Tennessee State Tigers Fall to #8 Jacksonville State, 41-14

PHOTO GALLERY | BOX SCORE

Game 8: Tennessee State 14, #8 Jacksonville State 41
Records: TSU (3-5, 2-4 OVC), JSU (8-2, 7-1 OVC)
Venue: William H. Jasper Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Weather: Sunny, 39
Kickoff Time: 2:08 p.m.
Attendance: 6,718

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --- Tennessee State fell in their return to Hale Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers fell 34-7 to No. 8 Jacksonville State in front of 6,718 fans. TSU fell to 3-5 on the season, 2-4 in Ohio Valley Conference play, while JSU improved to 8-2, 7-1 in conference play.

JSU scored touchdowns on their first four possessions of the first half to take a 27-7 lead into the locker room. The Gamecocks totaled 232 yards in the first quarter and ended the half with 330 yards.

The Tigers scored on a pair of long distant runs. Te’kendrick Roberson broke through with a 58 yard touchdown run in the first quarter only to be topped by Shawn McColley in the fourth. The redshirt freshman went for a team season best 70 yards with 7:46 remaining in the game. The scoring runs were the first of the two runners TSU career.

The Gamecocks took advantage of three interceptions, returning two for touchdowns.

McColley led all rushers with 93 yards on seven carries, followed by Roberson at 68 yards on 10 touches.

Micheal Hughes finished 15-of-29 for 164 yards, while JSU quarterback Zerrick Cooper went 20-of-30 for 272 yards and three touchdowns.

FIRST QUARTER

• Jacksonville State jumped out to a 13-0 lead with touchdowns on its first two possessions.
• On their second drive, the Tigers used three plays to cut into the Gamecocks advantage.
• After a Micheal Hughes eight yard, first down completion to Chris Rowland the Big Blue broke off its longest touchdown run of the season.
• Te’kendrick Roberson broke through the right side of the line and out raced the defenders 58 yards for his first career touchdown as a Tiger.
• The six point deficit was short lived as JSU marched 92 yards on 13 plays to make the score 20-7.
• The Gamecocks outgained the Tigers 232-92 in the first 15 minutes. 

SECOND QUARTER

• JSU added another score on their first possession of the quarter to increase the lead to 27-7.
• The Tigers forced their first stop of JSU leaving 4:15 on the clock.
• TSU used the running game to gain a first down before Hughes found Rowland for a 22 yard gain.
• The junior wide receiver caught the ball on the far sideline and maneuvered his way into the clearing to move the Tigers to the 44 yard line.
• Shawn McColley used a pair of runs to move the Big Blue into JSU territory.
• TSU moved deeper into the Gamecocks territory as a defensive holding penalty was added to a Hughes seven yard run.
• On the following play, Hughes completed a 20 yard pass to Steven Newbold, one yard short of the goal line.
• The Gamecocks stood tall as the forced a sack on the final play of the half to keep the score at 27-7.
• TSU outgained JSU, 110-98, in the second period. 

THIRD QUARTER

• The Tigers opened the second half with a drive to the Gamecocks two yard line.
• Hughes completed a 17 yard pass to Rowland and an 11 yarder to Al-Malik Moore to go along with a pair of JSU penalties to move to the Gamecocks 12.
• Hughes teamed with Rowland for nine yards to the three.
• Two plays later, the drive ended as Hughes tossed his fifth interception of the year.
• The Tiger defense kept JSU off the board on the next drive, forcing a 35 yard field goal attempt.
• The kick went off the left upright, keeping the score at 27-7.
• JSU outgained TSU 65-59. 

FOURTH QUARTER

• Jeremiah Caine opened the final stanza with his second sack of the game.
• The Caine play led to a punt, giving the Tigers the ball with 12:19 remaining in the game.
• JSU put a damper on TSUs effort for a comeback with an interception returned for a touchdown, making the score 34-7.
• Later in the quarter, Jacksonville State recorded its second pick-six of the game increasing the lead to 41-7.
• On the Tigers next play from scrimmage, Shawn McColley broke through the middle of the line and sprinted 70 yards for the longest run for the Tigers this season.
• TSU outgained the Gamecocks 81-25 in the final quarter. 

WHAT'S NEXTTSU will close out the season as they host UT Martin at Hale Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 17. The Tigers will honor the 2018 seniors prior to the contest.

GAME NOTES

• TSUs captains were LaQuarius Cook, Micheal Hughes and Chris Rowland.
• Former TSU head coach L.C. Cole, Tiger great and Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphries, as well as President Glenda Glover were special guests during the coin toss.
• Tennessee State won the toss and deferred to the second half.
• TSU is 2-11 in the all-time series versus Jacksonville State.
• JSU is ranked 8th in the STATS Top 25 and 9th in the AFCA Coaches Top 25.
• The Tigers have a ranked opponent for the second consecutive week.

TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS