Nov. 13, 2008

HBCU Classic excitement comes to Mobile this weekend as the Southern University Jaguars, the Alabama State Hornets and thousands of fans will converge in the Port City for the 35th annual Gulf Coast Classic.

Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. in Mobile's Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

The Jaguars enter the contest still in the running for the SWAC Championship. Currently in third place in the SWAC's Western Division with a 4-1 conference mark, they trail Prairie View (5-1) by just a half-game and leader Grambling State (5-0) by just one game. Following the Gulf Coast Classic, the Jaguars will conclude the regular season against Grambling State in the State Farm Bayou Classic in New Orleans on Nov. 29.

Southern enters the Gulf Coast Classic under the guidance of 16-year head coach PETE RICHARDSON following an off week this past Saturday. On Nov. 1, they recorded a thrilling 31-24 double overtime win over Arkansas Pine Bluff, and are currently ranked seventh in the most recent Sheridan and BoxtoRow.com/BASN HBCU polls.

The Jaguars will also be bringing the SWAC's top offense to Mobile, as the high-octane attack leads the league in scoring with 31.3 points per game, total offense with 434.4 yards per game, and passing offense with 280.7 yards per game. The total offense and passing totals also rank in the top ten nationally.

The offensive attack is led by the Jaguars' star quarterback Bryant Lee. The junior signal caller currently leads the SWAC on several passing and total offense charts including passing with 261.2 yards per game, total offense with 309.1 yards per game (fifth in the nation), and pass efficiency with a 143.1 rating.

His favorite target is also the SWAC's leading scorer, junior Juamorris Stewart. Stewart's leads the SWAC in scoring with 66 points on 11 touchdown receptions, and also ranks second in the league in receiving with 57 catches for 849 yards and a 94.3 yards per game average.

Alabama State will enter the contest third in the SWAC's Eastern Division with a 2-4 league mark, 2-7 overall.

Complete Gulf Coast Classic Gamenotes Release in PDF Format