Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Southern University's focus on Mississippi Valley not Bayou Classic

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- The Bayou Classic is near lock for a de facto SWAC West championship game between Southern University and Grambling. But don't tell Jaguars coach Dawson Odums that.

As far as he's concerned Southern (7-3, 6-1 in the SWAC) will be locked in difficult game against Mississippi Valley State this week in Baton Rouge and that's all he and his team are focused on. Never mind that the Delta Devils (2-8, 1-7 in the SWAC) are the worst team in the league if you go by record.

It's easy to look ahead, though, as the Bayou Classic, set for Nov. 29 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, is shaping up as one of the most important in years.

If Southern knocks off Mississippi Valley this week, the Jaguars and Grambling (7-3, 7-0 in the SWAC) will play for the SWAC West title and a chance to compete in the SWAC Championship on Dec. 6 in Houston against SWAC East titlist Alcorn State.



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Coleman leads Xavier past Loyola in overtime, 72-66


NEW ORLEANS -- Senior center Sydney Coleman scored five of his season-best 15 points in overtime Tuesday to lead NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana to a 72-66 men's basketball victory against Loyola at XU's Convocation Center.

It was the second overtime game in the city rivalry. Xavier (5-1) leads the series 32-8 against and won at home against the Wolf Pack (1-1) for the first time in four tries.

Nick Parker's 3-pointer for Loyola with three seconds remaining tied the score at 63, but Xavier scored the first four points of overtime and never lost the lead. Coleman made 1-of-2 free throws at 4:48 and a basket at 2:44 for a 66-63 advantage.

With 21.6 seconds remaining and Xavier leading 68-66, Loyola's Robert Lovaglio missed the first of two free throws, then was called for a lane violation on the second shot. Coleman followed with two free throws with 19.8 seconds remaining to give the Gold Rush a four-point lead, and Jarvis Thibodeaux tacked on two more free throws with 1.1 seconds to play.

Coleman also grabbed a season-high nine rebounds. Morris Wright scored 12 points, and Troy Salvant and RJ Daniels scored 10 apiece for Xavier.

Lovaglio and McCall Tomeny scored 15 points apiece for Loyola. Jalen Gray scored 14 points, and Parker had 10.

Loyola led 27-26 at halftime after trailing by eight. Xavier scored the first 10 points of the second half and led 50-39 after Wright's 3-pointer at 5:57.

Parker's tying 3-pointer came after Coleman made 1-of-2 free throws with 13.8 seconds remaining.

Loyola outshot Xavier 36.4 to 35 percent from the floor. The Gold Rush had a 50-38 rebound advantage -- Thibodeaux grabbed 11 rebounds, and Daniels had nine.

The Rush will visit the Wolf Pack at 7 p.m. Dec. 3.

Xavier's next game will start at 7 p.m. Friday at home against Wiley.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Lane College Announces Resignations in Athletics Program

JACKSON, Tennessee (11/10/14)  --  Lane College today announced that Interim Athletic Director Penny Minter and Interim Head Football Coach Malik Hoskins have resigned their positions, effective immediately.

Lane President Logan Hampton has accepted the resignations and appointed Lane’s Sports Information Director (SID) and Head Softball Coach Roger Ogden as the Athletic Director on an interim basis. Ogden is a seven-year employee of the College and has served in his former capacities since 2008. He will retain the SID and Head Softball Coach responsibilities during the interim period.

During the 2014 Season, Coach Ogden led the Lady Dragons Softball Team to its highest single-season win total in the College's history. He also had two players selected as All-Conference with one Player of the Year, and he was selected by the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) as the 2010 and 2014 Coach of the Year. Ogden is married to Valerie Hathcock Ogden and they are the parents of an adult daughter, son-in-law and a grandson.



"I recognize the value that Director Minter has contributed to Lane College in her interim position. This year, she established the Lane College Booster Club, implemented Football Game Day promotions, and provided leadership to the entire athletics department, consisting of 12 sports,"said Hampton.

