Delaware State: A speed bump for UCLA? Not likely

A speed bump for UCLA? Not likely

The Bruins, looking for some momentum heading into Pac-10 Conference play later this week, meet Delaware State today -- a deliberate, disciplined team that moves at a snail's pace. Momentum has been tough to come by -- or too often moving in the wrong direction -- for a struggling UCLA team this season. So when the Bruins face Delaware State at Pauley Pavilion this afternoon, they will be eager to grab a second consecutive victory. But they can't be too eager, not against an opponent that tends to move at a snail's pace.

Delaware State (4-5) averages only 49 shots a game by holding the ball for 15 or 20 seconds, trying to score near the end of each possession. Impatient defenses can get burned with back-cuts and back-screens. "It's going to be a game where the tempo is slow," Coach Ben Howland said. Last week, the Hornets held No. 17 Ohio State to a season low in scoring, losing 60-44. "They may be the most disciplined team I've ever seen in my life," Ohio State Coach Thad Matta said. "I would have had a hard time in that one as a player. Our guys had to focus for the full 40 minutes."

Heading into the UCLA game, Hornets Coach Greg Jackson has a 311-221 career record. More importantly, the Hornets are nearly unbeatable at Memorial Hall with a 74-22 record over the past ten years.

Ben Ball Gameday Roundup: End Of Out Of Conference Season

Excerpts:
"The only plan we had was to limit their possessions and keep them out of transition, and I thought for the most part our kids did that. We don't have the talent that they have." It was as close to a stall game as you'll find during the era of the shot clock. Ohio State was held to a season-low in points despite coming in 10th nationally (84.7 per game). "To hold them to 60 points is obviously a success for us," Jackson said. "We had a plan to come in and shorten the game and keep them on the defensive end as much as possible. The only chance we had was to limit possessions and take them out of areas that they like to operate."

The Hornets are lead in scoring by Marcus Neal, who averages 13 points a game and Frisco Sandidge who leads the team with 6.4 rebounds per game. Sandidge is also second in the scoring department as he averages about 12 points per game. Despite some recent struggles, Delaware State has played solid defense all season and that can be reflected in the stats. So far this year, DSU has only allowed opposing teams to score 58.8 points per game, which is the nation's 26th best scoring defense. The Hornets also rank pretty high in turnover margin (22nd with +4.8) and steals (15th 10.0).

Delaware State starting guard Jay Threatt has been one of the best players in the country in steals this season. As of Dec. 13, Threatt was ranked No. 5 in the nation in steals with an average of four per game and had recorded 25 overall. Also, Threatt tied the school record for steals in a game Nov. 16 against Wilmington when he recorded nine. The Hornets are now 0-4 on the road this season. This is just the 3rd meeting between the Hornets and UCLA with the Bruins leading the series 2-0 with both games being contested in Pauley Pavilion. UCLA posted a 56-37 victory in the last meeting on Nov. 19, 2005.

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Unfinished business: Grambling State Tigers Football

Unfinished business: Grambling didn't live up to own championship expectations

By Grambling’s standards, 7-4 isn’t cutting it. After consecutive trips to the SWAC Championship — including a victory to claim the conference crown in 2008 — it’s hard to call the Tigers’ 2009 season anything but a disappointment. “Coming into the season we wanted a championship,” junior defensive end Christian Anthony said. “It’s always our No. 1 thing. Winning is the No. 1 thing. We fell short of that goal. ”Watching the Tigers, they had the look of a championship-caliber team. The talent was there, with nearly all of GSU’s 2008 starters returning on both offense and defense. The coaching was there, too. But it never quite came together. A tendency to self-destruct early in games, combined with a few untimely injuries, turned the Tigers from the odds-on favorite to win the SWAC to also-rans.

Grambling's Anthony earns two All-America honors

Celebrated Grambling defender Christian Anthony has been named to the 2009 Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision All-America team, released on Wednesday. The team is headed by Walter Payton Award winner Armanti Edwards and Buck Buchanan Award recipient Arthur Moats. Anthony was one of just two from the Southwestern Athletic Conference to be included on the first team, joining kick returner Mareo Howard of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Grambling punt returner Kiare Thompson earned second-team honors. Anthony was also named to the American Football Coaches Association’s FCS All-America first team. He was one of only three from the SWAC on that unit, joined by Southern wide receiver Juamorris Stewart and Prairie View punter Pedro Ventura.

Grambling’s Christian Anthony named SWAC defensive player of year

Grambling State end Christian Anthony has been named the 2009 Southwestern Athletic Conference defensive player of the year. “I don’t think about all of these honors,” said Anthony, who has one more year of eligibility. “My whole thing is to go out and play as hard as I can every game.” Grambling kicker Ari Johnson was named freshman of the year. GSU offensive lineman Revay Smith, linebacker Cliff Exama and returner Kiare Thompson were named first-team All-SWAC. Running backs Frank Warren and Cornelius Walker earned second-team nods. Anthony, a Birmingham, Ala., led the SWAC in solo tackles (55) as he tied for sixth in the conference with 76 tackles. “He’s as good as anybody I’ve ever coached,” said Grambling coach Rod Broadway. “I think he has an opportunity to do something special. I think he will have an opportunity to play on Sundays.”

Photo of Grambling's Dillon honored by SportsCenter; see the shot!

A photo of Grambling quarterback Greg Dillon scoring during the Tigers’ 31-13 victory over Southern in the State Farm Bayou Classic was selected as the SportsCenter Bud Light Freeze Frame photo of the week. The photo taken by Associated Press photographer Patrick Semansky is of an upside down Dillon scoring as he dives into the endzone over Southern cornerback Tim Berry in the first half of the game. The shot of Dillon beat out photos of UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel holding his players back after they nearly had an all-out fight with USC and of Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt celebrating after making the game-winning catch against the Arizona Cardinals. The winning photo was selected by a national online poll of voters from the Sportscenter website. The photo of Dillon received 62 percent percent of the votes.

2009 Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision All-America Team

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE: QB - Armanti Edwards, Appalachian State, Sr; RB - Deji Karim, Southern Illinois, Sr; RB - Pat Paschall, North Dakota State, Sr; FB - Tommy Fraser, Coastal Carolina, Sr; WR - Terrell Hudgins, Elon, Sr; WR - Marc Mariani, Montana, Sr; WR - Tim Toone, Weber State, Sr; TE - Clay Harbor, Missouri State, Sr; C - Kyle Mutcher, Weber State, Sr; G - Jeff Hansen, Montana State, Sr; G - Matthew McCrackern, Richmond, Sr; T - Vladimir Ducasse, Massachusetts, Sr; T - Ben Ijalana, Villanova, Jr; AP - Matt Szczur, Villanova, Jr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE: DE - Arthur Moats, James Madison, Sr; DE - Danny Batten, South Dakota State, Sr; DL - Christian Anthony, Grambling, Jr; DT - Sean Lissemore, William & Mary, Sr; DT - Mychal Savage, Youngstown State, Sr; LB - Matt Coen, Lehigh, So; LB - Brandin Jordan, Southern Illinois, Sr; LB - J.C. Sherritt, Eastern Washington, Jr; LB - D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, Jr; CB - Cortez Gilbert, Appalachian State, Sr; CB - Josh Morris, Weber State, Sr; SS - Jeromy Miles, Massachusetts, Sr; FS - Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, Fs; S - Terrell Whitehead, Norfolk State, S.

FIRST TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS: PK - Matt Bevins, Liberty, So; P - Trevor Ward, Southern Utah, Sr; KR - Mareo Howard, Arkansas-Pine Bluff, So; PR - Leroy Vann, Florida A&M, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE: DE - Dane Fletcher, Montana State, Sr; DE - Adrian Tracy, William & Mary, Sr; DL - Austen Lane, Murray State, Sr; DT - Christian Clark, Sacramento State, Jr; DT - Martin Parker, Richmond, Jr; LB - George Howard, Morgan State, Sr; LB - Adrian McLeod, Western Carolina, Sr; LB - Terrence Thomas, Villanova, Jr; LB - Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin, Jr; CB - Korey Lindsey, Southern Illinois, Jr; CB - Patrick Stoudamire, Western Illinois, Sr; SS - Terrence Klein, New Hampshire, Sr; FS - Charles Graves, Delaware, Sr; S - J.J. Vercammen, Dayton, Jr.

