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COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Elizabeth City State University scored 28 points off turnovers and had six offensive touchdowns as the Vikings blanked Benedict College 55-0 Saturday evening at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
In addition to pitching their first shutout since the 2006 season (Shaw University, 36-0) the Vikings held Benedict to just 168 yards of total offense.
Starting quarterback Daquan Neal tossed two 28 yard first quarter touchdowns, one to Montario Hunter for a 7-0 lead, the other to Lovie Banks-Rose, Jr at the 4:47 mark. With the game well out of Benedict’s reach, backup QB Jaquez Riles threw for two scores of his own in the fourth quarter. Hunter grabbed his second receiving score of the night, this time from 27 yards out, to cap a 5 play, 58 yard drive with 5:44 left in the game.
With under a minute to go, Riles connected with Antonio Huff for a 29 yard catch, run and score to account for the final point spread. In between the passing scores of the first and final quarters, the ECSU defense got their share of the scoring action with defensive touchdowns from Tyrrel Jones and Stephen Williams. After a strip (sack) by Dontez Tyler, Jones corralled the ball a raced 15 yards to the end zone to make the score 27-0 with 7:40 left in the first half.
In the third quarter Williams’ fumble recovery (scoop and score) went 26 yards for a 41-0 advantage.
Both Jones and Williams also intercepted Benedict QB Kalu Onumah; Williams’ pick was returned 48 yards to the Tigers 11 yard line. ECSU’s defense was relentless on Saturday, holding the Tigers to paltry 40 passing yards. Maliek Wright finished the day with interceptions of both Onumah and backup QB Charles Foster.
Ronald Gray and Josh Joyner had rushing scores of 15 and one yard, respectively, to account for ECSU’s other two offensive touchdowns.
ECSU (1-0) will travel to Raleigh, NC next Saturday to take on Saint Augustine’s College. Game time is scheduled for 1pm.
ATLANTA, Georgia – Central State snatched its first victory of the 2015 campaign in dominate fashion with a 49-12 win over Clark-Atlanta University on Saturday.
After failing to score a touchdown in last week's 22-14 loss to Alderson Broaddus, quarterback Marquis Wells and the offense lit up the scoreboard with 7 trips to the end zone in route to the most points scored by a CSU team since 2012.
Christopher Murray had 5 catches for 107 yards and 2 scores in Saturday's 49-12 win over Clark-Atlanta CSU's first score was anything but textbook as DeAndre Grant recovered a bad snap on a field goal attempt and ran 21 yards for the early 7-0 lead. After a Clim Robbins' interception gave CSU the ball on the CAU 26 yard line, Wells finished the short drive with a 1 yard run to put CSU up 14-0 at the 9:37 mark of the 1st quarter. On the next Panther possession, CAU turned the ball over on downs, giving the Marauder excellent field position. The Marauders took advantage as running back Moses Vines capped off the drive with a 2 yard score to put his team up by 21.
After picking off starting quarterback Matthew Vincent three times in the first quarter, CAU looked to backup Dashawn Blow to deliver a spark for the Panther offense. Robert Evans III ended Blow's first drive with a pick at the CAU 47. CSU scored three plays later on a 35 yard touchdown pass to Christopher Murray for the 28-0 lead. Murray and Wells hooked up again on a 34 yard pass to take a 35-0 lead just before the end of the 1st half.
Scores by Zach Thomas and Isaiah Grooms gave CSU a 49-0 advantage midway through the third quarter. With an insurmountable lead, the CSU coaching staff put in the second string to finish out the afternoon as the Marauders cruised to the 37 point victory.
Wells finished the day with 179 passing yards with 3 touchdowns through the air and 1 rushing score. Murray accounted for 5 catches for 107 receiving yards and 2 scores. Gervell Morgan finished with a game high 9 tackles for a CSU defense that forced four CAU turnovers.
With the win, CSU climbs back to a .500 record at 1-1. The win also snaps a 9-game road losing streak dating back to Oct. 19, 2013. With back to back blow out losses to Tuskegee and Central State, CAU falls to 0-2 on the year.
The Marauders travel to play Benedict College next Saturday in Columbia, SC. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 pm in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
BOX SCORE COURTESY CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- The Wildcats of Fort Valley State University put together one of the greatest come backs Saturday afternoon by scoring 43 points in the second half for the 50-38 victory over Lane College. The Dragons went to halftime with a 24-7 lead, but the second have would be all Wildcats.
Fort Valley State improves to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), while Lane drops to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
This was both team's first conference game and what a game, as FVSU scored first on junior running back Travis Richmond 58-yard run capping a 3 play, 66-yard drive with 10:09 in the first quarter.
Lane scored the next four times before halftime. Marcus Reynolds scored off a 16-yard run to draw Lane to within one point (6-7), with 6:11 on the clock, Carlas Moore, Jr. kick was blocked. Terrance Ayers 2-yard run increased the lead to 12-7 with 11:22 left in the second quarter, Moore's kick was blocked. Courtney Bush ran for another 16-yard for the third score and Jamion Dunning grabbed a 35-yard pass from Reynolds with :37 left before halftime for the 24-7 halftime score.
Reynold led off the third quarter with a 42-yard run for Lane with 14:18 on the clock and Bush rushed for the 2-point conversion (32-7).
The Wildcats told over the third and fourth quarters with sophomore quarterback Otis Brown running 25-yard to completed a 6 play, 69-yard drive with 11:28 left, two point conversion was good (15-32). Sophomore wide receiver Drelon Freeman returned a Dragon punt 75-yards for a score, Juan Serna kick was good (22-35). Then, with 6:44 remaining in the third quarter sophomore running back Jalen White scored on a 55-yard touchdown pass from Brown, Serna kick was good (29-32). Senior linebacker Stefon Harper put the Wildcats out front by returning a Dragons 60-yard missed field goal for a touchdown (36-32).
Lane regained the lead with 8:21 remaining in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard run, PAT rush failed (38-36).
Senior wide receiver Jevon Bell added to the mix for the Wildcats back catching a 12-yard pass from Travis Richmond, Serna's kick was good (43-38). Brown rounded out the scoring on a 6-yard rush, Serna kick was good with 3:38 on the scoreboard (50-38).
Lane led in the first down department with 36 first downs to FVSU's 17 and out gained FVSU with 435-yards in rushing to 174. FVSU threw for 210-yards to Lane's 105, as both teams put up over 900-yards of total offense. The Dragons had 540-yards to FVSU's 384.
The game was marked by penalties with FVSU collecting 19 penalties for 164-yards and Lane picking up 14 penalties for 128-yards. Lane gained the edge in time of possession with 36:12 to FVSU's 23:48.
Brown led the Wildcats in rushing with 78-yards and 2 touchdowns, while Richmond added 52-yards and one touchdown. Brown completed 11-of-18 passes for 198-yards, one touchdown and Richmond threw for another touchdown.
Senior wide receiver Alexander Morgan had 4 catches for 59-yards, Bell 3 picks for 40-yards, one touchdown and White one catch for 55-yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore punter/kicker Juan Serna punted three times for 129-yards, while kicking the ball 8 times for 462-yards.
Freeman returned two punts for 144-yards and a 75-yard return for touchdown and Richmond returned 5 kicks for 133-yards.
The Dragons quarterback Reynolds gave the Wildcats headaches all day long with 32 rushes for 239-yards and 3 touchdowns and passed 6-of-20 times for 105-yards and one touchdown. Courtney Bush carried the ball 15 times for 133-yards and one touchdown.
Harper led the Wildcats with 12 tackles (8 solos) and 1.5 tackle-for-losses, while freshman linebacker Leon McQuarker chipped in 11 tackles (9 solos).
Next game: FVSU will travel over to Atlanta, GA on Saturday, September 19 to play the Panthers of Clark Atlanta University at 2 pm.
LINDSBORG, Kansas – The 18th ranked team in the NAIA, Langston University, visited Lindsborg to take on the Bethany College Swedes. The Lions showed why they were a top team in the country; having explosive plays all over the field and gaining over 600 yards of total offense on their way to a 33-14 win.
The night could not have started any better for Bethany. The Swedes won the toss and deferred to the second half. On the first play from scrimmage, the Lions had a bad snap and when the running back tried to make it around the outside, Chris Washington drug him down in the end zone and for a safety.
The Lions, however, responded quickly. After kicking off, Langston held the Swedes offense to just four yards on the ground in a three-and-out. Once they received the punt, Langston went 80 yards in four place capped by a 72 yard touchdown pass on fourth and two from their own 28. The extra point was not good and Bethany found themselves in a 6-2 hole. Langston added to their lead on a 32 yard field goal with 3:37 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Lions drove 85 yards in 10 plays to stretch their lead over Bethany to 16-2. While the Bethany offense continued to struggle offensively in the first half, big plays on the ground and through the air helped Langston score another touchdown with ten seconds in the first half to take a 23-2 half time lead.
The Swedes made adjustments and started moving the ball in the second half. Virgil Bridges found Fred White on a curl route, and White spun off a defender to turn it into a 71 yard pass play. Adam Maisch would end up kicking a 34 yard field goal to cut into the deficit. Langston would add a field goal late in the quarter to take a 26-5 lead.
On the first play in the fourth quarter, Bridges found Nile Daniel in the back right corner on a fade route from 15 yards out for the Swedes first touchdown of the game. The extra point closed the Langston lead to 26-12. After a Lions three-and-out, the snap went over the Langston punter's head and ended up going out of the back of the end zone for another safety.
But, once again Langston found an answer. Bethany was forced to punt after just three plays, and Langston drove 71 yards in nine plays to cut the Swedes momentum.
"I thought our guys fought hard tonight, but I've got to put them in a better position to be successful. This game is about adversity, but we can't put ourselves in a hole like we did in the first half," said head coach Paul Hubbard after the game. We will learn from our mistakes and will be a better team next week."
By the numbers:
Bethany scored four times and of the four times, it was three different ways; safety, field goal, and a touchdown.
Langston racked up 606 total offensive yards, while the Swedes had 256. Bethany had 71 yards on the ground and 185 through the air, but the Lions had 314 passing yards and 292 rushing.
Bethany had 14 first downs in the game and Langston had 32, 14 of them on the ground.
Virgil Bridges was 12-of-25 for 185 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His longest throw (71 yards) went to Fred White who ended the game with 4 catches for 101 yards. Nile Daniel caught four passes for 51 yards and also had a touchdown grab. Daniel also had a punt return that set Bethany up with great field position.
Kayden Clements had a team high 43 yards on the ground. Daniel added 26 for Bethany.
Kerry Hubbard made a play on a ball that was batted into the air and returned his interception for 12 yards.
Javan Moore led Bethany with 10 tackles, eight were solo. Chris Washington had nine and two tackles for loss, while Kyle Gfeller added six solo tackles and two assisted.
Adam Maisch made a field goal from 34 yards out, and had another kick blocked. Brett Crome punted 8 times for an average of 43.8 yards, with a long of 59.
Langston's Kievon Jackson led the Lions with 169 yards on the ground and two scores. The quarterback Mark Wright, Jr. was 15-of-33 for 296 yards and a touchdown.
At halftime Bethany College made a special recognition to the Lindsborg community Emergency Service Personnel for their dedication to the college and community. There were several members of the Police Department, Fire Department, First Responders, EMT, Paramedics and hospital workers present at the game. All received free admission to the game.
Bethany will open KCAC play on the road in a week when they travel to North Newton, to play Bethel College.
FULL STATS COURTESY BETHANY COLLEGE SWEDES SPORTS INFORMATION
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Virginia Union University's Shawheem Dowdy passed for three touchdowns while running back Hakeem Holland rushed for 162 yards as VUU downed Saint Augustine's University 42-7 on Saturday, September 12, in Raleigh, N.C.
Holland's 153 yards marked the second consecutive game the freshman has rushed for over 100 yards.
VUU started the scoring Dowdy hit Holland with a 40-yard touchdown pass with 9:14 left in the first quarter. Dowdy then made the score 14-0 on a keeper from 16 yards out with 3:11 left in the first quarter.
The Panthers led 28-0 at halftime on the strength of a 15-yard run by Holland and then an 11-yard pass from Dowdy to Jamaal Wright.
VUU's Andre Coble hauled in a 15-yard pass from Dowdy in the third quarter.
Virginia Union capped off the offensive show with a 32-yard pass from reserve quarterback Dane James to Devin Anderson in the fourth quarter.
As a team, Union racked up 494 yards in total offense.
The win raised VUU's record to 2-0 on the season while Saint Augustine's fell to 0-2.
The Panthers, ranked #2 among Division II HBCUs by the Heritage Sports Radio Network and Dr. Henry Cavil, now travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face Gardner-Webb University at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 19.
CLAW MARKS
BACK-TO-BACK CENTURY GAMES - Virginia Union University's Hakeem Holland rushed for 153 yards in the Panthers' 42-7 win over Saint Augustine's University. Holland also rushed for 101 yards in VUU's season-opening win over Brevard College last week. The game marked the first time a VUU running back has had two consecutive 100+ yards rushing games since Jerell Washington had back-to-back 100+ yard games in 2010 (127 vs. Saint Paul's College and 150 yards vs. Virginia State University).
BIG-TIME COMPANY - Holland's 153-yard game also marked the first time a freshman running back has rushed for more than 100 yards in two consecutive games since Andre Braxton performed the feat in 1997.
DOWDY DID IT - Virginia Union University's Shawheem Dowdy passed for 155 yards and three touchdowns in VUU's 42-7 win over Saint Augustine's. This marks the first time a VUU quarterback has passed for three or more touchdowns in a single game since Kenneth Graham passed for three touchdowns against Chowan University on October 14, 2014.
BULLS-EYE BEYMAR - Virginia Union University's Beymar Piraquive hit 6-of-6 extra points in VUU's 42-7 win over Saint Augustine's on September 12. Piraquive is now 11-for-11 in extra points this season for the Panthers. The 6-for-6 performance were the most extra points by a VUU kicker since Troy Krepich's school-record 10 PATs in VUU's 78-13 win over Lincoln (Pa.) on October 11, 2014. Beymar's 6-of-6 performance was the best "perfect game" in PATs since VUU's Stephen Velasquez went 6-for-6 in Virginia Union's 45-0 win over Central State University on September 6, 2009.
NEXT GAME - Virginia Union University now travels to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face Gardner-Webb University at 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 19. Gardner-Webb is 0-2 on the season and is coming off a three-overtime 21-13 loss to Elon University on September 12. This will mark the first meeting between the two schools since VUU defeated the Bulldogs 28-15 on October 13, 2001, in Hovey Field in Richmond, Va. VUU and Gardner-Webb have met a total of two times, in 2000 and 2001, and have a 1-1 record. Gardner-Webb defeated VUU 22-20 on October 14, 2000, in Boiling Springs, N.C. The game will be streamed on-line for free courtesy of the Big South Network. The link is available onVUUSPORTS.COM.
PHENIX CITY, Alabama | Big plays and defense were the key in helping the Tuskegee University Golden Tigers beat Albany State 27-14 in the second annual Whitewater Classic, held at Garrett Harrison Stadium.
Although there were big plays throughout the game, the two biggest plays didn't occur until the fourth quarter.
With the offense struggling to move the ball, Kevin Lacey threw a hitch to Van Powell that went for three yards until Powell spun around without his knee hitting the ground. The junior receiver was able to get back to his feet and sprinted down the field reaching the end zone 79 yards later. The extra point was blocked, but Tuskegee held the lead 20-14 with 10:07 remaining in the game.
Tuskegee (2-0) and Albany State (0-2) traded possessions until the Golden Rams got the ball at their own 35-yard line with 5:50 remaining in the game. They proceeded to drive down the field, using 11 plays to get to the Tuskegee 10 yard line with just 30 seconds remaining, and that is where it ended.
Caleb Edmonds dropped back to pass when Tuskegee linebacker Ricky Norris stepped in front of the pass and raced to the end zone 95 yards away. The sophomore was able to score and sealed the victory for the Golden Tigers with just 16 seconds remaining on the clock.
"The play before that they ran the same route and I saw the coaches yelling to do it again," Norris said. "The quarterback looked at him the whole way and I just jumped the route. All I could think of was I have to score, I have to score."
Ironically, that was one of the first times the Golden Rams threw to the weak side late in the game.
"I knew they were going to come my way and they went to the opposite side," Tuskegee Osband Thomspon said. "That was the first time they threw it that way the whole time, I looked up and saw Ricky with it and just started running."
Although those plays were near the end of the game and helped seal the victory, there were other big plays that happened in the contest that helped swing momentum to the Golden Tigers.
The Golden Tigers didn't have to wait long to have a big play as the opening kick was taken back 82 yards by Dennis Norfleet before he was taken down at the Albany State 15 yard line. Tuskegee punched it in three plays later when Lacey hit senior Marquel Gardner for a four-yard touchdown, the 100th career reception by Gardner.
The second big play occurred at the beginning of the second quarter as Albany State lined up for a field goal. The ball was blocked by Devonta Ramseur and picked up Jewell Ratliff, and the senior outran the Golden Rams for a 73-yard return and a 14-0 lead with 12:00 remaining in the first half.
Albany State was able to break through for a couple of touchdowns in the first half against the Tuskegee defense who recorded a shutout in the opener. The Golden Rams scored early in the second quarter, ending the streak of 82:12 of scoreless football for Tuskegee.
"At that point we were getting on each other," Thompson said. "We just said somebody has to make a play and we had to get back to playing our type of football. We had to get things right and kept fighting."
And keep fighting is exactly what they did, all the way to the end.
The game ended much like it began, a big play. Ratliff intercepted the pass on the final play of the game and hit the deck as the clock expired.
Tuskegee was held to just 232 yards of total offense, including 94 yards passing. Norfleet led the rushing attack with 79 yards on just seven carries, including a 47-yard run in the second half, while the Golden Tigers were able to put up 138 yards rushing on the Albany State defense.
Defensively, the Golden Tigers held Albany State to 293 yards of offense, including 115 on the ground on 44 carries. Ratliff finished the night with 11.5 tackles, while Thompson added nine. The Golden Tigers were able to record four quarterback sacks, one quarterback hurry and three interceptions.
"They really didn't drive the ball a whole lot on our defense," Tuskegee coach Willie Slater said. "They moved the ball within the 20s a little, not a whole lot. I thought our defense played great, they set the bar high after the first game. I love the way they are playing right now."
Tuskegee returns to action next Saturday against Winston-Salem State at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. The game will kick at 1 pm, and can be seen on the Tuskegee Sports Network and ESPN3.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN, North Carolina – Lincoln's offense rushed for an all-time record 283 total yards in a 28-17, come-from-behind road victory against NC Wesleyan on Saturday, September 12th. Junior running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) rushed for 282 total yards and scored two second half touchdowns in the Lions rally.
Lincoln got off to a slow start in their second road game of the season. NC Wesleyan led early but in the second quarter the Lions scored on a quarterback sneak by senior Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College). The Bishops responded with their second passing touchdown from quarterback Dustin Midgett making it a 14-6 halftime lead. Lincoln held a 110-56 advantage in first half rushing yardage with 108 yards coming from running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College).
The Lions scored 21 unanswered points in the second half after trailing NC Wesleyan 17-6. Scott finally found the endzone cutting the Bishops lead to 17-14 with 4:47 left in the third quarter. Scott scored from 6-yards out and added on two more points by converting on a rushing attempt for the extra-point. Lincoln's offense rushed for 107 fourth quarter yards behind touchdowns from Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College) and Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College).
The Lions went 83 yards on 15 plays at the beginning of the fourth quarter finally leading. McKenzie rushed for his second touchdown of the game putting Lincoln up 21-17 at the 12:14 mark. The LU defense quickly came to the rescue of the offense forcing an interception with 3:30 remaining in regulation. Sophomore defensive back Kevin Norris (Philadelphia, PA/Germantown HS) picked off the Bishops quarterback as Lincoln led by the slimmest margin. Defensively, the Lions held the Bishops on their next drive by stopping them on fourth down. With 1:38 left the Lions took over on the Bishops 30-yard line and scored the go ahead touchdown securing their first 2-0 start since the 1953 football season.
Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) had four carries on that final drive and punched it in from 21-yards out on fourth down and one yard to go. Sophomore kicker Brett Arkelian (Clovis, CA)'s extra-point-attempt was good and the Lions led 28-17 with 1:13 left in the game. The 2015 Lincoln Lions begin the season 2-0 after a pair of non-conference road wins. Lincoln defeated NC Wesleyan 28-17.
Lincoln set several team single-game records against NC Wesleyan; the most rushing touchdowns scored (4), most carries (63), and most net yards rushing (283). Running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) is off to a tremendous start to the 2015 season. He eclipsed his previous school records with 50 carries for 282 rushing yards, both single-game records for the Lions. His 282 total yards is the most all-purpose yards gained by a Lion and his 50 carries is the most all-purpose attempts. This was Scott's fifth time rushing for over 100 yards in his career and his first time ever reaching 200 rushing yards or more.
Quarterback Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College) was a dual threat against the Bishops passing for 105 yards and rushing for two touchdowns. McKenzie completed 6-of-13 pass attempts to his wide receivers led by seniors Brandon Rowe (Harlem, NY/Hudson Valley CC)'s three receptions for 68 yards and Bradley Martin (Philadelphia, PA/Vermillion CC)'s two catches for 31 yards.
Defensive back Tony Jones had a team-high seven tackles including a sack for the orange and blue. Junior defensive back Dezman Ellis (Bowie, MD/DeMatha Catholic HS) had five tackles while defensive linemen Stephen Lloyd (Bowie, MD/Meade HS), Courtney Wright (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Coral Glades HS), and Mikael Mays (Garden City, GA/Groves HS) each had four tackles. Wright recorded a sack along with freshman Joseph Webb (Queens, NY/Holy Cross HS).
Lincoln (2-0) will open at home in the next game on Saturday, September 19th against Alderson-Broaddus at 1 p.m. BOX SCORE
COURTESY THE LINCOLN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
BREVARD, North Carolina – The Bowie State University Bulldogs (2-0) football team defeated the Brevard College Tornados 35-21 on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. The Bulldogs rolled up a season-best 533 yards in total offense with quarterback Matthew Goggans (Pine Grove, Calif.) throwing for a season-best 352 yards.
Bowie State drew first blood when Goggans connected on a 64-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior Jordan Garrison (Baltimore, Md.) at the 10:39 mark of the first quarter. Redshirt junior Christopher Palmer (St. Mary's, Md.) added the extra point for a 7-0 Bulldogs lead.
Brevard quarterback Tyler Gregory (Williamson, Ga.) ran it in for a 5-yard score at the 14:56 mark of the second quarter. Tyler Beam (Cherryville, N.C.) added the extra point to knot the score at 7-all.
The Bulldogs tallied 260 yards in total offense in the first half compared to 82 for Brevard's Tornados.
Brevard (0-2) held a commanding 21:41 time of possession advantage over Bowie State in the first 30 minutes of play.
The Bulldogs strike early in the third quarter (13:24) when Goggans drilled a bullet to Garrison who rumbled down the Bowie State sideline for a 61-yard score. Palmer's extra point put the visitors in front 14-7.
The duo of Goggans and Garrison pushed the Bowie State lead to 21-7 at the 6:04 mark of the third quarter, this time for a 20-yard score.
Redshirt junior Nyme Manns (Baltimore, Md.) scored his third touchdown of the season, hauling in a 28-yard pass from Goggans that extended the Bowie State lead to 28-7.
A Bulldogs turnover allowed the Tornados to add points to the scoreboard with six seconds remaining in the third quarter. Arvin Berry (Valdosta, Ga.) capped off an 8-play, 78 yard drive with a 26-yard touchdown run that trimmed the Bowie State lead in half at 28-14.
Bowie State opened up a 35-14 advantage over Brevard following a one-yard touchdown run by Goggans with 13:45 remaining in the game.
A Bowie State muffed punt return and fumble recovery by Brevard's Ashud Moore (Ellenwood, Ga.) factored in Brevard's next score. Following the Bulldogs turnover, the Tornados drove 33 yards in six plays to trim the home team deficit to 35-21. Xavier McEachern (Red Springs, N.C.) capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
The Tornados recovered the ensuing onsides kick at their own 41 yard line after the ball bounced off a Bowie State player.
Fortunately the Bulldogs defense was able to close out the game allowing the Tornados only five yards on six plays on their final possession of the non-conference contest.
Goggans finished with a season-high 352 yards, going 19-for-33 with four touchdown tosses on the afternoon. Garrison hauled in four passes for a personal career-best 157 yards while Manns had six receptions for 99 yards. Graduate student Kendall Jefferson (Temple Hills, Md.) led all rushers with a season-best 121 yards on 14 carries.
On the Bulldogs' defensive side of the ball, senior Brian Hall (Capital Heights, Md.), redshirt junior Kevaugn Townsend (Fort Washington, Md.) and redshirt freshman Kyle Jackson (Upper Marlboro, Md.) racked up 10 tackles each.
As a team, Bowie State rolled up 533 yards in total offense, averaging 8.9 yards per play compared to 255 total yards for Brevard (3.1 yards per play).
Brevard was able to control the clock, holding on to the ball for 43:12 compared to just 16:48 for Bowie State.
Brevard's Tornardos were led on offense by McEachern's 77 rushing yards on 22 carries. Berry ended the game with 51 rushing yards.
Marcus Lunsford (Jacksonville, Fla.) was credited with a team-high nine total tackles and Modzelle Atkins (Pelham, Ga.) added eight total tackles to lead the Brevard defense.
The Bulldogs will return to action next Saturday (September 19th), traveling to New Britain, Conn. to take on Division I-AA Central Connecticut StCONate. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- The Johnson C. Smith football team withstood an early turnover and limited Kentucky State to only 56 yards rushing while intercepting three Thorobred passes en route to a 38-14 road win at Alumni Stadium in Frankfort, Ky.
On the first JCSU drive, the offense struggled to get going, as Kentucky State recorded a sack on first down and two plays later, Herbin's pass was picked off by KSU's Nathan Robinson. On the first Thorobred drive, KSU also fell victim to the interception, as JCSU's Dave Mann (Atlanta, Ga.) stepped in front of an Ora Johnson pass, giving JCSU the ball at their own 40 yard line. On the first play of the new drive, Kentucky State's Raymond Malone scooped up a JCSU fumble and raced 44 yards for the touchdown. The point after attempt was good, staking KSU to the early 7-0 lead at the 12:38 mark.
The Golden Bulls would respond quickly. Following a 45 yard kickoff return by Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.), JCSU's Tromecio Summers (Charlotte, N.C.) ripped off a 39 yard rush to take it to the KSU 7 yard line. Playing in his first collegiate game, Harold Herbin (Fayetteville, N.C.) had a bootleg rush to the KSU one yard line, he punched it in for the first touchdown of his career. Erik Amaya (Kannapolis, N.C.) knocked in the point after attempt was good to tie it at 7-7 at the 10:52 mark in the first quarter.
Amaya would then put JCSU on top 10-7 when he converted a career-long 41 yard field goal at the 6:51 mark following a KSU turnover.
On the first play of the second quarter, JCSU's Javard Gaines (Newark, N.J.) broke through to block the KSU punt, returning it to the KSU 16. Five plays later, Herbin found junior receiver Roderick Carter (Miami, Fla.) in the corner for an 11-yard touchdown strike. Amaya's PAT boosted the JCSU lead to 17-7. The Golden Bulls would add another touchdown in the second quarter, this time from freshman running back Desean Binyard (Winston-Salem, N.C.), when he pushed through for a one yard score. Amaya again added the extra point to push the lead to 24-7.
Neither team was able to get much offense going in the third quarter, but KSU struck at the 6:50 mark. With JCSU pinned deep in their own territory, KSU's Malone stepped in front of an errant Herbin pass, scoring from three yards out. The successful point after attempt cut the JCSU lead to 24-14.
JCSU struck on it's first drive of the fourth quarter when Herbin found Bryan Chambers for a 12-yard touchdown strike, boosting the lead to 31-14.
Kentucky State would embark on a promising drive, but the JCSU defense stiffened and forced a 49-field goal attempt. JCSU safety Keith Darnell blasted through the KSU line to block the attempt, then scooped the ball and took it 53 yards for a touchdown, extending the JCSU lead to 38-14.
On the next KSU possession, JCSU's Alfred Mickle picked off a wobbling Ora Johnson pass to seal the game. JCSU would go on to melt the clock, taking the 38-14 road win.
Offensively, JCSU rushed for 132 yards, getting 55 from Summers and 42 from Binyard. On the receiving end, Carter hauled in in four passes for 31 yards and one score. Fred Scott (Stone Mountain, Ga.) caught one pass for a game-long 28 yards.
Defensively, the Golden Bulls were led by Carlo Thomas' five tackles, four of which were unassisted. Thomas also had one interception and a pass breakup. Senior Linebacker Austin Jacques (Springdale, Md.) had four tackles with one being for loss. Defensive lineman Jamaal Tutt (Atlanta, Ga.) recorded four tackles on the day and had one sack for a 16 yard loss. Travon Leake-Anderson (Richmond, Va.) and Brice Smith (Atlanta, Ga.) also recorded sacks for JCSU in the win. All told, the JCSU defense had eight tackles for loss and forced four KSU turnovers on the afternoon while limiting the Thorobreds to only 132 yards of total offense on the afternoon.
The Golden Bulls will remain on the road next week, travelling to Morehouse on Saturday, Sept. 19 for a 7:00 p.m. tilt against the Maroon Tigers.
COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
GREENEVILLE, Tennessee -- The Virginia State University Trojans used a strong ground attack and solid defense to defeat the Pioneers of Tusculum College 40-13 in Greeneville, Tennessee. The Trojans rushed for a total of 363 yards on 66 touches. Offensively it was the Trojans rushing game that fueled them pass the Pioneers. "We have two very talented backs that need to touch the football. The offensive line did a tremendous job opening the holes and the rest is history," exclaimed Head Coach Byron Thweatt.
Aside from the Trojans earning their first win of the season to establish a 1-1 overall record, today marked the first win for head Coach Byron Thweatt as both a Trojan and Head Coach. "It's a tremendous feeling. I have great bunch of guys. I'm proud to be their coach. We always harp on family and today our family got a much needed win," expressed Thweatt.
The Trojans success offensively was pioneered by the running back tag team duo of Junior Kavon Bellamy (Hampton,VA) and Sophomore Trent Cannon (Hampton, VA).
"Last week we felt that we didn't establish the run. So coming into this week there was a big emphasis on showing our identity and winning the line of scrimmage, stated Bellamy."
CIAA Preseason team pick Kavon Bellamy rushed for 187 yards on 25 carries. Trenton Cannon rushed for 152 yards on 28 carries and 2 Touchdowns.
The Pioneers won the coin toss and deferred the ball to the Trojans to start the game on offense. On their opening drive the Trojans scored their first touchdown off of a 1 yard run by junior quarterback Tarian Ayres (Dillwyn, Va). The Trojan Defense held the Pioneers to 5 plays for 75 yards before being forced to punt on 4th and 13. On the very next VSU drive sophomore runningback Trent Cannon rushed for a 26 yard touchdown, which marked his very first touchdown as a Trojan. Cannon revisited the end zone on a 18 yard rush with 39 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter to stretch the Trojans lead 21-0.
"It was great scoring my first touchdowns of the season and as a Trojan. We are going to build off of this win and get another one next weekend," expressed sophomore runningback Trent Cannon.
The Score remained 21-0 well into the 2nd quarter until junior safety Bryce Bradley (Richmond, VA) picked off the pass from Tusculum quarterback Lancaster at the goal line and scampered 100 yards for his first pick six of his career.
With 9 seconds remaining in the first half, 3rd & 4 on the VSU 10 yard line the Pioneers charge a timeout. After the timeout the Pioneers score their first touchdown of the game off of a 10 yard pass.
At the conclusion of the first half the Trojans lead the Pioneers 28 - 7. The Trojans were 7-7 (100%) on third-down conversions to end the first half. The Trojans really gained confidence early and laid the pressure on the Pioneer defense heavy in the first half.
Late in the third quarter sophomore safety Martel Peden forced a safety on the Pioneer offense to extend the Trojans lead to 30-7 for what would've been a scoreless third quarter for both teams.
Tusculum scored early in the 4th quarter off of a 1 yard run to chip away at the Trojan lead making it a 30 - 13 contest. The Trojans marched down the field for a 57 yard drive, but were faced with a 4th and 14 and sent sophomore kicker Mathew Hillquist on to the field to attempt a field goal. The field goal by Hillquist extended the Trojan lead 33- 13. Third play into their second drive of the 4th quarter the Pioneers throw a pass that's intercepted by Bradley and rushed for 54 yard touchdown. Bradley's second pick 6 of the game extended the Trojans lead 40- 13 and would seal the deal for the Trojans with only 2:20 remaining on the game clock.
Junior widereceiver Willie Stubblefield (Highland Springs, VA) led the Trojans with 52 yards on 3 receptions. Senior widereceiver Jaivon Smallwood (Virginia Beach, VA) contributed 20 yards on 2 receptions.
Defensively the Trojans came up big today as well. Using the bend don't break approach the defense stopped Tusculum on three drives in the red zone. All three stops resulted in forced turnovers. One fumble recovery and two pick sixes. Junior cornerback Trevon Byron (Virginia Beach, VA) lead the Trojans defensively with 7 solo tackles and 12 tackles total. Junior linebacker Geo Feggins (South Hill, VA) accounted for 2 solo tackles and 12 total. Sophomore linebacker Brandon Lynch (Norfolk, VA) added 10 tackles. Senior safety Dontrell Jones (Hampton, Va) and Senior cornerback Darion Thomas (Virginia Beach, VA) each contributed 7 tackles. Defensively the Trojans were a well oiled machine.
Next week the Trojans will be back in action at Rogers Stadium as they face the Kentucky State University at 2 p.m for the annual Military Appreciation game. Coach Thweatt and the Trojans have conveyed that they're still in the business of strictly handling business, and that they will continue to concentrate and approach each opponent one game at a time.
For more information on VSU Trojans Football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.
COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Bethune-Cookman, which was held scoreless until the 7-minute mark of the second quarter, rallied to win 56-53 at Grambling State on Saturday.
The Wildcats (1-1) scored two late touchdowns in a span of 1:44 as Terry Sims earned his first victory as B-CU coach. Grambling State dropped to 0-2.
“We told the team it was going to be a heavyweight fight,’’ Sims said. “We came out swinging. I’m proud of these guys. I’m more excited for our team about our first win.
“Both teams had some young players. We had some mistakes, and some penalties. … The wide receivers did what we’ve been looking for them to do all year.”
Quentin Williams threw for three fourth-quarter touchdowns for the Wildcats.
Running back Anthony Jordan’s 41-yard touchdown put B-CU up 56-46 with 1:48 to play.
XULAwomen's cross country wins team scoring at Allstate Sugar Bowl meet CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE
METAIRIE, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's cross country team won a team title Saturday in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Festival at Lafreniere Park.
The Gold Nuggets, led by freshman Brianna Pace, scored 17 points to easily win the non-NCAA Division I championship over four teams, including three city rivals. Meet host Loyola was second with 58 points, followed by Spring Hill with 62, Dillard with 111 and SUNO with 112.
Pace finished 11th out of 59 runners in a race which included NCAA Division I's LSU and Mississippi Valley State. She ran 5,000 meters in a season-best 21 minutes, 49.3 seconds and finished ahead of 15 runners from DI.
The Gold Nuggets won a team title in this meet for the second consecutive year. The XU women have won 23 team championships during Joseph Moses' 11 seasons as head coach.
In the men's division, Xavier scored 68 points to place third out of five non-DI teams. Spring Hill won with 45 points, and Loyola was second with 52. Xavier finished ahead of SUNO (76) and Dillard (94) and gained significant separation against the Bleu Devils, who lost by three points to the Gold Rush in the Big Easy Opener Aug. 28.
Christopher August ran the 5K in 18:09 to place 20th out of 53 runners. He has been the first Gold Rush finisher in all three meets this season. Teammate Brent Kitto was 21st in 18:14.1.
The appearance of Xavier, SUNO and Dillard — all longtime Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rivals — likely will be the only time that this many GCAC members compete against each other this season. The GCAC is not an NAIA automatic-qualifying conference in cross country in 2015, and Xavier and Dillard will compete in November for berths to nationals as affiliate members of the Red River Athletic Conference.
The victories Saturday against SUNO and Dillard improved Xavier's men to 78-0 against GCAC opponents since the start of the 2007 season and Xavier's women to 39-0 against the GCAC since the start of the 2010 season.
LSU had both individual winners — Morgan Schuetz (19:40.6) in the women's race and Braxton Dajour (16:11.0) in the men's. Both LSU teams produced perfect scores in winning the DI team titles.
Xavier's next competition will be next Saturday (Sept. 19) in the LSU Invitational at Highland Road Park in Baton Rouge, La.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- No one likes to lose and there is a limit to the amount of adversity one should have to face. With just enough players on the team to practice 6 on 6 and a barely two weeks of practice with the full team, Coach Antonio Trifonov must be happy with the recent progress his team is making. Though the team has yet to win a match there has been marked improvement since the beginning of the season and in the final game of a match against the number 19 ranked Florida State University Seminoles there were signs of what is to come when the team is able to put it all together.
One of the bad habits the Rattlers must overcome this season is getting off to a slow start. In most of its losses the Rattlers fell behind at the beginning of the set and became competitive as the game played on. In the final game of the Saturday morning match in Al Lawson Center against FSU that wasn’t the case. Throughout the competition the Rattlers matched the Seminoles point for point.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State found out what championship football is all about during its home opener against defending SWAC champion Alcorn State.
Alabama State quarterback Ellis Richardson finished with 105 yards of total offense in his first career start but it wasn’t enough as the Hornets took a 31-14 loss to the Braves at ASU Stadium.
Alabama State (0-2, 0-1 SWAC) had no answers for Alcorn’s short passing game, which helped Alcorn move the ball against a struggling Hornets defense.
“I got to do a better job getting our team ready,” Hornets head coach Brian Jenkins said. “This loss all falls on me. Alcorn made some great adjustments. We’re going to keep working on what we need to fix.”
Richardson led the Hornets to touchdowns on their first two possessions, capping off the first with a 38-yard touchdown run to give ASU a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. Richardson then led a 76-yard drive, capped off by a seven-yard touchdown run by Khalid Thomas.
POWDER SPRINGS, Georgia -- The Winston-Salem State University Rams opened the scoring but couldn't hold back the #14 Valdosta State Blazers, as they would fall 31-3 in the Cobb County Clash, played at Cantrell Stadium in Powder Springs, GA.
With the loss Winston-Salem State falls to 0-2, While #14 Valdosta State improves to 2-0. It is the first time the WSSU Rams have started the season 0-2 since 2009.
WSSU, for the second consecutive week, was the first team to be able to put points on the scoreboard. The Rams were able to take their second possession of the game and march 42 yards in 13 plays, and would finish the drive off with a 43 yard field goal from Will Johnson, to give WSSU a 3-0 lead.
Valdosta State would answer back in the second quarter, with two touchdown drives, and would take a 14-3 lead into halftime.
The Blazers would find the endzone once more in the third quarter, and would finally blow the game open in the fourth with 10 more points, to take the matchup 31-3.
Valdosta State outgained the Rams 359 to 178 yards on the evening, and WSSU also committed a game high eight penalties for 80 yards.
Rod Tinsley Jr finished the night passing going nine of 24 for 46 yards.
Tyree Massey led the WSSU rushing attack with 25 rushes for 110 yards, while Bronson Greene had seven carries for 24 yards. Malik Moseley finished with four carries for 22 yards.
Brandon Ojikutu had two catches for 14 yards, while Anthony Rook also had two catches for 10 yards. Trey Foggie had one catch for 14 yards, and Malik Mosely, William Belcher, Kenny Patterson and Tyree Massey each had one catch.
Defensively, WSSU was led by Kailan Chavis who finished with seven tackles (five solo) and one pass breakup, while Phillip Williamson finished with six tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. Xavier Gregory and Jarell Bright each had five tackles with Bright also picking up a tackle for a loss. Jayron Rankin, Michael Bloomfield and Jaitavius Jackson each had four tackles with Bloomfield also picking up a tackle for a loss and a sack of 11 yards and Jackson picking up a tackle for a loss. Six different Rams had two tackles each, and six Rams finished with one tackle a piece.
WSSU will continue its out of out conference schedule next week, when the Rams travel to Tuskegee, AL to face the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee University. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00pm EST.
DURHAM, North Carolina -- Duke opened its 2015 home football schedule with a dominant 55-0 victory over N.C. Central on the newly-dedicated Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The Blue Devils, off to a 2-0 start, have outscored their opponents 92-7 in two games. Redshirt junior quarterback Thomas Sirk paced the offense with 315 yards passing, 86 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Duke held the Eagles to 1-of-13 on third downs and to just eight first downs on the night.
Shaquille Powell and Shaun Wilson shared rushing duties, combining for 128 yards on 33 carries. Wilson added an 89-yard touchdown reception on a swing pass from Sirk in the third quarter. The reception is the third longest in Duke history and put Wilson at a career-high 102 yards receiving for the night.
Jeremy Cash paced the outstanding defensive effort with six tackles, including five solo, while Breon Borders had five stops. N.C. Central finished with only 186 yards of offense and 54 on the ground.
Highlighted by two long completions from Sirk and 52 yards rushing by Powell, Duke amassed 320 yards of offense in the first half. Sirk, who ran and threw for a touchdown in the opening 30 minutes, accounted for 223 of the yards, throwing for 174 and rushing for another 49.
Defensively, Duke held the Eagles to just 69 yards of offense and only 10 yards on the ground in the opening half. N.C. Central managed just three first downs in the opening 30 minutes and went 1-for-8 on third-down opportunities.
Duke’s first touchdown on the newly-dedicated Brooks Field came midway through the first quarter on a 24-yard strike from Sirk to Powell. Wilson anchored the drive with 24 yards on five carries, including a four-yard rush to put Duke inside the 30-yard line.
After getting off a slow start offensively in the first quarter, the Blue Devils started firing on all cylinders in the second period. Duke finished with 212 yards of offense and scored 17 unanswered points en route to the 24-0 lead at the half.
Duke cruised through the second half, putting 31 unanswered points on the board for the 55-0 shutout victory. The Blue Devils’ 92 points through two games are the most in program history, surpassing the 1950 team’s 90.
SWAC Southern 50, Mississippi Valley State 13
Texas Southern 63, Bacone College 0 Alcorn State 31, Alabama State 14
Bethune-Cookman 56, Grambling State 46
Tennessee State 35, Jackson State 25, Southern Heritage Classic
Texas State 63, Prairie View 24
Arkansas Pine Bluff 29, Morehouse 27 3 O.T.
OVC
Tennessee State 35, Jackson State 25, Southern Heritage Classic
MEAC Bethune-Cookman 56, Grambling State 53 Richmond 31, Hampton 28
Boston College 76, Howard 0
Samford 58, Florida A&M 21
Kent State 45, Delaware State 13 North Carolina 53, North Carolina Â&T 14
Duke 55, North Carolina Central 0
#1Coastal Carolina 41, South Carolina State 14
Old Dominion 24, Norfolk State 10
Illinois State 67, Morgan State 14
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CIAA
Virginia Union 42, Saint Augustine's 7
Virginia State 40, Tusculum 13
Lincoln (Pa.) 28, North Carolina Weslayan 17
Livingstone 48, Virginia-Lynchburg 19
Bowie State 35, Brevard 21
Johnson C. Smith 38, Kentucky State 14
Campbell 35, Chowan 3
Elizabeth City 55, Benedict 0
UNC Pembroke 14, Fayetteville State 10
Wingate 30, Shaw 16
Valdosta State 31, Winston-Salem State 3
PSAC
Gannon 44, Cheyney 6
CFSL East Texas Baptist 56, Texas College 14
Langston 33, Bethany College 14
GLVC Saint Francis (Ill.) 13, Lincoln (Mo.) 10 MWC Urbana (Ohio) 30, West Virginia State 23
The Sun Conference Kennesaw State 58, Edward Waters 7
SIAC Central State (Ohio) 49, Clark-Atlanta 12
Johnson C. Smith 38, Kentucky State 14
Stillman 18, Concordia-Selma 15
Tuskegee 27, Albany State 14 2nd Annual White Water Classic
Fort Valley State 50, Lane 38
West Georgia 33, Miles 7
Elizabeth City 55, Benedict 0
Arkansas Pine Bluff 29, Morehouse 27 3 O.T.
MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- The Tigers opened both halves with a flurry as they secured a 35-25 win over Jackson State in the 26th Southern Heritage Classic. A crowd of 48,335 witnessed the fourth consecutive win for Tennessee State over JSU at the Liberty Bowl. It was the largest crowd to watch the classic since 2008. TSU improved to 2-0 on the season as JSU fell to 0-2.
Tennessee State won the coin toss and chose to receive the ball first. The decision payed off as O’Shay Ackerman-Carter teamed up with Patrick Smith on a 64-yard scoring play on the second play from scrimmage giving the Tigers a 7-0 lead just 53 second into the game.
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On a second-and-three from the TSU 36, Ackerman-Carter faked a hand-off and dumped a pass over the middle to Smith who caught the ball at his own 48 and outraced the defense to the end zone. The duo teamed up for their second touchdown in as many weeks.
Jackson State responded by going on a 10 play, 75 yard drive, which resulted in a Robert Johnson 1-yard plunge into the end zone. JSU kicker Ryan Deising slipped while attempting the point after making the score 7-6 in favor of TSU.
On the second possession of the game, Ackerman-Carter found a hole in the Jackson State line and rushed for seven yards. The redshirt-quarterback would stay down and had to leave the game due to injury.
For the second consecutive year, junior Ronald Butler entered the game for an injured quarterback. In last year’s SHC, Butler appeared after Mike German went down in the second quarter.
On his first play, a third and 18, Butler hit Patrick Smith down the left seam for 50 yards to the JSU 22. The ball was moved to the seven after a personal foul setting up a touchdown run by Telvin Hooks on the next play giving the Tigers a 14-6 lead.
Ackerman-Carter returned after taking a series off and later drove the offense down the field for a score with seven seconds remaining before halftime. The Jacksonville, Fla. native found a leaping Joshawn Bowens from 10-yards out to make the score 21-9 at the break.
In the second half, Patrick Smith made his presence felt on special teams. After the defense stopped the JSU offense on the first series of the second half, Smith received a punt in Jackson State territory and returned it 28 yards to the Tigers 15.
TSU put the ball in the hands of Hooks who carried three straight times with the final being a two-yard scoring run. The Big Blue increased its lead to 28-9 with 12:25 remaining in the third quarter.
With the score 28-12, Ackerman-Carter connected on his third touchdown of the night as he hit Chris Sanders-McCollum. The junior wide out broke free from a tackle and scampered down the left sideline for a 64-yard touchdown and a 35-12 lead.
Patrick Smith finished the night with 155 all-purpose yards and was named the Southern Heritage Classic Most Valuable Player.
Ackerman-Carter completed 15 passes on 26 attempts for 250 yards and three touchdowns.
The TSU running game totaled 127 yards on 32 carries. Hooks led the charge with 68 yards on 14 attempts, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and two scores. Tom Smith averaged 3.7 yards on 11 attempts for 45 yards.
The Tigers will begin Ohio Valley Conference play at Jacksonville State on Saturday, Sept. 19. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN3.
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Game Notes:
Tennessee State moves to 27-20 in the all-time series versus Jackson State ... TSU improves to 15-11 in the Southern Heritage Classic ... TSU has now won four in a row over Jackson State with JSU’s last win over the Tigers coming in 2011 ... Saturday’s game marked the 36th meeting between the two schools and 26th annual Southern Heritage Classic ... Joe Bowens caught a touchdown with seven seconds left in the first half… It was his first touchdown since Nov. 17, 2012 in the season finale at UT Martin ... The official attendance for the game was 48,335, which is the highest attendance for the Southern Heritage Classic since 2008 when 50,794 fans were in attendance ... TSU begins the season 2-0 for the second time in Head Coach Rod Reed’s six-year tenure … The Tigers began the 2012 season with a 7-0 record before finishing the season at 8-3 ... TSU won the coin toss and chose to receive the kickoff in the first half ... Kickoff was at 6:06 p.m. ... The temperature was 73 degrees and skies were clear at time of kickoff.
TSU Head Coach Rod Reed
“Our team showed a lot of grit. We got out to a fast start and we came into halftime and made some adjustments. We had a good third quarter, but in the fourth quarter, we got a little lackadaisical. We let them back in the football game, but I thought our kids showed a lot of character being able to close it out.”
On his team’s performance
“We have a bunch of really good receivers. Isaiah Jeffries-Freeman, Chris Sanders-McCollum, Patrick Smith. There are some guys that aren’t playing that much right now that we feel really good about. O’Shay (Ackerman-Carter) does a great job of finding them, so it’s pretty much pick your poison. We knew Patrick had big-play ability, and what a stage for him to show up tonight. He showed his hometown crowd what kind of player that he really is. They knew about him. He led Whitehaven to a state championship a couple years ago and hopefully he can continue to make big plays for us.”
On the play of Memphis native Patrick Smith
TSU Wide Receivers Coach Mashack
“We saw last week with their secondary and how they played that we would have some opportunities. We knew this week that this would be a week of big plays for us just because of the way they play coverage.”
On the play of the wide receivers
“As a whole, I thought we did a great job. We started faster than we did last week. We were able to take advantage of some of those big plays early and we were able to keep it going. All in all, the hardest thing to do is win, so we’ll take it any way we can get it, and we have a big one next week with Jacksonville State.”
On the offense as a whole
TSU Defensive End Ebenezer Ogundeko
“I feel like the D line played pretty decent tonight. Jackson State tried to use the two backs in the backfield to chip us off sometimes, but Latrelle Lee and Gabe Terry and the rest of the defensive line did really well.”
On the play of the defensive line
TSU Wide Receiver Patrick Smith
“It was nice to come out here and play well against Jackson State. It’s my first season back after two years of not playing, and then I’m in front of my home crowd with my family in the stands. I have a lot of friends, a lot of teammates on the opposite side for Jackson State, so it felt good to play in this game and play like I did.”
On playing in his hometown
O’Shay Ackerman-Carter
“We started off great. I feel like we found a rhythm early on and were able to finish some drives. We just need to keep fighting.”
On the offense
“He’s a senior. He keeps me calm in the huddle, and when all else fails, I find Big Joe and he gets it done.”
On the play of senior tight end Joe Bowens
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COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina -- A bridge too far, N.C. A&T’s trip to Carolina was a short journey with a bad ending.
Bigger and deeper and with last week’s loss still ringing in its ears, UNC exposed the Aggies early and throughout in a 53-14 shelling at soggy Kenan Stadium.
A&T made a harrowing ride from Greensboro to play Carolina for the first time in its history. The Aggies brought the band and a couple thousand fans, most of them driving blindly across Alamance County overpasses in a deluge that stopped traffic and turned a one-hour drive into a nightmare.
And then the game began.
The Heels were seething from their loss to South Carolina last week, a game that ended with fans and media and even players questioning the coaching staff’s refusal to run the ball. UNC came into the A&T game with a road-grader mentality.
The Aggies were in the way, and they were bowled over.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Top-ranked FCS division team Coastal Carolina played the part on Saturday night, looking every bit as good as advertised in a 41-14 win against S.C. State in front of 12,023 fans inside Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.
Nearly everything the Chanticleers (2-0) did from the opening kickoff worked in their favor, spoiling the home opener for the Bulldogs (1-1), who have to make a quick turnaround to host Florida A&M this Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.
Coastal built a 32-0 lead by halftime, making themselves right at home from the start.
“We went out and got knocked around pretty good,” S.C. State head coach Buddy Pough said. “Coastal played very, very well and we didn’t.
“It was a tough first half and from there on out, we were in survival mode. They were what we expected. They were as good as last year, but it’s their execution that makes them different from a lot of teams.”
COLUMBIA, South Carolina -- Elizabeth City State University scored 28 points off turnovers and had six offensive touchdowns as the Vikings blanked Benedict College 55-0 Saturday evening at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium. 
