It was unclear whether Jackson State starting quarterback Jacobian Morgan would be able to play in the Celebration Bowl against South Carolina State. After suffering an injury in the first half of the conference championship game, signs pointed to Zy McDonald getting the start for the Tigers. Morgan was able to overcome the injury and get the start in this contest, leading the Tigers to their first Celebration Bowl victory 28-7.
Jackson State Wins First Celebration Bowl
It was a rocky start to the Celebration Bowl for the Jackson State Tigers. South Carolina State started with the ball, but only traveled 15 yards on five plays. The Tigers returned the punt for a touchdown, but an unnecessary roughness penalty took that away. Further, the rushing attack that had dominated the regular season couldn’t get started. Irv Mulligan only rushed for one yard on the first drive for the Tigers. Mulligan came into this bowl game rushing for 1,174 yards in the regular season. Backup quarterback McDonald and fellow running back Desmond Moultrie attempted to get the ball moving on the ground and both came up short. It was Morgan’s arm that gave the Tigers their first first down of the game. Frustratingly leading to a punt at the end of six plays.
Tigers’ Defense Continues to Shine
In the preview to this contest, we noted that the Jackson State defense took a turn in the second half of the season. The growth of the Tigers’ defense was on full display in the Celebration Bowl. South Carolina State came into this contest with the HBCU National Player of the Year leading its offense. Quarterback Eric Phoenix had an amazing season leading the Bulldogs. The Tigers were able to hold him to 143 yards passing and only 17 yards rushing. His 143 yards passing is his fourth fewest this season. They also forced Phoenix to throw an interception. This was one of two that the Bulldogs threw in this game. Taking Phoenix away proved to be the recipe for success for Jackson State. The Bulldogs only rushed for 30 yards in the contest. Jackson State got Phoenix and the offense off the field early and often.
This production from the Jackson State defense led to the Tigers leading in all statistics at the end of the game. It is hard to win a football game when your team doesn’t win one statistic area. Jackson State led in total offensive yards, first down, time of possession, and the Tigers won the turnover battle. Granted, the offense got going in the second quarter, but it was the defense led by interceptions from Anthony Petty and Shamar Hawkins that sealed the win.
The Overall Better Team
Jackson State was the all-around better team in this rendition of the Celebration Bowl. The drive that kicked this contest open started in the first quarter and ended in a touchdown in the second. Morgan led his team on a 78-yard drive that took 19 plays and nine minutes and 39 seconds off the clock. The Tiger offense did what they do best, run the ball. Morgan threw the ball five times on this drive and fumbled the football. However, it was the rushing attack that moved the ball downfield. Further, Jackson State did it with four different rushers.
From there, there was no going back for the Tigers. They scored again in the second quarter and then two more times in the fourth. South Carolina State scored its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter with 12 minutes left in the game to make it 21-7. There was no coming back at that point. The Bulldogs gave the ball to the Tigers and the Tigers went on yet another long drive ending in a touchdown.
The longest drive for South Carolina State in this game was the touchdown drive for three minutes and 37 seconds. Did Jackson State come away with two interceptions? Yes. However, you can’t expect to win a football game if you can’t hold onto the ball. Long drives that eat up the clock are what keep the other team at bay. At the end of the day, Jackson State was able to capitalize in this contest. South Carolina State was not.
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