FIU Football Turns in 17-10 Win Over Alcorn; Get Butch Davis His First Win at FIU

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- With the arrival of Hurricane Irma looming and potentially making landfall in South Florida, and with the FIU football team's game being moved from its home field, Riccardo Silva Stadium, to Birmingham, Alabama, the Panthers finally had the opportunity to return to a bit of normalcy, albeit for just a few hours. FIU returned to the gridiron on Friday, for what should have been its home-opener on Saturday, and handed upset-minded Alcorn State University a hard-fought 17-10 loss at historic Legion Field. The win improves the Panthers to 1-1 on the year, while the Braves level at 1-1. The victory was also the first for Butch Davis as head coach at FIU.

Senior quarterback Alex McGough was 21-of-33, with no interceptions for 328 yards, his fourth 300-yard plus passing game of his career, and his second best, behind his 390-yard performance against Old Dominion on Oct. 24, 2015.

In what was an already impressive outing, McGough saved his best for last, leading the Panthers on a game-winning seven-play, 80-yard drive. After Alcorn tied the game at 10 apiece on a 49-yard field goal, the senior from Tampa, started the drive getting 40 of those yards on a connection to Julian Williams, who found a seam down the middle to the Alcorn 40-yard line. The Braves then got a healthy dose of Alex Gardner, who carried the ball four-straight times for a total of 27 yards, including the run that set up the game-winner from the one-yard line. McGough took the ball over the goal line on a quarterback sneak.



The game started out slowly for both teams, but after a scoreless first quarter, Gardner, the Panthers' all-time rushing leader, scored his first touchdown of the year, capping an 11-play, 72-yard drive with a three-yard run just one-minute into the second quarter. Gardner finished the game with 102 yards on 20 carries, his 10th 100-yard game of his career.

After a stop of Alcorn on the Braves next drive, the Panthers seemed poised to get in the end zone again, taking the ball 80 yards in seven plays and using better than nine minutes of the clock. However a 32-yard pass from McGough to Thomas Owens that got the ball to the two-yard line, was fumbled into the end zone by Owens for a touchback, giving the ball back to Alcorn at the 20-yard line.

BOX SCORE

The Braves proceeded to use their own 80-yard drive to level the score at seven-all when Lenorris Footman found Tavares Johnson Jr. with 3:04 left in the half. The score was set up by a 47-yard pass play, on the third play of the drive, from Footman to Norlando Veals getting the Braves to the FIU 30-yard line from their own 23.

Despite the Panthers dominating the time of possession in the first half, holding the ball for almost 12 minutes and recording 239 yards, 210 coming through the air, FIU and Alcorn went into the locker room at the break tied at seven.

Neither team could get anything going for most of the third quarter, until the Panthers put together a 75-yard drive lasting 4:50 and ended by a 23-yard Jose Borregales field goal with 16 seconds left in the quarter, making the score 10-7 FIU. The Panthers, who had the drive extended on a 14-yard pass to Julian Williams on third-and-five, had a chance to get six points on a pass from McGough to Tony Gaiter IV, but the pass was dropped in the end zone.

On the night, the FIU finished the game with 465 total yards, 328 of which came through the air. Williams was the prime target for McGough recording a career night with 129 yards on five receptions. Gaiter IV also finished with a career-best 64 yards receiving on five catches.

The Panthers were cheered on by better than 100 fellow FIU student-athletes from eight sports programs that were also relocated to Birmingham due to Irma.

Up next for FIU is a trip to America's Heartland, Bloomington, Indiana, to face the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

For FIU football ticket information, contact the University Credit Union Box Office at 305-FIU-GAME (348-4263).

For the latest information on Panthers football, follow us on Twitter, @FIUFootball, and check out Pete Pelegrin's in-depth coverage of FIU Athletics on his official blog, The Prowl, at www.FIUSports.com.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Hampton Pirates Swats DSU Hornets in 2017 Home Opener

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Delmon Williams threw for 305 yards and three touchdowns, while Aulden Knight caught four passes for 172 yards and two scores as Hampton opened its 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference slate defeating Delaware State 28-15.

The Hornets stung first on the board forcing a safety as their defense pinned Hampton (1-1, 1-0) inside its five. A punt snap sailed out of the back of the end zone and put the Hornets up 2-0 with 9:31 left in the first quarter.

Delaware State pushed the advantage to 5-0 on its ensuing possession going 63 yards but stalling on the Hampton nine for a 26-yard field goal from Wisdom Nzidee with 3:54 left.

Hampton found some offensive traction in its next drive going 77 yards in nine plays. Williams was 4-of-4 on the drive hitting Yahkee Johnson for 21 yards, Wesley Wolfolk for four and a pair of completions to Ronald Bell. The first one went for 38 yards down to the DSU three, while two plays later he connected with Bell on a four yard pass to lead 7-5 with three seconds left in the opening quarter.

The start of the second quarter saw both teams score on their first possessions. Delaware State (0-2, 0-1) went 60 yards in nine plays as quarterback Jack McDaniels scored on a one-yard run to put the Hornets up 12-7 with 10:19 left. Hampton responded with a quick strike as Williams and Knight connected on a 48-yard scoring pass to take the lead again at 14-12 barely 40 seconds later.

The Pirate defense stepped up late in the quarter as after a blocked punt, Delaware State took over on the Hampton 15. After three running plays put the Hornets on the Hampton four, the defense stiffened and forced a 19-yard field goal from Nzidee to put the Hornets back on top 15-14 with 3:59 left.

Much like DSU's last scoring drive, Hampton responded very quickly as the tandem of Williams and Knight connected again on a 78-yard slant route that put Hampton up 21-15 21 seconds later.

After a scoreless third quarter, Hampton scored its final touchdown on a six-play, 71-yard drive as Johnson finished with a 15-yard scamper. Williams and Knight were large again on the drive connecting on a 35-yard pass to get Hampton down to the DSU 20.

Johnson topped the team in rushing with 86 yards on 15 carries, while Bell added a team-high six receptions for 89 yards and one touchdown. On defense, Raheim Huskey and Steven Smith Jr., shared the team lead with 11 tackles each. Hampton outgained Delaware State 439-267.

The Pirates return to action on September 16 at 6 pm when they host Livingstone College for Alumni Day and City of Hampton Day.

Hampton University friends and alumni, join us throughout the year in celebrating the 150th anniversary of Hampton University and the 40th anniversary of our President Dr. William R. Harvey.

For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757- or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com

FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Lincoln (Pa.) Lions at Lincoln (Mo.) Blue Tigers

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- THE BASICS

Game #2: Lincoln (PA) (0-1) at Lincoln (MO) (0-1)
Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 9 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Jefferson City, Mo.
Stadium (Capacity): Dwight T. Reed Stadium (5,500)
Live Stream - http://glvcsn.com/
Audiocast - http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KJLU
Live Stats - http://sidearmstats.com/lincolnu/football/xlive.htm
Series - Lincoln (PA) leads, 1-0

THE OPENING KICK

Saturday's game will be the second annual "Battle of the Lincolns".  The Lions won last year's contest at home 33-23.

The Lions will play in their first road game under the lights since visiting Division I Sacred Heart University on September 21, 2013.  Lincoln (Pa.) is seeking their first ever evening win on the road, coming into the game with a 0-7 nighttime road record since the program was revived in 2008.


Saturday's game will also be the first home night game for the Blue Tigers of Lincoln (Mo.) in 40 years.

Both teams are seeking their first win as the Lions opened their season with a 56-28 loss at Cheyney University in their annual "Battle of the First" contest against their area HBCU rival.  The Blue Tigers suffered a 30-14 to Langston University last week.

LAST MEETING

The Blue Tigers jumped out to a 17-0 lead in last year's game at Lions Stadium before Andre Price (Rialto, Calif./Jurupa Hills (Chabot)) caught the first of his two touchdown passes from quarterback Justin White (Ozone Park, N.Y./Grand Street) to close the gap to 17-7 at halftime.  Tyler Wilson (Baltimore,MD/West Hills College)'s touchdown reception early in the third quarter pulled the Lions within four 17-13 before the blue Tigers struck on their next possession, needing just one play – a 66-yard run by Will Randolph to go back on top 23-13.  The Lions roared back with 20 unanswered points, climaxing with a 76-yard touchdown reception by Elijah Smith (Elmont, N.Y./Sewanhaka (Monroe College)) with five minutes to go in the game.  White finished the game with 223 yards passing and four touchdowns.

LIONS FIRST GAME SUMMARY

Senior Rameses Owens (Warrensville Hgts., Ohio/Shaker Heights Robert Morris)) rushed for two touchdowns and quarterback Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif./Madera (West Hills)) scrambled for a third and passed for another, all in the second half but the Lincoln University football team was unable to overcome a sloppy first half as Cheyney University took the annual "Battle of the First" game between the two teams 56-28 on Saturday.
Lincoln trailed 56-0 entering the third quarter.  The Lions scored twice in the third and two more times in the fourth to make the final score somewhat respectable at 56-28.  Owens started the scoring with a 6 yard touchdown run in the third with Espinoza scoring form 16 yards out some four minutes later to make the score 56-12.
In the fourth quarter the Lions capitalized on two Cheyney fumbles, scoring both times.  Owens ran one in from eight yards out and Andre Price (Rialto, Calif./Jurupa Hills (Chabot))added a 41-yard touchdown reception late in the game.

LIONS TO WATCH

Offense – Quarterback Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif./Madera (West Hills)) came off the bench to complete 11 of 19 passes in Lincoln's season opener. Espinoza totaled 129 yards passing and had one touchdown toss.  He also ran for 47 yards and had one touchdown rushing.  Running Back Rameses Owens (Warrensville Hgts., Ohio/Shaker Heights Robert Morris)) netted 77 yards rushing in his Lions debut while scoring two touchdowns. Andre Price (Rialto, Calif./Jurupa Hills (Chabot)) had seven receptions while recording the second 100-yard receiving game of his career (105 yards) and one touchdown.
Defense – Junior linebacker Deion Miller (Sayreville, N.J./Jersey Coast Academy), a Second Team All-CIAA honoree last season led the team with nine tackles.  The Lions forced five fumbles, recovering three.  The last two recoveries led to Lions touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Rhamir Thomas (Washington, Pa./Washington (Youngstown St.)) and Cole Williams (Laurel, Md./DeMatha Catholic) had six tackles apiece while Williams recorded the Lions lone interception on the afternoon.
Special Teams – Carlos Croslin (Baltimore, Md./Frederick Douglass (Globe Tech) ) returned five kickoffs for a total of 138 yards, including a 65 yard run in the first half.  Cody Waddell (Elkton, Md./Northeast), Lincoln's primary punter averaged 36 yards per punt while Espinoza kicked twice, averaging 46 yards.  Waddell also averaged 33.4 yard on kickoffs.

