SWAC: 2015 Jackson State Tigers Football Preview

Courtesy SWAC.org Courtesy: SWAC.org View Photo 2015 Football Preview: Jackson State Courtesy SWAC.org Fri, August 07, 2015 Setting out to rebound from its first losing season in four years, Jackson State (5-7, 3-6 SWAC) looks to return to its winning ways in 2015. With the return of East St. Louis (Illinois) High School teammates LaMontiez Ivy and Daniel Williams, the Tigers have the pieces in place to improve offensively. Despite ranking No. 2 in the SWAC in passing offense (273.8 yards per game), JSU finished eighth in the 10-team league in both scoring (25.8 points per game) and total offense (376.1 ypg). One of six incumbent offensive starters, Ivy is poised to build upon a breakthrough sophomore season after completing a school-record 64 percent of his passes for a SWAC-best 3,209 yards and 22 touchdowns vs. 14 interceptions. There is no doubt as to Ivy's favorite target as Williams ranked first in the SWAC with 73 receptions, third in receiving yardage with 1,004 and second in touchdowns catches with nine. Defenses can't focus entirely on Williams as the Tigers return their top four receivers. Jairus Moll (34-485-6), Devin Fosselman (32-292-1) and DeSean McKenzie (22-356-3) are all back for their senior seasons. Second-year head coach Harold Jackson is looking for an upgrade in the running game after the Tigers ranked last in the SWAC and 111th out of 121 FCS teams with a meager 102.2 ypg. Jarius Moore (77 carries, 380 yards, 3 TDs) and Robert Johnson IV (64-304-1) provided the bulk of the production in the backfield. Part of the Tigers' struggles in developing an effective running game can be attributed to injuries on the offensive line. Junior Markus Cook is the mainstay up front after splitting time between left guard and center last fall. Penciled in at left guard, Cook is joined on the projected starting five by junior left tackle Christian Marshall, sophomore center Robert Harris, sophomore right guard Vincent Hunter and sophomore right tackle Stephen Gilbert. New defensive coordinator Alonzo Lee inherits seven returning starters from a unit which ranked in the top half of the conference in most categories last year, including fourth in scoring (27.6 ppg), third in total defense (366.8 ypg) and second in pass defense (195.2 ypg). Lee re-positioned a couple of key players from linebacker to defensive end while scrapping the 3-4 in favor of the 4-3 over the spring. Last year's leading tackler, Javancy Jones (108 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 3 sacks) has moved up front. Teddrick Terrell (27 tackles, 3 TFL) has returned to the edge after spending an injury-plagued 2014 season at linebacker. A second-team All-SWAC defensive end in 2013, Terrell logged 46 tackles, 13.5 TFL and three sacks. Jones and Terrell will flank junior Cornelius Henderson (50 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles) on the D-line. Other players to watch are junior linebacker Stacy Noble (65 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks) and senior left cornerback Robert Porter (61 tackles, 1 interception, 9 pass breakups). Page 2 of 2 - As for the kicking game, senior Ryan Deising converted 18-of-23 field goal tries, including a school record-tying 50-yarder. JSU SCHEDULE DATE OPPONENT TIME Sept. 5 at Middle Tennessee State 6:00 Sept. 12 Tennessee State (at Memphis) 6:00 Sept. 19 at Southern* 6:00 W.C. Gordon Classic (White Out) Sept. 26 Texas Southern* 6:00 Oct. 3 Grambling State* 6:00 Oct. 17 at Alabama A&M* 1:00 Oct. 24 Arkansas Pine Bluff* (HC) 2:00 Oct. 31 at Mississippi Valley* 4:00 Nov. 7 Alabama State* (Veterans Night) 6:00 Nov. 21 at Prairie View A&M* 4:00 Nov. 28 Alcorn State* (Senior Day) 2:00 Bold Games: Home * Conference Games Video