Sweep puts NSU in first

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Denathan Dukes had four hits, Angel Rosario had three hits and three RBIs and Roger Hall had two hits and drove in two on the day as the Spartans swept Maryland Eastern Shore in a doubleheader Saturday at Marty L. Miller Field, winning 1-0 and 7-3 to take sole possession of first place in the MEAC North.

In the opener, Hall's first-inning single scored Dukes with the only run. Matt Outman (Grassfield) allowed seven hits and struck out five over 7 ⅔ innings to improve to 5-1. Josh Vales finished to get his first save.

Game 2 was tied 3-3 until NSU scored four runs in the sixth inning. Mikey Bruno had a two-run triple and Robbie Hiser and Hall had RBI singles.

Cooper Jones (Great Bridge) earned the win with 1⅔ innings of shutout relief. The Spartans (14-10, 11-3) and Hawks (11-21, 9-5)

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Florida A&M's Wood pleased with spring game, believes team has more work to do

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- First-year Florida A&M football coach Alex Wood said there's still plenty of tape to review.

But overall he was pleased with what his players showed Saturday during the annual Orange and Green game at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The scrimmage had a different format from previous years. Florida A&M's entire offense was on the Orange team, and it played against the defense, which made up the Green team.

The defense had its own scoring system for the game (three points for turnovers and three-and-outs, nine points for turnovers returned for touchdowns), and the offense ran about 120 scripted plays from various parts of the field. FAMU's offense won the scrimmage 28-22 on a rainy afternoon in front of about 1,500 fans.

The crowd gave players and Wood a standing ovation once the game was over.



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FAMU Rattlers Show New Offense And Defense In Spring Game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Spring Football Game went to the Offense, which edged past the Defense, 28-22 in Saturday’s wrap up to the 15 days of spring training under new head coach Alex Wood and his staff.

Redshirt junior quarterback Carson Royal (Yulee, Fla.) got most the snaps with the first team and it showed, as he completed 13 of 19 passes for 215 yards and a pair of scoring strikes – a 70-yarder to Montavious Williams (Tallahassee, Fla.) for the game’s first score, and a 28-yard completion to junior Jairockeis Jones (Bartow, Fla.) near the end of the session.

Jacksonville junior quarterback Davonte Austin, was 8 of 12 for 87 yards and a score, tossing a 10-yard aerial to wideout Victor Love (Orlando, Fla.) for the game’s second score.

Overall, the offensive squad rolled up 343 passing yards and another 153 yards on the ground, as sophomore Gerald Hearns (West Palm Beach, Fla.) led all rushers with 59 yards on 18 carries, followed by Ronald Ricci (Sarasota, Fla.) with 32 yards on 10 tries, Terrence Nelson with 29 yards on seven carries and Tysean Holloway (Asheville, N.C.), who ran for 19 yards on two carries before exiting with an injury.

Brandon Norwood (Atlanta, Ga.) led all receivers with six catches for 45 yards, followed by Tra’Won Holmes (Tallahassee) with five catches for 78 yards, Kareem Smith (Haines City, Fla.) with three receptions for 44 yards and Montavious Williams with two for 81 yards.

The FAMU Defense, which accounted for its points using a scoring system for three-and-outs, sacks and turnovers, was paced bvy end Daikwon Fuse (West Palm Beach, Fla.) who had two of the unit’s seven quarterback sacks.

FAMU SPRING GAME STATISTICS BRIEFS

FINAL SCORE: Offense 28, Defense 22

RUSHING LEADERS: 30-Gerald Hearns, 18 carries, 59 yards; 24-Ronald Ricci, 10 carries, 32 yards; 32-Terrence Nelson, 7 carries, 29 yards, 20-Tysean Holloway, 2 carries 19 yards.

PASSING LEADERS: 12-Carson Royal, 13-of-19, 215 yards, 2 TDs; 1-Devonte Austin, 8-of-12, 87 yards, 1 TD; 8-Kenneth Coleman, 6-of-9, 41 yards, 0 TD.

RECEIVING LEADERS: 7-Brandon Norwood, 6 for 45 yards; 2-Tra’Von Holmes, 5 for 78 yards; 19-Kareen Smith, 3 for 44 yards; 24-Ronald Ricci, 3 for 15 yards; 15-Montavious Williams, 2 for 81 yards, 1 TD.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS (QB Sacks): 94-Daikwon Fuse (2 sacks); 46-Calvin Darville; 47-Akil Blount; 59-Trevor Bone; 92-Michael Lovejoy; 97-John Archambault (1 sack each).

SCORING SUMMARY (Offense)

Carson Royal 70 pass to Montavious Wiliams (Colby Blanton PAT)

Devonte Austin 10 pass to Victor Love (Corey Irwin PAT)

Ronald Ricci 2 yard run (Irwin PAT)

Carson Royal 28 pass to Jairockeis Jones (Irwin PAT)

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Xavier, West Florida reschedule duals for April 25

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's tennis dual matches at West Florida, scheduled for Saturday, have been postponed because of a forecast of rain.

The National Weather Service predicts a 50-percent chance of rain, with afternoon thunderstorms possible.

The men's and women's matches were rescheduled for April 25 at noon at UWF's Ralph "Skeeter" Carson Tennis Complex in Pensacola.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Prairie View quarterback Jerry Lovelocke (Edmondson) to attend Ravens, Texans local prospect days

HOUSTON, Texas -- Pairie View quarterback Jerry Lovelocke is making his bid to earn a spot in the NFL.

The Edmondson graduate is working out for the Houston Texans at their local prospect day Saturday and has been invited to the Ravens' local prospect day April 21 at team headquarters.

"I'm just trying to show what I can do," Lovelocke told the Baltimore Sun in a telephone interview from Texas. "It's a lot of positivity. I'm someone they can develop to be a part of their franchise. I'm a great person, very down to earth, like to get know people and get to know things. I'm a student of the game. I've got good arm strength. I'm a leader. I'm going to do whatever I have to do to win the game."

Lovelock participated in the NFL scouting combine as a throwing quarterback, meeting with several teams informally and throwing for all of the drills.

"It was wonderful, it was so positive," Lovelocke said. "I got to show the world what I have to offer."

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Garnet stops White at the goal line to preserve win in S.C. State spring game

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- A crowd of nearly 1,000 fans were treated to an exciting finish Saturday at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.

With his White (offense) squad trailing 15-14 and facing a 4th-and-goal from the 1-yard line, South Carolina State rising junior quarterback Adrian Kollock Jr. was stood up at the goal line. The stop gave the Garnet (defense) a final point and preserved a 16-14 victory.

The close finish led some members of the White squad and coaches to plead with officials postgame, but South Carolina State head coach Buddy Pough said he believed the defense held.



“I think the defense stopped them there at the end,” Pough said. “I thought the offense was a little soft down there at the very end. That gave the defense a chance to do something there at the very end, and they stopped them, so I was proud of them.”

Kollock finished 13-for-21 passing for 225 yards and a touchdown, a 60-yarder to ...

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Big crowd welcomes Jake Gaither house historic marker

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Legendary Florida A&M football coach Jake Gaither famously liked his players "mo-bile, ag-ile and hos-tile." On Friday, his legacy was underlined with something worth-while: A Florida historic marker at his former home.

More than 200 people turned out on a sunny afternoon to see the blue-and-white marker unveiled at 212 Young Street, where Gaither lived the last 40 years of his life. The marker culminated a yearlong effort by a local contractor, Cornelius Jones, to restore the home as a tribute to the late hall of fame coach.

"This is hallowed ground, this is sacred," said Eddie Jackson, a former FAMU sports information director. "I want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Jones for what they've done. Coach Gaither would be proud."

Alonzo "Jake" Gaither coached FAMU football from 1945 to 1969. Gaither led FAMU to seven black college national championships and three undefeated seasons. Gaither's all-time winning percentage of .844 (204-36-4) is one of the best in college history. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and a dozen other halls of fame.



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Offense Edges Defense 36-33 in NCCU Football Spring Game

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Sparked by a standout performance by transfer receiver Khalil Stinson, the Maroon offense edged the Gray defense by a score of 36-33 in the annual North Carolina Central University "Maroon vs. Gray" Spring Football Game on Friday evening in front of about 1,000 fans inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
 
Stinson, a 6-3, 210-pound transfer from Arizona Western junior college and native of College Park, Georgia, caught 10 passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns. Only one other Eagle had more than one reception, and that was running back Deyonta Wright with two grabs for 38 yards.
 
Senior quarterback Quinn Billerman completed 8-of-13 passes for 157 yards and touchdown, while junior quarterback Malcolm Bell had 79 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception on 9-of-19 passing. Bell, an All-MEAC Second Team quarterback last season, also rushed for 32 yards on 10 carries.



Senior running back Idreis Augustus topped the NCCU ground attack with 59 yards on nine runs, including a 6-yard touchdown scamper.  Redshirt-freshman Ramone Simpson contributed 28 rushing yards, half of which came on a 14-yard dash into the end zone, and also caught a pass for 15 yards.
 
As a unit, the Maroon offense amassed 394 yards of total offense, with 243 yards passing and 151 yards rushing.
 
The Gray defense was highlighted by First-Team All-MEAC cornerback Mike Jones, who recorded three tackles and an interception.  Safeties C.J. Moore and Tony Williams IV led the squad with five takedowns each.
 
Besides the Jones' pick, the Gray unit tallied six tackles for a loss, including a sack, along with four pass break-ups.
 
Standard scoring was used for the offense, plus one point for each first down. The defense posted four points for each stopped drive, plus one point for an interception or fumble recovery and one point for a three-and-out. No team could score more than seven points per drive.

The Eagles open their 11-game 2015 schedule against St. Augustine's on Sept. 5 in the first of five home games inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

Final Score: Maroon (offense) 36, Gray (defense) 33
#15 Malcolm Bell 9 of 19 passing for 79 yards with 21-Yard TD and INT. 10 rushes for 32 yards. 
#8 Quinn Billerman 8 of 13 for 157 yards and 25- yard TD. Had 6 passes of 19 yards or more. 
WR #6 Khalil Stinson 10 catches for 127 yards and 2 TDs. 
#1 CB Mike Jones 3 tackles, INT 
RB #25 Idreis Augustus 9 rushes for 59 yards with 6-yard TD. RB #34 Ramone Simpson 4 runs for 28 yards with 14-yard TD. 
Offense: 243 pass, 151 rush = 394 yards of total offense. 

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
 

XU's Wright again receives All-Louisiana honorable mention

NEW ORLEANS — For the second consecutive season, Xavier University of Louisiana's Morris Wright has earned honorable mention on the All-Louisiana collegiate men's basketball team.

Wright is a 5-foot-10 junior guard from Zachary, La., and a former Zachary High School and Baton Rouge Community College standout. He led the Gold Rush in 2014-15 with 14.9 points, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game and 70 made 3-pointers. He is the first Xavier player to reach 400 points, 100 rebounds, 100 assists, 100 made free throws, 50 made 3-pointers and 50 steals in a season.

Wright helped the Gold Rush go 24-10, finish second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament and qualify for the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship for a school-record fifth consecutive year. The Gold Rush ranked 21st nationally in the postseason coaches poll. Wright received NAIA All-America honorable mention and, for the second straight year, he was first-team All-GCAC.

Xavier's Dannton Jackson was fourth in voting for Coach of the Year, and Troy Salvant was fifth in voting for Freshman of the Year.

A Louisiana Sports Writers Association panel of media and sports publicists selected the All-Louisiana team, based on statistics and performances through the teams' conference tournaments.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Gold Nuggets seek third straight GCAC outdoor championship

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana will seek a third consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference team championship in women's outdoor track and field Saturday.

The GCAC Championships for women and men will start at 8:30 a.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans. It's a one-day meet. The final event, the 1,600-meter relay, will begin at 4:45 p.m. Team awards will be presented at 5:15 p.m. Admission is free.

Xavier won the women's team championship by 45 points over runner-up Dillard a year ago and by nine points over Edward Waters in 2013. The Gold Nuggets also won GCAC team titles in 2011 and 2004.

