The Jackson State Tigers football team represents Jackson State University in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
| Jackson State Tigers football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 | |||
| First season | 1911 | ||
| Athletic director | Ashley Robinson | ||
| Head coach | T. C. Taylor 1st season, 7–4 (.636) | ||
| Stadium | Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (capacity: 60,000) | ||
| Field surface | Natural grass | ||
| Location | Jackson, Mississippi | ||
| Conference | SWAC (Since 1958) | ||
| Division | East | ||
| All-time record | 494–336–22 (.593) | ||
| Bowl record | 3–2 (.600) | ||
| Claimed national titles | 3 (black college national championships: 1962, 1985, 1996)[1] | ||
| Conference titles | 19 (SWAC: Championships 1961, 1962, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1995, 1996, 2007, 2021, 2022) | ||
| Division titles | 8 (SWAC East: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010*, 2011*, 2012, 2013, 2021, 2022) | ||
| Colors | Navy blue, white, and light blue[2] | ||
| Fight song | Cheer Boys | ||
| Marching band | Sonic Boom of the South | ||
| Website | www.gojsutigers.com | ||
After joining the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in 1958, the program exploded into national prominence. In the 1980s, the program enjoyed its greatest success. Under head coach W. C. Gorden, the Tigers won eight conference championships between 1980 and 1990, including four straight from 1985 to 1988.[3]
Since 1958, Jackson State has won about 25 percent of the conference's football championships (19) and is a perennial powerhouse program among HBCUs. The Tigers have produced 93 professional football players and four Pro Football Hall of Famers: Lem Barney, Walter Payton, Robert Brazile, and Jackie Slater. Only 13 college football teams at any level have produced more Pro Football Hall of Famers than Jackson State.
Classifications
- 1958–1969: NAIA
- 1970–1982: NAIA Division I
- 1956–1972: NCAA College Division
- 1973–1976: NCAA Division II
- 1977: NCAA Division I
- 1978–present: NCAA Division I–AA/FCS
Conference memberships
- 1911–1912: Independent
- 1913: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
- 1914-1934 Independent
- 1935-1940 South Central Athletic Conference
- 1941-1946 Independent
- 1947–1950: South Central Athletic Conference
- 1951: Independent
- 1952–1957: Midwest Athletic Association
- 1958–present: Southwestern Athletic Conference
JSU fanbase
Jackson State is widely noted for its strong football support and culture.[4][5][6] Jackson State fans have led the Division I FCS in attendance for multiple seasons.[7][8][9]
Championships
National championships
Jackson State has been named a recipient of the black college football national championship three times.
| Year | Championship | Coach | Overall record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Black college national co-champions | John Merritt | 10–1 |
| 1985 | Black college national co-champions | W. C. Gorden | 8–3 |
| 1996 | Black college national co-champions | James Carson | 10–2 |
Conference championships
Jackson State has earned a total of 20 conference championships and has won the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) title 18 times since joining in 1958. Conference championships include:
| Year | Coach | Conference | Overall record | Conference record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | Earnest Richards | Mississippi-Louisiana Conference[10] | ||
| 1957 | John Merritt | Midwest Athletic Association | 6–2 | 2–0 |
| 1961 | John Merritt | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2 | 6–1 |
| 1962 | John Merritt | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 10–1 | 6–1 |
| 1972 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 5–1 |
| 1973 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2 | 5–1 |
| 1975 | Robert Hill | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 7–3 | 4–2 |
| 1980 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 5–1 |
| 1981 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–2–1 | 5–1 |
| 1982 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 6–0 |
| 1985 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3 | 6–1 |
| 1986 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 7–0 |
| 1987 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–3–1 | 7–0 |
| 1988 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–1–2 | 7–0 |
| 1990 | W. C. Gorden | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–4 | 5–1 |
| 1995 | James Carson | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 9–3 | 7–0 |
| 1996 | James Carson | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 10–2 | 6–1 |
| 2007 | Rick Comegy | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 8–4 | 8–2 |
| 2021 | Deion Sanders | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 11-2 | 8-0 |
| 2022 | Deion Sanders | Southwestern Athletic Conference | 12-1 | 8-0 |
Division championships
The Southwestern Athletic Conference instituted a divisional system for football in 1999. Jackson State plays in the Eastern Division of the conference along with Alabama A&M, Alabama State, Alcorn State, and Mississippi Valley. The SWAC Western Division includes the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Grambling, Prairie View A&M, Southern U, and Texas Southern. Each season, the SWAC East and SWAC West divisional champions face off in the SWAC Championship Game. Jackson State University claims seven SWAC Eastern Division championships: 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 and has won five outright to advance to the title game.
| Year | Coach | Division | Overall record | Conference record | Opponent | Championship Game result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Judge Hughes | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–2 | Southern | L 30–31 |
| 2007 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–2 | Grambling State | W 42–31 |
| 2008 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 7–5 | 6–1 | Grambling State | L 9–41 |
| 2010† | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–3 | 6–3 | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama State ‡ | |
| 2011† | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 9–2 | 7–2 | N/A lost tiebreaker to Alabama A&M ^ | |
| 2012 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 7–5 | 7–2 | Arkansas–Pine Bluff | L 21–24OT |
| 2013 | Rick Comegy | SWAC East | 8–4 | 8–1 | Southern | L 27–342OT (win vacated by Southern^) |
| 2021 | Deion Sanders | SWAC East | 11–2 | 8–0 | Prairie View A&M | W 27-10 |
| 2022 | Deion Sanders | SWAC East | 12-1 | 8–0 | Southern | W 43-24 |
† Co–champions
^ win vacated by Southern University due to NCAA violations[11]
NCAA I-AA/FCS playoff results
The Tigers have appeared in the I-AA/FCS playoffs 12 times with a record of 0–12.
| Year | Round | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Semifinals | Florida A&M | L 10–15 |
| 1981 | Quarterfinals | Boise State | L 7–19 |
| 1982 | First Round | Eastern Illinois | L 13–16 |
| 1985 | First Round | Georgia Southern | L 0–27 |
| 1986 | First Round | Tennessee State | L 23–32 |
| 1987 | First Round | Arkansas State | L 32–35 |
| 1988 | First Round | Stephen F. Austin | L 0–24 |
| 1989 | First Round | Montana | L 7–48 |
| 1990 | First Round | Middle Tennessee | L 7–28 |
| 1995 | First Round | Marshall | L 8–38 |
| 1996 | First Round | William & Mary | L 6–45 |
| 1997 | First Round | Western Illinois | L 24–31 |
Bowl games
| Season | Bowl | Location | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Azalea Bowl | Mobile, AL | Alabama A&M | W 40–21 |
| 2021 | Celebration Bowl | Atlanta, GA | South Carolina State | L 10–31 |
| 2022 | Celebration Bowl | Atlanta, GA | North Carolina Central | L 34–41 OT |
Head coaches
| Tenure | Coach | Overall record | Conference record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1911–1912 | John R. Pinkett | 0–3 | – | .000 |
| 1913–1915 | Jubie Bragg | 3–4 | – | .429 |
| 1920, 1923 | Earnest Richards | 3–3 | – | .500 |
| 1924–1928 | Belford Lawson Jr. | 2–8 | – | .200 |
| 1929–1936 | Charles Clark | 6–24–5 | – | .243 |
| 1937–1939 | John H. Young | 3–5–2 | – | .400 |
| 1939–1951 | T. B. Ellis | 32–24–1 | – | .570 |
| 1952–1962 | John Merritt | 63–37–5 | 20–8 | .624 |
| 1963 | Edward Clemons | 4–5 | 2–5 | .444 |
| 1964–1968 | Rod Paige | 25–19–2 | 15–18–2 | .565 |
| 1969–1970 | Ulysses S. McPherson | 6–13 | 2–11 | .316 |
| 1971–1976 | Robert Hill | 44–15–1 | 24–9–1 | .742 |
| 1976–1991 | W. C. Gorden | 119–48–5 | 79–21 | .706 |
| 1992–1998 | James "Big Daddy" Carson | 54–25–1 | 38–12–1 | .681 |
| 1999–2002 | Robert "Judge" Hughes | 32–13 | 20–5 | .711 |
| 2003–2005 | James Bell | 8–23 | 7–16 | .258 |
| 2006–2013 | Rick Comegy | 55–35 | 49–19 | .611 |
| 2014–2015 | Harold Jackson | 6–11 | 4–8 | .353 |
| 2016–2018 | Tony Hughes | 9–20 | 8–12 | .310 |
| 2018–2020 | John Hendrick | 6–9 | 5–5 | .400 |
| 2020–2022 | Deion Sanders | 27–6 | 19–2 | .818 |
| 2023– | T. C. Taylor | 7–4 | 0–0 | .636 |
Coach of the Year Honors
| Year | Coach | Honor |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | John Merritt | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1961 | John Merritt | National Black College Coach of the Year |
| 1962 | John Merritt | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1962 | John Merritt | National Black College Coach of the Year |
| 1971 | Robert Hill | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1982 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1985 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1986 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1987 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1988 | W. C. Gorden | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 1995 | James Carson | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 2007 | Rick Comegy | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 2021 | Deion Sanders | SWAC Coach of the Year |
| 2022 | Deion Sanders | SWAC Coach of the Year |
All-time SWAC records
This table reflects the results of SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) match-ups when both Jackson State and its opponent were members of the conference. Jackson State began SWAC play in 1958. Examples of excluded results are Grambling 1937–1957, Alabama A&M contests (1948–1995), and 1910s/1950s contests vs Alabama State. See the College Football Data Warehouse Archived 2019-05-08 at the Wayback Machine for more complete series records.
Updated through December 3, 2023 of the 2023 Division I FCS football season.[12]
| Opponent | SWAC wins | SWAC losses | SWAC ties | Winning percentage | Streak | First SWAC meeting | Last meeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M Bulldogs | 13 | 12 | 0 | .500 | Won 3 | 1999 | 2023 |
| Alabama State Hornets | 27 | 15 | 0 | .643 | Lost 1 | 1982 | 2023 |
| Alcorn State Braves | 36 | 23 | 1 | .608 | Lost 1 | 1962 | 2023 |
| UAPB Golden Lions | 24 | 12 | 0 | .667 | Won 2 | 1959 | 2023 |
| Bethune-Cookman Wildcats | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 3 | 2021 | 2023 |
| Grambling State Tigers | 24 | 41 | 0 | .369 | Won 2 | 1958 | 2022 |
| Florida A&M Rattlers | 2 | 1 | 0 | .667 | Lost 1 | 2021 | 2023 |
| Mississippi Valley Delta Devils | 50 | 5 | 1 | .902 | Won 8 | 1968 | 2023 |
| Prairie View Panthers | 40 | 14 | 2 | .732 | Won 2 | 1958 | 2022 |
| Southern Jaguars | 33 | 37 | 0 | .471 | Won 4 | 1958 | 2023 |
| Texas College Steers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | Won 3 | 1959 | 1961 |
| Texas Southern Tigers | 45 | 15 | 1 | .746 | Won 9 | 1958 | 2023 |
| Wiley College Wildcats | 10 | 1 | 0 | .909 | Won 1 | 1958 | 1968 |
| 310 | 176 | 5 | .636 |
Rivalries
During the early years of Jackson State's football history, rivalries were established with in-state foes Rust College and Tougaloo. Stillman College was also a common opponent which brought excitement and high interest to games played at the Mississippi Fairgrounds and later at Alumni Field on the campus of Jackson State. Since then, JSU has formed several traditional rivalries with long-time foes.
Alcorn State
Southern
Tennessee State
All-Americans
Over 50 Jackson State players have been named All-Americans.[citation needed][when?]
| Year | Position | Player | Honor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | WR | Willie Richardson | AP Little All-American |
| 1967 | WR | Harold Jackson | Pittsburg Courier All-American |
| 1971 | WR | Jerome Barkum | AP Little All-American |
| 1973 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1974 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1974 | LB | Robert Brazile | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1975 | RB | Walter Payton | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1975 | LB | Robert Brazile | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network All-American |
| 1976 | WR | Leon Sherrod | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1977 | OL | Louis Bullard | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1977 | RB | Ricky Patton | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1977 | CB | Charles Williams | Mutual Black Network All-American Team |
| 1979 | RB | Perry Harrington | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1980 | C | Tom Rice | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1980 | G | Larry Werts | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1981 | G | Michael Field | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1981 | RB | Larry Cowan | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1989 | OL | Tim Brown | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1989 | -- | Ike Ayozie | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1989 | LB | Darion Conner | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1989 | -- | Fred McCrae | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1991 | OL | Deitrich Lockridge | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1991 | TE | Harold Heath | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1991 | DB | Isaac Morehouse | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1991 | LB | Charles Ray Davis | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1992 | OL | Lester Holmes | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1992 | TE | Isiah Bliss | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1992 | OL | Lester Holmes | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1992 | LB | Mario Perry | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 1993 | LB | Fernando Smith | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1995 | DB | Picasso Nelson | Sheridan All-American |
| 1996 | DB | Sean Woodson | Div. I-AA First Team All-American |
| 1996 | LB | Otha Evans | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1999 | RB | Destry Wright | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1999 | WR | Sylvester Morris | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 1999 | DL | Eric Chandler | Div. I-AA All-American |
| 2011 | DL | Joseph Lebeau | FCS All-American |
| 2011 | DL | Joseph Lebeau | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2011 | QB | Casey Therriault | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2011 | TE | Renty Rollins | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2012 | WR | Rico Richardson | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2012 | WR | Rico Richardson | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2012 | DL | Joseph LeBeau | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2012 | DL | Joseph LeBeau | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2012 | DB | Qua Cox | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2013 | OL | Jordan Arthur | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2013 | DB | Qua Cox | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2015 | PK | Ryan Deising | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2015 | DL | Javancy Jones | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2015 | DL | Javancy Jones | Boxtorow All-American |
| 2016 | DL | Javancy Jones | Sheridan All-American Team |
| 2021 | DL | James Houston | Associated Press FCS All-American Team |
| 2022 | OL | Tyler Brown | Associated Press FCS All-American Team |
| 2022 | DL | Aubrey Miller Jr. | Associated Press FCS All-American Team |
Player of the Year
Jackson State players that received Player of the Year honors.[citation needed][when?]
| Year | Position | Player | Honor | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Sylvester Collins | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 1973 | Walter Payton | RB | SWAC Player of the Year | |
| 1973 | Walter Payton | RB | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year | |
| 1974 | Walter Payton | RB | Chevrolet - Mutual Black Network Player of the Year | |
| 1977 | Jessie Griffin | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1979 | Perry Harrington | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 1980 | Larry Werts | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1981 | Keith Taylor | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 1982 | Mario Kirksey | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1985 | Jackie Walker | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1985 | Daryl Jones | RB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year | |
| 1986 | Kevin Dent | DB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1987 | Lewis Tillman | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 1987 | Andre Lloyd | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1988 | Kevin Dent | DB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1988 | Lewis Tillman | RB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 1989 | Darion Conner | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 1989 | Ike Ayozie | K | SWAC Newcomer of the Year | |
| 1990 | Marlo Perry | LB | SWAC Freshman of the Year | |
| 1995 | Picasso Nelson | LB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year | |
| 1996 | Sean Woodson | DB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 1997 | Corey Bradford | WR | SWAC Newcomer of the Year | |
| 1998 | Sylvester Morris | WR | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 1999 | Tommy Head | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 2000 | Robert Kent | QB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year | |
| 2002 | Terry Ross | WR | SWAC Freshman of the Year | |
| 2008 | Marcellus Speaks | DL | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 2008 | Marcellus Speaks | DL | Boxtorow National Defensive Player of the Year | |
| 2010 | Casey Therriault | QB | SWAC Newcomer of the Year | |
| 2010 | Casey Therriault | QB | Boxtorow National Newcomer of the Year | |
| 2011 | Casey Therriault | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 2011 | Casey Therriault | QB | Boxtorow National Player of the Year | |
| 2011 | Joseph LeBeau | DE | SWAC Newcomer of the Year | |
| 2012 | Rico Richardson | WR | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | |
| 2013 | Javancy Jones | DL | SWAC Freshman of the Year | |
| 2019 | Keonte Hampton | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | [13] |
| 2022 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | SWAC Offensive Player of the Year | [14] |
| 2022 | Aubrey Miller Jr. | LB | SWAC Defensive Player of the Year | [15] |
| 2022 | Shedeur Sanders | QB | Boxtorow Offensive Player of the Year | [16] |
| 2022 | Aubrey Miller Jr. | LB | Boxtorow Defensive Player of the Year | [17] |
College Football Hall of Fame members
Pro football alumni
As of 2017[update], Jackson State has produced over 90 pro football players including four who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 16 who have been selected to play in the Pro Bowl.[18] Notable players include:
Economic impact
In 2021, Jackson State football was responsible for having a $30 million positive economic impact on Jackson's economy. Jackson State's football program is considered the most powerful in the Division I FCS in regards to generating a notable economic impact and drawing public interest.[19][20]
Facilities
Jackson State University owns and operates Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium affectionately known as "The Vet".[21] The 60,492-seat stadium has been the home field of Jackson State football since 1970.[22] For many years, the stadium was the largest in Mississippi until 2016.[23] In 2024, The Vet won the championship in the College Football Campus Tour Best FCS Stadium Invitational, beating out the Kibbie Dome in Idaho in the title round with 58% of nearly 12,000 votes.[24]