College Football 20140825

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Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014

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Football Journal 2014

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

DAILY JOURNAL |

INDEX

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Alcorn State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Belhaven . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Delta State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Itawamba CC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Jackson State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 P.J. Jones (MSU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Logan Lowery MSU column . . . . . 5 Memphis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Millsaps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Mississippi College . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Miss. Valley State . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 MSU breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Northeast Miss. CC . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Ole Miss breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Parrish Alford Ole Miss column . . . 4 Schedule analysis . . . . . . . . . . . .10 SEC East . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SEC schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 SEC standings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 SEC West . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 D.T. Shackleford (Ole Miss) . . . . . . .6 Small-college schedules . . . . . . .20 Southern Miss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SWAC’s new faces . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Teams in transition . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Who’s on the hot seat? . . . . . . . . .20

FOOTBALL JOURNAL 2014

LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Like this pass in the 2013 Egg Bowl, the SEC West looks to be up for grabs this fall. Will the Rebels or Bulldogs reach out and grab it?

Rebels, Bulldogs appear to have much in common TUPELO ’m sitting here trying to puzzle out the differences between Ole Miss and Mississippi State that led one team (the Rebels) to be ranked 18th in the preseason and the other (the Bulldogs) to be relegated to the fine print under the “also receiving votes” label.

I’ve got to tell you, I don’t see a lot of difference between them as we head into the first week of the season – and not just because they’re both 0-0.

I see playmaking quarterbacks, each with a past history of injury issues, leading both teams. I see disruptive forces on both defenses. I see a gaggle of good receivers and running backs fighting for snaps.

I see question marks on spe-

I

cial teams and some key injuries in the preseason.

It’s hard to tell these teams apart, Offensive line is usually a good indicator. Phil JOHN L. Steele ranks PITTS MSU 29th and Ole Miss 30th in that department. Not much separation there.

You say “Robert Nkemdiche,” and I say “Chris Jones.” Both guys are monsters on defense.

I say “Laquon Treadwell” and you say “Jameon Lewis.” Both receivers have game-breaking potential on every snap.

MSU returns 16 starters. Ole Miss returns 15.

Ole Miss played Auburn and Alabama pretty well. MSU played each of them a little closer.

Both won their bowl games.

Ole Miss beat a better name – Georgia Tech – but MSU thoroughly wore out a 10-win Rice team.

Elsewhere in this Football Journal, we asked our Journal beat writers to predict the outcome of each Ole Miss and MSU game this fall. Each predicted nine regular-season wins. Dead even.

At the end of the day, I suspect the poll voters cast their lots with Ole Miss for a couple of reasons.

They’ve all heard about Hugh Freeze’s recruiting classes and

figure, not unreasonably, that it should continue to pay off for the Rebels.

And, hate to bring it up, but Mississippi State’s last win against a ranked team was in 2010 – and when you play in the SEC West, you’re going to see more than your share of those.

Maybe it just came down to the LSU effect. Ole Miss beat the Tigers 27-24 in Oxford and MSU lost 59-26 in Death Valley.

When trying to figure out who’s who in the SEC West, that one contrast probably carried a lot of weight – and won’t mean a thing once the games begin in earnest later this week.

John L. Pitts (john.pitts@ journalinc.com) is sports editor of the Daily Journal.

Sports editor: John L. Pitts Cover photo: The Golden Egg Trophy is hoisted in Starkville last season after Mississippi State’s 17-10 overtime victory against Ole Miss. Photo

by Lauren Wood, Daily Journal.

THERE’S MORE ONLINE!

At our website, djournal.com, you can find links to blogs from Parrish Alford (Ole Miss) and Logan Lowery (Mississippi State) – updated daily.

You can also follow us on Twitter: @parrishalford, @loganlowery, @johnlpitts and @djournalnow.

IT’S ALMOST GAMEDAY!

Look for our first weekly GameDay section on Thursday, Aug. 28, for the Ole Miss-Boise State game. It’ll have preview material on both the Rebels and Mississippi State.

After that, GameDay will appear in the Saturday sports section each week through the season.

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2F

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2014 SEC SCHEDULE

Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29

ALABAMA West Virginia*, 2:30 p.m.

Florida Atlantic, 11 a.m.

Southern Miss, 5 p.m.

Florida at Ole Miss at Arkansas Texas A&M at Tennessee at LSU Mississippi State Western Carolina Auburn

Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29

FLORIDA Idaho, 6 p.m.

Eastern Michigan, 3 p.m.

Kentucky, 6:30 p.m. at Alabama at Tennessee LSU Missouri Georgia* at Vanderbilt South Carolina Eastern Kentucky at Florida State

Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 27

LSU Wisconsin*, 8 p.m.

Sam Houston, 6:30 p.m.

La.-Monroe, 6 p.m.

Mississippi State New Mexico State at Auburn at Florida Kentucky Ole Miss Alabama at Arkansas at Texas A&M, 6:30 p.m.

Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 28

ARKANSAS at Auburn, 3 p.m.

Nicholls State, 3 p.m. at Texas Tech, 2:30 p.m.

Northern Illinois Texas A&M* Alabama Georgia UAB at Mississippi State LSU Ole Miss at Missouri, 1:30 p.m.

Aug 30 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29

GEORGIA Clemson, 4:30 p.m. at So. Carolina, 2:30 p.m.

Troy, 11 a.m.

Tennessee Vanderbilt at Missouri at Arkansas Florida* at Kentucky Auburn Charleston Southern Georgia Tech

MISSISSIPPI STATE Aug. 30 Southern Miss, 6:30 p.m.

Sep. 6 UAB, 1 p.m.

Sep. 13 at South Alabama, 3 p.m.

Sep. 20 at LSU Oct. 4 Texas A&M Oct. 11 Auburn Oct. 25 at Kentucky Nov. 1 Arkansas Nov. 8 Tenn.-Martin Nov. 15 at Alabama Nov. 22 Vanderbilt Nov. 29 at Ole Miss

Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 18 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29

AUBURN Arkansas, 3 p.m.

San Jose State, 6 p.m. at Kansas State, 6:30 p.m.

Louisiana Tech LSU at Mississippi State South Carolina at Ole Miss Texas A&M at Georgia Samford at Alabama

Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 29

KENTUCKY UT Martin, 11 a.m.

Ohio, 2:30 p.m. at Florida, 6:30 p.m.

Vanderbilt South Carolina La.-Monroe at LSU Mississippi State at Missouri Georgia at Tennessee at Louisville

Aug 30 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 28

MISSOURI

So. Dakota St., 2:30 p.m. at Toledo, 11 a.m.

Central Florida, 11 a.m.

Indiana at South Carolina Georgia at Florida Vanderbilt Kentucky at Texas A&M at Tennessee Arkansas, 1:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

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Aug 28 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 22 Nov 29

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OLE MISS Boise State*. 7 p.m. at Vanderbilt, 3:30 p.m.

La-Lafayette, 3 p.m.

Memphis Alabama at Texas A&M Tennessee at LSU Auburn Presbyterian at Arkansas Mississippi State

SOUTH CAROLINA Aug 28 Texas A&M, 5 p.m.

Sept 6 East Carolina, 6 p.m.

Sept 13 Georgia, 2:30 p.m.

Sept 20 at Vanderbilt Sept 27 Missouri Oct 4 at Kentucky Oct 18 Furman Oct 25 at Auburn Nov 1 Tennessee Nov 15 at Florida Nov 22 South Alabama Nov 29 at Clemson Aug 31 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29

TENNESSEE

Utah State, 6 p.m.

Arkansas State, 11 a.m. at Oklahoma, 7 p.m. at Georgia Florida Chattanooga at Ole Miss Alabama at South Carolina Kentucky Missouri at Vanderbilt

Aug 28 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 18 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 27 Aug 28 Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 8 Nov 22 Nov 29

TEXAS A&M

at South Carolina, 5 p.m.

Lamar, 6:30 p.m.

Rice, 8 p.m. at SMU Arkansas* at Mississippi State Ole Miss at Alabama La.-Monroe at Auburn Missouri LSU, 6:30 p.m.

VANDERBILT

Temple, 8:15 p.m.

Ole Miss. 3:30 p.m.

Massachusetts, 11 a.m.

South Carolina at Kentucky at Georgia Charleston Southern at Missouri Old Dominion Florida at Mississippi State Tennessee *-Neutral site

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE

(From Phil Steele) National rank in parenthesis Tennessee (2) Missouri (31) Arkansas (3) Florida (32) Auburn (5) LSU (33) Texas A&M (12) Georgia (35) Kentucky (15) MSU (56) Ole Miss (20) Vanderbilt (58) S. Carolina (30) Alabama (61)

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3F

PRESEASON PICKS

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SEC MEDIA

Western 1, Alabama 2, Auburn 3, LSU 4, Ole Miss 5, MSU 6, Texas A&M 7, Arkansas

Western 1, Alabama 2, Auburn 3, LSU 4, Ole Miss 5, MSU 6, Texas A&M 7, Arkansas

Eastern 1, So. Carolina 2, Georgia 3, Florida 4, Missouri 5, Tennessee 6, Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky

AP

Eastern 1, So. Carolina 2, Georgia 3, Florida 4, Missouri 5, Tennessee 6, Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky

PHIL STEELE

Western 1, Alabama 2, Auburn 3T, LSU 3T, Ole Miss 5, MSU 6, Texas A&M 7, Arkansas

Eastern 1, Georgia 2, So. Carolina 3, Florida 4, Missouri 5, Tennessee 6, Kentucky 7, Vanderbilt

ATHLON

Western 1, Alabama 2, Auburn 3, Ole Miss 4, LSU 5, MSU 6, Texas A&M 7, Arkansas

Eastern 1, Georgia 2, So. Carolina 3, Florida 4, Missouri 5, Tennessee 6, Vanderbilt 7, Kentucky

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

DAILY JOURNAL

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

DAILY JOURNAL

Rebels leave ‘wilderness,’ but journey continues OXFORD he wilderness seems like such a long time ago, but it wasn’t.

Really, it wasn’t.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze took over a program reeling, a program riding a 14-game SEC losing streak, one that had been humiliated in its last three games of 2011 about a month before his hiring.

As Freeze settled into the big chair he described a program in darkness, lost and trying to find its way. The wilderness.

At the end of 2012 the Rebels were at least close enough to civilization to hear the traffic. Now after 15 wins and two bowl victories in two seasons there are preseason rankings, and many believe Freeze’s third team is capable of a big step forward.

“Wilderness” is gone as a talk-

T

ing point, but “journey” remains.

There’s a lot about this team that justifies the excitement. The experience of quarterback Bo PARRISH Wallace, the health of defenALFORD sive end CJ Johnson. There’s a returning AP All-American in the secondary in Cody Prewitt and a potential one at left tackle in Laremy Tunsil.

There’s a group of running backs that can hold their own against any in the conference.

There are question marks too.

Naming a starter at center has taken a good long while, and it will take time to learn if junior college transfer Fahn Cooper will

be an effective player at right tackle.

While there’s a lot of potential among the receivers, they haven’t set the August woods a fire as a group, and depth there is unproven.

Rebels are going to reach the expectations of themselves and many others. Let’s start with Wallace, Johnson and Tunsil.

If the Rebels are to make a move in the SEC West it stands to reason that someone has to slide.

Finding that team, or teams, is alDEPTH TESTED QUICKLY ways the hard part in the West.

Freeze has talked about the in- LSU and A&M could have that creased depth of this team at potential. We’ll see. most positions. He’s right, but Freeze has also recruited well he’s had to go to it early after inand has a team with experience juries to veteran safety Chief and depth while much of the Brown and heralded junior colconference is in transition. lege transfer cornerback Tee Winning nine games or more Shepard. won’t be easy, but when is it? Stay Make no mistake, talent and healthy, and the Rebels have a depth are far ahead of where they shot. were in 2012, but depth is really It beats the wilderness. at its best if you don’t have to use LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM it.

Parrish Alford (parrish.alford@ Hugh Freeze is 15-11 in his two Ole Miss has quality back-ups journalinc.com) covers Ole Miss seasons at Ole Miss, with each on the roster but also has starters for the Daily Journal. Read his blog at capped by bowl victories. that must stay healthy if the InsideOleMissSports.com.

LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM

Sophomore Laquon Treadwell returns after a 72-catch campaign as a true freshman.

2013: 8-5 (3-5 SEC)

A29 at Vanderbilt S7 SE Missouri S14 at Texas S28 at Alabama O5 at Auburn O12 Texas A&M O19 LSU O26 Idaho N9 Arkansas N16 Troy N23 Missouri N28 at Miss. State (OT) Music City Bowl D30 Georgia Tech

W, 39-35 W, 31-13 W, 44-23 L, 25-0 L, 30-22 L, 41-38 W, 27-24 W, 59-14 W, 34-24 W, 51-21 L, 24-10 L, 17-10 W, 25-17

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Bo Wallace 3,346 yards, 64.8%, 18 TDs, 10 INTs Rushing: I’Tavius Mathers 95-563-3 Jaylen Walton 113-523-6 Bo Wallace 131-355-6 Receiving: Laquon Treadwell 72-608-5 Vince Sanders 21-325-1 Tackles: Serderius Bryant 78 (52 solo) Cody Prewitt 71 (50 solo)

LAST 10 SEASONS

SEC All 2013 3-5 8-5 2012 3-5 7-6 2011 0-8 2-10 2010 1-7 4-8 2009 4-4 9-4 2008 5-3 9-4 2007 0-8 3-9 2006 2-6 4-8 2005 1-7 3-8 2004 3-5 4-7 All-time: 636-497-35 (.560 winning percentage)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

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Late run creates big expectations for Bulldogs STARKVILLE hat a difference three games can make.

Mississippi State won its final two regular season games in overtime to reach bowl eligibility and then skull drug Rice 44-7 in the Liberty Bowl, thus ending the season on a three-game winning streak for the first time since 1976.

Rewind back to Nov. 16 of last year. The Bulldogs were sitting at 4-6 overall and 1-5 in the Southeastern Conference having just lost at home to Alabama.

Dan Mullen’s seat was as warm as it has been during his five seasons in Starkville.

Things weren’t looking

W

up either.

Tyler Russell had been battling injuries all season and was knocked out of the LOGAN game late LOWERY against the Crimson Tide.

Dak Prescott was out with an injury suffered the previous week against Texas A&M. MSU still had a road battle with Arkansas in Little Rock and their annual rivalry with Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl to close out the year.

It appeared that Mullen’s streak of taking the Bull-

dogs to three consecutive bowls was all but over.

However, the Bulldogs were able to rally together and – thanks in part to two clutch defensive plays by Nickoe Whitley in the Arkansas and Ole Miss games – were able to battle into a fourth straight bowl.

It was the first time in school history that State can boast of that feat.

velop the program.

Every player on the Mississippi State roster outside of the incoming signing class has been to a bowl game each year. Not long ago it was an accomplishment just to reach a bowl but now it’s expected by the players and fans alike.

The Bulldogs enter this fall with plenty of expectations returning 18 starters including star players like BOWL BENEFITS Dak Prescott, Benardrick Sure, four straight winMcKinney and Chris Jones. ning seasons are nice and Can the Bulldogs conhave helped the Bulldogs tinue their winning ways? in recruiting (see 2015 class We are about to find out. ranking).

But the most beneficial Logan Lowery (logan.lowery@ aspect of that is the team journalinc.com) covers Missishas essentially been able to sippi State for the Daily Journal. get in four extra months of Read his blog at practice to continue to de- InsideMSUSports.com.

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2013: 7-6 (3-5 SEC)

A31 at Oklahoma State S7 Alcorn St. S14 at Auburn S21 Troy O5 LSU O12 Bowling Green O24 Kentucky N2 at South Carolina N9 at Texas A&M N16 Alabama N23 at Arkansas (OT) N28 Ole Miss, OT Liberty Bowl D31 Rice

AP

Linebacker Benardrick McKinney is a key cog in a defense that returns eight starters from last season.

L, 21-3 W, 51-7 L, 24-20 W, 62-7 L, 59-26 W, 21-20 W, 28-22 L, 34-16 L, 51-41 L, 20-7 W, 24-17 W, 17-10 W, 44-7

RETURNING LEADERS

Passing: Dak Prescott 1,940 yards 58.4%, 10 TDs, 7 INTs Rushing: Dak Prescott 134-829-13 Josh Robinson 78-459-3 Ashton Shumpert 46-190-3 Receiving: Jameon Lewis 64-923-5 Robert Johnson 34-389-0 Malcolm Johnson 30-391-2 Tackles: Bernardrick McKinney 71 (42 solo) Kendrick Market 62 (43 solo)

LAST 10 SEASONS

SEC All 2013 7-6 3-5 2012 4-4 8-5 2011 2-6 7-6 2010 4-4 9-4 2009 2-5 5-7 2008 2-6 4-8 2007 4-4 8-5 2006 1-7 3-9 2005 1-7 3-8 2004 2-6 3-8 All-time: 521-555-39 (.485 winning percentage)

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AP

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

DAILY JOURNAL

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

DAILY JOURNAL

D.T. Shackelford

Injuries have sent linebacker into his sixth college season

BY PARRISH ALFORD DAILY JOURNAL

OXFORD – One man’s pain can be another man’s opportunity.

Goodness knows D.T. Shackelford has had so much of the former in his Ole Miss career that he doesn’t apologize for the latter.

After two surgeries to repair the same knee and two years away from football, Shackelford is a sixth-year senior and begins the season No. 1 at middle linebacker.

The Rebels return most of their starters on defense, but Hugh Freeze and his staff signed junior college transfer Christian Russell to compete for the spot vacated by Mike Marry.

Shackelford was one of the nation’s top high school linebackers in the fall of 2008 – when this year’s Ole Miss freshmen were middle-schoolers.

He had a promising start to his college career with 20 tackles in 11 games and an interception returned for a touchdown. He was named to the SEC’s allfreshman team as a linebacker.

He played some defensive end as a sophomore finishing with nine tackles for loss and five sacks, as Houston Nutt was trying to rebuild the talent base that helped the Rebels win backto-back Cotton Bowls. Big things were expected for Shackelford in 2011.

He never made it to that season, however, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a springtime indoors practice.

Complications from the first surgery that spring led to a second one that winter. All along

Ole Miss linebacker D.T. Shackelford celebrates last season’s homefield victory against LSU. He played in every game last season.

Shackelford remained focused on playing football again.

“It’s just my drive. I’ve never had a quit-type attitude,” he said. “When people look up to you, they see a certain way in which you present yourself. I want to be that guy.”

During his absence there was a coaching change and a rebuilding of the program. Not to mention Shackelford’s own rehab which took him away from the daily routine of the team.

When he was cleared to play there were others ahead of him.

They were still there at the end

of last season, but when injuries reshuffled the lineup Shackelford got his only two starts of the year – against Mississippi State and Georgia Tech – and responded with 12 tackles, 31⁄2 tackles for loss, a sack and three pressures over the two games.

GROWING CONFIDENCE

He played with an explosiveness that caught his coaches’ eyes.

“At the end of the year he really got more confidence in his knee. I know he did from my standpoint. Maybe he was faster with that than I was,” defensive

coordinator Dave Wommack said.

“I felt like I was fast the whole season, but I got an opportunity,” Shackelford said. “Some things happened on defense. Its football. Sometimes people get injured. I was able to come in and be a boost for the defense.”

Shackelford played in each game last year and had 44 tackles with 71⁄2 tackles for loss and two sacks.

His end-of-season play earned him a chance to replace Marry, and he held off Russell – rated the No. 1 junior college middle linebacker by Scout and

AP

ESPN – in the spring.

Wommack believes Russell will become more comfortable, and that will speed up his play.

He’s still there to challenge Shackelford.

Shackelford, though, has already survived one big challenge: simply getting back on the field and resuming a promising career.

“I’m a firm believer in Jesus Christ. Whatever happened to me was His plan,” he said. “I feel great, and I feel like this team can do great things.” parrish.alford@journalinc.com

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P.J. Jones After playing through pain, Tupelo product tackles senior year

BY LOGAN LOWERY DAILY JOURNAL

STARKVILLE – P.J. Jones arrived at Mississippi State in 2011 as a highly talented, yet undersized defensive tackle from Tupelo.

Fast forward four years and nearly 60 pounds later, Jones is entering his senior season with the Bulldogs.

“It feels like yesterday and I try to tell the younger guys that time really does fly by,” Jones said.

“We’ve came a Jones long way. This is my last go around and my last fall camp as a Bulldog so I really want to make an impression on the young guys. I want to show them how I came up to get where I am now through hard work and dedication.”

Jones began playing right away at MSU, appearing in 12 games as a true freshman and cracking the starting lineup once. He finished his rookie year with nine tackles and a fumble recovery but the knowledge he AP gained proved to be invaluable P.J. Jones, a defensive lineman from Tupelo, listens to instructions from coach Dan Mullen during last for later in his career. season’s game at South Carolina.

“I had to play at 270 and that was bad,” Jones said. “When I first came in there wasn’t a lot of made 50 tackles. Last year, he first practice last fall. When not faithful remember him by when depth so coach (Dan) Mullen started in all 11 games in which at practice or in a game, he he playing days are done in colsaid I had the skills and I would he played, making 25 stops, could be found wearing a walklege. play. I thought I would redshirt. three for loss and notched his ing boot.

“I want people to remember It was a learning experience for first career sack by dropping “I was going to be hurt anyme as a good football player and me. There were some rough Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel. way so I just played through it all a tough guy,” Jones said. days my freshman year because However, Jones’ accomplishyear,” Jones said.

Jones is slated to graduate in I came in at 240 pounds.” ments as a junior were all done It is that hard working mental- the spring with a degree in Jones has gone on to appear playing through a high ankle ity and toughness that Jones human and agricultural sciin 32 career games and has sprain suffered in the Bulldogs hopes the maroon and white ences. But he has his sights set

on extending his football career beyond college.

“I think I’ve got the skill set to go to the league and get a shot,” Jones said. “I talked to Vick Ballard and he told me that playing in the SEC really got him ready for the NFL. I’ve played against guys like Johnny Manziel and dudes from LSU and Alabama who are in the NFL. If they can go then I can go too.”

The former Golden Wave fourstar prospect garnered scholarship offers from Alcorn State, Arkansas, Memphis, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Tennessee and UCLA but is happy with the way his career has turned out in Starkville.

‘REALLY HAPPY’

“I’ve been really happy at Mississippi State, it was the right choice,” Jones said. “I can remember it like it was yesterday, Coach (Scott) Sallach called me and I just got this warm feeling inside. I knew then that Mississippi State was going to be the place. When you know, you know and that day I knew I was going to be a Bulldog.”

Now Jones hopes that other players at Tupelo will look at him as a role model the same way he followed in the footsteps as the Golden Wave prospects before him.

“Guys like Chad Bumphis and Chris Garrett were telling me I was good enough to play in college,” Jones said. “Now I’m just trying to pave a way for guys coming from Tupelo.

“I’m trying to give back and set an example for kids growing up in Tupelo.” logan.lowery@journalinc.com

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

DAILY JOURNAL

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

FOOTBALL JOURNAL

DAILY JOURNAL

Rebels: Position by position breakdown tion’s No. 1 receiver in the Class of 2013, to show what all the buzz was about.

QUARTERBACKS He certainly did that in the spring, thrivAt Ole Miss, the race is for No. 2, not ing on the outside after catching 72 balls No. 1. as the slot receiver in his rookie season.

Bo Wallace, entering his third season Treadwell has shown good route-runas the starter, is the SEC’s most experining and physicality at the point of attack. enced quarterback.

On the whole, it’s a mixed bag at the An injured shoulder in 2012 and the position. There’s experience in senior subsequent surgery in 2013 have plagued Vince Sanders and potential in sophohim near the end of more Quincy Adeboyejo, a four-star each of his first two signee who played sparingly as a freshseasons. man.

Wallace is as Adeboyejo takes over for Treadwell inhealthy as he’s been side. Sanders has made big plays in his since arriving on career but had just 21 catches in a injurycampus and has plagued junior season. added 14 pounds Since the spring, Freeze has spoken since the end of about the need for depth at receiver, and Wallace spring drills, bulk much of that is expected to come from that could help him freshmen Markell Pack, Dayall Harris better absorb the knocks and pings of a and Sammie Epps.

12-game regular season.

Harris got off to a fast start in camp.

Behind him redshirt freshmen Ryan Epps was quickly moved from tight end to LAUREN WOOD | BUY AT PHOTOS.DJOURNAL.COM slot receiver. At 6-5, 215 his frame makes Buchanan and DeVante Kincade offer Laremy Tunsil attracted attention as an NFL prospect with his effort for an easy transition. different styles. as a true freshman at left tackle last season.

Buchanan is perceived as the pocket An appeal has been filed for Washingpasser, Kincade the runner. Each insists ton transfer Damore’ea Stringfellow (6that he can play beyond the stereotype, There’s a question mark at center as played in 11 games but carried just 22 3, 229) to play immediately, but as with but neither has taken a college snap. the Rebels work to replace three-year times, an average of 5.6 yards per atChristian Morris, Freeze is not optimistic.

If something disastrous were to happen tempt. starter Evan Swindall. Junior Ben Still is After an All-SEC season as a freshman to Wallace it’s likely there would be a role the current No. 1. If he can hold the job Freeze seemed to like Dodson with – second team by the Associated Press – for both. that makes things a lot better on a line screen passes in the spring.

Evan Engram returns as the starter at For two years, Freeze liked to throw the that is trying hard to build depth.

Two additions make this a really tight end. He’s a unique weapon with occasional change-up with the graduated crowded room: redshirt freshman Jordan Robert Conyers, a third-year sophostretch-the-field potential that the position Barry Brunetti, a more mobile quartermore will now back up at center and both did not have at Ole Miss before his arrival.

Wilkins and junior college transfer back, coming in to spell Wallace. tackle spots. Conyers was also a candiAkeem Judd. Both bring frames larger Junior college transfer Jeremy That job could go to a number of play- than the other three, particularly Judd, date at right tackle after the surprise deLiggins, listed at 296 on the most current ers – defensive back Anthony Alford, the who comes in at 6-0, 220, 11 pounds parture of Austin Golson. roster, has worked with tight ends but is former Southern Miss quarterback, and A sophomore who played extensively heavier than Wilkins. likely to show up at other positions, most hefty juco transfer Jeremy Liggins and Judd has shown strength and power in as a freshman, Golson won the job then notably as the short-yardage quarterback.

Kincade among them. announced he was transferring to his ailcamp that could get him early opportunities as the Rebels try to improve between ing grandparents. He’s at Auburn.

DEFENSE RUNNING BACKS Junior college transfer Fahn Cooper the tackles.

There are so many quality options, DEFENSIVE LINE will start at right tackle.

OFFENSIVE LINE The health of C.J. Johnson – if it holds Freeze’s biggest chore may be keeping While the Rebels lost Golson, they The strength and foot work of Laremy picked up UCLA transfer Christian – and the signing of speed rushers off the everybody healthy.

Tunsil, a sophomore, make him a left I’Tavius Mathers wasn’t bad as a Morris, but he’ll sit out this season unless edge should help this position improve sophomore, and Freeze said he took a big tackle with NFL potential. his request of a waiver of the NCAA’s one- woeful sack numbers.

Tunsil and junior Justin Bell, at right The Rebels averaged just 1.54 sacks step in the spring with more experience. year residency rule is granted. Freeze has guard, are the most stable returning He runs with more power than might be not been optimistic that it would be. Mor- last season, 96th in the nation.

Johnson and Florida International transexpected from a 5-11, 190-pound frame. starters amid an important group with the ris and Golson were similarly rated players fer Fadol Brown can play with power as Jaylen Walton, also a junior, has a little most transition of any position on the in the recruiting rankings. well as quickness, but slender signees like more shiftiness than Mathers. Walton was team.

Freshman Rod Taylor is the team’s Aaron Morris gained preseason AllMarquis Haynes may bring an element a popular choice on wheel routes out of highest-rated signee. His natural position SEC attention on multiple fronts in 2013, missing last year. the backfield last season and could also is guard, but he could help out at tackle. but his season ended on opening night With Brown out much of early camp, split wide in the passing game.

RECEIVERS-TIGHT ENDS with a torn ACL against Vanderbilt. He’s Haynes has gotten the bulk of reps with Together they produced 1,086 yards With Donte Moncrief’s early departure the first team. and nine touchdowns last year, their effec- back at left guard, but it will take some Robert Nkemdiche, the nation's No. 1 tiveness making it hard for talented fresh- time to see how he comes back from the to the NFL now is the opportunity for sophomore Laquon Treadwell, the narecruit in 2013, slides down to defensive man Mark Dodson to get on the field. He injury.

OFFENSE

tackle and is excited about playing one position the entire season.

Playing alongside Nkemdiche will be Woodrow Hamilton and Bryon Bennett, who has moved to nose tackle to replace Issac Gross, who has missed almost all of camp with a neck injury.

LINEBACKERS

D.T. Shackelford, a sixth-year senior, takes over at middle for the graduated Mike Marry. He’ll be pushed by junior college transfer Christian Russell, rated the No. 1 juco middle linebacker last season

by Scout and ESPN. Shackelford missed two years coming back from two ACL surgeries but impressed coaches with his play in the final two games.

Serderius Bryant is back at outside linebacker. He’ll be backed up by Denzel Nkemdiche and Keith Lewis.

Nkemdiche will be suspended for the first game after a January arrest.

SECONDARY

Freeze is proud of his depth but had to go to it in June when junior safety Chief Brown was lost with an Achilles injury and again this month when heralded juco transfer cornerback Tee Shepard was lost to tendon and ligament issues in his big toe.

The absence of Shepard means junior Mike Hilton will play more at cornerback, where he will likely be a starter opposite senior Senquez Golson.

Hilton had been playing both corner and also backing up Tony Conner at Huskie, something Brown had done previously.

Look for talented sophomore Derrick Jones at corner. At 6-2, he can play physical with bigger wide receivers.

Cody Prewitt, a returning AP All-American, and Trae Elston are the safeties.

There’s a lot of confidence in transfer Anthony Alford and freshman C.J. Hampton behind them.

SPECIAL TEAMS Senior Andrew Fletcher will handle field goals from 43 yards and in with longer attempts made by either redshirt freshman Andy Pappanostos or true freshman Gary Wunderlich.

Wunderlich is also involved in a competition at punter with redshirt freshman Gill Gleeson.

Compiled by Parrish Alford

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Bulldogs: Position by position breakdown OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Dak Prescott split time with Tyler Russell and Damian Williams last season and missed two games entirely due to injury. However, Prescott managed to lead Mississippi State in both passing and rushing while going 4-3 as a starting signal caller.

Prescott completed 58.4-percent of his passes for 1,940 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions while also keeping the ball 134 times for 829 yards and 13 more scores. He led SEC quarterbacks in both rushing and touchdowns scored on the ground.

But Prescott’s physical running style came at a cost, as he missed the Alabama and Arkansas games and three quarters of the Egg Bowl with an elbow injury after being knocked out late in the Texas A&M game following a run.

Williams returns to backup Prescott. He got his feet wet as a true freshman last season scoring the game-winning touchdown in overtime against Arkansas and started against Ole Miss.

Freshman Nick Fitzgerald enrolled early and went through bowl and spring practices while Elijah Staley joined the team in the summer.

fensive line last year.

All-SEC performer Chris Jones leads the second wave of defensive tackles along with Curtis Virges, Nelson Adams and Nick James. Corey Thomas and Braxton Hoyett are two freshmen defensive linemen.

A.J. Jefferson has solidified himself as the third defensive end but the Bulldogs are in search of a fourth. Adams, John Harris, Torrey Dale and Grant Harris are candidates for that role.

LINEBACKERS

Geoff Collins feels comfortable rotating two full groups of linebackers in any situation. Led by leading tackler Benardrick McKinney in the middle, State’s first string of linebackers also include Matthew Wells and Benequez Brown.

Richie Brown backs up McKinney at the mike linebacker while Zach Jackson and Dezmond Harris work in with the second unit.

Christian Holmes, Quadry Antoine and DeAndre Ward provide depth at linebacker joined by signees Gerri Green and J.T. Gray.

SECONDARY

Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun had three interceptions each as first-time starters at cornerback last season, replacing NFL draft picks RUNNING BACKS Darius Slay and Johnthan Banks. They return as LaDarius Perkins and Derrick Milton are both one of the top duos in the SEC, backed up by Will gone from last year’s backfield but the Bulldogs Redmond and Cedric Jiles. return a bevy of talented backs. Nick Griffin, Josh Jiles will miss time with a hamstring injury to Robinson, Ashton Shumpert and Brandon Holstart the year so Jahmere Irvin-Sills, Tolando loway accounted for 783 yards and seven touchCleveland and possibly Chris Rayford will get a AP shot early. downs last fall.

Robinson is the leading returning running back Mississippi State wide receiver Jameon Lewis had an epic effort in the Liberty Bowl, Jay Hughes returns after rupturing his Achilles having gained 459 yards and three touchdowns in with a school single-game record 220 yards against Rice. on the sixth play of last season. Kendrick Market 2013. Griffin is finally healthy after injuries to both filled in the rest of the season and finished as the knees have hampered the senior’s once promising a senior and the second leading receiver. At 6doway at right tackle. team’s third leading tackler. Justin Cox makes the career. Shumpert was simply too good to redshirt foot-5, De’Runnya Wilson emerged as a reliable Sophomore Jamaal Clayborn is charged with move from corner to free safety, replacing Nickoe last season picking up 196 yards and scoring target in the red zone last season as a true fresh- the task of filling Jackson’s shoes at left guard Whitley. Cox made 11 interceptions in two seasons three times as a true freshman. man. while senior Damien Robinson was set to take as a safety at East Mississippi Community College.

