North Carolina A&T State Aggies Faces Tough Challenge In Daytona

No. 18 North Carolina A&T (5-2, 2-1 MEAC) vs. Bethune-Cookman (4-3, 2-1 MEAC) 
Date: October 20, 2018
Time:  4 p.m. EST
City/Venue:  Daytona Beach, Fla./Municipal Stadium (10,500)
Series:  B-CU leads, 22-17
TV: ESPN 3 ESPN Triad Radio: Donal Ware (play-by-play); Al Swann (analysts)

North Carolina A&T State Game Notes

Stations:  600 AM/101.5 FM Winston-Salem
1320 AM/93.7 FM Greensboro
1230 AM/104.9 FM High Point
920 AM/104.5 FM Burlington
1200 AM/95.1 FM Burlington

The Matchup: 

N.C. A&T and Bethune-Cookman will put their respective seasons on the line when they face each other for the 40thtime on the football field Saturday. The Aggies are coming off a difficult home loss as the Florida A&M overcame a 21-6 halftime deficit to beat the Aggies 22-21 to take over first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. N.C. A&T lost a game they led at halftime for the first time in seven years ending a streak of 51 straight games of winning contests in which they led at halftime.

The Aggies did receive some good news during the game as fifth-year quarterback Lamar Raynard broke the school record for touchdown passes as his 38-yard TD toss to Zachary Leslie in the first quarter gave him 60 for his career. He later threw another touchdown pass to Leslie for career touchdown No. 61. Raynard and the Aggies must now turn their attention to a good Bethune-Cookman team. If the Aggies want to reach the postseason for the fourth straight season, they probably cannot endure another loss. The Aggies are also still in the hunt for their fourth MEAC title in five years.

The Wildcats are also looking for another MEAC title. Before the Aggies went on their run, the Wildcats were collecting MEAC titles. B-CU has four MEAC titles and has only had one losing season during the current decade. They have also finished in the top-2 in the MEAC six out of the last eight seasons. B-CU gave the Aggies their biggest scare last season. The Aggies had to overcome a fourth-quarter deficit at BB&T Stadium to keep their perfect season intact.

News and Notes:

• N.C. A&T lost to Florida A&M for the first time in six seasons after rushing for just 74 yards last Saturday. N.C. A&T’s 74 yards were the fewest yards rushing the Aggies have had against a conference opponent since posting 63 yards against S.C. State on Nov. 5, 2016. The Aggies have won three straight over the Wildcats. Those three games have been decided by an average margin of 10.3 points.
• If N.C. A&T is able to beat the Wildcats, it will guarantee the Aggies seventh straight winning seasons. The Aggies have the longest current streak in the conference. The longest streak in school history occurred between 1955-1964.
• Lamar Raynard is N.C. A&T’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. In his quest for the record, Raynard has thrown touchdown passes to 16 different receivers. Elijah Bell benefited the most by catching 18 of Raynard’s career touchdown passes.
• The Aggies have had back-to-back 100-yard receiving performances. Malik Wilson had four catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns at Delaware State on Oct. 6. The following week the Aggies showed off their depth at receiver again when Zachary Leslie caught eight passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns. 

 NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

MEAC To Host Men's, Women's Basketball Teleconferences Next Week

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will host a pair of basketball preseason teleconferences on Wednesday, Oct. 24 (WBB) and Thursday, Oct. 25 (MBB) beginning at 10 a.m. The 2018-19 MEAC Preseason Poll, all-conference teams and preseason players of the year will be released prior to each teleconference, as all MEAC head men’s and women’s basketball coaches will provide insight into the upcoming season. Each session concludes with a question-and-answer session with members of the media.

For more information on how to access the call (media only), please contact Ryan McGinty or Jeff Cunningham at (757) 951-2055.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24
10:00 a.m. Preseason Polls, All-Conference Announced
10:10 a.m. Bethune-Cookman (Vanessa Blair-Lewis)
10:20 a.m. Coppin State (DeWayne Burroughs)
10:30 a.m. Delaware State (David Caputo)
10:40 a.m. Florida A&M (LeDawn Gibson)
10:50 a.m. Howard (Ty Grace)
11:00 a.m. Maryland Eastern Shore (Fred Batchelor)
11:10 a.m. Morgan State (Edward Davis, Jr.)
11:20 a.m. Norfolk State (Larry Vickers)
11:30 a.m. North Carolina A&T State (Tarrell Robinson)
11:40 a.m. North Carolina Central (Trisha Stafford-Odom)
11:50 a.m. Savannah State (Cedric Baker)
12:00 p.m. South Carolina State (Audra Smith)

Thursday, October 25, 2018
10:00 a.m. Preseason Polls, All-Conference Announced10:10 a.m. Bethune-Cookman (Ryan Ridder)
10:20 a.m. Coppin State (Juan Dixon)
10:30 a.m. Delaware State (Eric Skeeters)
10:40 a.m. Florida A&M (Robert McCullum)
10:50 a.m. Howard (Kevin Nickelberry)
11:00 a.m. Maryland Eastern Shore (Clifford Reed)
11:10 a.m. Morgan State (Todd Bozeman)
11:20 a.m. Norfolk State (Robert Jones)
11:30 a.m. North Carolina A&T State (Jay Joyner)
11:40 a.m. North Carolina Central (LeVelle Moton)
11:50 a.m. Savannah State (Horace Broadnax)
12:00 p.m. South Carolina State (Murray Garvin)

MEAC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

The CW Network In Montgomery To Air 94th Annual Homecoming Game

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  --  For the first time in the football program's 105-year history, Tuskegee University's homecoming game will be carried live regionally this Saturday when the Golden Tigers host Kentucky State at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Stadium. Alabama News Network will broadcast the 94th Annual event through its CW Network.

This Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) matchup is pivotal in terms of keeping the Golden Tigers in the hunt for defending its West Division crown. TU enters Saturday's game with a 4-3 record overall and a 2-1 mark in league play. KSU on the other hand is in search of its first win of the season, sitting at 0-7 and 0-3 in the conference. While Kentucky State leads the overall series with Tuskegee 15-13, the Golden Tigers have won five of the last six meetings and has outscored the Thorobreds 185-74.

"We are extremely excited the CW Network elected to broadcast our annual homecoming game". Head football coach and director of athletics Willie Slater said. "The opportunity to have the name Tuskegee University mentioned in nearly 500,000 households each day in our local market, offers not only the football program, but the entire school tons of exposure".

You know it’s coming right?

94th Annual @TuskegeeUniv Homecoming.

Soon..... pic.twitter.com/D54rxdWl9G

— Tuskegee Athletics (@MyTUAthletics) October 18, 2018

Alabama News Network will officially kick festivities off Friday morning at 5:00 a.m. when the CBS 8 News team hosts its morning program, "Good Morning Chris", hosted by Chris Searcy live from the Tuskegee University Kellogg Center. They will discuss the latest in homecoming activity, local, regional, statewide and national news, along with business news, sports, weather and traffic updates. At 11:00 a.m. "ABC News at 11:00" will go live on ABC 32, followed by "CBS 8 News at Noon" on its CBS station.

Saturday morning, the CW Network will take things over with the Golden Tiger Tailgate Show live from the football stadium. The 30 min pre-game show will feature exclusive interviews and pregame analysis for both teams, followed by kickoff which is set for 1 p.m. between the Golden Tigers and Thorobreds.

Individual homecoming tickets can be purchased for $40 while general admission seating is $30. Fans are encouraged to call (334) 727-8594 or (334) 724-4385 to make purchases.

ABOUT THE CW:
The CW Network was formed as a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation. The network's primetime schedule includes hit series Riverdale,The Flash, Black Lightning, Supergirl, and Jane The Virgin, as well as popular series Arrow, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The 100, Supernatural, The Originals, and iZombie.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Tuskegee Golden Tigers Coach Willie Slater -- Week 8

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  -- Tuskegee head football coach Willie Slater address the media at his weekly press conference Thursday afternoon. He recaps last Saturday's win over Fort Valley State while also previewing the 94th Annual Homecoming game against Kentucky State.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Tuskegee Welcomes Kentucky State for 94th Annual Homecoming

Series history with Kentucky State
While Kentucky State leads the overall series with Tuskegee 15-13 ,the Golden Tigers have won five of the last six meetings outscoring them 185-74

Last time against Kentucky State - 2017
Hoderick Lowe ran for a career-high 273 yards and two touchdowns to help Tuskegee get revenge from their 2016 homecoming loss to Kentucky State by returning the favor on the Thorobreds' homecoming with a 26-21 victory.Lowe scored on an 84-yard run and a 73-yard run. Javarrius Cheatham had three catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Greenville High School Reunion
Tuskegee receiver Javarrius Cheatham ,Kentucky State defensive back Rodney Davidson and receiver Jonathan Powell will reunite with each other on Saturday. They all attended Greenville High school in Greenville, Ala

100 yard rushers
For the first five weeks of the season, Tuskegee had not allowed any running back to rush for 100 yards. TU allowed Santo Dunn of Morehouse to rush for 125 yards during week 6. The trend returned in week 7 after the Golden Tigers allowed Fort Valley State's top rusher to gain only 50 yards

Avoiding consecutive defeats
With Tuskegee's 17-6 win over Fort Valley State last Saturday, the Golden Tigers avoided losing back-to-back games. Something that hasn't happened since 2013 when TU ended the regular season with a loss to Miles and first round playoff defeat at North Alabama

SIAC Roadtrip winning streak
After last Saturday's 17-6 win over Fort Valley State, Tuskegee is on a 15 game SIAC road trip winning streak. Not counting neutral site contest, TU has not suffered a loss at a visiting conference team's home since falling at Kentucky State in 2011

Tuskegee's Total Defense
Out of 165 NCAA Division II teams, Tuskegee is ranked No.6 in Total Defense. The Golden Tigers defense is only giving up 241 yards per game.

Saturday honorary captains
Tuskegee welcomes back former NFL All-Pro defensive back Drayton Florence and all-time passing leader, Maruice Heard as today's honorary captains

Tale of two quarters
In the second and third quarters combined this season, Tuskegee is outscoring its opponents 88-32. In the first and fourth quarters, they are being outscored 41-20.



TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

This Is Game Week: Morgan State vs. Howard

 Morgan State Notes  |     Howard Notes |    MEAC Notes (PDF) |   Purchase Tickets |
 MEAC Teleconference Audio  |     GAMEDAYGuide   
 Facebook.com/MorganStateBears   |    @MorganStBears

GAME TIME
Morgan State (2-4, 1-1) returns home to face Beltway rival Howard (2-3, 2-1). The match-up will kick off in Hughes Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. and will streamed live on ESPN3 and also broadcast on WEAA, 88.9 FM. The Bears enter the 2018 season under the leadership of interim head coach Ernest T. Jones. Howard completed the 2017 season with a 7-4 overall mark and went 6-2 in the MEAC. The Bison will enter the contest fresh off of a 55-13 rout versus Delaware State. 

GAME COVERAGE
TELEVISION: SPORTSfever Television Network (STN) will be broadcasting the game live ... Phil Schoener will handle the play-by-play duties with color analyst Emory Hunt.

•  The game will also be broadcast live on three television networks, including on WBAL 11.2 MeTV in the Baltimore area.  The contest will also be on WHP 21.2 My Network in the Harrisburg-Lancaster (Pa.) region and on Erie News Now ENN+ in the city of Erie (Pa.).

•  In addition, there will be two tape delay broadcasts in other areas.  WDCW 50 CW in Washington, D.C. and will show the game at 1 a.m. on Sunday, October 21st, while Sports Time Ohio, serving several cities in the state including Cleveland, will air that game on Monday at 7 a.m.

RADIO: WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears ... Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with Renard Stubbs and Austin Ward in the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org. 

LIVE STREAM: ESPN3

RADIO: WEAA, 88.9 FM is the flagship station for the Morgan State Bears ... Lamont Germany will call the play-by-play with Renard Stubbs and Austin Wardin the booth. The game will be broadcast live on 88.9 FM and streamed on WEAA.org. 

LIVE STATS: Click Here

SOCIAL NETWORKS
Fans can keep up-to-date with all MSU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/MorganStBears and @MorganStateFootball. You can also become a fan of the Bears on Facebook at Facebook.com/MorganStateBears.

TICKETS
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all five home games, including homecoming start at only $95. Premium seats are now available for purchase by calling 443.885.1522 or visiting MSU Student Center Athletics Ticket Office during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), or visit  morganstatebears.com/tickets.

THE SERIES
• Saturday's matchup marks the 72nd meeting between the two schools.  
• The Bears lead the overall series 43-27-1 since 1931.
• Morgan State posted a 28-24 victory in the last meeting in Baltimore in 2016.
• The Bears fell 39-14 in last year's visit to Greene Stadium on Oct. 21, 2017 in Washington, D.C.

THE COACHES
•  Morgan State - Ernest T. Jones (Alcorn State, '95) joined the Bears as the Defensive Coordinator in 2016 and was previously a JUCO head coach at ASA Miami (2015 - 8-2 record); he has also worked at Connecticut, Notre Dame, Univ. of Buffalo, Cincinnati, Alcorn State, Central Michigan, Oberlin, Kentucky State and Concordia. CAREER RECORD (12-16, 2 yrs); RECORD AT MSU (2-4, 1st yr).
•  Howard - Mike London (Mt. Union, '94) leads the Bison in his second season at the helm.  Prior to taking the reins at Howard, London led Virginia to an 8-5 season in 2011 and was named ACC Coach of the Year. As the head coach at Richmond (2008-09), London captured 24 wins and led the Spiders to the FCS Championship in his first season. RECORD AT HOWARD (9-7, 2nd yr), CAREER RECORD (60-58, 10 yrs).

QUICK HITS
• Junior DeAndre Harris, a 6-4, 210-pound quarterback from Washington (Ga.) has connected on 58 of 115 passes for 743 yards, including a four of TDs. He also ran for a season-high 107 yards on the ground in Week 3 at UAlbany.
• The Bears recorded a season-high 229 yards on the ground against UAlbany. 
• Senior RB William King finished with a game-high 88 yards on 25 carries at Savannah State.
• Senior LB Damare' Whitaker ranks second in the MEAC with 52 total tackles (35 solo). 
• LB Rico Kennedy, the team's leading tackler in 2017 with 70 stops, in addition to 19.5 tackles for loss (No. 3 in the FCS), has posted 34 tackles, a team-high 6 TFLs, with 2.5 sacks and three QB hurries through 6 games.
• MSU's defense leads the MEAC in turnovers gained with 15 (10 fumbles, 5 interceptions).
• The Bears defense held #4 NCAT to 1 of 12 in 3rd down conversions.
• Ernest T. Jones' Bears are predicted to finish 9th in the MEAC's 2018 Preseason Order of Finish. 

LAST TIME vs. HOWARD - OCT. 21, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C.. -- Caylin Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more as Howard throttled Morgan State, 39-14 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference battle Saturday afternoon.
• The effort gives the true freshman, the younger brother of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton, 18 touchdowns, nine rushing and nine passing.
• Newton ran 19 yards for a score in the first quarter, then hit Jequez Ezzard with a 58-yard touchdown and Kyle Anthony with a 75-yard strike before running in from a yard out late in the third.
• The Howard defense shined throughout the game, adding a scoop-and-score touchdown on a Morgan State fumble with under three minutes left in the game. The Bears managed just two touchdowns despite driving into the red zone six times, with the second score coming in the final minute.
• MSU produced over 500 yards of total offense despite only 14 points. Elijah Staley went 23-of-44 for 290 yards, but threw two interceptions in the loss.

A WIN WOULD ... 
...give Ernest T. Jones his second win as MSU's head coach and his 13th career win.
... mark the Bears' first back-to-back wins since 2016 (vs. Howard & Delaware State).
... mark the Bears' first win against Howard since a 28-24 victory at Hughes Stadium in 2016. 
... mark MSU's first home conference win since defeating Savannah State 48-28 for Homecoming on Oct. 14, 2017.
... extend the Bears' series record against Howard to 44-26-1 since 1931.
... mark the Bears home win since  defeating Savannah State 48-28 for Homecoming on Oct. 14, 2017.

A GLANCE AT THE BISON
•  Howard finished 2017 with an overall mark of 7-4 and went 6-2 in conference play. The Bison finished 4-3 in road contests.
•  Howard posted a decisive 55-13 victory over Delaware State in their home opener at Greene Stadium. 
•  Head coach Mike London's (Richmond, '82) offense is averaging a league-best 513.6 yards of total offense (177.0 rushing; 336.6 passing). They have scored seven rushing TDs and 15 passing. The Bison average 4.0 yards per rush and 9.4 per pass, including 17.2 per catch.
•  HU's offense is led by sophomore and league sensation QB Caylin Newton. The 5-11, 195-pound Atlanta (Ga.) product has completed 91-of-172 passes (52.9%)  for 1,593 yards, with 15 TDs and 7 INTs. He also leads the Bison ground attack with 79 carries for 309 yards and a TD.  He ranks No. 1 in the MEAC in total offense at 380.4 yards per game.
•  RB Khalid Dorsey is averaging 5.3 yards per carry with a TD. The 6-1, 205 pound senior has 169 yards on 32 carries.
• Junior wideouts Kyle Anthony (6-3, 205) and Jequez Ezzard (5-9, 190) are two of the league's top receivers. Anthony has 31 catches for 398 yards (79.6 avg/g) and 4 TDS, while Ezzard has 28 catches for 737 yards (147.4 avg/g) and 8 TDs.
• Jeques Ezzard registered 191 receiving yards on four catches with three TDs last week versus Delaware State and was named the National Offensive Player of the Week honorable mention. He became the first Bison in school history to produce back-to-back 3 TD games.
• HU is allowing 451.4 yards of total offense (rushing 230.6; passing 220.8). The Bison have also forced 9 turnovers (3 INTs; 6 FR). Opponents are averaging 6.1 yards per play. The Bison have recorded 26.5 TFL.
• HU's D is led by junior linebacker Marcell Allison and senior safety Bryan Cook. Allison, (6-4, 235) ranks T-No. 15 in the league with 42 tackles, while Cook (6-1, 194) ranks T-No. 22 with 28 stops.

NOTABLE NATIONAL NOTES
Here are a few 2018 FCS national statistics of note on offense, defense and special teams that pertained to the Bears:
• Senior LB Damare' Whitaker ranks T-No. 16 nationally in solo tackles (35).
• Sophomore CB Donte Small ranks T-No. 5 nationally in interceptions per game (0.7; 4 ints) and T-No. 4 in passes defended (10).
• Senior DL Ayodeji Agbelese ranks T-No. 4 nationally in fumble recoveries (2).
• MSU ranks T-No. 14 nationally in turnovers gained (15) and T-No. 6 in passes intercepted (10).
• The Bears rank No. 4 nationally in 3rd down conversion defense (.260).
• The Bears rank No. 17 nationally in passing efficiency defense (109.09).
• The Bears rank T-No. 11 nationally in defensive TDs (2).
• MSU ranks No. 29 nationally in total defense (346.2).

PRESEASON PICKED 9TH 
Morgan State was picked to finish ninth (9th) to MEAC defending champion and Preseason #1 North Carolina A&T and #2 Howard.
 
PRESEASON ALL-MEAC PLAYERS
Seven (7) Morgan State football players were named to the 2018 MEAC preseason team, which was voted on by the conference head coaches and sports information directors.  Senior defensive lineman Malachi Washington and junior linebacker Rico Kennedy were first-team selections. Senior offensive linemen Joshua Miles and Matthew Thompson were third-team picks, along with junior wideout Manasseh Bailey, junior linebacker Ian McBorrough, and senior defensive back Carl Garnes. The seven preseason All-MEAC performers are part of a group of 37 lettermen and 16 starters returning for the 2018 Morgan State football season.
 
BEARS OPEN 120th SEASON OF FOOTBALL SINCE 1898
MSU enters its 120th season of football and will open the 2018 campaign under interim head coach Ernest T. Jones, set to enter his first year at the helm and his third year at Morgan State.
 
RETURN MEN 
The 2018 Morgan State Bears return 37 letterwinners, including 16 starters - 7 on offense, 8 on defense and 1 on special teams.
 
CAMPAIGNING FOR SUCCESS 
The Bears enter the 2018 season looking to post their first winning season since going 6-5 in 2009. MSU's 7-6 record in 2014 was vacated. 
 
NON-CONFERENCE PLAY
The Bears will open the 2018 campaign against four non-conference opponents. MSU opens the season against Towson (Sept. 1) in the 'Battle for Greater Baltimore', followed by road trips versus  Akron (Sept. 9), Univ. at Albany (Sept. 15) and the N.C. A&T (Sept. 22) game will also be recorded as a non-conference contest. 
 
BEARS OPEN 41st SEASON IN MEAC
The Bears will open its 41st season in the MEAC when they host South Carolina State for Homecoming on Oct. 6.
• The Bears opened the 2017 MEAC schedule with a 49-17 loss against #15 N.C. A&T at Hughes Stadium. 
• The Bears kicked off its first season in the MEAC in 1971. Morgan State withdrew from the conference at the end of the 1979-80 fiscal year, before returning to the MEAC in 1984.
 
EDWARD SCOTT NAMED TO FCS ADA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Division I Football Subdivision Athletics Directors Association announced that Morgan State's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Edward Scott will serve on its Executive Committee. Scott represents the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE CLASSROOM
The Morgan State football team has had great success in the classroom.
• Most recently, the Bears produced a 3.24 GPA during Summer 2018.
• The 2017-18 school year saw the Bears achieve their highest single-year GPA in program history.
• The program had 31 Athletic Director Honor Roll Members in the Fall of 2017, a 41% increase from the previous Fall. 

MSU LEGEND EDDIE P. HURT NAMED TO 2019 COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME BALLOT
76 players and six coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 32 coaches from the divisional ranks make-up the 2019 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.  Morgan State head coach Eddie P. Hurt is among the list of nominees.
•  Hurt led Morgan's football teams to six Black College National Championships and won 14 CIAA titles. 
• Eleven of his squads executed undefeated seasons, including a non-losing string of games from 1932 to 1938. 
•  His 1943 team did not allow a score from a single opponent.
 
FOLLOW US IN CYBERSPACE 
There are many ways to keep up with MSU athletics online and on the go:
• Visit www.morganstatebears.com, the official web site of Bears athletics, for news, schedules, stats, bios and more. 
• Follow us on social media:
            Facebook: /MorganStateBears
            Twitter: @MorganStBears
            Instagram: /MorganStateBears

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

AAMU Men's Basketball Partners with Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Lakewood Elementary

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Alabama A&M University Men's Basketball program have recently partnered with Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary and Lakewood Elementary to make a positive impact on the youth of our community.

