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MC301 Students
The Jackson State University Tigers suffered a rough 48-33 loss to in-state rival, Alcorn State University, on Nov. 16, ending their season 9-1 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Tigers have not lost to the Braves since 2009.
Even though the Alcorn win will not prevent JSU from heading to Houston for the SWAC championship battle, it did end the Tiger’s perfect SWAC record for this year.
The Braves scored their first TD of the game when Jordan Payne caught a 15 yard pass from John Gibbs with 8:14 on the clock during the first quarter. The Braves scored an additional 24 points in the second quarter.
The Braves were 14 points ahead before the Tigers scored their first three points. JSU was able to make a 22-yard field goal with 11:35 on the clock during the second quarter making the score 14-7.
JSU received a safety at the 13:00 mark of the third quarter after Javancy Jones (DE) blocked a regained punt by ASU in the end zone. The safety gave the Tigers two points, making the score 31-5.
The Tigers scored their first touchdown of the game during the third quarter after an eight yard pass from quarterback Clayton Moore to wide receiver Zach Pendleton. With 8:43 left in the third quarter, the score was 31-12.
Running back, Rakeem Sims, scored two touchdowns for JSU during the third quarter. Sims gave the Tigers their second touchdown on a one-yard run with 3:42 left in the quarter. He then scored his second TD on a two-yard run.
The final points for the Tigers were scored within 10 seconds of the fourth quarter after a 20 yard pass from QB Evan Ingram to Devin Fossella. Unfortunately this was not enough to come back from the deficit and the Braves went on to win the game 48-33 over the Tigers.
Clayton Moore led the Tigers with 269 passing yards, a touchdown and 63 yards on the ground. Defense was led by safety Cameron Loeffler, who made 11 tackles.
Jackson State ended the game with 29 first downs, 175 rushing yards, 333 passing yards and 508 total offensive yards. The Braves finished with 26 first downs, 197 rushing yards, 302 passing yards and 499 total offensive yards.
Devon Francois led the Braves with eight tackles and a one pass break-up. The Braves end their season with a 9-3 record and 7-2 SWAC record.
The game left many Jackson State fans disappointed.
“It’s disappointing that JSU lost to ASU because until now, we have been undefeated in the SWAC,” said Michael Johnson, a junior psychology and education major from Montgomery, Ala.
Concetta Hornsby, a freshman social work major from Meridian, Miss. said, “It’s not fair that it’s no longer a classic. This game is a ritual, you can’t change a ritual.”
Others JSU fans feel better about the Tigers heading to Houston.
“Because we’re still going to Houston, it’s a little easier to swallow that JSU lost the game to ASU,” said Keiara Reynolds, a freshman biology/pre Med major from Chicago, Ill.
Many Brave fans were proud to see their team win.
Samantha Walton, a senior child development major at Alcorn said, “I am very proud of the Braves for finally defeating the Tigers.”
Alcorn senior LaCheryl Wise was also pleased with the outcome.
“The overall game was great and it was good to see my team win” said the health science major from Pickens, Miss.
Braylon Haney, an alumnus of Alcorn State, was glad to have the bragging rights for the year back at Alcorn.
“I honestly didn’t know who was going to win at first, but when it all came down to it, Alcorn State University won the game, they took it home,” said Haney.
JSU will be back in action in Houston, Texas on Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. to face the Southern University Jaguars in the 2013 SWAC Championship for round two of the ‘Battle of the Big Cats’.
MC 301 Students Reagan Harvey, Dominique Lacey, Quintin Love, Jillian Ware and Derrick Walton contributed to this story.
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