JACKSON – Mississippi Valley State jumped ahead quickly in their contest against the Jackson State Tigers, leading at one point 14-3. Jackson State rallied back to score 13 unanswered points to take the victory 16-14.
Austin Bray was the starting quarterback for the contest. The Tigers won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. With the opening kickoff, Booker Chambers returned the ball 21-yards to the Mississippi Valley 26, however a illegal block returned the line of scrimmage to the MVSU 10-yard line. Bray completed a 16-yard pass to Jessie Bryant for a MVSU first down. A series of plays ended with a punt by the Delta Devils.
The possession by the Tigers resulted in a punt due to the diligence of the Mississippi Valley defense. MVSU's second possession of the contest was bizarre. On a fourth and one Bray hit Joshua Banks for an 18-yard gain. The next fourth down of the drive saw the Delta Devils' 35-yard field goal blocked and recovered by Jackson State, however an illegal procedure penalty against the Tigers gave MVSU the ball back and a first and goal. Chambers was pushed back for a three-yard loss for a second down. A five-yard penalty backed the Delta Devils up further from the end zone; however a 17-yard bomb to Chambers found Mississippi Valley in the Tigers' end zone. The point after sailed through the uprights with ease.
In the second, after the automatic first down due to pass interference by Jackson, Bray had a 15-yard carry. The second touchdown for The Valley came on a quarterback keeper as Bray dashed into the end zone to cap a six play, 72-yard drive. The point after took the Delta Devils up 14-0. Jackson found the end zone on a series of passing and scampering for yards.
In the second half, after the first time out, Slade Jarman was brought in as QB. His first play was a pass to Bryant. By this time there were six minutes remaining in the third, no score update and not many yards covered. Unsportsmanlike conduct was given to a player on each team at the second down for MVSU.
MVSU attempted a field goal that bounced off the right post, which ultimately was the Delta Devils' last chance to score and take the lead. Bray completed 17 of 24 attempts for 164 yards, one touchdown and conceded one interception. Jarman connected on three of eight passes for 37 yards.
On the ground, Jarman picked up 34-net yards on six rushing attempts. Chambers pulled down four passes for 51-yards and one touchdown for the contest. Bryant also tallied 51-yards on four receptions.
Defensively, Reggie Jackson tallied 12 tackles – three solo and nine assists, 1.5 tackles for a loss of three, one force fumble and one interception. Mark Pegues added 10 tackles (four solo and six assists) and 0.5 tackles for a loss of two-yards. Marquis Green finished with two solo and five assists for seven total tackles and 0.5 tackles for a loss of two yards. Bryant Jones added seven tackles (two solo and five assists). Khalil Young had a field day for Mississippi Valley with five solo tackles, one assist, 1.0 tackles for a loss of 12-yards, two force fumbles and one fumble recovery.
