Homecoming: The Jaguars put on a show for Alumni against the Lincoln Oaklanders!

The Southern University Jaguars come into this game after a soul-crushing game against FAMU, which ended in a 26-19 loss for the Jaguars. However, for the Jaguars, it’s a new day as they hope to dominate their opponent, The Lincoln Oaklanders, on this year’s Homecoming. Going into today’s game, both teams aim to get a statement win as Southern aims to get back to .500, and Lincoln is still searching for their first win of the season. As the Jags came out on the field, they immediately struck fast on the board in the first quarter with a 90-yard kickoff return by graduate student transfer wide receiver from Prairie View A&M, Jalion Howard, for a touchdown. On the second possession, graduate student transfer running back from Alabama A&M Gary Quarles Jr. would punch it in from 9 yards out for another score to make the score officially 14-0 with 7:51 left in the first quarter. The following kickoff followed in a muffed kick that Southern recovered at the 40-yard line. This led to a 38-yard bomb to George Qualls Jr., topped off with a 2-yard rush for a touchdown by junior running back Kendric Rhymes. With 6:42 left on the clock in the first quarter, Southern had leaped to a 21-0 lead over the Oaklanders. By the end of the first quarter, the score was 28-0, with no end in sight to the absolute domination. In the second quarter, the Jaguars started slow, turning it over on downs after driving the ball down to Lincoln’s 33-yard line. Lincoln took advantage and fired back with a 43-yard bomb down the field. This eventually led the way for Lincoln to get on the board off a 7-yard rush to make the score 28-6 with 6:02 left in the second quarter. The second-quarter slump would continue as graduate student quarterback Harold Blood would throw an interception at the 35-yard line, giving the ball back to the Oaklanders. This would lead to a 22-yard touchdown pass to Teriq Phillips, making the score 28-12 off another failed 2-point conversion going into halftime. During halftime, it was announced that the Southern Million Dollar March rose over one hundred million dollars. Twenty million dollars was donated to Southern during halftime by the Southern Foundation. The Oaklanders would start the second half with the ball but would quickly go three-and-out as they would end up punting it away. This would lead to Southern scoring on a 44-yard rush to make the score 35-12. The Oaklanders would then make a long 17-yard-play, 85-yard drive down the field for a touchdown off an 11-yard pass to Otis Weah. The score would officially be 35-18 after another failed 2-point conversion attempt. The blunders for Southern would keep coming as a fumble, and a failed 4th down conversion would lead to a turnover on downs at their forty-five-yard line. The Jaguar defense would force a punt back to the offense at the beginning of the fourth quarter. After the offense racked up multiple penalties, Harold Blood connected with redshirt freshman wide receiver Darren Morris for a 98-yard bomb, making it 42-18. The offense would then get the ball right back as the defense would force a fumble and recover it on Lincoln’s 22-yard line. The drive would end in a field goal, making the scare 45-18. The sophomore quarterback transfer from Grambling State, Noah Bodden, would be subbed in deep into the fourth quarter as the game was winding down. The game would end with a Southern victory, 45-18. After the game, when asked about his receivers, Blood said, “They all can go…there was no drop-off.” He also shared his thoughts on George, Jalion, and Darren getting their first touchdowns of the season this week, saying, “It was very special.” Next week, the Jaguars will go on the road to play Bethune-Cookman in Jacksonville, Florida, at EverBank Field at 3 p.m.