MSU Bears Continue Road Swing at Holy Cross on Saturday

1 p.m. Kick-off at Fitton Field, Morgan State vs. Holy Cross

Complete Gamenotes (PDF)
 
GAME TIME
Morgan State will face Holy Cross on the road for the Crusdaer's home-opener on Saturday (Sept. 6). The Bears enter the 2014 season under the leadership of new head coach Lee Hull. Holy Cross completed the 2013 season with a 3-9 overall record and was 1-5 in the Patriot League. Morgan State posted a 5-7 record and was tied for third in the MEAC with a 5-3 record in conference play.  Game time at Fitton Field is scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will televised on Charter TV3 and will also be broadcast live by Morgan State's flagship station WEAA, 88.9 FM.

THE BEARS-CRUSADERS
• Morgan State and Holy Cross will meet for the first time in history.

QUICK HITS
• MSU will enter the 2014 season with a number of veterans... the Bears' roster has 64 returning players and 17 returning starters on its roster ... there are 34 who started at least one game or were considered a starter last year ... the roster also includes a number of veterans - 16 seniors and 13 juniors.

• The Bears return its top receiver from last season in Thomas Martin ... Martin, a Naples (Fla.) product, started in every game and finished with 352 yards on 28 receptions.

• MSU returns a corps of running backs in 2014 with Lamont Brown III, Herb Walker Jr. and Tracy Martin the most likely candidates in the backfield.

• The Bears return an experienced trio of quarterbacks (Robert Council, Seth Higgins and Moses Skillon) ... Council started Week 1 vs. EMU and completed 18-of-28 passes for 285 yards with 3 TDs.

• Seven (7) starters return from the 2013 defense: Andrew Mitchell (DL), Cody Acker (LB), Christopher Robinson (LB), Ta'Quon Jackson (LB), Bill Hill (LB), Peterson Janvier (FS) and Nate Ayers (SS).

• Cody Acker, a 2013 Third Team All-MEAC selection, returns as one of the league leaders with 97 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, in addition to an interception for a touchdown. 

• Coach Hull added six assistants to his initial coaching staff ... the new coaches are: John Morgan (AHC), Fred Farrier (OC), Dwayne Foster (OL), Ken Lucas (RB),Brawley Evans (DB/RC), and Jamari McCollough (WR).

FIRST AND 10
• Morgan State and Holy Cross are meeting for the first time Saturday.

• Morgan State is playing in the state of Massachusetts for the sixth time in school history. The Bears have played at: Boston College ('83), Boston University ('83 & '84) and Massachusetts ('78 & '85). 

• Senior LB Cody Acker was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week following his performance vs. Eastern Michigan.

• Lee Hull will be making his return to Holy Cross, where he was a wideout under head coaches Rick Carter and Mark Duffner, and coached alongside Dan Allen.

• Redshirt freshman Matthew Thompson received his first collegiate start as the right tackle last week at Eastern Michigan.

BEARS OPEN 116th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 116th season of football, and the first  under head coach Lee Hull.

SCOUTING THE CRUSADERS
The Crusaders finished with an overall mark of 3-9 during the 2013 season. Seven (7) of Holy Cross' losses were by seven points or less.

• They return 47 letterwinners to go along with 16 starters from a team that dropped it s final five games of the 2013 season.

• Holy Cross is 0-1 after its tough 14-13 loss to Albany. The deciding play of the game happened when Neil Morrison recovered a fumble and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown with 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, as Albany came from behind to pulloff the victory.

• The Crusaders will be led on offense by sophomore quarterback Peter Pujals. He completed 23-of-42 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore wideout Jake Wieczorek had a career-high seven receptions for 149 yards and a score against Albany on Saturday.

• The running back position will be led by Gabe Guild, who finished with 75 yards on 23 carries in the Crusdaer's season-opener.

• The defense was led by sophomore free safety Luke Ford, who finished with 11 tackles and two pass breakups, while John Zakrzewski add nine tackles.

• Head coach Tom Gilmore enters his 11th year at Holy Cross. The Crusaders stand 47-43 overall (53-49 in the Patriot League since the beginning of the 2005 season). Under Gilmore's leadership, the Crusaders have been one of the most successful program's in the conference.

MSU vs. THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
Morgan State is 0-1 vs. current members of the Patriot League Conference. Morgan State has only played Patriot League team once in its history. The Bears were defeated at Bucknell 37-10 on Sept. 4, 1999. It marked the first game under MSU's new head coach Stanley Mitchell. 

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AAMU's Betty Austin, John Stallworth honored as ‘Legends’

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida  – Betty Austin made her point clear Saturday night at the MEAC-SWAC Challenge Legends Reception.

"If your mama wants you to be nurtured, come to Alabama A&M," she told the audience in the Contemporary Resort Ballroom.

The longtime women's coach was honored with former Bulldog John Stallworth as well as Elvin Bethea, Harry Carson and Bill Hamilton at the annual banquet. They were recognized for significant contributions to their HBCUs and communities.

Austin, who is also an A&M alum, was asked what made her want to go back to the university.

"I wanted to get a job ...," she said.

Seriously, though, Austin said she wanted to help give young women "an opportunity to get an education."

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Alabama A&M on the road to Tuskegee

HUNTSVILLE -- It will be a quick turnaround this week for Head Coach James Spady and the Alabama A&M football team.

The Bulldogs travel to Tuskegee for a 1 p.m. game Saturday with the Golden Tigers.

They lost Sunday 47-13 to North Carolina A&T in the 10th annual MEAC-SWAC Challenge in Orlando, FL.

Monday was an off day for the Bulldogs (0-1) who will be playing five straight road games to open the season. Saturday's game is the season opener for Tuskegee.

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Jackson State hopes to avoid another Hail Mary situation

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State's first win was, indeed, memorable.

But coach Harold Jackson doesn't want another dose of it, more so, for the play of events that forced the Tigers to turn to a Hail Mary.

"This is a game I never want to get involved with against," Jackson said in Monday's weekly teleconference. "We had the opportunity to win this ball game without a Hail Mary but unfortunately we didn't do what we had to do to take care of business."

JSU (1-0) is coming off a season-opening 22-17 win over Florida A&M, thanks to a 50-yard, Hail Mary touchdown with 1.6 seconds left.

As his team prepares to host Virginia-Lynchburg (0-1) on Saturday, Jackson said it'll devote about 10 minutes every practice this week in the red zone; the Tigers scored only one touchdown after five trips inside the 20-yard line.

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Two Former N.C. A&T Aggies Make NFL Practice Squads

GREENSBORO – Two North Carolina A&T Aggies from the 2013 football team made NFL practice squads, which were announced by the respective teams on Tuesday.

Former Aggies right tackle Nathan Isles is member of the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks practice squad, while former Aggies cornerback Ayodeji Olatoye made the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Both men signed as undrafted free agents.

Isles (6-5, 324, Atlanta, Ga.) came to North Carolina A&T to play defensive line. By his sophomore season he was a fixture on the Aggies offensive line at right tackle. He helped Mike Mayhew lead the conference in rushing in 2011 and assisted Tarik Cohen in doing the same in 2013. Isles played more than 1,500 snaps, started 31 games (two as a defensive tackle) and made 42 appearances.

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Week 2: HBCU Football Schedule

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THURSDAY, Sept. 4 (All Game Times Shown in Eastern Time Zone)

CIAA
Livingstone College at Millersville (Pa.), 6 PM
Cheyney at Lincoln (Pa.), Battle of the First, 7 PM 

SIAC

Kentucky Wesleyan College at Kentucky State. 7:00 PM

Paine at Shorter 7:30 PM

SWAC
Texas College(0-0)  at Texas Southern (1-0), 8:30 PM

SATURDAY, Sept. 6

The Missouri Classic at Arrowhead Stadium
Langston (Ok) vs. Lincoln (Mo) at Kansas City, Missouri,  3 PM 

CIAA
Siena Heights at Virginia Union, 12 PM
Saint Augustine's at Indiana (Pa.) 12 PM
Johnson C. Smith (0-0) at Charlotte (1-0), 12 PM, TV: American Sports Network Broadcast @ Charlotte
Virginia State at California (Pa), 1 PM
Saint Anselm at Bowie State, 1 PM
Elizabeth City State (0-0) at North Carolina Central (0-1), 5 PM
UNC Pembroke at Winston-Salem State, 6 PM
Fayetteville State at Chowan U., 7 PM
Shaw at Miles, 7 PM


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SIAC

Alabama A&M (0-1) at Tuskegee (0-0), 1 PM

Clark Atlanta at Central State (Ohio), 1:30 PM

Benedict (0-1) at Lane (0-0), 2 PM

Delta State at Fort Valley State, 2 PM

West Alabama at Stillman, 3 PM

Albany State at Valdosta State, 7 PM

Morehouse (0-0) at Edward Waters (0-1), 7 PM

Shaw at Miles, 7 PM

SWAC
Alabama A&M (0-1) at Tuskegee (0-0), 2 PM
Tennessee State (1-0) at Alabama State (0-1), 5 PM  TV: ASPIRE NETWORK
Alcorn State (1-0) at Southern Mississippi (0-1), 7 PM,
Virginia University Lynchburg (0-1) at Jackson State (1-0), 7 PM
Concordia College (0-0) at Arkansas Pine Bluff (0-1), 7 PM
Central Methodist (0-0) at Southern U. (0-1), 7 PM
Mississippi Valley (1-0) at Illinois State (0-0), 7:30 PM
Grambling State (0-1) at Houston (0-1), 8 PM

