NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2026 John A. Merritt Classic delivered everything HBCU football fans could have hoped for — a weekend full of tradition, competitive football and a dramatic finish.

As part of the 10th Annual HBCU Football and Recruitment Tour Presented by the HBCU Campaign Fund, the HBCU Football and Recruitment Tour media team was on the ground in Nashville as Jackson State University and Tennessee State University renewed their storied rivalry at FirstBank Stadium on August 29.

Tennessee State carried a 17-10 lead into halftime before Jackson State responded with 13 unanswered points in the third quarter. The Tigers regained the lead late in the fourth quarter, but Jackson State answered with a 77-yard drive that set up Andrew Ivaniciuc’s game-winning 21-yard field goal with 2:31 remaining.

Jackson State’s Jabari Jones earned Offensive MVP honors after recording 117 receiving yards and an 88-yard touchdown, while Ivaniciuc finished 4-for-5 on field-goal attemps.

Despite the narrow loss, Tennessee State delivered a strong performnance in front of more than 32,000 fans, with quarterback Daylin Lee accounting for 305 yards of total offense and two touchdowns.

For the Annual HBCU Football and Recruitment Tour Presented by the HBCU Campaign Fund, the John Merritt Classic represented more than another football game. It was an opportunity to celebrate HBCU tradition, showcase the culture of the HBCU football and continue the organization’s commitment to student success, recruitment, and exposure for HBCUs.

The Classic honored the enduring legacy of legendary Coach John Merritt while bringing two historic programs together for an unforgettable night in Nashville.

The tour continues this weekend in Montgomery, Alabama, for the Labor Day Classic featuring Lane College and Alabama State University. The tour will also continue on Sunday with the HBCU Labor Day Classic Battle of the Bands, bringing together the energy, culture and tradition that make HBCU events such an important part of the Black college experience.

Learn more about the Annual HBCU Football and Recruitment Tour Presented by the HBCU Campaign Fund here.

About the Annual HBCU Football and Recruitment Tour
The Annual HBCU Football and Recruitment Tour Presented by the HBCU Campaign Fund is an initiative that support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and football classics that feature HBCU football teams. The tour begins in September and goes through early December, kicking off with the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Football Media Day, ending with the SWAC Football Championship game, and visiting various football classics and HBCU campuses. The Division of College Relations and Scholarships joins the tour on specific dates to assist high school students with choosing to attend an HBCU. For more information, visit

About the HBCU Campaign Fund
The HBCU Campaign Fund (HCF) is an educational non-profit and advocacy organization dedicated to supporting HBCUs and MSIs. Founded in 2012, its core mission focuses on raising funds for student scholarships, developing campus programming, and advocating for higher education equity. For more information, visit www.hbcucampaignfund.org.

###