NOTES

SERIES HISTORY: Today's game marks the 11th meeting between the two schools. The Tigers hold a 7-3 lead in the series. 

ABOUT JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY: The Tigers come into today's game following a 49-44 victory over Tennessee State University in the Southern Heritage Classic. 
    Jackson State rolled up 338 yards on the ground in snapping a six-game losing streak to Tennessee State. 
    Junior quarterback Derrick Ponder leads the Tigers aerial attack, completing a tad more than 50 percent of his passes (31-of-61) for 335 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Pushing Ponder is former four-star prospect Jalon Jones, who enrolled early at the University of Florida and then transferred following the spring semester. 
    Junior Warren Newman and sophomore DD Bowie combine for 19 of the team's 40 receptions for a total of 247 yards and two touchdown receptions. 
    Senior Jordan Jones, who is coming off a 22-carry, 134-yard performance against TSU, leads the team with 253 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Keshawn Harper has 206 yards on 26 attempts. 
    Defensively, sophomore linebacker Keonte Hampton leads the team with 35 tackles, four for loss, and a sack. Senior defensive back Tyler Rogers is second on the team with 21 tackles, a sack and a pass breakup. 
    As a team, the Tigers have forced three turnovers - two interceptions and a fumble. 

MILITARY TIES: The Kentucky State University coaching staff, led by head coach Charlie Jackson, flush with a military background. Jackson starred at the United States Air Force Academy.  Assistant coach Stephen Pipes is also a graduate of the United State Air Force Academy and is a 20-year combat veteran. He began is coaching career at the US Air Force Academy Prep Academy before coaching at his alma mater. Assistant coach Charlie Hopkins coached at The Citadel, while director of player development Jahrod Matlock was also a member of the US Air Force Academy. 

IDENTICAL: Both of the Kentucky State University games have ended with the same 13-7 score with the Thorobreds claiming the opener against Robert Morris and then falling to Tuskegee. 

ALL IN THE FAMILY: Kentucky State has two set of siblings donning the green and gold this season with Israel and Issac Fields, and Elijah and Xavier Johnson. 

TICK, TICK, TICK: Using the triple option offense, the Thorobreds have done a phenomenal job of maintaining possession. In fact, Kentucky State is currently second nationally in time of possession - holding the ball for 36:56. Division II leader Eastern New Mexico possesses the ball for 37:38.

NEW LOOK THOROBREDS: The Kentucky State University two-deep looks drastically different from the one that ended the 2018 campaign. 
    Only eight student-athletes of the 44 listed in the two-deep roster have even played a snap for Kentucky State prior to the start of the season. 
 
THREE STRAIGHT: Redshirt sophomore Jaylen Myers is the third different quarterback to start a season opener for Kentucky State. Myers, a transfer from Gardner Webb, earned the nod over senior Dennis Bryant, Jr. 
    Myers is second on the team with 143 yards on 23 attempts for a team-best 6.2 yards per attempt. He is 6-of-18 passing for 104 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. 

X-MAN: Junior safety Xavier Johnson leads the team with nine tackles, seven solo and two assisted stops. He also has a fumble recovery. 

RED MEANS STOP: Opponents are guaranteed points once they enter the red zone against the Thorobreds as Kentucky State is second nationally allowing points 40 percent of the time. Division II leader Bemiji State's defense has been phenomenal holding teams to just 16.7 percent conversion rate. 

KICKER K.O: Junior kicker Mahireyya Kao (pronounced K.O.) is tied for third in the SIAC in forced fumbles.