JACKSON, Miss. | For the first time since 1988, Jackson State will hit the road to Nashville (Tenn.) to face Tennessee State at 7:30 p.m. (CT) in the John Merritt Classic on Saturday, Aug. 29 on ESPN+.

The two teams have not met since 2022, the last of 31 consecutive games played in Memphis (Tenn.), and Jackson State enters the contest having won the last three meetings between the two schools. Jackson State, in its last 80 season openers, is 30-27-4 and has won five of its last six. The last time these two teams met to open the season was in 1987, with the game ending in a 17-all tie.

GAME INFORMATION - Jackson State at Tennessee State
Nashville, Tenn. | FirstBank Stadium | 7:30 p.m. (CT) | ESPN+
Watch Live (ESPN+)
Play-by-Play: Dan Laing | Color Analyst: Dean Cokinos
Listen Live (JSU Sports Network)
Play-by-Play: Rob Jay | Color Analyst: Darrell Asberry
Live Stats
Jackson State Game Notes (.pdf)
Tennessee State Game Notes (.pdf)
Flip Card (.pdf)
Media Center
Tickets

Game Notes

• Jackson State opens the season on the road for the third time in four years under head coach T.C. Taylor. The Tigers are currently 2-1 in season openers under Taylor, with their only loss coming on the road against ULM in 2024. They have defeated South Carolina State (neutral site) in 2023 and Hampton (home) in 2025.
• The meeting will be the 47th all-time between Jackson State and Tennessee State, with Tennessee State leading the all-time series 25-20-2. The two teams have met just once in their history, to open the season.
• Jared Lockhart returns after earning co-Freshman of the Year honors in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) last season, splitting time with JaCobian Morgan before the senior's injury. The sophomore is undefeated as a starter entering the 2026 season, earning a 5-0 mark and second-team All-SWAC honors.
• The Tigers have won three of their last four games on the road, with their last true road loss coming against Southern Miss on Sept. 6. Jackson State is 10-4 on the road under Taylor over the last three years.
• Since the fall of 2021, Jackson State has won 60 of 72 games overall and is 36-4 in regular season games against conference competition. The Tigers have won three Southwestern Athletic Conference [SWAC] championships, played in three Celebration Bowls, and won the 2024 HBCU national championship.
• Jackson State returns 37 players from last year's team that claimed its second consecutive SWAC East Division Championship, and adds 56 total new players - transfer portal and incoming freshmen.
• Since the Spring 2021 season, Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium has hosted five of the last six SWAC Championship Games, including a neutral site game during the spring season. Jackson State has appeared in four of the last five championship games, winning three of those games.
• Jackson State went over two years without an interception return for a touchdown following Travis Hunter accomplishing the feat in 2022 against Alcorn State. The Tigers have had two in the last two weeks with Mike Smith III returning one 60 yards against Mississippi Valley State [11/8/25], and B.J. Washington returned one 82 yards against Bethune-Cookman [11/15/2025], the first defensive touchdowns since a fumble recovery against Florida A&M last season.

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