SWAC Preview: 2017 Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Courtesy HBCU Sports

Courtesy: HBCU Sports View Photo

Football Preview: Mississippi Valley State

Courtesy SWAC.org

Thu, August 24, 2017

With less than a week before the first game of the 2017 Division I college football season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will be releasing team previews for all 10 SWAC schools each business day for the next couple weeks in the lead up to the kickoff opener between Texas Southern at Florida A&M on Saturday, August 26 at 11 a.m.scheduled be to broadcast on ESPNU. 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Mississippi Valley State head football coach Rick Comegy isn’t shying away from a road-heavy start to the season against battle-tested teams from around the nation.
The Delta Devils (1-10 overall, 1-8 SWAC in 2016) will open with five of their first six games on the road away from the friendly confines of Itta Bena, Miss. and mixes in some challenging non-conference opponents including a huge test at FCS national powerhouse No. 2 ranked North Dakota State in the season opener on Sept. 2 that will be aired on ESPN3.
“They’re a good football team,” Comegy said. “There’s no doubt about it.  The only thing that we can do is try this thing out and see if our formula works because I know they’ve got a great formula.  But, I want to see if our formula works rather than having to prepare for what they’re doing all the time.”
The schedule continues with a trip to Southern Illinois of the Missouri Valley Conference in week two and then will host the defending SWAC Champions and Celebration Bowl winners Grambling State (ranked #21) in week four.
“That’s the way the schedule is,” Comegy added. “The only thing that I can say right now is we got to get our kids prepared to play football.  And, if we can prepare our kids correctly, then we’ll be alright.  Hard work is the only way that I can answer that.”
In 2016, the Delta Devils ranked ninth in scoring offense with 14.0 points per game, was 10th in total offense (245.3 yards per game), and finished 10th in rushing offense by running for 25.0 yards per contest.  The Delta Devils passing offense was more toward the middle of the pack with 220.3 passing yards per game (fifth in the SWAC).
New quarterbacks have entered the fray at Mississippi Valley State and there could be open competition between transfer Jett Even, senior James Crosby, and freshmen Dewayne Betts and Christopher Fowler.
Running back will be a position of note as the Delta Devils will look to find a dependable option to take some pressure off their new quarterback.  Charlie Crenshaw, Stavonski Wilkes, Kyuntrae Bell and Tyler Brewer could all share that responsibility.  None received more than 32 carries a season ago (Crenshaw).
The offense should also be aided by senior offensive lineman and All-SWAC Preseason Second Team selection Alvin Solomon, who offers some size and skill up front at 6-2 and 305 pounds.
Lining up at receiver will be returning senior Jesse Bryant, who averaged 19.4 yards per catch in 2016.  But again, there will be plenty of opportunities for others to step into a larger role with the departure of top receiver Joshua Banks, who led the team with 48 receptions for 652 yards and five touchdowns.
Mississippi Valley State will have work as a whole in improve in all areas, but should key in on the turnover battle as a way to alleviate some of their troubles.  The Delta Devils were a conference-worst minus 11 in that category as the team forced 20 turnovers, but turned it over on 31 occasions in 2016.
Last season, Mississippi Valley State ranked 10th in scoring defense (45.8 points allowed per game), eighth in total defense (446.1 yards allowed per game), eighth in rushing defense (200.7 yards allowed per game) and eighth in passing defense (245.4 yards allowed per game).
The Delta Devils defense will have to improve their red zone defense as the team allowed opposing teams to score a league-high 37 touchdowns in that situation and tied for the worst red zone defense as it allowed teams to come away with points 89.6 percent of the time. 
The secondary has the potential to be a strength of the team.
Senior defensive back Everett Nicholas leads the Mississippi Valley State defense as he is coming off a season in which he totaled 24 tackles and four interceptions.  Additionally, Mark Pegues shifts to the defensive back position after recording a returning team-high with 63 tackles.
The Delta Devils had two players in all named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including one First Team selections in defensive back Everett Nicholas and one on Second Team in offensive lineman Alvin Solomon.

Head coach: Rick Comegy; Record at Mississippi Valley State 4-29 (fourth year); Overall 177-115-2 (27th year).

2016 record and finish: 1-10 overall, 1-8 SWAC (fifth in the SWAC East Division)

Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Will Dean (8-of-15, 30 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INTs)
Rushing: Charlie Crenshaw (32 carries, 62 yards, 0 TDs)
Receiving: Jesse Bryant (17 receptions, 194 yards, 2 TDs)
Tackles: Mark Pegues (63)
Sacks: Willie Clay (three)
Interceptions: Everett Nicholas (four)
Potential game breaker: Nicholas.  The redshirt junior ranked in the top 20 in the conference in both interceptions (tied for second with four) and also ranked 17th in passes defended with seven to his credit.  With Pegues shifting to assist him in the secondary, the Atlanta, Ga. native has an opportunity to make even more plays in 2017.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ North Dakota State, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Southern Illinois, 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 Open
Sat, Sept. 23 Grambling State, 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 30 @ Charleston Southern, 6 p.m.   
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 6 p.m. 
Sat, Oct. 14 @ Alabama A&M, 3 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 21 Virginia Lynchburg, 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 28 Jackson State, 2 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 4 Texas Southern, 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 @ Alcorn State, 2 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Alabama State, 1 p.m.

SWAC Football team preview schedule 

Monday, August 14: Alabama A&M

Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern

Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State

Thursday, August 17: Southern

Friday, August 18: Alcorn State

Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M

Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State

Wednesday, August 23: Grambling State

Thursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State

Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 

SWAC Preview: 2017 Grambling State Tigers

Courtesy Chris Jones / Chris Jones Photography

Courtesy: Chris Jones / Chris Jones Photography View Photo

Football Preview: Grambling State

Courtesy Elizabeth Conley

Wed, August 23, 2017

With less than two weeks before the first game of the 2017 Division I college football season, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) will be releasing team previews for all 10 SWAC schools each business day for the next couple weeks in the lead up to the kickoff opener between Texas Southern at Florida A&M on Saturday, August 26 at 11 a.m.scheduled be to broadcast on ESPNU.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – On the heels of a largely dominant 2016 campaign that saw Grambling State take its place atop the HBCU football mountain once again, the Tigers head into 2017 as the team to beat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

The Tigers were a sparkling 11-1 (9-0 SWAC) in 2016, claiming the SWAC football title and a Celebration Bowl victory. Coach Broderick Fobbs’ unit does lose impact players, but for the most part there are enough returning standouts to where the G-men’s talent level is good enough for a title defense.

Starting in the backfield, reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Devante Kincade will again lead the offense at quarterback. Kincade was one of the most efficient signal-callers in the nation last year, throwing for 3,022 yards with a stunning 31 touchdowns to just four picks. Alongside him at running back is perhaps the premier all-purpose weapon in the league in Martez Carter.

With Jestin Kelly having graduated, Carter – who has bulked up compared to last season – stands to be leaned on even more to power the lion’s share of the running game with Lyndemian Brooks offering some pop as well. That said, expect Carter to make an impact all over the place, as he accounted for 1892 total yards (876 rush, 625 return, 376 receiving) and 14 scores on 184 total chances in 2016, good for a first-down-per-touch average.

Grambling State does have fellow lineman William Waddell returning up front, but all-conference performer Trent Scott – who was set to return – may be lost for the season due to injury, so there are four spots still left to sort out.

Jordan Jones remains in place as the top tight end on the team. Along with that, wide receiver is a potential area of concern as nearly 75 percent of Kincade’s yardage and touchdown totals left with the graduation of Arizona Cardinal Chad Williams and Verlan Hunter among others. DeVohn Lindsey projects as the top weapon out wide, but the preseason second-team All-SWAC pick as well as names like Darrell Clark must come along quickly as Grambling looks to remain as potent offensively as they were last season.

Defensively, the Tigers’ strength appears to lie in the back seven as the graduation of 2016 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year Donovan McCray as well as Blain Winston and All-SWAC players Arkez Cooper and Samuel Reese leaves questions up front. Led by Preseason First-Teamer De’Arius Christmas, most of the linebacker corps returns, and the majority of the secondary is also set to return, though it must proceed ahead with All-SWAC defenders Guy Stallworth and Jameel Jackson (graduation)

Head coach: Broderick Fobbs; Record at GSU 28-8 (fourth year); Overall 28-9 (fourth year).

2016 record and finish: 11-1 overall, 9-0 SWAC (Won SWAC West Division, SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl 

Returning statistical leadersPassing: Devante Kincade (218-of-341, 3022 yards, 31 TD, 4 INT)
Rushing: Martez Carter (116 carries, 891 yards, 10 TDs)
Receiving: Martez Carter (28 receptions, 376 yards, 3 TDs)
Tackles: De’Arius Christmas (69)
Sacks: Deontae Hatter (4.5)
Interceptions: Deaumante Johnson (3)

Potential game breaker: The Defensive Line. On paper, this area has the most to replace from 2016, but reports from training camp indicates that the new faces up front are more than ready to answer the bell, as the D-line is stocked with size, length and athleticism and has looked unstoppable at times in team scrimmages. If this performance carries over into the season, the Tigers’ defense may be better than it was last season and could intermittently carry the team as a potentially explosive offense continues to come together in the early goings of the 2017 slate.

2017 scheduleSat, Sept. 2 @ Tulane 7:00 PM (ESPN3)
Sat, Sept. 9 vs. Northwestern State 6:00 PM
Sat, Sept. 16 vs. Jackson State 6:00 PM
Sat, Sept. 23 @ Mississippi Valley State 6:00 PM Sat, Sept. 30 vs. Clark Atlanta 3:30 PM (Chicago Football Classic in Chicago, Ill.)
Sat, Oct. 7 vs. Prairie View A&M 4:00 PM (State Fair Classic in Dallas, Texas)
Sat, Oct. 21 vs. Alcorn State 2:00 PM
Sat, Oct. 28 vs. Texas Southern 2:00 PM (Homecoming)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2:30 PM
Sat, Nov. 11 @ Alabama State 2:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 25 vs. Southern 4:30 PM (Bayou Classic in New Orleans, La. on NBCSN)

SWAC Football team preview scheduleMonday, August 14: Alabama A&M
Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern
Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State
Thursday, August 17: Southern
Friday, August 18: Alcorn State
Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M
Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State
Wednesday, August 23: Grambling StateThursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State
Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 

SWAC Preview: 2017 Alabama A&M Bulldogs

Courtesy Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M

Courtesy: Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M View Photo

Football Preview: Alabama A&M

Courtesy SWAC.org

Mon, August 14, 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  Alabama A&M head football coach James Spady said during the 2017 SWAC Media Day that he loves everything about his football team.
Alabama A&M appeared to be heading into a positive direction as it produced a one-game improvement from a season ago (4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC) with a second-place finish in the SWAC Eastern Division in 2016.
Now, the Bulldogs return their entire starting offensive line along with a top running back in the conference and signs from their spring games that they may be able to take the next step forward this upcoming season.
“I wanted to see great effort and we got that on both sides of the ball,” coach Spady said.
“Our defense did dominate us offensively, but there were some things that the offense did that I was fired up about.  We converted more third downs than we had.  We grew as an offensive unit in getting the ball to our different weapons and so it was a successful spring.”
Freshman of the Year running back Jordan Bentley looks to build upon his impressive first season where the All-SWAC First Team Preseason selection rushed for 851 yards on 159 carries (5.4 rushing yards per carry) with nine touchdowns. The six-foot, 200-pound back from Guntersville, Ala. was strong enough to finish with the fourth most rushing yards per contest in the conference with 77.4 yards per contest. Among returning players for the 2017 campaign, Bentley holds the second most rushing yards (only behind 2016 SWAC Championship Game Offensive MVP Martez Carter of Grambling State).
As far as the Bulldogs’ offense as a whole, it showed a slight uptick in production, producing 23.8 points per game (good for sixth in the conference).  Alabama A&M ranked ninth in passing offense (188.6 yards per game), fifth in rushing (178.8 ypg), and was sixth in total offense (367.5 ypg).
The Bulldogs will have to look to a new signal caller this season with the departure of De’Angelo Ballard.  Quarterbacks on the roster who could step into that starting role include redshirt junior Damion May, freshman Aqeel Glass and redshirt freshman Dylan Smith.
A key for the Alabama A&M defense in 2017 will be to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks as no individual Bulldog player ranked inside the top 20 in sacks and the team totaled a league-low nine sacks.
Leading the Bulldogs defense will be senior linebacker Kenneth Davis, who ranked second in the conference in tackles with 98 and had 10.5 tackles for a loss.
In 2016, Alabama A&M ranked eighth in scoring defense (allowed 38.7 points per game), ninth in total defense (460.7 yards allowed per game), 10th in rushing defense (238.8 yards allowed per game) and fourth in passing defense (221.9 yards allowed per game).
The Bulldogs had five players named to the All-SWAC Preseason Team including four First Team selections.  It’s the most in Spady’s tenure.  Bentley (RB), Davis (LB), Tere Calloway (DB), Nick Carden (K) were named as First Teamers while OL Austin Simmons made the Second Team.
Head coach: James Spady (Record at A&M 11-23 (fourth year); Overall 11-23 (fourth year).
2016 record and finish: 4-7 overall, 4-5 SWAC (second in the SWAC East Division)
Returning statistical leaders
Passing: Damion May (1-of-3, 12 yards, 0 TDs, 1 Int)
Rushing: Bentley (159 carries, 851 yards, 9 TDs)
Receiving: Ledarion Heath (22 receptions, 247 yards, 0 TDs)
Tackles: Davis (98)
Sacks: Yurik Bethune, Davis (two apiece)
Interceptions: Calloway (two)
Potential game breaker: R-So Marceles Clash.  The 6-1, 170-pound wide receiver from Altadena, Calif. showed promise this spring and has Bulldogs coaching staff excited for what he may be able to do to alleviate the loss of departing WR Tevin McKenzie, who ranked ninth in the SWAC in receptions (50 catches), fifth in receptions per game (4.5) and totaled 529 receiving yards.
2017 schedule
Sat, Sept. 2 @ UAB 2:30 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 9 @ Vanderbilt 3 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 16 @ South Alabama 6 p.m.
Sat, Sept. 23 Texas Southern 6 p.m. (Louis Crews Classic)
Sat, Sept. 30 Arkansas Pine-Bluff 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Sat, Oct. 7 @ Southern 6 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 14 Miss. Valley State 2 p.m.
Sat, Oct. 28 Alabama State TBA (Magic City Classic in Birmingham, Ala.)
Sat, Nov. 4 @ Alcorn State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 11 Jackson State 1 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18 Kentucky State 1 p.m.

SWAC Football team preview schedule

Monday, August 14: Alabama A&M

Tuesday, August 15: Texas Southern

Wednesday, August 16: Alabama State

Thursday, August 17: Southern

Friday, August 18: Alcorn State

Monday, August 21: Prairie View A&M

Tuesday, August 22: Jackson State

Wednesday, August 23: Grambling State

Thursday, August 24: Mississippi Valley State

Friday, August 25: Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Toyota SWAC Football Championship Events announced

The Southwestern Athletic Conference renewed its contract with NRG Stadium for three more years which means the 2016 SWAC Football Championship is set to return to Houston, Texas. The winner of the East and West Divisions will meet for Judgment Day Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. CT. Last season, Alcorn State earned back-to-back championships after defeating Southern University in 2014 and Grambling State in 2015. There will be special events around the football championship weekend starting with its annual SWAC Hall of Fame reception Thursday, Dec. 1. On gameday, the annual SWAC Battle of the Bands, featuring performances from the respective division winners, culminates with Judgment Day at halftime.  Traci Steele and Big Tigger will serve as the official host.   Tickets range from $15 - $55 (plus applicable TM fees) and increase of $5 the day of game. The champion will earn the conference title and a chance to play in the annual Air Force Reserve Celebration BowlSaturday, Dec. 17 in Atlanta, Ga. About SWACFounded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference - made up of historically black colleges and universities - and its members are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. The conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that govern intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the NCAA. Sponsoring 18 sports, the SWAC ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams- particularly in football. Thursday, December 1      · SWAC Hall of Fame Reception 6:00 p.m. (Invitation Only) * Friday, December 2      · SWAC Football Championship Press Conference at NRG Stadium 10 a.m. (Media Members Only) * Saturday, December 3     · 2016 SWAC College Expo at NRG Stadium 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.       · 2016 Halftime Battle of the Bands       · 2016 Toyota SWAC Football Championship at NRG Stadium 3:00 p.m.

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Joe, Porcher Named To 2017 Black College Football Hall of Fame Class

Courtesy MEAC Media Relations

Wed, October 26, 2016

Former Florida A&M head coach Billy Joe and South Carolina State standout Robert Porcher were selected to the Black College Football Hall of Fame (BCFHOF) Class of 2017 today.

Porcher played two seasons at SC State and was selected by the Detroit Lions as the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 1992 NFL Draft. A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Porcher was a three-time First Team All-Pro (1997, 1999, 2001) and the Lions' all-time leader in sacks (95.5). The Lions' Annual Man of the Year Award is named in honor of Porcher and he has jersey retired by SC State.

Joe spent 11 years at Florida A&M as its head coach and won five championships during his tenure. He participated in six NCAA I-AA Playoffs with the 1999 playoffs the most memorable run as the Rattlers finished 2-1 and fell 27-24 to Youngstown State in the semifinals. Joe also led FAMU to the 1993 and 1995 Heritage Bowls. He was also indicted into the 2007 College Football Hall of Fame.

Votes were tallied from the 12-member Selection Committee, comprised of prominent journalists, commentators and historians, as well as former NFL General Managers and executives, and from previous BCFHOF inductees to determine the Inductees.
The Class of 2017 will be honored at the Eighth Annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Presented by the Atlanta Falcons on February 25, 2017. The Induction Ceremony takes place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Inductees will also be recognized at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta on Dec. 17. For more information please visit www.BlackCollegeFootballHOF.org.

SWAC: Football Weekly Release - Week 9

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo

Football Weekly Release - Week 9

Courtesy SWAC.org

Wed, October 26, 2016

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Prairie View A&M at Jackson State
Jackson, Miss.
2 p.m.

Southern at Alcorn State
Lorman, Miss.
2 p.m.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Grambling State
Grambling, La.
2 p.m 

Alabama A&M vs. Alabama State
3 p.m.
ESPN 3

Texas Southern at Sam Houston State
6 p.m.
ESPN 3

CONFERENE NEWS AND NOTES

• Southern running back Lenard Tillery is 114 yards shy of breaking the SWAC’s All-Time rushing record set by Destry Wright of Jackson State.  The Jaguars are set to face Alcorn State this Saturday, a team that Tillery racked up 151 yards against last season.

• Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s last win at Grambling came in 2012.  The Golden Lions also won the SWAC Championship that same season

• Khalid Thomas can become one of only six players in Alabama State history to rush for 2,100 career yards with four more rushing yards this Saturday. Thomas is also 267 yards away from passing former ASU tailback Keldrick Williams, who rushed for 2,362 yards from 2003-2005 a former transfer of the University of Tennessee

• Exactly one year ago, Alcorn State broke a school record  finishing with 484 yards rushing against Southern.  Backup quarterback Lenorris Footman started for an injured John Gibbs Jr. and ran for 274 yards on 16 carriers to go along with four touchdowns. Footman only attempted seven passing attempts

• Magic City Classic Fact: Alabama A&M has won the last six meetings when the game has been decided by three points or less. The last such victory for Alabama State was a 14-11 win in 1992

• Grambling State owns the league’s longest conference winning streak with 13 in a row.  They will put that streak on the line Saturday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff which is also the only team to beat Alcorn State at home this season 

 

• Brothers Hurts: Texas Southern starting quarterback Averion Hurts is the older brother of Jalen Hurts, starting QB at the University of Alabama. The two have combined for 28  TD’s through seven weeks.  

• The Alabama State rushing attack is No. 1 in the SWAC with an average of 195 yards per game. 

FULL NOTES

SWAC: Volleyball Players of the Week: October 26

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo

Volleyball Players of the Week: October 26

Courtesy SWAC.org

Wed, October 26, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference honored Prairie View A&M’s Taylor Goudeau and Alabama State’s Jamie Coleman and Justus Tuiolosega as volleyball players of the week for their performance in competition from Oct. 19-25.
Offensive Player and Newcomer of the Week - Goudeau
Prairie View A&M
Outside Hitter
Jr. | 6-2 | Clear Lake, Texas
The junior outside hitter smacked down 27 kills (4.5 per set) and chipped in 15 digs and two assists in a two match, six-game sweep last week versus Mississippi Valley State and Jackson State. Goudeau had 19 kills, eight digs and two services aces against MVSU and the next day, she totaled eight kills, seven digs, and two assists in a win over the Tigers. Goudeau’s 3.98 kills per frame and 4.45 points per set both rank her second in the league, and she is third in hit percentage (.247).

Defensive Player of the Week - Coleman
Alabama State
Defensive Specialist/Libero
Sr. | 5-6 | Farmington Hills, Mich.
Coleman took home her fifth defensive player of the week accolade as she recorded 32 total digs in victories over Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State. She added five helpers and one ace as well. The conference’s leader in total digs (333), the senior ranks No. 2 in the SWAC in touches per set (4.5).

Setter of the Week - Tuiolosega
Alabama State
Setter
Jr. | 5-7 | Moreno, Calif.
Tuiolosega was a key cog in Alabama State’s league-leading offense, posting 41 combined assists as the Hornets downed Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State to remain unblemished in league play. She also added in 11 digs, one kill, and two aces to bring her conference-leading total to 34. On the year, the junior has put up 419 assists, third-most in the SWAC.

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo

2016-17 SWAC basketball television schedule announced

Courtesy SWAC.org

Wed, October 26, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference released its 2016 basketball television schedule, highlighted by nine of the 10 member institutions being featured across six different networks and six contests to be shown through the SWAC Digital Network (SDN).
League schools are set to square off against foes from the Big 12, Pac 12, Southeastern, Atlantic Coast and Big 10 conferences. Prairie View A&M tips off the slate with a trip to the Pacific Northwest to face Oregon State on Nov. 11.
Nov. 14 sees a double dip of coverage, as Alabama State faces TCU on Fox Sports Southwest, and new Mississippi Valley State women’s coach Jessica Kern takes the Devilettes to Tuscaloosa for a ladies’ tilt with Alabama, streaming on SEC Network + via WatchESPN and the ESPN app.

On Nov. 27, the SWAC makes its season debut on ESPN, as the Panthers take on Big 10 contender Wisconsin on ESPN3. Perhaps the marquee contest of the league’s non-conference slate takes place on Dec. 10, when All-American Derrick Griffin and the defending regular-season conference champion Texas Southern Tigers take on perennial national title contender Louisville. The contest will be available as an ACC Network Extra event via WatchESPN and the ESPN app.
All games aired on an ESPN network will be available through WatchESPN, accessible on computers, smartphones, tablets and streaming devices to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
On Dec. 14, SWAC tournament champion Southern gets an ESPNU showcase as it takes on Big 12 opponent Baylor.
The conference’s digital network broadcast ledger – which will feature men’s and women’s double-headers -- begins with Alabama State taking on Mississippi Valley State on Jan. 9, and the next week, ESPNU will show a potential SWAC tournament final preview, as 2016 runner-up Jackson State tangles with Texas Southern on Jan. 16.

On Feb. 6, a rematch of the SWAC Tournament Championship takes center stage with Jackson State and Southern going at it on ESPNU. Feb. 20 sees defending conference champion Alabama State Lady Hornets head to Baton Rouge to face Southern prior to the men’s contest, and the television schedule caps off with a double-header between Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Feb. 25 on SDN.
All games set to be shown are listed below, and more games may potentially be added as the season progresses.

FULL LISTING

SWAC: Volleyball Recap: October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo

Volleyball Recap: October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Tue, October 25, 2016

Austin Peay 3, Alabama A&M 0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-11)
Box Score 

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Alabama A&M fell in straight sets during road action at Austin Peay Tuesday evening.

The Bulldogs (7-18) were forced to play catchup from the start, as APSU jumped out to a quick 9-4 lead in the opening set, ultimately leading by as many as 13 in the opening frame. AAMU flew out of the gate in set two, scoring six of the frame's first eight points en route to a 12-9 lead.

However, the Bulldogs surrendered an 8-3 run to take the lead. Despite getting to within one on several occasions, AAMU was never able to overcome Austin Peay, who coasted to a one-sided set three victory to complete the sweep.
Ashundria McNeal posted 10 kills and four digs for AAMU.

SWAC: Soccer Player of the Week - October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo

Soccer Player of the Week- October 25

Courtesy SWAC.org

Tue, October 25, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama State’s Ariela Lewis and Howard’s Gabrielle Emilien and Kendall Hamilton have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference as Soccer Players of the Week for their outstanding performance in competition during October 21-23.
Offensive: Ariela Lewis – Alabama StateSenior forward Ariela Lewis tallied two goals and three assists over the weekend in Alabama State's victories against Mississippi Valley State (won 3-1) and Alcorn State (won 9-2). The Anchorage, AK native leads the conference in goals scored (12) and points (32). She scored in Friday's win against MVSU and then added one goal and a team-high three assists in Sunday's win against Alcorn State.
Goalkeeper: Gabrielle Emilien – Howard
Emilien picked up a pair of wins over Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff this past weekend.  She posted eight saves through two games, including five against GSU and notched a 1.000 saves percentage and 0.00 goals against average.
Defense: Kendall Hamilton – Howard
Hamilton helped the Bison tally a pair of shutouts against Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff limiting its opponents to 10 shots through two games

SWAC 2016 Football Media Day Recap

Courtesy Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M

Courtesy: Sidney Jackson / Alabama A&M View Photo

2016 Football Media Day Recap

Courtesy SWAC.org

Fri, July 15, 2016

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference officially opened the 2016 football season with its annual SWAC Football Media Day in Birmingham, Alabama at the Birmingham Marriott.

The event featured several workings including the All-SWAC Preseason Team announcement with a live video and radio broadcast stream.  A series of special guest included LT. COL Keith Bland of the Air Force Reserve, ESPN’s  John Grant, Executive Director of the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, Mark Wright from The Undefeated, Jay Walker ESPN College Football Analyst and Shack Harris from the Black College Football Hall of Fame.
Head coaches from all 10 schools accompanied with two players each were in attendance.  Over 130 media members were credentialed for this year’s gathering.
The SWAC released a pair of public service initiatives to highlight the conference member institutions, promote the upcoming 2016 Toyota SWAC Football Championship in Houston, Texas on December 3.
The SWAC released its 2016 SWAC Preseason Teams with Southern running back Lenard Tillery and Alabama State linebacker Kourtney Berry being tabbed for individual honors.
Two-time defending champion Alcorn State totaled 44 votes points as it was named the preseason favorite out of the East Division. Alabama State followed with 35 points, Jackson State received 28 points, followed by Alabama A&M (16) and Mississippi Valley State (12).

Out in the West Division, Prairie View A&M was chosen as the division favorite after amassing 41 points in the voting. Grambling State followed with 35 points, and Southern received 32 points. Texas Southern (16) and Arkansas Pine Bluff (11) rounded out the order of predicted finish.

SWAC Championship Recap: Alcorn State 49 Grambling State 21

Alcorn State beats Grambling State 49-21 to win 2015 SWAC Championship.

SWAC: Football Championship in Houston

Courtesy Zena Lewis

Courtesy: Zena Lewis View Photo

Football championship brings excitement to Houston

Courtesy Antonio Morales, Clarion Ledger

Fri, December 04, 2015

Alcorn State beat Southern 38-24 in the SWAC title game last season. Now the Braves will try to become the first repeat conference champion in 13 years. Alcorn  State will enter the title game on a three-game winning streak and has allowed 33 points combined in the past three games. The Braves have lost two consecutive games to Grambling, though, which included a 35-34 overtime loss earlier this season.

The Tigers are trying to win their first conference title since 2011. They also earned a lot of accolades from the SWAC.  Quarterback Johnathan Williams was the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, and coach Broderick Fobbs was named the conference’s Coach of the Year. Grambling is the only team in the SWAC without a loss in conference this season.

3 THINGS WE’RE TALKING ABOUT

Can Alcorn State slow down the Grambling offense?

The Tigers didn’t go crazy offensively in terms of yards in the first meeting, they posted 343. But they still managed to put plenty of points on the scoreboard. Grambling is the second-highest scoring offense in the SWAC at 43.2 points per game. Alcorn State, which allows 21.2 points per game, has the top scoring defense. So it’ll be a battle between two of the top units in the conference.

How much does experience help?

Braves coach Jay Hopson said he hopes the experience of playing in the title game last season helps. It didn’t matter much to Alcorn State last season when it was new to the SWAC title game and beat defending champion Southern. Grambling will be playing in this game for the first time since 2011. Braves receiver Brandon Vessell said he felt some pressure while playing in the game last season, but those nerves should be a bit more calm this time around.

Will John Gibbs Jr. play?

It seems like it’s the main question posed to Hopson every week. Hopson typically says Gibbs, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is “day-to-day.” He gave that answer when asked about Gibbs this week. Quarterback Lenorris Footman has been struggling passing lately, so the possible return of Gibbs could help the passing attack.

GAMEDAY DATA

When: Today, 3 p.m.

Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Television: ESPNU

Last meeting: 35-34, Grambling, on Oct. 17, 2015

All-time series: Grambling 44-19-1