HOUSTON, Texas – The Delta Devils and Tigers of Texas Southern were scheduled to kickoff at 7:00 p.m. in Houston, Texas, however the action was delayed with a 30-minute weather delay.
Marquis Green landed the first tackle for the Delta Devils. Khalil Young fought valiantly and put pressure on the Tigers offense to push them out of bounds. On the sixth play of the game, TSU threw a spiral pass to Gary Holmes for a 24-yard gain, bringing them to the four-yard line for a first and goal. A three-yard rush, the Tigers found themselves on the MVSU one-yard line. After a non-gain snap, the Tigers successfully found the end zone. The point after was good.
On the kickoff, Mississippi Valley's Tre Simms carried the ball to the 25-yard line, however a holding penalty on the return pushed MVSU back 10-yards to the Mississippi Valley 15 yard line. After four plays the Delta Devils were forced to punt the ball. Texas Southern was able to score again on their next possession, making the score 14-0.
On their next drive, MVSU was able to gain some momentum, including an unsportsmanlike penalty against the Tigers. The offense stalled after the penalty and the Delta Devils were once again forced to punt the ball. In the second quarter, TSU was able to score an additional seven points to take the score to 21-0 going into halftime.
In the third quarter, MVSU was determined to put some points on the scoreboard. With seven first downs and the majority of the possession in their favor, Mississippi Valley was unable to capitalize upon their offensive drives. Defensively, the Delta Devils stepped up and held Texas Southern to three-points during the third.
In the fourth, MVSU's Farrean Toney intercepted Texas Southern's drive with an interception. The Delta Devils were unable to carry the ball into the end zone. An interception by the Tigers interrupted a promising Mississippi Valley Drive.
Austin Bray suited up as the starting quarterback for the Delta Devils, completing 16 of 34 passes for 170 yards. He threw two interceptions for the night. Tre Simms pulled for four receptions for a total of 74-yards.
Defensively, Laderlin Cheatam paced MVSU with 11 total tackles (two solo and nine assists). Reggie Jackson added nine (two solo and seven solo), Young tallied seven total (one solo and six assists) and Green finished with six (three of each).
Mississippi Valley will shake the road off and head back to Itta Bena, Mississippi, to prepare to host the Panthers of Prairie View A & M on High School Day. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m.
