A&M falls 35-21 to Jackson State

Box Score

NORMAL – Their chances of going to another SWAC title game were dashed today as the Tigers of Jackson State defeated Alabama A&M 28-14 in Jackson, Mississippi.

Senior punter Chance Wilson posted a career high 392 yards on nine punts averaging 43.6 with one landing inside the 20 and one falling for a touchback. The all-time leader rushing for A&M, Kaderius Lacey, totaled 74 yards while starting quarterback Deaunte Mason secured 78 yards rushing on 13 carries. Mason also went 17 of 40 for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Montaurius Smith posted his second game of the season with 110 yards on 10 receptions.

Defensively Vernon Marshal totaled 12 tackles for his fifth game this year with double digit stops. Defensive back Jeremy Isabelle secured a career high two interceptions for 11 yards and a fumble recovery in the final conference match for A&M in 2012.

The game started off slow as J-State honored their seniors participating in their final contest at home.

The number seven stands out in this contest as that represents the number of times the Bulldogs punted on their first seven drives. The first half ended the eighth drive for A&M.

Down 14-0 at half time the Maroon & White hit for their biggest play of the game a 40 yard pass and catch from Mason to Rashad DeJarnett. That play led to the Bulldogs first touchdown to move the score to 14-7. Jackson State then scored two straight touchdowns, a one play 67 yard blown coverage touchdown reception by Rico Richardson and a fumble recovery by JSU’s Ryan Griffin to push the score in their favor 28-7.

The start of the fourth quarter saw A&M drive the ball six plays for 46 yards to increase their point production to 14. But once again the Tigers were able to score when Rakeem Sims took the ball across the goal line for a 12 yard TD run. The video board at Veterans Memorial Stadium then showed 35-14 in favor of the home team.

A&M was able to put one more touchdown in the books when Mason connected with Smith for a four yarder.

Jackson State then ran the clock out and ended the Maroon & White’s dream of another Eastern division title.

The loss drops the Bulldogs to 7-3 overall and 5-3 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and ends A&M's chances of another SWAC title appearance.

The Bulldogs will travel to Auburn, Ala. to mark an historic match when the play the 2010 National Champion Auburn University Tigers on Saturday, November 17^th. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

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