Alabama A&M notebook

Photo: AAMU Cheerleaders

Huntsville Times

Big plays hard to come by for Bulldogs.

Alabama A&M's offense thrived off of big plays during its first three games, but those big plays didn't happen Saturday night against Grambling.

As a result, the Bulldogs struggled.

A&M managed only one big play - a 24-yard pass from quarterback Kelcy Luke to tight end John Smith right before halftime - that helped set up Jeremy Licea's 36-yard field goal that made it 17-6 at intermission.

But the Bulldogs failed to score again.

"We've been a big-play offense, but now we've got to go back and develop that mentality that teams aren't going to line up and let us beat them deep," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "We've got to make plays and be consistent in making those plays. If we can't, we'll experience what we experienced (Saturday).

Of A&M's 12 possessions, nine of them ended with punts, including five three-and-outs.

The Bulldogs kicked two field goals and fumbled once.

Grambling best team A&M has played: Jones thought Grambling was better than any of A&M's first three opponents. After watching the Tigers up close and personal, he was right.

"That's the best football team we've played all year," he said. "They have a lot of talent. They're the fastest team and the most physical team we've played all year."

A&M will work this week: Jones suggested that the Bulldogs didn't work as hard as they should have in preparing for Grambling. As a result, he said they won't have time to relax this week with Texas Southern coming to town.

"We're coming to work this week," he said. "Those who want to work will work. Those who don't won't be out there. We're going to work this week.

"We're going to make sure we're ready for this football game. Our effort wasn't where it needed to be in some instances (Saturday night)."

Furthermore: A&M has scored on 13 of 14 possessions in the red zone. ... Licea's 37-yard field goal midway through the first half was his career long. ... A&M is 2-10 in its last 12 games against Grambling, including three losses in the SWAC championship game.

Reggie Benson

SU coaching staff making right adjustments

Photo: Coach Pete Richardson signal in play against FAMU.

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

Southern has dominated opponents in the second half. So credit the coaching staff, offense to defense, with making all the right adjustments.

Also credit the coaches with keeping this team together — from the preseason when the attrition of more than a dozen players sapped this team of a lot of promise and in two games this season when the Jaguars came back after falling behind.

Saturday night, SU overcame a 21-point deficit deep in the second quarter to beat Tennessee State 41-34 at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The Jaguars (4-0) outscored the Tigers 35-7 in the final 36 minutes after falling behind 27-6 with 6:36 until halftime.

“The coaches (kept us together),” said Southern quarterback Bryant Lee, who threw for career highs of 305 yards and four touchdowns. “They told us to go out there and just execute, basically.”

“First of all, the coaches got involved,” SU free safety Jarmaul George, who had his third interception of the season.

In the season opener, SU trailed Florida A&M 20-12 at halftime after, like Saturday, giving up big plays on defense.

“I told them at halftime we were going to win this football game, so we might as well get ready to go out here and make it happen. And that’s what we did,” Southern defensive coordinator Terrence Graves said.

Though Tennessee State and FAMU are the only teams to score second-half touchdowns against Southern, getting one each, the Jaguars have shown they can put some serious clamps on teams.

“We knew we made some mistakes, but we had to go get on our horses, go and make plays,” SU drop linebacker Gary Chapman, who had a career- and game-high 11 tackles, including one sack. “We have a lot of talent on this team; we just had to go and get it. We all knew what we had to do.”

Saturday was the more impressive comeback.
TSU quarterback Antonio Heffner (who was all-conference like FAMU’s Albert Chester II) has a strong arm and swift feet. He impressed with big plays throughout the first half and finished with 316 yards on just 13 completions (24.3 yards per catch).

However, the Jaguars forced five second-half turnovers — four by Heffner (two interceptions, two fumbles). SU also totaled a season-best seven sacks. And tailback Javarris Williams, who had 107 yards through three quarter, got nothing in the fourth quarter.

“It’s a 60-minute game,” Southern head coach Pete Richardson said. “We started to work our way back and made plays.

“They weren’t stopping us offensively. We just had to make some stops on defense.”

One Southern attribute that was obvious in preseason camp has surfaced many times this season as the Jaguars corral mobile quarterbacks — Southern has speed across the board on defense. And, yes, the coaches have done well in using that speed as an asset and not allowing the lack of size or depth to be a detriment.

“He got a little tired, too,” Richardson said of Heffner. “We got more footspeed on the field, especially at the linebacker spot.”

Do more of this
Taking over in the second half has been the trademark of this Southern team — the offense finding a groove and the defense going to shut-down mode. Southern has outscored its four foes 58-16 after halftime.

Only once has an opponent scored in the second half, Tennessee State’s 38-yard pass play from Antonio Heffner to Ronald Evans for a 34-32 lead with 1:48 left in the third quarter, to pull ahead of the Jaguars. That lead lasted 5 1/2 minutes. SU won the fourth quarter 9-0 and forced three turnovers.

More than just being undefeated, the Jaguars are developing a confidence that they own the second half.

Work more on this
Southern did not convert after four touchdowns — one PAT missed, one PAT blocked and two incomplete two-point conversions — and had a 38-yard field goal try blocked. That’s seven to nine potential points blown. Plus, the blocked field goal would have iced the game. Instead, Tennessee State got the ball back at its own 21-yard line, down seven points, with 1:49 to play.

Freshman kicker Josh Duran is 7-for-12 on PATs and 2-for-4 on field goals this season. The Jaguars are also 0-for-4 on two-point conversion passes.

Up next
Southern (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) plays Alabama State (4-0, 3-0) in a showdown of the conference’s only unbeaten teams, in the Gulf Coast Classic at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. Both teams lead their respective divisions. Alabama State was picked to finish last in the Eastern Division and is under first-year coach Reggie Barlow. The Hornets benched returning quarterback Alex Engram in their season opener and turned to junior-college transfer Chris Mitchell, who has led them to fourth-quarter wins in all four games. The teams met in the 2003 and ’04 SWAC Championship Games. Southern won 20-9 in ’03, while Alabama State won 40-35 in ‘04. Both teams went 5-6 last season, meaning one team will tie its win total from last year with the victory. Both teams have been strong in the second half. ASU has outscored foes 46-23 in the fourth quarter.

Southern University Jaguars Human Jukebox Marching Band

Miners cruise to victory over Texas Southern

Photo: UTEP running back Marcus Thomas (8) rumbled down the sideline Saturday after making Texas Southern defenders miss at the Sun Bowl.

By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times

What, if anything, should be made of the UTEP football team's 52-12 demolition of overmatched Texas Southern Saturday is a valid question.

Then again, that's not a question the Miners really have to answer.

After two consecutive losses, what mattered to UTEP was that it put on a commanding performance against a team it was a whole bunch better than.


The defense dominated from the first snap, the offense finally produced a 100-yard rusher while moving the ball at will, and third-string quarterback Kyle Wright was sent in to mop up with four minutes still remaining in the second quarter.

The lead was 38-0 by then, giving a banged up Miner team a chance to rest its best players for the Conference USA opener against SMU next week.

They head into that game with a level 2-2 mark and in a good frame of mind following a night when they were as businesslike as the situation called for. The Miners made the layup.

If there were any doubts about how seriously UTEP would take a game against a winless 1-AA foe, they were put to rest quickly in a perfect first few minutes.

Jose Martinez sent the opening kickoff out of the end zone, the defense held Texas Southern without a yard on three plays, Quintin Demps nearly broke the punt return, and Marcus Thomas needed just three carries to take care of the 39 yards the Miners were left with.

