Jags seek redemption

As many as 42,000 fans will be able to pack Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. to watch the Southern University Jaguars (1-1, 1-1) face off with the Alabama State Hornets in a big conference showdown. The game will be broadcasted live on CSTV (College Sports Television).
The two teams have played each other five times in the past two years, each winning at least one conference championship when facing off.
“Seems like it’s been a long time since we have had the opportunity to play,” said football head coach Pete Richardson. “This is a huge game for us, which will be a big challenge for us. We look forward to playing this weekend.”
The Jaguars have not played since their 38-0 shut out against Prairie View on Sept. 17. The Albany State-Southern football game had been cancelled with no make-up date due to Hurricane Rita. Southern and their opponent’s travel plans have been affected every week this season due to hurricanes.
“It did more damage to our site than anything else,” Richardson said. “Because you prepare all week and we had some good practices up to that time knowing that we are going to play. Now we have to rekindle that and get them ready to go again.”
Overall the Jaguars are psyched about the upcoming battle against their foe Alabama State. Last season, Southern removed a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull out a 42-41 win over the Hornets in the regular season. The Hornets, though, got the biggest form of revenge in December with a 40-35 win at Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game in Birmingham, Ala.
“There’s a lot of energy between both of us, both teams are psyched and I don’t expect it to be any different this Saturday,” said co-captain James Vernon. “They play the same way, they didn’t change too much. I know Coach Coe has them ready down there and I expect a battle.”
Alabama State (3-1, 3-0) defeated Alcorn State last week 38-3 in Montgomery.
Alabama State has taken the lead in the Eastern Division of the SWAC.
The Hornets were the favorite to win the Eastern Division for a third straight season in the conference’s preseason voting. The Hornets, a solid program that leads in total offense scoring (16 touchdowns, 457.8 yards/game) have preseason SWAC player of the year and three times 2005 SWAC player of the week quarterback Tarvaris Jackson.
“When you look at Alabama State, Coach (Charlie) Coe will have to be all smiles today; because it looked liked they just destroyed Alcorn last week,” Richardson said. “Looking at their quarterback, Jackson, he had a phenomenal game I think he completed his first 11 passes in the first half . . . they were up 27 — 0 before the game actually got started.”
Jackson (68-111-2, 10 TD’s) also has the help of the Hornets top running backs Keldric Williams (68 carries, 311 yards, 4 TD’s) and Robert Randolph (29 carries, 244 yards). The Hornets have rushed for a season high of 228 yards in their game against Arkansas Pine-Bluff.
Defense has been a big concern for the Jaguar football team. Co-captain defensive end Rene Gettridge states that they are ready for Jackson and the Hornets.
“They have a lot of talented players on their offense in the quarterback and running back positions. We just have to do our job on defense and contain them,” Gettridge said.
Both programs are led by quarterbacks who have great intensity in moving the football. Southern quarterback, J.C. Lewis (43-67-1, 4 TD’s) has experienced the power of the Alabama State defense and says that they will have to maintain ball control and execute every play well.
“When they blitz they will give up a lot of big plays and we’ve got to capitalize on those big plays,” said Lewis. “If we don’t we’re going to miss opportunities and we can’t miss opportunities against a good team like Alabama State.”