Adams Named SWAC Defensive Player of the Week

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama| Grambling State University sophomore defender Haileigh Adams was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.
 
Adams played in 171 out of the 180 minutes for the Lady Tigers, who split their matches with North Dakota and Texas A&M-Texarkana. The Pasadena, Calif. Native anchored a defense that allowed a combined eight shots in the two contests, with five on goal and just one corner kick.
 
Grambling State opens SWAC play on Friday when Alcorn State visits Grambling, La. The match is set for 5 p.m. at the GSU Soccer Complex.
 
Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.

By: Brian Howard, Sports Information Director
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Grambling State Tigers to face ASU Hornets in SWAC Opener

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- After coming off an open week, the Grambling State University football team will open up Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play in its 2018 home opener as the Tigers take on Alabama State. Kick-off from Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium is set for 6 p.m.

The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 as Butch Alsandor (play-by-play) and Ken Moore (color) will call the action. Additionally, the Tigers' broadcast crew of Santoria Black, Ossie Clark, Nick Harrison and Leon Thomas will have all of the action on Grambling State Sports Radio Network. The game will broadcasted in Ruston (KPCH 99.3 FM) and Monroe (KJMG – 97.3 FM) and streamed online at www.gsutigers.com.

Grambling State (0-2) is seeking its first win of the season after opening the year with losses to Louisiana (Lafayette) and Northwestern State. The Tigers have not started 0-2 since 2015 and have not lost more than two games in a season since 2014.

• GRAMBLING STATE NOTES (PDF)
• ALABAMA STATE NOTES (PDF)
• INSIDE THE GAME
• BRODERICK FOBBS WEEKLY INTERVIEW
• LIVE STATS
• LISTEN LIVE
• TICKETS
• ESPN3

Alabama State (1-2) started the year with a thrilling overtime win over Tuskegee, but lost the last two games against ranked opponents. The Hornets fell on Sept. 8 to FBS-No. 7 Auburn, 63-9, and on Sept. 15 to FCS-No. 8 Kennesaw State, 62-13.

"It was good to take a week off," Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs said. "We had an opportunity to get a couple of guys healthy. This week we've got Alabama State, whose a really, really good program with a really good football coach, who does an exceptionally good job of not only coaching, but also mentoring young people. It's the first game in the conference, which is exciting for our kids and our coaching staff. We are looking forward to this opportunity."

ABOUT THE GAME
> Saturday's game is High School Day
> This will be the 41st meeting between the two teams
> Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs will be seeking his 18th victory in the state of Louisiana
> Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley took over in the middle of last season and guided the Hornets to five wins in the final six games. That lone loss -- at home against Grambling State
> The game will feature two quarterbacks that transferred from Arkansas State (Aldon Clark - Grambling State; Darryl Pearson - Alabama State)
> This will be the SWAC opener for both teams
> For the first time in nearly three years, Grambling State is unranked in the STATS FCS Top 25 and FCS Coaches' Poll

Last Time Out
> Grambling State last played nearly two weeks ago with the Tigers falling on the road to Northwestern State, 34-7
> Grambling State amassed 349 total yards of offense, with 22 first downs
> Aldon Clark led the team in passing (14-of-22 -- 125 yards) and rushing (14 carries for 62 yards)
> Damien Crumitie paced the defense with seven tackles and one pass breakup

Inside the Numbers
> The Tigers are looking to extend their current home winning streak to 13 games against Alabama State
> Broderick Fobbs and his Grambling State teams have won 25 straight SWAC games
> Senior kicker Marc Orozco is just 44 points shy of becoming the all-time GSU leader by a kicker. Orozco enters this season with 281 total points for his career, needing only 44 points to surpass Morgan as the school's all-time leading kick scorer

Grambling State-Alabama State Connections
> The series began in 1979 with Grambling State picking up a 21-7 win
> Saturday's game will mark the 41st meeting between the two teams
> The Tigers have won the last three meetings, with the Hornets' last win in the series coming in 2014 (37-23)
> The most points scored by Grambling State was 51 (1994) and 60 by Alabama State (1991)
> This will be the second matchup between GSU head coach Broderick Fobbs and ASU head coach Donald Hill-Eley

Up Next
Grambling State leave the state for the first time this season on Sept. 29 as the Tigers take on Prairie View A&M at the State Fair Classic in Dallas, Texas. Kickoff from the Cotton Bowl is set for 4 p.m.

