TC Taylor had heard enough.
Leading into the Celebration Bowl against South Carolina State, the second-year Jackson State coach was well aware that the Tigers were 0-2 in the de facto HBCU national championship game and 0-3 personally in bowl games.
The young coach was also wary of all the hype and talk about South Carolina State being tougher, more physical and better than Jackson State as a member of the MEAC.
After all, despite Florida A&M snapping a five-game conference losing streak last season, the SWAC was just 6-2 in the Celebration Bowl before Saturday.
Jackson State lead 28-7 South Carolina State in Atlanta was the last rung on the belt for the SWAC against a MEAC opponent.
According to Taylor, this means the tide is beginning to turn.
“It seems so. The things Willie Simmons did last year (former Florida A&M coach), the things we did last year against the same team in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge, and you look at this year… .
“I must say it seems so.”
You wouldn’t blame anyone carrying the Jackson State and SWAC banner for believing that.
The SWAC has won three straight MEAC/SWAC Challenge games and the last two Holiday Bowls.
“We’re tired of hearing about them and that it’s a physical brand in the MEAC,” Taylor said. “If you look at it today, they are a thinner team. They tried to throw the ball more. We missed football. But we are tired of hearing everyone talking and saying that some people are better than us.”
Jackson State really showed off those traits against the favored Bulldogs, who are ranked 15th in the FCS. Tigers kept the ball 36:11He limited SCSU to 30 yards and didn’t wear out physically as the game progressed as the Bulldogs did.
“We said we have to play the game. That’s what I told them,” Taylor said. “I told them we’re going to win this job in the trenches and show everybody we’re the best in the country.
Irv Mulligan, a physical runner who plowed his way with 25 carries for 2 TDs, said of the team’s overall performance: “It started in the trenches first. Honestly, I give it to the people up front.”
