Southern University football team (3-0 overall) head coach Pete Richardson did not have good memories his 22-21 loss against the Aggies of North Carolina A&T State University (2-1 overall) in 1994. On Saturday, the memory became sweet as the Jags defeated them 35-16 in the Las Vegas Football Classic.
“I thought that we played a very good football team today,” said Richardson. “They were aggressive on defense and they could run the football. We were just fortunate in the second half to make some things happen for us.”
The game started as a defensive battle. For the first time this season, Southern failed to score on the opening drive and in the first quarter of the game.
On the Aggies’ second offensive drive, the Jags allowed the Aggies to score first on a field goal. This led the Jags to mark another milestone coming from behind for the first time this season.
The Aggies’ lead was short-lived. A 22-yard run by wide-out Alfred Ard sent the Jags ahead, but the point after attempt failed.
A three-yard touchdown run by junior rusher Kenneth Peoples, including a two-point conversion from Richard to senior wide out Chris Davis kicked off scoring in the third quarter. Next was another touchdown by Ard and a 25-yard touchdown pass from Richard to sophomore receiver James Vernon.
“We just had to get the ‘Vegas’ out of us,” Richard said. “We had to come together and play like we had been all season and execute.”
Richard started off the fourth quarter with a six-yard touchdown run that took the Jaguars to a 35-3 lead over the Aggies. He finished the game 25 of 32 and passed for a career high 268 yards.
The Southern defense also did their part. Freshman safety Jarmaul George got his second take-back of the season in a second quarter end zone pass attempt, along with a fourth quarter interception by senior defensive back Erin Diamond. Junior linebacker Taurus Morgan finished the game with 11 total tackles
Although the Southern defense held their previous opponents to a scoreless fourth quarter, they allowed an Aggies’ offense that never scored in the final quarter of regulation this season to score twice.
“The memory (of this game) I have is giving up those two touchdowns at the end (of the game),” said Richardson. “I think that the young players have to understand their assignments and do a better job.” The Aggies’ passing squad finished the game 12 for 32 with 234 yards and two INT’s. The rushing staff only gained 96 yards.
“I just feel like we didn’t execute,” Small said. “I think we just faced a real experienced football team and they just played better football.” Southern is now atop the SWAC’s western division standings and conference standings with three wins. The Jags are idle next week.
