TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Southern spoke last week like a team that still believed it had championship aspirations.
Coach Marshall Faulk’s team played like it on Saturday.
The Jaguars blew out Florida A&M 42-14 on Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium, winning by its largest margin in two years. Southern (4-5, 2-3 SWAC) snapped a six-game losing streak to the Rattlers and beat FAMU (2-7, 1-4) on the road for the first time since 2001.
“Like I told the kids, we didn't come this far just to come this far,” Faulk said of the long trip. “For the most part of four quarters, controlling the pace of the game, controlling the line of scrimmage and doing the things that we set out to do in order to get the victory.”
Southern had a favorable matchup against a FAMU defense that was allowing the most rushing yards per game in conference play (234.5).
Southern running back Trey Holly was the focal point early and often. He finished with 206 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 25 attempts. He is the first Southern running back to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in a season since Herbert Edwards in 2017.
“That’s great, that actually feels good,” Holly said about the feat. “Once again, shout out my offensive linemen. I couldn’t have done it without those guys, so I want to thank those guys. They make my job a lot easier.”
The Jaguars' first four plays were carries by Holly, who entered the game leading the SWAC in both attempts (174) and rushing yards (829).
Holly was used in the wildcat formation multiple times, including for a 1-yard touchdown that capped the 66-yard drive. Holly had six carries for 25 yards, and quarterback Christian Johnson completed a 32-yard throw on a play-action pass to wide receiver Cam Jefferson during the drive.
Johnson continued to have success on play-action plays on the next drive. After faking a handoff to backup tailback Mike Franklin, he flicked it for 32 more yards to Daejawn Smith, who was tackled at the opposing 19-yard line.
On third-and-goal from the 10-yard line, running back Champ Davis received good blocking from his offensive line during his touchdown carry, giving the Jaguars a 14-0 lead with 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter. It was the freshman’s first touch after missing the last five games because of a shoulder injury.
Holly was difficult to bring down on first contact and showcased his speed. His best play was a 65-yard touchdown carry, squeezing through a tight hole up the middle and sprinting past any FAMU defender in the second and third levels. That gave Southern a 21-7 lead with 9:52 remaining in the second quarter. With less than three minutes left in the contest, he ripped off another 67-yard run down the left sideline.
The Jaguars closed with 312 yards rushing compared to FAMU’s 87.
“We're gonna run the football,” Faulk said. “That's just what we hang our hat on. You know we like playing physical football upfront, and you know then we'll throw off of that.”
FAMU tends to do most of its damage through the air as it is fourth in passing yards per game (235.8) in the SWAC.
The Rattlers offense began to come alive in the second quarter. Freshman quarterback Armond Parker connected with Jayquan Reid for a 23-yard reception, where the receiver dodged a Southern tackler to clear his path to make the score 14-7.
Parker wasn’t able to build off the successful drive. The Jaguars consistently pressured him in the backfield to force a few inaccurate passes when he wasn’t under duress.
Southern strengthened its stranglehold once it started forcing turnovers. Cornerback Michael Williams was the primary beneficiary, picking up two interceptions.
He intercepted a pass after the intended FAMU target Jamar Taylor tipped the ball. Williams returned it 17 yards, starting the Jaguars at the opposing 31-yard line. He topped himself when he jumped an underthrown pass, caught it in stride and took off for 98 yards to the end zone for a pick-six.
The momentous play gave Southern a 35-7 lead with 4:53 remaining in the second quarter. The poorly thrown pass that resulted in the interception was aided by Southern linebacker Tay James, who delivered a hit as Parker threw the ball.
Parker had been turnover-prone before this game. He threw eight interceptions in his six previous games, which is tied for the second-most in the SWAC.
Southern didn’t ask its quarterback to throw much with the success it had on the ground. Johnson completed 7 of 9 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.
The redshirt junior’s lone touchdown was a 10-yard pass to tight end Aiden Valdez, who caught it with one hand and then secured it with both. Valdez was uncovered after Johnson faked a handoff to the running back and an end around to a receiver.
Southern’s next game is against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium.