JSU Downs UAPB 30-27; Pick Up Key SWAC Win

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas — Senior Jarrad Hayes tossed a 72-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Warren Newman with 4:49 remaining in the fourth quarter to propel Jackson State past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 30-27 Saturday afternoon.

JSU improves to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference action. As a team, the Tigers totaled 400 yards of total offense.

Hayes, who was elevated to the starting quarterback role this week, did not disappoint. The 6-foot, 190-pound dual-threat went 15-for-25 for 247 yards and two touchdowns. The Normal, Louisiana native converted an impressive 60 percent of his pass attempts.

Hayes’ first touchdown of the game also occurred in fourth quarter. He found Keenen Young on a 35-yard pitch and catch at 8:22, which put the Tigers up briefly 23-20. The senior signal caller also did a great job distributing the ball with 10 different offensive players recording a catch.

The Tigers also used a strong rushing attack to wear down UAPB.

Sophomore Keshawn Harper rushed for a team-high 96 yards on nine carries. Harper also scored on a 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter, which he was tackled and fell on the UAPB defender and never touched the ground and bounced up and rushed down the sideline for the score.

The Tigers’ special teams played a pivotal role in securing the win and collected three blocked field goals. Senior Malik Hamner blocked two, while sophomore Charles Anderson got his hand on another. Based on the records on file, that’s the most field goal blocks JSU has had in a game in program history.

Senior Christian Jacquemin proved a factor and converted three field goals from 44, 36 and 31 yards out.

The 30 points that was scored was the most points scored in a win since JSU defeated Texas Southern 34-30 on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

BOX SCORE

Freshman Keontre Hampton made four solo tackled and assisted on 11 tackles for 9.5 stops. Hampton also added one tackle for a two-yard loss. Senior Darrius Woods had a nearly identical stat line. Woods recorded four solo tackles and assisted on 11 stops for 9.5 tackles. He also had one tackle for loss for a three-yard loss.

In the secondary, sophomore CJ Holmes recorded three tackles and assisted on three stops for 4.5 tackles. He also recorded one tackle for loss that went for six yards and picked up an interception.

JSU returns to action next week and hosts Mississippi Valley State at 2 p.m. for its annual Homecoming game at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.

JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS