Kentucky State Picks Up Season Opening Victory Against Kentucky Wesleyan, 41-21

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Senior running back Justin Williams rushed for almost 200 yards as the Kentucky State football team began its 2014 campaign with a convincing 41-21 win against the Kentucky Wesleyan Panthers on Thursday evening at Alumni Stadium.

For the second year in a row, the Thorobreds began their season with a victory against KWC. The two teams, which first played in 1983, have now played each other nine times with Kentucky State holding an, 8-1, edge in the matchup.

Just like their last matchup, when the Thorobreds rushed for a combined 269 yards, the running game was the story. On Thursday evening, Kentucky State rushed for 289 yards and three touchdowns as a team while holding the Panthers to just 56 total rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns.

Williams rushed for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 14 carries to average an impressive 13.7 yards per carry. Starting running back Jacquise Lockett picked up 89 hard-earned yards on 21 carries to help wear down the KWC defense.

KSU starting quarterback Adam Robinson went 11-for-22 with 123 passing yards and an interception. Robinson picked up a pair of touchdowns, one rushing and one passing, both coming in the second half.

The Thorobreds used special teams to pick up their first touchdown of the 2014 season. In the first quarter Jeremy Lewis fielded a punt at his own 44-yard line, and after picking up several key blocks, took it all the way down the field to put Kentucky State on top 10-0.

Senior kcker Cade Berryman was also a big factor in the special team's game. Berryman split the uprights for a pair of 35-yard or more field goals in the first half. He also was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra point attempts after Thorobred touchdowns.

Defensively the Thorobreds were solid against the run but gave up 284 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Senior linebacker Terry Horton had a team-high eight tackles, and free safety Vincent Edwards picked up an interception early in the first quarter to go along with four tackles.

Next up for the Thorobreds is a road trip to Charlotte, N.C., for a Saturday afternoon game against Johnson C. Smith on Sept. 13.

Box Score

COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Texas Southern Tigers tame Texas College Steers to win home opener in impressive fashion 52-14

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Texas Southern Tigers battled the Texas College Steers in their home opener at BBVA Compass Stadium winning the contest in blowout fashion in front on a highly entertained home crowd.

The Tigers defense started off well with an interception from Defensive Back Dondre Dobbins leading to a touchdown early in the first quarter from running back Daveonn Porter on a 1-yard run giving TSU a 7-0 advantage.

Texas College scored on a 20 yard run to put the Steers up 8-7 midway through the first quarter. But the Tigers would not look back the rest of the way as Porter went all the way for 53 yards to put the Tigers up 14-8.

Quarterback Jamal Small connected with wide reciever Malik Cross from 39 yards out to put the Tigers up 21-8. In the second quarter Small threw two more touchdowns, a 6 yard pass to Porter and a touchdown toss to Billy Rosenberg to go up at halftime 35-8.

TSU Quarterback Jay Christophe helped put up the only points in the third quarter with a 52-yard run to extend the lead to 42-8.




The Tigers went on to win the game 52-14. TSU had a total of 529 yards of total offense with the quarterback combination of Small and Christope finishing the game a combined 18-of-25 for 284 yards and 4 touchdowns.

"Our back-up quarterbacks will have to carry the torch until Causey returns," said TSU Head Coach Darrell Asberry. "We played with a lot of energy tonight and that allowed us to get off to a great start."

The Tigers next game will be in the Bahamas against Central State where they'll compete in the HBCUX Classic.

Box Score 

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Livingstone Blue Bears Take Home Shocking Road Win at Millersville (Pa.)

MILLERSVILLE, Pennsylvania -- Coach Williams and The Livingstone Blue Bears met up with the Millersville Marauders in PA, Thursday night at the Chryst Field at Biesmesderfer Stadium for their first road game of the season. The Blue Bears were victorious 46-44 over the Marauders in a tough matchup with a shocking outcome.

