Shaw Bears hold on to pick off St. Aug's Falcons

DURHAM, North Carolina -- On paper, Shaw and St. Augustine's are out of the CIAA title race, but that's just paper. When these two teams get together - in any sport - fireworks are sure to spark.

Saturday was no different as the Bears scored the only touchdown in the second half for a 20-16 come-from-behind win. But that's just part of the story. After the game, the two coaches - St. Augustine's Michael Costa and Darrell Asberry - had to be separated, and St. Aug's President Dianne Boardley Suber and Asberry also had words.

The Falcons (4-6) were frustrated after being intercepted seven times between their two quarterbacks. Still, Shaw needed a last-minute defensive stop to seal the win.

Leading 20-14 with 7 minutes, 15 seconds left in the game after an interception by Shaw safety Rico Brown, St. Aug's got a safety after a holding penalty call on the Bears in the end zone. But the Falcons couldn't capitalize any further.



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WSSU is perfect this season by beating UNC Pembroke

Rams are 10-0 with CIAA title game coming up on Saturday

PEMBROKE, North Carolina – After seeing every one of WSSU’s games this season I saw something different earlier this afternoon in the 34-7 win over UNC Pembroke.

For the first time this season the Rams let the clock be their friend and kept chipping away at the Braves’ defense. The results were staggering especially when the Rams had a season-best 18-play drive that chewed up nearly eight minutes in the second quarter.

The Braves weren’t going to allow the Rams to win on big plays, so the Rams didn’t have any big plays. Just a lot of little plays that worked and with it the Rams completed a perfect regular season. At 10-0 the Rams have assured themselves a spot in the playoffs even if they lose to Elizabeth City State on Saturday in the CIAA championship game.

What was impressive in this game was how effective the Rams were in running the ball and mixing in short passes. Quarterback Kameron Smith and the rest of the offense never had a turnover and just a few penalties.

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CIAA Football: Johnson C. Smith 31, Livingstone 0

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The 2011 Livingstone football season came to an end Saturday as the Blue Bears fell 31-0 to the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls in the 3rd Annual Commemorative Classic hosted at Memorial Stadium.

Livingstone finished 1-10.

On the opening drive for Johnson C. Smith, the Golden Bulls set up for a 50-yard field goal attempt, but senior Devonta Harmon broke through the front line and blocked the attempt. The ball was returned by fellow senior Jerrell Gaynor Golden Bull 30 yard line. Despite the momentum and the solid field position, the Livingstone offense turned the ball over on downs after only four plays.

Johnson C. Smith broke through on its first drive of the second quarter, an eight-play, 77-yard drive together for a 7-0 lead.

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Golden Bulls finish season strong

Johnson C. Smith University closed a break-even season with a breakout win. The Golden Bulls rolled past CIAA rival Livingstone 31-0 in the Commemorative Classic Saturday at Memorial Stadium. It was Johnson C. Smith's third straight victory in a series that dates back to 1892.

The Golden Bulls (5-5, 4-3) dominated after a scoreless first quarter, limiting Livingstone to 102 yards total offense and creating momentum-crushing stops on special teams.

"This year we definitely tried to step up our defense up and special teams," said defensive end Dylan Steele, who was named Johnson C. Smith's most outstanding player after returning his first collegiate interception 81 yards for a score and recording a sack. "Last year, we were near the bottom of everything (statistically). This year we wanted to step it up."


R&B artist Ruben Studdard performs during the Johnson C. Smith - Livingstone halftime show on 11/5/2011.

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Game Notes: Alabama State Hornets vs. UAPB Golden Lions

Alabama State University vs. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Time: Today, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Listen Live on 90.7 WVAS FM
Alabama State Game Notes
2011 Hornet Football Media Guide

THE GAME: The Alabama State Hornets will play their final road game of the season when they face the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions in
a battle of two teams looking to get back on the winning track.

THE SERIES: This is the 13th meeting between the Hornets and Golden Lions, with Alabama State leading 7-5. Alabama State has won six straight meetings between the teams, including last season’s 38-31 win in Montgomery.

LAST TIME OUT: Both teams lost last week. Alabama State had a nine-game SWAC winning streak end, losing to Alabama A&M 20-19. UAPB lost at home to Grambling State 27-20.

STILL IN THE HUNT FOR THE EAST CROWN: The Hornets’ loss to the Bulldogs
last week puts Alabama State in the position to win and need help to repeat
as Eastern Division champions. The Hornets need to finish ahead of Alabama
A&M in the standings to win the title, as the Bulldogs hold the head-to-head
tie breaker over Alabama State.

