By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter
After a 33-27 victory over Florida A&M on Saturday which Southern coach Pete Richardson called a “great shot in the arm,” the Jaguars are set to start Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
SU (1-0) plays Mississippi Valley State (1-0, 1-0 SWAC) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago.
“It’s a conference game. It means more to us than last week, because we can’t afford to fall a game behind in our conference and expect to get back on top.
“Last year, we dug a hole and just couldn’t get out.”
Southern won its SWAC opener last season, 31-14 over Valley, but then lost four of its next five conference games. SU, picked as the preseason favorite in the Western Division, finished second to surprising Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Richardson’s point is well-taken, though. The Jaguars are 11-3 in conference openers under Richardson and have never won the SWAC after losing an opener (1996, 2000 and ’05).
The Jaguars have won five SWAC titles after winning 11 conference openers. Plus, though they did not win the SWAC while going 6-1 in conference play 1995, the Jaguars won the black college national title.
“The (intensity level) has to go all the way up, because now every game counts,” senior strong safety Glenn Bell said. “The FAMU game was significant for getting a good start, but now we’re talking about conference play. In this conference, if you lose one or two games, you’re basically out. We have to get off to a good start so we can be in the hunt.”
Valley, picked fourth in the Eastern Division, is coming off a 16-9 stunner over UAPB, the preseason pick to win the Western Division.
“I’m sure Mississippi Valley is going to be sky high after beating Arkansas-Pine Bluff,” said Richardson, whose team was picked third in the Western Division. “They’re excited. It’ll be a challenge for us.”
ESPNU adds GulfCoast
The Gulf Coast Classic, with Southern playing Alabama State at Ladd-Peebles Stadium Sept. 29 in Mobile, Ala., will be televised on ESPNU, the conference announced Wednesday.
The game remains scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
Duran Duran
What Southern saw in preseason camp played out in the season opener as true freshman kicker Josh Duran boomed kickoffs and punts.
Duran, a Class 4A All-State selection, averaged 42.3 yards per punt, 13th (of 116 teams) nationally. SU is also 12th nationally in net punting, at 39.2 yards per punt.
“When we had seen him, primarily we were after a field-goal kicker,” Richardson said. “That’s a plus for him. He can do both. He’s got good hang time now, and that gives our coverage an opportunity to get down and cover those punts and kickoffs. And that helps you out on defense.”
Duran made the transition from Division I-AA All-American Breck Ackley, who led the nation at 45.2 yards per punt last season, seem seamless.
“He did an outstanding job for his first start in college,” Richardson said.
What’s more, kickoffs have been moved back 5 yards, to the 30, so helping the coverage team is a must.
A big test comes Saturday.
Valley’s Clarence Cotton is third nationally in punt returns (19.3 yards per return) and tied for 10th in kickoff returns (29.3 yards per return).
“Cotton is a return guy who, any time he gets his hands on the ball, he can make things happen,” Richardson said. “When you look at Mississippi Valley, historically, they always have good special teams, especially return people who can make big plays. That has to be a concern, keeping them out of the end zone.”
Coach’s honors
Richardson named senior RB Darren Coates (142 yards and two TDs in his first career start), junior DE Vince Lands (four tackles, two pass breakups) — “he was relentless, we expected that,” Richardson said. and Duran (also 3-for-4 on PATs) as his players of the game for the FAMU victory.
Notes
SU senior WR Gerard Landry has caught a pass in 27 straight games. &hellip Richardson said sophomore Ronald Wade and senior Chad Harris likely will remain as punt returners. Wade fumbled and Harris muffed a return.
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