Ohio Football Kicks Off 2018 Season Saturday Against Howard

Ohio Game Notes (PDF)

ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio football team (0-0) kicks off its 124th season on Saturday (Sept. 1), playing host to NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision opponent Howard (0-0). Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. EST at Peden Stadium. Click here for ticket information or call 1-800-575-CATS (2287).

Saturday's contest will be streamed live on ESPN+, with Matt Stewart and former Georgia starting quarterback Hutson Mason on the call. The game can also be heard on the Ohio IMG Sports Network. Russ Eisenstein returns for his 11th season as the "Voice of the Bobcats." Ohio alum Rob Cornelius, who has been a part of the broadcasts for close to two decades, is back in the booth. The 12-station network has an over-the-air coverage area that hits three states. In addition, the broadcasts are available online through OhioBobcats.com and TuneIn.com/OhioBobcats.com. They are also free on the TuneIn app.

WEEK ONE: Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 | Howard (0-0) at Ohio (0-0) | 2 p.m. EST | Peden Stadium | Athens, Ohio | ESPN+ | Ohio IMG Sports Network

OPENING KICKOFF
• The Bobcats are coming off of a 2017 campaign in which they went 9-4 overall and finished second in the Mid-American Conference East Division with a 5-3 mark in league play.
• The 2017 season saw Ohio earn bowl eligibility for the ninth-straight season and make its eighth bowl appearance during that span. The Bobcats ended the year on a high note, rolling to a 41-6 triumph over UAB in the Bahamas Bowl.
• Frank Solich is back on the Ohio sidelines as head coach for a 14th season. The Bobcats have gone 97-71 (.577) during Solich's tenure -- including 64-40 (.615) in MAC play. Three more victories will put Solich in the company of Don Peden (1924-46; 121 wins) and Bill Hess (1958-77; 108) as the only coaches in the history of the program to lead the Bobcats to at least 100 victories. Solich has guided Ohio to four MAC East Division titles (2006, '09, '11, '16) and three bowl victories in nine appearances.
• Ohio was tabbed MAC favorite in the league's preseason media poll, which was announced in late July. The Bobcats were picked first in the East Division with a league-best 140 total points. Ohio was also selected to win the 2018 Marathon MAC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Ford Field on Friday, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. The contest will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
• Saturday's contest marks Ohio's first-ever meeting with Howard. Ohio is 1-0 all-time against current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bobcats beat Norfolk State, 44-10, on Sept. 22, 2012, at Peden Stadium.

LIFTING THE LID
Ohio is 8-5 (.615) in season openers in the Solich era. The Bobcats are seeking their second-straight victory in a season opener and fourth in the last five seasons. Ohio will be opening the season at home for the third year in a row.

Ohio Season Openers Under Solich
Sept. 2, 2017 - vs. Hampton: W, 59-0
Sept. 3, 2016 - vs. Texas State: L, 56-54 (3OT)
Sept. 3, 2015 - at Idaho: W, 45-28
Aug. 30, 2014 - at Kent State: W, 17-14
Sept. 1, 2013 - at No. 9 Louisville: L, 49-7
Sept. 1, 2012 - at Penn State: W, 24-14Sept. 3, 2011 - vs. New Mexico State: W, 44-24
Sept. 4, 2010 - vs. Wofford: W, 33-10
Sept. 5, 2009 - vs. UConn: L, 23-16
Aug. 30, 2008 - at Wyoming: L, 21-20
Sept. 1, 2007 - vs. Gardner-Webb: W, 36-14
Sept. 2, 2006 - vs. UT Martin: W, 29-3Sept. 3, 2005 - at Northwestern: L, 38-14 

A COACHING LEGEND
Entering his 20th season as the man in charge on the sidelines overall and 14th at Ohio, Solich has already cemented his legacy as legendary head coach. Among his achievements:

• Ranks third in MAC history in wins behind Herb Deromedi (110, Central Michigan, 1978-93) and Bill Hess (108, Ohio, 1958-77).
• Is tied for second in MAC history in conference-only wins with Hess, with both trailing Deromedi (90 wins).
• Is tied with Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy as the third-longest tenured head coach in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision behind Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (20th season) and TCU's Gary Patterson (19th).
• Has coached four All-America honorees at Ohio.
• The program has tallied 94 All-MAC selections during his tenure.
• Nine players have been selected in the NFL Draft under his watch.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Ohio is the only program in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision to have the same head coach, offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator for the last 14 years as Tim Albin (Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs) and Jimmy Burrow (Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Safeties) both return to Solich's staff in 2018.

Longevity is a theme on the Solich staff. Dwayne Dixon(12th year; Wide Receivers) and Brian Haines (11th year; Special Teams/Tight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator) have both coached under Solich for over a decade. Three other assistants have been with Solich for at least five years -- Ron Collins (Eighth year; Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers), Scott Isphording (Sixth year; Quarterbacks) and Chris Rodgers (Sixth year; Assistant AD for Football Operations). Pete Germano (Defensive Line), De'Angelo Smith (Defensive Backs) and Ryan Bainbridge (Director of Player Personnel and High School Relations) are all beginning their second seasons, though this is Germano's second stint at Ohio; he spent 11 seasons on the Bobcats' staff before serving as the defensive line coach at Fresno State for five seasons. 

New to the Solich coaching staff in 2018 are Bart Miller (Offensive Line) and Tremayne Scott (Defensive Tackles). Miller comes to Athens after serving as tight ends coach at Air Force last season. He has coached the offensive lines at Minnesota, Florida Atlantic, New Mexico State and Wisconsin. Scott is a familiar face to followers of the Bobcats. At 2012 graduate of Ohio, he played in 35 games on the defensive line for the Bobcats, registering 71.5 tackles, 7.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and one interception. He earned All-MAC Second Team recognition after his junior season. He was also named Defensive Player of the Game following Ohio's 45-14 victory over Louisiana-Monroe in the 2012 Advocare V100 Independence Bowl. Scott spent the last two years coaching at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. 

PUTTING UP THE POINTS
Ohio set new single-season standards for points scored (508) and highest scoring average (39.1), average yards per carry (5.7) and rushing touchdowns (44). Ohio ranked 34th in the country in total offense (433.1 yards per game) -- including 16th in rushing offense (244.5 yards per game) -- and ninth in scoring.

SEEING RED
Not surprisingly, the Bobcats boasted one of the most opportunistic red zone offenses in the nation a year ago, scoring on 91.9 percent (57-of-62) of their trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line to rank 12th in the country. Ohio scored a staggering 35 red zone rushing touchdowns, which was good for third in the country. 

