TSU Volleyball Opens OVC Road Play at Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech

TENNESSEE STATE NOTES

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Game 13: Tennessee State (4-8, 1-0 OVC) vs. Jacksonville State (7-8, 0-2 OVC)

Date: Friday, Sept. 28, 2018
Location: Jacksonville, Ala. 
Arena: Kennamer Hall
Time: 7 p.m. CST
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

Game 14: Tennessee State (4-8, 1-0 OVC) vs. Tennessee Tech (6-10, 0-2 OVC)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018
Location: Cookeville, Tenn.
Arena: Eblen Center
Time: 2 p.m. CST
Live Stream: OVC Digital Network
Live Stats: Statbroadcast

#BigBlueRising

QUICK HITTERS: Tennessee State volleyball hits the road for its first Ohio Valley Conference road matches this season. TSU will play the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State Friday at 7 p.m. at the Pete Mathews Coliseum. Then, Big Blue heads to Cookeville to play TTU Saturday at 2 p.m.

The Tigers are 10-23 in the all-time series against Jacksonville State. Last season, the Gamecocks defeated the Tigers in both meetings, 3-2. Against Tennessee Tech, TSU is 17-39 in the alltime series. The Tigers swept the Golden Eagles at the Eblen Center last season, and ended the season with a 3-2 loss to TTU at home.

TSU UPDATE: The win over Eastern Illinois served as the 250th program win for Tennessee State. JoJo Kruize led the Tiger offense with 15 kills, with junior Julia Pierson following close behind with 13 kills and 5 blocks. Rivera Ortiz held down the backcourt with 23 digs with help from JUCO transfer Destiny Washington who dug up 13 balls. Current head coach Donika Sutton has been a member of the program for 54 of the wins, and was at the helm of the Tigers for 11. After sweeping Eastern Illinois in the second conference match of the season, the Tigers are 2-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play. The last time TSU was 2-0 in the league was 2007 - the year TSU won its first OVC Tournament and NCAA bid. 

SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE STATE: The Gamecocks finished conference opening weekend 0-2 after going five sets against both Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky. Lina Kindermann leads JSU in kills with 169 while Lexie Libs facilitates the offense. 

SCOUTING TENNESSEE TECH: TTU is 6-10, 0-2 moving into week two of conference play. Rachel Thomas and Alice Verzani lead the offense while Kirsten Brugere holds down the back court. 

UP NEXT: TSU hosts its final non-confernce opponent of the regular season in MTSU in Kean Hall Tuesday, Oct. 2.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Norfolk State Basketball Announces Pair of Schedule Changes

NORFOLK, Virginia  – The Norfolk State men's basketball program announced today changes to a pair of games during the 2018-19 season, including one regular season contest and one exhibition.

NSU's exhibition game against Virginia State has been moved from Wednesday, Oct. 31 to Friday, Nov. 2. Game time is still set for 7 p.m. from Joseph Echols Hall. This will mark the third straight season the two teams will play an exhibition game prior to the start of the season.

In addition, NSU will now host Regent University on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Regent will replace NYIT, which was originally set to play NSU on that same day. Game time is still 7 p.m. on Nov. 20 at Echols Hall.

This weekend, the men's and women's basketball programs will hold their annual Spartan Madness at Echols Hall on Saturday, Sept. 29, beginning at 8:30 p.m. as part of Tip-Off Week. It was originally announced in early September that Spartan Madness would take place on Oct. 6 before a change of date occurred.

Along with Spartan Madness, the NSU Skate Party also was moved up a week. It will now happen this Sunday, Sept. 30, after an original announcement date of Oct. 7.



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

GAME NOTES: NCCU Football Hosts Florida A&M

THE GAME                                                                                                                       
Florida A&M University "Rattlers" vs. North Carolina Central University "Eagles"
 
THE KICKOFF                                                                                                                  
Saturday, September 29, 2018 – Kickoff at 4:00 p.m.

