2012 JACKSON STATE FOOTBALL GAME NOTES JSU Sports Media * 1400 J.R. Lynch Street * Jackson, MS 39217 * 601-503-5898 JSUTIGERS.COM * Twitter: @JStateTigers GAME 1 NR/NR JSU (0-0) at NR/NR Mississippi State (0-0) Game Information Date/Time: Sat., Sept. 1 / 6:08 p.m. CDT Site: Davis Wade Stadium Sept. 1, 2012 * 6:08 p.m. CDT * TV: FSN * Radio: 95.5 FM TV: FSN Davis Wade Stadium (Starkville, MS) Talent: (Bob Rathbun, Tim Couch and Elizabeth Moreau Radio: JSU Tigers Network Talent: Spencer McClenty (pxp), Willie STORY LINES Richardson (analyst), Shaka Smart (sideline) *A year after posting its most successful season under head coach Rick Comegy, Jackson State opens In Jackson: 95.5 FM, Hallelujah FM its most anticipated season in recent memory Saturday against Mississippi State on FSN (6:08 p.m. CT). Online: jsutigers.com *JSU and Mississippi State meet for only the second time Saturday. MSU owns a 1-0 series edge. *Mississippi State is the only SEC team that JSU has ever played. JSU is 0-3 vs. Conference USA teams, 0-2 vs. the Mountain West and 0-2 vs. the Sun Belt. JSU 0-0, 0-0 SWAC (9-2, 7-2 SWAC in 2011) *JSU’s 2012 schedule includes only four home games. Ranking NR - FCS, NR - Coaches *Year seven of the Rick Comegy era features the return of Jackson State’s high powered offense led by Last Game Nov. 19, 2011 in Capital City preseason All-American wide receivers Rico Richardson and EJ Drewery. Richardson hauled in 37 Classic passes for a team high 896 yards and 11 touchdowns. Drewery, who will also see time at tight end beat Alcorn St., 51-7 caught 26 passes for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Head Coach Rick Comegy (Millersville, ‘76) *JSU has had significant changes on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers lost former offensive coor- Career Record 149-77 dinator Ernest Wilson and record setting quarterback Casey Therriault. During his two seasons at JSU JSU Record 41-26 vs. MSU 0-1 Therriault set or tied records in pass completions, completion percentage, and touchdown passes. Der- rick McCall will take over offensive play calling duties and Dedric McDonald will start at quarterback. *Other offensive changes include Ray Caldweld as quarterbacks coach. MSU 0-0, 0-0 SEC (7-6, 2-6 SEC in 2011) *The strength of the 2012 Tigers team will be the defense, which is led by preseason Buck Buchanan Ranking NR - AP, NR - USA Today award candidate Joseph LeBeau. LeBeau is the first JSU Tiger to receive the honor under Comegy. Last Game Dec. 30, 2011 in Music City Bowl beat Wake Forest 23-17 National Television Coverage Head Coach Dan Mullin (Ursinus, ‘94) *Saturday’s 2012 season opener against Mississippi State will be televised nationally on FSN. Career Record 21-17 MSU Record 21-17 vs. JSU 1-0 2012 SCHEDULE/RESULTS JSU Coaching Staff Sept. 1 at Mississippi State FSN 6:08 p.m. On the Field Starkville, MS / Davis Wade Stadium / MSU leads 1-0-0 (0-1 under Comegy) Rick Comegy Head Coach Derrick McCall Offensive Coordinator Sept. 8 vs Tennessee State FSN 6:00 p.m. Antonio Knight Linebackers Memphis, TN / Liberty Bowl (Southern Heritage Classic) / TSU leads 24-20-2 (2-4 under Comegy) Jonathan Thompson Defensive Line Gregory Black Offensive Line Sept. 15 at Texas Southern 4:00 p.m. Vincent Dancy Secondary Houston, TX / BBVA Compass Stadium / JSU leads 37-18-0 (4-2 under Comegy) Chris Buckner Wide Receivers Sept. 22 Southern W.C. Gorden Classic 4:00 p.m. In the Press Box Jackson, MS / Miss. Veterans Memorial Stadium / Tied 28-28-0 (5-1 under Comegy) Darrin Hayes Defensive Coordinator Ray Caldwell Quarterbacks Sept. 29 Prairie View A&M SWAC TV/ High School/JUCO Day 4:00 p.m. Chris Holmes Graduate Assistant (Off) Jackson, MS / Miss. Veterans Memorial Stadium / JSU leads 36-14-2 (3-1 under Comegy) Marcus Jamison Student Assistant (Def) Oct. 6 at Arkansas Pine Bluff SWAC TV 6:00 p.m. FB History Pine Bluff, AK / Golden Lion Stadium / JSU leads 22-11-0 (4-2 under Comegy) First Year of Football: 1913 SWAC Championships: 16 – 1961, 1962, 1972, Oct. 13 at Alabama State 7:00 p.m. 1973, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, Montgomery, AL / Crampton Bowl / JSU leads 31-10-1 (4-2 under Comegy) 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2007 Black College National Championships: 1962, Oct. 20 Mississippi Valley State SWAC TV / Homecoming 3:00 p.m. 1985, 1996 Jackson, MS / Miss. Veterans Memorial Stadium / JSU leads 52-5-2 (6-0 under Comegy) All-Time Record: 435-276-19 Nov. 3 at Grambling State 3:00 p.m. All-Time Bowl/D-1AA Playoff Record: 0-12 Pine Bluff, AK / RobinsonStadium / JSU leads 40-21-1 (1-7 under Comegy) Years in NCAA Postseason Play: 12 (Div. I-AA Nov. 10 Alabama A&M Fan/Military Appreciation Day 4:00 p.m. Playoffs) Jackson, MS / Miss. Veterans Memorial Stadium / JSU leads 14-8-0 (4-2 under Comegy) Last NCAA Postseason Appearance: 1997 Result: Lost, 31-24 to Western Illinois Nov. 17 at Alcorn State TBA Lorman, MS / Jack Spinks Stadium / JSU leads 42-28-2 (4-2 under Comegy) Phone: 601-979-5899 JSU Office of Athletic Media Relations http://jsutigers.com Fax: 601-979-2000 1400 J.R. Lynch St., Jackson, Miss. 39217 JSU 2012 FOOTBALL Game 1-Mississippi State Jackson State Football Weekly Media Planner : Week 1: at Mississippi State Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 10:55 am – 11:05 3:30 pm 3:30 pm 3:30 pm No Media JSU at Miss. St. No Media SWAC Tele- Practice Practice Practice Availability 6:08 pm (FSN) Availability Conference Call JSU Practice Field JSU Practice Field JSU Practice Field (Contact SWAC (Comegy and (Comegy and (Comegy avail- Rick Comegy, 20 Office for number) players available players available able immediately minutes after immediately fol- immediately fol- following practice, game, players lowing practice) lowing practice) no players will be following Comegy available) Tiger Tracks SWAC TELECONFERENCE *Jackson State will dedicate the 2012 season to former Tiger Vincent Jones, who JSU head coach Rick Comegy will participate in the passed away following along battle against cancer. Jones was diagnosed with Southwestern Athletic Conference’s weekly telecon- cancer shortly after reporting to campus during his freshman year (during the ference. The teleconferences will be conducted each 2011-12 academic year). Monday from Aug. 27 until Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. CT. Comegy’s scheduled time is 10:55 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. CT each Monday. *JSU has a 42-37-6 record in season openers. The Tigers are 3-3 in season Media representatives wishing to participate in the openers during the Comegy era, including victories in each of the last two sea- teleconference should contact the league communica- sons - over Delta State (9/24/10) by a score of 32-17 and Concordia College tions staff for further details. (Ala.) (9/3/11) by a score of 42-2. MONDAY MEDIA LUNCHEONS *Jackson State is 0-8 against non-NCAA FCS conferences. Head coach Rick Comegy will meet with the media each Monday preceding a game in the Lee E. Wil- *Jackson State returns seven offensive and eight defensive starters this season. liams AAC Hall of Fame Room. Lunch will be served *Joseph LeBeau was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference Preseason at 12:00 p.m. followed by interviews with Coach Comegy [video feed available] and other coaches. Defensive Player of the Year. PRACTICE INTERVIEWS / COVERAGE *Rico Richardson, EJ Drewery, Zion Pyatt, LeBeau, Todd Wilcher and Qua Cox In addition to Monday’s media luncheon, JSU stu- were all named All-SWAC first team members, while Stephen Capler, Johnathan dent-athletes and coaches are available for in-person Billups and BJ Lee were named second team members. or phone interviews before or after practice Tuesday (players and coaches), Wednesday (players and *Jackson State was predicted to finish second in the SWAC Eastern Division in coaches) and Thursday (coaches only). the league preseason poll. All interview requests must be directed to the Ath- letic Media Relations Office at least 24 hours in ad- *Jackson State finished the 2011 season by winning six of its final seven games. vance. Student-athlete’s phone numbers will not be given out. Video and still photographers may shoot In the final two games of the season the Tigers scored 85 points while allowing the first 15 minutes and last 10 minutes of drills. only 13 points. POSTGAME INTERVIEWS *Joseph LeBeau, who is JSU’s best defender, made the most of his summer. JSU’s locker room is closed to the media at home LeBeau took 18 hours in the second session of summer school, in addition to and on the road. At Miss. Veterans Memorial Stadium, taking classes during intercession and the first session of summer school, in the JSU coach Rick Comegy and requested players order to graduate in December. He also has a 3.5 grade point average. will be available in the interview room approximately 20 minutes following the game. *BJ Lee, who is ranked as one of the fastest men to run track and play football, Jackson State University is committed to a policy of won a SWAC championship in the Indoor 60 meter dash last season. equal access for both male and female reporters and photographers. *Jackson State boasts some of the fastest skill position players in the Southwest- ern Athletic Conference.