LAST ROAD GAME:  This Saturday’s game in Arkansas is the final contest
outside the state of Alabama for the 2011 season. The Hornets will conclude
the regular season schedule with home games vs. Southern Nov. 12 and
Tuskegee in the Turkey Day Classic Nov. 24.

POLL POSITIONS: After ascending to the top of several Black College Football poll at the beginning of October, last week’s loss moved the Hornets from the top spot. Alabama State is now ranked second in the Urban News Poll, fourth in the HSRN.com poll, fifth in the Boxtorow.com media poll, and sixth in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network poll. After being ranked 16th last week, Alabama State fell out of the FCS Sports Network/Fathead.com Top 25.



NOTABLES
• QB Devin Dominguez’ 59-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career
and the longest rushing play of the season for Alabama State.
• WR Nick Andrews had the fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season and
his 134 receiving yards was his third-highest total of the season. Andrews’
nine receptions was one short of his career high.
• FS Kejuan Riley has made interceptions in back-to-back games for the
second time this season (Sept. 17 vs. Grambling; Sept. 24 at Jackson State).
• With one takeaway against Alabama A&M, the Hornets have forced at
least one turnover in 27 straight games (73 takeaways over that time: 30
fumbles/43 INTs).
• LB Brandon Slater made a career-high 13 tackles, while CB Donovan
Masline made a season-high eight tackles.
• LB Demarques Taylor has made at least 10+ tackles in three consecutive
games.
• K/P Wenzig averaged 51.0 yards on three punts, including a season-long
69-yarder.

By Duane Lewis, Sports Information Director/Football, Alabama State University

Jackson twins pit stats from TSU, Tennessee

Southern at Texas Southern
When/where: 6 p.m.; Delmar Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV/radio: KHOU 11.2; 90.9 FM.
Records: Southern 3-5, 3-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference; Texas Southern 3-5, 3-3.
Last meeting: TSU won 54-7 last season at Baton Rouge, La.

Houston, Texas -- Texas Southern defensive end Marquis Jackson made his strongest statement of the season against Central State of Ohio on Oct. 22. He finished with a season-high three sacks to go along 4 ½ tackles for loss and a forced fumble in the Tigers' 42-11 victory.

That gave him plenty of breathing room against one of his main rivals. "Three sacks," Jackson said after the game. "(Let's) see if he can beat me now."

The challenge was directed at Jackson's twin, Malik, a senior defensive tackle at Tennessee. Malik Jackson went up against No. 2 Alabama in a Southeastern Conference showdown later that Saturday. Malik recorded just one sack.



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Jackson State vs. Grambling State

When: Today, 2 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Jackson, Mississippi
Television: Online only at www.swac.org
Radio: WHLH-95.5 FM in Jackson
Last meeting: Grambling won 28-21 last year at Grambling, La.
All-time series: Grambling leads 40-20-1

Scouting the Tigers

Keep an eye on...Cliff Exama, LB
The 5-10, 235-pounder leads the SWAC with 96 tackles, 38 more than anyone else on the team. He has 11 1/2 tackles for loss. JSU coach Rick Comegy joked earlier this week that the Tigers would have to use 11 men to block him.

Unit that could give Tigers fits... Running backs
Grambling's Dawrence Roberts has run for 596 yards on 105 carries. The Tigers have broken the 125-yard rushing barrier four times in the last five games.



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Grambling Tigers face test in JSU's Therriault

Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault played well enough last week to share the Southwestern Athletic Conference's Offensive Player of the Week award. His team may be doing even better than its senior signal caller.

"At this point, they're probably playing the best football in the conference," said Grambling coach Doug Williams, whose team faces Jackson State today at 2 p.m. in Jackson. "The one thing they have going for them that we don't have, but eventually will have, is they have a veteran quarterback who has played well. He's an All-American."

The experience Therriault brings stands in contrast to Grambling's two first-year quarterbacks, Frank Rivers and D.J. Williams. Behind Therriault, Jackson State has risen to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the SWAC while GSU has struggled to find offensive consistency.

Stopping Therriault will be key for Grambling (4-4, 4-3), but the senior from Wyoming Township, Mich., added a wrinkle to his game last week, rushing for 56 yards and two touchdowns.

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XU Gold Nuggets defeat Florida Memorial in opener, 72-48

Coach Robert "Bo"  Browder
Xavier Career Record: 299-102 (13th season)

NEW ORLEANS -- Keldra Hall and Chelsea Broussard scored 10 points apiece Friday to lead NAIA No. 16 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 72-48 women's basketball victory against Florida Memorial.

It was the opener for both teams. The Gold Nuggets won their home opener for the 20th consecutive season.

Hall, an All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference center this past season, scored all her points in 11 second-half minutes. Broussard, a sophomore forward, reached double figures for the third time at Xavier.

"I struggled the first half but I was more determined to be effective in the second half," Hall said.

Jasmine Grant, who missed the final 26 games of 2010-11 because of a knee injury, put Xavier ahead to stay at 7-4 with a 3-pointer during the third minute. The Gold Nuggets led by double digits for the final 24:52, including 37-25 at halftime, and the final margin was their largest of the game.

Dominique Jackson had 13 points and eight rebounds for Florida Memorial, a qualifier for the NAIA Division II National Championships a year ago, and Kalicia Battle had 10 points and six rebounds. The Lady Lions never led.

Xavier, the NAIA Division I leader in scoring defense the past two seasons, outshot the Lady Lions 37.3 to 25.9 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 53-46. Hall and Paige Gauthier grabbed seven rebounds apiece for the Nuggets, with Gauthier matching her career high.

Fifteen players saw action for Xavier, and 13 scored. SiMon Franklin, a junior guard who redshirted this past season, started and had nine points and three steals in a team-best 23 minutes. All four of the Nuggets' freshmen -- Jessica Savannah, Crystal Wallace, Cleosha Lee and redshirt Dalila Robinson -- scored, with Savannah and Robinson getting seven apiece.

"Our team played well after a disappointing exhibition loss at LSU," said Xavier coach Bo Browder, who is 299-102 in 13th seasons. "We need more work on defense and rebounding. Other than that it was a good night."

Xavier has won 11 straight at The Barn and 110 of its past 117 games in its campus facility.

NOTES: Xavier beat Florida Memorial in both teams' opener for the second straight year. It was 55-47 at The Barn last season . . . XU's 2010-11 team members received Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament championship rings in a pregame ceremony . . . Xavier's tournament next week at Georgetown (Ky.) changed sponsors -- it's now the Chick-fil-A Classic -- and game times. The Gold Nuggets will play at 6 p.m. EST next Friday against Indiana Wesleyan and 4 p.m. EST the following day against Georgetown.

Next Game: The Gold Nuggets will play Spring Hill at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8 at The Barn. Bo Browder will try for his 300th victory as Xavier's head coach. He is the Gold Nuggets' winningest coach.

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

College football preview: Howard vs. Hampton

Hampton, Virginia -- Another tough out:  A week after losing its ninth straight game to South Carolina State, Howard will aim to end a 14-game drought against Hampton, which includes a 31-21 loss at Greene Stadium last season. Hampton has scored an average of 34 points in the teams’ past five meetings.

Pirates air it out: Led by quarterback David Legree, the Pirates lead the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in passing offense (255 yards per game). Legree, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior with a powerful arm, ranks third in the conference in passing, completing 141 of 229 attempts (61.5 percent) for 1,626 yards and 10 touchdowns. Howard, however, leads the MEAC in passing defense, yielding a scant 145.2 yards per game (fourth nationally).

Good foot: The Pirates’ Taurean Durham, a two-time MEAC special teams player of the week, ranks second in the conference in kicking, connecting on 10 of his 15 attempts (tied for most). The junior is 5 for 7 from 20 to 29 yards and 5 for 6 from 30 to 39 yards.



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Savannah State University Tigers looks for elusive second win

Savannah, Georgia -- Savannah State coach Steve Davenport remembered when times weren’t so good as a player. Davenport, a wide receiver with Georgia Tech, went into the sixth game of the 1988 season against undefeated and eighth-ranked South Carolina with a 1-4 record.

Tech won only three games, but surprised Carolina 34-0 that day in the Yellow Jackets’ only Division I-A victory that season. He relayed that story to his Savannah State players during a recent team meeting.

“I have a picture in my office from the South Carolina game,” Davenport said. “I took that picture into our team meeting. We were struggling; we won only three games (two against I-AA teams). But we made a memory that day.”

Davenport wants his players to look the same way at highly regarded Norfolk State — a team that leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings and ranks seventh in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Black College football poll.



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B-CU hopes to continue strong running against Morgan State

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Nothing is more pleasing to an offensive lineman than creating big holes for running backs. Bethune-Cookman senior center Natiel Curry is one happy guy these days. Since gaining a total of just five yards rushing in a loss to North Carolina A&T on Oct. 8, the Wildcats have averaged 332 yards on the ground in their last three games.

"I don't know what was making us stumble at first, but we've caught our rhythm," Curry said. "It seems like we've gone from a spread, passing offense to running the ball down your throat. "Our running plays have been working for us. I just have to credit it to the rest of the O-line and the running backs for finding the holes and making it work."

B-CU (5-3 overall, 3-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) will try to win its fourth straight today in its homecoming game against Morgan State (5-3, 4-1).

"Our guys are just playing hard, playing physical and executing the scheme. Because of that we're seeing good results," B-CU coach Brian Jenkins said. "The A&T game woke us up and got our guys to understand that we're not going to be able to just line up and beat people."



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Success by North Carolina A&T Aggies turning heads

Tallahassee, Florida -- When North Carolina A&T won three straight MEAC games to start conference play, it raised more than a few eyebrows — especially since one of the wins came over defending champion Bethune-Cookman.

The Aggies have since lost two straight, but remain one of seven teams in the hunt for the conference title. That in itself could be considered a major achievement for a team that had just one victory last season.

First-year coach Rod Broadway stopped short of calling it a turnaround earlier this week, but said he's seen plenty of signs that N.C. A&T (4-4, 3-2) is on the right path. And it's happening with only 30 scholarship players.

"We got some kids who want to do well," Broadway said. "They want to be successful (and) we've got to teach them how to win and now how to finish."



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Game Day: Winston Salem State Rams vs. UNCP Braves

GAME DAY INFORMATION
WHEN: Saturday, November 5 - 2 p.m. ET
WHERE: Pembroke, N.C.
FACILITY: Grace P. Johnson Stadium
TICKETS: Single game reserved bench tickets are $15. If available, reserved bench ticket will be sold on game day at the ticket tent. Standing-Room Only tickets ($10) will be available on game day at the ticket tent. Lawn chairs are permitted inside Grace P. Johnson Stadium.
BROADCAST COVERAGE:

LIVE STATISTICS: Follow the game action FREE live via a live stats link provided by the UNCP athletic department. CLICK HERE

LIVE AUDIO/VIDEO: Follow the game action via FREE live audio/video streaming through a link provided by the UNCP athletic department. CLICK HERE

THE TEAMS

UNCP (7-2): Roster l Schedule/Results l Statistics
WINSTON-SALEM STATE (9-0): Roster l Schedule/Results l Statistics
THE COACHES: Winston-Salem State head coach Connell Maynor is 17-2 (.895) in his second season at the helm of the Rams. UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick is 34-17 (.667) in his fifth season with the Braves.
THE SERIES: Winston-Salem State leads the all-time series, 1-0, after last season's 21-7 victory over the Braves in Winston-Salem.
LAST TIME OUT: Winston-Salem State used an interception midway through the fourth quarter to preserve a 21-14 home victory over Shaw. UNCP racked up more than 300 yards of offense in building a 20-7 halftime lead en route to posting a 23-20 win at Newberry.

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UNC Pembroke highly motivated to beat WSSU

Pembroke, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor said he expects Winston-Salem State's game at UNC Pembroke today to have the atmosphere of the playoffs, because that's the goal for both teams. "They've won their last four games, and they are trying to get in the playoffs so if they can knock us off, a team that's ranked No. 2 in the region and seventh in the country, they can get into the playoffs," WSSU's Maynor said.

The Rams are 9-0. The Braves are 7-2. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at UNCP's Grace P. Johnson Stadium. With a win today, the Rams can complete just the third undefeated regular season in program history, but more important is that a victory would keep them in good shape for the Division II playoffs.

UNCP, a fifth-year program, has one of the top offenses in Division II under coach Pete Shinnick and is averaging 511 yards (fourth in Division II). Sophomore quarterback Luke Charles has passed for 2,653 yards and 22 touchdowns, and Travis Daniels has rushed for 1,342 yards and 14 TDs.

The Rams' defense has been stellar all season but has been overshadowed by an offense averaging 45 points a game. Against UNCP, the defense will have to rise to the challenge. WSSU's next game after today will be the CIAA championship Nov. 12 in Durham, but Maynor said he doesn't expect his players to be looking ahead.

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GW Men's Hoops Welcomes D-II #8 Bowie State for Exhibition

WHO: GW Men's Basketball and New Head Coach Mike Lonergan
WHAT: Exhibition Game vs. Bowie State
WHERE: Charles E. Smith Center, 600 22nd Street NW
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.
HOW: Buy Tickets
VIDEO: GW All-Access
AUDIO: FederalNewsRadio.com, 1500 AM (Byron Kerr, Yegor Mescheriakov)
STATS: GameTracker
PROMOTION: Colonial Army Distribution Night - First 500 members will receive Colonials Basketball pinnie

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The much anticipated debut of the 2011-12 George Washington men's basketball team and new head coach Mike Lonergan happens this Sunday when the Colonials host NCAA Division II nationally ranked Bowie State to Charles E. Smith Center for a preseason exhibition at 6 p.m.

Preseason First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection Tony Taylor and fellow captains Jabari Edwards and Aaron Ware will lead the Colonials as they tip-off the 2011-12 campaign on the court while new head coach Mike Lonergan ushers in a new era of GW Basketball from the sideline.

