BATON ROUGE, LA — Southern University got back into the win column Saturday night, riding a dominant rushing attack and a career night from Trey Holly to a 50-31 victory over Louisiana Christian University at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
Holly rushed for 200 yards to lead a Southern ground game that controlled the night. He and Mike Franklin combined for 330 rushing yards, with Franklin adding 130 as the Jaguars repeatedly found running room against the Wildcats.
Holly scored on a 2-yard run on the Jaguars' opening possession and later broke loose for a 69-yard touchdown as Southern raced to a 21-7 first-quarter advantage. Daejawn Smith also scored on an 18-yard play during the opening-period surge. Quarterback Christian Johnson added a 15-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter as Southern took a 30-10 advantage into halftime.
The Jaguars continued to lean on their ground game after the break and eventually pushed their point total to 50.
The victory was a response Southern needed after entering Saturday looking to rebound and regain momentum. The Jaguars did it behind their backfield, with Holly and Franklin providing the centerpiece of their most productive rushing performance of the young season.
Louisiana Christian continued to battle and scored 31 points, but the Wildcats could not overcome Southern's early advantage or slow a Jaguars rushing attack that dictated the game.
BY THE NUMBERS
50 — Points scored by Southern in the victory.
31 — Points scored by Louisiana Christian.
200 — Rushing yards for Trey Holly.
130 — Rushing yards for Mike Franklin.
330 — Combined rushing yards for Holly and Franklin.
69 — Yards on Holly's first-quarter touchdown run, one of the explosive plays that helped Southern take control.
30-10 — Southern's halftime advantage after the Jaguars produced 30 points over the opening two quarters.
21 — Points Southern scored in the first quarter.
2 — First-quarter rushing touchdowns for Holly.
SPOTLIGHTS
Holly was the engine of Southern's offense, finishing with 200 rushing yards and providing an explosive start to the night. He scored from 2 yards out on Southern's opening possession before breaking a 69-yard touchdown run later in the first quarter.
The performance represented a significant jump from Holly's production through Southern's first three games. He entered Saturday with 141 rushing yards on 39 carries, meaning his 200-yard performance against Louisiana Christian exceeded his rushing total from the Jaguars' first three games combined.
Franklin gave Southern a second major weapon in the backfield, rushing for 130 yards. Combined with Holly's 200, the tandem accounted for 330 yards on the ground.
Franklin entered the game averaging 7.4 yards per carry through Southern's first three contests, and his production Saturday helped prevent Louisiana Christian from focusing solely on Holly.
Johnson contributed with his legs during Southern's fast start, scoring on a 15-yard run early in the second quarter. His touchdown helped extend Southern's advantage after the Jaguars put up 21 points in the opening period.
Johnson's ability to contribute as a runner gave the Wildcats another element to defend alongside Southern's productive running backs.
Smith provided a scoring threat on the perimeter, finding the end zone on an 18-yard play in the first quarter. His touchdown helped Southern build its early 21-7 advantage and complemented a ground game that carried the offensive load.
Smith entered Saturday as Southern's leading receiver with 161 yards through three games.
GAME AT A GLANCE
Final: Southern 50, Louisiana Christian 31
Halftime: Southern 30, Louisiana Christian 10
Site: A.W. Mumford Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Southern rushing leaders: Trey Holly, 200 yards; Mike Franklin, 130 yards
Backfield production: Holly and Franklin, 330 combined rushing yards
Key early play: Holly's 69-yard first-quarter touchdown run
Result: Southern returns to the win column.
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