It’s no secret that the Tigers aren’t playing for a SWAC championship this season. What hasn’t been talked about a great deal is the fact that the Tigers were aiming for the National Black College Championship. Ranked #1 by some polls, JSU was sitting in a good position. Coming into the game, Saturday, Sept. 24, JSU was perfect at 3 and 0. Their play had been less than stellar this season though. They’ve won games this year because of mental toughness when it counted. Jackson State’s offensive line problems reared it’s ugly head again. When Casey Therriault wasn’t being harassed, he was throwing into tight coverages. That doomed the Tigers. Therriault, threw 6 interceptions! Three of the interceptions came off of tip passes and the other 3 were ill-advised passes. Visibly upset after the game, Therriault had moments where his words didn’t come out. He explained that he was trying to make plays and at times he just threw the ball up trying to let his receivers make a play. Despite his interceptions, Therriault passed for 410 yards. Marcellos Wilder racked up 10 receptions with touchdowns.
Running the ball didn’t fair too well for the Tigers. Alabama State ranks eighth in rushing defense, but played well above that on Saturday. The Hornets are ranked number 1 in scoring defense and showed why. But 7 turnovers didn’t help the Tigers cause. The final turnover came in the waning seconds as Therriault was trying to connect with Renty Rollins. Most Tigers dropped their heads in disbelief. In the two games against Alabama State, Therriault has been intercepted 9 times.
There have been some rumblings that Therriault may be distracted this year. Increased media coverage and ESPN doing a story about him and following him for awhile, may or may not have caused a slight loss in focus. Offensive line play and teams having video to watch him to learn his tendencies seem to really be the reason in this writer’s opinion. Whatever the problem is, the Tigers still have an opportunity to have a successful season recordwise. No undefeated season, no SWAC championship, but the Tigers have school pride, NFL potential, and 100th season to play for. Not to mention the thousands of Tiger fans in the stands.
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