MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The creation of historic moments are often amplified on the grandest stages. The combination of great competition, high stakes, and an electric atmosphere can generate legendary performances.
 
Hard Rock Stadium in South Florida will again provide the backdrop of a Southwestern Athletic Conference Eastern Division showdown as the two-time defending SWAC Champion Jackson State champions face the Florida A&M Rattlers in the Denny's Orange Blossom Classic.
 
GAME INFORMATION:

In the legendary game that has seen some of Black College Football's greatest coaches and players, the recent history in the reboot of the Orange Blossom Classic summarizes the importance of the game. The winner of this game has gone on to win the SWAC Eastern Division title and the SWAC Championship as well as the Celebration Berth that goes with it.

Jackson State has been the winner each of the past two seasons with wins of 7-6 in 2021 and 59-3 in 2022. FAMU has responded from the Labor Day Weekend loss by not losing a conference game the reminder of both seasons.

Jackson State football won the opening game of the T.C. Taylor era with a 37-7 win over South Carolina State in the Cricket MEAC-SWAC Challenge in Atlanta.  The Tigers gained 494 total yards (356 passing, 138 rushing) in gaining 24 first downs and scored on the final six offensive possessions (3 TDs, 3 FGs). Graduate transfer QB Jason Brown (Virginia Tech) was an efficient 26-of-30 passing for 356 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in his first game in a JSU uniform, earning BOXTOROW HBCU National Player of the Week honors.
 
The JSU defense nearly pitched the first shutout in MSC history, yielding the only SCSU touchdown with 22 seconds to play. The Tigers allowed 201 total yards (137 rushing, 64 passing) and 14 first downs, forcing seven consecutive punts to start the game, including three straight 3-and-outs, and four total in game.
 
Jackson State football has been the dominant program in the SWAC posting a 24-3 record in the last two+ seasons with back-to-back Celebration Bowl appearances.  The Tigers have gone unbeaten in conference play since Fall 2021 with back-to-back 8-0 campaigns. Including the final game of the Spring 2021 season, JSU has won 17 consecutive SWAC games and 20 straight contests against conference teams.
 
Florida A&M has gone 14-2 in the SWAC over the past two seasons, and have 10 All-SWAC Preseason players led by SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in QB Jeremy Moussa. The Rattlers have won nine games each of the past two seasons, its first two in the SWAC after joining the league in Fall 2021.
 

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