Photo: Jazmine Moering
Cameron Adams
Editor-In- Chief
Jackson State University’s first home game of the season was nothing short of historical on Sept. 27, 2023.
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.
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.
“We had a situation where we got both kickers injured…my back was against the wall and we had to find somebody,” stated Taylor.
Coach Taylor shared that he found Armenta through Ted Flogaites, the head coach of Jackson State’s women’s soccer team.
“I was talking to Dr. Ted, a championship soccer coach, and he had a young lady over there who did it well in high school,” Taylor stated. “She came out there and did what we asked her to do.”
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’s stellar defensive performance.
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.
Peppers claimed that he takes pride in his defense, and is willing to do what he can to help the team win.
“That’s what linebackers are supposed to do,” Peppers stated. “If I can bring this team improvement and benefits, then I’ll do it.”
Defensive end Athen Smith also turned good defense into offense after delivering a 32-yard fumble return for the touchdown. Smith’s defensive efforts would earn him Defensive MVP of the game.
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.
Mulligan also scored a huge 66-yard touchdown that electrified the Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Mulligan stated that he wanted his run to do just that.
“I was just doing my job,” Mulligan said. “I just wanted to bring the team back and bring some momentum.”
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.
“I got to get this football team to play all three phases. One week it’s the offense, one week it’s the defense, special teams have to get better,” Taylor stated.
He added, “I’m still waiting to see our whole football team come together and go out there and dominate a football game.”
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.
