Game 2: Tennessee State 16, Jacksonville State 38
Records: TSU (0-2), JSU (5-1)
Venue: William J. Hale Stadium
Location: Nashville, Tenn.
Weather: Sunny, 59
Kickoff Time: 2:00 p.m.
Game Duration: 3:30
Attendance: 2,160
NASHVILLE --- Tennessee State dropped an Ohio Valley Conference matchup to Jacksonville State on Sunday afternoon at Hale Stadium. The Gamecocks opened with touchdowns on their first two drives and closed out the game with 17 answered points to claim a 38-16 victory over the Tigers.
TSU relied on the leg of junior Antonio Zita who converted on three field goals to keep the Tigers close at 21-9 after three quarter of play. Zita hit from 36 and 41 yards in the second quarter and added a 47 yarder in the third.
Isaiah Green teamed with Cam Wyche on a 58 yard touchdown strike to bring the Big Blue within five points, 21-16, with 14:24 remaining on the clock. But JSU proved to be too much as they put up the final 17 points to solidify the win.
Green finished the day 15-of-31 for 145 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Devon Starling led all rushers with 11 carries for 95 yards.
Defensively, Nick Harper Jr. finished with a game high 10 tackles, six solos. Sophomore Josh Green pulled down his first interception of the year and third of his career.
TOTALS
- Jacksonville State outgained TSU in total yards, 452-225
- The Tigers gained 145 yards through the air, 80 on the ground
- The defense surrendered 280 passing yards and 172 rushing
- The Tigers ran 62 plays, averaging 3.6 yards per play
- TSU collected 11 first downs, opposed to 24 by the Gamecocks
- JSU won the Time of Possession battle, 28:52-27:03
- The Tigers finished 2-of-2 in Red Zone Scoring Chances
- The Big Blue was tagged with 11 penalties for 80 yards
INDIVIDUAL
FIRST QUARTER
- Jacksonville State put together a pair of scoring drives after forcing two three-and-outs.
- JSU built a 14-0 lead before the Tigers could gain their initial first down.
- The Tigers managed 16 yards on their third possession just ahead of Kaleb Mosley's first 50 yard punt of the season.
- JSU out gained TSU 137-32 over the first 15 minutes of play.
SECOND QUARTER
- The Tigers opened the second with a five yard rush by Shawn McColley followed by a first down pass play.
- Isaiah Green found Zaire Thornton for eight yards to the Tigers 42.
- The drive would stall, setting up a 53-yard punt off the foot of Mosley.
- The defense stepped up on the next Gamecocks drive.
- Josh Green jumped in front of a pass to record the Tigers first interception of the season.
- TSU would not be able to take advantage of the great field position, as JSU intercepted Isaiah Green at the Gamecocks 34.
- The defense stood tall again, as James Green separated the ball from the receiver on a third down attempt to give the Big Blue the ball back.
- The offense responded with its biggest play from scrimmage as Devon Starling rushed for 35 yards.
- Starling ran into a wall of defenders on the left side of the line and reversed field and found open field around the right side.
- Green helped spring Starling with a punishing block 10 yards down the field.
- Antonio Zita capped off the drive with a 36-yard field goal to put the Tigers on the board, 14-3.
- On the next play, Davoan Hawkins hit the JSU running back in the backfield and forced a fumble which was recovered by Nate Sutton giving the offense the ball on the Gamecock 20.
- A sack forced the Tigers to settle for a Zita 41-yard field goal, cutting the score to 14-6.
- Jacksonville State responded with a scoring drive to increase the score to 21-6.
- JSU out gained TSU 85-78 in the second stanza.
THIRD QUARTER
- The teams traded short possessions before Mosley entered the game for his sixth punt of the day.
- The punter delivered a towering 41 yard punt which was mishandled by the Gamecocks and recovered by Michael Crawford.
- Starling carried the ball two times for 13 yards moving the Tigers down to the Gamecocks 30.
- TSU once again settled for three as Zita booted a 47-yarder into the wind, making the score 21-9.
- The Big Blue continued to stop JSU as Fondren Hollis broke up a third down pass attempt to stop one drive, while Cameron Stewart broke through the offensive line in a fourth down attempt, allowing Nyle Love and Terry Straughter to stuff JSU on another.
- The Tigers outscored JSU 3-0, despite being out gained 53-36 in the quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
- The Tigers opened the final quarter attempting a fourth and less than a yard at their own 35.
- Green picked up seven yards on a quarterback sneak to keep the drive alive.
- On the very next play, Green hit Cam Wyche with a 58 yard strike to put the Tigers for the first time on the day.
- TSU moved to within five, 21-16, after the Zita extra point with 14:24 remaining on the clock.
- It would be as close as the Tigers would get as Jacksonville State answered with 17 unanswered points.
GAME NOTES
- The weather at the 2:03 p.m. kickoff was 60 degrees and sunny.
- This marks the 15th meeting between Tennessee State and Jacksonville State.
- Jacksonville State leads the series 13-2.
- Rod Reed is 1-8 versus the Gamecocks.
- Cam Durley served as the Tennessee State captain. The Green brothers, Josh and James were co-captains.
- Jacksonville State won the coin toss and deferred.
- Josh Green recorded the first interception of the season, the third of his career.
- Zita led the Tigers in scoring with nine points, including a game-long 47-yard field goal.
- Isaiah Green's 58-yard touchdown throw to Cam Wyche serves as the Tigers' longest scoring play of the season.
- Three active NFL players were in attendance, former Tigers Anthony Levine, Sr., Terrell Bonds and Chris Rowland.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Tigers will face Eastern Illinois on Sunday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. in Hale Stadium.
QUOTES
Head Coach Rod Reed
-On the game
We got a slow start. Really disappointed in the slow start we had on defense today. We didn't match the intensity of our opponent coming out. Once the defense settled down, we played pretty well for three and a half quarters. Got a little worn down in the fourth quarter. I thought that our inability to move the ball on offense, kept our defense on the field too long. If you give an offense like that with really good players too many opportunities, they're going to make something happen.
We've got to be able to match scores some point offensively and we have yet to do that. I thought that the defense gave the offense the ball back. We kicked well. I think Mosely got us out of a lot of critical situations.
We forced three turnovers in that game. When you force turnovers at home you're supposed to have a pretty good outcome, but we did not. We have to continue to get better. We have a lot of young guys out there playing. If you're out there you're expected to do the job. We're going to go back to the drawing board. I see a lot growth in this football team from week to week, so we just have to get better and get a "W" on the board.
-On offensive struggle
You have to block and tackle and we didn't block anybody. I thought that they were running some games up front. They had some line movement that gave us some trouble. We have depth on offensive line. We had to shift some guys around, Robert Lacey didn't play, Demetrius Cooley didn't start because he had a calf injury early last week and didn't practice. But those guys that are in there, we have a veteran offensive line, so I expect us to plug those guys in and move without trouble, but they whooped us up front and we have to get better.
Redshirt junior linebacker James Green
-On the game
Unfortunately, we didn't get the outcome that we wanted. We just have to go back to the drawing board. For the defensive side, we played a great game. We have to fix the minor mistakes. We just have to take this game and put it behind us. Just keep progressing and learn from our mistakes.
-On slow start for the defense
Discipline and dedication. We just have to play with more faith and more heart. We just have to play assignment football. That's all.
-On being a captain with his brother, Josh
It was a great feeling. There's nothing like college football, captain with your brother first home game. It's a great feeling and I thank God for it.
-On being all over the field with tackles and breakups
Before the game I told myself that I was going to play every play with the Lord. I think that's what motivated me today. It helped me take advantage of every opportunity. I dedicate a lot of time this week to film. Putting in a lot of extra work. I believe that's what helped me have the outcome I had today.
-On being a leader on a team with many newcomers
Basically, we just have to show them the way. Bring them along. The leaders have to lead. We have to keep on saying the right things, doing the right things and stay dedicated to what we have in motion.
-On the culture after the loss
Everybody is on the same page. We all are hurting right now. One thing about us, we don't quit. We're just going to go back, look at the film and keep it pushing.
Redshirt junior quarterback Isaiah Green
-On playing in front of home crowd
It felt good to be back out there making my first start in over a year. The crowd was electric. It was a bigger crowd than I expected. It was a good feeling.
-What was your mindset coming into this game?
I just wanted to come out and show everyone what I could do. I got in last game and that gave a lot of people hope and I wanted to build off of that and play an even better game this week but unfortunately it just didn't happen like that. So we just have to bounce back.
-What the offense needs to improve on for next game?
Execution. We made a lot of small mistakes that most fans don't even realize. To the naked eye it looks like we're just messing up but really one small adjustment could have made the play work. We can't have false starts like we did. We probably had four or five false starts. And everybody just has to play together and have fun out there.
-Coming in as a new guy, how do you lead the team ?
I feel like its natural for me to lead. I don't think it was hard adjusting. I think the guys on the team recognize that I have that ability. They allow me to encourage them and try to lead by example.
-What did you say to them after today's game?
We just have to keep our heads up. Things don't always go as planned but its how you react and how you come back from these situations. You can't sulk or feel sorry for yourself. You have to get up and go to work and try to keep fighting to become better everyday.
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