Jackson Notes

[MACHIAVELLI]

Southern QB doing a lot with little help

By Mark Alexander
[email protected]

Southern quarterback J.C. Lewis has had very little run support this season. And he's played behind a revamped offensive line that continues to play musical chairs from week to week.

The combination of those two things has left Lewis running for his life at times, and taking more than his fair share of punishment. Still, the 5-foot-10, 190-pound sophomore has managed to put up impressive numbers as a first-year starter.

Lewis has thrown for 1,053 yards and nine touchdowns against only two interceptions while completing 61.7 percent of his passes. He ranks fourth in the SWAC in total offense (271.2 ypg) entering Saturday's game against Jackson State.

"He's doing a good job for them" JSU coach James Bell said. "He's a good athlete."

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[MACHIAVELLI]

RECAP: Grambling State handed Jackson State its third straight loss Saturday, manhandling the Tigers 52-21. The G-Men rolled up 568 yards of total offense.
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[MACHIAVELLI]

MONDAY'S UPDATE: Jackson State's pass defense has dropped from first to second and now all the way down to seventh in the SWAC after Grambling quarterback Bruce Eugene threw for 479 yards and five touchdown passes on Saturday. The Tigers are now giving up 205.6 yards per game through the air.
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[MACHIAVELLI]

Jackson State's defense was a ball-hawking machine through the first four games of this season, collecting an eye-popping 16 turnovers.

That ability to come up with the football not only helped the Tigers lead Division I-AA in turnover margin, it helped them stay in, and win football games.

Since then, the turnovers have dried up and so have the wins.

After a 2-2 start, JSU has lost three straight, including lopsided losses to Alabama State and Grambling. The Tigers have forced only three turnovers in those three losses, two coming in a 20-14 loss at Southern University.

Alabama State played turnover-free football, and Grambling only turned the ball over once

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[MACHIAVELLI]

GORDON PULLING TRIPLE DUTY


By Nate Olson/COMMERCIAL SPORTS EDITOR
Wednesday, October 26, 2005 9:37 AM CDT

When Cletis Gordon says he will do anything to help Jackson State win, he means it.



The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior has played offense, defense and special teams for the Tigers this season.

?I try to go out and make a play and help the team win,? Gordon said. ?When they do kick me the ball I try my best to make a big play. Everything I do is for the betterment of the team.?

Gordon, who was recruited by former head coach Robert Hughes as a wide receiver, leads the Southwestern Athletic Conference in interceptions with four. He also has 31 total tackles, including one for loss.

The Amite, La. native, who was an All-SWAC first-team kick returner last season, also 287 yards in kickoff returns with a touchdown in 13 attempts and 50 yards in punt returns. Offensively, Gordon has 26 yards rushing and three catches for 26 yards.

?Cletis is doing a good job,? Jackson State head coach James Bell said. ?He has a good supporting cast on punt returns. Markeese McGinty (senior return man) has taken some of the pressure off of him. With Markeese back there, they just can?t kick it away from him. He starts in the secondary, and he has done a good job with interceptions. He has been very consistent.

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