BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A new era of Southern football officially begins Saturday afternoon.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk will make his collegiate head coaching debut when the Jaguars take on Alabama State in the Birmingham Football Classic at Legion Field.

Faulk takes over a Southern program looking to bounce back after a 2-10 season in 2025. The New Orleans native spent last season coaching running backs at Colorado before being named the 22nd head coach in Southern football history in December.

The Jaguars will get a tough test right out of the gate. The Alabama State Hornets finished 10-2 last season and enter 2026 picked to win the SWAC East. The game is designated as a non-conference matchup, meaning the result will not impact either team's SWAC divisional record.

The Hornets are led by quarterback Andrew Body, who was named the SWAC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Southern returns running back Trey Holly, who rushed for 904 yards and nine touchdowns last season, along with preseason All-SWAC safety Herman Brister III. The Jaguars will also have defensive lineman Ckelby Givens available after he was granted a temporary restraining order allowing him to play.

The Jaguars and Hornets will kick off at 2 p.m., with the game airing on ESPNU.