This fall marks a century for JSU Football

You knew about Walter Payton. You knew about Jackie Slater and Harold Jackson and Willie Richardson and Jimmy Smith and Robert Brazile and W.C. Gorden. If you follow football at all, you knew about Jackson State's remarkable pedigree in the sport. But did you know about John R. Pinckett?

I didn't, not until Thursday when JSU kicked off its centennial celebration of playing college football with a public relations event at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

One hundred years ago this fall, Pinckett gathered together a group of 22 students to form the first JSU football team. The Tigers - were they the Tigers then? - played one game that first season. We're not sure about the date or the site, but we do know the score. Then Jackson College lost 17-0 to Alabama State, then Lincoln Normal.

We're not sure how Lincoln Normal managed 17 points, but...

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Videographer: JSUTigers1877

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Jackson State new prez must deal with athletic issues

The hiring of a new president at Jackson State could greatly affect the school's athletic program at a time when key decisions have to be made. Carolyn Meyers, who the state College Board approved as the university's new president Wednesday, has two important athletic issues facing her when she begins in January.

Meyers will be in charge of hiring a new athletic director and dealing with football coach Rick Comegy's contract. JSU's current athletic director, Bob Braddy, plans to retire in the summer, and Comegy is heading into the final year of his contract. Meyers was caught by surprise Wednesday when asked about finding a new athletic director.

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JSU Football menu short on games

Jackson State football fans were befuddled last week when the schedule was announced and only 10 games were listed. Athletic director Bob Braddy isn't exactly thrilled with it either, but said he was unable to secure other games. "We would have loved to have an 11-game schedule ... it just didn't materialize," Braddy said. "It's not ideal." Braddy said he's still looking to add one or two more games, but is not having a lot of luck at the moment.

"It's very difficult at this time because most schools have completed their 2009 schedule," Braddy said. "So, it's very unlikely." One thing he would like to do is move the Capital City Classic against Alcorn State from Nov. 21 to Thanksgiving Day on Nov. 26. Braddy hopes the influx of people home for the holiday would help attendance. The move would also cut down the time in between the final game and the SWAC championship on Dec. 12, if the Tigers were to win the East Division for the third consecutive year. Currently, JSU would have three weeks in between the games, whereas the later date would be just over two weeks.

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JSU 2009-2010 Football Schedule

Date Opponent / Event Location Time / Result
09/05/09 at Mississippi State Starkville, MS TBA
09/12/09 Tennessee State Memphis, TN TBA
09/19/09 Grambling St. Jackson, MS 3:00 p.m. CT
10/03/09 at Southern Baton Rouge, LA TBA
10/10/09 vs. Arkansas - Pine Bluff Jackson, MS 4:00 p.m. CT
10/17/09 vs. Texas Southern Jackson, MS 4:00 p.m. CT
10/24/09 at Mississippi Valley State Itta Bena, MS TBA
11/07/09 vs. Alabama State Jackson, MS 4:00 p.m. CT
11/14/09 at Alabama A&M Huntsville, AL TBA
11/21/09 vs. Alcorn State Jackson, MS 1:00 p.m. CT

12/12/09 vs. SWAC Championship Game Birmingham, AL 1:00 p.m. CT

Jackson State's Tigers retooled offense lagging behind defense

The Jackson State football coaches held a draft to create two teams for the Blue and White spring game on Saturday. It was the only way to be fair.

Both defenses, not surprisingly, owned the day as the Blue squad held on for a 16-10 victory inside Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. "The defense is going to dominate," senior linebacker Marcellus Speaks said. "Our offense isn't going to get anything against us. But after practicing against us, they're going go out and beat everybody else in the country."

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JSU Strength coach has Hornet past

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: vs. Alabama State
When: Saturday, 3 p.m.
Radio: WOAD (1300 AM); WYFS (105.9FM)

Jackson State strength and conditioning coach Derek Scott is usually an energetic guy anyway.

Mix in a game with his alma mater Alabama State, who the Tigers host Saturday, and you get that same energy multiplied by two.

"I haven't been able to sleep any this week," Scott said. "I have played this game over in my head a thousand times. Even the weekend we played Valley, I had a dream about this game, but I had to stay focused."

Scott arrived at JSU in June after serving the past 11 years as strength and conditioning coach at Alabama State, where he played.

"This game has been marked on my calendar since the day I left," Scott said. "I can't really explain how I feel. It's kinda like an out of body experience, but at the same time I'm excited. I'm taking it kinda personal this week because those are my old stomping grounds. That's where I got my start, but my loyalty and love is at Jackson State."

Scott is one of two JSU assistants with ties to the Hornets. Offensive line coach Bruce Johnson spent four years at Alabama State before coming to JSU in 2006.

"It's going to be a good competitive game, but when it's all said and done, you're going to see the Tigers growling," Scott said.

OH SO SPECIAL

JSU has been splendid on returns so far this season, leading the SWAC in both kickoff and punt returns.

The Tigers are averaging 30.5 yards per kickoff return (1 TD) and 18.6 yards per punt return (1 TD).

"We have put in a whole lot of work on the field and a whole lot of time in meetings on that," said JSU coach Rick Comegy.

OPEN WIDE

Jackson State will play Saturday without tight end Cedric Dixon, who had a tooth pulled last week.

"That tooth is still bothering him so we aren't going to take any chances," Comegy said.

J-State's off week leads into 3-game murderers' row

Photo: JSU Head Coach Rick Comegy

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Carlos Simpson is certain Jackson State's football team has retrieved its confidence, thanks to a two-game winning streak that included Saturday's emphatic 50-16 victory over rival Mississippi Valley State.

And that's great, but the Tigers' receiver is also quick to point out that it's going to take a lot more than confidence to win the next three games on the schedule.

"This is where we make or break our season," Simpson said. "We've got to stay hungry. The monkey's off the back of the offense after we scored 50 points. But we've got a lot more ahead of us."

Jackson State (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) is in the midst of its off week, practicing Tuesday, Wednesday and today before giving the players the weekend to rest.

What awaits when the team returns is a brutal three-week stretch that includes games against Alabama State, Southern and Grambling. The three opponents have a combined 10-1 record this season, including a perfect 7-0 mark in the SWAC.

The Tigers still have an unblemished mark in conference, too, after beating two struggling programs in Texas Southern and Mississippi Valley. But let's be honest: JSU was supposed to win those games.

"I'm pleased because I think our guys realize we haven't accomplished anything yet," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "Are we happy that we're playing better and winning? Sure. But these teams that are coming up will present a very stiff challenge."

And the first hurdle will be Alabama State (4-0, 3-0), a battle-tested team that's still undefeated after squeaking past Alcorn State 28-25 last week.

Under first-year coach Reggie Barlow, the Hornets have won three of their four games by less than a touchdown and faced fourth-quarter deficits every game.

The Hornets have one of the best rushing offenses in the SWAC, led by running back Jay Peck. The senior is averaging 123 rushing yards per game, a mark that's nearly 30 yards better than the nearest challenger.

"He's one of the SWAC's best," JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "We've got to hit him hard and hit him often - make sure he's earning every yard he gets and try to wear him down."

Jackson State was very good at punishing running backs last season, finishing tops in the conference in rush defense.

But so far this season, the Tigers have been a bit more forgiving up front.

MVSU freshman running back Ronald Brewer carved up the JSU defense for 148 yards on Saturday and seemed to get 6- or 7-yard gains whenever he wished. Hayes said part of that was because "Brewer's a darn good young running back."

But players admitted that the tackling up front hasn't been optimal. Right now, JSU ranks fifth in the SWAC in rushing defense.

"In the film room, we saw some of our mistakes in the way we were lining up and it won't happen again," JSU linebacker Marcus Jamison said. "We've got to be prepared because I'm sure Alabama State saw that film of MVSU running on us. So they'll probably try the same thing."

Other than the run defense, Comegy said he saw no glaring weaknesses to correct from the MVSU game. But after thinking about it for a minute, JSU's coach admitted that's part of what makes him worried.

After all, Comegy says it was complacency that led to Jackson State finishing with a 6-5 record last season after starting 5-1.

"Just because we played a pretty good game on Saturday (against MVSU) doesn't mean we can't get a whole lot better in every phase of the game," Comegy said. "We've got to make our players understand that they can't get comfortable. There can be no sliding backward or all our work has been lost. That's why we're working so hard this week."

JSU Palmer's frame belies his wallop

Photo: Paul Roberts gets trapped by JSU defenders #26 Malcolm Palmer (left) and Willie Williams.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

THE JSU GAME
What: Alabama State at Jackson State
When: Oct. 6, 3 p.m.
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

After four stellar games to begin his sophomore season, Jackson State safety Malcolm Palmer is being compared to the Tigers' unsung defensive player from last season - linebacker Ken Woodard, who finished third on the team in tackles.

"Both of them don't physically look that big when you see them without pads," JSU defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes said. "But when they get on the football field you can't live without them. Palmer's been better than I ever dreamed he would be - at least this quickly."

Palmer (6 feet, 185 pounds) was the SWAC's defensive player of the week with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked kick in Saturday's 50-16 win over Mississippi Valley State. As a freshman, Palmer rarely played before earning a starting spot last spring.

Hayes said Palmer is proof that you can't judge a football player by physical appearance.

"We have a saying that some guys look like Tarzan, but play like Jane," Hayes said grinning. "But Malcolm's the other way around."

STILL HANDY

Defensive end Idrees Abdur-Rashied has seen his role reduced over the first four weeks because of a broken bone in his left hand.

The senior has just six tackles this season and has trouble wrapping up opposing players because of the club he has to wear on his hand for protection. In Abdur-Rashied's place, Sam Washington and Marcus Benard have had increased playing time.

"There's no question it makes things tougher," Abdur-Rashied said. "But there's no use complaining. I'm just trying to contribute as much as I can."

Abdur-Rashied said he hoped to be rid of the club in about two weeks.

A FAMILIAR FOE

Jackson State offensive line coach Bruce Johnson is quite familiar with Alabama State, the Tigers' next opponent on Oct. 6

Johnson was an assistant for Alabama State from 2002-05, a run that included a SWAC championship in 2004.

Johnson said he counts ASU offensive coordinator Maurice Harris as his best friend in the coaching business.

"He's a very talented coach," Johnson said. "It'll be tough to beat him and it's always fun because we know each other so well."

Jackson State Hull should play more vs. Valley

Photo: WR Jaymar Johnson catches pass in rain against Texas Southern.

THE JSU GAME
What: Jackson State at Mississippi Valley
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

Running back Cody Hull made his Jackson State debut during Thursday's 28-7 win over Texas Southern after missing the first two games because of eligibility concerns.

The senior, who transferred from Southern Miss, rushed for 7 yards on four carries on the wet turf at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Hull, who earned his degree at USM and is taking graduate courses at JSU, sat out the first two games while the NCAA sorted out eligibility issues.

"We knew he was going to be eligible, it was just a matter of when the NCAA was going to clear him," Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said. "We're thrilled to have him and he gives us an added dimension in our running game."

JSU offensive coordinator James Woody said Hull would probably see an increased workload this weekend against Mississippi Valley State.

"We wanted to get him more carries against Texas Southern, but the field was in such bad shape we held him out," Woody said. "But he's going to help us a lot before this season's done."

JOHNSON HONORED

Jaymar Johnson was the SWAC's Specialist of the Week after gaining 117 yards on two returns. The highlight was a 75-yard punt return that gave the Tigers a 14-0 lead. DE Daniel Brooks and CB Domonique Johnson were honorable mention for Defensive Player of the Week.

INJURY REPORT

Backup linebacker Justin Baylor had his knee scoped on Monday and Comegy said he's likely out two to four weeks. ... If tight end Marcel Frost isn't able to play within the next few weeks, Comegy said he'll consider seeking a medical redshirt for the senior. Frost has missed the first three games while recovering from a broken leg suffered last spring.

- David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Photo Show: Jackson State University vs. Texas Southern University

A wet, wet win, but a big win nevertheless for JSU

Photo: Carlos Simpson (right) tries to catch a pass against the Lamar Herron who was called for holding on the play.

In this case, it was the winners who couldn't be choosy. Jackson State, which had lost its first two games this season and six of seven dating back to last October, wasn't about to complain.

Not about the rain, which was monotonously steady. Not about the playing conditions, which were miserable.

Not about the crowd, which was limited to an announced 5,513 hearty souls.

Jackson State needed a victory, any kind of victory, period.

And the Tigers got it, trouncing visiting Texas Southern 28-7 Thursday in JSU's 2007 Southwestern Athletic Conference debut.

"It wasn't the best game we've ever played and it certainly wasn't the best conditions, but I'm happy for our guys," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "I thought we showed a lot of spunk out there. Our guys come from all over the place, but tonight they were playing for the blue and white. They weren't playing for themselves. I'm proud of them."

In a game marked by numerous fumbled snaps and false starts, JSU proved to be by far the better mudders.

Texas Southern played three quarterbacks and all had trouble handling the snaps. They were no match at all for Jackson State's swarming defense that allowed only eight first downs and an amazing 30 yards of total offense.

How wet was it?

The bands, always so much a part of the SWAC football experience, couldn't even take the field at halftime. Five minutes into the third quarter both bands exited the stadium, presumably so their horns wouldn't rust.

How wet was it?

During one of the interminable ESPNU timeouts in the fourth quarter, I counted through the sheets of rain 44 people still sitting on the Texas Southern side of the stadium. They must have been parents.

Loving, doting parents.

Photo: Wide receiver Jaymar Johnson pulls in a catch after the JSU Tigers suffered several penalties prior to the snap.

OLIVER IS THE QUARTERBACK

So what did we learn about Jackson State from this game?

First and foremost, we learned Jimmy Oliver, the slippery and slightly built senior, is this team's quarterback. Oliver started and played the first three quarters. He completed nine of 18 passes for two touchdowns and ran 10 times for 48 yards. He threw for both touchdowns in the first quarter before the rain made throwing and catching all but impossible.

"I hate to play in weather like that," Oliver said afterward. "It's hard for a quarterback to make plays. It's hard just to hold onto the ball. It wasn't all that wet at first, and we took advantage of that. It feels good. There's nothing like a win."

We learned that rain doesn't slow wide receiver Jaymar Johnson much at all. Johnson, a senior from Gary, Ind., made Texas Southern players look like statues when he ran through them and then away from them on a 75-yard first-quarter punt return touchdown. He also caught three passes for 67 yards and another TD.

We learned that Jackson State's defense doesn't mind a muddy track either. The Tigers "D"dominated and gave up TSU's only score after a blocked punt gave the visitors a short field.

We learned that the press box at The Vet still leaks.

We learned that relatively small hurricanes that come ashore in Texas can still mess up a football game in Mississippi.

BRING ON THE DELTA DEVILS

Jackson State now has eight days to prepare for its next game, another conference game, this one against rival Mississippi Valley State at Itta Bena on Sept. 22.

Comegy expects even better things from Oliver.

"Jimmy's a winner; he's always been a winner," Comegy said. "He knows how to make plays when there doesn't seem to be anything there. He made some mistakes tonight, but nothing he can't correct."

Oliver would surely agree. And, no doubt, he'd like to make the corrections on a much drier field.

-Clarion Ledger

JSU Johnson of old simply dazzling

Photo: JSU wide receiver Jaymar Johnson checks his back after returning a punt for a 75-yard touchdown to make the score 13-0 with 3:14 left in the first quarter.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Jackson State senior Jaymar Johnson was supposed to be the Tigers' premier playmaker this season, with the speed to be both a primary receiver and the main return specialist.

But through two games, both losses, Johnson was mostly a non-factor, catching two passes for 47 yards and failing to break any big gains on special teams.

That all changed during the first quarter of Thursday night's game against Texas Southern, with Johnson involved in three huge plays to spark the Tigers' offense.

First, he caught a 44-yard pass on a third-and-31 situation to keep a touchdown drive alive. Quarterback Jimmy Oliver found Johnson in stride over the middle of the field and the JSU offense finally had the big play it craved.

"That reminded me of the old days last year with the Jimmy-to-Jaymar connection," Johnson said with a grin. "He put that pass right where it needed to be."

Johnson's second big play was a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead. He caught the ball on JSU's 25-yard line and was barely touched as he sprinted down the sideline on his way to six points.

"That's great to see because that punt return unit is my baby," said JSU coach Rick Comegy, who is heavily involved in special teams. "We did a good job blocking and then Jaymar has more than enough speed to get the job done from his end."

"There's no better feeling for a quarterback than to see seven points go on the board without you having to move," Oliver said. "That really put us in a good position."

And finally, Johnson ended his superb first quarter with a 24-yard touchdown reception from Oliver to give JSU the 21-0 lead.

When it was all over, Johnson had 143 total yards before the second quarter began. He finished the game with 201.

"We know when Jaymar touches the ball, he's capable of anything. Tonight he proved it," Comegy said.

Relentless rain puts dent in attendance, J-State balance sheet

Photo: The rain started to fall 30-minutes before game time. Many fans spent the game just trying to keep dry.

Jackson State splashed to a 28-7 victory over Texas Southern at rain-soaked Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Thursday night.

That's the good news for Jackson State fans.

The bad: Steady rain before and during the game helped keep the crowd down. The bands could not perform on the field at halftime and exited early in the third quarter.

The announced attendance was 5,513.

Jackson State depends on walk-up, game-day sales for the bulk of its attendance. Inclement weather can cost the athletic department tens of thousands of dollars.

The silver lining: JSU doubled its season ticket sales to more than 6,000 this season, said athletic director Bob Braddy. Those season tickets were scaled from $85 to $145.

"So a night like tonight doesn't hurt us quite as bad this year as it would have last year," Braddy said. "We are trying to impress upon our fans how important it is to build our season ticket base just because of days like this.

"We really need to get that base up to 20,000, and we're pushing in that direction."

The game was moved to Thursday to be televised by ESPNU through a contract with the SWAC that earns JSU about $25,000 a year.

JSU offered special group night ticket sales.

"A lot of those church and school groups chose not to come in this weather," Braddy said.

Braddy said he had hoped for a crowd of between 12,000 and 15,000.

"But given the weather, I thought it was a good crowd, an enthusiastic crowd," Braddy said. "Hey, at least I know we sold 6,000."

- Rick Cleveland

Photo: Diehard JSU fans enjoys game and the rain.

Ferocious JSU defense delivers plenty of punishment

Photo: The JSU defense shutdown Texas Southern for most of the first half.
(J.D. Schwalm/The Clarion-Ledger)


By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Some nasty weather and an even nastier Jackson State defense led to a night to forget for Texas Southern.

The Maroon Tigers had just 30 total yards and minus-39 yards on the ground. JSU had 13 tackles for a loss, three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

"Guys like (defensive end) Daniel Brooks and (linebacker) Marcellus Speaks, they'll ring your bell if you're not watching what you're doing out there," JSU coach Rick Comegy said. "We've got guys really flying to the football and making some plays."

Jackson State's defense forced Texas Southern into an abysmal 8-for-45 passing performance. On top of the three interceptions, the secondary had countless more deflections.

Cornerback Domonique Johnson, a Missouri transfer, had two interceptions, but he was angry at himself because he could have easily had two more on a night when Texas Southern's quarterbacks were more than generous.

"The rule is, if you can touch it, you should catch it," Johnson said. "A little rain isn't going to stop us from doing anything. The only thing that can stop us is lightning, and then only if the refs make us leave the field."

At 6 feet 2, Johnson has the kind of height in the secondary that Comegy sought in the off-season after watching his team get burned by long pass plays last season.

Newcomers Oliver McNeil (6 feet 2), Jeremy Pierce (6-3) and Johnson were all on the field at different times as Texas Southern rarely found an open receiver.

"Now we've got enough solid guys back there that we can rotate them and keep them fresh," Comegy said. "I think that's going to make a big difference for us."

Photo: Sam Washington attemps to recover a fumbled snap by Texas Southern's Donnie Shorts in the second quarter. TSU rectained possession.

A DIFFICULT ENCORE

Running back Erik Haw had one of his best games in a JSU uniform last Saturday with 82 yards on 17 carries against Tennessee State.

But that momentum was hard to carry through the Texas Southern game as Haw had just 59 rushing yards on 23 carries. Soggy field conditions made running for both teams very difficult.

Quarterback Jimmy Oliver added 48 yards rushing on 10 carries, while newly converted fullback Jamile Owens, who weighs in at about 280 pounds, rumbled 16 yards on a big carry midway through the second quarter.

ODDS AND ENDS

Sophomore safety Malcolm Palmer had his third interception in three games on Thursday, a mark which leads the SWAC. ... Tray Rutland played quarterback in the fourth quarter for Jackson State, completing 1 of 4 passes for minus-11 yards. ... A slick football led to nine fumbles between the two teams - five for Jackson State and four for Texas Southern. ... JSU took the brunt of the yellow flags, being penalized 15 times for 149 yards. Texas Southern had four penalties for 25 yards. ... With the win, Comegy evened his record at Jackson State to 7-7.

Jackson State Tigers AD open to DSU rematch

- David Brandt

Jackson State athletic director Bob Braddy said he would "absolutely consider" playing Delta State again next season, despite a 27-15 loss to the Division II team on Saturday at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

On top of the loss, Jackson State also paid Delta State $25,000 to make the short trip to Jackson for the game.

"We think it's a really good game, but we'll have to sit down with Delta State's athletic director (Jeremy McClain) and see what we want to do," Braddy said. "We were disappointed, but not embarrassed to lose to Delta State because we know they've got a quality football program."


Braddy said the only drawback on Saturday had nothing to do with the product on the field. Instead, it was a small Delta State crowd following that appeared to be less than 1,000 people.

The announced attendance for the game was 12,667.

McClain said he thought the Statesmen fans would travel better in the future.

"I think some of our fans kind of had a 'wait and see' approach," McClain said. "But I think once this builds into a bigger rivalry, it'll be a great game for both teams."

SPEAKS A BRIGHT SPOT

In his first game in a Jackson State uniform, middle linebacker Marcellus Speaks finished with a team-high 10 tackles.

But the junior transfer from Delta State wasn't pleased with the loss or his performance.

"It hurt to lose to my old team, plus I missed way too many tackles," Speaks said. "I may have had 10, but I should have had 20 if I had wrapped up a little better."

SEASON TICKETS ARE UP

Braddy said about 6,000 football season tickets were sold for the season, a marked increase from the approximately 2,500 sold last season.