FVSU Wildcats defeat Morehouse in Fountain City Classic

FORT VALLEY, Georgia –  Morehouse won the toss and deferred to second half, but four plays, 2 minutes 35 seconds later, Fort Valley State University made them pay. Running back Travis Richmond returned the opening kick 21-yards to FVSU 27 yard line. Quarterback Malcolm Eady connected with Jevon Bell on a 60-yard pass on the very next play. Richmond rushed from 1-yard out for the first score, Juan Serna kick good 7-0.

With the win FVSU got revenge from last year where Morehouse knocked the Wildcats out of a chance to play for the SIAC Eastern Division Title. The Maroon Tigers won that game 24-21. The Wildcats waited all year for the return game and a huge loss for the Maroon Tigers 35-3 before over 11,345 fans at homecoming.

FVSU head to next week's matchup in the 26th Annual Fountain City Classic atop the Eastern Division in the SIAC with a 5-3; 5-0 in the conference and 3-0 in division play. MHC dropped to 4-5; 2-3 in the conference and 2-2 in Division.

FVSU forced MHC to a three and out on their first possession. Eady completed the first of two touchdown passes to Bell from 37-yards out to increase the score to 14-0, Serna kick good.

Then, with 10:22 left in the second quarter MHC's Alexis Gonzales kicked a 23-yard field goal to get on the scoreboard 14-3.

MHC went three and out to start the third quarter, but the Wildcats would make them pay on the very next drive as Otis Brown crossed the goal line from 12-yard line, Serna kick good 21-3.

With 10:58 remaining in the third quarter, Eady completed three consecutive passes before connecting with Alexander Morgan on a 15-yard touchdown to complete a 3-play, 50-yard drive, Serna kick good 28-3.

Brown connected on a 10-yard touchdown pass to Richmond with 26 seconds left in the third quarter to end the Wildcats scoring, Serna kick good 35-3.

FVSU held MHC to 48-yards in rushing, 87 net yards of passing and 135 total yards, while FVSU racked up 100 rushing yards, 241passing yards and 341-yards of total offense.

This was another heavily penalties game for the Wildcats with 18 penalties for 167-yards. Serna punted for 40.4 yards per kick, a 54-yarder and two kicks inside the 20.

MHC gained the edge on time of possession by holding the ball 31:00 minutes to FVSU's 29:00.

Richmond led all rushers with 37-yards and one touchdown. Eady and Brown combined for 241-yards in passing and three touchdowns. Eady threw 8-15-0 passes for 168-yards and two touchdowns, while Brown completed 9-11-0 for 73-yards and one touchdown. Morgan grabbed 4 catches for 53-yards, one touchdown and Bell followed with 3 receptions for 105-yards and one touchdown.

Stefon Harper led the Wildcats with 8 tackles, half sacks (3-yards), 2 tackle-for-losses (8-yards), one pass breakup and one quarter back hurry. Ryan Bowman added 6 tackles, while George Maxey, Steven Wright and Quantavius Cheatham had 5 tackles each. Tracey White picked-off his 7th pass of the season.

Next game: The Wildcats will travel to Columbus, GA., on Saturday, November 7 to play for all the marbles and the SIAC Eastern Division Title with Albany State University (5-3, 4-1, 3-0 Div.) at 2 p.m. The winner moves on to play the Western Division Champion in the SIAC Championship game in Montgomery, AL on Saturday, November 14th at 7 pm (CST).


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HBCU bands are as--or more--popular than their football teams. Here's why

No football team, but this NAIA Gulf Coast Athletic Conference school has a powerhouse of a marching band program in the making... Talladega College Marching Band has only been in existence for 3.5 years but is growing the 'DEGA Sound'. 

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- What makes historically black college and university bands as much—or more!—of a highlight as the football game itself? Alabama State and Alabama A&M band directors weigh in, in advance of Saturday's Magic City Classic. Although the Alabama State Hornets (3-4) and the Alabama A&M Bulldogs (2-4) football teams will spend 60 minutes on the field, many fans are as excited by the 8-minute half time shows.

Alabama State Band Director James Oliver agrees.

"They don't go to the concession stands for halftime. They may go in the middle of the second quarter, third quarter," he says. "But at halftime everybody's going to be in their seats waiting for the bands. That tell you right there, that's 60,000 or 70,000 people that are interested in what we are doing."

The History

Marching bands can trace roots back to the military, where they were used to keep time and boost morale. And there's a clear evolution from the military bands of early American history to today's HBCU bands, William Dukes Lewis writes in "Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum: Performance Traditions of Historically Black College and University Marching Bands." Through the years, African-American military bands continued to provide entertainment—easy to do since brass instruments were inexpensive and abundant after the Civil War.


