The Jackson State University football team will open its 2022 home schedule Saturday in a 1 p.m. non-conference game against Grambling at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The W.C. Gorden Classic is named for the legendary former Jackson State Head Coach, College Football Hall of Famer, and Black College Football Hall Of Famer who led JSU to eight SWAC titles (1980-1982, 1985-1988, 1990) in 15 seasons as head coach (1977-91), compiling a 118-47-5 record.
GAME INFORMATION:
- Matchup: Jackson State Tigers (2-0 overall, 1-0 SWAC) vs. Grambling State Tigers (1-1, 0-0).
- Game time, Stadium, Location: 1 p.m. CT, Veterans Memorial Stadium
- Fan Color: Red
- Tickets: Available online at gojsutigers.com/tickets; In Person at The Vet until 4 p.m. today; Box Office opens 8 a.m. Saturday.
- Radio: JSU Sports Network pregame show begins at Noon on 95.5 FM in Jackson; Sirius XM Channel 386, and SiriusXM online channel 976; SWAC Hall of Famer Rob Jay and Former JSU QB Darrell Asberry on the call
- Online/Video: ESPN3 online with Tiffany Greene and Jay Walker on the call ; TV Replay on ESPNU at 9:30 p.m.
- Live Stats: https://gojsutigers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Jackson State enters the game with the top-ranked defense in FCS football in four categories: scoring defense (3.0 ppg), rushing defense (13.0 ypg), total defense (143.0 ypg), and sacks (13). The Tigers are second in tackles for loss (22), t-2nd in blocked punts (one) and defensive touchdowns (two), t-fifth in fewest first downs allowed (26), and 10th in passing defense (130.0 ypg).
Jackson State enters the contest coming off a dominant defensive performance in a 16-3 win over Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic. The defense did not allow Tennessee State to cross the 50-yard line on nine of 11 possessions, including the final eight in a row in yielding only 131 total yards (-8 rushing, 139 passing). Jackson State racked up nine sacks in the contest and allowed only 13 first downs. TSU gained 97 yards on three plays, and only 34 yards on the other 58 plays.
Nyles Gaddy earned SWAC Defensive Player Of The Week and BOXTOROW National Player Of The Week honors after making career highs in sacks (3.5), tackles for loss (4.0), and tackles (six).
Offensively, JSU moved the ball throughout the game, gaining 418 yards, (276 passing / 142 rushing), gaining 24 first downs
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Alejandro Mata was named SWAC Specialist Of The Week after making three clutch field goals to give the Tigers the lead in the second and third quarters. Mata made field goals of 28 and 27 yards in the second quarter, and 30 yards in the third quarter. Mata capped off his 10-point scoring game with a fourth-quarter extra point for the final margin.
QB
Shedeur Sanders tied a career high in completions (30) and set a career high with 44 pass attempts for 276 yards with one touchdown. His 27-yard touchdown strike to
Willie Gaines with just over two minutes remaining put the game away. RB Sy'Veon Wilkerson was named SWAC Newcomer Of The Week after coming off the bench to total 109 yards of offense in bringing a spark to running game. Wilkerson carried 15 times for 81 yards and caught three passes for 28 yards, all in the final three quarters.
After a week one loss to Arkansas State, Grambling rebounded with an impressive 47-21 win over Northwestern St. QB Quaterius Hawkins passed for 293 yards and three touchdowns. RB Maurice Washington had scoring runs of 61 and 25 yards. GSU gained 435 yards (290 passing, 145 rushing), and allowed 425 (268 passing, 157 rushing) .
Former NFL head coach Hue Jackson is in his first season at Grambling.
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