STWF Sports| BIRMINGHAM, Ala.| August 29, 2026 — Southern University showed flashes of what its offense can become under new head coach Marshall Faulk, but Alabama State’s second-half response proved too much as the Hornets rallied for a 30-17 victory Saturday in the Birmingham Football Classic at Legion Field.

The Southern Advantage: Key Takeaways from the Game

The Jaguars controlled much of the opening half, using a balanced attack and steady quarterback play from Christian Johnson to build an early advantage. Southern’s offense moved the ball effectively on the ground, while its defense kept Alabama State from finding consistent rhythm.

Southern struck first late in the opening quarter when Mike Franklin broke loose for a 29-yard touchdown run with 3:25 remaining. The score gave the Jaguars an early boost and set the tone for a productive first half.

Johnson extended the lead early in the second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run, helping Southern push its advantage to 17-3. Nathan Zimmer later added a 33-yard field goal with 3:03 left before halftime, giving the Jaguars a 17-10 edge.

Alabama State trimmed the margin just before the break when Andrew Abu-Akel connected on a 33-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining, sending Southern into halftime with a 17-13 lead.

The second half told a different story.

Southern continued to move the football into Alabama State territory but struggled to finish drives. A critical interception ended one promising possession, while the Jaguars failed on fourth down during each of their final two drives.

Those missed opportunities allowed Alabama State to seize momentum and take control late.

Southern finished just 4-for-14 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth down, numbers that proved costly in a game where the Jaguars otherwise matched up well statistically.

Despite the loss, Southern finished with 335 total yards and held a narrow 161-159 advantage on the ground. The Jaguars also controlled possession for 31:27, nearly three minutes longer than Alabama State.

Johnson accounted for the majority of Southern’s offense in his first appearance of the season. He completed 17 of 27 passes for 174 yards with one interception and added a team-high 81 rushing yards on 14 carries with one touchdown. His longest run covered 22 yards.

Daejawn Smith led the receiving corps with four catches for 76 yards, including a 41-yard reception. Smith also finished with a team-best 106 all-purpose yards.

Trey Holly contributed 38 rushing yards on 15 carries and added three receptions for 22 yards. Franklin made the most of limited opportunities, rushing three times for 34 yards, highlighted by his first-quarter touchdown.

Southern’s defense received strong individual efforts throughout the afternoon. Tay James and Bryson Jennings each recorded nine tackles to lead the Jaguars. Jennings added a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry.

Herman Brister III finished with six tackles and one tackle for loss, while Ckelby Givens recorded four tackles, two tackles for loss and Southern’s only sack. Ty Lee also made an impact in coverage with two pass breakups.

Zimmer was effective on special teams as well, converting his lone field-goal attempt and averaging 40.3 yards on six punts. Three of those punts were downed inside Alabama State’s 20-yard line.

For Southern, the opener offered both encouragement and a clear lesson.

The Jaguars demonstrated explosiveness, physicality and balance early, but the inability to finish second-half possessions ultimately shifted the game in Alabama State’s favor.

Southern now turns its attention to its home opener in Baton Rouge, where the Jaguars are scheduled to face Kentucky State on Sept. 5.