T.C. Taylor, J-State 'Fired Up' About Irv Mulligan
HOUSTON — Coach T.C. Taylor agrees with four straight games away from the Vet, a great way to stabilize the Jackson State offense is to have a strong rushing attack. As Tigers prepare for Texas State, the focus will feature an "Alvin Kamara-like" dual threat out of the backfield in Irv Mulligan. The Wofford College transfer has been a pleasant surprise for Coach Taylor after losing last season's leading rusher, Sy'veon Wilkerson, to Coach Prime and Colorado. He's produced rushing efforts of 110 yards (S. Carolina St.), 77 yards(FAMU), and 105 yards (Southern) in his first three games for Jackson State.
He's a big part of what we're doing offensively," Coach Taylor said about Irv Mulligan during the SWAC Coaches Press Conference for Week 2. "We saw it all camp. When we can get J.D. Martin back and Irv Mulligan in the mix, that backfield is special. The kid, [coach paused], he doesn't know how good he's going to be. He just knows to go strap it up, buckle his helmet up, and go run hard."
Sep 3, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Jackson State Tigers running back Irv Mulligan (5) runs with the football against the Florida A&M Rattlers during the fourth quarter of the Orange Blossom Classic at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Irv Mulligan has been a difference-maker for the Tigers. After three games, he is the SWAC's No. 3 rusher with 52 carries for 292 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. At Southern, he was a shin short of scoring his third touchdown of the season on a fourth-down attempt. His real value may be out of the backfield in the receiving game, but JSU still needs to exploit his talents, with only four receptions in three games. Mulligan can deploy his speed, elusiveness, and toughness in one-on-one matchups against a linebacker or nickel corner, just as the Saints running back Alvin Kamara has done in his NFL career.
"We're working on him, with the little things. Like where he needs to be on protection. I'm not saying he's bad there, but just being a more complete back. I tell him all of the time, 'it's more to the game than just running outside zone. You've got to protect Jason...he's truly a special player with some big-time speed. It's good to see the game speed he plays at [in games]...I don't think there's nobody in this league that can catch him [from behind]...He's just a tenacious, hard-nosed dude that loves football...to be one of the better players on offense, he's truly a blessing for the team," Taylor told HBCU Legends.
Jackson State must rely on Mulligan's talent in the tilt at Texas State. The Bobcats are a substantial favorite over the visiting Tigers at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, TX. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM CT on Saturday, Sept. 16, with ESPN+ providing the broadcast coverage.