Alabama A&M 58, Mississippi Valley State 23
ITTA BENA, MS – Scoring came early and often as Alabama A&M and Mississippi Valley State met in the final regular-season game for both teams. By the time the afternoon was complete, the Bulldogs had defeated the Delta Devils 58-23.
AAMU QB Kevin Atkins accounted for seven touchdowns (five passing, two rushing) as the Bulldogs pushed their conference record to 4-3.
Atkins found WR Thomas Harris for the first two scores of the game (13 and 28 yards) and for the final score of the game – an 18-yard scoring play with just over two minutes remaining.
MVSU attempted to get back in the game they scored both through the air and on the ground. However, the Delta Devils could not overcome the early deficit and found themselves down 31-16 at intermission.
The second half saw AAMU outscore MVSU 27-7 in the final two periods for the ending decision.
Atkins completed 24-of-35 passes for 357 yards and five touchdowns while scoring on the ground on two one-yard rushes. Harris caught 11 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns while Ulysses Banks rushed 12 times for 61 yards and a score.
For Mississippi Valley State, Milton Gaston rushed 21 times for 79 yards. Paul Roberts completed 11-of-21 passes for 245 yards, a touchdown but threw one interception. Abner Brown caught six passes for 103 yards and a score.
Defensively, DeKcoven Burrell led MVSU with nine tackles (five solo) while Fred Poole had seven tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss. Reginald Foster and J.R. Purnell each had six stops in the game. For the Bulldogs, Quinton Holmes led the team with six tackles while Darian Payne, Byron Wilson and Cornelius Robinson each had five tackles in the contest.
Jackson State 26, Alcorn State 21
JACKSON, MS (courtesy JSU Sports Information) – The Jackson State Tigers held on to defeat a persistent Alcorn State team 26-21 in the 16th Annual Capital City Classic at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium Saturday evening.
With the win JSU improves to a 7-4 overall record and a 6-1 SWAC mark. The Braves fall to 2-10, 1-6.
JSU’s Luther Edwards led all rushers with 93 yards on 23 carries. Michael Mosley led finished with a team high 103 passing yds. Trae Rutland finished with 72 passing yds and 17 rushing yards and a touchdown. Carlos Simpson finished with six receptions for 39 yards
For the Braves Joshua Brumfield finished with 47 rushing yards on 14 carries. Tim Buckley passed for 185 yds and two TDs. Emmaunel Arceneaux caught a five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Marcus Benard led the Tigers with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and half a sack, for a new JSU record. Marcellus Speaks followed with nine tackles and a sack. Lee Robinson led the Braves with 11 tackles and a sack. Idly Etienne followed with seven tackles.
Grambling State 33, Texas Southern 7
HOUSTON – Grambling State continued its winning ways, defeating Texas Southern 33-7 Thursday night.
TSU scored first, taking advantage of a muffed punt by Grambling State. Zachary Logan recovered the ball in the end zone to give Texas Southern a 7-0 lead with 4:44 to play in the first quarter.
From there, it was all Grambling State, which got on the board in the second quarter on a 9-yard TD run by Greg Dillon to cut the deficit to 7-6 with 9:21 to play until halftime.
GSU took the lead for good late in the first half. Charles Gamble scooped up a fumble and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown as Grambling State took a 13-7 lead at halftime.
GSU added three touchdowns in the second half, two by the defense. Kiare Thompson caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Dillon, Christian Anthony returned a fumble 12 yards for a touchdown, and Avery Stovall had a three yard fumble return for touchdown.
Dillon completed 10 of 23 passes for 110 yards with one touchdown and rushed 18 times for 97 yards .Frank Warren rushed 18 times for 113 yards to lead Grambling State as the Tigers had 498 yards of total offense.
Texas Southern was limited to 101 yards total offense.