Rush receiving votes again; next foe climbs to 21st

NEW ORLEANS — When the men's basketball teams of Xavier University of Louisiana and Dillard meet at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Crosstown Classic at XU's Convocation Center, it will include a role-reversal not seen in more than a decade.
   
For the second straight week, the Gold Rush are among "others receiving votes" in the NAIA Division I top 25 coaches poll, and the Bleu Devils are in the top 25. Xavier received six points and is tied for 33rd overall, and its longtime city and Gulf Coast Athletic Conference rival climbed from 24th to 21st.
    
Xavier's men haven't played a ranked Dillard team since Jan. 31, 2004, when the seventh-ranked Gold Rush won 84-79 at No. 18 Dillard. The Bleu Devils' second loss in three days knocked them out of the top 25, and they did not return to the rankings until last week.
    
Xavier, meanwhile, seeks a return to the top 25 after 55 consecutive appearances there. When Xavier was 21st in the Jan. 19 poll, it possessed the longest active top-25 streak in the division.
    
The Gold Rush are 16-8 after rallying late for a 59-50 GCAC victory Monday at SUNO. Dillard, 14-7 after an 82-65 Tuesday non-conference loss at Loyola, has as many victories this season as it did the previous three years combined.
    
Talladega, the leader in the GCAC by a half-game over Dillard, climbed from ninth to sixth nationally. Second-year program LSU-Alexandria received 5-of-10 first-place votes and climbed a notch to earn its first No. 1 ranking.

NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Jan. 31) Rank Team Record Points Last 1 LSU-Alexandria (5) 19-2 245 2 2 Georgetown (Ky.) (4) 19-2 243 5 3 Columbia (Mo.) 21-2 233 4 4 Pikeville (1) 19-2 230 1 5 Lewis-Clark State 20-2 220 3 6 Talladega 19-4 200 9 7 William Penn 18-4 199 6 8 Hope International 18-4 195 tie-7 9 Texas Wesleyan 17-4 192 12 10 Biola 20-3 182 11 11 Langston 16-4 169 13 12 Mid-America Christian 17-5 159 tie-7 13 Carroll (Mont.) 16-5 153 14 14 Freed-Hardeman 17-5 135 17 15 Park 14-5 134 16 16 Westmont 16-5 131 15 17 Peru State 14-7 124 21 18 William Carey 14-8 119 19 19 Campbellsville 18-6 101 18 20 MidAmerica Nazarene 16-6 95 23 21 Dillard 14-6 79 24 22 Arizona Christian 17-5 74 10 23 Our Lady of the Lake 12-6 70 22 24 William Jessup 15-6 60 RV 25 Oklahoma City 10-6 53 RV        Dropped from rankings:  No. 20 Southwestern Assemblies of God, No. 25 (tie) Montana Western, No. 25 (tie) William Woods        Others receiving votes:  Montana Western 40, Voorhees 33, Cumberlands 29, William Woods 26, Middle Georgia 24, Avila 11, Bethel (Tenn.) 9, Science & Arts 6, Xavier 6 Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold

Another Fine Recruiting Class for the Morgan Bears

BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Coach Lee Hull and the Morgan State Bears had another outstanding national letter of intent signing day with a class that includes 15 new student-athletes.

The class includes 10 players on offense, four on defense and one specialist. Nine of the new Bears are from the state of Maryland (including Washington, D.C.), with two from Pennsylvania, and two from Georgia. Others are from Michigan and California.

The Bears class includes five on the offensive line, including Eligah Hunter a standout prospect from Friendship Collegiate Academy, who was the final prospect to officially sign with the Bears.

"Offensive line was our biggest need heading into the offseason," said Hull. "Our class of O-lineman is one of the best in the Football Championship Subdivision."

The Bears also landed a pair of outstanding running backs in Josh Chase and Dante Butler. MSU also filled needs at quarterback, receiver and tight end.

"We signed two of the top four running backs in the state of Maryland."

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears signed two linebackers, a pair of defensive backs and added a placekicker on special teams.

"Nine of our 15 recruits were from in-state," Hull said. "My goal was to have 70 percent of our players come from the DMV area and this class reflects the philosophy of our program. We've established a clear identity in recruiting, and finding in-state talent is a priority."

2016 Morgan State Recruiting Class
 

Name	Pos.	Ht.	Wt.	Hometown	High School/Last School
Mikal Cherry	OL	6-5	297	Philadelphia, Pa.	Delaware Valley Charter HS
Bruce Trigg	OL	6-4	285	Snellville, Ga.	South Gwinnett HS
Malcolm Harley	DB	6-1	175	Forestville, Md.	Bishop McNamara HS
Ian McBorrough	LB	6-2	195	Baltimore, Md.	Eastern Tech HS
Josh Chase	RB	6-0	205	Severn, Md.	Archbishop Spalding HS
Deandre Harris	QB	6-4	195	Washington, Ga.	Washington-Wilkes HS
Quez Bradley	DB	6-1	190	Columbia, Md.	Wilde Lake HS
Ostell Martin	OL	6-5	330	Detroit, Mich.	Cass Tech HS
Alex Raya	K	5-11	175	San Bernadino, Calif.	San Bernadino Valley College
Rashon Lusane	LB	6-1	190	Malvern, Pa.	Malvern Prep
Dante Butler	RB	6-0	210	Frederick, Md.	Linganore HS
Manassah Bailey	WR	6-1	175	District Heights, Md.	Suitland HS
Eligah Hunter	OL	6-4	350	Washington, D.C.	Friendship Collegiate Academy
Kojo Dingle	OL	6-2	290	Olney, Md.	Our Lady of Good Counsel HS
Idahota Akojie	TE	6-4	215	Upper Marlboro, Md.	Wise HS

Mikal Cherry – OL | 6'5 | 297 | Philadelphia, Pa. | Watch
Cherry is a 6'5, 297-pounder who was had a standout prep career as a lineman at Delaware Valley Charter HS.  He helped lead the Warriors to a 2A Public League Championship and was selected to the All-Public First Team and All-City Second team. He was also selected to the All-Southeastern Pennsylvania Second Team.  He is a tough, rugged player who had excellent coaching during his prep career.

Josh Chase – RB | 6'0 | 205 | Severn, Md. | Watch
Chase is a 6'0, 205-pound running back from Archbishop Spalding HS in Severn, Maryland. He completed his prep career by rushing for 2,468 yards and 31 touchdowns. He rushed for an average of 126.6 yards per game. He also recorded 31 receptions for 403 yards and had 369 kickoff return yards with 3 TDs.

Deandre Harris – QB | 6'4 | 205 | Washington, Ga. | Watch
Harris is a 6'4, 205-pounder was a standout at Washington-Wilkes HS where he helped lead the He threw for over 3,500 yards and tossed 63 career touchdowns. He also ran for 1,800 yards and 28 TDs. Harris is a dual-threat quarterback with good fundamentals and has a high football I.Q.

Rashon Lusane – LB | 6'1 | 190 | Malvern, Pa. | Watch
The 6'1, 190-pounder had an outstanding prep career at Malvern HS where he was an All-Inter Academic League First Team selection as a senior. He was a Second Team All-League selection as a junior, and was honored to the First Team as a sophomore. He also played in the USA vs. Canada Bowl game. He's versatile player, who has a high football I.Q. and will strengthen the Bears at OLB or Safety and on special teams.

COURTESY MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Florida A&M Announces 2016 Football Signing Class

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Head Coach Alex Wood and his coaching staff were full of excitement, as all college coaches were on National Signing Day.  Coming off his first season, where he didn’t have the opportunity to recruit, the excitement was evident in the conference room at the Galimore-Powell Field House.

In this class, (three) potential turning point signees include Cameron Mackey and Josh Crutchfield.  Mackey out of North Marion High School, was heavily recruited by FCS schools including Youngstown State.  Crutchfield, out of Lake Worth High School, was also a highly sought after recruit who was recruited heavily by Division-I schools, is an ideal sized playmaker.  Wood, at the conclusion of last season, stressed the importance of loading the team with playmakers…and these two certainly fit the bill.

Mackey, was a first team All-State, All-Marion County and All-American.  He amassed 2,726 career rushing yards.  The versatile athlete scored nine career kickoff touchdowns.  He started off the Offense Defense All-American game with a kickoff return for a touchdown.

 Crutchfield, who was a team captain at Park Vista HS, was an All-Palm Beach County and All-District selection.  He was selected to play in the Outback All-Star game.  Crutchfield, who is 6’2” - 220 lbs., is the ideal sized defender who gives the Rattlers a much-needed force at linebacker, countering the graduation of starting linebackers Akil Blount and Kashawn Butler.

 The Rattlers open their 2016 campaign in Miami Gardens, Fl., against the Hurricanes of Miami at Sun Life Stadium on Sept.

Wood’s goal was to recruit at least one athlete at every position.  Here is the full list of athletes FAMU signed this year:

Today’s signees:

Cole Villeneuve (6’7” - 290 lbs) TE/OT…Northeast HS (St. Petersburg, Fla.)…All-County, All-Conference…Received award for 4.0 semester…10 Rec, 150 yards, 3TDS, 3 sacks…National Honor Society

Zach Saffold (6’4” - 300 lbs) OL…Mosely HS (Lynn Haven, FL)…1st team All-State…All-District Academic team…All-County

Tyler Teegan (6’4” - 290 lbs) OL…Wakulla HS (Crawfordville, FL)…1st team All-District…1st team All-State…1st team All-Big Bend

Cameron Mackey (5’10” - 180 lbs) RB…North Marion HS (Citra, FL)…1st team All-Marion County…1st team All-State…1st team All-American…2,726 career rushing yards…9 career kickoff returns for TD…Started off the Offense Defense All-American game with a kickoff return for touchdown.

Azenda Rey (5’10, 185) RB…Walton HS (Defuniak Springs, FL)…1st team All-District…3,811 career rushing yards…53 touchdowns…North West Florida Player of the Year…1st team All-State (4A)…All-Region Track in high jump at 6’6”…North West Florida Athlete of the Year (Basketball, Football, Track)…Team captain.

Kieran Goodrich (6’5” - 230 lbs) TE…Rockledge HS (Rockledge, FL)…Averaged 9 yards per catch…Played in Central Florida All-Star game…Highest ACT score in his class.

Tahj Tolbert (6’5”- 220 lbs) QB…Lanier HS (Sugar Hill, GA)…Led team to back-to-back undefeated seasons…Team captain…24-2 as a starter…Started at QB in the Gwinnett County All-Star game…All-Gwinnett County Honorable mention.

