Man, what a year for the Southern University Jaguars. If you followed the subr football schedule 2024 from the jump, you know it wasn't exactly a smooth ride. It was more like a rollercoaster that started with a few scary drops, then somehow ended with a division title and a trip to the SWAC Championship. Honestly, looking back at the schedule, it's kinda wild how Terrence Graves managed to pull this off in his first full year as head coach.
Expectations were everywhere. Some folks thought the transition would be messy. Others believed the "Blue and Gold" DNA would just carry them through. In the end, it was a bit of both. They finished 8-5 overall and a very impressive 7-1 in conference play. But the numbers don't tell the whole story. You've got to look at the specific games where this team basically refused to die.
Breaking Down the subr football schedule 2024
The season kicked off on August 31 with a tough 21-7 loss to McNeese State. Not exactly the "statement" start fans wanted. It felt a little sluggish. But things swung back around at A.W. Mumford Stadium for the Pete Richardson Classic, where they absolutely dismantled Savannah State 42-10. That's the Southern we expected to see.
Then came the middle of the season. This is where things got weird. They lost a rivalry game to Jackson State in September (15-33), which stung. A few weeks later, they got absolutely smoked by Nicholls, 51-7. If you were a Jaguar fan sitting in the stands that day, you might've been questioning everything. But that’s the thing about this 2024 squad—they had this "bend but don't break" energy.
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The turnaround started in Houston against Texas Southern. That game was a marathon. It went into overtime, but Southern squeezed out a 22-19 win. Then they beat Alcorn State for Homecoming (24-14), and suddenly the momentum shifted. By the time they hit the Florida A&M game, they were looking like real contenders, even if they dropped that specific game 24-6.
The Survival Games: Overtime and Narrow Wins
If you look at the subr football schedule 2024, you'll see a lot of "W" marks that were way closer than they should've been. Take the Bethune-Cookman game on November 9. Five. Overtimes. It was 25-23. You can't even make that up. It was the kind of game that takes years off a coach's life, but it showed that this team had some serious grit.
- August 31: at McNeese (L 7-21)
- September 7: Savannah State (W 42-10)
- September 14: at Jackson State (L 15-33)
- September 21: at Prairie View A&M (W 31-24 OT)
- October 5: Nicholls (L 7-51)
- October 12: at Texas Southern (W 22-19 OT)
- October 19: Alcorn State (W 24-14)
- October 26: at Florida A&M (L 6-24)
- November 2: at Alabama A&M (W 25-20)
- November 9: Bethune-Cookman (W 25-23 5OT)
- November 16: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (W 31-9)
- November 30: vs. Grambling State (W 24-14)
- December 7: SWAC Championship at Jackson State (L 13-41)
The Bayou Classic and the Finish Line
The 51st Bayou Classic was the peak of the regular season. Playing Grambling State in the Superdome is always the biggest game on the calendar, regardless of records. But this year, a lot was on the line. Southern came out swinging. CJ Russell scored a 1-yard touchdown early, and then things got exciting. Tylon Williams from Grambling returned a kickoff 94 yards for a TD, which had the stadium shaking.
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But the Jags held on. Kendric Rhymes—who was basically the engine of the offense late in the year—ripped off a 45-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the game away. Final score: 24-14. That win officially sent them to the SWAC Championship.
The title game was a rematch with Jackson State. Honestly, JSU was just a juggernaut in 2024. Southern fought, but they fell 41-13. Even with that loss, you can't call the season a failure. Winning the SWAC West is a big deal, especially when you consider where they were after that Nicholls blowout.
Key Players Who Defined the Season
You can't talk about the subr football schedule 2024 without mentioning the guys who actually played the snaps. Noah Bodden and Jalen Woods shared the load at quarterback. Woods, a freshman, really showed out in the Bayou Classic, throwing for 188 yards and a TD.
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On the ground, Kendric Rhymes and Kobe Dillon were a two-headed monster. Rhymes finishing the Bayou Classic with 111 yards was the cherry on top. Defensively, Herman Brister III was everywhere, and Ckelby Givens continued to be a problem for opposing offensive lines. This wasn't a team of superstars; it was a team of guys who figured out how to win ugly.
What's Next for the Jaguars?
Now that the 2024 season is in the books, the focus shifts to 2025 and beyond. Coach Graves has proven he can win the West. Now the hurdle is Jackson State and the East. Recruiting is going to be massive this offseason to find more depth, especially on the offensive line where they struggled at times.
If you're planning for next year, expect the home games at A.W. Mumford to be packed. The atmosphere in Baton Rouge is unlike anything else in the FCS.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Watch the Replays: If you missed the 5-OT thriller against Bethune-Cookman, find the highlights on the Jaguar Sports Network. It's a masterclass in tension.
- Check the 2025 Dates: The preliminary 2025 schedule starts to take shape in the late spring. Keep an eye on the official Southern University Athletics site for early season non-conference matchups.
- Support the Program: Join the Jaguar Athletic Fund. Success on the field usually follows investment off the field.
- Gear Up: Bayou Classic 2024 merch is likely on clearance now. It's a good time to stock up before the 2025 season prices hit.
The 2024 season was a testament to resilience. It wasn't always pretty, and it definitely wasn't easy, but the Jaguars reminded everyone why Southern University remains a cornerstone of HBCU football.