"Likewise, I thank Coach Hoskins for his leadership over the Football Program serving in the role as Interim Head Football Coach,"said Hampton. "Last season, Hoskins served as the program’s Assistant Football Coach and Offensive Coordinator. Primarily because of his offensive prowess and keen acumen in the development of key offensive plays, the 2013 Football Dragons amassed major offensive yardage and passing statistics, and helped lead the Dragons to their first winning season in four years and the selection of its Quarterback as the SIAC Player of the Year. Also, during his tenure, seven members of his football squads have been placed on the 1st and 2nd All-SIAC Conference Teams,"he added.

"I sincerely thank Director Minter and Coach Hoskins for their service to Lane College, and I wish them well in their future endeavors,"Hampton concluded.

The College will conduct a national search for Athletic Director, Head Football Coach, and Marching Band Director.

COURTESY LANE COLLEGE DRAGONS SPORTS INFORMATION 

New Gaines Center floor won't be ready for WSSU season-openers

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State is going “old school” with its opening of basketball season on Saturday.

Because the newly-installed wooden floor at the Gaines Center is not ready the WSSU women and men will play their games at tiny Whittaker Gym, which is located adjacent to the Gaines Center.

The women are hosting a tournament on Saturday and the first game is at 2 p.m. with Shepherd against St. Augustine’s. The Rams will play Urbana at 4 p.m.

The WSSU men will make its debut at 7 p.m. at Whittaker against Allen University.

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Former NFL Player Charles Grant Caught on Video Body-Slamming Bowie State Student

BOWIE, Maryland  --  Bowie State University fired a former NFL player from his volunteer football coach position after TMZ Sports posted video of him body-slamming a student.

University police is investigating Charles Grant. He can be heard shouting and cursing at the student before throwing him to the ground then into the bleachers as people are heard laughing in the background.



Grant is a former defensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints. He was on the team the season it won Super Bowl XLIV.

Grant previously was brought up on an involuntary manslaughter charge after ...

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Virginia State QB Tarian Ayres arrested, charged with DUI

WAVERLY, Virginia -- Tarian Ayres, the Virginia State sophomore quarterback who Monday was suspended by the school for this weekend's CIAA championship game, was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, underage possession of alcohol and speeding in the town of Waverly.

A Waverly police officer who spotted Ayres speeding on westbound U.S. 460 stopped his vehicle about 2:05 a.m. after he crossed the highway’s double solid line near Main Street, said Waverly police officer C.M. Washington.

The officer administered a series of sobriety checks, including a breathalyzer test, and determined Ayres was intoxicated, Washington said. Police declined to provide his blood-alcohol level.

Washington said a couple of other people were in the car with Ayres but ...

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Dwight Floyd Commentary: It Was Good for My Dear Father

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  When he was born the midwife attempted to name him Willow, after the tree, but somehow the spelling became Willer. Such a unique name it was, perhaps even backwards by way of intent, yet in his life Willer Aldrich Floyd brought dignity to the name. One of nine children, son of a sharecropper, he married the girl of his dreams, served in the military, graduated from college, and taught life skills throughout his professional career.

Willer was blessed to have others in his corner from childhood forward. As he told the story his teacher went out into the field and asked his father if Willer could go to school full time and skip tending to the family farm. Willer was a little guy and his younger brother, K.P., who would grow to be much bigger than him, told their dad that in exchange he’d skip school and carry my father’s load. It was a tremendous sacrifice by K.P., but truth is even without a primary education the younger brother was able to own and run a successful automobile towing and mechanics business.

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Virginia State QB suspended for CIAA title game

ETTRICK, Virginia -- Winston-Salem State didn’t get tested a whole lot during the CIAA portion of its schedule.

That should change Saturday in the CIAA championship game against a very good Virginia State team. The Trojans (8-2), who also had a few lopsided victories inside the conference, will play the Rams for the first time since 2003.

The Trojans opened the season with consecutive losses to powerhouses California (Pa.) and Lenoir-Rhyne. Coach Latrell Scott, the CIAA coach of the year last season, told reporters earlier this season that losing those two games helped his Virginia State team later.

"We’re battle-tested," Scott said. "We’ve been through a whole bunch as a team, and we just find a way to win games."

The Trojans, who have two straight undefeated regular seasons in ...

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No longer in control in MEAC, Morgan State football sets sights on South Carolina State

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Saturday’s 45-0 loss to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe North Carolina A&T was a big blow for Morgan State.

