XU Rush, Nuggets start XC season Friday at City Park

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will begin the 2015 cross country season Friday in its Big Easy Opener at City Park.
    
The women's two-mile race will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's 5,000-meter race at 6. The start and finish will be near the intersection of Wisner Boulevard and Harrison Avenue. The course is approximately three miles from the XU campus.
    
Joseph Moses, in his 11th year as head coach, has five returning all-conference runners and several talented newcomers on his teams.
    
"We have a good nucleus of experienced runners," Moses said. "Our newcomers will be fine when they make the adjustment to training and competing at the college level. That will happen sooner than later."    



Back for the Gold Rush are senior Brent Kitto and junior Christopher August, both two-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference runners. Both have a pair of top-5 finishes in the GCAC meet, with August finishing second a year ago. A third returning letterman is sophomore Xaiver Latting.

The Gold Nuggets' returnees are Zahri Jackson — the GCAC individual champion in 2011 and 2012 — and three-time All-GCAC runners Briana Simms and Hannah Finnegan, who placed second at conference in 2014. Jackson is a fifth-year senior who was hampered by injuries the past two years.
    
The XU men's newcomers are freshmen Felipe Perrier and Darrick Williams. There are three freshmen on the women's team — Chinyere Jones, Dionysia Love and Brianna Pace — and track letterwomen Clarke Allen and Kailey Williams, competing for XU in the fall for the first time, give the Gold Nuggets additional depth.
    
"We lost some all-time greats like Kwame Jackson and Catherine Fakler to graduation, but our runners this year are focused on making a name for themselves and adding to our tradition," Moses said.

 Kwame Jackson, the older brother of Zahri, is the only GCAC runner to win three individual conference championships in cross country. He set XU records in 2014 for four miles (21 minutes, 21.7 seconds) and 5,000 meters (15:30.90). Fakler was the GCAC individual champion in 2013 and was first-team Capital One Academic All-America® as a senior. Fakler holds XU records for 6,000 meters (24:07.38), 5,000 meters (18:08.32), 4,000 meters (15:34) and two miles (12:42.18).
    
The Big Easy Opener is the first of five regular-season meets for Xavier. The conference home for the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets this year is the Red River Athletic, and Xavier will compete Nov. 6 in San Antonio, Texas, for honors in that league and automatic berths to the NAIA National Championships. The GCAC, Xavier's home since 1981, will not qualify for automatic bids to nationals in cross country this year and will not conduct a conference meet.
    
Both XU teams were GCAC champions each of the past nine seasons.
    
"We look forward to competing in the Red River and seeing how we stack up against those teams," Moses said.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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2015 Toyota SWAC Football Championship Tickets On Sale Now

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Tickets are now on sale for the 2015 Toyota SWAC Football Championship in Houston, Texas at NRG Stadium Saturday, December 5.  Tickets range from $25-$65 and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000. 

The 2015 season kicks off in September, and the winner of the East and West Divisions will meet in the SWAC Football Championship Game.  The victor will earn the conference title and a chance to play in the all new Celebration Bowl.

Last season, Alcorn State and Southern played in front of a Championship crowd of 39,583 which was fifth best out of eight football FBS and FCS conference championship games.

Special events around the football championship weekend will kick off with the SWAC Hall of Fame Reception on Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Westin Galleria Hotel.  In addition, a Saturday postgame concert along with a full schedule of events will be available this fall. 

About SWAC
Founded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference - made up of historically black colleges and universities - and its members are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. The conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that govern intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the NCAA. Sponsoring 18 sports, the SWAC ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams- particularly in football.

The 2015 Championship is also inconjunction with the SWAC's annual Hall of Fame ceremony. The JW Marriott in Houston, Texas will host this year's inductees. For more information about SWAC, visit www.swac.org.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA 

Commentary: SWAC change helps ASU renew Tuskegee rivalry

COURTESY ASU HORNETS ATHLETICS

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The announcement didn't send shockwaves throughout college football earlier this spring, but it changed the scheduling game for SWAC teams.

Back in May, the conference had its spring meetings in New Orleans and came out of it with a decision to reduce its conference games from nine to seven. As a result, its 10 schools can play up to five non-conference games starting in 2017.

Alabama State is making the most of it.

The Hornets have announced three schools for its future schedules with the latest being the big one -- Tuskegee. The schools agreed to a four-year deal starting in 2017 with a season opener on Sept. 2 and ending in 2020. All the games will be played in early September at ASU Stadium.

It's not the Turkey Day Classic, but it's what fans from both sides want to see and a payday for both. The games will be sure a sellout at ASU Stadium as was the case when Tuskegee played there in 2012 in the first-ever game at ASU's new stadium.


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B-CU vs. Grambling Football Kickoff Time Change

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  – Athletic Officials at Grambling State University and Bethune-Cookman University have announced a change in the kickoff time of the their football game on Saturday September 12, at Eddie G. Robinson, Sr. Memorial Stadium on the campus of Grambling State University. The kickoff time is now 6 p.m. CST, which was moved back two hours from the original kickoff time of 4 p.m. CST.

Lynn W. Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Bethune-Cookman, and Interim Athletic Director Obadiah Simmons at Grambling mutually agreed that a later start-time is advantageous for the health, safety and well-being of all parties involved.

“Temperatures during early September in North Central Louisiana are extremely brutal, and we want to ensure the comfort and safety of all players, coaching and support staffs, game officials and fans while attending this football game,” notes Simmons.

“The safety of the student-athletes and fans is the most important thing,” according to Thompson. “Being in Florida, we certainly understand extreme heat in the southeast, and we share the concern of Grambling and their athletic officials when it comes to the safety and well-being of the student-athletes and fans in extreme temperatures during this time of year.”

Grambling Head Coach Broderick Fobbs states, “While we’re excited about playing the game, there’s always a conscientious effort to minimize and/or eliminate health hazards in every contest particularly in temperate climates.  The safety and well-being of all student-athletes in every contest is paramount.”

“A later start-time is certainly in the best interest of everyone,” states Bethune-Cookman Head Football Coach Terry Sims. “The number of fatalities resulting from exposure to extreme heat continues unfortunately to plague college football nationwide. Every precaution that can be taken to reduce the potential for these occurrences should be exercised. Moving the kickoff time back is certainly a safety measure in the right direction.”

Fans are also encouraged to dress accordingly and consume plenty of fluids to maintain their electrolyte balance to offset any ill effects of heat-related illnesses.

For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on Twitter, @BCUGridIron. For the most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

from The Editor Dwight Floyd: The Day FAMU Beat #2 Nebraska

DWIGHT FLOYD
the EDITOR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Forever etched in the minds of FAMU Rattler faithful is the football win in 1979 against the Miami Hurricanes. There is another win in FAMU lore though that may be greater. It’s been quite a few years since, but Nebraska’s coach would relish the chance at revenge. I think FAMU should give it to him, but only if he would agree to bring his team to Tallahassee to play in the Alfred Lawson Teaching Gymnasium.

At the time that the FAMU ladies won the Nebraska tournament back in 2004, he was angry and embarrassed though he only made excuses for the loss rather than give FAMU the credit deserved. For Nebraska it was the first loss at home to an unranked team since 1986 and the first to an unranked non-conference opponent since 1996. No other team would beat the Cornhuskers on their home court until 2009 when UCLA won in five sets.

You don’t beat Nebraska in their gym. They were ranked the second best team in the country. In fact, they went on to become ranked number one in the country not losing another game before falling to two-time defending champion USC in the NCAA regionals.  That FAMU beat Nebraska was no fluke.

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Florida Memorial Men's Soccer Upsets #6 Ranked Mobile

MOBILE, Alabama -- Florida Memorial men's soccer pulled off a stunning 2-1 upset over Sixth- ranked University of Mobile on Friday evening at "The Jungle "on the campus of the  University of Mobile. Florida Memorial used a balanced offensive attack in the second half to steal the win. Florida Memorial improved to 1-0 overall, while ending a two-game losing streak against University of Mobile.

Florida Memorial started the match with nine shots in the first half, but Mobile drew first blood in the 57th minute with a score from Noel Johnson. The second half went back and forth until Florida Memorial's Andres Pratto got the Lions on the board in the 69 minute of the match to tie the game up at 1-1. Florida Memorial's Facundo Bouciguez caught Mobile's defense napping when he ripped a shot top shelf from about 35 yards out and helped the Lions run away with the victory.



Florida Memorial Lions finished with an 18-13 edge in shots, with nine shots in each period and a 6-2 edge in shots on frame in the period.

Pablo Terminiello played the full 90 minutes as goalie for the lions while picking up five saves. Gibson played goalie for Mobile's and picked up eight saves.

The Lions return to action on Sunday (Aug, 23) when they travel to Middle Georgia State University at 3 p.m.

BOX SCORE

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NCAA declares SSU women's basketball team eligible for postseason

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS ATHLETICS

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State University head women’s basketball coach Cedric Baker received some good news Monday when the NCAA told him that the team is no longer subject to Academic Progress Report (APR) penalties and is now eligible for postseason competition for the 2015-16 academic year.

“We are grateful for the opportunity. The NCAA sub-committee went back and examined our files and made the adjustments to relieve us of our penalties for postseason play,” Baker said.

With the adjusted calculations, SSU has a multi-year score of 927 and the women’s basketball program has access to the longer transition afforded to limited resource institutions.

In May, the NCAA notified SSU that the women’s basketball team had a score of 923 for the 2013-14 year, and multi-year APR of 905, falling short of the 920 benchmark set by the NCAA for limited resource institutions.

SSU appealed the penalty and as part of the appeals process, the scores were recalculated.

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Lincoln Univ. football coach excited for season, Cheyney game

The Lincoln University Lions Athletics

OXFORD, Pennsylvania -- The college football season will be starting in a matter of days. Lincoln University interim head football coach Herb Pickens is excited about the upcoming season. Pickens is preparing the Lions for a very competitive year in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

“I’m really looking forward to the season,” he said. “The CIAA is a great conference. We have so many good teams and a lot of good coaches in the conference. It’s real competitive and that’s the excitement of the conference.

“Virginia State has done a great job. Winston-Salem has been a dominant team in the South. In the Northern division, Bowie [State] and Elizabeth City [State] are coming on. We want to win some games. We want to be in the conversation.”

Pickens has been a big part of the Lincoln football program as an assistant since the school brought the game back in 2008 following a 47-year absence. He took over the program in March. He’s very familiar with the talent on this team.

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Coming to Charlotte, N.C. August 29 -- The McDonald's Queen City Battle of the Bands

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North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine at Barber Park, 8/22/2015 performing " Smash Something" from aero view. 
Courtesy:  Thomas L. Jones, Jr.
 
2015 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS
North Carolina A&T State University
Miles College
Elizabeth City State
North Carolina Central University
Shaw University
Alabama A&M University
Bethune-Cookman University
Johnson C. Smith University
Talladega College
 
WANT TO GO?
Location: Memorial Stadium
Address: 310 N. Kings Dr., Charlotte
Date: Saturday, Aug. 29
Parking: Additional paid parking located at CPCC Student Lots #1 and #2.
Tickets: $15 and $20 General admission.



CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- The McDonald's Queen City Battle of the Bands marches into Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium on Aug. 29, featuring some of the top-performing marching bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The competition returns to Charlotte for its third year and is expected to attract over 10,000 fans, students and alumni.

As the event draws closer, we talked to Derek L. Webber, the man responsible for organizing and promoting the annual event.

QCM: What is your background?

DW: I’m from Charlotte, born and raised. I attended Hampton University in 1995, majored in Communications. Then I worked in ...


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Distance champion Pulliam joins Xavier coaching staff

Jasmine Pulliam
Assistant Coach
Men's and Women's
Cross Country and Track and Field
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Monday the hiring of Jasmine Pulliam as assistant coach for men's and women's cross country and track and field.
    
XU head coach Joseph Moses said Pulliam's primary duties will include coaching middle-distance and distance runners and coordinating day-to-day recruiting.

 "I'm very excited to have Jasmine on staff. She is a great addition," Moses said. "She is a smart young lady. She is very energetic and has great knowledge of cross country and track and field."
    
Pulliam, 23, was a standout distance runner at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky. She was a six-time individual champion in the NAIA's Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. She was the KIAC cross country champion in 2011 and won KIAC outdoor track titles in 2011 (1,500-meter run), 2013 (1,500 and 5,000) and 2013 (3,000 steeplechase and 5,000).
    
Pulliam led Brescia to KIAC women's cross country team championships in 2011, 2012 and 2013. She received her bachelor's degree from Brescia in 2014.
    
"Jasmine Pulliam is an outstanding young woman who will be an excellent addition to the staff at Xavier," said Brian Skortz, Brescia's director of athletics.
    
Pulliam is enrolled in XU's graduate school. She is a native of Louisville, Ky., and a 2010 graduate of Louisville's Butler Traditional High School.

 Xavier's cross country teams will begin the 2015 season Friday in the Big Easy Opener at City Park in New Orleans. The women's 2-mile race will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's 5,000-meter race at 6.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Head coach Alex Wood: ‘Door not closed’ on FAMU QB competition

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Carson Royal will likely be the starting quarterback for Florida A&M when the Rattlers open the season against South Florida, but there’s still plenty of competition for the top spot.

Head coach Alex Wood recently said he doesn’t want to “close the door” on the quarterback competition and that other signal-callers, particularly JUCO transfer Kenny Coleman, who has taken snaps primarily with the second team, are quickly grasping the up-tempo offense.

Coleman said the quarterback competition is “great.”

“I’m working, (Carson) is working,” Coleman said. “I’m just trying to get better at my mechanics and be that guy that Coach (Wood) can count on come game time.

Royal, Coleman, freshman quarterback Ryan Stanley and redshirt junior quarterback Davonte Austin all saw ...

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2015 MAC football non-conference previews: Delaware State Hornets

    2015 DSU football schedule

DOVER, Delaware -- On September 12th, Kent State welcomes a struggling Delaware State team that finished 2-10 last season. A member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Hornets were picked to finish a humbling 11th out of twelve teams in the conference this season. Delaware State's lone game against an FBS team did not go well last year, as they were smashed on the road by Temple by a score of 59-0.

The Hornets are optimistic heading into 2015, as they underwent a coaching overhaul after last season's dreadful finish. Every member of the coaching staff is new with the exception of the linebacker coach, Andrew Faison. The new head coach will be Kenny Carter, who was a running backs coach under Urban Meyer at the University of Florida when they won the National Championship in 2009. From 2010 up until last season, he was the running backs coach at the University of Louisville. He helped the Cardinals to two Big East Conference championships as well as two bowl appearances. Carter has also coached with LSU, Pitt, Pen State, and Vanderbilt. DSU hopes Carter can use his experience and resume to build the program back up again.

Carter's extensive knowledge of the run game is just what the Hornets need, as the team has been poor in that area recently. Last season, Delaware State ranked 10th in the MEAC and 114th out of 121 FCS teams in rushing, averaging just 96.7 yards per game. The 2015 edition of Hornets football features an experienced offensive line and a large crop of running backs working to reverse that trend.




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Morgan State football, and family, still mourn Marquese Meadow

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Benita Meadow is still mourning.

In the 364 days since the death of her son, Morgan State defensive lineman
Marquese Meadow, she and her 13-year-old daughter, Calista, have continued to grapple with the loss of a son and brother. Benita Meadow also has had to take care of her parents, who have fallen ill.

"My emotions are still very much new," said Meadow, 41, who lives in Southeast Washington. "They're here. The loss of my son has definitely affected my entire family. My parents have become critically ill, and with me, there's an everyday process for me to move forward."

It has been almost a year since Marquese Meadow died Aug. 24 of complications related to heatstroke. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound freshman's death at the age of 18, which was ruled accidental by the state's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, continues to linger around the Bears program.

Meadow's locker in the Hill Field House locker room used by freshmen and sophomores remains unchanged. Rising sophomore nose tackle Dalonte Jenifer is wearing No. 90, as Meadow did last year, and the back of every player's helmet still bears a sticker with the number. Several players said they will play this season in Meadow's honor.

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Chris Timmons: FAMU board chair Montgomery needs to go

Dr.  ELMIRA MANGUM, Ph.D.
PRESIDENT
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
 

Dr. Mangum is attacking the institutional rot at FAMU and that has some scared.  So be it!

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- Rufus Montgomery, belligerent chairman of Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees, remains unbowed:

“I will honor the decision and level of confidence that Board members showed in my leadership earlier this month when they unanimously re-elected me to a full two-year term as chairman. While certain elected officials have always stood behind FAMU, their vantage point doesn’t afford them the same level of interaction or responsibility required of the chairman of the Board and other trustees. For the good of the institution and to prevent charges of undue political interference, I hope that our elected officials will allow our Board to do the job we were appointed to do.”

The domineering and vexing Montgomery was asked to step down by powerful FAMU alumni on Wednesday: Democrats state Sen. Dwight Bullard of Miami, state Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa, state Rep. Mia Jones of Jacksonville, state Rep. Alan Williams of Tallahassee), and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.

They say the infighting and “personality conflicts” between the university’s president, Elmira Mangum, and Montgomery has to stop for the good of that institution. Since Mangum was hired last year, Montgomery has been the proverbial thorn in her side.

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About FAMU

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus with a commitment to economic empowerment and community service.

The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant institution with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics.

FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds.

What distinguishes Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education to many students who otherwise may never have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of getting a college degree. The CollegeNet and PayScale Social Mobility Index (SMI) have recognized FAMU for its commitment to providing pathways for social and economic mobility.

SMI ranks FAMU third among all colleges and universities in the nation for fostering social and economic opportunity. FAMU is also one of the top institutions for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).

Forbes magazine named Florida A & M University one of America’s Top Colleges for 2015, as well as one of the Best Colleges in the South. 

A National Science Foundation (NSF) report lists Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) as the No.1 historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation for total research and development (R&D) expenditures.

The NSF recently released data from its Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions study, which reveals that the top 20 HBCUs combined, had total R&D expenditures of $455.1 million, while FAMU alone accounted for a staggering $51.1 million of that amount.

U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015. The University was also recognized among the 2014 U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities.” It is listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges.

Future could be now for ASU frosh Richardson, Anderson

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Couldn't help but notice these two at Alabama State's open scrimmage Saturday afternoon at ASU Stadium .

Ellis Richardson is a dual-threat quarterback who stands 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs 235 pounds. Alex Anderson is 6-foot, 200 pounds, runs with power and possesses that initial burst of speed when seeing an opening.

Now both of them are freshmen with Richardson being listed as a redshirt out of Villa Rica, Georgia. Anderson is a true freshman from Miami. Alabama State has established talent at quarterback in senior Daniel Duhart and at running back with junior Khalid Thomas, but Anderson and Richardson could see quality playing time this season.



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Video: Coach Hannah Lawing previews 2015 volleyball season

NEW ORLEANS -- — Hannah Lawing, head coach of women's volleyball at Xavier University of Louisiana, discussed the 2015 season in an Aug. 13 video interview.
    
The Gold Nuggets will begin their season Aug. 28 in the Big Easy Blastoff at XU's Convocation Center. Xavier will play NCAA Division I's Mississippi Valley State at 9 a.m. and Mobile at 5 p.m. On Aug. 28 the Gold Nuggets will play NAIA No. 19 Wayland Baptist at 9 a.m. and Faulkner at 3 p.m.
    
Xavier's returnees include Darian Harris, Claudia Haywood, Franziska Pirkl, Taylor Reuther and CeCe Williams, all of whom have been All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference selections during their careers. Xavier is the four-time defending champion of the GCAC regular season and tournament.

The Gold Nuggets were 20-6 overall in 2014 and 14-0 in the GCAC.

 

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Countdown to Kickoff: Day 10 - Lincoln Fall Scrimmage Recap

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri -- Head coach Mike Jones recaps the Lincoln football team's fall scrimmage on August 22, 2015.

Photo Gallery: Lincoln's 2015-16 Welcome Back BBQ



COURTESY LINCOLN UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS SPORTS INFORMATION

JSU looking for more from defense

JACKSON, Mississippi -- There were plenty of forced turnovers, sacks and three-and-outs as the Jackson State defense had its way with the offense in the first scrimmage of training camp last week, holding the offense to one touchdown.

But first-year Tigers defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee still wants to see more sound football from his players.

“Assignment-wise, the first unit overall graded about 79, 80 percent,” Lee said after Friday’s morning practice. “The hustle grade was higher than that. But we have to be up in the 90s with our assignment grades … second unit didn’t grade out as high.”

The defense will look to boost those grades at 9 a.m. today when JSU holds its second and final scrimmage of training camp.

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No practice, no looking ahead for ASU

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State has completed two weeks of preseason practice, and the implementation phase has been fast and furious.

The Hornets didn’t practice Wednesday due to their focus on the first day of classes at ASU, a much needed break from the wealth of information given out.

Hornets head coach Brian Jenkins held his weekly news conference on Wednesday and stated he continues to be impressed with his team’s attitude.

“Overall, we’ve been very pleased,” Jenkins said. “Things are slowing down a bit, because a lot has been demanded of everybody. The guys are doing what we’ve asked. For the most part, the energy and the effort has been exceptional.”

The first game week of practice may turn into a major cram session. Jenkins said his main concern remains getting everyone adjusted to the new schemes, and that he hasn’t even looked at any film on Tennessee State, which the Hornets will play in the season opener.

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JSU offense rebounds in final scrimmage

JACKSON, Mississippi -- When Jackson State’s defense piled up three sacks in the first five plays of Saturday’s scrimmage, it appeared a repeat of last week’s affair was in the cards.

JSU’s offense managed to land some counterpunches this time around, though.

Offensive coordinator Timmy Chang opened up the playbook a bit and the Tigers’ offense rebounded from last week’s lethargic performance with a solid effort on Saturday.

After last week’s scrimmage, Chang said he still hadn’t installed everything into the offense. This time, he came through with some new wrinkles, which mostly took advantage of the aggressive nature of the JSU defense.

“For us, we know they (the defense) are going to give us the hardest looks,” Chang said. “I just wanted to give the kids an opportunity to see what we could do countering a lot of those things they do. The kids did a good job of executing, but there’s still a lot of things we could get better at.”

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Tuskegee Golden Tigers Close Out Second Week

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- After an abbreviated Friday practice, the Tuskegee University football team went for just about 90 minutes on Saturday inside Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. The practice wrapped up the second week for the Golden Tigers.

After warming up and going through individual drills with their position coaches, the Golden Tigers came together and went live for 90 minutes inside the stadium. There were big plays on both sides of the ball as the team wrapped up camp officially this afternoon.

Tuskegee will now turn their attention to their opening game opponent, Clark Atlanta and a first-year head coach, on September 5 at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.

After a day off on Sunday, the Golden Tigers will get on a regular schedule as they begin preparations for the season opener on Monday afternoon.

For single game tickets or season ticket information, please contact the Tuskegee University Athletics Ticket Office at (334) 727-8594 or (334) 724-4385. Single game advance tickets are also available for the White Water Classic on September 12 and the Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic on October 10.

Follow Tuskegee University athletics on social media @MyTUAthletics, and like us on Facebook.

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Offense dominates Grambling’s second scrimmage

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Grambling’s second week of fall camp unofficially belongs to the offense.

Less than a day after Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said the defense has enjoyed the upper hand this summer, the Tigers’ first-team offense appeared in midseason form during Saturday’s scrimmage, slicing through the defense like it was a game of flag football.

The unit, led by senior quarterback Johnathan Williams, ran just 13 plays during two drives, but scored both times in what resulted in a “pretty sharp” day for the offense.

Williams finished 6-of-8 for 64 yards and a touchdown an added two rushes for 26 yards and a touchdown, and TCU transfer Cameron White caught a 20-yard touchdown to leave Fobbs pleased with the effort during the 105-plays.

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Southern shows improvement in scrimmage

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern coach Dawson Odums had several areas in which he wanted the Jaguars to show improvement from last week’s scrimmage to the one Saturday morning.

He wanted to see more energy from the whole team, the defense getting faster to the football and creating turnovers, and improvement from the run game.

The players seemed to fulfill each request during a 100-play scrimmage at the Louisiana Leadership Institute.

“I thought the energy was where it needed to be in order to have a successful scrimmage,” Odums said. “I thought we competed. I thought both sides did some good things.”

The biggest improvement came from the defense, which allowed eight touchdowns and didn’t get a turnover a week earlier. On Saturday, it allowed four touchdowns, created four turnovers, produced two touchdowns and a safety, and made a goal-line stand.

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Commentary: ASU, Jenkins seeing eye-to-eye right now

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- He has a way of getting the attention of his players.

When first-year Alabama State coach Brian Jenkins wanted to have a 1-on-1 conversation with an individual during Saturday's scrimmage at ASU Stadium, he signaled him over with a one or two-finger motion.

Other times, he yelled at them to basically get their you know what together. Regardless of the delivery, the players are getting Jenkins' message loud and clear — and embracing it.

"Him and the coaches are very demanding, but they get the best out of us," ASU senior quarterback Daniel Duhart said. "We're all on board, and we're ready to go. It's a family atmosphere everyday."



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Three takeaways from Grambling's second scrimmage

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- The Grambling football team put in its second and final scrimmage of fall camp Saturday In front of a couple hundred eager fans who are more than ready for the 2015 season to begin.

There were plenty of highlights — the first-team offense looked like it was in midseason form — and there were some lowlights when the defense blew several coverages resulting in wide open receivers for long gains or touchdowns.

Just from his initial impressions, Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs came away pleased from the scrimmage. Below are three takeaways from the 105-play session.

1. Grambling's offense will be even better than 2014 — After an 0-3 start to the 2014 season, Grambling finished 7-2 thanks to one of the league's most potent offenses. In those nine games, the Tigers averaged 37 points per game. For the season, Grambling averaged ,,,

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