FAMU women's basketball adds size, inside presence

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The scenario played out so many times for the Florida A&M women’s basketball team last season: Jasmine Grice and Kimberly Sparkman scored in double digits, with only two or three of their teammates adding much of anything.

Down to the last game of the season in the MEAC tournament, it was Grice and Sparkman. And, most times, things went that way because the Rattlers didn’t have much help inside.

Well, it seems as if help is on the way.

Living up to head coach LeDawn Gibson’s promise to find help for Grice and Sparkman, while plugging the hole in the post, assistant coach Erik Rashad announced the signing of three post players Tuesday.

Junior college transfers Ann-Marie Harris and Adenike Dawodu, both of...

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WSSU to hit road to play Virginia Union in conference opener

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina  -- Connell Maynor, the driven fourth-year coach of 17th-ranked Winston-Salem State, is a hard man to please.

But even he can’t find fault in how his Rams have improved after each one of their three games this season. They will get another chance to improve on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Virginia Union (WTOB 1380).

"I have liked the way we’ve gotten better from that first game against Pembroke,” said Maynor, whose Rams opened the season with a 25-21 loss to UNC Pembroke but have followed with two dominating wins. “We have found our footing on offense — and the defense has played well all season.”

The Rams are coming off an ...

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Lamar Football Closes Non-Conference Slate at Grambling State

Lamar Game Notes

BEAUMONT, Texas -- Coming off their second-straight home shutout, Lamar head coach Ray Woodard takes his Cardinal football team on the road one more time before the start of Southland Conference play. The Cardinals enter Saturday's contest against Grambling State (0-4) with a 2-2 (.500) overall record but looking for their first road win of the season, while the Tigers are looking for their first win of the season.

Lamar comes into the contest having played one of the more unique schedules to this point in the season. LU is 2-0 at home winning its games by a combined score of 128-0, but has come up short on the road. The Cardinals have played two non-Division I teams at home, but the road games have been against FBS opponents (Louisiana Tech and No. 11 Oklahoma State). Saturday's game against the Tigers will be Lamar's first against an FCS-level school.

The Tigers have stumbled out of the gate dropping their first four games of the season by a combined 170-74. Included in those results is an 0-2 start in conference play.

"Every week presents new challenges and our challenge this week is to win a game on the road," said Woodard. "That is something we did not do last year. This is going to be our first FCS opponent of the season. We've played two non-division I games, and we've played two FBS schools, but this is our first game against another FCS opponent. Our goals are to be in the playoffs and have an opportunity at a conference championship. To do that you have to win your FCS games, and a lot of times it can come down to wins on the road. I'm very excited about the opportunity in front of us,"

"At this point, 3-2 is the best we can be so that is definitely where we want to be. We came away from Louisiana Tech feeling like we did some good things, but not enough to win a game on the road. We want to take that next step on the road," added Woodard.

When the Cardinals step on the field at Eddie G. Robinson Stadium Saturday at 6 p.m. they will be bringing the Southland's top defense, and the league's best passing attack to the game. Lamar is holding opponents to less than 294 yards of total offense per game, including less than 130 yards passing. The Cardinals have already picked off seven passes just four games into the season.

Grambling State's offense has struggled at times during 2013 averaging less than 290 yards of total offense, and is seventh in the league averaging 193 yards per game through the air. One area where the Tigers haven't struggled has been on special teams. Grambling State leads the SWAC, and is one of the best in the nation in punt returns averaging nearly 15 yards per return.

"What concerns you as a coach about this game is the fact that Grambling's record is not indicative of how talented they are," said Woodard. "You watch the film and you can tell that they have some very talented players. It's going to happen for them. It's just a matter of time before they put it all together on the field and you hope it doesn't happen against you."

One of the reasons for the Lamar's strong passing attack this season has been the improved play of junior quarterback Caleb Berry. He is completing better than 60 percent of his passes on the season for 815 yards, and has thrown a league-best 11 touchdowns on the year. He also ranks 34th nationally in total offense (240 ypg).

In addition to Berry has been the play of freshman Kade Harrington at running back. The Kingwood native recorded a career-high 143 yards on seven carries against Bacone, and is currently the league's top rookie running back.

The Cardinals have also made a name for themselves this season by not making the careless errors. Lamar enters the week as the Southland's least penalized team being flagged less than five times a game.

Saturday's game will be Lamar's final non-conference game before the Cardinals open Southland Conference play. Lamar will get an extra week to prepare for its conference opener against Sam Houston State on Saturday, Oct. 12. The game against the Bearkats will be a 2 p.m. kick.



COURTESY LAMAR UNIVERSITY CARDINALS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Adidas donates new equipment to Concordia College-Selma football team

COACH DON LEE AND THE CONCORDIA HORNETS
 RECEIVES AN OUTPOURING OF LOVE IN THE FORM
OF EQUIPMENT TO CONTINUE THEIR 2013
FOOTBALL SEASON. GO HORNETS!! 

SELMA, Alabama  -- Less than a week after losing more than $70,000 of equipment in a bus fire, the Concordia College Alabama Hornets are sporting brand-new football jerseys, helmets, pants and shoes, courtesy of Adidas, the German sportswear company with U.S. headquarters in Portland, Ore.

“It’s just a miracle,” Concordia Trainer William Hall said of the boxes of Adidas gear that arrived on the college’s Selma, Ala., campus about 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26.

All 62 people on the bus — players, coaches and the bus driver — escaped unharmed when the vehicle blew two tires, igniting the gas tank and setting the bus on fire en route to Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 21. (See Reporter Online story, “Concordia, Selma, football team escapes burning bus.”)

To read more about the gift from Adidas, see the AL.com story “Outpouring of support for Concordia—Selma culminates in new equipment from Adidas.”

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Green Bay Packers donate equipment to help Selma's Concordia Univ. after bus fire

GREENBAY, Wisconsin -- The Green Bay Packers are stepping forward to assist Concordia University Wisconsin's sister School in Alabama by donating gently used game pants and socks after a tragic bus fire last weekend. One of Concordia College Alabama's team buses, carrying the football squad, blew up as the team was heading to their game last Saturday against Miles College.

Everyone on the bus got off safely before the explosion, but the team lost a majority of its equipment used on game days.

Rick Riehl, director of Donor Relations at Concordia University Wisconsin, heard about the fire and immediately called the Green Bay Packers organization to find out if they'd be willing to assist in any way.

"The Packers have never let me down," said Riehl. "I knew they would step up and help out our sister school in Alabama during this time of need," he added.

According to a Packers spokesperson, the more than 100 pieces of donated equipment by the organization went out this morning. The equipment is good match for Concordia College Alabama because the College's team colors are green and gold, the same colors as the Green Bay Packers.

 Founded in 1881, Concordia University Wisconsin's main campus is located ...

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THE BUS...
(COURTESY CONCORDIA COLLEGE ATHLETICS)

SELMA, Alabama -- A college football coach in Selma says several schools and businesses have helped his team rebuild after nearly all their equipment was destroyed in a fire.

The Concordia College football team was on its way to a game against Miles College Saturday when their team bus blew a tire and caught on fire soon after. The tire blew out on Alabama Highway 219, north of Selma. The blaze started in the back of the bus on the driver's side, an East Perry volunteer firefighter told the newspaper.

Everyone escaped without injuries, said head coach, Don Lee. However, the team was only able to save about 10 helmets and Lee has said his squad lost about $70,000 in protective gear and camera equipment.

Several schools have stepped forward to donate or loan the team equipment after players went without protective gear during a practice session earlier this week, Lee told the Selma Times-Journal (http://bit.ly/194Mfkf ). Drivers passing the team's 5:30 a.m. practice session Monday honked their horns in support, he said.

Since the fire, Lee says well-wishers near and far have offered to lend the team a helping hand.

"We might look like a college football team before all this is over and done," he told the newspaper.

CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO CONCORDIA COLLEGE
 

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READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Concordia-Selma receives equipment from Adidas after losing $90,000 in fire
Area schools, companies help get Hornets back on the field
College football game canceled after team bus catches on fire
Miles College football coach shows support to Concordia-Selma ... 

Alabama A&M football outlook for Texas Southern

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Here's this week's "Mondays with Anthony," all you need to know and more about Alabama A&M football:

This week: Texas Southern (0-3, 0-2 in the SWAC) at Alabama A&M (1-3, 1-1 in the SWAC), 6 p.m., Louis Crews Stadium.

Last week: Alabama A&M lost at Prairie View A&M 28-26. The Bulldogs took a 12-0 lead - missing PATs after both touchdowns - but yielded 21 unanswered points in the third when the offense was unable to move on consecutive possessions. A&M had two possessions late in the fourth to move into field goal range but weren't able to cross midfield.

Saturday's standouts: Tailback Brandon Eldemire had runs of 57 and 61 yards, including a touchdown, and running mate Barrington Scott ground out 125 as the A&M running game finally showed signs of life. Unsung standouts were an offensive line that had its best game of the season. Quarterback Jaymason Lee (15-for-28, 224 yards, two TDs) had a good first start.



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North Carolina A&T Aggies Get Humbling 27-19 Win Over Howard University Bison

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GREENSBORO, North Carolina – Having enough humility is not something the North Carolina A&T football team has to worry about heading into its conference matchup with S.C. State on Oct. 5 in Atlanta.

They will have plenty of it. The Aggies are off to their first 3-0 start in 12 years after defeating Howard 27-19 Thursday night in front of 16,011 fans at Aggie Stadium and in front of a national-television audience watching on ESPNU. 

After looking like a dominant 3-0 team in a first half where they took a 27-7 lead, the Aggies showed there is still room for improvement, even for undefeated teams. The Bison scored the final 12 points of the game, the Aggies turned the ball over twice and had a punt blocked and for the first time in eight games, a team was able to rush for more than 100 yards on the Aggies defense.

“Tonight was an eye-opener for all of us,” said A&T head coach Rod Broadway. “We can’t turn the ball over like we did. “Our kicking game went south on us tonight. We’ve been pretty good kicking game wise, but we had a punt blocked. We dropped a punt (on a return). We shanked a punt. We just weren’t very sharp tonight.”

A&T held a 27-10 lead at halftime lead, but the second half opened with A&T freshman Dominic Frescura’s punt being blocked. The Bison took over at the A&T 22-yard line and three plays later quarterback Greg McGhee connected with Stewart Hartman for a 17-yard touchdown. John Fleck missed the extra point, which left the Aggies with a 27-16 lead.

The Aggies had to rely on their defense to keep the Bison from rallying. A&T ran just 24 plays for 75 yards in the second half. But Howard compiled just 18 yards over its next five possessions and turned the ball over once during that span. In the fourth quarter, the Bison was able to put together a 13-play, 45-yard drive that included an 18-yard run by Anthony Philyaw. Fleck closed out the drive with a 40-yard field goal to put the Bison down by one score, 27-19, with 8:08 to play. Howard had two more chances to cut into the Aggies lead, but D’Vonte Grant blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt by Fleck with 4:03 to play.

Howard’s final drive ended in four plays, giving the Aggies their first conference win of the season and their seventh straight win overall, dating back to last season.

“We’ll take it,” said Broadway. “We’re 3-0. When is the last time we’ve been 3-0 around here? Twelve years? So yeah, we’ll take it. It was a tough win. I knew coming in Howard was a good football team. We’re very fortunate to get a win. But we’re going to have to play better than we played tonight if we expect to beat a team, South Carolina State, who I think has been one of the premiere teams in our league over the last 10 years.”

In the first half, A&T did all the things a 3-0 team does to become 3-0. Freshman Michael Weaver blocked a Howard punt two minutes into the game to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Lewis Kindle to Devin Moore. Howard tied the game at 7 as a Kindle fumble led to a 6-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a 24-yard McGhee touchdown pass to David Wilson.

The Aggies scored the next 20 points by taking advantage of Howard miscues. After the Howard score, Fleck’s kickoff went out of bounds, giving the Aggies a short field they took advantage of as Kindle scored on an 8-yard touchdown run. A D’Vonte Graham interception led to a 1-yard Dominique Drake touchdown and a McGhee fumble followed by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty gave the Aggies the ball at the Howard 38. Junior wide receiver Desmond Lawrence took advantage by scoring on a 38-yard touchdown run to give the Aggies their 27-7 lead.

“I thought we had a pretty good rhythm going in the first half offensively,” said Broadway. “But our defense had to play 94 snaps tonight. That’s too many. We have to possess the ball a little bit more offensively and try to give our defense a break. We can’t continue to let those guys play almost 100 plays.”

Howard became the first team since Howard on Oct. 13, 2012, to rush for more than 100 yards on the Aggies defense.  But A&T was still able to get the program’s first-ever win on ESPNU. The Aggies were 0-6 on the network coming into Thursday’s game. The Aggies still hasn’t surrendered a rushing touchdown in 30 straight quarters. 

Grant led the Aggies defensively with 12 tackles and three tackles for loss. Senior safety Travis Crosby added 10 tackles. Lawrence led the Aggies on the offensive end with 48 yards receiving and 44 yards rushing. The Aggies and the Bulldogs renew their rivalry at the Georgia Dome on Oct. 5 with a scheduled 3:30 p.m., kickoff.

“We’re definitely going to remain humble this week,” said Lawrence. “The game tonight was a little close. We had some scary moments, so we know we got some work to do. We just have to keep improving.”

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COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

XU's regional seeds: 2 doubles teams, 4 singles players

Brion Flowers and Kourtney Howell
Top Seeded Doubles Team

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's Kourtney Howell and Brion Flowers are the top-seeded women's doubles team in the USTA / ITA NAIA South Regional Championships, which will begin Friday.

The three-day event will be played at the XU Tennis Center and City Park/Pepsi Tennis Center. It is the second fall tournament for the Gold Nuggets and Gold Rush.

Howell and Flowers were 23-11 last season, including six victories against NCAA Division I opponents, were No. 3 in the ITA's postseason rankings of NAIA doubles teams and were selected All-America. They have a first-round bye and will play their round-of-16 match late Friday afternoon, probably at City Park.

Howell is seeded third and Flowers fifth in singles.

Also seeded from Xavier are No. 4 Kyle Montrel and No. 6 Nikita Soifer in men's singles and the doubles team of Montrel and Tushar Mandlekar, who are fourth. Montrel and Soifer were All-America last season.

The other top seeds are from Auburn Montgomery. Nicolas Pinones is No. 1 in men's singles and top-seeded in doubles with Miguel Grifol. Jade Curtis is top-seeded in women's doubles.

Curtis and Morgane Zowczak defeated Howell and Flowers in the doubles final of last year's South Regional.

The majority of Friday's matches will be played at City Park. But Gold Rush fans can watch XU's Adam Albrecht and Vincenzo Ciccone in 9 a.m. first-round matches on campus. Albrecht will play Point's Alonso Treviso, and Ciccone will face AUM's Josh Reason.

Sunday's finals will be played at Xavier.

Joining Xavier, AUM and Point in the eight-school event are Belhaven, Brenau, Georgia Gwinnett, Loyola and William Carey.

Main-draw champions in singles and doubles will qualify for the USTA/ITA National Small College Championships at Fort Myers, Fla., from Oct. 10-13.

tournament site: http://www.xula.edu/athletics/tennis

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