North Carolina A&T Bowling Earns No. 10 National Preseason Ranking

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T ATHLETICS

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The North Carolina A&T bowling team starts where it started in last year’s National Tenpin Coaches Association. NTCA released its preseason poll recently and for the second straight season the Aggies cracked the top-10 with a No. 10 ranking.

N.C. A&T is the only MEAC team ranked in the top-10.

The Aggies finished the 2014-2015 season 70-37, ranked ninth by NTCA, making it the highest ranking the program has ever received. The Aggies bowling program is also coming off a season where they established the distinction of being the only N.C. A&T athletics program with a national championship after winning the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships.

The Aggies national championship team is intact for their 2015-16 run. N.C. A&T will seek its third straight 70-plus win season. Head coach James Williams is looking for his third straight MEAC Coach of the Year award and Emily Strombeck is looking to be the first Aggie ever to win conference player of the year honors for a third straight year in that person’s respective sport. Strombeck and teammate MacKenzie Robinson also earned NTCA All-American honors last season.

Robinson, along with Kristin Shinn and Kori Smith, was also named to the National Tenpin Coaches Association All-Academic Team for the 2014-2015 season. North Carolina A&T will start the season in New Orleans for the Tulane Invitational.

The National Tenpin Coaches Association

2015-2016 Preseason Poll 

2015-2016 NATIONAL TENPIN COACHES ASSOCIATION PRESEASON POLL

October 1, 2015 

		Season Record W - L	1st Place Votes	Adjusted Point Standing	Previously Ranked
1.	University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE	0-0	17	941	1
2.	Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR	0-0	5	865	4
3.	Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX	0-0	2	844	2
4.	Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ	0-0	1	827	3
5.	Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 0-0 382 6	0-0		757	7
6.	Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX	0-0		719	5
7.	University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI	0-0		655	6
8.	University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO	0-0		587	8
9.	McKendree University, Lebanon, IL	0-0		577	11
10.	North Carolina A&T, Greensboro, NC	0-0		543	9
11.	University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD	0-0		539	10
12.	St. Francis University, Loretto, PA	0-0		417	12
13.	Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT	0-0		391	13
14.	LIU Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY	0-0		363	14
15.	Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN	0-0		258	16
16.	Saint Francis Brooklyn College, Brooklyn Hieghts, NY	0-0		247	15
17.	Delaware State University, Dover, DE	0-0		201	17
18.	Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA	0-0		182	19
19.	Tulane University, New Orleans, LA	0-0		151	NR
20.	Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA	0-0		136	18
21.	Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX	0-0		90	NR
22.	Adelphi University, Garden City, NY	0-0		78	NR
23.	Monmouth University, West Long Branch, NJ	0-0		69	NR
24.	Bowie State University, Bowie, MD	0-0		36	NR
25.	Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL	0-0		26	NR

Also receiving points:

Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, NH; Jackson State University, Jackson, MS; Felician College, Lodi, NJ; Cheyney University, Cheyney, PA; Bethune Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL; Texas Southern University, Houston, TX; Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC; Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA; Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA; Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL

Point system:

NTCA voters rank the top 20 teams on their ballot. Each position has a designated point value, ranging from 32 points for first place and one point for twentieth place. Teams are ranked using the adjusted total point standings, after the highest and lowest votes are dropped. The specific point values follow: 1st place = 42 points, 2nd =39, 3rd =37, 4th =35, 5th =33, 6th =31, 7th =29, 8th =27, 9th =25, 10th =23, 11th =21, 12th =19, 13th =17, 14th =15, 15th =13, 16th =11, 17th =9, 18th =8, 19th =7, 20th =6, 21^st =5, 22^nd =4, 23^rd =3, 24^th =2, 25^th =1.

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JSU's McCall focused on fixing issues

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Alabama A&M coach James Spady admitted he doesn’t know what to expect from Jackson State, now under the leadership of interim coach Derrick McCall, when the two teams meet this Saturday.

“You have to prepare for it like it’s a first-game (of the season) scenario and that leaves you uncomfortable a bit,” Spady said.

“I don’t know what their (the Tigers’) focus will be.”

At his first news conference in front of the local media Monday, McCall spoke on what his focus is: addressing the concerns that have led JSU to a 1-4 start.

McCall is inheriting a team has been outscored by 22.6 points per game. The offense has been inconsistent at times, but the main issue is a defense that has allowed 48.8 points per game, which is the third highest total in FCS, and has given up 50 points or more three times this season.

CONTINUE READING

USBC National Champs N.C. A&T Seeks Even More Success

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Lately, year after year, North Carolina A&T has put together a season better than the last. Hopefully, that is not changing as it heads into the 2015-16 season.

The Aggies claimed the school’s first national championship when they won the 2015 United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Intercollegiate Team Championships in April. In addition to it being the team’s first appearance in a national title, A&T finished the season ranked ninth in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll, the highest in program history.

The Aggies didn’t stop there. Emily Strombeck and MacKenzie Robinson were named NTCA All-Americans. Strombeck, a two-time All-American was named to the third team after being recognized as an honorable mention in 2013-14. Robinson was selected as an honorable mention which marked the first time in program history that two Aggies were named as All-Americans in the same year.

In conference play, both Strombeck and Robinson were first-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selections with Strombeck repeating as the Bowler of the Year. Strombeck became the first Aggie athlete since football player Connell Maynor in 1990 and '91 to earn the MEAC's top individual honor for two straight years in that athlete's respective sport.

To top it off, head coach James Williams also repeated as the MEAC Coach of the Year.

Looking Back on 2014-15 Goals ...



So exactly how do the Aggies expect to have an even better 2015-16 season?

“There is always a level of pressure that comes with coming off a successful season,” said Williams. “But we are going approach this season, just like we did last year when we came off, at the time, the best season in program history. The expectations for the team have not changed. We are looking to compete at our highest level and hopefully compete for a conference championship.”

What else hasn’t changed is the team’s roster. The Aggies return all of its players from their championship squad and will be looking for leadership in seniors Briana Jackson, Najah Owens, and Strombeck.

“They really found their roles throughout the year last year,” Williams said. “As juniors they had to learn to be the leaders of the team since we didn’t have any seniors.”

Also returning are juniors Rakia Jenkins, Kristin Shinn and Robinson along with sophomores Brianna Boze and Kori Smith.

“The experience will play a part in the season,” explained Williams. “With our current roster there is still a lot of room for growth. I’m looking for Brianna Boze to step up and have a breakout season. She didn’t get much playing time last year as we were developing techniques, but she really came through in big moments during our national championship run.”

Aside from tweaking and improving a few areas of their game, one particular area that the Aggies will be working on is communication. A&T will showcase that when it opens the season on Friday, Oct. 16 at the Tulane Invitational in New Orleans.

But as for right now, the Aggies are enjoying the fruits of their labor and embracing all that comes with being a national champion.

“Well at this particular moment they are still on a high, after just receiving their national championship rings,” stated Williams. “Prior to that they were focused and looking forward to being better than last year. So I imagine after the excitement dies down, they will get back to being focused on the task at hand just like last year.”

COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Fewer penalties, more big plays are focus for SCSU Bulldogs

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Having lost two straight games in which his team held the opponents to 17 points apiece didn’t put a smile on South Carolina State head football coach Buddy Pough’s face during his weekly press conference on Monday.

But the mention of his team having no more Sunday or Thursday games, but having six Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games remaining on upcoming Saturdays, did produce a grin. And it doesn't hurt that three of those games will be at home, inside Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.

The Bulldogs, now 2-3 on the season, are 1-1 in MEAC play after falling 17-14 at conference foe Bethune-Cookman this past Thursday night.

Next up is this Saturday’s home game against the winless Howard Bison (0-5 overall, 0-3 in MEAC play).

CONTINUE READING

MEAC Announces Weekly Football Honors

NORFOLK, Virginia – North Carolina A&T State running back Tarik Cohen was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the conference announced today. Bethune-Cookman linebacker Robert Way earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Hampton defensive back Oral Varcciann and North Carolina A&T State’s Julius Reynolds earned Co-Rookie of the Week honors while Morgan State’s Dominique Woods was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Week.

MSU’s Peterson Janvier was named the Special Teams Player of the Week.

Cohen (RB, 5-6, 173, Jr., Bunn, N.C.) rushed for a season-high 152 yards and tied a career-high with 36 carries with a touchdown in a 27-3 win over Norfolk State. He also recorded a touchdown pass, on one attempt, and caught four passes for 27 yards.

Way (LB, 6-1, 209, Sr., Belle Glade, Fla.) collected 13 tackles with one for a loss of three yards in a 17-14 win over South Carolina State. He forced a fumble and recorded a deflected pass in the game.

Varcciann (DB, 5-10, 214, Fr., Lithonia, Ga.) finished the game with a fumble recovery that he returned 83 yards for a touchdown in Hampton’s 21-7 win over Delaware State.

Reynolds (OLB, 5-9, 211, Fr., Wilmington, N.C.) finished with a team-leading seven tackles, three solo, and one sack for an eight-yard loss in a 27-3 victory over Norfolk State.

Woods (OL, 6-2, 300, Jr., Skyline, Texas) led the Bears in the trenches as he graded out at 96-percent of his blocking assignments in a 42-3 win over Savannah State. He played a penalty free game and did not surrender a single sack, while totaling three knockdown blocks. His efforts anchored an offensive line that helped the Bears account for 393 yards of total offense, including a season-high 232 on the ground.

Janvier (DB, 5-10, 185, Sr., Immokalee, Fla.) caught a 50-yard field goal attempt and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown in the Bears’ 42-3 win over Savannah State.

Other Top Performers

Rashawn Barrett (DSU) posted nine tackles, six solo, with 1.5 for a loss of four yards and one hurry against Hampton.

Jonathan Cagle (B-CU) averaged 40.9 yards per kick, including a 52-yarder, and nine punts, placing four inside the 20-yard line and one touchback.

Cooper Clarkin (MSU) graded out at 96-percent on his blocking assignments, including three knockdowns, as he aided the Bears with 232 yards on the ground in a win over Savannah State.

Trevin Huff (B-CU) graded out at 86-percent of blocking assignments and registered two knockdown blocks as he helped the Wildcats record 333 yards of total offense in a win against South Carolina State.

Cody Jones (NCAT) scored nine points on 2-for-2 field goals and 3-for-3 extra points against Norfolk State. Also, he averaged 58.8 yards on six kickoffs with one touchback against Norfolk State.

Anthony Jordan (B-CU) rushed for 121 yards on 22 attempts in a 17-14 victory over South Carolina State.

Angelo Keyes (NCAT) finished with four solo tackles, six total, and 3.0 for a loss of 18 yards and one pass breakup against Norfolk State.

Deon King (NSU) tallied a game-high 15 tackles, 1.5 for losses, against North Carolina A&T State.

Julius Reynolds (NCAT) collected a team-leading seven tackles, three solo, and 1.0 sack against Norfolk State.

Nigel Macauley (NCCU) hit two field goals 20-yards out, including the game-winner with 15 seconds left, against Florida A&M. He also nailed three extra-point kicks for nine points in the 27-24 victory.

C.J. Moore (NCCU) amassed seven solo tackles, a pass breakup, a recovered fumble and a blocked punt in a 27-24 win over Florida A&M.

Brandon Parker (NCAT) finished with four knockdowns and posted a grade of 88-percent on blocking assignments against Norfolk State.

Gi Rivera (DSU) connected on 14-of-24 passes for a career-high 183 yards and recorded his first career touchdown run against Hampton.

Carson Royal (FAMU) connected on 29-of-47 passes for 330 yards with two touchdowns against North Carolina Central.

Moses Skillon (MSU) rushed for 104 yards with two touchdowns on seven attempts in the Bears’ win over Savannah State. He also recorded 134 yards through the air with one touchdown in the victory.

Logan Wescott (DSU) collected three solo tackles, four total, and picked off a pass that he returned 72 yards against Hampton.

Damare Whitaker (MSU) recorded nine tackles, three solo, with one sack for a loss of four yards against Savannah State.

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Alcorn State Stays On Top; Tuskegee remains #1 in Week 6 of HSRN Football Polls

Hartly, Delaware  – Despite having the week off, Alcorn State University maintained its top position in the HSRN Division 1 Poll. while Tuskegee University regained sole possession of first place in HSRN's Division II/NAIA Poll following six full weeks of HBCU football action.

