Photo: TSU head Coach James Webster has a word with his team late in the third quarter during the Tennessee State University vs. Alabama A&M John Merritt Classic football game. By MIKE ORGAN, the Tennessean
Tennessee State starting defensive end Shaun Richardson practiced Thursday for the first time this week, leaving the door open for him possibly to play Saturday when the Tigers meet Florida A&M in the Atlanta Football Classic at the Georgia Dome.
Richardson, who leads TSU in sacks (4), tackles for loss (6) and quarterback hurries (3), suffered a bruised shoulder and sprained knee in last week's game at Southern. Earlier this week, Coach James Webster said Richardson was "doubtful" for the game against Florida A&M, but since Richardson was able to practice Thursday, he still could play.
"He knows my rule is if you don't practice on Thursday, you don't travel,'' Webster said. "He had to practice just to travel."
Webster said a decision on Richardson's playing status would be made closer to kickoff of the 2 p.m. game.
Branden Gouch, a freshman from Atlanta, replaced Richardson in practice and backed him up in last week's game. Gouch, who moved from linebacker earlier in the season, recorded four solo tackles at Southern.
"Gouch has done a really good job and is improving,'' Webster said. "He took a lot of snaps last week. That's one of those positions where you don't want a true freshman playing because there's too much to learn, too many adjustments, too many blocks to read. But he's done an excellent job considering he is a freshman."
Sophomore Kellen Woodard rotated with Gouch in the practices while Richardson was sidelined.
Cornerback returns: Defensive backs coach Randy Fuller said cornerback Marquez Hall would return to the first team after missing the past two games with a high ankle sprain.
Fuller said the unit had missed Hall, a freshman who transferred from Vanderbilt, in a big way.
"It's huge getting Marquez back,'' Fuller said. "He hadn't played in a college football game until our opener against Alabama A&M. Then he played half the game against Jackson State when he got hurt. He was getting experience and he was playing pretty good for us. So it's very important to get him back just to get him some more experience so we can have a solid corner on the other side (opposite of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie)."
Top 20: TSU has climbed to 19th nationally in total offense, averaging 421.8 yards per game (239.3 passing, 182.5 rushing), but is 69th in total defense, allowing 363.8 yards.
Photo: TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner (16) looks for a receiver during the Tennessee State University VS. Alabama A&M John Merritt Classic football game.
Tennessee State starting defensive end Shaun Richardson practiced Thursday for the first time this week, leaving the door open for him possibly to play Saturday when the Tigers meet Florida A&M in the Atlanta Football Classic at the Georgia Dome.
Richardson, who leads TSU in sacks (4), tackles for loss (6) and quarterback hurries (3), suffered a bruised shoulder and sprained knee in last week's game at Southern. Earlier this week, Coach James Webster said Richardson was "doubtful" for the game against Florida A&M, but since Richardson was able to practice Thursday, he still could play.
"He knows my rule is if you don't practice on Thursday, you don't travel,'' Webster said. "He had to practice just to travel."
Webster said a decision on Richardson's playing status would be made closer to kickoff of the 2 p.m. game.
Branden Gouch, a freshman from Atlanta, replaced Richardson in practice and backed him up in last week's game. Gouch, who moved from linebacker earlier in the season, recorded four solo tackles at Southern.
"Gouch has done a really good job and is improving,'' Webster said. "He took a lot of snaps last week. That's one of those positions where you don't want a true freshman playing because there's too much to learn, too many adjustments, too many blocks to read. But he's done an excellent job considering he is a freshman."
Sophomore Kellen Woodard rotated with Gouch in the practices while Richardson was sidelined.
Cornerback returns: Defensive backs coach Randy Fuller said cornerback Marquez Hall would return to the first team after missing the past two games with a high ankle sprain.
Fuller said the unit had missed Hall, a freshman who transferred from Vanderbilt, in a big way.
"It's huge getting Marquez back,'' Fuller said. "He hadn't played in a college football game until our opener against Alabama A&M. Then he played half the game against Jackson State when he got hurt. He was getting experience and he was playing pretty good for us. So it's very important to get him back just to get him some more experience so we can have a solid corner on the other side (opposite of Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie)."
Top 20: TSU has climbed to 19th nationally in total offense, averaging 421.8 yards per game (239.3 passing, 182.5 rushing), but is 69th in total defense, allowing 363.8 yards.
Photo: TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner (16) looks for a receiver during the Tennessee State University VS. Alabama A&M John Merritt Classic football game.
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