Jackson State Tigers Storm Past Southern Jaguars 41-13 to Win SWAC Championship
Pics : @catalanoflicks
In a game of resilience and dominance, the Jackson State Tigers surged past the Southern Jaguars to claim the 2024 SWAC Football Championship in Mississippi. The Tigers, led by a balanced offensive attack and a smothering defense, turned an early deficit into a 41-13 rout to secure their spot as conference champions.
First Quarter: A Defensive Battle
The game began with both teams testing the waters, resulting in a low-scoring first quarter. Jackson State drew first blood with a 42-yard field goal by Gerardo Baeza late in the quarter, giving the Tigers a 3-0 lead.
Second Quarter: Southern Strikes Back
Southern evened the score early in the second quarter with a 38-yard field goal from Joshua Griffin. A few minutes later, the Jaguars took control, capping a methodical drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Czavian Teasett, pushing the score to 10-3.
Just before halftime, Jackson State responded with a clutch drive. Running back Emari Matthews powered through the Southern defense for a 2-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 10-10 as the teams headed to the locker room.
Third Quarter: Tigers Take Over
The third quarter belonged to the Tigers, who dominated on both sides of the ball. Irv Mulligan started the surge with a 2-yard touchdown run early in the quarter. Gerardo Baeza followed with a 45-yard field goal, extending Jackson State's lead to 20-10.
Zy McDonald added to the Tigers’ momentum with a stunning 23-yard touchdown run late in the quarter, giving Jackson State a commanding 27-10 advantage.
Fourth Quarter: Closing the Deal
Southern managed a 28-yard field goal by Joshua Griffin early in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 27-13. However, Jackson State quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback. Zy McDonald connected with Joanes Fortilien for a 13-yard touchdown pass midway through the quarter.
Travis Terrell Jr. sealed the victory with a 2-yard touchdown run in the game’s final minutes, bringing the score to its final tally of 41-13.
