Mississippi Valley State Hosts Delta State in Home Opener at Rice-Totten Stadium
Mississippi Valley State football is set to play its first home game of the season Saturday at Rice-Totten Stadium, hosting Delta State in the Delta Classic powered by CB&S Bank. The game starts at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on SWAC TV.
The Delta Devils enter the game with a 1-2 record after beating Lincoln (Pa.) 31-20 at the Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field. Fans are encouraged to wear white for a “White Out” as the team takes the field for the first time at home this season.
Quarterback Josh Brown has led the offense with 306 passing yards and three touchdowns through three games. He has completed 31 of 53 passes and also leads the team in rushing with 125 yards on 21 carries, averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. Wide receiver Dayvian Bluitt has been a prime target, with 143 receiving yards on four catches, including a season-long 79-yard reception and one touchdown.
Jaylen King has 12 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown, while Nicholas Buggs has five catches for 92 yards and a score. On the ground, Dezmond Ray and Norman Taylor have contributed 100 and 86 rushing yards, respectively, with Taylor scoring a touchdown. The team averages 133.3 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, Douglas Franklin and Malek Jackson lead with 15 tackles each. Franklin also has 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Javieane Stevens has two sacks and shares the team lead with Franklin in tackles for loss. Jamari Stokes has 11 tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups, while Tyrell Johnson returned a 95-yard interception for a touchdown. The team has totaled 17 tackles for loss, five sacks, and three interceptions through three games.
Delta State enters with an 0-3 record after a 59-10 loss at Central Missouri. Quarterback Emile Picarella III has thrown for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Jekerious Williams leads the team with 99 receiving yards on four catches, including a touchdown, and Lawrence Armstrong has three receptions for 69 yards and a score. Both receivers average over 20 yards per catch, which could challenge Valley’s secondary.
For Mississippi Valley State, maintaining possession and protecting the football will be vital. Applying pressure on Delta State’s quarterbacks and limiting long pass plays could help the Delta Devils control the game at home. A win would mark back-to-back victories and improve their record to 2-2 before starting Southwestern Athletic Conference play next Saturday at Alabama State.
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Source: Original Article
