2 weeks Ago
Southern defenders swarm over the ball and recover an Alcorn fumble during the Southern vs. Alcorn State University football game on Saturday, October 19, 2024. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Two months of Southern’s 2024 football season have passed and every other team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division would like to be in the Jaguars’ cleats.
Perched atop the division and armed with multiple tiebreakers, the Jaguars control their destiny but still haven’t shown an ability to seize the moment. What happens Saturday during a 2 p.m.
game at Alabama A&M will show whether the Jaguars have stepped up and found a way to focus by eliminating mistakes and taking a step closer to clinching a spot in SWAC championship game. “We’ve got to keep working on it; the roller coaster is tough,” Southern coach Terrence Graves said of his team’s up-and-down tendencies. “In life you are going to have adversity.
As I tell the players, we have to continue to work to fight through it. “We’re not that far off. You see it in spurts and flashes.
We’ve got to get more consistent and trust what we’re doing.” As disappointing as last week’s loss to Florida A&M was, the Jaguars did some things well. The offensive line continued to improve and made the running game go.
The defense allowed only one touchdown through three quarters before wearing down. And special teams provided all of the team's points. But the Jaguars had significant failures in all three phases.
Ineffective quarterback play, a busted play by the defense for a cheap touchdown and allowing a Rattlers' punt return for another score. The quarterback position is in the most need or urgency, and there is a decent chance Graves will make a change. C’Zavian Teasett could make his second career start.
His first ended with a second-quarter injury at Jackson State after which previous starter Noah Bodden had his most prolific day in a 33-15 defeat. Teasett has seen action in relief twice since then. He had two turnovers that led to a pair of Texas Southern TDs in a game Southern pulled out at the end.
Last week, he moved the team into position for a field goal and had the Jaguars close to the end zone on the final possession of a 24-6 loss. Southern is in a similar position to the last time Teasett started a game. But with the division title within its grasp, it seems time to make a move, and Teasett has shown some qualities that suggest he can get the job done.
“Teasett is going to give you what he’s going to give you, then sometimes you are going to do this (puts hand over face),” Graves said. “He’s a competitor. He’s so mentally tough.
He never gets too high or low, always the same. We have to stay within the framework of what we’re trying to do so we can execute effectively.” The Jaguars offense is facing a defense in the middle of the SWAC pack with 352 yards allowed per game.
But the Bulldogs are No. 3 in red-zone defense and No. 1 in time of possession.
To win, the Jaguars will have to maximize their opportunities and cash in on them. “We have to make sure those guys understand what we need to do to be successful,” Graves said. “It’s not complicated what we’re doing, but you got to pay attention to detail and execute.
All plays are designed to score, all defenses are designed to stop it. If you don’t execute, it’s just plays.” The Bulldogs are coming off their annual emotional touchstone game, losing to Alabama State in the Magic City Classic 27-19 last Saturday.
A&M coach Connell Maynor wants to finish strong even as hopes for a division title seem to have slipped away. “They’re (Southern) coming off a loss and can’t afford another one, tied for first place,” Maynor said. “Their backs are against the wall.
We’ve got a home game, and we can’t afford to lose. We need to win out. "It’s going to be a good SWAC football game.
They’re going to roll up their sleeves and we’re going to roll up ours.”.
