Alabama State University Football 2007


M

mighty hornet

The HMIC!!
2007 Football Preview: Hornets Defense Ready to Rock and Roll
Linebackers loaded with talent and aggressiveness
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The ASU defense was stellar throughout 2006. The Hornets finished the season among the conference's elite in almost every defensive statistic, including leading the SWAC in third down conversions. New faces must emerge to offset the loss of first team all-conference performers Chris Dupuy and Michael Coe.

Still, head coach Reggie Barlow and defensive coordinator Tony Pierce believe that, if everything comes together, this unit may be even more dominant.

Defensive Line

The Hornets' defensive line returns several talented, experienced players. Greg Tonico (Sr., 6-2, 309, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) recovered from two knee surgeries to become a powerful run stuffer.

Last year two Hornets battled their way into the starting lineup early in their freshman years and became major forces up front. Noel Alphonso (So., 6-5, 230, Tallahassee, Fla.) was named preseason 2nd team All-SWAC after compiling 17 tackles, with 10.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Christopher Preer (So, 6-3, 315, Phenix City, Ala.) developed a knack for occupying offensive limemen, freeing up the linebackers to make plays.

Brandon Walls (Jr., 6-0, 338, Memphis, Tenn.) and Rickey Coley (Jr., 5-11, 271, Bay Minette, Ala.) will team with newcomers Clyde Holloway (Jr., 6-1, 270, Lake Jackson, Texas), Milton Hall (Jr., 6-3, 290, Stone Mountain, Ga.) and Eugene Newbold (So., 6-7, 255, Birmingham, Ala.) to provide great depth.

Linebackers

The ASU linebackers were the perhaps the most dynamic unit in the conference last year. Dupuy was third in the nation in solo tackles, but he wasn't the only playmaker on the crew.

Leland Jones (Jr., 6-2, 222, Atlanta, Ga.) racked up 59 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and three sacks, in his first season.

Michael Figgers (Sr., 5-11, 225, Quincy, Fla.) tallied 47 tackles and 5.5 sacks while patrolling the middle. Rechard Johnson (So., 6-0, 185, Montgomery, Ala.) has tremendous speed, and will play the position vacated by Dupuy.

John Hogan (Jr., 5-9, 225, Tallahassee, Fla.), a bruising tackler, returns after a year off. In 2005, Hogan racked up 71 tackles, including 10.5 for loss. He'll bring great experience, as well as tremendous enthusiasm.

Adrian Hardy (So., 6-2, 193, Selma, Ala.) and Brandon McClure (Jr., 6-2, 205, Lilburn, Ga.) are the top candidates for backup slots.

Secondary

The Hornets were ranked among the top 15 pass defenses nationally for most of last season, and the defensive backfield was a major reason why.

Coe moved from safety to cornerback when Brandon Averett (Jr., 5-7, 159, Phenix City, Ala.) was lost to an injury.

With his return, Averett, 2007 preseason second team All-SWAC, and Jimmy Toussaint (Sr., 5-11, 175, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) will form a tremendous cornerback tandem.

Averett had a team-leading three interceptions to go with 28 tackles and five passes broken up in 2005.

Toussaint was a rock of consistency in 2006. He had 35 tackles, two interceptions and 9 passes broken up.

Roderick West (Jr., 6-1, 190, Selma, Ala.) may get the nod at rover and converted quarterback Jason Bruce (Jr., 6-2, 185, Montgomery, Ala.) has quickly earned the coaches' praise since his move to defense.

Lael Harrison (Jr., 5-10, 165, Stone Mountain, Ga.), Olajuwon Meadows (Jr., 5-11, 185, Lithonia, Ga.) and Javar Bruce (Sr., 5-11, 184, Montgomery, Ala.) will all see significant playing time
 



I don't know about that, because we ran up and down the field on that defense, especially Toussaint trash-talking arse. Everytime I looked up he was getting beat, but Nelson wouldn't throw the ball. We should have won that game if it wasn't for 2 costly Aries Nelson fumbles (1 going in on the goaline, and 2 the last drive of the game in Bama St. territory.)
 
Mr. SWAC said:
But their defense had something to do with those fumbles.
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Nah bruh, anybody who was there saw that they were on Aries Nelson and out center..

Fumble #1 We were on the goaline and he fumbled the exchange from the center before he could hand it off to Walter Burnette.

Fumble #2 While we were driving for the winning score, he was in the shotgun turning his head saying something when the center snapped the ball and he didn't catch it, then an ASU defender fell on the ball and the game was over.
 
JR said:
Frat, I was about to say that. LOL. Sounded like a TP statement about special teams and fumbles.
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I gave Pete and your team credit for what you did. To win on coaching is a great thing. I just keep tellin you tha unless Pete finds something else on the film, he won't get 14 points off of blocked punts this year. Pete deserved the points.

I also know a forced fumble and one that is not. If the fumble is forced, the defense gets the credit. The worst unforced fumble I ever saw in my life was when Tim Manning was two feet from the goal-line in Greensboro ten feet in front of his closest defender and dropped the ball...can't credit a defense for that...LOL
 
DGT, I was at that game and we played man press defense. I and most of the scouts at the game were focused on Mike Coe and ya'll all world receiver. I agree, Nelson had an awful game. The article is referring to the 2006 season instead of the one game. Valley put up some offensive numbers late in the game. The 2006 defensive stats will confirm that A&M and Bama State had the conference best Defense.
 
