Mississippi State, Mississippi Valley to kick off 2013 in Starkville

Itta Bena, Mississippi -- By 2013, Mississippi State will have paid more than $1 million to the state's three historically black universities for football games against them.

The Bulldogs will play Mississippi Valley State to open the 2013 season and will pay the Delta Devils $350,000 for the one-year deal, MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin said Tuesday.

Mississippi Valley, currently on a 14-game losing streak, will be the third Mississippi-based historically black university from the Southwestern Athletic Conference to travel to Scott Field over a five-year span.

Mississippi State played Jackson State in 2009, the first meeting between the schools that are about two hours apart. The Bulldogs played Alcorn State for the first time last year.

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