Conference Pretenders vs. Contenders

Albany State men, women beat Paine

ALBANY, GA — The Albany State Golden Rams, losers of three straight conference games, looked like they were going to make it four in a row as they trailed Paine by as many as 14 points in the second half, but instead of throwing in the towel, the Rams started throwing the ball in the basket and cut the Paine lead to one point (63-62) with 35 seconds remaining in regulation.

This set up for a game-winning drive and score by Demarcus Blunt with just six second on the clock to give the ASU a 64-63 win.

WSSU Rams pound ECSU Vikings 89-63

Shelton Carter got the rout started for Winston-Salem State and walk-on Ricky Bolton finished it. The Rams played perhaps their best all-around game in Coach Bobby Collins five seasons to thoroughly whip Elizabeth City State 89-63 on Saturday night in front of nearly 3,000 at the Gaines Center.

Carter, a 6-5 senior guard, hit his first nine shots on his way to 29 points and the Rams shot a season-best 66 percent from the field. They were an incredible 33 of 50 from the field for one of the highest shooting percentages in their long and storied history.

Bowie State 67, St. Augustine's 54

Host Bowie State (9-2, 4-0 CIAA) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to defeat the Falcons (3-9, 2-2). St. Aug's led 40-29 with 16 minutes left in the game but made only two field goals the rest of the way. Freshman Joel Kindred scored 13 of his 21 points in the first half for the Falcons. Shaun Washum added 11 points for St. Aug's, and Travis Hyman had 11 rebounds and seven blocked shots.

CLEMENT, WILKERSON PROPEL NCCU EAGLES TO VICTORY OVER COPPIN STATE

BALTIMORE, Md.- The junior-senior duo of Landon Clement (Raleigh, N.C.) and C.J. Wilkerson (Oxford, N.C.) scored a combined 48 points, breaking open a back-and-forth contest in the second half with a 22-8 run in leading North Carolina Central University to the 77-71 win over Coppin State University on Saturday afternoon at the Physical Education Complex in Baltimore, Md.

North Carolina A&T Aggies Cruise To Win Over Howard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Howard came into Saturday's men's basketball game with North Carolina A&T with a few injuries. The Bison is in the midst of a rebuilding stage with first-year head coach Kevin Nickleberry. The Bison is also not shooting the ball well.

The Aggies cruised to a 78-65 victory over Howard at Burr Gymnasium. It gave N.C. A&T (8-9, 3-1) just its second victory in the nation's capital in 13 years.


Videographer: dcheston88

Howard Lady Bison Takes Advantage Of Youthful NCA&T Lady Aggies

WASHINGTON, D.C. - When the makeup of the North Carolina A&T women's basketball team is truly studied, senior Jaleesa Sams is the only player who has played more than two years. Junior College transfer Reisha Bullock sat out last season, therefore, she and Sams are the only two players on the team who played on the team that dominated the MEAC in 2009.

Considering those facts, there aren't too many players on the Aggies team who have actually experienced how good the Aggies have been in the conference over the past four seasons.

Hampton U wins Battle of the Bay

Hampton, VA (WAVY) - Kwame Morgan scored a game-high 20 points, and host Hampton held on late for a 63-56 win over Norfolk State before 5,765 fans on Saturday evening at the HU Convocation Center. Morgan scored 10 points in each half, and Darrion Pellum added 16 for the Pirates (13-4, 3-1 MEAC). Kyle O’Quinn (Jamaica, N.Y.) led NSU with 19 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.


Videographer: nsuathletics, Recap of Battle of the Bay Basketball Game

Morgan State handles Bulldogs for 3rd straight win, 71-55

BALTIMORE, Md. – Aric Brooks scored a game-high 16 points to lead Morgan State to a 71-55 victory over South Carolina State on Saturday night in an ESPN2 nationally televised contest. The Bears recorded their third straight victory and improved to 8-7 overall and remain unblemished in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 4-0 record.

Kevin Thompson added 13 points and DeWayne Jackson had nine points with a career-high 10 rebounds for the Bears, who shot 46.3 percent and avenged a 71-68 home loss to the Bulldogs during last season's ESPNU televised matchup.

Another Big Road Win For B-CU; Cats Down DSU 61-60

DOVER, Del. - CJ Reed could manage just six points Saturday against Delaware State, but, boy, were the last two huge for Bethune-Cookman. Reed sank two free throws with 6.5 seconds remaining to lift the Wildcats to a 61-60 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over the Hornets and give B-CU (9-8,4-0) its first-ever 4-0 start in conference play.

B-CU remained in a first-place tie with Morgan State thanks to its fourth straight victory. All the Wildcat wins have come on the road. "I'm going to savor this win for a few hours," said B-CU Coach Clifford Reed, Jr. "This win a great win for our program and we've shown the poise and heart of a champion to win four on the road."

Maryland Eastern Shore Holds Off Lady Rattlers 64-62

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - The Florida A&M University Women’s Basketball scored 36 second half points, but it was not enough as Maryland Eastern Shore held on for a 64-62 win over the Lady Rattlers, here Saturday afternoon at Hytche Center.

FAMU (6-9, 2-2 MEAC) was paced by Antonia Bennett with a game high 26 points to lead all scorers, followed by Qiana Donald, who finished with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. UMES (4-11, 1-2 MEAC) had a pair of Lady Hawks to finish in double figures as both Kwinnyata Mercer and Chelsea Sanders finished with 15 points each. Mercer led UMES in rebounds with eight boards.

UMES notches first conference victory of season

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Junior Dishawn Bradshaw (Baltimore, Md.) and redshirt junior Hillary Haley (Oxon Hill, Md.) each scored five points during the overtime period to lead the University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team to an 86-81 victory over Florida A&M Saturday.

The win marks the first of the season for UMES in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as the team improves to 4-12 overall and 1-2 in the conference while FAMU falls to 5-11 overall and 0-4 in the MEAC.

WSSU women come up short in overtime

Kenyatta Gill scored 22 points, including five in overtime, as Elizabeth City State won 81-76 at Winston-Salem State on Saturday night. Shaquella Johnson added 12 points for the Vikings (10-4, 3-1 CIAA). Courtney Medley led WSSU (8-6, 3-2) with 20 points, Jasmine Newkirk had 14, and Vontisha Woods 12.

Tennessee State upsets Austin Peay in OT

Wil Peters’ game-winning shot that lifted Tennessee State to its upset overtime victory over Austin Peay was the final nail in the coffin. But there was plenty before then that had the Govs feeling they let an OVC victory slip from their hands with mistakes made late in regulation, and poor play in the first half. The Govs couldn’t hit free throws and were out rebounded in a 76-74 loss to the Tigers on Saturday at Gentry Center.