OVC
Tennessee State (1-0) at Alabama State (0-1), 5 PM  TV: ASPIRE NETWORK

MEAC
Bethune-Cookman  (1-0) (Bye Week)
Howard (0-1) at Rutgers (1-0), 12 PM, TV: Big Ten Network
South Carolina State (1-0) at Clemson (0-1), 12:30 PM, Gameplan/ESPN3
Morgan State (0-1) at Holy Cross (0-1), 1 PM
Liberty (0-1) at Norfolk State (0-1), 4 PM
Elizabeth City State (0-0) at North Carolina Central (0-1), 5 PM
Delaware State (0-1) at Delaware (0-1), 6 PM
William and Mary (0-1) at Hampton (0-1), 6 PM
Savannah State (0-1) at Georgia Southern (0-1), 6 PM, ESPN3
Coastal Carolina (1-0) at North Carolina A&T (1-0) 6 PM
Florida A&M (0-1) at Miami (Fla.) (0-0), 7 PM, ESPN3

NCAA Division II Football Season Opens on Thursday


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Former Alabama State Hornets Make NFL Rosters

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Two former Alabama State University Hornets have been named to the 53-man rosters for the start of the 2014 National Football League (NFL) season.

Tarvaris Jackson will enter his ninth season in the NFL and will once again be a member of the reigning Super Bowl Champions, Seattle Seahawks.

Former All-SWAC running back Isaiah Crowell will be on the Cleveland Browns roster as the season begins. The undrafted Crowell helped his cause by rushing for over 100 yards in the final preseason game for the Browns.

Greg Jenkins, who played last season for the Oakland Raiders, has been placed on the Raiders Injured/Reserve list after suffering an injury late in camp.

Terren Jones who was in camp with the Falcons once again this season, did not make it through the final cut down to the 53-man roster. Jones had suffered a concussion during camp which caused him to miss some practice time, hindering his chances of making the team.

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WSSU's Fields lands on Tampa Bay's practice squad

TAMPA BAY, Florida -- Carlos Fields, a former linebacker at Winston-Salem State, has been added to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad.

Fields, 6-1 and 240 pounds, was the two-time defensive player of the year in the CIAA. He had been in camp with the Oakland Raiders after signing in May as a free agent rookie but was among the final cuts on Saturday.

Fields, a four-year starter for the Rams from Henderson, was in on seven tackles during his three preseason games with the Raiders.

“I didn’t have a chance to make the Raiders’ practice squad but I was offered to get on the practice squad of Kansas City or Seattle but I just thought that Tampa was the best fit for me,” Fields said by telephone after his first practice in Tampa on Monday afternoon.

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SWAC Announces Football Student-Athletes of the Week

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced the football student-athletes of the week Monday afternoon.  After earning the dramatic 22-17 win over Florida A&M University Saturday night, the Jackson State Tigers took home three of the four weekly awards.

Sophomore LaMontiez Ivy (East St. Louis, Ill.) was named offensive athlete of the week, junior Ryan Deising (Nashville, Tenn./Pearl-Cohn) specialist of the week, and junior Robert Porter (Roseville, Mich./Northland College) earned newcomer of the week.  Alabama State’s Torrey Davis (Fayetteville, Ga./Fayette County) was named defensive athlete of the week.

Ivy led Jackson State to the first win of the Harold Jackson era on a 49-yard Hail Mary to DeSean McKenzie with one second left in the game.  He completed 25 of 42 passes for a game-high 269 yards.  Ivy also picked up 15 rushing yards in the win and connected with nine different receivers during the game.

Davis made the first start of his collegiate career and finished the game with a career-high 13 tackles, eight solo, against 16^th ranked Sam Houston State.  The redshirt sophomore also forced a fumble and recorded a sack and two tackles behind the line for a total loss 14 yards.

Deising made three of four field goal attempts and went 1-for-1 in extra point kicks, scoring 10 of Jackson State’s 22 points against FAMU.

And Porter recorded seven tackles, four solo, to earn newcomer of the week.  He also had a pass breakup in the Tigers win.

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MEAC Announces Weekly Football Honors

NCAT’s Cohen and McRae, MSU’s Acker, DSU’s Scott and Hampton’s Gregory and Rose Earn Top Weekly Honors 

NORFOLK, Virginia – North Carolina A&T State’s Tarik Cohen was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. Cody Acker, of Morgan State, was named Defensive Player of the Week.

Hayden Gregory of Hampton was named Rookie of the Week while teammate Ronald Rose earned Offensive Lineman of the Week honors. Delaware State’s Aris Scott and N.C. A&T’s Tony McRae earned Co-Special Teams Player of the Week accolades, respectively.

Cohen (RB, 5-6, 172, So., Bunn, N.C.) was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 MEAC/SWAC Challenge Presented by Disney. Cohen averaged 16.1 yard per carry on the way to 166 total rushing yards and two touchdowns in the Aggies win over Alabama A&M. He also caught two passes for 20 yards in the team’s season opening victory.

Acker (LB, 6-1, 220, Sr., Landover, MD) recorded a career-high 19 tackles, four solo, with one for a loss of two yards in the Bears’ season opener against Eastern Michigan.

Gregory (LB, 6-0, 220, Fr., Nashville, TN) led the Pirates with 10 total tackles and one sack for an 8-yard loss in the Pirates’ season opening against Old Dominion.

Rose (OL, 6-5, 253, Sr., Fr. Washington, MD) anchored Hampton’s offensive line that amassed 416 yards of total offense against FBS opponent Old Dominion. He graded out at 94-percent of all of his assignments and posted five pancake blocks.

Scott (KOR, 6-3, 210, So., Harrisburg, Pa.) ran a kickoff back 98-yards for a touchdown in the Hornets’ season opener against Monmouth.

McRae (KOR, 5-9, 175, Jr., Laurinburg, N.C.) returned a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown in a 47-13 victory over Alabama A&M. The score was the second career kickoff return for a touchdown for McRae. He also recorded 120 yards in kickoff return yardage in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge game.

Other Top Performers 

Colby Blanton (FAMU) averaged 51.2 yards on four punt attempts, including a 77-yarder in the first half against Jackson State.

Robert Council (MSU) completed 18 of 28 passes for 269 yards with three touchdowns against Eastern Michigan. He also picked up 71 yards rushing on 15 attempts in the 31-28 loss.

Alex Glover (SCSU) amassed six solo tackles, three for a loss of 17 yards, with one sack for an 11-yard loss in a shutout victory over Benedict College (63-0).

Gerald Hearns (FAMU) rushed for 56 yards on 16 carries and was the Rattlers’ receiving leader with five catches for 35 yards and a go-ahead score with 46 seconds remaining in his first collegiate start.

Damien Fleming (FAMU) completed 16 of 27 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for 59 yards on 10 carries in a loss to Jackson State.

Denzel Jones (NCAT) collected 10 tackles, five solo, with one for a loss of one yard in the Aggies’ win over Alabama A&M.

Breon Key (HAMPTON) recorded two interceptions for four yards and tallied two tackles in a loss to Old Dominion.

Adrian Kollock, Jr (SCSU) completed 15 of 18 passes for 160 yards and rushed four times for 22 yards with one touchdown against Benedict College.

Kenneth Melton (NCAT) made five tackles, two solo, and recorded a half sack and one tackle for a loss to help the Aggies defeat Alabama A&M.

C.J. Moore (NCCU) returned a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown and recorded nine tackles (4 solo) against East Carolina.

Jerome Pettiway (SCSU) averaged 47.5 yards on two punt attempts in a 63-0 win over Benedict College.

Darren Pinnock (MSU) graded out at 91-percent on his assignments as he helped the Bears rack up 479 yards of total offense against Eastern Michigan. He also recorded a pair of pancake blocks.

William Ray Robinson III (NCAT) graded out at 91-percent on his assignments as he helped the Aggies with 415 yards of total offense against Alabama A&M. He also recorded five pancake blocks.

Dylan Shaddix (NSU) punted eight times for a 39.6 yard average with four landing inside Maine’s 20 yard line. He also tied his single-game highs in total punts and punts that landed inside the opponent’s 20 yard line.

Nathaniel Tilque (NCCU) averaged 40.6 yards per punt (9 punts for 365 yards), including a long punt of 53 yards with three placed inside the 20-yard line against East Carolina.

Matthew Thompson (MSU) helped pave the way for the Bear offensive unit that posted 479 total offensive yards, including 210 yards rushing against FBS opponent Eastern Michigan.

Lynden Trail (NSU) recorded eight tackles, three solo, including four for a loss of 15 yards and 1.5 sacks for a six yards loss against Maine. He also forced two fumbles, recovered one, and posted two breakups against Maine.

Peter Tulloch (FAMU) returned an interception 60 yards for a touchdown and recorded nine tackles, five solo, with one breakup against Jackson State.

Erik Williams (B-CU) tallied a career-high eight tackles, with six solo, including 3.0 sacks for a loss of 12 yards. He also recorded two hurries with one deflected pass in the Wildcat’s 14-12 victory over FBS opponent Florida International.

Jorrian Washington (HAMPTON) finished the day with 129 yards on kick-off returns including 243 all-purpose yards against Old Dominion.

Milton Williams III (DSU) caught six passes for 121 yards with one touchdown against Monmouth.

Jaylian Williamson (HAMPTON) connected on 32 of 45 passes and recorded a Hampton record high of 407 passing yards with three touchdowns against Old Dominion.

Domanic Wilson (SCSU) received a grade of 89-percent as he aided the Bulldogs to 541 yards of total offense including six pancake blocks against Benedict College.




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DSU's Aris Scott Honored by Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for 98-Yard Kickoff Return for TD (VIDEO)

DOVER, Delaware -- Delaware State University’s Aris Scott (so.; Harrisburg, Pa.) has been honored by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for his 98-yard kickoff return touchdown on the opening play of the 2014 season at Monmouth last Saturday.

Scott has been named MEAC Co-Special Teams Player-of-the-Week for the play, the Hornets’ first kickoff return touchdown since 2010.

North Carolina A&T’s Tony McRae shared the MEAC special teams honor with Scott. McRae had a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Aggies’ 47-13 victory over Alabama A&M in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla., on Sunday.

Scott is the first Hornet to be named MEAC Special Teams Player-of-the-Week since placekicker Mitchell Ward last season. Ward was cited after kicking a 26-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in a 22-20 win over Howard.

Delaware State (0-1) will return to action this Saturday (Sep. 6) at the University of Delaware (0-1) in the annual First 1 Rivalry. Game time is 6 p.m. at Delaware Stadium in Newark.



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NCCU must adjust to a new reality

DURHAM, North Carolina  --  All the talk and prognostications are over. The Jerry Mack era has begun.

North Carolina Central’s new football coach made his head coaching debut Saturday at East Carolina – on an ESPN broadcast no less. The Eagles traveled to Greenville last Saturday to take on the Pirates in the first meeting between the two programs.

The game, played too late for Wednesday’s edition of the Durham News, didn’t turn out anything close to what NCCU wanted. East Carolina won 52-7.

“East Carolina is a really good opponent. They have a lot of tradition and a consistent program,” said Mack on the weekly MEAC teleconference. “Everybody wants to compete against the so-called best talent in the country, and we are no different.”

But Mack isn’t the only major adjustment for N.C. Central this season. 

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MEAC/SWAC Challenge Band Battle: AAMU vs. NCA&T

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Published on Sep 1, 2014
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From the SWAC/MEAC Challenge in Orlando, FL...

Cameras: 4x Canon 5D mkII, Canon C100
Audio: Sennheiser MKH-8000 series mics, Sound Devices 788T recorder

Disclaimer: The band pays ASCAP fees and there is never any copyright infringement intended. These performances are for edutainment only. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

As always, the band is always looking for dedicated members and supporters to keep the machine going. For more information, you can call (336) 334-7776 for more details on how to support the band or even become a member.

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MSU Cody Acker named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State standout linebacker Cody Acker was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's defensive player of the week, the conference announced Monday.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior form Landover, Maryland posted a personal-best 19 tackles Saturday at Eastern Michigan. The senior also had a tackle for a loss.

The 19 tackles represents the most by a Bear since linebacker Elandon Roberts posted 19 stops against Hampton on Nov. 17, 2012.

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Acker's previous highest tackle performance was last season at North Carolina Central where he recorded 15 tackles on October 13.

Acker becomes the first Bear to earn player of the week accolades this season.

Morgan State will face Holy Cross on the road for the Crusdaer's home-opener on Saturday (Sept. 6). Kick-off at Fitton Field is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Game tickets for all four (4) contests at Hughes Stadium are on sale now. T
ickets for the New York Urban League Classic at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sept. 20 are also on sale at the MSU Student Center Box Office.

For Morgan State football ticket information click here

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HBCU Play of the Week: Jackson State Tigers "Hail Mary" Defeats FAMU in Final Second

1.6 seconds left in game, FAMU leading 17-16 with one Jackson State play left.  The call from the Tigers sideline... Hail Mary!  And the call worked!  Game over.  Rattlers were snake bit by the Tigers 22-17 to open the Coach Harold Jackson era at JSU.  Unbelievable!!!

-beepbeep

Football Game Preview: Johnson C. Smith at Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- Charlotte will play host to the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls this Saturday in the 49′ers first home game. They beat Campbell 33-9 last Thursday and will look to move their record to 2-0.

Here are some notes about the Niners’ week two opponent:

• Johnson C. Smith was picked by CIAA coaches to finish fourth in the South division.

• This is the season opener for the Golden Bulls, who will look to improve last year’s 5-5 record.

• The Golden Bulls return 14 starters from last year’s squad.

