Jeremy Anderson
Associate Editor
The Tigers of both Jackson State University and Tennessee State University will face off in the 26th Annual Southern Heritage Classic on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Memphis.
This rivalry game between two premier historically black universities is always a celebration of life and culture with many activities to partake in leading up to the game. The Southern Heritage Classic (SHC), always held on the second Saturday of September, consistently ranks among the most attended HBCU games each season.
This year’s activities begin on Thursday, with a business conference, a college fair, a VIP party and concert by the “Empress of Soul” Gladys Knight. Knight’s concert will be held in the Orpheum Theatre at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10.
On Friday, Sept. 11, Tom Joyner will host his morning show live from Memphis. A Greek step show will take place later that night at 7 p.m. in the Southwest Tennessee Community College/Nabors Auditorium. At 7:30 p.m., the Classic Music Festival will take place in the Landers Center with musical performances by Anthony Hamilton, Johnny Gill, Avery Sunshine, Jammin Jay Lamont, and Johnny Gill.
As far as the football game goes, the always anticipated matchup lines up to be a good one.
Tennessee State is coming off a tough win against Alabama State University last week.
TSU, losing 14-3 at the end of the third quarter, stormed back to defeat the Hornets of Alabama State 24-14. TSU took control of the game in the last period as TSU outscored ASU 21-0 in the fourth quarter.
TSU head coach Rod Reed improved to 15-4 against other HBCUs with the win last week.
Unlike last year, Jackson State will not enter the Southern Heritage Classic with a winning record.
JSU fell to FBS Middle Tennessee State last week 70-14.
JSU hung around until about midway through the second quarter. MTSU then began to run away with the game.
Dan Williams and Stacey Noble proved to be highlights in spite of the defeat. Williams caught seven passes for 130 yards and one touchdown. Noble recorded 12 tackles.
Against TSU, Jackson State will need to find a solid running game to complement its passing attack. Last year, Jackson State failed to gain a net rushing yard for the entire game, which ended as a 35-7 loss for JSU.
JSU must also find a rhythm in the passing game in order to beat Tennessee State. JSU had troubles getting the offense moving in last year’s matchup.
Defensively, JSU can’t allow TSU to control the clock as they did last year.
Although JSU hasn’t beaten Tennessee State since 2011, JSU has a good shot at ending that streak this year.
JSU has many experienced players returning on both sides of the ball, and are eager to get back to the winning tradition.
In the history of this matchup, TSU has won 14 of the 23 games played since the beginning of the SHC in 1990.
Last year’s attendance was 46,914. Look for another big crowd this year when the two teams finally meet up in Memphis at 6 p.m. in the Liberty Bowl.
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