ESPN College Football

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- -Hampton University converted a pair of second half turnovers into touchdowns to rally past Jackson State 17-13 in the SWAC-MEAC Challenge.

Hampton's Jerry Cummings scored on a 1-yard run and Jeremy Gilchrist caught a 12-yard scoring pass from Herbert Bynes to rally the Pirates from a 7-3 halftime deficit in the season opener for both teams.

Carlos Turavani nailed a 43-yard field goal on the final play of the first half for Hampton's other points. Jackson State's Trae Rutland hit Rodney Gray with a 31-yard scoring pass on the Tigers' first possession of the game, but the SWAC team didn't score again until the middle of the fourth quarter when Rashad Smith dove into the endzone with a 10-yard scoring toss from backup quarterback Michael Mosley.

In between, three turnovers in the third quarter destroyed the Tigers. Rutland had a pass intercepted in Hampton's endzone and JSU lost two fumbles in their own territory to give Hampton hope.

Kendrick Ellis set up the Hampton's first touchdown by recovering a fumble at Jackson State's 11-yard line. Cummings slammed in from a yard out three plays later.

Jackson State return man Demario Pippen muffed a punt late in the third quarter that Hampton's Jacobi Fenner fell on at the Tigers 49-yard line. It took Hampton nine plays before Bynes connected with Gilchrist to push Hampton ahead 17-7.

Bynes completed 14 of 23 passes for 151 yards. Dennis Mathis was the Pirates leading rusher with 46 yards on 15 carries.

Rutland was 14 of 23 for 198 yards and touchdown for Jackson State, but got pulled in favor of Mosley after the third quarter errors. Mosley was four of 16 for 50 yards and the Tigers' last touchdown.