Alabama A&M football: Bulldogs move up in all three major polls

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Alabama A&M moved up in all three of the major black college polls Monday following its 20-19 victory over Alabama State in the Magic City Classic.

The Bulldogs moved up one spot to second in both the Heritage Sports Radio Network and the Boxtorow polls and three spots to third in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Poll. Alabama State, which had been No. 1 in all three polls, fell to fourth in the HSRN and Boxtorow polls and sixth in the SBN poll.



"That's great," A&M coach Anthony Jones said Monday night during his weekly radio show. "We didn't know if they would make us first or second after we beat Alabama State. We can't control that. We knew if we beat them they wouldn't be No. 1 and that would give us a shot to win the (Southwestern Athletic Conference) Eastern Division title. All we've done is keep our playoff hopes alive."

The Bulldogs can win the Eastern Division title and advance to the SWAC championship with three more wins. That number would decrease if Alabama State lost one or both of its last two games.
A&M (6-2, 5-1) visits Alcorn State (2-5, 1-5) Saturday in Lorman, Miss. Kickoff is 2 p.m.

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Hampton University land two all-staters from North Carolina

Hampton, Virginia -- Hampton University has received verbal commitments from a pair of players at North Carolina powerhouse Northside Christian in Charlotte.

Dionte Adams, a 6-foot-7, 210-pound combo forward, and L.C. Cooks, a 6-1, 175-pound shooting guard, visited Hampton together last weekend and were sold on the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament champions, led by third-year coach Ed "Buck" Joyner.

"Even before (Adams') visit to Hampton, just researching the place, he had felt like that was the place," said Northside Christian coach Byron Dinkins, who said Adams also had scholarship offers from Winthrop, Presbyterian and Pembroke. "We told him he needed to see it, and once they took their visit, they both came back ready to get it done."

Adams, a first-team all-state selection as a junior, averaged 14 points and 13 rebounds last season as the Knights went 29-3 and finished runner-up in the state, posting a career high of 28 points and 18 rebounds in one game.

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Hampton University basketball continues to re-load for another NCAA run...

XU Nuggets' hot-hitting Kirk is GCAC Player of the Week

Moira Kirk

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana freshman Moira Kirk is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in women's volleyball for Oct. 24-30.

Kirk, a 5-foot-9 middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, hit .452 in 93 attacks during a 3-0 week, had her two highest kill totals of the season and led Xavier on Saturday to a four-set victory at SUNO which clinched the Gold Nuggets' first GCAC regular-season championship in four seasons of intercollegiate competition.

Kirk, who also attended First Baptist Academy in Dallas, had 12 kills, seven digs, two blocks and hit .526 Tuesday in a four-set victory at the University of New Orleans. She had a career-best 23 kills and hit .364 in a five-set home victory against Faulkner on Friday, and she had 18 kills, five blocks and hit .533 against SUNO.

This is the first GCAC weekly award for Kirk and the fourth for the Gold Nuggets this season. Another freshman, Taylor Reuther, won the award three times.

Xavier (18-6 overall, 9-0 GCAC) will play city and GCAC rival Dillard at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Barn in the final regular-season match, then compete in the GCAC Tournament at Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 10-12 as the No. 1 seed. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship.

Wednesday, November 2 — Men's Basketball vs. Carver, 7 p.m. live on internet FREE (CLICK HERE)
Friday, November 4 — Women's Basketball vs. Florida Memorial, 7 p.m. live on internet FREE (CLICK HERE)
Saturday, November 5 — Women's Volleyball vs. Dillard, 2 p.m.

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

2011 Shreveport Classic Battle of the Bands: JSU vs. PVU

PVAMU: Looking for Reasons

Prairie View, Texas -- Prairie View A&M football coach Heishma Northern was left searching for answers in the wake of Saturday's 44-14 loss to Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Jackson State in Shreveport, La.

The Panthers gave up a season-high 722 yards (315 rushing) and were out-gained in time of possession by a 2-1 ratio.

Prairie View (4-4, 4-3 SWAC) suffered its second consecutive defeat but remains in first place in the Western Division. The Panthers will face Texas State (5-4) in a non-conference game Saturday before finishing the regular season with key SWAC matchups at Alcorn State on Nov. 12 and at home against Alabama A&M on Nov. 19.

"We're going to see what kind of team we're really made of," Northern said. "Do we have some guys who are going to stand up and play or do we have some guys who are going to tuck their tails and run?"

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NSU wins 4th MEAC cross country title in row

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland -- Norfolk State won its fourth consecutive MEAC men's cross country title Saturday at Maryland-Eastern Shore. The Spartans finished with 30 points. Florida A&M was second with 54.

Hampton won the women's title with 53 points. The Spartans women were fifth.

NSU's Josef Tessema was the individual winner, completing the 8-kilometer course in 25 minutes, 24.73 seconds. It was Tessema's fourth straight all-conference honor.

Other Spartans to earn all-MEAC honors: Vincent Rono (sixth in 26:25.75), Amos Kipkosgei (eighth, 26:32.74), Philemon Kimutai (19th, 26:48.55) and Damtew Adnew (13th, 27:07.19).

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NSU Men Win 4th Straight MEAC Cross Country Title, Women Place 5th

PRINCESS ANNE, Maryland – The Norfolk State men’s cross country team won its fourth consecutive Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship and 11th in the last 12 years on Saturday morning on the campus of Maryland Eastern Shore. The Spartans amassed 30 points. Florida A&M was second with 54.

Hampton won the women’s title with 53 points. The Spartan women placed fifth with 162 points.

The Spartan men were paced by senior Josef Tessema, who won his first title. He finished the 8-kilometer course in 25 minutes, 24.73 seconds to give NSU its third individual champion in the last four years. It was Tessema’s fourth straight all-conference honor.

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Hampton pulls away from SSU, 22-5

Savannah, Georgia -- An ugly game looked pretty to Savannah State for 30 minutes. But the Tigers couldn’t generate offense in the second half, and a strong defensive effort was wasted during a 22-5 loss to Hampton on SSU’s homecoming at T.A. Wright Stadium on Saturday.

Savannah State dropped its fourth game in a row and fell to 1-7 overall, 1-4 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

Hampton, which played without MEAC passing leader quarterback David Legree, has won two straight while improving to 5-3, 3-2 in conference play.

“Any loss, whether you play well or not, it’s a not a great feeling,” said SSU linebacker Nate Clay, who had a game-high 16 tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a tackle for loss that resulted in a safety.

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SSU NOTEBOOK: Tigers defense plays well despite loss to Hampton

Savannah, Georgia -- Savannah State’s defense played its best game of the season Saturday against Hampton University. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.

The visiting Pirates scored 19 points during the final 16 minutes and 35 seconds and defeated the Tigers, 22-5, before SSU’s announced homecoming crowd of 10,375 at T.A. Wright Stadium.

After an opening 56-yard drive that resulted in a field goal, SSU held Hampton scoreless and to just 141 yards for the next 38 minutes.

The Pirates played without MEAC-leading passer David Legree, but a week ago beat North Carolina Central when Travis Champion came off the bench and led the team to two touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime.

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Click here to view photos from the game.