Mississippi Valley State closes out the season still searching for signs of life with its offense.
After 11 games, all but two losses, the Delta Devils rank last in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in total offense and scoring offense. MVSU (2-9, 1-5) managed a mere 134 total yards in a 40-0 loss to Grambling State, which made six sacks and had two fumble recoveries and an interception.
“It was just a bad performance all the way around on offense the last two weeks,” said second-year MVSU head coach Vincent Dancy.
“We’re facing a tough team with two of the top offensive players in the conference. This is a good team that hasn’t had things always go its way this season,” Dancy said. “It will be a challenge, but one our guys are up for.”
The Bulldogs are coming off a 34-28 loss to Alcorn State as Alabama A&M outgained the Braves 531-522 in total yards and held time of possession 32:32-27:28. In that loss, Jordan Bentley set the Alabama A&M single-game rushing record with 245 yards, having already set school records for career rushing, single-season rushing and single-season and career touchdowns.
“It was two good teams going at it, and Alcorn made a few more plays than we did,” A&M coach Connell Maynor said. “But we have to move past that disappointment and finish out strong.”
Bentley has run 251 times for 1,307 yards and 17 touchdowns this season, an average of 118.8 yards per game, and he’s caught 11 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He is one of 16 seniors set to play their final game at Louis Crews Stadium on Saturday.
Valley’s record isn’t any better at this point than it was in Dancy’s first year, but a win in the season finale would go a long toward validating what others see was big strides in Itta Bena.
“Valley is a much-improved team, probably the most improved in our league this year,” Maynor said.
Dancy said he has seen improvement from his squad in Year 2.
“I knew this was an uphill battle, but at the end of the day, I see change. Sometimes changes don’t show up immediately in the win column,” Dancy said. “We are changing the culture here. There is no doubt about that.
“We just have to coach better and recruit better.”
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
