Put Up Or Shut Up: Texas State Hosts Confident Arkansas Pine-Bluff Golden Lions

PHOTO COURTESY UAPB GOLDEN LIONS ATHLETICS

The Golden Lions' coaches and players weren't afraid to talk smack to Texas State this week. Can they strut out of San Marcos with a shocking upset?

LOCATION: Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX

TV: ESPN3

Radio: 105.3 FM (Austin)/89.9 FM (San Marcos)/930 AM (San Antonio)

When: 6:00 PM CT

Weather: 94°F, 50% chance of rain

Know Your Enemy
After winning the SWAC in 2012, UAPB completely cratered in 2013 en route to a 2-9 record. Things were so bad that their only wins were against a Mississippi Valley State team with the same record and Grambling State, who straight up refused to play a football game at one point.

Despite last year's woes and being picked to finish 6th in one of the worst conferences in FCS, Coach Monte Coleman and his players apparently decided that giving Texas State a truckload of locker room material was a good idea. So much for the element of surprise.

The Golden Lions gave up almost 280 yards on the ground per game, which is enough to make Texas State's solid running back corps salivate. On the other side of the ball, UAPB was able to average around 28 points and 255 passing yards per game, but against non-SWAC opponents Arkansas State and McNeese State they were held to 11 and 14 points, respectively.

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Head coaches, quarterbacks mirror each other

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  In a lot of ways, Earl Holmes and Harold Jackson's coaching careers mirror each other's.

The two newcomers to college football head-coaching go head-to-head today when in the W.C Gorden Classic. Holmes is in his second season at FAMU, while Jackson is in his first season as the Tigers' head coach.

The two teams are meeting for the first since FAMU defeated JSU 11 years ago in the Circle City Classic. Their reunion takes place at Veteran Stadium in Jackson, Miss.

Like Holmes, Jackson will put his offense in the hands of a quarterback who is coming off a season-ending injury as his starter today.

Quarterback La Montiez Ivy will be making his second career start after a season-ending legs injury in the Tigers' first game last year. FAMU's starter Damien Fleming also is coming off a foot injury that ended his 2013 season with two games left.

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Alabama State Tackle Terren Jone Cut as Falcons Makes Final Cuts to Get Roster to 53

The Falcons made the final round of their roster cuts Saturday, parting ways with veterans DT Travian Robertson and G Harland Gunn as part of the process

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have waived cornerback Ricardo Allen, safety Sean Baker, wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, guard Harland Gunn, tackle Terren Jones, wide receiver Bernard Reedy, defensive tackle Travian Robertson, tight end Mickey Shuler, and linebacker Jacques Smith. The club has also reached an injury settlement with wide receiver Geraldo Boldewijn

Jones, 6-7, 341 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on April 29, 2013. He was a three-time All-SWAC performer and an AFCA All-American following his senior season at Alabama State University.

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Game preview: Alabama State at Sam Houston State

FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY

1. Game film to watch: Sam Houston State has put it's season opener behind it, which may help the Bearkats erase first-game jitters. But it was beneficial to Alabama State as well, whose players and coaches gathered Saturday to watch the Bearkats' televised matchup against Eastern Washington. "It's better that they've played a game and we were able to see them," Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow said. "Last year, we played Jacksonville State, and they had a whole new coaching staff. It would have been the same way this year. That first game gave us a chance to see them, but I imagine it's a plus for them as well because they're able to see what kinks they need to work out." 

2. Freshman impact players: There are 10 freshmen on the ASU two-deep roster, but the biggest impact other than kicker may be at receiver, where Jamir Hannah is listed as a starting receiver and Josh Davis as a top reserve. "I think Jamir Hannah has just embraced that role," Barlow said. "His work ethic is unmatched. Everything he does is explosive and with a lot of energy. He's just a little more mature than his years, and he catches the ball well." Davis has been hampered by a heel injury, but before that, Barlow said "he was right there" with starters.

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Week 1 HBCU Football Showcase on ESPN

Watch HBCU Football on ESPN Family Networks if you are not there on GAME DAY!

SATURDAY 8/30
Morgan State at Eastern Michigan, ESPN3 at 6 p.m. ET
Southern at Louisiana-Lafayette, ESPN3 at 7 p.m. ET
Arkansas Pine Bluff at Texas State, ESPN3 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina Central at East Carolina, TV: ESPNews, 8 p.m. ET

SUNDAY 8/31
Alabama A&M vs. North Carolina A&T State, TV: ESPN, 11:45 a.m. ET

INTERNET: ESPN3 

ASPiRE To Televise ASU's Inaugural Classic

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- The Alabama State University football home opener will be televised live nationally on the ASPiRE Television Network.

The Hornets' Inaugural Classic game against Tennessee State on Sept. 6 will be shown on ASPiRE at 4 p.m. CT / 5 ET from New ASU Stadium.

ASPiRE is a television network that celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of African-Americans. ASPiRE offers a diverse programming mix of movies, series and specials featuring music, comedy, drama, faith/inspiration, theater/performing arts, lifestyle and news/information. The network was launched June 27, 2012 by Magic Johnson Enterprises, which acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. ASPiRE is available in about 20.6 million homes in 21 of the top 25 African-American markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, D.C.. For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/aspireTV and on Twitter @tvASPiRE.

Birmingham is the only current market in the state of Alabama which ASPiRE can be seen. (Broadcast map attached).

"We are always appreciative to have national television exposure for our programs," Alabama State Interim Athletic Director Melvin Hines said. "We're excited to bring the Alabama State University brand and the excitement of our home opener to the ASPiRE Network."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

XU's Fakler, Jackson finish first at Big Easy Opener

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Catherine Fakler set a school record for two miles, Kwame Jackson posted his second-fastest 5,000 meters, and both were individual winners Friday in the Xavier Big Easy Opener cross country meet at City Park.

Xavier won the women's team title. The Gold Nuggets had seven of the eight fastest finishers and scored 18 points.

Fakler finished in 12 minutes, 42.18 seconds to break Denitra Robinson's 2001 XU mark of 13:13. It was the sixth time that Fakler, the 2013 Louisiana Runner of the Year, has broken a school record. She also holds the 4K. 5K and 6K marks.

"I'm really excited to hold four records," said Fakler, a senior. "But I'm sure one of my teammates will break this record next year. I wish I could've gone faster."

Jackson, a two-time All-Louisiana runner and a two-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference champion, won the men's race in 16:21.57. The time is the second-fastest by a Gold Rush runner in the last 12 seasons; Jackson ran 16:12.13 as a freshman in 2011.

"I felt pretty good," Jackson said. "I was going for a time between 16 minutes and 16:30. I"m feeling a lot better about the season after today."

The XU men had the three fastest runners but did not qualify for team scoring because it did not have the minimum five runners. Edward Waters scored 16 points to win the men's team title.

Xavier's Briana Simms was second in the women's race in 13:13.18. Also competing for the Gold Nuggets were Ashley Flournoy (fourth place, 13:55.91), Hannah Finnegan (fifth, 14:06.54), Hali Yarmush (sixth, 14:07.55), Carlee Calais (seventh, 14:10.39) and Reeka Belton (eighth, 14:25.77). It was the first collegiate cross country meet for Flournoy and Calais.

In the men's race, Xavier's Brent Kitto was second in 16:38.94 and posted the sixth-fastest Gold Rush time of the last 12 seasons. Christopher August was third in 17:08.43, and Emmanuel Detiege was sixth in 18:43.15.

It was the first time since 2007 that Xavier competed in its home city. The Rush and Nuggets will be close to home in their second meet, the Louisiana Army National Guard/ROTC Wolf Pack Invitational in suburban Metairie, La., on Sept. 6.

"For the first meet of the year we didn't do bad," 10th-year XU coach Joseph Moses said. "We still need to do some work, but we'll be ready for next week."

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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THE EDITOR: DWIGHT FLOYD -- Lady Rattlers @Miami Hurricane Invitational

DWIGHT FLOYD
The Editor

Hurricane Invitational
Miami, Florida
Live stats for all games
8/29 versus Florida Gulf Coast 4:30 PM EST
8/30 versus Miami Hurricanes 12 PM EST
8/30 versus Seton Hall 5:30 PM EST

COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Tournament Notes
- Both Gulf Coast and FAMU have a small returning cadre and will rely on newcomers to set the tone for the season. In two tries FAMU has not beaten Florida Gulf Coast.

 - FAMU is 3-1 versus the Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are in the ACC along with Florida State.

 - The Seton Hall Pirates return all six of its starters from a team that won four of its five final games. This will be FAMU’s first meeting against Seton Hall.

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2014 Xavier University of Louisiana Men's Cross Country Preview

Schedule    Roster    Quick Facts    Men's Cross Country Home Page

NEW ORLEANS  --  Xavier University of Louisiana's Kwame Jackson will have a chance to run into the record book during the 2014 cross country season.

Jackson, a senior from Kingwood, Texas, will attempt to become the first runner, male or female, to win the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference individual championship three times. He finished first in the conference as a freshman in 2011 and again last season.

"Kwame has put in a lot of good miles for our program. He's worked hard in the classroom and has been successful there, too," 10th-year XU coach Joseph Moses said. "It would be great to see him get that third title. There's no doubt that he's capable of winning again. It would be a tremendous accomplishment for him and for Xavier. If Kwame is healthy on race day, he should be the favorite."

The Gold Rush also figure to be favored. XU's men will enter the season with active streaks of eight consecutive GCAC team championships, five consecutive GCAC individual champions and five straight 1-2-3 individual finishes at the GCAC meet.

Jackson, a two-time All-Louisiana selection, also will take aim at former teammate Matt Pieri's GCAC record of 13 Runner of the Week awards. Jackson has won nine times, including a GCAC-record-tying five times in 2013.

Four lettermen return from last season. The others are junior Brent Kitto, sophomore Christopher August and senior Emmanuel Detiege. Kitto and August finished 3-4 in the GCAC in 2013 in their debut seasons at Xavier, and Detiege has a pair of eighth-place finishes in the league.

Kitto produced four top-10 finishes last year and was Xavier's second-fastest finisher in the first four meets. August placed in the top 16 in 4-of-5 meets and beat 70 percent of the runners he faced.

"The top of our lineup is solid," Moses said. "We'll have a good chance to finish 1-2-3 in conference again."

The GCAC team champion will qualify automatically for the NAIA National Championships on Nov. 22 at Lawrence, Kan. Xavier's team reached nationals four of the past six seasons and sent an individual to that race last year. The GCAC meet will be Oct. 18 at City Park in New Orleans, and Xavier will be the host school.

Xavier will compete five times before the conference meet and begin the season Aug. 29 at City Park in the Xavier Big Easy Opener.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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TSU wants FAMU band in Tigers' homecoming

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Tennessee State University has put three offers on the table in an attempt to have FAMU's Marching 100 band perform at the Tigers' homecoming game against FAMU on Sept. 27 in Nashville.

Terms of the proposals were outlined in a letter TSU president Glenda Baskin Glover sent to the Tallahassee Democrat. Baskin Glover sent the letter in response to a story in the Tallahassee Democrat in which FAMU president Elmira Mangum said she has been negotiating unsuccessfully for several weeks to get an agreement to "share the cost" of the band's trip.

The letter was sent to Mangum on Tuesday, according to Kelli Sharpe, who handles public relations for TSU.

Transporting the band will cost $60,000, according to the TSU letter.

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The film won't be much help for ODU vs. Hampton

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- The 22 players on Old Dominion's scout teams have been forced to run a wide variety of offensive and defensive formations as the Monarchs prepare for Saturday's opener against Hampton University at Foreman Field.

Hampton has a new coaching staff, led by head coach Connell Maynor, who came from Winston-Salem State. He engineered a remarkable rebirth at Winston-Salem, going 45-6 in four seasons in which the Rams won two CIAA titles and went to the NCAA Division II playoffs three times.

Hampton defensive coordinator Kenny Phillips came from Fayetteville State, where he was the head coach the last 13 seasons.

Maynor ran a pro style offense at Winston-Salem, and had an equal balance between running and passing. But ODU coach Bobby Wilder said he isn't quite sure what to expect on Saturday.

Winston-Salem also ran the spread at times.

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Bearkats Host Alabama State in Home Opener Saturday

HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Sam Houston State puts the longest current FCS home winning streak on the line Saturday at 6:30 p.m. when the Bearkats play host to Alabama State at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.

The Kats kicked off their 99th season of football last week on ESPN national television at Cheney, Washington with a 56-35 loss to No. 1 Eastern Washington.

The matchup with the Hornets Saturday is "Orange Out 2014." Special orange t-shirts are on sale at Barefoot Athletics and Barnes & Noble. Game sponsors are Suddenlink and KSAM.

Sam Houston is 24-4 in home openers since moving its football home from Joseph Pritchett Field to Bowers Stadium in 1986. The Kats have won each of their last four home openers.

Overall in 28 seasons at Bowers Stadium, Sam Houston has rolled up a record of 110 victories, 42 losses and one tie. The Bearkats have gone unbeaten at home nine times.

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Southern University defense should be even better in 2014, LB Javon Allen said

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- After the first three games of the 2013 season, the Southern University defense was shell-shocked. The Jaguars had allowed Houston, Northwestern State and Prairie View 1,806 yards and 176 points.

That's an average of 602 yards and 58.6 points, both numbers, at the time, near the bottom of theSWAC and FCS schools.

Southern came out of that stretch 1-2 as the Jaguars offense was able to outgun Prairie View, 62-59, in overtime.

But linebacker Javon Allen, a Karr graduate, said there was no panic on the defense. Head coach Dawson Odums didn't want to blow things up and continued to believe in his unit.

"The problem was that we were getting in position but just a step behind,'' Odums said.

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Delaware State/Monmouth Football Notes

LONG BRANCH, New Jersey  -- Delaware State kicks off the 2014 season against first-time opponent Monmouth University on Saturday, August 30 at 1:00 pm. at Monmouth Stadium/Kessler Field in W. Long Branch N.J. The Hornets return 41 letter winners, including 12 starters from their 2013 squad, which posted a 5-6 overall record, including a 5-3 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Two of DSU’s losses last season were to FCS National Champ North Dakota State and national runner-up Towson.

HORNET OFFENSE

The big question facing the offense is how 2013 back-up Esayah Obado (r-so.) handles starting duties. Obado played in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2013, completing 21-of-40 passes (52.5%) for 168 yards. He did not have a touchdown pass and threw two interceptions. Obado took nearly all of the snaps during the Hornets’ 2014 spring camp. Delaware State signed three quarterbacks during the off-season. Obado’s development will be critical to DSU’s hopes of maintaining its status as one of the MEAC’s top passing teams.

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SC State ready to get football season started

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- South Carolina State opens its football season Saturday with an eye on playing extra games.

After posting a 9-4 record last season while winning a share of the MEAC championship and reaching the NCAA FCS playoffs, the Bulldogs are capable of making it to postseason play again.

They’ll get things started against Benedict in the Palmetto Capital City Classic at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium at 5 p.m. S.C. State coach Buddy Pough, who enters his 13th season with a 97-43 mark, five MEAC titles, and four FCS playoff appearances, can’t wait to get going.

“Anytime you’ve been working against each other for as long as we have, you’re excited about playing,” Pough said. “Our guys just want to get out and play somebody.”

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Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/08/28/3646267/sc-state-ready-to-get-football.html?sp=/99/181/#storylink=cpy

XU adds 2 coaches for track/cross country, 1 signee

Destini Thomas

NEW ORLEANS — Joseph Moses, coach of men's and women's cross country and track and field at Xavier University of Louisiana, announced Wednesday two additions to his staff and one signee.
    
Joining the staff in 2014-15 are assistant coach Quinton Harley and student assistant Donyé Coleman. The signee is sprinter Destini Thomas of Houston.

Harley will coach XU sprinters, hurdlers and relay teams. He comes to Xavier from NCAA Division I's East Carolina University, where he was a volunteer assistant in 2013-14 and a sprinter and hurdler for two seasons. He was part of a staff that coached East Carolina's women to Conference USA indoor and outdoor team championships in 2014.
    
Harley earned All-America recognition at Edison Tech High School in Rochester, N.Y., and at NCAA Division II's Lake Erie College.
    
Coleman competed at Xavier and was All-Gulf Coast Conference four times in women's cross country and twice in outdoor track. As a senior in 2013, Coleman posted her best collegiate time for 5,000 meters — 19 minutes, 42.65 seconds — in a second-place finish at the GCAC Cross Country Championships. She competed at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships each of her final three seasons.
    
Coleman — a resident of Snellville, Ga., and a graduate of Shiloh High School — was a member of GCAC championship teams four times in cross country and three times in outdoor track.
    
Harley is enrolled in XU's graduate school. Coleman is completing requirements for her XU bachelor's degree.
    
"Quinton Harley is a very knowledgeable young coach with a promising future in track and field," Moses said. "Donyé Coleman had a good career at Xavier and will do a good job for us as a student assistant."
    
Thomas was a member of Summer Creek High School's district-champion 400 relay team this year, and she helped the Lady Bulldogs win the team championship. Individually in the 100, Thomas placed second in the district and area meets and was a regional finalist. Her best time this year at that distance was 12.00 seconds. She is a three-time qualifier for the AAU Junior Olympics in the 100.
    
Thomas moved to Houston in 2013 from Maryland, where she was a standout in track and basketball, a class officer and an honor-roll student at St. Mary's Ryken High School.
    
"Destini could be the next great sprinter in Xavier's women's program," Moses said.
    
Xavier won GCAC team championships in men's and women's cross country and women's outdoor track in 2013-14. The cross country teams will begin their season Friday in the Xavier Big Easy Opener at City Park. The women's race will start at 5:30 p.m., and the men's race will follow at 6.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold
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6-foot-9 transfer from Tuskegee signs with Gold Rush

CHARLES SAVOY

NEW ORLEANS — Charles Savoy, a 6-foot-9 forward from Alpharetta, Ga., has signed an athletics scholarship to play men's basketball for Xavier University of Louisiana.
    
Savoy is a transfer from NCAA Division II's Tuskegee University, where he played the past two seasons. Savoy will be a junior on coach Dannton Jackson's 2014-15 XU roster.
    
Savoy averaged 4.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 26 games in 2013-14 to help the Golden Tigers go 21-12 and win championships of the SIAC West Division, the SIAC Tournament and the NCAA South Regional. The regional championship was the first for Tuskegee, which was eliminated in the NCAA Division II Elite 8.
    
Savoy — one of four Gold Rush signees this year — is a 2011 graduate of Chamblee Charter High School in DeKalb, Ga. In his senior year he helped the Bulldogs reach the Class 4A state playoffs, and he was rated one of the top 100 prospects in Georgia.
    
Xavier's Gold Rush were 23-9 last season, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season championship for the third consecutive year and qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship for the fourth straight season. Xavier ranked 16th in the coaches postseason poll.

2014-15 Xavier University of Louisiana Men's Basketball Signees
Josh Freeman, G, 5-10, 160, Jr., Chicago, Ill., Richards HS (Kennedy-King CC)
Jacques Johnson, F, 6-3, 185, Jr., Ridgeland, Miss., Provine HS (East Central CC)
Troy Salvant, G, 6-1, 180, Fr., Marrero, La., Higgins HS
Charles Savoy, F, 6-9, 210, Jr., Alpharetta, Ga., Chamblee Charter HS (Tuskegee)

 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANAhttps://twitter.com/xulagold
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Lady Rams sweep Gold Nuggets 25-15, 25-18, 25-18

NEW ORLEANS -- Mobile used a 40-17 advantage in kills Tuesday to earn a 25-15, 25-18, 25-18 women's volleyball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.

It was a matchup of teams which appeared in the 2013 NAIA National Championship and are preseason favorites in their conferences.

Bailey Nations had nine kills and Kiki Youngblood eight for the Lady Rams (2-0), and Caroline Ennis and Sara Van Wert had six kills apiece.

Jodi Hill had eight kills for the Gold Nuggets (0-2) and was the only XU player with more than three. Darian Harris and CeCe Williams had nine digs apiece, and Franziska Pirkl had eight.

Mobile scored the final eight points of the first set and used a 7-0 second-set run to erase 8-4 and 13-11 deficits. Xavier scored the first point of the third set, but Mobile scored the next five and never trailed again.

Xavier matched its lowest kills total since resuming its program in 2010.

Mobile committed eight more errors than the Gold Nuggets but outhit Xavier .182 to .025 and had advantages of 7-1 in aces and 41-36 in digs. Katy McCollister had 11 digs for Mobile, and Nicole Armstrong, Cayce May and Hannah Buck served two aces apiece.

The Gold Nuggets defeated Mobile 2-of-3 times a year ago.

Xavier will travel to Wiley for an 11 a.m. match Saturday in Marshall, Texas, then return home to play Edward Waters in its Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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Florida A&M Rattler Football Game One Preview

 THE MATCHUP: The Florida A&M University Rattlers (3-9 in 2013) travel to Jackson, Mississippi to face the Jackson State University Tigers (8-4 in 2013), in the W.C. Gorden Classic at Veterans Memorial Stadium Saturday at 6:00 p.m. Central Time.

GAME TIME WEATHER: Accuweather’s Saturday forecast for the Jackson, Mississippi area calls for warm conditions with a high of 92 degrees and a low of 72, with a 40% chance of a shower in the afternoon.

ON THE AIR: The Rattler Sports Network will air FAMU Football for its’ 31^st season, with a new play-by-play voice, Joshua Jackson, a graduate of the FAMU School of Journalism, and an on-air sportscaster in Jacksonville, Florida…. Veteran color analyst Michael Thomas returns for his 28^th year to provide incisive, expert commentary to listeners, and Jerome Swaine also returns as the Network engineer…. The Earl Holmes TV Show will air statewide on Fox Sports Florida Mondays at 5:00 p.m.,  and locally on Thursdays on WTLH Fox 40 at 11 p.m….. Elton Gumbel, former sports director at WCTV Channel 6 in Tallahassee, will host the weekly highlights show.

SERIES HISTORICAL: Jackson State owns an 8-7-2 lead in the series with FAMU, which began in 1961… FAMU won the opener, 14-8 in the Orange Blossom Classic to claim the 1961 Black College National title, before the Tigers won their revenge and the national title in the 1962 Classic rematch, 22-6… The two squads faced off in the inaugural NCAA FCS playoffs in 1978, with FAMU scoring a 15-10 semifinal victory at Jackson, Miss., en route to the 1978 NCAA title… JSU then won five of the next seven games, with a pair of 10-10 ties during that stretch, but the pendulum had swung towards FAMU, as the Rattlers have won the last three meetings, including a 28-14 win in the 2003 Circle City Classic in Indianapolis…. See Pages 8-9 for more of the FAMU-JSU series.

THE COACHING MATCHUP: FAMU’s Earl Holmes (FAMU ’96) is in his second season as head football coach, bringing a 4-10-0 record (which includes a 1-1 record as acting head coach in 2012) into the 2014 season…. JSU’s Harold Jackson (JSU ’69), is in his first season, after a lengthy career as an assistant coach on both the professional and collegiate levels…. Both coaches are former NFL standouts, with Holmes having played 10 seasons (Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit) as a linebacker, while Jackson played 16 seasons as a wide receiver (Los Angeles, New England, Philadelphia, Minnesota and Seattle).

RATTLERS TO WATCH:  FAMU returns 16 starters from last year’s team, which endured much adversity en route to a  3-9 finish, but the spring and fall camp has spirits high as they approach the the 2014 opener…. Here are the returning starters and their numbers from 2013.

Offense

QB       11-Damien Fleming, 6-3, 210, Sr., Jacksonville, FL

@  106 of 201 passing, 6 TDs, 13 INTs, 1,016 yds; 215 yds rushing, 62 carries, 2 TDs.

TB        24-Lemond Buice, 6-1, 225, R-Sr., Gadsden, AL

@ 238 yards, 68 carries, 3 TDs; 4 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD, in 12 games

WR      9-Casey Glines, 6-6, 210, R-Sr., Neola, UT

@ 16 receptions, 160 yards, 5 TDs.

TE       82-Michael Morris. 6-4, 225, R-Jr., Jacksonville, FL

@ 6 receptions, 73 yards, 0 TDs.

LG       62-Keonte Cash, 5-11, 310, So., Miami, FL

@ Started the full season as a true freshman. May move to center.

RG      Timothy Jones, 6-6, 290, R-So., Myrtle Beach, SC

@ Started the full season as a true freshman.

WR      81-DeWayne Harvey, 6-1, 205, Sr., Tallahassee, FL

@ 13 receptions, 153 yards, 1 TD.

SLOT  89-Dennis Hall, 5-10, 170, R-Sr., Belle Glade, FL

@ 13 receptions, 138 yards in 9 games.

Defense

LE        44-Derrick Conner, 6-4, 225, R-Sr., Miami, FL

@ 11 tackles (4 solos), 1.5 tackles for loss in 11 games.

NG      92-Michael Lovejoy, 6-4, 265, Jr., Pensacola, FL

@ 31 tackles (20 solos), 5.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 QB Sacks in 12 games.

MLB    57-William Smalls, 6-2, 205, Sr., Austell, GA

@ 39 tackles (29 solos), 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks in 12 games.

ILB       47-Akil Blount, 6-3, 225, Jr., Pittsburgh, PA

@ 51 tackles (32 solos), 8.0 tackles for loss; 1.5 QB Sacks; 1 INT in 12 games.

RCB    5-Patrick Aiken, 5-10, R-Jr., Pembroke Pines, FL

@ 3rd-Team All-MEAC; 42 tackles (32 solos), 4.5 tackles for loss; 1.0 sacks; 4 INTs.

LCB     4-Devontae “Terry” Johnson, 6-0, 183, Jr., Tallahassee, FL

@ 46 tackles (36 solos), 6.0 tackles for loss; 3.0 sacks; 3 INTs; 6 PBU.

Specialists

K/KO  33-Chase Varnadore, 5-11, 170, R-Sr., Tallahassee, FL

@ 35 points scored: 23 of 26 PATs; 4 of 7 FGs (long 41).

LS        39-Tyler Riley, 5-11, 215, Jr., Ocala, FL

@ Started entire 2014 season.

P          36-Colby Blanton, 6-1, 210, R-So., Jacksonville, FL

@ Averaged 39.6 per punt (74 atts); Long of 78; 12 kicks +50 yds; 15 down inside 20.

THE TIGERS TO WATCH:  The Jackson State Tigers made changes in their coaching staff following last season’s  8-4 finish which featured a 34-27 overtime loss to Southern University in the SWAC Championship Game, releasing veteran head coach Rick Comegy (who to moved to Mississippi Valley) and calling home former Tiger and NFL standout receiver Harold Jackson to take the helm in in Jackson.

Jackson, who embarks on his first head coaching assignment, will bring an impressive resume as an assistant coach from the collegiate and NFL ranks to bear in his new job.

JSU took some heavy hits via graduation on offense, which could slow the Tigers’ roll early on, as quarterback Clayton Moore, who passed for over 2,000 yards and 15 TDs, while rushing for another 641 yards and five scores is gone, along with top rusher Tommy Gooden, who rumbled for 875 yards and 6 TDs, plus three of the club’s top receivers (including Gooden), topped by Zachary Pendleton, who had 53 catches for 1,067 yards and 10 TDs…

Returning to the fold will be RB Rakeem Sims (5-11, 225, Sr.), who was the third leading rusher behind the departed Gooden and Moore, scooting for 484 yards on 100 carries, scoring five TDs; Evan Ingram (6-3, 220, Sr.), who passed for 289 yards and one score and LaMontiez Ivy (6-3, 220, So.), who passed for 133 yards, are likely dueling for the starting role under center, while Tobias Singleton (6-2, 190, Sr.) returns after making 30 receptions for 476 yards and two TDs a year ago.

Defensively, the Tigers may be in a bit better shape off the bat with the return of linebacker Ariane McCree (6-2, 240, Sr.), the Tigs’ tackle leader (94 tackles, 48 solos, 14.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks) of a year ago;

Defensive back Ryan Griffin (5-11, 185, Sr.) returns after recording 62 tackles (30 solos), with 8.5 tackles for loss and a team-best three (3) interceptions for 123 yards and one pick six; Defensive end Javancy Jones (6-2, 230, So.), who had 54 tackles (26 solos), with 14 tackles for loss and five (5) sacks; and Linebacker Ted Terrell (6-2, 230, Jr.) who had a team high seven (7) sacks, along with 13.5 tackles for loss and 46 total stops.

Tiger special teams could be clutch too with kicker Ryan Deising (5-8, 170, Jr.) back after hitting 12 of 15 field goals and 33 of 35 PATs, along with punter Darcy Williamson (5-11, 180, So.) who averaged a nifty 41.9 yards per kick, while both return men – punt returner Canard Brown (5-11, 180, So., 8.4 return average) and kickoff returner Jarius Moore (5-11, 205, So., 17.2 average) – are back for action in 2014.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU heads south to Miami, Florida next Saturday (Sept. 6) to take on the University of Miami (7:00 p.m. ET) at Sun Life Stadium… JSU will host Virginia University at Lynchburg next week at Veterans Memorial (6:00 Central).

COACHSPEAK EARL HOLMES: “We are very excited about the team coming out of a really good training camp…. Our quarterbacks – Damien Fleming and Carson Royal – really stepped up in the offseason and are ready to lead the club… We are taking our time with Fleming coming off the injury, but there is no doubt he’s the top man… Royal has improved the last three weeks and has moved the team well, so well feel good about our chances if we went to him,” Holmes said during Tuesday’s press conference.

“The key to our improvement so far has been the addition of talent – transfers and high school players – which has given us quality depth, and that helps with your development as a team…. For us, the key is that we have to help each other out, the

offense helping the defense and the special teams helping both….

“The adversity we experienced last year helped us grow as a team, and in many areas are more battle-tested than last year…

“I think we are bigger and stronger on the offensive line, and our entire team is better talent-wise thanks to the transfers and the freshmen we brought in.”

“Jackson State has a new coach (Harold Jackson), but they will be running a spread offense, and a 34 defense… It should be a good test for us out of the gate.”

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Faulkner defeats Nuggets in 4 in XU season opener

NEW ORLEANS (Aug. 23) — Xavier University of Louisiana, despite career highs of 10 kills by Jodi Hill and 22 digs by Darian Harris, lost its women's volleyball season opener, 24-26, 25-22, 25-22, 25-10 to Faulkner on Saturday.
    
The Lady Eagles (2-0) became the first to defeat the Gold Nuggets in their Convocation Center. Xavier was 9-0 in the facility last season and — including four 2012 victories in its previous venue, The Barn — had a school-record 13-match home winning streak.

Faulkner also snapped the Gold Nuggets' school-record 17-match regular-season win streak.

Box Score
Facebook photos
    
Sarah Ford had 11 kills, and Sarah Stout-Dubberley and Brittnay Renfroe had 10 apiece for Faulkner. Lindsay Ortner had 14 digs, and Stout-Dubberley and Cassie Bailie had 12 apiece.
    
Claudia Haywood had eight kills, Jelena Vujicic seven and CeCe Williams six for Xavier. Williams had 13 digs. Franziska Pirkl had 24 assists, nine digs and served two of the Gold Nuggets' four aces.
    
Hill's previous high for kills was nine, achieved twice last season. Harris had a pair of 20-dig matches as a freshman in 2012. Both are juniors.
    
Xavier got kills from Haywood, Vujicic and Jada Broussard to rally from a 21-17 first-set deficit. The Nuggets led 5-1 in the second set before Faulkner scored 15 of the next 21 points.
    
The Gold Nuggets did not lead in either of the final two sets. Faulkner opened the final set with a 9-1 run.
    
Faulkner outhit the Gold Nuggets .173 to .062 and had a 50-37 advantage in kills. Xavier outhit opponents .302 to .030 at home a year ago, and no Gold Nuggets home opponent hit higher than .098 in 2013.
    
Xavier will play Mobile at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Convocation Center.
    
NOTES:  Attendance was 305 — the largest for an XU non-conference match and the second-largest overall since the program resumed in 2010. Xavier averaged 143 per home date in 2013, and its largest crowd last season was 200 . . . Xavier is 1-6 in season openers and 2-5 in home openers . . . Faulkner leads the series 5-1 . . . The Gold Nuggets will play 11 of their first 14 matches at home.
 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

2014 Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball preview

Franziska Pirkl acknowleges the crowd during prematch introductions

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball program will take aim at extending a slew of streaks in 2014.
    
The Gold Nuggets, 26-8 overall and 12-0 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference a year ago, seek fourth consecutive GCAC regular-season and tournament championships, plus a fourth straight appearance in the NAIA National Championship.
    
Xavier also will enter the season with a 17-match regular-season win streak, a 13-match home win streak (9-0 in 2013) and 43 consecutive victories against GCAC opponents, 34 in the regular season.                        

There are six returning letterwomen, including 2013 GCAC Tournament MVP Claudia Haywood at middle blocker and two-time first-team all-conference setter Franziska Pirkl. A third returning starter is outside hitter CeCe Williams, who was second-team All-GCAC as a freshman in 2012. All three are juniors.
    
"This team is capable of reaching the goals we reached a year ago," said second-year head coach Hannah Lawing, who led the Gold Nuggets to a school-record victory total in her debut season. "We have several new players and some key players to replace, but I believe this team can grow quickly and be as successful as recent Xavier teams."
    
Haywood hit .298 in 2013 — .441 in the GCAC Tournament — and had 180 kills and 58 blocks. At 5-feet-11, she's the team's tallest player.
    
Pirkl had a team-leading 878 assists last season. She also hit .314 with 53 kills, 20 aces, 195 digs and 28 blocks. She has produced 12 assist-dig doubles — two in the national tournament — in two seasons.
    
Williams had 50 kills and 238 digs a year ago. Three times she recorded 17 digs, twice against GCAC runner-up SUNO and the other against nationals qualifier Mobile. All three matches were XU victories.
    
Also back is middle blocker Jodi Hill, who recorded 124 kills and 33 blocks in a breakout sophomore season in 2013, and libero/defensive specialist Darian Harris, who had 96 digs and 12 aces. Both are juniors.
    
"Our juniors are finally taking a leadership role and doing a fantastic job with it," Lawing said. "Claudia and Jodi are turning into greedy hitters who always want the ball, which is something a coach wants to see. Fran has transformed from a shy, timid player to a leader on the court who gives all the credit to her hitters.
    
"CeCe and Darian will run the back row. CeCe is always inquisitive about reading the hitter. Darian is a fantastic communicator who does a great job at serve-receive, defense and setting from the back row. She has made tremendous improvement since she arrived at Xavier."
    
New to the Nuggets are middle blocker/right-side hitter Jada Broussard, setter Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova, libero/defensive specialist Kayla Jones, outside hitter/defending specialist Kaelan Temple and outside hitter/setter Jelena Vujicic. All are freshmen except for Hadzhistoyanova, a transfer from NCAA Division I's Chicago State.
    
"Our newcomers are talented and bright," Lawing said. "The elements and experience they bring to Xavier will add more variety and depth to our team."
    
Redshirting this season will be outside hitter Taylor Reuther, the 2012 GCAC Player of the Year and All-GCAC and All-Louisiana three times. Reuther had offseason surgery to repair a labral tear in her right shoulder. She expects to play her senior season in 2015.
    
Also new to the program this season is assistant coach Hilary Lobenstein. "As a coach, Hilary brings a great technical aspect to our team," Lawing said. "She can effectively evaluate any position on the floor, and our players appreciate her constructive analysis."
    
Of Xavier's 23 regular-season matches, a school-record-tying 13 will be at home. Eleven of the Gold Nuggets' first 13 matches will be at home, including a school-record five in a row from Sept. 20-29. The GCAC Tournament will return to New Orleans for the first time since 2010, with an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship awaiting the winner.
 
About the Gold Nuggets
• Head Coach:  Hannah Lawing (South Carolina 2011), second season
• Assistant Coach:  Hilary Lobenstein (West Alabama 2012), first season
• 2013 Record:  26-8 overall, 12-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (first place)
• 2013 Postseason:  GCAC Tournament champion; first round of NAIA National Championship
• Returning Players:  6
• Newcomers:  5

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold
 

TSU 2014 Football Media Guide Now Available

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The 2014 Tennessee State Football Media Guide is now available for viewing and for download. Click on the Issue box below to download.

   2014 TSU Football Media Guide