BOONEVILLE — East Mississippi Community College sophomore defensive back Duke Upshaw loves when his unit plays with passion.
“Passion every day in practice, every Thursday in games,” Upshaw said. “That was something that was missing at times last year. We have the passion back this year. It’s a whole new defensive mind-set. We are a terror.”
No. 2 EMCC unleashed that force Thursday night in a 59-0 victory against Northeast Mississippi C.C. in the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) North Division opener for both teams at Tiger Stadium.
EMCC improved to 3-0 and 1-0 in division play with its 25th-straight division win. Up next is rival Itawamba C.C., which was the last team to beat EMCC in division play back in 2012. ICC had the state’s biggest upset Thursday night with a 27-24 victory against No. 5 Northwest Mississippi C.C. in Fulton.
“There is a lot of pride on this defense,” EMCC sophomore linebacker Quin Jones said. “The first game wasn’t what we were capable of doing. The last two weeks have been fun. I think the whole squad is hungry. Last year left us wanting more. If you shut the other team out, you are guaranteed to win.”
EMCC posted its first shutout after allowing 10 points in a week two rout of Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. The last two games have featured virtually the entire second half being played with a running clock due to the mercy rule.
Northeast Mississippi C.C. finished with 91 yards of offense on 43 plays. The Tigers (0-3, 0-1), once ranked as high as No. 9 nationally, were playing their first game without starting quarterback Zac Oden, who suffered a broken leg in a loss to East Central C.C.
“Proud of everybody on this team,” EMCC coach Buddy Stephens said. “Proud of how hard and how well they practiced Monday through Wednesday. We had not been a good practicing team. We changed that this week. The mental preparation for this game was great. It was something we had been hoping for. It was something we had been waiting for.”
The defensive dominance was the master plan of first-year defensive coordinator Cliff Collins. Collins served a one-game suspension in the season-opening victory against Jones County Junior College. EMCC allowed 34 points in that game and rallied from a 14-point third-quarter deficit.
The lethargy didn’t follow EMCC’s defense, which has helped the team not trail in each of the last eight quarters.
“The biggest thing in this league is pressure on the quarterback,” Collins said. “Northeast had to change some personnel due to injury. We did a great job of adjusting to that. We really got in the backfield on a consistent basis and disrupted the rhythm. Really couldn’t be prouder of this group of guys. They have bought in to everything we have been trying to do.”
Upshaw said the learning curve has been fast for first- and second-year players.
“The main thing is 11 guys flying to the football,” Upshaw said. “It is less assignment football and more making sure you follow the ball. Coach would prefer 11 guys hit the guy with the ball on every play. I think we are more physical. There is no doubt we are playing with more hunger. The championship teams in the past had that mind-set that you weren’t getting anything.
“That is the type of unit we are trying to become.”
EMCC removed all of the suspense by scoring 28 points in the first quarter.
In this third career start, Lindsey Scott Jr. was 19-for-26 for 174 yards and a touchdown. Tyrell Price ran for a team-high 80 yards and followed a four-touchdown night against Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. with two more trips to the end zone.
The Lions were turnover free for a second-straight week.
“The coaches challenged us to start fast,” Price said. “That is really important on the road. We hit them in the mouth right off the bat. That made things much easier.”
With the offense setting the tone, the defense then made things look relatively easy.
“You have to have an edge to win a championship,” Jones said. “I think this team has that type of edge you have to have. You have to strive for perfection. In this game, we came pretty close.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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