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BIRMINGHAM - Despite a hot start and a 17-13 lead at halftime, the Southern Jaguars lost their season opener 30-17 against Alabama State. After Nathan Zimmer's field goal near the end of the first half made it 17-10, the Jags then allowed 20 unanswered points.

The long-awaited answer to who would be Southern's starting quarterback came when JUCO transfer Christian Johnson led the team out. In his Jags debut, Johnson threw for 174 yards and an interception, while running for a touchdown on the ground. That rushing touchdown was set up by a 41-yard pass from Johnson to Daejawn Smith.

Johnson was also Southern's leading rusher on the afternoon.

Alabama State QB and last year's SWAC Offensive Player of the Year Andrew Body lived up to the billing Southern head coach Marshall Faulk gave him earlier in the week. Body didn't make many mistakes. He was an efficient 14/23 with 192 yards and a touchdown with no turnovers.

On the defensive side of the ball, Ckelby Givens had an immediate impact after recently becoming eligible for his fifth collegiate season. The Shreveport native picked up Southern's only sack of the game to end the Hornets' second drive of the game.

The Jags come home to Baton Rouge next week to face Kentucky State on Sep. 5.