MACKG
a.k.a. NASTYNUPE
Grambling State enters the familiar confines of Southwestern Athletic Conference play on Saturday against an even more familiar opponent - Alcorn State.
"We know who their favorite running back is, and what their favorite plays are," sixth-year coach Doug Williams says. "It's a matter of stopping them."
That running back would be senior Sidney Dumas, a pre-season SWAC all-conference team member who rushed for 386 yards and four scores in 2002. He also caught seven passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns, and returned 12 kickoffs for a total of 222 yards.
"They like to run the football," Williams says. "They're going to run."
But Dumas wasn't even the leading rusher in the opener for an Alcorn State team that's very deep at this position: Andrew Burks was recognized for a career-high 136-yard day against Arkansas-Pine Bluff with SWAC offensive player of the week honors.
He'll be across the line of scrimmage from the other SWAC player of the week, Grambling State linebacker Kenneth Pettway - who was honored on defense for his 11-tackle day at San Jose State.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. Saturday at Jack Spinks Stadium in Lorman, Miss.
The running game has taken some of the pressure off returning Alcorn State quarterback Donald Carrie - the SWAC's 2001 Newcomer of the Year. Even so, he was 9-for-19 last week, throwing one touchdown but with a trio of picks.
"Anytime you have your quarterback return, you've got a chance," Williams says. "He's a good athlete. We've got to keep him in the pocket, because he can be shaken. He threw three interceptions last week. If we can force some turnovers and shut down the running game, I think we'll be in pretty good position."
A key loss to graduation for the Braves is receiver Kris Peters, who followed a 1,000-yard year in 2001 with 52 receptions last season for 756 yards and eight touchdowns.
"Kris Peters," Williams says, "was fast as lightning. They don't have the kind of speed they had last year on the outside."
So the interior defensive line - particularly sophomore tackle Joshua Kador - will once again be tested. "The inside guys last week, tackles Kador and (senior Travares) Comegys, played extremely well," says Williams, who was also impressed with defensive end Lennard Patton's effort.
Further back, Williams has concerns about the dump-off pass. "Defensively, we weren't hurt by the running game against San Jose State," Williams says. "We were hurt by little screens and shuttle passes."
Strong safety John Brantley led the team in tackles, with seven solos and five unassisted.
"It depends on who shows up," Williams says. "You can't compare what San Jose was able to do or wasn't able to do with Alcorn State. We've got to work on what they like to do best, and take that away - running the football and throwing those little screens outside."
Tiger bites: Williams was asked the same question three times by different media types this week: "Do you think teams show the most improvement from Week One to Week Two?" Williams responded the second time with a chuckle: "I try not to say that. Because I want to win the first week!" ... No. 2 receiver Moses Harris has been cleared to play on Saturday, his first game-time action of the year. ... There are five players on the Tigers roster who are returning to their home state of Mississippi this week - Comegys of Laurel and four former Vicksburg teammates: tackle Andre Bennett, free safety Terry Cooper, linebacker Antonio Rainey and offensive lineman Charles Wilson.
"We know who their favorite running back is, and what their favorite plays are," sixth-year coach Doug Williams says. "It's a matter of stopping them."
That running back would be senior Sidney Dumas, a pre-season SWAC all-conference team member who rushed for 386 yards and four scores in 2002. He also caught seven passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns, and returned 12 kickoffs for a total of 222 yards.
"They like to run the football," Williams says. "They're going to run."
But Dumas wasn't even the leading rusher in the opener for an Alcorn State team that's very deep at this position: Andrew Burks was recognized for a career-high 136-yard day against Arkansas-Pine Bluff with SWAC offensive player of the week honors.
He'll be across the line of scrimmage from the other SWAC player of the week, Grambling State linebacker Kenneth Pettway - who was honored on defense for his 11-tackle day at San Jose State.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. Saturday at Jack Spinks Stadium in Lorman, Miss.
The running game has taken some of the pressure off returning Alcorn State quarterback Donald Carrie - the SWAC's 2001 Newcomer of the Year. Even so, he was 9-for-19 last week, throwing one touchdown but with a trio of picks.
"Anytime you have your quarterback return, you've got a chance," Williams says. "He's a good athlete. We've got to keep him in the pocket, because he can be shaken. He threw three interceptions last week. If we can force some turnovers and shut down the running game, I think we'll be in pretty good position."
A key loss to graduation for the Braves is receiver Kris Peters, who followed a 1,000-yard year in 2001 with 52 receptions last season for 756 yards and eight touchdowns.
"Kris Peters," Williams says, "was fast as lightning. They don't have the kind of speed they had last year on the outside."
So the interior defensive line - particularly sophomore tackle Joshua Kador - will once again be tested. "The inside guys last week, tackles Kador and (senior Travares) Comegys, played extremely well," says Williams, who was also impressed with defensive end Lennard Patton's effort.
Further back, Williams has concerns about the dump-off pass. "Defensively, we weren't hurt by the running game against San Jose State," Williams says. "We were hurt by little screens and shuttle passes."
Strong safety John Brantley led the team in tackles, with seven solos and five unassisted.
"It depends on who shows up," Williams says. "You can't compare what San Jose was able to do or wasn't able to do with Alcorn State. We've got to work on what they like to do best, and take that away - running the football and throwing those little screens outside."
Tiger bites: Williams was asked the same question three times by different media types this week: "Do you think teams show the most improvement from Week One to Week Two?" Williams responded the second time with a chuckle: "I try not to say that. Because I want to win the first week!" ... No. 2 receiver Moses Harris has been cleared to play on Saturday, his first game-time action of the year. ... There are five players on the Tigers roster who are returning to their home state of Mississippi this week - Comegys of Laurel and four former Vicksburg teammates: tackle Andre Bennett, free safety Terry Cooper, linebacker Antonio Rainey and offensive lineman Charles Wilson.
