Tennessee State University must get handle on turnover problem

Photo: TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner has been the biggest turnover offender this season. He has thrown seven interceptions and fumbled twice.

By MIKE ORGAN, Tennessean

TSU (2-2) VS. FLORIDA A&M
Atlanta Football ClassicWhere: Georgia Dome, Atlanta.Time: 2 p.m.TV: SportSouth (not available on Comcast in Nashville).Radio: WNSR 560-AMLast meeting: FAMU 25, TSU 22 OT (2006)Key matchup: TSU WR Chris Johnson vs. FAMU DB Ernest Williams. Johnson is ranked ninth nationally, averaging 98 receiving yards per game. Williams has an interception and 12 tackles.

Otherwise solid offense averages four giveaways

TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner has been the biggest turnover offender this season. He has thrown seven interceptions and fumbled twice.

Tennessee State's football players are holding onto hopes of accomplishing their goals.

Or are they?

The Tigers didn't hold onto much of anything in the second half of last week's game at Southern.

Five second-half turnovers led to a 41-34 loss and evened TSU's record to 2-2, with another difficult challenge sure to come today from Florida A&M (1-2) in the Atlanta Football Classic.

The Rattlers, the last nonconference opponent on the schedule, handed the Tigers a heartbreaking 25-22 overtime loss last year.

Even with the bungles and botched plays, the most important goals — posting a winning record and winning the Ohio Valley Conference — are within reach for the Big Blue. That's provided the offense can get a grip.

"When it comes to cutting down on turnovers, I don't think you put it in your players' minds,'' TSU Coach James Webster said. "You work on turnovers. But I don't want them thinking, 'Don't turn it over, don't turn it over.' I want them feeling positive and good that, 'I'm not going to turn it over as a result of working on drills.'"

The staff put the offense through more drills this week aimed at protecting the football than during any of the previous weeks.

Overshadowing accomplishments

Take away the turnovers and TSU's offense has performed well. The Tigers are first in the OVC and 19th nationally in total offense, averaging 421.8 yards a game.

Those accomplishments, however, have been overshadowed by an average of nearly four turnovers per game.

With eight fumbles and seven interceptions TSU is ranked 113th out of 116 teams nationally in turnover margin (minus-2.25).

No player has been bugged by the bungles more than Antonio Heffner. The junior quarterback has been responsible for nine turnovers — seven interceptions and two fumbles.

"You're just out there playing and some things happen that are not under your control,'' said Heffner, who fumbled twice and threw two interceptions last week. "Sometimes you wonder, 'How did that happen?' The ball security drills we did this week should help.''

Despite the setbacks, Heffner said the Tigers are glad they still can accomplish what they hoped for this season. And a win today would send them back into OVC play (Oct. 11 at Tennessee Tech) with some needed momentum.

"This is a big game because it's a rivalry came,'' Heffner said. "Then we get a week off next week before we go back into the OVC. Our main goal is to win the OVC."