TSU Football Cruises Past Bethune-Cookman, 34-3, in the John Merritt Classic

PHOTO GALLERY

Game 1: Tennessee State 34, Bethune-Cookman 3
Event: The 20th Annual John Merrit Classic
Records: TSU (1-0), B-CU (0-1)
Venue: Nissan Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Weather: Mostly Clear, 82
Kickoff Time: 6:24 p.m.
Attendance: 14,069

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Powered by 525 yards to total offense and an impressive defensive performance, the Tennessee State football team earned a 34-3 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Friday night at Nissan Stadium in the 20th annual John Merritt Classic.

Chris Rowland, who was voted offensive MVP, finished with 154 yards on seven receptions. He added 64 yards on four punt returns and one rush for eight yards for 226 all purpose yards. 

 Micheal Hughes and DeMarco Corbin had rushing touchdowns, while DeVon Johnson had a touchdtown catch. 

DaJour Nesbeth added the exclamation mark with a 39-yard interception return for a touchdown with just over five minutes to play in the game for a 34-3 lead. LaQuarius Cook picked up an interception earlier in the game for the defense. Blair Edwards won defensive MVP after registering seven tackles, one sack and one pass breakup. 

Freshman kicker Antonio Zita hit two field goals on the night in his collegiate debut.

TSU is back in action on Sept. 8 in Memphis for the Southern Heritage Classic versus Jackson State.

NOTES

• First-time starters for Tennessee State included Demry Croft, Anthony Geter, Raekwon Allen, Mekhi Brown, Christion Abercrombie, Dante’ Ferguson Jr., Te'kendrick Roberson and Nick Harper Jr.
• Captains for TSU were Micheal Hughes, Demry Croft, Thomas Burton, Dell Porter and LaQuarius Cook.
• TSU won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
• Tennessee State is now 8-2 in the all-time series versus Bethune-Cookman.
• TSU improves to 13-6 all-time in the John Merritt Classic.
• Rod Reed is 21-4 in his TSU head coaching career versus HBCUs.
• Reed secured his 50th career win as TSU's head coach. 
• The last time TSU had 200-plus yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground was in the 2017 season opener at Georgia State.
• TSU’s 525 yards of total offense are the most for the program since posting 577 on Nov. 22, 2014 at Murray State.

 QUOTES

Quarterback Micheal Hughes
(on being 1-0)
“It’s very important. That’s how you want to start the season off. I’m very excited. A lot of guys put in a lot of hard work for this moment. It’s very exciting to start the season off 1-0.”

(on chemistry with Chris Rowland)“Chris and I worked all summer together. He’s a hard-working guys, and he gets open when he needs to, so he did a good job.”

(on putting up 525 yards of total offense)
“That says we’re explosive. We’re in no huddle this year, so it gives us more opportunities - more snaps. It wasn’t a surprise for me. It’s great.”

Linebacker James Green(on the success of the defense)“Tonight’s success on the defensive side was great. Even though they had too many yards for us to be comfortable, we played a good game. We’re going to continue to get better.”

(on the mentality on third down)
“Put a foot on their neck. We weren’t going to let them come back. We were going to continue to play defense and be great. That’s how we’re going to play. We have to have some juice.”

(on the play of the newcomers)“We set the tempo for the season, and we’re going to keep getting better week-by-week. We’re one defense. We’re going to continue helping each other.” 

Safety LaQuarius Cook(on winning the opening game)“That’s big. We came out and played strong. First game so guys had to get the jitters out. We’ve got a lot of stuff we can learn from, but it’s good to get the win.”

(on winning the John Merritt Classic as a senior)“It means a lot. I haven’t lost a John Merritt Classic since I’ve been here. I’m proud to say that.”

(on the strong play of the defense)
“That’s Coach (Garry) Fischer and the guys believing in what we do. We still have work to do. It was alright, but we’re trying to be number one in the nation, so we have work to do.” 

Offensive Lineman Anthony Geter
(on the play of the offensive line)
“I think the offensive line did a great job of pass protecting and run blocking. We’re just doing what Coach E taught us all year. All camp, really, just dominate up front.”

(on switching quarterbacks)
“Sometimes we had issues with getting calls off and getting set, but it’s really no big deal. Both of them played well.”

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Virginia Union Panthers Football Opens with Overtime Win

ICHMOND, Virgina -- It was a win 22 years in the making.

"I remember that game, said VUU Head Coach Dr. Alvin Parker.  "I played in that game (an 18-12 win over Fayetteville State University).  It was Homecoming."

Since then, Virginia Union had lost every overtime game it had played in since 1996. The Panthers ended those struggles as they got four touchdowns from former Hopewell standout Tabyus Taylor, including the game-winner, and defeated Seton Hill, 34-28, in their season opener Saturday at home.


Down by a touchdown with under four minutes to play, the Panthers portrayed resiliency that has been missing in previous seasons, as quarterback Darius Taylor found running back Tabyus Taylor for a 13-yard touchdown reception that tied the game at 28.

Virginia Union was impressive closing out the game. The Panthers were stout on defense in overtime, not even allowing a field goal attempt by the Griffins. Defensive back Tovias Parker came up with his second interception of the day, and he was one broken tackle away from taking it all the way to the end zone.

The Panthers answered on offense in just three plays, scoring on a 2-yard run by Tabyus Taylor to clinch the overtime victory.

"Our mental toughness is way better than it was last year," Parker said. "We are stronger as a team, and we feel like we know what it takes to get the job done."

The Panthers jumped out to a quick start, scoring on their first drive on a 69-yard connection from Darius Taylor to Olu Izegwire. The Griffons answered with a long-distance pass from John Makell IV to Ardell Brown, who finished the game with six catches for 164 yards and three TDs.

The game appeared to be in the early stages of a shootout as both teams easily scored on their following drives. However, after a promising start, the second quarter brought offensive struggles and mental mistakes for the Panthers. Tabyus Taylor scored a touchdown on a 3-yard run for the Panthers with 2 minutes remaining in the half, but those were the last points they scored until Taylor's tying TD with 3:26 left in the fourth quarter.

"Anytime you're dealing with 18- or 19-year-olds, you're going to have ups and downs," first-year Union coach Alvin Parker said. "We played well, but we had a few careless penalties that I wasn't really happy with."

Virginia Union totaled five penalties for 56 yards compared to Seton Hill's two for 12 yards. A costly unnecessary-roughness penalty in the second quarter put Seton Hill in scoring position inside the 5-yard line. A pair of offensive holding penalties deflated drives. Darius Taylor was called for intentional grounding inside of the 15-yard line, resulting in a safety.

Despite the mistakes, Tabyus Taylor remained a constant for the Panthers. The junior running back finished with 176 rushing yards on 25 carries.

"Only thing going through my mind out there was to score," Taylor said. "Coach told me I'd get a lot of reps, and it would be up to me what I did with them. The sky is the limit this season."

BOX SCORE

Coach Parker is optimistic about the direction of the Panthers.

"If we can eliminate some of the penalties and errors, we are going to put ourselves in position to be a very good ballclub this season."

VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY PANTHERS SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Gray turns the lights out on Tuskegee with overtime run

MONTGOMERY, Alabama --  Alabama State ended a six-year drought when Ezra Gray took a handoff and outran everyone down the left side line to give Alabama State a 26-20 overtime victory over rival Tuskegee in front of 26,222 Saturday night.

The Hornets, who trailed most of the game, sent the game into overtime when Darryl Pearson, Jr. scored on a quarterback keeper with 5:09 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 20-all. Alabama State (1-0) stymied the Tuskegee offense and forced a punt, before running out the clock to force overtime.

Tuskegee (0-1) picked up a first down on their first play from scrimmage, before committing three consecutive penalties pushing the ball back to the Alabama State 43-yard line. After a 17-yard run by quarterback Jamarcus Ezell, the Golden Tigers lined up for a 43-yard field goal attempt. The attempt was blocked by Christian Clark, giving the Hornets the ball for their possession in overtime.



Alabama State wasted little time getting into the end zone, as Gray took the hand off from Pearson and outran three defenders down the sideline for the score. The score sent students and alumni alike over the barriers over the field as the Hornets claimed a win over Tuskegee for the first time since 2011.

The Golden Tigers scored on the first possession of the game when Justice Owens went up the middle from 13 yards out for a 7-0 lead with 12:14 remaining in the opening quarter. After Alabama State marched down the field, the drive stalled and Tuskegee again moved the ball against the Hornet defense – getting the ball down to the one-inch line. However, the Hornet defense stood their ground, and blocked the first of two field goals on the night to keep the deficit at one possession.

Alabama State got on the board for the first time this season with a 68-yard catch and run by Tyrek Allento tie the game at 7-all, before Tuskegee answered with a 35-yard run from Kenny Gant for a 13-7 lead after the extra point was missed.


 
The Hornets got on the board one more time with a 20-yard field from Hunter Hanson with 6:16 remaining in the half, before they tied the game at 13-all with a 25-yard field goal from Hanson.
 
Alabama State won for the first time in six years in the season opener, with the last coming against Mississippi Valley State in 2011 – a 41-9 victory. The win also was the first against Tuskegee since the same season, a season in which the Hornets finished 8-3.
 
