Ohio Bobcats Edge Out Howard Bison Football Despite Career Day from Newton and Ezzard

HOWARD BISON ATHLETICS

ATHENS, Ohio -- Coach Mike London and the Howard University Football team came up short as they were edged out by Ohio University, 38-32, despite putting up an impressive 645 total yards against the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Preseason Favorite.
 
Second-year signal caller sophomore Caylin Newton (Atlanta) led the charge, posting 532 total yards with four total touchdowns. The Atlanta native threw for a career-high 439 yards with three TDs while adding 93 yards on the ground, including a touchdown in the loss. His 532 total yards is the third-most in program history and Newton's 439 yards in the air is the most since 2001.
 
Fellow Georgia native and deep threat specialist Jequez Ezzard (College Park) etched himself in the program's record book as he set a new school mark with 223 receiving yards on eight catches.

BOX SCORE
 
Howard pounced on the Bobcats early with a 4-yard rushing TD by Newton, followed by freshman Faraji Joseph (Greensboro, N.C.) drilling his first collegiate field goal from 26 yards, 10-0.
 
After Ohio got on the board with a 22 yarder, 10-3, Newton found Collins on a crossing route for a 38-yard touchdown and gave the Bison a double-digit advantage, 16-3.
 
With less than five minutes before intermission, the Bobcats cut HU's lead down to six, 16-10, but Howard answered with a 6-yard fade to Anthony in the back of the end zone, 22-10.
 
Under a minute until halftime, Ohio scored another touchdown to trim the Bison margin down to a one-possession game at the break in favor of HU, 22-17.
 
The opening kickoff after intermission saw Ohio return a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown, followed by the Bobcats capitalizing with a 1-yard rushing TD on a Bison turnover. In a matter of minutes, Howard trailed, 31-22.
 
Late into the third, Newton hit Ezzard for a 55-yard bomb and put the Bison within a field goal, 31-29.
 
Ohio kept the pressure on with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, capped off by a 10-yard run by Quinton Maxwell, 38-29.
 
Senior Dakota Lebofsky (Overland Park, Kan.) drilled a 40-yard field goal with 7:46 remaining, 38-32.
 
Howard would get two more chances to either tie or take the lead, but the Bison were unable to complete the back.
 
Junior Kyle Anthony (Miramar, Fla.) had a game-high nine receptions for 97 yards and a TD while redshirt junior Jason Collins (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) contributed 90 receiving yards on four balls in a losing effort.
 
Defensively, junior Marcellus Allison (Durham, N.C.) registered a game-best 10.5 tackles (nine solo), including a tackle-for-loss, and newcomer Zamon Robinson (Silver Spring, Md.) posted two sacks. Sophomore Bryan Cook (Cincinnati) added 5.5 tackles (three solo) and three pass breakups in the loss.

ATTENDANCE:

 

18,275

 
Coach London and the Bison conclude its brief two-game road swing in Kent, Ohio where they will take on Kent State in a rematch. Last season, Howard came up short at Kent State, 38-31, despite a balance attack of 452 total offense.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Howard University Bison Football Finds Gem In Caylin Newton

CAYLIN NEWTON
HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The story on Howard University quarterback Caylin Newton is one of the most intriguing in college football.

Despite putting up some gaudy offensive numbers (33 passing TDs his senior season) at Grady High School in Atlanta, Newton was essentially overlooked by college recruiters.  He received offers from Savannah State, his father's alma mater, Hampton (a partial) and Howard.

The brother of Carolina Panthers standout quarterback Cam Newton, he visited the Howard campus and attended three of the home football games in 2017.  That, along with his father, Cecil's counseling, ultimately convinced him that Howard was his choice.

"I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity that Howard was offering me," Newton explained, a sport management major of his choice. "My pops said 'pack your bags.'  "I was preparing for just a visit but he said 'you're not coming back.' "

That was in January of 2017.  Newton enrolled at Howard but his signing received little fanfare and was overshadowed by the signing of men's basketball's highly recruited guard, RJ Cole.

Adding to the obscurity, the Howard coaching staff that recruited Newton was let go and the University named Mike London to lead the program.

"I just sat back and took everything in," Newton recalled. "I researched Coach London and was impressed with his background.  He had a meeting with each player individually and I knew I was in the right place when I met him.  He said that the two main things that they expect in the program is to go class and to treat people with dignity.  He established eye contact with me and it reminded me of my pops.  And I trust my pops."

Newton went into spring practice third on the depth chart.  But it did not take long for that to change.  He began to take more and more snaps in the offense, named the "Go Go" offense by offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.  By the spring game, Newton was handed over the reins of the offense.

"We began to notice his work ethic and his high football IQ," said London.  "Competition breeds success and he met the challenge during spring practice.  A combination of repetition and how his skills fit into the RPO (Run-Pass-Option) convinced us." 