As part of the program, the team will visit the schools once a month to participate in an activity with the students and also serve as mentors. Some activities include: reading day, mentoring in small groups and assisting with gym class or recess.

"We are thrilled about the new partnership with Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary and Lakewood Elementary," Head Coach Dylan Howard said. "I believe the partnership will be a great experience for our student-athletes and the kids. We are hoping to making a huge impact while promoting physical activity and inspiring the kids to excel in their academics."

The Bulldogs will begin the 2018-19 season on November 6th when they travel to Tampa, FL to face South Florida. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M University men's basketball, please follow the Bulldogs on social media @bulldogs_hoops (Twitter), Alabama A&M Bulldogs (Facebook) and @bulldogs_hoops (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama A&M athletics at aamusports.com.

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Le Guillou, Price-Spraggins earn more GCAC honors

Note about Saturday volleyball: home match vs. Rust pushed up one hour . . . new start time will be noon

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana sophomores Eva Le Guillou and Vivica Price-Spraggins are back in the spotlight with Gulf Coast Athletic Conference volleyball weekly awards.

Le Guillou received her sixth GCAC Setter of the Week award this season and the ninth of her career. Price-Spraggins is the Attacker of the Week for the second time this season. Awards were for Oct. 8-14.

Le Guillou, from Velizy-Villacoublay, France, had 138 assists (8.63 per set) in five matches and hit .350 with eight kills in 20 attacks. She also produced 29 digs, six blocks and three aces. Le Guillou had an assist-dig double-double, her eighth of the year, at Campbellsville.

Price-Spraggins, from Chicago and a graduate of Whitney Young Magnet High School, hit ,344 with 43 kills, four aces and 13 blocks. Her .737 vs. Fisk tied for sixth-highest hitting percentage in a match in school history (minimum 10 attempts). She produced a match-high five blocks at Campbellsville to raise her season total to 73 season — the most by a XULA player in five years and No. 5 on school's all-time season list.

Le Guillou tied Tiffany Phillips (2016) and Anna Dalla Vecchia (2017) for the most GCAC volleyball weekly awards by a Gold Nugget in one season. Price-Spraggins also has won a Defender of the Week award this season, giving her four total GCAC awards in her career.

The Gold Nuggets have earned 14 of a possible 24 GCAC awards in this sport this season.

XULA (18-6, 8-0) will open a five-match home stand Saturday afternoon against GCAC opponent Rust at the Convocation Center. The Gold Nuggets share first place in the league with Tougaloo.

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

Price leads Nuggets to 12th straight GCAC championship

CLINTON, Mississippi  -- Taylor Price won her second individual title in three years, and Xavier University of Louisiana women's cross country rolled to a 12th straight team title in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships Friday morning.
    
The team title earned the Gold Nuggets an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships Nov. 16 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Yhann Plummer, who joined the XULA staff in August, was voted GCAC Coach of the Year by his peers.
    
Price and teammate Maliya Vaughan, the 2017 GCAC champion, ran side-by-side for most of the 5,000 meters at Choctaw Trails. But Price pulled away in the final 300 yards for a nearly four-second victory. Price's time was 21 minutes, 20.07 seconds. Vaughan placed second in 21:23.65.
    
A year ago on this course, Vaughan pulled away late to dethrone Price with a victory of nearly nine seconds.
    
"Over the summer I decided to work harder," Price said, "because I wanted to win this again."

The top 10 finishers — including XULA's Brianna Pace (third, 22:20.01) and Ky'Reon McBride (10th, 23:43.53) — earned all-conference. It was the first collegiate meet for McBride, in her fourth year at XULA and on the cross country roster two years ago.
    
Price, Vaughan and Pace were All-GCAC and the first three finishers for the third consecutive year.
    
Also finishing for the Nuggets were Toni Trail (14th, 24:53.92), and Mariah Cox (15th, 25:10.60). There were 46 runners overall.
    
The Gold Nuggets scored 30 points to post a comfortable winning margin against second-place Philander Smith (61 points) and third-place SUNO (62). Edward Waters and Dillard, the 2-3 finishers a year ago, slipped to fourth and fifth this time. Edward Waters scored 99 points, and Dillard had 117. Talladega was sixth with 145 points, and Tougaloo was seventh with 171. GCAC newbie Rust had only four finishers and did not qualify for team scoring.
    
 It was XULA's third meet in 14 days at Choctaw Trails, and Price was grateful for another opportunity. "Those first two appearances were not good for me," she said, "so I prepared to do better this time."
    
The GCAC team title is XULA's 13th in women's cross country, which extends its league record for this sport. Price joined Katrina Davis (2002, 2003) and Zahri Jackson (2011, 2012) as two-time individual champions from XULA. No GCAC woman has won three championships.
    
Later in the morning, Plummer coached XULA to the GCAC men's team title.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Freshmen lead the way as Rush return to top of GCAC

CLINTON, Mississippi — Xavier University of Louisiana men's cross country had four freshmen in the lineup Friday morning at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships, but no signs of stage fright en route to a decisive team victory.

Led by freshmen Francis Patterson and Jordan Ashmore, the Gold Rush avenged a 2017 defeat to Edward Waters at this meet and won the men's team title for the 11th time in the last 12 attempts.
     
As a result, the XULA men earned an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championships Nov. 16 at Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

 Results 
   
Patterson ran the 8,000-meter (4.97-mile) course at Choctaw Trails in 29 minutes, 50.86 seconds to finish third out of 49 runners. Ashmore was fourth in 30:06.97. It was the first time since 2007 that the top two Gold Rush finishers at conference were freshmen.
     
"From day one, the mindset is to win," first-year XULA coach Yhann Plummer said. "No doubt. Every time the lineup is on the line, we're going to win. Freshmen, upperclassmen, it doesn't matter. They should be doing this all the time."
    
The top 10 finishers were named all-conference. The Gold Rush had four honorees: Patterson, Ashmore, Camren Sewell (seventh place, 30:33.88) and Oji Wells (ninth, 31:35.30). Sewell was All-GCAC for the second straight year, and Wells did it for the second time in three years.
     
XULA, a 45-64 loser to Edward Waters in the 2017 team standings, outscored the Tigers 34-50 this time and scored its fewest points at conference since 2013. Philander Smith was third with 54 points, followed by Dillard (108), Tougaloo (140), SUNO (142) and Talladega (147). GCAC newbie Rust had only four finishers and did not qualify for team scoring.
    
Wells was in the second half of the pack during the early stages before rallying. "I expect a lot from Oji," Plummer said. "We had to get him in a rhythm, and when we do, he can run well."
     
Darrick Williams, the only Gold Rush senior, was 11th in 32:18.10. Kadeem Burton was 26th in 34:08.75, and Langston Scott was 28th in 34:45.30. Burton and Scott are freshmen.
     
This is XULA's 11th GCAC team title in men's cross country, and the Gold Rush tied former member Mobile for the most championships in this sport. Plummer also coached the XULA women to a GCAC team title earlier in the morning. The conference titles are the first on the team level for Plummer, who achieved oodles of national success as coach of track and field in 11 seasons (2006-17) at SUNO. XULA announced his hiring Aug. 8 after a nationwide search.
     
"It wasn't easy," Plummer said of his journey from August to Friday's meet. "I got the job when I didn't expect to. But I got it, and I took it and ran with it. Our teams performed well today, and things are going to get better from here."
     
Solomon Stevens of Edward Waters repeated as men's individual champion in 29:01.65. Philander Smith's Santerris Booker was second in 29:07.80.

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