Road loss knocks TSU out of OVC contention

Jacksonville St. blocks 2 kicks, route to title

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Tennessee State's chances of winning the Ohio Valley Conference suffered a fatal blow Saturday when the Tigers were beaten 26-21 at Jacksonville State. TSU (8-3, 5-2) now must win its final game at Murray State for a shot at finishing second in the conference and securing an at-large playoff berth. JSU's special teams were huge in the game, blocking two field-goal attempts. The first one, snuffed by Alexandria's T.J. Heath, was returned by Andrew Ridgeway 72 yards for the Gamecocks' first touchdown.

"Special teams and too many mistakes," Tigers Coach James Webster said of the reasons for the loss. "We just couldn't put it in the end zone." The Tigers played without their OVC-leading rusher. Javarris Williams didn't play — depending on who you talked to — either for disciplinary reasons or a hamstring injury. JaJuan Spillman proved an effective alternative. He caught six passes for 104 yards, including a 63-yarder for the game's first touchdown, and ran five times for 53 yards. Quarterback Antonio Heffner threw for 170 yards and a touchdown pass. He also rushed for 55 yards.

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Attendance: 7,956

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Jacksonville State Gamecocks Roll To 45-18 Win Over AAMU Bulldogs in Home Opener

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JACKSONVILLE, AL-- Jacksonville State scored 24 second quarter points to erase a 12-10 deficit en route to a 45-18 win over Alabama A&M in front 16,654 at Paul Snow Stadium on Saturday. The Gamecocks improved to 1-1 in front of the third largest crowd in Paul Snow Stadium history while Alabama A&M fell to 0-2 on the year.

“I think we came out here with a great purpose and tried to say that we’re a good football team that has some good ambitions,” JSU Head Coach Jack Crowe said. “I am proud of it. I still think we have a lot of work left to do, but I think we are good enough to have high expectations.”

Daniel Jackson got the scoring started on JSU’s opening drive when he took an option pitch and rambled 37-yardS to give JSU a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs responded with the next three scores to cut the deficit into a Bulldog lead. Jeremy Licea made field goals of 26 and 38 yards and A&M took a 12-10 lead when Anthony Green scored on a one-yard run with 11:17 to go in the second quarter, just before JSU’s big second quarter.

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Attendance: 16,654 (111%) @ Paul Snow Stadium, Jacksonville, AL (Capacity: 15,000).

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JACKSONVILLE, AL - Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones learned two days before the Bulldogs' season opener against Tennessee State that his three Division I transfers - offensive tackle Michael Brown, inside linebacker Alfred Williams and defensive end Cornelius Robinson - wouldn't be able to play pending a ruling by the NCAA on their eligibility.

As a result, Jones had to resort to his backup plan, and it failed miserably as the Tigers claimed a 34-13 victory. Jones had hoped those players would be cleared in time for today's game at Jacksonville State. As of Friday, there had been no word. The Bulldogs and Gamecocks will battle at Paul Snow Stadium with both teams in search of their first victory of the season. Kickoff is 6 and the game can be heard on WJAB-FM 90.9.

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