Mississippi Valley State hosts Delta State in Saturday night home opener

Mississippi Valley State will host Delta State at Rice-Totten Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, in the Delta Classic powered by CB&S Bank. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., with live coverage on SWAC TV. The game will also feature a “White Out,” with fans encouraged to wear white.

The Delta Devils enter the home opener 1-2 after beating Lincoln (PA) 31-20 in the Chicago Football Classic at Soldier Field. Quarterback Josh Brown has thrown for 306 yards and three touchdowns through three games, completing 31 of 53 passes. He also leads MVSU in rushing with 125 yards on 21 carries.

Dayvian Bluitt leads the team with 143 receiving yards on four catches, including a 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. Dezmond Ray has rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries, and Norman Taylor has added 86 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

Douglas Franklin and Malek Jackson share the team lead with 15 tackles. Javieane Stevens leads MVSU with two sacks and is tied with Franklin for the team lead with 3.5 tackles for loss. Tyrell Johnson has scored a defensive touchdown on a 95-yard interception return.

Delta State is 0-3 after a 59-10 loss at Central Missouri. Emile Picarella III has thrown for 201 yards and two touchdowns, while Jekerious Williams leads the Statesmen with 99 receiving yards on four catches, including a touchdown. Williams and Lawrence Armstrong each average more than 20 yards per catch, according to the source.

A victory would give the Delta Devils consecutive wins and a 2-2 record before their Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at Alabama State on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 5 p.m.

Source: Mississippi Valley State Athletics.