Sunday, October 16, 2011

JSU Tigers unable to hit long ball vs. MVSU Devils' scheme

Itta Bena, Mississippi -- Joseph LeBeau had seen this before. Watching from the sideline Saturday during Jackson State’s 17-16 win over Mississippi Valley State, he noticed the Delta Devils’ scheme in the secondary.

“They played more of an Alabama State defense on our offense,” the JSU defensive end said. All agreed that Mississippi Valley (0-7) mimicked a scheme Alabama State used three weeks ago to hand JSU a loss and force six interceptions from quarterback Casey Therriault.

The scheme? A mix of cover-2, cover-4. Valley’s cornerbacks played as much as 15 yards off the ball and their safeties were in farther, preventing JSU’s go-to play: the long pass. “They didn’t let our receivers get behind them,” Therriault said. “They kept everything in front, looking for tipped balls, looking to jump routes. It was a good scheme.”

It worked, too, at least in the first half.




READ MORE

No comments: