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LORMAN, Mississippi -- When Alcorn State starting quarterback John Gibbs Jr. suffered a leg injury after just two offensive plays on Saturday against Southern in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Braves coach Jay Hopson turned to his backup signal-caller for help. Stepping in for Gibbs, Lenorris Footman put on a show. Footman, a 6-foot, 181-pound sophomore, rushed for an impressive 274 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries in Alcorn State’s 48-7 victory. He had scoring runs of 44, 17, 30 and 60 yards.
Footman’s 274 rushing yards set a SWAC record for a quarterback. He connected on three of seven passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns. This big-time performance earned Footman the ESPN.com HBCU Player of the Week as well as SWAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Obviously the Braves (5-2 overall, 4-1 SWAC) have a lot of talent under center. Gibbs, a 6-foot-6, 220-pound senior, was the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year last season and was named the conference’s preseason offensive player of the year. He led Alcorn State last season to its first SWAC championship since 1994.
COLUMBUS, Georgia -- Albany State and Fort Valley State football coaches, players and alumni kicked off the 26th annual Fountain City Classic week at a press conference and luncheon on Tuesday at the Columbus Convention & Trade Center.
As it is each year, opposing coaches discussed the game itself as well as the festivities, and area high school coaches and players were welcomed to get to know the two programs at the luncheon.
This year, the game, which will kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium, is more than just bragging rights and pride for the two rivals. It’s also a win-or-go-home scenario in which the winner advances to the SIAC championship game next Saturday at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala.
“All the records are out the window,” Fort Valley coach Donald Pittman said on Tuesday.
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Robert Johnson IV had been patiently waiting. Through his first five games this season, Johnson’s longest rush was 15 yards, so he had been eager to finally break a big run.
As he crossed the goal line at the end of a 42-yard touchdown run against Arkansas-Pine Bluff two weeks ago, the Jackson State running back's sense of relief was apparent as he waved his arms to the crowd in excitement.
“It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders, I had been waiting on a run like that for a long time,” Johnson said. “I was excited and it was a great moment for me.”
With more emphasis on the run game and the departure of Jarius Moore from Jackson State’s program, Johnson has received more opportunities to make runs similar to those.
Against the Golden Lions, Johnson toted the ball 18 times for 100 yards. This past weekend, he followed that up with 24 rushes for 112 yards against Mississippi Valley State. Jackson State (3-5, 3-3 SWAC) plays host to Alabama State (4-4, 4-3) on Saturday.
PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- During his weekly luncheon, Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman took time to discuss a fundraiser the school’s athletics department is conducting this week.
With Saturday’s home game against Southern coming up, UAPB will be raising money for Devon Gales, a Jaguar wide receiver, who suffered a severe spinal injury during the Southern-Georgia football game on Sept. 26, in Athens, Georgia.
“The idea came from, I think, Mr. (Lonza) Hardy (Jr.),” Coleman said in crediting UAPB’s athletics director. “I think the SWAC itself is doing a fundraiser also, but Mr. Hardy and others on campus said we would like to donate to the Devon Gales foundation to help his family during this difficult time.”
The school is raising money by selling $1 glossy pieces of paper adorned with a football. Those buying a “football” are invited to sign the piece of paper, all of which will be displayed in the visiting locker room during Saturday’s game. CONTINUE READING
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana -- Grambling State coach Broderick Fobbs came to Shreveport to deliver a friendly word of advice to fans attending Saturday’s Red River State Fair Classic at Independence Stadium.
Don’t spend too long in the bathroom or at the concession stands. Even just looking away at the wrong moment could lead to missing touchdowns from the Tigers’ explosive offense.
“For us, it’s basketball on grass,” Fobbs said during Tuesday afternoon’s press conference at Independence Stadium. “We want to play as fast as we possibly can. We want to take a snap every time a fan breathes.”
That approach appears to be working quite well for the SWAC Western Division leaders, who bring a six-game win streak with them to Saturday’s game against Texas Southern. Despite possessing the ball for less time than all but three FCS schools, Grambling ranks fifth in the country with 43.9 points per game.
Senior quarterback Johnathan Williams leads a spread offense with a host of weapons, and Fobbs said the Tigers look ready to play their best football this November. Eight different Grambling players have caught touchdown passes, and running back Martez Carter averages 84.6 yards per game for a strong rushing attack.
