SWAC Football: 3 Takeaways from Jackson State v. Alabama State

The Alabama State Hornets win a SWAC football thriller against the Jackson State Tigers 35-28 in Montgomery, Alabama, this afternoon. 

After charging back in the third quarter, the Jackson State Tigers could not overcome a sloppy first half or poor offensive line play. The Alabama State Hornets figured out how to slow down the high-powered Tigers’ offense shutting them out in the first quarter and giving up just six points in the first half.

Tigers quarterback Jalon Jones had his worst game of the season, completing just 19 of 50 passes for 180 yards, throwing one touchdown and two interceptions. Alabama State did a masterful job of disguising coverage and blitzing in the right situations to keep the sophomore quarterback off balance.

Hornets quarterback Ryan Nettles made some big throws in just his second start of the season. The freshman completed 27 of 42 passes for 257 yards and two touchdowns and two interceptions. Though Nettles looked like a freshman at times, he did show poise and presence in this game.

Jackson State had a game plan, stop star running back Ezra Gray. It worked for about a quarter and a half. Then, midway in the second quarter, Gray found his stride. It was the academic All-American who put the game away with three fourth-quarter touchdown runs.

It was the SWAC football game of the spring so far. Here are three more takeaways from Coach Prime’s first loss as a college coach.