Tennessee State 38, Jacksonville State 31

October 21, 2006

Tennessee State sophomore quarterback Antonio Heffner’s three second half scoring drives helped lead the Tigers to their first-ever win over Jacksonville State 38-31. The game, telecast live on CSS-TV was Jacksonville State’s Homecoming. The win gives TSU a 4-3 overall record and a perfect 3-0 record in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Tennessee State got on the scoreboard first (11:15) following a blocked Jacksonville State punt by Reno Thompson at the 11:55. Javarris Williams scored his first of two TDs with a 4 yd run after a 2-play 19 yd drive. Jacksonville responded with a TD at the 4:22 mark scoring on a 70 yd pass and run to tie the score at 7-7.

Tennessee State mounted a 12-play 73 yd drive for a 14-7 lead capped by QB Antonio Heffner’s 1 yd run. Jacksonville State rallied for 10 unanswered points to take a 24-14 lead, but TSU mounted a 6-play, 70 yd drive ending in a 34 yd TD pass by Antonio Heffner to Chris Johnson for a 24-21 halftime score.

Tennessee State moved ahead 28-21 at the 10:00 mark of the third period when Javarris Williams scored on a 13 yd run capping off a 6-play, 61 yd drive. In the fourth period TSU’s Eric Benson added a 33 yd FG for a 31-24 Tiger lead (14:50) after an 8-play 49 yd drive stalled.

The Gamecocks fought back for a 31-31 tie with 11:40 remaining, but TSU’s Heffner put the Tigers up for good,38-31 with a 63 yd TD pass to Chris Johnson with 10:24 left. The teams battled to the end of the contest with TSU defensive back Aaron Strong intercepting Jax State on the 13 yd line with 0:21 remaining in the game.

Tennessee State quarterback Antonio Heffner finished the game passing for 260 yds (31-26-2) and 2 TDs. He also rushed for 33 yds and 1 TDs. The 293 yds of Total Offense with 3 TDs is a career high. Javarris Williams finished the game with 76 yds rushing (22 att) and 2 TDs. Sophomore WR Chris Johnson also had a career day with 156 yds (5 rec) and 2 TDs .

The Tigers host OVC opponent Samford next week (10/28) in Nashville for Homecoming.