Goals have changed at A&T since Broadway's first homecoming

GREENSBORO, North Carolina — It's homecoming week at N.C. A&T.

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s just another football game.

“Yeah, we treat it different,” A&T head coach Rod Broadway said. “Because I was told when I was hired, ‘All we want to do is win homecoming.’

“But as you go along, the rules change. You go from winning homecoming to, ‘Now we want to win championships,’ and then, ‘Now we want to win them all.’ It’s a moving target. But that’s OK. Because I want to win them all, too.”

A&T had lost seven consecutive homecoming games before hiring Broadway in February 2011. The Aggies have won all five homecomings since.

The Aggies (4-0 MEAC, 6-1 overall) will host Florida A&M (3-5, 3-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday, the second time in the last three years the Rattlers will be A&T’s homecoming opponent.

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Surging FAMU Rattlers face FCS No. 12 North Carolina A&T on Saturday

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- After an 0-4 start during which the Rattlers were beaten by an average of 35.75 points per game, Florida A&M has won three of its last four games and is above .500 in MEAC play.

Over the last four weeks, FAMU has played some of its best football in recent years. The Rattlers are 3-1 over four games for the first time since 2011 – that season was also the last time the Rattlers finished the regular season with a winning record.

Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Stanley, the Rattlers have averaged 26 points per game over their last four contests after failing to score more than 17 points in their first four games.

Head coach Alex Wood, speaking during his weekly press conference, said he’s pleased with where the Rattlers are eight weeks into the season. FAMU is coming of a 31-14 homecoming victory over Hampton.

“After that performance on Saturday, I am (pleased),” Wood said. “We can build on that and go forward, absolutely.”

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S.C. State Bulldogs football at the 'real' part of the MEAC schedule

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- The ride in 2016 has gone from disappointing to both entertaining and pleasing for the South Carolina State football team.

But, literally, this is where the rubber meets the road in two tough conference road games the next two Saturdays.

It was hard for supporters of the Bulldogs program to see this year's team keeping its balance and focus after three straight season-opening losses to more powerful Football Bowl Subdivision programs (Central Florida, Louisiana Tech and Clemson).



But, three games into the Football Championship Subdivision schedule - and three games into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference portion of the schedule - S.C. State has three consecutive wins in its pocket.

The Bulldogs took a 30-3 homecoming win against Delaware State this past Saturday. That, along with recent wins at Florida A&M and at Howard, has the Bulldogs (3-3 overall, 3-0 in MEAC play) warmed up and a bit battle-tested to play higher-ranked MEAC competition this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hampton (3-2 in MEAC) and the following Saturday at top-rated North Carolina A&T (4-0 in MEAC).

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Fobbs goes to bat for Grambling assistants in new contract

GRAMBLING, Louisiana -- Quarterbacks coach Kendrick Nord sent a text last week to congratulate Grambling head coach Broderick Fobbs on his new contract extension.

Fobbs had no interest in the praise. Instead, he dished it back to Nord and the rest of the Tigers' staff.

"He says, no, man. It's us. Everything is about us," Nord said. "No matter what you try to get him to do to give him that credit he's not gonna take it."

It was about the assistants, not Fobbs in the latest two-year contract extension he signed. Fobbs didn't receive a pay raise from his base salary of $195,000, but instead negotiated bonus incentives for he and his staff.

His contract, which runs through 2018, has a section of $95,000 'bonus pool' money the assistants are eligible for based on certain achievements, including a regular season record of .500 or better, a Black College National Championship, a Celebration Bowl Championship and a SWAC Championship.

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'He balled out' Southern's defense remembers Lenorris Footman after Alcorn QB's big game last year

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Blake Monroe was not eligible to compete in last year’s Alcorn State game, but he was there on the sideline when Braves starting quarterback John Gibbs went down with an injury on Alcorn State’s second possession of the game.

When his backup, Lenorris Footman, came in the game, Monroe admitted to feeling like that was probably a good thing for the Jaguars.

“But Footman just came in and went off,” Monroe said. “He balled out.”



That’s one way to describe what Footman did to Southern’s defense last season.

In mucky conditions that left the A.W. Mumford turf looking more like a mud pit than a football field, Footman carried the ball 16 times for 274 yards.

“Whenever he saw an open lane, he took it,” junior corner Danny Johnson said. “He scored some touchdowns.”

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ASU's Jenkins calls Classic ‘opportunity to create memories’

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- It’s time to talk the Magic City Classic.

Alabama State (2-5, 2-4 SWAC) is coming off a bye week after a 56-24 win over Mississippi Valley State on Oct. 15.

Hornets coach Brian Jenkins said the bye week came at a great time for his team.

“It was much needed,” Jenkins said. “The bye week gave us time to take a step back and fine-tune some things. The players got a chance to be with their families and get caught up on academics. We can always use a break, especially during a time like this.”

The Hornets will wind up at Birmingham’s Legion Field where they will take on rival Alabama A&M in the 75th edition of the Magic City Classic at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Bulldogs (2-5, 2-4) are also coming off a bye week, following a 40-7 win at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 15.

Alabama State earned a 35-20 victory last year’s Magic City Classic, which was its third win in the last four meetings. A&M leads the all-time series 39-37-3.



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NC A&T & Grambling Hold Firm, Tuskegee Survives Upset To Stay On Top in Week 8 of HSRN Polls

HARTLY, Delaware – North Carolina A&T and Grambling State remained on top and Tuskegee survived a homecoming upset to stay in first place in this week’s HSRN Football Polls.

N. C. A&T and Grambling have been ranked #1 and #2 for most of the season in the HSRN FCS Poll. Tuskegee University fell from the undefeated with a heartbreaking 10-9 loss to Kentucky State but still held on to the top position in the Division II/NAIA Poll.

The top eight positions in the Division I FCS poll remained the same from last week with Jackson State and Hampton rounding out the top 10.

In Division II/NAIA, despite a weekend of upsets, Tuskegee’s Golden Tigers held on to the top spot by just one point over Winston-Salem State. Upset losses by Bowie State and Chowan caused positions to shuffle in the poll.

Virginia State and Virginia Union moved up while Bowie State fell to #5. Chowan joined four SIAC teams led by Albany State to round out the top 10.

from THE EDITOR Dwight Floyd: Rattlers Revived?

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- As word spreads throughout the MEAC and perhaps the sports world that FAMU handled the Hampton University Pirates on Saturday and won handedly 31-14, many will see this as a game Hampton should have won. Some will wonder what happened to the Pirates while Rattler fans will view this as a potential moment in history where FAMU signifies that perhaps the losing ways are finally over.

When interviewed after the win, head coach Alex Wood was asked if the Rattlers are finally turning the corner. He is hesitant in saying yes to that though he seems to feel that the pieces needed to be a winner are finally falling in place. We may see Wood as not necessarily positive or enthusiastic, but I have come to realize that he is a pragmatist, one who is practical and full of candor. Just over the midway point of his second season and building a program almost from scratch, he maintains a higher standard than that which is imaginable for those Rattler fans who are ready to have a Pentecostal moment just at the thought of winning.

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Jamie Walker: “The Road to Celebration” 2016

ATLANTA, Georgia -- As we are rounding into shape of the HBCU Football Season, we are a little less than two months away from the 2nd Annual Air Force Reserves “Celebration Bowl” on December 17 at Noon, taking place right here in Atlanta, from the Georgia Dome. Last years’ event celebrated the absolute best in HBCU Football from the MEAC and SWAC Conferences; North Carolina A&T Aggies from the MEAC and the Alcorn State Braves from the SWAC. A&T was the eventual winner 41, 34 over Alcorn.

On the road to the “Celebration Bowl” this season, the SWAC representative from last season Alcorn is currently sitting at 3-2 in the conference and 3-3 overall and leading the East Division but out of the West Division the Grambling State is sitting pretty at 4-1, and 4-0 in the conference, already having defeated the Braves. The Tigers only loss was to Arizona, where they were leading deep in that contest. The Southern Jaguars are also undefeated in the West Division at 4-0.

