It’s that time of the year again, where titans among men will collide on the football field in Atlanta, GA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium! Saturday, December 14th, we will witness the Jackson State University Tigers (11-2) who are number one in the SWAC Conference led by Coach T.C. Taylor, facing off against South Carolina State University’s Bulldogs (9-2) led by Coach Chennis Berry at the 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl.
Via @GoJSUTigersFB
The Tigers have been the reigning team in the conference en-route to winning the SWAC East Division and capturing the program’s third conference championship in four years after recently coming off their fresh win against Southern University (41-13) in the SWAC Championship Game. The Bulldog’s themselves are coming off a fresh win against Norfolk State University, coming out on top (53-21) and clinching the MEAC Division.
Via @GoJSUTigersFB
The Tigers winning their third conference championship and the first for coach T.C. Taylor. Jackson State stood victorious in the title game after their quarterback Jacobian Morgan was injured before halftime. Zy McDonald came off the bench and rushed for 95 yards and passed for 75, accounting for two total touchdowns. While Replacing a legend like Buddy Pugh isn’t a small task, and Chennis Berry and his South Carolina State Bulldogs stood to the task in 2024. The Bulldogs went 5-0 in MEAC play, en route to a 9-2 season overall after being picked fourth in the preseason poll.
Via @SCStateFB
Along with the Bulldogs starring Quarterback Eric Phoenix, a transfer from Murray State University and named First-Team All-MEAC. Prior to his attending Murray, he was with Berry at Benedict College. At Benedict, Berry and Phoenix won the SIAC championship and reached the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in school history.
Via @SCStateFB
This will be Jackson State’s third celebration Bowl in the past four years. Looking to topple the Bulldog’s who have their eyes set on a second ever Celebration Bowl Title, since their last win against Jackson State led by Coach Prime in 2021. Essentially a rematch game, the two Champs will have at it and will decide on who is the TRUE Celebration Bowl Champion between the two. The main questions from most fans are; Will Jackson State win its first Black National Championship since 1996? Or will South Carolina State come out on top, with its second HBCU title along with a first year coach? Stay tuned for more coverage from Historically Black Since.
