Mississippi Valley State is hurting badly.
After losing five straight games, the Delta Devils hope winless Texas Southern is the perfect remedy for what's ailing them.
Valley (1-5, 1-4 SWAC) hosts Texas Southern (0-6, 0-5 SWAC) at 2 p.m. Saturday for homecoming. Sixth-year Valley head coach Willie Totten knows there is no better time to turn things around than now.
“It's homecoming and our guys have to get ready to play,” he said. “Homecoming is something when all the fans come back, the alumni come back and look and see where we are and want to come to an exciting football game.
“Both teams are struggling for a win. The team that wins this football game is the one that wants it the most, and hopefully our guys will want it because it's homecoming. Plus because we need a win.”
Totten says it won't be a gimmie just because TSU is winless.
“Texas Southern has pretty much been playing the way we've been playing,” Totten said. “They are making mistakes at crucial times.
“At times, they move the football very well. They're 0-6, but they're really not playing like an 0-6 team. They can run the football with Brent Wilson.”
The Tigers are third in the conference in passing. Quarterback Tino Edgecomb has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and is 97-of-180 passing with six touchdowns. Texas Southern's passing offense ranks third in the SWAC.
“In my mind, this is a team that has nothing to lose, and a win against us would give them a big momentum boost going into the last part of the season,” Totten said.
The Tigers put up 306 total yards against Alcorn State last weekend before losing on a late missed field goal attempt.
Mississippi Valley State has won the last three meetings with TSU, but each has been decided by less than a touchdown.
The Delta Devils have been outscored 148-23 in its last three games. They are coming off a 58-7 loss to powerhouse North Dakota State, which is ranked No. 1 in the Division I-AA coaches poll.
“North Dakota (State) was a very good football team. We knew that coming in,” Totten said. “I think the guys took on the challenge. They were not afraid, and they were not intimidated.
“We did do some positive things. We're going to pull some positive things out of that game and use that this week for momentum going into homecoming and challenge our guys again.”
