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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- To say that Head Coach James Spady was pleased after Saturday's scrimmage is an understatement.
In fact, he was more than pleased.
"I was pleased," he said. "I was so pleased with the way we competed."
And, speaking of competing, Spady said it's a "tight race" for the starting quarterback's position.
Redshirt junior Damian May and freshman Aqeel Glass are the prime contenders for the starting spot and both played well Saturday, Spady said.
The Bulldogs ran about 100 plays in the game-like situations which included referees.
On the offensive side, receiver Monte Jones had a couple of big grabs – one for a touchdown and the other negated by a downfield holding call. Running back Jordan Bentley broke loose on a 64-yard run and May, Glass and Dylan Smith engineered several drives.
Senior Nick Carden showed why he's the All-SWAC preseason team kicker and his left foot gives the Bulldogs a long-range scoring threat.
The defense also made several stops and pass breakups, forcing the offense into the field-goal situations.
And, as an added touch for some HBCU football atmosphere, the Marching Maroon & White marched into Louis Crews Stadium.
As for the Bulldogs, "We've made a tremendous amount of progress," Spady said. "They're doing the little things every day."
Spady did say there were things still to work out, such as game management by the quarterbacks, blocking assignments and the like.
But, overall, you can say he was "pleased."
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M football team had their best scrimmage of camp, led by quarterback Ryan Stanley. While the FAMU defensive unit continues to provide a stingy front, the first string offense broke the scoring with a long pass from Stanley to a streaking Marcus Williams. The beginning of what looks to be a more balanced team, still led by it’s defense, but with signs of explosiveness on offense, is just what head coach Alex Wood needed to see.
“We did some good things today on both sides of the ball. Obviously, our defense is just a little ahead of the offense at this point, but the offensive unit is beginning to show the signs of getting in sync and that’s exciting,” Wood said.
The veteran defensive ends continue to press the No.1 offense. Wood continues to pit the No.1 offense against the No.1 defense. While Calvin Darville and Elijah Price are arguably the best defensive end tandem in the conference, the offensive line is finding ways to solve them at times. Antonio Miller comes in as the third defensive end with a burst of pursuit hard to defend by any of the teams the Rattlers faced last year.
Miller feels the defense is gelling well in getting prepared for this season. “We’re coming out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm to get to the ball. We’re trying to shut down the run and force teams to pass. We feel we have the defensive backs to win that game and the ends that can get to the quarterback,” Miller said.
With exactly two weeks to the kickoff of the 2017 season, Stanley is eager to get to the first game. “We’re kind of tired of hitting one another. We are ready to play someone else, we’re ready for the season to start. Coming out for our third scrimmage you could see a big difference offensively. Across the board we’re getting our assignments down. As a whole we did a good job. Defense did a good job today too. We had a good hot day today and we took advantage of it,” Stanley said.
Special teams showed improvement as well as redshirt freshman Kalil Clark is proving that he is the man to beat as placekicker. The competition to replace All-MEAC punter Colby Blanton is still wide open as Clark joins three others competing for that position.
The Rattlers will open the season Aug. 26 against the Texas Southern Tigers in a 12 noon start. The game is designated as the inaugural Jake Gaither Classic and will be broadcasted on ESPNU.
The Rattlers will make an appearance at two events that have been combined into one. The Rattler Booster Kickoff and Fan Day have been combined into one big event this year. On Sunday, Aug.20, the Rattler Boosters will host their annual kickoff at the Al Lawson Center at 2PM. Tickets are $25 and include lunch. Patrons of the kickoff will be first in line to get autographs from the football team when doors open at 4PM for the general public for Fan Day, which is free of charge. The Rattler volleyball team will also be on hand to sign their posters as they prepare for the opening of their season. FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
DURHAM, North Carolina -- Fans of North Carolina Central University football will have an opportunity to see the team in action and up close on Saturday, Aug. 19, starting at 5 p.m. with an intrasquad scrimmage and followed by the annual "Meet the Eagles" at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium on the campus of NCCU. Admission is free.
Fans will be able to meet the student-athletes and coaches of the 2017 NCCU football team, who will also be available for pictures and autographs. The NCCU Sound Machine marching band and NCCU cheerleaders will also be in attendance, and there will be inflatables for the kids.
NCCU kicks off the 2017 football season on Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. against Durham neighbor Duke University in the Bull City Gridiron Classic. The Eagles first home game is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. versus Shaw University inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
Season tickets are on sale now. For ticket information, call the NCCU Ticket Office at 919-530-5170 or visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- Recent Tennessee State graduate Wayne Martin (Brooklyn, N.Y.) signed his first contract to play professional basketball overseas for Prishtina BC in Kosovo.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of an individual than I am of Wayne Martin,” TSU Head Coach Dana Ford said. “He’s a college graduate of Tennessee State University and now he’s a professional basketball player. All the credit belongs to Wayne and his mom and their willingness to allow us to help him become who he is today.”
Martin starred for the Tigers for the last two seasons, helping lead TSU to back-to-back winning seasons. After transferring to TSU from Navarro College in Texas, the 6-7 forward put up 12.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game in his two seasons in Nashville.
“Coach (Dana) Ford got me ready for the real world and for professional basketball,” Martin said.
- Prishtina BC competes in the Kosovo-SuperLeague.
- The 6-7 forward led TSU with 14.4 points per game en route to Second Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 2016-17.
- Martin dominated on the glass, finishing second in the OVC with 9.2 rebounds per game and tying for third in the conference with 10 double-doubles as a senior.
- Martin also earned NABC Second Team All-District 19 and BOXTOROW First Team All-America for his play as a senior.
- The Brooklyn, N.Y. native made 47 starts with 60 appearances over the last two seasons with the Tigers.
- In his junior season with the Tigers, Martin put up 11.1 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
- In his first game in a TSU uniform on Nov. 13, 2015, Martin made an immediate impact with 27 points and 21 rebounds at Loyola Maryland, becoming the first OVC player with a 20/20 game since Morehead State’s Kenneth Faried posted three such games in 2010-11.
- Throughout his TSU career, Martin recorded 20 double-doubles.
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
NASHVILLE, Tennessee -- THE SCRIMMAGE
- The defense forced a punt on the first three series of the scrimmage, including two three-and-outs.
- The Tigers scored on the fourth drive, needing five plays to go 80 yards. Seth Rowland started the drive with a 17 yard run. Tyler Black caught two passes from Hughes for 26 yards and carried once for 22 yards. Hughes capped of the drive with a two yard scoring run.
- The defense bounced back forcing a fumble in between a pair of three-and-out’s over the next three possessions. Antowan Malone forced a fumble to end a drive on just the second play as Michael Perry made the recovery.
- The offense drove 58 yards into field goal range, before miscues moved them out of range. Hughes combined with Miles Cavitt for 22 yards and Ronnie Killings for 23 yards. Hughes added an 11 yard run.
- The defense forced another three-and-out and a fumble to end a second drive.
- The offense converted the turnover into points going 43 yards in five plays. Seth Rowland opened the drive with a five yard run and capped it off with a one yard plunge for a touchdown.
- Hughes connected on passes with Lawrence Segree II for 12 yards and Cavitt for 25.
- Kullen Wells hit Mahlon Medley for 12 yards to open the final drive before the defense stopped the offense on the next three plays. PHOTO GALLERY
SCRIMMAGE #2
Total Plays: 58
Red Zone Quarterbacks: Michael Hughes vs. Kullen Wells
Location: Hale Stadium
Weather: Mostly Sunny, 82
TOTALS
- Rushing: 29 carries for 103 yards
- Passing: 13-of-21 for 171 yards
- Touchdowns: Three (all rushing)
- Antowan Malone and Dante’ Ferguson forced fumbles
- Michael Perry and Joe Johnson recovered fumbles
- Vincent Sellers recorded the lone interception when he picked off Michael Hughes in the first red zone series.
- Latrelle Lee recorded a sack of Kullen Wells, while Michael Perry and Andrew Cothran teamed up to sack Hughes.
RED ZONE DRILL
- Vincent Sellers dropped a potential interception on second down, before stepping in front of a Michael Hughes pass one play later.
- The Tigers needed just one play to find the end zone on Wells’ drive as Seth Rowland busted through the right side and down the sideline for a 25-yard scoring scamper.
OFFENSE
- Redshirt sophomore Michael Hughes was 10-for-14 with 143 yards and one interception.
- Redshirt freshman Kullen Wells finished 3-of-7 for 28 yards.
- Sophomore Seth Rowland led all rushers with 63 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns.
- Running back Tyler Black caught a scrimmage high three passes for 36 yards; Miles Cavitt went for 47 yards on two receptions. SPECIAL TEAMS
- The place kickers converted on all three PAT’s; Coby Weiss was 2-for-2, while Mitchell Boudreaux was 1-for-1
- No field goals were attempted
- Austin Rowley punted eight times; longest came on a 49 yarder from his own 18 yard line.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Final scrimmage will take place on Sat., August 19
- The Senior Kickoff Luncheon is set for Fri., August 25
- Fan day will be held on Sat., August 26
- Tennessee State at Georgia State on Thur., August 31
QUOTES Senior Defensive Lineman Latrelle Lee
- Thoughts on the defense
“I thought we played well in a lot of aspects. We played a lot of freshmen and underclassmen today. There were some mental busts here and there, but we played well. We played hard, played fast and we flew to the ball. We had a few turnovers today, so it was good.”
- On creating turnovers
“I think it’s really the scheme and how our coaches put us in spots to make those turnovers and then us just playing relentlessly. We really try to get to the ball and try to strip the ball to create turnovers. Freshman Defensive Back Vincent Sellers
- On the defense’s performance in the scrimmage
“I felt that we came out pretty strong in the run game. I think we can still get a lot better. Coach has been putting us in a very good position to make plays, and we just have to keep getting better over time.”
- On understanding the defense as a freshman
“I’m getting pretty comfortable. I have a great starter ahead of me, Laquarius Cook. He’s given me all the insight on what to do and what not to do. I also have a great defensive coordinator who has been getting on me in meeting, so that’s helped me get pretty comfortable with the defense.”
Quarterback Michael Hughes
- On the positives from the offense
“Some of the positives today were that we drove the ball a couple times. That was a good thing that we did better than last week. We scored a couple of touchdowns, so that was a positive thing. We’re going against a great defense, and we got a couple of scores, so we’re good with that.”
- On getting to scrimmage
“It’s great. The one thing is that preparation is the key. When we can come out here and scrimmage against each other against a great defense like we have, that just makes a better team.”
Running Back Seth Rowland
- On the positives from the offense
“I think we did pretty well up front. We had good blocking up front and we got the ball off better than in recent scrimmages. We still have room to clean it up and get better.”
- On the running backs
“I think all the running backs did pretty well today. In the beginning, we were hot on running the ball. We were breaking runs every play.”
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- It's a new year on the horizon for the Howard University men's basketball team and freshman guard RJ Cole is ready to make his mark.
The three-star athlete under ESPN's ranking of the nation's top prep stars came to The Mecca from nationally ranked St. Anthony High School. With offers from various Division I programs, including crosstown rival Georgetown, Cole knew he wanted to switch things up.
"I chose Howard because of the education but I also wanted to be different, coming here for basketball," said Cole. "I thought this would be a change for me and a change for anyone else who would think of this as a different opportunity. This is a family. I like the culture here and the storied history around Howard."
Being different isn't an easy task, which Cole is learning as his first summer as a collegiate student-athlete winds down.
"Honestly, it's a lot," Cole stated. "It's been hard because I'm not used to having long classes, being so tired. We have to be in the weight room, at conditioning, practice, open gym and individual workouts. It's a big transition but I'm getting used to it. I just have to buckle down and take care of myself, getting the proper rest that I need. Even though it's a lot, it's really good to be around my teammates. Everyone here is cool and we're getting to know each other so it'll be easier when the season starts."
Although he spends plenty of time on Howard's campus, Cole had the chance to participate in one of D.C.'s most storied basketball traditions, playing in the Kenner League. He even got to team up with fellow Bison Charles "CJ" Williams.
"It's really helping because everyone is bigger than me," mentioned Cole. "It's more of a physical thing. Being able to get used to playing against pros and college guys helps me learn what to expect. How to take those hits or bumps and bruises now because I'm getting used to it this summer. It's helping a lot to be playing with CJ too. Playing in the Kenner League, we've been involving each other more and it'll help us during the season. We'll be able to gel better when it comes to those big situations, those big games."
Cole proved in high school that he was ready for big moments after he helped lead St. Anthony to a state title, the 28th overall under longtime head coach Bob Hurley Sr. However, he couldn't hide the fact that it took plenty of hard work to get there.
"When I first transferred to St. Anthony, it was tough because I wasn't used to someone always being on me," Cole admitted. "My dad was my coach before but this was different. Coach Hurley always had something to say. At first, I looked at it in the wrong manner but as I got older I realized that everything he said was because he wanted us to do well. He wanted us to do good for ourselves and good in life. It was a great experience. The player I was for him my senior year opened up doors for me. Our relationship is really close. I still talk to him and his family."
As he continues his transition into college life with the 2017-18 school year starting in a couple weeks, the Union, N.J. native is on the path to having a successful rookie season.
"I've been playing basketball my whole life," Cole emphasized. "Being on the floor. Being able to play every night, to show up and put a jersey on your back. That's what it's about."
We'll definitely be watching. Will you? by Candace Johnson, Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations HOWARD UNIVERSITY BISON MEDIA RELATIONS
JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Edward Waters has promoted Assistant Coach Brian Daley to be the fifth Head Softball Coach in program history. Daley replaces now former Head Coach and Interim Director of Athletics Stanley B. Cromartie, and helped lead the Lady Tigers to its most historic season in 2017.
"I affectionately call him "Sarge" because of his take-charge attitude of our program." said Cromartie. "What he has brought to our program in just a short time here is respectability across the country and I am confident that under his leadership, our program will continue to reach unprecedented heights."
A native of Beloit, Ohio and also growing up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Daley, helped guide the Tigers to 27 wins last season, a runner-up finish in the Association of Independent Institutions (A. I. I.) Softball Championship, and the program's first-ever appearance in the NAIA Softball Opening Round. Under his guidance the Edward Waters College Softball team raised its team batting average over 90 points from the 2015 season.
Prior to joining EWC, Daley was the Head Varsity Softball Coach at Nathan B. Forrest/Westside High School in Jacksonville from 2013-2015. He helped lead the Lady Rebels/Wolverines to 36 wins during his two-year tenure. In addition to coaching at the high school level, Daley has coached with Jacksonville Storm and Pittsburgh Spirit fast pitch organizations and is also a member of the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association.
Daley is also a retired detective from the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police as well as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the United States Army Reserves. He holds a Master's Degree in Leadership from Mountain State University and Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from Point Park University. Daley is currently working on a second Master's Degree from Texas Women's College in Kinesiology with a focus in Coaching.
"I would like to thank President Dr. Nathaniel Glover, Jr., Interim Athletic Director Stanley Cromartie and the entire Tiger community for this opportunity, as I am both honored and humbled to continue my coaching career at Edward Waters College." remarked Daley upon being hired. "I have high expectations of myself and the Tiger softball program and I am excited to get started."
