In contrast to its friends within the Southwestern Athletic Convention West division – the place 4 colleges have one loss and are vying for the highest – Texas Southern has an unlikely path to being topped. The Tigers (1-4, 0-2 within the SWAC) should run the desk and see a number of stumbles from division leaders Prairie View, Grambling, Alcorn State, and Southern.
Bethune-Cookman’s prospects within the SWAC East aren’t any brighter (1-4, 0-2), as Florida A&M has but to lose a convention recreation, and Jackson State has misplaced just one. Odds and the remaining schedule recommend a kind of colleges will declare the division title.
However there’s at all times one thing to play for as soon as hopes of contending fade.
For the Wildcats, losers of three straight video games, their checklist features a victorious homecoming when well-rested Texas Southern visits on Saturday. Bethune is coming off final week’s inspiring, hard-fought defeat in opposition to Alabama State, which staved off fourth-and-goal within the closing seconds to triumph, 19-14.
“We had a good time at Alabama, though the ball didn’t fall the place we wished it to fall,” Bethune coach Raymond Woodie stated Monday on the SWAC media session. “We ended up enjoying one half, and we positively have to complete the second half. We received a possibility within the fourth quarter with an enormous interception however couldn’t put it in from inside the ten. We simply gotta learn to end.”
Texas Southern lastly completed with a win two weeks in the past, a 52-7 thumping of Division II Lincoln (CA). The Tigers used their bye week to heal bodily, shore up weaknesses, and proceed constructing the offense with Jace Wilson underneath middle. Junior Andrew Physique – a preseason All-SWAC – was anticipated to be the beginning quarterback, and he performed within the opener in opposition to Prairie View. However he’s been sidelined ever since and gained’t return this 12 months.
“After a number of physician visits and conversations with my household, we have now determined that it’s obligatory for my well being to proceed with a medical redshirt this season,” Physique introduced on Instagram shortly earlier than the Tigers beat Lincoln. “It wasn’t a simple choice; it was very disappointing to be unable to compete in soccer this season. However I do stay up for subsequent 12 months. God keen, I shall be 1000%.”
Head coach Clarence McKinney stated Physique, voted a workforce captain, has been completely engaged as a pacesetter in helping Wilson and the opposite quarterbacks. Towards Lincoln, Wilson posted season-highs in passing makes an attempt (25), completions (16), yards (159), and completion share (64%), his third consecutive recreation with out an interception.
“With Jace, it’s about getting reps, and we spent numerous time getting him ready inside our scheme, getting him numerous reps throughout the bye week,” McKinney stated throughout the media name. “We’re simply getting him extra snug so far as being the No. 1 man against being the No. 2 man. He has the keys to the automotive proper now, and it’s our job as coaches to get him as ready as doable.”
Texas Southern leans on its dashing assault, second within the SWAC at 177.4 yards per recreation, paced by halfback LaDarius Owens (80.8 yards per recreation). Owens rushed for a season-high 139 yards in opposition to Lincoln, whereas backfield mate Jacorey Howard added a season-high 94 yards and three touchdowns. McKinney stated the Tigers may very well be extra productive by the air by lowering dropped passes, a continued level of emphasis. They common 13.6 completions per recreation, second lowest within the convention.
“We’ve been engaged on drills with all of them season and all through the offseason,” McKinney stated. “It’s only a matter of fellows going out and doing their job, concentrating and specializing in the ball and taking good care of the ball after they get their alternatives.”
Woodie, in his inaugural season, is on the lookout for his first SWAC victory teaching his alma mater. Homecoming affords an opportunity to have a good time the 2013 Wildcats, who 10 years in the past gained the Mideastern Athletic Convention championship and superior to the NCAA playoffs. Bethune can be marking the soccer program’s one hundredth anniversary.
The Wildcats have scheduled a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for his or her first on-campus apply subject. The workforce is already utilizing the power, saving journeys from campus to their residence subject at Daytona Municipal Stadium a number of instances per week. The subsequent part of development features a new locker room, tools upgrades, and extra as Woodie tries to construct a championship tradition. He sees indicators from the gamers regardless of the win-loss document.
“They’re beginning to love one another,” he stated.
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