Jackson State beats Southern 35-17, extends winning streak to eight games

Nate Blount IV rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries as undefeated Jackson State defeated Southern 35-17 on Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. The victory improved Jackson State to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the SWAC, while Southern fell to 2-3 and 0-1. Jackson State has now won eight straight games against Southern.

Jackson State took a 7-0 lead on Blount’s 1-yard touchdown run during the opening drive. After Southern’s Chris McMcKenna made a 27-yard field goal, Jared Lockhart threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Nate Rembert, giving the Tigers a 14-3 advantage late in the first quarter.

Blount’s 48-yard run set up his second touchdown, an 8-yard carry that increased Jackson State’s lead to 21-3. After Southern scored, Lockhart finished a four-play, 43-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, putting Jackson State ahead 28-9 at halftime.

Southern cut the deficit to 28-17 late in the third quarter on Mike Franklin’s 1-yard touchdown run. Jackson State shut out Southern in the fourth quarter, and Alex Valbuena capped the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown catch of a tipped pass with 2:45 remaining. It was the first touchdown of Valbuena’s career.

Lockhart completed 12 of 18 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. Rembert finished with five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown, while Emari Matthews gained 45 yards on seven carries.

Jackson State recorded three sacks for 16 lost yards and held Southern to 165 passing yards. Keith Bass Jr. led the defense with seven tackles, while Tymon Wells and Carmello Jones contributed sacks and tackles for loss.

Jackson State will travel to Mobile, Alabama, for the Gulf Coast Challenge next weekend at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Source: Jackson State Athletics.