LORMAN, MS. -- Southern's season come to an end Saturday night as the Jaguars lost to Alcorn State University 39-24 in front of 22,365 fans at Jack Spinks Marino Casem Stadium.

It was a heavyweight title fight for three straight quarters and the Jaguars opened the fourth quarter with a 17-16 lead over the Braves. Alcorn scored off a 56-yard pass play from Felix Harper to LeCarles Pringle, Braves took the lead 22-17.  Southern's QB Ladarius Skelton drove his offense 80 yards to regain the lead 24-22 off an eight-yard scamper by Skelton.

Skelton finished the night going 18-of-30 passing for 159 yards and ran the ball 20 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman running back Jarad Sims had a career night carrying the ball 20 times for 149 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Hinton also had a career night catching five passes for 40 yards. Three of the five passes caught were for first downs to keep the drive alive for the Jaguars. 

The Southern defense forced the Braves to turn the ball over four times led by Senior linebacker Calvin Lunkins with 12 tackles, one of those tackles was for a five-yard loss and he had two QB hurries" I feel like the defense played a lot better (than in the first Alcorn game)," Lunkins said. "The defense felt like it was going to be on their backs to win the championship, and I feel like the defense played well." Senior safety Montavius Gaines played his most complete game of the season finishing the night with 6 tackles, 3 pass breakups and one tackle for a seven-yard loss. Tamaurice Smith, Jakoby Pappillion and Datrel Brumfield all had an interception for the Jaguars. Smith had a big impact, especially in the first quarter with two pass breakups and an interception. In the second quarter he broke up two more passes and had an important pass breakup in the fourth quarter.

The Jaguars finish the season (8-5, 6-1) as they are the back-to-back SWAC Western Division Champions and Bayou Classic winners.

Up Next
The Jaguars will say goodbye to 18 seniors and start preparing for the 2020 season. The Jaguars will return all three quarterbacks as well as a stable of running backs and wide receivers. Defense will miss the leadership for Lunkins, Gaines and Dakavian Champions. 

Follow Southern University Athletics
For complete coverage of Southern University Athletics, please follow the Jaguars on Social Media at @SouthernUsports (Twitter), @SouthernUJaguars (Facebook), @southernusports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Southern University Athletics at gojagsports.com