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Livingstone wins with clutch play in overtime

SALISBURY, North Carolina — It's too bad pop legend Tina Turner couldn't attend Livingstone's homecoming football game on Saturday.

She would have loved how the Blue Bears didn't do nothing nice and easy in a 42-35 overtime victory against Fayetteville State.

"No, nothing was easy. Nothing at all," quarterback Drew Powell smiled at Alumni Stadium, where Livingstone (4-3 overall) squared its CIAA record at 3-3 and positioned itself to post its first winning season since 1998. "We had this game won in the first half, again in the second half and finally in overtime. That's the thing about this team — we'll fight you until the end."

They had to against FSU (4-5, 4-2), which overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and forced OT when Chris Hubert fielded a bouncing punt and returned it 90 yards for the tying touchdown with eight minutes remaining. Livingstone went ahead in overtime on a 2-yard TD run by Latrell Flowers and secured the win with Billy Moore's game-ending interception.

"I told the guys to just keep doing things the right way," coach Daryl Williams said after Livingstone snapped an 11-year losing streak against FSU and gained its first homecoming win in 16 seasons. "And when you do that, good things are bound to happen."

They happened to Powell, the left-handed senior who completed 28 of 35 passes for 364 yards and two scores. And to receivers Jalen Hendricks (9 catches for 135 yards), Arthur Bowden (8 for a career-best 173) and Flowers (8 for 64). And to junior linebacker DeMarcus Nolan, who was a sideline-to-sideline terror and made 18 tackles.

"It's just D-Y-J — do your job," Nolan said amid the festive, post-game celebration. "That's all we did. It seems like we've got to have that fight. It's what's in us. We've got to sacrifice for the team and try to make big plays."

It was fitting that a game filled with memorable moments ended with Moore's first pick of the year. On first-and-goal from the 2-yard line, FSU quarterback Derek Bryant aimed a fastball over the middle intended for a receiver in the end zone. Moore — who had a choice to blitz or stay in coverage — raised his hands, swiped the ball and fell to the ground at the 3-yard line, beginning a massive on-field celebration.

"I saw the back on my side, so I'm thinking, 'I might not get there (to the quarterback),'" Moore explained. "So I waited, thinking it would be a quick slant, and the ball came right to me. Then I felt the whole team pile on top of me and it was getting heavy."

Fayetteville State coach Lawrence Kershaw lamented the final play and the outcome. "A tough loss," he called it. "It came down to mistakes and we just made one more than they did."

Livingstone seemingly had the game salted away after Powell tossed a short touchdown pass to William Tatum, providing a 35-21 lead with 12:04 to play. But the Broncos responded quickly and decisively a minute later when Bryant lobbed a 20-yard TD pass down the left sideline to Hubert. Then, after forcing a Livingstone punt, Hubert caught the Blue Bears sleeping by fielding a one-hopper and jetting past everyone to tie the score.

After the Broncos made it 35-35 all, both teams had a chance to win in regulation.

Livingstone couldn't take advantage of a Victor Lavell kickoff return to his own 47-yard line. The six-play drive reach the FSU 25-yard line before three running plays left the Blue Bears with a 4th-and-11. A 44-yard field goal attempt from Leo Manzo with 5:18 left went wide left.

FSU then went on a 10-play, 45-yard drive that reached the Blue Bears' 29 with less than a minute left in the game. Trying to get a little closer for a winning field goal try, QB Bryant tried a pass down the right sideline, but Livingstone cornerback Kevin Williams made a probable game-saving interception at the five-yard line.

Williams, a 6-2 junior, had a size advantage against the FSU receivers and had three key pass break-ups earlier in the game. He was shaken up on the interception but was able to return to the field in overtime.

"Nothing is ever given to us," said Bowden, a senior out of West Montgomery High School. "We've got to take it, even when it's right in our hands."
The Blue Bears accomplished that in the extra series, igniting a bonfire of fanfare for its long-suffering program and fan base. Few seemed to care that nothing came nice and easy.

"I'm not too fond of the years before I got here," said Powell, the record-setting senior. "But I'm proud to be the quarterback leading them to a place they've haven't seen in a long time. That's what feels the best." Just a week after the Blue Bears left the same field heart-broken after a 23-21 last-minute loss to Winston-Salem State, they got to enjoy Homecoming happiness. "This sure feels better than last week," said senior nose tackle Eric Horne, a 330-pound inside warrior against the run.

NOTES: Livingstone can secure a winning season if it beats visiting J.C. Smith next Saturday. …. The Blue Bears, Winston-Salem State and Smith are all 3-1 against Southern Division teams entering the CIAA's final weekend. WSSU, which handed Livingstone a soul-crushing defeat a week ago, hosts Fayetteville State in its regular-season finale.

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HBCU Football Judgement Day Scoreboard (Week 9, Oct. 31)

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SATURDAY, October 31, 2015

OVC
Tennessee State 20, Austin Peay State 6

SWAC
College of Faith at Texas Southern  Cancelled, Weather
Alabama State 35, Alabama A&M 20
Jackson State 26, Mississippi Valley State 16
Alcorn State 48, Southern 7

MEAC
Howard 55, Savannah State 9
South Carolina State 34, Hampton 20
Bethune-Cookman 49, Delaware State 21
North Carolina Central 24, Norfolk State 16
North Carolina A&T 28, Florida A&M 10

SIAC
Miles 37, Stillman 7
Lane 21, Kentucky State 14
Fort Valley State 35, Morehouse 3
Albany State 35, Benedict 9
Tuskegee 19, Central State (OH) 7
Clark Atlanta at Concordia-Selma, Cancelled - No Contest, Weather



PSAC
West Chester 41, Cheyney 20

GLIAC
McKendree 65, Lincoln (MO) 0

The Sun Conference
Ave Maria 30, Edward Waters 27

INDEPENDENT
Alderson Broaddus 49, Virginia University Lynchburg 20

MWC
UNC Pembroke 45, West Virginia State 21

CSFL
Oklahoma Panhandle State 62, Texas College 7
Langston 48. Lyons 14

CIAA
Johnson C. Smith 22, Saint Augustine's 3
Bowie State 57, Lincoln (Pa.) 3
Virginia Union 43. Elizabeth City State 31
Livingstone 42, Fayetteville State 35
Shaw 32, Winston-Salem State 25 O.T.
Virginia State 32, Chowan 28

NCA&T Aggies Winning Streak At Six After Win Over FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  –  There are no secrets to success according to junior running back Tarik Cohen. The North Carolina A&T football team, ranked 20th in FCS football, improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 28-10 win over Florida A&M Saturday night Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Cohen was not shy about revealing why. “It’s hard work and dedication that’s gotten us here,” said Cohen after rushing for 163 yards and a touchdown. “We treat every game like it’s the biggest because it’s the next game. We’re going to come to work hard regardless.”

Cohen inched closer to the Aggies all-time rushing record on Saturday. He is only 88 yards shy of breaking Mike Mayhew’s record. In two games at Bragg, he has rushed for 373 yards and four touchdowns against the Rattlers.

“It’s not about what field you’re playing on, it’s about getting the job done,” said Cohen. “We play just as hard here as we play anywhere else.”

For the first time in school history, the Aggies have won back-to-back games in Tallahassee after beating the Rattlers (1-7, 1-4 MEAC) in overtime at Bragg in 2013. The combination of Cohen and senior quarterback Kwashaun Quick helped the Aggies get off to a fast start. Quick accounted for the Aggies first 44 yards of the game whether through the air or on the ground. After Cohen got a hold of things he exploded through the Rattlers defense for a 23-yard gain to the FAMU 7-yard line.

Two plays later Quick was in the end zone on a read option play six minutes into the game. The Aggies were able to get on the board again in the first quarter as Cohen scored on a 24-yard run up the middle for a 14-0 lead. N.C. A&T’s third drive also looked promising as Quick again broke to the outside and 44 yards to the FAMU 22.

But a horse collar call on FAMU and holding call on N.C. A&T nullified the play and as Quick gingerly walked off the field after being yanked down. The Aggies third drive eventually ended in a punt as the Aggies next two drives also stalled.

“Sometimes that happens in football,” said N.C. A&T head coach Rod Broadway. “Sometimes you can jump out on a team everything seems like it is going to be easy. But you’ve got to give FAM credit, they started to play. We just got way too sloppy and started to do some things we normally don’t do.”

The Aggies added one more touchdown before the half as Quick’s replacement, redshirt freshman Lamar Raynard launched a pass in between two defenders on a post pattern to redshirt freshman Malik Wilson for a 53-yard touchdown. The Aggies also opened the second half on a touchdown pass as Quick found redshirt sophomore Caleb Gabriel in the back of the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown.

The action appeared to slow down from there as both teams had trouble moving the ball the rest of the way. FAMU gained just 124 yards of total offense on the day with only four yards rushing on 18 carries. The Rattlers might have been shut out by the Aggies for the first time in their history had not been for a blocked punt that gave them the ball at the Aggies 5 in the third quarter. The blocked punt eventually led to a Carson Royal 3-yard touchdown pass to Desmond Noird.

“We played well in spots, we played bad in spots,” said Broadway. “We made a couple of huge mistakes that gave them their points. Otherwise they would have had a hard time scoring. Of course they blocked a punt and we shanked another. I was a little disappointed in our kicking game.”

The Aggies have now won six straight heading into a contest at S.C. State that will be for conference supremacy. The Bulldogs are 4-1 in the league after their win over Hampton on Saturday. S.C. State has won 14 out of the last 15 matchups including last season’s 13-0 win in Atlanta. Therefore, Broadway knows the Aggies can’t afford to overlook S.C. State or anyone else.

“It’s tough to avoid being over confident. They’re 19, 20 year olds. They start to smell themselves and believing they’re better than they really are. Then they forget what it takes to win. No matter who you’re playing, winning is in the preparation.”

A&T 28, FAMU 10




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JSU Tigers Avoid Halloween Scare, Beat MVSU Delta Devils 26-16

ITTA BENA, Mississippi –  The Jackson State Tigers overcame a 16-9 fourth quarter deficit, four turnovers (two interceptions and two lost fumbles) and nine penalties for 92 yards to beat the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 26-16 at Rice-Totten Stadium on Halloween.

With the Tigers trailing 16-9 in the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Jordan Williams helped cap a five play, 32-yard drive with an electrifying eight yard run. In his collegiate debut, Williams was able to weave his way through the Delta Devil goal line defense en route to the score. Ryan Deising’s point after kick tied the game at 16-16 with 9:06 left in the game. From that moment on JSU had the momentum.

Four minutes later a visibly injured LaMontiez Ivy connected with Devin Fosselman on a 24-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 23-16 advantage. With 1:40 left in the game Deising connected on a 33-yard field goal (the 52nd of his career) to put the game out of reach.

When asked how his team scored 17 fourth quarter points during the post game interview, interim head coach Derrick McCall stated, “we just stuck with our game plan (to have a good run/pass balance).”

Deising who put the first points of the game on the scoreboard with a 36-yard field goal broke JSU’s career field goal record. He went into the game tied with Eric Perri, with each having 48 field goals. Deising also connected on a 33-yard field goal at the 5:02 mark in the first quarter to give JSU an early 6-0 advantage.

JSU’s offense struggled to consistently move the ball over the next two quarters, due to the sloppy field conditions. The game, which had to be moved up due to inclement weather, saw a steady downpour through the first half. The rain was so heavy that neither marching band performed during halftime. In addition to the weather obstacle, the Tigers had to use Ivy as an emergency quarterback because Jarin Morikawa, who started the game, lasted two series before going out with an injury himself.

The Delta Devils tied the game at 6-6 at the 8:32 mark in the second quarter when Farrean Toney returned an Ivy interception 32 yards for a touchdown. Ruben Piraquive’s 27-yard field goal at 7:57 in the second quarter gave Mississippi Valley State its first lead of the game.

With JSU trailing 16-6, Zavian Bingham’s 41-yard kick-off return, to the JSU 45-yard line, put the Tigers in position to end the third quarter with a score. With the Tigers facing a fourth and two, Daniel Williams, hauled in a 35-yard strike from Ivy to the Valley seven-yard line, which eventually led to a 24-yard Deising field goal with 54 seconds left in the third quarter.

JSU used an effective ground game, led by Robert Johnson who finished with 112 rushing yards on 24 carries. Johnson posted his second straight 100-yard rushing game of the season. Ivy completed 12 of 28 passing attempts for 147 yards and a touchdown. Devin Fosselman led all receivers with six catches for 85 yards and touchdown. Deising was perfect going 4-4 in field goals attempts.

JSU returns to action Saturday, Nov. 7 when Alabama State visits Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. For ticket information call the JSU Athletics Ticket Office at 601-979-2420. For all the up-to-date information of JSU athletics visit www.jsutigers.com,

Post Game Notes:

-Ryan Deising now stands alone as JSU’s all-time leader in career field goals (52). He was a perfect 4-4 against MVSU.

-Freshman QB Jordan Williams made an impressive collegiate debut, as he jump-started the Tigers offense, scoring on an electrifying eight-yard TD run.

-RB Robert Johnson posted his second straight and third career 100-yard rushing game. He finished with 112 against Mississippi Valley State.

-DE/LB Javancy Jones was all over the field for JSU. He finished with nine tackles, a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a QB hurry.

