BATON ROUGE, LA — Southern gave its Homecoming crowd plenty to cheer about early Saturday night, but Arkansas-Pine Bluff seized control after the opening quarter. The Jaguars scored on their first two possessions and held an early lead before UAPB pulled away for a 41-10 victory at A. W. Mumford Stadium. The announced attendance was 21,890.
Southern couldn't have asked for a much better opening possession. The Jaguars took the kickoff and marched 75 yards in 12 plays, converting a fourth down along the way. Wyatt McCauley capped the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Daejawn Smith for a 7-0 lead with 10:26 remaining in the first quarter.
After UAPB answered with a touchdown, Southern put together another extended drive. The Jaguars covered 71 yards in 12 plays before Christopher McKenna converted a 23-yard field goal, putting Southern back in front 10-7. The Jaguars controlled the ball for 10:32 of the opening quarter and produced 151 yards of offense.
Southern's defense kept the Jaguars within striking distance for most of the remainder of the half. UAPB added only a 34-yard Trey Glymph field goal with 14 seconds left, sending Southern to halftime trailing 17-10.
The Jaguars then created an opportunity to swing the game early in the third quarter. Southern defensive back Michael Williams II intercepted Davis and returned the ball 63 yards to the UAPB 7. The Jaguars were suddenly in position to make it a one-possession game, but UAPB's Raylen Spratt intercepted McCauley two plays later.
That sequence proved pivotal. UAPB scored 17 points in the third quarter while holding Southern to 3 yards and no first downs, turning a competitive game into a 34-10 advantage.
Southern continued to lean on running back Trey Holly, who delivered one of his strongest statistical performances of the season. Holly rushed 23 times for 114 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry with a long of 38. He accounted for 115 all-purpose yards.
McCauley completed 12 of 24 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Smith led Southern with six receptions for 56 yards and the touchdown, while Miles Dixon provided a vertical threat with three catches for a team-high 60 yards, including a 38-yard reception on Southern's opening drive.
Despite the final margin, Southern matched UAPB in first downs at 16 and held the ball for 32:16 compared with the Golden Lions' 27:44.
Southern's defense produced two sacks and the Williams interception. Linebacker Tay James led the Jaguars with nine tackles, whileTy Lee added eight. Bryson Jennings and Lance Joseph each recorded a sack.
For Southern, the challenge now is carrying the efficiency displayed during its opening two possessions through four quarters. The Jaguars' first two drives covered 146 yards over 24 plays and produced all 10 of their points. They showed they could sustain drives against UAPB early; after taking the 10-7 lead, however, they couldn't finish another possession with points.
By the numbers
10-7 — Southern's lead after the first quarter.
146 — Yards Southern gained on its first two possessions.
24 — Plays on those opening two scoring drives.
114 — Rushing yards for Holly on 23 carries.
16-16 — The teams finished even in first downs.
9 of 17 — Southern's third-down conversion rate.
32:16 — Southern's time of possession, nearly 4½ minutes more than UAPB.
63 — Yards on Williams' third-quarter interception return.
3 — Southern's offensive yards during the decisive third quarter.
21,890 — Announced Homecoming attendance at A.W. Mumford Stadium. 46644
Jaguars to know
Trey Holly, RB: The Southern running back was a bright spot, finishing with 114 yards on 23 carries. Holly averaged 5 yards per attempt and broke a 38-yard run. 46644
Daejawn Smith, WR: Smith was Southern's most productive receiver by catches, grabbing six passes for 56 yards. His 20-yard touchdown reception opened the scoring and gave Southern an early 7-0 advantage.
Wyatt McCauley, QB: McCauley finished 12 of 24 for 141 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He directed Southern's 75-yard opening touchdown drive and helped the Jaguars score on each of their first two possessions. 46644
Miles Dixon, WR: Dixon caught three passes for a team-high 60 yards. His 38-yard reception on Southern's first possession helped set up the Jaguars' opening touchdown.
Michael Williams II, DB: Williams provided the defense's biggest takeaway, intercepting Davis and returning it 63 yards to the UAPB 7. He also recorded two tackles and a pass breakup. 46644
Tayton James, LB: James led Southern with nine total tackles — five solo and four assisted — and added a quarterback hurry.
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