Jackson State Head Coach TC Taylor didn’t mince words after his team’s disappointing loss SWAC championship game on Saturday.
The Tigers fell 23-21 to the PRAIRIE appearance, ending a season on the backside, only to return to the cheer bowl to retain the black national championship.
“They beat us today” Taylor admitted after the game. “I thought they were moving a little bit better than we were in the first half.”
Jackson State, 24-2 in its last 26 home games and 3-0 in the conference championship at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, got off to a slow start.
The offense only gained 24 yards in the first quarter, which was out of the reach of a unit that averaged the second-most points in the conference and featured Swac in rushing. The defense was surprisingly mashed on the ground and in the air.
The Tigers were also hurt by the loss of quarterback Jacobian Morgan, who injured his left leg after a 29-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter. Shortly after the score, he was examined in the blue medical tent and then helped to the dressing room for further treatment before being ruled out of the game.
Freshman Backup Jared Lockhart went 6 of 9 with one touchdown and one catch in relief.
Taylor praised the defense for forcing four turnovers, including quarterback Cameron Peters’ game-tying interception at the goal line, but set up a costly mistake that changed the offense.
Starling by Darrell Choice !!!#Dog | #Wtw | #Pwamufutbol pic.twitter.com/y5wrcwmgzp
– Watch Prairie A&M Football (@pvamufb_) December 6, 2025
Trailing Jackson State 10-7, a Lockhart pass was intercepted by Panthers defensive back Darrell Starling. That turnover led to a 29-yard field goal by Diego Alfaro to extend the lead to 8-7.
“I thought the defense played well in the first half,” he said. “The thing that hurts us is that turnover, that turnover, that turnover was backed up there. This has made us in a better position as coaches.
The defeat was especially painful considering what was at stake. Jackson State earned the right to host the championship, a testament to the team’s growth throughout the season. Wanted to repeat as SWAC and national champion.
But the Prairie look made enough plays on offense alone, holding the potent JSU offense to 250 yards for the game.
“It’s a tough loss,” Taylor said. “We worked so hard to get to this point this year, to host this SWAC championship, and we didn’t.”
