MIAMI GARDENS – From start to finish, it was a defensive battle for both Jackson State and Florida A&M.
In the inaugural Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday (Sept. 5), one player stood out above the rest.
It was none other than Jackson State freshman quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is the son of head coach and NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. His first collegiate start proved to be memorable in a sense, as the 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback was 18-of-24 passing for 221 yards and no interceptions in his team’s 7-6 win over FAMU.
Shedeur Sanders scored the game’s only touchdown, which came on a 1-yard run with 11:47 left in the second quarter. It was followed by an extra point from kicker Glenn Misiak, who gave Jackson State a 7-3 lead over FAMU.
Interestingly, FAMU could have won this one when taking into account how the game actually turned out.
With 2:29 left in the second quarter, FAMU defensive lineman Justin Cooks secured a lost Jackson State fumble at his team’s 17-yard line. And from there, the offensive drive was on.
Several plays later, FAMU was in position to take the lead. But with one second left in the first half, a 48-yard field goal attempt by kicker Jose Romo-Martinez was blocked.
Suffice to say, Romo-Martinez scored all six of FAMU’s points in the game, as he connected on field goals of 21 and 39 yards, respectively. Both moments came in the first half.
With that said, Jackson State’s 7-6 lead over FAMU held serve at both halftime and at the final buzzer.
“We only scored one touchdown,” Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders said. “That’s not really acceptable in this offense in what we’re trying to do here.”
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders concurred.
“We were really sporadic,” the Tigers head coach said. “We gotta do better.”
Rattlers head coach Willie Simmons spoke on his team’s overall effort in their one-point loss to the Tigers.
“We didn’t have the outcome we wanted,” Simmons said. “That’s on me. I accept full responsibility. But I thought these guys played their hearts out. They play with grit and passion. I can’t say enough about the heart of these young men.”
Next game for Jackson State (1-0): Home vs. Tennessee State (0-1) on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
Next game for FAMU (0–1): Home vs. Fort Valley State (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
PHOTO CREDITS: Keith Forde
