Jags looking to maintain consistency against dangerous UAPB

Consistency on offense, defense and special teams improved last week as Southern blasted Texas Southern in Houston’s Reliant Stadium, 56-7. This week the Jaguars play their first away game at an opponent’s home stadium for the first time all year when they face the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff in Golden Lion stadium on Saturday.
“I think we’re developing the consistency we need on offense, defense and special teams,” said SU head coach Pete Richardson.
Last year Southern was far from consistent as it turned the ball over six times losing to UAPB 45-20 in A.W. Mumford Stadium.
UAPB (2-7, 2-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) was a preseason pick to repeat as Western Division champion, but last years success has not translated into wins this year.
“You look at that team and they’re a preseason pick to win the west,” Richardson said. “Of course what happened to that football team has also been injuries and inconsistency.”
In fact, UAPB quarterback Chris Wallace was nominated as the SWAC preseason offensive player of the year but has since flopped belly, up splitting duty with Jonathan Moore. So far this season, Wallace is 56-for-110 for 614 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Wallace will be getting the start over Moore this week and had a big game against Southern a year ago as he went 12-for-19 for 159 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Wallace also rushed eight times for 82 yards and one touchdown.
“Wallace is going to start back at quarterback and he did an excellent job for them last year,” Richardson said.
UAPB’s running back tandem of Martel Mallett and Mickey Dean is a concern as well. Mallett leads UAPB with 113 carries for 408 yards and three touchdowns. He also has 14 receptions for 136 yards. Dean has 60 carries for 269 yards and two touchdowns with four receptions for only two yards.
“They have two excellent running backs, Dean and Mallett,” said Richardson. “Both are about six feet tall, over 215 pounds and run the ball exceedingly well. Mo Forte wants to run the football and he has two excellent running backs that can do that.”
And although Dean didn’t play in last years defeat of Southern, Mallett played a large part as he rushed 20 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Part of Southern’s game plan is to negate the run by containing Mallett and Dean. If they can do that and force UAPB to pass then this game should be similar to last as the defensive line caused chaos in Texas Southern’s backfield. UAPB’s offensive line is worst in the SWAC in terms of protecting the quarterback as they have given up 43 sacks.
“Trying to control their running game is the thing we’re going to have to do,” Richardson said. “We have to stop them in the running game and force them into throwing the football.”
UAPB and Southern are both coming off wins last week, as the Golden Lions defeated Prairie View A&M and the Jaguars defeated Texas Southern. Saturday’s contest should be a good one. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence and a lot enthusiasm and that’s going to help our football team going down the road.”
Areas of Concern
– Controlling tempo of game
– Defense giving up big plays on third and long
– Getting injured players back
Keys to Victory
– Get off to a good start offensively
– Protect the football
– Establish running game
– Prevent big plays defensively
– Contain UAPB special teams
– Contain Dean and Mallett
Player of the Week
For the second time this season Lee was named SWAC Offensive Player of the Week. He accounted for six touchdowns against Texas Southern, throwing for four and rushing for two.
Lagniappe
With its defeat of Texas Southern, Southern is now ranked fourth in this week’s Sheridan Broadcasting Poll. The Jaguars rank eighth in pass efficiency defense, 15th in pass efficiency, and 14th in rushing defense and 13th in scoring defense. Defensive backs Jarmaul George and Efe Osawemwenze are tied for 20th in interceptions.
Also, Southern’s defensive line should be looking forward to the matchup against UAPB as they will face what may be the SWAC’s worst offensive line. The Golden Lions have given up a SWAC high 43 sacks, so look for Lands and company to make plays in the backfield.