On December 6, 2007, South Alabama's Board of Trustees approved the addition of football to the intercollegiate athletics program.

According to then South Alabama Student Government Association President Ravi Rajendra, "The introduction of the trophy to the rivalry will offer a new way for Jag Nation to connect with our football program.

"[7] In 2017, the Sun Belt Conference announced to split its football member schools to two divisions starting for the 2018 season.

This rivalry became the only protected cross-divisional series in the conference until in 2022, Troy was moved to the West Division to accommodate the addition of new members Southern Miss, James Madison, Old Dominion, and Marshall.

[14] In a game where South Alabama dominated the stats, the Jags suffered a one-point loss in a battle that featured two lead changes in the final minutes, including a game-winning Troy touchdown with 7 seconds left on the clock.

Troy had a huge pep rally with a bonfire on campus (in which Jaguar merchandise was burned) the Thursday night before the game.

Troy missed two field goals and barely avoided the first shutout in the series by scoring a touchdown and two point conversion with 6:16 left in the game.

[18] The 7th game of the series saw Troy come to Mobile trying to avenge their shocking loss to South Alabama a year prior.

Troy was able to pull away in the second half despite committing three turnovers throughout the game by holding South Alabama without a touchdown and forcing a pick six.

[20] In the first game of the series to take place in South Alabama's new Hancock Whitney stadium, Troy shut out the Jaguars 29–0.

Troy jumped out to a 27–0 halftime lead and held South Alabama without a trip to the red zone.

A blocked South Alabama punt for a safety were the only points scored in the second half as Troy cruised to an easy victory and retained the Belt for the third straight year.

South Alabama got an early 7–0 lead but lost their starting quarterback on the opening possession to injury.

South Alabama only scored two field goals in the 2nd half but forced 3 turnovers throughout the game and held Troy without a touchdown until late in the 4th quarter.