Alcorn Braves Give NMS Aggies a Scare in 52-42 Shootout

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico – A 28-point deficit for the Alcorn State University football program was cut down to just three points in the fourth quarter, but New Mexico State was able to hold off the upset-minded Braves 52-42 in a non-conference game Saturday at Aggie Memorial Stadium.

The Braves (7-3, 5-1 SWAC) trailed 35-7 in the second quarter when they came all the way back to make it a 38-35 game with 10:43 left in the fourth. Though, NMSU (3-7, Independent) responded with a big 68-yard touchdown drive on its Senior Day to halt Alcorn's momentum and end the threat.

Alcorn out-gained NMSU, an FBS opponent, 654-529 in total offense including a 338-133 edge in rushing.

Junior De'Shawn Waller registered three touchdowns. He ran for 137 yards and two scores, and also caught a 12-yard touchdown.

Junior Noah Johnson threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for 138 yards. In addition to Waller, touchdown catches were pulled in by senior Dayall Harris, junior Raidarious Anderson and junior Chris Blair. Harris hauled in a career-high 108 yards.

On the other side of the field, NMSU's Josh Adkins tallied 396 passing yards and four touchdowns. Johnathan Boone caught two touchdowns and 92 receiving yards.

Senior Leishaun Ealey and sophomore Qwynnterrio Cole wrapped-up nine tackles apiece to lead the Alcorn defense. Junior Taurence Wilson notched a career-high eight tackles.

Leon McQuaker had an astounding 22 tackles for NMSU.

The Aggies quickly took a 7-0 lead after Jason Huntley returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.

After an Alcorn three-and-out, the Aggies extended their advantage to 14-0 after a 64-yard drive. It was capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Royce Caldwell at the 10:14 mark.

The Braves offense got it going on their second series after a pair of first down runs by senior P.J. Simmons. On 3rd-and-11, Alcorn kept the drive going with a 23-yard pass over the middle to Blair to enter the red zone. The Braves scored on a 12-yard run by Waller up the middle to cut the deficit to 14-7 with 4:10 remaining. It ended a 13-play, 91-yard drive.

Early in the second quarter, the Braves turned the ball over on a fumble after a bad exchange from the quarterback to the running back, and the Aggies recovered at the Alcorn 40. NMSU cashed in on the turnover with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Boone to go back up 21-7 with 12:20 left.

The Aggies added-on with a 10-yard touchdown run by Huntley to make it a 28-7 game with 8:29 to go in the half. The big play of the series was a 43-yard pass to Royce in the center of the field. Late in the half, NMSU drove 90-yards to score on a 15-yard pass to Boone. The Aggies led 35-7.

On Alcorn's final possession of the half, the first play went for 10 yards on a catch by junior Tavares Johnson. The Braves were at midfield when Johnson bombed it to Harris who caught it in stride for a 50-yard touchdown. It cut the deficit to 35-14 with 45 seconds left.

NMSU got down the field in a hurry at the very end of the half which included a 20-yard reception by Caldwell, but a 53-yard field goal attempt fell short as time expired.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 11,897

In the third quarter, the Braves neared midfield after a 28-yard rush by Johnson up the middle. Catches by Anderson and Harris moved the ball into the red zone. A run by Waller to the right went for 13 yards and setup 1st-and-goal at the NMSU 5. Alcorn scored on a five-yard pass to Blair which trimmed NMSU's lead to 35-21 with 6:02 remaining.

The Aggies answered with a 29-yard field goal by Dylan Brown to change the score to 38-21 with 48 seconds left in the quarter. NMSU converted on three third downs on the drive, but the Braves were able to make a stop in the red zone after good coverage by freshman Calvontay Key.

Early in the fourth, the Braves were on the move after a 15-yard rush by Johnson moved the ball into NMSU territory. A pass to Anderson was caught and looked to be stopped, but he put out a stiff arm to break a tackle and took it all the way for a 31-yard touchdown. It chipped into the deficit, 38-28 with 11:14 to go.

Alcorn got the ball back after a strip-sack was forced by junior Darrell Henderson and recovered by senior Sterling Shippy at the NMSU 34. On the next play, Johnson kept it himself to the NMSU 17 for a first down. Waller followed with a 17-yard touchdown run to the left to make it a 38-35 game with 10:43 left.

NMSU answered with a key 68-yard drive to stay in front 45-35 with 7:37 remaining. The Braves had a chance to hold them to a field goal, but on third down at the 9-yard line Huntley was able to turn the corner to the left for the score.

A 48-yard keeper by Johnson to the left setup the Braves at the NMSU 27. Though, after they got backed up on a holding penalty, they decided to go for it on 4th-and-20; Johnson's pass intended for Tavares Johnson fell incomplete.

The Aggies responded with a 60-yard screen pass to Huntley as he caught it to right with blockers in front of him, and ran it across the field to the left side of the end zone. It put NMSU ahead 52-35 at the 3:52 mark.

Alcorn scored on its final drive to make it 52-42 with 26 seconds left. The big plays were a 21-yard catch by Harris and a 16-yard grab by sophomore LeCharles Pringle. The scoring play was a 12-yard reception by Waller.

The Braves will be off next weekend. They return to the field on Saturday, Nov. 17 when they host Jackson State on Senior Day at Jack Spinks-Marino Casem Stadium.

NOTES
- The 42 points were the most Alcorn scored against an FBS opponent since 1994 when it beat Troy 47-44.

- Saturday was just the second-ever meeting between Alcorn and NMSU. The Aggies took the first match-up 45-10 in 2008.

- Alcorn entered the game leading the SWAC in scoring (33.2 ppg), total offense (458.6 ypg) and rushing (272.6 ypg). They will improve on all three tallies.

- Junior Brelion Hollis, the reigning SWAC Defensive Player of the Week winner, submitted five tackles and one for a loss.

- The 50-yard reception by Harris was a career-long. His previous long was 44 yards at Prairie View A&M. He also topped his career-high in receiving yards as his previous best was 81 yards at PVAMU.

- Nine different wide receivers caught a pass for the Braves including tight ends Kyontez Everett and Jaquaveon Boles.

- Wilson's eight tackles topped his previous career-high of seven set at PVAMU.

- The all-time school record for total yards in a game is 756 set in 1994 against Grambling State.

- The Braves are ranked No. 3 in this week's HBCU Poll and are receiving 12 votes in the FCS Coaches Poll.

- Alcorn's captains were Blair, junior Corey McCullough and Shippy. NMSU won the coin toss and elected to receive.

Quoting Alcorn head coach Fred McNair
Opening Statement
"We didn't play as well as I thought we could play in the first half. Though, we came back and really competed in the second. I am proud of the team for the way we came back the way we did. Our guys were relentless out there and they really fought. We showed a lot of character today and our guys played with a lot of pride. I am very proud of them."

On being able to come back to make it a three-point game
"When you fall behind like that against an FBS team, it would have been easy for us to have just folded. Though, our guys showed no signs of quitting. We executed really well in the second half and fought hard to get the deficit down like that in the fourth quarter. We just have to continue to play the way we did in the second half, and our guys were up to the challenge today."

On posting over 600 yards of total offense
"That's what they are capable of doing. If we would have executed in the first half the way we did in the second it would have been even higher. Coach [Ryan] Stanchek and the coaches did a great job of putting the game plan together, and I'm just so proud of the way we accumulated those yards and ran the ball. We did what it took to score points."

On what they will focus on next week during the bye week
"We're going to hit the film room and take a look at all the things we can improve on. We've played a tough schedule without a bye week yet so it will be good for us to sit down and focus on what we've been doing. We just have to play good, fundamental football and get this team better."

Quoting junior quarterback Noah Johnson
Opening Statement
"This was a game we should have won today. We had some opportunities that we left on the field, but I like the way we fought as a team. We tried to shock the world today and came up short, but we're going to keep fighting."

On how the offense was able to move the ball the way it did
"We just executed the game plan. We all have faith in one another and trust that everyone is going to do their jobs. The offensive line blocked their butts off, and everyone believed that we should win. We came close to pulling this game off."

On whether the plan was to spread the ball around today
"That's always the plan. Everybody fought hard today and it didn't matter who was in the game. It didn't matter who was getting the ball, we were all trying to get the job done."

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY BRAVES ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Late Score, Gutsy Call Lift WVSU Yellow Jackets to Victory

Late Score, Gutsy Call Lift Yellow Jackets to Victory https://t.co/mBXdsLDHSF https://t.co/mBXdsLDHSF

— WVSU Athletics (@WVSU_GoJackets) November 4, 2018

URBANA, Ohio  -- The Yellow Jackets came into Saturday's football game at Urbana with their backs solidly against the wall.

But the WVSU players and coaching staff handled it well as the Yellow Jackets earned "had to have" 31-28 win.

Going into the game the Jackets had a 4-5 record with two games to play. Easy to see that you have to won both to post a second straight winning record and keep the momentum the staff and players had worked so hard to build going.

That pressure was bearing down on them as they trailed 28-24 midway through the final period.

But the Jackets' Brooks Parsons blocked an Urbana punt inside the Blue Knight 20 and WVSU recovered at the five. Three plays later Dylan Lucas scored on a 2-yard run with 7:54 to play.

"Our roughness and belief in each other was on full display today," said Head Coach John Pennington. "It started with a 5:45 a.m. meeting, drove to Urbana, down 11 at halftime and found a way to win."

Pennington had to call on that belief down the stretch.

With 3:23 remaining and facing a fourth down and one situation on the WVSU 41 Pennington did not want to give the ball away with that much time remaining.

He called for a fake punt. Up man Rhys Jelich took the direct snap from center and the senior fullback drove for eight yards.

"I am so proud of our team and coaching staff for their performance today, " Pennington said. "Especially, our defense and special teams."

"Special Teams made some huge plays to give us field position and seal the game at the end with a fake punt."

Carl Garmon led the ground game with 142 yards. Quarterback Faustino Saucedo was 16-26 passing for 168 yards with junior Zach Pate catching six passes for 88 yards.

WVSU closes out the season Saturday when West Virginia Wesleyan comes to town. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. and it will be Senior Day.

WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Familiar formula sends Miles to SIAC title game

FAIRFIELD, Alabama -- Say one thing about about a Miles football game in 2018...leaving before the final second has ticked off the clock will probably mean you missed something.

The Golden Bears scored on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Smith to Leonard Tyree with 1:45 remaining, then forced four incomplete passes on the ensuing series - the last coming with 16 seconds left - to defeat Tuskegee 31-27 in front of a capacity Senior Day crowd at Sloan-Alumni Stadium. The win made Miles (4-6, 4-2 SIAC West) the SIAC Western Division winners and earned it a spot in the league championship game next week against Albany State.



Miles erased a 17-point deficit, the team's largest comeback win since climbing from a 21-point hole against Fort Valley State in the 2016 Labor Day Golden Classic. It was also the second straight week that Tuskegee (5-5, 3-3) blew a double-digit, second half lead. The Golden Bears had just 61 yards of total offense in the first half but held the Golden Tigers to just 56 yards of offense after they scored on the opening drive of the third quarter to open a 24-7 advantage with 10:36 left in the third quarter.

The comeback started on Miles' next drive. On the third play, Smith connected with Malik Campbell for a 59-yard touchdown to give the Golden Bears their first offensive score of the contest. On Tuskegee's ensuing drive, it took just two plays but Miles was back in the end zone. Jaylun Thomas popped Tuskegee running back Kenny Gant (162 rushing yards) and the ball came free. Linebacker Mitchell Smiley scooped the loose ball, weaved through some traffic, and scored on a 21-yard fumble return. Less than three minutes after trailing by 17, Miles was now down just 24-21.

On the Golden Bears' next drive, they converted three third downs - including two to Tyree (four catches, 77 yards) that were longer than 10 yards - to keep the drive moving. Jackson Spradlin would nail a 24-yard field goal to tie the game with 13:46 remaining,

The defenses for both teams held serve until the Golden Tigers caught a break. A mishandled snap by punter Jake Anderson gave Tuskegee the ball at the Miles 12-yard line with a chance to put the Golden Bears in a tough hole. But the Miles defense held firm and allowed just a 37-yard field goal the gave the Golden Tigers a 27-24 lead with 5:23 left.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 8500

But if any team was capable of putting a late score on the board, it is this year's Golden Bears. Miles got the ball and began to move up the field. The biggest play came as Miles was facing a 3rd-and-19 from its 36. There, Smith (241 yards passing) hit Tyree for 22 yards to move the chains. Four plays later, the two made touchdown magic for the ninth time this season to give the Golden Bears the lead for good.

Miles got off to a great start. LeAnthony Robinson returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to give the Golden Bears a 7-0 lead. But Tuskegee quarterback Ahmad Deramus threw two second quarter touchdown passes to Peyton Ramzy and Huskic Arnes made a 45-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to send the Golden Tigers into the half with a 17-7 lead. That advantage increased to 24-7 when Deramus scored on a 1-yard run on fourth down on Tuskegee's opening drive of the second half.

