Southern Football: Jaguars Face Steep SWAC Climb

Southern University football will take the field in Tallahassee, Florida, at 2 p.m. Saturday to play Florida A&M University. The Jaguars face the Rattlers at Bragg Memorial Stadium with four games left on their season schedule. This matchup serves as the first step in a final stretch that could determine the team's standing in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.

Southern currently holds a 3-5 record overall and a 1-3 mark in conference play. Those numbers place the team tied for last in the SWAC West division. Four other teams in that division sit ahead of the Jaguars with two losses each. The reigning conference champion, Prairie View A&M, leads that group with a 4-5 overall record and a 3-2 conference slate.

Marshall Faulk is in his first year as head coach and entered the season with championship goals. He stated that he does not explicitly discuss standings with his players during practice. Faulk said the staff focuses on specific plays, series, and quarters. He described the team as being in the business of collecting small wins. Faulk noted that the team had control of its future before last week, a position that has since changed.

The Jaguars lost 24-21 to Texas Southern the previous week. Faulk said he will likely tell the team tomorrow that they no longer control their fate, though they still must play hard. He emphasized the importance of maintaining control when it was available and adapting to the current reality. The coaching staff aims to keep the focus on execution rather than the standings.

Players acknowledge the team's position in the division. Safety Herman Brister said he monitors the results of other conference games. He stated that the title is up for grabs for anybody in the league. Freshman Hunter Schnakenberg said the team does not fixate on the standings. He said the group wants to play its brand of football and let the results dictate where they land.

Linebacker Tay James, who has 59 tackles and ranks fourth in the SWAC, agreed with his teammates about the conference's volatility. He said teams lose every week in the SWAC. James said the only option for the Jaguars is to finish strong. Offensive lineman Raul Aguilar noted that the practice atmosphere did not reflect the recent loss. He said the team rule is to move past a game after 24 hours.

Aguilar mentioned that running back Trey Holly has been vocal in keeping the team positive. Holly told players in a huddle to keep doing their thing despite the recent defeat. The Jaguars must win their final four games to stay in contention for the division title. The next opportunity to do so arrives Saturday against Florida A&M.