Mutual respect obvious: JSU vs. Delta State

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Any rivalry friendly in first Delta State-Jackson State football game, but precious pride will be on line

Flipping his cell phone open and pointing to the screen, Jackson State receivers coach Jerry Mack has proof that today's football game isn't the usual ho-hum college opener.

Mack's phone has dozens of messages from some guy named "Roberts."

Turns out that's short for Delta State first-year head coach Ron Roberts.

Mack and Roberts are friends and worked together as assistants at DSU before Mack took the receivers job in Jackson and Roberts became the Statesmen's head coach in the off-season.

"Look at this, he's been talking smack for the past few weeks," Mack said while thumbing through the messages.

But then he shrugs his shoulders, grins and makes an admission.

"Of course, I've been giving him a little bit to chew on, too," he said. "You know what, I might have even started it."

Jackson State hosts Delta State at 6 p.m. today at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. It is the first meeting in football between the schools.

The barbs between coaches are all good natured, but the tone has been set. There's a lot of pride at stake when these two proud programs take the field.

Both could claim to be the favorite in today's game and have a decent argument. Consider the following:

Jackson State is a Division I Football Championship Subdivision (I-AA) team with 63 scholarships, 28 more than Division II Delta State can offer under NCAA guidelines.

JSU is entering its second season under coach Rick Comegy, who led the Tigers to their first winning season since 2002 and return 17 starters.

But on the other side, No. 12-ranked Delta State is one of the nation's elite teams at the Division II level. Last season, the Statesmen posted a 12-3 record and advanced to the national semifinals.

DSU has beaten Division I-AA teams in the recent past, including a 17-14 victory at Stephen F. Austin last year. Earlier in the decade, the Statesmen beat Southwestern Athletic Conference member Mississippi Valley State three out of four years, including a 45-0 drubbing in 2003.

"I've coached at Delta State and let me tell you something - they're no joke," Mack said. "If we don't respect their athleticism and strength, we'll have trouble. Knowing Coach Roberts, they'll be a very physical team."

Much like Mack, Jackson State's players and coaches express nothing but respect for Delta State and say they understand the danger the Statesmen pose.

But linebacker Marcellus Speaks, who transferred from Delta State two years ago, said that respect for the Statesmen doesn't mean the Tigers have an excuse to falter.

Because no matter how good Delta State may be, it won't look pretty to lose a home opener to a Division II program.

"Delta State's going to be a great football team and we know and respect that," Speaks said. "But if we really want to be a great team in the SWAC, these are games we have to win."


Keys for Jackson State

NO. 1

PROTECT THE QUARTERBACK

Led by Division II All-American Michael Eubanks, Delta State's linebackers are exceptional. JSU's offensive line needs to figure out a way to keep Eubanks and Co. out of the backfield and give quarterback Jimmy Oliver some time in the pocket.

NO. 2

SECONDARY RENAISSANCE

Jackson State's secondary was picked on without mercy last season when the team lost four of its final five games. Much of the same group returns and they'll have a huge test right off the bat trying to contain Delta State's spread offense. In particular, CB Keith Camp and S LaBrose Hedgemon need to show improvement.

NO. 3

PUT PRESSURE ON WILSON

Delta State junior Dedrick Wilson will be making his first start for the Statesmen and the JSU defensive front needs to make sure it's unpleasant. If Corey Clark, Daniel Brooks and Marcus Benard can put pressure on Wilson and force him into a few turnovers early, the Tigers could grab a large lead early.

Look out for...

MICHAEL EUBANKS

Delta State linebacker

The Statesmen had nine players receive some sort of preseason All-America honors this summer, but none is more feared than outside linebacker Michael Eubanks.

Coming into his senior season, Eubanks (6 feet 2, 225 pounds) is just two sacks shy of tying the school record. He had 24 tackles for a loss and 10 1/2 sacks during last season's run to the NCAA Division II national semifinals despite being double- and triple-teamed in many games.

After watching film of Delta State, Jackson State coach Rick Comegy said Eubanks would have the full attention of his offense.

"Their entire defense is fast, but that Eubanks guy is at a whole other level," Comegy said. "He's the type of guy that could end up playing on Sundays with his speed and strength. Right now, we're trying to figure out a way to slow him down."

Eubanks, the son of former Alcorn State star Melvin Eubanks, leads a defense that returns nine starters and last year led the Gulf South Conference in scoring defense, total defense and rush defense. Much of the same is expected this year.

And football isn't where Eubanks' prowess stops. He's also working on a double major in biology (pre-med) and chemistry.

It's Halftime!!!!!!

By Michael-Louis Ingram

PHILADELPHIA -- Saturday afternoons in the fall mean college football. But Saturday afternoons at historically Black colleges and universities mean Showtime!

No matter how good or bad a team is, no matter how good or bad the game is, two things are a given at a HBCU game One, someone goes home happy -- after all, their team won. Two, and most important -- no one goes to the bathroom during halftime.
Let's be real here -- while normal Division I school bands march -- HBCU bands strut. Division I school bands sing fight songs; HBCUs live them. Division I schools play; HBCUs perform.

From the hot stepping of the drum majors, the precision of the flag bearers, and the universal sounds produced from an army of wood, brass and steel, HBCU bands have transformed halftimes into their personal 15 minutes of fame.

Although the movie "Drumline" focused on the competitive nature between schools, it is usually not considered a complete victory until the school's band kicks butt along with the football team during the unofficial "battle of the bands" at halftime.

Of all those HBCU bands that have graced the gridiron, some have reached mythic status.

In northern Florida , you will find the capital, Tallahassee , and snakes. Children raised in Florida know early on not to walk in tall grass because a snake may be lurking. But opponents of Florida A&M University (FAMU) know a Rattler can strike anywhere.

The Green and Orange of FAMU, while just across the tracks from their Division I neighbor Florida State, has enjoyed its own niche as a HBC power, winning the inaugural Division I-AA title in 1978.

Self-proclaimed as the "marchingest, baddest, most electrifying band in the world", the "Marching 100's" accomplishments stand on their own as well. In 1985, FAMU was awarded the Sudler Trophy, the highest honor a collegiate marching band can receive.

FAMU's Marching 100 became the first Southern band, the first HBCU band, and first and only in the MEAC to receive the award, considered by many to be the "Heisman Trophy for college bands."

Hampton University has become a bellwether franchise for academic and athletic excellence, and their band has been trumpeting their success for decades. Al Davis, band director for the 220 members of the "Marching Force" gives a "Who's Who?" dialogue on bands at HBCUs:

"The Hampton Band program goes back to the late 1800s," reveals Davis . "And my working experience included influences by some of the greatest band directors of all time. People like Isaac Gregg (Southern University), Merritt at Tennessee State, Harold Harden ( Jackson State ) and Donovan Walls down at Bethune-Cookman."


"All of these gentlemen strove not only for technical excellence, but always sought to entertain and give the audience their very best each and every show."

Davis says many schools work the kinks out at band camp, which can sometimes be as demanding as any football practice. "We don't practice as much -- our kids are students and degrees are important. At band camp we go from 8 am to 11 pm for about three weeks, usually around the second week in August." "And we do strive for perfection -- it doesn't matter how much you shake that tail if the music ain't right."

While "Drumline" focused on this aspect of Black college life, Davis says the producers were about 80% right in their depiction."Incorporating popular music has always a staple of most bands repertoire," says Davis . "If it's hot on the radio, we'll play it. And certain bands get more play because of their style, along with fight songs and alma mater songs."

"Many of the HBCU bands will jump on new stuff that comes out -- but the better stuff that becomes standards come from the funk/jazz fusion coming from the 1970s and 1980s." Asked who stands out among that, Davis replied, "Without a doubt, Cameo. Before they revised their group, they had 12-13 cats in their first lineup. Their horn arrangements and rhythm fit what we do like a glove."

"We have performed to Cameo songs like "Talking out the Side of Your Neck", "Skin I'm In", "Knights of the Sound Table" and "Word Up" -- and many other schools have as well."

If you happen to dote on the sound coming down from Washington , D.C., then the 160- piece Howard University Showtime Band may be your on-field cup of turf. John Newson has been a band director for 35 years, and says Howard knows how to go to the go-go.

From recording albums, commercials (remember the Coca-Cola spot?) movie appearances, playing in the first Super Bowl (as well as SB's IX and XX) and performing in nearly every domed and open-air stadium in North America (often times for teams other than Grambling), they epitomize the spirit of the Black college experience.

Jay Walker perfect for MEAC/SWAC Challenge

By St. Clair Murraine, DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Jay Walker came down from his hotel room to meet a visitor, with a clipboard clutched in his hand. Among the pages were football rosters with players' names circled. Notes were jotted next to each one.

"Right now this is my lifeblood," said Walker, a former quarterback at Howard University who later played in the NFL. "This separates No. 80 from me knowing No. 80. We all know that No. 80 is Gerard Lambert from Southern University, but do we know he's been out for a couple weeks and do we know he is big, strong and powerful?"

Walker spent the past week getting to know every player on the rosters of Southern and Florida A&M. He'll do the same throughout the season as he works a slate of games that ESPN will televise, especially those involving black college teams.

It hasn't been an easy task, though. He gets what information he can from each school's sports information staff. The rest he collects from the internet and through conversations with players and coaches.

Today's game is special. ESPN is treating it as it would a bowl game with several high-profile events as a prelude.

This third edition of the MEAC-SWAC Challenge revives the second longest rivalry series in FAMU's history. Both schools will cash in big with each getting a portion of an estimated $300,000 that includes expenses and a portion that will go to both leagues, said Pete Derzis, vice president and general manager of ESPN's regional television.

ESPN also has renewed a three-year agreement to promote and televise the Challenge through 2010, Derzis said.

"We have tremendous commitment to continue building the event; putting together all of the partners that make an event like this really work," he said. "There is a lot of people committed to this event and it really provides and initiative for our diversity program.

"With the MEAC-SWAC Challenge reaching a constituency, that's an extremely important fan base for our network. We see a very bright future as this continues to grow."

Having Walker, a product of black college football, as analyst is part of the push for ESPN to reach its targeted audience. For Walker, working as analyst when the Challenge is broadcast on ESPN Classic, is also part of his development.

He's learning from some of the veteran analysts and play-by-play figures such as John Madden and Keith Jackson, he said.

"I actually study the broadcasters more than I study the X's and O's," Walker said. "Football is football. The different broadcasting styles and techniques; I'm studying those consistently. I find myself watching John Madden anytime he's on TV because I love his pace. He talks so that you can always understand him."

Walker has become a fixture with the Challenge, as much as ESPN since its inception two seasons ago. The Challenge is gaining popularity among television viewers and Walker is getting valuable on-the-job experience in his fledgling role as an analyst.

But as brief as his career has been with the network, Walker is still the best for the job, Derzis said.

"There is no question that he can provide a unique insight that other analysts that we have in our stable of analysts would not be able to provide; a much greater appreciation and understanding," Derzis said. "That's what makes this weekend special."

Football fever lures legions to Legion Field

TORAINE NORRIS, Birmingham News staff writer

College, high school contests are big draws

More than 50,000 football fans are expected this weekend at Legion Field over three days packed with the MEAC-SWAC Challenge, the annual Miles College matchup against Tuskegee University and a Birmingham high school doubleheader.

A crowd of 25,000 football fans is expected for today's MEAC-SWAC Challenge, pitting the Southern University Jaguars of the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the Florida A&M University Rattlers of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The game kicks off at 2 p.m. ESPN Classic will broadcast it nationally. The Southern-FAMU rivalry dates to 1941 but this is the first meeting since 2001.

The Challenge will not return to Birmingham next year. A three-year agreement between the city and ESPN Regional to host it ends with today's game.

ESPN officials said Friday they are considering a site within MEAC territory. Birmingham is the home of the SWAC offices.

"We haven't decided at this point, but we are strongly considering a MEAC site," said Tilea Coleman, spokeswoman for ESPN Regional.

Coleman said the plan was to rotate sites between SWAC and MEAC cities when ESPN initiated the Challenge concept.

The MEAC-SWAC Challenge is projected to pump $16 million into Birmingham's economy, said Barry Hoehn, director of convention sales for the Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Last year's matchup of Hampton University and Grambling State attracted 19,000 fans to Legion Field and had an economic impact of $12 million to $13 million, Hoehn said.

Hoehn said hundreds of MEAC-SWAC fans have called for information on restaurants and other attractions in the city. "I had to put data on the Web site a month earlier because of the number of phone calls we were getting."

Miles signs for 5 years:

While losing the MEAC-SWAC would be a blow, Legion Field is not without candidates for future Labor Day weekend games.

Miles College, which will host Tuskegee at 6 p.m. Sunday in the first Labor Day Golden Classic, has a five-year deal to play at Legion Field on Labor Day weekend, Miller said. This year's matchup is the first of those games, he said.

There had been talk initially of a college doubleheader on Sunday, with the MEAC-SWAC game preceding the Labor Day Golden Classic. However, Miles officials nixed that idea.

Miller said Legion Field could have handled the doubleheaders, with its artificial turf.

"We're able to do 30 events this year," he said. "We've been able to do a lot of things with the field now that it has got the stability to it with the turf."

Expecting 20,000:

Birmingham city schools officials are hoping the doubleheader Monday will serve as a financial boost to the nine high schools.

"We're trying to come up with a formula where we can use the top teams to market them on a game like this and then we can help ourselves," said George Moore, city schools athletics director.

Moore said the system is projecting a crowd of 20,000 for the Wenonah-Carver and Huffman-Parker matchups at 4 and 7 p.m., respectively. Previous high school games played on the Labor Day weekend have attracted crowds approaching 30,000, Moore said.

Moore said the system would like to play the doubleheader next year.

"The teams may not be the same, but we're going to do it again," he said

Southern-FAMU Matchups

Southern-FAMU Matchups

VIDEO: http://media.swagit.com/s/wbrz/The_Advocate_Sports/08312007-25.high.flash8.html



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Southern RB Darren Coates

2006 stats: 31 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD

Coates, a senior, gets his first career start. It’s up to him and sophomore Brian Threat to get the SU running game going. SU is trying to incorporate a zone-blocking scheme, which could help a young line as well as the running backs, and the addition of first-year RB coach Elvis Joseph seems to have invigorated the running backs as well. Coates has confidence from his performance in the Bayou Classic and got leaner and stronger in the offseason.

Florida A&M DE Tyrone McGriff Jr.

2006 stats: 35 tackles, two sacks

McGriff, a senior, is the son of the late Tyrone McGriff Sr., a College Football Hall of Fame guard for the Rattlers in the 1970s, and the cousin of both Charlie Ward, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Florida State, and Major League Baseball star Fred McGriff. He’s also a speedy, accomplished pass rusher who will test Southern’s makeshift offensive line. He has 8.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in the previous two seasons. The Rattlers were young on defense last season, but that’s not the case this season.

WHO HAS THE EDGE

Quarterbacks: Florida A&M

Running backs: Florida A&M

Offensive line: Florida A&M

Wide receivers: Florida A&M

Tight ends: Florida A&M

Defensive line: Florida A&M

Linebackers: Florida A&M

Defensive backs: Southern

Kickers: Florida A&M

Kick returners: Southern

Intangibles: Florida A&M

Coaching: Even

PREDICTION

Here comes the bill for Southern’s offseason of attrition. The Jaguars might match up better across the offensive and defensive lines in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, but today they’ll be much smaller and less experienced. Southern will hope its speedy playmakers, at quarterback, wide receiver, running back and defensive secondary, can make enough big plays to offset the disadvantage up front. Keep an eye on the turnover ratio.

Florida A&M 31, Southern 17

Southern-FAMU Depth Charts

SOUTHERN

Offense

LT 84 Trent Thomas 6-2 255 Sr.
72 Leslie Dvis 6-6 260 Fr.
LG 77 Rafael Louis 6-2 270 Jr.
66 Frank Harry 6-4 300 Jr.
C 75 DeMarcus Stewart 6-0 285 Sr.
68 Daniel Stephens 6-2 285 So.
RG 67 Roddrell Stewart 6-3 305 Fr.
63 Chris Neal 6-0 280 So.
RT 76 Myles Williams 6-2 275 Sr.
74 Reuben Oliver 6-4 300 Jr.
TE 81 Evan Alexander 6-3 250 Jr.
45 Atuanya Antoine 5-9 220 Jr.
WR 80 Gerard Landry 6-2 230 Sr.
86 Mark Henderson 6-1 270 Jr.
WR 1 Del Roberts 5-8 190 So.
36 Nicholas Benjamin 5-9 185 Sr.
WR 88 Juamorris Stewart 6-3 195 So.
13 A.J. Turner 5-8 185 Sr.
QB 16 Bryant Lee 6-2 195 So.
11 Warren Matthews 6-3 230 So.
RB 43 Darren Coates 6-1 200 Sr.
32 Kendrick Smith 6-1 217 Jr.
FB 34 Brian Threat 6-2 210 So.
81 Evan Alexander 6-3 250 Jr.

Defense

LE 94 Wesley King 6-2 275 So.
92 Don Holloway 6-2 275 So.
LT 91 Dwayne Charles 6-2 280 So.
66 Frank Harry 6-4 300 Jr.
NT 71 Joseph Selders 6-2 318 Jr.
98 Calvin Cunningham 6-1 255 Fr.
RE 33 Vince Lands 6-1 250 Jr.
97 Steven Williams 6-1 250 Fr.
OLB 39 Gary Chapman 6-0 225 So.
47 Andre’ Coleman 6-0 220 Fr.
MLB 58 Allan Baugh 6-0 225 So.
56 Brian Lewis 6-2 245 So.
OLB 49 Brian Malveaux 6-0 245 Jr.
46 Donald Steele 6-0 250 Jr.
LCB 7 Michael Williams 5-11 195 Jr.
22 Tremaine Williams 6-1 185 So.
RCB 3 Efe Osawemwenze 6-1 185 Sr.
41 Ronald Wade 6-0 185 So.
SS 5 Glenn Bell 5-9 175 Sr.
23 Toyin Akinwale 5-10 190 Jr.
FS 2 Jarmaul George 6-1 190 Jr.
27 Anthony Wells 6-0 185 So.

Specialists

PK 17 Josh Duran 5-10 180 Fr.
P 17 Josh Duran 5-10 180 Fr.
H 36 Nicholas Benjamin 5-9 185 Sr.
DS 54 DeMarcus Turner 5-9 220 Jr.
KR 13 A.J. Turner 5-8 185 Sr.
1 Del Roberts 5-9 190 Jr.
PR 1 Del Roberts 5-9 190 Jr.

FLORIDA A&M

Offense

QB 2 Albert Chester II 5-11 190 Sr.
16 Leon Camel 5-6 170 Sr.
TB 30 Phillip Sylvester 5-10 185 Fr.
33 Greg Arline 5-9 190 Jr.
FB 49 Kalif Sheppard 6-2 245 Sr.
47 Demarius Folsom 6-0 215 Fr.
TE 82 Taj Jenkines 6-2 240 Fr.
81 Max Percell 6-2 240 Jr.
LT 70 Justin Delancy 6-2 328 Sr.
73 Cristopher Snds 6-8 315 Fr.
LG 60 Anthony Collins 6-3 355 S0.
72 Sean Mendez 6-1 275 Fr.
C 51 Kwame Akkebela 6-4 255 So.
58 Devin Turner 6-1 285 Fr.
RG 61 Javier Wallace 6-3 270 So.
78 Franklin Carter 6-3 370 Fr.
RT 75 Robert Okeafor 6-4 295 So.
76 Kenneth Lanier 6-7 315 So.
WR 87 Adrian Smith 6-2 175 Fr.
15 Javares Knight 6-4 190 So.
WR 89 Ronald Wright 6-0 202 Sr.
83 Jarvis Funderburk 5-11 165 Fr.
WR 3 Willie Hayward 6-4 190 Sr.
80 Isaac West 6-2 200 Fr.

Defense

DE 90 Carlos Rolle 6-1 235 Sr.
92 Marquis Matthews 6-3 220 Fr.
DT 96 Demetrius Lane 6-2 295 So.
99 Joseph Wims 6-5 250 So.
DT 71 Cameron Houston 6-0 285 So.
93 Lyman Reed 5-11 271 So.
DE 10 Tyrone McGriff 6-1 217 Sr.
97 Kendrick Washingtn 6-5 245 Fr.
LB 27 Danell Shepard 5-9 180 Sr.
57 Bryan Parker 6-3 220 So.
MLB 44 Vernon Wilder 6-0 248 Jr.
56 Damien Priester 6-1 220 Fr.
LB 4 Michael McMillan 6-2 195 So.
48 Vic Arboleda 5-10 190 Jr.
CB 21 Michael Creary 5-9 180 So.
1 Quier Hall 6-2 175 Fr.
FS 28 Jason Beach 6-2 198 Jr.
14 Anthony Johnson 6-0 180 Fr.
SS 25 Ernest Williams 5-10 189 Sr.
34 Donnie Alexander 6-0 200 Fr.
CB 12 Donovan Johnson 5-11 181 So.
24 Curtis Holcomb 5-10 170 Fr.

Specialists

PK 20 Wesley Taylor 5-7 170 Sr.
PK 20 Wesley Taylor 5-7 170 Sr.
19 Troy Walker 5-11 185 Fr.
KR 12 Donovan Johnson 5-11 181 So.
1 Quier Hall 6-2 175 Fr.
PR 18 Gregory Clark 5-8 180 So.
1 Quier Hall 6-2 175 Fr.
H 16 Leon Camel 5-6 170 Sr.
93 Lymon Reed 5-11 271 So.
LS 77 Doug Peeler 6-2 265 Sr.
93 Lymon Reed 5-11 271 So.

-- Joseph Schiefelbein

Southern University RB Smith cleared to play

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN, Advocate sportswriter

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Southern junior running back Kendrick Smith got cleared to play Friday afternoon and was expected to travel here in the evening in order to play in today’s season opener.

“He’ll be here for the game, some kind of way,” SU spokesman Kevin Manns said.

Smith was one of two Jaguars not to get on the bus when the team left campus Thursday. Sophomore center Ramon Chinyoung, the team’s No. 1 option on a line decimated by academic casualties since the spring, was the other. Chinyoung, who practiced earlier in the week, was not cleared yet.

Southern, which plays Florida A&M at 2 p.m. in Legion Field, packed the gear for both players on the bus in hopes one or both would become eligible.

SU coach Pete Richardson said earlier in the week he was optimistic of Smith’s chances of getting cleared.

Despite not playing last season, Smith is expected to add punch to Southern’s running game, along with improved senior Darren Coates and sophomore Brian Threat.

A star at Patterson High who was once offered a scholarship by LSU, Smith ran for 1,902 yards and 24 touchdowns in two years at Coffeyville Community College. He signed with Southern Illinois, a Division I-AA member like Southern, in February 2006 but never played there, instead transferring to SU a year ago.

Without Chinyoung, senior Demarcus Stewart will start at center. Stewart started last season at center but Chinyoung’s improvement last season allowed him to move to guard. Sophomore Daniel Stephens, a nonqualifier last season, and junior Myles Williams, the starter at right tackle, can back Demarcus Stewart. Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Rodrell Stewart should start at right guard.

SU fans want wins

By SCOTT RABALAIS, Advocate sportswriter

SU VIDEO: http://media.swagit.com/s/wbrz/The_Advocate_Sports/08312007-25.high.flash8.html

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — With all that Pete Richardson has done for Southern — all the championships, all the Bayou Classic victories, all the glory — you would think the one question this legendary coach wouldn’t have to answer is “What have you done for me lately?”

If nothing else, and there is so much else, Richardson knows how the game is played. And the one thing fans expect when you win is to win more. When you start losing they ask why. Or they quickly ask you to leave.

“Apparently it’s the nature of the beast,” Richardson said. “People are not patient. They expect you to have success. And expectations should be big.”

Richardson freely admits he constructed the monster that threatens to consume him in his football laboratory. He took over a moribund Southern program back in 1993, one that had fallen far from the glory days of A.W. Mumford, and made the Jaguars into an instant winner. From 1993-2003 his teams won five Southwestern Athletic Conference championships and four black college national titles. Only Mumford, the man who has his name on Southern’s stadium, has a better résumé.

The last three years, though, the wins have come at a much slower trickle. Seasons of 8-4, 4-5 and 5-6 have left Southern fans fed on a bountiful buffet of winning, fans who had forgotten the struggles of the 1970s and 80s, feeling starved. Maybe Richardson had lost his edge. Stayed too long. Needed to give way to someone else.

Support from Southern’s administration has eroded to the point that his contract ends after this season. While no one is showing him the door, they aren’t showering him with praise, either.


If Richardson is frustrated by all of the criticism and second-guessing, he rarely lets it show. And, more importantly, he hardly seems ready to give in.

“I built a tradition at Southern,” said Richardson in a rare prideful moment. “You understand the expectations. It’s my responsibility to get it back where it needs to be.”

Looking fit and sharp Friday as he prepared to enter the ballroom for a luncheon to kickoff today’s SWAC/MEAC Challenge game here against Florida A&M, Richardson appears ready for a fight. Since having long-needed knee surgery a couple of years ago, he physically feels rejuvenated. And he is determined to stay long enough to see Southern finally enclose the north end zone of Mumford stadium, building well-overdue facilities that will benefit football and several other programs.

Construction, if it indeed ever comes (some trees on the site have recently been cleared) could be completed in less than two years. Of course, Richardson has been waiting far longer than that, showing blueprints and sketches to recruits who have often been lured away to other more well-equipped programs.

While the responsibility for winning football games ultimate stops with Richardson, he has consistently been asked to produce a diamond of a program in coal mine conditions. The notion that players will gravitate to Southern because it is Southern is false and dangerous.

For someone who has given so much to not only a football program but a university, you want things to end well for Richardson. That means going out on his own terms, and preferably at the top of his game.

Right now that looks like a reach. It was a devastating summer for the program, with 15 players having left since the end of spring practice. Depth has taken a major hit, and won’t make the task of getting off to a momentum-building start against a formidable FAMU team any easier.

Despite it all, the doubts and defections, Richardson appears energized on the eve of a new campaign.

“I expect we will play well” today, Richardson said.

It would be a start. If not, Richardson and Southern may not have too many tomorrows left together.