JACKSON, Miss. – The Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State turned in one their strongest defensive performance of the season Saturday but were unable to come away with the win as they fell 23-7 to Jackson State.
 
At Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium, the Delta Devils held their opponent to 335 yards or less for the second consecutive game, and gave up the fewest points they have allowed all season.
 
Jett Even made his season debut at quarterback for the Delta Devils and completed 16 out of 35 passes for 182 yards. Dejerric Bryant completed six out of eight passes for Valley, including a 24-yard touchdown strike to John Derrick Smith in the third quarter.
 
Defensively, Valley was led by Tadarius Davis' 10 tackles, followed by nine tackles apiece from Tracy Thompkins and Adam Hamilton. Thompkins had a tackle for loss, while Hamilton and Jerry Garner each recorded a sack of JSU quarterback Jarrad Hayes.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, the Delta Devils struggled to run the football, with Henry Isaiah Robinson's four yards on two carries leading the team. Valley was held to 194 yards of total offense.
 
Jackson State put together two scoring drives for touchdowns in the first quarter, and tacked on two field goals in the second quarter to take a 20-0 lead into halftime.
 
Mississippi Valley State got on the scoreboard late in the third quarter with a 10-play, 55-yard drive that was capped with Bryant's 24-yard touchdown pass to Smith. The Delta Devils alternated quarterbacks Bryant and Even throughout the drive.
 
The Delta Devils return to the gridiron Saturday, Oct. 20, when they host Arkansas–Pine Bluff as part of Mississippi Valley State University's Homecoming festivities.