Andrew Davis (6’2” - 180 lbs) WR…Mount Dora HS (Mount Dora, FL)…1st team All-District…Team captain…38 receptions…538 yards…7 TDS…52 tackles…2 interceptions…1 forced fumble

Dock Luckie (6’1” - 175 lbs) WR…Gainesville HS (Gainesville, FL)…1st team All-Area…All-State honorable mention…53 catches, 720 yards, 10 TDS…Selected to Florida/Georgia All-Star game…Nike Open register Combine WR MVP…3 year starter - team captain.

Josh Crutchfield (6’2” - 220 lbs) DE…Park Vista HS (Lake Worth, FL)…All-Palm Beach County…Played in Outback All-Star game…1st team All-District…Led team in tackles for loss.

Vandrick Verdier (6’4” - 230 lbs) DE…Dr. Krop HS (Miami, FL)…13 sacks…15 tackles for loss…team captain…3rd team All-Dade County…Bright Future Scholar-Athlete.

Tarique Akbar (6’2” - 230 lbs)  DE…Lake Worth, HS (Lake Worth, FL)…All-Palm Beach County…Team Captain…Played in Plam beach County Suth All-Star Game.

Malique Akbar (6’2” - 230 lbs) DE…Lake Worth HS (Lake Worth, FL)…Lake Worth HS (Lake Worth, FL)…All-Palm Beach County…Team captain…Played in Outback All-Star game.

Javon Hunt (6’0” - 275 lbs) DT…Jackson HS (Miami, FL)…2nd team All-Dade County…Team captain…Played both offensive and defensive line…36 pancakes…8 sacks/12 TFLs

Desmond Carson (6’1” - 205 lbs) LB…North Marion HS (Citra, FL)…1st team All-Marion County…2nd leading tackler on team with 101 tackles…Played in Florida-Georgia All-Star Game…Team captain.

Obinna Nwankwo (6’3” - 280 Lbs) OL…Miramar HS (Miramar, FL)…2nd team All-State…3-Star Rivals Athlete…Ranked No.79 in the nation… Team captain…Broward County All-Academic team…1st team All-Froward County…53 pancakes…4.3 GPA/24 ACT.

Mack Green (6’2” - 200 lbs)  DB…Hapeville Charter (College Park, GA)…1st team All-Region QB…All-State honorable mention (Athlete)…Finished 3rd in passing int he state of Georgia…Team MVP…Team captain…4 interceptions..Set school records in both passing yards and interceptions.

Troy Hilton (6’3, 205 lbs) DB…Bayside HS (Palm Bay, FL)…Team MVP…Team captain…66 total tackles…5 INTS/2 pass break ups…Played in Treasure Coast…Space Coast All-Star game.

Elijah Vuckovich (5’11” - 190 lbs) SAF…North Marion HS (Citra, FL)…1st team All-American…Lead Marin County in tackles…1st team All-State..Player of the week in Marion County…Team captain.

Andrew Hines (6’0” - 190 lbs) SAF…Hallandale HS (Hallandale, FL)…2nd team All-Broward…3rd team All-State…67 tackles/4 INTs/13 PBU…Team captain.

Donovan Doud (5’11 - 180 lbs) Punter…Leon HS (Tallahassee, FL)…39-yard punt average…Long punt of 57 yards…50% fair catch rate…Rated 4-star by National Camp Series…Special teams MVP in 2014 and 2015…Awarded leon Pride Award.

Khalil Clark (5’11” - 170 lbs) K/P…1st team All-State punter…43 yard avg. on punts…Big Bend Special Teams Player of the Year…1st team All-Big Bend…6/6 on FG…30/30 PATS.

Mid-year Signees:

Lyndon Edwards (6’1” - 230 lbs) LB…ASA JC (Miami, FL)

Vincent Jeffries (6’2” - 191 lbs) QB…Santa Rosa JC (Garner, NC)

Chaviss Murphy (6’6” - 210 lbs) WR…ASA JC (Miami, FL

Elijah Richardson (6’1” - 215 lbs) LB…ASA JC (Port St. Lucie, FL)

Jakaris Wilson (6’3” - 220 lbs) LB…NM Military (Orlando, FL)

 Rashad Williams (6’5” - 290 lbs) OL…College of Dupage (Chicago, IL)

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Ink 28 to National Letters of Intent

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida Terry Sims, Bethune-Cookman Football announced the signing of 28 student-athletes on 2016 National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 3, inside the Signing Day Headquarters at the Michael & Libby Johnson Center for Civic Engagement on the campus of Bethune-Cookman University.
 – Under the direction of first-year head coach

With his first signing class being quick after it was announced he would be the head coach just six weeks prior to that 2015 class, Terry Sims and his staff had a year to get ready for his second signing class in 2016. The class was announced as one of the largest in recent memory for the Wildcats. Sims, the 2015 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year, joined his staff in setting to fill several needs for the future of the Maroon and Gold on the gridiron.

“I feel great about this year’s class,” expressed Sims. “It’s an overall aggressive, talented, fast class that will certainly help us moving forward in Daytona Beach. They should help in our attempts not only to win the MEAC, but earn a spot in the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta.”

