The first loss of Deion Sanders’ career as head coach at Jackson State proved March Madness is not restricted to the basketball court.
Alabama State downed Jackson State, 35-28, Saturday in a game that had twists, turns, and plenty of controversies.
Alabama State got a 50-yard touchdown run from Ezra Gray after Jackson State had tied the game at 28. It was the third TD run of the fourth quarter by Gray, who had 195 rushing yards.
EZRA GRAY!!!!!!!#STATEofMind pic.twitter.com/z9ZdRQxL2c
— Alabama State FB (@BamaStateFB) March 20, 2021
That was part of the bizarre nature of the game. After Jalon Jones scored on a TD run, he shot the ball over the goal post and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Rather than push Jackson State back 15 yards via the penalty — the Tigers have already missed five PATS in their first three-plus games — Alabama State opted to take the penalty on the kickoff.
After the successful PAT tied the game at 28, Alabama State returned the kickoff to midfield and Gray went the distance on the next play.
JSU got the ball back with 1:27 remaining, but an interception by quarterback Jalon Jones with 27 seconds left ended all hope for Sanders’ squad in the SWAC contest.
#FCS final in SWAC:
Alabama State (1-1, 1-1) 35,
Jackson State (3-1, 2-1) 28Ezra Gray rushes for three fourth-quarter TDs as well as a career-high 195 yards on the ground, and Alabama State handed Jackson State and coach Deion Sanders their first loss. pic.twitter.com/qMGoYp6ncO
— FCS Football (@FCS_STATS) March 21, 2021
The game saw a kickoff return for a touchdown by Jackson State negated by a video review. The final quarter was marred by a series of replays, penalties and overall confusion.
Jackson State was 3-0 and trying to go to 4-0 for the first time since 1996.
Alabama State improved to 2-1.