Bulldogs fight but fall 26-20 to Jackson State

Box Score

NORMAL -- Coach Anthony Jones unleashed the Mad Dog offense again and it paid off. The Maroon & White got off to a hot start offensively. With the new offensive strategy, Terrence Pride received his first start at quarterback, where he completed a pass good for twelve yards. Jaymason Lee took over from there and marched the team down the field and into the red zone. For the first time this season the team put points on the board on their opening possession, scoring a field goal and giving them a 3-0 lead over the visiting Tigers of Jackson State University. Cesar Ramon's second completed field goal of the year gave A&M the lead.

The start defensively was also a great one for the Maroon & White as they forced the Tigers' offense to exit the field the same way they entered, scoreless. At the 7:10 mark of the first quarter, free safety Derrick Harris recorded his third interception of the season, picking off a pass from JSU's Clayton Moore off a deflection down the middle of the field.

On the ensuing possession, the Maroon & White scored again, this time good for six. Jaymason Lee connected with a wide-open Montaurius Smith down the middle of the field for a 24-yard strike. Up 10-nothing over the Tigers, Smith and Lee linked again for another huge play down the heart of the JSU defense. Smith's second diving catch of the season helped complete a 44-yard bomb thrown by Lee, again putting the team in great scoring position as the time expired ending the quarter.

The right foot of Cesar Ramon extended the Bulldog lead to 13-0 just 14 seconds into the second period. Ramon completed his third field goal of the season after the offense failed to convert a touchdown from the four-yard line.

The offense cooled off slightly in the second period. A&M still converted plays and gained yards, but it was all for nothing as the team failed to post any more points in the second quarter.

While the Maroon & White cooled off, momentum seemed to swing in favor of the Tigers and JSU began to heat up. The team that had played only one game in the last three weeks was able to score a touchdown at the one minute mark, and close the half with two field goals of their own to tie the game at 13.

The rival Eastern Division teams went into the locker rooms with neither team possessing an advantage on the scoreboard.

The second half began with Cesar Ramon kicking off to Jackson State, and the Tigers wasted little time changing the score line. JSU scored their second touchdown of the game less than two minutes into the half. After JSU gained the lead at 20-13, neither team would score again for the remainder of the period.

Although, the Tigers took the lead in the third quarter, the second half was dominated by neither team. Both teams would exchange action with no major or break out plays. Despite holding the visitors to minimal yardage, the Maroon & White could not prevent JSU from increasing their lead. The Tigers were able to add another three points to their advantage on a field goal at the start of the fourth quarter. That gave Jackson a 26-13 lead.

As head coach Anthony Jones continues to mention the Bulldogs would not give up they turned seven plays on 56 yards into a touchdown with a minute and 14 seconds remaining. The first onside kick by the Bulldogs would not go there way and eventually JSU would earn their eighth win in the league and claimed the Eastern Division crown advancing to their second straight championship contest.

Lee finished 10 of 29 for 195 yards with a pair of TD's and an interception. Barrington Scott led all runners with 90 yards on 16 carries. Smith collected five receptions for 124 yards for his second hundred yard game of the season. Once again Robert Nelson led A&M with nine tackles.

Jackson was led by quarterback Clayton Moore who went 18 for 31 for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Zach Pendleton posted nine catches for 193 yards while Rakeem Sims ran for 89 yards on 13 carries.

The Bulldogs will have one more opportunity for a another home win when they host the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday, November 16, at 1 p.m. in their final home contest of the 2013 season.

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