Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

Game holds no added incentive for Jones

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones interviewed for the Grambling job on two occasions last January.

Grambling officials eventually hired former North Carolina Central coach Rod Broadway to lead the school's football program.

But Jones doesn't plan to add anything extra to Saturday's game when the Bulldogs and Tigers meet at Robinson Stadium in a big Southwestern Athletic Conference game.

"This game is important to me because it's the next game," he said. "It's important to me because it's a conference game. I don't care if USC was in our conference. If that was the next game on our schedule, that would would be the next important game.

"I don't try to build ballgames up more than what they are. The game is big because it's our next game, it's a conference game and it's against a good football team."

Tough crowd: Alabama A&M has beaten every team in the SWAC on the road except Grambling.

The Tigers hold a 12-4 advantage in the all-time series against the Bulldogs, but the teams have split the last four meetings.

However, A&M's last three trips to play the Tigers in Louisiana haven't been fun.

Grambling won 30-7 in 2001, 45-14 in 2003 in Shreveport and 44-0 in 2005.

"It would be nice to get a win down there," senior defensive end Chris Traylor said. "My favorite wins are road wins. Hopefully, we can pull it off this time."

After watching Grambling's game against Pittsburgh, Jones said it won't be easy.

"They played Pittsburgh tough," he said. "They didn't lay down. They had opportunities to win the game. If they had had a little more success in the red zone, that game is a different ballgame.

"They had a punt blocked and three turnovers in the red zone. It wasn't like they went up there and got sandblasted. They went up there to win the ballgame and I admire that."

Grambling had the ball in the red zone four times, including three times inside Pittsburgh's 10-yard line, but came away with just three points.

The Tigers also were whistled for 14 penalties for 108 yards, were 6-of-17 on third down and allowed two touchdowns on special teams in the 34-10 loss.

Baxter likely out: Wide receiver Nate Baxter, who sprained his right ankle in the first quarter Saturday night against Mississippi Valley State and never returned, will likely miss the Grambling game, Jones said.

A redshirt freshman from Enterprise, Baxter has five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.

"It's too tender," Jones said of the ankle. "He's still not walking on it."

-Reggie Benson

Southern WR Landry to sit out first half because of ejection

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Jacobs to fill in

Southern University has confirmed with the Southwestern Athletic Conference that its top offensive playmaker, wide receiver Gerard Landry, will have to sit out the first half of Saturday’s home game with Tennessee State, SU coach Pete Richardson said.

Landry was ejected for fighting after throwing a swing at a Prairie View player with 8:16 left in the fourth quarter.

According to Rule 9-5 of the NCAA rulebook, the penalty is “disqualification for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next game.”

“We called (SWAC Interim Commissioner Duer Sharp) and, in fact, I’ve got a fax back from him,” Richardson said.

SU (3-0) hosts Tennessee State (2-1) of the Ohio Valley Conference at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Landry leads Southern with both three touchdowns — one in each game — and 172 yards (on 12 catches).

“I’ll be ready to go,” said Landry, who has a catch in 28 consecutive games.

Senior RaShon Jacobs will start in place of Landry at the “X” receiver position.

“He’s about the same type of receiver,” Richardson said. “He catches the ball well, and he can knock some folks around.”

Jacobs has three catches for 53 yards. He averages a team-best 17.7 yards per reception.

Jacobs did not play last season after transferring from Louisiana-Monroe. Though he practiced last year at SU, he was held back in preseason camp after injuries to both feet, a chipped bone on the ankle in April and a fractured bone during camp.

“I think I’m OK. I’ll just go out there and play, take advantage of the opportunity,” said Jacobs, a three-sport star at Woodlawn High School who played football and basketball for three years at ULM. “I have to go out there and continue what I’ve been doing, make plays when I have to. That’s it.”

Chinyoung ineligible
Sophomore center Ramon Chinyoung will be ineligible this season, Richardson confirmed.
Chinyoung’s process seeking to be declared eligible ended this week.

Chinyoung was to have been the team’s starting center. He finished in that role last season as a true freshman.

Instead, senior Demarcus Stewart, who started at center at the beginning of last season, has been Southern’s starting center this season. Stewart would have been the starting right guard, but Reuben Oliver moved inside from tackle to handle that role.

Chinyoung is the sixth offensive linemen to be ruled academically ineligible, joining junior guard Adrian Banks, junior tackle Allen Buckner, senior guard Jacoby Collins, freshman guard Joshua Keelen and sophomore tight end Joshua Nixon.

Also, freshman guard Brian Bridges practiced during preseason camp while awaiting a decision from the NCAA Clearinghouse, which rendered him a nonqualifier. Plus, three other signees who play offensive line are nonqualifiers this year.

Williams out for season
Richardson said sophomore Tremaine Williams, a reserve cornerback, is resting at home after having knee surgery Monday. Williams is out for the season. He severely injured the knee on kickoff return coverage in the third quarter Sept. 8 against Mississippi Valley State.
Richardson said Williams, who missed last season as a nonqualifier, will require additional surgery in six weeks.

Richardson said his staff was trying to find out if Williams could take correspondence courses for this semester.

Watch these two
Tennessee State senior cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Southern free safety Jarmaul George are both on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List. The award honors the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Rodgers-Cromartie, a preseason first-team FCS All-American selection by The Sports Network, had six interceptions and five pass breakups last season and has eight tackles, three breakups and two blocked kicks this season.

Rodgers-Cromartie is also one of the best track athletes in the OVC.

TSU defensive backs coach Randy Fuller told The Tennesseean newspaper Rodgers-Cromartie could be a first-round pick in the NFL draft. If so, he’d be TSU’s first first-rounder since linebacker Waymond Bryant went to the Dallas Cowboys with the fourth pick of the 1974 draft.

“He’s a guy, when we needed a play to be made, he’s made that play,” Tennessee State coach James Webster said.

George, a preseason second-team FCS All-American selection and the SWAC’s preseason defensive player of the year, had 51 tackles, five interceptions and 10 breakups last season and has 20 tackles and two interceptions this season.

Notes
SU sophomore CB Ronald Wade will be out two more games. He is serving a three-game suspension for violating team rules. That suspension started Saturday. A Cincinnati Bengals scout stopped by SU on Tuesday.

Jackson State Hull should play more vs. Valley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

JOHNSON HONORED

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

INJURY REPORT

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

- David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

ASU Hornets stun Golden Lions on 4th-down TD catch

BY BECK CROSS, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

PINE BLUFF — Alabama State found yet another way to break Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s heart.

On fourth-and-goal from the 10 with 41 seconds remaining, Fred Ragsdale made a diving, shoestring catch in the left corner of the end zone to give the Hornets a 12-10 come-frombehind victory before 10, 012 stunned fans Saturday night at Golden Lion Stadium.

Alabama State has won five consecutive games against the Golden Lions and seven of the past eight.

But it didn’t seem to be the touchdown that irked UAPB Coach Mo Forte most. It was a late defensive holding penalty four plays earlier that gave Alabama State its first-and-goal opportunity.

“I think a lot of calls were questionable, I’ll tell you that,” Forte said. “It’s unfortunate because I don’t ever want to try to make excuses for anything. We were so inconsistent on offense again, and the defense played extremely well. But there were a lot of things that were suspect.”

UAPB, which mustered only 159 yards in total offense, stayed in the game with defense and special teams.

With UAPB trailing 6-0 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Kevin Thornton blocked an Alabama State punt, and Jermaine Clemmons recovered for UAPB at the Hornets’ 31.

The Golden Lions reached the 8 on a pass interference call, but settled for a 26-yard field goal by Brodie Heflin that cut the deficit to 6-3 with 11: 18 left.

Special teams also set up UAPB’s go-ahead touchdown. After Alabama State punter Jeremy Fetterhoff failed to field a snap from center, Aldridge Marion recovered for the Golden Lions at the Hornets’ 8.

Quarterback Johnathan Moore scored two plays later on a 7-yard keeper, and Heflin added the extra point to give the Golden Lions a 10-6 advantage with 9: 10 remaining.

Alabama State was turned away on the ensuing possession but cashed in when the game was on the line with a 10-play, 49-yard drive that ended with Ragsdale’s touchdown reception.

“I couldn’t see it from my vantage point, but I understand it was a great catch,” Forte said. “We were able to get mileage from our special teams, and they gave us a couple of opportunities to score.

“ I just look at us as trying to get better. The offensive line is getting better but not as fast as I’d like to see. We’re a struggling offensive football team right now.”

UAPB gave up 187 yards of total offense in the first half but only spotted the Hornets a 6-0 halftime lead.

Alabama State scored with 18. 8 seconds left in the first half when Chris Mitchell threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Darius Mathis to cap an 11-play, 77-yard drive.

Jay Peck had seven carries for 48 yards on the drive, which was kept alive when the Golden Lions were flagged for pass interference on a third-and-4 play from the UAPB 23.

Fetterhoff’s extra-point attempt was blocked by Ledarius Anthony to set the 6-0 halftime margin.

Alabama State’s only other legitimate scoring threat came on the game’s opening possession. Mitchell completed a 48-yard flea-flicker pass to Darius Mathis at the UAPB 22, but the Golden Lions took over on downs four plays later after three running plays netted zero yardage.

Moore, who was making only his third career start, engineered an impressive opening drive for the Golden Lions. Moore completed 3 of 5 passes for 41 yards as UAPB drove inside the Hornets’ 35, but the Golden Lions got no farther.

UAPB threatened midway through the second quarter after Thornton intercepted Mitchell at the Alabama State 46, but the Golden Lions came away empty when Heflin was wide left on a 40-yard field-goal attempt with 3: 32 remaining.

Jackson State at Mississippi Valley State

Last week: Beat Texas Southern 28-14
Saturday: At MVSU (Rice-Totten Stadium, Itta Bena), 4 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD 1300-AM, Jackson)

ON OFFENSE

MVSU's offense has sputtered, scoring just 12 points per game. The Delta Devils are averaging less than 200 yards of total offense per game and just 3.3 yards per play. Sophomore QB Paul Roberts has been decent, throwing for 367 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. RB Ronald Brewer had a good game against Alabama A&M, rushing for 146 yards on 21 carries. RB Johey Hargrett hasn't put up the same kind of numbers he did last season, when he rushed for 698 yards, but he's still a decent option in the backfield.

ON DEFENSE

The Delta Devils' defense had shown considerable promise until the Alabama A&M game, when they gave up 45 points and 499 yards of total offense. But in MVSU's defense, the 3-0 Bulldogs have done that kind of damage in all of their games. Defensive linemen Ronald Green and John Price, along with DB Sam Irons all have at least 20 tackles and have had to stay on the field a long time since Valley's offense has rarely moved the ball. The Delta Devils are last in the SWAC in total defense, giving up 407.3 yards per game.

INTANGIBLES

The hard part for Mississippi Valley remains the mental aspect of this rivalry. The Delta Devils have lost 12 in a row to JSU despite occasionally possessing superior talent. JSU enters this game with some momentum after a solid 28-7 victory over Texas Southern.

- David Brandt

AAMU Bulldogs' road gets rougher

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Grambling bigger challenge than first 3 A&M opponents

Tennessee State didn't test Alabama A&M. Neither did Clark Atlanta nor Mississippi Valley State.

The Bulldogs disposed of the Tigers and the Delta Devils with big second-half efforts. A&M built a 21-7 lead at intermission against Clark Atlanta and coasted the rest of the way.

Although the Bulldogs' first three opponents didn't provide much competition, coach Anthony Jones said that will change Saturday night when A&M visits Grambling in an important Southwestern Athletic Conference game. Kickoff is at 6 at Robinson Stadium and the game will be televised on ESPNU.

"This is a big game for us," Jones said Sunday afternoon before meeting with his team. "Grambling is playing probably as well as anybody in the West Division. They'll be, without a doubt, our biggest test to date."

The Bulldogs are 3-0 and 1-0 in league play. The Tigers, who were idle last week, are 1-1 and 1-0.

During a six-year span from 2000 through 2005, Grambling won four SWAC championships. However, the Tigers struggled last season, finishing 3-8, and coach Melvin Spears was fired. Rod Broadway was hired earlier this year, and Jones says he has already paid dividends.

"They're much better this year," he said. "They've got talent down there. Broadway is an excellent coach.

"Watching them on film, they do a lot of good things. You can tell that they're well-coached. They've got their swagger back."

This A&M team is playing with a swagger, particularly on offense, unlike any of Jones' previous five teams.

The Bulldogs are averaging 45 points and 519 yards per game through their first three games.

"We've got some weapons we've never had in the past," Jones said.

After struggling throughout the first half and leading just 10-7 at intermission against MVSU, A&M erupted for 35 points in the second half.

Quarterback Kelcy Luke, after going 8-of-18 in the first half for 56 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, completed 8-of-11 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. Wide receiver Thomas Harris had three catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. Running back Ulysses Banks scored two touchdowns, one on a 70-yard screen pass and another one on a 15-yard run. Banks finished with 103 rushing yards on 11 carries.

A&M had a pair of two-play, 70- and 78-yard drives for touchdowns, but also had a six-play, 75-yard drive and a 13-play, 90-yard drive for touchdowns.

"This team has been able to score on big plays and long drives," Jones said. "We haven't been able to do that in the past."

Monday after

Who's hot: Wide receiver Thomas Harris had four catches for 137 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's game.

Who's not: The Bulldogs' run defense. Mississippi Valley State freshman Ronald Brewer rushed for 146 yards on 21 carries, averaging a whopping 7.0 yards per carry. It is the second time in three games A&M has allowed a 100-yard rusher.

Who's hurt: Wide receiver Nate Baxter sustained an ankle injury in the first quarter against MVSU and never returned. His status is day-to-day.

Who's next: The Bulldogs visit Grambling in a Southwestern Athletic Conference showdown Saturday night. Kickoff is at 6 (ESPNU) at Robinson Stadium.

UAPB Golden Lions drop a frustrating Arkansas Classic

By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial

Hard to swallow

Arkansas-Pine Bluff can't help but feel like it got robbed in Saturday night's Arkansas Classic.

The Golden Lions' defense appeared to do enough to outlast Alabama State in what amounted to a war of attrition between the two teams, but two questionable penalties led to the Hornets' only two scores of the night as UAPB dropped a 12-10 heartbreaker before 10,012 at Golden Lions Stadium.

After 'Bama State's second score gave it the lead with 41 seconds to play, the Lions had a chance to get in position for a potential game-winning field goal after taking over on their own 35-yard line with 33 seconds left. Quarterback Johnathan Moore took off on a 27-yard scamper on the first play and crossed the ASU 40-yard line but had the ball popped out of his hands from behind and the Hornets recovered to ice the game.

Still, it was the two plays UAPB (1-2 1-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) had no control over — a pass interference call that gave Alabama State a 1st-and-goal at the end of the first half and a holding call that gave the Hornets the same scenario at the end of the game - that had the Lions steamed after the game.

The second of the two calls came with Alabama State (3-0 2-0 SWAC) down 10-6 and facing a 3rd-and-11 from the 20-yard line with under a minute to play. A pass from quarterback Chris Mitchell fell incomplete in the end zone but a late flag came in after the play for holding away from the play, giving State a 1st-and-goal from the 10-yard line instead of a fourth down scenario.

Four plays later, Mitchell floated a ball down the left sideline for receiver Fred Ragsdale, who dove into the end zone with arms outstretched and made a spectacular catch just over the goal line for what proved to be the winning touchdown.

"I'll tell you what, there were some calls that were questionable," Forte said. "It's unfortunate because I never want to make excuses for anything but you can't help but be upset about the type of calls that were made.

"I don't question the catch, [Ragsdale] made a great catch. It's the things after the catch that I question."

Forte spent the final minute of the contest in the ear of referee Keith Moore and headed straight to the locker room once the final horn sounded. He wasn't the only UAPB coach who was peeved.

"The last call was the worst call I've seen in football in a long time," UAPB defensive coordinator Monte Coleman said. "The guy who called it was 40 yards from the play and he came in two seconds after it was over and threw a flag for something that wasn't even a factor in the play.

"It hurts that they made a call like that on something that was so insignificant."

The first questionable call came with under 30 seconds to play in the first half on a ball that was severely overthrown near the goal line by Mitchell but drew a flag for pass interference. The result was another 1st-and-goal for the Hornets, who capitalized when Mitchell hit Darius Mathis with an 11-yard touchdown pass that gave ASU a 6-0 lead at halftime.

That was how the score remained until UAPB's special teams did what its struggling offense couldn't. The Lions capitalized on a bad snap from center on an ASU punt deep in its own territory when Marion Alridge fell on the ball at the Hornets' 9-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

Two plays later Moore found the end zone on a 9-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 7-6 lead. UAPB then added a 26-yard Brodie Heflin field goal early in the fourth quarter that looked like it would stand up at the time.

Nonetheless, UAPB's struggling offense put all the pressure on the defense to make it stand up, which put the Lions in position to be affected by outside sources. Moore, who was making his first start of the season, finished just 8-of-25 for 83 yards as the offense managed just 159 total yards. Running backs Martell Mallett and Mickey Dean combined to carry 20 times for 34 yards.

"We're still a struggling offensive football team and we're not getting better as fast as I'd like," Forte said. "Johnathan fell victim to the offensive line again and we just couldn't sustain anything. Our defense played an outstanding game and our special teams were excellent so it's frustrating to not be able to have anything to show for it."

UAPB returns to action next Saturday in a non-conference game at Southern Illinois.

Fumble returned for TD spurs AAMU rout

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Mississippi Valley State's defense had Alabama A&M's explosive offense stuck in neutral Saturday night. The Delta Devils held quarterback Kelcy Luke and company in check throughout the first half and forced the Bulldogs to punt on their first possession of the second half.

