Alcorn State Eyes SWAC East Division Title Against MVSU on Senior Day

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LORMAN, Mississippi -- With the opportunity to clinch its fourth consecutive SWAC East Division title, the Alcorn State University football program will host Mississippi Valley State at 2 p.m. Saturday on Senior Day at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.

The Braves (6-3, 4-1 SWAC) will win the division if they beat the Delta Devils (2-7, 1-4 SWAC). If Alcorn losses, it will have to beat Jackson State OR have MVSU beat Alabama State next weekend.

An Alabama State loss to Grambling State this weekend does not secure Alcorn the division title. The standings are based off division results only.

Senior running back De'Lance Turner needs 279 more rushing yards to break the single-season school rushing record of 1,286 set by Rodney Thomas in 1998. Turner ranks third in the FCS in total rushing yards with 1,009 and fourth in both yards per carry (7.88) and rushing yards per game (112.1).



Sophomore kicker/punter Corey McCullough is the reigning FCS National and SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week winner. He broke the school's single-season field goal record with 14 after drilling four against AAMU. He also punted six times for 309 yards, averaging 51.5 yards per punt.

Junior running back P.J. Simmons is the reigning SWAC Newcomer of the Week winner. He registered a career-high 172 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Bulldogs. Simmons averaged 17.2 yards per carry and nearly doubled his previous career-best.

As a team, Alcorn ranks first in the conference in total offense (431.1 ypg), rushing offense (232.2 ypg), first downs (19.4 per game), third down conversions (42.1 percent) and red zone defense (64.0 percent). The red zone defense is also sixth in the FCS, while the rushing offense ranks 13th.

Alcorn is coming off a 47-22 win over Alabama A&M last weekend. The Braves had three 100-plus rushers and ran for 416 yards as a team. Alcorn defeated AAMU for the fifth straight season and have scored at least 40 points in every game during the streak.

MVSU is coming off a 38-21 defeat to Texas Southern last weekend. Its lone conference win came over Arkansas-Pine Bluff 38-31 on the road on Oct. 7.

The Delta Devils feature a dangerous aerial attack and lead the conference in passing with 298.3 yards per game. Junior wide receiver Quinn McElfresh has caught four touchdown passes and leads the league in both receptions per game (4.9) and receiving yards per game (80.4).

MVSU has used three different quarterbacks this year but Christopher Fowler has taken the majority of the snaps. Fowler has thrown for 1,465 yards and six touchdowns on the season.

The game can be watched on Braves All-Access with a subscription. It can also be heard for free on 91.7 FM or wprl.org with Charles Edmond as the voice of the Braves.

NOTES
- Alcorn has gone undefeated against SWAC East Division opponents in back-to-back seasons. The Braves have posted 10 consecutive wins over division foes.

- The Braves are looking to defeat the Delta Devils for the fifth consecutive year. Alcorn has won eight straight meetings against MVSU at home dating back to 1999.

- Alcorn is on a three-game home winning-streak. The Braves are 73-52 all-time at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium which is in its 26th season (first year was 1992).

- The Braves have been flipping back-and-forth between their quarterbacks. Sophomore Noah Johnson got the start last game and rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Lenorris Footman did not play, but in the prior two games against Grambling State and Prairie View A&M, Johnson and Footman split time.

- Footman ranks No. 6 all-time in school history in career rushing yards with 1,964. He's also seventh in career touchdown passes (30) and ninth in career passing yards (3,927).

- Alcorn sits at No. 4 in this weeks BOXTOROW HBCU Coaches Poll. The Braves are second among SWAC teams behind Grambling State which is No. 2.

- Junior wide receiver Marquis Warford is a threat on both kick and punt returns. He leads the conference in punt return average (10.9) and ran one back for 72 yards for a score against Miles College. Warford is also top-five in the league in all-purpose yards with 118.6 per outing.

- Senior wide receiver Norlando Veals ranks second in the SWAC in both receptions per game (4.2) and receiving yards per game (68.8).

- Sophomore defensive back Javen Morrison leads the team with three interceptions and ranks 12th in the FCS with 1.33 pass break-ups per game.

- McCullough has made a league-high 14 field goals on the year. His 1.56 field goals made per game is third in the FCS. McCullough is also top-10 in the country in punting average (43.2 yards).

- The Braves have won nine SWAC Player of the Week awards this year. Turner has won two Offensive Player of the Week awards, Footman has won once, Warford and McCullough earned Special Teams Player of the Week, junior Isiah Thomas, junior Trae Ferrell and sophomore Solomon Muhammad each won Defensive Player of the Week and Simmons won Newcomer of the Week.

- Six different receivers have caught touchdown passes for Alcorn this season, and 15 student-athletes have at least one reception.

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Alcorn State Braves Open 2017-18 Campaign Friday at LSU

Game Notes | Media Guide | Live Stats | Watch on ESPN3

LORMAN, Mississippi -- The Alcorn State University men's basketball will begin a busy road stretch to kick-off the 2017-18 year Friday when it travels to LSU for a 7 p.m. game at the Maravich Center on the SEC Network Plus.

Additionally, Alcorn will head to Creighton for 6 p.m. contest Sunday at the CenturyLink Center, and to Northern Iowa for a 7 p.m. match Monday at the McLeod Center. The Braves start the year with five consecutive road games.

Montez Robinson enters his third season as head coach. The reigning SWAC Coach of the Year winner, Robinson has coached Alcorn to consecutive 13-5 conference record. He posted the first back-to-back winning seasons at Alcorn in 15 years.

"I'm really excited to get the season underway. The guys have put a lot of effort into preparing for the season and have put their time in the weight room and conditioning. We're looking forward to playing other opponents other than ourselves," said Robinson.

Last year, the Braves finished 18-14 overall en route to the SWAC Championship game. Alcorn was picked to finish fourth in the 2017-18 Preseason Poll and returns two starters in seniors A.J. Mosby and Avery Patterson.

Senior forward Reginal Johnson was named the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year. He's the only Preseason Player of the Year in the country, of all Division I conferences, to not start a game in 2016-17. Johnson led the team in scoring last year with 15.6 points per game and was named to the HBCU All-America Second-Team. He's scored in double-figures in 30 of the last 31 games.

Sophomore forward Yalen Reed was tabbed the SWAC Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Reed shot .558 from the field last season and started in seven games, but will be relied on heavier this year with the departure of forwards Marquis Vance and DeAndre Davis. Reed swatted away 18 blocks on the season.

Senior guard A.J. Mosby was selected to the Preseason All-Conference Second-Team. The only Brave to start in every game last year, Mosby averaged 10.4 points per game and shot .388 from beyond-the-arc.

In conference games last year, Alcorn led the league in field goal percentage (.458), field goal percentage defense (.402), three-point field goal percentage defense (.287), assists (13.7 apg) and defensive rebounds (26.6 drpg).

LSU finished 10-21 overall and 2-16 SEC last season. The Tigers bring back two of their top three leading scorers in Duop Reath and Brandon Sampson who averaged 12.0 and 11.6 points per game last year, respectively.

Alcorn is 0-3 all-time against LSU with the last meeting taking place in 2008-09. The Braves faced the Tigers in the second round of the 1980 NCAA Tournament after beating South Alabama 70-62 in the first round.

Creighton went 25-10 overall and 10-8 Big East last year. The Bluejays return two of the top guards in the conference in Marcus Foster and Khyri Thomas. Foster averaged 18.2 points per outing, and Thomas 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. Creighton fell to Rhode Island 84-72 in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament.

The Braves are 0-2 all-time against the Bluejays with the last meeting being the 2013-14 season opener.

UNI brings back three starters from a 14-16 overall, 9-9 MVC squad last year. Bennett Koch averaged 11.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game last year while shooting .570 from the field.

It's just the second-ever meeting between the Braves and the Panthers. UNI came out on top 75-53 in 1990-91.

"Playing three road games in four days is going to be tough," said Robinson. "Though at the end of the season, tournament play is a lot like that. This is chance for us early in the season to get experience playing games in consecutive days. It's also a great opportunity for us to match up against some bigger schools."

Alcorn's home opener is on Wednesday, Nov. 22 when it hosts Yale from the Ivy League at 12:30 p.m.

PRESEASON NOTES
- The Braves are playing a loaded non-conference schedule including four games against 2017 NCAA Tournament teams. Alcorn will go on the road to face LSU, Creighton, Northern Iowa, Baylor, Tulane, Iowa State, Vanderbilt and Central Arkansas.

- Alcorn is looking for its first non-conference win over a Division I school since Nov. 22, 2012 when it defeated Samford 69-65. Though, wins from 2012-13 were vacated by the NCAA. Prior to that season, the Braves beat Jacksonville State 70-68 on Dec. 13, 2003.

- The last time Alcorn topped a school from a Power Five conference was in 1990-91 over Indiana 79-77.

- The Braves bring back sharp-shooter Maurice Howard after a solid freshman season. He came off the bench to shoot team-bests of .391 (43-110) from three-point range and .822 (37-45) from the free throw line.

- Patterson returns as an experienced guard who started in 25 games last year at the point. He scored in 17 of 18 conference games and is expected to see his production go up in 2017-18.

- The Braves spent 10 days in Puerto Rico over the summer where they went undefeated in three scrimmages. In addition to basketball, the Braves also visited museums and historic sites, experienced the island as a new culture and used the international opportunity to grow as a team. College basketball teams are allowed to take a foreign trip once every four years.

- Alcorn posted 18 wins overall last season which were the most since 2001-02 when it won 20 games.

- The Braves went on an 11-game winning-streak in conference which was the fifth longest active streak in the nation. It was also the fourth longest in program history, and the longest since 1998-99. Alcorn also held a six-game road winning-streak which was the seventh-longest in the country. The Braves were a perfect 7-0 in February.

- Alcorn finished 11-2 at home last season where it outscored the opposition 979-807.

- The Braves brought back 10 letterwinners and brought in six newcomers for 2017-18.

- Alcorn has big shoes to fill after losing Vance, a two-time All-Conference First-Team selection. Not only did Vance score 1,303 career points, but he's also in the Alcorn record book with 803 rebounds, 209 assists and 80 blocks. Vance signed a professional contract to play for Ovarense Dolce Vita in Ovar, Portugal.

- Robinson inherited a squad that went 6-26, 4-14 SWAC in 2014-15 and more-than tripled the team's win total in his first year. Robinson was a finalist for both the Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year and Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year awards in back-to-back seasons.

- Robinson brought in three new assistant coaches for the 2016-17 season who all enter their second year. They included the 2004 SWAC Newcomer of the Year and All-Conference First-Team honoree Delvin Thompson who played at Alcorn, Derek Thompson who has over 10 years of collegiate coaching experience and Frank Popieski who spent three years at Florida State before helping coach numerous All-Atlantic Sun performers at Stetson.

- Not only did Robinson have to restore the team on the court, but he also erased NCAA sanctions which included a postseason ban for low Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores. The Braves are eligible for a postseason berth for the first time since Robinson's arrival as he wiped away penalties that he inherited. Last season, Alcorn had four student-athletes who earned All-SWAC Academic honors.

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Gonzaga entertains well-traveled Texas Southern Tigers in season opener

TV Schedule: Friday, November 10, 9:00 p.m. ET, ROOT

 SPOKANE, Washington -- The college basketball season is here and that means one thing for Texas Southern:

Gentlemen, pack your bags for a few months.

The Tigers are the sport’s road warriors, tackling a non-conference schedule that begins with Gonzaga on Friday and will take them to Washington State, Ohio State, Syracuse, Kansas, Clemson, Oakland, Toledo, Oregon, Baylor, Wyoming, TCU and BYU before playing their first home game on Jan. 1.

They do it every year, but there’s a method to coach Mike Davis’ road madness.

“I have total control of my schedule,” Davis said, “and so the reason I do it is because I know the important thing for us is winning our conference. The key thing about being a good player and a good team is how fast you can recover from bad situations.

