NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Jackson State football team fell 34-7 in its season opener against the Tulane Green Wave Thursday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. In addition to the loss, the Tigers lost starting quarterback LaMontiez Ivy at the 9:08 mark in the third quarter to injury. Backup Evan Ingram scored JSU’s only touchdown of the game at the 4:34 mark in the fourth quarter as he capped a seven play, 34 yard drive with a nine yard run. Ivy finished the game with 133 yards on 9-17 passing. He also had two interceptions and a lost fumble.
The game was one of missed opportunities for the Tigers, who lost two fumbles inside the 5-yard line in the first half. JSU finished the game with five turnovers (two lost fumbles and three interceptions). Two JSU interceptions led to six Tulane points. Tulane led 20-0 at halftime.
In the first half JSU had 44 rushing yards and 144 passing yards for 188 total offensive yards. The Tigers had four turnovers, two interceptions and two lost fumbles. JSU held the edge in possession 17:47 to 12:09 but squandered two red zone opportunities. Tommy Gooden had 21 rushing yards, Ivy completed 8-14 pass attempts for 101 yards and Tobias Singleton and Zach Pendleton each caught two passes for 53 and 50 yards respectively. Todd Wilcher had six first half tackles and John McNabb had five.
Tulane scored two more touchdowns in the second half. JSU out gained Tulane offensively, recording 356 total offensive yards while the Green Wave had 308. Tulane rushed for 158 yards and JSU finished with 112. JSU recorded 244 passing yards and Tulane had 150. The Tigers had nine penalties for 78 yards and the Green Wave had four for 27 yards.
Gooden led all rushers with 57 yards on 20 carries and Ingram followed with 24 yards and a touchdown. Ingram also completed 6-12 pass attempts for 111 yards. Pendleton finished with three receptions for a game-high 95 yards and Singleton followed with three catches for 74 yards. McNabb had a game-high 11 tackles and two sacks. Wilcher finished with eight.
JSU will return to action Saturday, Sept. 7 when the Tigers host Alabama State in an early Southwestern Athletic Conference matchup at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and tape delayed on ESPNU.
Courtesy: Jackson State University Media Relations
JSU looked good though!