Alcorn State quarterback Brandon Bridge might be the most disappointing player in the conference this season.
His 5-for-21, 59-yard two interception performance in the 14-7 loss to Texas Southern is maddening for a guy who was regarded as the second best quarterback in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Some games Bridge shows flashes of brilliance. Other games, like against Grambling and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the sophomore is tremendously inconsistent.
Maybe Melvin Spears sent a message to Bridge by getting a long look at freshman Darius Smith against the Tigers.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff hadn’t given up a point in more than 60 minutes of game time before a late fourth quarter touchdown by Clark Atlanta in their 9-7 win. That “veteran but defense” head coach Monte Coleman has raved about has the Golden Lions sitting in first-place in the Western Division all by themselves.
John Posey, CEO of Urban Sports News, this week called Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault the Peyton Manning of the SWAC. Well, Therriault played a lot like Eli Manning, throwing six interceptions on 67 attempts (five in the first half) as Jackson State lost its first game of the season 21-14 to Eastern Division leading Alabama State. Who would have thought when the season began the Tigers and Braves would be looking up at the Hornets?
“We’re excited,” head coach Reggie Barlow said. “We told our guys it was going to be a championship-type game against a really good team on the road. We came in and played hard and I’m proud of them.”
As for the Tigers, they have committed 19 turnovers this season in just four games. Ball security or (lack thereof) has to a concern for head coach Rick Comegy. JSU was able to live on the fumble and interception edge and live about it in three wins. They were not so lucky Saturday.
The 12th loss Stump Mitchell suffered at Southern Saturday might have been his most demoralizing. The Jaguars were unable to hold onto a 16-point second-half lead against Florida A&M in the Atlanta Classic. What went wrong? Another fourth quarter meltdown.
Rattlers running back Lavante Page scoring two of his five touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help lead his team to a stunning 38-33 win didn’t help. It also didn’t help that Jaguars quarterback threw two late-game interceptions to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
I tip my hat to the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils for actually showing up against Prairie View. Never mind MVSU lost its 15th straight game (all by double-digits) 43-34 the team had a first and second half lead. Early prediction for next Saturday: Mississippi Valley State beats Southern.
If Brandon Bridge is the most disappointing player in the conference, Grambling State is its most disappointing team. Picked by everyone to win the SWAC championship, the Tigers now find themselves 1-3 after a lackluster loss to Alabama A&M. Doug Williams once again played musical chairs with his quarterbacks exchanging freshman D.J. Williams for Frank Rivers who threw for 116 yards and a touchdown after being inserted. Will Rivers start next week?
Quote of the Week:
“I think we started getting lackadaisical and complacent and thinking the game was over,” Southern’s Demetric Rogers told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the Jaguars 38-33 loss to Florida A&M “Now it is over, and we are on the losing end.”
Player of the Week:
Alabama A&M running back Kaderius Lacey rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs 20-14 win at Grambling.
Week 4 Report Card:
Jackson State: D
The Tigers had 487 yards of offense against Bama State. But seven turnovers — six by Casey Therriault — ruined Jackson State’s bid for an undefeated season.
Grambling: D
There might be a change at quarterback the next time the Tigers strap it up again.
Southern: D
Another second-half collapse did in the Jaguars again.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: B
The offense took a day off Saturday, but the defense was dominate enough to secure a two-point win.
Alabama State: B
It wasn’t pretty at times in a one score win against arguably the best team in the SWAC. However, it doesn’t have to be when your force seven turnovers.
Prairie View: B
The Panthers survived a dogfight against Mississippi Valley State.
Mississippi Valley State: C
Even in defeat, the Delta Devils showed significant improvement.
Alabama A&M: B
The Bulldogs snapped Grambling’s 4-year long home winning streak.
Alcorn State: F
The production in key areas was atrocious.
Texas Southern: B
The defense made the lives of Alcorn State’s quarterbacks miserable.
Why did SU’s Stump Mitchell change the Quarterback ? Does he not realize that once a man begins to perform, it is not good to interrupt him and have him to be pulled out. And then when he is put back in, sometimes it is hard for him to regain the level of his performance. What was he thinking ? just sayin’