NCCU Rallies to Beat Norfolk State, 19-14

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  The Eagles of North Carolina Central University came back from a fourth-quarter deficit to beat the Spartans of Norfolk State, 19-14, with the game-winning touchdown courtesy of a blocked punt and recovery in the end zone by senior defensive back C.J. Moore with less than six minutes left in the contest.

"I am so proud of this football team," said NCCU head football coach Jerry Mack following the comeback victory. "These guys came out and they played with all their heart tonight."

The Eagles appeared to be on their way to a productive day on offense, even with redshirt sophomore quarterback Malcolm Bell out due to injury, as junior signal caller Quinn Billerman led the charge for the Eagles' offense.

NCCU scored on its second drive of the day with a rushing touchdown coming from senior Andre Clarke, putting him at 14 on the year and 29 in his career. Clarke has now moved past Joe Simmons for sole possession of second place on the career rushing touchdown list.

However, the NCCU offense was unable to find its way back to the end zone after that drive.

After a one-play, 53-yard drive for Norfolk State tied the game at 7-7, the Eagles had a field goal attempt from 44 yards blocked.

NCCU added three more points to its total before right halftime, as a 44-yard pass from Billerman to Anas Hasic set up a career-long 47-yard field goal by freshman kicker Eric Fenton to make the score 10-7 heading into the locker room.

At the 5:21 mark of the third quarter, the Eagles settled for an 18-yard field goal by Fenton after having first-and-goal from the 1-yard line to increase the lead to 13-7.

On the very next drive, Norfolk State found the end zone to go up one point, 14-13, with 3:20 left in the third quarter.

The Eagles appeared to be in danger of losing their third conference game of the year as the defense of Norfolk State began to tighten up, making it harder for NCCU to move the ball.

Defense was a deciding factor in Saturday's game as NCCU had four sacks, 12 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions to hold the offense of Norfolk State to just 53 rushing yards on 34 attempts.

Despite the role the defense played in the game, the deciding play of the game came from special teams, with Moore's blocked punt and recovery for a touchdown at 5:52 remaining in the fourth quarter. The failed two-point conversation put the score at 19-14.

"Coach (Mike) Mendenhall was telling me all game long how close I was getting (to a punt block), and he was coaching me up on the little mistakes I was making," said Moore. "I just made up my mind that I was going to go there and try to make a play for us, and the ball just bounced the correct way. Everything happened right."

The Eagles sealed their victory on defense as Norfolk State's final three drives resulted in an interception from sophomore cornerback Michael Jones (his fifth pick of the season), a fumble recovery by senior safety Sayyid Muhammad, and a game-saving interception in the end zone by junior safety Theo Livingston on the Spartans' final play.

"The entire night, defense came up with some big turnovers, and some big plays," said Mack. 

NCCU (6-5, 5-2 MEAC) amassed 250 yards of total offense. Billerman threw for 151 yards, while completing 12 of his 22 passes, without a touchdown or an interception on the day. Clarke led all runners with 67 yards on 19 carries, and junior wide receiver Quentin Atkinson had a game-high six receptions for 66 yards.

Along with the game-winning blocked punt for a touchdown, Moore amassed a team-high 11 tackles, including 2.0 hits for a loss, a forced fumble and a pass break-up.

NCCU senior defensive ends Ty Brown and Felix Small spent most of the chilly afternoon heating up the NSU backfield. Brown had eight tackles, including 3.0 stops behind the line of scrimmage with a sack. Small, who entered the game ranked third in the nation with five forced fumbles, caused two more fumbles on Saturday to go along with six takedowns with 2.5 sacks and a pass deflection.

Before the Eagles began their rally, an announcement was made over the stadium loud speaker that the South Carolina State Bulldogs fell to the Morgan State Bears, putting SC State in the group of MEAC teams with two conference losses.

"I think you saw those guys kind of come to life a little bit when they made that announcement," said Mack. The announcement was significant, because now North Carolina A&T is the only school left in the MEAC with one conference loss.

Next week (Nov. 22, 2 p.m., O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium, Durham, N.C.), NCCU hosts the rival Aggies of NC A&T. If the Eagles beat the Aggies, they will win a share of the MEAC regular-season championship.

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Alcorn Braves Dominate Arkansas-Pine Bluff 56-6

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Devon Francois intercepted two passes to lead the Braves to a 56-6 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Spinks-Casem Stadium.

Francois scored the first touchdown after returning his first interception of the game for a 28-yard touchdown to put the Braves ahead 7-0.

Later in the first quarter, the Braves drove 80 yards down the field and finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown by Arron Baker to give themselves a 14-0 lead.

Midway through the second quarter Gibbs found Brandon Campbell (first career touchdown) from 10 yards out to extend the Braves lead to 21-0.

UAPB finally got on the board on an 11-yard pass from Benjamin Anderson to Willie Young with 1:31 to play before the half but the Braves weren't done having fun in the first half just yet.

With .06 seconds left before the half, Gibbs connected with Norlando Veals for a 12-yard touchdown.  The Braves headed to the locker room with a 28-6 halftime lead.

On the ensuing kickoff following halftime, junior wide receiver Jarvis Turner returned a 92-yard kickoff for a touchdown to push the Braves lead to 35-6.

A little over seven minutes later, Gibbs hit Billy Shed for a four-yard touchdown to make the score 42-6.

Baker scored the final two touchdowns of the game from 21 and two yards out as the Braves picked up their ninth win of the season.

Gibbs completed 15-of-19 passes for 200 yards and threw three touchdowns.  He also led the team in rushing yards with 75 yards on seven carries.  Baker finished with 55 yards on eight carries and scored three touchdowns.

Along with his two interceptions, Francois led the Braves defense with eight total tackles (6 solo).  Deion Roberson recorded 3.5 tackles for a loss and five total tackles.Kicker Haiden McCraney was a perfect 8-for-8 on PATs.

The Braves play rival Jackson State in the home finale next Saturday.  Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

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Southern turns it on in the second quarter to blitz Mississippi Valley State 44-13

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern prepared all week knowing that a victory against Mississippi Valley State would enable it to play for the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title in two weeks.

Then, less than an hour before kickoff, the Jaguars had already been assured of that title opportunity when division-leading Grambling lost to Alabama State. That outcome guaranteed that the winner of the Southern-Grambling game in the Bayou Classic on Nov. 29 in New Orleans will win the West and face East Division champ Alcorn State for the league title.

Still, the Jaguars took the field in A.W. Mumford Stadium determined to extend their five-game winning streak and continue building momentum for the Bayou Classic.

After falling behind by 13 against the team with the worst record in the SWAC, Southern used a 30-point second-quarter blitz to roll to a 44-13 victory.

“We didn’t really concern ourselves with them,” Odums said of Grambling, which lost 37-23. “It didn’t matter what happened to them. At the end of the day, we needed to win. We had to take care of our business.”

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Morgan State Wins Prestigious $23.3 Million Biomedical Research and Training Award

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State University (MSU) received a $23.3-million award, the second largest competitive award in its history and the highest from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Morgan’s award is one of 12 announced today by the NIH totaling $31-million in fiscal year 2014 to develop new approaches that engage researchers, including those from backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. The purpose of the awards is to not only attract more minorities into the biomedical sciences but also to encourage their success in the NIH-funded work environment.

“While past efforts to diversify our workforce have had significant impact on individuals, we have not made substantial progress in supporting diversity,” said Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of NIH. “This program will test new models of training and mentoring so that we can ultimately attract the best minds from all groups to biomedical research.”

The NIH points to social science research suggesting that a fundamental shift in the way scientists are trained and mentored is required to attract and sustain the interest of people from underrepresented groups in the scientific workforce at all career stages.

“Morgan has a very good track record of enhancing diversity in the sciences in Maryland and around the country and this is the goal of the NIH initiative,” said university President David Wilson. “We believe that winning this competitive award is recognition by NIH and others that the best way to bring more minorities into the sciences is with best practices, programs that work. And Morgan has surely proven that it has the ability to show how it is done.”

“In order to out-build and out-innovate the rest of the world, we must first out-educate,” said U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee which funds NIH and who is an advocate of the BUILD Program because of its positive impact on life sciences workforce diversity. “Morgan State is on the front lines of preparing a diverse biotech workforce for in-demand jobs right here in Maryland. This partnership between NIH and Morgan State, one of Maryland’s and the nation’s great historically black colleges and universities, is a smart investment in the future of Maryland life science jobs. The impact of this partnership goes beyond the lab. The impact is in our communities where new leaders in research and innovation will develop new ideas becoming new businesses that support jobs today and jobs tomorrow. I will continue to fight to keep our state and our nation a super power in the global economy with a super educated workforce.”

“One of the top five universities nationally in the number of undergraduate degrees awarded to African Americans each year, more schools should follow Morgan State University’s lead in how well it prepares all its students in the skills needed for success in today’s economy. NIH has selected the very best as a partner to foster the next generation of biomedical researchers, scientists and clinicians. Diversifying our biomedical workforce will help mitigate many of the inherent disparities of our health care system,” said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. “I’ve been a proud partner with Morgan State University as they strengthen their STEM education programs and reach deep into our communities to make a difference in people’s lives.”

“Promoting diversity in biomedical research ensures that a range of views is always present in the important studies undertaken in this field. This award will support the training of bright young minds who are often underrepresented in biomedical science,” said Congressman Elijah Cummings. “I am confident this grant will enhance the outstanding educational opportunities at Morgan, and as a member of the University’s Board of Regents I look forward to the positive impact it will have on both students and the broader community.”

“The NIH BUILD Award affirms Morgan’s commitment to faculty and student research, leading to innovative outcomes which will transform our Maryland communities as we focus on the future in creating a biomedical workforce with the technical prowess to make critical research contributions to our Nation’s challenges”, according to Dr. Victor R. McCrary, Morgan’s vice president for research and economic development.

Researchers from Morgan State University have designed an innovative research training method that it calls, “A Student-Centered Entrepreneurship Development (ASCEND) Training Model.” This method provides students with considerable room to be creative and to acquire entrepreneurial skills in research. The University will establish a dedicated environment, where student researchers can exchange ideas and enjoy substantial peer support. Additionally, using this award, MSU plans to strengthen its training and research infrastructure, create Active Learning Centers, improve science curricula, and acquire state-of-the-art educational technology, all aimed at providing a highly enhanced training in science and biomedical research.

“We are pleased that the NIH reviewers agree with us that this is a radically novel program. We aspire to be leaders in training a new generation of biomedical researchers and to make a substantial impact at the national level,” said Dr. Farin Kamangar, the lead investigator of this project.

Unlike apprenticeship models, Morgan’s ASCEND training model allows students to be creative and take ownership of their training by proposing and selecting their topic of research, developing the research methods, writing small grants, and moving the project forward. The model has been tested in international environments with great success. The overall goal is to create a university atmosphere that will allow students to engage in biomedical research in ways that promote creativity among students and encourages excitement about pursuing a career in biomedical research.

“The NIH and Morgan, along with its partners, are of one accord when it comes to the ultimate goal of this five-year award,” added President Wilson. “It is to increase diversity in biomedical research by implementing highly innovative methods to train students from underrepresented minority backgrounds. We believe in the mission and understand how very important this is today.”

Morgan’s research partners on the project are Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland, the Intramural Program of NIH, Tufts University, Lehigh University, and Northeastern University. The award calls for $2.9-million in the first year and more than $5-million in each of the next four years. Successful execution of the project may allow for a potential five-year renewal.

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie classified doctoral research institution offering more than 60 academic programs leading to bachelor’s degrees as well as programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. As Maryland’s public urban university, Morgan serves a multi-ethnic and multi-racial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information on Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

PVAMU Panthers Rally To Defeat AAMU In Season Finale

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  --  Gabe Dunlap caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Jerry Lovelocke with 21 seconds remaining as Prairie  View A&M rallied to defeat Alabama A&M 38-35 at Lewis Crews Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Panthers' season finale.

Trailing 28-24 late in the fourth quarter, junior running back Johnta' Hebert broke free for an 88-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage and also surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season as his run gave PVAMU a 31-28 lead with 4:07 left.  It appeared the Panthers secured the win on the ensuing drive as cornerback Stephen Meighan picked off AAMU's Jaymason Lee.  The Panthers played it conservatively and attempted to burn clock from that point but turned the ball over on downs with 1:51 left.  AAMU went into hurry-up mode on its next drive and was down to its final play until Lee found Octayvius Myles for a 46-yard touchdown reception on 4th-and-10 at the PVAMU 46.  The PAT was successful as AAMU moved ahead 35-31 with 1:08 remaining.



An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by AAMU moved them back on the ensuing kickoff which set up solid field position at the PVAMU 39 following Hebert's 23-yard kick return.  Down by four with 59 seconds left, the Panther offense went to work as Lovelocke connected with Hebert for four yards, Nick Pitre for 25 yards and Rayshaun Givens for 18 yards as the ball was on the AAMU 14.  Lovelocke misfired on his next attempt but made his final throw as a PVAMU Panther count as he found fellow senior Gabe Dunlap in the corner of the endzone for a 14-yard game-winning strike.

AAMU had one last desperation attempt on its final drive but ran out of time as Lee's final heave to wideout Tevin McKenzie stalled at the PVAMU 13.

The Bulldogs opened the game with a surprising 12-0 lead after a pair of first quarter touchdown runs.  AAMU had a special teams mishap late in the first quarter and turned the ball over at the PVAMU 1 after an illegal kick which turned into a 12-7 PVAMU deficit following Lovelocke's two-yard run.

AAMU moved ahead 15-7 midway through the second quarter via a field goal but PVAMU kept answering as Hebert scored on a three-yard run coupled with a Christopher Barrick field goal.

A 38-yard pass from Lovelocke to Pitre gave PVAMU its first lead of the afternoon early in the third quarter.  However, the lead was brief as AAMU tacked on a 14-yard touchdown pass five minutes later to reclaim the lead which set-up the fourth quarter heroics.

The Panthers finished with 453 total offensive yards as 313 yards came via the pass in addition to 140 rushing yards. Hebert finished with 128 yards on 17 carries as he became the second consecutive Panther to surpass the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season.  Pitre led the way with 114 yards on five receptions while Meighan and Jerome Howard finished with 10 and nine tackles, respectively.

Prairie View A&M closes out the 2014 season with a 5-5 record as they won five of its final six contests.

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Langston University makes history with $1.45 million gift

LANGSTON, Oklahoma  — ONEOK recently pledged nearly $1.5 million to Langston University to fund projects campus-wide.

As the largest gift to date, ONEOK’s gift will fund scholarships in the Accounting Department that will be awarded to well-deserving students with financial needs. It will also fund a new professorship in the Accounting Department.

Over the past three years ONEOK has developed a strong relationship with the Accounting Department. ONEOK routinely recruits Langston Accounting students for their internship program. The internship program helps prepare students for post-college success through in-the-field training and additional learning experiences in the oil and natural gas industry. In most cases, these internships turn into full-time positions at ONEOK.

In addition to the large amount given to the Accounting Department, ONEOK’s support has reached across campus with a portion of the gift allocated to a marquee and video scoreboard, and a new entrance sign.

“We are incredibly thankful to ONEOK for the generous gift and the continuous support to our students,” said Kent J. Smith, Jr., President of Langston University.

“ONEOK is Langston University’s largest supporter, and its gift will make a huge impact on the lives of our students and will continue assisting Langston on our journey to becoming a competitor in our ever-growing economy.”

“Langston’s accounting program is top notch, and Langston’s proximity – right here in our own backyard – makes it a great resource for us to recruit quality local candidates,” said Terry K. Spencer, president and chief executive officer of ONEOK. “We have hired a number of Langston graduates for accounting roles at ONEOK. Making additional investments in the university to maintain that pipeline of quality candidates just makes sense.”

Langston University is located 12 miles east of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Langston offers more than 38 degree programs, including five masters’ degrees and one doctoral program. For more information about Langston University giving please contact the LU Foundation Office at (405) 466-3482.

North Carolina A&T Aggies Beat SSU, Go For Outright MEAC Title In Durham

SAVANNAH, Georgia  –  North Carolina A&T head football coach Rod Broadway summed up the position his team is in the best.

“This is a good football team. If we win next week, it will be a great football team,” he said after the Aggies defeated Savannah State 34-0 at Wright Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The win gave the Aggies (9-2, 6-1 MEAC) at least a share of the MEAC title. It is A&T’s first conference title since 2003. In order to win the title outright the Aggies will have to beat longtime archrival N.C. Central on Saturday, Nov. 22 in Durham at 2 p.m.

The Eagles (6-5, 5-2 MEAC) were 19-14 winners over Norfolk State on Saturday and therefore will be playing for a share of the MEAC title themselves.

“The Central game is a big game,” said A&T quarterback Kwashaun Quick who threw for 135 yards, two interceptions and a touchdown on 9-for-18 passing. “We know what that game brings. We know the kind of hype that surrounds it, so we’re going to have to go in focused and ready to play. We deserve better than a shared title, so we have to take care of the task at hand.”

It took the Aggies some time to take care of business Saturday against the Tigers (0-11, 0-8 MEAC). A&T’s three first quarter drives consisted of a fumble and back-to-back interceptions. The Tigers were able to advance the ball to the Aggies 37-yard line before fumbling. On their next drive, the Tigers advanced to the Aggies 15 before John Barron’s had his 32-yard field goal blocked by A&T’s Marquis Ragland. It was his third blocked kick of the season.



