Florida A&M Rattlers look to end drought at Bragg Stadium

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- FAMU didn't win a single game at home last season so naturally the question had to come up when the Rattlers met the media Tuesday afternoon.

There were some obvious frustration on the faces of the three players in attendance, but no one responded to the question more directly than sophomore guard Keonte Cash.

"To be honest, it was pretty embarrassing," said Cash, who endured a 3-9 season as a freshman starter for the Rattlers.

FAMU plays at home for the first time this season Saturday when it faces Coastal Carolina, the No. 5 ranked FCS team in the nation. The Chanticleers (3-0) knocked off two other MEAC teams in their last two games and will be looking for the hat trick in Bragg Stadium, where FAMU went 0-5 last season.

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Morgan State football using snub in MEAC preseason poll as motivation

BALTIMORE, Maryland  -- When the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference unveiled its preseason poll in the summer, Morgan State was picked to finish last in the 11-team league despite tying Delaware State for third in 2013.

In the aftermath of the Bears’ 28-3 thumping of Bowie State on Saturday, senior inside linebacker Cody Acker didn’t need any reminding about the team’s placement in the preseason poll.

“Believe me, I know that,” he said. “It’s just motivation. At the end of the day, I’ve never seen a preseason ranking dictate what a team does during the season. It’s all just speculation. All we have to do is come out and prove those guys wrong. At the end of the day, they don’t know what they have in our room. Only we do.”

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Southern University coach Dawson Odums said Prairie View offense still capable

Last year's Prairie View-Southern University game had video game like statistics and an Arena League Football like score. The Jaguars outgunned Prairie View, 62-59, in double overtime for their first victory of the 2013 season.

That victory catapulted Southern to the SWAC championship after the Jaguars had started 0-2.
But the Jaguars don't have the offensive weapons of last season. Quarterback Dray Joseph threw for 480 yards and six touchdowns in the victory. Wide receiver Lee Doss had nine catches for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Both were seniors in 2013.

The Panthers, though, return quarterback Jerry Lovelocke, who passed for 353 yards and a touchdown. Running back Johnta' Hebert , who carried for 154 yards and three touchdowns, also is back.

Prairie View gashed Southern for 772 yards in last season's contest. Southern coach Dawson Odums said the Panthers are still capable on offense.



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Jackson, Fakler earn third GCAC awards of the season

Kwame Jackson

Catherine Fakler

NEW ORLEANS — For the third time in as many weeks this season, Xavier University of Louisiana seniors Kwame Jackson and Catherine Fakler are the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Runners of the Week in cross country.
    
Jackson is from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School. Fakler is from Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School.
    
Jackson was the men's individual champion at the Southern Miss Invitational on Saturday. He ran 5,000 meters in 17 minutes, 30.8 seconds to earn his second victory this season and his fifth for Xavier. Jackson has 16 top-10 finishes and 11 top-5s in 22 collegiate meets.
    
Fakler finished fourth in the women's 5K in 19:48.2. It was her 17th top-10 finish and 14th top-5 in 23 collegiate meets.
    
Jackson has been GCAC Runner of the Week 12 times — one less than the record holder, former XU teammate Matt Pieri — and Fakler has won the women's award a GCAC-record 10 times.
    
Next meet for both XU teams will be the LSU Invitational at Highland Road Park in Baton Rouge, La., on Saturday. The women will race at 8:05 a.m., followed by the men at 9:15. Distance for both will be 5K.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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SWAC Football Begins Conference ESPNU Matchups Thursday



COURTESY SWAC.ORG



BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The Southwestern Athletic Conference has four league games, including the 2014 Toyota SWAC Football Championship, that will be nationally televised live on ESPNU this season.  SWAC football fans will have an opportunity to watch Alabama State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alcorn State, Mississippi Valley State and Grambling State compete from the comfort of home or on their mobile devices.  The first conference matchup to appear on ESPNU will be Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alabama State this Thursday, Sept. 18.   Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. in the New ASU Stadium.

 

Games are tight between the two cross division rivals.  The last time the teams met in Montgomery, the Hornets dropped the game 24-21 after a big fourth quarter comeback fell short back in 2012.  Last year, they were able to complete the comeback, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40-39.

 

Other games slated for ESPNU include:

• October 2: Alabama State at Alcorn State, 6:30 p.m.
• November 6: Grambling State at Mississippi Valley State, 6:30 p.m.
• December 6: 2014 Toyota SWAC Football Championship (Houston, Texas), 3 p.m.

COURTESY SWAC.ORG

Rush sign Capdeville; XU opens fall schedule Thursday

JEREMIAH CAPDEVILLE

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana tennis coach Alan Green announced Tuesday a signee for his men's program and the 2014 fall schedule of his men's and women's teams.
    
New to the Gold Rush — an NAIA national quarterfinalist each of the past three seasons — is Jeremiah Capdeville, a right-hander from Jennings, La., and a 2014 graduate of Jennings High School. He is enrolled at XU this fall.
    
Xavier's first fall will be the HBCU National Championships at Clayton County Tennis Center in Jonesboro, Ga. The four-day tournament will begin Thursday.
    
Capdeville was a six-year member of the Jennings varsity and an LHSAA Division III state singles semifinalist in 2012 and 2014. He was a regional singles champion this year. He has won seven singles tournaments in USTA competition, including the Houma City Junior Open 18s title in 2012.
    
Capdeville maintained a 4.0 grade-point average in high school and tied for the highest GPA in his graduating class. He is majoring in Spanish at Xavier.
The HBCU National Championships is one of three fall tournaments for the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets. For the second straight year, Xavier will play host to the USTA / ITA NAIA South Regional Championships at XU and City Park from Sept. 26-28 and compete in the Big Easy Classic at the University of New Orleans on Oct. 24-25.
    
The schedule of dual matches will begin in late January and will be announced in December or January.
    
Xavier's women were an NAIA national semifinalist each of the past two seasons.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Echebelem's big numbers earn her GCAC player award

NEW ORLEANS — Big numbers for Xavier University of Louisiana's Chinedu Echebelem helped her earn Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in women's volleyball for Sept. 8-14.
    
In the Gold Nuggets' only match of the week, Echebelem had a season-high 19 kills, a career-high 28 digs and two aces in the Gold Nuggets' 29-27, 25-22, 23-25, 25-17 home victory against Wiley. The combined total of kills and digs is the largest by a Xavier player in a match since the program was reinstated in 2010.             
    
Echebelem is a 5-foot-6 senior outside hitter from Dallas and a graduate of Duncanville High School. This is the third time she has been GCAC Player of the Week; she won once in 2013 and once in 2012.
    
Xavier, 4-2 overall and 2-0 in the GCAC, will play conference opponent Philander Smith at noon Saturday at XU's Convocation Center. Admission is free. Xavier has a four-match win streak.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Gold Rush coach to speak at Life Resources luncheon

DANNTON JACKSON
HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

NEW ORLEANS — Dannton Jackson, men's basketball head coach at Xavier University of Louisiana, will be the featured speaker Wednesday (Sept. 17) at the weekly Life Resources Bottom Line Luncheon.
     
The luncheon will start at noon at Piccadilly Cafeteria, 2222 South Clearview Parkway in suburban Metairie, La. Luncheon organizer Ken Trahan said Jackson will deliver an inspirational message based on John 15.
     
It will be the second public appearance in five days for Jackson. On Saturday he spoke about transition offense at the Pelican Coaches Clinic in Metairie. The Louisiana High School Basketball Coaches Association sponsored that event.
     
Jackson, in his 12th season as coach of the Gold Rush, is 249-107 and set a school record last season for career victories. He was Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year each of the past three seasons. His Xavier teams won five GCAC regular-season championships, including the last three, and qualified for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship eight of the past 10 seasons.

The Life Resources Bottom Line Luncheon is open to the public. For more information, contact Trahan at (504) 621-0120 or Barry Haindel at (504) 450-8198.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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SU responds to questions concerning certification

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS AND JETLENS

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- Southern University athletics has issued the following statement regarding the department's ongoing certification process.

"The ongoing certification process reflects the severity of the unusable data findings which surfaced as a result of the NCAA inquiry. Every available resource is being expended on clearing up problems with certifying documentation and expediting the reinstatement waiver process for those student-athletes affected.

The three students held out of play for further review were first flagged 48 hours before Saturday's game. We determined that there was insufficient data to determine their continuing eligibility and so until further review this week they are being withheld from competition. University certification staff reviewed documents Friday and Saturday and worked until the last possible minute to find relief for those students.

The University remains committed to not allowing ineligible student-athletes to compete.

We will continue to focus our attention on fulfilling the compliance demands of the NCAA. As we continue our work, we will defer all further questions to the University media relations office."

University media relations can be reached at 225-771-4545.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

New Game Experience Planned for Florida Blue Florida Classic: B-CU vs. FAMU

ORLANDO, Florida -- The fall football season marks the return of the nation's largest HBCU rivalry as the Florida A&M University Rattlers take on the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats at the Florida Blue Florida Classic game on November 22, 2014 at the all new Orlando Citrus Bowl in Orlando. The excitement for this year’s matchup intensifies as this is the first game to be played at the newly built stadium that was demolished earlier in the year. Tickets are on sale now and start as low as $15.

This year’s Florida Classic features an enhanced fan experience, an exciting lineup of weekend and pre-game events, and something for everyone from students, families, sports enthusiasts, alumni, and supporters of both universities. Attendees can expect a better game experience in the brand new 65,000-seat stadium, which features larger, more comfortable seats with chair backs, and an additional six inches of legroom in the lower bowl. Additionally, the bigger and better stadium includes multiple club suites and lounges, better concessions, a party deck area, new team facilities, and better views of the game from any point in the stadium thanks to multiple video displays on each upper deck.

“This year we are completely focused on giving fans the best game experience and making this the most talked about HBCU game of the year and the place to be,” shares Marah Beltz, Bethune-Cookman University.



In addition to the big game, the weekend lineup of events begins on Friday, November 21st and includes the Florida Consortium Kickoff Luncheon presented by Florida Blue, the Career Expo and Job Fair, and the Florida Blue Battle of the Bands featuring crowd-pleasing dance teams, high-stepping drum majors, precision drumlines, and roaring brass sections. Game day activities include FanFare with activities for the entire family, a pre-game performance featuring 2 Chainz and a day party in the stadium, in addition to the halftime performance by the Marching 100 and the Marching Wildcats.

“You can always expect a great game at the Florida Classic, but this year is even better,” shares Angela Suggs, Florida A&M University Assistant Athletics Director. “In addition to the exciting new energy that both teams are bringing to the gridiron, the fan experience has something for everyone from the pre-game concert and the day party, the Battle of the Bands and FanFare, to a bigger and better stadium.”

This year’s game is touted as the ‘can’t miss event of the year’ and will be focused on giving fans the best high-energy football experience. Tickets are on sale now for the game and weekend events and can be purchased online at FloridaClassic.org.

The Coach K Show: Week of Winning

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- TSUTigers.com sits down with head volleyball coach Kathy Roulhac to talk about a successful week, being on the doorstep of 300, and who, on the Tigers, has the best dance moves.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Gold Nuggets win at Tougaloo for 4th straight victory

TOUGALOO, Mississippi -- Xavier University of Louisiana, led by career highs of 17 kills from Claudia Haywood and 14 kills from CeCe Williams, earned a 25-16, 21-25, 25-18, 25-12 women's volleyball Monday at Tougaloo.

The Gold Nuggets (4-2 overall, 2-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have won four straight. They have won 45 consecutive matches against GCAC opponents -- 36 in the regular season -- and 43 in a row against HBCUs.

Haywood and Williams combined for 20 kills in the final two sets. Xavier hit .282 in the final two sets after hitting .121 in the first two.

Xavier served a season-high 11 aces, and freshman Jelena Vujicic collected her first five of the season. Jodi Hill had a career-high four aces, and Franziska Pirkl had two.

Hill had eight kills and a career-high-tying four blocks. Darian Harris had 20 digs, and Pirkl had 43 assists and 12 digs in her third double-double of the season.

Williams had three kills and a block in a 7-2 run which gave Xavier a 14-7 lead in the fourth set. Williams ended the match with a kill of a free ball.

Chassidy Harris led Tougaloo (1-6, 0-3) with 13 kills. The Lady Bulldogs have lost five straight.

Xavier hit .208 for the match with 51 kills, 68 digs and six blocks. Haywood hit a season-high .452, and Williams hit .303.

Xavier will play GCAC opponent Philander Smith at noon Saturday at XU's Convocation Center.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 

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Coach's fund-raising saves season for FAMU golf team

The return of the team means that the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will have a championship tournament this year and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- When Marvin Green set out to raise money for FAMU's golf team, two things were on his mind – longevity of the program and an opportunity for his players to compete for a full season.

"FAMU's golf has been around for 60 years and we want to be around for 60 more years," Green said Thursday. "We want to be considered a viable and important part of our athletic program. We just want to be something that the whole community is proud of."

Green said that he has raised $30,000, which will cover the cost of a 10-tournament schedule and avert suspension of the program. The Rattlers will play their first event on Sept. 26 in the Hall of Fame Tournament, a major for HBCUs that is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta.

FAMU announced suspension its golf team in June in a cost-saving move by athletics director Kellen Winslow. Green's effort guarantees that they won't miss this season after all.

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Battle of the Bands: Elon University Marching Phoenix vs. North Carolina A&T State University Blue & Gold Marching Machine

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Published on Sep 14, 2014
Courtesy of the North Carolina A&T BGMM Media Team...

Special thanks to the Elon University family for the wonderful hospitality they extended to us during the game, to include inviting us to perform second during halftime. This is the least we could do to show our appreciation for such a class act... Thomas L. Jones, Jr.

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

XU's Jackson, Kitto finish 1-2 at Southern Miss Invitational

Kwame Jackson (17:30.8 for 5K), Brent Kitto (17:32.8) and Christopher August
(17:42.5) placed 1-2-4 at Southern Miss Invitational cross country meet.

MOSELLE, Mississippi -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Kwame Jackson edged teammate Brent Kitto by two seconds Saturday to win the men's individual title at the Southern Miss Invitational cross country meet.

XU's women, led by Catherine Fakler's fourth-place finish, placed second out of five teams and scored better than NCAA Division I opponents Alcorn State and Southern. Xavier is an NAIA member.

Jackson ran 5,000 meters in 17 minutes, 30.8 seconds to earn his second victory in three meets this season and his fifth victory for Xavier. Jackson, a senior, has 16 top-10 finishes and 11 top-5s in 22 collegiate meets.

Kitto earned his second runner-up finish of the season and his third straight top-4. He ran four seconds ahead of third-place Darien Hennington of Alcorn State.

It's the second time in three meets that Jackson and Kitto were the two fastest overall finishers.

Xavier's Christopher August was fourth in 17:42.5 and claimed his third top-10 of the season.

Fakler ran her 5K in 19:48.2. It was her 17th top-10 finish and 14th top-5 in 23 collegiate meets.

Briana Simms was the Gold Nuggets' second-fastest runner. She was 13th in 21:56.2.

Rebecca Ulrich of Southern Miss won in 19:06.6 and led the Golden Eagles to the team title with 21 points. Xavier was second with 62 points, followed by Alcorn State with 66, Southern with 84 and SUNO with 142.

Xavier's men did not qualify for team scoring.

Other XU finishers were Emmanuel Detiege (15th place, 19:33.9) in the men's race and Hannah Finnegan (15th, 22:13.2), Hali Yarmush (16th, 22:24.5), Carlee Calais (19th, 23:10.7), Reeka Belton (20th, 23:14.6), Ashley Flournoy (21st, 23:26.2) and Zahri Jackson (28th, 25:48.1) in the women's.

Next meet for both XU teams will be the LSU Invitational at Highland Road Park in Baton Rouge, La., next Saturday. The women will race at 8:05 a.m., followed by the men at 9:15. Distance for both will be 5K.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold
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In the FCS Huddle: Moving out of the shadows

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania  --  Others receiving votes.

For much of the week, those words sound important yet not so important at the same time.

But on Saturdays, some of the others receiving votes in The Sports Network FCS Top 25 force people to take notice of their teams.

They are not just "other" teams.

Some will make it into the Top 25 either sooner or later. Definitely sooner if they continue their impressive starts to the season.

North Carolina A&T stands a one-point loss against No. 5 Coastal Carolina away from being 3-0. Saturday's road win over Elon underscored how the Aggies might be better than their No. 40 ranking. Coach Rod Broadway has a dandy playmaker in sophomore running back Tarik Cohen.

Just a hunch, but Montana and Coastal Carolina probably have inflated national rankings at No. 4 and 5, respectively. Bethune-Cookman will move up from No. 13, but the Wildcats struggled past Grambling State and probably are ranked too high as well.

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2014 South Carolina State University Marching 101

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Jackson State hopes to fix offensive woes before SWAC play

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State's much-talked-about offense was silenced by Tennessee State in Saturday's 35-7 loss.

With that, the first item on JSU's agenda this week is 1) Intense film study.

There has to be an explanation why Jackson State (2-1) struggled to get more than three plays in a series. The first thought that came to coach Harold Jackson after the loss was quarterback protection.

Sophomore LaMontiez Ivy has been sacked nine times after three games this season; seven came in Saturday's rout.

"We just switched up our blocking protection, and it started working for us, but it was a little too late," Ivy said.


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Memorial for Jonathan Ferrell held on anniversary of shooting

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Georgia Ferrell believes in the power of prayer, and when it comes to seeing justice for her slain son Jonathan, more than anything, she wants to see the man responsible pay for what he did.

Ferrell and three of her sons — Jonathan's brothers — traveled to Powerhouse Church of God in Christ on Sunday for an afternoon of songs and prayer in honor of Johnathan, a former Florida A&M football player who was 24 when he was shot and killed exactly one year ago Sunday by Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer Randall Kerrick while attempting to seek help after a car crash in northeast Charlotte, N.C.

Kerrick was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of voluntary manslaughter in January.

Sunday's memorial service also included a small panel discussion on gun violence, parental involvement in a child's life and what a person should do when confronted by a police officer. About 50 people were in attendance for the two-hour service, and Ferrell was presented with flowers before she spoke to the congregation.

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Sight & Sounds of Southern Heritage Classic 2014

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Fourth Quarter Comeback Secured First Win for the CAU Panthers

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Down 17-0 at the end of the third quarter, the Clark Atlanta University (CAU) Panthers mounted a colossal comeback scoring 20 points in the fourth to hold off Lane College for the 20-17 win in their HOME opener at Panther Stadium Saturday.

In a relatively quiet first half for both teams, Lane (0-2, 0-0) struck first with a 45-yard field goal at the 3:34 mark to take a slim 3-0 lead into halftime. With two passing touchdowns in the third quarter, one for 42 yards and the other for 24 yards, the Dragons seemed to be on cruise control. However, the Panthers (1-1, 0-0) found an answer by converting an interception and a fumble recovery into scoring drives. On the first possession of the fourth, Clark Atlanta's Joshua Tate captured one of his two interceptions that set up the Panthers' first scoring drive. After a 41-yard run and third down conversion by sophomore Montavious Taylor, Shaquan Mitchell's five-yard touchdown run put CAU on the board at 12:29.

Lane's next drive resulted in a fumble recovery by Clark Atlanta's Marquis Abernathy who returned it 32 yards for a touchdown that closed the gap to four points, 17-13. With a rush of momentum, the Panthers kept up the defensive pressure and forced the Dragons to punt on a three-and-two after senior linebacker Bre'nard Williams stopped the quarterback's rushing attack for a one-yard loss. On CAU's ensueing drive, Mitchell's second rushing touchdown on a 55-yard drive with 2:52 remaining gave the Panthers their first lead, 20-17, that they would never relinquish. Tate's second pick that he returned for 90 yards deminished Lane's hope for a final scoring drive and sealed the win for Clark Atlanta.

Williams and Tate led a ferocious CAU defense with a game-high 11 and 7 tackles, respectively, that stalled Lane's offense in the final 15 minutes of the game. With nine solo tackles, Williams also recorded one sack, one pass breakup and six tackles for a loss of 78 yards. As a team, CAU and Lane finished with 45 tackles while Clark Atlanta also had five pass breakups and four sacks.

Offensively, the Panthers managed 286 total yards with 237 in a balanced ground attack led by a trio of backs:Travious Blair (67 yards), Mitchell (62 yards) and Taylor (54 yards). For the Dragons, Roderick McKee connected on 18-of-30 passes for a game-high 278 passing yards.

Next, the Panthers will travel to Fort Valley State University to take on the Wildcats Saturday, Sept. 20th, in a 6 p.m., battle, before hosting West Georgia in their second HOME game at Panther Stadium Saturday, Sept. 27, at 2 p.m.

Box Score 

COURTESY CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Concordia-Selma Scores 27 Points in Fourth to Defeat Point

SELMA, Alabama --  Concordia College Alabama scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally past Point University for a 27-14 win Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

The win was the first at Concordia for head coach Stanley Conner and the first for the Hornets in nearly a calendar year.

“We really needed a win,” Conner said. “This program needed a shot in the arm.”

The defense and special teams ignited the come-from-behind win with three game changing plays in the fourth quarter. With Point up 14-0 and seemingly in control, Concordia’s Johnathan Drake recovered a fumble at the Point 1-yard line to set up a Matthew Roswer touchdown run.

After a 71-yard touchdown throw from Haratio Keller to Dontae Parker tied the game at 14, Deon Johnson returned a Point punt 65-yards for a score to give Concordia its first lead of the day.

Just a few minutes later, with Point driving for a potential game-tying score, Drake intercepted a pass and ran it back 55 yards for a touchdown to put the game away.

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Livingstone Blue Bears Snatch Win Out of Paine Lion Den

AUGUSTA, Georgia --  Livingstone College comes out on top once again for the second road game of the season under the direction of Head Coach Daryl Williams. Junior Quarterback Drew Powell ran for 92 yards and counted for 5 touchdowns, 2 in the air and 3 on the ground, while Sophomore Kendall Robinson, Junior Hildon Bush, Junior Jalen Hendricks and Senior Justin Forte all accounted for a touchdown each,  jointly pushing the Blue Bears into another victory over Paine College scoring 48-45. The Paine College Lions did not give up easy as they went down for a hard fight Saturday (Sept. 13) inside Laney Football Stadium.

The Blue Bears kept the lead considerably far-off the entire first three quarters of the game. The first quarter was lead 20-7 sealing off the Lion's defense. The second quarter the Lions added in three points from kicker Wisdom Nzidee making it 27-10.

The Lions tried to gain momentum by scoring another touchdown bringing the score gap in to 27-17 at halftime, but little did they know the Blue Bears would come back and set the tone.

Third quarter, Bush returned a 42 yard interception back for a touchdown to add 7 points with the extra point kick byLeonardo Manzo, to bring the score to 34-17. Also in the third quarter, Powell rushed for a 3 yard touchdown to add to Lions deficit of 41-17, but the Lions would answer back with a 49 yard reception for touchdown by Jabari Menafee to end the quarter with the Blue Bears on top 41-24.

Fourth quarter was the turning point of the game. Powell tried to put the final dagger in the Lions with a 68 yard run for a touchdown to bring the Blue Bears up tremendously 48-24, but the Lions were not done yet. The Lions took their last stance in the fourth quarter by racking up 3 passing touchdowns but not converting on 2 out of 3 extra points that would be the difference maker and the deciding factor for the final ending. The Blue Bears held on strong and brought home another win of 48-45.
 
Livingstone College will be back in action Saturday (Sept. 20), hosting the first home game of the season against The University of Virginia- Lynchburg at 1:00 PM.

ECSU Vikings Run Past Tusculum Pioneers 18-10

COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS 

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- The Elizabeth City State University Vikings overcame a halftime deficit and a rain delay to capture a 18-10 win over Tusculum College Saturday afternoon at Roebuck Stadium.

The Vikings are the only team in the CIAA to have beaten the Pioneers, both victories coming at Roebuck Stadium (2009, 2014). Tusculum has now lost 18 straight road games and sports a 7-2 record against CIAA opponents.

The two teams played under sunny skies for the first half but during the halftime show the skies opened up with a heavy downpour. Trailing 10-9 entering the second half, the Vikings had the first possession of the third quarter but only ran one play from scrimmage before the game was called due to lightning.

A forty minute rain delay and a quick warmup later, the teams resumed play with the Viking facing 2nd and six at their own 29 yard line.

On Tusculum's second drive of the second half, the Viking defense came up with its first momentum shift of the game. Maliek Wright got his second pick in as many weeks returning the interception to the Tusculum 39 yard line.

ECSU capitalized on the turnover when Jeff Flores connected on a field goal from 33 yards out to give the Vikings a 12-10 lead with 2:26 left in the third.

The Viking defense then forced a three and then went on to control the ball for the next nine minutes, with a 19 play, 70 yard drive that ended with a 2 yard touchdown by Petey Boone (PAT failed) and a 18-10 lead.

The Pioneers got only as far as the ECSU 46 on their ensuing drive and the game ended with the Vikings pitching a second half shutout.

Stephen Williams led the defensive charge with 10 tackles (8 solo) while Kendal Sellers added 8 tackles including 2 sacks for a loss of 10 yards.

Battling the elements of the second half affected both teams' offensive production as the Vikings finished with 293 yards of offense to 287 for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers' opening drive yielded the first score of the game with a 16 play, 81 yard drive ended with a 4 yard TD run by Fernando Smith at the 9:45 mark. The ECSU offense struggled in the opening quarter as Tusculum held the ball for over eleven of the first quarter's opening minutes.

The Vikings finally got on the scoreboard when Malcolm Cherry blocked a punt attempt through the back of the TC end zone for a safety. On the ensuing free kick Lovie Banks-Rose returned the kickoff 62 yard for a score and a 9-7 lead with 2:06 left in the half.

Tusculum rallied to retake the lead as the half expired with a 28 yard field goal by Jose Esparza.

Just the opposite were ECSU's fortunes in the second half as the Vikings won the time of possession edge with their ground game for just over 21 minutes to only eight and a half minutes for Tusculum.

ECSU (1-1) will return to action on Saturday, September 20 at the 17th Annual Down East Viking Football Classic. Game time is scheduled for 4pm at the Rocky Mount Athletic Complex. Follow on Twitter @ECSUVikings and visit www.ecsuvikings.com.

Final Stats

COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Texas Southern tops Central State, improves to 3-0

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Daveonn Porter ran for two touchdowns and Texas Southern beat Central State 30-16 Saturday.

Porter scored on runs of 26 and 5 yards, and gained 89 yards on 18 carries, as TSU moved to 3-0 this season. Jamal Small added 108 yards on 13 carries, and went 17 of 31 for 186 yards and two TDs, for the Tigers.

Central State (1-1) scored first on John Adams' 32-yard field goal, capping a 10-play, 64-yard first quarter drive. But Small connected with Fred Plummer for 26 yards for a score, then found Malik Cross from six yards to lead 13-3 at half.

Porter's first TD made it 20-3 early in the third. But Central State scored twice - the latter a 25-yard interception return by Christian Wilson - to cut it to 20-16.

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