Jackson State tops South Carolina State to win the 2024 Celebration Bowl
🏆 Jackson State wins Celebration Bowl for first time
It's time to party in Jackson, Mississippi.
The Tigers have won their first Celebration Bowl in program history, beating South Carolina State 28-7. A rematch of the 2021 bowl game, Jackson State's 21-point victory was the same point total they lost by to the Bulldogs three years ago (31-10).
The SWAC champions seemed to be in control throughout the contest. Even after a scoreless first quarter due to unnecessary roughness penalty that took away Jackson State's punt return touchdown, the Tigers (12-2) scored 14 points in both the second and fourth quarter. Quarterback Jacobian Morgan threw for 233 yards and two passing touchdowns — both to wide receiver Joanes Fortilien.
Jackson State out-rushed South Carolina State 153-30, putting together 383 total yards of offense to the Bulldogs' 211.
"All I wish is that it was more confetti all over the field" 🎉
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 14, 2024
Joanes Fortilien caught up with @stan_becton after catching two touchdowns in @gojsutigersfb's first-ever @CelebrationBowl win!#FCS pic.twitter.com/ME6IrFRCju
😤 Another Tiger touchdown | 4Q - 4:47
With 4:47 left on the board, Jackson State scores its fourth touchdown of the game. Quarterback Jacobian Morgan completed a 14-yard pass to Joanes Fortilien for the score.
The Tigers lead 28-7 in the fourth quarter.
⚡️ South Carolina State strikes | 4Q - 11:13
The Bulldogs grab their first points of the game in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Eric Phoenix went on a 3-yard run to secure the touchdown.
The score is 21-7, with under 12 minutes of gameplay remaining.
The Bulldogs get on the board! @MEACSports Offensive Player of the Year Eric Phoenix (@Eric7Phoenix) returns to lead the @SCState_Fb on an 8 play, 80 yard TD drive.
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024
Jackson State leads 21-7 with just over 11 minutes remaining #CelebrationBowl #AChampionWillRise pic.twitter.com/0Uz38uwRz8
Tigers build lead! JSU 21, SCST 0 — 4Q - 14:48
Jackson State running back Irv Mulligan scored his second touchdown of the day to push the Tigers up 21-0 over South Carolina State. The Tigers are less than 15 minutes away from their first Celebration Bowl win.
.@theswac Offensive Player of the Year Irv Mulligan (@34Mulligan) finds the endzone for the second time today!
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024
Jackson State leads 21-0 early in the 4th Quarter #CelebrationBowl #AChampionWillRise #GuardTheeYard #TheeILove pic.twitter.com/HAYwyleNmG
Third quarter update — JSU 14, SCST 0
Jackson State is still in firm control of the Celebration Bowl entering the fourth quarter. The Tigers haven't allowed a third-down conversion (South Carolina State is 0-8), they've had just as many touchdowns called back as they've scored and they're dominating the time of possession 25:17-13:03.
Jackson State leads 14-0 entering the fourth quarter, but a South Carolina State offsides penalty on a field goal attempt has the Tigers facing a second-and-goal from the two-yard line when play resumes.
See stats through three quarters below
Second half off to a wild start! — 3Q - 14:06
The second half is off to a wild start! Jackson State and South Carolina State have turned the ball over on consecutive plays.
Jackson State opened the half with the ball and it took just two plays before Jacobian Morgan threw an interception to Diego Addison. On the very next play, quarterback Ryan Stubblefield entered the game at quarterback in place of Eric Phoenix, the HBCU player of the year. Stubblefield took a designed quarterback run to the left side and nearly fumbled, but after review the play was overturned and he was called down.
South Carolina State will have the ball facing second-and-10 at the Jackson State 33-yard line.
Diego Addison comes up with the pick for @SCState_Fb!
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024
Backup QB Ryan Stubblefield now in for the Bulldogs as @MEACSports Offensive Player of the Year Eric Phoenix has been limited due to injury pic.twitter.com/rTL8QYhAGH
Halftime update — JSU 14, SCST 0
Ending the first half, South Carolina State blocked and recovered a field goal attempt made by Jackson State. With only one second remaining on the board, the Bulldogs got the ball on first down and threw an interception.
Jackson State's Anthony Petty returned the ball to the red zone for 38 yards, but the play was called back after a holding call against the Tigers.
Jackson State will get the ball to start the second half.
👀 The Tigers are rolling | 2Q - 5:39
After South Carolina State faked a field goal attempt and came short of the marker, Jackson State got the ball on first and 10.
Quarterback Jacobian Morgan completed a major 67-yard pass to Isaiah Spencer getting the Tigers to first and goal. Irv Mulligan runs it in to secure the touchdown.
The Tigers are now up 14-0 with under six minutes left in the second quarter.
Celebration Bowl Jackson State 14-0 at the half over South Carolina State pic.twitter.com/I7uTE0XRyj
— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) December 14, 2024
SPENCER!!!#GuardTheeYard #GoTigers pic.twitter.com/GUF70KCEbb
— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) December 14, 2024
🐅 Jackson State is on the board | 2Q - 11:26
Jackson State quarterback Jacobian Morgan throws to Joanes Fortilian for a four-yard touchdown on second and goal.
The team now holds the record for the most plays of any drive and the most time of possession for any celebration bowl drive: 19 plays in 9:39.
The Tigers are up 7-0 early in the second quarter.
.@gojsutigersfb strikes first following an 18 play drive! JaCobian Morgan (@jacobian_morgan) hits Joanes Fortilien (@FortilienJoanes) on the jump ball.
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024
What was better - the catch or the celly?? 🕺🏾 pic.twitter.com/xi9rr5i7u4
First Quarter Update — JSU 0, SCST 0
Jackson State and South Carolina State are scoreless after one, but the Tigers are driving in Bulldog territory. It's the fourth time in Celebration Bowl history that the first quarter has been scoreless.
In the first quarter, Jackson State nearly scored on its first touch before Travis Terrell's punt return was called back. The Tiger defense has played well to start the game, not allowing a third-down conversion and holding the Bulldogs to 2.6 yards per carry.
When play resumes, Jackson State will face a third-and-3 from the South Carolina State 28-yard line.
See first quarter stats below.
TD overturned early | 1Q - 11:34
Jackson State freshman running back Travis Terrell Jr. returned a punt back to the house and had Mercedes-Benz Stadium rocking early. However, an unneccesary roughness penalty brought back the score.
The referee gave a salute to military veterans before making the penalty call 🫡 pic.twitter.com/BjOVuxSknK
— ESPN (@espn) December 14, 2024
We're underway
Kickoff nears
The 2024 Celebration Bowl is nearing kickoff. Jackson State and South Carolina State have completed warmups and we're minutes away from the start of the game.
You can watch the game live on ABC and click or tap here for live stats
Celebration Bowl almost here!
The 2024 Celebration Bowl is almost here. Jackson State and South Carolina State arrived to Atlanta in mid-week and had their final practice on Friday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here are some highlights from the two team's eventful week before the game.
Teams draw mascots
We asked @gojsutigersfb to "Draw the Mascot" ahead of the @CelebrationBowl 🎨 🐅#FCS pic.twitter.com/d5DDqBpa3n
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 13, 2024
We asked @SCState_Fb to "Draw the Mascot" ahead of the @CelebrationBowl 🎨 🐶 #FCS pic.twitter.com/VQp89Kb4za
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) December 13, 2024
Celebrities meet the teams
Big S/O to @Tip and Young Dro for showing us love! 🫡#GuardTheeYard #TheeILove pic.twitter.com/kOGPXNJ3YR
— Jackson State Football (@gojsutigersfb) December 11, 2024
#GoDogs
— South Carolina State Football (@SCState_Fb) December 13, 2024
Former BULLDOG GREAT @dsleon45 had a message for your current SC STATE FOOTBALL BULLDOGS!@SCSTATE1896 @SCStateAthletic @MEACSports @coachberry77 #PayTheFEE#DigDEEP#FearTheBITE
🔴🔵🐶🏈 pic.twitter.com/AHeqgJVSGo
Players leave messages to their younger selves
Somewhere behind the countless hours of hard work are young kids that fell in love with football and never looked back. Here’s what these young adults would say to their younger selves given the opportunity. #AChampionWillRise 🏆 pic.twitter.com/yGH7KX4ej2
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 13, 2024
Somewhere behind the countless hours of hard work are young kids that fell in love with football and never looked back. Here’s what these young adults would say to their younger selves given the opportunity. #AChampionWillRise 🏆 pic.twitter.com/su4OFk0Xhd
— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 13, 2024
A look at practice
#GoDogs
— South Carolina State Football (@SCState_Fb) December 13, 2024
Last Final Practice before the @CelebrationBowl @SCStateAthletic @SCSTATE1896 @MEACSports @coachberry77 #PayTheFEE#DigDEEP#FearTheBITE
🔴🔵🐶🏈 pic.twitter.com/6h5FRd2Shh
How to watch the 2024 Celebration Bowl
Here's how to watch the 2024 Celebration Bowl:
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV/Streaming: ABC (streaming on WatchESPN)
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA
- Live stats: Click or tap here