A School-Record 12 North Carolina A&T Aggies Make First-Team All-MEAC

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GREENSBORO – The North Carolina A&T football team got some early returns off the No. 12 ahead of their Celebration Bowl clash against the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion on Dec. 16 at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Aggies, who are seeking to finish the 2017 season 12-0 with a Celebration Bowl win, had 12 players named first-team All-MEAC on Tuesday. Senior linebacker Marcus Albert (5-foot-10, 205, College Park, Ga.) was a third-team selection. In addition, All-American left tackle Brandon Parker (6-7, 309, R-SR, Kannapolis, NC) was named offensive lineman of the year by the conference for the third straight year. The Aggies 12 first-teamers is a school record, dwarfing the seven players they placed on the first team last year.

“That’s half the (first team), isn’t it?” asked N.C. A&T head coach Rod Broadway. “I think it’s very well deserved. Record-wise, we’re the best team in the league. Record-wise, we’re the best team in the history of the university, so I think it’s only fitting that we have a large number of guys on the team. I think it says a lot about our players and of course, the job that the staff has done developing these guys.”

Broadway earned his first-ever MEAC Coach of the Year accolade. The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) named Broadway coach of the year twice (2005, ‘06) during his time at North Carolina Central. Also at NCCU in 2006, he was named Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., Coach of the Year. He was named coach of the year by the SWAC in 2008 when he was head coach at Grambling State. That same year, the Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C., made him their coach of the year for a second time. Following N.C. A&T’s black college national championship season in 2015, Broadway was named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year by American Urban Radio Network.

“This thing is not about me. It never has been and hopefully, it never will be,” said Broadway. “When you have 12 players on the all-conference (first team), that’s all you need to say. We’ve got 12 players on the team, so it’s about them. I just happen to be the coach. And please give my coaching staff credit too. They’ve done an outstanding job. Not just this year but last year and the year before that. We’ve gotten better as a staff. The chemistry has gotten better.”  

FIRST-TEAM ALL-MEAC AGGIES

Timadre Abram (5-10, 168, JR, defensive back, Lakeland, Fla.) 
Stats: 28 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 8 pass breakups; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod
Why is he a first teamer?: Look no further than the opposite side of the field. The Aggies other starting cornerback, Mac McCain, got off to such a torrid start, it made opponents look more in Abrams direction. He held his own, helping the Aggies rank second in the conference in passing yards allowed.  

Breakout Game: The Aggies toughest challenge in the conference all season was the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Abram broke up three passes in the game against quarterback Larry Brihm who threw for 376 yards versus the Aggies in 2016.  

Broadway’s Take: He’s sort of a quiet guy, but he comes to work every day to work hard. He is steadily starting to get better. He’s starting to understand how to do things now and as a result, he had a really good year. His recognition is well-deserved.”

Elijah Bell (6-1, 221, SO, wide receiver, Wheeling, WVa.) 
Stats: 54 rec., 858 yards, 11 TDs; 2nd first-team all-conference nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: Have you seen him play? If not, you’re missing a treat. He can make the jump-ball catch, the acrobatic catch, the one-hand catch and he is a big-time physical receiver. The scary part is he is still improving as a route runner. He broke the Aggies single-season TD receptions record (11), and he already has 19 career TD catches in just two years.  

  
Breakout Game: If there was any question of a sophomore jinx, the 2016 MEAC Rookie of the Year, Elijah Bell removed those doubts quickly in the 2017 season opener against Gardner-Webb. He caught five passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns, but the big takeaway was the 35-yard catch and run TD he had against GWU when he ran through two Bulldog defenders like they weren’t there. He also had a two-point conversion in the game.   

Broadway’s Take: “Elijah is a special talent and a heckuva player. You can cut it anyway you want to, he’s a playmaker. Some guys can make plays and some guys are playmakers. He is one of those playmakers, and he’s made so many big plays for us throughout the course of the year. He’s just a sophomore, so he’s only going to get better and better and better.”

Marquell Cartwright (5-8, 201, R-JR, running back, High Point, NC) 
Stats: 224 carries, 1,080 yards, 13 TDs; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: Well, let’s start with this. He had to replace a legend, and he did so by having a 1,000-yard rushing season, the seventh for an Aggie in the last eight years. Give him props for that alone. How much did the Aggies coaching staff trust Cartwright’s ability to take over the running back duties after Tarik Cohen was drafted by the Chicago Bears? In 2016, Cohen carried the ball 212 times. In 2017, Cartwright has 224 carries.   

 
Breakout Game: Early in the game against Morgan State on Sept. 23, Cartwright, known for being a bruiser at running back, broke through a big hole and showed off his tremendous speed with a 72-yard touchdown run. He had a career-best 176 rushing yards in the Aggies win.   

Broadway’s Take: “I said before the season that we’re losing an All-American, but we have all-conference running back right here on campus. I love the way that guy plays the game. It’s downhill and it’s physical. He brings a totally different element to the way we play this game. We have those big offensive linemen upfront that can get on top of people, then Cartwright shows up and moves everything forward. You know, I think he can be an All-American player for us. He was so close on so many plays of breaking a big run. I think if he relaxes a little bit and let the game come to him instead of always trying to be a home run hitter, he can get even better.”

Khris Gardin (5-7, 185, SR, return specialist, Morganton, NC) 
Stats: 26 punt returns, 353 yards, 13.6 per return, 1 TD; 14 kickoff returns, 376 yards, 26.9 per return; 2nd first-team All-MEAC nod, third overall (2nd team in 2016) 

 
Why is he a first teamer?: A) Teams do not like to punt the ball to him, yet he is still successful, and B) The Aggies are not required to kick off often, so he had and did make the best of his opportunities. In fact, Gardin has had three kickoff returns for touchdowns called back or we could be talking about another guaranteed All-American recognition. Gardin has the second-most punt return yards in NCAA FCS history (1,576).    

Breakout Game: Gardner-Webb decided to challenge the 2017 preseason All-American, and Gardin showcased why so media outlets were high on him coming into the season. He returned five punts for 150 yards including an 88-yard punt for a touchdown in the third quarter. 

  
Broadway’s Take: “What Khris has done in his career is amazing. I think he has had six kicks (for touchdowns) brought back in his career. We’ve just received some untimely penalties on a lot of his returns or who knows where he would be in the NCAA record books. I can remember the first punt he ever caught. He fumbled it in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. He came to the sideline with eyes as big as Coke bottles. I put my arms around his neck and said to him, ‘Let it go. We’re gonna need you’. And of course, it’s been history after that.”

Darryl Johnson, Jr. (6-5, 226, R-SO, defensive lineman, Kingsland, Ga.) 
Stats: 38 tackles (24 unassisted), 15.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod    

Why is he a first teamer?: He has been a nuisance all season for opponents. His long reach gets him to ball carries quicker, it’s hard to get out of his swipe range for causing fumbles and his ability to rush the passer is not bad either. He was fourth in the nation in forced fumbles and 22nd in tackles for loss.   

Breakout Game: Johnson had three unassisted tackles against Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 21. All three were made in the BCU backfield including two sacks. His sack with 13 seconds remaining sealed the Aggies 24-20 win over the Wildcats.  

 
Broadway’s Take: “The way we play defense, we’re going to have one or two defensive linemen on the all-conference team every year. He is another one of those guys who has reaped the results of the effort, the energy and the work he put in to getting better. Darryl is a hard worker with a high motor. He’s long, has an outstanding reach and can knock balls out of the air. He does it all for us.”

Darriel Mack (6-2, 300, R-SR, center, Clio, SC) 
Stats: 641 snaps, 42 knockdown blocks, 83.4 average grade, 4,725 yards of total offense 2nd first-team All-MEAC nod  

Why is he a first teamer?: Mack’s average grade and knockdown block count for the season is close to his All-American teammate Brandon Parker who is slated to be drafted by an NFL team in the spring. That is good company to be in and that will get you recognized by and votes from MEAC head coaches.   

 
Breakout Game: Mack’s highest grade of the season was a 90 against Division II Mars Hill. While it may be easy to scoff at, he followed that with an 86 against the Charlotte 49ers, an FBS school out of Conference-USA. The Aggies collected 420 yards of offense in the 35-31 upset. 

Broadway’s Take: “Mack’s personality has really blossomed since he’s been here. You know, as a person, he’s really come a long, long way. He’s a joy to be around. He’s a joy to coach. Football-wise, he gets it. He understands his role, how to do things, and you know, I think that’s what happens when you have someone four years in your program. He’s just got better and better and better. He missed some time early in his career because he had some injuries. He’s gotten those things worked out and over the last couple of years, he’s been productive.”  

Franklin (Mac) McCain III (5-11, 174, R-FR, defensive back, Greensboro, NC) 
Stats: 46 tackles (33 unassisted), 5 INTs, 274 INT return yards, 3 INT returns for TDs; 8 pass breakups; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: His first four games were about as an impressive as a collegiate debut can be. Twenty-seven tackles, five interceptions, three pick-6’s and three pass breakups will get people’s attention. 

   
Breakout Game: The breakout game was Charlotte. The sequel to the breakout game was Morgan State. McCain had the game-winning INT return for touchdown. Within minutes, a Charlotte Observer reporter tweeted out that he was the grandson of civil rights icon Franklin McCain. He then returned two pick-6’s the following week against Morgan State including a 100-yard return and the media interview requests flooded in from there. 

Broadway’s Take: “He could be another great one at this university. He has a bright future if he develops the right work ethic, the right attitude and really dedicates himself to becoming a great player. He can run. He has a pretty good feel for where he is on the field, he’s just got to continue to study the game, understand the game and understand his role. But the sky is the limit.”

Brandon Parker (6-7, 309, R-SR, offensive lineman, Kannapolis, NC) 
Stats: 656 snaps, 48 knockdown blocks, 84 percent average grade, 4,725 yards of offense; 3rd first-team All-MEAC nod; fourth overall (he was a third-team selection in 2014) 

Why is he a first teamer?: With the spotlight on him all season, something most offensive linemen are not used to, he did not crack under the pressure. In fact, despite having NFL scouts at practice every week, he took it in stride and picked up another MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year award, the third of his career.   

 
Breakout Game: South Carolina State’s defensive line has notoriously given the Aggies fits over the past few seasons. But Mr. Parker kept quarterback Lamar Raynard upright for the vast majority of the game as the Aggies compiled 425 yards of offense. Parker had a season-high seven knockdown blocks in the game and graded out with an 82. 

Broadway’s Take: “Well everybody knows about Parker, and all the scouts rave about him. He’ll be on somebody’s NFL roster next year. He has had made tremendous growth during his time as a player here.   He put in the time, and he put in the work, so now he is starting to see the results of all those workouts and all that weightlifting he has done throughout his career. And for people to say you’re the best offensive lineman in your league for three straight years – that’s big.”

Marcus Pettiford (6-3, 274, R-SO, offensive lineman, Durham, NC) 
Stats: 519 snaps, 22 knockdown blocks, 83.3 percent average grade, 4,725 yards of offense; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod 

Why is he a first teamer?: His presence made the Aggies offensive line the envy of the league. Opponents could not take for granted that the Aggies wanted to run behind Parker on the left side because N.C. A&T was more than comfortable letting the athletic and agile Pettiford take the lead on the right side.  

    
Breakout Game: The N.C. A&T vs. Bethune-Cookman game Oct. 21 was a grueling contest that the Aggies pounded out on the ground with 55 yards rushing in the fourth quarter. Pettiford graded out at 87 percent and had five knockdown blocks in the game. 

Broadway’s Take: “If he dedicates himself to hard work like Brandon (Parker) did, he could also be an All-American. He’s so athletic and light on his feet. I can say this about Marcus, he’s changed. He’s starting to develop, and I hope the light goes off and he realizes how important it is to really work and develop because if he does, he can be a great one here.”

Lamar Raynard (6-4, 200, R-JR, quarterback, High Point, NC) 
Stats: 186-for-285 (.653), 26 TD passes, 5 INTs, 2,707 yards, 171.6 QB efficiency, 51 carries, 168 yards, 3 TDs; 1st first-team All-MEAC nod, second overall (named second-team All-MEAC in 2016) 

Why is he a first teamer?: There was a time when Alan Hooker’s records were believed to be written in ink because the Aggie quarterbacks who followed him had a hard time exceeding his marks. Not Lamar. He toppled Hooker’s more than 30-year old single-season records for completions, touchdown passes and touchdowns responsible for (29). For good measure, he took down Maseo Bolin’s single-season passing record as well. He is even after his own record. If he has a good Celebration Bowl he will break the single-season mark for best passing percentage he set last season at 64.6 percent. 

Breakout Game: N.C. A&T fans quickly realized that an upgrade of Lamar Raynard had been downloaded after he went 19-for-22 for 321 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Aggies 45-3 season-opening win over Gardner-Webb.  

Broadway’s Take: “Raynard has really grown as a quarterback. He is getting to where he is getting the ball out of his hand and making good, sound decisions and not turning it over too much. I think he has also grown as a leader. He’s got this quiet demeanor about him, but he has a competitive drive that I think drives him to be an excellent quarterback.”

Trey Scott (6-1, 220, GR, tight end, Powder Springs, Ga.) 
Stats: 24 rec., 347 yards, 3 TD’s 

Why is he a first teamer?: He is the best tight end in the MEAC. In fact, the Aggies may have the two best tight ends in the league considering junior Leroy Hill was a first-team All-MEAC selection in 2016. In a college football world where the tight end is used less and less, the Aggies have figured out to utilize the position.   

Breakout Game: He only had 40 yards receiving but all four of his catches went for first downs as Morgan State became victim to the drag route that made Scott so effective during the 2017 season in a 49-17 Aggies win.   

Broadway’s Take: “We already had an all-conference tight end. That’s amazing. Trey came in and had the ability to get the ball in the open field and make some dazzling moves. I’m happy for Trey. He is a graduate student who came in and go on a good football team – a winning program – and had a big year. He really contributed to our season this year.”

Jeremy Taylor (5-11, 190, R-SR, linebacker, Kinston, NC) 
Stats: 65 tackles (46 unassisted), 7.5 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles, 5 INTs, 133 INT return yards, 8 pass breakups, one pick-6 

Why is he a first teamer?: Because there are not many things he is incapable of doing on the defensive side of the football. He is a good tackler, he is good in coverage and he is good at taking the ball away from the other team. He leads the team in tackles and is tied for the team league in interceptions and pass breakups.   

Breakout Game: His versatility was on full display on Sept. 30 at S.C. State when he made three tackles, forced two fumbles, picked off one pass and broke up another in the Aggies 21-7 win over the Bulldogs.  

  
Broadway’s Take: “Jeremy’s a playmaker. I don’t know man, he just makes plays all over the place. Let me repeat myself. He makes plays, he makes plays, he makes plays. He is one of the guys you can depend on to do the right things on the field and to be in the right spot.”

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Last Chance: Grambling State has opportunity to win last SWAC title game

GRAMBLING, Louisiana – Maybe Broderick Fobbs saves the sentiments for after the game has been played.

When his Grambling State football team loads the bus Thursday afternoon, heading to Houston, it’ll be the last time a bus ride in that direction will be needed after the annual regular season-end clash with Southern at the Bayou Classic.

Before the 2017 season kicked off, SWAC commissioner Duer Sharp announced the decision to forego the SWAC Championship Game after 18 seasons, meaning this year’s matchup between Grambling (10-1) and Alcorn State (7-4) will be the last one for the foreseeable future.

Since Fobbs took over the program at his alma mater four seasons ago, the Tigers have had their share of recent rollercoasters of emotions, falling to Alcorn in 2015, the last time an FCS opponent has beaten GSU, and avenged that loss last season, coming from behind to down the Braves, 27-20. Saturday marks the third straight season the Tigers will play Alcorn for the league championship.

Before Fobbs, Grambling State has tried to make the SWAC title game ...

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Career Highs By Fisher Lead Hampton Pirates Over St. Leo Lions

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Junior Kalin Fisher recorded career-highs of 24 points and 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double as Hampton University put away a pesky Saint Leo Lions squad 72-56 on Monday night at the HU Convocation Center.

The double-double was his second in a row after a 14 point-10 rebound outing against Rider last Friday night.

After a back-and-forth first half that saw five ties and six lead changes, the Pirates used an 18-3 run over a nearly nine minute span early in the second half to take a 53-39 lead with 9:56 left on a free throw from Trevond Barnes. Fisher started the run with a jumper at the 18:04 mark and hit a 3-pointer with 11:46 left to push the lead to 52-39.

The lead grew to 19 points on two occasions, with a layup from Eugene Marshall, III giving Hampton (3-5) its final points for a 72-53 lead with 22 seconds left.

Jermaine Marrow had 14 points and five assists to join Fisher in double figures. Joining Fisher in double figures on the boards were Charles Wilson-Fisher and Greg Heckstall with 10 apiece. Hampton held a 57-44 advantage on the boards.

Saint Leo (5-6) was paced by Drago Popovic with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Hampton returns to action on Wednesday night at 7 pm facing Mid-Atlantic Christian University at the HU Convocation Center.

For more information on Hampton University men's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

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Mount St. Mary's Rally Comes Up Short in 69-63 Loss to Morgan State on Monday Night

EMMITSBURG, Maryland -- Mount St. Mary's saw its late rally come up short in a 69-63 loss to Morgan State on Monday night at Knott Arena. The Mount cut an 11-point deficit with three minutes remaining to one, but Morgan State was able to stave off the rally to secure the victory. Donald Carey and Junior Robinson each scored 13 points for the Mountaineers in the game.

Morgan State (4-2) held a 57-46 lead with 3:16 left in the game after a Lapri McCray-Pace bucket in the paint. On the next possession, Bobby Planutis hit a pair of free throws to begin a 14-to-3 run that cut the Mountaineer deficit to one. Carey then took control for the Mount, scoring the team's next eight points. He hit a pair of free throws to make it 57-50 with 2:46 on the clock. After the Bears hit 1-of-2 at the line, Carey drained a long jumper to make it a six-point game. The Mount drew a charge on the next possession, and Carey nailed a three-pointer with 1:29 left to make it 58-55. Morgan State's Antonio Gillespie countered with a three-pointer from the corner, but the Mount answered on the other end. Carey was fouled, and he hit the first free throw to make it a five-point game. He missed the second shot, but Planutis grabbed the rebound and converted in the paint to make it 61-58.

Morgan State's Martez Cameron then missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Carey drove to the bucket to make it 61-60 with 40 seconds on the clock. The Bears were able to answer immediately when David Syfax dunked in transition to push the lead back to 63-60. Robinson's lay-up on the ensuing possession rimmed out, and Morgan State hit six consecutive free throws to seal the win.

Trailing 32-31 at the half, the Mount took the lead on a Ryan Gomes bucket on a feed from Robinson just over a minute into the second half. Morgan State responded with an 8-2 run to grab a five-point lead. The Mount pulled within three when Greg Alexander slammed home an alley-oop pass from Robinson with 14:37 remaining, but the Bears scored the next nine points on three three-point baskets from Kyson Rawls to take a 12-point lead.

Carey scored 10 of his 13 points in the final 2:55 while adding eight rebounds and a pair of assists. Robinson stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds and three steals while Jonah Antonio and Alexander chipped in 11 points each in the loss. McCray-Pace led Morgan State with 15 points, Phillip Carr added a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds and Cameron finished with 14 points in the win.

Morgan State shot 52.9 percent from the field and was 5-for-11 (.455) from beyond the arc in the win. The Bears held a 36-to-25 edge on the boards as well. The Mount shot 40.0 percent overall and was 8-of-25 (.320) from beyond the arc.

After Morgan State opened the game with a 10-2 run, the Mountaineers rattled off a 17-to-2 run over the next eight minutes to take its biggest lead of the game, 19-to-12. Antonio's second three-pointer of the game capped the run to give the Mount a seven-point advantage. Alexander added five points during the streak as well. The Bears were able to counter the run, and held a 32-to-28 lead before Carey drained a three-pointer right before the halftime buzzer to make it 32-31 at the break.

The Mountaineers are back in action on Saturday, December 2, when Loyola visits Knott Arena for the 173rd all-time meeting between the two teams. The annual Catholic Clash is set to tip-off at 4:00 p.m.

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North Carolina A&T Aggies Get Big Upset Win Over East Carolina

GREENVILLE, North Carolina – North Carolina A&T’s two offensive stars in Aggies men’s basketball team’s 87-81 upset of East Carolina at Minges Coliseum talked about newness. Junior forward Femi Olujobi talked about a new mentality and Aaren Edmead discussed a new toughness.

Both were on display in the Aggies first win over the Pirates in six tries. The Aggies beat a non-conference in-state Division I foe not named UNC Greensboro for the first time since the 2010-11 season when they beat UNC Wilmington 84-79 in Corbett Sports Center. It was their first non-conference in-state Division I win outside of Greensboro since beating Wilmington during the 1990-91 season.

The Aggies (5-1) have now won four straight including two straight on the road.



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“We came into this game looking to win,” Olujobi, the nation’s leading scorer who finished with 23 points and nine rebounds on 11-for-12 shooting from the free throw line. “We have a whole new team and a whole new mindset. This was just another stepping stone to where we want to go as a team. Right now, we feel like we have a chance to do something special for the university and every guy in that locker room wants to be a part of it.

Everyone on this team brings something to the table. With all the pieces we have, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.”

Edmead, who scored 23 of his game-high 25 points in the second half, displayed the other newness in the Aggies men’s basketball program. With 15:25 remaining in the game and the Aggies leading 50-49, Edmead and ECU guard Shawn Williams found themselves in a heated verbal sparring match in which the two competitors got in each other’s faces. Edmead was called for a technical foul, giving the Pirates two free throws and the lead. It admittedly got him going.

