Sunday, November 26, 2017
Neiko Hollins guides Prairie View past rival Texas Southern
HOUSTON, Texas -- Prairie View A&M struggled offensively, and Texas Southern's defense was outstanding.
At least that was the case for most of the first half Saturday night.
Then Panthers quarterback Neiko Hollins took over.
Hollins passed for three touchdowns and 319 yards, leading Prairie View to a 30-16 Southwestern Athletic Conference win over Texas Southern at BBVA Compass Stadium, securing a third straight winning season for the Panthers under third-year coach Willie Simmons, who is unbeaten against the Tigers.
"We're in a good place with the program," Simmons said. "It was my job to come and give us some consistency."
But Hollins was far from perfect. A third-quarter interception returned 39 yards for a score by Archie White got the Tigers to within five points.
But Hollins was instrumental in the Panthers' win over their biggest rival.
Since taking over as the starting quarterback six games ago, Hollins has been the guiding force for the resurgent Panthers (6-5, 4-3 SWAC), who ended their 2017 football season with their third straight win.
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JOHNSON: Grambling reminded everyone why it is the best of the best in the SWAC
NEW ORLEANS -- It is true as it is cliché: To be the best, you have to beat the best.
Grambling — hands down, bar none — has staked its claim as the best program in the Southwestern Athletic Conference by executing that cliché precisely. The Tigers have staked their claim so far down into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome turf that it might be sprouting roots.
Southern tried mightily to rip that stake out and end Grambling’s stranglehold on SWAC supremacy. And, for a moment, there appeared to be some light — a Southern lead in the fourth quarter, a gap between the stake and the ground.
And then — WHAM! — the staggering reality set in. It took all of 85 seconds for that gap to close.
It was frighteningly fast, Grambling’s reminder to Southern that it truly is boss.
A big kick return led to a quick touchdown. Eighty-five seconds after Southern took its only lead, Grambling stole it right back.
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With a chance to topple the SWAC's best, Southern fails to cash in chances in 31-20 loss
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- A theme was forming for Southern: The Jaguars had whiffed on too many opportunities and a third consecutive Bayou Classic win for Grambling was brewing. And so, the Tigers' 25th Southwestern Athletic Conference win in a row seemed fairly inevitable.
That was until Southern snatched a third-quarter fumble and quarterback Austin Howard began generating excellence, as he has for much of the later stages of his senior season, when Southern was emptied of momentum and reliant on hope.
The third quarter’s fumble-score swing muddied any certainty regarding how Grambling's eventual 31-20 win in the 44th annual Bayou Classic would end, diminishing the 17-7 lead Grambling’s smooth offense created by halftime.
Southern linebacker Kaycee Ntukogu forced the fumble as nearly five minutes remained in the third quarter. Howard, 80 seconds later, dropped a beauty in the hands of Kendall Catalon as he gracefully slid across the Mercedes-Benz Superdome's end zone.
Following the touchdown, Saturday's game, the SWAC's Western Division and a bid to the conference championship game was going to go to which of Louisiana's SWAC teams could muster enough to hold off their fiercest rival.
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That was until Southern snatched a third-quarter fumble and quarterback Austin Howard began generating excellence, as he has for much of the later stages of his senior season, when Southern was emptied of momentum and reliant on hope.
The third quarter’s fumble-score swing muddied any certainty regarding how Grambling's eventual 31-20 win in the 44th annual Bayou Classic would end, diminishing the 17-7 lead Grambling’s smooth offense created by halftime.
Southern linebacker Kaycee Ntukogu forced the fumble as nearly five minutes remained in the third quarter. Howard, 80 seconds later, dropped a beauty in the hands of Kendall Catalon as he gracefully slid across the Mercedes-Benz Superdome's end zone.
Following the touchdown, Saturday's game, the SWAC's Western Division and a bid to the conference championship game was going to go to which of Louisiana's SWAC teams could muster enough to hold off their fiercest rival.
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Back-and-forth Bayou Classic ends with third straight Grambling win
NEW ORLEANS -- This was one for the defenses.Grambling’s Brandon Varner stripped the ball away from Southern quarterback Austin Howard, then recovered the late fumble to provide the key play in the Tigers' 30-21 win over the Jaguars in the 44th annual Bayou Classic at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The turnover set up Marc Orozco’s game-clinching 36-yard field goal and spoiled a spirited second-half effort by Southern’s defense.
Martez Carter led the Tigers on the ground with 106 yards and a touchdown on 14 rushes, including the 11-yard touchdown run that gave Grambling the lead for good with 3:22 left. Grambling quarterback Devante Kincaid was 14 of 30 for 171 yards and a score.
Grambling (10-1, 7-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) moves on to play Alcorn State next week in the SWAC championship game.
“I saw it all week. I had faith,” Varner said of his fumble recovery, which came with 2:44 remaining.
It was Grambling’s 10th straight win this season, third consecutive win in the series, and 25th consecutive win against a SWAC opponent. The Tigers have not lost a conference game since the 2014 Bayou Classic.
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Saturday, November 25, 2017
Langston University Lions Football Grabs 39 Selections On All-CSFL Team
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QUINTON MORGAN
HEAD COACH - 2ND SEASON
Photo by Na'Tianna Stocker, @LivingatLU
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Langston University head football coach Quinton Morgan was selected as the CSFL coach of the year as leading the Lions to a 10-0 undefeated regular season and a home playoff berth in the NAIA Football Championship Series. It was the first time since 1973 that the Lions finished the regular season undefeated.
Jamarae Finnie (SR/Tacoma, Wash.) was selected as the CSFL Defensive Player of the Year, racking up 64 total tackles, 33 solo with 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss; the senior defensive linemen currently ranks 10th in the NAIA in total tackles for loss.
James Cox (SO/Hammond, La.) was selected as the CSFL Newcomer of the Year after tallying 55 total tackles, 40 solo to go along with 1.5 sacks. 6.5 tackles for loss and one interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Jaylen Lowe (JR/Collinsville, Okla.) got the nod for the CSFL Athlete of the Year after serving the 2017 season as both quarterback and punter for the Lions; the junior signal caller finished 101-of-171 for 1,116 passing yards for 11 touchdowns with 353 yards on the ground and five scores. On special teams, he finished with a 36.5 punting average on 67 punts for the year.
Dennis Gafford (FR/Houston, Texas) was honored with the CSFL Freshman of the Year award after finishing with 32 total tackles, 27 solo with one tackle for loss in his first season with the Lions.
Cedric Jackson (JR/Marrero, La.), Christopher Carillo (JR/Midland, Texas), Eugene Fuller (SO/Stockbridge, Ga.) and Michael Smith (SR/Compton, Calif.) in addition to Finnie were selected to the All-CSFL first team for their efforts during the 2017 season.
Jackson finished with 522 receiving yards on 37 catches with five touchdowns; he led the Lions in every receiving statistical category.
Fuller finished four on the team in total tackles with 52 including 25 solo, one sack, one interception and two tackles for loss.
Smith was second on the team in total tackles with 56 while finishing with 42 solo tackles, three interceptions and six tackles for loss; he finishes his Langston career with 73 total tackles, one sack, six tackles for loss and three interceptions.
Timothy Whitfield, Trevin Carson (JR/Midwest City, Okla.), Tyler Bess (SR/Hollis, Okla.), Peter Gordon (JR/Del City, Okla.), Jeffry Reed (JR/Ardmore, Okla.) in addition to Cox were all selected to the All-CSFL second team.
Whitfield led the Lions in rushing for the season with 535 yards on 95 carries with seven touchdowns.
On the defensive side Bess finished with 27 total tackles with three sacks, Gordon accumulated 48 total tackles to go along with three sacks and Reed tallied 19 total tackles and two interceptions.
11 athletes were named All-CSFL honorable mention which includes Milton Harper (SR/Tulsa, Okla.), Tyree Hanson (JR/Los Angeles, Calif.), Glenn Irons (JR/New Orleans, La.), Michael Andrade (JR/New Orleans, La.), Darrell Hill, Jr. (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.), Domonick Foy (SR/New Orleans, La.), Jay Hura (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.), Eric Jackson (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.), Joel Thurman (SO/Nashville, Ark.), Bryon Forte (FR/Houston, Texas), Dontre' Searcy, Malik Argue (SR/New Orleans, La.), Terrance Grimsley (JR/Lawton, Okla.), Quincy Warren(FR/Fort Worth, Texas), Traveon, Miller, Dejon Cash (SO/Inglewood, Calif.), Charles Harvin III (SO/Denver, Colo.), Aric Cormier (FR/Orange, Texas), James Caligone IV (JR/Tulsa, Okla.) in addition to Lowe, Jackson and Gafford.
Harper and Fuller were also named to the CSFL Champions of Character which consists of student-athletes that best emplify the five core values of the NAIA, which are: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
Additionally, Max Benson, Demontre Burkhalter, Croey Myers, Daylon Person (SO/Watts, Calif.), Joel Thurman, Justin Wade (SO/Baton Rouge, La.) were named to the CSFL All-Academic team in addition to Carson, Finnie, Hill, Jr, and Lowe. To be selected as an All-Academic performer, you must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and have completed 12 hours of coursework at their current institution.
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
Jamarae Finnie (SR/Tacoma, Wash.) was selected as the CSFL Defensive Player of the Year, racking up 64 total tackles, 33 solo with 7.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss; the senior defensive linemen currently ranks 10th in the NAIA in total tackles for loss.
James Cox (SO/Hammond, La.) was selected as the CSFL Newcomer of the Year after tallying 55 total tackles, 40 solo to go along with 1.5 sacks. 6.5 tackles for loss and one interception that was returned for a touchdown.
