Arkansas Sports 360.com - July 2008 - (Page 31) ConferenCe Southwestern Athletic Grambling’s Resurgence Like Old Times for SWAC By Jim harris Dynamic Duo These two dedicated associates at Williamson Insurance have been tackling the toughest risk management issues for our clients for over thirty years. Contact us today for affordable business insurance solutions. You’ll be glad you did. Rod Broadway needed no time at all to will have to fight off Southern, which restore Grambling State to the lofty level was up-and-down last year, in the West. the Tigers’ followers expect the team to Arkansas-Pine Bluff, with Monte Coleman reach — well, outside of Grambling’s last taking over as head coach, has the running three games. game and the defense to contend. An 0-3 finish, including a loss to Southern’s Bryant Lee had a solid Jackson State’s Tigers in the Southwestern sophomore season at quarterback last Athletic Conference Championship year, completing 66 percent of his passes Game, after an 8-1 start has Grambling (2,360 yards, 23 touchdowns) and had a and Broadway, entering his second year high-game of 373 yards in a 23-21 loss at as head coach, aching to start the 2008 UAPB. Lee also ran for four scores in ’07. season and take the next step. Southern was 11 points shy of a perfect It was still a complete reversal of the season last year, losing at home to Jackson previous season, when the Tigers seemed State and Alabama A&M. But the Jaguars to implode and its proud tradition was will need to find a No. 1 running back left in the dust of a very un-Gramblingand receiver. like season. Brandon Landers returns at quarterback The trouble these days, as big-time for Grambling. Landers improved his Bowl Championship Series programs passing completion rate from 51 percent such as Notre Dame have found, with in 2006 to 56 percent in 2007, throwing scholarship and practice-time limitations, for 23 touchdowns. But his interceptions it’s a fast fall for even the biggest of also jumped from 11 to 18. Landers’ top names in football – recall that before four receivers from 2007 have used up hundreds of games were televised weekly, their eligibility, leaving senior Nick Lewis Notre Dame and Grambling were like as the most experienced threat. Some America’s college teams, both with their first-year players will have to step up. As own nationally syndicated game-replay for the running game, Frank Warren shows. Just the same, it’s also made for had an outstanding freshman year for a dispersal of talent Grambling at tailback, that has made past rushing for 901 yards. also-rans now as Jackson State will be good or better than hard-pressed to find an the big names. immediate replacement In the SWAC, for last year’s senior Jackson State and Grambling Predicted quarterback, Jimmy oliver, were the best in each order of finish who had an impressive 145.4 division in 2007. The year East quarterback rating while before, Alabama A&M and 1. Jackson State passing for 2,550 yards and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, which 2. Alabama A&M 20 touchdowns. Junior Trae had never before been in the 3. Alabama State Rutland saw the most mopSWAC title game, much less 4. Alcorn State up action behind oliver ever won the SWAC, played 5. Mississippi Valley last year. Senior Erik Haw for the title in Birmingham. returns to lead a balanced Even Prairie View A&M, West rushing attack. which not long ago was sporting 1. Southern Alabama A&M must the country’s longest losing 2. UAPB break in a new quarterback 3. Grambling streak, went 7-4 in 2007. but returns leading rusher These days, Texas Southern 4. Praire View Ulysses Banks (887 yards, and Alcorn State bring up the 5. Texas Southern 5.4 per carry). Alabama rear of the league, but who’s State has senior quarterback to say a couple of recruiting classes can’t Chris Mitchell to lead the way, but change all that. he must improve on his 45 percent Jackson State again should be favored to completion mark of last year. Rahmond win the East Division, but the talent in the Traylor can run over folks and has league is well-dispersed among five other speed, and he’ll assume the running teams, any of which could find their way chores from the departed Jay Peck (1,186 to Birmingham in December. Grambling yards). m 1910 North Grant • P.O. Box 7503 • Little Rock, AR 72217-7503 501.664.7728 • www.mvwilliamson.com July 2008 ArkansasSports360.com 31 http://www.mvwilliamson.com http://www.mvwilliamson.com http://ArkansasSports360.com
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