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Jackson State University Tigers wrapped up its season in dramatic fashion after JSU linebacker Shawn Bishop recovered a fourth-quarter fumble orchestrated by fellow team member and linebacker Andre Lloyd, who stripped the ball from Alcorn.
The play resulted in JSU taking ownership and running out the clock to secure a 7-3 win over its longtime nemesis and the SWAC East champions.
JSU’s only score came in the second quarter when Terrell Kennedy scampered 69 yards for what would be the most pivotal score.
With the win, the Tigers closed its season by winning three of their last four games.
Lloyd, excited about his touchdown, said the team played “sound, disciplined defense like we’ve been coached to do.” He said it wasn’t a perfect game because “you’re never going to be perfect in anything you do.”
Meanwhile, other players said the key to winning was to shut down Alcorn’s run. They credited teamwork and JSU’s coaching staff for its heavy emphasis on solid defense.
JSU Head Coach Tony Hughes was clearly ecstatic.
“This win is huge. It’s bragging rights,” said Hughes, suggesting it would be the talk of the town and likened it to the euphoria experienced after winning any other games.
“It’s in the grocery stores. It’s in the mall. It’s Jackson State and Alcorn at the coffee pot. It’s playing marbles. It’s playing Spades. It’s playing Bid whist. It’s playing Backgammon. It’s playing Poker. To beat Alcorn is the greatest accomplishment … as a team. … This is the one that matters most.”
As for the future, Hughes expressed tremendous excitement.
“We have a lot of young players. We have to continue to build. We’ll have another young team next year. We have confidence in them.”
Click here for JSU-ALCORN gallery.
