Howard Offense Impresses Coach Harrell as Season Approaches

Washington, D.C. - Howard first-year Head Coach Gary Harrell said last week that he believes his defensive unit led by all-MEAC linebacker Keith Pough was more aggressive and ahead of the learning curve than his offensive unit during practice sessions.

But after a team scrimmage held on Aug. 20, Coach Harrell said the offense has improved enough to make a great impression on him. “Overall, I was really pleased with the progress I saw today," he said. "From an organizational standpoint and the sidelines, there was a big improvement."

Howard Sports Information Director Ed Hill said the offensive unit scored two touchdowns and a field goal during the scrimmage. One of the touchdowns was scored by all-MEAC receiver Willie Carter on a 35-yard pass from freshman starting quarterback Greg McGhee. "The defense started out strong again, but the offense picked it up and began to play better,” Harrell said. “I was especially impressed with the second unit on offense. Randy Liggins did a good job of moving the ball."

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Howard Bison 2011 Football Team
(Click on photo enlarge)
(Photo Courtesy Howard University Athletics)

Football Gameplan's 2011 Ohio Valley Conference Preview

2011 Ohio Valley Conference Preview
Austin Peay Governors
Eastern Illinois Panthers
Eastern Kentucky Colonels
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Murray State Racers
Southeast Missouri State Redhawks
Tennessee State Tigers
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
UT-Martin Skyhawks

Former N.C. A&T Aggie Playing in the Pros

Burlington, Vermont - Xavier Macklin, former A&T outfielder and hitting machine, is slowly but surely beginning to prove he belongs in the big leagues.

The new professional was drafted in his junior season by the Vermont Lake Monsters, a Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. He was selected 376th overall in the 12th round of the 2011 First-Year Major League Baseball Player Draft.

"Playing with the Lake Monsters has been a great experience," said Macklin. "I've been meeting new people, getting to know my teammates, and playing a bunch of baseball. I love every minute of it."

The Vermont Lake Monsters currently have a 32-28 overall record, with Macklin playing in 41 of those games. He is averaging just .233 batting, and has 12 RBI total, 8 runs total, and no homeruns, but he continues to show gradual improvement ...

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Bowie State aims to make run at CIAA title

Bowie, MD - The Bowie State University football team didn’t live up to expectations in 2010.

The Bulldogs lost on a last-second bomb Oct. 2 against Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association rival Virginia State University. Though the team bounced back to win its final four games of the season and finish 6-4, that loss to Virginia State prevented Bowie State from contending for the CIAA title.

With more focus, experience and key additions to the team, the Bulldogs plan to reverse their fortunes in 2011. With 53 returning players, Bowie State begins its season Sept. 3 with a visit to Assumption College in Worcester, Mass.

“It’s like we’re taking this team more serious, day-by-day,” senior cornerback Kenny Turner said. “This year, we’re more of a unit; there’s more chemistry between us.”

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Six more 2011 graduates sign scholarships with Xavier Nuggets

Jeanay Butler

Chinedu Echebelem

Moira Kirk

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball coach Christabell Hamilton announced Tuesday the signing of six more student-athletes for the 2011 roster. All will be freshmen this season, and four are from Texas.

Signed to scholarships with the Gold Nuggets are:

• Jeanay Butler, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter from Fort Mill, S.C., and Charlotte (N.C.) Country Day School.

• Chinedu Echebelem, a 5-6 outside hitter/defensive specialist from Dallas and Duncanville High School.

• Moira Kirk, a 5-9 middle blocker from Dallas and Bishop Lynch High School.

• Kia Smith, a 5-6 setter from Humble, Texas, and Nimitz High School.

•Morgan Stallings, a 5-7 middle blocker/right-side hitter from Spring, Texas, and Klein Oak High School.

• Alexandra Rencher, a 5-6 setter from Mobile, Ala., and W.P. Davidson High School.

Alexandra Rencher

Kia Smith

Morgan Stallings

Butler, a native New Orleanian, was all-state last season and led all North Carolina players with 5.6 kills per game. She had 452 kills in 2010 and produced more than 1,000 kills, a school record, during her career. She helped Country Day finish second in Class 3A in the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association state playoffs in 2007 and 2008.

Echebelem was first-team all-district each of her last three years for Duncanville. She helped the Pantherettes win a District 5-5A co-championship in 2010 and the 7-5A championship in 2009.

Kirk was first-team all-state each of her final three seasons in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. She had 301 kills and 143 blocks as a senior for Bishop Lynch, which was 34-8 and finished second in the 5A state playoffs. Kirk played for First Baptist Academy from grades 9-11.

Smith was first-team all-district in 2010, team MVP and president of her senior class. Stallings did not play for her high school but played two years of club volleyball for the Houston Slam. Rencher was a three-year starting setter for Davidson and was honorable-mention all-county as a sophomore. She also played basketball and helped Davidson reach the 6A state semifinals her junior season.

Kirk, Smith and Stallings ae biology/pre-medical majors. Echebelem and Rencher are chemistry/pre-medical majors, and Butler is majoring in psychology. Xavier's first day of classes was Monday.

Seven of Xavier's 12 players this season will be freshmen. Announced in February was the signing of outside hitter Taylor Reuther of Metairie, La., and Dominican High School. The Gold Nuggets will open their season at 7 p.m. Friday at Belhaven and play their first home match at 7 p.m. Monday against Mobile at The Barn.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS

Freshmen in key positions on SCSU Bulldog depth chart

Head Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough

Orangeburg, S.C. - A lanky, lengthy-haired player will once again wear No. 1 for South Carolina State this fall.

Bulldog fans, however, may want to hold in their excitement if it looks like wide receiver Lennel Elmore was reinstated to the team. The jersey now has a new owner in Austin Smith, one of seven true freshmen included on S.C. State's two-deep chart released Tuesday. The Rex, Ga., native will back up Darius Drummond at safety and is the lone member of the young group listed on defense.

"When I came on my visit, I knew we had a strong group of freshmen," Smith said. "I wasn't expecting the seven of us, but we've just got to stay humble and just get in where we fit in."

The remaining six true freshmen have apparently found a place as offense, particularly on the offensive line. As much as head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough was tempted to go the redshirt route, he currently has four true freshmen as backups at both guard positions, tackle and center.

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At last, Smith’s time arrives at ECSU

Elizabeth City, N.C. - As the Elizabeth City State football team’s season opener approaches, Brandon Smith may be the most grateful player on the Vikings’ squad. Smith has not played football in two years and it was not long ago that he thought his career might be over.

“I really do appreciate it more,” said Smith, who will play his first game in a Vikings uniform on Saturday at Delta State. “I mean, I waited two years to play one year, not knowing what could happen after this year. I just wanted to fulfill my whole college term of playing football.”

Smith, a senior, was a star at Virginia Union. The 6-foot, 235-pound outside linebacker was an All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association rookie team pick in 2006 and followed that up with back-to-back ...

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