Box Score
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.
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.
How It Happened
2nd Quarter (11:26) - Fortilien 4-yd pass from Morgan (
Gerardo Baeza kick),
Jackson State 7-0.
2nd Quarter (5:39) - Mulligan 1-yd run (Baeza kick),
Jackson State 14-0.
4th Quarter (14:48) - Mulligan 2-yd run (Baeza kick),
Jackson State 21-0.
4th Quarter (11:13) - Phoenix 3-yd run (Gallegos kick),
Jackson State 21-7.
4th Quarter (4:47) - Fortilien 14-yd pass from Morgan (Baeza kick),
Jackson State 28-7.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.
Women’s competitions are offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit the official website of the SWAC at
www.swac.org.