Plenty of good happening at SU, in SWAC

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

In the wake of Southern’s first loss of this football season and Monday’s unprompted inflammatory remarks from Jackson State coach Rick Comegy, here’s a good time to talk about what’s good at Southern U.

Pete Richardson. There hasn’t been a week that’s gone by when, in evaluating the coaching matchups for a Saturday game, the edge hasn’t gone to Southern.

The man has been good, steady, honest, decent. He’s a winner. He’s a treasure, for Southern and for Baton Rouge. This is the final year of his contract, and he’s shown all season why he is who he is. Almost weekly, a Southwestern Athletic Conference coach says so, including Comegy on Monday.

He’s 62, in great health, and he’s as loyal as always.

“I want to be at Southern,” Richardson said Monday.

Southern’s offensive line. The Jaguars were doing amazing with six guys taking all the snaps. Saturday, center Demarcus Stewart went down with a calf injury and further complicated matters.

How are they doing what they’re doing? Heart, guts and good coaching from Damon Nivens.

Wide receiver Gerard Landry. The way the senior co-captain scored SU’s final touchdown in a 33-28 loss to Alabama A&M said it all Saturday. On a fourth-and-long, he had to fight to hold his position to even make a catch on the first down, then he had to get through two guys at the goal line. He’s been determined all season.

Defensive end Vince Lands. Top-notch scholar, athlete. All heart. Relentless.
Strong safety Glenn Bell. Inspirational leader. Fiery, yet eloquent. When he says he’d play defensive end if you asked him, believe it.

Quarterback Bryant Lee. A winner in high school and a winner in college. Still learning. The joy in college football is right here in Lee: It’s fun watching the sophomore grow up before our eyes.

Running back Darren Coates. Richardson called the senior, who battled academic issues that sidelined him for two years and then worked his way up the depth chart, the team’s MVP. The guy stuck with it to get where he is. That’s what it’s all about.

Free safety Jarmaul George. The other co-captain came back to Southern, gave this place another chance last season, and is doing everything he said he’d do. Here’s a guy who really grew up and matured. It’s fun to watch guys like Lee while they’re growing. It’s fun to watch guys like George when they’re all grown up.

Defensive tackles Dwayne Charles and Joseph Selders. Smart guys. Personable guys. Hard-working guys.

Linebacker Gary Chatman. Unfazed by missing two seasons of football. Getting better by the game.

Southern’s fans and the people around campus. Warm, friendly, passionate.
SWAC fans, coaches, players and bands. The SWAC is special, and the people make it so. Kids trying to grow up and better themselves. Coaches and teachers who help them do so. Great stuff, daily.

Certainly, there is more good.

Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox Marching Band