Monday, February 27, 2012

Bishop’s homer gives JSU first win of season

Bishop’s homer gives JSU first win of season: By the time the bottom of the ninth inning arrived Sunday, Jim Case and the Jacksonville State baseball team were anxiously waiting for something — anything — good to happen. It finally did off th...

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Happy Birthday JSU--129 years!

Featuring JSU athletes Chelsea Pelletier, Johnny Ubi, Jr. (we think) and Marques Ivory.


Monday, February 20, 2012

JSU’s Ivory anxious to get back on field

JSU’s Ivory anxious to get back on field: All the years Marques Ivory has played the game have left him feeling “indifferent” when it comes to spring practice, but he has a reason to be excited about it this year.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

OVC Announces Divisional Play for Men’s and Women’s Basketball in 2012-13

OVC Announces Divisional Play for Men’s and Women’s Basketball in 2012-13

JSU's Road to the NCAA

The Gamecocks' mens basketball team is in a 3 way tie for 6th and only 1 game ahead of the ninth place team in the OVC. Two home conference games remain on the schedule. One is against UT Martin who is in last place in the league. The other is against SEMO which is an upper division OVC team. A sweep of the two games would likely secure the Gamecocks a spot in the OVC bracket on the opposite side of Murray State.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Jim Case 2012 Preview

JSU Video Starring Jerry Slota and Big Texas

Memo to Jerry: Don't drink too many milkshakes we are counting on you for big things in 2012.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Fishing in Deep Water

We thought there was a substantial chance that Mississippi defensive lineman Maurice Bennett was going to sign with JSU. Turned out he did not. Initially, it was reported that he was going to gray shirt at Ole Miss. However, he has now signed with Cal. While it is disappointing that JSU lost out on Bennett, it is encouraging that we are in the hunt on guys being signed by BCS programs.

Friday, February 10, 2012

How the OVC Tournament Works and What It Means For JSU.

From the OVC website:

In 2011 the bracket also shifted from a traditional 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, etc. format to a merit-based format that rewards the top teams during the regular season with byes into the quarterfinals and semifinals. Now the first round of each the men's and women's tournament will feature the No. 5 seed against the No. 8 seed and the No. 6 seed against the No. 7 seed. The winners of those games will advance to the quarterfinals to face the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds (who received a bye). The winners of those quarterfinal matchups will advance to the semifinals to face the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds (who received a pair of byes).

What it means to JSU:

The Gamecocks are currently in 8th and a game ahead of the 9th place team. Just making the tournament would be a huge turnaround for this program. However, there are 3 teams just 1/2 game ahead of the Cocks tied for the 5th, 6th and 7th spots. It would be great if JSU could move into a 6-7 slot. Why? If we are reading the rules correctly, then the Gamecocks would be in the opposite half of the bracket from Murray. Not playing Murray would greatly enhance JSU's chances of making the finals. If we are reading it wrong, please let us know!

In any event, congratulations to Coach Greene. Its been a remarkable turnaround.

Murray Defeated for the First Time.

Men's Basketball Recaps - Feb. 9

Good article about JSU's Dion Waiters

http://blog.syracuse.com/sports/2012/02/the_other_dion_waiters_guard_i.html

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Pell City LB Apparently Headed to JSU

If we are reading various newspaper reports correctly, Pell City lineback Russell Peters is apparently headed to JSU. Here's an articel from the News-Aegis about Peters:

August 26, 2011

FOOTBALL: In the spotlight: Russell Peters, PCHS
By Buddy Roberts
News-Aegis The St. Clair News Aegis Fri Aug 26, 2011, 10:00 AM CDT

Pell City — Grade: Senior.

Parents: Ron and Tonya Peters.

Position:  Outside linebacker.

Other varsity sports: Baseball.

Football or baseball?: “Football. I like hitting people. It’s pretty laid back on the baseball field. I like being more physical.”

The biggest challenge for a linebacker:  “Getting past the offensive linemen.”

Hopes for his senior season: “I would like to get over 90 tackles. I had 82 last year. I want to see us play as a team, and I’d like to go at least to the second round of the playoffs.”

The team he’d most like to beat this season: “Oxford. Everybody in our locker room would say that. We’ve been rivals for a while.”

After high school: “I’d like to be playing football somewhere. Maybe Jax State.”

Ladarius Rodgers: "“It has a family vibe. The players, the coaches, just everything about it."

Leeds star tailback LaDarius Rodgers signs with JSU: LaDarius Rodgers says his dream as a child was a simple one.

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Take Down Morehead State For OVC Road Win

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Take Down Morehead State For OVC Road Win

Wellborn graduate makes big leagues

Wellborn graduate makes big leagues: Sam Byrd was often referred to as Babe Ruth’s legs in the late stages of the Bambino’s career. Shayne Kelley will be Josh Hamilton’s helping hand in a career that’s just hitting its stride.

JSU signs two-sport athlete

JSU signs two-sport athlete: Come this fall, Coty Blanchard won’t be Jacksonville State’s only two-sport athlete on the football team. Blanchard, of course, is the celebrated quarterback who Gamecocks coach Jack Crowe has oft...

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

GI Survey: What Signee Will Have Biggest Impact in 2012?

For the first time ever, GI is conducting a reader survey. What signee will have the biggest impact on the 2012 season and why? No need to go thru the verification process to comment. We have opened it up. Keep it in good taste please.

Town & Gown: SAAC — Funny name, serious mission

Town & Gown: SAAC — Funny name, serious mission: With 16 men and women’s athletic teams at Jacksonville State University, how can they all have one voice on campus? Is it possible to unite them under a common purpose? That is the principle of the...

Kahoks football standout headed to Alabama

Kahoks football standout headed to Alabama

Peay Predicted to Win the League in Baseball

Here is an excerpt from an article on collegebaseballinsider.com:


Austin Peay picked to win again in OVC


Defending champion Austin Peay is the pick again in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.


The Govs captured both the regular season and tournament titles in 2011. Austin Peay picked up seven first-place votes and 79 points. Jacksonville State earned one first-place vote and 73 points to place second. Tennessee Tech took two first-place votes and 63 points to sit third, followed by Southeast Missouri, SIUE, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Illinois, UT Martin, Murray State and Morehead State.


Austin Peay did not make the OVC tourney field in either 2009 or 2010 and was picked seventh in last year’s preseason poll, but roared to a 17-6 conference mark. The Govs edged host Georgia Tech 2-1 on the first day of the Atlanta Regional before falling to Mississippi State and Tech to complete the comeback season. Head coach Gary McClure, in his 25th season at his alma mater, returns eight position starters and three starting pitchers from last year’s championship team.


The Gamecocks finished second to Austin Peay in the 2011 OVC Tourmanent. Jacksonville State enjoyed its ninth consecutive 30-win season, tied for the longest stretch in program history. The Gamecocks also return eight position starters and bring back five pitchers. Head coach Jim Case, in his 11th season at Jacksonville State, has 25 of 30 letterwinners back.

Jacksonville State honors McGinnis

Jacksonville State honors McGinnis: Jacksonville State head softball coach Jana McGinnis got a special surprise at her team’s 11th annual JSU Softball Fan Day at University Field on Sunday, one that will provide her a permanent prese...

Imported to Detroit

Former JSU player Walker Russell has signed a contract to play with the Pistons for the rest of the season. Here is an excerpt from an article in www.freep.com:

" Walker Russell Jr., the nephew of former Michigan standout Campy Russell, has had his contract guaranteed for the remainder of the season.

“God is good…thank you Detroit organization for the opportunity…and being a Piston for the rest of the season,” he posted on his Twitter account earlier this evening"

Saturday, February 4, 2012

How Have The Rivals/Scout "Star" Players Panned Out For JSU?

