Houston, TX – The ridicule from Jackson State Football non-believers grew loud and bold, claiming the team doesn’t have enough to win it all this season. Some of the chatter had gotten so bad that it questioned whether the team had what it took to beat Texas Southern in this matchup and whether the coaching staff’s ability to prepare the team for this game was in doubt, given their inability to name who would be the team’s starting quarterback. Jackson State chalked the Grambling State game as a bad day at the office and was ready to show everyone that those 5 turnovers and lack of attention to detail wouldn’t happen in consecutive weeks.
Texas Southern University playmakers showed they were up for the challenge, hoping to defeat Jackson State like Prairie View A&M earlier this season. Texas Southern held Jackson State to 3 points in the first quarter. Texas Southern’s offense had opportunities, but Jackson State’s defense’s attention to detail, based on the Texas Southern offensive struggles to incorporate their passing game with the run since quarterback KJ Cooper was injured, provided Jackson State with the necessary keys on defense to keep TSU rushing attack in check with Jordon Davis as the starting quarterback, who is considered a dual-threat quarterback.
Jackson State SWAC’s number 1 ranked offense scored 27 unanswered points in the game, with their defense holding TSU scoreless through three and a half quarters before scoring their first touchdown. Texas Southern was able to cut Jackson State’s lead to 13 points, giving Texas Southern fans hope that a comeback was imminent. Jackson State quarterback Jacobian Morgan scored on a 72-yard quarterback keeper in the fourth quarter to increase the Tigers’ lead in the game, and threw the ball 22 times, completing 13 for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Jackson State special teams made a huge play, blocking a TSU punt for a safety, and Travis Terrell Jr returned a punt for a touchdown, ending any hopes of a possible TSU comeback.
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Jackson State used multiple players in their rushing attack averaging 6.2 yards per carry with Jacobian Morgan leading all JSU rushers with 96 yards on 10 carries and 2 touchdowns. Jackson State’s defensive front stayed disciplined holding Texas Southern’s rushing attack to 2.8 yards per carry on 38 carries for 108 yards and 1 rushing touchdown by Jordan Davis.
Jackson State’s defense will be tested next week against another heavy rushing team Alabama A&M with the SWAC 4th ranked rushing attack that averages 152.8 yards per game in the Gulf Coast Classic. Texas Southern plays CIAA Virginia Lynchburg.