By Keisha J Kelley
Sept 10, 2021
Black College Experience
Last week the Jaguars faced a tough battle over in Montgomery as they played Troy University. The Jaguars scored 3 pts, while their opponent unleashed the beast with 55 points. That was last Saturday. A new week has arrived and the Jaguars are headed back "to the bluff." On Saturday at 6pm, Southern will host the Miles College Golden Bears. The last time the two met was November 9, 2002 where the final score was 28-21 and the Jags took the win.
That was almost twenty years ago. Saturday, coach Reginald Ruffin is looking for a different outcome. Miles limited the Alabama State Hornets to 22 first half plays and one lone touchdown. The game was sent into overtime and the Hornets blocked a PAT. Final score 14-13.
Southern coach Jason Rollins said that his team is preparing for Miles and is not "taking them lightly." "We are well aware of Miles College", he said. Rollins also said that he knows that Miles is a well-coached football team, aggressive on defense." They like to blitz and bring a lot of pressure no matter where they are on the field. They'll go zero coverage and bring seven guys. Offensively, they like to control the ball, slow it down and run the ball. They control the clock and limit your possessions."
Ruffin, whose team is back to back SIAC Champions, took over as athletic director three years ago and his team has garnered much success. While his team only has 36 scholarships, he has managed to win three Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. Division two or not, Ruffin looks for the best teams to match up with. Saturday's opponent against the Jaguars will be a good opponent.
Southern knows they will have to contain all-SIAC running back Donte Edwards, who rushed for 107 yards on 20 carries last week against Alabama State. They will also need to keep an eye on UAB transfer quarterback Jalen Parker, who threw a 16 yard TD pass last week that resulted in a tie. Ruffin talks about how his defensive line does a good job of holding their own ground and he is looking for them to do just that.
The Jaguars are looking to cause havoc on their opponents and force their opponents to turn the ball over. We can also look for Southern to do a lot of blitzing.
Saturday at the Pete Richardson Classic, the field will be named after the legendary coach. Richardson coached Southern to five SWAC football titles (1993,97,98,99,2003) and four Black National Championships (1993, 95, 97, 2003) as well as earning SWAC coach of the year honors five times. "Pete Richardson Field" at A.W. Mumford Stadium" will link Southern's two most successful head football coaches i the same location as Mumford won 5 black college national championships and 11 SWAC Championships during his 27 years on the bluff.