After looking at the Rivals/Scout "star" rated players in the 2012 class we thought it would be interesting to take a look at current rated players. Some have lived up to the hype, others are still waiting to show that potential. Note - in cases of a split between the rankings, we note the highest star.

4 Star:

Washaun Ealey, RB

3 Star:

Coty Blanchard, QB
Coot James, RB/FB
T. Hardin, OL
Sean Watson, DL
Thomas Williams, OL. Not sure if Williams is officially on the roster yet, but he was a 2011 signee.
Jeremy Nicholson, WR.
Markis Merrill, WR. As with Williams, not sure if he is officially on the roster yet.
Jack Jackson, LB (sitting out 2012 season).

2 Star:

Trey Smith, WR
Gabriel Chambers, WR
Alan Bonner, WR
Marques Ivory, QB
Coty Blanchard, QB
Jamaal Johnson, S/LB
Mike Whittier, LB
Chase Williams,LB
Rashad Smith, LB
Jakari Kinnie, DL
Ricky Clemons, OL
Preston Hatcher, OL
Blake Burks, OL

New Signees By The Stars- Corrected

It is well established that the "star" system assigned by Rivals and Scout is anything but exact science. In any event, at the conclusion of recruiting season we like to take a look at how many of the rated players were landed by JSU.

4 and 5 Stars:

Desmond Brown, S from Cherokee County HS. Transfer from Clemson. The only other 4 Star player on the team is Washaun Ealey.

3 Stars

Miles Jones, RB from Allatoona HS in Ga.

Darrell Smith, S from Port St. Joe, Fl. Transfer from Arkansas.


2 Stars

Gavin Ellis, TE from Cullman. Transfer from Troy.
Blake Glaze, LB from Springwood Academy.
Troymaine Pope. RB from Anniston. Also was the Fox6 Overall Offensive Player of the Year for all classifications.

Other Notable Honors:

Jermaine Hough, CB, Named Georgia AAAA Defensive Player of the Year.
Ladarius Rodgers, RB from Leeds. Named Fox6 3A player of the Year.
Tyler Hughes, Athlete. All State.
Calvin Baker, OL, All State.
Elijah Jenkins, Birmingham Area Public Schools, Offensive Player of the Year.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Murray State University - Racers Announce 2012 Signing Class

Murray signs what appears to be a very good class with several FBS transfers.

Murray State University - Racers Announce 2012 Signing Class

Two Words: Jermaine Hough

The biggest signee for the Gamecocks may have come in the smallest package. Here is an excerpt from an article on www.ihigh.com about Hough:

Begin quote here:

"The question, to which no opponent truly found a satisfactory answer, was this: What can't Jermaine Hough do on the football field?

“Throughout his career, he’s done everything on the football field — holder, snapper, punt returner, kickoff returner, quarterback, running back, wide receiver, defensive back,” Lovejoy coach Al Hughes said. “If you ask him to play nose guard, he could manage that. He’s a magnificent athlete.”

Hough, the Clayton News Daily’s Clayton County Player of the Year, said playing all those positions “made me smarter” — this coming from a student-athlete who maintains a 3.8 grade-point average in the tough classes. His football IQ was off the charts, and that’s why he always seemed to make the plays Lovejoy needed on the way to a season of unprecedented excellence, reaching the first state-championship game in school history.

“When I went from quarterback to defensive back, I knew how a quarterback would think because that used to be my main position,” Hough said. “That just made me smarter. I played wide receiver this year and that really put me in position to make plays."

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior made plays wherever he was put, and you're not supposed to be able to do that consistently at 5-9, 170. Otherwise, college scouts would be lining up for them.

“Jermaine Hough was our everything,” Lovejoy defensive coordinator Kevin Jones said. “The only passing touchdown we gave up all season came on a play after Jermaine Hough was out because he had rolled his ankle. He has a 40-inch vertical leap, which allows him to make plays over taller guys.”

He did his greatest good this season at cornerback. He was such a sure thing in the secondary that the defenders up front knew that passing wasn't a viable option for the opposing offense, giving them carte blanche to pin their ears back and have the quarterback for lunch. That in turn helped the Wildcats establish Class AAAA’s stingiest defense, allowing barely a field goal a game most of the season with eight shutouts in 15 games.

Opponents would test Hough because they wanted no part of the rest of the Lovejoy secondary. Rico McWilliams and Dushonta Broughton had already made believers of opposing quarterbacks, and the fact that Hough was smaller made him a convenient target. Or so opposing QBs seemed to think, especially in the playoffs. Region 4-AAAA quarterbacks already knew better.

“I took it as an opportunity to make plays, I didn’t take it as a personal challenge,” Hough said. “As the playoffs started, other teams didn’t know as much about me.”

Hough intercepted seven passes, including two against Warner Robins that helped the Wildcats reach the Class AAAA final against Tucker. Such on-field credibility earned the respect of his teammates.

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Sink Skyhawks From Stripe, Win Fourth-Straight in OVC

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Sink Skyhawks From Stripe, Win Fourth-Straight in OVC

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Could Signees Be Two Sport Start

Here's a blurb from the Times-Georgian that indicates that JSU's two signees from Carrolltom may have the opportunity to play more than football for the Gamecocks:



"Teague noted that both Barge and Telvin Brown will have an opportunity to be two-sport athletes at Jacksonville State.

“The coaches at Jacksonville State have told [Barge] and Telvin that if they want to try out for the basketball team when they get there, that they will allow them to try out for the basketball team,” Teague said. “But it is totally a football scholarship.”


Read more: Times-Georgian - 2012 National Signing Day A special time for local stars

Gamecocks Add Kicker Gilley

Gadsden City High School kicker Paul Gilley will be joining the Gamecocks as a preferred walk on. Here is a blurb from gtpreps.com about Gilley:

Gilley was a two-year starter for the Titans, and even though he will be walking on with the Gamecocks, he expects to compete for the kicking job.
“I plan to go there and take care of business,” Gilley said. “I want to go kick. Hopefully it will be a good experience for me.”
Gilley said that his junior year he was consistent from 40-yards in and that his range has grown to about 47-yards.
“He’s been a solid kicker for us and has gotten stronger and stronger,” Billingsley said. “He’ll do well at Jacksonville State.”

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Maurice Bennett to Ole Miss

The only signing day disappointment we were aware of is Maurice Bennett. Apparently, he is headed to Ole Miss on a gray shirt deal. Good luck to Bennett.

Robert Coleman #79 2012 Highlight Tape

Not 100% positive this is the Coleman that JSU signed, but I hope it is. He's a big, nasty fellow.


Jacksonville State University - 2012 Football Signing Day Central

Here is a link to an updated list. A few new guys. Still hoping for Maurice Bennett, defensive lineman from Mississippi.


Jacksonville State University - 2012 Football Signing Day Central

A-Star Report Troymaine Pope has signed with JSU.

Who We Are Missing

If you are checking in, it appears that the Gamecocks have not secured LOI's yet from 3 or 4 of their big targets:

Troymaine Pope- committed to JSU several times;

Nick Johnson- a highly regarded lineman out of Dadeville that Andrew Bone of Scout.com raved about.

Ladarious Rodgers- big time running back out of Leeds, but we think its almost a sure thing that he is coming.

Maurice Bennett- a 3 Star defensive lineman from Mississippi that originally looked like he was headed to Washington State.

Rock Yo Jock

Jacksonville State University - JSU's Todd Hornsby Named to National Stopper of the Year Award List

Jacksonville State University - JSU's Todd Hornsby Named to National Stopper of the Year Award List

Jacksonville State University - 2012 Football Signing Day Central

We wish we were there as the faxes come in, but this is the best source:

Jacksonville State University - 2012 Football Signing Day Central