Sunday, November 2, 2014

Bethel's last-minute basket edges Gold Nuggets, 68-66

The 2014-15 Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball team.

ROSTER
McKENZIE, Tennessee -- Mariah McKenty's basket with 55 seconds remaining broke a tie and lifted NAIA No. 9 Bethel (Tenn.) to a 68-66 women's basketball victory Saturday against No. 18 Xavier University of Louisiana in the Bethel Chamber of Commerce Shootout.

The Gold Nuggets (0-2), who lost to a top-10 opponent for the second straight day, got 16 points from Vinnie Briggs, 15 from Eliqua Brooks and 13 from Whitney Gathright. Brooks made three 3-pointers for the second consecutive game.

Jackliann Street had 23 points, 14 rebounds and five assists for Bethel (2-0), and Shamon Pearson scored 16.

Street passed to McKenty for the winning shot and her only points of the second half. Xavier missed a pair of field-goal attempts in the final 40 seconds.

Xavier trailed by five in the final four minutes before tying the score at 64 on Alesha Smith's basket at 1:50 and again at 66 on two Briggs free throws at 1:39.

The Gold Nuggets trailed 12-6 in the seventh minute before producing a 25-8 run which gave them their biggest lead, 31-20. Gathright, Briggs and Brooks combined for 25 points during the surge, which Gathright capped with a 3-pointer at 4:22. Brooks and Trana Hopkins also made 3's during the run.

But Xavier went scoreless on its next seven possessions, and Bethel cut the Nuggets' lead to 31-26 at halftime. The Lady Wildcats continued their rally in the second half, outscoring Xavier 8-0 in the first 2:45.

Donyeah Mayfield passed to Briggs for a basket which gave Xavier its final lead, 53-51, with 8:16 remaining.

Xavier for the second straight day had a higher field-goal percentage but was outscored at the line. The Gold Nuggets outshot the Lady Wildcats 40 to 31.5 percent from the floor, but Bethel was 28-of-30 from the line to Xavier's 17-of-20. Street made 15-of-16 free throws, 13-of-14 in the second half.

"We had chances to win both days but couldn't finish," XU coach Bo Browder. "But we aren't hanging out heads. We're challenging ourselves with a tough non-conference schedule. We're going to make adjustments and get better."

Campbellsville and Bethel both finished 2-0 in the event. Campbellsville, ranked fifth, beat Harris-Stowe 94-46 in Saturday's first game.

Xavier is 0-2 for the first time since 1986-87 and the third time in the Title IX era.

The Gold Nuggets' next game will be their home opener, against NAIA No. 22 Mobile at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Convocation Center. Xavier's first four opponents are ranked.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

Xavier earns 4th straight GCAC regular-season title

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball regular-season championship belongs again to Xavier University of Louisiana.

The Gold Nuggets defeated Philander Smith 25-10, 25-11, 23-25, 25-16 Saturday to win the title for the fourth consecutive year.

"It's fantastic to be the regular-season conference champs again," second-year XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "However, we are going to channel all of our excitement into focus for the GCAC Tournament. Winning regular season is great but, ultimately, doesn't get us to nationals, which is our goal."

Xavier will play eighth-seeded Voorhees at 10 a.m. Nov. 14 at XU's Convocation Center in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. The semifinals will start at 3 p.m. that day, with the championship match to begin at noon Nov. 15. The tournament winner will receive at automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.

The Convocation Center will be the site of all XU tournament matches. No. 2 seed SUNO will play host to two quarterfinals and a semifinal Nov. 14.

The victory was the sixth in a row for the Gold Nuggets (17-4, 13-0). Xavier has won 56 consecutive matches against GCAC opponents -- 47 in the regular season -- and 54 straight against HBCUs. Philander Smith is 15-17, 8-5.

"We had a great start against Philander Smith," Lawing said. "We took care of the fundamentals very well, serve and serve receive."

Xavier will close the regular season on the road against two city rivals: 7 p.m. Monday at Loyola, then 7 p.m. Thursday at Dillard in the final conference match.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

Last-Second Field Goal Allows Central Washington to Edge the Lincoln Blue Tigers, 17-14

ELLENSBURG, Washington  –  A last-second field completed a 10-point comeback in the final three minutes for Central Washington, as the Lincoln football team dropped a 17-14 decision to the Wildcats on Saturday (Nov. 1).

With the game tied at 14 and 1:29 left in regulation, Lincoln had an opportunity to either drive within range of a winning-field or run down the clock. On third down, however, quarterback Owen Jordan was sacked while scrambling and lost control of the football. The Wildcats recovered at the Lincoln 34 with 23 seconds left.

Central Washington's quarterback ran for 12 yards down to the LU 22 on the first play after the turnover, but was tackled back on the 25 while trying to run the ball towards the center of the field. The Wildcats then called a timeout to try the game-winning kick. CWU's kicker had missed from 33-yards and 21-yards earlier in the game, but his kick from 41-yards with one second remaining went through the goalposts, allowing the Wildcats to complete their rally.

The contest, which was played 1,948 miles away from Jefferson City, was the longest road trip in Lincoln history, yet the Blue Tigers turned in their best road performance of the season. After being held to just 61 passing yards the week before, Lincoln got its air game going early against Central Washington. Jordan completed four passes, all to Khiry Draine, for 101 yards in that period, culminating in a 31-yard reception by Draine in the end zone for the first score of the game. Lincoln's lead would remain at 6-0, however, after a bad snap on the point-after try.

The Blue Tiger defense had a dominant first half, keeping the Wildcats off the scoreboard while holding Central Washington to just 78 yards and two first downs. Lincoln also forced two turnovers, with Kareem Joyner recovering a fumble and Robert Daniels intercepting a hail mary attempt at the end of the second quarter. Through the first two quarters, Central Washington had completed just six passes for 26 yards was held to 2-for-10 on third down conversions.

An offensive miscue, however, allowed the Wildcats to get back in the game. On third-and-seven on Central Washington's side of the field, Jordan attempted to hit a receiver in the middle of the defense, but was intercepted. CWU's Kevin Haynes made several players miss then ran straight down the sideline, eventually galloping 73 yards for a touchdown. That play, combined with the bad snap on Lincoln's extra point allowed the Wildcats to take a 7-6 lead into half time.

Lincoln (2-7) had opportunities to extend its lead in the first half, but penalties and the turnover were costly. The interception came after the Blue Tigers had marched down to the CWU 37, and Lincoln had two first downs in the second quarter taken away by offensive penalties.

Central Washington (5-4) started to gets its offense going in the third quarter, picking up eight first downs in that period and twice getting inside the Lincoln 20. On their first red-zone drive, the Wildcats got down to the LU 6, but a sack by Davon Walls on third down pushed CWU back to the 16. Central Washington attempted a 33-yard field goal, but it was no good. On Central Washington's next drive, the Wildcats advanced the ball down to the Lincoln four, but the Blue Tigers once again stopped them on third down. Central Washington once again lined up for a field goal, this time from 21-yards out. Once again the kick was no good, keeping it a 7-6 game through three quarters.

The tide turned back in the Blue Tigers' favor in the fourth quarter, thanks to some big running by Morris Henderson. The senior gained 66 yards on the ground on Lincoln's first drive of the final period, including picking up two big third-and-longs, the second of which resulted in a 17-yard touchdown run. Now leading 12-7, Lincoln opted to go for two, and Jordan found an open Delvon Rouser for the two-point conversion and a seven-point lead.

The Wildcats threatened to tie the game on the next drive, as Central Washington once again found its way down inside the Lincoln 10. This time CWU advanced to the LU 8, where a tackle on third down gave the Wildcats a fourth-and-one. Facing a touchdown deficit the Wildcats went for it, but Joyner and Jeremy Rives stopped the CWU runner for no gain to force a turnover on downs.

The Blue Tigers were only able to gain five yards on their next drive, giving the Wildcats one more chance with just under three minutes left in the game. This time, Central Washington made its drive count, starting with a 25-yard pass completion on second down. A 15-yard completion gave the Wildcats first-and-goal from the Lincoln four, and two plays later Central Washington converted on a quarterback keeper. The extra point was good, tying the contest at 14. That led to the final events of the game, with Central Washington kicking the game-winner with one tick left on the clock.

Jordan finished with 141 passing yards while Draine caught five passes for 110 yards and the score. Henderson rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries while Jordan rushed for 53 yards and Byron Williams gained 21 on the ground. Treston Pulley led the Lincoln defense with 12 tackles, including three for loss, while Joyner had 11 and Paul Dodson finished with eight. Julius Jackson added two tackles for loss.

The Blue Tigers will finish out their home slate next week as Lincoln hosts McKendree on Saturday (Nov. 8). Kick-off for the contest, which will also be Senior Day, is set for 1:00 p.m. CT.

Box Score

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern rallies over Alabama State


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Austin Howard passed for two touchdowns and ran for one as Southern defeated Alabama State 28-21 on Saturday night in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The Jaguars overcame one of their sloppiest offensive performances of the season to extend their winning streak to four games. Southern, 6-3 and 5-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, hosts Texas Southern next Saturday. The Hornets lost their fourth straight to drop to 4-5 and 3-4.

Howard threw touchdown passes of 18 yards to Willie Quinn and 23 yards to Reggie Travis before running 9 yards for a tiebreaking score with 9:20 left in the game.

Southern trailed 14-12 at halftime but created a scoring opportunity on the second-half kickoff when Gideon Woodson-Levey recovered Jahaad Coleman’s fumble at the ASU 30.

The Jaguars essentially turned the ball back, though, when they lost three yards in three plays and Paul Randle Soden’s punt went for a touchback.


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

CONTINUE READING

Jersey of former Southern star Bobby Phills returns to Charlotte rafters

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Bobby Phills’ retired No. 13 jersey has returned to Charlotte.

The Hornets raised Phills’ jersey to the rafters at their downtown arena during a ceremony at halftime of Saturday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

His widow, Kendall Phills, said: “I’m humbled and filled with unspeakable joy for all of you bringing Bobby’s jersey back home.”

Phills’ jersey was originally raised at the Charlotte Coliseum on Feb. 9, 2000, following his death in an automobile accident. When the Hornets moved to New Orleans, his retired jersey went with the team. Now that the Hornets are back, so too is Phills’ jersey.



CONTINUE READING

Late score lifts Morgan State over Hampton U. 38-35



HAMPTON, Virginia -- In a season of near-misses, Saturday stands out as especially frustrating for Hampton University.

The Pirates twice erased double-figure deficits and were two minutes from a signature win. But a poor start and the inability to defend in critical situations doomed HU in a wild 38-35 loss to Morgan State on a soggy, wind-blown Homecoming at Armstrong Stadium.

"Guys never quit," HU coach Connell Maynor said. "We came back and took the lead a couple times. We just weren't able to hold on. We've got to do a better job of finishing and seizing the moment and the opportunities and make the plays, and get off the football field and get the W. We're right here every game. We've got to do something to get it turned around."

Herb Walker's fourth touchdown of the game, a dancing, shifty 17-yard screen pass reception with 1 minute, 13 seconds, lifted Morgan State in a game that turned into a back-and-forth scorefest. The two teams combined for five touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

CONTINUE READING

FAMU Homecoming attendance beats last year



TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Despite rumors of fans, players and coaches potentially boycotting in the wake of the firing of head coach Earl Holmes, Florida A&M had its best turnout all year in terms of football attendance.

The Rattlers lost their homecoming game 12-10 to Norfolk State, but 18,663 fans came to see the game. The turnout topped last year’s attendance by more than 3,000 people, and was the best turnout since 2011.

Homecoming attendance had been steadily declining since a record-breaking 30,459 people showed up in 2010 to watch the Rattlers take on Morgan State in a season when FAMU claimed a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.

Earlier this week, the President’s Alumni Advisory Board for Athletics cited rapidly declining attendance as a reason for Holmes’ firing. The board released a statement saying turnout has dropped from an average of 18,000 per game at Bragg Memorial Stadium to 7,500 this season.