Jaylen Lowe (JR/Collinsville, Okla.) got the nod for the CSFL Athlete of the Year after serving the 2017 season as both quarterback and punter for the Lions; the junior signal caller finished 101-of-171 for 1,116 passing yards for 11 touchdowns with 353 yards on the ground and five scores. On special teams, he finished with a 36.5 punting average on 67 punts for the year.
Dennis Gafford (FR/Houston, Texas) was honored with the CSFL Freshman of the Year award after finishing with 32 total tackles, 27 solo with one tackle for loss in his first season with the Lions.
Cedric Jackson (JR/Marrero, La.), Christopher Carillo (JR/Midland, Texas), Eugene Fuller (SO/Stockbridge, Ga.) and Michael Smith (SR/Compton, Calif.) in addition to Finnie were selected to the All-CSFL first team for their efforts during the 2017 season.
Jackson finished with 522 receiving yards on 37 catches with five touchdowns; he led the Lions in every receiving statistical category.
Fuller finished four on the team in total tackles with 52 including 25 solo, one sack, one interception and two tackles for loss.
Smith was second on the team in total tackles with 56 while finishing with 42 solo tackles, three interceptions and six tackles for loss; he finishes his Langston career with 73 total tackles, one sack, six tackles for loss and three interceptions.
Timothy Whitfield, Trevin Carson (JR/Midwest City, Okla.), Tyler Bess (SR/Hollis, Okla.), Peter Gordon (JR/Del City, Okla.), Jeffry Reed (JR/Ardmore, Okla.) in addition to Cox were all selected to the All-CSFL second team.
Whitfield led the Lions in rushing for the season with 535 yards on 95 carries with seven touchdowns.
On the defensive side Bess finished with 27 total tackles with three sacks, Gordon accumulated 48 total tackles to go along with three sacks and Reed tallied 19 total tackles and two interceptions.
11 athletes were named All-CSFL honorable mention which includes Milton Harper (SR/Tulsa, Okla.), Tyree Hanson (JR/Los Angeles, Calif.), Glenn Irons (JR/New Orleans, La.), Michael Andrade (JR/New Orleans, La.), Darrell Hill, Jr. (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.), Domonick Foy (SR/New Orleans, La.), Jay Hura (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.), Eric Jackson (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.), Joel Thurman (SO/Nashville, Ark.), Bryon Forte (FR/Houston, Texas), Dontre' Searcy, Malik Argue (SR/New Orleans, La.), Terrance Grimsley (JR/Lawton, Okla.), Quincy Warren(FR/Fort Worth, Texas), Traveon, Miller, Dejon Cash (SO/Inglewood, Calif.), Charles Harvin III (SO/Denver, Colo.), Aric Cormier (FR/Orange, Texas), James Caligone IV (JR/Tulsa, Okla.) in addition to Lowe, Jackson and Gafford.
Harper and Fuller were also named to the CSFL Champions of Character which consists of student-athletes that best emplify the five core values of the NAIA, which are: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
Additionally, Max Benson, Demontre Burkhalter, Croey Myers, Daylon Person (SO/Watts, Calif.), Joel Thurman, Justin Wade (SO/Baton Rouge, La.) were named to the CSFL All-Academic team in addition to Carson, Finnie, Hill, Jr, and Lowe. To be selected as an All-Academic performer, you must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and have completed 12 hours of coursework at their current institution.
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
John Thierry, Alcorn State All-Star and Bears first-round pick in 1994, dies at 46
CHICAGO, Illinois -- John Thierry, whom the Bears drafted in the first round in 1994, has died. He was 46.
A defensive end from Alcorn State, Thierry was drafted 11th overall and spent five seasons with the Bears. His alma mater announced Thierry’s death.
Thierry attended the Bears’ alumni weekend functions scheduled around the Sept. 10 opener against the Falcons at Soldier Field.
“That’s the last time I saw him, and he looked good, damn good for his age,” former teammate James “Big Cat” Williams said. “We hung out that weekend. This is a shock. I feel bad for everybody.”
Former Bears offensive lineman Marcus Spears wrote on Instagram that Thierry suffered a massive heart attack Friday night.
The Bears released this statement Saturday afternoon: “The Chicago Bears offer their deepest condolences on the passing of former linebacker John Thierry. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John and his family.”
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A defensive end from Alcorn State, Thierry was drafted 11th overall and spent five seasons with the Bears. His alma mater announced Thierry’s death.
Thierry attended the Bears’ alumni weekend functions scheduled around the Sept. 10 opener against the Falcons at Soldier Field.
“That’s the last time I saw him, and he looked good, damn good for his age,” former teammate James “Big Cat” Williams said. “We hung out that weekend. This is a shock. I feel bad for everybody.”
Former Bears offensive lineman Marcus Spears wrote on Instagram that Thierry suffered a massive heart attack Friday night.
The Bears released this statement Saturday afternoon: “The Chicago Bears offer their deepest condolences on the passing of former linebacker John Thierry. Our thoughts and prayers go out to John and his family.”
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