MSU Opens MEAC Play Against Bison in Chicago Football Classic

 Morgan State Notes  |     Howard Notes |    MEAC Notes |   Purchase Tickets   |
 MEAC Teleconference Transcript   |     Live Stream   |    Live Stats
 Facebook.com/MorganStateBears   |    @MorganStBears

TV: ESPN3/ESPNU
Shawn Kenney (Play-by-Play)
Jay Walker (Analyst)

Radio: WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears .... Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with former Bear coach Lex Taylor in the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org. The game will also be broadcast on SiriusXM Channel 204.

GAME TIME
Morgan State (0-2) opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on Saturday when the Bears travel to face the Howard Bison (0-3, 0-1) in the 18th Annual Chicago Football Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:32 p.m. (ET) at Soldier Field Stadium and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and tape delayed at 10 p.m. (ET) on ESPNU. The game will also be audio streamed on WEAA.org and on SiriusXM Channel 204.

THE SERIES
The Morgan State Bears lead the series against the Howard Bison with an overall record of 39-33-3. The Morgan State Bears have won 8 of the last 10 meetings against the Howard Bison since 2005, including a strecth of 7-straight from 2005 to 2011.

QUICK HITS
• Morgan State played against Alabama State in the 3rd Annual Benefit Football Classic held at Soldier Field on Sept. 15, 1973. The Bears posted a 32-0 victory.
• Junior RB Orlando Johnson had 39 yards (3.0 avg) on 13 carries at #4 Illinois State, while Lamont Brown III led the Bears ground attack with a season-high 58 yards (6.4 avg) on just nine carries.
• MSU had a conference-best 10 players selected to the 2015 All-MEAC preseason team, including four players who were named to the first team.
• Head Coach Lee Hull is 2-5 in his career in games played in Aug/Sept.
• Lee Hull's Bears were predicted to finish last in the MEAC's Preseason Order of Finish. However, MSU not only finished with its' first winning record since 2009...but they also captured its first MEAC Title in 35 years and its first Division I FCS Playoff berth.

SCOUTING THE HOWARD
• The Bison finished the 2014 season with an overall mark of 5-7 and a 3-5 MEAC record.
• They returned 40 letterwinners to go along with 15 nine starters from a team that won its last four games on the 2014 season.
• The Bison had eight (8) players selected to the Preseason All-MEAC Teams: TE Myles Williams; OL Toree Boyd; DL Damon Gresham-Chisholm; LB Devin Rollins; DB Kenneth Russ; DB John Fleck; WR Matthew Colvin; and OL Josh Smith.
• Howard is still in search of its first win of the 2015 season as a results of losses at Appalachian State (49-0), at Boston College (76-0) and most recently a 37-19 conference loss against Hampton at the AT&T Nation's Football Classic.
• The Bison have taken their lumps during the earlier going of the season. They've been outscored in their first three contests by a margin of 162-19.
• Jamie Cunningham, a 6-foot-4, 215 pound quarterback, will lead the Bison offense when they take on MSU. The redshirt junior from Greensboro (N.C.) has completed 20-of-36 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, including three picks.
• Howard's ground game is led by standout RB Aquanius Freeman. The redshirt senior has 157 yards (4.6 avg) on 34 carries including a TD.
• The Bison defense has been led by Jacob Bennet, who has 30 tackles (22 solo) with a tackle or loss, while Travis Brown has added 19 stops.
• Gary "Flea" Harrell (Howard, '94) returns for his 4th year at Howard. The Bison stand 17-20 overall under Harrell's leadership. He led the Bison to a 7-4 record and a 6-2 mark in the MEAC in 2012. It was the first winning season for the Bison in a decade.
• Coach Harrell, offensive coordinator Ted White, special teams' coordinator Bobby Jones and tight ends coach Jimmie Johnson all played at Howard. Rayford Petty, the defensive coordinator, has twice been head coach for the Bison.
• Coach Harrell, William "B.T." Sherman, wide receivers coach, and Herbert Parham, defensive line coach, were all formerly members of the Morgan State football staff.

A WIN WOULD ...
... give Lee Hull his 8th career win as a head coach.

... would be the Bears' first win against a conference opponent since defeating Delaware State (69-7) on Nov. 22nd in the 2014 regular season finale.

... mark the Bears second straight victory against Howard.

... mark the Bears second in Chicago since defeating Alabama State (32-0) at the Chicago Urban League 3rd Annual Benefit Football Classic at Soldier Field on Sept. 15, 1973.

... mark the Bears first neutral site win since defeating Howard (38-35) at the Whitney Young Classic on Sept. 20, 2014 at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.

FOOTBALL HERITAGE
Morgan State was a power as a former member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The Bears posted 173 wins between 1929 and 1959 when Edward P. Hurt was the head coach and the Bears won 14 CIAA championships. Earl Banks added to the championship collection by winning four titles during the 1960s and a MEAC title in 1971. Clarence Thomas led the Bears to a MEAC title in 1979...and now - after a 35-year drought - head coach Lee Hull has added a MEAC title following a thrilling and historical 2014 season. Other MSU highlights:

• Four (4) Pro Football Hall of Famers (Len Ford, Leroy Kelly, Roosevelt Brown & Willie Lanier)
• 19 CIAA championships
• 4 MEAC championships
• 30 consecutive games won (8th in 1964 to the 5th in 1968)
• 57 longest non-losing streak (4th in 1931 to the 6th in 1938)
• 4 MEAC Coaches of the Year; 3 Offensive POTY; 4 Defensive POTY; and 1 Offensive POTY
• 84 All-MEAC First Team selections
• 38 All-CIAA First Team selections

CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS
The Bears enter the 2015 season looking to post their first back-to-back winning seasons (over .500) since going 7-5 in 2002 and 6-5 in 2003.

NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Bears will open the 2015 campaign with two of its first three non-conference matchups coming on the road. MSU opens the season at Air Force (Sept. 5), followed by a game at Illinois State (Sept. 12). The Bears round out non-conference play when they host Division II member VA-Lynchburg (Sept. 19) in the home-opener.

PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERS
Ten (10) Bears were named to the MEAC preseason team at the 2015 MEAC Football Press Luncheon in Norfolk, Va. Senior C Dominique Woods, junior RB Herb Walker Jr., redshirt junior DB Delonte Hall led the contingent with first-team nods, while OL Matthew Thompson, redshirt senior QB Moses Skillon and WR Andrew King and PK Chris Moller were voted to the second team. Junior DB Antonio Jefferson and redshirt junior Andrew Mitchell and redshirt sophomore Orlando Johnson were selected to the third-team.

BEARS NAME TEAM CAPTAINS
The MSU Bears wrapped up the preseason by naming the team captains for the 2015 season. The leadership group is comprised of a senior, two juniors and a sophomore ... offense - Andrew King (Columbia, Md.), defense - Andrew Mitchell (Memphis, Tenn.) and Greg Gibson (Houston, Texas) and special teams - Chris Moller (Newport News, Va.).

NEW BEAR IN THE CAVE
Jai Franklin joined the Bears as a transfer from Old Dominion and has three years of eligibility remaining. The 6-3, 280-pound defensive lineman brings FBS level experience to the Bears' young D-Line. "He's a smart player who plays with good pad level and he's hard to block," said Lee Hull. He recorded seven tackles in his season debut as the starting nose tackle against Air Force followed by a four stops at #4 Illinois State.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Main attraction in Georgia vs. Southern game might be halftime show

ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

ATHENS, Georgia  -- When it’s possible to have The Human Jukebox playing in your stadium, you might as while make sure it happens.

That was clearly Georgia’s intent when it signed a contract to host Southern University and its famed marching band for Saturday’s game at Sanford Stadium. UGA has three contracts committing to host nonconference opponents this season -- the others are Louisiana-Monroe and Georgia Southern -- but only one mentions the visiting team’s band.

Written into Georgia’s contract with Southern is language stipulating that “the band of the visiting team agrees to perform at halftime of the game,” and it is set up that way for good reason. Mark Richt’s team almost certainly will get the comfortable victory that comes with paying the lower-division visitor $650,000 to make the trip from Louisiana, and the icing on the cake will come at halftime.

“Normally a stipulation for visiting band attendance is not included in game contracts,” Georgia spokesman Claude Felton said. “However, the Southern University band is nationally known for its performing excellence and will provide a unique entertainment experience for our fans.”



CONTINUE READING

Scoring grades: How schools cheat to keep athletes in the game

NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey — At Rutgers University, it was a football coach working surreptitiously behind the scenes to boost the grade of an academically ineligible cornerback.

The University of North Carolina's athletic department was charged with steering athletes into "GPA booster" classes to keep them playing, in a cheating scheme that went on for 18 years.

And the Syracuse University basketball program was heavily penalized for a series of major compliance failures, including interference with an academic program to make sure star players stayed eligible to remain on the court.

Despite the threat of sanctions, suspensions and other threats by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, academic fraud similar to what was recently charged at Rutgers is no stranger to college athletic programs, with phony classes, no-show lectures and grade changing tactics still key parts of the playbook of athletic programs across the country, records show.

While the NCAA has not yet intervened at Rutgers, an analysis of NCAA enforcement actions shows 26 major infraction cases in just the past 10 years charging academic fraud, involving schools including UNC-Chapel Hill, the University of Georgia, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M and others. However, those cases are likely just the tip of the iceberg, said Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist and professor at Smith College in Massachusetts, who called such cheating now a routine part of the game.

CONTINUE READING

Four different PVAMU Lady Panthers score goals in 4-1 win over New Mexico State

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – Four Prairie View A&M players found the back of the net Sunday as the Lady Panthers concluded non-conference play with a 4-1 win over New Mexico State.

A free kick off the foot of Breanna Powell from 22 yards out that deflected off a New Mexico State player in the 42nd minute turned out to be the match-winner as the Lady Panthers improved to 3-3-1 on the season.

New Mexico State fell to 1-8 with the loss.

Senior goalkeeper Dominique Dillon picked up her third win in goal for the Lady Panthers this season, making eight saves. She stopped all five shots on goal she faced in the second half.

Juniors Ashley Virgil and Alicia Cooper also scored in the match, as did freshman Taylor Brown, who recorded the first goal of her collegiate career. Khalisha Bond assisted on both Virgil's and Cooper's goals.

Virgil opened the scoring in the 18th minute when she headed a crossing pass from Bond into the lower-right corner of the goal past Aggies goalkeeper Ashley Martin. It was Virgil's first goal at home since a 4-0 win over Grambling State on Oct. 27, 2013.

Powell's goal unlocked a 1-1 tie after New Mexico State's Sabrina Ruiz scored the Aggies' lone goal in the 33rd minute.

Brown stretched Prairie View A&M's lead to 3-1 17 minutes after the restart when she booted home a shot off a pass from Bailey LaBauve from four yards out. Cooper iced the game in the 85th minute when she took a long pass from Bond and beat the keeper in a one-on-one breakaway.

The Lady Panthers open Southwestern Athletic Conference play Friday when they host Arkansas–Pine Bluff. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

NOTES:•The Lady Panthers won their second-ever match over a team from a program that fields FBS Football. The only other such win was a 1-0 victory at North Texas on Sept. 12, 2009.
•Their 3-3-1 start is their best seven-match streak to open the season since 2004, when the Lady Panthers started 5-2. Six of those matches were against SWAC teams.
•The Lady Panthers have never had .500 record after seven matches when playing teams outside the SWAC.
•The Lady Panthers won their first-ever match over New Mexico State. They had been outscored 12-0 in their previous matchups with the Aggies, both losses.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UGA's John Eason has unique perspective on Bulldogs playing Southern University: 'It's a big deal'

Coach John Eason, Ph.D.
UGA BULLDOGS
Courtesy: UGA Sports Communications

ATHENS, Georgia -- John Eason has spent 15 seasons on the football staff at Georgia, first as wide receivers coach and then in an administrative role. Before that he was a part of another major college football program as an assistant coach at Florida State under Bobby Bowden.

His first exposure to college football in person came as a ninth-grader with his Howard (Fla.) High School football team watching Southern (La.) play at Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Fla.

His team played the night before in nearby Quincy.

“We didn’t go in the stadium,” he said. “We sat on the top of the grass and looked down.”

Eason, who went on to play at Florida A&M, will be inside the stadium Saturday when Southern comes to town to play No. 7 Georgia. It’s the first time a team from the historically black colleges and universities has played against Georgia.

“It’s a big deal for historically black colleges to come and do that,” said Eason, an All-American punter who also played wide receiver at Florida A&M from 1963-66. “It does a lot for their budget. It’s an opportunity for their players to come and show what they can do.”

Southern gets a $650,000 guarantee for the game.


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

CONTINUE READING 

Two NCCU Football Starters Suffer Season-Ending Injuries

DURHAM, North Carolina -- The North Carolina Central University football team suffered three losses on Saturday at Florida International University in Miami.

The visiting Eagles lost the game to FIU by a score of 39-14, but also lost two starters for the rest of the season due to injuries.

NCCU junior FCS All-American cornerback and return specialist Mike Jones suffered a fractured ankle in the first quarter, while junior transfer receiver Khalil Stinson fractured his hip on a second-quarter punt return.

NCCU head coach Jerry Mack says the loss of Jones and Stinson has a “huge impact” on the team.


“This is very unfortunate for these two young men and their families,” said Mack. “Mike is obviously a key player for us and I was looking forward to watching Khalil continue to grow as we enter conference play. We’re sure they will be back in 2016 ready to go.”

CONTINUE READING

Key Member of A&T Basketball Title Teams Passes Away

L. J. Pipkin
Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- L.J. Pipkin, a key member of three North Carolina A&T MEAC men’s basketball championships, passed away Saturday as confirmed by his daughter Latasha McDougal, Monday night. Pipkin was 58.

“When I think about him and the crew who came in with me I think about the fact that these are the best guys a teammate could ever had,” said former teammate and Aggie legend James Sparrow who holds the school’s single-season scoring record with 647 points. “L.J. and I started out as teammates. We turned into friends and from there we turned into brothers. We were family. We went everywhere together – the basketball courts, we ate together along with doing a few other things. He was one of the best teammates and friends you could ever have in your life. It was an eternal bond.”

Born L.J. Sander Pipkin on Oct. 5, 1956 in Laurinburg, N.C., Pipkin was a high school standout at Scotland County High School where he was known as a scorer and a shot blocker. He came to N.C. A&T in 1975 under head coach Warren Reynolds. Along with teammates like Sparrow and Joe Brawner, Pipkin helped to usher in the Aggies dominance of the MEAC in the 80’s by dominating the late 70’s.

A&T won three consecutive MEAC titles from 1977-79, the last two under head coach Gene Littles. Pipkin, who stood 6-foot-9, was an intimidating force on defense for the Aggies according to teammates. In 103 games played, he averaged 11.1 points and 7.0 rebounds. His 1,143 points and 723 rebounds ranks him 20th and 10th on the Aggies all-time list.

Pipkin was a two-time second-team All-MEAC performer (1976-77, 77-78). He went on to have a successful basketball career in Amsterdam where he set several scoring records. Funeral arrangements have not been made. Mr. Pipkin was living in Amsterdam, Netherlands at the time of his death. He is survived by two sons and a daughter, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren and two brothers and two sisters.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JSU’s Jackson ignores critics, focuses on next game

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The first season of Harold Jackson’s tenure as Jackson State coach was so tumultuous there was a change.org petition, which called for the firing of Jackson and then-athletic director Vivian Fuller.

The petition had 831 supporters.

Another petition, which had 424 supporters as of 3 p.m. on Monday, calling for Jackson’s job popped up following the Tigers’ 50-31 loss to Southern in their SWAC opener this past weekend.

“Harold Jackson Has (sic) turned Jackson State Universities (sic) football team into a laughingstock,” wrote Tim Jones, who created both petitions.

That’s some of the outside noise Jackson is trying to drown out after JSU, which hosts Texas Southern this weekend, fell to 0-3 for the first time since 2009 this past weekend.



CONTINUE READING

Southern sets sights on SEC powerhouse Georgia

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern is off to a fast start in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, having won its first two league games and scoring 50 points in each.

Now the Jaguars get a taste of Southeastern Conference play when they visit seventh-ranked Georgia on Saturday.

“Hopefully,” coach Dawson Odums quipped Monday during the weekly SWAC coaches teleconference, “we’ll come back with the same number of guys that we take up there.”



Certainly the Bulldogs present the most physical challenge the Jaguars will face this season, if not ever. But, Odums added, Southern can’t allow that to affect its preparations.

“You’ve got to line up and play,” Odums said. “They’re no different than you, they just play for a bigger school with more resources, but they can’t play more than 11 players at a time. You’ve got to go in there with the right mindset to play your very best just to give yourself a chance.”

CONTINUE READING

Alcorn State, Tuskegee Remain On Top in Week 3 of HSRN Polls

HARTLEY, Delaware  –  Alcorn State University and Tuskegee University held on to the top spots following the third full week of HBCU football action.   The Braves of ASU remained in the top FCS position while TU’s Golden Tigers were unanimously picked #1 in DivisionII/NAIA HSRN Football Polls.

 

In the Division I FCS poll, Alcorn State celebrated “Family and Friends Day” by demolishing Mississippi Valley State, 55-14, in their home opener at Spinks-Casem Stadium.

North Carolina A&T moved up to second place followed by South Carolina State, Southern and Bethune-Cookman.

 

In Division II, Tuskegee’s 28-13 win over Winston-Salem State left no doubt about their strength in the division.  The Golden Tigers are undefeated and captured all the first place votes of the HSRN pollsters.

 

Virginia Union and Virginia State tied for second place leading a strong representation for the CIAA.  Elizabeth City has moved into third place followed by Bowie State and Livingstone.  Chowan enters the poll at #7 following their stunning defeat of Delaware State, 31-30, in Dover.

www.HSRN.com

 

Division I FCS
	School (First Place Votes)	Record	Pts	Last Week
1	Alcorn State (11)	2-1	134	1
2	North Carolina A&T	2-1	120	3
3	South Carolina State (2)	2-1	107	5
4	Southern	2-1	81	6T
5	Bethune-Cookman	2-1	79	4
6	Hampton	2-1	62	6T
7	Tennessee State (1)	2-1	60	2
8	Prairie View A&M	2-1	44	9
9	Texas Southern	2-1	19	10
10	North Carolina Central	1-2	13	8
	Others receiving votes
	Grambling St., Alabama St., Morgan St., Jackson St..
	Alabama A&M, Ark-Pine Bluff, Norfolk St.

    

Division II/NAIA
	School (First Place Votes)	Record	Pts	Last Week
1	Tuskegee (12)	3-0	120	1
2T	Virginia Union	2-1	78	2
2T	Virginia State	2-1	78	3
4	Elizabeth City State	2-0	66	5
5	Bowie State	2-1	50	4
6	Livingstone	1-0	44	6
7	Chowan	2-1	37	NR
8	Morehouse	2-1	36	8
9	Albany State	1-2	32	NR
10	Winston-Salem State	0-3	28	7
	Others receiving votes
	Fort Valley St., Central St., Lane, Fayetteville St. Lincoln (Pa) Johnson C. Smith, Kentucky St. Miles, Benedict, Cheyney West Virginia St.

About HSRN:

HSRN (Heritage Sports Radio Network) is the national leader in live radio broadcasts of mid-major athletics. HSRN combines innovative programming and production with a vast broadcast network. The SiriusXM platform avails partners of HSRN exposure on the world's largest radio broadcaster as measured by revenue and exposure to 28.3 million subscribers. In addition to SiriusXM, HSRN is available on terrestrial radio affiliates, smartphones and other connected devices as well as online at HSRN.com.

  
BY ERIC MOORE

HERITAGE SPORTS RADIO NETWORK, LLC

Xavier puts NAIA-leading win streak on line against DU

NEW ORLEANS -- The NAIA confirmed it Monday: Xavier University of Louisiana has the association's longest active conference win streak in women's volleyball.

The Gold Nuggets will put that 51-match win streak -- ninth longest in NAIA history -- on the line Tuesday when longtime city and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rival Dillard visits. Starting time will be 7 p.m. at XU's Convocation Center, and admission is free.

Columbia (Mo.) holds the NAIA record of 159 consecutive regular-season conference victories and also shares ninth place with Xavier. Next on the list for Xavier to catch are Taylor (Ind.), which won 53 in a row, and Northwestern (Iowa) at 58.

The NAIA's win-streak list does not include conference tournaments. Xavier has won 62 straight against GCAC opponents, regular season and tournament, since a five-set loss to SUNO in the semifinals of the GCAC Tournament on Nov. 13, 2010.

Xavier, 7-4 this season and 3-0 in the GCAC, has won five straight overall. Third-year coach Hannah Lawing said focus and unity have been the keys to success.

"We are making a lot of progress," said Lawing, who is 34-0 against GCAC opponents, 29-0 in the regular season. "We have a lot of depth, and our practices have gotten more intense. We have people competing at each position for starting spots, and it's fun to watch.

"This group has figured out the balance between being all-business on the court while playing loose and not getting uptight. That was something our team last year struggled with."

Xavier is the only GCAC team with five players with 70 or more kills. CeCe Williams has 87, Taylor Reuther 81, Claudia Haywood 75, Ruby Hunt-Thompson 71 and Jodi Hill 70. Hunt-Thompson is a freshman, and the other four are seniors.

Chelsea Wilkinson has 65 kills and Ty Howard 53 for Dillard (2-9, 1-0), and Demetria Horton has 154 digs. The Lady Bleu Devils won 2-of-3 matches after losing their first eight and won 25-12, 25-16, 25-11 at home against Tougaloo in their GCAC opener Friday. Xavier beat Tougaloo 25-7, 25-9, 25-16 at home Saturday.

The Gold Nuggets were 2-0 a year ago against Dillard, winning 25-18, 25-16, 25-10 at home and 25-23, 25-21, 25-17 at DU.

