Southwestern College has three games left on its regular season slate but no one in the program dares to use the “u” word quite yet.
The “u” word?
It stands for undefeated season.
The Jaguars hiked their record to 7-0 on the season following last Saturday’s 38-14 American Mountain Conference victory against the visiting Mt. San Jacinto Eagles. With the win, Southwestern improved to 2-0 in conference play.
The Jaguars play their next two games on the road — Saturday, Oct. 29, at San Bernardino and Nov. 5 at College of the Desert.
San Bernardino is 2-0 in conference play, 3-4 overall, while College of the Desert is 1-1 in conference play, 3-4 overall.
Southwestern hosts San Diego County rival Mesa College (0-1 in conference play, 2-5 overall) in the regular season finale for both teams on Nov. 12.
The post-season bowl game season follows.
Nothing is certain at this point, but the Jags figure to be part of it if they can continue their winning ways.
Southwestern out-gained MSJ 432-244 in total net yards. The Jags’ running game took the forefront this time with 304 rushing yards while the passing game — usually a team strength — was limited to 128 yards.
Joe Joe Hudson (seven completions, 93 yards) passed for two touchdowns while Donnel Pleasant (four carries, 22 yards) scored two rushing touchdowns and Geremiah Satele (12 carries, 105 yards) scored one rushing TD.
Davin Reynolds (four catches, 64 yards) and Patrick JeanCharles (two catches, 16 yards) each caught touchdown passes.
Southwestern jumped out in front 14-0 early on via rushing scores from Pleasant and Satele and eventually built an insurmountable 31-7 lead in the third quarter.
Isaiah Strayhorn led the hosts with 106 yards on 15 carries. Nine different players carried the ball.
Mike Glass, who shared quarterback duties with Hudson, passed for 35 yards on six completions and rushed for 25 yards on four carries.
Aeden Johnson kicked a 41-yard field goal while Michael Brown had five punts for a 37.6 average.
Southwestern’s defense continued to shine with seven sacks against the visitors — two each by Andrew Raffe, Rasheed Farha and Kevin Gaines — and one interception (26 yards by Sergio Ayon).
The Jaguars gave up 244 net passing yards but limited the Eagles to minus-26 rushing yards.
Southwestern posted 10-1 seasons in both 2012 and 2014, both school records. But an 11-win season remains on the team’s wish list.
