Special to The Flash
The Tigers of Jackson State University head to Memphis, Tenn. this weekend hoping to defeat the Tennessee State University Tigers in the 24th Southern Heritage Classic presented by FedEx.
Coming off a 30-23 victory over the Alabama State Hornets in the 2013 W.C. Gorden Classic Saturday, the JSU Tigers hope to leave Liberty Bowl Stadium with a win, after last year’s loss to Tennessee State.
Prior to 2012, JSU boasted a two-game winning in the long-standing match up. TSU has played in every game since the Classic’s inception in 1990, while JSU has played in all but two of the games, including the last 19.
Last’s year, TSU snapped JSU’s 2 game winning streak with a 38 -12 victory over JSU. TSU holds the series edge 25-20-2.
Both teams lost their season openers; JSU lost to Tulane, 7-34, and TSU lost to Bethune-Cookman, 9-12. With its win over Alabama State, the JSU Tigers are 1-1 overall and 1-0 in the SWAC. Tennessee State is also 1-1 with its Saturday win over FAMU, 27-7.
Key to a JSU Tiger win on Saturday will likely be the same play-makers from last’s week contest with the Hornets, namely Zachary Pendleton, who scored with two touchdowns; and QB Clayton Moore who led JSU’s passing attack, completing 14-of-36 passes for 281 yards and 67 yards on the ground. Other standouts include Rakeem Sims, who led the Tigers in rushing 92 yards on 16 attempts, and Tommy Gooden with 45 rushing yards on 13 attempts.
On the Defensive side, look to Safety Cameron Loeffler to make something happen. He was named the W.C. Gordon Classic’s Defensive Most Valuable Player. Pendleton received the Offensive MVP honors.
Kickoff for Saturday’s game is for 6 p.m.
