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
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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 ...

CONTINUE READING

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.

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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.

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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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Savannah State defeats Delaware State for second straight win

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State University did it again.

SSU defeated Delaware State University, 35-21, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Saturday night, winning back-to-back games for the first time since last season when the Tigers beat Howard University and Norfolk State University.

A crowd of 2,371 at T.A. Wright Stadium watched as SSU (2-7 overall, 2-4 MEAC) never trailed against Delaware State (1-8, 1-5) and beat the Hornets for the first time in five attempts in the series.

"We played much better defense these last two weeks," said SSU second-year head coach Erik Raeburn, whose Tigers defeated Norfolk State, 27-9, last Saturday in Norfolk, Va. "I think that's been huge. We've done a better job of controlling the line of scrimmage with our young offensive line.

Today, we had some huge plays on special teams. A couple of bad plays, but we had some huge ones on special teams."

After playing three consecutive road games, SSU relished the opportunity to perform at home. The Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 lead when quarterback D'Vonn Gibbons ran for a 9-yard touchdown and Giovanni Lugo kicked the extra point with 8:29 left in the first quarter. Gibbons' touchdown run capped a 14-play, 84-yard drive and was made possible thanks to wide receiver Cameron White's acrobatic catch for a 23-yard gain to the Hornets' 9-yard line on fourth-and-6. White snared the ball and managed to get a foot down inbounds despite tight coverage.

"I feel very comfortable now," said Gibbons, who made his seventh collegiate start and finished 13-of-22 passing for 162 yards, a touchdown and one interception. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound freshman from Stone Mountain, ran 27 times for a game-high 126 yards and two touchdowns. "I've kind of gotten the speed of college and everything so it's just time to get better now."

On Delaware State's ensuing possession, SSU linebacker Isaiah Bennett intercepted Delaware State quarterback Keenan Black's pass attempt at the Tigers' 45-yard line.

SSU took over possession and Gibbons ran for a 25-yard gain to Delaware State's 30-yard line. On the next play, Gibbons connected with freshman wide receiver Elijah Shah for a 5-yard gain to the Hornets' 25-yard line but Shah fumbled after being hit by linebacker Devin Adams. Delaware State linebacker Moses Dupre recovered and returned the ball to SSU's 45-yard line.

Late in the first quarter, SSU defensive tackle Brandon Carswell sacked Delaware State's Black, and SSU defensive end Stefan Banks recovered at the Hornets' 39-yard line. Four plays later, Gibbons connected with White for a 39-yard touchdown and Lugo kicked the extra point to put SSU up 14-0 with 1:36 left in the first quarter.

"It was a bad snap," White said of SSU's second touchdown. "Our quarterback, I just kept running and he saw me. He threw it and I made a cut-back into the end zone."

White, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior from Atlanta, finished with three catches for a game-high 67 yards and a touchdown.

"Cam's a big target," Raeburn said. "He looks like he's about 6-foot-7 when he's really 6-4 or 6-5. Just a really tall, long-armed guy. As a quarterback, you've got a little more margin for error when you throw it up and he gets his hands on it. For most corners, he's a matchup nightmare."

Delaware State's Wisdom Nzidee attempted a 46-yard field goal with 13:15 remaining before halftime but the ball fell short.

With 5 minutes left before halftime, SSU linebacker Mekhi Cooper intercepted Black's pass attempt and returned the ball 6 yards to the Tigers' 41-yard line. Four plays later, SSU attempted to punt on fourth-and-9 from the Tigers' 42-yard line but SSU long snapper Raheem Coxfield's snap sailed past punter Chandler Williams. Coxfield recovered the ball at the Tigers' 6-yard line and Delaware State took over.

Two plays later, Delaware State's Black connected with wide receiver Trey Gross for a 5-yard touchdown and Nzidee kicked the extra point, cutting the score to 14-7 with 3:20 left before halftime.

Delaware State's Black finished 12-of-27 passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns. He threw four interceptions. Running back Nyfease West ran 14 times for a team-high 72 yards.

SSU went up 21-7 with 1:15 left before halftime thanks to Shah's 0-yard punt return. Delaware State's Fidel Romo-Martinez attempted to punt from deep in the Hornets' end zone but the ball struck one of his teammates on the rear end, and SSU's Shah scooped up the ball for a touchdown. Lugo kicked the extra point.

"We had them backed up on the 1-yard line so we went for the block," SSU's Raeburn said off the odd play. "We got good push and I think we actually pushed one of his blockers into him, and (the ball) ended up going off of his back, and Elijah got the ball."

