ASU notes

[Blacknbengal]

Hornets' defense has challenge

By A. Stacy Long
Montgomery Advertiser



Tarvaris Jackson was set in his confidence, concretely believing Alabama State's defense won't let an offense put up basketball-like numbers on the Hornets.

The ASU quarterback, talking about Saturday's game with Bethune-Cookman, said Bethune-Cookman won't repeat its offensive effort from last week.

The Wildcats, fresh off a 62-12 season-opening stoning of Savannah State, play the Hornets (1-0) at 7 p.m. Saturday in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Bethune-Cookman, which is ranked eighth in Division I-AA, won't be repeating its fireworks, Jackson said.

"I don't think our defense is going to give up 62," Jackson said Tuesday.

Bethune-Cookman hung 48 first-half points on Savannah State, while quarterback Allen Suber ran for 117 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown, and threw for 174 yards and two more scores.

Suber, a candidate for the Walter Payton Award, crossed the 2,000-yard rushing plateau with his 54-yard touchdown run.

"He is an outstanding talent and we have to do all we can to stop him," ASU coach Charlie Coe said. "He makes that offense go."

While Suber is a senior, his favorite target last weekend was a freshman. Eric Weems caught five passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Weems ran for two other scores and was the 10th Bethune-Cookman player to score four touchdowns in a game. Suber became the ninth last year.

"We feel we can stop anybody, but I have to give credit to Bethune-Cookman," ASU linebacker Ronald "Rock" Dillon said. "It's like they have three backs in the backfield and four receivers. You have to decide what you want to concentrate on."

Bethune-Cookman finished with 453 yards of offense and Savannah State totaled 88, including minus-19 rushing.

"We have to stay on the field as much as possible," Jackson said. "We need to help out the defense and keep their offense off the field."

 

[Blacknbengal]

No judge in Coles' lawsuit

No judge in Coles' lawsuit

By A. Stacy Long
Montgomery Advertiser



L.C. and Johnnie Cole's legal attempt to be reinstated as Alabama State University football coaches is testing the depth of the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Truman Hobbs on Wednesday became the fourth Montgomery County judge to remove himself from the Coles' case.

Johnny Hardwick recused himself last month from a suit by 15 ASU players and the Coles asking for the Coles' reinstatement, which Tracy McCooey later dismissed.

The Coles refiled the suit Aug. 21 and removed the players as plaintiffs. Since, McCooey, Eugene Reese and Hobbs have recused themselves. Judges are not required to give a reason for their recusals.

"All of this is hampering the coaches' attempt for justice," said Julian McPhillips, the Coles' lawyer. "The whole thing is very surreal, as in the theater of the absurd."

Hardwick -- because the new suit is a different one from the original -- has been assigned the new suit and is expected to also remove himself.

That would leave only two more circuit judges: William Shashy and Charles Price.

"He's already recused himself one time," McPhillips said of Hardwick. "Why wouldn't he do it again?"

Alabama State suspended the Coles on Aug. 1. A group of players filed suit Aug. 4 asking for an emergency hearing on reinstating them and apparently starting a legal hot potato at the Montgomery County Courthouse.

The players' suit, which the Coles joined as plaintiffs, was assigned to Hardwick, who removed himself after ASU filed a motion for his removal the day before the hearing.

McCooey took the suit and ASU filed a motion to dismiss it. McCooey granted the motion Aug. 19.

Two days later, McPhillips refiled the suit -- naming only the Coles as plaintiffs -- and it has since gone through McCooey, Reese and Hobbs to Hardwick.

"We can't get anybody to hear the case," McPhillips said.

The Coles' suit names ASU, school President Joe Lee and Richard Cosby, the school's former athletic director, as defendents. It alleges a violation of due process in the Coles' suspension.

L.C. Cole was Alabama State's head coach and Johnnie Cole, L.C.'s brother, was the team's offensive coordinator when the school suspended them, alleging widespread violations of NCAA rules. Linebackers coach Richard Freeman was also suspended, but is not a part of the suit.

The school spelled out 13 charges against L.C. Cole and four against Johnnie Cole in letters presented to them on Aug. 15 after Hardwick's removal.

L.C. Cole allegedly made improper contact with recruits, funded a strip show for recruits and knowingly practiced ineligible players, according to the letter. Johnnie Cole's alleged violations included improper contact with recruits and funding a strip show for recruits.