Delaware State squeezes past NSU 13-10

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Delaware State has one of the least productive FCS offenses.

On Saturday, the Hornets barely needed it.

Mitchell Ward kicked a 43-yard field goal in overtime to lift Delaware State to a strange 13-10 MEAC win over hapless Norfolk State at Dick Price Stadium.

The Hornets (2-5, 2-1), who entered the game 120th out of 121 FCS schools in total offense, won despite being outgained 240 yards to 114 and not scoring an offensive touchdown.

"We should've won the football game," Spartans coach Pete Adrian said. "There's no question about that. I mean, we found a way to lose it."

Ward's game-winner came after NSU quarterback Tyler Clark threw an interception in the end zone on first possession of overtime.

CONTINUE READING 

MVSU upsets Jackson State in Comegy's return, 27-23

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Rick Comegy and his new Mississippi Valley State team spoiled Jackson State's homecoming game.

The former JSU coach, who was fired by the program last December, guided his MVSU squad to a comeback 27-23 victory at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

It was the first time since 1994 that the Delta Devils defeated the Tigers.

And it was another painful loss for JSU (3-4, 1-3 SWAC), which dropped its third game to a team seeking its first conference win.

The Tigers held the 14-6 lead. But it all changed when the Delta Devils switched quarterbacks from Patrick Ivy (the older brother of JSU quarterback LaMontiez Ivy) to Quantavius Peterson.

CONTINUE READING

Prairie View earns SWAC victory over Alabama State

PRARIE VIEW, Texas --  A slow start led to a conference loss for Alabama State.

Prairie View A&M built a 20-7 first-half lead, scored a touchdown on its opening possession of the second half and held on for a 34-24 victory over the Hornets (4-3 overall, 3-2 in SWAC).

"We got off to a slow start we were a little flat in the first half and just didn't make it happen," Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow said. "We fought back and I was proud of them at the end. We just didn't have enough to finish it."

Alabama State's Malcolm Cyrus ran for 125 yards, Daniel Duhart threw for 225 yards and Quinterris Toppings scored a rushing touchdown.

CONTINUE READING

Southern University scores in final minute for 35-34 win over Alabama A&M

HUNTSVILLE – Southern University's Malcolm Crockett scored with just 51 seconds remaining in a 35-34 victory over Alabama A&M in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game Saturday.

Alabama A&M took a 34-14 lead with 6:08 left in the third quarter when Jonathan Dorsey scored on a 44-yard pass from Jaymason Lee for the Bulldogs.

It was the third straight score for the Bulldogs who turned a 17-14 lead into the 34-14 advantage. Brandon Eldemire scored on a 2-yard-run with 8:18 left in the first half. Then Cesar Ramon-Diaz kicked a 40-yard field goal just 1:19 into the third quarter for a 27-14 lead.

After Dorsey's score, it was all Southern University as they scored the next three touchdowns for the win.

CONTINUE READING

2014-15 SWAC Preview: Alabama State, Texas Southern lead the way

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- To say the least, the 2013-14 season was a difficult one for the SWAC. While the league had a clear regular season champion in Southern, the Jaguars were ineligible for postseason play thanks to low APR scores. That would be the case for three other SWAC programs as well, with those teams allowed to participate in the conference tournament. Ultimately Mike Davis’ Texas Southern Tigers, who were picked by some to win the regular season title, earned the NCAA tournament bid with well-traveled big man Aaric Murray leading the way.

Leading scorers Murray and D’Aris Scarver have moved on, which means that Davis has some significant holes to fill in order to lead Texas Southern back to the NCAA tournament. Davis welcomes back senior forward Jose Rodriguez while reloading with transfers. Nick Shepard (Long Beach State) and Nevin Johnson (Creighton) are ready to go while point guard Deverell Biggs (Nebraska)will be eligible at end of the fall semester. Will the “second chance” route once again work for Texas Southern? If it does, the Tigers will have the talent needed to win the SWAC automatic bid.

