Bulldogs Nearly Pull Off Comeback, fall Short to Jackson State In Gulf Coast Challenge
MOBILE, Ala. – Alabama A&M nearly pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in recent Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) memory, but Jackson State held on late to escape with a 45-38 victory in the Gulf Coast Challenge on Saturday evening at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The Bulldogs (2-3, 0-1 SWAC) found themselves in a deep hole early, trailing by as many as 28 points (38-10) at halftime. Despite the deficit, quarterback Xavier Lankford sparked a furious rally, finishing with 245 passing yards and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). 
“We really wanted to run the ball on them, which is what we were doing,” Alabama A&M head coach Connell Maynor said. “But when we got down 21-3, that took us out of our game. We had to open it up in the second half. There were plays we made and some we left out there. I take my hat off to Jackson and Coach T.C. Taylor. They bent, but they didn’t break.”
Tigers Dominate First Half
Jackson State (4-2, 2-0 SWAC) set the tone early. Irv Mulligan scored twice in the first quarter—on runs of six and 10 yards—before Travis Terrell Jr. electrified the crowd with a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown to put the Tigers up 21-3.
Quarterback Jacobian Morgan added to the onslaught with two touchdown strikes to Joanes Fortilien, while kicker Gerardo Baeza nailed a 23-yard field goal to give Jackson State a commanding 38-10 advantage at the break.
Bulldogs Fight Back
The second half told a different story. Alabama A&M’s offense came alive, converting all six of its fourth-down attempts to stay in the game. Lankford connected with Donovan Payne for a 20-yard touchdown, found Dion Nelson Jr. on a 7-yard score, and later hit DeQuadrion Welch from 12 yards out to cut the deficit to 45-31 midway through the fourth quarter.
A late 95-yard drive, capped by a DJ Moffett 4-yard touchdown run with 2:46 remaining, made it a one-score game. But the Bulldogs never got the ball back, as Jackson State picked up a crucial first down to seal the win.
By the Numbers
- Alabama A&M racked up 492 total yards (282 passing, 210 rushing) and held the ball for nearly 40 minutes (39:49).
- Lankford finished 21 of 42 for 245 yards and three passing touchdowns, while also rushing for one score.
- Donovan Eaglin led the ground game with 88 yards on 14 carries.
- Welch caught five passes for 73 yards and a touchdown.
- Defensively, Cortez Andrews posted eight tackles.
Jackson State countered with 366 total yards, led by Morgan’s efficient 11 of 16 passing for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Mulligan rushed for 86 yards and two scores, while Fortilien hauled in six receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns.
Saturday marked the 28th meeting between the programs. Jackson State now leads the all-time series 18-10 and has won four straight against the Bulldogs. Attendance was announced at 14,956 for the Gulf Coast Challenge.
Up Next
Alabama A&M returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 5, hosting Bethune-Cookman for Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. and will stream on HBCU GO.