Tickets Still Available
Season tickets and single-game tickets are on sale at the GSU Ticket office and fan are encouraged to visit www.gsutigers.com or call the ticket office to purchase tickets. For more information on purchasing season tickets, call (318) 274-2625 or (318) 274-2629.

Follow Grambling State Athletics
For complete coverage of Grambling State athletics, please follow the Tigers on social media at @GSU_Tigers (Twitter), /gramblingstateathletics (Facebook), @gramblingathletics01 (Instagram) or visit the official home of Grambling State Athletics at gsutigers.com.

By: Deja Harrison, Sports Information Staff
GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

PNEUMONIA AWARENESS: In Remembrance of Volleyball Player Brionna Ross

Greetings,

We are reaching out on behalf of our beloved daughter Brionna Michelle Ross.  Brionna “Bri” was a resident of Louisiana and had the dream of becoming a college volleyball player. She was raised by her two moms Candace Robillard-Williams and Kim Williams.  Brionna was a 6’0 outside hitter and center/forward basketball player who passed away after playing her last volleyball game on the morning of September 26, 2017 from pneumonia at the age of 15. 

She began playing middle school volleyball at Galvez Middle where she was voted as Team Captain. This would further her athletic talent as she went on to play volleyball at University Lab (LSU Prep school) and AAU club volleyball for Volleyball Baton Rouge. In July 2017, she was able to attend a Wake Forest University volleyball camp and experience the life of a college volleyball player.

As the year of her anniversary quickly approaches, I was thinking of ways to not only bring pneumonia awareness, but to also keep her memory and love for volleyball alive.  So, I decided to reach out to other fellow volleyball teams, as not only, did we lose our daughter, her youngest sister (Ciera Ross) lost her big sister, but the sport (volleyball) lost a dedicated and talented player. This can happen to anyone who plays sports and suddenly not wake up the next day.

 When “Bri” passed unexpected, it brought our community, community leaders and many volleyball players across Louisiana and other states together as a family.  Brionna was smart, athletic, talented, intelligent, comical, and her smile was contagious. She was amazing girl to know and by the love and support we have received, we realize that we were not the only ones aware of it.  Bri was a loving daughter, sister, friend, player and teammate. 

Her favorite quote was “Go the extra mile, It’s never crowded” as she thrived for the best.  

I am asking that your team help us honor her life for the month of September/October. Her number was “12” and we honor her by every time the team reach “12” points, the crowd jumps to their feet with cheers and applauds. We also honor her by wearing her favorite color purple (ribbons, bracelets etc...) or simply a moment of silence dedicated to her. 

I am asking that you help honor the life of our beloved daughter Brionna “Bri” Ross along with us. 

I’ve attached some pics of her and her symbol that was created after she passed. Please help us share her story and keep her dream alive. Thanks in advance for your support.

If you have any questions or concerns, or need contact information for Brionna's mother, please forward a private e-mail message to MEAC/SWAC SPORTS MAIN STREET (e-mail: oneproposal@yahoo.com) and we will respond promptly. Thank you.

                                      #ForeverBri, #Foreverloved, #Forever12 

Former Nugget Singleton joins coaching staff

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's basketball has welcomed back Kelsee Singleton as a graduate assistant coach.
     
Singleton played for the Gold Nuggets from 2013-17 and received her bachelor's degree from XULA in 2017. She is No. 3 at XULA with 107 career blocked shots.
     
