The Mississippi Valley State football team faced off against another Southwestern Athletic Conference title contender on Saturday, hanging with host Alabama State for three quarters before a fourth quarter collapse sealed a 42-17 defeat for the Delta Devils.
Here’s a look back at what went right and what went wrong for MVSU (1-3), still searching for its first win that’s not a forfeit.
THREE UP
Caleb Brunson
After picking off a pass and setting up a game-tying touchdown run last week, Brunson came up with another clutch interception on Saturday. On 3rd and goal, the junior defensive back secured a tipped ball and returned it 22 yards to get the Delta Devils out of trouble late in the second quarter. The turnover kept MVSU well within striking distance down just 14-10 heading into halftime.
Jalani Eason
The graduate transfer from Portland State was far from perfect, turning the ball over twice — including a costly fumble as he was reaching for the goal line for a chance to take the lead midway through the third quarter — but he was still the brightest spot in MVSU’s offense.
Eason did most of his damage on the ground, escaping pressure and carrying the ball 20 times for 121 yards and a touchdown that gave the Delta Devils a 10-7 lead late in the first quarter. He only took two sacks. In comparison, Jackson State quarterback Jalon Jones was sacked five times in the Tigers’ 35-28 loss to Alabama State on March 20. Eason also completed 16 of 28 passes for 118 yards while averaging just five yards per attempt.
Third down defense
Head coach Vincent Dancy has made third down defense an emphasis ever since MVSU allowed JSU to convert 7 of 15 chances in the season opener. With three weeks of practice in between matchups, the Delta Devils improved in that area during their April 3 loss to Arkansas Pine Bluff, allowing just four third down conversions on 14 tries. MVSU took another step forward on Saturday, limiting quarterback Ryan Nettles to just two third down conversions on nine attempts.
THREE DOWN
Vertical attack
Averaging less than 125 passing yards through three games this season, the Delta Devils are in dire need of a deep receiving threat. The team’s longest completion so far has gone for 32 yards.
The lack of a downfield attack has allowed opposing defenses to stack the box and blitz, making it tough for MVSU’s ground game to get going. Against Alabama State, Delta Devils running backs Caleb Johnson and Darius Williams combined for just 52 yards on 20 carries.
Ball security
For the third game in a row, MVSU coughed up three fumbles. Eason’s turnover on the goal line resulted in a 14-point swing for the Hornets (2-2, 2-1 SWAC), who proceeded to march 80 yards down field to make it 21-10 in the third quarter.
Finishing
The Delta Devils must improve their execution at the end of drives and games if they want to avoid a last-place finish this year. MVSU strung together three drives of at least 66 yards, but one resulted in a field goal and another ended with a fumble.
In the fourth quarter of Saturday’s matchup, the Delta Devils again let a close game slip out of reach. Trailing 21-17, MVSU failed to convert on 4th-and-inches deep in its own territory, and Alabama State capitalized on the turnover with a touchdown run by Nettles.
The score was the start of a 21-0 run in the final frame as the Delta Devils collapsed in crunch time.
- Contact Riley Overend at 581-7237 or roverend@gwcommonwealth.com. Follow @OverendOut on Twitter