LAKE WALES, Florida — Freshmen Mikayla Bates andJoi Simmons combined for seven points during an early run Monday which jump-started NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 63-44 women's basketball victory at Warner. For the first time in six years, the Gold Nuggets (2-0) have begun a season with back-to-back road victories. It's the first time since the 2004-05 season that Xavier allowed fewer than 50 points in each of its first two games. After the Royals (1-1) took their only lead with 1-of-2 free throws in the opening minute, Xavier seized control by outscoring Warner 13-1 during the next 6 1/2 minutes. Simmons made a pair of baskets, and Bates sank a 3-pointer during the run. Bates, one of 10 Gold Nuggets to score, finished with 10 points. Simmons had nine points, six rebounds and three assists. Senior center Amara Person-Hampton scored a career-high-tying eight points, and Donyeah Mayfield grabbed 10 rebounds. All-star guard Whitney Gathright, who scored 21 points in the opener Saturday, had six points, seven rebounds and six assists. Mariah Williams had 11 points, five rebounds and four steals for Warner, an NAIA Division II member which lost 71-59 to Xavier in New Orleans last season. Xavier outshot the Royals 37.9 to 25 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 47-38. The Gold Nuggets led 32-21 at halftime and outscored Warner 12-4 in the final 8 1/2 minutes. The Gold Nuggets will play their home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday against LeMoyne-Owen in an exhibition game at the Convocation Center. It will follow a 4 p.m. men's game between Xavier and Spring Hill. Both XU opponents are NCAA Division II members. BOX SCORE Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold
FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- She took the road less traveled, and it hasn’t been easy.
But Darian’e Johnson sees a graduation finish line and she’s smiling.
Halftime is show time for the Thorobreds Marching Band at Kentucky State University football games.
While sitting in Alumni Stadium and watching at midfield the energetic band and the precise, fluid, soulful moves of Darian’e – the 22-year-old assistant drum major – it’s hard to imagine she has a disability.
In her senior year of high school in Columbus, Ohio, Darian’e suffered brain contusions after falling down the stairs at her home and hitting her head on the end of a foosball table.
“I don’t know what caused it but I blacked out,” she recalls. “I have no recollection of anything. The only thing I know is what others have told me.”
A younger sister was the only other person in the house at the time of the accident, and she called 911.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- On Saturday, October 31, 2015, in accordance with his ongoing efforts to hone in on the importance of education, Marcell Dareus presented a check to the Magic City Classic Scholarship Fund. During the third quarter of the 74th Annual Magic City Classic, the Buffalo Bills’ two-time pro bowler and former University of Alabama national champion, presented a check for $10,000 to former Alabama A&M Quarterback and Birmingham City Councilman, Jay Roberson.
Although Dareus didn’t attend a Historically Black College/University (HBCU), he understands the importance of preserving the heritage of those institutions. The Magic City Classic is an annual football game that takes place between Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University in Birmingham AL, Marcell Dareus’ hometown.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Five players and Head Football Coach of the Shaw University football team has been named to the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) honors of the week, the conference announced this morning.
Sheldon Saddler (Kannapolis, NC) was selected as the Offensive Lineman of the Week, Marquise Grizzle (Camden, NC) was named Offensive Back of the Week, Bruce Parker, Jr. (New York, NY) was selected Defensive Back of the Week, Joe Nguyen (Charlotte, NC) tabbed the votes for Special Teams Player of the Week, while Terrence Shambry II (Chesapeake, VA) was chosen as Rookie of the Week and Coach Robert Massey was named the CIAA Coach of the Week for the first time this season.
Coach Massey led the Bears to a thrilling 32-25 double overtime win over Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, Oct. 31st. The victory was the first win over WSSU since 2010 and also snapped an eight-game losing streak for the Bears. Shaw powered 506 total offensive yards in the win – anchored by offensive lineman Saddler.
A 5-7, 180-pound senior, Grizzle rushed for 169 yards on 28 attempts against WSSU. He also broke the schools record to become the programs' all-time leading rusher. Grizzles' touchdown run in overtime contributed to the Bears success last weekend.
Parker, Jr., a 5-10, 170-pound junior defensive back, helped ice the win over WSSU when he intercepted the Rams pass in the end zone in front of nearly 16, 000 fans at Bowman Gray Stadium. He leads the Bears in interceptions with five on the season.
Nguyen, played a critical role in the victory as he was 4-6 in field goals, while making a 36 yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime.
Freshman quarterback Shambry, II in his fourth start on the season had one of his best performances in Shaw's 32-25 victory over WSSU. He connected 29-of-44 passes for 267 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Shambry, II added 30 yards on the ground on 11 attempts.
The Bears will conclude the 2015 season on Nov. 7th when they host cross-town rival Saint Augustine's University for CIAA matchup. Saturday's contest is also Shaw's Homecoming and annual Senior Day. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Durham County Memorial Stadium.
LIBERTY, Missouri -- Tuskegee University achieved their highest ranking of the season in the D2football.com poll released Tuesday morning, using a 19-7 victory over Central State to move to 13th in this week's poll.
The Golden Tigers are now ranked in each Division II poll for the third consecutive week.
Tuskegee (8-1 overall, 7-0 SIAC, 4-0 West Division) is the only SIAC school, as well as the only HBCU, receiving votes in this week's poll. They also join three other teams from the region in the poll this week - West Georgia (first), North Alabama (11th, up from 14th), and Valdosta State (19th, up from 21st).
Tuskegee faces their biggest test of the year when they host Miles at Cleve L. Abbott Memorial Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 1 pm and is homecoming for the Golden Tigers, with the winner advancing to the SIAC Championship Game to be played at Cramton Bowl on November 14.
For more information on Tuskegee University athletics follow us on Twitter @MyTUAthletics, and like us on Facebook. Rk Team Rec Last Wk
1 West Georgia 9-0 1
2 Ferris State 8-0 2
3 Northwest Missouri 9-0 3
4 CSU-Pueblo 8-1 4
5 Ashland 9-0 6
6 Minnesota State-Mankato 8-1 7
7 Sioux Falls 8-1 11
8 Shepherd 8-0 9
9 Texas A&M-Commerce 7-2 5
10 Slippery Rock 8-1 12
11 North Alabama 6-2 14
12 Midwestern State 8-1 15 13 Tuskegee 8-1 16
14 Humboldt State 7-1 17
15 Central Missouri 7-2 18
16 Emporia State 8-1 19
17 Grand Valley State 7-2 10
18 Henderson State 8-1 20
19 Valdosta State 6-2 21
20 Michigan Tech 6-2 22
21 Assumption 8-1 23
22 Colorado Mesa 8-1 24
23 Minnesota-Duluth 6-3 8
24 Colorado School of Mines 7-2 13
25 Charleston 8-1 NR
SALISBURY, North Carolina — Livingstone football star Drew Powell received a citation for misdemeanor possession of marijuana last Tuesday, according to a Salisbury Police Department report.
The initial report appeared in the crime blotter section of Thursday’s Salisbury Post, but made no mention of Powell being a Livingstone student or football player. The charge occurred during a traffic stop at the corner of West Monroe and South Ellis streets.
Powell, a senior from Upper Marlboro, Md., is a four-year starter at quarterback for the Blue Bears and has earned All-CIAA honors for his play.
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Morgan State may have enjoyed its bye week, but the program did not get much good news in the race for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.
All four teams at the top of the standings – No. 19 North Carolina A&T, Bethune-Cookman, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State – won over the weekend and stayed ahead of the Bears (3-4 overall and 3-2 in the league). That means that if Morgan State wants to stay in contention and repeat as MEAC champion for the second straight year, the team must record a victory at Bethune-Cookman (7-2, 5-1) this Saturday.
Bears coach Lee Hull is fully aware of the implications of Saturday’s contest.
“Obviously, it’s a must-win for us to have a chance to stay in the hunt and have a chance to win the league or have a share of the title,” he said Tuesday morning during his weekly conference call organized by the MEAC. “This is a [huge] game, but we’re not taking it that way, we’re not putting the pressure on guys. We just want to go out and play our best and see what happens.”
GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- The attorney representing Grambling running backs coach Lee Fobbs, who along with his son, head coach Broderick Fobbs, was recently charged with nepotism by the Louisiana Board of Ethics, is confident they'll be cleared of any wrongdoing.
