In the opening game of theSouthern University 2004 football season, champions will collide.
The defending Southwestern AthleticConference champions, Southern University Jaguars will host the defendingSouthland Conference champions, McNeese State University Cowboys Saturday at 7p.m. in A.W. Mumford Stadium.
“It’s a game that bothcommunities have been excited about for the last two or three years andfinally, we got it worked out,” said Southern head coach Pete Richardson. “I think that the electricity in bothof those communities to have the game played (and fortunate enough to have itat our place), it is going to be a special event.”
This is the first meeting of theteams.
Last season, the Jaguars went12-1 overall last season. The Cowboys-who are also in Division I-AA-finished at10-2 overall.
Southern will have to compensatefor major absences on the squad. Two key players who the Jaguar Nation will notsee are former quarterback Quincy Richard and former wide receiver Alfred Ard.Richard, last seasons SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, has graduated andmoved on, while Ard inked a deal with Major League Baseball’s ClevelandIndians.
The Jags still have a few keyindividuals who will be prepared for the Cowboys. One is senior offensivelineman Mynia Smith. Smith, a 2004 All-SWAC and All-American, is ready to startwhere his line left off last season.
“We need to make sure the offenseis doing the right things at the right time to have a great season,” Smithsaid. “Last year we gave up eightsacks and we are looking forward to not to give up any possibly.”
