PINE BLUFF, Ark. -- Tim Clark rushed for a career-high 106 yards and three touchdowns, and Alabama State spoiled Arkansas-Pine Bluff's homecoming game with a 28-12 win Saturday.
"Tim has that type of ability," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "He's an elusive runner, protects well, and is a smart guy. He's one of our team leaders and I'm happy he played well today. He had a long run for us and those are the type plays we are going to need from these guys as we finish the season."
Devin Dominguez added 254 passing yards and a 51-yard touchdown pass to Nehemiah Henry for the Hornets (7-2, 7-1), who stayed in first place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference's East division.
"This week we were really focused and wanted to come back out and put a good game together," ASU head coach Reggie Barlow said. "I thought in all three phases we did some positive things and we were able to come away with a victory."
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Monday, November 7, 2011
Alcorn falls to Alabama A&M
LORMAN, Mississippi — The Alcorn State defense did its part to pull off a SWAC upset of Alabama A&M Saturday afternoon at Jack Spinks Marino Casem Stadium, but the offense gave away two turnovers for touchdowns and was unable to put up enough points to get the Braves the win.
“I thought we came out and fought like champions,” Braves’ head coach Melvin Spears said. “We just can’t afford to make the little mistakes we made.”
Alcorn jumped out to a 7-0 lead early, but Alabama A&M was able to take the lead by the end of the first quarter with a 49-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and a 30-yard interception return for a score. The Braves fought back to tie, but the Bulldogs were too much for the Braves in the fourth quarter and added two touchdowns to win 28-14.
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Alabama A&M football: MAKE IT SEVEN
LORMAN, Mississippi - Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones may not have been looking ahead to Jackson State, but his team certainly was Saturday. The Bulldogs came out flat as a pancake against an Alcorn State team that had beaten the likes of Mississippi Valley State and Concordia-Selma.
Fortunately, Jones got their attention at halftime, and they escaped danger. Free safety Rico Porch and cornerback Clarence Morris came away with defensive touchdowns in the first quarter and quarterback Deaunte Mason, and running back Kaderius Lacey scored on short touchdown runs in the fourth quarter as A&M downed Alcorn State 28-14 at Spinks-Casem Stadium.
"We had an attitude adjustment at halftime," said Lacey, who finished with 158 yards rushing, including 144 in the second half. "We didn't play to the best of our ability in the first half. We know how bad we want it, and we didn't want to blow our season like that.
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“I thought we came out and fought like champions,” Braves’ head coach Melvin Spears said. “We just can’t afford to make the little mistakes we made.”
Alcorn jumped out to a 7-0 lead early, but Alabama A&M was able to take the lead by the end of the first quarter with a 49-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and a 30-yard interception return for a score. The Braves fought back to tie, but the Bulldogs were too much for the Braves in the fourth quarter and added two touchdowns to win 28-14.
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Alabama A&M football: MAKE IT SEVEN
LORMAN, Mississippi - Alabama A&M football coach Anthony Jones may not have been looking ahead to Jackson State, but his team certainly was Saturday. The Bulldogs came out flat as a pancake against an Alcorn State team that had beaten the likes of Mississippi Valley State and Concordia-Selma.
Fortunately, Jones got their attention at halftime, and they escaped danger. Free safety Rico Porch and cornerback Clarence Morris came away with defensive touchdowns in the first quarter and quarterback Deaunte Mason, and running back Kaderius Lacey scored on short touchdown runs in the fourth quarter as A&M downed Alcorn State 28-14 at Spinks-Casem Stadium.
"We had an attitude adjustment at halftime," said Lacey, who finished with 158 yards rushing, including 144 in the second half. "We didn't play to the best of our ability in the first half. We know how bad we want it, and we didn't want to blow our season like that.
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
Smalls carries TSU to 29-14 victory over Southern
Houston, Texas -- Riko Smalls threw for a career-high 365 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a score to lead Texas Southern to a 29-14 victory over Southern in its home finale Saturday night at Delmar Stadium.
Smalls helped TSU (4-5, 2-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) take a 15-0 lead in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to Richard Samuel and a touchdown run to go along with a two-point conversion rush.
Southern (3-6, 3-4) fought back, reducing the Tigers' advantage to 22-15 on J.P. Douglas' 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Berry with 11:45 left in the third quarter.
