Dow Chemical Company Contributes to New Astro Turf Field at Florida A&M University, Bragg Memorial Stadium

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- When Florida A&M University kicked off their season against Fort Valley State on September 1 (and won), there was something very different about Bragg Memorial Stadium. After 60 years of playing on natural grass, the Rattlers are now competing on a premium artificial turf system made possible by many great partners and supporters of the university.

One such great partner is The Dow Chemical Company, who has generously provided a $20,000 sponsorship toward the purchase of the new AstroTurf playing surface. This sponsorship is another great opportunity that arose through Dow’s relationship with and continued support of FAMU.

“At Dow, we are honored to grant this sponsorship to FAMU, an institution that strives for excellence each and every day through academics and athletics,” said Eunice Heath, global director for Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability at Dow Consumer Solutions, and Executive Sponsor for FAMU. “Dow is a leader in innovating, enhancing and enabling world-class sports solutions that harness the power of science and technology to help improve performance, aesthetics, safety, sustainability and so many other aspects of the game. We’re thrilled to contribute to the improvement of Bragg Memorial Stadium and the Rattler athletic program.”


WATCH IN FULL SCREEN

The field itself is an AstroTurf RootZone 3D3 Blend synthetic turf system and features the RootZone, a sub-layer of crimped fibers that stabilizes the infill and increases shock absorbency and predictability for players. With cutting edge technology and a dense product design, the Rattlers’ field is a top-of-the-line selection that is stronger, safer, better and more resilient.

“We’re committed to bringing top-notch facilities here at FAMU and I think this is the first step in a long line of upgrades to our beloved Bragg Stadium that will show the students, alumni, fans, and prospective student-athletes that we want to compete on a national level and we are working to have the facilities to back it up,” said FAMU Head Coach Willie Simmons.

Photo Gerald Tookes Aerial Productions LLC

About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The brand offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit AstroTurf’s website at www.astroturf.com.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Norfolk State Spartan Bowling Announces 2018-19 Schedule

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Norfolk State bowling program revealed its 2018-19 schedule on Tuesday, which will see the Spartans start and finish their season at home.

NSU will compete in eight tournaments altogether, including the MEAC Championship in late March again at the AMF Lanes in Chesapeake. New this year, the Spartans will no longer compete in the usual three Southern Divisionals. Instead, the conference will now hold two meets that will encompass all of the teams in the league, which will no longer use divisions.



2018-19 NSU Bowling Schedule

The Spartan program's annual Hampton Roads Invitational will occur Oct. 20-21 at the AMF Lanes in Chesapeake and will kick off the season for Norfolk State. It will mark the eighth time in nine years the Spartans have hosted the event at the AMF Lanes in Chesapeake, located off Battlefield Blvd.

That will be followed by two meets in November, the Virginia Union Invitational from Nov. 2-4 and the first MEAC meet from Nov. 10-11. Delaware State will host that first conference meet of the year in Dover.

2018-19 NSU Bowling Schedule

Then after the turn of the calendar, the Spartans travel North to take part in the Kutztown Invitational from Jan. 18-20. A little less than a month later, they will compete in Morgan State's annual James Brown Invitational from Feb. 15-17. That will be followed by the second MEAC meet from Feb. 23-24 and hosted by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro.

The last tournament of the regular season falls on March 1-3 in New Jersey when Monmouth welcomes teams to the Hawk Flight Classic. This year's MEAC Championship is set for March 29-31 in Chesapeake, the seventh straight year it has been at that location.

 By: Mike Bello, Asst. SID
NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Showdown in Mobile - Gulf Coast Challenge Tickets on Sale

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Tickets for the inaugural Gulf Coast Challenge football game between the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and Southern Jaguars at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Moblie, Ala. on Sept. 22 are on sale now.

Bulldog fans can be purchase tickets by stopping at the ticket office located at Louis Crews Stadium or by calling the ticket office at 256-372-4700. Tickets cannot be mailed.

Ticket prices:

 Gulf Coast Classic

·         40 yard line- $35

·         30 yard line - $25

·         General admission (end zone)- $15

No refunds and no exchanges on all ticket purchases.

For more information on the Gulf Coast Challenge, please visit the official website, www.thegulfcoastchallenge.com.

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Men's Basketball Releases 2018-19 Schedule

HOUSTON,Texas -- The Texas Southern Tigers Basketball team released their full 2018-19 schedule highlighted by 13 non-conference games and a total of 18 Southwestern Athletic Conference matchups.

Nearly half of the Tigers upcoming non-conference opponents qualified for postseason play at the conclusion of the regular season last year (6).

2018-19 TSU Basketball Schedule

@TXSOTigers Men’s Basketball Head Coach @CoachJohnnyJ12 previews @TSUMensHoops upcoming 2018-19 schedule #TigerNation pic.twitter.com/kdCJJPAjvD

— TSU Athletics (@TXSOTigers) September 15, 2018

Texas Southern will open the 2018-19 campaign on Nov. 6 when they travel to face the Baylor Bears.