Lonergan, a Bowie, Md., native, will walk the Smith Center sidelines for the first time after returning to his roots following six seasons as head coach at Vermont. Entering his 19th season as a head coach, Lonergan owns an overall record of 377-156, with 15 winning seasons and 13 NCAA Tournament victories, including a NCAA Division III National Championship at his alma mater Catholic University in 2001.

While Lonergan and his coaching staff are new, Colonials' backers will recognize a slew of returning talent for GW when the team takes the floor on Sunday evening, as four starters and 10 letterwinners return to a team that won 17 games and tied for fourth in the Atlantic 10 Conference last season.

Bowie State, meanwhile, will prove to be a worthy exhibition foe for the Colonials as it makes the short trip to Foggy Bottom ranked eighth in the NCAA Division II preseason national poll. The Bulldogs reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season and won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) North Division crown with an 11-1 mark, while finishing a CIAA best 16-2 in the conference and 23-6 overall.

Head coach Darrell Brooks, a former GW assistant, has four returning seniors on his squad, headlined by 7-foot center Travis Hyman, who caught the eye of NBA scouts with a CIAA-high 104 blocks last season. Hyman also checked in with 15.2 points per outing and claimed CIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010-11.

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ECSU football still has business to settle

Elizabeth City, North Carolina -- Elizabeth City State’s immediate future has been set for a few weeks now. But there is one more piece of business the Vikings have to take care of before next week’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association football championship game.

ECSU closes out the regular season with a Senior Day home game against Lincoln today. The Vikings, who clinched their spot in the CIAA title game opposite Winston-Salem State two weeks ago, are approaching today’s game the same way they have the first nine games of the season.

“Our concentration is on Lincoln as we always try to take it one game at a time,” ECSU coach Waverly Tillar said.

While the game might be meaningless in the CIAA standings, ECSU has a bigger picture to look at. The Vikings are clinging to the fifth spot in the NCAA Division II Super Region One poll, which would put them into the playoff field if the season ended today. But the season does not end today.

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ECSU PREPARES TO SALUTE 20 FOOTBALL SENIORS SATURDAY

ELIZABETH CITY, NC - The Elizabeth City State University football team will host Senior Day on Saturday, November 5th prior to the start of the Vikings' season finale with Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.

ECSU pause pregame to salute 20 student-athletes who will be playing at their final regular season home game at Roebuck Stadium. They are; Creven Powell, Anthony Faulcon, Baron Coffin, Torri Stewart, Earnest Murphy, Larry Jones, Domonic Strand, DeAundre Barfield, Sanerivi Reupena, Kahawaiolaa Soon, Jermaine Lindsay, John Davis, Brandon White, Brandon Smith, Sean Gueringer, DeWitt Dixon, Billy Wiggins, Bryan Garnett, Tolbert Matthews and Devven Sutton.

These seniors have been an integral part of the Vikings' third appearance since 2006 in the CIAA title game. This year the Vikings will square off against Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, November 12 at Durham County Stadium in Durham, NC.

However before the trip westbound to the Bull City, the Vikings will look to run their win streak to eight games over the visiting Lions of Lincoln University.

Saturday Viking fans may also witness a bit of history as junior tailback Daronte McNeill needs only 12 yards to become ECSU's all-time leading rusher.

Courtesy ECSU Sports Information

With win today, Spartans will earn share of MEAC title

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Terrence Pugh is at Norfolk State because of history. Now he has a chance to make some of his own. A linebacker from Indian River High in Chesapeake, Pugh was part of Norfolk State's 2008 recruiting class, the group that followed the best Division I season the Spartans have produced.

"With coach (Pete) Adrian and everything, the program was on the rise," Pugh said. "I know everyone in the area is like, 'Who wants to go to Norfolk State? It's right down the street.' I always thought it would be a chance to bring a MEAC championship to the hometown."

With a victory today against Savannah State, the Spartans will earn at least a share of the MEAC title, their first since joining the conference and making the jump to Division I in 1997.

Pugh, an All-Tidewater first-team player after helping Indian River to an Eastern Region title game, chose Norfolk State over scholarship offers from Liberty, Virginia Military Institute and, most impressively, Youngstown State, a program with a far prouder tradition than Norfolk State.



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FVSU set for rivalry showdown

Columbus, Georgia -- The senior season of Bernard Goodrum has been more forgettable than not. Beating Stillman by 49 points wasn’t expected to be the highlight for a team expected to contend for the SIAC East Division title.

And that was all but erased by a 49-12 loss a week later to Morehouse during which running back David Carter rolled the Wildcats for 351 yards. So here Fort Valley State sits, however, at 2-7, guaranteed to finish with its worst season in years. But the possibility of a measure of salvation awaits -- Albany State and the Fountain City Classic.

