SWAC suspends and Fines Jackson State's Comegy

SWAC Suspends and Fines JSU's Comegy

Birmingham, Ala. - Jackson State University head football coach Rick Comegy has been suspended for one game (Saturday, November 13 vs. The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff) and fined $1,000.00 for violating the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s sportsmanship policy following the Tigers’ game at Alabama State on Saturday, November 6th.

Coach Comegy’s comments and actions following the contest violated SWAC policy which prohibits coaches, student-athletes, and administrators from making “Inappropriate/derogatory comments to the media about officials, coaches, student-athletes and administrators (or designee)."

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Our take on all of this...total overkill!  Coach Comegy is not the problem! The SWAC needs to adopt a policy for instant video replay in all league games and immediately procure the necessary equipment for next season.  Too bad coaches careers are being jeopardized by the lack of proficiency in the SWAC Zebras Corps.  Implementing an instant replay policy would resolve most of coaches and players concerns and provide the Zebras with a reliable tool to assist them in officiating the games.

First Murphy; Now Comegy; Who's Next?

Why does comedy shows on the HBCU campus during homecoming week always include comedians that have vocabularies that does not require a college education to understand? What are we really teaching the students/young adults if we put so-called professional comedians before them and pay them for dialogues laced with profanity?

I do recognize it really take skills to be funny, without the profanity and choice gutter adjectives.

Charlie Murphy's stand-up comedy performance at Grambling State on Wednesday evening clearly missed the mark as being first--funny, and second--entertaining. The dude maybe comedian Eddie Murphy's brother, but he is not funny nor does he present a positive image that I would want my children exposed to on any college campus.

What's more insulting is these types are commanding $22,000 or more in performance fees for their useless 1-2 hour presentations. Here is what appears to have happened based on the video clip posted on YouTube:

"After being booed by several students, Murphy, the brother of world-famous comedian and actor Eddie Murphy, shouted an expletive at the audience and dropped the $22,000 check given to him by the GSU Student Union Board for his performance and left the stage."


Videographer: IMTHEBESTINTHEHOOD

Next Snafu

On last Saturday evening, Jackson State University football coach Rick Comegy dropped 4 "F" words in a rapid fire 14 seconds on a local news reporter from Channel 12 in Montgomery, Alabama after the Alabama State Hornets squeaked past the JSU Tigers 32-30. Coach Comegy, as you can see was very angry with the SWAC game officials and their impact on the game's outcome.


Videographer: macbfac7312

I can understand and accept Comegy's outburst -- as he was caught up in the passion of the game and competition for a SWAC Championship. What's Charlie Murphy's excuse? A $22,000 pay day and he couldn't take a little booing from a spattering of fans that thought his material was weak....

Now, just my opinion--Coach Comegy was funnier than Charlie Murphy by ten country miles and he didn't get paid anywhere near $22,000 for this game or for his 14 seconds of Internet fame. I still don't want my children exposed to either tirade, but stuff like this happens in real life.

Before anyone gets the wrong ideal, it has been reported by reliable sources that Coach Comegy has provided an apology to the radio and television stations, the FCC and anyone else that care to listen. I can accept his apology and move on because Coach Comegy is very passionate about his work and the well-fair of his student-athletes.

Plus his delivery and quote is a Sports Center highlight of the decade. Charlie Murphy is not funny, except for those eyes! Coach Comegy is funny and entertaining.

As the commercial says, "want to get away?"

Caps off to you both---keep the laughs coming!

(beepbeep)

JSU can't overcome slew of turnovers, penalties against ASU Hornets

MONTGOMERY — For so much of this season, Jackson State depended on its sure-armed quarterback. On Saturday night, the Tigers couldn't overcome his mistakes and a multitude of foolish penalties.

Passing into a swarming secondary, Casey Therriault tossed a season-high three interceptions, and Jackson State committed 17 penalties in a 32-30 loss at Alabama State, suffering a major setback in its quest to win the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division and sending its coach into a rage.

Tillman, Lee turn in breakout performances

MONTGOMERY — If there was a bright side to Jackson State's 32-30 loss to Alabama State on Saturday night, it was the emergence of two guys Tigers fans have been waiting to explode: receiver Keenan Tillman and running back B.J. Lee. Tillman, a junior who was second on the team in receiving yards last year, has been hampered by a hamstring injury for most of the season. It looks like he's all better now.

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ATTENDANCE: 8,179

Videographer: MrDrummajor2010

East lead on line for JSU Saturday

Predicting a champion for the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division is no easy task these days. The scenarios seem endless. The ifs are everywhere. And the tiebreakers are a headache.

For Jackson State, it's simple enough: If the Tigers beat Alabama State on Saturday, they'll have a great chance to win the East and go to Birmingham for the SWAC Championship. They know it, too.

Tigers make most of transfer talent

Filling a team with transfers was never W.C. Gorden's style. Gorden, the winningest coach in Jackson State football history, isn't saying it's wrong. He just never did it. Not many, he said, did back then.

"In the Southwestern Athletic Conference at that time, that wasn't a popular way that coaches built a championship team," Gorden said. "It just wasn't popular." Two decades later, things have drastically changed.

Tigers to face rugged pass D

When Jackson State travels to Alabama State on Saturday, the pass-happy Tigers will meet another highly touted pass defense. The Hornets are tied for first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference with 14 interceptions and rank No. 2 in the conference allowing just 159 passing yards a game.

It's the third time in three weeks that JSU has met a pass defense that's ranked at No. 2 or better in the SWAC. Jackson State coach Rick Comegy hints at his team's plans.



D-lineman Billups finds less is more

There's something different about Johnathan Billups these days. He moves quicker. He looks lighter. He seems faster. Lost some weight? "I've lost a little bit," the Jackson State defensive tackle says, a thanks-for-noticing grin sweeping across his face.

Known as "Big Bill" in the locker room, Billups is in the middle of the weight loss battle - the same one many Americans face. Since fall camp, he's trimmed his 325-pound frame by some 10 pounds, and it's noticeable.

Comegy hasn't lost faith in RB Moreland

Coach Rick Comegy is standing behind Alfred Moreland. Moreland, Jackson State's second-string running back and former kick returner, had his fourth fumble of the season Saturday in the win over Prairie View A&M.

That's not to say Comegy won't stick with him in a rotating role with starter B.J. Lee during Saturday's 7 p.m. game at Alabama State. "You just can't take him out because he's a good runner," Comegy said. "By no means am I planning on sitting him."

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Jackson State handles Prairie View A&M 30-13

Casey Therriault threw for 291 yards and a touchdown as Jackson State beat Prairie View A&M 30-13 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game Saturday night. Therriault, who leads Football Championship Subdivision passers with 335 yards per game, gave the Tigers (6-2, 4-2) a 7-0 lead with a 10-yard pass to Marcellos Wilder. He completed 27 of 39.

With Jackson State leading 14-3 at halftime, Kyle Mathews kicked his second field goal for the Panthers (5-4, 4-3), a 25-yarder, after Michael Benson returned the second-half kickoff 63 yards. A Tigers safety made it 16-6 when Milton Patterson stopped Donald Babers in the end zone.



JSU's much-criticized Darkside Defense returns to old form

Forget those plentiful passing yards, those tantalizing touchdown tosses and those crazy, sometimes comical catches. Jackson State's Air Raid offense might be well and good, but the program's once-vaunted defense has returned. The Darkside Defense - as they say - is back.

"It feels great," defensive end Donavan Robinson said. "Finally got our title back."
Behind its best defensive performance in 20 games, Jackson State denied Prairie View A&M an offensive touchdown and crushed the Panthers 30-13 on Saturday.

Attendance: 23,701

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Jackson State vs. Prairie View A&M

When: Today, 4 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Television: None
Radio: JSU Network (WHLA-95.5 FM, Jackson)
Records: Jackson State: 5-2, 3-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference; Prairie View A&M: 5-3, 4-2 SWAC
History: Last meeting: Prairie View 30, Jackson State 27, 2007
All-time series: Jackson State leads 34-14-2

What a way to begin a critical season-ending four-game stretch than welcoming the defending SWAC champions into Memorial Stadium for homecoming. Already strapped with two SWAC losses, the Panthers likely won't catch Grambling in the SWAC West. Their motivation? A possible at-large bid into the Football Championship Subdivision's expanded playoffs, and, maybe more importantly, ruining JSU's homecoming and hampering the Tigers' path to the SWAC Championship Game.

Injuries exact toll on Tigers' defense

These days, a simple glance around the Jackson State practice field reveals plenty about the team's crippled defense. Linebacker Milton Patterson's left forearm is covered in a dark cast, protecting the broken bones in his wrist.

Cornerback Jeremy Keys wears a different shoe than everyone else because he's playing with a fractured foot. Defensive end Sam Washington spends some of his time watching from the sideline because of a sore lower back.



Boom warned about violations

JSU's marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South, was publicly reprimanded this week by the Southwestern Athletic Conference for playing during game action. The Boom could be suspended or fined for more offenses. Conference rules state that "once the offensive team breaks the huddle and approaches the line of scrimmage, the band shall cease playing."

This particular offense, the league said in a statement, occurred during JSU's game against Alabama A&M on Oct. 9, but the Boom has been told by the head referee to stop playing during several other games this season.

Panthers loaded with motivation for clash with Tigers

When Eric "Shorty" Greene thinks of Prairie View A&M, he can't help but remember his playing days at Jackson State. Back then, in the early 1990s, Prairie View was on what would be an 80-game losing streak. The program gave few or no football scholarships. And, frankly, didn't give programs like JSU much trouble.

"When they got off the bus," Greene said, "we knew we were going to whip them."

Nowadays, Prairie View is anything but the Southwestern Athletic Conference's dog. In fact, the school won the conference last season. It was the first SWAC championship for the program in 45 years.

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Grounded: JSU's vaunted passing attack stymied by TSU's attacking D‎

HOUSTON, TX - Air what? For the first time this season, Jackson State's Air Raid offense met its match. And then some.

Hounded, hassled and harassed, quarterback Casey Therriault and his prolific passing attack stood no chance as Texas Southern beat Jackson State 21-18 on Saturday, grounding the Air Raid with a swarming secondary and a pass-rushing defensive front.

The Football Championship Subdivision's leaders through the air, Therriault and JSU's new pass-happy offense walked out of Houston's Butler Stadium with a black eye of a day that included one offensive touchdown.

Clock ticks down on Jackson State's decisions

HOUSTON, TX - Jackson State fans let the boos reign during the final 2 minutes of the Tigers' 21-18 loss to Texas Southern on Saturday. The reason for it stemmed from some questionable game management that may have cost JSU a chance to get a final possession with the team down by three points. Here's a retake of the events:

Notebook: Banged-up defense melts down in second half

How about this for a tale of two halves in Jackson State's 21-18 loss to Texas Southern on Saturday? JSU's defense allowed 97 yards and 0 points in the first half. And in the second? 260 yards and 21 points.

The Tigers allowed a total of 295 yards rushing, most of those coming in the final two quarters and many of them coming on long third-down scampers from TSU QB Arvell Nelson.

Texas Southern holds off Jackson State

Marcus Wright ran for 139 yards and a touchdown and Arvell Nelson added 115 rushing yards and two scores as Texas Southern held off Jackson State 21-18 Saturday. Wright rushed 26 times while Nelson scored on a 12-yard run and a 1-yarder and passed for 62 yards.

Texas Southern (4-3, 4-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) finished with 295 yards on the ground while holding Jackson State (5-2, 3-2) to minus-6.

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Attendance: 8,767

JSU Tigers' Richardson scores with 2 seconds left to cap frenetic finish

Rico Richardson said it was a simple "go route."

With 9 seconds left in the game and Jackson State trailing Southern University by four points, the Tigers receiver raced straight down the field for what he hoped was a game-winning touchdown. Seven seconds later, Richardson fell head first across the goal line to cap one of the wildest finishes college football has ever seen and give JSU a history-making victory over its rival from Louisiana.

"This is destiny," linebacker Todd Wilcher said afterward. Said JSU coach Rick Comegy: "Unbelievable." Richardson's 28-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Casey Therriault with 2 seconds left lifted Jackson State over Southern 49-45, and capped a frantic fourth quarter that won't be forgotten around these parts for a long, long time.

Out-of-breath QB Therriault leads wild win

Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault nicely asked a reporter for a moment immediately following his team's wild win Saturday night. He was granted it. "You'll have to give me a few seconds," he said, "my heart is pounding." Rightly so.

Therriault didn't have his best game Saturday in Jackson State's 49-45 win over Southern University. He threw an interception - he only had two all season - and forced plenty of balls into blanketed coverage. But in the end, the transfer from a Michigan junior college helped the Tigers get a fourth win in five years over Southern.

Photo Gallery: JSU - Southern

JSU outlasts Southern

JACKSON, Miss. — When all the madness finally ended, when there were no more wild plays, no more magic tricks left to pull, most of Southern’s football players stood on the visitors’ sideline at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Actually, most of them rested on one knee. The game clock flashed three zeroes, but they didn’t move. In complete and utter disbelief, they stared straight ahead, slackjawed, exhausted and emotionally spent. The final score — Jackson State 49, Southern 45 — was like the final frantic minutes of Saturday night’s game itself: Amazing, stunning and completely unbelievable. But absolutely true.

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Attendance: 42,053

Wells, Southern Jaguars relish role as underdog against Jackson State Tigers

Jackson State University head football coach Rick Comegy

His knee was at full strength again, but his hamstring still burned. It felt tight, and he couldn’t run like he wanted. Anthony Wells’ body kept betraying him. How was he supposed to make an impact like this?

He was missing from spring practice at Southern, and he missed summer workouts, too. There was, of course, a new coaching staff in town. As first impressions go, this one wasn’t much to brag about. This was not how Wells had envisioned his grand return.

QB makes most of his chance at Jackson State

Less than three years before Casey Therriault became Jackson State’s starting quarterback, he spent a night of his winter break hanging out with former Wyoming Park High football teammates in Grand Rapids, Mich.

On the way to their car, they were approached by a man who was inebriated. He traded insults with one of the guys. When Therriault laughed at something his friend said, the man turned his attention to him, striking Therriault, who, in turn, threw one punch and walked away.

Jackson State vs. Southern

When: Today, 6 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Television: None
Radio: JSU Network (WHLA-95.5 FM, Jackson)
Records
Jackson State: 4-1, 2-1 SWAC
Southern: 2-3, 1-2
History: Last meeting: Jackson State 22, Southern 14, 2009
All-time series: Southern leads 28-26-0

Touchdown issue getting to Richardson

Casey Therriault knows what comes with being the quarterback of a pass-happy, high-scoring offense like the one Jackson State runs. "Everybody wants to score," the Tigers star said.Add receiver Rico Richardson to the very top of that gradually shortening list.

Through five games, Richardson, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound sophomore from Natchez, has gained 256 yards - fourth on the team - on 15 catches and averages 17 yards a catch - tied for second on the team. He's among the six JSU receivers who have caught 15 passes or more this season.

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JSU Tigers aiming to feast on Southern Jags

For offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson and quarterback Casey Therriault, it can't get much better than this. Owner of the best passing offense in the Football Championship Subdivision, Jackson State (4-1, 2-1 SWAC) hosts a Southern team that struggles in defending the pass.

The Jaguars (2-3, 1-2) have a young secondary that has just four interceptions through five games this season - that's next to last in the conference. "We like to throw a little bit," coach Rick Comegy said when asked about Southern's struggling pass D.

Game site puts Jags AD in pickle

Greg LaFleur is in a tight spot. On one hand, the Southern University athletic director has to please the school's rabid fan base. On the other, he has to raise money for the university. When LaFleur moved Southern's home football game last year against Jackson State to 60,000-seat Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, it did two things:

It doubled the amount of money the school would have made had the game been played at the school's 24,000-seat A.W. Mumford Stadium in Baton Rouge. And it ticked off many Jaguar fans.

Worth repeating: Stump Mitchell

His team stopped a three-game losing streak last week, dumping Mississippi Valley State to move to 2-3. Now comes the really fun part for Stump Mitchell & Co: stopping Jackson State. The Jaguars and Tigers tee it up at 6 p.m. Saturday in Veterans Memorial Stadium.

"It’s definitely good to be back here after a win. It’s been a tough three weeks for Southernites. It’s been a tough three weeks for the players and coaches as well. We’ve been preparing to get a victory...

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A-Mayes-ing: JSU Tigers receiver puts on 3-TD show

Posed a question about his final hurrah of an extraordinary afternoon Saturday, Anthony Mayes had to pause and think. What? You expect the Jackson State receiver to remember all three of his touchdowns? "Hmmm," Mayes said, scratching his face in thought. "Let me see ... the last one ..." Yep, it was just that kind of day for Mayes - and the rest of JSU's Air Raid offense, too.

Mayes hauled in three scoring passes and quarterback Casey Therriault again sliced easily through an opponent's secondary as Jackson State beat Alabama A&M 30-14, picking up a victory that might just send the Tigers back to Birmingham. For the last four seasons, the winner of the A&M-JSU game has won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division and advanced to Birmingham for the league title game. "It's super big," coach Rick Comegy said afterward. Said Mayes: "We're riding high."

Surprise: A&M's starting QB out with injury

Call it smart. Call it clever. Call it deceitful or unfair. The bottom line is that Alabama A&M played without its starting quarterback Saturday and not many knew it until the backup strolled onto the field for the first play of Jackson State's 30-14 victory at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium..

"It was a well-kept secret," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. A&M coach Anthony Jones kept quarterback Deaunte Mason's injury - a groin pull - out of the media all week. In turn, JSU spent time in practice on defending the triple option, something Mason does well. A&M ran the option twice Saturday.

Notebook: Kicker will miss rest of season

Kicker Jabril Smith, a Callaway High grad, will miss the rest of the season with a broken ankle, Jackson State coach Rick Comegy confirmed following the Tigers' 30-14 win over Alabama A&M on Saturday.

Smith suffered what was thought to be a mild injury in the win over Mississippi Valley State two weeks ago. Midway through this week, Comegy said he expected him back in two weeks. Smith had surgery on the ankle Oct. 1, and Comegy was made aware later this week that he would not be returning this year. That leaves punter Reed Gallagher...

Tigers QB realizing potential

It's just past lunch time Thursday. John Doyle is sitting in his bustling classroom at Wyoming Park High in Michigan with the phone pressed to his ear, listening intently. He's being read Casey Therriault's statistics through four games as Jackson State's quarterback: 360 yards a game, 28 completions per game, 12 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

"It doesn't surprise me one bit," Doyle said chuckling a bit. "You should see his stats from high school." To Doyle, Therriault's high school coach, the numbers the QB is posting, while head-shakingly good, are the norm.

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Attendance: 24,269

JSU's Johnson out for season

Jackson State defensive back Anthony Johnson will miss the rest of the season with an knee injury. Johnson suffered the injury in the first quarter of Saturday's game against Tennessee State. The Mississippi State transfer and former Provine star was considered to be the Tiger's first draft pick in almost five years.

Despite his injury JSU defeated Tennessee State behind the brilliant play of quarterback Casey Therriault who passed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns. The win was the first over TSU in seven years and it has Terriault the talk of the SWAC. "I mean as long as our team keeps...



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Jackson State wins Southern Heritage Classic, 33-26

Quarterback Therriault is MVP, stars with four TD passes

Memphis, TN - In the past, Jackson State coach Rick Comegy would have been hoping, perhaps praying, that his defense would be able to hold off a late Tennessee State rally. That’s because his team has fallen too many times to their Southern Heritage Classic rivals not to worry. But Saturday night, with his team clinging to a seven-point lead and TSU having five cracks inside JSU’s 10-yard line at a game-tying touchdown, Comegy was confident his Tigers would prevail.

And when JSU held on for the 33-26 win, snapping a seven-game slide to TSU in front of 44,688 Saturday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Comegy declared it the beginning of something special.

Johnson's knee injury a blow to secondary

MEMPHIS — The 33-26 win over Tennessee State on Saturday night didn't come without an unfortunate loss for Jackson State. Starting cornerback Anthony Johnson is likely out for the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Saturday's win. The diagnosis of a torn ACL is a preliminary one, a school official said during the game.

Johnson, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior who transferred from Mississippi State before last season, will be re-evaluated at a later date. Johnson suffered the injury while running down to cover a punt early in the first quarter. Johnson, who scouts say is JSU's best chance to get a player picked in the upcoming NFL draft, had to be assisted off the field by three people. He put no weight on his right leg.

Euphoric breakthrough

MEMPHIS — With a flabbergasted look rolling across his face, Jackson State linebacker Ryan Rich looked for someone - anyone - as he ran about the Liberty Bowl field. Someone to hug. Someone to smile with. Someone to share this oh-so-fantastic feeling with. It's a feeling that comes eight years in the making.

Jackson State beat Tennessee State 33-26 on Saturday night in front of a raucous crowd at the Liberty Bowl, knocking off the Tigers from Nashville for the first time in eight years in the Southern Heritage Classic. Not only that, but the Tigers from Mississippi's Capital City are 2-0 for the first time since 2001.

PHOTO GALLERIES

• Jackson State - Tennessee State

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JSU preps for blitz-happy TSU

Two things came to mind when QB Casey Therriault finished watching film of Tennessee State earlier this week. "They are big, big bodies," Therriault said. "They like to send a lot of blitz packages." During its 27-14 win over Alabama A&M last Saturday, Tennessee State sacked Bulldogs QB Deaunte Mason seven times for a loss of 48 yards.

With the game against TSU set for Saturday at 6 p.m. in Memphis, those aren't numbers Therriault wants to see. "They do a lot of stunts, twisting and turning. They got a lot of guys who keep on going," Therriault said. Therriault was sacked twice in JSU's 32-17 season-opening win over Delta State, but he was forced from the pocket several more times.

Kicking game experiences rough start

Renty Rollins immediately covered his head with his hands. He knew his snap was, by now, soaring high above Jackson State punter Reed Gallagher's head. Rollins, JSU's new snapper, wheeled around to see that he was, indeed, correct. "You hate to see it happen," Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said. "You think, 'Oh my God.'''

Most Jackson State fans likely had similar thoughts as Rollins' first punt snap flew over Gallagher's head less than five minutes into last Saturday's opener against Delta State. To his credit, though, Rollins' next three snaps were just fine.

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Jackson State Tigers disdain substituting on D

Jackson State's starting defensive linemen and linebackers rarely came out of Saturday's win over Delta State. Starting defensive end Sam Washington said just two non-starters made brief appearances in the game. Those were end Javarius Conner and tackle Tim Johnson. "Come first game, the coaches are very strict about the first team," Washington said. "You get some rotation, but when it comes down to crunch time there was very little rotation."



Starting inside linebacker Milton Patterson said John McNabb was the only non-starting ILB to enter the game. Patterson and Todd Wilcher are the starters. Assistant coaches were not allowed to talk to the media Tuesday, but defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said during fall camp that his starters wouldn't rotate much.

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Slide Show by "SGT" Kevin Maurice Robinson. The former 1990 JSU Sonic Boom Member is here to deliver. His website is http://kevinr316.smugmug.com

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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.

Youth showing at ILB positions

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.

Juco transfer Rollins proves jack of all trades

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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Speedy Lee nabs JSU starting RB job

Jackson State released its two-deep depth chart Monday, with the only surprise being B.J. Lee's placement atop the running back position. Lee, a transfer from SMU and a former Ridgeland High star at tailback, beat out a handful of competitors. So why Lee? "Great vision. Outstanding speed, and he's real tough," coach Rick Comegy said. "Speed kills."

The 5-foot-7, 185-pound sophomore beat Alfred Moreland (listed as No. 2), Tommy Gooden, Jewrad Smith, Luther Edwards and Terrence Davis for the spot. "I worked hard all summer," Lee said after Monday's practice. "We've all been working hard. We've got great backs."

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Statement: Delta State at Jackson State

Delta State is considered a dark-horse contender for the NCAA Division II national championship.

The 24th-ranked Statesmen can make a huge statement on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Jackson State at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson. The Statesmen are no strangers to facing Football Championship Subdivision teams. The Statesmen (5-5 last year) shocked the Tigers 27-15 in their last meeting three years ago. Jackson State, however, recovered and eventually won the SWAC championship. Delta State reached the D-II quarterfinals.

“We’re excited and ready to go,” Statesmen coach Ron Roberts said. “Last year left a bad taste in our mouths. We have a good nucleus of guys ready to erase that and compete. We’ve got our work cut out for us.”



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JSU's Hoskins aspires to be return man

JSU Tigers head football coach Rick Comegy

If Kerry Hoskins had something to say about it, the Jackson State safety would be the Tigers' starting punt and kickoff returner. He does, by the way, have something to say about it. "Being back there, if I get the ball," Hoskins said, "I know I can change the game and make big plays for my team and give them good field position or take it home to the end zone."

Hoskins is competing with a group of players to be JSU's returner. It's something he did in high school at South Panola. At Jackson State, though, he hasn't received much of a chance as a returner. "Being back there, if I get the ball," Hoskins said, "I know I can change the game and make big plays for my team and give them good field position or take it home to the end zone."

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JSU Tigers putting on game faces‎

Fall camp is over. Let the game preparations begin. Jackson State began prepping for Delta State on Tuesday, the first day of practice following 17 days of fall camp, which included two scrimmages and several two-a-days in the early August heat.

"The atmosphere is changed with (students) back," coach Rick Comegy said. Several students dotted the practice field Tuesday to watch the Tigers, and about eight new walk-ons joined the team. Comegy expects another five to 10 walk-ons to join over the next few days and said the team will likely reach the maximum of 110 players soon.

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