Special teams sink TSU this week

By GUY CURTRIGHT, For The Tennessean

ATLANTA — Turnovers didn't cost Tennessee State like they did a week earlier at Southern. On Saturday, it was special-teams problems.

A botched punt snap resulted in a safety just before halftime. An 83-yard punt return for a touchdown by Qier Hall put Florida A&M within three points in the third quarter. And a 20-yard return by Hall later in the third led to what proved to be the winning touchdown in the 18-17 TSU loss.

"That was a big play in the game," TSU Coach James Webster said of the touchdown return, during which Hall eluded the grasp of four would-be tacklers.

The Tigers' only turnover came on a third-quarter fumble by Javarris Williams, who had 87 yards on 19 carries. But quarterback Antonio Heffner did drop a direct snap on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter.

Richardson plays: Despite a sore shoulder and knee, All-OVC defensive end Shaun Richardson played in the second half and had a sack in the fourth quarter.

"We thought we could get one big play out of him," Webster said. "He didn't play in the first half and I don't know if he should have in the second."

Gouch gets start: With Richardson hurting, freshman Branden Gouch got his first college start in his hometown. He went to Therrell High School, just a few miles from the Georgia Dome.

Other homecomings: Gouch was one of four players from Georgia to see plenty of action against FAMU. Nahshon Bigham, a senior from Macon, and Kalvin Baker, a sophomore from Columbus, started a linebacker. Ozzie Harrell, a freshman from the Atlanta suburb of Lithonia, played extensively at cornerback.

Time off: The Tigers are idle next weekend before returning to OVC play at Tennessee Tech on Oct. 11, a Thursday night game. TSU, which beat Austin Peay 33-32 in overtime in its OVC opener, defeated Tennessee Tech 30-20 last year in Nashville.