ATLANTA, Ga.- The Jackson State Tigers etched their names into HBCU football history on Saturday with a dominating 28-7 win over the South Carolina State Bulldogs in the 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl. It marks the first

JSU quarterback Jacobian Morgan was efficient under center, throwing for 219 yards and one touchdown, with wide receiver Joanes Fortilien hauling in a 4-yard scoring pass to open the Tigers’ scoring.

Irv Mulligan paced the Tigers rushing attack with 71 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson State outgained South Carolina State 367 yards to 135, including an impressive 148-16 advantage in rushing yards.

Jackson State’s defense was impressive while holding the MEAC champion Bulldogs to 16 rushing yards on 18 attempts. The Tigers forced five three-and-outs and consistently applied pressure to the SCSU offensive unit. Shemar Hawkins led all JSU tacklers with six tackles and one interception to help seal the game for the Tigers.

Jackson State’s win marks consecutive Celebration Bowl game wins for the Southwestern Athletic Conference.  JSU’s Morgan was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player while fellow teammate Jeremiah Williams was tabbed Defensive Most Valuable Player.

The national championship is the fourth in school history and the first since 1996 and the first for second-year head coach, and Jackson State alum, T.C. Taylor.