POUND THE ROCK
Ohio's ground game was crucial to its offensive success in 2017. The Bobcats ranked 16th in the country in rushing offense (244.5 yards per game). In total, Ohio compiled 3,179 rushing yards to rank 15th in the country -- the fifth-most rushing yards in a single season in program history. The Bobcats' 5.74 average yards per carry ranked as the most in program history and ninth-most in the country while their 44 rushing touchdowns set a new program standard and ranked fourth in the nation.

The Bobcats ran for at least 200 yards seven times a year ago -- including three performances of over 300 yards. The high mark came in a 38-10 thumping of eventual MAC champion Toledo on Nov. 8 at Peden Stadium when Ohio racked up a season-high 393 yards on the ground.

RUNNING DOWN A DREAM
Redshirt senior running back A.J. Ouellette (Covington, Ohio) has blossomed from walk-on buried on the depth chart heading into his 2014 freshman campaign to climbing the charts on Ohio's rushing records.

Ouellette heads into his final season with the Bobcats ranked ninth in school history with 2,478 career rushing yards. He needs just 48 more yards to pass Arnold Welcher (1974-77) for eighth place and 137 more to pass Kevin Babcock (1976-79) for seventh. His 506 career carries rank as the 10th-most in program history, and his nine career games with at least 100 yards rush are good for ninth-most in program history.

In 2017, Ouellette became the first Ohio back to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a single season, finishing with 1,006 to become the first since Beau Blankenship piled up 1,604 in 2012.

AIR CANADA (WITH GROUND SUPPORT)
Quarterback Nathan Rourke (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) burst onto the scene for Ohio in 2017, earning All-MAC Second Team honors for his efforts. He etched his name in the program's top-10 for passing yards (2,203; ninth), completions (161; tied-10th), touchdown passes (17; seventh) and passing efficiency (132.9; ninth) in a single season. He threw for the most yards by an Ohio sophomore signal caller since Tyler Tettleton passed for 3,302 yards in 2011. 

Rourke proved problematic for opposing defenses not only because of his arm but because of his legs as well. He set the program record for rushing touchdowns in a single season with 21, which tied him for third-most in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in 2017 with Washington running back Myles Gaskin and ranked as the most by a quarterback in the country last season. His 6.66 yards per carry a year ago rank as the fourth-highest in a single season in program history and ranked as the 11th-highest average in the country, finishing just behind former Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson (6.90) of Louisville. Rourke tallied five 100-yard games last season, tying him for the 10th-most in a single season in program history.

In all, Rourke accounted for 3,115 total yards of offense (sixth-most in a single season in program history), averaging 7.26 yards per play (second-most in a single season in program history) and 239.6 yards per game (fourth-most in a single season in program history. He set Ohio's single-season scoring record with 132 points (tied for sixth-most in the nation in 2017), 22 touchdowns scored (fifth-most in the nation in 2017) and 39 touchdowns responsible for. His 234 points responsible for tied him for ninth-most in the country last year.

Rourke enters his junior season with his name appearing on the Manning, Maxwell and O'Brien award watch lists.

STRENGTH IN THE SECONDARY
Ohio returns three-fourths of its defensive backfield in 2018. 

Redshirt junior free safety Javon Hagan (Jacksonville, Fla.) was an All-MAC Second Team pick a year ago after ranking second on the team with 85 total tackles (45 solo, 40 assisted). He picked off one pass and forced one fumble. The 2016 MAC Freshman of the Year is on the watch list for the Thorpe Award entering this season.

The Bobcats return redshirt senior Kylan Nelson (Lexington, Ky.) at strong safety. Nelson was sixth on the team with 53 total tackles (28 solo, 25 assisted) and third with eight pass breakups.

Redshirt senior Jalen Fox (Cincinnati, Ohio) is back as the starting right cornerback after tying for second on the team with two interceptions and ranking second with 11 pass breakups a year ago.

Ohio's secondary lost All-MAC Third Team left cornerback Bradd Ellis, who led the Bobcats with 19 pass breakups and tied for second on the squad with two interceptions. Two sophomores who are natives of Miami, Fla., Jamal Hudson and Marlin Brooks, are vying to take the starting spot this year.

KICKING GAME SPECIAL
The Bobcats have the luxury of returning one of the top special teams tandems in the country in redshirt junior kicker Louie Zervos (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) and redshirt junior punter Michael Farkas (Mishawaka, Ind.). 

Zervos enters the season having been named to the Groza Award Preseason Watch list for the second year in a row. He was an All-MAC Third Team pick in 2017 after making 15 of his 18 field goal attempts and drilling 61 extra points. He enters this year tied for fourth in program history in career points scored (229) and ranked second in career field goals made (44) and fourth in career extra points made (96). His 83.1 percent career field goal percentage is good for second-best in program history.

Farkas enters his third season as Ohio's punter ranked eighth in program history in career punting yards (5,261).

Also back for the Bobcats is senior Jake Hale (Powell, Ohio) to once again handle the long snapping duties.

A LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE
Following the matchup against Howard, Ohio will play back-to-back road games at Virginia (Sept. 15) and Cincinnati (Sept. 22). The Bobcats will take on the Cavaliers for the first time since 1993 when Virginia was ranked No. 21 in the country at the time. The all-time series against in-state rival Cincinnati is deadlocked at 23-23-4, but the Bobcats have not faced the Bearcats since 1981. Ohio wraps up non-conference play with a battle with UMass (Sept. 29) at Peden Stadium. The Bobcats escaped Amherst with a wild 58-50 victory over the Minutemen last September. 

MAC play opens with back-to-back road games at Kent state (Oct. 6) and Northern Illinois (Oct. 13). Ohio closes October out with a Homecoming matchup against Bowling Green (Oct. 20) and a home game against Ball State (Oct. 25). The Bobcats are back on the road again to start November, visiting Western Michigan (Nov. 1) and archrival Miami (Nov. 7). The regular season concludes with home showdowns against Buffalo (Nov. 14) and Akron (Nov. 23). 

FOLLOW THE LEADERS
Ohio enters 2018 with seven team captains -- Ouellette, Lowery, Hagan, Rourke, Nelson, Berger and Croutch. Ouellette is a three-year team captain while Lowery and Hagan are both two-year team captains.

CELEBRATING '68
The Bobcats are set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 team capturing the program's last MAC championship. Ohio went 10-0 in the regular season that year -- including 6-0 in league play -- under the legendary Hess. The Bobcats earned an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl, where Ohio fell to Richmond, 49-42. Ohio placed 10 players on the All-MAC team that season -- quarterback Cleve Bryant (First Team), offensive tackle Ken Carmon (First Team), fullback Bob Houmard (First Team), halfback Dave LeVeck (First Team), linebacker Steve Robinson (First Team), center Jeff Robison (First Team), end Todd Snyder (First Team), offensive tackle Frank Peters (Second Team), defensive back Craig Rader (Second Team) and tight end Phil Swindell (Second Team). Bryant, Carmon and Snyder were all also named All-Americans Snyder is still the one of the most decorated Bobcat receivers ever, still ranking sixth in career receptions (140), second in career receiving yards (2,241) and fourth in touchdown catches (15). Snyder's 214 receiving yards in the Tangerine Bowl remain an Ohio single-game record. Bryant still ranks eighth in career passing yards (3,414) and third in career touchdown passes (29) in program history.

SCOUTING HOWARD
Howard finished 7-4 a season ago in head coach Mike London's first season at the helm -- including 6-2 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. In London's first game as head coach of the Bison, Howard stunned UNVL, 43-40, in Las Vegas. London came to Howard after serving as the head coach at Virginia for six years (2010-15). He made his mark in the coaching profession at Richmond, where he led the Spiders to a 24-5 record in two years as head coach -- including a Football Championship Subdivision title in 2008. 

The Bison return sophomore quarterback Caylin Newton -- the younger brother of Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Cam Newton. The 2017 MEAC Rookie of the Year became the first freshman in conference history to surpass 3,000 yards of total offense (3,185). Including Newton (Second Team), Howards boasts nine Preseason All-MEAC Team selections -- junior Jequez Ezzard (First Team-Wide Receiver; Second Team-Return Specialist), center James Holmon (First Team), offensive lineman Tyrone Ramsey (First Team), linebacker Marcellus Allison (Second Team), wide receiver Kyle Anthony (Second Team), defensive back Bryan Cook (Second Team), kicker Dakota Lebofsky (Third Team) and defensive lineman Aaron Motley (Third Team)

UP NEXT
Following a bye week, Ohio visits Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Virginia on Sept. 15. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. from Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Va. The contest can be seen on ACC Network Extra. The Bobcats will be looking for their first win over an ACC team since beating former conference member Maryland, 21-14, on Sept. 6, 1997, in College Park, Md.

OHIO UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Arizona Wildcats replace Texas Southern with Georgia Southern

TUCSON, Arizona -- Arizona will host Georgia Southern on Nov. 29 at McKale Center instead of holding a home game against Texas Southern on Nov. 28.

According to Ryan Reynolds, UA's director of basketball operations, the change came after Texas Southern coach Mike Davis left and the program no longer wanted to play the game.

Davis, who left to become Detroit Mercy's head coach, was known for playing a difficult nonconference schedule full of road games in order to raise money and help his team's ratings. Davis took Texas Southern to McKale Center in 2016-17, for an 85-63 UA win.

The change will give the Wildcats a full week to rest and practice following their participation in the Nov. 19-21 Maui Invitational, and it could also give them a slight boost in their strength of schedule ratings.

"It was late for us because we usually try to get done in May or June," Reynolds said. "But I'm happy we got them (Georgia Southern)."

Under the now-discarded RPI, Texas Southern finished 212 last season (it was 243 in Kenpom) while Georgia Southern was 143 (152 in Kenpom). Texas Southern won the SWAC's automatic bid and was a No. 16 NCAA Tournament seed last season before Davis left.

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Jackets Open 2018 at Home Against Alcorn State Braves

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Georgia Tech Football (0-0, 0-0 ACC) vs. Alcorn State (0-0, 0-0 SWAC)
Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 • 12:30 p.m. • Atlanta, Ga. • Bobby Dodd Stadium (55,000)

TV: RSN | Where to Watch (In Atlanta: Fox Sports South) | Watch Online ESPN3

Radio: Georgia Tech IMG Sports Network | Where to Listen (In Atlanta: 680/93.7 The Fan) | Sirius 112 / XM 193 | Listen Online | GT Gameday App | TuneIn

BUY TICKETS ONLINE | New at Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2018 | The Tailgate At Wreckfest | Clear Bag Policy

Georgia Tech Game Notes | Georgia Tech Depth Chart | Alcorn State Game Notes | Alcorn State Depth Chart | 2018 GT Football Info Guide

Top Storylines

• The 126th season of Georgia Tech football kicks off on Saturday when the Yellow Jackets host Alcorn State for the 2018 season opener at Bobby Dodd Stadium.

• Georgia Tech is coming off a disappointing and frustrating 5-6 season in 2017. The Yellow Jackets were literally three plays away from an 8-3 campaign and two plays away from a fifth ACC Championship Game appearance, as they saw three opponents (Tennessee, Miami and Virginia) score the go-ahead points in the final 82 seconds of regulation or overtime last season. The Jackets also held leads of at least 13 points in four of their six defeats (Tennessee, Miami, Virginia and Duke).

• If history is any indication, last year’s 5-6 season will lead to a bounce-back campaign for Georgia Tech in 2018. Following each of the previous three sub-.500 seasons of Paul Johnson’s head-coaching career, his teams have rebounded to win at least eight games the following year.

• Georgia Tech returns 15 starters from last year’s squad — eight on offense, five on defense and two specialists.

• On offense, the Yellow Jackets bring back 100 percent of their passing yardage from a year ago, 90.4 percent of their rushing yardage and a total of six offensive linemen that have combined to make 75 career starts.

• Headlining the Yellow Jackets’ returners are senior quarterback TaQuon Marshall and junior B-back KirVonte Benson. Last season, Marshall and Benson became only the second duo in Tech history to both rush for 1,000 yards in the same season (Marshall — 1,146 rushing yards, Benson — 1,053 rushing yards).

GEORGIA TECH ATHLETICS

Why Cajuns coach Billy Napier insists Grambling is a season-opening challenge

Grambling State at Louisiana, 7 pm ET, ESPN3

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana -- The numbers and the history may be on their side, but UL-Lafayette coach Billy Napier said his Ragin’ Cajuns are paying no attention to the past or to the record books.

The Cajuns are paying attention to what they see on film from the Grambling Tigers, who provide the opposition the season opener at at 6 p.m. Saturday at Cajun Field.

“They definitely present a number of challenges,” Napier said of the Tigers, who face the Cajuns for the first time. “They present different problems for you in all three phases. But I believe in the work we’ve done so far, and I’m excited to see what these young men are going to do on Saturday.”

Napier’s first game as head coach comes after UL-Lafayette had a combined 15-22 record over three straight losing seasons since 2015.

In that same time, the Tigers have a combined 32-6 record and have gone unbeaten in 25 games against their Southwestern Athletic Conference brethren.

Grambling went 11-2 last season, losing to Tulane 43-14 in its opener before reeling off 11 straight wins followed a 21-14 loss to North Carolina A&T in the Celebration Bowl. Since Broderick Fobbs took over in 2014, the Tigers are a healthy 39-11.

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Washington Discusses N.C.A&T's Upcoming Game vs. ECU

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- “It’s said that from Game 1 to Game 2 will be the most improvement your team will have throughout the season, so I’m taking that into this ballgame. We must improve. There must be a significant difference from last week to this week.”

Coach Washington on what he learned about his team:

“I learned a little. They will not quit, they finish. They play hard, and they play until the whistle blows.”

Coach Washington talks about his four new starters on the offensive line:

“They played against a great defensive line (Jacksonville State). Not good, great. And I thought they held their own. They played well enough for us to win, but there’s room for improvement.”

Coach Washington on the Aggies offense:  

“As far as scoring? I think the offense did what we expected them to do.  And our philosophy is the same. Stop the run, protect the football and win the kicking game.  And I think we did that. We weren’t able to protect against the pass but we were able to stop the run. I thought the offense protected the football, and we had minimal turnovers. That young man (Malik Wilson) returned the kick at the perfect time. I think that was the most significant part. A lot of times it’s not the play that you make, it’s when you make that play. See that was after a touchdown so the momentum had shifted away, and he took that thing back 98 yards and brought it back home for us, so we’re grateful to him.”

Coach Washington on whether North Carolina A&T is still underrated:

“We can play. If they haven’t realized that by now, then that’s on them.  What they think doesn’t really bother me honestly.”

Coach Washington talks about the significance of N.C. A&T’s win over Jacksonville State:

“I think it speaks volumes honestly, but what I don’t want to happen is our heads get big and we have to worry about deflating. The fact remains that we didn’t play well and that what we’re going to harp on this week. We did not play well.”

Coach Washington on how healthy N.C. A&T is after its first game:  

“I’ll learn more today. We’ve got a few guys that are banged up obviously, but that’s after every contest. But today when we get out on the grass and watch them run and move around a little bit then you’ll know more. Some are going to think they’re hurt and some are going to think they’re not hurt but they actually are injured. It’s best to wait until you get out there and actually see them move around.”

Coach Washington on ECU:

“I don’t know what to say other than they’re a football team. They’re big, they’re fast and strong. But so are we. But like I said last week, put the ball down and let’s see.”

Coach Washington on Lamar Raynard:

“Listen, that young man is a winner. They can say what they like, he has won 27 straight ball games as a starter. That speaks for itself. Sometimes you don’t have to polish certain awards. They stand out on their own merit.  He stands out on his own merit.”

Coach Washington on playing an FBS program:

“That’s the only challenge. We’re going in as the underdog. The way I see it, they put 11 out there, we put 11 out there and let’s play.”

Coach Washington on recruiting:

“One, we play hard. Two, we graduate. Maybe I should reverse that because we graduate first. But those two things I can assure you of. We’re a winning program and above everything else, we are going to do things the right way. You’ll never have to worry about us doing anything wrong. We’ll keep everything on the table.”

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NCCU Football Weekly Press Conference: Week 1 vs Prairie View

DURHAM, North Carolina -- The North Carolina Central University football program held its weekly press conference on Tuesday, Aug. 28 ahead of the Eagles' season opener on the road against Prairie View A&M at the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Hear from interim head coach Granville Eastman as he discusses the summer and the first game of the season.

The North Carolina Central University football team is hard at work on the gridiron getting ready to start a new campaign, beginning on Sunday, Sept. 2 against Prairie View A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. Hear from tight ends coach Bobby Turner as he talks about the tight ends.



NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

CAU Ramsey Ready to Kick Off CAU Football Season Thursday

HEAD COACH KEVIN RAMSEY
COURTESY: CAU PANTHERS ATHLETICS

ATLANTA, Georgia -- There is some extra pep in the step of Clark Atlanta University head football coach Kevin Ramsey this week.

The 2018 football season is just days away from kicking off at Mississippi College (Thursday, 8 p.m. EST) for Ramsey's Panthers and after all the preparation, he is ready to get things started.

"You're excited for another season," said Ramsey, in his fourth year as CAU's head coach. "It's just a blessing. I was telling the kids that this is my 34th year in football and the enthusiasm and excitement is still there. To see these guys put it on the field – with what we did from last year, winter workouts, and all the new guys we got here – is the ultimate test and that's what we look forward to.

"I'm excited for a number of reasons," he said. "When I look at a guy like Josh Banks who had an ACL injury, to see him make a comeback; I'm excited about Kenneth Morgan, who has been providing a lot of leadership for us. And I think of a Darius Preyer, who came here when I first got here. He was my scout team center at Alabama State as a true freshman and to see him as a graduate student contributing is very, very big and exciting. And the most exciting thing for me is my coaching staff. I think our continuity has been great since we've been here all together. And coach Willie Totten is a new addition, and that ball is still rolling."

The Panthers will hit the road Wednesday morning for the trip to Clinton, Miss., just west of the state capitol, Jackson.
Mississippi College is in their second year of transitioning into Division II and in the process of becoming full members of the Gulf South Conference. The Choctaws finished 1-9 last season, including a season-opening 32-29 overtime loss to Clark Atlanta at Panther Stadium last season.

After Johnathan McCrary's 1-yard TD run, Carlos Saldana converted the extra point to put the game into overtime. In the extra period, Saldana hit a 44-yard field goal to seal the victory.
Ramsey expects an even tougher contest this year.

"They have upgraded with transfers and got a new offensive coordinator and we're waiting to see what they are going to do," he said. "We don't know what they are going to do offensively. This first ballgame, the leading lady, is always about blocking on offense and tackling on defense. If we block well on offense, we're feeling pretty good. And if we tackle well on defense, we feel pretty good. And be sound in the special teams."

