Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Link: A Look Back at UTM's Season

It sounds like UTM will be tough next season. They are returning their quarterback, best wide receiver and two very good running backs.


http://www.jacksonsun.com/article/20111129/SPORTS/111290305

Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Breakdown of All OVC Players by School

The All OVC awards came out recently. Here is a breakdown of the number of player by school:

Eastern Kentucky: 14

Murray State: 8

Tenn. State: 8

Tennessee Tech: 7

Jacksonville State: 6

Martin: 6

EIU: 4

SEMO: 3

Austin Peay: 2

Jacksonville State University - Demon Surge Leads to 66-61 Overtime Win Over Gamecocks

Jacksonville State University - Demon Surge Leads to 66-61 Overtime Win Over Gamecocks

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Is Desmond Brown Headed to Jax State?

Rumors are circulating that Desmond Brown may be transferring to Jacksonville State from Clemson. Brown, a safety, was a 3 Star Scout prospect in high school who also had offers from Arkansas and South Carolina. Brown redshirted his freshman year and played on the scout team this year prior to being dismissed from the team for the classic "violation of team rules." If Brown indeed comes to JSU, he would join fellow Cherokee County products, Country Chambers and some guy named Blanchard.

Here is what Andrew Bone of Scout.com had to say about Brown out of high school:

"Brown is a prospect who continues to improve and plays a lot bigger than his size. He is an aggressive player who likes to knock players down to the ground and plays through the whistle. He has good ball skills and does well in coverage."

Brown would add to a talented group of up and coming safetys for the Gamecocks. Pierre Warren started much of the season as a freshman and capped it off with 98yard td return in the finale against Tennessee State. The coaches are also very positive about Jamaal Johnson a very talented player out of Piedmont that signed with the Gamecocks in 2010. The Gamecocks also return Rob Gray and Brooks Robinson, a starter, who was plagued with injuries during his junior campaign.

RIP Joe Haynie- A Great Gamecock

The Gamecocks lost a great one with the passing of former quarterback, Joe Haynie. Former Gamecock Fran Blanchard wrote this about Mr. Haynie's passing on the Gamecock message board and gave us permission to republish it:

"The Gamecock Nation lost an amazing Man and Great Quarterback this past weekend to cancer. My dear friend, Joe Haynie, fought an amazing fight for many years against this terrible disease. He battled it like only a true Gamecock would...till the last breath.

I have known Joe for 31 years and I was always star struck by his presence. I actually played a few flag football games with him after my senior year of college. He could throw the fire out of a football. You always knew who was in control of that huddle, even during a flag football game.

Joe served as our J Club President for two years and was tireless in his efforts to make JSU what it is today. His vision was amazing and he had the ability to make people see past the small picture and on to bigger things.

I saw Joe during the EKU game and he looked wonderful. He told me then that he was going to lick this disease if it killed him! He was funny all the way to the end.

I took it for granted that I would be seeing Joe again before Christmas. I had an idea to get ALL of the JSU Quarterbacks to sign a helmet, and then raffle it off during the golf tournament. I am compiling addresses now in order to get this helmet to each of them. There will only be 1 helmet and Joe was going to be my first signature. It pains me to finish this post as it makes me very emotional as I know Joe loved this idea. I am very sorry that this helmet will be without our 1964 Gamecock Q.B.

I love you Joe!! You were, are and will always be my idol my dear friend. Heaven just got a new Quarterback to run their offense...they got a GREAT ONE!

I will post the arrangements as soon as I get them for all of you that know Joe. Please keep his family in your prayers and I urge you to call an old friend today and tell them you love them- you may not have tomorrow.

My love to ALL the Gamecock Nation and I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving."

Sincerely, Fran

Team Horseshoe Continues Their Trend With a Playoff Bid

EKU is living right. After a season filled with some fortuitous bounces, their final regular season win over UTM was set up when UTM missed a go ahead extra point with 2:43 left in the game. UTM stopped EKU and then proceeded to fumble deep in their own territory on the next drive. The Colonels luck continued when they received an unanticipated playoff bid. But, as they say in golf, its not how you drive its how you arrive. Good luck to EKU in their first round playoff game.

OVC FOOTBALL: Colonels motivated by critics who think they shouldn’t be in the playoffs

Monday, November 21, 2011

Jacksonville State University - JSU's Gaines Named OVC Newcomer of the Week

Jacksonville State University - JSU's Gaines Named OVC Newcomer of the Week

Washaun Ealey Gets 1,000

One of the questions heading into the week was whether Washaun Ealey would play as he injured a hamstring and missed the SEMO game. He had 999 yards going into the game so at least one carry seemed likely. Ealey played and played well, scoring a touchdown on his first run from scrimmage. That gave Ealey over 1,000 yards for the year.

Lets hope Ealey returns for his senior year (no reason to believe he won't). Ealey appeared to get better every game this year and seemed to be more supportive of his teammates as the year progressed. If he does return, it should be a big year for Ealey as JSU's offensive line should be really good next year.

The only player the Gamecocks lose off of the line will be Michael Ellis. With Odie Rush returning, the Gamecocks could have as many as three senior offensive line starters next year with Rush, Tori Mobley and Matt Jones. In addition to these veterans, a slew of underclassmen who played a lot this year will return including starting center, Max Holcombe, starting tackle, Tarik Milner, Preston Hatcher and Blake Burks.

Hard Luck Mocs

Is there anything more painful than giving up a 24 point lead in the fourth quarter? UTC might say yes. On Saturday, they lost their third game of the season by a 28-27 margin. The losses came to Georgia Southern, Wofford and the Citadel.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

JSU Football- OVC Champions

Its a shared championship, but a championship nonetheless. Congrats Gamecocks!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Max Holcombe: Football is in the genes

Max Holcombe: Football is in the genes: Max Holcombe knew from a very early age that football was what he wanted to do. After all, he grew up listening to stories his father Danny would tell of what it was like to be on a team coached by...

Jason Horton: A tackling machine

Jason Horton: A tackling machine: When opposing runners face Jacksonville State University they know there is one player they definitely want to avoid, Gamecock safety Jason Horton.

Jason Horton: A tackling machine

Jason Horton: A tackling machine: When opposing runners face Jacksonville State University they know there is one player they definitely want to avoid, Gamecock safety Jason Horton.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Playoffs!

One of the best links ever on "playoffs."

Here is what we understand the scenario to be for the Gamecocks.

GAMECOCKS WIN AND EKU AND T. TECH BOTH LOSE: JSU is undisputed conference champion and goes to the playoffs. EKU could easily lose to Martin, but it is hard to imagine Tech losing to Peay.

GAMECOCKS WIN AND EITHER TECH OR EKU LOSE: If this happens and the OVC gets two teams in to the playoffs, the Gamecocks would get a bid. Last year two OVC teams got bids.

GAMECOCKS, EKU AND TECH ALL WIN: If this occurs, our guess is that JSU would be on the outside looking in. Not sure what the selection committee looks at, but EKU and Tennessee Tech both have head to head advantage over the Gamecocks.


A Look at Tennessee State

Barring Tech and EKU both losing, JSU needs to beat Tennessee State to claim a share of the conference title. At one point, this looked to be a game the Gamecocks could win easily. TSU was absolutely destroyed by Murray State and Air Force to start the season and also lost to OVC cellar dweller, Austin Peay.

However, it has been a tale of two seasons for the Tigers. They have won four of their last five games with their only loss coming to EKU. Included in those results are victories over the T. Tech team that defeated JSU and an absolute blowout of the same SEMO team that JSU narrowly defeated. The Tigers are powered by running back Trabis Ward who has eclipsed 100 yards in five games this season.

Hopefully, the Gamecocks will be back at full strength next weekend after missing several key players in the SEMO game. It appears they will need it to take out the Tigers.






Football - Schedule/Results - Tennessee State Tigers Athletics

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Gamecocks break out after half to down SEMO 22-21

Gamecocks break out after half to down SEMO 22-21: Calvin Middleton rushed for 191 yards and three touchdowns, helping Jacksonville State rally for a 22-21 win Saturday over Southeast Missouri State.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Gamecocks Win!

A great win today for the football team. In no logical order, here are thoughts and observations:

1) Clarence Jackson is suspended for the season. Immense potential that will probably never be realized.

2) Washaun Ealey missed the game with a hamstring injury. Who steps in but everybody's favorite Gamecock, Calvin Middleton, who ran for about 160 on the game.

3) Coty missed the first quarter with back spasms. Coach Crowe sang Coach Skidmore's praises in getting him ready to go.

4) In addition to the injuries, JSU overcame four fumbles and two missed PATs. Esco did hit a big field goal in tough conditions. Every point mattered.

5) The defense stepped up big in the second half shutting SEMO out. It has to be a huge confidence builder for this unit after the EKU nightmare.

6) Offensive tackle T. Mobley missed at least some of the game. JSU is essentially playing with an almost entirely freshman line. Hopefully, this bodes well for the future.

7) EKU lost, so at a minimum the Gamecocks play for a ring next weekend. It may not mean a playoff birth even if they win, but it still means a lot.

8) Dimetrio Tyson had a pick. Coach Crowe described him as a "freak" after the game.

9) Rashod Byers played meaningfully as a running back. It would be neat to see him go both ways next week.

10) Props to punter Jake Scott who booted a 40+ punt in the first half while Coty was out. Coty had a 40+ punt late in the game that made all of the difference in the world.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Thursday, November 10, 2011

SEMO's Scheible nears mark for yardage

SEMO's Scheible nears mark for yardage

Pisgah softball standout Denes signs with Jacksonville State - The Daily Sentinel: Sports

Pisgah softball standout Denes signs with Jacksonville State - The Daily Sentinel: Sports: During
her last fall softball tournament of 2010, Pisgah's Ella Denes was
in one of those hitting slumps that softball players sometimes go
through.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Gamecocks struggle near goal

Gamecocks struggle near goal: JACKSONVILLE — Scoring in the red zone used to be virtually automatic for the Jacksonville State offense. Not so much anymore.

Burlington Central’s Bohne headed to Jacksonville State - Elgin Courier News

Burlington Central’s Bohne headed to Jacksonville State - Elgin Courier News

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Keep Hope Alive

It didn't seem like there could be a more painful loss than Tennessee Tech last year. There is. While it was not this team's ultimate goal or its fans' expectation, there is still a reasonable chance that that Gamecocks could share in the conference title. Obviously, the Gamecocks would have to win its remaining road games against Tennessee State and SEMO. Aside from that, all that needs to happen is for EKU to lose to either Tech or Martin. If there is a Santa Clause, that will happen and then Tech will lose its final game to Peay. Haven't done all of the math, but we believe that would make JSU conference champion.

A few observations about the game:

*JSU has to learn to close teams out. Even in games the Gamecocks win, the killer instinct seems to be missing. If you go back to last season, the Gamecocks let leads collapse against Martin, EIU and Tennessee Tech. In contrast, JSU is a great comeback team.

*Watched the game from down near the sideline. AJ was hurt and getting worked on by the trainers. We will never know if he could have made the play on the final TD or not if he would have been 100%.

*Inability to defend the deep ball has been the achilles heel of this team. When they moved Keginald Harris to linebacker, it seemed like a great move to combat all of the spread teams in the OVC; however, his picks at the safety spot have been missed.

*The line between glory and failure in sports is unbelievably thin. Give the Gamecocks one first down against Tech last year or against EKU this year and we are in all likelihood celebrating consecutive conference titles. Unfortunately, almost does not count.

*A young player that really stands out is Caleb Lawrence, a defensive tackle from the Opelika. He made a great 4th down stop in the red zone against EKU. He will be an all conference player before its done.

*On the other side of the ball, Blake Burks is really making progress as a true freshman offensive guard. Everybody is tired of talking about "next year" including this website, but the future looks bright for the Gamecocks offensive line. They started three freshman or redshirt freshman (Max Holcombe, Burks and Milner). They really need to get Thomas Williams eligible.

*Washaun Ealey is 100% as good as advertised. GI hopes he hangs around one more year. If he does, he should be a Payton award candidate.

*He may be banged up, but its otherwise hard to understand how you keep Gabriel Chambers off of the field.

*Earlier in the year the Gamecocks were pinning teams deep with kickoffs. It would be good if we could start doing that again. Also, it sure does seem like it would be nice if JSU could bring in a full time punter to take some of the pressure off Coty. He is incredible, but even Superman needs a break every now and then. One positive- we don't kick many field goals, but it doesn't seem like we have missed a field goal or an extra point this year (haven't checked the stats). Good job James Esco.

*Alan Bonner had a huge game at receiver.

*There's a lot of venom in the Gamecock nation right now. If you want to make a comment about an observation from the game, we will print it. We are not printing comments about fire this person or fire that person or personal attacks on anyone. There are other forums available for that.

*We are going to miss Calvin Middleton next year. 100% every play, not a complainer and does everything he is asked. Calvin is destined for success.

*There is an old saying that adversity build character. If that's the case, the Gamecock football team should have all the character it can stand. Beat SEMO.

Who Is This Rinaldo Mafra?

The JC transfer from Brazil had a double, double last night. Here is a youtube hilight. Caution: there is some offensive language in the background music.


Two In a Row

Two exhibition wins in a row for Gamecock basketball.



Jacksonville State University - Late Gamecock Run Downs Oakwood in Final Exhibition

Monday, November 7, 2011

Congrats to Chelsea.

Another award for a great Gamecock, Chelsea Pelletier. Chelsea has been a great soccer player, but more importantly a great representative of student athletes at JSU. Side note- she is engaged to JSU baseball player, Daniel Watts.

Jacksonville State University - JSU' s Pelletier Earns CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Honors

Newcomers aid JSU in exhibition

Newcomers aid JSU in exhibition: JACKSONVILLE — The game might not have counted in the standings or on his official log as a Division I player, but for Darion Rackley, his first college game was “more than I expected.” The true f...

Thursday, November 3, 2011

JSU seniors to play final regular-season home game

JSU seniors to play final regular-season home game: Times were a lot different around the Jacksonville State football program when safety Jason Horton was being recruited by the Gamecocks’ coaching staff. And it wasn’t that long ago. There was no n...

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Murray State vs EKU Highlights

Gamecock Illustrated Will Buy The D Dinner at Buffet of Their Choice If We Hold Denham to Less Than 75 Yards

As the article below indicates, EKU running back Matt Denham is one of the top rushers in the FCS. He buys his offensive line dinner every time he goes for over 100 yards. Assuming we can get approval that its not an NCAA violation, Gamecock Illustrated will buy the entire starting defense dinner at the buffet of their choice if we hold Denham to under 75 yards rushing and win the game.

Click Here for link to article

EKU FOOTBALL: EKU’s Denham takes over OVC rushing lead

Lots of interesting notes on EKU including that their qb, historically fairly mobile, has turf toe.


EKU FOOTBALL: EKU’s Denham takes over OVC rushing lead

UAB's New Stadium Gets Nixed

Interesting article on UAB's efforts to build an on campus stadium
Click Here for link to article

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Have Some Fun Gamecocks!!

Week in and week out, the Gamecocks keep things fairly level from an emotional standpoint. That may work for a long season, but with a championship on the line this weekend its time to let it all hang out. The coaches know what works best, but from a fan perspective, we'd love to see the following:

1) The players run, not trot, out on the field, huddle up as a team and get fired up right before the game. We've all seen FBS teams do this dozens of times. Send EKU a message - you might beat the Gamecocks, but we are not coming out flat. We guarantee it would get the fans into the game early as well.

2) Congratulate your teammates after big plays. The Gamecocks are a cohesive team, but we'd love to see more emotion out on the field. If Calvin Middleton makes a big run, Washuan Ealey needs to be the first one over congratulating him. If Jack Jackson makes a big tackle, Big Texas Garrott should be getting him up off the ground. Simply put, lets celebrate success.

3) Do something crazy. Have the Gamecocks run a trick play this year? How about a halfback pass from Ealey, a flea flicker or let Blanchard fake a punt?

4) Get the crowd involved! A great moment from earlier this year was when Big Texas, Spiderman Smith and Dimetrio Tyson all encouraged the crowd to make some noise in the closing moments of the EIU game. The crowd responded. Lets see some more of this on Saturday.