State Sen. Rick Gallot, the Ruston-based attorney who is handling Lee Fobbs' case, told The News-Star on Monday that Fobbs, nor his son, didn't "violate any provision of the code of governmental ethics."
"We will vigorously defend these charges and we feel like, at the end of the day, we'll be successful," Gallot said.
"We feel very comfortable and confident that at the end of the day we'll be cleared of these charges. It's just a heck of a distraction and inconvenience especially with the program doing so well after everything that went on before coach Fobbs got here. He's doing such a tremendous job. To have this distraction is very unfortunate."
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern has played football in messy conditions the past two weeks, and coach Dawson Odums said he hopes there aren’t any lingering effects.
Two weeks ago in Houston, the Jaguars endured torrential rains related to the remnants of Hurricane Patricia and a sloppy field during a 40-21 victory at Texas Southern.
Then Saturday, daylong heavy rains produced what Odums on Monday called “one of the worst field conditions I’ve ever played on in a football game.”
Southern couldn’t throw the ball and lost four fumbles in a 48-7 loss to Alcorn State.
“They got off to a fast start,” Odums said during the Southwestern Athletic Conference coaches weekly teleconference. “We got some momentum and it was 21-7. But after that, we just couldn’t get anything going and we turned the ball over, and they capitalized like good teams do.”
LAKE WALES, Florida -- Freshmen Mikayla Bates and Joi Simmons combined for seven points during an early run Monday which jump-started NAIA No. 21 Xavier University of Louisiana in a 63-44 women's basketball victory at Warner.
For the first time in six years, the Gold Nuggets (2-0) have begun a season with back-to-back road victories. It’s the first time since the 2004-05 season that Xavier allowed fewer than 50 points in each of its first two games.
After the Royals (1-1) took their only lead with 1-of-2 free throws in the opening minute, Xavier seized control by outscoring Warner 13-1 during the next 6 1/2 minutes. Simmons made a pair of baskets, and Bates sank a 3-pointer during the run.
Bates, one of 10 Gold Nuggets to score, finished with 10 points. Simmons had nine points, six rebounds and three assists. Senior center Amara Person-Hampton scored a career-high-tying eight points, and Donyeah Mayfield grabbed 10 rebounds.
All-star guard Whitney Gathright, who scored 21 points in the opener Saturday, had six points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Mariah Williams had 11 points, five rebounds and four steals for Warner, an NAIA Division II member which lost 71-59 to Xavier in New Orleans last season.
Xavier outshot the Royals 37.9 to 25 percent from the floor and outrebounded them 47-38. The Gold Nuggets led 32-21 at halftime and outscored Warner 12-4 in the final 8 1/2 minutes.
The Gold Nuggets will play their home opener at 6 p.m. Saturday against LeMoyne-Owen in an exhibition game at the Convocation Center. It will follow a 4 p.m. men’s game between Xavier and Spring Hill. Both XU opponents are NCAA Division II members.
HARTLEY, Delaware – North Carolina A&T stood firm and Bowie State closed the gap to tie Tuskegee on top of the HSRN Football Polls following week 9 of the HBCU action. The Aggies top the HSRN Division I Poll, while the Golden Tigers and Bulldogs are tied for first place in HSRN's Division II/NAIA Poll.
Division I/FCS
The top six spots were unchanged from last week with some shuffling in the lower third of the rankings due to Southern's 48-7 loss to Alcorn State and Alabama State's 35-20 Magic City Classic win over Alabama A&M. The Hornets have won four of their last five games and came in at #10 this week
Division II/NAIA
Tuskegee survived a potential trap game with a 19-7 win over Central State. Meanwhile, Bowie State crushed Lincoln (Pa), 57-3, in their home finale of the season, moving into a first place tie with the Golden Tigers.
Fort Valley State jumped three spots thanks to a 35-3 homecoming victory over Morehouse.
Livingstone moved back into the top 10 following its 42-35 homecoming win over Fayetteville State in overtime.
TORRANCE, California – The votes are in and the lineup is set. Students, alumni and fans from America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have helped select eight top marching bands to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, on January 30, 2016 in Atlanta. For this 14th installment, talented student musicians will once again dazzle an expected capacity crowd at the Georgia Dome, with a unique display of showmanship, instrumental performances and carefully curated choreography. The 2016 lineup consists of new and familiar HBCUs, including first- time participant, Lincoln University (PA) and eleven-time participant, Bethune-Cookman University.
