title image via Jackson State Football
Courtesy of Jackson State Athletics
| Zy McDonald came off the bench late in the first half, sparking a rally from Jackson State and leading the Tigers 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 (11-2), 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.
Jameel Gardner Jr. had four receptions for 71 yards.
Defensively, Robert McDaniel intercepted two passes including one to put an exclamation on the game late, and was named Defensive MVP. Shamar Hawkins finished with eight tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss; while Ashton Taylorfinished with seven tackles and a sack. Joshua Nobles finished with five tackles with a sack and a forced fumble.
How It Happened
1st Quarter (1:41) – Gerardo Baeza 42-yd field goal, Jackson State 3-0.
2nd Quarter (11:52) – Joshua Griffin 38-yd field goal, 3-3.
2nd Quarter (4:58) – Czavian Teasett 1-yd run (Griffin kick), Southern 10-3.
2nd Quarter (0:39) – Emari Matthews 2-yd run (Baeza kick), 10-10.
3rd Quarter (11:21) – Mulligan 2-yd run (Baeza kick), Jackson State 17-10.
3rd Quarter (8:05) – Baeza 45-yd field goal, Jackson State 20-10.
3rd Quarter (2:15) – McDonald 23-yd run (Baeza kick), Jackson State 27-10.
4th Quarter (14:07) – Griffin 28-yd field goal, Jackson State, 27-13.
4th Quarter (6:22) – Joanes Fortilien 13-yd pass from McDonald (Baeza kick), Jackson State 34-13.
4th Quarter (3:54) – Terrell 2-yd run (Baeza kick), Jackson State 41-13.
Up Next
Jackson State heads to the 2024 Cricket Celebration Bowl for the third time in four years next Saturday, facing South Carolina State at noon (ET) on ABC.
Scoring Summary
| 1st Quarter | SOU | JSU |
|---|---|---|
 01:41 – JSU – Baeza,Gerardo 42 yd field goal 7 plays, 34 yards, TOP 03:43 | 0 | 3 |
| 2nd Quarter | SOU | JSU |
 11:52 – SoU – Griffin,Joshua 38 yd field goal 11 plays, 51 yards, TOP 04:44 | 3 | 3 |
| 04:58 – SoU – Teasett,Czavian 1 yd run (Griffin,Joshua kick), 11 plays, 74 yards, TOP 04:45 | 10 | 3 |
| 00:39 – JSU – Matthews,Emari 2 yd run (Baeza,Gerardo kick), 6 plays, 84 yards, TOP 01:15 | 10 | 10 |
| 3rd Quarter | SOU | JSU |
| 11:21 – JSU – Mulligan,Irv 2 yd run (Baeza,Gerardo kick), 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 03:31 | 10 | 17 |
| 08:05 – JSU – Baeza,Gerardo 45 yd field goal 7 plays, 15 yards, TOP 03:02 | 10 | 20 |
| 02:15 – JSU – McDonald,Zy 23 yd run (Baeza,Gerardo kick), 4 plays, 65 yards, TOP 01:40 | 10 | 27 |
| 4th Quarter | SOU | JSU |
| 14:07 – SoU – Griffin,Joshua 28 yd field goal 10 plays, 58 yards, TOP 03:01 | 13 | 27 |
| 06:22 – JSU – Fortilien,Joanes 13 yd pass from McDonald,Zy (Baeza,Gerardo kick) 3 plays, 15 yards, TOP 01:24 | 13 | 34 |
| 03:54 – JSU – Terrell Jr.,Travis 2 yd run (Baeza,Gerardo kick), 5 plays, 51 yards, TOP 01:52 | 13 | 41 |
