JSU Football: Tigers' run now 13

Photo: Jackson State wide receiver Jaymar Johnson is surrounded by the Mississippi Valley State defense after making one of his two catches that produced 32 yards.

By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger

Comegy: JSU 'starting to put it back together'

ITTA BENA — By midway through the fourth quarter, Jackson State's players were exchanging chest bumps and laughing while re-enacting their numerous touchdown drives.

Third-string quarterback Joseph Hawkins was warming up on the sidelines as the JSU crowd danced in the stands to the Sonic Boom's tunes.

It's been the same scene for 13 straight years - Jackson State celebrating at the expense of Mississippi Valley State. This time it wasn't even close, especially in the second half, as the Tigers ripped off a 50-16 victory in front of an announced crowd of 11,700 at Rice-Totten Stadium.

Saturday's victory signified a huge momentum swing for the Jackson State program. Two weeks ago, the Tigers were 0-2 and appeared lost on offense. But with two straight victories, JSU coach Rick Comegy said he's beginning to see his team develop into the powerhouse he imagined when he took over the program less than two years ago.

"I was hoping to build a team that could score a lot of points and keep the other (team) off the board," Comegy said. "And that's starting to come around now. We're still in the early stages...but we're starting to put it back together and Jackson State football is starting to develop."

A seesaw first half ended with a 1-yard touchdown run by JSU quarterback Jimmy Oliver, giving the Tigers a 20-13 lead. But in the second half, Jackson State (2-2 overall, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) unleashed a furious wave of offense that dominated the Delta Devils 30-3 in the second half.

Oliver was 15-of-23 passing for 262 yards and a touchdown. JSU's running backs combined to rush for 169 yards and 10 different JSU receivers had a reception.

"A few hours before the game, the coaches came up to me and said this was the night when we were going to open up the offense and hold nothing back," Oliver said. "That got me excited right there. Then all my receivers started making catches and we were moving that football like we used to do."

Photo: Jimmy Oliver directs traffic.

Though Jackson State hasn't lost to MVSU (1-3 overall, 1-3 SWAC) since 1995, many of the games have come down to the final couple minutes. That wasn't the case on Saturday, and a dejected Delta Devils' coach Willie Totten questioned his players.

"We've got to find some guys that can adjust to adversity," Totten said. "We had a few bad plays and the offense shut down. ... We didn't play good football. We haven't played good football in three weeks."

Jackson State outgained MVSU 473 yards to 253. The two game-breaking touchdowns came early in the third quarter, when JSU stretched a 20-13 halftime advantage to a 34-13 blowout in barely more than seven minutes.

The Delta Devils had little answer for Oliver, who carved up the MVSU defense. The Tigers also had a breakout game from running back Cody Hull, who rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

"We made a few (plays), but we gave up a thousand plays," MVSU defensive end Ronald Green said.

MVSU got another great game from freshman running back Ronald Brewer, who rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. He rushed for 148 yards against last week against Alabama A&M.

But it wasn't enough to offset an anemic passing game. Sophomore quarterback Paul Roberts completed 9-of-17 passes for 73 yards before being replaced in the fourth quarter.

The Jackson State defense put constant pressure on Roberts, sacking him four times. Sophomore safety Malcolm Palmer continued his impressive first season as a starter with 12 tackles, a forced fumble and half a sack.

"That first half we gave up some big plays, but later we tightened up," said senior Willie Williams, who had an interception in the third quarter. "It's great to see us really finish a game off. I'm proud of this group tonight."