If there was ever a time for the Southern University football team to show its experience and senior leadership, the time is now.
With SU (0-2) headed into its home opener with Mississippi Valley State (1-0) – now a nonconference game due to changes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference schedule – at 6 p.m. in A.W. Mumford Stadium, this is the perfect time to rebound.
“They realize the situation you’re in,” said SU football coach Pete Richardson. “We have enough upper classmen to get focused. I don’t know if we have the type of players who get down.”
The last two years SU got off to winning starts, 2-0, in 2006 and 5-0 in 2007. SU hasn’t gone 0-2 since 2002, the season before the Jaguars went 12-1 winning SWAC and Black College National Championships.
But in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav, SU only got one day of practice work which came in the form of a one hour walk through hours before busing to Nashville to play Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee State.
“Last week was tough for us psychologically, trying to focus and get ready to play,” Richardson said. “We had very limited preparation time.”
Last season SU smashed Valley 23-6. Like last season, Valley is 1-0 headed into its game with SU and looking for its first 2-0 start since 2005.
But if SU is to get its first win Saturday, the defense will have to set the tone early and close out down the stretch. Against Tennessee State, SU led 11-0 at halftime before giving up 34 second half points as TSU scored three touchdowns in the third and two in the fourth. Even more surprising, TSU never had a scoring drive longer than 3:19.
“We didn’t finish the game. The game is four quarters,” Richardson said. “We had a lead going into the second half. Regardless of the situation, we have to be able to finish.
“Any time you score 32 points, you’re not supposed to lose the game.”
Richardson hadn’t yet seen game film on MVSU before Wednesday’s weekly press luncheon.
“This week we just have to focus in on MVSU.”
MVSU last played August 30, blanking Texas College 38-0 as quarterback Ryan Burciaga went 15-for-32, 270 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Ronald Brewer had 17 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns.
“It’s always exciting to play at home with the atmosphere we have here,” Richardson said. “Hopefully we have a packed house.”
New SWAC Format
This season, the SWAC returned to a seven-game schedule, with SWAC teams playing all four of its divisional rivals and three from the opposite division.
SU’s first SWAC game will be Sept. 27 at Alcorn State.
Only one SWAC game has been played so far, Prairie View’s 34-14 win over Texas Southern on Aug. 30 in the Labor Day Classic.
SU will play eight SWAC opponents this season, one less than its previous nine per year.
Players of the Week
Offensive – Juamorris Stewart- 11 catches, 13 yards, one touchdown.
Defensive – Vince Lands- nine tackles, three tackles for loss. Special Teams – Demetrius Bentley
Keys to Victory
Protect football
Tackle better
Minimize penalties
Notes
SU quarterback Bryant Lee was earned SWAC Offensive Player of the Week for his play against Tennessee State.
Lee completed 30-of-40 passes for 305 yards and 4 touchdowns with one interception. Lee also rushed nine times for 42 yards.
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