Jackson State football falls short after slow start, Zy McDonald ...

What a difference a week makes for Jackson State football. Last week, the Tigers were celebrating quarterback Jason Brown and its first victory of the season over South Carolina State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge. This week, things were vastly different as JSU lost 28-10 to Florida A&M in the Denny's Orange Blossom Classic.

Here are three takeaways from the Tigers' loss Sunday:

Special teams let Jackson State down

Florida A&M (1-0) came prepared to play from the opening whistle. Marcus Riley returned the kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown and kicker Cameron Gillis added the extra point to give FAMU a 7-0 lead at 14:49 of the first quarter.

On the next drive, Brown hit Rico Powers for a 38-yard pass to FAMU's 15-yard line. The Rattlers held, forcing JSU to try a field goal on fourth-and-10 from the FAMU 15. On the attempt, long snapper Avery Salerno sent the ball over Gillis' head, resulting in a fumble and loss of 27 yards.

FAMU's Jah’Marae Sheread returned a punt 47 yards to the JSU 36 with 7:28 to go in the second quarter. That helped set up running back Jaquez Yant's 3-yard touchdown run with 5:55 in the second, with Gillis adding the extra point to give A&M a 28-0 lead going into halftime.

Sheread had three punt returns for 95 yards and averaged 31.7 a return.

JSU quarterback Jason Brown had a hard day

Brown did not play like the guy who torched South Carolina State for 356 yards and three touchdowns. Against FAMU, he was 10-for-19 for 82 yards and no touchdowns.

Early in the game, Brown seemed to be favoring his throwing hand after hitting it on a FAMU player's helmet. He missed several open wide receivers and was harassed by the Rattlers' defensive line throughout the first half.

Jackson State coach T.C. Taylor started Zy McDonald in the second half to try to spark the Tigers.

In the third quarter, Brown dropped a pass at the 1-yard line on a flea-flicker that would have given JSU a first down. The Tigers settled for a 24-yard field goal to trail 28-3.

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Offense did not get back on track until late

Jackson State (1-1) had trouble moving the ball against the Florida A&M defense. It did not score a touchdown until McDonald hit Powers on a 66-yard pass with 13:51 to play. Gerardo Baeza added the extra point to make the score 28-10.

McDonald finished 10 of 14 for 149 yards and one touchdown. Powers had four receptions for 119 yards and one touchdown.