Tennessee State Football Fan Day set for Aug. 23rd at 3:00 p.m.

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  The Tennessee State football team would like to invite all Big Blue supporters to Fan Day on Aug. 23 at 3 p.m. in the Indoor Football Facility.

The event will be the first chance to pick up the 2014 football poster. Members of this year’s Tiger team will be in attendance to sign autographs and take pictures.

 

Supporters are encouraged to stick around following the autographs to see the team scrimmage at 4 p.m. at Hale Stadium.

 

Admission to the 2014 Tennessee State Football Fan Day is free and will occur one week before the Tigers square off against Edward Watters in the 16^th annual John Merritt Classic on Aug. 30^th.

 

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New Alcorn State Braves on the Reservation: Chris McRea

LORMAN, Mississippi -- Hello Braves fans and welcome to the second segment of "New Braves on the Reservation" which features an incoming freshman from each sport.  Today's freshman is offensive lineman Chris McRea, a member of the Braves football team. McRea is a native of St. Petersburg, Fla. where he attended St. Petersburg High School.

Click on the link below to watch a one-on-one conversation with Chris about his experience on the "Reservation" thus far.



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Optimism in the atmosphere at Alabama A&M Kickoff Luncheon

NORMAL, Alabama  --  Optimism was the key word at this year's Bulldog Kickoff Luncheon.

More than 200 supporters of Alabama A&M turned out for Thursday's event in the Knight Center, which was highlighted by the naming of this year's team captains. Senior quarterback Jaymason Lee, senior  wide receiver Montaurius Smith, redshirt freshman linebacker Byran Bower and junior defensive lineman David Dagrin were selected for the honor in a vote of the players.

University President Dr. Andrew Hugine told the audience he was optimistic about the football program as well as the other Bulldog sports.

Speaking of the football team, which kicks off its season Aug. 31 in the MEAC-SWAC Challenge in Orlando, Dr. Hugine said, "We will win the (SWAC) championship; we will set an attendance record at Louis Crews Stadium.

PHOTO COURTESY: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

"I know we can (win) but, more importantly, I know we will."

Assistant Head Coach Andy Fuller said the fans should expect a tough brand of football this season.
"It will be intense," he said. "We will play smart, fast, physical football."

Defensive Coordinator Reggie Johnson brought the audience "into the huddle" with a defensive signal call, followed by a hand clap to break the huddle. He stressed four "core values" that are expected of the players.

"Accountability … integrity … teamwork … leadership," he said. "These guys are our future leaders and it's our obligation to foster that …"

The Bulldogs will take on North Carolina A&T in Orlando. The game will be televised on ESPN with a 10:45 a.m. CST kickoff.

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Savannah State Tigers Keep Moving In Right Direction

SAVANNAH, Georgia  --  Savannah State University head coach Earnest Wilson, III took a view of his football team from a very different angle this past Wednesday. He sat high up in the bleachers of Ted Wright Stadium and got a chance to see things he could not see from the field level.

What he saw was a group of players moving in the right direction, but still needing to refine themselves.

The offense had a quartet of running backs that carried the ball for most of the light scrimmage. Justin Clark, Anthony Criswell, Les Jordan and Damani Dabeatham logged in most of the time as the ground game of the Tigers was showcased.

"We have a lot of film to grade," said Wilson. "The offense ran the ball pretty well today and the defense has got to be able to come off the ball quicker.

Wilson called the practice a good one, because it was teachable.

"I think you guys have gotten a lot better, but you must become more confident in your play," said Wilson. "Don't be satisfied with what you have done. You must make up for lost time."

Practicing in the hot and humid conditions can be useful during the season Coach Wilson pointed out to his players. He advised them to take advantage of the sweltering heat and use it to prepare for teams coming from up north in the conference.

The spirited practice tested the endurance of the defense. While the offensive line took the challenge of associate head coach/offensive line coach Willard Scissum, who wanted his offensive line to give a better account of itself against the defense.

After a tough hour and a half session, some of the players gave recognition for individual efforts during the day. There was also a time during end of the scrimmage where apologies were given by teammates from playing overly aggressive against each other.

The Tigers will scrimmage for the second time on Saturday, August 16, at 8 a.m. at Ted Wright Stadium. They open the season on the road in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at Johnny "Red Floyd Stadium, at 6 p.m. (CDT) versus Middle Tennessee State University.
  Get to Know #8 Quarterback Ker-Sean Wilson

Question: Why did you pick Savannah State University over the other many universities wanting to give you a scholarship?

Answer: It was a spiritual movement that led me to make this decision. I wanted to be close to home so that my family and friends could see me play. So far, I feel as if I made the right decision.

Question: What has been the biggest change in your game, since coming up to a Division I program?
Answer: I have learned to see the game in a different way. I can read what type of coverage the defense is in better and can see the pace of the game and make adjustments when need be.

Question: You have a new set of teammates and you are one of the upper classmen on the team, what do you do to help your teammates get better?

Answer: Away from practice and on the field, I try to push the guys to know each other better and make them realize that if we come together as a team, we will have success.

Question: This is a fairly new coaching staff for you and you have had to learn things quickly. What makes it work for you?

Answer: We have a lot of good experienced coaches on the staff, along with a good strength and conditioning coach and trainers. Listening and learning is key to making things work and the team is buying into what they are telling us.

Question: What goals have you set for yourself for this year?

Answer: I want to get closer to the Lord and have a better relationship with God. If I do those things, then everything else will work itself out.

Wilson came to SSU from Eastern Arizona Community College. He originates from Columbia, S.C., stands 6-2, and weighs 195 pounds. He had a great spring practice and caught the attention of coaches and fans with his passing and running ability.

View Photo Practice Gallery from August 15, 2014 (Here).

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TSU Tiger Camp Update: Week Two Scrimmage

TSU will march 290 members in its Band for 2014/15, the largest in school history.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  -- The Tennessee State football team wrapped up the second week of fall camp with a Saturday morning scrimmage at Hale Stadium.

After starting the first few possessions inside the defensive territory, the offense was forced to settle for field goals by Cameron Carter and Lane Clark.

 

The defense was even more dominant when the offense was backed up near its own goal line. The defensive tackles of Samquan Evans and Roc-M Nesbitt drove back TSU backs, while Anthony Bass and Nick Thrasher batted down passes.

 

It wasn’t until Ryan Mitchell hauled in a 48-yard touchdown that the offense finally got going. On that play, Ronald Butler found Mitchell on a short crossing pattern and good moves and bad tackling allowed the receiver to scamper down the sideline for six points.

 

After the big reception, the running game shifted into gear with Martine Stevenson, Greg White and Tevin Spells each having runs of over 20 yards.

 

The star of the day, however, was true freshman running back Marcus Deanes who looked nearly unstoppable, hitting holes, breaking tackles and outrunning defenders. He even returned a kickoff for a touchdown in special teams practice.

 

The Tigers are off on Sunday before retaking the field Monday at 9:15 a.m.

 

Schedule:
Sunday, Aug. 17 – Off
Monday, Aug. 18 – 9:15-11:30 a.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 19 – 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 20 – 9:15-11:35 a.m.
Thursday, Aug. 21 – 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Friday, Aug. 22 – 3:15-5:15 p.m.

 

 

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O-lineman flips to MVSU

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  Golden Ukonu, a 6-foot-4, 330-pound offensive lineman, initially committed to Jackson State but signed with Mississippi Valley State. Ukonu was expected to join the program in the summer but did not report for fall camp. JSU received no documentation from Ukonu, whose is on MVSU’s 2014 roster. Ukonu was a first team all-conference player from Nassau Community College (New York).

The flip is a loss for the Tigers, who lack depth and experience upfront. They no longer have ...

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JSU Tigers' offense comes long way since spring

JACKSON, Mississippi  -- LaMontiez Ivy no longer stood on the sideline.

After missing the spring game five months ago, recovering from his ankle injury, the sophomore quarterback finally got under center with a defense closing on him during Saturday's scrimmage.

"I couldn't wait," Ivy said. "I stayed up (thinking) about it all night."

It's been more than a five-month wait for Ivy.

In fact, it's been nearly a year.

Ivy's last game-like competition was ...


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