Jackson State wins Southern Heritage Classic, 33-26

Quarterback Therriault is MVP, stars with four TD passes

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

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

Johnson's knee injury a blow to secondary

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

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

Euphoric breakthrough

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

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

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• Jackson State - Tennessee State

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Classic retains star power -- Founder Jones keeps game in spotlight

As the Southern Heritage Classic heads into its 21st game Saturday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, one thing it's proven is that it has staying power.

Throughout the Classic's existence, founder Fred Jones has been able to keep the annual event, which culminates with Tennessee State meeting Jackson State, fresh, exciting, and more importantly, relevant.

Fans come to Memphis from across the Mid-South to attend the Classic Comedy Jam, the Classic R&B concert, the Ed "Too Tall" Jones Golf Classic, the SHC parade, the high school Battle of the Bands, the tailgating - and yes, the game itself.

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JSU preps for blitz-happy TSU

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

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

Kicking game experiences rough start

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

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

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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.



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Jackson State Tigers disdain substituting on D

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



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

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

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Jackson, 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...

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Jackson State's QB welcomes 2nd chance to live his 'dream'

QB welcomes 2nd chance to live his 'dream'

As the starting quarterback for a college football team, Casey Therriault is living his dream. The Jackson State junior is running a new, pass-happy offense, hoping to help the program rebound from a miserable season. Some two years ago, though, Therriault, 21, was living a nightmare.

He was behind bars after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for his involvement in a 2008 bar fight that left a man dead. He struggled to stay sane and had thoughts of never returning to the football field.

JSU notebook: Wilson to call plays on sideline

Jackson State offensive coordinator Earnest Wilson decided this week that he'll call plays from the sideline instead of the press box, where many coordinators choose to make play calls. Wilson and an assistant coach will signal in plays and formations for the team's new Air Raid offense. Calling plays from the sideline is something Wilson is used to doing.

Wilson worked for Hal Mumme, the Air Raid offense creator, for four years at New Mexico State. Wilson and Mumme stood next to each other on the sideline calling and signaling in plays.

Youth showing at ILB positions

Jackson State plans to start an inside linebacker Saturday who has never played a college snap. Not only that, but the two backups at the position have never taken a snap in a Division I college game either. Concerned? "Not really," senior outside linebacker Ryan Rich said. "We've got seniors in supporting roles."

According to JSU's latest depth chart, redshirt freshman Todd Wilcher will draw the start against Delta State at one of the two inside linebacker positions.

Juco transfer Rollins proves jack of all trades

Renty Rollins has a new job. Yes, another one. Rollins, a transfer from an Arizona junior college, entered Jackson State's fall camp as a tight end. Three weeks later, with the season opener against Delta State days away, he's so much more than that.

Over the past few days, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior has started snapping on extra points and field goals during practice. His duties don't end there. He'll probably snap punts, too. And he'll play some slot receiver, also. So that's ... snapper, snapper, receiver and tight end.

Hard to get fix on DSU's offense

Linebacker Ryan Rich calls it "a mystery." Defensive coordinator Darin Hayes says it's "a guessing game." Both are talking about Delta State's offense. The Statesmen have a new offensive coordinator - never a good thing for an opposing defense in the season opener.

"You got to kind of prepare for everything," Hayes said. "You've got to be able to expect anything." Rich said the defense is doing just that, practicing to face any scheme Saturday, when the Statesmen travel to Jackson for a 4 p.m. matchup with JSU.

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Speedy Lee nabs JSU starting RB job

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

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

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Statement: Delta State at Jackson State

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

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

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



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Jerry Rice's Hall of Fame Career a Tale of Stolen Magnolias

Watching Jerry Rice's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame reminded me of a story about the fabled passing attack that enabled him to catch more passes, for more yards and more touchdowns, than any pass receiver in the history of the National Football League.

I heard it from W.C. Gorden, the retired Jackson State football coach who is, himself, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, while sitting in his kitchen in Jackson, Mississippi, late one afternoon in November, 2008.

I had driven from Ruston, Louisiana, arriving in a heavy thunderstorm as night descended on the evening rush hour. My purpose: to ask him about a comment he had made upon learning that Grambling legend Eddie Robinson, the most famous black football coach of all time, had died.

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JSU's Hoskins aspires to be return man

JSU Tigers head football coach Rick Comegy

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

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

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JSU Tigers putting on game faces‎

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.



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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.

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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.



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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.

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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.

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Saturday spotlight shines on JSU special teams‎

JSU Coach Rick Comegy is looking to bounce back from a 3-8 season.

Jackson State began the process of fine-tuning its kicking game at the team's second fall practice Saturday, coach Rick Comegy said. "We got some good kicking stuff done, special teams work," Comegy said. "We emphasized trying to get our punt protection. Second and third (string) guys got work." The special teams' spotlight, though, shines on the two new kickers. Eric Perri and punter Brett Bennett, both All-SWAC members, are gone.

Jabril Smith, a sophomore and former Callaway player who redshirted last year, is likely to replace Perri. Smith handled kickoff duties for the Tigers as a true freshman in 2008, averaging 50 yards a boot. Transfer Reed Gallagher is set to replace Bennett. Gallagher punted at Coahoma Community College last year. "Both are kicking well," Comegy said. "I'm looking for both to have a good year."

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