bluphiiijsu
Creative Director
September 29, 2001
JSU at Alabama A&M
Bulldogs betting blitz will keep lid on Kent
By Mark Alexander
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer
It's no secret what Alabama A&M's defensive strategy is tonight against Jackson State: Blitz, blitz and blitz some more.
JSU (2-0) at A&M (1-2)
Louis Crews Stadium, Normal, Ala., 6:30 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: JSU network, WOAD-AM 1300 in Jackson
"We're going to come after him," Alabama A&M defensive end Ardante Dawson said of JSU quarterback Robert Kent. "We're going to make him pay with every throw he makes."
Kent directs a JSU offense that ranks first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring at 46.5 points per game.
Blitzing isn't anything new for the Bulldogs, who rode a bring-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink philosophy all the way to the SWAC Championship Game last season. Alabama A&M coach Ron Cooper says it's even more imperative to turn up the heat tonight. If the Bulldogs can't get to Kent, he says, it's lights out for his team.
"We're not going to sit back and let him take his time back there," Cooper said.
JSU and Alabama A&M, both 1-0 in SWAC play, are the only Eastern Division teams without a conference loss.
Kent got a taste of what he'll see tonight when JSU beat Alabama A&M last year, 34-28 in overtime.
"It seemed like they blitzed us every down," said Kent, the SWAC's total offense leader. "They come at you at all angles . . . inside, outside. If we had seven in blocking, they would bring eight. Then every once in a while they'll show blitz and back out of it. We know we have to be prepared for that."
JSU's offensive linemen worked on zone blocking principles this week in practice. And JSU offensive coordinator Darrell Asberry put in a few new wrinkles ? mainly quick-hitting plays ? to cope with the Bulldogs' various blitz packages.
"We know they are going to try to confuse us," JSU center Gary Akins said.
JSU's offense, which turned in a plethora of big plays in last week's 66-36 win at Mississippi Valley State, could make even more big plays tonight in Huntsville ? if the Tigers are able to pick up the blitz.
"I hope they do blitz," coach Robert Hughes said. "We've got receivers who can go the distance."
Alabama A&M's defense isn't as strong as last year's unit that set an NCAA record by holding foes to 39.7 rushing yards per game. But it remains among the best in the league and is still capable of harassing an opposing quarterback. Ask Texas Southern's Adam Lamb, who was picked off four times in a 24-10 loss to Alabama A&M last week.
"They can only bring so many," JSU guard Chris Hammonds said. "We're going to have to talk a little bit more, but we'll be all right."
JSU at Alabama A&M
Bulldogs betting blitz will keep lid on Kent
By Mark Alexander
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer
It's no secret what Alabama A&M's defensive strategy is tonight against Jackson State: Blitz, blitz and blitz some more.
JSU (2-0) at A&M (1-2)
Louis Crews Stadium, Normal, Ala., 6:30 p.m.
TV: None
Radio: JSU network, WOAD-AM 1300 in Jackson
"We're going to come after him," Alabama A&M defensive end Ardante Dawson said of JSU quarterback Robert Kent. "We're going to make him pay with every throw he makes."
Kent directs a JSU offense that ranks first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring at 46.5 points per game.
Blitzing isn't anything new for the Bulldogs, who rode a bring-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink philosophy all the way to the SWAC Championship Game last season. Alabama A&M coach Ron Cooper says it's even more imperative to turn up the heat tonight. If the Bulldogs can't get to Kent, he says, it's lights out for his team.
"We're not going to sit back and let him take his time back there," Cooper said.
JSU and Alabama A&M, both 1-0 in SWAC play, are the only Eastern Division teams without a conference loss.
Kent got a taste of what he'll see tonight when JSU beat Alabama A&M last year, 34-28 in overtime.
"It seemed like they blitzed us every down," said Kent, the SWAC's total offense leader. "They come at you at all angles . . . inside, outside. If we had seven in blocking, they would bring eight. Then every once in a while they'll show blitz and back out of it. We know we have to be prepared for that."
JSU's offensive linemen worked on zone blocking principles this week in practice. And JSU offensive coordinator Darrell Asberry put in a few new wrinkles ? mainly quick-hitting plays ? to cope with the Bulldogs' various blitz packages.
"We know they are going to try to confuse us," JSU center Gary Akins said.
JSU's offense, which turned in a plethora of big plays in last week's 66-36 win at Mississippi Valley State, could make even more big plays tonight in Huntsville ? if the Tigers are able to pick up the blitz.
"I hope they do blitz," coach Robert Hughes said. "We've got receivers who can go the distance."
Alabama A&M's defense isn't as strong as last year's unit that set an NCAA record by holding foes to 39.7 rushing yards per game. But it remains among the best in the league and is still capable of harassing an opposing quarterback. Ask Texas Southern's Adam Lamb, who was picked off four times in a 24-10 loss to Alabama A&M last week.
"They can only bring so many," JSU guard Chris Hammonds said. "We're going to have to talk a little bit more, but we'll be all right."