Jackson State vs. Alabama A&M
Jackson, Miss./Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: JSU Sports Network & SIRIUS Internet Radio
Live Stats
Tickets

JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State hosts Alabama A&M for its Spring Homecoming game that's set for 2 p.m. from the historic Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

It's the 30th time these two programs will meet on the gridiron and the Tigers lead the series 16-13.

Bows Up

Redshirt-freshman Quincy Casey will assume the starting quarterback role on Saturday, and it will be Casey's third career start. In Fall 2019, Casey started the season opener and left after the first series due to injury. Casey later started at Mississippi Valley State and went 3-for-9 for 27 yards. That was Casey's last game of 2019 and the Memphis native elected to redshirt due to injury. Casey is a Memphis native and prepped at Ridgeway High School and as a senior passed for 1581 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. As a junior, Casey threw for 1544 yards, 17 touchdowns, and one interception and finished with a 110.6 quarterback rating.

Darkside Defense

One way to help a quarterback out is playing solid defense. Entering this week, JSU is surrendering 20.8 points per game and 317.5 yards per game, which ranks second in the SWAC. As a unit, the Tigers lead the SWAC with five interceptions and have tallied a league-high 14 sacks for 84 yards lost. The defense faces a tall order and will match up with Preseason SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, and NFL prospect Aqeel Glass. Glass had a standout 2019 season with 3600 yards passing, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder completed 61.3 percent of his passes. The Tiger defense will need to pressure Glass and keep the Bulldogs' offense off-balance.

Hampton and Miller

The Mighty Ducks had the Bash Brothers, but the Jackson State football team has Keonte Hampton and Aubrey Miller, Jr. Hampton leads the conference with 48 tackles and 27 solo stops for an average of 9.6 tackles per game. Miller has added 44 tackles and 26 solo stops and is averaging 11 tackles per game. Miller has also added 4.5 tackles for loss. The duo has developed into the two best linebackers in the SWAC and at the FCS level this spring.

Secondary

De'Jahn Warren has one interception and has defended only a handful of passes. There is a clear reason why: opposing coaches don't want to throw to an NFL-caliber cornerback. Warren faces his first true test versus AAMU quarterback Aqeel Glass.

Big, Tough, Physical, Tough, and Fast

The JSU receiving unit is the most talented group in the SWAC and arguably at the FCS level. Daylen Baldwin, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, leads SWAC in receiving yards (405), touchdowns (6), and longest reception of the season (75 yards). Baldwin is also averaging 81 yards receiving per game, which ranks third. Corey Reed, Jr., who stands at 6-2, 210 pounds is second in the conference in receiving yards (282) and touchdowns (3). Warren Newman who is 5-7, 175 pounds, operates out of the slot leads the conference with 26 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Baldwin and Reed are tied for second in the conference in receptions (21 receptions).

Offense Continues to Churn Out Yards

Despite suffering a pair of setbacks, JSU continues to produce yards. The Tigers are averaging 404.6 yards per game, which ranks second in the conference. The Tigers' 2023 total yards also is the most in the conference, however, the Blue and White have played in five games, which leads the SWAC.

SWAC East Division Hangs in the Balance

The Tigers need to win on Saturday to keep their SWAC East Division and SWAC Championship hopes alive.