SU must defeat Alcorn to remain in SWAC West race

Following two consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference loses, Southern finds itself in a must win situation Saturday against Alcorn State.
Southern (5-2, 3-2 SWAC) must win to keep pace with Grambling State (5-1, 5-0) in the Western division. If not, Southern can kiss its hopes of reaching Birmingham, Ala. to play in the SWAC Championship game good bye.
“Overall the attitude of our football team is good,” said Southern coach Pete Richardson. “We’re 5-2 and have to focus on winning one game at a time from here.”
Southern is on a two game losing skid and is 24-15 in Pete Richardson’s 15 year tenure at the school. Also, this is only the sixth time the Jaguars have lost consecutive games under Richardson.
In Saturday’s 26-32 defeat to Jackson State, Southern was riddled with injuries as Bryant Lee (ankle), Gerard Landry (ankle), Allan Baugh (knee) and Cory Ray (shoulder) all left the game with injuries.
“Injuries are starting to surface on our football team,” Richardson said.
Alcorn State (1-5, 1-4) has had its share of injuries also, but is coming off its first win of the season with a 22-20 victory over Texas Southern in Houston. Junior quarterback Tony Hobson, leads Alcorn Jr. Hobson is 25-of-55 for 253 yards, five interceptions and three touchdowns.
“Alcorn’s not a 1-5 team,” Richardson said. “Offensively I think they have seven starters coming back, good experience and an outstanding quarterback, Hobson.”
The Braves also possess a triple threat in WR/KR/PR Nate Hughes. Hughes has 29 receptions for 353 yards and two touchdowns, 14 punt returns for 167 yards and one touchdown, and 22 kick returns for 515 yards.
“When you look at the games we’ve played in the last few years, they’ve been hurting us on special teams,” Richardson said. “Hughes is very athletic. He creates problems at the wide receiver position, has great speed and also returns punts and kickoffs.”
For the Jaguars, redshirt sophomore quarterback Warren Matthews will get his second career start with Lee out nursing a sore ankle. Matthews is 6-of-12 for 83 yards and one touchdown.
“Warren is capable of stepping up for our program,” Richardson said. “His job is to manage our football team, protect the football and make the right decisions. He has the strongest arm on the team, now it’s just a matter of getting him the reps he needs.”
“The team is confident in him and the coaches are, so it’s just a matter of him going out and managing our team.”
Saturday is “Senior Day” and Southern will honor 17 seniors in its final home game. The list includes: Kendall Aguillard (DB), Jerry Bates (DB), Glenn Bell (DB), Nicholas Benjamin (WR), Charles Booker (WR), Darren Coates (RB), Jarmaul George (DB), Chad Harris (RB), Mark Henderson (WR), RoShon Jacobs (WR), Vincent Lands (DE), Gerard Landry (WR), Rueben Oliver (OL), Efe Osawemenze (DB), DeMarcus Stewart (OL), Trentin Thomas (OL) and Albert Turner (WR/KR). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
“It’s going to be the last home game for the seniors on our team,” Richardson said. “Those individuals have really paid a price this year. Hopefully we can finish up strong for them because I think they really deserve it.”
“I’m quite sure Alcorn’s going to come in fired up, so it’s going to be a big challenge for us,” Richardson said. “Regardless of the records it’s going to be an outstanding game because they always play us like there’s no tomorrow. That’s the way we expect it, and that’s the way it should be.”
Keys to Victory
– Good special teams play
– Contain Hughes
– Run football effectively
– Don’t surrender big plays defensively
Injuries
– Gerard Landry (ankle)
– Corey Ray (shoulder)
– Bryant Lee (ankle)
– Kendrick Smith (achilles)
– Demarcus Stewart (calf)
– Allan Baugh (knee)