SWAC championship: Will Alcorn State repeat history?

HOUSTON, Texas -- On December 3 the Alcorn State University Braves will lock horns with the Grambling State University Tigers as they did in 2015 for the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

After a topsy-turvy season of seemingly mishaps for Alcorn, with coach Hopson’s departure and debilitating injuries on star players, the Braves still managed to twist their way into the championship for the 3rd conservative time. That is a marvelous feat. For all intents and purposes, even if the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) is not as fierce as the others, emerging as championship contenders is still a remarkable accomplishment worthy of applause.



The Braves did it under the auspices of coach Hopson twice. Now, they are repeating that exploit during the Fred McNair era. That is indeed admirable and commendable. As with all contests, a game is always anybody’s bet until the umpire sounds the final whistle. Once that happens, short of a draw, there must be a winner and a loser. That is the nature of all sports and Alcorn and Grambling players, as all fans and friends, recognize that reality and truism. In some ways the argument can be made – if there is any logic to this type of prediction – that this might be Grambling’s turn to win.

A number of reasons might seem to substantiate that stand. First, they have performed with near excellence trouncing opponents, in some cases, mercilessly. Second, they have an outstanding quarterback and third, the buoyant optimism from their end, seems to be a recipe for victory. With those seemingly winning cards on the table, victory might just be theirs. In some ways they come to the field as favorites if statistics are anything to abide by. Alcorn once again might emerge triumphant. Earlier in the season Grambling floored them. They may just be in that situation where they are not prepared to accept that status quo. Secondly, the Braves are the current champions and have the experience. Although some of the top players are on the injury list, they are nonetheless an enthusiastic squad. Third, despite challenges, the Braves have players who always step up in dire situations.

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Defending SWAC champ Alcorn State enters title game as underdog

LORMAN, Mississippi -- It was Alcorn State, not Grambling, that wrapped up its division early in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Alcorn, and not Grambling, is the two-time defending league champion.

And yet Alcorn, and not Grambling, will be the underdog when the teams meet in the SWAC championship game Saturday afternoon in Houston.



Alcorn (5-5) took advantage of a weak East Division to punch its ticket to the title game with room to spare, while Grambling (9-1) survived a three-way battle with Southern University and Prairie View to clinch the West on the final day of the regular season.

Grambling also handled Alcorn with ease when the teams played in late September, winning 43-18, and has won six of the last nine meetings between the teams. It all explains why the Tigers are the favorite this time around, and that’s just fine with Alcorn head coach Fred McNair.

“It’s best for us. I embrace anything that brings it on. It’s no big deal to me. The game has got to be played and being the underdog is not a bad thing,” McNair said during a news conference earlier this week.

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Southern puts nine on All-SWAC first team, but Grambling takes home top honors

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Nine Southern football players were recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference Thursday as all-conference performers.

The Jaguars nine first team honorees tied Grambling for the most in the conference, but Grambling ran away with the individual awards, claiming the league’s offensive and defensive players of the year as well as coach of the year. The Tigers also led the league in overall honorees, with 14.

Southern snagged six of the 11 spots on the All-SWAC first team offense, with running back Lenard Tillery, wide receiver Willie Quinn, tight end Dillon Beard and offensive linemen Anthony Mosley, Terrell Lee and Jamal Boulden all making the list.



Beard is the only one among that group who will return in 2017.

Tillery was the league’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year, and he managed to exceed the lofty expectations.

He ran for 1,665 yards and 13 touchdowns in his final season on his way to smashing the SWAC’s all-time rushing record, which he now holds by an almost 800-yard margin. Tillery also chipped in a career high 307 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

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SWAC Announces 2016 All-Conference Football Teams

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Alabama A&M University, Grambling State University and Prairie View A&M University took home the four major awards of the 2016 season, as the Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its postseason football awards in voting conducted by league head coaches and sports information directors. The conference made the announcement on Wednesday, just two days prior to its 2016 Toyota SWAC Football Championship on Saturday, Dec. 3, at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Grambling State quarterback Devante Kincade was named Offensive Player of the Year, and fellow Tiger Donovan McCray secured Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Alabama A&M running back Jordan Bentley received the Freshman of the Year award, and Prairie View A&M’s Joshua Simmons landed the Newcomer of the Year award. Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs took home his third-straight SWAC Coach of the Year award after leading the Tigers to a second-straight nine-win season as well as an unblemished record in conference play for the second-straight year. Under Fobbs, Grambling State currently stands as the only team in the nation (FCS) with a top-5 scoring offense and defense.

Grambling State picked up the most all-conference selections with 14. Southern was next with 10 selections. Both Grambling State and Southern each had an astounding nine players garner first-team consideration.

Kincade led Grambling State to a 9-1 overall record and a second-straight perfect record in conference play. The signal-caller for the Western Division champion ranks third in the FCS and first in the SWAC in passing efficiency (171.6) and is first in the conference in completion percentage (65.2), passing yards per game (263.3) and total offensive yards per game (290.4). Kincade boasted 28 touchdown passes to just three interceptions, and posted two games where he threw for at least 400 yards and five scores or better this season (Sept. 24 vs. Alcorn State, Oct. 29 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff).

McCray anchored the front four of a Tigers defensive unit that led the SWAC in most every statistical category and ranked fourth in FCS in points allowed (16.4), as well as ranked first nationally in red zone defense (.577). McCray made 28 total stops – 11.5 for loss -- with five sacks, three fumble recoveries, a blocked kick and a safety recorded.

Bentley was one of the Bulldogs’ brightest spots this season, as he rushed for 851 yards and notched 10 total scores (9 rush, 1 receiving). The Guntersville, Ala. native rushed for 100 yards or more three times this season and had himself a three-touchdown game against Texas Southern on Oct. 1 during a stretch where he found the end zone in four straight contests.

Simmons was used in a variety of roles for the Panthers, doing much of his damage as a receiver and return man. He posted 20 grabs for 240 yards and two scores – fourth-best on the team in each category – and racked up 434 return yards and one kick return touchdown. In all, Simmons accounted for more than 700 all-purpose yards and three total touchdowns.

The full team is listed below.

  

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Devante Kincade (Grambling State)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Donovan McCray (Grambling State)

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Joshua Simmons (Prairie View A&M)

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Jordan Bentley (Alabama A&M)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Broderick Fobbs (Grambling State)

FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB	Devante Kincade	Grambling State
RB	Lenard Tillery	Southern
RB	Martez Carter	Grambling State
OL	Justin Miller	Grambling State
OL	Terrell Lee	Southern
OL	Anthony Mosley	Southern
OL	Sam Baptiste	Alabama State
OL	Jamal Boulden	Southern
WR	Chad Williams	Grambling State
WR	Willie Quinn	Southern
TE	Dillon Beard	Southern

DEFENSE
DL	Javancy Jones	Jackson State
DL	Aaron Tiller	Southern
DL	Donovan McCray	Grambling State
DL	Samuel Reese	Grambling State
LB	Arkez Cooper	Grambling State
LB	Darien Anderson	Alcorn State
LB	Kourtney Berry	Alabama State
DB	Guy Stallworth	Grambling State
DB	Danny Johnson	Southern
DB	Jameel Jackson	Grambling State
DB	Eric Foster	Alcorn State

SPECIAL TEAMS
K	Eric Medina	Texas Southern
P	Eric Medina	Texas Southern
RS	Willie Quinn	Southern

SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB	Austin Howard	Southern
RB	Khalid Thomas	Alabama State
RB	Jordan Bentley	Alabama A&M
OL	Trent Scott	Grambling State
OL	Detonio Dade	Alcorn State
OL	Donovan Wheaton	Prairie View A&M
OL	Timothy Gardner	Alcorn State
OL	Gustavo Lopez	Prairie View A&M
WR	Verlan Hunter	Grambling State
WR	Willie Young	Arkansas-Pine Bluff
TE	Jonathan Dorsey	Alabama A&M

DEFENSE
DL	Blain Winston	Grambling State
DL	Michael Brooks	Alcorn State
DL	Roderick Henderson	Alabama State
DL	DeVohn Reed	Prairie View A&M
LB	Javancy Jones	Jackson State
LB	Willie Duncan	Arkansas-Pine Bluff
LB	Michael Hurns	Alcorn State
DB	Bradley Street	Alabama State
DB	Terrence Singleton	Prairie View A&M
DB	Zavian Bingham	Jackson State
DB	Justin Jemison	Jackson State

SPECIAL TEAMS
K	Jonathan Wallace	Grambling State
P	Owen Hoolihan	Prairie View A&M
RS	Martez Carter	Grambling State

SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Miami Redhawks Weather Storm to Top Grambling State Tigers in Overtime, 78-76

OXFORD, Ohio -- The Miami men's basketball team `Weathered' a storm to erase a 15-point second half deficit in a 78-76 overtime win over Grambling State on Wednesday night.

Michael Weathers and Marcus Weathers combined to score 46 of the team's 78 points to key the RedHawks' (4-3) comeback victory.

Both teams took some time to get on track offensively, with four Ervin Mitchell points countered by four from Rod Mills representing the lone scoring over the first four minutes and change. Miami grabbed a 6-4 lead, but Grambling countered with seven points in a row to go on top 11-6 with 12:35 left in the opening frame.



After cutting the deficit to 13-11, the Tigers (3-5) reeled off eight-straight points, with help from a couple of three point shots by Nigel Ribeiro and Remond Brown to grab a 22-11 lead with under eight to play in the half. The RedHawks began connecting from downtown as well with trifectas by Jake Wright, Marcus Weathers and Michael Weathers pulling them within six at 26-20. The Tigers' lead eventually grew to 12 (34-22) with 2:46 remaining and maintained that margin with a 38-26 lead at the half.

Trailing 41-28 early in the second half, the Red and White embarked on a 9-0 run to pull within four at 41-37. Wright started the rally with the three-pointer while both Michael Weathers continued the surge with a block and coast-to-coast layup while Marcus Weathers added a layup before Michael Weathers capped the run with another bucket.

The Tigers bulked their lead back to 51-40 with 12:29 left on the strength of a 10-3 spurt and eventually upped their lead to 15 at 62-47 with 8:52 left.

Miami trimmed the deficit down to seven (65-58) thanks to good free throw shooting along with an old fashioned three-point play by Michael Weathers. A pair of Abdoulaye Harouna free throws and another basket by Michael Weathers brought the score 65-62 while Marcus Weathers split a pair of free throws to make it 65-63 with under a minute and a half remaining.

The RedHawks got a stop on defense after the split and created a good look at a go-ahead three that was off the mark. Miami then drew a charge at the defensive end to give it the ball with 22 seconds left in a two-point game. The Tigers tried to press on the inbound, but Michael Weathers gathered it near the RedHawk baseline and worked through traffic before eventually tying it on a layup with 10 seconds left to send the game to overtime, finishing regulation on an 18-3 run.

After MU won the opening tip of overtime, Harouna opened the frame with a three-pointer to give the team its first lead since 6-4 in the early stages. Michael Weathers upped the lead to 70-65 on a pair of free throws before Grambling answered with its first basket in 8:20 to pull within 70-67 with 3:42 left in the extra session.

Miami's lead eventually grew to 73-67, but a 6-1 Grambling spurt left the lead at 74-73 with just over a minute to go. With time winding down, Dion Wade found Marcus Weathers at the low block where he went in for a dunk. Harouna then hit a layup with 12 seconds left to bulk the lead to five, but the Tigers countered with a three-pointer to make it 78-76 in the waning seconds. Miami missed a couple free throws on the ensuing possession, but a desperation heave by Grambling State was off the mark at the buzzer.

Michael Weathers led all scorers with 26 points and dished out eight assists while Marcus Weathers added 18 along with 12 rebounds (both season highs) for his first career double-double. Wright and Harouna also finished in double figures with 12 apiece.

Miami ended up shooting 46.2 percent from the field while Grambling State hit 42.9 percent of its shots. Both teams made seven three pointers on the evening, but MU outscored GSU by 14 at the foul line with a 23-of-32 (71.9 percent) mark compared to Grambling State's 9-of-17 (52.9 percent) clip. The RedHawks held a 44-37 rebounding advantage, though they committed 20 turnovers compared to the Tigers' 13.

The Red and White return to the court on Saturday when they take on Fort Wayne on the road. Opening tip is at 2:30 p.m.

BOX SCORE

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI REDHAWKS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

No. 16 Arizona rolls over Texas Southern 85-63

TUCSON, Arizonia — Lauri Markkanen scored 19 points and hit five 3-pointers, helping No. 16 Arizona bounce back from its first loss of the season with an 85-63 rout of Texas Southern on Wednesday night.

Arizona (6-1) jumped on the Tigers (4-3) from the opening tip. The Wildcats built a 13-point lead in the opening 5 minutes and were up 19 by halftime, cruising to the 37th straight non-conference win at McKale Center.

Kobi Simmons had 15 points and Kadeem Allen finished with 14 points and seven assists for Arizona. Markkanen had six rebounds and five assists.

Zach Lofton led Texas Southern with 19 points and Jalan McCloud added 14.

The Wildcats and Tigers met once, a 93-72 win by Arizona in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

Arizona raced to a 15-2 lead in that game and did the same thing to the Tigers in the rematch.

Scoring in transition, on 3-pointers and passes inside by their big men, the Wildcats made 20 of 35 shots in the first half and led 45-26. The 7-foot Markkanen was on the mark, hitting all three of his 3-point attempts to score 11 points by halftime.

Arizona rolled from there, never letting the lead dip under 16 points.

BIG PICTURE

Texas Southern stood little chance of hanging with the long, athletic Wildcats, but the experience could help them once the SWAC season starts.

Arizona responded nicely to its loss to Butler last week, shooting 62 percent and hitting 8 of 14 from 3-point range to roll over an opponent it was supposed to beat.

UP NEXT

Texas Southern plays at Southern Illinois on Saturday.

Arizona plays No. 9 Gonzaga in Los Angeles on Saturday

BOX SCORE

PHOTO GALLERY



UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

SSU Raydell Martin: Winning is the mission and only goal

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- When words like loyal, hard-working, charismatic and leadership are what are spoken of, this guy always comes to mind at Savannah State University.

Raydell Martin is four year defensive linebacker here at Savannah State University. He is one of a few players who has been on the team for all 4 years of his collegiate career.

He enjoys giving back to the community, and his post college plans will be to get a master’s in business administration and have a career in human resources. I decided to catch up with him and see how the season has been for him.

Tiger’s Roar sports reporter Trei Smiley conducted in an interview with Martin to discuss his tenure here at SSU and the journey that he has been on.

Tiger’s Roar: How has the season gone for you so far?

Raydell Martin: This season has been full of ups and downs.Obviously it has been a major improvement from the past years. We are continuing to improve each week and every day.

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Dwight Richard, Jr. sparks Central State Marauders in 81-72 road win over Claflin

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The Central State Marauders opened up Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play with a 81-72 road win over Claflin on Tuesday night.

In a game that featured 11 lead changes, the Marauders leaned on an efficient shooting performance from beyond the arc through the first half. CSU opened the game hitting 6 of 10 shots from the three point line to build a 35-26 lead with 2:08 left before halftime. Claflin responded in final 120 seconds with a 8-0 run to cut the deficit down to one at the break.

Neither team gained much separation in the early stages of the second half. A Dymiere Finch layup at the 12;02 mark gave the Marauders a 53-52 lead and sparked a 12-2 run to push the SU lead up to 9 with 8:10 remaining. Finch added two free throws at the 3:50 mark to give the Marauders their largest lead of the night, 75-62. A good three pointer by Dwight Richard, Jr. sealed the deal with 1:05 left in the game and the Marauders cruised to a nine point victory.

As a team, CSU shot 45% from the field and an impressive 48% from three point range. CSU also had their best performance of the season at the free throw line making 73% of their attempts. Led by Richard, Jr., the Marauder reserves outscores the Claflin bench, 46-15.

Richard, Jr. was consistent throughout the game. The junior from Fort Wayne, Ind. made 8 of 10 shots from the field and finished with a game-high 25 points.

"I told Dwight that he is a big part of what we do as a team. He has really accepted his role coming off the bench and had been sensational for us so far this season," CSU head coach Joseph Price said. "As a team, our goal is to continue to improve on execution as we enter another tough SIAC contest against Benedict College on Thursday."

Senior Markese McGuire had his best game as a Marauder, scoring 18 points Frank Barber III scored all 9 of his points in the second half. Finch came off the bench to finish with 9 points and a game-high 5 assists to help Central State improve to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.

Claflin was paced by Ryan McNeill-Moses' 20 points, 3 blocks and 6 rebounds. The Panthers fell to 2-3 on the year with a 0-1 mark in SIAC play.

Central State will attempt to win three games in a row when they travel to play Benedict on Thursday at 7:30 pm.

Fans can follow the game on the following links:

Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/benedict/mbball/
Video - https://boxcast.tv/view/benedict-vs-central-state-839408

CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Barton, Jordan lead K-State in SIAC opener

AUGUSTA, Georgia — Senior forward Julius Barton notched his first double-double of the season as Kentucky State University men’s basketball team claimed an 88-76 victory over Paine College at the HEAL Complex on Wednesday night.

“I would like to celebrate, but I’m already thinking about tomorrow when we head to Claflin,” KSU head coach Jamaal Jackson said.

The Thorobreds (2-3, 1-0) picked up their first SIAC win of the season and will look to add to the total with games at Claflin University tonight and at Benedict College Saturday.

KSU continued to set the pace as the top scoring offense in the SIAC, but it was the play of Barton leading the way for the Thorobreds in the victory. The West Memphis, Ark., native recorded a season-high 24 points and a season-high in rebounds with 14.

But, it was Barton’s highlight dunk that caught the attention of the fans.

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5 questions Jackson State faces this offseason

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Year 1 of the Tony Hughes era is in the books at Jackson State. The rebuilding process he set in motion at this time last year now faces a crucial off-season.

Will he be able to address the problems that led to the Tigers’ 3-8 finish? Will they be able to get over the hump and beat somebody other than Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Mississippi Valley State and Texas Southern?

A lot of that depends on whether or not Hughes and company can address these five burning questions:

The Tigers had 25 seniors on the roster, and they made up 14 of the 22 starters on both sides of the football. Each position group had one or two leaders – Markus Cook and Christian Marshall on the offensive line, Josh Bates for running backs and Javancy Jones for the defensive line, etc.

The coaches can only do so much from the sidelines, and with all those guys moving on, it falls on the eight juniors who started games in 2016 to be the team’s next leaders.

Quarterback Jarin Morikawa, receiver Jevon Floyd and offensive guard Vincent Hunter could all take leadership roles on offense, and defensive lineman Keontre Anderson can lead by example if he just recreates his remarkable 2016 season. The junior finished with a ridiculous 25.5 tackles for a loss and nine quarterback sacks.

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SWAC 2016 Football Championship Notes

TOYOTA SWAC FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Grambling State vs. Alcorn State
NRG Stadium | Houston, Texas| Dec. 3
TV: 3 PM CT/4 PM ET | ESPNU/WatchESPN

Alcorn State News and Notes:
- Alcorn State seeks to become just the second team to win three straight SWAC Champinship games. The only team to do it thus far? the 1999-2001 Grambling State Tigers.

- Quarterback Noah Johnson has accounted for 12 touchdowns in his past three games. This stretch was highlighted by an near record-breaking performance when he was responsible for eight total scores -- including seven passing scores -- in Alcorn State’s 61-7 win over Mississippi Valley on Nov. 12.

- Of the SWAC teams that have played in multiple SWAC Championship Games, Alcorn State is the only team that has yet to lose in the contest.

- Alcorn State’s rush attack comes into the game firing on all cylinders, as the Braves have rolled up at least 255 rushing yards or better in each of their last four contests. Alcorn was held to 168 total yards rushing -- its third-lowest output of the year -- during the regular-season meeting with Grambling.

- The Braves’ offense comes to play when the lights are on bright. Alcorn State has averaged 43.5 points per game in the SWAC Championship, which is by far the best such per-game outing in the game’s history. Last year’s performance was one for the record books, as Alcorn set new championship game records for points (49), rushing yards (411) and total offense (613).

- Alcorn State’s nine sacks surrendered ranks them among the top 10 nationally in pass protection. That will be tested by Grambling’s aggressive defense, which ranks fourth in the nation in sacks this season (32).

Grambling State News and Notes:

- Grambling State is the only team in the nation that holds the distinction of fielding a top-5 scoring offense (44.0 PPG; 4th) and top-5 scoring defense (16.4 PPG; 5th).

- Of all the players in FCS that have thrown 25 touchdown passes or more this season, quarterback Devante Kincade’s three interceptions is the least amount thrown by any signal-caller this season. However, two of his picks have come in the last three weeks of the season.

- Location, Location: While no team has made more trips to the big game than Grambling, much of the Tigers’ success in the championship has come against Alabama schools. Grambling is 5-0 in the title game against teams in Alabama, but just 1-2 against teams located in Mississippi, where Alcorn State is based.

- Grambling State gamebreaker Martez Carter appears to be peaking at the right time, as he has rushed for 100 yards or better in each of the Tigers’ last two games. ‘Mr. Excitement’ has averaged 12 yards per carry over that time, and has five total scores and three plays of 60 yards or more.

- Regular-season success isn’t always indicative of how the championship will go, as Grambling State can attest. In the last five seasons, the regular-season winner of the championship matchup is just 2-3 when the title is on the line.

- If Broderick Fobbs’ Tigers are able to down Alcorn State, he will join former GSU coach Rod Broadway as coaches who avenged losses in their first appearance in the title game by winning a rematch of the game in the following season.

SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Southern basketball legend Tommy Green to be inducted into SWAC Hall of Fame

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Tommy Green brought a certain type of flare to the Southern basketball program.

From the way he dressed with his high socks as a player and fine suits as a coach to the charismatic way he spoke to his infectious, mustached smile, he was a personality that defined his era on the Bluffs.

Green passed away in October of last year at the age of 59. But Thursday, Green’s flare will forever be enshrined in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Houston in conjunction with the conference’s football championship game this weekend.

Green, a member of the Southern University Hall of Fame’s class of 1991, is one of nine former athletes being inducted by the SWAC.

“He would’ve been so excited,” Green’s widow, Sabrina Green, said. “It would be very befitting of a man who loved the game. He devoted the majority of his life to the game of basketball. He played the game with the utmost respect and integrity, and he coached it the same way. Even until the day that he died he loved basketball. That’s just the way he was.”

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Win over UNCG is a good sign for UMES Hawks women's hoops

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Tuesday night was another good sign for the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s women’s basketball team.

The Hawks used a 13-0 run to retake the lead inside the Hytche Center in Princess Anne, closing out a 60-53 win over the University of North Carolina-Greensboro Spartans. The victory served as another signal that these Hawks are much better than they were a year ago.

“I do have a good feeling about this team,” said Fred Batchelor, Eastern Shore's head coach. “I think they’re just really strong and they want to win. This is a tough game, coming right off of Thanksgiving break. They have a strong will though. They don’t care about anything else but winning and that’s a mentality we have to continue to maintain.”

The Hawks weren’t all that bad last year. Batchelor’s side had a winning record in the MEAC, going 10-6, and they were 12-17 overall. But in their 2015-16 campaign, the Hawks lost to UMBC and UNCG, and they weren’t competitive whatsoever against the mighty Maryland Terrapins.

Five games in, the Hawks have righted those blunders.

This season, they’ve avenged two of those losses – beating UMBC on the road and topping UNCG at home – and they put up a better fight against the Terps.

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S.C. State Athlletics Director Resigns; Named AD at Grambling

PAUL BRYANT
Courtesy: S.C. State Athletics

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State University's Director of Athletics, Paul Bryant, announced today that he will resign from his position on Dec. 15, 2016.

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I have had at SC State University," Bryant said. "I want to thank the administration and athletic staff for their support and for believing in my vision to build a strong athletics program that is committed to the success of our student-athletes.

SC State President James Clark extends best wishes to Bryant, saying, "I thank Paul Bryant for his service to SC State University, and I wish his family continued success as he pursues this significant opportunity presented to him."

Bryant, who has led the SC State Athletics Department since August 2014, was named Director of Athletics at Grambling State University, effective Jan. 1, 2017. SC State's interim athletics director will be announced at a later date.

In Bryant's first two years at the helm at SC State, the athletics department made several positive strides. In less than 24 months, Bryant increased athletic donations by over 200 percent, enhanced season and single-game ticket sales and game attendance and improved alumni participation. Additionally, he created the Athletic Director's Honor Roll to which 132 student-athletes were named between 2014 and 2016.

Under Bryant in 2014-15, the SC State football team claimed a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship title and the men's tennis team represented the MEAC in the first round of the NCAA Division I Tennis Championship.

The following year, Bryant created the Kennel Club, a VIP tailgating membership club that provided SC State fans with a first-class tailgating experience. Other accomplishments of the 2015-16 season included winning the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Athletic Director's Association (ADA) Most Improved APR Award, winning the 2016 Men's and Women's MEAC Tennis Championships and having the men's basketball team finish as the runner-up in the 2016 MEAC Basketball Tournament. Bryant was also one of 15 recipients of the 2015-16 FCS ADA Stipend Award, which is granted to administrators from across the country to attend the annual NACDA and Affiliates Tournament.

Karen M. Carty, Director of Athletic Marketing
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Road to winning taken literally by TSU's Mike Davis

HOUSTON, Texas -- Every door to the Health and Physical Education Arena on Texas Southern's campus stays open. Students pass through, talking on their phones, catching up between classes. A few sit in the stands doing homework.

Sometimes the cheerleaders practice in a corner. Other times, the track team runs up and down the bleachers.

There's a lot going on at this gym in the heart of Houston. All while the basketball team is in the middle of practice.

In the center of it all is Tigers coach Mike Davis, yelling out drills, blowing his whistle, occasionally saying hello to passersby. It's nothing like a normal practice for an NCAA Division I men's basketball program.

Its practices are only one of the things that make TSU unorthodox. Aside from the basketball taking place on the court, nothing about the Tigers is typical.

Open practices, 13 non-conference road games, zero recruiting trips, several transfer players.

CONTINUE READING 

How will Southern replace offensive stars Lenard Tillery and Willie Quinn? By creating opportunity

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The questions for Southern coach Dawson Odums right after the 2013 season ended centered on just how he would replace Dray Joseph, the school’s all-time leading passer, and his top receiver Lee Doss.

They’re similar to the questions he’s getting now regarding Willie Quinn, the school’s all-time leading receiver, and Lenard Tillery, the most prolific rusher the SWAC has ever seen.

The answer to both are the same: it’s not about replacing greatness, it’s about creating the opportunity for others to create their own form of greatness.



“We don’t talk about replacing guys,” Odums said. “What we talk about is a new window of opportunity for somebody to have the spotlight shined upon them.”

The Jaguars rode Tillery and Quinn heavily in 2016.

Tillery won the SWAC rushing title with 1,665 rushing yards, more than 400 yards of Alabama State’s Khalid Thomas (1,237), who was the league’s only other 1,000 yard rusher.

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Miller touts Arizona's 'tremendous upside,' but beware Texas Southern

Wednesday, November 30 at 9:00 p.m. (EST)
TV: Pac-12 Arizona (Daron Sutton & Matt Muehlebach)
WATCH ONLINE: CLICK HERE

TUCSON, Arizona -- Arizona's non-conference basketball schedule is very little about the other opponent.

It's about the Wildcats: Getting young guys experience. Defining roles. Just getting better game-by-game.

Home games so far against Cal State Bakersfield, Sacred Heart and Northern Colorado didn't raise much preseason interest, although a couple of those games ended up raising fans' blood pressure in closer-than-expected outcomes.

With that in mind, here comes Texas Southern on Wednesday night (7 p.m. McKale Center).

The Tigers really are one of the most interesting teams in college basketball.

They have a Final Four coach (ex-Indiana head man Mike Davis). They play all their non-conference games away from their Houston home.

They are from one of the lower mid-major conferences (Southwestern Athletic) but pull in big-time transfers.

They have a player who has been all-conference in basketball AND football.

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Maynor: HU's 'ship headed in the right direction'

HAMPTON, Virginia -- The non-conference schedule was one of the toughest Hampton University has ever faced. Old Dominion is a Bowl Subdivision team with more scholarships and resources. William and Mary and Coastal Carolina were both ranked in the FCS polls.

Predictably, the Pirates went 0-3 in those games. But their 5-3 record in the MEAC, even if that's no different than 2015, is what HU coach Connell Maynor sees as proof that his program is moving forward.

"Last year, 5-3 was fifth place," Maynor said. "This year, it was third place, so we've got the ship headed in the right direction. We're a couple of plays, a couple of players, away. There's not that big a difference between us and (MEAC champion) North Carolina Central.



"It's a process. Each year, we've gotten a little bit better, a little bit better. If we get a little bit better next year, that'll put us where we want to be."

Still, there's no denying this season could have gone better. For the season, the Pirates had 29 turnovers — more than anyone in FCS except Eastern Kentucky, Mississippi Valley and UT Martin. They also were the nation's 14th most-penalized team.

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Alcorn State getting set for Grambling rematch in SWAC Championship

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State is 60 minutes away from becoming the first team in 14 years to three-peat as conference champions.

Standing in the way is a 10-1 Grambling squad that's ranked in the top 15 in FCS polls.

The Braves continued preparing for the Tigers with a Tuesday afternoon practice. Alcorn avoided the severe weather that affected most of the Magnolia State, Fred McNair's crew worked out at Spinks-Casem Stadium.

Coach updated the status of All-SWAC QB Lenorris Footman: "We're going to feel him out the rest of this week and will be a game time decision. Hopefully he prepares himself this week to be able to play. Still have Noah Johnson. Noah has done a great job for us this week and doing things that he needs to do to get prepared for this game."

Johnson has shined in Footman's absence, throwing for 11 touchdowns and running in 10. That includes a record-setting 8 TD performance November 12th versus Mississippi Valley. All-American center Detonio Dade feels the offense will be fine regardless. "Which ever one plays, we're going to protect our butts off on the offensive line, and receivers are going to do their thing catching the ball, whoever throws it to them. The quarterback is going to run the ball good just like the running backs. So we're all going to play together no matter who's playing."

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Are the Grambling Tigers back?

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Broderick Fobbs knows enough about Grambling's football history to decipher the difference between the glory days and the present day.

And it's why he'll give a sarcastic and playful roll of the eyes when asked if the Tigers' football program, one that once ruled the college football universe, is back.

A few of Fobbs' players think that's the case following a 52-30 thumping over Southern in the Bayou Classic, but the third-year coach wants to pump the brakes a bit.

"I wouldn't say we're back. We're on the way to being back. It is a great performance, but you gotta understand what Grambling has been. Grambling has been a program that has gone all over the country," Fobbs said Monday. "We've gone to Japan. We've gone all over the place to play football games. There was a time when our players would go to the White House and visit the President. To say that we're back, we're not back yet, but we sure are showing signs of getting there."

Fobbs' logic is simple: Yes, Grambling has enjoyed success since he took over the program, but the Tigers still have yet to win a championship, something they can achieve this weekend against Alcorn State.

Running back Martez Carter opened the door for the conversation following Saturday's win in New Orleans. Carter was asked about the Tigers' confidence level, and the junior responded a comment about the history of the program.

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Bahamas' Jamaal Symonette One Of The Top Offensive Linesmen For NCCU Eagles

Jamaal Symonette

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Jamaal Symonette never played a football game before he left the Bahamas as a teenager. But for the past four years, except one year when he sat out with an injury, he has been one of the top offensive linesmen for the North Carolina Central University Eagles.

Symonette, back in action after sitting out the 2013/14 season, started every game at right tackle for the Eagles this season. On Monday, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) named Symonette to its All-MEAC Football Team as a member of the All-Academic Team and All-MEAC Second Team after posting the team’s second-highest grade of 89 per cent on blocking assignments with 27 pancake blocks.

The 23-year-old son of Geoffrey and Audrey Symonette will be graduating from NCCU on December 10 just before he and the Eagles play in the second annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl inside the Georgia Dome in Atlanta December 17 in a game at 12 noon that will be televised on ABC.

“I never really watched football growing up, but somebody just came from Florida and looked at me and told me that I have a good size to play football, but I said I wasn’t interested,” said Symonette, who prides himself as being a grand nephew of the late Timothy Gibson, the 1973 author of the Bahamas national anthem.

“My parents told me that I should give it a chance and it brought me a free education. It allowed me to get a degree and my parents didn’t have to pay a dime.”

After leaving St John’s College in 2010, Symonette enrolled at Miami Beach Senior High School for one year before he transferred to a private school in Hialeah, Florida and then it was on to NCCU where he studied accounting where he earned his degree.

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NAIA No. 5 LSUA completes season sweep of Gold Rush

BOX SCORE

ALEXANDRIA, Louisiana — Jordin Williams tied his career high of 22 points Tuesday and led LSU-Alexandria to a 77-62 victory against Xavier University of Louisiana in a matchup of ranked NAIA men's basketball teams.
     
Williams, a junior guard, scored 13 first-half points, including a trey that capped a 9-0 run and gave the fifth-ranked Generals (7-0) an 11-4 lead.
     
Jalen David, with 16 points, was the lone double-figure scorer for the 25th-ranked Gold Rush (2-5). XULA will play host to Paul Quinn at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Convocation Center.
     
LSUA swept the two-game season series from the Gold Rush.
    
The Generals took the lead for good in the second minute and led 39-28 at halftime. Four times in the second half XULA cut the deficit to 10 points, the last time at 47-37 on a Mike Williams basket with 14:56 remaining.
     
LSUA entered the game with four double-figure scorers for the season — Brandon Moss, Hayward Register, Chris Vickers and Brian Sylvester — and the Gold Rush limited them to a combined 29 points and 11-of-36 from the floor. But Williams was 8-of-12, including 2-of-3 3-pointers, and reserve Gilbert Talbot was 6-of-9 with a season-high 12 points. Moss and Register scored 11 points apiece, and Moss grabbed 10 rebounds in his second double-double of the season.
     
XULA's scoring behind David was balanced, with seven players finishing with five-or-more points. Hakeem Simon had nine points and seven rebounds, Donovan Armstrong scored seven, and Williams, Leland Alexander and Jerry Gibson produced six points apiece. Gibson, a freshman forward playing in his hometown, made two first-half 3-pointers.
     
David reached double figures for the sixth time in seven games and led XULA in scoring for the third time.
     
LSUA outshot XULA 44.1 to 37.5 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Gold Rush 47-35. XULA had the edge at the line, making 16-of-24 free throws to the Generals' 11-of-15, and committed a season-low 12 turnovers.
     
XULA lost for the fifth time in six games, with three of the losses against top-10 opponents. LSUA, in its third season as a varsity program, is 59-8 all-time and 28-0 at home.
     
Paul Quinn, XULA's next opponent, is 0-6 with a 32-game losing streak after falling 91-79 Tuesday at Southern.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Grambling State Tigers' Eric Dooley Named AFCA 2016 Assistant Coach of the Year

WACO, Texas -- The American Football Coaches Association is proud to announce its 2016 Assistant Coach of the Year winners. One assistant coach from the five divisions of college football has been selected for their dedication to their teams and communities. A total of 76 nominees from Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA were nominated in 2016.

Each year, staff representatives from NCAA and NAIA football-playing schools are asked to nominate an assistant for consideration. From those nominations, the winners are selected by the AFCA Public Relations Committee.

The Assistant Coach of the Year award was first presented in 1997 and was created to honor assistant coaches who excel in community service, commitment to the student-athlete, on-field coaching success and AFCA professional organization involvement.

The 2016 honorees are as follows:
Football Bowl Subdivision–Dan Brooks, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Tackles, Clemson University
Football Championship Subdivision–Eric Dooley, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach, Grambling State University
Division II–Mike Aldrich, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line/Linebackers, Southwest Minnesota State University
Division III–Scott Kirchoff, Quarterbacks Coach, Bethel (Minn.) University
NAIA–Lou Varley, Quarterbacks/Fullbacks Coach, Peru State College

“Once again, five outstanding assistant coaches have been selected for their dedication, not only to their teams, but to their communities,” said Executive Director Todd Berry. “Often times, the head coach receives much of the credit for his team’s success, but any head coach is only as good as his assistants. Much of an assistant coach’s work is done behind the scenes. It is our pleasure to bring it to the forefront.”

The criteria for the award is not limited to on-field coaching ability or the success of the team and players that these assistant coaches work with. Service to the community through charitable work and other volunteer activities, participation in AFCA activities and events, participation in other professional organizations and impact on student-athletes are all taken into account in the selection process.

Winners of the Assistant Coach of the Year Award will receive a plaque to commemorate the award. They will be honored at the AFCA Honors Luncheon, Monday, January 9 at the 2017 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee.

AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year Finalists for 2016

Football Bowl Subdivision
Dan Brooks, Clemson
Burton Burns, Alabama
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma

Football Championship Subdivision
Eric Dooley, Grambling State
Randy Hedberg, North Dakota State
Tim Plough, Northern Arizona
Brian Rock, Holy Cross

Division II
Mike Aldrich, Southwest Minnesota
Taylor Breitzman, South Dakota Mines
Alvin Parker, St. Augustine’s

Division III
Luke Cutkomp, Chicago
Cedric Dawkins, Rowan
Scott Kirchoff, Bethel (Minn.)

NAIA
Michael Budziszewski, Presentation
Jared Hottle, Dakota State
Lou Varley, Peru State

Assistant Coach of the Year Notes
99 assistant coaches from 77 different schools have been honored by the AFCA since the inception of the award in 1997 ... Bethel (Minn.) (Div. III) joins Campbellsville (NAIA), Carson-Newman (Div. II) and Hampton (FCS) for schools with three winners each ... Clemson joins Air Force, Benedictine (Kan.), Carroll (Mont.), Central (Iowa), Morningside, Mount Union, Northwest Missouri State, Wabash, Washington (Mo.) and Winona State with two winners each.

The Winners
Football Bowl Subdivision
Dan Brooks, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Tackles, Clemson: Brooks is in his 33rd year as a collegiate coach with the last eight coming at Clemson ... He is a longtime member of the AFCA and has served on AFCA committees for 30 years ... Brooks is very involved with Crosspoint Church and volunteers his time with several different organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club, All In Team Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Wounded Warriors and Paralyzed American Veterans ... He also co-host the Picnic in Pittman fundraiser each year which benefits the Friends of the Great Smokey Mountains ... Brooks has produced 30 NFL draft picks, seven NFL first round selections, three All-Americans, 14 All-Conference selections and one Outland Trophy winner ... He has been a big part of Clemson’s resurgence in his eight seasons on staff with the Tigers going 82-25 during that span with six consecutive seasons of at least 10 wins.

Football Championship Subdivision
Eric Dooley, Offensive Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach, Grambling State: Dooley has spent 22 years coaching college football, with the last three at Grambling State ... An active member of the AFCA, Dooley serves on the AFCA Registration Committee ... He has volunteered his time at every coaching stop, including serving as a mentor for the Alma J. Brown Boy Scouts, working with high risk students in after school or summer programs, visiting retirement homes, volunteering with the Salvation Army Christmas Drive, Girl Scouts of Baton Rouge, Southern University November Turkey Drive, FCA/CCA field days and various Reading Literacy Fay programs ... Dooley’s offense is one of the best in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, ranking at the top in nearly every statistical category ... He has produced three HBCU All-Americans, a SWAC Offensive MVP and four All-SWAC performers.

Division II
Mike Aldrich, Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line/Linebackers, Southwest Minnesota State: Aldrich has spent 22 years coaching college football, with the last two coming at Southwest Minnesota State ... He is very active with the AFCA, serving as the Division II Assistant Coaches Committee Chairman the past four years, and was a member of the Division II All-America Team Selection Committee for three years while he was the head coach at Augustana (S.D.) ... Aldrich currently oversees Southwest Minnesota State’s involvement in a work-a-thon, which is a community cleanup day for the city of Marshall ... He has worked with a number of organizations in the past, including Habitat for Humanity, Workers on Wheels, Minnesota Adopt-A-Highway and Make-a-Wish ... Aldrich established the Tackle Pink initiative for breast cancer awareness, working with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation ... He has helped organize team volunteer activities at a local food bank, Missouri River flood cleanup, tornado cleanup and other non-profit local events ... Aldrich organized and led a trip of 16 players to Norway for a cultural trip to work with Norwegian football players at the grass roots level ... In his first season at Southwest Minnesota State in 2015, he helped lead the Mustangs to an 8-3 record, the program’s best record as a Division II school.

Division III
Scott Kirchoff, Quarterbacks Coach, Bethel (Minn.): Kirchoff has spent 12 years coaching college football, all at Bethel ... He speaks to various groups on the Bethel campus, including freshman students, “Pursuit of Biblical Manhood,” and many discipleship groups ... He volunteers at FCA football camps and speaks at local FCA huddle groups ... Kirchoff led a group Bethel student-athletes on a mission trip to Slovakia, and leads a group of male student-athletes in “Be Resolute,” which disciples and develops men as leaders ... He is an active member of the AFCA and attends and contributes to various coaching clinics throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area ... Kirchoff has coached three of the top six passers in Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference history, two MIAC Most Valuable Players and has help lead the Royals to five MIAC titles and five trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

NAIA
Lou Varley, Quarterbacks/Fullbacks Coach, Peru State: Varley has spent 43 years as a football coach, 34 of those as a high school coach and the last nine as an assistant at Peru State ... He volunteers his time with the Nebraska City First United Methodist Church media booth, participates in the annual Peru city-wide cleanup day and the Brownville Historical Society cleanup and has been a participant in Relay for Life ... Varley has been an active member of the AFCA since 1988 and has been a member of the Nebraska Coaches Association for 40 years, serving as a sport host for NCA Multi-Sport Clinics ... As a high school coach, Varley led nine of his teams to the Nebraska state playoffs.

AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION MEDIA RELATIONS

Alcorn State preps for SWAC Championship

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Alcorn State coach Fred McNair rested on his laurels during a family Thanksgiving at his mother Lucille’s home.

He ate some turkey, enjoyed his Braves’ victory over Jackson State and yes, he watched the Bayou Classic game between Southern University and Grambling State.

The Tigers stomped the Jaguars 52-30 to finish the regular season unbeaten in SWAC play for the second-straight season.

Or, as McNair said Tuesday, “Grambling gonna Grambling.”

The Braves (5-5) are all too familiar with the Tigers (10-1), who handed them a 43-18 whooping on Sept. 24. Quarterback DeVante Kincaid, an Ole Miss transfer, had a field day, throwing for 400 yards and five touchdowns and running for another score.

McNair and his Eastern Division champs hit the practice field Sunday to prepare for a second shot at the Tigers in the SWAC Championship, set for 2 p.m. Saturday in Houston.

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