JSU Darkside defense anything but against G-men

GRAMBLING, LA. — Milton Patterson dropped his head and frowned as he walked into the locker room following Jackson State's 28-21 loss to Grambling State on Saturday night. JSU's starting inside linebacker didn't have an answer for all of those gaping holes in the run defense or for all of those missed tackles.

"Frustrated right now," he mumbled. "I can't even think about it."

Clearly, Patterson was still awestruck by it all - and that's before he saw the statistics. Jackson State allowed 379 rushing yards, the most by an opponent under coach Rick Comegy and defensive coordinator Darrin Hayes' five years at the school. A defense once dubbed the Darkside was anything but Saturday.

Defense bends for GSU, holds

GRAMBLING — Grambling State and Jackson State's matchup Saturday lived up to the all the hype of the SWAC rivals' sixth meeting in less than three calendar years. In the end, coach Rod Broadway's Tigers needed a little bit of everything junior defensive back David Stuckman had to offer to hang on for a thrilling 28-21 victory.

Jackson State junior quarterback Casey Therriault spotted Anthony Mayes breaking toward the left side of the end zone as he dropped back on fourth-and-2 from the Grambling 12-yard line with the clock winding down to less than 10 seconds.

Air Raid grounded

GRAMBLING, LA. — High-powered and having fun, quarterback Casey Therriault and Jackson State's Air Raid offense entered Saturday's game at Grambling State overflowing with a confidence that this program hadn't seen in nearly a decade. They left with bruises - the kind that'll take more than a night to fade away.

Behind a stiff rushing attack and a hard-hitting, ball-hawking, blitz-crazy defense, Grambling beat Jackson State 28-21 Saturday night, ending the team's euphoric start to the 2010 season with one pounding of a loss.

Grambling opens SWAC schedule

Grambling State head coach Rod Broadway wasn't pleased with the way his defense played early in the season opener against Louisiana Tech. However, the Tigers' defense stiffened after the opening quarter at Independence Stadium and has since had what must seem like an eternity to improve.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

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...



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Transfer helps keep JSU defense stout

Dandridge named SWAC player of week in first game with Tigers

Tim Dandridge hadn't heard about Jackson State's "Dark Side" defense before transferring from Minnesota after last season. But it didn't take the outside linebacker/cornerback long to learn the tradition built on that side of the ball.

Last season, the Tigers were eighth in the nation in total defense, ninth in passing efficiency, 12th in pass defense and third in tackles for loss. In his first start for JSU last Saturday, Dandridge showed he was more than capable of replacing last year's leading tackler, Malcolm Palmer.

The junior not only had eight tackles, including one for a loss, he also forced a fumble that prevented a Delta State touchdown and had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in JSU's 32-17 victory in the W.C. Gorden Classic.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.



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

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

Dandridge tames 'tude, becomes key cog on D

Therriault his own worst critic

Therriault leads Air Raid

Dandridge sparkles as Tigers' defense shines

QB welcomes 2nd chance to live his 'dream'

Therriault leads Jackson State Tigers Air Raid

Tigers' new quarterback sparks long-awaited offensive resurgence

Jackson, MS - Casey Therriault took the snap. He stepped right, left, backpedaled, moved forward. Jackson State's new quarterback eluded one would-be sack, then another - all the while keeping his eyes peeled in search of an open receiver.In what became a pattern Saturday during Jackson State's 32-17 win over Delta State, Therriault found that open man.

"He's a special quarterback," Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said. "I'm not going to sit up here and call him average. He's special."

Therriault threw for 404 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Tigers to their first season-opening victory since 2006. In front of an announced crowd of 12,655 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, Therriault helped...

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.



READ RELATED ARTICLES:

• Jackson State - Delta State
• Dandridge sparkles as Tigers' defense shines
• Notebook

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

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."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

JSU: Drops have no place in Air Raid

Jackson State's new Air Raid offense is all about passing the football. That includes catching it. At least four passes were dropped during Saturday's scrimmage. There were 27 pass attempts. That's a drop every six to seven passes.

"They're better than that," coach Rick Comegy said. "I see them in practice. We've got a great receiver corps." Saturday, though, wasn't their best day. True freshman E.J. Drewery had two drops; one would have been a Casey Therriault-to-Drewery touchdown. WR Anthony Mayes also had a drop, and so did TE Josh Tiller.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Jackson State's has a few Offensive surprises

Swift Lee leaves defense in dust

As B.J. Lee raced down the sideline juking a few veteran Jackson State defensive backs, some of the 100 or so JSU fans watching Saturday's scrimmage let out more than a few ooohs and aaahs. But the best was yet to come.

