Sunday, October 29, 2017

Norfolk State DL Nick Ackies Killed, Ex-NSU Player Jaquan Anderson Arrested



NORFOLK, Virginia -- Norfolk State defensive lineman Nicholas Jerome Ackies was shot and killed Friday night, according to Ryan Murphy and Lee Tolliver of The Virginian-Pilot.

Ackies, a freshman, was 18.

According to Murphy and Tolliver, Norfolk State announced former football player Jaquan Anderson, 22, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

"This is such a tragic situation," Norfolk State athletic director Marty Miller said in a statement, per Murphy and Tolliver. "Our prayers are with Nick's family during this very difficult time."

Anderson is reportedly being held in jail without bond.

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Norfolk State University Statement Regarding Death of Student
(NSU Newsroom—Oct. 28, 2017)—Officials at Norfolk State University regret to report the death of Nicholas Jerome Ackies, a student, who passed away on Friday after he was the victim of a homicide in Norfolk.
Ackies, 18, of Richmond, was a freshman criminal justice major. He was a defensive lineman for the NSU Football team. NSU Athletics Director Marty L. Miller expressed his condolences regarding the loss of Ackies.
"This is such a tragic situation. Our prayers are with Nick's family during this very difficult time," Miller said. "He will be dearly missed by the entire Norfolk State University family."
Norfolk Police have arrested JayQuan Anderson, 22, of Richmond, in connection to the incident. Anderson, an NSU graduate, has been charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He is being held without bond in the Norfolk City Jail. As the investigation continues, police ask anyone with information about the homicide to call the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
The NSU Football team will hold a moment of silence to honor Ackies in advance of today’s Homecoming game against Savannah State University. The game will begin at 2 p.m. The NSU Office of Student Affairs will update the campus community when funeral arrangements have been finalized.
The NSU Counseling Center staff is available to provide counseling services for students, faculty and staff affected by this tragedy. The center is located inside the Student Services Center, Suite 312. Appointments are available by calling 757-823-8173. For immediate assistance, call 757-823-9000 to speak with an on-call counselor.

Savannah State Wins First Game of Season



NORFOLK, Virginia -- Jaylen McCloud rushed for a career-high 132 yards and scored a touchdown to help Savannah State beat Norfolk State 27-9, in a game played at Dick Price Stadium.

The crowd of 17,218 saw the Tigers snap a ten game losing streak as well as win their first road game since 2011.

Savannah State had their best offensive and defensive effort of the season. The Tigers produced 382 yards of offense while holding NSU to just nine points.

Norfolk State, who was celebrating their Homecoming, scored on their first possession of the contest when Jwan Carter ran for a three yard touchdown with seven minutes left in the first quarter. The Spartans led 6-0 after Bo Lomax missed the extra point attempt.

The Tigers (1-7,-4 MEAC) found pay-dirt on their third drive of the second quarter when D;Vonn Gibbons threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Derek Kirkland. Giovanni Lugo's extra point attempt was blocked and the scored was knotted at 6-6 with 16 seconds remaining before intermission. During the eight play, 48 yard possession, Kirkland caught a 14 yard pass from Gibbons.

Late in the third quarter a 24 yard punt return by JaMichael Baldwin gave SSU a first and ten from their own 48. That led to McCloud's five yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left in the quarter. Lugo's extra point kick was good and the Tigers led 13-6. McCloud had a 18 yard run on that scoring drive.

Norfolk State pulled within 13-9 when their first drive of the fourth quarter stalled at the SSU ten. Josh Nardone kicked a 27 yard field goal to draw the Spartans within four with 8:32 remaining.

Savannah State's Elijah Shah returned the ensuing kickoff 30 yards to the SSU 41 which set up a two yard touchdown run by Gibbons with 4:20 left. McCloud ripped off a 12 yard run on that drive and Gibbons threw a 24 yard completion to Tyler Hagan. Lugo's extra point kick increased the Tigers lead to 20-9.

Norfolk State's next possession was stopped after SSU's Donald Rutledge intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards to the Spartan 37.

That set up a five yard touchdown run by Nicholas Bentley with 52 seconds left to cap a six play, 47 yard drive. Lugo's extra point sealed the 27-9 victory. Bently had a nine yard run on the possession and McCloud had a 22 yard scamper.

Gibbons added 89 yards yards on the ground while completing 11 of 17 passes for 120 yards. Baldwin caught four passes for 46 yards while Kirkland hauled in two receptions for 33 yards. Isaiah Bennett led the SSU defense with nine tackles.

