Liberty Football adds Hampton, Maine in 2019

NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS PLAYS AT LIBERTY ON SEPT. 15, 2018.

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Liberty's future football schedules continue to fall into place including today's announcement with the completion of the 2019 football schedule. In 2019, Liberty will have completed its two-year FBS transition process and will be eligible to compete for bowl game appearances.

"We continue to make rapid progress in building our future football schedules," said Director of Athletics Ian McCaw. "Hosting Syracuse for our 2019 opener at a renovated Williams Stadium during our inaugural game as a full FBS member will be much anticipated event for Flames Nation."

Nine of Liberty's 12 opponents in 2019 had already been revealed prior to today. During President Trump's Commencement announcement on May 12, the 45th President of the United States named seven of Liberty's opponents, while Liberty has since made public football series against both Syracuse and Virginia.

A road game at Louisiana (Sept. 7) and home contests against Hampton University (Sept. 21) and Maine (Oct. 19) round out Liberty's 2019 slate. Additionally, Liberty will complete the home-and-home series with Louisiana when the Ragin' Cajuns visit Williams Stadium on Nov. 20, 2021.

The Flames will play four of their first five games in 2019 in a completely renovated Williams Stadium. Phase one of the renovation will take place between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, including the expansion of the stadium's East side with upper deck seating, improved concessions areas and a new entrance to the stadium.

Phase two will be completed in time for Liberty's 2019 home opener against Syracuse on Aug. 31, with renovations to the West side of Williams Stadium to include loge box seating.

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Raheim Huskey brings toughness, leadership to Hampton Pirates

COURTESY: HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Nearly 23-years-old, Hampton University middle linebacker Raheim Huskey is a veteran. But in so many ways, he really isn’t.

Huskey spent three seasons at Marshall, including a redshirt year, but only played in 20 games. After transferring to Hampton in the summer of 2016, he was academically ineligible to play last fall.

So here he is, in his final season of eligibility, with a fresh start. And, he figures, somewhat anonymous.

“Nobody really knows me,” he said. “They can’t game plan me. I feel like I’m starting over as a freshman but with a senior’s mindset.”

Going into Saturday’s game at Savannah State, Huskey is leading the Pirates in tackles with 36. He also has one of Hampton’s three interceptions along with two pass break-ups.

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GSU, PVAMU set for big State Fair Classic match-up

DALLAS, Texas -- Grambling State marched into Solider Field, beat Clark Atlanta, and marched out in the same poll position. Now, staying still is better than falling, but the tigers maintained their No. 19 ranking in the FCS Coaches Top 25 poll.

The G-men could make some moves if they take care of business this weekend. However, it'll be tough as they participate in the 94th Annual Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic Saturday in Dallas' Cotton Bowl stadium, of course against Prairie View A&M.



The rivalry has been very competitive since 2008. Grambling has the slight edge with five victories over the last nine meetings. Even more, the winner of this contest always becomes an early SWAC West champion favorite. Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs says this rivalry is a close one to his heart.

"I was that kid in the stands when Grambling and Prairie View played this game in Dallas. I've been the player on the sideline and playing in this particular rivalry and now I'm the coach on the sideline participating in it. It's a family affair, and as you all know families go at it every once in awhile. Looking forward to being here this weekend because it's one of our favorites," explained Fobbs.

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Grambling State Tigers hold spots during latest rankings

GRAMBLING, Louisiana | The Grambling State University football team held its positions when the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) rankings were released on Monday.

The Tigers (4-1 overall, 1-0 SWAC) won their fourth consecutive game on Saturday with a 31-20 victory over Clark Atlanta in the 20th Annual Chicago Football Classic.

Grambling State remained No. 19 in the FCS Coaches Top 25 poll, as well as, No. 21 in the STATS FCS Top 25 Poll. The Tigers also held on to the No. 1 spot in the SBN Sports Network Black College Football Poll and No. 2 in the BOXTOROW Coaches and Media Poll.

Grambling State (4-1 overall, 1-0 SWAC) steps back into conference play on Saturday as the Tigers will meet Prairie View A&M in the 94th Annual Southwest Airlines State Fair Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

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ESPNU GameDay preview: Alcorn State at Alabama State

THE GAME

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: ASU Stadium

RECORDS: Alabama State (0-4, 0-1 SWAC), Alcorn State (3-2, 1-0)

ON THE AIR: TV – ESPNU. RADIO — WVAS-FM 90.7, WQKS-FM 100.5.

TWITTER: @kamarrid @MGMsports

FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY

1. Brave frontier: Alabama State has scored 27 points all season, but now has to try to outscore three-time defending SWAC East champion Alcorn State on Thursday. The Braves are coming off a 24-17 win over Texas Southern last week. Hornets head coach Brian Jenkins said in spite of the way this season has started, the mood in the locker room hasn't changed. "They're anxious," Jenkins said. "They're really looking forward to this opportunity. I'm very pleased with the preparation process that took place and looking for us to come out and play a real good ball game." Alcorn won 21-18 last year in Lorman, Mississippi.

