Mississippi Valley State hit the road for Jackson this morning. Maybe somewhere between Itta Bena and the capital it found an offense.
Averaging 13.5 points per game, MVSU is currently the SWAC’s worst scoring offense. The first thing the Delta Devils have to do to improve on that number is take care of the ball and covert more on third downs.
Last week at Bethune-Cookman, Valley led 14-0 in the second quarter before three game-changing turnovers swung the momentum to the Wildcats, who went to win 41-27.
It was the eighth straight loss for the Delta Devils.
Today, Valley (0-4, 0-1 SWAC) looks for its first win in the Vincent Dancy era. The first-year MVSU head coach is facing his alma mater today in Jackson State, but he says this game is not about him but his players.
“I want this game for them. They have worked hard to get it,” said Dancy, who played four years for the Tigers and coached four years at JSU.
“This is always a big game for both schools and fan bases. This is a great opportunity for us get things headed in the right direction, but we have to put a full four quarters together to do it.”
Dancy’s squad will face a JSU team that allowed 514 total yards to a struggling one-win UAPB team.
The JSU defense is giving up 446.5 yards per game, which ranks in the middle of the pack in the SWAC. Its passing defense is the league’s second-worst. Opponents are averaging 25 first downs per game and the Tigers have been outgained in each of their last three matchups.
Jackson State (2-2, 1-1) is coming off a 30-27 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff last Saturday. It was a game with five lead changes and a bevy of big plays in which the Tigers exhibited what head coach Tony Hughes said “the heart and spirit of Jackson State Tigers.”
JSU had not scored more than 18 points in a game before putting up 30 against UAPB.
It was a solid showing for the unit in interim offensive coordinator Derrick McCall’s season debut, but there is still work to be done as the Tigers turned the ball over three times (two interceptions, one fumble).
The Tigers only converted three of their 15 third-down attempts, which is an issue that has long plagued the team.
The one constant this season for JSU has been special teams, but Hughes continues to challenge the individual special teams groups to elevate their level of play. Hughes’ challenge this week is for the JSU coverage teams to corral Mississippi Valley State’s Booker T. Chambers.
The former Greenwood High School star leads the SWAC in both kick return yards (242) and punt return yards (112). He returned a punt for a 90-yard score against Alcorn State.
“I’ve challenged the team with that and told them and showed that this guy is a great returner,” Hughes said. “We’ve got to step up and play at a whole other level because he is a really good returner.”
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