Alabama A&M University, Marching Maroon & White (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Alcorn State University, Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
South Carolina State University, Marching “101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Ohio Valley Conference)
About Honda
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JACKSON, Mississippi -- Any time things would get bad for Jackson State during games earlier this season, they had a tendency to become ugly.
A seven-point, second-quarter deficit against Middle Tennessee State turned into a 56-point loss. A five-point, second-quarter hole turned into as much as 23 in a loss to Tennessee State. An eight-point halftime disadvantage resulted in a 32-point loss against Grambling.
When it rained on the Tigers, it eventually poured.
Granted, Mississippi Valley State is currently winless, but it was still somewhat surprising JSU was able to turn a 10-point deficit in the third quarter into a 10-point win, 26-16, in Itta Bena on Saturday.
“Well, he (MVSU coach Rick Comegy) had me really worried there for a minute,” Tigers interim coach Derrick McCall said. “But the kids kept coming to me and said coach don’t worry, we got it.
“We stuck to what we were doing, we never wavered from it. … We never deviated from our game plan.”
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State University is asking for a new trial or for a federal judge to reduce the $382,000 awarded to former women's basketball coach Denise Taylor Travis.
Travis, who used the last name Taylor when she was at JSU, coached at JSU for 10 seasons, from 2001 to 2011, and led the program to the 2008 SWAC Tournament title. Her contract was renewed in 2010 for four years with her salary set at $91,000 a year. The university fired Taylor in June 2011 after Carolyn Meyers became JSU president.
Taylor filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Jackson on Jan. 24, 2012, against the university, alleging wrongful termination, sexual discrimination, invasion of privacy and breach of contract.
In December 2013, a jury ruled in favor of Taylor's claim that the university breached her contract and awarded her $182,000. The jury dismissed her sexual discrimination and retaliation claims. Also, in the same case, U.S. District Court Judge Henry T. Wingate ruled in August 2014 in favor of Taylor's claim of emotional pain and suffering in her invasion of privacy claim and awarded her $200,000.
GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- North Carolina A&T moved closer to being recognized as one of the Top-15 teams in Division I-Football Championship Subdivision. In the NCAA FCS Coaches’ Poll, the Aggies rose four spots to No. 16 nationally following their 28-10 win over Florida A&M Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium.
The Aggies, who improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the MEAC, made one of the biggest jumps in the poll. Charleston Southern moved up six places to No. 13 after upsetting previously undefeated Coastal Carolina. Southern Utah also jumped six spots to No. 18 after beating Cal Poly. Youngstown State joined the Aggies in moving up four spaces.
The 15 teams ahead of the Aggies in the poll are led by No. 1 Jacksonville State followed by Illinois State, Chattanooga, Eastern Washington, McNeese State, North Dakota State, Richmond, Coastal Carolina, Portland State, Sam Houston State, South Dakota State, William & Mary, Charleston Southern, James Madison and Harvard.
The Aggies were joined in the poll by fellow MEAC school Bethune-Cookman at No. 25. N.C. A&T made a slight move upward in the STATS FCS Poll by moving from No. 20 to 19th in the nation. The Aggies are ranked ahead of Southern Utah, Youngstown State, Montana, Indiana State, Dartmouth and The Citadel. The Top-5 in the FCS poll are Jacksonville State, Illinois State, Chattanooga, Eastern Washington and Richmond.
A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the STATS FCS Top 25. In the voting, a first-place vote is worth 25 points, a second-place vote 24 points, all the way down to one point for a 25th-place vote. The Top 25 is released every Monday afternoon during the regular season, except for Sunday morning, Nov. 22, prior to the selection of the 24-team FCS playoff field.
COURTESY NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- Something to play for. It's what every athlete and every coach looks for in every contest of every season.
The South Carolina State football team has more than something to play for Saturday when lone Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference unbeaten North Carolina A&T comes to town to play the Bulldogs in a 1:30 p.m. MEAC game at Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.
SCSU is 5-3 overall, 4-1 in MEAC play, while N.C. A&T is 7-1 overall, 5-0 in the MEAC. A Bulldogs' win would have (at the most) four conference teams playing with a single loss heading into the final two weeks of the season.
An Aggies' win would keep N.C.A&T as the lone unbeaten heading into the final two games at home against winless Delaware State and once-beaten N.C. Central.
The promise of playing for positioning to be among the conference co-champions this late in the season is something SCSU head coach Buddy Pough relishes.
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State used a stingy defense and a 97-yard drive in the final quarter to earn a 20-6 win over Austin Peay. The two teams battled in front of 5,985 fans who endured a continual rain on Saturday afternoon at Hale Stadium.
The win gave the Tigers its first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season (1-4) as they evened their season record to 4-4. APSU is still looking for its first win of the year as they fell to 0-9, 0-6 in conference play.
Austin Peay opened fast as they marched 66 yards on 11 plays and took an early 3-0 lead on a 35-yard field goal by Logan Birchfield. The Governors would get the offense going again to close out the first half with a 10 play-57 yard drive which resulted in a Birchfield 22-yard field goal to cut the score to 13-6.
The Tiger defense would allow just 74 yards against them through the remainder of the game, including holding the Govs to 46 yards of total offense in the second half.
With Austin Peay leading 3-0, the TSU special teams unit earned its second blocked punt of the season as Ty Law blocked a punt allowing Gabe Terry to pull down the deflected ball at the APSU 26. The Tigers would have to settle for a 47-yard field goal by Lane Clark to tie the game at 3-3 with 5:48 remaining in the first quarter.
After the Govs held the Tigers to 17 yards in the first quarter, the offense would get things going on the first possession of the second stanza. Telvin Hooks carried the load on the drive breaking runs of 23 and 13 yards. On the runs, Hooks continued his climb up the TSU career rushing list as he passed Lee Derricks (1953-55) and Nathaniel Simpson (1973-76) moving into eighth all-time.
Later in the drive, the Tigers took its first lead of the game as O’Shay Ackerman-Carter found Joshawn Bowens for three yards in the back of the end zone with 10:30 remaining in the half, 10-3. The touchdown was the sixth for the redshirt-freshman quarterback and the third for the senior tight end.
With just under four minutes to go before half, the Tigers would add to its lead as Clark connected on a 38-yard field goal making the score 13-3. The Govs would take over for the final drive of the half.
The Tigers held strong as they stopped a third-and-goal from inside the one with seconds left on the seconds. APSU tried to run a quick play before the Tigers could get set and before the clock would run out before half time. The Govs could not get the play off in time, but the officials deemed a player was injured player on the field and added two seconds on the clock. The second chance was halted by a false start, pushing the ball back five yards leaving the Birchfield field goal as the only option.
The score remained at 13-6 until the Tigers took over the ball at its own three yard line with 10:22 remaining in regulation. TSU proceeded to shave just under nine minutes off the clock as they moved all the way across the field in 15 plays, 13 of which were runs. The Tigers jumped out to a 20-6 advantage as Erick Evans broke through the left side of the line for 25 yards and his third touchdown of the season.
Evans finished the game with 13 rushes and a game high 83 yards. Hooks added 76 yards on 18 carries and surpassed Larry Kinnebrew (1978-82) to become the seventh all-time leading rusher at TSU.
Kendall Morris led the Govs with 76 yards on 18 carries, but was held to one yard on six rushes in the second half.
In his return, Ackerman-Carter finished the contest 13-of-26 for 76 yards a touchdown and an interception.
Freshman Blair Edwards entered the game midway through the first quarter in place of Van Williams who left due to injury. Edwards went on to record 13 tackles, six solo, to lead the Tigers defense.
The Tigers will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 7 as they host Murray State at 2:30 p.m. in Hale Stadium.
