Football Tonight on ESPNU: Morgan State at S.C. State

Courtesy Morgan State University Athletics Media Relations

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ESPNU Live Stream

Morgan State  Bears (4-6, 4-2 MEAC) at South Carolina State Bulldogs (7-3, 5-1 MEAC)
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Dawson Bulldog Stadium (22,000)
Orangeburg, S.C.

THE BROADCASTS
Television: ESPNU, Mark Neely will call the play-by-play and Jay Walker is the color analyst.
Radio: On the radio, "The Voice of the Bears" Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play and Kelvin Bridgers will provide color analysis. The game can be heard on WEAA (88.9 FM) in Baltimore, and the Heritage Sports Network on Sirius channel 110   (HSRN.com).

GAME TIME
The Bears (4-6, 4-2) will travel to square-off against the South Carolina State Bulldogs in a Mid-Eastern Conference matchup on Thursday (Nov. 14) in Orangeburg (S.C.). Head coach Buddy Pough leads the Bulldogs. South Carolina State (6-3, 4-1) extended to a 2-game winning streak after a 25-21 conference victory against Florida A&M last Saturday in Orangeburg. The Bears needed a field goal at the buzzer to complete a thrilling comeback 24-23 victory against North Carolina A&T at Hughes Stadium. Donald Hill-Eley, ranked third among winning coaches at MSU, enters his 12th year as head coach of the Bears.  Game time at Dawson Bulldog Stadium is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPNU. There will also be a live radio broadcast of the game on WEAA, 88.9 FM and the Heritage Sports Network on Sirius channel 110.

THE BEARS-BULLDOGS MATCHUP
• The Bears and Bulldogs will meet for the 36th time since 1971 ... South Carolina State leads the series 29-5-1.
• MSU won the first matchup in 1971 by a score of 21-0; SCSU has won eight straight against the Bears, including a 32-10 win at Hughes Stadium on Nov. 12, 2010.
• Last time against the Bulldogs (Nov. 12, 2010) … The Bears couldn't stop No. 15 South Carolina State's big-play offense and couldn't get away from the Bulldogs' attacking defense. Those were the main reasons South Carolina State handed the Bears a 32-10 loss in an ESPNU nationally televised game at Hughes Stadium.
The Bulldogs sacked Morgan State freshman quarterback Delonte Williams eight times and forced him to run for his life time and again. In the first half, the Bears gained 183 yards, but they posted minus-29 yards in the second half -- when they gave up a safety and couldn't get going.
• The last time the Bears defeated by S.C. State was on Nov. 16, 2002 ... Morgan State is 1-8 against South Carolina State under Coach Hill ... his single win was during his first season at the helm when his Bears travelled to Orangeburg and came away with a shocking 23-12 victory.

ABOUT THE BULLDOGS
• Oliver "Buddy" Pough is in his 12th season as head football coach at South Carolina State, his alma mater. Since succeeding head coach emeritus Willie Jeffries as Bulldog head coach in 2002, Pough has established SC State football as one of the top programs in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). During an 11-year tenure at the school his teams have also captured two MEAC titles (2008 & 2009) outright, shared two others (2004, 2010), and made three trips to the prestigious FCS playoffs (2008, 2009 and 2010). His overall and conference records at SC State trail only Jeffries.
• South Carolina State returns 40 lettermen, including 17 starters from last year's team.
• In 2012, the Bulldogs finished with a 5-6 overall record and 4-4 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC).
• R-Senior QB Richard Cue (6-1, 180) leads the Bulldogs offense by completing 112 of 201 passes for 1,308 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's currently completing 55.7 percent of his passes (No. in MEAC in pass efficiency) and has thrown a total of 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
• MSU's defense will have to also account for standout senior WR Tyler McDonald (6-3, 190) is the MEAC's leading receiver by averaging 80.6 yards per game. Through nine games he has 37 receptions for 725 yards and has scored six touchdowns.
• The Bulldogs also have a potent ground game led by freshman RB Justin Taylor.  The Atlanta, Ga. product ranks among the league leaders in rushing with 538 yards on 153 carries (Ranked 4th in the MEAC) and has scored six rushing TDs.
• MSU's offense will have to account for senior defender Joe Thomas. Thomas, a 6-0, 230 pound LB, ranks No. 5 in the MEAC with 88 tackles (63 solo).

QUICK HITS
• MSU will enter the 2013 season with a number of veterans ... the Bears' roster includes 13 seniors and 15 juniors.
• The Bears backfield lost All-MEAC running back Travis "Juice" Davidson to graduation, however the backfield is loaded with talented young players like Lamont Brown III, Herb Walker Jr., Tracy Martin and Orlando Johnson who will compete for the starting RB spot.
• Morgan State ranks 5th in MEAC total offense by averaging 321.7 yards per game (5.1 per play).
• MSU ranks No. 3 in the MEAC in running the ball … The Bears are averaging 182.3 yards per game on 445 carries and have scored 14 TDs on the ground.
• Redshirt-freshman running back Lamont Brown III ranks No 6 in the MEAC in rushing with 571 yards on 122 attempts and has scored three TDs.
• Morgan State ranks 3^rd in MEAC pass efficiency (122.4).
•  The Bears defense will attempt to record their 10 straight game of registering a turnover ... they recorded an interception  in their last game against North Carolina A&T.
•  The Bears added four new coaches to the 2013 staff ... the new coaches are: Jerry Holmes (DC), Gordon Gregory (OC), LeAndre Creamer (DB) and Marcus Gladden (OL).

RUN GAME POWERS OFFENSE … Morgan State's rushing game has powered the team to a No. 3 ranking in the MEAC (182.3 ypg), Tied-5th in scoring (21.0 ppg) and 5th in total offense (321.7 ypg). Morgan State's 1,823 rushing yards through the first 10 games is already more than they recorded during the 2012 season (1,647 yards) … in fact, it's already the most rushing yards gained in the last four years. With three games remaining on the schedule, the Bears are on pace to eclipse the 2,040 rushing yards they posted during the 2008 season...just 218 yards to go.

TIME IS ON OUR SIDE ... The Bears have notched four games with a time of possession of more than 40 minutes. The Bears held a season-high 41:01 - 28:48 advantage in the win at NCCU. The Bears currently rank among the league leaders ranked No. 3 in the MEAC in time of possession (32:01 avg/g).

FINISHING TOUCHES ... Morgan State has been pretty good this season when it comes to scoring in the red zone. Through the first nine games, the Bears have scored 23-of-29 (79%) times inside its opponent's 20 yardline. MSU ranks No. 5 in the MEAC in red zone scoring.

GETTING DEFENSIVE ... The Morgan State defense has seven players with at least 30 tackles so far this season.
• Junior linebacker Cody Acker leads the way with 85 stops (T-12th in MEAC), including a season-high 14 tackles against Norfolk State (Sept. 28).
• The next highest is senior Darien Irby who has posted 50 tackles from his starting strong safety position.

NO SACKS FOR YOU … The Morgan State offensive line has been one of the toughest teams to sack in the conference. The Bears currently rank No. 3 in the MEAC by limiting opponents to 16 sacks in 10 games.

COLLECTING INTERCEPTIONS … The Bears have recorded 12 interceptions through nine games. CB Deshaun Summers and S Paul Eatman leads the way with three picks apiece, followed by CB Joe Rankin has a pair of INTs, while SS Peterson Janvier and LBs Bill Hill and Cody Acker each have an interception to their credit. MSU currently ranks T-No. 26 in the FCS in interceptions (No. 4 in the MEAC) and ranks No. 3 in pass defense by limiting opponents to 150.1 yards per game.

NOTABLE NATIONAL NOTES … Here are a few national statistics of note on offense, defense and special teams that pertain to the Bears:

• Morgan State is 15th nationally in net punting (38.4) and redshirt freshman punter Lawrence Forbes ranks No. 3 (45.2 avg) and has dropped 12 of his 41 punts inside of the opponents' 20-yard line.
•  Morgan State is 10th nationally in punt returns (2nd in the MEAC - 13.5).
•  The Bears offense ranks 22nd nationally in time of possession (32 avg TOP).
•  MSU 14th nationally in passing yards per completion (13.7).
•  Morgan State's pass defense ranks 3rd nationally by limiting opponents to 150.1 passing yards per game.
•  Junior linebacker Cody Acker ranks 2oth nationally in solo tackles (56).

NEXT GAME: November 23, 2013, 2 PM at Delaware State Hornets, Dover, Delaware.

2013 MEAC STANDINGS

TEAMS	MEAC	ALL
Bethune-Cookman	5-1	8-2 Tied 1st Place
South Carolina State	5-1	7-3 Tied 1st Place
Delaware State	4-2	4-5 Tied 2nd Place
Hampton	4-2	4-6 Tied 2nd Place
Morgan State	4-2	4-6 Tied 2nd Place
Norfolk State	3-3	3-7
Howard	3-4	4-6
North Carolina A&T	2-4	5-4
NC Central	2-4	4-6
Florida A&M	2-4	3-7
Savannah State	0-7	1-10

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

STAYING THE COURSE: Pough, S.C. State Bulldogs know they have to keep winning for shot at goals

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- “Staying the course” may best sum up the coaching philosophy of South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough.

Like a captain who keeps a ship steered toward the final destination through treacherous waters numerous times, Pough has adopted a similar approach during his 12 seasons with the Bulldogs. The end result is 95 victories, four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles, three Football Championship Subdivision playoff appearances and only one losing season.

“Staying the course” is once again the approach for S.C. State with two games remaining in the regular season. Despite moving back into a first-place tie with Bethune-Cookman in the conference title race, Pough remains unchanged in his belief the Bulldogs’ best chance at the FCS playoffs is an at-large berth.

“We were pretty much resigned to the fact that we had to win out regardless” said Pough earlier this week. “We’ve got to play well. That’s my biggest concern right now.”

This means S.C. State (7-3, 5-1) taking advantage of opportunities like tonight’s nationally televised home finale on Willie Jeffries Field at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium against Morgan State (4-6, 4-2) to impress those with influence on the FCS top 25 polls and playoff committee.



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B-CU's loss buoys MEAC foes

B-CU Coach Brian Jenkins

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA — While coach Brian Jenkins and his Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are trying to make sense of their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss in more than two years, their opponents are trying to process an unfamiliar feeling of their own.

 

Hope.

 

“It's really done a lot for us,'' South Carolina State coach Buddy Pough said of B-CU's stunning 27-24 loss to Norfolk State last Saturday. “We've got new life.''B

 

Pough said that after the Wildcats knocked off his Bulldogs 14-3 three weeks ago, “I never thought Bethune would lose one game.''

 

Now, he's hoping for two.

 

The 18th-ranked Wildcats (8-2, 5-1) will clinch their second straight MEAC title if they win their final two regular-season games, but their aura of invincibility — cultivated over an 18-game conference winning streak — has begun to fade.

 

“We have a great opportunity now,'' said Hampton coach Donovan Rose, whose squad will face B-CU at 4 p.m. Saturday at Municipal Stadium. “The kids are excited.''

 

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Four Lady WSSU Rams Named to All-CIAA Team

Courtesy WSSU Rams Athletics

VIRGINIA BEACH, Virginia – Five Winston-Salem State Lady Rams volleyball players were honored, Tuesday morning when the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced its all-conference honors.  Four Winston-Salem State Lady Rams were named to the 2013 All-CIAA Team after the team posted a 14-2 record in conference play and took home the 2013 CIAA Southern Division title.

The WSSU trio of senior outside hitter Katelin Wensley, junior setter Kayla Brass, and sophomore right side hitter Olivia Owens all earned first team All-CIAA honors. Wensley took home the honors after leading the team with 213 total kills and she also added 187 digs to rank second on the team.

Brass took home first team All-CIAA honors for the second straight season after placing second in the conference with 574 assists. She also added 57 kills. Owens will make her first appearance on the All-CIAA team after earning a spot on the conference all-rookie team last season. This season, she finished second on the team with 186 kills and led the team with 78 total blocks (six solo).

The Lady Rams also had just one player earn second-team All-CIAA honors. WSSU senior outside hitter Avoni Seymour earned second-team All-CIAA honors for the second straight season after totaling 146 kills, 28 service aces, and 176 digs.

WSSU freshman middle blocker Jocelyn Mills earned a spot on the CIAA All-Rookie team. She earned the honor after totaling 74 kills with 40 total blocks (five solo).

The Lady Rams will return to action, Saturday morning when the team takes part in the semifinal round of the 2013 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Volleyball Championship Tournament at the C.E. Gaines Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University.

For more information on Lady Rams volleyball, contact the WSSU Office of Athletic Media Relations at (336) 750-2143 or log on to www.WSSURams.com.

COURTESY WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Ram Ramblings: WSSU volleyball team also chasing CIAA title

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- While most of the attention will be on Winston-Salem State football this weekend there will be another team chasing a CIAA title.

The WSSU volleyball team will be at the Gaines Center on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. playing Virginia State in the semifinals of the CIAA volleyball tournament. The Rams are 17-11 and are chasing their first-ever volleyball conference championship.

First-year Coach Andi Henderson has turned around a program that last season finished fourth in the Southern Division. This season the Rams finished first in the division.

When I reminded Henderson that most folks are eating, breathing and sleeping football she was quick with a retort.

“Well, we eat, breath and sleep volleyball,” she said. “We know it’s a big weekend for us so we are looking forward to it.”

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TSU Mourns the Loss of John Barnhill

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  Today, the Tennessee State family mourns the loss of John Barnhill, one of the greatest basketball players to compete at the university.

John Barnhill was the point guard on TSU's NAIA 1957-59 National Championship Teams and he assisted legendary TSU alum Dick Barnett on many of his buckets. Barnhill was good around the basket too, tallying 1,253 points during his career as a Tiger.

Barnhill’s career point number ranks him 19^th all-time, which is quite impressive considering the hundreds of Tigers that have played at TSU since the 62 years since he retired.

Barnhill’s ability around the bucket and the publicity of the titles made professional teams take note of him.

In 1959, the NBA’s St. Louis Hawks took a chance on Barnhill with their 11^th round draft pick.

Barnhill played an average of 21 quality minutes per game for the Hawks, and tallied 8.5 points per game.

A few years later, in 1966, the Chicago Bulls were set to join the NBA. The Bulls liked what they saw from Barnhill and gained the rights to draft the guard from Barnhill’s old team. 

Barnhill never played for the Bulls, as the Baltimore Bullets bought his rights from Chicago. Barnhill averaged eight points per contest with the Bullets, causing him to get drafted by the NBA’s newest team- the San Diego Rockets.

Barnhill averaged 13 points and four assists per game during his NBA career.

Following his playing career, Barnhill was an NBA assistant coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, assisting Bill Sharman; he acted as the Lakers' interim coach during the 1974-75 season, while Sharman's wife was ill with cancer

Barnhill eventually ended his career with the Indiana Pacers of the ABA in 1972, and was inducted into the Tennessee State Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.

He will be remembered as a student, player, leader, champion and a Tiger. Barnhill was 75.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SPOKEN 4 COMMUNICATIONS Game Preview : Norfolk State at North Carolina Central

DURHAM, North Carolina  -- Spoken 4 Communications presents the game preview for Senior Day 2013 as the Eagles of North Carolina Central University take on the Spartans of Norfolk State for the 11th time in program history.  Play-by-play voice of the NCCU Sports Network Chris Hooks chats with NCCU head coach Dwayne Foster to break down the X's and O's of the matchup.

For more information of Spoken 4 Communications, check out the website at www.Spoken-4.com. Spoken 4 Communications, Because Every Child Deserves to be Heard.


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Road Stint Continues for TSU Lady Tigers at Troy

GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS | AUDIO | VIDEO 

 

GAMEDAY

The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team will continue its season-opening road stretch on Friday when the Lady Tigers face the Trojans of Troy University. Game time is slated for 12 noon in Trojan Arena. 

 

THE LADY TIGERS AT A GLANCE

Tennessee State dropped its first two contests of the season falling to Big 12 Kansas State and Kennesaw State on the road. In the Lady Tiger’s most recent loss to KSU, redshirt junior Chelsea Hudson recorded 36 points and 10 rebounds.

 

After two games, TSU is averaging 60.5 points per game while shooting 32.8 percent from the field. Hudson (26.0 ppg) and Rachel Allen (8.0 ppg) are the team’s leading scorers.

 

The Lady Tigers, under second year head coach Larry Joe Inman, returned four letter winners from last year’s squad and added eight newcomers, including seven freshmen, to the roster.

 

TSU finished last season with an overall record of 13-15 and a 9-7 conference mark. In an Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll that was released in October, TSU was predicted to finish fifth in the East Division standings.

 

LAST TIME OUT

Tennessee State dropped a heartbreaker to Kennesaw State on the road. In a battle that came down to two last second free-throws, TSU fell to KSU, 70-68. Chelsea Hudson recorded her fourth career double-double with a game-high 36 points and 10 rebounds. Rachel Allen had 10 points and six steals in the game.

 

TSU shot 40 percent from the field but only managed to connect, 2-of-15 from long range.

 

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

Troy (2-0) has won its first two contests of the season most recently defeating Florida A&M, 100-88. The Trojans used a 20-4 run to put away the Rattlers.

 

In the win, five players scored in double-digits led by Beverly-Kelly’s 23. Joanna Harden (20), Brooke Bowie (16), Dominique Ross 14) and Kourtney Coleman (13) also posted double-figures in the rout.

 

Following two contests, Troy is averaging 88.5 points per game behind a 41.7 field goal percentage. The Trojans are 18-of-45 (.400) from three-point range.

 

Troy  averages 47.0 rebounds, 16.0 assists, 22.5 turnovers and 9.0 steals per outing.

 

TSU vs. TROY

Tennessee State and Troy will meet for the first time in the two programs’ history.

 

COVERAGE

Live audio and live stats will be available for the TSU vs. Troy game for free. There will also be an online video stream of the game (subscription required). Links the live stats, audio and video can be found on tsutigers.com under the women’s basketball schedule.

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Tennessee State will wrap up its road slate with a contest at Florida A&M on Sunday, Nov. 17. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET at the Al Lawson Center.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

2013 ALL-CIAA Football Honors Announced

Hampton, Virginia  – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association announces its All-CIAA Football Honors including; All-First Team Offense, All-Second Team Offense, All-First Team Defense, All-Second Team Defense and the 2013 All-CIAA Football Players of the Year. The championship game will kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 16, 2013 at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. between Virginia State University and Winston-Salem State University.

2013 ALL-CIAA FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
TIGHTEND
#	NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
86	Khari Lee	BSU	JR	6'4	250	Banking & Finance	Baltimore, MD
LINEMAN
77	Omar Fahnbulleh	BSU	SR	6'1	295	Accounting	Silver Spring, MD
78	Kevin Alfonso	FSU	SR	6'0	275	Pre-Education	Rockingham,NC
76	Jeremy Gatson	SU	SR	6'4	325	Recreation	Rochester, NY
72	Michael Sabb	WSSU	JR	6'4	295	Exercise Science	Raleigh, NC
79	Ronnie Ransome	VSU	SO	6'1	300	Sociology	Petersburg, VA
WIDE RECEIVER
86	Robert Holland	CU	SR	6'3	190	Interdisciplinary Studies	Newport News, VA
4	Akeen Jordan	LU	JR	6'3	215	Business	Washington, DC
QUARTERBACK
7	Rudy Johnson	WSSU	JR	6'2	205	Communications	San Diego, CA
RUNNING BACK
7	Marquise Grizzle	SU	SO	5'7	185	Physical Education	Camden, NC
2	Jordan Anderson	VSU	GRAD	6'0	215	Education	Houston, TX
PLACE KICKER
NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
89	Mario Diaz-Aviles	BSU	JR	5'9	240	Elementary Education	Washington, DC
KICK RETURNER
NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
1	Darnell Evans	SU	SR	5'8	180	Recreation	Madison, NJ
2013 ALL-CIAA FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
LINEMAN
#	NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
10	Anthony McDaniel	BSU	JR	6'1	280	Sport Management	Ft. Washington, MD
33	Jovantey Williams	JCSU	JR	6'3	250	Sport Management	Stone Mountain, GA
52	Shonquez Nelson	SAU	SR	6'1	290	Biology	Lake City, SC
49	Donnie Owens	WSSU	SR	6'3	295	Mass Communications	Fayetteville, NC
LINE BACKERS
33	Kenneth White	LC	JR	6'0	190	Business	Salisbury, NC
3	Chaz Robinson	SAU	SR	5'11	220	Sport Management	Hampton, VA
44	Carlos Fields	WSSU	SR	6'2	220	Math Education	Henderson, NC
DEFENSIVE BACKS
1	Nigel Rios	ECSU	SR	5'9	170	Business	Washington, DC
18	Michael Johnson	FSU	JR	6'3	191	Criminal Justice	Raleigh, NC
1	Darnell Evans	SU	SR	5'8	180	Recreation	Madison, NJ
1	Sean Smith	VSU	SR	5'10	175	HPER	Atlanta, GA
PUNTERS
41	Kyle Jaski	LU	JR	5'10	195	Criminal Justice	Baltimore, MD
PUNT RETURNERS
1	Darnell Evans	SU	SR	5'8	180	Recreation	Madison, NJ
2013 ALL-CIAA SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
TIGHTEND
#	NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
40	Jerry Chandler	WSSU	SR	6'6	285	Physical Education	High Point, NC
LINEMAN
67	Austin Hochman	BSU	JR	6'5	295	Communications	Annapolis, MD
56	Blade Shoop	FSU	SR	6'3	320	Pre-Education	Southern Pines, NC
55	Rico Arellano	JCSU	SR	6'6	290	Sport Management	Charlotte, NC
78	Audarius Blackwood	SAU	SR	6'5	285	Business Administration	Morrisville, NA
60	Bryan Davis	WSSU	SR	6'3	290	Computer Science	Lithia Springs, GA
WIDE RECEIVER
82	Keith Strickland	ECSU	SR	5'10	180	Accounting	Rocky Mount, NC
5	Tehvyn Brantley	WSSU	SR	5'8	165	Physical Education	Queens, NY
QUARTERBACK
1	Keahn Wallace	JCSU	JR	6'2	225	Sport Management	Homestead, FL
RUNNING BACK
5	Keith Brown	BSU	JR	5'9	212	Communications	Temple Hills, MD
11	Petey Boone	ECSU	SO	6'1	235	Sport Management	Ahoskie, NC
PLACE KICKER
13	Antonio Mayo	FSU	JR	6'0	185	Communications	Jacksonville, NC
KICK RETURNER
3	Matias Parker	VUU	SR	5'9	173	Management	Chesapeake, VA
2013 ALL-CIAA SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
LINEMAN
#	NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
93	Ronald Lewis	VSU	JR	6'2	285	Math	Virginia Beach, VA
96	Aeon Blake	CU	SR	6'4	240	SSPE	Kissimmee, FL
53	Chris Roberts	SAU	SO	6'3	235	Sport Management	Albany, GA
93	Casey Davenport	WSSU	JR	6'2	245	Marketing	Baltimore, MD
LINE BACKERS
41	Jason Ampy	CU	SR	5'10	215	Business Management	Sutherland, VA
31	Anthony Allen	JCSU	JR	6'1	230	Business Marketing	Lithonia, GA
38	Daniel Mungin	WSSU	SR	5'10	205	Mass Communications	Savannah, GA
DEFENSIVE BACKS
7	Curtis Pumphrey	BSU	SO	5'8	165	Business Management	Laurel, MD
20	DaKorion DeSamme	CU	SR	5'11	195	Business Administration	Riviera Beach, FL
30	Chris Ellerbe	SU	JR	5'7	175	Business	Anson, NC
20	Virginior Loiseau	VSU	SR	6'1	200	Sport Psychology	Ft. Meyers, FL
PUNTERS
9	Brett Symonds	ECSU	SR	5'10	165	Sport Management	Temecula, CA
PUNT RETURNERS
NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
2	Antonio Huff	ECSU	SO	5'9	165	Accounting	Washington, DC
2013 ALL-CIAA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
#	NAME	SCHOOL	CLASS	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	MAJOR	HOMETOWN
86	Robert Holland	CU	SR	6'3	190	Interdisciplinary Studies	Newport News, VA
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
3	Chaz Robinson	SAU	SR	5'11	220	Sport Management	Hampton, VA
44	Carlos Fields	WSSU	SR	6'2	220	Math Education	Henderson, NC
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1	Darnell Evans	SU	SR	5'9	180	Recreation	Madison, NJ

COURTESY THECIAA.COM

CIAA title-game foes are intriguing matchup between WSSU and Virginia State

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- It doesn’t happen often in the CIAA, but the two schools playing in the league’s championship game at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday are both ranked in the top 25 in Division II football poll.

Ninth-ranked Winston-Salem State, the two-time defending CIAA champion, will take on No. 22 Virginia State at 1 p.m. in one of the more intriguing title games in a long time. Both teams are 9-1 and they have yet to face each other since WSSU re-joined the CIAA before the 2010 season.
The Rams, who are 44-5 in Coach Connell Maynor’s four seasons, have played everybody in the CIAA at least once since 2010 — except for Virginia State and Lincoln (Pa.).

"We have a good Virginia State team coming in here, so we have to be ready,” Maynor said. “(They have) a great coach who has turned them around and got them 9-1, so they are going to come in here thinking they can beat us.



CONTINUE READING

CIAA commissioner has hopes for record crowd at title game

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Two top-25 teams, a large stadium and favorable weather could add up to record-setting attendance for Saturday’s CIAA football championship game.

Jacquie Carpenter, the CIAA commissioner, has high hopes, saying “I’d like to think we could” set the record.

No. 9 Winston-Salem State will play No. 22 Virginia State at 1 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium, which seats about 15,000. Both teams are 9-1 and have not met since 2003. The attendance record for the title game is 11,562, set in 2006 when N.C. Central played Elizabeth City State in Durham.

“It’s exciting with two great teams in the game,” Carpenter said. “Virginia State with a first-year coach (Latrell Scott) who has turned it around so fast is amazing.”

The title game also has Division II playoff implications. WSSU is ranked No. 2 in Super Region One, and Virginia State is No. 6. The top six teams in each region will receive playoff berths.

Ticketmaster Link

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Tournament MVP Haywood is GCAC Player of the Week

Claudia Haywood

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Claudia Haywood, the MVP of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball tournament, earned the GCAC Player of the Week award for Nov. 4-10.
   
It's the final weekly honor of the 2013 season and the fifth for Xavier. Haywood, a sophomore middle blocker from Memphis, Tenn., and a graduate of Cordova High School, is a first-time recipient.
   
Haywood hit .441 with 21 kills and nine blocks in three tournament matches. She hit .500 with nine blocks in the final two rounds and had nine kills and a season-high-tying six blocks in the Gold Nuggets' 25-23, 25-18, 25-15 championship victory against SUNO on Saturday. Haywood had four kills and four blocks in the final set of the championship match and ended the tournament with a kill.
   
The GCAC Tournament title earned Xavier an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 23. The tournament championship and bid to nationals are the third in a row for the Gold Nuggets, who are 26-7 and have a school-record 20-match win streak. The NAIA will announce tournament pairings Monday.


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

WSSU's Connell Maynor Talks Upcoming CIAA Title Game

Albany State to face Miles in the SIAC Centennial Football Championship Game

ATLANTA, Georgia  -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Centennial Football Championship game is set, as East Division Champions Albany State University will play against West Division Champions Miles College on Saturday, November 16, 7 p.m. at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

The game will feature a regular season rematch where Miles defeated Albany State 22-14 in a late September matchup that was played at Albert J. Sloan Stadium in Fairfield, Ala. In addition, the Golden Bears defeated Albany State in 2011 as the two teams also played in the inaugural SIAC Football Championship Game.

The conference will also host the SIAC Football Legends Symposium, which will feature a panel of former SIAC stars that include Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rayfield Wright (Fort Valley State), Super Bowl Champions Nick Harper (Fort Valley State) and Tyrone Poole (Fort Valley State), along with former All-Pro Greg Lloyd (Fort Valley State) and veteran Frank Walker (Tuskegee).  The event will take place at the Leadership building on the campus of Morehouse College at 4 p.m.

The SIAC Centennial Football Championship Press Conference will be held Friday, November 15, at 11 am (EST) in the media room at Lakewood Stadium. The press conference will feature each head coach, as well as two players from Albany State and Miles.

Advanced tickets can be purchased online for $20 by visiting www.thesiactickets.com through the close of business on Thursday, November 14.  Tickets will also be sold at the Lakewood Stadium box office on the day of the game. Adult tickets will be sold for $20, while tickets for children (under the age of 12) are only $10.

All media members that wish to cover the SIAC Championship game are asked to complete the Media Request Form http://www.thesiac.com/sb_output.aspx?form=12&.

Tailgating and Vending opportunities will be available at Lakewood Stadium. For all interested vendors and tailgaters please click on the link to complete applications below.

On game day, parking at Lakewood Stadium will be $10.

Merchandise Venders   clicking here
Food Vendors  click here
Tailgators click here

2013 SIAC Football Championship
Sat 11/16/2013 7:00 PM ET
Lakewood Stadium / Atlanta, GA

Tuskegee currently out of Division II playoff bubble

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- Tuskegee’s worst fears were confirmed Monday evening.

The Golden Tigers (8-2) dropped from playoff positioning in the newly released NCAA Division II region rankings, slipping to No. 7 in Super Region 2 following Saturday’s deflating 41-36 setback to Miles College in the SIAC regular-season finale.

Only the top six schools for their respective regional will earn a berth into the postseason. Participants and seeding for this year’s field will be announced during the Division II playoff selection show at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tuskegee appeared to be a lock to secure the school’s first-ever postseason berth heading into the weekend. Head coach Willie Slater’s squad had a season-best six-game winning streak going before crumbling — four first-half turnovers — in front of the home crowd at Cleve L. Abbott Stadium.



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CIAA Championship Notes: Bowman Gray turf in line for a touch-up

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- The turf at Bowman Gray Stadium is brown with dormant Bermuda grass, and that means it’s playoff time.

But by Saturday, when Winston-Salem State and Virginia State will play for the CIAA championship, the field will be a freshly painted green.

The CIAA is paying for the grass to be painted, and a crew from the Winston-Salem Dash will do the work. The Dash also helped last season, painting the field for WSSU’s playoff run.

“ The conference wanted it to look better on TV, and it will look better for the fans,” said Kevin Manns , an assistant athletics director at WSSU.

The game is scheduled to be televised on the A SPiRE network (Time Warner digital 288).

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Morgan State football back in contention for MEAC championship

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- A week ago, the Morgan State football team didn't seem to have a shot at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship. Now, the Bears are back in contention.

Morgan State’s 24-23 victory against North Carolina A&T on Saturday helped the team improve to 4-6 overall and 4-2 in the league. Coupled with a 27-24 loss by No. 18 Bethune-Cookman (8-2, 5-1) to Norfolk State, the Bears now trail the Wildcats and South Carolina State (7-3, 5-1) by one game in the conference standings.

“There’s still a lot of football to be played,” Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley said Tuesday during the MEAC conference call. “There’s still a couple weeks of football to be played, and [the race for the league championship] exists more than it did before Bethune-Cookman lost to Norfolk. Bethune-Cookman’s a good team, and good teams respond to adversity. So I’m sure Coach [Brian] Jenkins understands what he has to do. He’s proven that year in and year out, and he’ll have his guys ready to play and they’ll fight to maintain their championship and everybody else will scratch and fight to try to get it.”

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SU Jaguars seniors have much to celebrate

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- College football teams traditionally honor their seniors when they play their final home game, as Southern will do when it plays Clark Atlanta in its home finale Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

But the outgoing Jaguars and their teammates have made this Senior Day even more memorable than a normal football commencement.

Southern returns home after consecutive road wins to play its first home game as the freshly crowned champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division.

If the Jaguars beat Clark, they will clinch their first winning season since 2009 before the seniors head off into the sunset with the Bayou Classic game against Grambling on Nov. 30 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and the SWAC Championship Game against Jackson State on Dec. 7 in Houston.

In other words, Senior Day could be just the beginning of a lengthy celebration for a senior class that has had so little to celebrate previously, finishing 2-9 in 2010 and 4-7 each of the past two seasons.

WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

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JSU Tigers to face Ole Miss Rebels in NCAAs

OXFORD, Mississippi -- Jackson State held its breath until the end of the NCAA Soccer Selection Show on Monday.

So did Ole Miss.

The Lady Tigers face the Lady Rebels in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament 7 p.m. Friday at the Ole Miss Soccer Complex in Oxford.

“It’s great that it’s an in-state opponent,” Jackson State coach Dean Joseph said. “I think it’s something that brings a little more interest to the task.”

The Lady Tigers defeated Alabama State 1-0 Sunday to capture the 2013 SWAC championship, the second time in program history.

Junior goalkeeper Taylor Emerson was named the tournament’s MVP with 12 saves.

A look ahead at Alabama A&M vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Here's this week's "Mondays with Anthony," all you need to know and more about Alabama A&M football.

This week: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-7 overall, 2-5 in the SWAC) at Alabama A&M (3-7, 3-5 in the SWAC), 1 p.m., Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville.

Last week: The Bulldogs had a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, but Jackson State stormed back for a 26-20 lead, clinched only after the visitors recovered a last-minute onside kick.

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Prairie View A&M selects PBK Sports to design Football Stadium & Athletic Field House

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M University has awarded the design work for a new 15,000 seat stadium and athletic field house to PBK’s Sports Division. This new facility is set to replace the existing stadium, which was built in 1960 and seats only 6,000 people.

Prairie View’s new stadium will continue the design theme of the campus and function as a football field, soccer field, and concert space. The Home Grandstand will have a capacity of 9,000, with its counterpart having a 6,000 seat capacity. The 15,000 seat stadium will include 500 premium club seats, a Presidential Suite, an Athletic Director’s Suite and ten luxury suites. The press level will have TV/radio broadcasting capabilities complete with booths for audio visual control, statistics, replay, print and digital media. The stadium design will allow for a future expansion of 15,000 additional seats bringing the total capacity of the stadium to 30,000.

The accompanying field house will be a two story facility with views into the bowl from south facing spaces. Complete with a sports medicine suite, four team meeting rooms, locker rooms for football, men’s track, women’s track, women’s soccer, and officials this athletic field house will be a state of the art facility and designed to accommodate Prairie Views’ needs. The field house will also serve education and administrative functions. These functions are facilitated with offices, support spaces, study halls and a conference room.

The new stadium is slated for completion in June 2016.

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Holmes' lawsuit against Hampton U. dismissed

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton University announced Monday that a lawsuit brought by former football coach Jerry Holmes against the school was effectively dismissed.

The state Supreme Court, on an order dated Sept. 26, refused to grant Holmes' appeal of a previous ruling by the Hampton Circuit Court. Holmes chose not to appeal the Supreme Court's ruling, HU spokesperson Yuri Milligan said.

Though the ruling occurred weeks ago, Milligan said that she had not received the information from the school's legal department until Monday.

Holmes sued Hampton U. in 2011 for nearly $7 million, claiming that statements made by then-athletic director Lonza Hardy and former director of human resources Angela Dunn were false and defamatory and had damaged his professional reputation, in the wake of his dismissal in January 2009.

Hardy said that Holmes was dismissed after one year as head coach because he was networking for a professional assistant coach's position at the Senior Bowl, the postseason college all-star game in Mobile, Ala.

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