This may very well be an interesting year for Southern and coach Pete Richardson. With an infusion of depth similar to none in recent years and the experience of veteran players the Jaguars are certainly capable of getting the job done in 2008.
The only question is, though, will they get it done?
That quest begins Saturday, Aug. 30 when SU visits Houston at 6 p.m. in Robertson stadium.
”The expectations are huge,” Richardson said. “We have the players in place, now it’s just a matter of getting it done on the field.
”The culture of our football team has changed a great deal,” he said. “That’s experience. We were in a situation last year where we were just trying to get to the opening game because of the lack of depth. But this year we have numbers.”
Similar to a season ago when Richardson dealt with depth issues, he’s battling the unknown entering the season opener as Houston coach Kevin Sumlin is in his first years as head coach anywhere.
“I’m kind of anxious to see our team play against them,” Richardson said. “They’ve been in bowl games the last several years and have an outstanding team coming back.”
However, Richardson does know what he has and what SU will have to do to be competitive. The last time Houston faced a Southwestern Athletic Conference opponent, the Cougars rolled to a 59-6 defeat of Texas Southern (0-11, 0-9 SWAC) scoring on its first seven possessions.
“The key for us is to have success early,” Richardson said. “We can’t afford to let them get ahead by much because a team of their caliber won’t allow you back into the game.”
Houston is replacing a host of receivers, but returns Conference USA Freshman of the Year in sophomore quarterback Case Keenum who threw for 2,259 yards and 14 touchdowns, with a 68.5 completion percentage in only seven starts.
“Their quarterback can really hit you, he completes a high percentage of passes,” Richardson said. “We have to slow him down and defend the passing game.”
But what bothers Richardson most facing Houston, a Bowl Subdivision team is the difference on each line. Most notably will be the match-up between SU’s O-line and Houston’s All Conference USA defensive end Phillip Hunt, who had 10 sacks a year ago and is on the Lombardi Award and Nagurski Trophy watch lists.
“The difference on the two levels is up front, the offensive and defensive lines,” Richardson said. “We have to slow their defensive end Hunt. He’s the type of individual that can come off the flank and wreck your offense.
“If he does, it’ll be a long night for Southern University. It’s a question of whether we can control them and make things happen.”
Notes
SU has 12 players from Houston. Richardson deemed Tuesday’s practice the worst of camp as players became leg weary and the temperature hovered in the mid 90’s.
“We made an unusual amount of mistakes,” Richardson said. “With the experience we have that shouldn’t happen. I don’t know if it was because they were tired or weren’t focused.”
What’s Returning
SU returns SWAC preseason offensive Player of the Year Bryant Lee who finished first in passing offense, second in total offense and fourth in scoring offense last season totaling 2,326 yards passing and 23 touchdowns. SU also returns SWAC preseason first teamers DeMarcus Stewart, Del Roberts (42 receptions, 474 yards, two TDs), Josh Duran(40.3 yards per punt, long of 65 yards) and Vince Lands(60 total tackles (32 solo), 22 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, seven pass breakups.
Players to Watch
• OL Ramon Chinyoung
•RB Jerry Joseph
•WR LaQuinton Evans
•DE Vince Lands
•WR Del Roberts
Keys to Victory
•Early Success
•Win the battle on O-line and D-line
•Stay injury free
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