As Coach T.C. Taylor stood on the stage and held up the silver Cricket Celebration Bowl Trophy, the crowd chants his name, “T.C., T.C., T.C.!” The Jackson State University Tigers (12-2) defeated the South Carolina State University Bulldogs (9-3) 28-7 this past Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, securing the program’s first-ever Celebration Bowl win!
Although Deion Sanders took the Tigers to the Celebration Bowl twice, he couldn’t pull off a win in 2021 or 2022 before leaving for Colorado, taking with him his stars players Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. While during Taylor’s second season he, accomplished what PrimeTime could not.
“We knew it would be a quick turnaround, but we had to get ready for this game. I told the team, you got to shake that one off and get ready for this one, because this is it. There’s no football after today. I’m just proud of my football team, proud of the fans, my coaching staff and everybody that made this happen. To be a national champ right now feels awesome”, said Coach Taylor.
The seven points that the Bulldogs scored the entire game, were the fewest in the Celebration Bowls nine game history. Making it the largest victory-point margin with Jackson States 28 points. The Tigers defense was on fire! Not allowing any touchdowns or completed passes for that matter, for the whole game. Ultimately forcing South Carolina States Coach Chennis Berry to bench the All-MEAC First-Team Quarterback, Eric Phoenix late in the first half.
Quarterback Jacobian Morgan threw for 233 yards and two passing touchdowns, both to Wide Receiver Joanes Fortilien. The Tigers also out-rushed the Bulldogs 153-30, a total of 383 offensive yards compared to the Bulldogs 211 offensive yards.
“Lessons that they’ll learn for the rest of their lives. I congratulate each and every one of them and although the outcome didn’t happened the way we wanted to happen. I’m very, very proud of the season we had and that the young men were able to develop throughout the year. And kudos to Jackson State! They found a way to win a football game and we fell a little short.” Says Coach Chennis Berry.
