Benedict Ready To Kick Off Season Against Livingstone

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – The Benedict Tigers are looking to put last year's winless season in the rearview mirror and head coach Mike White is confident the Tigers will be much improved in 2016. The question is, are they improved enough to compete with one of the top teams in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association when they open the season on Saturday in the Palmetto Capital City Classic?

"I do understand what our record was last year. We are a better football team this year. We are going to face a good football team this Saturday. They are one of the better teams we'll see on the schedule. But we'll be ready. This will be a challenge for us," White said.
  

GAMEDAY

Kickoff: 5 p.m.

Radio: WLXC Kiss 103.1 FM

Audio stream: kiss-1031.com

Video stream: boxcast.tv

Live stats: Sidearm stats

"The key is how much improvement we've made. We have made quite a bit. I'm hoping this year we will be very effective in running the ball and stopping people from running the ball. We have some playmakers we're going to get the ball to, and just be a more efficient team. I love our guys' attitude. With the new guys that we have coming in mixed with the old guys that we had, we think we're a lot better. The only problem is we were that bad last year, so we've got a long way to climb. But I am happy with where we are right now."

The Tigers averaged just 62 yards rushing per game in 2015, and gave up 214.7 yards per game on the ground. White blamed those woes on the offensive and defensive line and that was a big hole the Tigers focused on during the offseason.

"For Benedict football to get where we need to go, it is our big men who need to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball," White said. "Offensive and defensive lineman have worked hard so we can run the ball and protect our quarterback, stop people running the ball and giving up big plays. That's what we've been working on."

On the offensive line, Benedict got bigger with 6-foot-5, 280-pound Craig Hinsonat left tackle and 6-foot-7, 315-pound transfer Kellen Williams at right tackle.Mario Williams, a 325-pound freshman, will start at right guard, with 337-pound sophomore Justin Brown under center. On the defensive line, 368-pound Aaryn Guy returns to clog up the middle at nose guard, while 320-pound sophomore defensive end Charles Williams returns after finishing second on the team in sacks and tackles for loss last season. Freshman Wendell Bing, a 6-2, 280-pounder, will start at the other defensive end spot.

"I'm hoping this year we will be very effective in running the ball and stopping people from running the ball," White said.

Behind the bigger and better offensive line, the Tigers return running backRaheem Jennings, who was Benedict's leading rusher last year with 211 yards as a freshman, but averaged 4.1 yards per carry. New this year is 270-pound fullback Jeremy Johnson.

"Jeremy is big. He catches the ball well. We're looking forward to seeing him run," White said.

Running the offense will be junior quarterback Mason Duckett, who threw for 322 yards and completed 64 percent of his passes last season. True freshmanPhillip Brown will also see time at quarterback. Other playmakers for the Tigers will be George Myers Jr., who was All-SIAC last year as a punt and kick returner and led the team with 23 receptions last year. Myers also was third on the team in rushing and even played some quarterback. Junior Okechi Ntiasagwe is a deep threat whom the Tigers hope to utilize better this year. Ntiasagwe scored Benedict's only touchdown last year against Livingstone on a 73-yard pass.

Defensively, middle linebacker Stephen Williams is back for his senior season after finishing second on the team last year with 52 total tackles. Benedict will have some freshmen in the defensive secondary in safety Robert Cummingsand cornerback Travionte Brown, but White is confident the young players will be an improvement over last year.

The Blue Bears are coming off a 5-4 season, their first winning season in 17 years. Defensive end Armond Cox was named to the preseason All-CIAA team.

The good news for Benedict fans is that Drew Powell, the Livingstone quarterback who threw and ran for 356 yards last year, is not on this year's roster. The bad news is Livingstone coach Daryl Williams says this year's Blue Bears team is deeper and faster than the team that beat the Tigers 49-6 in last year's season opener.

"We're a little bit more explosive, we're a little deeper at receiver, we're deeper at running back, and we strengthened our linebacking corps," Williams said. "We're a whole lot faster than we were last year. I'm excited about the players we have. Our expectations are to win a championship. I make no bones about it."

White said the Tigers will be much more prepared for the Blue Bears this year.

"Livingstone is a high-powered, high-pressure team. They're going to put a lot of pressure on us. They never huddle. The head coach is the offensive coordinator, so he does everything. You're going to see a reverse, halfback passes, and you're going to see every trick in the book. So we have to be on our toes and make sure that we're doing what we're supposed to be doing."

BENEDICT COLLEGE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Lane College Open Season with C.M.E. Classic

JCSU Football to Open 2016 Slate at Wingate

JCSU Game Notes

WGNC AM Audio Link

ESPN3 Link

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The Johnson C. Smith University football team will start 2016 with a matchup against local rival Wingate for the second straight season on Saturday, Sept. 3. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Wingate's Irwin Belk Stadium.

JCSU is coming off a 4-6 season in 2015 that started with a 14-0 home loss to the Bulldogs in Charlotte. Looking to garner the first Golden Bulls win over Wingate, JCSU will be led offensively by a pair of 2015 CIAA All-Rookie selections in quarterback Jordan Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) and running back Desean Binyard (Winston-Salem, N.C.). The sophomore duo will look to improve on last season's offensive output, which ranked 11^th in the league in scoring at 17.0 points per game. Joining Binyard and Lane are returning receivers Roderick Carter (Miami, Fla.) and Eugene Holmes (Columbia, S.C.). Carter hauled in 31 receptions for 366 yards and scored four touchdowns last season while Holmes caught 14 passes for 201 yards and a score. Newcomer Gabriel Yuille (Baltimore, Md.) will also add depth to the JCSU receiving corps as will sophomore Deion Caldwell (Orlando, Fla.).

Defensively, JCSU returns seven starts that topped the league in takeaways a season ago. The defense also led the CIAA in defensive scoring. JCSU returns a stout defensive group headlined by junior Carlo Thomas (East Orange, N.J.) manning duties at safety. Last season, Thomas led all NCAA divisions in interceptions with 12 total picks on the season, including four against Fayetteville State. Thomas also finished with 55 tackles and had nine breakups. On the line, defensive tackle Jamaal Tutt (Atlanta, Ga.) and defensive endBrice Smith (Atlanta, Ga.) both return. Tutt registered 52 tackles a season ago including two sacks and an interception. Smith had 24 tackles, a sack and recovered two fumbles.

Daryl Napper (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and JeJuan McCalston (Covington, Ga.) return to man the corners, with each registering 33 and 25 tackles respectively, a season ago. Desmond Taylor (Picayune, Miss.) returns to help the JCSU defense at strong safety. Taylor registered 30 tackles, two breakups and recovered two fumbles last season.

Dating back to Oct. 17, JCSU has won three of their past four games with the lone loss coming in the season finale at rival Livingstone.

After starting 2015 with a 5-0 mark, Wingate struggled in the latter part of the season, losing four straight to finish with a 6-5 mark, 3-4 in SAC play. Ironically, Wingate has not won since Oct. 17.

Once again, JCSU football will be broadcast on WGNC 1450/100.7 in the Charlotte/Gastonia area. Dave Friedman will have the call for the eighth straight season.

In addition, this Saturday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and on the WatchESPN app with Ryan Brown on the call.

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

West Virginia State Yellow Jackets Host Fairmont State

INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- The Yellow Jackets host Fairmont State Saturday at 1 p.m. at Dickerson Stadium in an important early season Mountain East Conference matchup for both teams.

WVSU traveled north to take a 59-34 decision after speeding outt o a 37-7 halftime lead in last season's opener to break a five game losing streak to the Falcons.

On paper this year's contest looks to be a close one.

Both West Virginia State Head Coach Jon Anderson and his Falcon counterpart Jason Woodman are entering their fourth season leading their respective programs.

Each squad feature an experienced quarterback capable of putting up big numbers. Yellow Jacket junior Matt Kinnickled the MEC in passing yards per game last season averaging 282.3 while Fairmont senior Cooper Hibbs was fourth at 243.6 per contest.

The leading receiver for each team also returns. Junior Quinton Gray caught 56 passes for 878 yards, and average of 15.7 yards per catch. Senior Fabian Guerra paced the visitors with 62 catches for 819 yards, 13.2 per catch.

On the ground the Falcons averaged 140.3 yards a game while WVSU ran for 109.7. In all the Jackets held a slight 392 to 383.9 yards per game advantage.

Both teams rely heavily on strong defensive units and taking care of the ball on offense. Fairmont State led the MEC in turnover margin while WVSU was third but led the league with 16 interceptions.

The Yellow Jacket defense is led by senior Mitch Rowell and junior Dennis Gardeck at linebacker. Rowell finished 2015 with 94 tackles while Gardeck made 93 and was second in teh conference with 11 sacks.

Junior linebacker Marcus Porter led the Falcons with 72 tackles and picked off four passes.

This will be the 49th meetingbetween the programs with Fairmont State leading the series 33-14-1.

Click here for all game notes.

WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

GAME TIME
Morgan State will face Holy Cross in the season opener on Saturday (Sept. 3) at Hughes Stadium. The Bears open the 2016 season under the leadership of interim head coach Fred T. Farrier. Holy Cross completed the 2015 season with a 6-5 overall mark and were 3-3 in Patriot League play. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Hughes Stadium and will be broadcast by WEAA, 88.9FM. The game will be "Youth, Family & Faculty Game" for the Bears.

RADIO: WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears. Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with former Bear coach Kelvin Bridgers in the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org.

THE SERIES
• Saturday marks the 2nd meeting in the series that began with a 29-26 Holy Cross win on Sept. 6, 2014 at Fitton Field. The Crusaders hold an 1-0 advantage in the series vs. MSU.
• Herb Walker Jr., who was inserted into the starting lineup as a result of a season-ending injury to Lamont Brown III, absolutely ripped the Crusaders on the ground and set a new school record with 271 yards on 29 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

QUICK HITS
• Graduate student transfer QB Chris Andrews made 10 starts in three seasons at Wagner College and won the Bears' starting job during preseason camp.

• MSU senior RB Orlando Johnson led the Bears in rushing last season with 583 yards (4.1 avg) and six TDs in 10 games. The running game will also be bolstered by the return of Herb Walker Jr. and Lamont Brown III.

• NT Jai Franklin finished the 2015 season with 38 stops, 8.5 TFL and three sacks.

• LB Damare' Whitaker led the Bears in 2015 with 66 stops, 6 TFL and 2.5 sacks.

• Fred T. Farrier will be playing against his alma mater (Holy Cross) for his first game back as a head football coach.

A GLANCE AT THE CRUSADERS

• Holy Cross finished the 2015 season with an overall mark of 6-5 and a 3-3 conference record. They capped the season with a 45-7 home win against Georgetown.

• They returned 47 letterwinners and 16 starters from a team that won four of its last five games a season ago.

• The Crusaders return quarterback Peter Pujals who passed for 3,195 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 INTs a season ago. Also back are receivers Jake Wieczorek and Brendan Flaherty, who combined for 137 receptions totaling 1,497 yards and 16 TDs. Also back is TE Lucas Nikolaisen who caught eight passes for 85 yards and a pair of TDs. Tailback Gabe Guild returns from a season in which he finished with 415 yards on 31 carries and scored four TDs.

• Defensively, the Crusaders return three defensive linemen. Defensive ends Dewayne Cameron and Dean Doe combined for 68 tackles and eight sacks, while tackle Jack Kutschke had 26 tackles and a sack. Also back are linebackers Kyle Young (76 stops, 8 TFL, 2FF) and Nick McBeath (59 tackles, 4 TFL, 2FF).

• Tom Gilmore (Pennsylvania, '86) enters his 13th season at the helm of the Crusaders.

LAST TIME OUT vs. HOLY CROSS
WORCESTER, Mass. (Sept. 6, 2014) – Shane Smith scored on a 1-yard run on the final play of the game to lift Holy Cross to a 29-26 win over Morgan State in front of a crowd of 6,172 fans at Fitton Field. MSU running back Herb Walker Jr. was inserted into the starting lineup as a result of a season-ending injury to Lamont Brown III. Walker was not only up to the task, but he had a sensational performance. The 5-foot-8, sophomore absolutely ripped the Crusaders on the ground and set a new school record with 271 yards on 29 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns. Morgan State finished with 413 yards overall, 356 rushing. The Crusaders totaled 379 yards with Pete Pujalis completing 16 of 29 passes for 193 yards.

PRESEASON PICKED LAST
Morgan State, who finished T-4th place a season ago, was picked to finish seventh (7th) to co-defending MEAC champions and Preseason #1 North Carolina A&T, #2 Bethune-Cookman and #3 N.C. Central.

PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERS
Five (5) Morgan State football players were named to the 2016 MEAC preseason team, which was voted on by the conference head coaches and sports information directors. Redshirt senior cornerback Delonta Hall was named first-team All-MEAC, while senior running back Orlando Johnson was a second-team selection. Redshirt senior tight end Willie Gillus, junior offensive lineman Joshua Miles and junior defensive lineman Jai Franklin were third-team picks.

BEARS OPEN 118th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 118th season of football, and the first under interim head coach Fred T. Farrier.

RETURN MEN
The 2016 Morgan State Bears return 66 letterwinners, including 15 starters - 9 on offense, 8 on defense and 1 on special teams.

CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS
The Bears enter the 2016 season looking to post their first winning season since going 7-6 in 2014.

NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Bears will open the 2016 campaign against two of its first three non-conference matchups. MSU opens the season at home against Holy Cross (Sept. 3), followed by a road game at Marshall (Sept. 10). The Bears round out non-conference in a season-finale matchup at Army (Nov.19).

BEARS NAME TEAM CAPTAINS
The MSU Bears wrapped up the preseason by naming the team captains for the 2016 season. The leadership group is comprised of four seniors and a junior ... offense - Thomas Martin (Naples, Fla.), Dominique Woods (Skyline, Texas) - defense - Greg Gibson (Houston, Texas), Ayodeji Agbelese (Lanham, Md.) and special teams - Willie Gillus III (Suffolk, Va.).

BEARS OPEN 40th SEASON IN MEAC
The Bears will open its 40th season in the MEAC when they host the Howard Bison on Sept. 24.

• The Bears opened the 2015 MEAC schedule with a 21-13 victory against Howard at the 18th Annual Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field.

• The Bears kicked off its first season in the MEAC in 1971. Morgan State withdrew from the conference at the end of the 1979-80 fiscal year, before returning to the MEAC in 1984.

MSU IN THE CIAA
Morgan State was a power as a former member of the CIAA. The Bears posted 173 wins between 1929 and 1959 when Edward P. Hurt was the head coach and the Bears won 14 CIAA championships. Earl Banks added to the championship collection by winning four titles during the 1960s.

HOME AT THE CAVE
Morgan State opens its 2016 season with a home-opener against Holy Cross on Sept. 3 before traveling to take on Marshall on Sept. 10. The Bears 2016 schedule features five home games in Hughes Stadium, including a meeting with MEAC co-champion Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 5 in Baltimore.

UNDER THE LIGHTS
Morgan State will not only have its first home night game since 2010, but it will also mark the Bears' first home matchup against the Howard Bison in seven years. The Bears will open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play when they host their Beltway rival on Sept. 24 at Hughes Stadium. The actual kickoff time is set for 7 p.m.

THE STABLE IS FULL
The Bears are expected to have a potent backfield heading into the 2016 season. • The ground production will be led by three experienced veterans in Orlando Johnson (143 att., 583 yds, 6 TDs), Lamont Brown III (46 att., 230 yds) and Herb Walker Jr. (1,408 yds, 15 TDs - 2014) and will be bolstered behind what could be the best O-Line in the MEAC.

 Morgan State Notes  |     Holy Cross Notes |    MEAC Notes |   Purchase Tickets |
 MEAC Teleconference Transcript  |     GAMEDAYGuide   |  
 Facebook.com/MorganStateBears   |    @MorganStBears

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

UNCP football aims to win at Winston-Salem State for 1st time in program history

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Entering its 10th season on the gridiron, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke football team has its eyes set on a first for the program in its opening game.

Although it has defeated Winston-Salem State at home two games in a row, UNCP is 0-3 at Bowman Gray Stadium, site of the Braves’ season opener today at 6 p.m.

“I don’t know if it is a monkey off our back, but I think it would be a great accomplishment,” said UNCP coach Shane Richardson. “It’s a well-respected program, a team that’s played in the national championship game, a team that wins the CIAA year in and year out — or at least is competing for it — and it would huge to go up to that environment and be able to play very well and hopefully come home with a win.”

The closest chance at a win for the Braves on the road in the series came in 2012 when a last-second Hail Mary was knocked down by Winston-Salem State to preserve a 28-23 win. The other games the Rams have claimed have been by sizable margins.

CONTINUE READING

Charleston Southern Buccaneer Field slate begins Saturday with visit from Kentucky State

• Video
 
• Live stats

CHARLESTON, South Carolina  –  Charleston Southern kicks off its 2016 home schedule on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. against Kentucky State. Fans who are unable to attend the game can watch on the Big South Network via csusports.com, with Kevin O'Rourke and former CSU quarterback Danny Croghan III on the call.

Game #2 Notes: Kentucky State at No. 6/7 Charleston Southern

CSU (0-1) measured itself against the FCS' premier program last Saturday at North Dakota State, pushing the Bison to overtime in front of an ESPN audience before falling, 24-17. Now, the Bucs will see if they have fully turned their attention forward for a Kentucky State squad led by coaching veteran John L. Smith. The Thorobreds, a Division II program out of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, will be playing their first game under Smith with a largely new roster.

The Bucs handled the build-up to the FCS Kickoff with aplomb and coach Jamey Chadwell and his staff hopes they can do the same to be dialed in for game two of eleven.

"That's been our challenge is to get our guys over last week," Chadwell said. "It's over so now let's go forward and improve. Coming off the game we had between the physicality of it and the time we got back, there's some things working against you. The sign of a good team is to put your focus where it needs to be and come out and play the way you're capable so that's been our message."

Kentucky State went 3-7 last season but did have a competitive 35-20 loss to Hampton University to start the year. KSU returns starting quarterback Ora Johnson and tailback Reginal Harris on offense, as well as its three leading receivers. Senior safety Travon Spencer, who has totaled close to 200 tackles in his career, leads a largely new-look defense.

Smith sports a long track record as a head coach, with stops at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville, Michigan State, Arkansas and Fort Lewis College. He posted an 11-win season at Louisville in 2001 and has piloted teams to six bowl games.

"He's been a lot of places and been successful so he's going to have his guys ready to win and they're going to be expecting to do that so we can't go in thinking we can go through the motions," Chadwell said. "I've been at D-II so I know what he's telling his guys as far as us being ripe for an upset off some of the accolades we're getting off the last game. We've got to make sure we come out and do our job."

Home success

CSU is 15-2 at Buccaneer Field during Chadwell's tenure and has won seven straight home games dating back to November of 2014. The Bucs were a perfect 6-0 at home last year, including a playoff win over The Citadel before a record crowd of 8,451 fans. CSU has won each of its three home openers under Chadwell, defeating Shorter, Point and North Greenville by an average margin of 29 points.

Nationally ranked Bucs

The first in-season editions of the FCS Coaches Poll and STATS FCS Poll come out on Monday so CSU sits No. 6/7 respectively in the two polls. CSU has been ranked for 22 weeks under Chadwell after being ranked for just one week in the program's first 22 years of existence.

Have yourself a day, Mike Holloway

Mike Holloway's 126-yard effort against North Dakota State marked the fourth 100-yard rushing day of his career. The senior gave CSU a third quarter lead with a brilliant 47-yard touchdown run and added a six-yard score to tie the game late in regulation. Holloway is just 333 yards shy of breaking the program's all-time rushing mark held by Christian Reyes (2,200 yards – 2013-14).

Blue Swarm at it again

CSU's defense turned in an excellent first half against the five-time defending FCS national champions. The Bucs pitched a shutout until the final play of the stanza while forcing a turnover, notching three sacks and holding the Bison's powerful attack to just 138 yards. In the second half, defensive coordinator Chad Staggs' unit came up with several critical stops to give the offense a chance to force overtime. Troy McGowens' interception gave CSU an opportunity to win in regulation.

Senior safeties and captains DJ Curl and Corbin Jackson paced the Bucs with nine tackles apiece. Curl also forced the fumble that led to CSU's first half field goal. Shadarius Hopkins and Solomon Brown each had eight stops. Anthony Ellis, the Big South Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, recorded four tackles and a sack.

Smoak and Burns help special teams

Jacob Smoak drilled a 46-yard field goal on his first attempt at CSU and nearly won the game with a 51-yarder that sailed wide left on the final play of regulation. Punter Truett Burns, meanwhile, was one of the unsung heroes of the night. Burns' 54-yard punt pinned NDSU at its own four-yard line with 7:14 left in the fourth quarter. CSU's defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession, resulting in a short field for the Bucs' game-tying drive. Burns, a senior, placed another punt inside the 20 and averaged nearly 43 yards on six attempts. 

CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

UL-Monroe Game Week 2016 – Southern Jaguars

MONROE, Louisiana -- From directions to ticket information, here is your guide to having a successful trip to Monroe on Saturday as the Warhawks kick off the Matt Viator era and open the 2016 season when they host Southern, a member of the SWAC. The game is slated for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff and tickets are still available.

For those unable to make the trek to Monroe, the game will be streaming live on ESPN3 on your computer or mobile device. Fans are encouraged to turn down the sound on the ESPN3 broadcast and turn up the volume on the Warhawk Radio Network and listen to play-by-play man Frank Hoffmann, who begins his 41st season calling ULM games, color commentator Scott McDonald and sideline reporter Nick White.

GENERAL GAME INFORMATION

When - Saturday, September 3, 2 6:00.m.

Where - Monroe, La.

Facility - JPS Field at Malone Stadium  - Directions

Parking - See Map Below

Tickets – Tickets are available and can be purchased through the ULM Ticket Office in person or by calling 342-HAWK. The Ticket Office will have extended hours the rest of the week. Ticket purchases may also be made Saturday at Malone Stadium.  -Purchase Tickets Online

Weather – Current Conditions/Radar

THE TEAMS

ULM (0-0)             Football Home Page  Roster  Game Notes

Southern (0-0)      Football Home Page  Roster  Game Notes

The Series – First All-Time Meeting

Last Time Out for ULM – Win (December 5, 2015) ULM 42, New Mexico State 35

Last Time Out for Southern – Loss (November 28, 2015) Grambling State 34, Southern 23

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Live Video Stream – ESPN3

Live Audio (ULM) – Warhawk Radio Network (Flagship Station K 104.1 Monroe)

Live Statistics – ulmstats.com 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook – facebook.com/Warhawks

Twitter – @ULM_FB

Instagram – Instagram.com/ulm.warhawks

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Game Day RAM-blings- Albany State Football at Valdosta State

ALBANY, Georgia  -- Albany State will kick off its 2016 season when it faces an old state rival. The Golden Rams will visit the Valdosta State Blazers at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium in Valdosta, Ga. at 7 p.m.  This will be the 17 meeting between the two programs. The Blazers hold a 16-1 series edge.  The Golden Rams lost to VSU 21-13 in the season opener of the 2015 season, which was held in Albany, Ga.
     
Albany State returns an abundance of veteran players on both offense and defense. The Gold Rush Offense will be led by junior running back Jarvis Small, who generated another solid season in 2015. Small rushed for 1,073 yards and 11 touchdowns, and garnered the SIAC Offensive Player of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. All-conference offensive lineman Javoris Wilburn also returns, along with fellow starting lineman Tedrick Coffield.  Senior Caleb Edmonds will direct the ASU offense from quarterback position once again. Last season, he complete 148 passes out for 300 attempts for 1,761 yards and seven touchdowns. Top wide Quadrey Simmons is also back, along with kicker Stefan Whitehead.
   
On defense, All-SIAC defensive lineman Grover Stewart will lead the perennially sound ASU defense. He led the team in total sacks in 2015 and has been named to the D2Football.com All-American Team. Returning starters Zavondric Shingleton and Zane Fields will anchor the Golden Rams' linebacker core. Defensive backs Nick Scott, Marquiz Hodo and Ryan Selby return to the ASU secondary.
     
Valdosta State  will enter the game under the leadership of new head coach Kerwin Bell. Wide receivers Dallas Baldner and Donavan Bolden are the top returnees on offense, along with quarterback Roland Rivers.

How Can I Stay Connected?
Radio:              KISS FM 98.1
VIDEO Streaming:      http://esenetworks.com/page.aspx?id=5847&page-id=5875
Internet:          http://kissalbany.iheart.com/main.html
Live Stats:       http://www.sidearmstats.com/valdosta/football/
Facebook:       ASU Ram Nation
Twitter: @ASUGoldenRams

Albany State at Valdosta State Game Notes- September 3, 2016

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Game Central Football: Savannah State vs. Georgia Southern

GAME CENTRAL

Savannah State Tigers I Game Notes: Click Here
(0-0, 0-0 MEAC)
vs.
Georgia Southern Eagles I Game Notes: Click Here
(0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)

Allen E. Paulson Stadium
(Statesboro, Georgia, 6 p.m.)

Savannah, Ga. -- The Savannah State football will begin the season and the Erik Raeburn against Georgia Southern on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2016 at 6 p.m. in Paulson Stadium.

   

Listen Live Radio: 90.3 FM Savannah Click Here
Live Stats Link: Click Here
ESPN3 Web Stream: Click Here
Tigers on Twitter (Follow for live updates): Click Here
Tigers on Instagram (Follow for game photos): Click Here
Purchase Tickets Online: Click Here

Coach Raeburn on defending the Ga. Southern triple option….
"Yes, it is a challenge. It forces you to defend the whole field and really be disciplined defensively; particularly with the guys they have running. Both their quarterbacks are both dynamic playmakers. Guys that are lightning fast anytime they touch it, they're a threat to go the distance. Then their running back had over 1,000 yards, I think 1200 yards last year so he's a real force too. The triple option is dangerous when anyone runs it and difficult to defend defensively. And when you put the ball  in the hands of some really electric guys with the skill positions, it's even more worrisome."

Coach Raeburn on adjusting from D-III to D-I…
"Obviously there are some differences between Division III and Division I, but I think the biggest adjustment is just being new and trying to learn the strength and weakness of your own players. When I was back at Wabash for example, I would only have to do that with the new guys; I would already have a pretty good idea of each of the guys on that roster and what they need to work on. What their good at already and what their strengths are. Here you kind of start from scratch and you gotta try to assess that in a short period of time. So I feel like I spent most of our camp trying to evaluate our players and I think that's  the biggest challenge to taking the new position."

The Series: Georgia Southern leads the series, 11-0.  (2013 win vacated)

Tiger Bites

- SSU will begin the Erik Raeburn era in football when the Tigers take on Georgia Southern on Saturday in Statesboro. Raeburn became the Tigers 25th head coach in March of 2016.

- Coach Raeburn is 15-1 in season debuts during his 16-year coaching career. He has won 14 consecutive season openers dating back to 2001.

- SSU is 0-3 when facing Georgia Southern in season openers. The Tigers fell to GSE in 2010 (48-3), 2013 (vacated: 77-9) and 2014 (83-9).

-  SSU  second year receivers coach Russell Demasi is a former Eagle. He lettered in football from 2008-12 at quarterback and scout team for GS.

MAKING A CHANGE
Several players have changed positions from last season. Arshon Spaulding (QB to WR), Marquis Smith (LB to DE), Tino Smith (QB to WR) andAfolabi Ayangbayi moved from (LT to C).

SHORT TRIP
This week's trip to Statesboro is only 55 miles, the shortest road trip for SSU this season.

RAEBURN ERA
Erik Raeburn is the new head football coach at SSU. Raeburn comes to SSU from Wabash College where he, in his eight years, accumulated a record of 78-13, earned five trips to the Division III playoffs and had 16 student-athletes earn All-America status. His 2015 squad posted a 12-1 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs. Raeburn's overall record as a head coach is 135-39.

PRESEASON HONORS
Two Tigers received MEAC preseason honors this summer. Linebacker Marquis Smith and kicker John Barron were named to the preseason All-MEAC Third Team.

