Tennessee State Hall returns to field; two others hurt

Photo: TSU RB Jarvarrius Williams rushed for over 200 yards against FAMU in 2006 Atlanta Football Classic.

By MIKE ORGAN, Tennessean Staff Writer

Tennessee State's defense may get one of its best players back, but could be without two others for Saturday's game against Florida A&M.

Starting cornerback Marquez Hall, a transfer from Vanderbilt who missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain, is expected to play when the Tigers meet Florida A&M in the Atlanta Football Classic at 2 p.m. in the Georgia Dome.

Starting defensive end Shaun Richardson and nose guard Harold Ayodele, however,
are "doubtful" for this week's game, according to Coach James Webster. Richardson is hampered by a bruised shoulder and sprained knee, while Ayodele has a sprained ankle.

Hall was back for Tuesday's practice. Richardson and Ayodele did not practice.

Hall sprained his ankle late in the Sept. 15 game at Austin Peay. The staff considered playing him last week at Southern, but rain and sloppy field conditions kept him sidelined.

"The field was in such bad shape — it was a grass field and it had lumps in it and holes and divots — that we just didn't want to take a chance because he's too valuable to us,'' Webster said.
Hall has a better chance of playing Saturday because the Georgia Dome has an artificial surface.

Travis Stubblefield, a freshman from Beech, replaced Ayodele in Tuesday's practice while several players were rotated at Richardson's position.

Richardson leads the team in sacks (4), tackles for loss (6), and quarterback hurries (3). He also has forced two fumbles and recovered one.

"Shaun has been huge — when he's healthy he's as good as there is,'' Webster said. "But right now he's beat up."

Work to do: After committing five turnovers in the second half of last week's 41-34 loss to Southern, the Tigers' offensive players spent extra time Tuesday working on ball-handling drills.

TSU has dropped to last in the Ohio Valley Conference and 113th out of 116
teams nationally in turnover margin at minus-2.25. The Tigers have committed
15 turnovers (8 fumbles, 7 interceptions) while gaining six (5 fumbles, 1 interception).

"We've been putting a lot of effort into protecting the football and we'll continue to do that,'' Webster said.

Top 10: TSU receiver Chris Johnson is ranked ninth nationally in receiving yards per game, averaging 98 yards a game. The junior from Glencliff High School had six catches for 119 yards and a TD against Southern.

Stopping Sylvester: TSU's defense will have its hands full trying to stop Florida A&M freshman running back Phillip Sylvester. He was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week after A&M's last game (Sept. 15) when he rushed for 222 yards on just 21 carries and returned a trap play 94 yards for a TD in a 30-17 win over Howard.