SIAC coaches and sports information directors voted on the players selected for each team as well as the league’s Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Miles College guard Alvin Miles was named the SIAC Player of the Year while Golden Bears head coach Fred Watson earned Coach of the Year honors. Fort Valley State forward Hassane Diallo earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, Lane guard Elijah Greer Dawson received Newcomer of the Year, Edward Waters forward Myles Hosten notched Freshman of the Year honors while Morehouse guard Cedric Taylor III earned Elite 16 honors.

Miles, a native of Memphis, Tenn., was one of the SIAC’s top 10 scorers this season, averaging 15.9 points per game (10th in the conference). He became the first player in program to earn the league’s top player award since Avery Brown accomplished the feat in 2020. Miles was the only SIAC player this season to score 400 points, grab 100 rebounds and notch 100 assists. He finished with double-figure production in 22 of the Golden Bears’ 26 contests while recording seven games of 20 or more points.

Diallo registered 177 rebounds with 120 coming on the defensive side of the ball in 28 games this season. He also finished second in the league in blocked shots (42) while registering 22 steals and averaging 10.5 points per contest.

Dawson averaged 16.8 points while shooting 44.4% from the field, dishing 3.0 assists and connecting on 76.9% from the free throw line per game in 18 contests this season. Beyond his scoring, Dawson averaged 4.1 rebounds per game while tallying a total of 39 steals and six blocks on defense.

Hosten averaged 8.0 points while shooting 38.8% from the floor and notched 4.8 rebounds in 13 games this season.

Watson registered his third Coach of the Year honors at Miles and the ninth of his career. He led Miles to a SIAC-best 23-3 mark that includes a 19-1 record in conference play and a perfect 12-0 mark at home, the Golden Bears best record inside Knox-Windham Gymnasium in program history.

Player of the Year

Alvin Miles

Defensive Player of the Year

Hassane Diallo

Newcomer of the Year

Elijah Greer Dawson

Freshman of the Year

Coach of the Year

Myles Hosten

The complete listing of the SIAC all-conference selections and individual awards winners can be found below.

All-SIAC First Team

• Shakur Poteat, Albany State
• Alvin Miles, Miles
• Walter Peggs, Jr., Miles
• Cedric Taylor III, Morehouse
• Lavar Miller Jr., Kentucky State

All-SIAC Second Team

• Kevin Sesberry, Tuskegee
• Jalen Williams, Clark Atlanta
• Prince Davies III, Edward Waters
• Kusamae Draper, Tuskegee
• Blaise Wallace, Albany State

All-SIAC Third Team

• Steven Lyles, Spring Hill
• Shemani Fuller, Clark Atlanta
• Corey Trotter, Miles
• Aziel Blackwell, Kentucky State
• Khalil Genwright, LeMoyne-Owen

All-SIAC Freshman Team

• Myles Hosten, Edward Waters
• Rocco Lamuno, Spring Hill
• Abdoul Sacko, LeMoyne-Owen
• Brandon Peters, Morehouse
• Christian Gary, Albany State

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FORT VALLEY, Ga. – Fort Valley State University (FVSU) is proud to announce the appointment of Marlon Watson as the head football coach of the Wildcats HBCU football program. A seasoned coach with a track record of success at multiple collegiate levels, Watson brings a wealth of experience in player development, defensive strategy, and special teams excellence.

Over the past two seasons, Watson was a key member of the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) coaching staff, serving as the special teams coordinator and defensive ends coach. During his tenure, he played an instrumental role in PVAMU’s 2023 SWAC Western Division Championship and led improvements in multiple statistical categories, including PATs, field goals, and net punting. He also helped mentor top athletes, including All-SWAC honorees and future professional players.

“We are excited to welcome Marlon Watson to the Wildcat family,” said President Paul Jones, Ph.D. “His depth of experience, leadership qualities, and ability to elevate student-athletes on and off the field make him an outstanding choice to lead our football program. We look forward to seeing the energy and excellence he brings to Wildcat Nation.”

Before joining PVAMU, Watson served as the defensive coordinator at Upper Iowa University in 2021, where he coached a first-team All-NSIC defensive lineman and helped the team achieve national rankings in key defensive categories. He also spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at another Division II HBCU Elizabeth City State University, where he significantly improved the team’s overall defensive performance despite challenges such as no spring ball and school closures due to hurricanes. His coaching experience also includes stints at FCS HBCU Alabama A&M University, where he developed standout players such as All-SWAC linebacker Kenny Davis and played a key role in recruiting some of the program’s most dominant athletes, including record-setting HBCU quarterback Aqeel Glass and running back Jordan Bentley.

“I look forward to seeing Coach Marlon Watson’s leadership as our head football coach. He is an outstanding and authentic man with a strong passion for developing young men,” said Interim Athletic Director Daphnie Johnson. “His track record of competitive success at the collegiate levels makes me confident that he will lead our football program to new heights. We welcome his wife Jasmine, and his children, Brayden, Brianna, and Brynleigh, to the Valley.”

Additionally, Watson has coached at Georgia Military College and Bethel University in Tennessee, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back Mid-South Conference Championships and multiple NAIA playoff appearances. His experience extends to the high school level as well, having served as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Joliet West High School in Illinois, where he developed multiple All-Conference players.

Watson shared his excitement about joining FVSU and leading the Wildcats:

“Thank you to President Paul Jones, Interim Athletic Director Daphnie Johnson, and the entire search committee for the opportunity to be the head football coach. I am grateful and extremely honored for the opportunity to lead the Fort Valley State University football program. FVSU has a rich tradition of academic and athletic excellence.  I look forward to serving our phenomenal student-athletes, partnering with our dedicated staff and fostering a positive relationship with our passionate community to build on that legacy.”

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Watson was a linebacker at Northern Illinois University under Head Coach Joe Novak. As a key player for the Huskies, he contributed to a program that achieved a No. 10 national ranking in 2003, securing victories over nationally ranked opponents Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State. During his collegiate career, Northern Illinois was a three-time MAC West Co-Champion (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl. He earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Northern Illinois and later obtained a master’s degree in education from Bethel University in Tennessee.

A dedicated family man, Watson is married to Jasmine Watson, and together they have three children: Brayden, Briann, and Brynleigh.

A formal press conference introducing Coach Marlon Watson will be held at 11 am on Friday, February 14 at the Christine and Willie C. Jones Amphitheater. All media, fans, and members of the Wildcat community are invited to attend.

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Jackson, who coached eight seasons at Fort Valley State, was reported missing on Monday after he never returned home from his job driving Uber. His car was located later that day in Bon Air. The car was unlocked and with items scattered about the seats and floorboard, according to investigative reports.

His wife, Jill Jackson, told WGXA that he went to Dollar General on Sunday night while working. She said she got a text around 2 AM from the former coach, who was usually home around midnight. The text messaged asked his wife if she knew his social security number. The next morning a missing person report was filed and police located his silver BMW later that day. 

It is not clear if foul play is suspected in his death at this time, as an investigation is still ongoing.

Samuel Jackson coached at the Division II HBCU from 2011 through 2018. He led Fort Valley State to a 21-9 record during the 2013-14 and led the team to the SIAC championship game that season. He resigned in 2018. 

The 59-year-old was a 2019 Henry County (GA) Sports Hall of Fame member who graduated from Headland High School in 1982 and served as a coach for the Rams basketball team for two seasons from 2020-22.

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FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Division II HBCU Fort Valley State University (FVSU) has announced Kenny Ray as the interim head coach of Wildcat football. He previously held the position prior to the hiring of former head coach Shawn Gibbs, who left his post at Fort Valley State University on December, 6th 2024 to become the head coach at North Carolina A&T.

Ray, who has been with FVSU since February 2020, most recently served as the associate head coach, offensive line coach, and run game coordinator. During his tenure, Ray’s offensive line played a pivotal role in the team’s success, paving the way for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s (SIAC) top rushers, including current Green Bay Packer Emanuel Wilson and standout Brandon Marshall. Under Ray’s leadership, the 2024 offensive line allowed the fewest sacks in the SIAC.

Ray’s extensive coaching career spans over two decades, including 15 seasons at Division I HBCU programs such as Tennessee State, Howard, Alabama State, and North Carolina A&T. He also has experience at the FBS level, having coached at the University of Louisiana-Monroe from 1999 to 2003. Before joining FVSU, he spent seven seasons as the offensive line coach and assistant head coach at Gardner-Webb University.

A national search is currently underway to identify the next head coach for Wildcat football.

About Kenny Ray

Kenneth Ray started his first season with Fort Valley State as the Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator in February 2020. He comes to FVSU after spending the past seven seasons as the Offensive Line/Assistant Head Coach at Gardner-Webb University.

Coach Ray spent time as Offensive Coordinator at North Carolina A&T and his line cleared a path for running back Michael Ferguson to finish his career with 2,524 yards and 27 touchdowns – including a 1,000-yard season in 2007. Ferguson finished his career as the sixth-leading rusher in school history.

 As a player, Coach Ray was a three-year starter from 1992-1994 at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he helped the Golden Eagles to a pair of winning seasons. USM defeated LSU, 20-18, on the road in his final college game in 1994. During his time at USM, Coach Ray was a teammate of future NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre.

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Winston-Salem State, long regarded as a powerhouse within the CIAA, ranks eighth in the nation with 7,200 fans per game at Bowman Gray Stadium. The Rams’ ability to attract significant crowds underscores the enduring impact of HBCU culture, where football games double as cultural events, bringing together alumni, students, and fans for a celebration of heritage and athleticism.

Virginia Union and Clark Atlanta round out the group, exemplifying how HBCUs continue to command attention and loyalty in Division II. Beyond the numbers, these schools demonstrate the unique role that HBCU football programs play in their communities, fostering pride and engagement through generations.

While some FCS and even FBS programs struggle to fill their stands, HBCUs have consistently proven their ability to galvanize support, reinforcing their vital role in shaping the landscape of college football. These attendance figures are a testament to the cultural significance and enduring appeal of HBCU football.

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ATLANTA — Entering week ten of the football season, there is a lot left to be determined about who will compete in the 2024 SIAC Football Championship presented by Cricket. Matchups, contenders, pathways and possible outcomes are detailed below.

WEEK 10 SIAC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

MILES COLLEGE
Miles (7-2, 7-0 SIAC) secured the No. 1 seed with its win over Morehouse last week. The game against Tuskegee will not affect Miles’ position in the standings.

• Miles holds the common opponent tiebreaker over Fort Valley State after defeating Clark Atlanta in week 7. Clark Atlanta defeated Fort Valley State in the season opener.

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Fort Valley State (6-3, 6-1 SIAC) controls its own destiny in week 10. The Wildcats will be the No. 2 seed if they defeat Albany State. Fort Valley State will be eliminated from contention with a loss because Albany State will hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
Clark Atlanta (6-2-1, 5-2 SIAC) will need to win against Morehouse and Fort Valley State lose for an SIAC Football Championship berth. 

• The scenario will leave Clark Atlanta, Fort Valley State and Albany State with 6-2 SIAC records. 
• Clark Atlanta holds the head-to-head over Fort Valley State.
• Clark Atlanta will have a higher combined SIAC opponent win percentage than Albany State.

ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY
Albany State (5-4, 5-2 SIAC) will need to win against Fort Valley State, a Tuskegee loss and a Clark Atlanta loss. 

The Golden Rams will also have the potential to play in the championship if they win against Fort Valley State, Clark Atlanta loses, Tuskegee wins and Allen wins. 

• This scenario will create a combined SIAC opponent win percentage tie with Tuskegee. 
• The team ranked highest in the regional rankings will receive the No. 2 seed spot. 
• If neither team is ranked in the region, a draw by lot will occur.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
Tuskegee (5-4, 5-2 SIAC) will need to win against Miles, a Fort Valley State loss, a Clark Atlanta loss and an Allen loss.

• In this scenario, Tuskegee will have the higher combined SIAC opponent win percentage over Albany State.

If Tuskegee beats Miles, Fort Valley State loses, Clark Atlanta loses and Edward Waters loses, the Golden Bears will also have the potential to play in the championship.

• This scenario will create a combined SIAC opponent win percentage tie with Albany State.
•  The team ranked highest in the regional rankings will receive the No. 2 seed spot. 
• If neither team is ranked in the region, a draw by lot will occur.

SIAC FOOTBALL STANDINGS 
**As of 11/3/24

Savannah State, Kentucky State, Benedict, Lane, Edward Waters, Morehouse, Allen, and Central State have all been eliminated from championship contention. 

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Quan talked about cutting his baseball career short in a 2022 interview on the VladTV YouTube Channel.

“I graduated from high school with a 3.2 GPA and I had a scholarship to go to Fort Valley to play baseball. My scholarship was for baseball but with my academics being that I didn’t have to pay for school at all. My mind was on rapping though. Baseball was cool but in the back of my mind I want to rap. As I started to getting older I started realizing that the percentage of black men in MLB was very small. So I’m like I’m good but I ain’t that good,” Quan said.

He chose not to attend Fort Valley State and followed his true passion of music. In the following years as his music career developed he would release one studio album, 23 singles and nine mixtapes. His single “Flex” is RIAA certified 3x platinum.

Quan was also no stranger to HBCU campuses as a performer. Some of his stops include earlier in 2024 where he performed at Edward Waters’ alumni week and in 2017 when he was part of the concert lineup at the Jackson State homecoming that included Lil Wayne, Yo Gotti, Cardi B and Moneybagg Yo.

No official cause of death has been reported but several of his friends within the industry including Boosie Badazz are acknowledging a drug overdose. TMZ is reporting that Quan was found in his Atlanta home on Thursday, with the outlet confirming the death with a representative from the Fulton County, GA morgue.

A promising career in baseball and academics never materialized for Rich Homie Quan at Fort Valley State, but his impact through music touched the entire world.

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Fraternal twins Darnell and Darren Stephen will line up on opposite sides of the HBCU football gridiron when Fort Valley State and Clark Atlanta kick off their football seasons on Saturday at Wildcat Stadium, marking the twins’ final season as SIAC rivals.

Darnell, a cornerback for Fort Valley State, and Darren, a wide receiver for Clark Atlanta, were inseparable until they committed to play football at separate HBCU institutions.

The twins’ mother, Nicole Stephens, a banker and South Carolina State alumna, recalls the earlier years when their competitive spirits began to shine. “I always kept them very busy, whether it was football, track, basketball, wrestling, or even robotics, chess, and sign language club,” Nicole said. “I wanted them to be well-rounded, and anything they put their hands on, they’ve always tried to master it. Football just came naturally for them.”

The twins’ path to HBCU football began in middle school and intensified in high school, where they played alongside their older brother, Nicholas. The trio, often called the “Stephens Clan” by their high school coach, shared an unbreakable bond on and off the field.

Their father, Darrell Stephens, Ed.D, a Marine veteran and middle school principal, emphasized the importance of the brotherhood. “They always pushed one another to be better,” Darrell said. “That was great because they had their own motivation built between the three of them.”

“Nick was a workaholic when he played football,” Darren stated. “Even now, my teammates will ask me why I work out the way I do, and I always credit that to him because he was doing more than me when he played.”

“Our dad always emphasized a ‘no fear’ tactic, prioritizing confidence in what you do and the work you’ve put in, on the field and in life,” Darnell explained. Darren echoed this sentiment, adding, “He also prioritized the importance of speaking up and being a leader. That has definitely stayed with me as an athlete and as a student.”

As Darnell and Darren transitioned from high school to college, they embarked on separate journeys, each selecting an HBCU aligned with their personal goals and values. Darnell found home at Fort Valley State, where the welcoming atmosphere and campus community sealed the deal on his first visit.

Darren’s decision to attend Clark Atlanta came only a few days before National Signing Day. With the opportunity to attend Albany State still on the table, the wide receiver resonated with CAU’s rich culture and opportunities for growth on the field.

“We didn’t have a specific plan to stay together or go separate ways,” Darnell stated. “We just wanted to find the right fit for each of us.”

Darren believes the separation has allowed them to grow as individuals and student-athletes. “When we came in as freshmen, we had certain things instilled in us: what we needed to do, the work ethic, and the grind,” Stephens explained. “We both had our own individual goals and knew what we wanted to accomplish. It has been great seeing it all happen over time.”

Their mother, Nicole, admits she never imagined her sons would play against each other. “Seeing them play each other, that first time at Clark Atlanta, I was so proud and wanted both teams to win,” Stephens said. “They’ve always practiced together, worked out together, and to see them play against each other was just a memory that I will never forget.”

Clark Atlanta is looking for their first win against Fort Valley State since 2018. Despite the contest’s history, Darren remains confident, viewing the game as a fresh opportunity for the Panthers. “We haven’t reached our full potential yet,” Stephens said. “This year will be different.”

Darnell, too, is ready for the challenge. “It’s always exciting to play against my brother, but this year, I’m focused on taking my game to the next level.”

The Stephens family will be in attendance on Saturday, donning custom attire featuring both schools. The twin’s mother expressed her feelings on the game, saying, “It’s a win-win for me. I just want to see both of them play their best and enjoy the moment.”

The stakes are higher than ever for the Stephens twins this season. Darnell is aiming to increase his stats and secure all-conference and All-America honors. He sees this season as a culmination of years of hard work. “Our first season with Coach Gibbs, we went 8-2, and the second season we went 7-3, so we’ve been getting close to that mark of being SIAC champions,” Darnell said. “I think this year is about being complete in everything that we do and being focused in everything we do, so we can win a championship.”

Darren, also with the championship game in his sights, is equally determined. “Winning is everything,” said the CAU wide receiver. “If we win, everything else will follow.”

Their father takes immense pride in seeing his sons compete at the HBCU level and has provided them with crucial advice ahead of kickoff. “The only thing left to do now is leave it on the field and be able to walk away from this saying, I did my best, I gave my best and I have no regrets,” he explained. “This is their time to leave it all on the field.”

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Douglas T. Porter, former head football coach and administrator, passed away on June 5, 2024. He was 94. Coach Porter had a reputable playing and coaching career.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Porter served as the quarterback at Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans. After serving our country in the United States Army and reaching the rank of first lieutenant, he spent his entire in HBCU athletics. He was appointed athletic director at Mississippi Valley State University. After serving at Mississippi Valley, he served at Howard University from 1974 to 1978 before landing in Fort Valley.

The HBCU product coached Fort Valley State University from 1979 to 1985 and again from 1987 to 1996, compiling a head coaching record at FVSU of 112-66-3. Porter was a seven-time SIAC Coach of the Year and served as Athletic Director for 16 years while acting as the chairman of the Division II Football Committee and as president of the National Athletic Steering Committee. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and the FVSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.

“He left a lasting impact on not only his players, but all students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” states Jeffery Parlor ’85, and former player under Coach Porter. The Lomax-Porter Charity Golf Tournament, which is held annually, is named in honor of Porter and former football and basketball coach Stan Lomax ’43 (1923-2018).

In addition to his B.S. degree from Xavier, he held an M.S. degree from Indiana University. Doug Porter forged an indelible coaching and administrative career for more than fifty years. Funeral arrangements and celebration of life details are forthcoming

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The announcement of Fort Valley State receiving the No. 8 seed was made on Sunday during the the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Selection Show. Only eight teams were selected for the tournament and the Wildcats are the sole HBCU program in the tournament.

The quarterfinal matchup will happen on April 30 and will be played at Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. UCLA will defend the national championship after defeating Hawaii last season 3-1, marking the 20th championship in program history.

Fort Valley Sate played UCLA in Los Angeles earlier this season, losing 3-0. It is noted however that the Wildcats were missing three players during that match, including two All-SIAC players. The Wildcats are hoping the full squad will result in a different outcome against the defending champions.

FVSU finished its third regular season in HBCU Volleyball history 10-0 in the SIAC, and 17-8 overall. This season’s win total doubles the combined program victories that Fort Valley achieved in its first two seasons.

FVSU earned the SIAC’s automatic berth after defeating Central State in the SIAC Championship last week. Leading the way was Isaiah Fedd who earned the Tournament MVP honors following a team-best 13-kill performance. Both the SIAC Regular Season MVP, Jaxon Hicks, and All-SIAC First Team, Chey Cooper, joined him on the SIAC All-Tournament Team. Hicks recorded six kills, seven digs and three service aces, while Cooper had a double-double of 10 kills and 13 digs to go with three aces, two assists and a block.

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Trailing 4-3 in the first two minutes, Allen and Ayani Cockrell took turns in hitting the game’s next four buckets, including an Allen 3-pointer, for an eight-point lead, 12-8, and an advantage FVSU would not give up over the final 38:02. The Wildcats led by only four points after one period, but they tripled the margin to a dozen, 35-22, by halftime as Allen netted 10 more tallies. ASU won the third frame by three points and it pulled within four points, 47-42, with 5:17 remaining, but Allen answered with back-to-back buckets of FVSU’s six-straight points and went on for the victory.

With the victory, the Wildcats move on to Saturday afternoon’s SIAC Semifinals. It will be FVSU’s first Semifinal appearance in 12 years since it defeated Benedict College (79-65) in the same round, before winning the championship the following day over Tuskegee (61-52) of the 2011-12 campaign.

FVSU will battle Kentucky State in this season’s Semifinals in a 12:30 p.m. matchup. The game can be seen live on ESPN+.

After she hit for 15 first-half points, Allen wrapped up her season-best day with nine more tallies in the second half for 24 points on 7 of 12 field goals, including a pair of 3-pointers, and 8 of 10 free throws. The first-year Wildcat also grabbed three rebounds, handed out three assists and stole three balls.

SIAC Defensive Player of the Year, Shekinah Rachel, pulled down 12 rebounds, blocked three shots and swiped a steal to go with 11 points for her 11^th double-double of the season. Cockrell chipped in eight points and three rebounds.

Off the bench Ace Stevenson finished a perfect 3 for 3 from the field for six points and had two boards. Amiya Allen added five points and Cori Barnes hit a trey. Camryn Oneill handed out a team-best four assists.

Milana Holmes led the Lady Rams with 15 points and nine rebounds.

After FVSU rushed ahead 12-4, ASU’s Keyra Peterson made a 3-point play 12 seconds later to make it back to a 5-point margin, 12-7. The Lady Rams finished the first strong with the final four points to cut the difference down to four, 15-11.

Aaniyah Allen drained a 3-pointer only 34 seconds into the second period and Rachel laid the ball in for push the margin to double digits for the first time at 21-11 with 8:19 before half. Elisa Saffold downed a triple almost three minutes later to return the margin back to four, 22-18. Leading 24-20, the Wildcats ran off the next eight-consecutive points behind four from Aaniyah Allen and two from Stevenson and Caly Cage for the largest lead of 34-20.

Cockrell started the third quarter off with a layup 32 seconds in to tie the FVSU largest lead of 37-22. At 44-30 in the final third-frame moments, ASU made the final two scores for a 44-34 game heading to the fourth.

After an Aaniyah Allen layup started the final 10 minutes, ASU ran off eight of the next nine points with Juanisha Black accounting for six of them for the 47-42 difference at 5:17 to setup FVSU’s final answer.

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FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Fort Valley State Athletics released the 2024 football schedule today with some great match ups that will test the Florida Beach Bowl Champions.

There will be four exciting games at Wildcat Stadium:

• 8/31 vs Clark Atlanta
• 9/14 vs Kentucky St.
• 10/12 vs Allen (Homecoming)
• 11/2 vs Benedict

Homecoming – Oct. 12 — The Department of Athletics would like to thank the National Alumni Association for securing blocks of rooms at three local hotels at reasonable rates to accommodate the influx of alums to Middle Georgia.

“While Homecoming 2024 coincides with the last week of the National Fair, we still anticipate a great turnout and I guarantee Homecoming 2025 and 2026 will fall outside the dates of the National Fair,” said Director of Athletics, Renae Myles Payne. 

In January, NCAA legislation was passed that allowed football teams to play games in Week Zero. This created a bye week for Division II teams. Our bye week will be September 7. The Wildcats will take advantage of the extra week and implement more schemes on the field but also teach more life skills with their Boys 2 Men series.

For the fifth time in history, the Wildcats will take on the Statesmen of Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. The Wildcats lost to the Statesmen in 2015, but will match up much better talent-wise on September 21.

For the first time in recorded history, the Wildcats will take on the Bulldogs of South Carolina State on October 19. Newly-minted S.C. State head coach Chennis Berry, recently led the Benedict Tigers.

“This will be a good measuring stick for our team against a good Division I opponent and a great coach,” said Head Coach Shawn Gibbs.

The 34th Annual Fountain City Classic is always the last game of the regular season for the Wildcats. A defensive battle to the last second is how AD Myles Payne described her first Fountain City Classic in 2023.

“I am looking forward to this historic game. It’s almost like both schools’ homecoming all over again,” the Wildcat AD added.

Conference foes Savannah State (September 28), Edward Waters (October 5), and  Morehouse (October 26) complete the schedule. 

FULL 2024 Schedule

Season tickets will go on sale shortly after the spring game. We are looking forward to another great football season. 

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Fort Valley State University Director of Athletics Dr. Renae Myles Payne announced that Gibbs will remain a Wildcat in a message posted on the Fort Valley Sports X (formerly Twitter) page at almost 10 pm on Monday, January 15th, 2024.

The news of Shawn Gibbs renewing his agreement at Fort Valley officially takes him out of the running to become the next head coach at Florida A&M, where his candidacy was met with a swift backlash by FAMU fans and alumni.

Since the departure of Willie Simmons as FAMU head coach, the internal battle between the FAMU National Alumni Association and Florida A&M University Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, has had second-year Fort Valley State head coach Shawn Gibbs directly in the middle.

As AD Sykes’ top candidate to take over as head coach of the FAMU football program, Shawn Gibbs has found himself embroiled in the FAMU family drama as the Rattlers continue to butt heads in their search for a head coach.

The FAMU NAA has made it clear that they want to keep the Celebration Bowl momentum going with an internal coaching hire and on January 10th, 2024 the FAMU National Alumni Association held a nearly two-hour emergency meeting where the executive board returned a vote of “no confidence” in Shawn Gibbs as the candidate in a motion that passed 19-1.

The announcement of Gibbs’ commitment to Fort Valley comes only 15 hours before a Tuesday 1 pm Florida A&M Board of Trustees meeting that has an agenda item of “Head Football Coach Update, VP Tiffani Dawn-Sykes.”

While no contract details have surfaced at the time of this report, Shawn Gibbs’ commitment to Fort Valley ends his candidacy for Florida A&M head coach.

Adding a layer of intrigue to the upcoming January 16th FAMU BOT meeting as Tiffani-Dawn Sykes is also coming off of a vote of no confidence from the Florida A&M National Alumni Association Executive Board herself in regards to raising prices on ticket and parking packages, pulling out of the Orange Blossom Classic, and the search that led to Gibbs being identified as the top candidate.

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The Wildcats scored on their opening drive, spanning 75 yards on 12 plays, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Brandon Marshall. They would score again on a nine yard touchdown pass from Durham to Marshall to take a 16-0 advantage into halftime.

Smith struck first in the second half with a field goal, but Fort Valley State answered with a big play as Durham hit Jaren Lawson for a pass that went 84 yards to give FVSU a 23-3 lead. JCSU would add a touchdown, but couldn’t get it any closer.

The Fort Valley State defense was dominant as it held J.C. Smith to only 150 yards of total offense on 60 offensive plays.

Fort Valley State finished the season 8-3. It improved to 16-5 under head coach Shawn Gibbs, who took over for Maurice Flowers when he left FVSU after two seasons to take the job at his alma mater. Johnson C. Smith finished the season 7-4. 

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The Florida Beach Bowl is a historic moment for the CIAA and SIAC to establish a bowl game at the Division II level since the now defunct Pioneer Bowl. Fort Valley State coach Shawn Gibbs and Johnson C. Smith coach Maurice Flowers spoke about the matchup and the significance of the bowl game and how it will impact both conferences.

“We are excited to be here, this is a tremendous opportunity for our university. The exposure that we’re gonna be able to get from this is limitless. We also have the opportunity to serve as an inspiration to some of the kids in the community. To show them that they have an opportunity to play in a bowl game at a HBCU, specifically at a Division II,” Gibbs said at the Florida Beach Bowl press conference.

“Not many opportunities are provided to Division II institutions to play in a bowl game. What recruits need to realize is something that we’re doing right now. We’re one of four HBCUs that’s still playing football. Everybody else is at home watching this game and then the game this weekend. The exposure and the opportunity to get in front of these kids and play. Then we can explain to them how many eyes are on us and then that can help us and then that can help us acquire the resources so that we can continue to build,”

There are a few opportunities to play in bowl games for Division II schools, especially HBCUs. The American Crossroads Bowl, Heritage Bowl (not to be confused with the Heritage Bowl in the 1990’s played by the MEAC AND SWAC) and the Farmers Bank & Trust Live United Bowl are the other sanctioned Division II bowl games. Those bowl games feature schools from conferences without HBCUs. 

The Florida Beach Bowl allows HBCUs in the CIAA and SIAC to compete in the postseason in a bowl game rather than the playoffs. The game follows the footsteps of the Celebration Bowl, which will feature the other HBCU matchup between FAMU and Howard in Atlanta, Georgia.

“This is a great thing, it’s the Division II version of the Celebration Bowl, the SWAC versus the MEAC. Well this is our version of that, the CIAA versus the SIAC,” Gibbs said.

“It’s something that is so big for the young men because not everyone goes to the playoffs. You look at the Celebration Bowl and what it does. That’s a better alternative than the playoffs. This here is a better alternative than the playoffs,” Flowers said. “If you look at both conferences, the SIAC and the CIAA, the SIAC Champion, wonderful year but look at the last two that are right now playing is a CIAA school and a SIAC school and we’re looking forward to this matchup. This bowl is gonna be the last one that a Division II team is playing, so it just has so many eyes and the experience is just gonna to help with recruiting for both schools and there’s no negatives at all,”

Both conferences were full of great teams but Fort Valley State and Johnson C Smith was chosen to participate in the inaugural game. With both teams posting a 7-3 record, they have the potential to produce an exciting game to rival the Celebration Bowl.

Both teams will battle to become the first Florida Beach Bowl champion on Wednesday, December 13th at 7:30 PM at DRV PNK Stadium.

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The Florida Beach Bowl will be played in Fort Lauderdale, FL December 13th at the DRV PNK Stadium at 7:30 PM.

Both JCSU and Fort Valley State finished the regular season 7-3. That was a five-game improvement for JCSU and a one-game setback for FVSU.

Maurice Flowers, head coach at Johnson C. Smith, was previously the head coach at Fort Valley State – and recruited some of the players on the current squad. Flowers left FVSU after two seasons to take over as head coach at his alma mater. Shawn Gibbs, a long-time assistant under Rod Broadway and Sam Washington, was hired in his place in spring 2022. Gibbs has led the program to a 15-5 record in his two seasons at the helm. 

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Jackson State leads the SWAC with nearly 30k. That’s an impressive number, but it is a significant drop from its 2022 number. Norfolk State got a slight bump as it led the MEAC. North Carolina A&T got another sellout it’s first season in the CAA.

Here are the numbers of attendance at each HBCU homecoming game. All numbers were taken from official box scores from each school’s athletic website.

MEAC

Norfolk State-24,976

South Carolina State-22,269

North Carolina Central-13,626

Howard-7,684

Delaware State-6,300

Morgan State-Canceled

SWAC

Jackson State-30,947

Alabama A&M-26,391

Florida A&M-22,338

Southern-21,492

Alcorn State-21,012

Alabama State-17,995

Prairie View A&M-14,224

Arkansas-Pine Bluff-13,469

Bethune-Cookman-9,458

Mississippi Valley State-8,752

Grambling State-8,657

Texas Southern-6,352

CAA

North Carolina A&T-21,500

Hampton-13,811

CIAA

Winston-Salem State-8,200

Virginia Union-5,250

Shaw-5,022

Livingstone – 4,501

Bowie State-4,395

St. Augustine’s-3,719

Fayetteville State-3,680

Elizabeth City State-3,579

Johnson C. Smith-3,452

Virginia State-3,409

Lincoln (PA)-2,117

Bluefield State-N/A

SIAC

Tuskegee-31,726

Clark Atlanta-19,597

Savannah State-12,723

Fort Valley State-12,113

Morehouse-10,213

Benedict-8,589

Albany State-8,371

Kentucky State-2,898

Edward Waters-2,472

Lane-1,753

Allen-905

Central State-N/A

Miles-N/A

Other

Tennessee State-13,975

West Virginia State-3,954

Lincoln (MO)-3,333

Virginia University-Lynchburg-1,753

Florida Memorial-1,200

Langston-N/A

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Wilson got his pro career off to a rousing start earlier this month when he exploded onto the season with 111 yards on just six carries. That included an 80-yard touchdown run that turned a lot of heads. He followed that performance up with two solid games, running for 105 yards on 33 carries against the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. He led the NFL in rushing during the preseason.

Former Green Bay Packers star Gilbert Brown spoke highly of Wilson on the Earl Ingram Show earlier this week.

“If he gets cut by the Green Bay Packers, he’s going to be on someone’s roster,” Brown told Ingram. “If the Green Bay Packers say, ‘We going to keep you, but we going to put you on the practice squad,’ he gone.”

Emanuel Wilson started his career at Johnson C. Smith University in 2019 before transferring to Fort Valley State where he was named SIAC Player of The Year last season. After going undrafted in April he signed with the Denver Broncos and was cut following rookie minicamp. He signed with the Packers, and Brown was adamant that he needed to be on the active roster.

“They better stop messing with that boy and find him a position. There’s somewhere on special teams where they can use that boy. He can be a blocker on there or even a backup punt returner or [kick returner] the way that boy runs.

“You do not let him get away. If you put him on practice squad, he gone.”

It looks like Gilbert Brown has gotten his way.

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Both of Wilson’s touchdowns came in his debut against the Bengals when he exploded for 111 yards on just six carries in his debut. Much of that came on an 80 yard run in the fourth quarter.

That’s not bad for a player that came into the league as an undrafted free agent for the Denver Broncos before getting cut following the rookie minicamp.

Emanuel Wilson spent his college career at two Division II HBCUs. He started out in his hometown of Charlotte, NC, suiting up for Johnson C. Smith. As a freshman in 2019 he accumulated 1,040 yards on 159 rushes for the 19^th-best yard per carry average of 6.5 yards in the nation (D2) to go with his 13 touchdowns. Wilson also pulled in 13 passes for 86 yards for 1,126 yards of total offense on 172 touches of the football.

Emanuel Wilson decided to hit the transfer portal following his freshman season, landing at Fort Valley State (GA). The 2021 season showed he didn’t have any rust, as he rushed for 119 yards and one score per game in seven appearances. He showed up for the 2022 season on a mission, as he rushed for 1,371 yards, 17 TDs in just 10 games last season.

While many people don’t draw conclusions from the preseason, Wilson has shown a lot in his time with the Green Bay Packers. Should they decide not to keep him there will likely be many teams beating down the door to get him in their organization.

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Here are four things Green Bay Packers fans – and the world in general – need to know about Emanuel Wilson.

He started his career at D2 HBCU, Johnson C. Smith

As a freshman in 2019 he accumulated 1,040 yards on 159 rushes for the 19^th-best yard per carry average of 6.5 yards in the nation (D2)to go with his 13 touchdowns. Wilson also pulled in 13 passes for 86 yards for 1,126 yards of total offense on 172 touches of the football.

Then he transferred to another D2 HBCU, Fort Valley State

Wilson decided to hit the transfer portal following his freshman season, landing at Fort Valley State (GA). The 2021 season showed he didn’t have any rust, as he rushed for 119 yards and one score per game in seven appearances. He showed up for the 2022 season on a mission, as he rushed for 1,371 yards, 17 TDs in just 10 games last season.

He initially signed with the Denver Broncos

Despite his accolades, the reigning SIAC Offensive Player of The Year went unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was signed by the Denver Broncos and brought into rookie minicamp before landing with the Green Bay Packers.

He’s a big back, with speed too

Standing at just a shade under 6 feet and right at 220 pounds, Emanuel Wilson is not a little man. Yet, as he showed on Friday night, he’s got the speed to get to the corner. 

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A standout running back at North Carolina Central himself and a long-time position coach at NCCU, Grambling State and NC A&T, Gibbs relied heavily on running back Emmanuel Wilson to set the pace for the offense in 2022. Wilson has now moved on to the pro ranks, and is heading into training camp with the Green Bay Packers.

But Gibbs and Fort Valley State University do not lack talent, particularly at the quarterback position. Redshirt sophomore Kelvin Durham is back to direct the offense once again after a standout season. He threw for just under 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. He also averaged just under six yards per rush and scored three touchdowns with his legs. 

Durham was named the league’s preseason Offensive Player of The Year. That’s a pretty heady accomplishment for a player with just one year under his belt, but Gibbs is confident he can handle the attention and the outside pressure.

“He’s pretty grounded and his teammates do a good job of keeping him grounded. The preseason accolades are exactly what they are – the preseason. It means nothing in the grand scheme of things,” Gibbs said. “We’re proud of him and proud that he got that recognition. But now it’s time to go out and show people that you are the best player in this league on the offensive side of the ball.”

Just because he doesn’t have Wilson to hand the ball off to doesn’t mean Gibbs is ready to re-invent the wheel. 

“The main thing that we want Kelvin to understand is we don’t need to win any football games for us,” Gibbs said. “All we want you to do is be a game manager, a facilitator and get the ball to our playmakers in space. And if he can do those things and protect the football –  most importantly – then it will be a successful season for him and for the team.”

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Among his achievements as Director of Athletics, Dr. Gosier spearheaded fundraising for a $10 million dollar football stadium and millions for upgrades to all the institution’s NCAA Division II sports programs and facilities. Another one of his ventures was improving sports alumni relations.  One initiative was the launch of the Fort Valley State University Hall of Fame with NFL Hall of Fame inductee Rayfield Wright and L.J. “Stan” Lomax as original inductees.

Current Director of Athletics, Dr. Renae Myles Payne, is familiar with Dr. Gosier because of her friendship with his nephew, Derek Horne, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director at Temple University.

Derek commented “My family’s legacy runs through Fort Valley State University. It is very fitting for us to say farewell to my uncle on the campus grounds where we labored as a student-athlete, staff, and AD.

“All of the Athletic Directors who have been here before me, laid the groundwork for our success today. It’s like they are passing the baton to me to continue the work they started. I am grateful to follow in the footsteps of administrators like Dr. Gosier, and I thank Derek for introducing me to his legacy,” said Dr. Renae.    

Dr. Gosier’s final encore will be held on Saturday, May 20 at 11:00am at the C.W. Pettigrew Center on the campus of Fort Valley State University.

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A few weeks earlier, Wilson was one of hundreds of players who hoped to hear their name called at the NFL Draft, but never got the pleasure. Wilson says the process was difficult, but staying patient was the key. 

“I was waiting for the sixth and seventh round – I didn’t get picked up. But my agent called me and said I had offers from this many teams, and I just chose the Denver Broncos because I felt like I had a great opportunity of making the 53-man roster.”

As a running back from a Division II HBCU, making that roster will likely require Wilson to play on special teams. It’s something that the 6’1, 220 pound back got a lot of reps on in post-season showcase games with the NFLPA Bowl and HBCU Legacy Bowl. 

“Going there just made me realize that I’m not going to be able to be the star right now. Going into minicamp and everything like that. I’m really just…a freshman. Coming in, I’m going to have to work my butt off to actually get on special teams.”

