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HBCU leads SEC basketball squad at half but falters late from
#1 Alabama survives scare, holds off Jackson State
Tuscaloosa, Ala. -
No. 1 Alabama survived a scare from FCS Jackson State before holding on for a 24-16 victory Saturday night at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Crimson Tide (1-0) led 17-0 at halftime but saw the Tigers (0-1) come back to tie the game in the third quarter. Alabama finally pulled away in the fourth quarter, thanks to a 2-yard touchdown run by Jahmyr Gibbs with 10:36 remaining.
Gibbs finished with 77 rushing yards on 15 carries, while Bryce Young passed for 253 yards and a touchdown. Jermaine Burton led the receivers with 94 yards on five catches.
Shedeur Sanders led Jackson State with 256 passing yards and a touchdown, while Sy'veon Wilkerson rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide's defense did not allow a touchdown in the first half, but the Tigers scored on their first possession of the third quarter on a 2-yard run by Wilkerson. Sanders then tied the game with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Coleman with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter.
Alabama responded with a 51-yard field goal by Will Reichard early in the fourth quarter, and then Gibbs scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 2-yard run with 10:36 remaining.
The Crimson Tide's defense held on from there, forcing Jackson State to turn the ball over on downs with less than three minutes remaining.
Alabama's offense struggled at times, but Gibbs and Young made key plays when they needed them.
The Crimson Tide's defense also came up with some big stops in the second half, including a fourth-down stop on Jackson State's final drive.
Alabama will host Utah State next Saturday, while Jackson State will host Bethune-Cookman.
