JSU Tigers need to keep third down manageable

JACKSON, Mississippi -- Third down is a money down in the game of football.

On offense, conversions sustain drives. On defense, a stop gets the unit off the field and gives the ball back to the offense.

Against Middle Tennessee State, Jackson State’s offense and defense came up broke on those money downs, which is something it’ll need to improve upon against Tennessee State on Saturday.



The Tigers converted on just 29 percent of its third downs in 2014, which ranked 109th of 121 FCS teams. For reference, Alcorn State led the SWAC and was 19th in the FCS with a 44 percent conversion rate.

JSU’s percentage dipped below its 2014 numbers against the Blue Raiders. The Tigers picked up just four conversions on 16 third downs, good for 25 percent.

One of the reasons the Tigers struggled on ,,,

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