The Millersville Marauders wasted no time producing points on the scoreboard. Freshman, Kevin Wiggins Jr. opened up with a 64-yard touchdown run with 2:08 into the start of the game. The Blue Bear Junior, Drew Powell Countered with a touchdown, alongside Kicker Manzo, to send us over one with a 7-6 lead. The Blue Bears continued with the momentum in the second quarter with amazing 12 yard rush from Clawsondy Cayo giving us yet another touchdown sending the lead to 13-6.

With numerous incomplete passes from the opponent they tried for the field goal from the 30 yard line from Evan Stahl giving the Marauders a 3 point cushion to the Blue Bears.

The Millersville Marauders were tough offensively with 503 yards for the night but it was not good enough to hold off the Blue Bears. Malont'a Patterson was the Marauders best offensive player catching five passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns. His final touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter made the score 44-26 at the time.

It was not over yet, when Drew Powell threw to Jalen Hendricks for 33 yards to the 1st down with 10:37 left on the clock bringing the gap in to a 12 point difference.

Powell sent a 27 yard pass to Austin Higgins getting us closer to our victory. Powell once again threw to Jalen Hendricks for 16 yards with 1:26 left on the clock giving the Blue Bears a crucial touchdown for the night. Shockingly the Powell, Hendrick duo did it once more throwing for 25 yards giving us one more touchdown in the fourth quarter.

With the score resting at 46-44, Millersville began their final drive. With Patterson and Misley trying to fight back for the Marauders, a crucial throw went right off the fingertips of Patterson. With anticipation setting in with 14 seconds to go, Kicker Evan Stahl was pressured as he stepped up to kick, trying to send the Maruauders over into victory when it went wide right missing his 40-yard attempt. The Blue Bears snatched the victory with once being down by 18 and up by two the bears showed their toughness on the field.

Powerful key players like Jalen Hendrick who finished off the night with 5 touchdowns, 14 catches, and 211 yards was the answer to the game tonight. He was joined with power teammate Powell who threw for 256 and rushed for 75, adding in for six total scores.

" I am very proud of all of my players tonight, we were the testament to Livingstone, which is Excellence. No one gave up, no one quit, and we continued with the plan and believed in the plan." Although we got a win tonight, we still need to go back to the drawing board, we need to tackle better and 4 turnovers were way too many tonight."

 "Overall I am proud tonight and I look forward to the next matches we have to come". What an exciting finish for Coach Williams and the Blue Bears on their first road game.

The Marauders fall to the Blue Bears 46-44.

The Blue Bears travel to Paine College September 13 at 4:00 pm in Augusta, Ga.

COURTESY LIVINGSTONE BLUE BEARS SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU football coaches get aboard 10 for $10 campaign

HEAD COACH EARL HOLMES

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Earl Holmes and his staff of assistants have gotten aboard in support of a 10 for $10 fund-raising campaign that is rapidly approach the $100,000 mark since it began just over a week ago.

The football coaches donated $150. Wednesday, said Cecka Rose Green. She initiated the campaign with a "let's see what happens" approach on Labor Day.

The idea has gone viral and as of mid-afternoon Wednesday had raised $76,916.85 from 2,319 donors online.

"I think it's an excellent idea," Holmes said at the 220 Quarterback Club's luncheon. "I think it's catchy. You have to start small, but think big and that's exactly what I'm seeing."

The coaches will continue to give online, where they and other donors could earmark their donations to a specific program at FAMU, Rose Green said. She said she hopes that other athletic programs will follow suit.

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#4 Coastal Carolina football ready to play at North Carolina A&T

CONWAY, South Carolina  -- The 4th ranked Coastal Carolina football team is set to take on North Carolilna A&T on Saturday, September 6 at Aggie Stadium in Greensboro. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

CCU is 4-0 lifetime against North Carolina A&T out of the MEAC. The Chants own a 17-1 career record against MEAC teams.

