Sunday, August 19, 2007

JSU Haw sniffs out lone score on error-filled day


By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Jackson State's second scrimmage of August again produced just one touchdown. This time, it was a 6-yard run by junior Erik Haw up the middle of the defense.

Scoring touchdowns was Haw's speciality last season. Even though he often struggled with his yards per carry average, he had a team-high nine rushing touchdowns and seemed to find an extra boost close to the red zone.

"I think if you're a real running back, you sense that end zone and have a nose for it," Haw said. "That's just what I've been taught from pee-wee ball on up until today. Once we get inside that 20-yard line we have to score."

Saturday's scrimmage was moved up to 9 a.m. to avoid the blistering heat. The Tigers scrimmaged for 1 1/2 hours, working on special teams and regular situations.

JSU coach Rick Comegy said the mistakes were too numerous to count, but he considers that a blessing of sorts.

"Thank God we have this scrimmage on tape," Comegy said. "That way we can go back, evaluate, see what went wrong and then make changes for the better. I think a lot of guys on our team separated themselves today good and bad - telling us whether they want to play football or not."

The Tigers were thin on defense, with three of the four starting defensive linemen out of the lineup. Jamile Owens and Idrees Abdur-Rashied both sat because of injuries and Corey Clark has left for personal reasons. Comegy said he expects all of them to be back on the field soon.

"We're pretty beat up right now," Comegy said. "It's that time of camp, I guess. But I miss seeing our whole first-team defense out there at once. Hopefully we'll get that opportunity pretty soon."

With the season opener against Delta State less than two weeks away, Comegy said he's considering moving Daniel Brooks to defensive end if problems with Abdur-Rashied, Owens and Clark persist.

PERRI KEEPS PUSHING

The grass on Jackson State's practice field is thick and nearly ankle high in some places.

Trying to kick field goals in that grass must be like trying to slash a 7-iron out of deep rough, but the conditions haven't seemed to faze kicker Eric Perri.

The sophomore from Miami went 7-for-7 on field goal attempts Saturday morning, including two from about 46 yards out.

Perri's also settled on a holder, choosing quarterback Jimmy Oliver over punter Brett Bennett.

"The coaches let me decide and I liked them both, but Jimmy just knew all the trick plays and I had worked with him before," Perri said. "We're getting into a pretty good rhythm. He's easy to work with."

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