Quarterback position is Ivy's job to lose

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --The last few years, quarterback battles were among the top storylines for Jackson State in the fall.

But not this time.

Coach Harold Jackson brought LaMontiez Ivy to SWAC media day on Friday in Birmingham, and that was enough to hint Ivy was the leading man under center.

He made it clear during interviews.

"You know what, he was the starting quarterback for us last season before he got hurt," Jackson said. "And I don't think no body loses a job because of injury. ... When we go back, that's his job to lose."

Ivy suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the first game of the 2013 season and couldn't fully participate in spring practices.

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JSU, Alcorn, MVSU All Have Expectations for 2014

WJTV News Channel 12

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- At Friday's SWAC Media Day, Jackson State head coach Harold Jackson said he felt no pressure going into his first season, despite his team's consecutive trips to the SWAC Championship game that resulted in overtime losses the last two years. Alcorn State is being dubbed as a favorite in the league's East Division, and Rick Comegy is not circling Valley's trip to the Capital City on October 11th.

Watch the video to see Mike Alzamora's story and to hear from all three head coaches from the Magnolia State schools in the SWAC.

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Comegy moving on at MVSU

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- After nearly two hours of interviews, Rick Comegy was able to sit and decompress.

The first-year coach at Mississippi Valley State was a hot commodity at Friday's Southwestern Athletic Conference football media day in Birmingham.

Comegy knew he'd be bombarded with questions relating to his former team, Jackson State.

He was ready.

"Oh I expected it, yes," Comegy said. "You know how life is."

"I prayed before I came down. I gave it up to God and said, 'Just let me stand tall.' "

It was his first time addressing numerous media outlets since his firing from JSU in December, after guiding JSU to the SWAC title game. The Tigers lost to Southern University in double overtime.

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ASU Hornets picked to win division

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama --Reggie Barlow has established Alabama State as the team to beat in the Southwestern Athletic Conference on an annual basis. Now he has to guide his team through the season to finish where it started.

The Hornets once again were picked to win the SWAC East Division in preseason balloting by the league's coaches, media directors and beat writers, a tribute to the type of program built by Barlow, who is beginning his eighth year.

"I think we've been picked before, and I just look at it as respect from the coaches and the sports information directors to see that we have brought along some good players and student-athletes and our coaches are doing a good job of recruiting," Barlow said. "And our concepts and philosophies on offense and defense are good. We'll take it as a pat on the back, but obviously we know we still have to play the game on the field.

Ever since he guided his team to ...

 


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Southern University coach Dawson Odums eGxpects big season despite a new QB

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  -- Southern University football coach Dawson Odums decided to head off the media at the pass before the first question could be posed at theSWAC media day in Birmingham, Ala., on Friday. He said not to ask him who the Jaguars starting quarterback will be when Southern opens the 2014 season against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette on Aug. 30.

Odums said as many as four players will be in the mix although at the end of spring drills it appeared freshmen Deonte Shorts and Francis Kanneh were the top two with Shorts in the lead.

But Odums has been clear since Dray Joseph threw his last pass for the Jaguars – a touchdown strike to Lee Doss for the victory in last year's SWAC Championship game against Jackson State – that whoever wins the job won't have the weight of Jaguar Nation upon their shoulders.

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Alcorn State adjusts to contender status in SWAC

COACH JAY HOPSON

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- It may sound like coach speak, but Jay Hopson calls it real talk.

The third-year Alcorn State coach is pleased his team was selected to finish second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division, two points shy from the first spot.

But that doesn’t mean much if his players don’t put in the work.

“A lot of times when you finish strong, a lot of people will think it will carry over to next season,” Hopson said. “But these guys (the players) know that they still have to go out and prepare for this year.”

After finishing 4-7 in 2012, the Braves jumped to 9-3 in Hopson’s second year. It was the most wins for the program since 1994, when Alcorn went 8-3-1 with the late NFL star Steve McNair at quarterback.

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Transfer Pickett looks to step in as safety at FAMU

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Since his arrival on FAMU's campus seven months ago, Antoine Pickett has been hearing about John Ojo and how he was considered one of the best safeties in the MEAC.

Picket, a safety who transferred from Contra Costa College, knows he's only hearing about Ojo because of his departure and the Rattlers need for an experienced replacement.

Getting an opportunity to fill the void only excites Pickett, who comes with proven talent and leadership skills.

"I'm really honored to be considered in the same breath as Ojo," said Pickett, who was the Comets' captain. "Right now I'm just working my butt off to just try to help the team. Coming from California, I'm trying my best to stay focused and keep my intelligence on the field."

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