STARKVILLE — An ESPNU documentary is set to be released in less than two weeks featuring former Mississippi State University head coach Sylvester Croom.
On Croom’s 58th birthday, Sept. 25, the network will debut its documentary series movie titled Croom at 6 p.m. This is the latest installment in the league’s “Storied” documentary series.
The film chronicles Croom’s rise to become head coach at MSU and the first African-American head coach in the Southeastern Conference.
“It was a story about society,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said in a news release. “It was a story about the south. And I don’t believe there’ll be a more pivotal event that will occur in my tenure no matter how long I stay here.”
Croom, who is currently the running backs coach with the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League, went 21-38 in his five seasons in Starkville that included a 2007 Liberty Bowl victory.
However, Croom resigned under pressure after the 2008 campaign that culminated with a 45-0 victory in the annual Egg Bowl matchup with the University of Mississippi.
The film is directed by past Sports Emmy winner Johnson McKelvy and narrated by actor Terrence Howard. The movie includes interviews from family and colleagues, including: Slive, General Manager of the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL Ozzie Newsome, Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore along with former MSU Director of Athletics Larry Templeton and Greg Byrne.
“When I went into a player’s home and told Mom and Daddy that I was going to treat their son like he was mine, that was the truth,” Croom said in the release. “If you send your boy to me, if you send him to our program, four years from now you’ll get a grown man back.”
Banks named Jim Thorpe Award player of the week: MSU senior defensive back Johnthan Banks was named the Jim Thorpe defensive back of the week Wednesday.
Banks had his first two interceptions of the season in the 28-10 victory over Auburn University in the league opener for both schools Saturday.
In addition to the Thorpe honor, Banks was also one of three players nationally to be named to the Paul Hornung Award weekly honor roll Monday, recognizing the most versatile, single-game performances by Football Bowl Subdivision players nationwide. The Maben native was named the national defensive player of the week by CollegeSportsMadness.com as well as the all-purpose performer of the week by CollegeFootballPerformance.com.
During the first 47 minutes of play vs. Auburn, Banks was thrown at just twice, nabbing interceptions both times. His defensive play resulted in -2 passing yards at the half for the Tigers. Banks is currently tied for third in the country with two interceptions in 2012, while tying for first nationally among active FBS players with 14 career picks.
Green given nation’s best tight end weekly honor after Auburn win: Mississippi State University senior tight end Marcus Green was named the John Mackey national weekly award honor two in college football, the Nassau County Sports Commission announced Wednesday afternoon.
Originally not on the Mackey Award Watch List for the nation’s best tight end, Green entered the conversation after a performance against Auburn University that included four catches for 54 yards and a career-best two touchdowns.
Green is just one four tight ends in the FBS with three receiving touchdowns so far this season, joining Kaneakua Friel of Brigham Young University, Joseph Fauria of the University of California at Los Angeles and John Rabe of the University of Minnesota. The Scooba native is tied with Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter for most touchdown receptions by any player in the Southeastern Conference.
Green is tied for the team lead in catches (seven) and the sixth-year player leads MSU in yardage with (85) and touchdowns with three.
The 24-year-old was granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA after the school applied for it on his behalf due to his injury situation.
Green, a Scooba native, redshirted his first season at MSU in 2007 and it was believed the 2011 campaign would be his final season as a fifth-year senior. However, because he missed all but two games in 2008 with a hip injury and the entire 2010 season with a knee injury Green was granted a waiver by the NCAA to play this fall.
The 2012 recipient of the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best tight end, will be announced at the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on Dec. 6 on ESPNU at 6:30pm.
Details revealed for pay-per-view options for MSU-South Alabama football next week: MSU officials announced the matchup next Saturday against the South Alabama Jaguars on Sept. 22, will be available on pay-per-view.
Fans throughout the state of Mississippi, as well as in Memphis, Tenn., and select cities in Alabama, will have access to the game and can purchase it through their respective cable or satellite provider.
The pay-per-view option is being made available by Bulldog Sports Properties, a property of Learfield Sports. The game is set to kick off at 6 p.m from Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field and is the first ever meeting between the two programs.
The following cable providers — Cable One, Charter, Comcast, Mediacom, MetroCast, and Riviera Utilities will carry the broadcast. Folks with Dish Network, DirectTV and AT&T U-verse, will also get to order the pay-per-view game with the specific outlets possibly determining their own pricing. At minimum, the game will be available for residential purchase at $29.95 in advance or $34.95 on game day. Customers are encouraged to contact their respective provider to inquire not only about pricing, but when the game will be available for advance purchase. Bart Gregory will provide play-by-play on the telecast, while former MSU head football coach Jackie Sherrill serving as color analyst.
“This PPV telecast provides a great opportunity for Bulldog fans in multiple states to watch their favorite team from the comfort of their own home,” Learfield Sports’ vice president of Digital and Television Media Diane Penny said in a university release. “We’re pleased to offer up this option and encourage MSU fans to contact their respective provider to line up their purchase in advance, in the selected format in which they want to view the game.”
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