The Southern Jaguars are in the SWAC Championship against the Jackson State Tigers. Southern was picked to finish 4th in the SWAC West Division, but they proved wrong, as they are Division Champs. However, along their journey, they were victims of a blowout loss to Jackson State in September, losing 15-33. The last time Southern won a championship was 2013 against Jackson State, winning 34-27 in Houston. However, a lot has changed, and more is on the line. Southern was last in the championship in 2022, suffering a loss to Jackson State 24-43, so payback is warranted for the Jags, considering they lost 5 consecutive games against Jackson State.
The Jags are coming off a big win against in-state rival Grambling State in the Bayou Classic 24-14, but the players are ensuring they are locked in for their biggest matchup of the season. Southern has been strong with their rushing attack all season, being ranked 5th in the conference, with senior running backs Kobe Dillon and Kendric Rhymes being ranked 6th and 10th among players. The Jags also averaged the 4th highest passing yards per game in the conference despite using 3 different quarterbacks this year. Ultimately redshirt freshman Jalen Woods became the starter toward the end of the season. Southern will also rely heavily on their tenacious defense, having the 3rd best total defense in the SWAC right under Jackson State.
Jackson State is undefeated in conference play due to their loss against Grambling State not being included in a conference game. Jackson State plays with a physical nature, allowing them to have the best-rushing offense in the conference, contributing to them scoring the most points per game (PPG) in the SWAC with 36.8. The Tigers star running back Irv Mulligan will be important for the Jags to contain as he is the only running back in the SWAC with over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Southern will have to play in an intense environment Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson, Mississippi, at 1 PM to shock the world and beat Jackson State. It’s a championship on the line, and pride is at stake and the potential for Southern to punch their ticket to the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta for the first time.
