WSSU gets everything right, routs Shaw

DURHAM, North Carolina — The streak continues.

Winston-Salem State played perhaps its best all-around game of the season Saturday, blowing out Shaw 61-10 at Durham County Stadium for its 30th straight victory against CIAA opponents.

After a lackluster win last weekend against Livingstone, the Rams played with purpose for 60 minutes. The offense rolled up 543 yards, and the defense allowed just 22.

“It was one of our better performances this season,” Coach Kienus Boulware of the Rams said in obvious understatement.

The Rams (8-1, 6-0 CIAA) were never threatened and showed balance on offense behind Maurice Lewis (17 carries for 155 yards) and Rudy Johnson (15 of 21 passing for 241 yards and two touchdowns).

CONTINUE READING 

Bowie State Bulldogs Cruise 28-7 over The Lincoln University Lions

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania  --  Bowie State University football started a little slow but finished strong as the Bulldogs cruised to a 28-7 victory over The Lincoln University.

The Bulldogs defense held Lincoln to 88 total offensive yards with junior Anthony McDaniel leading the Bowie State defense with eight total tackles, which included two sacks and six tackles for a loss. Redshirt senior Paxton Queen (Upper Marlboro, Md.) had a productive afternoon, recording seven tackles (all solo), three tackles for a loss and had one pass breakup.

Bowie State's offense pounded out 343 rushing yards on 64 carries, both season-highs.

Senior Keith Brown (Temple Hills, Md.) rushed for a season-high 131 yards on 23 carries and scored two touchdowns. Junior Kendall Jefferson (Temple Hills, Md.) carried the ball 20 times for a personal season-best 129 yards and scored one touchdown. Jefferson's longest run of the contest was a 54 yard jaunt early in the fourth quarter which is a team season-best.



The Bowie State quarterback tandem of junior Trevon Bennett (Fort Washington, Md.) and graduate student Matthew Goggans (Pine Grove, Calif.) completed a combined 4-of-16 passes for a season-low 45 yards.

After back-to-back turnovers by both teams, Bowie State was able to capitalize on an interception by redshirt freshman Britton Savoy (Fort Washington, Md.). Nine plays and 74 yards later, Jefferson rushed nine yards for the score. Senior Mario Diaz-Aviles (Washington, D.C.) added the extra point for a 7-0 Bowie State lead at the 6:24 mark of the first quarter.

Lincoln (1-8, 0-6 CIAA) took advantage of a Bowie State miscue on the rainy and cold afternoon, when Tyahir Mitchell (Wilmington, Del.) picked off a Bennett pass and returned it 45 yards for the touchdown. Brett Arkelian's (Clovis, Calif.) extra point was good, tying the score at 7-all.

Brown rushed for his first touchdown of the afternoon, pretty much walking in from 12 yards out at the 4:53 mark of the second quarter and Diaz-Aviles added the extra point to give Bowie State a 14-7 lead they would never relinquish.

Bowie State (4-5, 4-2 CIAA) pushed the lead to 21-7 by halftime following a 15-yard Goggans to junior Garry Cropper (Odenton, Md.) pass, catch and score. Cropper led the Bulldog receivers with three catches for 45 yards.

Brown scored his second rushing touchdown of the game with 12:16 remaining in the game and the Diaz-Aviles PAT extended the Bowie State lead to 28-7.

Stephen Scott was Lincoln's top ground gainer with 90 yards on 29 carries. Edward McKenzie (Patterson, N.J.) completed 7-of-22 passes for 73 yards but was sacked five times.

Akeem Jordan (Washington, D.C.) led Lincoln in reception yards with 37 and Brion Robinson (Silver Spring, Md.) tallied a game-high 11 tackles in the loss.

The Bulldogs will close out the 2014 season at home on Saturday (November 8th) at 1 pm versus the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University. Prior to the game, twelve Bowie State senior football players will be honored in a special pre-game ceremony.

Box Score 

COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB Golden Lions Down Mississippi Valley, 24-14

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff football team picked up their second conference win of the season as the Golden Lions defeated Mississippi Valley State, 24-14 here Saturday afternoon at Golden Lion Stadium.

UAPB struck first blood in the contest as Benjamin Anderson connected with Willie Young from 10 yards out giving the Golden Lions a 7-0 lead with 9:25 to go in the first.
Young caught his second TD of the game with an acrobatic catch from eight yards out as the ball was tipped into the air by fellow wide receiver Joel Porchia at the 14:22 mark of the second quarter.

Strickland made the score 17-0 with a 23-yard field goal with 10:17 left in the second quarter.



