Jags' Mathis: Bethune-Cookman can't let guard down in Florida Classic

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida  --  Rashean Mathis has some advice for his alma mater.

According to Mathis, a former Bethune-Cookman standout turned Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback, the Wildcats (8-2, 7-0) do not want to underestimate Florida A&M (4-6, 4-3) heading into Saturday's Florida Classic. The game is scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m. at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

“In a game like that, records don't matter,” Mathis said in front his locker at Everbank Field in Jacksonville following his team's Thursday night, 27-10, loss to the Indianapolis Colts. “I'm sure the coaches will be preaching the same thing. The atmosphere of the game gets everyone ready to play so if you're undefeated or defeated it doesn't matter in that game because the emotions are going and the rivalry stands strong.”

Mathis was a second-round pick by the Jaguars in 2003. He said he still pays attention to Bethune-Cookman football and is excited about the way the team has played this season.

“They have done an awesome, awesome job,” Mathis said. “Ever since the new coaching staff came in, they have been doing a tremendous job.”

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Tuskegee RB Derrick Washington named SIAC Player of the Year, Willie Slater Coach of the Year

TUSKEGEE, Alabama  --  Tuskegee running back Derrick Washington was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's 2012 Player of the Year Tuesday.

If the 6-foot, 215-pound transfer hadn't already done enough to lock his name in the hearts and minds of voters a couple weeks ago, the Missouri transfer's performance in the Tigers last two games had to remove all doubt from even the staunchest dissenter.

First, he rushed for 208 yards in a 27-17 win against Miles College in a battle of conference unbeaten to punch his team's ticket to the SIAC title game in Atlanta. Then, he topped that performance going for 224 yards and a pair of scores while catching a couple of passing for 107 and another score to lead Tuskegee to a 55-24 win against Fort Valley State (Ga.) in the conference championship game this past Saturday.

 

It's a blessing man," Washington said, following the Tuskegee's win against the Wildcats. "To come from where I came from this year and to end it with a championship, it's really a blessing and I really can't explain it.

Washington has been a workhorse for Tuskegee all season. He led the SIAC in rushing with 1,399 yards and 13 touchdowns on 172 carries in 10 games.



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Elizabeth City University and Tuskegee University to play in Pioneer Bowl XIV

Columbus, GA – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) have announced that Elizabeth City State University and Tuskegee University have been selected to participate in the 14^th Pioneer Bowl. The game will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, GA at 1:00pm (EST).

Tickets can be purchased online beginning on Thursday, November 15, 12 pm at www.TheCIAA.com or www.TheSIAC.com. Adult general admission tickets are $18; children ages three and under are free.

The Elizabeth City State University Vikings, led by Head Coach Waverly Tillar, finished first in the CIAA Northern Division and vied for the CIAA Championship title for the second consecutive year. The Vikings are currently 7-4 overall record, 6-1 in conference play. “We are excited that Elizabeth City State University will represent the CIAA in the Pioneer Bowl. Their tremendous season and record will bring forth great competition against Tuskegee, for the fans and the Columbus community,” comments new CIAA Commissioner Jacqie Carpenter.

Tuskegee is coming off a 55-18 victory over Fort Valley State in the SIAC Championship Game, played last week at Lakewood Stadium in Atlanta. Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Willie Slater, No. 14 Tuskegee has won nine consecutive games en route to earning its 26th SIAC Football Championship. Led by Harlon Hill Trophy candidate Derrick Washington, Tuskegee is currently 9-1 overall and 8-0 in conference play.

“The City of Columbus and its Sports Council has been very supportive and welcoming to both the CIAA and SIAC, in hosting the Pioneer Bowl for the last two years,” said SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore. “Last year, Johnson C. Smith and Miles provided an electric and exciting atmosphere and we expect the same this year with Elizabeth City State and Tuskegee’s success this season.”

Tuskegee will be making its ninth appearance in the Pioneer Bowl while Elizabeth City State will make its second appearance in this historical game. The Golden Tigers have won eight Pioneer Bowl titles, with their last coming in a 21-7 victory over Elizabeth City State in 2009.

The Pioneer Bowl, established in 1997, is the only NCAA-sanctioned Division II bowl game involving HBCU athletic conferences. Last year, Johnson C. Smith defeated Miles 35-33 in the Pioneer Bowl XIII, played at AJ McClung Stadium.

