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BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University quarterback Austin Howard didn't seem overwhelmed when he took the field during the Jaguars' season opener against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette last season. He certainly didn't look like a true freshman during the game against the best opponent the Jaguars played in 2014.
Poised was the best way to describe him.
The Ragin' Cajuns easily defeated the Jaguars that night, 45-6. But it looked as though Southern had another West St. John High quarterback to take the helm and lead them effectively. Former West St. John quarterback Dray Joseph completed his eligibility at Southern in 2013, leading the Jaguars to the SWAC title.
Howard completed 18 of 31 passes against the Cajuns for 181 yards and a touchdown. And it wasn't just in relief.
ORANGEBURG, South Carolina -- ADRIAN KOLLOCK JR. (r-Jr., Quarterback, 6-2, 202, Spartanburg) — Returned as the top signal caller to lead the Bulldog offense to another Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in 2015. Had a productive sophomore season in leading S.C. State to share of the conference championship.
• LAST SEASON: Played in 11 games in 2014 passing for over 1,244 yards (54.5 percent) on 96-176-7 and seven touchdowns and rushed for 320 yards on 86 carries and six touchdowns during the season.
• KOLLOCK JR. OUTLOOK ON THE SEASON: “I think this season we will have a ...
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- After weeks of hitting players wearing Orange and Green, FAMU’s defense is ready to hit someone – anyone – in a different jersey.
Senior linebacker Akil Blount said the defense is anxious for its first test against South Florida on Sept. 5. He said the group isn’t nervous, it’s just ready to show the results of a rigorous offseason schedule.
“We’re just focused on alignment, assignment and execution,” Blount said. “We have some pretty good depth at linebacker. We’re just really excited to go out and play football on Sept. 5”
Blount smiled and added, “We’re just anxious to get after USF and see a different color jersey.”
He’s not alone. Plenty of FAMU’s defensive starters are ready to stop hitting their teammates. Defensive tackle Michael Lovejoy said players have adjusted to the new scheme implemented by defensive coordinator Theo Lemon, and now they’re just waiting to get after an opponent.
Players started class Monday and ended fall camp on Saturday.
PHOENIX, Arizona -- As a gesture of building camaraderie, cornerback Patrick Peterson bought a bunch of hands-free scooters for the Cardinals' defensive backs this year. They're like mini Segways you just step on and zip around.
The other day at training camp, Jerraud Powers found Rodney Gunter, the team's hulking 6-foot-5, 305-pound rookie defensive lineman, standing on Powers' scooter in a hallway.
"I just acted like it wasn't even mine," Powers said. "I just let him have it."
Why would a seven-year pro shy away from a newbie out of Delaware State who didn't even start playing football until his senior year in high school?
"He's one of those country guys you wouldn't want to fight," Powers said bluntly. "He's quiet, he doesn't say much, but he walks around here and he has that look."
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Brian Jenkins' introduction to the SWAC could be a cruel one.
After playing Tennessee State in the season opener Sept. 6 in Nashville, Alabama State opens conference play against defending league champion Alcorn State and preseason SWAC West favorite Grambling in consecutive weeks.
The biggest saving grace for the Hornets is they play both teams at home. That may not matter, but it surely can't hurt.
The Braves are more than just the defending league champs and SWAC East favorite. They have the most dynamic player in the league in John Gibbs Jr. The 2014 SWAC co-offensive player of the year is 6 feet, 6 inches tall, 220 pounds and can dazzle with his arm and legs.
Last season, Gibbs threw for 2,482 yards and 21 touchdowns on 169-of-294 passing and ran for 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns to lead an offense that ranked second in the FCS in scoring (44 ppg.). Eastern Washington only averaged 0.1 points more.
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will begin the 2015 cross country season Friday in its Big Easy Opener at City Park.
The women's two-mile race will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's 5,000-meter race at 6. The start and finish will be near the intersection of Wisner Boulevard and Harrison Avenue. The course is approximately three miles from the XU campus.
Joseph Moses, in his 11th year as head coach, has five returning all-conference runners and several talented newcomers on his teams.
"We have a good nucleus of experienced runners," Moses said. "Our newcomers will be fine when they make the adjustment to training and competing at the college level. That will happen sooner than later."
Back for the Gold Rush are senior Brent Kitto and junior Christopher August, both two-time All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference runners. Both have a pair of top-5 finishes in the GCAC meet, with August finishing second a year ago. A third returning letterman is sophomore Xaiver Latting.
The Gold Nuggets' returnees are Zahri Jackson — the GCAC individual champion in 2011 and 2012 — and three-time All-GCAC runners Briana Simms and Hannah Finnegan, who placed second at conference in 2014. Jackson is a fifth-year senior who was hampered by injuries the past two years.
"We lost some all-time greats like Kwame Jackson and Catherine Fakler to graduation, but our runners this year are focused on making a name for themselves and adding to our tradition," Moses said.
Kwame Jackson, the older brother of Zahri, is the only GCAC runner to win three individual conference championships in cross country. He set XU records in 2014 for four miles (21 minutes, 21.7 seconds) and 5,000 meters (15:30.90). Fakler was the GCAC individual champion in 2013 and was first-team Capital One Academic All-America® as a senior. Fakler holds XU records for 6,000 meters (24:07.38), 5,000 meters (18:08.32), 4,000 meters (15:34) and two miles (12:42.18).
The Big Easy Opener is the first of five regular-season meets for Xavier. The conference home for the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets this year is the Red River Athletic, and Xavier will compete Nov. 6 in San Antonio, Texas, for honors in that league and automatic berths to the NAIA National Championships. The GCAC, Xavier's home since 1981, will not qualify for automatic bids to nationals in cross country this year and will not conduct a conference meet.
Both XU teams were GCAC champions each of the past nine seasons.
"We look forward to competing in the Red River and seeing how we stack up against those teams," Moses said.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Tickets are now on sale for the 2015 Toyota SWAC Football Championship in Houston, Texas at NRG Stadium Saturday, December 5. Tickets range from $25-$65 and are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.
The 2015 season kicks off in September, and the winner of the East and West Divisions will meet in the SWAC Football Championship Game. The victor will earn the conference title and a chance to play in the all new Celebration Bowl.
Last season, Alcorn State and Southern played in front of a Championship crowd of 39,583 which was fifth best out of eight football FBS and FCS conference championship games.
Special events around the football championship weekend will kick off with the SWAC Hall of Fame Reception on Thursday, Dec. 3 at the Westin Galleria Hotel. In addition, a Saturday postgame concert along with a full schedule of events will be available this fall.
About SWAC Founded in 1920, the Southwestern Athletic Conference - made up of historically black colleges and universities - and its members are committed to the philosophy of maintaining intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the overall educational program. The conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental principles of amateurism, institutional control, sound academic standards, financial aid, recruiting, and ethical conduct that govern intercollegiate athletics, and the enforcement of rules and regulations as adopted by the NCAA. Sponsoring 18 sports, the SWAC ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of alumni playing with professional sports teams- particularly in football.
The 2015 Championship is also inconjunction with the SWAC's annual Hall of Fame ceremony. The JW Marriott in Houston, Texas will host this year's inductees. For more information about SWAC, visit www.swac.org.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- The announcement didn't send shockwaves throughout college football earlier this spring, but it changed the scheduling game for SWAC teams.
Back in May, the conference had its spring meetings in New Orleans and came out of it with a decision to reduce its conference games from nine to seven. As a result, its 10 schools can play up to five non-conference games starting in 2017.
Alabama State is making the most of it.
The Hornets have announced three schools for its future schedules with the latest being the big one -- Tuskegee. The schools agreed to a four-year deal starting in 2017 with a season opener on Sept. 2 and ending in 2020. All the games will be played in early September at ASU Stadium.
It's not the Turkey Day Classic, but it's what fans from both sides want to see and a payday for both. The games will be sure a sellout at ASU Stadium as was the case when Tuskegee played there in 2012 in the first-ever game at ASU's new stadium.
GRAMBLING, Louisiana – Athletic Officials at Grambling State
University and Bethune-Cookman University have announced a change in the kickoff
time of the their football game on Saturday September 12, at Eddie G. Robinson,
Sr. Memorial Stadium on the campus of Grambling State University. The kickoff
time is now 6 p.m. CST, which was moved back two hours from the original kickoff
time of 4 p.m. CST.
Lynn W. Thompson, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
at Bethune-Cookman, and Interim Athletic Director Obadiah Simmons at Grambling
mutually agreed that a later start-time is advantageous for the health, safety
and well-being of all parties involved.
“Temperatures during early September in North Central Louisiana are extremely
brutal, and we want to ensure the comfort and safety of all players, coaching
and support staffs, game officials and fans while attending this football game,”
notes Simmons.
“The safety of the student-athletes and fans is the most important thing,”
according to Thompson. “Being in Florida, we certainly understand extreme heat
in the southeast, and we share the concern of Grambling and their athletic
officials when it comes to the safety and well-being of the student-athletes and
fans in extreme temperatures during this time of year.”
Grambling Head Coach Broderick Fobbs states, “While we’re excited about
playing the game, there’s always a conscientious effort to minimize and/or
eliminate health hazards in every contest particularly in temperate climates.
The safety and well-being of all student-athletes in every contest is
paramount.”
“A later start-time is certainly in the best interest of everyone,” states
Bethune-Cookman Head Football Coach Terry Sims. “The number of fatalities
resulting from exposure to extreme heat continues unfortunately to plague
college football nationwide. Every precaution that can be taken to reduce the
potential for these occurrences should be exercised. Moving the kickoff time
back is certainly a safety measure in the right direction.”
Fans are also encouraged to dress accordingly and consume plenty of fluids to
maintain their electrolyte balance to offset any ill effects of heat-related
illnesses.
For the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow us on
Twitter, @BCUGridIron. For the
most accurate and up to date information delivered to your phone, download the
official Bethune-Cookman Wildcats app for your Droid or iPhone.
COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Forever etched in the minds of FAMU Rattler faithful is the football win in 1979 against the Miami Hurricanes. There is another win in FAMU lore though that may be greater. It’s been quite a few years since, but Nebraska’s coach would relish the chance at revenge. I think FAMU should give it to him, but only if he would agree to bring his team to Tallahassee to play in the Alfred Lawson Teaching Gymnasium.
At the time that the FAMU ladies won the Nebraska tournament back in 2004, he was angry and embarrassed though he only made excuses for the loss rather than give FAMU the credit deserved. For Nebraska it was the first loss at home to an unranked team since 1986 and the first to an unranked non-conference opponent since 1996. No other team would beat the Cornhuskers on their home court until 2009 when UCLA won in five sets.
You don’t beat Nebraska in their gym. They were ranked the second best team in the country. In fact, they went on to become ranked number one in the country not losing another game before falling to two-time defending champion USC in the NCAA regionals. That FAMU beat Nebraska was no fluke.
MOBILE, Alabama -- Florida Memorial men's soccer pulled off a stunning 2-1 upset over Sixth- ranked University of Mobile on Friday evening at "The Jungle "on the campus of the University of Mobile. Florida Memorial used a balanced offensive attack in the second half to steal the win. Florida Memorial improved to 1-0 overall, while ending a two-game losing streak against University of Mobile.
Florida Memorial started the match with nine shots in the first half, but Mobile drew first blood in the 57th minute with a score from Noel Johnson. The second half went back and forth until Florida Memorial's Andres Pratto got the Lions on the board in the 69 minute of the match to tie the game up at 1-1. Florida Memorial's Facundo Bouciguez caught Mobile's defense napping when he ripped a shot top shelf from about 35 yards out and helped the Lions run away with the victory.
Florida Memorial Lions finished with an 18-13 edge in shots, with nine shots in each period and a 6-2 edge in shots on frame in the period.
Pablo Terminiello played the full 90 minutes as goalie for the lions while picking up five saves. Gibson played goalie for Mobile's and picked up eight saves.
The Lions return to action on Sunday (Aug, 23) when they travel to Middle Georgia State University at 3 p.m.
BOX SCORE COURTESY FLORIDA MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
SAVANNAH, Georgia -- Savannah State University head women’s basketball coach Cedric Baker received some good news Monday when the NCAA told him that the team is no longer subject to Academic Progress Report (APR) penalties and is now eligible for postseason competition for the 2015-16 academic year.
“We are grateful for the opportunity. The NCAA sub-committee went back and examined our files and made the adjustments to relieve us of our penalties for postseason play,” Baker said.
With the adjusted calculations, SSU has a multi-year score of 927 and the women’s basketball program has access to the longer transition afforded to limited resource institutions.
In May, the NCAA notified SSU that the women’s basketball team had a score of 923 for the 2013-14 year, and multi-year APR of 905, falling short of the 920 benchmark set by the NCAA for limited resource institutions.
SSU appealed the penalty and as part of the appeals process, the scores were recalculated.
OXFORD, Pennsylvania -- The college football season will be starting in a matter of days. Lincoln University interim head football coach Herb Pickens is excited about the upcoming season. Pickens is preparing the Lions for a very competitive year in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
“I’m really looking forward to the season,” he said. “The CIAA is a great conference. We have so many good teams and a lot of good coaches in the conference. It’s real competitive and that’s the excitement of the conference.
“Virginia State has done a great job. Winston-Salem has been a dominant team in the South. In the Northern division, Bowie [State] and Elizabeth City [State] are coming on. We want to win some games. We want to be in the conversation.”
Pickens has been a big part of the Lincoln football program as an assistant since the school brought the game back in 2008 following a 47-year absence. He took over the program in March. He’s very familiar with the talent on this team.
ALWAYS WATCH IN 2160p or 4K HD, WIDE SCREEN North Carolina A&T State University Blue and Gold Marching Machine at Barber Park, 8/22/2015 performing " Smash Something" from aero view. Courtesy: Thomas L. Jones, Jr. 2015 PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS North Carolina A&T State University
Miles College
Elizabeth City State
North Carolina Central University
Shaw University
Alabama A&M University
Bethune-Cookman University
Johnson C. Smith University
Talladega College WANT TO GO? Location: Memorial Stadium Address: 310 N. Kings Dr., Charlotte Date: Saturday, Aug. 29 Parking: Additional paid parking located at CPCC Student Lots #1 and #2. Tickets: $15 and $20 General admission.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- The McDonald's Queen City Battle of the Bands marches into Charlotte’s Memorial Stadium on Aug. 29, featuring some of the top-performing marching bands from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The competition returns to Charlotte for its third year and is expected to attract over 10,000 fans, students and alumni.
As the event draws closer, we talked to Derek L. Webber, the man responsible for organizing and promoting the annual event.
QCM: What is your background?
DW: I’m from Charlotte, born and raised. I attended Hampton University in 1995, majored in Communications. Then I worked in ...
Jasmine Pulliam Assistant Coach Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track and Field XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Monday the hiring of Jasmine Pulliam as assistant coach for men's and women's cross country and track and field.
XU head coach Joseph Moses said Pulliam's primary duties will include coaching middle-distance and distance runners and coordinating day-to-day recruiting.
"I'm very excited to have Jasmine on staff. She is a great addition," Moses said. "She is a smart young lady. She is very energetic and has great knowledge of cross country and track and field."
Pulliam, 23, was a standout distance runner at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky. She was a six-time individual champion in the NAIA's Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. She was the KIAC cross country champion in 2011 and won KIAC outdoor track titles in 2011 (1,500-meter run), 2013 (1,500 and 5,000) and 2013 (3,000 steeplechase and 5,000).
Pulliam led Brescia to KIAC women's cross country team championships in 2011, 2012 and 2013. She received her bachelor's degree from Brescia in 2014.
"Jasmine Pulliam is an outstanding young woman who will be an excellent addition to the staff at Xavier," said Brian Skortz, Brescia's director of athletics.
Pulliam is enrolled in XU's graduate school. She is a native of Louisville, Ky., and a 2010 graduate of Louisville's Butler Traditional High School.
Xavier's cross country teams will begin the 2015 season Friday in the Big Easy Opener at City Park in New Orleans. The women's 2-mile race will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's 5,000-meter race at 6.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Carson Royal will likely be the starting quarterback for Florida A&M when the Rattlers open the season against South Florida, but there’s still plenty of competition for the top spot.
Head coach Alex Wood recently said he doesn’t want to “close the door” on the quarterback competition and that other signal-callers, particularly JUCO transfer Kenny Coleman, who has taken snaps primarily with the second team, are quickly grasping the up-tempo offense.
Coleman said the quarterback competition is “great.”
“I’m working, (Carson) is working,” Coleman said. “I’m just trying to get better at my mechanics and be that guy that Coach (Wood) can count on come game time.
Royal, Coleman, freshman quarterback Ryan Stanley and redshirt junior quarterback Davonte Austin all saw ...
DOVER, Delaware -- On September 12th, Kent State welcomes a struggling Delaware State team that finished 2-10 last season. A member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), the Hornets were picked to finish a humbling 11th out of twelve teams in the conference this season. Delaware State's lone game against an FBS team did not go well last year, as they were smashed on the road by Temple by a score of 59-0.
The Hornets are optimistic heading into 2015, as they underwent a coaching overhaul after last season's dreadful finish. Every member of the coaching staff is new with the exception of the linebacker coach, Andrew Faison. The new head coach will be Kenny Carter, who was a running backs coach under Urban Meyer at the University of Florida when they won the National Championship in 2009. From 2010 up until last season, he was the running backs coach at the University of Louisville. He helped the Cardinals to two Big East Conference championships as well as two bowl appearances. Carter has also coached with LSU, Pitt, Pen State, and Vanderbilt. DSU hopes Carter can use his experience and resume to build the program back up again.
Carter's extensive knowledge of the run game is just what the Hornets need, as the team has been poor in that area recently. Last season, Delaware State ranked 10th in the MEAC and 114th out of 121 FCS teams in rushing, averaging just 96.7 yards per game. The 2015 edition of Hornets football features an experienced offensive line and a large crop of running backs working to reverse that trend.
BALTIMORE, Maryland -- Benita Meadow is still mourning.
In the 364 days since the death of her son, Morgan State defensive lineman
Marquese Meadow, she and her 13-year-old daughter, Calista, have continued to grapple with the loss of a son and brother. Benita Meadow also has had to take care of her parents, who have fallen ill.
"My emotions are still very much new," said Meadow, 41, who lives in Southeast Washington. "They're here. The loss of my son has definitely affected my entire family. My parents have become critically ill, and with me, there's an everyday process for me to move forward."
It has been almost a year since Marquese Meadow died Aug. 24 of complications related to heatstroke. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound freshman's death at the age of 18, which was ruled accidental by the state's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, continues to linger around the Bears program.
Meadow's locker in the Hill Field House locker room used by freshmen and sophomores remains unchanged. Rising sophomore nose tackle Dalonte Jenifer is wearing No. 90, as Meadow did last year, and the back of every player's helmet still bears a sticker with the number. Several players said they will play this season in Meadow's honor.
Dr. ELMIRA MANGUM, Ph.D. PRESIDENT FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
Dr. Mangum is attacking the institutional rot at FAMU and that has some scared. So be it!
WASHINGTON, D. C. -- Rufus Montgomery, belligerent chairman of Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees, remains unbowed:
“I will honor the decision and level of confidence that Board members showed in my leadership earlier this month when they unanimously re-elected me to a full two-year term as chairman. While certain elected officials have always stood behind FAMU, their vantage point doesn’t afford them the same level of interaction or responsibility required of the chairman of the Board and other trustees. For the good of the institution and to prevent charges of undue political interference, I hope that our elected officials will allow our Board to do the job we were appointed to do.”
The domineering and vexing Montgomery was asked to step down by powerful FAMU alumni on Wednesday: Democrats state Sen. Dwight Bullard of Miami, state Sen. Arthenia Joyner of Tampa, state Rep. Mia Jones of Jacksonville, state Rep. Alan Williams of Tallahassee), and Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum.
They say the infighting and “personality conflicts” between the university’s president, Elmira Mangum, and Montgomery has to stop for the good of that institution. Since Mangum was hired last year, Montgomery has been the proverbial thorn in her side.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is one of the largest single-campus historically Black colleges or universities in the nation. The University blends a strong research focus with a commitment to economic empowerment and community service.
The University was founded in 1887 as the State Normal School for Colored Students. Today, FAMU continues its mission to be a best-in-class, land-grant institution with a global reach that focuses on science, technology, research, engineering, agriculture, and mathematics.
FAMU contributes to a strong workforce by providing a high-quality, affordable education to students from diverse backgrounds.
What distinguishes Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University from other universities is its legacy of providing access to a high-quality, affordable education to many students who otherwise may never have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams of getting a college degree. The CollegeNet and PayScale Social Mobility Index (SMI) have recognized FAMU for its commitment to providing pathways for social and economic mobility.
SMI ranks FAMU third among all colleges and universities in the nation for fostering social and economic opportunity. FAMU is also one of the top institutions for providing a high-quality education at an affordable price in Florida, according to The College Database (2013).
Forbes magazine named Florida A & M University one of America’s Top Colleges for 2015, as well as one of the Best Colleges in the South.
A National Science Foundation (NSF) report lists Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) as the No.1 historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation for total research and development (R&D) expenditures.
The NSF recently released data from its Federal Science and Engineering Support to Universities, Colleges, and Nonprofit Institutions study, which reveals that the top 20 HBCUs combined, had total R&D expenditures of $455.1 million, while FAMU alone accounted for a staggering $51.1 million of that amount.
U.S. News & World Report lists FAMU as the nation’s top public historically Black college or university (HBCU) for 2015. The University was also recognized among the 2014 U.S. News & World Report “Best National Universities.” It is listed among The Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” colleges.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Couldn't help but notice these two at Alabama State's open scrimmage Saturday afternoon at ASU Stadium .
Ellis Richardson is a dual-threat quarterback who stands 6 feet, 3 inches and weighs 235 pounds. Alex Anderson is 6-foot, 200 pounds, runs with power and possesses that initial burst of speed when seeing an opening.
Now both of them are freshmen with Richardson being listed as a redshirt out of Villa Rica, Georgia. Anderson is a true freshman from Miami. Alabama State has established talent at quarterback in senior Daniel Duhart and at running back with junior Khalid Thomas, but Anderson and Richardson could see quality playing time this season.
NEW ORLEANS -- — Hannah Lawing, head coach of women's volleyball at Xavier University of Louisiana, discussed the 2015 season in an Aug. 13 video interview.
The Gold Nuggets will begin their season Aug. 28 in the Big Easy Blastoff at XU's Convocation Center. Xavier will play NCAA Division I's Mississippi Valley State at 9 a.m. and Mobile at 5 p.m. On Aug. 28 the Gold Nuggets will play NAIA No. 19 Wayland Baptist at 9 a.m. and Faulkner at 3 p.m.
Xavier's returnees include Darian Harris, Claudia Haywood, Franziska Pirkl, Taylor Reuther and CeCe Williams, all of whom have been All-Gulf Coast Athletic Conference selections during their careers. Xavier is the four-time defending champion of the GCAC regular season and tournament.
The Gold Nuggets were 20-6 overall in 2014 and 14-0 in the GCAC.
JACKSON, Mississippi -- There were plenty of forced turnovers, sacks and three-and-outs as the Jackson State defense had its way with the offense in the first scrimmage of training camp last week, holding the offense to one touchdown.
But first-year Tigers defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee still wants to see more sound football from his players.
“Assignment-wise, the first unit overall graded about 79, 80 percent,” Lee said after Friday’s morning practice. “The hustle grade was higher than that. But we have to be up in the 90s with our assignment grades … second unit didn’t grade out as high.”
The defense will look to boost those grades at 9 a.m. today when JSU holds its second and final scrimmage of training camp.
MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Alabama State has completed two weeks of preseason practice, and the implementation phase has been fast and furious.
The Hornets didn’t practice Wednesday due to their focus on the first day of classes at ASU, a much needed break from the wealth of information given out.
Hornets head coach Brian Jenkins held his weekly news conference on Wednesday and stated he continues to be impressed with his team’s attitude.
“Overall, we’ve been very pleased,” Jenkins said. “Things are slowing down a bit, because a lot has been demanded of everybody. The guys are doing what we’ve asked. For the most part, the energy and the effort has been exceptional.”
The first game week of practice may turn into a major cram session. Jenkins said his main concern remains getting everyone adjusted to the new schemes, and that he hasn’t even looked at any film on Tennessee State, which the Hornets will play in the season opener.
JACKSON, Mississippi -- When Jackson State’s defense piled up three sacks in the first five plays of Saturday’s scrimmage, it appeared a repeat of last week’s affair was in the cards.
JSU’s offense managed to land some counterpunches this time around, though.
Offensive coordinator Timmy Chang opened up the playbook a bit and the Tigers’ offense rebounded from last week’s lethargic performance with a solid effort on Saturday.
After last week’s scrimmage, Chang said he still hadn’t installed everything into the offense. This time, he came through with some new wrinkles, which mostly took advantage of the aggressive nature of the JSU defense.
“For us, we know they (the defense) are going to give us the hardest looks,” Chang said. “I just wanted to give the kids an opportunity to see what we could do countering a lot of those things they do. The kids did a good job of executing, but there’s still a lot of things we could get better at.”
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University quarterback Austin Howard didn't seem overwhelmed when he took the field during the Jaguars' season opener against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette last season. He certainly didn't look like a true freshman during the game against the best opponent the Jaguars played in 2014.