TSU will then embark on a five-game road swing that will feature matchups at Gonzaga (Nov. 10), Iowa State (Nov. 12), San Diego State (Nov. 14), Evansville (Nov. 18), and Oregon (Nov. 26).

The Tigers will host their home opener against Huston-Tillotson on Nov. 29 at the HPE Arena.

Following that contest Texas Southern will travel to face Arizona State (Dec. 1) and Georgia (Dec. 3) before returning home to host Concordia (Dec. 8).

TSU will close out the non-conference portion of the schedule with road outings versus Tulane (Dec. 17), Lamar (Dec. 19), and Texas A&M (Dec. 29).

Texas Southern will open league play with three consecutive road matchups versus Alcorn State (Jan. 5), Southern (Jan. 7) and Prairie View A&M (Jan. 12).

The Tigers will host their first set of conference home games at the HPE Arena versus Grambling State (Jan. 19) and Jackson State (Jan. 21).

Other key dates to remember
Texas Southern will host rival Prairie View A&M at the HPE Arena on Feb. 9.

The Tigers final two home games of the season are slated for Mar. 7 and Mar. 9 versus Alcorn State and Southern respectively. TSU's game versus Southern will also be Senior Day for the Men's Basketball program.

For a complete listing of the Texas Southern Tigers 2018-19 schedule please click the link below.

2018-19 TSU Basketball Schedule

Follow Texas Southern Athletics
For complete coverage of Texas Southern Athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @TXSOTigers (Twitter), Texas Southern University Athletics (Facebook), @TXSOTigers (Instagram) or visit the official home of Texas Southern Athletics at tsusports.com.

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Tickets on Sale for (Texas) State Fair Showdown: TSU Tigers vs. SU Jaguars, Oct. 20, 2018

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Alabama A&M Football Review with " Coach Connell Maynor"

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Dr. Charles McClelland SWAC Commissioner on HBCU PLAY

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Episode 7 = New SWAC Commissioner Dr. Charles McClelland joins Lericia Harris and Sam Crenshaw to discuss the happenings in the conference.  Dr. McClelland also talks the value of HBCU’s and the cohesiveness of the conference.

Tennessee State Tigers to Honor 1998 Football Team

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State’s 1998 Ohio Valley Conference Championship football team will be honored at halftime of the Nov. 10 game versus Jacksonville State at Hale Stadium.

This season marks the 20th anniversary of TSU’s first OVC title, which resulted in an FCS playoff berth.

Posting a 9-3 overall record including a 6-1 mark in OVC games, the 1998 team was guided by OVC Coach of the Year L.C. Cole. The team’s high-powered offensive attack led by quarterback Leon Murray, the OVC Offensive Player of the Year, posted 30 or more points in eight of the 12 games.

In a season with a dominant stretch that helped the Tigers reel off eight-consecutive victories, Murray, as well as wide receiver Tyrone Butterfield and offensive tackle Bennie Anderson took home First Team All-OVC accolades on the offensive side of the ball. Linebacker Lamar Carter and defensive back Jarrick Hillery were First Team All-OVC selections for the defense.

Earning Second Team All-Conference honors was running back DeJuan Marshall, wide receiver Corey Sullivan, return specialist Avion Black and defensive back Darrell Hinton.

The Nov. 10 game versus Jacksonville State is slated for a 2 p.m. start. Tickets for the game can be purchased in the TSU Box Office or on Ticketmaster.com. Call (615) 963-ROAR for more information.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

TSU Family Mourns the Loss of Anes Koko

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- The Tennessee State University family mourns the loss of former men’s track and field student-athlete Anes Koko, who passed away at the age of 31.

Koko competed in track and field and cross country for the Flying Tigers. He was named MVP of the men’s cross country team for the 2008 season and was TSU’s top finisher at the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Cross Country Championship.

For the TSU track and field team, Koko was a middle-distance runner who specialized in the 800m and 1500m. 

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS 

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FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

North Carolina A&T Aggies Release 2018-19 Bowling Schedule

EAST GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The North Carolina A&T bowling team will play in 11 regular-season tournaments during the 2018-19 season leading up to their opportunity to defend their 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship. The Aggies are also trying to return to the NCAA Bowling Championships for the third time in four seasons.

N.C. A&T also qualified for the USBC Regional in Smyrna, Tenn., and they ended the season ranked 13th in the National Tenpin Coaches Association after earning an impressive No. 6 seed for the NCAA tournament.

The Aggies, winners of the last four MEAC Southern Division regular-season championships, will not get a chance to increase that number in 2018-19. The MEAC has eliminated divisional play while adding two new programs to the conference lineup in the University of Alabama-Birmingham and Monmouth.