CONTINUE READING

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Week 10: HBCU ScoreCard


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2014

OVC
Eastern Kentucky 56, Tennessee State 42    Highlights  »   Watch Replay 

SWAC
Arkansas Pine Bluff  24, Mississippi Valley State 14 
Grambling State 35, Texas Southern 7
Southern 28, Alabama State 21
Alabama A&M 25, Jackson State 14

MEAC
Morgan State 38. Hampton 35
Howard 17, Delaware State 10
South Carolina State 59, Savannah State 7
Norfolk State 12, Florida A&M 10  (Homecoming)
Bethune-Cookman 34, North Carolina Central 20

CIAA
Winston-Salem State 61, Shaw 10
Johnson C. Smith 14, Saint Augustine's 10 (Homecoming)
Bowie State 28, Lincoln (Pa.) 7
Virginia Union 14,  Elizabeth City State 7
Fayetteville State 31, Livingstone 28 O.T.
Virginia State 40, Chowan 7

SIAC
Kentucky State 47, Lane 14 
Tuskegee 28, Central State (Ohio) 25
Albany State 40,  Benedict 14
Clark Atlanta 34, Paine 0 (Homecoming)
Miles 26. Stillman 22,
Morehouse 24, Fort Valley State 21

OTHER CONFERENCES
West Chester 58, Cheyney 0 
Notre Dame College 42, West Virginia State 10
Ava Maria 30, Edward Waters 7
Wayland Baptist 34, Texas College 8 (Homecoming)
Alderson-Broaddus 62, Virginia University Lynchburg 21
Samford 55, Corcordia-Selma 0
Langston 38, Oklahoma Panhandle State 17
Central Washington 17, Lincoln (Mo.) 14

Catching Up With Emerson Boozer, ex-Maryland State and Jets running back



Emerson Boozer reflects on picking Maryland State (now UMES): "Going there was the smartest move I ever made."

HUNTINGTON STATION, New York  --  Come autumn, Emerson Boozer's thoughts turn to ... leaves?

"They're a pain to rake," said Boozer, 71, onetime running back for Maryland State (now UMES) and the New York Jets. "There are 25 big oak trees in my yard, and they really shed. Sometimes I use a leaf blower, which is even louder than the noise you heard at Jets games at old Shea Stadium — unless there was an irate fan sitting next to you."

Boozer played 10 years for the Jets, retiring in 1975 as the team's career rushing leader (5,135 yards). He also left with a Super Bowl ring, from New York's 16-7 upset win over the Colts for the 1968 championship. Forty-six years later, that game is still a buzzword.

"At a friend's birthday party last weekend, Super Bowl III came up again," Boozer said by telephone from his home in Huntington Station, N.Y. "Someone asked me what it felt like to be 17-point underdogs that day. I told him that, as far as the players were concerned, we were even up with the Colts.


CONTINUE READING

Note: Boozer's SuperBowl III Teammate and Starting Fullback was former Florida A&M University head coach and NCAA College Football Hall of Famer, William "Billy" Joe.  Joe's career in coaching span 33 years  -- coaching at Cheyney, Central State (Ohio), FAMU and Miles, ending with a record of 243 wins, second behind the great Eddie Robinson at Grambling State.  Maryland State (UMES) football program was shut down in 1979, due to funding shortfalls.

Brihm leads Bethune-Cookman to 34-20 victory over North Carolina Central

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman quarterback Larry Brihm stood on the South Carolina State sideline a week ago and watched his team lose its first conference game of the season.

This past week, the coaches told the redshirt freshman to be ready, his time was coming.

It came midway through the first quarter Saturday.

Brihm replaced starter Quentin Williams after two possessions and went on to lead the Wildcats to a 34-20 victory against North Carolina Central before a sparse crowd of 3,661 on a blustery day at Municipal Stadium.

Anthony Jordan, who sat out the past two games because of off-the-field issues, scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns as the Wildcats rallied from a 20-13 deficit.

CONTINUE READING


ASU takes care of business against Benedict

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — Albany State moved a big step closer to the SIAC championship game with a 40-14 victory over Benedict on a cold and windy Saturday at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

Jarvis Small rushed for 234 yards and four touchdowns and the defense of the Rams (6-2, 6-0 SIAC East) rendered the Tigers (4-5, 2-4) ineffective until the second half.

“We’re just happy to get the win,” Albany State head coach Mike White said. “We came out expecting a hard-fought ballgame and we got that. Now, we’ve got to get ready for next week’s game.”

With the win, Albany State looks to next week, when it plays Fort Valley State in the Fountain City Classic. A victory would send the Rams back to the conference championship game.



CONTINUE READING

South Carolina State pounds Savannah State, 59-7, for Homecoming victory

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Exclude the drizzling rain and chilly winds which initially dropped temperatures to near-freezing level, it was a perfect Homecoming Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson for the host team

The Bulldogs overwhelmed winless Savannah State 59-7 before a loyal audience of 10,031 that braved the inclement conditions. In maintaining a share of first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, S.C. State (6-3, 4-1) scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams for the second straight week in posting the most lopsided Homecoming win in the Buddy Pough era.



“We got out, we got a good start, got a couple of scores and from that point, we were just trying to continue to just keep it moving that way,” he said. “It was not a very hard football game from the beginning and then, at that point, it’s just kind of hard to keep it going that way. So, I was glad the fact that our kid seem to come through pretty healthy and I look forward to seeing where we go from here.”

S.C. State managed 264 total yards of ...

CONTINUE READING

Central State Marauders push Tuskegee to the brink; fall short on last possession

WILBERFORCE, Ohio  --  Entering Saturday with a perfect 5-0 record in conference play, the SIAC leading Tuskegee University Tigers narrowly escaped the cold and windy conditions with a 28-25 win over the Central State Marauders.

After CSU's opening drive ended with a bad snap on a John Adams field goal attempt. Tuskegee jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead with drives of 65 and 89 yards, both capped off by Michael Thornton touchdowns. Winning their last 5 games by an average point margin of 33.6 points, the Tigers looked to be on schedule for another one sided outcome.

CSU quarterback Michael Wilson would derail any plans of a TU blow out, leading the Marauders on a 43 yard drive with a 15 yard strike to tight end Roy Reed. After a failed extra point attempt, the Tuskegee lead was cut to 8.

Narrowly missing a blocked punt on the next TU drive, the Marauders regained possession at the Tuskegee 43 and found the end zone again on a Moses Vine 4 yard run with 3:03 left in the 2nd quarter.. Opting to go for 2 points, a Michael Wilson rush came up a yard short as the score remained 14-12 in favor of the Tigers going into halftime.



The 3rd quarter did not go as planned for Coach Pearl and the Marauders as Tuskegee found the end zone again on their first two possessions. Thornton, who finished with a game high 198 rushing yards, found daylight for a 57 yard touchdown run to push the Tiger lead to 21-12.

Later in the quarter, backup quarterback Justin Nared put the Tigers up 28-12 with a 27 yard pass to Larry Cobb.

With Tuskegee driving in Central State territory, CSU's Gervell Morgan and Kevin Carter stripped the ball from Thornton. Freshman Okoye Bozeman recovered the loose ball and ran 50 yards down to the Tuskegee 45 before being forced out of bounds.

Wilson would finish the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon from 8 yards out to cut the lead to 28-19 at the 3:57 mark of the 3rd quarter. The CSU defense came up with another crucial play early in the 4th quarter as Dashad Tucker forced another Thornton fumble at Central's 22 yard line.

Driving down to the Tuskegee 31 yard line, Coach Pearl decided to go for it on 4th and 18. His decision payed off after Wilson's heave to the end zone deflected off two Tuskegee defenders and into the arms of Christ Murray for a 31 yard touchdown.

With the score 28-25, Tuskegee drove down to Central's 19 yard line. The Tigers ran an unsuccessful fake field goal pass play to give the ball back to Wilson and the Marauders with 4:55 remaining. After two first downs on the drive, the Marauders were just outside of kicker John Adams range at the 40 yard line. Facing 4th down with 5 yards to go, Wilson's pass to running back Isaiah Grooms fell incomplete with 1:10 left as TU took over on downs and was able to run the clock out to end the game.

With the win Tuskegee, improved to 7-2 overall and 6-0 in the SIAC West Division. Central State, which had its 3 game home winning streak snapped, fell to 3-6 and 2-4 in the division.

Wilson finished with 157 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air and ran for another 193 yards on the afternoon. Tucker finished with 10.5 tackles to lead the CSU defense.

Central State will finish the season next Saturday when they host Lane College at 1 pm. The senior class will be honored in a ceremony during pregame.

COURTESY CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

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 13th 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.
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

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