JACKSON, Miss. | One second, the announcement was made in Veterans Memorial Stadium to put one second back on the clock and give Alabama State one more chance at the end zone from the two-yard line. However, the Jackson State defense stood tall and held the Hornets at the one-yard line with Ashton Taylor sealing the deal for the defending Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship in a 38-34 victory over Alabama State on Saturday night in front of a nationally televised audience.

Jackson State (5-1, 3-0 SWAC) took the lead with just 50 seconds left in the game on an 18-yard touchdown pass from JaCobian Morgan to Nate Rembert, taking a 38-34 lead before Alabama State (4-2, 2-1 SWAC) drove the length of the field. Andrew Body dropped back to pass with six seconds left, however, his receiver was dropped at the two-yard line sending the stadium into a frenzy before the announcement setting the stage for the final play.

The Tigers took an early lead before the two teams traded jabs throughout the game with Alabama State grabbing a lead with two fourth-quarter touchdowns before Jackson State answered with the go-ahead touchdown in the last minute.

Jackson State totaled 488 yards of total offense led by Morgan who finished the night 16-for-23 passing for 191 yards for five touchdowns. He connected with six different receivers with Ja'Naylon Dupree with four receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns; while Jency Riley Jr. finished with four receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. The Tigers also rushed 257 yards with Travis Terrell Jr. leading the way with 77 yards on 17 attempts, while Morgan added 66 yards and Ahmad Miller 60 yards on nine carries.

Quincy Ivory finished with 12 tackles with eight solo stops, while he also finished 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sack. He also finished with his first career interception. KJ Chisholm Jr. finished with five tackles including a touchdown-saving tackle along the boundary in the second half.

How It Happened
1st Quarter (12:37) - Shemar Savage 6-yd pass from Morgan (Gerardo Baeza kick); Jackson State 7-0.
2nd Quarter (13:18) - Andrew Abu-Akel 42-yd field goal; Jackson State 7-3.
2nd Quarter (9:37) - Donovan Warren 29-yd field goal; Jackson State 10-3.
2nd Quarter (3:15) - Marcus Harris II 2-yd run (Abu-Akel kick); 10-10.
2nd Quarter (1:30) - Dupree 30-yd pass from Morgan (Baeza kick); Jackson State 17-10.
2nd Quarter (0:00) - Abu-Akel 36-yd field goal; Jackson State 17-13.
3rd Quarter (12:05) - Jamarie Hostzclaw 2-yd run (Abu-Akel kick); Alabama State 20-17.
3rd Quarter (8:43) - Jency Riley, Jr. 3-yd pass from Morgan (Baeza kick); Jackson State 24-20.
4th Quarter (9:18) - Dupree 5-yd pass from Morga (Baeza,Gerardo kick); Jackson State 31-20.
4th Quarter (7:07) - Jalen Jones 8-yd pass from Andrew Body (Abu-Akel kick); Jackson State 31-27.
4th Quarter (4:36) - Hostzclaw 15-yd run (Abu-Akel kick); Alabama State 34-31.
4th Quarter (0:50) - Rembert 18-yd pass from Morgan (Baeza kick); Jackson State 38-34.

Up Next
Jackson State returns to action on Oct. 25 against Grambling State in the HBCU Las Vegas Classic.

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