The 2024 Celebration Bowl features the 9-2 South Carolina State Bulldogs against the 11-2 Jackson State Tigers. Here is the 2024 Celebration Bowl Preview.
South Carolina State won the MEAC to qualify for the Celebration Bowl. They were undefeated in conference play at 5-0, with their only losses on the season coming to Florida A&M and Georgia Southern. The Bulldogs defeated two FCS teams with a record above .500, which were Tennessee Tech and NC Central.
Offensively, South Carolina State averages 35.5 points per game, ranking 12th in the FCS. They pass for 272.8 yards (ranked 11th) and rush for 153.5 yards per game (ranked 57th).
Eric Phoenix led the passing attack for South Carolina State at 2,469 yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 65.3 percent completion. He missed the last game of the regular season and Ryan Stubblefield filled in going 18 of 25 passing for 264 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Four receivers have over 200 receiving yards for the Bulldogs. Caden High, Justin Smith-Brown and Einaj Carter all have impressed with High leading the bunch. He has 892 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Two running backs shoulder most of the work for the Bulldogs. Kazarius Adams has rushed for 499 yards and five touchdowns. Deondra Duehart has supplemented him with 469 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Bulldogs have a solid defense, which allows 20.9 points per game, ranking them 19th in the FCS. They concede 114.9 rushing yards (ranked 18th) and 179.9 passing yards per game (ranked 23rd). Linebacker Aaron Smith leads the team with 57 tackles. Ashaad has been getting constant pressure on the quarterback with 11 sacks. Jarod Washington has been a standout in the secondary with 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
Jackson State went 11-2, winning the SWAC Championship Game in the process to qualify for the Celebration Bowl. One of their losses was to ULM of the FBS, while the other was to an under .500 Grambling team. They have four wins over teams that went at least .500: Southern (twice), Florida A&M and Alabama State.
The Tigers have one of the best offenses in the country, scoring 37.1 points per game and ranking fifth in the FCS. They pass for 185.9 yards per game (ranked 84) and rush for 216.5 yards per game (ranked seventh).
Jacobian Morgan has played most of the snaps at quarterback for the Tigers. He has passed for 2,003 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 63 percent completion. Five receiver have over 200 yards on the season, with two of them having over 500. Joanes Fortillien is the team’s leading receiver with 35 receptions for 584 yards and nine touchdowns.
Irv Mulligan is the Tigers’ lead running back. He has rushed for 1,168 yards and 11 touchdowns. Travis Terrell Jr. has been in the lineup behind Mulligan, registering 459 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
The Tigers have the 10th-ranked scoring defense in the FCS at 17.9 points per game allowed. They give up 163.8 passing yards (ranked 9th) and 116.8 rushing yards per game (ranked 19th). Jeremiah Williams and Reid Pulliam have led the team in tackles at 55 and 54 respectively. Joshua Nobles paces the team with nine sacks. Ke’Vric Wiggins has played well in the secondary with nine passes defended and three interceptions
Jackson State has the rushing attack and defense to take control of this game early and win. Mulligan can find some nice holes on the ground to help keep the chains moving.
Jackson State Tigers 27 South Carolina State Bulldogs 17
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