The loss was the first for Austin Peay (12-6, 6-1) in the OVC, halted its six-game winning streak, and was its second-straight loss to TSU (8-9, 5-2).

SU men edge past UAPB

Julius Ingram was worried. Saturday night, inside a surprisingly lively F.G. Clark Activity Center, Southern’s senior forward had missed three free throws in the closing minutes, and the Jaguars trailed Arkansas-Pine Bluff by two points.

“We were behind, and I’m feeling guilty, because we could’ve been tied at that point,” Ingram said. “But we got a second chance.” And Ingram made up for it with the biggest play of the night.

SU women hold off UAPB

Sandy Pugh praised her Southern women’s basketball team for holding on Saturday against winless Arkansas-Pine Bluff, getting a late layup by Tiffany Foster and two key defensive stops in a 62-59 victory. Past that, she said, there weren’t many positives coming out of the F.G. Clark Activity Center.

“The fans paid money to come watch a good team, and we didn’t look like a decent team,” the Jaguars’ 11th-year coach said. “I was really disappointed in the kids’ effort. They’ve got to pick it up. We’ve got to do a better job. We did too much standing and watching.”

Balanced Attack Leads Panthers To Win Over Grambling

DALLAS, TX - Four players scored in double figures as Prairie View A&M ended its two-game conference slump with a 71-54 win over Grambling State at the Ellis Davis Field House.

Both teams struggled to begin the contest as Grambling State only led 3-2 with 15:04 remaining in the first half. Prairie View’s Brandon Webb ended the scoring drought after a layup at the 12:01 mark but GSU’s Rupert Rose answered with a jumper on the ensuing possession for a 5-4 advantage. From that point, the pace picked up as both teams exchanged leads several times but the Panthers took control and went on a 13-2 run to claim a 24-14 margin with 5:31 left in the half. PV upped its lead to 14 at 31-27 with 3:39 left but GSU made a late run to trim PV’s halftime lead to 35-27.

Tobar, A&M remains perfect with win over ASU

HUNTSVILLE, AL. - Whiquitta Tobar took matters into her own hands late Saturday afternoon. With Alabama A&M clinging to a four-point lead over arch-rival Alabama State with just over two minutes remaining, Tobar decided it was go time.

The 5-foot-7 junior guard scored the Bulldogs' last six points of the game as A&M outlasted ASU 55-50 to stay unbeaten in the Southwestern Athletic Conference before an announced crowd of 2,015 at Elmore Gym.

Alabama A&M 75, Alabama State 60

The Bulldogs got 54 points from their bench and snapped their nine-game losing streak against the Hornets with a convincing victory before an announced crowd of 4,368.

A&M improved to 6-8 overall and 3-2 in league play. ASU fell to 5-13 and 2-3. DeMarquelle Tabb and Jonathan Inman finished with 16 points apiece for the Bulldogs, while Desmond Jackson and Casey Cantey scored 12 and 10 points, respectively. A&M shot 53 percent (27-of-51) from the field, limited ASU to 46 percent shooting (22-of-48) and out rebounded the Hornets 35-22.

MVSU defeats Alcorn State 87-70

LORMAN, Miss. -- D'Angelo Jackson scored 20 points to lead Mississippi Valley State to an 87-70 win over Alcorn State on Saturday. The Delta Devils shot 54.1 percent (33 of 61) for the game, paced by 7-of-12 shooting by Jackson. He was 4 of 6 from 3-point range.

MVSU led 41-30 at halftime and started the second half on an 8-2 run to stretch its lead to 49-32 with 17:43 to play. Alcorn State trimmed the lead to 54-48 with 10:59 remaining, but the Delta Devils pushed the lead to 20 points in the final minutes.

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Alcorn narrows down list of head coaching candidates

THE NEW COACH WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON JANUARY 19TH.

LORMAN, MS — The Alcorn State University Head Football Coach Search Committee has narrowed the list of candidates for head football coach down to three finalists.

The finalists are Fred L. McNair, Melvin Spears Jr. and Dwayne A. White.

McNair, a Mount Olive native and former Braves standout quarterback and 2005 ASU Sports Hall of Fame inductee, is currently assistant coach and offensive coordinator for the 2009 and 2010 1A State Champion Mount Olive Pirates. He also served a five year stint as quarterback and wide receivers coach for the Millsaps Majors and spent 10 years in the Arena Football League as a quarterback.

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Earnest Collins Jr. finalizes University of Northern Colorado football coaching staff

While the University is still ironing out all the details of the contract for Collins, his base salary will be $95,000, pending UNC Board of Trustees approval. The $95,000 was the same amount that former UNC head coach Scott Downing was making before he was fired. Collins had a yearly salary of $140,000 at Alcorn State University.

University of Northern Colorado football coach Earnest Collins Jr. has completed his coaching staff with an offensive and defensive coordinator and the retention of two coaches from the previous staff, the university announced Wednesday.

Offensive coordinator Michael Armour and defensive coordinator Zach Shay come to the Bears from Alcorn State, where they worked under Collins, the Braves’ former head coach.

Collins also retained longtime UNC assistant coach Keith Grable, who will stay on as recruiting coordinator, and will move from running backs coach to wide receivers coach.

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Head coach in NFL a fate fit for Mississippian Leslie Frazier

Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Leslie Frazier

For Leslie Frazier, it became a ritual on road trips that required the Alcorn State University football team to travel by air: Just before the plane taxied toward the runway for takeoff, assistant coach Willie "Rat" McGowan would seek out the all-conference cornerback.

McGowan was scared silly of flying, and he always wanted Frazier praying hard that the jet would reach its destination. So out of a plane full of players, coaches, managers, trainers and school officials, why did he choose Frazier?

"When he spoke, people listened," McGowan says. "So I figured ..." Yes, he figured God would listen to Frazier a little more closely than anyone else.

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Success adds to recruiting focus at Fort Valley State

Fort Valley State has gone 7-4 and 8-3 the past two seasons, giving head coach Donald Pittman an impressive 15-7 record. Add to the fact that the Wildcats have only a two-year-old stadium, and it would be easy to think that recruiting is getting a little easier. “Never,” Pittman said with a chuckle. “Never.”

While most fans are tuned in to the heat put on big-name coaches like Mark Richt at Georgia, it stays pretty warm on the Division II level. “The pressures of it is the last two (head) coaches didn’t make it past their third year here,” Pittman said, referring to John Morgan and Deondri Clark. “After the last two years, more is expected of us.”

The 2010 season ended on a sour note with two losses, 12-7 to Albany State and 20-9 to Saint Augustine’s in the Pioneer Bowl.



Videographer: SIACSPORTS

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Johnson-Danner leads TSU men past Jackson State

A balanced group of scorers has been the key to Texas Southern’s strong start in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

That group came up big again in Saturday’s ESPN2-televised showdown against Jackson State.

TSU got double-digit scoring from four players and clamped down on defense in the final two minutes to escape with a 66-62 victory before a crowd of 1,132 at the H&PE Arena. TSU (6-9, 4-0) won its fourth straight game and moved into sole possession of first place in the SWAC.

TSU Tigers Stay Perfect at 4-0

The Texas Southern Tigers stay perfect in conference play after beating their toughest SWAC opponent so far this season before a national TV audience on ESPN2. TSU defeated Jackson State 66-62 to become the only unbeaten team in the conference.

The Tigers took the lead from the tip off and played strong for the first six minutes of the game. TSU held a 13-2 advantage with 14:42 on the clock. Jackson State put together a 10-0 run to get within one point of Texas Southern’s lead (13-12). TSU got back into their rhythm and worked their way to a 12 point lead with 56 seconds left in the first half. The TSU Tigers ended the period up 31-21.

TSU gave up some ground in the second half but kept an 8 point advantage with 9 minutes on the clock. Jackson State made another run and TSU fought back to stay up 57-49. J-State came back again and tied the game 58-58 with just over 3 minutes left to play. TSU fell behind briefly but regain the lead on a layup and follow-up free-throw by Daniel King at the 1:28 minute mark (63-61). The TSU Tigers never trailed again and picked up a 4 point win.

Four TSU Tigers scored in double figures. Lawrence Johnson-Danner led the way with 15 points and four steals. Kevin Galloway had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks. Harrison Smith had 13 points while Travelle Jones had 12. King finished the night with 9 points and six rebounds.

Texas Southern will host Grambling State on Monday at 8:00 pm in the H&PE Arena.

Author: Rodney Bush, Texas Southern University Sports Information Director

First Annual Cleveland Classic Football Game books North Carolina Central Eagles vs. Central State (Oh.) Marauders

Cleveland, OH – The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced at a press conference on January 12, 2011 that they will launch its first annual Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s football game on September 10, 2011 when Central State University Marauders will battle North Carolina Central University Eagles at Cleveland Browns Stadium at noon.

The Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s is more than just a football game and will include an entire weekend of festivities and events for all ages while celebrating premier historically black universities.


Videographer: chicagomarchingbands

"I would like to welcome the Cleveland Classic back home! It's another example of people choosing to host their events in Cleveland. Our downtown sports venues, superb theater district and top of the line restaurants are just a few of the amenities that truly offer a uniquely Cleveland experience,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson, City of Cleveland.

The weekend festivities will begin with a College and Career Fair and a Greek Step Show on Friday, September 9th On Saturday, September 10th, a free tailgate party will energize the community and crowd prior to the noon kickoff at Cleveland Browns Stadium. The game will also include a dynamic Key Bank Marching Bank Half-time Show. The Cleveland Classic weekend is estimated to provide an economic impact of several million dollars to the local region.


Videographer: Music213

“The development of the annual Cleveland Classic presented by McDonald’s serves as an exciting, catalytic and economically beneficial event for Northeast Ohio. It’s a phenomenal weekend full of events with unique cultural opportunities for all ages. We’re very excited about the match up and look forward to an amazing Classic weekend,” said David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

Tickets to the Cleveland Classic football game are now on sale through Ticketmaster and start at $15. FOX Sports Ohio is the official television sponsor of the Cleveland Classic game and will air it live in High Definition. As the area’s leading provider of local sports programming, FOX Sports Ohio reaches more than five million households in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, western Pennsylvania, western New York and West Virginia.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.clevelandclassicfootball.com.

FAMU A.D. Derek Horne's Rattler Progress Report

You will want to watch the exclusive interviews (see below) conducted by Tallahassee WCTV's Elton Gumbel with Florida A&M University athletic director Derek Horne. I can honestly say that the RattlerNation is well pleased with Horne's actions to raise the bar on Rattler athletics.

Yes, we know the Rattlers men basketball program need some serious attention, but that's coming with the completion of the present coaching staff contracts.

When the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., finalizes negotiations with Southern University to be the 2011 classic opponent for FAMU, the football schedule will have some great new flavor, with Fort Valley State (SIAC), University of South Florida (Big East), North Carolina Central (MEAC) and possibly Southern (SWAC).

The FVSU Wildcats finished 8-2 in 2010, and will be an exciting season opener for FVSU's eighth president, Dr. Larry E. Rivers on his return to the hill. Dr. Rivers previously served as one of two FAMU “distinguished university professor” and dean of the FAMU College of Arts and Sciences. We will talk more about the schedule later.

Now, back to Derek Hornes and his perspectives on where he is leading the Rattlers athletic programs.

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Just a few years ago the FAMU Rattlers' athletic road seemed to be full of speed bumps and maybe even a few wrong turns. But now their Wahnish Way is brighter and brighter by the day. For the last 149 days (and counting), Quitman, Georgia native Derek Horne has been settling into his role as athletic director.

Having the Rattlers win a MEAC football title just 4 months into the job helps make the new gig easier... But now that FAMU has transitioned from football and started putting the focus on Winter and Spring sports, the new leader has had a little bit of time to sit back and evaluate the state of the program. Safe to say, he likes what he sees.

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Please Click Each Title below to view WCTV Video Interview

FAMU's Derek Horne on FAMU Optimism
FAMU's Derek Horne Unplugged
FAMU's Derek Horne on Spring Sports
FAMU's Derek Horne on Atlanta Classic Changes
FAMU's Derek Horne on First 4 Months as A.D.

WSSU rallies to beat Chowan

Winston-Salem State’s new uniforms were nearly a bust. The Rams had to rally from a 13-point deficit on Thursday night at a packed Gaines Center but did enough to hold off upstart Chowan 65-62. Chowan didn’t look at all like a team that was 1-9 coming into the game.

“How many times can I tell my guys that every team in this league is going to give us their best shot?” a sweat-soaked Coach Bobby Collins of the Rams said afterward. “(Chowan) was very good, and they made us play their style.”

