Tennessee State football grades vs. Jackson State: Defense gets high marks, offense flunks
MEMPHIS — Tennessee State football has yet to put together a complete game.
In the first week, the defense fell apart late in a 36-29 loss at Eastern Washington.
Saturday night, it was the offense that let the Tigers down in a 16-3 loss to Jackson State in the 33rd Southern Heritage Classic at the Liberty Bowl.
It could be the final time for TSU (0-2) to face JSU (2-0) in the classic since JSU coach Deion Sanders wants his team to stop playing in it.
Offense: F
The revamped offense, which stepped up the tempo and for the most part stopped huddling, actually clicked well in the season opener when it gained 547 yards against Eastern Washington.
That's why the lack of production was so puzzling against JSU. It seemed TSU had all the kinks worked out, but the unit never got into a rhythm.
TSU threw and ran well at Eastern Washington but didn't do either well against JSU, finishing with 138 passing yards and just two rushing.
Quarterback Draylen Ellis was sacked eight times for minus 68 yards. Blocking by the offensive line was atrocious.
The unit could not stay on the field. TSU ran just 60 offensive plays to JSU's 81.
TSU only crossed the 50-yard line once in the second half.
It could have been worse if JSU standout cornerback Travis Hunter had played. He missed the game with an injury.
Defense: A-
JSU quarterback Shedeur Sanders, coach Deion Sanders' son, is among the best in the FCS – but he never got his offense in gear either.
JSU picked up 24 first downs and stayed on the field longer than TSU. When that happened last week at Eastern Washington, TSU's defense wilted late.
In this game, the defense remained strong and kept JSU out of the end zone until Sanders tossed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Willie Gaines with 2:20 left.
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Special teams: C
With the offense struggling early, TSU's Jashon Watkins blocked a 44-yard field goal attempt. That stopped the momentum JSU had generated on its opening drive.
The punt coverage unit, however, allowed JSU to return a punt 20 yards to the TSU 32 and was flagged for an unsportsmanlike penalty that moved it to the 17 later in the first quarter.
Coaching: C-
Coach Eddie George admitted the offense wasn't ready to play. Last week he said the defense had trouble overcoming a flood of injuries it suffered in the middle of the game.
It's George's job to get both units ready every game and help each overcome adversity.
Defensive coordinator Brandon Fisher deserves credit for helping the defense bounce back. It gave Shedeur Sanders fits for much of the game.
Overall: B
Many expected TSU to start the season 0-3 (the Tigers play at MTSU next Saturday), so this is not a surprise.
What has caught some off guard is that TSU has taken each of its first two opponents — both nationally ranked in the FCS — to the wire.
The shortcomings are easily identifiable and can be fixed.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSU football grades: defense gets high praise while offense flunks out
