The trip to Jackson, Miss., to face the Jackson State Tigers has always had strong implications, usually on who will win the East Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).  This year will not be any different, but it will be for different reasons.
 
Both the Hornets and Tigers have fought through adversity this season, the Hornets losing their first three games of the season and the Tigers going through a mid-year coaching change.  Both have bounced back mightily and will look to continue their recent success in Saturday's game.
 
ASU (4-4/4-3 SWAC) has won four of its past five games and in the process has seen both its offense and defense get better every time out on the field.  The offense is now averaging 28 points per game and has scored 30 or more points in the past five games.
 
ASU has found its rushing game and has moved up to fourth in rushing averaging 176.7 yards per game.  Khalid Thomas has become the focal point of the rushing game gaining 248 yards over the past two games.
 
Daniel Duhart has bounced back from his season-opening game injury and has been back in the starting lineup the past two games and has been better than ever throwing the ball.
 
He is presently completing 70 percent of his passes for over 800 yards and six scores.  He has not thrown an interception this season.  Duhart has also proved to be a threat running the football as he has rushed for five scores on 25 attempts.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, the Hornets are second in the conference in scoring defense allowing 27 points per game, but has only allowed 27 points once in the past five games.
 
This week defensive leader Kourtney Berry (101 tackles) and the rest of the Hornets defense will be tested.  JSU enters the game right behind the Hornets averaging 27 points per game.  They average over 430 yards per game total offense and most of that comes from their SWAC-leading passing game.
 
The Tigers (3-5/3-3 SWAC), winners of two consecutive games, throws for 326 yards per game and complete 62 percent of their passes.  La Montiez Ivy is the trigger man for the Tigers passing game and he has thrown for almost 2,200 yards and 15 touchdowns.  He is also JSU's second leading rusher accounting for 206 yards and another two scores.
 
The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kick off from Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.  It can be heard live on the ASU Hornets Sports Network and on HSRN Satellite Radio Sirius Channel 112 and XM Channel 205.