What the Hawks did to the Rams (9-2, 3-1 CIAA) was use an effective halfcourt trap that had the Rams running in circles most of the night. The Hawks went on a 14-4 run to start the second half and with 16:45 left had what appeared to be a comfortable 13-point lead.

Transfer worked out for Medley, WSSU

Turning around a program is never easy, but junior Courtney Medley, a transfer from Elon, is doing all she can to help the Winston-Salem State women's basketball team.

Medley leads the team in scoring with an average of 14.4 points and has been a big reason Coach Steve Joyner Jr.'s first WSSU team has been able to escape the losing ways of recent seasons.

"She's definitely stepped up to be a leader, especially when you talk about scoring and being aggressive on the offensive end," Joyner said. "I kind of tease her that she needs to do that a little more on the defensive end, but for right now, she's meeting all of my expectations."

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Lady DSU Hornets Go to Overtime to Defeat UMES

Dover, Del. --- Tasia Bristow came off the bench to lead five Delaware State players in double figures with 15 points in the Lady Hornets' 74-69 overtime victory against Maryland-Eastern Shore in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball contest in Memorial Hall Thursday evening.

DSU won for the third time in four games to improve to 5-9 overall and 1-1 in the MEAC. The Lady Hawks fell to 3-11 and 0-2. Kianna D'Oliveira and Brittany Washington had 12 points each, while Kianna Conner tallied 11 and Ashley Thompson 10 for the Lady Hornets.

Latoya Buckner scored a game-high 20 points to lead UMES. Buckner's performance included 5-of-5 shooting from three-point territory. Casey Morton and Shanyce Stewart had 12 points each for the Lady Hawks.

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JCSU Golden Bulls struggle, but put LU Lions away

J.C. Smith's rusty, but resilient.

The Golden Bulls won their sixth straight game Wednesday with a 69-61 CIAA victory against Lincoln (Pa.) at Grady Cole Center. Smith (8-4, 4-0 CIAA) struggled to put the Lions away in a game that was postponed from Monday because of weather.

Ultimately, the backcourt combination of Trevin Parks (29 points) and James Otey (17 points) were enough to compensate for Ronald Thornhill's 0-for-6 shooting and Lincoln's (1-9, 0-3) upset bid.

JCSU Men Slip Past Lincoln, Women Improve to 10-0

Sparked by Trevin Parks and James Otey, Johnson C. Smith withstood a furious comeback to defeat Lincoln (Pa.) in a CIAA contest at Grady Cole Center in Charlotte Wednesday.

Parks scored 29 points, including 16 in the second half, and Otey added 17 points for the Golden Bulls (8-4, 4-0), who built up a lead as large as 19 points (42-23) in the first half. They settled for a 42-26 halftime lead after getting 13 points from Parks and 12 from Otey in that first half.

Women: Johnson C. Smith 68, Lincoln (Pa.) 57

Overcoming poor field goal shooting with tenacious defense, the Golden Bulls stayed perfect on the season by downing the Lady Lions.

JCSU scored 25 points off 28 Lincoln turnovers and also had 21 second-chance points, courtesy of a 23-11 edge in offensive rebounding.

LaQwesha Gamble led the Golden Bulls (10-0, 3-0) with 12 points. Shakeena Cunningham and Shavonda Price each had 11 points, while Brittane Neely grabed 10 rebounds.

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Florida Tuskers done with Orlando and moving to Norfolk

Norfolk Destroyers General Manager Doug Williams will receive relocation Florida Tuskers

The Florida Tuskers organization announced they were relocating from Orlando to Norfolk Wednesday afternoon. The Tuskers (5-3) advanced their second consecutive UFL championship game this season, where they lost to the Las Vegas Locomotives.

Norfolk was originally announced as an expansion team for the UFL, but will now be treated as a relocation with Orlando being the lucky team.

According to a former spokesperson for the Tuskers, Tuskers coach Jay Gruden will remain the head coach. Gruden doesn’t have to look far for a Florida connection as Norfolk’s general manager is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers pro scouting coordinator Doug Williams. Former Florida Tuskers President and Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann will serve as a consultant to the UFL.

Jay Gruden to Coach the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League

Gruden’s move comes as a result of the UFL ceasing operations in Orlando and the coaching vacancy that was created when JOE MOGLIA was named head coach of the Omaha Nighthawks. Gruden plans to retain the Tusker’s protected players and bring them to Virginia, which became the league’s newest expansion market in 2010.

“We will bring quality entertainment and the basis of a solid roster that has reached the last two Championship Games to excite the fans in Virginia,” said Coach Gruden. “I expect to bring back a lot of the guys who have helped make the team a success and believe we will be competitive again.

“I am excited about going up to Virginia to lead the Destroyers, though there is a bittersweet element as well. We have enjoyed success on the field with the Tuskers and I would like to thank the fans in Florida for their support.”

HBCU Players on Current Team Roster

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Shoes for Haiti: North Carolina Central basketball coach spurs collection drive

LeVelle Moton, the N.C. Central men's basketball coach, has been haunted by Haiti for much of his life. Moton knows his father, Frankie, was from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, but that is about all he knows about his dad. "I wasn't close to him," Moton said. "He was never there for me. To tell you the truth, I've never spoken to him. Your guess is as good as mine if he is deceased."

But Moton hasn't turned his back on his father's homeland. The earthquakes in Haiti one year ago today refocused Moton on his link to the country and his feelings about his absent father.



"As you get older, a certain amount of resentment builds when your father hasn't been a part of your life," Moton said. "I want to give back to the community anyway. Because of my background I know how important that is, and when I heard about the shoes for Haiti, I knew I wanted to be a part. Getting involved with this has helped me let go of the resentment."

Moton was referring to his role as spokesman for Share Our Shoes (SOS), a Raleigh-based organization that collects new and used shoes to redistribute where they are needed. He got involved after seeing a video on the SOS Web site about the group's efforts in Haiti.

"There was this little girl with no shoes - no, actually she had half of one shoe," Moton recalled. "When I saw that, I knew that I had to do something to help. It broke my heart."

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LINK: SHAREOURSHOES

Fort Valley State University In Familiar Territory

The Fort Valley State Women's Basketball team is in familiar territory; sitting near the top of the SIAC standings, after being picked to win the conference.

Lonnie Bartley's team is 6-1 in league play, tied for second with Albany State. The Lady Wildcats returned 10 players this year, including preseason all-conference selection Kendra Evans. That's why coach says his team was picked to win the SIAC.

Bartley isn't so quick to call the conference crown theirs to lose, especially after last year's quarterfinal loss in the SIAC tourney. FVSU has also gotten off to a relatively slow start, at 8-5 on the year.



