JACKSON, Miss — Jalon Jones accounted for two touchdowns and Jackson State fought past Arkansas-Pine Bluff 21-12 in a vital SWAC contest at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
JSU improved to 3-1 in the SWAC and 4-5 overall, while UAPB fell to 2-3 in the conference and 5-4 overall.
“Really proud of this team and how they fought,” JSU head coach John Hendrick said post game. “I like how we are fighting and playing the next play. Everything is coming together and I believe peaking at the right time.”
The Tigers found pay dirt at the 12:56 mark in the second quarter when Jones found Terrell Kennedy III for a 72-yard pitch and catch. It was also the longest offensive play for JSU this season.
Jones scored again at 9:33 in the third quarter on 2-yard plunge to put the Tigers up 14-0.
Josh Littles scored on a 94-yard kickoff return in the final moments of the third quarter to put the Blue and White up 21-12.
CJ Holmes’ interception at the 3:40 mark in the fourth clinched all but clinched the game.
The offense accounted for 381 yards of total offense and 181 yards on the ground.
Keshawn Harper rushed for 82 yards and Jones accounted for 44 yards.
Tyson Alexander toted the rock for 37 yards.
Kennedy III finished with three receptions for 119 yards, while Daniel Crowell added two grabs for 40 yards.
The UAPB offense entered the game averaging 452.2 yards per game and JSU held the Golden Lions to 299 yards, 153.2 yards below the season average.
Keonte Hampton finished with eight tackles and one sack, while Justin Ragin added a career-high seven stops and four and a half tackles for loss.
Rashaad Jenkins accounted for four tackles and an interception and Jashon Baker grabbed an interception for the second game in a row.
The Tigers return to the gridiron next week at Alabama A&M in an important SWAC East Division contest.
Courtesy: JSU Athletics
