Score prediction, scouting report for Week 9

The Jackson State football team introduced their new starting quarterback, JaCobian Morgan, in a game against Mississippi Valley State. Morgan had an outstanding performance, rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown, helping the Tigers secure a 21-6 victory.

Next up for Jackson State is their final away game of the season against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Tigers must remain focused and not underestimate UAPB to avoid an upset.

Jackson State (5-3, 2-2 SWAC) will face the Golden Lions (1-6, 0-4) at Simmons Bank Field in Pine Bluff on Saturday (2 p.m., ESPN+).

Here’s what you need to know as the Tigers aim for their second consecutive win:

Jackson State’s Dominance on Defense

Success breeds confidence. Within a two-week span, Jackson State will have faced the SWAC’s two weakest offenses, Mississippi Valley State and UAPB. The Golden Lions have struggled offensively this season, scoring only 90 points and averaging 12.9 points per game.

UAPB’s rushing attack, led by redshirt freshman Johness Davis, averages 131.9 yards per game, with Davis averaging 56.2 yards per game. The Tigers must also be vigilant against receiver Kenji Lewis, who averages 45.1 yards per game and has 22 receptions.

Reviving Jackson State’s Passing Game

Jackson State’s offense needs to ignite. Running back Irv Mulligan, the SWAC’s leading rusher before his injury, may return after missing last week’s game. Regardless, the Tigers should capitalize on UAPB’s vulnerable defense.

UAPB allows an average of 254.9 passing yards and 205.6 rushing yards per game, ranking last in the SWAC for total defense. Their secondary has allowed 14 touchdown passes with only three interceptions. This presents an opportunity for Morgan, who showed promise in his first start by completing 20-of-36 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown, while also being the Tigers’ leading rusher with 107 yards and one touchdown.

Improvements in Special Teams

Last week, Jackson State managed to prevent any significant returns in the kicking game. However, standout kicker Dylan Wasson missed a crucial 42-yard field goal after a perfect record beyond the 40 in his previous two games. Special teams must continue to improve as it may play a pivotal role in their upcoming game against rival Alcorn State (4-3, 3-1).

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Jackson State is working on getting punter Matt Noll back to full health. Noll leads the SWAC in punting with an average of 44.5 yards per punt. When Noll is not available, the Tigers’ average drops to 28.6 yards per punt, although Wasson has averaged 39.0 yards on three punts over the past three weeks.

Regarding kickoffs, Jackson State is currently ranked 10th in the SWAC, allowing an average of 35.9 yards per return.

Prediction: Jackson State vs. UAPB

Jackson State 56, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7: This is the game the Tigers have been preparing for. They will deliver a comprehensive performance, utilizing the full team’s abilities to secure a dominant victory.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jackson State score prediction vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Week 9