Road trip to Alcorn poses stiff task for SU

Southern embraced an early bye week and is now back to the everyday grind of football.
SU took advantage of the bye resting injured players and getting others extra conditioning work. Now it’s time to strap on the pads.
SU (1-2) faces Alcorn State, Saturday, a team the Jaguars narrowly defeated 14-10 in A.W. Mumford last season.
Alcorn smashed SU 26-10 the last time the two met in Jack Spinks Stadium, as the Braves came up with four interceptions, two fumbles and two sacks.
“The last time we played them in Lorman we started pretty good, but they put a thumping on us in the second half,” said SU senior defensive back Michael Williams.
The game will be key as SU faces Southwestern Athletic Conference foes in seven of its remaining eight games. Alcorn had upset SU10-26 in 2006 and 16-38 in 2005. It’s also SU’s first SWAC contest counting toward the standings this season.
“Alcorn’s going to be a tough opponent, but our goal is to get to the championship,” said SU head coach Richardson said. “We have to play one game at a time and just get focused.”
SU last beat Alcorn in Spinks Stadium, 23-20, Oct. 23, 2004. That same season SU went 8-4 and returned to the SWAC Championship game, losing to Alabama State, 35-40.
But, will the bye be just what the doctor ordered?
The task of reaching December’s SWAC Championship game certainly doesn’t get any easier for SU as it returns to Mississippi Oct. 4, to face reigning champion Jackson State in Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“I’m excited,” Williams said. “It’s my senior year and I get one last time to play in front of the home town fans. I’m from Natchez and that’s the school a lot of people go to from Natchez.”
Williams also acknowledged the fact that Alcorn plays SU tough every year, and this time will be no different.
“Every time we play against Alcorn they play us like it’s their championship game,” Williams said. “I’m look forward to it. I just want to go out there and enjoy myself.”
Alcorn is led by defensive standout Lee Robinson. Seeing action at both inside and outside linebacker, Robinson exploded for nine tackles, a sack and an interception Thursday in a 13-3 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Alcorn is 1-3 under first year head coach Earnest Jones.
“I’m excited about playing those guys,” said Jones. “I’m familiar with the Alcorn, Southern match up and the atmosphere there. It’s going to be an unbelievable game.”
Players to watch
Juamorris Stewart
Vince Lands
Kendrick Smith
Brian Threat
Keys to Victory
Good offensive start
Run football
Protect Bryant Lee
Prevent turnovers
Stop Alcorn’s pass attack
Injuries
Ramon Chinyoung (groin)
Chris Browne (knee)
Notes
The bye week gave SU a brief chance to catch its breath before facing SWAC foes in seven of its remaining eight games and two weeks to prepare for Alcorn, a team the Jaguars beat on a goal line stand last season, 14-10. Alcorn had upset SU10-26 in 2006 and 16-38 in 2005.
Lagniappe
The past three Octobers have been rough on SU as the Jaguars have gone 1-2 in 07, 0-3 in 06 and 1-2 in 05. The last time SU had a winning record in October came in 2004 when SU went 5-0.