A Look Back: Southern Miss and Jackson State Meet on Historic 1987 Day
9/3/2025 2:15:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – When Southern Miss and Jackson State met on the gridiron for the first time in 1987, it provided a landmark setting for college football in the state of Mississippi.
Never had one of the big three in the Magnolia State met with a school from a Historically Black University on the biggest stage in collegiate sports. A fever-pitched crowd of 33,687 – a then school record - filled M.M. Roberts Stadium and they were rewarded with a fantastic contest.
While Southern Miss won the game 17-7, the Tigers put up a fight all the way until the end.
"One thing ought to be clear," said Golden Eagle coach Jim Carmody following the game. "Jackson State is as good or perhaps better than a lot of Division I teams that we play. They make few mistakes. They are sound fundamentally. They are well motivated and well coached. And when they tackle you, you stay tackled."
Golden Eagle place kicker Chris Seroka opened that Halloween afternoon game by kicking off under clear skies and 80-degree weather to help history be made.
A defensive showdown dominated the opening half as the two teams were held scoreless. The Tigers outgained the Golden Eagles 137-62 over the first 30 minutes behind an outstanding performance from All-American running back Lewis Tillman.
Three fruitless possessions by both schools opened the second half before the Golden Eagles finally got on the board with a 72-yard punt return from James Henry with 4:09 left in the period. It was one of four punts he returned for a score that season and that total continues to be a single-season school record.
Southern Miss then added a seven-yard scoring run by Shelton Gandy with 8:41 left to go in the contest before intercepting a pass on the first play of JSU's next drive. That led to a Seroka 44-yard field goal just over a minute and a half later to give the home squad a 17-0 advantage.
The Tigers finally got on the board on a Tillman one-yard run late in the contest as he finished with a game-high 164 yards rushing on 32 carries.
Golden Eagle freshman quarterback Brett Favre threw for 64 yards, including a 54-yard pass to Darryl Tillman, on 3-of-7 throws.
One witness from that day included the 48-year Voice of the Golden Eagles, John Cox, who remembered that day:
"It was one of the best atmospheres I have ever seen in Roberts Stadium that day. I remember looking out about two hours before kickoff and the stands were already about 75 percent full. The campus was packed, and the roads were backed up in all directions as people tried to get into Hattiesburg for the game.
"Once the game started, it might have been the hardest hitting game that I have ever seen on both sides of the ball. Two great defenses squared off that day and it was ironic that the biggest play was a punt return by James Henry, which was the difference in the game. It was a lot of fun to be a part of that one and an afternoon that I will always remember. It was a true classic!"
The two teams renew their series this weekend when they play at The Rock at 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
Never had one of the big three in the Magnolia State met with a school from a Historically Black University on the biggest stage in collegiate sports. A fever-pitched crowd of 33,687 – a then school record - filled M.M. Roberts Stadium and they were rewarded with a fantastic contest.
While Southern Miss won the game 17-7, the Tigers put up a fight all the way until the end.
"One thing ought to be clear," said Golden Eagle coach Jim Carmody following the game. "Jackson State is as good or perhaps better than a lot of Division I teams that we play. They make few mistakes. They are sound fundamentally. They are well motivated and well coached. And when they tackle you, you stay tackled."
Golden Eagle place kicker Chris Seroka opened that Halloween afternoon game by kicking off under clear skies and 80-degree weather to help history be made.
A defensive showdown dominated the opening half as the two teams were held scoreless. The Tigers outgained the Golden Eagles 137-62 over the first 30 minutes behind an outstanding performance from All-American running back Lewis Tillman.
Three fruitless possessions by both schools opened the second half before the Golden Eagles finally got on the board with a 72-yard punt return from James Henry with 4:09 left in the period. It was one of four punts he returned for a score that season and that total continues to be a single-season school record.
Southern Miss then added a seven-yard scoring run by Shelton Gandy with 8:41 left to go in the contest before intercepting a pass on the first play of JSU's next drive. That led to a Seroka 44-yard field goal just over a minute and a half later to give the home squad a 17-0 advantage.
The Tigers finally got on the board on a Tillman one-yard run late in the contest as he finished with a game-high 164 yards rushing on 32 carries.
Golden Eagle freshman quarterback Brett Favre threw for 64 yards, including a 54-yard pass to Darryl Tillman, on 3-of-7 throws.
One witness from that day included the 48-year Voice of the Golden Eagles, John Cox, who remembered that day:
"It was one of the best atmospheres I have ever seen in Roberts Stadium that day. I remember looking out about two hours before kickoff and the stands were already about 75 percent full. The campus was packed, and the roads were backed up in all directions as people tried to get into Hattiesburg for the game.
"Once the game started, it might have been the hardest hitting game that I have ever seen on both sides of the ball. Two great defenses squared off that day and it was ironic that the biggest play was a punt return by James Henry, which was the difference in the game. It was a lot of fun to be a part of that one and an afternoon that I will always remember. It was a true classic!"
The two teams renew their series this weekend when they play at The Rock at 4 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
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