Jags' versatile QB could pose test for JSU Tigers

By Kareem Copeland, Clarion Ledger

JACKSON STATE AT SOUTHERN
When: Today, 6 p.m.
Radio: WOAD-1300 AM

Bryant Lee may wear No. 16, but there's no doubt he is the No. 1 priority when Jackson State steps on the field at A.W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge tonight at 6.

The Tigers (3-2, 3-0 SWAC) have to contain the SWAC's most prolific offensive entity to have any hope of pulling out a victory against Southern University (5-1, 3-1).

"He'll take over a game," JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said about the S U quarterback. "He's got a good strong arm. Makes good decisions. He does a lot with his feet, too. He's a very formidable quarterback. Probably one of the best we've faced this year.

"He's a guy you definitely have to be aware of and leery of, make sure we keep him in that pocket."

Lee leads the conference in total offense (252.2 ypg) while passing for 1,331 yards and rushing for 182. His 14 combined touchdowns account for over half of the conference's No. 3 scoring offense (26.3 ppg, 23 touchdowns scored).

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound sophomore will line up under center or in shotgun. He'll throw or run at will out of designed option plays.

Lee leads the Jaguars with 91 rushes.
"They're using him just right; he's operating that offense like no other," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "Like they used that young man at Texas that year (Vince Young). They try to put him in that role, where he can throw short passes and kill you with his legs."

Hayes added, "I guess they feel if they can't get the passes off, he can take it in his own hands."

Lee's ascension to stardom has been fairly smooth for a first-year starting quarterback, throwing just three interceptions. However, Southern coach Pete Richardson would like Lee to throw the ball away more instead of taking big losses. He's been dropped for minus-164 yards in 2007.

"He's an individual that's really growing as a quarterback," Richardson said. "He's built confidence in himself and our football team. They know he can make things happen."

Fortunately for the Tigers, their defense has been the most consistent unit thus far - barring the 27-15 loss to Delta State in the season opener.

JSU boasts the No. 1 total defense (221.2 ypg), No. 3 scoring defense (17.2 ppg), No. 1 pass defense (111.8 ypg) and No. 2 rush defense (109.4 ypg) in the SWAC.

"I think we're under the radar right now," Comegy said about his team, "and I kind of like being that way."