ELIZABETH CITY CLAIMS NORTH CROWN WITH 23-12 WIN OVER BOWIE STATE
(ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – October 22, 2011) In a game to determine the CIAA Northern Division crown, Elizabeth City State University got the job done, beating Bowie State University 23-12. The loss eliminates the Bulldogs from a chance at playing in the conference championship game and evens their record at 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the CIAA.
The Bulldogs took an early 3-0 lead at the 7:50 mark of the first quarter following a 38-yard field goal by senior Michael Gagne (Baltimore, MD).
In terms of team statistics, Bowie State accounted for 374 yards of total offense (204 rushing and 170 passing) and Elizabeth City State accumulated 314 yards of total offense (219 rushing and 95 passing). Bowie State, the most penalized team in the CIAA, shot themselves in the foot again, being flagged 12 times for 82 yards. Elizabeth City State was not immune from the penalty bug, as the Vikings were penalized 10 times for 84 yards.
Elizabeth City State’s Kevin Miller (Womelsdorf, PA) booted a 24-yard field goal with 5:32 left in the second quarter to tie the game at 3-3. The ECSU Vikings capitalized on a Bulldogs turnover and DaRonte McNeill (Elizabeth City, N.C.) hauled in a sideline pass from Creven Powell (Elizabeth City, N.C.), scoring a 33-yard touchdown at the 3:22 mark. Miller converted the extra point to take a 10-3 advantage. The touchdown was setup after Justin Beatty intercepted a pass by Bowie State junior Tyrae Reid (Baltimore, MD). Reid returned the interception 33 yards for an apparent Vikings score. However, a holding penalty along with an unsportsmanlike penalty negated the score at that time.
Gagne cut the Bowie State lead to 10-6 with 10:19 remaining in the third quarter following a 27-yard field goal, capping off a 10 play, 67-yard drive.
McNeill increased the ECSU Vikings lead to 16-6 after pounding in from 8-yards out with 12:20 remaining in the game.
BSU’s Reid was picked off for the second time, this time by Josh Brooks at the Vikings four-yard line and returned it to the Bowie State 10-yard line. Two-plays later, McNeill found the end zone again, and Miller’s extra point, pushed ECSU Vikings lead to 23-6 with 10:10 left to play.
Reid connected with junior Douglas McNeil (Baltimore, MD) for a 23-yard touchdown with 8:52 left on the clock, trimming the deficit to 23-12.
Elizabeth City State (5-2, 3-1 CIAA) was led on offense by McNeill’s 159 rushing yards and Powell’s 95 passing yards. Dewitt Dixon paced the Vikings defense with 10 total tackles.
Senior Tariq Jones led the Bowie State offense with 87 rushing yards on 15 carries and fellow senior James Proctor recorded a team-high 100 all-purpose yards. Defensively, junior Bekewele Amadi (Riverdale, MD) and sophomore Eric Walters (Capital Heights, MD) led the Bulldogs with 18 and 9 tackles respectively.
Bowie State will finally wrap up its six-week road swing next Saturday (October 29), traveling to Shepherd University for a noon non-conference contest against the Rams.
Hokie Hoops Team Prepares for Season
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com, October 21, 2011
Basketball practice has been going on for a week at Virginia Tech, and the Hokies open the 2011-12 season on November 12 against East Tennessee State. Preseason predictions have the Hokies finishing anywhere between fourth and eighth in the ACC. Today we'll take a quick look to see exactly what Tech has coming back this season.
Here is the projected starting lineup for Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech 2011-12 Basketball Roster
Starters
Pos. Name Ht. Wt. Yr.
G Erick Green 6-3 185 Jr.
W Dorenzo Hudson 6-5 220 r-Sr.
W Dorian Finney-Smith 6-8 192 Fr.
F Jarell Eddie 6-7 218 So.
F Victor Davila 6-8 242 Sr.
Reserves
F J.T. Thompson 6-6 225 r-Sr.
F Cadarian Raines 6-9 238 r-So.
W Robert Brown 6-5 190 Fr.
G Ty Garland 6-1 180 So.
F C.J. Barksdale 6-8 232 Fr.
G Marquis Rankin 6-1 165 Fr.
F Joey Van Zegeren 6-10 206 Fr.
G Erik Sorenson 6-3 175 So.
We are certain that Erick Green, Dorenzo Hudson and Victor Davila will start, while it's likely that Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarell Eddie will get the nod as well.
The Hokies have 11 healthy scholarship players right now. Allan Chaney was not cleared by Virginia Tech to play basketball, while true freshman point guard Marquis Rankin had knee surgery back in early October and is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks.
The Starters
Erick Green: Tech's veteran point guard, Green enters his second season as a starter looking to improve his shooting. However, his most important role is that of team leader. Green is a very good transition point guard and an excellent defender as well.
Dorenzo Hudson: After missing last season, Hudson returns as a fifth year senior and could be Virginia Tech's top scorer this season. He would like to be more consistent on his outside shots, but the key to Tech's success this year could be how well Hudson and Green coexist in the backcourt.
Dorian Finney-Smith: A long and athletic wing, Finney-Smith should be very good in transition, and he is also expected to be a good rebounder as a freshman. He will be one of Virginia Tech's better players in his first year on campus.
Jarell Eddie: Recently cleared to play for the first semester, Eddie will be a combo forward for Virginia Tech this season. He should be able to defend most power forwards he faces this year. He has good range on his jumper, though it needs to get more consistent. Eddie is a wildcard for the Hokies this season. If he becomes a scoring threat, then Tech will probably be better than expected.
Victor Davila: With the loss of Jeff Allen, a big void has been created on the inside when it comes to points and rebounds. Victor Davila had a solid season last year, and he'll be looking to improve yet again this year. More than anything, he has to improve his hands. If he can catch the ball cleanly on a consistent basis, he has the ability to score in double figures.
The Bench
J.T. Thompson: After missing last season with a torn ACL, Thompson will probably be Tech's top player off the bench. He's a very good sixth man who brings great energy and experience to the court.
Cadarian Raines: For the first time in his career, Cadarian Raines is participating in preseason practice. By all accounts he has had a good preseason, and he could be Tech's top rebounder and post defender this season.
Robert Brown: A highly-touted freshman, Brown is expected to provide Virginia Tech with a good scoring threat off the bench.
Ty Garland: Garland can back up Erick Green at the point guard spot, but he is also capable of playing on the wing as well.
C.J. Barksdale: As a true freshman post, Barksdale's time will probably be limited this year.
Marquis Rankin: Regarded as an excellent defender, Rankin is a terrific athlete in the form of former Wake Forest point guard Ish Smith. We won't know how ready he is to help the Hokies until he returns from his injury and gets into playing shape.
Joey Van Zegeren: A true freshman from Europe, Van Zegeren will use this season to get accustomed to American college basketball.
The Hokies have good talent on their team, but the losses of Malcolm Delaney, Terrell Bell and Jeff Allen will hurt. Scoring and rebounding could be issues, though Tech is expected to be a very good defensive team, as usual. We'll have more on the Tech basketball team as the season draws closer.
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