Duo sits out SU scrimmage

Photo: RB Darren Coates

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Two of Southern’s top offensive options did not go through the unit’s final scrimmage.

Senior wide receiver Gerard Landry, a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection last season, remains out. Landry had oral surgery Tuesday and has been out since Aug. 14.

Senior running back Darren Coates, who has worked as the No. 1 at that spot all preseason camp, was out after taking a shot to the hip from a helmet during team-on-team work in the final practice period Wednesday.

Southern head coach Pete Richardson said Landry will still have to have about eight stitches removed, either Monday or Tuesday, and may not return to practice until Tuesday.

“We have to work on getting him back in football condition and getting him ready to go,” Richardson said.

Richardson said Landry, with 727 yards and five touchdowns on 55 catches last season, might be able to start running Saturday.

“We just want the medication he took to have time to work in his body,” Richardson said. “Hopefully, he’ll be in pretty decent shape.”

Meanwhile, Richardson said Coates, who ran 31 times for 119 yards and one touchdown and had seven catches for 56 yards last season, might not be back until Monday.

“He was pretty ouchy on that,” Richardson said.


Roll call
n Sophomore center Ramon Chinyoung, who started last season and is the team’s No. 1 at that position, returned to practice Thursday and worked with the first-team offense. Chinyoung had missed two practice days this week.

Chinyoung’s eligibility for this season, however, has yet to be finalized.

“We’re still working on some things,” Richardson said. “He’ll be able to practice until we get those straightened out.”

n Sophomore center Daniel Stephens, who did not play last season, remained out for the second straight practice with an ear infection. Richardson said Stephens might not be back until Monday.

Without Stephens, senior right guard Demarcus Stewart has to rotate over to center. Stewart began last season as the starting center.

n Richardson received word that true freshman Calvin Cunningham (shoulder) will not require surgery. The next question is, how soon Cunningham can return to practice. Cunningham did not dress Thursday.

With junior Frank Harry moved from tackle on defense to guard on offense, Cunningham is the only backup tackle Southern has (to replace sophomore Dwayne Charles or junior Joseph Selders).

Richardson said Cunningham could be back Monday to work on conditioning.

“He wants to play,” Richardson said. “We’re going to try to go as far as we can.”

n Sophomore P/K Willie Joseph (hamstring) returned to practice for the first time since Saturday. However, he did not make a kick of any kind during Thursday’s scrimmage.

Kickoff special
The Southern University Quarterback Club will host a Blues Football Kickoff at 8 p.m. today at its headquarters at 6969 Titian Ave. A blues musician, along with Athletic Director Greg LaFleur, football coaches and support staff will be on hand. For more information, call (225) 925-8200.

Notes
Southern’s Fan Day is at 11 a.m. Saturday after practice. &hellip The running back corps, becoming more and more high-spirited under first-year coach Elvis Joseph, has taken to chanting “We are the Jaguars, the mighty, mighty Jaguars” lately in practice.