Golden Triangle College Football Preview 2010 by Peter Imes

2 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL 2010

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS 2009 Team Statistics

A publication of

MS OPP SCORING 307 321 Points Per Game 25.6 26.8 FIRST DOWNS 229 219 Rushing 140 98 Passing 78 108 Penalty 11 13 RUSHING YARDAGE 2731 1752 Yards gained rushing 3072 2054 Yards lost rushing 341 302 Rushing Attempts 555 442 Average Per Rush 4.9 4.0 Average Per Game 227.6 146.0 TDs Rushing 21 18 PASSING YARDAGE 1732 2640 Comp-Att-Int 153-266-17 187-332-17 Average Per Pass 6.5 8.0 Average Per Catch 11.3 14.1 Average Per Game 144.3 220.0 TDs Passing 9 18 TOTAL OFFENSE 4463 4392 Total Plays 821 774 Average Per Play 5.4 5.7 Average Per Game 371.9 366.0 KICK RETURNS No.-Yds 61-1514 57-1253 PUNT RETURNS No. -Yds 15-151 13-173 INT RETURNS No.-Yds 17-417 17-147 KICK RETURN AVE 24.8 22.0 PUNT RETURN AVE 10.1 13.3 INT RETURN AVE 24.5 8.6 FUMBLES-LOST 23-13 22-8 PENALTIES-Yds 67-590 67-517 Average Per Game 49.2 43.1 PUNTS-Yards 51-1986 60-2372 Average Per Punt 38.9 39.5 Net punt average 34.0 35.0 TIME OF POSS/Game 31:46 28:13 3RD-DOWN Conversions 53/159 56/154 3rd-Down Pct 33% 36% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 14/25 9/18 4th-Down Pct 56% 50% SACKS BY-Yards 18-88 20-130 MISC YARDS 13 0 TDS SCORED 37 41 FGs-ATTEMPTS 16-21 12-16 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-2 0-1 RED-ZONE SCORES 33-44 32-39 RED-ZONE TDs 21-44 22-39 PAT-ATTEMPTS 35-35 39-41 ATTENDANCE 376,544 264,578 7/53792 5/52916 Gms/Avg PGm Neutral Site Games 0/0

THE DISPATCH P.O. Box 511 Columbus, MS 39703 (662) 328-2424

Editor and Publisher Birney Imes Sports Adam Minichino Henry Matuszak David Miller James Bailey (correspondent) Cover Design Jackie Taylor Photographers Luisa Porter Kelly Tippett Graphic Artists Jackie Taylor Holona Yarber

How to reach us Sports Department: 327-1297 To report game scores (24-hour line): In Mississippi: 241-5000

Coaching Staff Head Coach Dan Mullen

In Alabama: 1-888-477-1555 E-mail: n sports@ cdispatch.com, n aminichino@ cdispatch.com, n hgmsports@ cdispatch.com, n dmiller@ cdispatch.com Fax: 662-329-8937

ABOUT THE COVER

Courtesy of Mississippi State Sports Information

Mississippi State senior offensive lineman Derek Sherrod will try to help the offense equal the success it had running the football last season. The Bulldogs led the Southeastern Conference in rushing yards per game.

SHERROD HAS PERFECT BLEND Caledonia High School product mixes technique, strength to be driving force on offensive line BY DAVID MILLER dmiller@cdispatch.com

Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen is shown last season after his team defeated the University of Mississippi to win the Egg Bowl Trophy. To Mullen’s right, Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt and to Mullen’s left, University of Alabama coach Nick Saban. Photo credits: MSU sports information, Ole Miss sports information, Kent Gidley, University of Alabama.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

— Mississippi STARKVILLE State senior Derek Sherrod might be the most unassuming football player you will meet. Sure, he stands 6-foot-6 and weighs more than 300 pounds, but aside from appearance you won’t find him leading the pregame hype circle or jumping and hollering on the field. Sherrod prefers a methodical approach to his preparation and how he plays the game. He’d rather combine his natural ability with an uncanny sense of detail and focus to get his job done. But don’t let the smile and the smarts fool you, Sherrod is one of the Southeastern Conference’s top offensive linemen. Sherrod was the key bookend for MSU’s punishing ground game that

“(Sherrod) has become more technical and fundamental in everything he does.” Mississippi State offensive line coach John Hevesy led the SEC in yards per game last season. But even with the success Anthony Dixon and Chris Relf enjoyed running the ball last season and the prep acclaim he achieved, the Caledonia High School graduate wanted to work on becoming a complete left tackle. Sherrod’s aim was to continue fundamental work, an aspect MSU offensive line coach John Hevesy mentioned when he was asked about his offensive linemen. “(Sherrod) has become more

The ULTIMATE Tailgating & Camping “Super Quiet” Digital Generator

at an Affordable Price!

technical and fundamental in everything he does,” Hevesy said. “Plus, he’s become a more powerful player instead of just being a technician. The guy works his butt off.” By the time a player hits his senior season, he hopes to be at the top of his game and ready to tap every ounce of potential. Sherrod believes he’s on schedule with where he thought he’d be when he saw reserve duty as a freshman in ’07. “I really do feel like I’m at the best of my ability,” Sherrod said. “Working out with (strength) coach (Matt) Balis, he’s going to get you to maximize everything you got. I can’t say enough about our summer program and what we got done in the weight room. I feel stronger, I feel quicker, and the rest of the focus now is on having a good camp.” Along with center J.C. Brignone,

See SHERROD, 15

Assistant Coaches n Manny Diaz Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers n John Hevesy Line Offensive Running Game Coordinator n Mark Hudspeth Wide Receivers Passing Game Coordinator n Tony Hughes Safeties / Recruiting Coordinator n Greg Knox Running Backs n Les Koenning Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks n Scott Sallach Tight Ends n Melvin Smith Cornerbacks/Nickelbacks n Chris Wilson Co-Defensive Coordinator Defensive Line n Jon Clark Assistant AD/Football Operations n Matt Balis Head Strength Coach n Rockey Felker Director of Player Personnel High School Relations n Mark Ouimet Assistant Recruiting Coordinator

/ /

2009 RESULTS Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Nov. 28

JACKSON ST W 45-7 At Auburn L 49-24 At Vanderbilt W 15-3 LSU L 30-26 GA TECH L 42-31 HOUSTON L 31-24 At MTSU W 27-6 FLORIDA L 29-19 At Kentucky W 31-24 ALABAMA L 31-3 At Arkansas L 42-21 OLE MISS W 41-27

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

2010 SCHEDULE Sept. 4 Sept. 9 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 13 Nov. 20 Nov. 27

MEMPHIS AUBURN At LSU GEORGIA ALCORN STATE At Houston At Florida UAB KENTUCKY At Alabama ARKANSAS At Ole Miss

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Proud Supporters of Starkville Area Teams!

KIPOR

Come hear it run...

if you can!

ELECTRIC MOTOR SALES & SERVICE, INC. “Your Generator Source” 232 Alabama St. • Columbus, MS • 327-1606

101 Airport Road • Starkville, MS • 662-323-8021

PowerHouse Inverter Generator PH3100Ri 3000

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

4 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

MAKING MOST OF ALL OF HIS PHYSICAL GIFTS Wright hopes to use his potential, size to play bigger role in Bulldogs’ new defense BY DAVID MILLER dmiller@cdispatch.com STARKVILLE — One look at K.J. Wright is all you need to tell he’s a football player. At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, “built like a linebacker” is an understatement for the Mississippi State senior weak-side linebacker. MSU defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Manny Diaz said Wright’s length and speed make him unique, and that he envisions him having a monster year. Diaz, a first-year assistant coach at MSU, raves about Wright’s potential as if he’s a prized incoming freshman, almost giddy about what’s to come in the team’s new defensive system. Even with coaching experience at Florida State and North Carolina State, the former Middle Tennessee State defensive coordinator admits prototype athletes don’t come along very often. “He’s so long and rangy, and when he goes somewhere he takes less Courtesy of Mississippi Sports Information

K.J. Wright had 82 tackles, including six and a half for loss last year. He will be counted on to play a bigger role this season in a new defense.

MSU Football Game / DawgTalk Call-in Show Radio Affiliates City Aberdeen Amory Batesville Biloxi/Gulfport Bude Columbia Corinth Ferriday, La. French Camp Greenville Greenwood/Indianola Grenada Hattiesburg Jackson McComb Memphis, Tenn. Meridian Monticello Philadelphia Tupelo Tylertown Vicksburg Waynesboro West Point Winona Yazoo City

Station WWZQ-AM* WAMY-AM* WBLE-FM WBUV-FM/WQYZ-FM WMJU-FM* WCJU-FM* WKCU-AM* KWTG-FM* WFCA-FM* WDMS-FM* WTCD-FM* WOHT-FM* WMXI-FM* WZNO-FM* WAKK-FM* KQPN-AM* WMOX-AM* WRQO-FM* WWSL-FM* WXWX-FM* WTYL-FM* WVBG-FM* WABO-AM WKBB-FM* WONA-FM* WBYP-FM*/WELZ-AM*

Frequency 1240 1580 100.5 104.9/92.5 104.3 104.9 1350 104.7 107.9 100.7 96.9 92.3 98.1 105.9 104.9 730 1010 102.1 102.3 96.3 97.7 105.5 990 100.9 95.1 107.1/1460

NOTE: All stations above will carry Mississippi State’s 2010 football games. The stations denoted with a * also will carry MSU coach Dan Mullen’s weekly call-in show, DawgTalk, from 7-8 p.m. Thursdays beginning Sept. 2 (exceptions - Sept. 6 and Nov. 22). Fans can call into the show by dialing 866-998-4893.

# S ' NK

BY CHRIS TALBOTT The Associated Press STARKVILLE — Here’s a word not often heard around here this time of year: Enthusiasm. As the start of football season appr oaches, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen feels it everywhere he goes. Mullen was worried the faithful would lose it over the long offseason, but there are no signs of Mullen fan fervor tailing off for the Bulldogs. “We kind of created this frenzy,” Mullen said. “As you’re looking at it at this point, season ticket sales are up. When you go to different meetings and clubs around the state everyone’s really excited for the season, so I think we’ve really raised expectations for State fans and really brought them back to life.” That kind of reaction to a 5-7 season is unusual. But it’s not the final result that has Mississippi State faithful amped. It’s the way the once

Championship BBQ & Catering

5809 Hwy. 45 N. • Columbus, MS • 662-327-4233 hanksbbq.net • hanks1bbq@yahoo.com

Getcha Some! Great for tailgating or any time! Menu Sandwiches Pulled Pork BBQ • Rib • Smoked Turkey

Plates BBQ • St. Louis Style Ribs • Smoked Turkey

Sides Baked Beans • Baked Potato Salad • Coleslaw • Chips

Little Smokers Pork Slammers • Hot Dog

Bulk Orders Smoked Meat • Turkey Breast • Boston Butt • Shoulders • Loin Back Ribs • St. Louis Ribs Whole Hog

Family Meal Deals • Desserts

Mississippi State co-defensive coordinator Manny Diaz

steps than you and I to get there,” Diaz said. “His arms are so long, and the advantage of having long arms is in tackling — it’s like reach for a boxer — so physically he’s gifted in terms of all those types of things.” NFL talent evaluators already know Wright’s talent and ideal measurables. NFL.com’s Gil Brandt has the Olive Branch native ranked as the No. 5 drafteligible linebacker for 2011. Wright smiled when asked about the NFL and

See WRIGHT, 15

Mullen leads rejuvenated team into season

“His arms are so long, and the advantage of having long arms is in tackling — it’s like reach for a boxer — so physically he’s gifted in terms of all those types of things.”

“I think we’ve really raised expectations for State fans and really brought them back to life.” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen lifeless Bulldogs played, pushing several opponents to the brink despite what was considered the nation’s toughest schedule. The team was always on the attack and everyone loved it. “He wants us to compete, always compete,” safety Charles Mitchell said. “He brought lots of energy to this program and fun, a lot of enthusiasm.” There’s that word again, but the Bulldogs learned enthusiasm only gets you so far last season in a number of close games. Mullen has spent the offseason preaching the value of finishing plays and finishing games. The schedule isn’t much easier this year, though. The Bulldogs’

road schedule is brutal with games at LSU, Houston, Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss. That has had Mullen watching those record season ticket sales this season. “In the Southeastern Conference, when you’re playing on the road there’s a lot of tough environments,” Mullen said. “That’s why it’s critical that we do sell out our stadium, that we do sell out our season tickets and we have great support at home because if you’re going to have a great year it always starts with winning home football games.” Mullen has several notable gaps to fill if Mississippi State is going to make the postseason for just the second time since 2000. He feels confident in the defense, which returns Mitchell, defensive end Pernell McPhee and linebacker K.J. Wright. But there are several pressing questions on offense, the most notable are at quarterback and running back. Though Chris Relf rushed for 133 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in a 41-27 win

See MULLEN, 15

Post-Spring Depth Chart OFFENSE

SPECIALISTS

WR 9 Leon Berry

6-0

205

PK 37 Sean Brauchle

WR 1 Chad Bumphis

5-10 195

87 Chris Smith

3 Brandon Heavens 79 Derek Sherrod

75 Blaine Clausell

6-2

210

5-10 175

6-6

6-7

305

LG 55 Quentin Saulsberry

6-2

305

70 J.C. Brignone

6-1

300

68 Templeton Hardy 71 Sam Watts

RG 67 Tobias Smith

74 Mark Melichar

RT 62 Addison Lawrence 76 Phillip Freeman

TE 32 Marcus Green

88 Kendrick Cook

6-3 6-4

180

-OR- 39 Baker Swedenburg

6-0

190

DE 90 Pernell McPhee

6-4

DT 97 Josh Boyd

DT 94 Fletcher Cox

DE 36 Nick Bell

SR Fr

RFr

6-5

300

6-6

305

6-3

6-4

6-1

6-3

305

300 235

250

SR JR

245

5-11

215

6-2

225 RFR

5-11

235

6-5

225 RFR

6-0

215

5-8

305

85 Brandon Henderson 6-2

RB 2 Robert Elliott

300

5-10 180

-OR- 40 Derek DePasquale

38 Heath Hutchins

DEFENSE

6-1

285

6-3

295

6-4

300

57 Johnathan McKenzie 6-6 95 James Carmon

205

6-7

60 Devin Jones

6-0

99 Sean Ferguson

6-3

265 RFR 345

270

6-3

265

10 Cameron Lawrence 6-2

225

255

48 Emmanuel Gatling

6-0

220

58 Brandon Wilson

6-0

245

51 Deonte Skinner

6-2

235 RFR

5-11

195

50 Chris White 34 K.J. Wright

6-4 6-4

245 250

LCB 15 Maurice Langston

5-10 180

5-10 190 RFR

SS 4 Charles Mitchell

5-11

205

FB 35 Patrick Hanrahan

5-11

FS 13 Johnthan Banks

6-2

180

QB 14 Chris Relf

6-4

RCB 25 Corey Broomfield

5-10 180

-OR- 28 Vick Ballard

27 LaDarius Perkins 8 Montrell Conner

23 Sylvester Hemphill

-OR- 17 Tyler Russell

235

240

26 Damein Anderson 7 Wade Bonner 42 Zach Smith

20 Louis Watson

5-10 200 5-11

5-11

195

180

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI REBELS

Ole Miss has new sense of optimism

2009 Team Statistics

Picked to finish last in SEC West, Nutt’s team out to surprise BY CHRIS TALBOTT The Associated Press OXFORD — University of Mississippi coach Houston Nutt made a splash by adding a single player to his roster in August, with fans counting the wins former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli can add to the schedule. Nutt has tried to temper expectations by r eminding fans of the talented players the Rebels have Nutt lost since last January. Gone is Dexter McCluster, who became the first Southeastern Conference player with 1,000 yards rushing and 500 yards passing. “Where’s that 1,500 yards going to come from?” Nutt asked. Nutt asked the same question about the 1,000 receiving yards from Shay Hodge, who also has moved on to the NFL. And then there’s the departure of Jevan Snead, who caught Nutt by surprise when he decided to

Matthew Sharpe/University of Mississippi Sports Information

University of Mississippi senior defensive lineman Jerrell Powe has persevered through off-the field difficulties and is now ready to have a major impact in what likely will be his final season with the Rebels.

