Jackson St. trips Tennessee St. in Southern Heritage Classic
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- — Shedeur Sanders threw a touchdown pass and Alejandro Mata kicked three short field goals to lead Jackson State to a 16-3 victory over Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday night at the Liberty Bowl.
The Jackson State defense, which is yet to allow a touchdown this season, had eight sacks and held Tennessee State (0-2) to 140 yards of offense.
Sanders completed 30 of 44 passes for 276 yards for FCS No. 15 Jackson State (2-0). His 27-yard pass to Willie Gaines for the game's only touchdown came with 2:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Mata's field goals — 27, 28 and 30 yards — were all on red-zone possessions.
Shane Hooks had 93 yards receiving and Sy'veon Wilkerson rushed for 81 yards for Jackson State.
Tennessee State's Draylen Ellis was 10-of-24 passing for 138 yards and was on the receiving end of all eight sacks.
Jackson State's Nyles Gaddy had three total sacks, two solo. Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig had seven solo tackles, 11 total.
In the 33-year history of the Southern Heritage Classic, Tennessee State has played Jackson State 29 times and has a 17-12 record in those games.
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Game Information
2023 Southwestern Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Florida A&M | 8-0 | 12-1 |
| Alabama State | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| Jackson State | 5-3 | 7-4 |
| Alabama A&M | 3-5 | 5-6 |
| Bethune-Cookman | 2-6 | 3-8 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 1-7 | 1-10 |
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie View A&M | 6-2 | 6-6 |
| Alcorn State | 6-2 | 7-4 |
| Southern | 5-3 | 6-5 |
| Grambling | 4-4 | 5-6 |
| Texas Southern | 2-6 | 3-8 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 1-7 | 2-9 |
2023 Big South-OVC Association Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner-Webb | 5-1 | 7-5 |
| UT Martin | 5-1 | 8-3 |
| Eastern Illinois | 4-2 | 8-3 |
| Bryant | 4-2 | 6-5 |
| Southeast Missouri State | 3-3 | 4-7 |
| Tennessee Tech | 2-4 | 4-7 |
| Robert Morris | 2-4 | 4-7 |
| Charleston Southern | 2-4 | 4-7 |
| Tennessee State | 2-4 | 6-5 |
| Lindenwood | 1-5 | 3-7 |
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