Jackson State Announces 2026 Football Schedule Featuring Four Classics
Jackson State University’s Division of Athletics announced its 2026 football schedule, which includes five home games and four classic matchups, beginning with a Week Zero game. The Tigers will open the season on Aug. 29 with an away game against Tennessee State in the John Merritt Classic in Nashville, Tennessee.
The teams have a long history, meeting 47 times since 1975. Their last encounter was on Sept. 10, 2022, when Jackson State won 16-3 in Memphis. The upcoming game marks the first meeting since then.
The Tigers will then host the Hope Labor Day Classic on Sept. 5 against Edward Waters, in the first-ever matchup between the schools. Following a bye week, Jackson State will host Tuskegee on Sept. 19 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in the W.C. Gorden Classic. Jackson State leads the series 3-1, including a shutout victory last season.
Jackson State begins Southwestern Athletic Conference play at home on Sept. 26 against Southern. The series is tied 36-36 since 1958, but Jackson State has won the last seven meetings. The team then hits the road for consecutive games against Alabama A&M on Oct. 3 and Grambling State on Oct. 10.
The schedule includes two home games in October and early November, starting with Florida A&M on Oct. 17. The teams have met 24 times, with Jackson State holding a 14-8-2 record and winning the last two encounters. On Oct. 24, Jackson State travels to Daytona Beach to face Bethune-Cookman, leading that series 8-3 and winning the last four games.
The Tigers will close their home schedule on Nov. 7 against Mississippi Valley State, a series in which they hold a commanding lead. The season concludes with two road games, facing Alabama State on Nov. 14 and Alcorn State on Nov. 21. Jackson State leads the all-time series against Alabama State 37-15-1 and against Alcorn State 31-21.
Season tickets are available now at GoJSUTigers.com/tickets and at the box offices. Fans can follow Jackson State Athletics on social media at @GoJSUTigers (Instagram and Twitter) and Jackson State Tigers (Facebook) for updates.
Source: Original Article
