South-Carolina
Jackson State dominates South Carolina State to earn first Celebration Bowl title
The third time was the charm for Jackson State University in Atlanta.
Chants of “T.C.” for Jackson State alum and coach T.C. Taylor echoed through Mercedes-Benz Stadium after the Tigers ended their Celebration Bowl drought, defeating South Carolina State University 28-7 in a rematch of the 2021 bowl game to earn Jackson State’s first title.
Jackson State started fast, jumping out to a 14-0 lead before halftime, and South Carolina State didn’t have an answer until the fourth quarter. The Tigers dominated all four quarters of the game, outgaining the Bulldogs 385 to 178.
“It was some great moments out there today. I think the one that kind of blew me away was when I heard the crowd hollering my name, like, good gracious,” Taylor said. “That was unbelievable. That’s a moment I’ll never forget. … I’ve been waiting a long time to get on that stage and hoist that trophy up.”
Tigers quarterback Jacobian Morgan earned Celebration Bowl offensive MVP honors after completing 15 out of 21 passes for 233 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams won defensive MVP after tallying two critical tackles for loss for the Tigers.
Southwestern Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year Irv Mulligan finished the night rushing for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
“It’s one thing to talk it, but we really are a humble team, so it’s like you got to be able to perform and walk it as well,” Mulligan said. “We already knew we had what it took. We just had to find the small pieces to put it together. Initially, Coach T did a great job, and I just give my hats off to him and the rest of my teammates.”
In Jackson State’s previous two Celebration Bowl appearances, the Tigers fell to South Carolina State 31-10 in 2021 and North Carolina Central University 41-34 (overtime) in 2022.
The Tigers are the third Southwestern Athletic Conference team to win the Celebration Bowl, joining Florida A&M University (2023) and Grambling State University (2016). The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leads the series all-time 6-3.
Postgame quotes
Jackson State’s Taylor: “It’s been a great, incredible run for this football team and these coaches, everybody involved with JSU football. The fans – I can’t say enough — they really showed up here in the city of Atlanta for this game. These guys, they worked their butts off all year for this moment, and they went out there today and dominated.”
South Carolina State coach Chennis Berry: “First and foremost, we didn’t get it done. We don’t make excuses or explanations. We had 60 minutes. I say it all the time, and then we didn’t get it done in 60 minutes.
“As the head football coach, I take ownership for all losses [and] I celebrate the players in the wins. … I’m super-proud of this football team. We didn’t play the way we were capable of playing. … These are lessons that they’ll learn for the rest of their lives. I congratulated each and every one of them, although the outcome didn’t happen the way we wanted it to happen. I’m very, very proud of the season we had.”
Records
– Jackson State’s 19-play drive lasting 9 minutes and 39 seconds was the longest in plays and time of possession in Celebration Bowl history.
– South Carolina State quarterback Eric Phoenix, the 2024 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year, broke the university’s single-season passing yard record in the first quarter. He finished the season with 2,628 yards, surpassing Malcolm Long’s record of 2,507 set in 2009.
– Jackson State’s 21-point margin of victory ties the record for the largest in Celebration Bowl history. South Carolina State defeated Jackson State by 21 points in the 2021 Celebration Bowl.
– South Carolina State’s seven points mark the fewest points scored in the bowl game, surpassing the previous record of nine points scored by North Carolina Central University in 2016.
– South Carolina State’s 178 total yards are the fewest yards earned in Celebration Bowl history, surpassing the 194 total yards Jackson State earned in the 2021 game.
– South Carolina State linebacker Aaron Smith’s 17 tackles set the record for most tackles in the Celebration Bowl, surpassing the previous record of 11.
Memorable moments
– Jackson State freshman running back Travis Terrell Jr. returned the first punt of the game for a touchdown and celebrated with a front flip into the end zone. However, the touchdown was called back due to an unnecessary roughness call on the Tigers.
– South Carolina State defensive back Diego Addison intercepted Morgan on the opening drive of the second half.
– In the second quarter, South Carolina State blocked Jackson State’s 53-yard field goal attempt.
– Jackson State wide receiver Joanes Fortilien scored the first touchdown of the game on a corner fade in the end zone in the second quarter. Fortilien wasn’t done, though – he also scored the final touchdown of the game for Jackson State. He finished the game with six catches for 43 yards.
– Jackson State’s Morgan found wide receiver Isaiah Spencer for a 67-yard strike in the second quarter, and running back Irv Mulligan capped off the play with a one-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead before halftime.
– In the fourth quarter, South Carolina State committed an offsides penalty on fourth down, and Mulligan rushed up the middle for two yards to score his second touchdown, giving Jackson State a commanding 21-0 lead.
– Phoenix found wide receiver Nigel Johnson for a 64-yard completion in the fourth quarter. Later in the drive, with 11:13 remaining in the game, Phoenix ran the ball into the end zone to avoid a Bulldogs shutout.
Attendance
The official attendance for the game was 36,823, nearly 12,000 fewer people than those who attended the 2021 matchup between Jackson State and South Carolina State, which was a record 48,653.
COLUMBIA — Three candidates seeking to become South Carolina’s first Democratic governor in more than two decades squared off in fiery rebuttals on live television June 3.
State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, attorney Mullins McLeod and businessman Billy Webster debated for an hour during SCETV’s Democratic gubernatorial square-off where McLeod attacked the other two candidates almost every chance he got to speak.
It was the second SCETV debate this week and all three candidates participated, compared with the Republican debate June 1 where only half the six candidates appeared.
Nearly every question, McLeod exceeded his allotted time, often using his messaging to attack his opponents.
Democrats face long odds in the November general election. The Palmetto State has not elected a Democratic governor in more than a quarter-century, and the party’s prospects have diminished in recent election cycles.
But the three candidates on the debate stage made it known they’re not afraid of the challenge.
“In this state there are at least 1.1 million people who are willing to vote for a Democrat and a Black person statewide,” Johnson said on his odds of winning, referencing the number of people who voted for Jaime Harrison in 2020 against Republican U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.
And while it wasn’t mentioned during the debate, Democratic early voter turnout has reached historic levels this election cycle. On the first day of early voting, Democratic primary voters outnumbered Republicans more than four-to-one, about 46,000 to 10,000. Early voting will end June 5.
While the three candidates largely agreed on broader policy like Medicaid and abortion access, they did have some key differences in opinions on issues like gambling and even how to work with the legislature.
Where candidates agreed
The three men largely agreed there are major issues that need to be addressed in the state’s health care systems, but went about addressing them in different ways.
Medicaid expansion was something all three candidates broadly agreed on, specifically tied to ensuring the state decreases the rise in infant mortality rates. All three believed there is corruption in the government.
All candidates had issues with data centers. McLeod labeled himself as the only anti-data center candidate, while Johnson boasted about his Statehouse experience in introducing a moratorium to stop data centers from coming into the state. Webster poked at flaws surrounding promises of transparency associated with the projects and the environmental hazards the centers bring.
Both Webster and Johnson went after Republicans who have campaigned on getting rid of the state income tax, saying it was unrealistic for the state to do so.
“We cannot eliminate the state income tax and even have a state that is recognizable in 10 years,” Webster said.
Where they disagreed
There were some stark disagreements, including how to go about working with the legislature. Johnson and Webster reflected on their time working across the aisle with Republicans while McLeod said bipartisanship is not the answer.
“More politics is not the answer. Bipartisanship is not the answer” McLeod said. “You know what’s been missing? The truth, the light … servant leaders who are willing to stand for the people of South Carolina.”
Public education was another area the candidates differed. Webster said there needs to be less regulations and restrictions on South Carolina teachers so that they are not so weighed down by requirements. Johnson proposed adding universal pre-K and McLeod said he wanted to pay teachers $85,000-$100,000 per year.
Candidates also had different answers on gambling. Johnson reflected on personal experiences where he saw gambling bring havoc to his family, but said the opening of casinos in South Carolina could be possible with great oversight. Webster said he didn’t have enough knowledge on the topic but could see the benefits that casinos could bring in the form of jobs in counties like Orangeburg if given proper regulation. McLeod said gambling causes problems and was against the opening of casinos.
Surprises
Much of the campaign attacks from Democratic candidates have been directed at Republicans, not necessarily each other. But the night was different.
Multiple times during the debate, McLeod went over his allotted time to try to attack Johnson or Webster. Both candidates repeated the same response in return, sometimes laughing, saying they had no idea what McLeod was talking about.
McLeod continued to reference both Webster and Johnson as being part of the corruption in South Carolina that he could “shine a light” on. He referred to himself as a servant more than six times.
“If you’re going to be on the stage and run for governor, you better start checking your facts,” Webster said to McLeod.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A ceremonial bill signing was held We Wednesday for a new law that enhances penalties for harming police animals in South Carolina.
H.3034 – also known as Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s, Mikka’s, and Bumi’s Law – was passed and ratified by state lawmakers in May.
The bill is named after seven police K-9’s lost in recent years acros South Carolina.
Gov. Henry McMaster later signed the bill into law, with it going into effect on May 15.
The law makes killing or severely injuring a police animal, such as a K-9 or horse, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
It also states that anyone convicted of that crime must pay back the full cost of the animal – including buying a new one, training and any veterinarian bills. The law also makes it a crime to fire at a police vehicle if an animal is inside.
Police are also required by law to keep detailed records when a K-9 bites or causes injury.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 8-7-6, FB: 6
Evening: 3-8-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 2-8-6-6, FB: 6
Evening: 7-1-4-4, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 2 drawing
01-04-05-07-34
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Nevada7 minutes agoHillel of Northern Nevada Builds Community at the University
-
New Hampshire9 minutes agoNew Hampshire Pummels Altoona with 14 Runs on 18 Hits
-
New Jersey15 minutes ago‘This Cruelty is Intentional’: The New Jersey Lawmakers Fighting to Shut Down Delaney Hall
-
North Carolina19 minutes ago
Former staffer claims sexual harassment in ethics complaint against NC insurance commissioner
-
New Mexico22 minutes agoNew Mexico Highlands University president sues school
-
North Dakota30 minutes agoNorth Dakota voters to decide single-subject requirement for future constitutional amendments on June 9
-
Ohio37 minutes agoOhio State reaches $100 million settlement with nearly 300 sex abuse survivors | CNN
-
Oklahoma40 minutes agoRECAP: Democrat State Superintendent Candidates Address Oklahoma Education Issues in Primary Debate
