JACKSON - The Jackson State jinx continues for Mississippi Valley State.
The Delta Devils led 10-0 in the first half and 17-15 at the half but couldn't find a way to end their frustrating losing streak to instate rival JSU, which defeated MVSU 29-24 here Saturday night before an announced crowd of 28,718 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
The loss, Valley's 12th straight to JSU, drops the Delta Devils to 2-2 overall, 2-2 in the Eastern Division of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. JSU improves to 2-1 overall, 1-0.
Valley went up 10-0 early in the second quarter on a 10-yard touchdown run by Johey Hargrett, but JSU's Eric Haw, a transfer from Ohio State, had a pair of short TD runs (3, 1) to help put JSU up 15-10.
Valley quarterback Aries Nelson hit Clarence Cotton on a 20-yard scoring strike right before the half to hand MVSU a 17-15 advantage at the break.
Haw scored his third touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run less than four minutes into the second half to give JSU the lead for good.
Valley outgained J-State 333-270 in total yardage but was just 3-of-10 on third-down conversions.
Nelson, who came in struggling with a 40-percent completion rate, threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns on 20-of-43 passing. He was sacked three times for minus 29 yards and still finished with 20 yards rushing.
Haw finished with 51 yards on 17 carries. Another Ohio State transfer, Marcel Frost, had a key 46-yard reception to spark JSU's final touchdown drive.