Her 3-pointer at the buzzer on Jan. 28, 2017, beat Dillard 68-66 in the Crosstown Classic at the Convocation Center. Singleton averaged 6.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during that final XULA season and was voted All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
     
"Kelsee is a great addition to our staff," 20th-year XULA head coach Bo Browder said. "She is an excellent role model and displays a great work ethic. As a player, she improved more than anyone I signed over the last 15 years. She will be an excellent coach one day."
     
Singleton, a native New Orleanian and a graduate of Edna Karr High School, is pursuing a master of arts in teaching from XULA. She also works as a paraprofessional at Gretna Middle School.
     
Singleton joins a staff that includes assistant coaches Tarniesha Scott (third season),Paige Gauthier (fourth season) and Jasmine Grant (fifth season).
     
The Gold Nuggets will begin their 2018-19 season Oct. 31 with a 6 p.m. home game against Stillman.

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

ASU Hornets travel to face defending champion Grambling State

Alabama State and Grambling State will be meeting for the 41st time.

ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Tennessee State Sails Past Belmont in Conference Opener

PHOTO GALLERY | BOX SCORE

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --- Tennessee State volleyball won its first Ohio Valley Conference match of the season versus Belmont Tuesday night in Kean Hall.

TSU improves to 3-8 overall, 1-0 in the conference after defeating the Bruins in four (23-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-14). Belmont sinks to 0-13, 0-1 OVC.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• TSU posted more than 50 kills for the fifth time this season, combining for 51 as a team, led by senior Rachel Henderson with 15 and Julia Pierson with 14.
• The team tied for its season-high aces, serving eight against the Bruins.
• Three in blue and white served two aces a piece – Destiny Washington, Pierson and Khalia Jordan.
• Laken Te’o registered her seventh double-double of the season with 44 assists and 12 digs.
• The Tigers hit over .400 in the final two sets of the match with 17 kills in set three and 13 in set four.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first set came fast and hard as the Tigers opened up conference play against the Bruins. Belmont, who was winless coming into the match, was hungry for a win. The Bruins hit for a .282 in set one, digging up 17 balls and rejecting one Tiger attack to go up 1-0 in the match, winning the set 25-23.

With the historic Aristocrat of Bands and a packed Kean Hall, the cheers helped TSU find its groove in set two. Freshman Aria Holmes kicked off the set with a solo block. The backcourt passed perfect balls to setter Laken Te’o, who pushed out 11 assists - five to Pierson who had a flawless set, hitting a .455. Big Blue worked seamlessly to win the set, and from there on out, the Tigers could not be stopped.

TSU dominated the final two sets, hitting above .400 with a combined 30 kills.

Big Blue finished the match with two five-point runs, to beat the Bruins 25-14 on a service error.

ATTENDANCE: 2,027

MATCH NOTES

• TSU improves to 12-22 in the all-time series against the Bruins, continuing the previous three-year streak of winning at home.
• The Tigers have won the last three home-openers, including sweeps Alabama A&M in 2016, and the same against Alcorn State at the Tiger Invitational last season.
• Destiny Washington makes her first start for TSU. Her showing versus Evansville proved her invaluable in the backcourt.

UP NEXT

Big Blue continues conference play Saturday, Sept. 22 in Kean Hall, as it hosts Eastern Illinois at noon.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Support FVSU Athletics by Tagging the Valley

Dear Wildcats:
 
I am extremely proud to be a supporter of Wildcat Athletics and want to introduce the Tag the Valley Campaign.  The purpose of the Campaign is to financially support the student athletes who perform on and off the playing fields.  As you are aware, financial support is needed if we are going to have a competitive edge in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and among other Division II Colleges and Universities.  We must also create a funding source to provide additional scholarships if we are going to continue to recruit the best and brightest student athletics nationally and internationally.
 
"Tag the Valley"banners will be the show piece that is displayed at Wildcat Stadium and across the FVSU campus.  You can have your name printed on a Tag the Valley banner that will hang on light-poles throughout campus to show your support for FVSU Athletics. This first phase of the Tag the Valley Campaign will contain only 50 banners, so space is limited. The prices of the banners vary based upon the location you choose to have your banner displayed for the first phase of the campaign. The deadline for inclusion is October 5, 2018 however, we suggest you mail your completed form as soon as possible to ensure that your banners will be hung on display in The Valley by Homecoming 2018.
 
I challenge you to accept this opportunity by having your name, organization's name, or the name of your love ones hanging proudly on campus for "Tag the Valley". Click here to complete a Tag the Valley form. 
 
 
Yours in Wildcat Pride,
 
 
   Chairman of Tag the Valley Campaign

Lincoln Blue Tigers Back at Home To Host Southwest Baptist on Saturday Night

Complete Game Notes

Game 4: Southwest Baptist (0-2, 0-0 GLVC) at Lincoln (1-2, 0-0 GLVC)
Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 22 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Jefferson City, Mo.
Stadium (Capacity): Dwight T. Reed Stadium (5,500)
Tickets: Adults - $10 | Children Under the Age of Six - Free  | Non-LU Students/LU Faculty & Staff - $5 | LU Students (With ID) - Free
Streaming VIDEO - http://glvcsn.com/
Radio - KJLU 88.9 FM - Jefferson City, Mo.
Audiocast - http://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KJLU
Live Stats - https://lubluetigers.com/sidearmstats/football/
Special Events - Bleed Blue Game
Series - Southwest Baptist leads, 9-1

THE KICKOFF  
For the second-straight week, the Blue Tigers are at home as the Lincoln football team opens GLVC play by hosting Southwest Baptist on Saturday (Sept. 22) for a 6:00 p.m. CDT contest. It's LU's Bleed Blue Game, and fans are encouraged to deck out in navy to "blue out" the Bearcats.

It will be the first GLVC game of the 2018 season for both programs, with Lincoln entering with a 1-2 record. The Blue Tigers beat Lane at a neutral site to open the season, then less than a week later fell to NCAA Division I opponent Missouri State. Last Saturday (Sept. 15), LU dropped a defensive tussle with Wisconsin-Oshkosh at home, 17-7.

Southwest Baptist is 0-2 on the year after opening with a 49-7 loss at Houston Baptist and falling the following week to Missisippi College, 34-9. Both games were on the road, and SBU enters with an extra week of rest as the Bearcats had a BYE week on Sept. 15.

QUICK HITS  
- Lincoln and Southwest Baptist meet for the 11th time on Saturday, with the Bearcats leading the all-time series, 9-1. SBU has won the past four meetings, with Lincoln's win coming in 2013.

- A win for Lincoln would be its first in GLVC play since beating Quincy, 42-13, in Jefferson City on Sept. 20, 2014.

- A victory against SBU would also mark the first time the Blue Tigers have won their league opener since 2000, when Lincoln was a member of the Central States Football League. That year, LU beat SW Assemblies of God, 41-14.

- This will be just the third night game at Dwight T. Reed Stadium since Lincoln renovated the field prior to the 2017 season. The Blue Tigers are 1-1 in those games with a win over Lincoln (PA) and a loss to Indianapolis.

- A victory would be the first for Lincoln over a team from the state of Missouri since the season finale of 2013, when the Blue Tigers defeated Southwest Baptist, 51-28.

- If the Blue Tigers beat SBU, it would give Lincoln a 2-2 start to the season and mark the best beginning to a year for LU since 1980. Lincoln also began that season 2-2.

- The rivalry between the Blue Tigers and the Bearcats dates back to 1987. Both programs later joined the MIAA and later became associate members of the GLVC, and have played every year since 2012.

- The Blue Tigers enter Saturday with an all-time record of 254-454-24.

- Steven Smith is in his second season as the head coach of the Blue Tigers and has a career record of 2-11.

- Lincoln is in its fifth season as a member of the GLVC. LU was in the MIAA for 23 years, including three-straight from 2011-13, for football before making the switch in 2014. The GLVC is the fifth different conference in which the Blue Tigers have been a member, joining the Midwest Athletic Association, the Great Lakes Football Conference, the Central States Football League and the MIAA.

- This is the 88th season of Lincoln football. The Blue Tigers first fielded a team in 1920 and played every year until 1943, when Lincoln took a year off due to World War II. LU then played each season from 1944-1989. The football program was disbanded at that point, but was brought back in 2000.

BLUE TIGERS TO WATCH
OFFENSE - Henry Ogala has been very efficient in his three starts at quarterback, completing 41 passes for 481 yards and three touchdowns. Blake Tibbs caught 12 of those passes and leads LU with 162 yards while Antonio Issac, Hosea Franklinand Justin Korakakos each have a touchdown. On the ground, Hosea Franklin leads Lincoln with 207 net yards while Terry Hunter rushed for 41 yards in the win over Lane. 

DEFENSE - The Lincoln defense was outstanding in LU's opening win, forcing three turnovers while holding Lane to just 123 yards of total offense. The Blue Tigers made three sacks and five tackles for loss, and broke up five passes with a pair of picks. Amani Nelson currently leads the Blue Tigers with 21 tackles, followed by Edwin Durassaint with 17 and Isaiah Graywith 16. Gray leads the team with 3.0 tackles for loss, and Durassaint had a fumble return for a touchdown against Missouri State. Both Victor Williams and Chavon Gross have made 12 tackles, and Williams also has a sack while Gross has made 2.0 tackles for loss. Joseph Madrigal has one of Lincoln's interceptions, as he picked off a late fourth quarter pass by Lane to help the Blue Tigers seal the season-opening win. Hasan Muhammad-Rogers has 13 tackles and Garen McKinney, who started against MSU, has made 10 takedowns. As a team, Lincoln has broken up six passes.

SPECIAL TEAMS - Fernando Ramirez made his Blue Tiger debut a memorable one, scoring LU's first points of the game on a 44-yard field goal to give Lincoln a first quarter lead over Lane that it would never relinquish. Ramirez, who also made a field goal against Missouri State, has converted on all five of his point-after tries, and that 44-yard FG is currently the GLVC season-high. Wolky Belancourt is Lincoln's holder as well as its punter, and he is averaging 34.1 yards with a long of 49 this season. Brenton Wrigley is Lincoln's long-snapper, and Donovan Wright is LU's leading kick returner after gaining 106 yards at Missouri State. A'Jani Johnson, who is averaging 8.0 yards on punts, is Lincoln's other primary returner.

SOUTHWEST BAPTIST AT A GLANCE
The Bearcats are off to a slow start offensively, scoring just 16 points in their first two games while allowing 83, with starting quarterback Dylan Mountain completing 47.4-percent of his passes for 158 yards. Bryse Salik has also seen time under center, throwing for 119 yards and a touchdown, and the pair have combined for five picks. In the rushing game, Eric Knight leads the team with 99 yards and a touchdown while averaging 2.6 yards per carry. Matt Lechuga and Connor Ratcliff are the team's leading receivers with 40 yards on five receptions each, while Knight has also caught five passes for 37 yards. Ratcliff has the touchdown reception.

On the defensive side of the ball, Tyler Curts averages 13 tackles per game and Connor Hicks has made 16 takedowns while Quincy Jones, Jr. is next with 14. Tevin Hall has two of SBU's eight tackles for a loss, and Jamehl Wilson forced a fumble while Tresta Kueneman has been credited with a hurry. The Bearcats have yet to intercept a pass or sack the quarterback in 2018.

In the special teams, Jackson Bagley is averaging 37.2 yards on punts with three landing inside the 20 and three resulting in a fair catch with a long of 54 yards. Lechuga is averaging 20.4 yards on kickoff returns and also handles punt returns. Alec Gathright, meanwhile, is averaging 58.0 yards on kickoffs.

THE COACHES 
Steven Smith was named the 22nd head coach of the Blue Tigers last December after a successful four-year run as the offensive coordinator of Albany State. Smith, who has also coached at Tennessee State, Delta State and Virginia State, helped Albany State go undefeated in league play in three of his four seasons. Smith's teams have made for NCAA Division II playoff appearances and he has coached 21 all-conference honorees and eight All-Americans. Smith additionally has coached with six NFL teams, most recently serving as an assistant under Romeo Crennel with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2012.

Ryan Clardy is now in his fourth season as the head coach of the Bearcats and his 12th year on the SBU staff. In 2016, Clardy led Southwest Baptist to its first-ever playoff appearance as well as its first conference title, as the Bearcats went 10-2 overall, including 7-1 in the GLVC. Clardy has 19 wins as the SBU head coach, has coached an All-American in receiver Nathan Mourik, and has coached 14 All-GLVC players.

SHUTDOWN DEFENSE:  Lincoln shut out Lane in the second half of its season-opening victory and held the Dragons to just 123 yards of total offense. The Blue Tiger defense was just as staunch last week against Wisconsin-Oshkosh, allowing only 273 total yards. In those two games, LU allowed points in only three of the eight quarters.

D-D-D-DEFENSE:  The Blue Tigers have allowed 200.3 passing yards per game, though most of those came against Division I opponent Missouri State, which threw for 330. LU's other opponents were both held under 200 passing yards, and, if you take away the Missouri State game, Lincoln is allowing 135.5 yards through the air.

SLOW DOWN:  The defense has also been stout vs. the run, ranking 57th in Division with 128.7 yards allowed per contest. Missouri State gained 177 yards on the ground vs. the Blue Tigers, but LU's other two opponents have combined for just 209 rushing yards, with both programs being held to under 120. In both games, Lincoln led in total offensive yardage.  

BALL CONTROL:  Lincoln's offense was good at controlling the clock last year, as LU led in time of possession in six of its 10 games, finishing 21st in DII with 32:08 minutes of possession per game. That trend has continued in 2018, as Lincoln leads the GLVC and is ranked 10th in NCAA Division II in time of possession at 34:57.

PICK 'EM:  In 10 games in 2017, Lincoln was held without an interception. The Blue Tigers broke that trend early in 2018 with two picks against Lane, both of which helped seal the victory. Joseph Madrigal made the first interception of the year at LU's own one-yard line to stop a potential scoring drive while Edwin Durassaint sealed the victory with his pick on the final play of regulation.

JUMP ON THE BALL:  Lincoln's defense has been opportunisitc through the first three games; along with the two interceptions in the opener, the Blue Tigers have recovered four fumbles, including one that was taken into the end zone for a 78-yard score by Edwin Durassaint against Missouri State. Lincoln currently leads the GLVC, and is ranked 17th in Division II, in fumble recoveries.

PASSING GRADE:  Henry Ogala has been particularly efficient in his first three starts of the year, compiling an efficiency rating of 132.3. In addition to being the fourth-best efficiency rating in the GLVC, Ogala, who also has completed 62.1-percent of his passes, rates 41st nationally in that stat and 61st in DII in passing efficiency. Lincoln is high in both stats in the NCAA team rankings as well, rating 37th nationally in completion percentage and 69th in team passing efficiency.

RUNNING MAN:  Hosea Franklin had a breakthrough performance against Wisconsin-Oshkosh, as he gained a career-high 116 yards on the ground on 19 carries. That 6.1 yard-per-carry average built on a solid game against Missouri State, as Franklin rushed for 79 yards on 16 tries. Franklin, who also has a receiving touchdown, is LU's leader with 207 rushing yards on the season.

ANY TEAM, ANYWHERE: Lincoln has one of the most diverse schedules in the country, as, through three weeks, the Blue Tigers have already played teams from NCAA Division I (Missouri State), Division II (Lane) and Division III (Wisconsin-Oshkosh). Those three games also counted differently in terms of location, as LU has played a neutral site contest, a road game and a home game.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: The Blue Tigers will spend a lot of time on the road in 2018, as Lincoln will play only four games at Dwight T. Reed Stadium. That's the fewest in a season for LU since 2008, when the Blue Tigers played four home contests in a nine-game season. LU plays 11 contests in 2018, including six true road games as well as a neutral site contest in Memphis on Sept. 1.

