Jackson State responded from Friday night’s upset loss against Alabama A&M by run-ruling the Bulldogs in seven innings for their first win in SWAC play Saturday afternoon to set up a series-deciding game three.
Starting left fielder Jordon Smiley racked up 19 RBI last week during JSU’s undefeated 6-0 week, with 10 RBI coming against rival Alcorn State in a three-game weekend series.
Trailing by as many as 15 points with 12:08 left to play, the Tigers outscored the Panthers 27-12 in the final twelve minutes of the second half to force an overtime period, tied 54-54.
After completing the series sweep of Alcorn State in Lorman, Mississippi this past weekend - beating the Braves’ in run-rule fashion all three games - the Tigers overcame a six-run deficit to defeat Butler at Braddy Field Wednesday night to increase their winning streak to 10 games.
The Tigers can’t be stopped at the plate right now, exploding for 19 runs off 14 hits as they crossed the plate in every inning played Saturday afternoon.
After recently being named SWAC Co-Pitcher of the Week, JSU ace Jesse Caver continued to deal from the bump, eclipsing his weekly award-winning performance last week in the rivalry matchup.
Jackson State’s 22nd head coach T.C. Taylor is currently spearheading his first spring camp as the head coach of JSU and will be entering his first season at the helm of his alma mater.
Jesse Caver pitched nine combined shutout innings last week, eight of witch came in a 3-0 victory against New Orleans last Friday. He allowed only four hits and two walks, along with fanning five New Orleans Privateer batters.
The Tigers, as we’ve seen so far this season, have no quit in them and turned their fortunes around in the bottom of the sixth inning at their home field.
The Tigers will host the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Braddy Field Tuesday at 6 p.m. and will host Tougaloo College in a pair of games Wednesday at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Former cornerback De’Jahn Warren, long snapper Aarion Hartman, and offensive lineman Tony Gray are set to strap on their pads and wear their storied JSU helmet one last time in the post-season all-HBCU bowl game in front of NFL scouts.
According to JSU, Malone Silver was promoted to the position Wednesday, revealed by the Vice President and Director of Athletics of Jackson State, Ashley Robinson.
After a disappointing 29-27 overall record in 2022, Johnson and JSU will look to bounce back to the high standards the head coach has established at Braddy Field during his near two decade reign as the programs leader, and singled out a key player who he thinks will benefit from the tough season.
The Tigers will open the 2023 season next Friday, Feb. 17, in the Houston Astros Cactus Jack HBCU Classic, facing BoomBox Classic rival Southern at 7 p.m. at Minute Maid Park, where the current World Series winners play.
Coach Taylor, the twenty-second head coach of the storied capital city football program, will lead his alma mater with two key motivating factors, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the third consecutive time and winning the Celebration Bowl.
Coach Taylor was introduced as the next head coach of JSU to fans for the first time as well Wednesday night at the Jackson State University student center.
Despite the coaching changes from top to bottom in the football program, the Tigers will expect to challenge for their third straight SWAC Championship and third straight Celebration Bowl appearance with Coach Taylor at the helm for the upcoming 2023 season.
Jackson State has won 5 of its 7 conference matchups - winning four conference games at home while staying undefeated inside of Lee E. Williams Athletic and Assembly Center - which is tied for second in the SWAC and fourth overall.
Jackson State improved to 5-14 overall and 4-2 in conference play. The Tigers took care of business at home yet again, winning all three games inside of Lee E. Williams.
Linebacker James Houston, a former JSU pass rusher, was tabbed the Pepsi Rookie of the Week for his career-high 3-sack performance against the Chicago Bears Sunday.
According to On3 Sports, the double-digit pool of former Tigers have entered their names in the portal alongside roughly 1,400 players since the portal opened on December 5, including 8 former starters.
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