NCCU Eagles Send Delaware State To Seventh Straight Loss

Dover, Delaware - North Carolina Central recorded seven sacks and two interceptions en route to a 14-7 win over Delaware State at Alumni Stadium this afternoon. The Eagles snapped a six-game losing streak to notch their first MEAC win of the season (1-5). NCCU improved to 2-7 overall.

The Hornets dropped their seventh in a row to fall to 2-7 and 0-6. The loss overshadowed a career day by Delaware State wide receiver Travis Tarpley, who tied a school record with 11 catches for a career-high 162 yards.

North Carolina Central's Andre Clark scored each of his team's touchdowns, including the game-winner in the third quarter.

Delaware State advanced to the NC Central 23 on the final possession of the game, but Hornet quarterback Nick Elko was sacked by Stephen Young on the last play of the game. Young had 2.5 sacks among his seven tackles in the contest.

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DSU's offensive struggles continue

DOVER, DE — The losing isn’t what bothers Delaware State’s first-year head coach Kermit Blount. He has consistently said that he expected to take his lumps this year as his Hornets adjusted to completely new systems on offense and defense.

But when his team begins to lose games due to a lack of focus, that’s what really gets under Blount’s skin. That’s what happened when Delaware State failed to execute during a last-ditch effort for a touchdown as North Carolina Central pulled out a 14-7 victory over the Hornets in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Alumni Stadium on Saturday.

With DSU driving at the Eagles’ 23-yard line and time quickly running out, quarterback Nick Elko was sacked by Brandon Outlaw, but rather than get up and spike the football, he tried to get another play off.

It turned out to be to no avail as time expired while the Hornets were trying to get organized at the line of scrimmage, sending NCC into celebration before a gathering of 1,795 spectators, and leaving DSU’s players with an empty feeling of “What if?”

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Howard defeats Hampton 10-7, its first win since 1995 in battle of the 'Real HU'

HAMPTON, Virginia — Gary Harrell insisted his Howard Bison don't get caught up in any "Real HU" rivalry with Hampton. The sight of his players bathing Harrell in three Gatorade showers as their coach gestured triumphantly toward Howard fans after his team's 10-7 victory Saturday at Armstrong Stadium suggested otherwise.

Of course, Hampton's supporters probably aren't familiar with a typical Howard celebration, since it's been so long since they've witnessed one. The Pirates came in having won 14 straight in the series, with Howard's last victory coming in 1995. But on this chilly, blustery afternoon, that streak died — along with Hampton's dreams of claiming a share of the MEAC title.

At least that was the opinion of Hampton coach Donovan Rose, who didn't need to wait for the results of games involving conference leaders Norfolk State and Morgan State to offer what amounted to a concession speech.

"That's over now," a solemn Rose said of the Pirates' title chances. "All we can do now, hopefully, is having a winning season."

Despite subpar offense all afternoon, the Pirates (5-4, 3-3 MEAC) positioned themselves to steal this one late in the third quarter when, trailing by three, they had first-and-goal at the Howard 2-yard line.

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Pirates lose the battle of the "Real HU"

HAMPTON, Virginia - For the first time since 1995, Howard claimed the Battle of the Real HU in a series that had become a one-sided battle for the past 15 years. After the dust had cleared, Howard left Armstrong Stadium on Saturday with a 10-7 win over Hampton.

Hampton (5-4, 4-3 MEAC) seemed like it was out of sync the entire first half, as the Pirates were unable to get on the scoreboard. As for Howard (5-5, 4-3 MEAC), the Bison were able to get in the red zone, but couldn’t convert as the Pirates defense forced a turnover and prevented the Bison from scoring. Hampton’s defense held the Bison out of end zone on two different occasions and forced Howard to attempt a field goal on both. The Pirates defense also forced a fumble in the end zone late in the game, which became the only score of the day for Hampton.

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Big Apple Classic 2011, Howard vs. Hampton; Virginia Union vs. Virginia State at Madison Square Garden - New York

Make Dillard University Your Avenue of Opportunity!

XU survives Dillard, finishes 10-0 in GCAC regular season

Coach Christabell Hamilton
Career Record: 19-6, 10-0 GCAC

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana -- Coach Christabell Hamilton wasn't sure if her Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball team could withstand a late Dillard comeback Saturday. Her players, however, said it was business as usual.

Taylor Reuther had 13 kills, 14 digs and three aces, and Xavier erased a five-point fourth-set deficit to defeat Dillard 25-13, 25-13, 23-25, 25-21 in a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match at The Barn. The Gold Nuggets (19-6, 10-0) became the third GCAC team in six years to finish the regular season unbeaten in conference matches.

"I trust my teammates," said Reuther, who recorded her ninth kill-dig double-double of the season. "When we stay together we can accomplish so much more."

"We've come back before," said teammate Celeste Poe, who also had 14 digs and reached double figures for the 11th time this season. "We're a good comeback team."

But a comeback wasn't in the Gold Nuggets' early plans. Xavier led 8-0 in the first set and 14-3 in the second as it cruised to a commanding lead. Then the Lady Bleu Devils, the 2010 GCAC Tournament champion, stayed alive by rallying from 15-10 and 23-21 deficits in the third.

Jessica Goods-Morris had six kills and four blocks in the third, and she clinched the set with a kill after Krista Hall stretched for a sideline dig.

Taylor Reuther

"The momentum was shifting all toward Dillard," said Hamilton, hired by Xavier in mid-June. "I thought our team was shocked that Dillard was coming back. Dillard's not the kind of team that's going to give you a win."

"We got too comfortable," Reuther said, "and Dillard stepped up their game."

Goods-Morris had five kills and and two blocks during an 11-4 run which gave Dillard a 19-14 lead in the fourth, but the Gold Nuggets scored 11 of the final 13 points, six on Dillard errors, to complete a two-match sweep of their city rival. Reuther, Moira Kirk, Jeanay Butler and Iva Bobkova each contributed a kill during the final 13 rallies.

"I knew we could push through like that and handle it," said Kirk, who had six blocks -- her most since mid-September -- and 10 kills. "Under pressure we stay together instead of folding and getting angry at each other."

It was Xavier's eighth consecutive victory in a match longer than three sets.

Butler had a career-best nine kills. Butler, Poe and Bobkova each served two aces.

Goods-Morris had 13 kills and 10 blocks for Dillard (15-10, 7-3). Paula Ogbevoen had eight kills, 12 digs and six blocks, and Samantha Salao had 19 digs.

Xavier will be the No. 1 seed in the GCAC Tournament at Nashville, Tenn., and play eighth-seeded Edward Waters in the opening round at 10 a.m. Thursday. The tournament winner will receive an automatic bid to the NAIA National Championship, which will begin Nov. 19.

Hamilton, in her first season as a collegiate head coach, led the Gold Nuggets to their first winning record in the the program's fourth year. Xavier was 11-26 in 2010 and a combined 5-17 in its first three GCAC seasons.

"It's amazing," Hamilton said. "It's such a great feeling. We clinched the title last week, but to be able to finish 10-0 in the conference . . . I credit our team for trusting me. It's so rewarding and such a blessing to see what we've accomplished."

Box score

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

Battle of the Bands: Grambling State World Famous Marching Band vs. JSU Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band

This high quality, high definition video of yesterday's battle between rivals Grambling State University World Famous Tigers Marching Band and the Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South Marching Band is provided for our enjoyment by talented videographer O-JAY, TheOProductions1907.  O-Jay is one of the best videographers in the business and has done outstanding work this year in recording for "history" the titanic band battles of our storied HBCU band programs.
(beepbeep)

Grambling State Tigers rallies to beat Jackson State, 26-23

Jackson, Mississippi -- Grambling State pulled off a late comeback and last-second defensive stand to take a 26-23 win over Jackson State in Jackson on Saturday.

Sophomore running back Dawrence Roberts scampered to paydirt from 10 yards out against a stacked Jackson State defensive line with 1:24 remaining to put Grambling up by three points. But the game was far from over with high-powered quarterback Casey Therriault behind center for JSU.

Therriault moved the home-standing JSU Tigers within scoring position in the final minute. Jackson State opted to go for the win as opposed to a field goal and overtime, but Theriault's pass to the corner of the end zone as time expired was overthrown.

"The most important thing is the way you finish and that's something we've done a good job of the past four weeks," a Gatorade-soaked GSU coach Doug Williams said. "The Grambling-Jackson State rivalry has always been big and a big part of (Southwestern Athletic Conference) football, and with (JSU) celebrating its football centennial, we knew this was going to be a big one."

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Special teams play leaves J-State kicking itself

The words rolled off of Jackson State coach Rick Comegy's lips with the most disgusting tone. "Putrid," he said, referring to the Tigers' special teams play during Saturday's 26-23 loss to Grambling.

 JSU allowed a whopping 213 yards on six kickoff returns, muffed a third punt return this season and missed a late field goal. Grambling's average field position after a JSU kickoff? The 44-yard line.

The G-men returned the first kickoff to the JSU 20-yard line, a 56-yard return that eventually led to a field goal.

Part of the kickoff troubles can be blamed on injury. Kris Selita, the team's normal kickoff specialist and punter, didn't play because of an injury to his plant leg.

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Grambling loss knocks JSU from black college title picture

Time has expired on Jackson State's bid for a black college national championship.

The Tigers tossed away a chance at a game-tying field goal Saturday, deciding not to use a timeout and allowing time to run out during a last-second throw to the end zone in a 26-23 loss to pesky conference rival Grambling.

This, a fourth straight defeat to Grambling (5-4), might burn the most.

Jackson State (7-2) entered as the No. 1 black college team in the country, three wins away from winning a mythical black college national title.

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B-CU takes down Morgan State for homecoming win

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Jackie Wilson ran for three touchdowns and passed for 186 yards as Bethune-Cookman treated a near-capacity crowd of 9,649 to a 49-23 homecoming victory over Morgan State today at Municipal Stadium.

Jonathan Moment added two touchdown runs, including a 28-yard scamper that gave the Wildcats a 14-10 halftime lead. The Wildcats turned the game into a rout with three third-quarter touchdowns, including Wilson's 45-yard run with 26 seconds left in the quarter that put B-CU up 35-10.

The Wildcats, 6-3, 4-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, won their fourth consecutive game while knocking Morgan State (5-4, 4-2) out of first place in the MEAC standings. Isidore Jackson led the Wildcats in rushing with 93 yards and added a touchdown run. Moment added 78 yards rushing, while Wilson ran for 74 yards.

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Wilson, Moment combine for 5 touchdowns for happy Bethune-Cookman homecoming

DAYTONA BEACH -- Quarterback Jackie Wilson was nearly beat out for the starting spot last week in practice. Fullback Johnathan Moment was told he'd have a greater role than usual Saturday.

The duo combined for five touchdowns as Bethune-Cookman rolled up 476 yards of offense, including 290 on the ground, to dispatch Morgan State 49-23 Saturday in front of a homecoming crowd of 9,649 at Municipal Stadium.

B-CU's fourth consecutive victory kept alive its slim hopes of claiming a piece of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title for the second year in a row.

Now the Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 MEAC) will become big Morgan State fans for a week. A victory by the Bears (5-4, 4-2) over Norfolk State next week would force a multiple-team tie for first place with two losses apiece.

Photo Gallery

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FAMU Rattlers hold off N.C. A&T, remain in postseason hunt

Tallahassee, Florida -- The little children who surrounded Florida A&M receiver Kevin Elliott in pursuit of autographs knew he had done something big in the game that they'd just watched at Bragg Stadium, although they might not understand the significance of the outcome.

Elliott just smiled and kept signing. The rest of his teammates were all smiles too Saturday night, as well they should after handing North Carolina A&T a 26-20 loss on Senior Day.

The victory gives FAMU a 6-3 overall record and put the Rattlers at 4-2 in the MEAC standings. The win, which eliminated the resurging Aggies from contention for the league title, puts FAMU in a four-way tie for second place.

They must win their two remaining game to have any chance of tying leader Norfolk State (8-2, 6-1) or at least finishing second in the standings.

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FAMU's Fleming efficient early in his tenure

Finding a quarterback to finish out the season for the Florida A&M football team has been a bit tricky during the past three years. Last year, Austin Trainor finished the last six games, replacing Martin Ukpai.

Trainor was replaced this season by freshman Damien Fleming after four starts. But there is one consistency that Taylor's quarterbacks can brag about going back to his first season in 2008. Three of them have had at least an 80-percent completion rate.

In 2008, Eddie Battle didn't miss a pass against South Carolina State in 11 attempts, and the following year Curtis Pulley hit 17-of-21 against Winston-Salem State for 80.9 percent. Fleming is the latest to do so, completing 34-of-40 passes for 85 percent against South Carolina State.

Of the three quarterbacks, Fleming reached the 80-percent mark the fastest. He did it in his fourth game as a freshman, while Battle was a junior and Pulley was a senior.

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NSU clinches 1st MEAC title with win over Savannah State

Hampton, Virginia -- The Norfolk State football team clinched a share of its first-ever MEAC title with a 45-3 road win over Savannah State (1-8, 1-5) on Saturday. The Spartans (8-2, 6-1) can win the MEAC championship outright, and clinch a spot in the FCS playoffs, with a road win over Morgan State next Saturday.

Spartans quarterback Chris Walley completed 20 of 25 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with receiver Derrick Demps five times for 106 yards.

Kicker Ryan Estep set a single-season record with his 16th field goal, while wide receiver Keith Johnson went 85 yards on a reverse, the longest run from scrimmage in NSU history.

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Norfolk rolls past Savannah State

The song remained the same for the struggling Savannah State Tigers as they faced off against the Norfolk State Spartans at Ted Wright stadium Saturday.

Three touchdowns in the first quarter by Norfolk State propelled the visitors to a dominating 45-3 win and a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.

“All week long, we thought we were the better football team, just with the records and personnel,” Norfolk State coach Pete Adrian said. “We had to make sure we played good, tough football on both sides of the ball. We knew they were going to play hard, which they did. We’re just happy to get the win.”

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Demps, Walley key Spartans to share of first MEAC title

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Chris Walley and Derrick Demps put the offense on track, put on shows for their family and put rings on the fingers of the Norfolk State Spartans.

Together, the Florida-born players led the Spartans to a 45-3 win at Savannah State, clinching a share of the Spartans' first MEAC title. It's the first football title of any kind for NSU since it won the CIAA in 1984. Norfolk State can win the championship outright, and the FCS playoff spot that comes with it, with a win at Morgan State next weekend.

"Obviously, it's nice to do it for the first time," head coach Pete Adrian said. "But we're not done yet. We know that."

Walley completed 20 of 25 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 72 yards and two more scores. Demps caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

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SAVANNAH, GA - Quarterback Chris Walley accounted for 343 yards of total offense and five touchdowns, and visiting Norfolk State clinched at least a share of its first-ever MEAC football title with a 45-3 win over Savannah State on Saturday evening at T.A. Wright Stadium.

The win is the Spartans’ eighth of the season and sixth in MEAC play, tying the 2007 team for the most of each in school history. NSU (8-2, 6-1) still must win at Morgan State next Saturday to clinch its first outright MEAC championship and earn the conference’s automatic berth in the FCS playoffs. NSU rolled up a season-high 559 yards of total offense while holding the Tigers (1-8, 1-5) to 45, the lowest by a Spartan opponent in the Pete Adrian era. Five of NSU’s seven scoring drives lasted 70 seconds or less.

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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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