Jags still winless after 30-20 loss to Northwestern

SHREVEPORT – Once again, the efforts of Southern University Jaguars’ Football team proved futile as they received their second season loss from the Demons of Northwestern State University, 30-20.
Last Saturday, before a crowd of 23,572, the Jaguars’ offense was dealt a blow by a Demons’ pass rush, including six sacks. Four of which were given single-handedly by defensive end Roy Locks. Locks set a Louisiana school record with his sacks on Southern quarterbacks Anthony Fisher and Kurvis Sharp.
“I guess it was a case of me trying to do too much, too soon,” said Sharp. “I was in front of my family and friends, and I was just trying to go out there and do my thing.”
Although the Jags received 23 first downs compared to 15 for NSU, only two touchdowns matriculated. The offense only garnered 39 net yards rushing. Fisher and Sharp managed to get 328 yards passing, along with a dismal 29 completions of 52 attempts and five sacks.
The receivers did their part, but to no avail. Receiver Al’Trevion Joubert caught five passes for 61 yards, but senior Michael Hayes was the light at the end of the rainbow for the Jags. Hayes received 11 catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
“Hayes was one of the few bright spots of our game,” exclaimed a disappointed David Oliver, the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator. “…He caught the ball well against Northwestern.”
In addition to the Jags offensive woes, special teams kicker Colby Miller failed to give Southern an extra point after Hayes first touchdown reception 14:47 into second quarter.
Punt returner Ezra Landry had three returns for 65 yards. But in the third quarter, Landry misjudged a wobbling kick that caused him to fumble the ball. This set up a Northwestern recovery and three passes and 54 seconds later, the Demons were up another touchdown at 27-13.
“…The ball was wobbling, and I took my eyes off the ball because the gunners were coming down pretty fast,” explained Landry. “…And most of all, I was ready to score.”
It must have been a sense of déjà vu for the Jags as NSU used their backfield against Southern in the same manner as Tulane did only a week before. Shelton Sampson ran through a weak Jaguar defense with 157 net yards with 18 carries and although quarterbacks Kevin Magee and Ben Beach only threw for a combined 101 yards and neither were sacked.
In spite of the performance by the Demons, the Jaguar defense did exhibit strong playing. linebackers Lendrick Francois had five unassisted tackles and five assisted; and cornerback Lenny Williams had seven total tackles, along with two deflected passes and one interception.
Jaguar head coach Pete Richardson was concerned with the mentality of the players during the game.
“I’m concerned about our mental mistakes,” exclaimed Richardson. “Every time we made a mistake, they came back and scored.”
The Jags will have to be in the right mentality when they go to Pine Bluff, Ark. to face the Golden Lions of University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Saturday at 6:30 p.m.