The East Division Champions, the Jackson State University (JSU) Tigers (11-0, 8-0), entered a sold-out Spinks-Casem Stadium at 2:00 pm on November 19th looking to complete the regular season with an unblemished record but the Alcorn State University (ASU) Braves (5-6, 4-4) had plans of playing the spoiler but to no avail.
JSU jumped on the score board first in the first quarter at the 4:19 mark when Kicker Alejandro Mata nailed a 38-yard field goal to make the score 3-0, Tigers.
Alcorn, after working out the jitters, scored at the 11:42 mark in the second quarter when Running back Jarveon Howard hit pay dirt on a 2-yard run and with Kicker Noah Kiani’s successful extra point the score was now 3-7, Braves. J-State answered at the 8:06 mark when Running back Sy’veon Wilkerson scored on a 2-yard run and with a Mata PAT (point after touchdown) the score was now 10-7, Tigers. The Tigers didn’t waste any time when Cornerback Travis Hunter scored on a ‘Pick 6’ at the 7:39 mark and with Mata’s extra point the score was now 17-7, Tigers at the half.
The Braves came out of the half focused as Kiani scored at the 11:12 mark in the third quarter with a 27-yard field goal making the score 17-10, Tigers.
Alcorn entered the fourth quarter looking for the upset when Kiani scored yet another field goal, this time a 43-yarder at the 14:22 mark making the score 17-13, Tigers. Jackson State put the nail in the coffin at the 11:26 mark when dual threat Hunter caught a 19-yard pass from Quarterback Shedeur Sanders and with a successful Mata kick the final score was 24-13, Tigers.
Offensively, Quarterback Tre Lawrence had 8 completions for 153-yards and 1 interception, Howard had 96 rushing yards and 1 touchdown and Wide receiver Monterio Hunt had 4 catches for 109-yards. Defensively, Linebacker Claudin Cherelus had 1 sack and 12 solo tackles.
(Photo credit: Cedric Tillman)