Morgan Beard
Staff Writer
The Jackson State University Tigers will take on the Panthers of Prairie View A&M for Homecoming 2016. The Panthers bring in a (4-3) overall record with (4-1) record in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play.
PVAM is coming off a hard fought 65-44 lost to the Owls of Rice University. Prairie View has victories over Texas Southern 29-25, Alabama State 24-27 in overtime, Mississippi Valley State 56-21, and Alabama A&M 41-20.
The Panthers have the third best scoring offense and total offense in the SWAC. Prairie View is led by freshman quarterback Jalen Morton, who was named last week’s SWAC Newcomer of the Week. In last week shootout lost to FBS opponent Rice, Morton posted a career-high 325 total yards of offense (career-high 278 passing, 47 rushing) and three total touchdowns.
The Panthers have wide receiver duo in juniors Joshua Simmons and KhaDarel Hodge, who gave the Tigers problems in last year’s match up. Simmons is ranked third in the SWAC for all-purpose yards.
Last Year, PVAM defeated Jackson State 56-14. In 2014, PVAM defeated JSU 48-30.
To win this weekend’s game, the Tigers will need to score fast and cut down on the turnover mistakes.
The offensive line will have to continue leading the way for the three headed running attack the Tigers have in senior Joshua Bates, junior Robert Johnson IV, and freshman Jordan Johnson.
The Tiger’s defense should continue taking the ball away and continue forcing pressure on the quarterback. Junior Keontre Anderson ranked 2nd in the SWAC in tackles for loss with 10. Senior all-SWAC DE/LB Javancy Jones ranked #3 in the SWAC with 8.5 tackles for loss and he leads the Tigers in total tackles.
The Homecoming game will take place this Saturday at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. To listen to the game on radio, tune into 95.5 FM and to watch the game live on television tune into Livestream on JSUTV.
