Jags run roughshod over CSU

Bryant Lee threw two touchdown passes and Brian Threat ran for a career-high 122 yards as Southern pounded Central State 68-0 Saturday in the Jagaurs’ home opener at a rain-soaked A.W. Mumford Stadium.
The Jaguars, who stumbled against Louisiana-Lafayette du-ring Labor Day weekend, looked better against Central State Saturday night. Bryant Lee was 14-of-24 for 167 yards in nearly one half of action as the Jaguars (1-1) racked up 307 yards of total yards and led 28-0 at halftime.
CSU (0-3), which went scoreless in its first two games, had no answer for SU’s defensive front. The Jaguars held the Marauders without a first down the entire first half. Defensively, SU came away with five sacks, and forced turnovers while slamming quarterbacks to the turf and stuffing running lanes.
“We had turnovers, and any time your defense can pin them down, that’s good, and I think that’s what our defense did,” said head coach Pete Richardson. The Jaguars defense held CSU to 44 yards of total offense and forced six turnovers the entire game. “We came up with some turnovers, and that’s the thing we’re stressing. I thought they did a great job with that.”
Offensively, SU had a tough time getting things going but began to find rhythm on their third possession when converted tight end Warren Matthews caught his first touchdown pass of the season. 
Senior running back Brian Threat led the Jags in rushing with 122 yards and two touchdowns. True freshman Brandon Rice was second on the team with 80 yards on 12 carries. Lee finished with 220 yards and two scores on 16-of-26 passing while rushing for 37 yards and two more touchdowns.
SU ran the ball effectively with 61 rushing attempts for 349 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per rush.
SU’s backup players saw a lot of playing time, credited to Coach Richardson, and impressed the rest of the coaching staff.
“Once they understand the scheme, they’ll be much better players,” said Richardson.
The 68 points SU posted matched the most points ever scored in the Pete Richardson era, dating back to the Jags’ 68-6 win over Prairie View in 1995. It was also the most points scored in one game by SU since the Jaguars’ 65-0 win over Allen in November 2003. SU’s defense pitched its first shutout of the season, with its last shutout coming in last season’s 15-0 win over Alabama State.
SU plays host to Tennessee State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Mumford. The Tigers (1-1) defeated Jackson State 14-7 in the Southern Heritage Classic in Memphis, Tenn. last weekend. TSU defeated the Jaguars last season in a 34-32 come-from-behind victory in Nashville.