“We had to get the rust off,” said A&T running back Tarik Cohen who rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. “We came out slow with a lot of mental errors. We just had to get our offense going because our defense was playing well.”

A&T’s defense secured its second straight shutout after blanking Morgan State last week. It marked the first time since 1954 the Aggies have put together two consecutive shutouts. Led by D’Vonte Grant’s 11 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, forced fumble and interception, the Aggies held the Tigers to minus-8 yards rushing.

The offense got going in the second quarter when Quick lobbed a pass up for sophomore receiver Denzel Keyes on a free play in which the Tigers jumped offside. The completion gave the Aggies a 1^st-and-10 at the SSU 28. Four plays later, Quick found tight end Dequan Swann on a crossing pattern for a 17-yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 Aggies lead. Sophomore Cody Jones added a field goal to give A&T a 10-0 halftime lead.

The Aggies then exploded in the third quarter. Cohen scored on a 17-yard touchdown run on the Aggies opening drive of the half. After SSU punter Anthony Smith fumbled the long snap from center, allowing Jerome Beatty to recover at the Tigers 12, Cohen scored on a 2-yard run to close out a five-play, 12-yard drive.   Cohen also scored on a 54-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
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“To leave here 9-2 and at the very worst co-champions of this league after being 1-10 four years ago, my hat goes off to our players and our coaching staff,” said Broadway. “We don't want to share it. We want to win it outright.”

 The Aggies know they will have to start better next week if they want their outright title in a place that will be hostile toward them.

“There is no denying it, it is a big rivalry,” said Broadway about the Aggie/Eagle rivalry. “We need to play really well because they have a good football team. We need to prepare well and we need to start better than we started today, and we need to finish just as strong if not stronger than we did today.”

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No. 18 XU loses 77-76 to No. 11 OLLU in LSUS Classic

Whitney Gathright
XULA GOLD NUGGETS
Guard, 5-4 Junior, New Orleans, La.
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SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- Xavier University of Louisiana outscored Our Lady of the Lake 9-0 in the final 2:20 Saturday but lost 77-76 to the Saints in the opening game of the LSUS Classic.

It was a matchup of ranked NAIA Division I women's basketball teams. OLLU (1-0) is 11th, and Xavier (1-3) is 18th. All of the Gold Nuggets' losses are to teams in the top 11.

Xavier had a chance to send the game into overtime when Alesha Smith was fouled after rebounding teammate Donyeah Mayfield's 3-point attempt with one second remaining and the Nuggets trailing by two. Smith made the first free throw but missed the second.

Eliqua Brooks scored 21 points, the most by an XU player this season. Smith scored a career-high 13 points, Mayfield had a season-high 12, and Whitney Gathright scored 11.

Taylor Hamilton scored 17 points for OLLU, Rebecca Kolawole and Courtney Bayliss had 14 apiece, and Sonji Green scored 13.

Mayfield grabbed 14 rebounds, the most in a game by an XU player in nearly three years. Gathright, the Nuggets' point guard, grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and had a season-high six assists.

The teams combined to miss 35 free throws, 18 by OLLU. The Saints missed four free throws and the Nuggets three in the final minute.

"I'm tired of talking about the same thing -- not being able to close the deal," XU coach Bo Browder said. "But we're going to keep working at it and figure this thing out."

Xavier led for just seven seconds in the second half, after Mayfield's basket at 13:30 made it 49-48. Two Brooks free throws at 5:52 gave the Nuggets their largest lead, 26-20, but the Saints rallied for a 37-33 advantage at halftime.

Kolawole's two free throws at 3:37 gave the Saints their largest lead, 75-64.

OLLU shot 37.5 percent from the floor, and the Nuggets shot a season-low 37.3. Xavier had a season-best 59-42 rebound advantage.

OLLU defeated Xavier in this event for the second straight year. Sunday's games will be OLLU vs. Lindenwood-Belleville at 2 p.m., followed by Xavier vs. LSU-Shreveport at 4. LSUS beat Lindenwood-Belleville 78-59.

Box score

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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XU sweeps SUNO for 4th straight GCAC tourney title

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana remains entrenched as the ruler of Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball.

The Gold Nuggets won their fourth consecutive GCAC Tournament championship Saturday, beating SUNO 25-9, 25-19, 25-17 at XU's Convocation Center in a matchup of city rivals and the top two seeds.

Xavier (20-5) earned an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship and will learn Monday afternoon where it will play in the opening round next weekend.

Tournament MVP CeCe Williams' second career double-double, 12 kills and 16 digs, led the Gold Nuggets to their 59th consecutive victory against GCAC opponents. Williams, a junior outside hitter, also had two assists and a block.

"This award would not have been possible without my teammates," Williams said. "Everyone played a part in this championship, and it feels amazing."

After encountering little resistance in the first set, the Nuggets took command in the second when Williams had five kills to turn a 9-6 deficit into a 15-10 XU lead. A 9-1 run early in the third set helped Xavier reach the sweep.

"CeCe has been consistent all season," second-year XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "Her stats aren't as spectacular as other outside hitters in the conference or NAIA, but she is very much an important component of our team, especially with her ball control."

2014 GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA GOLD NUGGETS
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Joining Williams on the seven-member all-tournament team were teammates Claudia Haywood, Franziska Pirkl and Jodi Hill.

Haywood had nine kills and four blocks. Pirkl produced her second straight double-double, 25 assists and 14 digs, and had a block and three kills. Hill had eight kills, three blocks and hit .438.

GCAC Player of the Year Chinedu Echebelem had eight kills and 19 digs for the Gold Nuggets, who clinched their fourth consecutive regular-season championship two weeks ago.

"SUNO gave us a good fight and didn't make it easy for us," Lawing said. "But we found the open spots on the floor and took care of our serve and pass.

"Staying unified was one of our biggest goals. It was all about staying together,  playing as a team and finishing as a team. We were unified, smart and efficient,  and it was powerful."

Christal Hollins and Milica Golubovic had seven kills apiece for SUNO (25-10), which lost to Xavier for the third time this season. The Lady Knights are 0-6 against Xavier and 26-0 against the rest of the GCAC during the last two seasons.

It was the third time in four years that Xavier beat SUNO in the final. SUNO finished second in the tournament for the fourth time in five years.

Xavier outhit the Lady Knights .248 to .009 and had advantages of 41-24 in kills, 3-1 in aces, 65-50 in digs and 8-1 in blocks. Xavier committed 18 errors, and SUNO made 32.

SUNO entered the match with a .241 hitting percentage which ranked 14th in the NAIA. But the Lady Knights hit .119 against Xavier this season.

"I am so proud of our effort and our success as a cohesive unit throughout the tournament," Williams said.

Xavier has more victories against SUNO, 12, than against any other GCAC team during its winning streak. The Gold Nuggets have not lost in conference since a five-set decision to SUNO in the 2010 tournament semifinals.

Xavier has won all 45 sets it has played against GCAC opponents in the Convocation Center, which became the Nuggets' home in 2013.

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Gold Rush pull away in second half, beat Wiley 84-70

XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA vs. WILEY WILDCATS
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NEW ORLEANS -- Morris Wright scored a season-high 24 points Friday, and NAIA No. 13 Xavier University of Louisiana pulled away in the second half for an 84-70 men's basketball victory against Wiley.

The Gold Rush (6-1) have won three straight.

Wright, a junior guard, made four 3-pointers, the most in a game by an XU player this season. Wright's trey with 18:18 remaining put Xavier ahead to stay, 43-40.

RJ Daniels and Anthony Goode scored 13 points apiece for Xavier, and Sydney Coleman had 12. Daniels grabbed 12 rebounds in his team-leading third double-double of the season.

Phillip Miller scored 30 points, 18 in the first half, for Wiley (1-2), the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament champion last season. Miller was the Wildcats' only double-figure scorer.

Xavier won for the second consecutive game after trailing at halftime. Wiley led 40-38 at the break, but the Rush produced a decisive 17-4 second-half run which lasted slightly more than six minutes. Coleman's two free throws with 6:24 remaining ended the burst and gave Xavier a 73-54 lead. The Gold Rush led by double digits for the final 9:42.

"Our second-half turnaround started with our defense, holding Wiley to 33 percent from the field," XU coach Dannton Jackson said. "Wiley did a good job kicking our butts in the first half, but then we started playing with some toughness, responded well and made plays."

Wiley finished at 40.7 percent from the floor and made 1-of-7 second-half 3-pointers after making four in the first half.

The Gold Rush shot a season-best 55.2 percent from the floor, had a season-high plus-16 rebound margin (41-25) and tied a season high with 20 assists. Xavier has outrebounded every opponent this season, five by double digits.

Xavier has beaten Wiley 15 straight times at home since 1986. The Gold Rush will visit Wiley on Nov. 25.

Xavier will play Mobile at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Convocation Center.

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TU Golden Tigers Clinch 2014 SIAC Football Championship

COURTESY: THE SIAC

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- The Tuskegee University Golden Tigers earned the 2014 SIAC Football Championship in a 47-41 nail-biter victory over the Golden Rams of Albany State University in Montgomery, Alabama.

The game started with Albany State's Adrian Alexander returning the opening kickoff 98-yards for a touchdown. Zachary Gayden's point after attempt was good. Down 7-0, Tuskegee rallied back with an 18-yard rush by Hoderick Lowe on 3^rd and 16. Trevor Wylie's point after was good to tie the game 7-7. On the next possession, Albany State was forced to punt after they were unable to convert on a 3^rd and 8 situation.

On this possession, Lowe rushed for a 56-yard touchdown, Wylie landed the PAT to take Tuskegee up 14-7. The Golden Rams went three and out on their next drive and were forced to punt. After a fair catch by Devozea Gaines, the Golden Tigers took over on their own 48-yardline. Larry Cobb was in perfect position for a 58-yard pass from Kevin Lacey to enter the end zone. Wylie once again landed the point after, taking the score to 21-7.

Albany State unsuccessfully attempted a 47-yard field goal on their next drive. The first quarter ended during the Golden Tigers' next possession.

Unable to convert on a 3^rd and 5, Tuskegee was forced to punt. Albany State faced with a third and long and were unable to reach the first down marker was forced to punt on their possession. Progress was suspended, as Tuskegee had to punt on their next drive.  On their next drive, the Golden Rams' Frank Rivers connected with Quadrey Simmons for a 14-yard touchdown and Gayden's PAT was good. The score was 21-14 with 5:57 remaining in the first half.

The remainder of the half saw failed attempts on behalf of both teams. Going into the locker rooms at halftime, the score remained 21-14.

The second half saw Tuskegee with the opening kickoff, however Lacey was sacked for a loss of nine yards, fumbled in the end zone, the fumble was recovered by ASU's Tavarius Washington to score. The two-point conversion attempt by Devonta Osborne failed; the Golden Tigers' held a narrow 21-20 lead with 13:04 remaining in the third. Lacey threw an interception on the next Tuskegee drive.

On their next drive, the Golden Rams' Jarvis Small rushed for a two-yard touchdown to take the lead. Gayden's kick was good for the point after, taking Albany State to a 27-21 lead. Tuskegee's Wylie nailed a 48-yard field goal on the next TU possession with 6:11 remaining in the third to bring the score to 27-24. Albany State couldn't make any progress with their drive and were forced to punt.

Justin Nared entered the game as the play caller for the Golden Tigers and connected with Marquel Gardner for an 84-yard touchdown; Wylie's PAT was good. With a 31-27 lead, the Tuskegee defense reentered the contest with 0:52 remaining in the quarter. The third ended with the Golden Rams in possession on their own 41-yardline.

With a close contest, the fourth quarter began and 15:00 separated the champions from the runner-ups. ASU was unable to score; therefore they were forced to punt. The Golden Tigers were unable to score and were forced to punt as well. It all came down to the final eight minutes of the contest. The Golden Rams' Rivers completed a five-yard stinger to Leonard Walker for a touchdown and Gayden's point after was successful.

Down 34-31 the Tuskegee offense entered the contest to shift the momentum of the game. Kaleep Williams made a brilliant 42-yard catch from Nared to add points in the Tuskegee column. Wylie made the point after to place the Golden Tigers up 38-34. Undeterred Albany State's Rivers once again connected with Simmons on a ten-yard touchdown. Gayden pushed ASU up further by landing the point after. TU was down 41-38 with 1:42 remaining in the game.

With a final chance to clinch the contest, the Golden Tigers started on their own 36-yardline after an 18-yard kickoff return by Lowe. Tuskegee marched the ball down the field and Michael J. Thornton scored on a two-yard dash and Wylie added the point after. The next kickoff saw the Golden Rams give up a safety. With 32 clicks remaining the Golden Tigers were in possession of the ball. With a quarterback knell the time ran down and Tuskegee earned the 2014 SIAC Championship.

The season does not end here for the Golden Tigers. With their fate in the air Tuskegee awaits their destiny for the 2014 Division II Football Playoffs. The selection show is scheduled for Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 5:00 PM EST. It can be viewed at: http://www.ncaa.com/live/player?vid=2014/1829&date=2014/11/16).

BOX SCORE

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Howard's McGhee sets record in win over Central Connecticut St.

New Britain, Connecticut– Greg McGhee rushed for 80 yards and three touchdowns in the second half to lead Howard University to a 28-25 come-from behind win over Central Connecticut State University in a non-conference game at Arute Field.

In the process, McGhee became the all-time career leader in total offense for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.  The senior from Pittsburgh, PA now has 9,913 yards.  The old mark was 9,846 held by former Howard quarterback Ted White from 1994-98.

"It feels good; I am definitely blessed to be in this position I am in. We still have one game, so we will celebrate today and get back to work tomorrow," said McGhee.

With his team trailing, 25-7 early in the third quarter, McGhee began to take over the game.  First he capped off a 40-yard drive with a two-yard run with 4:03 in the third quarter.

"We came out slow in the first half and I think we left a lot of points on the table," said Howard Head Coach Gary Harrell. "Twice we were on the goal line in a position to go in for the score and we came up with nothing. We had two field goal opportunities and didn't capitalize on them. So we came into halftime, regrouped, set the score at zero to zero, declared it a new game and made a commitment to come out and win the second half."

After the Bison defense stopped the Blue Devils, McGhee capitalized by capping off a short drive with a 12-yard sprint that cut the deficit to 25-20 to start the fourth quarter.  The conversion failed.

The Bison defense, which surrendered big plays all day, again made a key stop on fourth down and paved the way for McGhee to put together the game-winning drive.  The senior capped off the 50-yard drive with a seven-yard weaving run that made it, 26-25 with 10:27 still left. McGhee connected with William Parker on the two-point conversion to make it 28-25. But Central Connecticut State, which amassed almost 500 yards of offense, still had time.

"As far as adjustments, we said we had to eliminate the big plays that happened in the first half," said Howard linebacker Devin Rollins, who had 11 tackles. "That's what killed us, those big plays. We made a conscious effort to get off the field on third and fourth downs and that was the key to the second half. We have a number of people playing positions that they don't usually play but they stepped up and hung in there."

The Blue Devils were able to move the ball, it when it mattered, the Bison defense came up big when cornerback Kenneth Russ broke up a pass intended for Tyrell Holmes that turned the ball over on downs to the bison.

From there, McGhee displayed the poise and leadership that has been his trademark during his four-year career.  Mixing up plays with Parker (93 yards on 18 carries), Howard was able to pick up three first downs and run out the clock to its third straight game.

"Greg came out and made some key plays in the second half," noted Harrell. "I think he trusted his teammates a little too much in the first half and wanted them to make more plays. In the second half he came out got more aggressive and made the plays when we needed them."

McGhee rushed for 119 yards and three TDs and was 15 of 33 passing for 216 yards and a TD.

Defensively, Ghafona Iduwe (11 tackles), Devin Rollins (11 tackles), Khari Brown (8 tackles) and Kenneth Russ (6 tackles) all came up big in the second half during the comeback.

Central Connecticut State received a game-high 124 yards rushing yards and 1909 yards receiving and a TD from Rob Holloway and 20 of 28 passing for 279 yards and three TDs from Nick Sangiacomo in a losing effort.

The Bison close out the season next Saturday when they host rival Hampton University at 12:30  pm in Greene Stadium.  It will be senior day for McGhee, Malcolm Rutledge, Richard Aiyegoro, Khari Brown and Stewart Hartman will be playing their last home game in a Bison uniform.

"Hampton is a tough team; they have a good solid quarterback who we have to contain," explained Harrell. "You can throw out the records and the prior wins. This game is all about pride and the reputation of both universities. WE want to come out and represent the university well. We've been successful three straight years; we want to keep that winning streak going and continue to give our alumni the bragging rights for another 365 days."

"We got one more week, then it's our senior game. Like I said, we will celebrate toGreg McGhee.
day and we're back to business tomorrow," said

COURTESY HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Fleming powers FAMU Rattlers to big win over DSU Hornets

DOVER, Delaware -- Sometimes all it takes is one extremely well-played half of football.

Senior quarterback Damien Fleming put together one of his best games of the season — even though he did most of his damage in the first half — and led the Rattlers to a decisive 41-7 victory over the Delaware State Hornets.

