JACKSON, Miss. | Jackson State jumped out to an early three-touchdown lead and never looked back, securing a 33-15 win over Southern University in non-conference play Saturday night at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
This victory marks Jackson State’s fifth straight win in the series.
Jackson State (2-1) dominated on the ground, amassing 201 rushing yards with contributions from seven different ball carriers. In his season debut, Irv Mulligan led the team with 53 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while J.D. Martin, also making his debut, added 37 yards on 12 carries. Ahmad Miller chipped in with 35 yards, and Travis Terrell Jr. added 34 yards to help extend the halftime lead to 23-3.
Quarterback Jacobian Morgan threw for 153 yards and a touchdown, connecting with eight different receivers. Isaiah Spencer led with five catches for 41 yards, and Joanes Fortilien recorded 60 yards on three receptions.
On defense, Day Day Bright paced the Tigers with eight solo tackles. Reid Pulliam and Joshua Nobles each added six tackles, with Nobles also recording 2.5 sacks. The defense forced two turnovers, with interceptions by Ke’Vric Wiggins Jr. and Dimonyia Lacey.
Key Moments
1st Quarter (12:35) – Gerardo Baeza kicked a 25-yard field goal to give Jackson State a 3-0 lead.
1st Quarter (3:50) – J.D. Martin scored on a 1-yard run, followed by Baeza’s extra point to extend the lead to 10-0.
2nd Quarter (14:18) – Marvin Landy caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Morgan, putting the Tigers up 16-0.
2nd Quarter (2:49) – Ahmad Miller broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run, with Baeza’s kick making it 23-0.
2nd Quarter (0:41) – Southern got on the board with a 29-yard field goal from Joshua Griffin, cutting the lead to 23-3.
3rd Quarter (9:21) – Baeza drilled a 39-yard field goal to make it 26-3.
3rd Quarter (6:10) – Kobe Dillion scored on a 3-yard run for Southern, but the two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 26-9.
3rd Quarter (2:23) – Mulligan punched in a 5-yard touchdown run, with Baeza’s extra point extending the lead to 33-9.
4th Quarter (7:31) – Jermaine Minor Jr. caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bodden for Southern, but another failed two-point conversion made the final score 33-15.
Up Next
Jackson State will hit the road next weekend for a non-conference game against Grambling State. Southern University will travel to play Prairie View A&M.