Mississippi Valley State has moved past its season-opening beat down, according to Rick Comegy.
The Delta Devils lost last weekend 72-7 at North Dakota State, which is ranked No. 2 in the FCS.
“They took us to the woodshed. They simply outmatched us, and we couldn’t do anything on either side of the ball,” said the fourth-year MVSU head coach. “But all of that is behind us now.”
The Delta Devils stay on the road this week, playing at Southern Illinois. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday in Carbondale, Ill.
It’s the second of three tough non-conference tilts for the Delta Devils in their first four games. After an open date next week, Valley hosts defending SWAC champion Grambling State Sept. 23 and then goes to Charleston Southern Sept. 30.
“I think once we weave our way through this first four games, we’re going to be a much better football team based on the level of competition we will have faced,” Comegy said. “I am excited to see how we bounce back after such a tough loss.”
This will be the season opener for Southern Illinois.
The Salukis are led by quarterback Sam Straub, who earned the job by leading the team to wins in two of his three starts at the end of 2016. Straub's 450-yard game in the win over No. 24 Western Illinois, the most in school history for one game, was part of a school-record 3,660 passing yards for the Salukis.
Three of his top five receivers from last season return, as well as his top four running backs. To help take some pressure off Straub and the defense, the Salukis have pledged to focus more on the run game this year.
“They are explosive on offense. They spread you out and have a good quarterback who can hurt you,” Comegy said.
Valley used three quarterbacks against North Dakota State, with backup Christian Fowler having the most success. He completed 6-of-10 passes for 85 yards with one interception. Starter Jett Even completed 1-of-11 passes for four yards.
“Christian played well when he got in there, but Jett was hurt by some drops,” said Comegy, who hinted Even would again get the start.
Greenwood’s Booker T. Chambers, a junior out of Greenwood High School, didn’t touch the ball on offense for MVSU, but he did have three kickoff returns for 85 yards.
“We’ve got to get him some touches because is a play maker,” Comegy said.
Chambers announced this summer he was leaving Valley to transfer to Delta State but changed his mind in early August and returned to Itta Bena. He was one of about 12 who left the program in the offseason.
“His heart was always here, but some young kids think the grass is greener on the other side,” Comegy said. “Now some of the other guys who left are begging to get back on the team because they have wound up back in school here.
“If they were a bad egg or had a bad attitude, they’re not coming back. I don’t believe a leopard changes his spots.”
nContact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
