Jaguars focus turns to Jackson State

 
When Dawson Odums was given the job as head coach of the Jaguars seven days ago, the stated conditions were familiar: he was named on an interim basis and would be evaluated by wins and losses.
Odums now facing the music of a (0-2, 0-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) record and away game against Jackson within a week Odums has little room for error.
“When you give great effort, you have a chance. I only require them to do two things: play with great discipline and play with great effort,” Odums said, at his first press conference as interim.
Odums had been interim coach once before at Clark Atlanta in 2004, which was followed by head coach appointment in 2005.
The interim coach has idea of what challenges the team may face in the 2012 season, which including Saturday’s 4 p.m. kickoff against Jackson State (1-2, 1-0 SWAC).
He’s well-seasoned in the talent pool and has assistant coaches to help guide the Jaguars season.
“This football team is moving forward,” Odums said. “We’re trying to focus the young men at the task at hand at that’s Jackson State. We believe we got a real good football team.”
Right now the blue and gold is preparing for a “black-out” display at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss., where they suffered a 49-45 loss in 2010.
For the Tigers, head coach Rick Comegy named Clayton Moore starting quarterback to lead his offense this weekend, which is first in total offense (396.3 ypg) and fourth in scoring (22.0).
For Comegy, who was proud the Tigers won its first game last weekend over Texas Southern 45-35, told reporters that Moore moved the offense well which sparked the team on its first win of the season.
“We’re in that mood to know what a loss feels like and know what a win feel like,” Comegy said. “It feels real good and you need that to happen in order to make a run for this championship.”
The Jaguars are still alive for its championship run. At 0-2, the defense ranks third in total yards allowed, which allows 61.5 passing yards per game-the fewest in the SWAC.
The defense is led by cornerback Virgil Williams, one of the most talented cornerbacks in the SWAC.
Williams is second on the team in tackles, but also has become an asset on special teams. Williams returned five punts for 71 yards in the Jaguars 0-6 home debut loss to Mississippi Valley Thursday.
Comegy’s offense, plans to test the Jaguars secondary. The Tigers are currently first in the conference (285 ypg) and are led by wide-receiver Rico Richardson and quarterback Moore. Richardson caught eight of Moore’s passes for 235-yards and three touchdowns in JSU’s win over TSU.
“We came out against Valley and they (the defense) played with a lot of energy,” Odums said.