Five Jags score in 53-7 lopsided win over UAPB

In the Southern University Jaguars football team’s 53-7 thrashing over the Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, it only took Jags’ sophomore wide receiver James Vernon two minutes to get on the scoreboard. That 59-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quincy Richard was definitely an indicator of the remaining 48 minutes that UAPB would have to suffer.
Southern’s “Dog-Day” defense was faced with going against a UAPB squad known recently for their late-game comebacks. Led by junior quarterbacks Antonio Lovelady and John Pierce, the Golden Lions have outscored their opponents 94-74 in the second half of their games this season.
Southern refused to give UAPB that luxury on Saturday.
Lovelady and Pierce were held to pass165 yards, of which Lovelady threw only 23.
“I don’t know what it is. We were taken out of the ball game,” said UAPB head coach Lee Hardman. “We were taken out of our game plan a little bit quicker than we thought.”
Richard was effective on both land and air, completing 14 of 16 passes for 255 yards and rushing six times for 78 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown came with just under four minutes left in the first quarter.
“He’s having a great year,” said Richardson. “I think that if we can protect him and build a lot of confidence, then he can take the ball where it’s supposed to be.”
With 10:47 left in the second quarter, Richard took the ball to Vernon once again for another score. One of Richard’s two incompletions came when he failed the two-point conversion afterwards, but the 11-yard touchdown pass had Hardman looking at the scoreboard with his Golden Lions behind 26-0.
Southern’s defense continued to protect the field as if it were Fort Knox. Senior defensive backs Erin Damon and Eddie Woods combined for 14 total tackles. Damond also received an interception while junior defensive back Gabe LaFrance garnered ten tackles.
Senior defensive lineman Jonathan St. Cyr got two tackles, one interception and deflected a pass while junior linebacker Rene’ Gettridge recorded two tackles a sack.
By the end of regulation, UAPB would suffer six turnovers, including two fumbles and four interceptions.
In the first half of the game, Southern held UAPB to only 61 passing yards and although the Golden Lions had 144 rushing yards, they were forced to fumble three times.
“When we got down inside the 5-yard line two or three times and came up with nothing, we gave Southern an opportunity to run the clock and make some good plays,” Hardman said. “They were very effective tonight.”
The next score by the Jags was a take-back by senior defensive back Lenny Williams. Wlliams intercepted a throw by Pierce at the Southern 2- yard line and 98 yards later, produced his second touchdown return of his career and the longest return in Southern’s history. Williams finished the game with six tackles, two pass deflections and one INT.
“We had been watching the tape all week,” said Williams. “I was able to get the interception and I am just trying to play well for my team. We are the ‘Dog Day’ defense and I have to play like an MVP for my team.”
UAPB did not get a chance to score until 11:40 in the third quarter, when junior running back Billy Moody rushed 25 yards for a score. But his score wasn’t before senior tight end Roderick Jones and senior wide receiver Drayton Bridges scored two more touchdowns.
“I am just happy that I get the chance to make big plays,” said Bridges.
The Jags led UAPB 40-7 at that point, but they refused to become stagnant after Moody’s touchdown. Richard ran 5 yards for another score with 2:23 left on the clock in the third quarter. Although freshman kicker Montie Ackley failed on the point-after attempt on both of Richard’s rushing touchdowns, he was able to convert when senior quarterback Kurvis Sharp replaced Richard in the fourth quarter and scored on a 9-yard run.
Richardson was able to get a look at Richard, Sharp and junior backup quarterback Thomas Ricks in Saturday’s loipsided victory.
In addition to Sharp’s first career touchdown, Ricks passed for 9 yards and completed one pass.
Richard and Williams received SWAC Player of the Week honors for their performance. Freshman Jarmaul George’s four tackles, two pass deflections and a 25-yard interception return earned a notable performance nod from from the SWAC.
Southern is now ranked 18th in the current ESPN/USA Today Division I-AA polls.