For the fifth season in a row, the Jackson State Tigers are winners of the annual Boombox Classic between them and Louisiana rival Southern University.
T.C. Taylor’s squad jumped out to a 23-3 halftime lead and never looked back. A solid rushing attack that included over 200 yards catapulted Jackson State to the 33-15 win on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Backfield production from the Tigers was spread out, keeping the Jaguars guessing. While Irv Mulligan led the team with 53 yards and a score on 13 rushing attempts, six other players had carries. J.D. Martin (37 yards, 1 TD), Ahmad Miller (35 yards, 1 TD), and Travis Terrell (34 yards) rounded out that part of the box score.
Jacobian Morgan, who replaced an injured Cam’Ron McCoy in the first quarter, connected with eight receivers for 153 yards and one touchdown in the win. Joanes Fortilien led the receiving corps with 60 yards on three catches while Marvin Landy hauled in the lone touchdown through the air on a 30-yard Morgan pass.
Defensively, Jackson State held the Jaguars (1-2) to one field goal and two touchdowns. The unit tabbed three sacks and two interceptions, with Day Day Bright leading the way with eight tackles. Joshua Nobles recorded 2.5 of the sacks as Ke’Vric Wiggins, Jr. and Dimonyia Lacey were the ones to pick off Southern quarterback Noah Bodden.
The statement win for Jackson State (2-1) catapults the Tigers to the top spot in the SWAC East, tied with Alabama A&M and Florida A&M. As nonconference play will continue this weekend when Taylor’s group travels to Grambling State, conference play will officially be underway when Jackson State travels to Texas Southern on Sept. 28.
As for Mississippi’s other SWAC teams, Alcorn State (1-2) found its first win of the season with a 38-7 romp of Division II Edward Waters in Norman. Mississippi Valley (0-3) remains winless on the season after losing to Murray State, 59-8.