NASHVILLE, Tenn. | New faces emerged for Jackson State in the season opener, and the Tigers reaped the benefits to score late and defeat Tennessee State 26-24 late Saturday night inside FirstBank Stadium at the 2026 John Merritt Classic.
Andrew Ivaniciuc kicked a 21-yard field goal with 2:31 remaining to give Jackson State (1-0) a 26-24 lead, and it was the Tigers' defense that held late in the contest to force a field goal attempt with under 50 seconds remaining. Tennessee State muffed the snap, enabling Jackson State to tackle the holder and come out with the season-opening win. Ivaniciuc finished the night 4-for-5 on field goals, including connecting from 45 yards and a career-high 51-yard field goal late in the third quarter to extend the Jackson State lead to 23-17.
Nate Blount IV, who sat behind a pair of 1,000-yard rushers the last two years, finished the night with a career-high 101 yards on 15 carries - averaging 6.7 yards per carry - to lead a Jackson State rushing attack that finished with 180 yards on 38 carries. Meanwhile, Jared Lockhart finished the night 17-of-26 passing for 222 yards and a touchdown, completing a pass to 10 different receivers. Jabari Jones, the Offensive MVP, finished the night with four receptions for 117 yards, including an 88-yard first-quarter touchdown; while Nate Rembert finished with three receptions for nine yards. Trevon Kemmerlin and Jency Riley Jr. each finished with two receptions.
Defensive MVPÂ Kam Sallis, led the Jackson State defense with seven tackles, including three solo, while Vernorrius Chaney and Keith Bass Jr. each finished with six tackles each. Bass finished with a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
How It Happened
- 1st Quarter (7:46) - Lockhart middle pass complete to Jones for 88 yards (Ivaniciuc kick), Jackson State 7-0.Â
- 1st Quarter (2:04) - Brenton Paul rush middle for 9 yards (Preston Hurless kick), 7-7.
- 2nd Quarter (6:49) - Daylin Lee rush left for 1 yard (Hurless kick), Tennessee State 14-7.
- 2nd Quarter (1:56) - Hurless 45-yard field goal, Tennessee State 17-7.
- 2nd Quarter (0:26) - Ivaniciuc 38-yard field goal, Tennessee State 17-10.
- 3rd Quarter (11:10) - Ivaniciuc 45-yard field goal, Tennessee State 17-13.
- 3rd Quarter (7:06) - Emari Matthews rush left 2-yard run (Ivaniciuc kick), Jackson State 20-17.
- 3rd Quarter (1:13) - Ivaniciuc 51-yard field goal, Jackson State 23-17.
- 4th Quarter (8:47) - Lee left pass complete to Francisco Pratts III (Hurless kick), Tennessee State 24-23.
- 4th Quarter (2:31) - Ivaniciuc 21-yard field goal, Jackson State 26-24.
Up Next
Jackson State plays its home opener next Saturday against Edward Waters in the Hope Labor Day Classic.
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