TSU to Travel to EIU for an OVC Matchup

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- On Saturday, the Tennessee State football team will travel to Eastern Illinois for an Ohio Valley Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Scouting TSU
The Tigers (4-4, 1-3 OVC) are coming off of a, 21-16, loss at home to UT Main, the most current entry in their three-game losing streak. It is currently the longest slide for the team since a four-game stretch in 2011.

Scouting EIU
The Panthers (2-5, 2-1 OVC) just crushed Southeast Missouri, 52-13, for their second win of the season. The Eastern Illinois defense forced five turnovers in the victory, including four interceptions.

Three Keys to the Game

Win the Turnover Battle
Over the last three games, the TSU offense has given the ball away nine times while the defense has just four takeaways (all against Jacksonville State). Both stats have contributed to the rough patch as the Tigers are 11-1 in the last two seasons when they come out positive in turnover margin. When they have the same or less takeaways than its opponents, Big Blue is just 3-7. It may seem simple, but TSU needs to take better care of the ball against the Panthers to give itself a shot at more scoring drives.

Contain Whitlow
EIU’s junior quarterback Jalen Whitlow has been the most productive quarterback in the OVC this season, averaging 258.7 yards per game. TSU fans will remember last year’s EIU QB Jimmy Garoppolo who also led the OVC in total yards. The Panthers’ current signal-caller is more mobile than his predecessor and is second in the league in rushing yards per contest (79.7). The Univ. of Kentucky transfer’s eight scores on the ground are also tops in the conference. TSU leads the nation in passing defense (129.8 y/g), but the unit must also focus on Whitlow’s running ability if the Tigers are to stop their slide.

Maintain Status Quo on Defense
In addition to being the best in pass defense, the Tigers’ D is also third in total defense (251.3 y/g) and eighth in scoring (16.3 p/g). Even in a losing effort last week, Big Blue held the Skyhawks to just 210 yards – 67 through the air. TSU has been dominant on defense the past three seasons, but EIU has gained 567 and 553 yards in the two meetings during that span. The Tigers need to have a short memory and play like they are accustomed to shut down the high-flying Panther attack this time around.

EIU holds a 10-7 edge in the series and won twice last season, the latter of which ended TSU’s season in the FCS Playoffs.

Saturday marks EIU’s homecoming and fans can catch all the action on ESPN3 at 1:30 p.m.

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Expectations change for Livingstone; Blue Bears eye second CIAA championship

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- Livingstone basketball coach James Stinson is philosophical about expectations.

Earning the school’s first CIAA championship, like his Blue Bears did last season, brings presumptions just like being the league’s worst team. In 11 seasons at Livingstone, he’s been in both situations.

“When we were on the bottom we had a target on our back because no one wanted to lose to us,” Stinson said. “It’s the same thing so we just prepare every day. It does get tougher because people are bringing their ‘A’ game and then the CIAA from top to bottom is going to be tough each night.”

League coaches expect Livingstone to be the CIAA’s best, voting the Blue Bears No. 1 in preseason polling. Making it happen, though, will be more difficult after losing the heart of last year’s 21-9 squad. Seven players return, including four who started games last year, with 6-4 forward Eric Mayo leading the incumbents with 19. The returnees combined for 22.2 points per game, but their experience gives the Blue Bears a starting point to compete in the CIAA South.

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Sims finds a home at WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Even though quarterback Phillip Sims of Winston-Salem State has been on campus for nearly 14 months some find it hard to believe that he’s even there at all.

The way Sims arrived at WSSU isn’t all that complicated.

“Well, some of the assistant coaches called, and I answered my phone,” Sims said this week during an extended interview at the Bowman Gray Stadium Fieldhouse.

Sims, a Parade All-America in high school in Chesapeake, Va., is one of the most high-profile recruits to land at WSSU. After playing a part in Alabama’s run to the national championship as a redshirt freshman in 2011, he transferred to Virginia, where he started half the games for the Cavaliers in 2012.



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Savannah State at NCCU: Young Tigers wary of tough Eagles

DURHAM, North Carolina — Size matters.

In the game of football, the bigger the players are, the harder they fall on opponents who are not as genetically gifted.

Yet strength is at least equally important with respect to smaller players possessing the power to leverage their will against larger opponents.

Second-year Savannah State coach Earnest Wilson III will tell you that he’s got some talent on his team. But the Tigers are young. And they’re not very strong.

Yet the freshmen actually have been more productive than the Tigers’ upperclassmen — the rookies just have to get stronger, Wilson said.

“Their strength is just now beginning to come. They’re beginning to find out how to work out in a Division I setting,” Wilson said.

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A win in Greensboro would put Rattlers near top of MEAC

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A two-win streak over teams with a combined 1-14 record is one thing, but Florida A&M head coach Earl Holmes knows taking down one of the top teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference could change the narrative of the Rattlers’ entire season.

The Rattlers (2-5, 2-1 in the MEAC) will take on the North Carolina A&T Aggies (6-2, 3-1) Saturday in Greensboro, N.C. Florida A&M is coming off two straight wins for the first time in Holmes’ tenure as head coach, and a third straight win would put FAMU near the top of the MEAC.



It would also help erase an 0-5 start that had Holmes shifting coaching personnel around and contemplating a quarterback change.

“We’re a young team,” Holmes said.

“The sooner the young guys can ...

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Healing underway, winning returns at rejuvenated Grambling

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — In the months since he became head football coach at his alma mater, Broderick Fobbs has had several conversations with his predecessors. He talks occasionally with former coach Doug Williams. He has touched base with Rod Broadway. And of course, there's one other.

"I've talked with Coach Robinson," Fobbs says, "when no one else is around."

Grambling's new coach laughs. But then he points at the portrait of the late Eddie Robinson, which dominates one wall in his office, and reiterates:

"Normally, it's right here at this desk when I'm looking at that picture. One thing's for certain, he's definitely loud and clear. … He's definitely present here — and we're excited to have him with us."

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Across the Line: Les East on Southern

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State and Southern meet for the first time since the 2013 SWAC championship game last December.

But much has changed on both sides since then.

The Jaguars (4-3, 3-1 SWAC) are without the quarterback-wide receiver duo of Dray Joseph and Lee Doss who produced the game-winning touchdown for the title victory.

The Tigers (3-4, 1-3 SWAC) also feature a new lineup, with a few returners from that championship game. For JSU, this game is hopefully a fresh start after a disappointing first half of the season. They're looking to rebound after being upset by Mississippi Valley State and its former head coach Rick Comegy 27-23.

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Alabama A&M’s Spady quickly learns Classic’s importance

BIRMINGHAM – Alabama A&M first-year head coach James Spady already knows enough about the Magic City Classic to know it can make or break a coach’s resume.

Spady, the former tight ends/co-offensive line coach at Nevada (2010-13) and offensive coordinator at Grambling State (2007-09), will be roaming the sidelines for the first time as the A&M boss Saturday when the Bulldogs (2-5, 1-3) entertain Alabama State (4-3, 3-2) in the 73rd annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., and the game will be televised by ESPN3 and ESPNU on a delayed basis later that evening.

“I’ve been coaching for 22 years, but I already know there is no game like this one,” Spady said. “It’s just off the charts. I think as players and as coaches, it’s an honor and privilege to play in a game of this magnitude.

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Alabama A&M prepares for 'off the charts' Magic City Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Calling the Magic City Classic "off the charts," Alabama A&M Head Football Coach James Spady spoke to reporters at a press conference Wednesday kicking off the annual game between the Bulldogs and Alabama State.

"This is off the charts," Spady said of the 73rd annual game Saturday at Legion Field. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. "This is something special; something we want to give honor to."

This is Spady's first Classic but he wasn't shy about where he believes it ranks in his 22-year coaching career – which included several Bayou Classics between Grambling and Southern when Spady was an assistant with Grambling.



