By MIKE ORGAN, Tennesseean
TSU (0-1) VS. JACKSON STATE (0-1)
SOUTHERN HERITAGE CLASSIC
Where: Liberty Bowl, Memphis
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: SportSouth
Radio: 560-AM
Last meeting: TSU 31, JSU 30, OT (2006)
Key matchup: TSU RB Javarris Williams vs. JSU LB Marcellus Speaks. Williams earned back his starting position by rushing for 123 yards on 20 carries last week. Speaks had a monster game against Delta State, recording 10 tackles, including three for losses.
Two-point run won 2006 Classic
TSU (0-1) VS. JACKSON STATE (0-1)
SOUTHERN HERITAGE CLASSIC
Where: Liberty Bowl, Memphis
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: SportSouth
Radio: 560-AM
Last meeting: TSU 31, JSU 30, OT (2006)
Key matchup: TSU RB Javarris Williams vs. JSU LB Marcellus Speaks. Williams earned back his starting position by rushing for 123 yards on 20 carries last week. Speaks had a monster game against Delta State, recording 10 tackles, including three for losses.
Two-point run won 2006 Classic
Brandon Williams' father James, a lieutenant colonel in the Army, had to be proud of the maneuver his son made last year, thrusting himself backward and landing in the end zone to score on a two-point conversion.
It looked like a scene from Full Metal Jacket and helped Tennessee State beat Jackson State 31-30 in overtime.
Williams, a fullback from Memphis, and the Tigers (0-1) are hoping such late-game heroics aren't necessary tonight at 6 at the Liberty Bowl when they face Jackson State (0-1) again in the Southern Heritage Classic.
If the Tigers are able to get up on JSU, like they did last week against Alabama A&M, they intend to stay up instead of collapsing.
"I went down to block, I got popped and I fell," Williams said of the 2006 catch he made of a pass from backup quarterback Richard Hartman, who was scrambling after mishandling the snap for an extra-point kick. "I looked up and saw Hartman roll out, and I knew to roll out, get in the flats, and wait for him to throw it."
Hartman tossed the ball to Williams, but Williams wasn't in the end zone. He backpedaled, then threw himself across the goal line.
"I hope it doesn't come down to a play like that this year," Williams said. "Our offense has worked hard to be more consistent this week than last week."
Breakdown on offense
TSU collected 382 total offensive yards in the 49-23 loss to Alabama A&M last week, but after Chris Johnson's 12-yard touchdown catch pulled the Tigers to within 14-13 early in the second quarter, the offense sputtered. The first team failed to score another TD.
Coach James Webster blamed the breakdown on an influx of newcomers on the unit and expects better execution tonight.
"We had seven new starters on offense," Webster said. "I've said since we were in camp that we're going to be better as we go on because we've got so many new starters. It's going to take time for that to jell. That's why I'm not down on this football team at all."
JSU stumbled as well last week, losing at home to Delta State 27-15. JSU's offense was without Ohio State transfer tailback Erik Haw and Southern Miss transfer Cody Hull did not play.
Haw had an ankle injury, and there were questions about Hull's academic eligibility. Both are expected back tonight.
"It hurt us not to have Erik," said JSU Coach Rick Comegy. "Both Haw and Hull do a good job of running the ball for us, but they also bring good leadership to the field."
It looked like a scene from Full Metal Jacket and helped Tennessee State beat Jackson State 31-30 in overtime.
Williams, a fullback from Memphis, and the Tigers (0-1) are hoping such late-game heroics aren't necessary tonight at 6 at the Liberty Bowl when they face Jackson State (0-1) again in the Southern Heritage Classic.
If the Tigers are able to get up on JSU, like they did last week against Alabama A&M, they intend to stay up instead of collapsing.
"I went down to block, I got popped and I fell," Williams said of the 2006 catch he made of a pass from backup quarterback Richard Hartman, who was scrambling after mishandling the snap for an extra-point kick. "I looked up and saw Hartman roll out, and I knew to roll out, get in the flats, and wait for him to throw it."
Hartman tossed the ball to Williams, but Williams wasn't in the end zone. He backpedaled, then threw himself across the goal line.
"I hope it doesn't come down to a play like that this year," Williams said. "Our offense has worked hard to be more consistent this week than last week."
Breakdown on offense
TSU collected 382 total offensive yards in the 49-23 loss to Alabama A&M last week, but after Chris Johnson's 12-yard touchdown catch pulled the Tigers to within 14-13 early in the second quarter, the offense sputtered. The first team failed to score another TD.
Coach James Webster blamed the breakdown on an influx of newcomers on the unit and expects better execution tonight.
"We had seven new starters on offense," Webster said. "I've said since we were in camp that we're going to be better as we go on because we've got so many new starters. It's going to take time for that to jell. That's why I'm not down on this football team at all."
JSU stumbled as well last week, losing at home to Delta State 27-15. JSU's offense was without Ohio State transfer tailback Erik Haw and Southern Miss transfer Cody Hull did not play.
Haw had an ankle injury, and there were questions about Hull's academic eligibility. Both are expected back tonight.
"It hurt us not to have Erik," said JSU Coach Rick Comegy. "Both Haw and Hull do a good job of running the ball for us, but they also bring good leadership to the field."
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