Jackson State wins first game of the season 24-5 at Mississippi Valley State

ITTA BENA, Mississippi — Before the game even started, as Jackson State made its way back to the locker room after warm ups, a few Mississippi Valley State players went over to the Tigers and started talking.

Players from both rival sides started shoving each other and jumping up and down. Even some coaches got involved.

“We took that personally when they decided to run over to us,” running back Jordan Johnson said.

So the winless Tigers began the game with even more incentive than before to beat the Delta Devils, and they didn’t waste it.

Jackson State controlled the game throughout and finally broke through. The Tigers beat Mississippi Valley State 24-5 to win their first game of the season, making them 1-7 on the year and 1-3 in SWAC play.

“I’m elated for the young men who had the opportunity to go out and know what it feels like win again,” coach Tony Hughes said.

It’s been a year of frustration for Jackson State. There have been close games it couldn’t finish and demoralizing blowouts, but Hughes just kept preaching that they were building the culture and things would pay off. It’s been over a year since the Tigers last won a game, and Saturday they got to see the year of work show in some results.

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