Southern Jaguars Stumble in Marshall Faulk’s Debut, Falling to Alabama State 30-17
In a highly anticipated season opener, the Southern Jaguars faced a heartbreaking second-half collapse, falling to Alabama State 30-17 in Marshall Faulk’s head coaching debut. The game, held on September 6th, 2025, saw Southern race out to an 11-point lead before Alabama State mounted a furious comeback, scoring 20 unanswered points to seal the victory. The loss drops Southern to 0-1 on the season, while Alabama State improves to 1-0.
The Jaguars started strong, with Mike Franklin putting the team ahead with a 29-yard touchdown run with 3:25 remaining in the first quarter. Southern continued to build on their momentum, and by the second quarter, they held a 14-3 advantage after a rushing touchdown by Johnson with 12:52 left in the half. However, Alabama State began to chip away at the lead, cutting the deficit to 17-13 on Andrew Abu-Akel’s 33-yard field goal with just 13 seconds remaining in the first half. The second half proved disastrous for Southern, as Alabama State’s defense tightened and their offense found its rhythm, scoring 20 unanswered points to complete the comeback.
Alabama State entered the game with high expectations, coming off a successful 10-2 season last year. Their experience and resilience were evident as they weathered Southern’s early storm and executed their game plan in the second half. For Southern, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow, especially for new head coach Marshall Faulk, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who was expected to bring a winning culture to the program. Faulk’s debut was highly anticipated, but the team’s inability to maintain their lead will be a key area of focus as they look to rebound.
Despite the disappointing outcome, there were positives for Southern to build on. The Jaguars showed offensive explosiveness in the first half, and their defense held strong early. However, consistency over four quarters will be crucial as they move forward. With the season still young, Southern has time to correct their mistakes and bounce back. For Alabama State, this victory serves as a statement that they are a force to be reckoned with in FCS football. Both teams will look to carry the lessons learned
Shimanta Das 
