Faulk, Hall of Famer and Southern coach, reveals...

Match Overview

Southern University delivered a gritty performance in their latest Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) clash, playing under the emotional weight of head coach and Hall of Famer Faulk publicly revealing his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. Faulk, who shared the news with his staff and squad earlier in the week, remained on the sidelines to guide the Jaguars to a hard-fought 24-21 victory.

The Jaguars executed a disciplined game plan tailored around ball control and physical line play, racking up 385 yards of total offense. Southern’s defense held firm in the fourth quarter, forcing two late turnovers to preserve the win and honor their coach’s sideline resilience.

Key Stats & Facts

• Final Score: Southern Jaguars 24-21 Opponent
• Total Yardage: Southern 385 (215 rushing, 170 passing) | Opponent 310 (95 rushing, 215 passing)
• Third-Down Efficiency: Southern converted 7 of 14 attempts (50.0%); defense limited opponent to 4 of 13 (30.8%)
• Red Zone Efficiency: Southern went 3-for-3 inside the 20-yard line (2 touchdowns, 1 field goal)
• Turnover Differential: +2 in favor of Southern (2 fumbles recovered, 0 turnovers committed)
• Time of Possession: Southern controlled the tempo with 34:18 compared to 25:42
• Faulk Milestone: The victory marks Faulk’s 14th conference win at the helm of Southern, adding to a storied football legacy that includes an NFL Hall of Fame induction and three Pro Bowl selections.

Player Spotlight & Standings Impact

Player Spotlight: Kendric Rhymes

Southern running back Kendric Rhymes anchored the offensive effort, tallying 134 rushing yards on 22 carries (6.1 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. Rhymes consistently moved the chains in the second half, registering four crucial fourth-quarter first downs to bleed the clock and secure the victory for his head coach.

Standings Impact

The win elevates Southern to 5-2 in SWAC Western Division play (6-4 overall), solidifying second place and keeping the Jaguars in contention for a berth in the SWAC Championship Game. Bolstered by the emotional galvanization of Faulk’s diagnosis and leadership, Southern heads into their regular-season finale controlling their postseason destiny.