2007 Football Game Notes
11/12/2007 1:46:00 PM | Football
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JSU Head Coach Jack Crowe
Monday, August 27, 2007
OPENING STATEMENT
“I think this is a much anticipated season that we are beginning. At least it feels that way around here. After going through losses to Eastern Illinois to end the year in back-to-back seasons in games that determined the OVC champion, we’ve found a new resolve. I’ve personally challenged our seniors to have more accountability and to redefine the work ethic and core values of what won us back-to-back championships a few years ago.”
“This team reported in shape and ready to go. We’ve made progress along the way. We’ve had a few setbacks with injuries, but we continue to move forward. The surest test of our process will be the product that we put on the field and what kind of production these players have towards winning a football game.”
“Playing Alabama State has an emotional feel to it since we’re playing at one of the state’s common venues, Crampton Bowl. Our state has three stadiums like this any time you play in one you feel as though you are part of a community effort to promote the school and provide an event that’s worthy of the venue. It’s an old, historic stadium, but one that will bring a lot of excitement to the game.”
ON ALABAMA STATE
“Alex Ingram is returning at quarterback for Alabama State. Anytime you have a returning quarterback, it provides the team with a degree of comfort. We know that Alex will challenge us. He’s an athletic quarterback. We’ve spent a lot of time making sure we could cover everybody and handle the scramble. They also have Jay Peck, a preseason all-conference pick at running back. He would be a premier running back in any conference. He’s an NFL prospect. They return their entire offensive line. The one area that is really an unknown to us is at wide receiver. They lost two seniors and moved a quarterback, Darius Mathis, to bolster that position, but they are always an athletic team, so I expect these guys to be no different. Defensively, they have a lot of guys returning but aren’t really an older defensive team. It’s hard to define their strengths and weaknesses on defense as far as getting a game plan.”
ON JSU HEADING INTO THE OPENER
“We hope to get off to a great start in the kicking game. We feel that our kicking game will be a great strength for us. Overall, there will be a lot of scout-them-as-you-go, as are a lot of openers. We’ll play two quarterbacks, similar to how we handled it in 2004 when we had a returning starter but made sure we got Matt Hardin a lot of playing time early. We expect Cedric Johnson to play quite a bit just like Matt did. We do have some people who we’ll be working with right up until game time to get ready to play because of position changes. Brandt Thomas is one as he moves from defensive line to offensive line.”
JSU Head Coach Jack Crowe
Monday, August 27, 2007
OPENING STATEMENT
“I think this is a much anticipated season that we are beginning. At least it feels that way around here. After going through losses to Eastern Illinois to end the year in back-to-back seasons in games that determined the OVC champion, we’ve found a new resolve. I’ve personally challenged our seniors to have more accountability and to redefine the work ethic and core values of what won us back-to-back championships a few years ago.”
“This team reported in shape and ready to go. We’ve made progress along the way. We’ve had a few setbacks with injuries, but we continue to move forward. The surest test of our process will be the product that we put on the field and what kind of production these players have towards winning a football game.”
“Playing Alabama State has an emotional feel to it since we’re playing at one of the state’s common venues, Crampton Bowl. Our state has three stadiums like this any time you play in one you feel as though you are part of a community effort to promote the school and provide an event that’s worthy of the venue. It’s an old, historic stadium, but one that will bring a lot of excitement to the game.”
ON ALABAMA STATE
“Alex Ingram is returning at quarterback for Alabama State. Anytime you have a returning quarterback, it provides the team with a degree of comfort. We know that Alex will challenge us. He’s an athletic quarterback. We’ve spent a lot of time making sure we could cover everybody and handle the scramble. They also have Jay Peck, a preseason all-conference pick at running back. He would be a premier running back in any conference. He’s an NFL prospect. They return their entire offensive line. The one area that is really an unknown to us is at wide receiver. They lost two seniors and moved a quarterback, Darius Mathis, to bolster that position, but they are always an athletic team, so I expect these guys to be no different. Defensively, they have a lot of guys returning but aren’t really an older defensive team. It’s hard to define their strengths and weaknesses on defense as far as getting a game plan.”
ON JSU HEADING INTO THE OPENER
“We hope to get off to a great start in the kicking game. We feel that our kicking game will be a great strength for us. Overall, there will be a lot of scout-them-as-you-go, as are a lot of openers. We’ll play two quarterbacks, similar to how we handled it in 2004 when we had a returning starter but made sure we got Matt Hardin a lot of playing time early. We expect Cedric Johnson to play quite a bit just like Matt did. We do have some people who we’ll be working with right up until game time to get ready to play because of position changes. Brandt Thomas is one as he moves from defensive line to offensive line.”
Sunday, May 17
Saturday, May 16
Wednesday, May 13
Sunday, May 10
