Tigers Rally to Stun Memphis in Five Set Thriller

MEMPHIS, Tennessee  --  On a night where it seemed nothing would go right, the Tigers turned it around at the halftime break to post numerous season and career highs; in a monumental win over Memphis.

 

Tennessee State (6-11, 2-4) was led by junior Naomi Wells, who continued her hot streak after earning the OVC Offensive Player of the Week award. The outside hitter posted her seventh double-double of the season, with 19 kills and 19 digs. Junior Sherryce Butler also posted a double-double, picking up 12 kills and 10 block assists. Butler’s 10 block assists marked a career high for the Lexington, Ky. native.

 

Butler and Wells both posted a career high in attacks with 49 and 73 respectively. Freshman Arijana Anderson also posted a career high in attacks with 49 connecting for thirteen kills.

Senior setter Erika Moss continued her stellar play for the Tigers with 47 assists and 21 digs to give TSU its third double-double of the game.

 

The fifth set began with Memphis (9-10) taking the early 1-0 advantage; both teams traded points with Memphis regaining the lead, 4-3. TSU used a 3-0 run to take their first lead of the decisive fifth set, 6-4. Memphis answered with a 3-0 blitz of their own to grab the lead back at 7-6. Two straight points from Tennessee State gave the road warriors an 8-7 lead at the switch, after a junior Taylor Swayer Kill.

 

Memphis equalized the score at nine off of an attack error. Tennessee State used a 3-0 span to grab a controlling, 12-9 lead, highlighted by a service ace from junior Jamie Cooper. Memphis countered with two straight kills forcing TSU to call a timeout, leading 12-11.

 

The timeout gave the Tigers the jolt they needed, with TSU answering with two straight Arijana Anderson kills and putting TSU within one point of claiming the match at 14-12. The next play, Naomi Wells came up with a huge block to give Tennessee State the huge non-conference win, 3-2.

 

In the first set Memphis took an early 7-4 lead capitalizing on Tennessee State miscues. TSU battled back to stay in the match trading points in the early goings. Tennessee State cut the Memphis lead to just one at 15-14 with a Butler and Wells combo block.

 

Memphis’ lead swelled back up to three at 19-16, two straight TSU points trimmed the lead back down to one. Memphis closed on a 6-2 run to take the opening set, 25-21. Butler finished the set with three kills and two blocks.

 

Memphis began the second set where it left off in the first opening with a 5-2 run to take the lead early. Tennessee State cut the lead to a single point four times, the latest coming at 12-11. A block from Anderson and Butler gave the match its first tie of the night at 12-12. Butler followed up her block with a kill on the next point giving Tennessee State its first lead of the match.

 

The two teams traded the lead knotting the score on nine different occasions.  Tennessee State took the lead, 22-21, after a Wells kill. Memphis followed up the kill with a timeout to regroup. After the timeout Memphis rattled off three straight points, moving just one point away, 24-22, from taking the second set.

 

Tennessee State used a timeout of their own after the rally, but Memphis closed out the set on the following point, 25-22. The set was highlighted by a four kill performance from Wells that included a service ace.

 

The Tigers opened up the third set on a tear taking the early 7-3 lead aided by two kills apiece from Butler and Wells. Memphis raced back with a 5-0 run to regain the lead, 8-7. The Memphis lead would swell to as many as six, 21-15.

 

Tennessee State wouldn’t go down without rallying with a 7-0 run to take the lead, 22-21, with Naomi Wells tallying four kills in the span. Both teams battled to tie the match at 25 all. The Tigers would take the next two points to win the set and cut into Memphis lead, 2-1.

                                                                        

Memphis grabbed the early 10-7 lead in the third stanza. Coach Kathy Roulhac’s team clawed its way back in to the match knotted the set at 11 with back-to-back kills from Anderson. Butler followed up with two points of her own off of a kill and a block. The 4-0 run from Tennessee State resulted in a Memphis timeout. Out of the stop in action Memphis connected on consecutive points to even the score at 13 all.

 

Both TSU and Memphis would trade points out after the home team tied the score. An attack error by Memphis gave Tennessee State a two point lead, 21-19, late. The American Conference team would level the score at 23. Memphis connected on the next point closing within one point of taking the set. TSU used a timeout to rally the troops and the Tigers answered with three straight points to take the set, including two from Wells on a block and a kill.

 

TSU returns to action with a pair of home OVC contests this weekend beginning Friday against UT Martin at 7 p.m. The Tigers close out the weekend against Southeast Missouri on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. 

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets set school record with ninth consecutive victory

Taylor Reuther

NEW ORLEANS -- Taylor Reuther had 16 kills and 17 digs, and Moira Kirk had 15 kills and six blocks Tuesday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana in a 26-24, 25-13, 21-25, 25-15 women's volleyball victory against Mobile.

The Gold Nuggets (15-7) set a school record with their ninth consecutive victory and defeated the Lady Rams (15-11) for the second time in three matches this season.

Reuther was one of three Nuggets with double-doubles. Chinedu Echebelem had 11 kills and 12 digs, and Franziska Pirkl had 43 assists and 13 digs. Claudia Haywood hit .563 with nine kills and a season-high six blocks, and CeCe Williiams had a season-best 17 digs.

Bailey Nations and Maegan Wilkins had 12 kills apiece for Mobile. Nicole Armstrong had 15 digs and Katy McCollister 14.

Kills by Kirk and Jodi Hill clinched the first set for Xavier after trailing 19-16. The Gold Nuggets hit .571 and got six kills in seven attacks from Kirk during the second set, and the Nuggets used a 9-1 run to take control of the fourth set. Pirkl's kill ended the match.

Xavier had a pair of eight-match win streaks in 2011 and tied that mark Saturday. The Gold Nuggets also extended their school-record home win streak to eight. They are 4-0 in their first season at the Convocation Center.

Reuther reached double figures in kills for the eighth consecutive match, a career best, and recorded her fourth straight double-double. Kirk reached double-figure kills for a season-best third consecutive time.

Xavier outhit Mobile .286 to .098 and had advantages of 59-47 in kills, 81-63 in digs and 13-6 in blocks. The Nuggets' block total was a season best. Mobile had a 6-2 advantage in aces, with Nations and Armstrong serving two apiece.

"We started off strong right away," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "Our passers took care of the ball in serve receive, giving our middles the ability to side out quickly. Fran (Pirkl) made really great decisions with her sets, getting our hitters one-on-one with the block a lot.

"Our middles did an unbelievable job closing the block and keeping utmost pressure on Mobile's hitters. The team was very consistent with their energy and effort and really showed everyone tonight that they wanted that win."

Xavier will play Avila at 6 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center as part of a two-site tournament hosted by Xavier and Loyola. Mobile will play Avila at 2 p.m. Friday at the Convocation Center.

Box Score

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

Florida A&M Rattlers Can Still Have Successful Season

Howard University vs. Florida A&M University

October 19, 2013
2:00 P.M. EST
Bragg Memorial Stadium
Radio: 96.1 FM; Internet: Rattler Vision

Dwight Floyd
thesportsedit.org

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- No, this isn’t a joke! Should FAMU win each of its last six games, including BCU, they will automatically be in the playoffs. Yes, it sounds like hope without realism, but isn’t that what sports is about most of the time anyway? When the Florida Gators played the LSU Tigers this past weekend they saw opportunity even though there wasn’t an expectation they would be able to compete. LSU won 17-6. If you are a true gator fan you would say last Saturday’s game was close, LSU just had a little more experience and depth.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two-Team or Multiple-Team Tie – If the tied teams played each other, head-to-head competition will be used to determine the representative. Other methods will be used if this first option is not available.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyone who viewed FAMU’s September schedule ahead of the season knew it was going to be seriously tough; and it was. In October, FAMU is 1-1, as capable as anyone in the conference to win an automatic bid. In that regard the schedule favors them. Besides South Carolina State and Bethune Cookman no other team in the MEAC stands a chance of going undefeated in conference play. The rest of the teams with a one loss record in conference play will have to win out and hope that Bethune Cookman and South Carolina State loses a game or two. Having BCU and South Carolina State on its schedule FAMU stands the best chance mathematically of sending other teams into the Also Ran category and taking first place.

CONTINUE READING

Kirk is GCAC Player of Week for second time this season

Moira Kirk

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Moira Kirk, who starred in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball road victories against SUNO and Philander Smith, is the GCAC Player of the Week for Oct. 7-13.

It's the second time this season that Kirk won the award and the fourth time in her career. She is the first XU player to win the award twice this season.

Kirk, a 5-foot-9 junior middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, had 10 kills and nine blocks — one less than her career best — against SUNO to help Xavier take sole possession of first place in the conference. Then she had 10 kills, three blocks and hit a season-high .643 in 14 attempts against Philander Smith to help Xavier tie a school record with its eighth consecutive victory.

Kirk is hitting .314 this season with 185 kills, 58 blocks and 10 aces entering a home match tonight against Mobile.

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

Magic City Classic: ASU Hornets Back on the Practice Field

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- After taking a couple of days off following Alabama State's 48-42 overtime win over Prairie View, the Hornets took the practice field for a Tuesday practice to begin preparations for Alabama A&M.

The Hornets have a week off and will have a shortened practice week with practices scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday at 11 a.m.

The off week could not have come at a better time for ASU as the Hornets are hoping to nurse several players back to health in order to have them back on the field against the Bulldogs.

"People say all the time about their off week coming at the right time and it's the honest truth for us," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "Obviously we have guys we are hoping will be back for the Magic City Classic. This week we are not going to ask them to do much of anything but to continue rehab. I am expecting all of them to be back by the Magic City Classic."

The Magic City Classic is scheduled for kickoff at 2:30 p.m. and will be shown live on ESPN3 with a tape delay broadcast at 9:30 p.m. on ESPNU.


WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

WSSU Rams to begin practice with plenty of new faces

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Nate Long, a freshman forward on the men’s basketball team at Winston-Salem State, said he enjoyed Saturday’s homecoming football game.

But he knew then that things would change quickly.

"On Tuesday, we go to work,” said Long, referring to the start of basketball practice.

Coach Bobby Collins will start his eighth season today and is looking forward to getting his team in shape for the season.

"Our first game is November 8, and we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us,” said Collins, whose team was picked by CIAA coaches to win the league’s Southern Division title.

The Rams have a roster of 19, with four of those players redshirting. Twelve players from last season’s NCAA Tournament team are gone, but seven players return, including starter WyKevin Bazemore.

CONTINUE READING

Former Texas Southern/Super Bowl-Champion Michael Strahan Profiled on NFL Network’s ‘A Football Life’ Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 9:00 PM ET

‘A Football Life: Backstory’ Airs at 10:00 PM ET

NEW YORK -- Before he became a second-round draft pick, a Super Bowl-champion defensive end for the New York Giants, and co-host of a nationally-televised morning show, Michael Strahan was the youngest of six children who grew up on an American military base in Germany. Through his upbringing, Strahan learned the value and importance of working hard to achieve a goal, a belief he has carried with him throughout his life.

The two-time Emmy-nominated series A Football Life continues Tuesday, October 15 at 9:00 PM ET with Michael Strahan: A Football Life. The one-hour documentary provides an in-depth look at the 15-year NFL veteran’s life, from growing up in Germany and then transitioning to life in the United States during his high school and college years, to his storied NFL career, and finally to his broadcasting career as the co-host of LIVE with Kelly and Michael and NFL analyst for FOX.

“I almost feel like in a sense it was diminished because everyone goes, ‘Brett Favre gave you a sack’…I always have to say if you don’t like it, then break it.” – Michael Strahan

 TRAILER | BEHIND THE SCENE | TEASER

Michael Strahan: A Football Life features interviews with Strahan himself, as well as individuals who know him well including his parents Gene and Louise Strahan; Hall of Fame defensive lineman and FOX analyst Howie Long; FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin; and former Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Jon Runyan.

Throughout the documentary, Strahan expounds on a number of topics, including:

• His thoughts regarding breaking the NFL’s all-time sack record and subsequent criticism
• His evolving relationship with New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
• The role he played in the immediate aftermath following the events of September 11, 2001
• An influential moment when he was nine years old which involved a bicycle he still owns today

Emmy-nominated actor from CBS’ The Good Wife, Josh Charles, narrates.

Michael Strahan: A Football Life includes interviews with the following people:

Michael Strahan
Gene & Louise Strahan – Michael’s father & mother
Tom Coughlin – New York Giants head coach
Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons tight end
Howie Long – Hall of Fame defensive lineman/FOX analyst
Jay Glazer – FOX NFL Insider
Michael Gelman – Executive Producer, LIVE with Kelly and Michael
Jon Runyan – Former Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman
Kelly Ripa – Co-host, LIVE with Kelly and Michael
Brandi Chastain – Television colleague
Jason Garrett – Dallas Cowboys head coach/teammate of Michael on the Giants
J.W. Harper – Former assistant coach, Texas Southern University
Tara Sullivan – Columnist, The Bergen Record

Provided below are some select quotes from Michael Strahan: A Football Life:

- “I was scared every time I put on a uniform and stepped on the field. I’m scared every day I go into the studio and I come on stage because I fear that I will not live up to what is expected. I fear that somebody who spent a lot of money to come into our studio, to come to New York and they’ll walk away and go, ‘I could have stayed at home.’ I feared that as a player a fan would come to the stands and I wouldn’t perform well. Just the way I’m built. I’m more scared of failure than I am excited about the accolades that come with success.” – Michael Strahan

- “The sack record is great; absolutely phenomenal. But I almost feel like in a sense it was diminished because everyone goes, ‘Brett Favre gave you a sack’…I always have to say if you don’t like it, then break it.” – Michael Strahan

- “I hated him. And when I say hate, I don’t mean hate as I’m just saying hate as a loose word. No, I mean I absolutely hated the man.” – Michael Strahan on New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin

- “He’s best known for being a football hero, but from my perspective that is the least of his talents.” – Kelly Ripa

- “What developed more than anything was his leadership. He could get on the guys around him and they would accept it because he was doing it.” – J.W. Harper

- “A lot of people are given the God-given gifts, and a lot of people don’t have the intensity or desire to get in there and mix it up. He had both of them.” – Jon Runyan

- “I’m somebody who is thinking about going into television when I get done playing, and he’s the blueprint.” – Tony Gonzalez

Following the episode, Jenn Brown hosts A Football Life: Backstory at 10:00 PM ET, a 30-minute show that provides a deeper look into the lives and story of each subject, features interviews with relevant individuals, and includes material that did not make the final edition of the episode. Viewers will also have the opportunity to interact and offer their thoughts on Twitter by following @NFLNetwork and using the hashtag #AFootballLife.

Viewers can also interact with and follow the series on their phones and tablets with A Football Life Xtra. Located within the new NFL Mobile app, A Football Life Xtra features producer commentary, photos and artifacts from the NFL Films archives, and career stats and unique facts, as well as trivia games and polls on NFL legends. Visit NFL.com/xtra on your mobile device to download NFL Mobile. Additionally, every episode of A Football Life – as well as all NFL Network programming – is streamed live on NFL Mobile from Verizon, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

FAMU Homecoming Strike Magazine Has Special 3-D Cover

Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information
Strike Magazine features a 3-D Cover

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Department of Athletics announces a collector’s edition of Strike Magazine for Homecoming.  This will likely be the first-ever 3-D game day football program in HBCU history.

The cover features head football coach Earl Holmes holding a coiled rattlesnake.  When you tilt the program to either side, it will show another rattlesnake fully extended, striking toward you.  The process has been in the works for the past several months.  Working with local printer, Graphic Press, production of the publication was mapped out from start to finish to produce a high-quality publication.

The 68-page publication is color throughout and has several features in it.  Of course the standard football rosters, profiles and game stories are in the program, but it also features the FAMU Royal Court, the Marching “100”, Interim President Larry Robinson, Interim Athletic Director Michael Smith, the FAMU varsity cheerleaders and junior cheerleaders and much, much more.

Vaughn Wilson and Ronnie Johnson of the FAMU Sports Information Department conceived the magazine.  The FAMU Sports Marketing Department also offered creative input and logistical assistance. Editing and collaboration with the FAMU Office of Communications was also critical to the production process.

“We wanted to make sure this was something people would want to keep for a long period of time,” Smith said. “With such rich history here at FAMU, and since our school has been known as the trendsetters in HBCU athletics, it was a natural for us to undertake this project.  I commend our staff for their diligence in researching the process, devising a budget and implementing it.  I suggest that you get a copy and hold on to it.”

The programs will be available in the FAMU Ticket Office on Fri., Oct.18, for fans who want to get theirs in advance.  The price for the programs are $10, and will be available on game day as well.  This will be a limited edition publication that the Department of Athletics hopes will set a trend for years to come.

“We have been considering this project since last year,” Wilson said. “Knowing that FAMU fans love to collect special things from the university and the FAMU Athletic Department, we hope that this Homecoming Strike Magazine will find a place in the homes of Rattler alumni, students, friends and fans. 

Full Homecoming Schedule of Activities    Homecoming Safety Tips from FAMU Public Safety

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY

VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS.COM

   Full Homecoming Schedule of Activities

   Homecoming Safety Tips from FAMU Public Safety

Fort Valley State to face #13 Washburn on Road, Thursday

WACO, Texas -- The Washburn University Ichabod football team moved up two spots to No. 13 in the latest American Football Coaches Association top 25 poll which was released Monday.  The Ichabods will step out of MIAA play to host Fort Valley State Wildcats on Thursday in Yager Stadium at 6 p.m.

Among other MIAA schools, Northwest Missouri is ranked No. 2 while Missouri Western is ranked fourth, Pittsburg State is ranked seventh and Emporia State is ranked 20th. Northwest Missouri and Pittsburg State will face off this weekend while Missouri Western will travel to face Missouri Southern and Emporia State will travel to face Lindenwood.

Under head coach Craig Schurig, the Ichabods have been ranked or have received votes in the AFCA poll 47 times.

GAME DAY
Thursday: Oct. 17, 2013, 6:00 PM CT
#13 Washburn Ichabods (6-0, 6-0 MIAA) vs. Fort Valley State Wildcats (2-4, 2-2 SIAC)
Location: Yager Stadium, Topeka, Kansas
Ticket Information
Radio: KTPK 106.9 FM | Online
Video: America One Sports
TV: None
Live Stats: Through WU
Media Stats: Through  WU
Website: www.wusports.com
Website: www.fvsusports.com
WU Football 2013 Media Guide

2013 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' Poll – October 14, 2013

Rank	School (1st votes)	Rec.	Pts.	Prev.	Week Two	Next Game
1.	Minnesota St.-Mankato (26)	6-0	791	2	D. Augustana (S.D.), 20-10	Oct. 19 at Southwest Minnesota St.
2.	Northwest Missouri St. (4)	6-0	767	3	D. Central Oklahoma, 72-10	Oct. 19 vs. No. 7 Pittsburg St. (Kan.)
3.	Colorado St.-Pueblo (1)	6-0	729	5	D. No. 19 Chadron St. (Neb.), 51-42	Oct. 19 vs. Colorado School of Mines
4.	Missouri Western St. (1)	6-0	708	6	D. Northeastern St. (Okla.), 54-10	Oct. 19 at Missouri Southern St.
5.	Henderson St. (Ark.)	6-0	638	8	D. Southwestern Oklahoma St., 45-17	Oct. 19 vs. Arkansas Tech
6.	Bloomsburg (Pa.)	6-0	606	9	D. Millersville (Pa.), 45-7	Oct. 19 at East Stroudsburg (Pa.)
7.	Pittsburg St. (Kan.)	6-0	594	10	D. Central Missouri, 31-21	Oct. 19 vs. No. 2 Northwest Missouri St.
8.	West Alabama	5-1	547	14	D. No. 1 Valdosta St. (Ga.), 49-30	Oct. 19 at No. 24 Midwestern St. (Texas)
9.	Minnesota-Duluth	5-1	489	11	D. Minnesota St.-Moorhead, 69-45	Oct. 19 at Minot St. (N.D.)
10.	North Carolina-Pembroke	5-0	461	13	D. North Carolina-Charlotte, 45-22	Oct. 19 at Catawba (N.C.)
11.	Shepherd (W.Va.)	6-0	454	12	D. Virginia-Wise, 42-17	Oct. 19 vs. Notre Dame (Ohio)
12.	Valdosta St. (Ga.)	4-1	452	1	Lost to No. 14 West Alabama, 49-30	Oct. 19 at West Georgia
13.	Washburn (Kan.)	6-0	390	15	D. Lincoln (Mo.), 58-7	Oct. 19 vs. Fort Valley St. (Ga.)
14.	Tarleton St. (Texas)	5-0	341	21t	D. No. 4 West Texas A&M, 31-27	Oct. 19 at Delta St. (Miss.)
15.	West Chester (Pa.)	6-0	319	17	D. East Stroudsburg (Pa.), 34-20	Oct. 19 at Lock Haven (Pa.)
16.	Winston-Salem St. (N.C.)	5-1	313	16	D. Johnson C. Smith (N.C.), 44-17	Oct. 19 at St. Augustine's (N.C.)
17.	West Texas A&M	5-1	309	4	Lost to No. 21t Tarleton St. (Texas), 31-27	Oct. 19 vs. Angelo St. (Texas)
18.	Ohio Dominican	6-0	283	20	D. Ashland (Ohio), 31-19	Oct. 19 vs. Findlay (Ohio)
19.	Carson-Newman (Tenn.)	5-1	252	18	D. Shorter (Ga.), 45-28	Oct. 19 vs. Tusculum (Tenn.)
20.	Emporia St. (Kan.)	6-0	187	23	D. Southwest Baptist (Mo.), 63-17	Oct. 19 at Lindenwood (Mo.)
21.	Indianapolis (Ind.)	5-1	179	21t	D. McKendree (Ill.), 45-7	Oct. 19 at William Jewell (Mo.)
22.	Indiana (Pa.)	5-1	161	7	Lost to Slippery Rock (Pa.), 42-16	Oct. 19 vs. Edinboro (Pa.)
23.	Newberry (S.C.)	6-0	138	NR	D. Tusculum (Tenn.), 44-9	Oct. 19 at Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.)
24.	Midwestern St. (Texas)	4-1	121	25	D. McMurry (Texas), 66-20	Oct. 19 vs. No. 8 West Alabama
25.	St. Cloud State (Minn.)	5-1	35	NR	D. Minnesota-Crookston, 55-6	Oct. 19 at Mary (N.D.)

Dropped Out: Chadron St. (Neb.) (19), Grand Valley St. (Mich.) (24)

Others Receiving Votes: New Haven (Conn.), 26; Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.), 25; Saginaw Valley St. (Mich.), 22; Chadron St. (Neb.), 17; Ferris St. (Mich.), 16; Slippery Rock (Pa.), 13; Tuskegee (Ala.), 8; Harding (Ark.), 3; Ouachita Baptist (Ark.), 2; Virginia St., 2; Colorado School of Mines, 1; Stonehill (Mass.), 1.

