Greensboro's African American Community Newspaper since 1967
ATLANTA, GA — Leading up to the Celebration Bowl against South Carolina State, the second-year Jackson State coach T.C. Taylor was acutely aware that the Tigers were 0-2 in the de facto HBCU national championship game and that he was personally 0-3 in the bowl.
This was Jackson State’s third Celebration Bowl appearance. Jackson State head coach T.C. Taylor was an assistant on coach Deion Sanders’ staff when Jackson State made its previous Celebration Bowl appearances as the heavily favored “Coach Prime” show that lost both games. This year would be different.
Taylor said. “Every week we find a way, whether it’s offense, or defense or special teams. They know how to stick together and play for each other.
“We got tired of hearing about them and that it’s a physical brand in the MEAC,” said Taylor. “If you look today, they were the more finesse team. They tried to throw the ball more. We ran the football. But we just got tired of hearing everyone talking and certain people saying they were better than us.”
Jackson State indeed exhibited those traits against the favored Bulldogs, who were ranked No. 15 in the FCS. The Tigers held the ball for 36:11, limited SCSU to 30 yards rushing, and did not physically wear down as the game progressed.
After Saturday’s victory, Taylor said that since joining the coaching staff in 2019, he was preparing for his moment.
“I always prepared that way and when I had that opportunity, I pulled my sleeves up and went to work,” Taylor said. “I knew what I wanted my roster to look like, I knew what I wanted this coaching staff to look like and I knew we were going to be successful. I wanted this moment. I knew this moment was going to happen.”
Jackson State pulled off a second-quarter play in the Celebration Bowl that woke up Mercedes-Benz Stadium and dealt South Carolina State an early knockout blow.
Already leading 7-0 following a 19-play, 9-minute touchdown drive that spanned two quarters, the Tigers dialed up what they hoped would be a big play opportunity downfield.
With 6:05 left in the half, JSU quarterback Jacobian Morgan took the snap and faked a hand-off to Irv Mulligan before lofting a deep pass to an open Isaiah Spencer on what turned out to be a 67-yard gain after the receiver was tackled just shy of the endzone.
“We had been pretty solid on that play,” said JSU coach Taylor. “Anytime we get a matchup on a safety, we’re going to take advantage of it. I think we scored five times on it.
“Coach (Chennis) Berry had to be ready for this play because that’s been an explosive play for us six times this year,” said Taylor. “It woke up the stadium.”
Berry, who felt South Carolina State was still within striking distance until the score, anticipated Jackson State attempting a pass pattern that involved a double move.
“I think the play that really got them going was when they took a shot and hit the post in the middle of the field because they weren’t running the ball at the time,” he said. “When they hit us on that double move and went up 14, that took the wind out of our sails a little bit.”
“There were some great moments out there,” he said “I think the one that kind of blew me away was when I heard the crowd hollering my name like that. That was unbelievable. That’s a moment I’ll never forget. But to get on that stage … I’ve been waiting a long time to get on that stage and hoist that trophy up. It was an unbelievable feeling.”
There have been many great moments at Jackson State over the years. Saturday held out the promise that there will be many more.
