Southern rallies in 4th to sting Hornets

The clouds hanging above the Florida Citrus Bowl seemed fitting as Southern saw themselves on the short end of a 27-16 score late in the third quarter of the SWAC/MEAC Challenge against Delaware State Sunday.
The Jaguars, in their first game of the Stump Mitchell era, began to show resolve in all three phases of the game with less than 10 minutes left to play. Southern reeled off 21 unanswered points in the game’s final eight minutes to defeat the Hornets 37-27 in front of 16,367 in the blistering hot stadium and a nationally televised ESPN audience.
“It feels great,” coach Mitchell said after the game. “We worked hard and so did Delaware State, but we came out on the right side.”
Missed opportunities on offense, blown blocking assignments, combined with quarterback misfires and break downs in the defense, plagued the Jaguars in the first half of play.
The miscues and bad breaks continued in the second half as the Jaguars saw drives end with no points on the board.
Until lightning struck.
Backup quarterback Dray Joseph scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 5-yard scramble with 7:59 remaining. The Southern defense forced DSU to go three-and-out, setting up Cushingberry’s game-breaking moment.
Cushingberry fielded Marco Kano’s punt near the Jagaurs’ 36-yard line. He slipped past a would-be tackler and picked up a pair of key blocks along the SU sideline for a 64-yard touchdown return. William Griswold’s PAT gave the Jags a 30-27 lead with 4:43 left to play.
“It was wonderful,” said Cushingberry, describing the 64-yard touchdown return. “I just had it in my mind that I wanted to change the game and I did, by the graces of God, I changed the game; I did what I wanted to do and gave my team the momentum; we needed that momentum to take it back to Baton Rouge.”
With Southern applying pressure to DSU quarterback Anthony Glaud, All-American safety Jason House’s interception with 3:08 remaining provided eventual nail in the coffin for the Hornets.
“I didn’t have a good game,” said House, “I just knew it was time for me to make a big play; I just knew it was coming and I had to be patient.”
Joseph put the game out of reach with a 37-yard strike to Jordan, followed by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Rashaun Allen to give Southern a 37-27 lead with 1:53 left to play.
Joseph led the charge in the come-from-behind victory, completing 12 of 21 passes, adding his first collegiate scores in the crucial final eight minutes.
With Joseph replacing Jeremiah McGinty at the start of the third quarter and starting running back Gary Hollimon both experiencing cramps, other role players had to step up and make big plays as well.
Early on, running backs Hollimon and Sylvester Nzekwe shared touches. By the end of the game, they had combined for 205 total yards.
Nzekwe rushed for 98 yards on 15, adding a touchdown and one pass reception for 4 yards, earning himself player of the game honors.
“It feels good,” said Nzekwe on receiving the honor, “but you know me, I’m never about myself I’m about the team; the line put in the work.”
Delaware State’s wide receiver Larrone Moore scorched the Southern defense on several occasions in the first half. Ending the game with two receptions for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns, compiling 186 all-purpose yards and earning player of the game honors as well.
Although the Hornets could not get their running game established, it seemed as they wouldn’t need it as they lead the Jaguars by 10 points beginning the fourth quarter.
Glaud found another target in receiver Darius Jackson, equaling Moore in receptions, finishing with 58 yards and the game’s first touchdown.
Southern now focuses its attention on Saturday’s home opener against Arkansas-Monticello. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
“Now we have to get ready for Arkansas- Monticello, but I guarantee you we can’t do it if we don’t set a pace out,” Mitchell said. “We have to have the nation on hand, and I think that’s what brought us through this game and were appreciative; I’m glad I’m at Southern.”