TIGERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Time/Results TIGERS SET TO FACE PVAMU IN 30TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY CLASSIC ON THE AIR THE OPENING KICKOFF

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1 TIGERS FOOTBALL TEXAS SOUTHERN Record: 0-0 (0-0 SWAC) Head Coach: Darrell Asberry 8th season, 3rd at TSU (44-43) TIGERS SET TO FACE PVAMU IN 30TH ANNUAL LABOR DAY CLASSIC After growing up just a few blocks down the road from each other and eventually going on to compete against one another as student-athletes in the SWAC the rivalry between Texas Southern head coach Darrell Asberry and Prairie View A&M head coach Heishma Northern continues on Sunday at NRG Stadium in the 30th edition of Annual Labor Day Classic football game. After a fun filled week of press conferences and luncheons the game is set to kick-off in what should be an exciting contest. Asberry and Northern are even at 1-1 with PVAMU winning last years meeting In 2012 it was TSU that emerged victorious on a late field goal. THE OPENING KICKOFF PRAIRIE VIEW A&M Record: 0-0 (0-0 SWAC) Head Coach: Heishma Northern 4th season, 4th at PVAMU (14-20) Texas Southern alumnus Michael Strahan was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in August. Texas Southern s Asberry is undefeated at NRG Stadium holding a 1-0 record. TSU returns two key playmakers on offense with the return of wide receiver Fred Plummer and Daveonn Porter at running back. Texas Southern had a total of four All-SWAC selections with DB Tray Walker, DB Le Tevin Wilcox, DB Brandon Thomas and P Cory Carter all garnering post season accolades. Last season nearly half of Texas Southern s losses were by a seven point margin or less. Texas Southern scored a season high 41 points last season versus Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Academically TSU Football is the third highest ranked HBCU football program as it relates to APR for the past three years. Transfer linebacker Darian Claiborne is expected to make an immediate impact for the Tigers on defense. He led Texas A&M in tackles with 89 and helped stop the run SCHEDULE Time/Results Aug. 31 Prairie View A&M 4:00 p.m. Sept. 4 Texas College 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 Central State 5:00 p.m. Sept. 20 Alabama A&M 7:00 p.m. Sept. 27 Alabama State 5:00 p.m. Oct. 4 Mississippi Valley St. 7:00 p.m. Oct. 18 Alcorn State 2:00 p.m. Oct. 25 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 2:00 p.m. Nov 1. Grambling State 5:30 p.m. Nov. 8 Southern 1:00 p.m. Nov. 15 Jackson State 5:30 p.m. Home games listed in Bold ON THE AIR Television n/a Radio KTSU 90.9 FM Lary Chattabox Hale pxp Devin Wade color HSRN Mark Gray pxp Henry Frazier color Athletic Websites TSU- PVAMU TEXAS SOUTHERN TIGERS KEY PLAYERS No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Note 1 Fred Plummer WR R-SR One of the Tigers key receivers on offense. 2 Malik Cross WR R-JR Has quick footwork and solid hands at receiver. 4 Homer Causey QB R-JR Starting quarterback, good arm strength and speed. 7 Daveonn Porter RB SR Quick and explosive back with speed and agility. 69 Marvin Hollie OL R-SR Anchors TSU s offensive line unit, graduated in Spring of Brandon Thomas DB SR All-SWAC selection at defensive back, solid footwork 5 Tray Walker DB SR Tall, athletic cornerback with sound fundamental skills 8 Darian Claiborne LB SO Transfer from Texas A&M, named to All-SEC Freshmen Team 29 Le Tevin Wilcox DB R-SR Physical shutdown corner with good size and speed 44 Amir Bloom DL R-JR TSU s leader in sacks last season, All-SWAC First Team

2 Texas Southern University At A Glance Texas Southern University, one of the nation s largest HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), possesses an impressive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, a diverse faculty, 80-plus student organizations, and an alumni network comprised of educators, entrepreneurs, public servants, lawyers, pilots, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage. Nestled upon a sprawling 150-acre campus, Texas Southern University has served as a cornerstone for developing the greatest potential in leaders from various socio-economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds. Texas Southern is located in the heart of the city, in Houston s historic Third Ward, giving its students and faculty easy access to the Museum District, neighboring educational institutions, the Texas Medical Center, City Hall, downtown Houston venues, and all of the city s major freeways. More than 8,500 students, along with nearly 1,500 faculty and staff comprise the University s community, and like its curricula, the student body is characterized by diversity. While many of the undergraduate and graduate students enrolled are native Texans, the student and faculty population is represented by almost every state in the country, including the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, and by more than 50 nations. Texas Southern University is home to nine schools and colleges and many have programs unique to the area and several have received national recognition for their outstanding performance. Texas Southern offers the only Urban Planning degree in the area and has one of only two flight simulators in the nation to support its airway sciences program. A new degree in entertainment management uses a state of the art sound studio as a laboratory for students learning both the technology and management needed for the Entertainment industry. The Thurgood Marshall School of Law was named the most diverse law school in the nation three consecutive years by U.S. News and World Report. In addition, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) has historically produced over 27 percent of all the African American pharmacists in the nation. Also, the majority of African-American teachers in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) as well as African-American lawyers in Houston are Texas Southern University graduates. Texas Southern participates in numerous programs, partnerships and collaborations designed to not only strengthen the overall collegiate experience, but meet critical social needs. From the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Preparation Program (LSAMP), which increases the number of students receiving bachelor s degrees in critical STEM (science, mathematics, engineering, and technology) disciplines, to the NASA Research Center for Biotechnology and Environmental Health, and more, Texas Southern is home to many cutting-edge opportunities. With one of the most diverse faculties in the nation; state-of-the-art facilities; extra-curricular activities led by the university s legendary Debate Team and award-winning Ocean of Soul Marching Band and jazz ensemble; and exciting programs and initiatives, such as the U.S. government s designation of Texas Southern University as a National Transportation Security Center of Excellence (NTSCE), one of only six nationwide, opportunities abound for students at TSU NOW!

3 Head Coach Darrell Asberry Darrell Asberry was named the 15 th head coach of the Texas Southern Tigers football team in December 2011 by athletics director Dr. Charles McClelland. Asberry was the head coach at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina for the past five seasons. As head coach, Asberry had a overall record and a conference record at Shaw. He captured three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Championships in five seasons (2007, 2008 & 2010). He was named CIAA Coach of the Year in 2007 and the Pigskin Club s (Washington, DC) CIAA Coach of the Year in His teams also competed in the 2007 and 2010 NCAA Division II playoffs. Coach Asberry s teams began to experience success almost immediate. He turned his defense into one of the best in the NCAA Division II. They were the best in total defense his second year at the helm. The following season, Shaw ranked first in total defense, rushing defense, sacks and tackles for loss. His success on the field also extended into the classroom with one of the top graduation rates in the conference. Ten of his players were named to the CIAA All-Academic team in 2009, and nine were named to the ALL-CIAA team. Asberry also produced the conferences 2009 Defensive Player of the Year. The 2010 team faired just as well with nine players named to the ALL-CIAA squad, including the CIAA Defensive Rookie of the Year. Asberry not only produced a dynamic defensive, his offensives were just as explosive. In 2008, Shaw led the conference in scoring offense, touchdowns scored, total offense, passing offense, field goals made, kick return touchdowns and third down conversions. Nationally, their offense was third in the nation in scoring offense. Not to be outdone, the defense was tops in passing efficiency defense and tackles for loss. Before joining Shaw, Asberry served as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach at North Carolina Central University from He was elevated to Assistant Head Coach in his second season at NCCU. While there, Asberry orchestrated the top ranked offense in the CIAA in total offense, passing offense and scoring offense. They finished second in rushing offense in Prior to NCCU, Asberry was Offensive Coordinator, Wide Receivers and Quarterbacks Coach at Albany State from He returned to Jackson State, his alma mater in 1999 as the Running Backs coach before being promoted to Offensive Coordinator in In 2001, JSU led NCAA Division I-AA in passing yards, and in 2002 they led the nation in total offensive yards. In 2003, he took the position as Offensive Coordinator for Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native is a 1994 graduate of Jackson State University with a bachelor s of science degree in Criminal Justice. He lettered two seasons as quarterback, earning the team s Most Valuable Player award as a senior. After his collegiate career, he played professionally as a wide receiver and quarterback with the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League ( ) and as a wide receiver with the Amsterdam Admirals of the World League of American Football ( ). Asberry is the proud father of two daughters, Arabria and Armarni, and one son, Armariyan.

4 Training Camp News and Notes Tigers football continues to soar with APR Scores HOUSTON- Texas Southern Tigers head football coach Darrell Asberry is close to reaching another milestone as it relates to the academic progress of his program. Now entering his third year at the helm of the program Asberry has helped elevate the Tigers academically inside the classroom as TSU now ranks third of all HBCU's as it relates to APR average for the past two years with a score of 960. With next years' projected scores Asberry is poised to take the lead as it relates to three year APR score averages among all HBCU Division I football programs. TSU is now sanction free in regards to APR and now with a clean slate academically the Tigers are set to become one of the leaders nationally in APR scores for Division I HBCU's. "We undoubtedly have to stop and take a moment to commend TSU head coach Darrell Asberry for the strides his studentathletes have been able to make inside the classroom," said TSU Senior Associate Athletic Director Mike Moleta. "Programs that achieve high marks as it relates to APR do so not by mistake but by the diligent efforts of coaches, administrators, and most importantly student-athletes that buy into the idea that in the future a college education can be a means to advancing well beyond the realms of athletic competition." Last year the Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) announced that the Texas Southern football program had once again been named the recipient of the Academic Progress Rate (APR) Most Improved Award for the Southwestern Athletic Conference during the athletic year. In past recent years TSU was sanctioned by the NCAA for poor academice perfomance. Now under the direction of Asberry this year scores provide further evidence that the hard work put in by TSU's football coaching and support staff as well as student-athletes is starting to pay huge dividends. "We couldn't be prouder of the tremendous progress our program has made during the past several years as it relates to our APR scores," said TSU head coach Darrell Asberry. "This has been a collective effort and the team of support staff TSU President Dr. John Rudley and Director of Athletics Dr. Charles McClelland have put in place around us is a big part of our success." "Everyone has bought into what it takes to not only be athletes on the field but also what it takes to be high achieving students in the classroom. I have to take my hat off to them for what they've accomplished in such a short amount of time." Tigers football hits the field for the first practice HOUSTON- Rainy skies over Houston didn't halt practice for the Texas Southern Tigers as they took the field for their first day of training camp. After the rain passed through, the Tigers football team looked energized and ready to work. "I thought we got off to a good start," said TSU head coach Darrell Asberry. "The guys moved around extremely well. The biggest thing we were looking for was discipline and focus. Our players' attitudes were great and I'm very pleased with what we saw out here on the first day of camp." After a successful campaign last year senior Pre-Season 1st Team All-SWAC Defensive Back Brandon Thomas looks to have another productive season defensively for the Tigers. "I want to be the best leader I can be on and off the field," said Thomas. "As a team we also want to work as hard as we can

5 Training Camp News and Notes Tigers football completes second day of camp HOUSTON- The Texas Southern Tigers football team participated in their second day of practice in preparation for the upcoming season. The Tigers looked energetic as players flew around the field on Thursday making plays and learning new schemes on both sides of the ball. "We're trying to get our timing down on a lot of our plays," said TSU head coach Darrell Asberry. "We worked primarily on our run sets so we didn't throw the ball around too much today. Overall I'm pleased with our effort today." Texas Southern brought in several new faces over the course of the offseason which means many of the student-athletes within the program are learning the philosophies and techniques the Tigers plan to employ on offense and defense. Despite the learning curves TSU student-athletes brought positive attitudes with them to the field today. "I've been really pleased with the attitudes of our freshmen and newcomers," said Asberry. "This is a different speed for them so they're working hard to catch-up. Overall today was a solid day of practice and if I had to signal out one unit that is leading the pack at this early point of camp it would have to be our special teams." Texas Southern Tigers wrap-up week two of camp HOUSTON- The Texas Southern Tigers football team continued their preparation for the upcoming season with another productive training camp practice session today at Durley Field. With just a few days of practice remaining before their highly anticipated Labor Day Classic meeting with Prairie View A&M the Tigers football team has begun to pay close attention to fine tuning their techniques and fundamentals. "As a defense we're starting to come together real strong," said defensive back Le'Tevin Wilcox. "You can really start to see the difference having spring ball has made as far as where we are at this year compared to last year. Everybody is out here competing and getting better day by day." Last season Texas Southern senior offensive lineman Marvin Hollie sat in dismay as he watched his team drop their season opener to PVAMU. This season Hollie and his teammates have each made a commitment to go the extra mile in order to try and make amends for the teams' overall performance last year. "We have a really good senior group," said Hollie. "We all entered camp with the same mind set so we've been able to hit the ground running at the same pace. If we can come out and play well to open the season that would be great for us as well as the confidence of our younger players. This is the last season for a lot of us so we want to go out and represent our school with pride and a desire to reach all of the goals we've set." SWAC host Annual Media Day BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference officially opened the 2014 football season with its annual SWAC Football Media Day. The event was held at the Birmingham Marriott and featured several components including the All-SWAC Preseason Team announcement with a live video and radio broadcast stream. Texas Southern was picked to finish fourth in the SWAC's Western Division.

6 Training Camp News and Notes Texas Southern had a total of four players selected to the All-SWAC team. Defensive lineman Amir Bloom, defensive back Brandon Thomas and punter Cory Carter were named to the first team. Tray Walker was a second team selection at defensive back. "I feel really good about this season," said TSU head coach Darrell Asberry. "We have several players returning along with some newcomers that I think will have immediate impacts on our team." The annual event was carried live by the SWAC Digital Network which featured each of the head coaches from all 10 schools within the SWAC along with several guest. Over 150 media members attended this year's session which featured a radio row with guest from HSRN, Boxtorow, and ESPN college football analyst Jay Walker. The SWAC released a pair of public service initiatives to highlight the conference member institutions, released its upcoming football television schedule, and promoted the upcoming 2014 Toyota SWAC Football Championship in Houston, Texas on December 6. Bloom named to FCS Watch List DAVIDSON, North Carolina- Texas Southern University student-athlete Amir Bloom has earned a spot on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Awards Watch List. The initial watch list includes 38 defensive linemen, vying for the top defensive end and defensive tackle awards in the Football Championship Subdivision. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration. The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. Twenty-eight CFPA winners have been first-round NFL Draft selections. CFPA Trophy winner and former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft. The full list of 2014 CFPA winners will be announced January 14, TSU s Strahan now a member of the NFL Hall of Fame CANTON, Ohio- Former Texas Southern University football standout Michael Strahan was taken in the second round, 40th player overall, in the 1993 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. At Texas Southern he had a reputation for sacking quarterbacks as demonstrated by his school record 41.5 career sacks. That ability transitioned well to the pro level and by the time his 15-season NFL career ended, he ranked among the all-time sack leaders and was the Giants' record holder with career sacks. "I don't think any of us knew what to expect this weekend but I have to admit that this has been the best weekend of my life," said Strahan. "I have to thank the NFL Hall of Fame and my classmates. I'm honored to be in this class because you guys epitomize class and I think this is right where I belong with you guys." After retiring from the NFL, Strahan became a media personality. He is currently a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, and he also serves as co-host on the television morning talk show "Live with Kelly and Michael," alongside Kelly Ripa.

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