MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Jackson State University football team will play for much more than victory Sunday as the Tigers open the 2022 season against Florida A&M Sunday afternoon in the highly anticipated matchup in the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium.
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With all the challenges Mississippi's capital city has faced in the last few years, JSU Head Coach Deion 'Coach Prime' Sanders hopes his team can provide a mental escape for residents facing the water crisis as his defending SWAC Champion Tigers prepare to face FAMU.
From obstacles ranging from the pandemic beginning in 2020, to a major snowstorm in 2021, to current events, Sanders has admired the strength of the city.
"One thing that I've garnished, and I've gathered; Jackson, Mississippi is resilient," Coach Prime said. "We have some people in that city that are doers, and all they want is a little hope. Just let them peek and see a little light, and they are going to make it to the next day…All they want is hope and desire…The Jackson State University football team gave them that (in 2021), and we plan to give them that (in 2022). It brought us all together, unified."
Jackson State's 7-6 win over Florida A&M in the 2021 season opener proved to be the difference in which team controlled its destiny in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division for the remainder of the season. JSU did not lose in league play en route to an 11-2 overall record (8-0 SWAC) and winning its first division title since 2013, and first SWAC Championship since 2007.
Florida A&M did not lose again in conference play as the Rattlers posted a 9-3 mark (7-1 SWAC) in earning an at-large berth into the FCS playoffs.
There will be no shortage of star power on the field. Coach Prime returned Jackson State to the SWAC Championship throne in his first full season as JSU head coach as the Tigers set a school record for wins and set a home attendance mark in the FCS, averaging more than 42,000 fans.
The defending SWAC Champion Tigers are led by QB
Shedeur Sanders, the SWAC's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year among a host of preseason accolades. In a banner 2021 season in which he was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year and won the Jerry Rice Award as the top freshman in FCS football among other awards, QB Sanders tied a school record for completions (272) and set a school record for completion percentage (65.9) while throwing the second-most touchdown passes in program history (30) and the fifth-highest single-season passing yards total in school history (3,231). Sanders is one of eight JSU players to earn 2022 All-SWAC Preseason honors.
Willie Simmons has led FAMU to a 24-11 mark in his Rattler tenure, including back-to-back nine-win seasons. The Rattlers are led on the field by LB Isaiah Land, the reigning SWAC Defensive Player of the Year and Buck Buchanan Award winner as the top defensive player in FCS Football. Land, who led the nation in sacks (19) and tackles for loss (25.5) last season, is one of six Rattlers on the 2022 All-SWAC Preseason team.
Florida A&M opened the season last week with a 56-24 loss at North Carolina. QB Jeremy Moussa passed for 278 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his first career start for FAMU.
