From Southern U Athletic Media Relations :
PINE BLUFF, AR. — The Southern Jaguars were able to get off to a fast start on Saturday night in front of a great football crowd at Simmons Bank Stadium on the campus of The University of Arkansas Pine Bluff by winning their 1st SWAC contest, 31-7. On a night where Pine Bluff native Ladarius Skelton returned home, he had 3 rushing touchdowns along with 157 yards passing. This was his first complete game of the season. The Southern defense stepped up to the challenge allowing only 61 yards rushing and grabbing 4 interceptions in the game.
Southern (2-3, 1-0) got on the board first at the 3:46 mark in the 1st Quarter when Skelton scored his first touchdown on a 4-yard run. Joe Davis interception setup another score 3 minutes later when Jerod Smith got his 1st career touchdown from 3-yards out to put the Jaguars up 14-0. UAPB (3-2, 1-1) got on the board before the end of the 2nd Quarter. Southern held a 14-7 halftime lead.
In the 2nd half, Ladarius Skelton galloped 19 yards for his second touchdown to put the Jaguars up 21-7 at the 3:48 mark in the 3rd Quarter. His third touchdown came in the 4th Quarter at the 8:17 mark when he rushed 5 yards to put the game out of reach as Southern led, 28-7. Cesar Barajas would add another 3 points with a 46 yard field goal.
The Jaguars had some key players in the game:
• Christopher Chaney finished with 107 yards rushing off 12 carries.
• Calvin Lunkins finished with 11 tackles and Jordan Eastling recorded a career high 8 tackles.
• Timothy Bedford had 83 yards on 9 receptions.
• Jacoby Pappillion, Joe Davis, Jordan Eastling and Tamaurice Smith each had 1 interception for the Jaguars
Up Next
Southern heads into a bye week and will look to prepare for another SWAC Western Division opponent when they host Prairie View A&M in A.W. Mumford Stadium on October 12. Kickoff is set for 6:00 pm.
Follow Southern University Athletics
For complete coverage of Southern University Athletics, please follow the Jaguars on Social Media at @SouthernUsports (Twitter), @SouthernUJaguars (Facebook), @southernusports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Southern University Athletics at gojagsports.com.
