JSU Tigers cap off season with win over Alcorn State despite injury to star QB

Most of the records never fell. That convincing margin of victory never happened. But in the end, with its star quarterback watching from the sideline, his throwing arm in a sling, Jackson State won the Capital City Classic. And that, as they say, is all that matters. "I'll be straight with you," JSU coach Rick Comegy said, "it was about winning."

Comegy's Tigers beat Alcorn State 27-14 on Saturday afternoon, thanks to four early touchdowns, a stiff defensive effort and an inept opponent.

The Tigers (8-3, 6-3 Southwestern Athletic Conference) hit the eight-win mark for the third time in Comegy's five years, and they did it in front of more than 43,000 at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the largest Classic crowd in four years.

Notebook: Therriault falls short of most school records

This wasn't how the season was supposed to end for Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault. He was supposed to be the new holder of a bevy of school records. Not sulking in the locker room with a broken collarbone. The latter, though, was the truth Saturday afternoon in Jackson State's 27-14 win over Alcorn State. Therriault failed to break most of the half-dozen school passing marks he was on the cusp of breaking entering the game.

Therriault did break Robert Kent's record for completions in a season. He needed just seven of those and had 16 in his 25 minutes played Saturday. He also broke the school record for completion percentage in a season. With his 16-of-22 performance against Alcorn, Therriault has a 58.3 completion rate, surpassing Jimmy Oliver's 58.0 mark.

Jackson St. - Alcorn State



Injuries force Tigers to play QB shuffle

Of all the weeks, of all the games, of all the unfortunate breaks. Jackson State backup quarterback Dedric McDonald suffered a foot injury at practice earlier this week.

That wasn't too big of a deal - until starting quarterback Casey Therriault suffered a broken collarbone in the second quarter of JSU's 27-14 win over Alcorn State. With McDonald in crutches on the sideline, Mark Thigpen, a true freshman and graduate of Callaway High School, was thrown into the mix.

But the Tigers weren't about to burn Thigpen's redshirt without trying someone else. Tight end Renty Rollins was moved to quarterback - a disastrous move that likely cost JSU points.

Braves' attack fizzles in 2010 finale

Alcorn State's offensive production in the Braves' 27-14 loss to Jackson State could be exemplified by one play. With Alcorn trailing 21-7 early in the second quarter, the Braves lined up at the Tigers' 1-yard line. Alcorn freshman quarterback Brandon Bridge ran up the middle, but fumbled the ball into the end zone.

Jackson State recovered and returned the ball 94 yards. The Tigers scored two plays later on a run from junior quarterback Casey Therriault to take a 20-point lead. Alcorn coach Earnest Collins said the 14-point swing was incredibly detrimental.

ATTENDANCE: 42,800

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Videographer: jaybmuszic