After a strong first half, Jackson State football held on Saturday to remain undefeated in SWAC play.
The Tigers downed Alabama A&M 45-38 Saturday night at neutral site Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Only seven second-half points were enough for JSU to keep the lead against Alabama A&M, credited to 38 first-half points. The Tigers ' defense, which had a hot start, crumbled in the second half and allowed Alabama A&M hope late in the fourth quarter. However, JSU’s containment on holding the Bulldogs’ long-timing drives was enough to grab its fourth win of the year.
Here's a look at how JSU (4-2, 2-0 SWAC) won the Gulf Coast Challenge in Mobile against Alabama A&M (2-3, 0-1 SWAC).
Jackson State football's offense dominates early, but stalls late
At the end of the first half, JSU had 38 points. When the clock hit zero in the fourth quarter, the Tigers had 45, which ended up being enough.
Running back Irv Mulligan scored the game's first two touchdowns and finished with 86 rushing yards. Quarterback Jacobian Morgan passed for three touchdowns with 226 passing yards in his third start of the season. Receiver Joanes Fortilien had six receptions for 83 yards with two touchdowns.
The 45-point total is the most the Tigers have scored since they won 58-7 against FCS Lane in Week 2. JSU didn't punt until there was 8:48 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Jackson State defense was strong in first half, struggled in second
Jackson State defensive coordinator Torenzo Quinn heavily emphasized the ability of his defense to finish games after the way opponents scored in the second half during past games. The trend didn't change Saturday.
The Tigers gave up 10 points on 20 minutes of ball possession in the first half, but Alabama A&M scored 28 points and accumulated 293 total yards in the second half to make the game close.
Jackson State limits turnovers against Alabama A&M
Entering Saturday afternoon, JSU had nine turnovers this season. Despite an interception from Morgan from a tipped ball in the air, JSU limited turning the ball over — which proved pivotal. After Alabama A&M’s lengthy comeback, not giving the Bulldogs the ball had its benefits.
Jackson State vs Alabama A&M score updates
Jackson State 45, Alabama A&M 38 4Q 2:57
After a drive that started from their own 5-yard line, Alabama A&M marches down the field and scores on a 2-yard rush by DJ Moffett.
Jackson State 45, Alabama A&M 31 4Q 10:51
On fourth and goal, Alabama A&M finds the end zone from a 12-yard pass from Lankford to wide receiver DeQuadrion Welch.
Jackson State 45, Alabama A&M 24 3Q 1:14
Alabama A&M's quarterback Lankford finds tight end Dion Nelson on a 7-yard touchdown. The score is the second tight end Lankford has found along with Payne.
Jackson State 45, Alabama A&M 17 3Q 6:44
Isaiah Spencer secures a 58-yard touchdown reception thrown by Morgan.
Jackson State 38, Alabama A&M 17 3Q 9:48
Donovan Payne hauls in a 20-yard reception thrown by Lankford.
Jackson State 38, Alabama A&M 10 2Q 0:27
Gerardo Baeza makes a 23-yard field goal before halftime to put JSU up 28 points.
Jackson State 35, Alabama A&M 10 2Q 4:24
Fortilien has his second touchdown of the game from an 18-yard touchdown thrown by Morgan.
Jackson State 28, Alabama A&M 10 2Q 5:55
Xavier Lankford runs in for a 1-yard score to give Alabama A&M its first touchdown of the game. The score stemmed from a 14-play, 73-yard drive.
Jackson State 28, Alabama A&M 3 2Q 12:53
Joanes Fortilien makes two catches to set up his 12-yard reception touchdown from quarterback Jacobian Morgan. Fortilien made a 32-yard one-handed grab on the play before.
Jackson State 21, Alabama A&M 3 1Q 2:05
Freshman Travis Terrell returns a 96-yard touchdown from the Alabama A&M kickoff.
Jackson State 14, Alabama A&M 3 1Q 2:20
Victor Barbosa drills a 34-yard field goal to give Alabama A&M its first points of the afternoon.
Jackson State 14, Alabama A&M 0 1Q 9:13
Mulligan scores his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon after a 10-yard score. JSU forced a three-and-out on Alabama A&M's first drive and capitalized on it.
Jackson State 7, Alabama A&M 0 1Q 12:17
Irv Mulligan scores on a 6-yard run to open the game for JSU. A 6-play 75-yard drive for the Tigers.
Jackson State vs Alabama A&M time today
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
- Time: 4 p.m. CT
- Location: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama
What channel is Jackson State vs Alabama A&M game on today?
- TV channel: ESPN+
- Streaming: ESPN+
- Radio: Jackson's Inspiration Station — Hallelujah 95.5
Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M will be streamed on ESPN +. Santoria Black and Ken Moore will broadcast the game from Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Jackson State vs Alabama A&M history
- Series record: Jackson State leads, 16-12
- Jackson State's last win: Oct. 7, 2023, Jackson State 45-30
- Alabama A&M's last win : April 10, 2021, Alabama A&M 52-43
Jackson State score prediction vs Alabama A&M
Jackson State 35, Alabama A&M 23: The Tigers' offense looked like it couldn't be stopped vs Texas Southern. With the confidence that quarterback Jacobian Morgan is playing with, JSU's offense will strike early, and the defense will continue to do its job, stopping the run.
Jackson State vs Alabama A&M weather update
According to The Weather Channel the forecast in Mobile at kickoff is 83 degrees, cloudy and 8 mph winds.
Jackson State football 2024 schedule
Aug. 29: ULM 30, Jackson State 14.
Sept. 7: Jackson State 58, Lane 7.
Sept. 14: Jackson State 33, Southern 15.
Sept. 21: Grambling State 41, Jackson State 20.
Sept. 28: Jackson State 43, Texas Southern 14.
Oct. 5: vs. Alabama A&M (in Mobile, Ala.)
Oct. 19: vs. Florida A&M
Oct. 26: at Bethune-Cookman
Nov. 2: vs. Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Nov. 9: vs. Mississippi Valley State
Nov. 16: at Alabama State
Alabama A&M football 2024 schedule
Aug. 31: Auburn 73, Alabama A&M 3.
Sept. 7: Alabama A&M 49, Kentucky State 7.
Sept. 14: Alabama A&M 24, Georgetown (KY) 16.
Sept. 21: Austin Peay 59, Alabama A&M 16.
Sept. 28: at Florida A&M (Postponed)
Oct. 5: vs. Jackson State (in Mobile, Ala.)
Oct. 12: vs. Bethune-Cookman
Oct. 26: at Alabama State
Nov. 2: vs. Southern
Nov. 9: at Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Nov. 14: vs. Grambling State
Nov. 23: at Mississippi Valley State
Nov. 29: at Florida A&M
Jackson State football news
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez .
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State football staves off comeback by Alabama A&M, remains undefeated in SWAC play
Local News
Comments / 0