Ky Beard
Staff Writer
Jackson State University’s homecoming game against the Alabama State University Hornets came down to the last second. Or, some would say, the last two seconds.
It was an instant classic in Jackson on Oct. 11 as the Jackson State University Tigers defeated ASU 38-34 in a game that came down to the very last play.
Jackson State came out quick, scoring on their first drive on a 10-yard passing touchdown from Jacobian Morgan(QB) to Shemar Savage(WR) to give the Tigers the early 7-0 lead.
At the start of the second quarter, the Hornets were deep in Tigers’ territory, but a big sack by Jeremiah Williams(DL) and a near interception by Frankie Dunn, Jr.(DB) on the third down, forced a field goal to cut into the Tigers’ lead.
Jackson State’s kicker, Donovan Warren, would match the Hornets with a 29-yard field goal to make it a seven-point game once again.
Alabama State was then able to tie the game when Andrew Body(QB) found Dylan Djete(WR) down the field for a significant gain to set up the Hornets inside the 5-yard line. ASU’s Marcus Harris II(RB) then capped it off with a two-yard rushing touchdown to make it 10 a piece.
The Tigers were able to find points before the half, thanks to a 30-yard passing touchdown from Morgan to Ja’Naylon Dupree(WR) to retake the lead.
Alabama State came out hot after the halftime break, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive after an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Jamarie Hostzclaw(RB).
The Tigers answered as Jency Riley(TE) secured his first touchdown of the season on a three-yard reception from Morgan to retake the lead once again.
Then things got crazy in the fourth quarter, starting with an interception by Jackson State’s Quincy Ivory(DL). That led to Dupree’s second touchdown of the day to push the score to 31-20 with just over nine minutes left in the game.
The Hornets then scored very quickly to stay alive in the game after a five-play, 75-yard drive that was finished off by an 8-yard receiving touchdown by Jalen Jones(WR).
Jameel Gardner Jr.(WR) had a very tough fumble late in the fourth quarter to give the Hornets some life. Alabama State took advantage of it just three plays after the fumble.
Hostzclaw found the end zone from 15 yards out to give the Hornets a 34-31 lead.
Then, with just 50 seconds left on the clock, Jackson State found a big play to retake the lead thanks to an 18-yard reception by Nate Rembert(WR), which ignited the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The Hornets were able to get the ball inside the 5-yard line, but the time ran out on the clock as the JSU fans at the Vet began to celebrate. But to everyone’s surprise, the officials put 1 second back on the clock, giving the Hornets another chance at victory.
However, the Tigers were able to make a fantastic goal-line stand, claiming the victory and increasing their record to 5-1 for the season.
Morgan finished 16 of 23 for 183 yards, with four passing touchdowns. He also tallied 66 yards on the ground.
Travis Terrell Jr.(RB) led JSU with 77 yards on 17 carries. Ahmad Miller(RB) had 60 yards on nine carries. JSU finished with 257 total rushing yards on the day.
The Tigers get the week off before heading to Las Vegas for the “Las Vegas HBCU Classic” against Grambling State University on Oct. 25.
