Sunday, September 24, 2017
Southern plagued by missed tackles in loss to Alcorn State. 'That's what cost us the game'
LORMAN, Mississippi -- Immediately after a 48-31 loss to Alcorn State, senior cornerback Danny Johnson had a pretty clear idea of what went wrong defensively.
“We missed a lot of tackles,” said senior cornerback Danny Johnson. “… I just feel like we’ve got to focus in more on that in practice, everybody’s got to take tackling seriously because that’s what cost us the game.”
It’s not a statistic that is officially tracked, but Southern clearly had difficulty wrangling the Braves, specifically running backs De’Lance Turner and P.J. Simmons, who combined to gash the Jaguars for 332 yards and four scores rushing.
Coach Dawson Odums wasn’t as quick to lay the blame on missed tackles after the game, but he vowed a solution would be on the horizon.
“I’ve got to look at the film and see what’s happening, I couldn’t see it from our sideline,” Odums said. “But we’re going to make some adjustments. We’re going to fix this run defense.”
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Alcorn State runs away from Southern in the second half, hands Jaguars 48-31 loss
LORMAN, Mississippi — Southern was looking for a desperation stop, and it found a dagger.
Trailing by 10 with two minutes to go, Alcorn State running back De’Lance Turner sprinted through a hole in the Southern defense on third and 3 and iced the game with a 49-yard touchdown run.
That 10-point lead swelled to 17 and Southern was out of timeouts and chances — and the Jaguars had plenty of chances in a 48-31 loss, their sixth in their last seven tries against the Braves.
The failure to stop Turner on that last defensive play was only the latest missed chance.
“About like what happened during the game,” said Southern coach Dawson Odums. “We missed opportunities.
“We’re going to make some adjustments. We’re going to fix this run defense.”
Alcorn State (2-2, 1-0) took control of the game in the second and third quarters, scoring 31 unanswered points on the strength of a rushing attack that gouged Southern (1-3, 0-1) for 383 yards.
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Florida A&M Rattlers Escape Savannah With 20-14 Win
SAVANNAH, Georgia -- A stirring defensive stand in the shadow of their end zone lifted the FAMU Football team past a determined Savannah State squad, 20-14 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams Saturday evening at Ted A. Wright Stadium.
The win for visiting FAMU (2-2, 1-0 MEAC) was their first win in a conference opener since 2012, while Savannah State (0-3, 0-1 MEAC) dropped their third straight in heartbreaking fashion within sight of the goal line.
Saturday's contest was hard-fought from start to finish, as the winless Tigers refused to relent for 60 minutes, drawing the game down to the final seconds.
Thankfully for FAMU, the Savannah State run game was neutralized as the Tigers had no time outs with 13 seconds left, and was forced to pass.
FIRST HALF
Both teams opened the game exchanging interceptions, with FAMU's Elijah Richardson picking off a Savannah State aerial, only to have Ryan Stanley toss an interception two plays later.
The Tigers converted the miscue into a 7-0 lead, on D'Vonn Gibbons' five-yard run, which capped an eight-play, 43 yard drive with 6:10 left.
FAMU answered with a 75-yard drive in seven played, capped by Stanley's 38-yard strike to freshman Chad Hunter for the tying score with 1:57 left in the quarter, following Khalil Clark's PAT kick.
The Rattlers dodged a bullet early in the second period, when a high snap on a punt try set the Tigers up on the FAMU 31-yard line. But the FAMU Defense stiffened, forcing the Tigers to punt from midfield.
Stanley then directed a 75-yard march, ending with a 15-yard strike to Chad Hunter for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead with 9:11 left in the half.
FAMU's Defense stepped up the heat in the period, recording a pair of sacks, while limiting the Tigers to just 26 yards of offense on 10 plays.
RB Devin Bowers rushed for 68 yards on 14 carries in the opening half, while Stanley was an efficient eight of 11 passing, for 113 yards and two TDs.
PHOTO GALLERY
SECOND HALF
FAMU opened the secon half with the ball, moving to the SSU 40 before their drive stalled. Punter Chris Faddoul pinned the Tigers on their own 10-yard line.
The Tigers managed five yards before having the punt back to FAMU, which started their next drive from their own 34 yard line, two solid defensive plays led to the Rattler drive stalling, leading to a Faddoul punt.
Starting from thir own 31, the Tigers offense were able managed eight yards before punting back to FAMU, which struggle to mount a ground attack against the Tigers defense. Stanley's third down pass for 25 yards to Chaviss Murphy was just enough for a first down at the FAMU 47.
However a holding penalty and an incomplete pass, stalled the Rattlrs scoring bid, forcing a punt which landed at the Tiger two-yard line.
The Tigers drove 99 yards in 12 plays, capped by D'Vonn Gibbons' 41-yard sprint around right end for a 14-13 count with 11:57 lft in the fourth quarter. After three tries, Giovanni Lugo booted the PAT to tie the count at 14-14.
FAMU responded with a 12-play, 91-yard drive, capped by Tevin Spells, who punched it in from seven yards with 6:11 left. But Khalil Clark's PAT kick was wide left, leaving the Rattlers clinging to a 20-14 edge.
On the ensuing possession, Savannah drove to the FAMU 41, where the two squad exchanged five yard penalties, driving into the red zone with under 40 seconds left.
SSU ran a pair of running plays, with QB Gibbons recovering his own fumble at the FAMU four, then after an exchnge of timeouts, two Savannah State passes were batted away on third and fourth down.
FAMU took possession and ran a kneel down play to end the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: FAMU edged SSU in total yards, 335-304, but the Tigers doubled up the Rattlers on the ground, 242-121....Devin Bowers had a season high 115 yards on 21 csrries, while Ryan Stanley finished 17 of 25 for 214 ysrds and two TD tosses... Freshman Chad Hunter led the Rattlers with six catches for 96 yards and two TDs, while senior Chaviss Murphy has six grabs for 74 yards, making a trio of clutch third down conversion grabs.... Jakaris Wilson led the FAMU defense with 12 tackles, a sack and tackle for loss, while Terry Jefferson added nine tackles and a tackle for loss.
PRE-GAME NOTES
@ T.A. Wright Stadium, the site of this evening's game, was named in honor of the late SSU football coach and athletic director, Theodore "Ted" Wright, who served in the same role at FAMU from 1930 to 1932. It was completed in 1969.
@ FAMU came into the game looking for its first conference opening win since September 2012, when they bested Hampton University, 44-20 in Tallahassee.
@ Contrary to earlier reports, Savannah State will not be exiting Division One before the 2019-20 school year, meaning the Tigers will have two years remaining before a possible drop down.
@ Savannah State starting QB T.J. Bell was injured in last week's game against Montana, and he was expected to be a game time decision, but he was listed as doubtful with a lower leg injury.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers will play their first home game since their August 26 opener against Texas Southern. next Thursday against defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central (2-1, 1-0 MEAC) in a nationally-televised bout on ESPNU, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
The win for visiting FAMU (2-2, 1-0 MEAC) was their first win in a conference opener since 2012, while Savannah State (0-3, 0-1 MEAC) dropped their third straight in heartbreaking fashion within sight of the goal line.
Saturday's contest was hard-fought from start to finish, as the winless Tigers refused to relent for 60 minutes, drawing the game down to the final seconds.
Thankfully for FAMU, the Savannah State run game was neutralized as the Tigers had no time outs with 13 seconds left, and was forced to pass.
FIRST HALF
Both teams opened the game exchanging interceptions, with FAMU's Elijah Richardson picking off a Savannah State aerial, only to have Ryan Stanley toss an interception two plays later.
The Tigers converted the miscue into a 7-0 lead, on D'Vonn Gibbons' five-yard run, which capped an eight-play, 43 yard drive with 6:10 left.
FAMU answered with a 75-yard drive in seven played, capped by Stanley's 38-yard strike to freshman Chad Hunter for the tying score with 1:57 left in the quarter, following Khalil Clark's PAT kick.
The Rattlers dodged a bullet early in the second period, when a high snap on a punt try set the Tigers up on the FAMU 31-yard line. But the FAMU Defense stiffened, forcing the Tigers to punt from midfield.
Stanley then directed a 75-yard march, ending with a 15-yard strike to Chad Hunter for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead with 9:11 left in the half.
FAMU's Defense stepped up the heat in the period, recording a pair of sacks, while limiting the Tigers to just 26 yards of offense on 10 plays.
RB Devin Bowers rushed for 68 yards on 14 carries in the opening half, while Stanley was an efficient eight of 11 passing, for 113 yards and two TDs.
PHOTO GALLERY
SECOND HALF
FAMU opened the secon half with the ball, moving to the SSU 40 before their drive stalled. Punter Chris Faddoul pinned the Tigers on their own 10-yard line.
The Tigers managed five yards before having the punt back to FAMU, which started their next drive from their own 34 yard line, two solid defensive plays led to the Rattler drive stalling, leading to a Faddoul punt.
Starting from thir own 31, the Tigers offense were able managed eight yards before punting back to FAMU, which struggle to mount a ground attack against the Tigers defense. Stanley's third down pass for 25 yards to Chaviss Murphy was just enough for a first down at the FAMU 47.
However a holding penalty and an incomplete pass, stalled the Rattlrs scoring bid, forcing a punt which landed at the Tiger two-yard line.
The Tigers drove 99 yards in 12 plays, capped by D'Vonn Gibbons' 41-yard sprint around right end for a 14-13 count with 11:57 lft in the fourth quarter. After three tries, Giovanni Lugo booted the PAT to tie the count at 14-14.
FAMU responded with a 12-play, 91-yard drive, capped by Tevin Spells, who punched it in from seven yards with 6:11 left. But Khalil Clark's PAT kick was wide left, leaving the Rattlers clinging to a 20-14 edge.
On the ensuing possession, Savannah drove to the FAMU 41, where the two squad exchanged five yard penalties, driving into the red zone with under 40 seconds left.
SSU ran a pair of running plays, with QB Gibbons recovering his own fumble at the FAMU four, then after an exchnge of timeouts, two Savannah State passes were batted away on third and fourth down.
FAMU took possession and ran a kneel down play to end the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS: FAMU edged SSU in total yards, 335-304, but the Tigers doubled up the Rattlers on the ground, 242-121....Devin Bowers had a season high 115 yards on 21 csrries, while Ryan Stanley finished 17 of 25 for 214 ysrds and two TD tosses... Freshman Chad Hunter led the Rattlers with six catches for 96 yards and two TDs, while senior Chaviss Murphy has six grabs for 74 yards, making a trio of clutch third down conversion grabs.... Jakaris Wilson led the FAMU defense with 12 tackles, a sack and tackle for loss, while Terry Jefferson added nine tackles and a tackle for loss.
PRE-GAME NOTES
@ T.A. Wright Stadium, the site of this evening's game, was named in honor of the late SSU football coach and athletic director, Theodore "Ted" Wright, who served in the same role at FAMU from 1930 to 1932. It was completed in 1969.
@ FAMU came into the game looking for its first conference opening win since September 2012, when they bested Hampton University, 44-20 in Tallahassee.
@ Contrary to earlier reports, Savannah State will not be exiting Division One before the 2019-20 school year, meaning the Tigers will have two years remaining before a possible drop down.
@ Savannah State starting QB T.J. Bell was injured in last week's game against Montana, and he was expected to be a game time decision, but he was listed as doubtful with a lower leg injury.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers will play their first home game since their August 26 opener against Texas Southern. next Thursday against defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central (2-1, 1-0 MEAC) in a nationally-televised bout on ESPNU, kicking off at 7:30 p.m.
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Kentucky State Downs Central State University 34-22 in Circle City Classic
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — Kentucky State University football extended its win streak to 10-games over rival Central State University 34-22 in the 34th annual Circle City Classic at Lucas Oil Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Thorobreds (2-2, 1-0) opened their conference schedule with a win for the second time in three years, the previous being in 2015 against CSU. The Marauders (0-4, 0-3) continue to struggle as they've lost their first three games against SIAC opponents.
KSU struck first and never trailed throughout the contest. Junior kicker Turner Warren connected on two first-quarter field goals from 29 yards and 26 yards to put KSU up 6-0.
As the Thorobreds' defense kept the Marauders docked, the offense capitalized on mistakes, beginning with a second-half touchdown from junior quarterback Paul Campbell to sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Powell for a six-yard score. The 13-0 advantage didn't last long as CSU answered with an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, pulling back within six.
KSU responded to the special teams score with a 13 play, 62-yard drive, ending with fake field goal touchdown. As Warren lined up for a 28-yard field goal attempt, he broke to his left after the snap, as junior wide receiver Cort Groathouse flipped the ball to Warren. The Louisville, Kentucky native eluded a tackler for his first career rushing touchdown putting KSU up 20-7.
CSU connected for a 32-yard field goal try, bringing the score within 10, going into the locker at halftime, 20-10.
BOX SCORE
Sophomore running back Brett Sylve, the reigning SIAC Newcomer of the week, started off the third quarter with a four-yard touchdown run following a seven play, 65-yard drive, putting back KSU on top 27-10.
The Marauders fought to bring the game back within reach with a score following the Sylve touchdown, at 27-16, but it was an error by CSU in the fourth quarter, sealing the deal for the Thorobreds.
As CSU searched for a spark, KSU brought pressure causing a bad snap into the Marauders' end zone at the 6:31 mark of the final frame. Senior defensive lineman Donovan Cecil fell on the ball for his first career touchdown. KSU allowed another CSU touchdown in the closing minutes of the quarter, finishing off the Marauders with the victory formation in the last two minutes.
Sylve finished his day with a career-high 158 rushing yards, 40 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Campbell also cashed in a career day with 244 passing yards, on 26-of-39 through the air, and a touchdown.
KSU will look to continue its winning ways on the road at Morehouse College on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 4 pm ET.
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
Benedict Tigers Fall To Fort Valley State In Double Overtime, 31-28
FORT VALLEY, Georgia – The Benedict College Tigers rallied from a 21-0 halftime deficit to tie Fort Valley State University, only to fall to the Wildcats 31-28 in double overtime on Saturday at Wildcat Stadium.The loss dropped Benedict to 2-2 on the season and 0-1 in the SIAC. Both of Benedict's losses have been in overtime on the road. Fort Valley State, the defending SIAC champions, moves to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in the SIAC.
After both teams scored a touchdown in the first overtime, the Wildcats went on offense first in the second overtime. The Benedict defense held FVSU to a 33-yard field goal by Juan Serna for a 31-28 lead. Benedict took over on offense from the 25-yard line and got a 7-yard run by Deville McClendon on first down, but quarterback Dominique Harris fumbled on second down and the Wildcats recovered to end the game.
"It's a tough way to go out, with a turnover at the end," Benedict head coach Mike White said. "We fought hard to get back in the game. It just wasn't that one play. There were a lot of plays we didn't make today. I just like the way the guys hung in there and fought it out."
Benedict struggled against Fort Valley State's passing game in the first half as Wildcat quarterback Slade Jarman threw for 245 yards on 11-of-15 passing and three touchdowns in the first half. He went 22-of-34 for 358 yards for the game, with four touchdowns and one interception. His first touchdown pass went for 53 yards, then came back with a 45-yard scoring pass when the two Benedict defenders collided with each other and fell, allowing Jeremy Glinton to run into the end zone untouched. Glinton is a former Benedict wide receiver, who caught 20 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns for the Tigers in 2014. The Wildcats added another 22-yard touchdown pass by Jarman to Tajee Steele with 37 seconds left in the half. That drive was set up by a Benedict fumble.
"It was just poor coverage," White said. "The coverage we called wasn't bad, we just didn't execute it."
Benedict took the second half kickoff and drove 82 yards on just five plays. Trini Charlton put the Tigers on the scoreboard with a 49-yard run. Charlton finished with 89 yards on 10 carries.
An Edward Kirkland interception at the start of the fourth quarter gave Benedict the ball at their own 40-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-six, Harris completed a 10-yard pass to Okechi Ntiasagwe for the key first down at the Fort Valley 13-yard line. Facing another fourth down, Harris threw a 6-yard pass to Myquerris McGrier to cut the lead to 21-14 with 9:58 remaining.
The Benedict defense held on the next series and the Tigers took over near midfield. A 12-yard run by Charlton and subsequent 15-yard personal foul penalty by the Wildcats gave Benedict the ball at the 26. On second down from the 4-yard line, Harris ran the ball in on a quarterback keeper. Tory Mimbs added the extra point to tie the contest at 21 with 5:17 on the clock.
Neither team made a scoring threat over the final five minutes sending the contest into overtime, with Benedict coming up with a big defensive stop on fourth down when Dontavis Hunt broke up a pass.
Fort Valley won the first coin toss and elected to go on defense. The Tigers got a 10-yard run by McClendon and a 15-yard scoring run by Harris for their first lead of the game, 28-21. The Wildcats tied the game when Jarman threw a 9-yard pass to Loren Smothers on third down.
PHOTO GALLERY
In the second overtime, Fort Valley moved as far as the 16-yard line, where Serna booted the 33-yard field goal which proved to be the difference in the game.
Reubyn Walker led the Benedict defense with 13 tackles. The Tigers notched four sacks and had 14 tackles for loss.
"They fought and worked hard and didn't give up in the second half," White said. "We've got to shake it off and see if we can get back up for next week. That's the key, how fast we can get over this."
Benedict returns home next week to take on Central State. Kickoff is 6 p.m. in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
BOX SCORE
BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
Friday, September 22, 2017
HBCU Football Judgment Day Schedule - Week 4
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2017
OVC
Tennessee State at UT Martin, 5 PM, ESPN3
SWAC
Grambling State at Mississippi Valley State, 7 PM
Texas Southern at Alabama A&M, 7 PM
Southern at Alcorn State, 7 PM
Arkansas Pine Bluff at Jackson State, 7 PM
Prairie View A&M at Alabama State, 8 PM
MEAC
North Carolina Central 33. South Carolina State 28, (9/21/17)
Bethune-Cookman at Howard, 1 PM
Monmouth at Hampton, 2 PM
Norfolk State at Delaware State, 2 PM
Florida A&M at Savannah State, 6 PM
North Carolina A&T at Morgan State, 7 PM
SIAC
Tuskegee at Findley (OH), 1 PM
Albany State at West Georgia, 2 PM
Benedict at Fort Valley State, 2 PM
Clark Atlanta at Lane, 2 PM
Central State (OH) vs. Kentucky State, Circle City Classic, Indianapolis, IN, 3 PM
Saint Augustine's at Lincoln (PA), 5 PM
Morehouse at Miles, 6 PM
OTHER CONF.
West Virginia State at Shepherd (WV), 12 Noon
Faith at Virginia-Lynchburg, 12 Noon
Cheyney at Bloomsburg, 2 PM
Bacone at Langston, 3 PM
Truman State at Lincoln (MO), 3 PM
Texas College at Wayland Baptist, 3 PM
Cumberlands at Edward Waters, 4:30 PM
CIAA
Fort Valley State at Virginia Union, 1 PM
Johnson C. Smith at Elizabeth City State, 1 PM
Shaw at Bowie State, 6 PM
Winston-Salem State at Virginia State, 6 PM
Livingstone at Chowan, 6 PM
ALL GAMES SHOWN IN EASTERN TIME ZONE
Fourth-Quarter Rally Lifts NCCU Football Over SC State
A swarming NCCU defense registered 12 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including three sacks, while holding the Bulldogs to only 80 yards of total offense in the second half. Junior safety Alden McClellon paced the Eagles with 3.0 stops for a loss with a sack and eight total takedowns. Senior linebacker Reggie Hunter collected a team-best nine tackles with 2.5 hits for a loss and a pass break-up, while fellow linebacker Kenneth O'Neal added eight tackles with 2.0 stops for a loss.
The NCCU defense even contributed in the scoring column, as junior safety Davanta Reynolds halted a S.C. State drive when he returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown.
Offensively, NCCU (2-1, 1-0 MEAC) was led by freshman quarterback Chauncey Caldwell with a game-high 91 yards rushing and two passing touchdowns. Caldwell's first pass attempt of the night found senior wide receiver Jordan Fieulleteau in the end zone for a 27-yard score. The Durham, North Carolina native capped the evening with the game-winning 38-yard pass to junior tight end Josh McCoy with 5:24 left in the contest.
Caldwell's heroics may not have been possible if not for sophomore quarterback Naiil Ramadan, who entered the game during a critical drive in the fourth quarter when Caldwell was temporarily sidelined. Ramadan scrambled to his right and fired a strike to senior receiver Jacen Murphy for a 20-yard touchdown.
And while Ramadan proved he's a clutch performer, the right foot of junior kicker Aedan Johnson also proved worthy of the tag. Johnson nailed field goals of 35 and 41 yards to keep the Eagles close in the third quarter, and he converted all three extra-point kicks.
S.C. State (1-2, 0-1 MEAC) was charged by sophomore quarterback Dewann Ford with 223 yards and two touchdowns through the air and a team-high 29 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Linebacker Darius Leonard, the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, amassed a game-best 12 tackles for the Bulldogs.
The Eagles have now won 16 consecutive conference games and 10 straight at home.
After opening the season with three outings in Durham, NCCU will leave the Bull City for the first time next week to play Florida A&M in a second straight Thursday night ESPNU game on Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
BOX SCORE
NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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