ITTA BENA, Miss. - Opening game day here at THE VALLEY was full of surprises. From the onset, Mark Pegues made his presence known with massive tackles against the Bulldogs of Alabama A & M. AAMU was able to secure a 35-16 victory over the Delta Devils.
In the opening quarter, Tre Simms and Booker T. Chambers were able to make some phenomenal catches, leading Mississippi Valley deep into Bulldog territory. Slade Jarman, MVSU's quarterback last year during the Delta Devil's overtime victory over Alabama A&M, entered the contest for a few snaps just before the beginning of the first quarter.
Charlie Crenshaw entered the end zone for MVSU's first touchdown of the contest, closing the deficit to 14-7. With 3:42 remaining in the first half, the Delta Devil's Ruben Piraquive nailed a 30-yard field goal to bring the score to 14-10.
With the cloud coverage increasing, the action became fast and furious on the field. Mississippi Valley displayed amazing speed and accuracy when Chamber's stepped up, dropping a 45-yard bomb pass to Grant Simms for the touchdown. With a blocked kick, the score was 16-14 in favor of MVSU. To end the second, Alabama A & M clinched an eight plays, 75 yards possession to find the end zone in 1:17.
After the game delay from inclement weather delay, the third quarter off slow. Both teams got close to their respective end zones and were unable to convert. The Delta Devils attempted a 44-yard field goal that fell short of its target.
At the top of the fourth the rain started, however it did nothing to slow the Bulldogs' offense down as they increased their five-point lead by 12 points, two minutes in. Alabama A&M scored two additional touchdowns prior to the end of the contest.
Defensively, Khalil Young had a field day tallying 10 total tackles, three of which were solo. Pegues completed the contest with nine tackles (five solo and four assists), while Marquis Green added five total (three solo and two assists).
The Delta Devil's passers finished the evening 25-44-1 for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Bray went 20-36-0 for 223-yards, Chambers completed 1-1 for 45-yards and Jarman finished 4-7-1.
