By MIKE ORGAN, the Tennessean
Heffner remains starter for now
Even after Antonio Heffner turned the ball over four times against Southern on Saturday night, Tennessee State Coach James Webster said he's not changing quarterbacks.
But he's not ruling out the possibility either.
If Heffner, a second-year starter, continues to be so generous with the football, he could end up on the bench.
All of Heffner's turnovers came in the second half and were big factors in Southern's 41-34 come-from-behind win over the TSU.
"When you have turnovers on your team there are two things you can do as a coach," Webster said. "You keep working on what's causing the turnovers, and then if you continue to turn the ball over you have to limit the opportunities of the individual who is turning the ball over."
Running back Javarris Williams also fumbled the ball away in the third quarter, as TSU had five turnovers in the second half after committing none in the first.
TDs and turnovers
The dilemma for Webster is that it was Heffner who helped TSU build a 27-6 first-half lead. He ran for a touchdown and passed for two others.
In the second half, however, Heffner threw two interceptions and fumbled twice. His first fumble led to a Southern TD and his second came on TSU's final possession of the game with 1:45 remaining.
On the season, Heffner has thrown seven interceptions and six touchdowns. With the two fumbles Saturday, he's been responsible for a total of nine turnovers in four games.
Webster said he was not ready to give freshman backup Calvin McNairl more time with the first team in practice.
"Heff is our starter and I still have all the confidence in the world in Heffner," Webster said. "He's just got to make better decisions with the football."
Webster has said since the preseason that Heffner pushes himself too far at times when trying to make something happen on the field. And too often, that ends up in a bungled play.
"I felt like (Saturday) he reverted back to thinking, 'I've got to make a play," Webster said. "He was pushing a little bit. He doesn't have to make a play — all he needs to do is manage the game."
Hall still out: Starting cornerback Marquez Hall, a transfer from Vanderbilt who suffered a high ankle sprain Sept. 8 against Jackson State, was still not able to play Saturday.
Starting safety Anthony Levine, who missed last week's game against Austin Peay with strep throat, returned and made five tackles.
Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands
Heffner remains starter for now
Even after Antonio Heffner turned the ball over four times against Southern on Saturday night, Tennessee State Coach James Webster said he's not changing quarterbacks.
But he's not ruling out the possibility either.
If Heffner, a second-year starter, continues to be so generous with the football, he could end up on the bench.
All of Heffner's turnovers came in the second half and were big factors in Southern's 41-34 come-from-behind win over the TSU.
"When you have turnovers on your team there are two things you can do as a coach," Webster said. "You keep working on what's causing the turnovers, and then if you continue to turn the ball over you have to limit the opportunities of the individual who is turning the ball over."
Running back Javarris Williams also fumbled the ball away in the third quarter, as TSU had five turnovers in the second half after committing none in the first.
TDs and turnovers
The dilemma for Webster is that it was Heffner who helped TSU build a 27-6 first-half lead. He ran for a touchdown and passed for two others.
In the second half, however, Heffner threw two interceptions and fumbled twice. His first fumble led to a Southern TD and his second came on TSU's final possession of the game with 1:45 remaining.
On the season, Heffner has thrown seven interceptions and six touchdowns. With the two fumbles Saturday, he's been responsible for a total of nine turnovers in four games.
Webster said he was not ready to give freshman backup Calvin McNairl more time with the first team in practice.
"Heff is our starter and I still have all the confidence in the world in Heffner," Webster said. "He's just got to make better decisions with the football."
Webster has said since the preseason that Heffner pushes himself too far at times when trying to make something happen on the field. And too often, that ends up in a bungled play.
"I felt like (Saturday) he reverted back to thinking, 'I've got to make a play," Webster said. "He was pushing a little bit. He doesn't have to make a play — all he needs to do is manage the game."
Hall still out: Starting cornerback Marquez Hall, a transfer from Vanderbilt who suffered a high ankle sprain Sept. 8 against Jackson State, was still not able to play Saturday.
Starting safety Anthony Levine, who missed last week's game against Austin Peay with strep throat, returned and made five tackles.
Tennessee State University Aristocrat of Bands
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