• Including in those 14 starters for Johnson C. Smith are quarterback Keahn Wallace, running back LeAnder Barney, and leading receiver Chris Patterson.

• Jovontay Williams is arguably the team’s biggest returning star. He totaled 14.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks last season.

• Williams was named to the All-CIAA First Team last season, and received preseason honors recently, being named to the Beyond Sports Network Division II All-America Team.

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2014 John Merritt Classic Battle of the Bands: EWC vs. TSU

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WSSU Notes: Rams could play in Bahamas in ’15

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State’s 2015 schedule is complete, but Athletics Director Tonia Walker said that there’s a chance the game against Tuskegee could be played in the Bahamas as part of the Bahamas HBCUX Classic.

The inaugural game of the classic will be Sept. 13, with Texas Southern taking on Central State.

WSSU will play Tuskegee this season at Bowman Gray Stadium.

“There was some interest this year in the Tuskegee game moving to the Bahamas,” Walker said. “But from a time frame, we just couldn’t do it. But there’s an opportunity next year to move that game to the Bahamas, it would be something we would look at doing.”

Walker said that WSSU’s nonconference games next season will be at UNC Pembroke, against Valdosta State in Atlanta and, for now, at Tuskegee.

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Big Ten Week 1 Roundup: Rutgers' conference brethren combine to win 11 of 13 in opening week

GAME TIME: SATURDAY: 12 PM ET,
 TV: BIG TEN NETWORK

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey  --  File this away if Rutgers has trouble pulling away from Howard this Saturday: Seven Big Ten teams faced teams from the Football Championship Subdivision ranks during the opening college football weekend, and two of them received a scare from their lower-level foes.

Of course, the Scarlet Knights have shown little difficulty cruising past MEAC opponents in recent years, playing a team from that league every year since 2006 and winning by a combined score of 341-14.

For now, the Scarlet Knights can rest comfortably with the fact that no other Big Ten team had a more noteworthy Week 1 triumph. After all, Rutgers was the only Big Ten squad to beat a team from one of the so-called power conferences, rallying for a 41-38 victory at Washington State for its first win over a Pac-12 foe in school history.

Rutgers (1-0) will play host to the Bison (0-1) at noon Saturday.

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Rutgers football week 2: FCS Howard visits Piscataway

GAME TIME: SATURDAY: 12 PM ET, TV: BIG TEN NETWORK

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey  -- There doesn't seem to be any chance for an Appalachian State situation for Rutgers this Saturday. The Howard Bison didn't exactly put up a fight against Akron last week, and they face a better opponent in the Scarlet Knights. Expect Kyle Flood to pull starters to get much-needed experience at key positions. Here are some game notes that show how lopsided the series has been:

• Rutgers has outscored Howard 127-14 in the three previous meetings. In addition to the 2012 win, the Scarlet Knights defeated the Bison 45-7 in 2009 and 56-7 in the first meeting between the schools in 2006.
• In 10 all-time meetings against MEAC schools, Rutgers is 10-0. The Scarlet Knights have outscored MEAC opponents 405-36 all-time, including a score of 341-14 in eight games since 2006.

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In the FCS Huddle: Despite NDSU & B-CU, a humbling reminder

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PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (SportsNetwork.com) -- Beating FBS teams was all the rage last year when FCS schools brought them down a peg a record 16 times, including eight times on the season's first weekend.

Understandably, FCS conferences spent this past offseason trumpeting that they're closer to the bottom half of the FBS than the schools in those conferences are to the power conference schools which are seeking more autonomy.

That notion may be true when you're talking financials, but there's also something about walking the walk on the playing fields when you're talking the talk.

On this opening weekend of the 2014 college football season, the gap was evident. FCS teams were humbled by the FBS, winning only two of the 46 meetings between the two levels of Division I football.

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Ex-Canes four-star signee moves on to Texas Southern

HOUSTON, Texas --  Because he was a non-qualifier, Derrick Griffin never was able to reach his immense potential at Miami.  Now, however, the talented player will get another chance, albeit it at a much lower level of football.

According to Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston, Griffin has enrolled at Texas Southern and intends to play for the FCS program.  Because he was an academic non-qualifier, however, he will have to sit out the 2014 season.

“Our summer-bridge program is set up to take incoming freshman that need additional help to become college ready,” athletic director Dr. Charles McClelland told the station. “Derek successfully participated in that program which is why he is now a full-time student at Texas Southern University.”

In order for Griffin to be eligible in 2015, he needs to earn 24 credits between now and then. Additionally, Berman wrote, “Griffin must also maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 during the next two semesters to also be eligible.”

Until then, he’s eligible to practice with his new teammates.

