At a recent media day in Mississippi, Jackson State, Millsaps, and Belhaven gathered to outline their plans for the 2026 football season, each program framing the upcoming fall camp as a critical building block for the months ahead.
Jackson State enters the year as the reigning SWAC East champion, having posted a 9‑3 overall record and a 7‑1 conference slate last season. The Tigers will open the schedule on August 29 at Vanderbilt’s FirstBank Stadium against Tennessee State, marking their first meeting since 2022.
Head coach T.C. Taylor said the team is staying laser‑focused on weekly objectives rather than distant aspirations such as a return to the Cricket Celebration Bowl, emphasizing that the present week is the only thing they can control.
Millsaps, under third‑year coach Brandon Lechtenberg, celebrated its first winning season in more than a decade with a 6‑4 finish in 2025. The Majors will host Belhaven on September 3 for the Riverside Rumble, seeking retribution after a 50‑24 defeat the previous year.
Rivalry Reignites
The September 3 matchup will pit Millsaps against Belhaven in a contest that last year saw Belhaven dominate 50‑24. Both coaching staffs view the game as a litmus test for early‑season form and a chance to set the tone for conference play.
Belhaven, in its third season under new head coach C.J. Nightingale, also finished 6‑4 last year and has maintained a .500 or better record for six straight seasons. Nightingale’s staff is working to sustain that momentum as the team prepares for its September 3 showdown with Millsaps.
Across all three campuses, fall camp has been marked by sweltering heat, prompting coaches to lean heavily on training staff to keep players hydrated and safe. The physical demands have added an extra layer of preparation to the already intense competition.