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99-yard drive sinks Southern
HOUSTON, Texas — Moments earlier, they had scored swiftly and easily. They trailed Texas Southern by seven points in the third quarter. They had the Tigers pinned on their own 1-yard line. They had momentum. Then, almost as quickly, everything fell apart for Southern football team.
With a game-changing series that all but clinched a 29-15 victory on a cool, breezy Saturday night, Texas Southern changed everything.
In the finest game of his college career, TSU quarterback Riko Smalls capped a 10-play, 99-yard drive when he fired a 13-yard rope to receiver Joe Anderson, who made a sticky-fingered catch in the north end zone at rickety old Delmar Stadium.
Just like that, the Jaguars’ momentum was gone.
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SU-Texas Southern play final time at Delmar
HOUSTON — Southern’s football team played Texas Southern in rickety Delmar Stadium on Saturday for the second time in three years. In all likelihood, the Jaguars will never play there again.
Saturday’s game marked TSU’s final home game in Delmar, a 12,500-seat high school facility owned and supervised by the Houston Independent School District. Next fall, Texas Southern will move into an $85 million downtown stadium, which it will share with the MLS’ Houston Dynamo.
“This is bittersweet,” TSU Athletic Director Charles McClelland said. “This is a high school stadium, but it has served us well. We have a winning record here, and of course, we won a SWAC championship playing here. ... But we’re extremely excited to be moving into our new home.”
In doing so, Texas Southern leaves behind a high school facility that’s showing his age.
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Smalls helped TSU (4-5, 2-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) take a 15-0 lead in the second quarter with a touchdown pass to Richard Samuel and a touchdown run to go along with a two-point conversion rush.
Southern (3-6, 3-4) fought back, reducing the Tigers' advantage to 22-15 on J.P. Douglas' 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Berry with 11:45 left in the third quarter.
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99-yard drive sinks Southern
HOUSTON, Texas — Moments earlier, they had scored swiftly and easily. They trailed Texas Southern by seven points in the third quarter. They had the Tigers pinned on their own 1-yard line. They had momentum. Then, almost as quickly, everything fell apart for Southern football team.
With a game-changing series that all but clinched a 29-15 victory on a cool, breezy Saturday night, Texas Southern changed everything.
In the finest game of his college career, TSU quarterback Riko Smalls capped a 10-play, 99-yard drive when he fired a 13-yard rope to receiver Joe Anderson, who made a sticky-fingered catch in the north end zone at rickety old Delmar Stadium.
Just like that, the Jaguars’ momentum was gone.
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SU-Texas Southern play final time at Delmar
HOUSTON — Southern’s football team played Texas Southern in rickety Delmar Stadium on Saturday for the second time in three years. In all likelihood, the Jaguars will never play there again.
Saturday’s game marked TSU’s final home game in Delmar, a 12,500-seat high school facility owned and supervised by the Houston Independent School District. Next fall, Texas Southern will move into an $85 million downtown stadium, which it will share with the MLS’ Houston Dynamo.
“This is bittersweet,” TSU Athletic Director Charles McClelland said. “This is a high school stadium, but it has served us well. We have a winning record here, and of course, we won a SWAC championship playing here. ... But we’re extremely excited to be moving into our new home.”
In doing so, Texas Southern leaves behind a high school facility that’s showing his age.
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Texas State beats Prairie View, 34-26
"There was a 12th man out there today and he switched teams at times," said Texas State coach Dennis Franchione. "It was the wind. Every point was scored with the wind at your back, except one (play)."
That one play — Isaiah Battle's 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, giving the Bobcats a 24-19 lead — was Texas State's biggest turning point, according to Franchione.
Running back Tim Hawkins scored the game-winning touchdown for Texas State on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter, and kicker Will Johnson connected on a 42-yard field goal on the following possession to seal the victory.
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Texas State outlasts Prairie View A&M, 34-26
San Marco, TX - With his team trailing for the first time in the game, Isaiah Battle returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown and reserve quarterback Tyler Arndt led lead two scoring drives in the fourth quarter as the Texas State football team rallied for a 34-26 victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday at Bobcat Stadium.
“It was good to get back into the win column,” said Texas State head coach Dennis Franchione. “The kids fought hard and they had to fight hard. There was a 12th man out there today and he switched teams at times and that was the wind.”
Every point with the exception of Battle’s kickoff return was scored with the wind at each team’s back throughout the game.
Texas State looked to be in complete control early in the game as the Bobcats scored touchdowns on their first two possessions in the game. The first touchdown came after Josh Minde recovered a fumble to stop Prairie View A&M’s opening drive at Texas State’s 45-yard line.
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TSU rallies with 13 points in fourth quarter to edge E. Illinois
CHARLESTON, Illinois -- Tennessee State scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, and Trabis Ward scored the game-winner with 1:49 left as the Tigers edged Eastern Illinois 18-17 on Saturday. Ward posted a career-high 142 yards rushing and also scored a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
Eastern Illinois (2-8, 1-7 OVC) made it to midfield, but a fourth-and-5 pass bounced off the hands of receiver Von Wise. The Tigers (4-5, 3-3) stopped all five of the Panthers’ fourth-down plays in the game.
“Our offense grinded out a huge score, and our defense had a big stop on fourth down,” TSU Coach Rod Reed said. “I am extremely proud of these kids as they showed a lot of character.”
TSU put together a 15-play drive to make it a 17-12 game with 14:28 left on Ward’s 3-yard run. Ward had runs of 27 and 4 yards to start the winning touchdown drive, then quarterback Mike German lobbed a 29-yard pass to Billy Davis to move the ball to the EIU 17.
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Spoo Legacy Game Spoiled By TSU, 18-17
CHARLESTON, ILL. - The story book ending Eastern Illinois had hoped to send long time head coach Bob Spoo out with on Saturday afternoon was spoiled as the Panthers fell one point short in an 18-17 loss to Tennessee State.
Spoo coached his final game at O'Brien Field with more than 100 former players on hand to pay tribute to the Panthers all time leader in football wins. Spoo is in his 25th and final season as EIU's head coach having led the program to 144 wins and nine FCS playoff appearances. EIU fell to 2-8 on the year, 1-7 in the OVC. The Panthers will play the final game of Spoo's long career next Saturday at Southern Illinois. TSU improved to 4-5 overall, 3-3 in the OVC.
EIU held a 7-5 lead at the half as the Panthers defense had an inspired effort that included two inceptions of Tigers quarterback Mike German. Antonio Taylor and Pat Wertz both had their first career interceptions for EIU as TSU's only offensive score was a 51-yard field goal by Jamin Godfrey with six seconds left in the half.
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Eastern Illinois (2-8, 1-7 OVC) made it to midfield, but a fourth-and-5 pass bounced off the hands of receiver Von Wise. The Tigers (4-5, 3-3) stopped all five of the Panthers’ fourth-down plays in the game.
“Our offense grinded out a huge score, and our defense had a big stop on fourth down,” TSU Coach Rod Reed said. “I am extremely proud of these kids as they showed a lot of character.”
TSU put together a 15-play drive to make it a 17-12 game with 14:28 left on Ward’s 3-yard run. Ward had runs of 27 and 4 yards to start the winning touchdown drive, then quarterback Mike German lobbed a 29-yard pass to Billy Davis to move the ball to the EIU 17.
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Spoo Legacy Game Spoiled By TSU, 18-17
CHARLESTON, ILL. - The story book ending Eastern Illinois had hoped to send long time head coach Bob Spoo out with on Saturday afternoon was spoiled as the Panthers fell one point short in an 18-17 loss to Tennessee State.
Spoo coached his final game at O'Brien Field with more than 100 former players on hand to pay tribute to the Panthers all time leader in football wins. Spoo is in his 25th and final season as EIU's head coach having led the program to 144 wins and nine FCS playoff appearances. EIU fell to 2-8 on the year, 1-7 in the OVC. The Panthers will play the final game of Spoo's long career next Saturday at Southern Illinois. TSU improved to 4-5 overall, 3-3 in the OVC.
EIU held a 7-5 lead at the half as the Panthers defense had an inspired effort that included two inceptions of Tigers quarterback Mike German. Antonio Taylor and Pat Wertz both had their first career interceptions for EIU as TSU's only offensive score was a 51-yard field goal by Jamin Godfrey with six seconds left in the half.