Coming off a 31-16 season-opening victory at The Citadel, Coastal hits the road for a second straight week. It is the first time in program history that CCU has started a season with two FCS games away from home.

The North Carolina A&T Aggies won their opener 47-13 over Alabama A&M. Former Scotland Scots quarterback Kwashaun Quick leads the Aggies offense. Quick had nine carries for 94 yards and scored two TD's last week.

VIDEO

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Milstead: 'It feels great to be home' at DSU

DOVER, Delaware  -- Rod Milstead represents the best of Delaware State University's football past.

His All-American career with the frequent MEAC-champion Hornets from 1988-91 was the foundation of an eight-year NFL stint during which the guard earned a Super Bowl ring with the 49ers.

But it's Delaware State's football future – and its immediate 6 p.m. test Saturday at Delaware – that command Milstead's attention these days.

Under a hot afternoon sun Wednesday, on the steamy turf at Alumni Stadium, Milstead attempted to convey those interests to the DSU offensive linemen he is in his first season coaching.


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



XU women's and men's cross country at 2014 Xavier 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 13:13.3. 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 and also bettered Robinson's record. 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."

Results:  Men    Women
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Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Mississippi Valley State set for Illinois State Season Opener

NORMAL, Illinois -- The Illinois State (0-0, 0-0 MVFC) football team will open its 2014 season in front of a home crowd at Hancock Stadium Saturday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m., against the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State (1-0, 0-0 SWAC). Saturday's game marks the first meeting in program history between the two teams and the second competition against a Southwestern Athletic Conference member for the Redbirds.

The game will be televised on Comcast SportsNet (CSN) via the Illinois State Television Network. To locate which channel CSN is available on through your cable provider, please view the channel finder.

THE SERIES
ISU has only competed against a current Southwestern Athletic Conference member one time previously, an Oct. 21, 2000, meeting against Prairie View A&M that resulted in a 64-0 win for the Redbirds.

THE COACHES
Illinois State: Brock Spack (Purdue, 1983) is in his sixth season as the head coach at Illinois State (33-24). Spack led the Redbirds to their first playoff victory since 2006, just the third nine-win season in school history and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award during the 2012 season.

Mississippi Valley State: Rick Comegy (Millersville, 1976) is in his first season as the head coach at Mississippi Valley State (1-0) and has a career record of 163-86. He arrived at MVSU after a stellar career as head coach at Jackson State, where he led the Tigers to the SWAC championship game in 2012 and 2013.

THE REDBIRDFOOTBALL PROGRAM

• Four FCS playoff appearances (1998, 1999, 2006, 2012)
• Three-time FCS quarterfinalists (1999, 2006, 2012)
• Four-straight winning seasons for the first time since the 1940's
• The team is 22-6 at home under Spack's guidance
• ISU finished the 2013 regular season undefeated at home (5-0), the first perfect home record for the Redbirds since 1999
• The team set a program-record cumulative GPA of 2.94 in the Spring 2014 semester

PLAYER TO WATCH
Junior running back and 2014 team captain Marshaun Coprich leads the way for the Redbirds on the ground. In 2013, Coprich led the team with 890 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Those numbers were bolstered by a streak of four-consecutive 100-plus yard rushing performances in the month of October, including a 124 yard and career-high three touchdown game in a victory over in-state rival Western Illinois.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT
Mississippi Valley State University is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and has an enrollment of 2,452 students. The Delta Devils are members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and play their home games at Rice-Totten Stadium (10,000).

• The Delta Devils finished the 2013 season with a 2-9 record, including a 2-7 record in SWAC play which placed them fifth overall in the Eastern division.
• MVSU upended University of Faith, 32-8, at Rice-Totten Stadium last Saturday to kickoff the 2014 season and give first-year head coach Rick Comegy a win in his first game at the helm.
• Jerrell Moore, who made the switch from receiver to running back, made a huge splash with 116 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries against the Glory Eagles. He had a 52-yard run and a 38-yard scamper for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
• All-SWAC wide receiver Julian Stafford led the Delta Devils with three receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Patrick Ivy connected with Stafford on a 50-yard strike in the second quarter and again in the fourth quarter on a 17-yard pass.
• The Delta Devils limited the Glory Eagles to just 50 total yards, including negative 32 yards on the ground, and were led by defensive tackle Jeremiah Russell who forced two safeties and had six solo tackles.