MVSU scored their first TD of the game on a 73-yard TD pass to Charlie Crenshaw from Quantavis Peterson with 5:51 left in the second as UAPB went into the break with a 17-7 lead, marking the third time this season that UAPB led at the half.

Young scored the Golden Lions final and his third TD of the game on a slant pattern from 59-yards out with 7:32 to go in the fourth, giving UAPB a 24-7 lead.

Julian Stafford scored the Delta Devils final TD of the game on a 14-yard pass from Patrick Ivy with 5:03 left in the contest for the 24-14 finale.

Willie Young scored all three of the Golden Lions TDs as he scored from 10, eight and 59 yards out with him finishing the contest with 175 yards on 10 receptions with his longest reception being for 59 yards. This is the first time since the 2010 season, when former Golden Lion and current Green Bay Packer wide receiver Raymond Webber recorded 10 or more catches in a game.

Brian Handley for the second straight week rushed for more than 100 yards in a game as he finished the contest with 160 yards on 18 carries.

Anderson finished the contest with 232 yards through the air by completing 17 passes in 30 attempts, while passing for three TDs.

Kyle Walker led the Golden Lion defense with eight tackles (3 solos, 5 Asst); behind him was LaFarrell Franklin, Jared Turner, Demarcus Berry, and Willie Duncan as they all finished with six tackles each for UAPB. Berry led the team in sack as he finished the contest with two.

For Mississippi Valley State, quarterback Peterson led the Delta Devils as he rushed for 56 yards on 17 carries, while passing for 195 yards by completing nine passes in 24 attempts with one TD and two interceptions as finished the contest with 251 yards of total offense.

Stafford was the hot receiver for the Delta Devils as he finished the contest with 174 yards on nine receptions with one TD.



Terrance Hudson and Nelson Hale led the MVSU defense as they both finished with seven tackles each.

With the win, UAPB has now won seven straight against MVSU as the Golden Lions move to 3-5 overall and 2-4 in conference play, whereas MVSU goes to 2-7 and 1-6 in conference play.

Up next for the Golden Lions will be Prairie View A&M as they will host the Panthers on Saturday, November 8 at Golden Lion Stadium for homecoming. For more information contact the UAPB ticket office at 870.575.8601.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tigers Fall to EKU on Senior Day, 56-42

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State football surrendered the most points since 2011, falling to Eastern Kentucky on Senior Day, 56-42.

Nick Thrasher led the defense with a career-high 17 tackles, but the unit gave up 286 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns.

Mike German keyed the offensive attack, completing 22-of-43 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns, while also tossing a pair interceptions.

Isaiah Freeman was German’s main target, catching seven passes for 98 yards and three touchdowns – all career highs.

German tossed his first pick on Tennessee State’s first drive and the Colonels wasted little time punching the ball into the end zone on offense, as Dy’Shawn Mobley capped a four-play, 39 yard drive with a short touchdown run.

Mobley had a 30-yard run on EKU’s next possession, leading to a field goal and then the junior running back scored his second touchdown of the quarter at the 6:17 mark with a 33-yard burst up the middle. His latter run put the Colonels up by three scores, 17-0.



Darion Hall gave the Tigers new life on the ensuing kickoff, taking it back 100 yards for a touchdown and then the Tigers cut the lead to three when German snuck into the end zone early in the second quarter. German completed three passes of over 15 yards to get close to the goal line for TSU’s second score.

Later in the period, Eastern Kentucky missed a field goal off of the left upright and German led the offense down the field and completed a six-yard slant to Isaiah Freeman for a go-ahead touchdown. The strike made the score 21-17 heading halftime.

The Tigers forced a punt on EKU’s first drive of the second half, but the kick hit off of a TSU player and was recovered by the Colonels at the 34-yard line. The turnover set up a 25-yard field goal by Andrew Lloyd to cut the TSU lead to one, 21-20.

The Colonels struck again and re-took the lead after a TSU three-and-out as EKU quarterback Jared McClain found a huge hole up the middle on a fourth-and-two and raced 36 yards for a touchdown. The big play made the score 27-21 in favor of the visitors with eight minutes gone in the second half.

EKU produced another touchdown later in the quarter on a crazy play that featured two fumbles. Daniel Fitzpatrick caused the first one, then Mike West picked up the ball and tried to gain extra yardage. West was stripped soon thereafter and EKU’s Devin Borders came up with football at the TSU 33-yard line and raced into the end zone. Bad luck put the Tigers down, 35-21, after a two-point conversion.

The Tigers clawed back to within a touchdown, finding the end zone with a five-yard lob to Quindell Cousin. A huge 49-yard pass from German to Mitchell set up the score.

After two more EKU touchdowns in the fourth quarter, Freeman caught his second and third touchdowns of the game. Unfortunately, it was not enough and the Colonels left with a 56-42 win.

NOTES: German came into the game with an FCS-high 12 interceptions and added two to those…. Hall’s kickoff return for a touchdown was TSU’s first this season, fourth in the last five seasons… EKU’s 17 points in the first quarter were the most surrendered by TSU in an opening period since UT Martin notched 17 on Nov. 12, 2011… Freeman’s touchdown in the second quarter was the sophomore’s first of his career… Terrell Bonds recorded an interception in the second quarter which was the first TSU takeaway since Oct. 11 against Jacksonville State… Cousin’s touchdown in the third period was the first of his career… It was the first time all season that there were three lead changes in the game… EKU’s 56 points were the most for an opponent since Sept. 24, 2011 when Air Force hung 63… TSU is on its first five-game losing streak since 2011… The 98 points by both teams were the most points scored in a game since Nov. 2, 2002 when the Tigers loss to EIU, 54-8…

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES Men's Cross Country Brings Home a MEAC Title

SMYRNA, Delaware — On a cold and muddy field in Kent County, Delaware earlier today, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore cross country teams made their hard work from the past two months pay off. The men’s team captured victory and brought home the MEAC Championship while the women’s team also earned a solid finish by coming in third. This is the third men’s cross country championship overall and the first for the squad since 2007, and the win also gave the UMES track & field teams their 13th title dating back to 1963.

With a final tally of 45 points, the Hawks finished 22 points ahead of second place North Carolina A&T. This included three top ten finishers, while all of the five UMES runners that accounted for the team’s points placed in the top twenty. The Lady Hawks finished with a total of 78 points, eight points behind second place Morgan State.

As the case has been all season long, sophomores Khalil Rmidi Kinini (Malaga, Spain) and Barbora Blahutova (Slavkov, Czech Republic) led their respective teams and in the process were awarded by the MEAC as the Most Oustanding Performer in the race. Both managed to keep their undefeated streak intact with first place finishes. Kinini blasted the competition by finishing with a time of 25:53.6 in the 8k race, a full 45 seconds ahead of the man who finished in second. Although her trailers were closer, Blahutova completed her 5k race with a time of 18:37.3, twelve seconds faster than anyone else.

Other Hawks who registered scoring times for the men included junior Mark Tuwei (Eldoret, Kenya) who took home fourth with a time of 27:13.5, sophomore Derrick Cheruiyot (Nairobi, Kenya) who ran a clip of 27:56.8 to place tenth. Freshman Nelson Kimutai (Eldoret, Kenya) came in 11th place right behind Cheruiyot with a 27:56.9 time, and sophomore Nassor Whitehead (Sunrise, Fla.) rounded out the scoring with a time of 28:46.0, good for 19th.
Three more UMES runners ran in the men’s race with freshman Stanley Meli (Eldoret, Kenya) finishing 34th, sophomore Justin Atkins (Washington, D.C) coming in 41st, and sophomore Michael Johnson (Ramstein, Germany) locking in 46th place.

For the Lady Hawks, sophomore Rachel Halmon (Waldorf, Md.) was the second to cross the finish line, coming in 11th place with a time of 19:37.9. Junior Jheniel Kelly (Edgewood, Md.) ran the course in just over 20 minutes to finish 19th. Three more Hawks crossed in a row shortly after, with junior Shantol Hemley (St. Catherine’s, Jamaica) finishing 23rd, freshman Janice Lane (Carson, Calif.) coming in 24th, and senior Margaret Wilmot-Francis (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) took home 25th, with all three coming across within four seconds of each other. Lane’s place wrapped up the scoring for the Lady Hawks.

Freshman Dypna Umunakwe (Bronx, N.Y.) ended up 31st finishing under 21 minutes, while senior Jasmine Sampson (Coatesville, Pa.) finished just over 21 minutes to end the race in 38th. Sophomore Shelasia Leitch (Newark, N.J.) ended with a time of 23:47.7 to finish 68th in the field of 87 runners.

In recognition of his team’s efforts, Hawks head coach Ernest Barrett was recognized as the MEAC men’s Most Outstanding Coach.

Florida A&M joined UMES as the other school to claim a title as their women’s team won with a total of 38 points. The victory marked the Rattlers’ third straight championship in women’s cross country.

The Hawks will travel to State College, Pa. to put their strong finishes with the best of the east coast when they compete in the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships on November 14th.

Results

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Rattlers fall 12-10 after failed QB sneak

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Interim head coach Corey Fuller’s first game at helm for the Florida A&M Rattlers against Norfolk State was marred by two drives that ended on the goal line — the second one ended the game and any hopes the Rattlers had of finishing near the top of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Quarterback Damien Fleming tried to sneak the ball in on third down with eight seconds left in the game, despite the team being out of timeouts and down by two points. The play was stuffed by Norfolk and time ran out while the field goal unit was trying to get on the field, leading to a 12-10 loss for the Rattlers.

