Morgan Beard
Staff Writer
Jackson State University’s schedule of spring football practices concluded on April 8 with the annual Blue & White game. The game took place at the Veterans Memorial Stadium as the Blue team beat the White team 41-38 with one second left on the game clock.
It was a very different feel from last year’s spring game on the JSU practice field, which ended 14-7 after a late defensive touchdown.
Head coach Tony Hughes challenged his team at the beginning of the spring camp to play hard, play with enthusiasm and try to improve their execution. The game was a back and forth contest with the offensive units putting points on the board on 13 out of 16 drives. The starting quarterback battle at JSU will most likely carry over into the fall to give the two incoming freshmen a shot at the starting job.
Redshirt junior quarterback Brent Lyles made a statement Saturday with 23 of 26 completed passes for 237 yards and five passing touchdowns. Lyles led the White offense to touchdowns on 5 of his 6 drives. His other drive under center stalled after a bad snap and the coaches opted to run out the clock on the first half of play.
According to the JSU Blitz, a humble Lyles said, “My patience has gotten a lot better. I feel like I have a better understanding of the offense. We had to adjust to a new system last year, so we had to work out the kinks but now that I’m more familiar with it, I’m ready to go.”
The most improved unit was the Tiger’s offensive line, which opened up holes for the running backs.
Senior wide receiver Richard Javon Floyd from Gulfport, Miss., made seven catches for 52 yards with two touchdown catches. Junior Romello Shumake from Lithonia, Ga., caught 6 passes for 91 yards and a scoring touchdown.
Sophomore running back Jordan Johnson from Terry, Miss., rushed 10 times for 67 yards and a scoring touchdown. Backup duel-threat quarterback Jordan Williams completed all six of his pass attempts for 76 yards and a passing touchdown during a fumble snap.
After the Blue team took over with 1:49 left on the clock, juco transfer, Lontray Jones, burst through the line and clocked senior quarterback Jarin Morikawa. The hit was so vicious that it knocked Morikawa out the game.
Williams returned to relieve him and hit walk-on running back Juavan Brown with a 16 yard pass for a first down that extended the drive. With time running out on the next play, Brown took a handoff from Williams, cut to the sideline and ran 39 yards to the opposing 21-yard line to set up the game winning field goal.
According to the JSU Blitz, a proud Hughes said, “After last season, we got a lot of criticism for how we played on offense and our kids took a lot of criticism for our quarterback play. So our coaching staff took that personally and made a commitment to get better on that side of the football.”
Redshirt junior kicker Christian Jacquemin from Miami, Fla., kicked a 38-yard field goal, and ran the length of the field trying to get away from his teammates, who mobbed him when they ran him down inside the other 15-yard line.
Sophomore kicker Adrian Salazar from Matthews, N.C., kicked 5 for 5 field goals on the field. Long Snaper Ronza Anderson Jr. from Jackson, Miss, had a perfect day of snapping on 10 PAT field goals, 2 punts, and the game winning field goal.
The defense had many bright spots as well and they didn’t force any turnovers, but the defensive line came up with a couple of sacks and forced two fumbles the offense was fortunate enough to recover. Senior linebacker Shawn Bishop from Jackson, Miss, made a couple of big plays from the middle linebacker spot. Sophomore defensive lineman Khalil Johnson from Jackson, Miss, had one sack and got great pressure on the quarterbacks.
According to the JSU Blitz, “Both sides played well,” said defensive coordinator John Hendricks said. “I was on the Blue side, but I thought the White side was just as physical. I’m really happy about the progress of guys like Maurice Rivers and Lontray Jones, the two juco guys that have come in, and Brandon Frazier, who is an early enrollee. I think they’ve made great progress and I think they really add something for us on defense. I’m excited to see how good they can be.”
Saturday’s game was the 15th practice of the spring for the Tigers, who face a tough schedule coming off a 3-8 season last year.
The Tigers will open up the 2017 season at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas against the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University. The game is set for Sept. 2.
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