As the chase for the SWAC championship heads into the final stretch, several teams in the hunt are relying on backup quarterbacks to lead the way.
Alabama State, which is trying to overtake Jackson State for the SWAC East lead, has been without starter Andrew Body since he injured his shoulder against Prairie View on Nov. 1.
Head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. has turned to reserve Te’Sean Smoot while Body is out for an undetermined period of time. The transfer quarterback, in his first start against Texas Southern, was steady for the Hornets in a 42-24 win on Saturday.
“Smoot was out there playing, got a start, did a great job, got a win,” Robinson said. “So one and zero as a starter. I’m super proud of him — just the way he’s been working, preparing, and waiting for his opportunity.”
Smoot was efficient and mistake-free, completing 69 percent of his passes with a passer rating of 233.5. The quarterback attempted just 13 passes without committing a turnover.
His very first attempt as a starter set the tone — an 87-yard strike to Jalen Jones on a seam route for a touchdown. It proved to be his only scoring pass of the day.
Still, Smoot led the Hornets on eight offensive drives, maximizing each possession with poise beyond his years.
Robinson emphasized that Smoot’s readiness was a product of patience and persistence, qualities he said every athlete must develop. “In life, you never know when you’ll get your opportunity,” Robinson said. “I love to see how he’s taken advantage of it.”
SWAC West hopeful turned to fourth-stringer in a big game
Grambling State, which clinched its first winning season since 2019 after a 31-23 win over Bethune-Cookman, did so under the guidance of fourth-string quarterback Hayden Benoit. Benoit, a true freshman, was named the SWAC Newcomer of the Week after throwing for 220 yards and four touchdowns against the Wildcats.
Hayden’s our guy,” Tigers coach Mickey Joseph said, who started Benoit due to injuries to Grambling’s other quarterbacks, including starter C’zavian Teasett, who has missed the last two games while recovering from an undisclosed injury sustained on Oct. 25.
Joseph credited his offensive staff for keeping the group steady, especially quarterbacks coach Shyrone Carey, who has been guiding his fourth signal-caller of the season. “It’s not easy, but this young coach hasn’t blinked,” Joseph said. “He keeps coaching them hard. They’re meeting, they’re locked in, and he’s done a great job preparing them.”
Joseph said Saturday’s game plan centered on keeping things simple for Benoit and trusting his leadership. “I told him, this isn’t too big for you. Hand it off, take the high-percentage throws, hit the deep ball when it’s there — you’ll be fine,” Joseph said. “He’s a tough kid out of Louisville, Louisiana, and when his number was called, he didn’t blink.”
The Grambling coach emphasized the team’s internal motto of staying ready for their moment. “We made a pact with our 105 guys — sooner or later, your number will be called. You’ve got to be prepared to do your job. And when these kids’ numbers have been called, they’ve stepped up.”
Defending SWAC champs have been steady under freshman QB
At Jackson State, coach T.C. Taylor echoed a similar message of growth for an inexperienced quarterback tasked with keeping the Tigers in first place in the SWAC East.
Jared Lockhart has been thrust into the spotlight and continues to earn his coach’s confidence with each outing.
“It pleases me to watch Jared’s growth right now,” Taylor said about Lockhart, who is 2-0 as a starter this season. “At this stage of the season, with everything on the line, he’s handled it well. Every start, every Saturday, you can see him getting better.”
Lockhart has been the guy since All-SWAC quarterback JaCobian Morgan sustained a lower leg injury versus Grambling State in Las Vegas.
Taylor added that Lockhart’s work ethic and love for the game have fueled his steady progress. “He knows there’s a lot on his shoulders, but he’s embracing it,” he said. “He’s going to be a really good one in this league going forward.”
The Jackson State coach also credited his staff for tailoring the offense to fit Lockhart’s strengths.
“We’ve done a good job as an offensive unit identifying what he can do to be successful,” Taylor said. “And he’s going out there and playing at a high clip.”
