Texas Southern 2012 Preview

Harry · September 4, 2012

5. TEXAS SOUTHERN JAGUARS (4-7 overall, 2-7 SWAC)

COACH: Darrell Asberry (first season at Texas Southern, 40-25 overall)

STARTERS RETURNING: 15 (7 offense/8 defense)

OFFENSIVE STAR: QB Riko Smalls, Sr. (166-of-316, 2,177 yards, 12 TD, 9 INT; 215 rushing yards, 4 TD)

DEFENSIVE STAR: MLB William Parker, Sr. (61 TT, 10.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 3 PBU, 3 PD, 2 FR)

OTHER KEY PLAYERS: QB Dantavious Parker, Sr. (10-of-23, 154 yards, 1 TD; missed season due to injury)

RB Kendall Denson, So.

WR Donnie Davison, Sr. (20 receptions, 256 yards)

WR James Davis, Sr.

OL Ray Rodriquez, Sr.

OL Moses Alvidrez, Sr.

OL Marvin Hollie Jr., Jr.

OL Kenneth Hall, Jr.

OL Kendrick Williams, So.

DL Armir Bloom, So.

DL Ernest Gilley, Sr. (13 TT, 4.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 PBU, 3 PD)

DE Jamal Baker, So. (24 TT, 5 TFL, 2 sacks)

LB Samuel Gordy, Sr. (28 TT, 4.5 TFL, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 3 PD)

LB Tyrell Jones, Jr. (29 TT, 5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 FF)

DB Tray Walker, So. (22 TT, 3 INT, 8 PBU, 11 PD, 1 FR)

DB Darveon Trahan, So. (33 TT, 1 TFL, 1 INT, 1 PD)

DB Eric Brown, Sr.

PK/P Robert Hersh, Sr. (missed 2011 due to injury)

BIGGEST LOSS: DL Marquis Jackson (50 TT, 18.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 5 PBU, 5 PD, 3 FF)

OUTLOOK: Texas Southern hopes to quickly forget a seven-loss season a year ago with a new head coach, offense and $95 million stadium. The Tigers hired Asberry from Shaw University to re-energize the program. Asberry is familiar with the SWAC, after his years playing quarterback at Jackson State. Last season, Texas Southern, which is no stranger to strong defense, won its second consecutive FCS total defense title. The defensive line will be without Jackson (transferred to Portland State), but the loss shouldn't hurt too badly because Bloom, Gilley and Baker all resume duties as starters. The Tigers secondary was very young last season. Leading the way was Walker, a freshman who had 11 passes defended with three interceptions, and Derricus Purdy returns after sitting out last season. Similarly, the Tigers missed PK/P Hursh, who also sat out last season due to injury. Parker and Smalls should compete for playing time as the lead signal-caller. Smalls filled in for the injured Parker and didn't miss a beat, passing for 2,177 yards and 12 touchdowns, while rushing for four touchdowns. The offensive line brings back every starter from 2011, but the backfield is a major question mark after it lost Martin Gilbert and Marcus Wright, who accounted for over 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns collectively.

SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 - vs. Prairie View A&M (Houston)

Sept. 8 - at North Texas

Sept. 15 - vs. Jackson State

Sept. 22 - vs. Alabama A&M

Sept. 29 - vs. Sam Houston State

Oct. 6 - at Alabama State

Oct. 13 - at Southern

Oct. 27 - vs. Grambling State

Nov. 3 - vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Nov. 10 - at Alcorn State

Nov. 17 - vs. Mississippi Valley State