Photo credit: Judit German-HeinsHOUSTON, Texas -- A lot of good things happened Saturday for Mississippi Valley State.
The Delta Devils limited its opponent to just 20 points, less than 260 total yards -- including just 88 through the air -- and scored the first touchdown of the game.
It wasn't enough, however, as the Delta Devils dropped a 20-16 decision at Texas Southern at BBVA Compass Stadium in front of an announced crowd of 1,564.
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TSU (5-1, 3-1 SWAC) wiped away a 16-13 fourth quarter lead for MVSU with a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 7-yard run by Jay Christophe. Valley (1-5, 0-4 SWAC) was just nine yards away from tying the game up on its final drive of the game but Patrick Ivy's pass was intercepted by TSU'd Dondre Dobbins to seal with win for the Tigers.
TSU's win put an end to a three-game series win streak for Valley, who had defeated the Tigers in eight of the last 10 meetings.
The Tigers were the first to put points on the scoreboard with a 28-yard field goal in the first quarter. But, Valley responded late the first quarter with a 16-yard touchdown run by senior DeShawn Davis, his third of the season.
TSU answered with 10 points in the second quarter to give the Tigers a 13-7 lead at halftime. TSU's Le'Tevi Wilcox scooped up a Quantavius Peterson fumble and scampered 40 yards for the score at the 11:51 mark in the second quarter.
It would be late in the third quarter before either team would strike again.
MVSU snatched back the momentum after a 25-yard run by quarterback Patrick Ivy was set up a 21-yard touchdown catch to All-SWAC receiver Julian Stafford. The touchdown marked the sixth receiving touchdown of the season for the Memphis native, who put the Delta Devils up 14-13.
Then, MVSU put itself in the driver's seat on the next drive after forcing the Tigers into a safety to take a 16-13 lead late in the third quarter.
The score would stay the same until Christophe's touchdown with less than six minutes that turned out to be the winning score for TSU.
Valley played both Ivy and Peterson at the quarterback position with Ivy having the best performance with 68 passing yards and a touchdown on 7-of-11 attempts. Stafford lead the Delta Devils with five receptions for 32 yards and a score.
Defensively, MVSU's Charles Moore had a team-high 13 tackles while Le'Trey Jones chipped in three tackles for loss. Sean Fugate was also disruptive with eight tackles, a sack and along with a safety.
MVSU will be on the road next week on Oct. 11 at Jackson State for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
