By Charles Bishop | Black College Sports Network The confetti that once eluded the Jackson State Tigers in 2021 and 2022 finally found their way on to the beaming faces of players and coaches as Jackson State defeated South Carolina St 28-7 to capture their first Celebration Bowl victory and claim the 2024 HBCU National Championship. It was the Tigers 4th HBCU National Championship and first since 1996. It was the first national championship for 2nd year head coach T.C. Taylor and a sweet measure of revenge for a proud and jubilant Jackson State fanbase. Taylor, a former Jackson State standout who worked his way back to his “dream job” after toiling through the junior college ranks, WR’s Coach at Texas Southern, and Offensive Coordinator at North Carolina Central before joining Jackson State’s program in 2019. Taylor was the handpicked successor to Coach “Prime” Deion Sanders, to become Jackson State’s 22nd head coach for JSU football. Taylor refashioned his roster to play a tough physical brand of football built for the postseason. Taylor preached that his team was “built for December football,” and under the bright lights of the national television audience the Tigers did not disappoint. Jackson State (12-2) raced out to a three touchdown cushion before South Carolina State (9-3) was able to crack through Jackson State’s “Darkside” defense. The Tigers opened the scoring on a brilliant mix of runs and passes spanning 19 plays, 78 yards culminating in a four yard TD pass from Jacobian Morgan to Jonas Fortillien for an early 7-0 lead. Irv Mulligan padded the lead with a pair of short bursts across the goaline to stretch the lead to 21-0. After an Eric Phoenix (SCSU) three yard score to cut the lead to 21-7, Jackson State closed out the scoring in style as Jonas Fortillien made a brilliant 14 yard grab making it 28-7. The score was not indicative of the dominance Jackson State displayed while out gaining South Carolina State 386-178 in total yards. Jackson State had touchdowns on a punt return from Travis Terrell and an interception from Anthony Petty called back on penalties. Of South Carolina State’s 178 yards, 64 yards came on one play, a pass and catch from Eric Phoenix to Nigel Johnson. It was a day of redemption for the proud fan base of Jackson State, who felt the sting of a Celebration Bowl loss in 2021 to the same South Carolina State team. Taylor stated, “ Jackson State really showed up here in Atlanta for this game, but you know these guys, they worked their butts off all year for this moment and they went out there today and dominated. ” When talking of his experience as a player and coach at Jackson State in leading Jackson State to a Celebration Bowl victory, Taylor stated “ It means everything, I grew up in the stadium, I can say coming to those games watching so many great players play in that stadium, and then playing my collegiate career there. Then today, leading the charge on that, it means everything to me ." It was the perfect culmination to what Taylor described as “WeFence” the mix of Offense, Defense, the Sonic Boom of the South, and the Tiger Nation. The Jackson State Tigers are recognized as The 2024 Black College Sports Network Division-I HBCU Football National Champions for the 2nd time. Previously, JSU was recognized in 2021 following their season's performance despite losing in the 2021 Celebration Bowl to South Carolina State. FINAL 2024 BCSN Division-I HBCU Football Rankings (record; points) 1. Jackson State (12-2, 874) 2. South Carolina State (9-3, 848) 3. Tennessee State (9-4, 774) 4. North Carolina Central (8-3, 703) 5. Southern (8-5, 576) 6. Florida A&M (7-5, 552) 7. Alabama State (7-5, 544) 8. Morgan State (6-6, 538) 9. Hampton (5-7, 515) 10. Alabama A&M (6-6, 492) BCSN Division-I Football National Champions 2024 - Jackson State* 2023 - Florida A&M* 2022 - North Carolina Central* 2021 - Jackson State 2020 - No rankings due to pandemic 2019 - Florida A&M 2018 - North Carolina A&T* *Celebration Bowl winner About the BCSN Football Rankings The BCSN Rankings are a computer-based algorithm that takes into account items such as, record, strength of schedule, opponent strength of schedule, site of competition, and margin of victory. Total maximum points is 1,000. The Computer Power Rankings are released after four weeks of play so that enough data may be collected. The Black College Sports Network released its first Computer Power Rankings in 2018. About Black College Sports Network "The Black College Sports Network is the first online media outlet dedicated to LIVE coverage & broadcasting of HBCU sporting events on a weekly basis. The BCSN partners with individual colleges and universities as well as HBCU events to share the HBCU culture with the world! August of 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of the launching of the BCSN SportsWrap podcast! The first streaming program dedicated to Black College Sports! The BCSN is the flagship product of the JERICHO Broadcast Networks (JBN). For more information, please visit https://www.mybcsn.net/ .

October 18, 2024 | Atlanta, GA By A.D. Drew | Black College Sports Network This weekend, the rubber meets the road. This Saturday is the first "must watch" weekend in HBCU football. Seasons will be defined. Some teams will be virtually eliminated from contention while others will march on. There are plenty of Top Ten matchups, highlighted by the Florida A&M at Jackson State game on ESPNU. Will this be "Separation Saturday" for the 2024 season. Find your favorite game and click on the link to watch this week's action.