Box Score / Alabama A&M defeated Jackson State 13-5 Saturday to move the Bulldogs within one win of their first SWAC Championship Game berth in three seasons. Combining the win over JSU and Prairie View's win at Alcorn State, the Bulldogs now control their own fate to reach the title game next week by defeating Mississippi Valley State.
Alabama A&M's defense showed its mettle holding the Tigers to 200 total yards and consistently turning back Jackson State in good field position throughout the first half. The Tigers took possession three times in Alabama A&M territory and came away with no points in those drives. The only points for JSU came on a defensive safety and a field goal following the free kick after that safety. Rico Porch had two interceptions, and the first one might have been the play of the game.
Trailing 5-0 and having thrown an interception that set up JSU at the A&M 12-yard-line early in the third quarter, Porch picked off JSU quarterback Dedric McDonald near the goal line and returned it 64 yards to set up A&M's go-ahead touchdown.
Five plays later the Bulldogs had the lead as Deaunte Mason found Thomas Harris on a 20-yard touchdown pass to give A&M a 6-5 lead with 10:27 to play in third quarter. The two-point conversion failed. After getting the lead, the Bulldog defense held the Tigers to 45 total yards in six possessions, allowing JSU to penetrate A&M territory only once to the A&M 38-yard-line.
Alabama A&M's offense put the game all but on ice with an eight-play, 56-yard touchdown drive capped by Mason's four-yard score with 7:04 remaining in the game.
Ulysses Banks was steady for the offense with 100 yards rushing on 17 carries. Mason finished 13-24 fro 138 yards passing. Harris caught six balls for 65 yards.