Photo by: Jazmine Moering
Matthew Adams
Managing Editor
Rivalries are such phenomena that sprout through hard-fought battles by each team. They can form through fan involvement which makes the rivalry even more intense.
Alcorn and Jackson State have a rivalry that can be traced back to the 1930’s. Recently the Tigers and the Braves faced off against each other for another historic battle.
The first drive from the Tigers would be stopped short by the Brave’s defense which would result in a 3-and-out. The Braves would obtain the ball on their 35-yard line.
This would not hinder their ability to get down the field. The Braves’ drive would start off with an incomplete pass but would snap back with a 5-yard run. The play would result in a 3rd & 5.
The Braves would convert that 3rd and 5 and would continue to keep the chains moving. They would find themselves in some trouble as the Tiger defense made an effort to stop them at the goal line.
That effort was futile as the Braves would score and make the score 7-0. The Tiger’s next drive would result in a punt.
After being able to force a punt, the Braves would use that to their advantage and put together one of the shortest drives of the game. A 2-play drive would result in a 55-yard touchdown, that would make the score 14-0.
This did not put a dent in the Tigers confidence because 11 plays later they responded with a touchdown. Using this as fuel the Tigers were able to force a punt on the next drive.
This was a constant theme as the teams traded back-to-back punts. This would be a trend for next three drives but this would not stop the Tigers.
The Tigers would respond with a touchdown and this would even the score to 14-14. The time would expire in the half and this would call for elevated play from both teams.
As the start of the 2nd half begins, The Braves come out blazing with a five-play drive that would cover the length of the field. This drive would put the Braves up 21-14.
Gaining the ball would point out the flaws in the Jackson State offense. With a flurry of third down conversions the drive ended off with an interception.
Jackson State defense would show up as the next drive would result in an Alcorn punt. After a display of great defense, the Tigers would score in 2 plays to even the score 21-21.
In six plays, the Braves would respond with a touchdown. This would put the Braves back up in the game.
The score would be 28-21. Jackson State would use this drive to go down the field but the Braves defense would prevail as the Tigers would set up for a field goal and miss.
The Braves would be forced to punt the ball and this would put the Tigers in position to go down the field and score a field goal, making the score 28-24.
The Braves’ defense was the main star of the 4th quarter. Both teams would force a punt on each other and then Jackson State would get an interception but would be an empty effort as the Tigers would get the ball and turn it over on downs.
The ending score would be 28-24. After the heartbreaking loss, student-athletes and coaches from Jackson State would speak on the game.
Head Coach T.C. Taylor would state, “I’m very proud of my football team…it’s tough to take that one on the chin.”
Two student-athletes from Jackson would feel grateful for this moment.
Jacobian Morgan, a junior health and exercise major from Canton, Miss. would humbly state, “Seeing this game so many times it was a dream come true. Even though the score wasn’t in our favor, living in the moment is something I won’t take for granted.”
Fabian McCray, a senior sports management major from Chicago, Ill., had the same sentiment.
“Coming from a school that I come from, I wasn’t able to play in an atmosphere like this. Just being able to experience this was a great experience for me,” said McCray.
As the season ends, the Tigers look to head forward into the off-season they look to improve on their 7-4 record and make new strides in the 2024 season.
