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TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Recently the Tallahassee Democrat stated that between FAMU President Dr. Elmira Mangum and members of the FAMU Board of Trustees who have formed an adversarial position and are entrenched, one or both parties need to be dismissed. Members of the Board of Governors has used the situation to do nothing more than add fuel to the fire.
Meanwhile, the FAMU community is just tired of it. The most recent charade by the BOT and all of these responses are examples of what has over the years been an apparent failure of the FAMU administration and evidence of what needs to change.
FAMU does not need the Governor’s office or the Board of Governors to set things straight; and certainly not the Tallahassee Democrat. These parties have already demonstrated a lack of understanding of the needs of this University and the community it serves. Notwithstanding the people in these positions, neither the Governor’s office nor the Board of Governors has ever been a strong advocate of the role of Florida A&M University.
The Tallahassee Democrat has an obligation to increase readership and their articles read more like the comment pages on social media than investigative news. Thus, they make a mockery of the situation.
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana scored the first 11 points Saturday and rolled to a 71-62 men's basketball victory against Spring Hill.
Morris Wright scored 17 points for the Gold Rush, ranked 19th in the NAIA, and Elex Carter and Jarvis Thibodeaux scored 10 apiece. Xavier is 3-0 for the 14th consecutive season.
Xavier never lost its lead after outscoring the Badgers 11-0 — including a pair of RJ Daniels 3-pointers — in the first 4:43. The Gold Rush led by double digits for nearly 28 minutes, and Lucas Martin-Julien's 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining made it 68-48.
Wright, who didn't score until the 14th minute, made 5-of-6 3-pointers and had five assists, one turnover and two steals. The senior guard needs 21 points to become the 25th Gold Rush player with 1,000 in a career.
Sawyer Glick scored 19 points, including 4-of-6 3-pointers, for the Badgers, and Jarrett Calhoun scored 16.
The Gold Rush shot a season-high 53.7 percent from the floor and limited Spring Hill to 44.7 percent. Both teams shot well from 3-point range — Xavier was 9-of-15, and the Badgers were 9-of-18. Xavier produced assists on 21-of-22 field goals. Gary Smith had six assists, and Martin-Julien had five.
The game was an exhibition for Spring Hill — an NCAA Division II member which will open its regular season Friday — but Xavier counted it in its records and statistics.
Xavier will play twice at home next week: 7 p.m. Monday against city rival Loyola and 7 p.m. Thursday against another NCAA Division II opponent, Miles. Xavier is 20-7 against NCAA D2s during Dannton Jackson's 13
seasons as head coach.
MEAC
Hampton 33. Florida A&M 0
Stony Brook 14, Howard 9
North Carolina A&T 9, South Carolina State 6
Norfolk State 20, Savannah State 17 O.T. Homecoming
North Carolina Central 43, Delaware State 10
Bethune-Cookman 38, Morgan State 14
SWAC
Mississippi Valley State 27, Alabama A&M 24 O.T.
Grambling State 41, Texas Southern 15 Red River Classic
Prairie View A&M 40. Alcorn State 34
Southern 57 Arkansas Pine Bluff 24
Alabama State 17, Jackson State 12
OVC
Murray State 46, Tennessee State 43 O.T.
MWC
Concord 52, West Virginia State 7 GLIAC
William Jewell 34, Lincoln (Mo.) 31
CSFL
Texas College 21, Lyon College 14
Langston 48, Wayland Baptist 24 The Sun Conference
Edward Waters 18, Warner 13 PSAC
Millersville 26, Cheyney 6
CIAA
Bowie State 63, Elizabeth City State 42
Chowan 49, Lincoln (Pa.) 3
Livingstone 35, Johnson C. Smith 12 Commemorative Classic
Kentucky State 34, Stillman 7
Central State (Ohio) 50, Concordia-Selma 31
Saint Augustine's 31, Shaw 24 Homecoming
Samford 43, Clark Atlanta 0 SIAC
Winston-Salem State 24, Fayetteville State 22
Albany State 21, Fort Valley State 17 Fountain City Classic
Southeastern U. (FL) 35 Benedict 20
Virginia Union 28, Virginia State 27
Morehouse 28, Lane 24
Miles 26, Tuskegee 23
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina – Normally when a college football game is marked as one of the all-time greats in the school’s history, there is a lot of offense involved. North Carolina A&T played in a great one, but there wasn’t much offense involved.
N.C. A&T and S.C. State, the top two defenses in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, bludgeoned the respective opposing offenses for 57 minutes before a peculiar play call, a freshman quarterback and a missed field goal gave No. 16 N.C. A&T a 9-6 win over the Bulldogs at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium.
It was the Aggies first win at Dawson Stadium since 1969, ending a 14-game losing streak. The Aggies beat the Bulldogs for just the second time in 16 previous tries. N.C. A&T improved to 8-1 overall and remained undefeated and in first place in the MEAC by improving to 6-0 with two regular season games – Delaware State and N.C. Central – remaining on the schedule.
“Those were two outstanding defenses out there,” said N.C. A&T head coach Rod Broadway. “Those were two championship football teams playing out there today. Both teams have championship defenses. We knew it came down to who would make the fewest mistakes.”
One mistake in particular will stick out in the mind of Bulldog fans for a long time because it appeared S.C. State (5-4, 4-2 MEAC) had the Aggies right where they wanted them with a little more than three minutes remaining in the game. The Bulldogs led 6-2 and were lined up to punt the ball away from the Aggies 36-yard line. The punt would have likely put the Aggies in bad to moderate field position.
Until that point, S.C. State had stopped All-American running back Tarik Cohen from being a factor in the game and the Aggies only had four completed passes. But instead of a punt, the Bulldogs faked the punt as Jerome Pettiway rolled to his right and threw on the run. Fifth-year N.C. A&T middle linebacker Denzel Jones stepped in front of the intended receiver and intercepted Pettiway’s pass and returned it 25 yards to the SCSU 31.
With redshirt freshman Lamar Raynard struggling to complete passes and senior Kwashaun Quick sidelined with an injury, the Aggies decided to go with true freshman quarterback Kylil Carter to execute the team’s biggest drive of the season. With the ball on the SCSU 17-yard line and facing a 4th-and-6 with 1:44 remaining, the trust in Carter paid off. Carter surveyed the field before firing a laser into the arms of sophomore Khris Gardin in the back of the end zone for a touchdown and a 9-6 Aggies lead.
“It says, ‘and a child shall lead them,’” Broadway said about the Austell, Ga., native Carter. “Raynard had a tough time today. He is struggling for some reason. Quick couldn't go, so we knew we were going to play him, and he can play. He is going to be an outstanding player and to have that kind of composure in that type of situation in a game like this says a lot about that kid.”
If SCSU was demoralized, it didn’t show. The Bulldogs’ offense took possession with 1:39 to play and drove down the field in seconds aided by a 3rd-and-20 conversion and two Aggie penalties that gave them first-and-goal at the Aggies 5 with nine seconds remaining. But on the Bulldogs’ first down play, a bad snap pushed SCSU back 11 yards and forced them to call their final timeout with two seconds to play.
Kicker Tyler Scandrett came on to attempt a 33-yard field goal that he missed wide left as time expired. “The guy just missed the field goal. Thank God he missed it,” said Broadway.
Scandrett’s miss means the Aggies still control their own destiny. If the Aggies win their remaining two games they will win the school’s eighth MEAC championship, 13th overall conference championship and they will earn a spot in the inaugural Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 19 against the SWAC champion.
S.C. State had its chances to disrupt those plans. The Bulldogs scored on their first drive of the game on a 30-yard field goal and then had the ball 1st-and-goal on the Aggies 9 after a blocked punt in the third quarter. With the Bulldogs defense playing so well, they had a chance to take a solid lead in the game with a touchdown, but N.C. A&T’s defense held the Bulldogs to three points and a 6-0 lead.
"South Carolina State has an outstanding defense, but hey, so do we,” said Broadway about a defense that also caused a safety on Saturday. “They had some exceptio
nal field position, but we were able to stand up and play with our backs against the wall. To hold those guys to three points when they got the ball on the 9-yard line was big. I thought that was the difference in the ballgame.”
Bethune-Cookman and N.C. Central are still in the hunt for the Celebration bid with only one loss in the conference. The NCCU Eagles come to town on Nov. 21 after the Aggies next game, Nov. 14 at Aggie Stadium against Delaware State at 1 p.m., on ESPN3. The game will air tape delayed on ESPNU at 10 p.m.
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
COLUMBUS, Georgia -- Albany State made Fort Valley State pay dearly for its lone turnover.
The Ramns drove for the winning score after the FVS fumble, winning 21-17 on Saturday in the annual Fountain City Classic at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.
With the victory, Albany State won the SIAC East Division. The Rams will play Miles in the SIAC championship game in Montgomery, Ala., on Nov. 14.
Fort Valley State took its first lead of the game 17-14 with 14:08 remaining in the fourth quarter when Travis Richmond caught a Malcolm Eady pass from 4 yards out.
Albany State drove from its 17 to the Wildcat 21, where Zachary Gayden-Holley attempted a 38-yard field goal that missed wide right with 6:58 remaining.
On the next offensive play for the Wildcats, Seth Hill fumbled the ball back to the Rams.
There were also two penalties after the fumble on Fort Valley State setting Albany state up with 1st-and-goal from the Wildcat 7.
BSU Bulldogs to Face Winston-Salem State in Title Game Next Saturday
ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina – Bowie State University captured the CIAA Northern Division crown after defeating Elizabeth City State University 63-42 on Saturday afternoon. With the victory, Bowie State improves to 9-1 overall, 7-0 in league play and 5-0 in the division.
Bowie State and Elizabeth City State had to endure a two and a half hour weather (lightning) delay after the game was suspended at 1:38 p.m. EST. The contest was stopped with 14:10 left in the second quarter and the Bulldogs in front 21-7. Taking its 1 p.m. kickoff time and weather delay into account, Saturday's game lasted a total of 5 hours and 30 minutes.
"Kendall (Jefferson) showed his true senior leadership in this game, we're very excited to win the North and will now prepare for Winston-Salem State and the (CIAA) Championship game", said an excited but tired Bowie State head coach Damon Wilson.
Graduate student Kendall Jefferson (Temple Hills, Md.) set a Bowie State single-game rushing yards record with 269 on 24 carries and scored three rushing touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs. Jefferson also tallied 155 kickoff return yards with one being a 95 return for a score. Freshman Nyema Washington (Forestville, Md.) threw for career-high 364 yards and set a new BSU single-game touchdown passes record with five.
