SU-McNeese game matchup </MCC HEAD>
<MCC BYLINE1>By JOE SCHIEFELBEIN
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jschiefelbein@theadvocate.com <MCC BYLINE2>Advocate sportswriter </MCC BYLINE2>
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SOUTHERN OFFENSE VS. McNEESE STATE DEFENSE
Advantage: McNEESE
Quarterback Thomas Ricks gets his first start against one of the toughest opponents SU has faced in the Pete Richardson era. We'll find out about Ricks in a hurry. Ricks is going to need help, having his new 1-2 punch at running back, Gerald Holmes and Steel Adams, produce and block well; have the right side of his offensive line answer the call; and have his untested set of wide receivers grow up in a hurry. SU's best, most-proven playmaker is slippery, quick WR James Vernon. McNeese is two-deep in Division I-A transfers at the ends and has preseason All-American John Paul Jones at tackle. The left side of SU's line is the most experienced, with tackle Myniya Smith, so keep an eye on McNeese trying to exploit the right side.
McNEESE STATE OFFENSE VS. SOUTHERN DEFENSE
Advantage: SOUTHERN
McNeese's strength is in fifth-year senior Scott Pendarvis, a graduate student who is 24-5 as a starter, a hulking offensive line with four returning starters and a punishing attitude for running the ball. The Cowboys have to replace their backfield, but there's a lot of confidence in the replacement candidates, Chris Thomas and Steven Whitehead. Southern's line and linebackers are the best SU has had since 1999. Deep and speedy, that front seven will have to stand tall. Southern's secondary lost its top four players from a year ago. Though McNeese isn't a pass-oriented team like SU will face in the SWAC, the Cowboys will take their shots.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Advantage: EVEN
Southern sophomore K Breck Ackley went 10-for-13 on field-goal tries, making his last eight, as a freshman. A Lake Charles product, he'll have to show some cool tonight. The Jaguars don't have Ezra Landry to return kicks, but KR Kevin Moffett, with 4.3 speed, and PR James Vernon are as dangerous as they come. ... McNeese senior K John Marino is a preseason All-American, making 16 of 21 FGs last season. P Jason Cook averaged a solid 38.2 yards per punt last season.
SOUTHERN WILL WIN IF:
The Jaguars protect the football. Ricks has to be steady, because McNeese will bring the house to test him, and get the ball to his playmakers. That's where SU was successful last season. If James Vernon is making plays, Southern has a chance to win. The defense, especially the secondary, has to avoid giving up the big play.
McNEESE STATE WILL WIN IF:
Pendarvis can control the game. The Cowboys' front lines have to be better and more consistent than the Jaguars'. Meanwhile, they have to get to Ricks and force turnovers. Plus, their blitz has to be more effective than the ones Southern faced last season, because that's an area SU exploited all year.
PREDICTION
Southern is playing for the pride of the SWAC. McNeese has beaten SWAC kingpin Grambling the last two seasons (52-20 and 31-20). And the Division I-AA clique says SWAC teams aren't in the class of Southland teams. Both coaches have said all week that this one will be physical, especially with the teams strong on both front lines.
SOUTHERN 21, McNEESE STATE 20
