Monday news

Here's what online this morning:

The (Charleston, Ill.) Journal Gazette/Times-Courier says three interceptions thrown by Eastern Illinois quarterback Mike Donato Saturday led to three Illinois State scores. That, plus good play from Pierre Jackson, filling in for injured Redbird Laurent Robinson, combined to bring the Panthers down, the paper says.

The Anniston (Ala.) Star (sorry, subscribers only) says Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe beleives his defense needs to improve. And that's after holding Southeast Missouri State to 163 yards Saturday, the third-lowest by a JSU opponent since the Gamecocks entered Division I.

The (Nashville) Tennessean says it's unclear how badly Tennessee State wide receiver Mike Mason was injured on a first-quarter kickoff return Saturday against Jackson State. Mason had tests Sunday to see if his posterior cruciate ligament was sprained or torn. The senior transfer from North Carolina figures big in the Tiger's hopes to rise in the OVC standings this season. In a column, TSU beat writer Mike Organ says Tigers coach James Webster showed another side to his normally calm and collected personality Saturday. In post-game interviews after the 31-30 overtime win, Webster shouted "this head coach never gives up baby! Never gives up!’’

The Nashville City Paper notes that Tennessee State is now on its first winning streak under Webster. For the record, the streak stands at two. And for what it's worth, TSU's next game is accross town at Vanderbilt.