GAMECOCKILLUSTRATED.COM

Bishop’s homer gives JSU first win of season

2012-02-27T07:31:00.000-06:00

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...

Field Set for 2012 OVC Men's Basketball Championship

2012-02-25T23:43:00.000-06:00

Field Set for 2012 OVC Men's Basketball Championship

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Clinch Spot in OVC Tourney With 69-59 Win Over SEMO

2012-02-24T06:45:00.000-06:00

Jacksonville State University - Gamecocks Clinch Spot in OVC Tourney With 69-59 Win Over SEMO

Happy Birthday JSU--129 years!

2012-02-23T06:59:00.000-06:00

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

JSU’s Ivory anxious to get back on field

2012-02-20T09:16:00.000-06:00

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.

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

2012-02-16T15:02:00.000-06:00

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

JSU's Road to the NCAA

2012-02-16T08:02:00.002-06:00

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.

Jim Case 2012 Preview

2012-02-14T09:21:00.000-06:00

JSU Video Starring Jerry Slota and Big Texas

2012-02-14T07:10:00.000-06:00

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

Fishing in Deep Water

2012-02-13T16:30:00.006-06:00

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.

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

2012-02-10T11:46:00.002-06:00

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.

2012-02-10T11:42:00.000-06:00

Men's Basketball Recaps - Feb. 9

Good article about JSU's Dion Waiters

2012-02-10T08:41:00.001-06:00

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

Pell City LB Apparently Headed to JSU

2012-02-09T08:01:00.001-06:00

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."

2012-02-09T07:57:00.000-06:00

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

2012-02-09T07:41:00.000-06:00

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

Wellborn graduate makes big leagues

2012-02-09T07:34:00.000-06:00

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

2012-02-09T07:32:00.000-06:00

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...

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

2012-02-08T12:18:00.002-06:00

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

2012-02-08T07:42:00.000-06:00

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

2012-02-08T07:40:00.000-06:00

Kahoks football standout headed to Alabama

Peay Predicted to Win the League in Baseball

2012-02-08T07:37:00.002-06:00

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

2012-02-08T07:36:00.000-06:00

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

2012-02-08T07:31:00.001-06:00

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"

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

2012-02-04T23:30:00.005-06:00

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