Over and out: Sanders loses last JSU game in OT
ATLANTA– Deion Sanders was emotional before his last game at Jackson State, and those emotions grew after coming up short in the Celebration Bowl for the 2nd straight year.Quarterback Davius Richard ran for 97 lawns and 2 touchdowns, including a 1-yard scoring plunge in overtime, and North Carolina Central beat Jackson State 41-34 on Saturday in the Event Bowl to spoil Sanders’bid for an undefeated season in his farewell.It was the second successive season that Sanders’Tigers were favored prior to losing in the game considered as the champion of groups from historically Black institution of higher learnings. “I seem like we have actually won, however we didn’t win that game,”said Sanders, who now will devote
his full attention to his brand-new task as Colorado’s coach. He was tearful in a pregame speech to his players.”I miss out on these guys currently. I enjoy them, “Sanders said after the game.The Eagles ‘defense made a goal-line
stand on Jackson State’s first ownership in overtime to maintain the win.
Tight end Hayden Hagler’s drop on third down from the 1 established an incompletion by Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders to end the game.Sanders’19-yard touchdown pass to Travis Hunter as time expired in policy set up Alejandro Mata’s tying extra point to send the game to OT.
It was the fourth scoring pass of the game for Sanders, who likewise ran for a score.Jackson State (12-1) was denied its bid for the very first unbeaten season in school history. Deion Sanders wanted to end up the season with his Tigers initially before taking over at
Colorado. Shedeur Sanders will accompany his dad to Boulder.The win by N.C. Central (10-2) gave the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference a 6-1 edge over groups from the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the Celebration Bowl.Eagles coach Trei Oliver said he hopes the triumph provides more regard to the MEAC and North Carolina Central after all the pregame attention was on”Coach Prime”and Jackson State.” They had a chip on their shoulder,”Oliver said of his players.
“The disrespect was real because we’ve been down here.”Latrell Collier’s 7-yard scoring run with 4:31 staying provided NCCU the lead. The Tigers addressed with a 15-play drive that included Sanders’
10-yard, fourth-down pass to JD Martin.Richard passed for 177 backyards with a goal and ran for 97 yards and 2 scores. Richard revealed his flexibility on a three-yard drive for the game’s first goal. He had a 21-yard run, a 30-yard catch on a technique play and a 5-yard scoring run that offered the Eagles a 10-0 lead.Sanders rapidly showed he likewise boasts dual-threat skills as Jackson State outscored North Carolina Central 21-7 the remainder of the half. Sanders completed 13 of 14 passes for 178 yards and two goal and had four brings for 34 lawns with another score in the half, offering the Tigers a 21-17 lead.A fake punt early in the second half assisted the Eagles recover the lead. Tight end Kyle Morgan took the snap on the phony punt and ran 43 yards to the Jackson State 24. Richard’s 12-yard scoring pass to Quentin McCall provided North Carolina Central a 23-21 lead following Adrian Olivo’s missed additional point.Olivo’s 21-yard basket late in the 3rd quarter pressed the result in 5 points.PASSING FANCY Sanders completed 30 of 40 passes for 349 lawns and four touchdowns. A highlight was an 85-yard goal pass to Kevin Coleman. The touchdown pass to Hunter at the end of regulation was perhaps the greatest highlight.”When I threw the ball, all I’ve got to do is put air under it, he’s going to do the rest,”Sanders stated of Hunter.COMMISH IN THE CROWD NFL commissioner Roger Goodell participated in the game in assistance of his nephew, Jackson State sophomore protective lineman Charlton”Charlie “Goodell. The younger Goodell is the boy of Roger Goodell’s brother.THE TAKEAWAY North Carolina Central: The Eagles counted on their stronger running game. A balanced running attack led by Richard and Collier provided N.C. Central a 276-78 benefit in hurrying backyards.”Those boys were keeping up an edge,” Richard stated of the Eagles’running backs.Jackson State: The Tigers were resilient in reacting to an early 10-0 deficit. Sanders
was the key, producing as a runner and passer while leading the comeback.UP NEXT North Carolina Central: The Eagles will search for back-to-back MEAC championships when they open their 2023 season at North Carolina A&T on Sept. 3.
Jackson State
: With pass receivers coach T.C. Taylor going up as the brand-new coach, the Tigers will return to Atlanta to open the 2023 season against South Carolina State in the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Difficulty.