Keys: Southern plays hard in win over UAPB

• By PERRYN KEYS
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 2, 2009

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They were 316 miles from home. They were beaten up, physically exhausted and emotionally spent.

For the first time this season, their fans were outnumbered.

And that was before the game started.

Saturday afternoon at Golden Lion Stadium, the Southern Jaguars squared off against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and ... well, come to think of it, what were the Southern Jaguars really playing for?

Not much.

Sure, they had a mathematical chance at reaching the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, but it wasn’t realistic. Still isn’t.

The game was nine days after an emotional, high-stakes showdown against Prairie View — one that ended in the most heartbreaking fashion, when a late turnover prevented SU from winning.

Had the Jaguars beaten Prairie View, they’d be in the Western Division driver’s seat right now. But thanks to that loss, they’re practically out of the title-game picture.

Still, when UAPB teed up a football and kicked off Saturday, the Jaguars decided to play hard. Their offense was hot early on, in rhythm — and later, as the Golden Lions drove closer and closer to the SU goal line and a potential game-tying touchdown, the Jaguars’ ailing defense could have easily rolled over.

Instead, they forced a game-changing fumble, and the SU offense finished with a flourish in a 24-10 win.

Saturday’s victory was a display of heart, mental fortitude and an appetite for victory, even when there wasn’t much on the line.

That’s why it was so impressive. In less-than-desirable conditions, Southern didn’t take a dive.

Instead, the Jaguars dug deeper and took control.