2011 Season Preview:Jackson State Tigers
SWAC.org
Aug. 6, 2011
Courtesy Jackson State Sports Information Office -
2011 marks the 100th season of Jackson State football and the Tigers have high expectations. The 2010 season saw JSU regain its standing as one of the premier teams in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. JSU has one of the best quarterbacks in the country and the defense should be one of the better units in the SWAC.
Scouting the Offense
Under Offensive Coordinator Earnest Wilson (now in his second season at Jackson State) the Tigers offense improved dramatically from the previous season. In 2010 JSU’s offense led the SWAC in five statistical categories – scoring offense (33 points/game), total offense (412 yards/game), pass offense (314 yards/game), pass efficiency (149), first downs (21/game). The Tigers were seventh in rushing offense (98 yards/game).
Quarterbacks
Senior Casey Therriault (6-3, 205) will look to continue his assault on the JSU record book. Last season the prolific signal caller tied JSU’s single season touchdown record with 31. His 3,436 passing yards ranks second in JSU’s single season record book, behind Robert Kent’s 3,640. Therriault did break JSU single season completion record with 255. The Wyoming Park, Michigan native finished 2010 as the SWAC Newcomer of the Year, a first team All-SWAC member, a Walter Payton Award finalist (I-AA Offensive Player of the Year award), a Conerly Trophy finalist and was named a Sheridan Broadcast Network (SBN) All-American.
Among his other accomplishment he was second in the FCS in passing yards, third in yards per game and passing TDs. He was also ranked second in the nation in total offense (3,600 yards) and was first in points responsible for. As well as having a strong and accurate right arm, he was also capable of helping JSU win with his legs. By the end of the season he was the team’s third leading rusher with 164 yards and led the team with 10 rushing TDs. He opened the season with a career high 404 passing yards against Delta State. Therriault had two separate five passing TD games to go along with a trio of two rushing TD games. He led the Tigers to a fourth quarter come-from-behind win over Southern University – in one of the most exciting games in the history of the JSU-SU rivalry. Therriault ended his first season at JSU as one of the most decorated players in recent J-State history, despite playing only less than a half of the final game of the season. After playing the first two quarters he left the game with a broken collar bone. Fortunately for the Tigers he led JSU to 27 first half points, which was enough for JSU to hang on to a 27-14 lead.
The Tigers will have a good group of back-ups with some experience. Redshirt junior QB Dedric McDonald (6-5, 215) saw action in only three games last season and completed one of five pass attempts for six yards. He was hobbled with a broken foot at the end of the season. However, in the previous season he completed 41 percent of his passes for 539 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Mark Thigpen (6-3, 200) was thrown into the fire as a true freshman when Therriault was knocked out of the Capital City Classic. He completed two passes for 12 yards, but did enough as a running QB to help JSU hold on to the win.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Therriault and the other quarterbacks will have a group of talented, experienced wide receivers and tight ends. Senior Marcellos Wilder (6-3, 195) proved to be one of the best weapons in the SWAC. Wilder, a Tuscaloosa, Alabama native has the combination of size and speed that offensive coordinators covet for the position. Last season he caught 57 passes for 726 yards and eight touchdowns. He was ranked third in the SWAC and 38th in the nation in receptions per game. Wilder was a first team All-SWAC member. Junior Rico Richardson (6-1, 185) was third on the team in receptions with 34 for 538 yards and four touchdowns. Junior E.J. Drewery (6-6, 220) provided a large target for JSU QBs. He caught 23 passes for 468 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 20.3 yards per receptions. Senior Keenan Tillman (6-5, 220) fought his way through injuries to haul in nine passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Senior tight end Renty Rollins (6-4, 255) was named an All-SWAC first team member and a SBN All-American. The Detroit, Michigan native was arguably the best pass catching tight end in the conference. Rollins caught 30 passes for 336 yards and six touchdowns.
Running Backs
JSU will have a stable of capable running backs and full backs. Junior B.J. Lee (5-7, 185) returns as Jackson State’s most productive back. He led the team in rushing with 439 yards and two touchdowns on 99 carries. He averaged 4.4 yard per carry. He was also the fourth leading receiver on the team, hauling in 34 passes for 325 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore Tommy Gooden (6-0, 215) is a prototypical, every down back – with his size and speed. He recorded 80 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Both Lee and Gooden were sprinters on the JSU track and field team. Senior Demario Pippen (5-9, 215) served as a slot receiver last season, but returns to his natural running back position. Last season he caught 10 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. Senior Luther Edwards (5-8, 225) returns to the JSU backfield after sitting out last season due to academic issues. Edwards rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns in 2009. Sophomore Marquese Dunn (6-3, 230) saw limited playing time last season and will see time at full back this season.
Offensive Line
The offensive line will have only one full time starter return this season in junior Roderick Gladney (6-4, 360). Gladney will anchor JSU’s O-line. Despite the loss of four starters along the line, Jackson State should have great depth up front. Senior Keyun Swinney (6-4, 315), redshirt junior Derrick Jean (6-3, 270), redshirt freshman Darius Mitchell (6-3, 320), junior Stephen Capler (6-2, 270) and redshirt sophomore Aristacus Forster (6-3, 300) will all compete for starting jobs. JSU also added depth in this year’s recruiting class. Zion Pyatt (6-6, 280), Maurice Brooks (6-2, 295), Jeff Travillion (6-2, 305), Alvin Kelly (6-3, 350), Danny Williams (6-3, 320) and Remund Jackson (6-4, 295) will look to earn playing time this season.