WELCOME BACK
Three members of the previous staff are back for another season for the Tigers. They are Russell Demasi, Jonas Johnson and Cordell Taylor.

WELCOME ABOARD
SSU has five new assistant coaches on the staff this year. Bill Rychel (offensive coordinator/offensive line), Chad Williams (defensive coordinator/linebackers), Nathan Scola (running backs), Paris Jackson (defensive backs) and Anthony Neymeiyer (tight ends).

THE SIZE OF IT
Wide receiver Tyler Hagan is the tallest player on the team, standing 6'7" while running back Monroe Thornton is the shortest at 5'6". Wide receiver James Kicklighter is the lightest at 150 pounds, wShile offensive lineman Anquavius Fuller tips the scale at 320-pounds for the heaviest player on the squad.

FOLLOWING DAD'S FOOTSTEPS
Two players on the roster are sons of former SSU players. Raydell Martin is the son of former running back Isaac Caesar and K'Lon Lovett is the son of former defensive back Neeley Lovett.

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
 

Oak crashes into historic FAMU Coach Jake Gaither home from Hurricane Hermine

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Hermine's winds toppled trees overnight.  One fell onto the historic home of FAMU Coach Jake Gaither.  It was added to the National Historic Register just last month.

We got a look inside to see if the Rattler memorabilia survived. This oak was probably standing when legendary FAMU Coach Jake Gaither lived at this house on Young Street in the 50's and 60's.

Not anymore.

"When you got here this morning and went inside tell me what you saw?"  "Well I saw a whole bunch of debris," builder Cornelius Jones said.  "I could see the sky light from the inside."

Hurricane Hermine sent the tree plunging into a home that was recently restored and filled with memorabilia from the rattler's winningest coach. Its addition to the National Historic Register was announced by the Secretary of State just weeks ago.



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ALERT: Hampton U. at ODU, Elizabeth City at Norfolk State postponed to Sunday Due to Weather

HAMPTON ROADS, Virginia -- The start of college football in the 757 has been pushed back a day.

The ABNB Labor Day Classic football game between Norfolk State and Elizabeth City State has been postponed and will now be played this Sunday at 6 p.m. at Dick Price Stadium.

The NSU Ticket Center will open at 12 p.m. Sunday. Tailgating and the Spartan Fan Fest will both begin at 2 p.m. Dick Price Stadium gates will open at 4 p.m. and the free campus shuttle service to and from Harbor Park Lot D will also begin at 4 p.m.



The Old Dominion vs. Hampton football game at Foreman Field at SB Ballard Stadium has been moved to Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Heavy rain (as much as 5.5 inches) and tropical storm like winds (up to 50 mph) are expected to peak Saturday evening.

"The safety of our fans is our number one priority. We're not only concerned with the rain and wind, but also how potential flooding could affect getting to and from campus as well as parking and tailgating. With this being a holiday weekend, a move to Sunday should have less of an impact. We appreciate the patience and flexibility of our fans as we try to make decisions in the best interests of everyone's safety and welfare," stated Dr. Wood Selig, ODU Director of Athletics. "We want to thank Hampton for working together with us to ensure that fans from both institutions enjoy the best game day experience possible given the uncertain weather conditions."

Tailgate lots will open at 1:30 p.m., two hours before kickoff. Kaufman Mall will be closed. The stadium gates will open at the normal 90 minutes prior to kickoff. The End Zone Complex will open two hours prior to kickoff.

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If your tailgate spot is located in an area that is subject to flooding you will have the opportunity to relocate to the Brown Tailgate Lot on the corner of 43rd and Powhatan, the Yellow Parking Garage located on 43rd and Elkhorn, or one of the parking garages adjacent to the Ted. Please note that if you relocate to the Brown Tailgate Lot or Yellow Garage, you will still need to present a valid ODAF parking pass.

Broadcast coverage of the game will begin at 2:30 p.m. on the ODU Sports Radio Networks and can be heard on ESPN Radio 94.1 in Hampton Roads, Sports FM 100.5 in Richmond and WLVA 94.1 and FOX Sports 580 in Lynchburg.

The game will be televised on CUSA.TV.

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