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Lane Dragons end season with fourth win
COLUMBIA, South Carolina — This season has been up and down for the Lane Dragons, which is better than the previous two seasons when they failed to win a game. 2011 ended on the up-side when the Dragons defeated Benedict College 19-13 to go into the offseason on a positive note.
"It was definitely good to get a win today and end the season like that," said Lane head coach Derrick Burroughs. "But we've got work to do to get better for next season, especially on offense."
The Dragons scored all of their points in the first half. A safety and a 37-yard field goal by Ryan Bullock gave the Dragons a 5-0 lead in the first quarter.
Alan Ferguson ran a yard for a touchdown late in the second quarter, and Ferguson threw to William Golston for 19 yards for another touchdown 15 seconds later after the Dragons' defense recovered a fumble.
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Benedict closes season with 19-13 defeat
COLUMBIA, S.C. - There was no miracle finish for the 2011 Benedict College Tigers football team, as a last-second, last-ditch effort fell short and Lane College took a 19-13 victory Saturday in a NCAA Division II contest at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
Trailing 19-0 at the half, Benedict rallied with a pair of touchdowns in the second half and got the ball with 1:01 left in the game and 77 yards away from a potential game-winning touchdown and extra point.
The Tigers picked up some big yardage, as quarterback Simeon Kelley rushed for gains of 12 and 20 yards, and then completed a 17-yard pass to Harlon Samuels for a first down at the 23-yard line. But then the Tigers stalled, with Kelley throwing an incomplete pass on first down, a delay of game penalty on second down pushed them back five yards, and Kelley was sacked on the next play.
He spiked the ball to stop the clock ...
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"It was definitely good to get a win today and end the season like that," said Lane head coach Derrick Burroughs. "But we've got work to do to get better for next season, especially on offense."
The Dragons scored all of their points in the first half. A safety and a 37-yard field goal by Ryan Bullock gave the Dragons a 5-0 lead in the first quarter.
Alan Ferguson ran a yard for a touchdown late in the second quarter, and Ferguson threw to William Golston for 19 yards for another touchdown 15 seconds later after the Dragons' defense recovered a fumble.
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Benedict closes season with 19-13 defeat
COLUMBIA, S.C. - There was no miracle finish for the 2011 Benedict College Tigers football team, as a last-second, last-ditch effort fell short and Lane College took a 19-13 victory Saturday in a NCAA Division II contest at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
Trailing 19-0 at the half, Benedict rallied with a pair of touchdowns in the second half and got the ball with 1:01 left in the game and 77 yards away from a potential game-winning touchdown and extra point.
The Tigers picked up some big yardage, as quarterback Simeon Kelley rushed for gains of 12 and 20 yards, and then completed a 17-yard pass to Harlon Samuels for a first down at the 23-yard line. But then the Tigers stalled, with Kelley throwing an incomplete pass on first down, a delay of game penalty on second down pushed them back five yards, and Kelley was sacked on the next play.
He spiked the ball to stop the clock ...
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Albany State Headed to SIAC Title Game
COLUMBUS, Georgia -- One more win and the Albany State Golden Rams were in next week's SIAC title game. All the Rams had to do was beat their pesky rival Fort Valley State in the 22nd Annual Fountain City Classic. Pesky is an apt word for the Wildcats on Saturday at Columbus’ McClung Memorial Stadium.
Fort Valley State (2-5, 2-8) had nothing to lose in trying to ruin Albany State's season. The Wildcats played up to the part in the first half by taking a 14-10 lead at the break. However, Albany State returned to field in the second half calm and collected. The ASU offense came alive in the second half for a 38-29 win over Fort Valley State.
Freshman running back Adrian Alexander started the second half scoring onslaught with a 69 yard touchdown run in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Alexander led the Rams rushing attack with 110 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Wide receiver Darius Nelson moved the ASU lead to 23-14 with a short touchdown reception two minutes later in the quarter.
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Albany State pulls away from Fort Valley State
COLUMBUS, GA -- It took a while for No. 21 Albany State to get going in Saturday’s 22nd annual Fountain City Classic at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, but for the Golden Rams, it was case of better late than never.
