MURFREESBURO, Tenn. – LaMontiez Ivy threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns, but it was note enough as Jackson State lost it’s season opener at Middle Tennessee State 70-14 Saturday night at Floyd Stadium.
JSU falls to a 1-1 record in season openers under head coach Harold Jackson.
In front of a crowd of 15,908 spectators, Daniel Williams led all receivers with 130 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Williams was just two receptions shy of tying his career record in catches. Jairus Moll caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown and Devin Fosselman hauled in four passes for 64 yards. Stacy Noble totaled a game-high 13 tackles (11 solo) to go along with a forced fumble. Brandon Smith tallied eight tackles.
MTSU’s Brent Stockstill threw four touchdowns to help Middle Tennessee to the win. He was 23 of 29 for 336 yards for the Blue Raiders. Ed Batties led the Blue Raiders in receiving with eight receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremiah Bryson rushed 33 yards and two scores and Jordan Parker and Ruben Garnett each ran for a touchdown.
The first half ended following a blocked Jackson State field goal attempt resulting in a touchdown return by Jamarcus Howard and D.J. Sanders returned an interception 75-yard for a TD to close the game.
Stockstill threw three touchdowns in the first half, two to Ed’Marques Batties and one to Lucas Hamilton, and the Blue Raiders led JSU 21-7.
Despite the lopsided score there were bright spots for the Tigers. The offensive line gave up only handful of sacks on Saturday. Punter Darcy Williamson had 11 punts for 443 yards for an average of 40.3 yards. Defensively, Stacy Noble is setting into his LB position nicely, as he finished with a game-high 13 tackles.
The Tigers return to action next Saturday as they travel to Memphis, Tenn. to face Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic.
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