Southern banged up after victory

• By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Sep 29, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:17 a.m.

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Southern quarterback Bryant Lee did not participate in a brief, light practice Sunday, a day after getting knocked out of a game at Alcorn State by a helmet-to-helmet shot in the fourth quarter.

Lee attended practice wearing a sweatshirt but did not take part in any drills.

Southern, which won its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener 15-12 at Jack Spinks Stadium, visits defending SWAC champ Jackson State at 6 p.m. Saturday.

“He seemed alright after the game, real cognizant of what was going on,” SU coach Pete Richardson said. “He showed a lot of toughness. You look at most quarterbacks and you take a blow like that, and they don’t come back. Yet he came back. He was struggling all game, but he found enough wits about himself to get us that one touchdown. … That inspired the whole team.”

Lee, the SWAC’s preseason offensive player of the year, returned on the series after taking the blow to throw a game-winning, 21-yard touchdown pass to Corderious Gregory with 1:48 remaining in the game.

Starting free safety Anthony Wells (knee) and starting left guard Adrian Banks (ankle) both did not practice Sunday and had their injuries braced.

Free safety/nickel back Toyin Akinwale (ankle) participated Sunday.

Two players who did not travel Saturday are still working their way back.

Linebacker Johnathan Malveaux (staph infection) did not practice, but had practiced last week. Running back Brian Threat (ankle) dressed for practice but was limited and still sore.

Richardson said Malveaux “should” return this week.

Southern, as usual during game weeks, is not scheduled to practice today.

Richardson will find out more about the status of all his players earlier this week.