Monday, December 3, 2012

WSSU's Connell Maynor, Bethune-Cookman's Brian Jenkins Named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year

WACO, Texas. -  Winston-Salem State University head football coach, Connell Maynor (CIAA) and Bethune-Cookman University (MEAC) head coach Brian Jenkins were selected as American Football Coaches Association's 2012 Regional Coach orf the Year winners.
 
Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly and first-time winner Dino Babers of Eastern Illinois highlight today’s announcement of the American Football Coaches Association’s 2012 Regional Coach of the Year winners.

The AFCA recognizes five regional Coach of the Year winners in each of the Association’s five divisions: Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. The winners are selected by Active members of the Association who vote for coaches in their respective regions and divisions.

The 2012 Regional Coach of the Year winners will be recognized at the AFCA Coach of the Year Dinner at the 2013 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8.

In just his third year as head coach of Notre Dame, Kelly has guided the Fighting Irish to a 12-0 record, a No. 1 ranking in the BCS standings and a spot in the BCS National Championship game.

Kelly is looking to lead Notre Dame to its first National Championship since 1988 and its first of the BCS era. Babers earned his first Regional Coach of the Year Award by leading Eastern Illinois to a 7-5 record a year after going 2-9. Babers led Eastern Illinois to the Ohio Valley Conference title and an appearance in the NCAA FCS playoffs in his first year as the Panther’s head coach.



2012 AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Winners

Football Bowl Subdivision
Region 1: Charlie Strong, University of Louisville
Region 2: Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M University*
Region 3: Brian Kelly, University of Notre Dame
Region 4: Bill Snyder, Kansas State University
Region 5: Mike Riley, Oregon State University

Football Championship Subdivision
Region 1: Sean McDonnell, University of New Hampshire
Region 2: Brian Jenkins, Bethune-Cookman University &
Chuck Priore, Stony Brook University (tie)
Region 3: Dino Babers, Eastern Illinois University
Region 4: Trent Miles, Indiana State University
Region 5: Rob Ash, Montana State University &
Willie Fritz, Sam Houston State University* (tie)

Division II
Region 1: Mark Maciejewski, Shippensburg University
Region 2: Connell Maynor, Winston-Salem State University
Region 3: Lee Owens, Ashland University
Region 4: Don Carthel, West Texas A&M University
Region 5: Aaron Keen, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Division III
Region 1: Mike Cragg, Hobart College
Region 2: Tom Watts, Ohio Wesleyan University
Region 3: Pete Fredenburg, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Region 4: Larry Kehres, University of Mount Union*
Region 5: Patrick Cerroni, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

NAIA
Region 1: Bill Cronin, Georgetown College (Ky.)*
Region 2: Ted Karras, Jr., Marian University*
Region 3: Paul Troth, Missouri Valley College
Region 4: Steve Ryan, Morningside College*
Region 5: Chuck Morrell, Montana Tech
*-2011 winner
 
Award History: The AFCA began recognizing district coaches of the year following the 1960 season. The awards were established the same year Eastman Kodak agreed to sponsor the AFCA Coach of the Year award. Prior to 1960, the Scripps-Howard newspaper chain had sponsored the program, which recognized one national Coach of the Year.

The AFCA first recognized eight district winners in each of two divisions: university and college. In 1972, a ninth district was added in each division.

In 1983, the award was changed to recognize regional winners instead of district winners, and the number of divisions was increased from two to four, and five regional winners were selected in each division. This resulted in a more equitable selection process and better represented the make-up of the membership. At the same time, the new system increased the number of honorees from 18 to 20.

In 2006, the AFCA Division II Award was split into separate Division II and NAIA divisions, giving us the 25 winners we now recognize.

Repeat Winners: Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin, Sam Houston State’s Willie Fritz, Mount Union’s Larry Kehres, Georgetown’s Bill Cronin, Marian’s Ted Karras and Morningside’s Steve Ryan are the repeat winners from 2011. Ryan added his third Regional honor in 2012.

Multiple Winners: Other multiple winners in the 2012 class are Pete Fredenburg (sixth; 2000-02-05-07-10-12), Brian Kelly (fifth; 1998-2001-08-09-12), Bill Snyder (fourth; 1993-98-99-12), Sean McDonnell (third; 2004-05-12), Chuck Priore (third; 2004-05-12), Paul Troth (third; 2006-07-12), Don Carthel (second; 2007-12), Mike Cragg (second; 2002-12), Brian Jenkins (second; 2010-12), Trent Miles (second; 2010-12) and Mike Riley (second; 2008-12).

First Time Winners: Ten coaches earned their first AFCA Regional Coach of the Year Award in 2012: Louisville’s Charlie Strong, Eastern Illinois’ Dino Babers, Montana State’s Rob Ash, Shippensburg’s Mark Maciejewski, Winston-Salem State’s Connell Maynor, Ashland’s Lee Owens, Minnesota State-Mankato’s Aaron Keen, Ohio Wesleyan’s Tom Watts, Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Patrick Cerroni and Montana Tech’s Chuck Morrell.


AFCA National Coach of the Year: The AFCA will announce its five 2012 National Coach of the Year winners at the 2012 AFCA Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. All head coaches who were eligible for regional honors are eligible for national honors as well.

COURTESY AMERICAN FOOTBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION

Former WSSU Ram Football Star is Now Living the Life

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. -- Back in his heyday Randy Bolton was a star collegiate running back -- a four-year, Winston-Salem State University letterman who helped the Rams go 11-1 in 1977 and again in 1978 en route to the Division II national semifinals.

Now known as Dr. Randy Bolton, the retired school principal still carries a competitive torch. Which is why 15 years ago, he and Charlotte neighbor Rick Martin decided to contest a golf outing around the Pinehurst area, based out of the Talamore Golf Resort.

In the first year, the "BoMar Open" as they called it attracted eight players. By 2007, their three-day shindig had grown to 80 participants, many of whom return year after year and have started adding an extra day onto the trip, coming from all over the map -- many as far away as New Hampshire and Chicago.

They have enjoyed many of the Sandhills area's most well-known golf designs, including the Rees Jones gem at Talamore, which Golf Digest named Best New Course in the South, and its Arnold Palmer-designed sister layout, Mid South Club.

Bolton says one night they will go out for dinner in the nearby Pinehurst Village, the next evening they will stay on site at either the Talamore Golf Villas or the well-appointed and luxurious Lodges at Mid South and cook their own meal following a fun and boisterous banquet at the Talamore clubhouse. Some play golf the entire time, others take time to relax and fish in the reservoir or play cards in the cabana.

"I could live right here in these condos," said Bolton. "We love Talamore. It's our home while we are here and they are fantastic. They make us feel so welcome."

Retired from General Motors, Jack Ives has been pulling together golf buddy trips for the past three decades, but once he and his group discovered Talamore, it has been their permanent home away from home. Now living in Fitchburg, Mass., about 30 miles northwest of Boston, Ives has resided in several different states during his professional career, and his golfing buddies come from as far away as the West Coast and Canada.

The Ives group comes to the Sandhills for a full week of golf and has grown from four players to a consistent count of 20-plus. "Friends invited friends," said Ives, "and once they came, they kept coming." Ives said his group prepares breakfast at the villas, lunch on the golf course and dinner somewhere in the vicinity of the Village of Pinehurst. Near the end of the week, they have an awards banquet where everyone walks away with something.

"The banquet tends to get lively. We were the floor show at Bonefish Grill one year," Ives said. "We give prizes for low score, high score, you name it. We definitely have a lot of laughs. Mostly, though, we play golf and tell some lies."

Another Talamore Golf Resort regular, John Williams from Richmond, Va., visits with his group of 16 friends in the middle of the summer, when the courses are not crowded and the price is right. "We get a two-bedroom condo that is really nice, and it costs less than a motel room," said Williams. "It is so convenient, of course, because you can be in the (Pinehurst) Village so quickly. We love to go to the restaurants in town."

They are among many golf aficionados who regularly visit Talamore Golf Resort, which dates back to 1991 and first made headlines for its famed stable of llama caddies, along with unparalleled customer service. Today, Talamore Golf Resort has grown to become one of the Pinehurst area's premier golf getaways, which is why more than 90 percent of Talamore's customers return or refer new business.

Talamore's clubhouse, pool and cabana are all conveniently located next to the Talamore Golf Villas, which offer top-shelf amenities and panoramic views, and were constructed soon after the club's opening. The Talamore golf and travel experts offer a wide variety of value-added packages and customized trips that not only include Talamore's 36 championship holes, but also more than 20 other premier golf courses around the famed Sandhills.

For information call (800) 552-6292 or visit www.TalamoreGolfResort.com

COURTESY TALAMORE GOLF RESORT MEDIA RELATIONS

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Dec. 1 - HBCU Scorecard

NCAA Division II Football

Pioneer Bowl
Elizabeth City State 28, Tuskegee 13

NCAA Division II Playoffs Quarter-Finals
(13-0) Winston-Salem State 21,  (12-2) Indiana University (Pa.) 17


NCAA Division I Men's Basketball

MEAC
Delaware State 76, Maryland Eastern Shore 66
Hampton 58, Howard 50
Norfolk State 55, Savannah State 45
#1 Indiana 87, Coppin State 51
Florida A&M 75, Bethune-Cookman 67
Morgan State 81, Virginia Military 80 (OT)
North Carolina Central 66, North Carolina A&T 62

OVC
Tennessee State 83, Alabama A&M 72
Jacksonville State 56, Alcorn State 52
SIU-Edwardsville 71, Chicago State 57

SWAC
Oregon 80, Arkansas Pine Bluff 59
Southern 90, Champion Baptist 36

GCAC
Blue Mountain 76, Dillard 66
Florida Memorial 77, Edward Waters 70


NCAA Division I Women's Basketball

MEAC
Virginia Commonwealth 86, Florida A&M 57
Hampton 59, South Carolina State 46
North Carolina A&T 67, North Carolina Central 27
Savannah State 62, Norfolk State 55
Cornell 77, Morgan State 73
Delaware State 76, Maryland Eastern Shore 66

OVC
Eastern Kentucky 64, Jackson State 56
Montana 71, Tennessee State 48

SWAC
Grambling State 64, Stephen F. Austin 63
#18 Oklahoma State 91, Texas Southern 49
St. Bonaventure 56, Southern U. 36

GCAC
Florida Memorial 77, Edward Waters 76




No. 16 WT Buffs Upset Top-Ranked Colorado State-Pueblo in NCAA Quarterfinal, 34-13; Faces Winston-Salem State Next

PUEBLO, Colorado   The West Texas A&M football team exacted some revenge Saturday with a dominating performance on both sides of the ball as it upset top-ranked Colorado State-Pueblo at the Netta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl with a 34-13 win in the NCAA Quarterfinal. With the win the Buffs improved to 12-2 on the year, while CSU-Pueblo ended its season a 12-1.

The Buffs, who avenged a season-opening 44-34 loss to these same Thunderwolves Aug. 30, silenced the announced crowd of 10,217 midway through the first half. However, the Buffs had a nice contingent of fans of approximately 800 who made the five-hour trip from Canyon.

West Texas A&M should find out where and when it will play top-seeded out of Super Region One and second-ranked Winston-Salem State Sunday.

WT was led by junior quarterback Dustin Vaughan who passed for 324 yards and three scores on 24 of 38 passes with one interception. Senior running back Khiry Robinson tallied 181 yards on the ground and had two catches for 14 yards with a score. Junior wide receiver Nathan Slaughter came up with catch after catch after catch as he tallied 170 yards receiving and two touchdowns on seven receptions.

Defensively the Buffs dominated the CSU-Pueblo this time as it held the high-powered Thunderwolves' rushing offense to just 32 yards on the ground as CSUP had 265 yards on the ground in the first meeting in August. CSUP quarterback Ross Dausin didn't have a lot of time in the pocket as the relentless WT defense sacked him seven times for 46 yards led by junior defensive lineman Ethan Westbrooks who had 2.5 sacks for 21 yards and a forced fumble. He now has a school-record 19 sacks on the season. Junior linebacker Taylor McCuller had 14 tackles in the game including eight solo stops as he broke the school-record for tackles in a season with 155 as Joe Calhoun had 151 in 1995.

WT amassed 517 yards of offense as they had 193 yards on the ground and 324 through the air and held CSUP to just 225 yards of total offense. For the second straight week, the Buffs have knocked off an undefeated and top five ranked team as WT won at No. 4 Ashland last week 33-28.

There was an energy and a confidence from the opening kick on the Buffalo sideline as the teams traded punts for the first three possessions and the Buffs turned the ball over on downs on a 4th and 1 from the CSU-Pueblo 45 midway through the first quarter.

The WT defense came up big with a stop as junior linebacker Bryan Johnson came up with the first sack of the game forcing a punt.

That's went the WT offense started clicking as the Buffs marched a season-high 94 yards on three plays in just 1:19 of time as Vaughan completed two passes to Nathan Slaughter for 91 yards, including a 74-yard strike on a flea-flicker as Slaughter caught it on the near side and reversed field for a 7-0 lead.

The Thunderwolves went 3-and-out on their next possession as the momentum began to grow and the 800 or so WT fans continued to get louder and louder. The Buffs started inside the CSUP 40 as Vaughan completed pass to redshirt freshman Jarrian Rhone for 3 yards and a first down on a 3rd and three to the 18. After the change of the quarter, Vaughan and Slaughter hooked up once again for a 14-0 lead on a 13-yard pass and score.

The Thunderwolves went 18 plays in 8:03, but the bend, but don't break WT defense came up huge once again as senior defensive lineman came up with a huge nine-yard sack on Dausin on a 3rd and six from the WT eight yard line forcing a field goal.

The Buffaloes came right back with an 8-play, 71-yard drive as Vaughan and Slaugher hooked up once again on a 40-yard pass down the CSUP 31. Another 10-yard pass to Slaughter put the Buffs on the 17. On 3rd and goal from the goal line, Vaughan threw a pass to Robinson in the end zone for a 21-3 lead.

WT took over late in the second quarter after senior defensive back Jordan Smith picked off Dausin for Smith's third interception of the season. The Buffs marched from their own 21 to the CSUP 28 as junior kicker Sergio Castillo, Jr., kicked a 45-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining in the half for a 24-3 lead.

CSUP drove to the WT 47 on the opening possession of the third quarter and punter Brandon Kliesen, who ranks second nationally in punting, placed the ball at the WT 1. On the first play from the one, the snap went wide of Vaughan, but Robinson was there to collect it and managed a two yard gain avoiding a disaster.

WT punted from its 22, but CSU-Pueblo return specialist Kieren Duncan returned the punt 46 yards to the WT 27 as the home crowd began to come to life.

The Buff “D” stepped up once again with good pressure on Dausin as he was sacked by Westbrooks and sophomore linebacker Shane Sobnosky for a seven yard loss as the Thunderwolves were on the doorstep. Greg O'Donnell kicked his second field goal of the game for a 24-6 score with 6:06 remaining in the third quarter.

A big pass interference penalty on CSUP kept the ensuing Buff drive alive as they marched to the CSUP 33 where Castillo kicked a 50-yard field goal for a 27-6 advantage.

WT put the game out of reach on the defensive side as Westbrooks sacked and forced a Dausin fumble as junior linebacker LeBrandon Mosley picked up the loose ball and ran in from 26-yards out on the ensuing CSUP possession for a 34-6 lead late in the third quarter. It was first fumble returned for a touchdown by the Buffs since Chris Metcalf returned one 25 yards versus Texas A&M-Kingsville in Cowboys Stadium earlier this season.

The longest run of the game from the Thunderwolves came late in the third as Matthews scampered 33 yards to the WT 42 on the next possession. Following the change of the quarter, CSUP marched down field on the shoulders of Matthews and Dausin connected on an 18-yard strike to Josh Sandoval for a score and a 34-13 Buff lead with 12:01 remaining.

Great clock management by the Buffs followed as they went on a season-high 16 play, 89-yard drive getting to the CSUP 6 as a Vaughan pass was intercepted in the end zone with 4:26 remaining.

Box Score

COURTESY  WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

THE SHOW: Sounds of Alabama A&M University vs. Auburn University

TSU Men's Basketball Defeats Alabama A&M, 83-72

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama  -- The Tennessee State men's basketball team won its first true road game of the season on Saturday night against Alabama A&M, 83-72.

Tennessee State (3-5) had a season-low 10 turnovers in the game, but forced the Bulldogs into 14 miscues.

The Tigers made the most of their good defense, scoring 21 points off of Alabama A&M (2-4) mistakes.

TSU had four players finish in double-figures in Robert Covington, Kellen Thornton, Patrick Miller and Jordan Cyphers. Covington led all scorers with 27 points while Thornton added 17.

Tennessee State head coach Travis Williams stressed taking good shots in practice during the week, and it showed, as the Tigers shot 51 percent (26-51) from the field and 79.4 percent (27-34) from the charity stripe.

TSU won the tip and Covington got off to a quick start, nailing his first shot of the game- a long three-pointer. Alabama A&M ran down the floor and countered with a jumper, beginning a fast-paced first half in which neither side took a timeout.

Covington continued to lead the Tigers on offense and scored seven of TSU's first eight points of the game. He finished the half with a team-high 14 points.

Covington may have been leading the charge, but Tennessee State also got strong first half play from Cyphers and Thornton.

Starting from the 15:43 mark, Cyphers canned six straight points for the Tigers during a one-minute span. Cypher's scoring flurry gave the Tigers a 14-8 lead.

Thornton, meanwhile, had eight points for the Tigers during the opening stanza on 4-7 shooting.

TSU finished the first half on a 9-2 run that started with 3:38 to go and led at the break, 39-31.

Both teams shot well from the field during the period, as TSU was 15-27 (55.6 percent) while Alabama A&M shot 14-27 (51.9 percent).

TSU came out of the gates with gusto, and eventually led by 13 when Thornton converted a layup with 17:27 left in the game.

The Tigers kept up the pressure and Miller nailed a jumper at the 8:52 mark to give the squad a 20-point cushion- its largest of the game.

Miller finished the game with 16 points on 4-9 shooting.

Alabama A&M whittled down the lead for the rest of the game, but couldn't get back within seven of the Tigers, and TSU walked away with an 83-72 victory.

Tennessee State had eight players finish with at least 15 minutes played.

The Tigers will go for three straight wins when they take on the Drexel Dragons at home on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
 
 
COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Pioneer Bowl: Tuskegee and Elizabeth State both showcased big-time running backs

COLUMBUS, Georgia  --  Saturday's Pioneer Bowl at A.J. McClung's stadium was the final collegiate game for both Elizabeth City State's DaRonte McNeil and Tuskegee's Derrick Washington.

But it might not be the last time you see the star running backs do their thing. There's chance each of them could be selected in April's NFL draft and an even better chance they get invited to camp to audition for a roster spot if they aren't chosen.

Despite finishing their careers at Division II schools, both are Division I talents.

McNeil, who finished with 147 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries to help lead the Vikings to a 28-13 victory, began his career at East Carolina.

At chiseled 6-foot-1, 220-pounds, he certainly possesses the physique to bang with the big boys.

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Pioneer Bowl: Big strip turns sure touchdown into touchback in Tuskegee's 28-13 loss to Elizabeth City State

COLUMBUS, Georgia---Derrick Washington had done the hard part on the third quarter handoff.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Tuskegee running back had burst through Elizabeth City State's defensive line, made his move and accelerated beyond the Vikings' secondary.

There was nothing between him and six points but grass. But he let off the gas pedal at the 1-yard line where defensive back Josh Brooks chased him down from behind and knocked the ball away to force a touchback on what would've been a 69-yard touchdown in the Golden Tigers' 28-13 loss in the Pioneer Bowl at A.J. McClung Stadium Saturday .

"I slowed down. That's my fault," Washigton said. "I think that was the big momentum swing in the game right there and that's all one me. I should've just sprinted to the end zone. I could've eased up and coasted and he came and popped it out right at the 1. It was a good play."

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2-Minute Drill: Elizabeth City State 28, Tuskegee 13 (Pioneer Bowl)


WHY ELIZABETH CITY STATE WON

Elizabeth City State forced three turnovers and did what hardly anybody had anyone had done against Tuskegee--ran the football. The Vikings racked up 227 yards on the ground against the Tigers, the most the SIAC's stoutest defense gave up all season.

KEY MOMENT

Elizabeth City State defensive back Josh Brooks' strip of Tuskegee running back Derrick Washington at the 1-yard line erased what would've been a 69-yard touchdown and changed the complexion of the game. Vikings' running back DaRonte McNeil's 44-yard touchdown with 4:38 to play put Elizabeth City State in the driver's seat.


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