DIGEST ART
The stage is set, this Saturday night, in Baton Roug. The energy at A.W. Mumford Stadium will be impossible to miss. Jackson State is coming to town, and for Southern, that means more than just another football game, it’s the BoomBox Classic! Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., and with ESPN+ carrying the broadcast, fans across the country will get a look at one of the SWAC’s most storied rivalries. For the two fan bases, though, it’s bigger than TV slots or national attention. This game is about pride, bragging rights, and proving which team owns the moment when the bands and the crowds are at their loudest.
Jackson State enters the matchup at 2-1, playing like a team that knows exactly who it is. The Tigers have leaned on their ground game, pounding defenses for more than 270 yards a contest. Running back Ahmad Miller has been the engine, consistently moving the chains and wearing down defenses. Quarterback JaCobian Morgan has played within the system, stepping up with timely throws when needed, while letting the run game set the tone. His connection with wideout Kobe Paul has kept defenses honest and prevented opponents from loading the box against the rush “Our offensive line has set the tone,” head coach T.C. Taylor said earlier this week. “If we keep controlling the trenches, the rest of our game flows naturally.” The defense has done its part too, limiting opponents to just 17 points per game. Simply put, Jackson State is balanced, tough, and confident heading into conference play.
Southern’s story has been tougher so far. Sitting at 1-3, the Jaguars have struggled to get into rhythm. They’re scoring just over 15 points a game while giving up more than twice that, a gap that’s hard to overcome no matter how much heart you play with. Quarterback Cam’Ron McCoy has flashed potential through the air, and running back Trey Holly continues to fight for every yard, but turnovers and missed opportunities have hurt the offense. On defense, the Jaguars have had trouble slowing anyone down, especially through the air. Still, head coach Terrence Graves remains optimistic. “We’ve got talent,” he said after last week’s loss. “Now it’s about execution. Rivalry games have a way of bringing the best out of players.”
That’s the wild card in this one: emotion. The BoomBox Classic isn’t just about who has the better stats on paper. It’s about who rises to the moment. Southern fans will pack Mumford Stadium, bringing the noise and energy that can rattle any opponent. For the Jaguars, that support could be the spark they need to flip their season around. For Jackson State, it’s a chance to prove that their early momentum is no fluke. And when these two programs collide under the lights, one thing is certain: the BoomBox Classic will deliver the kind of drama that only college football — and this rivalry in particular — can provide.