Although the Bears (5-5 overall, 4-2 MEAC) dropped into a three-way tie for second with North Carolina Central (5-5, 4-2) and Norfolk State (4-6, 4-2), they trail a trio of conference leaders in No. 20 Bethune-Cookman (8-2, 5-1), the Aggies (8-2, 5-1) and South Carolina State (7-3, 5-1).

With two games left on the schedule, Morgan State could still capture a piece of the MEAC championship, but the Bears would need help.

That’s why coach Lee Hull said the team’s focus must be on Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against South Carolina State at Hughes Stadium.



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South Carolina State Coach Buddy's Pough's Weekly Press Conference Nov. 10, 2014


Monday, November 10, 2014

TSU Men's Basketball Season Preview

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University men’s basketball team moves into a new era with head coach Dana Ford at the helm.

The Skinny

Coaching at TSU is old hat for Ford who was an assistant here under John Cooper from 2009-2011. While he coached here, the Tigers won 43 games. Ford helped build the Tigers up by recruiting talented players such as Robert Covington, Kellen Thornton, Patrick Miller and current guard Jay Harris.

The youngest coach in all of NCAA Division I will lead a team comprised of one returner and 12 newcomers. The Tigers have two players (the aforementioned Harris and junior Christian Crockett) with experience playing at this level, the fewest in Division I. What the Tigers lack in experience, though, they make up with talent.

Jay Harris – Lone Returner

Harris will be the leader of the Tiger backcourt this season. Last season, his junior year, Harris averaged 7.4 points per game and was second on the team in total steals with 24. He was a 76% free throw shooter and averaged 2.4 rebounds per game.

The Backcourt

Harris will be joined by five newcomers in Darreon Reddick, Xavier Richards, Rodney Simeon, and Charles Tucker.

Reddick was the first commitment that Coach Ford received as head coach. He was the top scorer for his high school, Belleville East in Belleville, Ill., by averaging 13.7 points. He showed his well-rounded game by also averaging 4.6 rebounds, and 2.63 assists per contest. Richards, a transfer from Baltimore City Community College, was a third team NJCAA All-American last year as he helped his side win the Region XX Championship. He averaged 19.2 points per game and shot 59% from the field.

Simeon comes to TSU from Miami, Fla. where he was the captain of the Boyd H. Anderson high school team that posted a 25-6 record. He put up 15.3 points per game and also averaged 5.5 rebounds which helped his team make the Final Four in the 7A state playoffs. Tucker was a member of the 2011-12 USA Men’s Developmental National Team comprised of the nation’s top under-16 talents. The coaches are very high on him and expect him to make a big impact right away.

Up Front

All five forwards are newcomers this season with three freshman and two juniors.

Chima Azuonwu is the team’s only true center. Standing at 6’ 11”, the Delta, Nigeria native averaged close to a double-double in his final high school season at Darien High School (Connecticut) while his team finished 11-11, one of the school’s best finishes in recent memory. Joining Azuonwu is Crockett, who gained his Division I experience at Mount Saint Mary’s as a freshman. The transfer from Odessa Community College helped his team to a 22-7 record, shooting 54% from the floor and averaging 7.7 points and five rebounds per game.

Zachary Lee, a talented freshman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, joins the Tigers’ post players from Eldorado High School. Lee averaged 11 points and eight rebounds while excelling on defense with 4.2 blocks per game. A transfer from Brunswick Community College, Demontez Loman was a force his sophomore year. The 6’ 6” forward averaged 10.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. He was also named second team All-Region. He led the team in rebounding, blocked shots and steals to earn the Region 10 Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Schedule

After three-straight home games to begin the season, TSU will participate in the Barclays Tournament with match-ups against Vanderbilt (Nov. 23), Virginia (Nov. 25) and St. Peters (Nov. 28) before facing either Norfolk State or St. Francis (Nov. 29).

December is comprised of two home games, Hampton (Dec. 2) and Kennesaw State (Dec. 31), in addition to six road games. TSU travels to Lipscomb (Dec. 6), Southern Illinois (Dec. 16), Hampton (Dec. 19), Middle Tennessee State (Dec. 21), Tennessee (Dec. 27), and Texas Christian (Dec. 29) before moving into 2015 and OVC play.

The Tigers will look to make the 2014-15 season a new beginning in the legacy of TSU. It all starts Friday, Nov. 14 at 7:00 p.m. when they host Reinhardt.

TSU 2014/14 Men's Basketball Schedule

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU to begin defense of GCAC title at 10 a.m. Friday



BRACKET (.pdf)

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana will play Voorhees at 10 a.m. Friday at XU's Convocation Center to begin its quest for a fourth consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship in women's volleyball.

The GCAC announced seedings, pairings and match times Monday for the eight-team, single-elimination event. The Convocation Center will be the site of four of the seven matches.

The Gold Nuggets (18-5) are the No. 1 seed for the fourth straight year. They are 57-0 against GCAC opponents since a five-set loss to SUNO in semifinals of the 2010 conference tournament.

Voorhees (4-21) is seeded eighth. Xavier defeated the Lady Tigers 25-8, 25-9, 25-7 Sept. 29 at XU and 25-5, 25-12, 25-13 Oct. 26 at Voorhees.

On Friday, XU will play host to a noon quarterfinal -- No. 4 Philander Smith vs. No. 5 Talladega -- and a 3 p.m. semifinal matching the XU-Voorhees winner and the Philander Smith-Talladega winner. SUNO will be the site of two quarterfinals and one semifinal Friday.

The quarterfinals at SUNO will be No. 2 SUNO vs. No. 7 Edward Waters at 10 a.m. and No. 3 Dillard vs. No. 6 Tougaloo at noon. Those winners will meet at 3 p.m.

The championship match will start at noon Saturday at XU. The Gold Nuggets defeated SUNO 25-23, 25-18, 25-15 in the 2013 final at Little Rock, Ark.

Tickets will cost $5 for ages 13 and older. There will be free admission for children 12 and younger and GCAC-member students with valid school identification cards.

The tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 22 with 12 first-round matches on campus sites. The NAIA will announce the 36-team field for nationals on Nov. 16.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

WSSU, Virginia State will finally meet on field


FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina  — We’ve been here before.

That was the general feeling among Winston-Salem State players, coaches and fans after Saturday’s hard-fought 17-7 win at Fayetteville State. The victory gave the Rams the Southern Division title and a berth in the CIAA championship game against — no surprise here — Virginia State.

Quarterback Rudy Johnson of the Rams was the center of attention last year in the week before the scheduled CIAA title game, when he was injured during an altercation in a restroom at an awards luncheon at WSSU’

s Anderson Center. The fallout from that incident led the CIAA to cancel last season’s title game between the Rams and the Trojans, and Virginia State player Lamont Britt later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge in the case.

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CIAA championship game tickets are on sale at WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Tickets for the CIAA championship football game are expected to go fast.

The game, featuring 10th-ranked Winston-Salem State against Virginia State, will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Durham County Stadium.

WSSU will begin selling tickets today at 11 a.m. at the ticket office at the Anderson Center on campus.
Fans can also purchase tickets by calling the WSSU ticket office at 750-3220.

Reserved seats are $35 each and general admission tickets are $25 each. WSSU students can purchase tickets for $15 but must show their school-issued identification card.

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What to do with the NCA&T Aggies and B-CU Wildcats?

EXCERPT: The first two automatic bids to the FCS playoffs have gone to Fordham (Patriot League) and Chattanooga (Southern Conference). In addition, Alcorn State handled Alabama A&M, 41-14, to clinch its first appearance in the SWAC Championship Game on Dec. 6.

The MEAC race could have a weird ending. Bethune-Cookman and North Carolina A&T are both 8-2 and could have 10-win regular seasons without winning the conference's automatic bid. That's because South Carolina State (7-3, 5-1) is tied with Bethune and A&T atop the standings and has beaten both of them. But coach Buddy Pough's squad will have to earn its way even more because the Bulldogs face stern tests from Morgan State (away) and Norfolk State (home) the final two weeks.

Football
 
MEACOverall
TeamRecordPctRecordPct
Bethune-Cookman5-1.8338-2.800
North Carolina A&T5-1.8338-2.800
South Carolina State5-1.8337-3.700
Morgan State4-2.6675-5.500
North Carolina Central4-2.6675-5.500
Norfolk State4-2.6674-6.400
Delaware State2-4.3332-8.200
Florida A&M2-4.3332-8.200
Howard2-5.2863-7.300
Hampton1-5.1672-8.200
Savannah State0-7.0000-10.000

Chart Courtesy: MEACSPORTS.COM 

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Could FAMU find their own Pough?


TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Is Florida A&M seeking a Buddy Pough “clone” to become its newest head football coach?

Based on the desired job description provided by the newly appointed search committee this week, it appears they want someone whose character and qualities mimic those possessed by the “Dean” of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football.

“The primary thought I have that I share with the committee and the university is you have to have a father figure,” said committee chairman John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance. “And an excellent teacher of the skills of football itself. That is one of the primary things a coach has to have. Also, the ability to motivate. We’re talking about people that can recruit and can show the parents exactly what these young kids can get out of Florida A&M.”

For 13 seasons, it’s exactly what Pough has done at ...

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Howard U. 2014-15 men’s basketball preview

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- When Kevin Nickelberry took over as the Bison’s men’s basketball coach four years ago, one of his first orders of business was to bring in higher-profile recruits. Sophomore James Daniel has been his best find so far after leading the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring (21.7 ppg) and winning conference rookie of the year. He also led all freshmen in the country in scoring and was 11th overall.

The 5-foot-11 guard was selected MEAC preseason player of the year in voting by conference coaches and sports information directors heading into this season. He’s the first MEAC preseason player of the year at Howard in more than three decades.

Daniel, who missed five games last season with a jammed toe, may have to be even more involved this season in the wake of an injury to starting forward Prince Okoroh (Eleanor Roosevelt High).

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UMES Closes Out MEAC North Meet with Another Perfect Day

HYATTSVILLE, Maryland -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore's women's bowling team concluded the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference northern division play with another perfect 5-0 record Sunday and improved to 10-0 in league play and 17-7 overall.

The No. 5 ranked Hawks finished the day in first place with their 5-0 record while #19 Delaware State went 4-1. Morgan State was 3-2, Howard was 2-3, Coppin State was 1-4 and Hampton was 0-5. Those standings would mirror the final results as the Hawks went 10-0, Delaware State 7-3, Morgan State 6-4, Howard 5-5, Coppin State 2-8 and Hampton at 0-10.

The Hawks won the day with a total pinfall of 4,759, besting DSU by 410 pins.

UMES topped Howard to open the day. They easily rolled past the Bison 918-740 in the total-pinfall five-game Baker format. The Hawks opened with a 243 and never looked back. Next up was rival Delaware State. The Hornets made a match of it as UMES edged them 968-945. The Hawks opened with a 232 to start the scoring. They didn't roll another 200 plus game the rest of the match and DSU got two, a 205 and a 202, but UMES kept it close enough after they built the 54 pin lead in game one.

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Sunday, November 9, 2014

PVAMU Panthers Dominate UAPB Behind Solid Offensive, Defensive Performances


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PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  -- Prairie View A&M had a huge day on both sides of the ball with season-highs in total offense and sacks as they dominated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 51-23 at Golden Lion Stadium.

UAPB opened the contest with a solid drive down the field but the Panther defense foreshadowed what was to come as Terrence Reynolds sacked UAPB's Ben Anderson and recovered the fumble at the PVAMU 28.  The Panthers' passing game was crisp to open the contest but stalled at the UAPB 28 as Chris Barrick kicked the scoring off with a 28-yard field goal.

UAPB's Tyler Strickland nailed a 45-yard field goal on the ensuing drive to knot the contest at 3-all but the Panther offense continued to strike as Rayshaun Givens and Lovelocke connected on a 25-yard pass to open the drive.  Several plays later, the Panthers moved ahead 10-3 as Johnta' Hebert rushed 16 yards up the middle fpr the score.

From that point, the Panther defense set the tone with an impressive display of force as they harrassed UAPB into allowing two sacks on the ensuing drive.  It took only three plays on PVAMU's next drive for the team to score as Lovelocke saw a hole up the middle and raced in for the score as the lead grew to 17-3 after the PAT.

