Hayes had just given an all-out effort in defeat, but you weren't about to hear him get excited about any individual accomplishments. The senior receiver caught 11 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns, but only focused on the mistakes after the game.
"It all came down to not making the plays when it counted," Hayes said. "You can miss those plays early or when the game is not on the line, but when you keep missing them consistently in situations that count they will come back to haunt you."
Last time Hayes stepped onto the football field against Northwestern he had to be helped off, suffering a knee injury that ended his season. One positive that can be taken from this year's Port City Classic is knowing that Mike is back.
"He's an NFL player," Northwestern coach Scott Stoker said after seeing Hayes lead all receivers in catches, yardage and touchdowns. "He is going to play on Sundays. Our whole deal was to let him have a couple, but to just keep it in front of him."
Northwestern was unable to contain Hayes on two big plays in the first half, as Hayes scored two touchdowns, putting the Jaguars on top each time. His first touchdown split two defenders who both went down, allowing Hayes to sprint to the end zone.
"I didn't see the double coverage, I had my eyes on the football," Hayes said. "I made a play on it and took it in. As the game went on we started moving the football, but we need to start coming out in that first drive and first quarter playing hard."
His second catch was a quick 34-yard strike from quarterback Anthony Fisher, which helped ignite the Jaguars right after a second- quarter turnover. The touchdown catches give Hayes at least one touchdown in 13 consecutive games he has finished.
Fisher was subbing for starting quarterback Quincy Richard, who injured his ankle against Tulane.
Fisher went down with a wrist injury in the fourth quarter after putting up big numbers. He made his presence felt, though, in the first 31/2 quarters having a career-best day. He completed 24 of 44 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns.
The senior from Catholic faced adversity early, being sacked twice on the opening drive by Roy Locks and he continued to be under heavy pressure most of the game. The loss was Fisher's first as a starter for the Jaguars, after winning his first three at Southern.
Fisher came up with several big plays on third down, helping the Jaguars convert 8 of 19 third down opportunities. Northwestern did manage six sacks for 50 yards and knocked out Fisher, who gave way to third-string quarterback Kurvis Sharp.
Sharp ignited the Jaguar comeback with a big run late in the game, but when everything was said and done Hayes and the Jaguars' sideline hung their heads in frustration.
"It is a bittersweet feeling," Hayes said of the big numbers. "The scoreboard just makes the whole day sour no matter what anybody did."