Thomas' 11th and final carry of the night was a 27-yard touchdown run that pushed him to 105 yards for the night, snapping a 16-game streak without a 100-yard rusher.

UTEP was actually held to a field goal on its second possession, then Trevor Vittatoe hit Brandon Moturi for a 25-yard touchdown and a 17-0 lead at the 1:12 mark of the first quarter.

Nuuese Punimata returned an interception to the 7-yard line on the next Texas Southern series, and Lorne Sam carried the ball in a play later for a 24-0 lead on the final play of the first quarter.

At that point, Texas Southern had just two first downs, and one of those was on a late hit penalty.

The Tigers did start to do a few things as UTEP reserves trickled into the game in the second quarter, though the starters hung around long enough to tack two more touchdowns on the board.

In that span, Demps picked off the 14th pass of his career to move into a tie for first among active Division 1-A players, Moturi caught a second touchdown pass for his first multi-touchdown game of his career and Thomas reached his 100-yard milestone.

Texas Southern University Tigers--Ocean of Soul Marching Band

By halftime, about the only thing left for UTEP to play for was the shutout, but Texas Southern quickly dashed that with a 21-yard strike from Tino Edgecomb to William Osborne on its first possession of the third quarter.

In fact, the Tigers were able to play the second half on even terms against the Miner deep reserves, but on this night, that mattered little.

Photo: UTEP fans braved the rain to cheer on their Miners Saturday agaisnt Texas Southern at the Sun Bowl.

JSU Football: Tigers' run now 13

Photo: Jackson State wide receiver Jaymar Johnson is surrounded by the Mississippi Valley State defense after making one of his two catches that produced 32 yards.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Comegy: JSU 'starting to put it back together'

ITTA BENA — By midway through the fourth quarter, Jackson State's players were exchanging chest bumps and laughing while re-enacting their numerous touchdown drives.

Third-string quarterback Joseph Hawkins was warming up on the sidelines as the JSU crowd danced in the stands to the Sonic Boom's tunes.

It's been the same scene for 13 straight years - Jackson State celebrating at the expense of Mississippi Valley State. This time it wasn't even close, especially in the second half, as the Tigers ripped off a 50-16 victory in front of an announced crowd of 11,700 at Rice-Totten Stadium.

Saturday's victory signified a huge momentum swing for the Jackson State program. Two weeks ago, the Tigers were 0-2 and appeared lost on offense. But with two straight victories, JSU coach Rick Comegy said he's beginning to see his team develop into the powerhouse he imagined when he took over the program less than two years ago.

"I was hoping to build a team that could score a lot of points and keep the other (team) off the board," Comegy said. "And that's starting to come around now. We're still in the early stages...but we're starting to put it back together and Jackson State football is starting to develop."

A seesaw first half ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by JSU quarterback Jimmy Oliver, giving the Tigers a 20-13 lead. But in the second half, Jackson State (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) unleashed a furious wave of offense that dominated the Delta Devils 30-3 in the second half.

Oliver was 15-of-23 passing for 262 yards and a touchdown. JSU's running backs combined to rush for 169 yards and 10 different JSU receivers had a reception.

"A few hours before the game, the coaches came up to me and said this was the night when we were going to open up the offense and hold nothing back," Oliver said. "That got me excited right there. Then all my receivers started making catches and we were moving that football like we used to do."

Photo: Jimmy Oliver directs traffic.

Though Jackson State hasn't lost to MVSU (1-3 overall, 1-3 SWAC) since 1995, many of the games have come down to the final couple minutes. That wasn't the case on Saturday, and a dejected Delta Devils' coach Willie Totten questioned his players.

"We've got to find some guys that can adjust to adversity," Totten said. "We had a few bad plays and the offense shut down. ... We didn't play good football. We haven't played good football in three weeks."

Jackson State outgained MVSU 473 yards to 253. The two game-breaking touchdowns came early in the third quarter, when JSU stretched a 20-13 halftime advantage to a 34-13 blowout in barely more than seven minutes.

The Delta Devils had little answer for Oliver, who carved up the MVSU defense. The Tigers also had a breakout game from running back Cody Hull, who rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

"We made a few (plays), but we gave up a thousand plays," MVSU defensive end Ronald Green said.

MVSU got another great game from freshman running back Ronald Brewer, who rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. He rushed for 148 yards against last week against Alabama A&M.

But it wasn't enough to offset an anemic passing game. Sophomore quarterback Paul Roberts completed 9-of-17 passes for 73 yards before being replaced in the fourth quarter.

The Jackson State defense put constant pressure on Roberts, sacking him four times. Sophomore safety Malcolm Palmer continued his impressive first season as a starter with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and half a sack.

"That first half we gave up some big plays, but later we tightened up," said senior Willie Williams, who had an interception in the third quarter. "It's great to see us really finish a game off. I'm proud of this group tonight."

UAPB Forte comes off loud and clear

By Mike Marzelli, Pine Bluff Commercial

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Mo Forte lit into his Arkansas-Pine Bluff football team in the locker room following its embarrassing 58-3 loss to Southern Illinois, his voice booming through the locker room doors in the bowels of McArthur Stadium.

The message was loud and clear to the Golden Lions: Their performance Saturday was unacceptable.

"I think they understand where I'm coming from and if they didn't, that's a problem," Forte said. "We played a terrible football game and we need to take responsibility for all the things we did wrong and correct them because that type of game is not indicative of our program."

Forte didn't speak long, delivering his fiery speech in under five minutes, as he made sure the Lions know that there is still a tough road ahead of them.

"We come right back and have an opportunity to go out and play a mid-level Division I football team in New Mexico State that has a good program going," he said. "We need to turn things around in a hurry to be ready for that and I wanted to make sure the guys kept sight of that because there is no way we can play like we did [yesterday] again next week."

Wallace returns

Senior quarterback Chris Wallace got back on the field for the Lions late in the third quarter, leading a pair of promising drives that both came up short.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year looked more like his old self than he did in either of his previous two starts this season, showing good mobility and his trademark soft touch in completing four passes for 69 yards and running for 11 yards.

Esaw impresses

While UAPB's two-headed backfield of Martell Mallett and Mickey Dean combined for just 14 total yards in the game, reserve tailback Kenneth Esaw made the most of his opportunity in the fourth quarter.

Esaw carried the load on UAPB's final three drives and finished with 63 yards on seven carries to outgain the rest of his team combined.

Just for kicks

The effectiveness of Southern Illinois' offense spoke for itself. The Salukis put up 44 points and over 500 yards of offense before they were forced to punt for the first time. SIU punter Scott Ravanesi's first kick came with 11:35 to play in the fourth quarter.

New Look

The Golden Lions have added a new decal to the sides of their gold helmets. Debuted in last week's Arkansas Classic, a script "Golden Lions' emblem written in white arches across the crest of the headgear on both sides.

UAPB had not worn a helmet decal since 2003, when the traditional Golden Lion logo was emblazoned on the sides of the old black helmet that was discontinued after last season.

Forte had elected to go with a blank helmet during his three-plus year tenure until last week.

M4 absent

Much to the dismay of the Southern Illinois fans and a number of local high school bands who had gathered for the university's 'Band Day,' the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South did not make the six-hour trip from Pine Bluff.

M4 is also not expected to attend next week's game at New Mexico State.

UAPB loss the worst in Forte era

BY BECK CROSS, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s suspect offense wasn’t in the same league with one of the more prolific teams in the Football Championship Subdivision.