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Big Plays Haunt Panthers In 37-35 Labor Day Classic Loss To TSU

HOUSTON. Texas --  Texas Southern used several timely third down conversions and took advantage of several Prairie View A&M turnovers to claim a 37-35 win in the 30th annual Labor Day Classic at NRG Stadium.

PVAMU failed to capitalize on an early Jerome Howard sack as they returned the gift on the first play of the next drive as a Jerry Lovelocke fumble led to a TSU recovery and a touchdown at the 7:21 mark.

On the following possession, the Panther offense began to click as Johnta' Hebert and Arthur Lockett combined to rush for 44 yards on the drive to move the Panthers into scoring position. Seven plays in, Lovelocke found Gabe Dunlap for an 11-yard touchdown and 7-7 tie with 5:14 remaining.

After a TSU punt, TSU began to implode with multiple personal fouls which led to a 3-yard run by Hebert. Barrick's PAT was good as the Panthers led 14-7 after the first quarter.

TSU's Homer Causey connected with Fred Plummer on a 51-yard pass on the final play of the quarter which set up a 26-yard field goal by Eric Medina and a 14-10 PVAMU lead. The Panthers were forced to punt on their following possession and TSU moved ahead 17-14 midway through the second quarter as Causey found Malik Cross for a 44-yard strike.

Despite the deficit, PVAMU hit with a big play of its own on the first play of the ensuing drive as Lovelocke found Nick Pitre for a 76-yard strike and a 21-17 lead with 6:16 remaining. An offsides penalty by the Panthers allowed TSU a second chance after a missed field goal as the Tigers closed to within 21-20 on Medina's 30-yard field goal with two seconds remaining.

On PVAMU's first play of the second half, TSU's Tray Walker stepped in front of Lovelocke and ran 16 yards unscathed for a 27-21 lead with 13:10 remaining. After a Panther punt, TSU converted three third down conversions and scored on a 20-yard Medina field goal for the 27-21 advantage.

After a slow third quarter which saw PVAMU score no points, the Panthers relied on their special teams for a big play in the fourth quarter as TSU's Fred Plummer fumbled a punt which was recovered by longsnapper Joe Sable. Four plays later, the Panthers trailed 30-28 as Lovelocke rushed in from one-yard out with 11:27 left in regulation.

Both teams traded punts after the score and TSU's Daveonn Porter struck big with a 53-yard run slightly after the six-minute mark. Two plays later, the Tigers moved ahead 37-28 as Plummer scored on a 27-yard reception from Small in the corner of the endzone. Down by two scores, the Panthers rallied with a 41-yard strike from Lovelocke to Keylon LaSalle to move into scoring position. Two plays later, the Panthers went deep into their playbook and used some razzle dazzle as Hebert took a pass from Lovelocke and found a wide open Gabe Dunlap for the 37-35 deficit after Barrick's kick.

With no timeouts left, PVAMU had one final chance to get the ball back but TSU's Small found Cross for a 14-yard reception on 3rd-and-12 which turned out to be nail in the coffin as TSU won for the second time in three seasons over the Panthers.

PVAMU finished with 369 total yards (227 P, 142 R) while TSU amassed 488 total offensive yards. Lovelocke finished with 202 yards on 10-of-26 passing and two touchdowns followed by 68 rushing yards from Hebert. Dunlap caught five passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns while Jerome Howard led the defense with 12 tackles, a sack, tackle for loss and a forced fumble.

The Panthers return to action at McNeese State on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. in Lake Charles, La.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina A&T Starts Fast, Wins Big



COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T SPORTS INFORMATION
Junior quarterback Kwashaun Quick ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
Photo by Charles E. Watkins


ORLANDO, Florida  --  Speed was Alabama A&M’s undoing at Bright House Networks Stadium Sunday afternoon. The Aggies sprinted to touchdown runs of 26, 59 and 80 and had a 95-yard kickoff return by junior Tony McRae, all in the first half, as they cruised to a 47-13 win in the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney.

Sophomore Tarik Cohen was named the game’s MVP after rushing for 161 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Junior quarterback Kwashaun Quick, making his third straight start on opening day, rushed for 94 yards and touchdowns and threw for 94 yards on 9-for-16 passing.

“We had some guys make some plays,” said A&T head coach Rod Broadway. “Quick opened things up by making some big plays for us and then Tarik made a few more plays. We’ve got some more guys who didn’t make plays for us today, but they are certainly capable. We’ve got a team of guys who can run.”

The Bulldogs (0-1) kept A&T’s speedsters on the sideline early thanks to a 12-play drive that devoured five minutes off the clock. Jaymason Lee’s completed pass Tevin McKenzie advanced the ball to the A&T 3-yard line, but it was short of the first down. The Bulldogs settled for a Ceaser Diaz-Ramon 20-yard field goal and a 3-0.

Diaz-Ramon’s botched onside kick that followed allowed the Aggies to give the ESPN audience watching live a preview of its speed. The Aggies took over at the A&M 37. After an 11-yard run on a reverse by All-American track and field 100 meter sprinter Desmond Lawrence, Quick dashed his way through A&M defenders for a 26-yard touchdown.

The Aggies never trailed again despite A&M’s efforts on its next drive. The Bulldogs again advanced the ball inside the A&T red zone only to settle for another Diaz-Ramon field goal that made it 7-6 with 16 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Once again A&T’s speed responded. McRae took the Diaz-Ramon’s kickoff, sprinted 20 yards, made a lethal cutback move and left every Bulldog behind for the 95-yard kickoff return and the 14-6 Aggies lead at the end of the first quarter. It was McRae’s second career kickoff return after returning one in last season’s opener at Appalachian State.

“It was important, I thought, to hold them to those two field goals,” said Broadway. “Any time you can hold them to three instead of giving up touchdowns, it changes things. It energizes you a bit.”

A&T directed that energy toward the scoreboard while Quick seemed to drain any energy the Bulldogs had left with a 59-yard touchdown run off of a fake to Cohen that left Bulldog defenders frozen.

“I just trusted my read and did what I was coached to do,” said Quick. “I saw the end crash, and I just pulled the ball out and made a play.”

Cohen said that fake aided in his 80-yard touchdown run that gave the Aggies a commanding 28-6 lead.

“They saw quick running everywhere, so that opened it up for me a bit,” he said. “We’re going to feed off each other because I don’t think defenses are going to be able to stop both of us.”

The Aggies’ 34-point win was their most lopsided win over a SWAC opponent in school history, surpassing the Aggies 28-12 win over Grambling in 1991. Fifth-year linebacker D’Vonte Grant and redshirt junior Denzel Jones led the Aggies defensively with 10 tackles apiece.

It was A&T’s first time playing in the event, which airs live nationally on ESPN.

“I think the coverage is something you can’t buy for our university or our conference,” said Broadway. “It’s great exposure. Our program has come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. We're nowhere close to being the type of program we want to be. So even just being invited to this game is an honor for us after going 27 games without a win and nine, 10 seasons without a winning season. Just to be invited tells us where we're going with our football program.”



COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU prevails in 5 on road to snap Wiley's long win streak

XU wins in 5 at Wiley, snaps Wiley's 54-match win streak against HBCUs.

MARSHALL, Texas -- Xavier University of Louisiana received career-high performances from Jodi Hill, Claudia Haywood, CeCe Williams, Darian Harris and Kayla Jones to earn a 26-28, 25-23. 25-17, 22-25, 15-9 women's volleyball victory at Wiley on Saturday.

The Gold Nuggets (1-2), in their first road match of the season, snapped Wiley's 54-match win streak against HBCUs. Xavier has won 40 straight against HBCUs.

Hill's 16 kills, Haywood's 11 kills, Williams' 11 kills, Harris' 29 digs and Jones' 19 digs were career bests. Franziska Pirkl recorded her 13th career double-double -- 50 assists and 12 digs -- and senior Chinedu Echebelem, in her season debut, had 12 kills and 21 digs.

"It wasn't a pretty match," XU coach Hannah Lawing said, "but we now know that we have depth."

Wiley (2-6) rallied from 17-13 and 25-24 deficits to win the opening set, but Echebelem produced nine kills to give the Gold Nuggets a 2-sets-to-1 lead. Fatima Dacosta's six kills and two blocks in the fourth set helped Wiley even the match before Xavier won for just the second time ever in five sets on an opponent's floor.

Williams had three kills and a block in the deciding set, Haywood had two kills, and Pirkl had a kill and an ace. Williams scored the final two XU points on kills.

Pirkl served three of the Gold Nuggets' seven aces, and Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova served two.

Dacosta finished with 23 kills, 18 digs and three blocks for Wiley. Fernanda Aguilar had 10 kills, and Diana Castaneda had 23 digs.

Xavier outhit Wiley .149 to .105 and had advantages of 59-52 in kills and 99-86 in digs. The digs are the Gold Nuggets' most in a match since the program returned in 2010.

Wiley had not lost to an HBCU since dropping a three-set home match to Grambling in Oct. 30, 2007. Xavier is unbeaten against HBCUs since a 25-17, 25-17, 25-14 loss to Prairie View A&M on Oct. 6, 2011.

It was the first volleyball meeting between Xavier and Wiley. They'll meet again Sept. 9 at XU's Convocation Center. Next for the Gold Nuggets will be their Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener at 5 p.m. Friday at home against Edward Waters. Xavier is the three-time defending GCAC regular-season and tournament champion and has a 43-match win streak against GCAC opponents.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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