Monday news

Here's what's up today:

Jacksonville State's Clay Green was the difference in Saturday's game aginst Eastern Illinois, reports the (Charleston, Ill.) Journal Gazette/Times-Courier. The running back wound up returning punts Saturday, to counter EIU's low, rugby-style kicks. He returned one for a touchdown in the first half to give the Gamecocks a 14-7 edge. But he mishandled one in the fourth quarter with JSU up by three. EIU recovered the ball on the 36, and it wasn't long before the Panthers were in the end zone, and on their way to the playoffs. The paper says the Panthers are relishing the chance to avenge their regular-season 44-30 loss to Illinois State in week three. A few players think the Redbirds insulted them by running in a touchdown with 35 seconds left while the outcome of the game no longer was in doubt.

JSU coach Jack Crowe points to another Gamecock whose play was crucial to the outcome of Saturday's game, according to The Anniston (Ala.) Star (sorry, subscribers only) - quarterback Matt Hardin. Crowe believes the junior should have been able to make more plays with his legs. In college football roundup items, The Star says Crowe may be backing off on the Gamecocks' scheduling, forgoing national powers such as Furman in favor of D-II teams such as North Alabama. The item says Chattanooga's reluctance to move the date of its 2007 contest with JSU has all but killed hopes of an Atlanta date with Georgia Southern to open the season. I'm just thinking out loud here, but is there some reason the GSU game can't be played Sept. 1? The folks at MocFans.com list the JSU-UTC game as Sept. 8, the second week of the season.

The Nashville City Paper says four I-A transfers who wound uip starting for Tennessee State helped turn the Tigers' fortunes around in 2006. But after defensive tackle Lamar Divens was ruled ineligible, linebacker Kelvin Baker was injured and sent out of the season, and quarterback Antonio Heffner and wide receiver Mike Mason spent several games banged up on the sidelines, playoff hopes simply slipped away.