JACKSON, Miss. | Jackson State used a dominant defensive effort to get back on track with a 30-0 victory over Tuskegee in the W.C. Gorden Classic on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium, the first shutout since Oct. 29, 2022 for the Tigers.
Jackson State (2-1) allowed Tuskegee to cross the 50-yard line just two times, one ending with a punt in the first and the second a blocked field goal by Kazarius Bowie to keep the shutout intact. They Tigers held Tuskegee (2-1) to 24 yards rushing on 20 carries - an average of 1.2 yards per carry - and seven total first downs. They also held the Golden Tigers to 85 yards passing, and just 109 yards of total offense on 40 plays on the afternoon.
Quincy Ivory led four players with five-plus tackles on the day with seven and two tackles for loss, while Defensive MVP J'Cori Hargon finished with six total tackles and a tackle for loss earning the start. Reid Pulliam and Kam Sallis each recorded five tackles in the win.
Meanwhile, Offensive MVP Jared Lockhart made his debut for Jackson State with his first collegiate start, accounting for three touchdowns. The freshman finished 14-of-20 for 257 yards and a touchdowns, throwing one interception and being sacked just once. He also ran 11 times for 32 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the day, before Parker Stofa came in and recording his first career touchdown.
Ahmad Miller led Jackson State with 69 yards rushing on eight carries, while Donerio Davenport added 57 yards on nine carries and Travis Terrell Jr. 52 yards on six carries. Kobe Paul led Jackson State with 113 yards receiving on five receptions, and Jameel Gardner Jr. added four receptions for 47 yards. Ja'Naylon Dupree hauled in a pair of receptions for 57 yards for a Jackson State team that finished with 511 yards of total offense on 72 total plays. The Tigers finished with 252 yards rushing on 50 carries - averaging 5.0 yards per carry - and passed for 259 yards.
Jackson State a few of its starters on the afternoon ahead of its first conference opener in two weeks.
How It Happened
1st Quarter (11:53) - Lockhart 11-yd run (Gerardo Baeza kick); Jackson State 7-0.
2nd Quarter (14:07) - Lockhart 6-yd run (Baeza kick); Jackson State 14-0.
2nd Quarter (1:55) - Gardner 21-yd pass from Lockhart (Baeza kick); Jackson State 21-0.
3rd Quarter (4:28) - Pulliam safety; Jackson State 23-0.
3rd Quarter (0:08) - Stofa 1-yd run (Baeza kick); Jackson State 30-0.
Up Next
Jackson State hits the road to open Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play in Baton Rouge (La.) against Southern on September 27.
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