Donald Hewitt
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Last year’s humiliating loss to Jackson State University on a nationally televised game was fresh on the minds of Texas Southern University players and their fans entering Saturday’s game. One thing was clear, Texas Southern players had revenge on their minds.
The Tigers of JSU had something to say about that revenge however. Transfer junior Clayton Moore, who came in at the end of Jackson State’s previous game against Tennessee State University and drove Jackson State to a touchdown, was chosen to start the game. Moore replaced QB Dedric McDonald who during the first two games of the season played shaky at best.
Jackson State won the coin toss and decided to allow TSU to receive the ball on the opening kick-off. In the 1st quarter, Texas Southern didn’t waste any time as their sophomore QB Rudolph Johnson completed a pass to Tory Allen-Ford for 52 yards for the first touchdown of the game.
The Tigers would respond on their first drive with Moore who connected with Rico Richardson for a 12 yard touchdown.
In the previous two games, Jackson State’s offense was virtually shut down. They needed this type of explosive start to the game.
Entering the second quarter as the fans were packed in Texas Southern’s new BBVA Compass stadium, they had no idea they were in for a shoot-out as Texas Southern scored on their first drive as Johnson rushed for 21 yards into Jackson State’s end-zone.
Just like Jackson State’s first drive in the 1st quarter, Moore connected with Richardson for a 44 yard touchdown completion. Inching close to the half where the Texas Southern band, the Ocean of Soul, prepared to hit the field, TSU had one more scoring drive in mind. With 1:40 seconds remaining, Johnson completed a pass to Fred Plummer for a 54 yard touchdown.
Moore tried to respond to Texas Southern but their defense would bend but not break as they only gave Jackson State a chance for a 28 yard field goal attempt. Ryan Deising’s kick went wide right as the time expired.
After fans were entertained by the Ocean of Soul in the absence of JSU’s Sonic Boom of the South, the second half began with JSU coming out energized and Moore rushing for a 3 yard touchdown that tied the game at 21-21.
The Tigers defense stepped up, only allowing TSU to get a punt in the third quarter, as the Jackson State continued to add on points. JSU’s first score came on Deising’s foot, in the form of a 27 yard field goal and then a 1 yard touchdown run by Moore after a 44 yard completion to Richardson.
Entering the fourth quarter, it seemed as if JSU had the game wrapped up, but Texas Southern said not so fast, as they came out and on their second drive. Johnson completed a pass to Harry Brow for a TSU touchdown.
As the crowd roared and screamed, the momentum started to shift and Moore was sacked by Amir Bloom, who also forced a fumble in the process that was recovered by TSU.
During the Texas Southern possession running back Perkins-Loving rushed for a 5 yard touchdown, giving TSU a 38-35 lead.
After losing the lead, Jackson State’s Moore put on a performance in the fourth.
Moore completed a 31 yard pass to Richardson which set Moore up for a 5 yard touchdown run.
Texas Southern came back after Moore’s touchdown and tried to respond against the “Dark-side” defense of Jackson State but JSU’s defense came up big when it mattered the most.
Jackson State took back control of the ball and Moore wasted no time as he connected with Richardson for the last touchdown of the game giving the Tigers their first win of the season in SWAC play 1-0 (1-2 overall).
JSU Head Coach Rick Comegy said, “I knew that Texas Southern would be tough but I am extremely proud of how the players worked to the end and fought to win the game.”
He also stated that he was impressed with the defensive play of senior defensive end Joseph LeBeau from New Orleans, La. and senior defensive tackle Johnathan Billups from Picayune.”
“I like the way LeBeau and Billups stepped up and went the extra mile to make big plays,” stated Comegy.
Moore, the player of the game, ended with 101 yards rushing and 18 of 36 passing for 363 yards, with a combined total of 6 touchdowns, 3 rushing and 3 passing.
Richardson ended the game with 8 receptions for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The defense was led by Cameron Loeffler who had 7 tackles and Joseph LeBeau who had 8 tackles.
The Tigers will face the Southern University Jaguars at home this Saturday in the W.C. Gordon Classic at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m.
