QB Jarin Morikawa taking larger role for Jackson State

HOUSTON – Jackson State may have finally found its starting quarterback.

Junior Jarin Morikawa started the Tigers’ 21-13 road win against Texas Southern at BBVA Compass Stadium on Saturday afternoon, completing 18 of 25 passes for 165 yards and one interception in his second game this season.

“He played actually another good game besides the early interception where he tried to force it,” coach Tony Hughes said. “He just didn’t make a good decision.

“But he gives our team a calmness, a calm confidence because he’s a calm guy. He’s not going to say nothing; he’s not loud, boisterous. But he just does his job and he did a great job, I think, of running the offense and protecting the football team.”

Morikawa’s performance was arguably the best a Jackson State quarterback has produced this season. No other Tiger who attempted the majority of his team’s passes in a game entering Saturday had completed more than 58.3 percent of his throws.

Morikawa missed the Tigers’ first five games because of a broken left wrist suffered in preseason camp. But last week he replaced redshirt freshman Brent Lyles, who had earned the starting role from LaMontiez Ivy, and completed 13 of 23 passes against Southern.

Source: Morikawa taking larger role for Jackson State