Darrius Coleman emerges in ailing SU Jaguars backfield

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - On his way off the practice field Thursday, Southern coach Stump Mitchell stopped near running back Darrius Coleman, the team’s likely starter for the season opener at New Mexico next weekend.

“He’s not starting. He’s wearing my number. I’m starting,” said Mitchell, pointing to the No. 30 jersey that he wore during his NFL career and adding that he planned to shave so as to avoid age suspicions.

Mitchell was joking, but after the rash of injuries the Jaguars have seen this fall, he’s not far from being their most able-bodied back.

With Sylvester Nzekwe (ankle) and Jerry Joseph (knee surgery) likely to miss the first game, the rushing load will fall to a group of backups, and Coleman is leading the way.

The redshirt junior has been the beneficiary of more playing time since the two starters went down, and the Jaguars will look for him to set the tone against the Lobos.

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