10 down, 2 to go

Despite sloppy play and constant miscues, the Southern University Jaguars (9-1, 4-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) were able to regroup and defeat the Division II Lincoln University Blue Tigers 34-7 in A.W. Mumford stadium Saturday.
“I was disappointed in our decision making,” said Jags’ head coach Pete Richardson.
Senior quarterback Quincy Richard threw his eighth interception of the season while trying to score more than a field goal in the first quarter.
Southern would not score again until 3:48 in the second quarter when Richard ran a 2-yard touchdown. Jags’ senior running back Leon Miller followed behind with a 1-yard rush with 14 seconds left in the half.
Penalties plagued Southern and kept them from capitalizing on Lincoln’s miscues.
Two Jaguars’ touchdowns were called back due to penalties including an touchdown return resulting from an interception by defensive back Eddie Woods.
Southern averaged 81.3 penalty yards per game this season. Against Lincoln, they were penalized 18 times for 101 yards. The Jags also dropped two potential touchdown receptions in the end zone.
“We made a lot of silly turnovers and had execution problems that needed to be corrected,” Richard said.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Jags’ running back Kenneth Peoples had never fumbled the ball this season. In the third quarter against Lincoln, he provided the Blue Tigers with their only score of the game when Lincoln defensive back Deon Scott returned a fumbled ball 41 yards for a touchdown.
“It’s going to be tough to give him the ball again,” Richardson said. “It’s tough trying to get involved when you can’t hold on to the ball.”
Dropped passes and heavy coverage resulted in Richard rushing the last two touchdowns of the game. He finished the game completing 22 of 34 passes for 288 yards and one interception.
“They were great in covering us,” Richard said. “I had to go in, because I didn’t want to chance throwing an interception or incompletion.”
Despite Lincoln’s loss, head coach Fred Manuel was impressed with his team’s performance.
“We were lucky to be able to hang with this team,” Manuel said. “I thought the defense played extremely well and we hope to learn from this game.”
The win was the last at home for the Jags’ senior class. But those leaving, such as defensive back Lenny Williams, are not focusing on that aspect.
“I am not even worried about this being my last home game,” Williams said. “My last game-period-will be special for me and hopefully it will be in Birmingham. The fans will be there and that will be my last home game.”