Thursday, October 23, 2014
FAMU Rattlers' defense preps for No. 2 MEAC rushing threat
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Anyone on Florida A&M's defense who played in the team's 20-13 overtime loss to North Carolina A&T last season knows the first — and probably biggest — step in defeating the Aggies is to bottle up sophomore running back Tarik Cohen.
After playing against Cohen last year — in a game where Cohen scored all three of the Aggies' touchdowns — junior linebacker Akil Blount said getting all 11 defenders to wherever Cohen is on the field is essential to continuing the Rattlers' current win streak.
The Rattlers (2-5, 2-1 in the MEAC) will try and win their third game in a row Saturday. The first two teams the team beat had a combined record of 1-14. Florida A&M will face a different challenge against North Carolina A&T (6-2, 3-1), a team currently tied for second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Confernce.
"(Cohen) is a very talented guy," Blount said. Blount leads FAMU's defense with 31 tackles this season.
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Alabama A&M-Alabama State prepare for Classic
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- James Spady had never lived in Alabama before he was hired to take over Alabama A&M's football program last December. But once he arrived, it didn't take long for him to understand that the most important game on the Bulldogs' schedule is the annual Magic City Classic against Alabama State.
"I have heard about the Classic since the moment I got off the plane in Huntsville," Spady said. "I know this is a special game that means a lot to our players and fans."
Kickoff for the 73rd annual Magic City Classic is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Legion Field. Alabama State has won three of the past four games in the series, including a 31-7 victory last season.
While Spady is new to the series, Saturday's game will mark the 14th time that ASU coach Reggie Barlow has either played or coached in the Magic City Classic.
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Wednesday, October 22, 2014
XU Rush open season at home vs. Belhaven next week
NEW ORLEANS — Eighteen regular-season home games, the most by a Dannton Jackson-coached team, and 10 matchups against 2014 NAIA Division I National Championship qualifiers are among the highlights of the 2014-15 Xavier University of Louisiana men's basketball schedule.
Jackson — in his 12th season as coach of the Gold Rush and the program's career leader in victories with 249 — announced Wednesday the schedule.
Xavier will open its 77th season at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 against Belhaven in the Convocation Center. It will be the 21st consecutive season that the Gold Rush open at home, and the XU men will attempt to win their opener for the 19th straight season.
Belhaven, like Xavier, was an NAIA tourney qualifier last season. The Gold Rush and Blazers also will meet Nov. 3 at Belhaven.
The other XU games against NAIA tourney qualifiers will be Nov. 14 at home against Wiley, Nov. 25 at Wiley, Dec. 1 at home against William Carey, Dec. 18 at William Carey, Jan. 5 — in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener — at Talladega, Jan. 10 at home against Philander Smith, Feb. 9 at home against Talladega and Feb. 14 at Philander Smith.
Also on the schedule — Dec. 30 at Xavier — will be Concordia (Calif.), which did not reach nationals last season but spent five polls in the NAIA's top 10. The Eagles were a national tourney qualifier every season from 2007-13.
"I thought we had one of the best schedules in the NAIA last season, and I feel the same way about this season," Jackson said. "This is a tough, competitive schedule against a lot of successful programs. It's a great schedule for us to see what we have before conference play begins."
The XU men will play nine of their first 11 games at home, including six straight home games from Nov. 6-22. NCAA Division II opponents Albany State, Miles and LeMoyne-Owen will visit Xavier in November. Xavier will play LeMoyne-Owen for homecoming at noon on Nov. 22, followed by the XU women against Warner at 2 p.m.
There are no first-time opponents. Xavier and Miles will meet for the first time since 1969.
Xavier will conclude the regular season on Feb. 28 at home in the Crosstown Classic against longtime HBCU, city and GCAC rival Dillard. XU will visit Dillard on Jan. 31.
For the second consecutive year, New Orleans will be the site of the GCAC's men's and women's basketball tournaments. Xavier, one of three GCAC members from New Orleans, played host to the final three men's rounds and the final two women's rounds last season.
It will be the third season of basketball in the Convocation Center, a $25 million facility which seats nearly 4,000. The Gold Rush are 26-6 there.
The GCAC Tournament men's champion will earn an automatic bid to the Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I National Championship at Kansas City, Mo. Xavier qualified for nationals last season as an at-large selection and reached the tournament for the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time in 10 seasons. The Gold Rush were 23-9 overall in 2013-14 and 10-2 in the GCAC to win the regular-season championship for the third consecutive year. Xavier tied for 16th in the NAIA Division I postseason poll.
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Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
Sims starting to get comfortable at WSSU
WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- In some quarters, there’s still the belief that Winston-Salem State should pick just one starting quarterback.
But it’s hard to argue with the success the Rams have had alternating two quarterbacks, especially after Saturday 36-13 win against St. Augustine’s. With returning starter Rudy Johnson struggling, transfer Phillip Sims came in and calmly guided the Rams.
“I think you saw that it was good that we have two capable quarterbacks,” quarterbacks coach Jason Mai said.
Offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke has planned for Sims and Johnson to each work two straight series during games, and that will continue despite Johnson’s struggles last week. Johnson threw three interceptions and had trouble finding his usual rhythm.
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But it’s hard to argue with the success the Rams have had alternating two quarterbacks, especially after Saturday 36-13 win against St. Augustine’s. With returning starter Rudy Johnson struggling, transfer Phillip Sims came in and calmly guided the Rams.
“I think you saw that it was good that we have two capable quarterbacks,” quarterbacks coach Jason Mai said.
Offensive coordinator Steed Lobotzke has planned for Sims and Johnson to each work two straight series during games, and that will continue despite Johnson’s struggles last week. Johnson threw three interceptions and had trouble finding his usual rhythm.
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SIAC relies on 'loyal fans' to build game in Montgomery
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference probably would love to have Tuskegee as a participant in its first championship game at Cramton Bowl next month.
But SIAC commissioner Gregory Moore said his team's strong attendance figures should make the game a successful event, no matter who plays in it.
The HBCU conference held its first three championship games in the Atlanta area and was looking to make a bigger splash when it elected last summer to move the event to Cramton Bowl. The inaugural championship game in Montgomery will be held on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m.
"Our reason for moving it is we wanted to ...
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Open Letter to Alumni, Students and Fans from MSU Head Coach Lee Hull
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
BALTIMORE, Maryland
Dear Morgan State Alumni, Students and Fans,
Please let me start by simply saying "Thank You!" My first Homecoming at Morgan State University as your head football coach was a great day! It was exciting for me and the football team to see so many proud alumni, students and fans back on campus enjoying the atmosphere and the Homecoming spirit. We had a beautiful day for a football game in Hughes Stadium and you all made it better by packing the stadium and cheering for our team. Our team fought and fought and truly played the game for all 60 minutes as we finally scored the winning touchdown with 32 seconds left! That moment was electric and I wanted to say thank you for staying for the entire game. The stadium was still packed at the end of the game. Your energy and enthusiasm is contagious for our players and helps them play harder throughout the game. I look forward to many more victories in Hughes Stadium with all of you there cheering us on as we continue to work towards winning a MEAC Championship.
We need you and the energy you brought to the game at all of our home games! If you can make it, please come see us play on the road. Please know that I appreciate you supporting your alma mater and your football team. We need you! I look forward to seeing you at the next home game and next year's homecoming game! You are a big part of what we do and you are definitely helping us Restore The Roar as we continue on our path to Return To Greatness!
I hope you had a great weekend and really enjoyed your time back on campus! Our student-athletes are working very hard to be a great representation for this university and hope to make you proud every day and every Saturday afternoon. Thank you again for being great fans and I look forward to seeing you at the next game soon!
Bear Down!!
Lee Hull
Head Football Coach
Please let me start by simply saying "Thank You!" My first Homecoming at Morgan State University as your head football coach was a great day! It was exciting for me and the football team to see so many proud alumni, students and fans back on campus enjoying the atmosphere and the Homecoming spirit. We had a beautiful day for a football game in Hughes Stadium and you all made it better by packing the stadium and cheering for our team. Our team fought and fought and truly played the game for all 60 minutes as we finally scored the winning touchdown with 32 seconds left! That moment was electric and I wanted to say thank you for staying for the entire game. The stadium was still packed at the end of the game. Your energy and enthusiasm is contagious for our players and helps them play harder throughout the game. I look forward to many more victories in Hughes Stadium with all of you there cheering us on as we continue to work towards winning a MEAC Championship.
We need you and the energy you brought to the game at all of our home games! If you can make it, please come see us play on the road. Please know that I appreciate you supporting your alma mater and your football team. We need you! I look forward to seeing you at the next home game and next year's homecoming game! You are a big part of what we do and you are definitely helping us Restore The Roar as we continue on our path to Return To Greatness!
I hope you had a great weekend and really enjoyed your time back on campus! Our student-athletes are working very hard to be a great representation for this university and hope to make you proud every day and every Saturday afternoon. Thank you again for being great fans and I look forward to seeing you at the next game soon!
Bear Down!!
Lee Hull
Head Football Coach
ALWAYS WATCH IN 1080p HIGH DEFINITION, WIDE SCREEN
COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS
NSU report | Match-up at Florida A&M will dictate offense
NORFOLK, Virginia -- As much production as Norfolk State got out of its newly prolific passing game in Saturday's 21-13 win at Hampton, the Spartans don't believe they've found themselves offensively.
They're still looking.
Offensive coordinator Donald Hill-Eley said he's heard from fans who have been displeased with his run-first philosophy. But he warns them not to expect wholesale changes on the basis of one successful game.
Asked if the Spartans will return to the passing game at Florida A&M after this week's open date, Hill-Eley said it was too soon to tell.
"If it's going to take passing, we're going to pass it. If it's going to take running, we're going to run it," he said. "Whatever it takes to give the team a chance to win."
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They're still looking.
Offensive coordinator Donald Hill-Eley said he's heard from fans who have been displeased with his run-first philosophy. But he warns them not to expect wholesale changes on the basis of one successful game.
Asked if the Spartans will return to the passing game at Florida A&M after this week's open date, Hill-Eley said it was too soon to tell.
"If it's going to take passing, we're going to pass it. If it's going to take running, we're going to run it," he said. "Whatever it takes to give the team a chance to win."
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