Holloway moved into the backfield from slot reJoe Morrow, Fred Ross, Fred Brown, Gabe over at right tackle. A season-ending knee injury Reserve safeties include Kivon Coman, Deonceiver to utilize his exceptional speed. Although Myles, Jamoral Graham and Jesse Jackson to Robinson in fall camp has left questions at the tay Evans and Brandon Bryant. small in size (only 5-foot-8, 160 pounds), he is the round out the receiving corps with the loss of position entering the opener. fastest player on the team. MSU also signed a pair Shelby Christy for the season with a torn ACL. Junior Justin Malone is a candidate after SPECIAL TEAMS of in-state power backs in Aeris Williams from Senior tight ends Malcolm Johnson and Bran- missing most of 2013 with a broken foot. Cole West Point and Dontavian Lee from Forrest don Hill are back. Johnson caught 30 passes for Carter, Justin Senior and Rufus Warren are also Only one team, UTEP, was worse at kicking field County AHS. 391 yards and two touchdowns while an injury contenders to land that job. Archie Muniz, Devon goals in college football last year than State. The limited Hill to just seven games. Juco transfer Desper, Jocquell Johnson, Kent Flowers and Bulldogs made just 10 of 21 attempts in 2013 RECEIVERS Darrion Hutcherson provides a big target at 6Jake Thomas will provide depth along the line. with returnees Devon Bell hitting 6 of 14 and Last season, the Bulldogs had to replace the foot-7, 260-pounds while Gus Walley is back Evan Sobiesk making 3 of 6. loss of five receivers and a tight end so there was from Tommy John surgery. B.J. Hammond is Bell has been taken off placekicking duties altoDEFENSE plenty of inexperience on the field. Now that entire making the transition to tight end from receiver. gether to focus on punting and kicking off. He avgroup is back with a year of starting experience DEFENSIVE LINE eraged 41.2 yards per punt and pinned 14 of his under their belt which should benefit Prescott and OFFENSIVE LINE The Bulldogs have plenty of depth up front led 24 punts inside the red zone last year. the passing game.

Seniors Blaine Clausell (left tackle), Dillon Day by senior defensive tackles Kaleb Eulls and P.J. Sobiesk is batting another walk-on Westin Jameon Lewis led State with 64 catches for (center) and Ben Beckwith (right guard) anchor Jones along with senior defensive end Preston Graves for the field goal duties. The duo made just 923 yards and five touchdowns in 2013 capped an experienced line with 75 starts between the Smith. Junior Ryan Brown rounds out the starting 6 of 14 tries during spring scrimmages. off by a single-game school record 220 yards in trio. Mississippi State has holes to fill with the loss four, which hopes to create more of a pass rush Compiled by Logan Lowery the Liberty Bowl. Robert Johnson also returns as of Gabe Jackson at left guard and Charles Sidthis season. MSU had only 11.5 sacks from its de-

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

DAILY JOURNAL

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

MSU schedule analysis Aug. 30, Southern Miss: MSU renews this instate rivalry for the first time since 1990. The Bulldogs will also open a newly renovated Davis Wade Stadium, a $75 million project that expands capacity to 61,337. USM has won just once in the last two years. Likely winner: MSU. Sept. 6, UAB: The Bulldogs lead the series 4-1, one of which took overtime in 2006. The Blazers won just two games in 2013 and have a new staff, so OT won’t be needed this time. MSU. Sept. 13 at South Alabama: State’s first road game. USA gave the Bulldogs a bit of a battle early on in Starkville in 2012 before falling 30-10. Expect a similar type game in Mobile. MSU. Sept. 20 at LSU: Death Valley has not been kind to the Bulldogs over the years. MSU hung with the Tigers for three quarters last year in Starkville before the wheels fell off in the fourth. LSU has won 14 straight in the series. LSU. Oct. 4, Texas A&M: Johnny Football is in Cleveland and the 12th man won’t be in Starkville to help A&M’s porous defense. The Bulldogs have an extra week to prepare and get their first win in the series since the “Snow Bowl” MSU. Oct. 11, Auburn: Last year, State beat Auburn everywhere but on the scoreboard. The Tigers drove the length of the field and threw the game-winning

touchdown with 10-seconds remaining. The Bulldogs get revenge at home against the defending SEC champs. MSU. Oct. 25, at Kentucky: The Wildcats’ fan base will already have their attention turned to basketball season, allowing the Bulldogs to get an SEC road win and become bowl eligible. MSU. Nov. 1, Arkansas: MSU pulled out an overtime win in Little Rock last year. Don’t expect this year’s contest to be nearly as close. MSU. Nov. 8, UT-Martin: QB Dylan Favre spent two seasons at State, playing in nine games during 2011.

Now a senior at UTM, he’ll try to pull the upset. MSU. Nov. 15, at Alabama: The Bulldogs played Bama well in Starkville last season without an injured Dak Prescott. A healthy Prescott gives MSU a chance but the Tide will be too much. Alabama.

Nov. 22, Vanderbilt: These two teams have not met since Dan Mullen’s rookie season. The Bulldogs won that 2009 game and will win this one, too. MSU. Nov. 29 at Ole Miss: Both teams appear pretty equal on paper and will likely have similar records entering the Egg Bowl. This one cold have more at stake than just in-state bragging rights on the line.

It’s been a safe bet to go with the home team since the rivalry returned to campuses. Ole Miss.

Logan Lowery

DAILY JOURNAL

Ole Miss schedule analysis Aug. 28, Boise State (in Atlanta): Boise is returning a QB but will have a mostly new offensive line and a new coach. The Broncos are trying to improve a defense that gave up a lot of yards, if not always points, a year ago. Likely winner: Ole Miss Sept. 6, at Vanderbilt: The game will be played in the Titans’ stadium, which means Ole Miss could outdraw the Commodores. Vanderbilt will have a new quarterback and a new coach, but a new defensive scheme – the 3-4 – could be trouble for an Ole Miss offensive line with two new starters. Ole Miss Sept. 13, Louisiana-Lafayette: Mark Hudspeth has built the Cajuns into the Sun Belt’s dominant program, and they will have an explosive, experienced dual threat quarterback in Terrance Broadway. This game will not be easy. Ole Miss Sept. 27, Memphis: The Tigers return nine starters on offense, eight on defense from a 3-9 team that improved in 2013. More improvement will be necessary for Memphis to win this one. Ole Miss Oct. 4, Alabama: The Crimson Tide visits Oxford for the first time in the Hugh Freeze Era. These teams are closer than they’ve been recently. Freeze is proud of his depth, but Alabama has more. Alabama Oct. 11, at Texas A&M: Ole Miss makes its first SEC trip to College Station. The Rebels were twice been tantalizingly close to beating the Aggies when

they had Johnny Football and will get over the hump when they don’t. Ole Miss Oct. 18, Tennessee: This is homecoming at Vaught-Hemingway. The Vols are recruiting well and improving under Butch Jones, but the Rebels will be more settled at quarterback. Ole Miss Oct. 25, at LSU: The Tigers have to replace a lot of talent and experience at their skill positions on offense. But they felt like they let one get away in Oxford last year. LSU Nov. 1, Auburn: The Rebels were not able to slow QB Nick Marshall on the Plains, and Marshall will give them trouble in Oxford, too. Auburn Nov. 8, Presbyterian: Coming after LSU and Auburn, it’s a good time to have these guys on the schedule, a chance to rest some players and follow that with an open date. Winner: Ole Miss Nov. 22, at Arkansas: The Rebels will have to be careful of this trap. Though winless in the SEC last season, Arkansas was better at the end. Ole Miss Nov. 29, Mississippi State: While LSU will be more motivated to face Ole Miss, multiply that when the state rival gets to Oxford. It was Ole Miss that felt it let one get away in this game. Bo Wallace is embarrassed by his Starkville performance and eager for a shot at redemption. Ole Miss Parrish Alford

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EASTERN SEC Missouri 7-1 South Carolina 6-2 Georgia 5-3 Vanderbilt 4-4 Florida 3-5 Tennessee 2-6 Kentucky 0-8 WESTERN SEC Auburn 7-1 Alabama 7-1 LSU 5-3 Texas A&M 4-4 Mississippi State 3-5 Ole Miss 3-5 Arkansas 0-8

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T25 5-2 3-1 2-3 1-2 0-5 1-6 0-5 T25 5-2 3-2 3-2 0-4 0-5 1-3 0-6

Str. W1 W6 L1 W5 L7 W1 L4 Str. L1 L2 W3 W1 W3 W1 L9

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

SEC 2013 STANDINGS

PF 283 253 292 213 159 144 118 PF 287 305 258 307 179 180 135

PA 149 178 254 241 163 245 291 PA 224 117 199 292 237 220 303

All 12-2 11-2 8-5 9-4 4-8 5-7 2-10 All 12-2 11-2 10-3 9-4 7-6 8-5 3-9

PF 548 443 477 391 226 286 246 PF 553 496 465 575 360 390 248

PA 323 264 377 320 253 348 374 PA 346 181 286 419 299 308 369

2012 5-7 11-2 12-2 9-4 11-1 5-7 2-10 2012 3-9 13-1 10-3 11-2 8-5 7-6 4-8

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Home 6-1 7-0 5-1 5-2 3-3 4-3 2-5 Home 8-0 7-0 7-0 6-2 5-2 5-2 3-4

Div. 6-1 4-2 4-2 4-2 2-4 2-4 0-6 Div. 5-1 5-1 4-2 3-3 2-4 2-4 0-6

T25 = Games against teams in Top 25 (AP, USA Today, Harris) at time of matchup

SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

AP | FILE

Gus Malzahn, seen here in a reflection of a glass case holding the SEC trophy, guided Auburn to last season’s league championship in dramatic worst-to-first fashion.

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Alabama 28, Florida 21 Florida 28, Alabama 13 Florida 24, Alabama 23 Florida 34, Arkansas 3 Florida 45, Alabama 30 Tennessee 30, Auburn 29 Tennessee 24, Miss. State 14 Alabama 34, Florida 7 Florida 28, Auburn 6

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

LSU 31, Tennessee 20 Georgia 30, Arkansas 3 LSU 34, Georgia 13 Auburn 38, Tennessee 29 Georgia 34, LSU 14 Florida 38, Arkansas 28 LSU 21, Tennessee 14 Florida 31, Alabama 20 Alabama 32, Florida 13

2010 Auburn 56, South Carolina 17 2011 LSU 42, Georgia 10 2012 Alabama 32, Georgia 28 2013 Auburn 59, Missouri 42 NOTABLE: Eastern Division teams, led by Florida (7-3) are still tied 11-11 in league championship games against their Western rivals, although they have lost 6 of the last 7.

William Rice, M.D. Stephen R. Southworth, M.D., F.A.C.S Nels Thorderson, M.D. Eric V. Lewis, M.D. Gabe Rulewicz, M.D.

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

DAILY JOURNAL

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

DAILY JOURNAL

Alabama coach Nick Saban saw his team lose back-to-back games to close last season – a bitter pill for a team that was aiming for a fourth national title in five years.

AP

SEC West: Who can break up the Bama-Auburn party?

ALABAMA

LAST SEASON: 11-2, 7-1 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 8, Defense 4, Special Teams 0 KEY PLAYERS: RB T.J. Yeldon, WR Amari Cooper, LB Trey DePriest KEY QUESTION: Alabama lost its final two games of 2013 so can the Crimson Tide get back to its winning ways with a new quarterback under center?

BEST CASE: 12-0. WORST CASE: 8-4.

QUOTABLE: “Our situation as a team is a lot different this year than it’s been the last couple years when we were coming off of successful seasons, championship seasons. The challenges were so much different in terms of trying to deal with success and complacency. Having lost our last two games last year, I think it’s a little bit different mindset with our players.” – Coach Nick Saban

ARKANSAS

LAST SEASON: 3-9, 0-8 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 7, Defense 4, Special Teams-1 KEY PLAYERS: RB Alex Collins, TE Hunter

Henry, DE Trey Flowers KEY QUESTION: Can Arkansas pull off the same feat as Auburn last year, bouncing back from a winless SEC season to win it all?

BEST CASE: 4-8. WORST CASE: 2-10.