CONTINUE READING

Grambling stands alone atop SWAC with win over Alcorn

GRAMBLING, Louisiana – Grambling proved its rise to the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference West division is real.

In fact, make that the entire SWAC.

Grambling shut down No. 24 Alcorn State, the SWAC's top-ranked team, Saturday, 28-21, with a mix of stingy defensive play and a fast-paced offense in the Tigers' home opener at Eddie Robinson Stadium.

Quarterback Johnathan Williams accounted for three touchdowns — two on the ground and one through the air — to lead Grambling in a battled of SWAC unbeatens.

"I think it sends a message that ...

CONTINUE READING

Abbes, 30-0 at XU in singles, reaches "Super Bowl" final

SUMTER, South Carolina -- Xavier University of Louisiana's unflappable and unbeaten Nour Abbes survived an early deficit Saturday afternoon to earn a women's singles semifinal victory in the "Super Bowl" of the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

After dropping three of the first four games, the XU sophomore won 11 of the final 12 games to produce a 6-3, 6-1 victory against NCAA Division III champion Ashnaa Rao of Johns Hopkins.

In the morning, Abbes won the NAIA championship -- the first for XU in this event -- by defeating Oklahoma Baptist's Anastasiya Baranova 6-1, 6-4. That title qualified Abbes for the "Super Bowl."

Abbes is 30-0 in her XU singles career, 13-0 this season.

NOUR ABBES
NAIA Women's Singles Champion of the 2014 USTA/ ITA
National Small College Championships

"In the beginning I was trying to find the right tactics because I didn't know my opponent," Abbes said. "I just had to hang in there and not let (Rao) gain too much confidence because she's a good player.

"As soon as she started making mistakes, I used the momentum to take control of the match. And coach (Alan) Green was very encouraging and kept me focused, so I'm grateful for that."

Abbes will play NCAA Division II champion Valentine Confalonieri of Lynn for the overall championship. Confaloneri, seeded first in her division, defeated Joanna Savva of Tyler Junior College 6-2, 3-6, 7-5 in the other semifinal.

All the "Super Bowl" champions in singles and doubles will earn wild cards into the USTA/ ITA Intercollegiate Indoor Championships next month in Flushing, N.Y.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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XU beats Concordia (Mich.) in 4 sets, improves to 11-3

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana overcame 45 errors, 31 by its attackers, to earn a 25-21, 25-15, 22-25, 25-20 women's volleyball victory against Concordia (Mich.) on Saturday.

Chinedu Echebelem, who did not record her first kill until a first-set-clinching shot, finished with 13 kills, 17 digs and four assists for the Gold Nuggets (11-3). It was Echebelem's seventh double-double of the season, her third in a row and fifth in the last six matches.

Jodi Hill, reaching double figures in kills for the second consecutive match, had 11 of them and five blocks for Xavier. Franziska Pirkl posted her career-best third consecutive double-double with 36 assists and 13 digs, and she served three of Xavier's seven aces.

Alisha Anderson had 15 kills, 11 digs and three aces for Concordia (8-15).

Xavier hit .112 -- its lowest in a victory since the second match of 2011 -- and no primary attacker hit higher than .185. (Pirkl, the Nuggets' setter, hit .250 in 16 swings.) But Xavier limited the Cardinals to .108 hitting and benefited from 46 Concordia errors, 12 on serves.

Xavier had an 89-66 advantage in digs -- Darian Harris had 23, CeCe Williams 16 and Kayla Jones 13 -- and led 49-36 in kills.

The Gold Nuggets used a 12-2 run to take control after trailing 9-5 in the second set and got kills from Echebelem, Hill and Pirkl to take a 22-18 lead in the third and close in on a sweep. But Concordia extended the match by scoring the final seven points of the third, three on XU attack errors.

Xavier trailed 4-1 in the third but righted itself with a 6-0 run which included a Williams ace and a block and a kill by Hill.

The Gold Nuggets have won 10 of their last 11 matches. The only blemish was a five-set home loss to Spring Hill on Friday. Spring Hill played Concordia at XU prior to the Nuggets' match and beat the Cardinals 25-10, 25-7, 25-12.

Xavier will be on the road for a 7:30 p.m. Tuesday match at the University of Mobile. Xavier's next home match will start at 1 p.m. next Saturday against Tougaloo; Echebelem will be honored on Senior Day.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Wildcats and Rattlers Tussle at Al Lawson Center

FAMU LADY RATTLERS BLANKS BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS 3-0
PHOTO COURTESY: FLORIDA A&M SPORTS INFORMATION

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Lady Wildcats are probably looking forward to a rematch after losing to the Lady Rattlers on Friday night. The Rattlers hit what appeared to be an early TKO winning the first set 25-14. However, the Wildcats quickly recovered and put up a good fight the rest of the way before losing the match 3-0.

It was an unusual night for the Rattlers compared to their previous conference games. This was the first time in a while that they didn’t struggle in the first set and then raise their game in the second set. In the first set there were no ties and no lead changes as the Lady Rattlers led the set from start to finish.

CONTINUE READING

Xavier's Nour Abbes wins NAIA women's singles national title

BREAKING NEWS: (4:10 PM ET) Nour Abbes wins 6-3, 6-1 in "Super Bowl" semifinals of USTA / ITA National Small College Championships... Abbes won 11 of last 12 games to go to 30-0 for her Xavier University of Louisiana career.

SUMTER, South Carolina  -- Xavier University's Nour Abbes continued her perfect season by winning the NAIA women's singles national championship with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over No. 3-seed Anastasiya Baranova of Oklahoma Baptist Saturday.

The top-seeded Abbes improved to 29-0 with the win and now will advance to a four-player tournament later Saturday and again Sunday that will also include champions from the NCAA Divisions II and III levels, and the junior college champion.

Abbes was five-for-five in service breaks early in the match, jumping to a 6-1, 2-0 lead. Baranova then broke Abbes twice and held serve for the first time to take a 3-2 in the second set.

The two see-sawed for the rest of the second set before Abbes won the match in 74 minutes.

CONTINUE READING

Badgers rally in final 2 sets to snap XU Nuggets' win streak

Xavier Volleyball vs. Spring Hill (Photo Gallery)

NEW ORLEANS — Megan Haber had a season-high 23 kills, two in a 5-0 closing run, to lead Spring Hill to a 17-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19, 15-11 women's volleyball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana on Friday.

The Badgers (18-5) snapped the 10-match win streak of the Gold Nuggets (10-3), who had not lost since Aug. 26.

Chinedu Echebelem had 19 kills and 20 digs for Xavier. CeCe Williams had 22 digs and a career-high-tying 14 kills. Jodi Hill had 10 kills and five blocks, and Claudia Haywood had 10 kills and three blocks. Franziska Pirkl served a pair of aces and had season highs of 53 assists and 13 digs.

Spring Hill trailed 5-1 in the final set before taking its first lead, 12-11, on Haber's kill. Haber and Sami Hantak scored the next point on a block of Echebelem's attack. After an XU timeout, the Badgers ended the match on kills by Hantak and Haber.

The Badgers rallied from a 14-8 fourth-set deficit to extend the match.

Spring Hill is 16-0 all-time against Xavier. It was the second consecutive time that the Badgers rallied from a 2-sets-to-1 deficit.

Hill, Echebelem and Jada Broussard had three kills apiece to lead the Gold Nuggets to their first-ever first-set victory against the Badgers.

Sami Maurer had 19 digs for Spring Hill, and Hantak had six blocks.

Xavier outhit the Badgers .213 to .163 and had advantages of 65-60 in kills and 81-71 in digs.

Both teams will play Concordia (Mich.) at XU's Convocation Center on Saturday — Spring Hill will lead off at 11 a.m., with Xavier playing the Cardinals at 1 p.m.

Box Score 
 

Facebook photos

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Tuskegee's Reese gives offense consistency

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- Tuskegee's offensive line has been shuffled, rearranged and jumbled through the first five games of the season, but center Matthew Reese has been a staple throughout it all.

