 |
| Jackson State turned the ball over six times in a 34-7 loss to Tulane on Thursday. (USA Today photo) |
The 2013 HBCU football season got off to a rough start on Thurday night. Both Hampton and Jackson State struggled with turnovers, and were rewarded with blowouts. Hampton lost 42-9 to fellow FCS foe Western Illinois, while Tulane beat Jackson State 34-7.
Hampton took to the field first, and its first drive of the season ended when sophomore JJ Williamson was picked off. That interception led to a one-yard touchdown run by Western Illinois’ Nikko Watson. That pretty much set the tone for the game, as Hampton would end up with as many turnovers (9) as points. Six of those nine interceptions were thrown by HU’s three quarterbacks-Williamson, Brian Swain and Bryan Bailey. Hampton’s lone touchdown came on a 21 yard pass from Williamson to Antwon Chisholm in the second quarter.
It’s gone from worse to…whatever comes after worse, as the Pirates muff a punt on their own 11, good for turnover no. 9. @DP_Sports
– Dan Angell (@danangell11) August 30, 2013
It’d be a stretch to say that Hampton was favored to win against Western Illinois. But the fact that it was facing an FCS team that only won three games last year, averaged just ten points per game and was playing under a new coach..and still lost by horribly. This is definitely not the way Donavan Rose wanted to start the season that may decide his fate at HU.
The story was similar for Jackson State, at least as far as the turnovers are concerned. JSU surprised many observers by starting redshirt freshman LaMontiez Ivy instead of Clayton Moore, who led JSU to the SWAC East title last year.
Tulane takes down JSU 34-7 http://t.co/Pkgpeyz5M3
– 16 WAPT News (@16WAPTNews) August 30, 2013
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsIvy got off to shaky start, throwing two interceptions and fumbling the ball, and the offense failed to score under his direction. Things went from bad to worse for Ivy and the Tigers in the third quarter as he went down with what appeared to have been a broken foot. Backup quarterback Evan Ingram rushed for the Tigers only touchdown in the fourth quarter to keep JSU from being shut out. Overall the offense coughed up the ball six times.
The good news for Jackson State is that they don’t play anymore FCS teams this season. The bad news is that it has to face SWAC West favorite Alabama State next week with serious questions at the quarterback position.
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js //instagram.com/p/dniFVwSzzd/embed/