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Jackson State Game Notes || Bethune-Cookman Game Notes

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Jackson State opens the 2019 season with the goal to start in Atlanta – and finish in Atlanta. The Tigers, proudly representing the SWAC, begin their trek Sunday, Sept. 1 from Georgia State University Station and will match-up with Bethune-Cookman of the MEAC in the 15th MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
 
The game is slated for a 3 pm. (2 p.m. CDT) kickoff and is being broadcasted world-wide on ESPN2 and will be the only college football game in the time slot.
 
The Tigers were 30 minutes away from capturing the SWAC East Division title and finished the 2018 season with a 2-1 record under then-interim head coach John Hendrick.
 
Hendrick was promoted to head coach in November of last year and re-tooled the coaching staff. On offense, Hendrick brought Eric Dickerson Jr. as offensive coordinator and hired Jackson State alumnus and former All-American TC Taylor to coach the quarterbacks. Otis Riddley, a Jackson native will coach the offensive line and Brady Ackerman, who was an offensive analyst in 2018, was promoted to wide receivers coach.
 
Quarterback is a position of strength for the Tigers
 
Junior Derrick Ponder and four-star freshman Jalon Jones are in a competition for the starting role. However, there is depth beyond the leaders of the pack. Sophomore Matt Little, a Western Michigan transfer and true freshman Quincy Casey have showcased their ability to grasp the offense. The starting quarterback will be announced when he runs onto the field on Sunday.
 
For the quarterbacks to succeed there needs to be talented pass catchers and a solid running game. There is a ton of experience in the backfield and speed in the receiving corps.
 
Senior Jordan Johnson, who has led the Tigers in rushing the past two seasons, returns for his senior campaign.
 
Juniors Keshawn Harper and Quitten Brown return and it doesn't end there. Junior Josh Little, freshman Tyson Alexander and sophomore transfer Greg Williams have all shown big-play ability.
 
The receiving corps returns a solid nucleus and a bevy of newcomers, which makes for a captivating battle at the position.
 
Senior Ra'Meik Wallace and junior play-maker Warren Newman will see plenty of action and a host of newcomers has made the group only better. Ole Miss-transfer DD Bowie, Troy-transfer Daniel Crowell, and Morgan State-transfer Daylen Baldwin have added speed and size.
 
Defense Stacked
 
The Jackson State defense has been dominant in recent years under Hendrick. Top tackler is back in sophomore star LB Keonte Hampton. There is starting experience back at several positions. This unit was one of the toughest red-zone groups in FCS football, was stingy against the run and overall could clamp down as well as just about any defense in the HBCU ranks. Look for the defense to set the tone early in the season as the offense comes along with a new full-time quarterback.
 
 
About Bethune-Cookman
 
The Wildcats finished 2018 with a 7-5 record and finished second in the MEAC standings.
 
Linebackers Devin James and Marquis Hendrix and rover Tydarius Peters are as good a nucleus as there is in the MEAC, and stud defensive lineman Marques Ford was a first-team all-conference selection last year. If the secondary can find its voice, this defense may cut its "points per game" average by 10 points.
 
Sr./DB Trevor Merritt (2nd Team All MEAC; 4 INTs, 2 TDs); Sr./LB Marquis Hendrix (2nd Team All MEAC - 83 tackles, 9 TFLs); Sr./DB Tydarius Peters (3rd Team All MEAC, 4 INTs, 2 TDs - 68 tackles); Jr./OL L'Dre Barnes (3rd Team All MEAC); Jr./LB (17 career starts, team leading 84 tackles last year); Jr./LT Jamal Savage (23 starts in 2 seasons); Jr./WR Steffon Francois (405 receiving yards); Sr./QB Akevious Williams (6 starts in 2018, 1,435 passing yards, 12 TDs and 347 rushing yards and 8 TDs).