TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Southern spoke last week like a team that still believed it had championship aspirations.

Coach Marshall Faulk’s team played like it too.

The Jaguars blew out FAMU 42-14 Saturday at Bragg Memorial Stadium, winning by its largest margin in two years. Southern (4-5, 2-3 SWAC) snapped a six-game losing streak to the Rattlers and beat FAMU (2-7, 1-4) on the road for the first time since 2001.

Faulk was pleased that his team won in this fashion after the long drive from Baton Rouge.

“Like I told the kids, we didn't come this far just to come this far,” he said. “For the most part of four quarters, controlling the pace of the game, controlling the line of scrimmage and doing the things that we set out to do in order to get the victory.”

Southern’s offense had a favorable matchup against an FAMU defense that was allowing the most rushing yards per game in conference play (234.5).

Southern tailback Trey Holly, as expected, was the focal point early and often. He finished the game with 206 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts. With this performance, he is the first Southern tailback to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Herbert Edwards in 2017.

“That’s great, that actually feels good,” Holly said when asked about the feat. “Once again, shout out my offensive linemen. I couldn’t have done it without those guys, so I want to thank those guys. They make my job a lot easier.”

The Jaguars' first four plays of the contest were carries for Holly, who entered the game leading the SWAC in both attempts (174) and rushing yards (829).

Holly was used in the wildcat formation multiple times, including for a one-yard touchdown that capped the 66-yard drive. Southern’s crisp start to the game saw Holly have six carries for 25 yards and Christian Johnson throw a 32-yard pass on a play-action play to wide receiver Cam Jefferson.

Johnson continued to have success on play-action plays. After faking a handoff to backup tailback Mike Franklin, he flicked it 32 yards to Daejawn Smith, who was tackled at the opposing 19-yard line.

The explosive play again didn’t go to waste as Southern found its way into the end zone on its second drive of the game. On third-and-goal from the 10-yard line, running back Champ Davis received good blocking from his offensive line during his touchdown carry, giving the Jaguars a 14-0 lead with 22 seconds remaining in the first period. This was the freshman’s first touch since missing the last five games due to a shoulder injury.

Holly, a 5-7, 192-pound redshirt junior, was difficult to bring down on first contact and showcased his speed. His best play was a 65-yard touchdown carry, squeezing through a tight hole up the middle and was too fast for any FAMU defender in the second and third levels. Southern took a 21-7 lead with 9:52 remaining in the second. With less than three minutes left in the contest, he ripped a 67-yard run down the left sideline.

The Jaguars closed with 312 rushing yards to FAMU’s 87.

“We're gonna run the football,” Faulk said. “That's just what we hang our hat on. You know we're we we like playing physical football up front and you know and then and then we'll we'll throw off of that.”

FAMU, unlike Southern, tends to do most of its damage through the air as it is fourth in passing yards per game (235.8). The Rattlers' offense began to come alive in the second quarter. Freshman quarterback Armond Parker connected with Jayquan Reid for a 23-yard reception, where the 5-10 receiver dodged a Southern tackler to clear his path to go down 14-7 at the 10:12 mark.

Parker wasn’t able to build off the successful drive. The Jaguar defense consistently pressured him in the backfield while the first-year also threw a few inaccurate passes when he wasn’t under duress.

Southern strengthened its stranglehold of the game once it started forcing turnovers. Cornerback Michael Williams was the primary beneficiary, picking up two interceptions for the first time in his collegiate career.

He intercepted the pass after the intended FAMU target Jamar Taylor tipped the ball. Williams returned it 17 yards, starting the Jaguars' offense at the opposing 31-yard line. He topped himself when he jumped an underthrown pass, caught it in stride and took off for 98 yards to the end zone with his teammates blocking Rattlers trying to stop the score.

The momentous play gave Southern a 35-7 lead with 4:53 remaining in the second quarter. The poorly thrown pass that resulted in the interception was aided by Southern linebacker Tay James, who delivered a hit as Parker threw.

Parker had been turnover-prone before this game. He threw eight interceptions in his six previous games, which is tied for the second-most in the SWAC.

Southern didn’t ask its quarterback to throw much with the success it had on the ground. Johnson completed 7 of 9 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown.

The redshirt junior’s lone touchdown was a 10-yard pass to tight end Aiden Valdez, who initially caught it with one hand and then secured it with both. Valdez was completely uncovered after Johnson faked a handoff to the tailback and an end around to a receiver.

Southern’s next game is against Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at A.W. Mumford Stadium.