From the MEAC side of things, the Eagles of North Carolina Central are leading the conference at 5-0 by virtue of total wins, followed by last years’ Celebration Bowl winner North Carolina A&T at 4-0, and South Carolina State at 3-0. A&T will play both the Bulldogs and Eagles but they will not be playing each other which may cause another repeat dilemma. Stay tuned for the MEAC side of thing.



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Howard Bison Clinches SWAC Regular Season Crown On Senior Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Howard University women's soccer team clinched the 2016 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season title with a 1-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (6-7-1, 6-2-1 SWAC) on Sunday afternoon at Greene Stadium.

On Senior Day, junior Kela Gray tallied the lone goal of the game to help the Bison end their regular season schedule on a high note.

Prior to the game, Howard honored seniors Taylor Ester, Jaelin White, Sara Vaughan, Carmen Suarez, Sandra Bond and Zion Clarke for their accomplishments over their careers.

Howard (12-4-2, 9-0-1 SWAC) outshot the Lions by a 19-5 margin and took a total of six corners. UAPB only attempted one shot in the first half, while the Bison got off 11 tries.

Junior goalkeeper Gabrielle Emilien made three saves. Gray paced the squad with a ga
me-high five shots, while junior Noelle McCullom was close with three shots.

Gray put the Bison on the board in the 28th minute. Sophomore Makela Davidson slid the ball over to Gray in the box, who got around her defender before executing a beautiful strike for the decisive 1-0 lead.

Howard will have the week off as it waits for the SWAC Tournament pairings to be released.

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LaMontiez Ivy making most of new role with Jackson State

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Redshirt senior LaMontiez Ivy lost the starting quarterback role in Week 4, but he has found a new way to contribute over Jackson State’s final four games.

Ivy played on the punt team in last Saturday’s 21-13 road win against Texas Southern and was excited with his performance in the new role for the Tigers (3-4, 3-2 SWAC).



“He came to the sideline with a big grin on his face after the first time he went down,” said coach Tony Hughes, who oversees the special teams. “He said, ‘Coach, did you see me? I knocked a guy down, Coach. I knocked a guy down.’ He kept reminding me during the whole game.”

Ivy’s move comes after redshirt freshman Brent Lyles took the starting role and led Jackson State to its first win of the season. But Lyles lost the role to junior Jarin Morikawa, who figures to start Saturday’s 2 p.m. homecoming game against Prairie View A&M (4-3, 4-1 SWAC).

Hughes believes Ivy’s 6-foot-3, 215-pound body and athleticism will allow him to contribute on the punt return team, something shown in his knocking down Texas Southern cornerback Demetrius Johnson on Ivy’s first time on special teams.

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Setting the record straight: How much does SU's Lenard Tillery actually need to break the SWAC rushing record?

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern senior running back Lenard Tillery has a chance to break the SWAC’s all-time rushing record this weekend against Alcorn State.

But just how many yards does Tillery need? It depends on your source.

Visit the Southern website, grab a calculator and add up Tillery’s statistics from each of the past four years, and you’ll arrive at 3,937 yards.

Visit the NCAA’s website, which should serve as an official record book, and Tillery sits at 3,905 career yards.



So which one is right? And why does it matter? The record is 4,050 yards, so Tillery is a shoo-in to break it anyway, right?

Let’s visit the second question first, and let’s consider it with a hypothetical situation: This weekend against Alcorn State, Lenard Tillery matches his season average for yards rushing and gains 128 yards against Alcorn State.

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Special teams helps GSU extend SWAC win streak to 13 games

GRAMBLING, Louisiana — Consistency is playing a large role in Grambling's 13-game league win streak. So is finding new ways to score the football.

Grambling, which is riding one of the leagues best offenses and defenses, received a boost from its special teams in its latest victory, a 59-10 drubbing of Mississippi Valley State over the weekend. The Tigers blocked three punts and returned two for touchdowns to help spark a 13th-consecutive win in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

"I would say one of our more most balanced games," Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs said Monday.

"​It was good to block a couple of punts to get on the scoreboard in many different ways."

Defensive back Joe McWilliams was responsible for two of the blocks with one coming in the end zone that he pounced on for a touchdown. He earned SWAC Special Team Player of the Week honors Monday for his efforts.

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Roy Williams: NCCU basketball fans should realize what they’ve got

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina men’s basketball coach Roy Williams doesn’t show up for just anybody.

Especially if he has to brave I-40 traffic during rush hour – and a State Fair.

UNC basketball coach Roy Williams (left) appeared last week at the N.C. Central basketball preseason banquet alongside NCCU coach LeVelle Moton.

But Williams navigated that and more to speak at North Carolina Central men’s basketball tip-off banquet last Wednesday night.

“Why am I here? That man right there. LeVelle asked me,” Williams said, pointing at NCCU basketball coach LeVelle Moton.

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Bethune-Cookman earns first win of season; Terry Sims’ 10 win

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Akevious Williams and Cameron Rigby ran for touchdowns on consecutive drives in the second quarter and Bethune-Cookman held on to defeat Norfolk State by a count of 21-14 on Saturday for its first victory of the 2016 season. Additionally, the win was the 10th of second-year head coach Terry Sims' career at the helm in Daytona Beach.

"I'm, first and foremost, proud of these guys for sticking in there and fighting for this win," said Sims afterwards. "We've had a rough year; a lot of adversity. But they didn't let it get to them. We have constantly been preparing, and today they put an entire game together, and I couldn't be more proud of the team and my coaching staff."

Williams scored on a 5-yard run early in the second quarter and Rigby's 11-yard run capped a 10-play, 59-yard drive for the Wildcats (1-5, 1-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference). The win was the third consecutive for Bethune-Cookman over Norfolk State, and the third consecutive of its kind in Virginia.

Redshirt junior quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. and classmate wide receiver Jawill Davis hooked up on a 39-yard touchdown for the Wildcats in the first quarter, but the Spartans (1-6, 0-4 MEAC) quickly responded as quarterback Greg Hankerson scampered 43 yards to tie it at 7-7.

Norfolk State scored on Quintreil Chung's 4-yard run early in the fourth quarter, capping an 81-yard drive. That was set up when Sandy Chapman intercepted Williams on a trick play after B-CU reached the red zone.

The Spartans next drive ended on downs near midfield, but a Jonathan Cagle interception – as the redshirt senior punter tried to throw the ball away following a bobbled snap from center – allowed the Spartans to get the ball.

Norfolk State reached the Wildcats' 22 yard line, but then lost the ball on downs again.

Brihm lead the Wildcats offense with 138 yards and a touchdown through the air, connecting on 9-of-19 passing. Davis, tight end Ja-Quan Lumas and receiver Keavon Mitchell were each targeted for two receptions from Brihm and Williams, respectfully.

For the first time all season, Bethune-Cookman used a heavy two-quarterback system with Brihm and Williams.

"I can't say enough about both of the quarterbacks today," added Sims. "Larry [Brihm] is still not 100 percent, but he went out and we started him today. He played a great football game. He managed the game. More importantly, he allowed our offensive guys, our skill guys to make plays for him.

"When we needed a change of pace, we put Akevious [Williams] into the game. He did the same thing as far as managing the game. Those guys prepared all week together, and both were ready whenever their number was called."

Safety turned outside linebacker Alexander Morales collected a career-high seven tackles (five assisted), adding a tackle behind the line, to lead the Maroon and Gold defense. Safeties Diquan Richardson and Arthur Williams each tallied six.

Bethune-Cookman returns home next weekend when the Wildcats welcome Delaware State to Municipal Stadium on a B-CU Homecoming weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida. The game begins at 4 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Follow Bethune-Cookman Football on Twitter (@BCUGridIron) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).

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Culver column: Florida A&M Rattlers bring excitement to Bragg for homecoming

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- For the second season in a row, Bragg Memorial Stadium was the happiest place in Tallahassee during FAMU’s homecoming game.

The Rattlers beat Hampton 31-14 in a game filled with huge plays. The place was packed – 26,044 fans came out to the game, eclipsing last year’s 22,678. There was excitement surrounding the game, and the Rattlers put on a show.

I hate to bring up the past, but this was a team that, four weeks ago, was dealing with some turmoil. Head coach Alex Wood said the team wasn’t very good. The Rattlers were thrashed at home by South Carolina State.

Things looked grim, to say the least.

Saturday, one of the top teams in the MEAC came into Bragg and the Rattlers didn’t flinch. Even when the offense slowed down, even when Hampton scored late to make it a 10-point game, even when it looked like the team’s rushing defense was going to get clobbered.

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Howard Bison Homecoming 2016 -- Sights and Sounds

Tennessee State Falls to Vanderbilt, 35-17

NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Tennessee State jumped out to a 14-7 first quarter lead, but was not able to keep the pace as they dropped a 35-17 contest to Vanderbilt on Saturday evening. The two teams, playing for just the second time and the first time since 2006, played in front of 31,084 at Vanderbilt Stadium, as well as in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPNU.

Ronald Butler totaled 325 yards as he rushed for 40 yards, while throwing for 285 yards and two touchdowns as the Tigers fell to 5-2 on the season.

Khari Blasingame ran for 100 yards and scored three touchdowns for Vanderbilt, as they improved to 4-4. Blasingame was one of two Commodores who went over 100 yards on the ground. As a team, Vandy rushed for 385 yards, which helped the SEC opponent outgain the Tigers 501-410.



Patrick Smith was on the other end of both of Butler’s scoring passes. The first came on the second play of the game as Smith caught the Butler pass in stride at his own 38 yard line and out ran the Vandy defense to the end zone. The scoring play tied for the second longest in the FCS this season and the longest in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The play also tied for the second longest in school history, matching a Joe Gilliam, Jr. to Joe Sweet connection which was set Nov. 22, 1969.

After Vanderbilt evened the score at 7-7, The Memphis, Tenn., native hauled in his second touchdown of the game on a two-yard reception to put the Tigers on top, 14-7. Smith now has eight touchdowns on the season and 18 in 17-games over two years.

Smith finished with seven receptions for 170 yards, averaging 24.3 yards per catch.

Vanderbilt answered midway through the second quarter making the score 14-14. The Tigers came right back behind the running of running back Erick Evans. The redshirt junior busted through the Commodore defense for back-to-back runs of 23 and 21 yards, respectively. The second of the two carries moved the Tigers down to the Vanderbilt with six minutes to go in the half.

The drive stalled, making the Tigers settle for a 37 yard field goal, which put the Big Blue back on top, 17-14.



The lead was the last for TSU as Vanderbilt needed less than three minutes to move 78 yards in five plays to enter the end zone for a 21-17 advantage with 1:46 remaining in the half.

The Tigers tried to respond after receiving the ball at their own 35 after the Commodores kicked the ball out of bounds. Butler opened the drive with a 17 yard pass to Steven Newbold crossing into Vandy territory. TSU continued the attack as Evans ran for three yards and caught a ball out of the backfield for another 17, moving down to the 28. Two plays later, the Tigers last minute push ended as Butler was intercepted with 35 seconds remaining on the clock.

The second half was controlled by the Vanderbilt running game as the scored on the opening drive of the fourth quarter extending the lead to 11 at 28-17. The Commodores added the insurance score midway through the fourth quarter to close out TSU.

Evans finished the game with 98 all-purpose yards, earning 69 on the ground and 29 through the air. Newbold added to the Tigers pass attack with five catches for 62 yards.

Defensively, Antonio Justice, Jr. tallied a team-high eight tackles, while fellow linebacker Chris Collins added seven solo tackles. David Kamara collected six tackles and earned a pair of pass breakups.

In his first game back, after missing two due to injury, Ebenezer (Ebo) Ogundeko had two tackles, including a sack and a quarterback hurry. The sack gives the defensive end 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in five games played this season.

The Tigers will return to Ohio Valley Conference play with a road trip to face Murray State on Oct. 29.

GAME NOTES: TSU is now 0-2 in the all-time series versus Vanderbilt… TSU’s streak of six-consecutive games to open the season with 31 games to an end on Saturday… This was TSU’s first game versus an FBS opponent since falling to Air Force by a 63-24 margin in 2011… Vanderbilt and TSU Law Enforcement took part in the Anchor Down ceremony prior to kickoff… Captains for TSU are Lane Clark, Ronald Butler, Patrick Smith and Chris Collins… TSU won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff… The official attendance was 31,084… OVC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year (Media) Ebenezer Ogundeko returned to the field after missing the previous two games with an injury… TSU scored first for the fourth time this season… TSU held a 14-7 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers fell to 23-8 in the Rod Reed era when leading after the first quarter… Patrick Smith’s 93-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter was tied for the longest touchdown reception in TSU history. It ties the 93-yard touchdown on a pass from Joe Gilliam, Jr. to Joe Sweet versus Bishop in 1969… Patrick Smith finished with 170 yards on the day, marking his third 100-yard receiving game of the season… With Smith’s two touchdown catches on Saturday, the redshirt junior now has 18 touchdown receptions in 17 career games.



TSU Defensive Back David Kamara
“I thought we played well. We should have stopped the run a little better, but for the most part, we did our job.”
- On how the defense played.

“It just shows that we can compete with anybody. We can play with anybody if we put our minds to it and we believe we can do it.”
- On what it means to compete with Vanderbilt

“It’s a big confidence booster. That’s the toughest conferences, the SEC. That’s one of the toughest conferences in college football. We showed we can compete with them, so that’s going to help us moving on to the OVC.”
- On how the performance helps moving forward

TSU Offensive Lineman Thomas Burton
“We came out and started fast. Running and pass-wise, everything was clicking for us and we just had to keep that up. We should have kept that up.”
- On the play of the offense

“It was fun. It was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. It was electrifying to see the fans, for us to make big plays, it was great.”
- On the environment

TSU Linebacker Justin North
“The defense played pretty well. Coming in playing a big opponent in the SEC, that’s what we want. I think we did a pretty good job. If we would have minimized the mistakes, we could have come out on top.”
- On how the defense played

“We expected to win. We didn’t come into the game thinking we were going to lose because of the brand and the name they carry. I feel like we did a pretty good job, better than what most people expected.”
- On playing an SEC opponent

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NSU Football Recap and Top 5 Plays: Bethune-Cookman

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WSSU Rams in good shape with two games to go

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina -- Another step toward a goal.

That was the message coach Kienus Boulware delivered to his Winston-Salem State Rams after Saturday’s easy 40-21 win over Livingstone at Bowman Gray Stadium. As the Red Sea of Sound played on, Boulware made sure his players heard the message above the crisp beat of the WSSU marching band.

“You are close to achieving one of your goals and this was a step toward that goal,” Boulware said as the Rams inched closer to clinching their sixth straight CIAA Southern Division title.



To get their fifth straight victory, the Rams got out of the gate strong scoring 30 points in the first eight minutes of the game. It was a glorified scrimmage early on as the Rams, thanks to Rod Tinsley’s accuracy at quarterback and the wind at their backs, carved up the Blue Bears’ defense.

It was one of the best quarters the Rams have played since the 2012 season when they went all the way to the Division II national championship game.

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JOHNSON: Southern's Willie Quinn proves that size isn't everything

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Willie Quinn made no bones about it after Saturday’s game — he has always dreamed of setting records.

And how can you blame him? A record would be physical proof that he was the best to ever do a thing at a place, and he’s spent his whole life hearing about how his size made him physically incapable of being just that.

