TSU enters 2011 season with a lot of uncertainty

Houston, TX - Under typical circumstances, Texas Southern would be entering the 2011 season with heightened expectations after winning last season's Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. But the Tigers' offseason was anything but typical.

Coach Johnnie Cole was terminated in April in advance of an NCAA report that is expected to detail major violations. Defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey was named interim head coach, and he subsequently fired four assistants. The program also was stripped of roughly 15 scholarships for the 2011-12 academic year after posting a poor performance on the NCAA's Academic Progress Report.

Thus, TSU heads into the season uncertain that it'll be able to keep its SWAC title or build on its breakout 2010. The Tigers are still talented, especially on defense and in the running game, but a lack of depth and experience at key spots could prove to be their undoing.

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Ellender distance standout joins Xavier Gold Nuggets

Hali Yarmush

NEW ORLEANS — Hali Yarmush, a top-10 finisher three consecutive years at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association cross country championships, has enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana and joined the women's team.

Yarmush, a May graduate of Ellender Memorial High School in Houma, placed 10th in the state in Class 4A last season and in 2009. She ran her fastest three-mile time, 19 minutes and 37 seconds, in a fourth-place finish at the 2008 state meet.

In outdoor track Yarmush was the District 8-4A champion in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs the past two seasons and the 2010 Region III-4A champion in the 1,600. She was selected track MVP of the 2011 and 2010 8-4A girls meets.

Yarmush's fastest track times are 2:32.08 in the 800, 5:46.87 in the 1,600 and 12:25.05 in the 3,200.

Both XU teams will begin the 2011 season Thursday in the Mississippi College Opener at Clinton, Miss.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA

FAMU's Terry Johnson glad to be back on field

Tallahassee, FL - Terry Johnson experienced joy and pain all during his first day on the Florida A&M practice field.

The day started joyfully because he was starting his college football career. But a few plays into his first practice, things turned painfully sad enough to bring tears to his eyes. Johnson twisted his knee while backpedaling into position to make a play.

It was his last time on the field until this past spring after having to undergo surgery.




"That really tore me apart because I really wanted to play my first year," said Johnson, a highly touted two-sport athlete out of Rickards High School, where he also starred on the basketball team. "Then, again, everything happens for a reason."

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Therriault heeds JSU opportunity

Jackson, MS - Casey Therriault showed he is first rate at making the most of a second chance. Back on the football field after serving time for a manslaughter conviction, Therriault took full advantage of the opportunity afforded him at Jackson State and had a first year few in the Southwestern Athletic Conference will ever forget.

Last season, the Tigers’ 6-foot-5, 203-pound quarterback, was second in the Football Championship Subdivision with 3,436 yards passing and was third nationally in with 312.0 yards per game. He threw for a school record-tying 31 touchdowns while rushing for 10 more. His 3,600 yards in total offense was the best in the SWAC and second in the nation. Twice last season Therriault threw for five touchdowns and had seven 300-yard passing games. Additionally, he led the FCS in points responsible for with 23.1 points per game. The season culminated in his being selected 2010 SWAC Offensive Player of the Year -- he’s picked to win it again this year -- SWAC Newcomer of the Year, first team All-SWAC, a 2010 SBN All-American, 2010 Walter Payton Award and Conerly Trophy finalist.



What’s a guy to do for an encore?

“I don’t know,” Therriault said. “I planned for [success], but I really didn’t expect it. When you train and you work hard to have that kind of success on the field.

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College Football Performance Awards - MEAC Commissioner Dr. Dennis E. Thomas

Broadway ready to play

Greenboro, NC - Another coaching era has started at N.C. A&T. This time, Rod Broadway, who left Grambling State, has been charged with trying to resurrect one of the most underachieving programs in the MEAC.

N.C. A&T has gone a combined 25-66 since Bill Hayes was fired after the 2002 season. The Aggies were 1-10 last season, with losses to rivals Winston-Salem State and N.C. Central, and the Alonzo Lee era ended abruptly after only two seasons.

"Well if you keep replacing the same part on your car, and it still keeps breaking down, then that part might not be the problem," Broadway said of the task ahead. "What we're trying to do is find the root of the problem, make it better, so that the entire athletics department can be successful."

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Alabama A&M: Smith will return kicks for Bulldogs

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - When Alabama A&M opens the season Saturday against Hampton in the Chicago Classic, redshirt freshman Montarius Smith will return punts and kickoffs.

Smith will be the Bulldogs' primary punt returner and he will be joined by freshman Reshaad DeJarnett on kickoff returns. Former Sparkman High standout Terrance Pride could also return kickoffs.

"None of them have played, but we believe they'll be OK," said defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns, who works with kick returners. "Hopefully, the lights won't be too bright for them and they'll step up."

The Bulldogs struggled returning kickoffs and punts last season. A&M was seventh in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in punt returns last season, averaging 7.7 yards, and was ninth in kickoff returns, averaging 15.1 yards per return.

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