JSU Football: What's wrong with the Tigers' offense?

Photo: After missing JSU's first game, Erik Haw rushed for 82 yards in Saturday's loss to Tennessee State.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

It's high noon for Jackson State coach Rick Comegy, and the sharks are circling in the main dining room at Schimmel's - a downtown restaurant in Jackson.

The Monday afternoon ritual during football season consists of about 75 Jackson State fans. They buy an $11 ticket, eat some pasta covered in andouille sausage and shoot the breeze with friends.

But most importantly, they get the chance to step up to the microphone and ask Comegy a few questions about their beloved Tigers.

The lunch crowd is always a raucous, honest bunch, even when JSU has won a big game the previous weekend. So imagine their mood after a 16-13 loss to Tennessee State left the Tigers with an 0-2 record this season.

Nothing like an angry mob to go with your pasta.

"It's usually loud," said JSU fan Derrick Cannon said with a grin. "But I don't think it's ever been this crazy."

One by one, they step to the microphone. Some want to know why Tray Rutland - and not Jimmy Oliver - started at quarterback. Others wonder what offensive coordinator James Woody was thinking when he called a pass on 3rd-and-goal at the 5-yard line. Then there's the group that thinks running back Lavarius Giles isn't being used enough.

But when it comes down to it, all are asking a variation of the same two questions.

What in the world is wrong with this team?

And.....

What are you going to do to fix it ?

The first question is pretty easy to answer: the offense. More specifically, the passing game.

Jackson State is averaging just 14 points per game in its two losses and has scored only two offensive touchdowns this season.

Of utmost concern are the quarterbacks. Tray Rutland and Jimmy Oliver have combined to complete just 19 of 58 passes (32.7 percent) for 299 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions.

Neither has established himself as the starting quarterback and the competition continues for its third straight regular-season week.

Comegy says it will be the last.

"What I do know is we need to get this thing settled," Comegy said. "We want one guy who's the starter and then somebody that can back him up if something happens."

At Monday's luncheon, Comegy admitted that Oliver's tendency to miss film sessions was hurting his chance to start, despite the fact that he threw for 1,906 yards last season and was first in the SWAC in total offense.

As for Rutland, his inconsistent play has done little to inspire confidence. But the sophomore has the studious demeanor Comegy craves.

"It's my decision who the quarterback will be," Comegy said. "Then we'll stick to that decision."

While the quarterbacks have been shaky, the receivers haven't been a whole lot better.

Rodney Gray, one of the Tigers' premier transfers from Southern Miss, dropped three passes against Tennessee State. And JSU offensive coordinator James Woody said Gray is far from the only culprit.

"It's surprising because we thought the quarterbacks and receivers were going to be the deepest, most experienced part of this team," Woody said. "I don't know if complacency set in or what. But it won't happen again."

Then there's the second question: What can Jackson State do to fix this before the season gets our of hand?

Senior receiver Chris Johnson says there's no miracle cure, only better execution and concentration.

"I think we've all figured out that great talent and experience doesn't mean anything if you can't execute," Johnson said. "We're just trying to narrow our focus. We know we're better than this."

Comegy said the biggest focus of this week's practice would be red zone work. The Tigers were just 1-for-3 in scoring opportunities once they got inside Tennessee State's 20-yard line.

Last season, Jackson State was one of the SWAC's best in the red zone, scoring on 30 out of 38 opportunities (78.9 percent).

"Every play, we see ourselves getting better," Rutland said. "Now we've got to make the big play when we're down by the end zone. We're building more and more confidence and those big plays will come."

Cornerback Keith Camp doesn't have first-hand knowledge of the offensive woes. But the senior says a return to winning ways might just be a matter of attitude.

"At this point, we need to start treating every player on every opposing team like they're an All-American," Camp said. "We're 0-2 right now, so I'm not sure why we'd take anything for granted."

By the time the 45-minute question and answer session is over at Schimmel's, the JSU crowd has calmed down - at least a little.

A weary Comegy has answered all the questions, though the exchange was testy at times.

It's obvious the program needs a win in a hurry. The Tigers have lost six of seven games dating back to last season.

And thanks to a short week, the next chance is just two days away. JSU hosts Texas Southern at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday in a game nationally televised on ESPNU.

Before he leaves Schimmel's to resume work on his game plan, Comegy takes a long look at the crowd and then offers this:

"For the first time on Saturday, I saw these guys really fight for Jackson State and a cause bigger than themselves," Comegy said. "We're at the crucial point of gelling. Don't give up on these kids right now."