Jackson State Pays Visit to ULM to Open Season

Hunter Smith — © Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

New head coach Bryant Vincent teams up with Oklahoma transfer quarterback General Booty to try and deliver the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks their first winning season since 2012.

Jackson State head coach TC Taylor leads the Tigers as they try to keep up the winning ways of Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders. JSU went 7-4 in his first year as head coach last season. Can the Tigers be the second FCS team to knock off an FBS in as many weeks?

What’s at Stake?

The Warhawks play in the Sun Belt Conference, a conference that put 12 of their 14 teams in bowls just last season. ULM has completely flipped their roster and coaching staff in order to have their chance at a bowl moving forward. They can ill afford to start off the new regime at home with a loss to Jackson State.

Taylor is widely considered the best player to ever come through the JSU program (QB and WR). He now leads as its head coach and looks to build off of last season’s 7-4 record. As great as "Coach Prime" was, he never took down an FBS team. Could Taylor get the first FBS victory in program history?

Key Players: ULM

General Booty, Quarterback

There’s no question why Booty was brought in. A Power Five (now Power Four) transfer who will provide leadership and experience to a roster who doesn’t have a lot of it. His play will help shape this team’s outcome, both in this game and for the season.

Hunter Smith, Running Back

Smith eclipsed 100 yards in the first game last season but didn’t hit that mark again the rest of the year. The rushing attack will have the opportunity to hit that mark against this Tigers defense.

Carl Glass, Linebacker

His last name is the only thing fragile about him. Widely considered one of the best LB’s in the league, Glass was named to Phil Steele’s Preseason SBC fourth team. Look for him to be sideline to sideline Thursday night.

Key Players: Jackson State

Jacobian Morgan, Quarterback

No real surprise here. Morgan was the back up to Jason Brown last season before returning from injury. In those six games, he had a better completion percentage, threw for more TDs and turned the ball over less often than Brown. Taylor has said he thinks Morgan developed even more this offseason. The Warhawks defense must be prepared for the dual threat in this one.

Fabian McCray, Wide Receiver

Last year’s leading receiver returns. McCray averaged more than 14 yards per catch with 4 TDs on the year. If Morgan has improved like Taylor has said, look for McCray’s numbers to go up this season as well.

Ke’Vric Wiggins Jr., Cornerback

The secondary combined for 17 INTs last year. Wiggins accounted for for two of those to go along with 17 tackles. Look for him key on the Warhawks top receivers throughout the night.

JaCobian Morgan — © Sarah Warnock/Special to the Clarion Ledger/USA TODAY NETWORK

Trends to Watch

Another early season FBS vs. FCS matchup. This one intrigues because of each team’s recent history. The Warhawks have struggled to win while Jackson State continues to put together winning seasons. New leadership and a flipped roster may see early struggles for ULM in this one, giving the Tigers an opportunity to pounce. A game likely as close as the spread suggest (+7.5). Expect the Warhawks to take this one at home though.