The 2016 class saw Bethune-Cookman focus on the offensive line, receiving core and defensive backfield, respectfully. In total, the Wildcats signed nine defensive backs, seven offensive linemen and five receivers in the class of 28.

“I feel like every need that we wanted to address was filled in those particular positions,” added Sims. “The coaches did an excellent job evaluating and securing what we feel is an exciting and brilliant 2016 signing class.”

The state of Florida is known as a hot bed for talent in the high school ranks, and that certainly weighed heavily in Bethune-Cookman’s decision to stay “at home” when it comes to recruiting local talent. The 2016 class has a total of 22 players from the Sunshine State. That includes four players that signed consecutively within minutes of each other from highly-respected Raines High School in Jacksonville.

“Florida always has great talent, and we think that’s always an added bonus when we recruit and stay at home, if you will,” admitted Sims. “I think that’s what has allowed Bethune-Cookman to consistently be a league title contender for a number of years, stretching back to even the days in the SIAC, and now the MEAC for over three decades.”

When speaking of how the 2015 season aided in the efforts of this year’s signing class, his first at the helm in Daytona Beach, affected the incoming class, Sims was quick to respond highly of his student-athletes and coaching staff.

“I thought with it being our second class, and being able to show kids our philosophy and style after a year of coaching, that it added to the way were able to recruit and approach this year’s class,” said Sims. “And, obviously, winning a share of the league title and just missing out on an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs helps as well. I think this really adds to what we hope will be a great 2016 football season.”

2016 BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS
PLAYER	POS	HT	WT	HOMETOWN	TIME SIGNED	BIO	GIF
Jerry Beauchamp	OL	6-4	274	Naples, Fla.	7:07 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Steffon Francois	WR	5-11	165	Miramar, Fla.	7:16 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Antonio Collier	SS	6-1	175	Hollywood, Fla.	7:18 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Jaylen Funches	OL	6-5	310	Willoughby, Ohio	7:32 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Chris Adams	OL	6-4	300	Dayton, Ohio	7:44 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Kevin Richardson	OL	6-4	305	Seffner, Fla.	8:13 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Keldrick Cesar	OL	6-4	310	Miami, Fla.	8:37 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Jamal Savage	OL	6-6	320	Plant City, Fla.	8:52 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Tyrrell Washington	WR	6-3	205	Vero Beach, Fla.	9:23 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Trevor Merritt	CB	5-10	185	Melbourne, Fla.	9:24 a.m.	Bio	Gif
L'Dre Barnes	DB	6-3	290	St. Petersburg, Fla.	9:35 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Sam Marc	CB	6-0	170	Miami, Fla.	10:27 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Jamaal Burgess	DB	6-0	186	Miami, Fla.	10:35 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Daniel Palmer	LB	6-2	250	Hartford, Conn.	10:50 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Anthony Cruz	QB	6-5	210	Bronx, N.Y.	10:58 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Trevor Laurent	WR	5-10	165	Riverview, Fla.	11:16 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Jordan Rivers	WR	6-2	176	Jacksonville, Fla.	11:17 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Jacquan Holt	LB	6-4	197	Jacksonville, Fla.	11:18 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Dajuan Jackson	ATH	5-11	185	Jacksonville, Fla.	11:19 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Davonte Lawrence	SAF	6-0	190	Jacksonville, Fla.	11:20 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Simeon Brown	SAF	6-1	175	Deerfield Beach, Fla.	11:50 a.m.	Bio	Gif
Job Buissereth	OL	6-4	325	Brooklyn, N.Y.	12:06 p.m.	Bio	Gif
Marcus Levy	RB	5-11	215	Fort Pierce, Fla.	12:22 p.m.	Bio	Gif
Jabari Dunham	QB	6-3	211	Eustis, Fla.	1:09 p.m.	Bio	Gif
DeAndre Bozeman	CB	5-10	173	West Palm Beach, Fla.	1:29 p.m.	Bio	Gif
Isaiah Richard	SAF	6-3	175	Ocala, Fla.	2:19 p.m.	Bio	Gif
Julian Robinson	RB	5-11	205	Cross City, Fla.	2:35 p.m.	Bio	Gif
Michael Boland	TE	6-5	233	Dunmore, Pa.	3:35 p.m.	Bio	Gif

Follow Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/BCUGridIron) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/BCUathletics) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year, via the social media outlets or www.BCUathletics.com.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS

SWAC Football Signing Day 2016

Alabama A&M
Torron Murray - 6'2 - 190 - DB - Duluth, Ga.
Amari Holloway 6'2 - 175 - DB - Trussville, Ala. - @amari_holloway
Armoni Holloway - 6'2 - 185 - FS - Trussville, Ala. - @armoni_hollowayCourtland Walker

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Alabama State
 Christian Clark - 6'1, 320 - DT, Euclid, Ohio - @tdc79
Aaron Pope - 6'0, 180, DB - Cleveland, Ohio
Graham Palmer - 5'9 165 DB - Hoffman Estates, Ill. - @palmergrahamm
Joshua Hill 6'0, - 170, SS - Prichard, Ala.
Kobie Jones  - 6'2 180, QB - Ocala,  Fla. - @kobietoraw
Taliesin Farmer - 6'0, 200 - RB, Garfield Heights, Ohio
Ezekiel Smith - 6'0 - 185 - DB - Covington, Ga.
Kevin Nunn Jr. - 6'2 - 305 - Calera, Ala.
Darius King  - 6'0, 201, SS - Phenix City, Ala.
Randall Smith - Panama City, Fla.
Kha'Darrius Davis - Bessemer, Ala.
Ezra Gray - 5'9 - 170 - DB - Lynn Haven, Fla. - @e_gray21
Oshea Grant - 6'1 - 185 - DB - Sarasota, Fla.

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Mississippi Valley State
Anthony Brown - 6'4 - 278 OL - Aliceville, Ala.
Tracy Thompkins - 5'10 - 180 DB - Miami, Fla.
Chadwick Smith Jr. - 6'3 - 280 - OL - Baton Rouge, La.

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Alcorn State
Nickolos Madourie - 6'4 - 220 - DE - Sunrise, Fla. @hotboynick619Marcus Montemayor - 6'3 - 285 OL - Missouri,Texas @monteyyyyKwanzi Jackson - 6'3 240 -LB - Palmetto, Fla. @1k_kb11Darius Davis - 6'4 - 317 OL - Clinton, La.
Kevin Hall - 6-6 - OL - Prentiss, Miss.
Felix Harper - 6'0 - 170 - QB - Fairborn, Ga - @semi_famous7
Brelios Holis - 6'0 - 195 - LB - Monroe, La. - @brelionhollis
Corey McCullough - 5'11 - 175 - K - Louisville, Miss. - @cj_920
Darius Miller - 5'8 - 165 - RB - St. Petersburg, Fla.
Javen Morrison - 5-10 - 106 - WR - Missouri City, Texas - @yung_j6
Sidney Murray - 6'3 - 247 - DL - Richmond, Texas - @sm_5cinco
Quentin Patterson - 6'0 - 165 -WR - Corinth, Miss. - @quentintyriq
Jefferson Souza - 6'0 - 170 - K - Deerfield Beach, Fla. - @jeffswagg123
Mustaffa Ibrahim  - 6'2 - 292 - OL - Ridgeland, Miss.

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Jackson State
Ryan Theyard 6'2 - 172 - CB - New Orleans, La. @ryan_jorred
De'Ryan Wansley - 6'4 - 210 - WR- Decatur, Miss.
Keenan Young - 6'1 - 205 - WR - Belleville, Ill.
Joshua Miller 5'10 - 175 QB - Kokomo, Miss.
Kahlil Johnson - 6'4 - 224- DE/WR Jackson, Miss. @_guapokeelo
Devon McNeil 6"4-218- DE/LB - Jackson, Miss.
Eddie Maxon Jr.  - 6'4 - 290 OL - Batesville, Miss.
Darius Joseph - 6'3 - 285 - OL - Harvey, La.
Kobe Gates  - 6'3 -213 - WR - Walnut Grove, Miss.
Cedric Triplett - 6'2 - 225 - LB - Baton Rouge, La. @cedrictriplett
Charles Moffett - 6'8 - 277 - OL - Gulfport, Miss.
Kyree Bradford  - 6'7 - LB - Tupelo, Miss.
Deon Cole - 5'11 - 205 - LB - Gulfport, Miss.
Adarius Craft  - 6'3 - 215 - WR- Gulfport, Miss

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Grambling State
Da-Itekena Cheetham-West - 6'4 - 270 - DE - Kingwood, Texas
Clarence Comeaux - 6'4-262- DT - Beaumont, Texas - @bigcomeaux71
Danquarian Fields - 6'4- 180 - Arcadia, La. - @danfields_
Najee Gordon - 6'3 - 205 - LB - New Orleans, La. - @n_geeee7
Steven Grant ll - 5' 11 -175 - DB - Shreveport, La. @chrisgrant_5
Quintin Guice -  6'2- 175 - WR - Monroe, La. - @captainguice34
Geremy Hickbottom - 6'5 - 190 QB - Mobile, La.
DeAndre Hogues - 6'2 - 190 LB - Mobile, La.
Frederick Williams - 6'5 - 290 - OL - Columbus, Ga.
Lawrence Willis - 6'5 - 275 - TE - Leesville, La.
Carl Wilmer  - 6'4 - 340 - DT- Marksville, La.
Treylan Dunn - 6'2 - 210 - RB - Jackson, La. @aye_treyyy
Che Manning ll - 6'4 - 261 - OL - Monroe, La. - @chemanningll
Stephen Massenburg - 6'3 - 285 - OL - Oxon Hill, Md. @patientlyw8in
David Moore - Little Rock, Ark.
Lyndemian Brooks - 5'7 - 160 - WR - Austin, Texas @ohsowavvy6
William Waddell  - 6'3 - 311- OL- Tallahassee, Fla. - @lakejackkid

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Southern
Lee Castille - 6'0 - 175 - DB - New Orleans, La.
Robert Kimble - 6'0 - 195 - DB - Conyers, Ga.
Christopher Reed - 6'4 - 215 - LB - Houston, Texas
Tyler Brown 6'2 - 200 - WR - Donaldsonville, La.
Caleb Carter - 6'1 - 217 - LB - LB Baton Rouge, La.
Darquez Lee - 6'2 - 208 - QB -  Shelby, N.C.
Jamarqueza Mims - 5'10 - 201 - RB -Shreveport, La.
Kayce Ntukogu - 6'0 - 175 - DB New Orleans, La.
Tyran Nash - 6'2 - LB - New Orleans, La.
Dakavian Champion - 6'2 - 280 - DT - Houston, Texas
Bryce Beekman - 6'4 - 175 - DB - Baton Rouge, La.
Quentavious Monday - 6'4 - 175 - DB - Atlanta, Ga,
Jeremias Houston - 6'5 - 237 - TE - Shreveport, La. - @j_holliswagg
Jeremiah Abby - 6'3 - 310 OL - Atlanta, Ga.

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Texas Southern
AJ Matthews - 6'0 185 - DB -Houston, Texas
Ike Onwuasoanya - 6'2 - 265 - DL - Houston, Texas
Terrell Love - 5'10 - 225 - RB - Oklahoma City, Okla.
Nick Alexander - 6'3 - 210 -WR - Lancaster, Texas
Demetri Freeman - 6'1 - 290 - DL - Mexia, Texas
Julian Marcantel - 6'2 - 220 - Lake Charles, La.
Michah Minter - 6'2 - 230 - Shreveport, La.
David Orlando - 6'3 - 260 TE - Miami, Fla.
Anthony Philips - 6'3 - 330 - OL - Houston, Texas
Jeremiah Credit - 5'8 - 165 - Ath. - Freeport, Texas
Tylor Cook - 5'10 - 185 - RB - Salisbury, Conn.
Dominic Deriggi - 6'4 - 280 - OL - Houston, Texas
Zalphr Murphy - 5'10 - 175 - DB - Houston, Texas
Nate Thompson - 6'5 - 330 - Sachse, Texas
Malik Webb - 6'0 - 170 - DB-  Dallas, Texas
Cameron Davis - 6'3 - 210 - QB - Houston, Texas

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Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Samuel Beavers - 5'11 - 185 - P - Pine Bluff, Ark.
Justin Booker-Brown - 6'1 - 235 - LB - Houston, Texas
Boston Brice - 6'1 - 306 -  DL - Columbia, S.C.
Jeremy Brown -  6'3 - 205 - WR - Ruston, La.
Jaelen Collins - 6'3 - 220 - TE - Vallejo, Calif.
Michael Green - 6'2 - 295 - OL - Chino, Calif.
Kolby McNeal - 5'11 - 180 - WR - Little Rock, Ark.
Matthew Perry - 6'6 - 330 - DT - New York, N.Y.
Lionell Scott, lll. - 6'2 - 300 - Tickfaw, La.
Jalen Steward - 6'4 - 250 -  DE - Memphis, Tenn.
Ralph Tyrin - 5'9 - 170 - Ath. - New Orleans, La.
Joshua Wallace - 6'2 - 280 - Anite City, La.
Diamante Woolridge - 5'8 - WR - 165 - New Orleans, La.
Justin Williams - 5'11 - 170 -  K - Pine Bluff, Ark.

COURTESY SWAC MEDIA RELATIONS

AAMU Bulldogs face Auburn, MTSU in upcoming football season

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Alabama A&M football team will kick off the 2016 season at Middle Tennessee State and wrap up the season on the Plains at Auburn, as the Bulldogs released their schedule Monday.

The season starts in Murfreesboro on Sept. 3 and ends Nov. 19 at Auburn to bookend the schedule with the two Football Bowl Subdivision programs.

The home schedule includes Prairie View A&M on Sept. 17 for the Louis Crews Classic; Southern University on Sept. 24; Alcorn State for Homecoming on Oct. 8; and Grambling State on Nov. 5.

The Magic City Classic is Oct. 29. A&M is the home team this year for the annual showdown in Birmingham with Alabama State.

"As usual, we have a highly competitive SWAC schedule sandwiched by two quality FBS opponents," said Head Football Coach James Spady. "The 2016 football schedule will truly test our football team and we are eager to begin preparing."

The Bulldogs will be on the road at MTSU on Sept. 3; Mississippi Valley State (Sept. 10); Texas Southern (Oct. 1); Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Oct. 15; Jackson State
(Nov. 12); and Auburn (Nov. 19).

The complete schedule:
Sept. 3 at MTSU
Sept. 10 at Mississippi Valley State
Sept. 17 vs. Prairie View - Louis Crews Classic
Sept. 24 vs. Southern
Oct. 1 at Texas Southern
Oct. 8 vs. Alcorn State - Homecoming
Oct. 15 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Oct. 29 vs. Alabama State - Magic City Classic
Nov. 5 vs. Grambling State
Nov. 12 at Jackson State
Nov. 19 at Auburn

COURTESY ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bethune-Cookman's football schedule features North Texas, home games with MEAC co-champs

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Home dates with fellow Mid Eastern Athletic Conference champions North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T highlight Bethune-Cookman's 2016 football schedule, set to be unveiled Wednesday in addition to the Wildcats' 2016 recruiting class.

B-CU begins the year with three non-conference games, including a shot at a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent for the sixth consecutive year.

The Wildcats will travel to North Texas, which went 1-11 last season, on Sept. 10. B-CU replaces Liberty on North Texas' schedule, meaning the Mean Green will play consecutive home games to start a season for the first time since 1990. It's the first meeting between the two programs.

The Wildcats are scheduled to return to the MEAC/SWAC Challenge after a three-year absence, but their opponent and the game's location has not yet been revealed by ESPN Events. An announcement will occur in the coming months, said Rachel Margolis Siegal, manager of ESPN College Sports' public relations.

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Alcorn State hires Fred McNair

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Alcorn State has turned to a familiar face with a very familiar name to lead its football program.

The Braves promoted Fred McNair, the team’s interim head coach, to head coach and introduced him at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday.

McNair, who was named the interim head coach on Jan. 31, is a former Brave quarterback and the older brother to former Tennessee Titan and Baltimore Raven quarterback Steve McNair.

He joined Alcorn in 2012 and has been the program’s assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. McNair helped coach former SWAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year John Gibbs Jr. and current quarterback Lenorris Footman transition into the starting role after Gibbs went out with an ankle injury during the 2015 season.

Gold Nuggets still 24th in NAIA coaches poll

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana is 24th for the second consecutive week in the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
    
The Gold Nuggets, 15-8 after a 75-62 victory Monday at SUNO, have been among the top 25 in all seven polls this season. Their highest rank was ninth Dec. 8.
    
Xavier has one game remaining this week, at 3 p.m. Saturday against Dillard in the Crosstown Classic at XU's Convocation Center.
    
Talladega (18-3), the leader in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference by three games over Xavier and Philander Smith, climbed from 20th to 19th nationally. This is the Lady Tornadoes' fifth consecutive top-25 appearance.
    
Ascending to No. 1 for the first time in the program's history was Our Lady of the Lake, which lost 91-86 in overtime to Xavier Nov. 14 in the LSUS Classic at Shreveport, La. Since then the Saints (19-2) have won 19-of-20, including their last 19 in a row. OLLU received 7-of-9 first-place votes and is the fourth school to hold the top spot this season.
    
XU city rival Loyola, which will play host to the Gold Nuggets at 7 p.m. Feb. 17, fell out of the top 25 after ranking 23rd a week ago.

NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll (first-place votes in parentheses — records through Jan. 31)    Rank Team Record Points Last 1 Our Lady of the Lake (7) 19-2 218 3 2 Westmont 18-3 205 2 3 Campbellsville 19-4 204 1 4 Columbia (Mo.) (2) 21-1 193 6 5 Bethel (Tenn.) 19-4 192 4 6 Lyon 19-2 187 7 7 Shawnee State 19-3 186 5 8 MidAmerica Nazarene 17-4 166 9 9 Vanguard 14-4 158 8 10 The Master's 19-2 156 12 11 Carroll (Mont.) 18-3 148 10 12 Lewis-Clark State 18-3 145 13 13 Freed-Hardeman 16-5 141 11 14 Oklahoma City 12-5 121 14 15 Pikeville 19-1 112 17 16 Central Methodist 18-2 109 16 17 Wayland Baptist 14-4 107 21 18 Langston 15-3 105 18 19 Talladega 18-3 104 20 20 Montana State-Northern 16-5 89 15 21 Lindsey Wilson 17-4 79 22 22 Benedictine (Kan.) 18-4 72 18 23 Great Falls 15-7 59 25 24 Xavier 14-8 57 24 25 Martin Methodist 17-6 55 RV        Dropped from rankings:  No. 23 Loyola      Others receiving votes:  LSU-Shreveport 48, Loyola 38, Baker 27, Auburn Montgomery 14, Cumberland 11, Culver-Stockton 10, William Woods 7 Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAgold.com XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA  twitter.com/xulagold www.facebook.com/xulagold

XU's Goreau, Salwan are GCAC's 1st Players of the Week

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana's Charlene Goreau and Karan Salwan are the first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Players of the Week of the 2016 tennis season.
    
Goreau, a freshman from Toulouse, France, and a graduate of Raymond Naves School, did not lose a game in doubles or singles in her collegiate debut Saturday at home against Loyola. Goreau and Brandi Nelson defeated Margaret Adams and Lauren Rosales 8-0 at the top doubles flight, then Goreau defeated Adams 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. The Gold Nuggets won the dual 9-0.
    
Salwan, a junior from New Delhi, India, and a graduate of Modern School, teamed with Tushar Mandlekar for an 8-2 doubles victory against Loyola's Steven Le and Ernesto de Diego at No. 1 doubles. Then Salwan beat Lee 6-3, 6-0 at No. 1 singles. The Gold Rush won that dual 8-1.
    
Salwan is the ITA's eighth-ranked NAIA singles player, and Salwan and Mandlekar are No. 13 in doubles.
    
The Gold Rush (1-2) and Gold Nuggets (1-0) will play William Carey at 11 a.m. Saturday at XU Tennis Center. All four teams are ranked among the NAIA's top 11. Admission is free to all XU home dual matches.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Rally at Wright time gives Gold Rush victory at SUNO

NEW ORLEANS — Morris Wright scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half Monday, and Xavier University of Louisiana rallied late for a 59-50 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's basketball victory against SUNO at The Castle.
    
The Gold Rush (16-8, 3-4) snapped a two-game losing streak and won a GCAC road game for the first time this season.
    
Wright, a senior guard and the GCAC Preseason Player of the Year, scored a 3-point play with an assist from Gary Smith to put Xavier ahead to stay, 48-46, with 3:03 remaining. Wright made two free throws at 2:33, and Smith's 3-point play at 1:46 gave Xavier a 53-46 lead and capped an 8-0 run.
    
Elex Carter had 10 points and six rebounds for the Gold Rush, and Smith had nine points and a season-high seven assists. Wright scored in double figures for the 32nd consecutive game and led Xavier in scoring for the 22nd time in 24 games this season.
    
Dominique Suggs and Junaid Olusesi scored 11 points apiece for the Knights (6-12, 1-6), who have lost four straight, and Joe Brown had nine points, eight rebounds and four blocks. Cortavius Williams had eight points and 14 rebound
    
Olusesi's 3-pointer gave SUNO its largest lead, 19-11, at 9:29 of the first half, but Leland Alexander's basket for Xavier with three seconds remaining tied the score at 25. The Knights held their largest second-half lead, 44-38, after Brown's basket at 6:45.
    
SUNO outshot Xavier 42.6 to 41.5 percent from the floor, but the Gold Rush made 11-of-19 free throws to the Knights' 4-of-12. Xavier produced a season-high 13 steals, with Wright matching his season high of four and Smith collecting three.
   
It was the sixth time this season that Xavier allowed 50 or fewer points. The Gold Rush entered the game ranked second in NAIA Division I scoring defense.
    
Xavier beat SUNO at The Castle for the eighth time in its last nine visits. It was the 100th meeting between the Gold Rush and Knights — Xavier leads the series 71-29 with 20 victories in the last 24 games.
    
Xavier will play GCAC rival Dillard at 5 p.m. Saturday in the second game of the Crosstown Classic doubleheader at XU's Convocation Center. Advance tickets are available all week in room 322 of the Convocation Center Annex.
BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information DirectorXULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Ram Ramblings: Saint Paul's spirit, legacy lives on

SALISBURY, North Carolina - Oralia Washington was busy and had no time to pose for a picture between games of the Livingstone and Winston-Salem State basketball doubleheader on Saturday at New Trent Gym.

To Washington, a consummate pro when it comes to the behind the scenes work as a sports information director, she was in her element. She kept stats, printed out those stats to impatient coaches, and attended to every other detail that goes along with her job. And she did this in one of the loudest and best atmospheres in the CIAA. New Trent Gym was packed.

Washington, a 2000 graduate of St. Paul’s, is a former player who in the mid-1990s was a shooting guard for the Tigers.

She is among the many in the CIAA who work behind the scenes making what little media is left covering a Division II conference easier.

I have it easier than some because WSSU actually has two full-timers devoted to sports information in Kevin Manns and Trevin Goodwin. Manns and Godwin know I can call them at any time and get questions answered.

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Nuggets' 1st-quarter run sparks 75-62 victory at SUNO

NEW ORLEANS --  Kiera Robinson and Whitney Gathright led a lengthy first-quarter run, and Donyeah Mayfield produced her fourth double-double of the season in Xavier University of Louisiana's 75-62 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference women's basketball victory against SUNO at The Castle.

The Gold Nuggets (15-8, 4-3), ranked 24th in NAIA Division I, snapped a two-game losing streak and won on the road for the first time in three GCAC games.

Gathright had seven points and Robinson six during an 18-0 run that gave Xavier a 20-2 lead at 4:41 of the first quarter. The Gold Nuggets led 28-6 at the end of that period -- their largest lead -- and 39-25 at halftime. Xavier finished with a 12-5 run after SUNO cut the lead to 63-57 with 3:44 remaining.

Robinson, a freshman, scored a career-high 18 points -- she was 9-of-11 from the floor -- grabbed eight rebounds and had two steals. Gathright made 3-of-4 3-pointers and had 16 points and six assists, and Mayfield had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Also in double figures for Xavier were Trana Hopkins with 11 points and Jasmine Bush with a career-high 10. Hopkins had a career-best five steals. Reserve center Kelsee Singleton had five points, seven rebounds, four blocks and a steal.

Rayvin Miller and Deja Young scored 14 points apiece for the Lady Knights (8-10, 3-4), and Micah Brooks had 12 points and five assists. Miller had 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals in her second double-double of the season, and Young's points were a career best.

Xavier outshot SUNO 43.8 to 37.7 percent from the floor and outrebounded the Lady Knights 46-33. The Gold Nuggets made 5-of-9 treys for a season-beCst 55.6 percent, and their 12 fouls were a season low.

Xavier ended a four-game losing streak against the Lady Knights and leads the series 63-13.

Xavier will play GCAC rival Dillard at 3 p.m. Saturday in the first game of the Crosstown Classic doubleheader at XU's Convocation Center. Advance tickets are available all week in room 322 of the Convocation Center Annex.


Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
twitter.com/xulagold
www.facebook.com/xulagold 

Alcorn State to name new football coach on Tuesday

Tuesday, February 02, 2016
Time: 3:00PM
Location: Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame
The press conference will be streamed on www.alcornsports.com.

LORMAN, Mississippi -- It didn't take long for Alcorn State to find its next football coach, now it's just a matter of revealing who it is.

The university issued a press release stating that it'll announce its new coach at a press conference at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

The vacancy for the Braves' coaching job was created when Jay Hopson, who had coached the team the past four seasons, was named Southern Miss' coach late Saturday night.

Derek Horne, Alcorn State's athletic director, tabbed assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Fred McNair as the Braves' interim coach shortly after Hopson departed.

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