Junior Nyme Manns (Baltimore, Md.) tied a Bowie State single-game record for most TD receptions with three, recording seven catches for 157 yards. The Bowie State trio of redshirt sophomore Rahman Kamara (Bowie, Md.), senior Brian Hall (Capitol Heights, Md.) and freshman Quinton Jordan (Upper Marlboro, Md.) recorded seven tackles each to pace the Bulldogs defense.
Redshirt junior kicker Christopher Palmer (St. Mary's, Md.) surpassed his own BSU single-game record of seven PAT's with nine extra points in this regular season finale.
As a team, Bowie State set a new school single game record for total offensive yards with 732, surpassing the old mark of 595 vs. Livingstone (9/9/2009).
Elizabeth City State (4-5, 2-5 CIAA, 1-4 North) was led on offense by quarterback Daquan Neal (Franklinton, N.C.) with a game-high 377 passing yards, completing 18-of-32 and four touchdowns. Lovie Banks-Rose (Washington, D.C.) was the Vikings' leading receiver with 10 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Rose was also responsible for 259 kickoff return yards for ECSU. Johnny Nunn (Charlotte, N.C.) had five receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Stephen Williams and Josh Dawkins recorded game-high, double-digit tackles, pacing Elizabeth City State with 17 and 13 respectively.
The Bulldogs will face the Winston-Salem State Rams next Saturday (November 14th) in Durham (N.C.) County Stadium at 2 p.m. for the CIAA Championship.
COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
DURHAM, North Carolina -- The North Carolina Central University football team celebrated senior day in victory, taking down the Hornets of Delaware State University, 43-10, on Saturday, Nov. 7 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
After Saturday's victory, NCCU (6-3, 5-1) created its first five-game winning streak since 2006.
Eagles' kicker Nigel Macauley tied the school record for single-season field goals with three against Delaware State (0-9, 0-6) for a total of 16. The record was originally set in 2005 by Brandon Gilbert.
NCCU quarterback Malcolm Bell threw for 121 yards and one touchdown, while David Miller had six receptions for 77 yards, and a touchdown of his own from senior quarterback Quinn Billerman.
The Eagles' defense took the field in domination after kickoff. Redshirt junior Darius Spruill had a season-high three sacks on Saturday, two of which were on the opening drive against the Hornets.
NCCU running back Dorrel McClain gave the Eagles an early 7-0 lead with his first touchdown reception of the season. McClain also accounted for 120 rushing yards.
Shortly after the Eagle touchdown, a fumble recovery by Roderick Harris gave NCCU another opportunity to get in the end zone. Instead, the Eagles went for a 41-yard field goal attempt, but the kick was no good.
The second quarter presented a light for the Hornets with Bryce Alleyne running the ball in the end zone from three yards out, evening the battle with NCCU at seven.
As proven, the Eagles had a response. Bell completed a 32-yard pass to Armani Lanier, setting the Eagles up for one of two touchdowns by senior Kevin Thompson.
Thompson's touchdown and Macauley's extra point returned the lead to the Eagles at 14-7 with 8:07 remaining in the first half.
The Hornets were not defeated yet. Delaware State managed to block Nathaniel Tilque's punt and recovered the ball at the NCCU 1-yard line. The blocked punt made for the first in Tilque's career, and led the Hornets to a field goal from Wisdom Nzidee, cutting the Eagle lead to 14-10.
The Hornets seemed challenged in holding on to the football, as they fumbled on a punt return and NCCU senior Theo Livingston recovered the ball at the Delaware State 15-yard line. The recovery made way for another Eagles' score, thanks to a 25-yard field goal from Macauley.
The Eagles were on top of the Hornets at halftime, 17-10.
Jonathan Williams got the Eagles going in the third quarter, returning the opening kickoff for 54 yards. As a result, Macauley was set up for consecutive field-goal attempts; both were good and the Eagles went ahead 23-10 against the Hornets.
NCCU held Delaware State scoreless in the second half, but continued their domination with a 61-yard punt return touchdown from Lavontis Smith, upping the Eagles' edge to 29-10.
The Eagles put a finish on the Hornets with Thompson's second touchdown of the day and Miller's 17-yard touchdown reception from Billerman. The clock headed toward zero and the final score read 43-10 in O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
NCCU travels to Washington, D.C. to face Howard University on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.
Written by Staci Green, NCCU student assistant North Carolina Central University Sports Information
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Arkansas-Pine Bluff offered no excuses.
Southern University scored touchdowns on its first three possessions to take command early in the first quarter Saturday and UAPB never recovered as it lost its seventh consecutive game and remained winless in conference play with a 57-24 loss at Golden Lions Stadium.
UAPB may have only 37 players in its football roster -- the limit for NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision teams is 63 -- but the Golden Lions weren't interested in laying blame anywhere else.
"There's never an excuse for giving up that many points," junior linebacker Willie Duncan III said. "I mean, we have the same number of guys on the field as they do. There are no excuses."
UAPB Coach Monte Coleman acknowledged after UAPB dropped to 1-8 overall and 0-6 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference that he has heard the rumblings this season.
"This is my philosophy, and I took it with me when I first tried out for the Washington Redskins," Coleman said. "I said, 'If I make the team, great. If I don't, I will still have given it the best shot I could. I'll have no regrets.'
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida – No. 25 Bethune-Cookman closed out its 2015 home schedule Saturday with a 38-14 Senior Day victory over Morgan State before a Municipal Stadium crowd of 7,461.
Quentin Williams, one of 20 Wildcats seniors honored in pre-game ceremonies, threw for 257 yards and a touchdown as the Wildcats (8-2 overall, 6-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) pulled away from a one-score game at halftime to keep their post-season hopes alive heading into a bye week for the upcoming spin.
Williams’ completion percentage (16 of 19 for 84.2 percent) was a season-best as he posted his fifth 200-yard game of the campaign. The Tampa native connected on a 44-yarder to Frank Brown during the Wildcats’ opening drive of the third quarter that gave the Maroon and Gold a 28-14 lead.
Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore signal caller Larry Brihm, Jr. registered 130 total yards (87 rushing, 43 passing) and a touchdown via the ground in the second half to help the Wildcats finish their home slate undefeated in five game and extend their home winning streak to 10 games dating back to 2013.
The Wildcats finished with 600 total yards, seven shy of the season-high against Norfolk State on Homecoming just two weeks prior at “The Cage”.
B-CU running backs Michael D. Jones (73 yards) and graduate senior Anthony Jordan (53) each rushed for first half touchdowns. Jordan’s 3-yard run with 4:39 left in the first half not only gave B-CU a 14-7 lead, but moved the senior into a tie alongside former teammate Isidore Jackson for third in career rushing touchdowns at Bethune-Cookman with 34 under his belt.
Marquis Drayton, another B-CU senior playing in his final home game, registered the Wildcats’ first interception return for touchdown of the season – a 30-yarder that pushed the Wildcats to a 21-7 advantage with 3:19 left showing on the clock before intermission.
Morgan State (3-5, 3-3 MEAC) closed to within 21-14 on Moses Skillon’s 10-yard strike through the air to Landen Marlbrough just 16 seconds before halftime. However, the Bears mustered just four first downs and 91 total yards in the second half, with their lone scoring threat dashed by an Atreyu Farrior interception in the red zone.
Jawill Davis’ four catches for 69 yards paced 11 Wildcats receivers who had at least one catch on the day. Brown and Jontavious Carter each had three receptions for 52 yards, and Jaime Wilson had three catches of his own for 26 yards.
Having played 10 consecutive weeks to begin the 2015 season, Bethune-Cookman will utilize a much-needed bye week next week, before taking on in-state rival Florida A&M on November 21, in the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic at Orlando’s newly renovated Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUathletics) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.
COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State kicker Cameron Marouf offered quite a contrast in style Saturday.
Surrounded by freshly stained teammates in their mud-caked uniforms, Marouf sat mostly quiet at the postgame news conference, resplendent in a black suit, black shirt and black tie.
He might not have been the coolest guy in the stadium, but for a couple of moments, he was cool enough.
Marouf's two late field goals propelled the Spartans to a dramatic 20-17 MEAC win over Savannah State. He admitted he wasn't as steady as he appeared before his 38-yarder sailed through in overtime for the win.
Marouf said his mother, Nancy, who died in September 2014 while awaiting a liver transplant, used to ask whether he got nervous before a kick.
"I said no," Marouf recalled Saturday. "But this one, I was somewhat nervous."
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas — Southern probably isn’t going to make the postseason, but Saturday the Jaguars looked like a team that wants to make the most of what’s left of its season.
A week after a 41-point loss to Alcorn State crippled the Jaguars’ hope of winning a third consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division title, they bounced back emphatically against outmanned Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Austin Howard threw four touchdown passes, six players scored touchdowns and the defense stymied the Golden Lions in a 57-24 rout in Golden Lion Stadium.
Southern (5-4, 5-2) plays its home finale against Alabama A&M next Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium. The Jaguars, though, slipped to the brink of mathematical elimination as Grambling and Prairie View both won Saturday to maintain two-game advantages over Southern in the West with two games to play. The Jaguars’ only path to the SWAC title game requires them to win their last two games and Grambling and Prairie View to both lose their final two.
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- Amid the backdrop of the Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Grambling’s carnival offense was on full display Saturday afternoon at Independence Stadium.
Johnathan Williams was once again the main attraction, leading the high-powered Grambling offense to a 41-15 win over Texas Southern in the Red River State Fair Classic. But it was junior wide out Verlan Hunter who put on a show to remember in front of plenty of friends and family.
“I could feel the energy and came into the game more focused because I was coming home playing in front of a crowd that I’m pretty familiar with,” said Hunter, who graduated from nearby Mansfield High School.
He had a pair of highlight reel second-quarter touchdown receptions that were part of a 31-point first half for Grambling (7-2, 7-0 SWAC). The offense scored on four of its first five offensive possessions to eliminate any notion of a possible letdown per412formance in front of the 9,868 in attendance.
SALISBURY, North Carolina —That pesky monkey is finally off the backs of the Blue Bears.
That’s right, Livingstone’s football team achieved its first winning season since 1998 with a convincing 35-12 victory over Johnson C. Smith at Alumni Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
And the game wasn’t even as close as the score indicates. In very muddy conditions after Salisbury’s week of rain, the Golden Bulls managed just 67 total yards and four first downs. Livingstone may have been looking at a shutout had it not been for two electrifying kick returns by the Bulls’ Fred Scott.
To celebrate the first football game between two historically black colleges in 1892, the Commemorative Classic began in 2009 and J.C. Smith had won the previous six games. The Blue Bears’ victory yesterday keeps the trophy in Salisbury for the first time.
Livingstone ends its season at 5-3 overall and 4-3 in the CIAA. J.C. Smith fell to 4-6 and 3-4. The Blue Bears also had two wins against NCAA-deemed “non-counting” schools.
JACKSON, Mississippi — It was not the prettiest of sights, but the Alabama State Hornets were able to escape a rain-soaked Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium for a 17-12 win over Jackson State.
“It was a good win, it was a sloppy game and it was good to see both teams be resilient and give their everything, but a win is a win and we’ll take it,” said Hornets head coach Brian Jenkins. “On a night like this with the weather being the way it is I think our guys answered the bell many times. Our guys always kept the faith and kept going and found a way to finish it.”
JSU (3-6, 3-3 SWAC) came into the game with the league’s top passing game, and the Hornets were able to keep the Tigers at a minimum only allowing 133 yards passing, more than 200 yards below their average.
In fact, the Hornets (5-4, 5-3) may have turned in their best outing of the season holding JSU to 230 total yards of offense.
LORMAN, Mississippi -- A 40-point first half was just enough as Prairie View A&M held off Alcorn State 40-34 in a wet and wild affair at Spinks-Casem Stadium on Saturday night.
The Panthers wasted no time in setting the tone as they needed only three plays on the opening drive as Johnta' Hebert caught a 52-yard pass from Trey Green to move into scoring position. Two plays later, Courtney Brown scored from 20 yards out as the PAT was unsuccessful for a 6-0 lead. After forcing a punt, the special teams unit made their presence known as the nation's block kick leader in Nick Brewer blocked an ASU punt and Fred Anderson ran it in from 40 yards out for a 12-0 lead after another missed PAT.
Both teams traded punts after the score and on ASU's punt attempt, Brewer struck again as he blocked an ASU punt and did a scoop and score from 30 yards out and a 19-0 lead after the PAT. ASU would strike back on 3rd-and-12 as Lenorris Footman rushed in from 36 yards out to cut the score to 19-7 as the quarter would come to an end.
The Braves regained their offensive groove and cut the deficit to 19-14 early in the second stanza as Footman took off for a 52-yard scamper. After another PVAMU punt, the Panther defense stepped up big time on the ensuing possession as DeVohn Reed sacked and stripped Footman of the ball and Damond Jackson recovered it at the ASU 7. One play later, Anderson scored his second touchdown of the game as he scored from seven yards out and a 26-14 lead after the PAT.
ASU punted on its next possession and Hebert only needed one play to move PVAMU ahead 33-14 as he broke free for a 61-yard run. After another ASU punt, the Panthers went on a methodical, 19-play, 55-yard drive which took 5:33 as they converted on two big third down conversions en route to a De'Auntre Smiley 3-yard rush. The PAT was good as the Panthers closed out the first half ahead 40-14.
The Braves came out with a vengeance in the second half as Footman led the Braves on an eight-play, 50-yard drive which was capped off by a Footman 14-yard pass to Arron Baker with 7:23 left and a 40-20 deficit as the PAT failed. The Panthers punted once again and ASU would find the end zone once again on the ensuing drive as Arron Baker broke for a 76-yard run and a 40-27 lead after the PAT.
The Panthers punted to open the fourth quarter and ASU kept on churning as Footman found Tollette George for a 15-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone. The PAT was good as the once safe lead dwindled down to 40-34 with 10:47 left.
The Panthers were stopped in their tracks on the next drive as they failed to convert a 4th-and-1 at the ASU 40. However, the defense stepped up and forced consecutive incomplete passes to set up an ASU punt. With momentum in ASU's corner and the offense struggling to move the ball in key situations, it was gut check time as they needed to eat plenty of time off the clock.
The Panthers did just that as De'Auntre Smiley converted a game-changing 4th-and-1 with a 14-yard run to the ASU 41 followed by another blow as Courtney Brown rushed for 12 yards on 3rd-and-3 to the ASU 22. Three plays later on 3rd-and-9 at the ASU 21, Green found Hebert for a 13-yard strike and a first down. The Panthers milked off as much clock as they could from that point as ASU received the ball on downs but failed to convert the final play of the game.
Brown and Hebert combined to rush for 211 yards and two touchdowns as Hebert finished with 112 yards on 20 carries while Brown finished with 99 yards on 14 carries. Trey Green passed for 119 yards on only 5-of-10 passes while Hebert caught four passes for 85 yards. Linebacker Jalan Coleman led all defenders with nine tackles while Arthur Lockett broke up three passes.
The Panthers close out their road trip next week in Montgomery, Ala. as they'll face Alabama State.
COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
HARTFORD, Connecticut – Bowie State University men's basketball erased a 21-point halftime deficit and rallied to defeat Division I University of Hartford 66-63 in exhibition action. PHOTOS (Courtesy of Steve McLaughlin) "In the first half I thought the lack of our offensive prowess affected energy level and at halftime our guys made a great adjustment and decided play harder", said Bowie State's 7th year head coach Darrell Brooks. Bowie State began their exhibition with a 7-2 run against Hartford before the Hawks responded with a 16-0 run over a period of eight minutes to take control of the first half. From there, the Hawks pushed the advantage to 36-15 by halftime. However, the Bulldogs outscored the Hawks 51-27 in the final 20 minutes of action, shooting 17-for-35 from the field (48.6 percent) compared to 7-for-28 (25.0 percent for the Hawks. Sophomore Omari George (Baltimore, Md.) led four Bulldog double figure scorers with a career-best 16 points to go along with eight rebounds, a game-high five steals and a pair of assists. Senior transfer Jordan Goodman (Riverdale, Md.) tallied 15 points and tied for game-high rebound honors with 13. Seniors Justin Beck (Ellicott City, Md.) and Julian Livingston (Bowie, Md.) recorded 13 and 10 points respectively in the win. Beck tied Goodman in rebounds with 13 on the evening. Hartford shot 29.3 percent from the field (17-for-58 overall) compared to 31.0 percent (22-for-71 overall) for Bowie State. The Bulldogs out-rebounded the Hawks 48-of-44, converted 15 Hawks' turnovers into 21 second chance points and held a 34-12 points in the paint advantage. John Carroll led the Hawks with a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds while teammate Pancake Thomas added 17 points to go along with seven rebounds. The Bulldogs open the regular season on Friday (November 13th) versus Pitt-Johnstown in the opening game of the S&T Regional Bank Atlantic Region Challenge hosted by Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Tip time is set for 5:15 pm. BOX SCORE COURTESY BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
HAMPTON, Virginia --In a one-bid league, it all comes down to four days in March and getting hot at the right time. Hampton University did that last year, which made a six-game losing streak in January a non-issue. And North Carolina Central's 16-0 regular-season conference record irrelevant.
What happens this year? 5 storylines
1. PIRATES HAVE BEEN THERE. Hampton brings back its top three scorers and five of its top six, though F Dwight Meikle could be out until January with an injury. They have championship experience and won a game in the NCAA tournament last season. Coach Buck Joyner expects four true freshmen to make an impact.
2. SPARTANS GO SMALL. Norfolk State has been known for its size of late, but this season, Coach Robert Jones is going to a four-guard offense. He sought advice from other teams that have made it work, including the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. He has no Steph Curry, of course, but he does have Jeff Short (19.1 ppg), the preseason Player of the Year.
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Mississippi Valley State University Delta Devils turned up the heat on the Bulldogs of Alabama A & M University, winning 27-24 in overtime.
AAMU struck first on a 37 yard pass from Damion May to Tevin McKenzie, with Ces Ramon-Diaz tacking on the extra point. Undeterred, Slade Jarman released a 25-yard stunner to freshman powerhouse, Booker Chambers; Ruben Piraquive placed the ball inside the uprights to tie the score 7-all.
Piraquive notched a 20-yard field goal to give the Delta Devils a three-point lead going into the second quarter. In the top of the second, the Bulldogs' Jonathan Dorsey was on the receiving end of touchdown pass from May, the kick was unsuccessful.
Entering the third quarter, AAMU was holding a narrow, 13-10 advantage over Mississippi Valley. With 6:36 remaining in the third Ramon-Diaz landed a 21-yard field goal to take A&M up 16-10. MVSU took advantage of Chambers running power, using him to scamper into the end zone on a nine-yard rum. Piraquive split the uprights for the extra point., taking the lead 17-16.
In the forth, the Bulldogs held true to form, striking first on a two-yard touchdown run by Harvey Harris, before adding a two-point conversion. Down but far from out, the Delta Devils passed the ball to Thomas Stokes, Jr. for an 11-yard end zone trip; Piraquive tacked on the extra point to tie the contest with 2:15 remaining in regulation.
With five seconds remaining in the contest, Alabama A & M was able to block the field goal attempt, sending the game into overtime.
Mississippi Valley took first possession in the overtime period. The stingy offensive line hunkered down to protect the running team and quarterback. Unable, to get into the end zone, the Delta Devils' trusted Piraquive to make a 34-yard field goal, which he accomplished with ease.
With the pressure on, the MVSU defense took the field to end the contest in the Delta Devils' favor. Harvey Harris rushed for 10-yards to the MVSU 15 before being stopped in his tracks by Quantavius Peterson. The next snap, Harris took a big loss in yards at the hands of Charles Moore. Going for broke, May launched up an end zone pass in an attempt win the game...the ball was caught by the Delta Devils' Marquis Green for a game ending interception.
Slade Jarman completed 13 of 29 passes for 177-yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Jerrell Moore netted 62 –yards rushing on 12 attempts to pace Mississippi Valley. Stokes rushed for 61 yards on 14 carries to assist in gaining field position. Keenan Daniels led the receiving unit with 45-yards on two passes. Defensively, Charles Moore finished the game with four solo and four assist for a total of eight tackles. Khalil Young also finished with eight tackles, six solo and two assists. BOX SCORE COURTESY MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Those who may have given up on Winston-Salem State’s long-standing dominance in the CIAA may have to get back on the bandwagon.
Those resilient Rams proved that in a big way Saturday afternoon with a hard-fought 24-22 win over feisty Fayetteville State in front of 4,500 soggy fans at Bowman Gray Stadium.
The reward is their fifth straight Southern Division championship and yet another trip to the CIAA championship game.
But it wasn’t easy.
Nothing has come easy for the Rams this season, who evened their record at 5-5 but improved to 5-2 in the division. They will play Bowie State on Saturday in Durham at 2 p.m. in the CIAA championship game.
“Our prayers were answered,” coach Kienus Boulware of the Rams. “We somehow got out of here with a win.”
TUSKEGEE. Alabama — As the sun set over Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium, Tuskegee’s SIAC title hopes went down with it.
Miles quarterback David Whipple’s 6-yard touchdown run with 3:11 left completed the 26-23 comeback win over Tuskegee at Abbott Stadium, which clinched the SIAC West Division title for the first time since 2012.
Miles (6-4, 5-0 SIAC West) rushed for 197 yards in the second half and came back from a 23-12 fourth-quarter deficit.
The Bears will face Albany State (6-3), which defeated Fort Valley State 21-17 on Saturday to clinch the SIAC East title, in next Saturday’s SIAC title game at Cramton Bowl.
Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater said his defense stayed on the field too long in the second half.
STONY BROOK, New York -- Donald Liotine rushed for a career-high 204 yards and scored two touchdowns, including the one that proved to be the game-winner, but it was the inability to take advantage of opportunities that proved to be the difference as Howard fell, 14-9 to Stony Brook in a non-conference game at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.
The Bison (1-8) took the early lead on a field goal by John Fleck at the end of the first quarter. It was set up by the defense as cornerback Travon Hunt ripped away a pass intended for a Seawolves' receiver and returned it to the Stony Brook 21-yard line. It was Hunt's fourth interception of the season
It was a golden opportunity for the Bison as they had a first-and-goal at the Seawolves' nine-yard. But the first of 12 sacks by Stony Brook forced the Fleck field goal.
Stony Brook (3-5) came alive following the score, and with Liotine powering his way and running over Bison defenders, the Seawolves put together a grinding, 58-yard drive that was finished off by a 14-yard run by the red-shirt freshman running back. His previous career high was 11 carries for 59 yards.
From there the defenses took over. The Bison, who have come on strong the past two weeks, stymied the hosts and had at least three chances to get points after having good field position. Each time, the Stony Brook defense, forced long distance and downs situations with sacks and the Howard offense came away with no points to show for it.
"A young Kalen Johnson just made a couple bad decisions," said Howard head coach Gary "Flea" Harrell. "Taking sacks when he can't take sacks. He has to understand how to get rid of the football. And we have to get a running game, the running game just wasn't there today." The Bison finished with minus 42 yards yards, mostly due to the 88 lost yards in sacks.
The half ended in a 7-3 Stony Brook lead as the defenses dominated. The two teams traded blows in the third quarter, each defense refusing to give in. Then came the break that usually decides these type of games.
Fleck, who punted well all day, bobbled the snap on a punt attempt, picked the ball up and attempted to run, only to be hit and fumble at his own 25-yard line with 1:08 remaining.
It took the Seawolves three plays to capitalize on what would prove to a crucial mistake as Liotine bolted in from five yards to end the third quarter and give his team a 14-3 lead headed into the fourth quarter.
"We made some big plays and of course we thought we would have a chance to win the ball game late," said Howard head coach Gary Harrell. "But then we had a miscue on a dropped punt that put them up two possession scores. I felt good if we could get to the fourth quarter at 7-3."
The Bison would again have chances but each time, sacks would force third and longs and Fleck punts. With time running out and a sense of urgency at hand, red-shirt freshman quarterback Kalen Johnson finally got his team going, marching the Bison 65 yards on eight plays, with wide receiver Guy Lemonier hauling in an 18-yard TD pass with just under five minutes left.
The Bison would not get the ball again as Stony Brook use its battering ram, Liotine to help run out the clock and end their five-game skid.
"Hats off to Stony Brook as far as taking care of the ball with 2-3 minutes left in the ball game," noted Harrell. "We just have to get tougher to sustain those types of situations."
Johnson was 15 of 24 on the day for 151 yards and the lone TD. Lemonier, who has emerged as the team's most consistent playmaker, caught a career-high 7 passes for 68 yards and his second career TD pass.
NEXT UP: The Bison return home to Greene Stadium for the final home game against the Eagles of North Carolina Central at 1 pm. It will be Senior Day as 15 seniors will be playing in their final home game in a Bison uniform.
"We just need to get back to winning in MEAC play," said Harrell. "Let's win another MEAC game and defend home. We're looking for an opportunity to go out in front of our crowd, win the game and stay on track. We desperately want to win this game to get back on a winning streak. It's Senior Day next week. We're playing for pride and with a sense of urgency."
HAMPTON, Virginia -- In a game that started under a steady downpour, Hampton University celebrated Senior Day in strong fashion, shutting out Florida A&M 33-0.
The Pirates evened their season record at .500 (5-5) and are 4-3 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Hampton had an early opportunity to score as Chaka Diarrassouba blocked a FAMU punt from deep in Rattlers territory. The ball rolled upfield, but the Pirates were able to start from the Rattlers’ 33. However, Hampton failed to capitalize, and after a fourth-down pass from quarterback David Watford sailed past its target, FAMU took over.
Hampton was more successful on its next drive, which went 32 yards on 10 plays, and culminated with a 39-yard field goal by Adam Brown. The Pirates saved themselves on the drive when Watford, facing third-and-17 from the Rattlers’ 45, dumped a screen pass to Dwayne Garrett, who scooted 18 yards for the first down to keep the drive alive.
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman remains adamant his team is focused on the final three games of the season. He’s said the same thing for weeks; all that has changed is obviously the number of games remaining.
While his team hopefully isn’t already looking forward to 2016, fans certainly couldn’t be blamed if their focus has shifted to what they hope isn’t a fourth straight disappointing season after winning the 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.
Ineligibility ruined the 2013 campaign before it even started, last season was marred by a young defense that couldn’t slow down, let alone stop, any offense it faced, and this year will be remembered for the revolving door at quarterback.
The most cynical of fans will wonder what issue could befall next season’s Golden Lion team, while simultaneously hoping that at least the QB situation will have been resolved.
While the position isn’t the be-all and end-all for success — see the previous two seasons when stalwart Ben Anderson was a junior and senior — it goes a long way toward keeping a team competitive.
DURHAM, North Carolina -- Freshman middle blocker Whitney White scored 20 points with a season-high 13 kills and a new North Carolina Central University four-set record 11 total blocks (3 solo, 8 assists) in leading the Lady Eagles to an important 3-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win over perennial league contender Florida A&M University on Friday night inside McDougald-McLendon Arena. With the win, the Lady Eagles still control their own destiny in a late playoff push to the postseason. NCCU (5-22 Overall, 4-5 MEAC) has won two straight matches and can clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the Southern Division with a win in its final home match of the season against Bethune-Cookman University on Senior Day Sunday at 2 p.m. The 17-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-19 victory mark the first NCCU win over Florida A&M (6-20, 6-3) in the Lady Eagles modern era (NCAA Division I since 2007). NCCU HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: White earned her first collegiate double-double with her rookie marks of 13 kills and 11 blocks. White was part of all 11 NCCU blocks, which is also a new season-high total for the team. Senior Kelly Rossip matched White with 13 kills. Both NCCU setters tallied double-doubles with junior Casey Curran posting 24 assists and 10 digs and sophomorePaige Phillips contributing 18 assists and 12 digs. Curran also had a season-high six kills. Junior Kelsey Murphy continued her stellar season with 13 digs, seven kills and four block assists. FreshmanSydney Sumner chipped in seven kills and 10 digs and senior Marilyn Sherbondy notched eight digs. NCCU has hit over .200 in its last two matches – both wins – and fired at a .210 clip in front of the home crowd Friday. Rossip (.345), White (.276), Murphy (.240) and Curran (.167) were all very accurate in the Lady Eagles' balanced attack. FAMU HIGHLIGHTS & STATS: Preseason MEAC Player of the Year Pamela Soriano led the Rattlers with 16 kills and 14 digs. Setter Valeria Lopez and libero Valentina Carrasco tallied match-high numbers from their respective specialty roles with 45 assists and 19 digs. SET-BY-SET: 1ST: NCCU had its worst hitting set at .091 and FAMU used a 9-3 run midway through the set to take over and eventually win the initial stanza by eight points. Soriano and Deija Martin both had four kills for the visitors. 2ND: After 12 ties and six lead changes, the Lady Eagles squeaked out an instrumental 26-24 win to change the momentum of the match. NCCU scored 20 of its 26 points on kills, including six by Rossip on just 12 attempts. After the Rattles tied the frame for the final time at 24-all, Phillips tipped over a fast-paced pass for the go-ahead kill and an ensuing block by White and Curran leveled the match at one set apiece. 3RD: NCCU led for most of the way by hitting .353 in the set but Florida A&M kept within striking distance by attacking at .289. The Rattlers slithered to within one late at 20-19, but the Lady Eagles won the next three points to stay in front. A solo block and two kills by White down the stretch inched NCCU to set point before a Sumner kill ended the period at 25-22. White was stellar in the set with seven kills on 10 swings with no errors for a .700 hitting percentage. 4TH: The Maroon and Gray never let up the pressure, quickly jumping out 11-4 and never trailing in the set. FAMU made one last push, closing the gap to two at 14-12 but NCCU responded by winning seven of the next eight serves to pull away and coasting to the six-point triumph. OTHER NOTES, STATS & FACTS: NCCU earned its first win against FAMU in its modern era but the defending MEAC Southern Division champion Rattlers still dominate the series at 11-1. White set the four-set NCCU Division I record for blocks in a four-set match with 11 blocks (3 solo, 8 assists), beating out the old record of 10 blocks (3 solo, 7 assists) set by Avanika Campbell against North Carolina A&T in 2009. White was one block shy of the NCCU overall record for blocks in a match, which was a 12 block-assist performance by Aqiyla Gomez against Presbyterian College in a five-set match in 2008. UP NEXT: NCCU will celebrate Senior Day in its final home game of 2015 when the Lady Eagles entertain MEAC Southern Division champion Bethune-Cookman University on Sunday at 2 p.m. Rossip and Sherbondy will be honored just before the first serve. For more information, fans are encouraged to visit www.NCCUEaglePride.com.
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Recently the Tallahassee Democrat stated that between FAMU President Dr. Elmira Mangum and members of the FAMU Board of Trustees who have formed an adversarial position and are entrenched, one or both parties need to be dismissed. Members of the Board of Governors has used the situation to do nothing more than add fuel to the fire.
