Southern University needed a win. More importantly, the Jaguars needed to find their rhythm.
They did both Saturday night.
Southern (2-2) rolled past Louisiana Christian 50-31 behind a dominant rushing performance, a more comfortable outing from quarterback Christian Johnson and a revamped offensive communication structure that included assistant Fred McNair calling plays.
The headline performance came from running back Trey Holly, who had a 200-yard performance on the ground and two touchdowns, including a 90-yard sprint down the sideline.
Holly immediately credited the offensive line after the outing.
“I want to give all the credit to my offensive line. They the ones made it happen. I just ran.”
The Jaguars finished with 365 rushing yards, according to coach Marshall Faulk, with Mike Franklin also topping 100 yards.
Faulk said the production started with the players up front.
“Our offensive line did a good job of controlling the ball, controlling the line of scrimmage,” Faulk said. “Anytime any back has success, it’s about the five guys up front.”
The running game also helped Johnson settle into the passing game.
View this post on Instagram
Johnson completed 16 of 22 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown while adding a 22-yard touchdown run. He said Southern kept its offensive approach simple, allowing the Jaguars to capitalize against Louisiana Christian’s three-man front.
“We were in a good rhythm,” Johnson said. “Kept the offense very basic, very simple.”
McNair, Southern’s senior adviser who has been working with the quarterbacks, handled the offensive play calls Saturday night as part of what Faulk described as a collaborative approach.
Faulk said he wanted McNair communicating directly with Johnson because he felt the quarterback needed a calmer voice during difficult moments.
“I needed a little Mississippi draw, a little slower pace when things aren’t good to kind of soothe him down,” Faulk said. “And it worked.”
Faulk said the arrangement will continue as Southern moves forward, with offensive coordinator Ken Merchant working from upstairs and McNair communicating with the quarterback.
The results were noticeable.
“He found the rhythm. He found the comfort,” Faulk said of Johnson. “The marriage between the run and the pass, it was better for him.”
For Holly, the victory was about more than the numbers. It was Southern getting back to its identity.
The victory also matches the 2025 season win total. Southern went 2-10 last season, finishing last in the SWAC West.
“It felt pretty good to get back on the winning side,” Holly said. “Defend our homeland.”
