It isn’t very often that the No. 3 team in the nation has a two-game losing streak it’s trying to break.
The Southwest Mississippi Community College Bears are the owners of a two-game winning streak over the No. 3 Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs dating to 2005.
Last year the Bears kept the Bulldogs from the playoffs with a 14-7 victory after winning 34-31 in 2005.
The Bulldogs won their NJCAA National Game of the Week last week beating then-ranked No. 5 Jones County 20-14.
Gulf Coast took the ball with more than eight minutes left in the fourth and didn’t give the ball back, running 15 straight times to end the game.
That’s the main problem with playing Gulf Coast — they can make a lead stand up, and the offense allows the defense to stay off the field for long periods of time.
“It’s very important to be able to get on top of them,” Southwest head coach Charles Anthony said. “When we have the ball we have got to capitalize on opportunities.”
After last week’s defense-dominated performance against Pearl River, the offense won’t get a break at all against the best pass and run defense in the state.
The Bulldogs have become the best defensive team in the state because they can get off the field. Gulf Coast has allowed the fewest plays from scrimmage in Mississippi and the fewest yards per game, 40 yards fewer than the second-best team.
Much of that credit goes to the defense, but a lot goes to an offense that has outrushed everyone in the state by 500 yards or more. Sitting on a lead will do that to a team.
“They are a lot stronger on defense than they have been,” Anthony said.
An early score against the Bulldogs would be ideal, and a consistent offensive performance would be just as important.
The Bears offense sputtered last week, but was able to hold on for the win. Gulf Coast has intercepted the ball 14 times this year, while teams have scored just four receiving touchdowns. Quarterback Walter Mason and his receivers won’t have a lot of room for error, but like last week the defense could definitely help out.
After the Bears scored on defense and special teams, Southwest returner and cornerback Roteddrick Cotton was named MACJC Special Teams Player of the Week for his opening kickoff return against Pearl River. A repeat performance could get the pressure off the offense and put it on Gulf Coast.
Picking up first downs each time the Bears touch the ball will be big in giving the Southwest defense a rest and putting points on the board will be equally important to finish off drives.
There’s also a chance the Bulldogs rest their players, having already sewn up first place in the South. While it could happen late with a lead, Anthony said he doesn’t think it will start out that way.
“They’ve got us circled on the calendar,” he said. “I know he really wants to beat us so he’ll be playing his best players.”
Southwest’s defense has held up well against the run all year. The Bears beat No. 2 in rushing East Central and lost in triple overtime to the No. 3 rushing team Mississippi Delta.