Reese, a 6-3, 314-pound center has been the only lineman who's made it to every practice and game so far this season. It' looks like Saturday's matchup against Morehouse at 4 p.m. in Columbus, Georgia, will be a rare occurrence, having all five starters play in the same game.

"It's been kind of tough, but I know everybody works hard, so I wasn't really worried. But it's getting better because everybody's back now," Reese said. "All of us have been working hard, but we've been having a lot of injuries along the offensive line and I've really been the only one that hasn't been injured this year. So I just keep working hard and try to keep all of the fellas together."

CONTINUE READING

Jalen Hendricks thriving in Livingstone's HOBO offense

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- Anybody who has been around Jalen Hendricks knows that he is not going to be the most talkative person in the room.

What the Livingstone College wide receiver is doing on the football field Saturday afternoons this fall says enough.

Hendricks, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior and 2012 graduate of Nash Central High, has turned into one of the better receivers in all of Division II football.

Hendricks is second in the nation in every notable statistical category for receivers, including 10 touchdown receptions.

After each of those touchdowns this season, in a manner that befits his personality, Hendricks simply hands the ball back the referee as his teammates do more of the celebrating.

“He has always been like that,” Hendricks’ father, Steve, said. “He’s so quiet.”

Hendricks certainly is drawing the attention of other CIAA teams with the numbers he has put up through five games for Livingstone (4-1, 1-1 CIAA).



CONTINUE READING

UMES Hawks coach inducted to hall

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- University of Maryland Eastern Shore men’s basketball coach Bobby Collins will be inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University Hall of Fame.

Collins was on the basketball team there from 1987 to 1991, was selected to the Ohio Valley Conference All-Freshman team in 1987-1988 and was named All-Conference honorable mention as a senior.

Collins coached Hampton University for 11 seasons, four as a head coach, and was named 2005 MEAC Coach of the Year. Collins then left to join Winston-Salem State University for eight seasons, leading the Rams’ program to a 79-35 record from 2010 to 2014.

CONTINUE READING

HU's Maynor tackling new challenge

HAMPTON, Virginia -- — Connell Maynor has a new challenge, and success might take longer than it did at his last stop.

When Maynor started his head-coaching career at Division II Winston-Salem State in 2010, building a solid program seemed to take only weeks.

At Division I Hampton, the transformation might take longer as Maynor deals with different recruiting rules, a much deeper conference and a bit more pressure.

On Thursday night, Hampton was hoping to catch talented N.C. A&T off guard in a nationally-televised game. But A&T, one of the MEAC’s top teams under Coach Rod Broadway, prevailed 31-14.

“There’s a lot of talent in the MEAC, and there are no days off,” Maynor said. “There’s just no place on the schedule in this league where you can circle a date on the calendar and say that’s a sure win.”

CONTINUE READING

Norfolk State renews Labor Day Classic

HEAD COACH PETE ADRIAN
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Labor Day weekend football against former CIAA rivals is returning to Norfolk State.

The Spartans will play host to Elizabeth City State on Sept. 3, 2016, and Virginia State on Sept. 2, 2017, and Sept. 1, 2018, in the Labor Day Classic, the school announced Wednesday.

NSU was unable to play Division II competition on Labor Day weekend the past two seasons because of NCAA bylaws that governed the first permissible start date for D-II programs.

"I am extremely happy to be able to finalize arrangements to return the Labor Day Classic to Dick Price Stadium," NSU athletic director Marty Miller said in a statement.

"This is a winner for all of our programs, student-athletes and fans."

CONTINUE READING 

Week 7: HBCU Football Schedule

Football Saturday, October 11, 2014


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

From the Thursday ESPNU televised game against Hampton University. Songs include "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," "War," "I Want You Back," "ABC," "The Love You Save," "Get Ready," "Dancing in the Street," "Neither One of Us," "I Heard it through the Grapevine," Signed, Sealed, Delivered," and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," as influenced by the Motown: The Musical... COURTESY Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Jr., North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine and the BGMM Media Team.

OVC
Jacksonville State at Tennessee State, 3 PM, ESPN3

SWAC
Southern at Alabama A&M, 2 PM
Mississippi Valley State at Jackson State (Homecoming), 3 PM
Alcorn State at Grambling State, 3 PM
Alabama State at Prairie View A&M, 3 PM

MEAC
North Carolina Central at South Carolina State, 2 PM
Delaware State at Norfolk State, 2 PM
Howard at Bethune-Cookman, 4 PM
Savannah State at Florida A&M 5 PM
North Carolina A&T 31, Hampton 14 (Thursday)   Highlights  » Watch Replay 


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN
There is Only ONE...In the Whole Wide-World! The Florida A&M University Marching 100. Dr. Sylvester Young, Director Marching and Pep Bands, Florida A&M University.

SIAC
College of Faith at Clark Atlanta, 2 PM
Paine at Limestone, 2 PM
Stillman at Benedict, 2 PM
Kentucky State at Fort Valley State, 2 PM
Central State (Ohio) at Miles, 5 PM
Tuskegee vs. Morehouse at Columbus, GA, 5 PM
Lane at Albany State, 7 PM

CIAA
Fayetteville State at Shaw, 1 PM
Lincoln (Pa.) at Virginia Union, 1 PM (Homecoming)
Saint Augustine's at Livingstone, 1 PM (Homecoming)
Elizabeth City State at Virginia State, 2 PM (Homecoming)
Winston-Salem State at Johnson C. Smith, 2 PM
Bowie State at Chowan, 3 PM (Homecoming)

OTHER CONFERENCES
Wesley at Concordia-Selma, 12 Noon (Homecoming)
Atlanta Sports Academy at Virginia University Lynchburg, 1 PM
West Virginia Wesleyan at West Virginia State, 1:30 PM  (Homecoming)
Webber International at Edward Waters, 2 PM
Saint Joseph's (IN) at Lincoln (MO), 3 PM
Texas College at Bacone, 3 PM
Langston at Oklahoma Baptist, 3 PM
Cheyney at East Stroudsburg, 6 PM


COURTESY Mr. Marques Graham, Director of Bands, Edward Waters College

GAME TIMES ARE SHOWN IN EASTERN STANDARD TIME ZONE 

Game Notes: NCCU Eagles at SC State Bulldogs

THE GAME    
North Carolina Central University "Eagles" at South Carolina State Univ. "Bulldogs"

THE KICKOFF    
Saturday, October 11, 2014 – Kickoff at 2:00 p.m.

THE SITE    
Oliver C. Dawson Stadium (22,000 capacity/Poly Turf) - Orangeburg, S.C.

THE RECORDS    
N.C. Central (2-3 overall, 1-0 MEAC); S.C. State (4-2 overall, 2-0 MEAC)

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 1:30 p.m. (Chris Hooks, play-by-play).




 QUICK HITS     
•    NCCU and South Carolina State are both unbeaten in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play this season. The Eagles are 1-0 against conference foes, while the Bulldogs are 2-0.
•    In the last 10 years, S.C. State has captured two MEAC titles (2008 & 2009) outright and shared three others (2004, 2010, 2013), and made four trips to the FCS playoffs (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013).
•    S.C. State has won eight of the last nine games against the Eagles, dating back to 1976. NCCU won the 2012 meeting 40-10 in the Circle City Classic.
•    During S.C. State's three-game win streak, the Bulldogs have not scored more than 17 points, but have not allowed more than 10 points (17-7 over Furman, 17-10 over Hampton, 13-0 over N.C. A&T).
•    S.C. State is tied for the MEAC lead with 20 sacks in six games (3.3 avg.).
•    Five NCCU Eagles hail from the state of South Carolina: Andre Clarke (Mauldin), Jazz King (Duncan), Neil Williams (Chester), Keiton Burgess (Sumter), and Roderick "Dee" Harris (Simpsonville).
•    NCCU junior receiver and return specialist Adrian Wilkins ranks seventh in the nation (FCS) with an average of 174.0 all-purpose yards per game. Wilkins also leads the MEAC in receiving yards per game (74.2) and ranks second in receptions per game (5.2).
•    NCCU tops the MEAC and ranks fourth in the nation (FCS) in punt returns with an average of 23.4 yards per return.
•    NCCU's turnover margin (+4) ranks second in the MEAC.
•    Next week (Oct. 18), NCCU visits Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

THE SERIES    
This will be the 22nd football meeting between South Carolina State and NCCU since the two schools first played on Oct. 15, 1927. SCSU leads the series 12-9. The Bulldogs have won eight of the last nine match-ups dating back to 1976. Two year's ago, NCCU snapped a seven-game losing skid to the Bulldogs by cruising to a 40-10 victory at the Circle City Classic in Indianapolis. Last season, S.C. State returned the favor by beating the Eagles 44-3 in Durham.

Oct. 10, 2013 - SCSU 44, NCCU 3 (Durham, N.C.)
Oct. 6, 2012 - NCCU 40, SCSU 10 (Indianapolis, Ind.)
Oct. 8, 2011 - SCSU 49, NCCU 38 (Orangeburg, S.C.)

THE LAST MEETING    
(S.C. State 44, NCCU 3 - Oct. 10, 2013) South Carolina State pounded out 232 yards rushing and shut down NCCU's ground game to cruise to a 44-3 victory over the Eagles in a Thursday night ESPNU contest inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. SCSU tallied 476 yards of total offense, while NCCU finished with 105 yards of total offense and was held to negative-11 yards rushing. Quarterback Jordan Reid faced pressure from the SCSU defense most of the night, completing just 9-of-25 passes for 116 yards and being sacked five times. 

LAST WEEK    
(NCCU 27, Howard 22) NCCU posted 392 yards of total offense during a 27-22 victory over Howard. Although the Bison tallied 485 yards of total offense, the host Eagles held a 27-9 cushion until Howard scored twice in the final 6:30 of the contest to make the final score close. NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while running for a team-high 66 yards. 

(S.C. State 13, North Carolina A&T 0) South Carolina State capitalized on a special teams mistake and a time consuming drive late in the game to defeat the North Carolina A&T State Aggies 13-0 in the 26th annual Atlanta Football Classic. The Bulldogs amassed 197 rushing yards, while holding A&T to just 156 yards of total offense. SCSU junior running back Jalen Simmons rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown.

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.

South Carolina State: Oliver "Buddy" Pough is in his 13th season as head coach at South Carolina State, his alma mater. Since succeeding head coach emeritus Willie Jeffries as Bulldog head coach in 2002, Pough has built the SC State football program into a perennial power in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). During his 13-year tenure at the school where he earned a bachelor's and a master's as well as All-MEAC honors as an offensive lineman, Pough has compiled an enviable 101-45 overall record. His teams have also captured two MEAC titles (2008 & 2009) outright and shared three others (2004, 2010, 2013), and made four trips to the FCS playoffs (2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013).

THREE EAGLES EARN WEEKLY MEAC AWARDS    Three North Carolina Central University Eagles – quarterback Malcolm Bell, safety C.J. Moore and offensive lineman Clevonne Davis - have received weekly awards from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) for their play during a 27-22 win over Howard University on Saturday (Oct. 4). Bell (Richmond, Va.) has been selected as the MEAC Offensive Player of the Week, Moore (Raleigh, N.C.) has been named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, and Davis (Miramar, Fla.) has been chosen as the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Bell accounted for 311 yards of total offense against the Bison. He completed 20-of-30 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and ran for a team-best 66 ground yards. Bell is tied atop the MEAC with six passing touchdowns, ranks second in the conference in pass efficiency (145.4) and third in the league with 170.8 passing yards per game. Moore collected nine tackles (seven solo), including 2.0 hits for a loss, with a forced fumble and an interception. He tops the Eagles with 43 tackles, ranks fourth in the MEAC with 8.6 takedowns per contest, and is tied for second in the league with two fumble recoveries. Davis graded out at 98 percent of his blocking assignments against Howard, anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for 392 yards of total offense by the Eagles. He tallied five pancake blocks and did not allow a sack or record a penalty in NCCU's first conference victory.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern football vs. Alabama A&M game capsule

What: Southern (3-3, 2-1 SWAC) vs. Alabama A&M (2-4, 1-2 SWAC)

When/Where: Saturday at 1 p.m. at Louis Crews Stadium in Huntsville, Alabama.