Overcoming an early 14-point deficit, Albany State scored 28 second-half points to take control and earn a 38-29 win over Fort Valley State that punched the Rams’ ticket to this week’s inaugural SIAC championship game in Atlanta.
“(Making it to the championship game) means a lot to me,” said Albany State senior quarterback Stanley Jennings, who was 12-for-25 for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the win. “We knew coming in (Fort Valley State) was going to give us a run for our money, and they did. But it was important for us to get to the championship game. Now we just have to have another good week of practice and go get it.”
Albany State -- which won the Eastern Division of the SIAC -- will take on Western Division champion Miles (6-4) for the SIAC title at Panther Stadium on the campus of Clark Atlanta. Kickoff for that game is set for 1 p.m.
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Fort Valley State (2-5, 2-8) had nothing to lose in trying to ruin Albany State's season. The Wildcats played up to the part in the first half by taking a 14-10 lead at the break. However, Albany State returned to field in the second half calm and collected. The ASU offense came alive in the second half for a 38-29 win over Fort Valley State.
Freshman running back Adrian Alexander started the second half scoring onslaught with a 69 yard touchdown run in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Alexander led the Rams rushing attack with 110 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Wide receiver Darius Nelson moved the ASU lead to 23-14 with a short touchdown reception two minutes later in the quarter.
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Albany State pulls away from Fort Valley State
COLUMBUS, GA -- It took a while for No. 21 Albany State to get going in Saturday’s 22nd annual Fountain City Classic at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, but for the Golden Rams, it was case of better late than never.
Overcoming an early 14-point deficit, Albany State scored 28 second-half points to take control and earn a 38-29 win over Fort Valley State that punched the Rams’ ticket to this week’s inaugural SIAC championship game in Atlanta.
“(Making it to the championship game) means a lot to me,” said Albany State senior quarterback Stanley Jennings, who was 12-for-25 for 286 yards and two touchdowns in the win. “We knew coming in (Fort Valley State) was going to give us a run for our money, and they did. But it was important for us to get to the championship game. Now we just have to have another good week of practice and go get it.”
Albany State -- which won the Eastern Division of the SIAC -- will take on Western Division champion Miles (6-4) for the SIAC title at Panther Stadium on the campus of Clark Atlanta. Kickoff for that game is set for 1 p.m.
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Tuskegee uses late fumble to beat Miles 27-25
TUSKEGEE, Alabama -- A Ryan Crespo 2-yard run in the fourth quarter gave Tuskegee the winning margin in a 27-25 victory over Miles College on Saturday. That play was set up when Miles quarterback David Thomas was sacked by Aaron Bennett and fumbled. Tuskegee returned the ball to the Miles 6-yard line.
Miles falls to 6-4 and 5-2 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference while Tuskegee improves to 4-5 and 4-3 with its homecoming victory. The game was the first meeting between new Miles coach Reggie Ruffin and his former boss, Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater.
Miles scored on a 16-yard run by Thomas later in the fourth quarter to make it 27-25, but Thomas' rush for a 2-point conversion failed.
Miles got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining and reached the Tuskegee 30-yard line, but the Golden Tigers kept the Golden Bears out of the end zone.
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Miles falls to 6-4 and 5-2 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference while Tuskegee improves to 4-5 and 4-3 with its homecoming victory. The game was the first meeting between new Miles coach Reggie Ruffin and his former boss, Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater.
Miles scored on a 16-yard run by Thomas later in the fourth quarter to make it 27-25, but Thomas' rush for a 2-point conversion failed.
Miles got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining and reached the Tuskegee 30-yard line, but the Golden Tigers kept the Golden Bears out of the end zone.
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Kentucky State wraps up season with loss to Morehouse
Frankfort, Kentucky - The Kentucky State football team wrapped up its season Saturday at Alumni Stadium with a tough 28-24 loss to Morehouse College. The loss was tough not only because it was Senior Day for the Thorobreds but because they took the lead 24-21 with 5:49 left in the game – after being down 21-7 at halftime – only to have the Tigers march down the field and score the game-winning touchdown in a little over three minutes.
KSU finishes 6-4, and while a winning record the year after going 3-8 might cause some to celebrate, coach Wayne Dickens said he was disappointed considering his team’s potential.
