Richardson wants to continue TSU series

• By JOSEPH SCHIEFELBEIN
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Sep 7, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - When Southern coach Pete Richardson and Tennessee State coach James Webster chatted hours before Saturday night's John Merritt Classic, Richardson asked about the need for the two teams to play again.

"We're not scheduled, but I think it's something we need to play," Richardson said. "We used to play them once before, and I think it could be a good rivalry for us."

Southern's two-year contract with Tennessee State ended Saturday.

Southern and Tennessee State have played just three times in Richardson's 16 seasons at Southern.

"We'd like to continue the series, but our challenge is the dates," Southern Athletic Director Greg LaFleur said. "We just have to find another date to make it work."

Southern has three games to schedule for next season. The Jaguars are committed to play at Louisiana-Lafayette and have three open dates to fill to finish their 11-game schedule.

Game ball

To Tennessee State quarter-back Antonio Heffner and wide receiver Chris Johnson. As expected, Heffner made plays with his arm, his feet and his head, guiding the Tigers to 34 second-half points. He was 23-for-29 for 315 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 68 yards. Johnson had seven catches for 158 yards and two TDs. His 81-yard touchdown, with Heffner escaping the defense somehow, sparked Tennessee State, which scored on five straight possessions.

Play of the game

With Southern driving with ease down the field to start the second half, Tennessee State linebacker Nahshon Bigham swiped the ball out of wide receiver Del Roberts' hands, with safety Eugene Clifford recovering at the Tennessee State 19-yard line. Two plays later, Heffner got out of the collapsing pocket and slipped the ball to Johnson for Tennessee State's score. In-stead of Southern pulling away, the Tigers were within 11-7 with 12:29 left in the third quarter.

Looking at the film

The normal film exchange between the teams did not occur because of Hurricane Gustav.

Southern's caravan of buses stopped in Huntsville, Ala., Thursday night to get game film of Tennessee State's season-opening 34-13 win at Alabama A&M from A&M linebackers coach Jay Martin.