JACKSON, Miss. - The Wildcats open conference play for the 2023 season with a SWAC matchup against defending champions Jackson State in the W.C. Gorden Classic, Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Those without a subscription can listen to the action on the CatEye Network. 



Saturday, Sept. 23
Opponent: Jackson State (2-2, 0-1 SWAC)
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Jackson, Miss. | Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium
Live Stats: https://gojsutigers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Watch: https://www.espn.com/espnplus/player/_/id/6487bf8c-3623-40de-9d9e-7f482d2c0f9a
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/cateyenetwork
Tickets: https://gojsutigers.com/tickets



Facing its second Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponent of the 2023 season, Bethune-Cookman fell away to No. 22 Miami, 48-7 last Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium in the ACC Network's Thursday Night Game of the Week.

Miami (3-0) scored a touchdown on each of its first four (4) possessions to begin the game en route to a 34-0 halftime advantage.
 
Miami would capitalized off a fumble with a four-yard touchdown run with 3:03 remaining in the third period, extending the Hurricanes lead to 41-0.

The Wildcats put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive under the direction of Walter Simmons III at quarterback, entering the game in the second half as a reserve after starting the first two games of the season for the Maroon and Gold. A drive that took 5:17 off the clock, saw Simmons connect with running back Jouvensly Bazil – a transfer from Washington State, for a 40-yard pass and catch that put B-CU down to the Miami one yard line. Two plays later, Simmons called his own number in a quarterback keeper around the right side stretching for the pile-on and score to produce the final 48-7 result.



Jackson State has opened the 2023 season 2-2. They opened the season with a 37-7 win over South Carolina State in the Cricket MEAC SWAC Challenge in Atlanta, Ga. before falling to Florida A&M a week later in the Denny's Orange Blossom Classic, 28-10.

The Tigers defeated Southern in a non-conference matchup on Sept. 9, 27-14, before a 77-34 blowout loss at the hands of Texas State last weekend. 

The Tigers lead all SWAC teams in total touchdowns (14), field goals (4). They are third in points per game (27.0)

JSU ranks second in the SWAC in total offensive yards per game (400.5) They are second in rushing yards (549) and first in passing yards (1053). 

Defensively, they are allowing 31.5 points per game, the eight-best mark in the SWAC. 

Running back Irv Mulligan leads the Tigers on the ground, averaging over 80 yards per game with four scores. 

Jason Brown has handled quarterback duties, completing 66% of his passes with one interception to four touchdowns, with 831 yards in the air and one rushing touchdown. 

Wide receiver Rico Powers has over 300 yards receiving with a pair of touchdowns. Two other Tigers, Duke Miller and Isaiah Spencer, have over 13 catches and over 100 yards receiving. 



PLAYING IT SAFE
The Wildcats are tied for the second-fewest penalties in the SWAC with only 16 through three games. They trail only Alabama State, who has played in only two games this season. The Wildcats also rank second in fewest average penalty yards per game.

VETS LEAD THE WAY
Senior WR duo Daveno Ellington and Dacarri Allen-Johnson lead the way for the Wildcats receiving core through three games. They are tied atop the B-CU receiving ranks with ten receptions each. Ellington has totaled 95 yards, with Dacarri at 55 with a pair of TDs. 

THE QB CAROSEL
With the injury to QB Luke Sprague vs. Miami Thursday night, The Wildcats face the possibility of starting a different quarterback for their third straight game. The last time the Wildcats started three different QBs in three weeks? 2016. In games 2, 3 and 4, B-CU started Larry Brihm, Anthony Cruz, and Akevious Williams. 

The last time B-CU opened the season with three different starting QBs in the first three weeks was 2013. Brodrick Waters started week one vs. Tennessee State, Jackie Wilson started in game two vs. Virginia Union, and Quen-tin Williams started week three against FIU. 



Saturday marks the 10th time in the history of the two programs that Bethune-Cookman and Jackson State will meet on the gridiron. Jackson State holds a 6-3 lead in the series, winning three of four matchups at home.

The Wildcats have lost back-to-back games against JSU, most recently a 48-8 defeat at TIAA Bank Stadium in Jacksonville.

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