It was senior day on the "Reservation" and the Braves wanted nothing more than to go into the SWAC Championship game with a win. Jackson State had other plans as the Braves fell to their in-state rival 34-31 at Spinks-Casem Stadium in front of a crowd of over 27,000.
Jackson State struck first with a field goal to go ahead 3-0.
Two drives later,
Quinton Cantue intercepted a pass to set up the Braves inside Jackson State's territory. On the first play following Cantue's interception,
John Gibbs, Jr. was picked off by a Jackson State defender.
The Braves defense stopped Jackson State but gave the Tigers ball right back on a muffed punt by
Anthony Williams, Jr.This time, Jackson State capitalized on the Braves mistake and came out with another field goal for 6-0 lead with 5:03 to go in the first quarter.
Gibbs and the offense got going after the Tigers field goal driving 56 yards down the field but came away with a field goal making the score 6-3.
Jackson State took their largest lead of the game on a two-yard run by LaMontiez Ivy. The Braves now trailed the Tigers 13-3.
But the Braves answered quickly on a 48-yard touchdown run by senior running back
Anthony Williams III to cut the lead to 13-10.
Once again the Braves defense kept Jackson State ourt of the end zone and the Braves took over on their own 25-yard line. Gibbs found the end zone for the 10th time this season.
Jackson State ended the half with a touchdown to retake the lead going into the locker room 20-17.
Both teams were scoreless in the third quarter but with only eight seconds into the fourth quarter the Braves retook the lead on 18-yard pass from Gibbs to
Billy Shed. The Braves were now ahead 24-20.
Junior defensive back
Warren Gatewood intercepted a pass on Jackson State's next possession to give the Braves great field position. Gibbs carried the Braves inside the five and capped off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend the Braves lead to 31-20.
But Jackson State wasn't done yet. The Tigers scored the final two touchdowns to spoil the Braves from going undefeated at home in 2014.
The Braves now await the winner of the Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling State to determined their opponent for the 2014 SWAC Championship game.
