Cooper to Start Saturday
9/4/02

Coach Doug Williams is frustrated about the play of quarterback Bruce Eugene. Eugene completed just 4-for-22 and threw an interception in the game against McNesse St..

"I'm frustrated with Bruce. I hope Bruce is frustrated
with Bruce. My job is to make decisions made on what's
best for the football team."

Williams will start Freshman Gary Cooper against Alcorn Saturday.

"Cooper is going to be our starting quarterback. The
freshman's going to play. Watching the film we came to
the conclusion we're a young team and the kid stood up
and he delivered. He took a punch but he got up and
made things happen."

It remains to be seen if this is the best decision for the Tigers. Alcorn is coming into Grambling looking to make a statement. The pressure could prove to be to much for Cooper.

"It's going to be a tough game.  They're not going to do anything different than McNeese did. They're going to bring
people, blitz, get up in our receivers' faces and play
us one-on-one. Our quarterback is going to have to
make some throws."

Look for Eugene to play more if Cooper falters Saturday.

If the freshman doesn't play well we'll put Bruce
back in there, and if he doesn't play well we'll put
the freshman back in there. That might be the way the
season goes."