2023 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge

The HBCU football games will kickoff in Week 0 at the 2023 MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

WEEK 0 - 2023 CRICKET MEAC/SWAC CHALLENGE

South Carolina State at Jackson State

HOW TO WATCH

Date: Saturday, Aug 26
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta, GA
TV Channel: ABC, ABC App
Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

JACKSON STATE

• The two-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference Champion Jackson State Tigers are poised to begin a new era in the proud, storied history of the football program with an alum taking the reigns. Former quarterback and wide receiver Head Coach T.C. Taylor will lead his Alma Mater in the 2023 season opener in the Cricket MEACSWAC Challenge Kickoff against South Carolina State in a rematch of the 2021 Cricket Celebration Bowl.

• Taylor was named head coach in December 2022 prior to the Cricket Celebration Bowl after spending the previous four seasons as an assistant coach on the JSU staff coaching tight ends and receivers. Taylor, the 22nd head coach in program history and current single-season receptions leader at JSU, has spent nearly 20 years in coaching at Coahoma Community College, Texas Southern, and North Carolina Central before coming to JSU (full bio page 4).

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE

Longtime head coach Oliver "Buddy" Pough announced his retirement from his head coaching position with the Bulldogs.
Head coach since 2002, Pough has amassed a 146–87 overall record and a 112–42 conference record. That makes him the winningest head coach in SC State football history.
10 All-MEAC players will return to the Bulldogs this season.

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SERIES HISTORY

• This will be the sixth matchup between the Tigers and the Bulldogs, all played since 1991. Jackson State won the first two meetings in the series (17-6 in Jackson in 1991; 41-3 in Columbia, S.C. in 1992). South Carolina State has won the last three matchups (34-33 in Indianapolis in 1993; 26-22 in Columbia in 1994; 31-10 in Atlanta in 2021).

PREDICTION

Jackson State 27, South Carolina State 14

GAME EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 26

2:30 PM – Coca-Cola Fan Experience
6:30 PM (Summer Hill Lot A)
3:30 PM Doug E. Fresh Appearance
3:40 PM Coca-Cola Stage (Summer Hill Lot A)
3:45 PM High School Jamboree 4:15 PM
4:30 PM College Band Jamboree 5:30 PM
Bands will enter Stadium through Gate-9 or 10 SCSU Band (Sec 101), JSU Band (122)
6:00 p.m. TEAMS ARRIVE—GATES OPEN
6:45 p.m. Zero Quarter Pre-Game—45-min before kickoff Band Performances (Center Parc Stadium)
7:30 PM Kick-off—LIVE on ABC: South Carolina State v. Jackson State
Post game Trophy Presentation/Award/News Conferences
5th Qtr Post-Game—45-min after game; Band Performances (Center Parc Stadium)

Published Aug 26, 2023

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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