Volume 67 - ISSUE 7

Page 1

Jags cautious, but ready to win for homecoming crowd

Odums: “We always want to give alumni a victory …” DIGEST NEWS SERVICE Homecoming festivities will culminate at 4 p.m. Saturday when the Southern University Jaguars football team attempts to extend its undefeated conference record against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions. The Jaguars (3-2 overall, 3-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) defeated bitter conference rival Jackson State last Saturday in a gritty 28-24 contest before a hostile Jackson, Miss. crowd of more than 33,000. Though A.W. Mumford Stadium has a capacity of just over 28,500, thousands more of the Jaguar Nation are expected to visit the Bluff throughout the day to show support. “It’s not homecoming without a win,” said Jaguars fourth-year head coach Dawson Odums. “We always want to give alumni a victory, so all of the focus is ensuring they’re (the Jaguars) ready to play.” Odums, a North Carolina Central University alum, said he understands Southern alumni are coming “home” to see where their campus contributions are going and hopes the team will impress. “This is a time for friends, family and alumni to see what’s really happening on campus,” Odums said. “They get to see

what they’ve contributed to. It’s really an informational for them while they come together to celebrate Southern. “I just make sure the team is prepared to play and the alumni see a victory.” The Jaguar Nation will expect the same, especially after last year’s heartbreaking 47-42 homecoming loss to Prairie View A&M University, when former Glen Oaks High School (Baton Rouge, La.) standout Johnta’ Hebert ruined the festivities with 284 yards of total offense and four touchdowns. “We can’t lose like that again,” said Southern alum Kelley LeBlanc, of Baton Rouge. “Last year was too much of a shock. This year, we have an opponent with one win and though I don’t expect my alma mater to take them lightly, I don’t expect my Jags to give UAPB any slack. UAPB was all but blown out 40-7 in its homecoming game last Saturday against Alabama A&M University and while the Golden Lions have an overall 1-5 record, Odums is not taking any chances. Like last season, the Jaguars were undefeated in the conference until its homecoming meeting with Prairie View. “We don’t take anyone lightly. Our goal is not to go undefeated, but go 1-and-0 every week,” he said. “We keep our focus on the now and in the moment.”

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KQXL UAPB (1-3 SWAC) will have to focus on the SWAC’s top-ranked scoring offense. Southern has scored 193 points in its five games this season. Led by senior running back Lenard Tillery and senior wideout Willie Quinn, who average 126 yards per game and 108.6 ypg, respectively. The Golden Lions’ defense is ranked ninth out of the SWAC’s 10 teams in scoring defense, allowing 36.7 points per game. Only Mississippi Valley State University has allowed more (46 ppg). JAGUAR FOOTBALL vs. ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF HOMECOMING 2016 Southern University Jaguars (3-2 overall, 3-0 SWAC) Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (1-5 overall, 1-3 overall) 4 p.m. (CST) A.W. Mumford Stadium (25,500) Baton Rouge, La. Radio: 106.5 KQXL www.gojagsports.com

Car crash leaves 5 students injured EDDIE BYNOG

NEWS EDITOR - THE SOUTHERN DIGEST

Five Southern University students were injured on campus last Friday night in a one car accident that resulted in all five passengers being ejected from the vehicle. Campus police have not released the names of the students who were in the vehicle when it struck a column of the gate surrounding University Park. According to a GroupMe message acquired by the The Southern Digest, the students had just left McDonald’s near campus and were on the way back to campus when the accident occurred. The message stated a red truck (make and model unknown) swerved in front of the white sedan as it came over the campus overpass, sending it spinning and crashing into a gate at University Park. “We were even with them going about 60 mph and the red truck cut us off,” a student in the GroupMe thread said. “Our driver hit the brakes and we started spinning until we hit the fence.” The message thread added those involved in the crash are being treated for their injuries at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and the injuries of the students ranged from broken bones to cuts and spinal damage. Two of the students are said to undergo surgery within one week. Kirk Muse, assistant to the chief of the Southern University Police Department, was asked Monday afternoon about details of the crash and the identities of the students involved, but could not provide any further information at the time of print.

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