Courtesy of Jackson State Athletics
The road warrior two-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference football champion Jackson State Tigers will play their fourth game in four weeks in the fourth different state when JSU faces Texas State for the first time on the gridiron.
The matchup is the first FBS opponent for JSU since a 12-7 loss at Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 15, 2021.
GAME INFORMATION:
- Date; Matchup: Saturday, September 16, 2023; Two-time SWAC Champion Jackson State Tigers (2-1, 0-1 SWAC) at Texas State Bobcats (1-1, 0-0 Sun Belt)
- Game time; Stadium; Location: 7:30 p.m; Bobcat Stadium; San Marcos, Texas
- Fan Color: White
- Radio: JSU Sports Network pregame show begins at 6:30 p.m. on 95.5 WHLH-FM in Jackson with SWAC Hall of Famer Rob Jay and Former JSU QB Darrell Asberry on the call; SiriusXM App
- Online/TV: Live on ESPN+ and on ESPN App
Jackson State (2-1) is coming off a 27-14 win at Southern last Saturday as first-year JSU head coach T.C. Taylor led the Tigers to their fourth consecutive win over the Jaguars. Led by RB Irv Mulligan’s 23 carries for 91 yards and one touchdown, the Tigers rushed for 221 yards and three TDs in the win. QB Jason Brown’s 16-26, 184-passing yards night included a 63-yard scoring pass to Rico Powers. The JSU defense made seven sacks and forced three turnovers (2 INTs, 1 FR) in the contest.
The Jackson State defense recorded season-highs in sacks (seven) and takeaways (three) in last week’s win against Southern. Phillip Webb’s 2.0 sacks along with three tackles (2.0 TFL) led the way for the defensive unit, as he was one of six linemen to record a sack. Jeremiah Williams (five tackles, 1.5 TFL), Devonta Davis(three tackles, 1.0 TFL), Antonio Doyle (two tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 FF), Tru Thompson (two tackles, 1.0 TFL), and Tyas Martin (one tackle, 1.0 TFL) each had one sack for the Tigers.
LB Isaac Peppers (seven tackles) had a fumble recovery, while S B.J. Washington (end zone INT along with four tackles, one INT) and CB Jaheem Hazel (five tackles, one TFL) each recorded interceptions.
QB Jason Brown leads the SWAC and is sixth in the FCS in passing yards with 622 after throwing for 184 yards and one touchdown last week. RB Irv Mulligan leads the SWAC and is second in the FCS in rushing with 284 yards on 52 carries (5.3 avg) with two touchdowns. He carried a season-high 23 times for 91 yards and one touchdown against Southern. WR Rico Power continues to be the big-play threat in the JSU passing game, catching touchdown passes in each of the past two games. His 290 receiving yards (third in FCS) and 26.4 average per catch both lead the SWAC, while his two receiving TDS are tied for second in the SWAC.
Texas State (1-1) of the Sun Belt Conference is coming off a 20-13 road loss at Texas San Antonio. The Bobcats opened the season with a 42-31 win at Baylor on Sept. 2. The game is the home opener for the Bobcats under first-year head coach G.J. Kinne, who led Incarnate Word to the FCS playoffs in 2022.
