Winless Hampton U. looks for fresh start in MEAC play

HAMPTON, Virginia -- Hampton University's journey back to competitive relevance so far included a flat tire, a blown radiator and a fleecing by the locals.

Now that the Pirates return to their neighborhood, they have a chance at a fresh start, with the possibility of a big audience.

After a month, HU is in the same position as a year ago — winless. Unlike last year, all of the Pirates' losses were to non-conference teams. They have the full Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference slate ahead of them, beginning with Saturday's opener 2 p.m. at South Carolina State (2-2, 0-0 MEAC), a game that will be broadcast on tape-delay by ESPNU.

"Regardless of whatever the record may be, we're just starting," Pirates coach Donovan Rose said Wednesday. "It's the MEAC. We went through a preseason and we didn't come out with the script that we would have liked. But we're here, and now, we have an opportunity to go in front of the entire nation. It shouldn't be any additional motivation required. Now, we get a chance to redeem ourselves and let them know who you are — the real HU."

Hampton (0-4) comes off of a 50-17 loss at Coastal Carolina, only the fourth time that HU has given up 50 points since becoming a Division I program. The Chanticleers, ranked 15th at the time, rushed for 382 yards and led 40-0 at halftime before taking their foot off of the gas pedal.

CONTINUE READING

Donald Hill-Eley has closed chapter on Morgan State's 0-4 start

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- For the first time since Donald Hill-Eley became head coach in 2002, Morgan State has opened the season with four consecutive losses. But he said the mood in the locker room has not changed.

“Yesterday was a day that we give the players off, and you’ve got 40 guys out on the field, moving around,” Hill-Eley said Tuesday morning during a conference call. “So the spirits are high. Quite naturally, you would want to have gotten a win within these first four games. [But] you’re going against conference champions, you’re going against the Big South champion [Liberty]. ... So you get a chance to go against the best that they have.

"Unfortunately, you didn’t win, but it’s being able to understand that you competed and take away what you can back into your conference and make your push. Nothing has happened to this point to take us away from our quest of winning the MEAC championship. Right now, that starts this week. This is all for the marbles. Everything else, that chapter is closed, and we’re moving forward.”

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WSSU Notes: Hayes working on 2014 schedule

WILLIAM '"BILL" HAYES
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, WSSU

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Athletics director Bill Hayes of Winston-Salem State said that the experience of playing in the Cleveland Classic for the second straight year was a good one.

“I think the players really liked it and got a chance to see the Pro Football Hall of Fame along the way,” Hayes said.

When asked if WSSU might return for a third straight year, Hayes said he had not had any contact with Classic officials.

Meanwhile, Hayes is continuing work on next year’s schedule. WSSU will open with a home game against UNC Pembroke and then has two open dates to fill. One possibility is to start a two-year home-and-home series with Tuskegee.

"We just have to figure out how to make some money for those dates, so we’ll look at our options,” Hayes said. “Scheduling is an inexact science so I just have to see what’s out there for us.”

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DSU hopes MEAC opener is start of a new season

DOVER — The Delaware State and Savannah State football teams have had similar starts to the season.

A lot of road trips, a lot of points scored on them.

Savannah State does have something the Hornets do not — a win.

Delaware State will look for its first win of the season when it travels to meet the Tigers to open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play (Saturday 6 p.m.). The start of conference season signifies the end of a brutal nonconference schedule for the Hornets (0-3) which featured the two teams currently ranked No. 1 and 2 in the FCS (North Dakota State and Towson.)

“We gained a lot of valuable game experiences from what our young guys did,” said DSU coach Kermit Blount of the nonconference slate. “I’m hoping that the experiences that we gathered over the last three weeks is going to help us go into this game this weekend.”

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J. Lin Dawson Named Interim Athletic Director at ECSU

J. Lin Dawson

ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina  -- Elizabeth City State University has announced the appointment of J. Lin Dawson as the Interim Director of Athletics.

A native of Kinston, N.C., Dawson has held significant roles in higher education and business settings where he has been a professional athlete, entrepreneur, graduate school instructor, minister, consultant, athletic administrator, and senior officer.

As an athletic administrator with over twenty years of experience, he served as the Director of Athletics at North Carolina Central University from 2000-2003. Among the highlights of his tenure was to initiate the Life Skills Program for student-athletes, increase athletic scholarships by forty percent, eliminate a budget deficit from a previous administration, refurbish McDougald Gymnasium, and maintain the conference's best corporate partnership program.

His success would continue at Grambling State University where he was awarded the Commissioner's Cup for having the best athletic program in the SWAC in 2010. His teams won several conference championships and the distinction of National Black Champions in Football (2009). He initiated a new fundraising program called the Roaring Tiger Club and increased alumni donations and fan participation, made several capital improvements to Robinson Football Stadium, Tiger Soccer Stadium, Tiger Softball Stadium, and the football practice field. He created the Port City Football Classic which produced net revenues of $700,000 in first year. In addition, he increased corporate sponsorships dollars by four hundred percent.

As a former student-athlete for the NC State Wolfpack, Lin was a four year starter and member of the ACC Championship Team of 1979. For ten years, he was the starting tight-end for the New England Patriots and was an integral part of the AFC Championship and Super Bowl team. During his tenure with the Patriots, he served as team chaplain for six years and team representative for four years.

As one of the first practitioners in the country to design and implement leadership diversity programs for collegiate athletic programs and professional sports, Dawson helped over 40 major universities and professional sports organizations such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Soccer to launch successful diversity initiatives.

His primary consultations with Fortune 500 corporations are in the areas of organizational design and development, executive coaching, teambuilding, and leadership diversity.

Dawson holds an MBA with a specialization in human resource management and knowledge/learning management. Currently, he is a PhD candidate in Applied Management and Decision Sciences- Organizational Change and Leadership.

He has received numerous awards and accommodations from The White House, the Anti-Defamation League, National Football League, NCAA Division IA Athletic Directors Association, The Peter F. Drucker Foundation, The Boston Herald American, and the National Consortium for Academics and Sports. He and his wife, Margo (28 years), have three (3) young adult children.

COURTESY ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

ASU Hits the Practice Field to Prepare for the Alcorn Braves

MONTGOMERY, Alabama  -- Alabama State University hit the practice field for their weekly Tuesday night practice to begin preparations for a red-hot Alcorn State team that sits atop the East Division with Jackson State carrying a 3-1 overall record and a perfect 2-0 conference record.

"Coach Hopson has done a real good job with this team," Head Coach Reggie Barlow said. "I think he is finally getting his guys into that program and they are a team that is playing with a lot of confidence right now."

ASU may lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring (34.2 ppg), but Alcorn is not far behind standing in fourth averaging 31.5 points per game.

"Offensively they have three solid running backs that are getting the job done for them," Barlow said. "They have a really good quarterback that has thrown for a high percentage and completed a lot of passes."

Alcorn's lone loss of the season was 51-7 at Mississippi State. You take out that score and Alcorn's defense is only allowing 19 points per game in their three wins.

"Defensively they have a nice size defensive front," Barlow added. "Their secondary guys are skilled and play the game the right way. They played against Pine Bluff the defending SWAC Champions and went in and got a victory. So they are playing at a high level and playing with a lot of confidence."

"When they come in here they will be feeling the same way. They have a win against Mississippi Valley and of course they want to come in here and get one against us."

The Saturday evening game is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will be shown live on Hornet Vision. The game can also be heard on WVAS FM 90.7 beginning with the pregame show at 4:45 p.m.

COURTESY ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Black College Football Hall of Fame Announces 2014 Finalists

The Black College Football Hall of Fame announced today 25 finalists will be on the ballot for induction into the Fifth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame. The list includes 20 players, five coaches, and five contributors.

ATLANTA, Georgia  --  The Black College Football Hall of Fame announced today 25 finalists will be on the ballot for induction into the Fifth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame. The list includes 20 players, five coaches, and five contributors.

The finalists were selected from a field of more than 125 nominees by an 11 member Selection Committee comprised of prominent journalists, historians and football executives. The committee will meet again in the coming weeks to select the seven members (six players and one coach/contributor) to be inducted as the Class of 2014.

“On behalf of the Black College Football Hall of Fame, we would like to congratulate all of the 2014 finalists. With so many deserving nominees, narrowing the list down to 25 finalists is not an easy task for the committee,” explained Roscoe Nance, Chairman of the Selection Committee.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2014 will be announced on October 23, 2013. New members will be honored at the Fifth Annual Enshrinement Ceremony, presented by the Atlanta Falcons on March 1, 2014. The event will take place at the Loews Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia in conjunction with Black College Football weekend.

“The Falcons are once again honored to support the Black College Football Hall of Fame,” said Atlanta Falcons Owner & Chairman Arthur Blank. “The history and heroes of Black College Football are stories that must be told.”

The Black College Football Hall of Fame was established to honor the greatest football players, coaches and contributors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).   Each inductee’s college or university will receive a $5,000 grant to support continuing academic and athletic opportunities at their respective institutions.

PLAYERS FINALISTS

• Emerson Boozer (RB, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1962-1965)
• Robert Brazile (LB, Jackson State University, 1971-1975)
• Roger Brown (OL, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 1956-1959)
• Harold Carmichael (WR, Southern University, 1967-1970)
• Richard Dent (DE, Tennessee State University, 1979-1982)
• L.C. Greenwood (DE, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 1965-1968)
• Harold Jackson (WR, Jackson State University, 1965-1968)
• Leroy Kelly (RB, Morgan State University, 1960-1963)
• Ernie “Big Cat” Ladd (DL, Grambling State University, 1957-1960)
• Jethro Pugh (DE, Elizabeth City State University, 1961-1964)
• Donnie Shell (DB, South Carolina State University, 1970-1973)
• John Stallworth (WR, Alabama A&M University, 1970-1973)
• Michael Strahan (DE, Texas Southern University, 1989-1992)
• Ken Riley (QB, Florida A&M University, 1965-1968)
• Willie “Satellite” Totten (QB, Mississippi Valley State University, 1982-1985)
• Otis Taylor (WR, Prairie View A&M University, 1961-1964)
• Emmitt Thomas (QB/DB, Bishop College, 1962-1965)
• Everson Walls (DB, Grambling State University, 1977-1980)
• Doug Wilkerson (OL, North Carolina Central University, 1966-1969)
• Aeneas Williams (CB, Southern University, 1987-1990)

 

COACH & CONTRIBTUOR FINALISTS

• Marino Casem (Head Coach, Alcorn State University, 1963-1992)
• Joe Gilliam, Sr. (Tennessee State University Defensive Coordinator)
• William "Billy" Joe (Head Coach, Central State University 1981-1993, Florida A&M 1994-2004)
• Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones (President, Grambling State University, 1936-1977)
• Arnett Mumford (Head Coach, Southern University, 1927-1961)

To learn more, please visit… www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org, www.Twitter.com/BCFHOF, www.Facebook.com/BlackCollegeFootballHallofFame 



COURTESY 2012 NFC SOUTH CHAMPS -- THE ATLANTA FALCONS

Former Xavier AD Felix "Zoo" James will be buried Friday

FELIX "ZOO" JAMES
March 11, 1920-Sept. 18, 2013

NEW ORLEANS — Felix "Zoo" James, Xavier University of Louisiana's director of athletics from 1990-97, died Wednesday (Sept. 18, 2013) following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 93.