COURTESY WASHBURN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

BSU Basketball To Hold Picture/Media Day on October 16th

BOWIE, Maryland  -- The Bowie State University women and men's basketball teams will conduct Picture/Media Day on Wednesday, October 16th in the Leonidas S. James Complex (A.C. Jordan Arena). The defending CIAA Champion Bulldogs will be available first beginning at 3 pm. The Lady Bulldogs picture/interview session will follow at approximately 4 pm.

Coach Darrell Brooks and his Bulldogs are picked to finish atop in the CIAA Northern Division as voted by the CIAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association at the conference's Round-Up in Charlotte, N.C.

Of the individual student-athletes honored Bowie State senior Carlos Smith (Baltimore, Md.) was selected by the CIAA Coaches as a member of the Pre-Season All-CIAA Team. Smith ranked sixth on the team in scoring (7.0 ppg), third in rebounds (5.1 rpg) and first in team blocks with 37.

The Lady Bulldogs are picked to finish fourth in the CIAA Northern Division as voted by the CIAA Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Bowie State's women had no players selected to the Pre-Season All-CIAA Team.

Bowie State's men will open the season with an exhibition at Duke on November 26th and BSU's women begin the 2013-2104 campaign with an exhibition at George Mason on November 3rd.

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Volleyball Steps Out of OVC Play to Take on Memphis

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  –  After splitting this past weekend’s OVC contests, Tennessee State looks to rebound against intrastate rival Memphis.

Tuesday’s match will mark the final out of conference match for both Tennessee State and Memphis. First serve for tomorrow’s contest is slated for 6 p.m. at the Elma Roane Field House on the campus of the University of Memphis

Over the weekend the Tigers knocked off Tennessee Tech on the road Friday, 3-0, but then fell to Jacksonville State, 3-0, the next night.

The offensive effort was dynamic to open the weekend against the upstart Golden Eagles. As a team the Tigers posted their second highest hitting percentage (.230) in the win, with junior outside hitter Naomi Wells leading the way with 13 kills and a .346 hitting percentage.

Junior Sherryce Butler joined in the action Friday night recording 10 kills in the matchup with Tennessee Tech.

The next day the Tigers traveled down to Jacksonville State to take on the Gamecocks. Against JSU Wells continued her hot streak to pace TSU with 17 kills. She chipped in 14 digs to record her sixth double-double.

Senior setter Erika Moss joined Wells with a double-double of her own; recording team highs in both assists (39) and digs (20). Her twenty digs marked a career high for the senior from Fort Wayne, Ind. tying her previous high from her freshman year in 2010 against Southeast Missouri.

Tennessee State’s effort wasn’t enough as the Gamecocks took the match, 3-0.

Moss has placed her mark on the TSU record book, sitting atop the career assists list she is beginning to break into other categories as well. Over the weekend the setter moved into a tenth place tie for block assists with 117 and moved into ninth in career service aces with 78.

The senior is also closing in on 4,000 career assists with 3,903 up to this point in her career.

Tuesday, the Tigers travel down to Memphis to take on American Conference foe Memphis, who come into the match with a 9-9 record. Memphis is riding a three game losing streak that has dropped their record to 1-4 in conference play.

Memphis is led by sophomore setter Veronica Zimmerman who has 710 assists on the year good for an average of 10.76 assists per set. Zimmerman has a three headed offensive attack to dish to with three averaging around three kills per set, (Catlin Lilly (3.32), Viktorjia Teivane (2.87), and Lauren Hawkins (2.80)).

Last season Memphis traveled to Tennessee State with the TSU Tigers taking the match in thrilling fashion coming back from down, 0-2. Wells led the way for Tennessee State with 18 kills as the home team hit .438 in the final stanza to cap the rally.

After Tuesday’s contest the Tennessee State Tigers will return home for its longest home stand of the year (four games), beginning this weekend. The Tigers will play host to UT Martin and Southeast Missouri on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Road to the Honda 2014: Alcorn State University

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Experience the energy and intensity of preparing for the most celebrated marching band event, Honda Battle of the Bands, with Alcorn State University!

The Road to the Honda video series takes a behind-the-scenes look at the 8 bands that participated in the 2013 Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.

For more information, visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com.



On January 26, 2013, the Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite participated in the prestigious Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase at the Georgia Dome.

