Kickoff: 4 p.m.
Network: ESPN

JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State and Southern, unofficially called the BoomBox Classic, renew their rivalry for the 66th time. The match-up is a non-conference game and will not be factored in the SWAC standings.
 
ESPN
 
For the first time since 1989, the Jackson State football team will appear on the flagship ESPN channel. Legendary coach WC Gorden and the Tigers traveled to Northwestern State came away with a 27-14 win in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It's also the first time a Jackson State home football game will be on ESPN's flagship station. It's the first time Southern will appear on ESPN as well.
 
Opening Kick
 
For the past 10 years, the offensive play has been a thorn in the side for Jackson State and the program and the program ranked near the bottom in the conference. Four games into the Deion Sanders era the Tigers are playing like it's 1989 again.
 
The Tigers lead the SWAC and rank near the top of the conference standings in several categories. JSU averages a league-high 425 yards per game to go along with 39.3 points per game. The Blue & White have used a balanced approach and have passed for 915 yards and rushed for 799 yards for 1714 total yards, all of which are league highs. JSU also has scored a league-high 20 touchdowns.
 
Rushing Attack
 
The Tigers have the best rushing attack in the conference with a dynamic trio of players ranking in the top five. Sophomore Tyson Alexander leads the SWAC with 339 yards, fellow sophomore Jalon Jones has gone for 214 yards and ranks third and Kymani "Kimo" Clarke is fourth with 189 yards. Alexander averages 6.3 yards per clip and Jones and Clarke are at 4.5 and 4.2 yards per rush.
 
True Dual-Threat
 
Jones has grown into his role as the Tigers' starting quarterback in this unprecedented Spring 2021 Season. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder has thrown for 773 yards and a conference-best nine touchdowns with just two interceptions. Jones ranks in the top half of the conference with a 133.9 efficiency rating. For the season, Jones is 62-for-114 (54.4 percent) and his 62 completions lead the conference.
 
Receivers Look Good, Playing Good
 
The Tigers rely on a trio of receivers to get the job done. Junior Daylen Baldwin leads the conference with 314 yards and five touchdowns, junior Corey Reed Jr. has totaled 235 yards and two touchdowns and senior Warren Newman has grabbed a league-high 23 receptions for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
 
Red Zone Success
 
Jackson State has done well in the red zone and is scoring a touchdown or converting a field goal 83 percent of the time when they reach the opponent's 20-yard line.
 
Defense Closing the Gap
 
Aside from the fourth-quarter lapse at Alabama State, the Tigers' defense has played well throughout the season. JSU is allowing an average of 315. yards per game and its defensive efficiency ranking is 104.4, which also ranks second.
 
Best Linebackers in the SWAC
 
The play of senior linebacker Aubrey Miller, Jr. and SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Keonte Hampton is a key reason why the Tigers are statistically the second-best defense in the conference. Miller and Hampton have each totaled 37 tackles, which is tied for first. Miller's 22 solo stops is first in the conference.
 
Secondary Quietly Doing Well
 
De'Jahn Warren and Isaiah Bolden aren't statistically in the interceptions and pass defended categories and there's one reason why. Opposing teams are afraid to challenge NFL-caliber defensive backs.