Both teams had balanced offensive attacks. SSU had 22 first downs while running for 262 of their 382 offensive yards while the Spartans had 20 first downs. 179 of their 302 yards came via the air.

Savannah State also scored each time they reached the red zone (4 for 4).

SSU's only flaws were getting nine penalties for 80 yards and giving up five sacks.

CJ Jones led the Spartans (3-5, 3-2 MEAC) run game with 51 yards, Carter threw for 150 yards while Marcus Taylor had seven receptions for 43 yards. Anthony Smith was in on ten tackles.

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NCCU Celebrates Homecoming with 42-14 Win over DSU

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University celebrated homecoming with a 42-14 victory over Delaware State University in front of a capacity crowd of 14,117 fans inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on Saturday.

NCCU senior wide receiver Jacen Murphy collected 10 receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns. His 10 catches ties for fifth in Eagles' single-game history, while 189 receiving yards ties for ninth all-time at NCCU.



NCCU (6-2, 4-1 MEAC) amassed 401 yards of total offense with freshman quarterback Chauncey Caldwell accounting for 252 total yards and four scores. The Durham, North Carolina native completed 17-of-29 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 10 yards and a pair of trips to the end zone.

Wide receiver David Miller grabbed three passes for 58 yards and a score for the Eagles, running back Ramone Simpson bulled his way into the end zone from a yard out, and quarterback Naiil Ramadan tossed a 36-yard touchdown.

Defensively, NCCU recorded four sacks and three interceptions. Junior safety Davanta Reynolds picked off his fourth interception of the season and added four tackles and a pass break-up. Junior cornerback De'Mario Evans tallied six takedowns and an interception, while sophomore defensive end Kawuan Cox contributed six stops with two sacks.

Delaware State (1-7, 1-5 MEAC) was led by sophomore linebacker Brian Cavicante with 16 tackles, including 3.0 hits for a loss. Wide receivers Trey Gross (8 catches, 71 yards) and Kwannah Kollie (3 receptions, 107 yards) each caught touchdown passes for the Hornets.

Up next, NCCU travels to Hampton University on Nov. 4 at 1 p.m.

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Tuskegee blanks Central State on homecoming

TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- The Tuskegee University football team celebrated its 93rd edition of homecoming Saturday afternoon with a 45-0 win over Central State from Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Stadium

Jonah McCutcheon intercepted a Trent Mays pass on Central State's (1-8, 0-5) opening drive starting a trio of first quarter trips to the end zone. Four plays after the forced turnover, Justice Owens scored the first TU touchdown on six yard run. Three minutes later, DeNadio Madison stripped CSU quarterback Mays and Kali James recovered and returned 33 yards making the score 14-0. Hoderick Lowe capped off the opening quarter scoring with a two yard run of his own, putting the Golden Tigers ahead 21-0.

On the first drive of the second quarter and backed up in their own end zone, Jarmarcus Ezell connected with Peyton Ramzy for a 94-yard touchdown strike on 2nd and 40 expanding TU's lead to 28-0. Dalton Hall tacked on a 25 yar field goal just before the break creating a 31-0 lead for the Golden Tigers.

The 31 first half points marked a season high and the most since TU's home opener against Clark Atlanta.



A heavy onslaught of rain entered East Alabama at the midway point of the game and continued through the start of the second half. Tuskegee's (7-2, 5-0) offense continued to click as they drove 58 yards on six plays capped off with a 19-yard touchdown run by Owens. His second of the game.

In a reserved role, Ahmad Deramus scored the final touchdown, punching one in from the one yard line in the final quarter with 9:45 left to play.

Osband Thompson led a stout defense with 11 tackles including a deflected pass and an interception. The Mauraders were held to 237 yards of total offense. The Golden Tigers racked 497 yards of total offense. A season high. Ezell passed for 189 yards completing 6-of-12 passes and one touchdown. Lowe rushed for 86 yards on 10 carries along with a score.

TU outrushed CSU 233 to 133 and also scored on five out of their seven red zone opportunities.

The Golden Tigers can clinch the West Division next Saturday with win over Miles College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. with live audio coverage on the Tuskegee Digital Network at 12:45 p.m. The division battle can also be seen via live stream on ESPN3.

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Miles smashes Clark Atlanta, Tuskegee next



BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Bonnie and Clyde. Batman and Robin. Cambridge and Hardy.

