bluphiiijsu
Creative Director
January 13, 2002
Tigers to face dirty dozen this fall
If the football schedule for next season isn't the toughest in school history, it definitely ranks right up near the top.
Jackson State plays a Division I-A team for just the second time in school history, plays a Division I-AA team that beat a Division I-A team last season and goes on the road for a four-week stretch in October into early November.
"It looks like a pretty tough schedule," said JSU linebacker Elgin Andrews Friday afternoon hours after the 12-game schedule was released. "It's going to be a very tough test for us."
Especially early. JSU opens the season at Southern Miss, then travels to North Carolina A&T and to Memphis to face Tennessee State. The Tigers then host Northwestern (La.) State, which finished 8-3 last season, including a 27-24 win over TCU.
"That's big-time football," JSU coach Robert Hughes said. "We've got to be in midseason form on Aug. 31. The kids have to realize that and get ready to play."
After a homecoming date with Mississippi Valley, the Tigers hit the road for a month: to Mobile to face Alabama State, to New Orleans to play Southern U., to Grambling State and to Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
JSU then finishes the season with three straight games in Jackson against Alabama A&M, Prairie View and Alcorn State.
North Carolina A&T will play a return game in Jackson in 2003. JSU athletic director Roy Culberson also arranged a six-year contract with Northwestern State.
More football
JSU hasn't received any verbal commitments, at least any that have been made public. But JSU recruiting coordinator Robert Kelly expects everything to fall into place by national signing day.
"It seems like things are progressing fairly well," Kelly said earlier this week. "It's important that we address our needs."
Those needs include a quality place-kicker and punter, defensive linemen and linebackers, Kelly said.
JSU has in the neighborhood of 20 scholarships to offer this year. About 15 recruits were on campus this weekend for official visits. . . .
Hughes said he hasn't made a decision on who he will hire as the Tigers' new defensive coordinator but expects to have one in place by the time spring practice starts on April 1. Hughes also has to hire a new defensive line coach and linebackers coach.
"It's mandatory that we have someone in here for spring practice," Hughes said. "Once I get a pool of people to choose from, I'll bring in two or three people and then make my decision."
Tigers to face dirty dozen this fall
If the football schedule for next season isn't the toughest in school history, it definitely ranks right up near the top.
Jackson State plays a Division I-A team for just the second time in school history, plays a Division I-AA team that beat a Division I-A team last season and goes on the road for a four-week stretch in October into early November.
"It looks like a pretty tough schedule," said JSU linebacker Elgin Andrews Friday afternoon hours after the 12-game schedule was released. "It's going to be a very tough test for us."
Especially early. JSU opens the season at Southern Miss, then travels to North Carolina A&T and to Memphis to face Tennessee State. The Tigers then host Northwestern (La.) State, which finished 8-3 last season, including a 27-24 win over TCU.
"That's big-time football," JSU coach Robert Hughes said. "We've got to be in midseason form on Aug. 31. The kids have to realize that and get ready to play."
After a homecoming date with Mississippi Valley, the Tigers hit the road for a month: to Mobile to face Alabama State, to New Orleans to play Southern U., to Grambling State and to Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
JSU then finishes the season with three straight games in Jackson against Alabama A&M, Prairie View and Alcorn State.
North Carolina A&T will play a return game in Jackson in 2003. JSU athletic director Roy Culberson also arranged a six-year contract with Northwestern State.
More football
JSU hasn't received any verbal commitments, at least any that have been made public. But JSU recruiting coordinator Robert Kelly expects everything to fall into place by national signing day.
"It seems like things are progressing fairly well," Kelly said earlier this week. "It's important that we address our needs."
Those needs include a quality place-kicker and punter, defensive linemen and linebackers, Kelly said.
JSU has in the neighborhood of 20 scholarships to offer this year. About 15 recruits were on campus this weekend for official visits. . . .
Hughes said he hasn't made a decision on who he will hire as the Tigers' new defensive coordinator but expects to have one in place by the time spring practice starts on April 1. Hughes also has to hire a new defensive line coach and linebackers coach.
"It's mandatory that we have someone in here for spring practice," Hughes said. "Once I get a pool of people to choose from, I'll bring in two or three people and then make my decision."
