Former Virginia University of Lynchburg coach files suit for back pay

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- A former Virginia University of Lynchburg employee has filed suit against the college and its president, Ralph Reavis, for almost $10,000 in back pay and attorney’s fees.

Darnell Wall was a co-offensive coordinator for the Dragons football team and recruiter for the college from August 2013 through May 2014.

According to the suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Lynchburg on Aug. 8, Wall was not paid from Aug. 4, 2013 through Dec. 6, 2013. His suit alleges that the school — and Reavis, who signed his employment contract — owe Wall more than $4,300 in wages and $5,400 in overtime pay.

“He is working; however because of circumstances beyond his control we do not have the funds to pay him,” Reavis wrote. When Wall was unable to make his car payment in 2013, Reavis reached out to the company on Wall’s behalf. The correspondence, which was submitted by Wall as evidence in the suit, is on VUL letterhead.

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Rutgers football wins tune-up (Howard) for Penn State

PISCATAWAY, New Jersey -- It's now Penn State week.

Rutgers passed its tune-up Saturdfay or the Big Ten opener by getting three touchdowns and 100 yards receiving from halfback Paul James and four touchdown passes from quarterback Gary Nova in a 38-25 victory against Howard at High Point Solutions Stadium.

The defense, which has struggled against the pass since the start of last season, allowed 263 and four touchdowns on the ground, though the starters were replaced during the second half.

ames scored all three of his touchdowns in the first half, including two through the air, and Nova connected with Leonte Carroo and John Tsimis for scores. Both wideouts had touchdowns in last week's win against Washington State.

Nadir Barnwell had a fumble recovery and one of Rutgers' two blocked kicks.

Rutgers had outscored MEAC opponents 341-14 in eight games since 2006 but fell behind Howard 7-0 before rallying for 31 unanswered points.

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XU Gold Nuggets ease past EWC Lady Tigers in GCAC opener

XU women's volleyball vs. Edward Waters
Photos by Yamlak Tsega

NEW ORLEANS — Claudia Haywood had a career-high 11 kills for the second straight match to lead Xavier University of Louisiana to a 25-10, 25-13, 25-11 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball victory against Edward Waters on Friday.

The Gold Nuggets (2-2 overall, 1-0 GCAC) have won 44 consecutive matches against GCAC opponents and 41 in a row against HBCUs.

Haywood, a junior, reached double figures in kills in consecutive matches for the first time at Xavier. She produced seven kills in the second set and hit a season-best .444 overall in 18 attempts.

Chinedu Echebelem had nine kills, Jodi Hill eight and CeCe Williams four for the Gold Nuggets. Franziska Pirkl had 16 assists and 13 digs — her second straight double-double and the 14th of her career — and served a season-best four aces.

Darian Harris had 10 digs for Xavier to reach double figures for the third time in four matches. Hill's seven digs were a career high, as were Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova's 15 assists.

Kaylin Davison had three kills and 10 digs for Edward Waters (0-5, 0-1), which has a 10-match losing streak dating to last season.

The Gold Nuggets never trailed and opened with runs of 6-1 in the first set, 13-3 in the second and 7-1 in the third.

Xavier outhit Edward Waters .270 to minus-.080 and had advantages of 40-10 in kills, 9-2 in aces and 54-40 in digs. The Gold Nuggets' hitting percentages and aces were season highs.

Xavier will play Wiley at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Convocation Center.

NOTES: Xavier leads the series 8-0 . . . The teams also will meet Oct. 26 in Jacksonville, Fla. . . . The victory was the first at home for Xavier this season after losing in its first two attempts . . . Through four matches, Hill leads Xavier with 42 kills. She did not reach 42 kills in 2013 until her 13th match . . . Xavier's home win streak against GCAC opponents in the regular season is 16.

Box Score

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Dr. Norman C. Francis announces his retirement as President of Xavier University, effective June 30, 2015

LEGACY OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP


Xavier University of Louisiana President Dr. Norman C. Francis announces his retirement as the longest serving college president in the USA.

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NEW ORLEANS — Dr. Norman C. Francis, the nation’s longest serving university president, today announced that he plans to retire as president of Xavier University of Louisiana, effective June 30, 2015.

"After nearly 47 years, I believe that the time has come to take the brightly burning torch turned over to me by the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and pass it on to new leadership," Dr. Francis told a campus wide Convocation of the University community late Thursday morning.

"I did so with the passionate confidence and absolute certainty that Xavier is better prepared than ever to continue its educational and spiritual mission, and to build on its tradition of excellence,"
Dr Francis continued.

Dr. Francis’ has been affiliated with Xavier for most of 66 years, arriving at Xavier from Lafayette as a 17 year old freshman in 1948, and he quickly emerged as a leader. He was elected class president every year of his undergraduate study and student body president in his senior year.

"This morning, my fellow board members and I accepted Dr. Francis’ request to retire as Xavier’s president, effective June 30, 2015," said Michael Rue, Chairman of the Xavier University Board of Trustees. "We all wish Dr. Francis could remain as Xavier’s president for at least 50 more years. We take solace in the realization that Dr. Francis will be forever with us through the institution he helped shape."

Xavier University has been transformed under Dr. Francis’ leadership, enrollment has tripled and the university’s endowment has grown from under $20 million to more than $160 million. A campus of five permanent buildings that could fit on one city block has grown to 16 permanent buildings and manicured green spaces extending out over 63.4 acres

During Dr. Francis’ tenure as president, Xavier has received a constantly increasing volume of national recognition for outstanding academic achievements especially in the sciences and pre-medical areas, rigorous graduation requirements and Xavier’s scholarly athletes, as well as the intellectual and moral quality of the alumni.

"There will likely be many questions about who will be Xavier’s next president. The responsibility for this decision rests with the Board of Trustees. Having only just approved Dr. Francis' request to retire from Xavier by the end of June 2015, our sole focus today and over the next few days is on beginning the celebration of the life and legacy of the quintessential Xavierite: Norman C. Francis," Mr. Rue continued.

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Alabama State Hornets, Tennessee State Tigers Set to Meet on the Gridiron

GAME TELEVISED ON ASPIRE TELEVISION NETWORK (Find Aspire Channel)

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Alabama State University football Hornets are set to open the home portion of the 2014 schedule when they play host to the reigning 2013 National Black College Champions and 14th-ranked Tennessee State University. The game has been deemed the Inaugural Classic as the entire week of events at ASU has been built around Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd's Inauguration as 14th President at Alabama State University.

TSU (1-0) enters the game coming off a convincing 58-6 season opening victory over Edward Waters. The Tigers rushed for an FCS-high 439 yards during the game as the two teams played the game in a driving rainstorm.

"It's the Inaugural Classic as our new President is having her Inauguration and we're having a good opponent here in Tennessee State," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "We have a lot of respect for them. They are a great program and they have been picked as the favorite to win the HBCU National Championship this year, so we do understand what type of challenge we have."

"Our young men have been practicing hard all week and we are looking forward to playing here in our home stadium and seeing how we measure up to a really good Tennessee State team."

TSU will present a different type of problem for the Hornets as their high-powered offense is more of a traditional offense and not one of the various spread offenses now used.

"It's a huge challenge for our defense," Barlow said. "Tennessee State will run a pro-style offense and they have great skill players. They have a really good running back that transferred from the University of Tennessee and their quarterback has a great skill set. He can make all the throws and their system is good and their offensive line is a big, big group of guys."

"Again our defense will have its work cut out for them, but that is what this is right now. Its college football, we signed up for it so we're looking forward to going out and playing Alabama State football, getting lined up and playing with passion and enthusiasm. We don't need to pay attention to the scoreboard because that will take care of itself."

The Hornets (0-1) enter the game after suffering a season-opening road loss at #16 Sam Houston State University. In fact it may be the first time in the history of the football program the Hornets have faced back-to-back nationally-ranked opponents.

"There definitely has to be some improvement from last week," Barlow said. "I didn't think we tackled well in the first game and we put a special focus on tackling this week. We were not very good on third down offensively or defensively and that's another thing we put emphasis on this week. We are hoping we made great strides this week against Tennessee State in those areas."

The game is scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. and will be televised live on the Aspire Television Network. The game can also be listened to on HornetVision at bamastatesports.com

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Matchup preview: Coastal Carolina vs. North Carolina A&T

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -- What you need to know about the Aggies:

North Carolina A&T made quite a first impression Sunday, rolling to a dominant 47-13 win over Alabama A&M in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge. The Aggies rushed for 307 yards in that game (See Pivotal Players), which is their best rushing total against an FCS opponent in coach Rod Broadway’s four seasons. The defense was stout too, holding the opposition to 3.0 yards per carry on the ground. That’s what this team is known for after leading all FCS teams in rush defense last year (90.3 yards per game). As for Broadway, he has the Aggies moving in the right direction after a 7-4 finish last year. They were picked third in the MEAC preseason poll and received votes in the FCS rankings this week.

Key Matchup

North Carolina A&T makes a priority of shutting down opposing rushing attacks, and the Chants fully expect to face a stacked defensive front. If so, they’ll have no qualms expanding their passing attack. Therefore, the game could hinge on how the Aggies’ starting cornerbacks – senior Donald Mattocks and junior Tony McRae – defend Coastal Carolina’s taller receivers and junior quarterback Alex Ross’ precise passing.

• Where | Aggie Stadium (capacity: 21,500), Greensboro, N.C.

• When | 6 p.m. Saturday

• All-time series | Coastal Carolina leads 4-0

• Weather | 87 degrees and mostly sunny with a 20 percent chance of rain

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Lincoln Beats Cheyney 30-18 in Battle of the Firsts

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania – The Lions (1-0) opened the 2014 season with a 30-18 victory over rival Cheyney University (0-1) at home in a televised game on Thursday, September 4^th. Senior wide receiver Akeem Jordan (Washington, DC/Carroll HS) set a career-high with 156 receiving yards and had three touchdown receptions leading Lincoln to a glorious win.

In his second season as head football coach at The Lincoln University, Ramon Flanigan has now won both of the season-opening Battle of the Firsts contests against Cheyney University.

Lincoln collected 357 total offensive yards after rushing for a solid 135 yards and 222 passing yards. Defensively, the Lions forced two interceptions in the final five minutes of the game to seal their second consecutive victory over Cheyney, improving to 12-2-1 in the series. The Wolves took a late 18-17 lead at the 8:22 mark in the fourth quarter after their second rushing touchdown of the night. With their backs against the wall, the Lions roared back with timely defensive plays. Senior defensive back Jacob Lockley (Philadelphia, PA/Mastbaum Vo-Tech) intercepted the Cheyney quarterback at mid-field with 4:53 left in regulation giving his offense another opportunity to pull ahead.

Lincoln used a pair of rushes to lure the Cheyney defense for a third passing touchdown from 25-yards out by quarterback Doug Cook (Dania Beach, FL/University School of Nova SE University) and Akeem Jordan (Washington, DC/Carroll HS). With a 23-18 advantage and 1:40 left to play, the Lincoln defense once again rose to the occasion forcing a second-straight Cheyney turnover.

In five plays, the Wolves offense gained 38 yards driving to the Lions 32-yard line in a final attempt for a score. The Lions defense applied pressure and sophomore Dezman Ellis(Bowie, MD/DeMatha Catholic HS) picked off Cheyney for a 65-yard touchdown returned off an interception. That was Ellis' first career interception and touchdown as a Lion. With 19-seconds remaining, Lincoln extended their lead to 30-18 downing Cheyney.

Running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) rushed for 99 total yards and had two receptions for 15 yards. Scott averaged 5.5 yards per carry and has the second most net yards rushing (99) in a game in Lincoln football history (114 –D'Ante Smith; at Livingstone; 9/26/2009) .

The duo of Doug Cook (Dania Beach, FL/University School of Nova SE University) and Akeem Jordan (Washington, DC/Carroll HS) hooked up for three touchdowns matching their 2013 performance against the Wolves. Doug Cook (Dania Beach, FL/University School of Nova SE University) completed 14-of-22 pass attempts for 222 total yards. This was Cook's fifth time throwing for three touchdowns in a game as a Lion. His longest completion of the night was a 44-yard bomb to Akeem Jordan (Washington, DC/Carroll HS) in the second quarter setting up the Lions' first touchdown. Cook and Jordan gave the Lions a 10-0 lead with a 25-yard touchdown with six minutes remaining in the first half. The dynamic duo reconnected in the fourth quarter for a pair of scores from 33-yards and 25-yards out. Jordan finished with six receptions for a career-high 156 total yards receiving and tied a career-best with three receiving touchdowns.   

Senior wide receiver Anthony Green (Chester, PA/Upper Darby HS) had four catches for 28 yards and junior wide receiver Brandon Rowe (Harlem, NY/Hudson Valley CC) had a pair of receptions for 23 yards. Rowe had 68 all-purpose yards with two kick-off returns for 25 yards while rushing for an additional 20 yards.

Junior defensive back Brandon Robinson had a team-high eight tackles to lead the Lincoln defense. Senior linebacker Keith Harris (Philadelphia, PA/Rancocas Valley Regional HS)and sophomore linebacker Wadel Louis (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach HS) each had seven tackles while defensive lineman Stephen Lloyd (Bowie, MD/Anne Arundel CC) finished with six tackles. Three of Lloyd's tackles were for a loss of 15 yards and he recorded the only sack of the game for a loss of 14 yards. Senior defensive back Lorenzo Adams(Philadelphia, PA/George Washington HS) had four pass breakups with three tackles and junior defensive back James Thomas (Los Angeles, CA/Oaks Christian Academy) had three pass breakups along with four tackles.

Kicker Brett Arkelian (Clovis, CA) connected on a 23-yard field goal attempt in the 2^nd quarter and averaged 46.0 yards on three punts with a long of 53-yards.

Lincoln moves to 1-0 in 2014 and will host North Carolina Wesleyan at home in their next game on Saturday, September 10^th at 1 p.m.

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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

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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 

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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.

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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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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.

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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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