Scouting the Defense
Under Defensive Coordinator Darrin Hayes, the JSU defense has consistently performed at a high level. Last season JSU’s “Dark Side” defense was ranked sixth in total defense in the SWAC. Because of injuries, JSU was forced to play inexperienced players last season and should have depth at most positions.
Defensive Line
For the JSU defense everything starts up front with the defensive line. Senior defensive end Donavan Robinson (6-4, 250) will look end his collegiate career with another dominant season. Robinson was named as a second team All-SWAC member. He finished last season with 52 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and a team high eight sacks. He was ranked in the nation in sacks (T-24) and tackles for loss (T-12). Robinson should be in the running for the Buck Buchannan award in 2011.
Junior Jonathan Billups (6-1, 320) is projected to be an anchor on the defensive line. He recorded 42 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Junior Javarius Conner (6-3, 250) is also projected to be an impact player, as well as newcomer Joseph Lebeau. JSU fans should also remember the name of junior Luis McLeod (6-3, 330). He had a solid spring and should be a lighter and more agile player in 2011. Last season he finished with 14 tackles.
Linebackers
The linebacker corps will be a key group for the Tigers defense this season. Last season’s group had only one senior in Ryan Rich. This season junior Milton Patterson (6-1, 235) will look to make an impact for the entire season. An early injury last season kept him from performing at a high level. However, as the season progressed he became one of the team’s biggest impact players, finishing as the team’s leading tackler with 66. He also had 13.5 tackles for loss (T-38th in the nation), a sack, an interception, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a safety – all with a broken wrist. He missed spring practice to have surgery on the wrist and is expected to be ready for the opening day of fall camp.
Sophomore Todd Wilcher (6-2, 230) was one of the freshmen forced into early action last season. He had a slow start but came on as the season progressed. He finished with 54 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. Junior Mike Hill (6-1, 190) and senior Andre Wright (6-0, 200) will also look to crack the starting lineup. JSU fans can also look for newcomers Arian McCree, Ryan Griffin and Chaise Pinesette to make contributions this season.
Secondary
The return and solid play redshirt senior cornerback Anthony Johnson (6-1, 205) will be key for Jackson State in 2011. His loss last season left a huge hole in the secondary. Johnson went down with a knee injury in the second game of the season. Prior to the injury he was JSU’s most coveted NFL prospect. With his size and speed he can cover the fastest wide receivers and is physical enough to make plays against the run. He should be a leader of the secondary and an All-SWAC performer this season.
When Johnson went down redshirt sophomore Qua Cox (6-0, 185) was thrown into the mix as a freshman. He suffered growing pains, but eventually held his own. Last season he had 29 tackles and two interceptions. He should be the starting corner on the opposite side of Johnson and should have plenty of opportunities to increase his interception number. JSU coaches believe he will take his game to another level as his skill and confidence grows.
Last season’s impact player, Tim Dandridge (6-1, 195) will move from his outside linebacker position to safety. The senior replaces three year starter Kerry Hoskins. The move should be a good one for JSU. In 2010 Dandridge showed the ability to cover and make plays against the run. He finished as the third leading tackler with 63. He also had five tackles for loss and along with Hoskins led the team with three interceptions. Junior Richard Hughes (6-0, 195) will look to fill the void left by Hoskins. He recorded 11 tackles last season.
Special Teams
JSU should be solid on special teams this season. Kicker Jabril Smith (6-1, 180) looks to return after suffering a foot injury that kept him sidelined most of the season. Last season he had only 17 kickoffs, but recorded a 57.5 yards average. Senior punter Reed Gallagher (5-10, 180) should have a productive season. Last year he handled all of the kicking duties when Smith went down. He punted 61 times for 2,150 yards (35.2 yards/punt) and had 51 kick-offs for another 2,731 yards (53.5 average). He was also 5-9 in field goals. He was a perfect 3-3 from 30-39 yards out.
B.J. Lee is projected to handle kick off duties and Rico Richardson has game experience at handling punt return duties. Lee recorded 369 kick return yards and Richardson had 43 punt return yards.
The Schedule
JSU will play two non-conference games this season. The Tigers will open the season against Concordia College from Selma, Alabama for the fourth Annual W.C. Gorden Classic at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Sept. 3. The following week JSU will face Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, Tennessee. On Sept. 17 JSU will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to face Southern in a rematch of last season’s shootout. The Tigers can expect a hostile atmosphere, as Southern played its last home game in Jackson at Memorial Stadium in 2009.
On Sept. 24 Alabama State comes to Jackson and the Tigers will look to get a little revenge against the Hornets. JSU opens the month of Oct. with back-to-back home games. JSU will host Texas Southern on Oct. 1 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Oct. 8 for the homecoming game. The Tigers head to Itta Bena, Mississippi to face Mississippi Valley State on Oct. 15 and to Shreveport, Louisiana to face Prairie View A&M on Oct. 29.
The Tigers will host Grambling State on Nov. 5 and will make its final road trip of the season on Nov. 12 to face Alabama A&M. On Nov. 19 the Tigers will face arch rival Alcorn State in the Capital City Classic.