Jackson State dominates in first game of the post-Deion Sanders era

Coach Prime’s successor celebrates his first career victory as head coach

“He has my utmost respect and support. And the way you fought for us, I want you to fight for him……This man, God called him to this, and brother, I love you. I appreciate you. You’re the man for this!”

Those were the words of former Jackson State Head Coach, Deion Sanders in his final game with the school.

It was a somber evening in Atlanta last December. Colorado had hired Coach Prime a little more than a week earlier. The Celebration Bowl was supposed to be a night of redemption, after a crushing loss to South Carolina State in December, 2021.

It didn’t work out that way. Despite some last second heroics from Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to force overtime, North Carolina Central left with the trophy.

I remember walking around on the field afterwards feeling as stunned as many of those in uniform. A storybook ending that turned into a Grimm fairytale.

What happened next was well documented. It was all about “we comin” to Boulder and, for a lot guys, “we leaving” Jackson.

There’s no doubt Coach Prime has love for Jackson State and new Head Coach, T.C. Taylor. But, a mass exodus of talent was the inevitable outcome.

Heading into the MEAC/SWAC challenge, expectations for Jackson State were mostly mixed. 

After last night’s 37-7 thrashing of South Carolina State, nobody will be doubting the Jaguars moving forward.

“Right now, we’re not going to sneak up on anybody, I guarantee that,” said T.C. Taylor.

“It feels good to finally get a win in Atlanta….we want to hit people in the mouth, we ain’t trying to cut corners, we ain’t trying to play finesse. We’re gonna line up and roll people off the ball, and if you can withstand that for three quarters, we’ll see how the fourth quarter goes.”

Jackson State will next face Florida A&M on Sunday, September 3rd in Miami.

Watch the full press conference here: