CHICAGO, Ill. | Mississippi Valley State brought the heat to Soldier Field on Saturday, using three touchdown passes from Offensive MVP
Josh Brown, an explosive performance from
Dayvian Bluitt and a fourth-quarter defensive shutout to defeat Lincoln (PA), 31-20, in the Chicago Football Classic.
Playing before an announced crowd of 15,274, the Delta Devils earned their first victory of the 2026 season and improved to 1-2 heading into next weekend's home opener.
Brown was named the Chicago Football Classic Offensive MVP after completing 14 of 21 passes for 243 yards and three touchdowns while adding a team-high 46 rushing yards on nine carries. Bluitt delivered four receptions for 143 yards and a touchdown, finishing with 259 all-purpose yards after contributing 81 yards on kickoff returns and 35 yards on punt returns.
Mississippi Valley State totaled 407 yards of offense, including 260 through the air and 147 on the ground. The Delta Devils converted 10 of 14 third-down opportunities and controlled possession for 31:03.
MVSU struck first when
Norman Taylor capped an eight-play, 27-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run at the 10:57 mark of the opening quarter.
Luka Sari's extra point gave the Delta Devils a 7-0 advantage.
After Lincoln tied the game late in the first quarter, Brown connected with
Nicholas Buggs for a 30-yard touchdown with 3:13 remaining before halftime. Sari added a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, sending Mississippi Valley State into the locker room with a 17-7 lead.
The Delta Devils answered both of Lincoln's third-quarter scoring drives. After the Lions trimmed the margin to 17-14, Brown directed a nine-play, 48-yard march that ended with a 9-yard touchdown pass to
Jaylen King, restoring a 10-point cushion with 6:10 remaining in the period.
Lincoln pulled within 24-20 with 1:15 left in the third, but Valley needed just 43 seconds to respond. Brown found Bluitt for a 79-yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 31-20 with 24 seconds remaining in the quarter.
MVSU's defense protected that advantage throughout the final period, keeping the Lions scoreless over the last 15 minutes.
Deondri Clark Jr. delivered the final stop with a fourth-down sack on Lincoln's last possession, allowing the Delta Devils to take over and run out the remaining clock.
Douglas Franklin led Mississippi Valley State with seven tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while also forcing a fumble.
Kamsi Arinze and
Joey Davis contributed six tackles apiece. Clark finished with three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, while
Byron Keys and
Amir Williams each added a half-sack.
The Delta Devils registered nine tackles for loss and three sacks, limiting Lincoln to four conversions on 15 third-down attempts.
Martez Williams recovered a fumble, and
Jaquez Estera recorded a blocked kick.
King paced Valley with six receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown, while Buggs caught three passes for 55 yards and a score. Taylor finished with 29 rushing yards and a touchdown, and
Caleb Brownlow supplied a 43-yard rush.
Mississippi Valley State returns to Itta Bena to host Delta State on Saturday, Sept. 19, in its 2026 home opener at Rice-Totten Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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