SU to pressure Alabama State passing game

After last year’s 37-33 loss to the Hornets of Alabama State University in front of a home crowd of 17,274 fans, the Jaguars are ready to get revenge this Saturday, September 22, at the Gulf Coast Classic ,to be held at the Ladd-Peebles Memorial Stadium, in Mobile, Alabama.
Southern and Alabama State is meeting for the 21st time, Southern holds a 15-5 advantage over Alabama State. Last season’s match saw the Hornets get out to an early 19-0 lead.
At 11:15 into the first quarter Alabama State scored on a one yard run. After two more Alabama State touchdowns, SU’s Terrence Levy scored on a 12 yard run, a successful kick by former punter Justin Mattingly brought the score to 19-7 Hornets lead.
Later in the game Alabama State led 37-21 in the fourth quarter before the Jags could score two touchdowns in the final minutes of the game.
Despite the loss the Jaguars managed to escape with
465 total offensive yards-162 rushing and 303 passing while the Hornets picked up 449 total yardage 163 rushing and 287 passing.
Coach Pete Richardson and his team will be traveling for the first time this season, to face Richardson’s protégé, L.C. Cole head coach of the Alabama State Hornets. Richardson knows this will be a hard fought game against a team who is coached by a man who demands 100 percent from his players and his staff.
“He has the credentials because of his work habits and I’m proud he has his own program,” said Richardson. “Cole is a hard worker who demands the same in return.”
Alabama State, currently with no wins this season, has always had an effective passing game, will be playing without star quarterback Darnell Kennedy, who is academically ineligible for play this season. But, his absence has not affected their throwing game; the Hornets have two I-A transfers at quarterback who have proven to be effective playmakers. Alabama State has thrown 28 passes, completing 15 for a total of 148 and one touchdown.
The thing to do now is to figure out how to stop Alabama State’s passing game.
“We have to stop their throwing game and put pressure on the quarterback make them uncomfortable in the pocket…Make them move around,” said Richardson.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. This game is to be televised live in Baton Rouge on WBTR-TV Ch. 19; WSTY-TV Ch. 23 in New Orleans and KADO-TV Ch. 15.