Jackson State football are SWAC East champions.

THE No. 20 Tigers (9-2, 7-0 SWAC) won their third SWAC East title in the last four years with a 16-10 victory over Alabama State (5-5, 4-3) in Montgomery, Alabama, on Saturday. JSU’s last East title was in 2022.

JSU will host Southern in the SWAC title game on Dec. 7 after Southern beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31-9 on Saturday.

Ball security and penalties hurt JSU, but its defense was successful on third downs, preventing Alabama State from advancing anywhere near the red zone. The Tigers added a safety with two minutes left in the game.

“We always talk about the team that can make adjustments in championship-type games, and that’s what we did today,” JSU coach TC Taylor said. “I think Coach (Torenzo) Quinn called it a hell of a game for our defensive coordinator, this defensive staff and our players who played well.”

Several players were involved in a fight during post-match handshakes. Payers began shoving each other, leading to helmets being removed and players being punched. The JSU and Alabama State coaching staff attempted to disperse the crowd of players and ultimately succeeded in diluting it.

JSU told the Clarion Ledger it would not comment on the matter.

Alabama State University President Quinton T. Ross issued a statement.

“Alabama State University is deeply disappointed by the actions of certain members of our football team involved in a physical altercation following the nationally televised football game against Jackson State University,” Ross wrote. “This behavior does not reflect the values, standards or rich heritage of our esteemed institution.

“The University is currently conducting a thorough review of the incident and will take appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with our policies.”

Here’s a look at how JSU won the SWAC East title by beating Alabama State.

Jackson State’s defense stands out against Alabama State

Starting in the fourth quarter, JSU held Alabama State to minus 4 passing yards and under 100 for the game. JSU had nine tackles for loss and three sacks and recorded its fifth straight game without allowing a point in the second half.

“Our defense stepped up today, and that’s what this team has done all year,” Taylor said. “We found ourselves covering each other all year. And they kept saying, ‘Offense, we got you,’ and they went out there and found a way to close out that game for us. “

However, Daquon Kincey and the Hornets’ running game produced. Kincey totaled 144 rushing yards and Alabama State finished with 184 rushing yards.

Jackson State receivers score all Tigers’ touchdowns

Receivers Ja’Naylon Dupree and Jameel Gardner Jr. helped JSU greatly. With Alabama State’s No. 1 defense limited to running back Irv Mulligan, the Tigers’ passing game needed to be effective. Quarterback Jacobian Morgan added to that by finding Gardner on a 24-yard score to give JSU its first touchdown. Later, Morgan found Dupree in open space for a 44-yard touchdown.

The Tigers had 120 receiving yards.

Turnovers and penalties hurt Jackson State and slow down the offense

While JSU recovered a fumble and recorded an interception, its offensive miscues hurt promising drives and gave Alabama State more time of possession. Eight penalties for 85 yards forced the JSU offense to backtrack and give up unnecessary yards. JSU only lost one fumble but had four total. Morgan also had an interception.

Jackson State vs. Alabama State Score Updates

Jackson State 16, Alabama State 10: JSU gets a safety

JSU’s Ashton Taylor sacks quarterback Kareem Keye in the end zone for a safety with 2:02 left in the fourth quarter. JSU will get the ball.

End of third quarter: Jackson State 14, Alabama State 10

Jackson State 14, Alabama State 10: Daquon Kincey rushing score

Alabama State takes advantage of a JSU turnover and scores on a 46-yard touchdown run by Daquon Kincey with 6:04 left in the third quarter.

Jackson State 14, Alabama State 3: Ja’Naylon Dupree long TD

Jacobian Morgan found receiver Ja’Naylon Dupree over the middle and saw Dupree fly past defenders for a 44-yard score with 7:37 left in the third quarter.

Halftime: Jackson State 7, Alabama State 3

Jackson State 7, Alabama State 3: Jacobian Morgan to Jameel Gardner Jr.

JSU quarterback Jacobian Morgan finds Jameel Gardner Jr. for a 24-yard passing touchdown to give the Tigers their first points of the game with 1:44 left in the second quarter.

End of first quarter: Alabama State 3, Jackson State 0

Alabama State 3, Jackson State 0: framing by Brandon Gilliam

Following a missed field goal by JSU’s Gerardo Baeza, Alabama State responded with a 32-yard field goal from Brandon Gilliam with 3:30 left in the first quarter.

Jackson State vs Alabama State time today

What channel is the Jackson State vs Alabama State game on today?

• Radio: JSU Sports Network and SiriusXM App | Channel 383

Jackson State vs. Alabama State will air on ESPN, and Tolly Carr will be on the phone with analyst Mo Carter.

History of Jackson State vs. Alabama State

• Series record: Jackson State leads 35-15-1

• Jackson State’s latest victory: October 8, 2022, JSU 26-12

• Alabama State’s latest victory: October 14, 2023 Alabama State, 24-19

Jackson State vs. Alabama State Score Prediction

Jackson State 35, Alabama State 24: JSU will emerge from Montgomery SWAC East champions. While Alabama State brings a talented defense, JSU’s offense will be overwhelming. JSU should be able to handle the Hornets’ fifth-string quarterback.

Jackson State vs. Alabama State Injury Updates

JSU will be without receivers Tyquan Henderson, Rico Powers Jr., Kobe Paul and Fabian McCray.

Jackson State vs Alabama State Weather Update

According to AccuWeather, it will be 74 degrees at kickoff with five mph winds and a 0 percent chance of rain.

2024 Jackson State Football Schedule

August 29: Louisiana Monroe 30, Jackson State 14.

September 7: Jackson State 58, lane 7.

September 14: Jackson State 33, South 15.

September 21: Grambling State 41, Jackson State 20.

September 28: Jackson State 43, South Texas 14.

October 5: Jackson State 45, Alabama A&M 38.

October 19: Jackson State 35, Florida A&M 21.

October 26: Jackson State 37, Bethune-Cookman 17

November 2: Jackson State 41, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3.

November 9: Jackson State 51, Mississippi Valley State 14.

November 16: in the state of Alabama

November 23: in Alcorn State

2024 Alabama State Football Schedule

September 1: North Carolina Central 31, Alabama State 24.

September 7: Alabama State 24, Miles College 3.

September 14: Samford 12, Alabama State 7.

September 28: Alabama State 26, Bethune-Cookman 21.

October 5: Florida A&M 28, Alabama State 13.

October 12: Alabama State 54, Mississippi Valley State 17.

October 26: Alabama State 27, Alabama A&M 19.

November 2: Alabama State 21, Alcorn State 17.

November 9: Grambling State 24, Alabama State 23.

November 16: at Jackson State

November 23: vs. Prairie View A&M

November 28: against Tuskegee

Jackson State Football News

• Jackson State vs. Alabama State football score prediction, scouting report as Tigers can clinch SWAC East

• How a chip on his shoulder helped Jackson State football move closer to the SWAC East title

Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] or contact him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

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This article was originally published on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State football claims SWAC East with win over Alabama State