Unbeaten North Carolina A&T 'on the right track' after seventh victory

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — The seventh win didn’t come easy.

On the road at Florida A&M, playing in front of a standing-room-only homecoming crowd in a stadium that seats 25,500, N.C. A&T looked vulnerable in its 31-20 victory over the Rattlers on Saturday.

The Aggies lost three turnovers, including quarterback Lamar Raynard’s second and third interceptions of the season, and committed a season-high eight penalties for 64 yards.

And yet, it was still win No. 7. The Aggies are 7-0 for the first time since 1943 and just the third time in the program’s 93-year history.

“Man, let’s don’t take these wins for granted,” A&T coach Rod Broadway said today. “Winning is hard. Sometimes we get in a comfort zone where we think this (7-0 start) is the norm. Well, this isn’t normal. These guys are doing something special.”

Now comes the most difficult game of the season. A&T (7-0, 4-0 MEAC) will host Bethune-Cookman (3-3, 2-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Aggie Stadium.

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Grambling State has 'chip on shoulder' entering Alcorn State game

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- When you’re talking champ versus champ, breath’s not wasted on clichés or coach speak.

Fourth-year Grambling State head football coach Broderick Fobbs could’ve doled out the politically correct banter Monday morning at his weekly press conference, where he previewed the reigning SWAC champion Tigers’ big showdown with Alcorn State, the league’s champion the year prior, coming up Saturday at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

The Braves defeated the G-Men, 49-21, for the title in 2015, and maybe that still doesn’t quite sit well with Fobbs. Or maybe it’s from last season’s SWAC championship game where Alcorn raced out to a 17-0 halftime advantage – a stark difference from the regular season meeting where GSU dominated, 43-18 – before his Tigers roared back to win, 27-20, in the final minutes.

Likely reasoning is a combination of the two. But any way it’s sliced, Grambling State (5-1, 2-0), now ranked 17th in the FCS Coaches Poll, has entered Alcorn State week with a chip on its shoulder.

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JSU AD: Tony Hughes still the right man for the job at Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State director of athletics Wheeler Brown gave Tiger football coach Tony Hughes a vote of confidence Monday morning, despite the team's 0-6 start.

Reached by phone, Brown said he understands the frustration fans feel towards the program, which is off to its worst start since 1969 following Saturday's 33-7 loss to Division II Tuskegee.

"I don't think the kids or the coaches have quit," Brown said. "I hope we can work to rectify those things that have kept us from being successful on the field, but my support hasn't wavered and at the end of the day, I still think coach Hughes is the man for the job."

The Tigers are set to host Southern University this weekend at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

The athletic department decided to postpone Monday's regularly scheduled football press conference to Tuesday, prompting many to believe there may be a shakeup within the coaching staff.

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The 16th Annual Honda Battle of the Bands Returns to Rock Atlanta

Polls are now open for the public to vote for their favorite marching bands to perform in the 16th annual HBOB Invitational Showcase.

TORRANCE, California – Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB) will make its highly-anticipated return to Atlanta on January 27, 2018, when eight marching bands from the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) take the field to dazzle fans with their music, choreography and pageantry. The polls are now open for the public to vote for their favorite marching bands to perform in the 16th annual HBOB Invitational Showcase.

Beginning today, fans can visit http://www.hondabattleofthebands.com/the-bands and vote daily to help select the eight bands that will perform at the 2018 Invitational Showcase. Voting will close on Friday, October 20 at midnight Eastern.

“For more than 15 years, Honda Battle of the Bands has provided a stage for exceptional marching bands—a hallmark of HBCU culture,” said Stephan Morikawa, Vice President, Corporate Relations & Social Responsibility for Honda. “Honda is honored to celebrate these student musicians and their teamwork, and we look forward to their dynamic performances come January.”

This year’s theme, March On: Dream Together, highlights the distinctive culture of HBCUs—both on and off the field. It is a culture that impacts and inspires far beyond its community. In addition to music education, HBOB celebrates everything from the rich history and traditions of HBCUs to the life-long connections that fuel future leaders.

In the last two years, the HBOB Invitational Showcase has attracted a combined audience of nearly 120,000 fans via the live show and online livestream. Tickets for the anticipated event start at $10 and will be available for purchase on October 16 at HondaBattleoftheBands.com.

In addition to the marching bands, the 2018 Invitational Showcase will also feature the fourth-annual HBCU Power of Dreams Award. Honda established the award to honor extraordinary individuals who are positively affecting the lives of others and moving the HBCU community forward. Members of the HBCU community will have the opportunity to nominate an exceptional individual who is making a difference in the community. Honda will recognize the winner in a ceremony during the event.

For more information on Honda Battle of the Bands and to buy tickets, visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com. To join the social media conversation, use #HBOB and visit the following social media handles for official updates:

Facebook – Facebook.com/HondaBattleoftheBands
Twitter – @The_Honda / Twitter.com/The_Honda
Instagram – @the_honda / Instagram.com/the_honda

About Honda
Honda seeks to be a company that society wants to exist, creating products and technologies that improve the lives of people while minimizing the environmental impacts of its products and business operations to ensure a sustainable future for society. Honda is also committed to making positive contributions to the communities where we do business, to socially responsible business practices and to the promotion of diversity in our workforce. From our involvement in STEM education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to our support of pediatric brain tumor research, and volunteer efforts by Honda associates, including environmental clean-up activities, Honda believes in giving back to the communities where we live and work.

Honda supports a variety of initiatives aimed at advancing education and creating experiences of discovery that help young people see and achieve their own dreams. Honda's partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is one of many programs demonstrating Honda's commitment to the Latino community and to helping young people access The Power of Dreams.

NCCU Football Defeats Gardner-Webb to Extend Record Home Win Streak

DURHAM, North Carolina  – No. 25 North Carolina Central University amassed 409 yards of total offense, including a season-high 333 passing yards by freshman quarterback Chauncey Caldwell, to lift the Eagles past Gardner-Webb University by a score of 24-17 inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

The nationally-ranked Eagles extend their school record home win streak to 11 games.

Sophomore wide receiver Xavier McKoy made the most of his three catches, finishing with 139 receiving yards, including an 89-yard touchdown on the third-longest pass play in NCCU history.



Senior receiver Jacen Murphy collected a game-high seven receptions for 64 yards, while freshman Nique Martin caught three passes for 66 yards with a 57-yard touchdown.

Defensively, safeties Davanta Reynolds and Alden McClellon topped NCCU with eight tackles apiece. The lone takeaway by the Eagles was a fumble recovery by linebacker De'Niro Laster that was forced by defensive end Kawuan Cox to halt the Runnin' Bulldogs' opening drive of the contest.

NCCU's kicking game played a big factor in Saturday's outcome. Aedan Johnson made a 40-yard field goal and Nathaniel Tilque placed five of his seven punts inside the 10-yard line with a long of 52 yards.

BOX SCORE

Gardner-Webb (1-5) was led by senior quarterback Tyrell Maxwell, who accounted for 303 total yards with 138 yards passing and 165 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Linebacker Kenyatta Dunbar recorded 10 tackles with a sack and an interception.

Up next, NCCU (5-1) returns to MEAC action by hosting Norfolk State University on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. The Eagles have won 18 consecutive conference games.

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

HBCU Football Judgement Day Scoreboard - Week 7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2017

OVC
Austin Peay 21, Tennessee State 17

MEAC
Morgan State 48, Savannah State 28
Hampton 16, Norfolk State 14, Battle of the Bay
Howard 52, Delaware State 23
North Carolina Central 24, Gardner-Webb 17
North Carolina A&T 31, Florida A&M 20
Bethune-Cookman 12, South Carolina State 9

SWAC
Alabama State 23, Texas Southern 16
Alcorn State 34, Prairie View 21
Central State (OH) 40, Arkansas Pine Bluff 35
Alabama A&M 49,  Mississippi Valley 14
Tuskegee 33, Jackson State 7, 5th Quarter Classic



CIAA
Virginia State 47, Bowie State 35
Virginia Union 35, Chowan 10
Shaw 35, Livingstone 14
Fayetteville State 41, Johnson C. Smith 16
Saint Augustine's 17, Winston-Salem State 14
Elizabeth City State 56, Lincoln (PA)18

OTHER CONF.
Langston 44, Texas College 17
West Virginia State 47, Concord 29
Webber International 16, Edward Waters 9
Shippensburg 56, Cheyney 0
Missouri S&T 37, Lincoln (MO) 3

SIAC
Central State (OH) 40, Arkansas Pine Bluff 35
Tuskegee 33, Jackson State 7
Albany State 34, Morehouse 10
Fort Valley State 37, Lane College 14
Miles 35, Kentucky State 0
Benedict 14, Clark Atlanta 3

Late Surge Sparks Albany State Golden Rams To Homecoming Win Over Morehouse

ALBANY, Georgia -- Albany State University rallied from a one point halftime deficit to earn a 34-10 Homecoming victory over Morehouse College before a national audience Saturday afternoon at ASU Coliseum.

With the victory ASU extends its win streak against Morehouse to nine games.

The Maroon Tigers fall to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in SIAC play while the Golden Rams raise their mark to 5-2 and 3-0 in SIAC play.

Both defenses pitched impressive performances on Saturday, especially in the first half where the two teams combined for just 107 yards of total offense. The Maroon Tigers ran 33 plays for just 36 yards while the ASU offense had 25 plays for 71 yards. Albany State and Morehouse made a concerted effort and was successful at shutting down the other team's running game as each finished with just 5 yards on the ground in the first half. Additionally the defenses accounted for their team's first touchdown of the afternoon.

The defensive units also kept the pressure on the game's signal callers; ASU and MHC quarterbacks were sacked a combined 13 times in the contest. The Golden Rams were led by Marquez Thomas' 12 tackles (7 solo) 2 sacks (loss of 15 yards) and two quarterback hurries.

After trailing 10-9 at the intermission the Golden Rams held Morehouse scoreless in the second half. The ASU defense did not allow a third down conversion over the third and fourth quarters and in the final 15 minutes the Golden Rams had two takeaways while limiting the Maroon Tigers to -3 yards rushing.

With 4:47 left in the third quarter, Albany State reclaimed the lead on a 10 play, 66 yard drive with a 3 yard TD pass from Chancellor Johnson to Quadrey Simmons. The Golden Rams broke the game open with an 18 point third quarter, beginning with a 73 yard rushing score by Kelan Fraise with 7:05 remaining. ASU padded their lead, after a two point conversion on a Johnson pass to McKinley Habersham, at 24-10. The Albany State defense forced a fumble on Morehouse's ensuing possession and 2 plays and 25 seconds later Habersham broke for a 49 yard scoring run giving the Golden Rams a 31-10 advantage.

The visitors coughed it up again on their next drive and the Golden Rams capitalized with a 39 yard field goal from Gabriel Ballinas with 2:18 left for the final point spread.

The frenzied finish was antithesis of the first half of play where neither offense could gain any ground, mostly due to the respective teams' defenses. With the exception of a 35 yard field goal from MHC's Fernando Sdelamora at the 4:31 mark of the second quarter, the rest of the first half scoring came from defensive play and a miscue on special teams.

BOX SCORE

Jaylin Boyd took a 57 yard interception to the house for the game's first score, before Sdelamora's field goal made the score 7-3 in favor of ASU.

At the 14:06 mark and the Maroon Tigers in punt formation against their own goal line, the snap went out the back of the end zone for a safety and a 9-3 Golden Ram lead. That lead was short-lived however when two plays after they received the free kick, Cameron Mill picked off a pass by Chancellor Johnson and 59 yards later found his way to the end zone to put his team in front 10-9.

Albany State will return to action on October 21st as they travel to take on Clark-Atlanta for the Panthers' Homecoming. The game, which will be broadcast on ESPN3, is scheduled for a 2pm kickoff. Follow us on Twitter @ASUGoldenRams and visit www.asugoldenrams.come for up-to-date information on Albany State Athletics.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICAITONS