By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriterSouthern coach Pete Richardson’s offensive player of the week will have to be shared by at least five guys.
Richardson gave his personal award from Saturday’s 23-6 win over Mississippi Valley State to the entire offensive line.
“(Center Demarcus) Stewart, right tackle Myles (Williams), (left guard Rafael) Louis and (right guard Reuben) Oliver and also (left tackle Trent) Thomas did a good job,” said Richardson, naming the starters.
SU ran for 293 yards — the biggest total since Sept. 2003 — and had 499 total yards — the best total since Nov. 2005 — in Chicago.
“I think that’s great. That’s where it all starts: the offensive line,” said sophomore running back Brian Threat, who ran for a career-best 106 yards on 11 carries. “They were low on numbers, but they came out here and worked hard every day. We appreciate that. It’s good for the team.”
SU ran for 58 yards through two games last season, despite a 2-0 start.
This season, the Jaguars (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference), who host Prairie View (2-0, 1-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium, have run for 531 yards.
Since the spring, the line lost five veterans to academics and reshuffled the unit through preseason camp.
“So far, we feel good,” first-year offensive line coach Damon Nivens said. “We’ve been making some things happen up front. We’ve got a pretty smart front, engineering majors. We’re trying to get better as each game goes on. There was a big change from game one.
“The biggest thing is getting confidence up front, knowing what you’re doing and going full speed.”
Southern has instituted a zone blocking scheme under Nivens and the Jaguars have a nice blend in running backs Darren Coates, Kendrick Smith and Threat.
“It’s like we have three first-string running backs,” Threat said.
Already, Coates and Threat have had their first career 100-yard games and Smith, from Saturday, was named the SWAC Newcomer of the Week.
“We’re very satisfied with it,” offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. “The kids are getting more confidence in it. Football is about confidence.”
Whitewash
Southern is encouraging its fans to wear white for Saturday’s game, the Jaguars’ first home game of the season. Top Choice, a local store selling Southern paraphernalia, is selling a white T-shirt for the event, dubbed a “Whitewash Weekend.”
“It’s tough to play up here. The noise level is sky high, and most teams can’t concentrate up in here,” junior linebacker Johnathan Malveaux said. “It’s not hard for us to concentrate. This is our house.”
SU Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said single-game ticket sales have accelerated in the wake of the team’s 2-0 start.
“It’s a big boost for our fans to see how our team is looking, see what we’ve been doing on the road,” free safety Jarmaul George said.
Duran Duran
With Southern at the Mississippi Valley State 39-yard line, SU true freshman Josh Duran shanked his first punt Saturday, for minus-1 yard. But Duran recovered to average 35.6 yards per punt by getting off punts of 45, 45 and 53.
“He was trying to coffin (corner) kick the ball, and I guess he didn’t hit it right,” Richardson said.
Saturday, PV blocked two punts and a field-goal try, providing 13 points, in a 22-7 win over North Carolina A&T.
“We have to be concerned,” Richardson said.
Notes
Richardson said SS Glenn Bell (eight tackles, ‰ sack) and Duran were his defensive and special teams players of the week. … Richardson said junior QB C.J. Byrd, who was in a car accident in late July and recently returned to practice, could play if needed. … Sophomore QB Bryant Lee (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday. … SU has outscored its foes 30-7 (a Florida A&M TD with 16 seconds remaining) in the second half this season
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