Monday, September 11, 2017
Grambling expects 'war' against Jackson State
GRAMBLING, Louisiana – There’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed, especially the night before a big rivalry game.
For the first time since 2012, Grambling State coaches and players can rest comfortably before the annual showdown with Jackson State as the two rivals will face off in front of the GSU Tiger faithful at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium Saturday at 6 p.m.
Head Coach Fobbs AP3 Audio - Week 3
The rivalry has had an odd stretch the last few seasons with the boycott in 2013, where Grambling players decided not to play and forfeit to Jackson State, which was scheduled to be at home that year, because the team was protesting the firing of then-head coach Doug Williams, as well as subpar athletic facilities and long bus rides.
GSU and JSU picked back up the following season but the contest has been played at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium each year since the boycott. To make things a little weirder this season, while the rivals are SWAC foes, with the league on a seven-game schedule, Saturday’s matchup won’t be a conference game.
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Jackson State's Tony Hughes uses press conference to go right at his critics
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Through his first 13 games at the helm of the program, Jackson State coach Tony Hughes had reserved his most colorful outbursts for the sidelines.
That changed Monday morning when the second-year coach used his regularly scheduled weekly press conference to respond to criticism he has seen following Jackson State's 17-15 loss to No. 24 Tennessee State Saturday night.
Head Coach Hughes - Week 3 AP3 Audio Interview
"First, to everybody who criticizes us and thinks I'm a sorry coach, I'd just like to let you know that if you like my job, you're welcome to come after it, you know where my office is," Hughes said in his opening statement. "Second thing I'd like to say is that all I've tried to do since I've been here is help this program grow and develop, and I'm responsible out of losing 13 out of 15 to Tennessee State.
"The next thing I'd like to say is that this streak of six losses to Tennessee State that started six years ago, that's all my fault because I started that too."
Hughes did not through which medium he had received the criticism, but when asked who his comments were directed at, he responded: "Just whoever out there who has an opinion that doesn't think I'm a very good football coach."
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That changed Monday morning when the second-year coach used his regularly scheduled weekly press conference to respond to criticism he has seen following Jackson State's 17-15 loss to No. 24 Tennessee State Saturday night.
Head Coach Hughes - Week 3 AP3 Audio Interview
"First, to everybody who criticizes us and thinks I'm a sorry coach, I'd just like to let you know that if you like my job, you're welcome to come after it, you know where my office is," Hughes said in his opening statement. "Second thing I'd like to say is that all I've tried to do since I've been here is help this program grow and develop, and I'm responsible out of losing 13 out of 15 to Tennessee State.
"The next thing I'd like to say is that this streak of six losses to Tennessee State that started six years ago, that's all my fault because I started that too."
Hughes did not through which medium he had received the criticism, but when asked who his comments were directed at, he responded: "Just whoever out there who has an opinion that doesn't think I'm a very good football coach."
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Wilson: UTSA won't look past Southern after Baylor upset
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Calling his team’s 17-10 victory against Baylor on Saturday night “a monumental feat,” UTSA football coach Frank Wilson said Monday the Roadrunners savored the win until Sunday night when they began preparing for this week’s opponent.
The upset of the Bears in Waco was UTSA’s first win in 10 games against a Power 5 opponent since its first season in 2011.
The Roadrunners play Southern (1-1) in their home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Alamodome. The Jaguars are coming off a 45-0 beating from Southern Miss, which plays in the West Division of Conference USA with UTSA, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTEP.
After returning to campus shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday, the team met later in the day and watched film of Saturday night’s game.
“Sunday is about the truth for us,” Wilson told reporters at his weekly session with the media. “The truth was we did the things necessary to win the football game. We pointed out our goals pregame, and the ones we attained (and) ensured victory for us.
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Latest Bulldogs legend: Darius Leonard now all-time stop king at S.C. State
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- South Carolina State's home-opening football game against Charleston Southern was canceled for this past Saturday because of a state of emergency in the Palmetto State from Hurricane Irma.So next up for the Bulldogs (0-1) is Johnson C. Smith at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, at home.
When the Bulldogs take to Willie E. Jeffries Field inside Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, they will be led by the all-time leading tackler in program history.
No, it won't be a ceremonial entrance honoring Bulldogs' all-time great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Harry Carson (who holds the record for tackles in a game with 20 against Newberry in 1975).
And it won't be a '90s throwback entrance involving Joe Montford, who in 1993 set the S.C. State record for tackles in a season with 131.
Instead the Bulldogs will be led by current redshirt senior inside linebacker Darius Leonard, looking to inspire his team to a win and add to his program-high 292 tackles.
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Sunday, September 10, 2017
North Carolina A&T Aggies Shutout Mars Hill, Improve to 2-0
GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- Junior running back Marquell Cartwright has a pretty good idea as to why the North Carolina A&T football team has scored 101 points in their first two games. “We’ve got weapons (talented playmakers on offense),” he said. “And when you’ve got that many weapons you’ve got to use them. That’s why our scores keep going up.”
Nine different Aggies caught passes on Monday and Cartwright ran for 121 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries as the Aggies routed Division II Mars Hill 56-0 in the Aggies home opener at Aggie Stadium. Cartwright’s current and high school teammate, quarterback Lamar Raynard, provide the ammunition. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 262 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes.
All five touchdown passes came in the first half, tying a school record set by Alan Hooker in 1985. Three of Raynard’s TD passes went to Elijah Bell. Bell now has five touchdown receptions on the season as he finished Saturday’s game with six catches for 60 yards. Raynard came into the game leading the nation in quarterback efficiency rating and likely did nothing to harm his status. He has thrown 92 straight passes without an interception.
“Elijah was freshman of the year (MEAC) last year, and he’s only getting better. I think Lamar is playing at a pretty good lever right now. If he continues to play at this level, I think we’ll be a good football team.”
There is nice artillery on the defensive side as well. The Aggies have yet to give up a touchdown this season. Senior safety Jeremy Taylor had another solid game with 10 tackles, a forced fumble, recovered fumble and a returned interception for 32 yards. N.C. A&T recorded nine tackles for loss for the second straight week, and for the 40th time in the Broadway era they held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing, improving to 39-1 when that happens. The Aggies (2-0) did surrender 285 yards passing.
“We’ve got to go to work on Monday and try to get better in a lot of areas. When you’re winning with 56 points and finding things to complain about, I guess you’re moving in the right direction in some ways. But it’s so scary the way we play defense at times.”
The Lions (1-1) did put together an impressive first drive, reaching the Aggies 33-yard line before failing to convert a 4th-and 10. N.C. A&T zipped down the field after the turnover on downs, getting into the red zone on a 19-yard completion to sophomore Ron Hunt. A play later the Aggies found themselves with a 2nd-and-2 from the MHU 3. After two unsuccessful pass attempts to Bell on fade routes, Raynard and Bell finally connected a 3-yard TD pass to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead.
Raynard connected with his favorite deep target in Malik Wilson for the Aggies second touchdown as Wilson caught a fabulously thrown deep ball from Raynard for a 53-yard pass-and-catch TD. It is third time in their A&T careers the two have hooked up for a TD pass of 50 yards or more. A Richie Kittles interception set up the Aggies next score.
The Lions advanced to the Aggies 28 before Kittles returned David Solomon’s intercepted pass to the Aggies 35 where two plays later found the very fast Jaquil Capel on a slant pattern that Capel turned into a 66-yard touchdown. Raynard and Bell would connect two more times for touchdown passes to give the Aggies a 35-0 lead. The final touchdown of the half was set up by a 50-yard punt return from senior Khris Gardin.
The Aggies weaponry will have a tough task next week. The Aggies travel to Charlotte to face Division I-FBS Charlotte 49ers (0-2) 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 at Richardson Stadium.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Nine different Aggies caught passes on Monday and Cartwright ran for 121 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries as the Aggies routed Division II Mars Hill 56-0 in the Aggies home opener at Aggie Stadium. Cartwright’s current and high school teammate, quarterback Lamar Raynard, provide the ammunition. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 262 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes.
All five touchdown passes came in the first half, tying a school record set by Alan Hooker in 1985. Three of Raynard’s TD passes went to Elijah Bell. Bell now has five touchdown receptions on the season as he finished Saturday’s game with six catches for 60 yards. Raynard came into the game leading the nation in quarterback efficiency rating and likely did nothing to harm his status. He has thrown 92 straight passes without an interception.
“Elijah was freshman of the year (MEAC) last year, and he’s only getting better. I think Lamar is playing at a pretty good lever right now. If he continues to play at this level, I think we’ll be a good football team.”
There is nice artillery on the defensive side as well. The Aggies have yet to give up a touchdown this season. Senior safety Jeremy Taylor had another solid game with 10 tackles, a forced fumble, recovered fumble and a returned interception for 32 yards. N.C. A&T recorded nine tackles for loss for the second straight week, and for the 40th time in the Broadway era they held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing, improving to 39-1 when that happens. The Aggies (2-0) did surrender 285 yards passing.
“We’ve got to go to work on Monday and try to get better in a lot of areas. When you’re winning with 56 points and finding things to complain about, I guess you’re moving in the right direction in some ways. But it’s so scary the way we play defense at times.”
