The Southern University Jaguars are coming off of their bye week and are back in action this week against the Nicholls St Colonels. This is a big in-state game for Southern, who has another chance to assert itself as one of the premiere FCS schools in the state of Louisiana. The bye week gives Head Coach Terrence Graves and the Jags a chance to get healthy, as well as the rare midseason chance to take a look at themselves.
We spent the first couple of days working on us. We corrected some things, got some guys a chance to get some rest and rehab, and towards the end of the week, we started doing some prep for Nicholls.
Southern University Head Coach Terrence Graves
Unfortunately, not everyone is fully healthy going into the Nicholls game. Many players will be back and healthy (including defensive back Horacio Johnson), but starting quarterback Zae Teasett is doubtful to play this week.
He’s moving around well. He’s out there trying to play a little bit. He’s throwing the football around, bouncing around, and they are doing a good job of getting him back. If he had it his way, he’d probably try to go. We’ll continue to see how he goes this week, but for me personally, we are probably going to hold him.
Southern University Head Coach Terrence Graves
However, the Jags aren’t too worried about the quarterback situation without their starter, as Noah Bodden turned out a great performance in the second half of their last game against Prairie View. He threw 2 touchdowns and led the team to the big comeback victory to open conference play two weeks ago.
Noah’s the type of guy that likes to play in big moments. That was a big moment. He got in his groove, and I think that helped him,
Southern University Head Coach Terrence Graves
The Prairie View game was a big win for the entire team, but there were a number of mental mistakes made throughout. Penalties and miscommunication on defense extended Prairie View drives and led the Jags to allowing more points than their stout defense has been used to this season. The defense looks to rebound from the somewhat uncharacteristic performance, taking blame for the mistakes that took place.
When you got young men who will stand up and take accountability for what they did or didn’t do, then you always are trending in the right direction.
Southern University Head Coach Terrence Graves
Despite the mistakes in the last game, the Jags defense has maintained a level of statistical dominance throughout the first four games of the season that puts them first in the SWAC in terms of total yards allowed. There are still plenty of tests for this stout Jags defense, but they have been off to a great start to the season.
Anytime you can be first in defense, it doesn’t matter whether it’s 4 games, 6 games 12 games, you want to be first. Those guys are doing a good job with what we’re doing scheme-wise, and we are rotating and playing a lot of guys, so that helps as well.
Southern University Head Coach Terrence Graves
This week, the defense has a tough matchup against a strong Nicholls rushing attack, led by Collin Guggenheim. The Colonels and Head Coach Tim Rebowe made waves across Louisiana by going into Tiger Stadium and hanging with LSU into the 2nd half, outrushing the Tigers 150-68. This will be a big test for a Jags defense that believes in their ability to stop the run, especially with star defensive lineman Ckelby Givens.
They have a really good offensive line. They are very sound. They got after LSU’s tail. If they did that to LSU, they are going to expect to do that to us. We just have to say gap sound, be disciplined. Everyone has to do their 1 [job] of 11.
Southern University Defensive Lineman Ckelby Givens
They are a physical football team. They will try to run the football. They have some big backs, some really good running backs. They want to feature those guys. Coach Rebowe is a defensive guy like myself. He wants to be physical. Those guys play through the whistle, and they play to the edge.
Southern University Head Coach Terrence Graves
You can check out all of the press conference here!
