BATON ROUGE, LA — Trey Holly delivered a sensational 206-yard rushing performance and scored two touchdowns as Southern University unleashed a punishing ground attack Saturday afternoon, rolling past Bethune-Cookman 45-17 before 18,631 fans at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
Holly led an explosive offensive performance as the Jaguars piled up 381 rushing yards, averaged 8.7 yards per carry and finished with 492 yards of total offense. Southern scored 31 unanswered points after the game was tied at 3, turning a competitive opening quarter into a commanding Southwestern Athletic Conference victory.
The win improved Southern to 5-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play, while Bethune-Cookman fell to 5-5 and 3-3.
Holly needed just 16 carries to surpass 200 yards, averaging a staggering 12.9 yards per attempt. His two 44-yard touchdown runs in the second quarter helped the Jaguars seize control and build a 31-3 halftime advantage.
Southern's rushing dominance extended well beyond Holly. Macario Dade Jr.. added 104 yards on only four carries, including a 70-yard touchdown sprint late in the third quarter. Wydell Clark Jr. contributed a rushing touchdown and a receiving score, giving the Jaguars multiple offensive weapons that Bethune-Cookman's defense struggled to contain.
Quarterback Christian Johnson efficiently directed the offense, completing 8 of 13 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.
The Jaguars scored six touchdowns — four rushing and two passing — while their defense limited Bethune-Cookman to 290 total yards.
Jaguars Take Control Early
Southern established its offensive identity immediately. On the opening possession, Holly broke loose for a 36-yard run that set up a 42-yard field goal by Christopher McKenna, giving the Jaguars a 3-0 lead. Bethune-Cookman responded with a 25-yard field goal by Aiden Lanier to tie it at 3 with 8:11 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wildcats' momentum was short-lived. Southern answered with an 11-play, 74-yard drive capped by Clark's 12-yard touchdown run, putting the Jaguars ahead 10-3.
From there, Holly took over. His first 44-yard touchdown run came just 58 seconds into the second quarter, extending Southern's advantage to 17-3. Johnson followed with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Clark, stretching the lead to 24-3 with 8:50 remaining before halftime. Holly then delivered another backbreaking play, bursting through the Bethune-Cookman defense for his second 44-yard touchdown run with 5:13 left in the half.
The score pushed Southern's lead to 31-3 and highlighted an overwhelming first-half offensive performance. The Jaguars continued their dominance after halftime.
A Landon Carter interception gave Southern possession at the Bethune-Cookman 20-yard line early in the third quarter. Johnson capitalized with a 6-yard touchdown pass to AAiden Valdez, increasing the lead to 38-3. Dade exploded for a 70-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds remaining in the third quarter, giving the Jaguars a 45-10 lead. Southern's decisive advantage on the ground, combined with an opportunistic defense, proved too much for the Wildcats to overcome.
Southern's offensive efficiency was particularly impressive. The Jaguars averaged 8.6 yards per play, compared with 4.2 for Bethune-Cookman. Perhaps the most telling statistic: Southern never punted. Despite committing 17 penalties for 100 yards, the Jaguars consistently generated explosive plays and maintained control of the scoreboard.
Player Highlights
TTrey Holly | Running back
Holly rushed for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries, averaging 12.9 yards per attempt. He also caught an 11-yard pass, finishing with 217 all-purpose yards. His two 44-yard touchdown runs were pivotal in Southern's second-quarter surge.
Macario Dade Jr. | Running back
Dade added 104 yards on four carries, averaging 26 yards per attempt. His 70-yard touchdown run was Southern's longest play from scrimmage and effectively sealed the victory.
Christian Johnson | Quarterback
Johnson completed 8 of 13 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 15 yards, giving Southern an efficient passing complement to its powerful ground game.
Wydell Clark Jr. | Running back
Clark scored on a 12-yard run and caught a 21-yard touchdown pass. He finished with 50 yards from scrimmage, including two receptions for 38 yards.
Herman Brister III and Ty Lee | Defense
Brister led Southern with 12 tackles, while Lee added 10, including one tackle for loss. Carter contributed an 18-yard interception return that set up a third-quarter touchdown.
Three Keys to Victory
1. A relentless rushing attack
Southern's offensive line created running lanes throughout the afternoon, allowing the Jaguars to rush for 381 yards and four touchdowns. Holly and Dade combined for 310 yards on just 20 carries, repeatedly turning ordinary rushing opportunities into explosive gains.
2. Second-quarter domination
The Jaguars outscored Bethune-Cookman 21-0 in the second quarter. Holly's two long touchdown runs and Johnson's touchdown connection with Clark transformed a 10-3 lead into a 28-point halftime cushion.
3. Defensive pressure and timely stops
Southern held Bethune-Cookman to 4-of-14 on third down and 2-of-5 on fourth down. The Jaguars recorded 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. Carter's third-quarter takeaway set up a touchdown that pushed Southern's lead to 38-3.
A Statement Performance at Mumford Stadium
Bethune-Cookman received a solid rushing effort from Rashon Brown, who finished with 98 yards on 15 carries, including a 64-yard run. Jefferson completed 12 of 31 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
But the Wildcats could not match Southern's offensive firepower. The Jaguars produced five touchdowns over the second and third quarters, consistently attacked the perimeter and interior of Bethune-Cookman's defense and capitalized on favorable field position. Southern's 381 rushing yards accounted for more than three-quarters of its total offense, underscoring a physical performance built around its running backs and offensive line.
For Holly, the afternoon was a showcase of speed, vision, and big-play ability. For Southern, it was a convincing display of what its offense can accomplish when the running game dictates the tempo. With the victory, the Jaguars returned to .500 and delivered one of their most productive offensive performances of the season, giving the home crowd plenty to celebrate on a sun-filled Saturday afternoon in Baton Rouge.
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