Lone Stars: Roadrunners light it up in home opener; Jaguars losing streak now at two

Jaguar fans invaded San Antonio as they waited in anticipation to see if the Jags could recover from their loss against USM last weekend. This past Saturday, they faced the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) in the Alamodome.
The Jaguars were still searching for an offensive spark with quarterback Austin Howard still out for this game due to a knee injury he suffered during the South Carolina State. When asked about the quarterback’s return for SWAC play next week, Coach Odoms responded, “I have no idea, we repped the two freshmen this morning but as of today, no he will not play.”
Backup quarterback Darquez Lee was tagged the starter this game, but failed to find his groove only going 6-13 for 45 yards and 1 interception, subsequently, the Jags called up their other option Glendon McDaniel who went 3-13 with 2 interceptions ans was sacked 4 times. In addition to their woes at quarterback, the Jags rested running back Herb Edwards (Hamstring injury) and Defensive back Simeon Houston was out due to a right knee injury. Hopefully they will both be ready at the start of interconference play.
The Jaguars offense struggled early in the first quarter punting away on three consecutive stalled drives and three penalties which set them back 15 yards.
Their ground simply wasn’t there as the Jags only rushed for a combined total of 9 yards with 7 carries in the first half.
The second half was similar to the first. UTSA had a combined total of 399 yards in both rushing and passing just in the first half alone.
Their offense, led by quarterback Dalton Sturm, who went 19 of 22 passing and 20 first downs. UTSA defense had 1 interception and stopped each of Southern’s third down conversion attempts.
During third quarter, UTSA had a personnel change, replacing Sturm who finished with 292 yards passing and 4 touchdown and 1 rushing touchdown. The Jags then begin to apply pressure causing backup quarterback Bryce River, to throw a pick six to defensive back, Danny Johnson, who returned it for 61 yards.
This was Johnson’s first interception of the season. Southern’s defense also denied UTSA on three of their third down conversions.
During the last play of the Quarter, Southern punts the ball off to the UTSA Punt Returner who then muffed the ball letting Southern capitalize on the opportunity and scoop the ball up, resulting in a field goal by Cesar Barajas. The 46-yard field goal was Barajas’ first field goal of his college career.
In the fourth quarter Southern’s defense was stuffing the stat sheets. The defense caused two more turnovers. The first was a tipped interception that was caught by number line backer Jordan Williams and the other was a fumble recovery by linebacker Elijah Allen. The offense also showed some life when Jaylon Dukes scoring a 24-yard rushing touchdown to increase the Jag’s score to 17. This was also the Jag’s first offensive touchdown since the South Carolina State game.
Even though Southern tried to mount a comeback in the second half, the Jags still couldn’t take home a victory; losing to UTSA 51-17. When asked about the defeat, Head Coach Odoms responded with “The biggest thing is that we couldn’t get a first down and their defense was in our back field … they were really good in their front seven.”
This was Southern’s last nonconference game of the season and with SWAC play just around the corner hopefully the Jags can stay healthy as they take on Alcorn State in Jack Spinks Stadium this weekend in Lorman, MS.