By MIKE ORGAN, the Tennesseean
Running back Javarris Williams, who provided one of the few bright spots for Tennessee State's offense in last Saturday's loss to Alabama A&M, has earned back his starting assignment.
Williams will be with the first team when TSU plays Jackson State on Saturday in the Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.
Williams, a junior who rushed for 1,233 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, had been bumped from the first team by sophomore Terrence Wright because Wright had performed so well in preseason camp.
But Wright struggled Saturday gaining only nine yards on seven carries in the 49-23 loss to A&M, while Williams ran for 123 yards on 20 carries.
"I'm real proud of Javarris, of the way he ran and the way he handled me," TSU Coach James Webster said. "When I say the way he handled me, I mean that when I told him he wasn't going to start because of some different things he never wavered. He gave us his best in practice, he always hustled, and he came out in the game and ran like the winner that he is."
Williams wasn't satisfied with his performance against Alabama A&M, even though it was the 10th time he has rushed for at least 100 yards in a game.
"I did okay, but we didn't win so I guess it wasn't good enough," Williams said. "I read my blocks good and followed my linemen. I ran hard and there was some poor tackling by Alabama A&M."
No injuries: Webster said the Tigers suffered some minor bumps and bruises but no injuries that would keep any players out of the Jackson State game.
Scouting: NFL scouts from the Chargers, 49ers and Patriots attended Tuesday's practice. They were interested in cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but also checked on defensive end Shaun Richardson and offensive tackle Cornelius Lewis, a transfer from Florida State.
Nice increase: TSU Athletics Director Teresa L. Phillips wasn't happy about the loss in the John Merritt Classic, but was pleased with the increase in attendance .
Saturday's attendance mark for the John Merritt Classic was 22,440, which was up 3,953 from last year.
Phillips also said she wished more fans had watched the game at LP Field instead of staying in the parking lot to tailgate.
"We're trying to figure out how to get some of those people into the stadium once the game starts, but anytime you're going in the right direction in terms of attendance it's a positive," Phillips said.
Southern, a more traditional rival for the Tigers, replaces A&M in next year's Classic.
Running back Javarris Williams, who provided one of the few bright spots for Tennessee State's offense in last Saturday's loss to Alabama A&M, has earned back his starting assignment.
Williams will be with the first team when TSU plays Jackson State on Saturday in the Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.
Williams, a junior who rushed for 1,233 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, had been bumped from the first team by sophomore Terrence Wright because Wright had performed so well in preseason camp.
But Wright struggled Saturday gaining only nine yards on seven carries in the 49-23 loss to A&M, while Williams ran for 123 yards on 20 carries.
"I'm real proud of Javarris, of the way he ran and the way he handled me," TSU Coach James Webster said. "When I say the way he handled me, I mean that when I told him he wasn't going to start because of some different things he never wavered. He gave us his best in practice, he always hustled, and he came out in the game and ran like the winner that he is."
Williams wasn't satisfied with his performance against Alabama A&M, even though it was the 10th time he has rushed for at least 100 yards in a game.
"I did okay, but we didn't win so I guess it wasn't good enough," Williams said. "I read my blocks good and followed my linemen. I ran hard and there was some poor tackling by Alabama A&M."
No injuries: Webster said the Tigers suffered some minor bumps and bruises but no injuries that would keep any players out of the Jackson State game.
Scouting: NFL scouts from the Chargers, 49ers and Patriots attended Tuesday's practice. They were interested in cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but also checked on defensive end Shaun Richardson and offensive tackle Cornelius Lewis, a transfer from Florida State.
Nice increase: TSU Athletics Director Teresa L. Phillips wasn't happy about the loss in the John Merritt Classic, but was pleased with the increase in attendance .
Saturday's attendance mark for the John Merritt Classic was 22,440, which was up 3,953 from last year.
Phillips also said she wished more fans had watched the game at LP Field instead of staying in the parking lot to tailgate.
"We're trying to figure out how to get some of those people into the stadium once the game starts, but anytime you're going in the right direction in terms of attendance it's a positive," Phillips said.
Southern, a more traditional rival for the Tigers, replaces A&M in next year's Classic.
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