The team’s journey to the game has been led by their defense, ranked #2 in the country.   Much of that success can be credited to defensive coordinator Kevin Ramsey, who once held the same role at the University of Georgia.  The former NFL defensive backs coach has led an inspired contingent that allows opponents to complete passes at a paltry 42.8% completion percentage.  

His main defensive stalwart has been senior linebacker Dejaun Fulgham, who has recorded 22.5 sacks in his outstanding career.  The long trek he’s endured to get to this moment inspires his veteran coach.

“He’s played through five different position coaches and had a couple of different head coaches,” Ramsey said.  “For a guy like that and those older seniors, just to see the gratification and the smiles on their faces.  That’s where I get my intrinsic reward from as a coach.” 

Smiles haven’t been associated with this program in quite some time and people have taken foul shots at the program in the past.  Consider these comments from Matthew Stein of the Rutgers University Daily Targum student newspaper after learning the Scarlet Knights had scheduled the Tigers for the team’s fourth home game in 2009.

“I’m not knocking the thought of a second Football Championship Subdivision opponent, but when Morgan State and Norfolk State look like USC compared to these guys, excuse me if I’m a little underwhelmed…” Stein said.   

The disrespect at the time could arguably have been well-founded, particularly when you consider the team lost by 73 points to a Sun Belt team (Arkansas St) in 2008, went winless in 2007 after giving up 50 or more points in three of the team’s last four games , and won a grand total of just seven games in a three-year span (2006-2008).

So how has the team gotten to this point? 

It could very well be the marriage of two great minds.  Texas Southern head football coach Johnnie Cole once walked the sidelines of Alabama State as offensive coordinator under older brother and then head coach L.C. Cole.  During his remarkable stint at the school, the Hornets claimed back-to-back SWAC Eastern Division crowns in 2000 and 2001. 

The younger Cole’s offenses carried a famous nickname, the “HOBO”, which stood for ‘High Octane Big Play’ units.   The moniker followed him all the way to Houston, and with 6’5” 225 pound Iowa transfer Arnell Nelson in the fold at quarterback, many expected the fireworks to flourish in due time.   So how does he now explain fielding the nation’s 14^th ranked rushing attack? 

“I’ve been able to throw the football successfully, but a good coach changes his style to his personnel and there’s no question we play off our defense,” Cole stated in Wednesday’s Montgomery Advisor (12/8/10).   “And to play off our defense, we can’t put them in any bad situations.  We have to make sure teams have the long field instead of the short field.”

Ramsey acknowledges that the competition between Cole’s “HOBO” offense and his unit, nicknamed the “212 Defense”, has provided a good atmosphere for the team.   He’s quite appreciative of Cole’s foresight and vision in building his program.  He feels the spirited battles are a big reason for the team’s remarkable turnaround. 

“Coach really gave me the edge by having the players I wanted to have on the defensive side of the ball,” Ramsey stated.  “He was convinced that we could get speed on the defense.  We made some moves and he bought into that real fast.  So our chemistry has been real and it’s been genuine.”

Genuine indeed.  

The statistics don’t belie the facts.   The Tigers offense ranks 27^th in FCS play in time of possession, perfectly complementing a defense ranked #1 in the nation in 3^rd Down defense.   One side of the ball gets you off the field, while the other does it best to keep it out of the opposition’s hands. 

Sophomore RB Marcus Wright has been on fire as of late.  He has rushed for over 100 yards and scored at least one touchdown in six straight games.  Not to be outdone, senior QB Nelson also eclipsed the century mark in the team’s final two contests of the year.  He dashed for three TDs by land in the Tigers’ 41-34 overtime victory over Grambling on November 20^th.  

Defensively, Fulgham has once again played like a conference Defensive Player of the Year, but he has plenty of help.  Senior defensive lineman Jonathan Hollins, an Arizona transfer, has 14.5 TFLs to go along with 5.5 sacks.  Along with former USC and UCLA commit, defensive end Marquis Jackson (7.5 sacks, 15.5 TFLs), the team ranks third in the nation against the run.  

The secondary fields a group that is tied for 5^th in the country with 18 interceptions.   Ten different players have recorded interceptions and when they pick one off, they are a threat to score from anywhere on the field.   Not only have they totaled nearly 350 yards in interception returns, the speedy ball hawks have crossed the paint three times for scores.   They are led by senior safety Curtis Thomas’ four interceptions and one touchdown return. 

6’5” junior QB Devin Dominguez leads the Alabama State offense with 22 total touchdowns, 18 via the air.  His pair of receivers (Nicolas Andrews-7 TDs, T.C. McWilliams-7 TDs) have traded roles as of late, with Andrews now becoming Dominguez’s favorite target.  He provided plenty of spark in their season-finale against Tuskegee with a 7 reception, 104 yard afternoon.  He has certainly caught the attention of the Tigers’ defensive coordinator.  

“He had their only touchdown against us when we played them (TSU 21 ASU 7-10/2/10). When the ball is in his hands, he can make some things happen,” Ramsey explained.  “They play him at the X, they play him in the 3 hole, and they’ll get into trips and play him in the 2 hole. The first time we played them T.C.  McWilliams was the guy.  With those two guys, are Back 7 has to get hands on them to disrupt their rhythm. “

Over the last two years the Tigers have faced challenges from Big East champions, SWAC perennial contenders and decades of ineptitude.   The emotions will run high as Cole seeks to win the school’s first SWAC Championship against his former team.   By game time, the temperature could reach 212 degrees.  Which is exactly what Ramsey feels could be the difference on a potentially cloudy overcast day with a chance of rain.  

“Our theme has been 212 degrees.  That’s our defense’s name and at 212 degrees, as you well know, there goes the steam,” Ramsey said.  “When you’ve got steam it can generate a locomotive.  We need that type effort…we really do.” 

At least one of his players echoes the sentiment.

“That’s the boiling point,” senior LB Fulgham said (SWAC official site-Roscoe Nance: 10/23/10).   “That’s where we sit at.  We build up to that point and keep it hot.” 

If the SWAC ‘s most dominant defense since the mid-80s (Alcorn St.) can reach its boiling point, the Western Division champions could earn not only the conference title, but potentially a Black College national championship as well. 

And at the end of the day we may have a new nickname for the Tigers:  ‘The HOBO 212’. 

What else would be more fitting for the marriage of two great minds?