Atlanta – The opening weekend of college football delivered a dramatic surprise as Southern University’s football program faced a significant consequence following starting quarterback Jalen Woods’ absence from the team bus heading to their game against North Carolina Central. The incident, compounded by a late-fourth quarter appearance for Woods, highlighted the importance of discipline and adherence to team standards within Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Initially, Woods, a redshirt freshman who earned the starting role following the departures of two seasoned quarterbacks, had garnered praise from head coach Terrence Graves for his maturity and leadership. Graves emphasized Woods’ contribution to the program’s “winning condition” and his demonstrated ability to “step up to the challenge.”
However, Woods’ failure to board the team bus prior to the game resulted in his benching and the opportunity for backup quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy to take the starting position. The decision underscores a message of accountability prioritized by Coach Graves and the Southern University staff.
McCoy’s performance during the initial game was significant, showcasing a 69-yard keeper and an 80-yard burst that put the Jaguars ahead. Despite this momentum, the lead ultimately evaporated as North Carolina Central responded with a dominant defensive performance, securing a 31-14 victory and a second-half shutout.
Woods was afforded a late-fourth quarter cameo, completing four of five passes for 21 yards amidst what was effectively a “garbage time” situation, with the game already decided. While his presence might have added balance to the Jaguars’ run-heavy attack, the staff’s decision prioritizes maintaining the discipline established by Coach Graves.
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge game showcased a back-and-forth offensive battle, ultimately concluding with a significant outcome for North Carolina Central, where Walker Harris orchestrated two short-field scoring drives, capped by key plays to Kyle Morgan and Aleni Mageo.
This incident serves as a crucial lesson for Southern University and emphasizes that in college football, not just raw talent, but also discipline and adherence to team standards are paramount. The repercussions of this particular oversight highlight the elevated importance of accountability within the HBCU football landscape.