Two of those duos are well known but at the rate Miles quarterback Joseph Cambridge and running back Justin Hardy are wearing out opposing defenses, the Golden Bears new dynamic duo may not be far from joining the list.

The freshman signal caller threw for two touchdowns and ran for another while the junior tailback slapped the exclamation point on Miles' fourth straight win with an electrifying fourth quarter touchdown run as the Golden Bears defeated Clark Atlanta 38-17 Thursday night at Sloan-Alumni Stadium. The win put the Golden Bears (6-3, 4-1 SIAC West) in position to earn a berth in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship game in two weeks if they win next week at Tuskegee.

Since Cambridge became the starting quarterback on Oct. 7 against Central State, Miles has averaged more than 34 points and 419 yards of offense per game, jumping on opponents quickly and forcing them to play from behind...sometimes, WAY behind. The formula was no different against the Panthers (4-5, 2-3 SIAC East), who quickly found themselves in a 21-0 hole and never really threatened the rest of the way.

CAU dug its own hole early, as a mishandled punt was recovered by Miles deep in Panthers territory. Two plays later, Cambridge ran in from two yards to open the scoring. On the Golden Bears next possession, it was Hardy who went to work, gobbling up 41 of the 52 yards on the drive, culminating with a 10-yard scoring scamper that made the score 14-0 after the opening quarter.

But what has made Miles so dangerous this month is Cambridge's ability to make teams pay in the passing game. CAU started to take punishment in the air in the second quarter when a pass to Leonard Tyree (five cathes, 78 yards) turned into an array of great moves and a strong burst to the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown and a 21-0 advantage midway through the second quarter.

The Panthers would get a 5-yard scoring run from Jajuan Lankford late in the second quarter to send Miles to the locker room with a 21-7 advantage. But those scoring plays were singles and doubles compared to the home run balls the Golden Bears would hit in the second half.

After Nick Christiansen (46 yards) and Carlos Saldana (41 yards) exchanged field goals to open the third quarter, Miles used two devastating quick strikes to put the game on ice.

After forcing a punt, Miles used one play to get into the end zone when Cambridge (8-of-14, 161 yards) connected with Trey Smith on a 65-yard touchdown pass with 4:43 left in the third quarter to push the advantage to 31-10. The defense, which has also been solid during the Golden Bears resurgence, denied CAU four times after facing first-and-goal at the 2. Miles would get the ball back at its own 4 and after Hardy ran for 10 yards on the first play, he quickly finished the drive with a career-high 86-yard touchdown run.

The final run of the day for Hardy gave 177 yards on 17 carries. He became the first running back under Reginald Ruffin to rush for more than 1,000 yards, as he now has a SIAC-leading 1,081 yards. He also leads the league in rushing touchdowns (11) and total touchdowns (12), and has 732 yards and eight rushing touchdowns since Cambridge took over at quarterback.

MarQuel Shelton had a team-high seven tackles (six solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, giving the freshman a team-high 8.5 sacks this season. N'Ktavious Floyd, Michael White and Anthony Hardy each had six tackles for the Golden Bears, who will travel to Tuskegee next Saturday at 1 p.m.

17
Clark Atlanta 4-5 , 2-3
38
 Miles 6-3 , 4-1
Score By Quarters
Team1st2nd3rd4thF
Clark Atlanta073717
Miles14710738



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Jackson State wins first game of the season 24-5 at Mississippi Valley State



ITTA BENA, Mississippi — Before the game even started, as Jackson State made its way back to the locker room after warm ups, a few Mississippi Valley State players went over to the Tigers and started talking.

Players from both rival sides started shoving each other and jumping up and down. Even some coaches got involved.

“We took that personally when they decided to run over to us,” running back Jordan Johnson said.

So the winless Tigers began the game with even more incentive than before to beat the Delta Devils, and they didn’t waste it.

Jackson State controlled the game throughout and finally broke through. The Tigers beat Mississippi Valley State 24-5 to win their first game of the season, making them 1-7 on the year and 1-3 in SWAC play.

“I’m elated for the young men who had the opportunity to go out and know what it feels like win again,” coach Tony Hughes said.

It’s been a year of frustration for Jackson State. There have been close games it couldn’t finish and demoralizing blowouts, but Hughes just kept preaching that they were building the culture and things would pay off. It’s been over a year since the Tigers last won a game, and Saturday they got to see the year of work show in some results.

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Virginia State Trojans Remain Undefeated After Taking Down Chowan Hawks

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina – The visiting No. 3 Virginia State University football team collected another win, 26-23, to remain undefeated after a road victory against the Hawks of Chowan University. With the win, the Trojans move to a 8-0 overall record, 6-0 in the CIAA, and 5-0 in the Northern Division; while the host Chowan University Hawks move to a 3-6 overall record, 3-3 in the CIAA and 1-4 in the Northern Division. The last time the Trojans were 8-0 was in 1931.

In the opening quarter, quarterback Cordelral Cook (Atlanta, GA) rushed for six yards, in addition to an extra point by Cesar Alfaro (Alexandria, VA), to give the Trojans a 7-0 edge over the Hawks. Chowan then answered with a one yard run by Tyrell Freeman and a extra point by Connor Killeen tie the game 7-7 at the 8:32 mark in the first quarter. Chowan's Bryan Bryant then returned the punt return for nine yards coupled with a kick by Connor Killeen to give the Hawks a 14-7 lead. Closing out the first quarter Trenton "The Boom" Cannon (Hampton, VA) had an explosive play, rushing for 31 yards to close the scoring gap, 13-14. On the play, senior Trenton Cannon beat VSU's George Leonard's all-time career rushing record, which was 3,575 yards set in 1979.

Both teams entered the second quarter with the same momentum, as each team added one touchdown respectively. Host Chowan University added points at the 10:08 mark when quarterback Bryce Witt connected with Tyrell Freeman on a 20 yard pass in addition to an extra point to edge the Hawks, 13-20, over the Trojans. VSU continued to rally, taking things one play at a time. The Trojans made a big play when junior Shakym Peters (Newport News, VA) intercepted the ball at the VSU 13 yard line. Senior Trenton Cannon then rushed for nine yards downing the at the VSU 22 yard line. Quarterback Cordelral Cook connected with Joshua Harris (King William, VA) for a five yard pass to down the ball at the VSU27. Cook then connected with Willie Stubblefield (Richmond, VA) for the 17 yard pass, spotting the ball on the VSU44 yard line. The Cannon had an explosive two yard rush, spotting the ball on the VSU 46 yard line. Cook would then connect with Quincy Watts for a 21 yard pass to down the ball on the Chowan one yard line. Senior Trenton Cannon then rushed for one yard into the end zone to closing the score gap 19-20 at the half.

Impressive plays on defense by both teams made the third quarter scoreless. In the final quarter, the two teams traded turnovers. Chowan coughed up a fumble and VSU gave up an interception. The fourth quarter was the battle of the wills for both teams as the Trojans secured an early 26-20 lead at the 12:12 mark. The Hawks then battled to get into field goal range to collect three points at the 7:24 mark, bring the score to 26-23, making it a very close game.

Chowan's quarterback Bryce Witt faked a handoff and found an opening for a QB run with little over a minute left in the contest. With the opening and an opportunity to score a run, he ran toward the end zone hoping to give the Hawks the lead and to win the game. A block by a Trojan forced the Hawks quarterback to try and jump over the VSU player, but the ball falls out of his hand. The Trojans then recovered the ball to give VSU the possession to run the clock down for the victory.

Leading the charge offensively for the Trojans was senior Trenton Cannon who rushed for 164 yards and collected two touchdowns on 26 carries, becoming Virginia State's all-time leading rusher, currently holding 3,672 career yards. He also broke his own school record for most rushing yards in a season, currently with 1,280 yards. Cannon completed the competition with a total of 184 yards. Quarterback Cordelral Cook completed 72 percent of his passes for 182 yards and a touchdown; along with also rushing for a touchdown. Sophomore Quincy Watts (Virginia Beach, VA) led all receivers with 80 reception yards on six catches.

Virginia State racked up 402 total yards of offense compared to 336 for Chowan University.

Junior Malik Sexton (Portsmouth, VA) and senior Brandon Lynch (Norfolk, VA) was Virginia State's leading tacklers with 10 each. Senior Alexander Williams (Brooklyn, NY) had 1.5 sacks and seven total tackles for VSU. Thomas Koufie (Hampton, VA) and Keonte Connelly (Baltimore, MD) both collected six tackles for the Trojans, followed by Kevonte Demery (Richmond, VA) who recorded five.

Next, the Trojans will return home for their final home game of the regular season. VSU will host the Panthers of Virginia Union University on Saturday, November 4 with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU Football please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsport

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