MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Norwood, Frazier, Simmons (12th), Blount, Thomas, Blackmon, Horhn, England, Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY TIGERS FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD FOOTBALL COACH TC TAYLOR FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST CELEBRATION BOWL, CLAIMING THE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2024 SEASON.
WHEREAS, we join the team, coaches, students, administration, alumni and fans of the Jackson State University Tigers Football Team in celebrating the university's first Celebration Bowl victory, which matches the winner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship (SWAC) against the winner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) to decide the (HBCU) National Championship; and
WHEREAS, on December 14, 2024, at the Celebration Bowl, Coach TC Taylor stood on the stage and threw both of his arms straight up in the air before the Jackson State football coach grabbed the silver Celebration Bowl trophy and hoisted it over his head as blue, orange and white confetti rained down from above. A chant from the Jackson State crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium began to grow louder and louder as they chanted for TC Taylor, JSU's second-year coach; and
WHEREAS, the Tigers (12-2) had just beaten South Carolina State (9-3) in a dominant 28-7 win anchored by the defense. The victory was JSU's first Celebration Bowl win, claiming the HBCU national championship. A 17-game postseason losing streak was also snapped; and
WHEREAS, Deion Sanders took Jackson State to the Celebration Bowl twice, losing in 2021 and 2022. It only took two seasons for TC Taylor to match and then top what Sanders accomplished with the Celebration Bowl win; and
WHEREAS, Taylor said he realized the team could be special when the roster came together in the offseason. Jacobian Morgan, the offensive MVP of the Celebration Bowl, retook the starting quarterback job that week. A few games later, the defense developed into a unit that never allowed more than 21 points in the final eight games; and
WHEREAS, when Jackson State needed it most against South Carolina State, the defense delivered. Morgan threw an interception on the second play of the third quarter, setting up the South Carolina Bulldogs on a short field only trailing 14-0. An 11-yard sack on third down by Ashton Taylor booted them out of field goal range. Three times the Bulldogs gained possession in Tigers' territory but came away with zero points. Even after Jackson State missed a field goal with five and a half minutes to play that would have pushed the lead to three possessions, the defense came through again with an interception. Morgan threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Joanes Fortilien on the next play to seal the win; and
WHEREAS, the seven points allowed were the fewest in the nine-game Celebration Bowl history. The 21-point margin of victory also tied the most in Celebration Bowl history. That was last achieved when South Carolina State defeated Sanders' Jackson State 31-10 in 2021; and
WHEREAS, "Coach TC, knew what it looked like," said defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams, the game's defensive MVP. "It's why he won SWAC Coach of the Year. We've been here three times, and he knew he was going to get it done eventually. It was the small things. He put the pieces together"; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University National Championship 2024 Football Roster: Travis Terrell, Jr., Jeremiah Williams, Rico Powers, Jr., Ke'Vric Wiggins, Jr., Ja'Naylon Dupree, Joshua Nobles, Robert McDaniel, Zy McDonald, Tyquan Henderson, Tru Thompson, Irv Mulligan, Cameron Smith, Esaias Guthrie, Cam'Ron McCoy, Jameel Gardner, Jr., Reid Pulliam, J.D. Martin, Jaeden Ward, Fabian McCray, B.J. Washington, Mike Smith III, Isaiah Spencer, Allen Walker, Nireek Sharpe, Parker Stofa, Day Day Bright, Richard Mays, Jr., Bryson Moss, Jacobian Morgan, Micah Cherry, Joanes Fortilien, K.J. Chisolm, Errick Simmons, Austin Edmonds, Ethan Terrell, Brandon Mitchell, Kobe Paul, Desmond Moultrie, Nate Blount IV, Javarian Jenkins, Anthony Petty, Shamar Hawkins, Josh Higgins, Javion Posey, Ahmad Miller, Joe Perkins, Kobe Boykin, Ashton Taylor, Frankie Dunn, Jr., Daved Jones, Jr., John Brown, Leilani Armenta, Ezequiel Johnson, Donovan Warren, Gerardo Baeza, Phillip Webb, Braxton Barney, Avery Salerno, Jace Ward, Hunter Burns, Kenneth Jiles, Jr., Derrell Holston, Matt Noll, Emari Matthews, Tymon Wells, J'Cori Hargon, Earick Williams III, Douglas Fowler, Athen Smith, Bryce Owens, Cameron James, Devin Love, Cyson Burk, Almetrius Smith, Jr., Brian Williams, Jr., Mason Barton, Jackson King, Success Chikezie, Zyon Walker, Dequarious White, Kirk Ford, Jr., Evan Henry, Isaiah Villanneuva, Kai Gadson, D'Andre Townes-Blue, Xavion Davis, Antonio Ross, Jr., Bruno Zandamela, Quaveon Davis, Jency Riley, Sebastien Saint-Louis, Darren Bennett, Derek Scott, Marvin Landy, Marcadi Johnson, Dimonyai Lacey, Zalan Barrett, Stanley Cooks, Kazarius Bowie, Zyon Gilmore and Tyas Martin; and
WHEREAS, the 2024 Jackson State University Championship Football Coaching Staff: TC Taylor, Head Coach; Otis Riddley, Associate Head Coach/TE/General Manager; Torenzo Quinn, Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs; Manny Ramirez, Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line; Eric Gallon, Running Backs; Vincent Marshall, Wide Receivers; Rip Kirk, Quarterbacks; Chris Orr, Linebackers; Kali James, Defensive Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line; Mario Magana, Jr., Cornerbacks; Javancy Jones, Special Teams Coordinator/Outside Linebackers; Football Support Staff, Kiasha Trammell, Director of Football Operations; Austin Robinson, Director of Media Services; Jaylon Watson, Director of Football Sports Performance; Brandon Morton, Director of Recruiting; Tenoa Alex, Jr., Defensive Analyst; Kaleb Graham, Offensive Analyst; Aaron Jackson, Defensive Analyst; and Bobby Mitchell, Offensive Analyst; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this championship Mississippi university team which has brought honor to their university, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jackson State University Tigers Football Team and Head Coach TC Taylor for winning their first Celebration Bowl, for claiming the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Championship and for their outstanding 2024 season, and extend to the team, coaches, administration and sponsors our best wishes for future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach TC Tayler and the Jackson State University Tigers, forwarded to JSU President Marcus Thompson and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and made available to the Capitol Press Corp.