Jeremy Anderson
Associate Editor
The Jackson State University Tigers will look to continue its winning streak against the Hornets of Alabama State University this coming Saturday.
Both teams enter Saturday’s game with a two game win streak.
Jackson State brings in an overall record of 3-5 and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) record of 3-3. Alabama State will enter Saturday’s game with a record of 4-4 and a SWAC record of 4-3.
Both teams mathematically still have chance of capturing the SWAC eastern division championship and earning a spot in Houston, yet both teams would need Alcorn State to lose at least one more game before the showdown between Jackson State and Alcorn at the end of the season.
However, a loss in this game will end Jackson State’s chances of making a trip to Houston to face the western division’s champion for the conference crown.
Alabama State can only make the SWAC championship if they win the rest of their conference games, while Alcorn also loses the rest of their conference games.
The Hornets lead the Tigers by one game for second place in the SWAC eastern division behind Alcorn State University.
Jackson State found winning ways on Homecoming week by defeating the Golden Lions of the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, and last week against the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State University.
ASU defeated the Golden Lions on Oct. 15, before heading into a bye week. ASU then went on to defeat their in-state rival Alabama A&M University in the Magic City Classic.
JSU and ASU currently share seven common opponents: against Tennessee State, ASU lost 24-14, JSU lost 35-25; against Grambling State, ASU lost 34-10, JSU lost 59-27; against Mississippi Valley State, ASU won 45-15, JSU won 26-16; against Texas Southern, ASU won 41-23, JSU won 34-30; against Southern, ASU lost 45-34, JSU lost 50-31; against Arkansas Pine Bluff, ASU won 31-24, JSU won 37-3; and against Alabama A&M, ASU won 35-20, JSU lost 28-22.
The recent history between the two teams has consisted of hotly contested matchups. In the last five meetings, of which Alabama State claims three victories, the margin of victory is only 5.8 points per game.
In 2010, Alabama State defeated JSU 32-30. In 2011, Alabama State defeated JSU 21-14. Jackson State then beat ASU two consecutive times, winning 37-34 in 2012, and 30-23 in 2013.
Last year, both teams were on a four game losing streak when they met towards the end of the season. Alabama State ended its losing streak against JSU as they defeated the Tigers 26-10 in 2014. The 2014 game was tied 3-3 at halftime before the Hornets pulled away with the lead in the second half. The Hornets outgained the Tigers 478-295 in yardage, including 227 yards on the ground for Alabama State.
Both teams are very similar in overall SWAC statistics, so this year’s game looks to mirror the recent history of close games.
Come out and support your Tigers at 6 p.m. at Mississippi Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Miss.