“Playing all these really good teams, they’re going to make runs on us. Do we start playing pick-up basketball or stay with the game plan? We’re never going to face anybody like we do (in the non conference) so when we get into conference we can recover fast.”

Last year’s slate included Arizona, Louisville, Cincinnati, LSU, TCU and Baylor. The Tigers’ home opener came on Jan. 14.

CONTINUE READING

Seasoned Grambling State women's hoops team eyes SWAC title, NCAA bid

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Winning its conference first postseason game, capturing the co-SWAC regular season championship, the number of victories increased for the third straight season, the entire starting lineup returns from an historic campaign a season ago, including the Preseason Player of the Year.

There’s no question – just all confidence – that junior guard Shakyla Hill, who the conference coaches voted the best player coming into the 2017-18 season, didn’t hesitate when asked where she sees the Grambling State women’s basketball team going.

“For one, we don’t plan on being in the WNIT,” Hill said. “We plan on being in the NCAA tournament. The returners, and our coaches also, set a standard that we have to improve constantly, so the people that came in have the mindset that we’re not going to the WNIT, we’re going to the NCAA and we’re going to get as far as we can.”

As a sophomore, Hill led GSU scoring 15 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while finishing tops in the league in assists, steals and field goal percentage.

The Lady Tigers won 19 games last year, going 14-4 in SWAC play, and defeated Ole Miss, 78-75, on the road in a first round Women’s NIT game, setting the positive trajectory and an expectation inside the program.

CONTINUE READING

SIAC Announces Football All-Conference Teams

FORT VALLEY, Georgia — Miles running back Justin Hardy headlines the 2017 All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) football team after earning the Overall Player of the Year (MVP) and Offensive Player of the Year awards. The team, which features 26 student-athletes covering 30 positions, was voted on by the league’s head coaches and sports information directors.

The SIAC Championship Game, scheduled for Nov. 11, will feature Tuskegee linebacker Osband Thompson, who was named Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, and Fort Valley State quarterback Slade Jarmon, who earned Newcomer of the Year plaudits, and Coach of the Year Kevin Porter. Miles defensive lineman MarQuel Shelton was tabbed Freshman of the Year.

Hardy, a junior from Homewood, Ala., leads the SIAC in total rushing yards (1,197), yards per game (119.7), rushing touchdowns (12), total touchdowns (13), and scoring (78 points). He is currently ninth in Division II in rushing yards and had six 100-yard games and four games with more than 165 yards, including a 210-yard, three touchdown effort against Central State. Hardy had eight plays of more than 50 yards and three touchdowns runs of longer than 80 yards, including an SIAC-long 86-yard touchdown run against Clark Atlanta.

Thompson, a junior from Miami, Fla., leads the SIAC and is second in the nation with 117 tackles, 5.5 for loss. He has added four interceptions with one returned for a touchdown, and forced two fumbles. He has eight games with at least 10 tackles, including a season-high 16 tackles versus Albany State.

Jarmon, a junior from Pensacola, Fla., leads the SIAC in passing efficiency (141.5) and is second in passing yards (182.2) and total offense (199) per game. He has completed 119-of-207 passes for 1,640 yards and 14 touchdowns while rushing for two more scores. Jarmon had two games where he threw four touchdown passes, one coming against Lane, where he was 19-of-24 for 293 yards.

Shelton, a true freshman defensive end from Bessemer, Ala., enjoyed a strong initial campaign. He had 41 tackles where he is tied for the league lead in sacks (9.5) and third in tackles for loss (14). His best performance came against Clark Atlanta, where he set single-game career highs in tackles (seven), solo tackles (six), tackles for loss (3.5), and sacks (2.5).

Porter, in his second season, has led the Wildcats to a 5-4 record and a second straight Eastern Division title after going 5-1 in conference play. He has won 10 games in his two seasons at FVSU and will look to win a second SIAC title in as many years.

The All-Conference team features three student-athletes who were selected at multiple positions. Kentucky State’s Brett Sylve earned three spots on the team, with First Team nods at running back and kick returner and a Second Team pick at punt returner. Miles’ Nick Christiansen was selected as the First Team kicker and punter while Clark Atlanta’s Deandre Jackson was named as a First Team wide receiver and a Second Team kick returner.

(complete team listed below)

First Team 

Johnathon McCrary	Quarterback	Clark Atlanta	Ellenwood, Ga
Rodney Morris	Tight End	Clark Atlanta	Atlanta, Ga
Deandre Jackson	Wide Receiver	Clark Atlanta	Atlanta, Ga
Okechi Ntiasagwe	Wide Receiver	Benedict	Columbia, SC
Justin Hardy	Running Back	Miles	Homewood, AL
Brett Sylve	Running Back	Kentucky State	Hammond, La.
Jamie Glenn	Offensive Lineman	Albany State	Snellville, Ga
Derrick Tucker	Offensive Lineman	Miles	Sweet Water, Ala.
Justin Brown	Offensive Lineman	Benedict	Marietta, Ga
Darrius Hicks	Offensive Lineman	Fort Valley State	Camilla, Ga
Leward Brown	Offensive Lineman	Tuskegee	Miami, FL
Kaelan Bonds	Defensive Lineman	Miles	Florence, Ala.
Marquel Shelton	Defensive Lineman	Miles	Bessemer, Ala.
Rodriquez Jones	Defensive Lineman	Kentucky State	Hampton, Va.
Zavondric Shingleton	Defensive Lineman	Albany State	Millen, Ga
David Smith	Linebacker	Morehouse	Newport News, VA
Osband Thompson	Linebacker	Tuskegee	Miami, Fl.
Anthony Hardy	Linebacker	Miles	Demopolis, Ala.
Jawaski Randle	Defensive Back	Miles	Albany, Ga
Jonah McCutcheaon	Defensive Back	Tuskegee	Mobile, Ala.
Cameron Young	Defensive Back	Fort Valley State	Eastman, Ga
Charles Dudley	Defensive Back	Lane	Douglassville, Ga
Nick Christiansen	Kicker	Miles	Clayton, NC
Nick Christiansen	Punter	Miles	Clayton, NC
Brett Sylve	Kick Returner	Kentucky State	Hammond, La.
Lorenzo Smothers	Punt Returner	Fort Valley State	Buena Vista, Ga

