ATLANTA -- Southern football dialed up the right explosive plays early.
On the first drive of the game, the Jaguars' new starting quarterback, Cam'Ron McCoy, ripped a 69-yard carry up the middle against North Carolina Central for a touchdown. The electric play by the junior Jackson State transfer was then outdone by LSU transfer running back Trey Holly in the second quarter.
On third and 2, the redshirt sophomore also split the middle of the defense and wrestled out of an ankle to go 80 yards to the endzone.
Southern's dynamic scores ignited coach Terrence Graves' team and the fanbase in the first half. However, it wasn't able to sustain that effort in the second half. The Jaguars lost 31-14 to North Carolina Central in the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge at Center Parc Stadium.
Southern loses its season opener for a third straight season and now trails its all-time series against North Carolina Central 0-2. The Eagles won 27-20 on the road on Sept. 23, 2006.
McCoy finished the game, completing 9 of 14 passes for 71 yards and rushing for 98 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Holly had eight rushes for 112 yards and a touchdown. The team's leading tackler was safety Horacio Johnson with 11.
Southern won the coin toss and elected to defer, making fans wait to see its new quarterback and starting running back Mike Franklin, a Jacksonville transfer.
North Carolina Central's offense was prepared as it methodically marched down the field 80 yards and found a way to the endzone, taking six minutes and 31 seconds.
The Eagles' attack was highlighted by its stout, experienced offensive line, which returned all five of its starters. They imposed their will, creating gaps for redshirt senior running back Christian Mosley, who had 174 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, and giving redshirt senior quarterback Walker Harris plenty of time to throw.
North Carolina Central did more of the same on its second drive, until it reached Southern's 4-yard line. On a quarterback scrambled to the endzone, linebacker Vincent Paige forced a fumble on the 1-yard line and Southern defensive back Elijah West pounced on the loose ball.
The Jaguars didn't capitalize on the takeaway after McCoy just overthrew a deep ball that grazed wide receiver Darren Morris' fingers. That would've been a touchdown if caught.
The Jaguars did make up for the missed opportunity as Holly, unleashed with 1:57 left before halftime. The redshirt sophomore slid out of an ankle tackle for an 80-yard touchdown, giving the Jaguars a 14-10 lead.
The Eagles responded instantly with a 49-yard rushing touchdown by Mosley on their first play of his team's drive, taking a 17-14 lead into halftime.
The Jaguars were due to start the second half with the ball and had an opportunity to recapture a lead in the back-and-forth contest. However, they went three and out.
On fourth down, Southern junior returner Kenny Pham poorly punted the ball without overwhelming pressure from North Carolina Central coming. The punt from his own 27-yard line only went seven yards to the 34. The Eagles capitalized on the field position and promptly scored with a three-yard passing touchdown to Kyle Morgan, taking a 24-14 lead.
The Jaguars' aerial attack benefited from a couple of pass interference penalties called on its opponent at points in the second half. However, Southern never connected for a pass over 12 yards.
Southern also wasn't able to recapture it magic it had on the ground attack as the defensive line for North Carolina Central was on high alert.
North Carolina Central tacked on one more second after its first drive of the third quarter, to take a 17-point lead.
Returning redshirt sophomore quarterback Jalen Woods was substituted in the game with 6:12 left in the game. He completed 4 of his 5 passes for 21 yards.
Southern will play a true road contest next week when it faces fellow SWAC opponent Mississippi Valley State at 4 p.m. Aug. 30 at Rice-Totten Stadium.
He completed 4 of his 5 passes for 21 yards.