Southern University head coach Terrence Graves has yet to name a starting quarterback as his team prepares to face Jackson State on Saturday at 6 p.m. at A.W. Mumford Stadium. This match marks the first game of the season that will count towards the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) standings, adding urgency to the decision.
During a media session on Tuesday, Graves referenced comments made by Jackson State’s head coach T.C. Taylor, who described his own quarterback situation as a positive one. Taylor remarked, “We got two guys that can play. That’s a great situation,” when discussing his team’s performance in a recent game. Graves expressed a similar sentiment regarding his own quarterbacks, highlighting the potential of both players vying for the starting position.
Southern’s options include junior transfers Ashton Strother from Coahoma Community College and Cam’Ron McCoy from Jackson State. The decision on who will take the field as the starter will depend on their performance in practice throughout the week. Graves noted, “We’ll make the decision towards the end of the week,” emphasizing his willingness to utilize multiple quarterbacks if necessary.
The Jaguars currently hold a record of 1-3, and their offense has struggled, ranking 11th in the SWAC with an average of just 130.5 passing yards per game and ninth in scoring with 15.5 points per game. These statistics reflect inconsistencies at the quarterback position, as Southern has rotated through four different signal callers this season.
Strother, who joined the team just a week before the season opener, showcased his abilities during Southern’s recent loss to Fresno State, where he completed 9 of 14 passes for 127 yards. His performance included a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, earning praise from Graves for stepping up under pressure. “I thought he played well,” Graves stated, noting Strother’s ability to adapt quickly to the offensive scheme.
Conversely, McCoy has faced challenges in his appearances, averaging 79 passing yards per game, the lowest among SWAC quarterbacks who have started at least two games. He recorded a completion percentage of just 50%, and in limited action against Fresno State, he completed only 1 of 4 passes for 4 yards. Despite his struggles in the passing game, McCoy’s mobility is an asset; he has rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Graves has consistently indicated that he does not believe in the necessity of naming one definitive starter to secure success in college football. His focus remains on fielding the best players to enhance the team’s overall performance. “In a perfect world, yeah, you want to have one guy to go out there,” he acknowledged. “But then, in the real world, if you got athletes, you need to use your athletes and increase your chances of winning.”
As the weekend approaches, the Jaguars seek to improve their offensive output against a formidable Jackson State team, currently ranked at the top of the BOXTOROW national HBCU media poll. The outcome of this game may depend on the effectiveness of Southern’s quarterback strategy as they look to turn their season around.