Fleming's first half pretty much sealed the victory for the Rattlers. The senior quarterback completed 13 of 16 passes for 261 yards with three touchdowns to three different receivers. He also had a touchdown run and an interception while the Rattlers took a 31-0 lead into halftime.

"We've got the best quarterback in FCS when it comes down to it, in my opinion," said interim head coach Corey Fuller.

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Alabama State Hornets Win At Grambling

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  --  Malcolm Cyrus rushed for 180 yards and one touchdown while Daniel Duhart threw three touchdown passes as the Alabama State football team rallied from a 13-point first quarter deficit to win at Grambling 37-23.

Alabama State (6-5 overall, 5-4 SWAC) gained 266 of its 495 yards on the ground to defeat the SWAC Western Division leading Tigers (7-4, 7-1).

"I couldn't be prouder of these guys," Alabama State head football coach Reggie Barlow said. "We had great energy level as a team, the coaches did a great job of preparing them, and we just played with the type of energy and effort you need to win."

A blocked extra point after Grambling's second touchdown sparked the Hornets. A seven-play, 56-yard drive ended with the first of two Ephraim Henderson touchdown receptions to cut the Alabama State deficit to 13-7 late in the first quarter.

The Hornets took the lead for good in the second quarter. Cyrus' eight-yard touchdown run capped a five-play, 70-yard drive that gave the Hornets a 14-13 advantage with 5:23 to play until halftime.

The defense got on the board when Kourtney Berry recovered a fumble and scored with less than two minutes to play to give Alabama State a 21-13 lead. Grambling converted a field goal on the final play of the half as the Hornets led 21-16 at halftime.

"There were some run plays we've had in the past that have worked well for us, but we changed some things up," Barlow said. "It was positive to see us moving the ball.  Once you know you can move the ball, every once in a while things happen (in regards to three turnovers). But, the guys kept fighting, kept working hard, the O-line kept blocking, and it worked out in our favor. The defense stood up, forced three turnovers and played well. It was a good team win for us."

In the third quarter, defensive end Edward Mosley caught an 18-yard touchdown pass to give Alabama State a 28-16 led it would take to the fourth quarter.

After Grambling scored to cut the Hornet lead to 28-23 less than a minute into the fourth quarter, the Hornets answered less than a minute later. Henderson got behind the GSU defense on a 40-yard touchdown reception to push the lead to 34-23.

 "I'm so proud of E.J.," Barlow said. "All he does is come to work every day for the last few years and work hard. He's been our holder on field goals and extra points, and playing as the fourth or fifth receiver. He's just one of those guys that doesn't complain and works all the time. When his number was called, he made the plays."

Preston Clark's 44-yard field goal with 6:25 remaining in the game capped a 12-play, 50-yard drive that consumed nearly six minutes off the clock for the final margin.

The win by the Hornets in the final SWAC game of the season is the fourth consecutive over Grambling in the series. The Hornets conclude the regular season in the 91^st Turkey Day Classic against Stillman at 1 p.m. next Saturday.

"It's one of the things we talked to the team about," Barlow said. "There are not a lot of teams anywhere that can say they've won against Grambling four years in a row. It's big for us. I commend our players and coaches. The guys bought into the plan. We had a great week of practice and great energy, and we brought it here."

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Freshman QB helps VSU Trojans end WSSU Rams’ CIAA reign

DURHAM, North Carolina — There have been quarterbacks of all makes and models who have tried to beat Winston-Salem State over the last five seasons. Few people anticipated it would be a freshman making his first college start that would derail the Rams Express.

Freshman Niko Johnson, starting in the place of suspended Tarrian Ayers, guided Virginia State to an improbable 21-17 victory over 10th-ranked WSSU on Saturday afternoon.   

The Trojans (9-2) won their first CIAA championship since 1996, and they also halted the Rams (9-2) 31-game conference win streak. The Rams, the two-time defending champions, could never get into the rhythm thanks to a Trojans’ defense that was up to the task.

 

“It was a hard-fought football game —

 

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Week 12, HBCU Football ScoreCard

CIAA Championship Game
Virginia State 21, Winston-Salem State 17

SIAC Championship Game
Tuskegee 47, Albany State 41

SWAC
Prairie View A&M 38, Alabama A&M 35
Alabama State 37, Grambling State 23
Alcorn State 56, Arkansas Pine Bluff 6
Southern 44, Mississippi Valley 13
Jackson State 15, Texas Southern 10

MEAC
Hampton 40, Bethune-Cookman 35 (Thur.)  Watch Replay 
North Carolina A&T 34, Savannah State 0
Morgan State 24, South Carolina State 21
North Carolina Central 19, Norfolk State 14
Howard 28, Central Connecticut State 25
Florida A&M 41, Delaware State 7

OTHER CONFERENCES
#17 Langston 27, Bacone 14
Glenville State 30, West Virginia State 7
Missouri S&T 14, Lincoln (Mo.) 9
Seton Hill 56, Cheyney 18
Southwest Assemblies of God 48, Texas College 0

UMES Mascot Named Nation's No. 1 College Basketball Mascot

HARRY THE HAWK
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE ATHLETICS

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Harry The Hawk, the 9-foot tall air-filled mascot of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) has been selected by College Court Report as the nation's number one college basketball mascot.

College Court Report, who on their website states they are, "providing you with unique perspectives on anything and everything College Basketball," created a Mascot Mayhem contest. Its objective was to try to predict who has the best mascot in all of NCAA Basketball.

UMES says Harry T. won the online bracket-style competition styled after the NCAA's tournament, March Madness. Collectively, UMES says Harry T. tallied 76.3 percent of votes in defeating six opponents head-to-head.

On College Court Report's website they stated the contest rules, "We selected our Top 64 mascots and used computer software to generate a tournament bracket for all 64 mascots. Via Twitter, using the hashtags designed specifically for each mascot, or the polls on this page, individuals are able to vote for their favorite mascot!" Harry's hashtag was #CCRHarry.

UMES says Harry bested ...

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FAMU women's X-country captures third consecutive MEAC title

SMYRNA, Delaware -- When Judith Kibii crossed the finish line at Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's Cross Country championship in after battling sleet, shifting terrain and 40-degree temperatures, she didn't even bother to check what place she finished in.

She placed second, but that really didn't matter. Kibii, in her first year running cross country for Florida A&M, turned around an looked for her teammates. Where they finished, she said, would determine whether or not the team won the championship.

The team's collective finish is what really counted, she said.

"I was not thinking of myself," the Eldoret, Kenya, native said.

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XU hits .419, rolls to another GCAC Tournament final

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana hit .419 Friday and got seven kills apiece from Claudia Haywood, Jodi Hill and CeCe Williams in a 25-14, 25-11, 25-8 women's volleyball victory against Talladega in the semifinals of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Gold Nuggets (19-5), seeded first in the tournament, will play second-seeded SUNO (25-9) for the championship at noon Saturday at the Convocation Center. It's the second consecutive year and the third time in four years that Xavier and the Lady Knights will meet in the final.

Xavier seeks its fourth consecutive GCAC Tournament title. The champion will earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 22.

The Gold Nuggets committed four attack errors, their fewest in a match since the program restarted in 2010, and had 10 kills in each set. They hit .526 in a third set in which they built a 24-3 lead.

"It was the first time this season that every time I went into a huddle, I didn't have anything to say," second-year XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "There were no adjustments to make or any feedback to give them because they did everything we've been telling them to do all season."

Neither Haywood nor Hill, the Nuggets' best middle blockers, committed an attack error. Haywood hit .875 in eight attempts, and Hill hit .467 in 15 swings. Williams hit .400 and had six kills in the final set.

Darian Harris and Ralitsa Hadzhistoyanova served three aces apiece for Xavier. Franziska Pirkl had 26 assists and 11 digs in her eighth double-double of the season but her first in more than a month.

"Fran Pirkl played like an aggressive setter who wanted to play defense," Lawing said. "She was offensive and she was defensive. That's what any coach wants from the setter."

GCAC Player of the Year Chinedu Echebelem had nine digs, and Harris had eight.

Talladega -- the No. 5 seed and the tournament's lone upset winner with a quarterfinal sweep of No. 4 Philander Smith -- had more attack errors than kills in every set and finished at minus-.124 for the match. Carla Novaes and Tanaria Rounds had nine kills apiece for the Lady Tornadoes (13-17).

At SUNO, the Lady Knights beat Edward Waters 25-20, 25-10, 25-11 in the quarterfinals, then rallied for a 25-27, 25-16, 20-25, 25-22, 15-13 semifinal victory against third-seeded Dillard. Xavier had a quarterfinal bye because eighth-seeded Voorhees withdrew from the tournament Wednesday.

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


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Xavier's Echebelem, Lawing capture GCAC's top awards

Chinedu Echebelem

Hannah Lawing

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana picked up two more Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's volleyball awards when Chinedu Echebelem was named Player of the Year and Hannah Lawing received Coach of the Year.

The awards, voted on by the league's head coaches, were announced Thursday at a banquet on the eve of the GCAC Tournament. Xavier, the regular-season champion and tournament's No. 1 seed, will play at 3 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at its Convocation Center against the winner of a noon match between Philander Smith and Talladega.

Echebelem, a 5-foot-6 senior outside hitter from Dallas and a graduate of Duncanville High School, will enter the tournament with 187 kills, a .208 hitting percentage, 217 digs and 14 blocks. She has seven kill-dig double-doubles this season.

"I am very thankful and grateful for this award," said Echebelem, who on Wednesday was named All-GCAC for the third time. "Behind every great player is a great team. I could not have won this award without them. I dedicate this award to my teammates and both my coaches."

Last week Echebelem was named to the Capital One Academic All-District 2 college division team.

"Nay (Echebelem) earned Player of the Year," Lawing said. "She deserved it. I'm happiest for her."

Lawing, in her third year at Xavier and second as head coach, led the Gold Nuggets to a 14-0 GCAC record and 18-5 overall. The regular-season championship is Xavier's fourth in a row.

"I could not have received this award without the people surrounding me," Lawing said. "My team, my assistant coach, Hilary Lobenstein, our trainer, Allie Wood, our staff and fellow coaches at Xavier and my boss, Jason Horn. I owe it all to them."

Lawing, 25, is 44-13 as the Nuggets' coach. Lobenstein joined the staff this summer.

"I want to emphasize how important Hilary is to me and the girls," Lawing said. "She is a blessing to everyone in our program, and I'm so grateful she is with us."

Xavier won Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons and Coach of the Year for the third time in four years. Taylor Reuther, who is redshirting this season, was the 2012 Player of the Year. Christabell Hamilton won Coach of the Year in her only seasons at Xavier, 2011 and 2012.

Xavier will enter the tournament with a 57-match win streak against GCAC opponents -- including 11 consecutive tournament victories the past three seasons -- and a 55-match win streak against HBCUs.

The championship match will start at noon Saturday at Xavier.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

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Meet The Women At The Helm Of The CIAA Football Championship

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Imagine going to college to play basketball. Then graduating to become a collegiate coach. Then moving from the court to the front office to take command of an athletic program, or even an entire conference.

This isn't some dream scenario; it's the real story of the three women in the spotlight at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship, which takes place Saturday in Durham, North Carolina. Former collegiate athletes Tonia Walker (Hampton University) and Peggy Davis (Howard Payne University) are now athletic directors at Winston-Salem State and Virginia State University, respectively, while Walker's former teammate Jacqie McWilliams is the commissioner of the CIAA, which is made up of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and is the oldest African American athletic conference in the nation. The three are the first African American women in CIAA history to lead a football championship in senior administrative roles.

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