Game Notes:
TSU’s captains were Dinsdale Jackson, Joe Bowens, Aaron Woods and O’Shay Ackerman-Carter … Austin Peay won the coin toss and received the opening kickoff … 2:03 p.m. start time … Weather at time of kickoff was 63 degrees, cloudy and rainy … O’Shay Ackerman-Carter made his fifth start of the season ... Ackerman-Carter missed the two previous games due to injury … Saturday was the 18th all-time meeting between TSU and Austin Peay … TSU now leads the all-time series with Austin Peay by a 12-6 margin … Senior running back Telvin Hooks moved into seventh on TSU’s all-time career rushing list … Beginning the day ranked 10th in program history, Hooks passed Lee Derricks, Nathaniel Simpson and Larry Kinnebrew on the day. Hooks now has 1,698 career yards … Tennessee State was playing its first game at Hale Stadium on campus this season after hosting two home games at Nissan Stadium … TSU moves to 2-0 when leading at the half this season ... On Sept. 12, the Tigers led Jackson State by a 21-9 margin at the half in a 35-25 victory.
TSU Head Coach Rod Reed
“I’d just like to say I’m proud of these guys for going out and fighting hard. We had a lot of things working against us today. We’ve got a lot of injuries. Our guys did a really good job. We made some adjustments at halftime to stop the run. I thought our defense did a good job and the offense came alive in the second half. That last drive was huge, and it was great to see our offense take it down there and stick it in the end zone.”
--Opening statement
“These guys have a no-quit attitude. They came in last week, and I look at all of them in the eyes on Sunday just to see where their disposition is. These guys get up. We know we’re a good football team, and we’ve had some things work against us. Through all the injuries, these guys keep plugging, and I’m proud of them for that."
-- On overcoming injuries
“I thought he played well. All-in-all, he protected the football. He had one bad read, but you have to knock a little bit of rust off. He hasn’t played in a few weeks, and he’ll get better from here. We need to continue to get him healthy.”
-- On the play of quarterback O’Shay Ackerman-Carter
TSU Redshirt Freshman Quarterback O’Shay Ackerman-Carter
“I feel like I played pretty well for not playing for a few weeks. We started off a little slow, but as the game continued, we kept fighting and got it done.”
-- On his performance
“The offensive line did a tremendous job. Give credit to Coach (Russ) Ehrenfeld, he’s a great coach. I told them in the huddle, ‘this is your drive. Make it happen,’ And they did.”
-- On the play of the line.
TSU Freshman Linebacker Blair Edwards
“Coach told us he was going to give us the game plan. It was up to us to go out there and do what we do, and we did it."
-- On the defense.
“I started from the bottom. I started on scout team and worked my way up. A couple linebackers got hurt and it was up to me to step up.”
-- On the next-man-up mentality of the defense
TSU Junior Defensive Back Ty Law III
“We take special teams really seriously here. Coach Sanders does a good job setting us up at the beginning of the week, and he stresses we need to get in there and go for it. We got in there today so it worked out.”
-- On the importance of special teams
“On film, it’s been exposed all year. We saw that we could take advantage of that so it opened up. I didn’t really get a rub on me, so I just went right through the middle."
-- On his blocked punt
“I felt like it was huge. Momentum jumped on our side, and we got our first points. The offense started rolling a little bit in the first half after that, so I think it was pretty big.
-- How the block punt affected the game
TSU Redshirt Senior Running Back Telvin Hooks
“I’ve had some great offensive lineman for the past four years and they just block for me and I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. Without them, I can’t do what I did.”
-- On moving into seventh on TSU’s all-time rushing list
“You have to buckle down when you see this rain because you know you’re going to have to run the ball a lot, and I think Erick (Evans) and I did a great job of handling that. I appreciate the offensive line grinding even though it’s been a rough start for us with the run game but today we came out and had to do it.”
-- On today’s rainy conditions
TSU Sophomore Linebacker Chris Collins
“I feel like we played great together as a team. Everyone was doing their part and not trying to do too much. It all came together. I feel like our defensive line played great and our two freshmen outside linebackers both played really well. A lot of people were nervous but Blair Edwards and Demetro Stephens came to play and stepped up big time for us.”
-- On the play of the defense
“By the end of the game, they started helping me out. Helping me get lined up and toward the fourth quarter we were basically just agreeing with each other and they would tell me what they saw before the play.”
-- On the play of freshmen Blair Edwards and Demetro Stephens, Jr.
TSU Redshirt Freshman Center Thomas Burton
“I think it’s big for him to be able to accomplish that, not only for himself but as a unit. It speaks volumes for the o-line and for him.”
-- On Telvin Hooks moving up TSU’s all-time rushing list
“We have trust in everybody. Coach believes in us and trusts in us to just go out there and play.”
-- On different offensive linemen stepping up.
JACKSON, Tennessee – The Kentucky State football team jumped out to an early lead but fell victim to a late Lane College comeback, falling 21-14 in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game on Saturday at Lane Field.
Though the Thorobreds got out to the early 14-0 lead, Lane, which had been held to just a pair of field goals over the first 54 minutes, came up with 14 points in the final 6:01 to pull out the win. Kentucky State's defense had been strong most of the afternoon, but the Dragons were able to break through on a 27-yard touchdown from Marcus Reynolds to Darius Mitchell, then tied the game at 14 when Reynolds ran in the two point conversion.
Kentucky State's next drive stalled near midfield, and despite being backed up in a third-and-long, Lane's Aaron Thomas scored on a 72-yard touchdown pass from Reynolds down the right sideline with 1:00 left to play. On their last possession, the Thorobreds marched deep into Lane territory, setting themselves up with one final opportunity from the Lane 15-yard-line with four seconds to play. The last pass attempt was picked off by Lane as time expired.
Though the Thorobreds came into the game as losers of three straight, they seized the momentum on a pair of early touchdown runs by Reginal Harris. Harris topped the 100-yard mark for the second straight week, finishing with a season-high 142 yards rushing on 17 attempts.
Kentucky State wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, with Corey Slaughter helping to set up the first touchdown by returning the opening kickoff to the Lane 45-yard line. Harris handled the rest by breaking a 24–yard run and a 19-yard touchdown on consecutive plays.
Harris opened the second quarter with a touchdown as well, getting free and streaking 68 yards down the left sideline to put the Thorobreds up 14-0. Lane added a 36-yard Carlas Moore field goal to make the score 14-3 at the half.
Unfortunately for Kentucky State, the two touchdowns would be all the points it would manage on the day. The Thorobreds had opportunities to build on their lead, but costly turnovers helped keep them off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Kentucky State lost the turnover battle 6-1 and fumbled the ball four times, including once inside the Lane 10-yard-line.
Offensively, the teams ended up with similar numbers for the game. Kentucky State narrowly outgained Lane 275-273, with nearly half of the Dragons' offense coming on the final two drives. Ora Johnson finished 9-of-22 passing for 87 yards, while Charles Johnson was the Thorobreds' top receiver with three catches for 42 yards.
Lydell Simon led the way on defense for Kentucky State, making seven tackles with three for loss and a sack. Ryan Luckett made six tackles and had an interception, while Trevon Spencer made five tackles with a sack.
With the loss, Kentucky State drops to 2-7 overall, 2-4 in SIAC play, and 1-3 in SIAC West Division competition. Lane improves to 3-6 overall, 2-5 in the conference, and 1-4 in the division. The Thorobreds wrap up their 2015 season when they host Stillman next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Alumni Stadium.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The South Carolina State football team captured its third consecutive win on Saturday, taking charge in a 34-20 homecoming game against Hampton in front of 19,821 fans inside Oliver C. Dawson Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs (now 5-3 overall, 4-1 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play) jumped ahead 21-0 by early in the second half, getting solid play from all units — special teams, offense and defense. They will play host to the final unbeaten team in MEAC play (North Carolina A&T) next Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
Hampton (now 4-5, 3-3) scored three late touchdowns to make the game more interesting in the fourth quarter. But, the Pirates were playing without suspended graduate student and starting quarterback David Watford, and were turned away from a further comeback effort by a late interception in the end zone by Chris Pauling.
“Special teams continues to be a force for us, with four or five punt blocks this season, and add to that a kickoff return for a score today by Antonio Hamilton,” SCSU head football coach Buddy Pough said. “Those situations give us opportunities to create a little space that you don’t sometimes see in the stats.
LORMAN, Mississippi -- When Alcorn State starting quarterback John Gibbs Jr. suffered a leg injury after just two offensive plays on Saturday against Southern in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Braves coach Jay Hopson turned to his backup signal-caller for help. Stepping in for Gibbs, Lenorris Footman put on a show. Footman, a 6-foot, 181-pound sophomore, rushed for an impressive 274 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries in Alcorn State’s 48-7 victory. He had scoring runs of 44, 17, 30 and 60 yards.
