Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Bills' Marcell Dareus supports Alabama HBCU during bye week

COURTESY buffalobills.com
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- On Saturday, October 31, 2015, in accordance with his ongoing efforts to hone in on the importance of education, Marcell Dareus presented a check to the Magic City Classic Scholarship Fund. During the third quarter of the 74th Annual Magic City Classic, the Buffalo Bills’ two-time pro bowler and former University of Alabama national champion, presented a check for $10,000 to former Alabama A&M Quarterback and Birmingham City Councilman, Jay Roberson.

Although Dareus didn’t attend a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), he understands the importance of preserving the heritage of those institutions. The Magic City Classic is an annual football game that takes place between Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University in Birmingham AL, Marcell Dareus’ hometown.

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Five Shaw Bears and Coach Massey cited for CIAA Weekly Honors



CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Five players and Head Football Coach of the Shaw University football team has been named to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) honors of the week, the conference announced this morning.

Sheldon Saddler (Kannapolis, NC) was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Week, Marquise Grizzle (Camden, NC) was named Offensive Back of the Week, Bruce Parker, Jr. (New York, NY) was selected Defensive Back of the Week, Joe Nguyen (Charlotte, NC) tabbed the votes for Special Teams Player of the Week, while Terrence Shambry II (Chesapeake, VA) was chosen as Rookie of the Week and Coach Robert Massey was named the CIAA Coach of the Week for the first time this season.

Coach Massey led the Bears to a thrilling 32-25 double overtime win over Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, Oct. 31st. The victory was the first win over WSSU since 2010 and also snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Bears. Shaw powered 506 total offensive yards in the win – anchored by offensive lineman Saddler.

A 5-7, 180-pound senior, Grizzle rushed for 169 yards on 28 attempts against WSSU. He also broke the schools record to become the programs' all-time leading rusher. Grizzles' touchdown run in overtime contributed to the Bears success last weekend.

Parker, Jr., a 5-10, 170-pound junior defensive back, helped ice the win over WSSU when he intercepted the Rams pass in the end zone in front of nearly 16, 000 fans at Bowman Gray Stadium. He leads the Bears in interceptions with five on the season.

Nguyen, played a critical role in the victory as he was 4-6 in field goals, while making a 36 yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.

Freshman quarterback Shambry, II in his fourth start on the season had one of his best performances in Shaw's 32-25 victory over WSSU. He connected 29-of-44 passes for 267 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Shambry, II added 30 yards on the ground on 11 attempts.

The Bears will conclude the 2015 season on Nov. 7th when they host cross-town rival Saint Augustine's University for CIAA matchup. Saturday's contest is also Shaw's Homecoming and annual Senior Day. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

COURTESY SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Tuskegee Golden Tigers Move to 13th in D2 Football Poll

LIBERTY, Missouri -- Tuskegee University achieved their highest ranking of the season in the D2football.com poll released Tuesday morning, using a 19-7 victory over Central State to move to 13th in this week's poll.

The Golden Tigers are now ranked in each Division II poll for the third consecutive week.

Tuskegee (8-1 overall, 7-0 SIAC, 4-0 West Division) is the only SIAC school, as well as the only HBCU, receiving votes in this week's poll. They also join three other teams from the region in the poll this week - West Georgia (first), North Alabama (11th, up from 14th), and Valdosta State (19th, up from 21st).

Tuskegee faces their biggest test of the year when they host Miles at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1 pm and is homecoming for the Golden Tigers, with the winner advancing 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.

Rk Team Rec Last Wk
1 West Georgia 9-0 1
2 Ferris State 8-0 2
3 Northwest Missouri 9-0 3
4 CSU-Pueblo 8-1 4
5 Ashland 9-0 6
6 Minnesota State-Mankato 8-1 7
7 Sioux Falls 8-1 11
8 Shepherd 8-0 9
9 Texas A&M-Commerce 7-2 5
10 Slippery Rock 8-1 12
11 North Alabama 6-2 14
12 Midwestern State 8-1 15
13 Tuskegee 8-1 16
14 Humboldt State 7-1 17
15 Central Missouri 7-2 18
16 Emporia State 8-1 19
17 Grand Valley State 7-2 10
18 Henderson State 8-1 20
19 Valdosta State 6-2 21
20 Michigan Tech 6-2 22
21 Assumption 8-1 23
22 Colorado Mesa 8-1 24
23 Minnesota-Duluth 6-3 8
24 Colorado School of Mines 7-2 13
25 Charleston 8-1 NR

COURTESY TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Livingstone Blue Bears’ QB cited for drug possession

NO! NO!! NO!!!
SALISBURY, North Carolina — Livingstone football star Drew Powell received a citation for misdemeanor possession of marijuana last Tuesday, according to a Salisbury Police Department report.

The initial report appeared in the crime blotter section of Thursday’s Salisbury Post, but made no mention of Powell being a Livingstone student or football player. The charge occurred during a traffic stop at the corner of West Monroe and South Ellis streets.

Powell, a senior from Upper Marlboro, Md., is a four-year starter at quarterback for the Blue Bears and has earned All-CIAA honors for his play.

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MEAC title hopes for Morgan State football rest on defeating Bethune-Cookman

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State may have enjoyed its bye week, but the program did not get much good news in the race for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.

All four teams at the top of the standings – No. 19 North Carolina A&T, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State – won over the weekend and stayed ahead of the Bears (3-4 overall and 3-2 in the league). That means that if Morgan State wants to stay in contention and repeat as MEAC champion for the second straight year, the team must record a victory at Bethune-Cookman (7-2, 5-1) this Saturday.

Bears coach Lee Hull is fully aware of the implications of Saturday’s contest.

“Obviously, it’s a must-win for us to have a chance to stay in the hunt and have a chance to win the league or have a share of the title,” he said Tuesday morning during his weekly conference call organized by the MEAC. “This is a [huge] game, but we’re not taking it that way, we’re not putting the pressure on guys. We just want to go out and play our best and see what happens.”



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Attorney for Lee Fobbs: We will vigorously defend nepotism charges

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- The attorney representing Grambling running backs coach Lee Fobbs, who along with his son, head coach Broderick Fobbs, was recently charged with nepotism by the Louisiana Board of Ethics, is confident they'll be cleared of any wrongdoing.

State Sen. Rick Gallot, the Ruston-based attorney who is handling Lee Fobbs' case, told The News-Star on Monday that Fobbs, nor his son, didn't "violate any provision of the code of governmental ethics."

"We will vigorously defend these charges and we feel like, at the end of the day, we'll be successful," Gallot said.

"We feel very comfortable and confident that at the end of the day we'll be cleared of these charges. It's just a heck of a distraction and inconvenience especially with the program doing so well after everything that went on before coach Fobbs got here. He's doing such a tremendous job. To have this distraction is very unfortunate."

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Southern coach Dawson Odums hopes Jaguars shake off loss, wet weather

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern has played football in messy conditions the past two weeks, and coach Dawson Odums said he hopes there aren’t any lingering effects.

Two weeks ago in Houston, the Jaguars endured torrential rains related to the remnants of Hurricane Patricia and a sloppy field during a 40-21 victory at Texas Southern.

Then Saturday, daylong heavy rains produced what Odums on Monday called “one of the worst field conditions I’ve ever played on in a football game.”

Southern couldn’t throw the ball and lost four fumbles in a 48-7 loss to Alcorn State.

“They got off to a fast start,” Odums said during the Southwestern Athletic Conference coaches weekly teleconference. “We got some momentum and it was 21-7. But after that, we just couldn’t get anything going and we turned the ball over, and they capitalized like good teams do.”

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Gold Nuggets win by 19 in second straight road victory November 2, 2015


LAKE WALES, Florida -- Freshmen Mikayla Bates and Joi Simmons combined for seven points during an early run Monday which jump-started NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 63-44 women's basketball victory at Warner.

For the first time in six years, the Gold Nuggets (2-0) have begun a season with back-to-back road victories. It’s the first time since the 2004-05 season that Xavier allowed fewer than 50 points in each of its first two games.

After the Royals (1-1) took their only lead with 1-of-2 free throws in the opening minute, Xavier seized control by outscoring Warner 13-1 during the next 6 1/2 minutes. Simmons made a pair of baskets, and Bates sank a 3-pointer during the run.

Bates, one of 10 Gold Nuggets to score, finished with 10 points. Simmons had nine points, six rebounds and three assists. Senior center Amara Person-Hampton scored a career-high-tying eight points, and Donyeah Mayfield grabbed 10 rebounds.

All-star guard Whitney Gathright, who scored 21 points in the opener Saturday, had six points, seven rebounds and six assists.

Mariah Williams had 11 points, five rebounds and four steals for Warner, an NAIA Division II member which lost 71-59 to Xavier in New Orleans last season.

Xavier outshot the Royals 37.9 to 25 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 47-38. The Gold Nuggets led 32-21 at halftime and outscored Warner 12-4 in the final 8 1/2 minutes.

The Gold Nuggets will play their home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday against LeMoyne-Owen in an exhibition game at the Convocation Center. It will follow a 4 p.m. men’s game between Xavier and Spring Hill. Both XU opponents are NCAA Division II members.

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

www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Noth Carolina A&T Aggies Stand Firm; Tuskegee Tied By Bowie State Atop HSRN Football Polls

HARTLEY, Delaware – North Carolina A&T stood firm and Bowie State closed the gap to tie Tuskegee on top of the HSRN Football Polls following week 9 of the HBCU action. The Aggies top the HSRN Division I Poll, while the Golden Tigers and Bulldogs are tied for first place in HSRN's Division II/NAIA Poll.

Division I/FCS

The top six spots were unchanged from last week with some shuffling in the lower third of the rankings due to Southern's 48-7 loss to Alcorn State and Alabama State's 35-20 Magic City Classic win over Alabama A&M. The Hornets have won four of their last five games and came in at #10 this week

Division II/NAIA

Tuskegee survived a potential trap game with a 19-7 win over Central State. Meanwhile, Bowie State crushed Lincoln (Pa), 57-3, in their home finale of the season, moving into a first place tie with the Golden Tigers.

Fort Valley State jumped three spots thanks to a 35-3 homecoming victory over Morehouse.

Livingstone moved back into the top 10 following its 42-35 homecoming win over Fayetteville State in overtime.





Monday, November 2, 2015

2015 SWAC Football Teleconference - Week 10



COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Eight Top HBCUs Form Epic 2016 Honda Battle of the Bands Lineup

TORRANCE, California – The votes are in and the lineup is set. Students, alumni and fans from America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have helped select eight top marching bands to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, on January 30, 2016 in Atlanta. For this 14th installment, talented student musicians will once again dazzle an expected capacity crowd at the Georgia Dome, with a unique display of showmanship, instrumental performances and carefully curated choreography. The 2016 lineup consists of new and familiar HBCUs, including first- time participant, Lincoln University (PA) and eleven-time participant, Bethune-Cookman University.



Alabama A&M University, Marching Maroon & White (Southwestern Athletic Conference)

Alcorn State University, Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite (Southwestern Athletic Conference)

Bethune Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)

Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southeastern Athletic Conference)

Lincoln University (PA), Orange Crush Roaring Lions (Central Intercollegiate Athletic

Association)

Prairie View A&M University, Marching Storm (Southwest Athletic Conference)

South Carolina State University, Marching “101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)

Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Ohio Valley Conference)



About Honda

Honda seeks to be a company that society wants to exist, creating products and technologies that improve the lives of people while minimizing the environmental impacts of its products and business operations to ensure a sustainable future. Honda also is committed to making positive contributions to the communities where it does business, to socially responsible business practices and to the promotion of diversity in its workforce. From Honda's involvement in STEM education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) to its support of pediatric brain tumor research and volunteer efforts by Honda associates – including environmental clean-up activities – Honda believes in giving back to the communities where its associates live and work. Learn more at csr.honda.com.

JSU survives bumpy ride against MVSU



JACKSON, Mississippi -- Any time things would get bad for Jackson State during games earlier this season, they had a tendency to become ugly.

A seven-point, second-quarter deficit against Middle Tennessee State turned into a 56-point loss. A five-point, second-quarter hole turned into as much as 23 in a loss to Tennessee State. An eight-point halftime disadvantage resulted in a 32-point loss against Grambling.

When it rained on the Tigers, it eventually poured.

Granted, Mississippi Valley State is currently winless, but it was still somewhat surprising JSU was able to turn a 10-point deficit in the third quarter into a 10-point win, 26-16, in Itta Bena on Saturday.

“Well, he (MVSU coach Rick Comegy) had me really worried there for a minute,” Tigers interim coach Derrick McCall said. “But the kids kept coming to me and said coach don’t worry, we got it.

“We stuck to what we were doing, we never wavered from it. … We never deviated from our game plan.”

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JSU seeks new trial or award reduction

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State University is asking for a new trial or for a federal judge to reduce the $382,000 awarded to former women's basketball coach Denise Taylor Travis.

Travis, who used the last name Taylor when she was at JSU, coached at JSU for 10 seasons, from 2001 to 2011, and led the program to the 2008 SWAC Tournament title. Her contract was renewed in 2010 for four years with her salary set at $91,000 a year. The university fired Taylor in June 2011 after Carolyn Meyers became JSU president.

Taylor filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Jackson on Jan. 24, 2012, against the university, alleging wrongful termination, sexual discrimination, invasion of privacy and breach of contract.

In December 2013, a jury ruled in favor of Taylor's claim that the university breached her contract and awarded her $182,000. The jury dismissed her sexual discrimination and retaliation claims. Also, in the same case, U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate ruled in August 2014 in favor of Taylor's claim of emotional pain and suffering in her invasion of privacy claim and awarded her $200,000.

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NC A&T Aggies Continue To Climb In National Polls

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T moved closer to being recognized as one of the Top-15 teams in Division I-Football Championship Subdivision. In the NCAA FCS Coaches’ Poll, the Aggies rose four spots to No. 16 nationally following their 28-10 win over Florida A&M Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium.

The Aggies, who improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the MEAC, made one of the biggest jumps in the poll. Charleston Southern moved up six places to No. 13 after upsetting previously undefeated Coastal Carolina. Southern Utah also jumped six spots to No. 18 after beating Cal Poly. Youngstown State joined the Aggies in moving up four spaces.

The 15 teams ahead of the Aggies in the poll are led by No. 1 Jacksonville State followed by Illinois State, Chattanooga, Eastern Washington, McNeese State, North Dakota State, Richmond, Coastal Carolina, Portland State, Sam Houston State, South Dakota State, William & Mary, Charleston Southern, James Madison and Harvard.



The Aggies were joined in the poll by fellow MEAC school Bethune-Cookman at No. 25. N.C. A&T made a slight move upward in the STATS FCS Poll by moving from No. 20 to 19th in the nation. The Aggies are ranked ahead of Southern Utah, Youngstown State, Montana, Indiana State, Dartmouth and The Citadel. The Top-5 in the FCS poll are Jacksonville State, Illinois State, Chattanooga, Eastern Washington and Richmond.

A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the STATS FCS Top 25. In the voting, a first-place vote is worth 25 points, a second-place vote 24 points, all the way down to one point for a 25th-place vote. The Top 25 is released every Monday afternoon during the regular season, except for Sunday morning, Nov. 22, prior to the selection of the 24-team FCS playoff field.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Game vs. N.C. A&T could shape SCSU's football season

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Something to play for. It's what every athlete and every coach looks for in every contest of every season.

The South Carolina State football team has more than something to play for Saturday when lone Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference unbeaten North Carolina A&T comes to town to play the Bulldogs in a 1:30 p.m. MEAC game at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.



SCSU is 5-3 overall, 4-1 in MEAC play, while N.C. A&T is 7-1 overall, 5-0 in the MEAC. A Bulldogs' win would have (at the most) four conference teams playing with a single loss heading into the final two weeks of the season.

An Aggies' win would keep N.C.A&T as the lone unbeaten heading into the final two games at home against winless Delaware State and once-beaten N.C. Central.

The promise of playing for positioning to be among the conference co-champions this late in the season is something SCSU head coach Buddy Pough relishes.

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Sunday, November 1, 2015

Tennessee State Tigers Earn 20-6 Win Over Austin Peay

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State used a stingy defense and a 97-yard drive in the final quarter to earn a 20-6 win over Austin Peay. The two teams battled in front of 5,985 fans who endured a continual rain on Saturday afternoon at Hale Stadium.

The win gave the Tigers its first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season (1-4) as they evened their season record to 4-4. APSU is still looking for its first win of the year as they fell to 0-9, 0-6 in conference play.

Austin Peay opened fast as they marched 66 yards on 11 plays and took an early 3-0 lead on a 35-yard field goal by Logan Birchfield. The Governors would get the offense going again to close out the first half with a 10 play-57 yard drive which resulted in a Birchfield 22-yard field goal to cut the score to 13-6.

The Tiger defense would allow just 74 yards against them through the remainder of the game, including holding the Govs to 46 yards of total offense in the second half.

With Austin Peay leading 3-0, the TSU special teams unit earned its second blocked punt of the season as Ty Law blocked a punt allowing Gabe Terry to pull down the deflected ball at the APSU 26. The Tigers would have to settle for a 47-yard field goal by Lane Clark to tie the game at 3-3 with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter.



After the Govs held the Tigers to 17 yards in the first quarter, the offense would get things going on the first possession of the second stanza. Telvin Hooks carried the load on the drive breaking runs of 23 and 13 yards. On the runs, Hooks continued his climb up the TSU career rushing list as he passed Lee Derricks (1953-55) and Nathaniel Simpson (1973-76) moving into eighth all-time.

Later in the drive, the Tigers took its first lead of the game as O’Shay Ackerman-Carter found Joshawn Bowens for three yards in the back of the end zone with 10:30 remaining in the half, 10-3. The touchdown was the sixth for the redshirt-freshman quarterback and the third for the senior tight end.

With just under four minutes to go before half, the Tigers would add to its lead as Clark connected on a 38-yard field goal making the score 13-3. The Govs would take over for the final drive of the half.

The Tigers held strong as they stopped a third-and-goal from inside the one with seconds left on the seconds. APSU tried to run a quick play before the Tigers could get set and before the clock would run out before half time. The Govs could not get the play off in time, but the officials deemed a player was injured player on the field and added two seconds on the clock. The second chance was halted by a false start, pushing the ball back five yards leaving the Birchfield field goal as the only option.

The score remained at 13-6 until the Tigers took over the ball at its own three yard line with 10:22 remaining in regulation. TSU proceeded to shave just under nine minutes off the clock as they moved all the way across the field in 15 plays, 13 of which were runs. The Tigers jumped out to a 20-6 advantage as Erick Evans broke through the left side of the line for 25 yards and his third touchdown of the season.

Evans finished the game with 13 rushes and a game high 83 yards. Hooks added 76 yards on 18 carries and surpassed Larry Kinnebrew (1978-82) to become the seventh all-time leading rusher at TSU.



Kendall Morris led the Govs with 76 yards on 18 carries, but was held to one yard on six rushes in the second half.

In his return, Ackerman-Carter finished the contest 13-of-26 for 76 yards a touchdown and an interception.

Freshman Blair Edwards entered the game midway through the first quarter in place of Van Williams who left due to injury. Edwards went on to record 13 tackles, six solo, to lead the Tigers defense.

The Tigers will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 7 as they host Murray State at 2:30 p.m. in Hale Stadium.

Game Notes:
TSU’s captains were Dinsdale Jackson, Joe Bowens, Aaron Woods and O’Shay Ackerman-Carter … Austin Peay won the coin toss and received the opening kickoff … 2:03 p.m. start time … Weather at time of kickoff was 63 degrees, cloudy and rainy … O’Shay Ackerman-Carter made his fifth start of the season ... Ackerman-Carter missed the two previous games due to injury … Saturday was the 18th all-time meeting between TSU and Austin Peay … TSU now leads the all-time series with Austin Peay by a 12-6 margin … Senior running back Telvin Hooks moved into seventh on TSU’s all-time career rushing list … Beginning the day ranked 10th in program history, Hooks passed Lee Derricks, Nathaniel Simpson and Larry Kinnebrew on the day. Hooks now has 1,698 career yards … Tennessee State was playing its first game at Hale Stadium on campus this season after hosting two home games at Nissan Stadium … TSU moves to 2-0 when leading at the half this season ... On Sept. 12, the Tigers led Jackson State by a 21-9 margin at the half in a 35-25 victory.

TSU Head Coach Rod Reed
“I’d just like to say I’m proud of these guys for going out and fighting hard. We had a lot of things working against us today. We’ve got a lot of injuries. Our guys did a really good job. We made some adjustments at halftime to stop the run. I thought our defense did a good job and the offense came alive in the second half. That last drive was huge, and it was great to see our offense take it down there and stick it in the end zone.”
--Opening statement

“These guys have a no-quit attitude. They came in last week, and I look at all of them in the eyes on Sunday just to see where their disposition is. These guys get up. We know we’re a good football team, and we’ve had some things work against us. Through all the injuries, these guys keep plugging, and I’m proud of them for that."
-- On overcoming injuries

“I thought he played well. All-in-all, he protected the football. He had one bad read, but you have to knock a little bit of rust off. He hasn’t played in a few weeks, and he’ll get better from here. We need to continue to get him healthy.”
-- On the play of quarterback O’Shay Ackerman-Carter

TSU Redshirt Freshman Quarterback O’Shay Ackerman-Carter
“I feel like I played pretty well for not playing for a few weeks. We started off a little slow, but as the game continued, we kept fighting and got it done.”
-- On his performance

“The offensive line did a tremendous job. Give credit to Coach (Russ) Ehrenfeld, he’s a great coach. I told them in the huddle, ‘this is your drive. Make it happen,’ And they did.”
-- On the play of the line.

TSU Freshman Linebacker Blair Edwards
“Coach told us he was going to give us the game plan. It was up to us to go out there and do what we do, and we did it."
-- On the defense.

“I started from the bottom. I started on scout team and worked my way up. A couple linebackers got hurt and it was up to me to step up.”
-- On the next-man-up mentality of the defense

TSU Junior Defensive Back Ty Law III
“We take special teams really seriously here. Coach Sanders does a good job setting us up at the beginning of the week, and he stresses we need to get in there and go for it. We got in there today so it worked out.”
-- On the importance of special teams



“On film, it’s been exposed all year. We saw that we could take advantage of that so it opened up. I didn’t really get a rub on me, so I just went right through the middle."
-- On his blocked punt

“I felt like it was huge. Momentum jumped on our side, and we got our first points. The offense started rolling a little bit in the first half after that, so I think it was pretty big.
-- How the block punt affected the game

TSU Redshirt Senior Running Back Telvin Hooks
“I’ve had some great offensive lineman for the past four years and they just block for me and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. Without them, I can’t do what I did.”
-- On moving into seventh on TSU’s all-time rushing list

“You have to buckle down when you see this rain because you know you’re going to have to run the ball a lot, and I think Erick (Evans) and I did a great job of handling that. I appreciate the offensive line grinding even though it’s been a rough start for us with the run game but today we came out and had to do it.”
-- On today’s rainy conditions

TSU Sophomore Linebacker Chris Collins
“I feel like we played great together as a team. Everyone was doing their part and not trying to do too much. It all came together. I feel like our defensive line played great and our two freshmen outside linebackers both played really well. A lot of people were nervous but Blair Edwards and Demetro Stephens came to play and stepped up big time for us.”
-- On the play of the defense

“By the end of the game, they started helping me out. Helping me get lined up and toward the fourth quarter we were basically just agreeing with each other and they would tell me what they saw before the play.”
-- On the play of freshmen Blair Edwards and Demetro Stephens, Jr.

TSU Redshirt Freshman Center Thomas Burton
“I think it’s big for him to be able to accomplish that, not only for himself but as a unit. It speaks volumes for the o-line and for him.”
-- On Telvin Hooks moving up TSU’s all-time rushing list

“We have trust in everybody. Coach believes in us and trusts in us to just go out there and play.”
-- On different offensive linemen stepping up.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

KSU Thorobreds unable to hold off Lane comeback in 21-14 loss



JACKSON, Tennessee – The Kentucky State football team jumped out to an early lead but fell victim to a late Lane College comeback, falling 21-14 in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game on Saturday at Lane Field.

Though the Thorobreds got out to the early 14-0 lead, Lane, which had been held to just a pair of field goals over the first 54 minutes, came up with 14 points in the final 6:01 to pull out the win. Kentucky State's defense had been strong most of the afternoon, but the Dragons were able to break through on a 27-yard touchdown from Marcus Reynolds to Darius Mitchell, then tied the game at 14 when Reynolds ran in the two point conversion.

Kentucky State's next drive stalled near midfield, and despite being backed up in a third-and-long, Lane's Aaron Thomas scored on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Reynolds down the right sideline with 1:00 left to play. On their last possession, the Thorobreds marched deep into Lane territory, setting themselves up with one final opportunity from the Lane 15-yard-line with four seconds to play. The last pass attempt was picked off by Lane as time expired.

Though the Thorobreds came into the game as losers of three straight, they seized the momentum on a pair of early touchdown runs by Reginal Harris. Harris topped the 100-yard mark for the second straight week, finishing with a season-high 142 yards rushing on 17 attempts.

Kentucky State wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, with Corey Slaughter helping to set up the first touchdown by returning the opening kickoff to the Lane 45-yard line. Harris handled the rest by breaking a 24–yard run and a 19-yard touchdown on consecutive plays.



Harris opened the second quarter with a touchdown as well, getting free and streaking 68 yards down the left sideline to put the Thorobreds up 14-0. Lane added a 36-yard Carlas Moore field goal to make the score 14-3 at the half.

Unfortunately for Kentucky State, the two touchdowns would be all the points it would manage on the day. The Thorobreds had opportunities to build on their lead, but costly turnovers helped keep them off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Kentucky State lost the turnover battle 6-1 and fumbled the ball four times, including once inside the Lane 10-yard-line.

Offensively, the teams ended up with similar numbers for the game. Kentucky State narrowly outgained Lane 275-273, with nearly half of the Dragons' offense coming on the final two drives. Ora Johnson finished 9-of-22 passing for 87 yards, while Charles Johnson was the Thorobreds' top receiver with three catches for 42 yards.

Lydell Simon led the way on defense for Kentucky State, making seven tackles with three for loss and a sack. Ryan Luckett made six tackles and had an interception, while Trevon Spencer made five tackles with a sack.

With the loss, Kentucky State drops to 2-7 overall, 2-4 in SIAC play, and 1-3 in SIAC West Division competition. Lane improves to 3-6 overall, 2-5 in the conference, and 1-4 in the division. The Thorobreds wrap up their 2015 season when they host Stillman next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.

BOX SCORE



COURTESY KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bulldogs blitz Pirates to get 34-20 homecoming win against Hampton

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State football team captured its third consecutive win on Saturday, taking charge in a 34-20 homecoming game against Hampton in front of 19,821 fans inside Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs (now 5-3 overall, 4-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play) jumped ahead 21-0 by early in the second half, getting solid play from all units — special teams, offense and defense. They will play host to the final unbeaten team in MEAC play (North Carolina A&T) next Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Hampton (now 4-5, 3-3) scored three late touchdowns to make the game more interesting in the fourth quarter. But, the Pirates were playing without suspended graduate student and starting quarterback David Watford, and were turned away from a further comeback effort by a late interception in the end zone by Chris Pauling.

“Special teams continues to be a force for us, with four or five punt blocks this season, and add to that a kickoff return for a score today by Antonio Hamilton,” SCSU head football coach Buddy Pough said. “Those situations give us opportunities to create a little space that you don’t sometimes see in the stats.

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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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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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