Jaguar Notes

[bluedog]

Malveaux opening some eyes (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3558847.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 13, 2006

The reason Southern didn’t need a goal line to do goal-line work Saturday morning at A.W. Mumford Stadium was because linebacker Johnathan Malveaux kept getting into the backfield — with eye-opening ferocity — to either smother a running back or submarine him.

“He can make some big hits because of his speed,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “We have to have someone step forward on that defense to put some life in them when they get fatigued, make some plays to keep them going.”

Malveaux’s hits came among the seven “goal-line” plays that finished a scrimmage that already had featured 60 plays from locations all over the field.

Unlike a scrimmage Thursday morning when the Jaguars concentrated heavily on the running game, this workout showed more balance. This time, there were 32 passes thrown. However, SU concentrated mostly on its short passing game.

[bluedog]

http://members.cox.net/bluedogsu/SUROBERTS.jpg
Southern receiver Del Roberts transferred from North Carolina
a year after a collarbone injury ended his freshman season.



Roberts brings excitement to SU (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3558912.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 13, 2006

Del Roberts was in no position to celebrate North Carolina’s dramatic 31-28 upset over then-No. 4 Miami on Oct. 30, 2004.

Though he had kick-started a huge party in Chapel Hill, N.C., by returning the opening kickoff 39 yards to set up a touchdown and precious momentum, his freshman season was over by the time Connor Barth’s 42-yard game-winning field goal sailed through as time expired.

His 12-yard return to the 20-yard line with about two-and-a-half minutes to play set up that game-winning drive, but Roberts came away with a broken collarbone.

Following a medical redshirt season a year ago, Roberts transferred to Southern in the spring to rekindle his career.

“Del brings some excitement,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “He’s very crafty. Once he gets his hands on it, he’s going to make people miss.”

Roberts’ transfer is one of the reasons the future looks so bright for the wide receivers at Southern — even with the loss of four players from the program since spring.

[bluedog]

SU's Brooks back to shine for Jaguars (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/3561132.html)

http://members.cox.net/joyfulwoman/SUBROOKS.jpg

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 14, 2006

Consider the burden on Southern linebacker D.J. Brooks last season.

Asked to be the leader of the linebacking corps at the eagle (middle) position, Brooks had all of four tackles’ worth of experience to go by.

But that was four more than Maurice Runnels, who was trying to rekindle his collegiate career, or true freshmen like Johnathan Malveaux or Donald Steele.

“Anybody who plays eagle linebacker for me, it’s a tough, tough, tough assignment,” Southern defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Terrence Graves said. “And D.J. stepped up. He became a leader. He came into his own. He was a little reluctant at first, but as time went on, he saw I was going to keep the pressure on him to lead.

“In our system, He has to take charge, make other guys better. &hellip He progressively got better as the year went on, and it carried over (since then).”

Brooks returns this season after adding 63 more tackles — second on the team last season and the most of any returning tackler — to his résumé.

[bluedog]

SU's Brooks back to shine for Jaguars (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/3561132.html)

http://members.cox.net/joyfulwoman/SUBROOKS.jpg

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 14, 2006

Consider the burden on Southern linebacker D.J. Brooks last season.

Asked to be the leader of the linebacking corps at the eagle (middle) position, Brooks had all of four tackles’ worth of experience to go by.

But that was four more than Maurice Runnels, who was trying to rekindle his collegiate career, or true freshmen like Johnathan Malveaux or Donald Steele.

“Anybody who plays eagle linebacker for me, it’s a tough, tough, tough assignment,” Southern defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Terrence Graves said. “And D.J. stepped up. He became a leader. He came into his own. He was a little reluctant at first, but as time went on, he saw I was going to keep the pressure on him to lead.

“In our system, He has to take charge, make other guys better. &hellip He progressively got better as the year went on, and it carried over (since then).”

Brooks returns this season after adding 63 more tackles — second on the team last season and the most of any returning tackler — to his résumé.

[bluedog]

Jaguars guard Tatum finds comfort zone (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3570262.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 15, 2006

The foundation for Southern University senior left guard Wyatt Tatum’s solid preseason camp these days was set in March and April during spring practice.

That’s when Tatum got moved from the left side to the right side. His task was to fill the void left at a spot dominated for three-plus seasons by Lunda Wells.

In the spring, Tatum, who started a handful of games at right guard last season in his first year after transferring from Pearl River Community College, had to begin the process of finding a comfort zone, starting with getting used to the left-handed stance.

“Last year, I was a little rocky,” Tatum said. “But I came in during the spring and did a lot better. I hit the weights hard. I’m doing a lot better. I worked on my technique and skills. There’s always room for improvement.”

Being in better shape has helped. A year ago, Tatum reported at 306 pounds. After getting down to 274 in the spring, he’s about 290, looking strong, in preseason camp.

[bluedog]

Richardson likes early chemistry (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3579892.html)
Competitions heating up at SU

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 16, 2006

Camp Richardson XIV will continue all the way through next week, but today signals an important change.

First, school begins and the student-athletes will have to be students again. Second, Southern has now been in preseason camp a full two weeks.

“We still have a ways to go as far as installation,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “We’re still in the process of getting through camp, getting the right people in the right spots.”

Even so, what’s the assessment thus far?

What coaches have liked: Added depth on the offensive and defensive lines, better competition, solid chemistry.

What coaches haven’t liked: Lack of depth at linebacker, which has been taxed by injuries lately; the inconsistency and sometimes slow progress of young players.

[bluedog]

Southern defensive line making progress (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3589036.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 17, 2006

One of the biggest concerns Southern had going into this preseason camp — and, indeed, will still have all this season — rests in its defensive line.

Along the defensive front four, the Jaguars have two converted linebackers at the ends, Lionel Howard and Vincent Lands, and have a host of other promising, but unproven, tackles in the middle.

So far in preseason camp the unit has made substantial progress.

The competition inside at the tackles has been strong, with players swapping almost by the day if not by the drill. And the improvement of former offensive lineman Allen Hauer and the addition of true freshman Jowelle Bullock has given Southern much-needed depth at the ends.

The defensive line had six seniors, including end Joe Sykes, a Washington Redskins free-agent signee, among eight players in its two-deep chart at the close of last season. The top returning sack specialist is sophomore safety Toyin Akinwale, who had 3 1/2 off blitzes.

[bluedog]

Southern defensive line making progress (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3589036.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 17, 2006

One of the biggest concerns Southern had going into this preseason camp — and, indeed, will still have all this season — rests in its defensive line.

Along the defensive front four, the Jaguars have two converted linebackers at the ends, Lionel Howard and Vincent Lands, and have a host of other promising, but unproven, tackles in the middle.

So far in preseason camp the unit has made substantial progress.

The competition inside at the tackles has been strong, with players swapping almost by the day if not by the drill. And the improvement of former offensive lineman Allen Hauer and the addition of true freshman Jowelle Bullock has given Southern much-needed depth at the ends.

The defensive line had six seniors, including end Joe Sykes, a Washington Redskins free-agent signee, among eight players in its two-deep chart at the close of last season. The top returning sack specialist is sophomore safety Toyin Akinwale, who had 3 1/2 off blitzes.

[bluedog]

Schiefelbein: Newcomers make their mark quickly (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3589026.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 17, 2006

Landing a player like Ramon Chinyoung is already paying dividends at Southern.

First, he’s eligible. Second, he’s good. Third, he came to preseason camp ready to compete.

Even if this cartoon-loving true freshman doesn’t start, he’s making the Jaguars better.

Junior center Demarcus Stewart said as much the other day when he talked about how he started coasting at the end of spring practice, knowing he was the team’s main option, but now how he could feel the push of Chinyoung, an all-stater from Texas.

The coinciding elements of depth and competition — both from fresh faces and from veterans who have returned in better shape, with better knowledge and better resolve — will make Southern a better football team.

The element of players buying into the team was sorely lacking a year ago, when the Jaguars went 4-5.

“The individual knows if he sloughs off, the other individual is going to take over,” Southern head coach Pete Richardson said.

[bluedog]

Just in case: SU readies backup QB (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3597786.html)

Speedy Byrd showing he can handle the job

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 18, 2006

The ghost of 2002, when injuries forced Southern University to have a revolving door of quarterbacks, is never that far away.

That was offensive coordinator David Oliver’s first season at Southern and left an indelible memory.

The Jaguars have benefitted from having one starting quarterback in each of the last three seasons: Quincy Richard with the top single season in school history in 2003 (3,340 yards), Thomas Ricks with the second best in 2004 (2,786) and J.C. Lewis with the third best last season (2,496 in nine games, three less than Ricks and four less than Richard).

However, even with a more-seasoned Lewis back for his junior season, the No. 2 guy has to be ready. Just in case.

That’s where sophomore C.J. Byrd comes into the picture.

[Jax]

:read:

:thumbsup:

Thanks Blue...06 should be much better than 2005. Still kinda leary about the QB and RB position.

[mikebigg]

:read:

:thumbsup:

Thanks Blue...06 should be much better than 2005. Still kinda leary about the QB and RB position.

Hopefully JC remains healthy...but it's smart to continue to develop the Byrd kid. I read an article about the Coates kid from West Feliciana who has looked good in camp. That kid was a helluva player in high school...glad to see he stuck around and seems to have his head on straight (not that he was a bad kid, but apparently not focused). He should help yall at RB.

I love it when kids (regardless of what school) matures and becomes a positive for himself and those around him. Afterall, that's what it is all about!:

[bluedog]

Southern ready for scrimmage (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3605866.html)

Jaguars to work on all aspects of game in situational workout

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 19, 2006

The Southern University football team will conduct its first major scrimmage this morning at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The Jaguars expect to go more than 100 plays after an extensive period working on all facets of special teams — punts, kickoffs, field goals and PATs.

“We’ll do a situational scrimmage, use the clock to get acclimated to that,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said. “We’ll start off at the 20 (yard line) and get so many plays.”

The scrimmage, which is two weeks before the Sept. 2 season opener against Bethune-Cookman College in Jacksonville, Fla., will be closed.

Richardson said Southern will have one more major scrimmage, either Wednesday or Thursday, before moving the focus fully to a game plan for B-CC.

[bluedog]

http://members.cox.net/angelicaka/j.c.+lewis_082006

Richardson frustrated with Jaguars (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3607597.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 20, 2006

Southern closed its first major preseason scrimmage Saturday, and it was just as well.

This one was a flop.

Penalties hindered establishing any offensive continuity. The defense gave up too many big plays on third-and-long, a problem the unit had a year ago. The running game, the major point of emphasis in preseason camp, failed to impress. The protection on quarterback J.C. Lewis, which was shaky last year, was shaky again.

Even the conditioning, after two-and-a-half weeks of preseason camp, wasn’t up to snuff.

“We didn’t have any standouts,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said after the Jaguars ran about 105 plays in a morning session at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

“We’ve got a long way to go as a football team. We’ve got to work on our conditioning.”

Unlike the previous two light-weight scrimmages, the first going about 30 plays and the second lasting around 60 on an unlined field, this one had the Jaguars trying to advance down a marked field, with down and distance kept and officials in attendance for the second half of the workout.

[bluedog]

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Confident Turner thinking big for SU (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/3633031.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 21, 2006

Consider the year Southern’s A.J. Turner had.

He established himself all season as one of the best kick return specialists in Division I-AA. Then with the team in a pinch late in the season, he changed spots at wide receiver, and showed, even at 5-foot-7 and 155 pounds, he could be a starter and an every-down player. And he finished the school year by making the semifinals in the 400 meters at the NCAA outdoors national championships.

There might not be a more confident athlete on Southern’s campus this school year. Coaches have found a new level of confidence in Turner, and he’s found a new level in himself in so many different ways.

“By him going to the nationals in track, it elevated his level of play when he got on this field,” Southern wide receivers coach Eric Dooley said. “He was excited and ready to go for another football season.”

[bluedog]

SU eager to wash away losing season (http://www.2theadvocate.com/specialsections/football2006/3591521.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
This isn’t really about starting over. This is more about a transition that started somewhere as Southern University lost players at an even higher rate than the Jaguars lost games.

The attrition of more than two dozen players in a season that saw two games canceled in the wake of hurricanes. The first losing season — 4-5 — in 13 years of the Pete Richardson dynasty. The growing pains of first-year players forced into action, with the hope against hope that the ripening would happen quickly.

Somewhere in all that, Southern was getting better, testing that youth, remolding its effort and casting aside plenty of dead weight, players who lived on the laurels of others.

This fall, there’s a renewed vigor. You hear it. You see it. You sense it.

“We went 4-5 last year. We gave up like 600 yards (657, including 418 through the air) in the Bayou Classic,” junior strong safety Glenn Bell said. “If that game and last season doesn’t stand out and make you want to get better, I don’t know what will.”

[bluedog]

http://members.cox.net/jnashatty/jarmaulgeorge.jpg


By George, he’s back (http://www.2theadvocate.com/specialsections/football2006/3591931.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter

Jarmaul George never was that far away.

He kept tabs. He came to games. He made phone calls.

Last season’s slide, with defensive backs pulling down just two interceptions and Southern finishing 4-5, hurt the free safety, even if he wasn’t on the team.

“It felt different,” George said. “The younger guys weren’t coming together. Nobody was leading the right way. The older guys didn’t push. It’s chemistry.”

George, the 2003 Southwestern Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year, was just a few hours drive away at Copiah-LincolnCommunity College.

Being at Co-Lin wasn’t where George wanted to be. He had wanted to be the shepherd to the new unit, which had all new starters last season. But after being ruled ineligible in 2004 at Southern, he transferred from the school a year ago when he feared he wouldn’t be cleared to play.