-LB Kwame Bowens also had an outstanding game as he posted eight tackles. Half a tackle for loss, a pass breakup, a blocked kick and an interception.

-JSU held Valley to 11 first downs, 69 rush yards, 62 pass yards and 131 total offensive yards.



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VSU Football Gives Chowan Hawks a 32-28 Homecoming Upset

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina  --  The Trojans battle back to defeat Chowan University Hawks in a 32-28 seat clinching homecoming upset. The win lifts the Trojans to a 6-3 overall record, 4-2 in the conference.

The Trojan offense was fueled by the running back duo of sophomore running back Trenton Cannon (Hampton, VA) and junior running back Kavon Bellamy (Hampton, VA). Cannon recorded 106 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown while Bellamy contributed 99 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Gene Holloman, Jr. (Virginia Beach, VA) added 68 yards on 4 receptions and a touchdown. Running back Tyree Lee led the Hawks offense recording 118 yards on 25 touches.

Defensively the Trojans were led by sophomore defensive lineman Jonathan Pearson (Chesterfield, VA) who recorded nine tackles (six solo) while junior defensive lineman Erin Pettiford (Cedar Grove, NC) recorded seven tackles (six solo) and two sacks. The Hawks defense was led by Newberry who recorded nine tackles all solo.

On their first drive of the game the Hawks put together an eight play drive for 65 yards to take the early lead. Down by seven, Cannon burst through the Hawk defense for a 29 yard run to put the Trojans on the board and tie the game with an extra point kick by sophomore kicker Mathew Hillquist (Glenn Allen, VA) The score would remain tied at 7-7 to end the first quarter.



Watkins and Lee of the Hawks took turns running the ball on their first drive of the second quarter. A 6 yard run by Lee quickly breaks the tie and Chowan regains the lead.
The Trojans seek to answer back starting their drive with a quick pass to Holloman on first down for 17 yards, followed by a completion on 3rd & 9 to sophomore wide receiver Josh Harris (Mechanicsville, VA) to keep the drive alive. A quarterback keep by junior Tarian Ayres (Dillwyn, VA) resulted in a 7 yard touchdown for the Trojans, but a missed extra point kick attempt would leave the lead with the Hawks.

The Hawks don't hold back and revisit the end zone on a 20 yard run by Watkins to extend their lead, 21 -13. The Hawks maintained their 21 - 13 lead heading into halftime.
Chowan's offense take a shot at the end zone on their opening drive of the third quarter. A pass from Watkins to Lombard for 34 yards extended the Hawks lead to 28-13 over the Trojans.

Down by 15 the Trojans attempted to rally back, but can't convert on 3rd and 10 at the Hawks 22 yard line. Hillquist's field goal chipped away at Chowan's lead. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 28-16.

The Trojans looked to Hillquist again as they enter the fourth quarter with a fourth and goal scenario. Hillquist's field goal cuts the Hawks lead to 28 - 19.

Having under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, a 6 yard run by Bellamy closed the scoring gap and brought the Trojans within two points of the Hawks, 28 - 26.
A two point differential and the win on the line, the Trojans put together a 19 yard drive to get the ball into Chowan's territory.

On 1st and 10 at the Chowan 39 yard line, Ayres completes a quick pass to Cannon. Cannon throws the ball deep down the field to Holloman for a Trojans touchdown. The Trojans take the lead, 32-28.

The Hawks made one last effort to score, but couldn't withstand the pressure coming from the Trojan defense. The Trojan victory would give the Hawks a homecoming upset.

"With the game on the line you got to be willing to take shots," said Head Coach Byron Thweatt. "The execution was great and it all goes back to being poised."
The Hawks move to a 5-4 overall record, 3-3 in the conference.

"Wins like this symbolize unity and family. I love this team and we understand that we practice, and play for each other," said Coach Thweatt. "It symbolizes that we stay together in times of adversity and we will always believe in each other. We are all we got and all we need."

Mark your calendars! The Trojans will take on the Panthers of Virginia Union University on Nov. 7 for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Rogers Stadium.

The Virginia State Department of Athletics annual 1,000 cans, 1 goal campaign initiative is underway. The canned food items collected will be donated to the local food banks. The Department encourages all fans, alumni, faculty and friends to bring a canned food item to all of the home volleyball and football games this season.

For more information on VSU Trojans Football, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

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Sports Information GA- Shalyn Moore
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NCCU Earns Clutch Homecoming Victory with Fourth-Quarter Play

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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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 74^thMagic 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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ATTENDANCE: 63,874

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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.

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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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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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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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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 Reggis Onwukamuche were drafted by the NBA D-League on Saturday afternoon.

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.

"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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