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Jackson State defeats Arkansas Pine Bluff in overtime thriller

Steven Gilbert
MC 301 Contributor

It took overtime to decide who would win between the Jackson State University Tigers and Arkansas Pine Bluff University Lions.

Fortunately, JSU (3-2) (1-1) came out with a hard fought victory against UAPB (1-4) (0-2) 33-30.

The Tigers offense seemed to find it’s stride early when running back Rakeem Sims found a crease and scored on a 15 yard run. Minutes later, QB Lamontez Ivy found WR Daniel Williams III for a 61 yard touchdown.

Ivy had a good game on the ground and in the air. He finished the night 16-20, 172 passing yards and a touchdown. Ivy also led all rushers for JSU with nine rushes for 85 yards, including the game winning 15 yard touchdown run in overtime.

JSU’s offense finished the night with 313 total yards and zero turnovers.

UAPB quarterback Ben Anderson responded with his own 30 yard scamper for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 7, but the Tigers blocked a field goal and Kawame Bowens scooped it up and ran it back for a 60 yard touchdown.

It seemed as if the Tigers were posed to run away with the game but with just 37 seconds left in the half, Anderson found Willie Young for a 28 yard UAPB touchdown. Cutting the Tiger’s lead to 21-17.

Things got tight in the second half as both teams traded field goals. UAPB had a chance to win it in regulation but kicker Tyler Strickland missed the potential game winner with less than 20 seconds left.

JSU and UAPB went into overtime tied up 27-27. UAPB had an opportunity to score first but settled for a field goal, going up 30-27.

JSU responded with a 15 yard touchdown by Ivy, which was achieved by a 10 yard catch by Sims who unfortunately was injured on the reception.

Although the Tigers “Darkside” defense played well in the first half, they seemed to struggle to find a groove in the second half. Particularly in containing Anderson, who ran for a whopping 135 yards and a touchdown. Anderson also passed for 256 yards and two touchdowns on the night. UAPB finished the night with 468 total yards of offense.

The Tigers are set to take on Prairie View A&M (0-4) (0-2) on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss.

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