Keidrick Jackson, senior in criminal justice, broke the school’s all-time rushing record on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in the team’s Homecoming win against West Alabama, 45-21.
“I was happy and excited, I didn’t want to go crazy up and down the field,” Jackson said. “Some of the guys came up to me and hugged me. Coach Maskill came and hugged me, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the moment.”
Jackson said he didn’t even know he broke the record until he came off the field after the play.
“Our offensive line coach told me that I broke it,” Jackson said.
Jackson said breaking the record invigorated his team, but it was not the only reason the team was pumped up to play last weekend.
“I think it was more we were pumped up just to beat those guys,” Jackson said. “For it to be Homecoming, and for me to break the record, and for us to actually play four quarters throughout that whole game, it was good. It brought more energy to the team. Everybody was excited.”
Breaking the record against a ranked team only made it that much more special for Jackson.
“It was good because it was Homecoming, my last Homecoming, and it was one of the top ten teams in the nation,” Jackson said. “It was good to do that against them.”
Jackson said he could not have broke the record without the help of his team.
“Those guys up front, if they’re not there, I don’t go anywhere,” Jackson said. “I really appreciate those guys, they have a lot to do with it.”
Like many athletes, Jackson said he has a pre-game ritual he practices before every game.
“During the game I don’t ever go out to warm up. Before the game starts, they’re out there warming up and catching balls, I don’t go out there,” Jackson said. “I sit in the locker room and relax and try to enjoy myself before I start getting hit like 50 million times. I try to lay back and sit down, listening to my music.”
The team faces off against Angelo State this weekend on Oct. 26, and Jackson said their style of defense doesn’t suit him very well but he is ok with that.
“For me, I’m all for winning, I don’t care if I get 50 touches or 20 touches, it doesn’t matter, I just want to win the game,” Jackson said. “I would rather be a senior and win conference, get another ring and go far in the playoffs my last year than break records.”
Jackson said he is proud to be a part of MSU history.
“It shows that I’ve worked hard since I’ve been here and shows all the dedication that I put into it. It’s a great accomplishment,” Jackson said. “I’m really proud of it, to be ahead of two guys that went to the NFL and had a try out, it’s a good feeling.”
After graduation, Jackson said he might want to follow in his dad’s footsteps if he can’t make it in the NFL.
“I want to get my degree in criminal justice, and when I do get that, my dad is a cop and I might want to be a cop,” Jackson said. “On top of that, I want to get my masters in business and marketing.”
