Tuesday, September 4, 2007

JSU starting QB spot back on the block


David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Two days after Jackson State's offensive debacle in a 27-15 loss to Delta State, Tigers coach Rick Comegy announced that the starting quarterback position was up for grabs between senior Jimmy Oliver and sophomore Tray Rutland.

"After looking at the film, Tray might have jumped ahead of Jimmy a little," Comegy said. "We'll go through the week and see how both of them look."

Oliver started against DSU, but was on the bench by the second quarter. Rutland, a Mississippi State transfer, didn't have any more success than Oliver, and the two ended up splitting time the rest of the evening.

Oliver finished 7-of-20 passing for 93 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Rutland was 4-of-14 passing for 58 yards and was picked off twice. JSU finished with just 122 yards of total offense.

JSU (0-1) plays Tennessee State (0-1) at 6 p.m. on Saturday in the Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

RUNNING BACKS COULD RETURN

Comegy said he expects running backs Erik Haw and Cody Hull to play on Saturday against Tennessee State.

Haw, a junior, missed the Delta State game because of a sprained ankle while Hull, a senior transfer from USM, was academically ineligible.

Without those two, JSU rushed for minus-29 yards on Saturday. Lavarius Giles led the Tigers with 16 rushing yards on eight carries.

TAPE EXCHANGE SPAT

Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said he was upset that other SWAC schools apparently gave game tape to Delta State to help the Statesmen study the Tigers.

"You would think the SWAC schools would try to stick together," Comegy said. "We need to get with (interim commissioner) Duer Sharp and try to get some kind of agreement."

No comments:

Post a Comment