JACKSON, MISS. — Jalon Jones threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as Jackson State rolled past NAIA Edward Waters 53-0 in Deion Sanders’ coaching debut Sunday.
Kymani Clarke scored two rushing touchdowns and Warren Newman showed some dazzling speed as a wideout and kick returner, catching a 6-yard pass from Jones for Jackson State’s first score.
After a week of rare freezing weather had many residents of Jackson waiting in long lines for bottled drinking water, the atmosphere among 12,000 fans sprinkled within Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (44,215 capacity) was festive.
National Guard soldiers shot a cannon and did pushups after Jackson State scores, and Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, had a bucket of ice dumped over his head at the end of the game as the people in the stands cheered the win.