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.

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.

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.

Jackson State leads 21-7 with just over 11 minutes remaining #CelebrationBowl #AChampionWillRise pic.twitter.com/0Uz38uwRz8

— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024

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

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!

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

— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024

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.

See halftime stats below.

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 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.

What was better – the catch or the celly?? 🕺🏾 pic.twitter.com/xi9rr5i7u4

— Cricket Celebration Bowl (@CelebrationBowl) December 14, 2024

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.

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

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

Here’s how to watch the 2024 Celebration Bowl: