ITTA BENA – The Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley had a daunting task ahead of them as they opened their 2017 home campaign against the reigning Southwestern Athletic Conference Champions. Grambling was able to secure the win 38-6.
The Delta Devils won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Up against a tough Tiger defense, Mississippi Valley went three and out; forcing a punt. Grambling State went three-and-out on their first possession as well. It was on the next Delta Devil possession, that the Tigers' De'Aumante Johnson intercepted the ball for a pick six.
Grambling scored a field goal with 2:55 minutes remaining the first, lifting the score to 10-0. A safety early in the second took the score to 12-0. A second field goal at 9:58 extended the Tigers lead to 15-0. GSU entered the end zone on a pass to Devante Davis. The point after was successful, making the score 22-0, entering halftime.
In the third, the Tigers posted a 21-yard run by Nicholas Black, with Marc Orozco tacking on the PAT, increasing the Grambling lead 29-0. Booker Chambers took on another role for the Delta Devils, passing the ball to James Crosby for a four-yard touchdown. The PAT by Justin Read was blocked and returned 98-yards by De'Aumante Johnson, giving GSU an additional three-points. The score moved to 31-6 with 9:19 remaining in the contest.
The Tigers were able to find the end zone again at the 6:59 mark, when Lyndemian Brooks pulled down a nine-yard pass. Orozco nailed the point after.
The passing game for Mississippi Valley tallied 358 yards on 55 attempts and one touchdown. Christopher Fowler went 31-43-341 and one interception.
Darrion Harper put up 123 yards on nine receptions, while Quinn McElfresh added 113 yards on nine catches. Chambers put up 53 yards on four receptions.
Defensively, Patrick Harbin, Jr., put up great numbers. He finished the contest with eight solo tackles, six assists, for a total of 14, 3.0 tackles for a loss on 31 yards and 3.5 sacks. Tracy Thompkins finished with seven total tackles (five solo and two assists), one fumble recovery and one break up.