ON THE AIR:  Blue Tiger football is back on KJLU, as six of Lincoln's 11 games will be broadcast this season. All four of Lincoln's home contests, as well as the road games at Truman State on Oct. 13 and Missouri S&T on Oct. 27, will air on 88.9 FM in Jefferson City.

GEAR UP FOR THE GAME:  LU fans can get everything they need for the game at www.BlueTigersStore.com, the official online store for LU athletics. Everything from jerseys to office supplies can be found on the site, with a portion of all sales going to benefit Lincoln athletics.

UP NEXT:  The Blue Tigers return to the road, traveling to Indianapolis, Ind. next Saturday (Sept. 29) to take on Indianapolis at 5:00 p.m. CDT.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

Lincoln University (Mo.) Mourns the Passing of Coach Corbett

JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI -- The Lincoln athletic department mourns the passing of former head men's basketball coach Donald Corbett, who died from cancer at the age of 75. A member of both the Lincoln University Athletic Hall of Fame and the MIAA Hall of Fame,

Few head coaches have been able to equal the level of success enjoyed by Corbett during his eight seasons (1971-79) at the helm of Lincoln's men's basketball team. The all-time winningest coach in Blue Tiger history, Corbett led LU to 159 victories compared to 59 losses for a .729 winning percentage. Included in that total is a 71-25 record in the MIAA (.739), with both marks standing as the best by any coach in the program's history. Corbett guided the Blue Tigers to NCAA tournament appearances in five of his eight seasons, including the 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 campaigns.

Corbett led LU to three MIAA regular season titles (1972, 1975 and 1977) as well as the 1977 MIAA tournament championship. During his eight years at Lincoln, the Blue Tigers never won fewer than 17 games and never lost more than nine. Three times Corbett's squads finished with 22-6 records, with the 22 wins standing as the second-most by any team in program history. In both the 1971-72 and 1976-77 campaigns, Corbett coached Lincoln to 11-1 records in MIAA play, with the 11 conference wins remaining to this day a program record. Corbett joins the legendary Dwight T. Reed (1955-59) as the only two multiyear LU coaches to never have a losing season.

During his time with the Blue Tigers, Corbett coached some of the best players in Lincoln history, including Harold Robertson, who led NCAA Division II in scoring with a 34.5 average in 1977-78 and was twice the MIAA's scoring champion. Following that 1977-78 campaign, both Robertson and teammate Tim Abney were named All-MIAA first team selections. Among the other notable players coached by Corbett are LaMonte Pruitt, the MIAA's scoring leader in 1972-73, and James Hampton (1971-72), James Edwards (1974-75) and Vince Humphrey (1975-76), who all were MIAA single-season rebounding leaders. During his eight seasons at Lincoln, Corbett coached six players who were selected All-MIAA, including Pruitt, who earned the distinction three times, and Robertson, who was recognized twice. Both Robertson and Pruitt are also enshrined in the MIAA Hall of Fame.

Following his tremendous success at Lincoln, Corbett went on to coach at North Carolina A&T, where he posted a record of 249-133 (.651) over 14 seasons. Corbett took A&T to seven MEAC regular season championships and seven MEAC tournament championships, with those seven tourney titles tying the University of Kentucky for the most consecutive tournament championships. A six-time MEAC Coach of the Year, Corbett led A&T to seven NCAA tournament appearances. Due to his numerous achievements, Corbett is enshrined in the MEAC Hall of Fame and the Guilford County Sports Hall of Fame, and the basketball court at North Carolina A&T bears his name.

Corbett attended Lincoln University and met his wife, Freda, to whom he was married for 44 years until her passing in 2009. He is survived by four children: Don Corbett of Raleigh, Derrick Corbett of Philadelphia, Pa., Darren Corbett of Greensboro, and Denise Corbett of Durham; his sister, Gail Garfield of Manhattan, N.Y., two daughter-in-laws, Wendy Gates Corbett of Raleigh and Ana Matore Corbett of Greensboro; and two grandchildren, Jalen Michael Corbett and Cameron Matthew Corbett, both of Greensboro.

Dan Carr, Assistant AD for Media Relations
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Colt's Darius Leonard (S.C. State) Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Indianapolis Colts rookie linebacker Darius Leonard was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the 21-9 win over the Washington Redskins in Week 2.

Compiling 18 tackles (15 solo), one sack and one forced fumble, Leonard was the talk of the town following his superb outing at FedEx Field. He currently leads the NFL in both combined tackles (27) and solo tackles (21) through the first two weeks of the season.

Dubbed "The Maniac" by his teammates, some are surprised to see him make such a great impact so early, but Leonard himself doesn't feel any pressure.

YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/8C_83EgSQeE
YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Qej3TmbDoH4

"(I'm) just going to try to take it play by play like I always do," Leonard said. "I'm going to try to make every tackle, try to hit the ball each and every play. So no pressure at all."

The 23-year-old Leonard played at South Carolina State, where he was an all-conference player, and was a second-round draft pick this year.

The Colts travel to Lincoln Financial Field in Week 3 to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in hopes their rookie linebacker can continue to make an impact.

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Alcorn State Assistant Coach Pat White To Be Inducted Into West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia – Setting 19 West Virginia, Big East and national records during his illustrious playing career, Alcorn State University assistant football coach Pat White will be inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday.
 
White will not be present for his induction when the Mountaineers host Kansas State. He will be with the Braves for their 6 p.m. game against Mississippi Valley State.
 
"It's an honor for me to be inducted into the West Virginia Hall of Fame, along with all the other inductees," White said. "Sorry I couldn't be there, but I want to thank a few people. Obviously, my parents, the committee and Mountaineer nation. Tell my little brother and my baby girl I love you."
 
White's brother Coley will be present on his behalf.
 
During his playing days, White became the first-ever college quarterback to start and win four consecutive bowl games from 2005-08. He set all-time record for most rushing yards for a quarterback in NCAA history with 4,480 yards, which still stands as second.
 
WVU was 35-8 with White as the starting quarterback. He led the Mountaineers to Bowl wins in the 2006 Sugar Bowl, 2007 Gator Bowl, 2008 Fiesta Bowl and 2008 Meineke Car Care Bowl.
 
White set Big East records in total touchdowns (103), total offense (10,529) and became the first student-athlete in Big East history to pass for more than 10,000 yards. He posted a 7-2 record against top-25 opponents in his career.
 
In 2006-07, White won back-to-back Big East Offensive Player of the Year awards. During his senior season in 2008, he eclipsed the 4,000-yard rushing, 6,000-yard passing, 10,000-yard total offense and 4,000-yard all-purpose yardage marks. He was a three-time All-Big East First-Team honoree.
 
White rushed for 47 touchdowns and threw for 56 and is the only player in Big East history to ever account for over 100 touchdowns from any position.
 
After graduating from WVU, White was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He later played professionally with the Virginia Destroyers in the United Football League, the Washington Redskins and the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League from 2011-14.
 
White played stints in professional baseball as an outfielder with the Anaheim Angels and in the minor leagues with the Kansas City Royals and Miami Marlins.
 
The Daphne, Alabama native played alongside Alcorn offensive coordinator Ryan Stanchek at WVU from 2004-08.

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

JCSU Golden Bulls Change Sept. 22 Football Game Time

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The Johnson C. Smith University Golden Bulls game against Virginia State University will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2018, instead of 6 p.m.  The game will be held in the Irwin Belk Complex on campus, 500 Summit Ave.

The JCSU Bookstore will be open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Tickets are still available for purchase online.

JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION