Eric Perri Kicker

Tigers' Smith trying to overcome injury

The Clarion-Ledger began his position of pre-season previews Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss and Jackson State football. It continues daily on Sunday.


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Jabril Smith Yanks back his left sock.

There is no need to point to the 4-inch long, 1 inch wide scar stomach churning it exposes.

Streak along the outside of his left leg, just below his ankle and his foot just above, the brand faded only serves as a reminder ugly, a spot he wants to forget, but can not remove all .

"I have not looked for a while," the current and former Jackson Callaway High kicker said. "It bothers me every once in a while."

He more pain mentally, perhaps, than physically these days. After all, broken leg prevented him from possibly winning a championship Jackson State last year.

Less than two weeks before JSU opens the 2011 season, Smith can walk on that foot now.

It can crash with it and swing his right leg through the ball.

He returned for the moment at least, as the kicker from Jackson State, the guys the Tigers should count for something that has eluded the team last season: scoring goals on the ground packaged under pressure.

In both losses JSU close last season - by three points in Texas and two in Southern Alabama State - replacing Smith, Reed Gallagher, missed four field goals combined.

"I felt bad because it was my last year to help the team," said Smith. "I wish to help the team win a championship last year."

Maybe this year he can.

JSU, banished Southwest Athletic Conference title game because of penalties academic progress rate, has its sights set on an undefeated season and a national black college championship.

Of course, a kicker will be needed to accomplish such a feat.

Smith hopes it's him. But it is far from being finalized.

While Smith made his two field goal attempts last season - both from within and 25 yards in the first game - he missed four of 12 extra point attempts.

This February, the coaches have signed kicker Kris Selita, a recruit from Michigan who is already booming flat kicks in practice.Selita homework seems to have secure boat - Gallagher is no longer with the team.

JSU and Alcorn to square off in Capital City Classic - JACKSON ...

Jackson State Tigers (3-6, 3-3) vs. Alcorn State (5-4, 3-2)
Nov. 21, 2009 * 1:00 p.m. CST
Jackson, Miss. (Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium)
Game Ten Notes

Series: JSU leads the series 39-23-1. Under Comegy the Tigers are 2-1 against the Braves. In two of the three games the winning team has won by a margin of five points or less. In 2007 JSU beat Alcorn State 31-19.

Tigers Sports Radio
Network: Hallelujah FM 95.5 (Jackson, MS)
Internet: Yahoo! Sports
Play-by-Play: Rob Jay
Analyst: Chris Burkett
Sideline: Sean Woodson
Engineer: Sam Brown

JSU Athletic Department Contacts
Media Relations
Anthony Dean - 601-979-1328
Wesley Peterson - 601-979-5899
Jamea Adams-Ginyard - 601-979-2274
JSU TV 23 (Campus TV Station)
Anthony Dean - 601-979-1328
Keith Collins - 601-979-2861

Tigers Sports Radio
Iris Johnson (Telesouth) - 601-957-8877

FB History
First Year of Football: 1913
SWAC Championships: 16 - 1961, 1962, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2007

Black College National Championships:1962, 1985, 1996

JSU All-Time Record: 404-245-16 (since 1946)

Tigers Tidbits
The Jackson State The Tigers return to action Saturday in what is possibly the final game of the season for the Tigers. The winner of the Capital City Classic will represent the SWAC East Division with a Mississippi Valley State win over Alabama A&M.

Despite both teams having disappointing seasons - the rivalry, as well as the possibility to face Prairie View for the conference championship, fuels the fire between the two programs. When JSU and Alcorn State square off the records are thrown out the window. Both teams are coming off big losses and look to end the season on a good note.

Jackson State - Last week the Tigers missed a golden opportunity to win the SWAC East Division and face Prairie View in the SWAC title game. JSU fell 13-5 to Alabama A&M and now the Bulldogs are in the drivers seat for the championship game. In the game against A&M the Tigers got off to a good start, scoring on a safety and a field goal in the first half. However the entire second half belonged to Alabama A&M, as the Bulldogs scored 13 unanswered points.

Pi Mu Epsilon journal

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