[bluedog]

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Gerard uses vast knowledge to lead SU offensive line (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3703516.html)
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 22, 2006

The adjustment from center to tackle is, oh, about 50 pounds.

That’s how much Southern University senior Lance Gerard had to put on in the past year, as he made the transition from center or guard to the outside position.

And though his frame took the extra weight well, yes, there are days in this heat when he feels that girth.

“That (weight) helped me a great deal, but I have to work through the heat,” Gerard said.

Gerard is the leader on Southern’s line. He’s also the unit’s “X” factor because of his intimate knowledge of every spot on the line — a Swiss Army knife, if you will, for a unit that always likes to cross-train its personnel.

Gerard was recruited out of East St. John High School to play center, and started there in the 2004 Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship with Brandon Jones out with an injury, and he also played guard for the longest time. Then, with last season’s attrition sapping the line, he moved all the way outside to tackle and started on both the right side and left side before going out in mid-October with an injury, a tear of the right pectoral muscle.

[bluedog]

Weather alters Southern practice (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3712696.html)



By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 23, 2006

Afternoon thunderstorms disrupted the Southern University football team’s practice for the second straight day, and precautionary adjustments to today’s schedule are already in the works.

The Jaguars missed about 45 minutes of practice time Monday. Then Tuesday, after the team waited for the rain to turn to a light drizzle, several nearby lightning strikes convinced Southern coach Pete Richardson to call the workout and the team instead broke for dinner and came back later for an indoors walkthrough.

“It hurts as far as installation, but psychologically it’s going to help, because we had a number of people who were beginning to drag and some minor bumps and bruises,” Richardson said as the Jaguars are a week-and-a-half from their Sept. 2 season opener against Bethune-Cookman College in Jacksonville, Fla.

Because afternoon rain has been a mainstay in the area forecast, Richardson said he’s moved today’s scrimmage from a 4 p.m. start to a 6 p.m. start.

[bluedog]

Southern defense shines in scrimmage (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3724901.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 24, 2006

Here’s how the scrimmage went for the Southern University offense Thursday night at A.W. Mumford Stadium:


Clevon White, a walk-on wide receiver, makes an easy catch in the middle of the field and races for an 80-yard touchdown, only to have that nullified because of his own false start.

Kendall Addison, a walk-on running back who recently returned from missing time with an ankle injury, breaks a long run up the right sideline, but cornerback Marcus Wilkerson runs him down at the 5-yard line after the 75-yard jaunt. Then, after a false start backs the unit up 5 yards to the 10, the defense stuffs Addison twice, with Addison fumbling and cornerback Kendall Aguillard scooping up the ball and racing to the other red zone. The reason for the offensive struggles? The defense turned in all the highlights Thursday, as that unit showed dramatic improvement, not just from the final spring scrimmage, but a major scrimmage Saturday.
“Guys played with a lot of intensity,” defensive coordinator Terrence Graves said. “We knew those guys were going to be fired up, from the locker room. Those guys came out and showed we could play that type of football.”

[bluedog]

Southern holds injured RB Nichols out of practice (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3733851.html)
By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 25, 2006

Southern University junior running back Larry Nichols, who has a groin injury, did not participate in contact drills at practice Thursday after being held out of Wednesday’s scrimmage.

However, Southern coach Pete Richardson said, Nichols should be ready by next week, when the Jaguars open the season against Bethune-Cookman College on Sept. 2 in Jacksonville, Fla.

“He’s still a little ouchy,” Richardson said.

With game week approaching next week, SU wants to take precaution with its top returning running back.

[bluedog]

Schiefelbein: SU’s Williams ready to take the next step (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3733841.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 25, 2006

Michael Williams always had this air of maturity about him, visible pretty much from the first day he arrived on Southern University’s campus. And three years later, it’s hard to think of him as still just a sophomore.

Yep, just a sophomore.

Last season — with 49 tackles, four pass breakups and one interception — confirmed the promise Williams showed as he redshirted in 2004.

This season is all about building on that experience.

“Mike is coming along fine. He has his confidence,” said Southern coach Pete Richardson, also the team’s defensive backs coach. “He went through the process last year, so he’s a different type of football player this year.”

[bluedog]

http://members.cox.net/angelicaka/sulandry.jpg


Landry looks to cut out slack (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3742581.html)

Southern wide receiver looking to drop excess weight, regain form

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 26, 2006

Southern wide receiver Gerard Landry did just what he set out to do. He got bigger, faster, stronger.

Only, he probably didn’t need to get that much bigger.

Landry came into preseason camp at around 235 pounds, which is tilting toward tight end status rather than receiver status, for his 6-foot-1 frame.

