Game Notes

ITTA BENA – With its first two-game win streak since 2009, Mississippi Valley State turns its attention toward finishing the season on a positive note.

The Delta Devils (4-6, 4-4 SWAC) will be at Texas Southern (2-8, 2-6 SWAC) Saturday at 1 p.m. in its final game of the season. A win Saturday will give Valley its first winning conference record since 2006 when they finished 5-4 in the SWAC.

“Two straight wins,” said MVSU head coach Karl Morgan. “If we can win a third one, it’ll be great for the program and the university.”

With the fourth-ranked defense in FCS, an MVSU player – Robert Simpson – leading the nation (FCS) in tackles for loss and its most wins since 2006, things look to be turning around for the Delta Devil program.

“I think all signs point to a better day ahead for Mississippi Valley State football,” said Morgan.

A win this week in Houston against Texas Southern will put an exclamation point on Valley’s season and give them some positive recruiting tools this offseason, said Morgan.
MVSU will lose 24 seniors, who were honored last week for Senior Day.  

“If we can reload and get some players in here,” said Morgan, “I think we can be successful.”

THE SERIES
Series Record: Mississippi Valley State and Texas Southern are tied 23-23-1.
Last meeting: MVSU won 12-9 in Itta Bena
Last 10 meetings: MVSU has won 6 of the last 10 meetings

SHUTDOWN CORNER
Mississippi Valley State senior cornerback Marquez Floyd is ranked second in the conference in pass breakups with 11.

STAFFORD BECOMING BIG RECEVING THREAT
MVSU sophomore receiver Julian Stafford has become the go-to receiver for Delta Devil quarterbacks. The Memphis native racked up 13 catches for 159 yards and a TD last week against Prairie View. He ranks fourth in the SWAC in receptions per game (4.7) and third in receiving yards per game (64.0). He's also third in the conference in all-purpose yards with 101.4 per game. He leads the team with 46 catches for 619 yards and 3 TDs.

SIMPSON NAMED CONERLY TROPHY FINALIST
MVSU junior defensive tackle Robert Simpson has been named a finalist for the Conerly Trophy, which honors Mississippi's top college football player. The trophy will be presented Nov. 27 during a ceremony at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.