JSU signs Concordia for football opener

Jackson State has agreed to play Concordia College at home in the 2011 football season opener, athletic director Bob Braddy confirmed Saturday. The deal is not finalized and details of the contract were not available. The full 2011 football schedule is expected to be released this week.

Concordia, a historically black college in Selma, Ala., fielded its first football team in 2005 and plays in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the lowest level for four-year schools. The Hornets were beaten 35-0 by Grambling last season.

JSU's basketball team played Concordia in an exhibition game this season. JSU beat the Hornets 97-54.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.




Credits:
1. JSU Sonic Boom Band: Written, produced and edited by JSU Mass Communications seniors Tiffany Edmondson and voiced by Candace Sims, Videographer: UTUBEJSU22
2. JSU Sonic Boom Band performance at 2011 Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational; Videographer: Jarquavius101

Jackson State QB's recovery is 'going well'

Quarterback Casey Therriault's recovery from a broken collarbone is "going well," Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said.

A right-handed thrower, Therriault broke his right collarbone in the second quarter of JSU's season-ending win over Alcorn State. Comegy said his quarterback is no longer wearing an arm sling and should participate in spring practice. "We're going to be very careful with him," Comegy said.

Therriault finished with the second most passing yards in the Football Championship Subdivision last season and a school record-tying 31 touchdowns.



READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Panthers Fall 70-63 To Jackson State

Jackson State outscored Prairie View A&M 11-3 over the final 5:36 as the Panthers dropped 70-63 nationally televised heartbreaker on Monday evening in the William Nicks Building.

Playing before an ESPNU television audience and a spirited dome crowd that topped 3,800 spectators, Jackson State threatened to blow the game away early as they stormed out to a 10-3 lead five minutes in. Prairie View fought back via two huge treys from senior Trant Simpson to remain close but JSU continued to lead as they upped its margin to 27-17 after a Raymond Gregory basket at the 5:33 mark.

The roles began to reverse from that point as Prairie View A&M found its groove as junior Beloved Rogers scored five consecutive points to begin a huge half-ending spurt. JSU added a Rod Melvin free throw after the basket but PV went back to work offensively as they outscored JSU 6-2 to go into the half down 30-28.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Jackson State offers Therriault an oasis

Therriault's Journey To Redemption

In this unlikely story of redemption, Casey Therriault, a white QB from Michigan finds a home and fans at Jackson State a historically-black university.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice."

-- Martin Luther King Jr., Aug. 28, 1963

JACKSON, Miss. -- Scenes from an oasis:

A fence separated the old black woman from the football field, but it didn't stop her. She wanted to meet the young white quarterback. She asked the coach to bring him over. If you don't have a place to go for Thanksgiving, the old woman told the quarterback through the fence, we will feed you.

In the stands in Memphis, Tenn., weeks earlier, a black stranger struck up a conversation with the white quarterback's father. He was easy to pick out, after all, a pale face in a section full of dark faces. By the end of the game, the quarterback's father had been invited to stay at the stranger's house for the next home game.

Everyone wanted to reach out to the white quarterback. He had come hundreds of miles from his native Michigan to this strange place -- to Jackson State University....

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Note: Exceptionally great story coming from the Southwestern Athletic Conference on quarterback Casey Therriault and the Jackson State University Tigers. Beautiful job by Pat Forde, ESPN.com.

JSU Tigers blast winless Braves, extend SWAC run

JSU Coach Tevester Anderson

It was the week before Christmas when Tyrone Hanson knew his 3-point shot had to change. His flick of the wrist needed an adjustment. His stroke of the arm warranted a modification. Said Hanson: "I just figured out my shot."

Boy, did he. Hanson made six of eight 3-pointers and Jackson State pounded Alcorn State 90-64 Saturday evening, winning a seventh straight game over the rival Braves and scoring its most points in a regulation Southwestern Athletic Conference game in eight years.

The win gave the Tigers (7-8, 3-0 SWAC) a third straight victory. And JSU has now scored at least 80 points against Alcorn (0-13, 0-3) in seven of the last eight meetings with the Braves.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Legendary Coaches Walker and McGowan leads 2010 SWAC Hall of Fame Class

Coach Shirley Gibbs Walker won 493 games at Alcorn State

Birmingham, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) announced its 2010 inductees for the league’s Hall of Fame. The class includes six honorees affiliated with five of the league’s 10 member institutions.

The 2010 inductees are: Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd (Jackson State, baseball), Clyde Duncan (Texas Southern, track and field), Charlie Granger (Southern, football / track and field), Aaron James (Grambling, basketball), Willie “Rat” McGowan (Alcorn State, baseball/ football), and Shirley Walker (Alcorn State, basketball).

Coach Rat McGowan won 701 games and four titles at ASU

The class will be honored on Thursday, December 9 at an invitational reception at the Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham as a part of the festivities surrounding the 2010 Farmers Insurance SWAC Football Championship Game. The inductees will also be made available to media members at the championship’s press conference at the Birmingham Sheraton on Friday, December 10 at 10:00 a.m.

READ MORE, CLICK HERE

Jackson State Tigers seeking FBS opponent

A home-and-away deal with Florida A&M is a possibility.

Jackson State is searching for a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision to complete its 2011 football schedule, athletic director Bob Braddy said this week.

The Tigers' schedule is set except for the season opener Sept. 3. Braddy said the school would like to schedule "a money game" with an FBS (Division I-A) program for that date. The school, Braddy said, is looking for a payout in the $500,000 range.

"We've got some feelers out," Braddy said. "The problem is the date." Most FBS schools already have their 2011 schedules set. Oregon State was interested in playing JSU, Braddy said, but the Beavers' opening was not Sept. 3.

Jackson State chosen to perform at Honda Battle of the Bands in Atlanta

Jackson State University's Sonic Boom of the South is one of eight marching bands that has been selected to participate in the Honda Battle of the Bands 2011 Invitational Showcase. The event, in its ninth year, is the only national scholarship program that highlights the cultural importance of music at historically black colleges and universities.

JSU will be awarded $20,000, plus a $1,000 grant it received for the pre-qualifying celebration tour. Since the program's inception, more than $1 million has been distributed to HBCUs. Participating bands will have the opportunity to perform for 12 minutes Jan. 29 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.


Videographer: msit601

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

UTC blows early lead as Jackson State scores first win

JSU Head Coach Tevester Anderson

Jeff Smith didn’t bother putting on his goggles for the final minute. They just hung around his neck as Jackson State guard Rod Melvin dribbled out the clock in JSU’s 87-75 win over the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The Tigers earned their first win of the season by turning a two-point game with 10 minutes to play into a comfortable victory for the SWAC preseason favorites. Jenniro Bush led all players with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting including 5-of-8 from the 3-point line. Rod Melvin added 13, Grant Maxey contributed 12 points for JSU.

Jefferson Ties Career High as Mocs Lose to Jackson State

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball team heads into Thanksgiving on a sour note losing 87-75 to Jackson State Wednesday night. Chattanooga is now 2-4 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 1-5.

DeAntre Jefferson (Bloomington, Ill.) and Ricky Taylor (Brownsville, Tenn.) tied for team-high scoring honors with 18 apiece. Jefferson's came on a perfect shooting night hitting 8-8 from the field and 2-2 from the free throw line. JSU's Jenirro Bush led all scorers with 31 points, while grabbing six rebounds. Three other Tigers joined him in double-digits including Rod Melvin who tallied 13 points and eight assists.

The Mocs led by 10 points twice in the first half. A three-point play by Jefferson on a tip-in made it 21-11 at 11:29. Leading 26-17 at 6:21, Chattanooga's offense went cold as the Tigers closed the half on a 19-5 run to take a 36-31 advantage into intermission. Jackson State built its lead to nine, 51-42 on a Grant Maxey three-point play at 14:58. But the Mocs stormed back.

Photo Album Stats Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Next Game: Dec. 1 at Nebraska

With leader suspended, JSU Tigers use 2nd-half explosion to win big

PINE BLUFF, ARK. — Rushing off the field following a convincing victory, a group of Jackson State assistant coaches pointed at a reporter and screamed: "We won this one," they said, "for Big Coach!"

With coach Rick Comegy absent from the sideline, Jackson State scored five unanswered touchdowns in the second half to rout Arkansas-Pine Bluff 52-30 Saturday, winning its first true road match of the season. Said running back Alfred Moreland: "It was all for Coach Comegy."

As sweet as the victory was, the Tigers still fell short of their ultimate goal - the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game - when Alabama State beat Southern University later Saturday.


Videographer: jsuamr

DE Robinson redeems himself in major way

PINE BLUFF, ARK. — Donavan Robinson had some making up to do. And Saturday, he did it. The JSU defensive end had nine tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss in Jackson State's 52-30 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, trying his best to wash away lingering thoughts of last week's flag that sealed the Tigers' loss at Alabama State. Said Robinson with a big smile: "I had to make up for last week." Consider it done.

Notebook: Pine Bluff WR Webber still has his day

Jalil Johnson and Jackson State's secondary tried their best to defend Arkansas-Pine Bluff's prolific receiver, Raymond Webber. Despite the 52-30 victory Saturday, they failed in slowing the 6-foot-3, 205-pound senior. Webber finished with 10 catches for 140 yards and drew two pass interference penalties. One thing missing from those stats? Touchdowns. He had none. And for Johnson and the rest of the JSU secondary, that was a plus.

"He's a good receiver," Johnson said, "but I felt like I am one of the best corners in the conference so I had to prove it."

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

ATTENDANCE: 7421

Today's SWAC Football Reviews

ASU Hornets can secure spot in SWAC title game with win today over Southern

Alabama State (6-3, 5-3 SWAC) at Southern (2-7, 1-6), Radio - WVAS-FM 90.7 (Montgomery)

Following last week's wild win over Jackson State -- a game in which Jackson State was flagged 17 times for 143 yards, resulting in an expletive-filled tirade from its coach that drew a one-game suspension -- Alabama State can secure its spot in the SWAC title game this week.

The Hornets (6-3, 5-3 SWAC) meet a Southern squad (5:30 p.m.) that has struggled under first-year coach Stump Mitchell, particularly on defense. In each of its six conference losses, Southern (2-7, 1-6) has allowed 27 points or more.

Jackson State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Jackson State (6-3, 4-3 SWAC), UAPB (5-4, 4-3 SWAC), 3:30 p.m. ET at Golden Lion Stadium, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Radio: JSU Network (WHLA-95.5 FM, Jackson), Yahoo Internet Radio: JSU vs. UAPB .

Jackson State's chances of winning the SWAC East and traveling to Birmingham for the conference title game are hanging on by the thinnest of threads.

A loss at Pine Bluff seals the once high-flying Tigers' fate. They won't win the East. A win and JSU will anxiously await the final score of the Alabama State-Southern game. If the Jaguars pull the upset, the Tigers will have a chance to claim the East crown with a win over Alcorn State.

That said, the most intriguing storyline heading into the game is the absence of coach Rick Comegy, who was suspended by the SWAC for his profane criticism of officials last week. Comegy said the coordinators will handle head coaching duties, but who makes the tough calls: Kick a field goal or go for it on fourth? And what about calling timeouts?

Braves to face Panthers

Alcorn State (5-4, 4-3 SWAC) at Prairie View A&M (5-4, 4-3 SWAC) 2:00 p.m. ET,

It’s a position that every school in the SWAC East division wants to be in, but right now, only Alcorn State can say the magic words. “We control our destiny.”

With Alcorn’s win over Alabama A&M and Jackson State’s loss to Alabama State last week, the Braves move to the head of the class in the East division. A win in their final two games means the Braves (5-4, 4-3 SWAC) will advance to the SWAC championship game for the first time ever.

Battle of have-nots when A&M and MVSU get together

HUNTSVILLE, Al. - Alabama A&M usually is a contender for the Southwestern Athletic Conference East Division title. The Bulldogs have won four East Division titles under coach Anthony Jones and won the school's lone SWAC championship in 2006.

This season, Jones and company will be lucky to escape the East Division cellar. "We're seeing and feeling what it's like to be on the other side of the stick," Jones said. A&M (2-7, 1-6) will try to stay out of the East Division cellar when it takes on Mississippi Valley State (0-9, 0-8) Saturday at 1 p.m. in Greenville, Miss. The Bulldogs, mired in a five-game losing streak, will try to avoid losing to the Delta Devils, who have lost 10 straight games dating back to last season when they fell to A&M 17-12.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

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."

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

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

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

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.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

Attendance: 24,269

Title-minded Tigers, Bulldogs collide

A Michigan boy more used to snow flurries than sunburns, Casey Therriault had a lot to learn when he arrived in the Deep South just a few months ago. So, cut the Jackson State quarterback some slack if he didn't know the magnitude of the Alabama A&M-Jackson State game until a few days ago.

The important thing? He knows now. "Whoever wins goes to the SWAC championship," Therriault said Tuesday while walking off the practice field.

Tigers to face banged-up Dogs

Anthony Jones won't act like it's not an issue. It is. "When you get a chance to rest and get an extra week to prepare, it's an advantage," the Alabama A&M coach said.

The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-2 SWAC) travel to Jackson this weekend for a 4 p.m. meeting Saturday with Jackson State (3-1, 1-1). And they do so with - to use a cliche - the deck stacked against them.

Traditional powers A&M, JSU tangle

In the nutty, keep-you-on-your-toes Southwestern Athletic Conference, where this week’s contender is next week’s also-ran, no one yet knows how the Eastern Division race will play out.

Alabama State had the early lead, then dropped two straight games.

Jackson State's challenge is to stay on pace with Alcorn State

Jackson State’s hopes of reaching the SWAC championship game are on the line this weekend. The Tigers (3-1, 1-1) host Alabama A&M on Saturday in what’s considered an elimination game. The winner remains on pace with Alcorn State to win the East Division title and the loser faces an uphill climb.

Jackson State, coming off an open date, unexpectedly has one of Division I-AA’s top quarterbacks in Casey Therriault. The junior college transfer has produced three 300-yard passing games this season.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

Early TD aside, JSU defense shows up big time

They call this a scary start if you're a Jackson State fan. Mississippi Valley State quarterback Oliver Hughes hit receiver Paul Cox for a 57-yard touchdown on Valley's first play from scrimmage Saturday night. Cox out-leaped JSU defensive back Qua Cox and then ran into the end zone, stunning the partial crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Not to worry. The defense didn't allow another point in JSU's 43-7 win. A unit criticized heavily over the first three games - it allowed an average of 447 yards in those games - finally lived up to its Darkside billing.What changed - besides playing one of the worst offenses in the nation?

"I think we hit a little bit more in practice this week," coach Rick Comegy said. "We emphasized being more aggressive."

Tigers rip Devils

A good way to get over your first loss of the season? Why, play Mississippi Valley State, of course. A week after being physically pounded by Grambling, Jackson State whipped Valley 43-7 on Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, beating the Delta Devils for the 16th straight year and showing fans just how potent JSU's new Air Raid offense can be.

Quarterback Casey Therriault had 291 yards passing - by halftime - as JSU cruised to a 30-7 lead at the break.He finished with 374 yards and four touchdown passes in about three quarters of work. Therriault, who struggled under pressure in last week's 28-21 loss to Grambling, completed 33 of 50 attempts, picking apart Valley's secondary.

Photo Gallery: JSU - Valley

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.