Correcting mistakes from Southern’s first two games will be a big part of the Jaguars’ bye week, head coach Stump Mitchell said.
SU (1-1) saw the momentum gathered in its 37-27 come-from-behind win over Delaware State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge two weeks ago figuratively go up in flames as Division II member Arkansas-Monticello stunned the Jaguars 31-7 last weekend at A.W. Mumford Stadium.
“You can be beaten by anyone on any given day,” Mitchell said. “Especially if that team is doing a better job of executing and not making mental mistakes.”
The Jaguars withstood five plays of 20-plus yards, several nearly a half-dozen passes and a kickoff return against DSU to rally in the second half. However, that recipe of giving up big plays, special teams breakdowns and a sputtering offense spelled doom for SU against UAM.
In total, the Jaguars allowed 10 plays of 20-plus yards. In addition, the running game that gashed Delaware State for 158 yards only tallied minus-22 total yards — mostly due to quarterbacks Jeremiah McGinty and Dray Joseph getting sacked five times by the Boll Weevils.
“I thought Monticello gave us exactly what we were expecting. We just didn’t execute. That’s the bottom line.”
To add extra emphasis, Southern enters Southwestern Athletic Conference play next weekend on the road at Alabama A&M (1-1). The game in Huntsville, Ala., sets the table for a run of eight-straight games for the Jags. The next break on SU’s schedule is the traditional bye week before the Bayou Classic Nov. 27.
Mitchell’s bold predictions of a 12-0 season now dashed, he plans to use the off week as a time to reset goals as the Jags prepare for SWAC play.
“We’ve got a pretty good team,” Mitchell said. “I still feel good about this team. I still think we can accomplish some great things with this team.”
Categories:
Jags use bye week to regroup
September 16, 2010
0