Panther Notes: Thursday's game will be aired live via web stream at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/mc/ … Last season's meeting was the first between the two schools….The Choctaws are led by John Bland, who is in his fifth season as head coach at Mississippi College….Of the nine Georgia teams that Mississippi College has played during their 106-year history, they have a losing record against six of them, including Clark Atlanta…. CAU offensive coordinator Willie Totten's first game at Clark Atlanta marks a return to his old stomping grounds. The College Football Hall of Famer made his mark a little over 90 minutes north of Clinton in Itta Bena, Miss., home of his alma mater, Mississippi Valley State University.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

UAB Football Opens 2018 Season on Thursday Against Savannah State

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --  On the heels of its historic return to the field last year, the UAB football team opens the 2018 season this Thursday, Aug. 30 against Savannah State at Legion Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
Who: UAB (0-0) vs. Savannah State (0-0)
Where: Legion Field - Birmingham, Ala.
When: 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+ ($)
On the Call: Mike Grace (play-by-play), Scot Harrison (color)
Listen: WJQX 100.5 FM
On the Call: David Crane (play-by-play), Steve Irvine (color), Trey Ragland (sideline)
Series: First Meeting



STORYLINES:

• The Blazers tallied a program-record eight wins last season and are poised for more success this year with a host of returning veteran talent.
   
• UAB is one of the most experienced teams in the country. The Blazers return the most offensive starters in country with 10 and have the most players in the nation who have already graduated (19). Furthermore, UAB ranks second nationally with 20 total returning starters, while its 36 seniors on the roster are also the second most in the nation.
   
• Sophomore running back Spencer Brown headlines the offense after being named UAB's first-ever FWAA Freshman All-America honoree last year. Brown rushed for 1,329 yards and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman. Entering his sophomore campaign, he needs 1,488 yards to become UAB's all-time leading rusher.
   
• Brown will be running behind a veteran offensive line which features four seniors and junior center Lee Dufour. Dufour, James Davis and Justice Powers started all 13 games last year, while right guard Malique Johnson started 10 and left guard Rishard Cook started four.
   
• UAB finished 41st nationally last year in total defense and looks to be even more disruptive this season. The defensive front is anchored by interior linemen Anthony Rush and Garrett Marino, while linebacker Fitzgerald Mofor returns for his junior year after compiling 71 tackles in 2017, the third most on the team. Free safety Broderick Thomas headlines the defense as the All-America candidate had 95 tackles last year to go along with two interceptions and three tackles for loss.
   
• A win against Savannah State would extend UAB's FBS school record home winning streak to seven games. The Blazers were 6-0 at home last year and look to build upon that success this season. The overall record for consecutive home wins is eight straight that split the 1995 (FCS) and 1996 (FBS) seasons, while UAB also won seven straight at home as Division III members from 1991-92.
   
• This is the first meeting between UAB and Savannah State. The Blazers have won their last two season openers, which includes a 38-7 victory over Alabama A&M last season and a 48-10 victory over Troy in 2014.
   
• Erik Raeburn enters his third year as the head coach of Savannah State. The Tigers, who finished 3-8 last season, open the season with four consecutive road games starting with the Blazers, and follow that up with trips to Miami (FL), Howard and Florida A&M.
   
• SSU returns senior defensive end Stefen Banks, who had a monster season in 2017 with 18.0 TFL and 10.0 sacks.

 
TICKETS:
 
Season tickets, mini plans and single game tickets are on sale by clicking here. Season tickets are the most affordable option if planning to attend UAB's six home games this season. Call the UAB Athletics Ticket Office at 205-975-UAB1 for additional questions.
 
HOW TO WATCH:
 
The game will air on ESPN+ which is the newest platform ESPN is offering this season. Fans can purchase ESPN+ for $4.99 a month and can click here for a seven-day free trial. UAB's Week 2 game at Coastal Carolina will also be on ESPN+ and the Blazers will play on that platform five times this season.
 
FOLLOW:
 
For pregame, in-game and postgame information and updates, follow @UAB_FB and @UAB_Athletics on Twitter and Instagram and like UAB Athletics on Facebook. Additional information on everything involving gameday from the moment fans leave their house to the minute they return can be found by visiting www.blazergameday.com, following @BlazerGameday on Twitter and Instagram and liking Blazer Gameday on Facebook. 

WVSU RB Calil Wilkins ready to keep rising from great freshman year

INSTITUTE, West Virginia -- Fewer debuts for West Virginia State’s football team have gone better than running back Calil Wilkins’ in 2017. It was award-winning.

Wilkins finished the season – one where the Yellow Jackets finished with a winning record for the first time since 2008 – as the Mountain East Offensive Freshman of the Year. Yet he looks at his debut as just that – a beginning.

The bar, both for him and the Yellow Jackets, has been set higher. And Wilkins wants to show the conference how much he has grown starting with his first game of the season, Thursday’s 7 p.m. tilt versus cross-county rival University of Charleston at UC Stadium.

“Motivation, that’s the main thing,” Wilkins said of his freshman season. “I feel like it motivated me to do more. I want to do everything I can.”

Wilkins entered a backfield that already had a productive Juawan Etheredge and Dionta Brown and asserted himself as the featured running back. He finished the year with a team-high 819 yards – ranked fourth in the MEC and fourth among all Division II freshmen – and an average of 6.1 yards per carry, adding five touchdowns. He also caught 19 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

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Johnson C. Smith quarterback rivals share mutual aims and respect Wallace, Herbin benefit from pushing each other

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Antonio Wallace is winning Johnson C. Smith’s unexpected quarterback derby.

Wallace, a redshirt freshman from Charlotte, is the likely starter in Thursday’s season-opener against Wingate. Although he’s never thrown a pass in collegiate competition, Wallace will be the starter while senior Harold Herbin is the backup.

“It’s great to be the starter, but I know there’s an experienced guy behind me,” said Wallace, who is 6-foot-3, 185 pounds. “I’ve got to be at my best because I know he’s right there and that’s good for me, good for him, and good for the team.”

Wallace, a South Mecklenburg High graduate, made the most of the opportunity when last year’s starter, Terrance Ervin, decided not to return and senior Jordan Lane transferred to Wingate. Suddenly, the job was up for grabs between Herbin, a career reserve, and four freshmen.

“Right now, if we had to play, it would probably be ...

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Cassandra Brown Named AAMU Head Softball Coach

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama --- Cassandra Brown has been named head softball coach at Alabama A&M University, Director of Athletics Bryan Hicks announced Tuesday.

"I am really excited to have Coach Brown return to the Bulldog Family," Director of Athletic Bryan Hicks said. "Coach Brown is an excellent coach with a passion for the development of student-athletes and their athletic experience. Her competitive spirit and enthusiasm will be an asset to our program."

Brown was the assistant coach for the Lady Bulldogs from 2015-2017 under former coach Nakeya Hall, specializing in pitchers and catchers.

"First and foremost, I want to thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and I am honored that President Dr. Andrew Hugine Jr. and Mr. Hicks believed in me to continue the winning culture here at my alma mater, Alabama A&M University," Brown said. 

Before making the transition to coaching, Brown spent four years at Alabama A&M as a student-athlete. As a freshman, she wrote her name among the great pitchers for AAMU and became the team's ace right away with a great effort in the circle. She was the starting pitcher from 2010-14, recording 165 strikeouts in 80 appearances.

"I am excited to return back to "The Hill" and pour into these young ladies my knowledge of the game and the importance of academics," Brown said. "I look forward to carrying on the successful tradition of Alabama A&M Athletics, both on and off the field."

A native of Pembroke Pines, FL, Brown earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from AAMU in 2014 and she completed her Master's degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health in 2016. 

ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY BULLDOGS ATHLETIC MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Benedict Names Artis Maddox Head Men's Basketball Coach

COLUMBIA, South Carolina --  Artis Maddox, a successful coach who has served on the coaching staff of a national championship team, has been named the head men's basketball coach of the Benedict College Tigers, Director of Athletics Willie Washington announced.

"Coach Maddox's credentials speak for themselves," Washington said. "Any time you have the opportunity to hire a coach with national championship experience, you jump at it. We want to make Benedict a national championship contender and Coach Maddox is the man who can take us there."

Maddox comes to Benedict after serving as head coach at Florida Memorial University for the past three seasons. At Florida Memorial, he took over a program that had won just three games prior to his arrival and won 10 games in his first season. In just his second season, the Lions finished 18-8 overall in 2016-17, 13-3 in the Sun Conference, won the regular season title, defeated four ranked opponents, and Maddox was voted the Sun Conference Coach of the Year. He guided Florida Memorial to the first-ever national ranking in school history during the 2016-17 season, and the Lions started the 2017-18 season ranked No. 14 nationally. The Lions went 15-12 last season and had two players earn All-Conference honors.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Maddox to the Benedict College family," said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. "Coach Maddox has a proven track record as a committed leader and champion who has garnered a reputation as an excellent recruiter and mentor to student athletes."

At Florida Memorial, he coached six players who received All-Conference honors, and had one All-American and one NAIA Scholar-Athlete All-American.


Prior to his stint at Florida Memorial, Maddox spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at Mountain State University, where he helped lead the Cougars to the 2003-04 NAIA Division I national championship with a 38-1 record, the best record of any college or university in the country.

With Maddox on the basketball staff, the Cougars had an overall record of 277-38. During his tenure as an assistant at MSU, Coach Maddox won nine consecutive conference regular season titles, seven conference tournament championships, and advanced to the national tournament every season, making it to four semifinals and three championship games in nine seasons. MSU held the No. 1 ranking in the nation for over 70 weeks and ranked in the top 25 nationally for 134 consecutive weeks.

Maddox helped recruit and coach seven first-team All-Americans, four second-team All-Americans, five third-team All-Americans, eight honorable mention All-Americans and one National Player of the Year.

A Jacksonville, Fla. native, Maddox attended Robert E. Lee High school where he averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds per game. After graduating, he attended Edward Waters College, where he was conference Freshman of the Year, averaging 14 points and six rebounds. He transferred after two seasons to Mountain State, where he had 500 points over his career and was second in free-throw percentage. He had a career high 29 points, 8 rebounds and 6 steals in the first round of the National Tournament against Waylen Baptist. While at Edward Waters and Mountain State, Maddox was voted team captain and helped lead MSU to its first No. 1 ranking in the country.

Maddox earned his Bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Mountain State University in 2002. He and his wife, Leslie, have five children: Ariel, Yasmyn, Artis Jr., Treyvon, and a newborn daughter, Faith.

BENEDICT COLLEGE TIGERS ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

FAMU Rattlers not nervous to kick off new era, hoping to grab fans as only game in town on Saturday

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- This Saturday, the Florida A&M Rattlers officially strike up a new season.

A new turf, some new helmets and a new head coach all headline FAMU's season opener against Fort Valley State in what could be called one of the most anticipated season openers in recent Rattler history.

Hometown kid Willie Simmons will take the field with the Rattlers for the first time as head coach, and fans are eager to see Simmons' new-look offense.



The game is nearly sold out and with all of the renovations, both in the program and the cosmetics surrounding it.

For the new head coach, he says it puts some pressure on, but he's just ready to get the ball kicked off and see what his team can do.

"This is the first one of six and we want to make sure we start it off on the right foot, so I wouldn't say that there's a nervousness," Simmons said. "There's naturally some anxiety from players and coaches and I'm sure from fans as well to actually see how good this football team can be."

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SC State's Buddy Pough Previews His Last Season In Orangeburg

John Lampley named SU starter for season opener

Southern University Football Preview

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Looking to build on last year’s second-place SWAC West finish, the Southern Jaguars return seven starters on both sides of the ball.

Seventh-year head coach Dawson Odums is looking to replace quarterback Austin Howard and running Herb Edwards from an offense which ranked fourth in the SWAC in scoring (27.4 points per game), third in rushing (162.3 yards per game), fifth in passing (210.6 ypg) and third in total offense (372.9 ypg).

Odums said Monday that John Lampley has received the starting nod over fellow sophomores Bubba McDaniel and Ladarius Skelton for Saturday’s season opener at TCU. Appearing in seven games in a backup role last year, Lampley completed 14-of-26 passes for 114 yards and added 118 yards rushing.

Upon announcing Lampley as the starter, Odums said all three quarterbacks would see action in the first three games leading up to conference play.

Southern also has a long list of candidates at running back. Devon Benn (87 carries, 459 yards, 4 touchdowns) is the top returning rusher from last year’s 7-4 squad (7-2 SWAC). Darbben Profit, who injured his hamstrong shortly before the 2017 season opener, is pushing for playing time along with Alabama Birmingham transfers Alexander Rodriguez and Carlos Stephens.

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HBCU Judgment Day Football Schedule -- Week 1

Scoreboard for Week 0

North Carolina A&T State 20, #6 Jacksonville State 17
Rice 31, Prairie View A&M 28
Saint Andrews 15, Edward Waters 13
Virginia University Lynchburg 30, Louisburg 28

Thursday, AUGUST 30

Bowie State at Wagner, 6 pm
Johnson C. Smith at Wingate, 7 pm  ESPN3
Livingstone at Pikeville, 7 pm
Chowan at Campbell, 7 pm  ESPN+
West Virginia State at Charleston (WV), 7 pm
Mississippi Valley State at North Dakota, 7:30 pm
Savannah State at Alabama-Birmingham, 8 pm, ESPN+
Clark Atlanta at Mississippi College, 8 pm

Friday, August 31

Lindsey Wilson at Edward Waters, 7 pm

Saturday, September 1

Southern at TCS, 12 pm,
Alcorn State at Georgia Tech, 12:30 pm, ACC Network, ESPN
Kentucky State at Slippery Rock, 1 pm
Saint Augustine's at Jacksonville, 1 pm, ESPN3
Central State at Elizabeth City State, 1 pm
Howard at Ohio, 2 pm, ESPN+
Columbus State at Allen, 3 pm
Lincoln (MO) at Lane, 5 pm
Fort Valley State at Florida A&M, 5 pm
Delaware State at Buffalo, 6 pm, ESPN3
North Carolina A&T at East Carolina 6 pm, ESPN3
South Carolina State at Georgia Southern, ESPN+
UNC Pembroke at Winston-Salem State, 6 pm
Shaw at Hampton, 6 pm
Florida Tech at Benedict, 6 pm
Virginia State at Norfolk State, 6 pm
Tuskegee at Alabama State, 6 pm
Grambling State at Louisiana, 7 pm, ESPN3
Jackson State at Southern Mississippi, 7 pm, ESPN+
Bethune-Cookman at Tennessee State, 7 pm, ESPN+
Towson at Morgan State, 7 pm
Morehouse at Arkansas Pine Bluff, 7 pm
Albany State at Valdosta, 7 pm
Miles at Alabama A&M, 7 pm
Fayetteville State at Lincoln (PA) 7 pm
Mississippi Valley State at North Dakota, 7:30 pm
Texas Permian Basin at Texas Southern, 8 pm

Sunday, September 2

North Carolina Central vs. Prairie View A&M, 12 pm, ATLANTA, ESPN2

Former Granby star Bobby Rome leads VUL to victory in first game as coach

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- Former Granby star Bobby Rome got his college coaching career off to a bang on Saturday as he led host Virginia University of Lynchburg (VUL) to a 30-28 win over Louisburg College (N.C.) in his first game as coach.

"It was a wonderful much needed win for our university," said Rome, who is the school's fifth coach since 2011. "I felt we represented the university with pride and integrity."

VUL is a small, private and historically black university is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River.

VUL was a member of the CIAA from 1921-54 before ending its football program. It revived the sport in 2011 and is now in the National Christian College Athletic Association. The Dragons were winless last season and were outscored by more than 300 points.

Rome, 31, said back in January that he was excited about this opportunity.

Rome was a star quarterback and second-team All-Tidewater pick at Granby High, where he helped lead the Comets to the Eastern District title in 2004 . He played college football at the University of North Carolina and moved to fullback, appearing in 49 games. He had brief stints with Green Bay, Pittsburgh and Kansas City in the NFL. He then played in the now-defunct United Football League and then took a leap of faith and played in Russia in 2013.

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B-CU's Brandon Tabb Inks Pro Deal in Denmark

MEAC Player of the Year joins Horsens IC

HORSENS, Denmark – Bethune-Cookman alumnus Brandon Tabb has signed a professional contract with Horsens IC. Tabb was a named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2018 and led the Wildcats to a regular season co-championship.

Horsens is one of the strongest programs in Denmark. Last year, the team finished as a semifinalist in the Danish Cup, and was runner-up for two consecutive years prior.

Tabb finished first in single-season and BCU career history in free-throw percentage, and finished 22nd all-time in Wildcat scoring. He was one of the most prolific scorers and shooters in the MEAC as he averaged 19 points over the course of the regular season. The Hampton, Va. native ranked as one of the top free throw shooters in the nation with a 91.4 clip (127-of-139) from the line while also a major threat from beyond the arc as he ranked second in the MEAC with 97 three-pointers made. Tabb totaled three 30-point performances with highs of 34 against Coppin State and Morgan State and 14 games with 20-plus point outings. Tabb also tied for the MEAC's single-game high in three-pointers made with eight at Georgia Tech.

His 97 made three-pointers were second in Bethune-Cookman single-season history behind his 2016-17 totals of 106 makes.

The 2017-18 edition of BCU basketball finished with new school D1 records in scoring (2622 points and 81.9 per-game), free throws (575), attempts (820), rebounds (1346), rebounding average (42.1 and second nationally behind UNC), and assists (501). The Wildcats were second in both three-pointers made (241) and attempts (759), and finished fourth in single-season history with 123 blocks.

Tabb is the second Wildcat to suit up for Horsens IC, following Antonio Webb (04-06).

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

Edward Waters Tigers 4th Quarter Rally Comes Up Short; Drops Season Opener 15-13

JACKSONVILLE, Florida -- Despite a valiant fouth quarter comeback and in front of a raucous, standing room only crowd, Edward Waters (0-1) dropped their season opener, 15-13 to St. Andrews (1-0) on Saturday evening at the University Christian Football Complex.

The two teams went scoreless in the first quarter before the visitors from Laurinburg, North Carolina cracked the scoreborard first early in the second quarter. On 3rd & 24, Knights QB Kasey Otto found Kashard Cohens on a crossing pattern for 53 yards and a touchdown to take a 6-0 lead.

After three & outs on the next three series, SAU found the endzone again after a three play, 75 yard drive that ended with a four yard rushing touchdown by Chris Decker to extend the Knights lead to 12-0.

The Knights again padded their lead just before halftime with a 27 yard field goal from Carson Gibbs which gave St. Andrews a 15-0 lead at the break.

The young group of Tigers brought the fight to the Knights throughout the second half and in the fourth quarter, the tide turned in their favor. Freshman quarterback Derrick Jones (FR/Jacksonville, Florida) spelled fellow freshman Roshard Branch (FR/Plantation, Florida) in the second half and operated both scoring drives for EWC in the fourth. On the opening play of the final quarer and on 4th & 9 from the SAU 17 yard line, Jones found freshman WR Tyler Gilbert (FR/Pahokee, Florida) in the corner of the endzone to put the Tigers on the board and cut the lead to eight points at 15-7 with 14:16 left to go in the fourth.

Three more three & outs occured and with under six minutes left to go in the fourth, senior Kennard Mahone (SR/Jacksonville, Florida) put the Tigers in business with a 29 yard punt return to the SAU 41 yard line.

Jones engineered a drive down to the St. Andrews four yard line with under two minutes left to go. A tackle for loss on first down and a fumbled snap on second down pushed the Tigers back to the Knights 10 yard line. Jones threw an incomplete pass to Tyler Gilbert on third down leaving the Tigers with one down left to get the ball in the endzone. On 4th & Goal from the 10, Jones rolled out to his left and found freshman Kamaree Noble (FR/Jacksonville, Florida) in the endzone to bring Edward Waters to within two points of SAU. EWC went for two to try to tie the game, but a pass went through the hands of junior RB Richard Montgomery (JR/Jacksonville, Florida), leaving the score at 15-13 with over one minute left.

An onside kick from the Tigers was recovered by the Knights and St. Andrews kneeled on the ball to preserve the road victory.

SAU's Chris Decker led all rushers on the ground with 13 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. EWC's Jacquez Pelham (FR/Jacksonville, Florida) was not too far behind with 7 carries for 56 yards. Derrick Jones led EWC in passing, going 6-for-12 for 67 yards and two touchdowns all in the second half. Kashard Cohens led the Knights through the air with five catches for 91 yards and a touchdown, while Tyler Gilbert led the EWC receiving efforts with three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, freshman LB Aaron Louis (FR/Miami, Florida) had a tremendous open to his college career for EWC, registering 13 total tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Edward Waters will have a quick turnaround as they will host #5 Lindsey Wilson on Friday evening at 7:00 The game will be streamed live via the Black College Sports Network at mybcsn.net/ewc.
pm at University Christian.

BOX SCORE

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters College Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWCAthletics (Twitter), /EWCSports (Facebook) and @EWCAthletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters athletics at EWCTigerPride.com.

Savannah State AD Sterling Steward Jr. Resigns; Chosen as University of Alaska Fairbanks' New Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Alaska Nanooks AD Sterling Steward (center) with women's basketball head coach Kerri Nakamoto (left), swimming associate head coach Becca Weiland (left center), head hockey coach Erik Largen (right center) & men's basketball associate head coach Jesse Brown (right)

FAIRBANKS, ALASKA -- Veteran athletics administrator Sterling Steward has been chosen as the University of Alaska Fairbanks' new director of intercollegiate athletics. Steward replaces Gary Gray, who resigned as head of the Alaska Nanooks in December.

Steward comes to the Nanooks after serving the past seven years as the director of athletics at Savannah State University, an NCAA Division I program in Georgia. Steward will start his new position at UAF on Oct. 8.

"It is my honor and privilege to be selected as the next director of athletics for UAF," Steward said. "I pledge to Nanook nation that I will bring all of the athletic experience and knowledge that I have gained over the past 20-plus years in hopes of continuing the development of student-athletes while simultaneously winning championships. I am excited to begin a new chapter in my life, as well as my career."

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Keith Champagne praised Steward's ethics, experience and commitment to the welfare of student-athletes. Steward's leadership, passion and vision will provide the foundation required for a successful 21st century athletic program, he said.

"My responsibility was to appoint an athletics director who will be the best fit for UAF," Champagne said. "I'll be a strong and collaborative partner with Mr. Steward in the years ahead to realize the high expectations we all share for Nanooks athletics."

Steward was chosen from a nationwide pool of applicants and was among four finalists who visited the UAF campus this summer. Steward earned bachelor's and master's degrees in human performance and recreation at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Steward was responsible for all matters related to managing Savannah State University's sports programs for men and women, including fundraising, marketing, corporate sponsorships, budgeting, NCAA compliance and working with local communities. While at SSU, the Tigers won seven conference championships, including one in golf, four in individual track and field, two in men's basketball, one in softball, one in tennis and one in women's basketball. Additionally, the SSU cheerleading squad won the national championship in 2017.

Steward was instrumental in revenue generation at Savannah State and operated a self-sufficient athletic department for the past seven years. Furthermore, he increased endowed scholarships 25 percent and developed a program for student-athletes that generated aid for summer school and fifth-year eligibility.

Prior to working at SSU, Steward worked in the athletics departments at Mississippi Valley State University, Alabama State University, Kentucky State University, Eastern Oregon University and Xavier University.

UAF is an NCAA Division II institution that sponsors 10 varsity sports. Men's and women's cross-country running, men's and women's basketball, and women's volleyball all compete in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Men's ice hockey is the only Division I sport and competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Women's swimming, men's and women's skiing and coed rifle all compete at a multidivisional level through the Pacific Collegiate Swimming and Diving Conference, the Central Collegiate Ski Association and the Patriot Rifle Conference, respectively.

For more information on the Alaska Nanooks, follow @AlaskaNanooks on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks page on Facebook.

NOTE TO EDITORS: There will be a press conference with Steward and Champagne in the Nanook Lounge at the Patty Center in Fairbanks at 1 p.m. Alaska Time today, Monday, Aug. 27. The press conference will also be available via audioconference. The call-in number is 1-866-832-7806 and the PIN is 1637788.

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS

2018 Norfolk State football preview: Storylines, key players, projected starters and more

NORFOLK,Virginia -- How quickly will the offense develop?: For the Spartans to contend in the MEAC, QB Juwan Carter must continue to develop into a pocket passer and the team must see better production at running back from Aaron Savage, Gerald Hulett or Cameryn Brent. NSU scored 14 points or fewer six times last season.

Finishing games well: NSU lost three games by a combined 10 points, indicating that they weren’t all that far away from having a successful season. That young team now starts many juniors, and coach Latrell Scott hopes experience helps finish victories.



Stopping the run consistently: In a running back-heavy conference like the MEAC, NSU’s defensive line , led by veteran Deshaywn Middleton,must get stingier after opponents averaged a robust 5.2 yards per carry last season. Veteran Deshaywn Middleton should be able to help lower that number.

Key players
QB Juwan Carter
The 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore passed for 1,827 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions as a true freshman last season. That provided a solid building block for an offense looking to break out.

LB Nigel Chavis
At defensive end last year, the redshirt junior had 82 tackles, five sacks and three forced fumbles. Now 6-2 and 230 pounds, the backfield disruptor will aim to be a game-changer at outside linebacker this fall.

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