Jaguars 'Self-Sabotaged' In Loss To Hornets

The Jaguars started well, but penalties and turnovers cost Southern the season opener against the Hornets.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Everything went right for the Southern Jaguars in the first quarter.

First-year starter Harold Blood was as good as advertised, throwing 6-for-11 for 90 yards and a thread-the-needle touchdown to Kendric Rhymes in the back of the end zone on the Jaguars' first drive. Overall, the Jaguars earned nine first downs and 138 yards of total offense, an average of 6.57 yards per play. It was an impressive first glance with a new signal-caller, and they succeeded against one of the best defenses in the SWAC.

But a picture-perfect start quickly turned into a nightmare for Southern, picking up only two first downs over the next two quarters and amassing 32 total yards. The third quarter was where things unraveled for the Southern offense. In addition to an interception and a lost fumble, the Jaguars committed more penalties (3) than they did in the first half (1).

"We just self-sabotaged ourselves," Blood said after the game. "Everything we thought the defense was going to do, they did. Things like penalties are momentum and drive killers. We'd love to minimize those."

Blood finished the game with 17-for-34 attempts, 166 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. The Jaguars QB started well in the first quarter, but the rest of the game was challenging. Southern University head coach Eric Dooley also noticed the difference and elaborated on his team's performance.

Sept. 2, 2023; Southern Falls To Alabama State; Credit: Devonta Williams, Southern Athletics

"I wouldn't say complacent, but instead of settling down, moving forward, and keeping our foot on the gas, we weren't moving like we were early on," Dooley said. "The thing I'm looking for is we have to be able to cash in and score."

Dooley credited the Alabama State defense but added that the offensive struggles were more about a lack of execution. The Jaguar defense had their hands full in the early part of the game, figuring out Alabama State's combination of direct snaps and screen passes. Southern eventually caught on, but the offense was still productive throughout the night.

"When I look at it being an offensive-minded guy, the only thing you're trying to do is outnumber us," Dooley said. "You can see what they're doing. They count in the box, and they count the numbers to that side."

Even when the defense cracked the code, Dematrius Davis made the necessary throws to keep the defense honest, and a run-heavy focus became a pass-heavy focus, which helped the Hornets edge out the win. The loss was fresh, but Dooley is already turning his attention to Jackson State in a rematch of last year's SWAC Championship game.

"I'm starting right now," Dooley said. "There is no such thing as a 24-hour rule. This game is in the rearview mirror. We've got to look forward to a great Jackson State team, and we'll be ready for the challenge."

ESPN+ will televise Southern hosting Jackson State in Mumford Stadium with a 6 PM CT kickoff on Sept. 9.