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Hampton University names Willie Snead III as its new offensive coordinator

Willie Snead III is Hampton University's new offensive coordinator, replacing Fred Kaiss, who was not retained after last season.

Snead comes to HU from Muskegon Heights High School in Michigan. He was head coach there for two years, compiling a 16-8 record with one trip to the state semifinals. In 2008, he coached Holland Christian to a state championship, also in Michigan.

Kaiss was offensive coordinator at HU from 2001 to 2006 before leading the offense at Tennessee State through the 2009 season. His return to Hampton wasn't successful. Last year, the Pirates averaged 17.5 points per game, 103rd out of 117 FCS teams and down from 2009's average of 19.5. HU's average of 301.7 yards per game ranked 93rd, and its 156 passing yards were 94th.


Videographer: snead84; Fast Break No Huddle football by Willie L. Snead III

The Snead file

◦Who: Willie Snead III, 44.
◦What: New Muskegon Heights varsity football coach and teacher.
◦Family: Wife Sofia; sons Willie Snead IV (18) and Isaiah Snead (13); daughter Taylor Snead (15).

◦Coaching background: Snead comes to Muskegon Heights after leading Holland Christian to a 14-0 season and the 2008 Division 4 state championship in his only season with the Maroons. Snead compiled a three-year record of 36-6 at his alma mater, Glades Central High School (Florida), and captured the Class 3A state championship in 2006. He also produced winning teams at Blanche Ely High School (Pompano Beach, Fla.), Mount Carmel High School (San Diego, Calif.) and Lake Forest High School (Lake Forest, Ill.).

◦Playing background: Snead played wide receiver for Coach Galen Hall at the University of Florida. He was drafted by the New York Jets and played two seasons for the Jets and Houston Oilers. He also played in the Canadian Football League and World Football League.

• Notable: Snead employs the exciting spread offense, which should be a nice fit for the athletic players at Hampton University.

Muskegon Heights football coach Willie Snead III resigns, takes job as Hampton University assistant

Muskegon Heights High School has begun the search for a new varsity football coach after Willie Snead III resigned on Thursday.

Athletic Director Keith Guy said Snead submitted his resignation and has accepted a job as offensive coordinator at Hampton University in Hampton, Va. Hampton, a school of about 5,000 students, is a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-AA).

Snead came to Muskegon Heights in 2009 after leading Holland Christian to a state championship in 2008. At Heights, he compiled a two-year record of 16-8 with two playoff appearances, including a trip to the 2009 Division 5 state semifinals.


Coach son, QB Willie Snead IV has verbally committed to Div. IA - Ball State.

Football coach Willie Snead leaves Muskegon Heights

Muskegon Heights, Mich. (WZZM-TV) - After two successful seasons on the Muskegon Heights sidelines, Willie Snead III is leaving to take an assistant position at Hampton University in Virginia. Muskegon Heights athletic director Keith Guy confirmed Snead's resignation Friday morning.

"I think the program is better than it was two years ago," says Guy. "I think it was a huge shot in the arm for this community and this football program and our school. But life goes on. I think it's been proven over the last couple of years that we have the athletes. We just have to have the right leader and that's my job to go out and try to find the person that can take us to the next level and that's what we're going to do."

Snead led Muskegon Heights to 16 wins in two seasons including two playoff berths and a state semi-final appearance in 2009. He also led Holland Christian to an unbeaten state title season in 2008. Snead's son Willie Snead IV earned a football scholarship to Ball State University in Indiana.



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Maxey, JSU Tigers put clamps on Southern Jaguars

Two days after scoring its most points in a conference game in eight years, Jackson State delivered another impressive performance - this time, on the defensive end.

Grant Maxey had his first double-double in nearly two years - re-emerging for the Tigers at the right time - and Jackson State whipped Southern 73-49 Monday night, pushing its Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season win streak to 17 games and showing the home crowd it can also play some defense.

"I think our defense is getting better," JSU coach Tevester Anderson said. "We played awesome defense the first 20 minutes."

Southern women edge Jackson State

JACKSON, Miss. — Hannah Kador and the Southern women’s basketball team had both been in an ugly shooting slump. Monday night at Jackson State, they both warmed up when they absolutely needed to.

The Jaguars set a season high by shooting 50 percent from the floor, and Kador was 3-for-6 in the second-half — including the game-winning shot, a short jumper that gave Southern a 63-61 victory Monday night over Jackson State.

It was a happy ending to an otherwise rough game for the Jaguars (6-8, 3-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference). Tiffany Foster and Ashley Augerson, both seniors, weren’t available for the final horn. Foster fouled out, and Augerson suffered a broken nose during the first half.

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Atlanta Classic drops Tennessee State University from 2011 schedule; FAMU to face Southern Jaguars

A.D. Teresa L. Philips

Low attendance by Tigers fans cited as reason

Tennessee State Athletics Director Teresa Phillips said the Tigers will not play in the Atlanta Football Classic next season for the first time since 1994, and she hopes to replace the September game with a Football Bowl Subdivision or a "prominent" Football Championship Subdivision opponent.

TSU, an FCS team, has played Florida A&M in the past nine Atlanta Football Classics at the Georgia Dome and was involved in 17 of the 19 games since 1989.

Phillips said she became aware several weeks ago that officials from the Atlanta Football Classic were negotiating with Southern University as an opponent for Florida A&M to replace TSU. She received official word last week that the Tigers would not be invited back.

TSU Tigers Will Not Play In Atlanta Classic in 2011

Tennessee State University Athletic Director Teresa Phillips has released the tentative 2011 football schedule without the Atlanta Classic against perennial opponent, Florida A&M University.

"The Atlanta Classic is sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and they decided to bring in another opponent to face Florida A&M," said Phillips. “We are in active negotiations to schedule an FBS or prominent FCS team to replace that game this year.” She concluded saying, “We expect to complete our schedule by the end of the month.”

The Tigers and Rattlers have played each other for twenty-eight consecutive years with FAMU holding a 26-25-1 edge in the all-time series. TSU beat FAMU 29-18 last year in Atlanta in front of a crowd of 54,202.

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Texas Southern Freshman develops into threat

Texas Southern Coach Tony Harvey

Contributing role suits TSU's Johnson-Danner

Texas Southern redshirt freshman guard Lawrence Johnson-Danner was thrust into a prominent role early in the season when three key players were sidelined because of compliance issues.

Forward Travele Jones and guards Harrison Smith and Justin Ray have since returned after missing a quarter of the schedule, but Johnson-Danner remains one of the Tigers' most important contributors.

Johnson-Danner played a big role in Saturday's 58-51 victory over Prairie View A&M, scoring 13 points and hitting four free throws during the final 1:19 that allowed the Tigers to win their third straight game and improve to 5-9 and 3-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

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PVAMU Staff Expected to be Finalized on Wednesday

Staff decisions to be made

Prairie View football coach Heishma Northern said he expects to have his staff completed by the conclusion of the American Football Coaches Association Convention, which began Sunday and ends Wednesday in Dallas.

Northern, who is attending the convention, still has to find an offensive coordinator, running backs coach and defensive coordinator, the position he held for the last six seasons before replacing former coach Henry Frazier III on Dec. 13.

He said he'll likely end up promoting one of the current defensive assistants to coordinator while retaining the responsibility for calling the defensive plays.

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Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Set to Rock Atlanta

More than 60,000 fans will flock through the gates of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome on January 29th, 2011 to witness the 9th annual Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, an unparalleled performance and celebration of the nation’s elite marching bands. Renowned Hip-Hop performer and actor “Bow Wow” will join more than 1,800 student musicians and one of Atlanta’s best amateur vocalists to celebrate the music and creativity found at America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).



The Invitational Showcase Line-Up

For the highly anticipated 2011 showdown, the curtain will go up promptly at 3:00 p.m. EST. The bill includes a special guest performance by “Bow Wow,” along with crowd-pleasing routines by the nation’s top eight elite black college marching bands. Georgia’s own Albany State University will open the show and lead this year’s “great eight” performances in the following order:

1. Albany State University “Marching Rams Show Band”
2. Tennessee State University “Aristocrat of Bands”
3. Virginia State University “Trojan Explosion Marching Band”
4. Clark Atlanta University “Mighty Marching Panthers”
5. Jackson State University “The Sonic Boom of the South”
6. Winston-Salem State University “Red Sea of Sound”
7. South Carolina State University “Marching 101”
8. Bethune Cookman University “Marching Wildcats”



Grants, Internships, and More

The Honda Battle of the Bands program not only provides a platform to shine a rare spotlight on the pageantry, pride and showmanship of HBCU music and culture, but it also is the only national music scholarship program of its kind. For the 2011 program, 45 HBCU marching bands participated in the pre-qualifying “Celebration Tour,” and received $1,000 grants for their music programs. An additional $20,000 will be awarded to the eight institutions selected to participate in this month’s Invitational Showcase.

In addition to the distribution of grant monies, the program also includes internship opportunities through the Fox Music Experience, and an HBCU Recruitment Fair will expose future college students to all HBCUs have to offer. The Fox Music Experience, now in its fourth year, provides one HBOB Invitational Showcase student-musician the opportunity to spend a few weeks during the summer months as an intern at Twentieth Century Fox studios in Los Angeles, learning film and television music production first-hand. The Honda Battle of the Bands HBCU Recruitment Fair, now in its sixth year, gives young people the opportunity to meet with marching band and admissions recruiters to discuss admissions requirements and scholarship opportunities.

Group and individual tickets for the show are still available, but moving quickly. They can be purchased at the Georgia Dome Box Office, via www.Ticketmaster.com or www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com for just $10 and $12.



For more information on the Invitational Showcase, Fox Music Experience summer internship program and HBCU Recruitment Fair, photos, press materials and video footage visit www.HondaBattleoftheBands.com, the official online destination and clearinghouse for all HBOB information.

Hip-Hop Icon “Bow Wow” to Perform

Hip-Hop artist and actor “Bow Wow” will be on hand as the special guest performer this year. The Columbus, Ohio native is best known for his musical lineage, taking his stage name from his mentor, fellow rapper-actor “Snoop Dog,” Bow Wow’s film credits include The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Lottery Ticket. He is also noted for his cameo appearances in the critically-acclaimed television series, “Smallville,” “Ugly Betty,” “Entourage” and others.



Amateur Vocalists Welcomed To Audition for National Anthem

The Honda Battle of the Bands national anthem will be performed by a talented local vocalist selected once through a promotional radio “sing-off.” WVEE-FM, or “V-103,” Atlanta’s top-ranked urban radio station, is partnering with the Honda Battle of the Bands once again to invite listeners 16 years of age or older to demonstrate their vocal skills for a once–in-a-lifetime opportunity to open the 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase. This year, three finalists will be selected by a panel of judges at the open audition on Saturday, January 8th, 2011 at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia, Georgia. Music fans can then log on to the station's web site and vote for their favorite rendition of the national anthem. The winner will be announced on-air on January 21st, 2011, and he or she will command the spotlight to open the showcase on January 29th.

Morgan Bears Roll Past Howard, 75-62

MSU Coach Todd Bozeman

BALTIMORE, Md. -- Kevin Thompson recorded his seventh double-double of the season by halftime, and finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds to help lead Morgan State to a 75-62 home victory against Beltway rival Howard on Saturday.

Aric Brooks matched his season-high by scoring 17 points, including 10-for-10 shooting from the free throw line with four assists. With the win the Bears improved to 6-7 overall and 2-0 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The win also improved Todd Bozeman's record to 39-7 (.848) inside the confines of Hill Field House.

“Every win in Division I is a good win, especially a conference win,” said Morgan State coach Todd Bozemen. “Starting off 2-0 in the conference is a good thing, we just want to take it one game at a time.”

MORGAN STATE’S INSIDE PRESENCE AND DEPTH THE DIFFERENCE

Baltimore, MD—January 8---Mike Phillips poured in a game- and career-high 25 points and Dadrian Collins contributed 14, but it was not enough to offset the depth as Morgan State downed Howard, 75-62 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Hill Fieldhouse.

It appeared as though Phillips would single handedly lead the Bison to victory when he scored 12 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in the first 20 minutes. But the Bears (6-7 overall, 2-0 in the MEAC) parlayed the power of Kevin Thompson and Ameer Ali, who combined for 18 points and 14 rebounds and their bench into a 47-33 halftime lead.

The undermanned Bison (2-12 overall, 0-2 in the MEAC) battled the defending champs despite foul trouble. Morgan State Coach Todd Bozeman went to his bench early and often and it paid dividends.

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Virginia State Lady Trojans win in OT over Shaw Lady Bears

ETTRICK, VA - If the Virginia State women's basketball team was going to reach its lofty goals for the season, the team from Ettrick needed to find a way to rebound after a 63-53 home loss to Winston-Salem State on Thursday.

That is exactly what VSU did in a 74-68 overtime victory over CIAA foe Shaw on Saturday at Daniel Gymnasium. The defending Eastern Division champions overcame an uninspiring shooting performance by outrebounding the Lady Bears 58-44.

The victory meant a little more to VSU coach James Hill, who was an assistant coach on three Shaw CIAA championship teams. Now in his fifth season with VSU, Hill said locking horns with Shaw coach Jacques Curtis still has a special feel.

TAYLOR'S DOUBLE DOUBLE POWERS VSU IN OT WIN

Senior guard, Rhon’Neisha Taylor matched her career best of 23 points in a 74-68 OT win over the Lady Bears of Shaw University in Daniel Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 8. Taylor scored 23 points in back to back CIAA conference games and recorded 11 rebounds. Junior, Pamela Muldrow led the team with 6 assists and Betty Appiah and Mariame Sylla both grabbed 9 rebounds apiece.

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Southern Jaguars rally falls short at Grambling State

Southern University Coach Sandy Pugh

It happened again. In keeping with a decade-long pattern, the Southern men’s basketball team played hard at Grambling on Saturday night. In fact, the Jaguars needed only one or two strong possessions to overtake their archrival on the road. They simply didn’t get what they needed.

Southern’s wild second-half rally fell just short when after Blake Sanford missed two 3-pointers with less than 1:30 remaining, helping the Tigers hold on for a 61-57 victory Saturday night before a crowd of 1,387 at the Grambling Assembly Center.

“First of all, we got behind big, and we spotted them too many points,” SU sixth-year coach Rob Spivery said.

Poor execution costs SU against Grambling

GRAMBLING — Another year. Another trip to Grambling. Another disappointment. Missing shots and failing to execute its halfcourt offense with much success Saturday night, the Southern women’s basketball team suffered a surprising 48-43 loss against Grambling on Saturday night, one that snapped the Jaguars’ two-game win streak to begin Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

It was certainly not what 11th-year coach Sandy Pugh expected.  “Look. I mean, we just didn’t ... I mean, this was one of those games where you say, ‘you’ve got to be kidding,’” said Pugh, who described herself as “frustrated” after the game.

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JSU Tigers blast winless Braves, extend SWAC run

JSU Coach Tevester Anderson

It was the week before Christmas when Tyrone Hanson knew his 3-point shot had to change. His flick of the wrist needed an adjustment. His stroke of the arm warranted a modification. Said Hanson: "I just figured out my shot."

Boy, did he. Hanson made six of eight 3-pointers and Jackson State pounded Alcorn State 90-64 Saturday evening, winning a seventh straight game over the rival Braves and scoring its most points in a regulation Southwestern Athletic Conference game in eight years.

The win gave the Tigers (7-8, 3-0 SWAC) a third straight victory. And JSU has now scored at least 80 points against Alcorn (0-13, 0-3) in seven of the last eight meetings with the Braves.

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CIAA Basketball: Livingstone 82, Lincoln 60

One knockout punch should have been enough for the Livingstone men’s basketball team Saturday night. But it a took a second haymaker — delivered late in the second half — to drop visiting Lincoln University to the canvas in an 82-60 CIAA victory.

“The first time we got the big lead we didn’t bury them like we should have,” LC forward Darius Cox said at Trent Gym, where the Blue Bears (5-3, 1-1) snapped a two-game losing streak. “We weren’t very good at using the clock and working for high-percentage shots. And on defense we didn’t make them work for their buckets.”

Winning coach James Stinson wasn’t exactly turning cartwheels after Livingstone earned its first conference win. He was upset that his team team allowed a 21-point second-half lead to shrink to 66-57 with 4:31 remaining.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE 77, VIRGINIA UNION 48

Tiffany Clarke scored 10 points, but VUU (0-8, 0-1 CIAA) fell to Winston-Salem (7-4, 3-0), which was led by Courtney Medley's 16 points.

SAINT AUGUSTINE'S 67, SAINT PAUL'S 43

Jasmine Stewart scored 10 points, but Saint Paul's (1-8, 0-3 CIAA) shot only 25 percent from the field and lost to Saint Augustine's (8-4, 2-0).

JOHNSON C. SMITH 60, ELIZABETH CITY STATE 52

Shavonda Price scored 18 for the Golden Bulls (9-0, 2-0 CIAA), who used a 14-4 second-half run to win at Elizabeth City State (8-4, 1-1).

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SIAC Basketball: Fort Valley State Lady Wildcats top Albany State Lady Rams

Kendra Evans doesn’t care much for sitting on the bench. But after picking up two early fouls in the first half, that’s exactly what she did Saturday against Albany State. But the second half was a different story.

Evans spearheaded an 11-0 run to start the second half, scoring seven points and giving the Lady Wildcats the lead, and then she came up with two steals and two assists in the final three minutes to lead her team to a come from behind 74-69 win. The win improves the Lady Wildcats to 6-1 in the SIAC, while it was the Lady Rams’ first loss in the conference.

Stillman rallies past Claflin

ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Senior point guard Rakee Anderson scored 32 points on Saturday, and the Stillman College men's basketball team rallied to defeat Claflin 75-75 in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game. Stillman, 6-3 overall and 5-2 in league play, trailed 43-31 at halftime. Anderson started the second half by nailing three 3-point shots.

He went 10-for-17 from the field, 8-for-11 on 3-point tries and 4-for-6 from the foul line. He also had three assists and two rebounds. Senior LaJay Sears, a guard and forward, added 13 points. He collected seven rebounds and had five assists and two steals. Guard Lee Riley had 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. Center Kevin Johnson, who scored eight points, grabbed six rebounds.

KSU takes doubleheader from Paine College

It took two overtimes to finish, but the Kentucky State men’s basketball team overcame a 15-point deficit to defeat Paine College 94-87 at Carter Gymnasium in Augusta, Ga. on Saturday. The win moves the Thorobreds to 7-1 on the season with the same record in the SIAC.

KSU managed to keep it close until the 4:45 mark of the first half, when their 24-23 deficit became a 35-23 lead for Paine following a 11-0 run by the Lions to end the half. The teams were relatively even at the midway point, as both squads pulled down 17 rebounds. However, two fewer turnovers for KSU didn’t translate into a lead for the Thorobreds, who committed nine to Paine’s 11.

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Hampton Keeps Coppin Winless In MEAC

BALTIMORE -- Kwame Morgan scored 17 points, including a pair of key 3-pointers in the second half, as Hampton defeated Coppin State 67-59 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game on Saturday.

The lead changed hands five times in the first 2:10 of the second half. Jordan Ellis hit a pair of 3-pointers and Akeem Ellis one for Coppin State, and Morgan and Brandon Tunnell connected for the Pirates (12-3, 2-0).

After the Eagles (5-8, 0-2) took their final lead of the game, Morgan sank another 3 to put Hampton on top 44-43 with 13:39 remaining. That began a 14-2 run that included two dunks by Koron Reed and gave the Pirates a 55-45 advantage with 9:48 left.

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NC A&T Wins At Home Against FAMU 82-72

Greensboro, NC - The Florida A&M University Rattlers, with only eight players dressed, stood firm against the MEAC's leading team. The North Carolina A&T State University Aggies, faltered against the Rattlers, but held on to seal the victory with a solid shooting performance in the second half.

The Rattlers were led in scoring by Avery Moore, who put up 23 points, including five three-pointers. Moore was the leading scorer for the game. Amin Stevens dropped in 19 points for the Rattlers and scraped the boards for 13 rebounds. Yannick Crowder grabbed 10 boards.

FAMU basketball teams defeated at North Carolina A&T

The Florida A&M men's and women's basketball teams were defeated by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, N.C. on Saturday. In the women's game, the Aggies jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first seven minutes, which wound up being too much for the Rattlers to overcome.

FAMU got within four with 45 seconds remaining, but N.C. A&T closed the game out, 75-71, with stingy defense. Tameka McKelton led FAMU with 17 points. Antonia Bennett had 15 and Shekeira Copeland finished with 14. Qiana Donald led FAMU with 10 rebounds.

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Doug Williams’ son commits to play at Grambling State

He lived in Tampa, Fla., where his dad first played pro football. He lived in Grambling, where his dad played, coached and became one of Grambling’s most celebrated legends. He has the same name. So, yes, D.J. Williams knows what it’s like to live in Doug Williams’ long shadow. Evidently, he’s very comfortable with that.

Doug Williams III, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback known to everyone as D.J., has committed to play next season at Grambling, saying he has no problem with the added pressure of being the son of a campus legend. “I mean, I’ve been handling it my whole life,” he said. “I’ve got the same exact name as him. The comparisons start from there.

“It’s pressure, but it’s nothing I can’t deal with.”

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Rutgers RB Casey Turner Transfers to Florida A&M

Promising running back Casey Turner of Jacksonville, Fla., who did not play as a true freshman last year, announced his decision to transfer to Florida A&M.

Turner, a highly regarded 5-11, 190 pounder, never got the chance to play because of persistent groin problems. Turner redshirted in 2010 after suffering a groin injury before the season opener with Norfolk State.

He rushed for 2,232 yards and 31 touchdowns as a high school senior and was viewed as Rutgers' running back of the future. Coming out of Edward H. White High School, he was timed in 4.45 seconds for the 40-yard dash and rushed for 1,950 yards as a junior. Turner was ranked as a 3-star running back by Rival.com.

He committed to Florida International in the fall 2009, committed to Rutgers in December (2009) and then committed to North Carolina in January 2010. He flipped back to the Scarlet Knights the night before signing day.

Turner is expected to compete for the starting running back position vacated by Rattlers' graduating senior Phillip Sylvester.

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WSSU wears down Virginia Union

RICHMOND, Va. -- As Andrew Jackson and the rest of the his Winston-Salem State teammates skipped into the locker room after dispatching Virginia Union 59-54 Saturday night, they couldn't help but brag.

"We are deep," Jackson said as he high-fived a bystander. And the rest of the Rams agreed as their solid 10-man rotation wore down the Panthers. The Rams got 17 points from Shelton Carter, who had one of his better games of the season, and 14 more from Jackson as they picked apart a zone defense that usually is one of the CIAA's best.

The Panthers (3-4, 1-1 CIAA) employ an extended 2-3 zone to make teams shoot over them, but the Rams penetrated it at key times and never were really threatened after building an 11-point lead at halftime.

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Ex-SMU QB Mitchell leads Eastern Washington to FCS title at Pizza Hut Park

FRISCO, TX – Bo Levi Mitchell completed his journey from SMU's bench to national champion Friday night, covering Eastern Washington's crowning moment with his signature drama. Mitchell threw three touchdown passes in the final 16 minutes, 48 seconds, as the Eagles stunned Delaware, 20-19, in the FCS national title game at Pizza Hut Park.

His 11-yard pass to a leaping Brandon Kaufman in the back of the end zone tied the score, 19-19, with 2:47 to play. Mike Jarrett's extra point gave the Eagles their first lead, and the defense stopped the Blue Hens on a fourth-and-10 play at their 39 to give Eastern Washington (13-2) its first title.

"To come full circle like this, this is all I could ask for," said Mitchell, a junior from Katy, Texas. "All I wanted to do was play. All my life I wanted to win a national championship. I'm glad I'm here."


Videographer:cityoffriscotx - Speaker: Everson Walls, Grambling State University/Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl Champion

Glorious homecoming for EWU's Mitchell

Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - Friday night, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made a rare visit to Frisco, Texas. The University of Delaware alumnus' trip proved to be in vain, however, as his Blue Hens fell, 20-19, to Eastern Washington in the Football Championship Subdivision title game.

Biden's attendance added a certain cache to the event. Local newscasters documented his arrival as secret service agents moved stolidly through the mass of tailgating fans. On this night, though, the V.P. was overshadowed by Eastern Washington and M.O.P Bo Levi Mitchell, who guided the Eagles to a stunning comeback victory.

Mitchell, who has a penchant for late-game heroics, earned the game's Most Outstanding Player award after throwing a touchdown pass on three straight EWU possessions.

Keeler adamant referees erred in fourth-down call

FRISCO, Texas -- University of Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said he thought the Hens had the game won late in the fourth quarter, on a fourth-and-one play from the 23-yard line. There were less than four minutes left, and Eastern Washington, trailing by six points, gave the ball to running back Mario Brown, who ran into a wall of UD defenders, desperately trying to get the first down.

He was stopped, and the referees came out to measure. Brown was given the first down. But the referees decided to review the spot, making sure their placement was accurate. After the review, they moved the ball back about 6 inches, measured again, and this time Brown had gotten the first down by about an inch.

Three plays later, Eastern Washington scored the winning touchdown, sending UD to a 20-19 loss in the NCAA Division I-AA championship game Friday.

ATTENDANCE: 13,027


Videographer: cityoffriscotx - 2011 Championship in Review

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