Early in the third quarter, Delaware State's Black found Gross again, this time for a 25-yard touchdown, and Wisdom kicked the extra point to cut it to 21-14. The three-play drive covered 50 yards in 1:05.

SSU's JaMichael Baldwin, a freshman from Conyers, Ga., returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards to Delaware State's 24-yard line. Four plays later, SSU made it 28-14 when Gibbons ran for an 8-yard touchdown, faking out Delaware State's Joshua Fala. Lugo kicked the extra point.

SSU's Lugo missed a 40-yard field goal attempt wide to the left with 28 seconds left in the third quarter.

Delaware State cut it to 28-21 on Black's 40-yard touchdown pass to Taronn Selby with 4:19 to play in the game. Selby finished with four catches for 63 yards.

SSU's Baldwin returned the ensuing kickoff for a 70-yard touchdown, and Lugo kicked the extra point, giving the Tigers a 35-21 lead with 4:04 remaining.

"We played a little conservative, passing-wise," Raeburn said. "We just felt like we were playing, defensively, so well. I thought (Gibbons) had a good night. We could have been a little more aggressive and thrown more, particularly in the fourth quarter when they were selling out on the run. We could have made some more big plays in the passing game."

SSU running back Jaylen McCloud, a freshman from Jacksonville, Fla., ran for 92 yards on 19 carries.

SSU registered eight sacks for losses of 58 yards. The Tiger's Banks made seven tackles, including four sacks for losses of 25 yards. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound junior from Columbus, Ohio, also recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass.

"He's as dominating as any defensive lineman in the league," Raeburn said of Banks. "Last year, he had a great year opposite Marquis (Smith), where teams couldn't really double him. This year, without Marquis, he's getting doubled. He's getting chipped by the tight ends and by running backs. But with the effort he plays with, he's still making plays. Our defensive coordinator is doing a great job making it hard for (offenses) to cover him. When I watch him play, the thing I appreciate the most is there is not a single second of practice where he does not go all out. I try to point it out to our younger guys all the time. He's played the best of anyone on our team all year, and it's because he's practiced the best of anyone on our team all year."

SSU freshman linebacker Jeremiah Bundrage also made seven tackles, including a sack. Carswell and junior linebacker Christian Guinn each forced fumbles. Bennett and Cooper each intercepted a pass. Guinn had two sacks. Carswell had a sack. Strong safety Donald Rutledge made three pass breakups for the Tigers, whom many critics said would finish the season winless.

"At Savannah State we're used to it," Banks said. "We're used to being the underdogs."

If the Tigers win their remaining two games against North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State, they would finish 4-4 in MEAC play.

"That's our goal now, just to finish the year strong," Banks said.

SSU next will travel to Greensboro, N.C., to play North Carolina A&T at 1 p.m. Saturday.

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SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION 

FCS predictions: How N.C. A&T remains in playoff picture

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – North Carolina A&T’s goal is to win the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl and the mythical black college football national championship, which it accomplished in 2015.

As one of three unbeaten teams in the FCS, there’s a growing feeling A&T could match up well in the FCS playoffs, which would overcome a poor history for MEAC teams.

The Aggies don’t appear in any projected bracket for the FCS playoffs, including STATS’, but the possibility remains they could land an at-large bid if they don’t qualify for the Celebration Bowl. It’s a nightmarish prospect to teams on the playoff bubble.

The MEAC relinquished its automatic bid to the playoffs in 2015 to pair its champion against the SWAC winner in the Celebration Bowl, but the other teams in both conferences remain eligible for at-large bids.

The best A&T could be and not advance to the Celebration Bowl is 10-1 – a resume that the playoff selection committee probably couldn’t deny because it includes a win over FBS Charlotte, and the Aggies earned an at-large bid last season at 9-2. The best fellow MEAC contenders Hampton, Howard or North Carolina Central could be and not advance to the Celebration Bowl is 8-3, which probably wouldn’t warrant an at-large playoff bid because of the conference’s lower ranking against most conferences with an automatic bid.

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Alcorn State comes firing out of the bye week with big win against Alabama A&M

LORMAN, Mississippi — Two weeks ago, Alcorn State was challenged. Grambling State beat the Braves 41-14 in a battle between the two supposed best teams in the SWAC.

The Tigers forced seven Alcorn State turnovers and sent Alcorn State into its bye week needing to recharge and reevaluate what it needed to do to compete with Grambling if they meet again in the Dec. 2 SWAC Championship game.

It was clear early against Alabama A&M Saturday that the Braves were the better team. It just wasn't clear if they had made improvements on their struggles against Grambling State. They led 19-10 at the half, but it could have been so much more. There were dropped touchdown passes and dropped interceptions and missed chances to blow the Bulldogs out.

Then the second half came, and the Braves made themselves clear.

Noah Johnson broke a 69-yard touchdown run. Then he ran in another from 16. Then P.J. Simmons took in a 43-yard touchdown run himself.

Alcorn State quarterback Noah Johnson reads the defense.

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Bowie State’s Chesson Sets New Records in Bulldogs 77-21 Win at Elizabeth City State

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina – Senior Robert Chesson (Annapolis, Md.) rushed for a career-high 304 yards on 20 carries and set several new Bowie State and CIAA Single game records along the way in the Bulldogs 77-21 regular season finale over Elizabeth City State on Saturday afternoon.

Chesson's performance etched his name in the CIAA Record Book, setting a new single game rushing yards record (304) and Most Points in a game with 48. He also tied the CIAA Single Record for rushing touchdowns with seven which also sets a new Bowie State Single Game Record.

In addition to Chesson, Hall contributed 299 passing yards, completing 17-of-25 passes and one touchdown. Senior Brandon Britton (Columbia, Md.) hauled in a team-high six receptions for a team-high 80 yards.

Junior Roger Richardson (Glen Dale, Md.) paced the Bowie State defense with a personal-best nine and a half tackles.



The Bulldogs rolled up 742 yards of total offense which second best in school history compared to 444 for Elizabeth City State's Vikings.

Daquan Neal paced the Elizabeth City State Vikings on offense with 290 passing yards and 72 rushing yards, both team-highs. Dajuan Greene had a game-high 135 reception yards on a game-high nine receptions in the loss.

Vincent Thomas led the Vikings defense with 10.5 tackles, which included 1.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

The Bulldogs lit up the Roebuck Stadium scoreboard first at the 8:56 mark of the first quarter on a 10-yard run by Chesson. Sophomore Gene Carson added the extra point for the early 7-0 lead. Chesson punched it in again at the 5:36 mark, pounding in from 4-yards out to take a 14-0 lead.

Chesson found the end zone again at the 14:26 mark of the second quarter, this time for a 28-yard score and a 21-0 advantage.

Daquan Neal completed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Dajuan Greene and Joshua Laverty added the extra point, trimming Bowie State lead to 21-7 with 11:15 to go in the second quarter.

After being pinned deep following an Elizabeth City State punt, Bowie State quickly responded with a 97-yard touchdown jaunt by Chesson to give the Bulldogs a 28-7 cushion at the 10:42 mark of the second quarter.

The Vikings cut the Bulldogs lead in half with 2:45 left in the first half when Neal completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to David Watford.

Chesson got those points back on its next possession, going 73 yards in five plays, strolling into the end zone from 1-yard out to send Bowie State into halftime with a 35-14 advantage.

The Bulldogs scored on its opening possession of the third quarter when Chesson walked in for the score from 1-yard out to pad the Bowie State lead at 42-14.

Neal connected with Greene again for a score, this time for a 19-yard score at the 9:04 mark of the third quarter, but the Vikings trailed 42-21

Junior Maurice Williams (Baltimore, Md.) recorded his third touchdown of the season on a run around the left side of the Vikings defense, for a 15-yard score to extend the Bulldogs lead to 49-21.

Chesson scored his seventh touchdown of the contest on a 4-yard run, giving Bowie State a 56-21 cushion early in the fourth quarter. Chesson scored again at the 10:53 mark of the final quarter when Hall connected with him for a 13-yard score to pad the Bulldogs lead at 63-21. BSU's Williams notched a 3-yard touchdown run with 1:33 remaining and sophomore William Flowers (Baltimore, Md.) sealed the victory with a 55-yard interception return for a score to account for the final margin of 77-21.

This wraps up the regular season for the Bulldogs as the team will now await notification of NCAA post season play. Bowie State came into the game ranked #20 in the AFCA Coach's Poll and #5 in the NCAA Super Region 2 Poll. The top eight teams in each region receive a bid to post season play.

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BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alabama State Hornets win third straight contest, spoils Jackson State homecoming

JACKSON, Mississippi | The Alabama State University football team won their third consecutive contest, spoiling the homecoming festivities for Jackson State University as they walked away with a 13-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory.

"There are a lot of things that we can get better at," Alabama State interim head coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "But you are talking about three wins a row, two homecomings and a Classic. These guys want to play, where we are weak we are also strong. It is good to see, and this atmosphere will allow these guys to be successful in life, start down and build up.

"Those are the type of things we want to create with these young men, the bottom line is not how you start but how you finish. I put in front of them that this university was started by nine slaves, and if that is not enough to hang your hat on. If God can put it in front of you, there is nothing to stop you."

The win was the third consecutive for Alabama State (3-5, 3-2 SWAC), and the second time they have spoiled homecoming festivities this season – the first coming against Texas Southern.

"I told the guys if you start losing homecoming then you will be someone's homecoming," Eley said. "I don't think we will be able to break the float out next year."

Alabama State jumped on top early with a pair of Hunter Hanson field goals in the first half, knocking home a 39-yard field goal with 1:03 remaining in the first quarter that gave the Hornets a 3-0 lead. He would add another later in the half, this one from 43 yards – a new career long – that gave the Hornets a 6-0 lead.

"It's homecoming," Eley said. "They are 1-7, but you are talking about homecoming. There were 30,000 people in there, and there were about 29,500 in there for Jackson State. Those guys wanted to play hard against somebody and we knew they were not just going to lay down, but we figured if we could get ahead of them and the fans started leaving that we could take their will."

Jackson State (1-8, 1-4 SWAC) trimmed the lead to three on a field goal with 1:17 to play in the half, trimming the score to 6-3. The Hornets had a chance to score late in the half as they reached the 32-yard line of Jackson State; however, the pass from Darryl Pearson, Jr. was knocked out of bounds as the block went to zero.

The Hornets came out in the second half and took the opening kickoff 65 yards down the field against Jackson State. The 14-play drive ate up 6:31 on the clock, and Pearson put an end to it with 17-yard touchdown run with 8:29 to play in the quarter.

"We talked about it in the locker room and made some adjustments," Eley said of the first drive of the second half. "Coach (Trey) Dunbar was able to put the ball in the right personnel's hands and we put together a long drive. We started to see those guys get gassed against a big team. He was able to make the right calls against their personnel that ended in a score."

The opportunistic Alabama State defense came up big again for the Hornets this week as they forced five turnovers, including four interceptions. Joshua Hill picked off a pair of passes on the day, returning them for 68 yards – including one that went down inside the Jackson State 30 yard line before it was called back for a penalty. Dennis Roberts IV and Robert Easterwood each intercepted a pass, while the Hornets also recovered a fumble.

The Hornets went for a fifth interception, but it was just out of the reach of Kurron Ramsey as the clock was winding down. As he missed it, Ramsey found the bushes just off the sideline and had to be helped out by teammates.

"Once the defense gets churning it's tough," Eley said. "We want to keep those yards on turnovers but we didn't because we had too many penalties on them. Some of them were effort, but others were guys not doing what they were supposed to do."

Jarkeith Ruffin finished the day with a team-high seven tackles, while Roberts had six for a Hornet defense that recorded four tackles for loss.

Pearson ran for a team-high 53 yards on nine carries – while adding 61 through the air, while George Golden added 46 yards on 13 carries. Robert Pritchett III also added 40 yards on six carries in the win.

The Hornets finished with 264 yards of total offense with 203 coming on the ground, while Jackson State was held to 203 yards – most of that coming in the fourth quarter.

Alabama State returns to action next week as they return home for the first time since October 5 when they will face defending SWAC champion, Grambling State. Kick is set for 2 pm at ASU Stadium and can be seen on the SWAC Digital Network.

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Gold Rush 3-0 after OT road win; home opener Monday

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Virgil Davison scored five of his 14 points in overtime Saturday to help Xavier University of Louisiana earn a 70-69 men's basketball victory against LeMoyne-Owen.

The XULA men (3-0) will play their home opener at 7 p.m. Monday against Miles at the Convocation Center.

Jalen David scored 11 points, Rayshawn Mart had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Innocent Kukulu scored 10 for XULA. Joseph Williams grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, and Elex Carter had a career-best 13. Kukulu and Davison made three 3-pointers apiece. It was homecoming for LeMoyne-Owen but also for Davison and Williams, who are Memphis natives.

The Gold Rush led for approximately 9 1/2 minutes — there were 12 ties and 14 lead changes — and improved to 4-0 in overtime in Alfred Williams's two seasons as head coach.

"Hard-fought battle," the XULA coach said. "It was a great team win, especially on the road. Virgil and Joseph came home and came through big at the right time."

Rashawn Ellis scored 31 points and Daaron Maston 10 for LeMoyne-Owen, an NCAA Division II member which counted the game as an exhibition. XULA, however, counted the game in its regular-season record and statistics.

LeMoyne Owen led 33-29 at halftime, and the teams were tied at 63 at the end of regulation. The Magicians missed two shots on the final possession.

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