Jacksonville, Fla. — Edward Waters University will hit the road for the first time is season to take on Jackson State University in the HOPE Labor Day Classic on Saturday, September 29 at 7:00 pm EST inside the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Saturday also provides Edward Waters with an opportunity to erase the memory of its only previous meeting with Jackson State — a 53-0 JSU victory in 2021.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets Must Be Purchased Online At:
https://gojsutigers.myimpacttickets.com/football
BROADCAST INFORMATION:
Channel: HBCU GO
Broadcasters: Cam Galloway/Tolly Carr/Nia Simone
Broadcast Link: https://siacnetwork.tv/ewutigers/
Live Stats Link: https://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=658660
Live Audio Link: https://www.wjsu.org/
WEATHER REPORT:
Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. — Fair weather conditions for an exciting HBCU classic game under the lights.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Edward Waters arrives after one of the most explosive quarters of the opening weekend. The Tigers overcame an early 15-7 deficit against Florida Memorial by scoring 35 unanswered points in the second quarter, building a 42-15 halftime advantage before finishing off a 42-28 Unity Classic victory. The win snapped Edward Waters' three-game losing streak against Florida Memorial and gave the Tigers a 1-0 start for the third consecutive season.
COACHING RECORDS:
Brian Jenkins (EWU): 6-5, 2nd season
T.C. Taylor (JSU): 29-9, 4th season
SERIES HISTORY
Jackson State's February 2026 schedule announcement described the 2026 Edward Waters game as the programs' first meeting. However, both schools' official opponent-history databases document a Feb. 21, 2021 game, and Jackson State's official recap and historical records confirm the result. Therefore, the correct series designation is Jackson State leads 1-0.
The 2021 meeting came during the pandemic-delayed spring season at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Jackson State defeated Edward Waters 53-0 in what was the collegiate head-coaching debut of Deion Sanders.
Jackson State led 10-0 after the first quarter and 31-0 at halftime before adding 22 more points after intermission. The Tigers generated 435 yards of total offense while holding Edward Waters to only 104 total yards.
- 2021: Jackson State 53, Edward Waters 0
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Edward Waters — QB Tavion Faulk
Faulk delivered one of the strongest quarterback performances of SIAC Week 0, completing 20-of-30 passes for 289 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed for a touchdown, accounting for four of Edward Waters' six scores. His ability to protect the football while creating explosive plays will be critical against Jackson State's defense.
Edward Waters — WR Izaiah Jean-Baptiste
Jean-Baptiste emerged as Faulk's top target with seven receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 20.0 yards per catch. His scoring receptions covered 10 and 31 yards, and his 140 receiving yards accounted for nearly 44 percent of Edward Waters' passing production.
Edward Waters — RB Johntarrious Thomas
Thomas led the Tigers on the ground with 11 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown, including a 30-yard scoring run during Edward Waters' 35-point second quarter. He also caught a pass for 11 yards. His ability to give EWU balance will be important against a Jackson State defense that held Tennessee State to only 89 rushing yards.
Edward Waters — LB Trevon French
The Week 0 SIAC Defensive Player of the Week, French was everywhere defensively against Florida Memorial, finishing with a game-high 16 tackles, including four solo stops and 12 assists. He also made an impact on special teams and in creating turnovers, recovering a fumble and blocking a kick. With Jackson State showing the ability to establish the running game in Week 0, French figures to be at the center of Edward Waters' defensive game plan as the Tigers look to slow the Jackson State offense.
Edward Waters — LB Aykenon Rodgers
Rodgers registered 13 tackles against Florida Memorial, including four solo stops, and added a pass breakup. Combined with French, he gives Edward Waters a productive linebacker tandem that will be challenged by Jackson State's 180-yard Week 0 rushing attack.
Edward Waters — DB Tamarr Fairman
Fairman made one of the game's biggest defensive plays, intercepting David Buggs and returning the takeaway 31 yards to the Florida Memorial 28-yard line. Three plays later, Edward Waters scored to extend its lead to 28-15. Fairman's ability to create another short field could be important in Jackson.
Jackson State — QB Jared Lockhart
Lockhart was efficient in his first start of the season, completing 17-of-26 passes for 222 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also contributed 32 rushing yards. His 88-yard touchdown pass to Jabari Jones gave Jackson State its first score and demonstrated the explosive element EWU must defend.
Jackson State — RB Nate Blount IV
Blount gave Jackson State a 100-yard rusher in the opener, carrying 15 times for 101 yards, an average of 6.7 yards per attempt. Jackson State rushed for 180 yards as a team, while Edward Waters allowed Florida Memorial to gain 128 yards on the ground.
Jackson State — WR Jabari Jones
Jones caught four passes for 117 yards and a touchdown, averaging 29.3 yards per reception. His 88-yard touchdown accounted for more than half of his receiving total and more than half of Jackson State's first half passing production. He represents the Tigers' primary downfield threat entering Week 1.
Jackson State — K Andrew Ivaniciuc
Ivaniciuc was arguably Jackson State's most consequential player in the opener. He connected on four of five field goals, making kicks from 38, 45, 51 and 21 yards. His 21-yarder with 2:31 remaining produced the winning points. He accounted for 14 of Jackson State's 26 points when his two extra points were included.
Jackson State — LB Kam Sallis
Sallis led the Jackson State defense with seven tackles against Tennessee State. He helped anchor a unit that surrendered only 89 rushing yards and 2.7 yards per attempt.
Jackson State — LB Keith Bass
Bass recorded six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and Jackson State's only sack in the victory. His ability to generate pressure will be particularly important against Faulk, who was not sacked in 30 pass attempts against Florida Memorial.
LOOKING AHEAD
After the HOPE Labor Day Classic, the Tigers will continue their road trip as they open SIAC play visiting the Golden Bears of Miles College on Saturday, September 12 in the Prince Hall Americanism Football Classic. The game will be held at Sloan-Alumni Stadium and kickoff is scheduled for 2:00pm local time and will be nationally televised on the SIAC Network.
Follow The Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWU_Athletics (Twitter), /EWUTigers (Facebook) and @EWU_Athletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters Athletics at EWUTigerPride.com.
