Former Nuggets coach is 2016 LSHOF inductee

NEW ORLEANS — Janice Joseph-Richard, whose .824 winning percentage is the highest ever by a Xavier University of Louisiana basketball coach, was announced Wednesday as a 2016 inductee of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
     
Joseph-Richard (pronounced REE-shard), who died nearly five years ago, will be enshrined Saturday, June 25 in Natchitoches to culminate a three-day Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration. A 35-member Louisiana Sports Writers Association committee selected the inductees.
     
Joseph-Richard coached the XU women for six seasons (1992-98), leading them to a 159-24 record, 91-11 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference games. Her final five XU teams won GCAC regular-season and tournament championships, and the Gold Nuggets won their final 28 games (including tournaments) against GCAC opponents.
     
She is the only XU basketball coach to earn four consecutive first-round victories at the national tournament. Her Gold Nuggets won in the opening round of the NAIA Division I National Championship every year from 1995-98. Joseph-Richard was GCAC Coach of the Year four times, including each of her final three seasons.
     
Joseph-Richard also was a head coach at San Jose State for seven seasons (1999-2006) and her alma mater, Louisiana College, for three seasons (2007-10). Her 16-season record as a head coach was 307-163.
     
As a player at Louisiana College, Joseph-Richard was an American Women's Sports Federation two-time first-team NAIA All-American and was All-GCAC four times, the last three unanimously. She collected more than 2,300 points and 700 assists at LC and as a senior (1985-86) set the GCAC season record of 283 assists. She led the GCAC in scoring and assists each of her final two seasons. Her final season she also led the Lady Wildcats to third place in the NAIA Division I National Championship at Kansas City, Mo.
     
Joseph-Richard died Dec. 1, 2010, at age 46 after a lengthy battle with breast cancer.
     
Current Gold Nuggets head coach Bo Browder was an assistant on Joseph-Richard's final XU team. Current Gold Rush head coach Dannton Jackson was Joseph-Richard's assistant from 1993-97. Both Browder and Jackson are the winningest XU coaches in those programs' histories.
     
Joseph-Richard will be the third Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee who attended XU or whose XU accomplishments factored significantly in the selection. Donald "Slick" Watts (basketball) was inducted in 2011, and Otis Washington (football) was inducted this year. (Watts' XU coach, Bob Hopkins, was inducted in 1978 primarily because of his playing career at Grambling and in the NBA.)
     
The other 2016 inductees will include Ben Sheets, Rick Jones and Dave Malarcher (baseball); Anthony Thomas. Jim Hightower and Arthur "Red" Swanson (football); and P.J. Brown (basketball). Three more inductees will be announced later this year.

Janice Joseph-Richard as Head Coach of XU Women's Basketball
	All Games			GCAC Games
Season	W	L	Pct.	W	L	Pct.		GCAC Rank
1992-93	21	8	.724	12	4	.750		3rd of 9
1993-94	28	4	.875	15	1	.938		Tie-1st of 9
1994-95	25	5	.833	14	2	.875		1st of 9
1995-96	28	6	.824	16	2	.889		1st of 10
1996-97	29	7	.806	16	2	.889		1st of 10
1997-98	28	4	.875	18	0	1.000		1st of 10
Totals (six seasons)	159	34	.824	91	11	.892
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold

XU schedule: 17 home games, 5 games vs. NCAA D2

NEW ORLEANS — Seventeen home games, five matchups with NCAA Division II opponents and a pair of December tournaments are among the highlights of the 2015-16 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball schedule.

Dannton Jackson, back for his 13th season as head coach of the Gold Rush, announced the schedule Tuesday.

The XU men will play their first five regular-season games at home, and they'll have a second five-game home stand Dec. 29-Jan. 13. The Gold Rush will open the season at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 against Webber International, then play host to Carver the next evening at 6.
     
Xavier, a perennial NAIA power, will play NCAA Division II's Spring Hill at home Nov. 7, Miles at home Nov. 12, LeMoyne-Owen for homecoming Nov. 21, Clark Atlanta Nov. 27 at SUNO and LeMoyne-Owen Dec. 17 in the Magicians' JCJ Classic at Memphis, Tenn.
     
Xavier will play host to LSU-Shreveport, Fisk and Mobile in the Gold Rush Holiday Classic Dec. 29-30.
     
Additional schedule notes:

     •  LSUS, a former Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rival of Xavier, will play host to the Rush Nov. 24. It will be the teams' first meeting since LSUS left the GCAC after the 2009-10 season.
     •  Xavier will visit Southeastern Louisiana in a Nov. 4 exhibition. It will be the 14th time a Jackson-coached team faces an NCAA Division I opponent and the 12th time in an exhibition. It will be the second meeting between Xavier and SLU; the first was in the 1977-78 season.
     •  There will be nine games against 20-game winners from 2014-15: one against Concordia (Ala.) and two apiece against LSUS, William Carey, Philander Smith and Talladega. Concordia was a USCAA national semifinalist and won 17 of its last 18 games this past season. Talladega was 32-5 en route to GCAC regular-season and tournament championships, three weeks as the No. 1 team in NAIA Division I and a No. 2 postseason ranking after reaching the national semifinals. Philander Smith will visit Xavier Jan. 11, Talladega will visit Jan. 25, and William Carey will visit Feb. 11.
     •  Xavier and Auburn Montgomery (Jan. 13 at XU) will meet for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
     •  The Gold Rush, second in the GCAC regular season and tournament a year ago, will open the conference schedule Jan. 4 at home against Edward Waters.
     •  Xavier will play GCAC city rival Dillard Feb. 6 at XU in the Crosstown Classic and Feb. 27 at Dillard's Dent Hall. The first meeting will be played on Endymion Saturday, one of the prime days of Carnival. GCAC city rival SUNO will visit Feb. 15, and non-conference city rival Loyola will visit Nov. 9. Xavier also will visit Loyola (Dec. 3) and SUNO (Feb. 1).
     •  The GCAC Tournament will be March 4-6 in New Orleans. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship March 16-22 at Kansas City, Mo.
     
Xavier, 24-10 overall and 11-3 in the GCAC in 2014-15, returns seven lettermen, including first-team All-GCAC point guard Morris Wright, and seeks to extend a school record with a sixth consecutive bid to the NAIA's national tournament. Jackson is 273-117 at Xavier and the program's all-time winningest coach. This will be Xavier's fourth season in the Convocation Center, a $25 million facility which seats nearly 4,000.

Xavier University of Louisiana
2015-16 Men's Basketball Schedule

Oct. 29 (Thu.):  WEBBER INTERNATIONAL, 7 p.m. 
Oct. 30 (Fri.):  CARVER, 6 p.m. 
Nov. 4 (Wed.):  at Southeastern Louisiana, 7 p.m. (exhibition)
Nov. 7 (Sat.):  SPRING HILL (DH), 4 p.m.
Nov. 9 (Mon.):  LOYOLA, 7 p.m.
Nov. 12 (Thu.):  MILES, 7 p.m.
Nov. 17 (Tue.):  at Mobile, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 (Sat.):  LeMOYNE-OWEN (DH), 1 p.m. (Homecoming)
Nov. 24 (Tue.):  at LSU-Shreveport, 6 p.m.
Nov. 27 (Fri.):  Clark Atlanta (at SUNO), noon
Dec. 1 (Tue.):  MOBILE (DH), 7:30 p.m. 
Dec. 3 (Thu.):  at Loyola, 7 p.m.
Dec. 12 (Sat.):  at William Carey, 7 p.m.
Dec. 17 (Thu.):  at LeMoyne-Owen, 6 p.m. (JCJ Classic, Memphis, Tenn.)
Dec. 18 (Fri.):  Concordia (Ala.), 4 p.m. (JCJ Classic, Memphis, Tenn.)
Dec. 29 (Thu.):  LSU-SHREVEPORT, 5 p.m. (Gold Rush Holiday Classic)
Dec. 30 (Fri.):  FISK, 5 p.m. (Gold Rush Holiday Classic)
Jan. 4 (Mon.):  •  EDWARD WATERS (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 (Mon.):  •  PHILANDER SMITH (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13 (Wed.):  AUBURN MONTGOMERY, 5 p.m.
Jan. 16 (Sat.):  •  at Talladega (DH), 5 p.m.
Jan. 18 (Mon.):  •  TOUGALOO (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 (Sat.):  •  at Philander Smith (DH), 4 p.m.
Jan. 25 (Mon.):  •  TALLADEGA (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 (Mon.):  •  at SUNO (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 (Sat.):  •  DILLARD (DH), 5 p.m. (Crosstown Classic)
Feb. 11 (Thu.):  WILLIAM CAREY (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 (Mon.):  •  SUNO (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 20 (Sat.):  •  at Edward Waters (DH), 5 p.m. EST
Feb. 22 (Mon.):  •  at Tougaloo (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 (Sat.):  •  at Dillard (DH), 5 p.m.
March 4-6 (Fri.-Sun.):  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament, New Orleans
March 16-22 (Wed.-Tue.):  Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship, Kansas City, Mo.

Home games in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
•  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game
(DH) Doubleheader with Xavier's women
All times are Central except where noted
Schedule is subject to change

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagoldwww.facebook.com/xulagold

Being at Bowman Gray a welcome sight on Rams' schedule

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Bowman Gray Stadium will finally play host to a football game Saturday.

The long-awaited first home game for Winston-Salem State this season will take place at 1:30 p.m. against Chowan. After four straight road games, the Rams (1-3, 1-0 CIAA) will get to play in front of their home fans for the first time in 2015.

And to a team that is full of confidence coming off its first victory of the season, Bowman Gray Stadium never looked so good.

“We are very excited,” running back Bronson Greene said. “We know we attract a good following on the road with our fans, but to be in our own stadium will be great.”

What’s also great for the Rams is they have established an identity. In the previous five seasons the Rams were one of the top scoring teams in the CIAA, but not anymore.

CONTINUE READING  

SSU Announces 2015-16 Men’s Basketball Schedule

SAVANNAH, Georgia  -- Savannah State University head men's basketball coach Horace Broadnax has released the Tigers 2015-16 schedule.

Highlighting the schedule are 14 regular-season home games in Tiger Arena.

The Tigers will play teams from nine Division I conferences (Mid-Eastern Athletic, Big South, Sun Belt, Southeastern, Ohio Valley, Southwestern, PAC-12 and the Big 12) that will take them to nine different states (Oregon, Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Utah, Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina) as well as the District of Columbia.

Once again, Broadnax has put together a tough non-conference slate which includes road games at Oregon, Baylor, Utah and Missouri.

Broadnax is beginning his 11^th season as head coach of the Tigers.

Savannah State begins the regular season with a trio of home games against Florida National (Nov. 13), Campbell (Nov. 16) and Arkansas State (Nov. 18).

The Tigers will then take a four-game road swing at Oregon (Nov. 20), Baylor (Nov. 23), Jackson State (Nov 27) and South Florida (Nov. 29).

SSU starts the month of December at home with regional rival Georgia Southern (Dec. 2) as well as a game with Eastern Kentucky (Dec. 5). A road game at Utah (Dec. 16) closes out the 2015 portion of the schedule.

A trip to Missouri (Jan. 2) starts off 2016 for the Tigers.

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) competition starts on Jan. 5 with a trip to at Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Fla.

Following a four-game home stand where SSU plays North Carolina A&T State (Jan. 9), North Carolina Central (Jan. 11), Maryland-Eastern Shore (Jan. 16) and Delaware State (Jan. 18), the Tigers hit the road for four contests at Hampton (Jan. 23), Norfolk State (Jan. 25), North Carolina A&T State (Jan. 30) and Bethune-Cookman (February 2).

Savannah State returns home on Feb. 6 and 8 for games against Morgan State and Coppin State before returning to the road to play at South Carolina State (Feb. 13) and Howard (Feb. 20).

The Tigers will take a break from MEAC play to host Allen on Feb. 23.

South Carolina State will come to Tiger Arena on Feb. 27, followed by a road trip to North Carolina Central on Feb. 29.

Savannah State will close out the regular season with a home game against Florida A&M on March 3.

The MEAC tournament will take place March 7-12 in Norfolk, Va.

Savannah State, which is coming off of a 9-22 season, make their 2015-16 debut with home exhibition contests against local rival Armstrong State (Nov. 3) and Limestone (Nov. 10).

