Jags, Devils set for ESPNU clash

 
The Jaguars won’t have to travel 1,070 miles to face their next opponent, as they host Mississippi Valley State today in their Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at 6:30 p.m.
The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU (Cox Cable Channel 243/1243 HD, AT&T U-Verse Channel 605/1605 HD).
 The Jaguars are coming of a 66-21 loss to Football Bowl Subdivision member New Mexico.
Since that season opening loss the Jaguars have taken time to recover and prepare for their SWAC and home opener.
“Going into this week we are excited about playing Mississippi Valley its an opportunity for us to be in first place in the SWAC west, for teams that are actually eligible in our conference,” said head coach Stump Mitchell.
Texas Southern is 1-0 this year but the NCAA suspended the Tigers for having a low Academic Progressing Rate.
Stopping the run game will be key in the Jaguars success against MSVU today.
The last time SU faced the Delta Devils Southern’s defense gave up 230 yards on the ground in a close 28-21 win in Itta Bena, Miss.
The Jaguar defense gave up 347 yards on the ground against the Lobos.
“During the off week we had a lot of time to really focus on the mistakes that we made and put it behind us,” cornerback Virgil Williams said. “This game we want to come out and make a statement as well as the team but most importantly the defense.”
The Jaguars had issues containing opponents on the ground last season, finishing last in the SWAC allowing 185 yards on the ground.
“Its all about understanding what gap you got, understanding what’s important to you, it comes down to young men executing the call all we can do as coaches put them in position,” Defensive Coordinator Dawson Odums said,”we can’t go out on the field and execute for them, ultimately its their responsibility and we hold them accountable for doing the job that we asked them to do.”
The Delta Devils are coming off a 29-7 loss to Alabama State and have 14 returning starters (9 offense, 5 defense) including running back Trey Bateaste who rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown in their last meeting against the Jaguars.
“We got a chance to look at last year’s film and we understand some of the weaknesses of the defense that we play, we know that they have a good athlete at quarterback they also have good running backs its going to be a challenge for us to do the things that we been coached to do, stopping the run no mater who got the ball,” Odums said.