Today: Feb 13, 2025

Epps leads football to victory over winless Pace

Ryan Flynn – Sports Editor

Last season, at home against Pace, Owls football jumped out to a 20-point lead in the first quarter. This past Saturday, on the road against Pace, Owls football jumped out to a 20-point lead in the first quarter.

Different year, same result.

Eleizer Santiago | Photo Editor
Junior quarterback Jacob Jablonski (#10) has 1139 yards and 9 touchdowns this season.

It wasn’t quite the 61-0 beatdown of 2011, but Southern did still win big, returning home with a 47-26 victory. Next up for them is a home game Saturday against American International College.

The Owls (2-4), who opened the season scoring six points in two games, has now gone over 40 in the past two. The offense has been clicking, thanks mostly to their stellar rushing attack. Junior running back Vaughn Magee again put up nice numbers, but it’s the passing stats that jump off the page in this one.

Pre-season All-American wide receiver Willie Epps caught six passes for 180 yards against Pace (0-5), including two touchdowns. Quarterback Jacob Jablonski also had his best outing as a starter, going 17-for-23 for 337 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

After forcing a punt, the Owls started a drive on their own 16-yard line. Southern’s offense showed great balance during the eight-play, 84 yard drive that ended in a 35-yard Jablonski to Epps touchdown pass.

The Owls defense held strong again on the next Pace possession, forcing a punt. On the very first play of the ensuing drive, Jablonski went deep, hooking up with Epps on a 52-yard touchdown pass. The rout was on.

Southern went up 27-0 early in the second quarter before allowing the first Pace points, but this one was never close. Magee, who rushed for nearly 300 yards last week, broke the 100-yard barrier for the fourth time in six games, gaining 168 yards on the ground to go along with two touchdowns.

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