Justin Hardy had a team-high 66 yards rushing, Montavious Tinch had four catches for 32 yards, and Kendrell Walker (nine tackles, two pass breakups), Austin Stephens (eight tackles, one tackle for loss) paced the defense for Miles.

MILES COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Benedict Tigers Shut Down Kentucky State In 18-0 Victory

FRANKFORT, Kentucky — Deveall McClendon rushed for a career-high 160 yards, and the Benedict Tigers held Kentucky State to just two yards rushing and 98 yards of total offense to close out the 2018 season with an 18-0 victory over the Thorobreds on Saturday.

McClendon rushed for 160 yards on 21 carries to become the first Tiger to cross the 100-yard mark since Trini Charlton rushed for 126 yards against Livingstone in the 2017 season opener. His 160 yards marks the most by a Tiger since George Myers Jr. rushed for 171 yards against Kentucky State two years ago. His previous career-high was 59 yards against Lane last season.

Benedict wraps up the season at 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the SIAC. Kentucky State falls to 0-10 overall and 0-6 in the SIAC.

Tigers Shut Down Kentucky State In 18-0 Victory https://t.co/feN7VrLVBd

— BC Tigers Athletics (@benedict_tigers) November 4, 2018

The Tigers also put up a dominating defensive effort, holding the SIAC's second-ranked rushing offense to 2 net rushing yards. The Thorobreds gained 68 yards on 28 carries, but the Tigers recorded 10 tackles for loss for 59 yards, including four sacks for 10 yards. Two KSU quarterbacks were a combined 7-of-17 for 92 yards and one interception by Robert Cummings.

Benedict used the interception by Cummings to start an eight-play, 78-yard scoring drive, with Phillip Brown tossing a 19-yard touchdown pass to Danye Washington for Benedict's second touchdown.

Benedict's Rickym Holmes recovered a Kentucky State fumble at the KSU 4-yard line with 4:45 left to play in the second quarter. After a pair of runs by McClendon, Brown scored from one-yard out on a quarterback sneak for the game's first score. Rigoberto Tinoco missed the PAT attempt for a 6-0 lead.

The Thorobreds returned the ensuing kickoff 56 yards, but their drive lasted just two plays before Cummings picked off Paul Campbell. The Tigers marched down the field, with McClendon picking up a 31-yard carry and KaDarius Garrett reeling off a 14-yard run. On third down from the 19, Brown threw a pass to Washington. The PAT failed again and the Tigers took the 12-0 lead into the half.

Early in the third quarter, Cummings forced a fumble after the Thorobreds completed a 30-yard pass, and Amari Andrews recovered.

In the fourth quarter, Kentucky State was putting together its best drive of the game, moving to the Benedict 18-yard line. Charles Williams sacked Campbell for a 12-yard loss and forced a fumble. Matthew Anthony recovered the loose ball and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown and an 18-0 lead.

The Tigers set records for fewest yards allowed rushing (2) and fewest yards of total offense (94) in coach Mike White's four seasons at Benedict.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 1400

Charles Williams led the defense with eight total tackles and the one forced fumble. The Tigers forced four turnovers, with three forced fumbles and the one interception.

BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Commmorative Classic Trophy Comes Back Home To Livingstone

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – The Livingstone College football team brought the trophy back home as the Blue Bears defeated the Golden Bulls of Johnson C. Smith for a convincing 20-9 win at the Irwin Belk Complex on Saturday afternoon.

Livingstone jumped ahead after putting together a one play, 22 yard drive that was capped by a 22-yard touchdown run by Justin Ruffin. Antione Akundu's PAT was good as the Blue Bears led 7-0 with 13:00 left in the first quarter.

The Blue Bears would get the ball back after a JCSU punt. After a fumble and a few incomplete passes, LC settled for a Akundu's 37 yard field which extended the lead 10-0.

The Golden Bulls could not get any offensive rhythm going, which resulted in a punt. LC started the drive at their own one yard line. After a couple of plays, JCSU would get the safety on the Blue Bears with 3:50 on the clock, making the score 10-2 Blue Bears.

In the second quarter, LC's Anthony Faraimo sprinted down the Blue Bear sideline for the 31 yard touchdown. Akundu knocked through the point after attempt to give LC a 17-2 halftime lead.

JCSU's lone touchdown was in the third quarter, when Antonio Wallace connected with Brandon Gambrelle for the 57 yard touchdown strike at the 7:17 mark.

The Blue Bears capped the scoring when Aukund's 29 yard field goal split the uprights to provide the eventual 20-9 final.

Individually for the Blue Bears, Miles Hayes finished with 214 yards passing and one touchdowns after an 11-of-19 effort. Marcus Baisy led all LC rushers, finishing with 43 yards on 23 carries.

Defensively, Devonte Adams finished with five solo tackles including three sacks and three tackles for loss, throwing the Golden Bulls for a combined 26 yards in losses. KeShawn Ward also logged four tackles on the day.

LC completes the 2018 season with a 3-6 record and finishes 1-5 in CIAA play and 1-5 in the Southern Division.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 981

LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE BLUE BEARS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

FAMU Rattlers Take Early Lead, Fall To Howard, 31-23

This is how Rattler Nation rolls up in enemy territory. #fangsup pic.twitter.com/a1lYnBKLnz

— FAMU Athletics (@FAMUAthletics) November 3, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida A&M’s hopes of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Football title clincher went by the boards here Saturday afternoon at Greene Stadium, as the host Howard University Bison used a 21-point first quarter flurry to hold off their determined guests, 31-23.

Hold off was the operative phrase, as the Rattlers (6-3, 5-1 MEAC), took the opening kickoff and marched down field, taking their only lead of the game, 7-0, on a three-yard run by Azende Rey with just over 13 minutes left (13:40).

The Bison (4-4, 4-2 MEAC) tied the score on the ensuing possession, as QB Cayllin Newton hit Jequez Ezzard with a 22-yard scoring strike with 11:34 to go, before RB Dedrick Parson raced in from 11 yards out with 7:26 left to put Howard ahead for good at 14-7.

FAMU’s Yahia Aly booted a 34-yard field goal with 3:59 left in the quarter to draw the Rattlers to within four points at 14-10, but Newton’s 12-yard aerial to Kyle Anthony staked his Bison to a 21-10 lead as the first quarter ended.

The Rattlers closed again in the second period to 21-17, as QB Ryan Stanley connected with the shifty Azende Rey on a 35-yard scoring play with 4:30 left in the half, a score made more exciting as the ball was punched from Rey’s grasp by a Bison defender as he neared the end zone, with Rey pouncing on the pigskin for the TD.

Newton’s one-yard sneak in the third period, extended the Bison lead to 28-17 with 4:16 left, but the Rattlers slithered close again, when Stanley connected with freshman WR Xavier Smith on a 15-yard scoring play with 12:44 left, to make the count, 28-23. The two-point conversion try failed.

Howard pushed the lead to the final count on a 24-yard field goal by Faraji Joseph with 8:32 left.

The Rattlers had two more possessions but came up empty both times.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 6,858

THE MEAC RACE: Despite Saturday’s loss, the Rattlers still control their destiny, needing a win in the Florida Classic to wrap up the 2018 MEAC title… North Carolina A&T (4-1, 7-2), Howard (4-2, 4-4), North Carolina Central (3-2, 4-4) and Bethune-Cookman (3-2, 5-5), all remain alive mathematically with FAMU’s loss on Saturday… A second FAMU setback would give the defending champion Aggies a clear shot at retaining their crown if they win their final two games… Howard, which holds the head-to-head tie-breaker over FAMU, would need to finish 5-2, hope FAMU falls in Orlando, and that the Aggies lose one more to force a first place tie, invoking some complicated tie breaker procedures since A&T and the Bison did not meet head-to-head this year…. GO RATTLERS!!!!

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: The Rattlers’ five-game win streak ends, but a winning season is assured, with the MEAC title still within reach…. QB Ryan Stanley passed for 281 yards and a pair of scores, completing 23 of 41 passes, with two interceptions… The running back tandem of Deshawn Smith (82 yards on 11 carries) and Bishop Bonnett (80 yards on 10 carries) powered the Rattler ground game which netted 159 yards Saturday… Freshman Xavier Smith led the FAMU receivers with six catches for 94 yards and one score, while Azende Rey had five grabs for 71 yards and a TD. Chad Hunter also had five catches for 58 yards….. Dedrick Parson led the Bison ground attack with 140 yards and one score on 26 carries, while Caylin Newton accounted for 222 total yards (172 passing, 50 rushing) and three (3) scores in Saturday’s showdown.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers have two games left on the 2018 regular season docket, a home finale non-conference dance with South Carolina State next Saturday at 4:00 p.m. in Bragg Stadium, before the Nov. 17 Florida Blue Florida Classic must-win showdown with arch rival Bethune-Cookman at 2:00 p.m. at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY RATTLERS SPORTS INFORMATION

Davis and Hill lead Alabama State Hornets past Texas Southern

MONTGOMERY, Alabama | Alabama State rode the arm, and legs, of KHA'Darris Davis and the defensive prowess of Joshua Hill to a 30-21 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Texas Southern at ASU Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Hill wasted little time making a different in the game on Saturday, stepping in front of a Devin Williams' pass at the Texas Southern 29-yard line and racing untouched for a 7-0 Alabama State with less than three minutes in the game at 12:12 of the first quarter. The interception was the first of the season for, and his fourth overall, and his first return for a touchdown.

Texas Southern (2-7, 1-4 SWAC) answered right back after a two-yard run by Brad Woodard tied the game up at 7-all with 11:34 remaining in the opening half. However, Alabama State came back to take the lead just four minutes later when Davis scored on a 10-yard run, one of his career-high 104 yards on the ground on 24 carries, to give the Hornets a 14-7 lead with 7:40 remaining in the half.

And the score would remain that way heading to the locker room.

Texas Southern quickly came out in the third quarter and tied things up on the first play from scrimmage when Williams hit Tren'Davian Dickson for a 90-yard catch and run – one of just two receptions by Dickson on the day – with 14:47 remaining in the third quarter.

Alabama State (3-5, 2-2 SWAC) answered back when Jeremiah Hixon caught his first career touchdown on a 17-yard pass from Davis for the 21-14 lead with 11:52 remaining in the third, and the lead stayed that way for just 41 seconds when Woodard scored on a seven-yard run with 11:11 remaining in the quarter to tie the game at 21-all.



The game would stay that way until the opening of the fourth quarter when Davis hit Michael Jefferson on a one-yard touchdown pass for a 28-21 lead, and the defense sealed the contest when Ricky Haley and Trevor Goodrum combined on a safety for a 30-21 lead with just 1:46 remaining in the contest.

Davis finished the night with 275 yards of total offense, including 171 yards on 16-of-25 passing with a pair of touchdowns and an interception. Ezra Gray and Hixon tied for the team lead with three receptions each in the win, while Jefferson added a pair. Darron Johnson and Kurron Ramsey led the Hornets defensively with eight tackles each, while Anthony Craven finished the day with six punts for a 43.7-yard average and he pinned Texas Southern inside the 20 four times.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 12,050

PHOTO GALLERY

Alabama State returns to action next weekend, hosting Jackson State at ASU Stadium on Military Appreciation Day. The game is scheduled to kick at 2 pm and will be carried on the Hornet Sports Network, beginning with pregame at 1:30 pm.

The game will also be featured on ESPN3.

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



ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Central State beats Lane, 45-22, in final game of 2018

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – Playing in the final game of the 2018 season, the Central State University Marauders defeated the Lane College Dragons, 45-22, on Saturday.

With the victory, CSU finishes the season with a 5-5 overall mark and a 3-3 ledger in SIAC play. LC falls to 3-6 on the season with a 2-4 record in the SIAC.

CSU jumped out to a 17-0 lead thanks to a 94-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by Christopher Lewis, a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown by  K'Jamus  Sanders, and a 24-yard field goal by Trevor Teel.

Led by Terraris Saffold, CSU's running game efficiently moved the ball while controlling the time of possession. Saffold finished the afternoon with a career-high 214 rushing yards along with one touchdown as the Marauders distanced itself from the Dragons in the second half.
 
THE BASICS
 
Score: Lane – 22; Central State - 45
Records: Lane (3-6; 2-4) – Central State (5-5; 3-3)
Location: McPherson Memorial Stadium – Wilberforce, Ohio
Weather: 58 degrees, Partly Cloudy 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
1st Quarter

With the Dragons' offense driving down to CSU's six-yard line, Marauder linebacker Javion Williams stripped the ball from LC's Justin Hill. Christopher Lewis corralled the loose ball and ran 94-yards for the score with 3:04 left in the first quarter. (CSU 7-0). 
 
2nd Quarter
 
The Marauder offense went on a 12-play, 63-yard drive resulting in a 24-yard field goal by Trevor Teel at the 10:57 mark of the second quarter. (CSU 10-0).
 
Under heavy pressure, Lane quarterback Marcus Reynolds threw a pass that was intercepted by CSU's K'Jamus Sanders near midfield. Sanders went on to take the ball 52-yards for CSU's second defensive touchdown of the afternoon. (CSU 17-0).

LC scored its first points on a Vicente Pena 25-yard field goal with 5:25 left in the half. (CSU 17-3)
 
The Dragons cut the deficit down to seven when Reynolds found an open Quantavius Wilson in the end zone with 18  second  left in the half. (CSU 17-10).
 
3rd Quarter
 
On the second play of the second half, CSU running back Terraris Saffold broke through the line for a 66-yard touchdown. (CSU 24-10)
 
It took CSU just three plays to score on its next offensive possession. Quarterback Trent Mays connected with Kevin Greenhowfor a 45-yard pass play. Mays capped off the drive with a 24-yard pass to tight end Robert Corbin, Jr. to extend the lead to 21 with 11:23 left in the third quarter. (CSU 31-10)

After the CSU defense registered back-to-back sacks to force a quick punt from the Dragons, the CSU offense went to its ground attack. Saffold ran for 20 yards on the first play of the drive. Blake McEwen took a reverse handoff from Saffold for a 56-yard gain down to the LC five-yard line.  Full back  Darius Meadors capped off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run at the 7:34 mark of the third quarter. (CSU 38-10) 
 
4th Quarter
 
Lane went on an eight-play, 67-yard scoring drive capped off by another touchdown pass by Reynolds to Wilson with 9:52 left to play. (CSU 38-16)
 
After a fumble by Reynolds gave CSU the ball on the Dragons' 41-yard line, CSU ran the ball six straight times capped off by a four-yard touchdown run by McEwen. (CSU 45-16)
 
After a good kick return by Anthony Evelyn set the Lane offense up at CSU's 43-yard line, Reynolds found  O'Joshua  Bunton for a 16-yard gain. Reynolds went to Bunton again on the next play for a 27-yard touchdown. 
 
Any hopes of narrowing the gap were erased when Reynolds threw his third interception of the day to Lewis, who ran it back for 69-yards. The CSU offense took a knee to end the game and seal their largest margin of victory this season. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
 
Ending the season with a 5-5 overall record, CSU tied its best record since the program was reinstated in 2005. CSU also went 5-5 in 2007 and 2015.
 
CSU finished the year in third place in the SIAC West Division with a 3-3 ledger in conference play.
 
Terraris Saffold set a new career-mark with 214 rushing yards on Saturday. He ends the season with 874 rushing yards and 363 receiving yards. He also accumulated 454 yards as a kick returner. For the season, Saffold accounted for 1691 total yards and 11 touchdowns.
 
Sophomore linebacker Kailen Abrams led the defense with 13 tackles, one  sacks , two tackles for a loss, and one fumble recovery. Abrams finishes the season ranked in the top three in the SIAC with 118 tackles.
 
The Marauder defense recorded a season-high five turnovers (3 interceptions – 2 fumbles) on Saturday.
 
The Marauder defense registered a season-high five sacks on Saturday for a net loss of 42 yards.
 
The Marauders have scored 40 or more points for four consecutive games (44, 45, 40, 45). The last time CSU scored 40 or more points in four straight games was during the 1992 NAIA Championship season.
 
CSU entered Saturday ranked as the top offensive team in the SIAC with 359 yards per game.
 
On an extremely saturated field due to heavy rains throughout the week, senior quarterback Trent Mays threw the ball 17 times for 137 yards and one touchdown. Mays finished the season with  an SIAC  best 2027 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. He also picked up five rushing touchdowns throughout the year.
 
Senior Isaiah Smith, who serves as the team's primary punter, also played on the defensive side of the ball for much of the second half. Smith finished with six tackles and recorded his first career sack in the fourth quarter.
 
CSU won three of its final four games of 2018 with the only loss coming to NCAA Div. I – FCS opponent Robert Morris University.
 
QUOTES FROM SATURDAY'S GAME

"We absolutely wanted to end this season on a positive note. Due to some tiebreaking scenarios, we came up a bit short of winning the SIAC West but I am extremely proud of the way our players performed today and finished the season. Our defense made some big plays early on. We had to make some adjustments offensively due to the slick field conditions. Saffold, McEwen and the offensive line stepped up and delivered another great performance today. I have to personally name out the sensational play of guys like Darius Thomas, Jeremiah Hardge, James Davis, Darius Meadors, Robert Corbin, Darico Ellis, Genesis Hartley. These guys are crucial to our blocking schemes and have been consistent all year long.  I also want to thank our seniors for their outstanding leadership and contributions. Rashaun Searles has an outstanding season on our defensive line. Isaiah Smith served an important role as our punter and was relentless as a tackler on special teams and in certain defensive packages. Trent Mays had a tremendous two-years at CSU as our quarterback. It's great to see them depart the program with a win in their last game."
-Head Coach Cedric Pearl 
 
"We accomplished a lot this season. I was pleased with how we ended the year winning our final three home games. Our offensive line played excellent this afternoon and have been consistent all year long to allow our offense to make plays. We all just try to give our maximum effort on every play and it really worked out over these last few weeks of the season. I am looking forward to coming back and helping this program win more games next season."
-Running Back Terraris Saffold  
 
"I was part of the team that went 1-9 a year ago and we all know that it was time for  change . Each week, we turned up the intensity. We stayed together and we look forward to taking the program to another level in 2019. As a defensive unit, I thought our defensive line did a tremendous job of generating pressure. The play of our guys up front have allowed for me to have a great year and allows our linebackers and  corner backs  to make more plays. I thought this year's team did a great job of staying focused no matter what the outcome was. Heading into next year, our mindset is focused on delivering a championship."
-Linebacker Kailen Abrams  

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANE: 3154
 
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CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY MARAUDERS SPORTS INFORMATION 

Bowie State Bulldogs Football Trounces Elizabeth City State 49-7 on Senior Day

BOWIE, Maryland -- With 23 seniors honored before the game and 1,742 fans in attendance, Bowie State University defeated Elizabeth City State University, 49-7, to advance to the CIAA Championship. It's the Bulldogs third trip to the conference's championship game in the past four years. The Bulldogs will face Fayetteville State in the CIAA Championship Game in Salem (Va.), with an 8-2 record overall and 5-1 in division play.

Football Action vs. Elizabeth City State https://t.co/uCndjuQKTd

— BSU Athletics (@BSU_Sports_Info) November 4, 2018

In the first quarter, Brandon Abrams scored a nine-yard run, to put Bowie State on the board at 7-0. At the 7:59 mark, Gilbert Lunsford scored a touchdown from Hall to strengthen the Bulldogs lead, 14-0. Lansana Sesay recorded a 77-yard pass from Hall, putting the Bulldogs up, 21-0 to end the first quarter.

To start the second quarter, Daryl snared a five-yard pass from Hall, putting the Bulldogs up, 28-0. With the TD pass, Hall became the CIAA All-Time Passing Touchdown Leader, surpassing the old mark of 96 by Kameron Smith of Winston-Salem State. Bryan Ellis his first collegiate pushing touchdown on a three-yard run to increase the Bulldogs lead to 35-0. To end the quarter, Sesay caught an 8-yard pass from Hall, to extend the Bowie State Bulldogs lead to 42-0 at the half.

The defense came to play in the third quarter, as neither the Bowie nor Elizabeth City scored a touchdown. But in the fourth quarter, Hamidou Mapangala picked up a fumble and rumbled 59-yards for six to account for Bowie State's final score of the contest. Elizabeth City avoided the shutout with six-seconds left in the game when Deshon Saunders scored a one-yard run.

Senior quarterback Amir Hall, who was among the seniors honored before the game, broke the career record for passing touchdowns (98) and finished with 333 passing yards and watched from the sidelines in the fourth quarter. Hall is just 91 yards shy of breaking the braking the All-Time Career Passing Yards Record set by Earl "Air Harvey of N.C. Central. Kam Smith of Winston-Salem State University held the previous career touchdown record. Harvey currently holds the record at 10,621 yards through the air.

Bowie State dominated the matchup, holding advantages in first downs (22-12), rushing yards -100-81, passing yards (373-126), total offense plays (69-65), total offensive yards (473-207) and red-zone scores-chances (4-of-6) compared to 1-of-2 for Elizabeth City State.

Ellis and Hall led Bowie State in rushing as the duo combined for 92 yards. Hall led the passing attack by completing 24-of-39 passes along with four touchdowns. The receiving core of Sesay, Lunsford, Geordan Clark and Montez Clay combined for 284 yards and three touchdowns. Sesay led all receivers with 160 reception yards on six receptions and two touchdowns.

On defense, Elijah Deshields recorded a game-high nine total tackles followed by Kareem Muslim with six and Da'Ron Holmes along with Hamidou Mapangala with four tackles each. As a defensive unit, the Bulldogs sacked two different ECSU Viking quarterbacks a total of six times.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 1742

Kedrick Patterson led the Vikings on offense with 96 passing yards while Saunders accounted for a game-high 66 rushing yards. ECSU's Zion Riddick was the teams' reception yards leader with 58 on his only catch of the day. Taeyonn Reynolds paced Elizabeth City State (with a game-high nine tackles while teammates Miacah Cooper and Lawrence Brown tallied seven tackles each in the loss.

BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

North Carolina A&T State Aggies Keep Bowl Hopes Alive With Homecoming Win

Big Win!! for @FOOTBALL_NCAT on Homecoming!! @FCS_STATS @HEROSportsFCS @NCAA_FCS They stay alive in @CelebrationBowl hunt. Today was a good day. #SeniorDay #EightStraightHomecomingWins #AggiePride #ncat @NCATAGGIES pic.twitter.com/0n3btccCSY

— N.C. A&T Athletics (@NCATAGGIES) November 4, 2018

EAST GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- It was not within the realm of possibility for North Carolina A&T football coach Sam Washington to remove the smile from his face when the subject of fifth-year running back Marquell Cartwright came up after the Aggies 37-20 Greatest Homecoming On Earth win over Norfolk State at BB&T Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Washington served as the Aggies defensive coordinator for seven seasons before becoming N.C. A&T’s head coach in 2018. Therefore, Washington and Cartwright have been together for five of those years and there have been some great times and some pretty rough times over those years.

Saturday was one of those good times. As Cartwright was finishing up his postgame comments to the media about the possibility of the Aggies playing in some type of postseason, Washington walked toward Cartwright who was in the front of the room and said with excitement: “Didn’t I tell you it was going to happen? Didn’t I tell, you?”

It was like a wise father rejoicing after seeing his son come through some stormy weather.

“He’s something special,” Washington said earlier in the press conference. “I’m just happy to be a part of his life and I love to watch him play. I’m thankful, pleased, proud and all of the above for him. It’s going to be a sad day when he leaves us.”

Washington hopes to have Cartwright and the 20 other seniors who were honored before the game Saturday on Senior Day for at least three games. Cartwright and his teammates played like they want to be around a little longer. The main piece of evidence to show the Aggies (7-2, 4-1MEAC) commitment to keeping their season going beyond 11 games was shown through the running game. N.C. A&T rushed for 310 yards.

It marked the second time this season the Aggies have gone over 300 yards rushing and it marks the fourth straight season where the Aggies have had at least two 300-yard rushing games in a season. Cartwright led the way with a career-high 183 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Cartwright and teammate Jah-Maine Martin made history on Saturday. Martin rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries. They became the first Aggie duo in 27 years to each rush for 100 yards in the same game. N.C. A&T Sports Hall of Famers Barry Turner and James White accomplished the feat on October 12, 1991, against Florida A&M.

“I was very pleased and pleasantly surprised that we rushed for over 300 yards,” said Washington. “That was a bright spot in the ballgame.”

Another senior, Malik Wilson also displayed evidence that he wants to keep playing. Wilson also made history on Saturday when he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown to give the Aggies a boost after the Spartans marched down the field on a 16-play, eight-minute, 25-second, 58-yard drive that ended in a 25-yard field goal from Josh Nardone to cut the Aggies lead to 21-20 with 2:21 remaining in the third quarter.

It was Wilson’s third kickoff return for a touchdown, tying Justin Ferrell’s school record set in 2010. “Whenever you get a play like that, I call it, ‘Big Mo,’” Washington said. “The energy and everything sway your way. It just turns everything in another direction.”

All of the evidence in the world would not have helped the Aggies if they did not receive some help from the nation’s capital. Not in the form of federal assistance, but in the form of a Howard University win over Florida A&M in Washington, D.C., Saturday.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 21,500

FAMU’s loss puts the Aggies a half game behind the Rattlers in the MEAC standings and it puts the Aggies firmly in the mix for their third Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl bid in four years. There is still a lot of football to play and the Aggies still need more help after sustaining a head-to-head loss to the Rattlers at home on Oct. 13. But a return trip to Atlanta is still very much a possibility.

“I feel like if we play like we’re supposed to play, worry about what we have left on our schedule and finish the season strong then everything will fall into place,” said Cartwright. “A lot of things can happen, so we just want to do our part and make sure we don’t miss a beat.”

The Aggies have to go to Savannah State on Nov. 10 and to N.C. Central on Nov. 17. FAMU has one conference game remaining, a Nov. 17 game against Bethune-Cookman at a neutral site.

For their part, after the Aggies received their momentum-changing return from Wilson to take a 27-20 lead going into the fourth quarter, the Aggies defense stiffened. They held the Spartans (3-5, 1-4 MEAC) to a three-and-out before offensively burning clock. Their ensuing 14-play, 52-yard drive gobbled nearly seven minutes off the clock and resulted in sophomore Noel Ruiz booting a 42-yard field goal to put the Aggies up by 10.

NSU threw picks on back-to-back possessions as seniors Timadre Abram and Julius Reynolds got to celebrate their respective Senior Days with picks. Reynolds’ pick led to an 8-yard Cartwright TD run that put the Spartans away with 3:18 remaining in the game. The Aggies held the Spartans to three second-half points after leading 21-17 at the half.

“Our Senior Day actually started last night,” said Washington. “We allowed them to get up and share their journey and experience here at A&T. It got very emotional. I think it carried over into today. There were kids on the field in the fourth quarter actually crying. But they have a lot to be proud of.”

It is a group that is now 38-7. It also a group that went 12-0 in 2017 to become the first Division I-historically black college or university to finish a season with no losses and no ties. They also won two MEAC championships over four years and two HBCU national titles in the same span.

Can’t you just hear Washington saying to each senior: “Didn’t I tell you it was going to happen?” Didn’t I tell you!?”



NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

SUNY Maritime Football Falls to Division I FCS Opponent Hampton University on Senior Day

COURTESY: ALAN SCHAEFER/SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE ATHLETICS

BRONX, New York -- The Maritime College Football team honored its 23 seniors in a short pre-game ceremony Saturday afternoon before falling to Division I FCS opponent Hampton University. The senior class will leave Maritime with a winning record in every season they played, and set many records along the way.

With violent gustts, both special team units and offenses struggled going into the wind on the day. With senior quarterback Thomas Wright (Wantagh, N.Y./Wantagh) out for the second straight game, Joseph Butterworth (Massapequa Park, N.Y./Massapequa) and the Privateers offense started the game with the ball going into the wind. The Pirates showed their prowess right away forcing a quick three and out from Maritime. Following a tough punt into the wind, Hampton ran a hurry up offense right down the field to take a quick 7-0 lead on Maritime.

The ensuing drive for the Privateers reached the 50-yard line following a roughing the kicker penalty, but once again they stalled and gave the ball back to the Pirates. Hampton added its second touchdown of the game within the first seven minutes and took a 14-0 lead.

Maritime brought the ball into Pirate territory on the following possession thanks to two personal fouls on Hampton and an 11-yard carry from Khalil Lewin. Unfortunately, the Privateers weren't able to convert on the penalties and turned the ball over on downs at the 32-yard line.

Maritime's defense came up with its first stop of the game on the following drive, but the offense continued to struggle to move the ball until the end of the half. With 2:13 remaining in the first half and John Lynn (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Chaminade) at quarterback, the Privateers finally found some momentum. A 13-yard completion to Nicholas Morman (Covington, La./Northlake Christian) and an 11-yard pass to Curtis Smith (Brooklyn, N.Y./New Utrecht) got the drive going. A defensive pass interference and another pass to Smith kept the drive alive, but Maritime ran out of time and was forced to attempt a 42-yard field goal. However, with the wind at his back, senior kicker Ian Ziemski (Bel Air, Md./C. Milton Wright) stepped up and drilled the field goal attempt to put the Privateers on the board before half.

With a 28-3 lead, the Pirates wasted no time adding to it in the second half. Hampton drove down the field and scored in 56 seconds to begin the third quarter. Lynn continued to see more success throwing the ball with the high wind gusts, but the Pirates defense was too much to handle for Maritime.

Similar to the end of the first half, Maritime put together it's best drive with time expiring. A personal foul on the Pirates started the drive for the Privateers, but then Lynn got the momentum going with an 18-yard completion to Benjamin Andrews (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) and then a 7-yard pass to Christian Castle (Felton, Pa./Red Lion). Two plays later, Lynn found senior wide receiver Cormac Quigley (Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham) for 21 yards to take the Privateers down to the nine-yard line. On third and goal, Lynn connected with Brandonn Drumgole (Mt. Sinai, N.Y./Mt. Sinai) for his first career passing touchdown and Drumgole's 10th receiving touchdown this season.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 468

Lynn finished 14-27 for 127 yards and a touchdown, while defensively Liam Bailey (Sayville, N.Y./Sayville) tallied a team high 12 tackles. He also added to career sack record with a seven-yard sack. Eli Bryant also finished with a 10-yard sack and a forced fumble.

The Privateers get back on the field next weekend when they travel to Gallaudet as they look to secure second place in the ECFC and earn a bid to the New England Bowl.

SUNY MARITIME COLLEGE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

Roger Thomas Rushes for 199 Yards As CAU Defeats Morehouse 30-13

.@CAU is ahead of @Morehouse in the fourth quarter! #GoCAU #WeAreCAU @TheSIAC @thecaupanther @HBCUGameday pic.twitter.com/VELZ0G6I2c

— CAU Athletics (@caupanthers) November 3, 2018

ATLANTA, Georgia -- On Senior Day, Roger Thomas, playing in his final game as a Panther, rushed for 199 yards to help lead Clark Atlanta University to a rousing 30-13 win over Atlanta University Center rival Morehouse College Saturday at Panther Stadium.

In the season finale for both teams, Clark Atlanta (3-7, 2-3 SIAC) avenged last season's 40-0 loss at Morehouse (7-3, 3-3 SIAC) and has now won two of the last three games in the long-time series.

After CAU opened the game with a drive that resulted in a Carlos Saldana field goal, Morehouse countered with a 68-yard drive that ended on a Michael Sims-to-Santo Dunn 11-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-3 midway through the second quarter.

But on the Thomas' legs and quarterback Charles Stafford's arm, along with a stingy CAU defense, the Panthers outscored Morehouse – the conference's top scoring team – 13-0 over the next nearly 18 minutes to take a 20-7 lead.

Saldana added a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter, followed by Stafford's 26-yard TD toss to Josh Banks just before halftime, and Stafford's 10-yard touchdown pass to Makel Young midway through the third quarter to go up 20-7.

The Panther defense then clamped down the rest, only allowing the Maroon Tigers two field goals the rest of the day. The CAU defense only allowed 247 total yards to Morehouse, including just 135 passing yards to Sims, the SIAC's fourth-ranked passer. They also held Dunn, the conference's leading rusher, to less than 100 yards at 85 yards for the day.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 3761

Thomas had 31 rushes, with a long run of 34 yards. It turned out to be Thomas' biggest game of the year. Stafford finished 12-of-21 for 194 yards and three touchdown passes. Johnathan Sanders had six catches for 67 yards and a TD, while Felix Jones caught three passes for 65 yards. Banks had two catches for 52 yards and a TD, while Makel Young had his one catch for 10 yards and a touchdown.

The CAU defense was led by another player in his final game at CAU, Ezekiel Edmonds who had nine tackles, seven of them solo, and 2.5 tackles for loss. Tyrone Mixon also had nine stops, with Joseph Culpepper adding six tackles. Breante Glover, Kenneth Morgan, and Jeramie Tate – who also had two tackles for losses – all have five tackles.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY PANTHERS ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

VUU Panthers Crush VSU Trojans 46-19 in Home Finale

RICHMOND, Virginia -- Virginia Union crushed rival Virginia State 46-19 on Saturday, November 3 at Hovey Field in Richmond, Va., snapping a two-game losing streak in the series.

The Panthers scored their most points against the Trojans since 1980.

With Division II playoff hopes still alive, the Panthers (7-2, 6-1) celebrated a little more than usual as time expired on the game clock.

"We had more to play for than they did," said Virginia Union back Tabyus Taylor, a former Hopewell standout. "This is what we have worked for all year, to have a chance to keep our season alive."

The Panthers had to weather an early surge from the Trojans, who drove 89 yards on the opening drive.

BOX SCORE

ATTENDANCE: 8700

The Panthers answered by blocking the extra point attempt and returning it for a conversion of their own.

Taylor broke free for a 46-yard run moments later to give the Panthers a 9-6 lead.

Taylor added his second touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Darius Taylor with 6:11 to go in the first half. That score, which put the Panthers ahead 23-12, was set up by an interception by Sterling Hammond, the reigning CIAA defensive player of the year. Hammond picked off Virginia State's Cordelral Cook at the the Panthers' 14-yard line and returned it 6 yards to the 20. VUU then drove 80 yards in eight plays.

Hammond struck again for the Panthers, recovering a fumble on the ensuing drive. The turnover led to more points as the Panthers scored on a 30-yard wideout-to-wideout pass from Lavatiae Kelly to Jewison Dawkins. Hammond also recorded six tackles and a blocked kick.

The Panthers defense shut out the Trojans in the second half.

"We've relied on big plays from our guys all year, so this is nothing new for us," Virginia Union coach Alvin Parker said. "Sterling [Hammond] is still the CIAA defensive player of the year until somebody says otherwise and he showed that today. They had the momentum on offense, and we needed to get a stop."

Tabyus Taylor continued his breakout season, rushing for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 58 yards and the touchdown. Darius Taylor displayed versatility, throwing for 154 yards and three touchdowns and adding 75 rushing yards.

The Panthers are hopeful that a rout of the Trojans and another dominant performance on Thursday, November 8, against Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, N.C., will be enough to earn a spot in postseason play.

"I've been around a couple playoff teams, and this is definitely a playoff team," Parker said. "If we get a chance to be in the playoff bracket, we will show everyone what we are made of."

VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY PANTHERS SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Wins Fountain City Classic, Sweeps SIAC East

COLUMBUS, Georgia -- Albany State completed its sweep of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Eastern Division on Saturday, Nov. 3, defeating rival Fort Valley State University, 40-6, in the 29th Annual Fountain City Classic at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

With the win, the Golden Rams are now 22-7 against Fort Valley State since the rivalry game moved to Columbus in 1990.

ASU (7-3) will carry a seven-game win streak into next the SIAC Football Championship next Saturday, Nov. 10 when it travels to SIAC West Champion Miles College. Kickoff is 3 p.m. ET in Fairfield, Alabama. The Golden Rams defeated the Miles Golden Bears, 30-24, earlier this season.

In the regular season finale, Gabriel Ballinas connected on four field goals during the day, including ones from 33 and 41 yards in the first quarter to put ASU in front 6-0. Ta'Keevian Harris added a 5-yard touchdown reception from Kelias Williams with 3:42 to play in the opening quarter to stretch the lead, 13-0.

Fort Valley State's only points came with 7:40 to play in the second quarter on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Garrel Quainton to Mekall Yancie. The extra point was missed, 13-6. Quainton led the Wildcats' offense with 103 yards on 5-of-14 passing, but -4 yards rushing.

Ballinas closed the half with his third field goal from 34 yards out to extend the Golden Rams' halftime lead to 16-6.

Late in the second half, Albany State scored 17 points in less than four minutes. McKinley Habersham punched in a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:18 to play in the quarter. Ballinas, who accounted for 15 points on the day, kicked a 44-yard field goal with 2:04 to play in the third quarter and Tracy Scott added an 18-yard TD run for a 33-6 lead entering the final 15 minutes. Scott was named the Fountain City Classic MVP with 121 yard rushing on 12 carries.

Jalen Bush capped the Rams' blocking a punt a returning it 15 yards for a touchdown with 12:54 to play in the game. Bush also had ASU's only takeaway of the game, an interception in the third quarter.

Albany State dominated the ground game with 225 yards to Fort Valley State's 54 yards. ASU compiled 302 total yards in the win with Williams completing 7-of-18 passes for 77 yards.

Antonio Leroy, Martery Brown and Tyler Scott each had six tackles to lead the ASU defense with Leroy adding a sack and quarterback hurry.

ATTENDANCE: 28,346

BOX SCORE

Cameron Young led the Wildcats' defense with nine stops, while Zach Anderson and David Brown each had eight.

The SIAC Football Championship will be broadcast live on ESPN3. Tickets are $20 for regular seating and $30 premium seating. A pre-championship coaches' press conference will be at noon CT on Nov. 9. For more information, visit the SIAC Championship page, here.