THE SITE                                                                                                                          
O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000 capacity / Mondoturf) - Durham, N.C.
 
THE RECORDS                                                                                                                
Florida A&M (2-2 overall; 1-0 MEAC); N.C. Central (1-2 overall, 0-0 MEAC)
 
MEDIA COVERAGE                                                                                                         
Audio: NCCU Sports Network "GameCentral" at NCCUEaglePride.com (internet stream). Broadcast starts at 3:40 p.m. (Jonathan Duren, play-by-play; Joe Simmons, analyst).


Video/TV: ESPN3 (WatchESPN).



QUICK HITS                                                                                                                     
•   NCCU has won the last three games against Florida A&M by a combined 14 points, needing scores in the fourth quarter to pull out the victory each time.
•   Florida A&M leads the series with NCCU 6-4-1.
•   Saturday will be just the sixth gridiron meeting between the NCCU Eagles and the FAMU Rattlers in the past 45 years.
•   NCCU senior defensive lineman Darius Royster already has more tackles for loss than last season's team leaders (Roderick Harris and Antonio Brown with 8.5). Royster's 9.0 takedowns behind the line of scrimmage tops the FCS.
•   Since the start of the 2012 season, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including three defensive scores last year and two this season.
•   NCCU is under the direction of first-year head coach Granville Eastman, who accepted the interim role after Jerry Mack left to be the offensive coordinator at Rice.
•   NCCU senior safety Davanta Reynolds is the Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team (Second Team) after recording six interceptions last year.
•   NCCU received votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 preseason poll, after finishing last season with a 7-4 overall record.
•   NCCU returns just nine starters (6 offense, 3 defense), but boasts nine members of the Preseason All-MEAC Team: First Team - DB Davanta Reynolds, RB Isaiah Totten, OL Nick Leverett, DL Kawuan Cox; Second Team - TE Josh McCoy, OL Andrew Dale, DL Randy Anyanwu; Third Team - WR Xavier McKoy, and DB De'Mario Evans.
 
ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL                                                                                            
NCCU won three consecutive MEAC championships from 2014-16, and represented the MEAC in the 2016 Celebration Bowl versus Grambling in the Georgia Dome.
NCCU Recent Records:
2017: 7-4 overall, 5-3 MEAC
2016: 9-3 overall, 8-0 MEAC – MEAC champions
2015: 8-3 overall, 7-1 MEAC – MEAC co-champions
2014: 7-5 overall, 6-2 MEAC – MEAC co-champions
 
THE SERIES                                                                                                                     
This will be the 12th meeting in the series between the NCCU Eagles and the FAMU Rattlers since the teams first played in 1939. FAMU leads the series against NCCU, 6-4-1. NCCU has won the last three match-ups with the Rattlers.
9/28/2017 - NCCU 21, FAMU 14 (Tallahassee, Fla.)
10/8/2016 - NCCU 17, FAMU 13 (Durham, N.C.)
10/10/2015 - NCCU 27, FAMU 24 (Tallahassee, Fla.)
11/10/2012 - FAMU 22, NCCU 21 (Tallahassee, Fla.)
11/12/2011 - FAMU 31, NCCU 10 (Durham, N.C.)
9/15/1973 - NCCU 9, FAMU 3 (Atlanta, Ga.)
12/7/1957 - FAMU 14, NCCU 0 (Miami, Fla. / Orange Blossom Classic)
9/22/1956 - FAMU 25, NCCU 0 (Durham, N.C.)
12/1/1951 - FAMU 67, NCCU 6 (Miami, Fla. / Orange Blossom Classic)
11/9/1940 - NCCU 7, FAMU 7 (Durham, N.C.)
11/11/1939 - FAMU 20, NCCU 7 (Tallahassee, Fla.)
 
THE LAST MEETING                                                                                                       
(NCCU 21, FAMU 14 - Tallahassee, Fla. - Sept. 28, 2017) NCCU scored the only points in the second half on a 9-yard rushing touchdown by running back Isaiah Totten with just 2:02 left in the contest to give the Eagles a 21-14 road victory. NCCU collected 130 rushing yards in the game and held Florida A&M to only 73 yards on the ground. NCCU also had a total of 110 passing yards, while the Rattlers posted 185 yards through the air.
 
THE LAST MEETING IN DURHAM                                                                                
(NCCU 17, FAMU 13 - Durham, N.C. - Oct. 8, 2016) With heavy rain and wind gusts from Hurricane Matthew limiting the offense of both teams most of the day, NCCU rallied for two lead-changing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to claim a 17-13 victory over Florida A&M inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
 
LAST WEEK                                                                                                                     
Duke 55, NCCU 13 (Durham, N.C.) - NCCU was within one score of its ACC foe late in the second quarter, but Duke University pulled away from the Eagles after halftime for a 55-13 victory in the seventh edition of the Bull City Gridiron Classic.
 
FAMU 31, Savannah State 13 (Tallahassee, Fla.) - The Florida A&M Rattlers scored 28 points in the second half to stymie the resilient Tigers of Savannah State 31-13.
 
THE COACHES                                                                                                               
NCCU: Granville Eastman (Saint Mary's, 1992) is in his first season as a college head coach. With 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to his credit, Eastman joined the NCCU staff in January 2014, serving as assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and safeties coach until his promotion to interim head coach on Dec. 8, 2017. Prior to joining NCCU, Eastman spent nine seasons (2005-13) as the defensive coordinator at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, Tennessee. During his 11 total seasons at APSU, he coached defensive backs and linebackers, and also served as special teams coordinator (2003-04) and interim head coach (winter 2013). Eastman coached four seasons (1999-2002) at Tiffin University in Ohio, including the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, while working with defensive backs and defensive line during his tenure. A native of Toronto, Canada, Eastman secured his first coaching position at York University in his hometown, where he spent two seasons (1994-95) working with defensive backs. He then served as a defensive graduate assistant for three seasons (1996-98) at Arkansas State University, earning a master's degree in sociology in 1999. Eastman was a two-time all-city defensive back at Stephen Leacock High School in Toronto before attending Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where he was a three-year letterman as a defensive back. Twice Saint Mary's played in national title games while he was there. Eastman earned his bachelor's degree from Saint Mary's University in 1992.
Florida A&M: Willie Simmons (Clemson, 2002) Simmons, who had a stellar collegiate football playing career that featured stints at Clemson University and The Citadel (S.C.), is in his first season at Florida A&M University after spending the last three seasons (2015-2017) as head football coach at Prairie View A&M University.

EAGLES TURN DEFENSE, SPECIAL TEAMS INTO POINTS                                    
Since the start of the 2012 season, the Eagles have demonstrated a knack for finding the end zone when the offense is off the field. In the past 72 games, NCCU has scored 38 touchdowns on defense and special teams, including two this season, three in 2017, three in 2016, six in 2015, five in 2014, nine in 2013 and 10 in 2012. In that time, the Eagles have made trips to the end zone on 14 punt returns, six kickoff returns, three blocked field goal returns, 11 interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
 
NINE NCCU EAGLES VOTED TO PRESEASON ALL-MEAC TEAMS                      
Nine NCCU Eagles were voted to the Preseason All-MEAC Football Teams. Earning All-MEAC First Team honors for NCCU are Preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year senior defensive back Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten, junior offensive lineman Nick Leverett, and junior defensive lineman Kawuan Cox. Three NCCU Eagles on the Preseason All-MEAC Second Team are senior tight end Josh McCoy, sophomore offensive lineman Andrew Dale, and senior defensive lineman Randy Anyanwu. Receiving Preseason All-MEAC Third Team honors are junior wide receiver Xavier McKoy and senior defensive back De'Mario Evans.
 
THREE NCCU EAGLES ON HBCU PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST             
Three NCCU Eagles – senior safety Davanta Reynolds, sophomore running back Isaiah Totten and freshman running back Jamal Currie-Elliott - are among the 52 student-athletes from 25 different HBCUs to be named to the 2018 Watch List for the Black College Football Player of the Year Award, the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) announced Wednesday. The Award is presented annually to the most outstanding football player from a Historically Black College & University. The winner of the 2018 Black College Football Player of the Year Award will be honored with the Deacon Jones Trophy during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which takes place on Feb. 16, 2019 in Atlanta. Four finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 29.
 
FOUR EAGLES ALREADY EARNED UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES                     
Four NCCU student-athletes on this season's football team have already earned their undergraduate degrees: OL Nick Leverett, LB King Kiaku, DB Jamarcus Johnson, and WR Marvin Zanders (graduate transfer from Missouri).
 
ABOUT NCCU FOOTBALL                                                                                            
North Carolina Central University is in its eighth season of full NCAA Division I (FCS) athletics competition as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Eagles have won 13 conference championships as members of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (1953, 1954, 1956, 1961, 1963, 1980, 2005, 2006) and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (1972, 1973, 2014, 2015, 2016), and have made three appearances in the NCAA playoffs (1988, 2005, 2006). The Eagles won back-to-back football conference championships and a Black College National Championship in their final two years in the Division II ranks (2005 and 2006) before starting the transition to Division I in 2007. During its storied gridiron tradition, NCCU has produced 140 all-conference selections (first team), 67 all-Americans, 41 NFL draft picks, 13 conference championships and two Black College National Championships (1954, 2006). Two Eagles have represented NCCU on the National Football League's grandest stage - the Super Bowl. The first NCCU Eagle to make a Super Bowl appearance was Richard Sligh, who was a reserve tackle with the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl II against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 14, 1968. Sligh, who holds the distinction as the tallest player in NFL history (7'0"), played at NCCU from 1962-64 and was later drafted by the Raiders in the 10th round of the 1967 NFL draft. On Jan. 24, 1982, former NCCU Eagle Louis Breeden was a starting cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI against the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier in the season (Nov. 8, 1981), Breeden intercepted a pass thrown by San Diego Chargers quarterback Dan Fouts and returned it a team-record 102 yards for a touchdown. The following year, he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro. He completed his 10-year NFL career with 33 interceptions for 558 return yards and two touchdowns. The first Eagle selected in the NFL Draft was Matt Boone, who was taken by the Giants with the eighth pick in the 18th round in 1956. The latest Eagle announced during the NFL Draft was Ryan Smith, who was chosen by the Buccaneers in the fourth round in 2016. NCCU's highest draft pick was Doug Wilkerson, who was selected in the first round with the 14th overall pick of the 1970 NFL Draft by the Oilers. The Eagles have also had three second-round NFL draft picks, including Robert Massey in 1989 by the Saints, Charles Smith in 1975 by the Broncos and Chuck Hinton in 1962 by the Browns. HBCU football pioneer John Brown, who represented NCCU (then North Carolina College) on the gridiron in the 1940s, was one of the first to play professional football out of a historically black college or university. Brown shares the honor with Ezzret Anderson of Kentucky State and Elmore Harris of Morgan State, who all began their professional football careers in 1947. Brown and Anderson were teammates on the Los Angeles Dons, while Harris was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers. According to NCCU records, Brown was the first of the three to sign a professional football contract. He played center and linebacker with the Dons from 1947-49, before moving to the Canadian Football League.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

UAPB "The View At The Top" Episode 1

Le Guillou earns her fifth straight GCAC conference honor

NEW ORLEANS — Eva Le Guillou has done it again.
     
The Xavier University of Louisiana volleyball standout captured her school-record fifth consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Setter of the Week award. The GCAC announced the honor Tuesday.
     
Le Guillou has won every GCAC Setter of the Week award this season. A sophomore from Velizy-Villacoublay, France, Le Guillou had 38 assists (6.33 per set), five aces and eight digs in GCAC victories against SUNO and Philander Smith. She directed an offense that hit .361 for the week, including .446 at Philander Smith. Le Guillou served four aces against SUNO to tie her career high.
    
 Le Guillou ranks 25th in the NAIA in assists with 590 and 30th in assists per set with 9.52. She leads the Gold Nuggets with 26 sces.
     
Le Guillou broke a tie with Taylor Reuther for second place in Nuggets history with her eighth career GCAC weekly honor. Teammate Tiffany Phillips holds the school record, which is 10.
     
The Gold Nuggets (13-4, 4-0), who have won seven straight, will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to play GCAC opponent Edward Waters at 1 p.m. EDT Saturday. It will be the third of nine consecutive XULA road matches.

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

Former UMES Bowler Rodriguez wins PWBA Tour Championship

RICHMOND, Virginia —Former University of Maryland Eastern Shore bowler Maria Jose Rodriguez capped the 2018 Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour season on Sept. 19, by winning her first career PWBA Tour title at the PWBA Tour Championship.

Rodriguez, a native of Colombia, edged Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, inside the Old Dominion Building at Richmond Raceway, 236-228, to collect a major championship and $20,000 top prize.

.@MariaJoseRodri talks about last night’s big win at the PWBA Tour Championship, seen live on @CBSSportsNet from the Old Dominion Building at @RichmondRaceway.#PWBATour #BowlFearless #RoadToRichmond #WhereChampionsPerform pic.twitter.com/krMU08iJRR

— PWBA Tour (@PWBATour) September 20, 2018

Rodriguez was a member of the Hawks' 2008 and 2011 NCAA Championship teams as well as the 2011 USBC Intercollegiate Team Championship winning squad. She was a three-time All-American and two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Bowler of the Year.

The championship round was broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.

The 29-year-old right-hander gained the early advantage against Kulick, posting six strikes in her first eight frames, but back-to-back 10 pins in the ninth and 10th frames gave Kulick, who was working on four consecutive strikes, the chance to win her seventh major title.

Needing a strike on her first delivery for a chance to win, Kulick left a 10 pin of her own to record her second consecutive runner-up at the Tour Championship.

"I could only control what I could control," Rodriguez said. "I made great shots and was happy with how I threw it. When Kelly left the 10 pin, I couldn't believe it. I started to shake so bad, and I still can't believe it. I've worked so hard and fought so hard, and I'm so happy this happened."

The Sport of Bowling - USBC

Streamed live on Sep 18, 2018

Watch the third round of match play at the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship LIVE on #BowlTV! Match 11 will feature (11) Diana Zavjalova vs. (13) Maria Jose Rodriguez, while Match 9 features (5) Liz Kuhlkin vs. (12) Kelly Kulick at Richmond Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. The winner of each match will clinch spots in the CBS Sports Network live finals to join (1) Shannon O'Keefe and (2) Danielle McEwan. #WhereChampionsPerform Check out the full bracket here: https://t.bowl.com/2NilkBr
------------------------
Rodriguez used different bowling balls on each lane during her semifinal and championship matches, relying on the information she gained on that pair of lanes in bracket play.

"I bowled on that pair twice in match play, and I'm now thankful each match went to five games," Rodriguez said. "I got to see the transition and how those lanes ended up playing totally different. I just learned by watching and trying different things in match play, and I knew I couldn't use the same ball on both lanes."

Rodriguez burst onto the scene in 2014, winning the United States Bowling Congress Queens in Reno, Nevada. That title match also was against Kulick and ended in similar fashion. Needing a double to win, Kulick left a 10 pin to give Rodriguez the 190-189 victory.

In Wednesday's opening match, Rodriguez rolled eight strikes to hold off a charging Danielle McEwan of Stony Point, New York, 237-224.

Rodriguez struck on five of her first six shots to build an early lead on McEwan, who opened in the fourth frame. McEwan responded with five consecutive strikes to put herself in position to advance with a double in the 10th frame, but she was unable to get the 10 pin out on her first delivery.

Kulick cruised in match play at the Old Dominion Building, getting more comfortable as she continued to move closer to the CBS Sports Network final, which included finishing with a 770 total in her final three games to close out Liz Kuhlkin of Schenectady, New York.

The 41-year-old right-hander was frustrated as she tried to get her fit to cooperate in both of her matches Wednesday, but she took solace in knowing she executed the way she wanted to in her final frame.

"I didn't have the feel I had all week long, and that's what I was searching for," Kulick said. "Once I found it against Maria, I executed the way I wanted. When I needed to make a good shot in the 10th frame, I did, so I'm walking away knowing I threw the best shot I possibly could. It ended up being a weak 10, but it was a pocket delivery that was well executed. I walk away knowing I left nothing on the table. Am I disappointed? Absolutely. But if I keep knocking on the door, it's going to push itself open."

The 16-player field at the Tour Championship included all of this year's eligible PWBA Tour champions, and the final spots in the bracket were filled in using the 2018 PWBA Tour points list.

Players were seeded into the bracket based on their ranking on the points list, and each bracket match featured a best-of-five format leading up to Wednesday's semifinals. The Tour Championship is a single-elimination event.

For more information on Eastern Shore Athletics visit http://www.easternshorehawks.com/.

By Shawn Yonker
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE HAWKS SPORTS INFORMATION

UMES Hawk alum Jesse Stinnett signs with Colorado Rockies

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland — Former University of Maryland Eastern Shore baseball pitcher Jesse Stinnett signed a minor league contract with the Colorado Rockies on August 15th.

Stinnett competed for the Hawks during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In those two years he placed himself in the record books on The Shore, where he stands first in WHIP (1.26), second in ERA (3.58), tied for fourth in wins with ten, seventh in strikeouts (128) and eighth in strikeouts per nine (6.74).

During the 2015 campaign, the Hawks earned their highest ever conference win total, going 14-10 against the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Stinnett went 6-2 in conference that season with a 1.80 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 60 innings pitched.

"It's been a long, bumpy road, but it's a dream come true." Stinnett said. "My time at Maryland Eastern Shore was amazing. It was great to play at a high level against big schools and to win right away. It's definitely helped me in the long run."

After signing with Colorado, Stinnett was assigned to the Grand Junction Rockies out of the Pioneer League. In six appearances this season, he pitched 13 innings with 14 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA. On September 4th, he earned his first minor league win against the Orem Owlz, and went six innings in his first career start on September 6th.

"I've enjoyed working with our pitching coach [Doug Jones]. He's introduced some new adjustments and mechanics and it's all starting to click." Stinnett said.

Prior to his time in affiliated ball he pitched for the Santa Fe Fuego of the Pecos League and the Utica Unicorns of the United Shore Baseball League.

"What's really cool about Jesse making the minors is that it shows our guys if you succeed, the opportunities will come." Head Baseball Coach Brian Hollamon said. "As we continue to raise the level of play here, there will be athletes who will have to chance to make the jump to the professional ranks."

According to records the last Hawk to play in affiliated minor league baseball was Ira Smith. The two-time NCAA batting champion competed in the minors from 1990-1998, reaching the Triple-A level. He would go on to play five seasons independently, joining several other Hawks who also played independent ball, including Chuck Pickard, Ricky Farley, Karim Gonzalez and Tre-Von Johnson to name a few.

Stinnett's breakthrough also makes him one of 18 former MEAC players active in the minor leagues. Two former MEAC standouts - Rayan Gonzalez of Bethune-Cookman and Aubrey McCarty of Florida A&M - are also competing in the Colorado Rockies organization.

By Matt McCann
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE HAWKS SPORTS INFORMATION 

A&T's Washington Discusses Teams First Loss, Facing SCSU

N.C. A&T Head Coach Sam Washington on Saturday's loss to Morgan State

 “It was a tough one. My first defeat as a head coach, first defeat at home in 11 games. There were a lot of firsts, however, I thought the kids played hard. They gave what they had, but unfortunately, it was not enough. Give credit where credit is due, Morgan came in well prepared. If you guys remember last week I said they were the best 0-3 team I have ever seen, possibly in the country.  They proved just that. They did nothing to hurt themselves.

We have a saying here that there are three phases of the game we must do to win. Stop the run. I don’t think we did that. They rushed for 132yards. Protect the football. We had two turnovers, they only had one. And win the kicking game. They made three field goals one for 50 yards long.

So those were the deciding factors in my mind on the outcome of the football game. But that is behind us and we have to find a way to put that behind us, which will be very difficult but is something that is very necessary so that we can move on. We have a short week to prepare for a very capable South Carolina State football team who always has been a thorn in our side, and they give us their very best every time they show up.”

Washington on snapped 15-game winning streak

“There’s no way to lose in my mind, but it happened. And what we have to do is use it as a tool. There are some things that we can do better. You get accustomed to winning, but you can’t relax and get in a place you shouldn’t be. We can use this as a learning tool and get better at what we do.”

Washington on things team must focus on this week

“This short week we are going to have to put a lot of emphasis on a few things. Fundamentals and technique showed in the ballgame. I think we can be a lot more fundamentally sound then we were. We missed tackles, we missed blocks, and we missed opportunities that we generally do not miss, so that will be a big focus this week. Our basic technique like when to transition, when to use your hands will be the focus this week to get those things corrected, and we look forward to beating South Carolina State.”

 Washington on his postgame message to the team

“The biggest point I tried to drive home is that we must stick together as a team. During adverse times all kind of criticism and conversations will arise, and it’s very critical that we stick together as a unit and I think they received the message.”

Washington on Saturday’s offensive struggles

“There were some situations that I thought we could have done better with the timing. You have to give Morgan some credit, I thought they disguised some coverages and generally were an attack team. But for some reason, they did not do that this game, they lined up and showed you this, then dropped into that. I thought it posed some problems for us. We must do a better job of making adjustments when we see those kinds of things happening. We must win first downs, as a defensive coach that’s what I emphasize. We did not do a very good job of winning those first downs offensively.”

 Washington on the impact of a shorter week of preparation

“It'snot too bad, we’re just one day ahead. The things that we would normally do on Monday, we did on Sunday and so on.”

Washington on first practice after the loss

“The energy became very good. Initially, we were still sulking a little bit, so we brought them back together and told them to listen, this is must not happen. Then the energy picked back up and the kids were flying around and were focused.  We worked on a lot of fundamental stuff like the first step, hands and eyes. I think we’ll benefit from it.”

Washington on how the defense can better stop the run more efficiently

“Putting people in the proper gaps from a coaching standpoint. A lot of teams would love to hold a team to 132 yards, it's just not acceptable around here. There were some missed gaps, and we just didn’t play well defensively.”

Washington on playing against mobile quarterbacks

“I think they’re a thorn in everyone’s side. A quarterback who can run the ball, as well as a running back, is even more of a threat because now one on one tackles can become a problem. That’s the biggest issue with running quarterbacks, but I think that’s universal, not just here.”

Washington on quarterback Lamar Raynard’s recent struggles

“I think he’s put a lot of pressure on himself. He’s trying to be perfect, but we don’t need him to be perfect, we need him to do just what he does and that’s enough. He’s done everything we ’ve asked of him, he’s a very humble kid, very bright, and a hard worker. He’s done everything right in my opinion, he’s just got to stop putting so much pressure on himself.”

Washington on problems South Carolina State’s offense poses

They’re a run-first team, and they do a lot of run-pass options. Their quarterback is very athletic and can run. With those RPO situations, that’s going to be very challenging for us, but we’ll be okay.”

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

MONDAY MASH: FAMU vs SSU

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY RATTLER ATHLETICS

Benedict Tigers Take Special Victory Over Fort Valley State In Palmetto Capital City Classic, 28-20

COLUMBIA South Carolina – In a special game played on a special day, it was only fitting that special teams took center stage in Benedict's 28-20 victory over Fort Valley State on Sunday afternoon in the Palmetto Capital City Classic in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

The Tigers scored on a 1-yard run by quarterback Dominique Harris with 3:58 left in the game to seal the victory after Benedict recovered a FVSU fumbled punt at the 1. That capped off a wild night that saw the Wildcats score three touchdowns off of Benedict fumbles, including a bad long snap to the punter that gave Fort Valley State a 20-14 lead with 24 seconds left in the third quarter. The Tigers also blocked a FVSU 27-yard field goal attempt with 15 seconds left in the first half and allowed Benedict to take a 14-7 lead at the half.

"It was just the bounce of the ball. I'm not sure what happened, I'm just glad it came in our favor," Benedict head coach Mike White said of the fourth-quarter muffed punt. "I was just tired of making blunders on special teams, it was about time for them to make one. I'm just glad it bounced our way and gave us the winning score there."

Benedict improves to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in SIAC play. Fort Valley State, which has played in the last two SIAC championship games, falls to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the SIAC.

Harris finished the game completing 16-of-22 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the Tigers in rushing with 25 yards on 15 carries, but fumbled the ball three times which led to a pair of Wildcat touchdowns.

"It was a hard-fought game. I'm proud of the guys the way they fought back once we got behind," White said. "They showed a lot of character when they did that. Being up 14 and losing the lead, and saying they won't be denied and came back and won it. I'm not happy with the turnovers, I'm not happy with special teams, but I'm glad we ground it out for the win."



Amari Andrews led the Benedict defense with 11 total tackles, including eight solo, and was named the MVP of the Classic. Rickym Holmes had three tackles, including Benedict's only sack of the game against elusive FVSU quarterback Garrel Quainton, who finished with 126 yards passing and 60 yards rushing. Christian Taylor blocked the field goal and Olajuwone Smith blocked an extra point.

"I'm glad we pulled it out. That shows a little bit about us," White said. "When they got down, the defense just got excited and said they were going to make sure that they took care of business."

Danye Washington had five receptions for 90 yards, while Johnny Willis had five catches for 58 yards. Drelon Freeman caught three passes for 54 yards, including a go-ahead 30-yard touchdown pass from Harris that gave Benedict a 21-20 lead with 13:11 remaining in the game.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff and drove 71 yards on seven plays with Harris calling his own number and running in from 11-yards out for the game's first score. After forcing the Wildcats to punt, the Tigers marched 82 yards on seven plays, with Harris completing an 8-yard pass to Jemine Yesin with 4:39 remaining in the first quarter for a quick 14-0 lead.

Late in the second quarter, Harris was sacked and stripped of the ball. Glendrell Byrd scooped up the ball for the Wildcats and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 14-7.



In the third quarter, the Tigers turned it over again on another Harris sack and fumble after a bad snap from center. The Wildcats needed just four plays to move 26 yards, with Quainton finishing the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good to tie the game at 14 with 3:09 on the clock.

On Benedict's next series, another bad snap, this time to punter Mario Trejo, led to an 11-yard fumble recovery by Camron Young with 24 seconds left in the third quarter. The PAT was blocked, giving the Wildcats a 20-14 lead.

The Tigers quickly responded, moving 75 yards on just five plays. The key play was a 30-yard pass from Harris to Freeman, who caught the pass over his shoulder in the far corner of the end zone. Rigoberto Tinoco's PAT was good to give the Tigers a 21-20 lead with 13:11 remaining in the game.

That set up the key fumbled punt recovery and the Tigers held off a late FVSU drive to clinch the victory.

ATTENDANCE: 4274

BOX SCORE

Benedict is on the road next week, traveling to take on Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in another SIAC contest.



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