SSU Men's Basketball Schedule 2015

Date	Opponent	Location	Time/Result
11/3/2015	Armstrong State University (Exh.)	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
11/10/2015	Clark Atlanta University (Exh.)	Savannah, Ga.	7 p.m.
11/13/2015	Florida National University	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
11/16/2015	Campbell University	Savannah, Ga.	7 p.m.
11/18/2015	Arkansas State University	Savannah, Ga.	7 p.m.
11/20/2015	University of Oregon	Eugene, OR	8 p.m. (PT)
11/23/2015	Baylor University	Waco, TX	TBA
11/27/2015	Jacksonville State University	Jacksonville, AL	7 p.m. (CT)
11/29/2015	University of South Florida	Tampa, FL	2 p.m.
12/2/2015	Georgia Southern University	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
12/5/2015	Eastern Kentucky University	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
12/16/2015	University of Utah	Salt Lake City, UT	TBA
1/2/2016	University of Missouri	Columbia, MO	TBA
1/5/2016	Florida A&M University	Tallahassee, FL	TBA
1/9/2016	North Carolina A&T State University	Savannah, Ga.	6 p.m.
1/11/2016	North Carolina Central University	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
1/16/2016	University of Maryland Eastern Shore	Savannah, Ga.	6 p.m.
1/18/2016	Delaware State University	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
1/23/2016	Hampton University	Hampton, VA	6 p.m.
1/25/2016	Norfolk State University	Norfolk, VA	8 p.m.
1/30/2016	North Carolina A&T State University	Greensboro, NC	4 p.m.
2/2/2016	Bethune-Cookman University	Daytona Beach, FL	7:30 p.m.
2/6/2016	Morgan State University	Savannah, Ga.	6 p.m.
2/8/2016	Coppin State University	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
2/13/2016	South Carolina State University	Orangeburg, SC	6 p.m.
2/20/2016	Howard University	Washington, DC	4 p.m.
2/23/2016	Allen University (S.C.)	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
2/27/2016	South Carolina State University	Savannah, Ga.	6 p.m.
2/29/2016	North Carolina Central University	Durham, NC	8 p.m.
3/3/2016	Florida A&M University	Savannah, Ga.	8 p.m.
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament
3/7-12/2016	MEAC Basketball Tournament	Norfolk, Va.	TBA

COURTESY SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Williams setting hot pace for JSU receivers

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Daniel Williams gave himself a “B” for his performance through four games this season.

If that’s the case, it’s difficult to imagine what the Jackson State receiver’s “A” game looks like.

Williams had a 1,000-yard campaign as a sophomore, but has taken his game to new heights with 30 catches for 517 yards and four touchdowns so far this season.

“His maturity level has been the most important thing, a big difference from last year,” Tigers wide receivers coach Derrick McCall said on Tuesday. “He’s always been a hard worker, and I think he’s putting everything into perspective as to what could possibly be at the next level (NFL). So he has taken it to a different level as far as film study and work ethic.”

The junior’s business-like approach has him placed at third in the FCS receiving yards rankings. He’s fourth in receiving yards per game with 129.3. He’s first in the SWAC in receptions per game with 7.5.



CONTINUE READING

Southern University launches the Devon Gales Fund

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University Athletics, along with the Southern University System Foundation, launched the Devon Gales Fund Monday afternoon in an effort to provide financial assistance to Gales and his family to cover medical expenses. The Devon Gales Fund is the official fundraising platform of Southern University and A&M College. All donations can be made by visiting the Devon Gales Fund webpage. Contributions to the Devon Gales Fund can also be mailed to the following address: Southern University System Foundation c/o Devon Gales Fund PO Box 9562 Baton Rouge, La. 70813 Gales, a SU wide receiver, suffered a severe spinal injury on September 26, 2015 during the Southern-Georgia football game in Athens, Ga. Gales, who underwent surgery Sunday, is in good spirits and will remain in the care of the doctors at Athens Regional Medical Center until further notice. Southern University is extremely thankful for the continuous prayers and well wishes that Gales has received from many people nationwide. COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

GSU’s 70-point outing deemed ‘ugly’ by Fobbs

GRAMBLING, Louisiana  -- There aren’t many times when a football coach will deem a game “ugly” after putting up 70 points on the scoreboard.

Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs will when his team helped give up 54 points and almost 600 yards of total offense in a wild 70-54 win Saturday over Prairie View A&M at the State Fair Classic in Dallas.
“To me it’s an ugly win because I expected us to play better total as a team," he said. "It’s not just about the offense. It’s about the kicking game, making sure we punt the ball effectively, making sure we tackle effectively and then, defensively, making sure that we get off the field on third down.

Even though Grambling improved to 2-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, the win wasn’t even close to Fobbs’ standards. Grambling almost allowed Prairie View to come back from four 20-plus point deficits before the offense, led by seven total touchdowns from quarterback Johnathan Williams and four from running back Martez Carter, sealed the victory.

CONTINUE READING

Alcorn State, Tuskegee Solidify Top Spots in Week 4 of HSRN Polls

HARTLY, Delaware  -- Alcorn State University and Tuskegee University remained in the top spots following the fourth full week of HBCU football action.  ASU solidified its position on top of the FCS rankings while, for the second straight week, TU’s Golden Tigers were unanimously picked #1 in DivisionII/NAIA HSRN Football Polls.In the Division I FCS poll, Alcorn State QB John Gibbs, Jr. threw two touchdowns passes as the Braves breezed by Concordia-Selma 40-7 on Saturday at Spinks-Casem Stadium.

North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State remained #2 and #3 as Bethune-Cookman and Tennessee completed the top five.

#7 Grambling State and #10 Norfolk State entered the poll for the first time this season

In Division II, Tuskegee ran its unbeaten streak to four with a convincing 41-14 road win over Lane College. For the second straight week, the Golden Tigers captured all the first place votes of HSRN pollsters.

Virginia Union took sole possession of second place in the reshuffled rankings. Bowie State climbed to third followed by Chowan and Virginia State. Fort Valley State returned to the top 10 while Fayetteville State, on the strength of is win over Virginia State, entered the poll for the first time this season.
 

Division I FCS
	School (First Place Votes)	Record	Pts	Last Week
1	Alcorn State (12)	3-1	145	1
2	North Carolina A&T	2-1	130	2
3	South Carolina State (2)	2-1	119	3
4	Bethune-Cookman	3-1	92	5
5	Tennessee State (1)	3-1	85	7
6	Southern	2-2	81	4
7	Grambling State	2-2	53	NR
8	Hampton	2-2	23	6
9	Prairie View A&M	2-2	22	8
10	Norfolk State	1-3	20	NR
	Others receiving votes
	N.C. Central (14), Texas Southern (14), Alabama St (10)., Morgan St.(10), Jackson St.(4) Alabama A&M (3)
Division II/NAIA
	School (First Place Votes)	Record	Pts	Last Week
1	Tuskegee (13)	4-0	132	1
2	Virginia Union	3-1	121	2T
3	Bowie State	3-1	98	5
4	Chowan	3-1	75	7
5	Virginia State	2-2	54	2T
6	Fort Valley State	3-1	39	NR
7	Fayetteville State	1-3	36	NR
8	Elizabeth City State	2-1	37	4
9	Morehouse	2-2	34	8
10	Winston-Salem State	1-3	33	10
	Others receiving votes
	Livingstone (25), Albany State (14), Miles (13), Lincoln (PA) (8), Lane (7), Central State (6),West Virginia St. (5), Lincoln (Mo) (5), St. Augustine's (4), Stillman (3), Kentucky St. (2), Texas College (1), Johnson C. Smith (1)

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. 

 

Eric Moore. Heritage Sports Radio Network, LLC

SWAC Football Players of the Week: September 28

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  – Grambling State quarterback Johnathan Williams , Jackson State defensive end Teddrick Terrell, Alabama A&M kicker Nick Carden and quarterback De’Angelo Ballard have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference as football players of the week for their outstanding performance in competition during Sept. 26 action.

Offensive Player of the Week
Johnathan Williams
Grambling State
Quarterback
QB • Sr. • 5-11 • 185 • Tampa, Fla.

It was a banner day for Grambling’s senior quarterback, as he tossed for 429 yards on 20-of-33 passing and six touchdowns in leading the Tigers to a 70-54 shootout victory over Prairie View A&M during the Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic. Williams also ran for another score, accounting for seven total touchdowns in the contest.

Defensive Player of the Week
Teddrick Terrell
Jackson State
Defensive End
DE • Sr.• 6-2 • 230 • Jackson, Miss.

Terrell stuffed the stat sheet for Jackson State, racking up seven stops, including two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in Jackson State’s 34-30 win over Texas Southern. Terrell’s second sack came on the last play of the game, snuffing out Texas Southern’s comeback attempt in the final seconds.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Nick Carden
Alabama A&M
Punter
P • So. • 6-3 • 190 • Huntsville, Ala.

Carden averaged 41.3 yards per punt attempt in the Bulldogs’ 28-9 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Carden twice pinned the Golden Lions’ offense inside the 20-yard line, also unleashing a 54-yard punt during the contest.

Newcomer of the Week
De’Angelo Ballard
Alabama A&M
Quarterback
QB • Jr. • 6-0 • 200 • Macon, Miss.

Ballard claims his second-straight SWAC Newcomer of the Week award after another 300-yard, three-touchdown outing. Ballard threw for 353 yards on 20-of-30 passing to lead the Bulldogs to victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He also chipped in 30 yards rushing in the contest. 

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS                

2015 SWAC Football Teleconference - Week 5

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

Culver column: FAMU fans out in full force for first home game

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Rattler Nation, I tip my cap to you.

FAMU was 0-3 and coming off a 36-0 shutout at the hands of South Carolina State before Saturday’s first home game against Tennessee State.

The Rattlers had very little offense to speak of and the defense was ranked last in the FCS.

Florida A&M has one victory at home since 2013 and, before Saturday, had lost three straight to Tennessee State.

None of that mattered. When the Rattlers received the opening kickoff from Tennessee State, there were 18,202 screaming fans in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Well done, fans.



CONTINUE READING

Fayetteville State Football Trumps Virginia State 33-20 in Televised CIAA Contest

Ettrick, Virginia – The Fayetteville State University football team beat defending CIAA champion Virginia State University 33-20 on Saturday, September 26th inside a rain-soaked Rogers Stadium. FSU improves to 1-3 overall and 1-0 in conference, while the Trojans fall to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the CIAA.

The Broncos jumped out to a 19-0 lead with three passing touchdowns from senior quarterback Derek Bryant (Carrboro, NC). On the first offensive possession, Bryant connected with senior wide receiver Tavon Gatlin (Virginia Beach, VA) for a 62-yard scoring strike. The first quarter ended with VSU trailing 7-0.

Bryant and Gatlin were the scoring connection again for Fayetteville State at the beginning of the second. Gatlin snagged a catch out of the air and managed to get one foot down in the back of the end zone for a TD. Senior wide receiver Chris Hubert (Apex, NC) nestled in a 32 yard TD reception with one hand for the next score.



FSU held a 19-0 advantage until late into the second quarter. Freshman place kicker David Lamb (Pineville, NC) seemed effected by the wet field conditions. He missed the extra points on the last two touchdowns.

Virginia State crossed the goal line just before the end of the first half. Walter Harold had a three yard pass over the middle to Javon Smallwood for a TD. VSU completed a 14-play, 92 yard drive and left 58 seconds on the clock in the second quarter.

Fayetteville State managed to drive down to the VSU four yard line with four seconds remaining. The 24-yard field goal attempt sailed left and hit the crossbar to miss. The Trojans went into halftime with a 19-7 deficit.

Senior running back Andre Montgomery (Goldsboro, NC) dug a deeper hole for the Trojans scoring at the start of the third. Montgomery battered his way into the end zone from 12 yards out to cap a four play drive. The extra point was blocked to account for a 25-7 Broncos’ lead.

VSU responded with two consecutive touchdowns in the third quarter. Trenton Cannon scored on a 13 yard run. Later in the quarter, Harold threw a 25 yard TD pass to Gene Holloman. Earl Hughes was stopped short of the goal line on the two-point conversion rush attempt. FSU held onto a 25-20 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Broncos lost a fumble on their first offensive series of the fourth. Bryant completed a 52 yard pass to Hubert; the ball was freed upon contact with the ground. The officials called a fumble, which Malik Sexton recovered at the VSU 28 yard line. Two plays later, junior defensive back Eric Henderson (Charlotte, NC) intercepted the ball and regained possession for Fayetteville State.

FSU iced the game with another touchdown reception late in the quarter. Bryant to Hubert again for a 32-yard score with 2:23 left to play. Gatlin caught a two-point conversion pass for a 33-20 score in favor of the Broncos.

Virginia State failed to score in the fourth and had their 17-game win streak over CIAA opponents ended. FSU earned their first victory over the Trojans since 2011 and their first at VSU since 2010. Head coach Lawrence Kershaw also records his first career victory over Virginia State; which happens to be his alma mater.