COURTESY THESIAC.COM

XU Gold Nuggets will visit Georgetown (Ky.) in opening round

Xavier qualified for the NAIA nationals for the second consecutive year. NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will travel to Georgetown (Ky.) for the 2012 NAIA Volleyball National Championship Opening Round. Xavier (22-7) will play the Tigers (33-4) at 7:30 p.m. EST Saturday in Georgetown's Davis-Reid Alumni Gym.      The NAIA announced first-round pairings Monday. Xavier qualified for nationals for the second consecutive year and the second time overall by winning the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday.  Georgetown, ranked 13th, earned at at-large bid after winning the Mid-South Conference regular season and losing in four sets to Lindsey Wilson in the Mid-South tourney championship match. It will be the Tigers' 15th appearance at nationals and first since 2009. "Georgetown has beaten three teams we played this season — Lee, Union (Ky.) and Lindsey Wilson — so that has our attention," said XU coach Christabell Hamilton, whose team lost to Lee and Lindsey Wilson and defeated Union in the season-opening Lee Invitational in August. "We're definitely the underdogs, and I like it that way."      Georgetown had a 25-match win streak from Aug. 25-Oct. 23.      The 12 winners of Saturday's opening-round matches will advance to the NAIA National Championship Final Site presented by CNOS. They'll meet up with the host school, Morningside, and the 11 top seeds for competition Nov. 27-Dec. 1 at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.      Xavier lost 25-13, 25-11, 25-21 at Spring Hill in the NAIA's 2011 opening round. By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAATHLETICS XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

Alabama A&M players relish unique 'honor' to play at Auburn this Saturday

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- It was always a cool deal when college recruiters came to visit McAdory High. The school secretary would call over the intercom system for particular players to report to the office.

"I always enjoyed that part of my high school drill," admitted Preston Nelson, now a senior defensive lineman for Alabama A&M.

One day his name was called. An Auburn recruiter was there to meet him. He was recruiting one of Nelson's McAdory teammates "and they just heard about me through the grapevine."

Though Nelson had that quick meeting and running back Kaderius Lacey went for an official visit, the closest most of the Bulldogs came to Auburn University football was their mailbox, where the occasional form letter and standard recruiting inquiry would land.

Until this Saturday.

The Bulldogs, 7-3 on the season, with those three losses coming in the last four games, go limping but also eagerly and confidently into their unprecedented date with Auburn at 1 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Football Game Notes: Auburn vs. Alabama A&M

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Comegy: Jackson State 'should' win against Alcorn State

COACH RICK COMEGY

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy didn’t want to talk too much about what would happen should the Tigers beat Alcorn State Saturday in Lorman.

Yes, a win would give the Tigers’ their first SWAC Eastern Division title since 2008, but Comegy isn’t one to get ahead of himself.

“Those guys are going to be playing well over their heads like no other when we play them,” Comegy said. “We have to go down and play a solid football game, an intense football game. If we really want this championship it will tell in how we play this game.

“If we give it up, that’s on us,” Comegy said. “We should beat them. In my mind, I think we have the personnel to do it but we have to go down and play a solid football game.”

Comegy said JSU (6-4, 6-2 SWAC) must cut down on its mistakes.

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FVSU Wildcats set for 1st Round of NCAA Football Playoffs

FORT VALLEY, Georgia  --  On Sunday (Nov.11th), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced the field of teams to compete in the NCAA Division II Football Play-offs. The sixth ranked Wildcats of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) (8-3) will compete in the NCAA Division II Super Region 2 play-offs in a first round match up with the third ranked Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University (8-2).

The game will be played on Saturday, November 17th. Kick-off is scheduled for 12 noon in Moretz Stadium on the Lenoir-Rhyne campus in Hickory, NC. Tickets for the playoff game are $6 for adults (Reserved seating on home side of stadium), $5 for faculty and staff and general admission, and $3 for students with proper identification and children. Tickets will be sold at the stadium on the day of the game.

This will be the first meeting between FVSU and Lenior-Rhyne. The winner will advance to the second round and meet the number two seed, Carson-Newman University. For more information, please call the FVSU Office of Sports Information at 478-825-6437.


COURTESY FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION