NATCHITOCHES, La. – Mississippi Valley State’s second trip to Louisiana didn’t end the way the first one did. The Delta Devils, who upended Southern University last Thursday, were dealt a 45-14 defeat Saturday night at the hands of Northwestern State.

It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

MVSU (1-3, 1-2 SWAC) stayed on the Demons’ trails early in the game using a 23-yard fumble return for a touchdown that tied the game at 7 with 6:56 left in the opening period.

But Northwestern scored twice more before the end of the first quarter to distance themselves from the Delta Devils. Phillip Harvery returned the ensuing kickoff following MVSU’s score 97 yards for touchdown that gave NSU a 14-7 advantage. Brad Henderson connected with Louis Hollier on a 23-yard scoring strike to give NSU a 21-7 first quarter lead.

NSU went into halftime with a comfortable 28-7 lead after Henderson threw his second TD pass of the night – this one to Chris Dever Jr.

Yet, the Delta Devils never gave up. A 25-yard run by MVSU’s Trey Bateaste and a 23-yard catch from Julian Stafford were the key plays of the Delta Devils’ final scoring drive of the game. Bateaste capped off the drive with a 2-yard TD plunge, his fourth rushing touchdown of the season.

The Demons controlled the rest of the game, connecting on a 27-yard third quarter field goal and two additional touchdowns in the fourth.

Brandon Stansell led MVSU with 87 rushing yards on 16 carries while Bateaste chipped on 51 yards and a TD on 13 attempts.

MVSU quarterback Garrick Jones played in his first game since the Delta Devils’ season opener against Concordia. The Memphis native finished 6-of-17 for 64 yards.

Kenneth Dabney had three catches for 31 yards for the Delta Devils.

The Delta Devils outgained the Demons 177 to 161 on the ground.

MVSU will have next week off before celebrating homecoming on Oct. 6 against Alabama A&M.