Scorched: Jaguars torch Dragons in Mumford finale

The last home game of the season came on a beautiful sunny day on the Bluff. It was the last time 15 seniors would putting on the uniform for the home crowd in A.W. Mumford stadium on Senior Night. The stadium was filled with students from high school day that got to experience how football is played at Southern University. The home crowd was pumped before the Jaguars even took the field as fans anticipated a great matchup against the Virginia Lynchburg Dragons. 
LaDarius Skelton drew first blood with an 8-yard touchdown run to give the Jaguars an early 7-0 lead. After the defense had forced the opposing team to punt, Brandon Hinton returned the punt 43 yards for his first touchdown as a Jaguar. On the following possession, Skelton was able to stand in the pocket and deliver a beautiful bomb down the field to senior Hunter Register for a 53-yard touchdown giving the Jaguars a commanding 21-0 lead in the first quarter. The Dragons were able to score their first and last touchdown of the game after Southern’s only turnover of the game.
 The team never took their foot off the gas and continued to dominate in the second quarter. Jamar Washington caught a short pass and used his speed and elusiveness to maneuver his way through traffic for a 45-yard gain. RB Devon Benn forced his way to the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown run. Benn finished the game with 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Craig Nelson added to the rushing attack after muscling his way 9-yards to the end zone. By halftime, the Jaguars had already accumulated more than 350 yards of offense and led the Dragons 41-7 and an early blowout.
 At halftime, there was an agreement between Odums and Lynchburg head coach Bobby Rome to finish the rest of the game early. In the 4th quarter, the game clock had changed from 14 minutes to 8 minutes. The final score was 58-7 as the Jaguars improved to 6-4 on the season and left Virginia-Lynchburg remaining winless on the season. Odums was very pleased with his team that didn’t let up against an outmatched opponent. The team stuck to the game plan and approached the game with the same urgency to win just as any other game.  
After the victory, Southern has won 7 consecutive Senior Night games ending their run here at Mumford with a win. Senior center Jaylon Brinson said that “As a senior, I’d just like to thank the Jaguar Nation for a great five years. “We wanted to play a complete game like we do every week, but the guys also wanted to put some emphasis on the seniors and making sure we went out with a bang.” 
They did indeed go out with a bang after a blowout victory that left everyone in the Southern University community more than satisfied. In the press conference post game, Odums said “We got a chance to reflect on the journey of these young men. They started out four or five years ago. … It’s tough, because each year you say goodbye to a group of guys that have been resilient and done everything you could ask for as a coach.” 
He also praised Skelton who threw for 193-yards and two touchdowns and completing all of 2 passes. “It is November, he’s going to play well. He’s going to do the right things and prepare the right way. Next week we are going to challenge him to take it to another level.” said Odums. “I know if he plays well our offense has a chance to be successful.” 
The Jaguars can clinch the SWAC west with a win vs Jackson State next week November 16 and with a Grambling lose. The team also has a high chance to be able to host the SWAC Championship game if they win their final two games.