Jaguars Fall to McNeese 21-7 Despite Dominant First Three Quarters
LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Southern University Jaguars controlled the game for the first 50 minutes, but special teams struggles in the final quarter allowed McNeese to secure a 21-7 victory before a crowd of 16,000 at Cowboys Stadium.
"It was tough to play almost mistake-free for three quarters and then have that happen," said Jaguars coach Terrence Graves. "I've seen it before, and it's never a good feeling. But we've got something to review on film and improve upon."
The Jaguars took an early lead in the second quarter when freshman running back Barry Remo scored his first collegiate touchdown with a one-yard run. Quarterback Noah Bodden showcased his ability to evade pressure, find open receivers, and keep drives alive.
Running back Kobe Dillon led the Jaguars' ground attack with 52 yards on 14 carries. The tight ends were the primary targets in the passing game, combining for 73 of the 132 total passing yards. Dupree Fuller caught four passes for 36 yards, while Jermaine Minor Jr. added 37 yards on two receptions.
Defensively, the Jaguars continued to shine in critical moments. Safety Jamarius Brown led the team with seven tackles, including one for a loss, and a sack. Junior All-American linebacker Ckelby Givens made his presence felt with six tackles and one tackle for loss. Senior defensive tackle Willie Miles anchored the defensive line, contributing five tackles and three quarterback hurries, consistently disrupting the McNeese offense.
Despite their strong performance for most of the game, the Jaguars were unable to close it out, resulting in a disappointing loss.