PERSEVERANCE PAYS FOR POWE Wayne County High standout had to wait to take field, but has transformed into force up front BY ADAM MINICHINO aminichino@cdispatch.com OXFORD — Kentrell Lockett knows just about ever y side of Jerrell Powe. He has seen the domestic side of the famed grill master, who is known for his barbecue skills and his knack for making catfish, jambalaya, and other culinary delights. Lockett also has seen the smashmouth side of his University of Mississippi teammate, who last season at defensive tackle tied for the team lead in tackles for loss and earned second-team AllSoutheastern Conference honors.

See OLE MISS, 14

Ole Miss Football Radio Network Frequency 1580

Station WAFM-AM WBUV-FM WBKN-FM WXRZ-FM WTCD-FM WFMM-FM WDXO-FM WFMN-FM WLIN-FM WZLT-FM WLSM-FM WAZA-FM

City Amory Biloxi Brookhaven Corinth Greenwood Hattiesburg Hazelhurst Jackson Kosciusko Lexington, Tenn. Louisville McComb Memphis, Tenn.

104.9 92.1 94.3 96.9 97.3 92.9 97.3 101.1

“Many people probably wouldn’t be at this point if they would have went through what he has been through.” University of Mississippi senior Kentrell Lockett, talking about teammate Jerrell Powe Lockett also has come to love the side of Powe many people might not know. That side of Powe guides his generosity off the field and his ferocity on it, and has put him into posi-

tion to have a chance to realize a dream to play professional football. “It is the type of character he has,” Lockett said. “Many people probably wouldn’t be at this point if they would have went through what he has been through. It just shows a lot about him, the determination, the character, the motivation, to get back to the caliber player he was in high school and back to the weight. It just shows the type of standard he holds for himself to get back and do what he needs to do.” Powe has slimmed down from a high weight in the 380-pound range

See POWE, 14

Rebels glad to have three at QB

OM OPP SCORING 384 230 Points Per Game 29.5 17.7 FIRST DOWNS 266 211 Rushing 122 106 Passing 132 89 Penalty 12 16 RUSHING YARDAGE 2387 1824 Yards gained rushing 2673 2243 Yards lost rushing 286 419 Rushing Attempts 503 470 Average Per Rush 4.7 3.9 Average Per Game 183.6 140.3 TDs Rushing 22 10 PASSING YARDAGE 2844 2267 A t t - C o m p - I n t. 377-205-21 396-198-13 Average Per Pass 7.5 5.7 Average Per Catch 13.9 11.4 Average Per Game 218.8 174.4 TDs Passing 22 12 TOTAL OFFENSE 5231 4091 Total Plays 880 866 Average Per Play 5.9 4.7 Average Per Game 402.4 314.7 KICK RETURNS: No.-Yds 46-1068 62-1411 PUNT RETURNS: No.-Yds 28-292 13-109 INT RETURNS: No.-Yds 13-260 21-417 KICK RETURN AVE 23.2 22.8 PUNT RETURN AVE 10.4 8.4 INT RETURN AVE 20.0 19.9 FUMBLES-LOST 20-10 23-11 PENALTIES-Yards 72-564 78-564 Average Per Game 43.4 43.4 PUNTS-Yards 56-2304 81-3243 Average Per Punt 41.1 40.0 Net punt average 36.7 35.4 TIME OF POSS/Game 29:53 30:07 3RD-DOWN Conversions 73/177 57/192 3rd-Down Pct 41% 30% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 10/19 11/21 4th-Down Pct 53% 52% SACKS BY-Yards 36-248 17-114 MISC YARDS 0 65 TDS SCORED 49 25 FGs-ATTEMPTS 15-20 18-25 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-1 1-2 RED-ZONE SCORES 38-43 30-44 RED-ZONE TDS 27-43 15-44 PAT-ATTEMPTS 45-48 24-24 ATTENDANCE 390,368 299,677 Games/Avg Per Game 7/55767 5/59935 Neutral Site Games 1/77928

Coaching Staff Head Coach Houston Nutt Assistant Coaches n Tyrone Nix Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers n Kim Dameron Safeties n Ron Dickerson Wide Receivers n Mike Markuson Co-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line n Derrick Nix Running Backs n Terry Price Defensive Line n Dave Rader Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks n James Shibest Special Teams Coordinator/Tight Ends n Chris Vaughn Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks n Lanier Goethie Graduate Assistant n Clark Irwin Graduate Assistant n Mike Beaumont Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations n Andy Commer Coordinator of Video Services n Ken Crain Head Equipment Manager n Don Decker Head Football Strength Coach n Clifton Ealy Assistant Athletics Director for Community Relations

2009 RESULTS

Addition of Masoli provides needed depth, gives team new set of options BY ADAM MINICHINO aminichino@cdispatch.com

OXFORD — Jeremiah Masoli said all of the right things earlier this month at University of the Mississippi football team’s 99.3 media day. 107.1 It’s not 107.7 often a walkWHBQ-AM 560 on — let Meridian WZKR-FM 103.3 alone one 97.3 WKSO-FM Natchez who already Oxford WQLJ-FM 93.7 has earned Philadelphia WHOC-AM 1490 an underPrentiss WJDR-FM 98.3 graduate Tupelo WWMR-FM 102.9 degree — Masoli Vicksburg WVBG-AM 1420 is a featured speaker. That obligation Waynesboro WABO-AM 990 usually falls only to the head West Point WROB-AM 1450 coach. Yazoo City WBYP-FM 107.1 But given the attention surrounding Masoli’s deciNOTE: Broadcasts can be heard on the Internet through sion to transfer to Ole Miss, OleMissSports.com’s RebelVision. it was natural for the former University of Oregon quarterback to take the podium. “I’m just another piece of

Stanley

Mackey

the puzzle,” Masoli said. “Whatever the team needs me to do, I am going to do. That’s my personal expectations as well as team goals.” Later that morning inside the team’s indoor practice facility, Nathan Stanley said all of the right things — and answered the same question numerous times. The sophomore quarterback, who moved atop the depth chart after Jevan Snead left school a year early to declare for the NFL draft, didn’t pout about Masoli’s arrival, or the fact he could receive a chal-

lenge for playing time from former East Mississippi Community College AllAmerican Randall Mackey. Instead, Stanley showed he remains a team player. “We were thin at quarterback and bringing him in is definitely going to help us out at quarterback,” Stanley said. “I’m going to keep continuing to do what I do and what I’ve done the last two years. Whatever happens happens.” Ole Miss’ ability to manage its quarterback situation figures to be a key question this season. Not only will the Rebels have to replace Snead, who threw 20 touchdowns and 20 interceptions last season, they also will have to replace AllSEC running back Dexter McCluster (1,717 all-purpose yards, 11 touchdowns)

See QBSs, 14

Sept. 6 Sept. 19 Sept. 24 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Nov. 28 Jan. 2

At Memphis W 45-14 SE LOUISIANA W 52-6 At S. Carolina L 16-10 At Vanderbilt W 23-7 ALABAMA L 22-3 UAB W 48-13 ARKANSAS W 30-17 At Auburn L 33-20 N. ARIZONA W 38-14 TENNESSEE W 42-17 LSU W 25-23 At Miss. St. L 41-27 Okla. St. W 21-7

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

OLE MISS SCHEDULE Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 20 Nov. 27

JACKSONVILLE ST. At Tulane VANDERBILT FRESNO STATE KENTUCKY At Alabama At Arkansas AUBURN LA-LAFAYETTE At Tennessee At LSU MSU

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Post-Spring Depth Chart OFFENSE

SE 16 Markeith Summers 85 Ja-Mes Logan

5 Melvin Harris

78 Bradley Sowell

70 Emmanuel McCray

LG 73 Alex Washington 60 Josh Tatum

67 Chris Gill

76 A.J. Hawkins

56 Evan Swindall

RG 75 Rishaw Johnson

6-7

205

6-2

6-7

6-4

195 RFR

315

300 RFR

6-4

305

6-5

282 RFR

6-5

300

305

1 Randall Mackey

8 Jeremiah Masoli

RB 34 Brandon Bolden

55 Cameron Whigham

210

6-3

6-6

6-2

205 265

255

SO JR

305

End 40 Kentrell Lockett

310

WLB 15 Joel Kight

5-9

225

235

MLB 51 Jonathan Cornell

6-1

235

5-10 165

SLB 9 Allen Walker

6-1

6-4

LCB 4 Marcus Temple

5-10 188

6-3

6-4

295 RFR

6-6

6-4

6-2

245

6-0

198

6-5

190

5-11

215

6-5

215

SR JR

33 E.J. Epperson

6-2

250

5-11

220 220

5-8

200

225

6-1

303

94 LaMark Armour

6-21/2 280

90 Gerald Rivers

6-5

98 Alex Williams

42 D.T. Shackelford 52 Mike Marry

6-5

6-4

6-1 6-2

260

245

225

SR FR

235

237

230

Phone: (662) 329-0110

Licensed in the States of Mississippi and Florida

5-11

175

5 Frank Crawford

6-0

185

1 Damien Jackson

6-2

205

25 Ryan Campbell

6-0

180 RFR

FS 35 Fon Ingram

RCB 6 Jeremy McGee

6-0

212

205

5-10 185

6-0

301 Fifth Street South Suite B Columbus, Mississippi 39701

3 Charles Sawyer

SS 20 Johnny Brown

AT T O R N E Y AT L A W

310

99 Ted Laurent

Rodney A. Ray

6-2

6-0

45 H.R. Greer

End 7 Wayne Dorsey

6-2

DT 96 Lawon Scott

27 Enrique Davis 2 Rodney Scott

DEFENSE

222

6-4

315 RJR

21 Lionel Breaux

96 Andrew Ritter

193

6-3

320

6-5

10 Jesse Grandy

97 Tyler Campbell

6-0

6-2

54 Logan Clair

32 Reggie Hicks

46 David Hankins

Nse 57 Jerrell Powe

305 RFR

QB 12 Nathan Stanley

205

6-5

TE 83 Ferbia Allen

6-3

62 Michael Brown

RT 79 Bobby Massie

SPECIALISTS

PK 81 Bryson Rose

Experience • Integrity • Results © The Dispatch

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

6 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

McELROY KEEPS GROWING AS LEADER OF TIDE

2009 Team Statistics

ALA OPP SCORING 449 164 Points Per Game 32.1 11.7 FIRST DOWNS 288 188 Rushing 153 66 Passing 117 105 Penalty 18 17 RUSHING YARDAGE 3011 1094 Yards gained rushing 3296 1509 Yards lost rushing 285 415 Rushing Attempts 601 395 Average Per Rush 5.0 2.8 Average Per Game 215.1 78.1 TDs Rushing 31 5 PASSING YARDAGE 2631 2324 Att-Comp-Int 346-212-5 449-210-24 Average Per Pass 7.6 5.2 Average Per Catch 12.4 11.1 Average Per Game 187.9 166.0 TDs Passing 17 11 TOTAL OFFENSE 5642 3418 Total Plays 947 844 Average Per Play 6.0 4.0 Average Per Game 403.0 244.1 KICK RETURNS: No.-Yds 34-793 80-2005 PUNT RETURNS: No.-Yds 39-587 17-156 INT RETURNS: No.-Yds 24-319 5-31 KICK RETURN AVE 23.3 25.1 PUNT RETURN AVE 15.1 9.2 INT RETURN AVE 13.3 6.2 FUMBLES-LOST 16-7 17-7 PENALTIES-Yards 69-598 86-729 Average Per Game 42.7 52.1 PUNTS-Yards 58-2407 96-4036 Average Per Punt 41.5 42.0 Net punt average 34.7 34.3 TIME OF POSS/Game 33:31 26:29 3RD-DOWN Conversions 76/194 58/194 3rd-Down Pct 39% 30% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 10/17 9/24 4th-Down Pct 59% 38% SACKS BY-Yards 32-265 20-112 MISC YARDS 0 0 TDS SCORED 52 18 FGs-ATTEMPTS 30-36 12-17 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-0 3-3 RED-ZONE SCORES 51-59 16-24 RED-ZONE TDS 28-59 8-24 PAT-ATTEMPTS 43-47 16-16 ATTENDANCE 644,084 279,178 Games/Avg Per Game 7/92012 4/69794 Neutral Site Games 3/81791

Rhodes Scholarship candidate feels stronger, confident entering second season as starter BY ADAM MINICHINO aminichino@cdispatch.com

Coaching Staff Head Coach Nick Saban Assistant Coaches n Burton Burns - Associate Head Coach / Running Backs n Curt Cignetti Recruiting Coordinator

Receivers

n Bo Davis - Defensive Line

nJim McElwain Coordinator/Quarterbacks n Joe Pendry Coach/Offensive Line

Offensive

Assistant

Head

Defensive

n Bobby Williams - Tight Ends / Special Teams

n Sal Sunseri Coach/Linebackers

Saban keeping team grounded BY JOHN ZENOR

n Jeremy Pruitt - Secondary

n Kirby Smart Coordinator/Secondary

Alex Gilbert/University of Alabama Sports Information

University of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy led the Crimson Tide to a 14-0 record and a national championship last season. He said he has improved and feels more comfortable leading coach Nick Saban’s offense.

Assistant

Head

n Scott Cochran - Head Football Strength and Conditioning Coach

n Mike Vollmar - Associate Athletics Director for Football

The Associated Press TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It was the University of Alabama football team’s night of glory. A national championship secured. Another entry in a proud history. And coach Nick Saban was, well, being coach Nick Saban: A perfectionist with a lesson to teach. “Coach Saban came down on us immediately after the game because of the way we played in the fourth quarter,” quarterback Greg McElroy said.

Yep, Alabama was already planning a statue of the coach and celebration back on campus, but Saban was working toward next season — now this season — after that 37-21 victory against Texas in Pasadena, Calif., secured the Tide’s seventh AP national title. And there was plenty of work to do, even though Alabama is widely regarded as the favorite to repeat in both the Southeastern Conference and nationally. Just don’t call the Tide “defending”

See SABAN, 13

Va. Tech W 34-24 FLA. INTRTL W 40-14 N. TEXAS W 53-7 ARKANSAS W 35-7 At Kentucky W 38-20 At Ole MISS W 22-3 S. CAROLINA W 20-6 TENNESSEE W 12-10 LSU W 24-15 At MSU W 31-3 CHATTANOOGA W 45-0 At Auburn W 26-21 Florida W 32-13 Texas W 37-21

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

OFFENSE — Virtually every playmaker is back, led by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. He and sophomore Trent Richardson form perhaps the nation’s best backfield duo. Both were preseason first-team AllSEC picks by league media. Then, there’s wide receiver Julio Jones — an All-America caliber talent — and quarterback Greg McElroy. The line has three starters back, including LT James Carpenter. Redshirt freshman D.J. Fluker is expected to take over on right side. Despite all the talent, Alabama needs WRs Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks to be more consistent threats.

aminichino@cdispatch.com

ALABAMA SCHEDULE SAN JOSE ST. PENN STATE At Duke At Arkansas FLORIDA At S. Carolina OLE MISS At Tennessee At LSU MSU GEORGIA ST. AUBURN

Crimson Tide At A Glance

BY ADAM MINICHINO

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Sept. 4 Sept. 11 Sept. 18 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 18 Nov. 26

See McELROY, 13

DEFENSE — One of the nation’s top defenses the past two seasons will have a drastically different look. Gone are three All-Americans and two first-round NFL draft picks. Rising star DE Marcell Dareus is hard to block but must clear an NCAA hurdle first. LB Dont’a Hightower returns from a knee injury to fill Butkus Award winner Rolando McClain’s spot. SS Mark Barron is an AllAmerican. There are talented younger players all over the place, including CB Dre Kirkpatrick and LB Nico Johnson. Coordinator Kirby Smart has gone from working with the secondary to coaching linebackers.

Hightower eager to return to field

2009 RESULTS Sept. 5 Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17 Oct. 24 Nov. 7 Nov. 14 Nov. 21 Nov. 27 Dec. 5 Jan 7

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Greg McElroy has grown up on the football field. From apprentice to backup to starter to national champion, McElroy has traveled a long road to the top of the college football world at the University of Alabama. And while the senior hopes to lead the Crimson Tide to another championship this season, he also would like the opportunity to continue to grow off the football field at a place where the best of the best get to study. In December, McElroy applied for a Rhodes Scholarship and is in the process of revising an essay he plans to submit as part of his application. The essay, which was initially titled, “My

Intellectual Journey: From Childhood, to Present Day to the Future, How I Progressed as an Individual,” has been revised to include an intellectual problem to overcome. McElroy now is examining if football talent is more learned or if it a natural skill. “It is all outside the box, it is all intellectual, it is all abstract,” McElroy said. “There is no right way to do it. You just have to develop your own product, for lack of a better term.” McElroy said his paper started as an intellectual autobiography and a discussion of where he wanted to take his life. He said he met with an advisor and the project evolved into an examination of intellectual problems he has faced and

Courtney Davies/University of Alabama Sports Information

University of Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower said he is back to 100 percent after a knee injury cut short his 2009 season. He will be counted on to return to form to help replace linebacker Rolando McClain, who is now in the NFL.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dont’a Hightower is ready to go — and the timing is perfect for the University of Alabama football team. One season after winning the school’s 13th national championship, the Crimson Tide enter the 2010 season having to replace nine starters on defense. That unit wasn’t a slouch. Led by linebacker Rolando McClain and nose guard Terrence Cody, Alabama allowed only 11.7 points per game en route to a 14-0 finish, a Southeastern Conference

Championship, and a national title. return Hightower’s from a left knee injury that forced him to miss the final 10 games of the 2009 couldn’t have come at a better time. With 16 career starts, Hightower’s goal this season is to forge a new identity for himself and to help a new Crimson Tide defense trample a path to another championship. “I think we can be just as good as we were last year,” said Hightower, a 6foot-4, 258-pound junior. “We lost Terrence Cody and guys like that, but we have (nose guard) Josh

See HIGHTOWER, 13

Crimson Tide Sports Network City Alexander City, Ala. Anniston, Ala. Appalachicola, Fla. Arab, Ala. Ashland, Ala. Auburn, Ala. Birmingham, Ala.

Station Frequency WBNM-AM 1050 WHMA-FM 95.5 WFCT-FM 105.5 WAFN-FM 92.7 WCKF-FM 100.7 WMXA-FM 96.7 WJOX-FM 94.5 WJOX-AM 690 Brewton, Ala. WKNU-FM 106.3 Butler, Ala. WPRN-FM 107.7 Centre, Ala. WEIS 990 / 100.5 Chattanooga, Tenn. WUUQ-FM 97.3 / 99.3 Clanton, Ala. WHPH-FM 97.7 Columbia, Tenn. WMRB-AM 910 Columbus, Ga. WEAM-AM 1580 Columbus, Miss. WSSO-AM 980 WSSO-AM 1230 WSSO-AM 1400 Corinth, Miss. WADI-FM 95.3 Cullman, Ala. WJDN-AM 1460 Decatur, Ala. WWTM-AM 1400 Dothan, Ala. WAGF-AM 1320 WAGF-FM 101.3 Fayette, Ala. WLDX-AM 990 Florence, Ala. WTYK-FM 93.9 Fort Payne, Ala. WFPA-AM 1400 98.1 Ft Walton Beach, Fla. WTKE-FM Dusty Compton/AP

Alabama coach Nick Saban gives instruction at a practice Aug. 7 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Gadsden, Ala. Georgiana, Ala.

WAAX-AM WFXX-FM

570 107.7

City Haleyville, Ala. Huntsville Jackson, Ala. Jackson, Miss. Jasper, Ala. Lewisburg, Tenn. Linden, Ala. Mobile, Ala. Monroeville, Ala. Montgomery, Ala. Opp, Ala. Panama City, Fla. Pell City, Ala. Pensacola, Fla. Russellville, Ala. Scottsboro, Ala. Selma, Ala. Spartanburg, S.C. Tallassee, Ala. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vernon, Ala. West Point, Ga. Winfield, Ala.

Station Frequency WJBB-AM 1230 WUMP-AM 730 770 WVNN-AM 92.5 WVNN-FM WHOD-FM 94.5 WJFN-AM 970 WJLX 1240/101.5 WAXO-AM 1220 WINL-FM 98.5 WZEW-FM 92.1 WMFC-AM 1360 99.3 WMFC-FM WXFX-FM 95.1 WAMI-FM 102.3 WBPC-FM 95.1 WFHK-AM 1430 WTKE-FM 98.1 WGOL-AM 920 98.3 WKEA-FM WWIC-AM 1050 1490 WHBB-AM WDXX-FM 100.1 1530 WASC-AM WACQ-AM 1130 WFNN-FM 95.3 WTSK-AM 790 WJEC-FM 106.5 WCJM-FM 100.9 WKXM-AM 1300 WKXM-FM 97.7

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI GOLDEN EAGLES

USM STILL HAS BAD TASTE FROM END OF SEASON From Special Reports

Jack Duggan/Courtesy of Southern Miss Sports Information

Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jonathan Guerry, left, a former standout at New Hope High School, will be a member of the traveling squad and will compete for playing time this season.

Guerry wants to be trusted teammate Former New Hope High standout eager to show he can contribute on offensive line this year BY ADAM MINICHINO aminichino@cdispatch.com

It’s all about trust for Jonathan Guerry. That might sound like a simple concept, but Guerry is just starting to build relationships and to show his teammates he can be counted on in his second season as a member of the Southern Mississippi football team. who Guerry, helped anchor the offensive line at New Hope High School, redshirted his freshman season with the Golden Eagles. He spent all of his time with the scout team, Guerr y working to help prepare the defense for what it would see in games. The role was a change of pace for a player who always has been a leader and a key component of offenses. “The main difference is how technical every step is, how technical every thought is, and how critical where you are looking is,” Guerry said. “In high school, you can get away with being a good athlete. If you mess up, you may lose a step but you can knock them down. Here, if you lose a step they’re going to knock you down. Everything is picked up a few steps.” Guerry was a second-team AllState selection by The Clarionand the Mississippi Ledger Association of Coaches as a senior at New Hope High. He was voted Most Valuable Offensive Lineman in

“He has definitely improved. He is in the rotation with the twos, and we’re giving him every possible opportunity to compete for playing time.” Southern Miss offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, talking about redshirt freshman Jonathan Guerry Region 4-4A, and graded out at 93 percent average as a senior. Still, the No. 81 offensive tackle in the countr y according to ESPN.com has had to wait his turn. Guerry admits his “head was spinning” the first few days in practice at Southern Miss. He said the speed of the game is quicker and that everyone is moving faster, not just running backs and linebackers. Guerry feels he worked hard in the spring and in the offseason to show his teammates he is committed. He feels he is in a good position at left guard, the position he played in high school, to contribute this season. Southern Miss offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic agrees. Kapilovic said the coaches moved Guerry to tackle as an experiment to see how he fared. He said it looks like guard is a more natural position for Guerry, who was listed at 6-foot4, 290 pounds last season and is up to 302 pounds this season.

“He has definitely improved,” Kapilovic said. “He is in the rotation with the twos (second-string players), and we’re giving him every possible opportunity to compete for playing time.” Kapilovic said all players who redshirt have to make significant adjustments. He said the redshirts typically aren’t in team meetings learning schemes and techniques. With only 15 practices in the spring and a handful in the bank in the preseason, Kapilovic said Guerry hasn’t had much time to master the terminology and the techniques used by the offensive linemen. That’s where the trust comes in. Guerr y, who is behind Joe Duhon and James Brady on the depth chart, said he worked hard in the spring and in the offseason to be prepared for the start of training camp. He said he will “bust his butt every day” to show the coaches and his teammates he knows his stuff inside and out. In his words, he has to prove to everyone he can “walk the walk.” So far, Guerry feels he is making progress. He said he didn’t mind moving to tackle to help provide depth at the position after a player quit the team. He said he was just beginning to feel comfortable at tackle when the coaches decided to move him back to guard. “It is more physical,” Guerry said of playing guard in college. “There is a lot of banging around in the inside when you are going against 300-pound linemen who are just as big and faster than you. It is not

See GUERRY, 12

The list of accomplishments for the Southern Miss football program is a long, storied one and the 2009 Golden Eagle squad helped to add to that ledger. Southern Miss captured its 16th-straight winning season, while also reaching a postseason bowl game for the eighth consecutive year. The squad was in the mix for the Conference USA East Division crown until the final week of the regular season, but East Carolina rallied to defeat Miss in Southern Greenville, N.C., for the first time in the last eight meetings at DowdyFicklen Stadium to earn the crown. Southern Miss then traveled to play in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl for the second consecutive season, where it fell to Middle Tennessee 42-32 and gave coach Larry Fedora and his team something to work for heading into this season. “It’s a bad taste in your mouth,” Fedora said of the season-ending loss following the game. “We didn’t

SOUTHERN MISS SCHEDULE Sept. 2 Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Nov. 13 Nov. 20 Nov. 26

At S. Carolina PR. VIEW A&M KANSAS At La. Tech MARSHALL EAST CAROLINA At Memphis UAB At Tulane At UCF HOUSTON At Tulsa

HOME GAMES IN ALL CAPS

do what we wanted to do. We didn’t finish how we wanted to finish and send our seniors off in the win. We have to use this as motivation in the off season. We’ll work hard and focus on all the things we didn’t do tonight. We’ll need to do the little things to get that taste out of our mouth so that we’re ready to go next September, on that Thursday against South Carolina.” The Golden Eagles have kept that promise by working hard through spring practice and through offseason workouts, and look to continue their winning ways when

See SOUTHERN MISS, 12

Steve Coleman/AP

Southern Mississippi quarterback Austin Davis (12) will face stiff competition from quarterback Martevious Young this season.

CONFERENCE USA PREVIEW

Keenum, Houston thinking about league title after missing out BY TERESA M. WALKER The Associated Press

Case Keenum and his talented trio of receivers will give the University of Houston a strong chance at proving offense, every now and then, really can win championships. “There’s no secret, for us to be successful he’s got to play at a high level, and I think our team likes that,” Houston coach Kevin Sumlin said. Conference USA’s most valuable player is back for his senior year coming off a season in which he threw for 5,671 yards — the third-highest total in Football Bowl Subdivision history. He threw for 44 touchdowns with only 15 interceptions in 2009. James Cleveland, Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards all are back as his targets after each had more than 1,000 yards receiving for the nation’s top scoring offense last season. The Cougars averaged 42.2 points a game in 2009, a figure that shouldn’t dip much this year. Houston lost the CUSA championship to East Carolina last year on the road in a 38-32 shootout. But Keenum is

Justin Shaw/AP

University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum talks with the media July 25 at Conference USA football media day in Memphis, Tenn.

among nine offensive starters back, and Sumlin has a new defensive coordinator in Brian Stewart. Conference USA is a league where the West is dominated by offense and the East filled with bruising

defenses. That is why UCF, which has led C-USA in total defense each of the past two seasons, is the favorite in the East. UCF has the league’s 2009 defensive player of the year back in end Bruce Miller

for his senior season. “The team with the best defense will always win the Conference USA title,” said Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora, who has nine defensive starters back himself.

Two-time defending champ East Carolina is in rebuilding mode with Ruffin McNeill, one of three new coaches in the league — along with Larry Porter at Memphis and Doc Holliday at

Marshall. C-USA might have the toughest non-conference schedule in the FBS with 24 games against bowl teams, including Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and West Virginia. That could make it challenging to fill the league’s now seven bowl tie-ins after going 24 in bowls last season. A look at the teams in predicted order of finish: EAST UCF — Key players: DE Bruce Miller, CB Josh Robinson, RB Br ynn Harvey, WR Kamar Aiken, QB Rob Calabrese. Returning starters: offense 8, defense 7. Notes: The Knights have one of the easier nonconference slates with a visit from N.C. State and trip to Kansas State. UCF also hosts East Carolina and Southern Miss, which could balance their visit Nov. 5 to Houston. ... Miller ranked fifth nationally with 13 sacks but will face more double-teams without tackles Torell and Travis Troup Timmons.

See C-USA, 12

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

8 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

EAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIONS

HENDERSON HAS SHOT TO BE MAN After serving as backup to Mackey last season, Starkville High product set to be starting QB BY JAMES BAILEY Special to the Dispatch

Courtesy of East Mississippi Community College Sports Information

Sophomore quarterback Brad Henderson is in place to take over for Randall Mackey and try to lead the East Mississippi Community College football team to another state title.

The state champion EMCC Lions went on to win the Mississippi Bowl with a 27-24 win over Arizona Western. n.

SCOOBA — “I want to win a state championship as a starting quarterback,” East Mississippi Community College’s Brad Henderson said recently. The two years Henderson spent backing up Randall Mackey, a former All-America quarterback with the Lions, has given him confidence and security. The former Starkville High School standout played in all 12 games last season, completing 60 percent of his passes for 475 yards and five touchdowns. He also had four rushing touchdowns on 35 carries. As the 2010 season approaches, there are high expectations on the Scooba campus, even if the Lions will move on without Mackey, who is now a junior at the University of Mississippi. Mackey guided the Lions to a two-year record of 19-3. Last year, coach Buddy Stephens’ team beat Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. to win the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College state championship. EMCC then defeated Arizona Western 27-24 to win the 2009 Bowl in Mississippi December in Biloxi. The victor y helped EMCC finish 11-1 and earn a No. 4 final ranking in the National Junior College Athletic

TODAY’S PAPER

n MORE JUNIOR COLLEGE: Coverage of the Itawamba Community College football team and the local players on the Indians’ roster this season appears in the Sports section.

Association poll. EMCC enters this season having claimed back-to-back MACJC North Division titles with consecutive 6-0 league marks. Henderson believes his two years on the sidelines have been invaluable in learning the rhythm and movement of college football. “Just to watch Randall manage the game helped me a lot,” Henderson said. “I have game experience, so I know the pace of the game.” In the offseason, Henderson concentrated on increasing his speed and his ability to read defensive backs. He said his knowledge of the Lions’ offense will give him an advantage and lessen the ability of opposing defensive backs to anticipate his moves. “Even though a defensive back may try to read a quarterback’s eyes, I have the advantage,”

See HENDERSON, 11

MORE EMCC

n Noxubee County High School standout Fred Tate is expected to be a leader on defense this year for the Lions. Page 11

Welcome to Lion Country Home of the MACJC state football champions! As the final seconds ticked off the clock at last year’s MACJC state championship game, everyone in the stands agreed on one thing … they had never seen a game like it. East Mississippi and Mississippi Gulf Coast tore up Sullivan-Windham Field in Scooba, trading blow for blow, score for score. When it was over, the Lions of EMCC had won by the nearly unbelievable score of 75-71. That’s 75-71, no overtimes. The reaction from people who weren’t there was always the same: “We’re talking about football, right?” Yes, at EMCC, we’re talking about football. We’re talking about players and coaches with the kind of commitment it takes to chase a dream, the endurance to weather a long campaign, the discipline to stay focused. We expect no less in the classroom from all our student athletes, whether they compete in football, basketball, baseball, softball or golf.

EMCC celebrates its 75-71 win over Mississippi Gulf Coast to claim the MACJC state football championship.

Commitment. Endurance. Discipline. EMCC.

EMCC Football Schedule Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 7 Oct. 16 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 EMCC quarterback Randall Mackey will play for Ole Miss this year.

Head football coach Buddy Stephens led EMCC to a North Division championship his first year in Scooba – and the Lions took it all his second year.