The two additions will make the Aggies repeat efforts a little more difficult. UAB finished the season ranked 16th, while Monmouth was 24th.

"The design of our program is to get stronger every year," said coach third-year N.C. A&T head coach Kim Terrell-Kearney. "We brought in some talented freshmen that are anxious to show that we are capable of being one of the best teams out there."

The journey back to the NCAA tournament starts Oct. 19. From Oct. 19-21, the Aggies will compete in the Tulane Sugar Bowl Invitational in Harahan, La., at Colonial Lanes. The following weekend the Aggies travel to Fairview, Ill., to compete in the McKendree Invitational, Oct. 26-28.

The defending conference champs begin MEAC play Nov. 10-11 in Wilmington, Del., in the first conference meet hosted by Maryland Eastern Shore. The Aggies will play the likes of MDES and Delaware State with the new format. In another quick turnaround, N.C. A&T will return to Delaware to battle in the MDES Hawk Classic, Nov. 16-18 in Millsboro, Del. The Aggies start play after the holiday break at the KU Invitational hosted by Kutztown University at Heister Lanes in Reading, Pa.

Back-to-back tournaments in Texas follow with the Prairie View A&M Invitational (Feb. 1-3) in Arlington and the Stephen F. Austin Jacks Invitational (Feb. 15-17) in Dallas.

N.C. A&T will host the second MEAC meet at AMF Lanes on 910 S. Holden Road in Greensboro, Feb. 23-24. After completing conference play, the Aggies with play in the Monmouth Hawk Flight in Egg Harbor, N.J., March 1-3. The Aggies, who won A&T will attempt to qualify for the USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships at the USBC sectionals with be held on Mar. 8-10. The regular season concludes at the Vanderbilt Music City Classic in Smyrna, Tenn. on Mar. 15-17 hosted by the Vanderbilt Commodores.

The postseason starts in Chesapeake, Va., in the MEAC Championships March 29-31 at the AMF Chesapeake Lanes. The Aggies will have to wait a week before finding out if they have earned an NCAA tournament bid as the championships will take place April 11-13 in Cleveland, Ohio. The season will wrap up at the USBC Intercollegiate Individuals and Teams Championships on April 17-20 should they qualify at the sectionals.

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Kendrick gets 500th win; Nuggets stymie Dillard again

NEW ORLEANS — Pat Kendrick got her 500th career victory as a head coach, and Xavier University of Louisiana overcame a lethargic second set to post a 25-12, 24-26, 25-18, 25-14 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference volleyball decision Saturday over Dillard at the Convocation Center.
     
Kendrick is 33-7 in her second season at XULA and 500-446 in 32 seasons overall. She coached NCAA Division I George Mason from 1985-2014.
     
"A huge congratulations to coach," said XULA sophomore Kayla Black, who had 15 kills and 11 digs in her 10th double-double of the season. "She's a phenomenal coach because she pays attention to the little things. She congratulates us when we win, but she also makes sure that you're working to get better the next time you play. That's what a coach should do."
     
The Gold Nuggets (10-4, 1-0) hit a season-high .336. Jordan Johnson and Marine Angely had 11 kills apiece, Vivica Price-Spraggins had 10 kills and hit .409, and Eva Le Guillou had a career-best 54 assists. Le Guillou, Angely and Taylor Ducros served two aces apiece. Beatrice Formilan had 16 digs, and Ducros had 10.

BOX SCORE

Freshman Desire Neal had 20 kills, more than half of Dillard's total, and hit .400. Her teammates hit a collective .000. Alexis Barnett had 15 digs, Ma-Kayla Johnson served four aces, and Precious Butler served three.
   


XULA never trailed at any point in the final two sets after falling behind 23-18 in the second, then rallying for a tie at 24. But Dillard (6-10, 1-1) evened the match when Tristan Cojoe and Neal closed that set with kills.
     
"Dillard made it competitive," Kendrick said, "and we did not expect anything less."
     
However, XULA wasn't meeting expectations.
     

"Coach told us teams are going to come in here and not give up," Black said. "We have to play hard every minute, every set. We cannot play to the level of our opponents. We have to play the way we know how. We let that second set go, then we put it behind us and fought hard the rest of the way. We played as a team, and we cheered for one another."

Kendrick's reaction to reaching 500 victories? "I've had a lot of good players over the years," she said. "That's how it happened."
     
XULA will conclude a three-match home stand Monday when GCAC and city rival SUNO visits the Convocation Center at 6 p.m. The Gold Nuggets will visit Dillard Oct. 8.

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

UNLV opponent Prairie View A&M invests in football program

PVAMU PANTHER STADIUM

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- At a time when many historically black colleges and universities are struggling financially, Prairie View A&M is investing in its athletics program.

The school opened a 15,000-seat football stadium in 2016 that includes a 55,000-square-foot athletics administration building at a cost of $60 million. Prairie View’s stadium was built so that it could expand to 30,000.

“Indeed this is truly a momentous occasion for the entire Prairie View A&M University community,” university president George C. Wright said at the time of the announcement in 2014. “Alumni, students, faculty and staff wanted a state-of-the-art, first-class facility that was worthy of our beloved Panthers, and we all worked together to make the dream come to fruition.”

Boyd Gaming pledges record $5M to UNLV athletics

PVAMU ATHLETIC FACILTIES (Click on Title Below for Photo)

• Administration Building
• Bowling Center
• Cypress Lakes GC
• Panther Stadium
• Recreation Center
• Soccer Field
• Softball Field
• Tankersley Field - Baseball
• Track Stadium

PVAMU ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATION BUILDING & SOFTBALL FIELD

UNLV faced the Panthers on Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Rebels will get their own shiny new stadium in two years when they move into the Raiders’ building near the Strip. They also are building an on-campus football facility that will be completed next spring.

Prairie View has a rich football history, having won 11 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles and five Black College National Championships.

The Panthers, however, are under new leadership. Coach Eric Dooley was Grambling State’s offensive coordinator the previous four seasons, and he took over a Prairie View program that went 6-5 last season.

PVAMU STUDENT REC CENTER

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Week 3: HBCU Marching Bands Half-Time Field Shows

COURTESY:
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
MILES COLLEGE
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Early Barrage Propels Alcorn to Victory over Texas Southern

LORMAN, Mississippi -- A 27-0 halftime lead for the Alcorn State University football program was too much for Texas Southern to overcome Saturday as the Braves won 27-15 in a non-conference match at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.

The Braves (2-1) scored on their first two possessions of the game to take control early. They got it started with a 1-yard touchdown run by senior Noah Johnson, and then he connected with junior Raidarious Anderson for an 8-yard touchdown to go up 14-0.

Alcorn scored two more times in the second quarter. The scoring plays were a 1-yard rush by senior P.J. Simmons and a 28-yard pass to junior Chris Blair to lead 27-0 after a blocked extra point.

The Braves outgained TSU (1-2) 477-294 in total yards, including 166-0 in rushing.

Johnson was 22-for-33 in the air for 311 yards and two touchdown passes. He also rushed for a game-high 74 yards and a touchdown.

Simmons, the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, ended with 69 rushing yards and a touchdown. Anderson turned in a career day receiving with 168 yards and a touchdown.

BOX SCORE

On the other side of the ball, junior Javen Morrison shined with two interceptions. Senior Myshawn Smith led the team with six tackles. The Braves sacked TSU quarterback Glen Cuiellette five times.

Cuiellette was 24-for-45 throwing with two touchdowns and 292 yards. Both of his touchdown passes were to Bobby Hartzog who hauled in 103 yards.

On the opening series of the game, Johnson completed a 45-yard pass to Anderson to quickly move into TSU territory. Johnson then rushed for 12 yards, and Simmons followed with an 18-yard spurt to move into the redzone. The Braves inched their way to the goal line, and Johnson finished it off with a 1-yard dive on third down.

Alcorn's second series was more of the same as Johnson completed a 16-yard pass to Anderson and a 19-yard pass to Blair on the first two plays. A 15-yard dash by Simmons moved the Braves into scoring position, and the drive ended with an 8-yard pass to Anderson.

The Braves started with good field position at its own 48-yard line midway through the second quarter. Johnson aired it out to Anderson for a big 48-yard completion which set up first-and-goal. Simmons capped the drive with a 4-yard drive to go up 21-0 at the 5:49 mark.

Alcorn regained possession on an interception by Morrison who returned it for a touchdown, but was brought back to the Alcorn 46-yard line after a penalty. Alcorn's first play was a 26-yard pass to Anderson, which followed by a 28-yard touchdown to Blair to make it 27-0.

The Tigers tried to get back in it after scoring on their first possession of the second half. The big plays were a 26-yard reception by Roylain Oliver, and a 23-yard touchdown catch by Hartzog.

A defensive battle ensued for much of the second half. Neither team scored until late in the fourth when Cuiellette threw a touchdown pass to Hartzog with 1:07 left in the game.

TSU attempted one last onside kick, but it was recovered by senior Johnathan Hauer who is the reigning SWAC Newcomer of the Week.

Alcorn will open SWAC play next weekend when it travels to Mississippi Valley State for a 6 p.m. road game. The Braves are 44-15-1 all-time against MVSU and are looking to defeat the Delta Devils for the sixth straight year.

NOTES
- The Braves extended their home-winning streak to six games. It's their longest home streak since they carried a seven-game spurt from 2013 into 2014. Alcorn improved to 76-52 all-time in Spinks-Casem Stadium.

- Alcorn posted its seventh consecutive win over TSU. The Braves now lead the all-time series 35-18-1. It was the second straight year the teams played in a non-conference game.

- Anderson more-than doubled his career-high in receiving with 168 yards. His previous best was 80 yards against McNeese State on Sept. 16, 2017.

- Coming into the game, Alcorn had allowed just one sack in two games, the fewest in the SWAC. The Braves did not give up a SWAC tonight.

- Alcorn entered the game as one of just 34 teams in the FCS to score on 100 percent of their red zone trips this year. The Braves were a perfect three-for-three in the red zone tonight.

- The Braves allowed the Tigers to score on just one-of-three red zone opportunities. On the season, Alcorn has allowed the opposition to score on just four-of-eight (50 percent) of red zone chances. It came after the Braves ranked top-five in red zone defense last year at 64.5 percent.

- The Braves improved to 8-0 when leading at half over the last two seasons.

- Morrison now has eight career interceptions. It was his first two-interception game. Morrison has led the team in picks in back-to-back years.

- Alcorn entered the week ranked fifth in the HBCU Poll.

Quoting Alcorn head coach Fred McNair
Opening Statement
"The biggest thing is we got a win, but I'm not very happy with it. I thought we played a good first half. The second half we came out and it seemed like we've never seen a football before. Penalties killed our drives and the second half was basically a flag fest."

On the penalties in the second half
"When you get flags thrown against you it kills the momentum of the drive. That was the whole deal. Every drive it seemed like there was something against us. Either it was a holding, a personal foul or whatever it may be. Those things can't happen. That's what you call selfish, and doing things of that nature will cause you to lose. Hats off to coach [Michael] Haywood and his team, they played an excellent second half. They played great in the second half and we didn't."

On the defense
"The defense did a great job. We had a couple of picks and were doing the things we need to do to win ball games. We put a lot of pressure on them the first half and came out in the second and did some of the same stuff. There were a couple big plays going down the seam that we gave up but we bounced back from that. In the last few minutes of the fourth quarter we gave up a touchdown, and I thought our defensive back was in position but he just misjudged the ball; I thought he was going to pick it off but it went through his hands. Though, the story of this game just goes back to us having to execute better on offense in the second half."

On what's next for the program
"We have to go into Itta Bena and play better football. We have to come with our 'A' game every week because you never know what can happen. People are out to get you, especially when you have won four division championships in a row. We have to play better than we did tonight."

Quoting Raidarious Anderson
On his big performance:
"We just went out and executed on offense. We talk about executing every week, all week. We're just playing our game. We worked it all summer, and its finally paying off. We've been working at it and we're finally starting to see what we have going."

Quoting Javen Morrison
On his two interceptions
"Those two picks would not have happened without my defensive line. We have the best D-line if you ask me. All the credit for those picks go to them and I wouldn't have gotten those without them. I just happened to be in the right place at right time, but again that's definitely because of the D-line."

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Southern defeats Langston in home opener called in third quarter due to lightning

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- The Human Jukebox blared in the background as the few remaining handfuls of Southern faithful sat on bated breath watching the battle unfold across the field at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The scoreboard read Jaguars 33, Langston 18 — ultimately the game’s final score — with a little over a minute to play in the third quarter, but the fate of the game rested on one last call.

The only problem? Not a single player from either team was in sight.

Just a few minutes earlier, teams were sent back to the locker room for the game’s second lightning delay of the night, and the schools’ athletic directors had to decide whether they would come back out to play the final 16 minutes.

According to NCAA guidelines, as the home team, Southern had the final say, but SU athletic director Roman Banks allowed Langston to be included in the conversation. The game did not need to be finished as it was not a conference matchup.

The decision was that teams would not return and Southern would be declared the winner of the inaugural Pete Richardson Classic for the home opener.



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The SU Jaguar Football Show with Coach Dawson Odums - Coach Pete Richardson interview

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- The legend Coach Pete Richardson stopped by The Jaguar Football Show with Coach Dawson Odums set to visit with us, and sit down for a walk down memory lane. Catch Coach Rich talking about competition in the SWAC then and now, advice to aspiring coaches, SWAC players during his era, and what he's doing in retirement. Thanks Coach Rich for stopping by!! We hope you enjoy! You can catch Coach Rich out at AW Mumford this Saturday, September 15, 2018 for the inaugural Coach Pete Richardson Classic between Southern University and Langston University. Go Jags!!

Todd Sterling

Jackson State Earns Hard-Fought Win Over Florida A&M

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Senior placekicker Christian Jacquemin converted four field goals and the Jackson State defense and special teams delivered to lead the Tigers past Florida A&M 18-16 Saturday evening.

