SU linebackers mix and match efforts

• By PERRYN KEYS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 2, 2009

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Reprints
• Twitter
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

One starting linebacker, Allan Baugh, missed the previous week because of a concussion. Another one, Marcus Clark, missed Saturday’s game because of a knee injury. The third of Southern’s starting linebackers, Corey Ray, watched the second half from the bench with his right shoulder in a sling.

How, then, did the Jaguars hold off Arkansas-Pine Bluff in their 24-10 victory?

Versatility, defensive coordinator Terrence Graves said.

Southern runs a 4-3 base defense, with each linebacker position — drop, okie and eagle — handling slightly different duties. But every so often, Graves will throw them for a loop, ordering each one to work at a different position.

“Either when we try out a new formation or when people start going down, I can go in,” said Andre Coleman, a part-time starter who came off the bench to play at drop and okie. “I can move around in case other people get hurt.”

That’s what happened Saturday, when nine linebackers — including six reserves — made at least one tackle, be it on defense or special teams.

“It’s a credit to them having the right attitude, being focused and being able to do it,” Graves said. “If they were not knowledgeable of being able to play at the different positions, then it would be much more difficult.

“Of course, you don’t ever want injuries, but they’re part of the game. I never would have anticipated us being this banged up. But at the same time, guys are stepping up and making plays, so that’s always a plus.”

Quiet day for Stewart

SU head coach Pete Richardson said receiver Juamorris Stewart’s stat line — 18 yards on two receptions, both in the first half — was primarily the result of two things: UAPB’s defensive scheme and Bryant Lee’s willingness to look elsewhere.

“Sometimes they had two (defenders) on him, and at the beginning of the game, they had a combination of three guys in that area,” Richardson said. “So, our quarterback is mature enough to understand that we have other individuals, and we’ll have a shot at hitting other guys who are open.”

Lee completed passes to six different receivers, including a key third-down conversion to Curry Allen on the game-clinching TD drive and several long plays to tight end Warren Matthews.

Saturday’s game marked Stewart’s lowest totals since Nov. 3, 2007, when he had no catches against Jackson State.