Of course, that’s not true. There are a lot more measures to a man than inches and pounds. Quinn shows that on a daily basis.



There are also many ways to measure a unit on a football team, but only one real important one. For an offense, it’s scoring points. For a defense, it’s preventing the other team from doing that.

Both of Southern’s units have been doing ...

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Virginia State Trojans Thrash The Lincoln Lions for A Homecoming Win

ETTRICK, Virginia -- The Trojans dominated the field, from start to finish, in a 69-7 victory over the Lions of Lincoln University to give alumni, family, and friends a great homecoming game! The win improved the Trojans to a 4 game winning streak at home in Rogers Stadium.

"What an honor to be a part of this 2016 Homecoming, expressed Head Coach Reggie Barlow." We're so thankful for all the alumni and friends that came out to support. Very happy and proud of our student athletes for going out and executing our plan.

The Trojans finished the October 22 matchup with 578 total offensive yards to the Lions 201 yards. Virginia State improves to a 6-2 overall record (3-2 CIAA), while Lincoln falls to 1-7 overall.

Lincoln took an early 7-0 lead over the Trojans on a 32 yard pass from Epps to Elijah Smith. The Virginia State defense would go on to hold the Lions to a single touchdown. The remaining action the crowd of over 4,000 would witness an offensive delight, as the Trojans danced into the end zone scoring ten touchdowns and a pair of successful two point conversions. The Trojans junior kicker Mathew Hillquist (Glen Allen, VA) also added five extra-point kicks.

Sophomore quarterback Corderal Cook (Atlanta, GA) made his first starting appearance for the Trojans, completing 9 of 13 passes for a total of 77 yards. Senior quarterback Tarian Ayres (Buckingham, VA) completed 4 of 5 passes and connected with sophomore wide receiver Marcus Vanhook for a 29 yard touchdown pass.

After a blocked extra point kick, the Trojans trailed the Lions with 3 minutes remaining in the first quarter. As the clock ran down with under two minutes left in the quarter, LU was not able to get off a punt, resulting in a fumble recovery touchdown by sophomore linebacker Roger Jones (Farnham, VA).

Junior running back Trenton Cannon (Hampton, VA) pioneered the Trojan offense recording 171 yards on 12 carries and scored three touchdowns. The All-Time Single Season Rushing record holder made the entire stadium remember his name after dismantling the Lion defense and rushing coast to coast on 1st & 10 for an impressive 94 yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Senior running back Kavon Bellamy (Hampton, VA) rushed for 107 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns. Freshman running back George Cheetham (Fredericksburg, VA) contributed 85 yards on 10 carries and scored a touchdown.

Jason Epps led the Lions offensively rushing for 86 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively the Trojans put the pressure on heavy. Senior Geo Feggins (South Hill, VA) led the Trojan defense recording 5.5 tackles (5 solo).

Kevin Norris, Deion Miller, and Rhamir Thomas each recorded 7 solo tackles to lead the Lion defense, but they just couldn't find an answer to stop the Trojans.

VSU will play their final home game on the 2016 season n October 29 at 2pm. The Trojans will take on the Hawks of Chowan University for the VSU's Senior Day festivities.

For more information on VSU football, visit govsutrojans.com, call 804-524-5030, or follow Trojan Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports.

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Miles Golden Bears rebound against Lane Dragons

JACKSON, Tennessee -- A fast start and strong finish helped Miles defeat Lane 26-14 Saturday afternoon at Lane Field. The win helped the Golden Bears (4-3, 2-1 SIAC West) get back in the win column but after a Kentucky State upset win over Tuskegee, last week's loss to the Thorobreds will prove to cost the team an opportunity to defend its SIAC Championship.

Miles led 17-0 at halftime but Lane came charging in the third quarter. A 24-yard touchdown run by Marcus Holliday on the opening possession of the second half was followed by a 15-yard fumble recovery by Will Lacy Jr. that cut the Dragons' deficit to 17-14.

The Golden Bears, though, did not fold. Nick Christiansen - who was excellent punting the ball (44.2 yard average, 4-of-5 inside the 20) and closed out the game with a 16-yard run on a fake punt for a first down - booted his second 22-yard field goal of the game with 8:31 left to extend the advantage to 20-14. Then, after Lane muffed a punt, Miles scored on the ensuing play with David Whipple (118 yards passing) hitting Vincent Davis from 18 yards for his first career touchdown catch to cement the victory.



Miles was lights out defensively in the first half, keeping the Dragons out of the end zone and forcing the action as the home team had trouble even moving the ball with just 79 yards of total offense. A Ricky Clark fumble recovery led to a touchdown run by Whipple in the second quarter and great field position allowed Ger'Kerry Jackson (52 yards rushing) to find the end zone for the second straight week. Both scoring runs were four yards.

With the score close in the fourth quarter, Miles held Lane to just three yards total offense. Emmanuel Ray had a team-high 10 tackles (eight solo) while Jarmari Ford and LaBarron Rodgers each had seven tackles (six solo) for the Golden Bears, who travel to Clark Atlanta next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Box Score 



MILES COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION

Jackson State's offense proves something big to Hughes

HOUSTON, Texas -- Jackson State’s offense proved something to coach Tony Hughes on Saturday.

The Tigers rushed 31 times for 185 yards and attempted 28 passes for 177 yards in their 21-13 road win against Texas Southern at BBVA Compass Stadium. The near-perfect balance in yards gained and plays left Hughes believing the Tigers have found their identity on offense.

“What we played like (Saturday) was the identity that we really want,” he said. “Anytime we rush for 200 yards, we win. When we lead the game in rushing yards, we rush more than our opponent, we win the game. It’s just that simple.

“But it’s also balance. I want to be able to run the ball and throw the ball. When you’re able to run the ball, it makes it a lot easier to throw the ball because everybody has to stop the run.”

The Tigers (3-4, 3-2 SWAC), who play host to Prairie View A&M (4-3, 4-1) for homecoming at 2 p.m. Saturday, found success because of the steady play of quarterback Jarin Morikawa, who returned Oct. 15 from a broken wrist, and a continued improvement from their running game.

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XULA continues title streaks, qualifies for nationals

JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Xavier University of Louisiana, led by individual winnersChristopher August and Taylor Price, repeated as men's and women's team champions Saturday in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships.
     
Both XULA teams stretched their streaks of winning GCAC titles to 10 consecutive seasons apiece. XULA tied the GCAC men's record for consecutive titles set by Mobile from 1990-99. The Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets qualified automatically for the NAIA National Championships Nov. 19 at Elsah, Ill.
     
August, a senior from Spring, Texas, and a graduate of Klein Collins High School, ran 8,000 meters in a season-best 28 minutes, 32.23 seconds. Although August won by 45 seconds, the Gold Rush won the men's title by a point, 35-36, over host school Edward Waters. XULA's No. 5 runner, Ammiel Williams, locked up an outright team title by finishing 16th and 2.89 seconds ahead of Darrell Martin of Edward Waters. Had Martin caught Williams at the finish, the Gold Rush and Tigers would have shared the title.
     
Price, a freshman from Missouri City, Texas, and a graduate of Ridge Point High School, ran the women's 5K in 20:07.89 and was nearly 35 seconds faster than the runner-up, teammate Maliya Vaughan. The Gold Nuggets had the first four finishers and cruised to the team title with 21 points. Edward Waters was second with 54 points.
     
The top 10 men's and women's finishers were named All-GCAC. Joining August on the men's all-conference team were teammates Clydarius Everett, Oji Wells and Darrick Williams. In addition to Price and Vaughan, the women's all-conference team included XULA's Brianna Pace and Dionysia Love of XULA.
     
XULA won the men's individual title for the seventh consecutive season. August earned his fourth all-conference award and his third in the GCAC.
     
XULA's Joseph Moses was voted women's GCAC Coach of the Year for the seventh consecutive time and the ninth time in 10 seasons.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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