Devil's Gun Trigger Man said:
Nah bruh, anybody who was there saw that they were on Aries Nelson and out center..

Fumble #1 We were on the goaline and he fumbled the exchange from the center before he could hand it off to Walter Burnette.

Fumble #2 While we were driving for the winning score, he was in the shotgun turning his head saying something when the center snapped the ball and he didn't catch it, then an ASU defender fell on the ball and the game was over.
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It's was a simple case of defensive pressure on both plays. Your boys couldn't handle it so they gave it up. If you had any kind of a decent team at all last year those 2 fumbles shouldn't have mattered because we had no offense what so ever. Just admit that you lost because that what you were suppose to do and what you are accustom to.
 
Alabama State's new coach wants to contend in '07 :happydance::happydance::happydance:
Sunday, July 29, 2007
By REGGIE BENSON
Times Sports Staff [email protected]

BIRMINGHAM - Reggie Barlow didn't sound like a first-year head coach. In the past, first-year head coaches in the Southwestern Athletic Conference chose their words carefully. Not Barlow.

Barlow, Alabama State's fourth head coach in the last 10 years, didn't mince words last week during the league's annual media day.

"We're here to win championships," said Barlow, who replaced Charles Coe on May 4. "I don't think you can be scared to talk about it.

"We want to win championships and we want to do it this year. It's going to a be challenge, but we've got a good group of kids and they're excited about playing."

Barlow is also excited about having an opportunity to coach at his alma mater.

He joined the staff in 2005 as quarterbacks coach after an eight-year career in the National Football League and made an immediate impact. Now, two years later, Barlow is running the show.

"It's been great," Barlow said of his first few months on the job. "When you go out and get a head coach, you want somebody that has passion for the program and for the kids. Our players and assistant coaches have made it easy for me. It's always good when you feel like you're wanted. Our administration and players made it easy.

"I love ASU. This is my dream job."

Barlow knows he has to win to keep his dream job...

http://www.al.com/sports/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/sports/1185703163273280.xml&coll=1
 
Devil's Gun Trigger Man said:
Everytime I looked up he was getting beat, but Nelson wouldn't throw the ball. We should have won that game if it wasn't for 2 costly Aries Nelson fumbles (1 going in on the goaline, and 2 the last drive of the game in Bama St. territory.)
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Hey DGTM

nukka please............that really shows me how much u know about football

So you are saying that if yall had scored, yall woulda won huh?
 



enswaclopedia said:
It's was a simple case of defensive pressure on both plays. Your boys couldn't handle it so they gave it up. If you had any kind of a decent team at all last year those 2 fumbles shouldn't have mattered because we had no offense what so ever. Just admit that you lost because that what you were suppose to do and what you are accustom to.
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Dude in the game of football, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes usually wins. You can't keep turning the ball over on simple plays and expect to win, I don't care how inept the other offense is. Were u even at the game????? LOL! ok bruh. We'll see what happens when ya'll come to Itta Bena.
 
Devil's Gun Trigger Man said:
Dude in the game of football, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes usually wins. You can't keep turning the ball over on simple plays and expect to win, I don't care how inept the other offense is. Were u even at the game????? LOL! ok bruh. We'll see what happens when ya'll come to Itta Bena.
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Yeah but two turnovers should should not kill you....now during the Hughes era, JSU was having 5 to 8 turnovers in games and STILL lose by less than a TD..... :smh:
 
Devil's Gun Trigger Man said:
Dude in the game of football, the team that makes the least amount of mistakes usually wins. You can't keep turning the ball over on simple plays and expect to win, I don't care how inept the other offense is. Were u even at the game????? LOL! ok bruh. We'll see what happens when ya'll come to Itta Bena.
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Hey DG

GR is sure yall won the stat battle
 
Tigerpride said:
Yeah but two turnovers should should not kill you....now during the Hughes era, JSU was having 5 to 8 turnovers in games and STILL lose by less than a TD..... :smh:
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ya'll kill me with your lack of football knowledge. There is no set number of turnovers that a team should win in spite of. In the context of a game, just ONE turnover at an inopportune time can cripple a team and factor in them catching an L. Do we really have to go over this? Football 101 people.
 
Devil's Gun Trigger Man said:
ya'll kill me with your lack of football knowledge. There is no set number of turnovers that a team should win in spite of. In the context of a game, just ONE turnover at an inopportune time can cripple a team and factor in them catching an L. Do we really have to go over this? Football 101 people.
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You would have to be evenly matched teams for one turnover to determine a game.
 
mighty hornet said:
I see big things out of this defense.
:tup::tup:
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I think Barlow was a good hire... especially since it came late in the process. I didn't know he was out of the league but hell, he had a good stint there. It should be easy for yall since you only have to win the Magic City Classic to represent the East...unless Comegy can take his Tuskegee mojo to Jacktown when yall play.
 
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