ABSOLUTELY PERFECT
In 2012, Illinois State finished the regular season with a perfect 5-0 record in road games en route to an appearance in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. The 2013 team set a goal to be perfect at home inside the newly-renovated Hancock Stadium, and the team secured a perfect 5-0 regular season home record with a hard-fought 13-3 victory over UNI (Nov. 2). The unblemished record at home was the first for the Redbirds since 1999, when that team finished 5-0 during the regular season and added a home playoff win to finish 6-0. The Redbirds are looking for similar success in 2014, with seven home contests on the slate.

REDBIRDS PICKED SIXTH IN PRESEASON POLL
Coming off its first sub-.500 season in the last five years, the Illinois State football team was picked to finish sixth in the 2014 Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason poll. Three-time defending national champion North Dakota State was selected first in the annual list selected by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and media. A pair of Redbirds were also selected to the 2014 MVFC Preseason Team in the annual vote. Senior preseason All-American long snapper Chris Highland and 2013 All-MVFC Second-Team linebacker Pat Meehan were among 30 MVFC student-athletes listed on the preseason lineup. In addition, senior offensive tackle Jermaine Barton was tabbed as a preseason honorable mention selection, signifying he received at least five votes on the ballots submitted.

HOME SWEET HOME
The Redbirds have played well at home under the leadership of head coach Brock Spack, including in their home openers the last five seasons. ISU is a perfect 5-0 in home openers in the past five seasons, and the Redbirds hope to extend that streak to six against Mississippi Valley State on Saturday. Last year, the 'Birds celebrated the opening of the newly-renovated Hancock Stadium with a 31-17 non-conference victory over Abilene Christian.

GETTING DEFENSIVE
Over the past four seasons, the Redbird defense has scored nine touchdowns, including a pair in 2013. Safety Tevin Allen scooped up a dropped lateral attempt and returned it 17 yards for a score in a win over UNI (Nov. 2) and fellow safety Dontae McCoy returned an interception 64 yards for a score in the season finale at SIU (Nov. 16). With the two touchdowns, Illinois State has scored at least one defensive touchdown each year under Spack.

GoRedbirds.com:  Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, WSF gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.

COURTESY ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY REDBIRDS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

XU's Fakler and Jackson receive GCAC weekly awards

Catherine Fakler

Kwame Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Catherine Fakler set a school record Friday and tied a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's cross country record Wednesday.
    
After setting a school mark of 12 minutes, 42.18 seconds for two miles in the Xavier Big Easy Opener at City Park, Fakler was chosen GCAC Women's Runner of the Week for the eighth time in her career. Fakler matched the conference record in that sport held by teammate Zahri Jackson and Spring Hill's Kate Imwalle.
    
Xavier's Kwame Jackson, Zahri's older brother, was named GCAC Men's Runner of the Week for the 10th time in his career. He is No. 2 on that GCAC career list behind former teammate Matt Pieri, who was honored 13 times.
    
Fakler and Jackson were the individual champions at the Big Easy Opener, and Fakler led the Gold Nuggets to the women's team championship. Jackson's time of 16:21.57 for 5,000 meters was the second-fastest of his career.
    
The victories were the fourth of Jackson's XU career and the third of Fakler's. All of Fakler's victories occurred in Xavier's last four meets.

Both honorees are seniors. Fakler is from Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School, and Jackson is from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School.
    
Both XU teams will compete Saturday in the Louisiana Army National Guard/ROTC Wolf Pack Invitational at Lafreniere Park in suburban Metairie, La. The women will race at 7:50 a.m., followed by the men at 8:25. Both races will be 5,000 meters.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Austin Howard back in the race for Southern starting QB job

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- It must be something in the water in Edgard. Southern University freshman quarterback Austin Howard, from West St. John High in Edgard, looked pretty seasoned in the Jaguars opener against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.

Coming off the bench, he completed 18 of 31 passes for 181 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions in the Jaguars' 45-6 loss to UL-Lafayette.

Howard's precision passes resembled those of another West St. John product, Dray Joseph, the previous Southern quarterback who led the Jaguars to the 2013 SWAC Championship before his eligibility expired.

Howard's performance puts the Jaguars back at square one in the search for a starter. Redshirt freshman Deonte Shorts started Saturday's game but Howard, who came in the first quarter on Southern's third drive, got most of the snaps.



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Albany State University quarterback Frank Rivers, QB coach Brian Von Bergen forming strong bond

ALBANY, Georgia -- Practice is over and most of the players head back to the field house to get dressed.

But in a small corner of the football practice field at Albany State University, quarterback Frank Rivers and newly hired quarterbacks coach Brian Von Bergen continue to work, oblivious that most of the team has called it a day.

It doesn’t matter that Rivers, who was named the 2014 SIAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 1,898 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. He listens to everything Von Bergen says, nodding in agreement.

“Everything is going pretty good,” said the soft-spoken Rivers. “He’s bringing out some new stuff that I need to add to my game, which I believe is helping me and I feel myself getting better each and every day. So I’m kind of excited to see where this year is going to go with a new coach.”

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NCCU’s Jones: A DB with ‘ice blood’ in his veins

DURHAM, North Carolina -- N.C. Central cornerback back Mike Jones is expected to play Saturday against Elizabeth City State after experiencing some short-term memory loss.

It’s a good thing.

No, Jones did not get a concussion during NCCU’s season-opener at East Carolina, a 52-7 loss inside a buzzing Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium in Greenville. None of the Pirates cold-cocked Jones, although ECU’s wide receivers were pushing him around a little bit. The refs flagged him a couple of times for pass interference, too.

But bring up those penalties to Jones, and he’d be like, “Flags? What flags.”

“That’s the whole key to being a really good corner. You want a guy with ice blood pumping through his veins,” NCCU coach Jerry Mack said. “I think that’s what Mike is. He may give up a play here or there, give up a catch, but he doesn’t remember.”

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FAMU 10 for $10 challenge goes viral

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Cecka Rose Green thought she had a pretty good idea for helping alma mater, Florida A&M University: Give $10 to the school and challenge 10 other Rattlers to follow suit.

It turns out it was more than a good idea. Rose Green’s “10 for $10” social media campaign, begun Aug. 25, quickly went viral.

In its first seven days the challenge raised more than $51,000 for the FAMU Foundation, and that doesn’t count checks that were being mailed in and had yet to be counted.

“We’re encouraging people to donate in memory of fallen Rattlers,” Rose Green said. “We want to take this into perpetuity, getting people to give every month.”

Rose Green, working with the blessing of FAMU President Elmira Mangum and Thomas Haynes, vice president for university advancement, believes the challenge campaign can produce $1 million by May, when FAMU’s National Alumni Association holds its annual meeting.

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Howard Bison Keith Pough signed by Cleveland Browns practice team

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Former Scott’s Branch High School football standout Keith Pough has been signed by the Cleveland Browns for its practice team, according to The Bleacher Report.

Pough, 24, was picked up last year by the Buffalo Bills as an un-drafted free agent, but was later cut by the team. Pough was the recipient of the East-West Shrine Game’s Pat Tillman Award in 2013, recognized as a player exemplifying character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service.

While attending Howard University, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Pough recorded 349 total tackles and set the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision record for tackles for a loss with 71. He was voted the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Defensive Player of the Year Award, and won the Frank P. Bolden Award as the Pigskin Club of Washington College’s Player of the Year.

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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. 

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

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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