“That’s probably looking at the glass half full but as a coach, no, I’m not satisfied,” he said. “We had the ability and potential to be better. If we’re two games better, and those two games are Stillman and Miles, we’re lining up to play a championship game next week. “I’m unhappy with the way we finished but the record is what it is.”
The Thorobreds got off to a rough start in the first quarter as ...
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KSU finishes 6-4, and while a winning record the year after going 3-8 might cause some to celebrate, coach Wayne Dickens said he was disappointed considering his team’s potential.
“That’s probably looking at the glass half full but as a coach, no, I’m not satisfied,” he said. “We had the ability and potential to be better. If we’re two games better, and those two games are Stillman and Miles, we’re lining up to play a championship game next week. “I’m unhappy with the way we finished but the record is what it is.”
The Thorobreds got off to a rough start in the first quarter as ...
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Xavier loses 73-61 to Western Kentucky in road exhibition
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky — Derrick Gordon scored 17 points Saturday to lead Western Kentucky to a 73-61 men's basketball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana.
It was the third consecutive year that the Hilltoppers, an NCAA Division I member, beat the NAIA-member Gold Rush in an exhibition, but this was the closest of the three margins. Western Kentucky won by 53 points in 2009 and by 15 points in 2010.
T.J. Price scored 12 points for WKU, and Nigel Snipes and Kahlil McDonald had 11 apiece. Snipes grabbed 11 rebounds.
Wanto Joseph had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists and was Xavier's lone double-figure scorer. Kevin Miller had nine points and five rebounds, and Chris Iles and Renard Smith scored eight points apiece.
Xavier, ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, trailed 41-25 at halftime but outscored the Hilltoppers 36-32 in the second half. Iles made the second of two free throws with 3:28 remaining to cut WKU's margin to 63-56, but the Hilltoppers scored the next six points to clinch the victory.
WKU outshot Xavier 41.1 to 40 percent from the floor, committed 13 turnovers and gained 27. The Gold Rush had a 39-36 rebound advantage even though two of Xavier's tallest players, Denzell Erves and Anthony Simmons, fouled out. WKU outscored Xavier 23-16 in free throws.
The Hilltopers led 4-0 through the first 2:15, then the Gold Rush scored eight consecutive points — five by Erves and three by Miller — to take an 8-4 lead. WKU responded with a 9-0 run before Xavier took its final lead, 16-15, when Nick Haywood passed to Smith for a 3-pointer at 11:16.
WKU had a 10-0 run in the final 3:22 of the first half, then took its biggest lead, 45-27, on Price's basket in the paint with 17:33 remaining.
Xavier will stay on the road for a 7 p.m. Monday exhibition at seventh-ranked Vanderbilt.
GALLERY: Men's Basketball vs. Xavier
Box score
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
It was the third consecutive year that the Hilltoppers, an NCAA Division I member, beat the NAIA-member Gold Rush in an exhibition, but this was the closest of the three margins. Western Kentucky won by 53 points in 2009 and by 15 points in 2010.
T.J. Price scored 12 points for WKU, and Nigel Snipes and Kahlil McDonald had 11 apiece. Snipes grabbed 11 rebounds.
Wanto Joseph had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists and was Xavier's lone double-figure scorer. Kevin Miller had nine points and five rebounds, and Chris Iles and Renard Smith scored eight points apiece.
Xavier, ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, trailed 41-25 at halftime but outscored the Hilltoppers 36-32 in the second half. Iles made the second of two free throws with 3:28 remaining to cut WKU's margin to 63-56, but the Hilltoppers scored the next six points to clinch the victory.
WKU outshot Xavier 41.1 to 40 percent from the floor, committed 13 turnovers and gained 27. The Gold Rush had a 39-36 rebound advantage even though two of Xavier's tallest players, Denzell Erves and Anthony Simmons, fouled out. WKU outscored Xavier 23-16 in free throws.The Hilltopers led 4-0 through the first 2:15, then the Gold Rush scored eight consecutive points — five by Erves and three by Miller — to take an 8-4 lead. WKU responded with a 9-0 run before Xavier took its final lead, 16-15, when Nick Haywood passed to Smith for a 3-pointer at 11:16.
WKU had a 10-0 run in the final 3:22 of the first half, then took its biggest lead, 45-27, on Price's basket in the paint with 17:33 remaining.Xavier will stay on the road for a 7 p.m. Monday exhibition at seventh-ranked Vanderbilt.
GALLERY: Men's Basketball vs. Xavier
Box score
By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XULAATHLETICS
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
Bowie State Falls to Chowan, 38-35, in Season Finale
Bowie, Maryland - Late-game penalties killed Bowie State’s hopes for a comeback as the Chowan University Hawks from Murfreesboro, NC, edged the Bulldogs, 38-35, with a 31-yard field goal as time ran out at the Bowie stadium.
The kick by Ryan Murphy came with seven seconds left and marked the season finale for both teams. Chowan ended the season at 3-7 overall (2-5 vs. Central Interscholastic Athletics Association (CIAA)) and Bowie State wrapped up the year with a 4-6 overall record (3-4 vs. CIAA).
Bowie State scored first with 16 seconds left in the first quarter, when senior Delano Johnson returned a lateral pass 31 yards for the score. Chowan responded immediately, as Antjuan Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards. Chowan would score 21 unanswered points to open a 28-7 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, Chowan quarterback Kameron Stover found receiver Robert Holland in the end zone for their third touchdown combination of the game, this time from three yards out, extending the Chowan lead to 35-14.
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Bowie State comes back, but loses on last-second field goal
The Bowie State University football team made a furious comeback in the fourth quarter on Saturday against Chowan University, but Hawks' kicker Ryan Murphy hit a 31-yard field goal with seven seconds to play to lift Chowan to a 38-35 victory against the Bulldogs.
Bowie State finished its season with a 4-6 record, including a 3-4 mark in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, while Chowan went 3-7 and 2-5 in the league.
The Bulldogs trailed 28-14 at the end of the third quarter and fell behind 35-14 when Chowan scored a touchdown with 12 minutes, 32 seconds to play. Bowie State then scored three touchdowns in a span of just over six minutes to tie the score at 35-35.
Surrattsville High graduate Andre Johnson started the surge with a 30-yard touchdown run with 7:24 to play. Johnson hit Dominique Budd on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 5:18 to go, and then connected with Kevin James on a 2-yard scoring pass with 1:21 to play.
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The kick by Ryan Murphy came with seven seconds left and marked the season finale for both teams. Chowan ended the season at 3-7 overall (2-5 vs. Central Interscholastic Athletics Association (CIAA)) and Bowie State wrapped up the year with a 4-6 overall record (3-4 vs. CIAA).
Bowie State scored first with 16 seconds left in the first quarter, when senior Delano Johnson returned a lateral pass 31 yards for the score. Chowan responded immediately, as Antjuan Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards. Chowan would score 21 unanswered points to open a 28-7 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, Chowan quarterback Kameron Stover found receiver Robert Holland in the end zone for their third touchdown combination of the game, this time from three yards out, extending the Chowan lead to 35-14.
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Bowie State comes back, but loses on last-second field goal
The Bowie State University football team made a furious comeback in the fourth quarter on Saturday against Chowan University, but Hawks' kicker Ryan Murphy hit a 31-yard field goal with seven seconds to play to lift Chowan to a 38-35 victory against the Bulldogs.
Bowie State finished its season with a 4-6 record, including a 3-4 mark in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, while Chowan went 3-7 and 2-5 in the league.
The Bulldogs trailed 28-14 at the end of the third quarter and fell behind 35-14 when Chowan scored a touchdown with 12 minutes, 32 seconds to play. Bowie State then scored three touchdowns in a span of just over six minutes to tie the score at 35-35.
Surrattsville High graduate Andre Johnson started the surge with a 30-yard touchdown run with 7:24 to play. Johnson hit Dominique Budd on a 25-yard touchdown pass with 5:18 to go, and then connected with Kevin James on a 2-yard scoring pass with 1:21 to play.
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ECSU Closes Out Regular Season with 39-14 win over Lincoln
ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina - The Elizabeth City State University football team closed out the regular season slate with a 39-14 win over Lincoln University of Pennsylvania on Senior Day at Roebuck Stadium. With the win the Vikings extend their win streak to eight games, improving to 8-2 overall and 6-1 in CIAA play.
The Lions finish the regular season with a 2-5 mark in the CIAA and 2-8 overall.
Besides it being Senior Day, the occasion was made even more special when on his third carry of the afternoon Daronte McNeill picked up seven yards and subsequently became the Vikings' all-time leading rusher, passing the mark of 3,158 yard held previously by Aaron Murchinson. McNeill, who finished the day with 186 yards on 38 carries and two touchdowns, now stands at 3,332 yards in his career.
The Lion defense put up a valiant effort on Saturday, totaling 105 tackles as a team. Unfortunately for Lincoln their offense could not sustain drives to keep them off the field. ECSU dominated the time of possession with almost 40 minutes (38:45) to 20:19 for Lincoln. The Lions' average field position was their own 28 yard line.
The ECSU defense was pitching a convincing shutout 32-0 shutout until a touchdown pass from Doug Cook to Matthew Colston with 6:12 remaining in the game put the Lions on the scoreboard for the first time. When the Vikings' ensuing possession went 3-0 a bad snap on the punt attempt gave them Lincoln their best field position of the day at the ECSU 15 and two plays later Cook passed for a 2 yard score to Colston to make the score 32-14. Cook was sacked six times and picked off twice on the afternoon but ended up with a solid performance passing for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
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The Lions finish the regular season with a 2-5 mark in the CIAA and 2-8 overall.
Besides it being Senior Day, the occasion was made even more special when on his third carry of the afternoon Daronte McNeill picked up seven yards and subsequently became the Vikings' all-time leading rusher, passing the mark of 3,158 yard held previously by Aaron Murchinson. McNeill, who finished the day with 186 yards on 38 carries and two touchdowns, now stands at 3,332 yards in his career.
The Lion defense put up a valiant effort on Saturday, totaling 105 tackles as a team. Unfortunately for Lincoln their offense could not sustain drives to keep them off the field. ECSU dominated the time of possession with almost 40 minutes (38:45) to 20:19 for Lincoln. The Lions' average field position was their own 28 yard line.
The ECSU defense was pitching a convincing shutout 32-0 shutout until a touchdown pass from Doug Cook to Matthew Colston with 6:12 remaining in the game put the Lions on the scoreboard for the first time. When the Vikings' ensuing possession went 3-0 a bad snap on the punt attempt gave them Lincoln their best field position of the day at the ECSU 15 and two plays later Cook passed for a 2 yard score to Colston to make the score 32-14. Cook was sacked six times and picked off twice on the afternoon but ended up with a solid performance passing for 232 yards and two touchdowns.
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Virginia Union Panthers Lasso Broncos of Fayetteville State
Richmond, Virginia - It was Senior Day at Virginia Union University (VUU) and the last game of the 2011 football season as the Panthers took the field against the Broncos of Fayetteville State University (FSU).It was also VUU's final opportunity to salvage at least a .500 season in what can only be referred to as another disappointing season. The crimson and steel began the season in rather stellar fashion as they rolled up a 4-2 record before the wheels began to fall off its high-octane offense. The Panthers have lost their last three outings including a heart-breaking loss to what can be considered as its cross-town rival, Virginia State University by a score of 34-19.
Fayetteville States' Broncos by contrast have been on a winning streak having won their last four games after opening the season horrendously by losing its first 4 games.
Both teams had identical conference records at kick-off time at VUUs' Hovey Field (4-5) so fireworks were anticipated as each team set out to finish the season on a winning note.
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Velasquez's Field Goal Lifts Panthers on Senior Day
Virginia Union University's Stephen Velasquez hit a 25-yard field goal with 9:51 left in the fourth quarter to lift the Panthers to a 17-14 win over Fayetteville State University in VUU's season finale on November 5 in Hovey Field in Richmond, Va.
VUU's Richard Rodwell rushed 75 yards and a touchdown while teammate Terrence Malone also rushed for a score. Senior quarterback Cheston Hickman completed nine of 17 passes for 137 yards. Fellow senior Raymond Mack caught five passes for 90 yards.
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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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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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XU survives Dillard, finishes 10-0 in GCAC regular season
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| Coach Christabell Hamilton Career Record: 19-6, 10-0 GCAC |
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.
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| Taylor Reuther |
"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.
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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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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
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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