SU opens SWAC play vs. Alcorn

Pete Richardson didn’t waste any time Wednesday. Businesslike as usual, the 17th year coach got straight to the point.
In last week’s 21-17 win over Tennessee State, Richardson saw some good things and he saw some bad things. But overall, he saw what he wanted to see.
Southern (2-1) led all the way up until the 11:53 mark in the fourth quarter when TSU went ahead 17-14. Two drives later the Jaguars scored a touchdown and held on to win.
“Offensively we had to have a drive in order to get back the lead, and defensively we had to have a stop,” Richardson said. “I thought our individuals played well for that period of time.
“That gives our players the experience and confidence they need going forward.”
Richardson is hoping the same play, the same confidence and same enthusiasm will be on display Saturday when Alcorn State (0-2) rolls in to Mumford Stadium. After all, this is the start of Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
 ”Now is our time to take a step toward getting to the championship game,” Rich-ardson said. “We just have to win one game at a time and improve.”
Though Alcorn no longer sports a defensive player as intimidating as Lee Robinson, the Braves do have Herve Tonye-Tonye—who had 17 tackles last week. Although the Braves have been outscored 100-0, their first two games were against Division I FBS opponents.
Saturday will be the first time a true verdict can be rendered on ASU. If history is any indication of how the Braves will look against their first FCS opponent, the score will be close.
Dating back to 2004, SU’s last three wins have come by four points or less. Its losses in ’05 and ’06 were 38-16 and 26-10 respectively.
“Alcorn has traditionally always played us tough,” Richardson said. “Their players get excited and anytime we play them it’s going to be a battle. Our players have to understand that.”
Now that Richardson has set the tone, it’s on his Jaguars to take care of business.
Keys to Victory
Control tempo with run game
Keep defense fresh
Establish offensive consistency
Players of Week
Lee Almanza
Jason House (five tackles, one interception)
Demetrius Bentley