Overview

In a dazzling showdown at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Jackson State University made history by clinching their first Celebration Bowl title, overcoming South Carolina State University with a decisive 28-7 victory. The chants of "T.C." rang loud throughout the arena, cheering on their dedicated coach T.C. Taylor, as the Tigers celebrated this monumental win.

Game Highlights

Right from the start, Jackson State set the pace, sprinting to a commanding 14-0 lead before halftime, leaving South Carolina State scrambling to find their footing. The Tigers showcased their dominance, outgaining the Bulldogs with 385 total yards compared to South Carolina State's paltry 178.

Tigers quarterback Jacobian Morgan was pivotal in the win, earning the Celebration Bowl offensive MVP title by completing 15 of his 21 pass attempts for 233 yards, accompanied by two touchdowns and one interception. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams earned defensive MVP honors with impactful tackles, reinforcing Jackson State’s defensive prowess.

Notably, Irv Mulligan, the Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 71 yards and contributed two touchdowns to the Tigers' score. Emphasizing the team's collective effort, Mulligan remarked, "It’s one thing to talk it, but we really are a humble team. We just had to find the small pieces to put it together."

A Turnaround for Jackson State

This win marked a significant turnaround for Jackson State, having previously fallen short in the last two Celebration Bowl appearances. The defeat in 2021 was against South Carolina State themselves, who triumphed 31-10, while last year's overtime loss to North Carolina Central ended 41-34.

With this victory, Jackson State now joins the ranks of other Southwestern Athletic Conference teams, becoming the third to win the Celebration Bowl, following Florida A&M University in 2023 and Grambling State University in 2016. Despite this setback for South Carolina State, they still lead the all-time series 6-3.

Coaches' Reflections

In a reflective postgame statement, Coach Taylor expressed his gratitude towards the team and fans, stating, "It’s been a great, incredible run... They worked their butts off all year for this moment and went out there today and dominated."

On the other side, South Carolina State head coach Chennis Berry took responsibility for the loss, acknowledging the challenges faced during the game. “We had 60 minutes. I say it all the time, and then we didn’t get it done in 60 minutes,” he said.

Historical Records and Unforgettable Moments

A few remarkable records and moments emerged from the game: - Jackson State's 19-play drive lasting 9 minutes and 39 seconds marked the longest in plays and time of possession in Celebration Bowl history. - South Carolina State quarterback Eric Phoenix, who was named the 2024 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, broke his university's single-season passing record. - The 21-point margin of victory for Jackson State tied the record for the largest in Celebration Bowl history, while South Carolina State's seven points became the fewest ever scored in the bowl game.

Memorable plays included a thrilling but ultimately disallowed touchdown by Jackson State’s Travis Terrell Jr. on a punt return, celebrated with a spectacular front flip. South Carolina State's defense also made its mark, with linebacker Aaron Smith setting a new record for most tackles in the Celebration Bowl with 17.

Attendance and Future Implications

Despite being a historic encounter, the game saw an attendance figure of 36,823, significantly lower than the record 48,653 during the 2021 Celebration Bowl. This event not only marks Jackson State's entry into the Celebration Bowl champions' circle but also sets the stage for future HBCU football matchups to come, creating an electrifying atmosphere for players and fans alike.

With such an inspiring performance, Jackson State's victory serves as a beacon of hope and determination for their fans, players, and future generations of HBCU athletes eager to etch their names in collegiate football history.