It wasn’t the way Fuller wanted to cap a tumultuous week in front of 18,663 homecoming fans. Head coach Earl Holmes was fired on Tuesday and the other coaches were given 60-day non-renewal notices. This is the third homecoming loss for the Rattlers in the last four years.

CONTINUE READING

Former Band Member Found Guilty In FAMU Hazing Case

ORLANDO, Florida (Oct. 31) -- A Florida jury found former Florida A&M University marching band member Dante Martin guilty of manslaughter for his role in the fatal hazing of drum major Robert Champion.

As NPR's Greg Allen reported from Orlando earlier this week, prosecutors said Martin was the ringleader of what they called a dark hazing tradition in which Champion was beaten to death. Martin's lawyer argued that the tradition of walking through a bus while getting beaten started way before Martin was in the band. 

Originally, 15 band members were charged for the role they played in Champion's death.

"Most of the others have had ...

CONTINUE READING

GCAC: Talladega College MarchingTornado Band Makes 2015 Honda Battle of Bands Lineup

WATCH ALL VIDEO IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

TORRANCE, California -- Students, alumni and fans of America's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) cast their votes online and took to social media to help their favorite marching bands advance to the 13^th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. The final eight bands have been selected and will take the Georgia Dome by storm on January 24, 2015, when they showcase their incredible musical talent and electrifying showmanship in front of a packed crowd in Atlanta, GA.

The following eight bands will perform at the 13th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase:

• Alabama State University, Mighty Marching Hornets (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
• Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
• Howard University, Showtime Marching Band (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference); performing at Honda Battle of the Bands for the first time
• Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
• North Carolina A&T University, Blue and Gold Marching Machine (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
• Southern University, Human Jukebox (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
• Talladega College, Marching Tornado Band (Gulf Coast Athletic Conference); performing at Honda Battle of the Bands for the first time
• Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Ohio Valley Conference)

Tickets to the Honda Battle of the Bands are available for purchase now on the official website, starting at just $10. The participating eight HBCUs will receive a $20,000 grant from Honda to support their music education programs, plus travel to and accommodations in Atlanta for the Invitational Showcase. The final eight were selected through a process that included online fan voting, as well as feedback from band directors, HBCU school presidents and representatives from American Honda.

This year's theme, "March On," serves as a reminder to students and fans that life on and off the field is a journey, and no matter the challenge, the dream or what may lie ahead, learning never stops as long as you commit to "March On."

"Honda congratulates the eight bands selected to participate in the Invitational Showcase and thanks all of the schools, students, alumni and fans that participated in the process leading to Atlanta," said Stephan Morikawa, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Community Relations, American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

"Honda is committed to supporting education at HBCUs by investing in their programs and providing a platform aimed at helping students realize what Honda calls The Power of Dreams."

The 2015 Invitational Showcase will feature the first-ever Honda Battle of the Bands Power of Dreams Award. Participating teams and fans will have the opportunity to nominate an outstanding member of their community who is working to help students achieve their dreams. Honda will then select a winner who will be recognized in Atlanta at the 2015 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase.

For updates, follow the Honda Battle of the Bands and join the social media conversation using #HBOB.

• Facebook – Facebook.com/HondaBattleoftheBands
• Twitter – @The_Honda / Twitter.com/The_Honda
• Instagram – @The_Honda / Instagram.com/the_honda
• YouTube - YouTube.com/hondabotb

For more information on the 2015 Honda Battle of the Bands, visit HondaBattleoftheBands.com. 

Week 10: HBCU Football Schedule

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2014

OVC
Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee State, 3 PM, ESPN3

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 3:30 PM
Grambling State at Texas Southern, 6:30 PM
Alabama State at Southern, 7 PM
Alabama A&M at Jackson State, 7 PM

MEAC
Morgan State at Hampton, 1 PM
Delaware State at Howard, 1 PM
Savannah State at South Carolina State, 1:30 PM
Norfolk State at Florida A&M, 3 PM (Homecoming)
North Carolina Central at Bethune-Cookman, 4 PM

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

SIAC
Lane at Kentucky State, 1PM
Tuskegee at Central State (Ohio), 1:30 PM
Albany State at Benedict, 2 PM
Paine at Clark Atlanta, 2 PM (Homecoming)
Stillman at Miles, 4 PM
Fort Valley State at Morehouse, 7 PM

OTHER CONFERENCES
Cheyney at West Chester, 1 PM
West Virginia State at Notre Dame College, 1 PM
Ava Maria at Edward Waters, 2 PM
Wayland Baptist at Texas College, 2 PM (Homecoming)
Virginia University Lynchburg at Alderson-Broaddus, 2 PM
Corcordia-Selma at Samford, 3 PM
Oklahoma Panhandle State at Langston, 3 PM
Lincoln (Mo.) at Central Washington, 4 PM

ALL GAME TIMES ARE SHOWN IN EASTERN TIME

Lady Rattler Volleyballers bounce A&T, 3-1

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

GREENSBORO, North Carolina (Oct. 31) – The FAMU Women’s Volleyball team won their 37th straight conference match Friday with a 3-1 road victory over North Carolina A&T at Moore Gymnasium on the A&T campus.

The Lady Rattlers (10-13, 8-0 in MEAC), won 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 25-13, to remain perfect in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, thanks to the net play of Pamela Soriano and Tamar Fowler.

Soriano, the heavy favorite for MEAC Rookie of the Year, led the way with 19 kills and 20 digs, followed by Fowler, who spiked down 14 kills.

Sophomore Ginna Lopez-Chavez added eight kills, while Joanie Del Castillo and Sydni Etheredge each had 13 digs. Freshman Vaeria Lopez dished out a season-high 46 assists for FAMU.

WHAT’S NEXT: Sunday, FAMU will trek to Durham, N.C. to face North Carolina Central in a 2:00 conference bout…. They close their conference slate for 2014 next Friday night at Bethune-Cookman (7:00) in Daytona Beach.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

No. 5 Lady Tigers' strong finish beats No. 18 Nuggets

McKENZIE, Tennessee (Oct. 31) -- Senior guard Caroline Owen scored 15 of her 26 points in the final 4:04 Friday to help NAIA No. 5 Campbellsville pull away for a 74-62 women's basketball victory against No. 18 Xavier University of Louisiana in the Bethel Chamber of Commerce Shootout.

It was the season opener for both teams and a rematch of a second-round game at last season's NAIA Division I National Championship, which Campbellsville won 59-55.

Xavier tied the score at 56 on a Vinnie Briggs basket with 4:15 remaining, then Owen answered 11 seconds with her fourth 3-pointer of the game to put the Lady Tigers ahead to stay. Owen made her final 3-pointer at 1:16 for a 69-60 advantage.

Briggs scored 17 points, Eliqua Brooks 13 and Alesha Smith 10 for the Gold Nuggets. Brooks, a junior in her XU debut, made all three of her team's 3-pointers. Briggs also led the Nuggets with six rebounds and three steals.

Xavier trailed 16-3 through seven minutes before rallying to take its only lead, 20-19, on Daylin Boatner's free throw at 5:43. Campbellsville led 31-25 at halftime, but the Lady Tigers did not regain a double-digit lead until the final 45 seconds.

Xavier shot 51.6 percent from the floor in the second half and outshot Campbellsville 43.1 to 36.4 percent for the game. The Lady Tigers dominated at the line, making 26-of-37 free throws to Xavier's 9-of-13. Owen made all nine of her free throws in the closing run.

Xavier, opening the season with four consecutive ranked opponents, will play No. 9 Bethel (Tenn.) at 2 p.m. Saturday in the final game of this event. Bethel defeated Harris-Stowe 74-40 in the other game Friday.

 Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold

ttps://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Gold Rush are 2-0 after defeating Carver 98-87

Facebook photos

NEW ORLEANS (Oct. 31) -- Anthony Goode scored 25 points Friday to lead NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 98-87 men's basketball victory against Carver College.

Goode became the first Gold Rush player since Jarrel Lake in 2007-08 to reach 20 points in each of the first two games. It's the first time since 1991-92 that Xavier opened the season with back-to-back 90-point games.

Xavier is 2-0 for the 12th consecutive season, and Carver is 0-1.

Morris Wright scored 19 points for Xavier. Jarvis Thibodeaux scored a career-high 17 points for the second straight game, and RJ Daniels recorded his first collegiate double-double, 16 points and a career-best 13 rebounds.

Donovan Gardner scored all 21 of his points in the second half for Carver. Troy Swanson scored 20, Jamil Saaka 13, Emmanuel Griffin 12 and Julian Bratton 10.

Wright's 3-pointer at 7:53 of the first half put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 28-25. Xavier led 46-35 at halftime and held its biggest advantage, 69-53, after Troy Salvant's 3-point play with 9:05 remaining.

Gardner's sixth 3-pointer of the half trimmed Xavier's lead to 92-87 with 27 seconds remaining.

The Cougars made 14 3-pointers -- Swanson had four -- and Xavier made 10. Goode and Wright made three treys apiece, and Gary Smith made two.

Xavier outshot the Cougars 52.5 to 41.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 44-30. Xavier made 26-of-30 free throws, and Carver made 11-of-20.

Xavier will visit Belhaven at 7 p.m. Monday and play its next home game at 6 p.m. Thursday against Albany State.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold

ttps://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

GSU looking to solve Texas woes

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  Grambling wants to distance itself as far away from the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship title talk as possible, but if the Tigers even remotely want a chance to hoist the trophy come December they'll first need to learn how to win in Texas.

Grambling travels to Houston, the site of the 2014 SWAC Championship game, on Saturday to play Texas Southern at BBVA Compass Stadium, a place where the Tigers haven't won since 2008.

In fact, Grambling is 1-10 in the state of Texas dating back to 2009. The Tigers snapped a 10-game losing streak earlier this season when they pulled out a 26-20 win over Prairie View A&M in the State Fair Classic in Dallas.

"We're grateful and thankful we're in ...

CONTINUE READING 

DWIGHT FLOYD COMMENTARY -- FAMU Athletics: Creating Order Out of Chaos

DWIGHT FLOYD
from THE EDITOR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida --  I remember 14 years ago when I was tasked with a project that was crumbling and about to fail. Things were chaotic and people were at odds with each other, mostly angry at leadership. There were also attempts by underlings to undermine persons in leadership and take the leadership role.

Over a short period of time I became that leader by circumstance, establishing a successful team by rebuilding the staff and developing a program that has surpassed the shared vision of 14 years ago. In the process I have made and continue to make some mistakes for which I own up to; and I continue to see many successes.

As I view the state of affairs within the athletic department at Florida A&M University, I see much of the chaos that I remember. Over the span of a period that has lasted more than 14 years, athletic directors have come and gone with little progress. Yes, there have been ...

CONTINUE READING

NSU's Riddick draws notice from the NFL

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State defensive lineman George Riddick opened a pre-practice interview this week by acknowledging the impact D-line coach Mark Thurston has had on his career.

It was a veteran move, as Riddick spotted Thurston lingering on the periphery. But it was hardly out of character for a player who routinely deflects any credit that comes his way despite standing out on a defense full of stars.



A 6-foot-3, 295-pound senior from Suffolk, Riddick has used his eye-popping explosiveness to pile up 45 tackles and a team-leading six sacks. His numbers, which include 7-1/2 tackles for loss, are especially impressive considering he has to share stats with tackle-hogging linebackers Marcell Coke, Deon King, Lynden Trail and Lamar Neal, who have combined for a staggering 242 stops in eight games.

Riddick serves as the first line of defense on a unit that is second in the MEAC in yardage and points allowed entering Saturday's game at Florida A&M. And thanks to NFL scouts' growing interest in Trail, Riddick is starting to get noticed, too.

CONTINUE READING

Norfolk State's Lynden Trail getting NFL attention

NORFOLK, Virginia -- There are a number of great players in HBCU football. There’s no question about that. However, Norfolk State senior linebacker Lynden Trail has put himself in a very special category with his brilliant play the last two seasons.

Trail, a 6-foot-7, 250-pounder, can do it all. He has the size, speed and experience to play the pass as well as the run, and he knows how to pick his spots in terms of rushing the passer. These qualities have made him a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive player at the FCS level.

In addition, NFL scouts have been coming out in droves to see the Spartans' talented defensive player. Trail has attracted nearly every NFL team to Norfolk to watch him play the game at an extremely high level. Some scouts have even come several times to see him..



CONTINUE READING

Grambling gets back to work

HEAD COACH BRODERICK FOBBS

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  Grambling’s football program has an unwritten rule inside its locker room — don’t look at the standings.

As far as the Tigers are concerned, they’re 0-0 despite their name atop the Southwestern Athletic Conference leaderboard with a 5-0 conference record.

Try telling that to the rapid fan base of Gramblinites who spent the last week congratulating players and coaches on their season so far.

Internally, they’ve accomplished nothing until a championship trophy sits in Grambling’s case next to the one from 2011.

“They understand it’s not over and it’s not going to be over until we’re standing there in Houston at the end of the season with the SWAC Championship trophy above our head,” Grambling cornerbacks coach Bryan Ware said.

CONTINUE READING

ASU gives Reggie Barlow new contract, $32K raise

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State officials have rewarded football coach Reggie Barlow with a new contract, raising his salary while extending his contract through Dec. 31, 2017.

His old contract, which he signed when he became head coach in 2007, was extended once and due to run out Dec. 31. The new one, obtained through a Freedom of Information request by the Montgomery Advertiser, became effective on Sept. 9 and includes a $32,000 raise – his first since taking over the head coaching reins.

"The football program, over the last four years, has won 30-plus games," ASU athletic director Melvin Hines said. "So coach Barlow has proven himself on the field with four straight winning seasons. I believe that's the first time in more than 30 years that we've had four straight winning seasons.

"We felt as though Coach has the program headed in the right direction, so we rewarded him for that by extending his contract for another three years. That also helps him keep his program at that level by being able to recruit. Kids want to know they're playing for a coach at the institution."

CONTINUE READING

XU beats SUNO, clinches tie for GCAC championship

NEW ORLEANS -- Senior Chinedu Echebelem had nine kills and 17 digs Thursday, and an improved Xavier University of Louisiana defense keyed a 26-24, 25-12, 25-20 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball victory against SUNO at XU's Convocation Center.

The Gold Nuggets (16-4, 12-0) clinched a tie for their fourth consecutive GCAC regular-season championship. Xavier needs one victory in its final two conference matches to win the title outright. Xavier clinched the No. 1 seed for next month's GCAC Tournament.

Echebelem's kill after four XU digs ended the first set, and Echebelem and Jodi Hill ended the match with a block of a SUNO attack.

Xavier trailed 15-12 and 18-16 in the final set.

In the opening set, SUNO rallied from an 18-10 deficit to tie at 22 and 24. Jada Broussard had five kills in a 14-4 XU run to close the second set.

Xavier, outhit .202 to .144 in its five-set victory at SUNO on Oct. 1, outhit the Lady Knights .207 to .089 this time. SUNO (22-9, 11-2) entered the match ranked 13th in the NAIA with a .253 hitting percentage and was hitting .326 in GCAC matches.

Broussard and Claudia Haywood had seven kills apiece for Xavier. Darian Harris had 12 digs, and Hill had three blocks. Setter Franziska Pirkl had three kills, 26 assists, an ace and seven digs.

Xavier committed 19 total errors, and SUNO made 38.

"This past week we watched a lot of video and trained really hard," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "Last time we played SUNO, we struggled with our hitting and could not find a way to put the ball down. We worked really hard on seeing where the open spots were on the other side of the court tonight. We had to stop being egotistical and trying to hit every ball as hard as we could. If we needed points on tip shots, we went for it."

Andrea Titonea had 11 kills and Christal Hollins nine for SUNO. Milica Golubovic and Ana Privat had 12 digs apiece.

The victory was the fifth in a row for the Gold Nuggets, who snapped SUNO's season-best six-game win streak. Xavier has won 55 consecutive matches against GCAC opponents -- 46 in the regular season -- and 53
straight against HBCUs.

Xavier will go for an outright GCAC championship in a noon match against Philander Smith at Little Rock, Ark. Xavier's next home match will start at 10 a.m. in the GCAC Tournament quarterfinals on Nov. 14.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold

ttps://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

TSU Tigers Set to Host No. 16 EKU for Senior Day

WATCH LIVE | LISTEN LIVE | LIVE STATS | GAME NOTES

 

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State football team will host No. 16 Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 1 for Big Blue’s Senior Day.

 

Scouting TSU
TSU is 4-5 on the season overall, and 1-4 in Ohio Valley Conference games. Big Blue has also lost the last four contests for only the second time in many of these seniors’ careers.

 

Scouting EKU
For EKU (7-1, 4-1 OVC), the Colonels enter today’s game nationally ranked and fresh off of a, 33-21, win over Southeast Missouri last Saturday.

 

Three Keys to the Game

 

Improve on Third Down
TSU enters Saturday’s contest 84^th in the FCS, having converted just 34 percent of third downs this season. Last week, the Tigers were just 3-of-13 (23 percent) on third downs against Eastern Illinois, its second-lowest output of the season. TSU averaged just 3.5 yards on those 13 tries put needed an average of 6.3. A more successful running game production on first and second down could dramatically help the Tigers on third down.

 

Control Mobley
EKU running back Dy’Shawn Mobley has been the best ball-carrier in the OVC this season and leads the league in yards (922), touchdowns (11), attempts (143) and yards per carry (6.4). On paper, Mobley is a sure-fire lock for OVC Offensive Player of the year, but he still has not faced TSU. The Tigers boast the second-best rush defense in the conference (140.7 yards per game) and the best total defense (123.8). However, TSU has had a problem with feature backs this year including giving up 130 yards to Shepard Little last week and 170 to Malcolm Cyrus against Alabama State. All eyes will be on Mobley, Saturday, so expect the Tigers to come up with a spirited game plan against EKU.

