Tennessee State came into yesterday's 2017 Southern Heritage Classic fresh off a win over Div-1 Georgia State but also with history on their side as winners of the last 5 Classics. Jackson State rolled into the game licking their wounds from a 63-0 beat down from Texas Christian University. With the aforementioned factors, it would be quite easy to assume TSU would steamroll JSU, but that's why they play the game.
What the 47,407 who took in this year's SHC were treated a hotly contested game that came down to wire that saw Tennessee State emerge victorious , 17-15. Business picked up with 5:03 to go in the fourth quarter when TSU's Patrick Smith returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown which put Tennessee State up 17-9. Unfazed, Jackson State responded when Terrell Kennedy took the ensuing kickoff 87-yards to the house, bringing the Tigers within two 17-15. The game-tying two-point conversion failed when TSU's Laquarius Cook broke up a pass.
A JSU game-winning field goal from kicker Christian Jacquemin with :02 remaining sailed wide left, preserving the win for Tennessee State. TSU QB Treon Harris had 78 yards passing and 91 yards on the ground and was named MVP of the game.
Jackson State heads down to Eddie Robinson stadium next Saturday to take on more Tigers, this time of the Grambling variety. Tennessee State is scheduled to take on Florida A&M next Saturday in the Tampa Classic at Raymond James Stadium, although Hurricane Irma may have something to say about that. Both universities are monitoring the weather conditions.