QUOTABLE: “We had some transition on the coaching staff. We lost our defensive coordinator, we lost a defensive line coach, another secondary coach. It allowed me to improve our coaching staff in general.” – Coach Bret Bielema

AUBURN

LAST SEASON: 12-2, 7-1 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 7, Defense 6, Special Teams-0 KEY PLAYERS: QB Nick Marshall, WR Sammie Coates, CB Jonathan Mincy KEY QUESTION: Can Auburn continue its good fortune and win five games by a touchdown or less like last year?

BEST CASE: 12-0. WORST CASE: 6-6.

QUOTABLE: “Our goal was real simple, to improve each practice. I feel for the most part we did that. It was also to improve each game. We definitely did that. We played our best football at the

end of the year when we needed to.” – Coach Gus Malzahn

LSU

LAST SEASON: 10-3, 5-3 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 6, Defense 7, Special Teams-2 KEY PLAYERS: OT La’el Collins, RB Terrence Magee, LB Kwon Alexander KEY QUESTION: Which quarterback will replace Zach Mettenberger, sophomore Anthony Jennings or true freshman Brandon Harris?

BEST CASE: 12-0. WORST CASE: 6-6.

QUOTABLE: “102,000 in Tiger Stadium. If you thought we were loud before, we just got louder.

How fortunate it is for us to play in such a great venue.” – Coach Les Miles

TEXAS A&M

LAST SEASON: 9-4, 4-4 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 5, Defense 6, Special Teams-2 KEY PLAYERS: WR Ricky Seals-Jones, OT Cedric Ogbuehl, CB Deshazor Everett KEY QUESTION: Will the offense suffer follow-

ing the loss of Johnny Manziel, Mike Evans and Jake Matthews?

BEST CASE: 10-2. WORST CASE: 6-6.

KEY QUESTION: “We’ve got pieces in place to work with. We’ve got a lot of young guys we’re going to have to integrate and figure out where they fit right away.” – Coach Kevin Sumlin Compiled by Logan Lowery

MISSISSIPPI STATE

BEST CASE: 10-2, which in a tough SEC West race might be enough to get the Bulldogs back to Atlanta again.

WORST CASE: 5-7, but that would mean just about every break went against the team, including a few big injuries.

OLE MISS

BEST CASE: 10-2, which might be good enough to punch the Rebels’ first ticket to the SEC championship game.

WORST CASE: 4-8, kick-started by back-toback losses to open the season and at least a couple of homefield upsets.

John L. Pitts

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SEC East: More surprises ahead?

FLORIDA

LAST SEASON: 4-8, 3-5 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 7, Defense 7, Special Teams 2 KEY PLAYERS: QB Jeff Driskel, DL Dante Fowler, CB Vernon Hargreaves III KEY QUESTION: Will the hiring of Eli Manning’s quarterbacks coach, Kurt Roper, an assistant to David Cutcliffe at Ole Miss and Duke, be enough to turn around the Gators’ offense and keep the pressure off Will Muschamp?

BEST CASE: 9-3. WORST CASE: 7-5.

QUOTABLE: “We will have the ability to go fast. We will have the ability to get the look we want and make the defense declare then vanilla some things up.” – Coach Will Muschamp

GEORGIA

LAST SEASON: 8-5, 5-3 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 6, Defense 8, Special Teams 2 KEY PLAYERS: RB Todd Gurley, LB Ramik Wilson, WR Chris Conley KEY QUESTION: Can Hutson Mason prevent a huge drop-off at quarterback after the loss of Aaron Murray?

BEST CASE: 10-2. WORST CASE: 8-4.

QUOTABLE: “We’ve got a lot of inexperienced guys. It will be trial by fire, and we’ll see who handles the pressure.” – Coach Mark Richt

KENTUCKY

LAST SEASON: 2-10, 0-8 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 7, Defense 8, Special Teams 1 KEY PLAYERS: DE Bud Dupree, OL Darrian Miller, WR Javess Blue KEY QUESTION: Second-year coach Mark Stoops, brother of Bob, has upgraded recruiting, but has it been enough time to show up on the field?

BEST CASE: 6-6. WORST CASE: 3-9.

QUOTABLE: “I have a lot of confidence in Patrick. He’s worked extremely hard. I’ve said it before. I am proud of his work ethic.”

– Coach Mark Stoops on naming sophomore Patrick Towles his starting QB.

MISSOURI

LAST SEASON: 12-2, 7-1 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 4, Defense 5, Special Teams 2 KEY PLAYERS: QB Maty Mauk, RB Marcus Murphy, DE Markus Golden KEY QUESTION: Without SEC Defensive

Player of the Year Michael Sam. can the Tigers get the same production off the edge that carried them in 2013?

BEST CASE: 9-3. WORST CASE: 7-5 QUOTABLE: “We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re doing a lot of good things, but to get as efficient and consistent as we can, we’ve got a lot of work to do.” – Coach Gary Pinkel

SOUTH CAROLINA

LAST SEASON: 11-2, 6-2 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 8, Defense 6, Special Teams 2 KEY PLAYERS: RB Mike Davis, DT J.T. Surratt, OL A.J. Cann KEY QUESTION: Much as with Georgia, the Gamecocks’ chief division rival, can QB Dylan Thompson make a seamless transition as he replaces Connor Shaw?

BEST CASE: 12-0. WORST CASE: 9-3.

QUOTABLE: “We’ve got to keep him healthy, but Dylan’s ready to have a big year, I believe.” - Coach Steve Spurrier

TENNESSEE

LAST SEASON: 5-7, 2-6 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 5, Defense 5, Special Teams 0 KEY PLAYERS: DL Curt Maggitt, LB A.J. Johnson, WR Marquez North KEY QUESTION: With a lot of hurt and distrust in the program before Butch Jones arrived has he gotten his players believing in him?

BEST CASE: 8-4. WORST CASE: 4-8.

QUOTABLE: “We are still a work in progress from a maturity standpoint. We knew this, and it wasn’t any surprise to us.” – Coach Butch Jones

AP

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, above, and Georgia’s Mark Richt, below, will be vying for the SEC East championship with highly ranked teams this fall. Richt’s No. 12 Bulldogs will visit Spurrier’s No. 9 Gamecocks on Sept. 13 – a game that could shape the division race.

VANDERBILT

LAST SEASON: 9-4, 4-4 SEC RETURNING STARTERS: Offense 7, Defense 5, Special Teams 1 KEY PLAYERS: DL Adam Butler, LB Darreon Herring, OL Andrew Jelks KEY QUESTION: Can first-year coach Derek Mason sustain the momentum of his predecessor, James Franklin, or has Vanderbilt peaked?

BEST CASE: 8-4. WORST CASE: 4-8.

QUOTABLE: “These guys are hard-working guys, and I think they’re starting to understand my philosophy of getting after things.” – Coach Derek Mason Compiled by Parrish Alford

AP

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FOOTBALL JOURNAL

DAILY JOURNAL

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

DAILY JOURNAL

Monken right man for the job at Southern Miss HATTIESBURG ou don’t hear many folks tossing around predictions for this year’s Southern Miss football team. You can’t blame them.

Count me among the group that missed the mark badly in 2012 when I expected eight wins. The final record: 0-12.

In 2013, I saw five wins. The final record: 1-11.

Again this year, I see a team capable of four or five victories, but there’s the potential for the ball to bounce the right way and USM reach the six-win mark and gain bowl eligibility.

There’s also the potential the season could go the opposite direction if the injuries pile up.

USM coach Todd Monken was asked during the team’s media day whether he thought he had a bowl team on his hands.

Y

“I thought we were good enough last year,” Monken said. “There’s a lot that goes into that. We have to stay healthy and you have to play PATRICK good football, MAGEE but there were enough games in there that would have given us the opportunity. Even with the tough three games on the road, we still had opportunities. I don’t see a reason why not. I just don’t. I just see our team doing it better.

We’ve got better depth. I don’t see where that’s not an attainable goal.”

For all his sarcastic wit, Monken is an optimist at heart.

SOLID REPUTATION.

While former USM coach Ellis Johnson liked to hem and haw his way through tough questions, Monken continues to be forthright and upbeat about the direction of the program.

As the 2013 season headed south, there were questions of whether Monken was the right fit for a rebuilding program.

Would the ambitious Monken be patient enough to work his way through uncharacteristic struggles at USM?

TELLING GESTURE

The answer came in a phone call last year from Monken to former LSU coach Gerry Dinardo, who helped guide the search that led to his hiring.

Monken made the call after the season reached its low point, a 24-23 loss to an FIU team many considered among the

worst in the nation.

Dinardo was concerned that Monken was calling him to ask why he had convinced the former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator to take the USM job in the first place.

Instead, Monken thanked Dinardo for talking him into taking the position.

It turns out that Monken is the perfect fit for the job. He has the charisma and the intellect, and, most importantly, the players believe in him.

Even when the team was at its worst last year, the players never gave up on the coaching staff like some did in 2012. That showed in the season-ending 62-27 victory at UAB. The players compete for Monken and they are following his lead more than ever as they enter the second season under

his direction at Southern Miss.

Whether that equals two wins, four wins or seven wins, it remains to be seen.

But there are definite signs that the ship is headed in the right direction.

Patrick Magee (pmagee@ sunherald.com) covers Southern Miss for Biloxi’s Sun Herald.

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SOUTHERN MISS

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Alcorn State, 6 p.m. at Alabama, 5 p.m.

Appalachian State, 6 p.m.

Rice, 6 p.m. at Middle Tenn., 11 a.m. at North Texas, 6 p.m.

Louisiana Tech, 2:30 p.m. at UTEP, 7 p.m.

Marshall, 6 p.m. at UTSA, TBA UAB, 2:30 p.m.

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Business as usual: SWAC features four new coaches

BY DAVID BRANDT ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mississippi Valley’s Rick Comegy joked with his new players during Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Days earlier this summer in Birmingham, seemingly oblivious that his previous employer and players were sitting just a few feet away.

It didn’t take long for the former Jackson State coach, who was scooped up by the Delta Devils during the offseason after the Tigers fired him, to get comfortable in his new surroundings.

The scene could have been a little awkward. But in the turbulent world of SWAC football, it really didn’t seem that strange.

Four of the SWAC’s 10 coaches are new this season and Alabama State’s Reggie Barlow – who is entering just his eighth season with the Hornets – is now the league’s longest tenured.

“I feel accepted and at home and revitalized,” Comegy, 60, said about his new job at Mississippi Valley. “New challenges do that for me. It always seems likes God’s putting me somewhere I’ve got to build. I guess that’s what I’m meant to do.”

One reason the SWAC became famous was coaching legends like Eddie Robinson (Grambling), Marino Casem (Alcorn State) and W.C. Gorden (Jackson State). All of them are in the College Football Hall of Fame.

But strong coaching leadership in today’s SWAC is difficult to find.

“It’s hard, because the SWAC has such a great history in football and the expectations are always so high,” SWAC Commissioner Duer Sharp said.

“So when you’re not reaching those expectations, or if your athletic director thinks you’re not reaching those expectations or president doesn’t think so ... things change. So I’m not surprised by any turnover.”

Winning helps job security, of course. But even that’s not a foolproof way to stay employed.

Alabama State’s Reggie Barlow, entering his eighth season with the Hornets, is the longest-tenured head football coach in the SWAC. Comegy was fired just weeks after leading Jackson State to a fourth SWAC championship game in eight seasons. The Tigers lost to Southern University.

‘YOU NEVER KNOW ...’

He was replaced by Harold Jackson, a 68-year-old who played for Jackson State in the 1960s and has had a lengthy coaching career as an assistant.

“You never know what’s going on at the top,” Comegy said. “I don’t know if it’s impatience because you never know what the plan is. You’ve just got to deal with whatever comes down. Accept whatever comes down and in my case, find a new love.”

Sharp said Comegy’s firing sent shockwaves through the league.

“You don’t know the criteria

now,” Sharp said. “What do I have to do to keep my job? I’m not sure.”

The impatience isn’t just limited to Jackson State.

Alabama A&M fired Anthony Jones after 12 seasons, when the Bulldogs went 4-8 in 2013.

He’s the second winningest coach in Bulldogs history with an 83-57 record that included the last of his five division titles in 2011.

A&M replaced Jones with longtime college assistant and former Grambling State offensive coordinator James Spady, who brings the pistol offense from Nevada.

Grambling’s Broderick Fobbs is the league’s fourth new head coach. He’ll be asked to win football games and also heal wounds from a difficult season in 2013, which included a player boycott

after team members voiced their displeasure for the program’s coaching staff, administration and facilities.

Barlow said it typically takes coaches four years to get a program where they want it. The school’s patience paid off after he inherited a program saddled with NCAA sanctions and started his tenure with three straight losing seasons.

Since then, they’ve reeled off four consecutive winning records for the first time since 1967-70. Alabama State is favored to win the East this year.

“The thing about football is they love you when you’re winning and when you’re not winning, they’re not going to love you,” Barlow said. “It doesn’t matter who you are. You look at from the great Eddie Robinson to when he was at Grambling,

AP

Doug Williams. Even when you do win, look at Comegy.”

“They played for a championship. Sometimes people have to remove their personal feelings about a person and just judge them on what they do as a coach. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.”

SWAC PRESEASON POLL

(Voting by league coaches) EAST DIVISION Alabama State Alcorn State Jackson State Mississippi Valley State Alabama A&M

93 91 72 40 34

WEST DIVISION Southern Prairie View A&M Arkansas-Pine Bluff Texas Southern Grambling

95 88 66 50 31

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

DAILY JOURNAL

Hopson has Alcorn State rolling in his third year The Braves return one of the league’s best quarterbacks in It didn’t take long for coach Jay junior John Gibbs Jr. The 6-footHopson to turn Alcorn State 6, 220-pounder threw for 2,567 around. yards and 21 touchdowns last In just his second season last season. Alcorn State also had fall, Hopson led the Braves to a four defensive backs named to 9-3 record and a the All-SWAC preseason teams.

48-33 victory over rival JackFIVE THINGS TO WATCH son State in the HOPSON LEADS THEM: Jay Hopson season finale, turned Alcorn State into one of the giving the proSWAC’s best teams last fall in just his gram plenty of second season, leading the Braves to a momentum 9-3 record, including a 7-2 mark in the heading into SWAC. Another good season is exHopson 2014. pected, with experienced starters reHopson inturning at several spots. herited a roster in disarray after GIBBS UNDER CENTER: John Gibbs the firing of Melvin Spears in Jr. was one of the SWAC’s best quarter2012, but he quickly reloaded. backs last season and the junior should Now he says the team’s depth is continue to improve. He threw for 2,567 “getting much closer to where yards, 21 touchdowns and just five inwe want it to be.” terceptions while also running for 455 Hopson recently signed a yards and four touchdowns. three-year contract extension.

WINNING THE EAST: Alcorn State

Cantue and Anthony Williams Jr. selected for the second. Francois led the team with 90 tackles last season and also had two interceptions.

SAMPSON LEADS THE WAY: The Braves love to run behind left guard Isaac Sampson and it’s no secret why: The 6-foot-5, 367-pound junior is a load to block. He was named to the AllSWAC preseason first team

ASSOCIATED PRESS

John Gibbs Jr. returns at quarterback for Alcorn State. finished one game away from winning the Eastern Division last season and the expectations are for the Braves to be right in the mix again. A crucial game will likely come on Oct. 2 against Alabama State in Lorman.

AP

STARS IN THE SECONDARY: Alcorn State’s secondary should be a strength this season, with four players selected to the All-SWAC preseason teams. C.J. Morgan and Devon Francois were both named to the first-team while Quinton

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SCHEDULE

Lynchburg, 4 p.m. at Southern Miss, 6 p.m.

Louisiana, 2 p.m. *at Miss Valley State, 4 p.m. *Southern, 4 p.m. *Alabama State, 6:30 p.m. *at Grambling, 2 p.m. *Texas Southern, 2 p.m. *at Prairie View A&M, 1 p.m. *at Alabama A&M, 1 p.m. *Ark.-Pine Bluff, 4 p.m. *Jackson State, 2 p.m. *SWAC game

Jackson State’s new coach expected to win quickly ASSOCIATED PRESS

Most first-year football coaches get a chance to implement their playbook and philosophy with the understanding that it might take a year or two before the winning begins.

Jackson State’s Harold Jackson won’t have that luxury.

The 68-yearold Jackson, Jackson who was hired to replace Rick Comegy, will be expected to win immediately. Comegy was surprisingly fired after leading Jackson State to back-to-back Southwestern Athletic Conference championship games – though the Tigers lost each time.

Jackson will be expected to have the Tigers among the

offense last season, but an ankle injury ended his year prematurely. Now he’s back, and the 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore is expected to be a quality dual-threat for the offense.

JACKSON GETS THE REINS: Jackson State surprised just about everyone by firing Rick Comegy after a successful eight-year tenure that included four trips to the SWAC championship game.

The Tigers surprised again by picking 68-year-old Harold Jackson as the new coach. Jackson played for the Tigers in the 1960s and had a lengthy NFL career, but he’s never been a head coach.

EARLY TESTS: Jackson State will be GREG JENSON | THE CLARION-LEDGER expected to win quickly and two early Sophomore LaMontiez Ivy, who played one game before getting games will test the Tigers’ new regime. hurt last season, is a dual-threat QB. JSU hosts Florida A&M in the home opener on Aug. 30 and then faces Tenleague’s elite again. But the vetLaMontiez Ivy returns after nessee State on Sept. 13 at the Southeran coach isn’t worried about missing most of last season with ern Heritage Classic in Memphis. pressure, saying “the only thing I an ankle injury.

IMPROVING THE DEFENSE: Jackson can do is have our guys go out State’s defense struggled during the and play mistake-free football.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH most important games last season, givWe’ll be fine.”

IVY’S THE MAN: QB LaMontiez Ivy ing up 48 points against Alcorn State Sophomore quarterback was expected to have a large role in the and 34 in the SWAC championship

against Southern University. Several players return, including sophomore defensive end Javancy Jones, who had 14 tackles for a loss last season.

HELPING GRIFFIN: Jackson State struggled to force turnovers in the passing game last season with just four interceptions. Safety Ryan Griffin returns after grabbing three of those interceptions and the Tigers hope an influx of new talent can lead to more big plays.

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SCHEDULE

Florida A&M, 6 p.m.

Lynchburg, 7 p.m.

Tenn. State (Memphis), 6 p.m. *Grambling, 6 p.m. *at Ark.-Pine Bluff, 6 p.m. *Prairie View A&M, 6 p.m. *Miss. Valley State, 2 p.m. *Southern, 6 p.m. *Alabama A&M, 6 p.m. *at Alabama State,1 p.m. *at Texas Southern, 5:30 p.m. *at Alcorn State, 2 p.m. *SWAC game

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MVSU starts new era with familiar face as coach FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rick Comegy has built his coaching career by resurrecting struggling programs like Tuskegee and Jackson State.

The 60-yearold might be in for his biggest challenge yet.

Comegy was hired in January to lead Mississippi Valley State, a cashComegy strapped school AP in the SouthAvery Boykin intercepted six passes for MVSU last season. western Athletic Conference that finished with a 2-9 record last season. cerned about MVSU’s recent was to settle on a starting quarComegy replaces Karl Morrough seasons or the small athterback. The Delta Devils had gan, who was fired after finishletic budget. He said he’s never five candidates fighting for the ing with an 8-35 record over four been “worried about what other job in fall camp, including reseasons. people have.” turning seniors Patrick Ivy and Comegy said he’s not conOne of Comegy’s first tasks Carl Davis.

20% OFF

THE COMEGY ERA: Jackson State surprisingly fired Rick Comegy in January, but the veteran coach didn’t stay unemployed long. Rival MVSU scooped him up in a hurry and the Delta Devils hope he can bring consistent winning to a program that has often struggled.

QB SHUFFLE: Mississippi Valley is searching for answers at several positions after a 2-9 season. Maybe the most important position battle is at quarterback, where five candidates, including returning seniors Patrick Ivy and Carl Davis, are fighting for playing time.

DIFFICULT SEPTEMBER: Valley will have a tough September, stepping out of conference to face Illinois State before important SWAC games against Alabama State and Alcorn State. That stretch will probably go a long way toward determining if the Delta Devils can be competitive this season.

STAFFORD MAKES BIG PLAYS: The MVSU offense will lean on Julian

Stafford, who has been the team’s most consistent receiver and special teams player over the past two seasons. He had 52 catches for 694 yards last season. He also scored a touchdown on a kickoff return.

DON’T PICK ON BOYKIN: The Delta Devils hope Avery Boykin can duplicate a breakout performance in 2013. The cornerback led the SWAC with six interceptions and also made 57 tackles.

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Univ. of Faith, 4 p.m. at Illinois State, 6:30 p.m. *at Alabama State, 5 p.m. *Alcorn State, 4 p.m. *Alabama A&M, 4 p.m. *at Texas Southern, 7 p.m. *at Jackson State, 2 p.m. *Prairie View A&M, 2 p.m. *at Ark.-Pine Bluff, 2 p.m. *Grambling, 6:30 p.m. *at Southern, 6 p.m. *SWAC game

The Season We’ve All Been Waiting For Is Here!

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

DAILY JOURNAL

Belhaven, Mississippi College teams in transition New coaches will lead programs to new divisions

BY PARRISH ALFORD DAILY JOURNAL

Two of the state’s small colleges are making transitions in classification, and one has hired a former SEC coach to help ease the process.

Hal Mumme’s experience at NCAA Division III McMurry University will likely benefit him more in his new job than his time as head coach at Kentucky.

It was quite a while ago that Mumme led the Wildcats to bowl games and coached an NFL No. 1 draft pick in quarterback Tim Couch.

He resigned in 2001 amid an NCAA investigation into Kentucky’s program. He arrives at Belhaven after helping revive the program at McMurry and leading a transition to Division II. This will be Belhaven’s final season in NAIA. Next year the Blazers will compete in Division III in the American Southwest Conference, where Mumme coached for three of his four seasons with McMurry.

“They wanted to go to the conference I was in at McMurry and felt like I could help them.

That’s kind of how it happened,” Mumme said.

Mumme was coaching at Valdosta State when Kentucky hired him prior to the 1997 season. He had coached previously at Iowa Wesleyan and went 2816 in four years at McMurry before serving as offensive coordinator at SMU last year where he ways he tweaked his “Air Raid” offense under Mustangs coach June Jones.

He’s calling his Belhaven offense “Air Raid 2.0.”

“I was small college before I got to Kentucky. It has a charm you don’t get at the bigger level,

THE MISSISSIPPI COLLEGIAN

John Bland was named head football coach at Mississippi College in late December. He was coach at Kentucky’s University of the Cumberlands for eight seasons.

Hal Mumme, one of the gurus of the uptempo offense, was named Belhaven’s head coach in mid-January.

‘It has a charm you don’t get at the bigger level, and I’ve always enjoyed that.’

Hal Mumme

First-year Belhaven head coach

AP

and I’ve always enjoyed that,” Mumme said.

He takes over a team that was 3-8 last year and is projected fifth in its conference.

CHOCTAWS ON THE MOVE

In Clinton, John Bland arrives after great success in the conference that Belhaven is leaving. He was 70-21 with five Mid-South Conference championships at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. The Choctaws were 4-6 a year ago and are in provisional status as they move from Division III to Division II and their former

league, the Gulf South Conference.

MC will play a full GSC schedule this year. Its games will count in the league standings for its opponents, but the Choctaws are not eligible to compete for the championship. That won’t happen until the 2016-2017 athletics year.

Bland doesn’t believe provisional status will be a hindrance this season.

“If we have kids that really don’t have the motivation to compete on a daily basis, we’re not going to do very well anyway,” he said.

The most significant change the Bland and his staff will be recruiting. Division II offers football scholarships, while Division III does not.

“Moving up means more than just a conference. Recruiting has to improve, and we’ve done that,” he said. “When you have scholarships you’re able to recruit more talented players, players that are bigger, faster and so on.”

Bland is hopeful that new talent plus returning experience will help ease the transition this season.

Quarterback Jonathon Redd

was first-team All-American Southwest Conference last year.

He won’t be the most natural fit for Bland’s spread offense, but Bland is confident he can help Redd succeed.

“He was a great player for MC last year,” Bland said. “His style of offense is not unique, but he’s more of a passing quarterback if I had to label him. We think he can run the football. We won’t make him into Jamelle Holieway, but he will be able to do some things we want. We will work around his talents.” parrish.alford@journalinc.com

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BELHAVEN

DELTA STATE

MILLSAPS

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

FAST FACTS

FAST FACTS

FAST FACTS

FAST FACTS

BLAZERS

STATESMEN

Affiliation: NAIA Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference: Mid-South Conference: Gulf South Head coach: Hal Mumme (first season) Head coach: Todd Cooley (second season) 2013 Record: 3-8 2013 Record: 7-3 Top 3 Returning Players: LB Gregory Goree, Top 3 Returning Players: WR Ricky Hunt, WR QB Ian McGinnis, RB LaDerick Turner Casey Osborne, DL Diego Lubin Locals: LB Gregory Goree (Shannon), WR Kasey Locals: DB Cody James, Ripley; QB Dalton Akins (Starkville) James, Ripley; DB Latrell Marks, Bruce; K/P Cody Mills, Oxford; TE Vic Rather, Oxford; DL D.Q. INSIDE SCOOP Reynolds, Oxford; WR Trey Shaw, Oxford; OL Collin Former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme has taken Stubblefield, New Albany; DB James Walter, Ripley. over at Belhaven.

Mumme resigned from UK in 2001 amid an INSIDE SCOOP NCAA investigation which eventually found numerGone are the days of national rankings and ous violations relating to recruiting. deep playoff runs. That’s something that secondUpon his introduction, Belhaven Vice President year coach Todd Cooley is trying to change. He’s for Athletics Scott Little said Mumme would bring making progress, but not enough to unseat North “excitement” to the Blazers’ program.

Alabama as the GSC favorite for 2014.

Mumme served as passing game coordinator at Cooley inherited a Delta State program that had SMU last season. Since leaving Kentucky he’s gone 3-7 in 2012 and led a nifty turnaround with a served as head coach at Southeastern Louisiana, 7-3 mark in his debut season.

New Mexico State and NCAA Division III McMurry, Having previously served at two former GSC where he led the program to its first postseason schools, Cooley was a known commodity when he win since 1949. brought his offense from Northwestern State to This will be the final season of NAIA competition Cleveland, and the Statesmen averaged 472.2 for the Blazers, who will transition to NCAA comyards and 40 points a year. petition in Division III next season.

That helped them defeat three ranked teams, Belhaven was just 3-8 last season, 1-4 and fifth including league rival North Alabama, but there are place in the Mid-South Conference Western Divistrides to make on defense for further rebuilding at sion. That’s where league coaches project the DSU. Blazers to finish again.

OFFENSE

Mumme ran spread and tempo at Kentucky when fewer teams were on board with that style of play. It’s been the system he’s run since, and at Belhaven he’ll have seven returning starters on offense and two quarterbacks who shared time under the previous administration.

Ian McGinnis passed for 1,257 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Darrell Williams was also effective, passing for 978 yards, five scores and three interceptions.

The Blazers will have to replace two productive receivers as Justin Kenyon and Deuce Coon combined for 79 catches for 1,142 yards and nine touchdowns.

The top returning running back is Laderick Turner who averaged 42 yards a game last season.

DEFENSE

Eight starters are back including Gregory Goree, a senior from Shannon, who had a team-best 56 tackles and eight tackles for loss in 2013.

Goree is the only returning linebacker, however.

There’s more experience up front with three returning linemen and in the back with three starters returning in the secondary.

MAJORS

CHOCTAWS

Affiliation: NCAA Division III Affiliation: NCAA Division II (candidate) Conference: Southern Athletic Association Conference: Gulf South (candidate) Head coach: Aaron Pelch (fifth season) Head coach: John Bland 2013 Record: 9-1 2013 Record: 4-6 Top 3 Returning Players: QB Zak Thrasher, RB Top 3 Returning Players: QB Jonathon Redd, Mike Barthelemy, DB Alex Jackson WR Jaime Harris, LB Jake Weddle Locals: OL Jake Brownlee, Nettleton; OL Hunter Locals: LB Ted Esom, Bruce.

Coleman, Pontotoc. (Information for freshmen on INSIDE SCOOP the roster was incomplete at our deadline.)

The Choctaws continue their transition to full INSIDE SCOOP GSC status with new coach John Bland, who was Aaron Pelch is entering his fifth season. He was 70-21 in eight seasons at Cumberland College ina member of Mike Dubose’s Millsaps staff which cluding 23-3 the last two years. included three conference titles and a pair of playMC will play a full Gulf South Conference schedoff appearances before he left for an NFL assisule this year but will not be eligible for the champitant’s opportunity. onship or for postseason honors.

Pelch is back, and the Majors were on the brink The Choctaws will become full members of Diof a playoff berth last year after sharing the league vision II and the GSC for the 2016-2017 season. title with Rhodes, which dealt Millsaps a Week 10 Bland’s background is in working with quarterdefeat. backs, but he’ll have to rebuild a defense that gave The Majors return six starters on both offense up 38.6 points and 437.4 yards a game last seaand defense. son.

MC allowed at least 35 points in each of its OFFENSE losses and gave up more than 50 points to start The Majors’ spread offense generated 211.5 the season against local rival Millsaps and to end it rushing yards a game last season, and senior run- against Division III power Mary Hardin-Baylor. ning back Mike Barthelemy gives them a great starting point to duplicate that feat.

OFFENSE He rushed for 1,400 yards and 21 touchdowns Bland will try to spice things up with a spread to earn SAA player of the year honors and has option attack. His final Cumberland team was the been named preseason All-American.

NAIA runner-up and rushed for almost 5,000 yards OFFENSE Barthelemy, of Port Sulphur, La., led the league on the season.

The Statesmen have their top two receivers in touchdowns, and nobody was close to his 140 He’ll have a returning first-team all-conference back in Ricky Hunt and Casey Osborne. They com- rushing yards a game. quarterback to work with, but Jonathon Redd’s bined for 132 catches, 1,676 yards and 15 touchZak Thrasher gives Millsaps good experience success was primarily in the air where he passed downs last year. Both were named preseason under center but needs to work on his ball-protec- for 2,271 yards and 18 touchdowns.

All-GSC. tion. He threw 15 touchdown passes a year ago Redd may be able to make the adjustment. He A quarterback has yet to be named, but offenbut also 14 interceptions. also rushed for 323 yards – second on the team – sive tackle Cortez Hibbler should provide some Thrasher, a senior from Columbus, was 146-for- and 11 touchdowns. stability up front.

246 passing for 1,766 yards.

Running in general was not the Chocs’ strong Offensive lineman David Carter should provide point as they averaged just 3.5 yards per attempt.

DEFENSE stability up front.

The second-leading returning runner, Darryl Outscoring opponents with your own potent ofGarner, carried just 17 times last year. fense wasn’t always a successful strategy with a DEFENSE MC returns two experienced receivers in Jaime defense that allowed 31.8 points and 147.6 rushThe Majors run a 4-3 base alignment.

Harris (30, 534 yards, 4 TD) and Dossie Rivers (22, ing yards a game.

While Barthelemy was the league’s top player 205 yards, 1 TD).

Finishing minus-3 in turnover ratio was also un- on offense, Millsaps also had the league’s defenhelpful. sive player of the year last season in defensive end DEFENSE The good news for the Statesmen is that experi- Zach Bell. His 12 sacks ranked in the top 10 of DiWhile there were issues on defense there was ence returns at key positions, and DSU placed four vision III. good production up front from lineman Doc Ward, players on the preseason All-GSC team: DL Diego He’s back to give Millsaps a matchup advantage an all-conference performer with 52 tackles and 3 Lubin, linebackers Rory Island and Artavious Mor- on the edge most Saturdays, a good thing since 1-2 sacks. He’ll be hard to replace. gan and defensive back Frankie Lee. the Majors must replace two experienced defenFive starters are back, the most significant The Statesmen should also get some help from sive line starters, Alex Stewart and Joiner Stewart. being All-ASC linebacker Jake Weddle. If the Chocs end Randall Boyd, who played at Itawamba ComSafety Alex Jackson is also back after leading had a big play, Weddle was nearby. He had 125 munity College last season. the team in tackles. He was first-team all-confer- tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two interceptions and Free safety Armagedon Draughn and strong ence a year ago. three forced fumbles. safety Lawrence Hopkins are also expected to be MC will play a 3-3-5 scheme this season.

Compiled by Parrish Alford (Small college schedules, Page 20F) impact transfers.

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Pick six: Who’ll be on the hottest seats this fall? cruits, but short on experience.

It looks like a team set to blossom next season. Hoke might not be able to wait that long.

BY RALPH D. RUSSO ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coaches often say they are always on the hot seat. That might be true, but some seats are hotter than others.

Last season, Southern California and Texas changed coaches and created a cascade of corresponding moves.

A similar situation could play out this season, with a few coaches in high-profile positions heading into 2014 very much in need of winning records and quality victories.

Six coaches entering pivotal seasons for their job security.

CHARLIE WEIS, KANSAS

The Jayhawks have improved in two seasons under Weis, going from one victory to three last season, including their first Big 12 win since 2010. Improved is still a long way from good.

The Jayhawks are loaded with experience and should have their best team under the former Notre Dame coach. But will another small step forward be enough?

WILL MUSCHAMP, FLORIDA

Muschamp had a mediocre first season (7-6), a great second season (11-2) and a terrible third season (4-8) with the Gators.

AP Injuries played a big part in Florida’s Will Muschamp appears to be the SEC coach who can ruining 2013, but oh, that ofleast afford a losing season this fall. fense was ugly.

Kurt Roper was hired away from Duke to be the coordinaThe question is just how big of a ines to chasing Ohio State. But tor. Roper plans to spread things turnaround does he need?

Michigan State, too? out more, up the tempo at Hoke is also banking on a new times, and benefit from the reBRADY HOKE, offensive coordinator to fix turn of quarterback Jeff Driskel, MICHIGAN some of his problems. He hired who missed most of last season While Muschamp’s time at Doug Nussmeier, whose ofwith a knee injury.

Florida has been up and down, fenses put up big numbers at AlMuschamp has plenty of talHoke’s three-year stint with the abama even though they weren’t ent to work with on the defenWolverines has been a steady quite what Nick Saban was looksive side. decline. Eleven victories. Eight ing for.

Another losing season would victories. Seven victories.

The Wolverines have a roster not be tolerated in Gainesville.

It’s one thing for the Wolverloaded with highly rated re-

MIKE LONDON, VIRGINIA

London’s had one winning season in four with Virginia, including last season’s ugly 2-10 that ended with nine straight losses. Virginia decided to give London another year instead of eating a big chunk of contract.

He’ll add some blue chip recruits to an experienced defense, but with games against UCLA, BYU, Florida State and Louisville, a major turnaround will be difficult.

KYLE FLOOD, RUTGERS

A record of 15-11 in two seasons with the Scarlet Knights shouldn’t put a coach on the hot

seat, but a nine-win season followed by a six-win season has the arrow pointed in the wrong direction. And now Rutgers moves into the Big Ten to face a brutal schedule (Michigan, Ohio State, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Nebraska).

Add to that the fact that athletic director Julie Hermann, who has had some of her own problems since arriving at New Jersey’s state university, didn’t hire Flood, and it’s a volatile mix.

Did we mention that former Rutgers coach Greg Schiano is available? Yep, volatile.

TIM BECKMAN, ILLINOIS

Like Kansas under Weis, Illinois improved from Year 1 to Year 2 under Beckman, going from two wins to four.

Bringing in Bill Cubit to run the offense worked wonders last year, but the Illini still couldn’t stop anyone. And February’s recruiting class was ranked last in the Big Ten by Rivals. Another bowl-less winter would be a tough sell.

EXTRA POINT

Others whose seats could get toasty include: Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia; Norm Chow, Hawaii; Troy Calhoun, Air Force; and if Nebraska takes a step backward, it’d be interesting to see what happens with Bo Pelini.

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Memphis eager to end its six-year run of futility The Tigers went 3-9 last season, which included a 24-17 loss on the road at No. 21 Louisville.

The Memphis Tigers are so Fuente thinks his defense has optimistic that it’s time to end a improved over last year when six-year losing skid they’ve built they ranked 39th in total defense a marketing campaign focusing allowing 370.7 yards per game on “Wait ’Til and 44th in scoring defense givThis Year.” ing up 24.6 points a game.

“I think we’ll Offensively, the Tigers hope have a winning their offense has matured from record this last season. They need sophoyear,” senior remore quarterback Paxton Lynch ceiver Keiwone to mesh with a corps of returnMalone said. ing receivers after they struggled AP to connect last season.

The Tigers’ Fuente Paxton Lynch started at quarterlast winning “He’s more comfortable this back last season as a freshman. year,” Malone said. “He’s ready season was in 2007, and they are coming off a to take over the offense.”

3-9 record. But this is their third road games at preseason No. 7 season with Justin Fuente as UCLA and No. 18 Ole Miss.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH coach and their second season “It is certainly a leap forward FOR THE DEFENSE: Senior defensive in the American Athletic Confer- for a program,” Fuente said, end Martin Ifedi, on a handful of preence. They’ve toughened up the “and one we’re going to welseason watch lists for awards, needs nonconference schedule, with come.” only one sack to tie the school’s record

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for career sacks. Tremont Lawless had 22 sacks from 1996-1999. Ifedi had 11.5 sacks last season in 12 games, ranking him seventh nationally.

AT THE HELM: Lynch should be more comfortable in the role as the starter entering this season. Last season, Lynch became the first freshman in 27 years to start the season as the Tigers quarterback and teammates say they see a more confident Lynch this fall.

SIXTH-YEAR MAN: Hayes, who led the Tigers in rushing each of the last two seasons, returns for his sixth season. The NCAA granted Hayes a waiver based on the number of games he missed early in his career due to several injuries.

MR. VERSATILITY: Although sophomore Sam Craft started the final 10 games last season at wide receiver, he’s now simply listed as an athlete. He was second in receiving with 31 catches for 337 yards. He rushed for 102 yards on 25 carries and tied for the

team-high with five touchdowns rushing. And no one should be surprised if he throws too. A quarterback in high school, Craft completed 116 of 234 passes for 1,798 yards and 14 touchdowns his senior year.

ANOTHER AUSSIE?: Fuente must replace punter Tom Hornsey, a four-year starter from Australia. A possible replacement is freshman Nick Jacobs, who’s also from Australia.

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ITAWAMBA CC

INDIANS FAST FACTS

2013 record: 6-4, 4-2 (1st round MACJC playoffs) Coach: Sean Cannon (1st year) Returning starters: 7 off., 7 def.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Devan Gilleylen, So., LB Played every game as a freshman.

“He’s going to be the heart and sole of our defense this season,” head coach Sean Cannon said.

Jacquez. McMillian, So., WR At 6-foot-4, he should be a matchup problem for opposing teams, and there are hopes for production to improve in 2014.

Joseph Bacchus, So., OT The left tackle for the Indians, he is the only returning starter from last season, and will shoulder a leadership role on offense.

Xavier Pegues, So., DL “We are counting on him to provide leadership on defense, having a year under his belt,” Cannon said.

NORTHEAST MISSISSIPPI CC

TIGERS

FAST FACTS

2013 record: 4-5, 4-2 (no playoffs) Coach: Ricky Smither (6th season) Returning starters: 7 off., 6 def.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Darrius Whitty, Fr., DB Smither is already mentioning him in same breath as former Tiger and Alabama DB Deion Belue.

Jamel Dennis, So., LB Tigers’ leading tackler a season ago has gotten stronger, faster, and more motivated.

Justin Barksdale, So., OT Work in the weight room over the offseason has this D-I prospect even stronger.

Chandler Dexter, So., TE The 6-foot-6 Tishomingo County player is one of the top juco tight ends in the nation.

Corbin White, So., RB Former Nettleton player could blossom into elite runner this fall.

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Cannon adapts quickly to leadership role

BY DAVID WHEELER SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

Early in June, Sean Cannon was set to be a fifth year defensive coordinator for the Itawamba Community College Indians football team as they looked for backto-back playoff appearances.

In basically the blink of an eye, Cannon was responsible for the Cannon Indians’ entire program, as he was named head coach June 17.

“I don’t think it’s been that hard of a transition for the players and the staff,” Cannon said. “I don’t have to change a lot of minds with the sophomores, and the freshmen don’t know how it was.

“One of the toughest things is going home and worrying about

both sides of the ball ...

“What I’ve told the coaches is that I want to prepare the football team for every situation that could happen, and let’s practice it enough so the kids know how to handle it.”

OFFENSE

Two of Cannon’s decisions will be two of the biggest right from the get go.

At quarterback, DeAndre Belton from South Carolina, Qwadra Griggs from Greenwood and Jesse Hosket from French Camp are three freshmen vying for playing time.

“All three quarterbacks are neck and neck, all three are good athletes, and can run a bit more than what we had last year,” Cannon said.

A trio of running backs may be in a bit of a rotation – sophomore Anfrenee Brand from Houston, and freshmen DeVonte Gates from Baldwyn and Richard McQuarley from Meridian.

Wide receiver promises to have good depth, beginning with sophomores

Jacquez McMillian from Southaven, JaNardreon Jones from Noxubee County, Dalon Moore from Columbus, and JaQuay Daniels from North Panola.

On the line, while Joseph Bacchus from Southaven might be the lone returning starter, he should be joined by fellow sophomore Joel Forrester from Oxford, who has been moved from the defensive line. Freshmen Tyler Floyd from Booneville and Clifton Smith from Oxford will fill two of the other spots.

DEFENSE

While lack of experience might dot positions on offense, Cannon likes the mix of sophomores on defense.

“I feel like we’ve got a few sophomores at every position, and all played last year,” Cannon said. “We’ll be young, but it’s a good thing to have leadership at every spot.

“We’ve been fast on defense, but we wanted to add some size.”

Size can matter up front, where experience will be provided by Xavier Pegues from Oxford, and Larry Jefferson from

Georgia. A pair of 300 pounders will be part of the interior in freshmen NaQuey Pringle from South Carolina, and LaDarrious Gallion from West Point.

Sophomores Devan Gilleylen from Shannon and Myles Harges from Grenada will lead the linebackers, with newcomers providing an impact including Ashton Wedel from Tupelo and Calwaun Street from Charleston, along with East Mississippi transfer Benny McCall.

Trying to hold down some of the explosive passing attacks in the state will begin with sophomore backs Sharone Wright from Houston and Quinton Lane from Ackerman, and safeties Chance McNulty, a sophomore from Germantown, and Antonio Clifton, a freshman from Tupelo.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Indians’ kicker in 2012, Tyler Jackson from Lafayette, returns to Itawamba in 2014 after a season at Brigham Young. Itawamba will also have experience at punter in Jeb Millender from Pontotoc.

Tigers excited about depth and experience have three of four linebackers, three of four defensive linemen back, and two defensive backs.

“I’m really excited about our depth and experience. And this is the closest team I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

scratch the surface of experience on the offensive line – Justin Barksdale, Damien Rayford, and Sean Rogers. LakThree seasons ago, the Northendrick Preston is a 6-foot-6 Gulfport east Community College Tigers native, and Booneville native Ross Smith sported a 6-3 overall mark, and moves from tackle to center. earned a playoff berth with a In a power formation, 6-foot-6 tight solid mix of exend Chandler Dexter from Tishomingo perienced sophOFFENSE County could provide a spark as well. omores and The key role of quarterback is perhaps “We’ll have the opportunity to control impact freshthe most inexperienced position on ofpeople up front,” Smither said. “The fumen. fense for the Tigers, with three newcom- ture of the offense looks bright, but we’ll Head coach ers jockeying for playing time. need to have great quarterback play.”

Ricky Smither Cory Dixon is a freshman from Geormight have been gia who reminds Smither of Johnny DEFENSE digging in a desk Manziel, with Brett Thompson a 6-foot-4 The front seven of the Tigers has that Smither drawer and sophomore transfer from East Missisall-important experience, beginning with pulled out the sippi. Rounding out the potential quarter- the linebackers where sophomores blueprint for that 2011 squad, be- backs is freshman Trace Lee from Jamel Dennis from Lafayette and Marcause it seems a lot like the blue- Columbus, who also will be a member of cus Robinson from Memphis will set the print for 2014. the Northeast baseball team. pace. Two other sophomores that figure “We’ve got four to five starting In the backfield, Corbin White from in the mix are Antonio Ryland from Noxoffensive linemen back, a runNettleton provides the experience, with ubee County and East Mississippi transning back, and two of four wide freshmen Malcolm Joseph from Georgia, fer Mario Virgions from West Point, along receivers,” said Smither, whose and Chester Lewis from Germantown with freshmen Marques Rogers from Bylist of returning starters continproviding the Tigers with a good rotation. halia and Trey Woody from Falkner. ues throughout the lineup. “We Three sophomores from South Panola The Tigers’ line has its share of depth

BY DAVID WHEELER SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

and size, led by two 6-foot-6 players in sophomore Nigel Phillips from Georgia and freshman Jason Carr from Tennessee. The rotation will also include Lemetrius Hollins from Madison Central, Chris Matthews from Olive Branch, Travin Sharpe from Florida, Jeremiah Dent from Columbus, and Roderious Grisham and Shaun Denson from Louisiana.

Young depth is in the backfield with Darrius Whitty from Florida, Johnny Smith from Starkville, Jonathan Bobo from Bruce, Ralph Green from Ripley, and Jacoby Smith from Starkville.

With the summer hiring of Kareem Moore as defensive backs coach, the Tigers now have two defensive coaches with NFL experience. The other is defensive coordinator Kenny Jackson. The entire defensive staff for the Tigers is new, with Dustin Jones the linebackers coach.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Smither is high on freshman snapper Jonathan Ash from Pontotoc, while John Harrison will handle the punting duties.

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