This week’s SWAC Sunday Morning Quarterback was nearly derailed due to a seafood allergy. Thanks to over-the-counter medicine and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, I was able to suck it up and complete this post.
Alabama A&M quarterback Deaunte Mason didn’t need his arm to beat Tuskegee. His legs worked just fine. Mason went 11-of-24 for 62 yards and a touchdown in the 21-6 win Saturday. But he also rushed 11 times for 91 yards (led the team) and a score.
The defense, which had given up 705 yards of total yards in losses to Hampton and Southern, surrendered 149 yards, zero points and five sacks. In fact, the Bulldogs defense has not allowed a score in the second half of last two games. So much for being demoralized after the Chicago Football Classic.
Alcorn State quarterback Brandon Bridge was listed as a game-time decision against Mississippi Valley State after suffering a hip flexor injury against Arkansas-Pine Bluff a week earlier.
After the 39-14 beat down the Delta Devils endured, the folks in Itta Bena wished Melvin Spears would have sat out Bridge following his three touchdown performance at Jack Spinks Stadium. If you are scoring at home, Mississippi Valley has lost 14 straight games.
“I certainly hope we don’t take anything from this past week,” said Grambling head coach Doug Williams prior to their game versus Alabama State. “I hope we change up the whole thing for this week and come out on top. I don’t think there’s nowhere to go but up for this week. It’s not going to be a cakewalk walking in there and we understand that. We gotta play a much better football game than we did last week.”
Grambling didn’t play better. They were manhandled by the Hornets 31-17. The fourth quarter told the story of this game as the Tigers were outscored 21-7. Looking at the box score, Grambling used three quarterbacks in this game. Backups Frank Rivers and David Stuckman took snaps. Rivers, who many believed should have been the starter over D.J. Williams, went 1-for-3 with two interceptions. Stuckman only threw one pass. Could the elder Williams be second guessing his decision to start his son? (See video highlights of this game)
Don’t look now but Arkansas-Pine Bluff leads the SWAC Western Division after knocking off Prairie View 36-29. Down by 15 points entering the final quarter, the Golden Lions scored 22 unanswered points to stage a shocking win.
7, 21, 14 and 7. Those are not local state lottery numbers. Those are the number of points Texas Southern scored each quarter in their 49-6 win over Texas College. The Tigers needed that win as they have Alcorn State next week.
Trailing 24-21 with 4:36 minutes to play, Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault did what he always does; look for Rico Richardson on a pass pattern. The two hooked up to cap a 65-yard drive to give the Tigers another heart-stopping win in as many weeks and the second such win against Southern.
The Tigers’ rushing attacked controlled the clock as they racked up 155 yards. B.J. Lee led the way, rushing for 81 yards on 13 carries. Dray Joseph, last week’s SWAC POTW, threw three touchdowns. He only completed one pass in the fourth quarter and Southern’s rushing attack struggled to get anything going, as Jackson State held the Jaguars to 19 yards.
Quote of the Week:
“The SWAC conference must don’t know… They might be hungry but we STARVING,” said Jackson State offensive lineman Zion Pyatt via Twitter following the Tigers 24-28 win at Southern
SWAC Player of the Week:
Alabama A&M’s defense held Tuskegee to less than 200 yards total offense in a 21-6.
Week 3 Report Card
Grambling State: F
After the Tigers second straight loss, could there be a shake up at quarterback?
Alcorn State: B
The cure to a modest two-game losing streak is to beat up on Mississippi Valley State.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: B
Two weeks in a row the Golden Lions fought back and responded like a team who wants to play for a championship.
Texas Southern: A
The only down side of their win against Texas College was the defense giving up six points.
Mississippi Valley State: F
Lose. Rinse. Repeat. That’s been the season in a nutshell for the Delta Devils.
Alabama State: A
The Hornets defense forced four turnovers in their win versus Grambling.
Alabama A&M: B-
It wasn’t pretty at times against Tuskegee on offense, but the Bulldogs were able to hold on to a second half lead.
Prairie View: F
Two bad losses in three games.
Jackson State: C
Therriault turned the ball over four times against Southern in a sloppy contest. He redeemed himself and threw the game-winning touchdown.
Southern: D
The Jaguars played inspired football against their arch-rival. But the defense couldn’t hold a late-fourth quarter lead.