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“I feel like I’m an energy guy, and I like to get the team going,” said Edmead. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that getting a tech is the way to do it, but it did spark me, and I just wanted to keep my team going. I’m ready to do what I can to continue winning. This is a new A&T this year, and I couldn’t be more excited.”

Edmead hit big shot after big shot in the second half, perhaps the biggest coming with 4:07 remaining in the game. ECU’s Isaac Fleming hit two free throws to bring the Pirates to within two, 73-71. Edmead then dribbled down the floor, worked his way to the middle of the floor and pulled up from the top of the key just behind the 3-point arc and netted a three to give the Aggies a 76-71 lead. The Pirates never recovered.

Fleming did bring the Pirates to within three on a layup with just under three minutes to play. But freshman guard Kameron Langley put his defender on his right hip and drove left to score on a layup to give the Aggies an 80-75 lead with 2:25 remaining. A 3-point play from Olujobi 52 seconds later was the knockout punch.

N.C. A&T, who did not win a road game last season, is 2-1 on the road this season.

“Winning is hard enough, to get it done on the road is huge,” said N.C. A&T coach Jay Joyner. “It gives us a lot of confidence to know whether we are home or away we can still get the job done. We have two really good road wins so far.”

The Aggies jumped on the Pirates (2-4) early led by graduate guard Devonte Boykins. After ECU took a 3-2 lead 44 seconds into the game, the Aggies went on a 9-0 run sparked by a Boykins 3-pointer. ECU would not see the lead again until the 18:52 mark of the second half. Boykins scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half including three 3-pointers to lead the Aggies to a 43-40 halftime lead.

“When you're able to come on the road and control the first half, it takes the crowd out of it,” said Joyner. “It helps you settle down offensively and defensively because you have the lead. I thought East Carolina did a great job in the second half. They came out swinging, and we must understand basketball is a game of runs.

They're going to make their runs, we're going to make our runs, but at the end of the day it's about finishing the job. I'm so proud of these guys for finishing the job.”

N.C. A&T’s new task will be a road game against Central Connecticut on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m.

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Alabama State Lady Hornets draw second-seeded Florida in NCAA opening round

MONTGOMERY, Alabama | For the third time in the last four years, Alabama State will travel to Gainesville (Fla.) for the opening round of the NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament, facing second-seeded Florida.

Alabama State (28-10) and Florida (25-1) met for the first time in 2014, while meeting last season for the second time. The two will be joined by Miami, Fla. (21-5) and College of Charleston (27-5), with play beginning this week.

"We will go out there and leave it all on the court," Alabama State head coach Penny Lucas-White said. "We are excited to say we made it to the Big Dance, and we expect to dance. The young ladies have built a legacy of winning and have fortitude. They are never going to lie down. They have changed the mentality of the program, and they will never back down from their opponent across the net."

Thirty-two conferences were awarded an automatic qualification, while the remaining 32 positions were filled with at-large selections to complete the bracket.

The top 16 teams were seeded nationally and placed within four regions. Penn State earned the top seed, followed by Florida as the two seed and defending national champion Stanford as the third seed. Kentucky rounded out the top four.

Per the established bracketing principles, the top 16 seeded were provided the opportunity to host. Additionally, team pairings were determined by geographic proximity, with the exception that teams from the same conference were not paired during the first- and second-rounds.

The Lady Hornets and Florida will start at 7 pm (est) on Thursday at the Exactech Arena at O'Connell Center in Gainesville.

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Howard Bison Draw Penn State in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The NCAA Volleyball Committee announced its 64-team bracket where Coach Shaun Kupferberg and the Howard University Women's Volleyball team drew the top-seeded Penn State Nittany Lions in the opening round. The announcement came Sunday night.

Howard, the 2017 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) volleyball champion, will take on No. 1 Penn State Friday, Dec. 1 in State College, Pa. The match is set for 7:30 p.m.

Sunday (Nov. 19), HU (16-15) won its third consecutive MEAC tournament championship with a straight-set win over Florida A&M (FAMU). Howard made its fourth straight appearance in the title match while becoming the first program since FAMU won nine straight from 2001-09, to win three straight MEAC titles.

Overall, this will be Howard's fourth NCAA appearance.

Penn State (29-1) won the Big Ten championship and currently rides a 19
-match winning streak. The Nittany Lions were ranked No. 1 in the latest Top 25 poll from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

VCU-Pittsburgh is the other first-round match-up on Friday in State College. The winners of the two first-round matches will square off on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

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