The Jackson State Tigers defense has continued to make a statement throughout the season holding teams to an average of 17-points per game, stood strong holding the South Carolina State Bulldogs to 7-points which is a Celebration bowl record for the lowest scored points allowed in the game, Jackson State originally held the record scoring 10-points in 2021 against the South Carolina State Bulldogs, which was the last time these two teams face one another when Deion Sanders was the Head Football Coach lost against Head Coach Buddy Pough South Carolina State Bulldogs 31-10.
This victory marks the first Jackson State has won the Celebration Bowl in three tries. The Tigers played South Carolina State in 2021, and North Carolina Central in 2022 coming up short both times under former Head Coach Deion Sanders leadership. Head Coach TC Taylor was able to construct this team the way he saw fit based on seeing firsthand as a position coach the type of players needed to win the big game. Jackson State had a tremendous season going undefeated in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) beating Southern University in the SWAC Championship for the right to play against South Carolina State for what is considered the HBCU National Championship the Cricket Wireless Celebration Bowl.
Coming into this contest, Head Coach TC Taylor’s defensive unit was ranked 3rd in the SWAC allowing an average of 160.3 passing yards per game. Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator TC Taylor relied heavenly on the Tigers’ rushing attack in this game. As a team, Jackson State finished with 152 rushing yards on 51 attempts and two touchdowns. When Coach TC Taylor needed quarterback Jacobian Morgan to find the open JSU receiver he was able to throw precise passes to Isaiah Spencer and Joanes Fortilien.
The Tigers offense started off a bit slow, finding a rhythm thanks to the JSU running backs Irv Mulligan, Emari Matthews and quarterback Jacobian Morgan. Morgan played one of his best games in his Jackson State career against the South Carolina State Bulldogs, finishing with 233 passing yards and two touchdowns. Irv Mulligan carried the ball for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns on 25 carries.
The Jackson State stingy defense stepped up in the Cricket Wireless Celebration bowl game. The South Carolina State offensive line did a solid job protecting quarterback Eric Phoenix, but the Bulldogs were held to 59 total yards midway through the 3rd quarter which was another Celebration Bowl record. The Bulldogs were held to just 178 total offensive yards. South Carolina State linebacker Aaron Smith stood out, as the veteran defender finished with 17 tackles and 1 tackle for loss.
The South Carolina State defense couldn’t get their momentum after being on the field for a 9 plus minutes scoring drive and another drive that lasted 6 plus minutes that didn’t result in a score that looked to have exhausted the Bulldogs defense allowing Jackson State to score 21 unanswered points before South Carolina State scored their only touchdown by quarterback Eric Phoenix. Jackson State wins the 2024 Celebration Bowl 28-7.
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