Grambling State Tigers grind out SWAC win over Hornets

MONTGOMERY, Alabama | The Grambling State University football team was held to just four first downs in the first half, but the Tigers were able to grind out a 24-7 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory over Alabama State on Saturday afternoon at ASU Stadium.

"Alabama State is a good football team and they played extremely well," Grambling State head coach Broderick Fobbs said. "We couldn't get much going offensively early, but that happens when playing one of the best defenses in the conference. Now we get some time to rest some players and focus on the Bayou Classic and a showdown with an excellent Southern team."

The Grambling State offense couldn't get much going early in the first half and the defense was able to hold Alabama State to just a pair of field goal attempts. However, the Hornets walked away with no points after a pair of blocks by Marchael Jackson and De'Aumante Johnson.

Despite not getting much going offensively, the Tigers were able to get into the red zone, courtesy of a 23-yard interception return to set up Grambling State at the Hornets 1-yard line. Just one play later, Martez Carter punched in the touchdown from one-yard out to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 3:43 remaining in the opening quarter.

Grambling State (9-1 overall, 6-0 SWAC) forced Alabama State to punt the football with 1:43 remaining in the first half and the Tigers went to work with the two-minute drill. Despite two straight incomplete passes, Devante Kincade connected with Jordan Jones for 35 yards to set up shop at the Hornets' 19. After picked up a first down with his legs, Kincade hit Calif Samon for a 7-yard touchdown strike to give the Tigers a 14-0 advantage with 35 seconds left in the half.

After an Alabama State punt backed Grambling State to its own 18 and on the very next play, Carter broke free for a 59-yard run to set up shop at the Hornets' 23. But the Tigers' drive stalled out, but Grambling State got a 41-yard field goal by Marc Orozco to extend the advantage to 17-0 with 8:40 remaining in the third.

Grambling State put the game away midway through the fourth quarter as the Tigers marched 92 yards in 13 plays as Kincade tossed his second touchdown pass, a 44-yard strike to Devohn Lindsey to extend the advantage to 24-0 with 7:14 left.

The Hornets (3-6, 3-3) quickly answered as Alabama State went 77 yards in five plays as Darryl Pearson, Jr., connected with Ezra Gray for a 10-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-7 with 5:09 remaining.

Turning Point
With the Tigers offense not getting much going, it was the defense that led to the first score.

Alabama State began the drive on its own 24, but Darryl Pearson, Jr.'s pass was picked off by De'Andre Hogues and returned 23 yards to the Hornets' 1-yard line. With the offense taking the field, Martez Carter rushed straight up the middle and into the endzone to give Grambling State a 7-0 first-quarter lead.

The Tigers didn't look back in the 24-7 victory.

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Inside the Numbers
· Grambling State was held to a season-low four first downs in the first half.
· The Tigers registered 93 yards on 28 plays in the opening half, including 70 of those yards through the air.
· Alabama State recorded 87 total yards of offense in the first half and five first downs.
· Devante Kincade was 17-of-27 passing for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
· Devante Kincade rushed 18 times for 24 yards.
· Martez Carter tallied 85 yards on 14 carries, including a 59-yard carry in the third quarter.
· Calif Samon caught four passes for 39 yards.
· Martez Carter finished with four receptions for 32 yards.
· Marc Orozco was 1-for-1 on field goals and 3-for-3 on extra point attempts.
· De'Arius Christmas registered eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss.
· Percy Cargo, Jr., tallied six tackles, including five solo stops.
· Darryl Pearson, Jr., was 7-of-18 passing, with one interception, for 95 yards.
· Ezra Gray rushed 11 times for 43 yards.
· Willis White caught four passes for 73 yards.
· Kurron Ramsey finished with seven tackles, while Joshua Hill and Malik Bridgers added six.
· The Tigers finished with 321 total yards of offense on 67 plays.
· The Hornets garnered 217 total yards in 54 plays.
· Grambling State held Alabama State to 95 yards passing.
· The Tigers were 9-of-19 in third-down conversions.
· Grambling State was penalized two times for 10 yards.

News & Notes
· Alabama State attempted two field goals in the first quarter and walked away with zero points as the Tigers blocked both attempts.
· Grambling State came into the game ranked No. 11 in the FCS Coaches Preseason Poll and No. 13 in the STATS FCS Top 25 Poll, No. 1 in the SBN Sports Network Black College Football Poll and No. 2 in the BOXTOROW Coaches and Media Poll.
· Grambling State wore its white jerseys with gold pants on Saturday and improved to 4-1 when wearing those jerseys during the Broderick Fobbs era.
· Broderick Fobbs improved to 3-1 all-time against Alabama State.
· Grambling State improved to 27-13 all-time against Alabama State.
· The Tigers have won nine straight after losing to Tulane to begin the season.
· Grambling State remains one-game up over rival Southern in the SWAC West Division standings
· The winner of the 44th Annual Bayou Classic on Nov. 25 will advance to the 2017 SWAC Championship game in Houston, Texas.
· Alcorn State clinched a spot in the SWAC Championship after a victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday.
· Saturday's game was broadcasted live on the SWAC Digital Network.

Up Next
Grambling State takes a week off for preparation for the 44th Annual Bayou Classic against Southern on Nov. 25. The Tigers and Jaguars have been on a collision course this season and the winner of that game will advance to the 2017 SWAC Championship on
Dec. 2 in Houston, Texas.

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Virginia State Trojans Secure Victory Over Pitt-Johnstown

INDIANA, Pennsylvania  –  The Virginia State University men's basketball team opened the 2017-2018 season with 79-75 victory against the University of Pittsburg-Johnstown on Friday evening in the opening game of the IRMC / Hilton Garden Inn Classic hosted by Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Senior Richard Granberry (Chester, Pa.) secured his first double-double of the season, leading the Trojans with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Granberry shot 6-of-9 from the field. Junior Brandon Holley (Richmond, Va.) contributed 15 total points. Followed by Walter Williams (12), Waymond Wright (11) and Trey Brown (10) who all scored in double digits for Virginia State. Granberry was the game's leading rebounder with 10 recoveries. Senior Waymond Wright and junior Walter Williams dished out a game-high five assists each.

Virginia State held a 10-2 advantage after one quarter of action and pushed their lead to 16-4 at the five-minute media timeout of the second quarter.

Both teams shot well in the opening half, with Pitt-Johnstown making 15-of-28 from the floor (53.6 percent) and Virginia State securing 16-of-29 shots from the floor (55.2 percent) to take a 42-38 advantage at halftime.

The University of Pittsburg-Johnstown continued to rally in the second half to tie the game 63-63 with 6:32 left in the game. VSU continued to take things one play at a time as Trey Brown secured a three pointer to give VSU a 66-63 lead. Virginia State continued to extend their lead by adding five points to give the Trojans a 74-70 advantage with 3:03 left in the game. The Mountain Cats continued to make plays tying the game again 74-74 with 2:04 left on the clock. A three pointer by Walter Williams contributed the 77-75 lead held by the Trojans, followed by two free throw shots by Walter Williams to give the Trojans a 79-75 victory. The Mountain Cats were led by Levi Mausa and Drew Mangesto who both contributed 18 points respectively.

The University of Pittsburg-Johnstown finished the contest shooting 44.8 percent from the field (26-of-58) which included 12-of-29 behind the arc. Pitt-Johnstown did shoot well at the charity stripe, hitting 11-of-13 (84.6 percent).

Virginia State ended the contest shooting 55.8 percent from the field (29-of-52), knocked down 14-of-20 three pointers (70 percent) and out-rebounded their opponent 37-18.

The Trojans will return to action on Saturday evening against host Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex.

For the most up-to-date information on VSU men's basketball, please visit www.govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

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Not This Time! WVSU Jackets Make Big Plays at Key Times to Wrap Up Winning Season

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia -- This one was not slipping away.

A week after watching victory slip through their grasp in the final minutes the members of the WVSU football collectively said "Not this time" Saturday afternoon in winning 45-28 at West Virginia Wesleyan.

The defense made big plays when they were needed most and the offense not only put points on the board early but provided the knockout punch when it had the chance.

"We challenged them Thursday," WVSU Head Coach John Pennington said. "Is this going to be the typical 'old' state and blow it or the 'new' state."

It all added up to the Yellow Jackets finishing with a 5-5 conference record and overall mark of 6-5, the program's first winning season since 2008 and only the third since 1992.

The elephant in the room was not only addressed but sent packing.

The victory and final record means a group of 15 outgoing seniors finished the job of turning around a program that was in bad shape when they arrived, six of them five years ago.

"That was what was really special about today," Pennington said. "We treated it like a championship game."

WVSU won just six football games after that 7-3 finish in 2008 until this year's senior group first took the field as freshmen. That includes an 0-11 mark in 2013, when the six fifth-year seniors were watching as redshirts.

This group finishes with 16 wins highlighted now by a winning season.

"We wanted to be the most improved team and today we are teh most improved team in the (Mountain East Conference)," Pennington said. "It's a great feeling and great validation for our seniors."

Saturday the Yellow Jackets took little time in showing they meant business. They scored on their first two possessions, marching 65 and 59 yards respectively, to take a 14-0 lead.

The lead was 24-14 at halftime.

Still, Pennington thought the Jackets could do better.

"We went in at halftime and I was as mad as have ever been at the team," said Pennington. "Then we had a couple of seniors step up and talk."

WVSU never let the Bobcats catch up but the hosts did pull to within three at 24-21 after scoring when they took the second half kickoff and went 90-yards in just five plays.

Wesleyan forced the Yellow Jackets to punt on their next possession and it looked like momentum might be swinging in the Bobcats' direction.

But this week the WVSU defense stepped up and made a play when it was badly needed.

Junior defensive back Moises Valcarcel knocked the ball out of the Wesleyan ball carrier's grasp and freshman Henry Forson made the recovery at the Wesleyan 44.

"That turned the whole momentum," Pennington said.

The Yellow Jackets needed just six plays to get the ball into the endzone with senior Matt Kinnick hitting freshman Calil Wilkins from 19-yards out to finish the drive and widen the margin to 31-21.

The WVSU defense came up with another tremendous effort on the ensuing Bobcat possession.

Wesleyan took the kickoff and marched 82 yards to the WVSU 1-yard line but the Yellow Jackets stopped three straight running attempts forcing the Bobcats to attempt a field goal.

Valcarcel and sophomore Kyle Alexander broke through the blockers and blocked the kick with Alexander falling on the ball in the endzone for a touchback.

After the squads traded punts the Yellow Jackets put together another scoring drive, this one going for 78-yards in 10 plays with Kinnick hitting senior Quinton Gray from 2-yards out to run the score to 38-21.

Wesleyan continued to fight though grinding out 30 yard on 11 plays to the WVSU 30 before the Jacket defensive unit put together three big plays in a row.

First Malik Treadwell sacked the Bobcat quarterback for an 8-yard loss then Robert Branch sacked him for a seven yard loss to force a fourth down and 25 to go attempt.

Valcarcel stepped in front of the pass at the Jackets 25 and returned it all the way to the Wesleyan 45.

"Moises had the worst first half of his career," Pennington said. "I jumped on him at halftime and he said he would change and he did, he came out and got three turnovers."

The Bobcats made one last run at getting back into the game with a quick strike for a 48-yard score to pull within 38-28 with 4:16 to play after the Yellow Jackets failed to pick up a first down on a fame punt.

WVSU fell on the Wesleyan onside kick attempt at the Bobcats 44-yard line.

Instead of being content to just try and run some time off of the clock with running plays the Yellow Jackets came out in full attack mode.

Kinnick hit Jamal Brown for 10 yard on the first play and then ran for a couple.

After faking a quick handoff Kinnick then hit A.J. Barrette out of play action streaking down the left side. Barrette hauled the ball in around the 20 and sprinted to the flag to push the margin to the final 45-28 and seal the victory.

"We were all in, we weren't going to hang back and let things happen," Pennington said. "We were going to take our shots and keep our fate in our hands."

Valcarcel picked off his second pas of the day on teh Bobcats' next possession and the Jackets ran out the final 2:16.

Kinnick hit 21-of-29 passes for 269 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.

Freshman Dylan Lucas had another big day in his second start carrying the ball 13 times for 100 yards and a touchdown. Red-shirt freshman Calil Wilkins returned after missing three weeks with and ankle injury and picked up 93 yards on 15 carries and catching two passes for 29.

Sophomore Jamal Brown had six catches for 95 yards, Barrette five for 82 and Gray five for 49.

Valcarcel finished with 13 solo tackles and forced two fumbles which he also recovered and had two interceptions.

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Morehouse Tigers Sink Rollins Tars in South Region Crossover

WINTER PARK, Florida – Balanced scoring and superior rebounding lifted Morehouse to a second straight win, as the Maroon Tigers downed the Rollins College Tars, 85-82.

Except for a one-point deficit near the end of the first half, Morehouse led all the way, but never by more than 10 points. The Tars made several runs in both halves, only to fall short when the Tigers tightened the defensive screws and forced 17 turnovers.

Four Maroon Tigers put up double figures and Morehouse out-rebounded the host Tars, 40-31.

As he did in yesterday's win over Florida Tech, Tyrius Walker set the scoring tone for Morehouse. Walker, the SIAC preseason selection, scored nine points in each half for a team-high 18 points. He also posted a game-high nine assists and grabbed five rebounds.

Jordan Wallace had a hot hand, hitting 4 of 7 three-pointers and three free throws, for 15 points, to go with four assists and three rebounds.

Team co-captain Martravious Little led Morehouse in rebounding, with seven boards, and added 12 points.

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Newcomer James Walker hit 4 of 7 shots for 10 points and hauled in five rebounds.

Omar Alston and Keyshaun Jacobs chipped in eight points each.

The second straight win, to open the season, helped the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association to a clean sweep over the Sunshine State Conference. In the South Region Crossover, hosted by Rollins College, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta won all four games.

Morehouse will travel to Raleigh, NC, Friday, for a similar crossover against the CIAA.

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Akil Douglas Scores 35 to Lead CAU Over Florida Tech

WINTER GARDEN, Florida -- Akil Douglas hit 15-of-18 shots for 35 points to lead the Clark Atlanta University men's basketball team to a 90-69 win over Florida Tech Saturday in the South Regional Crossover Tournament in Winter Garden, Fla.

The Panthers led from beginning to end after jumping out to a 14-0 lead over the game's first five minutes. CAU led by as many 24 points while holding Florida Tech to just 23 first-half points. Panthers head coach Darrell Walker had wanted his team to clamp down on defense after giving up 64 points in the first half to Rollins Friday afternoon. CAU held Florida Tech to just 28 percent shooting in the first half.

Offensively, Douglas missed only one basket – going 8-of-9 – for 20 points in the first half.

The second half was much like the first as CAU wouldn't let Florida Tech climb back into the game.

Douglas had eight rebounds to go with his 35-point performance. He hit three of four 3-point attempts. Center Damien Davis had 21 points and three rebounds. Most of Davis' damage came at the free throw line where he hit 13-of-15 shots from the stripe. Austin Donaldson had eight points while Anthony Williams finished with seven points, six rebounds and four assists.

The Panthers, now 2-0, return to campus for their home opener Wednesday at 8 p.m. when they host Young Harris College in L.S. Epps Gymnasium.

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No. 8 Langston denies Pioneers in season finale

PLAINVIEW, Texas -- Wayland Baptist made a game of it, but in the end the No. 8 Langston Lions won out, claiming a 38-19 Central States Football League victory over the Pioneers on Saturday afternoon at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium.

While Langston (10-0, 8-0 CSFL) completed its first perfect regular season since 1973 and looks forward to hosting its first playoff game in the 100-plus year history of the Oklahoma school, the Pioneers (4-6, 4-4) came up just short of finishing with a break-even record as Wayland closed out its sixth season on the gridiron.

The Pioneers obviously came to play, owning a 6-3 lead late into the second quarter after senior kicker Daniel Martinez booted field goals of 24 and 56 yards to tie his own school record.

But Langston stole the momentum with two touchdowns – on passes from Jaylen Lowe to Cedric Jackson – in the final 2:46 of the first half. After the pair hooked up for a 27-yard score, Langston made the Pioneers pay for an interception with an 18-yard hookup that made it 17-6 at the break.

The teams traded possessions to start the third period before the Lions put together a long drive that ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by Tim Whitfield for a 24-6 lead midway through the third.

The Pioneers immediately responded when Mitchell Parsley lofted a 38-yard scoring pass to Ben Owen to get Wayland to within 11 points, 24-13.

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Defense dominates, Tuskegee wins 2017 SIAC Football Championship

FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- Hoderick Lowe ran for 1444 yards earning Most Valuable Player honors and the Tuskegee University football team won its 31st Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Football Championship Saturday afternoon defeating Fort Valley State at Wildcat Stadium 13-6. The victory gives head coach Willie Slater his seventh conference title since 2006.

The Golden Tigers held FVSU to only 183 yards of total offense, two scoreless quarters and pair of field goals in the second and fourth quarters only. Playing in the conference championship game for the first time since 2014, the stingy TU defense also only allowed 28 yards passing.

On Tuskegee's second possession of the game, Lowe scored on a six yard touchdown run that capped off a nine play 46 yard drive. After holding the Wildcats to a scoreless first quarter, Juan Serna connected on a 33-yard field goal for FVSU making the score 7-3 just before halftime.

Both quarterbacks had troubles in the defensive struggle with TU quarterback Jamarcus Ezell completing 3-of-9 first half passes for only 32 yards while Fort Valley's Jarman Slade was only 3-of-8 for 19 yards. Ezell did however finish with 69 yards on the ground with a nine carry effort. Punter Dalton Hall averaged 39.2 yards per punt with his longest coming on a 48 yarder. Two of his five punts landed inside the 20n yard line.

With 7:44 left to play in the fourth quarter, Lowe found the end zone for the second time of the afternoon on a two yard run putting the golden Tigers ahead 13-3

With 3:30 left to play Juan brought FVSU to within a touchdown after making a 36 yard field goal, his second of the day. The Wildcats would end up with its final possession with 2:12 remaining, only to go four and out totaling a negative two yards.

Osband Thompson finished with a game high 14 tackles while Kevin Dawson earned a career high 12 tackles. Jonah McCutcheon and Davoris Thomas both finished with eight stops each.

Tuskegee will await its fate for a potential postseason berth in the NCAA Division II Playoffs next week.

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