BLUE TIGERS TO WATCH

Offense - The first offensive touchdown of 2017 was a pass by Henry Ogala to Miles Drummond in the second half of last week's loss at Langston. Anthony Townsend was Lincoln's top receiver, however, as he caught four passes for 65 yards. Ogala, who was filling in for an injured Eugene Sainterling, threw for 188 yards and the score in his first career appearance as a Blue Tiger. Kimbo Ferguson was the Blue Tigers' main rusher, as he averaged 3.1 yards on nine carries.
Defense - Addison Tucker tied for the team lead in tackles with 11 at Langston.   Willard Cotton also had a solid game in Lincoln's season-opener, totaling 11 tackles, four quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss, a sack and a broken up pass.
Special Teams - The Blue Tigers first touchdown of the 2017 season came courtesy of the special teams, as Isaiah Gray blocked a Langston punt and Victor Williams recovered it in the end zone. Wolky Belancourt made both of his extra points attempts and averaged 36.2 yards on punts and 58.0 yards on kickoffs. Gray had a 23-yard punt return while Blake Tibbs led Lincoln with 62 yards on kickoff returns

THE COACHES

Reginald Byarse, Jr. was named the interim head coach of the Lions on May 1, 2017. Byarse, 29, has the distinction of being the youngest head coach of an NCAA Division II football program this season.  No stranger to the Lincoln football program, Byarse spent the last season as the Lions' Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach where he coordinated and managed all aspects of special teams position/positions assignment. Lincoln's punt return unit was one of only six Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) schools to average over ten yards per return in the 2016 season.   Byarse also was heavily involved in opponent evaluation and development of defensive game plans and assists with the administrative functions of the program. He spent the previous six seasons working at the high school level in various capacities. He graduated from Cincinnati in 2011.  

Steven Smith was named head coach of the Blue Tigers last December after a very successful four-year run as the offensive coordinator of Albany State. Smith, who has also coached at Tennessee State, Delta State and Virginia State, helped Albany State go undefeated in league play in three of his four seasons. Smith's teams have made for NCAA Division II playoff appearances and he has coached 21 all-conference honorees and eight All-Americans. Beyond his college career, Smith additionally has coached with six NFL teams, most recently serving as an assistant under Romeo Crennel with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.


UP NEXT FOR THE LIONS

Lincoln returns to the road next Saturday (Sept. 16), traveling to Philippi, West Virginia to take on Alderson-Broaddus University in their final non-conference game of the season.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY LIONS SPORTS INFORMATION

Lincoln University Lions Welcome Jill Freese as their New Head Women's Volleyball and Softball Coach

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pennsylvania -- Lincoln University Athletic Director Harry Stinson III is pleased to announce the hiring of Jill Freese as the university's new Head Women's Volleyball and Softball coach.

"We are excited to add Jill to the Lincoln Lion Family," stated Athletic Director, Harry Stinson. "Her experiences as a former Division I athlete and coach, strong connection to the local Oxford community and desire to lead is a great addition to our staff. I'm excited to see our student athletes have the opportunity to learn from Coach Freese and put them in position to be CIAA and NCAA Champions."

Freese, an Oxford, Pennsylvania native, replaces Amber Sneed who left the university this summer to return to her native state, Ohio, and coach basketball.

"I am beyond thrilled to return to my hometown and lead the Lincoln University softball and volleyball programs," adds Freese. "I am honored to join a department led with strong vision, commitment, and enthusiasm for college athletics."

Freese comes to Lincoln after spending last season as an assistant softball coach at Division I St. Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey. At St. Peter's she worked primarily with pitchers, hitters and catchers as the Peacocks posted a five-win improvement and a 48 point increase in their team batting average from their previous season.

A four year softball player at Monmouth University, Freese left her mark on the program, finishing her career ranked fourth on Monmouth's all-time home run list and ninth in RBI's. Freese earned All-MAAC and All-MAAC Tournament honors her senior year.

Freese was a three-sport athlete at Oxford Area High School lettering in softball, basketball and field hockey. She earned first Team all-League honors in each of her four years at Oxford and was First Team all-State her final two seasons.

"I want to thank everyone involved in the hiring process, especially Harry, for trusting my vision as a coach and believing that I was the best candidate to lead Lincoln to future success," adds Freese. "I cannot wait to get started so that we can create something special here at Lincoln University."

Lincoln's women's volleyball team opens their season on September 12 with a match at Notre Dame of Maryland University..

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY LIONS SPORTS INFORMATION

Olympian David Oliver Named Howard University Director For Track & Field Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Director of Athletics Kery Davis named World Olympian and alum David Oliver as its Director for Track & Field Program at Howard University. The announcement was made internally yesterday.

"We are thrilled to welcome one of Howard's most decorated former student-athletes back to the Mecca," said Davis. "David is a globally-recognized track and field champion and brings a unique passion to help student-athletes achieve their dreams on the track, in the classroom and in life after Howard. Most importantly, his personal achievements at the highest levels of competition will be an example to our student-athletes of what you can achieve through hard work, dedication and passion for your craft."



The Denver, Colo., native was destined to be a track & field star after his mother, Brenda Chambers, secured a spot on the 1980 Olympic Team in the 400-meter hurdles. Oliver returns to his alma mater as a highly decorated professional athlete. He was the 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalist in the 110-meter hurdles, and the 2013 World Champion in the same event. On the indoor track and field stage, he earned the Gold medal in the 2008 USA Indoor Championships in the 60-meter hurdles and bronze in the 2010 World Championships. He maintained top 10 rankings in the world for 11 consecutive seasons, and has received several accolades including the 2010 Jesse Owens Award which recognizes the USA's Most Outstanding Track Athlete. A two-time All-American as student-athlete at Howard University, Oliver was inducted into the 2014 Howard University Hall of Fame and the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame.

"I am happy to be back," Oliver stated. "I am looking forward to taking over the reins and rebuilding our program."

Off the track, Oliver dedicates his time to helping with youth track competitions and mentorship through the David Oliver Indoor Classic in Winston Salem, N.C., and the David Oliver Classic in Washington, D.C., while assisting sponsored athletes in the Quicksilver Track Club in Atlanta, Ga.

"During my tenure I've gotten to know Mr. Oliver very well. I've been impressed with his dedication to his craft that has seen him victorious at the highest level of his sport," said University President Wayne A. I. Frederick. "He represents the best of what Howard University has produced. He understands that our focus in the classroom and on the field must be excellent and I'm confident that he will equip Howard athletes with the tools to ensure their all-around success."

Oliver has been featured in several major magazines, including Essence Magazine, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Sobe Fit Magazine, Stack Magazine, Spikes Magazine, and ESPN the Magazine. In Sept. 2008, he was honored at Howard's 141st Opening Convocation for his outstanding achievements in athletics. Oliver was also honored by the Mayor of Denver with the naming of October 3rd as "David Oliver Day" and receiving a key to the city. He has also received the key to the city of Greensboro, N.C.

Oliver obtained his bachelor's degree from Howard University in business administration in 2004. He is married to Emily Oliver and they have one son, Dawson.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

SC State, Charleston Southern Cancel Saturday Game

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State versus Charleston Southern football contest, originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, has been canceled. Both institutions will work together to reschedule the game at a later date.

The game was postponed due to the weather threat posed by Hurricane Irma and the State of Emergency issued by the state of South Carolina.

The SC State versus Wingate University women’s soccer game scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 10 has also been canceled, and will be rescheduled later during the season.

“The safety of our student-athletes and staff is paramount to the Department of Athletics and to the university. When faced with situations such as the impending hurricane expected to impact South Carolina, we always want to exercise caution and use good judgement to ensure students’ safety. I look forward to working with Charleston Southern in an effort to reschedule the game,” said Athletics Director Stacy Danley.

“(Being unable to play this weekend) is so disappointing because we were looking forward to renewing a relationship with South Carolina State in football and play them as we compete in so many other sports. We’re hoping we can get together with them later on this season and look forward to trying to work that out,” said Hank Small, Charleston Southern University athletic director.

Officials at SC State University continue to monitor the path and potential impact of the hurricane to the campus.

While it is too early to determine the potential threat, a number of forecasting models predicts that Hurricane Irma will impact South Carolina early in the week of September 11, causing flooding and strong hurricane-force winds.

The university anticipates that forecasting models will improve as the week progresses and more will be known about Hurricane Irma’s path. As this information becomes available, officials will evaluate weather reports and will consider advisement from state and local emergency management agencies to make the best decisions to ensure the safety of the campus community. The campus community will be notified in advance of any modification to campus operations.

Updates on weather-related issues and other emergencies will be available on the following platforms:

University’s homepage at www.scsu.edu

University’s social media sites
Facebook: www.facebook.com/scstate
Twitter: @scstate1896
E2Campus (Registration Required): This emergency system will send texts and emails of current or imminent threats to registered cell phone numbers and email addresses. To register, click here.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Finally! Nuggets dig up breakthrough win vs. Badgers

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana defeated Spring Hill 25-18, 25-18, 19-25, 25-22 Thursday for the Gold Nuggets' first-ever volleyball victory against the Badgers.
     
The Gold Nuggets (5-1) lost their 19 previous matchups with Spring Hill (1-1), two last season.
     
Kayla Black's first collegiate double-double, 14 kills and 11 digs, helped spark XULA to its fourth consecutive victory and second in as many home matches. Also producing double-doubles for the Nuggets were Juliana Tomasoni with 12 kills and 19 digs and Tiffany Phillips with 26 assists and 14 digs.
     
Other XULA contributors were Anna Dalla Vecchia with 20 digs, Vivica Price-Spraggins with 12 kills and a .579 hitting percentage, Lauryn Taylor with nine kills and three blocks, Adili Rikondja with eight kills,Hasani Salaam with a season-high-tying four blocks and Eva Le Guillou with 22 assists.
     
Black, Dalla Vecchia, Price-Spraggins, Le Guillou and Taylor are freshmen.
     
"The key for us was consistency," first-year XULA head coach Pat Kendrick said, "and I thought we showed that in the sets we won. Spring Hill is a great team and was a great test for us. We needed that."

BOX SCORE
     
Black had three kills during a 10-0 second-set surge that gave the Gold Nuggets a 12-1 lead. After a fourth-set tie at 11, XULA scored 11 of the next 15 points. Salaam's kill ended the match, which lasted nearly two hours.
     
Payton Gidney had 11 kills, Randu De'Armitt served three aces, Taylor Hurst had nine kills and four blocks, and Cassidi Sterrett had 19 digs for Spring Hill.
     
XULA outhit Spring Hill .196 to .121 — .300 to .134 in the first two sets — and had advantages of 59-41 in kills and 86-70 in digs. In the five most recent meetings before Thursday, Spring Hill outhit XULA .206 to .146.
     
XULA will continue its home stand with a 1 p.m. Saturday match against Tougaloo at the Convocation Center. It will be the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener for the Gold Nuggets, who won the last six GCAC regular-season and tournament championships.

Spring Hill lineup:  Starters 1 Payton Gidney, 2 Emmarose Neibert, 14 Katelyn Bobinger, 15 Morgan Eiland, 17 Sarah Senft, 18 Randi De'Armitt . . . Libero 6 Cassidi Sterrett
XULA lineup:  Starters 6 Tiffany Phillips, 7 Adili Rikondja, 9 Hasani Salaam, 14 Juliana Tomasoni, 16 Kayla Black, 17 Vivica Price-Spraggins . . . Libero 20 Anna Dalla Vecchia


Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Price, Vaughan make all-time school list at MC Opener

CLINTON, Mississippi — Taylor Price and Maliya Vaughan recorded two of the fastest 4,000-meter times in Xavier University of Louisiana women's cross country history at the Mississippi College Season Opener Friday.
     