 

Win it for the Seniors
This year’s senior class has been one of the winningest in recent memory, posting 27 in the past 3.5 years. Should the Tigers win the next three contests, they will finish with three straight winning seasons, becoming the first group since 1984-86 to accomplish the feat. The class features some of the most prolific players to wear a Tiger uniform like Nick Thrasher who is second all-time in tackles and Mike German who is in the top-five of every passing category. Saturday marks their, and the 20 other graduating Tigers’, last game in front of their home fans.

 

The Tigers are 5-21 all-time against EKU, but have won the last two meetings in Nashville including 2012’s, 23-20, thriller at Hale Stadium.

 

Saturday’s game will kickoff at 2 p.m. and fans can watch all the action on ESPN3.com.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Women's Basketball Media Guide Available Online

2014-15 TSU LADY TIGER MEDIA GUIDE POWERED BY ISSUU

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The 2014-15 Tennessee State University women's basketball media guide is now available online. The guide is a publication of the TSU Athletic Media Relations Office. Read up on this year's Lady Tiger team and coaches as well as recaps from last season.

For the full PDF version CLICK HERE
 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

13th-ranked XU Rush stretch win streak in openers to 19

NEW ORLEANS -- Senior guard Anthony Goode scored 20 points Wednesday to lead NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 93-82 men's basketball victory against Behaven.

It was the 19th consecutive season that the Gold Rush won the opening game.

Goode, who averaged 10.1 points last season, was 6-of-10 from the floor, 2-of-5 on 3-pointers and 6-of-7 from the line in 24 1/2 minutes. He had three assists and blocked two shots.

Jarvis Thibodeaux scored a career-high 17 points for the Gold Rush, and Troy Salvant -- a 26-year-old freshman guard who spent the past seven years in the Army -- scored 13.

Jordan Bedford made six 3-pointers and scored 26 points for the Blazers (0-1). Jerrial Dawson scored 14, and Kyle Patterson had 11.

Gary Smith's 3-pointer at 15:00 of the first half put the Gold Rush ahead to stay, 13-10. Xavier led 47-40 at halftime and held its biggest lead, 74-50, on Josh Freeman's free throw with 9:57 remaining.

Xavier outshot the Blazers 51.7 to 47.3 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 36-28. Belhaven made 11 3-pointers.

"It was an exciting game for the fans with all those points scored," XU coach Dannton Jackson said. "We probably had a few jitters. I'm glad we got this one behind us.

"What I liked most was that we showed the ability to put points on the board. Our two all-conference players (Sydney Coleman and Morris Wright) did not play well and we still put a lot of points on the board."

Xavier will play host to Carver College at 7 p.m. Friday. Belhaven's next game will be its home opener, 7 p.m. Monday against Xavier.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAATHLETICS

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold

ttps://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Update: Al Lawson blasts FAMU for firing Earl Holmes

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Former state Sen. Al Lawson, a Florida A&M alum whose name graces the university's state-of-the-art arena, pulled no punches in discussing his opinions on the firing of head coach Earl Holmes.

During a meeting of the 220 Quarterback Club on Wednesday, Lawson called athletic director Kellen Winslow Sr. "disrespectful" and said removing Holmes during the week of homecoming was "wrong."

"There's no one – not even in high school – that would interrupt homecoming," he said.

"A competent athletic director would have called someone in ... he wouldn't have sent a letter."

Lawson went on to say there is "no commitment" from the leadership of the athletic department.



CONTINUE READING

Florida A&M fires Holmes, promotes Fuller

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M football coach Earl Holmes slowly walked from the field house to his black SUV in the parking lot Tuesday afternoon, stopping to shake hands and share hugs with players.

Holmes also spoke briefly to the Democrat before driving away after he was informed he was fired by the university earlier Tuesday, four days before the Rattlers’ homecoming game.

“As a Hall of Famer — FAMU Hall of Fame and MEAC Hall of Fame — on homecoming weekend… I don’t know,” Holmes said while shaking his head.

“I’m amazed. Amazed.”

Holmes, 41, considered one of the program’s all-time great players, couldn’t duplicate that magic as the Rattlers’ head coach.

CONTINUE READING

Florida A&M fires coach before Spartans' visit

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Coach Pete Adrian said Tuesday's dismissal of Florida A&M coach Earl Holmes won't affect NSU's game plan when the teams meet Saturday.

Holmes, a former NFL linebacker and a member of the FAMU's Sports Hall of Fame, was fired after going 6-16 in less than two full seasons. The school confirmed the firing on Tuesday night.

Defensive backs coach Corey Fuller will be the interim coach.

"Regardless of who takes over, 80-85 percent will stay the same," Adrian said. "You don't have time to change anything."

The Tallahassee Democrat reported that Rattlers quarterback Damien Fleming said the players will not boycott Saturday's game, though there had been "speculation" they might.

CONTINUE READING