The Jackson State offense continued to roll as FAMU struggled against the Jackson State defense. After a FAMU punt was returned across midfield, the Tigers immediately scored again. In just two plays, Sanders threw a perfect 16 for 16 pass, resulting in a 29-yard touchdown pass to Rico Powers to make it 21-0.
The long-awaited Orange Blossom Classic between Jackson State (1-0) and Florida A&M (0-2) finally got under way. It was all Tigers from the opening bell as JSU dominated FAMU
The Jackson State offense continued to roll as FAMU struggled against the Jackson State defense. After a FAMU punt was returned across midfield, the Tigers immediately scored again. In just two plays, Sanders threw a perfect 16 for 16 pass, resulting in a 29-yard touchdown pass to Rico Powers to make it 21-0.
The Tigers went down the field on their first possession after having a terrible start due to their new offensive line. The drive lasted 12 plays and covered 69 yards thanks to six-for-six passing by Shedeur Sanders. On the following possession, Sanders connected with Shane Hooks for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give Jackson State a 7-0 lead. Dallas Daniels caught two passes on the drive for 13 yards. In the game, Travis Hunter played cornerback and did not play wide receiver as the nation’s top recruit in high school.
On that 72-yard, nine-play drive in the second quarter, Sanders connected with Daniels for an eight-yard back-shoulder fade for a touchdown. Sanders was 14-for-14 passing at the time, putting JSU up 14-0.
In the second quarter, the Jackson State offense continued to click despite FAMU’s best efforts. On a punt return deep in Tigers territory, the Jackson State offense was back in business. In just two plays, Sanders threw an unblemished 16 for 16 pass to Rico Powers for a 29-yard touchdown, making the score 21-0.
The Jackson State Defenders create turnovers.
On the very next offensive possession, Sanders threw his first incompletion at the 7:36 mark of the second quarter. Isiah Land sacked Sanders on the very next play, which resulted in Jackson State’s first three and out of the game.
FAMU took an unusual turn in the second quarter when the Rattlers put Rasean McKay at quarterback on fourth down rather than running the ball. A fumble on fourth down gave JSU the ball, but they were only able to get a field goal out of it. It was another small victory for Jackson State in the first half, which was dominated by them.
FAMU was finally able to post some points before the half on the subsequent drive. Moussa led the Rattlers to a couple of first downs before Jose Romo-Martinez booted a 43 yard field goal. Jackson State led 24-3 at the break.
After halftime, the Tigers kept on winning.
The Tigers opened the third quarter with more of the same that we saw in the first half. Jackson State opened up the third with a ten play, 76-yard drive that ended with a ten-yard touchdown pass to Hooks.
In the next possession, the Jackson State defense scored its first points of the day. Kev’Ric Wiggins intercepted a pass from Moussa and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown, putting the score at 38-3.
Despite the fact that Jackson State kept executing whatever they wanted on defence, the lead swelled to 45-3 on a seven play 89 yard drive that ended with Hayden Hagler scoring a touchdown on his first reception of the game.
The defense scored additional points in the fourth quarter when Aubrey Miller grabbed a fumbled snap from McKay and sprinted 19 yards for a touchdown. The game was 52-3 with 11:19 remaining at the time.
J.P. Andrade came in for relief of Shedeur Sanders as the No. 2 quarterback for the Tigers in the second half. Sanders finished with 29 for 33 passing, 323 yards, and five touchdowns, as well as 17 rushing yards.
After Sanders finished, the scoring wasn’t finished. Herman Smith III grabbed a blocked punt attempt from FAMU and sprinted into the end zone to make it a 59-3 game. Once Jackson State dominated FAMU in this year’s Orange Blossom Classic, the scoring ended.
Photo Credit: gojsutigers.com
