Observations, takeaways from FAMU’s 2015 spring game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Top plays of the game

The flea-flicker: A trick play helped invigorate Florida A&M’s offense after two drives fizzled out. Royal handed the ball off to Terrance Nelson, who then pitched it back to the quarterback for a 70-yard pass to Montavious Williams. It was the first score of the day for the offense.

Yards after the catch: Tra’Von Holmes — the nephew of FAMU legend and former coach Earl Holmes — caught a quick wide receiver screen from third-string quarterback Davonte Austin and ran an additional 40 yards to set up the Rattlers’ second touchdown.

By accident: Royal’s second touchdown pass of the day was a 28-yard pass to redshirt junior Jairuckeis Jones. The pass was tipped (nearly intercepted) but Jones adjusted his route and snagged the ball out of the air, sealing the scrimmage win for the offense.

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NSU | Yellow flags fly and don't make Scott happy

COURTESY NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State's new pro-style offense had little trouble moving the ball during Saturday's scrimmage.

The problem was that it wasn't always in the right direction.

The Spartans committed 12 penalties, many of them false starts, in a 21/2-hour scrimmage at Dick Price Stadium in which they ran about 100 plays.

It wasn't quite what first-year coach Latrell Scott wanted in the final tune-up for this Saturday's Green & Gold Game.

"Hopefully, it's very uncharacteristic of us," Scott said, adding that his teams at Virginia State and Richmond were known for keeping penalties to a minimum.

Rising sophomore quarterback Terrance Ervin said the offense is taking steps toward installing Scott's read-heavy scheme. But the penalties have to go.

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FAMU basketball leader Jermaine Ruttley transferring

Jermaine Ruttley
Courtesy: FAMU Athletics

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Junior guard Jermaine Ruttley, the MEAC's third-leading scorer last season, is transferring away from Florida A&M, head coach Byron Samuels confirmed via text Sunday morning.

Ruttley led the Rattlers in points (17.4 per game), rebounds (6.7) and assists (2.1). He finished the seasons with two 28-point games and had a 30-point game against Delaware State.

The Rattlers (2-27, 2-14 MEAC) started the season with a 23-game losing streak before beating North Carolina A&T. The losing streak was the longest in school history.

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Livingstone upbeat after spring practice

SALISBURY, North Carolina -- Sometimes it’s not rocket science.

Livingstone led the CIAA in rushing and was third in passing but won only two of seven conference contests in 2014. The obvious culprits were turnovers (a league-high 18 lost fumbles) and a defense that finished 10th in the league in points allowed.

Livingstone managed to win three non-conference contests — two of them shootouts — for a 5-5 overall record, but head coach Daryl Williams, heading into his third season, envisions a team that can stifle opponents instead of having to outscore them.

“We’ve got excellent recruits coming in, 23 of them, and 17 of those 23 are on defense,” Williams said. “I’m real proud of the progress we’re making with the defense. Defense has been our emphasis.”

Williams said his incoming recruits will include three sets of twins.

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Pirates Track Wins Six Titles at Historic Hampton Relays

HAMPTON, Virginia -- The return of the historic Hampton Relays on Saturday was met with bright sunny skies and a light breeze, as the Hampton University men's and women's track & field teams combined for six event titles in front of the home fans at Armstrong Stadium.
 
In addition, several Hampton track & field alumni showed off their talents.
 
Four of those titles came courtesy of the Pirates – highlighted by a gold-medal performance in the 4x400-meter relay, the final event of the day – when Justin Beatty, Chidi Okezie, Edose Ibadin, and Rayon Black combined to run a 3:11.19.
 
Trey Holloway won the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.31, while Stanley Davis turned in a 53.26 in winning the 400-meter hurdles.
 
Sulaiman Fareed won the shot put, tossing the implement 15.68 meters.
 
On the women's side, Ce'aira Brown won the 800-meter run with a season-best time of 2:08.93, and Kayla Key threw the javelin 39.81 meters to win gold.
 
Malekah Holland came in second in the women's 400-meter dash with a 55.42, and she was part of the Lady Pirates 4x400-meter relay squad – along with Brown, Tanisha Greene, and Le'Quisha Parker – that came in second with a 3:40.65.
 
Taniya Mitchell was second in the discus throw with a season-best mark of 33.70 meters.
 
Fareed also finished second in the men's discus throw – with a mark of 37.71 meters – while Christian Faber-Kinneywas second in the javelin throw, behind Hampton alum and former All-American Stefano Nardini, at a season-best 44.99 meters.
 
Ramoye Simon ran a 14.79 to come in second in the 110-meter hurdles, while Gabriel Johnson was second in the 400-meter hurdles after running a 53.30.
 
Ibadin ran a 1:52.92 to finish second in the 800-meter run.
 
Okezie was second with a season-best 47.08 in the 400-meter dash.
 
Francena McCorory, who won three NCAA titles at Hampton, returned to win the 200-meter dash (23.07), 4x100-meter relay (45.02), and 4x400-meter relay (3:36.23).
 
Yvette Lewis, a two-time NCAA champion at Hampton, was on that same 4x100 squad. She also won the women's 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.47.
 
Former Lady Pirate Teiara Denmark leapt 6.15 meters to win the long jump.
 
Former Pirate Je'Von Hutchison ran 46.65 to win the men's 400-meter dash, and he was on the 4x100-meter relay squad – along with Hampton alumni Reggie Dixon, Charles Clark, and Brandon Jones – that won gold with a 40.43.
 
The Pirates and Lady Pirates will be in Baltimore, Md. for the Morgan State Legacy Meet on Friday and Saturday. For more information on Hampton University track & field, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Results

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Track and Field Wins 21 Events at Boston-Moon

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State Track and Field Teams dominated the Boston-Moon Relays, winning 21 events on their home track.

Amber Hughes paced the Tigerbelles by standing atop the podium in the 200 meter dash (24.80 seconds) and the triple jump (12.54 meters). She later led TSU to three victories in the relays.

Diera Taylor was also a leg in the 4x100 (47.03) and 4x400 (3:55.46) and she posted the fastest time in the 400 meter dash (58.46).

Twins Christian and Kayla Pryor compromised the rest of the 4x400 team and also had a good day individually as Christian won the 800 meter dash (2:15.02) and Kayla was tops in the 400 meter hurdles (1:00.63).

In the field events, Cyra Beard had the tallest leap in the high jump (1.68 meters) and Clairwin Dameushopped 5.68 meters to win the long jump.

For the Flying Tigers, Quamel Prince continued his strong season by winning first-prize in the 200 and 400 meter dashes with times of 21.81 and 47.53 seconds, respectively.

TSU also performed well in the hurdles, as Shawn Harris won the 110 meters (15.58) and Jason Griffin kicked off his 2015 Outdoor Season with a first-place showing in the 400 (54.59).

The Flying Tigers were the top team in two of the three relays and Daryl Rice closed the day by earning top marks in the high jump (1.93 meters).

TSU will next travel to Atlanta, Ga. for the Georgia Tech Invitational on Apr. 17.

    FULL RESULTS

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Culver Column: FAMU Wood's structure brings excitement back to Bragg

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- When Florida A&M's football team came together on the field after the annual Orange and Green game, a crowd of about 1,500 did something a home fans haven't done at Bragg Memorial Stadium in a long time.

The crowd stood in unison and gave the Rattlers — and first-year coach Alex Wood — a standing ovation.

Florida A&M has only won one home game over the last two seasons. FAMU fans haven't had too much to be excited about in a while. After watching the new Rattlers under the direction of a new coaching staff, fans were excited to see what the future holds.

It was a small turnout, but Wood — who according to athletic director D'Wayne Robinson has a signed contract with the university that is awaiting approval from the Board of Trustees — said he was pleased to hear the crowd's reaction to what he and his coaches are trying to do.



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Tennessee State Blue Tops White in Spring Game, 48-28

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Blue Team defeated the White Team, 48-28, in Tennessee State’s annual Spring Game, Saturday. Over 2,500 Big Blue supporters were on hand to see the offense best the defense thanks in large part to quarterback Oshay Ackermann-Carter.

Despite throwing an interception on his first attempt of the day to Ty Law, Ackermann-Carter finished the game with 123 yards on 7-for-10 passing and a touchdown.

Senior tight end Joe Bowens was the beneficiary of Ackermann-Carter’s scoring toss, catching the bullet pass from 15 yards out. The touchdown was one of two receptions on the afternoon for Bowens who tallied 33 yards.

Fellow quarterback Ronald Butler was just 3-of-9 for 21 yards and he too was picked off by Law. Butler did make a couple of key plays with his legs however, including a 41-yard run that set up his touchdown from nine-yards out.

Butler’s performance on the ground was one of the many bright spots for the TSU’s run-game on the day, asTelvin Hooks had 69 yards and a score on seven carries while Marcus Deanes rushed 11 times for 43 yards.

Defensively, Vantavious Williams and Roc-M Nesbitt each had a tackle-for-loss and stopped many other run plays for minimal yardage.

Latrelle Lee was also tough to block from his defensive end position and registered a pair of sacks.

The Tigers will next suit up this fall in preparation of their first game on Sept. 6 against Alabama State in the John Merritt Classic.

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

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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