Basketball flourished during his XU tenure, with the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets recording six 20-victory seasons apiece and combining for six appearances at the NAIA Division I National Championships. XU's women won first-round games at nationals four consecutive seasons, and the Nuggets extended that streak a year after James' retirement.

James also administered in 1994-95 the return of men's tennis and cross country to intercollegiate status and the introduction of women's tennis and cross country. He hired Dannton Jackson, XU's current head coach of men's basketball and interim athletics director, as a women's basketball assistant coach and later gave him the cross country duties. Alma Henderson, the department's longtime administrative assistant II, also worked for James.

James was a 1941 graduate of Xavier who worked his way through XU as a manager on the men's track and field team. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps after graduation and served as a medic in Italy during World War II with the Tuskegee 332nd Fighter Group.   

He was inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 after winning two state championships, three city championships and five district championships in 15 years as head football coach at L.B. Landry High School on the New Orleans West Bank. He also taught at Landry and coached track and basketball.


Felix "Zoo" James from Cyril Neville, Jr. on Vimeo.
video: http://vimeo.com/12778367

Prior to Landry, James worked six years at Gaudet School before it closed in 1951. After his Landry tenure, James worked for the Orleans Parish Public Schools personnel department as coordinator for certification and, ultimately, as its director. 

James was born in Gerard, Ga., on March 11, 1920, and moved to New Orleans with his family at age 5. He was nicknamed Zoo because of his childhood love of animal cookies. He was a 1937 graduate of McDonogh 35 High School, and he received a master's degree from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) after the war. James relocated to Memphis, Tenn., in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. 

Survivors include, his wife, Bonita, and son, Kenneth, both of Memphis; a granddaughter, Monique Moody of Jacksonville, Fla.; three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Landry-Walker Auditorium at L.B. Landry High School, 1200 L.B. Landry Ave., followed by a tribute service from 8-9 p.m. The funeral will start at 10 a.m. Friday at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, 1222 N. Dorgenois St. in New Orleans. Visitation there will be from 8-9:45 a.m. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery on River Road in Edgard, La. Majestic Mortuary Service is in charge of arrangements.

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

Mitch Hill, New Leader of A&M Baseball

HEAD COACH MITCH HILL
AAMU BULLDOG BASEBALL

NORMAL, Alabama -- The Alabama A&M athletics department hires Mitch Hill to take the reins of the Bulldog Baseball team.

Hill first joined the A&M baseball program as an assistant under former head coach Michael Tompkins. Hill immediately began making an impact on the program by hitting the recruiting trail and bringing young men onto the campus for visits, in turn having a great early signing class for the 2014 season.   After Tompkins resigned in July 2013, Hill filled in temporarily until the position was filled.

"We are excited to announce Coach Mitch Hill as our new head baseball coach. He brings an exciting and energetic brand of baseball. His ability to recruit top-notch baseball student-athletes who excel in the classroom as well as on the diamond is exactly what we need. His hiring gives us the continuity to build on an up and coming baseball program," says Alabama A&M Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks on this new addition.

Mitch began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of North Alabama, where he lettered and pitched from 2002 to 2007 while earning his bachelor's degree in Physical Education with a minor in Business Administration. As a graduate assistant under Head Coach Mike Keehn, Hill was primarily charged with the recruiting of future Student-Athletes. During the three years in which he excelled in the recruiting field, he also performed duties within all aspects of the game.

After leaving UNA, and before joining the Bulldogs, he continued his coaching career as an assistant coach at two different junior colleges in the Southeast, Motlow State Community College and Bevill State Community College. Mitch spent one year at Bevill State Community College prior to the athletic program being cut from the college.  During that year, he had the top three recruiting class in the state of Alabama.

After Bevill, he spent one year at Motlow State Community College in Lynchburg, Tennessee under Head Coach Dan McShea. Mitch helped guide the bucks to the best season they've had in seven years, with 34 wins and an appearance in the state tournament.

"First of all I'm excited, I've had a lot of family support and I want to thank my wife Erin Lynn Hill," smiled Coach Hill.

In his second year with the Bulldogs, and in the first head coaching position of his career, Coach Hill looks to continue making improvements and increase the impact he has had thus far on "The Hill".

"Being on "The Hill" for the past year, and bringing in a good recruiting class this year, we are taking baby steps. We made it to the conference tournament for the first time in five years last season, and with the recruiting class, I brought in this year we are looking to make huge steps" in the whole scheme of things," adds Hill.

"Everyone in this area and community has been good to me, I am truly excited, and I look to be here for a while. I would like to thank Bryan Hicks and the Department of Athletics for giving me this opportunity to be the head coach."

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Chowan University names new Athletic Director

MURFREESBORO, North Carolina  -- The Chowan University athletic department and Dr. M. Christopher White made a critical announcement regarding the future of Chowan athletics on Tuesday afternoon.  Upon the retirement of current Vice President/Director of Athletics, Dennis Helsel, Ozzie McFarland will take the reins of an athletic department with 15 varsity sports and cheerleading.

McFarland will transition into the role effective December 31, 2013.  Dr. White stated, "Dennis has done all the things an athletic director is supposed to do, and he's done them in remarkable fashion."

Helsel will retire from the position with over 30 years of intercollegiate athletic experience, with eight of those years having been at Chowan University.  Over the course of his career, Helsel has served within various associations including NCAA Division I institutions (Syracuse, Akron, Maryland) and Conference USA.

Dr. White stated, "Prior to Dennis coming to Chowan, the athletic programs were in shambles for many reasons.  We were looking for an individual who had experience at various levels of the NCAA and was familiar with their processes.  Under Dennis' direction, he shepherded Chowan through the transition process from DIII to DII and aided our acceptance into the division as quickly as is possible."

Under Helsel's guidance and oversight, the Hawks soared to new heights having made the transition from NCAA DIII to NCAA DII and accepted into full membership with the oldest historically black conference in the nation, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).   The Hawks have enjoyed five CIAA Championships during Helsel's tenure; two in the sport of softball,  two in volleyball, and an individual championship in golf (Cliff Forbes) along with four CIAA Northern Division Championships in softball and volleyball. 

Dr. White continued, "Dennis was instrumental in Chowan's transition to the CIAA.  His expertise to his colleagues in the league was valuable. His focus on sportsmanship and integrity in sport is admirable."

As a result of Helsel's tireless leadership efforts, Chowan student-athletes and the department as a whole have seen the benefit of significant increases in operational budgets, salaries, and scholarships.   Helsel has also been instrumental in the reestablishment of the women's cross country team (fall of 2011), and the addition of women's bowling (winter 2010), women's lacrosse (spring 2012), and men's cross country (fall 2012).

Helsel has overseen numerous capital improvements during his time at Chowan.  He also serves the institution as an instructor in the Sport Management program.  Additionally, he has served on various NCAA committees including chairing the NCAA DII Men's Soccer Committee and NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committees.   He has shown a steadfast commitment to mentoring others as is evident in his participation as a mentor in the NACDA/ADA DII mentoring program in its' inaugural year.

To honor Helsel's success and contribution to the Chowan athletics and the institution as a whole, the Board of Trustees has unanimously named Helsel Director of Athletics Emeritus as shared by Dr. White on Tuesday.  This honor has never been bestowed on an athletic director in the history of the institution.

Helsel has undoubtedly left a legacy that will set the precedent for his successor.   Chowan University President, Dr. White, is confident that Ozzie McFarland will build off of Helsel's foundation in the coming years.  He noted, "Ozzie has a proven track record in the athletic arena.  I'm excited for the school and for him individually…Ozzie will be a fantastic successor.  His dynamic personality and experience in athletics will serve this institution well."

McFarland looks forward to serving the athletic department in a leadership capacity.  "Dr. White has a uniqe vision for this school, and he's a strong supporter of athletics.  I'm a firm believer that a leader should lead a group better than he found it, and that's what I intend to do here.  My job moving forward will be to ensure that everyone in this department is successful and that they have the resources they need to do just that…The job of our coaching staff will be to mold and shape the characters of future citizens.  A good coach demands more of a student-athlete then that student-athlete expects of themselves.  Demanding coaches will be commonplace in our department."

McFarland currently serves Chowan as an instructor in the Sport Studies and Physical Education department.  He brings a great deal of experience to the table having competed as a baseball student-athlete at Gardner-Webb and athletic administrator at his alma mater.

McFarland contributed to Gardner-Webb in nearly every capacity imaginable.  The Bulldogs' star on the baseball diamond returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant in the Physical Education Department while serving as the head baseball coach from 1983-1987.  McFarland also coached the Bulldog's volleyball and cross country teams during the mid-1980's.

In 1987, he left the world of coaching to become the school's first full-time Sports Information Director, a role he excelled in.  In 1988, McFarland became the executive director of the Bulldog Club, the fundraising arm of Gardner-Webb's department of athletics.  In his second year as executive director, the Bulldogs Club saw an 89% increase of fundraising dollars.  He maintained the dual-role until 1990 when he was named Director of Athletics.  During his seven years as athletic director, Gardner-Webb won South Atlantic Conference titles in football (1992), and men's basketball (1991-1992).   McFarland oversaw a multi-million dollar budget while instituting a Hall of Fame and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  Additionally, he oversaw aggressive promotions to encourage attendance while creating numerous additional opportunities for female student-athletes.  He was inducted into Gardner-Webb's Athletic Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service in 2007.

McFarland returned to the classroom in 1997 and served as professor until 2008.  After 30 years with Gardner-Webb, McFarland came to Chowan to teach in the SSPE department where he has served as an instructor in some capacity since 2007.

Dr. White will send his recommendation of McFarland forward to the Board of Trustees for their approval in their next meeting which will occur later this semester.

COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS 

2013 Adrian Carroll Battle of the Bands in Durham, N.C.

WATCH ALL VIDEO IN 1080p HIGH DEFINITION, WIDE SCREEN

Elizabeth City State in need of Down East victory

ROCKY MOUNT, North Carolina  -- Elizabeth City State has made Rocky Mount into a second home, and the Vikings certainly like all the pomp and festivities that come with the Down East Viking Football Classic.

This year’s edition, the 16th annual version of the game, is about something much simpler for the 0-3 Vikings.

They need to leave Rocky Mount with win.

“This is a must-win,” Elizabeth City State coach Waverly Tillar said Monday. “It will pretty much identify what type of season that we’re going to have all year going forward.”

Elizabeth City State has won five straight Down East Viking Football Classics, but Saturday’s contest against Fayetteville State is more than a streak to the Vikings. It’s also their Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener and a chance to correct problems that arose in their three nonconference games.

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Kirk wins her 3rd career GCAC Player of Week award

Moira Kirk

NEW ORLEANS — For the third time in her volleyball career and the first time this season, Xavier University of Louisiana junior Moira Kirk is the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

Kirk — a 5-foot-9 middle blocker from Dallas and a graduate of Bishop Lynch High School — won the award for Sept. 16-22 after hitting .453 with 34 kills, five aces and eight blocks during the Gold Nuggets' 3-0 week. She hit .625 with five kills, two aces and two blocks during a three-set GCAC sweep of Fisk, hit .391 with 11 kills, an ace and three blocks in four sets during the Nuggets' first-ever home victory against city rival Loyola, then hit .455 with 18 kills, two aces and three blocks in Xavier's five-set victory at Mobile.

Kirk ended the Mobile match with a kill and helped the Nuggets rally from a two-set deficit and record their first-ever five-set victory on an opponent's floor. For the season she has 155 kills in 17 matches and leads Xavier with 44 blocks and a .302 hitting percentage.

Xavier (10-7, 2-0 GCAC) will travel this weekend for conference matches at Edward Waters (11 a.m. EDT Saturday) and Talladega (2 p.m. Sunday). Start time of the Edward Waters match was moved up two hours. The Gold Nuggets' next home matches will be Oct. 5 against Dillard and St. Thomas (Texas).

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

Pacesetters Fakler, Jackson collect more GCAC awards

Catherine Fakler

Kwame Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — This is a familiar route for Catherine Fakler and Kwame Jackson. The Xavier University of Louisiana cross country standouts are the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Runners of the Week for the fourth time in as many weeks this season.
     
Fakler, from Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School, ran 5,000 meters in a school-record 18 minutes, 41.03 seconds Saturday at the Ram Ramble Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas, to score her first collegiate victory in cross country and the second in nine years by an XU female in a regular-season meet.

Jackson, a junior from Kingwood, Texas, and a graduate of Kingwood Park High School, ran 8,000 meters at the Ram Ramble in 27:40.42 and finished sixth. Jackson's time is the 15th-fastest by a Gold Rush runner since the start of the 2002 season.
    
The GCAC awards were determined on performances from Sept. 16-22. This is the eighth time for Jackson and the sixth time for Fakler to win a GCAC weekly award during their careers.
    
No one from Xavier will win awards for this week because the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush are not competing. They'll resume their schedule Oct. 4 in the Mississippi College/Watson Ford Invitational at Clinton, Miss.

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

Holmes shows frustration over FAMU Rattlers' mistakes

FAMU's frequent miscues bother first-year coach

COLUMBUS, OHIO — Earl Holmes spoke in a matter-of-fact tone — unlike he’s done at any point since FAMU began a three-game losing streak — as he addressed the Rattlers’ failures following a lopsided loss to Ohio State.

He said unequivocally that he will spend the upcoming bye week making whatever changes that are necessary to fix the mistakes, which have been repeated in the three losses.

“We have to look at this thing objectively (because) we had a lot of chances to make some plays,” Holmes said following a 76-0 shutout. “For some reason, we didn’t make them. We have to make the plays that we are supposed to make.”

FAMU has been beset with problem in all three phases, but especially special teams.


FAMU grad Pam Oliver, sideline reporter for Fox gets trampled by the Ohio State University Marching Band at the Cincinnati Bengals game the day after OSU beat FAMU 76-0.

CONTINUE READING

B-CU still confident, looking forward to MEAC play

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Eddie Poole did not hang his head too much in Saturday night's postgame press conference.

The way the Bethune-Cookman receiver saw it, there was little reason to be too upset following his team's 54-6 loss to Florida State.

“Opportunity lost,” Poole said. “That is the feeling of this team.”

Add downright resilient to that list of feelings as well.

Sure the Wildcats lost to the Seminoles, but that was supposed to happen. They were a 39.5-point underdog.

But with wins over Tennessee State and Florida International in their season-opening slate of games, the Wildcats seemed to have a positive feeling as they looked forward to MEAC play.

CONTINUE READING

Cleveland Classic Band Battle: Tuskegee vs. WSSU

Ram Ramblings: How about if N.C. A&T or N.C. Central played WSSU in Cleveland Classic?

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The vibe I picked up after Winston-Salem State dominated the not-ready-for-primetime Tuskegee Golden Tigers was familiar.

The familiar feelings have a lot to do with how the Rams have reacted after big victories during Coach Connell Maynor’s four seasons.
The Rams weren’t cocky after the 35-13 win, but their look was a confident one.

Linebacker Carlos Fields of the Rams, who had yet another good game in a career that’s produced a lot of good games, admitted that they might have felt complacent when the season began.

“We had a players only meeting after the Pembroke loss and said we have to start turning it up in practice,” Fields said about the 2-1 Rams. “I guess we kind of got complacent after what we did last year and the year before that but I think we got our mojo back again.”

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St. Aug's Falcons Dominate Stillman 35-7

RALEIGH, North Carolina -- Quarterback A.J. Gilford (R-Fr./Savannah, Ga.) threw two touchdown passes and ran for another as Saint Augustine's University enjoyed a satisfying 35-7 non-conference football victory over Stillman College at John H. Baker Stadium on Saturday, September 21, 2013.

The Falcons (1-2 overall) were impressive against a strong team from the traditionally tough SIAC conference in winning their home opener. Stillman (2-1 overall) received a vote in the latest AFCA Division II Coaches Top 25 poll after two impressive victories but were no match for the high-flying Falcons, whose win erased the sting of two previous defeats in which they were competitive in both games.

"We knew they were a good football team," said St. Aug Head Coach Michael Costa, whose Falcons are 2-0 against SIAC teams since 2010. "We didn't want to blow it or give them the opportunity where they would have any momentum. We were able to take them out of their comfort zone."

Meanwhile, the Falcons were in their comfort zone. Playing at home for the first time this season, the Falcons were sharp. Gilford tossed touchdown passes to Brian Richards (R-Sr./Waldorf, Md.) and Herman Reaves (R-Jr./Miami, Fla.) for 32 and 15 yards, respectively, in addition to scoring on a three-yard run. Roderick Davenport (So./Orangeburg, S.C.) was a workhorse for the Falcons as he churned out 74 yards including a one-yard touchdown run.

Defensively, the Falcons kept the high-scoring Tigers out of the end zone for the first time in three games. The Tigers returned the first of four St. Aug interceptions for their only score.

