Jags’ defense shows teeth in scrimmage

Southern defensive coordinator O’Neill Gilbert walked off the field at A.W. Mumford Stadium with a sense of satisfaction going into the Jaguars’ season opener against Tennessee State.
The Jaguars’ defense held their offensive counterparts to two scores during last weekend’s Fan Day scrimmage, which included performances from the Human Jukebox, cheerleaders and unveiling of the new Columbia blue jerseys the team will wear this season.
Southern opens the 2011 season Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., at the 13^th Annual John Merritt Classic.
“They’ve done exactly what I want, exactly what we expect of them,” second year defensive coordinator O’Neill Gilbert said after Saturday’s scrimmage.” “It’s been a great camp. A lot better than last year.”
Among the offensive highlights, quarterback Dray Joseph connected on two touchdown passes to LaQuinton Evans and Charles Hawkins against the No.2 defensive unit. But there were no long runs of note and, when the scrimmage concluded, the defense shut out the offense on consecutive drives.
The question is, with four days before their season opener, are the Jaguars game-ready coming out of their final preseason tune-up?
“We’ll be ready to go as a whole,” Gilbert said after the scrimmage. When we get off that bus Saturday in Nashville, we’ll have bad intentions.”
For the Jaguars, who finished 2-9 last season, allowed 33.8 points per game last season, which was ninth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
The defense kept the offense under siege, which included an interception and return by Kevin King during the first half of the scrimmage.
“I like the energy those guys have,” second year coach Stump Mitchell said after the scrimmage. “There want me to be calm. I’m different when its practice time because that’s when we have to try to aim for perfection.”
SU’s defense forced consecutive three-and-outs and also came up with short situation stops against a struggling inexperienced offense. Gilbert held a brief meeting during intermission to talk to his unit.
“We just have to stay focused,” Gilbert said. “We wanted to correct our mistakes and make the necessary adjustments so we can go out there and win ball games.”
Other defensive highlights included a punishing tackle across the middle of the field when Evans met safety Jeremy Coleman. Evans struggled to stand on his feet before being helped off the field in the first half.
“I seen an attitude change and that’s the main adjustment we needed to make,” Gilbert said. “Our number one thing was our attitude so I’ve seen that adjustment and from there we’re going to do wonders.”