Q & A with Coach Godding
What's with all-purple? Who is due?
WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Veteran football head coach Jesse Godding is entering his tenth season on the sideline for Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Having been named the school’s new Athletic Director in March, it is safe to say his plate is full.
The native of Eagle Bend, Minnesota stopped long enough this week to answer a Six Pack of Questions, as he will do throughout the fall. Here’s how he answered.
1) GOT PURPLE?
The home opener will have the Lions in all-purple uniforms after wearing gold jerseys in recent seasons. What do the players think?
JG: Those we have talked to are excited about the new look. We’ve done this combination before though, along with purple on gold and gold on purple.
2) MOVING TO MIDLOTHIAN
Saturday night's game will not be played at Lumpkins Stadium due to construction delays. The game will be in the bowl at Midlothian. Tell us about this place!
JG: It's disappointing to have to move a home game away from the renovated Lumpkins Stadium. However, the MISD stadium is a terrific venue in which to play. Fans will enjoy the experience of the stadium atmosphere including the video display board.
3) BOUNCING BACK
How do you think the team will respond to last week's loss, a game they appeared to be destined to win but for some bad luck? What makes you think they will respond and play better this week?
JG: This is a young but talented group. They understood how close they were last week. Understanding that those things which cost us an opportunity to win are all fixable physically and mentally has provided motivation to get better at the little things this week. Also, this group of athletes here in the early stages appears to be very unified and capable of great synergy.
4) HOWARD PAYNE
We've been playing them in recent years and they have come out on top so far. What do they do well? Or, what can fans expect of them?
JG: HPU is a well-coached team, year in and year out. This year is no exception. Coach (Steve) Fanara and his staff do a tremendous job preparing their team and getting them to execute. They present a new look this year offensively and defensively, running the flex-bone on offense and a 3-3 on defense. Their kicking game is always solid and this year is no exception with a senior kicker and two great return men.
5) THE D
The Lions defense held the #11 ranked offense last week to 150 yards below their average with some inspired play. How'd they do it? Or, who played well?
JG: That was truly a great effort by the defensive unit. They "held" a NAIA Super Six Player, Junior Allen, to 125 yards on 30 carries. That may not sound impressive but he was the leading rusher in the nation last year. If you had told Bethany prior to the game that Junior would carry the ball 30 times they probably would have expected over 200 yards of production.
Overall, that is the best effort and play I have seen from a defensive unit in a first game. Two turnovers, one on an interception and the other on a dropped punt inside our 20 yard line, led directly to touchdowns for Bethany. Take those points off the board and you'll see how well the defense truly performed against a team that expects to contend for the KCAC title this year.
6) WHO IS DUE?
Who's due for a breakout game? Is a big game lurking?
JG: We have some injured guys; players that we would like to have their talents on the field. Nick Ekanem and Nathan Pruitt are still both recovering from injuries, both could help us. A pleasant surprise has been Zachary Jackson from Wray, Colorado. He was switched from offensive line to defensive line in pre-season camp and ended up our leading tackler in the Bethany game.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast in HD by SAGU SPORTS Live. Howard Payne will have the game on radio as well as on Livestats. Check the previous football article for how to access each venue.
Contact: Mark “Link Warde, Sports Information Director, at
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or at 469-658-2847.
