The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge has unveiled its future matchups, giving the HBCU football showcase season-opening matchups with proven programs and familiar storylines.
It all starts in 2027 with Morgan State facing Alabama State in Atlanta.
Jackson State will meet Norfolk State in 2028, while South Carolina State and Alcorn State will square off in 2029. Dates, kickoff times, locations and television information will be announced later.
Jackson State faces matchup with Michael Vick and Spartans
Jackson State will make its fourth Challenge appearance when it faces Norfolk State, which returns to the event for the second time after nearly knocking off Florida A&M in one of the closest games in Challenge history.
The Tigers are 1-2 all-time in the event, with appearances in 2008, 2019 and 2023, and broke through with a 37-7 win over South Carolina State in front of 24,238 fans — the largest crowd since the game moved to Atlanta.
Norfolk State made its Challenge debut in 2024, losing 24-23 to Florida A&M. The 2028 meeting will be the first between Jackson State and Norfolk State in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
South Carolina State versus Alcorn State
The 2029 matchup will bring together South Carolina State, one of the event’s most successful HBCU football teams in the country, and Alcorn State, which is still seeking its first Challenge victory. South Carolina State owns a 3-2 record in the event and has wins over Alabama State, Grambling State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, while also falling to Southern and Jackson State.
Alcorn State has one completed Challenge game and one no-contest in its previous appearances, losing to North Carolina Central in 2021 after a 2016 meeting with Bethune-Cookman was stopped by lightning and later ruled a no-contest. The 2029 game will be the first Challenge meeting between South Carolina State and Alcorn State.