SWAC Football Players of the Week - October 14

COURTESY SWAC.org

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced its SWAC Football Players of the Week with Malcolm Cyrus (Alabama State), Jerry Lovelocke (Prairie View A&M), Leland Baker (Alabama State), Quinteris Toppings (Alabama State) and Haiden McCraney (Alcorn State) receiving the honor for October 14.

After their face-off this past weekend, Cyrus and Lovelocke share offensive honors. Baker lands the defensive award with teammate Toppings garnering newcomer of the week. McCraney was tabbed the league's top specialist.  

---

Co-Offensive Player of the Week

Malcolm Cyrus

Alabama State

Running Back

RB • Jr. • 5-9 • 180 • Autaugaville, Ala.

Cyrus tallied career highs and scored the game winning touchdown in overtime to help Alabama State pick up a 48-42 win over Prairie View A&M. He rushed for 241 yards on 24 carries to post a 10.0 average and two touchdowns.

His longest run was an 80-yard scamper that gave ASU a 28-21 lead in the third quarter. He combined for 301 total yards with four receptions for 60 yards. His career highs included: carries, rushing and total yards, longest touchdown run. Cyrus chipped in 47 percent of the total offense including 70 percent of the ground game.

Jerry Lovelocke

Prairie View A&M

QB • Jr. • 6-5 • 200 • Baltimore, Md.

Despite Prairie View A&M's 48-42 overtime loss to ALabama State, Lovelocke passed for a career-high 533 yards and four touchdowns on 42-of-62 pass attempts. He connected with seven receivers, accounted for 78 percent of the offense and orchestrated a 17-play 95-yard drive in the closing minutes to even the score, sending the game into overtime.

---

Defensive Player of the Week
Leland Baker

Alabama State

LB • Sr. • 6-0 • 225 • Birmingham, Ala.

Baker registered a game and career high of 17 tackles in Alabama State's 48-42 overtime victory against Prairie View A&M. His contribution consisted of eight solo tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks. His tackles for a loss and sacks were also game highs. Baker led a defense that kept PVAMU from scoring in the final frame en route to ASU's fifth consecutive win. Baker also becomes the fifth different ASU defender to earn the award during the last six weeks.

 

---

Newcomer of the Week

Quinterius Toppings

Alabama State

QB • Fr. • 6-1 • 220 • Eight Mile, Ala.

In Alabaam State's 48-42 overtime win over Prairie View A&M, Toppings, the number three quarterback on the roster, stepped in after back-up quarterback Arsenio Favor suffered an injury that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the game.

In his first collegiate appearance, Toppings tossed 11-of-18 for 157 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He connected a 24-yard pass to boost ASU to a 21-7 lead in the second quarter.

 

---

Specialist of the Week
Haiden McCraney

Alcorn State

K / P • Fr. • 6-1 • 175 • Jackson, Miss.

McCraney went 6-for-6 in PAT attempts and nailed two field goals from 23 and 27 yards in the Braves 48-0 win over Grambling State in the 30th Annual Circle City Classic. McCraney averaged 62.1 yards per kickoff and two touchbacks.  He also punted five times for an average of 38.0 yards per punt with his longest of 50 yards and placed three inside the 20.

 

COURTESY SWAC.org

This Week in ASU Athletics

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State University athletic department will have a relatively light week this week with all of the fall programs being on the road.

The women's bowling team will be down in New Orleans to play in the Tulane Invitational which begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday.

The soccer team will play at Grambling State Friday and at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Sunday.

The volleyball team has a big SWAC match up at Alabama A&M Friday evening and will travel to Savannah, Ga., to face Savannah State Sunday afternoon.

The men's and women's cross country teams will travel to Tuscaloosa on Friday to run in the Crimson Classic.

ASU's tennis teams will travel to Lawrenceville, Ga., to play in the Grizzly Open hosted by Georgia Gwinnett College. The fall tournament will run Friday-Sunday.

The ASU football team has the week off before playing Alabama A&M in the 72^nd State Farm Magic City Classic the following week.




Thursday, Oct. 17
Bowling: at Tulane Invitational; New Orleans, La.; All Day

Friday, Oct. 18
Soccer: at Grambling State; Grambling, La.; 4 p.m.
Volleyball: at Alabama A&M; Normal, Ala.; 7 p.m.
M/W Cross Country: at Crimson Classic; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; All Day
Bowling: at Tulane Invitational; New Orleans, La.; All Day
M/W Tennis: Grizzly Open; Lawrenceville, Ga.; All Day

Saturday, Oct. 19
Bowling: at Tulane Invitational; New Orleans, La.; All Day
M/W Tennis: Grizzly Open; Lawrenceville, Ga.; All Day

Sunday, Oct. 20
Volleyball: at Savannah State; Savannah, Ga.; Noon
Soccer: at Arkansas-Pine Bluff; Pine Bluff, Ark.; 1 p.m.
M/W Tennis: Grizzly Open; Lawrenceville, Ga.; All Day

