DURHAM, North Carolina – With three straight conference championships and a trip to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl to build on, North Carolina Central University's 2017 schedule features three newcomers, two Triangle area foes and six home games inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
The 2016 Eagles collected the most wins in the program's Division I era with a 9-3 overall record and an unbeaten 8-0 mark in league play, finishing the season as the 19th ranked team in the FCS Coaches Poll. NCCU defeated nationally-ranked North Carolina A&T to capture the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship and earn the league's bid to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
NCCU broke the school's single-season record with 4,614 yards of total offense, averaging 384.5 total yards per game, and became the second-highest scoring team in school history with 347 points. The Eagles made more history by becoming the first NCCU football team to win a third consecutive conference championship, and are riding a 15-game win streak against MEAC teams entering the 2017 campaign.
Complete Schedule
NCCU kicks off the 2017 season on Sept. 2 against Durham neighbor Duke University in the Bull City Gridiron Classic. The Blue Devils have won all five contests in the series with the Eagles that started in 2009, including last year's 49-6 outcome.
The Eagles' first home game is on Sept. 9 versus Shaw, a former Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) opponent, in the "Prince Hall Shriners Diabetes Classic" at 6 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium. NCCU holds a 30-8-1 series advantage over the Bears. The Eagles own a 20-game win streak versus Shaw, including 21-12 victory in the last meeting on Sept. 9, 2006 in Durham. Shaw's last win in the series was a 20-0 shutout on Nov. 19, 1949. Second-year Shaw head coach Adrian Jones is a Durham, North Carolina native and former NCCU football student-athlete and coach.
Following a bye week, NCCU will begin its quest for a fourth consecutive MEAC title by hosting South Carolina State on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. The Eagles last played the Bulldogs in 2014, resulting in a 48-35 NCCU road victory. The last time S.C. State visited O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium was in 2013. The Bulldogs lead the series 12-10 since the first match-up in 1927.
The Eagles then leave Durham for the first time with back-to-back road games, first visiting the Sunshine State for a Sept. 30 clash against Florida A&M. The Rattlers lead the series 6-3-1, but the Eagles have won the last two outings, including last year's 17-13 victory played in treacherous weather conditions during Hurricane Matthew.
NCCU travels to the nation's capital to challenge Howard on Oct. 7. The Eagles have downed the Bison in five straight contests to take an 11-9-1 advantage in the series, including last season's 30-21 triumph.
The Eagles return to the Bull City for three consecutive home games, starting with a non-conference match-up with Gardner-Webb of the Big South Conference on Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. NCCU and the Runnin' Bulldogs have met four times, from 1996-99, with each winning on the road for a 2-2 series tie. Gardner-Webb won the last contest 16-0 on Sept. 11, 1999.
NCCU returns to MEAC action by hosting Norfolk State on Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. The Eagles edged the Spartans 34-31 in Virginia last season for their fourth straight win over NSU to improve their series advantage to 9-5.
The Eagles wrap up a three-game home stand by celebrating homecoming with a confrontation against Delaware State on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. NCCU has won eight of the last nine meetings against the Hornets, including four in-a-row, to improve its series lead over DSU to 17-6. The Eagles also boast a record of 62-19-2 (.759 winning percentage) on homecoming since 1931.
Hampton returns to the NCCU schedule for the first time since 2014 in a Nov. 4 showdown in Virginia. The Pirates lead the series 18-6 since the teams first met in 1924. Hampton has won eight of the past 10 meetings, but NCCU took the last meeting 47-13 in Durham.
NCCU will salute its seniors on Nov. 11 prior to a 2 p.m. kickoff against Bethune-Cookman in the final home game of the season. The Eagles snapped a six-game losing skid to the Wildcats with a 31-14 win in Daytona Beach last year.
The Eagles close out the 2017 regular season with the 89th meeting against rival North Carolina A&T on Nov. 18 in Greensboro. In each of the last three seasons, NCCU wrapped up the campaign with wins over the nationally-ranked Aggies with the conference title on the line. Last year's 42-21 victory propelled the Eagles to the second annual Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl.
The Eagles look to make a return trip to the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl to help christen the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against the champion from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
NCCU will hold its spring football game on Saturday, April 22 at 1 p.m. inside O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium.
Details about NCCU football season tickets will be announced on Friday, Jan. 27.
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Monday, January 23, 2017
CIAA close to having deal for championship football game
SALEM, Virginia -- There is a chance the CIAA could sign a three-year deal with Salem, Virginia for the city to host its football championship game.
While no announcement has been made yet by the CIAA, the city and the conference have been in talks.
“We did meet with Salem representatives a couple of weeks ago to recap the 2016 football championship and discuss future opportunities,” Bri Funte, an assistant commissioner in the CIAA who runs strategic communication, said in an e-mail. “However, there is no currently signed agreement.”
The championship game was moved out of Durham a month before last November’s game because of the controversy surrounding the HB2 law. The CIAA was impressed with the way the game went at the Salem Football Stadium, which has a scenic view, artificial turf, and more than enough parking.
After the game, won by Winston-Salem State 43-33 over Bowie State, commissioner Jacqie McWilliams of the CIAA and administrators from both schools raved about the facilities.
CONTINUE READING
JSU hauls in nine new commits
JACKSON, Mississippi -- Jackson State coach Tony Hughes and his staff put together another productive weekend as they build their 2017 recruiting class.After weeks of bringing in recruits on the defensive side of the football, Jackson State is starting to get commitments from skill position players on offense. After hosting 20 recruits for official visits over the weekend Hughes added nine more prospects to his list of commitments Sunday, which included two quarterbacks, two receivers, two tailbacks, two defensive backs and a tight end.
The quarterbacks —Niceville (Fla.) prospect Jeff Toney and Harrison Central star Tavis Williams — each provide a different skill set. Toney, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound pro-style quarterback is more of a thrower and Williams, a 6-2, 190-pound dual-threat signal caller, is a guy that hurt opposing teams with his ability to run as he did with his arm.
Toney flew under the radar a bit, but was at one point being heavily recruited by Mississippi State. He completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 2,657 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 11 games as a senior. He also ran for four touchdowns but managed just 51 yards on 58 carries.
CONTINUE READING
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Bethune-Cookman Alum Eric Weems, N.C.A&T Deji Olatoye, Atlanta Falcons Advance To Super Bowl LI
ATLANTA, Georgia -- Eric Weems became the fourth former Bethune-Cookman football player to advance to the Super Bowl Sunday when the Atlanta Falcons beat the Green Bay Packers 44-21 in the NFC championship game.
Weems joins Larry Little (Super Bowls VI, VIII and VIII), Maulty Moore (Super Bowl VII) and Nick Collins (Super Bowl XLV) as Wildcats who have played for an NFL championship. Little and Moore played the Miami Dolphins' undefeated team of 1972 that defeated the Washington Redskins, and Little went on to win his second Super Bowl the following year when the Dolphins repeated with a win over the Minnesota Vikings.Collins had an interception return for a touchdown in the Green Bay Packers' 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011.
Weems, the former Seabreeze Sandcrab and Wildcat star in his 10th NFL season is averaging 23 yards per kickoff return and 11.4 yards per punt return, including a 73-yarder against Oakland earlier in the season.
On Sunday, he contributed one kickoff return for 23 yards and a punt return for 14 for the Falcons, who got 378 yards and four touchdown passes from Matt Ryan.D
His Wildcat legacy includes 178 receptions, 2,533 receiving yards, a combined 24 touchdowns, a four-touchdown game against Savannah State in his 2003 debut, and a game-winning touchdown against Florida A&M in the 2006 Florida Classic.
Rookie #30 Deji Olatoye, a 25-year old 6-1/200 cornerback and former Aggie from North Carolina A&T State University will also be making the trip as a Falcons active roster player. Olatoye was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens.
Super Bowl LI is slated for February 5th in Houston.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Weems joins Larry Little (Super Bowls VI, VIII and VIII), Maulty Moore (Super Bowl VII) and Nick Collins (Super Bowl XLV) as Wildcats who have played for an NFL championship. Little and Moore played the Miami Dolphins' undefeated team of 1972 that defeated the Washington Redskins, and Little went on to win his second Super Bowl the following year when the Dolphins repeated with a win over the Minnesota Vikings.Collins had an interception return for a touchdown in the Green Bay Packers' 31-25 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011.
Weems, the former Seabreeze Sandcrab and Wildcat star in his 10th NFL season is averaging 23 yards per kickoff return and 11.4 yards per punt return, including a 73-yarder against Oakland earlier in the season.
On Sunday, he contributed one kickoff return for 23 yards and a punt return for 14 for the Falcons, who got 378 yards and four touchdown passes from Matt Ryan.D
His Wildcat legacy includes 178 receptions, 2,533 receiving yards, a combined 24 touchdowns, a four-touchdown game against Savannah State in his 2003 debut, and a game-winning touchdown against Florida A&M in the 2006 Florida Classic.
Rookie #30 Deji Olatoye, a 25-year old 6-1/200 cornerback and former Aggie from North Carolina A&T State University will also be making the trip as a Falcons active roster player. Olatoye was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens.
Super Bowl LI is slated for February 5th in Houston.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
Dwyer High School LB Emmanuel Yisrael and OL Antawn Lewis opts for Florida A&M Rattlers
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida -- Palm Beach County William T. Dwyer High School linebacker Emmanuel Yisrael announced his commitment to Florida A&M University Rattlers on Sunday. Yisrael announced his intentions via Twitter.Yisrael, who helped carry Dwyer to the District 13-7A championship and a berth in the regional semifinals, is No. 41-ranked player on the Palm Beach Post’s Class of 2017 Big Board. Joining Yisrael to the Rattlers signing party is No. 28-ranked offensive lineman Antawn Lewis, who stated on this Twitter account:
"I would like to thank all the coaches that recruited me and gave me the opportunity to play at their school. With that being said I've talked it over with my mom and I would like to say that I have verbally committed to Florida A&M University."
FLORIDA A&M 2017 PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMITMENTS:
28. Antawn Lewis, OL, Dwyer, 6-5, 305 (Hudl Highlight Video)
Committed to Florida A&M
41. Emmanuel Yisrael, LB, Dwyer, 5-11, 200 (Hudl Highlight Video)
Committed to Florida A&M.
2017 PALM BEACH COUNTY FLORIDA A&M OFFERINGS:
32. Levon Barnett, DB, Dwyer 5-11, 175 (Hudl Highlight Video)
Offers include FAMU, Southern Miss, Toledo
34. Antoine Jerome, WR, Boynton Beach, 6-0, 190 (Hudl Highlight Video), Offers include Eastern Michigan and Florida A&M
39. Jordan Moseley, WR, Dwyer, 5-10, 170 (Hudl Highlight Video)
Offers from Florida A&M and Stetson
45. Rodrick Martin, LB, 5-10, Glades Central, 205 (Hudl Highlight Video). Offers include Florida A&M and Kentucky Christian
46. Jaquell Parrish, LB, Atlantic 6-1, 200 (Hudl Highlight Video)
Offer from Florida A&M
55. Tyler Freeman, WR, Palm Beach Central, 6-2, 190 (Hudl Highlight Video). Offer from Florida A&M.
THE PALM BEACH POST CLASS OF 2017 BIG BOARD
Blessed to be apart of the rattler family I have verbally committed to famu #strike17 #gorattlers. Photo: FAMU Head Coach Alex Wood and Recruit Emmanuel Yisrael.
Antawn Lewis
Going to make a statement!! #Gorattlers #Strike17
Gold Nuggets pull away late to defeat Edward Waters
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana pulled away in the fourth quarter Saturday to earn a 59-46 women's basketball victory against Edward Waters.
The Gold Nuggets (12-6, 3-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have won six straight and nine of their last 10 games.
XULA gained six turnovers during a 13-1 surge that extended its lead from 40-38 to 53-39 with 3:37 remaining. The Lady Tigers (15-5, 3-2) never got closer than nine points thereafter.
Jayla Nichols, a midterm transfer who played her first game with the Gold Nuggets Monday, led XULA in scoring for the second consecutive game. Nichols had 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Her seven offensive rebounds are the most in a game by a XULA player this season.
Gina Smith scored nine points for XULA, Ireyon Keith had eight points and three steals, and Maya Trench produced seven points, five assists, five steals and one turnover in a team-best 34 minutes.
Bianca Thornton had 12 points and six rebounds for Edward Waters, and Jermisha Collins scored nine. Thornton, who entered the game No. 3 in the NAIA in 3-pointers made per game, was 1-of-6 from behind the arc.
XULA led 27-21 at halftime. A Mikayla Bates basket at 6:33 of the third quarter put the Gold Nuggets ahead to stay, 29-28.
Edward Waters outshot XULA 41.5 to 30.6 percent from the floor, but the Gold Nuggets were plus-14 in turnovers and plus-7 in rebounds. XULA made 19-of-26 to free throws to the Lady Tigers' 11-of-19. Edward Waters committed 30 turnovers, its most in a game since November 2014.
XULA will travel to Little Rock, Ark., to play GCAC opponent Philander Smith at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Then the Gold Nuggets will return home to face Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at 3 p.m. Saturday at XULA's Convocation Center.
BOX SCORE
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold
Freshman guards provide spark in 4th straight Rush win
NEW ORLEANS — Freshman guards Mike Williams and Donovan Armstrong keyed a second-half rally Saturday that lifted Xavier University of Louisiana to a 72-69 men's basketball victory against Edward Waters.The Gold Rush (7-11, 3-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) have a season-best four-game win streak.
Williams scored all his points midway through the second half — 3-pointers on consecutive possessions that erased an Edward Waters lead. Williams' second trey, at 10:43, put XULA ahead to stay at 53-51.
Armstrong scored a game- and career-best 19 points, 14 in the second half. Armstrong had five assists and one turnover in 32 minutes.
Innocent Kukulu scored 11 points and made three 3-pointers for XULA, and Leland Alexander grabbed a career-high-tying 11 rebounds. Elex Carter blocked four shots to match his career best.
Keith Williams scored 18 points and made three 3-pointers for the Tigers (9-11, 3-2), and Josiah Crawford scored 10. Brandon Miller of Edward Waters missed a 3-pointer on the game's final possession.
XULA led 37-35 at halftime. The Gold Rush finished at a season-low 35.8 percent from the floor but limited Edward Waters to 34.6 percent. The loss was the Tigers' first in four games.
XULA will travel to Little Rock, Ark., to play GCAC opponent Philander Smith at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Then the Gold Rush will return home to face NAIA No. 14 Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at 5 p.m. Saturday at XULA's Convocation Center. XULA and Dillard are the only unbeaten teams in GCAC games.
BOX SCORE
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)