Today is bigger still.
"I've got a lot riding on this game," he said. "I've got to keep my composure and approach it like just another Saturday. It'll be OK so long as I stay within myself, not do anything out of character and just manage the game."
Akron awaits Jackson as well.
"CJ is a great player, and we know what he's capable of doing," said Andre Jones, a safety-wide receiver and Jackson's former roommate. "We're not going to treat them like they're Morgan State. We're going to treat them like they're Penn State."
All week, Morgan's staff toiled to keep Jackson on an even keel.
"I told him to play this game with grace and dignity," said Hill-Eley, the Bears' eighth-year coach. "One day, he'll be able to talk about it with his son and say, 'I got the opportunity of a lifetime to go back [to Akron] and showcase my talents.' "
His teammates respect Jackson's presence. He played much of last season until he was sidelined with a shoulder injury with three games left (Morgan lost all three). But not until now did they openly rally behind their quarterback, whom they call "Trigger," and witness his no-nonsense demeanor.
"He has always been a character, a funny guy," said Devan James, Morgan's star running back who grew up with Jackson in Pompano Beach, Fla. "But he doesn't joke around much now. And he's more of a vocal leader."
This year, Jackson is "the first one to practice and the last one off the field," said Robert Norris, Morgan's star offensive tackle. "He is on point with his reads, his coverages and his checks. You can see his level of focus, especially this week, though he hasn't made this game personal. That would take away from what we have to do as a team."
Jackson's turnabout doesn't surprise Hill-Eley. Not after that late-night phone call.
"When he came back to campus this fall, he said: 'Coach, I meant what I said. You're going to see a different person.' And every day I see a new maturity there. It's something he didn't have last year, on or off the field."
Perhaps to prove his fresh start, Jackson abandoned the dreadlocks he had when he arrived at Morgan.
"See, coach? I cut my hair," he told Hill-Eley.
The coach's response?
"Son, it ain't the hair on your head I was worried about, it's what's in your head under your hair."
Morgan State 2009 schedule
Date Opponent Time
Sept. 12 at Akron 2 p.m.
Sept. 19 at W.-Salem St. 2 p.m.
Sept. 26 Towson 4 p.m.
Oct. 3 at B.-Cookmn 4 p.m.
Oct. 10 N. Car. A&T 1 p.m.
Oct. 15 Howard 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Del. St. 1 p.m.
Oct. 31 Florida A&M 4 p.m.
Nov. 7 Norfolk State 4 p.m.
Nov. 14 at S. Car. St. 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Hampton 1 p.m.
MORGAN STATE @AKRON
* Today, 2 p.m.
* Radio: 88.9 FM