On the Horizon:
Friday, Oct. 25
Soccer: at Alabama A&M; Normal, Ala.; 1 p.m.
Volleyball: at Prairie View; Prairie View, Texas; 7 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 26
Football: vs. Alabama A&M; 72nd State Farm Magic City Classic; Birmingham, Ala.; 2:30 p.m.
Volleyball: at Texas Southern; Houston, Texas; 7 p.m.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Battle of the Bands: Mississippi Valley vs. JSU Sonic Boom

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

Jackson State now targeted in SWAC

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- Mississippi Valley State fans donned customized green shirts saying, “Beat Jackson State.”

Jackson State didn’t get a warm welcoming at Itta Bena this past weekend in Rice-Totten Stadium. The reason might have been because of the in-state rivalry or that JSU has dominated the series for nearly a decade and MVSU thought this year would be different.

Or it could’ve been that the Tigers entered Saturday’s game without a single loss in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and the Delta Devils wanted to be the team that changed that.

For whatever reason, JSU’s unblemished record draws a target on its back and gives SWAC opponents extra motivation to beat Jackson State (5-2, 5-0 SWAC).

The Tigers were the top team in the Eastern Division, but they didn’t cruise to victory against the Delta Devils, who entered Saturday’s game 1-4, 1-2 and at the bottom of the division. Jackson State finally pulled away in the fourth quarter for the win 26-17. It was the third straight game the Tigers won because of final-quarter plays.



CONTINUE READING

In the FCS Huddle: OVC, MEAC Trust Change Is In the Air

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (SportsNetwork.com) -- Is this finally the year? That's what teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Ohio Valley Conference have been asking themselves for too long.

 

They're hoping the first half of the season suggests the FCS playoffs will be different - for whomever comes out of their respective conference.

 

But they might have an idea already the way OVC front-runners Eastern Illinois and Tennessee State and MEAC leaders Bethune-Cookman and South Carolina State are playing this season. All four could be postseason-bound.

 

Both conferences are steeped in tradition, but, incredibly, a MEAC team has not won an FCS playoff game since 1999 and the OVC has been shut out since 2000.

 

UT Martin coach Jason Simpson said at OVC media day that the lack of playoff success is the "thorn in our (the conference's) side right now." South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough says success in the playoffs "is at a real, real high level. Until as a (MEAC) league we all get there, I don't know if any individual can rise above it enough to hang in the league with the CAA and with the Southern Conference and those kinds of leagues."

 

Coaches in both conferences point to ...

 

CONTINUE READING

WSSU Running-back duo is double trouble

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- The tailback position for Winston-Salem State has turned into a two-headed monster of Maurice Lewis and Patrick Mputu that has left opponents plenty scared.

"It’s not a problem for me," Coach Connell Maynor of the Rams said about having two quality running backs. "It’s a problem for our opponents."

Lewis, a junior, and Mputu, a senior, were on full display in Saturday’s 44-17 win over Johnson C. Smith at Bowman Gray Stadium. With the Golden Bulls focusing on taking away the Rams’ vertical passing game, Lewis and Mputu took turns grinding out the yards in yet another lopsided CIAA victory.

"The running backs had a little rough start to the season but now that we are getting our rhythm back, we are starting to move the ball," said Lewis, who had 113 yards rushing on Saturday and needs just 37 yards to reach 2,000 for his career. "We are showing people that we can pass and run the ball."



CONTINUE READING

TSU's Fitzpatrick Named OVC Defensive Player of the Week

Daniel Fitzpatrick #46
(COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS)

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  –-  On Sunday, the Ohio Valley Conference named Tennessee State safety Daniel Fitzpatrick its Defensive Player of the Week.

 

Fitzpatrick keyed the Tennessee State defense and the Tigers went on the road and topped No. 24 Jacksonville State 31-15. It marked only the second-ever victory for the team over JSU.

 

Fitzpatrick had a team-best eight tackles (seven solo) and made a pivotal interception in the fourth quarter as the Tigers won their sixth straight game to improve to 6-1 on the season.

 

Two plays after TSU had taken a 24-15 lead, Fitzpatrick intercepted Kyle West and returned the ball to the JSU 32-yard line; five plays later the Tigers scored another touchdown to put the game out of reach.

 

Overall the Tennessee State defense limited Jacksonville State to a season-low 292 yards, including just 21 rushing yards on 34 attempts (JSU had entered the game as the No. 1 rushing offense in the OVC).

 

Fitzpatrick is second on the team with 36 total tackles (28 solo) and is tied with David Van Dyke with four interceptions. 

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION