As Saturday’s season opener against UL-Lafayette nears, Pete Richardson is getting back to being his normal self.
At Wednesday’s press confer-ence Richardson walked with pep in his step. The gleam in his eyes that’s been there his last 16-years on the Bluff was there. As usual he used the word individual, and yes, though he’s still business like, he even found time to smile.
After all, Richardson has a lot to smile about these days.
His Jaguars return un-doubtedly the SWAC’s most lethal duo in conference first-teamers QB Bryant Lee and WR Juamorris Stewart. For the first time in three years there is depth on the offensive line and the stable of wide outs is plentiful, the running backs are deep also.
The unanswered question: defensive line.
Last season, even with a senior-laden group, SU had trouble cor-ralling mobile quarterbacks. This year, however, Richardson believes the defensive front is more athletic and won’t have a problem chasing down quarter-backs.
“We lost some talent on the defensive line and that was one of the things we were concerned about,” Richardson said. “I think (Don) Holloway, (Dexter) James, (Ted) Jones and (Jordan) Miller have come along fine.”
ULL, who returns nine de-fensive starters, has been bowl eligible three of the last four sea-sons. The Ragin Cajuns averaged 33.1 points per game last season and 263.7 yards rushing. If the Jaguars hope to stay competitive or have a shot at an upset, they must contain the run.
That task will hinge heavily on the newly assembled defensive line.
“We’re going against the big boys as they call it,” Richardson said. “Being heavy underdogs will be challenging for us but we’re going to compete.”
If the Jaguars compete, like Richardson, in due time will be back to being themselves.
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Jags ready to get answers against ULL
September 3, 2009
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