Jackson State ground attack matches air threat

JACKSON, Tennessee  -- The element of surprise isn’t there anymore. After establishing itself as a passing team in 2011, finishing first in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in pass offense, Jackson State pounded teams with its rushing attack.

“I’m definitely going to give credit to me and Tommy (Gooden) in the offensive line; we did a good job,” junior Rakeem Sims said. “But people really expected us to pass the ball a lot last year because we came from an air raided (the year before).”

Now, opponents understand the Tigers can hurt them either way. The Tigers’ rushing attack finished second in the conference, averaging 186.9 yards per game while scoring 28 touchdowns.

Sims and Gooden keyed the ground game. Sims was the team’s leading rusher with 824 yards. Gooden added 608 yards, the third-most on the team. Both combined for 14 of JSU’s 28 rushing touchdowns.

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