Box Score 

JACKSON, Miss.- Jackson State's Zy McDonald entered the game late in the first half, sparking a rally from the Tigers and leading JSU to a 41-13 victory over Southern in the 2024 Pepsi SWAC Championship Game presented by GM at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The championship is the third in four years for Jackson State,  winners of nine straight games, and the first for head coach T.C. Taylor.

McDonald was named the Offensive MVP after coming in late in the second quarter and leading a touchdown drive to tie the game late in the half. He orchestrated five second-half scoring drives and finished with 95 yards rushing on eight carries and a touchdown.

He also threw for 75 yards on 6-of-11 with a touchdown. Irv Mulligan added 116 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown, while Travis Terrell Jr. added 47 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Tigers who finished with 275.

Defensively, JSU's Robert McDaniel intercepted two passes including one to put an exclamation on the game late, and was named Defensive MVP. 

For Southern, Czavian Teasett starting in place of Jalen Woods, who was ruled out  went 11-of-20 for 127 yards and one interception to go along with a rushing score.

Aside from its 10-point second-quarter surge, Southern couldn’t consistently get its offense going against the SWAC’s second-ranked defense. The Jaguars were held to 276 yards of total offense and to three points in the second half. 

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.