NCAA Division II tackles leader Chaz Robinson (Sr./Hampton, Va.) recorded 10 tackles and blocked two punts, the second which Carlton Butts (Jr./Thomasville, Ga.) scooped up for a 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the final margin. Standout defensive end Javarous Faulk (Sr./Macon, Ga.) made an immediate impact in his first action this season, adding 10 tackles and a sack. The defensive line, led by defensive tackle Shonquez Nelson (Sr./Lake City, S.C.) harassed the Stillman quarterbacks all day. Nelson had three of the Falcons' six sacks. Linebacker Elijah Evans (R-So./College Park, Ga.) compiled seven tackles.

The Falcons held Stillman to 192 total offensive yards while amassing 353 yards.

"It was a good performance," Costa said. "We played as a team. We played smart."

The Falcons struck first on Davenport's short run and padded their lead to 14-0 in the first quarter when Gilford connected with Richards. The Tigers cut the lead to 14-7 after scoring on a pick-off.

The Tigers threatened again before halftime, but the field goal attempt was short, and the ball ricochet off a player and in the hands of Dezmon Hopkins (Fr./Manassas, Va.), who ran 53 yards in Stillman territory. The Falcons capitalize on the play when Gilford found Reaves near the goal line, and the wide receiver stretched in the end zone for a 21-7 halftime lead.

Gilford helped the Falcons pad the lead to 28-7 on a short run in the third quarter. The Falcons iced the game on Robinson's blocked punt which led to Butts' touchdown in the fourth quarter. Michael Lima (R-Jr./Miami, Fla.) kicked all five extra points for the Falcons.

After a challenging non-conference schedule, the Falcons enter CIAA play next Saturday. They visit Bowie State University in Bowie, Md. at 1 p.m.

"We gotta be ready," Costa said. "Bowie is going to be ready because they are at home. We have to make sure we do what we are supposed to do."

Box Score

COURTESY SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

No. 17 UNCP Moves To 3-0 With 41-20 Win Over Shaw in Cape Fear Classic

WILMINGTON, North Carolina  -- Senior Luke Charles turned in his ninth career 300-yard passing game and matched a 5-year old school record with five touchdown passes to help lead No. 17 UNC Pembroke to a 41-20 victory over Shaw in the inaugural Cape Fear Classic on Saturday afternoon at Wilmington's Legion Stadium.

Charles threw for 361 yards on 28-of-41 passing to lead the Braves (3-0), while sophomore wide receiver John Rich matched a school record with three touchdown receptions for the second-straight week. Senior Te'Vell Williams hauled in eight catches for 148 yards, including a game-sealing 42-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, as well.

The Black & Gold racked up 533 yards of total offense on the day – its most since accumulating 539 yards in a win at Charleston (W.Va.) on Oct. 15, 2011. Williams's 148 receiving yards were the second-most of his career and ranks fourth all-time (tie) in school history.



L.J. Stroman was UNCP's defensive leader for the second-straight outing, tallying a career-best 11 tackles (11 solo), while also grabbing an interception that set up UNCP's first quarter touchdown. Senior all-American Fred Williams added nine tackles (seven solo), as well as a fumble recovery, a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry.

"I am just really proud of our guys," said UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick. "Except for a few plays here and there, we played a great first half. Luke has played fantastic these first three games. He works his butt off and spends a lot of time watching film and it is paying off for him."
T
he Braves took a 24-7 lead on Charles's 7-yard touchdown pass to Rich with 3:50 to play in the second quarter, but the Bears climbed back into the contest on Marquise Grizzle's (21-97, 2 TD) 46-yard scoring gallop 99 seconds later, and then cut their deficit to just four points, 24-20, with Grizzle's 4-yard run on the first possession of the second half.

UNC Pembroke would put the game away in the fourth quarter, however, as Rich scored his third touchdown of the game on a 7-yard reception with 12:53 to play, and the Braves capitalized on a costly fumble by Shaw on the ensuing possession when Charles found Williams on a 42-yard touchdown strike down the near sideline on the following play.

Michael Doss's first career field goal – a 21-yarder with 4:59 left on the clock – would provide the final.

The Braves will be in action again on Saturday when they return home to tangle with region and U.S. 74 nemesis Wingate (1-0) in a 2 p.m. contest at Grace P. Johnson Stadium.

Shaw opens CIAA play next week when they travel to Murfreesboro, N.C. for a 6:00 p.m. contest against Chowan.

 

"We've got to step it up and play some big time defense," said Massey.  "This was not a conference loss, and next week becomes more important because it is conference play."

Box Score

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA PEMBROKE AND SHAW UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

#15 Coastal Carolina Cruises to a 50-17 Victory Over Hampton

CONWAY, South Carolina  --    The Chanticleers improved to 4-0 on the season with a 50-17 victory over Hampton University in front of 9,386 fans on Family Weekend at Brooks Stadium, the second largest crowd in CCU's history and the largest since adding the north end zone seats for the 2010 season.

Coastal did most of its damage in the first half, rolling up 385 yards of total offense and taking a 40-0 lead. The CCU defense was just as dominant by forcing a punt on each Hampton's six first-half possessions and holding the Pirates to 66 yards.

Chanticleer quarterback Alex Ross, playing just the first two quarters, accounted for 175 yards of total offense - completing 12-of-21 passes for 124 yards and a score with nine rushes for 51 yards and two scores. Also playing just the first half, running back Lorenzo Taliaferro rushed 14 times for 99 yards and two TDs, averaging 7.1 yards per carry.

Coastal took the opening kickoff and drove 62 yards in 10 plays. Ross converted a key third down and Lorenzo Taliaferro capped the drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown.  After the teams traded punts, Ross hit Matt Hazel on a 46-yard pass to start the drive and five plays later, Ross snuck the ball into the end zone for a one-yard score.  To open the second quarter, Ross gave Coastal a 19-0 lead with a 15-yard touchdown run up the middle on a quarterback draw.

After forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing Pirate drive, a bad snap on a punt led to Coastal taking over on the Hampton 15 as Coastal's Kamron Summers tackled the punter. Taliaferro did all the work on a two-play, 15-yard drive, gaining 12 yards on first play and scoring from three yards out on the second. The extra point gave Coastal an 26-0 cushion with 12:19 left.

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On Coastal's next possession, the Chants' put together a 14-play, 86-yard drive that covered 5:15. The drive was nearly a quick one as Bruce Mapp caught a short pass and appeared to have scored a 58-yards touchdown but a penalty called it back.

De'Angelo Henderson would put CCU up 33-0 with a two-yard score.

The Chants were forced to punt on its final drive of the half, but punter Austin Cain bobbled the snap, looked up and saw an open field, gaining 25 yards for a first down. Five plays later as time expired in the first half, Ross hit DeMario Bennett in the left corner of the end zone for a score and 40-0 advantage at the break.

Hampton got on the board on the opening drive of the second half. The Pirates took advantage of a pass interference to put together a 15-play drive. While Hampton did get to first-and-goal at the CCU six, the Chanticleer defense stiffened. On third- and-goal from the CCU four, senior Andrew Allen sacked Jaylian Williams for a nine-yard loss. The Pirates were forced to settle for a field goal and Anthony Prevost split the uprights form 30 yards to make the score 40-3.

The Chants answered with a field goal of its own as redshirt freshman Ryan Granger hit a 39-yarder on his first career attempt.  Hampton made it a 43-10 ballgame with 9:51 left in the fourth quarter as Williamson hit Antwon Chisholm on a fade roué from six yards out.

Coastal answered with a 10-play drive set up by a 43-yard kickoff return by Devin Brown. Silverberg capped the drive with a one-yard score, the junior's first career touchdown, for a 50-10 lead.

The Pirates cut the deficit to 33 points with a nine-play drive that was capped by Brian Swain's 10-yard run into the end zone with 1:29 left on the clock.

CCU would run out the clock on its final drive to take the 50-17 victory.

With the score, Coastal has scored 50 points in four of its last eight games, including a 51-32 win at then #25 Eastern Kentucky last week.

The Pirates will return to action on Saturday, when they open MEAC play at South Carolina State in Orangeburg, S.C. at 2 p.m.

COURTESY COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Charleston Southern Bucs pound their way to 4-0 start with 20-12 win at Norfolk State

Norfolk, Virginia  --  Charleston Southern forced four turnovers as part of a spirited defensive effort and improved to 4-0 for the second time in program history with a 20-12 win over Norfolk State at Dick Price Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Bucs remained perfect under first-year head coach Jamey Chadwell thanks in part to a brilliant fourth quarter play by junior defensive end Dylan Black. With CSU clinging to a 14-12 lead, Black recorded a strip sack of Norfolk State quarterback Tyler Clark and recovered in the end zone for a touchdown to push the CSU advantage to 20-12 with 3:04 remaining.

Black also forced a fumble in the first half, and finished with nine tackles and half a tackle for loss. Classmate Demaris Freeman led the Bucs with 13 tackles, while defensive captain Calvin Bryant continued an outstanding start to his senior season with 12 tackles and a pair of sacks.

CSU played with passion and poise, and found a way to win late just as it did in earlier victories over The Citadel and Shorter.

"I think the belief and confidence is huge," Chadwell said. "We've never said that we're a complete football team. We're a work in progress but when kids and young people believe in a cause, believe in each other and play for each other, good things happen. Whether you're a good football team or a bad football team or just a team that's trying to get better, belief is a powerful thing."

The Bucs limited the Spartans to 265 yards of offense and 0-for-10 on third-down conversions. CSU also held Campbell without a third-down conversion (0-for-9) in last Saturday's 30-10 win.

"We talked about that it was going to be a defensive struggle and it was," Chadwell said. "We were able to find a way to get some points on the board and play some field position football there at the end. The defense made a great play at the end of the game to get a touchdown. Dylan Black made an unbelievable play, and we're excited about going back home 4-0. This will make the trip home a lot nicer."

Offensively, CSU churned out 201 yards rushing behind a career-high 98-yard effort from freshman Ben Robinson. Junior Christian Reyes added 96 yards on 22 carries, as he continues to be the workhorse in the Bucs' backfield.



While the ground game did most of the damage for the Bucs, it was two big pass plays to tight ends Kirby Broome and Nathan Prater that sparked a third quarter touchdown drive and produced a 14-6 lead.

CSU senior quarterback Malcolm Dixon found a leaping Broome in front of the Bucs' sideline for 24 yards to move the football near midfield. Several Reyes runs moved CSU into scoring position, and Dixon and Prater finished the march. Under pressure, Dixon stepped up in the pocket and delivered a strike over the middle for Prater who crossed the goal line for a 24-yard touchdown. The play capped a 12-play, 94-yard drive that took up 5:19 of the third quarter clock.

The Bucs forced another turnover on NSU's next possession, as Matt Hardy recovered a Clark fumble at the CSU 25-yard line early in the fourth quarter. NSU was able to get in the end zone on its following drive, as Clark lofted a 10-yard touchdown pass to Je'Ron Stokes to cut the CSU lead to 14-12 with 6:19 left. The ensuing two-point conversion failed, though, as Matt Hardy blitzed off the edge and forced an incompletion.

"It (defense's ability to force turnovers and make big plays) was huge," Chadwell said. "They drove a couple of times in our end and we were able to force fumbles. Any time you get four turnovers in a game, you should win the game and thankfully we found a way to do that."

