It is loud. Honestly, that is the first thing you notice when you walk into the stadium for a Southern University vs Jackson State game. It isn’t just the "stadium noise" you get at a typical SEC or Big Ten game. It is a vibrating, rhythmic soul-shaking wall of sound that starts three hours before kickoff and doesn't quit until long after the stadium lights go dark.
They call it the BoomBox Classic.
Why? Because for most fans, the battle between Southern’s Human Jukebox and Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South is just as important as the score on the scoreboard. Sometimes, it’s actually more important. If you haven't been to Baton Rouge or Jackson for this specific weekend, you’re basically missing out on one of the most culturally significant rivalries in American sports.
The Rivalry That Almost Wasn't
People think these two have been at each other's throats forever. Not exactly. Southern and Jackson State actually played for the first time way back in 1929. Southern won that game 98-0. Yeah, you read that right. Nearly a hundred points to zero. After that absolute shellacking, they didn't play again for nearly 30 years.
It wasn't until 1958, when JSU joined the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), that this became an annual thing. Since then, it has evolved into a chess match for conference dominance. Both schools sit near the top of the record books, with 19 SWAC titles each through the 2024 season.
Why the "BoomBox" Matters More Than the Football
If you ask a purist, they’ll tell you the "Zero Quarter" is where the real game starts. This is the period about an hour before kickoff when the bands enter the stadium.
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The Human Jukebox (Southern) is known for its precision and that massive, brass-heavy sound that can literally blow the hair back on your head. Then you’ve got the Sonic Boom of the South (Jackson State), which brings a level of pageantry and "big band" energy that’s hard to replicate.
- The Zero Quarter: The pre-game band entrance and stand-battle.
- The Halftime Show: Forget getting a hot dog; nobody leaves their seat.
- The Fifth Quarter: After the football game ends, the bands stay for another hour or more, trading songs until one side basically gives up.
It is a marathon. You’ve got to have stamina just to be a spectator. In September 2025, they even held a standalone "Battle of the Bands" on a Friday night at A.W. Mumford Stadium just because the demand to see these two groups go head-to-head is so high.
The Modern Era and the "Deion Effect"
Let’s be real: the rivalry changed when Deion Sanders showed up at Jackson State in 2020. Suddenly, the whole world was watching. In 2022, ESPN’s College GameDay actually showed up in Jackson for this matchup. It was only the fourth time the show had ever visited an HBCU campus.
Sanders brought the "Prime Effect," but the rivalry survived his departure to Colorado. In fact, it might have actually gotten more intense. Jackson State has been on a tear lately, winning seven straight against Southern as of late 2025. This includes some heartbreakers for the Jaguars, like the 2024 games where JSU won both the regular season and a post-season matchup.
Recent Football Results (The "Get Back" Era)
- September 2025: Jackson State 38, Southern 13 (A dominant showing in Baton Rouge)
- December 2024: Jackson State 41, Southern 13
- September 2024: Jackson State 33, Southern 15
- November 2021: The start of the current JSU win streak.
Before this current JSU streak, Southern actually held the upper hand for a long time. From 2013 to 2021, the Jaguars won eight in a row. It’s a pendulum. It swings back and forth, and right now, the Tigers in Mississippi are the ones holding the trophy.
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It’s Not Just About Football
You can’t talk about Southern University vs Jackson State without mentioning basketball. While football gets the TV contracts and the GameDay appearances, the hardwood rivalry is just as petty (in the best way possible).
Take the February 2025 matchup in Baton Rouge. It went into overtime. Southern clawed out a 91-89 win. The gym was so loud you couldn't hear the referees' whistles. In the SWAC, home-court advantage is everything, and these two fanbases travel better than almost anyone in the country.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that this is a "friendly" rivalry. Sorta, but not really. Within families, you’ll have a mom who went to Southern and a dad who went to JSU. They’ll eat boudin together at the tailgate, but once they enter the gate, the "FTP" (For The Pride) energy takes over.
There is a deep, underlying respect for the history of these programs, but the "hate" is real on game day. It’s about who has the better band, who has the better tailgating spread, and who currently "owns" the SWAC.
How to Experience it Properly
If you’re planning on attending a Southern University vs Jackson State game, there are a few "unwritten" rules you should probably know.
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First, get there early. If the game starts at 6 PM, the tailgate starts at 6 AM. The food is the best you will ever eat at a sporting event—think fried fish, smoked brisket, and jambalaya that has been simmering for hours.
Second, don't leave early. Even if the score is 40-0 in the fourth quarter, you stay for the Fifth Quarter. That’s when the bands really let loose. If you leave at the final whistle, you’ve only seen half the show.
Finally, check the venue. While they usually trade off between Baton Rouge and Jackson, this game is so big it sometimes moves to neutral sites like New Orleans or Mobile just to fit all the people.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Ticket Strategy: Buy your tickets at least two months in advance. The BoomBox Classic is almost always a guaranteed sell-out, especially when hosted at JSU's Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium.
- Travel Tips: If the game is in Baton Rouge, stay in North Baton Rouge near the campus for the full experience, but prepare for heavy traffic on Scenic Highway.
- Band Tracking: Follow the official band YouTube channels (Human Jukebox Online and Sonic Boom) the week of the game. They often drop "teasers" of the field show that build the hype.
- Apparel: Wear your colors. If you aren't in Columbia Blue and Navy (JSU) or Royal Blue and Gold (Southern), you’re going to feel like an outsider.
This rivalry is the heartbeat of the SWAC. Whether it's the football field, the basketball court, or the band stand, the Southern University vs Jackson State matchup remains the gold standard for HBCU sports. It's a spectacle of talent, culture, and pure, unadulterated competition that keeps fans coming back decade after decade.