Grambling shows up and defeats Tigers 40-35

Steven Gilbert
MC 301 Contributor

The Jackson State University Tigers fell to Grambling state 40-35 this past weekend. The Tigers couldn’t seem to get off to a fast start Saturday.

For a second straight week, turnovers proved to be costly for JSU. Twenty-one points came off of five turnovers for JSU. Grambling did not turn the ball over the entire game.

It had been two years since these two teams last faced each other on the gridiron. Emotions ran high throughout the game for both teams.

Although QB Lamontez Ivy threw for a whopping 407 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions. The Tiger’s offense totaled 480 yards on the night. Rakeem Sims and Jarius Moore both carried the ball 12 times for 41 yards apiece.

JSU’s defense allowed 387 total yards on the night. Even though the Tigers defense played well in the second half, the lack of forced turnovers proved to be crucial.

JSU’s defense is still searching for their true identity as they have yet to truly leave their mark against opposing offenses. The Dark-side didn’t completely break but they did bend in Saturday’s game.

Grambling’s Stephen Johnson threw for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Chad Williams led all Grambling WR’s with 3 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Running back Justin Kelly led all Grambling rushers with 11 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown.

A bright spot for JSU’s offense has been the strong play from sophomore WR Daniel Williams III. Williams seemed to be unstoppable he had 8 catches for 171 and three touchdowns.

Ivy and Williams both from East St. Louis, Ill. played high school football together. Their connection has seemed to follow them to the college ranks as Williams is Ivy’s go to guy. So far on the season, Ivy has passed for 1,054 yards and WR Daniel Williams has caught 25 passes for 357 yards tallying four touchdowns on the year so far.

As for Grambling, this game was their first win of the season as they open up league play (1-0).

JSU is (2-2) (0-1) in SWAC play and hope that the momentum they had in the second half carries into next week’s game against Arkansas Pine Bluff.

JSU will look to start fast and finish strong as they start their run into SWAC play. In order for the Tigers to punch their ticket back to Houston, they will first have to pull together on both sides of the ball.

Photos by: Kris Campbell