Delta State Beats Mississippi Valley State 21-6 in Delta Classic

Mississippi Valley State held Delta State scoreless in the first half and led 3-0 at halftime. The Delta Devils then trailed 7-6 midway through the third quarter before the Statesmen scored the final 14 points to secure the victory Saturday night at Rice-Totten Stadium.

Delta State took a 7-3 lead in the third quarter after Jordan McKnight returned a blocked punt 12 yards for a touchdown. Luka Sari of MVSU responded with a 52-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 7-6. The Statesmen extended their lead with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Emile Picarella to Lawrence Armstrong, making it 14-6.

The Statesmen added an 11-yard touchdown run by Nick Clark in the fourth quarter after a second blocked punt. Mississippi Valley State’s quarterback, Josh Brown, completed 16 of 30 passes for 105 yards and rushed for 22 yards. Wide receiver Dayvian Bluitt led MVSU with five catches for 52 yards. The Delta Devils totaled 180 yards of offense, including 75 rushing yards, and did not turn the ball over.

Defensively, Kamsi Arinze led Mississippi Valley State with 10 tackles, including five solo stops, and forced a fumble. Javieane Stevens recorded seven tackles and two sacks for a loss of 10 yards. Delta State finished with 284 yards of total offense, with Nick Clark rushing for 96 yards on 19 carries.

Mississippi Valley State will open Southwestern Athletic Conference play Saturday, Sept. 26, at Alabama State in Montgomery, Alabama, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m.

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