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Magic City Classic tabs Rickey Smiley as celebrity ambassador

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Entertainer Rickey Smiley will serve as the celebrity ambassador of the 76th Magic City Classic between Alabama State and Alabama A&M on Oct. 28 at Legion Field.

A Birmingham native, Smiley will be the grand marshal of the parade and honored at halftime. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

“We are beyond excited to have Birmingham-native Rickey Smiley as our ambassador this year for the 76th Annual McDonald’s Magic City Classic,” said William Bell, 68, who will end a seven-year run as mayor next month. “Rickey has been a wonderful supporter of the Magic City Classic throughout the years, and we are honored to welcome him back to Birmingham for the weekend festivities.”



The parade is scheduled to start at 8 a.m.

Smiley is an Alabama State graduate and has consistently supported the university. The entertainer and comedian has a national syndicated radio show, “The Rickey Smiley Morning Show” and a reality TV show, “Rickey Smiley For Real” on TV One.

Tickets can be purchased for the Magic City Classic online at www.magiccityclassic.com. Reserved seating is $35 while general admission is $25.

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Coppin State Eagles Release 2017-18 Basketball Schedule

BALTIMORE, Maryland --Coppin State men's basketball program has released its 2017-18 schedule which features non-conference home contests against local rivals the Naval Academy and Mount St. Mary's.  The Eagles will also face three programs that finished in the top 25 of the Associated Press poll last season in Oregon, Cincinnati, and West Virginia.
 
As of publication, seven games will be featured on the PAC 12 Network, Big 10 Plus Network, ESPN U, ESPN 2, ESPN 3, and FS1.  Season tickets are available on coppinstatesports.com for $75 and provide access to both the men's and the women's basketball games.
 
The Eagles will start the 2017-18 campaign on the road November 10 on the west coast with a matchup against the University of Oregon from the PAC 12. The Oregon Ducks finished at #9 in the AP Poll last season and will broadcast the game on the PAC 12 Network.
 
Coppin will then travel back to the east coast to participate in the first of four games which are a part of the Showcase on the Banks tournament.  The showcase features matchups between East Carolina (Nov. 12), Cleveland State (Nov. 17), Rutgers (Nov. 19), and Central Connecticut State (Nov. 21). 
 
In between the East Carolina and Cleveland State matchups, on November 16, Coppin State will travel to #18 University of Cincinnati and face the Bearcats on ESPN 3.
 
After an eight day break, Coppin will begin the month of December back on the road against Ohio University (Dec. 1) and Georgetown University (Dec. 3).
 
Coach Juan Dixon's home debut will follow when the Eagles take on the US Naval Academy on December 6.   
 
After Navy, Coppin will get back on the road for three contests against University of Connecticut (Dec. 9), UMBC (Dec. 12), and #13 West Virginia (Dec. 20).  The Eagles will return back to the PEC Arena to face their last home nonconference opponent in Mount St. Mary's on December 22.
 
Coppin will conclude their nonconference schedule after Christmas with games against Georgia Tech on (Dec. 27), and Penn State (Dec. 30).
 
MEAC competition will start at Norfolk State University on January 3.  The Eagles will follow that with a two game home stand against Savannah State (Jan. 6) and Florida A&M (Jan. 8).  The well-traveled Eagles will then head south to face North Carolina Central (Jan. 13) and North Carolina A&T on January 15.
 
Coppin will then begin a three game home stand which will include local rival Morgan State on Saturday, January 20.  The bulldogs of South Carolina State will play the following weekend on January 27, followed by Maryland Eastern Shore on January 29.
 
Next, the team will head to Hampton University on January 31 to face the 2017 MEAC Tournament Champions.  Shortly afterwards, the ladies will face Bethune Cookman, the 2017 MEAC regular season champion on February 3, before heading to Orangeburg, SC to challenge South Carolina State on Feb. 5.
 
Coppin men's basketball will return for homecoming week to battle Hampton (Feb. 12) and Bethune Cookman (Feb. 17).  After a brief trip to Delaware State on February 19, the Eagles will travel to Morgan State on February 26 to continue the rivalry series.  Coppin will wrap up the regular season on March 1 against Howard University.
 
The MEAC Tournament will be held in the Norfolk Scope Arena March 5- 10 in Norfolk, VA.
 
Coppin returns four players from last year including MEAC All-Rookie Team Dejuan Clayton, and senior Tre' Thomas.  Coach Dixon bolstered the roster with the addition of freshman Joel Boyce from Jamaica, NY and transfer Lamar Morgan from Mineral Area College who earned 1st Team All-Conference honors.  Providing additional depth to the roster are transfers Karonn Davis, Adam Traore, and Cedric Council, Jr. who are expected to make an immediate impact.
 
The Coppin State Eagles play in the Physical Education Complex Arena on the campus of Coppin State University and is led by first year head coach Juan Dixon.

CSU EAGLES MEN'S BASKETBALL SCHEDULE 2017-18


COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY EAGLES SPORTS INFORMATION