Jags in must-win situation

After a week off, the Jaguars are determined to get back on the winning side as they get ready to face Texas Southern University (1-5, 1-6 SWAC) in Houston. After many efforts of trying to find a place to play, thanks to Hurricane Rita, the two teams have finally settled on Robinson Stadium as the Saturday’s site for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
“Looking at our season, Southern University has been struggling and there is a variety of reasons,” said head coach Pete Richardson. “Coach Wilson has been building his football team with the philosophy of being able to run the football and control the clock.”
“This year’s team is right on track. You look at their running game. If you are going to run the football, you have to have a fine offensive line and I think they are starting to mature, so they do a fine job of blocking for excellent tight ends.”
The Jaguars (2-4, 2-4 SWAC) are still struggling to get their running game consistent and will have to face a talented, yet also inconsistent Texas Southern football team.
The Tigers are coming off a 58-21 loss to Grambling State last week and will be led by Southwestern Athletic Conference’s leading rusher sophomore Brent Wilson. Wilson, the son of the Tigers’ football head coach Steve Wilson, leads the conference with 113 carries, 649 yards, seven touchdowns, while gaining 92.7 yards per game.
Jags sophomore quarterback J.C. Lewis leads the Jaguars with 1,526 yards. He has completed 140 of 221 passes, with four interceptions and 10 touchdowns. Running the ball, senior rusher Steel Adams leads the team in with 71 carries, 262 yards and two touchdowns. However, Larry Nichols, may return to field after sustaining a knee injury. He is second on Southern’s rushing list with 30 carries, 113 yards and three touchdowns.
“I like to be in the game all the time, but I realize I have players just as good as me and just as capable,” Nichols said. “So with us rotating, I think there’s still a positive for us.”
Defensively, Southern must stop the Tigers’ offense. The Tigers have alternated quarterbacks this season, but freshmen Daniel Millus is leading the team with 42 passes, 546 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions. To combat them, Southern’s junior linebacker D.J. Brooks will have to step up. He currently leads the team with 44 tackles, one interception and a forced fumble. Senior defensive lineman Joe Sykes could be crucial also going into the game with 43 tackles and six sacks.
A 54-year history, the Southern-Texas Southern match up has recently been lopsided, with the Jaguars not losing since 1996. A win against the Tigers could push Richardson two games closer to his 110th win at Southern. However, a loss against Texas Southern would place him two games closer to his first losing season on The Bluff.