Xavier will visit its other GCAC city rival, SUNO, at 6 p.m. Friday.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold

2015 SWAC Football Teleconference - Week 4

Alabama A&M - James Spady

Alabama State - Brian Jenkins

Alcorn State - Jay Hopson

Jackson State  - Harold Jackson

Mississippi Valley State - Rick Comegy

Prairie View A&M - Willie Simmons

Grambling State - Broderick Fobbs

Southern - Dawson Odums

Texas Southern - Darrell Asberry

Arkansas-Pine Bluff - Monte Coleman

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Convicted FAMU hazer crusades against culture of abuse

University of West Florida boasts stringent hazing policies, plans activities for Hazing Prevention Week

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Before Dante Martin, Caleb Jackson and Robert Champion became household names, there was Michael Morton.

In the spring of 2006, Morton had it all.

Weeks from graduating from Florida A&M University with a degree in engineering on a full-ride scholarship. Job offer at Pepsi's Dallas plant in hand. A child on the way.

That all changed in 2007, when Morton, then 23, and his fellow Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity brother, Jason Harris, were the first two people sentenced under Florida's tougher 2005 hazing law after an initiation beating that landed a pledge on a surgical table with a broken eardrum.

The stricter law made hazing that leads to serious bodily injury a felony, regardless of a victim's consent. The two men, who had been viewed by many as models of FAMU's student success, spent two years in prison before an appeals court overturned their convictions and freed them in 2009. They pleaded no contest to felony hazing and were sentenced to time served.

CONTINUE READING

FAMU settles hazing lawsuit spawned by death of drum major Robert Champion

ORLANDO, Florida -- The family of Robert Champion — the Florida A&M University drum major killed in a hazing ritual in Orlando — settled a lawsuit against the university, accepting $1.1 million and an apology, according to documents obtained Friday by the Orlando Sentinel.

The university will pay $300,000 through the Florida Department of Financial Services, the maximum allowed without a claims bill that would have required the Florida Legislature's approval.

An insurance company for the Rosen Plaza hotel will pay $800,000 to the drum major's estate. The hazing occurred on a bus parked at the hotel where the marching band was staying.

FAMU also will honor Champion by renaming the marching band's anti-hazing program for the drum major and dedicating a commemorative plaque in his memory in the band room on FAMU's campus, the student union, or "The Patch," as the band's practice field is known.

The Champions can choose the plaque's location, according to the agreement.

Champion, 26, died Nov. 19, 2011, after the hazing that followed a performance at the Citrus Bowl that was part of the Florida Classic weekend, an annual football game and band competition with its in-state rival, Bethune-Cookman University.

CONTINUE READING 

East: Southern’s high-flying offense spells trouble for the rest of the SWAC

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- If someone is going to deny Southern a third consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title, that team is probably going to have to score an awful lot of points when it faces the Jaguars.

Southern has scored 100 points in its first two SWAC games, splitting the total evenly between its 19-point win at home against Jackson State on Saturday and its 37-point win nine days earlier at Mississippi Valley State.

That certainly doesn’t mean 50 points is going to be the norm. Valley is one of the least talented teams in the SWAC, and Jackson State, though more talented than its fellow Magnolia State team, has looked like a lost group since Harold Jackson replaced Rick Comegy as head coach before last season.

Nonetheless, it’s obvious the Jaguars are going to be extremely difficult to defend. It’s not just the point totals or the 675 yards they accumulated against JSU; it’s also the comfort with which they have moved the ball through the air and on the ground.

CONTINUE READING 

FAMU Rattlers looking to fix problems before first home game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M finally plays its first home game Saturday against Tennessee State after a rough three-game road trip to start the season. That excitement aside, the Rattlers have a host of problems to fix before debuting at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The Rattlers were blown out in all three games to start the season, including a 36-0 shutout loss in at South Carolina State on ESPNU Thursday. It was the first time FAMU failed to score since losing 76-0 to Ohio State in 2013.

FAMU coach Alex Wood said the coaching staff is looking for solutions on offense. Through three games, the Rattlers have scored 24 points and haven’t thrown a touchdown pass.

FAMU is one of eight teams in all of FCS football without a touchdown pass this season.


ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HD, WIDE SCREEN

CONTINUE READING

'Classic' back in Circle City for 32nd year

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana -- It's that time of year again — the leaves are turning, the breeze is blowing, and the Circle City Classic is bringing marching bands, football fans and supporters of the Black community and Indiana's youth to Indianapolis for the 32nd consecutive year.

The annual "Classic" — put on by Indiana Black Expo and Indiana Sports Corp. — raises funds for college scholarships for deserving Hoosier students. According to the Classic's website, proceeds from the event have funded more than $3 million in scholarships.

There are several events planned for the Classic, including the Miss Circle City Classic Coronation, a prayer service and a pep rally, all culminating with the main events on Sept. 26 — a parade, tailgating, football game and marching band competition.

Here's what you need to know for the big day, Sept. 26:

CONTINUE READING


Circle City Class Schedule of Events

Date/Time	Event	Location
Friday, September 25, 2015, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.	NCAA Circle City Classic Coaches Luncheon	Lucas Oil Stadium	Learn More
Friday, September 25, 2015, 7 p.m.–9 p.m.	Friday Nite Classic Cabaret	Indiana Convention Center	Learn More
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.	Circle City Classic Parade	Downtown Parade Route	Learn More
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 12 p.m.–3 p.m.	Circle City Classic Fan Fest (Tailgate)	Lucas Oil Stadium	Learn More
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 3 p.m.–6 p.m.	Circle City Classic	Lucas Oil Stadium	Learn More
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.	Circle City Classic Pep Rally	Monument Circle	Learn More
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 7:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m.	Circle City Classic Comedy Jam	Old National Centre	Learn More
Saturday, September 26, 2015, 11 p.m.–1 p.m.	Circle City Classic Comedy Jam	Old National Centre

Tickets are available at the Indiana Black Expo Box Office, the Lucas Oil Stadium Box Office, through Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at (800) 745-3000.

Alcorn State Annihilates Mississippi Valley

LORMAN, Mississippi  -- Valley State why it’s the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion Saturday in its 55-14 win.

The Braves (2-1, 2-0 SWAC) ran an efficient offense and defense and more than doubled the total yards gained — 494 to 191 — while having the ball 10 minutes less than the Delta Devils.

The defense held Valley to 2-of-15 on third down conversions.

“I really thought we played well on both sides of the ball,” said Alcorn coach Jay Hopson.

“Offensively we had some good early drives. We have a few things we have to correct like every game but as a whole, a pretty good day.” Alcorn came out early on offense and blew the crowd away. At the end of the first quarter, the Braves already had 173 total yards on 15 plays.



CONTINUE READING

Grice Scores Thrice in Zips' 52-9 Win over Savannah State

AKRON, Ohio– Senior nose tackle Cody Grice (Akron, Ohio) scored three of the Zips' seven touchdowns in Akron's first win of the season, defeating Savannah State, 52-9, Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field.

The Zips improved to 1-2 overall, while Savannah State dropped to 0-2.

Akron's run game led the charge for the Zips' offense, scoring five times and collecting 291 total yards on the ground. Grice owned a team-high and career-high three touchdowns. Senior RB Conor Hundley (Hamilton, Ohio) ran for a team-high 120 yards on 11 attempts with one score, marking the second 100-yard rushing performance of his career.

Sophomore QB Thomas Woodson (Monroeville, Pa.) completed 12-of-20 passes for 207 yards with a touchdown through the air and 11 rushes for 67 yards and touchdown on the ground. Sophomore QB Tra'Von Chapman (Kent, Ohio) also saw action for the Zips and was 6-for-13 for 128 yards and a score.

Savannah State played two quarterbacks, David Handler and Arshon Spaulding, who threw for a combined 128 yards and one interception.



| PHOTO GALLERY |BOXSCORE (PDF) |POSTGAME NOTES | QUOTES

Defensively, senior LB Dylan Evans (Nazareth, Pa.) recorded a team-high nine tackles, four solo and one for a loss, and four break-ups for Akron. Junior CB DeAndre Scott (Frederick, Md.) picked off Handler for his second interception of the year and the Zips forced one fumble.

Akron outgained Savannah State, 626-202. The Zips picked up 31 first downs and converted 7-of-13 third downs. The Tigers totaled just 14 first downs and were 6-of-17 on third down.

The Zips received the ball to start the game and marched down the field 75 yards for an opening-drive touchdown. Chapman completed all three of his pass attempts for 70 yards and rushed twice for four yards. With the ball on the one-yard line, Grice powered his way into the end zone for the Zips' first touchdown and his first of the year.

Savannah State took advantage of Akron's first interception of the year and put three points on the board to cut the Zips lead to 7-3.

Akron senior Robert Stein (Cincinnati, Ohio) attempted a field goal with 9:44 remaining in the second quarter. The kick was blocked by Savannah State and returned for an 81-yard touchdown. The Tigers attempted a two-point conversion and were stopped short of the goal line.