Two more sacks by PVAMU ended UAPB's next drive but the Panthers gave the ball back to the Golden Lions thanks to a fumble in the backfield.  However, the Panthers received a bit of relief as UAPB misfired on the field goal but once again, the Panthers were their own worst enemy as the officials ruled Hebert fumbled behind the line of scrimmage.  UAPB took advantage of the gift and scored in two plays as wide receiver Isiah Ferguson caught a short pass from Anderson and made a nifty move to the endzone to trail 17-10 after the PAT.

After suffering the untimely turnover and touchdown, the Panther offense quickly answered with a 9-play, 59-yard scoring drive that saw Lovelocke connect with Nick Pitre for a 14-yard touchdown reception in the middle of the endzone.  The PAT was successful by Barrick as the Panthers claimed a 24-10 lead with 2:39 left.

The Panthers came out the locker room with the same fire they displayed in the first half as Hebert caught a pass from Lovelocke and raced 26 yards to cap off a seven-play, 76-yard drive.  The PAT was good by Barrick as the Panthers claimed a 31-10 lead.

UAPB was forced to punt once again as the high-powered Panthers kept on scoring as the Lovelocke-to-Hebert combination worked once again as Hebert juked out several defenders en route to a 17-yard touchdown pass.  Barrick's PAT was good as the Panthers claimed a 38-10 advantage.  

On the next drive, the defense forced another fumble which saw Jerome Howard scoop it up and race nearly 60 yards.  Two players later, Lovelocke hit Pitre in the gut of UAPB's defense for a 22-yard strike and a 45-10 lead after the PAT.  After the score, the Panthers' special teams unit made a mistake and allowed UAPB to score on an 88-yard kickoff return for a 45-17 margin after the PAT with 8:55 remaining in the third stanza.

Despite the kickoff return, the Panther offense slowed things down and took five minutes off the clock as Chris Barrick nailed a 39-yard field goal for a 48-17 advantage with 3:46 left in the third quarter.  UAPB added a late touchdown off a Panther turnover late in the fourth quarter followed by a 34-yard field goal by Barrick for the game's final score.

The Panthers finished the day with 644 (355 P, 289 R) total offensive yards compared to only 313 by UAPB.  Hebert finished with 122 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown while Lovelocke finished with 355 passing yards and four touchdowns on 23-of-36 passing.  Wideout Nick Pitre led the way with 88 yards on five receptions with two touchdowns.

Defensively, the linebacking duo of Jerome Howard and Danny Brownell combined for 22 tackles and 4.5 sacks.

The 2014 season comes to an end next weekend as PVAMU will travel to Huntsville, Ala. for a 1 p.m. kickoff inside Lewis Crews Stadium.



COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY PANTHERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Tuskegee Golden Tigers Win SIAC Western Division



FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- Despite entering the contest with a perfect record in conference, the Golden Tigers were in a must win situation, if they wanted to reach the SIAC Championship. With everything on the line, Tuskegee rallied from behind to defeat Miles College 48-33.

Trevor Wylie scored first for the Golden Tigers with a 36-yard field goal. Miles' Antonio Pitts scored on an eight-yard pass from Demetric Price; Mick Christians split the uprights to take the score to 7-3. Wylie parted the goal posts from 34-yards out.  The Golden Bears' Jaquan Morris put up a 31-yard field goal to start second quarter scoring. Hoderick Lowe rushed for 43-yards to add six for Tuskegee. Wylie added the point after. To wrap scoring for the scoring, Xavier Bacon dashed into the end zone from two-yards out. Nick Christians added the extra point. Miles' Travis Lee returned an interception 38-yards for a touchdown. Going into the locker-room at halftime, Tuskegee was down 13-24.  

In the third, Christians scored a 42-yard field goal for the Golden Bears. Tuskegee's Lowe scored on 92-yard kickoff return. Michael J. Thornton scored from 10-yards out, Wylie point after was blocked, to end the third. In the fourth, Lowe rushed into the end zone for 48-yard and Michael J. Thornton scored on a two-yard conversion. Miles responded with a seven-yard run by Demetric Price but was unable to land the point after. Michael J. Thornton scored the final two touchdowns for the Golden Tigers. He scored on a 33-yard run and a one-yarder. Wylie was able to add on the point after for both touchdowns.

