The Jackrabbits (2-1) head to Hammond, LA to take on the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions (1-2).  The Jackrabbits and the Lions have met twice before and the Jacks have won both prior meetings.  As the Jacks wrap-up the non-conference slate, there are things they need to clean-up on both sides of the ball and SLU is a quality program that will provide some challenges for the Jacks.  SLU’s two’s losses were to FBS programs Tulane and Southern Miss.  The games each played out a bit different as Tulane ran all over the Lions defense while Southern Miss was a more balanced attack.  They did hold Eastern Washington to just 90 rushing yards last week but EWU isn’t really known for running the ball.  This team has struggled in the second half and have been outscored by 55-7 in the final two quarters.

Offense

The SLU offense has scored 12.67 points per game but that includes 0 and 10 against their FBS opponents but against EWU they scored 28.  They are rushing for 152.3 yards per game and have passed for 119.67 per game.  They have struggled on 3rd down so far converting on 37% of their opportunities.  They have reached the redzone 6 times and have scored touchdowns 3 times.  They have allowed 7 sacks, tossed 2 interceptions, and have lost 2 fumbles.

SLU has a two QB system with #17 Eli Sawyer (6-2, 220) and #10 Tanner Murray (6-3, 195) splitting the snaps.  However, Sawyer appears to take the bulk of the reps and has completed 59.49% of his passes on the season for 324 yards, 2 TDs, and 2 INTs.  SLU has some explosive and twitchy athletes so it is hard to  longest passing play of  the year is just 24 yards.  Murray, a Butler Community College transfer, has only attempted four passes, completing 1 for 19 yards.  He does have 8 rushing attempts for 9 yards.

The Lions have two talented running backs that they trot out as well in #22 Antonio Martin Jr. (5-11, 220) and #3 Harlan Dixon (6-1, 190).  Dixon was the leading rushing in 2023 and All-Southland Conference honoree but it is Martin Jr., a transfer from Blinn college and one time Georgia Tech commit, that has handled the bulk of the work in 2024 so far.  He has 340 yards (5.4 ypc avg) with 1 TD and long run of 22 yards.  Dixon, a Louisiana Tech transfer, has 19 attempts for 150 yards (7.6 ypc avg) with 2 TD and a long run of 35 yards.  He has also added 4 receptions for 8 yards through the air.

The wide receiver and tight end group has a number of guys who have contributed so far this season but they are easily paced by #9 Darius Lewis (5-8, 150).  Like most players of his stature, he does most of his work on quick hitting pass plays.  The Jacks have seen this already a few times this year.  He already has 18 receptions but for just 127 yards (7.06 ypc avg) and 1 TD.  He also has 1 carry for 7 yards.  #1 Jaylon Domingeaux (6-2, 210) has 8 receptions for 89 yards while Southern Miss transfer #4 Brandon Hayes (6-2, 205) has 5 rec for 47 yards and a TD.  Liberty and UL Lafayette transfer #12 Errol Rogers Jr. (5-11, 195) has 3 receptions for 17 yards.

The tight ends are an active part of this offense with #89 Cade Collier (6-6, 245) having 3 receptions for 35 yards and #38 Ivan Drobocky (6-4, 240) having 7 receptions for 25 yards.  This team also used the H-Back and that job is manned by #88 Seth Adams (6-3, 260) and he has yet to record any statistics this season.

The offensive line is squatier than the Jacks are used to seeing but they have some bulk and a nice mix of veteran experience and youth.  From left to right they go #73 Jhy Orgeron (6-4, 295, SR), #56 Javin Turner (6-2, 280, JR), #61 Holden Kareokowsky (6-3, 305, JR), #63 Corin Boudreaux (6-1, 300, R-FR), and #54 Brockhim Wicks (6-2, 300, SR).

• Orgeron is a two year starter and was an All-Southland Honoree in 2022.
• Turner has started 13 games prior to this year.
• Kareokowsky is new to the staring lineup this season and has played in just 10 games the past two years.
• Bourdreaux used 3 games in his true freshman season to maintain his redshirts.
• Wicks is now a 3 year starter but played last season at guard

#71 Zane Hooper (6-0, 270) comes in and plays a role as a lead blocker in sort of a jumbo set.  However, he is not set as an in-line blocker but more of a move TE or fullback.  He moves really really well for a big man and had multiple pancakes against EWU.  For his efforts he was named Offensive Player of the Week against the Eagles.

Defense

The Lion defense plays a 4 man front and like many modern defenses bounces between a 4-3 and a 4-2-5 pretty seamlessly.  Upfront, they have some nice size and depth.  They are allowing 37 ppg but that is skewed by the 52 points they allowed to Tulane.  In their two other contests they have allowed 35 and 24.  Opponents rush the ball for 151 yards per game and pass the ball for 237.   Once again the rushing yards are pretty skewed because Tulane rushed for 241 but the other two games have been a respectable 121 and 90.  They have recorded 4 sacks through 3 games while recovering two fumbles but they are still searching for that first interception.  Opponents are converting on 45% of their 3rd down opportunities and have scored on 13 of 14 trips into the redzone; 11 being touchdowns.

The Lions have a nice rotations at defensive end with #93 Rowan Briggs (6-3, 255) leading the way with 6 tackles and a half sack.  He is joined by second year starter #42 Shemar Pearl (6-6, 255) who has 6 tackles of his own along with 3 QBH and #45 Warren Peeples (6-2, 230) who also has 6 tackles, 2 QBH, and a sack.  Peeples was at UNI last year and prior to that was at Memphis.  Prior to Memphis he led the nation with 12.5 sacks at Highland Community College.  I remember scouting him last year before the season but he was never able to crack into the defensive line rotation at UNI.  #99 Charles Hill (6-4, 245) has added 4 tackles as well.   On the interior, the SLU starts #48 Kaleb Proctor (6-3, 280) and #79 Ahmad Bradley (6-3, 350).  Proctor is in his second year starting and is handful with 12 tackles and a sack.  Bradley only has 2 tackles on the year but I guarantee he is hard to move off the line of scrimmage.  #91 Kaden Lewis (6-1, 260) splits time with Bradley and has 6 tackles and 2 QBH.

The linebackers have both contributed in past season seasons but are now the guys. #2 Donte’ Daniels (5-11, 195) starts at the Will position and is second on the team with 18 tackles and a TFL.  Next to him at the Mike is #0 KK Reno (6-0, 220) who has 16 tackles, 1 TFL, and 2 forced fumbles already this season!  These two must not leave the field because their backups, #33 Justin Dumas (6-1, 205) and #43 Jirrea Johnson Jr. (5-11, 220), have just 7 combined tackles.

The safety group is led by second year starter #6 Coryell Pierce (5-11, 190) who leads the team with 11 solo tackles and 19 total.  He also has 1 PBU.  #5 Khamron Ford (5-11, 200) plays the STAR position and is third on the team with 16 total stops and has 2 TFL.  Tulane transfer #13 Cornelius Dyson (6-2, 200) has 8 tackles of his own.

The starting corners are #8 Keydrain Calligan (6-1, 200) and #24 Tylon Cooper (6-0, 180).  Calligan, a Jackson St transfer, has 10 tackles and a PBU.  Cooper has 13 total tackles.    This position appears to not have much depth as the three reserve corners listed on the depth chart have combined for just 2 tackles which were both made by #14 Ralph Walker (5-11, 175), who started his college career at LSU.

Special Teams

The Lions special teams group appears to be pretty dang good across the board.  Reserve wide receive #4 Brandon Hayes (6-2, 205) has a 22.67 yard average on 9 attempts and a long of 46 yards!  #9 Darius Lewis returns punts and has a 7.4 yard average with a long of 28.

SLU is utilizing two punters as well.  #46 Jack Hunter has a 37.56 yard average on 9 attempts and a long of 53.  He has forced 5 to be fair caught and landed 4 inside the 20.  #47 Alec Mahler has 6 punts for a 45.67 yard average and a long of 58.  He has forced 1 to be fair caught and booted 2 50+ yards.  Opponents have only returned 2 punts for a long of 8 yards and the other going for -2.

Mahler also handles the kickoff duties and on 9 attempts he as a64.6 yard average with 5 touchbacks.  Opponents have just a 14.75 yard average on 4 returns with a long of only 19.  That is crazy good coverage!

Prediction

The Jackrabbits are going to take care of business this week and head into their bye week on a high note.  I believe the team is ready to get the bad taste out of their mouth from their frustrating game against Augie and this game may be the time to get things right.

Jackrabbits 34- Lions 7