The Hornets return to action Saturday at ninth-ranked Auburn, in game that can be seen on the SEC Network Alternate Channel and heard on the Hornet Sports Network. Kick is set for 6:30 pm next weekend.

BOX SCORE
 
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For complete coverage of Alabama State University football, follow us on social media at @BamaStateFB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook), and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State University athletics at BamaStateSports.com.

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ECSU Cruises Past Central State (OH) in Season Opener

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina -- The first play of Elizabeth City State University Head Coach Anthony Jones tenure was one he'll never forget.  But the Vikings had to buckle down to subdue Central State in a lightning-shortened season-opening, 19-10, in Roebuck Stadium.

GREAT WAY TO START THE SEASON

The Vikings scored on the first play of the season when sophomore defensive back Taeyonn Reynolds stripped the ball from the grasp of Marauder freshman running back Brandon Stevenson at the 35 yard line on the kickoff and raced untouched down the left sideline to put ECSU on the board just 13 seconds into Jones' tenure.  It was a lead that the Vikings (1-0) would not relinquish.

Junior running back Gregory Bryan continued his 2-year dominance of Central.  After rushing for 104 yards and a touchdown in Ohio last fall, he piled up 115 yards on nine totes, highlighted by a decisive 71-yard scoring  on a third-and-10 play to push the Vikings lead to 19-10.  Bryant raced untouched through a gaping hole in the left side of the line, dodged one would-be Central State defender and out-ran secondary to the left side of the end-zone.

Before they could celebrate, the Viking faithful had to sit out a series of lightning delays which stopped the clock with 12:27 remaining until the game was called two hours and 50 minutes later. Prior to the halting of play for lightning, the Viking defense was stifling.  Led by senior linebacker Miacah Cooper with nine tackles (6 solos, 3 assists) including a sack and three tackles for loss, ECSU yielded just 71 yards rushing and 118 passing before Mother Nature interrupted.

"My guys did a great job. I told them that I'm very, very proud of them," Jones said after the contest was called by officials.  "A lot of people don't understand, I got here too late for spring ball, so we didn't have spring ball.  And the first time that I saw most of these guys practice was August 8."

Did the new head coach enjoy the win?

"I know he did.  The smile on his face tells it all," said Cooper.

"We exceeded our expectations," an excited Cooper said about his defensive unit following the game.  "We made big plays, we forced turnovers and flew around the ball.

"It's all about winning, getting the winning environment back here."

It was a defensive struggle until a string of three touchdowns on three consecutive possessions  by the teams preceded the stoppage in play. A 20-yard scoring pass and run from rookie quarterback Kedrick Patterson to freshman wide receiver Jaquarious Bellamy into the right flat was punctuated by a crisp downfield block by junior wide receiver Charles Davis, staking the Vikings to a 10-point edge with 2:48 left in the third period.

After limiting Central to just 45 yards of offense during the third period, the Viking defense was breached when the Marauders marched 71 yards on 10 plays capped by a 21-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Trent Mays to sophomore wide receiver Darius Ford 25 seconds into the final quarter.  That drive trimmed the home lead to just three points because of two missed extra-point kicks by ECSU. But Bryan's touchdown gallop put ECSU back in control and took the wind away from Central (0-1).

The Viking defense, led by Cooper and junior linebacker Vincent Thomas, helped ECSU carry a 7-3 lead into halftime by allowing just 103 total yards and a field goal.  Sophomore defensive back Greg Williams' 27-yard interception return with four minutes left in the opening period and strong stand to limit the Pirates to three points after a first-and-goal to begin the second period spelled the difference.

Thomas and junior linebacker Shawn Bridges dropped Central junior running back Blake McEwen for a 2-yard loss on second down before junior defensive back Jaelan Williams broke up a pass in the end-zone on third down to make the visitors settle for 28-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Trevor Teel with 12:14 left in the half.

Central would not pass its own 41 for the rest of the period.

Senior runningback Chase Byrum added 54 yards rushing  to help the Vikings finished with 166 yards on the ground.  Patterson completed 13 of 27 passes without an interception for 168 yards.  Senior wide receiver Deon Yarborough had game highs of five catches for 82 yards.  Bellamy and junior wide receiver Brandon Joyner pulled in three passes apiece.

Mays connected on 12 of 18 passes for 118 yards while junior runningback Terraris Saffold paced the Marauders' running attack with 49 yards on 17 carries.

The Viking win evened the series against Central at 2-2-1.

ECSU is at UNC Pembroke next Saturday at 6 p.m. for another non-conference contest.

ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

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.

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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
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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.”

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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.

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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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