Saturday, September 20, 2014
Game Notes: NCCU Football at Towson
Complete Game Notes as PDF VIDEO: Press Conference with Coach Jerry Mack
THE GAME
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" at Towson University "Tigers"
THE KICKOFF
Saturday, September 20, 2014 – Kickoff at 6:00 p.m.
THE SITE
Johnny Unitas Stadium (11,198 capacity/Field Turf) - Towson, Md.
THE RECORDS
N.C. Central (1-2 overall, 0-0 MEAC); Towson (1-2 overall, 0-0 CAA)
MEDIA COVERAGE
Audio: NCCU Sports Network mobile app (iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Kindle Fire HD); "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (audio internet stream). Broadcast starts at 5:45 p.m. (Kyle Serba, play-by-play).
Video: TowsonTigers.com (Free)
QUICK HITS
• After back-to-back home games, NCCU hits the road for a 315-mile trip to Towson, Md., for the Eagles' first appearance at Johnny Unitas Stadium.
• Both NCCU and Towson have overall records of 1-2. However, NCCU is coming off of a tough 40-28 loss to Charlotte, while Towson returns home after a 21-7 win at Delaware State.
• Following Saturday's win at Delaware State, Towson has now won four consecutive games against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Towson's last loss to a MEAC opponent was on Sept. 26, 2009, when the Tigers fell at Morgan State, 12-9.
• In 2013, Towson advanced to the FCS national championship game and won a school-record 13 games.
• NCCU senior defensive end Felix Small has forced a fumble in each of the first three games, which leads the MEAC and ranks second in the nation (FCS).
• As a team, NCCU tops the MEAC and ranks fifth nationally (FCS) in punt returns, averaging 24.4 yards per punt return. NCCU also leads the MEAC and ranks sixth in the nation in third down conversion defense, allowing opponents to move the chains on third down only 24.3 percent of the time.
• In three games, Towson has not committed a turnover.
THE SERIES
This will be the second meeting between NCCU and Towson. In the first meeting on Sept. 21, 2013, Towson pulled away from NCCU in the second half for a 35-17 win in Durham, N.C.
THE LAST MEETING
(Sept. 21, 2013) Towson University, the fourth-ranked team in NCAA Division I-FCS, scored on its first two possessions of the second half to pull away from a scrappy North Carolina Central University team for a 35-17 road win inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. After a scoreless first quarter, Towson took a 14-10 lead into the locker room. That's when the rain made its way to Durham and the tide started to change. Towson needed just four plays to light the scoreboard in the third quarter when Terrance West raced 22 yards for a touchdown and a 21-10 Tigers' advantage. On Towson's next possession, the Tigers moved 86 yards on 10 plays for a 28-10 lead. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Reid completed a 40-yard bomb to senior receiver Thomas Dixon to pull to within 28-17. The Eagles maintained the momentum when, two plays later, linebacker Ty Brown stripped the ball from Leon Kinnard and safety Ryan Smith recovered for NCCU. Just when things were getting interesting, Reid threw and interception on third-and-10 to give the ball back to the Tigers. Two drives later, NCCU cornerback Michael Jones picked off his fourth pass of the season to give the Eagles another life. However, facing third down and one yard to go at NCCU's own 37-yard line, Reid threw back-to-back incomplete passes to return the pigskin to the Tigers. With the game in hand, Towson added another touchdown with 1:35 remaining to make the final score 35-17. Towson amassed 444 yards of total offense, including 252 yards through the air. West posted 139 ground yards and two touchdowns. NCCU received a career-high passing performance by Reid with 292 yards and two touchdowns, but the quarterback was sacked six times resulting in only two total rushing yards by the Eagles.
LAST WEEK
(Charlotte 40, NCCU 28) North Carolina Central University tied a school record with 28 fourth-quarter points, but a slow start allowed Charlotte to score 40 unanswered to open the contest, as the unbeaten 49ers avenged last season's loss to the Eagles with a 40-28 victory inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C. NCCU redshirt sophomore quarterback Malcolm Bell came off the bench with 11:36 left in the second quarter to throw for a career-high 337 yards and two touchdowns on 25-of-36 passing with an interception. Bell spread the wealth to a host of receivers. Redshirt junior Adrian Wilkins caught seven passes for 129 yards and a touchdown, while junior running back Deyonta Wright also had seven receptions for 27 yards. Transfer receivers Quentin Atkinson and Jazz King had five catches each, while rookie tight end Jvon Simmons grabbed three passes for 42 yards and his first career touchdown. NCCU senior running back Andre Clarke ran for his fourth touchdown of the season to cap the Eagles' fourth-quarter scoring. The two teams combined for 863 yards of total offense, with NCCU (1-2) collecting 420 total yards and Charlotte (3-0) amassing 443 total yards, including 300 rushing yards. NCCU's defense was topped by redshirt junior cornerback Ryan Smith and senior safety C.J. Moore with nine tackles each. Senior defensive end Felix Small added seven stops and forced a fumble, his third of the season. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Jeremy Thompson contributed to the fourth-quarter scoring by returning an interception 26 yards to the end zone.
(Towson 21, Delaware State 7) A pair of fourth quarter special teams touchdowns propelled the Towson University to a 21-7 win over Delaware State at rain-soaked Alumni Field on Saturday. Trailing 7-6 in the fourth quarter, sophomore Jordan Mynatt blocked a Delaware State punt that senior Fred Overstreet recovered in the end zone to give the Tigers a lead they would not relinquish. Later in the quarter, senior Derrick Joseph returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown to seal Towson's 21-7 win. Towson outgained Delaware State 221-71 on the ground, averaging 4.9 yards per carry. Sophomore Darius Victor led the Tiger rushing charge with 131 yards on 24 carries, giving him two 100-yard rushing games in just three contests this season. The consistent downpour of rain throughout the game limited Towson's passing attack as junior quarterback Connor Frazier completed 10 of 22 passes for 83 yards. Frazier did run for 84 yards on 17 attempts and for the third straight game threw no interceptions. In fact, through three games the Tigers have yet to turn the ball over.
THE COACHES
NCCU: Jerry Mack (Arkansas State, 2003) is in his first season as a college head coach. At age 33, he boasts 10 years of coaching experience, including stints with five NCAA Division I programs and two conference championship teams. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Mack has held positions as wide receivers coach at the University of South Alabama (2012-13) and the University of Memphis (2011), as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (2010), as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at the University of Central Arkansas (2008-09), as wide receivers and tight ends coach at Jackson State University (2006-07), and as an offensive graduate assistant at Delta State University (2004-05). Mack began his collegiate playing career at Jackson State before transferring after one season (1999) to Arkansas State University. He lettered three years at Arkansas State (2001-03) before earning his bachelor's degree in management information systems in 2003. Mack completed his master's degree in physical education from Delta State in 2006.
Towson: Rob Ambrose (Towson, 1993), now in the sixth season as the head coach at his alma mater, led the Tigers to the FCS championship game and a school record 13 victories in 2013, along with back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association championships in 2011 and 2012. After the 2011 Tigers made their first appearance in the NCAA FCS playoffs, Ambrose was presented with the Eddie Robinson Award as the national FCS coach of the year. He has also served as an assistant coach at Connecticut and Towson, and spent the 2001 season as the head coach at Division III Catholic University.
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Temple not taking Delaware State lightly
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Temple (1-1) wasn't entertaining too much talk this past week about the possibility that it might overlook Delaware State (0-3) on Saturday.
Returning to action following their first of three bye weeks this season, Temple will host Football Championship Subdivision Delaware State at Lincoln Financial Field. And while some have attempted to paint this meeting between the Owls and the Middle Eastern Athletic Conference opponent as an easy win, Temple coach Matt Rhule is not buying into it.
"We understood it as coaches because many of us coached at FCS schools," Rhule, referring to his coaching staff, said. "But I don't think a lot of our kids understood it until they stood on the sideline last year and watched Fordham beat us. For the players to go through it last year, I think that has given them the sense of urgency to concentrate on this opponent."
The Owls are 90-85-11 all time vs. FBS schools. Their most recent game against an FBS school saw them yield 200 yards rushing and a 29-yard touchdown pass in the final four seconds in a crushing 30-29 loss to Army just over one year ago.
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Returning to action following their first of three bye weeks this season, Temple will host Football Championship Subdivision Delaware State at Lincoln Financial Field. And while some have attempted to paint this meeting between the Owls and the Middle Eastern Athletic Conference opponent as an easy win, Temple coach Matt Rhule is not buying into it.
"We understood it as coaches because many of us coached at FCS schools," Rhule, referring to his coaching staff, said. "But I don't think a lot of our kids understood it until they stood on the sideline last year and watched Fordham beat us. For the players to go through it last year, I think that has given them the sense of urgency to concentrate on this opponent."
The Owls are 90-85-11 all time vs. FBS schools. Their most recent game against an FBS school saw them yield 200 yards rushing and a 29-yard touchdown pass in the final four seconds in a crushing 30-29 loss to Army just over one year ago.
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Chants aren't expecting easy game against Florida A&M Rattlers
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Coach Joe Moglia didn't sit down one day and decide that he wanted his Coastal Carolina football team to play three of its non-conference games this season against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
But his schedule worked out that way and he couldn't be more pleased.
"What I like to do is play competitive FCS schools," Moglia said during his weekly teleconference. "The MEAC has a lot of schools that are around us and we should be playing more of them."
As it turned out, Coastal Carolina ended up with the MEAC's North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State and FAMU in consecutive games. Unofficially, the matchups are billed as the MEAC-Big South Challenge.
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But his schedule worked out that way and he couldn't be more pleased.
"What I like to do is play competitive FCS schools," Moglia said during his weekly teleconference. "The MEAC has a lot of schools that are around us and we should be playing more of them."
As it turned out, Coastal Carolina ended up with the MEAC's North Carolina A&T, South Carolina State and FAMU in consecutive games. Unofficially, the matchups are billed as the MEAC-Big South Challenge.
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Furman (2-1, 1-0) at South Carolina State (1-2)
TIME: 6 P.M.
VENUE: Oliver C. Dawson Stadium in Orangeburg
AT STAKE: A year after meeting on the same Willie Jeffries Fields in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, the Bulldogs and Paladins renew their rivalry as part of a two-year, home-at-home series. The two teams will meet against Oct. 3, 2015 in Greenville.
LAST YEAR’S RECORDS: South Carolina State (9-4); Furman (8-6)
FIRST SEASONS OF FOOTBALL: South Carolina State (1907); Furman (1889)
HEAD COACHES: Buddy Pough (98-45, 12th season at S.C. State); Bruce Fowler (19-20, 4th season at Furman)
SERIES HISTORY: Furman leads 11-4
FIRST MEETING: 1982
LAST MEETING: Won by Furman 30-20 on Nov. 30, 2013 (playoffs)
Friday, September 19, 2014
Commentary: So far, Cyrus running like a Sunday kind of back
MONTGOMERY, Alabama --This is how good Malcolm Cyrus is playing.The Alabama State senior tailback has rushed for more yards in his first four games this season as Cleveland Browns rookie Isaiah Crowell did in his first four games last season for the Hornets.
"I didn't know that," Cyrus said. "I haven't kept up with it like that. It's a blessing. I just go out there and work hard. It's a blessing."
Through four games, Cyrus has 612 yards and four touchdowns as the Hornets (3-1) took care of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 42-7 on Thursday night at ASU Stadium. The leading rusher on the Division I-AA level, Cyrus rushed for 188 yards and a career-high three touchdowns on 29 carries in the SWAC victory.
Last season, Crowell had 562 yards and five touchdowns through four games as Alabama State started 2-2. Crowell rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns against Arkansas-Pine Bluff last season.
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ASU Football Shakes off Short Week to Defeat UAPB
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Malcolm Cyrus rushed for 188 yards and a career-high three touchdowns in leading Alabama State to a 42-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
"This was a great opportunity for our team to play on national television here in our stadium," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "I thought the atmosphere was really good and our student body really came out and cheered us on and we were excited about that."
"It was a good effort offensively. We talked about establishing the run and eventually try to take some shots and then run it some more. We were really good in the running game tonight. We had a couple of big plays from Davis and Bell which was outstanding and our defense was combative and they took on the challenge of trying to contain Ben (Anderson), their really good quarterback, and for the most part I thought we did a good job."
Cyrus had a career-high 29 carries in rushing for the season-high yardage. It was the third consecutive week Cyrus has rushed for more yardage than the week before and he did it all in three quarters as the backups played the entire fourth quarter on both offense and defense. He now has rushed for 612 yards and four scores during the first four games.
It was a collective team win for us, 2-0 in the SWAC," Cyrus said. "The offensive line blocked real, real good and I can't take all the credit. We have a good defensive line so we go up against the best every day. We came out with the "W" and that's all that matters."
The Hornets (3-1/2-0 SWAC) rushed for over 300 yards for the second consecutive game, finishing with 317. A wide receiver happened to be the second leading rusher as Joshua Davis ran two reverses with the final one going 63 yards for a score. He finished with 67 yards rushing.
The Hornets (3-1/2-0 SWAC) rushed for over 300 yards for the second consecutive game, finishing with 317. A wide receiver happened to be the second leading rusher as Joshua Davis ran two reverses with the final one going 63 yards for a score. He finished with 67 yards rushing.
Khalid Thomas had another big game in punt returns with 115 yards on eight returns. It is the second consecutive game Thomas has finished with over 100 yards in return yardage. He also rushed for 36 yards on nine carries.
Daniel Duhart missed on some of his deep throws, but he did manage to complete nine of his 17 pass attempts for 142 yards and a score. His score came on a 68-yard pass play toDeMario Bell, who caught a slant pass and outraced the defenders for the long touchdown play.
With ASU coming out of the locker room with a 21-0 lead, ASU scored on its first possession of the second half when Cyrus ran in from 11 yards out.
Thomas added a six yard run later in the third quarter and Davis' scored on the reverse early in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 42-0.
UAPB (1-2/0-1 SWAC) avoided the shutout when quarterback Benjamin Anderson connected with Marvante King on a 79-yard pass play midway through the final quarter.
The Hornets finished with 461 total yards, averaging 5.9 yards per play as they were able to run 78 plays on offense.
ASU's defense held the Golden Lions to 303 yards of total offense, with 138 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter after the game had already been decided.
Kourtney Berry led the Hornets defense with 11 total stops and added two tackles for lost yardage and a sack. ASU had four sacks on the day with Torrey Davis, Edward Mosleyand Darien Barrett all getting to the quarterback. Ka'Ra Stewart added an interception on the goal line which he was able to return 56 yards to stop a late UAPB scoring threat.
UAPB's Anderson showed why he was the SWAC's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year finishing with a team-high 80 yards and hitting 13 of his 27 pass attempts for 183 yards and the score.
ASU built a 21-0 halftime lead on the running of Cyrus who finished the half with 103 yards and two scores. His first score came on the Hornets opening drive of the game as Cyrus went over from 14 yards out on an third-and-seven play.
The 7-0 scored held up until the Hornets took over on their own 47 yard line and went the 53 yards in 10 plays. Cyrus again ended the drive going in from two yards out to push the lead to 14-0.
Penalties and over thrown passes hurt the Hornets chances of adding to their lead until Duhart was able to hit Bell on the slant pattern the junior turned into a one-play, 68-yard catch and score for a 21-0 lead with only 49 seconds left in the half.
ASU's defense held the high-powered Golden Lions offense to 123 yards on 32 plays, while ASU finished the opening half with 269 yards on 46 plays. UAPB's best chance to score came on their first possession of the second quarter when they drove to the ASU 14 yard line, but a 31-yard field goal from Tyler Strickland was blocked by Justin Mitchell to end the scoring threat. It was the third consecutive game the Hornets had blocked a kick.
"This was a good victory for us," Barlow said. "We have had a battle-tested week-after-week-after-week, and then we had a short week, but the guys did a good job of getting focused and now we actually get a couple of days we can give them and try to get some guys back."
ASU now has nine days off before hosting Texas Southern Saturday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Daniel Duhart missed on some of his deep throws, but he did manage to complete nine of his 17 pass attempts for 142 yards and a score. His score came on a 68-yard pass play toDeMario Bell, who caught a slant pass and outraced the defenders for the long touchdown play.
With ASU coming out of the locker room with a 21-0 lead, ASU scored on its first possession of the second half when Cyrus ran in from 11 yards out.
Thomas added a six yard run later in the third quarter and Davis' scored on the reverse early in the fourth quarter to push the lead to 42-0.
UAPB (1-2/0-1 SWAC) avoided the shutout when quarterback Benjamin Anderson connected with Marvante King on a 79-yard pass play midway through the final quarter.
The Hornets finished with 461 total yards, averaging 5.9 yards per play as they were able to run 78 plays on offense.
ASU's defense held the Golden Lions to 303 yards of total offense, with 138 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter after the game had already been decided.
Kourtney Berry led the Hornets defense with 11 total stops and added two tackles for lost yardage and a sack. ASU had four sacks on the day with Torrey Davis, Edward Mosleyand Darien Barrett all getting to the quarterback. Ka'Ra Stewart added an interception on the goal line which he was able to return 56 yards to stop a late UAPB scoring threat.
UAPB's Anderson showed why he was the SWAC's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year finishing with a team-high 80 yards and hitting 13 of his 27 pass attempts for 183 yards and the score.
ASU built a 21-0 halftime lead on the running of Cyrus who finished the half with 103 yards and two scores. His first score came on the Hornets opening drive of the game as Cyrus went over from 14 yards out on an third-and-seven play.
The 7-0 scored held up until the Hornets took over on their own 47 yard line and went the 53 yards in 10 plays. Cyrus again ended the drive going in from two yards out to push the lead to 14-0.
Penalties and over thrown passes hurt the Hornets chances of adding to their lead until Duhart was able to hit Bell on the slant pattern the junior turned into a one-play, 68-yard catch and score for a 21-0 lead with only 49 seconds left in the half.
ASU's defense held the high-powered Golden Lions offense to 123 yards on 32 plays, while ASU finished the opening half with 269 yards on 46 plays. UAPB's best chance to score came on their first possession of the second quarter when they drove to the ASU 14 yard line, but a 31-yard field goal from Tyler Strickland was blocked by Justin Mitchell to end the scoring threat. It was the third consecutive game the Hornets had blocked a kick.
"This was a good victory for us," Barlow said. "We have had a battle-tested week-after-week-after-week, and then we had a short week, but the guys did a good job of getting focused and now we actually get a couple of days we can give them and try to get some guys back."
ASU now has nine days off before hosting Texas Southern Saturday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m.
COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Grambling heads into conference play at 0-3
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- With all the off-the-field discussion surrounding Grambling and Jackson State from 2013, there’s still an actual football game to be played.Both coaches — Grambling’s Broderick Fobbs and Jackson State’s Harold Jackson — were peppered with questions about Grambling’s boycott last season that put a dent in JSU’s homecoming plans last October.
Saturday’s SWAC opener will be the earliest meeting for the two teams since 2008 when they also met in the fourth game of the season. Grambling won the contest amid a seven-game win streak against Jackson State from 2005-2011.
Jackson State’s last win over Grambling before 2012 and the 2013 boycott came in 2004 when its program was a lot like Grambling’s now, entering the game with three wins in two seasons.
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Southern University football vs. Prairie View A&M game capsule
When/Where: Saturday at 6 p.m. at Blackshear Field in Prairie View, Texas.
Television: This weekend's game won't be aired on television, but there will be a live stream on gojagsports.com.
Radio: WYNK 97.7
Coaches: Southern — Dawson Odums (second season as head coach, was interim in 2012, 14-11). Prairie View A&M — Heishma Northern (fourth season, 14-22).
About Southern: Saturday's match is the SWAC opener for the Jaguars, and it's been quite an inconsistent start to the season for the reigning conference champs. After getting trounced 45-6 by UL-Lafayette in the season opener, Southern bounced back with a commanding 56-14 victory over Central Methodist on Sept. 6.
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Television: This weekend's game won't be aired on television, but there will be a live stream on gojagsports.com.
Radio: WYNK 97.7
Coaches: Southern — Dawson Odums (second season as head coach, was interim in 2012, 14-11). Prairie View A&M — Heishma Northern (fourth season, 14-22).
About Southern: Saturday's match is the SWAC opener for the Jaguars, and it's been quite an inconsistent start to the season for the reigning conference champs. After getting trounced 45-6 by UL-Lafayette in the season opener, Southern bounced back with a commanding 56-14 victory over Central Methodist on Sept. 6.
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Tuskegee should be a good test for WSSU
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- After two games, just how good Winston-Salem State can be remains a mystery.
But today’s game against SIAC power Tuskegee should offer some insight. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium (Aspire Network Ch. 185, WTOB 1380).
The Rams, 1-1 and ranked No. 18 in the AFCA Division II coaches poll, have had mixed results with their two-quarterback system of Rudy Johnson and Phillip Sims. It worked well in a rout of UNC Pembroke in the opener. But last week in a hard-fought 22-17 loss to Valdosta State, the rhythm of the up-tempo offense was missing.
Johnson and Sims rotated every series in the first two games, but today it’s possible each will work two series at a time, depending on the flow of the game.
“I’m trying to get this team to get an identity, and we really haven’t had that yet,” Coach Kienus Boulware of the Rams said. “I want them to establish some kind of identity to kind of get their own legacy going instead of what we’ve done in the past.”
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But today’s game against SIAC power Tuskegee should offer some insight. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Bowman Gray Stadium (Aspire Network Ch. 185, WTOB 1380).
The Rams, 1-1 and ranked No. 18 in the AFCA Division II coaches poll, have had mixed results with their two-quarterback system of Rudy Johnson and Phillip Sims. It worked well in a rout of UNC Pembroke in the opener. But last week in a hard-fought 22-17 loss to Valdosta State, the rhythm of the up-tempo offense was missing.
Johnson and Sims rotated every series in the first two games, but today it’s possible each will work two series at a time, depending on the flow of the game.
“I’m trying to get this team to get an identity, and we really haven’t had that yet,” Coach Kienus Boulware of the Rams said. “I want them to establish some kind of identity to kind of get their own legacy going instead of what we’ve done in the past.”
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Fort Valley State carries momentum into SIAC opener
Pittman’s confidence in his team paid off in the second game, as the Wildcats defeated Savannah State, a team that had beaten the Wildcats a year ago.
FVSU opens its quest for an SIAC title Saturday with a home game with Clark Atlanta, and Pittman remains confident that his team will continue to improve.
“I think we are much closer to being the kind of football team we are capable of being,” said Pittman, whose team pulled away from Savannah State in the second half for a 42-28 win. “We need to improve on both sides of the football, and we had people step up in the last game. We expect that we will be better this week. Clark gave us all we could handle last year, and I expect that kind of game again this year.
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XU's Abbes beats 1 and 4 seeds, rolls to HBCU singles final
JONESBORO, Georgia -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Nour Abbes defeated the No. 1 and 4 seeds Friday to reach the women's A-flight singles championship round of the HBCU Tennis National Championships.Abbes, seeded fifth, beat Howard's Stacey Roheman 6-0, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, then upset Bethune-Cookman's top-seeded Maria Goraz-Moreno 6-2, 6-3 in the semifinals. Abbes will play Southern's Darnesha Moore for the championship at noon EDT Saturday.
Abbes and senior Carmen Nelson won 8-2 against Southern's Darnesha Moore and Gabrielle Moore to reach the A-flight doubles semifinals. Abbes and Nelson will play Bethune-Cookman's Maria Sablina and Mina Matsuba at 9 a.m., with the final scheduled for 2 p.m.
Abbes, a sophomore, is 20-0 in singles and 18-2 in doubles in her XU career.
Xavier's men and women won a combined 7-of-11 matches. Sophomores Sha'Nel Bruins and Adam Albrecht reached the semifinals of their C-flight singles consolation brackets.
Bruins beat Benedict's Adrienne Millow 8-2 and Prairie View A&M's Capra Fellows 8-4 in the women's bracket, and Albrecht beat Prairie View's Freddy Quintero 8-4 in the men's.
"Today was a much better day overall for everybody," XU coach Alan Green said. "Nour is playing lights out in singles and doubles. Carmen is also showing me some good things out here, too.
"After a tough day yesterday, Sha'Nel picked up her game much better today."
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
XU's Abbes, Nelson, Chaouat advance in HBCU main draw
JONESBORO, Georgia -- Nour Abbes began the 2014-15 tennis season the way she ended the previous one: winning.The Xavier University of Louisiana sophomore earned singles and doubles victories Thursday in the A-flight main draw of the HBCU National Championships.
Abbes, seeded fifth in singles, defeated Tuskegee's 12th-seeded Reicia North 6-0, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals. Abbes then teamed with senior Carmen Nelson -- who was playing collegiately in her hometown for the first time -- for an 8-3 victory against Alcorn State's Siobhan Ryan-Bovey and Ivana Boberic. That advanced Abbes and Nelson to the quarterfinals.
"Nour played well in singles and doubles," 12th-year XU coach Alan Green said. "She has a tough singles draw, so she will have to continue to play well to advance. In doubles she and Carmen played solid and smart. They played to their strengths."
Advancing in the main draw for the XU men was seventh-seeded Kevin Chaouat, a junior who reached the quarterfinals of the singles C-flight with a 4-6, 6-2, 1-0 (10-6) victory against Prairie View A&M's 10th-seeded James Jackson.
"Kevin got off to a rough start but was able to come back and win," Green said. "He knows he can't afford to do that with his next opponent."
Abbes was 17-0 in singles and 16-2 in doubles as an XU freshman and was selected first-team NAIA All-America and ITA/NAIA National Rookie of the Year. She also received the NAIA National Championship's Marvin P. Richmond Outstanding Player Award. Chaouat was the men's Louisiana Newcomer of the Year.
After losing singles matches in the main draw, Nelson and sophomore Adam Albrecht advanced in their consolation brackets with victories.
The tournament will conclude Sunday. It's the first of three Xavier fall events.
Results: Men Women
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Tennessee State Men's Golf Starts Season at Murray State
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The wait is over for the Tennessee State men’s golf team as they travel to Murray, Ky. to open the 2014-15 season. The five-man squad is the last fall sport at TSU to take to competition and will take part in the Murray State Invitational.
The Tigers will play 54 holes, 36 Monday and 18 Tuesday, at the Par-71, 6,601 yard, Miller Memorial Golf Course in Murray. The 11-team field will have an 8:30am shotgun start on Monday and a 9:00am start on Tuesday.
TSU will face off against Alabama State, Christian Brothers, John A. Logan, Missouri Baptist, Northern Kentucky, Wright State and Ohio Valley Conference opponents, Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State, Murray State and UT Martin.
Senior James Stepp and junior Blake Burgett will lead a group which includes three newcomers. Donning the Blue and White for the first time will be Jeremy Fultz, Andy Stout and transfer Todd McGill.
Results and full recaps can be found on tsutigers.com.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Thursday, September 18, 2014
WSSU Notes: Boulware takes cautious approach
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Quarterback Phil Sims, offensive linemen Robert Kearney and Justin Kee and wide receiver Brandon Felder all missed practice Tuesday with minor injuries but are expected to play Saturday against Tuskegee.Felder also missed last weekend’s game against Valdosta State with a lingering ankle injury.
“I expect them all to play,” Coach Kienus Boulware said. “We can’t win games on Tuesday through Friday, but you can lose games by having guys practice when they probably shouldn’t. So we aren’t in a rush to get guys out there, especially the experienced guys.”
TV GAME: Saturday’s Tuskegee-WSSU game at 6 p.m. will be broadcast live on the Aspire network (Time Warner Ch. 185). The game is not part of the CIAA television package, meaning WSSU will receive more revenue.
Edouard paves the way for B-CU
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- In order for your offense to get into high gear, you need some great offensive linemen to create opportunities for your skilled players. Bethune-Cookman has one of those offensive linemen who can really pave the way. Andrew Edouard, the Wildcats' center, has been a major factor in making B-CU (2-0) the consensus No. 1 HBCU football team in the nation. Edouard is a terrific run and pass blocker. He’s big and strong and has good quickness along the offensive line.
“Andrew has done a phenomenal job coming in and adapting to our program, finding a way to stay there and finding his role,” said Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins. “He’s a phenomenal young man. He does an exceptional job of leading our front line. I think his accolades and productivity speaks for itself. It speaks for the job he’s done in the short period of time that he’s been here.”
Edouard is truly an amazing story. This is his second year in the Wildcats football program after spending two seasons at Lackawanna College, a junior college in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
NCCU basketball success spurs changes to coaching staff
DURHAM, North Carolina -- Sure signs that a coach’s squad is on the rise are when he starts hanging championship banners and his coaches begin getting picked off.N.C. Central basketball coach LeVelle Moton last season guided the Eagles to both regular-season and tournament championships in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, which got the team into the Division-I NCAA Tournament for the first time.
And it wasn’t long after Iowa State beat NCCU in its inaugural game of the Big Dance when Lincoln University of Missouri athletics director Betty Kemna made a play for John Moseley, who was Moton’s top assistant coach, and netted him.
Lincoln kept applying pressure and came up with a steal, with Moseley convincing NCCU volunteer assistant coach C.J. Wilkerson to become his graduate assistant coach.
Both Moseley and Moton said it’s all good. No hard feelings, no love lost.
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Prairie View’s Johntá Hebert, a Glen Oaks graduate, is 'itching for a breakout game' against Southern
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas --When it comes to playing against Southern, former Glen Oaks standout Johntá Hebert of Prairie View maintains it’s just another game.No red circle on the calendar required.
History suggests otherwise: Hebert has enjoyed some of the finer moments over the first two years of his college career at the Jaguars’s expense.
“It’s more of a coincidence,” Hebert said. “I wouldn’t say I do anything different during the week or approach the game any differently.”
Southern (1-2), which visits Prairie View (0-2) to open Southwestern Athletic Conference play at 6 p.m. Saturday, is the latest obstacle between Hebert and the Panthers’ first victory.
With back-to-back losses to begin the year, including the SWAC opener to Texas Southern, there’s a greater sense of urgency, Hebert said.
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Kambui brings awareness, speed to FAMU's o-line
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since the 2012 season, FAMU hasn't been able to find an offensive center to take ownership of the position.Junior college transfer Mateo Kambui has changed that. He's quick at the snap and has proven to have a sense of what defenses are doing.
Even when the Rattlers played Miami, he was able to get off the snap fast enough to give quarterback Damien Fleming time to work.
"Everything starts with me and works its way out to the tackles," said Kambui, who last season played at Butler Community College in Kansas. "When you have a group of guys like we have, it makes everything pretty easy on me when they know their jobs. All I have to do is snap the ball and go."
Kambui's role will be pivotal for the Rattlers on Saturday when they play Coastal Carolina at Bragg Stadium. The Chanticleers (3-0) have been able to blitz their way to three quarterback sacks for an average of one per game. They've also recorded three quarter back hurry.
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TSU to host TTU in Return to the Hole, Saturday
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TSU v. TTU Game Notes
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.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TSU v. TTU Game NotesNASHVILLE, 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.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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 300th 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.
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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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Wednesday, September 17, 2014
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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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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