Nuggets open season Thursday with plenty of newcomers

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's 40th women's basketball season of the Title IX era will tip off Thursday with several newcomers joining 10 returning letterwinners.
     
\New to the Gold Nuggets — who will travel to city rival Loyola for a 6 p.m. game at The Den — and receiving athletic aid in 2017-18 are:

     •  Alexis Burke, a 5-foot-7 guard/forward from Powder Springs, Ga., and McEachern High School. She's a pre-pharmacy major at XULA.
     •  Adriana Fernandez, a 5-11 forward from Sont Quirze del Valles, Spain, and Institut Sont Quirze del Valles. She is majoring in mathematics.
     •  Taylor Jacob, a 5-2 guard from New Iberia, La., and New Iberia Senior High School. Her XULA major is public health sciences.
     •  Taylor Jones, a 5-7 guard from Ellenwood, Ga., and Decatur High School. Jones is a biology major, and she hopes to attend dental school.
     •  DeDe Martinez, a 6-3 center/forward from New Orleans, Edna Karr High School and the University of Alabama. Martinez is majoring in mass communications.
     •  Nahrie Pierce, a 5-10 guard/forward from San Francisco, St. Ignatius College 
Preparatory and City College of San Francisco. Her XULA major is public health sciences, and she hopes to own a physical therapy clinic.

Martinez is a junior, and Pierce is a sophomore. Burke, Fernandez, Jacob and Jones are freshmen.
     
Loyola is ranked 20th in NAIA Division I. XULA's second game will be its home opener at 1 p.m. Sunday against Southeastern (Fla.), ranked fourth in NAIA Division II and 28-1 last season. The Gold Nuggets, 19-13 last season, are among others receiving votes in NAIA DI.
     
NOTES:  Pierce is expected to miss the season after suffering an injury Sunday during practice . . . Freshman walk-ons on the roster are forward Alexis Bridges of Ontario, Calif., and Chaffey High School and guard Nicole Swift of Torrance, Calif., and Redondo Union High School. Bridges is a biology / pre-medical major, and Swift is a dual degree physics and engineering major . . . XULA, 14-4 in openers under head coach Bo Browder, will meet Loyola in an opener for the first time. But it's the 40th overall meeting between the Gold Nuggets and the Wolf Pack.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Nuggets clinch tie for 7th straight GCAC championship

TALLADEGA, Alabama — Xavier University of Louisiana defeated Talladega 25-15, 25-20, 25-12 Saturday to clinch no worse than a share of its seventh consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season volleyball championship.

The Gold Nuggets (18-2, 10-0) will win the championship outright with a victory in their final two GCAC matches or a Dillard loss in its final four GCAC matches. Dillard (14-15, 6-2) will visit third-place Tougaloo (17-9, 8-3) Monday; XULA will play fourth-place SUNO (5-17, 4-5) at 6 p.m. Thursday at XULA's Convocation Center.

XULA closed the first set with a 12-2 run and scored seven straight points to take a 19-7 lead in the third. Kayla Black's kill ended the match, which lasted 66 minutes.

Juliana Tomasoni hit .417, served two aces and had 13 kills and 15 digs in her 12th double-double of the season. Lauryn Taylor produced double-figure kills for the second straight match; the freshman had 10 kills, hit .450 and had three blocks.

Also contributing for the Nuggets were Anna Dalla Vecchia with 16 digs; Adili Rikondja with three blocks, a .353 hitting percentage and a season-high nine kills; Black with seven kills, 12 digs and two blocks; Vivica Price-Spraggins with six kills and two blocks; Eva Le Guillou with a career-high-tying 25 assists; and Tiffany Phillips with 13 assists, seven digs and two aces.

Talladega (9-16, 2-7) has lost four straight.

The victory was the Gold Nuggets' eighth in a row; the last five matches were on the road within 10 days. XULA has won 17 of its last 18 matches and all 30 of its sets against GCAC opponents.

The Gold Nuggets are 16 victories above .500 for the first time since 2013.

XULA-SUNO will be a Dig Pink match for breast cancer awareness, and fans are encouraged to wear pink. Seniors Tomasoni and Kaelan Temple will be honored in a pre-
match ceremony.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: FAMU Plays Young Talent at Key Positions

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- This is not about making excuses or looking ahead to next year. When you are trying to understand the mistakes and penalties, and for some, find blame for the way the Florida A&M University football team is playing, perhaps you should consider the youth on the team. The offense is young and mostly inexperienced. The defense on the other hand is filled with juniors and seniors. Where they are young on defense, you can tell the difference on the field.

Quarterback – The starting position is held by a redshirt sophomore, who started the latter half of the season last year. Somehow after winning four games we expected to see a mature quarterback that could lead us to a breakout season. The more reasonable expectation maybe, is that he’ll have a breakout game soon, and at some point, began to be the quarterback we expect. Just as in life, it all depends on whether he can learn from his mistakes. If not, there is a red-shirt freshman and two outstanding freshmen who are redshirting this year. Will any of them be ready in 2018, or will FAMU have to recruit a proven junior college transfer to give the freshmen time to mature? For FAMU, this is the most critical position on the field. What Ryan Stanley does the rest of the season will determine just how stable the position is.

CONTINUE READING

HBCU Football Judgement Day Scoreboard - Week 8

SATURDAY, October 21, 2017

SWAC
Grambling State 41, Alcorn State 14
Southern 35, Jackson State 17
Mississippi Valley 53, Virginia University-Lynchburg 5

MEAC
North Carolina A&T 24, Bethune-Cookman 20
Norfolk State 28, North Carolina Central 21
Hampton 31, Florida A&M 27
Howard 39, Morgan State 14
Delaware State 17, South Carolina State 14
Charleston Southern 52, Savannah State 27

CIAA
Virginia State 73, Lincoln (PA) 21
Bowie State 40, Virginia Union 22
Chowan 28, Elizabeth City State 18
Winston-Salem State 42, Livingstone 14
Johnson C. Smith 13, Shaw 10
Fayetteville State 34, Saint Augustine's 31

SIAC
Miles 23, Lane 13
Tuskegee 26, Kentucky State 21
Benedict 29, Morehouse 26
Clark Atlanta 44, Albany State 36
Fort Valley State 24, Central State (OH) 19

OTHER CONF.
Langston 21, Arizona Christian 20
West Virginia State 39, West Liberty 33
Warner 38, Edward Waters 10
West Chester 55, Cheyney 6
Indianapolis 45, Lincoln (MO) 0

Homecoming, Senior Day and Albany State Mean Huge Game for CAU

INTERNET BROADCAST: ESPN3, 2 PM

ATLANTA, Georgia  -- To say that Clark Atlanta University head coach and his Panthers football team are excited about Saturday's game against Albany State University would be an understatement.

It's Homecoming Day; it's Senior Day; the game will be broadcast live on ESPN3; and it's a game with huge implications in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's East Division race. Kickoff at CAU Panther Staidum is 2 p.m.

"It's homecoming and there's no better atmosphere to be in than a Clark Atlanta University homecoming," Ramsey said. "You couldn't have a better opponent than Albany State – they are on a roll, undefeated in the conference; playing well. Head Coach Gabe Giardina has been doing a good job with those guys in his first year.

"This is our last home game so we'll be sending out 14 seniors," Ramsey said. "So, it's a pinnacle for them and getting all the energy together towards sending those guys off right."

CAU is 3-4 overall, 0-2 in the SIAC East after their 14-3 loss at Benedict last week. But only two games separate the top and bottom of the division, meaning the race is still tight for the division crown and the SIAC Championship Game berth that goes with it.

"You know how this division is," Ramsey said. "A year ago, Fort Valley State ended up doing just that. So from here on, we have to take it one game at a time. Our big game now is this homecoming game and Albany State.

The Golden Rams are 5-2, but more importantly, are 2-0 and in first place in the East Division. They utilize a run offense ranked No. 1 in the SIAC and is powered by the conference's leading rusher, McKinley Habersham (737 yards, 105 yards a game).

They sport the conference's top scoring offense, averaging 27.1 yards per game, just a little over a yard more than the second-best offensive scoring team, Clark Atlanta.

On defense, the Golden Rams have the third-best defense in the conference (CAU is fourth). Albany State is led by Emmanuel Brown, who has 53 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season.

The CAU offense will be looking to get back on track after they were stymied for the first time this season. The Panthers are second in scoring offense, total offense and pass offense. Johnathon McCrary continues to lead the SIAC passing and total offense. Deandre Jackson and Jonathan Sander are tied for third in receptions.

"We've been getting the ball downfield," Ramsey said. "We've been able to get [running back] Roger Thomas going, and I think that's what's pivotal for us. We've really got to get him going because his is a weapon for us. The running game sets up the passing game and we've got to be able to run."

On defense, the Panthers have been led by linebackers Harding Harper and Jaquatin Victrum. Harper is the SIAC's third-leading tackler, while Victrum has 49 tackles and two sacks.

"One of the best group of linebackers I've ever been around because they are so athletic," Ramsey said. "Primarily with Victrum and Harding, the leadership that those guys provide for those younger kids, primarily our defensive front, we've been really growing. Those guys have really been melding together as a defensive unit overall. We've just got to create more turnovers to really get our offense going too. That's what's been pivotal for us – getting turnovers to create a short field for our offense to attack quickly."

It all makes for a big game.

"The guys are juiced," Ramsey said. "This is one of those deals where the stage is set. The hay is in the barn. Let's go!"

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Howard Bison Host Morgan State For HU Homecoming

INTERNET BROADCAST: ESPN3  -  1 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- After a big road win at Delaware State (DSU), Coach Mike London and the Howard University Football team return to the Mecca where they host Morgan State (MSU) for HU Homecoming. Kickoff starts 1 p.m. at Greene Stadium.

SPORTSfever will be broadcasting the game live. Phil Schoener will handle play-by-play duties with color analyst Emory Hunt and Danielle Podlaski will be the sideline reporter.

Along with the ability to listen to the game live with play-by-play from Trevin A. Jones and his color analyst Tiffany Hoyd. Tune in to the WHBC96.3HD3; SiriusXM Channel 142; or Resident Network Channel 51 for all Bison's football coverage.



MATCHUP PREVIEW

Saturday's matchup marks the 71st meeting between HU and MSU with the Bears leading the all-time series, 43-26-1, since 1931. Last season, Morgan State defeated Howard, 28-24 in Baltimore; however, the Bison were victorious in their last meeting at Greene Stadium in 2013, 28-14.

Morgan State (1-5, 1-2 MEAC) scored a season-high 48 points in their homecoming win over Savannah State, 48-28. Redshirt quarterback Elijah Staley led the Bears, tossing for three touchdowns in the victory.

"He's a big guy that can make all the throws," London referring to Staley on Tuesday's teleconference. "We're going to have to make sure our rush lanes are in place."

After Week Seven, the Bears rank No. 1 in the FCS in total tackles for loss (59) and No. 14 in passing yards allowed (168.3). Defensively, Morgan State is led by senior Jai Franklin and sophomore Rico Kennedy IV.

For Howard (3-3, 2-1 MEAC), they rank among the nation's best in total offense (19th), rushing (18th) and passing yards per completion (5th). Newton, reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player & Rookie of the Week, leads the league in passing yards per completion (17.4).

"I believe confidence has been gained through demonstrated performance," London said. "He's been able to get the ball to our playmakers. He's earned a lot of respect from his teammates."

Anglin and redshirt senior Devin Rollins lead the Bison defense. Anglin, reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, has a team-leading tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (3) while Rollins has posted 42 tackles (33 solo), three tackles for loss, a pass breakup and fumble recovery.

LAST TIMEOUT

HU scored 35 points in the second half to dominate DSU, 52-23, at Alumni Stadium. As a result, Howard scored 50 points in a game for the first time since 2014.

"We made a lot opportunities work for us," London stated. "We had more opportunities resulting in big plays. We were able to put together long drives and make explosive plays."

The squad racked up a season-high 628 total yards, including 342 in the air. Freshman Caylin Newton threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns. The Georgia native also rushed for 81 yards in the victory.

Sophomores Kyle Anthony and Jequez Ezzard each had 100-yard receiving performances. Anthony registered a team-high 135 yards on six catches while Ezzard caught four balls for 104 yards in the victory.

Defensively, the Bison recorded 12 tackles for losses and five sacks. Anglin filled the stat sheet with nine tackles (six solo), four tackle for losses, two sacks, and a 96-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

THEME

This year, Howard University celebrates its 150th anniversary with students, faculty, staff, community members and alumni from around the world. The week-long schedule of events includes something for everyone, including the Howard University Homecoming Golf Classic, the incomparable YardFest, and notably the Annual Day of Community Service.

Coach London discussed his experience at Monday's prep rally.

"It was an unbelievable atmosphere," London stated. "I can't describe the energy from the student body. It was amazing."

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

HU hits the road to Orangeburg, S.C. where the South Carolina State Bulldogs await. Kickoff begins 1:30 p.m.

Fans unable to attend will have a chance to follow all the action via Live Video and/or Live Audio.

TICKETS

Single-game tickets for HU Homecoming are available at just $30. To purchase homecoming football tickets, click here.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

HOWARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

North Carolina A&T Aggies Host Bethune-Cookman, Chase 8-0

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- *No. 11/No. 12 North Carolina A&T (7-0, 4-0 MEAC) vs. Bethune-Cookman (3-3, 2-1 MEAC)
*FCS Coaches Poll/STATS Media Poll
Date: Oct. 21, 2017
Time: 1 p.m.
Facility: Aggie Stadium (21,500)
Series: BCU leads, 22-16
Radio: ESPN Triad Radio (1320 AM, 93.7 FM, 104.9 FM, 1230 AM); Play-by-play – Donal Ware, Analysts – Al Swann
TV: ESPN3 Live; ESPNU tape delayed (10:30 p.m.)

OFFENSIVE STARTERS FROM LAST GAME: WR Elijah Bell (6-2, 221, So., needs one TD catch to tie the school’s single-season record); LT Brandon Parker (6-7, 309, R-Sr., will play in his 44th straight game as an Aggie); LG Joshua Mattocks (6-3, 331, R-Sr., he will be vital against a tough BCU D-Line); C Darriel Mack (6-2, 293, R-Sr., continues to have a superb senior season); RG Daquan Blake (6-1, 290, Sr., despite his physical play, he has been durable for the A&T); RT Marcus Pettiford (6-3, 274, R-So., steady O-lineman who gets very few penalties); WR Jaquil Capel (5-11, 190, Gr., who knows where this gentleman may lineup on the field; he’s that versatile); WR Xavier Griffin (6-1, 202, R-Sr., has three TD catches over the last three weeks); FB William Hollingsworth (5-9, 229, Jr., he gives Marquell Cartwright another excellent blocker); QB Lamar Raynard (6-4, 200, R-Jr., Raynard was just added to the Walter Payton Watch List for FCS Offensive Player of the Year) RB Marquell Cartwright (5-8, 201, R-Jr., If Cartwright reaches 1,000 yards it will be the seventh time in eight years an Aggie has rushed for 1,000 yards).

DEFENSIVE STARTERS FROM LAST GAME: DE Sam Blue (6-1, 247, R-Jr., one of three Aggies with more than five tackles for loss); NG Jermaine Williams (6-1, 301, R-So., Williams has filled in nicely for All-MEAC defensive lineman Julian McKnight); DT Kadarius Kendrick (6-4, 277, Jr., he has also proven the Aggies have depth in the trenches); DE Darryl Johnson (6-5, 226, R-So., he is marching toward an all-conference season); LB Julius Reynolds (5-9, 226, R-Jr., made two tackles at FAMU last week); LB Kiaundric Richardson (6-0, 214, R-Jr., mans the middle of the Aggies defense); LB Marcus Albert (5-10, 205, R-Sr., third-leading tackler on the team); FS Najee Reams (6-2, 180, R-Fr., in his first start he led the Aggies in tackles with eight); CB Mac McCain (5-11, 174, R-Fr., leads the nation in INTs per game); ROV Jeremy Taylor (5-11, 190, R-Sr., has three forced fumbles and three INTs on the season); CB Timadre Abram (5-10, 168, R-Jr., Abram is a good coverage man and a good tackler).

The Game: The 2017 N.C. A&T football team will try to become the first Aggies in 90 years to be 8-0. The 1927 team finished their season 8-0, earning the program’s first-ever conference championship (CIAA). With two more wins, the Aggies will secure four straight nine-win seasons, which has never been done in the history of Aggies football. N.C. A&T had three straight nine-win seasons from 1990-92. Reaching those goals will be difficult as the Aggies face a difficult opponent in the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. BCU’s passing offense was a problem for the Aggies last season as Larry Brihm threw for 378 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-35 shootout that the Aggies won in Daytona Beach. Both of Brihm’s 100-yard receivers from last season’s game are back in Jawill Davis and Frank Brown.

N.C. A&T is coming off a grinding, heat-filled 31-20 win over Florida A&M at FAMU’s homecoming. An offensive explosion in the second quarter helped the Aggies overcome the Rattlers. N.C. A&T outscored the Rattlers 21-0 in the second quarter by compiling 159 yards and earning nine first downs. Despite the win, the Aggies failed to compile more than 400 yards of offense for the first time this season. Lamar Raynard still threw for 215 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions on 20-for-32 passing. Three different Aggies caught touchdown passes from Raynard last Saturday and Seven different Aggies have touchdown receptions on the season. Fourteen different receivers have caught passes in 2017.

News & Notes

• Lamar Raynard is 152 yards shy of becoming just the fifth Aggie to throw for 2,000 yards in a season. If he accomplishes the feat, he will be the first Aggie to do so since Lewis Kindle threw for more than 2,000 yards in 2011. The other Aggie QBs who have done it include Maseo Bolin, Alan Hooker and Ellsworth Turner. He needs 415 yards to break Bolin’s single-season passing record which stands at 2,262 yards.
• Rod Broadway won his 54th game as the head coach of N.C. A&T. He is now two wins shy of becoming second on the Aggies all-time wins list. If he were to stop coaching today, he would leave N.C. A&T with the best winning percentage of all time (.711). Bill Hayes held the previous high mark with a .624 winning percentage.
• The Aggies are in the midst of their sixth straight winning season. It is the longest such streak in the MEAC. The next longest streak in the MEAC is North Carolina Central who are after their fourth straight winning season on Saturday against Norfolk State. 
• N.C. A&T is 23-3 at home against MEAC opponents since Rod Broadway became the head coach in 2011. The Aggies are 30-5 at home under Broadway overall with two of those losses to Coastal Carolina.

 Opposing Point of View

 “They’re very talented all around. They’re disciplined, and you can tell they are well coached. They don’t make mistakes. When you watch them play, you realize they’re not going to do a whole lot. But what they do, they do it very well, and they capitalize on the mistakes of their opponents. That’s what good football teams do. You definitely have to be concerned about the quarterback because he can extend plays with his legs, and he can definitely throw the football and manage the game. Then he’s got a bunch of receivers who can go catch the football.  Then when you look at their defense, those guys create a lot of turnovers by swarming to the football. You have a lot of concerns when you play a football team like this, you just have to make sure that you’re on your ‘A’ game, and that you play a mistake-free game.”

 Bethune-Cookman head coach Terry Sims on playing the Aggies

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION