Photo: Jazmine Moering<\/p>\n

Cameron Adams
\nEditor-In- Chief<\/p>\n

Jackson State University\u2019s first home game of the season was nothing short of historical on Sept. 27, 2023.<\/p>\n

Not only did the Tigers secure their first home victory in the W.C. Gorden Classic after a grueling battle with Bethune-Cookman, they also made school and HBCU history after Leilana Armenta, a freshman and member of the JSU soccer team, became the first female kicker in Jackson State history.<\/p>\n

Although this achievement was monumental for women in sports, it was not intentional. Coach T.C. Taylor explained that Armenta was added to the Tigers roster due to some unexpected injuries.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had a situation where we got both kickers injured\u2026my back was against the wall and we had to find somebody,\u201d stated Taylor.<\/p>\n

Coach Taylor shared that he found Armenta through Ted Flogaites, the head coach of Jackson State\u2019s women\u2019s soccer team.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was talking to Dr. Ted, a championship soccer coach, and he had a young lady over there who did it well in high school,\u201d Taylor stated. \u201cShe came out there and did what we asked her to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the last-minute changes to the team, the Tigers were able to tame the Wildcats to secure a 22-16 victory. This was thanks to Jackson State\u2019s stellar defensive performance.<\/p>\n

Tiger linebacker Issac Peppers was a huge contributor to their performance early in the match up. Peppers delivered a safety late in the first quarter, putting the Tigers up 2-0.<\/p>\n

Peppers claimed that he takes pride in his defense, and is willing to do what he can to help the team win.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what linebackers are supposed to do,\u201d Peppers stated. \u201cIf I can bring this team improvement and benefits, then I\u2019ll do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defensive end Athen Smith also turned good defense into offense after delivering a 32-yard fumble return for the touchdown. Smith\u2019s defensive efforts would earn him Defensive MVP of the game.<\/p>\n

Another big-time contributor to the Tigers win was running back Irv Mulligan. His performance carried the Tigers on the offensive end, rushing for 174 yards on 21 carries.<\/p>\n

Mulligan also scored a huge 66-yard touchdown that electrified the Veterans Memorial Stadium.<\/p>\n

Mulligan stated that he wanted his run to do just that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just doing my job,\u201d Mulligan said. \u201cI just wanted to bring the team back and bring some momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite the win against the Wildcats, Coach Taylor was not satisfied with the overall performance of the team. He claimed that there is a lot of work that needs to be done before the next matchup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got to get this football team to play all three phases. One week it\u2019s the offense, one week it\u2019s the defense, special teams have to get better,\u201d Taylor stated.<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cI\u2019m still waiting to see our whole football team come together and go out there and dominate a football game.\u201d<\/p>\n

With their first bye week of the season approaching, Coach Taylor and the Tigers are taking the time to prepare for their next matchup against Alabama A&M on Oct. 7th.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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