The Southern defense put some eye-popping numbers on the stat sheet in Saturday’s 42-10 victory over Savannah State, but as a group it couldn’t be completely happy, especially because of one play.
The Jaguar defense allowed the Division II Tigers one first down and 65 yards while shutting down an offense with several returning senior starters, including quarterback Jadon Adams.
But it was that one play — an 81-yard scoring run by Adams — that kept it from being a perfect night.
“We were pretty sharp but not as sharp as we’d like to be,” linebacker Derrick Williams said. “There were some mistakes made out on the field. We need to get back to the drawing board and clean it up.
“(The touchdown play) was a mistaken blitz, a mental error on our side. He’s a good athlete, a mobile guy with some fast legs. He outran me on that play. We’ve seen guys like him before. We’re going to see many more like him in the future.”
Without that TD run, Southern would have allowed the Tigers minus-16 yards. The Jaguars nearly had Adams trapped behind the line, but he skirted left end and as he approached the sideline, Southern tacklers appeared to let up. Adams raced right by defensive back Xavier Spencer. That play accounted for Savannah State’s only first down.
Savannah State was 0 for 11 on third-down conversions, rushed for 50 yards on 21 carries and possessed the ball for only 17 minutes, 47 seconds.
“We played lights out, but it wasn’t the best we can do,” defensive end Darrius Harry said. “We have another level we can reach and we have to keep working to reach that level.”
Rolling the dice
Southern took a huge gamble in the second quarter in a game it already trailed in. With fourth-and-inches at the 42-yardline, Southern subbed in its heavy formation and quarterback Noah Bodden kept the ball on a quarterback sneak. It looked dangerously close but the Jaguars got a generous spot and made the first by less than a yard.
Offensive line
Southern went with the same starting group of Cameron Foster and Cortney Lyles at tackles, Antonio Sanders and D’Andre Richard at guards and Josh Trask at center. The second unit had Bryan Wallace and Joseph Gonzales at tackles, Christian Garcia and Carmelo Crump at guards and Juan Gonzales at center. The line struggled, especially early in the game, to control the line of scrimmage. The line also allowed four sacks and had two holding calls plus a false start penalty.
Injury
Offensive lineman Ethan Jupiter was not available and was spotted on the sideline with a harness on his right shoulder.
Numerology
This was the first meeting between Southern and Savannah State. ... It was Southern’s third home-opening victory in four seasons and fourth in the past six. ... Coach Terrence Graves improved his record at Southern to 2-1. ... SSU’s Aaron Kelton is now 4-18. ... The loss was the eighth consecutive for the Tigers. ... Southern has 53 Louisiana natives on its roster. ... The game kicked off Southern’s 96th season at Mumford Stadium, which opened in 1928.