Football: Southern tops Jackson State 34-27 in double overtime for SWAC championship

Southern University quarterback Dray Joseph (10) scrambles as Southern University offensive linesman Anthony Mosley (75) blocks Alabama State defensive end Edward Mosley III (99) during an NCAA college football game in Montgomery, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Jay Sailors)
Southern University quarterback Dray Joseph (10) scrambles as Southern University offensive linesman Anthony Mosley (75) blocks Alabama State defensive end Edward Mosley III (99) during an NCAA college football game in Montgomery, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Jay Sailors)
Southern University quarterback Dray Joseph (10) scrambles as Southern University offensive linesman Anthony Mosley (75) blocks Alabama State defensive end Edward Mosley III (99) during an NCAA college football game in Montgomery, Ala., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Jay Sailors)

HOUSTON, Texas (AP) — Dray Joseph hit Lee Doss for a 16-yard touchdown pass to give Southern University a 34-27 double overtime victory over Jackson State Saturday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship.

During the ensuing drive by Jackson State (8-4, 8-1), running back Tommy Gooden stepped out of bounds to negate what would have been a 5-yard touchdown pass from Clayton Moore.

Both teams failed to score in the first overtime. Anthony Balancier intercepted Moore to end the Jackson State’s first attempt in overtime. Yet Gregory Pittman’s 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Conard Brown, keeping the Tigers’ hopes alive.

Joseph was 27 of 46 for 337 yards passing with three touchdowns, two to Willie Quinn, to lead the Jaguars. Southern (9-4, 7-2) won its third conference championship game in school history.

Joseph hit Quinn for a 34-yard touchdown to give Southern a 10-0 lead. After the teams traded field goals, Moore went 5 for 5 leading the Tigers 73 yards in just 54 seconds. Moore then threw a 25-yard TD pass to Zachary Pendleton to make it 13-10 at halftime.

Joseph and Quinn connected a second time. Quinn was originally ruled down at the 1-yard line, but replay showed he broke the plane of the goal line to give Southern a 20-10 lead with 4:59 left in the third quarter.

Darrius Coleman capped a 13-play drive with a 1-yard TD run to give Southern a 27-24 lead with 4:47 remaining.

Ryan Deising hit a 37-yard field goal for Jackson State as time expired to send the game into overtime. Deising looked to have missed his opportunity, but Southern head coach Dawson Odums called timeout before the ball was snapped. With a reprieve, Deising knocked the attempt right down the middle.