Andrew Physique and Jacobian Morgan are set to face off in what might be the largest sport of the HBCU soccer season.
The highlight falls squarely on the 2 dynamic quarterbacks, every trying to make an announcement for his or her respective groups, Alabama State and Jackson State, in a matchup that can determine which crew wins the SWAC East.
Morgan, in fact, has already received a SWAC and HBCU nationwide championship. He was additionally voted preseason SWAC Offensive Participant of the 12 months. A win on Saturday would give the Tigers an inside monitor on one other SWAC East championship.
Physique, alternatively, is making an attempt to make up for a 2024 season misplaced to harm and a number of other earlier than whereas at Texas Southern, which didn’t stay as much as expectations.
As we anticipate their Saturday showdown, we are going to break down which signal-caller — Physique or Morgan — has the sting going into the matchup at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson.
Each quarterbacks have additionally had related seasons, enjoying at a particularly excessive degree, each within the air and on the bottom, to guide their groups to the highest of the SWAC standings, combining to go 8-2. Physique and Morgan led essentially the most prolific offenses within the convention.
With Physique on the helm, the Hornets common a conference-best 40.6 factors per outing. Jackson State is just not too far behind second place, tallying 34.6 factors below Morgan.
What can these numbers inform us along with the attention check? What lies beneath the floor within the matchup of those high-profile HBCU quarterbacks? Let’s proceed.
Accuracy
Earlier in his profession, Physique was far more of a hit-or-miss passer, tending to flee the pocket as a runner when his choices downfield have been lined. He has nearly persistently improved his accuracy every year in faculty. His present 69.5% completion price this season is a private finest, and his 203.3 effectivity score is second within the SWAC.
Morgan isn’t far behind, and he’s additionally been pretty correct since transferring to Jackson State from Syracuse, as evidenced by a back-to-back outings in opposition to Southern and Alabama A&M with a completion proportion over 70. Although Morgan’s general completion proportion is a bit of over 60 p.c on the season, he’s nonetheless a decent sixth within the SWAC. He’s additionally third within the SWAC with 232 yards passing per sport.
Edge: Physique
Ball management
In a five-game pattern dimension, Physique has thrown 18 touchdowns and nil interceptions on 131 passing makes an attempt. And talking of lack of turnovers, the redshirt junior has but to lose a fumble regardless of carrying the ball 59 instances on the season. However Morgan has been simply as stingy with the soccer this season, solely throwing one interception in 118 move makes an attempt.
Edge: Even
Massive-play magic
On the daybreak of his faculty profession, Physique has lengthy been tabbed as the best dual-threat quarterback. However till his early seasons at Texas Southern, Physique — not less than this season — is extra vulnerable to executing the large play as a rule. His 60-yard rush this season is the seventh-longest achieve for any participant within the SWAC.
And Physique’s 69-yard completion in opposition to UAB within the common season opener is the fifth-longest move conversion of all certified quarterbacks.
Morgan, nevertheless, holds his personal on this class as nicely. The Jackson State quarterback has 82 and 60-yard completions, respectively, to his tally, in addition to two rushes of 25 or extra yards.
Edge: Physique
Dashing affect
That is one space the place Physique is supremely gifted, particularly on any such stage. Everyone knows he can shake free and prolong performs like the most effective of them.
He leads the SWAC in dashing with 520 yards on 8.8 yards per carry. It was Physique’s 16-carry, 116-yard efficiency versus UAB that led Blazers coach Trent Dilfer to inform him personally, “You’re one heck of a quarterback.”
Regardless of Morgan not dashing the ball on the identical frequency as Physique, he’s nonetheless efficient on the bottom. He has 181 dashing yards on 5.7 yards per carry. Morgan additionally makes use of his legs to increase performs within the pocket and get the ball to playmakers on the perimeter when wanted.
Edge: Physique
Massive-game expertise
Enjoying in an necessary sport with stakes on the road is nothing new for Morgan since pratically each matchup for the Tigers is the opponent’s Tremendous Bowl. He was nice within the Celebration Bowl final season, throwing for 233 yards and two TDs within the Tigers’ 28-7 win over South Carolina State.
Physique, nevertheless, has restricted expertise competing in matchups that matter to the extent that Saturday’s will. The closest was his first sport because the Hornets quarterback.
In opposition to an elite North Carolina Central crew within the Orange Blossom Basic, Physique was clearly the most effective participant on the sector, dashing for 134 yards, together with TD runs of 38 and 39 yards to maintain Alabama State in it earlier than being misplaced to a shoulder harm.
Edge: Morgan
The ultimate verdict
It’s a detailed one, accurately for a sport that can possible determine the SWAC East. Physique supporters might argue that he deserves the nod within the accuracy division, contemplating his heavier workload. Nevertheless, the reality is that nearly each class, besides maybe big-game expertise, was a coin flip.
Jackson State followers are thrilled Morgan has stepped up within the common season and in championship conditions. But it surely’s additionally all the time laborious to wager in opposition to the quarterback on HBCU’s soccer finest crew. Regardless, we count on their Saturday head-to-head to be ultra-competitive, culminating in a must-see end.
