bluphiiijsu
Creative Director
April 28, 2002
Blue-White contested with vigor
By Mark Alexander
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer
There was a lot of playful smack talking between players and coaches this week leading up to Friday night's Blue-White spring game at Newell Field.
Neither side came away with bragging rights, though, as the teams battled to an 18-18 tie.
"Let's play overtime, c'mon Coach," JSU receiver Robert Jacobs said to head coach Robert Hughes as the final seconds ticked away. "We can't let it end in a tie."
Hughes would have none if it; besides, he was very pleased with what he saw. The White team was comprised of the first team offense, second team defense and reserves; the Blue team was made up of the first team defense, second team offense and subs.
"I knew it was going to be a tough game," Hughes said. "I liked the competitiveness and the intensity they showed. They played like they've been playing all spring. They've really been putting out."
Friday night's game was intense from the outset, highlighted by a handful of big plays and several hard licks administered by both sides. Perhaps, it was the motivational talk beforehand from Herman Boone, the former coach portrayed in the movie Remember the Titans.
One of the hardest licks came late in the game when linebacker James McGowan tattooed quarterback Robert Kent near the White team's sidelines, setting off a mini-fracas. Both teams were hit with personal foul penalties before play was resumed.
"I was hungry for a lick at the time," McGowan said with a wry smile. "It was just instinct. I realized it was our quarterback, but I was already in the air by then. I apologized to him afterward."
Said Kent: "I love it, that's the way I like to play. I thought I heard the whistle blow, so I kinda stood up and slowed up. It was over for me by then because he was coming. He had left his feet already."
Other defensive highlights included: A vicious, but clean, hit by free safety Lamont Woulard on receiver Cletis Gordon as Gordon attempted to catch a pass across the middle; cornerback Marcus Craft's hit on Jacobs that forced a fumble that was picked up by linebacker Marion Mark, who returned it 60 yards for a touchdown; and safety Vince Davis' two interceptions.
Davis returned the second one nearly 55 yards before lateraling the ball to linebacker Elgin Andrews, who picked up about 20 more yards, side-stepping Kent along the way.
"Yeah, I had to put a couple of my moves on him," Andrews said with a laugh. "I faked him out. I used to play a little running back in high school, you know."
Speaking of running backs, Charles Lee was very impressive, rushing for a game-high 104 yards on 12 carries to lead the underdog Blue team.
As always, JSU's depth at the receiver position was evident. Chris Jones, who missed last year's spring game because of a wrist injury, had a big evening with a game-high seven passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Tim Manning flashed his considerable skills with five catches for 140 yards, including a dazzling 47-yard catch and run in the second half in which he ran to his left before reversing field after seemingly being surrounded by a host of defenders.
Newcomer Michael Johnson, a 5-foot-10 sparkplug, turned in a brilliant, 34-yard touchdown catch from John Flen. Johnson caught the ball in the middle of the field, shook off one defender and then eluded two more as he scampered into the end zone.
"He's quick," JSU offensive coordinator Darrell Asberry said. "He's going to get in the mix some."
New defensive coordinator Greg Johnson kept things fairly basic Friday night, not wanting to tip his hand before the Tigers' season opener against Southern Miss on Aug. 31 in Hattiesburg.
Hughes was impressed nonetheless. "I like their hustle," he said. "They've developed a chemistry these past 15 days. You can tell it in their attitude."
Blue-White contested with vigor
By Mark Alexander
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer
There was a lot of playful smack talking between players and coaches this week leading up to Friday night's Blue-White spring game at Newell Field.
Neither side came away with bragging rights, though, as the teams battled to an 18-18 tie.
"Let's play overtime, c'mon Coach," JSU receiver Robert Jacobs said to head coach Robert Hughes as the final seconds ticked away. "We can't let it end in a tie."
Hughes would have none if it; besides, he was very pleased with what he saw. The White team was comprised of the first team offense, second team defense and reserves; the Blue team was made up of the first team defense, second team offense and subs.
"I knew it was going to be a tough game," Hughes said. "I liked the competitiveness and the intensity they showed. They played like they've been playing all spring. They've really been putting out."
Friday night's game was intense from the outset, highlighted by a handful of big plays and several hard licks administered by both sides. Perhaps, it was the motivational talk beforehand from Herman Boone, the former coach portrayed in the movie Remember the Titans.
One of the hardest licks came late in the game when linebacker James McGowan tattooed quarterback Robert Kent near the White team's sidelines, setting off a mini-fracas. Both teams were hit with personal foul penalties before play was resumed.
"I was hungry for a lick at the time," McGowan said with a wry smile. "It was just instinct. I realized it was our quarterback, but I was already in the air by then. I apologized to him afterward."
Said Kent: "I love it, that's the way I like to play. I thought I heard the whistle blow, so I kinda stood up and slowed up. It was over for me by then because he was coming. He had left his feet already."
Other defensive highlights included: A vicious, but clean, hit by free safety Lamont Woulard on receiver Cletis Gordon as Gordon attempted to catch a pass across the middle; cornerback Marcus Craft's hit on Jacobs that forced a fumble that was picked up by linebacker Marion Mark, who returned it 60 yards for a touchdown; and safety Vince Davis' two interceptions.
Davis returned the second one nearly 55 yards before lateraling the ball to linebacker Elgin Andrews, who picked up about 20 more yards, side-stepping Kent along the way.
"Yeah, I had to put a couple of my moves on him," Andrews said with a laugh. "I faked him out. I used to play a little running back in high school, you know."
Speaking of running backs, Charles Lee was very impressive, rushing for a game-high 104 yards on 12 carries to lead the underdog Blue team.
As always, JSU's depth at the receiver position was evident. Chris Jones, who missed last year's spring game because of a wrist injury, had a big evening with a game-high seven passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns. Tim Manning flashed his considerable skills with five catches for 140 yards, including a dazzling 47-yard catch and run in the second half in which he ran to his left before reversing field after seemingly being surrounded by a host of defenders.
Newcomer Michael Johnson, a 5-foot-10 sparkplug, turned in a brilliant, 34-yard touchdown catch from John Flen. Johnson caught the ball in the middle of the field, shook off one defender and then eluded two more as he scampered into the end zone.
"He's quick," JSU offensive coordinator Darrell Asberry said. "He's going to get in the mix some."
New defensive coordinator Greg Johnson kept things fairly basic Friday night, not wanting to tip his hand before the Tigers' season opener against Southern Miss on Aug. 31 in Hattiesburg.
Hughes was impressed nonetheless. "I like their hustle," he said. "They've developed a chemistry these past 15 days. You can tell it in their attitude."