Miss. Gulf Coast HINDS NORTHWEST MISS.* Itawamba* Coahoma* NORTHEAST MISS.* PEARL RIVER (HC) Miss. Delta* HOLMES*

Home games in bold

7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m.

* North Division game

For more information, call (662) 476-5000 or (662) 243-1900. EMCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. Contact Dr. Jackie Stennis with inquiries regarding this policy, (662) 476-5000 or jstennis@eastms.edu.

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

CRIMSON TIDE, GATORS STILL LEADING WAY BY JOHN ZENOR The Associated Press

Dave Martin/AP

University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban reacts after a 32-13 win against Florida in the Southeastern Conference Championship game on Dec. 5, 2009, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. When it comes to college football, the SEC is SECond to none.

SECond to none Despite recent conference realignments, league rules college football land BY PAUL NEWBERRY The Associated Press ATLANTA — Excuse the Southeastern Conference if it views the national championship race as a rather private affair — neighbor against neighbor, battling it out through the fall until there are only two teams left standing, setting up a final showdown in Atlanta on the first Saturday in December. Oh sure, there’s still that little formality known as the BCS championship game. But down in Dixie, that extra contest is viewed as nothing more than a chance to really rub it in, just in case anyone wishes to defy this indisputable gospel:

When it comes to college football, the SEC is SECond to none. “Every team in the conference takes pride in being in the SEC, and we’re not afraid to say that,” Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams said. “We feel like we’re in the best conference, and that’s where the best competition is. Not to take anything away from great teams in other conferences, but that’s just how we feel as a conference.” The case is compelling. The last four national champions have come from the same conference: Florida, LSU, Florida again, then Alabama last season — a streak of dominance unmatched in the 74year histor y of The Associated

Press rankings, much less the farshorter histor y of the Bowl Championship Series. The last two seasons, Alabama and Florida faced off in the SEC championship game ranked No. 1 and No. 2, their Georgia Dome showdown serving as a de facto national title game, even if both had to wait another month and win one more time to be officially crowned. “In football, it’s about winning,” Tennessee defensive end Chris Walker said. “There’s obviously talent in other conferences, but if you want to go by winning, I think we’re it.” No argument there.

See SECOND TO NONE, 10

Take heart, Southeastern Conference: Tim Tebow and Mount Cody are gone. That’s right, there will be no Tebow barreling over defenders for the University of Florida, and no Cody clogging up the middle for the University of Alabama. “The two teams that lost the most just on paper is probably Alabama and Florida,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. But that was expected, since those two teams arguably had the most to lose. However, they’re still the odds-on favorites to meet in the SEC championship game for a third straight year, with the winner likely competing for a national title — again. Florida and Alabama have combined to win the BCS championship three of the last four years; the other one went to SEC rival LSU. As an added treat, Florida and Alabama meet on Oct. 2 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. That at least guarantees they couldn’t play as unbeatens in the SEC title game. Chasing the defending champion Tide in the Western Division will be two teams led by transfer quarterbacks, Arkansas and Ryan Mallett and Mississippi and newcomer Jeremiah Masoli. Not to mention an LSU team try-

MORE PREVIEWS

n The Dispatch will feature previews of the major Division I conferences beginning Sunday, Aug. 22, to coincide with the release of the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll.

ing to get back on top and Auburn playing catch-up with in-state rival Alabama. “Every team on our end of it is going to improve,” Saban said. Florida could face a challenge from Georgia and receiver A.J. Green. South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier has Stephen Garcia back running his offense. “The East is completely wide open,” Gators coach Urban Meyer said. There was plenty of turnover around the league in the two most high-profile positions: Head coach and quarterback. replaces Tennessee Lane Kiffin with coach Derek Dooley. Vanderbilt welcomes first-time college head coach Robbie Caldwell — thanks to Bobby Johnson’s midsummer retirement — and Kentucky’s Joker Phillips got to remove the in-waiting part of his title. With Tebow in the NFL, Mallett is the only bona fide returning star at though quarterback, Alabama’s Greg McElroy still hasn’t lost as a starter since eighth-grade.

See PREVIEW, 10

MISSISSIPPI STATE 2010 SEC OPPONENT PREVIEWS

Georgia looking for strong ground game

Auburn hopes it will live up to fans’ hopes BY JOHN ZENOR The Associated Press

AUBURN, Ala. — Auburn University football coach Gene Chizik liked what he heard from fans during the offseason. Now the question is, will fans like what they see when the Tigers take the field during his second season. The first season was up and down and mostly deemed a success — partly due to uncertain expectations — with an Outback Bowl win, eight victories and a near-miss against rival Alabama. Perception has changed somewhat. The roster is deeper thanks to a top five recruiting class and several defensive backs returning from injuries. Maybe that helps explain the enthusiasm that has greeted Chizik in recent months from a fan base hungry to see signs of closing the gap with the national champion Crimson Tide. “It’s the same passion and energy and excitement at every place,” Chizik said. “That’s really cool for me, because that was one of the things I wanted to do, is really pull the Auburn family back together. “I feel it and I sense it when I go talk to people. It’s really a neat thing.” The Tigers stirred hope by racking up a schoolrecord 5,613 yards last season, and raised concerns by yielding more yards than any other Auburn defense (4,863). The final two games were a nutshell version: Auburn gave up 621 yards to Northwestern in the Outback Bowl — and won. The Tigers held Alabama to 291 yards — and lost 26-21 on a late touchdown drive.

BY CHARLES ODUM

GAME 2

n Auburn at Mississippi State, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 9 (ESPN)

The offense potentially has more firepower, even with the graduation of tailback Ben Tate. The defense gets a boost with safeties Zac Etheridge, Aairon Savage and Mike McNeil back from serious injuries; Savage and McNeil missed all of last season. And linebackers Josh Bynes and Craig Stevens might get some relief from newcomers after playing virtually every snap last season. Some of the optimism stems from new quarterback Cameron Newton, who has been praised by teammates and coaches for both his athleticism and leadership since arriving in January. His running ability seems to make the 6-foot-6, 247-pound junior college transfer potentially a better fit for Gus Malzahn’s hurryup offense than last year’s starter Chris Todd. The one-time Florida backup beat out several contenders in the spring. Now, the hard part. “As I’ve told him, as I’ve told everybody else, he’s got to get on the field now and deliver,” Chizik said. “That’s the last piece of the puzzle and the most critical part. “He can do whatever he wants in practice. He’s got to take that to the game field and deliver.” He’ll have a veteran offensive line and a more experienced receiving corps to help him out. Left tackle Lee Ziemba put a pro career on hold and returned for his senior season to head a line that includes four senior starters.

The Associated Press

Travis Spradling/AP

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson (9) cuts upfield on a scramble, his foot carving up a big chunk of the soggy turf in the second half of the Capital One Bowl against Penn State on Jan. 1, 2010, in Orlando, Fla. Defensive end Eric Latimore (56) is in pursuit. Penn State won 19-17.

Miles, Jefferson on hot seat entering season BY BRETT MARTEL The Associated Press BATON ROUGE, La. — Les Miles and Jordan Jefferson might be better off today if LSU had never recovered that late onside kick at Mississippi last season. Few things could have galvanized critics of the coach and his quarterback more than the ensuing exhibition of clock mismanagement that left the Tigers unable to set up a game-winning field goal from the Rebels’ 5-yard line as time ran out. As the 2010 season approaches, LSU fans are still talking about the final 30 seconds of that 25-23 loss to Ole Miss last November, and Miles is still answering for it. “I scrutinized the coaching — me and others,” Miles said recently. “Some of those situations I was — even though prepared for (it) — (I) had not envisioned the time con-

GAME 3

n Mississippi State at LSU, 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 18 (ESPNU)

straints. So what we’ve done is we’ve added that to our game week preparation. Maybe we’re a little more prepared, a little bit more ready to play in those situations.” With the meltdown in Mississippi symbolizing the larger issue of LSU’s slide from Southeastern Conference’s elite, Miles and Jefferson enter a new campaign on the defensive. For Miles, the good will he engendered by winning the 2007 national title has begun to fade after a pair of mediocre seasons. During 2008 and 2009, LSU went a combined 8-8 against the SEC and 0-6 against rivals Florida, Alabama and Ole Miss. Only games against

See LSU, 10

ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia football team has a new starting quarterback and a new defense. Those could be good reasons to embrace an old offensive philosophy. Redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murra has never taken a snap in a game. No other current quarterback had taken a snap in a practice before this summer. On defense, the Bulldogs have scrapped their fourman front for a new 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham. That combination means Georgia will have to play some old-school football to win in the demanding Southeastern Conference. “We must run the ball well this year,” coach Mark Richt said. A strong running game was the constant for Georgia in Vince Dooley’s quarter-century as coach from 1964-88. Dooley won six SEC championships and the 1980 national title by keeping the ball on the ground with such backs as Herschel Walker, Rodney Hampton, Willie McClendon and Lars Tate. Richt prefers a run-pass balance to a run-dominated attack, and junior receiver A.J. Green is the team’s biggest star. Even so, the Bulldogs would seemingly benefit from running the ball and taking pressure off Murray and the defense. Murray will be surrounded by 10 returning starters on offense, including three seniors and two juniors on the offensive line. Washaun Ealey and Caleb King are

GAME 4

n Georgia at Mississippi State, TBA, Saturday, Sept. 25

considered co-starters at tailback after sharing the carries the second half of last season. Senior fullback Shaun Chapas is a reliable blocker. “I’d be very disappointed if we don’t run the ball well, and if we do run the ball well it’ll take pressure off Aaron or whoever is at quarterback,” Richt said. Georgia finished its 8-5 season with an upset win at Georgia Tech before beating Texas A&M in last year’s Independence Bowl. The encouraging ending wasn’t enough to make up for a disappointing season filled with too many defensive lapses. Richt fired defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and two other defensive assistants before the bowl game. Grantham was hired from the Dallas Cowboys’ staff. Grantham has placed a fourth linebacker on the field. He also has added a new attack mentality to the unit. “It’s going to allow me to put more pressure,” said Justin Houston, who has moved from defensive end to outside linebacker. Houston led Georgia with 7 1/2 sacks as a sophomore last season. He expects even bigger numbers in the new scheme. “In that other system I had to read and I couldn’t always attack,” Houston said. “In this system I’m attacking a lot more. “It feels great knowing I basically have just one assignment, to attack. It’s a lot of pressure off me. It’s just one thing I’ve got to do”

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

10 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

MISSISSIPPI STATE 2010 SEC OPPONENT PREVIEWS

Phillips excited about Razorbacks eyeing Florida has high hopes, key questions challenge at Kentucky their next big step BY MARK LONG The Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The buzzwords surrounding the University of Florida football team last fall were “repeat,” “perfection,” and “legacy,” remnants of winning the 2008 national championship, returning nearly every starter and being the over whelming favorite to do it again. A year later, Gainesville is filled with “uncertainty.” The Gators have a new quarterback, four new assistant coaches, a revamped defense and few proven playmakers. They lost stars Tim Tebow, Brandon Spikes, Aaron Hernandez and Joe Haden, nearly lost coach Urban Meyer, and entered fall practice without a clear-cut identity for the first time in years. “It’s a little different feeling,” Meyer said. “But it’s still Florida. It’s still a bunch of good athletes. Not good, probably great athletes running around that field. It’s a year of accountability and development. And if that happens. we’ll have a good team. If it doesn’t, we won’t.” Meyer compared this season to 2007, the year after Florida won its second national title and the year Tebow took over as the starting quarterback. Expectations were high back then, but the Gators didn’t have enough talent or experience to avoid four losses. But Meyer and his players don’t expect another rebuilding year. Not even close, really. Following several strong recruiting classes, they believe this is a reloading

GAME 7

BY WILL GRAVES

year that could include another trip to Atlanta for the conference title game. The Gators begin play Sept. 4 against Miami (Ohio). Florida has represented the Eastern Division three times in the last four years, with the lone loss coming last year against Alabama. That 3213 drubbing still resonates with players and coaches. “When you have a loss so devastating as that one, you want to go into that next season hungr y,” quarterback John Brantley said. “A lot of people really have been doubting us. That’s another big thing. We like to be tested like that. That’s what gives us a chip on our shoulders.” Brantley has waited three years — even longer considering his background — for a chance to take over Florida’s offense. He grew up in nearby Ocala rooting for the Gators. His father played quarterback at Florida and his uncle was a standout linebacker at Florida. The youngest Brantley has even bigger shoes to fill. He’s stepping in after Tebow, a three-time Heisman Trophy finalist who helped the Gators win 26 of 28 games the last two years. Tebow was Mr. Everything at Florida, ser ving as the team’s emotional leader and the offense’s go-to guy. He also got as much recognition for what he did off the field as he did on it.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Sleep doesn’t come easy to Joker Phillips. Never has. Five hours a night and he’s good. Six and the Kentucky coach finds he can barely hold his head up in the afternoon. Considering the challenge Phillips faces in his first year on the job, getting too much sleep won’t be a problem. A jumbled quarterback situation. A rebuilt offensive line. A defense that will be patchwork in places. An insomniainducing schedule. Oh, and expectations, a notion historically reserved for the school’s basketball team. Phillips is fine with that. More than fine, actually. The former player and longtime assistant who took over when Rich Brooks retired in January knows there are worse problems to have than trying to get the Wildcats to a bowl game for a fifth straight season. The 47-year-old native of tiny Franklin, Ky., has been around the program for most of the last 30 years. He’s familiar with the pattern: Short bursts of success followed by long stretches of mediocrity or worse. It’s time for a change. “This year is critical,” he said. “For us, if we can get to a bowl game and build on this thing this year, I think we’ll be really good for a long time.” To do it the Wildcats will have to continue to build on a theme popularized by Brooks, who brought the program back from the dead. To

n Mississippi State at Florida, TBA, Saturday, Oct. 16

The Associated Press

LSU

SECond to none

Continued from Page 9

teams non-conference helped LSU finish 8-5 in 2008 and 9-4 in 2009. When the SEC released its preseason poll last month, LSU was picked to finish fourth in the conference’s West Division. “We deserve it, having a lot of young guys coming in and not finishing things right in the last couple of years,” cornerback Patrick Peterson said. “It’ll give us motivation to fix things.” LSU must fix an offense that ranked 112th among Division I Football Bowl Subdivision teams last season with averages of 123 yards rushing and 182 yards passing. Otherwise, it may not be just the SEC games that give the Tigers trouble. In 2010, LSU has a tougher non-conference slate, opening its season against North Carolina in Atlanta on Sept. 4 and hosting West Virginia on Sept. 25. Miles said having more experience at quarterback should help LSU handle the tougher schedule. Jefferson, who’d shown promise in a pair of starts as a freshman in 2008, became the full-time starter as a 19-year-old sophomore last season. That marked the second straight year LSU had a young, inexperienced quarterback, a trend that began when Ryan Perrilloux was kicked off the team in the winter of 2008. Last season, Jefferson was sacked 34 times, raising concerns about his ability to read defenses and be decisive. Still, he heads into 2010 as the projected starter. “I do have a lot to prove, a lot of things I should’ve improved on last year,” Jefferson said. “My wisdom has gotten better from my failure in certain games, and I’m looking to be a leader.”

Last season, the SEC had the best outside record among the six BCS conferences (47-10, .825), easily outpacing the next-best Big East (36-10, .783), as well as the two leagues generally considered its main challengers, the Big Ten (3615, .706) and Big 12 (39-17, .696). To those who think the SEC beefs up its out-of-conference credentials against cupcake opposition, that argument was snuffed out by a 15-8 mark against schools from other BCS leagues. The Big East (11-9) was the only other conference to finish above .500 in that category, while the Atlantic Conference (12-15), Big Ten (9-11), Pac-10 (9-11) and Big 12 (8-10) lagged far behind. LSU senior safety Jai Eugene notices a striking contrast when the Tigers play outside the conference. “There is a difference in game speed,” he said. “Everything moves a little faster in the SEC. Also, the

BY NOAH TRISTER

GAME 9

n Kentucky at Mississippi State TBA, Saturday, Oct. 30

change people’s minds about Kentucky, he said, the Wildcats would have to start beating some teams it hasn’t beaten in a long time. Kentucky checked Southeastern Conference powers Georgia and LSU off that list during Brooks’ tenure. Phillips knows it’s time to add Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee to the list. “It used to be some of the teams thought you can count that (Kentucky) as a ‘W’ right off the bat,” he said. “People expect us to win a lot of those games now. To do it the Wildcats will have to find some consistency at quarterback. Senior Mike Hartline starts training camp as the de facto starter mostly by default. He has the most experience, but Phillips has left little doubt it’s a threeway race between Hartline, sophomore Morgan Newton and redshirt freshman Ryan Mossakowski. mobility Newton’s could give him an edge, particularly while playing behind a retooled offensive line that will feature four new starters. Yet Phillips has stressed the need for the Wildcats to be more dynamic in the passing game. Big plays through the air were difficult to come by, forcing Phillips to use talented wide receiver Randall Cobb in the Wildcat formation where he would try to make plays with his legs.

SEC is definitely more physical.” The biggest battles are played out inside the SEC. AuburnAlabama. Alabama-Tennessee. FloridaTennessee-Florida. Georgia. Georgia-Auburn. AuburnLSU. LSU-Arkansas. “The passion and tradition of each program is so strong, it makes those rivalries just huge,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Every game you play feels like a big, big game. When I was at Florida State (as an assistant), that wasn’t always the case. It didn’t seem like every game we played was a big monster game, but every game we play now feels like a monster. It’s very difficult to stay at that peak performance week in and week out. But if you don’t, you’re going to be in trouble.” What makes the SEC the nation’s top college football conference? Here are a few theories: n Tradition. Everyone knows

GAME 11

The Associated Press FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas football team came within 10 minutes of shaking up the Southeastern Conference last season before losing a fourth-quarter lead against top-ranked Florida. Perhaps the Hogs were merely a year away. “At the end of the game, we were in position to win against a top team,” Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams said. “We see it as where we are as a team now — able to compete with everybody.” There will be no tempering of expectations at now. The Arkansas Razorbacks fully believe they can challenge for their first SEC title. Although they’re still underdogs in a division that includes defending champion Alabama, the Hogs expect to field one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses thanks to quarterback Ryan Mallett. Mallett threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns a season ago, and from the moment he announced he was passing up the NFL draft to stay in school, the Razorbacks have been wondering if this might be their year. “The expectations are something that I put right out in front of the team,” coach Bobby Petrino said. “I told them that it was great to have the expectations, the excitement’s good. It was a good motivating factor throughout the summer, but now what it’s all about is work.” The 6-foot-6 Mallett will again be the center of attention, a role he’s com-

that success tends to breed more success, and no league has a deeper group of teams that have been to the mountaintop. Half of the SEC’s 12 members have captured at least one Associated Press national title, led by Alabama with seven. In fact, four different schools (Alabama, Florida, LSU and Tennessee) have finished No. 1 in the AP poll over the last 12 years. No other league can match that depth — or the urgency among the rank-and-file to keep winning titles. Fans get a little greedy once they’ve seen their team hoist the biggest trophy of all. n Coaching. The best are drawn to the SEC like moths to light, spurred by the chance to win championships and the willingness of schools to dole out big money in hopes of keeping up with their neighbors. Nick Saban left the NFL for a $4 million-a-year job at Alabama and needed all of three seasons to lead the Crimson Tide

n Arkansas at Mississippi State, TBA, Saturday, Nov. 20

fortable with. After sitting out a season following a transfer from Michigan, he took over as the starter in 2009 and led Arkansas to an SEC-best 36 points per game. The Razorbacks went 8-5 with close losses at Florida and LSU. Not only is Mallett back, but all his top targets return as well. Williams has caught 98 passes in three seasons, and wide receivers Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Cobi Hamilton complement each other well. The Razorbacks received a scare when Mallett broke his foot in February, but they said all along he’d be ready for fall practice, and sure enough, he’s back on the field. With Mallett apparently healthy, Arkansas’ biggest remaining question mark is on the other side of the ball. The Razorbacks have been among the worst defensive teams in the SEC the last two seasons. The Hogs had high expectations in 2009 too, but Georgia delivered a September reality check, coming to Fayetteville and emerging with a wild 5241 victory. The Razorbacks haven’t held an opponent in single digits since October of 2007. The defense showed signs of improvement in that 23-20 loss to Florida last year, harassing Tim Tebow throughout in a gallant bid for an upset, but that game was a bit of an aberration.

back to the top. Urban Meyer is an offensive mastermind who restored the tradition established at Florida by Steve Spurrier. Les Miles picked up where Saban left off at LSU, Richt has guided Georgia to a pair of SEC titles, and Bobby Petrino appears on the verge of taking Arkansas to national prominence. n Big money. The SEC is rolling in dough, thanks to huge television packages (a $2.25 billion contract with ESPN, a $55 million-a-year deal with CBS) and some of the largest stadiums in the country, which are generally filled to capacity. Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium and Alabama’s Bryant-Denny hold more than 100,000, Georgia’s Sanford Stadium and LSU’s Tiger Stadium seat more than 92,000, while Florida, Auburn and South Carolina all have facilities that can accommodate at least 80,000. Only two stadiums in the conference seat fewer than 60,000.

Preview Continued from Page 9 The Tide’s stingy defense must replace twotime All-America noseguard Terrence “Mount” Cody and Butkus Awardwinning linebacker Rolando McClain. But there’s still running back Mark Ingram — the Tide’s first Heisman winner — and fellow Alabama offensive threats Julio Jones and Trent Richardson. The Meyer-Saban batintact, tle remained though, when the Florida coach changed his mind a day after announcing he was stepping down last December after a health scare. “The batter y is recharged,” Meyer said in July. And so is the battle for No. 1 in the SEC. EAST FLORIDA — Key players: QB John Brantley, RB Jeff Demps, CB Janoris Jenkins. Returning starters: 6 offense. 5 defense. Notes: Overlooked with loss of Tim Tebow, three top receivers are also gone. Brantley has played in 16 games with 10 touchdowns and one interception. Coach Urban Meyer said a

“bunch” of newcomers from loaded recruiting class will play. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin replaces Charlie Strong. GEORGIA — Key players: WR A.J. Green, QB Aaron Murray, LT Clint Boling. Returning starters: 10 offense; 5 defense. Notes: Switching to threeman front on defense under new coordinator Todd Grantham. DE Justin Houston and RB Richard Samuel moved to LB. Entire starting offensive line returns after allowing league-low 12 sacks. Backfield is strong, led by Washaun Ealey and Caleb King. P Drew Butler is one of the nation’s best. SOUTH CAROLINA — Key players: QB Stephen Garcia, WR Alshon Jeffery, DE Cliff Matthews. Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense. Notes: RB Kenny Miles and top four rushers return, joined by top recruit Marcus Lattimore. Shawn Elliott is third offensive line coach in as many years; Gamecocks allowed 37 sacks last year. Garcia is the league’s leading active passer, but has been erratic for nation’s 102ranked scoring offense. TENNESSEE — Key players: WR Gerald Jones, TB Tauren Poole, DE Chris Walker. Returning starters: 5 offense, 6 defense. Notes: New coach Derek Dooley inherits culture and roster issues. Must replace two top rushers and passers, and four

leading tacklers. Battling for QB job are freshman Tyler Bray and junior college transfer Matt Simms, son of ex-Giants QB Phil and brother of current Titans’ player Chris. RB Bryce Brown and QB Nick Stephens left team in offseason. KENTUCKY — Key players: WR/RS Randall Cobb, TB Derrick Locke, DE DeQuin Evans. Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense. Notes: Joker Phillips only second black head football coach in SEC. QBs Mike Hartline, Morgan Newton and Ryan Mossakowski battling for starting job. Wildcats have won at least seven games four straight years for the first time since 1909-12. Cobb and Locke were AP’s firstand second-team all-purpose players, respectively. VANDERBILT — Key players: QB Larry Smith, RB/RS Warren Norman, LB Chris Marve. Returning starters: 6 offense, 5 defense. Notes: Robbie Caldwell has a tough audition as interim head coach after replacing Bobby Johnson in mid-July. Vandy faces 10 teams that made bowl games last season. LB Chris Marve was SEC’s No. 2 tackler. Starting QB Larry Smith returns but had just four TD passes against seven INTs last season for league’s worst scoring offense (16.3 ppg). WEST ALABAMA — Key players: RB Mark Ingram, QB Greg McElroy, LB Dont’a Hightower.

Returning starters: 8 offense, 2 defense. Notes — DE Marcell Dareus’ status was unclear entering fall camp with an NCAA investigation into who paid for a trip to Miami’s South Beach. Backfield of Ingram and sophomore Trent Richardson might be nation’s best duo. Only two defensive starters return, but replacements include several highly touted youngsters. ARKANSAS — Key players: QB Ryan Mallett, WR Greg Childs, LB Jerry Franklin. Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense. Notes — Most returning starters among SEC teams. Mallett and all his key targets are back from league’s top scoring and passing offense. One of the deepest, best receiving corps around. Bobby Petrino promoted Garrick McGee to offensive coordinator. Team leaders in 18 categories return, but defense was SEC’s worst. AUBURN — Key players: QB Cameron Newton, LT Lee Ziemba, LB Josh Bynes. Returning starters: 7 offense. 8 defense. Notes — Only SEC coaching staff to return intact. DBs Aairon Savage, Mike McNeil and Zac Etheridge trying to return from serious injuries. Newton won the No. 1 job in the spring after transferring from JUCO. RB Michael Dyer headlines one of the Tigers’ top-rated recruiting classes in years.

MISSISSIPPI — Key players: QB Jeremiah Masoli, RB Brandon Bolden, DT Jerrell Powe. Returning starters: 3 offense, 6 defense. Notes — 9 returning starters is fewest in SEC, but Masoli’s transfer from Oregon is a potentially huge boost. Rebels return players responsible for less than 42 percent of passing, rushing and receiving yards. Defensive line remains formidable with Jerrell Powe manning the middle. LSU — QB Jordan Jefferson, LB Kelvin Sheppard, CB Patrick Peterson. Returning starters: 6 offense, 4 defense. Notes — Defense lost 4 of its top 5 tacklers. Nonconference games against North Carolina and West Virginia. Redshirt freshman RB Michael Ford could be big factor in backfield. Peterson and Sheppard are two of the league’s top defenders. MISSISSIPPI ST. — Key players: QBs Chris Relf and Tyler Russell, OT Derek Sherrod, DE Pernell McPhee. Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense. Notes: Coach Dan Mullen said bulldozing QB Chris Relf is “completely different” in his approach and demeanor from last season. He’s listed as coNo. 1 with Russell. JUCO transfers RB Vick Ballard and 6-foot-7, 345 JUCO DT James Carmon could play roles after going through spring. New coaches Manny Diaz and Chris Wilson will run the defense.

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

EAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIONS Henderson Continued from Page 8

Bob Smith/Courtesy of East Mississippi Community College Sports Information

East Mississippi Community College coach Buddy Stephens has been a driving force behind the resurgence of the school’s football program.

SUCCESS STARTS AT TOP FOR EMCC From school president Young to AD Stokes to coach Stephens, leaders have made commitment to re-make football BY JAMES BAILEY Special to the Dispatch

SCOOBA — Reveling in two successful campaigns and a No. 7 preseason ranking in the National Junior College Athletic Association football poll, East Mississippi Community College isn’t far removed from being the proverbial doormat of the community college ranks. The football program has seen more than its share of highs and lows in EMCC President Rick Young’s seven years leading the school. “When I first became president, we were the team everyone wanted to schedule for homecoming,” Young said. “But I became immersed in the football program, rode the bus to out of town games, and familiarized myself with all its aspects.” Young views the Lions’ athletic department as an essential component of the school. “In community colleges, we are able to reach a lot of young people through sports,” Young said. “We stress the academic aspects first. Our student-athletes should have a solid educational foundation to build upon, and, more importantly, hopefully we provide an opportunity for students to become better people.” Third-year football coach Buddy Stephens believes success starts at the top in any successful organization. “We’ve got what ever y coach would

“My goal as athletic director is for each sport to win a state and national championship.” East Mississippi Community College Athletic Director Mickey Stokes desire: an administration that understands being successful on and of f the field,” Stephens said. “Dr. Young is a very grounded human being, an excellent administrator, and is also very accessible. He talks with a lot of our recruits when they visit here. It means a lot for a mom and dad to come on campus and meet with the college president.” EMCC Vice President and Director of Athletics Mickey Stokes brings 26 years of experience and service to the school. He echoes Stephens’ appreciation of the support from the school’s president and its Board of Trustees. “My goal as athletic director is for each sport to win a state and national championship,” Stokes said. This year, Stephens is eager to build on last year’s success. The Lions are the reigning Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College state champions. They went on to claim the 2009 Mississippi Bowl title with a 27-24 win against 2010 preseason No. 2-

ranked Arizona Western in December in Biloxi. Stephens admits his team never will replace Randall Mackay or coach Ed Holley, but believes you just find players or coaches who will fit in. “Every season you have to impress what happened in the past is history. That was the past,” Stephens said. “Each individual team has to make its niche and mark in history.” Construction on a new stadium that could be used for multiple sports started earlier this year. School officials remain optimistic the artificial turf facility could be completed this year. Stokes is in his third year as athletic director overseeing all six campus sports programs. He is committed to assisting student athletes achieve positive results athletically and academically. He also oversees all sports’ facilities, support staff, and manages the sports budgets. Stokes ensures all sports programs abide by the rules and regulations of the state and national community college athletic association. He also monitors eligibility for all six sports programs on campus. With the enthusiasm and suppor t of Young, Stephens, and Stokes, EMCC football is poised to continue its MACJC North winning streak of 15 consecutive games and to earn a playoff berth and an opportunity to play again for a state championship.

Henderson said. “That gives me enough time to find a receiver and throw the ball.” This year, Henderson values his leadership role and the opportunity to help freshmen adjust to their surroundings. He believes leadership is a valuable asset for a starting quarterback, and plans to lead by example. “For the kids who are just coming in, you have to reassure them and keep everybody composed and just be a good leader,” Henderson said. First-year offensive coordinator Andy Siegal, who coached at the University of Southern Mississippi last year, is impressed with the Lions’ talent, especially at quarterback position. He believes Henderson does a good job leading the younger players. “Brad is a very good player with a strong arm,” Siegal said. “We are challenging Brad to lead the new guys by showing them how to practice, how to approach our classes, and take notes. It carries more weight when a sophomore leads the way.” Henderson said this year’s receivers make up for what they lack in experience with speed. EMCC’s offense will continue to run the spread, but it will include some new twists installed by Siegal. “Coach Siegal has brought in some new stuff I really like, but we are keeping a lot of the offense we had last year,” Henderson said. “We are a primarily pass offense.” Henderson knows the Lions’ success the past two seasons has increased expectations, and that a lot of the burden to lead the team will fall to him. He believes the Lions are on track to build on that success and, ultimately, to win a national championship. In the past two years, Henderson has played in two North Division championships and the school’s first MACJC state championship in a backup roll. This year, as the team leader, Henderson is determined to steer the Lions to another state championship and an invitation to play for a national title.

EMCC SCHEDULE Sept. 2

At Miss. Gulf Coast

Sept. 9

HINDS

Sept. 16 NORTHWEST MISS. Sept. 23 At Itawamba Sept. 30 At Coahoma Oct. 7

NORTHEAST MISS.

Oct. 16

PEARL RIVER

Oct. 21

At Miss. Delta

Oct. 28

HOLMES

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Sophomore Tate to be leader in secondary BY JAMES BAILEY Special to the Dispatch

Bob Smith/Courtesy of East Mississippi Community College Sports Information

Noxubee County High School standout Fred Tate had a strong first season last year as a member of the East Mississippi Community College football team. He will be counted on this season to be a bigger leader.

SCOOBA — Last year, former Noxubee County High School all-conference defensive back Fred Tate found a perfect fit to hone his coverage and tackling skills 20 miles south of home at East Mississippi Community College. In his first year with the Lions, Tate had 37 tackles, four assists, and 15 pass breakups that played significantly in EMCC’s 11-1 record and championship season. For a college cornerback, speed kills. A speedy wide receiver can run past you and leave an untested defensive back dazed and confused. On the other hand, a defensive back whose work ethic is defined by a focus on improving speed will pay dividends. Those split-second bursts of speed to step in front of an unsuspecting receiver, to

intercept, and to run for daylight motivate conscientious defensive backs. Tate is just that type. He wants to excel at a level that will assist EMCC win another championship. His offseason conditioning program motivated him to run, run, and run more so no wide receiver will ever best him. “In the offseason, my main concern was speed,” Tate said. “I’ve been working on my speed and patience. I like playing on visitor’s side. It motivates me when you hear the fans talking to you. I want a national championship this year. Johnny Cockrell is our other cornerback, and we make a good team in the secondary.” Another aspect important to Tate is leading the new players. “I want to be a positive influence,” Tate said. “I try to lead these guys and stress the need to work hard. The new guys ask a lot of questions, and I’m

glad to help out in any way.” Tate believes patience also is a key element for a successful defensive back. Associate head coach and defensive coordinator William Jones believes Tate possesses that characteristic. “Fred came to us from a very successful championship team at Noxubee County,” Jones said. “He’s very accomplished, competitive, and a good student who possess the ability to play Division I football next year. Fred has improved physically. His man-on-man ability has improved a lot. With one year under his belt, he is refining the tools of his trade. All our defensive backs are faster, leaner, and better conditioned athletes.” Jones stresses defensive backs are the third level of defense. They cover receivers whether man-on-man or zone and offer run support. “Our corners play cover-

2 defensive short zone, deep-third coverages and also have to be ready for run support,” Jones said. “Fred is 208 pounds and he can physically play the position well. Jones returns eight players in the secondary. “Fred will really help us out this year with his experience,” Jones said. “We feel good about our secondary. They watched film together, played together, worked out together, and that makes a difference. Tate is looking forward to the first game this season against Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. and lining up on the corner closest to the opposing team’s stands. The sound he wants to hear is the football hitting his hands while breaking up a pass or when he uses his 4.5 speed to step in front of an unsuspecting wide receiver to make an interception and then scampers down the sidelines to give his team six points.

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

12 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Southern Miss Continued from Page 7

Ronnie Thornton (114 total tackles) returns at the weak side, while speedster Martez Smith (82 total tackles) is back at strong side. Joining them will be Tim Green, Hendrick Leverette, Jeremy Snowden, and Scottie Williams. Sophomore Jamie Collins, who played both linebacker and nickel back in 2009, has moved into the linebacker rotation after serving as Smith’s backup last season.

a national television audience. Heading into the year, the Golden Eagles return 42 letterwinners from last season, including nine starters on a defense that finished 10th in the nation in turnover margin. The offense returns just four starters and used the spring to replace four players on the offensive line. Players back for the 2010 season include All CUSA second-team selections DeAndre Brown at wide receiver and Korey Williams at linebacker. Center Cameron Zipp, defensive linemen Anthony Gray and Cordarro Law, linebacker Ronnie Thornton, defensive back C.J. Bailey, and return man Tracy Lampley also return after earning honorable mention picks last season. Lampley and punter Peter Boehme also garnered C-USA AllFreshman team honors. The Offense Southern Miss will see changes near the top of the coaching ladder, as Blake Anderson takes over at offensive coordinator to add to his quarterback coaching responsibilities. Anderson, who has tutored quarterbacks Austin Davis and Martevious Young, will retain that duty while also calling the plays for the Golden Eagles in the booth. Chris Kapilovic returns as the offensive line coach and has picked up the responsibility as the run-game coordinator. Kapilovic’s line led the way for a rushing offense that produced a 1,000-yard rusher the previous four seasons and was No. 33 nationally in 2009. Barney Farrar returns as the tight ends coach and Pat Washington is back to tutor running backs. New to the offensive coaching squad is Kasey Dunn, who will oversee wide receivers. Dunn joins the Southern Miss family after spending the past two seasons as running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Four starting offensive lineman graduated and three of the team’s top four receivers also departed. Returning from injury will be redshirt junior quarterback Austin Davis and redshirt senior Martevious Young. Up front, only center Cameron Zipp and receiver DeAndre Brown return. The offense put up more than 5,000 yards again in 2009 for the third straight year. Quarterbacks Davis, a junior from Meridian, returns as the expected starter after missing the second half of the 2009 with a foot injury. In his five starts, Davis completed 69 percent of his passing attempts (108 of 156) for 1,165 yards and 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.

Matt Bush/AP

Southern Mississippi football coach Larry Fedora speaks Aug. 7 at the Eagle Media Day at the Reed Green Coliseum in Hattiesburg.

After Davis’ injury, Young led the Golden Eagles through the final eight games. He will push for the starting spot this fall. Young, who had only thrown for 8 yards in his previous two years of play, completed 57 percent of his passes (132 of 230) for 1,861 yards with 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also added 294 yards and one touchdown on the ground and was the team’s third leading rusher.

Running Backs With the departure of the school’s all-time leading rusher, Damion Fletcher, and the dynamic Tory Harrison, the coaching staff will need to replace nearly 70 percent of the team’s rushing offense from 2009. The duo combined for 1,662 yards of the team’s 2,358 total yards in 2009. They also combined for 18 of the Golden Eagles’ 23 rushing touchdowns. V.J. Floyd and a stable of heralded but young tailbacks will look to pick up where Fletcher and Harrison left off. Floyd has rushed for 398 yards in his Golden Eagle career, and has shown he is capable off handling the load. His breakout performance came in 2008 at home against the University of Alabama at Birmingham, when he rushed 21 times for 114 yards and one touchdown. Redshirt sophomore Desmond Johnson and sophomore Tracy Lampley return as the only other Golden Eagles with experience. Lampley accounted for 122 yards in 2009 with one touchdown, while Johnson added 72 yards and a touchdown in one appearance against Alcorn State in the season opener. Redshirt freshman Kendrick Hardy had an excellent spring and will push Floyd and the other experienced backs for playing time.

Wide Receivers In Fedora’s offense, wide receivers thrive, and 2010 should be no different. After returning from an injury at the end of the 2008 season, junior DeAndre Brown leapt back into the spotlight by leading the team in receptions and yardage for the second consecutive year. Brown caught 47 passes for 785 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009, and is expected to eclipse those numbers this season. Behind Brown, three leading receivers have departed and will be replaced by young, but inexperienced talent. Quentin Pierce, the team’s fifth-leading receiver a year ago, is the team’s second most experienced wideout. Pierce caught 25 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns last season, and has improved through the spring. Johdrick Morris and Ryan Balentine, two receivers who have shown flashes of brilliance, also will compete for playing time. Tight Ends When senior tight end Leroy Banks departed for a career in the NFL, Southern Miss lost its third-leading receiver. In 2010, senior Jonathan Massey and sophomore Ryan Hanks will carry the load at the end of the offensive line. Massey, the most veteran tight end on the Golden Eagles’ roster, caught seven passes in 2009 for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Kansas game. Hanks, a native of Pace, Fla., caught one pass in 2009 for two yards, but it was a 2yard touchdown reception that was instrumental in a comeback against Virginia.

Offensive Line Four starters have departed and only senior center Cameron Zipp returns to a line that produced a 1,000-yard rusher for the fourth consecutive year and eclipsed 5,000 yards for the third straight season. Kapilovic and Fedora will lean on Zipp’s leadership while they find the right fit at all four outside positions. To get immediate help, Southern Miss signed junior college players (Arizona Jason Weaver Western Community College) and Lamar Holmes (Itawamba C.C.) and will look to plug these experience linemen in early. Returning players with ingame experience include redshirt sophomore Joe Duhon, junior Thomas Edenfield, redshirt senior Alex Michael, Darius Barnes, and junior Ben Schoenberger (Junior). Southern Miss also has potential in redshirt freshmen Jonathan Guerry, Ed Preston, and Nathaniel Worrell. Redshirt sophomore Dyron White and redshirt junior James Brady also return. New to the program will be O.C. Brown, Seth Reedy, Taylor Peterson, and David Fowler. The Defense For the second consecutive year, Southern Miss ended the season with one of the four stoutest defenses in C-USA, and finished in the top 20 nationally in total sacks in 2009. The unit also excelled in turnover margin, ranking in the top 10. To improve on its 2009 campaign, the Black and Gold will need to improve a pass defense that finished No. 109 nationally. Todd Bradford is back to lead the defense as coordinator. Nasty Bunch alum Deke

Adams will continue his duties as the leader of the defensive line, while Dave Duggan heads up the linebacker corps. New to the coaching staff for 2010 is Grady Brown, who will coach the cornerbacks.

Defensive Line The Golden Eagles will return an interior line that was among the best against the run in C-USA in 2009 and defensive ends who were ferocious in the backfield. Under the tutelage of Adams, the defensive line accounted for 56 percent (50 of 88.5) of the team’s tackles for loss. Those players also improved from No. 93 in total sacks in 2008 to No. 18 a year ago. Along the interior, Anthony Gray, Terrance Pope, Logan Hickman, and John Henderson return with a wealth of experience. The foursome combined to play in 51 games in 2009. Khyri Thornton and Joel Ross will provide run clogging potential along the interior in 2010. Headlining the defensive ends is Cordarro Law, who led the team in tackles for loss with The 14.5 last season. Whitfield, Ala., native also was second on the team in sacks with 7.5. Deddrick Jones and David Boyce will again join him at the end position. Roshaad Byrd, whose season was cut short due to injury in 2009, also will return. Andrew Burns, who played primarily in special teams situations, also will add depth along the line. Redshirt freshmen Octavius Thomas and Carlos Powell also will contend for playing time. Linebackers All three starting linebackers, who combined for 317 tackles and were the top three tacklers on the team, return. Korey Williams (121 total tackles) comes back in the middle.

Defensive Backs Perennial starter C.J. Bailey suffered an injury at the close of the 2009 season and was unable to participate in many spring practice activities. Because of his absence, Fedora has been able to see what the future holds at the position. Redshirt sophomore Marcal Robinson showed fans what he is capable off in the 2009 New Orleans Bowl when he defended and broke up two passes and shut down his side of the field. Robinson will push Bailey for playing time this season. The spring also allowed redshirt freshmen Deron Wilson, Alex Smith, Jerrion Johnson, and Gerald West to come into their own. The foursome was impressive in the spring, and each brings a physical presence to the secondary. University of Alabama transfer Alonzo Lawrence also is eligible to play after sitting out a season due to NCAA transfer rules. At safety, Chico Hunter, Justin Wilson, and Kendrick Presley return having gained a wealth of experience in 2009. Wilson, who had two interceptions in 2009, and Bailey will be looked to for senior leadership.

The Special Teams In 2009, Southern Miss was among the nation’s best and the nation’s worst in special teams categories. Freshman sensation Tracy Lampley became the primary handler of the punt return and kick return duties and handled the job as well as anyone in the country, finishing the season No. 6 nationally in punt return yardage. He also added a 50yard return for a score against Memphis. At kickoff returns, Lampley and departed senior Freddie Parham led the way and each had one touchdown return. Lampley finished No. 15 nationally as a kick returner, while Parham was No. 40. The kickoff returns unit ranked No. 14 nationally and No. 2 in CUSA. Another freshman, Peter Boehme, impressed as the year went on. Boehme handled the punt duties for Southern Miss. He placed 26 of his 54 punts inside the opponent’s 20, and added 12 boots of 50-ormore yards while only tallying three touchbacks. The kicking duties remain up in the air. Last season, Justin Estes was 10 of 13 in field goals and 28 of 33 in extra-point attempts, while Daniel Hrapmann was 4 of 7 and 14 of 18, respectively. Redshirt freshman Matthew Little had an impressive spring, and incoming signee Corey Acosta will challenge for the starting position.

Guerry Continued from Page 7

easy. It is just a different type of challenge.” Guerr y hopes to earn as much playing time as possible this season. He said he tried in the offseason to be a role model by working hard in the weight room and showing his teammates how things needed to be done. He said he is excited to be a member of the travel squad and that he will continue to do

everything so he can earn his teammates’ trust. “I was struggling in the spring at picking stuff up, but they know I am getting out there and performing and showing them I can do it,” Guerry said. “I feel like I have come a long way in the year and a few months I have been here. I still feel like I have a long way to go, and I am going to keep

striving every day to get better.” Kapilovic is excited to hear that talk from Guerry. He said the race for starting positions is “wide open” and that he hopes all of the offensive linemen can jell into a cohesive unit that is built on trust. That shouldn’t be a problem for Guerry. “I am just going to do the best I can,” Guerry said. “My

redshirt year humbled me a lot, and it definitely let me know I wasn’t as good as I thought I was. You go from being a Division I prospect and getting letters, phone calls, and e-mails from so many different colleges that it gives you a big head. You get a little bit cocky. When I got here it was ver y humbling. They did a good job of knocking me down a few notches. It was

good for me. It does that to everybody. “(Redshirting) made me hungry. I was really ready to play the game. (Last year was like) doing all of the work during the week to get a paycheck and at the end of the week not getting a paycheck. It made me know I wanted to be on the field, not sitting there (on the sidelines).”

C-USA Continued from Page 7 SOUTHERN MISS — Key players: WR DeAndre Brown, QBs Martevious Young and Austin Davis, and LBs Ronnnie Thornton, Korey Williams and Martez Smith. Returning starters: offense 4, defense 9. Notes: After tearing a ligament in his left foot last season, Davis now has to fight off Young, who threw for 1,861 yards and 16 TDs. Coach Larry Fedora also has Brown, who is expected to return to his 2008 form when he set the single-season record with 67 catches. ... Schedule tough starting Sept. 2 at South Carolina, but Houston visits Nov. 20. MARSHALL — Key players: LB Mario Harvey, WR Antavious Wilson, RB Martin Ward. Returning 7, offense starters: defense. 7 Notes: Tough nonconference schedule starting at Ohio State and includes

a visit from West Virginia and trip to Bowling Green. The Thundering Herd hosts UCF and won’t play Houston... Har vey had 117 tackles and seven sacks. ... Ward, a sophomore, replaces Darius Marshall, who ran for 1,131 yards and 11 TDs. EAST CAROLINA — Key players: WR Dwayne Harris, FS Emmanuel Davis, CB Travis Simmons. Returning starters: offense 5, defense 2. Notes: McNeill at least has three offensive line starters back, and Harris, who had 83 catches for 978 yards last season. But QB Patrick Pinkney is gone. UAB — Key players: WR Frantrell Forrest, FS Hiram Atwater, LB Lamanski Ware. starters: Returning offense 8, defense 9. Notes: Replacing QB Joe Webb is the biggest challenge after he provid-

ed 73 percent of the offense, though David Isabelle likely has the edge. He ran 32 times for 288 yards last year. ... UAB has 11 of its top 12 tacklers back. MEMPHIS — Key players: RG Dominik Riley, DE Winston Bowens, LB Jamon Hughes. Returning starters: six offense, six defense. Notes: Porter must find offense after losing Curtis Steele and receivers Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton, who scored 24 of 33 TDs last season. All five offensive line starters return. ... Tyler Bass is the only QB who has taken a snap for Memphis and may be moved to receiver. WEST HOUSTON — Key players: QB Keenum; WRs Cleveland, Carrier and Edwards; RB Bryce Beall, LB Marcus McGraw. Returning starters: offense nine,

defense seven. Notes: The Cougars are switching to a 3-4 defense with new coordinator Stewart, trying to trim the 33 minutes opponents held the ball per game in 2009. ... Mississippi State visits on Oct. 9, and Houston wraps up the regular season with a trip to Texas Tech on Nov. 27. SMU — Key players: QB Kyle Padron, DT Margus Hunt, WRs Aldrick Robinson and Cole Beasley. Returning 6, offense starters: defense 7. Notes: SMU had the biggest win improvement in FBS with seven more victories in 2009. ... Padron completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,922 yards and had a schoolrecord 460 yards in beating Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl. ... The Mustangs open at Texas Tech on Sept. 5 and host

Washington State on Sept. 18 while dodging both UCF and Southern Miss in league play. UTEP — Key players: RB Donald Buckram, QB Trevor Vittatoe, WR Kris Adams, LB Royzell Smith. starters: Returning offense 7, defense 4. Notes: Buckram averaged 132.8 8 yards per game last season. ... Vittatoe is second among returning players to Keenum in career yards passing with 9,683 and career TD passes with 75. TULSA — Key players: WR/KR Damaris Johnson, QB G.J. Kinne, DE Odrick Ray, DE Cory Dorris. Returning 9, offense starters: defense, 5. Notes: Johnson totaled 2,693 yards catching passes, running and returning punts and kicks. ... Schedule isn’t easy with trips to Oklahoma State and Notre Dame in non-

conference play. RICE — Key players: RB Sam McGuffie; QB Nick Fanuzzi; DE Cheta Ozougwu; DT Scott Solomon. Returning starters: offense 9, defense 9. Notes: The Owls are a year older after matching Louisiana Tech in 2009 with the youngest starting lineup in the nation. ... McGuffie sat out 2009 following his transfer from Michigan. ... Schedule is brutal starting with Texas at Reliant Stadium in Houston. TULANE — Key players: QB Ryan Griffin, WR Casey Robottam, CB Phillip Davis. Returning 7, offense starters: defense 4. Notes: Coach Bob Toledo must replace RB Andre Anderson and WR Jeremy Williams, who combined for 56 percent of offense. ... Schedule features seven home games.

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

McElroy Continued from Page 6

Dusty Compton/AP

University of Alabama linebacker Tana Patrick (2) and teammate Dont’a Hightower (30) go through drills at practice Aug. 9 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Hightower Continued from Page 6 Chapman. I don’t know if he is one of those guys ever ybody knows about, but I guarantee you’re going to know about Chapman before the end of the season. We have a lot of young guys who are going to come in and help us on defense.” Hightower and junior safety Mark Barron are expected to be the leaders on the defense this season. It should not be a stretch for Hightower, who had 64 total tackles, including six quarterback hurries, as a freshman. His performance earned him All-America honors. In the process, he started 12 of 14 games and became one of two freshmen to be a regular starter in 2008. This season, some might expect him to duplicate the performance of McClain, the 2009 Butkus Award winner, who is now a member of the NFL’s Oakland Raiders. McClain paced the Crimson Tide with 53 solo tackles, 105 total tackles, tied for the team lead with 14.5 tackles for loss had four sacks, and two interceptions. Hightower is humbled by the comparison to McClain, but says he is a different player. He said McClain is more of a true inside linebacker, while he feels he is a hybrid, or someone who can move outside and back inside. Being compared to one of the school’s all-time greats can provide motivation. Hightower, though, needed only to remember the time he spent off the field waiting to get back. He said those memories will give him plenty of drive this season. “Hunger was one of the things that motivated me the most,” Hightower said. “Not being out

“I feel like I am the player I was and a little bit more, knowing I am going to have a little more on my shoulders this year being one of the team leaders and one of the guys who is going to have to make all of the checks on defense.” Alabama junior linebacker Dont’a Hightower there is one thing, but when you have played football all of your life and it gets taken away from you, it is a real big thing. It is good to be back on the field.” Hightower said he was trying to kill somebody the first time he put the pads back on again after not wearing them for five or six months. He said he couldn’t move like he remembered and that he was trying not to overdo it on his knee. Earlier this month at the football team’s media day, Hightower confirmed he feels 100 percent back. “I feel like I am the player I was and a little bit more, knowing I am going to have a lot more on my shoulders this year being one of the team leaders and one of the guys who is going to have to make all of the checks on the defense. I feel like the expectations are going to be a little bit higher, so I feel like I have to push myself a little bit more in all

different areas. I am looking forward to this year.” Hightower’s teammates know he was injured but they aren’t sure there is a difference in his play. “Dont’a Hightower has stepped up a lot,” junior linebacker Jerrell Harris said. “He has really taken control from a leadership standpoint and is trying to be the head man and trying to be more vocal and just helping everybody out.” Said Sophomore defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick, “He is working like he always has. I feel like the injury hasn’t even affected him.” Defensive coordinator / linebackers coach Kirby Smart also has noticed Hightower’s play. He said Hightower already had assumed a leadership role but that he is doing even more. “He looks better this fall and he still has a way to go,” Smart said. “He looks better this spring. Dont’a really has challenged the younger players to learn the defense and to compete at practice. As long as he continues to do that he can take on that role we need him to do.” Hightower plans to apply everything he learned from sitting and watching this season. He said he still intends to be physical and to do everything he can to make McClain, Cody, and the rest of the former Alabama players proud — and to recarve his own identity. “I am not a guy who uses finesse to get around blocks,” Hightower said. “I am one of the guys who puts the guard back in the hole and makes a play. I feel like I am the same player, if not better.”

Saban Continued from Page 6

champions. “The championship’s a part of history and we’re not going to defend anything,” Saban insists. He’s hammered that much home to his players: Don’t live in last year. Tide players at least seem to be listening after two straight perfect regular seasons. “He’s so strong-minded you don’t even feel like you won anything,” cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick said. Certainly not yet this season, whatever the expectations. For a change, the frontrunner status stems largely from a loaded offense, led by Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, fellow backfield mate Trent Richardson, wide receiver Julio Jones and steady leader McElroy. It’s a collection of talent the Tide has traditionally been more likely to boast on the other side of the ball. The defense is still packed with All-American types — only now they’re prep All-Americans trying to make the leap to the SEC. Like the sophomore trio of cornerbacks Kirkpatrick and B.J. Scott and linebacker Nico Johnson. Third-team AP AllAmerican strong safety Mark Barron is the only returning defensive player who started more than four games last season. Linebacker Dont’a Hightower missed 10 games after a knee injury. Defensive end Marcell Dareus was a star of the national championship game and is a ferocious

pass rusher. His status to open the season is uncertain with an NCAA investigation into a trip he — and other players from schools — reportedly took to Miami in the spring. The Tide must replace All-Americans Terrence Cody, Rolando McClain and Javier Arenas on defense, as well as firstround NFL draft pick Kareem Jackson. “I do like the talent level we have,” Saban said. “I do like the attitude that the players have worked with. I think this is going to be a defensive team that improves throughout the course of the season.” Alabama won’t have much time for the young defenders to grow up. The Tide faces Penn State on Sept. 11, then visits Duke. Plus, fellow SEC power Florida visits newly expanded Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 2 in a rematch of the past two league championship games. It’s a treacherous schedule for a team trying to repeat as national champions, but a nice one for breaking in a bigger Bryant-Denny. The stadium will now hold 101,821, making it the fifth-largest in football after a 9,000-seat addition. Fitting accommodations for a — sorry, coach — defending national champion. The Saban statue, like his team, remains a work in progress and is expected to be erected sometime during the season. Saban has been here before. His LSU team won a share of the national title

Dusty Compton/AP

University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) runs a drill at practice Aug. 9 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Ingram won the Heisman Trophy last season.

in 2003, then “fell” to 9-3 the following season. McElroy has also been part of title teams, playing on three Texas high school state champions. It’s given him some idea of how to handle this. “As a guy who’s been around special teams, really successful teams, I don’t want to have that complacency, that sense of relaxation,” McElroy said. “I want to feel pressed. I want to strive for something. We understand this year is completely different from last year. No one is going to hand us the trophy now because of what we accomplished this.” A repeat title likely will require some good fortune — like Cody’s two

blocked field goals in a two-point win over Tennessee. Josh Chapman is expected to replace Cody in the middle of the line this season. The 310pounder has played in 29 games and was a thirddown specialist behind Cody but doesn’t quite have the same space-clogging size. The backfield is the Tide’s biggest strength. Both Ingram, the school’s first Heisman winner, and the sophomore Richardson ran for 100plus yards against Texas. Then there’s Jones, a physical, playmaking receiver who was slowed somewhat by injuries last season.

what he can learn attending Oxford. He didn’t envision the paper taking the turn and likes the new direction. McElroy already has earned his undergraduate degree in Marketing and is in graduate school. The lowest grade he has earned at Alabama is a B+ in a Management and Leadership class. “I was just open-minded when I started writing it,” McElroy said. “I sent it in to our advisor and he has been helping me along the way and some things that have been successful in the past. It is really tough to tell what they want.” McElroy doesn’t believe there is a correlation between the abstract thinking he is doing for his essay and the split-second decisions he has to make on the football field. He feels the two thought processes are different ways of handling problems but that his ability to think critically provides some help. “On the football field it is all reaction,” McElroy said. “I don’t think your book smarts or your grade-point average or anything like that really translates to what you do on the field. I think it allows you to study your playbook and grasp information faster, and grasp more information and to study game plans longer.” Nearly 90 students are selected every year for the Rhodes Scholarship, which enables an individual to study for one or two years at Oxford University in England. Two people will be selected out of a pool of candidates from Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. The list of applicants is cut to 12 based on each candidate’s essay and recommendations. The finalists are then graded on a host of categories. Florida State University safety Myron Rolle was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship and studied at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University for the 2009-10 academic year. The Tennessee Titans selected him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. McElroy would love to follow Rolle’s footsteps into the NFL. First, he has matters to attend to at Alabama. That road will feature plenty of more scrutiny than he faced last year. Earlier this year, McElroy was one of 30 quarterbacks named to the 2010 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List. The candidates were selected based on their performances in 2009 and the expectations they face entering this season. McElroy might face the most scrutiny. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder led Alabama to a 14-0 record and the program’s 13th national championship last season. Despite the fact McElroy passed for 17 touchdowns, the second most in a single season in school history, 2,508 yards and threw only four interceptions, Alabama ranked only eighth in the Southeastern Conference in passing offense (187.9 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (403 ypg). McElroy was ninth in passing average (179.1), fourth in total offense (185.1), and fourth in passing efficiency (140.5). The flip side was McElroy’s stewardship of the football helped Alabama have the third fewest turnovers in the nation (12). He also was named MVP of the SEC Championship Game. While proud of what he accomplished, McElroy feels more comfortable in coach Jim McElwain’s system and as a team leader. He said he isn’t sure how much different or what kind of new identity the offense will have this season, but he said there is plenty of room for improvement. “I think I have grown a lot,” McElroy said. “I think I have come a long way in my development and understanding defenses. I feel real confident. That is probably the biggest thing. I feel extremely confident in my preparation and what I have done in the past 12 months to get ready

for this moment.” McElroy also should have a better feel for what Heisman Trophy winning running back Mark Ingram, junior wide receiver Julio Jones, and sophomore running back Trent Richardson will be able to do. The return of offensive linemen Barrett Jones and James Carpenter also should help provide solid protection. All five players were named preseason first-team AllSEC by the media. McElroy was a second-team pick. Jones, who roomed with McElroy in training camp, said McElroy is a “laidback” teammate who likes to play video games in his spare time. He said McElroy has been trying to get him to play FIFA soccer on PlayStation III and has been “kicking his butt” when he does play. “He is a great guy, and a great guy to be around,” Jones said. “Greg is intelligent in his schoolwork and in football. He goes through all of his reads and he makes the right decisions. He doesn’t try to force anything in there, and if he doesn’t feel comfortable with it he won’t throw it. He plays everything by the book.” McElroy refined those skills earlier this year in a return trip to the Manning Passing Camp in Thibodaux, La., where he talked with Indianapolis Colts standout quarterback Peyton Manning about how to play the position and how to maximize his work with his receivers so their timing is perfect. McElroy’s diligence is one reason he hasn’t lost a football game since the eighth grade. And while he hasn’t always been the starter for his teams, individual accolades don’t carry a lot of weight with McElroy or other members of Alabama’s offense. The players and coaches stressed earlier this month at the team’s media day that statistics are great as long as they create wins. McElwain said members of the offense — players and coaches — have “ripped egos out” and are invested in the system together. At the forefront, McElroy serves as the “consummate guy who studies we do,” everything McElwain said. McElroy, who played with injured ribs in the national title game victory against Texas, said he is proud to be part of such a selfless group. “I think everybody on the team from an offensive point of view is extremely focused on the details,” McElroy said. “I think that is a big reason why we have been so successful. There were times last year when we hit lulls and we were tired and we didn’t play as well, but for the most part, we always bounce back. We very rarely had a two-game skid as an entire offense, and I think that is a credit to guys working hard and their preparation and guys giving their very best every time they step out there.” A lot of the credit goes to McElroy, who has molded himself into a leader of the best team in college football. He said several times at SEC Media Days last month that he “just want(s) to make a difference,” and there is every reason to believe he will do that again this year. “A lot of people ask, ‘How are you being motivated?’ ” McElroy said at SEC Media Days. “The way I look at it, if you’ve been to the mountain top, why would you settle for anything less? Our motivation is coming from someplace else this year. It’s coming from our accomplishments to become a good team. “We’re proud of what we accomplished last year. It was a great run, great memories that we’ll have for the rest of our lives. If you look at us, none of us are wearing our rings. We understand that whatever happened last year isn’t going to give us advantage this year. We’re going to give it our best effort each week. It’ll be a tough task, and it’s something we’re ready for.”

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

14 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Contributed

David Brown/University of Mississippi Sports Information

Randall Mackey was an All-American last season as a sophomore at East Mississippi Community College. He led the Lions to a state title and an 11-1 record. He will compete with Nathan Stanley and Jeremiah Masoli for playing time at quarterback this season at the University of Mississippi.

Nathan Stanley appeared in five games at quarterback last season for the University of Mississippi. Jevan Snead’s decision to leave school with one year of eligibility remaining helped Stanley move to the top of the depth chart. Now he will compete with Jeremiah Masoli and Randall Mackey to see who can win the job as starter.

Ole Miss

QBs

Continued from Page 5

turn pro after his junior season. “The bottom line is he helped us win 18 games,” Nutt said. “So you’re missing so much.” Expectations for Nutt’s third season at Ole Miss weren’t that high because of those losses and more. The Rebels were picked to finish at or near the bottom of the Southeastern Western Conference Division by just about everyone. Then Masoli entered the mix and no one’s really sure what to expect from Ole Miss now. There’s no question he can contribute, especially in Nutt’s Wild Rebel offense, after leading the Ducks to the Pac-10 title after accounting for 28 touchdowns. But can he stay out of trouble? Two brushes with the law in six months cost him his place at Oregon and the Heisman Trophy Buzz that was building. Can he win the job? He has 29 practices to learn Nutt’s two-pronged playbook and

must supplant starter Nate Stanley. And if he does, can he overcome the problems created by four new starters on the offensive line? “It’s scary when you’re relying on a center who’s never taken a snap in the SEC,” Nutt said. But Masoli is a 5-foot11, 220-pound run-pass threat who might be just the answer for that untested line. The walk-on was just digesting the playbook a few days into camp when he first met with reporters, but he could already see the possibilities of Nutt’s Wild Rebel offense. “I’m a true dual-threat quarterback,” Masoli said. “I can run it and I can pass. To be in this offense under center will give me a great chance to showcase those talents.” The thought that he can guide a young, but offense promising through a reasonable early season schedule and rev things up in October has players excited.

and All-SEC wide receiver Shay Hodge (70 catches, 1,135 yards, eight touchdowns). The addition of Masoli, a 5-foot-11, 220-pounder, could lessen the impact. Last year, he led Oregon to its first Pac-10 title since 2001 and its first Rose Bowl appearance since 1995. He started for two years and threw for 2,147 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 668 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2009. But off-the-field problems plagued Masoli. He was suspended for the 2010 season after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor second-degree burglary for his role in a theft at an Oregon fraternity in January. Masoli was allowed to practice with the team in spring drills, but coach Chip Kelly kicked him off the team after he was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and driving on a suspended license after a traffic stop in June. Nutt said the decision of Raymond Cotton to leave the program (he has moved on to South Alabama) left the Rebels with only Stanley and Mackey at quarterback, and that didn’t make him feel comfortable. He said he understands the risk in bringing Masoli into the program, but he said he did his homework and trusts Masoli knows this is his last chance. “One of the biggest points we made

comment. Jerrell said his mother was misquoted. The prolonged struggle to play football left Powe shaken. “Early on after he was denied I talked to him and he was crying and he said, ‘Why me?’ ” said Lockett, who was a freshman at Ole Miss in 2007. The NCAA denied Powe’s eligibility three times. In 2007-08, college’s governing body barred him from playing but allowed him to enroll at Ole Miss and to receive financial aid. The NCAA wanted Powe to show he could handle the academic demands of college for one year before he took the field. In 2008, the Southeastern Conference ruled Powe was eligible to play for the Rebels. The decision left Powe, who Rivals.com had rated a fivestart recruit, eager to get started. But Powe had ballooned to 380 pounds and needed time to regain the confidence, technique, and instincts that made him one of the nation’s top recruits. Lockett knew Powe would be able to re-capture that form. “Back then, you knew if you polished that stone up it is going to shine in a couple of years, and it is shining now despite all of the things he has been through,” Lockett said. Ole Miss defensive

coordinator/linebackers coach Tyrone Nix has watched Powe sculpt his body to a manageable weight and become a force again up front. He said it is “remarkable” Powe has come from where he was to reach his senior year. He said Powe never accepted just getting to Ole Miss and steeled himself to get back into top condition and to do what he needs to do off the field. “He has challenged himself and it shows up physically, the commitment to getting his body in tip-top shape so he can get the maximum out of his ability,” Nix said. “The discipline it takes to get to that point and maintain speaks volumes about the kid’s character, about his love and passion for the game, and his demand to be the best he can be.” Nix said it has surprised him to see Powe make such progress. He said it often is difficult from the outside looking in to determine if a player has the fortitude and the drive to commit themselves to a goal and to see it through to the end. He said Powe is at that point with less than three weeks to go before the season opener against Jacksonville State. “I expect great things (from Jerrell) because that is what he has produced,” Nix said. “He is in the best shape of his life, so, hopefully, we’re going to see the

was you need us more than we need you, and I think he understood that,” Nutt said. Masoli, who will play this season if the NCAA approves a waiver request, reiterated that point at Ole Miss media day, thanking everyone at the school for allowing him to transfer. He said Nutt was the reason he picked Ole Miss from the half dozen schools he researched. Masoli hopes to gain the same comfort level in Nutt’s offense. His skills appear to be suited for the “Wild Rebel” offense, and, like Mackey, he has the ability to make defenders miss and to make big plays with his arm and with his feet. On the other hand, Stanley, who is 6-5, 215 pounds, is more of a “pro style quarterback” who will operate in the pocket. With three quarterbacks, Ole Miss has greater flexibility to run multiple looks and to have two quarterbacks — even three — on the field at the same time. “You can guarantee there will be about five times in a game where our quarterback has to make something happen because the defenses in this league are too good,” Nutt said. “They’re too fast, so that gives you an advantage when you have a quarterback that says, ‘OK., something breaks down I can escape, I can make something happen.’ ”

Mackey, who is 6-foot, 190 pounds, can do that, too. Last year, he led the nation with 3,122 yards passing, finished second in the nation with 32 touchdown passes, and rushed for 579 yards and five touchdowns to help EMCC (11-1) win a state title. Stanley appeared in five games for the Rebels last season. He was 11 of 23 for 163 yards and one touchdown. He showed promise in the spring, going 11 of 16 for 166 yards and two touchdowns in the annual Grove Bowl. Senior defensive lineman Jerrell Powe was one of the players who helped welcome Masoli to Oxford. He joked at media day that he told Masoli he needed to get used to a bigger defenders he’ll see in the Southeastern Conference. Like many college football players, Powe watched other games last season and was impressed with what Masoli could do. He said he and several of the Rebels encouraged Nutt to add Masoli and that they are anxious to see how he can help the program, even if it means taking a chance on a player who has been in trouble. Nutt said at media day Stanley would be his starting quarterback if the season started Aug. 9. It remains to be seen which quarterback will do — and say — the right things to earn that job for the Sept. 4 opener against Jacksonville State.

Powe Continued from Page 5

to the 312-320 range. The hours of training and conditioning and disciplining himself to do the right things off the field have been worth the wait. This year, the senior defensive tackle intends to invest that dedication and have a season to remember. “I always wanted to be successful in life,” Powe said. “I just never would quit. I always wanted to do it for my family. When guys quoted me wrong in the paper, it gave me motivation to feel like I have to prove these guys wrong. There never was any doubt. It always what is what is the next stumbling block (and how am I going to get past it).” Powe was a member of Ole Miss’ 2005 signing class out of Wayne County High School, but he attended Hargrave Military Academy, where he played in 2005. In 2006, the NCAA Clearinghouse said Powe had completed his requirements with “significant” assistance. In the legal quagmire that followed, comments by Powe’s mother, Shirley, were printed in newspapers. The comment, “Jerrell really is a good child, but he just can’t read” gained national attention, and proved to be just the beginning of the ordeal. Powe’s mother later said she never made the

best performance he has put up so far.” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt also believes Powe can accomplish big things this season. The 6foot-2, 320-pounder already has been named to three preseason watch lists — Outland Trophy (best interior lineman), Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player), and Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman). He also was a first-team pick to the preseason All-SEC team. Nutt, who is in his third season in Oxford, said Powe’s love for Ole Miss helped him persevere. “He’s such a good teammate and a good leader,” Nutt said. “By just listening to him, he had one goal: He wanted to play at Ole Miss, and nothing was going to stop him. That’s the attitude that you want. Those kinds of guys are successful. They’re going to get a degree, they’re going to make plays for you on Saturday, and they’re going to do what’s right and be good citizens. We took him to Birmingham (Ala.) for Media Days (last month), and he did an awesome job. He stole a lot of hearts down there. A lot of people met him for the first time. He handled himself great. He’s genuine, unselfish, and has a good heart, and he can play football.” Powe also can cook. Lockett, who said he is “great friends with Powe,

often teams with Powe to play host to barbecues. He said they typically have competitions to see whose barbecue is better. The friends at the party benefit the most because Powe makes sure everyone gets their share before taking a little for himself. The lifestyle is part of the discipline he follows to stay in shape, but Lockett said it is part of Powe’s character. “He doesn’t really do it for himself,” Lockett said. “He does it for everybody. He will sit there and grill pounds of chicken and slabs of ribs and he will maybe eat a rib or a piece of chicken, but everything else will be for everybody. He is not going to eat until he is full. He is going to do this for y’all and tell everybody, ‘Y’all have fun.’ ” Powe also can play football. ESPN’s Mel Kiper rated Powe the No. 2 senior defensive tackle in the land, while Lindy’s has him as the nation’s No. 5 defensive tackle and the No. 8 NFL talent in the SEC. Powe’s face lights up when asked if he would consider a possible return for another year at Ole Miss. There is the possibility Powe could be granted another year of eligibility, but his reaction to the question says it all. “I think I have paid my respect because I definitely want to move on,” Powe said. “If I have to use that other year, I will, but I think

I have paid my respect.” While it is tempting to think ahead to a possible career in the NFL, Powe is focused on this season. He said it is a source of motivation to be a first-round NFL draft pick. To realize that goal, though, he said he will continue to eat all of the right things and to continue to hone his technique so he can take the next step. It’s a step Powe has looked forward to ever since the denials gave him pause about his chosen path, but never caused him to doubt himself “I always thought it would be easier to go back and to tell people what you did as opposed to what you didn’t do,” Powe said when asked why he stayed at Ole Miss through all the setbacks. “There never has been no doubts. I always want to be successful, and I knew what I wanted to do, and I knew what I had to do. I just had to get down on the weight.” Lockett always believed, too. Together, they will lead a defense that returns six starters and will show the nation a side to Powe everyone needs to see. “His character and his sense of humor are going to rub off on you immediately and you’re going to be like, ‘Oh, OK I see why he is in the predicament he is in and where he came from a couple of years ago,’ ” Lockett said.

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Mullen

Sherrod

Continued from Page 4 against the University of Mississippi in the Egg Bowl, is he ready to take over as full-time starter? And if he’s not, is redshirt freshman Tyler Russell the right fit for Mullen’s run-first offense? Mullen has said the competition is too close to call and showed last year he doesn’t mind playing two signal callers. But Relf has been preparing himself to take over the team after playing in 10 games last season while sharing time

Continued from Page 3 with starter Tyson Lee, and has gotten positive reviews. “I think he’s had a great offseason,” Mullen said. “He picked up where he left off this offseason. If you look at what he’s done and the improvements he’s made, he didn’t just sit and get satisfied with that game. I think that really gave him some confidence to grow as a quarterback this offseason and become a much better all-around player.”

Wright Continued from Page 4

whether moving to a new position helps his draft stock. He knew he would have to answer the question at Southeastern Conference Media Days. “Like I tell people all the time, ‘If I have zero tackles and we win, I’m just as happy,’ ” Wright said. “My thing and focus is doing anything I can to help my team win. The NFL is not my main concern.” The Bulldogs’ new attacking defense, which simplifies reads and utilizes strong line play, will have Wright playing away from the line of scrimmage after spending the past three seasons manning the strong side. Wright describes the new defense as “real dynamic,” which could help the senior improve on the 82 tackles, six and a half tackles for a loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles he recorded in ’08. Plus, he thinks the defense could help his draft stock. “A lot of NFL teams run it, and it’s something we’re going to pride ourselves on doing a real good job of,” Wright said. “It’s real multiple, and you’re going to see us make a lot of plays.” So whether Wright is thinking about the league directly or indirectly, he already has a believer in Diaz, his fourth defensive coordinator in his MSU career. Despite playing with simplified reads, Wright and the rest of the defense

experienced a learning curve after Diaz and former University of Oklahoma defensive line coach Chris Wilson joined the team in the spring. Wright’s position change added to the transition, but he didn’t take long to acclimate to playing in more space, Diaz said. “When you show up for your last spring practice, and all of a sudden there’s a new guy explaining new ways of doing things and new terminology, that’s a little unsettling,” Diaz said. “You can tell from the 15th day of spring to the first day of fall camp he’s really made a lot of improvement and is more comfortable with his job, and the understanding we don’t need him to be good, we need him to be great for us to be a great defense.” To go from good to great, Wright will need to nurture a young linebacking corps that lost current Philadelphia Eagle and AllSEC performer Jamar Chaney. And though senior Chris White will anchor the middle, the team will have a new strong-side starter and untested backups. MSU’s linebacker depth took another hit when Karlin Brown and Terrell Johnson left the program. Last year, MSU’s three starting linebackers were the team’s top three tacklers. Freshman Cameron Lawrence, who was featured primarily on special

teams, had 14 tackles as the next nearest linebacker on the stat sheet. Experience is dangerously thin, but Wright believes the team can work around it. “The young guys are just getting into it, and it’s a big responsibility for me and Chris to teach them how to practice and teach them the plays,” Wright said. “Leadership was one of the things me and the coaches talked about this offseason. It’s all about keeping the confidence in them because the more we learn and the more we rep it, that’s when the fun starts and we’ll be able to dominate offenses.” Physically, Wright said his focus has been about playing with proper “bend,” as taller players typically have a tougher time generating full force in football technique. Wright and the rest of the defense have spent considerable time working on flexibility with strength coach Matt Balis, so Diaz is keen to see Wright implement improved mechanics and become a more explosive tackler. “Coach Balis and his staff, from January on, really made an emphasis to get our guys, in everything they do, to be in a football position — bending the knees, bending the hips where your power is in our lower body,” Diaz said, “(and) not just to tackle a guy, but to put a bruise on the running back.”

Meet Paul A. Kosko, DPT, SCS, The Newest Member of Our Team Paul graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor of science degree in microbiology in 2004 and earned his doctorate in physical therapy in 2008 from the University of Mississippi. In 2009, he completed the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s first physical therapy residency program in sports medicine, which focuses on pre-operative, non-operative and postoperative rehabilitation for athletes with a variety of orthopedic injuries. Paul recently finished the rigorous credentialing process of the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and is now one of only 7 board certified specialists in sports physical therapy in the state of Mississippi — and is the only one in the Golden Triangle area. Paul’s expertise is using sports-specific drills and evidenced based practice to help athletes return to their sport and activity as safely and quickly as possible.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

Sherrod has the most starting experience entering the 2010 season. He also is one of the few remaining players from MSU’s last bowl team in ‘07, making his influence on the team’s untested backups vital. MSU guard Quentin Saulsberry remembers the struggles of his first years as a starter in ‘08, when he was played out of position at right tackle. The example in his first season as a full-time starter was Sherrod. “We always say, ‘He doesn’t say too much but he leads with action,’ ” Saulsberry said. “Derek is real crucial to our offensive line having success. The leadership and the example — he helps other players get better. He pays attention to details, takes good steps, gets good hand placement. ... He likes to make sure everything is

“I feel my knowledge of the game has improved tremendously.” Mississippi senior offensive lineman Derek Sherrod right, so I look to him a lot, to see how he practices and gets better every day.” MSU’s quarterback situation could result in a fulltime starter or a rotation like last season, when Chris Relf subbed for starter Tyson Lee in downand-distance situations. Sherrod’s role won’t change with quarterbacks. He’s going to protect the edge. His pass protection is just part of his skill-set, as his quickness and versatility give Hevesy the option of pulling him on counter

plays. Dixon’s 51-yard touchdown run against Houston is a perfect example, as Sherrod hopped over a fallen defender to hook a linebacker who sniffed out the play and shot the gap. Dixon cut off Sherrod’s block and scampered for the score. Sherrod finished the play by throwing the linebacker to the ground. To Sherrod, plays like that require just as much mental work as athleticism. “You have to be a smart player to do your best,“ Sherrod said. “You could be the biggest, strongest, and fastest, but if you don’t know your plays you’re not going to get far. Heading into this year, I feel my knowledge of the game has improved tremendously. That’s the biggest reason I expect to play much better than I did last season.”

BIG-BORE POWER. IN A SINGLE SHOT OR SIDE-BY-SIDE.

THESE ARE THE BIG GUNS OFF-ROAD. The Sportsman XP is the alpha male of ATVs. The RANGER XP outrides, outhunts and out carries all other Side-by-Sides. Stop by and load up your favorite high-caliber machine today.

Adventure ATV

1245 Hwy. 45A South • West Point, MS 39773 info@adventureatv.com • adventureatv.com

WARNING!: ATVs can be hazardous to operate. Polaris adult models are for riders age 16 and older. Polaris youth models of 90cc for riders 12 and older. Polaris youth models of 50cc for riders 6 and older. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing, and be sure to take a safety training course. For safety and training information in the U.S., call the SVIA at (800) 887-2887. You may also contact your Polaris dealer or call Polaris at (800) 342-3764. For safety training in Canada, contact your local Polaris dealer. The Polaris RANGER general purpose utility vehicle is not intended for and may not be registered for on-road use. ©2009 Polaris Industries Inc

With the addition of a board certified sports physical therapy specialist to our team, some folks are saying the OCH Sports Medicine Program has an unfair advantage... Well, allow us to work that advantage for you! Our team of skilled physicians, certified athletic trainers, specially trained physical therapists and exercise specialists has a keen understanding of what it takes to keep athletes in the game. Their knowledge and expertise, coupled with the comprehensive approach they provide, ensures injured athletes a clear advantage on the road to recovery. Call on the OCH Sports Medicine Team for championship injury prevention, evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation.

Put our advantage to work for you!

(662) 615-3020

www.och.org

16 SUNDAY, AUGUST 15, 2010

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com

COLLEGE FOOTBALL