Nuggets senior Devinn Rolland seeks her fourth consecutive GCAC titles in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump. Teammate Catherine Fakler will try to win a fourth straight conference title in the 1,500 and her third in a row in the 5,000 and 3,000 steeplechase. Kwame Jackson is a three-time men's champion in the 5,000.

Xavier has the GCAC's top mark this season in five women's events: Rolland in the 200 (24.93), Fakler in the 1,500 (4:51.07) and 5,000 (18:54.34), Drew Chatters in the javelin (119 feet, 10 inches) and the 400 relay team of Chelsea James, Destini Thomas, Clarke Allen and Rolland (47.97).

In the men's events, Xavier leads the GCAC in five events: Joseph Moses III in the 100 (10.65) and 200 (21.60), Christopher August in the 1,500 (4:11.93), Alex Xavier in the 110 high hurdles (14.65) and Christopher Kennie in the long jump (21-0 3/4).

The meet schedule:

Field Events
8:30 a.m.: Men's Hammer (women to follow) - outside stadium
9 a.m.: Men's High Jump (women to follow)
9 a.m.: Women's Long Jump (men to follow)
10 a.m.: Women Pole Vault (men to follow)
11 a.m.: Women's Shot Put (men to follow) - inside stadium
11 a.m.: Men's Javelin (women to follow) - outside stadium
1:40 p.m.: Men's Discus (women to follow)
1:40 p.m.: Women's Triple Jump (men to follow)

Track Events (in meters)
9:30 a.m.: 3,000 Steeplechase W/M
11 a.m.: 400 Relay W/M
11:20 a.m.: 1,500 Run W/M
11:50 a.m.: 100 Hurdles Women
Noon: 110 Hurdles Men
12:15 p.m.: 400 meters W/M
12:45 p.m.: 3,200 Relay W/M
1 p.m.: Break
2 p.m.: 100 W/M
2:20 p.m.: 400 Hurdles W/M
2:45 p.m.: 800 W/M
3:15 p.m.: 200 Dash W/M
3:30 p.m.: 5,000 Run W/M
4:45 p.m.: 1,600 Relay W/M
5:15 p.m.: Awards and Presentations

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
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Benedict College Tigers Announces 2015 Football Schedule

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE ATHLETICS

COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Six games in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium highlight the 2015 Benedict College football schedule.

New head football coach James "Mike" White and the Tigers will open the 2015 season with three games in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. The season will open on Sept. 5 against Livingstone, in the annual Palmetto Capital City Classic game.

The Tigers will host Elizabeth City State University on Sept. 12. Benedict defeated the Vikings 20-19 on a last-second touchdown in last year's Down East Viking Classic in Rocky Mount, N.C.

On Sept. 19, Benedict will host Central State University. The Tigers last played the Marauders in 2013, opening the 2013 season with a 42-9 victory in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Benedict will play its first road game, and first SIAC contest, on Sept. 6 against Fort Valley State University. The Wildcats staged a last-second victory over Benedict last year, winning on a 40-yard field goal.

The Tigers return home on Oct. 3 to face Kentucky State University. The Tigers and Thorobreds have not faced each other since 2010.

The annual Augusta Classic is Oct. 10. Benedict will face Lane in Augusta, Ga. The Tigers had an impressive 39-7 victory over the Dragons last year in Jackson, Tenn.

Homecoming is Oct. 17, when the Tigers will take on Clark Atlanta University. Benedict has won its last four Homecoming games. Clark Atlanta beat Benedict 20-10 last year in Atlanta.

Back-to-back road games follow, with trips to Atlanta to take on Morehouse on Oct. 24. Benedict will travel to Albany, Ga., for a contest against the Golden Rams of Albany State, where coach White won six SIAC championships.

Benedict wraps up the 2015 regular season on Nov. 7 at home against Southeastern University, an NAIA school from Lakeland, Fla. The Fire went 7-3 in its first year of fielding a team last season.

The Tigers are coming off a 4-6 season in 2014.

BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS 2014 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Date	Time		Opponent	Location	Home / Away	Time
9/5/2015	5 PM		Livingstone College	Columbia, SC	H	5 PM
9/12/2015	6 PM		Elizabeth City State University	Columbia, SC	H	6 PM
9/19/2015	6 PM		Central State University	Columbia, SC	H	6 PM
9/26/2015	6 PM	*	Fort Valley State University	Fort Valley, GA	A	6 PM
10/3/2015	2 PM		Kentucky State University	Columbia, SC	H	2 PM
10/10/2015	2 PM		Lane College	Augusta, Ga.	N	2 PM
10/17/2015	2 PM	*	Clark Atlanta University	Columbia, SC	H	2 PM
10/24/2015	2 PM	*	Morehouse College	Atlanta, GA	A	2 PM
10/31/2015	2 PM	*	Albany State University	Albany, GA	A	2 PM
11/7/2015	2 PM		Southeastern University (FL)	Columbia, SC	H	2 PM

Schedule Key
Home Games are in bold Neutral Site Games are in italics * denotes a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference contest
@	Palmetto Capital City Classic
#	Government, Church, Greek Day
$	Business, Community Day
%	Military Appreciation, First Responders Day
&	Augusta Classic
*	Homecoming

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Longtime Fayetteville State sports information director Marion Crowe dies at 80

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- Marion Crowe Jr. already had retired from a 24-year stint in the Army, and was about to end a career with the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department in January of 1993 when a call came from Ralph Burns.

Burns was then the director of athletics for Fayetteville State University and in dire need of someone to manage the school's sports information department. It was a part-time job at the time, and in a fledgling department requiring some serious updating.

"We decided to give him (Crowe) a try, and I'm happy we did that because he did a tremendous job for us,'' Burns said. "He was a genuine person who care about everybody he came in contact with. We certainly loved him in the department because of his personality and leadership.''

Crowe, who went on to become one of the most beloved figures in FSU athletics during 14 years as the sports information director, passed away Thursday at ...

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Ram Ramblings: Blount excited about being back in CIAA

KERMIT BLOUNT
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
Courtesy: JCSU Athletics

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Kermit Blount says this will likely be his final stop in a long career as a football coach.

Blount, 56, landed the head coaching job at Johnson C. Smith earlier this week. He spent 17 seasons at WSSU as its head coach before being fired in 2009 after a 1-10 season.

Blount, a WSSU graduate, has been around the CIAA block and he should do well, especially with around 30 scholarships and the high-school talent that’s in the Charlotte area.

“You have to cut your own back yard,” Blount said by telephone earlier this week. “If you don’t cut your own back yard when it comes to getting players from around Charlotte then it will be much harder to be successful.”

Blount, who has the most wins in WSSU history with 91, won two CIAA titles as a coach and two more as a player. He was the quarterback for the Rams in 1977 and ’78 when Coach Bill Hayes put the WSSU football program on the map.

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UDC Men’s Tennis Earns No. 4 Ranking in NCAA Division II East Region Poll

UDC FIREBIRDS TENNIS TEAM 2014/15
ROSTER

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – The University of the District of Columbia men's tennis team earned a No. 4 ranking in the first NCAA Division II East Region poll released Wednesday, April 8th.

The Firebirds are currently 7-5 overall and 3-1 in East Coast Conference play, with victories over No. 5 ranked Chestnut Hill and No. 8 ranked Roberts Wesleyan. Two of UDC's losses are to Division I opponents, and three are to regionally-ranked Division II foes: No. 2 NYIT, No. 3 Merrimack and Atlantic Region No. 6 Edinboro.

UDC has four regular season matches remaining, of which, the first three consecutive matches are against East Region-ranked opponents. First, the Firebirds will visit Flushing, NY to battle No. 6 ranked Queens on Saturday, April 11th, then return home to host the No. 1 ranked team in the East and No. 6 team in all of Division II, Concordia (NY) on Sunday, April 12th. UDC then travels to Garden City, NY to play No. 7 ranked Adelphi on Tuesday, April 14th.

NCAA Division II Regional Polls

REGION/RANK SCHOOL     OVERALL RECORD     IN-REGION RECORD

Atlantic
1 Bluefield State College Blues (W.VA) 12-4 10-1
2 Mercyhurst 7-1 6-1
3 West Liberty 13-2 11-1
4 West Va. Wesleyan 5-5 5-4
5 Charleston (WV) 7-4 7-4
6 Edinboro 8-6 5-4
7 Chowan 7-6 7-6
8 Shaw 7-6 7-6
9 Kutztown 3-1 3-1

Central
1 Neb.-Kearney 12-1 11-1
2 Southeastern Okla. 7-2 5-1
3 Northwest Mo. St. 10-3 10-2
4 Ouachita Baptist 7-3 7-3
5 Southwest Baptist 10-3 7-2

East
1 Concordia (NY) 8-4 3-0
2 NYIT 8-4 7-0
3 Merrimack 5-5 5-2
4 University of the District of Columbia 7-3 7-3
5 Chestnut Hill 7-4 7-2
6 Queens (NY) 6-2 6-2
7 Adelphi 6-2 6-2
8 Roberts Wesleyan 4-3 3-3
9 Stonehill 4-4 4-2

Midwest
1 Drury 12-1 12-0
2 Northwood (MI) 8-2 7-0
3 Indianapolis 7-2 7-1
4 Southern Ind. 11-3 10-1
5 Ferris St. 9-2 6-1
6 Ohio Dominican 8-1 6-1
7 Rockhurst 8-2 8-2
8 Lewis 9-5 6-3
9 Bellarmine 4-3 4-3
10 Mo.-St. Louis 7-5 6-5

South
1 Barry 10-0 8-0
2 West Florida 19-2 14-0
3 Saint Leo 9-3 4-3
4 Lynn 9-1 6-1
5 Valdosta St. 12-4 11-3
6 Rollins 9-6 2-5
7 North Ala. 7-2 7-2
8 Palm Beach Atl. 11-2 3-2
9 Florida Tech 9-5 3-5

South Central
1 Midwestern St. 10-2 6-0
2 Cameron 8-6 8-6
3 Western N.M. 6-5 6-4
4 Newman 8-6 8-6
5 Colorado Mesa 8-7 7-6
6 Metro St. 7-5 7-5

Southeast
1 Armstrong 13-4 9-2
2 Lander 10-1 10-1
3 Columbus St. 13-2 11-2
4 Georgia College 9-7 9-5
5 North Georgia 10-3 9-3
6 Mount Olive 10-0 10-0
7 Wingate 10-3 10-3
8 Tusculum 15-1 13-1
9 Young Harris 8-7 8-7
10 Francis Marion 7-6 6-6
11 Anderson (SC) 11-3 11-3

West
1 Hawaii Pacific 13-0 7-0
2 Azusa Pacific 9-2 8-1
3 UC San Diego 9-5 9-4
4 BYU-Hawaii 11-4 7-2

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Storylines, players to watch before FAMU's 2015 spring game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since being hired as the FAMU's new head football coach, Alex Wood has instituted a new media policy, brought on 14 recruits and made scheme changes to a team that ended the 2014 season in disarray.

Wood said he's found several leaders over spring practice, including Carson Royal, who will enter Saturday's Orange and Green game as the starting quarterback. Almost just as important has been the emergence of sophomore Gerald Hearns as the team's starting running back.

The Rattlers will be a "run-first" team, Wood said. Last season, no running back scored a rushing touchdown — something Hearns said he's eager to change.

Wood also said the defense has adjusted well to coordinator Theo Lemon's 4-3 scheme. Akil Blount, who led the Rattlers with 72 tackles last season, said the team has enjoyed the structure of the new coaching regime.


Football: FAMU 2015 Football Signing Class

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JSU simplifies defensive scheme

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Keep it simple, stupid.

Don't take that as an insult. Jackson State's defense certainly hasn't.

Alonzo Lee, the Tigers' new defensive coordinator hired in February, hasn't been with the football program long, but the system he's installed is allowing JSU to see results early in spring practice.

In 2014, Jackson State (5-7, 3-6 in SWAC games) ranked third in total defense (354.8 ypg), fourth in scoring defense (27.6 ppg), second in pass defense (195.2 ypg) and fifth in run defense (171.6 ypg) among its conference opponents.

Lee's first step in creating a new identity began with going back to the basics. The defensive coordinator switched the Tigers' base defense from a 3-4 to a traditional 4-3. The move did exactly what JSU coach Harold Jackson wanted in making the Tigers' scheme easier for his players to grasp.

