Courtesy: MVSU Sports Information
ITTA BENA – For the first time since 2006, Mississippi Valley State sent Alcorn State home with a loss.
The Delta Devils upended the Braves 33-9 Saturday at Rice-Totten Stadium using a stout defensive effort and a dominating rushing attack to end a five-game losing streak to the Braves. MVSU last defeated Alcorn in 2006.
Despite outgaining the Delta Devils 289 to 247, MVSU (3-6, 3-4 SWAC) raced past Alcorn (3-6, 3-4 SWAC) to end a two-game losing streak.
“We won the game, that’s the bottom line,” said MVSU head coach Karl Morgan.
MVSU senior running back Trey Bateaste rushed for three first half touchdowns that gave the Delta Devils a 20-3 halftime lead.
Valley quarterback Garrick Jones scrambled for a 16-yard TD near the end of the third quarter to give the Delta Devils a powering 27-3 lead.
The Braves scored its only TD late in the fourth quarter on a 55-yard strike from John Gibbs to Anthony Williams III.
MVSU sophomore running back Cortez Frizell put the finishing touches on the victory with a 45-yard TD run with 36 seconds left in the game.
“It was good to finish the way we finished,” said Morgan.
Frizell led Valley in rushing with 63 yards on seven carries while Bateaste added 59 yards and three TDs on 12 attempts.
Julian Stafford finished with three catches for 57 yards.
MVSU senior linebacker Keven Woods had another dominating defensive outing, leading the Delta Devils with eight tackles and two sacks. Jeremy Langston and Leployer Franklin had eight tackles apiece for Valley.
Alcorn State quarterback Gibbs led the Braves in rushing with 68 yards on 11 carries. He finished 13of-35 through the air for 162 yards with a TD and two interceptions.
MVSU’s Carlos Hollis and Keven Eugene each had an interception.
MVSU will be at home next Saturday at 1 p.m. against Prairie View.