“It’s not that he looks bad and can’t handle it, but he realizes his playing weight,” SU wide receivers coach Eric Dooley said.

The extra weight slowly cut into the verve which Landry brought to camp, his first as the top target among the team’s receivers. There were days when his legs tired and couldn’t keep the energetic pace Landry was trying to set.

“Some of it was muscle, but a lot of it came from not eating the right kind of food and not getting enough water,” Landry said. “I gradually worked my way into shape, working that fat off and hydrating my body right.”

[bluedog]

Jaguars wrap up camp, get ready for game week (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3745076.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 27, 2006


Finding and nurturing depth was important enough to do. But now, after more than three weeks, the reps for the backups will lessen and the Southern University football team will sharpen as the Jaguars get ready to open their season.

Camp Richardson XIV came to a close on the practice fields Saturday, with game-week preparation for Saturday’s opener against Bethune-Cookman College at Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., going full steam this afternoon.

“We’re still making a lot of mental mistakes. That’s affecting our execution,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “We have to consolidate the people we’re using in the groups, so we make sure to develop chemistry.”

While all but one of the team’s eligible true freshmen played, and many started, last season, this year’s edition won’t match that total.

Many last season were forced into action because of attrition. The hope this season is that the latest class of freshmen and first-year players will be counted on mostly for depth.

[bluedog]

Southern Notebook for August 27 (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3745036.html)


Southern names junior Lewis, sophomore Williams as captains

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 27, 2006

As further proof of the transition to youth on Southern University’s football team the last two seasons, junior quarterback J.C. Lewis and sophomore cornerback Michael Williams will serve as the team’s captains this season.

Both redshirted as freshman, Lewis in 2003 and Williams in 2004.

For quick comparison, SU had four seniors as team captains last season and there were three senior captains in 2003 and ’04.

Said Williams, “That’s a good honor. We have a great team. I’m willing to take on the responsibility of being a captain, and do my best. I can handle it. I’m prepared for it.”

Said Lewis, “That means your teammates look up to you. You have to set the right example. It’s a little more responsibility. You have to make sure to help the young guys out. You have to set the example, but with the type of guys we have on this team, I really don’t have to say too much. They already know what’s going on.”

[*****]

man! The Advocate is SU SWACTACULAR!

[bluedog]

SU linebacker Bailey ready to contribute (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3757587.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 29, 2006

Keidrick Bailey stands to make a lot more tackles in his senior season than he ever has before. Easy.

His tally so far: one assisted stop.

With incumbent Johnny Berry, a senior, leaving the team a few days into camp, Bailey ascended to Southern’s starter at drop linebacker. Behind him is true freshman Andre Coleman.

“Bailey is a surprise,” Southern head coach Pete Richardson said. “The more reps he gets, he’s done a good job for us. He’s waited his turn. It’s a matter of him getting experience at playing.”

The experiences will start coming strong Saturday, when the Jaguars open the season against Bethune-Cookman College at 6 p.m. (CST) in Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

[bluedog]

Southern preparing for game, Ernesto (http://community.meacfans.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=4531078181&f=5501054881&m=7991038262&r=7991038262#7991038262)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 28, 2006

For a team that had two games canceled in the wake of hurricanes last season, Southern is understandably concerned about the path of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

SU will be checking its options and watching the forecast updates today as the team prepares for its season opener against Bethune-CookmanCollege at 6 p.m. (CST) Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.

When and where the storm hits — and if it were to stall — are key ingredients. The Jaguars are scheduled to bus from campus Thursday morning and arrive in Jacksonville that evening. According to a projection on the Weather Channel as of Sunday night, Ernesto would be atop Florida on Thursday afternoon.

[bluedog]

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Surprise Threat, Nichols lead SU RBs (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3767237.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 30, 2006

As Southern University released its first depth chart of the season, there’s a surprise atop the trio of running backs.

True freshman Brian Threat leads the group, although SU coach Pete Richardson said junior Larry Nichols likely will start.

However, look for Threat to get plenty of action when the Jaguars open the season against Bethune-Cookman College at 6 p.m. CST in the 53rd Gateway Classic at Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

“He’s a hard worker. He’s learned the system,” Richardson said of Threat. “He’s going to work himself into the situation.”

Nichols is the only healthy running back with substantial experience. He ran for 269 yards and five touchdowns in six games last season. He missed three games with a knee injury, and he’s missed time lately in camp with a groin injury.

[bluedog]

Schiefelbein: Southern WR corps has promise but no history (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3783827.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 31, 2006

We all know Southern coach Pete Richardson by now as he heads into a 14th season around here. We know Pete isn’t much for hype.

So this means something when Richardson dropped this bomb Wednesday: “Our receiving corps, right now, is probably as good as any receiving corps we have since I’ve been here.”

Wow.


Junior Gerard Landry (574 yards, four touchdowns) looks on the verge of stardom, but his last two games are the only two 100-yarders of his career.
Junior speedster A.J. Turner opened eyes last season, finishing with 162 yards and one TD, but his 10 catches in November are the only 10 of his career.
Sophomore Del Roberts didn’t play at all at North Carolina last season after making two catches for 27 yards in 2004.
And freshman Juamorris Stewart, a starter in four-receiver sets, didn’t practice last year — fall or spring — as he transferred from Southern Miss.

[bluedog]

SU confident O-line can hold ground (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/3784297.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Aug 31, 2006

In running the spread offense Southern University has, there’s a direct correlation between sacks allowed and success achieved.


Last season: 28 sacks allowed in nine games (3.1 per game) and a 4-5 result.

In 2003: eight sacks in 13 games (0.6 per game) and a 12-1 result.

There’s a confidence this season, even with losing stalwarts like center Brandon Jones and left guard Lunda Wells, SU’s protection will improve substantially.

“The quarterback took too many hits last year as a result of people stunting,” Southern head coach Pete Richardson said as the Jaguars prepare to open their season against Bethune-Cookman College on Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla.

“Now, we invite them to stunt.”

The Jaguars lost starting right tackle Jacobi Thierry early last season and then shuffled the line through injuries and inexperience all season.



Jagaurs ready to kick off season (http://www.swacpage.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=61405&page=5)

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Jaguars find way to opening win (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3814501.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 3, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The victory still counts just as one. But watching this young Southern team, with a mere six senior starters, celebrate a one-point squeaker over Bethune-Cookman College, there was a sense there was something more going on.

The team that took its lumps learning to play last season looks like the team ready to take the big stride — learning, and showing how, to win.

“We stuck it out,” cornerback Michael Williams said. “We played with one heartbeat.”

Stamping the 30-29 victory, J.C. Lewis threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns, including the 2-yard game-winner to tight end Evan Alexander with 7:34 remaining, and the passing game overcame the Jaguars’ non-existent running game in the 53rd Gateway Classic on Saturday night in Alltell Stadium.
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Advocate staff photo by MARK SALTZ
Southern’s Gerard Landry breaks loose in the first half of Saturday’s game against Bethune-Cookman.

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SU defense, Lewis leads Jags to 30-29 win over BCC (http://community.meacfans.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5501054881/m/3681054562)

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Southern Jaguars sophomore defensive back Marcus Wilkerson wraps up Bethune-Cookman running back Eric Weems for an unassited 18 yard tackle for loss during the Jaguars' 30-29 victory over the Wildcats on Saturday, September 2, 2006 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Wilkerson contributed three tackles and a pass break up during the Jaguars win on Saturday night.

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Southern University defensive back Jarmaul George breaks up a pass intended for Bethune-Cookman's Paul Neufville (85) during Saturday night's game at Alltel Stadium.

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Jaguars' junior wideout Gerard Landry concentrates as he hauls in a pass in the end zone from rs-junior quarterback J.C. Lewis in the third quarter. Despite staying inbounds, Landry was called for offensive passing interference. Landry finished Saturday night's game with five receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.

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Jaguars' defensive captain Michael Williams celebrates after stopping Bethune-Cookman quarterback Jimmie Russell's run on the option-keeper for a three-yard loss. Williams, a pre-season all-SWAC defender, finished Saturday's games with seven tackles, a fumble recovery, and a pass break up.

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Southern’s Ackley settles into expanded role (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3821721.html)

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By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 5, 2006

Senior Breck Ackley has been around long enough to become Southern’s all-time leading scorer.
But this felt strange.

“When I got back there for the punt, I realized I was that far back,” Ackley said. “It was a little weird seeing a new formation like that.”
After three years of kicking the ball off the ground, either on kickoffs or field goals and PATs, Ackley was punting again Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla., as the Jaguars beat Bethune-Cookman College 30-29.

“It felt like I was a freshman out there again,” said Ackley, whose last punts, in a real game, came as a senior at Lagrange High in Lake Charles in November 2002.

His first two collegiate punts were shanks: 23 and 26 yards. However, the next four, including two standing near the goal line, went for 42, 43, 40 and 46 yards.

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Valley offense MIA vs. UAPB (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/3822156.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 5, 2006

What happened to MississippiValleyState’s offense?

Valley senior quarterback Aries Nelson, the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason offensive player of the year, was a mere 10-for-29 (34.5 percent) for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 10-0 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday in Chicago.

Valley hadn’t scored that little since Nelson’s first year with the program, when the Delta Devils lost 25-10 at eventual SWAC champion AlabamaState in their 2004 season finale. Nelson was 10-for-25 for 101 yards in that game.

No matter what happened, Southern head coach Pete Richardson is counting on nothing but the best from Nelson and Co. as the Jaguars stage their home opener at 7 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

“Nelson killed us last year,” Richardson said. “He came back and took the game away from us.”

Nelson threw for 353 yards and one touchdown and led Valley to 21 fourth-quarter points as the Delta Devils overcame an 11-point deficit to beat Southern 31-28 a year ago.

UAPB found the right formula Saturday.

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Southern's Lewis, LSU's Zenon earn LSWA honors (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBC_LOUISIANA_PLAYERS_LAOL-?SITE=LABAT&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Southern University junior quarterback JC Lewis and LSU junior cornerback Jonathan Zenon were named Players of the Week by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Lewis, from Walnut Creek, Calif., completed 63 percent of his passes in a 30-29 victory over Bethune-Cookman in a game played in Jacksonville, Fla.

Lewis went 24-of-38 for 271 yards and four touchdowns.

Zenon, from Breaux Bridge, had two interceptions including one returned 20 yards for a first quarter touchdown return in LSU's 45-3 win over Louisiana-Lafayette. His other interception came late in the third quarter deep in LSU territory and he also had three tackles.


State college football sports information offices nominate players for the weekly honor and a committee of LSWA members from throughout the state makes the selections.

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Southern’s Ackley settles into expanded role (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3821721.html)

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By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 5, 2006

Senior Breck Ackley has been around long enough to become Southern’s all-time leading scorer.
But this felt strange.

“When I got back there for the punt, I realized I was that far back,” Ackley said. “It was a little weird seeing a new formation like that.”
After three years of kicking the ball off the ground, either on kickoffs or field goals and PATs, Ackley was punting again Saturday in Jacksonville, Fla., as the Jaguars beat Bethune-Cookman College 30-29.

“It felt like I was a freshman out there again,” said Ackley, whose last punts, in a real game, came as a senior at Lagrange High in Lake Charles in November 2002.

His first two collegiate punts were shanks: 23 and 26 yards. However, the next four, including two standing near the goal line, went for 42, 43, 40 and 46 yards.

Yall are going to miss that boy :nod: Has Pat got a replacement lined up yet for next year??

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Nelson, Totten ready to end with bang (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3868647.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 8, 2006

They will part ways when this season ends, the quarterback and his coach.

Mississippi Valley State quarterback Aries Nelson and Valley coach Willie Totten have been breaking down film, getting on buses and sharing all there is to football season after football season dating back to 1998.

This is their last, best shot together to go out on top.

Back in ’98, Totten was the head coach at East Side High in Cleveland, Miss., and Nelson a freshman with skills so obviously suited to Totten’s plans to ditch the school’s option offense in favor of a spread passing game. Totten started the kid and began a long relationship.

“I’ve seen him grow. As a ninth-grader to now,” Totten said.

Though Totten returned to his alma mater in 2000 (and became head coach in 2001) and Nelson went on to Mississippi State in 2002, they were reunited in late August 2004, when Nelson, slipping from second to third on the depth chart in preseason camp, wanted a fresh start.

“I knew I where I was going all along when I left Starkville (Miss.),” Nelson said. “In life, I’m not scared to try anything one time. If I had to do it all again, I’d do it all again the same way.”

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SU bracing for air assault from MVSU (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/3858177.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 7, 2006

Last week’s opponent and this week’s opponent for Southern share one common aspect: an offense spearheaded and dominated by a dynamic quarterback.

But MississippiValleyState’s Aries Nelson, at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, is an entirely different player, running a vastly different spread-oriented offense, than Bethune-CookmanCollege’s Jimmie Russell, at 5-9, 175, and the Wildcats’ Wyatt-bone option attack.

Nelson, the Southwestern Athletic Conference’s preseason offensive player of the year, is the challenge as Southern (1-0) stages its home and SWAC opener at 7 p.m. Saturday in A.W. Mumford Stadium.

“It’s going to be a different type of football game than the previous week,” Southern coach Pete Richardson said.

“Last week, we had to be concerned about ball control. This week, they’re going to throw the football. The dynamics of the game will change a great deal.”

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SU defenders might be out again (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/3869247.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 8, 2006

As an early season showdown with MississippiValleyState’s high-powered offense looms Saturday, the status of two projected defensive starters for Southern is still in limbo and another starter likely won’t play.

As of Thursday afternoon, SU coach Pete Richardson had not gotten confirmation, one way or the other, on the eligibility of linebacker Maurice Runnels or defensive tackle Ricky Nevers. Both seniors did not make the trip to Jacksonville, Fla., where SU beat Bethune-CookmanCollege 30-29 Saturday.

If the two aren’t cleared today, they won’t be able to play at 7 p.m. Saturday, when the Jaguars stage their home and Southwestern Athletic Conference opener against Valley (1-0, 1-0 SWAC).

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Lands steps up for Southern (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3877342.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 9, 2006

The last time Vince Lands played defense in a football game was when he was a senior at Glen Oaks High in 2003. So, the game felt a little different Saturday, when he started for the first time. No doubt.

“I learned the speed of the game changed a whole lot,” Lands said. “You can condition yourself for the whole summer, but nothing can prepare you for that first snap and going through the whole game. You just have to get used to that.”

By game’s end, he had done all a coach can ask of him. He had played well, and he put every ounce of his being out there.

“For his first start at defensive end, he laid it all out on the field,” Southern head coach Pete Richardson said. “In fact, we almost had to take him to the hospital after the game because of dehydration.”

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Southern takes down Valley (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3880862.html)


By JOE SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 10, 2006

Southern quarterback J.C. Lewis threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns and Southern scored a huge showdown victory with Mississippi Valley State 31-14 Saturday night at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

The Jaguars (2-0, 1-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) had a slim 17-14 halftime advantage, but the defense shut down Valley quarterback Aries Nelson, the SWAC’s preseason offensive player of the year. Plus, the offense cashed in on two big plays for touchdowns.

Nelson was 15 for 31 for 142 yards and two interceptions, both in the second half.

“We’ve grown up a lot,” sophomore cornerback Michael Williams said. “We stepped it up as a defense, did what we had to do.”

Southern wide receiver Juamorris Stewart scored on a 65-yard touchdown pass from Lewis on a third-and-8 play to give the Jaguars a 24-14 lead with 10:42 left in the third quarter.

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Young Jaguars show future could be now (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3884467.html)

By JOE SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 11, 2006

Sixty minutes later, the confidence continues to grow for a Southern football team with only a handful of senior starters.

Saturday, the young guys showed they could win an early season Southwestern Athletic Conference showdown, hammered by a defensive effort that shut down Mississippi Valley State’s explosive offense in a 31-14 victory at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

A week earlier, these Jaguars got the oomph that comes with a season-opening win, punctuated by making all the big plays to find a way to win in the fourth quarter, 30-29 over Bethune-Cookman College in Jacksonville, Fla.

Now, the team with a future is starting to show that future can possibly be now.

These were the games Southern didn’t win a year ago. This is the kind of start SU hasn’t had in a few seasons.

Southern is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2003, when the Jaguars went 12-1 and won the Southwestern Athletic
Conference and black college national titles. But even they aren’t going to get carried away with comparisons, just yet.

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Pics of MVSU vs. SU (http://sharpy.smugmug.com/gallery/1876735)
Pics by sharpy :thumbsup:

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Advice pays off for SU’s Malveaux (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3895487.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 12, 2006

The best advice Southern linebacker Johnathan Malveaux has gotten so far came from an opponent who picked him up and dropped him last season, when he was a true freshman.

“‘Little man, you better get in the weight room,’” Malveaux remembered. “They were picking me up and tossing me, just slamming me. Every time I go in the weight room, I always think about that.”

Malveaux was strong a year ago, just high school strong, not college strong.

“They handled him a little rough, but he took heed to it,” Southern defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Terrence Graves said. “He saw, if he wanted to really be successful on this level, he had to get bigger and stronger.”

Malveaux, a dean’s list student, doesn’t need to be told twice. He’s leaner and stronger this season, tapering and structuring his frame even more.

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Coach Pete on I-AA WAVES tonight

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‘Only the Lord knows how it feels’ (http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/southern/featured/3937051.html)

By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Sep 17, 2006

HOUSTON — Down 14 points and with Southern inside its red zone with more than five minutes to play, Prairie View pushed back not just Southern, but history itself, Saturday at Darrell Tully Stadium.

Fumbles on Southern’s next two offensive snaps set up two comeback touchdowns and the Panthers beat SU 26-23 in overtime for their first victory over the powerhouse Jaguars since 1971.

Arnell Fontentot ran the ball around the right side from 14 yards out for the winning touchdown, then he turned around, folded his arms in triumph and watched his teammates go bonkers. Fontenot’s 3-yard touchdown plunge, on a fourth-and-2, forced overtime with 18 seconds remaining in regulation.

“Words can’t much explain it,” Fontenot said of the feeling that passed through him as he blazed across the goal line untouched.