Deion Sanders returns, Jackson State football clinches SWAC East on late touchdown vs Southern

BATON ROUGE — Shedeur Sanders got off to a rocky start, throwing a pair of interceptions during his father Deion Sanders' anticipated return for Jackson State football.

But, with less than two minutes remaining, the freshman quarterback launched a 50-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Wideman to seal the win for the Tigers.

The Tigers snapped their nearly decade-long losing streak against Southern with an 21-17 win on the road.

The win pushes JSU's winning streak to seven games and clinches the SWAC East. No matter what happens against Alcorn State next week, the Tigers (9-1, 7-0 SWAC) have a spot in the SWAC title game Dec. 4.

Here are three observations from the game:

Deion Sanders returns to the sideline

After being released from the hospital earlier this week, Deion Sanders made the two-and-a-half-hour trip to Baton Rouge to be with the Tigers.

Sanders, wearing a navy blue Jackson State letterman jacket, a red beanie hat, and sunglasses, sat in a motorized wheelchair. It was his first game back after missing the past three games as he was hospitalized due to complications from foot surgery. He wore a headset during the game, but it is unclear whether he was officially coaching or not.

Nonetheless, he was able to see his son Shilo Sanders clinch the game with an interception in the fourth quarter.

COACH PRIME RETURNS: Deion Sanders back on Jackson State football sideline for first time in weeks

A second straight multi-interception game for Shedeur Sanders

Before the Texas Southern game, Shedeur Sanders had just one interception on the season. That number has grown to five as the freshman quarterback had his second consecutive game with multiple interceptions.

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But, Sanders was able to find Wideman for a pair of second-half touchdowns. The growing connection between the Tennessee transfer and the standout freshman has been a major plus for Jackson State down the stretch.

Kobe Dillon limited as Southern run game isn't enough

Southern freshman running back Kobe Dillon only carried the ball twice. The SWAC's top rushing offense played well but didn't get much help. Jerrodd Sims rushed for 98 yards and a touchdown. For most of the game, Southern (4-6, 3-4) had more rushing yards than passing yards.

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The Jaguars nearly added another rushing touchdown, but Jackson State got a huge stop on fourth-and-goal from the 1 by Auburn transfer Coynis Miller that kept JSU in the game.

Up next

Jackson State will conclude regular-season play at home next week against Alcorn State. The game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, will stream on ESPN+.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Deion Sanders returns, Jackson State football clinches SWAC East