Jackson Free Press

In 1875, black ministers of the Mississippi Baptist Convention collaborated with white northerners of the American Baptist Home Mission Society to institute what is today's Jackson State University. The founders said, "your work and our work is done." The 1875 collaborators aimed to produce an educational establishment. Yet, as JSU celebrates its legacy, the upcoming homecoming celebration will show that their vision became so much more.

On Oct. 2, Jackson State will begin its 2011 homecoming festivities, themed "Celebrating the Legacy of JSU."

The festivities include a stage play, fashion show, street party, and a comedy show featuring JJ Williams, Lavell Crawford and Steve Brown. Mea Ashley receives her Miss JSU crown Thursday, Oct. 6, and Terrence J of BET's 106 & Park will host a Greek Show Friday. The homecoming parade steps off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, in downtown Jackson. Finally, the highlight of the week-long festivities will be the homecoming football game.

JSU has a history of winning its homecoming game, and this year should be no different. In 2008, the Tigers defeated Mississippi Valley State, 29-27 in the homecoming game. In '09, JSU played Alabama State in the homecoming match-up and defeated them with a score of 19-7. Similarly, in 2010, Prairie View fell victim to the Tigers' homecoming bite and was defeated with a score
 of 30-13.

For homecoming this year, JSU takes on the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions at 4 p.m. Oct. 8 at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Golden Lions enjoy a 3-1 record, and are 2-0 in the conference. In the third week of play, the team barely squeezed out a victory against JSU's struggling in-state rival, Alcorn State University, where they came from behind in a 10-20 half-time score to finish the game with a 27-20 victory. Considering their 4-8 record from 2010, this season has actually kicked off much better than projected for the Lions.

On the other hand, the JSU Tigers slaughtered Arkansas-Pine Bluff with a 52-30 finish last year. In 2009, the Lions were victors in the match-up, but JSU didn't have Casey Therriault, the fierce quarterback who played in the 2010 season and who returned to lead the team this year. This year's team is a far cry from that '09 team.

In '09, the Tigers finished the season 3-7, averaging 75.2 rushing yardage per game compared to 105.2 rushing yardage per game for their opponents. The JSU defense outnumbered their opponents with 632 tackles for the season, but the passing yardage was lacking.

For the 2010 season, the Tigers' rushing yardage improved to 98.6 per game, but their opponents still fared better at 165.3 rushing yards per game. They whipped their opponents in passing, averaging 314 yards.

JSU started the season this year with a great start; they didn't lose their first game until the fourth week of the season. And even though their 3-1 record mirrors Arkansas-Pine Bluff, they are sure to win this year's homecoming game. The football pride that fills the city of Jackson during homecoming week will continue to grow, pound-by-pound, touchdown-by-touchdown, and 
tackle-by-tackle.

My prediction is 30-17 JSU.