The Southern Jaguars were riding momentum before their most recent matchup against the Florida A&M Rattlers. The Jags entered the game after winning a high-stakes matchup against the Alcorn State Braves. However, the Jags have historically been on the losing side in the all-time series against the Rattlers, coming in 24-37-1. Furthermore, the Jags haven’t beaten the Rattlers in Bragg Memorial Stadium since 2001 and overall since 2012. However, the Jags looked to change that narrative.
The Jags had a decent opening driving, concluding with senior kicker Joshua Griffen making a 50-yard field goal, allowing the Jags to take an early lead 3-0. The Southern defense was getting gashed by the Rattlers’ offense, but the Dog Day Defense would come alive by junior linebacker Vincent Paige Jr. forcing a fumble, being recovered by junior safety Elijah West to end the Rattlers’ opening possession. However, everything that did go well early would not enhance for the rest of the game.
For Southern, the passing game has been far from consistent and effective. Unfortunately, that would be on display again in this game. Junior quarterback Noah Bodden completed 4 out of his first 10 passes to start the game, equivalent to a 40 percent completion rate. Furthermore, some of the big play opportunities were not able to be successful due to miscommunication and off-target passing. Bodden finished the game with 8 for 18 with 45 passing yards and an interception.
Bodden responded with his analysis on the game per WAFB Channel 9 News, “It’s not really so much of what they was doing, it’s more of what we didn’t do. Um, yeah, that’s pretty much it. I mean kudos to them; they played a good ball game. We didn’t; they got the dub. We got to play tough and grit. We got to play with some grit, and we didn’t play with enough grit today. We struggled obviously, um, we didn’t play well enough. We got to fix the mistakes and come back better for next week in Alabama.”
Southern’s defense would hang on the best that they could with the offensive struggles they were having, but ultimately the Jags ran out of gas and would add a 46-yard field goal late in the 3rd quarter. Despite the Jags utilizing the depth at the running back position and freshman quarterback Czavian Teasett appearing, the Jags would lose 6-24.
Southern would finish the day with 122 rushing yards, 83 passing yards, and 205 total offensive yards. Also, Southern would not score a touchdown, marking the first time since 2022 against Jackson State (35-0). Southern did not do well in 3rd down conversion, converting twice on 16 attempts, equivalating to 12.5 percent.
Head Coach Terrance Graves expressed his thoughts on the team performance to WAFB Channel 9 News, “We moved the ball up and down the field, and then it was, you know, just a mistake here, mistake there, mistake here, mistake there, so it was like hey we got to, we put Teasett in to try and get something going, but you know we got to figure it out in a hurry.”
Southern is still in first place in the SWAC West, but the offensive woes continue. Southern will take on the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on November 2nd, 2024, in Huntsville, Alabama, at Louis Crews Stadium at 2 PM.