“We’ve got to win the Classic,” said Goodrum, a senior from Spalding. “The Classic is our championship game.”

FVSU and Albany State meet in the 22nd Fountain City Classic at McClung Stadium in Columbus. Head coach Donald Pittman said that the Wildcats have rebounded from their Morehouse loss to focus on their rival.

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Fountain City Classic: Fort Valley State seeks upset of Albany State

At first glance, it appears Albany State’s football team with a 7-2 record shouldn’t have much trouble against Fort Valley State, 2-7, in today’s 22nd annual Fountain City Classic. Ask folks at Stillman College about that.

On Oct. 22, Fort Valley State was 1-6 and played host to Stillman College, then 6-1. At the finish, Fort Valley State had a homecoming victory by an astonishing 52-3 score. “Everything clicked for us that day,” coach Donald Pittman said. He hopes it does again at 2 p.m., when his Wildcats clash with the Golden Rams at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium.

A sellout crowd of 15,000 is expected. Pittman’s team has no chance at playoff action so, he said, “We’ve got one last time to get it right.”

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2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference & All-Academic Teams Announced

ATLANTA, Georgia — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announces the 2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference team as voted by the SIAC Volleyball Coaches Association. The 2011 team is led by 2011 SIAC Player of the Year Jamila McKinnis of Stillman College, 2011 SIAC Offensive Player of the Year LaTayvia Mack of Benedict College, and 2011 SIAC Setter of the Year Kathrin Fischer of Claflin University.

McKinnis, a senior from Mobile, AL, leads the SIAC with 450 kills and finished with a .364 hitting percentage, which ranks second in the SIAC. In 32 matches, the 5-10 outside hitter averaged 3.88 kills per set, which ranks second in the SIAC, while totaling 294 digs and 55 service aces, putting her among the conference leaders in both categories. The All-SIAC first team selection also totaled 334 assists and 59 total blocks. McKinnis finishes her career as a two-time SIAC Player of the Year, earning the honor as a sophomore in 2009, and a four-time All-SIAC selection.

 Jamila McKinnis
Stillman College

Mack, a junior from Holly Hill, SC, leads the SIAC with 4.67 kills per set, totaling 308 kills in 66 sets, which ranks sixth nationally. The 6-1 outside hitter also ranks third in the SIAC with a .342 hitting percentage while totaling 21 service aces, 74 digs, and 18 total blocks. The All-SIAC first team selection also currently ranks sixth in Division II averaging 5.20 points per set.

Fischer, a sophomore from Vienna, Austria, leads the SIAC in assists and ranks second in assists per set. The All-SIAC first team setter also leads the conference in service aces and currently leads Division II in aces per set.

Joining the three aforementioned players on the first team include Claflin University sophomore Lauren Calvin, Clark Atlanta University junior Ashley Brooks, Paine College junior Victoria Claytor, and Stillman College senior Christine Mallory.

Kathrin Fischer
Claflin University

Kentucky State University and Claflin University are tied for the most selections with three. The Thorobrettes’ selections include All-SIAC second teamer Audrey Sherles, who was also named 2011 SIAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Claflin University Head Coach Vernell Keitt-Capers was named 2011 SIAC Coach of the Year. In 2011, Keitt-Capers, who was Co-Coach of the Year last season, led the Lady Panthers to a 13-3 record in the SIAC, 26-7 overall, and their second SIAC East Division title in as many years.

McKinnis and Stillman College lead the SIAC Volleyball All-Academic team. McKinnis, a Biology major, led the way with a 4.0 grade point average while the Lady Tigers had four selections on the team and also claimed the all-academic team award.

2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Conference Team
1st Team
Name Class Position Institution
LaTayvia Mack Junior Outside Hitter Benedict College
Lauren Calvin Sophomore Outside Hitter Claflin University
Ashley Brooks Junior Outside Hitter Clark Atlanta University
Victoria Claytor Junior Outside Hitter Paine College
Jamila McKinnis Senior Outside Hitter Stillman College
Christine Mallory Senior Libero Stillman College
Kathrin Fischer Sophomore Setter Claflin University

2nd Team
Name Class Position Institution
Sabrina Garcia Senior Outside Hitter Albany State University
Faith Simmons Senior Outside Hitter Claflin University
Ayanna Parker Freshman Outside Hitter Kentucky State University
Audrey Sherles Freshman Outside Hitter Kentucky State University
Janae’ Kearse Senior Outside Hitter Paine College
Tyrealle Reed Senior Libero Benedict College
Jordan Foyer Freshman Setter Kentucky State University

