Norfolk State Spartans Renew Virginia State Labor Day Rivalry to Kick Off 2017

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NORFOLK, Virginia --Two long-time rivals meet for the first time in five years Saturday as Norfolk State hosts Virginia State in the ABNB Labor Day Classic at Dick Price Stadium to open the 2017 season. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
 
Game 1: Virginia State (0-0) at Norfolk State (0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 2 • 6 p.m. • William "Dick" Price Stadium (30,000)
Radio: WGH 1310 AM, WNSB 91.1 FM (Pre-game - 5:30 p.m.) - Play-by-Play: Ross Gordon; Color: Maguell Davis
Twitter Updates (NSU): @NSUSpartans • @NSU_FB
Series History: 51st meeting - VSU leads 26-20-1 (3 NSU wins vacated)
Last Meeting: NSU 24-0 (Sept. 1, 2012)
Series Streak: NSU won 6 straight on field; Last VSU win - 2005
 
1st and 10
1. NSU kicks off the 2017 season with the return of long-time Labor Day Classic foe and former CIAA rival Virginia State University.

2. The teams have not met since 2012, but have played 50 previous times. The teams met each other in the first game of the season every year from 1991-2009 in what became known as the Labor Day Classic.

3. Virginia State leads the all-time series with NSU. The Spartans have won 23 games on the field, but vacated three wins, leaving the series at 26-20-1 in VSU's favor.

4. Norfolk State College used to be a part of Virginia State University system. NSC teams were known as "Little State" and "Baby Trojans" and even wore blue and orange like VSU's teams. The Norfolk Division (now NSU) achieved its independence in 1969. In Greek mythology, the Spartans were a warlike people who were enemies of the Trojans, leading NSU to adopt its current nickname.

5. The Spartans return 19 players who started at least one game from last season's team which went 4-7 for the second year in a row, yet won three of its final four games to close 2016.



6. The Spartans were picked to finish seventh in the MEAC preseason poll of conference head coaches and sports information directors. DL Chris Lee (first team), TE Demetreus Ferebee (second team) and LB Kyle Archie (third team) were voted preseason All-MEAC selections.

7. This will be NSU head coach Latrell Scott's first time coaching against a VSU program which he directed from 2013-14. Scott compiled a 19-4 record in two seasons leading VSU, including a CIAA title and first-round NCAA Division II playoff win in 2014.

8. Scott is one of several NSU staff with close ties to VSU. Associate head coach and inside linebackers coach Andrew Faison preceded Scott as the head coach at VSU. Faison compiled a 58-52 record as coach of the Trojans from 2002-12. In addition, NSU director of football operations Shawn Hunt was a placekicker at VSU from 2011-13, playing under both Faison and Scott. Defensive coordinator Matt Dawson held the same position at VSU in 2013 under Scott.

9. Virginia State was picked to finish second in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Northern Division behind Bowie State in the league's preseason poll, and third overall when divisions were combined.

10. Senior running back Trenton Cannon was named both a preseason All-CIAA pick and a preseason black college All-American by Box To Row after leading the Trojans with a school-record 1,214 rushing yards last year. 

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HBCU Football Judgment Day Scoreboard - Week 1

THURSDAY, AUGUST 31



Tennessee State 17, Georgia State 10
Winston-Salem State 34, UNC Pembroke 31
Clark Atlanta 32, Mississippi College 29
West Georgia 34, Fort Valley State 9
Catawba 49, Saint Augustine's 0
Delaware 22. Delaware State 3
Arkansas  49, Florida A&M 7



SATURDAY, SEPT. 2

MEAC
Miami 41, Bethune-Cookman 13
Virginia State 14, Norfolk State 10
Towson 10, Morgan State 0
North Carolina A&T 45, Gardner-Webb 3
Duke 60, North Carolina Central 7
Ohio 59, Hampton 0
Howard at UNLV

SWAC
Mississippi Valley State at North Dakota State, 3:30 PM, ESPN3
Alabama A&M at Alabama-Birmingham, 3:30 PM
Morehouse at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 7 PM
Miles at Alcorn State, 7 PM
Jackson State at Texas Christian (TCU), TV: FOX
Grambling State at Tulane, 8 PM, ESPN3
Tuskegee at Alabama State, 8 PM
Prairie View at Texas Southern - Postponed

OTHER

Charleston (WV) at West Virginia State, 12 Noon
Lincoln (MO) at Langston, 3 PM

CIAA

Lincoln (PA) at Cheyney, 1 PM
Elizabeth City State at Cenral State (OH), 1 PM
Virginia Union at LIU Post, 1 PM
New Haven at Shaw, 1 PM
Bowie State at Seton Hill, 3 PM
Livingstone at Benedict, 5 PM
Wingate at Johnson C. Smith, 6 PM
Fayetteville State at Chowan, 6 PM

SIAC

Lane at Texas College, 1 PM
Slippery Rock at Kentucky State, 1:30 PM
Valdosta State at Albany State, 6 PM

SUNDAY, SEPT. 3

MEAC/SWAC Challenge
South Carolina State at Southern, 2:30 PM, TV: ESPN2, ESPN

FAMU's Overton confirms next Atlanta Classic will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Florida A&M Athletic Director Milton Overton Jr. is working toward reviving the Atlanta Classic, and while he wasn't quite ready to name the Rattlers 2018 opponent, he confirmed the game's location.

The next Atlanta Classic, slated for 2018, will be played in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Overton said.



"We'll have to sell a lot of tickets," Overton said with a laugh. "It's an expensive venue."

Overton has envisioned the Rattlers playing in FAMU-owned classics since he first arrived on campus in August of 2015.

The Rattlers will play Tennessee State in the FAMU Tampa Classic on Sept. 16 in Raymond James Stadium.



CONTINUE READING

FAMU Rattlers penalized in Arkansas game for illegal jerseys

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Florida A&M’s football team played Arkansas at a disadvantage Thursday that had nothing to do with the number of scholarships FAMU has compared to the Razorbacks.

The Rattlers were penalized at the start of each quarter due to illegal jerseys in their 49-7 defeat.

FAMU’s away jersey has white numbers with an orange outline on a white background.

The numbers on FAMU’s jerseys were tough to see from the press box here at War Memorial Stadium. The penalty meant FAMU lost a time out at the start of each quarter.

Milton Overton, FAMU’s athletics director, took responsibility for the jersey error.

“It’s a rule we probably should have known, frankly,” Overton said.

“However the rule changed two years ago around the same time we purchased the jerseys. We played all last year -- the official (Thursday) brought it to our attention.

CONTINUE READING

Price and Sewell run away with GCAC weekly awards

NEW ORLEANS — It was business as usual for Taylor Price and a notable debut for Camren Sewell, both of whom produced Xavier University of Louisiana's first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Runner of the Week awards of the 2017 cross country season.
     
Price, a sophomore from Missouri City, Texas, and a graduate of Ridge Point High School, earned the sixth GCAC award of her career after winning the 2-mile race by nearly 30 seconds at the Xavier Big Easy Opener in City Park. Price's time of 12 minutes, 51.42 seconds was the second-fastest by a XULA woman at that distance.
     
Sewell, from Cincinnati and a graduate of La Salle High School, became the second Gold Rush freshman — the first since Mark Dotson in 2009 — to earn GCAC Runner of the Week as a result of his first collegiate performance. Sewell was third in the Big Easy men's division, running 5,000 meters in 17:36.27.
    
 The GCAC awards were for the week of Aug. 21-27.
     
Next for the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush will be a Friday trip to Clinton, Miss., for the Mississippi College Opener. The women will run 4,000 meters at 5 p.m., followed by the men's 5K at 5:30.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Tomasoni, Phillips, Dalla Vecchia sweep GCAC honors

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Juliana Tomasoni, Tiffany Phillipsand Anna Dalla Vecchia are recipients of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's first weekly volleyball awards of the 2017 season.
     
Tomasoni was named GCAC Attacker of the Week for the third time in a career. A 5-foot-9 senior outside hitter from Nova Trento, Brazil, and a former Northeastern Oklahoma A&M standout, Tomasoni led the Gold Nuggets with 34 kills in four matches during the season-opening UM-Dearborn Early Bird at Dearborn, Mich. Tomasoni hit .260 and produced 56 digs.
     
Phillips, a 5-9 sophomore from Gardena, Calif., and a graduate of Bishop Montgomery High School, was chosen Setter of the Week for the seventh time in her career. She reached double figures in digs in each of the first three matches and produced a double-double — 23 assists and 16 digs — in a 5-set victory against Lawrence Tech.
     
Dalla Vecchia, a 5-7 freshman from Vicenza, Italy, was named Defender of the Week after leading the Gold Nuggets with 76 digs. She averaged 5.76 digs per set as XULA's primary libero in the first three matches.
     
Tomasoni, Phillips and Dalla Vecchia helped XULA earn the first 3-1 start in the program's history. The loss was in five sets to NAIA No. 24 Madonna.
     
The GCAC awards were for the week of Aug. 21-27.
     
The Gold Nuggets will play host to city rival Loyola at 6 p.m. Friday.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Nuggets' 2017 home matches will be streamed live

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will offer free live streaming of all home volleyball matches during the 2017 season via its official athletics website,xulagold.com, and YouTube.
     
It will be the first time that XULA offers this service on a regular basis for this sport. XULA broadcast the Gold Nuggets' home match with St. Francis (Ill.) in the 2016 NAIA National Championship Opening Round.
    
"Xavier is excited to provide live streaming of our home matches this season," said Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn. "This will be a valuable service for many of our constituents, especially family members of our student-athletes."
     
Horn added, "From a broadcasting standpoint, the match against St. Francis was a success and a catalyst in helping us reach this point."
     The first streamed broadcast will be the Gold Nuggets' 6 p.m. Friday match against city rival Loyola at the Convocation Center.
    
 The schedule of streamed matches (all times Central):
     •  Sept. 1 (Fri.) vs. Loyola (N.O.), 6 p.m.
     •  Sept. 7 (Thu.) vs. Spring Hill, 6 p.m.
     •  Sept. 9 (Sat.) vs. Tougaloo, 1 p.m.
     •  Sept. 11 (Mon.) vs. Edward Waters, 6 p.m.
     •  Sept. 16 (Sat.) vs. Talladega, 1 p.m.
     •  Sept. 28 (Thu.) vs. Dillard, 6 p.m.
     •  Oct. 5 (Thu.) vs. William Carey, 6 p.m.
     •  Oct. 7 (Sat.) vs. Philander Smith, 1 p.m.
     •  Oct. 26 (Thu.) vs. SUNO, 6 p.m.
     
The Gold Nuggets' home match against Mobile — which was postponed Tuesday due to Tropical Storm Harvey — will be streamed after a makeup date is secured.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Carlos Santana’s 44-Yard Field Goal Gives Clark Atlanta a 32-29 Overtime Win

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Carlos Saldana hit an extra point to put Clark Atlanta in overtime and then won the game with a 44-yard field goal to give CAU a 32-29 win over Mississippi College Thursday night.

Mississippi College had erased a 22-14 halftime deficit midway through the third quarter with an 18-yard touchdown run, and then caught a pass to convert a two-point conversion and tie the game 22-22.

Jobe then added a 12-yard TD run with 2:03 remaining to put the Choctaws ahead.

But that's when Clark Atlanta quarterback Johnathan McCrary went to work.

McCrary drove the Panthers downfield, primarily on the strength of a 29-yard pass to Yeshua Muata that put Clark Atlanta (1-0) in prime position with 1:12 remaining.

McCrary then hit Jonathan Sanders and then Deandre Jackson to get the ball to the Choctaws 6. A Mississippi College pass interference call took the ball to the two. It took McCrary two runs up the middle, the final one with time running out, to tie the game at 29.

Saldana then calmly split the uprights to put the game into overtime.

Mississippi College (0-1) got the ball in the first, picking up one first down and ultimately setting up Greg Nickles for a 43-yard field goal attempt that fell short.

CAU had to start on the 40-yard line instead of the 25 after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but Jujuan Lankford ran it to the 29. The CAU drive stalled shortly thereafter, but Saldana then lined up at the 44 and calmly kicked it through for the game-winner.

McCrary, the SIAC's preseason Offensive Player of the Year, finished with 253 yards and two touchdowns through the air and 48 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to lead the Panthers.

Kenneth Morgan led CAU with 11 tackles, nine of them unassisted. Keith Harrison added nine stops while Terrence Kelley, who had three key tackles in overtime, had seven tackles and a sack.

Clark Atlanta opens up Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play on Sept. 9 when they host Central State.

BOX SCORE

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WSSU Rams Defeat #19 UNCP Braves, 34-31

PEMBROKE, North Carolina – The Winston-Salem State University Rams jumped on the back of running back Kerrion Moore, who finished with 19 carries for 230 yards and three touchdowns, as the Rams held off the #19 UNC Pembroke Braves, 34-31 Thursday afternoon at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.

The game time was moved up to 3:00pm due to impending thunderstorms that are expected to consume much of North Carolina over the next three days as both the remnants of Hurricane Harvey enter the area.

WSSU" Got on the board first, as Kerrion Moore took the hand off and exploded for a 40 yard touchdown early in the game. Daniel Rivera's extra point kick was good to give the Rams a 7-0 lead.

The Rams were able to score again in the first quarter, as Farrell Murchinson crossed the goalline from 3 yards out, to take a 14-0 first quarter advantage.

With 2 seconds remaining before the half, WSSU's Rod Tinsley found an open Canard Brown who would juke his way to the endzone from 73 yards out to give the Rams a 20-0 halftime lead.




Coming out for the second half would be key for both teams, as the Rams looked to put the finishing touches on the Braves.

UNCP would score first in the second half, as JoJo Spann would score on a Dominick Samson pass and catch from four yards out, to cut the Rams advantage to 20-7.

The Braves would get another score off of a gift from the Rams, as on fourth down, the snapper snapped the ball over the punters head into the endzone, where Jordan Howard scooped up the ball for a touchdown. The extra point would be blocked by WSSU, to make the score 20-13.

Winston-Salem State would make good on their next possession, as they would go 65 yards in 10 plays, and would cap off the drive with a Kerrion Moore one yard run, Moore's second of the game, to go ahead 27-13.

With 12:49 left in the game, UNCP would connect on a 38 yard field goal to get closer, 27-16.

After holding the Rams on their next possession, the Braves Jo Leake would score from on an 18 yard run, to make the Rams fans nervous, and make the score 27-26.

But the WSSU Rams would ride on the back on Kerrion Moore once again, as Moore would take the handoff and race 59 yards on the left side, to give the Rams a 34-24 lead with just under 6 minutes left to play.

The Braves would get another opportunity to get closer, as EJ Williams, the WSSU transfer, would find the endzone from six yards out on a pass from Dominick Samson, and after the two point conversion, pulled to within three points at 34-31.

The Rams would look to salt the game away, but on fourth down and a bad snap, the WSSU punters knee would touch down to give the ball back to UNCP with under a minute to play at mid field.

But the Rams defense would come through when needed, and would stop the Braves on three straight incompletions to run out the clock and take the long hard win, 34-31.

WSSU would gain 278 yards rushing on 44 attempts, while the Braves managed just 28 yards on 28 carries. Kerrion Moore was the big man for the Rams all night, as he gained 230 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns.

Rod Tinsley completed six passes on 18 attempts with an interception for 158 yards and one touchdown. UNCP completed 27 of 40 passes for 209 yards and two scores.

Canard Brown caught three passes for 125 yards and one touchdown for the WSSU Rams.

Kyrell Williamson led the Rams on defense, finishing the game with 11 tackles, ½ sack and two tackles for a loss. Daryus Skinner had nine tackles and Kaila
n Chavis finished with seven tackles. Tyron Roberts and Patrick Green each ha five tackles, 1 sack and one tackle for a loss.

The WSSU Rams will host the Bowie State Bulldogs at 4:00pm next week in the home opener, and the game will be streamed on ESPN3.com.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Tigers Spoil Stadium Opening with 17-10 Victory Over Georgia State

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ATLANTA, Georgia -- ATLANTA --- Dajour Nesbeth intercepted a pass with a minute remaining in the game to give Tennessee State a victory over Georgia State in Atlanta on Thursday. The Tigers earned a 17-10 win to pick up the first collegiate football win in Georgia State Stadium (formerly Turner Field).

The win was also the first win as an FCS team over an FBS opponent. TSU defeated Louisville in 1981 and in 1984 as an NCAA DI-A Independent squad. The Tigers transitioned from an NCAA DI-A team to an NCAA DI-AA team in the early 80’s.

The defense stood tall the entire game, holding GSU to 81 yards in the first half. The Tigers kept the pressure on forcing four turnovers, recording three sacks and stopping GSU on two fourth down attempts.

PHOTO GALLERY

Game 1: Tennessee State 17, Georgia State 10
Records: TSU (1-0), GSU (0-1)
Venue: Parker H. Petit Field at Georgia State Stadium
Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Weather: Mostly Clear, 82

TENNESSEE STATE AT GEORGIA STATE | AUGUST 31, 2017/div>

SCORING
1st Quarter
TSU	FG	06:05	CLARK 18 Yd
2nd Quarter
TSU	TD	10:15	ROWLAND 4 Yd Run (CLARK kick)
GSU	FG	04:07	Wright 20 Yd
3rd Quarter
TSU	TD	04:32	HARRIS 12 Yd Run (CLARK kick)
4th Quarter
GSU	TD	11:29	Bateman 36 Yd Pass From Winchester (Wright kick)

STATS AT A GLANCE	TSU	GSU
1st Downs	21	14
3rd Down Conversions	4-14	4-11
4th Down Conversions	1-1	1-3
Passing (Comp-Att)	145 (12-25)	224 (18-23)
Rushing (Att)	238 (42)	49 (29)
Total Yards	383	273
Penalties	12-101	6-51
Turnovers	0	4
Fumbles Lost	0	3
Interceptions	0	1
Possession	34:59	25:01

TOTALS

• The Tigers outrushed Georgia State 238-49 and outgained the Panthers 383-273
• TSU won the time of possession holding on to the ball for 34:59 opposed to the Panthers 25:01
• The defense forced four turnovers, three fumbles and an interception
• Chris Collins, Neiman Armstrong and Jason Morrow each earned sacks in the opening contest

INDIVIDUAL

• Collins had a game high 12 tackles, nine solos and three tackles for loss
• Vincent Sellers recorded 10 tackles, seven solos, in his first collegiate game
• The Tigers had three runners with 70-plus yards rushing; Treon Harris had 11 carries for 91 yards, Seth Rowland carried nine times for 76 yards and Sabree Curtis went for 73 yards on 17 touches
• Harris and Rowland each crossed the end line for their first touchdowns of the season
• Patrick Smith caught six passes for 70 yards
• Harris finished 12-of-25 for 145 yards
  
  

FIRST QUARTER

• After a TSU Three-and-Out, Chris Collins forces a fumble on GSU’s second play from scrimmage; Justin North recovers giving the Tigers the ball at the TSU 27
• Treon Harris rushed for 17 yards on his first carry as a Tiger to the Tigers 45
• Harris followed with his first completion, a 20 yard gain to Patrick Smith
• Tigers continued down the field and received an eight yard scamper by Harris to the Panthers three yard line
• TSU would have to settle for an 18 yard field goal by Lane Clark to take a 3-0 lead with 6:05 remaining in the first quarter
• The Tigers first drive went 72 yards on 13 plays, taking up 6:42 seconds
• Harris hit Steven Newbold for 21 yards to start the Big Blues third possession
• The Tigers entered the Panthers half of the field on a 31 yard dash by Sabree Curtis
• The drive ended as GSU got a piece of Clark’s 38 yard field goal attempt
• The quarter with the Tigers outgaining the Panthers, 121-36

SECOND QUARTER

• The Tigers continued to move on the Panthers as Harris connected with Smith for nine yards to keep the drive alive on a third and long
• Curtis and Harris followed with runs of 15 and 21 yards, respectively, to enter GSU territory
• The Tigers capped off the series with a four-yard plunge by Seth Rowland to extend the lead to 10-0
• The touchdown drive took nine plays and traveled 64 yards in 4:11
• The Panthers got on the board with a 20 yard field goal with 4:07 remaining in the half
• The Tigers again went on a lengthy drive just before half
• TSU opened the 62-yard drive with an 11 yard pass from Harris to Andrew Knox
• Two plays later Harris teamed with Smith for a 16 yard gain, crossing midfield to the 47
• The Tigers took advantage of a penalty and a 10 yard run by Harris to enter the red zone
• After a holding call on a big run by Curtis, Harris went back to the air hitting Smith for 10 yards and Miles Cavitt for another 12
• Clark missed his second field goal (30) of the night with six seconds to go before the break
• The Tigers led the Panthers in total yardage at halftime, 247-81

THIRD QUARTER

• The defense continued to shine in the third period as they recorded two stops on fourth down attempts
• The Panthers were halted on the opening drive of the second half as they tried a run on fourth and two at the TSU 47
• Justin North stopped Kyler Neal for no yards to end the drive, one play after he stopped Neal at the line of scrimmage
• The Panthers moved out of the shadows of their own goal posts with a 59-yard pass play; a TSU penalty on the play added to the gain moving GSU to the Tigers 13
• Georgia State gambled on fourth and one from the Tigers four, but Chris Collins stuffed Neal inches from the line to gain, and forcing a turnover on downs
• The Tigers reversed roles on GSU as Seth Rowland busted up the middle for a 59 yard run to the Panthers 37
• The run was the biggest play on the Panthers in two years
• Seven plays later, Harris rolled around the left side and rushed 12 yards into the end zone to put the seal on the 96-yard drive and pushing the lead to 17-3
• The defense continued its strong play on the next GSU series as Jason Morrow recorded a sack and LaQuarius Cook forced a fumble, allowing Blair Edwards to pick up the ball for the Tigers
• After three quarters, the Tigers had 368 yards in total offense, 236 coming on the ground

FOURTH QUARTER

• GSU entered the end zone early in the fourth stanza as they converted on a fourth down play, cutting into the Tigers lead, 17-10
• TSU relied on the defense in the fourth as the offense was held to 16 yards in the final quarter
• Dell Porter forced a fumble, allowing Ebenezer Ogundeko to fall on the ball, stopping GSU’s attempt to even the score
• Dajour Nesbeth sealed the win for the Tigers as he intercepted a pass and returned it 32 yards with less than a minute pla

WHAT’S NEXT:The Tigers will travel to Memphis, Tenn. to take on Jackson State in the Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday, Sept. 9
 

NOTES

• Captains for TSU were Lane Clark, Ebo Ogundeko, Patrick Smith and Chris Collins.
• Georgia State won the coin toss and deferred the opening kickoff.
• Weather at the time of kickoff was 82 degrees and mostly sunny.
• TSU was facing Georgia State for the first time in program history.
• Thursday was the first-ever collegiate game at the new Georgia State Stadium, formerly Turner Field.
• The official attendance for the game was 24,333, which is a sellout crowd.
• TSU was squaring off with an FBS program for the second season in a row after taking on Vanderbilt during the 2016 season.
• TSU is now 1-3 versus FBS opponents
• The Tigers have gone 7-1 in season openers under Head Coach Rod Reed.
• Senior All-American kicker Lane Clark scored the team’s first points on a 19-yard field goal in the opening quarter.
• Sophomore running back Seth Rowland scored TSU’s first touchdown of the season. The touchdown was a four-yard rush in the second quarter.
• With nine minutes left in the 3rd quarter, TSU picked up a 59-yard rush by Seth Rowland, which was the longest play allowed by Georgia State since the 2015 season.
• Thursday’s game aired live on ESPN3

QUOTES
Junior Offensive Tackle Christian Morris
- On beating an FBS Team
“First of all, this is a huge win. We’re an FCS team, and we came out there and beat an FBS team. They were very talented, but we handled business.”

- On the offensive line
“The Offensive line played phenomenal tonight. We had a couple mishaps, but we played phenomenal.”

Senior Linebacker Chris Collins
- On winning the opener
“It means a lot to the team. We felt like we wanted to start off the season strong. We feel like we played a great defensive game. Offensively, we played well too. I feel like we played a great game and now we just have to get ready for Jackson State.”

- On beating an FBS Team
“I don’t think many people outside of us thought we would win, but it’s good to prove people wrong. In our heart, we felt like we’re the best, so we expect to do things like that.”

Sophomore Running Back Seth Rowland
- On the win
“It means a lot to us. Coming into this game, I wanted to do it for the alumni and for our school. The alumni are what started this. Before the game, I tweeted, ‘keep the tradition alive,’ and that’s what we wanted to do.”

- On scoring a touchdown
“That was my first touchdown so I was really excited, but I have to give the credit to Sabree (Curtis) for getting us down there in the first place, and the line for blocking as well as they did. Treon (Harris) had a great drive, and it just played out for us.”

Freshman Safety Vincent Sellers
- On getting the win
“It feels good. It’s been a long camp, and we’ve been working very hard. Coach (Garry) Fisher has been on us every single day and it got us better. I just want to thank God because it’s a true blessing.”

- On winning his first college game
“I have my mom and dad here supporting me. They’ve been waiting to see me play my first college game. It was a total team effort. (Laquarius) Cook taught me everything I know right now, and we’re just going to keep pushing from here on.

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Tulane not taking Grambling lightly — and for the Green Wave, that's not a chiche

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Although Tulane never has lost to a team from the Football Championship Subdivision, Grambling has the Green Wave’s full attention entering Saturday’s season opener at Yulman Stadium.

Players and coaches always say they take every opponent seriously, but the Tigers have the credentials to make anyone take notice. Ranked No. 21 in the preseason FCS coaches’ poll, they are coming off a 12-1 season, and the loss came with an asterisk.

Grambling led Arizona 21-3 at halftime before falling 31-21. The Tigers played the final 2½ quarters without star quarterback DeVante Kincade. He was hurt after throwing a pair of early touchdown passes, and the Tigers imploded with six turnovers in the second half.

They outscored everyone else 528-174, coasting to the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.

“I was in the FCS for four years at Sam Houston State, and we really felt like we could compete with most Division I schools in the country, so this (Grambling) is a top flight I-AA program,” Tulane coach Willie Fritz said. “We know it's going to be a tremendous challenge for us.”

CONTINUE READING

Lyles to start for JSU, but Hayes will play too

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Brent Lyles will start Saturday against TCU, but Jackson State coach Tony Hughes is hedging his bets when it comes to a long-term answer at quarterback.

Hughes said Wednesday that the game plan is for junior college transfer Jarrad Hayes to see some playing time as well.

"Whether that's in the first quarter, the second quarter or the second half, we don't know that yet," Hughes said. "We'll see what the game dictates."

At the end of the day, Lyles and Hayes got the nod over Jordan Williams and Tavis Williams because of their leadership. Both have shown the ability to command the Jackson State offense, read defenses and get their teammates lined up.

Lyles, in particular, showed in spring camp and through the fall he is ready to become Hughes' on-the-field general.

But the quarterback battle between Lyles and Hayes, and even Jordan Williams and Tavis Williams, is clearly not finished.

CONTINUE READING

PVAMU Football Returns To Practice, Turns Attention To #3 SHS Bearkats

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- The Prairie View A&M University football team returned to practice Wednesday night to begin preparations for the season opener next Thursday against #3 Sam Houston St.

The Panthers and Bearkats will kickoff just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 at Panther Stadium in a live nationally televised game on ESPNU. Tickets are available for the contest at pvpanthers.com/tickets.

Wednesday was the first practice since Friday morning, as the Panthers and the Houston area dealt with Hurricane Harvey.

"It feels good to be back out here," said PVAMU head coach Willie Simmons. It really puts things in perspective as to what's really important at the end of the day. Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers continue to go out to everyone affected by the storm and the flooding over the past week. As the saying goes, 'life will go on' and Prairie View A&M University will go on and football has to go on with our responsibility to our program. We have a huge challenge ahead of us against the #3 ranked team in the country. It felt good to get back to practice and get our minds off of everything and get back to what we love to do."

The return to practice brought a sense of normalcy as well as focus for the program. Last week the focus shifted to Texas Southern and the Labor Day Classic XXXIII game scheduled for this Saturday. With the decision announced Monday to postpone the game until Thanksgiving Weekend, a new opponent comes into view, but just as importantly, game week is here with the Thursday contest a week away.

"I think the uncertainty which was there earlier this week is over," Simmons said. "I think it felt good for the guys to touch a football, to put the pads on, and be in our element. We know that barring something unforeseen, the game will be here next week. I know there was a lot of uncertainty of when we would play TSU. Now, we can put that behind us and clearly focus on our Sam Houston St."

The Bearkats were the only team in FCS football to go undefeated during the regular season. Sam Houston St., which had its opening game against #7 Richmond Sunday postponed due to Hurricane Harvey, will face the Spiders Friday in Waco, Texas at Baylor's McLane Stadium.

"It's a great challenge and a great opportunity for us," Simmons said. "We knew when we scheduled the game that it was a great opportunity for this university to continue our push toward national prominence. Sam Houston State is one of the most respected programs in FCS Football. They were ranked #1 most of last year, and are ranked preseason #3 this year. The job that Coach K.C. Keeler has done is nothing short of amazing. He's an outstanding coach, and they have outstanding players. We understand the challenge of a team of their caliber coming in to Panther Stadium. We'll be up for the challenge, and we're looking forward to the opportunity on national television to show what we are as a football team, as a program, and as a university."

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

XU Nuggets start 3-1 for first time in program history

DEARBORN, Michigan — Xavier University of Louisiana didn't secure its first-ever victory against a ranked volleyball opponent Friday, but the Gold Nuggets concluded the UM-Dearborn Early Bird with their best-ever record through four matches.

XULA improved to 3-1 after its second victory of Saturday and third of the tournament, 25-12, 25-22, 25-14 against Fisk.

Freshmen Kayla Black and Anna Dalla Vecchia led the Gold Nuggets against the Lady Bulldogs (0-3). Black had nine kills, and Dalla Vecchia served four aces for the second time in three matches.

Juliana Tomasoni had five kills and finished with 21 for the day, and Tiffany Phillips served three of XULA's eight first-set aces.

XULA produced a 10-1 first-set run and 10-1 and 9-1 runs in the third.

Earlier in the day, XULA defeated Lawrence Tech 25-20, 25-23, 24-26, 15-25, 15-12. On Friday the Gold Nuggets swept Trinity International, then lost in five sets to NAIA No. 24 Madonna.

It was the 12th time that the Nuggets won twice in one day and the first time since the 2015 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.

Next for XULA volleyball will be the third annual Big Easy Blastoff at its Convocation Center. The Gold Nuggets will play Friday at 3 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan and 7 p.m. against Rust. The two-day, five-team, 10-match event will conclude Saturday.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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