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Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Rebuilding effort begins at Southern
But four days later, when the bus pulled up the University Center, a blowout awaited. From the opening tip, Southeastern Louisiana ripped Southern apart. The Jaguars changed defenses. They took timeouts. They tried different players. Nothing worked. By halftime, Southern trailed by 18 points. By the final buzzer, a small but happy crowd cheered as two walk-ons came off the bench in the final few minutes in a 94-48 disaster. It only got worse from there.
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Southern topples Nicholls
Sunday, March 28, 2010
TSU's new offense will stress run before pass
Mike Jones etched his name in Tennessee State's record books catching the ball, but he plans to re-energize the Tigers' offense emphasizing the run. Jones, a Division I-AA All-American in 1981 and 1982 who holds many of the school's receiving records, returned to TSU as offensive coordinator when former defensive coordinator Rod Reed replaced James Webster as head coach in December. The Tigers begin spring practice today with a chief objective to improve the offense, which ranked 97th (274.6 yards) in the Football Championship Series and failed to score more than one touchdown in four games.
Jones, who had 200 catches at TSU and 165 in six NFL seasons, said he learned to appreciate a quality running game during his coaching career, which included nine years in NFL Europe, a year at Liberty University, a stop in the XFL and last year in the CFL (Toronto). "Go back over my history in coaching and you'll see I probably ran it more than I threw it,'' Jones said. "I had some coaches with me in NFLEurope who felt the run game was very important and when I played (in the NFL) at Minnesota and New Orleans they ran it quite a bit. I developed an appetite for it as well."
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FAMU quarterback race heats up at scrimmage
2010 Rattlers Spring Football Practice
Not every question that coach Joe Taylor might have had about his Florida A&M football team was answered, but he came away from Saturday's scrimmage satisfied with the execution in all three phases. Quarterbacks Eddie Battle, Austin Trainor and Martin Ukpai each took turns directing the offense, which had quite a challenge moving the ball on the ground as the defense repeatedly made huge stops. The defense had an interception and at least three fumble recoveries and made the morning tough for running backs Philip Sylvester and Eddie Rocker.
Jerell Stewart made a strong case to be the man who replaces record-setting returner LeRoy Vann on special teams, and kicker Trevor Scott was on point with his booming kicks through the uprights for field goals. "I was really excited about some things that I saw," Taylor said. "I think some things that we are doing are really going to help us with the offense. The only thing I was concerned with was after we finished the kicking game, I thought we just had too much noise. I thought we lost some discipline at the end. When you lose your discipline your performance level automatically goes down."
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N.C. A&T scrimmage a real hit parade
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Alonzo Lee made his reputation as a defensive coordinator long before N.C. A&T hired him as its head coach last year. So it should come as no surprise the Aggies' first-team offense couldn't score a touchdown against the second-team defense at the Blue vs. Gold spring game Saturday afternoon at Aggie Stadium. And the first-team defense? It shut out the second-team offense, thanks to Marquis Sutton's interception in the end zone with 35 seconds left.
Patrick Courtney kicked 32- and 37-yard field goals to lead the first-team Blue to a 6-0 victory over the Gold in an intrasquad scrimmage that featured more tackles for losses (15) than completed passes (11). Scrimmage or not, a lot of those tackles were of the pad-popping variety. "We're going to fight defensively. That's my bread and butter," Lee said. "I don't believe in tacklers; I believe in hitters. If you're banging that (running) back, by the fourth quarter he's starting to tip. If you're just tackling him, he's still going to be running his butt off in the fourth quarter."
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Defense dominates in S.C. State Spring Game
The defending two-time MEAC Champion Bulldogs will open the season September 4 when they make the short trip to Atlanta to face ACC champion Georgia Tech.
The old adage “every dog has his day” proved true Saturday for South Carolina State Bulldog defensive lineman Joe Council. It’s been a quiet three seasons for the Walterboro native since his transfer from East Carolina. But, during Saturday’s Spring Game at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium, Council made plenty of noise with his aggressive play up front in helping the Blue (defense) pull away from the Garnet (offense) 24-13.
“My coaches kept believing in me and kept telling me to concentrate on the little things and I started doing that and started seeing what they were talking about,” Council said. “Coach (David) Blanchard and (Coach) Adams, they believed in me and told me what I was doing wrong. I kept working, kept at it and had a good day.” “Joe is growing up a little bit,” S.C. State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough said. “It’s good to see because we need those guys defensively to get going.”
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Coach Shirley Walker honored by Mississippi House of Representatives
In Walker’s 30-year tenure at Alcorn State, the Lady Braves won 11 regular season SWAC championships, seven SWAC tournament championships and participated in the NCAA tournament three times. Walker, an Alcorn alumnus, won 492 career games and was named SWAC Coach of the Year 10 times. In addition to her accomplishments as head coach, Walker also played an important role as a member of several different NCAA committees.
As a member of the NCAA Division I Basketball Committee, Walker worked to help secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the champion of the SWAC tournament. "A lot of people don’t know about that,” Walker said. “I’m the one that worked hard and opened the door for SWAC women’s basketball to have an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament."
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NIT: JSU Issues Final Decision On Phillip Williams Incident at Mississippi State
“Phillip is a good young man who did a bad thing. He has not been a problem since being a member of our team,“ said Anderson. “However, I run a quality program and we will not tolerate any action that will tarnish the reputation of the University or the athletics department.
"Earlier this season I told everyone on the team that if you do anything that will negatively affect the program, then I will take your scholarship."
The Southwestern Athletic Conference has already suspended Williams for the opening game next season. Jackson State finished the season with a 19-13 overall record and a 17-1 SWAC mark. The Tigers won the SWAC regular season title. JSU’s 13 game winning streak was tied for fifth place, the longest streak under Anderson.
JSU Athletics Media Relations
La Salle hires Howard University Grad as women's basketball coach
The 1987 Howard University graduate with a degree in therapeutic recreation, Williams also was an assistant coach for the men's teams at George Mason (1989-93) and South Carolina State (1987-89). As an assistant coach at Howard University and recruiting coordinator, he helped lead the team to four MEAC titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances. His recruiting class during the 1997-98 season was ranked 12th best in the nation..
Robert H. Jackson: 'Stonewall' was heart of NCCU football
Trailblazer. Trendsetter. Teacher. Mentor. Witness to history. Jackson, who died earlier this month at 88, did it all. Jackson fought with Patton at the Battle of the Bulge. He was the first player from a historically black school drafted by the NFL. He touched countless lives as an assistant football coach, teacher and trainer at N.C. Central for 31 years, the touchstone of the football program for generations of players. "He was N.C. Central football," said Joe Simmons, the school's career rushing leader. "He was the first guy you meet on campus. He was one of the firmest guys you'll ever meet and probably the fairest guy you'll ever meet."
The nickname "Stonewall" was bestowed upon him in honour of his stout play at fullback by his high-school coach in Allentown, Pa. It would remain applicable for the rest of his life. After Jackson got home from the war -- he earned three bronze stars with the all-black 183rd Engineering Battalion, crossing the Rhine with General George Patton's Third Army -- he was a four-year starter for North Carolina A&T at fullback and linebacker. The New York Giants took him in the 16th round of the 1950 draft, one pick after the Washington Redskins picked North Carolina's Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice.
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Saturday, March 27, 2010
Spring Game: North Carolina A&T Aggies combine football and food
A&T will play a traditional intrasquad scrimmage, matching its first-team offense and defense against second-teamers, coach Alonzo Lee said. "It's going to be good, solid competition," Lee said. "You hope that your first team goes out there and takes charge, but that second unit feels like they've got something to prove. They're excited. I know the coaches are excited, and they've been game-planning. It should be fun."
The Aggies are coming off a 4-6 record -- 5-6 including a forfeit over Delaware State -- in Lee's first season as head coach. A&T was 3-31 in the previous three seasons and hasn't had a winning record since 2003.
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SCSU wraps up football practice today with Spring Game
From a team standpoint, head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough saw Friday’s practice as being just as important as today’s Spring Game.“We got enough done to make sure that we didn’t waste a day and that’s what we were trying to get done,” he said. “We wanted to get a good solid day’s work and I thought we got that done.”
“Saturday’s game is now more just a culmination of activities,” Pough said. “It’s not nearly as important as the practices that led up to Saturday. It’s more an opportunity for our fans to come out and see us play a little bit and kind of see themselves.”
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Delaware State Announces 2010 Football Schedule
Dover, DE -- An appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and five home games highlight the 2010 Delaware State University football schedule, announced March 26 by Director of Athletics Derek Carter. The 11-game slate kicks off with a battle against Southern University of Baton Rouge, La., in the Sixth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Sunday, Sep. 5 in Orlando, Florida. The contest at Orlando's Citrus Bowl Stadium will be televised on an ESPN network, which will be announced, along with the kick off time, at a later date.
"This is a great opportunity for our university to participate in an outstanding event," said Carter. "I'm sure the experience will be cherished by our student-athletes, alumni and fans for years to come. We invite the entire DSU family to join us in Orlando for the game and other event activities." The will be Delaware State's first appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, which features a top team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against a member of Southwestern Athletic Conference. Southern will be making its second appearance in the challenge.
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Delaware State University Hornets 2010 Football Schedule
Sept. 5 vs. Southern in MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Fla.
Sept. 11 FLORIDA A&M*
Sept. 18 OPEN
Sept. 25 at Coastal Carolina
Oct. 2 HAMPTON*
Oct. 9 at Bethune-Cookman
Oct. 16 N. CAROLINA A&T* (homecoming)
Oct. 23 at Morgan State
Oct. 30 S. CAROLINA STATE*
Nov. 6 N. CAROLINA CENTRAL
Nov. 13 at Norfolk State
Nov. 20 at Howard
Times to be announced later.
* -MEAC games
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Artificial turf time at SU's Mumford Stadium?
That’s why Mitchell said he’d like to see artificial turf at Mumford. Though he said he’s trying to raise money for the project, Mitchell concedes it might not happen soon. The athletic department, already with a tissue-thin budget, dropped two sports last year in a money-saving move and instituted a hiring freeze. Then it bought out the final year of Pete Richardson’s contract (Richardson made $200,000 annually). On top of that, it takes more than a bake sale to pay for plastic grass.
Based on this 2009 video of the A.W. Mumford Stadium Expansion, you get a clear view of the brown areas on the Jaguars playing field from the Luxury Suites.
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Southern University's Cador likes new format for SWAC
And Cador is actually happy about it. The up-and-down Jaguars (5-8, 3-0 Western Division) visit Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2-10, 1-5) for three games, including a doubleheader that begins at noon today. Today will mark the second time the Jaguars play a two nine-inning games in a doubleheader — a new experience this season for SWAC teams. Before, conference series began with a pair of seven-inning games on Saturdays, then finished with one nine-inning game on Sunday. The SWAC changed its format during the offseason, opting for nine-inning doubleheaders on the first day.
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Friday, March 26, 2010
WNIT: Miami runs past North Carolina A&T
Miami Hurricanes reach WNIT quarterfinals
The North Carolina A&T basketball team came into its game against the University of Miami in the Women's National Invitation Tournament with the reputation as a fast-paced, never-slow-down team. UM had an answer for that. The Hurricanes laced up their sneakers and decided to run with the Aggies. In fact, they ran right past them 84-77 in front of 982 fans at BankUnited Center on Thursday night. While UM was celebrating and smiling at the end, A&T was left breathless and gasping -- and with its season over.
Next up for Miami (20-13) is a quarterfinal game at 2 p.m. Sunday against Providence (19-14), which defeated Maryland 77-64 on Thursday night. "An unbelievable basketball game," UM coach Katie Meier said of defeating A&T. The victory marked the first time Miami has won three postseason games. Meier had no doubts about what she was going to do against A&T. ``We were going to run,'' she said.
Lady Aggies suffer season-ending loss in Miami
The N.C. A&T Lady Aggies' early defensive struggles in the first half helped advance the Miami Hurricanes to the fourth round in their 84-77 victory in the Women's National Invitational Tournament. Miami hit 10 3-pointers for the game and expanded the lead to as much as 15 points shooting over 80 percent in the first half. A&T did cut the deficit to five points on multiple occasions in the second half, but had trouble stopping Miami's transition break in the final minutes. The Hurricanes held standout freshman, Amber Calvin, to just 13 points on a 4-17 shooting performance for the game. Calvin left the game in the final minutes with a knee injury.
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Ex-Citadel standout gets fresh start with S.C. State
South Carolina State University Bulldogs Coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough: "Any time you follow a guy who is the leading rusher in the history of your conference, that's pretty heavy stuff," Pough said. "But I think Asheton has got a shot."
"It was tough to see them play every day last year and to just be running scout team," Jordan said before a recent spring practice. "I was glad to help the team get as far as they did, but I'm ready to be out there playing now." Jordan and S.C. State's other running backs have huge shoes to fill with the departure of Will Ford, who rushed for 1,032 yards and eight TDs a year ago while leading S.C. State to a 10-2 record, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and a berth in the FCS playoffs. Ford is the all-time leading rusher in MEAC and S.C. State history.
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ESPN's "Outside the Lines" visits Savannah State University
A crew from ESPN's investigative program "Outside the Lines," including reporter Jemele Hill, visited SSU on Tuesday and Wednesday. ESPN interviewed administrators and coaches about ex-football coach Robby Wells, who accused administrators of racism and lies in his Feb. 11 resignation letter. SSU golf coach Art Gelow said ESPN interviewed him for 15 minutes about the validity of Wells' accusations.
SSU Vice President for Administration Claud Flythe said ESPN was unaware of Wednesday's "MEAC Celebration" until it arrived on campus Tuesday afternoon. The crew filmed SSU's baseball game Tuesday against Charleston Southern, and ended up shooting footage of Wednesday's celebration in Tiger Arena.
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Alcorn State releases 2010 football schedule
That could change, however, as Collins said the school is trying to find an opponent to come to Lorman and play Alcorn on Sept. 4. Alcorn currently has four games scheduled at Jack Spinks Stadium. If the Braves are able to find an opponent to play them on Sept. 4, that would give them five home games only one year after they played just three games in Lorman. “We’re excited we have more home games this year,” Collins said. “We’d prefer to get a team to come in here on Sept. 4 and then leave the 11th open.”
Alcorn State Braves 2010 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Location Time
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Still wanted: Playmakers for AAMU Bulldogs
"We need guys who are going to make plays and the results will do the talking. I feel like we'll find those guys, but we've got to coach them. "I knew this day was coming. We're just going to have to fight our way through this. We've got some guys that will get a chance to play extensively for the first time and some of our young guys will have to show their mettle. Everybody is going to have to step their game up - players and coaches - for us to have a chance to be successful."
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WNIT: North Carolina A&T crowd drowns out 49ers to end Charlotte’s season
Charlotte, N.C. - The University of North Carolina-Charlotte 49ers’ season came to an end Sunday afternoon at the hands of the North Carolina A&T Aggies, 79-70 in Halton Arena. Charlotte had won 13 straight games in Halton Arena, but Sunday afternoon didn’t feel like much of a home game for the Niners. Notoriously known for traveling well, the Aggies brought a crowd and band that easily outnumbered Niner Nation three to one. At times, it seemed like a battle of the bands, as Charlotte and A&T’s band went back-and-forth at one another with the best songs they had.
Charlotte jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but just as quickly, fell behind; as A&T hit three straight three-pointers to jump out to a 9-6 lead with 15:54 left in the opening stanza. Charlotte retook the lead shortly after and lead for a large portion of the rest of the half, until A&T used a 9-2 run to take a 35-32 lead into the break. “Well I thought their guard play was terrific, and you have to commend them on a gutsy performance,” Niner Head Coach Karen Aston said following the loss. “I thought every time we tried to make a run, they answered it. They were just a little bit tougher and more aggressive than us, in particular at the guard position.”
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