The Lions (1-1) did put together an impressive first drive, reaching the Aggies 33-yard line before failing to convert a 4th-and 10. N.C. A&T zipped down the field after the turnover on downs, getting into the red zone on a 19-yard completion to sophomore Ron Hunt. A play later the Aggies found themselves with a 2nd-and-2 from the MHU 3. After two unsuccessful pass attempts to Bell on fade routes, Raynard and Bell finally connected a 3-yard TD pass to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead.
Raynard connected with his favorite deep target in Malik Wilson for the Aggies second touchdown as Wilson caught a fabulously thrown deep ball from Raynard for a 53-yard pass-and-catch TD. It is third time in their A&T careers the two have hooked up for a TD pass of 50 yards or more. A Richie Kittles interception set up the Aggies next score.
The Lions advanced to the Aggies 28 before Kittles returned David Solomon’s intercepted pass to the Aggies 35 where two plays later found the very fast Jaquil Capel on a slant pattern that Capel turned into a 66-yard touchdown. Raynard and Bell would connect two more times for touchdown passes to give the Aggies a 35-0 lead. The final touchdown of the half was set up by a 50-yard punt return from senior Khris Gardin.
The Aggies weaponry will have a tough task next week. The Aggies travel to Charlotte to face Division I-FBS Charlotte 49ers (0-2) 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 at Richardson Stadium.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Kent State wins home opener over Howard, 38-31
KENT, Ohio -- Two touchdown runs by freshman Kesean Gamble in the fourth quarter helped the Kent State Golden Flashes secure a 38-31 win over Howard Saturday in the first game at Dix Stadium for 2017.
Gamble lifted the Golden Flashes into the lead for good with a 1-yard plunge with 12:35 on the clock, then added some security on a 4-yard run to the end zone with 5:56 remaining. After pulling back to within seven points on a short touchdown run by Caylin Newton, Howard's desperate bid to continue its Cinderella start to the season ended in an interception by KSU's Demetrius Monday with no time remaining on the clock.
It was a satisfyingly different script for Kent State when compared to 2016 – a season that saw so many close games slip through the Flashes' hands in the closing moments.
"That's the sign of our head coach (Paul Haynes) and how he has prepared us for these kinds of moments," said interim head coach Don Treadwell. "In our conference in particular … it often comes down to the last minute and sometimes even the last play."
Howard won its own tight battle last week, making national news with a 43-40 win at UNLV – the FCS school's first win against an FBS opponent. A 1-yard touchdown run by Newton, the brother of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, put the Bison ahead 24-23 with 2:09 on the third-quarter clock, bolstering Howard's hope for a second consecutive FBS win.
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Gamble lifted the Golden Flashes into the lead for good with a 1-yard plunge with 12:35 on the clock, then added some security on a 4-yard run to the end zone with 5:56 remaining. After pulling back to within seven points on a short touchdown run by Caylin Newton, Howard's desperate bid to continue its Cinderella start to the season ended in an interception by KSU's Demetrius Monday with no time remaining on the clock.
It was a satisfyingly different script for Kent State when compared to 2016 – a season that saw so many close games slip through the Flashes' hands in the closing moments.
"That's the sign of our head coach (Paul Haynes) and how he has prepared us for these kinds of moments," said interim head coach Don Treadwell. "In our conference in particular … it often comes down to the last minute and sometimes even the last play."
Howard won its own tight battle last week, making national news with a 43-40 win at UNLV – the FCS school's first win against an FBS opponent. A 1-yard touchdown run by Newton, the brother of Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, put the Bison ahead 24-23 with 2:09 on the third-quarter clock, bolstering Howard's hope for a second consecutive FBS win.
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With quarterback Austin Howard sidelined by injury, Southern is walloped by Southern Miss 45-0
HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — During pregame warmups, Southern’s four-year starter at quarterback Austin Howard walked among his teammates offering words of encouragement.
It was all he could do for the Jaguars’ tilt at Southern Miss, a rough 45-0 loss. In place of a helmet was a soft yellow hat he wore backwards. His jersey fit snug over a yellow hoodie. His comfortable-looking red sneakers couldn’t hide his limp.
For the first time since Oct. 25, 2014, someone other than Howard started at quarterback for Southern. He sat with a knee injury while his replacement, true freshman Bubba McDaniel, did not direct Southern to a first down until the 9:50 mark of the second quarter, at which point his team was trailing 28-0.
Considering the circumstances, it was a predictably rough day for Southern, which was soundly defeated. It was the first time Southern had been shut out in coach Dawson Odums’ tenure.
“This was a tough environment for a quarterback to play, especially when you’re a true freshman,” Odums said. “But that’s what we’ve got. It’s what we’ve got to deal with. That’s the hand, we’ll play it.”
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