Sunday, September 2, 2007

Minus Haw, JSU Tigers unable to produce ground game


By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Jackson State starting running back Erik Haw missed Saturday's game with an injured ankle after coaches made a game time decision that the junior couldn't play.

Haw, who scored four touchdowns in Jackson State's opener against Paul Quinn last season, watched from the sideline as JSU dropped a 27-15 decision to Delta State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"It hurt us not to have Erik out on the field and it was a really tough decision to make," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "But we decided we didn't want to risk him in a non-conference game."

Jackson State was already shorthanded at running back because senior Cody Hull had to miss the game because of questions about his academic standing.

That meant sophomore L.D. Briscoe and senior Lavarius Giles had to carry the majority of the workload. The result wasn't pretty.

Jackson State rushed for minus-22 yards and was consistently stuffed in the backfield. Without the threat of a decent running game, Delta State ran an all-out blitz for much of the game.

"Briscoe and Giles are both really good backs," Comegy said. "But they're outside runners and we've got to have the ability to run between the tackles. We just didn't have that tonight without guys like Cody Hull and Haw."


QB CHANGES?

Comegy said he wasn't sure what his quarterback situation would be for next week's game against Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic.

Senior Jimmy Oliver started the game but was on the bench by the second quarter. Sophomore Tray Rutland proved to be just as ineffective in relief and the two ended up trading series. Combined, they were 11-of-34 through the air for 151 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions.

"We'll have to go back, look at the tape and try to figure this out," Comegy said. "I know both had some bad reads, but they were also under a lot of pressure tonight from Delta State."

BETTER SECONDARY

After being dominated for much of last season, Jackson State's secondary looked much better against Delta State, holding the Statesmen to 67 yards through the air.

Junior cornerback Domonique Johnson, a transfer from Missouri, had an interception, as did sophomore Malcolm Palmer, who was also making his first career start.

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