Kevin Lacey went 3-4-1 on the night for 37-yards and rushed for 20-yards, while Justin Nared 5-11-1 for 107-yards.  WR Travis Hawkins tallied 82-yards on two receptions, Lowe rushed for 150-yards on 21 carries, two touchdowns and returned one kickoff for a 92-yard touchdowns, while Michael J. Thorntonrushed for 79-yards on 10 carries and three touchdown.

Defensively, Osband Thompson and Jewell Ratliff led the Golden Tigers with 10 total tackles. Thompson recorded five solo and five assists, as Ratlliff tallied three solo and seven assists.

With the victory Tuskegee won the Western Division title and will play the Golden Rams of Albany State University in the Crampton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama on November 15, 2014. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.






COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

South Carolina State Marching 101 vs. Florida A&M Marching 100 (11/8/14)









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Southern’s winning streak reaches five with 30-20 victory over Texas Southern



PHOTO GALLERY

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern won its fifth consecutive game by beating Texas Southern 30-20 on Saturday night in A.W. Mumford Stadium, but it wasn’t exactly business as usual for the Jaguars.

They used a 12-yard touchdown run by tackle Reginald Redding to help build a quick 14-point lead, then had to overcome a series of special-teams mishaps that helped the Tigers take the lead.

Ultimately things settled down, and Lenard Tillery rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown as the Jaguars defense pitched a second-half shutout.

If Southern, 7-3 and 6-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, defeats Mississippi Valley State in its home final next Saturday, it will guarantee a showdown for the West Division title in the Bayou Classic against Grambling on Nov. 29 in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. TSU is 5-5 and 3-5 after losing its fourth straight.

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SC State Halftime Homecoming Proposal


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Alcorn heads to SWAC championship

JACKSON, Mississippi -- For the first time in school history, Alcorn State clinched its division outright.

The Braves defeated Alabama A&M 41-14 Saturday in Hunstville, punching their ticket to the SWAC championship in Houston for the first time since the league split in two divisions in 1999.

The last time Alcorn won the conference title was in 1994, when it shared with Grambling State. AAMU (4-6, 3-2 SWAC) needed to win out to keep its bid to Houston alive.

Quarterback John Gibbs Jr. completed 6 of 18 passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. The junior also ran for 155 yards and two scores on seven attempts.

The Braves (8-2, 6-1) pretty much sealed their fate by halftime, leading 35-0.

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Stillman earns homecoming win 31-26, over CAU

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama – The Stillman Tiger football team evened its overall record with a 31-26 Homecoming victory over the visiting Clark Atlanta Panthers Saturday afternoon at Stillman Stadium.

Stillman opened the scoring on its first possession when Josh Straughan found Devonta Gilmore for a 24-yard pass play. On the ensuing PAT, Bre'nard Williams blocked the PAT and returned it for a two-point score. The Panthers added seven points when Montavious Taylor scored on an eight-yard run.

Stillman regained the lead when Straughan connected with Devon Mackey for a 24-yard pass and catch. The Panthers answered when Shaquan Mitchell scored on a 23-yard run. The Tigers responded with 12 points in the final five minutes of the half. First, Jonathan Esther broke a 75-yard run up the middle before Straughan found senior receiver Dondre Purnell for an eight-yard strike.

In the third quarter, Clark Atlanta got a 27-yard field goal from Austin Casillas and a Mitchell 14-yard run to put the Panthers ahead 26-25.



Trailing with under five minutes in the third period, Stillman marched 78 yards in 11 plays, capping the drive with a 20-yard strike to the sideline of the end zone from Straughan to senior Reese Sturgis.

CAU tallied 302 yards on the ground (329 total offensive yards) while Stillman tallied 415 offensive yards in the game.

Stillman's Jonathan Esther finished with 87 rushing yards while Straughan connected on 21-of-29 pass attempts for 276 yards and four scores. Sturgis caught four passes for 128 yards while Mackey had four receptions for 45 yards.

Defensively, Jalen Luke finished with nine tackles while Zamir Carlis and Dontavious Lawson each had seven tackles in the contest.

Stillman now turns its attention to a November 22 contest at Alabama State.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY STILLMAN COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS