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Luhrmann, Mays. — Travis Hunter knew the moment he hit the ground in the right corner of the end zone, rolled on his side and popped the ball with his right hand that he gave Jackson State a boon that will have a lasting impact.
He indicated the spot to his teammates. He pointed out the place, which had been roughed up by the unreasonable and improbable traction of the left toe, to the officials. The two-way Tigers star, a freshman sensation who shocked an excess of Power 5 programs and upset the balance of power in college football last December by committing to Jackson State, has drawn a prodigy between two of Alcorn’s top secondary talents in Calvontae Key and Kieron Kinsler Jr.
The 6’1-inch, 165-pound star—who often put fear in the eyes of opposing quarterbacks when he plays linebacker on defense—was known to give JSU (11–0, 8–0) the deciding final score in 24 -13 Victory on a cold Saturday night in The Reservation. Although he was found guilty, the officials initially disagreed.
more: The Soul Bowl meeting of JSU and Alcorn State is one for the history books
Hanging on to a 17-13 advantage early in the fourth quarter in a hotly contested game against an in-state rival with history remaining, Tigers head coach Deion Sanders had an exciting decision to make. Jackson State has already used one timeout and taken the risk of using another to determine whether or not Hunter’s catch was actually a reception, it was a risk.
But for the Pro Football Hall of Famer, it was worth the risk, especially given his confidence in Hunter.
Some children will lie on a bed [catch] Sanders said after the Tigers won… and the ball hit the ground. “Travis never lies, especially to me.”
After a nearly 10-minute argument with officials, the prayer that Hunter, Sanders, and the football team had been hoping for became a reality. She added six more points plus the extra point by captain Alejandro Mata giving the Tigers a 24-13 advantage.
But with over 11 minutes to go in a close affair, the game felt a far cry from a brawler’s play until the unlikely hunter caught up. Despite Alcorn’s strong and gritty performance through more than 46 minutes of battle, JSU’s defense provided the team that stood face to face with a wall of adversity. The Braves (5-6, 4-4) were put on a field goal and 35 yards on 17 plays in the fourth quarter. Aubrey Miller Jr., Gurente Davis, Herman Smith III, and Justin Ragin were among the Tigers’ fullbacks who flew all over the field to disrupt the rhythm of the Braves’ offense.
However, JSU fans could breathe easy after catching Hunter. They are no longer sitting on the edge of their seats. Throughout the fourth quarter, with every stop by the Tigers defense, their heart rates—which might have been fluctuating like a seesaw at some points during the game—returned back to normal. As the final seconds of Alcorn’s up-and-down season approached, flags were flying back and forth among JSU fans.
JSU secured the win and the program’s first-ever undefeated regular season in program history. The Tigers also earned their first win at Lorman since 2014 and became the first SWAC team since 1991 to go flawless in the regular season. In what will certainly be an achievement long cherished by many, the special occasion was no small feat for Sanders, who saw his offense allow a season-high five sacks, two turnovers and accumulate a season-low in total offense (258 yards).
“It’s funny that we made it, but I don’t feel it,” Sanders said. “The productivity we displayed today does not match history for me. It coincides with complacency for me. That is where we are aggressively.”
While some of the sacks came as a result of a decision by quarterback Shadyor Sanders, who finished the game 18-of-29 for 216 yards, a touchdown and an interception, his dad is already thinking about solutions to the offense’s problems.
“We’ve already had a meeting about the infraction,” Sanders said. “We’re better than that, what we’ve offered. We’ve got to make it happen. A lot of teams coming in play one-on-one and put seven players in. The box…we got the win outside…we got a lot of chances outside.”
The end of a flawless season built on dominance capped off a non-dominant performance. But the Sanders, Tigers and those who have been waiting for JSU to finish the season undefeated will take the win and a new chapter in the record books.
JSU is now turning its attention to the SWAC Championship game in Jackson in two weeks. The Tigers’ journey towards the second title continues. But traveling along for the ride, adjustments must be made if JSU hopes to stand in the midfield with the championship trophy on December 3rd.
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