Emanuel Wilson has been a star since he got to college.

As a freshman in 2019 he accumulated 1,040 yards on 159 rushes for the 19^th-best yard per carry average of 6.5 yards in the nation (D2)to go with his 13 touchdowns. Wilson also pulled in 13 passes for 86 yards for 1,126 yards of total offense on 172 touches of the football. He left JCSU after one season and landed at Fort Valley State. But he wouldn’t play again for two years as the SIAC sat out the 2020 season.

The 2021 season showed he didn’t have any rust, as he rushed for 119 yards and one score per game in seven appearances. He showed up for the 2022 season on a mission, as he rushed for 1,371 yards, 17 TDs in just 10 games last season. Now he’ll look to make an impact with the Denver Broncos.

Wilson knows he’s got his work cut out for him because of the places he’s played – but he doesn’t think any less of his talent because he didn’t play Power Five or Division I ball. 

“I feel like D1 is just a name. It doesn’t matter where you are at. If you can play ball, you can play ball.”

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While at FVSU, King was a standout.  He was originally a wide receiver.  Without seeing much time for the Wildcats, he began practicing punting.  His coach put him at punter and he was dynamic.  In one game against Bethune-Cookman, he nailed an 80-yard kick.

In 2012, he would go undrafted.  He would catch on with the Oakland Raiders and sign a three-year contract.  He would excel in his first full year punting, grossing 48.9 yards-per-punt.  He was a dynamic athlete who could flip the field for the Raiders.  He would go on to set Raiders’ single-season records in 2014.  He would earn Special Teams Player of the Week in 2015.

Marquette King became known for his punt celebrations.  As with anything flashy, not everyone was warm with the idea.  With Jon Gruden being hired as new Raiders coach in 2018, King, who had an ongoing beef with him, was released.  He would sign with the Denver Broncos, but sustain an injury and be released from the Broncos.

With NFL records in hand, King would seek another opportunity in the NFL until virtually giving up hope.  King was the sixth full-time black punter in the league, following the lead of FAMU’s Greg Coleman who became the NFL’s first black punter in 1977.

The XFL provides a new opportunity for King, a talented HBCU product. He was a part of the original XFL in 2020 with the St. Louis Battlehawks and had his contract terminated as did the other players in the league when they suspended operations.

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The five HBCU players in the postseason all-star game at the Rose Bowl had somewhat mixed results. Some got to showcase their skills in the game. Others laid claim to their NFL draftability during workouts during the week. 

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl offensive participants

Emanuel Wilson, the running back out of Fort Valley State, had back-to-back 8- and 1-yard runs in the opening possession of the game for the National team. He later added a 5-yard run in the second quarter. His 2-yard run in the third quarter led to a National touchdown. He totalled four carries for 16 yards in the game.

Wilson, the SIAC’s player of the year, was noted for his play in the game and declared an Impact Player in the NFL Network telecast.

Darius Hagans of Virginia State played on the American team. He got his first carry for the American team in the third quarter. He rushed for no gain. Hagans also had a carry for no gain at the beginning of the fourth quarter. He had two carries for no yards. 

Kemari Averett, a tight end out of Bethune-Cookman, did not catch a pass. 

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl defensive participants

Alabama State defensive back Keenan Isaac played for the winning American team. Jackson State defensive back Isaiah Bolden played for the National team. Both were singled out for their showing during the week of workouts before over 200 NFL scouts.

On The Hunt Report on CBSports.com, Emory Hunt had this review of their play during the workouts. 

CB Keenan Isaac: 6-2 188, Alabama State

Isaac’s length, combined with his press skills, made him standout almost immediately this week, especially during 1-on-1s. The wing span and ball awareness helped keep passing windows closed for business during 7-on-7s. I thought he showcased a ton of polish this week. 

DB Isaiah Bolden: 6-2 201, Jackson State

Bolden was a star defender this week. He showed he could be a very good outside corner at the NFL level. We already knew his safety background at Jackson State, but playing on the perimeter this week was a chance to showcase his coverage skills. Also, his ability as a return specialist makes him even more attractive to pro scouts.

Bolden had a punt return for 8 yards during Saturday’s game.

Hunt spoke with Bolden earlier in the week about his ability to do more than one thing. 

NFL Collegiate Bowl: NFL star in the house

Former Jackson State linebacker James Houston, who played in the 2021 game, was on hand for Saturday’s game.

Houston is coming off a spectacular rookie season with the Detroit Lions where he set an NFL record with eight sacks in his first seven games. He was interviewed on the sidelines about his journey to making it in the NFL.  

Former East Carolina quarterback Holton Ahyers hit on 9 of 12 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown. Ahyers and was named the game’s MVP. Ahyers was also the MVP of the Jan. 14 Hula Bowl.

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After the Wildcats’ Jamal Reynoldsknifed into the lane for a bucket to tie the game with 36 seconds in the first half. The Tigers (9-7/7-4 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East) downed a triple with seven seconds and then they busted out of halftime with 10 of the opening 11 points to race a 43-30 advantage with 16:41 left. FVSU was able only able to get back to within nine points, 47-38, in a K.J. Doucet layup at 12:37 and lone time under double figures the rest of the night.

Doucet finished the night with a FVSU-high 17 points. Khadim Samb, Reynolds and Pierre Mitchell all chipped in 10 points. Reynolds and Samb had six and five rebounds, while Mitchell dished five assists.

Dontavius King dumped in 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Benedict effort. The Tigers held the home team to 30.5% from the field (18 of 59) and pulled down 27 defensive rebounds.

FVSU had its success in the first half where it held two different five-point leads, 20:15 at 7:54 and 25-20 with 3:45.

The Wildcats will welcome the rival Golden Rams of Albany State Saturday night, Jan. 21, for Winter Homecoming. The men’s tip is set for 8 p.m.

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Emanuel Wilson has accumulated 1,252 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns over nine games with Fort Valley State University this season.

“It is something that he earned,” Fort Valley State’s head coach Shawn Gibbs told HBCU Gameday.

“He is a humble, God fearing man that is being recognized as one of the top RB’s in the country. He has the talent to play in the NFL and more importantly he has the work ethic that it takes to make it as a NFL player. We are proud of him and we know that he is going to represent FVSU and all HBCU’s the right way. I can’t wait for him to show the world what we already know. EMAN is the real deal!”

Coach Gibbs is in his first season as head coach at Fort Valley and has led the team to an 8-2 record. If anyone knows running back talent it is Gibbs and he is confident in the abilities of his star back Emanuel Wilson.

“I have been fortunate enough to coach a RB that had an opportunity in the NFL at every school that I have coached,” Coach Gibbs said.

“Greg Pruitt Jr. (NCCU), Frank Warren (Grambling), Mike Mayhew (NC A&T), Tarik Cohen (NC A&T), Jah-Maine Martin (NC A&T) and EMAN is the same as all of those guys but he is bigger than all of them. He can run the football and has excellent hands. My hope for him is that he is able to get drafted like Tarik. I think he is good enough to be drafted and If he is given an opportunity to compete with the “best” I have no doubt that he will show them that that he belongs!”

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Fort Valley rushed for over 200 yards on 35 attempts. This averaged out to almost six yards per carry. Emmanuel Wilson was the leading rusher of the game with 221 net yards on the ground. His longest run was a 41 yard burst and he scored all three rushing yards for the Wildcats today. Having the run going to well allowed for things to open up beautifully for Fort Valley’s offense. FVSU’s quarterback Kelvin Durham was able to pass for 198 yards with a 71% completion rate. Durham also scored a touchdown through the air.

While the FVSU Wildcats were having their way with the run game, the Albany State Golden Rams struggled severely. Albany State was only able to muster up a net of 86 rushing yards.

Fort Valley scored the first points of the game late in the first quarter. Emanuel Wilson found the end zone on a 3-yard run to go up 7-0. The Wildcats got on the board again early in the second quarter on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Durham to Hakeem Ellington to go up 14-0. The Golden Rams would go on to score on a 21 yd pass from Jhaydon Sullivan to Ralph Lovett on the next drive for their first points of the game.

The Wildcats maintained the lead throughout the 2022 Fountain City Classic. The Golden Rams were within three points in the fourth quarter after scoring on a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. However, Fort Valley was able to maintain and pull away. The Wildcats are now 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the SIAC. Albany State falls to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the SIAC.

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The division champs will meet on Nov. 12 at the home of the East champion in the Nov. 12 SIAC Championship game.

HBCU Football Rundown – SIAC East

The surprisingly undefeated Benedict Tigers (7-0, 5-0 SIAC East) have already knocked off their biggest East Division contenders. They handled then undefeated Fort Valley State (45-13 on Oct. 1) at the Wildcats’ homecoming. They then took down defending division and conference champion Albany State (24-20 last week) at the Golden Rams’ homecoming.

This week, the Tigers have a chance to spoil another homecoming in Atlanta (2 p.m.) facing winless Morehouse (0-7. 0-4 E). A win against the Maroon Tigers would leave only FVSU (6-1, 3-1 E) and Albany State (5-2, 3-1 E) still alive with Benedict for the East title.

FVSU plays this week at Clark Atlanta (2-4, 2-3 E) while Albany State plays at Savannah State (3-4, 2-3 E). A loss by either ends their title hopes.

Benedict is up from 23rd nationally in both the AFCA Div. II Coaches Poll and the d2football.com poll. The Tigers are now 18th in the AFCA and 17th in d2football.com.

The Chennis Berry story

The Benedict saga is the lead story in the SIAC this season.

The remarkable turnaround has been engineered and led by second-year head coach and HBCU vet Chennis Berry. Listening to Berry is like taking in a fiery Sunday sermon as he enthusiastically and loudly lays out his prayers for the Benedict program. He did that at the preseason SIAC football Media Day in Atlanta. Those prayers have been answered.

It has taken only two years for Berry to instill that enthusiasm and spirit into his team. It comes from the former Savannah State player getting his first turn as a head coach after 26 years as a valued offensive assistant or associate head coach. He worked in those capacities at eight different HBCU programs — Southern, Howard, NC A&T, Morgan State, Kentucky State, Fort Valley State, Kentucky State and Morris Brown. He has also interned with six different NFL teams.

The Tigers have not won an SIAC football title since re-introducing the sport in 2006 after a 29-year absence.

Benedict in the driver’s seat

Currently, they lead the SIAC giving up just 227.3 yards per game and are second surrendering only 7.4 points per game. Junior defensive end Loobert Denelus has been the defensive standout as he leads the SIAC with 8 sacks and is second in tackles for loss (11.5)

Left-handed junior QB Eric Phoenix has completed 64.9% of his 134 passes for 989 yards and nine TDs with just one interception. Redshirt freshman RB Zaire Scotland has augmented the air attack with 507 yards and 6 TDs on the ground.

Benedict’s final two games are at home. The Tigers’ homecoming game is next week (Oct. 29, 2 p.m.) vs. ClarkAtlanta where they hope to officially lay claim to the division title. They close the regular season on Nov. 5 hosting Allen at Columbia’s (S.C.) Westwood High School.

HBCU Football Rundown – SIAC West

After an 0-2 start, former Miles and new Tuskegee Athletics Director and head coach Regionald Ruffin has worked his magic. The man that won four SIAC titles in nine years at Miles has engineered five straight wins including back-to-back double overtime wins against Allen (35-27 on Sept. 24) and against former Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater now at Clark Atlanta (45-43 on Oct. 1). The five-game win streak has landed the 5-2 Golden Tigers atop the West Division race with a 4-0 league mark.

Tuskegee heads to Jackson, Tn. Saturday (2 p.m.) to face Lane (4-3, 3-1 W), who along with Kentucky State (3-4, 3-1 W) are the only teams that have a chance to catch Tuskegee in the West. KSU is at Miles (1-6, 1-3 W) Saturday (2 p.m.). A loss by either Lane or Kentucky State eliminates them from W. Div. title contention.

The Golden Tigers emerge

Tuskegee is fifth in the SIAC in scoring at just 21.1 points per game but has averaged 40.3 ppg. over its four straight conference wins.

Five-seven, 180-pound senior running back Taurean Taylor has been the standout recently. Taylor has rushed for 533 yards in the last three games (177.3 ypg.) including a 232-yard effort last week in a 49-34 win over Central State. He scored on 29- and 93-yard TD runs to close out the game. He racked up 218 rushing yards in the big win at CAU’s homecoming.

Six-foot, 225-pound bruiser RB Donte Edwards has also been effective (69.3 ypg., 4 TDs) with 100-yard games vs. CAU (18 carries, 118 yds.,1 TD) and Central State (17 car., 144 yds., 2 TDs). Juniors Bryson Williams and Malik Davis have led the Tigers to victories from the quarterback position.

HBCU Football Rundown: Don’t count Lane out

Lane, under new head coach Vyron Brown, has won four of its last five games including a 28-27 non-conference stunner over FCS Ohio Valley Conference member Tennessee State on Oct. 1. The Dragons also threw a scare into East Div. leader Benedict in a non-conference tilt before coming up short 14-0 back on Sept. 10. The Golden Dragons’ only loss in the division was a close 31-26 decision to Kentucky State on Oct. 8.

Lane will feature redshirt senior QB Michael Huntley (1,152 passing yards, 11 TDs, 4 ints.) who is among the leaders in SIAC passing stats. Sophomore wideouts Jacquez Jones (27 rec., 524 yds., 7 TDs) and Virgil Young (25 rec., 411 yds., 3 TDs) have been the main recipients of Huntley’s aerials. Jones is the SIAC’s receiving yardage (87.3 ypg.) and TD receptions leader.

Redshirt senior defensive end Andrew Farmer is a terror. Farmer has amassed 49 tackles, 35 solos, with five sacks and leads the SIAC with 22.5 tackles for loss.

SIAC Games this week

EAST

Allen (HC) vs. Bluefield State in Blythewood, SC      1p

Morehouse (HC) vs. Benedict in Atlanta, GA 2p

Clark Atlanta vs. Fort Valley State in Atlanta, GA      4p

Savannah State vs. Albany State in Sav., GA – ESPN+  5p

WEST

Central State vs. Edward Waters in Wilberforce, OH 1p

Lane vs. Tuskegee in Jackson, TN               2p

Miles vs. Kentucky State in Fairfield, AL – ESPN+    2p

The post HBCU Football Rundown – SIAC appeared first on HBCU Gameday.

“It feels good just being able to win back to back games and doing something that hasn’t been done before,” Durham explained.

The Fort Valley State University Wildcats are being lead by head coach Shawn Gibbs in his first season as a collegiate head coach.

“Coach Gibbs makes it very easy for us to go out there and have fun to play football. He shows a lot of confidence,” Kelvin Durham said.

“He also showed that you’ve got to be disciplined and ready to go down for the team. Seeing him happy makes us want to go hard and get the job done for him.”

Durham explained what it would take for Fort Valley to sustain their success throughout the season.

“Really offensively, we haven’t played our best offensively,” He explained. “So once we get on the right track, on offense, I think we’ll be much better team and the season goes on.”

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Following the Fort Valley State (3-0/1-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East) score four plays into the second half, Allen (0-2/0-1 SIAC East) answered with a nine-play drive of its own to extend its lead, 27-17. The Wildcats showed the final 17 minutes would be theirs.

Durham came up with the first home answer to the Yellow Jackets where he found wideout Fralon Warren cutting across the middle and raced down the right side 49 yards for the score and a 27-23 margin with 2:04 in the third. The first FVSU drive to retake the lead stalled at the Allen 35-yardline, but the home defense held fast for a three-and-out series.

On the ninth place of the ensuing possession, Durham pulled down the ball and ran around the left side into the clear to the endzone for the 10-yard go-ahead touchdown with 3:58 remaining. The FVSU defense had it toughest day, but again held when it was needed the most with a 3-yard rush, a 6-yard sack, and forced a scrambling incompletion before Tim Alderman recorded his sixth quarterback hurry and Christian Maddox and Jamal Janvier combined to breakup the 4th-and-18 pass to seal the Wildcats victory.

With the win, head coach Shawn Gibbs not only improved to 3-0 as a collegiate head coach, but he has the Wildcats team at 3-0 for the first time since 2004.

For the second week in a row, Durham continues his rapid quarterback growth. The redshirt freshman led Fort Valley State to its highest output in three weeks of 430 yards of total offense. Durham completed 20-of-32 attempts for 334 yards and three touchdowns while he rushed for another 28 yards on eight carries with none bigger than his final 10-yard scoring run.

Durham’s favorite two targets of Corintheus Edmonds and Warren combined for 13 catches for 289 yards and three scores. Edmonds pulled in seven balls for 143 yards and a 51-yard touchdown to start the third-quarter points, while Warren had six receptions for 146 yards with scores grabs of 28 yards and 49 yards, which was the home team’s final score of the third frame.

For the defense, Jaylen Brown and Lataj Wright paced the Wildcats with eight stops each. It was the combined sack by Adeon Farmer and Caleb Thomas, who had seven combined tackles, on the second play of Allen’s first possession which was key. Alderman posted only three stops but was in the Allen backfield all afternoon with a jumping pass breakup and six quarterback hurries.

Allen quarterback David Wright completed 26 of 37 passes for 295 yards and a pair of scores. Robert Nicholson led the visitors’ defense with eight tackles, a sack and one hurry.

FVSU will now trek to the Mountain State next weekend when it plays at Bluefield State (W.Va.) on Saturday, September 24, in a 1 p.m. kick-off.

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On what turned out to a beautiful night at the Cramton Bowl, the Wildcats’ Tyler Moore picked off the Golden Tigers’ first possession. FVSU (1-0) quarterback Kelvin Durhamrushed in from 10 yards less than three minutes later in his first career drive and the team in Blue & Gold never trailed.
 
FVSU claimed its second Red Tails Classic over Tuskegee (0-1) in as many years. More importantly, the Wildcats win gave new head coach Shawn Gibbs his first victory leading the team of his career.
 
Already at 154 yards in three quarters, the redshirt junior Wilson made his attempt to rush into FVSU single-game history. He punctuated the start of his second year at The Valley with his rumble up the middle as he watched the big Jumbotron scoreboard as he ran to make sure he wouldn’t be caught on his 87-yard scoring run. Along with the long scoring run, the running back plunged in from three yards 9:33 left in the second quarter for his other touchdown. Other than his 262 yards, five short of a school single-game record, Wilson pulled in two passes for 12 yards for 274 total yards of offense.
 
The Wildcats’ defensive unit was solid as well. The group allowed Tuskegee only 209 yards on 61 plays with three sacks and the Moore interception. Moore also added five tackles with two for loss on the night. Linebackers Jaylen Brown and Kentrell Lawsoncombined for 15 stops to lead the FVSU defense. Tim Alderman, who had two, and Bryce McGuireaccounted for the three sacks.
 
Tuskegee scored its only points on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 6:33 to go in the second frame. FVSU blocked the extra point attempt and led 14-6 at halftime.
 
In the victorious locker room after the game, Coach Gibbs announced the location change for next week’s game. After previously to play Sunday in Chattanooga, FVSU will now host Kentucky State next Saturday, Sept. 10, at Wildcat Stadium with a 1 p.m. kick-off.
 

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“I like Shemar,” Harbaugh told the media.  “He’s a big, physical guy. He goes up and gets the ball. He posts a lot of good speeds in practice. He plays hard on special teams in practice.”

Bridges was a big-time target for Fort Valley State last season, putting up 12 catches for 105 yards against Lane College and seven catches for 87 yards and a touchdown against Tuskegee in the Red Tails Classic. After the season he competed in both the HBCU Legacy Bowl and the HBCU Combine in Mobile. Here’s how he described himself to HBCU Gameday. 

“50-50 guy. Catch the ball. Run routes. Got wiggle. I can be versatile with my size. I can really do anything – play special teams. Just ready to line up and go to work.”

That sounds like a pretty solid scouting report based off his performance against the Titans. Shemar Bridges still has a ways to go to make the team as an undrafted free agent, but he got off to a good start on Thursday night. 

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The mission Flowers was chosen for in January was to bring some success to a football program that sorely needs it. He’s returning to a program in which hasn’t won a CIAA championship since 1969.

“We’re just building a championship-level program,” said Flowers at the end of a practice near the campus. “We’re not rebuilding. We’re not going to try to relive from the past, because that past is too long to look to. What we’re trying to do is build a championship culture for right now.”

In the previous six seasons under Kermit Blount, the Golden Bulls were 16-43. Last November, Blount was fired.

At Fort Valley State, Flowers was 7-5 in two seasons, including a 5-5 finish in 2021, with a 3-3 mark in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The other two victories were accomplished in the pandemic-shortened season of 2020.

Before that, Flowers was an offensive coordinator for JCSU, which in 2011 won the Pioneer Bowl by beating Miles. He would become offensive coordinator at Shaw, where Marquise Grizzle won a CIAA rushing title and became the school’s all-time leading rusher. In the same role at Fayetteville State, he directed an offense that produced 34 points per game and earned a Southern Division title in 2019, matching one the team won in 2017.

In trying to reverse the JCSU’s fortunes, Flowers is returning to the area where he had success at the high school level. He coached at Olympic High School in Charlotte, as well as West Charlotte High School, which he led to the North Carolina 4-A semifinals in 2007. Flowers also guided Chester High School to the South Carolina 3-A championship game the next season. He would hope those schools could provide players that would help him build that championship group.

“What hasn’t happened in the past for some reason is that we at JCSU haven’t recruited the Charlotte metro area,” Flowers says. “We are, and we’re showing it. The proof’s in the pudding. In our first meeting when we had the young men stand up and introduce themselves, it was amazing just to hear all the guys from Charlotte.”

One player who Flowers didn’t recruit actually followed him from Fort Valley State. Quarterback Tyrell Jackson.

“Just the trust he had in me,” Jackson says in explaining his reason for coming to Charlotte. “Since day one, he believed in me. He never lied to me, a truthful man. Everything’s up front.”

Another part of Flowers’ plan for a championship program at JCSU involves how players conduct themselves around the program and in the classroom. Players will be on time and more disciplined. Grades will be up and pant waists won’t be down.

“We want to make all of our expectations very clear,” Flowers said. “If you understand our expectations, that’s what you have to do. If you don’t meet the expectations, you probably won’t be with us very long.”

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That likely overshadowed the fact that the conference has not named a replacement for longtime Commissioner Greg Moore, who announced in late May that he was stepping down after nearly 14 years leading the conference.

Nonetheless, the day went smoothly. Associate Commissioner for Communications Tyler Williams deftly handled the proceedings. Seven new head men were among the coaches that made their way to the stage in downtown Atlanta to be interviewed by host James Verett after sitting down with the various media outlets in attendance.

That’s new men at the helm of more than half the 13 SIAC programs. Of the current head coaches, Morehouse head coach Richard Freeman, in his 11th season leading the Maroon Tigers, now has the longest tenure at one school.

A brand new crop in the West

In an interesting twist, four of the five West Division programs have new faces at the helm. Two of them have moved from one conference program to another. Three in all are getting their second head coaching assignment in the league. All three come with conference championship credentials.

The shake-up of sideline mentors had little bearing however on who the head coaches and sports information directors voted to win division titles (watch here). Albany State in the East and Miles in the West are picked to repeat.

Here are profiles of the new coaches. Let’s begin with those that have SIAC titles.

Willie Slater: From Tuskegee to Clark Atlanta

Willie Slater, the new coach at Clark Atlanta, spent the last 15 years as the head man at Tuskegee. He also spent the last five years as Tuskegee’s athletics director.

“I enjoy working,” said Slater of his 44-year career as a coach. “I guess I could have retired and all that. But I enjoy working and enjoy working with young men. I’m excited about the opportunity.”

Slater posted a sterling record of 110-29 (.791) with six seasons of double-digit wins and another four nine-win seasons in his first 12 seasons at Tuskegee. He had only one losing campaign in those dozen years. That stretch included seven SIAC titles and nine West Division titles.

But over the last three seasons, his Golden Tigers were just 13-18, never finishing above .500. Maybe, the double duties of coach and AD caught up to him. He’ll only have to focus on coaching the Panthers.

Slater, who said he has been calling plays since the 10th grade, said he won’t be calling plays for the Panthers. “Well, they embarrassed me at Tuskegee. They said I’m old and my play-calling skills are old and all that stuff. So, rather than have any controversy, Coach (Richard) Moncrief is our offensive coordinator.”

CAU finished 2-8 overall and 0-6 in the SIAC last season under head coach Tim Bowens. They open on Sat., Sept. 3 at new conference member Edward Waters.

Reginald Ruffin: Taking on the double duties at Tuskegee

The double-dip of head football coach and AD at Tuskegee has now been taken on by former Miles head coach Reginald Ruffin. He also served in both capacities for the Golden Bears. Ruffin has said he will spend just one year in both jobs before surrendering the coaching duties.

Ruffin had two stints as an assistant at Tuskegee under Rick Comegy ((2002-2003) and Slater (2006-2010) before becoming head coach at Miles in 2011. He spent the last 11 years leading a resurgence for the Golden Bears challenging and often overcoming Slater and Tuskegee in the SIAC’s West Division. He won the last three West titles, six overall, and corralled four conference championships leading Miles.

“For me it’s a blessing,” Ruffin said of returning to Tuskegee. “Because the three winningest top coaches in the history of Tuskegee — Cleve Abbott, Rick Comegy and Willie Slater, — I was fortunate to coach under two of them. That’s a blessing for me that propelled me in my career as a coach because of what I leaned from those guys.”

Tuskegee and Ruffin, coming off a 3-8 record in Slater’s last season, open against Fort Valley State in Montgomery, Alabama on Sun., Sept. 4 at the first annual Red Tails Classic.

Kevin Porter: From Fort Valley State to Central State

New Central State head coach Kevin Porter was last in the league in 2019 completing the last leg of a four-year stint (2016-19) leading Fort Valley State. Porter guided the Wildcats to the SIAC title in his inaugural season, 2016.

The Marauders, who changed coaches from Bobby Rome to interim head coach George Ragsdale during the 2021 season, are coming off a 1-9 campaign. Porter will make his CSU coaching debut on Sunday Sept. 4 against Winston Salem State at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic in Canton, Ohio. The game will be televised on the NFL Network.

“The opportunity to play on national television at the Hall of Fame game is impetus for the football team and the program to get out there and start on the right foot and do a great job of representing the university,” said Porter during a sit-down interview with this reporter at the SIAC Media Day. “The University obviously has tremendous tradition as far as the football program goes and I want to make sure our kids understand that tradition, where that comes from and what we’re planning.”

The Marauders won three NAIA Division II national championships from 1990-95, and were runner-up in 1983 while competing in NCAA Division II.

The first timers: Sam Shade at Miles

Stepping into the formidable shoes of Ruffin at Miles is Sam Shade, who grew up in Birmingham before playing at Alabama and in the NFL. He has been a state championship high school coach in Alabama and has also coached on the collegiate and NFL levels.

“I grew up ten minutes away from Miles College,” Shade said from the stage at SIAC Media Day Tuesday. “In fact, my father lives eight minutes away. I’ve got two sisters that graduated from Miles and a nephew that actually played at Miles. I actually played coach Ruffin. I’m very familiar with the program and I’m very excited about the opportunity.”

Miles was 6-4 overall, winning the West with a 4-2 record before falling to Albany State in the championship game, 31-0. Shade debuts at Alabama State on Sat., Sept. 3.

Aaron Kelton at Savannah State

Savannah State made a run at the SIAC East title under Shawn Quinn last season finishing 8-2 overall, 5-1 in league play. Quinn left to become linebackers coach at Virginia Tech.

Aaron Kelton, a Boston native, takes over at Savannah State from Howard where he was the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator. He also served as interim head coach at Howard in 2019.

“The city of Savannah, the university, its rich history, the great climate and to be able to play in a conference like the SIAC is what really attracted me,” said Kelton of his coming to SSU. “We’re at the end of a transition period in the program. We’ve lost guys to graduation and all those different kinds of things. So we’re excited, and a little anxious to see what we can do.”

SSU opens at Southeastern University on Sat., Sept. 3.

Shawn Gibbs at Fort Valley State

Shawn Gibbs comes to Fort Valley State after working the last 19 years as running backs at NC Central, Grambling and NC A&T. He also was assistant head coach and running backs coach under Rod Broadway and Sam Washington at N. C. A&T. But he’s quite familiar with the SIAC.

“Well, I’m a third-generation black college product, so I’m familiar with HBCUs in general,” Gibbs said. So, I’ve known about the SIAC forever. I know it’s tradition-filled. I know it has a lot great coaches, a lot of great players and a lot of history.”

“The thing about coach Broadway is that you have to be accountable. That’s as a coach, an assistant coach and the players. Do your job and do your job well. That’s what coach Broadway preached and that’s what coach Washington preached. That’s my motivation.”

That experience will be critical as he takes over a Wildcats’ program that finished 5-5, 3-3 in the SIAC last season under Maurice Flowers.

Ramon Johnson at Kentucky State?

Apparently taking on some degree of head coach/athletics director’s duties is Kentucky State’s Ramon Johnson. Johnson, who just completed his first year as AD, introduced himself as the interim AD and acting head coach. Interestingly, he brought KSU offensive coordinator Paul Hamilton to join him on stage to talk about the team.

After back-to-back seven-win seasons, Charlies Jackson left Kentucky State to become assistant head coach and defensive backs coach at Air Force. The Thorobreds were 7-4 overall while finishing second in the West at 4-2 in the SIAC.

“What we wanted to do is to provide some consistency for our student athletes and our athletic program,” said Johnson on stage at Wednesday’s SIAC Media Day. “Coach Hamilton has been very instrumental in helping me navigate those waters making sure that we’re able to retain a great number of our student/athletes from last season.”

Johnson was non-committal about whether he will be on the sidelines when the Thorobreds open at Fort Valley State on Sunday, Sept. 11. “Well, at this particular point what I can say is that Kentucky State will continue to move in a positive direction.”

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“It’s only been 6 African American punters 2 play in the NFL since 1920 n earn at least 1 credited season. Over the last 3 seasons I haven’t been able to get a job but still have a top 5 punting average,” King wrote. “Being quiet allowed people to create bulls—t narratives about me n I thought being quiet would get me another job in the NFL but none of that worked so I’m taking matters into my own hands. Now the info is officially coming from the actual source.”

King last punted in the NFL in 2018, playing in four games for the Denver Broncos. 

“I haven’t officially retired I’m just not fighting to get in a league that ignores the resume I’ve created that’s better that over half of the punters in the NFL,” King wrote on Twitter in late June.

Marquette King later went on the I Am Athlete Today podcast and spoke more in-depth regarding his tweets and where he currently stands. 

“I don’t want to stop playing,” King said on the podcast “I love kicking the ball. I enjoy doing my job and setting the team up and everything. But for some weird reason, I’m not getting no sniffs, no anything. So I kinda feel like I’m being blackballed, blacklisted, whatever it is.

“And it’s kind of like, taxing mentally because you consistently work your ass off everyday and putting in work, and you just don’t know. You just don’t know.”

Florida A&M alumnus Greg Coleman, the first black punter in the NFL, spoke out on King’s behalf, calling his handling a “crock.”

“Marquette King should be punting in the NFL,” he tweeted. “Talent knows talent & this brother has it. I still believe your day is coming!”

Our own HBCU Gameday Florida A&M contributor Vaughn Wilson sees King’s plight as all too familiar.

“I was a two-time All-American out of FAMU as a punter and never got a serious consideration by the NFL. Fortunately, Greg Coleman was in a position to encourage the Minnesota Vikings to take a look at me otherwise I would likely would have not even had a tryout for the NFL. I’ve watched King since he was punting for Fort Valley. His senior year, he was a wrecking machine from the punter position. He kept flipping the field and aided FVSU to nearly beat FAMU. Head coach Taylor marveled at his leg and his ability to keep the Rattlers pinned deep. Jon Gruden pushed for the Radiers to get rid of King before he even arrived. I guess karma is something else.”

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“Over the past few weeks, it has become abundantly clear the love that so many Hall of Famers and others around the NFL felt toward Rayfield, his wife, Di, and the extended Wright family,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter said in a statement. “His gentle nature away from the game belied his commanding presence on the field. All fans, especially those of the Cowboys, will remember fondly his dominance on the offensive line in the 1970s and how he took protecting Dallas quarterbacks as his personal mission.

“We will guard his legacy in Canton with equal tenacity. The Hall of Fame Flag will fly at half-staff through Rayfield’s services next Friday as a tribute to the many lives he touched.”

The offensive tackle played 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys after being drafted out of Fort Valley State. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1967 AFL-NFL Draft after being scouted by the legendary Gil Brandt. A talented all-around athlete, he was also drafted by the Cincinnati Royals (who would eventually become the Sacramento Kings) of the NBA as well, but ultimately chose football. 

He chose well. After starting as a tight end, he was converted to right tackle. He went on to become a perennial Pro Bowl and all-pro at the position, helping the Cowboys to five Super Bowls during his time. The Cowboys won two of those, thanks in large part to his blocking. 

“Rayfield Wright was the epitome of what it takes to be a Hall of Famer,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. “His grit, his agility, his passion, his charisma and his love for football, the community and his family always shined through. The original “Big Cat” helped shape the future of the Dallas Cowboys through his illustrious 13-year playing career. Rayfield was a champion on and off the field. He remained an important part of the Cowboys family long after his playing days ended, and he will be deeply missed. Our love and support go out to his wife, Di, and the entire Wright family.”

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The inaugural season of men’s volleyball for one HBCU league will include a trip from the UCLA volleyball team.

UCLA will face off against Morehouse College on March 25 in Atlanta and then Fort Valley State University will host UCLA on Saturday, March 26. FVSU and UCLA will do battle on the HPE Arena court at 6 p.m. The two programs also announce a joint session of Serve/Pass as the teams will have a volleyball clinic from 1 — 3 p.m. for the Big Brother/Big Sister organization of Peach County.

Morehouse and FVSU are two of six schools in the SIAC that are participating in the inaugural season of men’s volleyball this academic year. The others are: Benedict College, Central State University, Edward Waters University, and Kentucky State. Those six institutions will compete for a league crown in April – the SIAC’s 15th championship sport.

UCLA has a well-established men’s volleyball program that is currently 13-3 overall. So far it has competed against schools such as Penn State and Ohio State as well as West Coast competitions like Stanford and Pepperdine.

The SIAC’s foray into men’s volleyball has been aided by a grant from USA Volleyball and First Point Volleyball Foundation. The grant was first announced in 2019 and was set to start in the 2020-2021 season but had to be pushed back due to the pandemic. 

 “USA Volleyball is proud to be supporting this SIAC initiative to bring men’s varsity volleyball programs to six HBCU schools,” Jamie Davis of USA Volleyball said at the time. “As the National Governing Body for volleyball, we strive to increase the diversity and inclusion in our sport. I applaud the leadership and vision being shown by Commissioner Moore and all six of the schools’ presidents and athletic directors which will surely increase the participation of African American men playing volleyball and lead to new athletic and academic opportunities for young boys. This program will serve as a new Path to the Podium for these men to potentially join our national teams and represent Team USA across the globe.”

Benedict currently has the best overall record amongst the SIAC schools at 3-10 while Central State sits atop the conference marks at 2-0. 

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Gibbs was one of the finalists for the Winston-Salem State job last year that ultimately went to another former NCCU player in Robert Massey. Now he’ll head to the SIAC where it seems like almost everyone outside of reigning champion Albany State has a new head coach. He’s certainly paid his dues and earned the chance to lead a program with a solid track record. 

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FORT VALLEY, Ga. — There’s nothing better than to be at the bottom of the pile of your teammates after you just hit the game-winner. Right in front of the Wildcats bench, K.J. Doucet drained the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer and gave Fort Valley State the 61-58 men’s hoops upset of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East-leading Benedict College Monday night.
 
Trailing 57-54 with 2:29, it was Doucet time for the Wildcats (5-13/4-6 SIAC East). On back-to-back possessions, Doucet was fouled by the Tigers (14-5/10-2 SIAC East) and he went 4 of 4 from the charity stripe to give the home team the edge, 58-57, with 1:40 to go. Coming off an empty possession by both teams, Benedict’s Malachi McCoy was fouled following an offensive rebound and he tied the contest, 58-58, with 23 seconds. After a FVSU timeout with 19 seconds, Pierre Mitchell dished to the right wing where Doucet sank the deep trey at the buzzer for the victory.

First win streak of the season

The FVSU win gives the young club its first two-game win streak of the season and second in three days after a 73-57 win over Allen University last Saturday afternoon.
 
Doucet hit 7 of 13 of his attempts and 3 of 6 triples for 22 points to lead all scorers. Kenton Eskridge downed a trio of 3-pointers of his own as part of his 11-point night, while center Quincy Young made 5 of 8 tries for 10 points, seven board and a pair of blocks on the inside.

Tajh Green led Benedict with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
 
The Wildcats defense held the visitors to only 2 of 24 from 3-point range.
 
Benedict led the contest by eight points, 53-45, with 7:26 left. An Eskridge jumper in the lane and a Doucet trey helped FVSU score the next seven points for the tight game down the stretch.
 
FVSU and Benedict have the series rematch right away in Columbia, S.C. on Saturday, Feb. 5. The ball goes into the air at approximately 3 p.m.

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“My sincere thanks to President Jones and to Dr. Holloman for their confidence in me to lead the FVSU Football Program,” Flowers said in a statement. “It has been an honor and privilege to lead the young men of the FVSU Wildcats both on and off the field. I want to specifically thank the players, my coaching staff and their families, the university faculty and staff, and the alumni community. Fort Valley State University is a great place to be, and I am confident success will continue.”

The JCSU job became open in late December when Kermit Blount was relieved of his duties. JCSU Director of Athletics Steven Joyner Sr. stated last month he hoped to make the hire soon. 

Flowers was appointed head coach of the Wildcats in January of 2020 and guided FVSU to a 7-5 overall record during his two-year tenure. He led the team to a 5-5 finish (3-3 SIAC) in the 2021 season, finishing fourth in the SIAC East. Due to COVID-19, the 2020 fall season was canceled. The Wildcats completed a non-conference schedule in spring 2021 finishing 2-0.

Holloman stated that a search for a replacement will begin immediately.

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We’re In

Bowie State in the CIAA North, Fayetteville State in the CIAA South and Albany State in the SIAC East clinched division titles and championship game berths in their respective conferences with wins Saturday.

That means Bowie State and Fayetteville State will face off for the third straight year in the CIAA Championship Game in two weeks (Nov. 13) in Salem, Va. 

The last team to earn a spot in HBCU Div. II championship games will come out of the SIAC West Division and face Albany State for the SIAC championship game on Nov. 13. Three teams — Kentucky State, Miles and Lane — will go into the final week of regular season play this week tied with 3-2 conference marks and with a shot at the division title.

HBCU Football Rundown – Season-enders

Head coach Reginald Ruffin and Miles (5-4, 3-2 W), who have close wins this season over both Kentucky State (28-21) and Lane (34-31), clinch their third consecutive SIAC West Division title and championship game berth with a win at home Saturday (2 p.m.) over in-state rival Tuskegee (3-6, 2-3 W). 

The Miles-Tuskegee battle is right up there with the greatest of season-ending HBCU in-state rivalries.

Columbus, Georgia is the site of another season-closing SIAC gem this week, the 31st annual Fountain City Classic, that pits Georgia in-state rivals Albany State and Fort Valley State (2 p.m.). Included among them is the Virginia State vs. Virginia Union showdown to close out regular season play in the CIAA this Saturday (2 p.m.). The upcoming in-state Louisiana battle between Southern and Grambling State on Thanksgiving Saturday (Nov. 27) dubbed the Bayou Classic brings a close to the SWAC regular season.

Before this year, NC A&T and NC Central closed out the MEAC regular season. That ended this year as A&T bolted to join the Big South Conference.

Miles vs. Tuskegee history

Tuskegee, under 16-year head coach Willie Slater, has won six of the last ten games with Miles. But Miles has won the last two and split the last six.

Ruffin, in his tenth year at Miles, spent the previous five years under Slater as defensive coordinator at Tuskegee. Since coming to Miles, he has turned around the rivalry once dominated by Tuskegee. Over the last ten years, Tuskegee and Miles each has won four SIAC championship games and represented the West Division (Miles 5, Tuskegee 4) in all but one of the title games. Ruffin’s Golden Bears have won the last two SIAC championships.

Miles will come in as the favorite after winning its last three games. Tuskegee has lost three of its last four. A Miles loss will open the door for either Lane or Kentucky State to take the West title and championship game berth.

Kentucky State hosts Central State Saturday (1 p.m.) while Lane plays at Benedict (3 p.m.). KSU has a 49-14 win over Lane in head-to-head competition this season. 

HBCU Football Rundown – MEAC

Preseason MEAC favorite S. C. State (4-4, 3-0 MEAC) and second choice Norfolk State (6-2, 2-0) are both undefeated in conference play and could be headed for a season-ending showdown on Nov. 20. But each has a couple more hurdles to get there in a conference where teams appear to be evenly matched.  

SC State is hosting Howard (2-6, 1-2) this Saturday (1:30 p.m.) while Norfolk State visits N. C. Central (3-5, 1-1).

Delaware State (4-4, 1-1) has just one loss in MEAC play and is still in it as it travels to Morgan State for a Thursday night (7:30 p.m.) game.    

HBCU Football Rundown – SWAC

East Division leader Jackson State (7-1, 5-0 E) goes into its third game Saturday without head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders. The Tigers, after surviving 28-19 at Mississippi Valley State last week, are hosting a dangerous Texas Southern (2-5, 2-3 E) team Saturday (1 p.m.). The game comes amidst new reports that Sanders’ name has been mentioned for another FBS job (at TCU).

Florida A&M (6-2, 4-1 E) is traveling to Baton Rouge, La. (6 p.m.) to face Southern (4-4, 3-2 W). The Jaguars are riding high after halting Alcorn State’s four-game win streak Saturday, 38-35. 

FAMU is coming off a 26-3 homecoming win last week over Grambling but is catching some flak for security at the game.

West Division leader Prairie View A&M (6-1, 5-0 W) is welcoming new interim head coach Travis Pearson and the Hornets of Alabama State (3-4, 2-3 E) for homecoming Saturday (2 p.m.).     

HBCU Football Rundown – Independents

Perhaps the biggest game this week involves Tennessee State and head coach Eddie George.

While “Coach Prime” Sanders and Jackson State have been soaking up most of the headlines, first-year head coach George and his Tigers of Tennessee State (5-3, 3-1) have now won four straight games and sit tied for second in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Tigers have their biggest test yet as they meet OVC leader UT-Marin (7-1, 3-0) on the road Saturday (2 p.m.). 

On the flip side, NC A&T (3-5, 2-3) will be looking to break a three-game Big South Conference losing streak on the road at Charleston Southern (3-4, 2-3).

GAMES THIS WEEK

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

Delaware State vs. Morgan State in Baltimore, MD (ESPN2) 7:30 pm ET

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021
Livingstone vs. J. C. Smith in Charlotte, NC 1 pm ET

Shaw vs. Saint Augustine’s in Raleigh, NC 1 pm ET
Lincoln (Pa.) vs. Chowan in Murfreesboro, NC 1 pm ET

Elizabeth City State vs. Bowie State in Bowie, MD 1 pm ET

Central State vs. Kentucky State in Frankfort, KY 1 pm ET

Lincoln (Mo.) vs. Emporia State in Emporia, KS 1 pm ET

Virginia State vs. Virginia Union in Richmond, VA 2 pm ET

Winston-Salem State vs. Fayetteville State in Fayv., NC 2 pm ET
Morehouse vs. Clark Atlanta in Atlanta 2 pm ET

Arizona Christian vs. Langston in Langston, OK 2 pm ET

West Va. State vs. West Liberty in W. Liberty, WV 2 pm ET

Lane vs. Benedict in Columbia, SC 3 pm ET

Edward Waters vs. Savannah State in Savannah, GA 5 pm ET

SW Assemblies vs. Texas College 6 pm ET

STREAMING GAMES (All on ESPN+ except one)

Alcorn State vs. Bethune-Cookman in Dayt. Beach, FL 11 am ET

Texas Southern vs. Jackson State in Jackson, MS 1 pm ET

Miss. Valley State vs. Alabama A&M in Huntsville, AL 1 pm ET

Gardner-Webb vs. Hampton in Hampton, VA 1 pm ET

NC A&T vs. Charleston Southern in Charleston, SC 1 pm ET

Howard vs. South Carolina State in Orangeburg, SC 1:30 pm ET

Norfolk State vs. NC Central in Durham, NC (ESPN3) 2 pm ET

Grambling State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, AR 2 pm ET

Tuskegee vs. Miles in Fairfield, AL 2 pm ET

Tennessee State vs. UT-Martin in Martin,TN 2 pm ET

Florida A&M vs. Southern in Baton Rouge, LA 6 pm ET

CLASSIC GAMES

31st Fountain City Classic (ESPN+)

Fort Valley State vs. Albany State in Columbus, GA 2 pm ET

HOMECOMINGS

Webber Int’l vs. Florida Memorial in Miami, FL 1:30 pm

Alabama State vs. Prairie View A&M in Pr. View, TX (ESPN+) 2 pm ET

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Florida A&M (FAMU) football returned to Bragg Memorial Stadium and did not disappoint as it defeated Fort Valley State 34-7 after scoring 27 unanswered points in the second half.

“I thought it was a good win,” said head coach Willie Simmons. We didn’t play our best football in the first half, but our games fought back.”

“The defense played phenomenal for two weeks in a row, creating turnovers and collecting some sacks. We still have a lot of work to do offensively. Need to fine-tune the details and play more consistent upfront.”

The defense was the highlight for the Rattlers for the second straight week as they recorded three sacks and forced three turnovers. Transfer Deonte Williams came in and made a massive impact for the Rattlers, making three stops in the backfield, including two sacks. 

The defense also added points to the scoreboard for the Rattlers when linebacker Isaiah Land sacked Fort Valley State’s quarterback, forcing him to fumble, and Nadarius Fagan scooped it up and maneuvered 45-yards for his first career touchdown. Land also recovered a fumble after Deonte Williams forced one. Defensive back BJ Bohler also made an impact play for the Rattlers, intercepting a deep pass by Fort Valley State and returning it 45-yards.

The Rattlers offense started slowly as freshman quarterback Junior Muratovic threw back-to-back interceptions in his first career start. Muratovic bounced back the next drive by leading the Rattlers 64-yards down the field connecting with Kamari Young for a 15-yard touchdown as the first quarter clock hit zero.

Fort Valley State responded with a touchdown drive of their own to tie the game up at seven, but it would be the last time Fort Valley State scored. 

Florida A&M and Fort Valley State entered the half tied at seven, but the Rattlers would open up the second half with a seven-play, 74-yard drive as Willie Simmons made a quarterback change to Rasean McKay. McKay connected with preseason All-American Xavier Smith on a 32-yard touchdown. 

Fort Valley State started to drive down the field before Fagan scooped up a fumble for a 45-yard touchdown. A couple of possessions later, the Rattlers would force another turnover via a fumble recovery. It led to three more points after a 40-yard field goal from Jose Romo-Martinez, giving the Rattlers a 24-7 lead.

After a Fort Valley State three and out, the Rattlers would go 75-yards in five plays as Bishop Bonnett broke tackles to find his way into the endzone from 6-yards out. The Rattlers would add a 49-yard field goal to cap off their 27 straight unanswered points to beat Fort Valley State 34-7.

FAMU moves to 1-1 with this win balancing the loss in last Sunday’s Orange Blossom Classic.

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Earlier this year, ESPN Events announced the creation of the Red Tails Classic to celebrate Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and honor the Tuskegee Airmen who fought in World War II. The inaugural game of the Boeing Red Tails Classic will feature Tuskegee University vs. Fort Valley State University on Sunday, Sept. 5, at the historic Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

“As ESPN honors the legacy and perseverance of the Tuskegee Airmen, we are proud to welcome Boeing as the title sponsor for this historic event,” said Clint Overby, vice president of ESPN Events. “Boeing’s pioneering history in aerospace makes them the perfect fit for this matchup, as we continue to highlight college football and the importance of HBCUs.”

Boeing’s current T-7A Red Hawk advanced pilot training system pays tribute to the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

“Boeing is pleased to pay tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and celebrate the contributions of HBCU graduates by sponsoring ESPN Events’ inaugural Red Tails Classic,” said Ted Colbert, president and CEO of Boeing Global Services. “As a proud HBCU graduate, I am gratified by Boeing’s dedicated efforts to advance a more equitable future for our employees and our communities.”

BOEING PUTS THEIR MONEY WHERE THERE MOUTH IS

For over a decade, Boeing has worked closely with students, faculty and administrators to support and empower underserved and minority populations. Since 2018, Boeing has invested more than $10 million in HBCU partnerships and increased HBCU intern hiring by more than 400%. This includes a partnership between Boeing and Allen University, unveiled in 2020, to establish the Boeing Institute on Civility, which will be a national hub for teaching and provide programming aimed at advancing civil discourse in America and across the globe. Boeing’s competitive paid internship program welcomed nearly 100 HBCU students in 2020.

Trained and based in Alabama during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Flying more than 15,000 individual sorties in Europe and North Africa over two years, the Tuskegee Airmen’s service directly contributed to the desegregation of the U.S. Armed Forces. The Tuskegee name also encompasses members of the Air Corps, including navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, instructors, crew chiefs, nurses, cooks and other support personnel. To stand out among other units, the Airmen painted the tails of their aircraft red, which is where the nickname ‘Red Tails’ was born. The B-25 Mitchell bomber used by the Tuskegee Airmen in training was manufactured by North American Aviation — a Boeing heritage company.

The Boeing Red Tails Classic is one of 22 college football events owned and operated by ESPN Events. For more information, visit https://espnevents.com/sports/football/.

The Boeing Company
As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.

ESPN Events
ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, owns and operates a portfolio of 34 collegiate sporting events nationwide. The roster includes five early-season college football games, 17 college bowl games, 11 college basketball events and a college softball event, which accounts for approximately 400 hours of live programming, reaches nearly 64 million viewers and attracts over 800,000 attendees each year. With satellite offices in more than 10 markets across the country, ESPN Events builds relationships with conferences, schools and local communities, as well as providing unique experiences for teams and fans.

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HBCU flavor in Mega Bowl and The Spring League

Both teams in the Mega Bowl have a little HBCU flavor as does the TSL, which bills itself as “an elite professional football development league.” Twenty-one (21) players from the black college ranks suited up this year in the league.

The Linemen will feature two former all-Mid Eastern Athletic Conference performers from Savannah State — defensive end Stefan Banks and linebacker Marquis Smith. Banks, who finished his SSU career in 2018, was a devastating run-stopper for the Tigers. Smith, a premier edge rusher, put up 79 tackles and 9.5 sacks in his final campaign (2016).

Banks, Smith and the Linemen finished 4-1 under head coach Hal Mumme, one of the founders of the ‘Air Raid’ spread offense. Mumme had stints as a head coach at the University of Kentucky and at six other colleges. He spent part of one season (2018) as an offensive coordinator at Jackson State under former head coach Tony Hughes.

More of the same

The well-travelled Kevin Gilbride coaches the Jousters. The former head coach of the San Diego Chargers won two Super Bowl rings in seven seasons as an offensive assistant with the New York Giants. Gilbride also coached on the offensive side for six other NFL teams.

His team includes former Prairie View A&M wide receiver/kick returner Joshua Simmons who finished his career for the Panthers in 2017. Simmons had a 58-yard touchdown reception in the Jousters’ final regular season game, a 27-10 win over the Sea Lions last week. He had four receptions for 61 yards and a TD reception in a 12-10 loss a week earlier to the Blues.

Guard Darius Hicks of Fort Valley State and Darius Royster, a defensive end from North Carolina Central voted the 2019 MEAC defensive player of the year, are also on the Jousters.

At 5-9, 175, Simmons was among the SWAC leaders with 32 receptions for nearly 500 yards in his final year at Prairie View. He played one year in Europe and had a shot playing in Canada before COVID-19 hit. He then returned to the States. Playing in the TSL this season was an eye-opener.

A learning experience

“It was great,” said Simmons, a Houston native. “I got to learn a lot, learn how NFL systems run, learn from the coaches and meet a lot of players that already played in the league.

“Starting off, I had to kinda feel my way around, learn the system, because there were a lot of terms I had never heard before. But the quarterbacks and Coach Gilbride did a good job of helping me figure it out. They didn’t just leave you out to dry. As the week’s went along, I got better.

“It was a great experience to be around other professional coaches, get the experience of pro football and get to play around great talent. It was a great environment to be around.”

Familiar HBCU players in The Spring League

Other well-known HBCU players on TSL rosters included former Prairie View A&M running back Dawonya Tucker with the Sea Lions and former Hampton quarterback Deondre Francois with the Generals. Bethune-Cookman wide receiver Frank Brown (Alphas), offensive lineman Donald Boone (Conquerors) out of Chowan in the CIAA and former Alcorn State running back Deshawn Waller (Blues) are among others that played this season.

Tucker is a 5-6, 175-pound standout running back that played three years at Prairie View, two with Simmons. He put up monster numbers there, running for over 1,100 yards in back-to-back seasons (2018 and 2019), and putting up 15 rushing TDs as a senior in 2019.

Opportunity knocks just in time

The COVID-19 pandemic cut off opportunities for him to workout at a Pro Day or Combine in 2019, just as it did for a host of others. After not being selected in the 2020 NFL draft, Tucker returned to his hometown of Terrell, Texas to coach high school football. Though he worked out from time to time, he didn’t really train hard as he focused on his coaching career. When he got the call to go play for the Sea Lions, he was at practice. He joined the Sea Lions, who finished 1-4, after two games and played in the final three.

“Going out there and getting experience, playing against guys who had been vets in the league and had camp invites, showed me that I can really play at the next level,” said Tucker. “I held my ground and held my own and I did it without strict training. I feel it did increase my chances to play at the next level and increase my confidence as well.”

The blueprint

Tucker played under Sea Lions head coach Larry Kirksey, a longtime vet who spent 17 years as a coach in the NFL and 22 years coaching at the collegiate level. Kirksey also spent one year (1983) as the head coach at Kentucky State. Among the pros he’s tutored are Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens.  

“I just fed a lot off of him,” Tucker said of Kirksey. “That was my first time being around a pro-style offense and pro-style play calling. He just laid it out for us and gave us a blueprint of how it was going to be.

“I think I did pretty well, especially not playing since 2019. It let me know that I can hang in there. if I had not jumped into my coaching career and had given it my all, I probably would have killed it when I got out there.”

Spartan accommodations, potentially great exposure

Figuring out how well any of the players fared is difficult as the TSL doesn’t post, or apparently keep, stats. Still, the TSL’s website (thespringleague.com) says 104 players have been signed to the NFL out of The Spring League since 2017, the year the TSL got started.  

The TSL had eight teams this year, four in the North Division and four in the South Division. The four North Division teams played all its games at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis while the South Division played at Rice Stadium. Prior to the Mega Bowl, teams only played opponents in their same division cutting down on travel and expenses. FOX, FS1 and FS2 carried the games live.

Though the players are not paid, they were furnished room and board either in the Houston or Indianapolis area during the season’s five- or six-game schedule. Their primary hope is to put enough good play on tape to showcase their talents and impress professional scouts. Twenty-two (22) of the 32 NFL teams have reportedly attended Spring League games.

Spring League Showcases in the summer and fall provide additional opportunities for players be evaluated

Future looks bright, more opportunities to catch on

Just this month, The Spring League founder Brian Woods — who also started the Fall Experimental Football League (FXFL) from 2014 to 2015 — announced that he had acquired the remaining trademarks of the United States Football League. He intends with the intent of launching a USFL-branded league in 2022 with Fox Sports remaining as a partner.

That word about the possibility of the USFL opening back up has trickled down to Simmons, Tucker and the other HBCU vets and TSL players. They are hoping to get opportunities to continue their careers. With the Canadian Football League (CFL) and NFL contemplating full and regular seasons in the fall, and perhaps opportunities with the FXFL, the prospects are looking up.

“There’s a lot of opportunities for cats that didn’t get a chance to get some film out there last year, like me,” Tucker said. “That’s why I was so grateful for The Spring League. It was a chance for me to get back out there and play again. I feel it was all snatched away from me with the COVID situation happened.”

FORMER HBCU PLAYERS IN THE SPRING LEAGUE IN 2021

NORTH

ALPHAS

11        BROWN, Frank                        WR        26       Bethune Cookman

57        MCGEE, Shaun                        LB          26       Georgia/Tuskegee

AVIATORS

3           DAVIS, Devante                       WR        25       Grambling State

43        CALLOWAY, Tere                    DB         25       Alabama A&M/Nevada

CONQUERORS

85        DAVID, DuShon                       WR        24       Bowie State

64        FIELDS, Joshua                       OG         24       Elizabeth City State

72        MEYERS, Robert                     OT         28       Tennessee State

LINEMEN

99        BANKS, Stefen                         DE         25       Savannah State

49        SMITH, Marquis                       LB          27       Savannah State

SOUTH

BLUES

31        WALLER, Deshawn                 RB         25       Alcorn State

74        BOONE, Donald                       OL         23       Chowan

77        WHEATLEY, Tyrone (TJ)       OL         24       Michigan/Morgan State

JOUSTERS

37        SIMMONS, Joshua                  WR        25       Prairie View A&M

61        HICKS, Darrius                         OG         23       Fort Valley State

92        ROYSTER, Darius                   DE         25       North Carolina Central

GENERALS

5           FRANCOIS, Deandre              QB         24       Florida State/Hampton

60        BROWN, Sean                         OL         28       Mississippi Valley State

30        HARRIS, Jaylen                       DB         27       Prairie View A&M

SEA LIONS

20        TUCKER, Dawonya                 RB         23       Prairie View A&M

19        WALlACE, Tristan                    WR        22       Prairie View A&M

33       WILKERSON, Matthew           TE        23       Edward Waters

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“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. D’Angelo Strickland,” said Fort Valley State President Paul Jones. “Mr. Strickland was a cherished part of our Wildcat campus community and a passionate former student-athlete. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.” 

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Mr. Strickland was recently accepted into FVSU’s clinical mental health counseling graduate program. The Lithonia, Georgia native had completed his Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing degree at FVSU last month. Along with being a scholar, Strickland was a voting advocate who supported various campus initiatives to encourage other college students to vote in the upcoming election. 

While an ungraduated student, Mr. Strickland was also a dedicated member of the FVSU Wildcat basketball team, serving as a forward. 

Mark Sherrill, FVSU head men’s basketball coach, had the privilege of coaching Strickland for the past two years and had stayed in contact with both his former player and his mother throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly before Strickland’s death, Coach Sherrill said he had the opportunity to tell him how proud he was of his former player’s tenacity and accomplishments.

“He was a well-rounded young man,” Sherrill said. “He had character and was very focused. She (his mother) reminded me that D’Angelo beat all odds. He didn’t even play basketball in high school, but he ended up becoming a starter for FVSU and graduating. He made all of us so proud.”

By order of President Jones, the University flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise on September 19, 2020, until sunset on September 20, 2020, in memory of D’Angelo Strickland.

FVSU realizes members of the campus community may need additional support following the death of a student. Students needing counseling or other support can call the FVSU Office of Student Health and Counseling Services at 478-825-6174 or 478-662-0153. Faculty and staff can contact Human Resources at 478-825-6301. 

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Of the 99 players from the divisional ranks, there are eight HBCU athletes– four of which hail from Mississippi Valley State University and two HBCU coaches nominated.

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Mississippi Valley State Nominees

Ashley Ambrose, Mississippi Valley State-Defensive Back-1991 First Team All-American and First Team All-SWAC selection…Named SWAC Defensive Back and Return Specialist of the Year in 1991…Led nation in punt returns during senior campaign.

Vincent Brown, Mississippi Valley State-Linebacker-1987 First Team All-American, leading the NCAA in tackles in 1986 and 1987…Set NCAA All-Divisions record with 570 career tackles…Two-time All-SWAC selection who led MVSU in tackles his last three seasons.

Parnell Dickinson, Mississippi Valley State-Quarterback-1975 First Team All-American and Pittsburgh Courier National Player of the Year…Four-time All-SWAC selection and conference Player of the Year as a senior…Finished career as SWAC’s all-time leader in total offense (7,442 yards).

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Bob Gaddis, Mississippi Valley State-Wide Receiver-1974 First Team All-American and Pittsburgh Courier National Receiver of the Year…Named 1970 NAIA Freshman of the Year en route to twice leading the NAIA in yards per catch (1971-72)…Three-time All-SWAC selection led conference in yards per catch all four years.

Other HBCU Athletes Nominated

William Dillon, Virginia Union-Free Safety-Three-time First Team All-America selection (1980-82)…Tallied 16 interceptions in 1983…1983 Black College Player of the Year…Two-time First Team All-Conference selection and Player of the Year (1981-82).

Dennis Thomas, Alcorn State-Center-Two-time Pittsburgh Courier First Team All-American (1972, 1973)…First and only offensive lineman in SWAC history to earn SWAC Offensive MVP honors (1973)…Member of 1970 SWAC Championship Team as a freshman and led teams to a 27-8-1 overall record.
 

Timmy Newsome Winston-Salem State (NC)-Running Back-1978 First Team All-American who finished his career as the all-time leading rusher (3,843 yards) in school and conference annals…Three-time All-CIAA selection who twice led the conference in rushing and scoring…Led the Rams to consecutive undefeated regular seasons and CIAA titles in 1977 and 1978.

Tyrone Poole, Fort Valley State (GA)-Defensive Back First Team All-America selection in 1994…Two-time Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Defensive Player of the Year (1993-94) who led FVSU to two conference titles…Recorded 44 pass breakups and 17 interceptions, returning four for TDs.

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Coaching Candidates

Rudy Hubbard-Florida A&M (1974-85)-Captured back-to-back national championships, 1977 and 1978, including the inaugural NCAA Division I-AA National Title in 1978…Led A&M to back-to-back SIAC championships.

Eddie Hurt-Virginia Lynchburg (1925-28), Morgan State (1930-59)-Led Morgan State to six Black College National Championship and 14 CIAA titles…Posted 11 undefeated seasons, including the 1943 team that did not allow a score from a single opponent…From 1932-39, led Bears to 54-game streak without a loss.

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FORT VALLEY, Ga. — The new Wildcats tireless football staff never stop the recruiting trail. With the first of six late-spring incoming players, Fort Valley State announces the signing of Emanuel Wilson, one of the top 20 running backs of the 2019 NCAA Division II season.
 
After rushing onto the scene in his hometown Charlotte, N.C. for Johnson C. Smith University last fall, Wilson entered the NCAA transfer portal in hopes of finding a new home and found one in The Valley.

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“Relationships help with recruiting (and it did this time),” said FVSU head football coach Maurice Flowers. “I knew his high school coach, am a graduate of Johnson C. Smith, and he was the Rookie of the Year there. I wanted to leave my history with the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) and sell FVSU to him and have him want to come play with us and win some SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) championships.”
 
The high-sought incoming redshirt sophomore tailback produced one of the top first years for freshmen last fall where he compiled over 1,000 yards rushing on only 159 carries and 13 touchdowns.
 
On bringing his talents to the Wildcats, Wilson said, “I always heard about Georgia football and I wanted to come to the south to play with better competition and play with the best.”
 
The arrival of Wilson will add to what is projected to be a highly-talented, all-around offense with a fine group of new signal callers, growing list talented skill players highlighted by All-SIAC wide out Shemar Bridges, and a deepening offensive line group.
 
“We already had Marlon (Fleming) and Kentavious (Thomas) and recruited some (other talented) guys, who are coming in, but for us to have the chance to bring in a player like Wilson, he will make the Wildcats better. He has size, speed, elusiveness, hand and bring to the table the size for an every-down back,” pointed out Flowers. “Emanuel was in the top five in Division II through the first seven games last year on his way to the CIAA Rookie of the Year. I also was able to see him personally play against us at Fayetteville State (21 carries for 195 yards and three touchdowns) where he turned a key (late in the game) fourth-and-two where he was stopped in the backfield and broke it for a nice first down run.”
 
In his rookie campaign, the 5-11, 210-pound back accumulated 1,040 yards on 159 rushes for the 19^th-best yard per carry average of 6.5 yards in the nation to go with his 13 touchdowns. Wilson also pulled in 13 passes for 86 yards for 1,126 yards of total offense on 172 touches of the football.
 
With his outstanding freshman numbers, Wilson garnered not only the CIAA Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but also All-CIAA Second Team and CIAA All-Rookie Team.

The new Wildcat running back posted five games of 135-plus yards for the Golden Bulls. Along with his 195-yard outing against Fayetteville State, Wilson recorded his best performance against FVSU rival Benedict College with 265 yards on 12 totes, including an 83-yard scoring burst, and three scores. The now FVSU back ran 29 times for 152 yards and two scores against Virginia Union.
 
“My goal is for 150 yards per game, being the team’s leading rusher with 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns and winning a championship,” stated Wilson of his upcoming goals.
 
With the numbers he has in mind, Wilson has his sights on breaking a 16-year run of the Wildcats not having a season with a 1,000-yard rusher since Derrick Wimbush’s 1,840 yards and 22 touchdowns (on 247 carries) in 2004.
 
Wilson’s presence to go with Fleming, Thomas and the other solid incoming running backs gives FVSU good odds to not only improve upon last year’s 423 net season rushing yards, but better it by five or six times as many ground-gained yards for the upcoming 2020 gridiron season.

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