On Saturday afternoon, Jackson State Tigers kicked off their 2025 campaign with a convincing 28-14 victory over the Hampton Pirates. Led by Ahmad Miller, JSU overcame an early deficit to pull away in the fourth quarter, improving to 1-0 while dropping Hampton to 0-1.

The Pirates struck first in the opening quarter, capping a 3-yard touchdown by running back Ja’Quan Snipes

Giving Hampton a 7-0 lead. But Jackson State responded swiftly, evening the score at 7-7 when Emari. Matthews rushed for 2 2-yard TD.

The Tigers seized momentum heading into halftime, as D. Davenport added a 6-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to put JSU ahead 14-7. The defenses dominated the middle frames, with neither team finding the end zone again until the fourth quarter, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Hampton clawed back to tie the game at 14-14 midway through the final period, thanks to a 30-yard touchdown strike from quarterback I. Freeman to wide receiver Marshwan. Ferguson Jr. at 10:44. But Jackson State's offense exploded late, with Ahmad Miller delivering the two knockout blows. Miller scored on a 2-yard run to reclaim the lead at 21-14, then broke free for a game-sealing 76-yard touchdown scamper just over a minute later, pushing the score to 28-14 after a missed PAT.

The teams were evenly matched in total yards, Hampton with 376 and Jackson State with 402, but turnovers proved decisive. The Tigers forced three giveaways from the Pirates while committing none, turning those mistakes into points. JSU also controlled the line of scrimmage despite 10 penalties for 89 yards, converting 5 of 13 third downs and holding a slight edge in possession time at 24:40.

For Jackson State, the win marks a strong start under head coach T.C. Taylor, who emphasized defensive improvements in the offseason. The Tigers' rushing attack was the star, racking up significant gains against a Hampton front struggling to contain the bursts. On the other side, Hampton showed flashes of explosiveness through the air but couldn't overcome their errors.