TSU to host TTU in Return to the Hole, Saturday

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- On Saturday, the Tennessee State football team will return to Hale Stadium for the first time since Nov. 9 of last season to take on Tennessee Tech.

Scouting TSU
The Tigers come into this week’s game at 2-1, having just defeated Jackson State, 35-7, in the Southern Heritage Classic. In that game, TSU scored all 35 points in the first half and coasted to the easy victory.

Scouting TTU
The Golden Eagles sit at 1-1 coming into Saturday and have had a week off to regroup after their 49-14 loss at Indiana State last time out. TTU fell behind 28-0 to the Sycamores before scoring on back-to-back special teams plays in the third quarter.



Three Keys to the Game

Go for the Ball
Through the first two games of the season, Tennessee Tech has fumbled seven times and lost four of them. In their last game alone, the Golden Eagles coughed up the football five times and Indiana State came away with it on three occasions. Tennessee State has already forced nine fumbles this year, but has only recovered three. The TSU defense will have to pick and choose when to go for the ball, but when there is a pile up, expect the Tigers to go for a strip.

Limiting Returns
Against Indiana State, TTU blocked a punt and ran it back for a touchdown and Ladarius Vanlier returned ISU's next punt attempt 72 yards for a touchdown. Vanlier finished the day with 200 all-purpose yards (his second career 200-plus yard all-purpose game), gaining 112 yards on kickoffs, 74 yards on punts, nine rushing yards and five receiving yards. Tennessee Tech also currently ranks fifth in the FCS in yards per kickoff return with 29.86. TSU meanwhile, has only allowed opponents to return punts for an average of 1.25 yards and kickoffs 19.63 yards so far this season. Big plays, or the lack of, from the special teams should again play a big role on Saturday.

Battle in the Trenches
On offense, TSU must continue to open up holes for backs like it did on Saturday when the Tigers rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns. Senior offensive linemen Robert Myers, Anthony Morris and Derek Sibley should have a big day against TTU’s 47th ranked defense. On the other side of the ball, Tiger defenders need to continue to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks like they did last week when they totaled seven sacks. Reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year Anthony Bass has been a force this season, totaling five sacks. Gabe Terry’s and Samquan Evans’s play have also been a bright spot as both have two sacks apiece.

TSU is 16-10 all-time against TTU and is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings. This will be the first OVC contest for both teams and a chance to get to 1-0 in conference play. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Hole.

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TSU Volleyball Beats ETSU as Roulhac Clinches 300th Win

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State University volleyball team defeated East Tennessee State on Tuesday night at Kean Hall for head coach Kathy Roulhac’s 300^th career win.

The Tigers (4-7) won 3-1 over the Buccaneers (4-7) with a strong team performance. Three players finished with double-digit kills and three other players finished with double-digit digs. Senior Taylor Swayzer led the team on offense by putting down 17 kills. She was joined by junior Haley Hampton (11) and sophomore Arijana Anderson (10) in double figures. Anderson notched the match-clinching kill.

“I can’t say enough about this team,” coach Roulhac said. “This definitely feels like 300 wins. Swayzer put on a show, offensively, but it was a true team effort. Great match all around.”

Senior Naomi Wells led the team on defense with 17 digs. Her teammates, sophomore Taylor Patterson (16) and senior Ileanushka Maldonado (13), really helped her stabilize a Tiger defense that held the opposition to a .208 attack percentage.

TSU took the first set 25-21 before dropping the second set by the same score. The Tigers buckled down and took sets three and four under some outstanding play from Swayzer. She hit .359 on the game and led all scorers in kills. Freshman Samantha Beltran turned in a 41 assist-performance to help lead the team to its fourth win in five games.

“This team is so strong. They’ve had great chemistry throughout the preseason and now into the teeth of the season, and its showing. I have a good feeling about this team heading into our final non-conference tournament in Cincinnati.”

The Tigers take to the road, once more, for a weekend tournament in Cincinnati. TSU takes on Central Michigan this Friday at 3:30 p.m. to open up the tournament and then, on Saturday, plays Charleston Southern at 1:00 p.m. and the host Bearcats at 6:00 p.m. For the match with UC, the Blue and White have a chip on their shoulder. They’ll look to repay the 3-1 loss suffered at the Active Ankle Challenge in Louisville, Ky. earlier this month.

As always, check out the volleyball team on Twitter @tnstateVB.

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Grambling visits Jackson State after 2013 boycott

GRAMBLING, Louisiana – Broderick Fobbs wasn't at Grambling in 2013, but he'd be oblivious if he weren't paying attention to the turmoil last fall at his alma matter.

Not only was Grambling at the forefront of statewide headlines while Fobbs looked on as an assistant at McNeese State, but the Tigers garnered national attention for all the wrong reasons.

Grambling players staged a revolt following a loss to Alcorn State in Indianapolis, Indiana, due to lingering issues like poor facilities, ragged equipment and a growing disdain for former president Frank Pogue. As a result, the players failed to show up for a road game at Jackson State, essentially ruining JSU's homecoming plans.

Now Grambling is headed back to Jackson State almost a year later where the Tigers are expecting an intense atmosphere.

"There's a little more to it with everything that went on, but I mean we're going to play regardless, so it doesn't matter," Fobbs said. "If you need a situation to occur to get you ready to play against Jackson State, then you don't understand the colors you wear."

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Hampton U. aims for first win against D-II Miles College

HAMPTON,  Virginia — Connell Maynor didn't lose more than two games in any of his first four seasons as a head coach. His first Hampton University team lost three in three weeks.

Aside from a brief, playful shadow-boxing exhibit Wednesday, the Pirates' Big Whistle was composed and undeterred.

"We've got to be realistic and take everything in perspective," Maynor said. "This is right where everybody thought we would be — 0-and-3, playing those three teams. Nobody thought we (were) going to beat Richmond, nobody thought we (were) going to beat William and Mary, nobody thought we (were) going to beat ODU — and we didn't.

"But what we did, what people didn't think we (were) going to do, we played with those guys and we showed that we could move the ball, we could score. At times we could stop them. So we showed that we've got potential to be a good football team. Now we've got to continue with that and start getting some Ws, and we need to start this week with Miles and then get into conference play and continue to play good, solid football and the Ws will continue to come."



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B-CU's LeBranden Richardson eager to face old UCF teammates

DAYTONA BEACH — When Bethune-Cookman's LeBranden Richardson takes the field at Bright House Networks Stadium Saturday, he should feel right at home..

As a former UCF player, Richardson is quite familiar with the surroundings of the Knights home turf, but this time the confines won't be so friendly. Nonetheless, he's looking forward to seeing some of his old friends.

"It's going to be exciting … I love that Bright House stadium. It will be like a homecoming, bringing back some old memories. I made my first collegiate sack at that stadium," said Richardson, now a senior defensive end at B-CU. "I won't be nervous. I will just like any other game, but I will get that feeling once I get out there, I suppose. I'm excited for it."

Some of his former teammates are gone and so is his old position coach Jim Panagos, now the defensive line coach at Rutgers, but the Knights' roster still features some of his closest friends, including UCF receiver Josh Reese.

Reese and Richardson were teammates at Miami Central High, after Richardson transferred from Hialeah, and the pair chose to go together to UCF, along with highly touted teammate Jeffrey Godfrey. Godfrey had a breakout year as a freshman, earning Conference USA newcomer of the year honors in 2010.

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Despite slow start, Spartans stay confident

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Norfolk State faces the possibility that it could enter the all-important MEAC portion of its schedule at 0-4.

The Spartans (0-3) will visit Buffalo on Saturday for a final non-conference tune-up against the lone FBS team on the calendar.

But win or lose once more before the league opener against Morgan State on Sept. 27, players and coaches believe the early-season adversity will make them stronger in the long run.

And that's all that matters.

"Playing out-of-conference teams, you hope to come out with the win either way it goes," said star linebacker Lynden Trail. "But at the end of the day, you have to come to the realization that we're playing for our conference."


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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.

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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.

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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.



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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 

https://twitter.com/xulagold
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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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