Southern dismantles Jackson State, 41-7

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana | In front of 20,575 fans, Southern University Jaguars jumped out to a 21-0 first-half lead, cruising to a 41-7 dismantling of the Jackson State University Tigers, Saturday night at the A.W. Mumford Stadium on the campus of Southern University.

Special teams continue to be the workhorse for the Jaguars setting up the first scoring drive when Demario Houston took Jackson State second punt back 37 yards to the Jackson State 29 yard lines. Southern Ladarius Skelton scored on the fourth play of the drive on a 15-yard scamper up the sideline to take an early 7-0 lead.

Southern's dog day defense held Jackson State to their second three-plays and out on the next drive. SU's defense recorded six three and outs.

The Jaguar's offense recorded their second touchdown, on a ten-play 75-yard drive capped by a 27-yard Skelton toss to receiver Trey Smith, his fifth receiving touchdown this season.

That was all the offense Southern needed. Specials teams and defense took over.

In the second quarter, cornerback Demerio Houston scored his first career defensive touchdown on a scoop and score, picking up a fumble caused by Calvin Lunkins at the Jackson State 42-yard line and taking it to the house after some nifty blocking from the defensive unit to extend the lead, 21-0 going into halftime.

Southern has outscored their opponents 56-0 in the last three games. Only given up 22 points, since the second-half versus Alabama A&M a span of 14 quarters.

Jackson State recorded their first score on a Warren Newman 42-yard punt return to cut the lead, 21-7.

The Jaguar's special team answered right back with a Shontega Thomas 92-yard kickoff returns up the visitor sideline to extend the lead, 28-7.

Southern's freshman Martell Fontenot added two consecutive field goals of 31-yards and 42-yards to add to the lead, 34-7.

Southern's Jordan Lewis capped the scoring with the most improbable play of his young career, sacking JSU quarterback, caused the fumble and then recovering the fumble at the Jackson State 36-yard line and taking it to the house to cap the scoring, 41-7.

Jackson State were shut out of the first half, crossing midfield only once on seven drives, setting the stage for the blowout loss.

Southern currently sits in first place of the Western Division title race. The Jaguars control their own destiny, win and they are in the 2018 Toyota Southwestern Athletic Football Championship game.

The Jags will have a bye week before facing the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. UAPB fell to Grambling State University to overtime, 45-38. Southern will be back in action November 10, for high school day, and senior day, kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.



Courtesy Herman Shelton, Assistant Director, Sports Information
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY JAGUARS SPORTS INFORMATION