Jackson State to open season at Mississippi State

Feb 16, 2012 - 3:06 PM Jackson, MS (Sports Network) - Jackson State will kick off its 2012 football season against Mississippi State - the Tigers' first game against a FBS opponent in three years.

The Tigers will travel to Starksville on Sept. 1. They opened their 2009 season with a 45-7 loss to Mississippi State in their most recent FBS game.

Jackson State will stay on the road the next two weeks, playing Tennessee State in the Southern Heritage Classic on Sept. 8 in Memphis, Tenn., then going to Texas Southern on Sept. 15 for its Southwestern Athletic Conference opener.

The Tigers will play eight other SWAC games, including home match-ups versus Southern (Sept. 22), Prairie View A&M (Sept. 29), Mississippi Valley State (Oct. 20, Homecoming), Alabama A&M (Nov. 10) and Alcorn State (Nov. 17) in the Capital City Classic.

Their conference road games are at Texas Southern (Sept. 15), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Oct. 6), Alabama State (Oct. 13) and 2011 SWAC champion Grambling State (Nov. 3).

2012 Jackson State Football Schedule

Sept. 1, at Mississippi State

Sept. 8, vs. Tennessee State in Memphis, Tenn.

Sept. 15, at Texas Southern*

Sept 22, Southern*

Sept. 29, Prairie View A&M*

Oct. 6, at Arkansas-Pine Bluff*

Oct. 13, at Alabama State*

Oct. 20, Mississippi Valley State* (Homecoming)

Nov. 3, at Grambling State*

Nov. 10, Alabama A&M*

Nov. 17, Alcorn State*

* - SWAC game