Photo Credits: Mississippi Today
Each week, Hail Wildcats will venture behind enemy lines and bring you insights from fans of Bethune-Cookman’s opponents.
This week, we hear from a Jackson State fan who is affectionately known as NastyD. Before you ask, the answer is “no”, we did not ask what the D stands for. The interesting moniker notwithstanding, NastyD is a passionate JSU fan, graduate and supporter who was kind enough to provide us with his insights on the Tiger program and this weekend’s matchup against our beloved Wildcats.
HW Question 1. Jackson State sported one of the nation’s top defenses (24.5 ppg) in 2018 but suffered through a less than stellar offensive campaign (16.5 ppg). Have there been any signs coming out of Fall camp that point to the defense maintaining their high standard and the offense improving?
JSU Fan:
“The defense will definitely maintain its dominance. We (JSU) finished 2nd in the SWAC in total defense with an offense that finished 9th overall. Just think how much better we would be as a football team when (not if) we start sustaining drives on offense. Regarding the offense, there have been many signs from Fall camp that suggest they should be much improved. The RBs were the strength of the team the past few years but now we finally guys at QB who (passed the ball) effectively throughout camp.
In addition to 4 star transfer QB Jalon Jones, we brought in two 4 star receivers, DD Bowie and Daniel Crowell, who both had strong camps. Not only that, we will run a RPO offense which better suits our personnel. We also upgraded our offensive coaching staff with additions like Ron Dickerson Jr (OC), TC Taylor (QB coach) and Otis Ridley (offensive line coach).”
HW Question 2. The University of Florida 4 star transfer, Jalon Jones, has a lot of hype surrounding him at the quarterback position. However, Derrick Ponder is the only guy at the position to start a college football game and Matt Little, Western Michigan transfer, is fighting for playing time as well. Two questions: (a) who is likely to be the primary signal caller come Sunday against Bethune; and (b) what do you anticipate from the quarterback position overall?
JSU Fan:
“Matt Little is no longer in the equation. However, JSU brought in a 3 star QB from the Memphis area named Quinn Casey who’s pushing both Ponder and Jalon for playing time. My thoughts are Ponder will start because he has more collegiate experience and a better grasp of the offense since he went through spring training, summer workouts, and fall camp but Ponder will be given a very short leash. Jalon will be the starter (in due time). Our offensive line is much improved which should benefit the quarterbacks. The QB position has been one of the reasons we have been unsuccessful the past few years. I feel (that position has been) addressed and it will be a strength this season.”
HW Question 3. Is there a player or perhaps a position on the field you expect to have a breakout year in 2019?
JSU Fan:
“I expect wide receivers Warren Newman and DD Bowie (Ole Miss transfer) to have breakout seasons. Jalon Jones will be newcomer of the year. On defense, 4 star recruit Demetrice Vance Jr will have a monster season at safety. And I expect mid year transfer Vincent McIntosh to have a breakout season at DT.”
HW Question 4. We all know sophomore Keonte Hampton is a stud at linebacker. For those MEAC and BCU fans who have only read about him, how good is Keonte and how high is his ceiling? Are there any other players on the defensive side of the ball you expect to shine and perform at a really high level?
JSU Fan:
Keonte Hampton is a gem. We are talking about a guy who completely balled out as a freshman last year and led the team in tackles. He has a knack for sniffing out the football and blowing up plays. He is a student of the game. We brought in a new strength and conditioning coach this season who has been absolutely phenomenal for the program. Keonte has put on more muscle so I’m excited to see how he wreaks havoc this season. Other guys to look out for on defense are Khalil Johnson and CJ Anderson on the defensive line and Ryan Theyard and CJ Holmes in the secondary.
HW Question 5. Answer the following, Jackson State will defeat Bethune-Cookman if …
JSU Fan:
Jackson State will beat BCU if the offense shows signs of improvement from last year. If we are able to get first downs (which I believe we will) and give the defense recovery time, there is no doubt we will win this game. People forget we beat teams like FAMU and Prairie View last season whom most thought were very dynamic offensively.
Cookman doesn’t perform well against teams with good defenses so my prediction is JSU 27 BCU 13.
A special thanks to NastyD for taking the time to provide his insights.
hailwildcats.com 
They have played six times and the Wildcats have been victorious twice. JSU is riding high when you look at the series between the two teams. I was there the last time the Wildcats played JSU in the Circle City Classic. It was excitement all over the city. As a member of the Marching Wildcats, I thought it was the game of the year. Well as you know we took an L when it was all over. This is the season of the 2019 Wildcat team. THE RETURN OF THE CHAMPION! It has been thirty years and now we meet again.
Spring camp opened the eyes of the coaching staff to what an awesome year we are about to embark on. Head coach Terry Sims has made some additions to his coaching team. The staff went to work and put together a recipe for disaster for whoever is on the Wildcats schedule this year. I believe it has been seven years since the Wildcats won the MEAC Championship. This is the 7th year, the year that we return the MEAC Championship back to Bethune-Cookman University! The Wildcat fans are aware of JSU and what they have done in the past. But that means nothing this time.
Coach Simms and his staff have put together a squad that is going to make a positive difference. It looks like this was awesome recruiting year. The Wildcats have a running game that will move beyond first downs. A receiving core that has speed and hands of glue. when you have this kind of action all we (B-CU) will smell are touchdowns. That’s just the beginning. The Wildcat D-fense will reign supreme dominance every time the ball is snapped. Some of HBCU’s top talent who have gone on to the NFL have come from both of these teams. I will not be surprised if the Wildcats D-fense put up some points on the scoreboard. Which, will help seal the victory.