Both defenses dictated play from the outset, as the two sides combined for just six first downs in a scoreless first quarter. CSU forced and recovered fumbles on two of NSU's first three drives, but could not convert prime field position into points. Bryant forced the first fumble with a strip sack of his own, and freshman defensive lineman Caleb Batchelor pounced on it at the NSU 45-yard line. Black forced the other, jarring the ball free from NSU tight end Joseph Hawkins and enabling an Isaac Lowrance recovery.

Ben Robinson jolted the Bucs' offense on their first drive of the second quarter to give CSU a 7-0 lead. Seemingly bottled up after a short gain up the middle, Robinson broke free and sprinted down the left sideline for a 39-yard dash to the NSU 34. Following a Dixon first-down connection to freshman wide receiver Colton Korn, Robinson picked up 20 more yards to set the Bucs up with first-and-goal. The Tallahassee, Fla. product capped off the drive on the next play, taking an option pitch from Dixon into the end zone from two yards out for his first career touchdown.

NSU drew to within 7-6 at halftime, thanks to an 11-play, 74-yard scoring drive on their final possession of the first half. The Spartans converted two fourth downs on the drive, with the second coming via an Omari Stokes one-yard touchdown pass to fullback Ryan Wade. Damian Dixon blocked the ensuing extra point, enabling CSU to head into halftime with the lead.

CSU finishes a three-game road trip next Saturday, as it takes on Southern Conference power Appalachian State. Kickoff at Kidd-Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C. is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

The Spartans hit the road for their first MEAC game of the year next Saturday when they take on Morgan State at 1 p.m. in Baltimore, Maryland.

Box Score
Photo Gallery

COURTESY CHARLESTON SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Rain Stops Play at HBCU Championships

ATLANTA, Ga. –  Rain put a damper on the final day of the HBCU National Tennis Championships in Atlanta, Ga. The morning session was able to complete play before the remainder of the tournament would be washed out.

 

Of the four Tigers scheduled to play on Saturday, Joe Daniels was the only one individual to complete play. Daniels fell 8-4 in the B Flight consolation quarterfinals match to William East of North Carolina Central.

 

Trinity Randolph was scheduled to play at 1:00pm in the women’s C Flight consolation semifinals, but the rains started to pick up during warm-ups. Play on all courts would be suspended, before officials would cancel the remainder of the tournament.

 

Jared Asher and Branden McClain would not even get the warm-ups off for their 1:30pm matches. The two Tigers were to compete in separate matches of the men’s C Flight consolation quarterfinal rounds.

 

Both teams return to action in October at the ITA Regional. The men will travel to Knoxville and the women will compete in Memphis. 

 

Saturday Schedule

 

Men B Flight

William East, North Carolina Central defeated Joe Daniels, TSU 8-4

 

Men C Flight

Jared Asher, TSU vs. Bobby Smith, Tuskegee 1:30pm  - RAINED OUT

 

Branden McClain, TSU vs. James Jackson, Prairie View A&M 1:30pm - RAINED OUT

 

Women C Flight

Trinity Randolph, TSU vs. Semifinals 1:00pm - RAINED OUT

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bohl Wins NDSU-Record 92nd Game Against Delaware State

ESPN College GameDay and Delaware State Highlights

FARGO, North Dakota  --  North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl won his school-record 92nd game as the No. 1-ranked Bison rolled to a 51-0 victory over Delaware State on Saturday, Sept. 21, before a sellout crowd of 18,995 at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

North Dakota State won its 12th straight game to improve to 3-0 heading into its Missouri Valley Football Conference opener next Saturday, Sept. 28, at South Dakota State. The Jackrabbits are 3-1 on the season following a 59-20 loss at Nebraska.

NDSU quarterback Brock Jensen was 13-for-20 passing for 138 and three touchdowns. Jensen, who now has 538 career pass completions, broke the NDSU career record of 535 set by Steve Walker from 2004-07. Jensen also passed Walker for second place in career total offense yards and is 90 yards shy of Kevin Feeney for that record.

Jensen connected with Ryan Smith on a 4-yard TD pass to open the scoring and connected on a 25-yard scoring strike to Zach Vraa that gave NDSU a 14-0 lead.

Marcus Williams returned his 20th career interception 33 yards for a touchdown that made it 20-0 after a blocked PAT kick. Williams tied the NCAA Division I FCS record of six interception return touchdowns set by Murray State's William Hampton from 1993-96.

John Crockett rushed for a game-high 85 yards including a 3-yard TD run in the second quarter and Cooper Wahlo made his first career touchdown reception on a 22-yard strike from Jensen. Derrick Lang's 3-yard touchdown run gave the Bison a 41-0 lead by halftime.

Kevin Vaadeland caught a 4-yard TD pass from Carson Wentz in the third quarter and Tom Barneson kicked a 27-yard field goal late in the third to close the scoring.

NDSU rolled up 548 total yards of offense and held Delaware State to 189 including just 34 yards rushing. The Bison converted 10 of 14 chances on third down while the Hornets were just 4 of 15. Delaware State dropped to 0-3 with the loss.

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COURTESY NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY BISON AND DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY HORNETS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Record night as #16 Miami Hurricanes crush Savannah State

MIAMI, Florida  -- The Miami Hurricanes wanted to work on themselves.

In the process, they tore apart poor little Savannah State.

Miami thrashed the Tigers 77-7 Saturday at Sun Life Stadium for its largest margin of victory ever and most points in UM history.

UM’s rout of the Football Championship Subdivision Tigers was so utterly thorough that Hurricanes coach Al Golden and Savannah State coach Earnest Wilson III agreed to shorten the fourth quarter from the usual 15 minutes to 12.

But during the debacle, the Hurricanes lost starting quarterback Stephen Morris to a right-ankle sprain. Morris limped into the locker room late in the first quarter and had X-rays that did not reveal a break.

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UM vs. Savannah State | Sat., Sept. 21, 2013

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