DURHAM, North Carolina – With an ecstatic fourth quarter and minimal room for error, the North Carolina Central University football team reigned victorious with a 24-16 triumph over the Norfolk State University Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 31 in front of a sellout homecoming crowd of 11,965 inside NCCU's O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
NCCU (5-3, 4-1 MEAC) receiver Armani Lanier caught a 77-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass from quarterback Malcolm Bell, making for the longest play-pass since Oct. 30, 1999, when the Eagles battled Livingstone College and Darrell Sanders caught an 81-yard pass from Brandon Roberson. Bell's connection with Lanier broke a 7-7 tie and provided the Eagles with a much-needed push.
The Eagles defense worked wonders for NCCU with five sacks and 12 tackles for a loss. Of the team's 81 total tackles, C.J. Moore and Theo Livingston were each responsible for 13 total stops on the day.
NCCU defensive linemen Richard Mitchell had a clutch performance near the end of the game with one of his two-and-a-half sacks of NSU quarterback Greg Hankerson on a fourth-down conversion attempt with less than three minutes remaining in the game. Livingston forced the Spartan fourth down by aggressively breaking up a pass from Hankerson, who threw for 230 yards.
Eagles' running back Dorrel McClain led the offense in rushing and receiving yards with 93 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and 43 in the air. Bell finished with 281 yards of total offense, accounting for 193 yards passing and 88 rushing.
The Spartans (2-6, 2-3 MEAC) created a 13-yard touchdown run from Hankerson to claim the scoreboard early, leading 7-0 in the first quarter.
The Eagles were unable to immediately respond, and it wasn't until inside the two-minute warning of the first half that the Eagles managed to join the scoreboard, thanks to a one-yard rushing touchdown by McClain.
NCCU and NSU matched the score at seven before their journey into the locker room at halftime, but returned to the field with a scoreless third quarter.
After Lanier's tie-breaking touchdown catch, McClain ran in for a short, two-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a greater advantage, leading 21-7 with the fourth-quarter clock reading 10:56.
NSU's Hankerson responded to the Eagles, taking matters into his own hands with an electric 77-yard touchdown run, narrowing the NCCU lead to 21-13.
Near the seven-minute mark, NCCU kicker Nigel Macauley provided the Eagles with three points after a successful 33-yard field goal attempt to give the Eagles a 24-13 edge as the final minutes approached the game clock.
Despite a late 32-yard field goal from NSU's Cameron Marouf, the Eagles managed to close out another conference victory, their fourth in-a-row.
Senior day is the next event for NCCU football as the Eagles look to handle Delaware State University on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
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Sunday, November 1, 2015
Duhart Leads ASU Past AAMU
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Senior quarterback Daniel Duhart had a hand in all five touchdowns to lead Alabama State to a 35-20 win over Alabama A&M in the 74thMagic City Classic.
Duhart completed 12 of his 22 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns while also tying his career-high with three rushing touchdowns while gaining 35 yards on the ground.
Most of the scoring for both teams was done in the first half before the rain starting falling right before halftime. Both teams only scored one touchdown in the third quarter and neither team could cross the goal line in the final quarter as a hard rain dampened both offenses.
The Hornets finished the game with 444 total yards with 228 through the air and 216 rushing. Khalid Thomas rushed for a game-high 100 yards on 20 carries to lead ASU's rushing game.
The Hornets led 28-14 at halftime and scored their only points of the second half on their first possession. ASU went 50 yards in five plays with Duhart finishing it off with a one yard run.
For his efforts Duhart was named the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the game. It was the second time he had received the game honor. He also received the honor in 2013 when he threw for his career-high 301 yards and two scores.
The Hornets defense gave up 404 yards, but was able to come up with a turnover and forced change of possessions after stopping the Bulldogs on three fourth down attempts.
Kourtney Berry was named the game's Defensive Most Valuable Player after recording a team-high 13 tackles. He also had tackle for lost yardage and recovered a fumble. He officially went over 100 total tackles on the season as his 13 tackles now gives him 101 on the season.
The game couldn't have started any better for the Hornets as Shawan Parks returned the opening kick to the ASU 42 yard line. From there it took two plays for ASU to travel the required 58 yards. The first play was a 43 yard pass to DeMario Bell and Duhart took the final 15 yards for the first score. It only took 30 seconds for the Hornets to break into the scoring column.
Duhart added another one yard touchdown run just six minutes later to put the Hornets up 14-0.
AAMU bounced right back with two scores of their own to even the score at 14. Brand Eldemire had two runs, one from nine yards and the second from 11 yards out.
The Hornets then scored the final two touchdowns as Duhart hit Brandon Barnesfrom 60 yards out and then hit Joshua Davis on a diving 18 yard reception to send ASU into the locker room with a 28-14 halftime lead.
The Hornets evened their overall record at 4-4 and now stand 4-3 in the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
ASU will hit the road for the final time next week when they travel to Jackson to face the Tigers Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
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Duhart added another one yard touchdown run just six minutes later to put the Hornets up 14-0.
AAMU bounced right back with two scores of their own to even the score at 14. Brand Eldemire had two runs, one from nine yards and the second from 11 yards out.
The Hornets then scored the final two touchdowns as Duhart hit Brandon Barnesfrom 60 yards out and then hit Joshua Davis on a diving 18 yard reception to send ASU into the locker room with a 28-14 halftime lead.
The Hornets evened their overall record at 4-4 and now stand 4-3 in the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
ASU will hit the road for the final time next week when they travel to Jackson to face the Tigers Nov. 7 at 6 p.m.
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ASU coach Brian Jenkins collapses after Magic City Classic victory
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Alabama State coach Brian Jenkins collapsed before doing a postgame interview after Alabama State's 35-20 victory over rival Alabama A&M in the Magic City Classic at Legion Field.
ASU sports information director Darrell Orand said Jenkins, 44, was dehydrated. Orand added that Jenkins was put on IVs and drank fluids in the locker room after dropping to the ground against the wall. Jenkins was conscious when sitting on the ground.
"He's going to be alright," said ASU senior linebacker Kourtney Berry after Jenkins was taken in the locker room.
After the game, ASU players were doing interviews in the stadium near the locker room. Jenkins came out to do his interview and was holding his upper leg and bending forward in obvious pain.
Seconds later, Jenkins suddenly fell as he was surrounded by media ready to interview the first-year ASU coach.
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Magic City Classic: Alabama State 35, Alabama A&M 20
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Daniel Duhart was responsible for a career-high five touchdowns to lead Alabama State in a 35-20 win over Alabama A&M in Saturday's Magic City Classic.Duhart ran for three touchdowns and threw for two scores. His three rushing TDs matches his total in last year's Magic City Classic.
The Hornets (4-4) improved to 4-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play. The Bulldogs (2-5) fell to 2-3.
ASU, which has won four of its last five games, has beaten A&M in three of the last four years -- and four of the last six.
Duhart connected with DeMario Bell for a 43-yard pass play on the game's first play and scored on a 15-yard run on the second. Duhart added a 1-yard TD run midway through the first quarter to make it 14-0.
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Tuskegee Golden Tigers Survive Saturday Scare
TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- The ultimate trap game was set up for the 16th-ranked Tuskegee University Golden Tigers with next week's match-up with Miles College looming, as Central State University came to town looking to spoil Senior Day.
And for the first 28 minutes it looked as though the trap had been perfectly set up by the visiting Marauders.
However, the trio of linebackers for the Golden Tigers and a senior running back led the Golden Tigers back in the final 32 minutes and as they were able to pull out a hard-fought 19-7 victory over Central State on Saturday afternoon at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, the Golden Tigers had to kick off to Central State to start the second half – a team that is one of the leaders in time of possession in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). But that is when the momentum shifted, and shifted quickly to the home team.
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After electing to bring the kickoff out from six yards deep in their own end zone, Central State found themselves starting a drive from their own 12 to start the second half. After a two short rushing attempts, the Marauders dropped back to pass and found an open Jewell Ratliff – the only problem, Ratliff plays for the Golden Tigers. The senior linebacker, turned receiver on the play and weaved his way through eight players and found the end zone from 20 yards out, giving Tuskegee their first lead of the game at 12-7 just 1:31 into the second half.
Following a three and out by both teams, Tuskegee (8-1, 7-0 SIAC, 4-0 West) used nine plays to go 80 yards and extend their lead in the third quarter. The drive was highlighted by Dennis Norfleet picking up 24 of his career-high 106 yards on the drive and getting the ball to the Central State (4-5, 4-3 SIAC, 2-3 West) 45-yard line.
After six plays on that drive were rushing plays, Kevin Lacey dropped back to hit a streaking Leo Gilbert down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. The score extended the lead to 19-7 with just 1:21 remaining in the third.
Central State dominated the clock in the fourth quarter, as they went on a 23-play drive that totaled 69 yards. The drive used up 10:35 on the clock, but the Marauders came away empty-handed as the Golden Tigers – the second-best red zone defense in the country – held on four plays from the three yard line with 5:46 to play in the contest.
The Tuskegee defense held Central State to just 133 yards of total offense (2.25 yards per play), although the Marauders held the ball for just over 33 minutes in the game on offense.
Ratliff led the charge for the Golden Tigers, racking up 19 tackles with two tackles for loss. Sophomore Osband Thompson added 15 tackles with the sack that ended the long drive in the fourth quarter, and two tackles for loss. Seniors Jason Ashley and Michael Robinson each added seven tackles, while Daryl George added seven in the victory.
Senior Travis Hawkins recorded a season-high three catches for 39 yards on Senior Day, while the offense totaled 296 yards on offense in the win.
The stage is set for next week in the West Division, as Tuskegee plays host to Miles College on Homecoming Weekend at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. The winner of the game will advance to the SIAC Championship Game to be played at Cramton Bowl on November 14.
For more information on Tuskegee University athletics, follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook.
And for the first 28 minutes it looked as though the trap had been perfectly set up by the visiting Marauders.
However, the trio of linebackers for the Golden Tigers and a senior running back led the Golden Tigers back in the final 32 minutes and as they were able to pull out a hard-fought 19-7 victory over Central State on Saturday afternoon at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium.
Trailing 7-6 at halftime, the Golden Tigers had to kick off to Central State to start the second half – a team that is one of the leaders in time of possession in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). But that is when the momentum shifted, and shifted quickly to the home team.
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After electing to bring the kickoff out from six yards deep in their own end zone, Central State found themselves starting a drive from their own 12 to start the second half. After a two short rushing attempts, the Marauders dropped back to pass and found an open Jewell Ratliff – the only problem, Ratliff plays for the Golden Tigers. The senior linebacker, turned receiver on the play and weaved his way through eight players and found the end zone from 20 yards out, giving Tuskegee their first lead of the game at 12-7 just 1:31 into the second half.
Following a three and out by both teams, Tuskegee (8-1, 7-0 SIAC, 4-0 West) used nine plays to go 80 yards and extend their lead in the third quarter. The drive was highlighted by Dennis Norfleet picking up 24 of his career-high 106 yards on the drive and getting the ball to the Central State (4-5, 4-3 SIAC, 2-3 West) 45-yard line.
After six plays on that drive were rushing plays, Kevin Lacey dropped back to hit a streaking Leo Gilbert down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. The score extended the lead to 19-7 with just 1:21 remaining in the third.
Central State dominated the clock in the fourth quarter, as they went on a 23-play drive that totaled 69 yards. The drive used up 10:35 on the clock, but the Marauders came away empty-handed as the Golden Tigers – the second-best red zone defense in the country – held on four plays from the three yard line with 5:46 to play in the contest.
The Tuskegee defense held Central State to just 133 yards of total offense (2.25 yards per play), although the Marauders held the ball for just over 33 minutes in the game on offense.
Ratliff led the charge for the Golden Tigers, racking up 19 tackles with two tackles for loss. Sophomore Osband Thompson added 15 tackles with the sack that ended the long drive in the fourth quarter, and two tackles for loss. Seniors Jason Ashley and Michael Robinson each added seven tackles, while Daryl George added seven in the victory.
Senior Travis Hawkins recorded a season-high three catches for 39 yards on Senior Day, while the offense totaled 296 yards on offense in the win.
The stage is set for next week in the West Division, as Tuskegee plays host to Miles College on Homecoming Weekend at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium. The winner of the game will advance to the SIAC Championship Game to be played at Cramton Bowl on November 14.
For more information on Tuskegee University athletics, follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics and like us on Facebook.
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2015 Magic City Classic Mega Battle of the Bands: Alabama A&M Maroon and White vs. Alabama State Mighty Marching Hornets
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Albany State spoils Mike White’s return
ALBANY, — It would be cliché to say the Benedict Tigers gave the Albany State Rams a scare during their Halloween matchup Saturday, but they did provide a bit of thrill in the first quarter at least.After an opening period where the lone highlight was a blocked ASU field goal attempt, the Rams got rolling in the second quarter and cruised to a 35-9 win over the Tigers at the Albany State University Coliseum.
On Senior Day, the Rams were able to give their seniors a win in their last home game and improved to 5-3 on the season and 5-1 in the SIAC, while the Tigers remain winless at 0-9.
It was a homecoming of sorts for Benedict coach Mike White who returned to Albany State for the first time since taking the Benedict job last November. White was a longtime coach at ASU.
The first quarter saw both teams struggle to move the ball on offense.
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Virginia Union goes undefeated at home for first time in 15 years
RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union University's Hakeem Holland rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns as VUU defeated Elizabeth City State University 43-31 on Saturday, October 31, in Hovey Field in Richmona, Va.
The win marked the first time the Panthers finished undefeated at home since the 2000 season. VUU finished 4-0 in Hovey Field this season.
VUU's Jerome Robinson rushed for 83 yards and another touchdown while Karl Calhoun picked up an Elizabeth City State fumble and rumbled for 50 yards for a score.
Virginia Union's Shawheem Dowdy rushed for a touchdown while completing 18 of 25 passes. Dowdy also hit Chazton McKenzie for a touchdown.
The win raised VUU's record to 7-2 overall on the season and 5-1 in CIAA play. Elizabeth City State fell to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the CIAA.
The victory also set up a showdown with Virginia State University in the regular-season finale at 2:00 p.m. in Petersburg, Va.
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The win marked the first time the Panthers finished undefeated at home since the 2000 season. VUU finished 4-0 in Hovey Field this season.
VUU's Jerome Robinson rushed for 83 yards and another touchdown while Karl Calhoun picked up an Elizabeth City State fumble and rumbled for 50 yards for a score.
Virginia Union's Shawheem Dowdy rushed for a touchdown while completing 18 of 25 passes. Dowdy also hit Chazton McKenzie for a touchdown.
The win raised VUU's record to 7-2 overall on the season and 5-1 in CIAA play. Elizabeth City State fell to 4-4 overall and 2-4 in the CIAA.
The victory also set up a showdown with Virginia State University in the regular-season finale at 2:00 p.m. in Petersburg, Va.
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Gold Nuggets beat SUNO, gain tie for 1st in GCAC
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana came from behind in all three sets, beat SUNO 28-26, 26-24, 25-23 and moved into a first-place tie in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference volleyball Saturday.
The Gold Nuggets (15-7, 9-1) won their seventh in a row and avenged a five-set loss to the Lady Knights (15-8, 9-1) from Sept. 25 — Xavier's only loss to a GCAC opponent in the last five seasons. Both teams have two conference matches remaining but cannot meet again until the conference tournament next month in Little Rock, Ark.
Claudia Haywood — a GCAC Preseason Co-Player of the Year and one of six Gold Nuggets honored during a senior-day ceremony — had 13 kills and two blocks. Jodi Hill had 11 kills, one block and an ace, freshman Ruby Hunt-Thompson had 10 kills, two aces and three blocks, and Taylor Reuther had nine kills and 11 digs.
Hill, Reuther, Darian Harris (15 digs), Franziska Pirkl (43 assists, eight digs, one block) and CeCe Williams (five kills, 10 digs) are Xavier's other seniors.
"We had so much energy out there," said Reuther, Xavier's career leader in kills, digs and aces. "We wanted to play for each other and not be selfish."
Xavier won the first set after trailing 18-16 and saving set points at 24-23 and 26-25. Reuther's kill tied the score at 26, then two attack errors gave the Gold Nuggets the set.
The Gold Nuggets trailed 11-6 and 15-12 in the second set but got kills from Haywood, Hill, Reuther and Hunt-Thompson in the final 10 rallies to extend their lead. Xavier trailed 18-16 in the third set before Hill produced three kills — the first to put the Nuggets ahead to stay at 19-18, the third to end the match.
"Our seniors did a really good job," XU coach Hannah Lawing said. "We sided out quickly and and figured out where to put the ball on the other side of the floor."
Shannon Jones had 10 kills and Milica Golubovic nine for SUNO, and Ana Privat had 20 digs.
SUNO outhit Xavier .189 to .172, outblocked the Nuggets 8-5, and both teams had 66 digs and three aces. But Xavier had a 52-41 advantage in kills.
Xavier will finish the regular season with conference matches Monday at Philander Smith and Nov. 9 at Dillard. SUNO will close at Talladega on Monday and Thursday at home against Dillard. The GCAC Tournament will be Nov. 13-14.
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Two Former PVAMU Basketball Standouts Drafted By NBA D-League
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Two former Prairie View A&M men's basketball standouts in Jourdan DeMuynck and
DeMuynck was drafted by the Iowa Energy in the fifth round and played during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 campaigns at PVAMU.
While at PVAMU, the California native was a go-to scorer as he led the Panthers to the 2013 SWAC Tournament Finals for the first time since 1998. DeMuynck averaged 15.7 points as a senior and earned All-SWAC Second Team honors as he also had solid performances in memorable wins over Houston and Navy. After graduating from PVAMU, DeMuynck played overseas with Keravnos of Cyprus and MZT Skopje of Macedonia.
The Energy starts their season on Saturday, Nov. 14 as DeMuynck will have less than two weeks to get acclimated. The Energy are an affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies and finished last season with a 26-24 record.
Onwukamuche was drafted in the sixth round by the Bakersfield Jam. He is less than one year removed from his playing career at PVAMU as he was named the SWAC's Defensive Player of the Year while also earning a spot on the All-SWAC Second Team last season. A native of Missouri City, Texas, Onwukamuche finished the regular season with 50 blocked shots (1.6 per game), ranked 10th in the SWAC with 5.2 rebounds and second with 2.5 offensive rebounds per game.
Bakersfield's 2015-16 season begins on Friday, Nov. 13. The Jam finished the 2014-15 season with a 34-16 mark and was second in the West Division. The Jam are affiliated with the Phoenix Suns as Onwukamuche will have an opportunity to play in Texas six times this season with games in Frisco (Dallas), Cedar Park (Austin) and Hidalgo.
"I am very excited and proud for those young men," said head coach Byron Rimm II. "They are an example of what Prairie View A&M has to offer athletically and academically as both players were exceptional students in the classroom in addition to great basketball players who helped our program reach new heights.
"I am very excited and proud for those young men," said head coach Byron Rimm II. "They are an example of what Prairie View A&M has to offer athletically and academically as both players were exceptional students in the classroom in addition to great basketball players who helped our program reach new heights.
"Both Jourdan and Reggis have a solid future ahead of them," added Rimm. "Their success will motivate our next group of Panthers as it shows them what it takes to reach the next level."
Both players were the only draftees from the SWAC this season and continues the trend of PVAMU men's basketball players receiving professional opportunities. Onwukamuche's former teammate and last year's scoring leader in Montrael Scott is having a solid start to his professional career as he's the leading scorer (22.3 ppg) in the Kosovo League. He was named EuroBasketball.com Player of the Week recently after scoring 28 points with six rebounds and three assists in a win over Vellaznimi.
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PVAMU Strong Defensive Effort Leads to Solid Offensive Play in 54-29 win over UAPB
WALLER, Texas – Prairie View A&M fell behind early but a strong defensive effort spearheaded a 40-point swing as the Panthers claimed a 54-29 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on a cloudy afternoon at Waller ISD Stadium.
After forcing the Panthers to punt on their opening drive, UAPB converted three third downs on its opening drive with the final conversion a 5-yard touchdown reception by John Hawkins for the 7-0 lead after the PAT. The Panthers went three-and-out on their next drive and the Golden Lions struck big as Willie Young caught a 32-yard reception from Brandon Duncan on the opening play. Relying heavily on the run, UAPB rushed the ball six consecutive times and jumped out to a 14-0 lead after Dante McDonald's 1-yard scamper and the ensuing PAT.
Prairie View A&M finally found some rhythm on offense on its next drive as Johnta' Hebert and Courtney Brown had two big plays to move the ball. The Panthers would move to the UAPB 8 but had to settle for a field goal attempt. On the ensuing attempt, the Panthers executed a fake which featured tight end John Allen making an acrobatic catch off a Christian Rousseau pass for PVAMU's first points. The PAT was good as the Panthers trailed 14-7 with 11:33 left in the second stanza.
From there, the Panther defense rose to the occasion as a big sack forced a three-and-out but a costly fumble by Hebert on PVAMU's next drive led to a UAPB recovery and the ball on the PVAMU 7 after Trey Green's hustle play forced the runner out-of-bounds. Despite the setback, the defense held on and forced UAPB into a field goal which sailed wide right.
After receiving the gift from the defense, the Panthers held on to the ball this time with a balanced attack as DeMarquo LaStrappe outjumped his defender in the corner of the end zone for big touchdown to cap off a 10-play, 79-yard drive and a 14-14 tie entering halftime after the PAT by Owen Hoolihan.
The defense set the tone to open the second half as they held UAPB to a three-and-out and the offense responded as KhaDarel Hodge took over with catches of 27, 9 and 34 yards to set up a Green 1-yard touchdown run and the team's first lead (21-14) of the game after the PAT. DeVohn Reed sacked Duncan on third down to force another three-and-out and the Panthers continued to click on offense as Green hit three consecutive passes of 14, 10 and 13 yards to open the drive. Courtney Brown added a pair of big runs to help move the ball into the red zone as Green capped off the drive with a 5-yard pass to Hebert for a 27-14 lead with 5:05 left in the third quarter.
The Panther defense smothered UAPB as they suffered another three-and-out and the offense kept on churning as Green rushed for a 25-yard touchdown and a 34-14 lead as the PAT was blocked. On the next drive after another three-and-out, Nick Brewer blocked a UAPB punt which was recovered by Fred Anderson. Three plays later, Green found Hodge for a 10-yard touchdown reception and a 40-14 advantage. On the very next drive, redshirt freshman Cederic Porter capped the game off as his first career interception was returned for a 60-yard touchdown and a 47-14 lead.
After another punt by UAPB, the offense scored for the final time as De'Auntre Smiley rushed in from 4 yards out to cap off its 40-point swing as UAPB added a pair of late scores in the fourth quarter.
Green threw for 261 yards on 21-of-28 passing with three touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns as the offense finished with 473 total yards. Hodge caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown while Green and Brown led the Panthers with 46 rushing yards apiece. Marquice O'Leary broke up two passes and finished with a team-high eight tackles followed by six each from Arthur Lockett and Jalan Coleman.
The Panthers are back on the road next week as they'll travel to Lorman, Miss.to face Alcorn State at 2 p.m.
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Nuggets open with road victory, stifling defense
BABSON PARK, Florida — All-star senior guard Whitney Gathright scored 21 points Saturday, and NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana opened its women's basketball season with a 47-42 victory at Webber International.
The Gold Nuggets allowed their fewest points ever in an opener on the road. They allowed 65.3 points per game on the road last season.
"Whitney Gathright was outstanding," said 17th-year coach Bo Browder. "Our defense started to take control late in the first half, and in the second half our defensive rotations got so much better."
Gathright, All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and third-team All-Louisiana each of the past two seasons, reached 20 points for the ninth time and increased her career point total to 945. Another XU senior, Donyeah Mayfield, scored 10 points.
Deslyn Applewhaite and Jurnee Pettigrew scored eight points apiece for Webber International (0-1), an NAIA Division II member which was 22-7 last season.
In its first game under the new four-period format for NAIA and NCAA women's games, Xavier led 13-11 after the first quarter, 30-23 at halftime and 39-27 through three quarters. The Gold Nuggets extended their lead to 45-31 with about five minutes remaining, and the Warriors came no closer than five points thereafter.
The Gold Nuggets will stay on the road and play another NAIA D2 member, Warner, at 7 p.m. EST Monday in Lake Wales, Fla. Xavier will play its home opener — the Nuggets' only home appearance before Nov. 21 — at 6 p.m. next Saturday against LeMoyne-Owen of NCAA Division II.
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The Gold Nuggets allowed their fewest points ever in an opener on the road. They allowed 65.3 points per game on the road last season.
"Whitney Gathright was outstanding," said 17th-year coach Bo Browder. "Our defense started to take control late in the first half, and in the second half our defensive rotations got so much better."
Gathright, All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and third-team All-Louisiana each of the past two seasons, reached 20 points for the ninth time and increased her career point total to 945. Another XU senior, Donyeah Mayfield, scored 10 points.
Deslyn Applewhaite and Jurnee Pettigrew scored eight points apiece for Webber International (0-1), an NAIA Division II member which was 22-7 last season.
In its first game under the new four-period format for NAIA and NCAA women's games, Xavier led 13-11 after the first quarter, 30-23 at halftime and 39-27 through three quarters. The Gold Nuggets extended their lead to 45-31 with about five minutes remaining, and the Warriors came no closer than five points thereafter.
The Gold Nuggets will stay on the road and play another NAIA D2 member, Warner, at 7 p.m. EST Monday in Lake Wales, Fla. Xavier will play its home opener — the Nuggets' only home appearance before Nov. 21 — at 6 p.m. next Saturday against LeMoyne-Owen of NCAA Division II.
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Saturday, October 31, 2015
Howard's 1st win this season comes at Savannah State's expense 55-9
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Junior Leon Prunty made his first start of the year at quarterback here on Saturday afternoon for Savannah State, but most of the problems for the Tigers was the opposing quarterback, as Howard sophomore Kalen Johnson threw a career-high four touchdowns and ran for another in a 55-9 romp over SSU in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest on a dry, picture-perfect day for football.It was the first win of the season for the Bison (1-7, 1-5 MEAC), who had been outscored 96-7 in the first quarter this season before taking a 20-0 lead against SSU. The Tigers are now 0-9 lifetime against Howard, who used the Wildcat offense for the first time this season and led 34-9 at halftime before a scant crowd of 1,056.
“It is not like (the Wildcat) overwhelmed us. We have a young, freshmen (defensive backfield) group. We have four freshmen DBs,” said SSU head coach Earnest Wilson III. “We just have to get better. It is all about us.”
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Turnovers Hurt SAU Falcons In Homecoming Loss To Johnson C. Smith
RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Sean Smith (R-Fr./Valdosta, GA) provided the only score for Saint Augustine's University with a 33-yard field goal in a 22-3 CIAA football loss to Johnson C. Smith University on Homecoming Day at the George Williams Athletic Complex on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015.
His kick cut the Falcons' deficit to 10-3 in the third quarter, but the Golden Bulls scored the game's final 12 points. The Golden Bulls kicked a 32-yard field goal and scored on an 18-yard fumble return in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Golden Bulls blocked a punt which rolled out of the end zone for a safety.
The fumble was one of five turnovers for the Falcons, who also threw four interceptions. Two of the picks were in the end zone, killing potential scoring drives.
The Falcons had a chance to strike first in the first quarter when Denzel Watkins (Sr./Troutman, NC) blocked a punt. Cameron Lloyd (R-Fr./Tarboro, NC) ran 26 yards to the Smith two-yard line which put the Falcons in great field position. Five plays later, a lob pass in the corner of the end zone was picked off by the Golden Bulls.
Down 10-0 in the second quarter, the Falcons missed another opportunity to close the gap before halftime. Chris Roberts (Jr./Albany, GA) forced a fumble on a sack deep in Golden Bulls' territory which Tray King (So./Kershaw, SC) recovered. King rambled 14 yards to the Golden Bulls' one-yard line.
With 14 seconds left before halftime, the Golden Bulls (3-1 Southern Division, 3-3 CIAA, 4-5 overall) intercepted another pass in the end zone to prevent a Falcons' score. Smith finally put the Falcons on the scoreboard with his field goal in the third quarter, but the Falcons would not score again.
Neither team generated much offense in the defensive affair. The Golden Bulls gained 213 offensive yards while the Falcons accumulated 131 yards. Tailback Roderick Davenport II (Sr./Orangeburg, SC) provided much of the Falcons' offense with 88 yards on 28 carries. He is now 22 yards away from becoming the school's career rushing leader with one game left in the season.
The defense did its best to keep the Falcons (0-4 Southern Division, 0-6 CIAA, 0-9 overall) in the game. Led by linebackers Durell Newby (R-Jr./Graham, NC) and Terry Warren (So./Franklin, VA), the Falcons held the Golden Bulls to 26 rushing yards, forced two turnovers and registered four sacks including two by Roberts.
Newby and Warren each finished with eight tackles for the Falcons. Lineman Darius Goodman (R-So./Richmond, VA) and Roberts each forced a fumble and Darius Cole (Fr./Pittsboro, NC) intercepted a pass.
For the Golden Bulls, Jordan Lane completed 15-of-23 pass attempts for 179 yards and one interception in addition to being sacked four times. His main target was Fred Scott, who caught seven passes for 86 yards. Tromecio Summers rushed 10 times for 48 yards.
Defensively, Austin Jacques led the Golden Bulls with 10 tackles and one interception. NCAA interceptions leader Carlo Thomas picked off two passes.
Before the contest, twelve football seniors were honored with family and friends. They were offensive lineman Donell Andrews (Baltimore, MD), fullback Reece Bradley (Fredericksburg, VA), Davenport, quarterback A.J. Gilford (Savannah, GA), defensive back Justin Jones (Fort Valley, GA), tight end Steven Mason (Hampton, VA), defensive lineman Malcolm Newby (Graham, NC), wide receiver Jamal Parker (Hampton, VA), offensive lineman John Perkins (Fayetteville, NC), running back Antonio M. Thomas (Lynchburg, VA), Turkvant and Watkins.
Matthew Mangram, who lost his life in a car accident last year, was also honored during the Senior Day ceremony. He would have been a senior this season.
Legendary Head Coach George Williams and the Falcons' men's track and field team were honored at halftime. The Falcons captured their third straight NCAA Division II outdoor championship in May 2015.
Next Saturday, Nov. 7, the Falcons will visit crosstown rival Shaw University in the final game of the regular season. The contest is set for Durham County Stadium in Durham, N.C., at 1 p.m.
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Alcorn State swamps Southern 48-7 on a soggy Saturday at Mumford Stadium
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- When it rains, it pours.Heavy rain pelted the field at A.W. Mumford Stadium long before Southern kicked off against Alcorn State on Saturday afternoon.
By the time the two Southwestern Athletic Conference rivals had sloshed their way through mud and standing water, the game had ended the way the past four meetings had ended: with Alcorn State victorious.
The defending SWAC champion and East Division-leading Braves stung the Jaguars with a 78-yard touchdown run on their first play from scrimmage and rolled to a 48-7 victory.
Alcorn lost senior quarterback John Gibbs Jr., the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year who had orchestrated the four previous wins against Southern, to a leg injury after two offensive plays and didn’t miss a beat.
Sophomore Lenorris Footman did a pretty fair Gibbs impersonation, rushing for 274 yards and four touchdowns and throwing two touchdown passes.
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FAMU Rattlers fall 28-10 to Aggies on Senior Night
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M’s offense came crashing back down to earth after strong performances against North Carolina Central and Delaware State.Against North Carolina A&T’s unit, a defense second only to South Carolina State in terms of points allowed, redshirt junior quarterback Carson Royal faltered and the Rattlers’ ground game was swallowed whole, leading to the Rattlers fourth-straight loss to the Aggies.
North Carolina A&T dropped the Rattlers 28-10 Saturday in front of a Bragg Stadium crowd of 10,279.
“I don’t think we took a step back,” Royal said about the offense, which put up 124 total yards. “I just don’t really see us taking a step back. We’re always getting better. I just have to make plays. I didn’t play my best tonight.”
Royal completed 18 of his 40 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. The running game put up just four yards in the Rattlers’ final home game of the season.
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Bethune-Cookman Run Past Delaware State, 49-21
DOVER, Delaware -- Bethune-Cookman rushed for 353 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-21 victory over Delaware State in a MEAC contest at Alumni Stadium this afternoon. Second-string quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. ran for 141 yards and two scores to lead the Wildcats’ 489-yard offensive attack.
Freshman running back Brycen Alleyne scored his first two collegiate touchdowns, while leading the Hornets in rushing and receiving yards in the contest.
Bethune-Cookman won for the seventh time in eight games to improve to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the MEAC. DSU fell to 0-8 and 0-5.
Delaware State took advantage of a special teams play to score first in the contest.
Bethune-Cookman drove 69 yards on its first possession, but the drive stalled at the Hornet 11. Wildcat placekicker Uriel Hernandez’s 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked by DSU’s Gabe Sherrod. Logan Wescott scooped up the ball and ran 82 yards down the sideline to the endzone to give the Hornets a lead for the first time this season. Wisdom Nzidee’s extra point kick put DSU ahead 7-0 with 7:40 left in the first quarter.
BCU wasted little time to match the Delaware State score. The Wildcats drove 68 yards in five plays on the ensuing possession to even the game. Quentin Williams connected with Frank Brown on a seven-yard touchdown pass to cap off the two-minute-11 second drive. The extra point kick by Hernandez tied the game at 7-7 with 5:21 remaining in the opening quarter.
Bethune-Cookman added touchdowns on each of its next four possessions to take control of the game.
Running backs Michael Jones and Anthony Jordan scored touchdowns on short runs in the second quarter and Brihm scored from a yard out with less than a minute to go in the quarter to give the Wildcats a 28-7 lead at the break.
BCU stretched its lead to 35-7 on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Ja-Quan Lumas on the opening possession of the third quarter.
Delaware State showed some fight by scoring 14 unanswered points to raise its hopes.
Alleyne capped off a 12-play, 78-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run for the first touchdown of his career. Hornet quarterback Gil Rivera completed first down passes to Morris Frasier (13 yards) and Malik Golson (16 yds.), while Dae-Hon Cheung rushed for 23 yards during the five-minute-four-second drive. Nzidee’s extra point kick was blocked, leaving DSU in a 35-13 hole with 7:54 left in the third quarter.
The Hornets took advantage of another special teams miscue by the Wildcats to get closer early in the fourth quarter.
Delaware State received the ball at the BCU 24-yard line after Wildcat punter Jonathan Cagle came up short while attempting to run on fourth down and one.
Four plays later, Rivera found Alleyne open in the endzone for a 14-yard touchdown. It was Alleyne’s first collegiate touchdown catch. The Hornets successfully converted a two-point play following the touchdown when Rivera handed the ball to Golson, who completed a pass to Rivera in the endzone to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 35-21 with 14:48 left to play.
The Delaware State defense forced BCU to punt after three plays and recovered a fumble on the next two Wildcat possessions, but the Hornets could not take advantage.
Bethune-Cookman tacked on two fourth quarter touchdowns, one with 17 seconds left to play, to close out the scoring.
Delaware State totaled 200 yards in the contest, 104 rushing and 96 passing.
Alleyne had a team-high 65 yards rushing on 19 carries, and led the Hornets with two catches for 52 yards.
Rivera completed seven-of-17 passes for 96 yards.
DSU cornerback J.R. Robinson had a career-high 13 tackles, including 2.5 behind the line-of-scrimmage. Linebackers Malik Harris and Rashawn Barrett had 12 and 10 tackles, respectively, for the Hornets.
The Hornets begin a two-game road swing with a visit to North Carolina Central next Saturday (Nov. 7). Game time is 2 p.m. in Durham, N.C.
Delaware State will visit North Carolina A&T the following week (Nov. 14) before returning home to face Howard in the season finale on Nov. 21 at Alumni Stadium (2 p.m.).
COURTESY DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Freshman running back Brycen Alleyne scored his first two collegiate touchdowns, while leading the Hornets in rushing and receiving yards in the contest.
Bethune-Cookman won for the seventh time in eight games to improve to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the MEAC. DSU fell to 0-8 and 0-5.
Delaware State took advantage of a special teams play to score first in the contest.
Bethune-Cookman drove 69 yards on its first possession, but the drive stalled at the Hornet 11. Wildcat placekicker Uriel Hernandez’s 28-yard field goal attempt was blocked by DSU’s Gabe Sherrod. Logan Wescott scooped up the ball and ran 82 yards down the sideline to the endzone to give the Hornets a lead for the first time this season. Wisdom Nzidee’s extra point kick put DSU ahead 7-0 with 7:40 left in the first quarter.
BCU wasted little time to match the Delaware State score. The Wildcats drove 68 yards in five plays on the ensuing possession to even the game. Quentin Williams connected with Frank Brown on a seven-yard touchdown pass to cap off the two-minute-11 second drive. The extra point kick by Hernandez tied the game at 7-7 with 5:21 remaining in the opening quarter.
Bethune-Cookman added touchdowns on each of its next four possessions to take control of the game.
Running backs Michael Jones and Anthony Jordan scored touchdowns on short runs in the second quarter and Brihm scored from a yard out with less than a minute to go in the quarter to give the Wildcats a 28-7 lead at the break.
BCU stretched its lead to 35-7 on a 34-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Ja-Quan Lumas on the opening possession of the third quarter.
Delaware State showed some fight by scoring 14 unanswered points to raise its hopes.
Alleyne capped off a 12-play, 78-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run for the first touchdown of his career. Hornet quarterback Gil Rivera completed first down passes to Morris Frasier (13 yards) and Malik Golson (16 yds.), while Dae-Hon Cheung rushed for 23 yards during the five-minute-four-second drive. Nzidee’s extra point kick was blocked, leaving DSU in a 35-13 hole with 7:54 left in the third quarter.
The Hornets took advantage of another special teams miscue by the Wildcats to get closer early in the fourth quarter.
Delaware State received the ball at the BCU 24-yard line after Wildcat punter Jonathan Cagle came up short while attempting to run on fourth down and one.
Four plays later, Rivera found Alleyne open in the endzone for a 14-yard touchdown. It was Alleyne’s first collegiate touchdown catch. The Hornets successfully converted a two-point play following the touchdown when Rivera handed the ball to Golson, who completed a pass to Rivera in the endzone to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 35-21 with 14:48 left to play.
The Delaware State defense forced BCU to punt after three plays and recovered a fumble on the next two Wildcat possessions, but the Hornets could not take advantage.
Bethune-Cookman tacked on two fourth quarter touchdowns, one with 17 seconds left to play, to close out the scoring.
Delaware State totaled 200 yards in the contest, 104 rushing and 96 passing.
Alleyne had a team-high 65 yards rushing on 19 carries, and led the Hornets with two catches for 52 yards.
Rivera completed seven-of-17 passes for 96 yards.
DSU cornerback J.R. Robinson had a career-high 13 tackles, including 2.5 behind the line-of-scrimmage. Linebackers Malik Harris and Rashawn Barrett had 12 and 10 tackles, respectively, for the Hornets.
The Hornets begin a two-game road swing with a visit to North Carolina Central next Saturday (Nov. 7). Game time is 2 p.m. in Durham, N.C.
Delaware State will visit North Carolina A&T the following week (Nov. 14) before returning home to face Howard in the season finale on Nov. 21 at Alumni Stadium (2 p.m.).
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Bowie State Bulldogs Crush Lincoln (Pa.) 57-3 in Home Finale
BOWIE, Maryland – Bowie State University scored early and often in its home finale, crushing Lincoln University of Pennsylvania 57-3 on Saturday afternoon at Bulldogs Stadium. With the win, Bowie State improves to 8-1 overall, 6-0 in the CIAA and 4-0 in the North while Lincoln (Pa.) dips to 3-6 overall, 1-5 in the league and 0-4 in the North.Freshman Nyema Washington (Forestville, Md.) threw for a game-high 188 passing yards, completing 20-of-31 (one interception) and three touchdowns. Senior Garry Cropper (Odenton, Md.) hauled in two touchdowns passes and led the Bulldogs receivers with 69 yards on five catches.
Graduate student Kendall Jefferson (Temple Hills, Md.) rushed for a team-high 95 yards on 13 carries and scored twice while freshman Robert Chesson (Annapolis, Md.) added 78 rushing yards on seven carries in the win.
Senior Brian Hall (Capitol Heights, Md.) and junior Joshua Davis-Stokes (Baltimore, Md.) tallied eight tackles each for Bowie State.
Two of Bowie State's scores came courtesy of their defense with freshman Quinton Jordan (Upper Marlboro, Md.) returning an interception 46 yards and redshirt freshman Kyle Jackson (Upper Marlboro, Md.) scooped up Lincoln fumble and rumbled 65 yards for six.
Lincoln's defense had three sacks against Bowie State while the offense produced 253 total yards. Linebackers Rhamir Thomas (Washington, Pa.) and Wadel Louis (Miami, Fla.) combined for one sack, while Tony Jones, Jr. (Baltimore, Md.) and Joseph Webb (Queens, N.Y.) had the other two solo sacks. Thomas and Louis had a game-high ten tackles each Jones pitched in with seven tackles.
Running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, Md.) produced game highs in carries (28) and rushing yards (147) to lead the Lincoln attack.
The Lions rushed for 188 yards and passed for 65 yards to four different receivers. Emmanuel Saint-Jean (Silver Spring, Md.) and Bradley Martin (Philadelphia, Pa.) had two catches each for 27 and 18 yards respectively.
Bowie State jumped out to a 14-0 advantage after one quarter of play and pushed that lead to 35-0 by halftime. At the end of the first 30 minutes, the Bulldogs outgained the Lions 303 to 168. Bowie State had a pretty balanced attack in the first half, accounting for 161 yards on the ground and 142 yards in the air.
The Bulldogs lead ballooned to 50-0 after three quarters before allowing the Lions their only points of the game.
At the 14:52 mark of the fourth quarter, Lincoln's Brett Arkelian (Clovis, Calif.) avenged an earlier (37) missed field goal and made a 30-yard field goal for the Lions' only points of the afternoon.
Bowie State will conclude the regular season next Saturday (11/7), traveling to Elizabeth City (N.C.) State University for a 1 p.m. conference finale in Roebuck Stadium.
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WSSU Rams lose to Shaw in double OT
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Winston-Salem State got all it could handle and more from winless Shaw in front of 15,000 at Bowman Gray Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
When it was over, Shaw wasn’t winless anymore, and the homecoming crowd went home in a hurry as the Bears pulled out a 32-25 double overtime victory.
“Bye bye,” running back Marquise Grizzle of the Bears said as he waved to the WSSU side of the field. It was Grizzle, who became the school’s all-time leading rusher thanks to his 209 yards rushing on 28 carries, who scored the deciding touchdown in double overtime.
The Bears (1-8, 1-5 CIAA) tied the game at 18 with 23 seconds left on a 36-yard field goal from Joe Nguyen, who earlier in the game had missed two point-after attempts.
In the first overtime both teams scored to keep the game tied, and then it was Grizzle, a senior, who made the play of the game. He went off tackle and ran 25 yards to give the Bears a 32-25 lead.
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When it was over, Shaw wasn’t winless anymore, and the homecoming crowd went home in a hurry as the Bears pulled out a 32-25 double overtime victory.
“Bye bye,” running back Marquise Grizzle of the Bears said as he waved to the WSSU side of the field. It was Grizzle, who became the school’s all-time leading rusher thanks to his 209 yards rushing on 28 carries, who scored the deciding touchdown in double overtime.
The Bears (1-8, 1-5 CIAA) tied the game at 18 with 23 seconds left on a 36-yard field goal from Joe Nguyen, who earlier in the game had missed two point-after attempts.
In the first overtime both teams scored to keep the game tied, and then it was Grizzle, a senior, who made the play of the game. He went off tackle and ran 25 yards to give the Bears a 32-25 lead.
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