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Offensive struggles help Grambling State defeat the JSUTigers

Nickolas Davis
MC Contributor/Staff

Jackson State has suffered its sixth consecutive loss dating back to last season with a 35-14 finish to the Tigers of Grambling State University.

Quarterback troubles continue to plague JSU while DeVante Kincade, an Ole Miss transfer, soared with 227 yards and 19-32 completion rate for Grambling.

JSU crippled themselves by putting the defense in a hole with turnovers for immediate points. After the defense let up a 51 yard touchdown from Kincade to Chad Williams on the first play offensively for Grambling, Lamontiez Ivy threw an interception for a touchdown on the third drive of the game.

Down 14 to 0 in the first quarter, Brent Lyles, a redshirt freshman, checked in at quarterback for the Tigers of Jackson State. He lead the team to their most productive drive of the first half before a dropped pass cause them to turn the ball over in Grambling territory.

The home crowd applauded as the offense left the field, acknowledging their efforts to get in the end zone. Grambling would then go on an 11 play, five minute drive that ended with a 1 yard rush by running back Martez Carter to extend the lead to 21. Great defensive play while the offensive struggled with three and outs, kept the score and a standstill till the third quarter.

The defense made a stop on the first drive out of halftime giving the offense momentum heading onto the field for the first drive of their second half, unfortunately three plays later a protection breakdown on the offensive line caused Lyles to be hit and fumble which Grambling picked up and returned for their second defensive score of the night.

GSU dominated Jackson State in nearly every aspect of the game. Creating big plays on offense, defense, and favorable field positioning on special teams.

But there was a bright spot for Jackson State’s defense when senior linebacker Kwame Bowens sacked Kincade in the end zone who fumbled which allowed junior defensive lineman DeShawn Tilliam to catch the ball for a touchdown.

The defense continued to play lights out in the third quarter, forcing another three and out which ended in a blocked punt by redshirt freshman Ramone Ward. The block gave JSU great field position and a spark for the offense to feed off of before Lyles committed his second turnover of the night with an interception off an arid pass thrown across his body.

Grambling would score again toward the middle of the fourth quarter with a rush for 1 yard by Justin Kelly that would ultimately put the game out of reach for Jackson State extending the lead to 35-7.

True freshman Juwan Adams would enter the game, drive down the field, and provide the offense’s only points on the night, with a 14 yard pass to Richard Floyd.

Jackson State will attempt to capture its first win of the season as they travel to play Arkansas-Pine Bluff to play UAPB, a team that is coming off of a momentous triple overtime win over Alcorn State University.

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