Game Notes

ITTA BENA – Following last week’s double overtime loss at Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State is ready to get back on the field and put last Saturday in its rearview window.

This week, the Delta Devils (2-5, 2-3 SWAC) will travel to the face the SWAC Western Division’s top-ranked team, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (5-2, 4-1 SWAC).

“One thing I told the team after the (JSU) game….This can’t be a hangover that causes us a chance at another football game (this) weekend,” said MVSU head coach Karl Morgan.

Despite Jackson State extending its win streak over the Delta Devils to 18 games, Morgan said he saw some signs that things are beginning to turn around for Valley.

“In order to appreciate winning, you (have) to hate losing,” he said. “One of the things I’ve complained about since I’ve been here is that I don’t think losing affects us enough as a team. And I think it did affect us Saturday. And that’s a positive in a backhanded kind of way. We lost the game but I saw some real emotions and people were upset. And I think if that happens, you can appreciate winning and what it takes to win.”

Valley now turns its focus to an Arkansas-Pine Bluff team that is coming off a 50-21 win at Southern and is averaging 364.4 yards of offense per game. UAPB quarterback Benjamin Anderson is putting up 176 passing yards per game and two of the Golden Lions’ running backs are ranked in the top 10 in the conference in rushing yards per game.

“We’re going to have our hands full because they’re not a one-dimensional team,” said Morgan. “So (its) a very impressive offense without a doubt.”

UAPB’s explosive offense will be going against MVSU’s third-ranked defense in the FCS. The Delta Devils are only giving up 282.57 yards per game. And a big part of that has been Valley’s senior defensive tackle Robert Simpson who leads the FCS in tackles for loss with 15.  

A win Saturday will stop a four-game losing skid to the Golden Lions. MVSU currently holds the lead in the series, 21-19-1.