Morgan Beard
Staff Writer
The Jackson State University Tigers won in blowout fashion last week in front of 17,051 fans. The Tigers defeated University of Arkansas Pine Bluff Golden Lions 37-3 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Oct. 24 during the annual Homecoming festivities. JSU is now 2-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play and 2-5 overall.
This was the first win for interim Head Coach Derrick McCall. Sophomore QB Jarin Morikawa from Mililani, Hawaii, recorded his first career start for the Tigers. Morikawa is the first native of Hawaii to start at quarterback for JSU. He completed 25 of 40 passes for 333 yards and three passing touchdowns.
Senior WR Devin Fosselman from Woodville, Miss, caught six passes for a career high 175 yards and three touchdowns in the ball game (48 yard touchdown in the 1st quarter, 10 yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter, and a 49 yard touchdown in the 4th quarter). This was the first time this season the Tigers did not have a turnover on offense.
Sophomore RB Robert Johnson, IV from Terry, Miss., led the team in rushing with a season high of 100 yards on 18 attempts with 5.6 yards per carry average and a 42 yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter. Also he contributed with the passing game with six receptions passes for 45 yards. This was the first time this season that a JSU running back has rushed for 100 yards or more.
Jackson State finished the game with 28 rushing attempts and 40 passing attempts. Offensively, the Tigers totaled 469 yards of offense (333 passing yards and 136 rushing yards) with 22 first down and 3 penalties for 15 yards.
Defensively, the Tigers contained the Golden Lions to a season low of nine first downs with a total of 175 (99 passing yards and 76 rushing yards). Led by the pressure of sophomore DE Keontre Anderson from Canton, Miss. with 7 quarterback hurries and senior DE Teddrick Terrell from Jackson, Miss., 5 hurries as well.
Terrell recorded a sack along with junior DE Javancy Jones from Macon, Miss. The turning point of the game is when junior DB Zavian Bingham from Terry, Miss. stopped a fake field goal. The only points the defense gave up was a 22-yard field goal from UAPB kicker Jamie Gillan.
Senior kicker Ryan Deising from Nashville, Tenn., connected on three of four field goals (20 yards FG in the 1st, 37 yard FG in the 2nd, and a season long 49 yard FG in the 4th). Junior punter Darcy Williamson from Victoria, Australia had an effective day punting the ball with an average of 31.5 yards per punt and 2 punts inside the 20.
According to JSU Sports Media Relations, WR Devin Fosselman and QB Jarin Morikawa have been recognized by the Southwestern Athletic Conference for their outstanding performances during action on Oct. 24. Fosselman has been named SWAC Offensive Player of the week and Morikawa has been named SWAC Newcomer of the week.
JSU’s next opponent will be the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State University. The Delta Devils bring in a 0-8 record with a 0-6 record in conference play. MVSU is on a 12 game losing streak.
Their last win was against Jackson State on Homecoming 2014. The game will be Saturday, Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. in Rice- Totten Stadium in Itta Bena, Miss.
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