Bethune-Cookman beats FIU for 2nd straight year, 14-12

MIAMI, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman once again opened its football season with a defensive struggle, outlasting Florida International 14-12 before a crowd of 14,053 at Ocean Bank Field Saturday night.

In a game similar to last year’s 12-9 win at Tennessee, the Wildcat defense contained the Panthers and did just enough offensively as B-CU downed their FBS opposition for the second straight season and fourth time.

FIU had a chance to win the game on the final play, but had an errant snap on a 55-yard Austin Taylor field goal attempt, and the Wildcats sacked holder Chris Ayers for a 16-yarder

The Wildcats held FIU to a pair of Austin Taylor 25-yard field goals in the second quarter until Richard Leonard’s 71-yard punt return to the Bethune-Cookman 7 set up Alex McGough’s fourth-down 5-yarder touchdown to T.J. Lowder with 5:16 remaining that cut B-CU’s lead to 14-12.

B-CU maintained the lead when Erik Williams, who had three sacks, hurried McGough into an overthrow on the two-point conversion attempt.

Still, the Panthers had the final possession and a chance to win after advancing to the B-CU 27 in the final minute.

Meanwhile, the Wildcat made their most of their big plays.

A 46-yard Quentin Williams to Michael D. Jones catch-and-run followed by Williams’ 17-yarder to Darian Baker put the ball at the Panther one. Jones, a sophomore running back from Sarasota, bullied in two plays later to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead with 11:26 remaining in the first half.

After nursing a 7-6 lead for the third quarter, B-CU upped its lead to 14-6 with 12:26 remaining when Frank Brown beat one-on-one coverage deep, shook a tackle, and finished a 55-yard touchdown pass from Williams.

Williams finished 8 of 17 for 149 yards with the one touchdown passing while rushing for 39. Anthony Jordan, who posted a career-high 150 yards against FIU here a year prior, gained 64 yards on 19 carries.

The Wildcats got to the FIU 28 on their opening drive, but came up empty when Williams was sacked on fourth down.

B-CU’s defense held FIU to 186 yards and just one third conversion in 16 attempts. Williams and Tavarus each had eight tackles, and LeBranden Richardson posted three tackles for loss.

The Wildcats are off next week, returning to action against Grambling State in their home opener September 13 at Daytona Beach’s Municipal Stadium

COURTESY BETHUNE COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Keith Miles Out as Voice of the FAMU Rattlers

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Rattler fans who tune in to listen to the game Saturday night may be in for a big surprise.

FAMU has named a new play by play announcer to replace Keith Miles, who has been the Voice of the Rattlers for the past 30 years.

"He throws down field, got a man, that's .... makes the catch!"

Rattler fans know that voice. Keith Miles has done FAMU's play by play for 30 years, but he won't be doing it anymore.

FAMU has hired a new play by play announcer who will start as the new voice of the Rattlers in the season opener against Jackson State Saturday night.

"It'll be different. It'll be funny to hear the whole play-by-play without the same exuberance that Keith Miles used to give," Rattler fan Johnny McCaskill said.

"He will be missed," FAMU fan Wayne Daniels said, "so I wish him well. I hope they find somebody that's close to him."

"It's definitely a big change," FAMU Sports Information Director Vaughn Wilson said.

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UMaine football team opens season with tight win over Norfolk State Spartans

PHOTO COURTESY NORFOLK STATE ATHLETICS

ORONO, Maine — The projected strength of the 2014 University of Maine football team was its defense.

Even with two starters not in the lineup, that more veteran unit carried play during Saturday night’s season opener.

The 2oth-ranked Black Bears shut down Norfolk State to the tune of 100 yards and 10 first downs, setting the tone for a season-opening 10-6 victory in front of 6,951 fans on Morse Field at Alfond Stadium.

With the Spartans virtually devoid of a passing game, UMaine clamped down despite playing much of the evening in its own end. Sophomore linebacker Christophe Mulumb Tshimanga piled up 14 tackles to provide a potent presence in the middle.

Coach Jack Cosgrove’s squad was without starting linebacker Cabrinni Goncalves, who was serving a one-game suspension for violating UMaine’s student-athlete code of conduct. Senior Randy Samuels posted seven tackles in his first start at linebacker, while redshirt freshman Austin Brown made seven tackles behind a front four spearheaded by end Trevor Bates of Westbrook (5 tackles, interception) and tackle Matthew Wilson (5 tackles).

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Lee views rejuvenating VUL football as another opportunity

LYNCHBURG, Virginia  -- The loud thud of shoulder pads slamming together breaks up the silence at the campus of Virginia University of Lynchburg. The campus nestled in the heart of Lynchburg is typically quiet this time of year except for the sounds of whistles signaling the end of a play in football practice.

But down the hill from Humbles Hall is a different look for a football field that was once barren and almost forgotten. Fresh white paint lines the field and the holes that were often skipped over are now filled and solid.

The sounds are the same from the past couple of seasons. The look is refreshing and different for the players returning a week ago to VUL. In the grand scheme of Don Lee’s vision to improve the football program and ultimately make it successful, these are the first small steps in that building process.

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It wasn't pretty, but ODU prevails over Hampton 41-28

PHOTO COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
& MSUTTON PHOTOGRAPHY

NORFOLK, Virginia  --  It wasn’t pretty.

The defense, as usual, gave up wide swaths of real estate. And late in the fourth quarter, the outcome was still in doubt.

But Old Dominion managed to stave off a Hampton University rally and defeat the Pirates, 41-28, at Foreman Field Saturday before a sellout crowd of 20,118 and a regional television audience.

It was the first game for ODU in the Football Bowl Subdivision and Conference USA but came against an old rival from the Football Championship Subdivision. ODU is now 4-0 against Hampton.

The schedule gets much tougher for ODU from now on. Hampton is the only FCS team on ODU’s schedule. Ahead for the Monarchs are 11 FBS opponents, beginning with a game at North Carolina State, Saturday.

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Akron Football Cruises to 41-0 Victory Over Howard in Season Opener

Final Statistics  |  Final Statistics (PDF)  |  Season Statistics  | Postgame Notes  Photos | Recap | Box Score 

AKRON, Ohio – Behind an offensive attack led by junior QB Kyle Pohl, the University of Akron football team had no trouble handling Howard in its season opener, cruising to a 41-0 victory at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field on Thursday night.

The decisive win was Akron's first in a season-opening contest since 2007, when the Zips defeated Army 22-14.

Pohl finished the night 22-of-35 with 304 yards through the air and four touchdowns to help Akron rack up 506 yards and 24 first downs as a team. He threw touchdowns to three different receivers and tallied 48 yards rushing on seven carries.

One of Pohl's top targets, sophomore Mykel Traylor-Bennett, caught four passes for 89 yards and his two touchdowns, his first two TDs as a Zip.

The Akron defense was stout throughout the game, holding the Bison to 216 total yards and 15 first downs. C.J. Mizell recorded 10 tackles (eight solo) and a fumble recovery to lead the defense as the unit recorded its first shutout since a 41-0 triumph over Morgan State on Sept. 12, 2009.

A consistent pass rush kept Howard QB Greg McGhee off-balance throughout the game. Akron posted four sacks while holding McGhee to 12-of-26 passing for 68 yards.

The Zips started fast, scoring their first touchdown of the season on a 57-yard strike from Pohl to L.T. Smith just 1:34 into the game. After the Akron defense forced a three-and-out on Howard's first drive, Pohl found Smith on a post route down the middle and the senior receiver raced untouched into the end zone for the score.

The Zips continued their defensive dominance on Howard's ensuing drive, forcing a fumble as Justin March dislodged the ball from William Parker. Mizell recovered the ball, returning it to the Bison's 9-yard line. Another no-nonsense two-play drive put the Zips up 14-0 as Pohl threw his second touchdown of the game, this one a 9-yard connection to Imani Davis.

UA needed just 58 seconds to score its first 21 points of the game, all in the first quarter.

Akron did not allow a first down on Howard's first three drives and surrendered just 135 yards in the first half. The Bison reached Akron territory for the first time nearly four minutes into the second quarter and found their way into the red zone just once on the night.

Neither team could dent the scoreboard in the final 24 minutes of the first half and the 21-0 margin remained unchanged until senior running back Jawon Chisholm dove into the end zone on a 6-yard TD run midway through the third quarter to extend the lead to 28-0.

The Zips return to the field on Saturday, Sept. 6, when they travel to Penn State. Kickoff at Beaver Stadium is scheduled for 12 noon ET and the contest will be televised on ABC.

COURTESY THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

Akron Volleyball shuts down North Carolina A&T in straight sets

Final Statistics  | 

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana -- Julia Smagacz led a balanced offensive attack that carried Akron past North Carolina A&T in straight sets to conclude the Indiana State Holiday Inn Classic on Saturday morning.

Akron held off the Aggies, 25-20, 26-24, 25-16, to finish opening weekend with a 2-1 record, while N.C. A&T slides to 0-3.

Smagacz delivered eight kills with only a single error in 15 swings for a .467 hitting percentage on the day. As a team, UA out-hit N.C. A&T, .235 to .081.

Kelsey Wilson posted seven kills for a .294 clip, and the trio of Amanda Bedell, Mary Delich and Anna Wenger chipped in six kills apiece. Wilson also recorded three of UA's nine service aces. The junior has eight aces in the first three matches of the season.

Karley Kusan dished out 20 assists for Akron to go with a team-high eight digs, leading six Zips with six or more digs. UA edged the Aggies on the defensive end, collecting 47 digs to N.C. A&T's 44.

After capturing the first set in decisive fashion, the Zips fell behind by eight points with the score at 18-10 in the second set. The Aggies scored six unanswered points before a kill from Bedell stopped the run. Akron was unable to close the gap however, still trailing by as many as six (23-17) before the rally began.

UA went on to score on nine of the next 10 plays to claim the set and go up 2-0 in the match. The stretch was highlighted by a pair of Delich kills and sealed by a solo block from Akron's only senior.

The Zips carried their momentum on through the break, sprinting out to a 5-0 lead to start the third set. Never trailing, Akron scored three straight points on an NC A&T error and two Wilson kills to clinch the victory.

Akron returns to the court for a single weekday match at Cleveland State on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. The Zips are set to open their home slate next weekend when they host the Akron Invitational Sept. 5-6. Akron will take on Bryant (12:30 p.m.) and Binghamton (8 p.m.) on Friday, followed by a doubleheader against Drake (3 p.m.) and Austin Peay (8 p.m.) on Saturday.

COURTESY THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Former S.C. State men’s player signs Greek professional contract

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  --  Former South Carolina State forward Matthew Hezekiah has signed a professional contract to play for the Panionios Basketball Club in Greece.

“I am excited and anxious to start this new chapter in my life,” said Hezekiah. “I’ve always loved the game of basketball and it’s a blessing to be able to continue this journey and play professionally in Greece.”

“We are so proud and happy for the opportunity that Matt has earned to extend his basketball career on the professional level in Greece,” said head coach Murray Garvin. “He is the first player to sign a professional basketball contract while I’ve been the coach and hopefully not the last to reach his dream of playing professionally.”

Hezekiah, a 6-11, 235-pound forward from Jacksonville, Fla., was a two-time All-MEAC Second Team pick and led the Bulldogs in scoring the past two seasons. He averaged with 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season.

The Panionios Basketball Club is one of 14 teams in the EuroBasket A-1 Division, and is ranked the ninth-best team in Europe by Eurobasket.com.

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Monmouth overcomes slow start to rout Delaware State

WEST LONG BRANCH – A 98-yard kickoff return to open the season and a 77-yard touchdown pass from Delaware State belied the fact that Monmouth University's football team outplayed the Hornets in the first half on Saturday afternoon.

At the half, the Hawks held a 2-to-1 advantage in total yards and were out-rushing the Hornets, 127-1, but seven penalties for 79 yards and the two aforementioned big plays threatened to make a game of what really had no business being one.

Instead of sweating, Monmouth's retooled, veteran offense came out for the second half and looked every bit like the balanced, nightmarish matchup it has been touted as.

Three touchdown drives on three third-quarter possessions broke the game open and helped turn a 28-21 halftime lead into a 52-21 season-opening win in front 2,150 at Kessler Field.

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Former Bearcat McMinn set for NC A&T opener

ORLANDO, Florida  --  When North Carolina A&T running backs coach Shawn Gibbs first saw then-freshman A.J. McMinn back in 2012, he said the young man was just like any other 18-year-old first starting college.

Facts

Sunday's Game

N.C. A&T vs. Alabama A&M, 11:45 a.m.
TV: ESPN

"He was a little on the immature side. I've seen A.J. grow from a maturity standpoint," Gibbs said. "I think he is starting to grow, and he relishes the opportunity to mentor some of our younger players."

McMinn, now a redshirt sophomore for the Aggies, is a 2012 Hendersonville High graduate and now the starting fullback for N.C. A&T. The Aggies open their season on Sunday in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge as they take on Alabama A&M in Orlando, Fla. The game will kick off at 11:45 a.m. and will be televised by ESPN.

Since that redshirt season two years ago, McMinn, who ...

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Put Up Or Shut Up: Texas State Hosts Confident Arkansas Pine-Bluff Golden Lions

PHOTO COURTESY UAPB GOLDEN LIONS ATHLETICS

The Golden Lions' coaches and players weren't afraid to talk smack to Texas State this week. Can they strut out of San Marcos with a shocking upset?

LOCATION: Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX

TV: ESPN3

Radio: 105.3 FM (Austin)/89.9 FM (San Marcos)/930 AM (San Antonio)

When: 6:00 PM CT

Weather: 94°F, 50% chance of rain

Know Your Enemy
After winning the SWAC in 2012, UAPB completely cratered in 2013 en route to a 2-9 record. Things were so bad that their only wins were against a Mississippi Valley State team with the same record and Grambling State, who straight up refused to play a football game at one point.

Despite last year's woes and being picked to finish 6th in one of the worst conferences in FCS, Coach Monte Coleman and his players apparently decided that giving Texas State a truckload of locker room material was a good idea. So much for the element of surprise.

The Golden Lions gave up almost 280 yards on the ground per game, which is enough to make Texas State's solid running back corps salivate. On the other side of the ball, UAPB was able to average around 28 points and 255 passing yards per game, but against non-SWAC opponents Arkansas State and McNeese State they were held to 11 and 14 points, respectively.

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Head coaches, quarterbacks mirror each other

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  In a lot of ways, Earl Holmes and Harold Jackson's coaching careers mirror each other's.

The two newcomers to college football head-coaching go head-to-head today when in the W.C Gorden Classic. Holmes is in his second season at FAMU, while Jackson is in his first season as the Tigers' head coach.

The two teams are meeting for the first since FAMU defeated JSU 11 years ago in the Circle City Classic. Their reunion takes place at Veteran Stadium in Jackson, Miss.

Like Holmes, Jackson will put his offense in the hands of a quarterback who is coming off a season-ending injury as his starter today.

Quarterback La Montiez Ivy will be making his second career start after a season-ending legs injury in the Tigers' first game last year. FAMU's starter Damien Fleming also is coming off a foot injury that ended his 2013 season with two games left.

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Alabama State Tackle Terren Jone Cut as Falcons Makes Final Cuts to Get Roster to 53

The Falcons made the final round of their roster cuts Saturday, parting ways with veterans DT Travian Robertson and G Harland Gunn as part of the process

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  The Atlanta Falcons today announced that they have waived cornerback Ricardo Allen, safety Sean Baker, wide receiver Jeremy Ebert, guard Harland Gunn, tackle Terren Jones, wide receiver Bernard Reedy, defensive tackle Travian Robertson, tight end Mickey Shuler, and linebacker Jacques Smith. The club has also reached an injury settlement with wide receiver Geraldo Boldewijn

Jones, 6-7, 341 pounds, was signed by the Falcons as a college free agent on April 29, 2013. He was a three-time All-SWAC performer and an AFCA All-American following his senior season at Alabama State University.

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Game preview: Alabama State at Sam Houston State

FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY

1. Game film to watch: Sam Houston State has put it's season opener behind it, which may help the Bearkats erase first-game jitters. But it was beneficial to Alabama State as well, whose players and coaches gathered Saturday to watch the Bearkats' televised matchup against Eastern Washington. "It's better that they've played a game and we were able to see them," Alabama State head coach Reggie Barlow said. "Last year, we played Jacksonville State, and they had a whole new coaching staff. It would have been the same way this year. That first game gave us a chance to see them, but I imagine it's a plus for them as well because they're able to see what kinks they need to work out." 

