JACKSON, MS — Southern showed the fight it needed after halftime Saturday night. The Jaguars just couldn't overcome the damage done before it.
Southern cut a 19-point halftime deficit to 11 and kept itself within striking distance deep into the fourth quarter, but the comeback stalled in a 35-17 loss to Jackson State at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The defeat dropped Southern to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play before an announced crowd of 38,973. For Southern, the frustrating part was how much of the game suggested it had opportunities to make things considerably tighter.
The Jaguars possessed the ball for 35 minutes, 28 seconds, ran 68 offensive plays and finished with 16 first downs. Southern also committed no turnovers and scored on all three of its trips into the red zone. But the Jaguars spent much of the night playing from behind. After falling into an early 7-0 deficit, Southern answered with one of its best drives of the game. The Jaguars marched 59 yards in 14 plays and consumed 5:29, converting a fourth-and-6 along the way on quarterback Christian Johnson's 10-yard run. Johnson later connected with Trey Holly for 22 yards to move Southern into the red zone. The drive stalled at the 10, however, and Christopher McKenna kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 7-3.
The game quickly got away from Southern after that. The Jaguars led 14-3 at the end of the first quarter and took a 21-3 lead midway through the second. Southern responded with a six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. Holly finished it with a 6-yard run, trimming the deficit to 21-9 after the extra-point attempt was unsuccessful. The Jaguars went into halftime trailing 28-9, but they had a chance to cut the deficit before the break. Starting at their 27 with 3:30 remaining, they drove 57 yards to the Jackson State 16 before the possession ended on downs with 34 seconds left.
Southern makes its push
The Jaguars came out of halftime needing stops, and their defense gave them a chance. Southern kept Jackson State off the scoreboard throughout the third quarter, allowing its offense an opportunity to work its way back into the game. The breakthrough came late in the period. Starting at its own 39, Southern needed only five plays to cover 61 yards. Mike Franklin broke free for a 51-yard run, the Jaguars' longest play from scrimmage, before scoring on a 1-yard run.
Holly followed with a successful 2-point conversion. With 1:25 remaining in the third quarter, Southern had cut the deficit to 28-17. Another opportunity came early in the fourth when Southern took possession at its 34 following a missed field goal. But the Jaguars couldn't capitalize. Southern gained only 2 yards before punting. Its next possession went backward 6 yards, and another punt followed. The Jaguars' final possession also resulted in a three-and-out. Southern's three fourth-quarter drives produced minus-5 total yards, preventing the Jaguars from completing a comeback after getting within 11. The result left Southern with a difficult conference-opening loss despite controlling the football for nearly 11 minutes longer and running 17 more offensive plays.
Holly was the Jaguars' workhorse. The Southern running back carried 26 times for 97 yards and a touchdown, accounting for nearly 60% of the Jaguars' 164 rushing yards. He also caught two passes for 21 yards and scored the 2-point conversion that brought Southern within 28-17. Holly finished with a team-high 118 yards from scrimmage. Franklin provided Southern's biggest offensive spark. He finished with 59 yards and a touchdown on four carries, highlighted by his 51-yard third-quarter run.
Johnson completed 16 of 29 passes for 153 yards without an interception. He was sacked three times and also contributed on the ground. Floyd Jones caught three passes for 48 yards, while Miles Dixon also finished with 48 receiving yards on two catches, including a team-long 38-yard reception. Damien Henderson Jr. gave the Jaguars production in the return game. Henderson had 144 all-purpose yards, including 120 yards on five kickoff returns. He also had two receptions for 12 yards and a 12-yard punt return.
Defense gives Jaguars a chance
Southern's defense helped keep the comeback alive by pitching a shutout in the third quarter. Cody Morris and Darren Scott led the Jaguars with five tackles apiece. Habib Bello had four tackles and a quarterback hurry. Ckelby Givens recorded three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Landon Carter had two tackles for loss, while Ty Lee broke up two passes. The defensive effort, especially after halftime, gave Southern chances to get back into the game. The Jaguars were still within 11 entering the closing minutes before a late touchdown produced the final margin.
By the numbers
19 — Southern's halftime deficit after trailing 28-9.
11 — The deficit after Franklin's touchdown and Holly's 2-point conversion made it 28-17.
35:28 — Southern's time of possession.
68 — Offensive plays run by Southern.
16 — First downs for the Jaguars.
317 — Total yards for Southern, with 164 rushing and 153 passing.
3-for-3 — Southern's scoring rate in the red zone, producing two touchdowns and one field goal.
0 — Turnovers committed by Southern.
6 of 16 — Southern's third-down conversions. The Jaguars were 1-for-2 on fourth down.
97 — Holly's rushing yards on 26 carries.
59 — Franklin's rushing yards on four attempts.
153 — Johnson's passing yards.
144 — Henderson's all-purpose yards.
38,973 — Announced attendance at Veterans Memorial Stadium