Southern Illinois (4-0 ), No. 6 in the FCS, racked up 585 yards in total offense and led 30-0 at halftime before rolling to a 58-3 victory Saturday before 11,316 at McAndrew Stadium.

UAPB (1-3 ) was held to 51 yards of total offense in the first half before padding the statistics to a more respectable 299 for the game after the Salukis had pulled most of their starters. The 55-point loss was the worst for UAPB in four seasons under Coach Mo Forte.

The nonconference schedule doesn’t get any easier. The Golden Lions take on New Mexico State on Saturday in Las Cruces, N. M.

“We can bounce back by doing it mentally,” Forte said. “We played a great football team out there, and those guys are going to go a long way in the playoffs. The [offensive ] line play deteriorated once again, but there were some things we can build on.”

Southern Illinois, which defeated its first three opponents by an average margin of 27. 3 points, didn’t ease up on the Golden Lions. The Salukis scored on 5 of 6 first-half possessions and piled up 371 yards of total offense in running out to a 30-0 lead.

UAPB, which had the topranked defense in the Southwestern Athletic Conference going into the game, put up a fight in the early going. The Salukis had a first-and-goal at the 10 on their opening possession but settled for a 29-yard field goal by Kyle Dougherty after three consecutive incomplete passes.

The Golden Lions’ offense netted minus-16 yards on its first two possessions before Southern Illinois padded its advantage to 10-0 with 2: 20 remaining in the opening quarter. In the threeplay, 58-yard drive, Nick Hill was 2 of 2 passing for 41 yards, capped by a 36-yard scoring pass to Phil Goforth.

UAPB got its initial first down late in the quarter on a 5-yard run by Mickey Dean, but the offense again sputtered well short of midfield with two incomplete passes, a holding call and an 8-yard sack.

The Salukis needed only five plays to cover 83 yards. Facing a third-and-5 play, Deji Karim broke free on a 37-yard scoring run. The missed extra point left the margin 16-0 with 13: 03 left in the half.

After the UAPB offense again went three plays and out, Southern Illinois relied primarily on the run in grinding out a sevenplay, 81-yard scoring drive.

John Randle had two carries for 29 yards to set up Joe Allaria’s 8-yard scoring run. Dougherty’s extra point extended the Salukis’ advantage to 23-0 with 8: 23 left in the second quarter.

Southern Illinois scored again with 2: 55 left in the first half. Hill was 3 of 3 passing for 51 yards, and Randle scored on a 10-yard run.

“The first half we just didn’t play,” Forte said. “It’s like we were in sleep mode out there in the beginning. You can’t give away points the way we did and expect to win against a top-10 team.”

The Golden Lions had some bright spots in the second half. On the first series of the third quarter, Johnathan Moore was 5 of 8 passing for 50 yards, helping UAPB gain a first down at the Southern Illinois 24, but UAPB stalled and settled for Brodie Heflin’s 38-yard field goal to prevent the shutout with 10: 07 remaining in the quarter.

Southern Illinois added two third-quarter touchdowns before Chris Wallace came on in relief of Moore on the opening series of the fourth quarter. Wallace completed a 33-yard pass to Jason Jones, but UAPB came away empty after Heflin’s 42-yard fieldgoal attempt was blocked.

The Salukis scored two more touchdowns in the final 5: 02.

“I think we have it in us, but we just have to bring it out to the field,” Forte said. “I’ve never seen the guys, what they did [Saturday ], I’ve never seen that side of them and that kind of bothers me. By the time we woke up, it was too late.

“ The effort they gave in the second half was better, but we have to take advantage of the opportunities. We killed ourselves on offense.”

Special teams propel Alabama State Hornets over Alcorn State

Photo: Alabama State running back Jay Peck struggles past Alcorn State's Benjamin Griffin on Saturday at Cramton Bowl.

By A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser

The rain came down in sheets, peppering the Cramton Bowl crowd and sending the fans scurrying for umbrellas and cover.

Considering Alabama State's fourth-quarter habits this season, few of them left to dodge a first-half rainstorm.

The Hornets rallied in the final period for a victory for the fourth time in four games this season, scoring two late touchdowns and picking up three key plays on special teams to beat Alcorn State 28-25 on Saturday.

"The best teams win close games," junior defensive back Travis Rayford said. "It may be scary, but we did it when we had to."

Quarterback Chris Mitchell ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, the last set up when Rayford recovered a fumbled kickoff return, and the Hornets improved to 4-0 for the first time since their 1991 national championship team.

Mitchell scored on a 23-yard run with 91/2 minutes to play to give the Hornets (3-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference) the lead and jumped in from the 1 with eight minutes remaining to make it 28-18.

"This is too scary for me," Mitchell said. "But it doesn't matter how we win, as long as we win."

Alcorn State (0-4, 0-3 SWAC) scored only one touchdown in its first three games, but scored three Saturday -- two on Chris Walker passes -- and led 18-14 when the fourth quarter started.

But a late deficit is a ho-hum thing for the Hornets.

Bama State beat Jacksonville State 24-19 on a touchdown with three minutes left, downed Texas Southern 21-10 behind two touchdowns in the final three minutes and stopped Arkansas-Pine Bluff 12-10 last week on a last-minute touchdown.

"Every team has its personality," first-year ASU coach Reggie Barlow said. "It seems that ours is taking on a 'come back in the fourth quarter' one.

"We don't want to continue that," he said, "but we'll take them however we can."

Mitchell and special teams provided the path Saturday.

Joel Raggins had a 41-yard punt return that put Alabama State at the Alcorn 37 to set up Mitchell's first fourth-quarter score. The Hornets ran an option and Mitchell -- after a sweet pitch fake -- kept the ball and ran for the score.

"It's just something I picked up," Mitchell said. "I've been working on it."

On the ensuing kickoff, Alcorn's Nate Hughes fumbled the return. Jimmy Toussaint forced it and Rayford recovered at the 11. Four plays later, Mitchell had a 1-yard touchdown and the Hornets led 28-18.

"That fumble gave us more momentum," Mitchell said. "That gets the offense the ball back and gives us a chance again right away."

The second score became important.

Alcorn needed only four plays to make it 28-25 on Tony Hobson's 18-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Arceneaux and soon had the ball back. Alabama State went three-and-out and on came its new punter.

Alex Engram, ASU's backup quarterback, boomed a 54-yarder that pushed the Braves back to their 7-yard line. Alcorn State didn't run another play outside its 25-yard line.

Engram averaged more than 42 yards on his six punts, dropping two inside the 20.

"He just learned how to punt this week," Barlow said. "He took one for the team and learned how to punt."

Mitchell was 9-of-20 passing for 136 yards and a first-half touchdown, while running back Jay Peck posted his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game. Peck totaled 143 yards, including a career-high 69-yard carry.

Walker was 18-of-31 for 216 yards to lead Alcorn, while a Montgomery native made his season debut with 101 yards rushing. G.W. Carver High graduate Eric Relf, who didn't play in the Braves' first three games due to a leg injury, carried 11 times and lost a second-half fumble.

"It's real disappointing because this is my first game back," Relf said. "The offensive line did a great job, and I wanted to come out and play hard. I did well, except for that fumble."

Alabama A&M finds moving difficult against Grambling

Huntsville Times

GRAMBLING, La. - Alabama A&M's offense, which entered Saturday's game averaging 45 points and 519 yards, misfired throughout the first half against Grambling.

The Bulldogs went three-and-out on their first possession, failed to get a first down on their second possession after getting a first down at the GSU 27 and had to settle for a 37-yard field goal by Jeremy Licea, and went three-and-out on their third possession.

A&M finished the first half with five first downs and 101 yards in total offense, including 21 on the ground. Three of those first downs came on A&M's last possession of the half.

Execution a problem

A&M tailback Ulysses Banks, held to 37 yards on 12 carries, blamed the A&M downfall on "execution. We just didn't execute. And we had our defense out there too long. You can only have them on the field so long. They can only do so much. They're not Superman. They try to be, but we had them on the field too long.

"They (Grambling) did the same game plan, they did the same thing we saw on film. We just didn't execute. They didn't do anything different than what they do to anybody else. And it worked."

Landers loosens up

Grambling quarterback Brandon Landers had a big first half against Alabama A&M.

Landers, who entered the game 0-2 against the Bulldogs, completed 13-of-16 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown to lead the Tigers to a 17-6 halftime lead. Four players caught passes for the Tigers.

Luke looks tight early

Alabama A&M quarterback Kelcy Luke didn't look sharp in the first half against Grambling. Luke was 1-for-5 for 7 yards on the Bulldogs' first three possessions and never appeared to be comfortable early on. He finished the first half 10-of-19 for 80 yards and was sacked once.

And the Oscar goes to ...

Bad enough that Grambling State was already beating Alabama A&M straight-up with conventional football. The Tigers tacked on their third TD when they had a bunch-up third-and-short alignment.

After a quick snap and some Oscar-worthy acting among the Tigers, as if there were a fumble, wide receiver Reginald Jackson came out of the scrum with the football and ran unmolested for 24 yards and a score. "It was like hurry, hurry, hurry to the line. The quarterback hid it some way to a guy ducked down behind the line. The offense ran one way and he went the other. It's easy to see from the sidelines, but on the field it wasn't that obvious," said linebacker Carlton Rice.

Grambling gobbles yards

Alabama A&M had a hard time slowing down Grambling in the first half Saturday night.

The Tigers went 66 yards in 11 plays on their first possession of the game to take a 7-0 lead. Tim Manuel kicked a 29-yard field on Grambling's third possession to give the Tigers a 10-3 advantage and the Tigers scored again on their first possession of the second quarter as Cornelius Walker scored on a 2-yard run to cap a six-play, 73-yard drive to take a 16-3 advantage.

Grambling finished the first half with 194 yards in total offense. A&M entered the game allowing only 278 yards per game.

Busy night for Licea

Licea, who made only four field goals last season, has three this year after hitting a pair in the first half against Grambling.

Licea, who made three field goals in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship game to help Alabama A&M beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff in December, hit a 37-yarder midway through the first quarter to pull the Bulldogs within 7-3. He made another one from 36 yards out near the end of the first half as A&M pulled within 17-6 at intermission.

Jones praises Grambling

Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones has been up for the Grambling job twice in the last four years. Although Jones didn't get the job on either occasion, that hasn't diminished his affection for one of black college football's top programs.

"I've always had a lot of respect for Grambling," he said. "The Grambling name has its own legacy. We're trying to build our name into something similar to what they've built over the years. We want people to respect our program throughout the country."

Good to be home

This was the first home game and only the third Grambling will play at Robinson Stadium this season. The Tigers have a long history of playing neutral-site games, especially from the days of legendary Eddie Robinson. Now, it's an essential budget matter for Grambling and most other SWAC teams to play "classic" games to draw larger crowds.

Grambling has future games in Dallas against Prairie View and in Little Rock against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, as well as the annual Bayou Classic in New Orleans against Southern.

In the 12 neutral-field games last year, SWAC team drew an average of 33,457, according to announced crowd reports. Meanwhile, average SWAC home attendance was 11,593. Nearly 45 percent of those who watched an SWAC team in '06 were attending a neutral-site game.

Reggie Benson and Mark McCarter

SU Jaguars rally, stay unbeaten

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

To put Southern’s 41-34 thriller of a comeback win over Tennessee State into perspective, look no further than the play that put Southern ahead for good.

Though wide receiver Del Roberts got pushed out of bounds by cornerback Ozzie Harrell along the right sideline, Roberts came back onto the field, hauled in a Bryant Lee pass and picked his way through the defense to complete a 48-yard touchdown.

“He pushed me out of bounds and I never gave up on the play. I kept going,” Roberts said. “That’s the way it works. &hellip I saw the ball the whole time and I had to find it, had to go get it.”

Roberts may just as well have been talking about his entire team.

Southern, showing relentlessness and resilience Saturday night at A.W. Mumford Stadium, overcame a 21-point deficit in the final 36 minutes to overcome Ohio Valley Conference member Tennessee State (2-2) and remain undefeated through four games this season.

“We have a lot of character on this team,” Southern wide receiver/holder Nick Benjamin said. “I feel like we’re building every week. We’re getting better every week, and we’re getting better as a whole, not individually.”

Photo: SU's Alvin Fosselman celebrates the Jaguars’ victory.

Lee, a sophomore, threw for career highs of 305 yards and four touchdowns, with Roberts adding a career-best 110 yards and his first receiving score this season. Senior running back Darren Coates ran for 115 yards and a career-high two TDs while also catching his first career touchdown, a 31-yarder in the second quarter.

The Jaguars played without playmaker Gerard Landry, who was suspended for the first half after being ejected in the fourth quarter of a 12-2 win over Prairie View the week before, but Landry scored on his second catch, a 6-yarder in the third quarter. RaShon Jacobs, starting for Landry, had his first touchdown as a Jaguar.

“They’re playing hard,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “A lot of them are playing over their heads, but then the fever is starting to set in. They’ve got that tradition.”

For TSU, Javarris Williams ran for 107 yars and one TD on only 14 carries. And Antonio Heffner threw for 316 yards – even with just 13 completions – and three touchdowns, but his two interceptions came late in the fourth quarter as the Tigers tried to rally. He also fumbled on the final possession, at the TSU 15-yard line, with 1:45 to play.

“I don’t think there was any momentum swing,” TSU coach James Webster said. “The game was in doubt until the very end, until we fumbled the football at the end.

“We got up on them, and we relaxed on some things. And you can’t relax against a good football team. You just can’t do that.”

No momentum swing? Really?

Southern, once down 27-6 with 6:36 before halftime, outscored Tennessee State 35-7 the rest of the way.

“We had to bounce back,” Southern defensive tackle Dwayne Charles said. “We talked it up. We don’t have any fighting, any arguments. We’re a team, as one. We told (the secondary) to shake it off. Bad things happen. Good teams accomplish stuff when they can overcome the mistakes they make. And that’s what we did.”

The SU defense, mirroring the way they responded after giving up two long touchdowns to Florida A&M in the season opener, clamped down after halftime like the unit has all season.

“The offense loves that,” Lee said.

SU has allowed just two second-half touchdowns this season. The Jaguars forced five turnovers — three fumbles and two interceptions — in the second half against TSU, which has been turnover-prone this season but had none in the first half.

“We had to come back in the second half, get our mind right and make up for those plays in the first half,” said strong safety Jarmaul George, the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason defensive player of the year.

George set up a 31-yard Josh Duran field goal for a 41-34 lead with 3:56 remaining with a 30-yard interception return. George has had one interception in three of SU’s four games.

Though the Tigers had slow starts in their first three games, that wasn’t the case Saturday.

A 60-yard flea flicker set up TSU’s first score, a 1-yard Heffner run. Heffner then hit Brandon Belvin on a 61-yard touchdown pass for a 13-0 lead with 9:13 left in the first quarter.

After Jacobs’ TD grab, TSU responded with a 49-yard Williams TD run with 29 seconds left in the first quarter and went up 27-6 on Heffner’s 4-yard pass to Chris Johnson with 6:36 until halftime.

“We had to make adjustments coverage-wise, went to another package and we just went after them,” SU defensive coordinator Terrence Graves said. “The guys just stepped up and made plays. God bless them. Those guys have the heart of a champion.”

Southern made a move late in the second quarter, with Darren Coates scoring on easy 31-yard touchdown on a swing pass with 6:03 until halftime and Coates scoring on a 1-yard plunge, one play after breaking loose on a 54-yard burst up the middle.

And two fumble recoveries led to two SU scores in the third quarter.

First, Charles’ recovery of a Heffner fumble at the SU 48 set up Landry’s six-yard score six plays later, closing the Jaguars within 27-25 with 5:42 left in the third. Then, Efe Osawemwenze recovered a Williams fumble at the SU 47, with Coates giving SU a 32-27 lead, also six plays later, with 2:41 left in the third.

Two offensive plays later, TSU answered with Heffner’s 38-yard touchdown pass to Ronald Evans to put the Tigers up 34-32.

Then a defensive stand, with TSU facing a third-and-6 at the SU 33, led the Tigers to punt. Heffner was called for intentional grounding as Toyin Akinwale and Donald Steele swarmed him at the Southern 49.

Three plays later, Lee found Roberts for the go-ahead score to put Southern up 38-34 with 10:16 left.

“B. Lee’s a gamer. He does what it takes,” Landry said.

Sounds like Landry could have been talking about all the Jaguars.

Southern Illinois crushes Arkansas-Pine Bluff 58-3

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University had 586 yards of total offense and set a school-record 36 first downs in a 58-3 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday at McAndrew Stadium.

The Salukis (4-0) scored 30 unanswered points in the first half in route to their fourth straight win.

The only score of the game for the Golden Lions (1-3) came when John Heflin made a 38 yard field goal in the third quarter; he had two other field goal attempts blocked.

SIU quarterback Nick Hill was 18-for-24 for 244 yards passing and two touchdowns, while wide receiver Phil Goforth had 74 yards receiving and a touchdown. Running back John Randle had a touchdown and gained 113 yards on the ground.

SIU, which gained 314 yards rushing and 273 yards passing as a team on Saturday, have now outscored their opponents 117-17 in two games at home. The Salukis defeated Quincy 59-14 in their first home game on Aug. 30.

Both the Salukis and Golden Lions are in the Football Championship Subdivision _ the former Division I-AA.

Attendance: 11,316

Jackson St. 50, MVSU 16

ITTA BENA, Mississippi -- Jimmy Oliver passed for one touchdown and ran for another as Jackson State routed Mississippi Valley State 50-16 on Saturday.

Jackson State (2-2, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) beat its instate rival for the 13th straight time.

MVSU (1-3, 1-3) was winning 13-6 midway through the second quarter before Oliver connected with Rodney Gray on a 10-yard touchdown pass that tied the score 13-13.

Oliver, who also passed for 262 yards in the game, scored on a short run with 37 seconds left in the first half, putting Jackson State ahead for good.

MVSU, which lost its third straight game, could manage only 75 yards of offense in the second half after controlling most of the first half.

Ronald Brewer, who rushed for 115 yards, scored MVSU's only touchdown with a short dash late in the first quarter.

Jackson State finished with 473 yards of offense.

ATTENDANCE: 11,798

MVSU Delta Devils try new approach

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Mississippi Valley State sophomore quarterback Paul Roberts sits on a bench after practice and takes off his helmet. Underneath is a haircut that is interesting to say the least - it's a mohawk with Roberts No. 1 shaved into the side of his head.

Look across the field and there's junior tight end Abner Brown, who also has the same strange homemade mohawk. His is complete with a spiderweb shaved into the side.

Roberts admits they both look ridiculous. He's still not quite sure what possessed them to do it.

"It seemed like a pretty good idea at the time - something to get us going for this week," Roberts said. "Coach (Willie Totten) has been treating this like a normal game. But we all sense a little something different this week."

Such is the feeling at MVSU, where the Delta Devils have tried a little bit of everything over the years to break a 12-game losing streak against rival Jackson State.

MVSU hosts Jackson State at 4 p.m. today at Rice-Totten Stadium in Itta Bena.

There's a certain amount of goofiness attached to Roberts' and Abner's mohawks, but Totten also said he appreciates the two players because it represents the loose demeanor of the team.

Instead of last year's veteran roster, the Delta Devils have a large swath of freshmen and sophomores on this team. That just might work to MVSU's advantage.

"It's impossible to walk around campus and not understand how important this game is," Totten said. "But at the same time, this is a pretty calm group. Some of the guys are so young, I'm not sure if they understand the magnitude. But that might be good, because they won't be pressing."

Freshman Ronald Brewer, who rushed for 146 yards last week against Alabama A&M, admitted he was stunned at how psyched everyone was for today's game.

"It's actually a lot of fun, but it's been pretty crazy," Brewer said. "Everywhere you go, people are talking about it. I'm not sure what I expected, but I know it's been bigger than I thought it would be."

Last year, Jackson State beat MVSU 29-24 when the Delta Devils had arguably their most talented team since the mid-1980s. Loaded with veterans, Totten hyped the game because he figured his team had the talent to finally pull off a win.

And early on, it appeared he was correct. MVSU jumped out to a 10-0 lead and beat Jackson State in almost every offensive statistic. But by the end of the night, it was the same old frustration and result.

This year, he's keeping the big game more low-key with his players. And who knows? Maybe something like a couple of mohawks will be the missing ingredient.

"There's always been some sort of jinx surrounding this game," Totten said. "For some reason Jackson State has had our number lately. Who can say what will turn the tide in our favor? We've just got to be opportunistic when we get our chances."

TSU season receives kick-start

by MIKE ORGAN, The Tennessean

TENNESSEE STATE (2-1) AT SOUTHERN (3-0)
Where: A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, La.
Time: 6 p.m.
Radio: 560-AM
Last meeting: Southern 19, TSU 18 (1996)
Key matchup: TSU QB Antonio Heffner vs. Southern DE Vincent Lands. Heffner, a dual threat, has thrown for 638 yards and three touchdowns and run for 123 yards and a touchdown. Lands was the Southwest Athletic Conference defensive player of the week after making eight tackles, including three sacks, in Saturday's 12-2 win over Prairie View A&M.

Field goals key Tigers' two wins

Tennessee State has produced some outstanding football players at a number of different positions with one exception — kicker.

Of the 115 former Tigers who have gone on to the NFL, every position has been represented except kicker. That is what makes Eric Benson, a junior kicker, so peculiar.

Benson's boots have led TSU (2-1) to both of its wins this season and he could play a key role again tonight when the Tigers play at Southern (3-0) in Baton Rouge, La.

"Right now, I don't know that anybody in the country is kicking better than Benson,'' TSU Coach James Webster said. "I don't want to jinx the guy, but he's kicking real well. He's kicking kickoffs real well, he's kicking field goals and extra points real well."

In fact, Benson is a perfect 4-for-4 on field-goal attempts.

Game winners

Benson's 35-yarder in the rain with no time left lifted the Tigers to a 16-13 win over Jackson State on Sept. 8. And his career-long 43-yarder at Austin Peay on Saturday with nine seconds remaining, sent the game into overtime. Benson then kicked an extra point, giving TSU a 33-32 win.

He was named the Ohio Valley Conference specialist of the week, making him the first kicker from TSU to receive the honor since 1999.

Benson's performance so far has been what he assured Webster he was capable of after a mediocre season last year, when he was plagued by back problems.

"When he came to camp he came with confidence,'' Webster said. "He said, 'Coach, I'm ready this year.' He had a so-so year last year. His back was hurting him but he toughed it out."

Benson spent the summer at home in Rowlett, Texas, working more intensely on his kicking than ever before.

It helped him to handle the pressure that has come with the kicks he's attempted in TSU's two wins.

No longer a head case

"I've not always been reliable in those situations,'' Benson said. "Coaches here have always called me a head case, especially when I was younger. I think I've grown up and matured and haven't let things bother me as much."

Benson said Webster and special teams coach Canute Curtis teased him in the past about not being able to handle the stress that comes with being put in such a pivotal position. But they've had nothing but praise for him this year.

"They're backing off now and it feels good to know I have overcome that,'' Benson said.

Benson is one of just seven kickers in the Football Championship Subdivision — and the only one in the OVC — who has attempted at least four field goals and made every one.

"I know that from 45 yards and in I can hit, and if I had to, I can hit from 50 and in,'' he said.

It is comforting for TSU's offensive players to know that if a drive stalls in the opponent's territory that they still are likely to get three points.

"It's great knowing your hard work is going to pay off,'' quarterback Antonio Heffner said. "It makes you that much more determined to get the offense in field position so that Benson will have the opportunity to make a kick."

Timing is a problem for UAPB Golden Lions

By Beck Cross and Nick Walker, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Scheduling a home-and home series against Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse Southern Illinois might have seemed like a good idea when the contract was finalized almost three years ago, but the matchup probably couldn’t come at a worse time for Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

UAPB, which dropped to 1-2 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play with a lastminute 12-10 loss last Saturday to Alabama State, won’t have the luxury of playing a nonconference cupcake when it travels to Carbondale, Ill., on Saturday to face the Salukis.

Southern Illinois (3-0 ), which defeated UAPB 48-16 last year at Golden Lion Stadium, is ranked No. 6 in the collegesportingnews. com coaches’ poll and seventh in The Sports Network Top 25 Football Championship Subdivision poll.

The Salukis, who are coming off a 44-10 victory at Southern Utah, are averaging 440 yards of offense and 46 points per game.

UAPB has struggled offensively with 197. 3 yards and 13. 3 points per game.

“We’re happy to have the opportunity to compete against the sixth-ranked team in the country,” UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “We’re the only team [in the SWAC ] that can say that this week.

“ When I look at the film I know they’re an outstanding football team, but I feel pretty good about this game.”

The nonconference schedule doesn’t get any easier next week. UAPB travels to Las Cruces, N. M., to take on New Mexico State, which is the higher subdivision of Division I.

Bright side

With a break here or there, Arkansas-Pine Bluff easily could be 3-0 rather than 1-2. In the season opener at Mississippi Valley State, the Golden Lions had first-andgoal opportunities twice in the second half but came away empty on both possessions in a 16-9 loss. Last week against Alabama State, the Golden Lions were flagged for defensive holding four plays before the Hornets scored on fourth-and-10 with 41 seconds to play to pull out a 12-10 victory. Defense doing part Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s defense is the primary reason why UAPB has had a chance to win all three of its games.

The Golden Lions lead the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring defense (10. 3 points per game ), rush defense (43. 0 yards per game ) and total defense (213. 0 yards per game ). Defensive end Ledarious Anthony has anchored the defense with 28 total tackles, including 8 tackles for losses and 1 a conference-leading 5 / 2 sacks. Anthony’s sack total is more than any Golden Lion had last year. “This will be their biggest test, but the way they’ve been playing, I feel really good about them,” UAPB Coach Mo Forte said. “They just get better each week, and they started out pretty darn good.”

Moore still starter

Junior Johnathan Moore, who started at quarterback for Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week against Alabama State while Chris Wallace was recovering from the flu, will remain the starter against Southern Illinois. Moore completed 8 of 25 passes for 83 yards and was the team’s top rusher with 14 carries for 27 yards. “Chris has been back at practice and has played really well,” Coach Mo Forte said. “He seems to have a lot of energy, so it’s nice to have both quarterbacks.”

Extra points

Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s special teams blocked two extra point attempts and a punt last week against Alabama State.... Southern Illinois has averaged 50. 3 points per game in its past four games in Carbondale, Ill.... The Salukis are ranked nationally in three categories. SIU is third in turnover margin (2. 67 ), fourth in scoring offense (45. 7 points per game ) and sixth in passing efficiency (172. 66 ).

Alcorn State faces pivotal game

By Compiled by David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Already 0-2 in SWAC, Braves would fall into a deep hole with a loss against Alabama State.

Alcorn State coach Johnny Thomas doesn't mince words when he talks about the importance of Saturday's game at Alabama State.

"This will be the defining moment of our season," Thomas said. "If we win this game in Montgomery, we'll come back home with a chance to get into the race. But if we lose three conference games to start the season, it's going to be very hard to recover."

"(Alabama State) is simply making the big plays to win ballgames," Thomas said. "They're not blowing anyone out. They're just executing and doing what they have to do to win."

Alcorn State (0-3 overall, 0-2 Southwestern Athletic Conference) has had all kinds of trouble on offense this season, scoring just 4.3 points per game. The latest loss was a 22-0 shutout against UAB, a Division I-A team in Conference USA.

Thomas said the team's problems have to do with a lack of execution and the team isn't panicking because of a few bad games.

"We've got a plan in place that can get the job done," Thomas said. "Now we just have to make the big play at the crucial juncture of drives."

The Braves received some bad news this week when they learned offensive tackle Todd Johnson (6 feet 2, 320 pounds) is out for the season after breaking his ankle against UAB. Thomas said Jammal Young (6-3, 325) will take Johnson's place on the line.

Alcorn quarterback Tony Hobson is still likely on the shelf with two bruised fingers on his throwing hand. Thomas said Hobson returned to practice, but senior Chris Walker had taken most of the snaps and would start against Alabama State.

"Chris has had some good moments for us," Thomas said. "Now we've got to have him make better decisions in the red zone."

The Braves will face an Alabama State (3-0, 2-0 SWAC) team that's had plenty of success under first-year coach Reggie Barlow.

The Hornets have the SWAC's leading rusher in Jay Peck, who's averaged more than 115 yards per game.

Catch This

Alabama A&M at Grambling

Grambling faces its toughest conference task under new coach Rod Broadway when it hosts Alabama A&M, the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champion. Led by senior quarterback Kelcy Luke, Alabama A&M is scoring 45 points per game and has won all of its games by at least three touchdowns. Grambling roughed up Alcorn State in its opening game before losing to Division I-A Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

Saturday, 6 p.m.

SOUTHERN U. STAR BENCHED

Southern U. wide receiver Gerard Landry was ejected for fighting in the fourth quarter during last week's 12-2 victory over Prairie View A&M and will have to sit out the first half of this Saturday's game against Tennessee State per NCAA rules.

Landry has caught 12 passes this season for a team-high 172 yards and three touchdowns.

Southern coach Pete Richardson said Landry shouldn't have let his emotions get away from him, especially "because he means so much to our football program."

After two straight losing seasons, Southern has started this year with a three-game winning streak.

The Jaguars have the second-best scoring offense in the SWAC. Quarterback Bryant Lee has thrown for 565 yards and five touchdowns while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. Running back Darren Coates has rushed for 226 yards and averaged 7.3 yards per carry.

EXTRA POINTS

After losing to Jackson State 28-7 last week in a driving rainstorm, life doesn't get any easier for Texas Southern. The Maroon Tigers (0-3 overall, 0-3 SWAC) take on UTEP, a Division I-A team in Conference USA. ...

Despite Alcorn State's dismal offense, senior Nate Hughes is leading the SWAC with 188.7 all-purpose yards per game. He has 245 yards receiving, 255 on kick returns and 67 on punt returns. ...

The SWAC's preseason defensive player of the year, Jarmaul George, has lived up to the hype. The safety's two interceptions trail only Jackson State's Malcolm Palmer and Domonique Johnson for the most in the conference. ...

SWAC STANDINGS

East Division

SWAC All

Alabama State 2-0 3-0

Alabama A&M 1-0 3-0

Jackson State 1-0 1-2

Mississippi Valley 1-2 1-2

Alcorn State 0-2 0-3

West Division

SWAC All

Southern U. 2-0 3-0

Grambling 1-0 1-1

Prairie View 1-1 2-1

Ark.-Pine Bluff 1-2 1-2

Tx. Southern 0-3 0-3

Last Week

Jackson State 28, Tx. Southern 7

Alabama St. 12, UAPB 10

Alabama A&M 45, MVSU 14

UAB 22, Alcorn State 0

Southern 12, Prairie View 2

Saturday

UAPB at S. Illinois, 1:30 p.m.

Jackson St. at MVSU, 4 p.m.

Alabama A&M at Grambling, 6 p.m.

Tennessee St. at Southern, 6 p.m.

Alcorn St. at Alabama St., 7 p.m.

Tx. Southern at UTEP, 7 p.m.

Dropped passes transform Gray's JSU debut into nightmare

Photo: Johnson (left) tries to recover his fumble.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

JSU AT VALLEY
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Rice-Totten Stadium, Itta Bena
Radio: JSU Network (WOAD-1300 AM)

The football bounced from Rodney Gray's outstretched hands and splashed onto the rain-soaked turf. The groan from the crowd at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium was audible.

It was the Jackson State receiver's fourth dropped pass in two games. And don't think for a minute that the home crowd wasn't counting.

So as Gray jogged off the field to a smattering of boos, fellow JSU receiver Chris Johnson couldn't help but feel sorry for his teammate.

"Man, that has to be the most lonely feeling in the world," Johnson said. "It's happened to me. It's happened to every receiver. You've just got to keep your head up. But that's a lot easier said than done."

And that's even true for a receiver like Gray, who's confidence has never been called into question.

A sophomore transfer from Southern Miss, Gray has a swagger that's reminiscent of NFL star receivers Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson. Last year, as a true freshman with the Golden Eagles, Gray caught 16 passes for 160 yards.

When he arrived on JSU's campus this fall, he was supposed to be the player who elevated the Tigers' already strong receiving corps to absolute dynamite.

But through three games, Gray's stat line reads like this: one catch, four yards, four dropped passes and one bruised ego.

When asked about his troubles, Gray doesn't even seem angry. Instead, he looks downright confused and struggles to explain his feelings.

"... I'm my own worst critic," Gray said. "And there's no doubt I haven't been playing well. It's so frustrating to suddenly have trouble doing something you've been doing for years. But it's a new week and a new opponent. A receiver has to have a short memory."

The good news is that at 6 feet 3, 188 pounds and with speed to burn, Gray has had no trouble getting open early in the season.

At least three of his dropped passes could have easily been turned into touchdowns had he simply secured the catch.

With that in mind, JSU receivers coach Jerry Mack says the team won't stop throwing to Gray because of a few bad games.

His game-breaking potential is too big of an asset to ignore.

"I'd almost compare Gray's trouble to a batting slump in baseball," Mack said. "He's just taking his eye off the ball. He's run some great routes and been incredibly wide open. Maybe he was almost too wide open."

"You just try to remind him that the world won't end because of a dropped pass," Johnson said. "He just has to keep his confidence and do his thing."

Photo: WR Chad Johnson

So in practice this week, Gray's been introduced to a refresher course in fundamentals.

He's getting dozens of repetitions each day and coaches say he looks great, but nothing will ease the irritation in Gray's mind until Saturday at 4 p.m. when Jackson State (1-2 overall, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) travels to Mississippi Valley State (1-2, 1-2).

"It's time to clear my mind and do what I know how to do," said Gray, who played in high school at South Panola. "We've got a whole lot to be excited about. I just have to contribute and do my part."

Gray wasn't the only Jackson State receiver struggling through the season's first two games. But in last Thursday's 28-7 victory over Texas Southern, both Jaymar Johnson and Kethonne McLaurin caught touchdown passes.

Now it's time to see if that success is contagious. Mack says he has no doubt it will be.

"There's going to be a game when Rodney breaks open for about nine catches, 200 yards and a couple touchdowns," Mack said smiling. "Then all will be right with Rodney's world. We're all looking forward to watching it."

Mattix finds home at A&M

By REGGIE BENSON, Huntsville Times

Unrecruited at winless Lee last year, freshman kicks well for Bulldogs

Literally, Grant Mattix had no place to go. Nobody wanted him, despite his kicking prowess, after the Lee High Generals failed to win a game last year.

"I didn't have that many options," said Mattix, who went to kicking camps at Auburn and North Alabama but drew little attention. "Nobody came to watch us play because we were so bad."

While the Generals may have been bad, Mattix was pretty good.

He became a starter for the Generals midway through his sophomore year and earned All-City and All-Region honors as a junior. While Mattix's senior year didn't go as planned, he was determined to play college football.

Fortunately for Mattix and Alabama A&M, Bulldogs coach Anthony Jones gave him an opportunity.

"My money situation wasn't the best, but I could afford to go A&M," said Mattix, a 5-foot-9, 139-pound freshman. "I wanted to play football so I came and talked to Coach Jones.

"I just wanted to play and this was close to home. I didn't care if I started or not. I just wanted to play."

Mattix has played. In fact, he's played in all three of A&M's games this season.

Mattix and Rashan Cylar split the kickoff duties in the Bulldogs' first two games against Tennessee State and Clark Atlanta. However, Mattix had the kickoff duties all to himself and was superb on Saturday night against Mississippi Valley in A&M's Southwestern Athletic Conference opener.

He was so good that he was named A&M's special teams player of the week after helping the Bulldogs hold Mississippi Valley State kick returner Clarence Cotton in check.

"That was a big thrill," Mattix said.

Cotton entered the game leading the league in kickoff returns (23.4) and was second in punt returns (14.4) and all-purpose yards (163). He managed only 58 yards on the night, including only 11 yards on three kickoff returns.

"They wanted me to squib kick down the sideline as deep as I could get it and the coverage teams did a great job," said Mattix, refusing to take much of the credit. "I just went out there and did what the coaches asked me to do."

Mattix will likely be called on again Saturday night when No. 23 A&M visits Grambling in an important SWAC battle. Kickoff is 6 and the game will televised on a delayed basis on ESPNU at 9.

The Tigers have two dangerous kickoff returners in Kiare Thompson and Kovarus Hills. Thompson is averaging 23.3 yards per return, while Hills is averaging 25.5 yards.

Mattix's rise in football was slow in coming.

He had been a soccer and baseball player before trying out for the football team. Initially, Mattix was a wide receiver but was quickly moved to kicker.

"We realized he had a pretty good leg," said Richard Wilson, who serves as Lee's kicking coach. "We were trying to find a kicker and he really fit the role and did a great job.

"He's got such a great work ethic and he has a terrific attitude. He's up early and stays late and wants to get better. The best thing about him is he's such a good kid."

Jones agreed.

"Grant stayed here this summer and worked extremely hard," he said. "He has not created any problems and has turned out to be a good football player."

Wilson is tickled to death.

"I am so proud of him," he said. "He had gone to UNA and down to Auburn and he realized he wasn't ready for that level. He needed an opportunity and Coach Jones gave him one and it has worked out."

Miners to face FCS Texas Southern next

Photo: TSU played in a downpour at JSU last week.

By Bret Bloomquist, El Paso Times

After three weeks of butting heads against a pair of rivals and a major-conference big boy, the UTEP football team faces the other side of the looking glass this week against Texas Southern.
"It's a big deal, playing a Division 1 team," Tigers quarterback Tino Edgecomb said. "I consider myself a Division 1-type player, and this is a chance to play a school in a different division, to prove ourselves."

"It's a really great football atmosphere up there," said Texas Southern head coach Steve Wilson, whose team last played in El Paso in 2005. "Our kids get a chance to see (UTEP) on TV a lot, so this is exciting for us. This is a game our kids look forward to."

Texas Southern arrives in El Paso this weekend as a team, like the Miners, searching for an identity. They are traditionally a team that plays solid defense and struggles on offense, and tradition has held form this year.

The Tigers managed just 30 yards of offense last week in a downpour at Jackson State, dropping their season rushing average to 23.7 yards per game and their total offense to 250.0 yards per game.

The team has shown some competence moving the ball through the air, and they feel they are getting closer as they seek their first victory of the season.

"We've made progress," said Wilson, who is in his fourth year as head coach and second as offensive coordinator. "We've had mistakes in the red zone that have caused some problems.

"Our defense has played well all three games, the defense has been very consistent. Offensively it's more about getting in sync for things to be able to work."

"We're learning from our mistakes," Edgecomb added. "We're

getting close. ... I think the problems we've had have brought everyone closer together. We're sticking together and we're going to get better. This will make us better."

A team that likes to move the ball in the air seems to have a good matchup this week, as the Miners are coming off of back-to-back games where its pass defense was exposed in the second half. Then again, New Mexico State and Texas Tech will have other big games this year.

"We don't look at their defense as being down," Wilson said. "They've played against some pretty high-powered offenses. You can look at it and see what you want to see. Texas Tech can score on anyone in the country. Hal Mumme, I understand what his teams can do.

Photo: TSU defense scrambles for fumble.

"I think (UTEP's) defense is very formidable. We'll have to do well to have a chance."

"I think they look good," Edgecomb added.

Texas Southern, though, starts with a large defense, as it is holding opponents to just 292.3 yards per game. Wilson lauded the play of 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive end Derrick Gray, 6-foot-3 defensive end Mike Boyd and transfer defensive back Lamar Herron from Oregon State, who was the SWAC newcomer of the year last season.

Gray "is a long, rangy football player with cat-like reflexes," Wilson said.

Offensively, the Tigers feature a pair of dangerous receivers in Brian Haith and Daniel Davis.

"Obviously they haven't played up to their potential this year either," UTEP coach Mike Price said. "They're 0-3 right now but they're pretty much a senior group of guys. They're a huge team on offense and defense. They have a nose guard on defense who is 6-7, 350 pounds (Joe Malone), their tight end is 6-7 (Marcus Justice).

"They've got receivers who can run. Their running back is very good."

Wilson sees the same thing.

"The talent is there, we just haven't put it together," he said. "We feel like it could be any day. People write about what happens n the weekend, but we're out here every day working on getting better. Every game and every day we work on getting better.

"We know we have a tough foe this week. One reason we want to schedule these game is we look forward to playing teams like this."

They will get their chance Saturday.

ASU's Mitchell makes most of opportunity

By CASSANDRA M. TAYLOR, Press-Register

Quarterback and LeFlore graduate has led Hornets to 3-0 start

During Alabama State's summer workout sessions, Chris Mitchell knew he'd have to be patient to get his shot.

The LeFlore graduate didn't have to wait long.

Mitchell took over at quarterback in the second quarter of the season opener against Jacksonville State. The result has been the team's first 3-0 start since the 2004 season when the Hornets claimed the SWAC Championship.

"My dream was to be the starter, but, prior to the season, I knew because of my lack of play during the summer that I'd have to wait my turn," Mitchell said. "There was also a case of learning the offensive plays and signals. But I knew once I eventually got in the game I'd be ready to play."

Mitchell, who has completed 37 of 51 passes for 485 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions, transferred from East Mississippi Community College where he started his freshman and sophomore seasons.

He led the Hornets to their third consecutive fourth-quarter comeback win this season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff last week.

"Chris' laid-back style contributes to our ability to be successful in the fourth quarter and in close games," first-year coach Reggie Barlow said. "Nothing seems to rattle him which concerned me at first, but now I understand that's just his style."

Mitchell admits his style of leadership may have given coaches some misconceptions about his ability to lead the team.

"I'm just a really calm guy most of the time and when game time comes I know what I'm there for and what I need to do," Mitchell said. "I guess that could be confusing to coaches because they couldn't get a clear picture of me as a player. During summer drills, the lack of repetitions bothered me a little but now everyone has shown they have confidence in me."

Mitchell is looking forward to Gulf Coast Classic in Mobile on Sept. 29 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium but knows he can't look past Saturday night's showdown with Alcorn State at the Cramton Bowl.

"We're definitely not looking past Alcorn," he said. "They're a good team, and we expect a hard-fought game. But I'm really looking forward to coming home to Mobile and facing Southern University in this year's Gulf Coast Classic.

"That's going to be very exciting. I'm counting down the days. It's always a blessing to be able to come back home to play in front of family, friends and your old high school coaches."

Reynolds in running for TSU basketball coaching job

By BRANDON C. WILLIAMS, Houston Chronicle

The latest name to toss in his hat for the Texas Southern men's basketball coaching job is a familiar one to longtime Tigers fans.

Dr. Lacey Reynolds, who is currently an instructor at the school, was confirmed as the third man who applied for the position, joining former TSU basketball star and current Worthing boys basketball Kevin Granger and Paul Mills, coordinator of men's basketball operations at Baylor. Candidates are vying to replace Ronnie Courtney, who was fired in July after four seasons with the Tigers.

Reynolds served as an assistant coach at TSU from 1983-95, where he helped guide the Tigers to four Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season titles and three trips to the NCAA tournament. Among the players he helped bring to the school as chief recruiter was Granger, who starred for the team from 1993-97.

Reynolds was the head coach at Grambling from 1995-99 before returning to TSU as the women's basketball coach from 2000-03. A graduate of Delta State University, he began his collegiate coaching career at the age of 23 when he led Mississippi Industrial College to a 19-10 record during the 1975-76 season. He recently received his educational doctorate in curriculum and instructions.

Granger was the latest to have a formal interview, having met with school officials on Friday.

Whoever is named for the job will face the challenge of putting together a full roster before fall practice begins on Oct. 15. The Tigers have only six players on scholarship returning from a team that finished 14-17 last season.