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FAMU Rattlers' defense preps for No. 2 MEAC rushing threat

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Anyone on Florida A&M's defense who played in the team's 20-13 overtime loss to North Carolina A&T last season knows the first — and probably biggest — step in defeating the Aggies is to bottle up sophomore running back Tarik Cohen.

After playing against Cohen last year — in a game where Cohen scored all three of the Aggies' touchdowns — junior linebacker Akil Blount said getting all 11 defenders to wherever Cohen is on the field is essential to continuing the Rattlers' current win streak.

The Rattlers (2-5, 2-1 in the MEAC) will try and win their third game in a row Saturday. The first two teams the team beat had a combined record of 1-14. Florida A&M will face a different challenge against North Carolina A&T (6-2, 3-1), a team currently tied for second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Confernce.

"(Cohen) is a very talented guy," Blount said. Blount leads FAMU's defense with 31 tackles this season.

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Alabama A&M-Alabama State prepare for Classic

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- James Spady had never lived in Alabama before he was hired to take over Alabama A&M's football program last December. But once he arrived, it didn't take long for him to understand that the most important game on the Bulldogs' schedule is the annual Magic City Classic against Alabama State.

"I have heard about the Classic since the moment I got off the plane in Huntsville," Spady said. "I know this is a special game that means a lot to our players and fans."

Kickoff for the 73rd annual Magic City Classic is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legion Field. Alabama State has won three of the past four games in the series, including a 31-7 victory last season.

While Spady is new to the series, Saturday's game will mark the 14th time that ASU coach Reggie Barlow has either played or coached in the Magic City Classic.



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XU Rush open season at home vs. Belhaven next week

NEW ORLEANS — Eighteen regular-season home games, the most by a Dannton Jackson-coached team, and 10 matchups against 2014 NAIA Division I National Championship qualifiers are among the highlights of the 2014-15 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball schedule.

Jackson — in his 12th season as coach of the Gold Rush and the program's career leader in victories with 249 — announced Wednesday the schedule.

Xavier will open its 77th season at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 against Belhaven in the Convocation Center. It will be the 21st consecutive season that the Gold Rush open at home, and the XU men will attempt to win their opener for the 19th straight season.

Belhaven, like Xavier, was an NAIA tourney qualifier last season. The Gold Rush and Blazers also will meet Nov. 3 at Belhaven.

The other XU games against NAIA tourney qualifiers will be Nov. 14 at home against Wiley, Nov. 25 at Wiley, Dec. 1 at home against William Carey, Dec. 18 at William Carey, Jan. 5 — in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener — at Talladega, Jan. 10 at home against Philander Smith, Feb. 9 at home against Talladega and Feb. 14 at Philander Smith.

Also on the schedule — Dec. 30 at Xavier — will be Concordia (Calif.), which did not reach nationals last season but spent five polls in the NAIA's top 10. The Eagles were a national tourney qualifier every season from 2007-13.

"I thought we had one of the best schedules in the NAIA last season, and I feel the same way about this season," Jackson said. "This is a tough, competitive schedule against a lot of successful programs. It's a great schedule for us to see what we have before conference play begins."

The XU men will play nine of their first 11 games at home, including six straight home games from Nov. 6-22. NCAA Division II opponents Albany State, Miles and LeMoyne-Owen will visit Xavier in November. Xavier will play LeMoyne-Owen for homecoming at noon on Nov. 22, followed by the XU women against Warner at 2 p.m.

There are no first-time opponents. Xavier and Miles will meet for the first time since 1969.

Xavier will conclude the regular season on Feb. 28 at home in the Crosstown Classic against longtime HBCU, city and GCAC rival Dillard. XU will visit Dillard on Jan. 31.

For the second consecutive year, New Orleans will be the site of the GCAC's men's and women's basketball tournaments. Xavier, one of three GCAC members from New Orleans, played host to the final three men's rounds and the final two women's rounds last season.

It will be the third season of basketball in the Convocation Center, a $25 million facility which seats nearly 4,000. The Gold Rush are 26-6 there.

The GCAC Tournament men's champion will earn an automatic bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship at Kansas City, Mo. Xavier qualified for nationals last season as an at-large selection and reached the tournament for the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time in 10 seasons. The Gold Rush were 23-9 overall in 2013-14 and 10-2 in the GCAC to win the regular-season championship for the third consecutive year. Xavier tied for 16th in the NAIA Division I postseason poll.

2014-15 Xavier University Men's Basketball Schedule Click here for detailed schedule information Oct. 29 (Wed.):  BELHAVEN, 7 p.m. Oct. 31 (Fri.):  CARVER, 7 p.m. Nov. 3 (Mon.):  at Belhaven, 7 p.m. Nov. 6 (Thu.):  ALBANY STATE, 6 p.m. Nov. 8 (Sat.):  MILES, 7 p.m. Nov. 11 (Tue.):  LOYOLA, 7 p.m. Nov. 14 (Fri.):  WILEY, 7 p.m. Nov. 18 (Tue.):  MOBILE, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22 (Sat.):  LeMOYNE-OWEN (DH), noon (1) Nov. 25 (Tue.):  at Wiley, 6 p.m. Dec. 1 (Mon.):  WILLIAM CAREY, 7 p.m. Dec. 3 (Wed.):  at Loyola, 7 p.m. Dec. 13 (Sat.):  at Mobile, 3 p.m. Dec. 15 (Mon.):  FAULKNER (DH), 7 p.m. Dec. 18 (Thu.):  at William Carey, 7 p.m. Dec. 29 (Mon.):  Concordia (Calif.) vs. Mobile at XU's Convocation Center, 2 p.m.  (NOTE: Xavier's men will not play on December 29) Dec. 30 (Tue.):  CONCORDIA (CALIF.) (DH), 7 p.m. Jan. 5 (Mon.):  • at Talladega (DH), 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 (Sat.):  • PHILANDER SMITH (DH), 5 p.m. Jan. 12 (Mon.):  • TOUGALOO (DH), 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 (Mon.):  • SUNO (DH), 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24 (Sat.):  • at Edward Waters (DH), 5 p.m. EST Jan. 26 (Mon.):  • at Voorhees (DH), 7:30 p.m. EST Jan. 31 (Sat.):  • at Dillard (DH), 5 p.m. Feb. 2 (Mon.):  • EDWARD WATERS (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5 (Thu.):  • VOORHEES (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 (Mon.):  • TALLADEGA (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 (Sat.):  • at Philander Smith (DH), 4 p.m. Feb. 16 (Mon.):  • at Tougaloo (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 (Mon.):  • at SUNO (DH), 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 (Sat.):  • DILLARD (DH), 7 p.m. (2) March 6-8 (Fri.-Sun.):  GCAC TOURNAMENT IN NEW ORLEANS March 18-24 (Wed.-Tue.):  Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship, Kansas City, Mo. Home games (in bold and CAPITAL LETTERS) will be played at the Convocation Center (capacity 3,937), Xavier University campus, New Orleans • Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game TBA — To be announced All times are Central except where noted (DH) — doubleheader with Xavier's women (1) — Homecoming (2) — Crosstown Classic Call (504) 520-7329 for ticket information

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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Sims starting to get comfortable at WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- In some quarters, there’s still the belief that Winston-Salem State should pick just one starting quarterback.

But it’s hard to argue with the success the Rams have had alternating two quarterbacks, especially after Saturday 36-13 win against St. Augustine’s. With returning starter Rudy Johnson struggling, transfer Phillip Sims came in and calmly guided the Rams.

“I think you saw that it was good that we have two capable quarterbacks,” quarterbacks coach Jason Mai said.

Offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke has planned for Sims and Johnson to each work two straight series during games, and that will continue despite Johnson’s struggles last week. Johnson threw three interceptions and had trouble finding his usual rhythm.



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SIAC relies on 'loyal fans' to build game in Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference probably would love to have Tuskegee as a participant in its first championship game at Cramton Bowl next month.

But SIAC commissioner Gregory Moore said his team's strong attendance figures should make the game a successful event, no matter who plays in it.

The HBCU conference held its first three championship games in the Atlanta area and was looking to make a bigger splash when it elected last summer to move the event to Cramton Bowl. The inaugural championship game in Montgomery will be held on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.

"Our reason for moving it is we wanted to ...

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Open Letter to Alumni, Students and Fans from MSU Head Coach Lee Hull

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

BALTIMORE, Maryland 

Dear Morgan State Alumni, Students and Fans,

Please let me start by simply saying "Thank You!"  My first Homecoming at Morgan State University as your head football coach was a great day!  It was exciting for me and the football team to see so many proud alumni, students and fans back on campus enjoying the atmosphere and the Homecoming spirit.  We had a beautiful day for a football game in Hughes Stadium and you all made it better by packing the stadium and cheering for our team.  Our team fought and fought and truly played the game for all 60 minutes as we finally scored the winning touchdown with 32 seconds left!  That moment was electric and I wanted to say thank you for staying for the entire game.  The stadium was still packed at the end of the game.  Your energy and enthusiasm is contagious for our players and helps them play harder throughout the game.  I look forward to many more victories in Hughes Stadium with all of you there cheering us on as we continue to work towards winning a MEAC Championship.

We need you and the energy you brought to the game at all of our home games!  If you can make it, please come see us play on the road.  Please know that I appreciate you supporting your alma mater and your football team.  We need you!  I look forward to seeing you at the next home game and next year's homecoming game!  You are a big part of what we do and you are definitely helping us Restore The Roar as we continue on our path to Return To Greatness!

I hope you had a great weekend and really enjoyed your time back on campus!  Our student-athletes are working very hard to be a great representation for this university and hope to make you proud every day and every Saturday afternoon.   Thank you again for being great fans and I look forward to seeing you at the next game soon!

Bear Down!!

Lee Hull
Head Football Coach

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NSU report | Match-up at Florida A&M will dictate offense

NORFOLK, Virginia -- As much production as Norfolk State got out of its newly prolific passing game in Saturday's 21-13 win at Hampton, the Spartans don't believe they've found themselves offensively.

They're still looking.

Offensive coordinator Donald Hill-Eley said he's heard from fans who have been displeased with his run-first philosophy. But he warns them not to expect wholesale changes on the basis of one successful game.



Asked if the Spartans will return to the passing game at Florida A&M after this week's open date, Hill-Eley said it was too soon to tell.

"If it's going to take passing, we're going to pass it. If it's going to take running, we're going to run it," he said. "Whatever it takes to give the team a chance to win."

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Bethune-Cookman coach not planning special approach to S.C. State game

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DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — Since becoming Bethune-Cookman head football coach in 2010, Brian Jenkins has characterized the annual meetings with South Carolina State as a “heavyweight fight.”

The #13/14th-ranked Wildcats (6-1, 3-0) have raised their respective hands in victory in three of the four matchups, including two at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium. They also enter this Saturday’s visit riding a four-game winning streak, while the Bulldogs (4-3, 2-1) continue to lick their wounds from the 48-35 home loss to North Carolina Central on Oct. 18.

Nevertheless, Jenkins still believes S.C. State is a “ball club to be reckoned with” in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and does not take stock in recent success.

“We look at every team the same,” he said. “We don’t look at South Carolina State any differently than we look at any other team and that’s with all due respect. We look at every team we play as a high-caliber team. We respect every team we play and therefore, mentally, we take the same mental approach and mental preparation for every team. So it’s no different when it comes to South Carolina State.

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Moton recounts decision to stay in Eagles’ nest

DURHAM, North Carolina -- It could have been a one-and-done deal for N.C. Central basketball coach LeVelle Moton.

But then came his decision.

After getting NCCU to the Division I NCAA Tournament this past season for the first time, Moton said he had opportunities to take his talent to the NBA as an assistant coach.

A praying wife and a fantastic chancellor kept him in Durham, the coach said.

“You always have to weigh family first,” Moton said. “You discuss matters over with your wife. We pray on it, and we use our gut to determine the ultimate, final decision.”

Moton said the shot callers at Marshall, Florida Atlantic and Ohio universities wanted him to coach their basketball teams.

But Moton’s people talked to NCCU’s people, and, well, here he is getting ready to lead his alma mater for the sixth time.

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MEAC tabs North Carolina Central as clear league favorite

NORFOLK, Virginia -- No surprise here. Of all the smaller conferences in college hoops, few are bigger favorites to win their league than the MEAC and North Carolina Central. NCCU, which went 28-6 last season and earned a 14 seed, was picked to lord over the conference in a recent poll of league coaches and sports information directors.

The voting for the entire MEAC breaks down like this:

1. North Carolina Central
2. Hampton
3. Morgan State
4. Norfolk State
5. Delaware State
6. Coppin State
7. Savannah State
8. Howard
9. North Carolina A&T
10. Bethune-Cookman
11. Maryland Eastern Shore
12. South Carolina State
13. Florida A&M

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Texas Southern is SWAC favorite

2014-15 Projected SWAC Standings
1. Alabama State Hornets | 2. Texas Southern Tigers | 3. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions | 4. Jackson State Tigers | 5. Alcorn State Braves | 6. Prairie View A&M Panthers | 7. Southern Jaguars | 8. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils | 9. Alabama A&M Bulldogs | 10. Grambling State Tigers

Alabama State

Led by junior guard Jamel Waters, Alabama State could very well finish the 2014-15 regular season as the best team in the SWAC. Waters was one of the most efficient offensive players in the SWAC last season, posting an offensive rating of 104.8 (second highest among conference returnees with significant minutes) and earning second-team All-SWAC honors. Waters was one ...

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Grambling State University G-Men are Currently the #1 Team in The SWAC

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- What a difference a year makes, the G-Men have improved tremendously, reigning over several teams weekend after weekend, and earning a record of 5-0 in the SWAC!

The current record is double the G-Men’s total record for the two previous football seasons combined, after they started last year’s season 0-3.The winning streak began for the G-Men and first year Head Coach, Broderick Fobbs (former Grambling running back), when getting their first win against Jackson State.

The G-Men continued snatching victories over Prairie View A&M, Alabama A&M, Alcorn State University and UAPB. All wins are wins to be proud of, but the win against Alcorn State University was special to the G-Men and the GSU fans because Alcorn was previously named the top-ranked team in the SWAC.

The G-Men led the Braves the entire game, with the final score being 28-21 leaving the Tigers with a (4-3, 4-0) record. The G-Men confirmed that their comeback is mighty last Saturday at the Eddie Robinson Stadium during their Homecoming Game as they defeated UAPB 63-39.

Grambling is on its longest winning streak since winning seven games in a row to capture the SWAC title in 2011.The Tiger spirit continues as the universities students, faculty, staff, and alumni are extremely proud of the marvelous turnaround from the athletic team, and hope to see the G-Men and Coach Fobbs become the 2014 SWAC Champions.

The G-Men are the only undefeated team left in the SWAC. Alcorn State, which cracked the FCS Top 24 last week, fell to 5-2 (3-1) with the loss to the Tigers. The G-Men return to the field Saturday, November 1 at Texas Southern.

Southern University football ready to renew rivalry with Jackson State

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The Bayou Classic pitting Southern University and Grambling is still more than a month away. But to Southern coach Dawson Odums, the top rivalry in the SWAC isn't that one, despite all the fanfare and that it's a nationally televised game.

That comes this week when the Jaguars travel to face Jackson State at historic Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"This is an environment you love to coach in,'' Odums said. "There won't be another environment like this. From my take, this is probably the biggest rivalry in the SWAC. When you look at these two teams playing against each other, it's what makes SWAC football SWAC football.

"It's one of those games, more ...



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Villanova vs. Morgan State: 3 Things To Know About The Bears

VILLANOVA, Pennsylvania -- #5/4 Villanova (6-1, 4-0) will host Morgan State (4-3, 3-1) this Saturday afternoon at Villanova Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm ET, and will be followed by the Blue & White Scrimmage at the Pavilion. Hopefully that means a strong turnout from the home fans.

The Bears represent a rare out-of-conference game for Villanova at this point in the season. They ply their trade in the MEAC, a relatively weak conference save Bethune-Cookman. Still the Bears have been competitive this season, with five of their games being decided by three points or less.

Here's three things to know about the Bears:

Lee Hull is having a nice first year as head coach

Having spent the previous six season on the Maryland Terrapins coaching staff. He comes with a reputation of developing some great college receivers, so it's interesting to see the Bears relying so heavily on the running game. That may just come down to personnel.

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Nuggets win on road, clinch 4th straight winning season

TALLADEGA, Alabama  -- CeCe Williams had nine kills and hit .467, and freshman Jada Broussard served three aces Monday to lead Xavier University of Louisiana in a 25-9, 25-13, 25-19 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball victory against Talladega.

The Gold Nuggets (13-4, 9-0) won in 57 minutes and clinched their fourth consecutive winning season. Xavier has won 52 consecutive matches against GCAC opponents -- 43 in the regular season -- and 50 straight against HBCUs.

Talladega is 10-12, 4-7.

Broussard served the first two aces of her XU career during an 8-0 first-set run which gave the Gold Nuggets a 15-2 lead. Williams had five kills and two solo blocks in the second set.

Broussard's final ace, plus a kill and a block by Claudia Haywood, keyed an 8-2 third-set run after a tie at 15. Broussard ended the match with a kill.

Darian Harris had 10 digs for the Gold Nuggets. She reached double figures for the 13th time this season and the 22nd time in her career. Haywood, Franziska Pirkl had three blocks apiece, and Broussard had six kills.

The Gold Nuggets hit .211 -- .391 in the first set -- and finished with 28 kills, six aces, 40 digs and seven blocks.

Xavier completed a two-match regular-season sweep of the Lady Tornadoes and leads the series 7-0.

Xavier will return to the road for GCAC matches against Voorhees at 1 p.m. EDT Sunday and Edward Waters at 5 p.m. EDT next Monday. Both matches were pushed back one day.

Box Score

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TSU v. EKU to be Broadcasted on ESPN3



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Nov. 1 Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee State game has been selected as a "Wildcard Selection" in the league's Game of the Week football package on ESPN3. The game will kickoff at 2 p.m. CT at LP Field in Nashville.

When the league's eight-contest Game of the Week schedule was announced in June the Oct. 4 and Nov. 1 games were deemed "Wildcard" dates where the matchup would not be announced until 12 days prior to the contest.

EKU leads the all-time series with TSU by a 21-5 margin, including a 44-0 victory in Richmond last season. Tennessee State won the last meeting played in the city of Nashville, scoring in the final seconds to top nationally-ranked Eastern Kentucky 23-20 in the 2012 season. The teams have split the season series 3-3 over the past six meetings.

This marks the second-straight season the league has produced the Game of the Week package in conjunction with WebStream Sports. WebStream Sports, an Indianapolis-based company which is a proven leader in video production, streaming video and content creation. The company, founded in 2006, produces more than 1,000 events annually and has also served as a web streaming consultant for the OVC for the past year.

Kevin Ingram, host of "The Wake Up Zone" on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, will handle play-by-play duties while Bob Belvin, on-air talent and contributor at 100.7 FM/AM 540 (ESPN Clarksville), will provide analysis. The duo has worked together each of the past two years in the league's TV package.

The OVC Football Game of the Week package is part of a five-year agreement with ESPN which was announced last October. The deal runs through the completion of the 2017-18 season.

ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of global sports events annually and accessible online via WatchESPN.com, on smart phones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on Apple TV.  It is currently available in more than 85 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.  It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.

Remaining 2014 OVC Football Game of the Week on ESPN3 Schedule

Oct. 25 - Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois, 1:30 p.m. CTNov. 1 - Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee State, 2:00 p.m. CTNov. 8 - Southeast Missouri at Tennessee Tech, 1:30 p.m. CTNov. 15 - Eastern Illinois at Jacksonville State, 3:00 p.m. CT

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION