Sept. 22, 2007

Final Stats

ITTA BENA, Miss. -- Senior quarterback Jimmy Oliver, who was responsible for two JSU touchdowns, helped lead the Jackson State football team to a 50-16 win over instate rival Mississippi Valley State Saturday.

Oliver passed for 262 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for another. With the win the Tigers improve to a 2-2 overall record and a 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference record.

Jackson State (2-2, 2-0 Southwestern Athletic Conference) beat its instate rival for the 13th straight time.

MVSU (1-3, 1-3) was winning 13-6 midway through the second quarter before Oliver connected with Rodney Gray on a 10-yard touchdown pass that tied the score 13-13. Oliver put JSU ahead for good when he scored on a short run with 37 seconds remaining in the first half.

JSU finished the game with 473 yards, while holding MVSU to 75. Oliver, who completed 15 of his 23 pass attempts, led all passers with 262 yards and a TD. Rodney Gray caught a team high three passes for 59 yards and a TD Ten different JSU receivers caught a pass.

Cody Hull recorded 64 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts. Lavarus Giles added 54 yards and a touchdown on five attempts. Erik Haw also scored a TD for JSU.

Defensively Malcolm Palmer led JSU with 12 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

MVSU's Ronald Brewer rushed for a game high 148 yards and scored Valley's only touchdown.

JSU will return to action Oct. 6 when the Tigers host Alabama State in SWAC action at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.