JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jackson State University quarterback
Shedeur Sanders threw a career-high tying five touchdown passes, and the defense tied an NCAA record with three safeties as the Tigers defeated Bethune-Cookman 48-8 Saturday at TIAA Bank Stadium.
Sanders, a Heisman Trophy and Walter Payton Award candidate, threw five scoring passes in a game for the second time this season (Florida A&M) in completing 36 of 48 passes for 272 yards, overcoming two interceptions. Sanders has now passed for 1,998 and 22 touchdowns with only four interceptions.
Dallas Daniels (7-55-2) and
Shane Hooks (6-66-2) each caught two touchdown passes as Jackson State improved to 6-0 overall for the first time since 1983, as the Tigers are also now 4-0 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
JSU also scored three safeties in the game to tie an NCAA FCS record. This is the fourth time a team has scored three safeties in a game: Alabama St. vs. Albany St. (GA), Oct. 15, 1988; Davidson vs. Drake, Oct. 20, 2007; Prairie View vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff, Sept. 17, 2011.
The top-ranked JSU defense recorded seven sacks and limited Bethune-Cookman to 166 total yards (39 rushing / 127 passing). LB
Jeremiah Brown had four tackles, 2.0 sacks, 2.0 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble, and was one of six players to record at least one sack (
John Huggins,
Nyles Gaddy, Justin Ragin,
Baron Hopson,
Khalil Arrington).
The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions to take a 21-0 lead after one. Sanders threw a five-yard scoring pass to
Rico Powers, a four-yard TD pass to Daniels, and a 13-yard touchdown pass to
Shane Hooks in the opening period.
In the second quarter, the first of three safeties was scored after a punt snap went over the head of the Bethune-Cookman punter and out of the end zone. On the ensuing drive, Sanders threw a five-yard scoring pass to Daniels to extend to a 30-0 lead JSU would take to the half.
In the third quarter, Hopson's sack in the end zone for a safety led to a 51-yard scoring drive, ending with
Santee Marshall's six-yard scoring run for a 39-0 lead late in the third quarter.
Leading 39-8 in the fourth quarter, Huggins' sack in the end zone tied the NCAA record. On the next possession, Sanders' five-yard touchdown pass to Hooks provided the final margin.
Jackson State will host the 2022 homecoming game against Campbell next Saturday at 2 p.m. at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
