Sept. 6, 2010
Final Stats
The Stump Mitchell era began with a national television audience and a thrilling come from behind win for the Southern U. Jaguars against Delaware State on Sunday in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Freshman, Dray Joseph threw for 162 yards and a touchdown and Southern scored 21 fourth-quarter points for a 37-27 victory. The victory gave Southern coach Stump Mitchell a successful debut as Jaguars coach and the Southwestern Athletic Conference its second victory in the series with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Southern registered the other victory with a 2007 win over Florida A&M.
Delaware State would get the scoring started when Anthony Glaud connected with Darius Jackson for an 11 yard score, putting the Hornets up 7-0 with 11:08 left in the first quarter.
The Southern offense could not get things going early, but on their second possession, the running back combination of Gary Hollimon and Sylvester Nzekwe got going with a 14 yard reception from Jeremiah McGinty to Hollimon, and back to back runs of 11 and 16 yards by Nzekwe, before McGinty hooked up
with Javon Jordan for his first career catch and touchdown to pull the Jags even early in the second
quarter.
But three plays later the Jags would blow the coverage on defense and give up an 85 yards pass and catch for a touchdown from Glaud to Larrone Moore to push the Hornet out to a 13-7 advantage.
Late in the second quarter, Nzekwe would once again shoulder the load, pickup up 44 yards in the series and capping it off with a one yards touchdown, his first career. McGinty also connected with Charles Hawkins and Kesean Peterson on the drive. SU would go up 14-13 after William Griswold's PAT.
But once again Southern specials teams would break down and give up a 90 yard kickoff return, but SU's Anthony Wells picked up a loose ball on the PAT attempt and took it back the other way for two points for Southern, dropping the Jags down 19-16, heading into the half.
But the second half proved what hard work and dedication to the sport can produce - character, integrity and fortitude coming down the stretch.
Southern starting quarterback, Jeremiah McGinty was unable to go in the second half due to cramping, even after taking in an IV at the break. Enter freshman Dray Joseph.
Nervous as the start of the half, Joseph and the Jags were stymied throughout the third quarter, and also put the ball on the ground once on a Sylvester Nzekwe fumble early in the third.
Nick Elko's 38-yard pass to Justin Williams five minutes into the third quarter put Delaware State up 27-16.
Late in the third quarter, as Southern trailed by 11 points, Mitchell elected to try for a touchdown on fourth-and-goal from the one yard line, but the DSU Hornets' defense stopped SU's Gary Hollimon short of the goal line. The Jaguars had driven 65 yards and held the ball for seven minutes, and they had nothing to show for it.
Defensive adjustments in the second half shut down Delaware State, and kept SU within striking range, despite yet to get on the scoreboard in quarter.
Two possessions later, with time starting to run out, freshman kicker William Griswold hooked and missed a 36-yard field goal with less than 11 minutes left.
The Jags defense would once again stop DSU, and forced a short punt, giving SU great field position at the DSU 49 yard line.
When the searing 100+ heat on the field began wilting the Hornets, Southern would find its stride and began to pick apart Delaware State.
Freshman quarterback Dray Joseph, would lead the Jags on a five play drive highlighted by a 33 yard pass from to Curry Allen. Joseph would then pick up his first collegiate touchdown with 8 minutes to play in the game, on a scramble around the left end, to bring the score to 23 to 27.
The SU defense would hold tight once again, and almost three minutes later, Corey Cushingberry broke loose for a 64-yard punt return down the right sideline to give Southern the lead, 30 -27.
Jason House's 23-yard interception on DSU next possesion, set up Joseph's 4-yard TD toss to fellow fresh tight end, Rashuan Allen, with 1:53 left.
Joseph accounted for two of the three Jaguars' fourth quarter scores as Southern erased a 27-16 deficit.
Sylveste Nzekwe led the Jaguars with 98 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, and was named the Game MVP for Southern, while Gary Hollimon added 46 yards on 16 carries. Curry Allen and Hollimon both caught four passes, with Allen going for 64 yards and Hollimon, 47. Javon Jordan pulled in two catches for 46 yards and a score.
Dray Joseph finished the game going 12 of 21 throught ehiar for 162 yards and one score. Jeremaih McGinty was seven of 16 for 74 yards and a score in the first half.
Junior punter Joshua Duran had an excellent day punting, with five punts for 223 yards (44.6 avg) with a long of 54 yards and pinning two punts inside the 20 yard line, with one of those inside the 10 yard line.
Defensively, Andre' Coleman recorded seven tackles, while Casey Narcisse and Delwin Williams each added six tackles. Ishmale Hart and Corey Ray each chipped in four and Kedy Enabulele and Steven Williams eached had three and combined on a sack. Demetrius Rogers and Jason House each picked off passes, and registered two tackles each.
Southern will return to Baton Rouge for the 2010 home opener, as they will host the Boll Weevils of the University of Arkansas-Monticello at 6:00pm.
