Courtesy: Tuskegee Athletics
MOBILE, Ala. — The Tuskegee University football team remained unbeaten against opponents from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in a 33-7 win over Jackson State in the 5th Quarter Classic at Ladd Peeples Stadium in Mobile Saturday night.
Tuskegee (5-2, 3-0) scored first when Justice Owens walked into the end zone untouched on a one-yard touchdown run on the opening drive. The point after try was no good giving TU an early 6-0 lead.
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Cheatham returns
Javariuss Cheatham, who had not played since week four at Findlay returned and provided a spark catching four passes for a season-high 106 yards including a 35-yard touchdown catch from Jamarcus Ezell with 10:42 left in the second quarter.
Tuskegee defeated its third NCAA Division I FCS opponent in two years:
2016-Florida A&M ?
2017-Alabama State ?
Tonight-Jackson State ? pic.twitter.com/WVGJbGOkgY— Jasher®? (@jashercox) October 15, 2017
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Jackson State (0-6, 0-2) responded with a five-yard touchdown catch just before halftime when Brent Lyles connected with Jordan Johnson making the score 13-7.
The Golden Tigers would strike again on its first possession of the second half when Ezell threw his second touchdown pass of the night on a 15-yard catch by Chardian Johnson.
The highlight of the evening came at the 5:09 mark when Ahmad Deramus found Tyrez McCain wide open who carried three would be defenders into the end zone on a 35-yard touchdown catch extending Tuskegee’s lead to 27-7.
Hoderick Lowe would round out the scoring for the Golden Tigers when he scampered for a 41-yard touchdown run capping things off at 33-7.
MVP
Ezell earned MVP honors finishing with 183 yards passing completing 10 of his 18 passing attempts and two touchdowns. He also rushed five times for another 77 yards. Davoris Thomas was named Defensive MVP.
Lowe led TU’s rushing attack with 94 yards of his own and a score. Osband Thompson led the defense with seven tackles. His first time registering under 10 stops all season long.
Tuskegee 33, Jackson State 7
'Skegee now leads the SIAC West, second in the SWAC East pic.twitter.com/t8ldaIRU4g
— HBCU Gameday (@HBCUGameday) October 15, 2017
Saturday’s win marked the third victory in two seasons over a Division I NCAA FCS opponent for Tuskegee. TU defeated Florida A&M in last season’s classic and Alabama State in this year’s season opener.