JACKSON, Miss — Southern ends the 2022 season as the SWAC Runner-up, after they fell to Jackson State 43-24.
It was a busy first year as head coach for Eric Dooley. He led the Jaguars back to a winning record, won the Bayou Classic, and made them SWAC West champions. Yet the season did not hold up to his standards.
“I hate to be so harsh, but it’s a failure to me because we didn’t win a championship. I only set out for one goal, to win it all.” Dooley said. “So in my mind as a team, they did well. As a coach, I didn’t do everything I needed to do to make sure that we were successful to win the game. To win a championship.”
Turnovers that turned into touchdowns early in the game put the Jaguars behind 26-0 in the first quarter.
It wasn’t until Southern’s third option at quarterback, Glendon “Bubba” McDaniel stepped in that the Jags started to move the ball and scored in the second quarter on a 4-yard run by McDaniel. SU actually outscored JSU 24-17 after he entered the game.
“You always prepare like you’re the starter, even if you’re not a starter. So that’s what my mindset and that’s how I go about every week.” McDaniel said about being called upon.
However he too was unsatisfied with the final result, just like his third head coach in his 6 years at Southern.
“I wish we could have ended with a ring. I’ve been to three SWAC championship games. Came up empty handed three times. So that’s really it, I just wanted a ring.”
The Jags end the year 7-5, 5-3 in the SWAC, and a perfect 5-0 at A.W. Mumford Stadium. Yet an inability to score points on the road proved to be their most prevalent issue.
Watch the video for analysis and to hear more from the players..