STWF Sports| JACKSON, Miss.| September 26, 2026 — Southern University showed plenty of fight after halftime Saturday night, but the Jaguars could not erase a large early deficit in a 35-17 loss to Jackson State at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Southern fell to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in SWAC play, while Jackson State protected its home field in front of an announced crowd of 38,973.
The Jaguars controlled the ball for 35 minutes, 28 seconds, ran 68 offensive plays and committed no turnovers. They also scored on all three red-zone trips. But the game was shaped by Southern’s slow start and a 19-point halftime deficit that proved too much to overcome.
Jackson State struck first, but Southern answered with a methodical 14-play, 59-yard drive. Quarterback Christian Johnson converted a fourth-and-6 with a 10-yard run and later connected with Trey Holly for 22 yards to move the Jaguars into scoring range.
The drive stalled inside the 10, however, and Christopher McKenna converted a 27-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3.
From there, Jackson State created separation.
The Tigers led 14-3 after the first quarter and pushed the margin to 21-3 midway through the second. Southern responded with a six-play, 65-yard touchdown drive capped by a 6-yard Holly touchdown run, but a missed extra point left the Jaguars trailing 21-9.
Jackson State added another score before halftime to take a 28-9 lead into the break.
Southern had one final opportunity before halftime, driving from its own 27 to the Jackson State 16, but the possession ended on downs with 34 seconds remaining.
Jaguars Find Life After Halftime
Southern’s defense gave the team a chance in the third quarter by keeping Jackson State off the scoreboard.
The offense finally capitalized late in the period.
Starting at its own 39, Southern needed just five plays to cover 61 yards. Mike Franklin broke loose for a 51-yard run before finishing the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.
Holly then converted the two-point attempt, trimming the deficit to 28-17 with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter.
At that point, Southern had momentum and a legitimate opportunity to make it a one-score game.
But the fourth quarter never developed offensively.
The Jaguars’ first possession of the final period produced only two yards before a punt. The next drive lost six yards, and the final possession resulted in another three-and-out.
Southern’s three fourth-quarter drives totaled minus-5 yards, ending the comeback bid.
Jackson State eventually added a late touchdown to produce the final margin.
Holly Leads the Offensive Effort
Holly carried the offensive load for Southern, rushing 26 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 21 yards and added the two-point conversion, finishing with a team-high 118 yards from scrimmage.
Franklin provided the biggest explosive play of the night, rushing for 59 yards and a touchdown on four carries.
Johnson completed 16 of 29 passes for 153 yards without an interception. Floyd Jones caught three passes for 48 yards, while Miles Dixon also totaled 48 receiving yards, including a 38-yard reception.
Damien Henderson Jr. contributed 144 all-purpose yards, including 120 on five kickoff returns.
Defensively, Cody Morris and Darren Scott led Southern with five tackles each. Ckelby Givens added three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, while Landon Carter recorded two tackles for loss.
Southern finished with 317 total yards, including 164 rushing and 153 passing.
The Jaguars did several things well enough to stay competitive: no turnovers, solid red-zone execution, extended possession time and a third-quarter defensive shutout.
But the early deficit and stagnant fourth-quarter offense ultimately proved decisive.
For Southern, the next challenge will be turning those stretches of strong play into a complete four-quarter performance as SWAC competition continues.
