#25 TSU Drops Road Test at Murray State

MURRAY, Kentucky -- Despite 555 yards of total offense, the No. 25 Tennessee State football team could not hold off Murray State’s second half surge in a 38-31 road defeat on Saturday at Roy Stewart Stadium in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup.

For Tennessee State (5-3, 2-2 OVC), Ronald Butler set career highs for passing yards (329) and rushing yards (109) in defeat. The Tigers held a 20-17 halftime lead over Murray State (3-5, 3-2 OVC), but the Racers outscored TSU by a 21-11 margin in the second half to pick up the win.

Laquarius Cook tallied 11 total tackles to pace the defense. Patrick Smith picked up two more receiving touchdowns to bring his season total to 10.

The Tigers opened the game with their longest drive to start a game. TSU drove 64 yards in 14 plays, setting up a 31-yard field goal by Lane Clark to take a 3-0 lead. The running game was on showcase early as Erick Evans rushed for 11 and nine yards on back-to-back plays to move the Tigers into Racers territory. Sabree Curtis took over with runs of 15 and five yards putting TSU just outside the red zone to allow Clark to give the Tigers the advantage.



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After trading three-and-outs, Murray State jump started its on offense as they used a pair of KD Humphries touchdown passes to take a 14-3 after one quarter of play.

The Tigers responded with a score to open the second stanza. Smith picked up his first touchdown of the day on a 20-yard pass from Butler to bring the Big Blue back within four at 14-10.

After Murray State extended the lead to 17-10, the TSU offense would take over to outscore the Racers 10-0 for the remainder of the quarter. Butler and Curtis supplied the ground game with runs of 12 and 14 yards, respectively, while Mahlon Medley and Steven Newbold pulled down receptions of 12 and 10 yards. The first drive was capped off as Butler found Curtis in the clear, allowing the freshman running back a free path, 16 yards, to the goal line.

The Tigers closed out the half with the second of his three field goals, this one coming from 25 yards out as time expired.

The Racers came out fast in the second half scoring on their first two possessions to take a 31-20 lead. MSU held that lead until Clark connected on a 20-yard kick to cut the lead to 31-23 with 9:09 remaining in the game.

Murray State needed just 13 seconds to get back on the scoreboard as Humphries hit Jordan Gandy for a 75-yard pass play. Gandy found himself uncovered down the left sideline and outran the TSU defense to the end zone.

The Tigers punched back on their next series, as Butler hit Newbold and Mazio Rhodes to enter Racer territory. Three plays later, Butler found Smith in the middle of the field, at the goal line to bring the Tigers to within nine. TSU added the two-point conversion, this time with Smith throwing to Butler.

After a defensive stand, the Big Blue would get one more chance as they began their final drive needing to drive 78 yards with 5:21 remaining in regulation. Butler used his legs to gain 21 yards out to the TSU 43. After Butler scampered for another first down, he went to the air teaming with Smith, Chris Rowland and Newbold on consecutive plays to move down to the MSU 16. That would be as close as the Tigers would get after losing yardage on the Racers second sack of the game.

Facing a fourth and 19, the Tigers attempted to chip into the MSU lead, but Clark’s 42 yard field goal attempt missed wide left.

The Tigers will look to snap a two-game losing streak as they travel to Clarksville, Tenn. to face Austin Peay.

GAME NOTES: TSU’s captains versus Murray State are Collins, Clark, Burton, Butler … TSU won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff… Patrick Smith caught two touchdowns on the night. He now has 20 career touchdowns in 18 career games. His 20 receiving touchdowns are tied for sixth on TSU’s all-time list. … TSU scored first for the fifth time this season… Tennessee State entered the game ranked 25th in the STATS Top 25 and the HERO Sports Top 25… Murray State’s lead in the all-time series is now 15-13… TSU has gone 7-10 in games in Murray, Ky… Lane Clark made three field goals to bring his career total to 28, tying him for second on TSU’s all-time list with Eric Benson. Jamin Godfrey holds the record with 59… Ronald Butler moved to 10th on TSU’s career completions list with 339 for his four-year career… Butler also jumped to a tie for eighth place on TSU’s career passing touchdowns.

TSU Quarterback Ronald Butler
“The offense played well. We shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times with a couple pre-snap penalties and things like that. I feel like we did a good job driving the ball down the field and put ourselves in position to score some points. We just need to capitalize on every drive.”
- On the play of the offense

“We fought. Week in and week out, we’ve got a group of guys who fight really hard. My O-Line, I’m proud of those guys. They fight every play, every drive. They give it their all.”
- On positives from the game

TSU Tight End Mahlon Medley
“We started fast, but just like the last two games after the second half, we have to finish strong. The defense has been getting stops and we need to capitalize on the opportunities.”
- On how the offense played

“We’ve proven that we can do it in the first half of the season. We played great second halves during the first half of the season. I think it’s just a thing where we need to focus.”
- On the second half performance

TSU Defensive End Latrelle Lee
“We didn’t play up to our standards tonight. We let them score 38 points. That’s not acceptable for this defense. I feel like we’ve got a lot of talent on this defense and we didn’t play up to our abilities.”
- On the play of the defense

“That wasn’t really a factor tonight. I think it was more their big plays that hurt us. Big chunk plays and stuff like that. I don’t think tempo was a factor.”
- On Murray State’s up-tempo offense

TSU Defensive Back Terrell Bonds
“We didn’t play to the level that we wanted to play. We gave up too many points. We gave up points fast, but the offense kept us in the game because they kept scoring. We had a chance to win it at the end and we just didn’t come through. I would put this game on the defense.”
- On the defense

“Their offense has always been like that. They were snapping the ball like every 15 seconds. We had trouble getting lined up and they exploited the defense. They made big plays and that’s on us. We have to come back next week stronger.”
- On Murray’s State’s up-tempo offense

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Defensive Stand Gives Hampton 28-26 Win Over S.C. State

HAMPTON, Virginia -- A 57-yard touchdown pass from Jaylian Williamson to Twarn Mixson with seven minutes left and a two-point conversion stop by the defense late in the quarter helped give the Hampton Pirates a 28-26 victory over South Carolina State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matchup at Armstrong Stadium on Saturday.

The win by Hampton (4-4, 4-2) snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs as the Pirates had not defeated South Carolina State (3-4, 3-1) since a 14-10 win at Armstrong Stadium in 2005.

"I am very proud of these guys today," said Hampton head coach Connell Maynor. "They could've easily quit but the defense got some big stops in the second half and helped us get a big MEAC win."

The Pirates scored on their first possession going 68 yards in five plays as Eric Carter scored on a five-yard run. The tandem of Williamson and Mixson started connecting on the drive as they combined for a 27-yard completion followed by a 36 yarder.

South Carolina State took advantage of a bad punt to tie the game on a 41-yard, nine play drive as Bishop Ford pushed his way in on a one-yard run. The extra-point tied the game at 7-all with 4:09 left in the first.

Hampton responded to close the first quarter on an 81-yard drive as Williamson found Jack Willenbrock in the corner of the end zone on a 12-yard scoring pass. This drive saw Williamson connect with Rashawn Proctor on passes of 45 and 11 yards to start the scoring march. Anthony Provost converted the extra-point to put Hampton up 14-7 with 50 seconds left in the first.

The Bulldogs bit Hampton early and late in the second quarter as Caleb York found Kanome McIntosh on a 23-yard scoring pass at the 13:44 mark to tie the game at 14-all. With three seconds left in the half, York threw a floater into the end zone and found the hands of Ford to lead 20-14 after a missed extra point.

On the first drive of the second half, Hampton's defense stiffened and held the Bulldogs to a 26-yard field goal attempt that was wide left with 9:48 left in the third. The Pirates marched 80 yards on their ensuing drive with Williamson finding Proctor for a four-yard touchdown and a 21-20 lead with 4:46 left.

In the fourth quarter, Hampton's defense gave the Pirates a boost. On the first possession by the Bulldogs, they forced a turnover on downs and on the second drive Brendan Cole recovered a fumble on the Hampton 38.

The Pirates scored quickly on a three-play 65-yard drive in 96 seconds. Williamson found Mixson across the middle on a third down and after breaking a couple tackles he outraced the secondary for a 57-yard scoring pass to give Hampton a 28-20 lead with 7:04 left.

South Carolina State took advantage of a muffed Hampton punt return and took possession at the Pirate 18 with three minutes 36 seconds left. Ford covered the first 17 yards then Dondre Brown finished it with a one-yard run. A two-point run by Kollck was stopped to keep the Pirates up 28-26.

Hampton managed two first downs on the final drive with Yahkee Johnson's 13-yard run locking up the first win by Hampton over SCSU since 2005.

Carter was the leading rusher for Hampton with 54 yards. Williamson was 16-of-27 for 271 yards and a season-best three touchdowns. For the first time this year, Hampton had a pair of 100-yard receivers as Proctor caught seven for 124 yards, while Mixson had six for 130 as each scored a touchdown. Cole had a season-high 11 tackles with a fumble recovery, while Robert Scott and Jayso'n Davidson had eight tackles each.

Hampton is now off until November 12 when they host Savannah State in a 1 pm kickoff at Armstrong Stadium.

For more information on Hampton University football, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

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Bethune-Cookman Wildcats down DSU Hornets for Homecoming Victory

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman celebrated Homecoming 2016 in grand fashion Saturday, outdistancing an overmatched opponent by a lopsided score. Delaware State was the overmatched opponent, and 41-10 was the lopsided score in front of a Municipal Stadium crowd of 7,822 that briefly included Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Clinton spoke briefly to tailgating fans and was on the field for pre-game activities, including Senior Day ceremonies for the Wildcats' 2016 home finale. In all, 14 Wildcats played their final home game at "The Cage" under head coach Terry Sims.

Redshirt junior quarterback Larry Brihm, Jr. threw two touchdowns, and running back Cameron Rigby rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown as the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (2-5 overall, 2-3 MEAC) won their second consecutive game and posted their seventh consecutive Homecoming win dating back to 2010.



Brihm, who finished 14 of 24 for 167 yards, connected with Frank Brown and Brandon Brooks in the second half as the Wildcats scored on four consecutive possession in the final two quarters to pull away from a 13-3 halftime lead.

"Larry's still only at 85 percent, but 85 percent is pretty good," said B-CU Head Coach Terry Sims. "All wins are good wins. What I liked is that this was a good team win. We're continuing to hang in there; playing hard for each other and finishing games."

Rigby had 64 yards on B-CU's opening drive, scoring on a 1-yard run that gave Bethune-Cookman a 7-0 lead with 8:51 remaining in the opening quarter. He went relatively quiet until the final play of the third quarter when he gained 42 yards to set up a Wildcats touchdown.

Jamaruz Thompkins (Six carries for 44 yards) and redshirt freshman signal caller Akevious Williams also scored for the Wildcats, who outgained Delaware State 493-306 and forced three turnovers on the afternoon.

Uriel Hernandez had a pair of second quarter field goals – one set up by Jacquae Peart's interception, as the Wildcats settled for those scores while extending the lead to 13-3 just before the break.

Safety Diquan Richardson's interception on the Hornet's first possession of the second half helped Bethune-Cookman establish control, and Thompkins turned a draw play into a 39-yard romp that began the Wildcats pull away.

Aris Scott scored the lone Delaware State (0-8, 0-4 MEAC) touchdown on an 18-yard pass from reserve quarterback Gil Rivera in the fourth quarter.

Trevor Merrit registered the third Wildcats takeaway on a fourth quarter fumble recovery. Redshirt sophomore middle linebacker Trenton Bridges paced the defense with seven tackles, while Peart added a sack to his totals.

Freshman running back Tupac Isme added 52 yards to the Wildcats ground game, while Brown had four catches for 32 yards. Keavon Mitchell caught a 40-yarder from Brim that set up Hernandez's second field goal, and Jawill Davis extended his pass catching streak to 18 games.

Bethune-Cookman visits Morgan State next weekend in the first of three games away from municipal Stadium to conclude the 2016 campaign. The game against MSU is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 5, in Baltimore.

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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Savannah State rallies to beat Howard 31-27

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- A football game that seemed to slip away from Savannah State on Saturday afternoon took an abrupt turn back into the win column.

Freshman quarterback T.J. Bell found Derek Kirkland on a short slant route in the end zone with 19 seconds left to give the Tigers an emotional 31-27 victory over Howard on homecoming at T.A. Wright Stadium.

The win gave a crowd of 8,119 — the largest home attendance for SSU since joining the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2011 — more reason to party.

The Tigers (2-4, 2-2 MEAC) have now won two games in a season for the first time 2009, and it’s the first time they’ve won two MEAC games in a season.

SSU also snapped a nine-game losing streak to Howard while beating the Bison for the first time.

A year ago, the Tigers lost to Howard 55-9.

And the Bison appeared to have SSU on the ropes again after quarterback Kalen Johnson threw a 37-yard TD pass to diving freshman Kyle Anthony for a 27-24 advantage with 5:17 to go.

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Cohen, North Carolina A&T Aggies Outpace Determined FAMU Squad, 42-17

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- A determined bunch of FAMU Rattler gridders took on defending Black College National champion North Carolina A&T Saturday at their homecoming game, but fell 42-17 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference bout at a sold out Aggie Stadium..

FAMU (3-6, 3-3 MEAC) dueled the top-ranked Aggies (7-1, 5-0 MEAC) gamely in the first half, taking a 10-7 lead on Colby Blanton's 20-yard field goal with 9:21 left in the second quarter.

The Rattlers fell behind, 7-0 late in the first period when heralded Aggie halfback Tarik Cohen scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns from seven yards out with 2:45 left.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Stanley engineered a seven play, 77-yard drive which ended just four seconds into the second period (14:56), when halfback Devin Bowers sliced in from two yards out to tie the game at 7-7.

After Blanton's field goal put the Rattlers ahead 10-7, the Aggies answered with an 11-play, 77-yard drive, capped by Cohen's 19-yard scoring run with 3:56 left, putting A&T ahead for good at 14-10.

The Aggies tacked on a later score with 1:12 left, going 66 yards on three plays in a 40-second span, when Elijah Bell took a Lamar Raynard pass 25 yards for a 21-10 lead with 1:12 to go in the half..

Marquell Cartwright powered in from one yard out with 5:25 left in the third extending the Aggies advantage to 28-10, before Cohen sealed the deal with one of his patented long range gallops late in the third.

Cohen took a pitch to left, racing down the far sideline before breaking into the open, outrunning everyone for an 83-yard TD and a 35-10 Aggie lead with 1:44 left.

Demetrius Fairley ended a 69-yard drive for A&T's final tally, with a 20-yard run with 10:35 left.

Stanley engineered a 77-yard, eight-play drive which resulted in a 15-yard scoring pass to Marcus Williams for the game's final points with 6:30 left.

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GAME NOTES: Cohen's 145-yard effort on Saturday moved him to second on the all-time Black College Football rushing list, leaving him one yard shy of 5,200 yards (5,199)... FAMU QB Ryan Stanley finished Saturday's game with zero turnovers, extending his string of games without a turnover to five.... He finished the day with 211 yards and one score, completing 19 of 34 passes, and he was the Rattlers top rusher with 48 yards on 10 carries... Montavious Williams led the Rattlers eight catches for 98 yards... Freshman corner Terry Jefferson had a pair of pass interceptions for 39 return yards.... Safety Jacques Bryant topped the Rattler tackle charts with eight stops (seven solos).... Defensive stalwart Curtis Alexander missed Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury, although he did appear on the field with the Rattler captains for the pregame coin toss.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers will get a much-need bye week Nov. 5, before hosting Morgan State (Nov. 12) at 4:00 p.m., then closing the season in Orlando against Bethune-Cookman (Nov. 19 at 2:00 p.m.).

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Ave Marie Gyrenes Falls At Edward Waters, 29-19

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- The Ave Maria Football team fell to Edward Waters, 29-19, in Jacksonville on Saturday night. The Blue and Green fell behind 29-3 before scoring 16 unanswered.

Jamal Hughes got the scoring started for EWC with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Taron Williams. Drakkar Harris then ran in a 3-yard touchdown to make it 14-7. Midway through the second quarter, Brandon Leon nailed a 38-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 11, 14-3. A 1-yard touchdown run by Williams and a 2-point conversion made it 22-3 EWC at the half.

The Tigers struck first in the third with a Jerrod Thomas 1-yard TD run before a 25-yard TD pass from Matthew Kreichman to make it 29-10. A few minutes later, Nate Cameau had a 5-yard touchdown run to bring AMU within 12, 29-17. Ave Maria ended the game with a safety to make it 29-19.

Kreichman finished 8-for-16 for 1-5 yards and an interception. Cameau ran the ball eight times for a team-high 26 yards and a touchdown. Austin Cole and Xavier Roberts each had three receptions. Cole finished with 85 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Ilan Jorge led the Gyrene defense with four total tackles including 2.5 sacks. He was one of five Gyrenes with four tackles.

Ave Maria returns to action next weekend when they welcome Point to Gyrene Field for a 12 p.m. kickoff. Prior to the game, AMU will recognize their senior class.

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HBCU Football Judgment Day Scoreboard Week 9

Saturday, October 29, 2016

OVC
Murray State 38, Tennessee State 31

MEAC
Hampton 28, South Carolina State 26
North Carolina A&T 42, Florida A&M 17
Savannah State 31, Howard 27
Norfolk State 27, Morgan State 14
Bethune-Cookman 41, Delaware State 10

SWAC
Grambling State 70, Arkansas Pine Bluff 0
Southern 41, Alcorn State 33
Prairie View 28, Jackson State 14
Alabama A&M 42, Alabama State 41 O.T.
Sam Houston State 66, Texas Southern 17

OTHER HBCUs
Edward Waters 29, Ava Marie 19
Millersville 34, Cheyney 6
UNC Pembroke 44, West Virginia State 14
McKendree 55, Lincoln (Mo) 3
Langston 70, Texas College 13

CIAA
Johnson C. Smith 34, Saint Augustine's 8
Winston-Salem State 30, Shaw 23
Fayetteville State 43, Livingstone 28
Elizabeth City State 24, Virginian Union 21
Virginia State 49, Chowan 21
Bowie State 41, Lincoln (Pa) 23

SIAC
Tuskegee 42, Central State (Ohio) 14
Lane 35. Kentucky State 21
Albany State 34, Benedict 7
Fort Valley State 24, Morehouse 16
Miles 34, Clark Atlanta 17