Division I/FCS

North Carolina A&T moved closer to the top with a 27-3 win over Norfolk State to complete a sweep of MEAC Tidewater schools. The Aggies defeated Hampton, 45-31 last week. Tuskegee's bounced back from its first loss of the season to defeat Morehouse, 35-7, in Columbus, Georgia giving them sole possession of the #1 spot in HSRN's DivisionII/NAIA Poll.

Just three points separate the Aggies and Braves with Bethune-Cookman lurking in third place following its Thursday night win over #6 South Carolina State. Grambling and Southern round out the Division I/FCS top five.

Division II/NAIA

Tuskegee's picked off five passes, tying a school record, to win the 80th Morehouse-Skegee Classic. Virginia Union overcame six turnovers to score 50 straight points spoiling homecoming for Lincoln (PA), 66-27. Bowie State celebrated homecoming with a key CIAA Northern Division win over #5 Chowan, 17-14. Virginia State edged Elizabeth City State, 24-23 to move into fourth place.

Week 6 – Rankings

Division I FCS
School (First Place Votes) Record Pts Last Week
1 Alcorn State (12) 4-1 138 1
2 North Carolina A&T (2) 4-1 135 2
3 Bethune-Cookman 5-1 121 3
4 Grambling State 4-2 86 7
5 Southern 3-2 85 6
6 South Carolina State 2-3 76 4
7 Tennessee State 3-2 49 5
8 Morgan State 3-2 48 10
9 Prairie View A&M 3-2 40 9
10 Hampton 3-3 10 NR

Others receiving votes
N.C. Central (14), Norfolk St. (10), Alabama St (7)

Division II/NAIA
School (First Place Votes) Record Pts Last Week
1 Tuskegee (9) 5-1 125 1T
2 Virginia Union (4) 5-1 117 1T
3 Bowie State 5-1 101 3
4 Virginia State 4-2 80 5
5 Chowan 4-2 68 4
6 Fayetteville State 3-3 52 7
7 Elizabeth City State 3-2 50 6
8 Fort Valley State 4-2 46 8T
9 Albany State 2-3 24 10
10 Winston-Salem State 2-4 17 NR

Others receiving votes
Morehouse (11), Livingstone (6), Benedict (5), Lincoln (PA) (1) , Shaw (3)

By Heritage Sports Radio Network, LLC

SWAC Football Players of the Week: October 12

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama –  Southern quarterback Austin Howard, Prairie View A&M cornerback Foster Brown II and linebacker Steven Guillory, and Alabama A&M punter Nick Carden have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference as football players of the week for their outstanding performance in competition during week six of the season, Oct. 10.

Offensive Player of the Week
Austin Howard
Southern
Quarterback
QB – So. - 6-0 - 190 – Edgard, La.

Howard was a difference maker for the Jaguars, as his five-touchdown night powered Southern to a 45-34 road win at Alabama State. Southern’s sophomore signal-caller threw for 355 yards and three scores – on 33-of-45 passing – and also rushed for two touchdowns on the ground in the win. This marks the second time this season that Howard has been honored as SWAC Offensive Player of the Week.

Defensive Player of the Week
Foster Brown
Prairie View A&M
Cornerback
LB – R-So. - 5-10 - 175 – College Park, Ga.

Foster was a factor in all phases of Prairie View A&M’s defensive effort versus Mississippi Valley State, as he picked up eight total tackles in the Panthers’ 45-6 win. In addition, he made one tackle for loss, notched a quarterback sack, made one pass breakup, and also blocked a point-after attempt.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Nick Carden
Alabama A&M
Punter
P – So. - 6-3 - 190 – Huntsville, Ala.

Carden earned his second SWAC Special Teams Player of the Week award this year after averaging a shade under 44 yards per punt during the Bulldogs’ loss versus Grambling State. Carden’s longest punt of the day traveled 51 yards, and he twice pinned GSU’s offense inside the 20 with his punting.

Newcomer of the Week
Steven Guillory
Prairie View A&M
Linebacker
LB – R-Fr. – 6-0 – 200 – Pearland, Texas

Guillory was a driving force behind the Panthers’ pass rush versus Mississippi Valley State. The freshman accounted for two of Prairie View A&M’s eight sacks on the day. He also was credited with seven total stops, with 1.5 tackles for loss in the 45-6 victory.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS