Jackson State 17, Mississippi Valley 16
Jackson State was given all it could handle by a game Mississippi Valley State team. A sack by Tigers defensive end Joseph LeBeau on third-and-goal from the 1 early in the fourth quarter helped preserve a lead Jackson State would not relinquish.
Mississippi Valley State rushed for 226 yards on 46 attempts led by Marvin Pittman and Brandon Stansell who combined to tally 148 on the ground. Going into the contest Jackson State was second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in rushing defense allowing 98 yards per game. The Delta Devils, on the other hand, were averaging 118 yards per game on the ground.
Casey Therriault finished the game 22-of- 40 for 254 yards with 1 touchdown and an interception. It was his worst performance since he threw six interceptions against Alabama State.
Alabama A&M 24, Texas Southern 21
Since allowing just seven points against Alcorn State Sept. 29, the vaunted Texas Southern defense has given up 125 points during their now three-game losing streak after dropping a 24-21 decision to Alabama A&M Thursday.
The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, recorded three sacks on quarterback Rico Smalls three times, blocked a field goal and turned away the Tigers on fourth down five times. It was Alabama A&M’s best defensive outing since limiting Tuskegee to 194 yards of total offense earlier this season.
At 5-2, the Bulldogs are on their longest winning streak since 2005.
Alabama State 20, Prairie View 7
Nick Andrews should get serious consideration for SWAC Player of the Year. So far this season the wide receiver has totaled 769 yards and nine touchdowns through seven games (leads the conference). In the win against Prairie View A&M Saturday, Andrews caught nine passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. He also is the school’s all-time receptions leader as well.
The Hornets defense also came up big, stopping the Panthers twice from the 1-yard line in the second quarter which enabled them to build a 17-0 lead by the half.
Next week the Hornets will clash with Alabama A&M with first-place in the SWAC East at stake.
Grambling 44, Concordia (Ala.) 0
Grambling head coach Doug Williams was able to give both his young quarterbacks an opportunity to play in the blow out win. Frank Rivers went 7-of-16 for 169 yards and two touchdowns, while D.J. Williams completed one pass for 59 yards.
The only down side to the Grambling win was their inability to rush the football effectively. Dawrence Roberts, who took over duties as the starting running back, rushed 10 times for just nine yards. In all, Grambling gained 30 yards on 36 attempts.
The Tigers recorded the first shutout of an opponent since…blanking Concordia 35-0 last season. In last eight quarters, Grambling has outscored Concordia 79-0.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff 22, Southern 21
Southern has lost all of five of its games this season by less than five points per game.
With the win, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (4-3) is now tied in the loss column with Prairie View (4-3) for the SWAC Western Division lead
After the game-tying extra point was blocked by the Golden Lions, a brawl broke out resulting in fans throwing bottles and other items on the field. According to the Advocate’s Perryn Keys, Southern cornerback LaMarkius Pettaway needed an oxygen tank. SU linebacker Jared Detrick and SU defensive coordinator O’Neill Gilbert apparently were pepper-sprayed. I’ll have more on this development later.
Player of the Week:
Alabama State wide receiver Nick Andrews for catching nine passes for 118 yards and a touchdown versus Prairie View.
Quote of the Week:
“I couldn’t see anything, because I got hit with pepper spray too,” said Arkansas-Pine Bluff head coach Monte Coleman.
Week 7 Report Card:
Jackson State: B
A win is a win. However, the Tigers had to hang on for dear life against a winless Mississippi Valley State team.
Mississippi Valley State: C
They say there are no moral victories in sports. The Delta Devils might have earned one in a one-point loss.
Alabama State: A
The Hornets just stay unbeaten in the SWAC and make it look easy.
Prairie View: D
Too many mistakes and miss opportunities cost them against Alabama State. The bright side is that the Panthers have a share of first place.
Grambling State: A
The perfect antidote for a four-game slide is to schedule Concordia (Ala.)
Texas Southern: D
Thursday nights have been no friends of the defending champs this season.
Alabama A&M: A
The Bulldogs have put themselves in a position to win the SWAC East after rattling off five straight.
