Deion Sanders’ son scores TD as Jackson St. beats FAMU 7-6 in Orange Blossom Classic
BY MICHELLE KAUFMAN
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 07, 2021 09:28 AM
Rain dumped on Hard Rock Stadium at kickoff Sunday afternoon, and “dark clouds gathered on the horizon”, in the words of the Florida A&M chant, but the spirited crowd of 30,210 at the Orange Blossom Classic still managed to have fun as Jackson State edged FAMU 7-6.
Tigers and Rattlers fans showed up early to tailgate before the nationally televised game, which featured the college debut of freshman JSU quarterback Shedeur Sanders, son of Tigers coach and sports legend Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders.
The younger Sanders, wearing the No. 2 that made his father famous at Florida State University, played with poise most of the day and showed glimpses of why he was recruited by many of the nation’s top programs, including top-ranked Alabama.
He completed 18 of his first 24 passes for 221 yards with no interceptions and scored the game’s only touchdown on a one-yard run. But he had a few freshman moments – fumbling the ball twice in the first half, both recovered by the Rattlers.
“Shedeur was alright,” said the elder Sanders. “I was on his butt. I’m his Dad, so I know what he’s capable of. He tried to do too much early on, made a couple bad decisions and fumbled. At halftime, he told me “I’m done being Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens quarterback who had a history of fumbling).’ I said, `Thank you sir, because you’re killing us.’ He made a couple freshman mistakes, but overall, 18 of 24, 221, no picks. I like that.”
. Regardless I'll definitely be there