Price's time of 16 minutes, 35.68 seconds is No. 3 on the Gold Nuggets' all-time list. Vaughan's time of 17:07.58 ranks sixth. The school record is 15:34.
     
Price, Vaughan and Camren Sewell were the only XULA runners to finish in the upper half of the individual standings. Price was 22nd and Vaughan 29th out of 96 women, and in the men's 5K Sewell (18:33.92) was 41st out of 92 runners.
     
The Gold Nuggets placed seventh out of 13 teams with 210 points and finished ahead of NCAA Division I members Alcorn State and Jackson State. The XULA men also outscored Alcorn but placed 10th out of 12 teams with 291 points.
     
Unattached Daphney Stanford was the first woman to finish (14:45.82). The first collegiate finisher was Kate Mattox (14:46.95) of Southern Miss, which had the first 10 collegiate finishers and won the team title with a perfect 15 points. In the men's division, Jackson State's Henry Kiplagat won in 16:15.92, and Mississippi College outscored Louisiana Tech 33-76 to win the team title.
     
XULA's other runners were Brianna Pace (65th, 20:03.17), Hajjia Mohammed (69th, 21:05.98) and Chinyere Jones (78th, 23:24.22) in the women's race and Oji Wells (66th, 20:38.03), Darrick Williams (72nd, 21:14.26), Ammiel Williams (83rd, 22:54.66), Ayinde Abanu (86th, 25:07.50) and Aaron Grundy (91st, 33:19.00) in the men's.
     
Next for XULA will be a 5K at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Festival in Metairie, La., a New Orleans suburb. The women will race at 7:50 a.m., followed by the men at 8:25.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
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Tuskegee Ranked After Week 1 in NCAA AFCA Poll

TUSKEGEE, Alabama --After week 1, the Tuskegee football team is ranked 22rd in the NCAA American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll.
 
The Golden Tigers won their second straight game over Alabama State, earning a 14-6 win on Saturday. 

Jonah McCutcheon sealed the victory for Tuskegee (1-0) with a 46-yard interception return for a touchdown with 10:57 left.  The win now makes head coach Willie Slater 6-2 all-time against ASU.

Jamarcus Ezell completed a 55 yard pass to Peyton Ramzy with 1:28 left in the first half to take a 7-0 lead.  That score marked the 11th time out of the last 13 games against ASU that the Golden Tigers have scored first.

Ezell finished the evening going 7-of-17 for 139 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.  Ramzy hauled in 66 yards on a pair of catches on the night.

Defensively, preseason All-American Osband Thompson led the Golden Tigers with 14 tackles, two QB hurries, and one forced fumble. Thompson had 10 of those stops at halftime. McCutcheon and Kevin Dawson each had seven tackles while Darnell Hill and Kenderrius Whitehead totaled six tackles apiece. Terance Leatherwood notched TU's lone sack on the evening.

Punter Dalton Hall came up huge for the Golden Tigers. The Hartsville, South Carolina native punted 10 times for 392 yards landing three inside the 20-yard line.  He also finished with a long of 55 yards.

ASU's only score came with 1:26 left in the game when Kobie Jones connected with Alex Johnson for a 3-yd touchdown pass.

The Golden Tigers will face Albany State in Phenix City next Saturday IN the annual Labor Day Classic. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. EDT.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Vanderbilt, Mason want to 'create opportunities' for historically black colleges

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Disparity in college athletics is nothing new. College football just has shinier and more glaring examples of it.

For every Texas locker-television-nameplate, there’s a program with facilities out-done by many powerhouse high schools.

That money divide, thanks to mainly to huge television deals, becomes even worse when the comparison showcases teams out of the SEC and Big 10 to historically black colleges and universities, like Grambling State whose facilities were so decrepit that athletes boycotted.

“Mid-major schools have challenges in meeting their financial needs. I don’t think that is just something that is principally an issue for historically black colleges (and universities),” said Tennessee State athletic director, Teresa Phillips.

While Tennessee State is a HBCU, the program plays in the Ohio Valley Conference, a true mid-major conference.

CONTINUE READING

From Ohio State to Indiana to Alcorn State: Tim Gardner taking advantage of last chance

LORMAN, Mississippi — Blocking is a funny thing, really. It’s a player throwing his body into somebody else to protect the ball carrier. If the play goes well, the blocker doesn’t get much credit. If it goes poorly, the blocker receives the blame.

And when a blocker tries to protect in a way he shouldn’t, it sets everybody back.

Timothy Gardner was sent a ways back by doing just that. He was sent back then forward then back again, and now he finds himself at an FCS school trying to make it to the NFL anyway.

Gardner came from nothing in Indianapolis and found a way out through a football scholarship to Ohio State, only to be arrested by Columbus, Ohio, police before the fall of his freshman year and be dismissed from the program. He found himself at a prep school in New York, then Indiana for two years and enters this fall in his second year at his fourth stCONTop, Alcorn State.

He’s still blocking.

CONTINUE READING

MVSU Delta Devils' advantage over SIU lies in experience

CARBONDALE, Illinois — It wasn't a good experience by any means, but Mississippi Valley State's one benefit from last weekend's 72-7 loss at No. 2 North Dakota State was its first game.

The Delta Devils were able to play everyone at the Fargodome, and came away mostly unscathed on the injury front, according to coach Rick Comegy (pronounced Com-a-gee). That, in itself, will be a huge benefit when they come down to Saluki Stadium to play SIU Saturday night in what will be the Salukis' long-awaited season opener.

"I think we needed that game. We needed that speed. We needed to see that strength," Comegy said. "We needed to see some of those things that you don't see in practice. I think as we weave through these games, and work our way down to Southern Illinois, then Grambling (State), and Charleston Southern, that first four is a tough schedule, but, still, I think we'll get better as we go each week."

Mississippi Valley State, a program coming off back-to-back 1-10 seasons that has to play five of its first six games on the road, managed only three first downs against the Bison. One of them came off a penalty.

The Delta Devils, who averaged less than a yard a carry last season, gained 39 yards on the ground but lost 70 (North Dakota State had five sacks for minus-35 yards). They passed for 89 yards, 85 of them by backup Christopher Fowler, after Comegy pulled starter Jeff Even early after he was pressured heavily by the Bison's front four.

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Alcorn State Will Play FIU in Birmingham, Friday - 7 PM

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- FIU will play its home opener this weekend after all.

It just won’t be in Miami.

The Panthers will play host to Alcorn State as scheduled only the game has been moved to historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, due to concerns with Hurricane Irma — a Category 5 storm with South Florida in its sights.

FIU reportedly worked with officials at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the city of Birmingham to move the game from Miami.



In 2014, UAB dropped football in what turned out to be a temporary move.

The Blazers played their first game since 2014 last weekend at Legion Field.

Depending on the damage from the storm, FIU has tentative plans to stay in Alabama through next week.

Like many in the Sunshine State, the Panthers are basically evacuating.

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Rookie Tarik Cohen(N.C.A&T) Could Play Key Role For Chicago Bears Offense

LAKE FOREST, Illinois – The name Darren Sproles is sure to follow Tarik Cohen all throughout his NFL career.

It’s a natural comparison, with the two running backs standing at just 5-foot-6. Sproles is the present-day benchmark for undersized running backs, while Cohen was made a fourth-round pick of the Bears this past April. At some point, the Sproles comparison will get old, right?

“I don’t get sick of it,” Cohen said Monday at Halas Hall. “Darren Sproles is a great player. (He has) been in the league very long, a prominent player and he’s really opened the door for backs such as me, of our size and stature.”

Of course, there’s context to the Sproles comparison inside of Halas Hall. Bears general manager Ryan Pace served as director of player personnel in New Orleans when his front office brought in Sproles to make an impact with the Saints.

During three seasons in New Orleans from 2011 through 2013, Sproles combined for 232 receptions, 1,981 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns … as a running back. He also worked in as the No. 2 option in the backfield, averaging 5.7 yards per carry in those three seasons.

Cohen hopes to be a difference-maker in a similar regard. The MEAC’s all-time leading rusher and a North Carolina A&T product, he takes great pride in that path to the NFL, but there’s a lofty standard now the he has entered the league.



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Sam Houston State Kats Set To Square Off With Prairie View Panthers

HUNTSVILLE, Texas --The Sam Houston State Bearkats had little time to revel in its season-opening win over No. 7 Richmond, as preparation as quickly turned to its nationally-televised game on Thursday at Prairie View.

Kickoff is officially set for 6:32 p.m. CT in Prairie View and will be aired live on ESPNU. Eric Clemons will have the call of the broadcast, while Jay Walker will have analysis.

Fans can also listen along on KSAM 101.7 with Kooter Roberson on the call, E.P. Garth on analysis and Brian Adams on the sideline. Live stats will also be available and fans can get live updates by following @BearkatsFB on Twitter.

The game will pit two of the most potent offenses in the FCS with the Kats leading the nation in scoring in 2016 and Prairie View ranking first in 2015. Prairie View was initially supposed to open up its season against SWAC rival Texas Southern, but has since moved to Thanksgiving Weekend at BBVA Compass Stadium.

FOR THE FANS Due to the devastation to the Houston and surrounding areas, officials at Prairie View are instituting a #HoustonStrong theme to Thursday’s game. Complimentary tickets to the game will be offered to first responders, Texas teachers and all elementary, middle school and high school students with a valid. ID. General admission tickets to the game will be $15. For more information on the game’s #HoustonStrong initiative, click HERE.

FOR THOSE STILL IN HUNTSVILLE
For fans unable to attend the game at Prairie View, Bearkat Athletics will host a watch party at Potato Shack in Huntsville. All fans are encouraged to attend and enjoy the game with family and friends. Door prizes will be given out to qualified winners.

THE SERIES Even with the school’s campuses being just 70 miles apart, Thursday will mark only the second time Sam Houston has ever faced Prairie View on the gridiron, and the first time as a Division I team. The only other meeting came in 1985 when the Bearkats could not overcome four turnovers in a 14-9 loss in Huntsville. It was one of just three losses on the year for the Kats, who would claim a share of the Gulf Star Conference championship that season.

BEARKAT BYTES - Sam Houston is one of just two teams in the FCS, along with North Dakota State and New Hampshire, to reach the FCS playoffs each of the last six seasons. In that time the Kats have posted an impressive 14-6 mark, trailing only the Bison in playoff wins during that span. Sam Houston has reached at least the quarterfinals in four of those six seasons, including back-to-back trips to the FCS championship game in both 2011 and 2012.

- The Bearkats reached the double-digit plateau for the third straight season and fifth of the last six seasons in 2016. In its 101-year history, Sam Houston has won at least 10 games eight times (1956, 2001, 2004, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016).

- The Kats are 17-10 all-time in the FCS playoffs and own the country’s third-best winning percentage (.629) in the playoffs. Last season Sam Houston made its sixth straight appearance in the FCS playoffs and 10th overall.

- With its win over Richmond on Friday the Bearkats secured the first season-opening victory over a ranked opponent in school history. It made Sam Houston 3-1 against current CAA schools and was the 16th victory all-time against a team ranked in the national top-10.

- Points have not been a problem under head coach K.C. Keeler for the Bearkats. In 45 games since he took over in 2014, the Kats have scored 30 or more points on 36 occasions, going 33-3 in those games. In all, Sam Houston has scored no less than 34 points in each of its last 26 victories.

WITH A BEARKAT WIN ...- K.C. Keeler would win his 210th career game. He is currently in a tie with Wofford’s Mike Ayers for 17th in all-time wins among FCS head coaches. Next on the all-time list is former SHSU head coach Ron Randleman, who sits 16th with 218 career wins.  

- Sam Houston would win its 200th game since joining the Division I ranks and the Southland Conference for the 1986 season.

- Sam Houston would win its 70th game since the beginning of the 2011 season. They would join North Dakota State as the only two teams in the FCS with 70 victories since the beginning of the 2011 campaign.

- Sam Houston would win its eighth consecutive game against a SWAC opponent. The Kats are currently 16-7 all-time against SWAC opponents and are making just their fourth trip to a SWAC stadium. Their last loss to a SWAC team came against Texas Southern in 1996, while the only road loss came in 1993 to Steve McNair’s Alcorn State squad. 

KATS SEEKING BACK-TO-BACK SOUTHLAND CROWNSLast season Sam Houston ran the table on its way to winning the outright Southland Conference title with a perfect 9-0 mark. The Kats will be looking to win back-to-back league crowns in 2017 for the first time since 2011 and 2012, but have never won consecutive outright titles. The last team to win two straight outright SLC crowns was McNeese in 2006 and 2007. 

STAYING AT THE TOPThe 2016 season was the first time in school history the Bearkats not only started the year ranked in the top 5 of the national polls, but also stayed there throughout the year. Sam Houston opened up the season as the No. 2 team in the STATS FCS poll and eventually rose to No. 1 midway through the year before finishing ranked No. 5 in the final poll. Since K.C. Keeler took over the program, the Bearkats have been inside the top 25 polls each time a poll has been released, while the last poll without the Kats in the top 10 was on Nov. 9, 2015.

BRISCOE, PRICE TAKE SLC WEEKLY HONORS AFTER OPENERThe Kats claimed plenty of honors last season, but will have to find more room on the trophy case if Week 1 is any indication. Quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe and safety Josh Price were named the league’s offensive and defensive players of the week on Monday. Briscoe earned his after throwing for 411 yards and accounting for five scores, while Price made his Bearkat debut with a pair of red zone interceptions. 

DON’T BLINKThat as the mantra for the Bearkat offense in 2016, and it fit, considering how quickly the Kats would strike once getting the ball. Sam Houston scored 89 offensive touchdowns a year ago, with 54 of those drives taking up less than 2 minutes on the game clock. 

That carried over into its 2017 opener against Richmond with 4 of their 5 touchdown drives taking up less than 2 minutes, while the other touchdown drive took just 2:14.

THRICE AS NICEWith an offense as prolific as the Kats’ was in 2016, it’s no surprise that the ball was spread around. Sam Houston boasted a pair of receivers - Yedidiah Louis (1,152) and Nathan Stewart (1,004) - who surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in 2016. Davion Davis finished just 40 yards of the mark, keeping the Kats just short of joining the 2013 and 2014 Fordham squads as the only teams in FCS history to sport three 1,000-yard receivers on the same roster in the same year. Eastern Washington managed to pull off the feat in 2016, so should the Kats do it in 2017, they would now be the fourth FCS team in history to do so.

LEAD FROM THE FRONTThe 2016 season did not end the way the Bearkats thought it would in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, but going into the game against eventual national champion James Madison, the Kats had been absolutely dominant. Sam Houston did not trail in a game until its 10th game of the season at Northwestern State less than 5 minutes into the first quarter. Prior to its loss at JMU, Sam Houston had only surrendered a lead at any point on three occasions and its 21-21 tie early in the third quarter of its second-round win over Chattanooga was the first time Sam Houston had not held the lead in the second half at any point in the year. 

In fact, prior to JMU, Sam had only been tied for 65 minutes and 42 seconds of the 720 total minutes played, including 56 minutes and 36 seconds of that span being a 0-0 tie. That is another trend that carried over to its win over Richmond as Sam Houston never trailed and did not hold the lead against Richmond for 6:35 of the game.

LOUIS PURSUING RECEIVING RECORDSIn the Kats’ playoff win vs Chattanooga in 2016 wide receiver Yedidiah Louis moved past Matt Dominguez for the all-time Sam Houston mark in career receptions and stretched that out to 224 with 6 snags against Richmond. Against the Spiders he became just the third player in Southland Conference history to reach 3,000 yards receiving for a career and now he needs 242 more yards to pass Dominguez for both the SHSU and SLC record for career receiving yards. He also needs just six more catches to pass Southeastern Louisiana’s Simmie Yarborough’s career Southland mark of 229 career receptions.

PROTECTION A KEY FOR THE KATSSam Houston touted one of the top offensive lines in 2016 and returns two key pieces to it for 2017 in preseason all-SLC tackle Mitchell Watanabe and senior guard Tyler Tezeno, who was chosen as a preseason third team all-American by STATS FCS. Sam Houston allowed just 17 sacks in 13 games last year, but only 8 in 11 regular-season games. The new-look line was outstanding in the 2017 opener against Richmond, paving the way for 272 yards on the ground, while the only Spider sack of the game was recorded on an unforced fumble by Briscoe on the game’s opening drive.  

PRICE IS RIGHTThe Sam Houston coaching staff quickly knew they had something special in safety Josh Price when he joined the team prior to the 2016 season. Price played two years at Southern Nazarene to open his collegiate career, but sat out the last two seasons, including the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer regulations. With one year of eligibility remaining, he looks poised to make the most of his final collegiate season. Price had 8 stops and picked off a pair of passes against Richmond, both ending Richmond drives in the red zone, including a game-clinching pick with 2:03 to play with the Spiders driving inside the SHSU 10-yard line. That effort won him SLC Defensive Player of the Week honors, while his 2 interceptions made him the first Bearkat with multiple picks in a game since Mikell Everette had 2 against Central Arkansas in 2015 - a span of 19 games. 

HONSHTEIN GIVES KATS ADDED DIMENSIONKicker Tre Honshtein was a weapon on kickoffs as a junior in 2016 and made nine field goals as a true freshman in 2015, filling in for an injured Luc Swimberghe. This year he stepped in as the Kats’ primary leg and converted on 2 early field goals against Richmond. It may not sound like much, but it was the first game for the Kats with multiple field goals in a game since 2015 after they only made 5 of 8 tries a year ago. He owns a career-long 51-yard field goal from his freshman year, a kick that is still the longest made field goal by a Bearkat since 2005.

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY BEARKATS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Howard Bison Caylin Newton Plays Just Like Big Bro, Cam

JCSU Head Track & Field Coach Lennox Graham Resigns

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- After almost 10 seasons as head coach of the Johnson C. Smith University track and field and cross country programs, Lennox Graham has announced his resignation.

“I wish the track and field programs, the athletic department and Johnson C. Smith University nothing but great success in the future,” said Graham. “I also want to thank God for my future opportunities to coach a sport that I love.”

Since his appointment in 2007, Graham has transformed the JCSU track and field program, having an immediate impact at the CIAA, NCAA and international levels. He was named the USTFCCCA Division II Women’s Outdoor Track and Field National Coach of the Year for the 2012-13 season and also earned nine CIAA Coach of the Year designations. He also garnered two Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors.

Graham has coached numerous athletes to medalist finishes, All-CIAA, All-Region, and All-American designations. Under his guidance JCSU athletes have participated in NACAC, Junior Pan-American Championships, Penn Relays, NCAA Championships, World University Games, and the IAAF World Championships.

No stranger in international coaching, in the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, Graham coached siblings Danielle and Shermaine Williams to the 100m hurdles final – a first for female siblings in the history of the World Championships. Danielle Williams won the event in 12.58 seconds while Shermaine placed seventh by running a 12.91. He also coached Danielle to the 2015 World University Games Championship in the 100m hurdles and again in the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London. In 2016, Graham served as a coach with the Jamaican contingent in the Rio Olympic Games. All told, he has coached three JCSU athletes that have qualified for the Olympics in Leford Green (Jamaica, 2012), Shermaine Williams (Jamaica, 2012 and 2016), and current standout Kendra Clarke (Canada, 2016).

In 2011, Graham guided the JCSU women’s team to its first CIAA Outdoor Championship. The Golden Bulls also won CIAA titles in 2013, 2014 and 2016. In 2017, JCSU’s women’s team also captured the first CIAA Indoor Championship in school history.

Collectively, Graham has coached 27 NCAA Division II Champions (Indoor and Outdoor), had five athletes set NCAA Division II records (60m hurdles, 200m, 400m hurdles, 4x100m), and has coached JCSU athletes to 213 All-America designations.

Prior to JCSU, Graham served as the head coach at Kingston College (High School) in his native Jamaica. Also a successful high school coach, he guided his team to six Jamaican National High School Championships over his tenure. In addition, he has coached many individual and relay champions at the Jamaican High School, Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), Central American and Caribbean (CAC), North American Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships, the Pan American Junior Championships levels.

Not only have Graham’s teams consistently won on the track, his teams have captured numerous USTFCCCA All-Academic Awards, with JCSU’s women’s team having the top GPA nationally in 2011 and the men’s team achieving the honor in 2013.

A standout sprinter and hurdler, Graham graduated from Alabama State University in 1984 with a degree in computer information systems. While a student-athlete for the Hornets, he earned the Most Academic (1985-87), Most Outstanding Hurdler (1984-85), and the Most Valuable Runner (1986-87) awards. He also won the George Hubert Lockhart Award for overall excellence in sports at ASU in 1987.

In 2006 he earned an MBA from the University of New Orleans.

He currently holds an IAAF Level 5 Elite coaching certification specializing in sprints and hurdles.

“We wish Coach Graham tremendous success in his new opportunity,” said JCSU Athletics Director Stephen Joyner, Sr. “We know that he will continue to flourish and will continue to develop top-notch collegiate and international talent.”

A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

K.C. Culler, Sports Information Director
University Communications and Marketing
Johnson C. Smith University

WSSU Rams and BSU Bulldogs will be meeting again on football field

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- It won’t have the feel of the CIAA championship, but the game between No. 19 Winston-Salem State and Bowie State will have a familiar feel.

Thanks to a gap in both programs’ schedule, the two play at 4 p.m. Saturday at Bowman Gray Stadium in a designated nonconference game. It won’t count in the CIAA standings, but it will still be an important game.

“It feels like we just got done playing them,” said center Josh Wormley of the Rams.



The Rams (1-0) have beaten the Bulldogs (1-0) in the last two CIAA championship games. In 2015, WSSU upset Bowie State 17-14 in Durham and then last year the Rams won in Salem, Va., for back-to-back titles.

The two programs agreed to play in the nonconference game this season because both were looking for a game. Athletics director Tonia Walker said it will be great for both programs because of the recent history.

“We are excited because we have our Hall of Fame induction this weekend, and we think this will be a very competitive game,” Walker said. “We’re thankful that Bowie State agreed to the game because next year we’ll play them in the (CIAA) regular season.”

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