A few plays after that 40-yard dash, Lee, a transfer from SMU, took a screen pass 60 yards for a score - outpacing most of the team's first string defenders....

Wilder thriving at wide receiver

Receiver Marcellos Wilder is right at home in Jackson State's new, Air Raid offense. Wilder spent the last two years at JSU playing more of a slot position. In new offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson's scheme, Wilder is back where he was during his years at Central High in Tuscaloosa.

"When I was in high school," Wilder said, "I played on the outside." For Wilder, it's sweet to be an outside wide receiver again. For JSU fans, it might be even sweeter.

Prized recruit leaves Tigers

Linebacker Taurice King, the prized signee from Jackson State's 2010 class, has abruptly left the team. And it seems that no one knows why, including his father, Daniel Haralson. "I don't know what the deal is. I don't know what's happened," Haralson said when reached on his cell phone Thursday evening. Questioned more, Haralson said: "He just doesn't like it. There are some things he won't talk to me about."

Summer work benefits CB Cox

Qua Cox spent his summer back home in Tuskegee, Ala., training for this football season. He had a special person to do it with, too.

"My brother," said Cox, Jackson State's redshirt freshman cornerback. Cox's brother is James Patrick, who played for three years on NFL practice squads and now is a starting safety for the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders. The two ran more hills and did more backpedaling than Cox can count.

Darkside Defense on full display

The bloody, one-inch gash in Neal Pogue's nose is a reminder that Jackson State's Darkside Defense is shaping into form. "I smashed a running back," the lineman said when asked about the fall practice battle wound. Sure, the offense might be getting the publicity lately - the new pass-happy Air Raid offensive scheme and fiery battle at quarterback are tough to ignore.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.



READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Tigers try out Air Raid attack

Tiger QBs make their sales pitch

Healed receivers return to work

Rollins, Perkins star in new roles

O-line taking shape under Black

JSU Darkside Defense on full display

The bloody, one-inch gash in Neal Pogue's nose is a reminder that Jackson State's Darkside Defense is shaping into form. "I smashed a running back," the lineman said when asked about the fall practice battle wound. Sure, the offense might be getting the publicity lately - the new pass-happy Air Raid offensive scheme and fiery battle at quarterback are tough to ignore.

But Pogue and the "D" have been there during the first dozen days of fall camp, too. They've been cracking shoulder pads and bashing helmets. Intercepting passes and sacking quarterbacks. On Tuesday, during an intense team-versus-team session of practice, the defense did its thing, especially Pogue and his vaunted defensive line.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

Rainy weather revives debate

Tiger QBs make their sales pitch

Tigers try out Air Raid attack

Healed receivers return to work

Jackson State Tigers try out Air Raid attack

The Air Raid offense has arrived at Jackson State. The team had an impromptu scrimmage Monday that featured several different formations and personnel, characteristics of the new pass-happy Air Raid scheme offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson is installing. The team aligned in 10 different formations during the 28-play scrimmage. Plays included sets out of the shotgun, the regular I-formation and two three-back formations.

Some plays had as many as four receivers, some had as few as one. There were two tight ends used, one tight end and none. There were up to three running backs or none at all. QB Dedric McDonald and transfer Casey Therriault continued their fight for the starting role. McDonald, who is still first in the rotation, passed for 59 yards, hitting 4 of 8 attempts (two drops). Therriault passed for 33 yards and completed 6 of 7 attempts. Also, six receivers caught a total of 10 passes from the top two QBs. "The offense is doing a real fine job," coach Rick Comegy said.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

JSU O-line taking shape under Black

There were times during Jackson State's fall camp last year when center Antonio Colston glanced to his left, then to his right and had to do a double take in both directions. t was always someone different. "We were always rotating," Colston said. "One day it might be this guy starting. The next day it might be another."That didn't help cohesiveness. It didn't help communication. It didn't help anything. Things have changed, though.

During the first week of this year's fall camp, a selected five offensive linemen have received most of the reps. New line coach Gregory Black said there are no starters named thus far. Asked about those five, he said that group could always change. But, for now, the crew includes left tackle Terrael Williams, left guard Darius Mitchell, Colston at center, right guard Chris Holmes and right tackle Roderick Gladney. Players say this group is beginning to act like one cohesive unit - something that's been missing on this squad for a couple of years.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

Healed receivers return to work

Touted LB King challenging vets

Rollins, Perkins star in new roles

JSU trip helped to convince QB

Quarterback Casey Therriault had planned to visit other schools this spring. Then he visited Jackson State. "I loved the campus atmosphere. It's not too big, not too small," Therriault said. "I really liked everybody I met." Therriault, who transferred to JSU from Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, scratched four scheduled trips to other schools after his visit to Jackson. He would not disclose what schools offered him scholarships but said none were "as relevant as Jackson State."

Therriault, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound junior, is locked in a battle for the starting spot with redshirt sophomore Dedric McDonald. Coaches have lauded Therriault's accurate arm, leadership skills and speed - attributes that led him to pass for more than 2,100 yards and 24 touchdowns last year at Grand Rapids.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Jackson State practice

Touted LB King challenging vets

Speedy RB Lee turning heads

Down to two

Burton-to-Wilder highlights JSU Tigers' first open practice

Within moments of the ball leaving Te'Shon Burton's hand, all 6 feet 3 inches and 195 pounds of Marcellos Wilder soared high above Jackson State's scorching practice field. A moment later, the junior receiver came tumbling down - the ball securely in hand.

The Burton-to-Wilder connection provided the highlight Monday during Jackson State's fourth fall practice, the first session open to the media. The Tuscaloosa native leaped over a defensive back during one-on-one drills and snatched a 40-yard pass from Burton. It was one of those YouTube grabs that had players cracking up for minutes, Wilder talking smack to defenders and Burton high-fiving teammates.

Players were not allowed to speak with the media following practice and won't be until Thursday, but their new faces - like Burton's - dotted Martin L. Epps Field during JSU's 2 1/2-hour morning workout. True freshman running back Tommy Gooden got a surprisingly high number of reps. B.J. Lee, the former Ridgeland running back who transferred to JSU this year from SMU, rotated with veteran Jewrad Smith at the position.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

Juco transfer QB ruled ineligible

Tigers lose LB Govan to injury

Wait continues for frosh QB, LB

Tigers lose top rusher Bolela

Jackson State University Tigers Makin it Happen!

Jackson St: 2010-11 Basketball Preview

JSU Coach Tevester Anderson

Conference Rank: #1 Southwestern Athletic Conference

2009-10: 19-13, 17-1
2009-10 postseason: NIT
Coach: Tevester Anderson (114-113 at Jackson State, 217-165 overall)

Jackson State dominated the Southwestern Athletic Conference in 2009-2010 with a 17-1 record. Yet the team failed to show up when it mattered the most, and fell in the first round of the conference tournament. That left the Tigers in the NIT instead of the NCAA Tournament. But all of that work was done mostly without preseason conference player of the year Grant Maxey who played in just two games before suffering a season ending ankle injury. The young team has grown up and should be able to cruise through the SWAC yet again.

Key Losses: G Garrison Johnson

Key Newcomers:
Kelsey Howard will probably end up being the star of this recruiting class. The 6-4 guard is a pure scorer and has enough size to attack the basket when he is not knocking down an outside shot. In a conference like the SWAC most pure scorers are strictly shooters, but because of Howard’s size he has the ability to be a multi-dimensional scorer and that will make him a good player sooner or later. Fellow freshman guard Scottie Sterling will not do nearly as much scoring, but he is a solid defender and ball handler. Derrell Taylor, a 6-7, 175 pound forward, needs to bulk up a bit, but he will eventually provide some depth to the frontcourt. Wing Jeniro Bush and 7-2 center Jamarious Sykes sat out last season and will look for minutes this time around.

READ MORE,CLICK TITLE.

Granted a rare 6th year, JSU DE hopes to be healthy difference-maker 1 last chance

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Sam Washington would prefer not to relive the moment anymore - the one where he collapsed last August on the Jackson State practice field, experiencing what he calls the "worst pain ever." "I just dropped," he said. "I didn't flip over or do any of that Cartoon Network stuff. I just fell." He lay on the field, writhing in pain as teammates and trainers swarmed over him. In his mind he was thinking one thing: Oh no, not again.

For the second time in four years - this time less than a month before the 2009 season opener - Washington's spinal vertebra jabbed into a nerve, sending pain and numbness through the left side of his body. For the defensive end from Holmes County, it meant another back surgery and another football season missed - and perhaps the end of his career. That was nearly one year ago.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Braddy to stay on as JSU Tigers' AD

Jackson State athletic director Bob Braddy will stay on for one more year as the university looks for a replacement for outgoing president Ronald Mason. raddy had planned to retire July 1 and a search committee had already been formed, but administration did not want vacancies at both positions concurrently. Chief of staff Evola Bates and Braddy met Monday to discuss the situation.

The search for a new athletic director has been suspended and the new president will conduct the process once hired. "I had planned to play golf 3-4 times a week," Braddy said with a laugh. "A lot of my plans have been put on hold." Braddy will sign a one-year extension, but could step down earlier if the new president is ready to hire a successor before then.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.