"You just can't put too much on their plate. You have to be simple with it," Jackson said. "What I've seen Coach Lee do out there with those guys this spring, they're running around like they know where they're going because they've put time into understanding the playbook."

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DSU Carter's Hornet Outreach Makes Stop in Wilmington

COACH KENNY CARTER
Courtesy DSU Athletics Media Relations

WILMINGTON, Delaware -- New Delaware State head football coach Kenny Carter is making good on his pledge to visit anywhere in the state to promote the university and his team.

The Monday Club of Wilmington was the latest stop in Carter’s tour of the First State on Thursday evening.

After sharing his reason for accepting the Delaware State job and his vision for the Hornets, Carter answered audience questions for more than a half-hour, often gaining nods of approval from club members. The audience included several prominent Wilmington business and civic leaders, along with former Hornet football players.

The members questioned Carter on his academic and recruiting philosophy, the upcoming season; and his coaching staff, among other topics.

Carter also reached out to the audience to support the team through its attendance at games and financially as well. He told the Monday Club members that he’s not just committed to building a winning team on the field, but success for his players in the classroom and the community.g

PHOTO GALLERY

COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU’s offensive line coming together

Spring game: 2 p.m., Saturday, Bragg Memorial Stadium

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Keonte Cash has been a fixture on Florida A&M’s offensive line since 2013.

The 6-foot-1, 290-pound lineman said after going through numerous coaching changes last season, he’s pleased with what first-year head coach Alex Wood is bringing to the table, and he’s looking forward a successful season with a clear mission.

“I think the new coaches are solid and I like what they’re doing with the offense,” Cash said. “I think the scheme fits our play. I think, as a unit, we’ve grown closer and we know how to put the offense together.

“I think this year we’re just more on the same page. Last year we were kind of discombobulated and on separate pages.”

Offensive line coach Edwin Pata is the only coach from last year’s team retained by Wood. On National Signing Day, Pata — who originally came on staff in 2007, when Rubin Carter was the head of the football team, before working with Florida International for three years — said he’s excited for this season.

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SCSU Spring Practice Brief: Day #12 of 15

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State Bulldogs wrapped up its 12th of 15 scheduled spring workouts, Thursday morning in a 6:15 a.m. session at Oliver. C. Dawson Stadium.
The Bulldogs conducted a two-hour lively session in full gear, consisting of an overview of team and individual style offensive and defensive schemes.

"We are done with the installation process on offense and defense, "said SC State head coach Buddy Pough. "Our main focus now is getting the players ready for the spring game on Saturday."

Pough stated, "The past few practices we try to get a lot more out of these guys physically and mentally. What we don't want to do is get players hurt during the spring session, but we at least want to make the last couple days more physical than usual."

Despite holding out the more experience veteran players, the Bulldog coaches are getting more familiar with new players during the process.

"We are trying to develop as many new guys as we possibly can so it can provide us with more depth moving forward," said Pough.

SC State in the final stages of spring drills will play an 11-game schedule in 2015. The Bulldogs open the campaign on September. 6 when Pough's team battle SWAC foe Arkansas Pine Bluff in the annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla.

The Bulldogs return to the practice fields Friday (April 10) at 6:15 a.m., for the 13th spring workout. SC State will hold its annual Garnet & Blue Spring game Saturday, April 11 at 1 p.m. in Dawson Stadium.

LIFT-A-BULLDOG KICKOFF RALLY
The Bulldogs will hold their annual Lift-A-Bulldog Scholarship Fundraiser Seafood Extravaganza Friday, April 10 at the I.P. Stan back Museum, beginning from 6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $65 per person. For more information or to R.S.V.P call (803) 536-8579. All proceeds and donations will go to sponsor summer school and the football scholarship program.

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU's Davis and Hayes-Perry get long-term contracts

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern has agreed to new five-year contracts for men's basketball coach Mike Davis and women's coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry.

Both were named SWAC Coach of the Year following the 2014-15 season.

In his third year at TSU, Davis led the Tigers to the SWAC regular season and postseason tournament titles, earning the school's second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.

During his stint at TSU the Tigers have won a pair of SWAC regular season titles (2013, 2015) and a pair of postseason tournament titles (2014, 2015).

Davis' new deal replaces his contract, which still had three years left.

His new contract runs through 2020, with a mutual option for an additional year.

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TSU's Lazo currently leads NCAA Division I in stolen bases

Ryan Lazo

HOUSTON, Texas -- Texas Southern baseball second baseman Ryan Lazo has quickly established himself as one of the top base runners in Division I this season.

Lazo currently leads the nation in stolen bases per game as he has tallied 25 steals so far on the season.

"We always try to recruit student-athletes that can play in our system," said TSU head coach Michael Robertson. "Ryan Lazo has great instinct, when he is on base and he possesses great speed. Those two combinations I think have helped make him one of the top stolen base leaders in Division I."

This is Lazo's first year on the Tigers baseball team and his work ethic and determination has already helped propel into a leadership role on the team.

"Ryan is an extremely hard worker and a true student of the game," said Robertson. "I haven't coached many student-athletes like him. He is an even better person than he is a ball player."

COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Southern U. seeks 6th straight tennis title

Courtesy: Southern University Athletics

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- All of Southern’s teams have been under an NCAA postseason ban for more than a year, but none has felt its impact as much as the women’s tennis team.

The Jaguars will go for their sixth consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament title this weekend in New Orleans, knowing that even if they win they will be unable to accept the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA’s for a second consecutive season.

Last season there was hope that the university might be able to supply the NCAA with sufficient documentation on student-athletes’ Academic Progress Rates to get the ban lifted in time for the NCAAs.

But two days after the SWAC tournament and just a few days before the Jaguars’ annual “watch party” for the unveiling of the NCAA field, coach Jeffrey Conyers told the players they couldn’t go and runner-up Jackson State would go in their place.

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Jake Gaither house marker unveiled Friday

COURTESY CORNELIUS JONES
visit www.jakegaitherhouse.com

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- A ceremony to unveil a Florida historic marker at the former home of Florida A&M legendary football coach Jake Gaither will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday. The house and marker are at 212 Young St., the home Gaither lived in the last 40 years of his life. The home was bought in 2013 by local contractor Cornelius Jones, who spent more than $150,000 to buy and restore the home, display Gaither’s memorabilia and open the house to visitors and meetings. Gaither led FAMU to seven black college national championships and three undefeated seasons. Gaither died in 1994. Saturday is the anniversary of Gaither’s birth on April 11, 1903.

To book a rental or donate to the Jake Gaither House, visit www.jakegaitherhouse.com



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Tennessee State T&F to Host Boston-Moon Relays

Courtesy: Tennessee State University Athletics

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State track and field teams will host their lone outdoor meet of the season this weekend, the Boston-Moon Relays.

The Boston-Moon Relays honors TSU greats Ralph Boston and John Moon and will be the sole chance to see the Flying Tigers and Tigerbelles at home this Outdoor Season.

The TSU track and field team will also recognize last season’s OVC Championship team and present the members of the squad their championship rings at approximately 11:30 a.m. after the 4x100 meter relay.

In last year’s Boston-Moon, TSU racked up 13 first-place finishes including Amber Hughes who started the day with a win in the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 13.92.

Jerome Henderson took home titles in the 100 (10.73) and 200 meters (21.20) and Quamel Prince followed suit in the 800 meter (1:53.64).

Admission to the Boston-Moon Relays is $5 for adults and $3 for fans ages 5-17. TSU students and children five and under are free.

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COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Second-year running back Hearns expected to shoulder offensive load

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Gerald Hearns is looking to erase memories of Florida A&M’s sub-par rushing attack from last season.

The Rattlers were second-to-last in the MEAC in rushing yards and tied for last in the conference with only five rushing touchdowns – all scored by senior quarterback Damien Fleming.

New head coach Alex Wood said Hearns has stepped up during spring football, and the sophomore running back will be expected to carry the load on offense next season.

“It’s no pressure at all,” Hearns said.

“I take what my coach teaches me and perfect my craft on and off the field. I’m learning the plays and I understand different defensive fronts and gap control from the line. It’s going pretty good.”

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