bluedog
"Leader of Kings"
Alabama A&M (4-2) at No. 18 Southern (5-0), 7:00
For those of you not acquainted with black college football, please note that it is No. 18 Southern, not No. 13 Bethune-Cookman or No. 16 Grambling State, that currently tops the polls of the historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The Jaguars have rolled through their first five games, and come into this week?s showdown with Southern as the nation?s number one team in scoring defense (8.0 points per game) and number two unit in scoring offense (42.8 points per game). A victory against a quality Alabama A&M team would keep the pressure on GSU both in the polls and the SWAC Western division title hunt.
Southern has been led all season by the consistently strong play of its quarterback, Quincy Richard (1189 yards, 12 TD, 2 INT, 3 rushing TD). Richard is completing an outstanding 69 percent of his passes, and has not thrown a pick since August. Wideout Alfred Ard (18 receptions, 3 TD) has been Richard?s number one target, catching a trio of passes for 66 yards in last week?s 53-7 dismantling of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. A defense that was playing without injured linebacker Tarus Morgan (expected to return this week) still managed to overpower the Golden Lions, with cornerback Lenny Williams posting six tackles, a fumble recovery, and a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown. Pete Richardson?s team has intercepted 11 passes this year, and ranks third in I-AA pass efficiency defense (80.98).
That the Jaguars have allowed just three passing touchdowns this season should pose no concern for Alabama A&M, which has ridden its running game toward a 4-2 start. The Bulldogs have outscored their last three opponents, the weak trio of Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View, and Texas Southern, by a composite of 150-10. Running back Jeremiah Bonds (105 yards per game) leads the SWAC in rushing, though he has been limited to just 65 yards on 20 carries over the past three weeks. That has meant more opportunities for quarterback Johnny Keith (18-29 passing in two weeks), who appears to have won the full-time starting QB job entering this week. A defense that currently ranks 11th in I-AA (263 yards per game) will need a continued strong effort from players like defensive end Lieutenant Dukes, who has 5.5 sacks over his past four games.
Alabama A&M is red-hot and represents Southern?s stiffest challenge to date, but I just can?t get that 45-14 loss to Grambling State earlier this year out of my head. The Bulldogs are a nice team that will challenge for the SWAC Eastern division crown, but all appearances are that the Jaguars are in another class entirely. Pete Richardson?s team has been dominant on both sides of the ball, and I see their winning ways continuing in front of a friendly home crowd this week. Southern by double digits.
For those of you not acquainted with black college football, please note that it is No. 18 Southern, not No. 13 Bethune-Cookman or No. 16 Grambling State, that currently tops the polls of the historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The Jaguars have rolled through their first five games, and come into this week?s showdown with Southern as the nation?s number one team in scoring defense (8.0 points per game) and number two unit in scoring offense (42.8 points per game). A victory against a quality Alabama A&M team would keep the pressure on GSU both in the polls and the SWAC Western division title hunt.
Southern has been led all season by the consistently strong play of its quarterback, Quincy Richard (1189 yards, 12 TD, 2 INT, 3 rushing TD). Richard is completing an outstanding 69 percent of his passes, and has not thrown a pick since August. Wideout Alfred Ard (18 receptions, 3 TD) has been Richard?s number one target, catching a trio of passes for 66 yards in last week?s 53-7 dismantling of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. A defense that was playing without injured linebacker Tarus Morgan (expected to return this week) still managed to overpower the Golden Lions, with cornerback Lenny Williams posting six tackles, a fumble recovery, and a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown. Pete Richardson?s team has intercepted 11 passes this year, and ranks third in I-AA pass efficiency defense (80.98).
That the Jaguars have allowed just three passing touchdowns this season should pose no concern for Alabama A&M, which has ridden its running game toward a 4-2 start. The Bulldogs have outscored their last three opponents, the weak trio of Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View, and Texas Southern, by a composite of 150-10. Running back Jeremiah Bonds (105 yards per game) leads the SWAC in rushing, though he has been limited to just 65 yards on 20 carries over the past three weeks. That has meant more opportunities for quarterback Johnny Keith (18-29 passing in two weeks), who appears to have won the full-time starting QB job entering this week. A defense that currently ranks 11th in I-AA (263 yards per game) will need a continued strong effort from players like defensive end Lieutenant Dukes, who has 5.5 sacks over his past four games.
Alabama A&M is red-hot and represents Southern?s stiffest challenge to date, but I just can?t get that 45-14 loss to Grambling State earlier this year out of my head. The Bulldogs are a nice team that will challenge for the SWAC Eastern division crown, but all appearances are that the Jaguars are in another class entirely. Pete Richardson?s team has been dominant on both sides of the ball, and I see their winning ways continuing in front of a friendly home crowd this week. Southern by double digits.
