Donald Hewitt
Blue & White Flash/ Staff Writer
The Jackson State University Tigers came into the game against Prairie View A&M University with a record of 1-3 (1-1) in the SWAC.
Before a small crowd of 6,566, JSU looked to start this game with energy and intensity after showing a sluggish start to Southern University last week before in the loss of their first home game.
Prairie View (0-4) came into the game the hoping to gain momentum with a win in one of the toughest stadiums in the SWAC, The Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
On this wet and rainy afternoon, Prairie View elected to receive. The Panther’s offense broke through after a fumble by RB Tommy Gooden which was recovered by Tyler Dickson. It didn’t take the Panthers long to capitalize on the Tigers turnover.
The Panther offense was rewarded for their efforts as sophomore RB Courtney Brown rushed in from eight yards for the team’s first score of the night. Chris Barrick’s extra point attempt was successful as the Panthers claimed an early 7-0 first quarter lead.
On the ensuing drive, JSU drove all the way to the PVAM 5 yard line but the Panther defense came up with a huge fourth down stop as Jackson State’s Dedric McDonald threw an incomplete pass out of the end zone.
Entering the second quarter, the Tiger’s defense entered thirsty for a turnover. JSU was able to get what they wanted as Qua Cox intercepted the pass thrown by Jerry Lovelocke. Despite the interception, the Panthers came out on top after the next JSU offensive possession as JSU missed a 28-yard field goal attempt.
In the second quarter, PVAM fullback Krys Watkins took a fake punt 34 yards to the JSU 17 on fourth down. however, the Panther offense stalled and they had to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Barrick en route to a 10-0 lead that stood until halftime.
Jackson State made a quarterback switch to begin the second half and came up big as backup Clayton Moore led the Tigers to the PVAM 11 yard line before suffering an injury on the opening drive. Despite the injury, JSU managed to find the end zone for the first time all afternoon as Rakeem Sims punched it in for a 1-yard run. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful though as the panthers led 10-6 at the 11:31 mark.
The next drive began in favor of the Panthers as wide out Robert Primes caught a 28-yard pass from Lovelocke to move into JSU territory. However, the drive crashed and burned two plays later as Lovelocke’s pass was picked off by Cox.
Jackson State used the momentum to drive down the field and move ahead as Sims scored on a fourth-down conversion. The extra point attempt was good as the Tigers jumped ahead 13-10. The Sonic Boom of The South and fans celebrated as the Tigers took the lead.
Freshman kick returner Johnta’ Hebert broke free for a 69-yard kickoff return on the next play to excite the Panther faithful. A personal foul was attached to the play, which gave the Panthers outstanding field position at the JSU 10. But once again, the dark side defense stepped up and stopped the Panthers attack. PVAM couldn’t capitalize as the Tiger’s defense forced a tackle for a loss, sack and incomplete pass on the drive. Prairie View did manage to get something out of the drive, as Barrick’s 32-yard field goal was good for a 13-13 tie.
The Panther defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession but went backwards offensively as a penalty and two tackles for loss were recorded deep in their own territory. Forced to punt on 4th-and-8, the punt was mishandled in the end zone and JSU moved ahead by a touchdown after Willie Bell jumped on the ball with 27 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Tigers virtually shut down their offense as the defense was able to hold the PVAM offense to 0 points in the fourth. The Tiger’s offense woke up and tacked on two more touchdowns in a 34 -13 rout of the Panthers.
