JACKSON, MISS. — The Jags averted a late-game comeback attempt by Jackson State in Southern’s (7-0, 4-0 Southwest Athletic Conference) effort to continue their unbeatened season record in their defeat over JSU 30-20 before 46,794 fans at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“I am so happy that after three years, we beat Jackson State,” said Jaguar Nation member Johnny Holmes, of Memphis. “This is like Homecoming. We showed up for a good game and the Jags showed up for us. I am so glad I traveled to Jackson to see us win.”
Jags head coach Pete Richardson had been on the losing end of the last three match ups against JSU (2-6, 2-1 SWAC), getting outscored 73-45. He said that he knew that he would have a fight on his hands because JSU was not the typical 2-5 team. He was also concerned of getting good field position due to the absence of senior kick returner Ezra Landry. But he said substituting wide receiver James Vernon was not a bad call.
“Vernon is a very dangerous return guy,” Richardson said. “But we were concerned about him because we use him as a wide out. But (Antonio) Overstreet and (Gerald) Holmes did well also.”
The trio combined for 107 yards on seven returns. Vernon ended the game with seven rushes for 52 yards.
Jags quarterback Quincy Richard had the difficult task of facing the second best pass defense in the SWAC and he was immediately pressured in the opening drive of the game, but he completed 25 of 33 passes for 299 yards and threw one touchdown.
Relieving some of the pressure was Jags junior wide receiver Alfred Ard four minutes into the game for a 5-yard touchdown run.
“We just had to get ourselves together,” Richard said. “We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we’ve been doing it all season and we had to be composed.”
For the first time this season, Southern allowed an opponent to score a touchdown from within the red zone when Tigers’ senior quarterback Robert Kent responded late in the first quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Early in the second quarter, Kent left the game after receiving a large cut on his left arm. Backup quarterback Brian Green picked up where he left off by connecting with senior wide receiver Tim Manning for a 24-yard touchdown pass touchdown that resulted in Southern trailing 14-7, for only the second time this season.
Green left the game completing nine of 12 and passed for 68 yards, one touchdown and received one sack.
Richard took matters in his own hands scoring two touchdown runs and ended the half with Southern ahead 21-14.
I wanted to win this game at all costs,” said Richard. “If it meant giving up my body by rushing and taking hits, then I had to do it.”
After giving up his body, Richard gave the Jags another touchdown, delivering a 10-yard touchdown pass to wide out Lionel Joseph.
Kent returned to play with 6:22 left in the third quarter, but not before Green was sacked by Jags’ defensive back Victor Phillips.
We had opportunities, but just didn’t take advantage of them,” said Tigers’ head coach James Bell. “Southern ran the ball better, threw better, screened better and drew better. Most people who perform better with the ball tend to end up winning.”
Kent failed to capitalize after his return and with ten seconds left in the third quarter, Tigers’ kicker Ashcher Ashley committed an illegal kick into Southern’s end zone as a result of a bad snap on a punt. The play resulted in a safety for Southern, propelling the Jags’ to a 30-14 lead.
With 8:20 left in the game, the Tigers’ gained life after a 55-yard catch by wide receiver Chris Jones, bringing the ball to the Southern one yard line, where defensive lineman Kevin Mack recovered a fumble by Tigers’ rusher Kevin Lee.
JSU attempted another late game resurgence with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Kent to wide receiver Kenneth Davis, but they failed to score on the two-point conversion.
Kent left the game 11 of 21 for 124 yards, one touchdown and was sacked twice. Southern rusher Kenneth Peoples played an intricate part in the Jags’ win, rushing 16 times for 77 yards.
Richard and senior defensive back Lenny Williams received SWAC Player of the Week honors for their performance against JSU.
Williams had nine tackles, a forced fumble and two passes deflected.