A&M's defense, which set up the Bulldogs' first touchdown and was terrific throughout much of the game, took it upon itself to turn the game around.

Defensive tackle Whitney Garrett sacked MVSU quarterback Paul Roberts, forced him to fumble and inside linebacker Carlton Rice, a former Johnson High star, picked it up and rambled 47 yards for a touchdown. Not only did Rice's touchdown ignite the fans, it ignited A&M's offense.

Luke found tailback Ulysses Banks with a 70-yard touchdown and Banks scored again from 15 yards out to cap a 21-point explosion over an eight-minute span in the third quarter and the Bulldogs went on to clobber the Delta Devils 45-14 before an announced crowd of 4,466.

"That play woke us up," said A&M coach Anthony Jones, referring to Rice's fumble return for a touchdown. "It was a heads-up play Rice made by outhustling their guy to the ball and picking it up and getting in for the touchdown.

"After that, we made big play after big play and they couldn't answer."

MVSU coach Willie Totten agreed with Jones that Rice's fumble return turned the game around, but he disagreed with the call.

"That played turned the game around, but it wasn't a fumble," Totten said. "It was an incomplete pass. That play was very questionable. After that, momentum swung their way."

The win lifted A&M to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. It is the first time the Bulldogs have been 3-0 since 1966 when they were 8-0 before losing to Florida A&M in the Orange Blossom Classic.

It is also the first time an A&M team has opened the season with three straight 40-plus point games.

"I've never seen them with that much firepower," Totten said. "They've got a good football team. A&M looks like they can repeat."

MVSU fell to 1-2 and 1-2.

Jeremy Licea's 25-yard field goal, his first one of the season, gave A&M a 10-0 lead with 2:29 before intermission, but MVSU answered when Johey Hargrett scored from 7 yards out to pull the Delta Devils to within 10-7 at halftime.

After forcing A&M to punt on its first possession of the third quarter, MVSU took over on its own 46. The Delta Devils moved to a first down at the Bulldogs' 42 before disaster struck.

Garrett separated Roberts from the ball and Rice picked it up and headed for the end zone.

"I didn't realize I had knocked it loose," Garrett said. "I got up and saw Rice running toward the end zone and I started running."

Added Rice: "I think it was a pass behind the line of scrimmage. I saw the ball and I scooped it up and scored the way they teach us."

Rice's touchdown woke up A&M's offense.

"Rice made a great play," Luke said. "The defense played hard the whole game. Hats off to them. They sparked us."

Luke found Banks on a screen pass on A&M's next possession and he raced 70 yards for a touchdown. to make it 24-7.

"I gave the linebacker a move and I got a great block from (wide receiver) Rashad Johnson and got in for the touchdown," Banks said.

Banks scored on a 15-yard run on A&M's next possession. The touchdown was set up when Luke found Thomas Harris for a 63-yard gain. Harris finished with four catches for 137 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Three of Harris' catches came in the second half for 124 yards.

"We regrouped after halftime and Coach Jones made some great adjustments and we went out there and started clicking," said Luke, who was 16-of-29 for 276 yards and three touchdowns and two sacks, including 8-of-11 for 220 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.

In addition to his 70-yard touchdown reception, Banks rushed for 103 yards on 11 carries as the Bulldogs finished with 499 yards in total offense, including 333 in the second half.

SU Lands doesn’t let up for victorious Jaguars

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

A year ago, Southern defensive end Vince Lands couldn’t stop Prairie View from its stunning overtime victory, having already been carted off the field on a stretcher with dehydration.

A year later, Prairie View couldn’t stop Lands or his defensive mates.

The Jaguars defense, with Lands sacking Chris Gibson twice and teaming on another sack of backup Mark Spivey, came up with two fourth-and-short stops in Southern territory and totaled three interceptions to power a 12-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference victory Saturday night at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

“It really burned inside, because I couldn’t finish the game,” Lands said of the 26-23 overtime loss that started a tailspin after a promising start last season. “I felt like I left my team down, so I tried to lay it all on the line and stick it out, even when I was tired. It was just pride tonight.”

That time, in Prairie View’s first win over Southern since 1971, the Panthers turned two Southern fumbles into 14 points in the final 2:33. And that time, after the SU offense coughed up the ball on consecutive bad snaps, the defense didn’t hold up, even against a PV offense that struggled then and all season to pass the ball.

This time, Southern’s offense never could get rolling like the Jaguars had in their first two games, with SU totaling 223 total yards (67 rushing after 293 the week before) and getting a fourth-quarter touchdown on a fake field-goal try. But this time, Southern’s defense held strong and refused to let PV score — stopping the Panthers six times in Southern territory.

“The defense, we really stepped it up tonight,” said Lands, who had eight tackles, including 4&permil for losses.

Photo: Defensive end Vincent Lands sacks Prairie View A&M quarter-back Chris Gibson.










Southern (3-0, 2-0 SWAC) has kept opponents out of the end zone for six straight quarters. If not for a fourth quarter safety, for holding in the end zone during a punt, Prairie View (2-1, 1-1) would have been shut out.

Prairie View had 77 yards in the second half. The Panthers, down 6-0 at the time, were stopped after an incomplete Gibson pass on fourth-and-3 at the Southern 28-yard line and, after getting to the SU 15 down 12-2, free safety Jarmaul George picked off Spivey.

“We got a little more pressure on the quarterback, and once we started to do that, then he started to get a little antsy and we were able to do some things,” SU head coach Pete Richardson said. “That’s the thing we have to do: make them move their feet. Once we started doing that, Lands did a great job coming off that corner.”

How different than getting medical attention on a stretcher was this night for Lands? After sprinting to drag down the mobile Gibson from behind five minutes into the fourth quarter, Lands raced over to the SU sideline to leap into a chest bump with SU defensive coordinator Terrence Graves.

“That’s just Coach Graves’ swagger. That’s just our chemistry,” Lands said.

Prairie View looked to take that oomph away early in the game, driving 46 yards on the opening drive to the SU 17. But on a fourth-and-1, Gibson saw a gap in Southern’s line and gambled, only to get denied for no gain. Cornerback Efe Osawemwenze intercepted Gibson on PV’s next touch.

“We want to come out of the locker room, playing fast, playing hard and making things happen,” Graves said.

Gibson finished 11-for-26 for 69 yards and two interceptions, with Spivey, entering in the fourth quarter, going 11-for-18 for 76 yards and an interception.

Although Calvin Harris rushed for 69 yards, Gibson, averaging 99.5 yards per game on the ground, had minus-17.

“We made some plays on defense,” Richardson said.

Meanwhile, Southern’s offense, which has had slow starts in all three games, made the most of two drives - finished by clutch plays—after good field position.

First, as free safety Anthnony Beck blitzed hard, quarterback Bryant Lee, who was 22-for-36 for 144 yards, zipped a 15-yard touchdown pass to Gerard Landry for a 6-0 lead with 52 seconds before halftime. The PAT by Josh Duran was no good.

Second, holder Nick Benjamin, a former high school quarterback, tossed a 12-yard TD pass to tight end Evan Alexander for a 12-yard TD five seconds into the fourth quarter.

On the possession after the safety, getting PV within 12-2 with 12:39 left in the game, the Panthers started at the Southern 49 but finished at their own 35. First, Lands hauled down Ben Boyd for a 7-yard loss. Then, PV went back 5 yards for a false start. Then, after a 2-yard gain, Lands blasted Gibson from behind.

The next PV touch was a three-and-out. The next ended in the George interception. The next closed out the game.

“Just a credit to the defense. Those guys are just playing hard,” Graves said. “We call it, and those guys are just executing at a high level.”

Southern has won four straight games, dating to last season. And after two straight losing seasons, the Jaguars are off to their first 3-0 start since 2003, when the team went 12-1 and won the SWAC and black college national titles.

“We’ve got to just live from week to week,” Richardson said. “We’re real thin on that offensive line. Injuries could make things real ugly for us. We just have to regroup and come on back.”

UAB plays like Alcorn State but wins 22-0

Photo: UAB Kicker Swayze Waters

STEVE IRVINE, Birmingham

Waters sets record as Blazers pitch shutout over Alcorn State

Want to take an optimistic view of UAB's 22-0 non-conference victory over Alcorn State on Saturday night at Legion Field?

Then focus on Swayze Waters' school-record five field goals and the Blazers' first defensive shutout since 1999.

For you pessimists out there, why couldn't UAB put the ball in the end zone more than once? And, really, how impressive is a shutout of an Alcorn State team that has scored 13 points in three games?

For the record, Neil Callaway can see both sides - at least as far as his offense is concerned.

"It was great what he (Waters) did because he made them all and, really, I don't think there was any question on any of them," said Callaway, after his team improved to 1-2. "On the other hand, we wished we could score a few more touchdowns."

Regardless, linebacker Joe Henderson was pleased Callaway won for the first time as a head coach.

"I felt good to get him a win and see a smile on his face because he doesn't smile very often," Henderson said. "He's tough on us, so we're happy to see him smiling and happy."

Take away the offense's inability to put the ball in the end zone and the Blazers did several things on Saturday night not only to make Callaway happy but to please a crowd of 21,828.

The most important thing was breaking an eight-game losing streak. Before Saturday night, the last time UAB went home victorious was when it beat Memphis at Legion Field on Oct. 7, 2006.

"It means a lot," said safety Will Dunbar. "That losing taste that you've got in your mouth is finally out. You got to get used to winning again. It just gives a big boost to us and is a confidence builder."

Obviously, it was the defense that spearheaded the streak-breaking victory.

The defense took turns being stifling and optimistic. The Blazers allowed the Braves (0-3) just 233 yards in offense. When Alcorn State did get moving in the first half, Henderson and Dunbar stepped up to end drives with interceptions. In the end, it was the Blazers' first shutout in the past 91 games - dating to a 47-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe on Oct. 2, 1999.

"We turned the ball over inside of their territory two or three times and that hurt us," said Alcorn State head coach Johnny Thomas. "You can't do that against a good football team like UAB."

The game would have been more nerve-wracking for the Blazers without those turnovers because UAB had trouble getting the ball in the end zone.

Three promising first-half drives ended up with Waters converting on field goals of 42, 32 and 52 yards. Two promising second-half drives ended with Waters drilling field goals of 22 and 38 yards.

When he was through, Waters set a school record and tied a Conference USA mark for field goals in a game. But the Blazers would have preferred that Waters wasn't so busy.

"It always drives you crazy when you can't score touchdowns," said fullback David Sigler. "But points are points. It was just a bunch of little things we need to correct to score some touchdowns."

The only touchdown of the night came when quarterback Sam Hunt floated a pass to Sigler in the right flat that Sigler turned into a 4-yard score.

It gave UAB a 16-0 halftime lead.

Other than Waters, the most promising offensive performance came from former Homewood standout Brandon Thornton, who started in place of a banged-up Rashaud Slaughter. Thornton, playing for the first time in a UAB uniform, carried the ball 21 times for 89 yards even though he claimed to be rusty. Jim Mitchell chipped in with 78 yards on 12 carries as the Blazers gained 211 net yards rushing on 45 carries.

Attendance: 21,828

Southern U. 12, Prairie View A&M 2

BATON ROUGE, LA -- Bryant Lee passed for 144 yards and a touchdown and Nick Benjamin connected on his only pass of the evening for another as Southern beat Prairie View 12-2 to remain undefeated Saturday night.

The Jaguars (3-0, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) also gave Prairie View (2-1, 1-1) its only score, when Southern was charged with a fourth-quarter safety for holding in its own end zone.

Lee, who got a 15-yard touchdown pass to Gerard Landry in the second quarter, was 22-of-36 for Southern. Benjamin's score was on a 12-yard pass in the fourth quarter to Evan Alexander.

Kendrick Smith rushed 10 times for 40 yards for Southern.

Calvin Harris led all rushes with 69 yards on 18 carries for Prairie View. Mark Spivey was 11-18-1 for 76 yards, and Chris Gibson was 11-26-2 for 69.

SU Jaguars take advantage of Landry’s size and strength

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Prairie View at Southern
WHEN: 6 p.m. today.
WHERE: A.W. Mumford Stadium (25,500).
TV: Tape-delay (4 p.m. Sunday, CST).
RADIO: KQXL-FM, 106.5.
RECORDS: Southern 2-0 (1-0 SWAC), Prairie View 2-0 (1-0 SWAC).
LAST MEETING: Prairie View 26, Southern 23, OT.
SERIES: SU leads, 48-19-2.

What does it feel like to be 6-foot-2 and 223 pounds and simply run through players, just mashing defensive backs?

“Like I say, I’m in the weight room, so I’m not even feeling the licks happen,” Southern senior wide receiver Gerard Landry said.

Landry certainly knows.

Two weeks ago, on a 46-yard touchdown against Florida A&M, Landry ran through two sets of two guys. One guy got the treatment twice. That defensive back bounced off the initial hit and tried to chase Landry down and team with another defensive back before the end zone, only to have Landry crash through.

“It’s not normal,” quarterback Bryant Lee said. “I really didn’t see it until I got in the film room, and I was amazed by it. I didn’t think he did all that to score the touchdown.”

A week ago, Landry shoved away Mississippi Valley State’s Jean-Pierre Marshall, one of the better cornerbacks in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, en route to a 54-yard touchdown.

“It just happens in the heat of the moment,” Landry said. “When I catch the rock, I’m trying to make something happen. If somebody’s in my path, I just do what I can to shake them off. The running over part, it just happens.”

As SU (2-0, 1-0 SWAC) hosts Prairie View (2-0, 1-0) at 6 p.m. today in A.W. Mumford Stadium, Landry, with 1,604 yards and 13 TDs, is sixth on the program’s all-time receiving ledger (having passed former Philadelphia Eagles great Harold Carmichael at 1,601). He needs 370 yards to move past Calvin Magee (at 1,973), the assistant head coach/offensive coordinator at West Virginia and a former SU All-American, into second place behind Michael Hayes (3,056 yards and 30 TDs).

Landry has caught a pass in 27 consecutive games. He was a second-team All-SWAC selection last season (727 yards and five TDs on 55 catches).

“He’s a big athlete,” SU head coach Pete Richardson said. “A lot of defensive backs don’t want to see him coming. If they try to arm-tackle him, he’s going to go through that.”

Here’s where things get really bad for defensive backs.

Southern coaches emphasized downfield blocking from receivers as part of the improvements from the season opener to the second game.

So Landry, one of two team captains, took one guy into the bench area after a pass to Del Roberts. Another had to plea for mercy — “Man, lay off,” SU offensive coordinator Mark Orlando relayed.

“He responded to coaching,” Orlando said. “Gerard is a kid who wants to get to the next level. He knows scouts will be looking at tape to see if he’s loafing on the blocks.”

To provide positive reinforcement after SU totaled 293 rushing yards (the most in one game since September 2003), coaches wanted to reward the blocks. So SU baseball coach Roger Cador donated a bat for what will be the “Big Hit” award. Landry was to get the first one Friday night.

“I felt like I left something out there (against FAMU). I didn’t block as well as I could’ve blocked,” Landry said. “I remembered coach Orlando talking about a pancake award. So I started going out there trying to kill all the little DBs. Every time I went to the sideline (a week ago), I told coach to give me that pancake award.”

Here’s where things get even worse for defensive backs.

Landry wasn’t even 100 percent for the first two games and rated himself as only 85 percent earlier in the week. Despite getting himself in tremendous condition (and cutting his weight from 240 pounds in the spring), he missed two weeks of preseason camp after having oral surgery. He had one full practice day, a Tuesday, before the season opener (because he has class and misses most Wednesday practices and the team traveled Thursday).

“It really hurt me,” Landry said of the time off. “I was just in my prime. I could feel myself getting better and better every day as camp was going. Now, I’m working my way back into shape and feeling more comfortable.”

Even so, Landry still leads SU with 10 catches for 139 yards and the two TDs this season.

“He’s coming out just as I expected him to play,” wide receivers coach Eric Dooley said. “He worked hard over the summer on strength and conditioning as well as speed and he’s just ready to take over.”

The comparisons to Hayes (1999-2002), the school’s top receiver, are there because they are so similar physically and similarly physical.

Hayes was a little leaner, a tad taller and slightly faster. And what he excelled at was in going up to win jumpballs on fade routes. Don’t sleep on Landry’s speed, though. He’s run away from defensive backs in the past and is faster now after improving his speed in the offseason.

Said Richardson, “Both of them could go and body up on a guy. If you throw it up there, they could jump and catch the football.”

Said Orlando, “Mike could out-physical, do some things against defensive backs similar to what Gerard does. Gerard is a more physical receiver. I don’t remember guys bouncing off Hayes like they do (so regularly) off Gerard.”

Maybe this is just perception, but the defensive backs Hayes jousted with seemed bigger. Maybe Landry just seems so tank-like.

“Everybody looks like they’re 5-9, 5-10,” Richardson said. “They’re scuffling with him. It’s going to be interesting to see how they’re going to continue to play him.”

Southern U--PVAMU Matchups

SU Video: http://media.swagit.com/s/wbrz/The_Advocate_Sports/09142007-25.high.flash8.html

SU Video: http://media.swagit.com/s/wbrz/The_Advocate_Sports/09062007-10.high.flash8.html

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Southern LB Johnathan Malveaux

19 tackles, 1 pass breakup

Other than DT Joseph Selders, the junior is the most experienced defender among the Jaguars’ front seven. And like Selders, Malveaux is getting the job done. Malveaux leads SU with 19 tackles. His career has been held back by a series of minor injuries, but Malveaux seems to be at his healthiest and strongest these days. That’s a huge plus, because he’s always been a relentless, ferocious tackler and has plenty of speed.

PVU QB Chris Gibson

26-for-49, 248 yards, 2 INTs; 199 yards, 2 TDs on 24 carries

Gibson, a senior, is charged with both improving a horrendous passing game and shoring up the running game. Though suffering from a shoulder injury, Gibson came off the bench in the fourth quarter to help the Panthers to a stunning 26-23 overtime win over Southern. He scored on a 1-yard run and then marched PV to the tying and winning touchdowns.

WHO HAS THE EDGE?

Quarterbacks: SU

Running backs: SU

Offensive line: SU

Wide receivers: SU

Tight ends: SU

Defensive line: PVU

Linebackers: SU

Defensive backs: SU

Kickers: PVU

Kick returners: PVU

Intangibles: SU

Coaching: SU

PREDICTION

Southern has to prove to itself after the debacle that unfolded last season. SU’s offense — balanced and diversified — will get a test from a defense that was the best in the SWAC last season. PV’s offense begins and ends with QB Chris Gibson. The Panthers have also been getting contributions from special teams, a factor they didn’t have last year. Both teams, losers a year ago, bring a lot of confidence tonight.

Southern 34, Prairie View 9

-- Joseph Schiefelbein

Valley first SWAC foe for league defending champ Alabama A&M

ITTA BENA, Miss. -- Alabama A&M hosts Mississippi Valley State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference clash on Saturday and is hoping for a happier ending than last year.

MVSU (1-1, 1-1 SWAC) won that game 23-20 on a 48-yard field goal with only seconds left.

"A&M is always good, but this year they're scoring a lot more points," MVSU head coach Willie Totten said.

A&M (2-0, 0-0) is averaging 529 yards of total offense compared to MVSU's 173.

A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke passed for 301 yards and four touchdowns against Clark Atlanta last week.

The Delta Devils lost 23-6 last Saturday to Southern and Totten wants his players to put that game behind them before the kickoff in Normal, Ala.

"We knew Southern would be a tough opponent, and we'll face an even tougher opponent in Alabama A&M," Totten said.

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones said the Bulldogs can't be satisfied being 2-0.

"I don't want our guys to think we're great because we're not," Jones said. "We've played two good football games, and now we're ready to get into conference play. We have to continue to get better. If we don't, everything we've done will be for naught."

In other games Saturday involving Mississippi's smaller colleges, Alcorn State goes to Alabama-Birmingham; Delta State hosts Henderson State; Mississippi College hosts Texas Lutheran; Belhaven hosts Texas College; and Millsaps plays Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

Alcorn (0-2, 0-2 SWAC) has scored just 13 points in losses to Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

Alcorn goes up against the Division I-A opponent in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday. UAB (0-2) has not won since a 35-29 win over Memphis last Oct. 7. This season, UAB has lost to Florida State and Michigan State.

"We're up beat and we know what we have to do," said Alcorn head coach Johnny Thomas. "Our main thing is that we've got to be more consistent on offense and improve. Our defense has to continue to be aggressive."

UAB head coach Neil Callaway said Alcorn has a cadre of veteran players and that experience is important to any team.

"They do a lot of multiple things on both sides of the ball. From a defensive standpoint, we have to recognize what's going on. The same goes for offense because they bring a lot of types and forms blitzes and they will create problems if we're not sharp," Callaway said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How wet was it?

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

How wet was it?

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

Loving, doting parents.

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

OLIVER IS THE QUARTERBACK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRING ON THE DELTA DEVILS

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

Comegy expects even better things from Oliver.

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

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

-Clarion Ledger

JSU Johnson of old simply dazzling

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

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ferocious JSU defense delivers plenty of punishment

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


By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A DIFFICULT ENCORE

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

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

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

ODDS AND ENDS

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

Richardson praises SU O-line

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern coach Pete Richardson’s offensive player of the week will have to be shared by at least five guys.

Richardson gave his personal award from Saturday’s 23-6 win over Mississippi Valley State to the entire offensive line.

“(Center Demarcus) Stewart, right tackle Myles (Williams), (left guard Rafael) Louis and (right guard Reuben) Oliver and also (left tackle Trent) Thomas did a good job,” said Richardson, naming the starters.

SU ran for 293 yards — the biggest total since Sept. 2003 — and had 499 total yards — the best total since Nov. 2005 — in Chicago.

“I think that’s great. That’s where it all starts: the offensive line,” said sophomore running back Brian Threat, who ran for a career-best 106 yards on 11 carries. “They were low on numbers, but they came out here and worked hard every day. We appreciate that. It’s good for the team.”

SU ran for 58 yards through two games last season, despite a 2-0 start.

This season, the Jaguars (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference), who host Prairie View (2-0, 1-0) at 6 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium, have run for 531 yards.

Since the spring, the line lost five veterans to academics and reshuffled the unit through preseason camp.

“So far, we feel good,” first-year offensive line coach Damon Nivens said. “We’ve been making some things happen up front. We’ve got a pretty smart front, engineering majors. We’re trying to get better as each game goes on. There was a big change from game one.

“The biggest thing is getting confidence up front, knowing what you’re doing and going full speed.”

Southern has instituted a zone blocking scheme under Nivens and the Jaguars have a nice blend in running backs Darren Coates, Kendrick Smith and Threat.

“It’s like we have three first-string running backs,” Threat said.

Already, Coates and Threat have had their first career 100-yard games and Smith, from Saturday, was named the SWAC Newcomer of the Week.

“We’re very satisfied with it,” offensive coordinator Mark Orlando said. “The kids are getting more confidence in it. Football is about confidence.”

Whitewash
Southern is encouraging its fans to wear white for Saturday’s game, the Jaguars’ first home game of the season. Top Choice, a local store selling Southern paraphernalia, is selling a white T-shirt for the event, dubbed a “Whitewash Weekend.”

“It’s tough to play up here. The noise level is sky high, and most teams can’t concentrate up in here,” junior linebacker Johnathan Malveaux said. “It’s not hard for us to concentrate. This is our house.”

SU Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said single-game ticket sales have accelerated in the wake of the team’s 2-0 start.

“It’s a big boost for our fans to see how our team is looking, see what we’ve been doing on the road,” free safety Jarmaul George said.

Duran Duran
With Southern at the Mississippi Valley State 39-yard line, SU true freshman Josh Duran shanked his first punt Saturday, for minus-1 yard. But Duran recovered to average 35.6 yards per punt by getting off punts of 45, 45 and 53.

“He was trying to coffin (corner) kick the ball, and I guess he didn’t hit it right,” Richardson said.
Saturday, PV blocked two punts and a field-goal try, providing 13 points, in a 22-7 win over North Carolina A&T.

“We have to be concerned,” Richardson said.

Notes
Richardson said SS Glenn Bell (eight tackles, ‰ sack) and Duran were his defensive and special teams players of the week. … Richardson said junior QB C.J. Byrd, who was in a car accident in late July and recently returned to practice, could play if needed. … Sophomore QB Bryant Lee (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday. … SU has outscored its foes 30-7 (a Florida A&M TD with 16 seconds remaining) in the second half this season

Southern University 's 'Sunshine' walks off into sunset

Photo: #12 J.C. Lewis

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

There’s a redshirt sophomore running Southern’s offense these days, and Bryant Lee has shown he can be a pretty good one.

The thing is, though, the last guy to start as a redshirt sophomore, J.C. Lewis, can tell him all about how uncertain the road can be.

Lewis — a fifth-year senior known as “Sunshine” after the cool, California quarterback in “Remember the Titans” — walked into coach Pete Richardson’s office and called it a career Monday.

It’s a sad ending. It’s life. It’s football.

He finished as SU’s sixth-best passer all-time. And like Lee, Lewis once had so much going for him. Early last year, Lewis seemed a shoe-in to make the top two on that all-time list, behind Eric Randall.

First, the overtime disaster to Prairie View and a concussion/five-interception loss to North Carolina Central. Lewis, out for two games, started just one more game, in November against Texas Southern, but his last play came as he lowered his throwing shoulder on a block and got hurt. Lee has since become the starter.

So, after watching from the sideline for two games, Lewis went to see Richardson on Monday.

Said Lewis, “It was hard. Coach told me he appreciated the time I was here. It was more kind of a mutual thing. I guess he was kind of sad for me to go, but he also respected my decision to go.”

Said Richardson, “I’m kind of proud he made a decision he felt comfortable with.”

Lewis — who came to SU in June 2003 on a Monday after graduating that Friday — missed a lot of spring practice to finish his bachelor’s degree in mathematics in May. Then he spent the summer working for his mom’s real estate investment company in Houston.

He said he thought about not returning this fall, but when he was accepted to graduate school in mathematics, he came back.

But then his classes are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and conflicted with quarterbacks meetings.

“Eventually, that was going to put me further and further behind,” Lewis said.

Lewis has done what his parents insisted: gotten a degree and starting on another, while on scholarship.

“It really just came down to I just wasn’t going to play at all,” said Lewis, who will now sit down with his parents and talk about the future this weekend. “For me to play, two guys in front of me had to get hurt or we had to be doing really bad. I felt it was time for me to move on.”

Lewis also has done all a school can ask as well. He’ll be remembered for his coolness — as in easy-going, likeable and hard-to-rattle. Teammates named him a co-captain entering last season.

He’ll also be remembered for taking vicious blows (28 sacks in a nine-game 2005 season) that made Richardson, even after a lifetime around the game, wince. The elbow. The ribs. The shoulder. And most importantly, the noggin. Hits add up.

Lewis, who still throws a pretty ball, picked the right time to leave the pocket for good. The thing is, though, new days come, no matter how fondly the days of Sunshine are remembered.

Alabama A&M notebook

Huntsville Times

MVSU to challengeBulldogs' offense

Anthony Jones says Alabama A&M's high-powered offense will be challenged Saturday night when Mississippi Valley State comes to town. Kickoff is at 6:30 at Louis Crews Stadium.

The Bulldogs are averaging 45 points and 529 yards in total offense through their first two games. The Delta Devils, while they are next-to-last in the league in total defense, allowing more than 360 yards per game, but coach Willie Totten's team has given up just 16 points per game.

"Their defense is playing solid," Jones said. "They've changed their scheme a little bit and they're going to present some problems for us. They're not giving up a lot of points. Southern had a good day against them, but they shut Arkansas-Pine Bluff down. They've done a good job defensively and we've got to be ready for them."

MVSU has been led by defensive lineman Ronald Green, a 6-foot, 320-pound junior. A first-team, preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection, Green has 23 tackles through two games. In fact, the Delta Devils' defensive line has been very productive.

Delta Devils strugglingwithout Nelson:Life after Aries Nelson hasn't been too kind to MVSU coach Willie Totten.

Nelson, MVSU's do-it-all quarterback, guided the Delta Devils to back-to-back winning seasons the last two years. Now that he's gone, the Delta Devils offense hasn't run nearly as smooth. Through two games, MVSU is ninth in the SWAC in scoring (11.0) and passing (137.0) and last in rushing (35.5) and total offense (172.5).

Paul Roberts moved into the starting lineup after Nelson left and has completed 55 percent of his passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns, but MVSU hasn't been able to get much going offensively.

"Our quarterback has to grow up," Totten said. "We have to be patient with him. We may be doing a little too much with him right now and that's something we've got to look at. He has the potential to be good."

Towns not fooled by MVSU's offense:A&M defensive coordinator Brawnski Towns says he won't be fooled by MVSU's paltry numbers on offense.

Running back Johey Hargrett, who rushed for 104 yards on 22 carries and scored a touchdown against the Bulldogs last season, is back along with Roberts and wide receiver Clarence Cotton.

Roberts started against A&M last season and was 4-of-6 for 72 yards as MVSU won 23-20. Cotton had two catches for 17 yards.

"Cotton is a good wide receiver and he's an excellent return man," Towns said. "Hargrett is a good running back and Roberts is very agile. We've got to contain those three guys if we expect to have a chance to win."

Reggie Benson