Player of the Year: Jamila McKinnis, Stillman College
Offensive Player of the Year: LaTayvia Mack, Benedict College
Defensive Player of the Year: Audrey Sherles, Kentucky State University
Setter of the Year: Kathrin Fischer, Claflin University
Coach of the Year: Vernell Keitt-Capers, Claflin University

2011 SIAC Volleyball All-Academic Team
Name Class Major GPA Institution
Jamila McKinnis Senior Biology 4.00 Stillman College
Ebony Lollis Senior Biology 3.94 Stillman College
Cynteria Jones Junior English 3.92 Stillman College
Kathrin Fischer Sophomore Politics & Justice System 3.91 Claflin University
Christine Mallory Senior Education 3.82 Stillman College
Soncya Williams Sophomore Music 3.82 LeMoyne-Owen College
Jamila Winston Senior Accounting 3.79 Benedict College

All-Academic Team Award: Stillman College, 3.73 GPA

Courtesy of SIAC

Xavier's Jackson siblings get face time in Sports Illustrated

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Xavier University of Louisiana cross country standouts Zahri and Kwame Jackson have earned one more honor in what has been a memorable debut season for both. Sports Illustrated selected them for its weekly Faces in the Crowd feature, and the freshman siblings appear in the Nov. 7 issue, which hit newsstands Wednesday.

"That is so cool," Zahri Jackson said Thursday when she learned of the recognition.
"That's pretty awesome," Kwame Jackson said.
"Wow!" Xavier coach Joseph Moses said. "That is a great honor."

The Jacksons, from the Houston suburb of Kingwood, Texas, and graduates of Kingwood Park High School, got SI's attention after both won individual titles in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championships on Oct. 22 at Clinton, Miss. They helped Xavier win the women's and men's team championships for the sixth consecutive season.

(Click on photo to enlarge SI article)

"I'm still trying to find out if there's ever been a pair of siblings in college who won cross country individual championships in the same season," said Ed Cassiere, Xavier's sports information director. "I posed that question on the NAIA-SIDA Facebook page. No leads yet, but Mount Vernon Nazarene SID Dave Parsons replied with a great tip. He recommended that I contact Sports Illustrated and nominate them."

Zahri Jackson set XU women's records of 19 minutes, 15.18 seconds for 5,000 meters on Sept. 10 and 16:27.58 for 4,000 meters on Sept. 1. She has the Gold Nuggets' three fastest 5K times. Her 19:20.40 5K was the second fastest in 11 seasons by a female at the GCAC Championships.

Kwame Jackson's 5K of 16:12.13 on Sept. 10 was the fastest by an XU male since Farris Gransberry set the record of 15:46.80 in 2000. He ran 8,000 meters in 28:12.09 to win the GCAC title and defeat teammates and former conference champions Ray Walston and Matt Pieri.

The Jacksons won a combined eight GCAC Runner of the Week awards. Zahri collected five to set an XU season record, tie Ebony Harding's XU career record and match the GCAC women's season record set by Spring Hill's Kate Imwalle in 2009.

"Zahri and Kwame are great kids, great runners and great students," Moses said. "I am blessed to know them and be able to coach them."

Both Xavier squads will compete Nov. 19 in the NAIA National Championships at Vancouver, Wash.


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

South Alabama beats Mississippi Valley State 35-3

Coach Karl Morgan, MVSU

MOBILE, Alabama -- Kendall Houston ran for two scores, J.J. Keels returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and South Alabama's defense held Mississippi Valley State to 166 yards in a 35-3 dismantling of the Delta Devils Thursday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

South Alabama improved to 6-3 with the win before an announced crowd of 13,807 and went to 19-0 all-time at home.

"It means everything," Jaguars linebacker Ken Barefield said of protecting the home winning streak. "We said in the locker room, 'We're going to do it for Mobile.' It rained today, it was cold, but they still came out and supported us. We harp on that at practice: This is our house. We've got to protect it as best as we can."

South Alabama led 21-0 at halftime thanks to a trio of 1-yard touchdown runs from Houston and quarterback C.J. Bennett.

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Alabama A&M sports: Athletics director Betty Austin will retire at the end of the month

Betty Kelly Austin
Director of Athletics, AAMU

Huntsville, Alabama -- Alabama A&M athletics director Betty Austin will retire at the end of the month, The Times has learned. Sources told The Times that Austin has agreed to stay on through Feb. 29 while the school conducts a search for a new athletics director.

Austin, a 1974 A&M graduate, has spent the last six-plus years as athletics director after taking over for the late Jim Martin. Before becoming athletics director, Austin served in a number of capacities, most notably as the volleyball coach, where she led the Bulldogs to unprecedented success, and Senior Woman Administrator.

Austin captured more than 600 wins during her 30-year tenure as volleyball coach. A&M won 17 conference championships, including 11 as a Division II member in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and six as a Division I member in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, during her illustrious career. She was named SWAC Coach of the Year during each of her championship seasons.

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Stillman rebounds with win against Clark Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia -- The Stillman College football team found a way to rebound from two tough losses as the Tigers defeated the Clark Atlanta Panthers, 16-6, Thursday night.

After surrendering six points in the first quarter, Stillman broke into the scoring column as Alejandro Perez-Huerta nailed a 23-yard field goal with 29 seconds left in the first half. In the third quarter, Stillman quarterback Dondre Purnell hit Deandre Holley for an 8-yard scoring play to give the Tigers a 10-6 lead.

In the fourth quarter, Huerta made field goals of 48 and 28 yards to make the final scoring margin 16-6. CAU outgained Stillman 242-240 while maintaining time of possession 31:01 to 28:59.

Purnell finished 14 of 21passing for 168 yards with one touchdown while rushing 15 times for 27 yards. Reese Sturgis caught four passes for 34 yards while Holley rushed for 33 yards on nine carries.

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Morehouse needs playoffs help

Atlanta, Georgia -- Morehouse probably needs to at least make the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title game and perhaps win it to earn an invitation to the Division II playoffs.

Morehouse is No. 8, one spot behind Albany State, in the latest Super Region 2 rankings. The top six teams in the final rankings make the playoffs.

Albany State, which owns a victory against Morehouse, would clinch the East title with a victory against Fort Valley State (2-7, 2-4 SIAC) on Saturday. Morehouse needs a victory at Kentucky State (6-3, 3-3) and an Albany State loss to win the division.

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2011 SIAC Football Championship moves to CAU

Atlanta, Georgia -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced that the 2011 SIAC Football Championship has been moved to a new site. The game, originally scheduled to be played at Lakewood Stadium, will now take place at Panther Stadium, located on the campus of Clark Atlanta University.

“Due to protracted renovations at Lakewood Stadium and in light of related health and safety concerns, it is in the best interest of our fans and student-athletes to move the game to the Atlanta University Center,” said SIAC Commissioner Greg Moore. “Despite the change in venue, we fully anticipate an exciting game day environment at our inaugural football championship with vendors, tailgating, bands, and a capacity crowd full of passionate fans supporting our student-athletes.”

Panther Stadium is a 7,000-seat artificial grass stadium located at 735 Beckwith Street, Atlanta, GA 30314.

“In addition, I would like to thank Clark Atlanta University President, Dr. Carlton Brown, and Athletic Director, Dr. Tamica Jones, for allowing their stadium to serve as an alternate site for the game,” Moore stated.

Kickoff for the 2011 SIAC Football Championship remains at 3 p.m. EST. Tickets for the championship game are $20 and can be purchased in advance online at www.thesiactickets.com through Monday, November 7th.

For questions about the SIAC Football Championship, visit www.thesiac.com or contact the SIAC office at 404-221-1041.

Maynor says Rams have caught some breaks

Winston Salem, North Carolina -- Coach Connell Maynor of Winston-Salem State said that a lot has gone right for his Rams this season and that's why they are 9-0 heading into Saturday's game at UNC Pembroke.

"I think the biggest thing is we've been pretty injury free with no serious injuries," Maynor said. "And we are taking care of the football. Our turnover ratio is plus-10, and any time you win the turnover battle, you've got a great, great chance of winning. "We think that if we don't turn the ball over, we can win every football game that we play."

Smith excelling at QB

Quarterback Kameron Smith, 15-2 in two seasons as Winston-Salem State's starter, said he has come a long way from his days at Navy. He transferred to WSSU before the 2010 season because he wanted an opportunity to play quarterback.

"I was on the scout team as a quarterback there, but I wasn't able to show what I could do," said Smith, who ranks sixth in WSSU history with more than 3,300 passing yards.

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Stopping TSU's run key for Southern

Baton Rouge, Louisiana - As well as Southern University's defense has played this season — Stump Mitchell, the boss himself, has conceded that the defense has given SU a chance to win almost every game — the Jaguars do have a weakness. They're suspect against the run.

Mitchell knows it. Defensive coordinator O'Neill Gilbert knows it. They've lived through it. And Southern fans have watched it, sometimes with frustration. When the Jaguars are forced to slow down a robust ground game, the results aren't often pretty.

Tennessee State gained 342 rushing yards. Prairie View gained 161 rushing yards. Mississippi Valley State: 230. Arkansas-Pine Bluff: 298. You get the idea. With that in mind, SU's next Southern (3-5, 3-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) faces Texas Southern (3-5, 1-5) at 6 p.m. Saturday at Delmar Stadium in Houston — and if the home team can establish its potent rushing attack early, the Jaguars' bus ride home to Baton Rouge won't be much fun.

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