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: Alabama A&M- James Spady, (1st season, 2-4). Southern- Dawson Odums, (2nd season as head coach, interim in 2012, 16-13).

Southern: The Jaguars got back on track last Saturday with a 51-36 win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Baton Rouge. It is the second time Southern has reached 50 or more points in 2014 and the win kept the Jaguars in the top half of the Southwest Athletic Conference.

CONTINUE READING

SWAC unbeatens meet in Grambling

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Broderick Fobbs runs such a tight ship at Grambling that he rarely shows any emotion in a robotic-like way.

He cracked slightly before the season started when he admitted in August that he was anxious to coach his first game at Grambling.

On Saturday, Fobbs has the opportunity to coach his first game in Eddie Robinson Stadium — the same field he spent time on as a running back some two decades ago — when Grambling hosts Alcorn State in its home opener.

Just don’t expect any heightened sense of emotion from the same guy that refuses to talk about injuries or depth chart changes.



CONTINUE READING

FAMU Rattlers facing a catch-22 in match-up with SSU Tigers

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Quarterback Damien Fleming understands the catch-22 situation that his FAMU football team will face Saturday against winless Savannah State.

He suspects that if the Rattlers soundly defeat the Tigers he'll hear how they beat up on a vulnerable team. Should FAMU lose, it would be worse than any of their previous five losses.

The Rattlers are heavily favored and Fleming, the only seniors who has faced the Tigers three times before, wants a dominating victory. The rest of the senior starters who have played one or two years against SSU don't want to go out losers to the Tigers for the first time, either.

"We are just going to go out there like it's any other team," Fleming said. "We are trying to get our first win of the season and get some confidence going into the rest of the season."



CONTINUE READING

ASU Hornets turn attention to Prairie View

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- It's going to be crucial for Alabama State players to put last week's loss to Alcorn State in the rear-view mirror and focus on Saturday's game with Prairie View A&M and ASU coach Reggie Barlow has been satisfied with his team's preparation this week in practice.

"I thought our guys have had a good mindset," he said. "I thought Tuesday was a really good practice. Our (scout) squad, the guys that prepare our offense and defense, had such great energy and they did a wonderful job and made our guys step up and play faster.

"Obviously we have put what happened last week behind us and we're looking forward to traveling to Prairie View to play against a really good team and give our best shot out there and see how things turn out."



CONTINUE READING

Abbes is XU's first to reach Small College title round

NOUR ABBES
28-0 CAREER
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

SUMTER, South Carolina --  Xavier University of Louisiana's top-seeded Nour Abbes defeated Lindsey Wilson's Alicia Rodriguez 6-2, 6-0 on Friday in the semifinals of the NAIA singles division of the USTA / ITA National Small College Championships at Palmetto Tennis Center.

Abbes -- the first from Xavier to reach the title round of this tournament -- will play Oklahoma Baptist's third-seeded Anastasiya Baranova for the championship at 8:30 a.m. EDT Saturday.

A sophomore from Tunis, Tunisia, Abbes won in 55 minutes by the same score she produced in Thursday's quarterfinals. Abbes is 28-0 in singles at Xavier, 11-0 this season.

"I started off aggressive, and that's where I was most efficient," Abbes said. "I tried to impose my game and stay focused throughout the match, and it worked."

"Rodriguez was a fighter," XU coach Alan Green said, "but Nour would just not let her into the match."

The final will be a rematch of the No. 2 (Abbes) and No. 4 players in the 2013-14 ITA NAIA postseason singles rankings. Baranova led Abbes 6-4, 3-4 on April 25 in the semifinals of the NAIA Unaffiliated Group 2 Tournament in New Orleans -- that match was halted by rule after the Gold Nuggets clinched a 5-1 dual-match victory.

Baranova is one of four singles opponents in 30 XU matches to win a set against Abbes. Since playing the OBU junior, Abbes has won 29 consecutive sets.

"Physically, I feel ready because it wasn't a very long match and it wasn't very hot weather," Abbes said. "I'm feeling good."

Baranova won her semifinal when Georgia Gwinnett's second-seeded Valeria Podda retired because of injury with Baranova leading 6-4, 4-1. Podda was the runner-up to Abbes at the NAIA South Regional in New Orleans in September.

Read more about Abbes and why she came to Xavier HERE

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Accomplished North African tennis player Nour Abbes brings international flavor to Xavier

NEW ORLEANS  -- In Nour Abbes' dorm room at Xavier University was a drawer filled with dozens of yellow toothpaste tubes, each with a thick red Mediterranean Harissa food seasoning inside and capped with a plastic red top.

The 21-year-old mixes the sauce described as having a strong chili flavoring into most of what she eats.

The native of Tunisia along the North African coast traveled a long distance to play tennis for the small NAIA-level program at Xavier and has done so with much success, while also trying find comforts of home whenever she can.

"It's a long process to get used to being here even though I'm in my second year," said Abbes, who communicates with her parents and three sisters in Tunsia through Skype and Facebook. "It's still very difficult to get adjusted because of the culture and how people speak and interact."

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TSU Tigers to Host Gamecocks in Ranked Battle, Saturday

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee   – The No. 25 ranked Tennessee State football team will play host to No. 8 Jacksonville State at Hale Stadium on Saturday.

Scouting TSU
The Tigers enter the contest having just lost their first conference game of the year at Southeast Missouri, 28-21. TSU fell behind by three scores and a 505 yard offensive performance was not enough to overcome the deficit.

Scouting JSU
The Gamecocks are 4-1, 2-0 in the conference and their only loss came at Michigan State. Jacksonville State is coming off of a, 38-14, victory over UT Martin in which the team’s running back Miles Jones was named OVC Offensive Player of the Week.

Three Keys to the Game

Stop the Run
The Gamecocks are the top rushing team in the Ohio Valley Conference, averaging 262 yards per game. They also boast four of the league’s top nine rushers in DaMarcus James (86.2 y/g), Troymaine Pope (65.2 y/g), Jones (62.2 y/g) and quarterback Eli Jenkins (52.8 y/g). The Tigers are currently 12th in the nation in rush defense, but have had problems this year against feature running backs – Malcolm Cyrus of Alabama State had 170 yards and SEMO’s Lenneis McFerren had 115. Last season, TSU shut down JSU’s rushing attack to the tune of 21 total yards and the Tigers could use a similar production on Saturday.

Start Fast
The Tigers have had a tough time to open every game so far this season and have not scored a single point on an opening drive this year. They have ran a total of 18 plays on six opening drives for 41 yards total, a 2.27 yard per play average. In fact, second drives have not been too productive either, as TSU has just three points on their second possessions. Despite their slow starts, the Tigers have trailed in just two games this year, but lost both of those at ASU and SEMO. A solid opening quarter could ensure TSU leads for good against JSU.

Keep Airing it Out
Quarterback Mike German’s return to the field last Saturday signaled a return to a productive passing game. German was 34-of-59 for 362 yards and two touchdowns at SEMO and could have thrown for more scores if the Tigers would have had more success inside the red zone. TSU would do better to pass more as the Tigers are averaging 5.6 yards per attempt and just 4.4 yards per rush. That disparity is even greater in the last four games; TSU has received six yards per pass, but 3.5 yards per rush. Every team needs good balance, but the Tigers would do better on pressure situations if they go to the air.

TSU is 2-7 all-time against JSU, but won last year’s contest, 31-15. The Tigers have never beaten the Gamecocks at home in three meetings, but are 5-0 at Hale Stadium since its Saturday’s game will kickoff at 2:04 p.m. and be broadcasted online at ESPN3.com or on the WatchESPN app.

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