Southern/Alcorn State gameday: Jaguars defense is coming around just in time, plus Luke Johnson's four downs

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern defensive coordinator Trei Oliver figured it would take about this long for his defense to start to shine, but he expected it all the same.

The Jaguars are six games into the season — which they hope is their halfway point, if they earn a berth in the SWAC championship game — and are starting to show signs of defensive prowess.

Though this year's Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Jackson State teams will never be considered offensive juggernauts, the Jaguars defense has turned in two of its better performances in back-to-back weeks, allowing averages of 20.5 points and 306 yards.

“They’re starting to get it,” Oliver said. “We knew it was going to be a process. And, not to keep harping on it, but without spring ball, we knew it was going to be a little slow with all the young guys we have playing. But we’re about where we expected to be. Now they’re starting to understand gap control; they’re starting to understand pass coverage and the different zone coverages we’re playing.”

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