Newton admits that the speed of the game, transitioning from high school to college was a concern of his, especially going into the first game at FBS opponent, UNLV.

"I was actually not nervous," he explained.  "I watched them (UNLV) in the warmups and although there was a difference in size and numbers, I liked the challenge.  On the first play, I decided to keep the ball and run with it to test them.  It was a big gainer and I think that when my teammates saw me take a hit and make that play, we became more comfortable with each other.  I said to myself that they (UNLV) are beatable."

Newton used that first play as a catalyst for the Bison as they went on to pull off the biggest upset in school history and arguably, one of the tops in college football last year.

The Bison followed with a close loss to another FBS opponent, Kent State and then to nationally ranked FCS power University of Richmond, Coach London's alma mater and place where he won a national championship as a head coach.

Although the Bison lost, Newton used it as a learning experience. Following that stretch, he began to show accelerated progress. While his ability to run the ball kept defenses off balance, he began to show other aspects of his overall talent.

"When we played those tough early opponents, the game was moving fast for him," said Marion, who installed the "Go Go" offense and is regarded as one of the top young offensive minds on the rise.  "But then through study and dedication, it began to slow down for him.  He began to rely less on his legs and to find receivers in the passing game."  

The Bison offense led the conference in total offense with almost 500 yards a game.

Newton is small in stature by most standards (listed as 6'0).  But don't be fooled by the dimensions.  He more than makes up for his height limitations with speed, toughness and a penchant for making the big play.

One play in particular stands out.  Howard was playing Bethune Cookman in a tight contest at Greene Stadium.  With his team trailing late in the fourth quarter and facing a key 3rd and 11, Newton wiggled, weaved and powered his way for 11 yards and some inches to give his team a first down.  He later capped off the drive with one of 13 TD runs on the season to give the Bison the victory.

"He is a student of the game," said Marion.  "He has the physical tools.  With his legs, he was able to take a lot of hits and he began to see the receivers better as the season progressed.  He became better at articulating the game plan.  He is a special player.  Whatever 'it' is, he's got it."

Newton led the Bison to a 7-4 overall record and a second place finish in the MEAC after the team was picked to finish 9th in the conference.  He was named the MEAC Rookie of the Year.

Newton finished 11th in the nation in total offense at almost 300 yards per game, tops among all freshmen in the FCS (Football College Subdivision).

Howard has been picked to finish second in the MEAC in 2018, primarily because of Newton's experience, the return of two of the top receivers in the FCS in Jequez Ezzard and Kyle Anthony and some outstanding returnees to go along with one of the best recruiting seasons in recent years.

"Last year, we gave him the plays to call," said Marion.  "But we feel now that we can give him more freedom to call plays.  We challenge him to be a more vocal leader."

Added Newton, "The quarterback obviously plays an important role in the success of a team. It becomes a trust factor with your teammates.  We have that chemistry this year.  We hang out together. Our goal is to be in the driver's seat and everything else will take care of itself."

Derek W. Bryant, Howard University Athletics Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, and Tiffany Hoyd, Senior Media Journalism and Film Communications major contributed to this story.

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

HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Tigers Open 2018 Season with the John Merritt Classic, Bethune-Cookman

Tennessee State Game Notes | Bethune-Cookman Game Notes
2018 Tennessee State Media Guide | Live Stats

Social Media: #BigBlueRising
Twitter: @TSU_Tigers | Instagram: @TSUTigers
Facebook: Tennessee State University Tigers

John Merritt ClassicGame 1: Tennessee State (0-0) vs. Bethune-Cookman (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Stadium: Nissan Stadium (69,143)
Time: 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
Audio: 102.1 FM
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Series Information: Tennessee State holds a 7-2 advantage in the all-time series, which began in 1982 and was played for six consecutive years. The Tigers earned victories in the first five meetings before the Wildcats won 16-13 in 1987. The series resumed in 2012 with the Tigers winning 21-14 in Daytona Beach. B-CU would get revenge a year later with a 12-9 decision in the 2013 John Merritt Classic. TSU earned a hard fought 31-24 road victory in the series last contest played in 2016.

Last Meeting:
Tennessee State secured the 31-24 win as Terrell Bonds pulled down a tipped ball by Gabe Scott with just over two minutes remaining in the game. The interception was the second of the game for Bonds. O’Shay Ackerman-Carter connected on a 71-yard touchdown pass to Steven Newbold and finished with 112 yards as he completed three passes in seven attempts before exiting the game with a season-ending injury in the second quarter. Ronald Butler finished the game for the Big Blue completing 8-of-16 for 68 yards and two touchdowns in relief. The Tigers ground attack was the story of the game as they rushed 44 times for 200 yards. Freshman Earl Harrison earned OVC Newcomer of the Week honors for his performance at Bethune-Cookman with 110 yards on 13 carries, including a 46 yard touchdown run. Lane Clark opened the scoring with a 44-yard field goal, beginning a back-and-forth battle which produced a 17-17 at the break. The Tigers took the lead in the third on the first of Butler’s two scoring passes. The senior tossed a jump ball in the corner of the end zone, allowing Chris Sanders-McCollum to out leap a defender for the go ahead score. After the Wildcats evened the score in the first minute of the final stanza, Bonds picked off his first pass leading to the game winning scoring drive, which was capped with a Butler seven-yard scoring toss to Patrick Smith.

Head Coach Rod Reed:
Coach Reed enters his ninth season at the helm of the Tigers with a 49-42 record. Only two coaches have produced more wins at TSU. John Merritt claimed 174 victories in his 20 years (1963-83) for a .806 winning percentage (174-35-7), while Harry Kean spent 10 years in charge of TSU from 1944-54 and compiled a 93-15-3 record (.838). TSU is 7-1 in season openers under Rod Reed, including a 17-10 win at FBS opponent Georgia State in 2017. The lone opening day loss came at the hands of Bethune-Cookman, 12-9, at the John Merritt Classic in 2013. The Tigers are 6-2 under Reed in the John Merritt Classic with the only other loss coming last year, a 19-16 double overtime loss to Eastern Illinois.

Tennessee State:
Tennessee State is coming off its fifth non-losing season in the past six seasons under head coach Rod Reed and hopes to continue the trend as they enter the 2018 season with eight returning starters on offense. The defense ranked seventh in the nation, second in pass defense, under first year defensive coordinator Gary Fisher, but will look to replace seven starters. The Big Blue held opposing teams to 164.5 yards through the air and returns three starters in the backfield. Safeties LaQuarius Cook and sophomore Vincent Sellers are joined by junior cornerback Dajour Nesbeth. Juniors Neiman Armstrong and Shakur Jackson are back to provide depth along with transfers Nick Harper, Jr. and John Robinson IV as they try to replace Terrell Bonds, who had four interceptions a year ago. The defense will also look to fill the spots of departed all-conference performers Chris Collins, Ebo Ogundeko and Jason Morrow. Collins was the team’s field general at middle linebacker and led TSU with 97 tackles, 13.0 for loss. Ogundeko was a two-time All-American performer at defensive end and a three-time All-OVC selection. The offense lost one of the top threats in TSU history with the graduation of Patrick Smith. The wide receiver led the Tigers in receptions (42), receiving yards (648) and touchdowns. Smith also closed out his career with the third most receiving touchdowns in program and OVC history. Coach Reed and offensive coordinator Jeff Parker still posses one of the more dangerous receivers in the conference in Steven Newbold. The offense also enters with experience as they feature their top five rushers from a season ago and three of the top four receivers. The unit looks to regain its 2016 form with the help of four returning linemen. The Tigers hope the return of four of their front-five will produce a foundation to resurgence

Bethune-Cookman:
The Wildcats come into 2018 under fourth-year Head Coach Terry Sims after a 7-4 campaign, including a 6-2 finish in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Offensively, B-CU returns three starters and will rely on All-MEAC offensive lineman Dwayne Brown to anchor the line. The Wildcats will build a solid running game on its top returning rusher, Tupac Isme, to help produce a deadly passing game behind wide receiver Keavon Mitchell and tight end Ja-Quan Lumas. Mitchell led all receivers with 42 receptions for 457 yards and two touchdowns, while Lumas hauled in 15 passes for 193 yards and two scores. Bethune-Cookman will look to their defense which returns a host of players from 2017. Defensive end Todney Evans leads the charge after recording 34 tackles, 15 solo, 8.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Kevin Thompson will join Evans in the trenches after missing most of the season a year ago after suffering a season-ending injury. The Wildcats also return kicker Uriel Hernandez who tallied 60 points in 2017, connecting on 12-of-18 field goals and 24-of-26 point-after attempts.

Last Nine Results:
2016 - Tennessee State 31, Bethune-Cookman 24
2013 - Bethune-Cookman 12, Tennessee State 9
2012 - Tennessee State 21, Bethune-Cookman 14
1987 - Bethune-Cookman 16, Tennessee State 13
1986 - Tennessee State 13, Bethune-Cookman 10
1985 - Tennessee State 24, Bethune-Cookman 17
1984 - Tennessee State 41, Bethune-Cookman 8
1983 - Tennessee State 21, Bethune-Cookman 19
1982 - Tennessee State 41, Bethune-Cookman 11

TV: ESPN+. Howard Gentry, Jr. will serve as play-by-play along with Derek Fleming who will provide analysis.

Radio: 102.1 FM will carry the game live with Greg Pogue (play-by-play), Albert Dawson (analyst), Craig Ladd (Scoreboard) and Gary Dawson (sideline). Pregame will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Quotes:
Head Coach Rod Reed- On opening the season
“It’s been a really tough camp. Our guys are chomping at the bit to play someone else. Bethune-Cookman is a team that we’re very familiar with. We’ve played them a couple of times the last six or seven years. We’re really excited about the opportunity to go out there and see another color helmet on the field.”

