No Surprise: N.C. A&T, Tuskegee Remain in First Place in Week 5 of HSRN Polls

HARTLY, Delaware – North Carolina A&T captured all but two first place votes to remain in the top spot in the HSRN FCS Football Poll. Tuskegee University remained undefeated and was a nearly unanimous leader in the DivisionII/NAIA Poll.

In the Division I FCS poll, Grambling State held on to second place with Tennessee State close behind in third.  Southern and North Carolina Central jumped over Prairie View A&M to round out the top five.  Morgan State enters the top ten for the first time this season.

In Division II/NAIA, Tuskegee’s Golden Tigers captured 12 of 13 first place votes of the HSRN pollsters ahead of a strong representation from the CIAA, who took the next five places in the poll.

Bowie State moved back into second place ahead of Virginia Union, Virginia State, Winston-Salem State and Chowan. SIAC representatives  Albany State, Miles, Benedict and new entry Clark Atlanta, round out the top ten.

Week 5 – Rankings
Division I FCS
	School (First Place Votes)	Record	Pts	Last Week
1	North Carolina A&T (11)	3-1	128	1
2	Grambling State (1)	3-1	115	2
3	Tennessee State (1)	4-0	105	3
4	Southern U.	2-2	85	5
5	North Carolina Central	3-2	71	6
6	Prairie View A&M	3-2	58	4
7	South Carolina State	1-3	43	7
8	Texas Southern	3-2	32	10
9	Alcorn State	1-3	20	9
10	Morgan State	2-2	19	NR
	Others receiving votes
	Jackson State, Hampton, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Bethune-Cookman

Division II/NAIA
	School (First Place Votes)	Record	Pts	Last Week
1	Tuskegee (12)	5-0	129	1
2	Bowie State (1)	3-2	108	3
3	Virginia Union	3-2	99	2
4	Virginia State	4-1	89	6
5	Winston-Salem State	3-2	80	5
6	Chowan	4-1	59	7
7	Albany State	2-3	40	9
8	Miles College	2-2	34	4
9	Benedict	3-2	19	10
10	Clark Atlanta	3-2	13	NR
	Others receiving votes
	Lane, Elizabeth City State, Central State, Morehouse

SC State game against Bethune-Cookman postponed

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State versus Bethune-Cookman football game previously scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8 will be postponed to a later date due to the anticipation of Hurricane Matthew.

All athletic activities, including the 2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony set for Friday, Oct. 7, are postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date. Tickets already purchased will be honored at the rescheduled event.

In a statement from Dr. Dennis E. Thomas, Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, he expressed the safety of the coaches, student-athletes and fans from both institutions, and how that affected the decision to postpone the game.

"The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference is actively monitoring the weather forecasts in the areas Hurricane Matthew may potentially affect," said Dr. Thomas. "Our top priority is the well-being and safety of the student-athletes, coaches, athletic staff, ancillary units and fans. As a result, we are in daily discussions with the institutions in the areas that may be impacted and we will adjust games, dates and times accordingly. We will keep the public informed if there are any changes."

 For more information or updates check your local news provider. For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

With Hurricane Matthew looming, Morgan State's road game Saturday postponed

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- The Morgan State football team's game Saturday night at Savannah State has been postponed because of the threat of inclement weather in Georgia.

Savannah State closed today and will remain closed through Monday. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for 13 counties in the state's coastal areas, where Hurricane Mathew is expected to head. Forecasters with the National Weather Service predict strong rain, wind and flooding in the Savannah area and the East Coast.

"Our top priority is the well-being and safety of the student-athletes, coaches, athletic staff, ancillary units and fans," MEAC commissioner Dennis E. Thomas said in a release. "As a result, we are in daily discussions with the institutions in the areas that may be impacted and we will adjust games, dates and times accordingly. We will continue to keep the public informed of potential changes."

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AFC rushing leader Isaiah Crowell (ASU) keeps pledge to Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowellhas made good on his pledge to donate his first game check of the 2016 NFL season to the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation.

In July, Crowell briefly posted on his Instagram account an image of a policeman having his throat slashed by a hooded figure.

The post came after two black men -- Alton Sterling in Louisiana on July 5 and Philando Castile in Minnesota on July 6 -- were killed by police officers and the day before 12 police officers were shot and five were killed at a Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas on July 7.

On July 16, Crowell attended the funeral of Patrick Zamarripa, one of the five Dallas Police officers killed by the sniper. The formerAlabama State star went to the funeral after an invitation from Dallas Police Sgt. Demetrick Pennie, the president of the Dallas Fallen Officer Foundation.

CONTINUE READING 

Jackson State's O-line has improved drastically

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State offensive linemen wrote their goals on a piece of paper and posted it on a wall in their meeting room, highlighting their desire to reduce the number of sacks allowed and giving the team’s running backs an opportunity to rush for more yards this season.

So far, so good.

The Tigers gave up 26 sacks and rushed for an average of 3.6 yards per carry last season. They are on pace to allow 22 sacks and have averaged 3.6 yards per attempt this season, figures that are slightly skewed because the Tigers have already played three of their toughest opponents.

“Combination of (scheme, personnel and the linemen being more motivated have helped),” offensive line coach Matt Jones. “The acquisition of techniques has definitely helped. We’ve spent a significant amount of time on pass blocking technique and pick-ups.”

CONTINUE READING

Season on the line: Alcorn State travels to Alabama A&M

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alcorn State finds itself in a must-win situation this weekend.

The Braves (1-3, 1-2 SWAC) travel to Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. Saturday in Huntsville, Ala. Alcorn has lost three straight, including SWAC contests to Arkansas Pine Bluff and Grambling. Another loss would put idle Jackson State (2-3, 2-1) in the driver’s seat to win the East Division title and reach the SWAC Championship game.

Noah Johnson continues to play at quarterback, having started the Braves’ last three games while Lenorris Footman recovers from an ankle injury. Footman is expected to play against the Bulldogs.

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Notebook: After a week of rest, quarterback Austin Howard is ready for action

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Austin Howard looked like his usual self at Southern’s Tuesday morning practice, moving around in the pocket and slinging a couple sharp passes against the first team defense.

He might’ve even looked more fresh than usual after spending a chunk of last week’s practices in a protective walking boot as a spectator on the sidelines.

“It’s mostly my ankle, I had an injury from the last game,” Howard said. “It’s getting better day-by-day and that’s how I’ve been taking it.”

Howard was one of a number of veteran players Southern coach Dawson Odums took the liberty of getting some rest during the Jaguars’ extended off period. Southern had two consecutive open dates on its schedule and doesn’t play again until October 15 against Jackson State.

CONTINUE READING

Up next: Mississippi Valley State at No. 10 Montana

Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

Washington-Grizzly Stadium (25,217 FieldTurf)

Cowles Montana Media

watchbigsky.com

Series history: First meeting.

Records: Montana is 3-1. Mississippi Valley State is 0-5.

What's at stake: Continued momentum. This is the second of three straight home games for the Grizzlies before a tough stretch playing three of four on the road. UM has already won its first in that stretch, 43-20 against Southern Utah, last week.

Man in charge: Rick Comegy. The third-year Delta Devils coach is a veteran of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Prior to coming to Mississippi Valley State he coached SWAC rival Jackson State for eight years, putting up a 55-35 record in that time with six SWAC East Division titles and one conference championship. He also coached Central State to an NAIA national title in 1995. Since joining MVSU, the Devils are just 3-24 though.

CONTINUE READING 

Perry wins her second GCAC Defender of the Week honor

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana freshman Amanda Perry has earned her second Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Defender of the Week volleyball award.

Perry, a libero/defensive specialist from Bolingbrook, Ill., and a graduate of Bolingbrook High School, was honored for Sept. 26-Oct. 2 after averaging 4.67 digs per set during the Gold Nuggets' 3-0 week. Perry had 10 digs against SUNO and 16 apiece against Talladega and Edward Waters.

Perry has reached double-figure digs in 21-of-23 matches, and her 366 digs are a XULA freshman record. She was part of a defensive effort that limited NAIA aces-per-set leader Larissa Pereira of Edward Waters to zero aces in 10 attempts and held Talladega's Carla Novaes — the 2016 GCAC Preseason Player of the Year — to less than .200 hitting for the fifth straight time against XULA.

XULA (10-13, 7-0), the GCAC leader, will travel to Little Rock, Ark., to play Philander Smith (3-13, 0-7) at 10 a.m. Saturday. Starting time of that match has been moved up three hours.

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

Demanding XULA schedule includes busy November segment

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball will have a 15-day stretch busier than the local NBA team, plus plenty of opportunities to compete against the best in the NAIA.
     
Bo Browder, back for his 18th season as head coach, announced the 2016-17 schedule Wednesday.
     
The Gold Nuggets will play nine times in 15 days Nov. 11-25. During that same period the New Orleans Pelicans will compete eight times.
    
"It was not necessarily by design to play that frequently," Browder said. "The most important thing during that time is that we have a chance to play several teams that went to nationals last year and will probably make it again this season. It will be a great challenge for us, and we'll be able to see how our team stacks up."
     
XULA's women finished 22-12 in 2015-16, won the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the sixth time in the last nine years and qualified for the NAIA Division I National Championship for the 19th time in the last 22 seasons.
     
After opening the season with home games against Florida Memorial on Nov. 4 and Webber International on Nov. 5, the Gold Nuggets will play at the LSUS Classic in Shreveport, La., Nov. 11-12, the Las Vegas (Nev.) Shootout Nov. 18-20 and their 15th annual Xavier Classic Nov. 24-25. At those events, XULA opponents who reached the 2016 postseason will be LSUS twice, Our Lady of the Lake, Lewis-Clark State, Carroll (Mont.) and Langston. There also will be a Nov. 15 home game against city rival Loyola, another qualifier for nationals a year ago.
    
Our Lady of the Lake (Nov. 11 at LSUS Classic) was No. 1 in the NAIA coaches poll for six consecutive weeks last season. Lewis-Clark State (Nov. 18 at Las Vegas) reached the national quarterfinals.
     
LSUS (Nov. 24) and Langston (Nov. 25) will be the Gold Nuggets' opponents at the Xavier Classic.
     
"November has a good mix of outstanding teams from our region and three in Las Vegas from the Frontier Conference, a strong and competitive conference in the NAIA," Browder said.
     
Other standout non-conference opponents will be Dec. 1 at Louisiana-Lafayette of NCAA Divison I, Dec. 15 at home against Concordia (Ala.) and Jan. 2 against Oklahoma City in Dallas. The Ragin' Cajuns won the WBI in 2016 and 2015, Concordia was the 2016 USCAA national champion, and Oklahoma City is an eight-time NAIA national champion, most recently in 2015, 2014 and 2012.
    
XULA will open its GCAC schedule Jan. 7 at home against Tougaloo. Talladega — last season's GCAC regular-season champion and a qualifier for nationals — will play host to the Gold Nuggets Jan. 30 and visit XULA Feb. 20. The GCAC Tournament will be March 3-5 in New Orleans, followed by the NAIA's national tournament March 15-21 at Billings, Mont. This will be the 39th season of XULA women's basketball during the Title IX era.

Xavier University of Louisiana
2016-17 Women's Basketball Schedule

Nov. 4 (Fri.):  FLORIDA MEMORIAL (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 5 (Sat.):  WEBBER INTERNATIONAL, TBA
Nov. 11 (Fri.):  Our Lady of the Lake, 5 p.m. (LSUS Classic, Shreveport, La.)
Nov. 12 (Sat.):  at LSU-Shreveport, 5 p.m. (LSUS Classic, Shreveport, La.)
Nov. 15 (Tue.):  LOYOLA (N.O.) (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 (Fri.):  Lewis-Clark State, 8 p.m. PST (Las Vegas Shootout, Las Vegas, Nev.)
Nov. 19 (Sat.):  Carroll (Mont.), 5 p.m. PST (Las Vegas Shootout, Las Vegas, Nev.)
Nov. 20 (Sun.):  Rocky Mountain, 1:30 p.m. PST (Las Vegas Shootout, Las Vegas, Nev.)
Nov. 22 (Tue.):  at William Carey, 6 p.m.
Nov. 24 (Thu.):  LSU-SHREVEPORT, 7 p.m. (Xavier Classic)
Nov. 25 (Fri.):  LANGSTON, TBA (Xavier Classic)
Dec. 1 (Thu.):  at Louisiana-Lafayette, 5 p.m.
Dec. 15 (Thu.):  CONCORDIA (ALA.), TBA
Dec. 31 (Sat.):  at Dallas Christian, TBA
Jan. 2 (Mon.):  Oklahoma City, TBA (at Dallas)
Jan. 7 (Sat.):  •  TOUGALOO (DH), 3 p.m.
Jan. 16 (Mon.):  •  SUNO (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 (Sat.):  •  EDWARD WATERS (DH), 3 p.m.
Jan. 23 (Mon.):  •  at Philander Smith (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 (Sat.):  •  DILLARD (DH), 3 p.m. (Crosstown Classic)
Jan. 30 (Mon.):  •  at Talladega (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 (Wed.):  WILLIAM CAREY (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 (Sat.):  •  at Edward Waters (DH), 3 p.m. EST
Feb. 6 (Mon.):  •  PHILANDER SMITH (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 (Sat.):  at Mobile, 4 p.m.
Feb. 13 (Mon.):  •  at SUNO (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 (Wed.):  STILLMAN (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 18 (Sat.):  •  at Dillard (DH), 3 p.m.
Feb. 20 (Mon.):  •  TALLADEGA (DH), 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 (Sat.):  •  at Tougaloo (DH), 3 p.m.
March 3-5 (Fri.-Sun.):  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament, New Orleans
March 15-21 (Wed.-Tue.):  NAIA Division I National Championship, Billings, Mont.

Home games in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
•  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game
(DH) Doubleheader with Xavier's men
All times are Central except where noted
Schedule is subject to change

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

ASU Hornets hope one win can soon lead to others

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State coach Brian Jenkins brought his family into an excited and jubilant locker room area after the Hornets’ 41-21 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday.

The Hornets (1-4, 1-3 SWAC) finally have a “1” in the win column. Jenkins said the team handled its early-season adversity very well.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the way these guys represented the university,” Jenkins said. “We had some hiccups and they could’ve easily hung it up, but the pride and the character they displayed is first-class.”

Saturday’s post-game scene was far different from the atmosphere after the Hornets blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter to Texas Southern the week before.

Hornets quarterback Quinterris Toppings said the change in attitude began with a good week of practice before Saturday’s triumph.

CONTINUE READING

Southern making the most of its red zone opportunities in SWAC play

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Here is a statistic that should explain, in part, Southern’s offensive outburst in its first two games against SWAC teams.

While averaging 61.5 points per game against Alabama State and Alabama A&M, Southern had 10 drives that penetrated the opponent’s 20-yard line, an area defined as the red zone.

Eight of those drives resulted in touchdowns. The other two ended in field goals, though those drives came toward the end of the game when the outcome was already well in hand.



“We need to get down there some more,” Southern coach Dawson Odums said. “That’s not bad.”

Beyond being not bad, it’s a big improvement from early in the season, when Southern showed an ability to drive the ball on both UL-Monroe and Tulane but an inability to finish the drives.

The Jaguars managed to punch in only three of their six red-zone opportunities for touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season, settling for momentum-killing field goals twice and turning it over one other time.

CONTINUE READING 

GCAC-leading Nuggets earn third victory in four days

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana concluded a three-match volleyball home stand against Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opponents with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-20 victory Sunday against Edward Waters.
     
Nine players had multiple kills for the Gold Nuggets (10-13, 7-0), and setter Ralitsa Slanchev posted career highs of 35 assists and two blocks.
     
XULA closed the first set with an 11-1 run, seized momentum early in the second set with a 10-2 run, then ended the match after a late 6-1 surge.
     
Leading the Gold Nuggets' attackers were Adili Rikondja and Juliana Tomasoni with seven kills apiece. Rikondja hit a career-best .500 in 12 attacks, and Tomasoni, who sat out the final two sets, hit .545 in 11 attempts.
     
Brittanie Cockrell had a career-best six kills, and Kaelan Temple had a career-high-tying five kills for the second consecutive match. Temple also had 12 digs, reaching double figures for the seventh time this season and the third time in her last four matches.
     
Slanchev, a senior filling in for freshman starter Tiffany Phillips, also had seven digs and season highs of three aces and three kills.
     
Larissa Pereira had eight kills for Edward Waters (7-7, 2-6), and Kayla Morales had 19 digs.
    
 XULA outhit the Lady Tigers .192 to minus-.018 — the lowest percentage by a XULA opponent this season — and had advantages of 42-19 in kills, 5-3 in aces and 66-50 in digs. Pereira entered as the NAIA leader in aces per set, but she produced no aces and two errors in 10 serves. Amanda Perry led XULA with 16 digs and reached double figures for the 21st time in 23 matches this season.
     
Edward Waters finished with a negative hitting percentage for the third time in as many Convocation Center appearances. All seven of the Gold Nuggets' conference opponents this season have hit less than 100.
    
It was the 150th victory in XULA's nine seasons of intercollegiate volleyball and the 75th for fourth-year coach Hannah Lawing.
     
The Gold Nuggets also defeated SUNO BOTalladega in the home stand. After a 1 p.m. Saturday match at Philander Smith, XULA's next home match will start at 6 p.m. Oct. 13 against city and GCAC rival Dillard.

BOX SCORE

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

2016-17 Rush schedule: 13 games vs. postseason teams

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball soon will embark on one of its most ambitious schedules ever.
     
Thirteen-of-30 regular-season games in 2016-17 will be against teams that qualified for national postseason tournaments the previous year. Of those 13 games, 10 will be against teams that won in the first round. During a five-game stretch between semesters, XULA will play three times against 2016 national quarterfinalists.
     
"This is probably one of the toughest schedules in the country," said first-year head coach Alfred Williams, who announced the schedule Monday. "If you want to be the best you've got to play the best. 

This schedule will test us to see where we are going into conference. Our guys want to play tough competition. It will bring the best out of our players. It will test their focus and attention to detail."
     
XULA was 21-13 in 2015-16 and finished second in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the second consecutive year.
     
The postseason teams on the schedule are Wayland Baptist, LSU-Alexandria, William Carey, Carroll (Mont.), Barry, Keiser, Dillard and Talladega. XULA will play two games apiece against LSUA, William Carey, Dillard and Talladega. All but Wayland Baptist and William Carey advanced in the postseason.
     
After opening the season Oct. 25 at home against Carver, the Gold Rush will play home games against NAIA national tourney qualifiers Wayland Baptist Nov. 4 and LSU-Alexandria Nov. 9. LSUA was No. 1 in the national coaches poll for five consecutive weeks last season.
     
The quarterfinalists XULA will play are Carroll (Mont.) (NAIA) Dec. 19 at home, at Barry (NCAA DII) Dec. 31 and at Keiser (NAIA) Jan. 3. Visiting XULA Feb. 9 will be Concordia (Ala.), the USCAA runner-up last season.
     
Dillard and Talladega compete in the NAIA's GCAC with XULA, and both opponents reached the second round of nationals last season. Dillard will visit XULA Jan. 28 in the Crosstown Classic, and Talladega will visit Feb. 20 in the next-to-last game of the regular season.
     
LeMoyne-Owen of NCAA DII will be XULA's homecoming opponent for the third consecutive year. The Magicians and Gold Rush will tip off at 1 p.m. Nov. 19.
     
Also on the schedule will be road exhibitions against NCAA Division I members Jackson State Nov. 11 and Southeastern Louisiana Nov. 21. XULA will play Jackson State for the first time since December 1977.
     
The GCAC Tournament will be March 3-5, followed by the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship March 15-21 at Kansas City, Mo. XULA seeks to extend a school record by qualifying for nationals a seventh consecutive time.
     
Williams — a XULA player for three seasons (2004-05, 2006-08) and assistant coach for six (2009-15) — said he is confident his team will succeed.
    
"With the roster we have, I like our chances," Williams said.

Xavier University of Louisiana
2016-17 Men's Basketball Schedule

Oct. 25 (Tue.):  CARVER, 7 p.m.
Nov. 4 (Fri.):  WAYLAND BAPTIST (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 (Wed.):  LSU-ALEXANDRIA, 7 p.m.
Nov. 11 (Fri.):  at Jackson State, noon (exhibition)
Nov. 12 (Sat.):  at William Carey, 6 p.m.
Nov. 15 (Tue.):  LOYOLA (N.O.) (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 19 (Sat.):  LeMOYNE-OWEN (DH), 1 p.m. (Homecoming)
Nov. 21 (Mon.):  at Southeastern Louisiana, 7 p.m. (exhibition)
Nov. 29 (Tue.):  at LSU-Alexandria, 7 p.m.
Dec. 1 (Thu.):  PAUL QUINN, 7 p.m.
Dec. 16 (Fri.):  at Loyola (N.O.), 7 p.m.
Dec. 19 (Mon.):  CARROLL (MONT.), 7 p.m.
Dec. 29 (Thu.):  at Paul Quinn, 2 p.m.
Dec. 31 (Sat.):  at Barry, 4 p.m. EST
Jan. 2 (Mon.):  Concordia (Canada), 7 p.m. EST (Chuck Daly Classic, West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Jan. 3 (Tue.):  at Keiser, 7 p.m. EST (Chuck Daly Classic, West Palm Beach, Fla.)
Jan. 7 (Sat.):  •  TOUGALOO (DH), 5 p.m.
Jan. 13 (Fri.):  RUST, 7 p.m.
Jan. 16 (Mon.):  •  SUNO (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21 (Sat.):  •  EDWARD WATERS (DH), 5 p.m.
Jan. 23 (Mon.):  •  at Philander Smith (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28 (Sat.):  •  DILLARD (DH), 5 p.m. (Crosstown Classic)
Jan. 30 (Mon.):  •  at Talladega (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 (Wed.):  WILLIAM CAREY (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 (Sat.):  •  at Edward Waters (DH), 5 p.m. EST
Feb. 6 (Mon.):  •  PHILANDER SMITH (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 9 (Thu.):  CONCORDIA (ALA.), 7 p.m.
Feb. 13 (Mon.):  •  at SUNO (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 (Wed.):  STILLMAN (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 18 (Sat.):  •  at Dillard (DH), 5 p.m.
Feb. 20 (Mon.):  •  TALLADEGA (DH), 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 (Sat.):  •  at Tougaloo (DH), 5 p.m.
March 3-5 (Fri.-Sun.):  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament
March 15-21 (Wed.-Tue.):  Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship, Kansas City, Mo.

Home games in BOLD CAPITAL LETTERS
•  Gulf Coast Athletic Conference game
(DH) Doubleheader with Xavier's women
All times are Central except where noted
Schedule is subject to change

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

Golden Rams negate Miles comeback to win thriller

ALBANY, Georgia -- In a game filled with big time plays, Albany State generated a huge lead and was able to hold off a late rally by Miles College to win 35-33. With the victory, ASU improves to 2-3 overall, while the Golden Bears fall to 3-2.

Miles College opened the scoring in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Nick Christianson made a 30-yard field goal at the 11:43 mark for an early 3-0 lead. With 7:24 left in the period, quarterback David Whipple found wide receiver Jonathan Clark for an 11-yard touchdown pass, and the Golden Bears held a 10-0 advantage.

Albany State would erase the deficit with two quick drives. Quarterback Caleb Edmonds connected with Quadrey Simmons for a 25-yard touchdown to create a 10-7 score after Emilio Maldonado's successful PAT. The drive only used five plays and 78 yards in 46 seconds.

The Golden Rams took the lead for good with only 20 seconds left in the stanza. Mack Green rushed four yards for his first career touchdown to give Albany State a 14-10 edge heading into the second quarter. Maldonado's PAT capped a 9-play, 60-yard drive that used 4:25.

ASU used the second quarter to extend its lead. Dalviness Green scored on a 5-yard scamper to give Albany State a 21-10 advantage with 12:40 left. The drive went four plays for 55 yards in 51 seconds. A little over four minutes later, a Miles fumble turned into more points for the Golden Rams. Jarvis Small dashed 17 yards for the end zone, and ASU took a 28-10, which lasted until halftime.

Green opened the second half with an exciting play for Albany State. He returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. The Golden Rams led 35-10 after the PAT.

However, with its other possessions in the second half, the Albany State offense started to sputter, and Miles' opportunities began to increase. With 1:24 left in the third, Whipple scored on a 1-yard run to cut the Golden Bears' deficit to 35-17. At the 14:17 mark of the fourth, running back Jamarcus Nance rushed 25 yards for another touchdown, and ASU only held a 35-24 edge.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Golden Rams were called for a safety when Green was tackled in the end zone, and Miles was within nine at 35-26. The Golden Bears didn't take advantage until the 2:10 mark when Nance scored another touchdown from 15 yards out to make the score 35-33.

After Albany State failed to keep the ball on its next possession, the Golden Bears had a chance to construct a game winning drive. Miles was in ASU territory with Whipple rushing, but he fumbled the ball in the final seconds, which was recovered by Albany State. The Golden Rams were able to run the clock out and preserve the win.

Michael Green recorded four receptions for 82 yards. Small finished with 14 rushes for 60 yards. Miles outgained the Golden Rams in yardage 382-276.

Defensively, Zavondric Shingleton led the way with 11 tackles (eight solos) and Emmauel Brown added nine.

Albany State returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 8 when it travels to Charleston, S.C. to face Charleston Southern University. Game time is set for 11:45 a.m.

BOX SCORE

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONSHIP

CIAA will keep basketball tournaments in Charlotte, but move other sports events over HB2

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Chalk up another sports conference moving events out of North Carolina in response to House Bill 2: The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association said Friday that it will relocate eight out of 10 sports championships from the state.

The signature event next year – the 2017 women’s and men’s basketball championship tournaments – will remain in Charlotte, however.

“Relocation would not be in the best interest of the membership and its student-athletes at this time,” the CIAA said in a statement, also citing time constraints and contractual obligations.

The events being moved are men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and women’s tennis.

“The CIAA’s transition, beginning with the relocation of eight championships, is the first step in demonstrating that the conference does not support laws which prevent communities from effectively protecting student-athletes and fans,” the conference said. “The Board will continue its discussion on hosting future championships in North Carolina and whether the tournament will remain after 2017.”

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