“We just executed the whole game; had a little lull in there where it wasn't going as good but we just stuck with the plan,” said Kershaw. We knew VSU was going to make some plays; they are a good football team. We stuck with what we were doing and made plays. We needed a drive to close out the game and we got it.”

Bryant completed 28-of-39 (71%) of his passes for 430 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. He received NCAA Division II “Make It Yours” Player of the Game honors for his performance. Hubert caught a game-high 12 passes for 184 yards and two TDs. Gatlin finished with nine catches for a game-high 186 yards and two scores.

Senior defensive end Thomas Perry (Windsor, NC) collected five solo tackles, including a sack for a loss of eight. Henderson also had five solo tackles and an interception.

Fayetteville State returns home for their next matchup against The Lincoln University on Saturday, October 3rd. This contest marks the annual “Ball in Pink” and Military Appreciation game at FSU. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Luther “Nick” Jeralds Stadium.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

HBCU Football Judgement Day Scoreboard (Week 4 - Sept. 26)

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015

OVC
Tennessee State 30, Florida A&M 14

CIAA
Chowan 49, Saint Augustine's 0
Virginia Union 33, Johnson C. Smith 3
Fayetteville State 33, Virginia State 20
Bowie State 45, Livingstone 17
Lincoln (Pa.) 20, Shaw 10
Winston-Salem State 17, Elizabeth City State 10

SIAC
Kentucky State 21, Central State 17, Circle City Classic
Fort Valley State 33, Benedict 3
Miles 13, Morehouse 10
Tuskegee 41, Lane 14
Delta State 40, Albany State 0
West Georgia 56, Clark Atlanta 0




CSFL
Langston 32, McMurry 20

MWC
Charleston (WV) 34, West Virginia State 13

PSAC
Kutztown 34, Cheyney 0

GLVC
Truman State 31, Lincoln (Mo.) 14

The Sun Conference
Point University 56, Edward Waters 14

MEAC
Bethune-Cookman 42, Savannah State 12
Norfolk State 24, Hampton 12, Battle of the Bay
Morgan State 21, Howard 13, Chicago Football Classic
Tennessee State 30, Florida A&M 14

SWAC
Alabama A&M 28, Arkansas Pine Bluff 9
Alabama State 45, Mississippi Valley State 15
Alcorn State 40, Concordia-Selma 7
Grambling State 70, Prairie View A&M 54
Jackson State 34, Texas Southern 30
Georgia 48, Southern 6

UDC Firebirds Soar Past Roberts Wesleyan, 8-1

ROCHESTER, New York – The University of the District of Columbia women's tennis team soared to an 8-1 victory in East Coast Conference action vs. Roberts Wesleyan Saturday afternoon.

The Firebirds (4-3, 4-2 ECC) won the top two of the three doubles matches and claimed all six singles victories for their 2nd straight resounding conference win. The Redhawks dropped their 2nd straight match as they fell to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in league play.

Dominika Hadnadova and Alena Skobkina set the tone for the day as they dominated their No. 1 doubles match, 8-0 for the first point. Laura Rojas and Laura Dimante then fell short, 8-5 at No. 3 as Alyssa Brault and Emily Linhart earned the Redhawks their only point of the match. But UDC would take a 2-1 lead at the conclusion of the doubles matches as Peerada Looareesuwan and Zoe Mall grinded out a 9-8 victory at No. 2 doubles after four tiebreakers.

Looareesuwan was the 1st Firebird to complete her singles win as she defeated Camilla Linhart, 6-3, 6-0 at No. 3. Hadnadova remained on fire as she won her 4th straight No. 1 singles match with a decisive, 6-0, 6-1 win over Natalia Cardona. Rojas then bounced back from the doubles loss to beat Emily Linhart, 6-0, 6-2 at No. 6 singles to clinch the match victory.

For good measure, UDC won the final three singles matches at No. 4, 2 and 5. Mall (No. 4) defeated Tiffany Hamdan, 6-1, 6-0, Skobkina (No. 2) outlasted Marine Kennel, 6-0, 2-6, 10-7, and Dimante (No. 5) gutted out a 7-6(5), 6-4 victory vs. Alyssa Brault.

The Firebirds, who are over .500 for the first time this season, will return to the nation's capital to host non-region foe Chowan on Sunday, October 4th.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPORTS INFORMATION