For A&T, road to championship runs through S.C. State

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — It’s November, the month when champions are made.

And the next hurdle for N.C. A&T might be the biggest so far: South Carolina State.

A&T is ranked No. 19 in the FCS national poll, alone in first place in the MEAC standings and controls its own destiny.

But if the Aggies (7-1, 5-0 MEAC) want to represent their league in the first Celebration Bowl next month, they must find a way to beat S.C. State (5-3, 4-1), a program that has owned A&T.

In 14 seasons under Coach Buddy Pough, the Bulldogs have won or shared six MEAC championships and are 13-1 against A&T. Aggies coach Rod Broadway is 35-18 since taking over the program, but just 1-3 against the Bulldogs.

“We understand this: The championship, since we’ve been here, has gone through Orangeburg,” Broadway said. “If you’re going to win one, you’ve got to beat those boys some time. And we haven’t had a lot of success against them. Hopefully, we can go down there this year and change our luck. And it’s going to take a little luck because they’re so darn good.”

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How Howard University is Building a Competitive HBCU Soccer Program -- and Winning

COURTESY HOWARD BISON ATHLETICS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- While none of us remember our first steps, Dytria Ruddy has it on good authority that hers were followed not so long thereafter by her first attempts to kick a soccer ball.

Ruddy does recall one of the first games she played, more specifically when her mom stuck up for her after another parent complained about how many goals she scored. And she remembers the tournament when she was 10 or 11 years old in which the foul she committed gave the opposing team a penalty kick that decided the game. The mistake itself isn't a pleasant memory, but the run that her team made to reach the game lingers fondly.

Soccer has been a part of her life, helped shape her life, since she was 4 years old. But when Howard University next loses a game, either in this week's Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament in Alabama or the NCAA tournament beyond, Ruddy's competitive career will in all likelihood end with the final whistle. That doesn't mean she will leave the game -- or it her.

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Culver Column: A warning against impatience

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Back in July, I spoke with Earl M. Hilton III, the athletic director at North Carolina A&T.

He said there’s “no mystery” to fixing a school’s APR issues. Bring on more academic support staff, have a vision and stick by the process.

In 2012, the Aggies were stuck with a postseason ban, practice reductions and other penalties from Level Three NCAA sanctions. Those sanctions were handed down after years of APR issues and previous penalties.

Hilton was brought on in 2011 alongside head football coach Rod Broadway. Today, North Carolina A&T's football team is on top of the MEAC and is ranked No. 19 among all FCS schools. For good measure the group posted an APR of 934 for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The right people were hired, and A&T is doing just fine.

“Coach Wood is a good football coach,” Broadway said after A&T’s 28-10 victory over the Rattlers.

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Kentucky Wildcats vs Kentucky State: Start time, online stream, TV coverage, radio and more

Here is everything you need for Kentucky's matchup with Kentucky State this Friday

Kentucky Wildcats vs Kentucky State Thorobreds
Time: 6 p.m. ET
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV: ESPNU
Online Stream: You can watch the game online via Watch ESPN and the Watch ESPN App
Announcers: TBA
Radio: 98.1 FM and 630 AM in Lexington. Go here for a list of radio affiliates based on where you live.

EXCERPT:

LEXINGTON, Kentudky -- The Kentucky Wildcats will be back on the court for one final exhibition tune-up game this Friday when the Kentucky State Thorobreds come to Rupp Arena.

As for the Thorobreds, they're led by Malcolm Smith, a sophomore guard from Cincinnati, Ohio who, is the team's top returning scorer after averaging 12.5 points per game in his freshman season. He also was one of the most efficient shooters in the conference, ranking in the top 10 in the SIAC in field goal percentage (.504) and 3-point percentage (.400).

Kentucky State also has a first-year head coach in Darnell Williams, who looks to lead the Thorobreds back to the top of the SIAC standings after they posted a 9-18 overall record with a 7-12 mark in conference play last season. They were picked to finish sixth in the SIAC West division out of eight teams in the preseason predicted standings.

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Whitney Gathright is 1st GCAC Player of Week in 2015-16

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Whitney Gathright, who scored 21 points in a season-opening victory Saturday, is the first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Player of the Week in women's basketball for the 2015-16 season.

Gathright, a 5-foot-4 senior point guard from New Orleans and a graduate of John Curtis Christian School, led the Gold Nuggets in a 47-42 victory at Webber International. Gathright made a career-high-tying four 3-pointers in six attempts, and her 21 points are the most by a Gold Nugget in an opener in the last 13 seasons.

It's the third time that Gathright has been a GCAC Player of the Week — only Brittany Powell, with four awards from 2008-10, has won more for the Gold Nuggets — and it's the first time that a Gold Nugget has won the weekly award in three different seasons.

Xavier (2-0), ranked 21st in NAIA Division I, will play NCAA Division II member LeMoyne-Owen in an exhibition game at 6 p.m. Saturday at XU's Convocation Center.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Gold Rush lose exhibition at Southeastern Louisiana

HAMMOND, Louisiana -- Xavier University of Louisiana played solidly for the first 25 minutes before Southeastern Louisiana pulled away for a 79-61 men's basketball exhibition victory Wednesday.

Morris Wright scored 18 points, and Lucas Martin-Julien had 11 points and four steals for the Gold Rush, ranked 19th in NAIA Division I. Wesley Pluviose-Philip and Gary Smith scored six points apiece.

Mike Hawkins scored 22 points for the Lions. James Currington had 15 points and 17 rebounds, and Zay Jackson scored 14.

Xavier, in its only exhibition of the season, led for nearly 7 1/2 minutes against its NCAA Division I opponent. Wright's 3-pointer at 8:06 of the first half gave Xavier its biggest lead, 21-15. Chris Ward's basket with 15:21 remaining gave Xavier its final lead, 38-36.

Currington's layup tied the score at 38 with 15:10 remaining, then Joshua Filmore followed with consecutive 3-pointers to put the Lions ahead to stay, 44-38. Jackson's layup at 9:19 capped a 21-2 run and gave SLU a 57-40 lead.

Southeastern led 30-28 at halftime.

Xavier dominated at the free-throw line, making 30-of-39 to the Lions' 15-of-27. Wright made all 10 of his free throws. Southeastern outshot Xavier 46.8 to 32.6 percent from the floor and had a 45-30 rebound advantage.

It was the second meeting of the Gold Rush and Lions. Southeastern won 76-71 in a regular-season game during the 1977-78 season.

Xavier will play another NCAA member, Spring Hill of Division II, at 4 p.m. Saturday at XU's Convocation Center. Southeastern will open its regular season Nov. 13 at TCU.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Pirkl, Hunt-Thompson earn GCAC weekly awards

NEW ORLEANS — The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference has honored two from Xavier University of Louisiana for their volleyball performances of Oct. 26-Nov. 1. Franziska Pirkl is the Setter of the Week, and Ruby Hunt-Thompson is the Attacker of the Week.

Pirkl was honored for the fourth time this season. Hunt-Thompson's award is her first.

Pirkl, a senior from Munich, Germany, and a graduate of Theodolinden Gymnasium, produced 94 assists, 16 digs, three kills and a block during the Gold Nuggets' 2-0 week. Pirkl's 43 assists Saturday against SUNO were her most ever in a three-set match. Two days earlier, she had a season-high 51 assists in a five-set victory at Loyola.

Hunt-Thompson, a home-schooled freshman from Evanston, Ill., hit .408 and produced 25 kills, eight blocks, six digs and two aces. She had career highs of 15 kills, .538 hitting percentage (minimum 10 attempts) and five blocks against Loyola, and she had 10 kills, three blocks, a career-best six digs and a career-high-tying two aces against SUNO.

Hunt-Thompson leads the GCAC in hitting percentage (.297) and is trying to become the first freshman in five years to lead the conference in that category. Pirkl leads the GCAC with 8.9 assists her set.

Xavier (16-7, 10-1 GCAC) will close the regular season at 7 p.m. Monday at GCAC and city rival Dillard. The Gold Nuggets would earn no worse than a share of the GCAC regular-season championship by defeating the Lady Bleu Devils. The GCAC Tournament will be Nov. 13-14 at Little Rock, Ark.

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Preview: Prairie View A&M vs. Alcorn State

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- Prairie View A&M University head coach Willie Simmons recaps PVAMU's last win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Halloween and previews this weekend's SWAC showdown at his former employer in Alcorn State in Lorman, Mississippi.



COURTESY PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

JSU D line aims to regain old form

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Four opponents rushed for at least 150 yards and averaged more than 4 yards per carry in Jackson State’s first five games this season.

In the three games since, opposing teams have rushed for 290 yards on 118 attempts, which is good for 2.45 yards per carry.

The improvement over the past few weeks doesn’t have much to with schematics, defensive tackle Cornelius Henderson said.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s Xs and Os,” Henderson said before practice on Wednesday. “We as a defense have woken up and started to find ourselves. We’re playing with more of an attitude on the field and just arriving to the ball with bad intentions.”

The past three opponents are a combined 2-16 in SWAC play, so that probably has something to do with the improvement.

Saturday’s home game against Alabama State (4-4, 4-3 SWAC) will offer a better indication of how much the Tigers’ (3-5, 3-3) run (and overall) defense has really improved.

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Despite season's wild swings, Fayetteville State Broncos end up right where they wanted to be

FAYETTEVILLE, North Carolina -- In the aftermath of Fayetteville State's 42-35 overtime loss at Livingstone on Saturday, the mood in the Broncos' locker room was understandably downbeat. An interception late in regulation and another at the goal line in overtime had appeared to end Fayetteville State's chances for a CIAA Southern Division title.

"That's probably one of the worst ones I've been a part of," Broncos coach Lawrence Kershaw said.

But then, players began getting texts from Fayetteville State's cheerleaders.

Already on the bus and headed back to campus, they'd seen that Winston-Salem State, the first-place team in the division, had lost to Shaw. That meant Saturday's game between the Rams and Broncos would decide who gets a bid in the CIAA championship game.

What at one point looked like the Broncos' lost cause was now very much in play.

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Jackson State Names Darnell Walker Head Softball Coach

JACKSON, Mississippi -- The Jackson State University Division of Athletics has named Darnell Walker as its head softball coach. Walker, who previously worked as an assistant coach in the Lady Tigers softball program, returns to JSU after spending a year as the head coach of the Coahoma Community College softball program.

Walker was an assistant coach under former head coach Rick Fremin from 2013-14. During that time frame the Lady Tigers boasted 25 or more wins each season. JSU won back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Eastern Division Championships — the first in the school’s history.

The Lady Tigers broke or set a total of fourteen (14) National/ School records, while securing the program’s first victory over a Big 12 opponent Texas Tech in 2013 and in 2014 SEC opponent University of Arkansas. During the 2013 and 2014 season’s the student athletes maintained and G.P.A. of 3.2 and 3.47 respectively and boasted eight Academic All-Americans during the 2014 season.

Walker also served for two years as a volunteer assistant coach for the JSU Baseball team, and equipment manager for the JSU Football and Women’s Basketball teams.

His prior coaching experience includes stints as the head baseball coach at Henry Ford Community College, Dearborn, MI; (2003-2004) and the Detroit Public School System (1994-2004). He coached several Region XII All-Conference players and helped numerous student-athletes move on to play at the Division I level.

Walker graduated from Wiley College in Marshall, TX. He was named an Outstanding Young Man of America, a four-year letter winner and the Wiley College 1993 Athlete of the Year while at Wiley. He also holds a Masters Degree from Jackson State University in Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

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Southern hopes for better weather so its passing game will be cleared for takeoff

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Mother Nature has slowed down the Southern passing offense more effectively than most Southwestern Athletic Conference teams’ defenses have.

The Jaguars zipped through their first four SWAC games with one of the most productive passing games in the conference. Then the rains came: first in Houston against Texas Southern two weeks ago, then last week at A.W. Mumford Stadium against Alcorn State.

In both cases, the deteriorating conditions made passing far more difficult than normal, first in a 40-21 victory, then in a 48-7 defeat.

Quarterback Austin Howard said the conditions for the Alcorn game were the worst he has ever played in, “much worse than Texas Southern.”

The Jaguars actually completed a higher percentage of their passes the past two games than they did in their first four — 69.5 percent to 68.8 percent — but that’s partly because of the need to reduce the degree of difficulty under the conditions.

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SWAC reprimands football game officials

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Southwestern Athletic Conference today reprimanded the game officials from Saturday's football contest between Alabama A&M and Alabama State for unintentionally granting a fifth down during the contest.

After a thorough review, the Conference office determined that Alabama State played a fifth down at the 6:34 mark in the first quarter.

“We expect our officials to perform at the highest of standards while officiating”. SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said. “We will continue to work with Harold Mitchell (SWAC Coordinator of Officials) to ensure this type of situation does not happen again”.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU Rattlers look to make most of final 3 games

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Florida A&M coach Alex Wood is disappointed with the way the Rattlers’ season has gone so far, but said there are still games left to play.

If nothing else, he said, the Rattlers (1-7, 1-4 MEAC) will come out ready to play in each of the teams final games, all of which are on the road.

“We’re professionals,” Wood said .

“There are games left to play and we made a commitment to do this. Not to do it because it’s going well, you do it because that’s what we’re supposed to do. Finish out strong.”

FAMU takes on Hampton (4-5, 3-3) at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Virginia. The Rattlers haven’t faced the Pirates since 2012, but Florida A&M is 13-8 all time against Hampton.

Wood said the team is still excited to play, but there’s no shaking the sense of disappointment in the Rattlers’ season. FAMU is once again in danger of ending up with 10 losses for the first time in school history.

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HU to stickirgi with Antoine as starting quarterback

COURTESY HAMPTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

HAMPTON, Virginia — Due to unexpected circumstances, Hampton University coach Connell Maynor had no choice but to take the red shirt off sophomore quarterback Jerrell Antoine last week. And with two games remaining in the season, Maynor is going to get the most out of it.

Though David Watford's one-game suspension is over, Maynor said Wednesday that Antoine will start Saturday's home game against Florida A&M. Antoine, who didn't play in the season's first eight games, started and went the entire game in last week's 34-20 loss at South Carolina State.

"Jerrell's going to start this week," Maynor said. "David will be the backup. If Jerrell's not playing well and I think David gives us a better chance to win the game, I'll put David in. If not, I'll (keep) Jerrell in."

Watford, who started the Pirates' first eight games, was one of four players suspended for a violation of team rules, according to Maynor. The other three, all starters, were center Michael Young, defensive tackle Robert Zimmerman and rover Jaston George.

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Alcorn State backup QB Lenorris Footman makes it look easy

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.

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Albany State, Fort Valley State get set for 26th annual Fountain City Classic

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.



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Patience paying off for JSU's Johnson IV

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.

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UAPB Golden Lions raising money for SU Jaguars’ Gales

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.

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Grambling brings dynamic offense to Shreveport

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.

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