After capturing the 2024 SWAC and HBCU National Championship with a remarkable 12-2 record, head coach T.C. Taylor enters his third season looking to defend the Tigers' title. Taylor, who was named the 2024 SWAC Coach of the Year, has his team tabbed as the SWAC East favorites for 2025. The Tigers' 2025 schedule features eight SWAC games, one FCS non-conference matchup, one non-D1 opponent, and one FBS opponent at Southern Miss.

2025 Jackson State Schedule:

• August 30: vs Hampton (The Vet)
• September 6: at Southern Miss
• September 13: vs Tuskegee (The Vet)
• September 27: at Southern
• October 4: Alabama A&M (Mobile, AL)
• October 11: vs Alabama State (The Vet)
• October 25: Grambling State (Las Vegas, NV)
• November 1: at Florida A&M
• November 8: at Mississippi Valley State
• November 15: vs Bethune-Cookman (The Vet)
• November 22: vs Alcorn State (The Vet)

The Tigers return key players including quarterback Jacobian Morgan and defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams, both leaders from the championship team. Coach Taylor has bolstered the roster through an impressive 2025 signing class, including 25 new players with 11 coming from the transfer portal, highlighted by Mississippi State transfer defensive back Khamauri Rogers.

Season tickets can be purchased online at gojsutigers.myimpacttickets.com/football, in person at The Vet (Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium) box office Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., via phone at 601-354-6021 (stadium) or 601-979-0845 (campus), or by email at jsuticketoffice@jsums.edu.

Learn more in our JSU Game Day Guide.

Belhaven enters the 2025 season under second-year head coach CJ Nightingale, who was hired as the eighth head coach in program history after the Blazers' historic 2023 season that included their first USA South Conference title and first NCAA Division III playoff appearance. Nightingale, a former collegiate player at Wheaton College, brings extensive experience at the NCAA Division III and NAIA levels.

2025 Belhaven Schedule:

• September 4 at 7 p.m.: vs Millsaps (Riverside Rumble at Belhaven Bowl Stadium)
• September 13: at Trinity (TX)
• September 20: vs Wisconsin-River Falls (Belhaven Bowl Stadium)
• October 4: vs Brevard College (Belhaven Bowl Stadium)
• October 11: at North Carolina Wesleyan
• October 18: vs Greensboro College (Belhaven Bowl Stadium)
• October 25: vs Methodist (Belhaven Bowl Stadium)
• November 1: at Southern Virginia
• November 8: at LaGrange College
• November 15: vs Huntingdon College (AL) (Belhaven Bowl Stadium)

The season begins with the traditional Riverside Rumble against crosstown rival Millsaps on Thursday, September 4 at 7 p.m. at Belhaven Bowl Stadium. Last year, Millsaps reclaimed the sword with a 23-21 upset over the Blazers. The Blazers aim to build upon their program's most successful era and return to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

For the latest news on Belhaven Blazers athletics, follow @BelhavenBlazers on Twitter and Instagram, and like them on Facebook.

The Millsaps Majors enter 2025 under second-year head coach Brandon Lechtenberg, a familiar face who returned to Jackson after serving as the team's defensive coordinator from 2011-2016. During his previous tenure, the Majors won two SAA titles in 2012 and 2013. Lechtenberg is a defensive-minded coach with experience at multiple collegiate levels and hopes to return SAA Conference championships to Millsaps.

2025 Millsaps Schedule:

• September 4: at Belhaven (Riverside Rumble at Belhaven Bowl Stadium)
• September 13: vs Centenary (Harper Davis Field)
• September 20: at Hendrix College
• October 4: at Centre College
• October 11: at Rhodes College
• October 18: vs Maryville College (TN) (Harper Davis Field)
• October 25: at Berry College
• November 1: vs Southwestern University (Harper Davis Field)
• November 8: at Trinity (TX)
• November 15: vs Sewanee (Harper Davis Field)

Lechtenberg's first game as head coach will be the season opener against rival Belhaven on September 4. The Majors compete in the Southern Athletic Association and will look to build a championship culture under their new leadership.

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the football program, follow the Majors on Twitter and Instagram, like Millsaps Majors Athletics on Facebook, or visit gomajors.com.