Therriault's running reopens JSU passing game

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

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

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

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The case for No. 1

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

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

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

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

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Tigers make State-ment in Classic

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

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

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

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Fellow SWAC coaches support JSU's Comegy

Jackson, MS - Southern University football coach Stump Mitchell and Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow are standing behind JSU coach Rick Comegy.

Comegy, the 58-year-old sixth-year JSU coach, is in the last few months of his contract with the school.

"I don't think Coach Comegy is going to have a problem finding a job if they don't sign him to a contract (extension)," said Mitchell, whose Jaguars lost to JSU 28-24 last week. "I think they probably need to go ahead and do it, because he's a fantastic coach, and he's been successful every place that he's been."

Said Barlow, whose team faces JSU on Saturday: "This dude, all he does is win everywhere he goes."




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Jackson State vs. Concordia

Game info
When: Today, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Television: None
Radio: WHLH-95.5 FM

History
Last meeting: First meeting
All-time series: 0-0

Scouting the Hornets
Keep an eye on...
Louis Manning, RB

Jackson State struggled to stop the run last season, allowing more than 190 yards rushing in five games. It'll take more than one game - especially one against a team that doesn't offer athletic scholarships - to show the unit has improved, but slowing the Hornets' veteran running back Manning is crucial.

Unit that could give Tigers fits:
Middle linebackers

How about the only unit that completely returns? The Hornets return just five starters and two of those are linebackers Javonne Roman and Cruz Forbes.

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Los Angeles Lakers Roster Review: Trey Johnson

Vitals
Age: 26
NBA Experience: 2 years
Contract Status: Free Agent
2010-11 Averages: 4.2ppg, 1.3apg, 36% FG, 33% 3PT, 90% FT



Umm…yeah…so the Lakers lost Devin Ebanks to injury, they needed a new body to fill a roster spot so…bam! Heeeeerrrrrrrrresssssss’s Trey Johnson.

The only thing more shocking than the Lakers’ exit from the playoffs was Johnson’s entrance in said playoffs. Trey was one of the first men off the bench for Phil Jackson in the opening game of the 2011 playoffs. Otherwise there wasn’t too much to talk about with regards to Johnson’s brief stint as a Laker.

The former SWAC player of the year is a scorer pure and simple. Before being recalled from Bakersfield in the D-League, Johnson was dropping 25 a night in the NBA’s second tier.

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Grambling State Storms Back To Upset Jackson State

The Grambling State Tigers just aren't quite ready to call it a season.

As the calendar was turning from January to February, the Grambling season appeared to be lost. Their record was 3-17, with a 1-8 mark in SWAC play. Somewhere, a switch was flipped. The Tigers won seven of their final nine contests, entered the SWAC tournament as the #6-seed, and promptly knocked off #3-seed Mississippi Valley State.

So Grambling wasn't going to let a measly 10-point halftime deficit against #2-seed Jackson State slow them down. They stormed back to score 41 second-half points, force overtime at a 66-all tie, and kept right on rolling to an 81-75 win in Friday's SWAC semi-final.



J-State unravels at end, bids season goodbye

GARLAND, TEXAS — They milled around the hotel lobby, some slouching on couches, others leaning against walls and a few walking around aimlessly - their faces in a blank stare, pointing at the ground.

Moments ago, the Jackson State basketball team had its season end in a most revolting fashion: The No. 2-seeded Tigers blew a late double-digit lead. They committed a flurry of late fouls and turnovers. They allowed a missed free throw to be put back to force overtime.

And they lost to No. 6-seeded Grambling 81-75 in overtime Friday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals - a wild game not to be erased from their memory banks for some time.

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Johnson-Danner leads TSU men past Jackson State

A balanced group of scorers has been the key to Texas Southern’s strong start in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

That group came up big again in Saturday’s ESPN2-televised showdown against Jackson State.

TSU got double-digit scoring from four players and clamped down on defense in the final two minutes to escape with a 66-62 victory before a crowd of 1,132 at the H&PE Arena. TSU (6-9, 4-0) won its fourth straight game and moved into sole possession of first place in the SWAC.

TSU Tigers Stay Perfect at 4-0

The Texas Southern Tigers stay perfect in conference play after beating their toughest SWAC opponent so far this season before a national TV audience on ESPN2. TSU defeated Jackson State 66-62 to become the only unbeaten team in the conference.

The Tigers took the lead from the tip off and played strong for the first six minutes of the game. TSU held a 13-2 advantage with 14:42 on the clock. Jackson State put together a 10-0 run to get within one point of Texas Southern’s lead (13-12). TSU got back into their rhythm and worked their way to a 12 point lead with 56 seconds left in the first half. The TSU Tigers ended the period up 31-21.

TSU gave up some ground in the second half but kept an 8 point advantage with 9 minutes on the clock. Jackson State made another run and TSU fought back to stay up 57-49. J-State came back again and tied the game 58-58 with just over 3 minutes left to play. TSU fell behind briefly but regain the lead on a layup and follow-up free-throw by Daniel King at the 1:28 minute mark (63-61). The TSU Tigers never trailed again and picked up a 4 point win.

Four TSU Tigers scored in double figures. Lawrence Johnson-Danner led the way with 15 points and four steals. Kevin Galloway had 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 blocks. Harrison Smith had 13 points while Travelle Jones had 12. King finished the night with 9 points and six rebounds.

Texas Southern will host Grambling State on Monday at 8:00 pm in the H&PE Arena.

Author: Rodney Bush, Texas Southern University Sports Information Director

JSU's Wilson Excels in the "Air Raid"

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - 43 points, 49 points and most recently 52 points, the Jackson State Air Raid offense is opening eyes in the SWAC this season. Do Tiger fans know the high powered O brought in by offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson is complements of this man? Coach Hal Mumme.

The former Kentucky head coach and current McMurry University head man is considered the architect of the Air Raid offense and a mentor of Earnest Wilson.

JSU sees Bridge as special threat

Jackson State fans will finally see the guy everyone in the conference has been talking about all season long. Alcorn State quarterback Brandon Bridge, a true freshman from Canada, comes to Jackson on Saturday for the Capital City Classic. He enters with quite a reputation and a list of sparkling stats - especially for a teenager.

Bridge has accounted for more than 70 percent of Alcorn's offense this season. He's thrown for more than 2,000 yards and has run for nearly 600. He's scored 18 touchdowns. His long, lanky, 6-foot-5, 205-pound frame and surprising speed have made Bridge a bugaboo for opposing defenses to contain.

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Alcorn vs. JSU is battle for pride

The Capital City Classic no longer has SWAC championship implications. When Jackson State (7-3, 5-3) and Alcorn State (5-5, 4-4) clash on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Jackson’s Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, only bragging rights are at stake.

Alabama State (7-3, 6-3) has clinched the Eastern Division title and berth in the SWAC championship game. Jackson State can tie for the crown with a victory, but the Hornets beat the Tigers 32-30 two weeks ago.

Therriault, a transfer from Grand Rapids Community College, has thrown for a SWAC-leading 3,272 yards and 29 touchdowns. Bridge, a freshman from Canada, is considered the Braves’ top quarterback since Steve McNair. Bridge has thrown for 2,016 yards, while rushing for 570 yards and accounting for 26 TDs.

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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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