- On the starting quarterback
“We’ve had a really, really tough quarterback battle. Micheal Hughes and Demry Croft have done a really good job. Right now, we’re not prepared to name a starter, but I think it’s safe to say that you’ll see both kids on Saturday.”

- On Steven Newbold
“I don’t particularly like bulletin board material, which he gave every team in the conference, but that’s just who Steven is. I don’t think he really meant anything too derogatory toward it. That’s just the confidence that he has in his ability. If you know like I know, you know he needs the ball more in his hands. I think we have a couple capable guys of getting him the football.”

- On playing in the John Merritt Classic
“It’s going to be great to go out there in front of our fans in the John Merritt Classic in Nissan Stadium. It’s always a tremendous atmosphere. There’ll be a bunch of people in the stands. The band will be rocking, but more than that, it gives us an opportunity to get on the grass against a different opponent that we haven’t seen in a couple years. Any time that you play in the John Merritt Classic, there’s a lot of pride involved just because of who it’s named after – the legendary John Merritt.”

Bethune-Cookman Head Coach Terry Sims
- On the offseason
“Our offseason was great. We had the opportunity to get some guys in, some transfers, and get them involved in our program and get them up to speed on how we do things. It’s been great so far.”

- On facing TSU
“Coach Reed and his staff do a great job at Tennessee State. Every time we play those guys it’s a hard-fought football game. You have two great football staffs and you have a lot of talented football players on both sides. It’s going to be a great game. We know it’s going to be a slugfest. We’re counting on that, and we’re prepared for it.”

- On Steven Newbold and Micheal Hughes
“Two very talented young men. You watch them on film and you see that they both have very, very special skill sets. They both can be explosive. (Steven) Newbold is a young man that you definitely want to know where he is at all times. He’s a very explosive player and can do some special things with the ball in his hands. I know they have a little bit of a quarterback battle going on, but we’re going to prepare for the guys that we’ve seen on film and move from there. We definitely see two very talented athletes when we watch them on film, and we have to account for them on every down.”

- On BCU’s quarterback play
“Any time you lose a talent like Larry Brihm, it’s going to leave a void. Larry has been a mainstay around this program for a while and he did a great job for us. We have Akevious Williams coming back who backed Larry up last year. We also have Jabari Dunham, who is back. We have a transfer that came in from West Virginia in David Israel. They’re battling every day to see who the guy will be that will run out. One thing we know is we’ve had success with a two quarterback system. We’ve had success with a three quarterback system. We’re going to do whatever it takes for us to win football games."

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS 

New FAMU coach Willie Simmons signals start of new era for Rattlers

TV: ESPN3 - 5:00 pm ET (TAPE DELAY DUE TO BAD WEATHER)

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The shine of being home again hasn’t worn off for new Florida A&M coach Willie Simmons.

It’s doubtful that shine will ever lose its luster. Not for Simmons, who grew up 20 minutes away from FAMU’s campus in Quincy. Not for the man who left one of the newest and most high-profile facilities in HBCU football at Prairie View A&M in order to fix a program that as recently as last season almost couldn’t play games in its own stadium.

Simmons knows he’s taking on a work in progress. Is there pressure? Of course. But no one is putting more pressure on Simmons to win — and the Rattlers haven’t had a winning season since 2011 — than Simmons himself.

“It’s truly a blessing to be able to be 20 minutes from where I grew up,” Simmons said in a phone interview. “To still be able to see my family and to have family members and former players and former coaches come by practice every other day. All of those things are still special to me.”

“When I took this job, it wasn’t to come back home. It was to take over a program that had underperformed and do something special here. That’s a focus we’re going to keep and as a head coach, that’s  what I wake up to every single day. When we do that, we’re able to stay focused on the goal at hand.”

CONTINUE READING

Langston Men's Basketball Adds Two For 2018-19

LANGSTON, Oklahoma -- Langston University men's basketball coach Stan Holt unveiled the latest additions to his 2018-19 recruiting class in high school seniors Cliffic Guidry III and Stevie Pringle.

Guidry III and Pringle have enrolled at Langston for Fall 2018 and embark on their freshman seasons during the 2018-19 academic year. Guidry Jr. and Pringle are the only two freshmen Holt has signed for the upcoming 2018-19 campaign.

Guidry III, a 6-foot guard excelled at St. John's School in Houston, Texas and was ranked as one of Texas' top 100 players by Texas Top 100. Guidry III broke countless school records in scoring, three-point shooting, and three-point percentage. The incoming freshmen set records for the most three-point shots made in a game (12) and most in a season (157) while shooting 45% from beyond the arc. He was named all-conference four years in a row and finished his high school career with 2,661 points.

"Cliffic is an incredibly talented player who carries a great demeanor," Coach Stan Holt explained. "He's a humble, hard-working young man who impresses on the court and in the class room. We believe he has a tremendous future. Generally, it is quite challenging for freshmen to compete in the Sooner Athletic Conference, but we feel that he has an excellence chance to make an impact. We're looking forward to watching him develop, and we're confident that he will be a fantastic teammate and excellent representative of our program."

Pringle, a 6-foot-3 wing, helped lead Smiths Station High School to a 19-9 record last season; Pringle was a multi-sport athlete in high school and is an extremely gifted athlete. During his senior campaign, he averaged 16.4 points per game, 8.4 rebounds per game and was named first team all Bi-City and first team by Opelika-Auburn News.

"Stevie really impressed us, both with his ability to defend multiple positions and outrebound bigger players," Holt said. "We like him because he's a winner and brings an unselfish attitude, and we think he will really add to our team's culture, competitiveness, and toughness. Stevie really understands how to win, and he plays the game the right way. We are looking forward to watching Stevie grow as a person, and as a player here at Langston. He's a tremendous young man, excellent student, and we are very fortunate to have him."

Guidry III and Pringle are the third and fourth additions to the 2018-19 Langston squad, joining incoming transfer guard Malik Young and transfer forward Edmond Franklin.

LANGSTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

HBCU PLAY Ep 5 - 2018 football season underway

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Episode 5 = It's on like popcorn! 2018 football season officially underwy! Defending MEAC and Celebration Bowl Champions North Carolina A&T win BIG over Division I-FCS power Jacksonville State - pulling off one of the most significant wins in school history and in HBCU football history. Prairie View drops a heartbreaker to Rice on last play of the game. Hampton University AD Eugene Marshall says the move out of the MEAC is NOT risky it's growth.

WAOKAM: ON-DEMAND 

JSU Hughes hopes for successful 'homecoming' against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg

JACKSON, Mississippi -- But for Jackson State coach Tony Hughes, this weekend will be a bit of a homecoming.

Hughes played defensive back at Southern Miss in 1977 and 1978 and earned his undergrad there. He met his wife Marion there. He came back and worked as an assistant there during the Larry Fedora regime, which propelled him to his run in the SEC as an ace recruiter.

Hughes said Monday he'll have to put those emotions aside and treat Saturday's game like a business trip.

His return to M.M. Roberts Stadium comes at a crucial time. The Tigers finished 3-8 in each of his first two seasons and 2018 is a contract year under a brand new athletic director.

The cards are stacked against JSU, as they are for any FCS team punching above its weight class against an FBS opponent. But the Tigers aren't starting the season with a flight to UNLV or a seven hour bus ride to face an elite TCU team. This is a quick trip down Hwy. 49.

It'll be a hostile environment, but the Tigers ought to be used to ignoring the noise by now. They've been picked to finish third in the SWAC's East, a division they expect to compete for this year, and there were no Tigers on the league's preseason all-conference teams.

CONTINUE READING

Former Grambling QB earns another chance, signs with CFL team

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- DeVante Kincade's career has been full of twists and turns. His football path has now taken him due north.

The former Grambling State star quarterback signed a deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League Saturday morning.

Hamilton brought Kincade up for a tryout on July 29, less than a week after trading Johnny Manziel to the Montreal Alouettes.

"I was pretty accurate and flying around," Kincade told the News-Star of his tryout performance with the Tiger-Cats. "It was crazy, I was accurate all day, I didn't miss but maybe a couple of passes."

His football journey crosses paths once again with current Hamilton head coach June Jones, the former SMU head coach who offered Kincade, then a four-star quarterback from Skyline (Dallas) High School, a scholarship.

"It's a small world, for real. He recruited me in high school. It's perfect -- God's timing," Kincade said. "It was crazy when I saw him on the field."

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Spartans Open 2018 Against Familiar Foe, VSU, in Union Bank & Trust Labor Day Classic

NORFOLK, Virginia --  Norfolk State opens the 2018 season against a familiar opponent, hosting the Trojans of Virginia State in the Union Bank & Trust Labor Day Classic. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Saturday at William "Dick" Price Stadium.

MEDIA COVERAGE
• Live Video: ESPN 3
• Radio: WNSB 91.1 FM (5:30 p.m. pre-game): Play-by-Play – Ross Gordon/Color – Glen Mason 
• Live Stats: www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/football
• Twitter Updates: @NSUSpartans / @NSU_FB
 
SERIES INFORMATION
• Record: VSU leads 27-20-1 (3 NSU wins vacated)
• Last Meeting: 9-2-17 (VSU 14, NSU 10)
• First Meeting: 11-9-63 (VSU 13, NSU 7)
 
OPENING KICKOFF
• The Spartans open the 2018 season on Saturday with another installment of the Labor Day Classic against former CIAA rival Virginia State.
• This marks the 52nd all-time meeting between the two schools. Last season was the teams' first meeting since 2012 and VSU's first win in the series since 2005.
• Today's game also marks NSU's first home game on its new playing surface. R.A.D. Sports installed a state-of-the-art synthetic turf surface, produced by Shaw Sports, over the summer.
 
LAST MEETING
• VSU earned a hard-fought 14-10 win over NSU in the 51st meeting between the teams' in the 2017 Labor Day Classic on Sept. 2. 
• The Trojans held NSU to 214 yards of offense. NSU scored 10 first-half points on a Josh Nardone 28-yard field goal and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdowns by Nigel Chavis.
• The Trojans scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard TD run by quarterback Cordelral Cook in the third quarter, and kept NSU at bay the remainder of the game.
• Trenton Cannon rushed for 145 yards on 26 carries, while Cook scored two rushing touchdowns to lead VSU. Cannon was picked in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
• Marcus Taylor made seven receptions for 84 yards for the Spartans, while Juwan Carter and Tripp Harrington, two true freshmen, took all the snaps at QB.
 
HOME OPENERS
• NSU is 13-8 all-time in home openers at William "Dick" Price Stadium.
• Last season's win by Virginia State was head coach Latrell Scott's first loss in a home opener, after wins over Hampton (2015) and Elizabeth City State (2016) in his first two seasons at the helm of the program.
 
NSU BY THE NUMBERS
0 - Number of starting offensive linemen lost from 2017. All seven linemen who started games for NSU last year are back.
7 - Number of non-offensive touchdowns the Spartans scored last year, including six defensive touchdowns, which tied for the most in the FCS.
8 - Number of All-MEAC preseason selections for NSU, including Marcus Taylor, who was picked to the first team at kick returner and second team at receiver.
17 - Number of NSU's returning starters, including nine on offense, six on defense and two special teams.
55 - Number of freshmen and sophomores (including redshirts) who played for NSU in 2017.
80 - NSU is beginning its 80th season of intercollegiate football competition.
 
A WIN OVER VSU WOULD...
A win by the Spartans this week over the Trojans would...
• Be NSU's first non-conference win since knocking off Elizabeth City State 20-12 to open 2016.
• Be the Spartans' first home win since beating Florida A&M 35-28 on Oct. 7, 2017. NSU has lost three straight home games, with three of its four wins last season coming on the road.
• Be the first for NSU head coach Latrell Scott over a program he used to coach. Scott was the VSU head coach in 2013 and 2014.
 
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Norfolk State College used to be a part of the Virginia State University system. NSC teams were known as "Little State" and "Baby Trojans" and even wore blue and orange like VSU's teams. The Norfolk Division (now NSU) achieved its independence in 1969. In Greek mythology, the Spartans were a warlike people who were enemies of the Trojans, leading NSU to adopt its current nickname.

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All NSU Football Games To Stream on ESPN Platforms in 2018

NSU SPARTANS ATHLETICS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Thanks to a multi-year agreement between the MEAC and ESPN announced Friday, the Norfolk State football team will have its entire schedule of games streamed live on either ESPN3 or ESPN+ for the first time in program history this year.

The Spartans' game against Virginia State Saturday will be one of the first two MEAC games to be featured this season on ESPN3 as pa  rt of the new agreement. NSU and Virginia State will kick off at 6:05 p.m. Saturday in the Union Bank & Trust Labor Day Classic at William "Dick" Price Stadium. Florida A&M will also broadcast its game Saturday on the network.

All eight of NSU's games against MEAC opponents, in addition to the home game on Sept. 8 against FCS power James Madison, will be streamed on either ESPN3 or ESPN+, the network's new subscription-based service. The exact streaming service will be announced on a week-to-week basis. Spartan home games will include the NSU Sports Network commentary of play-by-play voice Ross Gordon and color commentator Glen Mason.

Liberty University announced earlier this week that its game against NSU on Sept. 15 will also be broadcast on ESPN3.

"I am elated to utilize ESPN3 and ESPN+ in continuing to grow the MEAC's relationship with ESPN," said MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. "Both ESPN3 and ESPN+ are innovative digital platforms upon which we can better serve our member institutions and our fans, while also expanding our reach both from a conference perspective and at the institutional level. This is an exciting time for college sports, with the expansion of digital content, and I am pleased that the MEAC is on the forefront with ESPN3 and ESPN+."

"This agreement reflects another significant step in our relationship with the MEAC and for the opportunity to continue to enhance our already robust ESPN3 and ESPN+ offerings with quality HBCU competition," said Burke Magnus, ESPN executive vice president of programming and scheduling.

ESPN3 is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices through the ESPN app. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider.

Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ on ESPN.com or through the ESPN App for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year).

The agreement adds additional exposure to the MEAC, which has collaborated with ESPN since 2005. The ESPN+ football contests add to an already impressive lineup as the ESPN networks carry multiple men's basketball, baseball and softball regular-season contests. The men's and women's basketball tournament championship, volleyball and bowling finals are also televised on ESPNU.

The MEAC also has two weekends, Nov. 3 and 17, where it can move a "wildcard" conference game that impacts the league championship race to ESPNU television.

ABOUT ESPN3
ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of live events annually. It is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected-TV devices through the ESPN App. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It is also available at no cost to U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military broadband and W-Fi networks.

ABOUT ESPN+
ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company's Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN's linear TV or digital networks. Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredevise and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN's award-winning 30 for 30 films. Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.

ESPN+ is an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans -- delivering a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN's incredible content around each fan's individual tastes. ESPN+ is also be available through ESPN.com.

NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

MEAC, ESPN Announce Agreement to Stream Football Games on ESPN3 and ESPN+

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and ESPN have announced a multi-year agreement to stream the conference's football contests on ESPN3 and ESPN+, the new multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company Direct-to-Consumer & International segment and ESPN.
 
The agreement is effective immediately as two games are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1, with Norfolk State and Florida A&M streaming on ESPN3. A total of 35 MEAC football contests will be available on ESPN3 and ESPN+ this season in addition to 10 televised contests on either ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU.
 
“I am elated to utilize ESPN3 and ESPN+ in continuing to grow the MEAC’s relationship with ESPN,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. “Both ESPN3 and ESPN+ are innovative digital platforms upon which we can better serve our member institutions and our fans, while also expanding our reach both from a conference perspective and at the institutional level. This is an exciting time for college sports, with the expansion of digital content, and I am pleased that the MEAC is on the forefront with ESPN3 and ESPN+.”
 
“This agreement reflects another significant step in our relationship with the MEAC and for the opportunity to continue to enhance our already robust ESPN3 and ESPN+ offerings with quality HBCU competition,” said Burke Magnus, ESPN executive vice president of programming and scheduling.
 
ESPN3 is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices through the ESPN app. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. 
 
Fans can subscribe to ESPN+ on ESPN.com or through the ESPN App for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year).
 
The agreement adds additional exposure to the MEAC, which has collaborated with ESPN since 2005. The ESPN+ football contests add- to an already impressive lineup as the ESPN networks carry multiple men's basketball, baseball and softball regular-season contests. The men's and women's basketball tournament championship, volleyball and bowling finals are also televised on ESPNU.
 
ABOUT THE MID-EASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) begins its 48th year of intercollegiate competition heading into the 2018-19 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of 12 outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Bethune-Cookman University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Savannah State University and South Carolina State University.
 
ABOUT ESPN3
ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of live events annually. It is accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected-TV devices through the ESPN App. The network is currently available nationwide at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It is also available at no cost to U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers, smartphones and tablets connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military broadband and W-Fi networks. 

ABOUT ESPN+
ESPN+ is the premium multi-sport, direct-to-consumer video service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer and International (DTCI) segment and ESPN. It offers fans thousands of additional live events, on-demand content and original programming not available on ESPN’s linear TV or digital networks. Programming on ESPN+ includes hundreds of MLB and NHL, thousands of college sports events (including football, basketball and multiple other sports from more than 15 conferences), domestic and international soccer (Serie A, MLS, FA Cup, UEFA Nations League, EFL Championship, EFL Carabao Cup, Eredevise and more), exclusive Top Rank boxing, UFC (beginning in 2019), Grand Slam tennis, international and domestic rugby and cricket, new and exclusive documentary films and series, acclaimed studio shows and the full library of ESPN’s award-winning 30 for 30 films.Fans subscribe to ESPN+ for just $4.99 a month (or $49.99 per year) and cancel at any time.
 
ESPN+ is an integrated part of the ESPN App, the leading sports app and the premier all-in-one digital sports platform for fans -- delivering a rich, personalized experience that curates all of ESPN’s incredible content around COMfan’s individual tastes. ESPN+ is also be available through ESPN.com.

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

ECSU Vikings Host “Smoke on the River”

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina – Excitement lurks over the Elizabeth City State University football team as the Jones Era begins Saturday afternoon in Roebuck Stadium, hosting Central State University (OH) for its season opener and 1st Annual Smoke on the River First Responders Appreciation game day.

Game time is slated for 1 p.m. and can be followed via live stats at https://ecsuvikings.com/sidearmstats/football/summary and can be heard live hear http://www.ecsu.edu/about/communications-and-marketing/radio-and-tv-service/listen-live.html

Anthony Jones was hired back in the spring 2018 as head coach of the Vikings and has been going in full throttle every day since; awaiting opening weekend.

"We're excited about our first game. It's going to be our first opportunity to compete against someone," stated Jones. "We're just hoping that our community will come out to support us. The guys have worked extremely hard for us throughout camp. We're just hoping that the guys play well, with this being a new experience for them, being under my leadership. We're excited about facing Central State on Saturday and again, hope that the community comes out to support."

Last season, ECSU came out victorious with the 34-23 victory after a rough first half in McPherson Memorial Stadium. The Vikings rushed for over 141 yards on 19 carries and passed for over 260 yards, netting 406 yards of total offense for the game.

Junior running back Gregory Bryan led the charge with over 100 yards on four carries; while defensively, defensive back Brian Harrington hauled in a career-high three interceptions. Receiver Deon Yarborough tallied six catches for 78 yards.

Chick-Fil-A of Elizabeth City is a proud community partner/sponsor of Elizabeth City State University Athletics. On ALL home game days, Chick-Fil-A of EC will host "Mobile App Spirit Night", right after the game for 2 hours, from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Place an order on the Chick-Fil-A Mobile App and post #VIKINGPRIDE in the Special Instructions section https://one.chick-fil-a.com/ . This is a fundraiser for ECSU Department of Athletics after EVERY home game.

Follow Elizabeth City State Athletics via its official website at: www.ecsuvikings.com to get pre and post-game stories and updates. Like us on Facebook at: ECSU Athletics and follow us on twitter at: @ECSUVikings

HBCU Judgment Day Schedule - Labor Day Weekend

Saturday, September 1

Southern at TCS, 12 pm,
Alcorn State at Georgia Tech, 1 2:30 pm, ACC Network, ESPN
Kentucky State at Slippery Rock, 1 pm
Saint Augustine's at Jacksonville, 1 pm, ESPN3
Central State at Elizabeth City State, 1 pm
Howard at Ohio, 2 pm, ESPN+
Columbus State at Allen, 3 pm
Lincoln (MO) at Lane, 5 pm
Fort Valley State at Florida A&M, 5 pm ESPN3
Delaware State at Buffalo, 6 pm, ESPN3
North Carolina A&T at East Carolina 6 pm, ESPN3
South Carolina State at Georgia Southern, ESPN+
UNC Pembroke at Winston-Salem State, 6 pm
Shaw at Hampton, 6 pm
Florida Tech at Benedict, 6 pm
Virginia State at Norfolk State, 6 pm ESPN3
Tuskegee at Alabama State, 6 pm
Grambling State at Louisiana, 7 pm, ESPN3
Jackson State at Southern Mississippi, 7 pm, ESPN+
Bethune-Cookman at Tennessee State, 7 pm, ESPN+
Towson at Morgan State, 7 pm ESPN3
Morehouse at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 7 pm
Albany State at Valdosta, 7 pm
Miles at Alabama A&M, 7 pm
Fayetteville State at Lincoln (PA) 7 pm
Texas Permian Basin at Texas Southern, 8 pm

Sunday, September 2

North Carolina Central vs. Prairie View A&M, 12 pm, ATLANTA, ESPN2

Nuggets split 2 matches before a record home crowd

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana defeated Point 25-14, 25-27, 25-18, 26-28, 15-10 Friday, then lost 25-22, 25-21, 25-22 to Mobile in the Big Easy Blastoff volleyball tournament.
     
A crowd of 523 — largest ever for volleyball at XULA's Convocation Center — watched all five teams finish the day 1-1. The two-day tournament will conclude Saturday, including XULA matches against Martin Methodist at 3 p.m. and Webber International at 7 p.m.
     
Vivica Price-Spraggins hit .538 and had career highs of 16 kills and eight blocks against Point. Marine Angely had 16 kills, a career high, and nine digs. Kayla Black had 15 kills and a season-high 16 digs.
     
Black had 14 kills against Mobile, and Angely had 12 kills and 11 digs.
     
"Both Point and Mobile pushed us to compete," XULA coach Pat Kendrick said. "With this early competition, we're trying to discover who we are."
     
Price-Spraggins hit .511 for the day — 25 kills and two errors in 45 attacks — and is hitting ,441 for the season.
     
"Viv has been consistent," Kendrick said. "If we can get her the ball, she can do good things with it."
     
Black had five kills and Angely three in the fifth set against Point and gave the Gold Nuggets their first five-set home victory in six years.

BOX SCORE 1   
BOX SCORE 2
     
Mirella Gatterdam had 12 kills and four acaes against XULA. The Gold Nuggets have dropped eight straight to the Lady Rams since beating them 2-of-3 times in 2013. XULA will get another shot at Mobile in the Lady Rams' tournament next week.
     
The previous Convocation Center attendance record for volleyball was 511 for a XULA-Dillard match in 2015. This is XULA's sixth season in the $25 million facility.
     
Also Friday, Point defeated Martin Methodist 21-25, 25-18, 25-17, 25-17, Webber International beat Mobile 25-21, 25-21, 25-21, and Martin Methodist defeated Webber International 25-19, 25-20, 25-10.

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