Bill Text: MS HR10 | 2025 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Jackson State University; commend upon winning SWAC and HBCU Championships.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2025-02-10 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR10 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2025-HR10-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Bell (65th), Summers
House Resolution 10
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY "TIGERS" FOOTBALL TEAM AND HEAD COACH T.C. TAYLOR UPON WINNING THE 2024 SOUTHWESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SWAC) CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE 2024 CELEBRATION BOWL, MAKING THEM THE 2024 HBCU NATIONAL CHAMPIONS.
WHEREAS, the Jackson State University "Tigers" Football Team, led by Coach T.C. Taylor, reigned supreme during the 2024 season, winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship and the 2024 HBCU National Championship; and
WHEREAS, the Tigers, who had a superior season that was driven by more than just the yearning to succeed, intensely amplified all of their hard work, motivation and audacity, which were so apparent all through the season, for their historic championship series runs; and
WHEREAS, Zy McDonald came off the bench late in the first half, sparking a rally from Jackson State and leading the Tigers to a 41-13 victory over Southern in the 2024 Pepsi SWAC Championship Game presented by GM at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium; and
WHEREAS, the SWAC championship is the third in four years for Jackson State (11-2), winners of nine straight games, and the first for head coach and Jackson State alum, T.C. Taylor; and
WHEREAS, McDonald was named the Offensive MVP after leading a touchdown drive to tie the game late in the first half, and he also orchestrated five second-half scoring drives and finished with 95 yards rushing on eight carries and a touchdown; and
WHEREAS, additionally, Zy McDonald also threw for 75 yards on 6-of-11 with a touchdown, and Irv Mulligan added 116 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown, while Travis Terrell, Jr., added 47 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Tigers who finished with 275 yards, and Jameel Gardner, Jr., had four receptions for 71 yards; and
WHEREAS, defensively, during the SWAC Championship, Robert McDaniel intercepted two passes including one to put an exclamation on the game late, and was named Defensive MVP, and Shamar Hawkins finished with eight tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss, while Ashton Taylor finished with seven tackles and a sack, and Joshua Nobles finished with five tackles with a sack and a forced fumble; and
WHEREAS, after claiming victory at the SWAC Championship, the Tigers traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, for the Cricket Celebration Bowl, where their dominance and perseverance continued; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State jumped out to a three-touchdown lead early in the fourth quarter before South Carolina State (9-3) was able to get on the board, and they put the game away with the second touchdown reception from Joanes Fortilien with 4:47 to play; and
WHEREAS, the Tigers used a 19-play, 78-yard drive to close the first quarter and open the second quarter culminating with a four-yard pass from Jacobian Morgan to Fortilien in the back of the end zone for a 7-0 lead, and they added to the lead with a pair of Irv Mulligan rushing touchdowns to take a 21-0 lead with 14:48 to play in the game; and
WHEREAS, Jackson State outgained South Carolina State 385-178 on the night in total yards including a 122-yard difference in rushing, and the Tigers finished the night with 152 yards to just 30 for South Carolina State with Irv Mulligan finishing with 71 yards on 25 carries, Emari Matthews finished with 55 yards on 11 carries, and Morgan 24 yards on 10 carries; and
WHEREAS, as the clock started to wind down late in the fourth quarter and emotions began to show on the Jackson State sideline, the Tigers lined up in victory formation to seal a 28-7 victory in the Cricket Celebration Bowl over South Carolina State to capture the 2024 HBCU National Championship with its tenth consecutive victory; and
WHEREAS, Morgan finished the day 15-of-21 for 233 yards with Fortilien leading the way with six receptions and 43 yards, and Isaiah Spencer finished with 123 yards on three receptions and Ja'Naylon Dupree had 31 yards on three receptions; and
WHEREAS, on defense, Shamar Hawkins finished with six tackles and one interception, and Cameron Smith finished with five, and the Tigers ended the night with three sacks and five tackles for loss against South Carolina State; and
WHEREAS, the Tigers, who played with nothing but heart and soul all season, have a very talented and distinguished roster, and each player made a substantial contribution that led to one of the most historic seasons in the history of the Tigers football program; and
WHEREAS, the HBCU National Championship is the fourth in school history, the first since 1996, and the first for second-year head coach, T.C. Taylor; and
WHEREAS, Head Coach Taylor has superbly coached and tremendously inspired the Tigers and broadened their knowledge of the game while refining their skills in execution, and he continues to build upon the legacy of superior play and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted spirit of each team member; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi student-athletes, especially those such as the Jackson State University "Tigers" Football Team, whose hard work and perseverance brings honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the Jackson State University "Tigers" Football Team and Head Coach T.C. Taylor upon winning the 2024 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship and the 2024 Celebration Bowl, making them the 2024 HBCU National Champions, and extend to them best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach T.C. Taylor and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
