MOBILE, Ala. | Jackson State jumped out to a big first-half lead before holding off a furious Alabama A&M rally for a 45-38 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) victory in the Gulf Coast Challenge at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday night.

Jackson State (4-2, 2-0 SWAC) used big nights from a trio of offensive stars, and freshman Travis Terrell Jr. to outscore Alabama A&M (2-3, 0-1 SWAC) in the conference win. Terrell finished the night with 140 all-purpose yards including a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, his second in as many weeks in conference action.

Meanwhile, Irv Mulligan led a rushing attack that accounted for 140 yards as he finished with 86 yards (92 gained) on 16 carries with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns. Joanes Fortilien led the receiving corps that featured six different receivers with six receptions for 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Meanwhile, Jacobian Morgan finished 11-of-16 passing for 226 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Tigers.

Defensively, Jeremiah Williams led the team with eight tackles including 0.5 tackles for loss, with Reid Pulliam and Robert McDaniel each adding six in the win. McDaniel finished with two tackles for loss and a sack, while Tru Thompson finished with four tackles including 3.5 for loss.

Gerardo Baeza finished the night perfect on the night with a field goal and six extra points.

How It Happened
1st Quarter (12:17) – Mulligan 6-yd run (Baeza kick), Jackson State 7-0.
1st Quarter (9:13) – Mulligan 10-yd run (Baeza kick), Jackson State 14-0.
1st Quarter (2:20) – McCready 34-yd field goal, Jackson State 14-3.
1st Quarter (2:05) – Terrell 96-yd kickoff return (Baeza kick), Jackson State 21-3.
2nd Quarter (12:53) – Fortilien 12-yd pass from Morgan (Baeza kick), Jackson State 28-3.
2nd Quarter (5:54) – Xavier Lankford 1-yd run (Victor Barbosa kick), Jackson State 28-10.
2nd Quarter (4:24) – Fortilien 18-yd pass from Morgan (Baeza kick), Jackson State 35-10.
2nd Quarter (0:27) – Baeza 23-yd field goal, Jackson State 38-10.
3rd Quarter (9:48) – Donovan Payne 20-yd pass from Lankford (Barbosa kick), Jackson State 38-17.
3rd Quarter (6:44) – Isaiah Spencer 58-yd pass from Morgan (Baeza kick), Jackson State 45-17.
3rd Quarter (1:14) – DJ Nelson 7-yd pass from Lankford (Barbosa kick), Jackson State 45-24.
4th Quarter (10:51) - DeQuadrion Welch 12-yd pass from Lankford (Barbosa kick), Jackson State 45-31.
4th Quarter (2:46) – DJ Moffett 4-yd run (Barbosa kick), Jackson State 45-38.

Up Next
Jackson State returns to action at home on October 19 against Florida A&M following a bye week.
 
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