JACKSON, Miss. | Jackson State returns home for the third time in four weeks, hosting Southern in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opener for both teams on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The two teams have met 72 times since 1956 with the series tied 36-all, including 33 meetings in Jackson. Southern leads the series 18-15 at The Vet, while Jackson State leads the series 19-15 in Baton Rouge. The two teams have met five times at a neutral site. Jackson State (3-0) has won the last seven games in the series, matching the longest streak in series history by Jackson State.

The game can be seen on ESPN+.

Game Info - Jackson State vs. Southern
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 6 p.m. | ESPN+ | Veterans Memorial Stadium
Watch Live
Listen Live
Live Stats
Game Notes (.pdf)
Media Center
Tickets

OPENING KICK

• For the second consecutive season, Jackson State had a running back go over 100 yards. Last season, Ahmad Miller went for 180 yards against Hampton, and this season, Nate Blount IV
• went for 101 yards on 15 carries against Tennessee State. Blount followed that with 108 yards against Tuskegee.
• Kam Sallis and Jabari Jones were named MVPs following the John Merritt Classic, with Sallis going for seven tackles and Jones with an 88-yard touchdown reception. Meanwhile, Jared Lockhart and Swipe Marshall were named MVPs of the Hope Labor Day Classic with Lockhart throwing for 388 yards, while Marshall led the team in tackles. Michael Johnson Jr. and Nate Blount IV were named MVPs of the W.C. Gorden Classic.
• Andrew Ivaniciuc and Keith Bass Jr. earned Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) weekly honors following the Tigers' 26-24 victory over Tennessee State on Saturday. Ivaniciuc kicked a 21-yard field goal with 2:31 remaining to give Jackson State (1-0) a 26-24 lead, and finished the night 4-for-5 on field goals, including connecting from 45 yards and a career-high 51-yard field goal late in the third quarter to extend the Jackson State lead to 23-17 to earn SWAC Specialist of the Week. Meanwhile, Bass was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week after he finished with six tackles, a sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss in the win. Jared Lockhart was named the SWAC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 388 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for another one.
• Since the fall of 2021, Jackson State has won 63 of 75 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 is 15-3 at home under head coach T.C. Taylor since taking the helm in 2023, including a 6-0 mark in 2024. The Tigers also went 5-1 at home last season, with its lone loss coming in the SWAC Championship game, ending an 11-game home winning streak.
• Jackson State has won seven consecutive games against Southern heading into the meeting on Saturday.
• The last home loss for Tigers in the regular season came to Alcorn State on November 18, 2023 in the final regular season game of the season [28-24].

Follow Jackson State Athletics
For complete coverage of Jackson State athletics, follow the Tigers on social media at @GoJSUTigers (Instagram and Twitter), Jackson State Tigers (Facebook), or visit the official home of Jackson State athletics at GoJSUTigers.com.