The first week of November will see the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff face a team that should still be among the SWAC’s elite.
UAPB will travel to Jackson State on Nov. 2 for the Tigers’ homecoming game, which could be the Golden Lions’ toughest SWAC game this fall.
Jackson State won back-to-back SWAC titles from 2021-22 under then-coach Deion Sanders. Last season, T.C. Taylor’s squad finished tied for second in the SWAC East behind Florida A&M, which went on to win the SWAC and the Celebration Bowl.
Last year’s 5-3 SWAC record was unquestionably a step back for JSU, but the Tigers bring back most of their top talent and look primed to make another run for a championship.
The Tigers played two quarterbacks last year. One is gone, but Jacobian Morgan returns. He took over midseason and completed 67.5% of his passes for 842 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 150 yards with six touchdowns.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Morgan, a Syracuse transfer, threw for 373 yards with five touchdowns and one interception against UAPB last year in what was his second start. JSU won his first three starts before losing 28-24 in its season finale against Alcorn State, a game in which Morgan shared time with original starter Jason Brown.
JSU also brings back four of its top six receivers, including each of the top three. Fabian McCray led the Tigers with 584 yards and four touchdowns. Rico Powers followed with 385 receiving yards and two touchdowns. The biggest loss is tight end D.J. Stevens’ 216 yards and five touchdowns.
The Tigers had the fourth-best rushing attack in the SWAC, and that should continue with each of the top five running backs returning.
Irv Mulligan missed several games because of injury but nonetheless led the team with 674 yards and five touchdowns. Desmond Moultrie scored three touchdowns to go with 224 yards.
The offensive line brings back four starters. JSU’s offense ranked seventh overall in the SWAC with 25.3 points per game, but with this much returning experience, that number could easily improve in 2024.
Defensively, the Tigers allowed 20.6 points per game in SWAC play, good for fourth in the league. JSU was a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks with 21 sacks in conference play, and that should continue with an experienced defensive line.
Although the Tigers lose their top two sackers, linebacker Isaac Peppers and defensive lineman Antonio Doyle, they bring back several others who can get into the backfield.
Defensive linemen Tru Thompson and Tyas Martin had 3.5 sacks each, while Jeremiah Williams and Phillip Webb had 3 apiece. Webb also had 6 tackles for loss, second only to Peppers.
In the secondary, JSU must replace two of its top three pass interceptors, but the Tigers get B.J. Washington back. He intercepted three passes, forced a fumble and made 25 tackles. JSU also brings back Esaias Guthrie, who led all defensive backs with 52 tackles. He broke up three passes, though he did not have an interception.
JSU brought in several transfers to fill the gaps, including Devin Lafayette from Northern Illinois and Robert McDaniel from Alcorn State.
If JSU will have a weakness in 2024, it may be at linebacker. The Tigers must replace their top two tacklers, Peppers and Khalil Arrington. Peppers led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.
The most notable returners at linebacker are Allen Walker and Javarian Jenkins, who made 15 and 11 tackles, respectively. JSU added Reid Pulliam from the junior college ranks and Daved Jones Jr. from Cincinnati.
JSU has won three straight games against UAPB. The Golden Lions’ last victory was a 34-27 win in Jackson, Miss., in 2017.