This past Saturday, Southern University (SU) returned home for their final home game, ‘Senior Night’, in A.W. Mumford Stadium to face the Panthers of Prairie View A&M (PV).
The Jaguars (5-3, 3-1 SWAC) headed into Saturday’s matchup second in the SWAC Western division, after a hard fought game against the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff.
On a day when 22 newly inducted members of the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame were celebrated, 17 seniors that are departing from the collegiate stage of their athletic career were acknowledged as well.
Despite the circumstances and atmosphere surrounding the game, the defenders of the gold and blue did not leave the Jaguar Nation disappointed.
The Jaguars’ opening possession under the helm of senior quarterback, Austin Howard, was the reason why Southern’s explosive offense scored the first points of the game just 13 minutes into the first quarter. Howard completed a 37 yard pass to senior tight end, Dillan Beard, for a touchdown, which made the score 7-0.
On defense, senior defensive lineman, Aaron Tiller, penetrated Prairie View’s offensive line on all three downs which forced the Panthers to punt.
On the ensuing possession, Howard overthrew his intended receiver, freshman wide receiver, Jamar Washington, into the hands of a PV defensive back, taking it 29 yards into Jaguar territory. The interception placed PV’s offense in excellent field position that set up a 17 yard pass from Neiko Hollins to Darius Floyd for a Panther touchdown that evened the score 7-7, with 11:11 remaining in the first quarter.
Both SU and PV’s defenses seemed to be too powerful for their opposing adversaries, who were left scoreless at the end of the first quarter. As the clock wined down, senior running back, Herb Edwards, ended the first quarter with a huge 46-yard rush that placed SU inside of Prairie View’s 21-yard line.
SU’s offense opened the second quarter inside of Prairie View’s red zone, but the Jags were stalled on three plays from scoring a touchdown.
Courtesy of a 38-yard field goal attempt from freshman kicker, Ceaser Barajas, Barajas extended SU’s score 10-7 at 14:09.
As PV’s offense marched down the field into Jaguar territory, Hollins found a wide open Floyd for a 17-yard touchdown that put the Panthers on top 14-10 at the 11:11 mark.
Now in desperation mode, Howard threw two first downs to Beard to set up a 58 yard pass to freshman wide receiver, Cameron Mackey, that led to a 5-yard touchdown pass to sophomore tight end, Jeremias Houston. This extended the Jags’ lead 17-14 at the end of the first half.
Prairie View wasted very little time scoring in the second half after running back, Sta’Fon McCray, ran 49 yards on their opening possession. McCray then took it in for an 8-yard touchdown that would give PV the lead 17-21 with On SU’s ensuing drive inside of their own 20 yard line, the Panther defense suffocated Howard, which forced him to throw his second interception of the night. But the dog day defense did not allow Prairie View to gain momentum, by only allowing a field goal that made the score 17-24 at the 8:20 mark. A 24-yard rushing touchdown by Edwards tied the game at 24-24 with just 2:08 left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, with SWAC Championship implications on the line, and the game tied at 24 points each, Southern continued to cover ground with their aerial attack when Howard found a wide open Edwards who took it the distance for a 21 yard touchdown that gave SU the lead, 30-24 at 12:48.
After a 46-yard pass to freshman wide receiver, Kendall Catalon, that gave the Jags excellent field position, Austin Howard surpassed predecessor Dray Joseph in career passing yards and completions.
Beard received a 4-yard touchdown pass, compliments of Howard, that increased their lead 37-24 with 7:17 remaining in the 4th quarter.
On 4th and 2 with the clock at 3:53 inside the red zone, Hollins connected with Floyd from 15 yards. Southern’s lead was then cut down 37-31.
Catalon completed an Austin Howard 68 yard pass that seemingly gave Southern the win, but on second down after a 5-yard rush, Edwards was stripped, then the ball was scooped up by PV and their drive began on their own 17-yard line.
A Tiller sack fumble on third down recovered by the Panthers set them back on their own 23-yard line. The dog day defense once again denied Prairie View to convert on third and fourth down. After historic back and forth battle on each phase of the game, the Jags improve to (6-3, SWAC 4-1).
Four-year starter, Austin Howard had the game of a lifetime becoming one of the most prolific passers to play for SU, completing 64 percent of his pass going 22-34, for 405 yards and 4 touchdowns. His performance on Saturday night made him Southern’s all-time leading passer as he surpassed former holder and predecessor, Dray Joseph.
When asked how it feels to be Southern’s all time leading passer Howard simply puts it, “To God be the glory. I give credit to o-line, I give credit to God, without them nothing on the field or in life is possible… I was just out there playing ball, Coach Odums reminded us to go out there and have fun, and that’s what I was doing.”
Defensive back, Danny Johnson, led the team in tackles with 12 total, and 4 pass breaks. Johnson explained that “Communication was the reason why our defense made adjustments on the sideline and capitalized on the field.” Prairie View being one of the toughest tests every season.
Johnson then says, “Every year we know they’re going to give us their best shot, but guys on our team were locked in. We responded well in the second half, we did make mistakes but we never tucked our tails.”
In Head Coach Dawson Odums opening remarks, he humbly expounds on his senior class “ We’ve been in the hunt for the championship every year with this senior class, it’s a remarkable accomplishment that will leave a legacy for the future of this program.”
Coach Odums goes on to say, “When you are facing adversity, you want this senior class in your corner, because their entire time at Southern University has been under adverse conditions and for them to be in the hunt every year in November is a testament to their parents, our program, and testament to themselves. I tip my hat off to the senior class of 2017.”
After Saturday’s 12 round heavy weight fight with Prairie View, Southern University travels westward to Houston, Texas to matchup against the SWAC Western Division Tigers of Texas Southern. Kickoff is Saturday November 11th at BBVA Compass Stadium.
#7, Austin Howard stiff arms free safety, Raleigh Johnson during the PVAMU versus SU Football Game on November 4th, 2017. (Caleb Penn/DIGEST)