Saturday, September 4, 2010

Jackson State's QB welcomes 2nd chance to live his 'dream'

QB welcomes 2nd chance to live his 'dream'


As the starting quarterback for a college football team, Casey Therriault is living his dream. The Jackson State junior is running a new, pass-happy offense, hoping to help the program rebound from a miserable season. Some two years ago, though, Therriault, 21, was living a nightmare.

He was behind bars after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in a 2008 bar fight that left a man dead. He struggled to stay sane and had thoughts of never returning to the football field.

JSU notebook: Wilson to call plays on sideline

Jackson State offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson decided this week that he'll call plays from the sideline instead of the press box, where many coordinators choose to make play calls. Wilson and an assistant coach will signal in plays and formations for the team's new Air Raid offense. Calling plays from the sideline is something Wilson is used to doing.

Wilson worked for Hal Mumme, the Air Raid offense creator, for four years at New Mexico State. Wilson and Mumme stood next to each other on the sideline calling and signaling in plays.


Jackson State plans to start an inside linebacker Saturday who has never played a college snap. Not only that, but the two backups at the position have never taken a snap in a Division I college game either. Concerned? "Not really," senior outside linebacker Ryan Rich said. "We've got seniors in supporting roles."

According to JSU's latest depth chart, redshirt freshman Todd Wilcher will draw the start against Delta State at one of the two inside linebacker positions.


Renty Rollins has a new job. Yes, another one. Rollins, a transfer from an Arizona junior college, entered Jackson State's fall camp as a tight end. Three weeks later, with the season opener against Delta State days away, he's so much more than that.

Over the past few days, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior has started snapping on extra points and field goals during practice. His duties don't end there. He'll probably snap punts, too. And he'll play some slot receiver, also. So that's ... snapper, snapper, receiver and tight end.

Hard to get fix on DSU's offense

Linebacker Ryan Rich calls it "a mystery." Defensive coordinator Darin Hayes says it's "a guessing game." Both are talking about Delta State's offense. The Statesmen have a new offensive coordinator - never a good thing for an opposing defense in the season opener.

"You got to kind of prepare for everything," Hayes said. "You've got to be able to expect anything." Rich said the defense is doing just that, practicing to face any scheme Saturday, when the Statesmen travel to Jackson for a 4 p.m. matchup with JSU.

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