Southern Will Face Jackson State on Saturday
The SWAC matchup will take place at 6 p.m. at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Football
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Southern is set to play Jackson State in a Southwestern Athletic Conference football game on September 28, 2026. The matchup will be held at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, with a scheduled kickoff time of 6 p.m.
Why it matters
This game serves as an opening conference matchup for the Southwestern Athletic Conference and provides significant bragging rights for the competing fan bases. Jackson State enters the contest ranked No. 3 in the BOXTOROW HBCU football media poll.
Jackson State enters with a 3-0 record while Southern holds a 2-2 mark, with Jackson State having won the last seven meetings between the two teams. Southern defensive player Ckelby Givens has recorded 8.5 tackles for loss entering the game.
The players
Jackson State
This is a university athletic program currently ranked No. 3 in the BOXTOROW HBCU football media poll.
Southern
This is a university athletic program that finished its previous season with a 2-10 record.
Ckelby Givens
He is a defensive player for Southern who has recorded 8.5 tackles for loss.
T.C. Taylor
He is a former Jackson State player who was with the team between 1998 and 2001.
The details
Coaches are working to keep their players focused on team preparation for the conference opener rather than social media distractions. The game marks a significant test for Southern, which finished the previous season with a 2-10 record.
Timeline
1998-2001: T.C. Taylor played for Jackson State.
2013: Southern won its last SWAC Championship.
2021: Start of Jackson State's seven-game winning streak.
September 28, 2026: The football game takes place.
Season Trajectory
This game marks an attempt by Southern to regain the competitive standing it last held during its 2013 SWAC Championship season. Jackson State looks to maintain its momentum as it defends a seven-game winning streak in this series.
Jackson State looks to preserve its 3-0 start and current No. 3 media poll ranking. Southern aims to break a seven-game losing streak against Jackson State to improve upon its 2-2 record.
The takeaway
Maintaining focus on core team preparation is essential for student-athletes facing high-stakes conference games. Players and coaches continue to manage the pressure of media attention as they prepare for the Saturday kickoff.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
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