Jackson State vs. South Carolina State Score Prediction: Who Will Win the Bowl?

Jackson State football has a new trophy to add to its recently growing collection.

The Tigers (11-2) are back in the Celebration Bowl for the third time in four seasons, playing South Carolina State (9-2) on Saturday (11 a.m., ABC) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. They have never won the Celebration Bowl.

Jackson State qualified for the Celebration Bowl when it defeated Southern 41-13 in the SWAC championship game. South Carolina State, which defeated Jackson State in the 2021 Celebration Bowl, won the MEAC with a 5-0 record in conference play. The MEAC has won six of the eight Celebration Bowls since play began in 2015.

Here’s a look at the matchup and an outcome prediction.

South Carolina State had time to prepare

Like Jackson State, South Carolina State enters the Celebration Bowl with a long winning streak. The Tigers have won nine straight games; The Bulldogs have won eight straight.

The Bulldogs lost their season opener at Florida A&M and a Week 3 game at Georgia Southern. They last played on November 23rd with a 53-21 win against Norfolk State.

“Yesterday was yesterday,” Jackson State coach TC Taylor said Sunday. “We celebrated and then put it behind us. I think since we had the last week off, we had a chance to explore a bit and see some footage of the state of South Carolina. We were able to come up with some sort of tentative plan.”

Update on Jacobian Morgan’s injury

Jackson State’s starting quarterback, Jacobian Morgan, left Saturday’s SWAC championship game with an injury in the second quarter. He was replaced by Zy McDonald, who helped JSU score 24 straight points. McDonald also left the game late, although Taylor said it was due to cramps.

Taylor had no update on Morgan on Sunday.

“Jacobian was struck at the start of the football game,” he said. “Zy had to come in and he gave us a great boost in this football game. When he came in there, coming off the bench so cold and giving us the momentum going into halftime, he was able to generate some explosive plays and we were able to tie the football game.”

The state of South Carolina is diverse

South Carolina State ranks first or second in the MEAC in numerous statistical categories. It is scoring 35.5 points per game, 12th in the FCS, and allowing 20.9 points per game, 19th in the FCS.

Quarterback Eric Phoenix was named HBCU+ National Player of the Year, beating out JSU running back Irv Mulligan. He has completed 65.1% of his passes for 2,460 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Defensively, the Bulldogs are No. 1 in the country with 3.3 sacks per game. Ashaad Hall and Jayden Broughton each have at least 8.5 sacks.

“They are a very motivated team,” Taylor said. “They play fast. We have some really good players there on the defensive side, on the offensive side and at the receiver position.”

Predicting Jackson State’s result against South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl

South Carolina State 27, Jackson State 23: It’s difficult to pick out weaknesses in any team. Jackson State has already won games this season despite quarterback failures. But with Morgan’s status unknown, the Tigers’ offense is off to a slow start that it can’t overcome.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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Jackson State vs. South Carolina State Score Prediction: Who Will Win the Bowl?

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