2. Freshman impact players: There are 10 freshmen on the ASU two-deep roster, but the biggest impact other than kicker may be at receiver, where Jamir Hannah is listed as a starting receiver and Josh Davis as a top reserve. "I think Jamir Hannah has just embraced that role," Barlow said. "His work ethic is unmatched. Everything he does is explosive and with a lot of energy. He's just a little more mature than his years, and he catches the ball well." Davis has been hampered by a heel injury, but before that, Barlow said "he was right there" with starters.

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Week 1 HBCU Football Showcase on ESPN

Watch HBCU Football on ESPN Family Networks if you are not there on GAME DAY!

SATURDAY 8/30
Morgan State at Eastern Michigan, ESPN3 at 6 p.m. ET
Southern at Louisiana-Lafayette, ESPN3 at 7 p.m. ET
Arkansas Pine Bluff at Texas State, ESPN3 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina Central at East Carolina, TV: ESPNews, 8 p.m. ET

SUNDAY 8/31
Alabama A&M vs. North Carolina A&T State, TV: ESPN, 11:45 a.m. ET

INTERNET: ESPN3 

ASPiRE To Televise ASU's Inaugural Classic

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- The Alabama State University football home opener will be televised live nationally on the ASPiRE Television Network.

The Hornets' Inaugural Classic game against Tennessee State on Sept. 6 will be shown on ASPiRE at 4 p.m. CT / 5 ET from New ASU Stadium.

ASPiRE is a television network that celebrates the groundbreaking achievements of African-Americans. ASPiRE offers a diverse programming mix of movies, series and specials featuring music, comedy, drama, faith/inspiration, theater/performing arts, lifestyle and news/information. The network was launched June 27, 2012 by Magic Johnson Enterprises, which acts as a catalyst for driving unparalleled business results for its partners and fosters community/economic empowerment by making available high-quality entertainment, products and services that answer the demands of ethnically diverse urban communities. ASPiRE is available in about 20.6 million homes in 21 of the top 25 African-American markets including New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, D.C.. For more information, visit www.aspire.tv, facebook.com/aspireTV and on Twitter @tvASPiRE.

Birmingham is the only current market in the state of Alabama which ASPiRE can be seen. (Broadcast map attached).

"We are always appreciative to have national television exposure for our programs," Alabama State Interim Athletic Director Melvin Hines said. "We're excited to bring the Alabama State University brand and the excitement of our home opener to the ASPiRE Network."

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

XU's Fakler, Jackson finish first at Big Easy Opener

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Catherine Fakler set a school record for two miles, Kwame Jackson posted his second-fastest 5,000 meters, and both were individual winners Friday in the Xavier Big Easy Opener cross country meet at City Park.

Xavier won the women's team title. The Gold Nuggets had seven of the eight fastest finishers and scored 18 points.

Fakler finished in 12 minutes, 42.18 seconds to break Denitra Robinson's 2001 XU mark of 13:13. It was the sixth time that Fakler, the 2013 Louisiana Runner of the Year, has broken a school record. She also holds the 4K. 5K and 6K marks.

"I'm really excited to hold four records," said Fakler, a senior. "But I'm sure one of my teammates will break this record next year. I wish I could've gone faster."

Jackson, a two-time All-Louisiana runner and a two-time Gulf Coast Athletic Conference champion, won the men's race in 16:21.57. The time is the second-fastest by a Gold Rush runner in the last 12 seasons; Jackson ran 16:12.13 as a freshman in 2011.

"I felt pretty good," Jackson said. "I was going for a time between 16 minutes and 16:30. I"m feeling a lot better about the season after today."

The XU men had the three fastest runners but did not qualify for team scoring because it did not have the minimum five runners. Edward Waters scored 16 points to win the men's team title.

Xavier's Briana Simms was second in the women's race in 13:13.18. Also competing for the Gold Nuggets were Ashley Flournoy (fourth place, 13:55.91), Hannah Finnegan (fifth, 14:06.54), Hali Yarmush (sixth, 14:07.55), Carlee Calais (seventh, 14:10.39) and Reeka Belton (eighth, 14:25.77). It was the first collegiate cross country meet for Flournoy and Calais.

In the men's race, Xavier's Brent Kitto was second in 16:38.94 and posted the sixth-fastest Gold Rush time of the last 12 seasons. Christopher August was third in 17:08.43, and Emmanuel Detiege was sixth in 18:43.15.

It was the first time since 2007 that Xavier competed in its home city. The Rush and Nuggets will be close to home in their second meet, the Louisiana Army National Guard/ROTC Wolf Pack Invitational in suburban Metairie, La., on Sept. 6.

"For the first meet of the year we didn't do bad," 10th-year XU coach Joseph Moses said. "We still need to do some work, but we'll be ready for next week."

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold
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THE EDITOR: DWIGHT FLOYD -- Lady Rattlers @Miami Hurricane Invitational

DWIGHT FLOYD
The Editor

Hurricane Invitational
Miami, Florida
Live stats for all games
8/29 versus Florida Gulf Coast 4:30 PM EST
8/30 versus Miami Hurricanes 12 PM EST
8/30 versus Seton Hall 5:30 PM EST

COMPLETE SCHEDULE

Tournament Notes
- Both Gulf Coast and FAMU have a small returning cadre and will rely on newcomers to set the tone for the season. In two tries FAMU has not beaten Florida Gulf Coast.

 - FAMU is 3-1 versus the Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are in the ACC along with Florida State.

 - The Seton Hall Pirates return all six of its starters from a team that won four of its five final games. This will be FAMU’s first meeting against Seton Hall.

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2014 Xavier University of Louisiana Men's Cross Country Preview

Schedule    Roster    Quick Facts    Men's Cross Country Home Page

NEW ORLEANS  --  Xavier University of Louisiana's Kwame Jackson will have a chance to run into the record book during the 2014 cross country season.

Jackson, a senior from Kingwood, Texas, will attempt to become the first runner, male or female, to win the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference individual championship three times. He finished first in the conference as a freshman in 2011 and again last season.

"Kwame has put in a lot of good miles for our program. He's worked hard in the classroom and has been successful there, too," 10th-year XU coach Joseph Moses said. "It would be great to see him get that third title. There's no doubt that he's capable of winning again. It would be a tremendous accomplishment for him and for Xavier. If Kwame is healthy on race day, he should be the favorite."

The Gold Rush also figure to be favored. XU's men will enter the season with active streaks of eight consecutive GCAC team championships, five consecutive GCAC individual champions and five straight 1-2-3 individual finishes at the GCAC meet.

Jackson, a two-time All-Louisiana selection, also will take aim at former teammate Matt Pieri's GCAC record of 13 Runner of the Week awards. Jackson has won nine times, including a GCAC-record-tying five times in 2013.

Four lettermen return from last season. The others are junior Brent Kitto, sophomore Christopher August and senior Emmanuel Detiege. Kitto and August finished 3-4 in the GCAC in 2013 in their debut seasons at Xavier, and Detiege has a pair of eighth-place finishes in the league.

Kitto produced four top-10 finishes last year and was Xavier's second-fastest finisher in the first four meets. August placed in the top 16 in 4-of-5 meets and beat 70 percent of the runners he faced.

"The top of our lineup is solid," Moses said. "We'll have a good chance to finish 1-2-3 in conference again."

The GCAC team champion will qualify automatically for the NAIA National Championships on Nov. 22 at Lawrence, Kan. Xavier's team reached nationals four of the past six seasons and sent an individual to that race last year. The GCAC meet will be Oct. 18 at City Park in New Orleans, and Xavier will be the host school.

Xavier will compete five times before the conference meet and begin the season Aug. 29 at City Park in the Xavier Big Easy Opener.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold 

TSU wants FAMU band in Tigers' homecoming

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- Tennessee State University has put three offers on the table in an attempt to have FAMU's Marching 100 band perform at the Tigers' homecoming game against FAMU on Sept. 27 in Nashville.

Terms of the proposals were outlined in a letter TSU president Glenda Baskin Glover sent to the Tallahassee Democrat. Baskin Glover sent the letter in response to a story in the Tallahassee Democrat in which FAMU president Elmira Mangum said she has been negotiating unsuccessfully for several weeks to get an agreement to "share the cost" of the band's trip.

The letter was sent to Mangum on Tuesday, according to Kelli Sharpe, who handles public relations for TSU.

Transporting the band will cost $60,000, according to the TSU letter.

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The film won't be much help for ODU vs. Hampton

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- The 22 players on Old Dominion's scout teams have been forced to run a wide variety of offensive and defensive formations as the Monarchs prepare for Saturday's opener against Hampton University at Foreman Field.

Hampton has a new coaching staff, led by head coach Connell Maynor, who came from Winston-Salem State. He engineered a remarkable rebirth at Winston-Salem, going 45-6 in four seasons in which the Rams won two CIAA titles and went to the NCAA Division II playoffs three times.

Hampton defensive coordinator Kenny Phillips came from Fayetteville State, where he was the head coach the last 13 seasons.

Maynor ran a pro style offense at Winston-Salem, and had an equal balance between running and passing. But ODU coach Bobby Wilder said he isn't quite sure what to expect on Saturday.

Winston-Salem also ran the spread at times.

CONTINUE READING 

Bearkats Host Alabama State in Home Opener Saturday

HUNTSVILLE, Texas -- Sam Houston State puts the longest current FCS home winning streak on the line Saturday at 6:30 p.m. when the Bearkats play host to Alabama State at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium.

The Kats kicked off their 99th season of football last week on ESPN national television at Cheney, Washington with a 56-35 loss to No. 1 Eastern Washington.

The matchup with the Hornets Saturday is "Orange Out 2014." Special orange t-shirts are on sale at Barefoot Athletics and Barnes & Noble. Game sponsors are Suddenlink and KSAM.

Sam Houston is 24-4 in home openers since moving its football home from Joseph Pritchett Field to Bowers Stadium in 1986. The Kats have won each of their last four home openers.

Overall in 28 seasons at Bowers Stadium, Sam Houston has rolled up a record of 110 victories, 42 losses and one tie. The Bearkats have gone unbeaten at home nine times.

CONTINUE READING  

Southern University defense should be even better in 2014, LB Javon Allen said

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana  -- After the first three games of the 2013 season, the Southern University defense was shell-shocked. The Jaguars had allowed Houston, Northwestern State and Prairie View 1,806 yards and 176 points.

That's an average of 602 yards and 58.6 points, both numbers, at the time, near the bottom of theSWAC and FCS schools.

Southern came out of that stretch 1-2 as the Jaguars offense was able to outgun Prairie View, 62-59, in overtime.

But linebacker Javon Allen, a Karr graduate, said there was no panic on the defense. Head coach Dawson Odums didn't want to blow things up and continued to believe in his unit.

"The problem was that we were getting in position but just a step behind,'' Odums said.

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Delaware State/Monmouth Football Notes

LONG BRANCH, New Jersey  -- Delaware State kicks off the 2014 season against first-time opponent Monmouth University on Saturday, August 30 at 1:00 pm. at Monmouth Stadium/Kessler Field in W. Long Branch N.J. The Hornets return 41 letter winners, including 12 starters from their 2013 squad, which posted a 5-6 overall record, including a 5-3 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Two of DSU’s losses last season were to FCS National Champ North Dakota State and national runner-up Towson.

HORNET OFFENSE

The big question facing the offense is how 2013 back-up Esayah Obado (r-so.) handles starting duties. Obado played in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2013, completing 21-of-40 passes (52.5%) for 168 yards. He did not have a touchdown pass and threw two interceptions. Obado took nearly all of the snaps during the Hornets’ 2014 spring camp. Delaware State signed three quarterbacks during the off-season. Obado’s development will be critical to DSU’s hopes of maintaining its status as one of the MEAC’s top passing teams.

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SC State ready to get football season started

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina  -- South Carolina State opens its football season Saturday with an eye on playing extra games.

After posting a 9-4 record last season while winning a share of the MEAC championship and reaching the NCAA FCS playoffs, the Bulldogs are capable of making it to postseason play again.

They’ll get things started against Benedict in the Palmetto Capital City Classic at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium at 5 p.m. S.C. State coach Buddy Pough, who enters his 13th season with a 97-43 mark, five MEAC titles, and four FCS playoff appearances, can’t wait to get going.

“Anytime you’ve been working against each other for as long as we have, you’re excited about playing,” Pough said. “Our guys just want to get out and play somebody.”

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Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/08/28/3646267/sc-state-ready-to-get-football.html?sp=/99/181/#storylink=cpy