“I’m really proud of how we responded as a team,” JSU head coach Tony Hughes said. “We faced adversity and dealt with it well. We are such a young team and for our team to go through this and come out on the right side, it’s huge for the program as we move forward to SWAC play in two weeks.”

Three of Jacquemin’s field goals were 40 yards or longer, including the go-ahead field goal of 44 yards in the fourth quarter.

“Christian is a great and reliable placekicker. He’s a senior and is under the radar, despite being efficient,” Hughes said. “He came up big for the team and he deserves the accolades.”

FAMU attempted a 30-yard field goal with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but Jackson native and Provine High School product junior Khalil Johnson blocked the attempt to preserve the lead.

Junior Jordan Johnson proved to be a dual-threat and rushed for a team-high 93 yards and hauled in a team-high 64 yards through the air.



Sophomore Derrick Ponder had his first break out performance for the Tigers and went 25-for-41 for 270 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bells, Texas native spread the ball around with 10 players recording a catch.

Ponder connected with junior Ra’Meik Wallace at the 5:22 mark in the third quarter for JSU’s lone touchdown.

Senior linebacker Eric Bowie was all over the field for the Tigers. The Monroe, Louisiana native finished with a team-high seven tackles and was in on two pass breakups.

Junior defensive back Ryan Theyard added six tackles and recorded a sack and forced a fumble.

JSU (1-1) is off next week and returns to action Saturday, September 29 at 4 p.m. versus Alabama A&M in the annual W.C. Gorden Classic at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Pick Six Pushes KWC Panthers Past Kentucky State Thorobreds

OWENSBORO, Kentucky  –  A pick six with 26 seconds left gave the Kentucky Wesleyan College football team their first win of the season in the Panthers first night game at Independence Bank Field at Steele Stadium since 2014.

With 1:33 remaining in regulation, Kentucky State drilled a 48-yard field goal to tie the game at 13. A pair of incompletions forced the Panthers to punt with 42 seconds left. A 39-yard punt from Taylor Soper put the Thorobreds at their own 24-yard line.

After the ensuing play was another incompletion, over time was looming until Alijah McGhee picked off a pass at the 28-yard line and took it to the house to give Wesleyan a 19-13 lead, their largest lead of the game. The extra point was blocked and Kentucky State threatened with a pair of 15-yard receptions but the Panthers held on for their first win of the season.

Wesleyan's most efficient drive came in the third quarter, totaling 76-yards on nine plays in 2:46. Chauncey Greer hauled in a 26-yard pass before Jacob Yates recorded a 17-yard gain to break into the Thorobred red zone. Quarterback Mike McGee rushed for 16-yards, being stopped at the 1-yard line. A quick quarterback change and Dessi Austin punched in a 1-yard run for the Panthers first score. Chris Logsdon nailed the extra point attempt to put the Panthers on the board.

BOX SCORE

Two drives later Wesleyan tallied another touchdown, this time from Javian Jackson. The junior tabbed a 18-yard reception, barely getting two feet in play to give Wesleyan their first lead of the game. The extra point attempt was good as the Panthers took a three-point lead into the final quarter.

The Panthers finished with 274-yards of offense including 181 in the air. McGee tabbed 22 completions for the 181-yards on 30 attempts. De'Ondre Boggs led receivers with 55-yards on seven catches. Corey Johnson Jr. led the Panthers on the ground, accumulating 63-yards on 10 rushing attempts.

The defense was led by Kyle Hurt with 14 tackles, 7 solo and 2 tackles for loss. Jamir Johnson tabbed nine while Jalen Humphrey recorded six and one forced fumble. Dalan Cofer and Luke Baird both recorded a sack while McGhee and Jalen Wilson each contributed one interception.

Wesleyan returns to Great Midwest Athletic Conference action next week, hosting Malone University at 1 pm CT on Saturday, Sept. 15.

Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.

KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION

Second Half Surge Lifts West Georgia Past Albany State 45-21

ALBANY, Georgia -- The University of West Georgia rallied from behind to capture a 45-21 win over Albany State University Saturday evening at ASU Coliseum.

With the win the Wolves, ranked #10 in the latest AFCA poll, improve to 3-0 on the season. Their offense ended the night with a balanced attack including 269 yards on the ground, an overall total of 505.

Following some inspired play by the Golden Rams, the Wolves found themselves staring at 21-10 deficit late in the second quarter. ASU's first score, a 42-yard touchdown run from Tracy Scott, tied the game at 7-7 with 1:38 left in the opening quarter. On their next possession, West Georgia would move back in front by three when Omar Cervantes connected on a 24-yard field goal.

With 9:01 left in the first half, Kelias Williams called his own number from 6 yards out, capping a 6-play, 79 yard drive for a 14-10 ASU lead. On the Wolves ensuing drive, Terry Compton forced a fumble that was recovered by Tyler Scott and returned 53 yards to the visitor's 12 yard line. Five plays later Williams' second rushing TD of the game gave ASU a 21-10 advantage with 3:41 remaining in the first half.

West Georgia struck back, orchestrating an efficiently quick 5-play, 75 yard drive. Willie Candler connected on a 27 yard strike to Shannon Smith to pull the Wolves within four, 21-17 at the intermission.

BOX SCORE

That score would prove to be the first of 35 unanswered points from UWG.

The momentum and lead would permanently shift in favor of the Wolves when LaPerion Perry went goal line to goal line, taking the second half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. The third quarter would yield two more scores for West Georgia; 22 yard TD reception courtesy of KJ Parmer and later Candler scampered to the end zone from 29 yards out to give the Wolves a 38-21 lead. Candler would finish the night with three passing TDs, 236 yards on 15-20 passing and chipped in 86 yards rushing.

The Golden Rams' Stephan Pierre led all defenders with 10 tackles on the night.

Albany State (0-3) will open up conference play next Saturday when they travel to Jackson, Tennessee to face off against Lane College. Game time is scheduled for 2pm.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN RAMS SPORTS INFORMATION

77 years in the making: Texas Wesleyan Rams football cobblers Texas College Steers

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Saturday night at Farrington Field, Texas Wesleyan finally put an end to their wins drought on the gridiron ... after a 45 minute lightning delay. After all, what's 45 more minutes on top of 77 years.

The Rams - led by Jermarcus Jones and a tenacious defense - got it done and then some against Texas College 36-7 on Parents Weekend, improving their record to 1-2 - and how sweet it was for all the coaches and players who have worked for this moment since the football team was re-established in 2016. The first touchdown set the tone - and quickly.

On the third play of the game, Jermarcus Jones took a hand-off 45 yards the distance sending the crowd of over 1,300 at Farrington Field to their feet. Jones, who despite being the offensive constant (12 career starts) coming into the night, had only reached the end zone once. He'd reach pay-dirt three different times in this ever-so-sweet victory, his second touchdown a 34-yard scamper with 10:22 to go in the second (to put the Rams up 20-0) and with 5:28 to go in the third (what ended up being the last score of the night). Jones finished with 135 yards on 15 carries and those three scores - the 135 yards the highest rushing total by an individual since football returned.

After a Texas College's opening drive, the Steers (0-1) punt was blocked by Dylan Pettway and scooped up by Chance Carroll 19 yards to the house. Carroll led the Rams defense with 8.5 tackles, which helped stymie the Steers in a first-half shutout.

Playmakers littered the field. Collier Ricks caught one of four completed balls in the first half on a sensational catch from 32 yards away to give Texas Wesleyan a 27-0 advantage just before halftime. The 27 points in the first half were more points than Wesleyan had scored in any of the first 12 games of the programs return - the spark, energy and confidence were ever-present.

BOX SCORE

In the third, the defense picked up a safety - a combined crushing from Byron Tate and Zalen Long extended the Rams lead to 29-7, after the Steers finally managed to turn all their yards into some points on a 21-yard Carlos Mosby run (despite trailing 27-0 at the half, the Steers had more first downs, total yards and time of possession at the break).
Chijoke Iwuagu helped Texas Wesleyan hold the Steers to just 2.2 yards per rush up front, with seven tackles, 2.5 for loss. Three of Pettway's six tackles were for loss, 18 times hitting Texas College backwards for negative yardage. Diamond Williams and Byron Tate also had forced fumbles in the game - a game that featured five fumbles, three interceptions and 24 penalties in the slush the flash storm left behind.

Donovan Isom returned from injury to complete 4-of-13 passes for 71 yards with the touchdown to Ricks and no picks, but Avery Childs got plenty of second half work in, going 5-for-12. Jordan Griffin helped keep Jones fresh by racking up 49 yards on 11 carries. Even tight end Marquet Kennedy had 19 yards rushing on a successful fake punt that, despite their being a penalty on the play, had just enough success to get the first down anyway.

WHAT'S NEXT:
Texas Wesleyan football will head to Arizona Christian to take on the Firestorm, who managed to squeak past Lyon College Saturday 26-23. ACU is still unbeaten: 3-0. Lyon is Wesleyan's home opponent on October 13, but will host Langston first - also unbeaten - October 6.

TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY RAMS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

FVSU Wildcats Claw Past Miles Golden Bears on Late TD Pass

FVSU President Paul Jones and Director of Athletics Anthony Holloman pose with the winning trophy from Saturday night's game.

FAIRFIELD, Alabama –- The Wildcats came together for the win in the final 15 minutes of Saturday night's Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football opener. Fort Valley State completed its 21-19 come-from-behind victory over Miles College when Jaylen Lowder pulled in a right-side pass and then touched the end zone pile on with 21.9 seconds left for the game-winner.

Trailing 13-7 as the game turned to the fourth quarter, Fort Valley State (1-2) found its offensive rhythm. The Wildcats offense snapped the ball 21 times in the final stanza for 133 yards and the two touchdown scoring drives of 68 and 65 yards. The game-winning FVSU drive started on its own 35-yardline with 5:28 remaining in the contest and culminated 12 plays later with Lowder diving into the end zone. The Wildcats defense forced an incompletion and sacked the Golden Bears quarterback on the final two plays.

On the night, the Wildcats offense rushed for a season-best 146 yards and threw for another 181 yards to total 327 yards, while the unit held the ball 40:58 of the 60 minutes.

Wildcats quarterback Slade Jarman had an efficient night as he went 21 of 31 for 181 yards passing with two touchdowns to one interception. He also rushed for another 14 yards. Lorenzo Smothers touched the ball 16 times for 123 all-purpose yards between rushing, receiving and kick returns – 7 carries for 57 yards rushing, 6 receptions for 34 yards receiving. Jahmari Clark added nine carries for 32 yards on the ground, while he caught three passes for 22 yards and the first score of the night. Brandon Davis covered 41 yards on two catches and Jhi'Marre Brown 32 yards on his pair of receptions.

Defensively, the FVSU unit held Miles College to only 19 points after it gave up 96 points to two highly-talented opening foes. The Wildcats gave up only 254 total yards, including 18 total yards rushing. The visitors' defensive unit sacked the Miles College quarterback five times with both Voris Bryant and Niykiem Floyd recording 1.5 sacks apiece. Bryant led the FVSU defense with six tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss, while Andrew Robinson chipped in five tackes, 1.5 for loss and a sack. Jahseari Patterson finished with four stops, two for loss, and a sack, while Camron Young had four tackles and Zach Anderson picked off a pass.

Leonard Tyree paced the Miles College offense with five catches for 171 yards and two scores. Daniel Smith completed 11 of 21 passes for 236 yards.

Jarman engineered an 11-play, 68-yard scoring drive for the team's first lead of the season at 14-13, when Willie Jordan took the handoff and flipped the ball to Smothers, who cut through the Golden Bears (0-3) defense for six yards to the end zone, with 7:25 left in the game.

With the answer on the next possession, Miles College wide receiver Tyree pulled in his third long pass of the night on a 48-yard score for the home team to retake the lead, 19-14, at 5:28. The point margin remained two points as the snap flew high and the Wildcat defense tackled the kicker on the spot.

Jarman produced the clutch Wildcats drive, where he went 5 for 5 covering 40 yards for the game-winning score. After the final FVSU timeout, the senior found Lowder in the far right flat and watched his tight end moments later reach out the ball into the pile on for the touchdown at 21.9 seconds left in the contest and a 21-19 lead.

Miles took over on its own 35-yardline with 15.4 ticks left on the clock. After a deep incompletion, Floyd sacked Golden Bear quarterback Smith and then he teamed up on the second-straight sack to end the game.

For the third time in as many weeks of the season, Fort Valley State had a rocky start to its game. After holding the Golden Bears to a punt on the game's first possession, the Wildcats fumbled the second offensive snap, which was scooped up by the home team's Austin Stephens, who ran nine yards for the fumble return touchdown only 2:55 into the contest.

On the third offensive possession, FVSU took over on a short field at the home 32-yardline, but it could only get to the 8-yardline. Miles College tipped the Abisai Gutierrez 25-yard field goal attempt to keep it at 7-0.

The Wildcats, though, was not stopped in their first second-quarter drive. Behind a Clark 21-yard left-side run and a Jarman to Brown deep right sideline 16-yard pass, the visitors drove 75 yards on 13 plays capped by an 8-yard Clark touchdown reception out of the backfield to tie the game, 7-7, at 7:56 in the second stanza.

Fort Valley State doubled up Miles College offensively, 122 to 69 yards, in the first two quarters.

Midway through the third quarter, the Golden Bears took over on their own 42-yardline. After a 7-yard run, Smith found Tyree down the right sideline and he ran away from the Wildcats defensive backs for a 51-yard score. The Miles College kicker missed the extra point to make it 13-7 with 7:15 in the third frame.

BOX SCORE

The Golden Bears missed a 35-yard field goal wide right late in the third quarter to keep the score at 13-7.

On the first fourth-quarter possession, FVSU drove to the home 11-yardline, but a third-and-one Jordan run fell short. Gutierrez booted a 28-yard field goal, but Miles College defense was offside and the three Fort Valley State points were pulled off the scoreboard. Smothers found the end zone from six yards on the next play for the team's first lead, 14-13.

Fort Valley State completes its four-game season-opening road swing next Sunday afternoon, Sept. 23, at SIAC East member Benedict College. The kick-off will be at 4:30 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY WILDCATS SPORTS INFORMATION