Slippery Hands: How the Jaguars Fumbled against FAMU

The Southern University Jaguars took on the Florida A&M University Rattlers in a match like no other this season. The two teams have been long-time rivals in non-conference and conference matches, and this emotion-jerking game showed why. We knew this would be an intense game going in, and as the two teams went neck to neck battling for the win, these teams showed why they were both ranked at the top of their respective divisions.
As Southern entered the game, you could tell they had a cautious strategy they hoped to work. The offense came out with a fast start, just like they previously did against Pine Bluff last week. On the first play, quarterback Harold Blood executed a quick pass to Cassius Allen, who made an impressive catch for a 20-yard gain, resulting in a first down. However, the next play saw Blood under pressure, hurried by Anthony Dunn Jr., and his pass to Chandler Whitfield fell incomplete. Gary Quarles broke off for rushes of 34 and 31 yards on the Jaguars’ second possession, and transfer running back CJ Russell had an 11-yard run to put the ball at the one, where he then plowed in on the following play, scoring the first touchdown of the game. With 6:21 remaining in the first quarter, though, Southern’s Joshua Griffin could not make his field goal, leaving Southern with a 6-0 lead and starting the questionable special teams talk of the game.
As the second quarter began, the Rattlers moved the ball somewhat effortlessly as they got their first touchdown of the game. Southern then began to have slippery fingers as they fumbled a second ball, allowing FAMU to recover the ball. Then, the defense came to save the day once again. Jordan Carter intercepted a ball meant for FAMU’s Terrell Jennings, which then became the Jags possession. This is where it became hopeful for the Jaguars as the crowd cheered them on, hoping they would capitalize off this new possession. Southern scored their second touchdown with a completed deep right 72-yard pass to Chandler Whitfield. But of course, Southern football wouldn’t be Southern football without a few mistakes. Joshua Griffin’s field goal was blocked this time and recovered by FAMU’s David Manigo, who was able to return it 95 yards and allowed the Rattlers to gain those extra two points instead. With the ball now in the Rattlers’ possession, the defense tried not to let them get down the field but was showcasing tiredness at this point. As the quarterback threw multiple incomplete passes, he could throw enough to get closer and closer to the end zone, resulting in a completed three-yard touchdown that ended the quarter with a successful field goal.
After halftime, the tensions between the two teams were more than evident, as both teams began the friendly trash-talking and got a little more rowdy. No points were scored this quarter, but the defensive battle between the two continued.
Once again, Southern’s defensive unit displayed a strong performance, but their offensive inefficiency proved to be their downfall. The defense, which had been resilient throughout the game, ultimately gave way in the fourth quarter. With 11:40 left in the game, CJ Russell’s second 1-yard touchdown run momentarily put the Jaguars in the lead at 19-16. However, the defense couldn’t muster one final stop, allowing Jeremy Moussa’s touchdown pass to Jamari Gassett to become the decisive score with just 2:44 remaining on the clock.
Southern had a slim chance for a comeback. Still, their struggles with clock management left them with only enough time for a desperation Hail Mary attempt, which ultimately fell incomplete with just six seconds gone on fourth down, starting from their own 48-yard line. This allowed Florida A&M to secure a 26-19 victory at A.W. Mumford Stadium on Saturday.
With new special teams problems that haven’t been there before, defense carrying the team on their back, and offense only slightly getting better, the team has to show significant improvement if they want to see the SWAC Championship again this year. “You make mistakes, that’s human. Human Error. That happens.” Coach Eric Dooley said to press after the loss.
The Jaguars have a non-conference game next weekend against California’s Lincoln University as their homecoming game, and fans are anxious to see the improvement the team makes. If any.