NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WLBT) – Jackson State survived a back-and-forth battle in Nashville, holding off Tennessee State 26-24 in the John A. Merritt Classic at FirstBank Stadium behind a clutch, clock-eating drive in the fourth quarter.
Jackson State strikes first
Jackson State wasted no time making a statement in the 16th all-time meeting between the two programs. On 3rd and 6 on the Tigers’ first drive, quarterback Jared Lockhart sold a play-action fake, stepped up in the pocket and found a wide-open Jabari Jones for an 88-yard touchdown pass, giving Jackson State an early 7-0 lead.
Tennessee State answers back
Tennessee State didn’t waste time responding. On the following drive, facing 3rd and 5, quarterback Daylin Lee nearly took a sack from Micah Gray but evaded the pressure, bought himself some time and hit Aaron Duncan II down the field for a big gain to move the chains. A play later, Brenton Paul punched it in up the gut to tie the game at 7-7.
Tigers trade points before half
Following a missed Jackson State field goal, TSU threatened again. From the 1-yard line, Daylin Lee kept it himself and plowed his way in for the score, giving Tennessee State a 14-7 lead.
Tennessee State added to the lead before the half. JSU Kicker Andrew Ivaniciuc responded with a 38-yard field goal, making it a 17-10 game at the break.
Jackson State chips away in the third
Coming out of halftime, Jackson State put together an 8-play, 52-yard drive behind Nathan Blount IV’s legs, who ripped off gains of 15 and 14 yards to move the chains. Andrew Ivaniciuc capped the drive with a 45-yard field goal at the 11:10 mark, pulling Jackson State within 17-13.
Jackson State takes the lead
Jackson State kept the pressure on. The Tigers marched 60 yards on 10 plays, with Jared Lockhart hitting brother Jaden Lockhart for a 10-yard gain to help move the chains, before Emari Matthews punched it in from 2 yards out at the 7:06 mark to cap the drive. The extra point made it 20-17, giving Jackson State its first lead since the opening quarter.
Jackson State adds another field goal
Jackson State wasn’t finished in the third. A 7-play, 33-yard drive, set up in part by Nathan Blount IV’s 16-yard run, ended with another Andrew Ivaniciuc field goal — this one from 51 yards out — at the 1:13 mark, extending the Tigers’ lead to 23-17.
Tennessee State answers in the fourth
Tennessee State responded early in the fourth quarter. Daylin Lee found Francisco Pratts III for a 5-yard touchdown pass at the 8:48 mark, putting Tennessee State back in front, 24-23.
Jackson State grinds out the go-ahead field goal
Jackson State answered when it mattered most. The Tigers put together a 15-play, 74-yard drive that chewed up 6:13 off the clock, leaning on Nate Blount IV and Emari Matthews to pound the ball inside the 10. Facing 4th and goal at the Tennessee State 3-yard-line, Andrew Ivaniciuc came through again, splitting the uprights from 21 yards out at the 2:31 mark to put Jackson State back in front, 26-24…