This was an early season matchup of the top two teams in the SWAC East Division from the past two years. The Jackson State Tigers came in riding high off a 37-7 win against the South Carolina State Bulldogs to open the season last week. This would be the Florida A&M Rattlers’ first game of the season. The winner of this game in the past two seasons went on to represent the SWAC East Division in the Championship Game.
In 2021 the Jackson State Tigers won a defensive battle against the Florida A&M Rattlers 7-6. In 2022 it was more of a lopsided affair with the Tigers winning 59-3. This is a relatively new rivalry as this was only the fifth meeting between the schools. The other two meetings happened in 2014 and 2018 both won by Jackson State.
The Florida A&M Rattlers were looking for their first win against the Jackson State Tigers and to be in the driver’s seat for the SWAC East Division. In 2021 and 2022 the Rattlers finished one game behind the Tigers although the race was close the Rattlers could never catch up after the early season loss. In 2023 the Rattlers were determined for a different outcome.
GAME RECAP
The game started with a kickoff return for a touchdown by WR Marus Riley. The Tigers bounced right back with a big return and the next play they got into the red zone. The Rattlers defense stiffened and forced a muffed field goal. On the ensuing possession, the Rattlers drove the ball with an 8-play 58-yard drive capped off with an 18-yard touchdown pass from QB Jeremy Moussa to WR Trevonte Davis to bring the lead to 14-0. The Tigers had a nice drive brewing, but an illegal block penalty slowed down the drive and a fumble three plays later stopped the drive. The Rattlers took over on the 15-yard line and 5 plays later extended the lead to 21-0 with a 5-yard touchdown pass from QB Jeremy Moussa to WR Jah’Marae Sheread.
In the second quarter, one of the only bright spots was a blocked field goal from CB Jaheem Hazel to stop the Rattlers from going up 24-0. The next time the Rattlers had the ball they put the game out of reach with a 3-yard run touchdown by RB Jaquez Yant to make the lead 28-0. The second half had more of the same holding the Jackson State offense to only 10 points with a 24-yard field goal from K Gerado Baeza and a 66-yard touchdown pass from QB Zy McDonald to WR Rico Powers.
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JACKSON STATE TIGERS DEFENSIVE STARS
Although the Tigers fell short in this game, they still had a few players that stood out on the defensive side of the ball. LB Issac Peppers led the team with nine tackles. DL Antonio Doyle came in second with six tackles. S Tim Stewart had five tackles and three other players were tied with four tackles. DL Devonta Davis, CB Ke’Vric Wiggins Jr. CB Anthony Petty
FLORIDA A&M RATTLERS DEFENSIVE STARS
To help their team win the game a few players stood out on the defensive side of the ball. LB Isaiah Major led the team in tackles with six. DB Eric Smith, DB Javan Morgan, DL Gentle Hunt, DL Anthony Dunn Jr., LB Jordan Moore, and LB Allen Smith Jr. all had four tackles each.
NEXT OPPONENTS
Jackson State Tigers (1-1) will travel to play the Southern Jaguars (0-1) of the SWAC West Division in Baton Rouge, LA at 7 p,m, on Saturday, September 9, 2023
Florida A&M Rattlers (1-0) will travel to play the South Florida Bulls (0-1) of the American Athletic Conference in Miami Gardens, Fla at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 9, 2023
