HBCU Football Notebook: Southern’s Dawson Odums Wants Sellout Crowd For Homecoming

McCall seeks to make changes

Jackson State interim head coach Derrick McCall will have a big task on his hands attempting to turnaround what appears to be a lost season, especially after the school fired Harold Jackson during the bye week.

What changes to be made remains to be seen, but McCall has already targeted some specific areas he hopes the team can immediately improve upon.

“Being able to make adjustments right away, not waiting until halftime to make those adjustments … We’re going to do some changing around in the press box and on the field to get some eyes in certain places where we need those eyes and see those adjustments and make them right there on the spot,”McCall said.

Odums demands sellout

When Western Division contender Southern faces Prairie View Saturday, Jaguars head coach Dawson Odums expects a full house at Mumford Stadium.

“It will be very disappointing if we don’t get 31,000,” Odums said. “With what we’re playing for and it’s homecoming, it would be very disappointing to see those stands not full because we’re going to need them.

Last month, Odums urged the Southern faithful to be “loud and obnoxious” ahead of the team’s Sept. 19 game versus Jackson State. Some 30,000 fans showed up that day.

Alcorn, Grambling State looking forward to possible SWAC title game preview

Alcorn State head coach Jay Hopson said he and his team is looking forward to the team’s match-up with Grambling State in a rematch of a 28-21 win by the Tigers last season.

“It’s going to be a fun game,” Hopson said during a weekly teleconference with the media. “There will be a great atmosphere for college football on our campus.”

Grambling head coach Broderick Fobbs says his team will be confident heading into the Saturday’s road game.

“It’s not about the climate, it’s not about the bells and whistles, it’s about what goes on in between those lines and how you play with your proper technique and do things the right way,” Fobbs said.

FAMU seeking first win

Florida A&M is still searching for their first win of the season after getting off to an 0-6 start following a loss to North Carolina Central last Saturday.

The disappointment has grown, first-year head coach Alex Wood told the Tallahassee Democrat.

“I’m sure everybody’s got some level of disappointment, without question,” he said.

“We’ve passed that milestone of having a chance to win six games. But we’re still excited about the game. We’re still excited to always try to put our best foot forward as we play and represent the school and our families and ourselves. That’s where we’re at.”