Jackson State opened its season with a hard-fought win over Hampton, but the postgame remarks from head coach TC Taylor and his players made it clear that the Tigers are still far from satisfied. While the defending HBCU champions showed flashes of dominance on both sides of the ball, Taylor stressed that discipline and execution will need to improve if Jackson State is going to live up to its lofty expectations this season.
Penalties and Offensive Rhythm a Point of Emphasis
Taylor did not mince words when addressing his team’s lack of discipline.“Ten penalties for 89 yards is unacceptable as a program,” he said. “I got to be better as head coach, getting my guys to understand the discipline.”
Jackson State committed costly errors that stalled drives and prevented the Tigers from capitalizing on prime scoring opportunities.
The coach also pointed to a lack of rhythm in the first half as a major concern. Despite the defense creating turnovers and setting the offense up in plus territory, the Tigers failed to put points on the board until late. “We was in the plus 40 a couple times and just couldn’t get nothing going,” Taylor admitted. The Tigers eventually found their footing in the fourth quarter, but Taylor made clear that finding offensive rhythm earlier will be crucial against tougher opponents.
Running Back Room Shows Its Depth and Brotherhood
One of the brightest spots of the win came from the backfield. Jackson State piled up 280 rushing yards behind a committee of backs who not only produced but also supported one another. “Travis really started the game out, and you had Ariel Davenport play a good game,” Taylor said, noting that several other players contributed…