How Jackson State football overcame rainy weather, used run game to beat Alabama A&M

MOBILE, AL — Entering its game against Alabama A&M, Jackson State football knew it would be battling rainy conditions.

The steady flow of precipitation preceded the opening kickoff, fluctuating in severity throughout the No. 23 Tigers’ 31-28 win over Alabama A&M (4-2, 1-1 SWAC) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Oct. 3.

“All along in practice, we knew it was going to be a rainy game,” Jackson State quarterback Jared Lockhart said. “We was wetting the balls all week, getting ready for the game.”

Even though the Tigers (5-0, 2-0) had prepared for it, the rain still impacted their play, especially when it was heavier in the first half.

Lockhart was 8-for-16 passing for 102 yards in the first two quarters. Before nearly every snap, he tried to dry his hands on a towel hanging from his waist. He finished with 169 yards and two touchdowns on 15-for-32 passing.

The clearest example of the weather’s effect on the sophomore quarterback came in the second quarter.

Rolling out to his left on third-and-16 near midfield, Lockhart pulled his arm back to throw. However, when he brought it forward, the ball slipped out of his hand. JSU center Alex Valbuena recovered the fumble for a 6-yard loss, bringing the drive to a frustrating end.

Even though the rain’s impact was visible, Lockhart felt his team was adequately prepared for the weather, and he assigned blame elsewhere for the team’s first-half struggles.

“We just started off slow,” he said. “It was just a minor setback for a major comeback.”

Because of the rain, JSU rushed the ball 52 times, well above their average of 39 rush attempts per game.

Junior running back Nate Blount IV finished with 18 carries for 88 yards, but exited the game at the end of the third quarter with an injury.

This led to increased action for freshman running back Li’darious Pryor. He’d recorded six carries through the first four games but recorded 12 attempts for 72 yards and a 29-yard touchdown against the Bulldogs.

“I told (running back) coach (Eric) Gallon … ‘This is a big week for Pryor,'” JSU coach T.C. Taylor said. “I knew what type of game it was going (to be). It was going to be storming, so you’ve got to empty the clip with these running backs.”

Taylor noted that despite Blount not playing in the fourth quarter, he wasn’t too concerned about his injury.

“He’ll be fine,” Taylor said of Blount. “He’s tough. He wanted to go back in.”

Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at treid@usatodayco.com and follow her on X @tiareid65.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: How Jackson State football overcame rainy weather, used run game to beat Alabama A&M