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
 Second Team 

Slade Jarmon	Quarterback	Fort Valley State	Pensacola, Fl
Ryan Edwards	Tight End	Morehouse	Atlanta, Ga
Johnathon Sanders	Wide Receiver	Clark Atlanta	East Point, Ga
Amyr Smith	Wide Receiver	Morehouse	Atlanta, Ga
Hoderick Lowe	Running Back	Tuskegee	Atlanta, Ga
McKinley Habersham	Running Back	Albany State	Savannah, Ga
Marcus Campbell	Offensive Lineman	Kentucky State	Radcliff, Ky.
Roger Womack	Offensive Lineman	Miles	Birmingham, Ala.
Craig Hinson	Offensive Lineman	Benedict	Hephzibah, Ga
Max Williams	Offensive Lineman	Clark Atlanta	Marianna, Fl.
Tedric Cofield	Offensive Lineman	Albany State	Atlanta, Ga
Demetrius Harris	Defensive Lineman	Fort Valley State	Decatur, Ga
Antonio Johnson	Defensive Lineman	Morehouse	Birmingham, Ala.
Bundrea Conway	Defensive Lineman	Morehouse	Lansing, MI
Walter Tucker	Defensive Lineman	Fort Valley State	Melrose, Fl.
Austin Stephens	Linebacker	Miles	Mumford, Ala.
Kailen Abrams	Linebacker	Central State	Detroit, Mi.
Marquez Thomas	Linebacker	Albany State	Perry, Ga
Quantavious Singletary	Defensive Back	Clark Atlanta	Moultrie, Ga.
Nicco Whigham	Defensive Back	Fort Valley State	North Lauderdale, Fl.
Jaylin Boyd	Defensive Back	Albany State	Fairburn, Ga
Edward Kirkland	Defensive Back	Benedict	Columbia, SC
Juan Serna	Kicker	Fort Valley State	Douglassville, Ga
Tory Mimbs	Punter	Benedict	Sandersville, Ga
Deandre Jackson	Kick Returner	Clark Atlanta	Atlanta, Ga
Brett Sylve	Punt Returner	Kentucky State	Hammond, La.

 
Overall Player of the Year (MVP):
Justin Hardy, RB, Miles

Offensive Player of the Year:
Justin Hardy, RB, Miles

Defensive Player of the Year:
Osband Thompson, LB, Tuskegee

Freshman of the Year:
MarQuel Shelton, DL, Miles

Newcomer of the Year:
Slade Jarman, QB, FVSU

Coach of the Year:
Kevin Porter, FVSU

SIAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

2017 All-CIAA Football Teams Announcement

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), with its Football Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association, releases the 2017 All-CIAA First, Second, and Honorable Mention Football Teams.

Trenton Cannon (Virginia State University), Sterling Hammond (Virginia Union University), and Gene Carson (Bowie State University) highlight the teams as the conference's most outstanding players.

Virginia State University's senior running back, Trenton Cannon, has earned Offensive Player of the Year. Cannon leads the CIAA in overall rushing yards this season (1,387) and rushing yards per game (154.1). He also produced 14 touchdowns on the season. Out of the ten-week regular season, the Hampton, VA native earned 5 Offensive Back of the Week honors. Cannon and the Trojans have secured the Northern Division Title and will compete in the 2017 CIAA Football Championship.

CIAA Defensive Player of the Year has been awarded to Sterling Hammond, senior defensive back at Virginia Union University. Hammond finished the season ranked first in the conference with 5 interceptions. He tallied 70 total tackles, including 46 solo tackles. The Caret, Virginia native earned CIAA Defensive Back of the Week on two occasions this season.

Gene Carson, Bowie State University;s sophomore kicker, has been named Special Teams Player of the Year. Carson scored 102 points for the Bulldogs this season, completing 10-13 (77%) field goals and 72-77 (94%) extra point attempts.

On Saturday, November 11 the Broncos of Fayetteville State University will take on the Trojans of Virginia State University for the 2017 CIAA Football Championship title. The contest will kick off at 4:30 p.m. ET at Salem Stadium in Salem, Virginia. Tickets are now available through Ticketmaster. The game will broadcast live via the ASPiRE TV Network.

Offensive Player of the Year

#25 Trenton Cannon Virginia State 5-11 175 Sr. Hampton, VA

Defensive Player of the Year

#5 Sterling Hammond Virginia Union 6-1 210 So. Caret, VA

Special Teams Player of the Year

#47 Gene Carson Bowie State 6-2 185 So. Accokeek, MD

All-CIAA First Team

Offense

Tight End

#17 Drew Buck Chowan 6-4 235 Sr. Greenville, NC

Offensive Linemen

#65 Tyreek Bailey Fayetteville State 6-2 305 Sr. Newport News, VA
#78 Victor Tamba Bowie State 6-5 335 r-Sr. District Heights, MD
#70 Frank Ball Virginia State 6-3 280 r-So. Hampton, VA
#77 Shamdu Nalls Virginia Union 6-4 330 Jr. Baltimore, MD
#70 Bryan Redmond Bowie State 6-2 312 r-Sr. Upper Marlboro, MD

Wide Receivers

#17 Brandon Britton Bowie State 5-7 170 r-Sr. Columbia, MD
#1 Sam Boyd St. Augustine's 6-4 250 Sr. St. Petersburg, FL

Quarterback

#6 Amir Hall Bowie State 6-4 180 Jr. Bowie, MD

Running Backs

#25 Trenton Cannon Virginia State 5-11 175 Sr. Hampton, VA
#2 Robert Chesson Bowie State 5-10 179 r-Sr. Annapolis, MD

Kick Returner

#25 Trenton Cannon Virginia State 5-11 175 Sr. Hampton, VA

Place Kicker

#47 Gene Carson Bowie State 6-2 185 So. Accokeek, MD

Defense

Defensive Linemen

#34 Jarell Bright Winston-Salem State 6-2 235 Jr. Charlotte, NC
#11 Derrick Tate Bowie State 6-3 210 Jr. Baltimore, MD
#99 Sean Copeland Bowie State 6-0 310 Sr. Baltimore, MD
#41 Chasz Cosby St. Augustine's 6-3 280 Sr. Charlotte, NC

Linebackers

#6 James Hickman St. Augustine's 6-3 220 Sr. Antioch,CA
#34 Devon Hunt Shaw 6-1 220 So. Rockingham, NC
#17 Karl Calhoun Virginia Union 5-11 225 Sr. Sanford, FL

Defensive Backs

#8 Carlo Thomas Johnson C. Smith 6-2 185 Sr. East Orange, NJ
#5 Sterling Hammond Virginia Union 6-1 210 So. Caret, VA
#8 Jaleel Scroggins Shaw 5-10 180 Fr. Raleigh, NC
#21 Rahman Kamara Bowie State 6-0 190 r-Sr. Bowie, MD

Punt Returner

#23 William Flowers Bowie State 5-10 180 So. Baltimore, MD

Punter

#38 Matthew Trau Fayetteville State 6-3 192 Sr. Montross, VA

All-CIAA Second Team

Offense

Tight End

#33 Carlton Campbell Virginia State 6-0 210 Sr.
Vilseck, Germany

Offensive Linemen

#70 Greg Brooks Fayetteville State 6-3 315 Fr. Walkertown, NC
#76 Diontae Jordan Bowie State 6-1 320 r-Sr. Bladensburg, MD
#61 Daris Johnson Bowie State 6-3 275 r-Sr. Waldorf, MD
#77 Donald Adams-Baggett Winston-Salem State 6-3 295 Sr. Cincinnati, OH
#78 Donald Boone Chowan 6-4 290 So. Hertford, NC

Wide Receivers

#18 Lansana Sesay Bowie State 6-4 175 Jr. Bowie, MD
#84 Torry Baker Chowan 6-0 180 Jr. Charlotte, NC

Quarterback

#3 Cordelral Cook Viginia State 6-0 205 r-So. Atlanta, GA

Running Backs

#28 Stevie Green Fayetteville State 6-1 190 So. Washington, NC
#26 Kerrion Moore Winston-Salem State 5-9 190 r-Jr. Gastonia, NC

Kick Returner

#32 Brandon Smith Fayetteville State 5-8 170 Fr. Raeford, NC

Place Kicker

#39 David Lamb Fayetteville State 5-10 215 Jr. Charlotte, NC

Defense

Defensive Linemen

#99 Jalen Cousar Fayetteville State 6-1 320 Jr. Charlotte, NC
#56 Keith Alston Shaw 5-10 240 Jr. Eggharbor City, NJ
#94 Tyler Bembry Chowan 6-1 330 Jr. Disputana, VA
#94 Nate Wyche Chowan 6-1 235 r-Sr. Suffolk, VA

Linebackers

#14 Vincent Thomas Elizabeth City State 6-1 235 Jr. New Symra Beach, FL
#14 Brandon Lynch Virginia State 6-1 225 Sr. Norfolk, VA
#46 Anthony Harris Fayetteville State 6-2 220 r-So. Greenville, NC

Defensive Backs

#8 Johnny Littlejohn Bowie State 5-11 200 Sr. Silver Spring, MD
#7 Randy Allen Chowan 5-11 200 Sr. Newport News, VA
#24 Will Adams Virginia State 6-2 180 r-Fr.Richmond, VA
#16 Jaelin Beugre Fayetteville State 5-10 215 So. Rockingham, NC

Punt Returner

#1 Canard Brown Winston-Salem State 6-0 205 Sr. Miami, FL

Punter

#38 Lawrence Forbes Bowie State 6-4 210 r-Sr. Bowie, MD

All-CIAA Honorable Mention

Offense

Tight End

#88 Marquise Watts Bowie State 6-4 235 Fr. La Plata, MD

Offensive Linemen

#57 Zack Jenkins St. Augustine's 6-7 310 Jr. Madison, GA
#64 Jalen Jones Virginia State 6-0 295 r-Sr. Amelia, VA
#67 Jeremiah Paige Virginia State 6-3 325 So.Richmond, VA
#70 Tim Samuels Winston-Salem State 6-3 270 Jr. Charlotte, NC
#76 Justus Sapp Shaw 6-3 200 Jr. Franklinton, NC

Wide Receivers

#4 Chazton McKenzie Virginia Union 6-0 180 Sr. Lauderhill, FL
#1 Zachary Parker Virginia State 5-9 190 Gr. Reston, VA

Quarterback

#3 Daquan Neal Elizabeth City State 6-3 200 Sr. Franklinton, NC

Running Backs

#21 Uriah Bethea Shaw 6-0 195 Jr. Upper Marlboro, MD
#3 Jeremiah Miller St. Augustine's 5-9 180 Jr. Miami, FL

Kick Returner

#2 Desmond Dozier Johnson C. Smith 5-6 160 So. Longs, SC

Place Kicker

#88 Jefferson Souza Virginia Union 6-1 185 Fr.  Deerfield Beach, FL

Defense

Defensive Linemen

#51 Oluwaleke Ajenifuja Bowie State 6-3 207 r-So Beltsville, MD
#55 Keonte Connelly Virginia State 6-0 235 Sr. Baltimore, MD
#46 Armond Cox Livingstone 6-3 240 Jr. Teaneck, NJ
#18 Alexander Williams Virginia State 6-2 239 Sr. Brooklyn, NY

Linebackers

#10 Kyle Jackson Bowie State 6-1 217 r-Jr. Upper Marlboro, MD
#16 Malik Sexton Virginia State 6-1 215 Jr. Richmond, VA
#10 Michael Harris Virginia State 6-0 220 r-Sr. Pompano Beach, FL

Defensive Backs

#5 Shakym Peters Virginia State 6-0 180 Sr. Conyers, GA
#19 Daryus Skinner Winston-Salem State 5-11 175 So. Rockingham, NC
#17 Kevin Sherman Shaw 5-10 170 Fr. Powder Springs, GA
#35 Deion Miller Lincoln (PA) 5-10 205 Jr. Sayreville, NJ

Punt Returner

#18 Gustavious Dames Virginia Union 5-9 175 So. Miami, FL

Punter

#50 Jake Ford St. Augustine's 6-2 200 Jr. Victoria, Australia

CIAA MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Barlow Named 2017 CIAA Football Coach of the Year

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), along with the Football Coaches Association, announced Virginia State University Head Coach Reggie Barlow the 2017 CIAA Football Coach of the Year.

In his second year with the Trojans' football program, Coach Barlow led his team to a 9-0 overall record, 7-0 in conference play and 5-0 in the Northern Division. Throughout the season, Virginia State topped the rankings in the North and advanced to the 2017 CIAA Football Championship after a nail biting victory over Virginia Union University (40-39).

Offensively, Virginia State averaged 47.3 points per conference game while marking 235.0 passing and 278.4 rushing yards. The Trojans defense ranked fifth in the CIAA in sacks (20) and grabbed a total of 420 conference tackles this season. Regionally, the Trojans have been recognized for their outstanding performance this season and are currently ranked No. 3 in NCAA Super Region 2.

Barlow joined VSU with a strong background in college and professional football experiences, most recently with Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member Alabama State University where he served as the quarterbacks coach from 2005-2006 and the head coach from 2007-2014. Prior to ASU, Barlow played eight years in the NFL; five for the Jacksonville Jaguars and two for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he won Super Bowl XXXVII.

Congratulations to Coach Barlow and the Trojans as they continue to "Embrace the Grind" at the 2017 CIAA Football Championship on November 11 in Salem, VA. Kick-off is slated for 4:30pm.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU football, please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Nuggets 1 of 36 teams announced as national qualifiers

NEW ORLEANS — Nearly three weeks ago, Xavier University of Louisiana became the first women's cross country team to qualify for the 2017 NAIA National Championships. The remainder of the qualifiers were decided Friday and Saturday, and on Monday the NAIA announced the complete list of 36 team qualifiers and 92 additional individuals.

XULA qualified by winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference championship, its 11th in a row. The Gold Nuggets will travel to Vancouver, Wash., a suburb of Portland, Ore., for the national meet Nov. 18 at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The women's 5,000-meter race will start at 11:30 a.m. PST (1:30 p.m. New Orleans time).

XULA was one of five teams from the South to qualify. The others were Blue Mountain, Milligan, Southeastern (Fla.) and SCAD Atlanta. Three from the Southwest qualified: Oklahoma City, Our Lady of the Lake and Wayland Baptist.

The other qualifying teams consist of one from the East, 17 from the Midwest and 10 from the West.
This will be the Gold Nuggets' 11th appearance at nationals and the eighth for the team. Seven of the last 10 XULA teams qualified.

The Gold Nuggets' roster consists of juniors Carlie Calais, Chinyere Jones, Brianna Pace and Maliya Vaughan, sophomore Taylor Price and freshman Hajjia Mohammed. Vaughan was the GCAC individual champion.

Top teams in the women's field will include top-ranked Oklahoma City and second-ranked and defending champion British Columbia, which won four of the last five national titles. Ten of last season's top 12 national team finishers qualified.

Representing XULA in the men's national championship — same date and venue as the women's — will be an individual qualifier, freshman Camren Sewell. The men's 8K race will begin at 10:30 a.m. PST.

NAIA Women's Cross Country Teams
That Qualified for Nationals

Arizona (1) — Embry-Riddle
British Columbia (1) — British Columbia
California (1) — The Master's
Florida (1) — Southeastern
Georgia (1) — SCAD Atlanta
Idaho (2) — College of Idaho, Lewis-Clark State
Illinois (1) — St. Francis
Indiana (2) — Indiana Wesleyan, Taylor
Iowa (3) — Dordt, Northwestern, St. Ambrose
Kansas (3) — MidAmerica Nazarene, Southwestern, Saint Mary
Louisiana (1) — Xavier University of Louisiana
Michigan (2) — Aquinas, Madonna
Mississippi (1) — Blue Mountain
Missouri (3) — Columbia, Missouri Baptist, Missouri Valley
Montana (1) — Carroll
North Dakota (1) — Dickinson State
Ohio (2) — Ohio Christian, Shawnee State
Oklahoma City (1) — Oklahoma City
Oregon (3) — Corban, Oregon Tech, Southern Or
egon
Pennsylvania (1) — Point Park
Tennessee (1) — Milligan
Texas (2) — Our Lady of the Lake, Wayland Baptist
Washington (1) — Northwest

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Salaam joins Tomasoni, Phillips in GCAC winners circle

NEW ORLEANS — Hasani Salaam became the eighth Xavier University of Louisiana volleyball player of 2017 to earn a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference weekly award when she was chosen Defender of the Week for Oct. 30-Nov. 5.

The Gold Nuggets swept the awards for the third consecutive week and the seventh time in 11 opportunities this season. Juliana Tomasoni is Attacker of the Week, and Tiffany Phillips is Setter of the Week.

Salaam, a sophomore from New Orleans and a graduate of Lusher Charter School, had a combined seven blocks in victories at city rivals Loyola and Dillard. Salaam had a career-high-tying five blocks against Dillard and was part of a defensive effort that limited the Lady Bleu Devils to a minus-.094 hitting percentage.

Tomasoni, a senior from Nova Trento, Brazil, hit .308 for the week with 20 kills, 30 digs, four aces and two blocks. She extended her streak of consecutive matches without a reception error to 13, which includes 212 total chances. Against Loyola she produced her 13th double-double of the season, 13 kills and a season-high 20 digs.

Phillips, a sophomore from Gardena, Calif., and a graduate of Bishop Montgomery High School, produced 31 assists, 17 digs and nine aces. Phillips served seven aces against Dillard — the most in a match by a XULA player in three years — and produced her ninth double-double of the year, 12 assists and 11 digs.

Against Dillard, XULA became the first Louisiana or GCAC school to complete regular-season conference play without losing a set.

The weekly awards are the first of Salaam's career, Tomasoni's third of the season and fifth of her career and Phillips's fourth of the season and 10th of her career. Phillips's career total is a XULA record for this sport.

The Gold Nuggets (21-2) will play at 3 p.m. Friday in the semifinals of the GCAC Tournament at SUNO. Their opponent will be the winner of a 9 a.m. match between SUNO and Edward Waters. The championship match will start at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball preview

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Last season, North Carolina Central won its second MEAC championship in four years. But only five players are back from that team, and none of them averaged more than 7 points a game.

True, an influx of transfers could mesh in time to make a three-day run in March for the title. But if the Eagles don’t repeat, who will dethrone them?

Morgan State, with arguably the best two players in the conference coming back, is the favorite. But Norfolk State seems to have a good thing going, and Hampton University returns 79 percent of its scoring.

Stay tuned.



Five storylines

1. NCCU IN REBUILDING MODE. North Carolina Central lost all five starters from last year’s team, which doubled up as regular-season and tournament champion. The five returning players combined for 11.7 points a game last season. Among several incoming transfers are Zacarry Douglas (Cal State Northridge), Rashann London (Drexel) and Raasean Davis (Kent State).

2. MORGAN STATE THE TEAM TO BEAT ...

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Gold Rush 4-0 after beating Miles Golden Bears in home opener

NEW ORLEANS — Junior guard Virgil Davison scored 12 of his 23 points in the final 11 minutes to help Xavier University of Louisiana earn a 72-59 men's basketball victory against Miles College.

The Gold Rush (4-0), a longtime NAIA power, defeated an NCAA Division II team for the second time in three days.

Davison, who made four 3-pointers, scored the most points by a XULA player this season. Freshman Rayshawn Mart had 14 points and eight rebounds, and sophomore Mike Williams — in his season debut — scored 11.

Carl Garcia, with 15 points, was the lone double-figure scorer for Miles. Aron Stewart grabbed nine rebounds to help the Golden Bears win the boards 41-33. But Sheldon Wright, who averaged 10.4 points and made 60 3-pointers last season, went 0-of-3 from long range and finished with three points.

XULA led 29-19 at halftime after an 18-6 run in the final 7 1/2 minutes of the half. The largest Gold Rush lead was 52-37 after a Williams basket with 8:35 remaining.

XULA outshot Miles 38.6 to 34.8 percent from the floor and was plus-9 in turnovers. The Gold Rush committed a season-low 11 and gained 20.

XULA won its home opener for the 22nd consecutive season and is considerably ahead of schedule from last season. Victory No. 4 of 2016-17 did not occur until Jan. 7.

Miles counted the game as an exhibition. It will open its regular season Saturday.

The Gold Rush will visit NAIA No. 2 LSU-Alexandria at 7 p.m. Wednesday. XULA will play two in a row on the road before playing Huston-Tillotson for homecoming at 1 p.m. Nov. 18.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Langston University Lions, Texas College Steers Accepts Football Membership in Sooner Athletic Conference in 2018

LANGSTON, Oklahoma  --  In nearly 40 years of existence, the Sooner Athletic Conference has set itself apart by winning more NAIA national championships than any other conference. Next fall, the SAC will take its quest for national prominence to the gridiron as the tradition-rich league is set to play football for the first time as an official conference sport.

The SAC Council of Presidents voted a year ago to pursue a plan of playing football in the 2018 season. Earlier this week, the Council announced Langston University has accepted an invitation to join the SAC in 2018-19, giving the league six full-time members who play football.

SAC presidents voted unanimously to approve associate memberships in football for Arizona Christian University, Lyon (Ark.) College, Ottawa University Arizona and Texas College. With those four in the fold, the SAC will have 10 football teams when conference play begins next fall.

"This is an historic moment for the Sooner Athletic Conference, and it's a tribute to the campus leaders at our member schools who continue to be forward thinking as we grow the SAC brand," SAC Commissioner Stan Wagnon said. "For years the SAC has stood for excellence in small college athletics, and it's an exciting opportunity to enter that brand into college football circles."

After having just three full-time members (Bacone, Southwestern Assemblies of God and Wayland Baptist) with football a year ago, the SAC will see that number double by next fall when Langston joins. Oklahoma Panhandle State joined the membership this fall, and Texas Wesleyan revived its program this season after a 74-year hiatus.

SAC football teams will play a 9-game conference schedule, with the conference champion determined by winning percentage in those games. The league will provide weekly player recognition, as well as year-end athletic and academic achievement awards.

The SAC will be one of eight NAIA conferences to sponsor football, and the SAC champion will receive a berth in the 16-team NAIA National Championship Series if rated in the Top 20.

Arizona Christian, Lyon and Texas College will become associate members of the SAC after competing alongside current SAC members and Langston in the Central States Football League through this season. Ottawa University Arizona features a new athletics program and will be playing its inaugural football season next fall. OUAZ has applied for NAIA membership beginning in the 2018-19 seasons, with a decision expected next April.

"It is great to welcome ACU, Lyon, OUAZ and Texas College as associate members of the SAC in football," Wagnon said. "Having 10 teams lined up for our first year is a blessing, and we're excited to partner with these schools as we aim to provide stability and recognize excellence in small college football for years to come."

Football is set to become the 15th sport in which the SAC crowns a champion. Other sports determining a league champion in the SAC are volleyball, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, men's wrestling, baseball, softball, men's and women's golf, and men's and women's tennis.

SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Langston Football Remains 8th in NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- The Langston University football team remained in the No. 8 spot in the ninth edition of the 2017 NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll, the national office announced.  The Lions are currently 9-0/7-0 CSFL and ends the regular season at Wayland Baptist University on November 9.

The 2017 NAIA Football Championship Series (FCS) 16-team field and first round pairings will be announced Sunday at 4 p.m. CST via a video show on the NAIA official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/playnaia). Each conference champion rated in the top 20 (including ties) in the Final Coaches' Poll automatically qualifies for the FCS. The remaining at-large berths are awarded based on the final rating.

The Lions entered the eighth slot after tallying 255 total votes; Langston is the highest Central States Football League institution ranked, they trail No. 7 Baker (Kan.) 256 votes to 255 votes.

Poll Methodology
• The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conferences.
• Each conference is given one rater for every four schools in the league.
• The Top 25 is determined by a points system based on how each voter ranks the best teams. A team receives 25 points for each first-place vote, 24 for second-place and so on through the list.• The highest and lowest ranking for each team (a non-rating is considered a low rating) is removed and the team's ranking will be recalculated with an additional point added to each team for every ballot (including discounted ballots) that the teams appear on.
• Teams that receive only one point in the ballot are not considered "receiving votes."

For the complete NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll, click here.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Wiley Wildcats Downs Rust College 87-72

MARSHALL, Texas -- Joshua Hamilton (JR/New Iberia, Louisiana) impressed in his Wiley College debut with 33 points to lift the Wildcats to an 87-72 victory on Homecoming Saturday at Alumni Gymnasium.

For Hamilton, 18 of his 33 points were scored in the first half. He went 12 for 23 from the field including 4 for 8 from 3-point territory, and hit five of six free throw attempts. Hamilton also chimed in three rebounds, two steals and an assist.

"Josh is a kid I coached against in high school and watched him grow up," head coach Jay Smith said. "He did a lot of scoring at his junior college and we brought him here. We expect a lot out of him."

The Wildcats (1-0) fell behind early – trailing by as many as 10. Hamilton hit three straight 3-pointers. A bucket by Jamel Robinson (FR/Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and a 3-pointer by Anthony Sharp II (SR/Dallas, Texas) put Wiley College on the high side. The Wildcats led 41-40 at halftime.

With the score tied at 45 with 17:28 left in the game, Wiley College went on an 11-0 run – which started with a technical foul on Rust College's Deshon Williams. Hamilton made three shots and Jackson hit one during the run.

FULL STATS

Rust College rallied and got within four. The Wildcats outscored the Bearcats 14-3 in the last three-and-a half minutes. Wiley College outshot the Bearcats 45.2 to 42.6 percent. The Wildcats defense forced Rust College into 16 turnovers with six via the steal.

"We missed a lot of defensive assignments early," Smith said. "We stepped away from our press and wanted to be more solid in our half court defense. We did a better job of staying in front of their guys and made them shoot tough contested shots. We did a good job of blocking them out and keeping them from getting offensive rebounds."

Joining Hamilton in double figures was Anthony Sharp with 14 points and 10 assists. He was three rebounds away from a triple double – leading the team with seven. Ashton DeMurrell (JR/Trinidad & Tobago) blocked two shots.

The Wildcats begin a two-game road trip Friday at Tougaloo College. Wiley College will rematch Rust College on November 11.

WILEY COLLEGE WILDCATS SPORTS INFORMATION

SIAC Football Championship Up Next for Tuskegee

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- Fifteen, that is the number of players remaining from the 2014 roster, which was that last time Tuskegee (8-2, 6-0) faced Fort Valley State (5-4, 5-1). The two schools will reunite Saturday in the 2017 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football Championship game inside Wildcat Stadium at 1:00 p.m. This is FVSU first appearance in the championship game since a 47-41 win over Albany State three years ago.

Dating back to the 2000 season, The Golden Tigers have won 13 of the last 15 meetings including the most recent, a 35-28 thriller played at Cleve Abbott Memorial Stadium. TU leads the overall series record 31-20-2.

FVSU enters the game as the defending league champions after winning back to back East Division titles. Last season's conference championship was the institution's first since 1999.  TU head football coach Slater and the Golden Tigers have claimed six SIAC championships since 2006, including a string of four consecutive from 2006 to 2009.  Last Saturday's victory over Miles College also provided him with 11 out of 12 seasons in which he's earned at least eight wins. 

Skegee finds themselves back in the title game after battling rival Miles College in a game that has not witnessed back to back wins by the same team since Tuskegee achieved that feat during the 2011 and 2012 seasons, the Golden Tigers ended that streak emphatically defeating the Golden Bears at home for the first time since 2011 by a final 50-20 

Tuskegee is out to win their 31st SIAC Football Championship. Their 30 titles is already the most among league members.  Live coverage from the campus of Fort Valley State starts at 12:45 p.m. on the Tuskegee Digital Network. To purchase tickets, visit click here.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Close win 'humbles' Grambling State before Alabama State trip

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- De’Aumante Johnson admitted what some of his teammates and some coaches may or may not care to admit.

Outside of the season opener at Tulane, Grambling State (8-1, 5-0) has not had to sweat its way through the end of a game this year before Saturday's 31-26 nail-biter at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with its tightest win being 11 points, 31-20, over Clark Atlanta. But that was an 18-point game late in the fourth quarter.



During their current eight-game win streak, the 11th-ranked Tigers have beaten their opponents by an average of nearly 18 points per game (17.75). With the program’s 23 straight SWAC victories hanging in the balance in a Golden Lion offensive possession late in a close, one-score league game on the road, senior running back Martez Carter said he knew his defense would preserve the lead.

“I wasn’t really worried. There hasn’t been many games this season where I was really worried about the outcome of the game,” Carter said. “It was a close game. I wasn’t breathing heavy or anything, I was waiting for the clock to strike 0:00 so we could get up out of there.”

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FAMU terminates women's assistant coach's employment following grand theft charges

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU athletic department has released a statement regarding now former assistant women's basketball coach Terrance Chatman Sr.

The statement reads, in full, as follows:

Today’s arrest of Terrance Chatman, Florida A&M University’s former assistant women’s basketball coach, concludes an investigation that was launched immediately after FAMU Athletics was contacted by a supporter. It was alleged that Mr. Chatman cashed a $5,000 check that was donated to FAMU’s Men’s Basketball Team.

FAMU Athletics forwarded the donor’s claim to FAMU's Department of Campus Safety and Security and placed Mr. Chatman on leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Mr. Chatman is charged with grand theft and fraud-uttering a false instrument in connection with the allegations.

The University holds employees accountable for following university policies and procedures and has terminated Chatman’s employment.

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