Therriault's running reopens JSU passing game

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana — Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault had enough of defenses dropping five and six defensive backs 30 yards or more down the field. They respect my arm, he said. But they don't respect my feet. Maybe now, they will.

Therriault showed his wheels in JSU's 44-14 victory over Prairie View A&M on Saturday at Independence Stadium, gaining 91 yards on 17 carries. "It kind of offended me when people try to drop that deep into coverage," Therriault said. "That was my plan, to go ahead and get them to start respecting me as a runner."

Defenses this season - especially two weeks ago in a 17-16 victory over Mississippi Valley - have dropped up to four defensive backs 15 to 30 yards downfield, stifling JSU's vertical passing game. So, the quarterback, not known much for running, ran.

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The case for No. 1

SHREVEPORT, Louisiana — Jackson State football coach Rick Comegy hoisted the 3-foot high, gold-and-green trophy high above his head. Players gathered around, each wanting a touch of the inaugural Shreveport Classic prize.

Outside of the raucous gathering, Jackson State offensive lineman Rodrick Gladney knew an even better reward for the Tigers' 44-14 trouncing of Prairie View A&M on Saturday.

"We're No. 1!" he yelled. "We're No. 1!" Black college football, meet your new No. 1 team.

While JSU was rolling up 722 yards - while quarterback Casey Therriault was accounting for six touchdowns, while JSU defenders were hounding a pair of Prairie View quarterbacks - Alabama State, No. 1 in the Sheridan Broadcasting Network poll, was losing.

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Tigers make State-ment in Classic

The way Jackson State played the first 30 minutes of Saturday's Shreveport Classic against Prairie View, the Tigers didn't seem to lack for motivation. Just for good measure, coach Rick Comegy gave them some at halftime when he told his team Alabama State, the Southwestern Athletic Conference East leader, was losing to Alabama A&M.

That was enough to make sure the Tigers didn't coast in what turned out to be an easy 44-14 victory over Prairie View at Independence Stadium.

"We didn't know about the loss until our game was over, but we heard they were losing," Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault said. "A couple of us (knew), but we didn't talk about it. We tried to keep it on the down low and play our game. Coach told us at halftime just to re-motivate us."

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