Coach pleased with QB play heading into Chicago Classic game

Following last week’s victory over Florida A&M, Southern University head coach Pete Richardson said he’s pleased with the way sophomore quarterback Bryant Lee played.
“Lee’s starting to come on,” said Richardson. “He developed chemistry with the wide receivers, had a great off-season conditioning and studied in the film room.”
Lee finished last week’s game 22-29 for 215 yards and one touchdown, while connecting with eight receivers. His touchdown pass came on a 46-yard connection with receiver Gerard Landry. Lee also rushed 18 times for 71 yards and one touchdown.
And with Lee proving himself as a gamer with two solid performances as a starter, Richardson seems to be confident in his sophomore quarterback.
“Lee’s a nonchalant individual,” Richardson said. He’s not going to say a lot. But the thing about him, you watch him practice and you swear he can’t play but you put him out there and a light goes on, and that’s all you’re looking for.”
Also the offensive line answered doubters who thought they were thin in numbers and one of the most fragile units on the team, only allowing two sacks.
“Our offensive line did a great job keeping the opposing line off the quarterback,” Richardson said. “Especially our two tackles Trent Thomas and Myles Williams.”
Thomas, a junior from Beaumont, Texas, played with Southern the last two seasons as a tight end, but saw action with the defensive line before being moved to offensive tackle in the pre-season scrimage.
“People thought I was crazy when I moved Trent to offensive tackle,” Richardson said. “What I was trying to do is get the best players we had on our football team to help us out because he played tight end and can still play tight end. He’s one of the finest athletes we have.”
“We changed his position early enough to build up his confidence. He’s an individual that’s very intelligent and will do what you tell him, and that’s what he did in that aspect.”
Williams, a sophomore from Upland, Calif., filled in as a backup last season but has been promoted to a starter because of the units attrition.
“I thought Myles did an outstanding job on the other side against one of the premiere pass rushers in their conference,” Richardson said. “He did a fine job of keeping him off the quarterback. I think coach Orlando and his staff did a fine job of doing some things scheme wise to help him out also, realizing what kind of pass rusher he was.”
Concerns for Richardson and the Jaguars going into this week’s game are MVSU’s special teams. In last week’s game versus Arkansas Pine-Bluff, MVSU senior wide receiver Clarence Cotton returned three kicks for 88 yards. He averaged 29.3 yards per return and had a long of 35 yards. Cotton also had three punt returns for 58 yards.
“Cotton is a return guy that can make things happen anytime he touches the ball,” Richardson said. “When you look at Mississippi Valley historically, they’ve always had good special teams, especially return people that can make big plays. Keeping them out of the end zone has to be a concern for us.”
Other top performers for Valley includes quarterback Paul Roberts who went 15-27 for 153 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Abner Brown also had eight receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.
“We’re going against a good football team,” Richardson said. “You look at Valley and they won last week against Arkansas Pine-Bluff, the pre-season scrimage pick to win our conference.”
The game will take place Saturday, September 8th. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., at Solider Field, in Chicago.
Last Time vs. MVSU
Last season Southern took care of business at home with a 31-14 win over the Delta Devils.
Richardson vs. MVSU
Richardson led teams have been successful versus Mississippi Valley, going 11-1 in 12 games over his 14 seasons at Southern. The only loss came in 2005, when the Jaguars lost 31-28 to the Delta Devils in Itta Bena, Miss.
Return to Chicago
This week’s 10th Annual Chicago Football Classic will be the second meeting between Southern and Mississippi Valley in Chicago. Southern faced MVSU in Soldier Field in 1997, defeating the Delta Devils 51-30.
Chicago Connection
Southern has one player from Chicago on its 2007 roster. Sir Edward Staten, a freshman who attended Homewood-Flossmore High School.