Woodson entered the ball game in the second quarter (9:27) and led the Zips on an eight-play, 66-yard scoring-drive. Woodson completed a pass to a diving Hundley for 17 yards putting the ball on the two-yard line. Grice took the direct snap, hit the hole, and went untouched over the goal line for his second score of the afternoon.

The offense extended the Akron lead to 21-9 with Grice's third touchdown of the contest. Once again, Grice lined up behind the center and dashed across the goal line for a four-yard touchdown.
Grice's three touchdowns in the first half are a career-high and his third multi-score game. Grice now owns seven touchdowns in his collegiate career.

With five ticks left on the clock, Imani Davis (Miami, Fla.) caught a pass in stride from Woodson for 33 yards and a touchdown. Davis' catch was the longest catch of his career. The drive lasted only 32 second and four plays. The Zips entered the locker room at halftime ahead, 28-9.

In the second half, the Zips' second drive resulted in a 21-yard field goal from Stein, to increase the Akron lead to 31-9.

During Akron's next possession, the Zips ran the ball four out of five plays. The drive ended with an 18-yard touchdown run by Hundley.

A 28-yard completion to sophomore Anthony Young set up a one-yard touchdown run for Woodson, his first rushing TD of the game, second total.

The Zips scored one last time to close out the contest with 2:40 to play in the fourth quarter. Chapman found sophomore WR Jerome Lane (Akron, Ohio), who sprinted to the end zone for a 50-yard touchdown.

Next week the Zips travel to Lafayette, La., for their final non-conference game of the year against Louisiana. Kick off will be at 6 p.m. CT (7 p.m. ET) on ESPN3.

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Texas Southern Holds Off UAPB for 24-20 Win

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas  --  In their Southwestern Athletic Conference home opener, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Football fell to Texas Southern, 24-20 here Saturday night at Golden Lion Stadium.

UAPB scored on their very first possession of the game with a big run by Bryan Handley for 21 yards, a 19 yard pass reception from Marcus Terrell to Kyle Coleman and a 17 yard reception to John Hawkins from Terrell.  Then just three plays later, Nicholas Woodfork punched it from two yards giving the Golden Lions, a 7-0, capping a 13-play, 80-yard drive, taking 6:41 off of the clock, with 4:57 left to go in the first quarter.

The Golden Lions increased their lead to 10-0 on a 29-yard field goal by Jamie Gillan with 9:58 left in the second quarter.

TSU cut UAPB's lead to 10-7, when Johnathan Bowen connected with Derrick Griffin from 48 yards out with 8:07 left in the second, capping a five-play, 72-yard, drive by the Tigers.

Clyde Lee set up TSU's second TD of the game  as he block  an UAPB punt, setting up a Darrell Robinson two-yard TD run with 12:41 left in the third, giving the Tigers, a 14-13 lead.

A Jaimon Peterson 89-yard kickoff return setup UAPB's next score as Woodfork scored his second TD of the game, giving the Golden Lions a 20-14 lead with 11:50 left in the third.

TSU reclaimed the lead on a Robinson two-yard run with 7:37 left in the third, giving the Tigers a 21-20 lead.

The Tigers added to their lead on a 22-yard field goal by Eric Medina, giving TSU a 24-20 lead.

On their final possession of the game, UAPB marched the length of the field to the TSU 19 yard line.    But could not convert a fourth and five as TSU intercepted the ball in the end zone, securing the Tigers the 24-20 victory.

Handley led the Golden Lions ground attack as he finished with 53 yards on 12 carries, followed by Terrell with 50 yards rushing on 11 carries.

Terrell finished the contest with 189 yards passing by completing 18 passes in 32 attempts with two interceptions.

Willie Young led the Golden Lion receivers with 76 yards receiving on seven receptions with his longest catch being for 23 yards.

Both Kyle Walker and Willie Duncan as they both finished with eight tackles apiece, while Walker tallied one sack and Duncan finished with one quarterback hurry.

TSU was led by Robinson with 57 yards on 16 carries with two TDs.

Johnathan Bowen led the Tigers' aerial attack as he passed for 178 yards by completing 12 passes in 24 attempts with one TD and one interceptions, while Larry Clark led the TSU receivers with 48 yards on three receptions.

UAPB will return to action on Saturday, September 26 as they will travel to Normal, Ala., to take on Alabama A&M in the Louis Crews Classic in a 2 p.m. start.

Box Score

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF SPORTS INFORMATION