SECOND TEAM SPECIAL TEAMS: PK - Zach Kutch, Illinois State, Sr; P - Jonathan Plisko, Old Dominion, Fr; KR - Scotty McGee, James Madison, Sr; PR - Kiare Thompson, Grambling, Jr.

THIRD TEAM OFFENSE: QB - *Ryan Perrilloux, Jacksonville State, Sr; QB - *Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross, Sr; RB - Brent Grimes, Central Arkansas, Sr; RB - Toddrick Pendland, McNeese State, Jr; FB - Marlin Meeks, Nicholls State, Sr; WR - Duane Brooks, Stephen F. Austin, Sr; WR - Pat Simonds, Colgate, Sr; WR - Juamorris Stewart, Southern, Sr; TE - Nathan Overbay, Eastern Washington, Sr; C - Chaz Millard, Eastern Illinois, Sr; G - Dorian Brooks, James Madison, Sr; G - Terran Hillesland, Montana, Sr; T - Levi Horn, Montana, Sr; T - David Pickard, Southern Illinois, So; AP - Taiwan Jones, Eastern Washington, Jr.

THIRD TEAM DEFENSE: DE - Tim Knicky, Stephen F. Austin, Sr; DE - Tim Kukucka, Villanova, Sr; DL - James Ruffin, Northern Iowa, Sr; DT - Sam Daniels, James Madison, Sr; DT - Ko Quaye, South Dakota, Sr; LB - Kadarron Anderson, Furman, So; LB - Luke Bonus, Hofstra, Sr; LB - Rob Damon, Rhode Island, Jr; LB - Jacque Roman, Appalachian State, Sr; CB - Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky, So; CB - T.J. Heath, Jacksonville State, Jr; SS - Anthony Beck, Prairie View, Sr; FS - Jason House, Southern, Jr; S - Anthony DiMichele, Holy Cross, Jr.

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‘Rob’ Museum Nearing Reality

GRAMBLING, LA — When a museum is dedicated in memory of Eddie Robinson in February (2010), the stars will definitely be out to pay a lasting tribute to the late and legendary leader of Grambling State University’s football program. Mike Tomlin, the youngest head coach ever to win a Super Bowl championship, will be the keynote speaker for a gala banquet scheduled for the GSU Assembly Center on Feb. 12 starting at 7 p.m. Many of the former National Football League players guided by Robinson during his record-setting 57-year career at GSU are scheduled to be in attendance, both for the banquet and the museum’s ribbon-cutting ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m. Feb. 13.

Among the expected celebrities to be present for either or both events are former NFL quarterbacks Doug Williams and James “Shack” Harris; Pro Football Hall of Famers Willie Davis, Willie Brown and Charlie Joiner and former Pro Bowl defensive back Everson Walls, among many others. Also expected to appear will be Grant Teaff, former head coach at Baylor University and current executive director of the American Football Coaches Association. Invitations have been sent to the 200-plus players who starred at GSU under Robinson and later played in the NFL.

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Wake-Up Call: Vann's records make sweet music

Two-time All-American. For Florida A&M University senior LeRoy Vann (Tampa Blake High), it's a sweet sound and the best way to be remembered. Vann, a record-setting return man who garnered national attention this season through ESPN's SportsCenter and on the pages of Sports Illustrated, again made first team on the Walter Camp Football Championship Subdivision All-America team, which was announced Wednesday. "I almost can't believe some of the things that have happened to me playing college football," said Vann, a 5-foot-9, 185-pounder who plays cornerback.

To Vann, one of the most unbelievable things was when former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard visited the FAMU campus to do a story for ESPN's College GameDay program. "That was crazy," Vann said. "I didn't know until right before it happened that he was coming to talk to me. I felt like a little girl, blushing and everything. I could hardly talk." All modesty aside, Vann's FAMU career was something to talk about.

FAMU's record-setting kick return specialist LeRoy Vann was named to the 2009 Sports Network Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) All-America team on 12/23/09. It was the second straight year that the 5-9, 185-pound fireball from Tampa, Florida was named to the first team, thanks to a memorable senior season which witnessed him take a school record five punts back for touchdowns; tie a single-season NCAA record for TD punt returns, while setting a new single-season return yardage mark for the school and the MEAC. Vann also finished his career as just the fifth player in NCAA FCS history to compile at least 1,000 yards on both punt returns and kickoff returns and he holds the career mark for combined kick returns for touchdown, 11 in the past two years (eight punts, three kickoffs). Vann has been named to four (4) All-American teams in the past two years as a kick returner.

It's hard to believe that Vann actually arrived at FAMU as a preferred walk-on player. While at Blake, he had dreams of earning a scholarship to a large school. But college coaches didn't share that vision. "They thought I was too small," Vann said. "I wasn't the average size they were looking for. But I think it's more than size. You've got to have no fear. You've got to play with heart."

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HU's Tracy White Making Most of First NFL Real Chance

PHILADELPHIA, PA - For six years, he ran around covering punts and tackling kick returners and pouncing on loose footballs in the Lambeau Field end zone after Greg Lewis fumbles. For six years, he was Tracy White, special teamer. Now, he's Tracy White, football player. After bouncing from Seattle to Jacksonville to Green Bay to Philadelphia exclusively as a special teamer, the 28-year-old White has emerged for the first time as a real-life NFL linebacker.

White, in his second season with the Eagles, has been playing in many two-linebacker nickel formations with Will Witherspoon, a combination that doesn't have much size but offers plenty of speed. On Sunday, in his 97th career game, he recorded his first interception, picking off Alex Smith late in the second quarter to set up a field goal in the Eagles' 27-13 win over the 49ers.

And on a unit that has gone through eight starters this year, White has been a valuable - and improbable - contributor. "To tell you the truth, I really didn't think I'd ever get a chance (to play defense)," White said. "But they gave me my shot, and I made the most of it. It took seven years to do it, but I got my chance." White played at Division 1-AA Howard University, a historically black college in Washington, D.C., and began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks in 2003.

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The Tracy White File...
Tracy White started all 44 games played at Howard University and led the Bison each season in tackles, becoming the school's all-time leader with 500, to go along with 22 sacks and six interceptions. As a junior, he was named the Black College Defensive Player of the Year. White also earned All-MEAC three times (2000-2002); twice MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (2001-2002); and twice Buchanan Award finalist (2001-2002). White is 6’0, 230 from St. Stephen, South Carolina (Timberland High School) and was a star linebacker for the Bison.

After being undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft, White signed with the Seattle Seahawks on 05/01/03. After spending two seasons with the Seahawks, in which he saw mostly special teams work, he was waived on 09/03/05. White was immediately claimed off waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in 15 games, mostly on special teams. On 12/28/05 before the season finale, he was placed on the injured reserve list with an ankle injury. The Jaguars did not offer him a contract for the next season, making him a free agent.

White signed with the Green Bay Packers on 03/17/06. On 03/16/08, White re-signed with the Packers to a two-year contract after visits with the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. The contract was worth $1.8 million and the deal included a $250,000 signing bonus. He was released by the Packers on 10/07/08 and was signed by the Philadelephia Eagles on 10/14/08 to a two year contract as a special teams player.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MEAC/SWAC AND OVC FANS...

A&M Chancellor Supports Prairie View A&M Stadium Efforts

HOUSTON, Texas - The chancellor of the Texas A&M System told FOX 26 Sports Wednesday he is 100 percent behind efforts by school officials at Prairie View A&M to build a new football stadium and athletics facility. It will be the first new stadium and facility on the Prairie View Campus in nearly 50 years. This season the Panthers won their first SWAC football championship in nearly 50 years. Head Coach Henry Frazier helped put Prairie View back on the map and Chancellor McKinney has taken note.

Chancellor McKinney used his November '09 visit to the 6,000-seat Blackshear Stadium, which opened in 1960, to talk about ideas for funding improvements. "Prairie View needs a new stadium," McKinney said. "The stadium they have is rundown and needs to be replaced. I am trying to help them raise money for the project. "It's vital and absolutely necessary to build a stadium for Prairie View that reflects the growth and the success of the school." McKinney said he and George Wright, the president of Prairie View, have been discussing ways to enhance sports programs at the second oldest public institution of higher learning in the state of Texas.

"Building a new athletics facility and stadium at Prairie View is tremendously important," said McKinney. "My opinion is athletics is the front door to our universities. "It's important we get people on our campus. Education is our mission. Athletics is the front door." Prairie View officials have completed 90 percent of their athletics economics study according to Athletics Director Fred Washington. Washington said the first phase, which involves the football stadium and athletics facility, will cost roughly $30 million with groundbreaking expected in around two years. "This is probably one of the largest undertakings that our university and our athletics department has taken on in its existence," said Washington. "We haven't built a new facility since the 60's. "So this is going to be huge for us."

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Former Hampton Pirates All-American Latrell Scott Named Head Football Coach at Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond has introduced Latrell Scott as its new head football coach. Scott, who has previously served as assistant coach with the Spiders, was introduced by Director of Athletics Jim Miller as the school’s 34th football coach during a press conference December 15th at the Robins Center. A highly-regarded recruiter and graduate of nearby Lee-Davis High School, Scott brings 11 years of coaching experience back to the Spiders after spending the last two seasons as the wide receivers coach at the University of Tennessee and the University of Virginia, respectively.

“Coach Scott will provide great leadership for our football program,” said Miller. “He is an energetic young coach and proven recruiter who many of our players know and respect. He is a Richmond native, former assistant head coach here, and a great fit for the University. Latrell Scott will continue the Richmond tradition of attracting student-athletes of high-character who are champions on and off the field.”

“Growing up in Richmond, and having the experience of coaching at the University of Richmond previously, the opportunity to be the head coach is incredible,” said Scott. “The students, faculty, staff, and administration of this University are second-to-none, and with their continued support, we will continue the success that we have come to expect from the Richmond Football program.”

Prior to joining the Volunteers’ staff in 2008, Scott, 34, served for three years at Richmond under former head coach Dave Clawson as the wide receivers coach. He was promoted to assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator before the 2007 campaign. Richmond was 26-12, made two NCAA Playoff appearances and beat a BCS team (Duke) with Scott on staff. The Spiders shattered the offensive record books in 2007, which ended with a then-school record 11 wins and the school’s first-ever appearance in the National Semifinals.

Richmond’s leading pass-catcher was now-rising senior Kevin Grayson with a school-record 68 receptions for a freshman-record 970 yards and seven TDs. Then-senior Arman Shields began 2007 with a monster effort against Vanderbilt, catching 12 balls for 107 yards, before an injury limited him to just two more brief appearances. His skills and development under Scott, however, were enough to earn him a spot in the NFL Combine and a fourth-round NFL Draft selection by the Oakland Raiders. Of the 10 team records eclipsed in that season, Scott’s wide receivers helped the Spiders set new standards for scoring average (34.9), touchdowns (63) and total offense (5,675).

Scott inherits a Richmond team that went 11-2 in 2009, won the CAA Football Championship and reached the Quarterfinals of the NCAA Playoffs – the program’s third-consecutive postseason appearance and 10th in school history. The 2008 National Champions return eight starters next season, including arguably the best receiving and linebacking corps in CAA Football. Scott arrived in Richmond after spending three seasons as wide receivers coach at VMI. During his tenure in Lexington, the Keydets led the Big South Conference in passing in 2003. His first coaching assignment was at Fork Union Military Academy, where he spent two seasons before being named an assistant at Western Carolina in 2001.

A three-year starter at tight end during his playing days at Hampton University, Scott earned All-America honors following his senior season. He played on two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and NCAA playoff teams and also competed in the Gridiron All-Star Classic in Orlando, Fla. Scott graduated with a sport management degree in 2001. Scott is married to the former Brandi Bradby of New Kent, Va.

Personal
Born: July 17, 1975 in Richmond, Va. Family: Wife, Brandi

Education
High School: Lee-Davis High School, Mechanicsville, Va. College: Hampton University (sport management), 2001

Playing Experience
Hampton University (1994-97)

Coaching Experience
1999-2000: Fork Union Military Academy
2001: Western Carolina (wide receivers)
2002-04: VMI (wide receivers)
2005-06: Richmond (wide receivers/recruiting coord.) **FCS Quarterfinals
2007: Richmond (asst. head coach/WRs/recruiting coord.) **FCS Semifinals
2008: Tennessee (wide receivers)
2009: Virginia (wide receivers)

What They're Saying About Latrell Scott

"Latrell Scott is an outstanding young coach. He brings great energy to recruiting and is dynamic on the field working with players. Latrell is trustworthy and engaged very well with families, prospects and staff. Richmond has made a great choice and I wish him very well."
--Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee Head Coach (1992-2008)

"This is a great hire by the University of Richmond. Latrell will do a great job. He knows the school, he knows Virginia and he knows the league. I'm confident he'll pick up right where Mike London left off." -- Joe Taylor, Florida A&M Head Coach and Scott's former coach at Hampton University.

"I'm very excited for Latrell. He is well-known in the coaching fraternity for his communication and recruiting ability. With him being at Richmond previously, he understands the academic requirements it takes to be successful. He's a good football coach and I'm confident he'll continue the championship tradition at my alma mater." --Mike London, Virginia Head Coach

Video: Former UVA Receivers Coach Named Richmond Head Coach

UR names Scott football coach

University of Richmond Athletic Director Jim Miller called Dave Clawson a few days ago. The subject: Latrell Scott, whom Miller was considering as the Spiders' football coach. Clawson, UR's coach during 2004-07 and now Bowling Green's coach, acknowledged the conventional wisdom that Scott, 34, was probably a couple of years away from having the background expected of a head-coaching candidate. But Clawson, for whom Scott worked at Richmond, also made a point that Miller noted.

"In two years, you're not going to be able to get him as a head coach," Clawson told Miller. "If you wait, he may not be available." Miller did not wait. UR named Scott its coach yesterday after an eight-day search that began with Mike London accepting the University of Virginia job vacated by Al Groh. Miller met with Scott, a Virginia assistant this season, over the weekend. Scott never has been an offensive or defensive coordinator, which bothered Miller less than it would have several years ago. "I think we're on the cutting edge of that, on the front side, of having more coaches who specialize in being the CEO of the program," Miller said.

Hampton University graduate Scott to coach Richmond Spiders in football

RICHMOND - Hampton University graduate Latrell Scott has received his first head-coaching job, and it's at one of the Football Championship Subdivision's top programs. Scott, 34, was introduced Tuesday as coach at the University of Richmond. He becomes the 34th head coach in program history, one of the youngest coaches in the country, and takes over at an opportune time. The Spiders won the national championship for the first time last season. This year, they spent time at No. 1 in the nation, shared the Colonial Athletic Association championship with Villanova and advanced to the playoff quarterfinals, losing to Appalachian State in the closing seconds.

Scott, who played tight end for HU and graduated in 1999, is widely respected as a dynamic recruiter. At his news conference, he said keeping the Spiders' 14 current verbal commitments is his top priority. "If you want to ask the question if I think I'm prepared, I think I've been prepared by some of the best," Scott said, mentioning coaching mentors like former Richmond coaches Dave Clawson and Mike London, former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer and former Virginia coach Al Groh. "I've been raised by some of the best head coaches in the country."

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