Mississippi Valley State had two weeks to prepare for Betthune-Cookman, but it didn’t show up on the offensive end.
The Delta Devils were held to less than 260 total yards, had six false start penalties and allowed five sacks in a 22-6 loss Saturday night to Bethune-Cookman in Itta Bena as MVSU remains winless on the season.
“It was a great atmosphere for our first home game. I thank the fans for their part in that,” MVSU coach Vincent Dancy said. “But we made too many uncharacteristic mistakes on offense, with the penalties and turnovers.
“It’s up to me to figure out how to get us over that hump for that first win.”
After an open date, MVSU (0-3) led early in the game, only to see the Wildcats rally to spoil Valley’s first home game of the season.
In the first half, it was only fitting that the Wildcat defense — which kept the team in the game from the start — got the first points on a sack of Valley quarterback Dejerric Bryant in the end zone.
MVSU quickly answered with its only points of the night — an 8-yard touchdown toss from Bryant to Jarius Clayton to take a 6-2 lead, but BC scored on two straight possessions in the final 31/2 minutes of the second quarter for a 15-6 advantage at the half.
Issac Washington answered for the Wildcats with a 57-yard dash for a score that made it 9-6 midway through the second quarter and later, a 21-yard scoring run to cap an 84-yard drive for a 15-6 halftime lead.
The Wildcats offense stalled in the third quarter but Williams broke loose for a 38-yard TD run late in the fourth for the final score.
Bryant struggled through the air with his accuracy, completing 18 of 34 passes for 141 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He added 23 rushing yards on 17 carries.
Greenwood’s JohnDerrick Smith led all Valley rushers. The former Greenwood High School standout had 22 carries for 79 yards and hauled in four passes for 20 yards.
Things won’t get any easier next weekend. The Delta Devils play at Alcorn State at 6 p.m. in Lorman.
The Braves are 2-1 after beating Prairie View 45-41 Saturday.
Felix Harper connected with Tim McNair Jr. for a 3-yard touchdown with 40 seconds left as Alcorn rallied for the win.
Harper finished 25 of 37 passing for 280 yards and two TDs.
“We gave up some long runs that really hurt us. That’s what we take pride in stopping the run, so that’s something we will have to address,” Dancy said.
